THE Quakers Confuted, BEING AN ANSWER Unto Nineteen QUERIES; Propounded by them, and sent to the Elders of the Church of Duckenfield in Cheshire;  
WHEREIN Is held forth much of the Doctrine and practice Concerning Revelations, and immediate Voices, and against the holy Scriptures, Christ's Ministry, Churches and Ordinances etc.  
TOGETHER With an Answer to a Letter which was Written and sent by one of them to a Family of Note and Quality in the said County, which pleaded for perfection in this life, and for Quaking.  
By Samuel Eton, Teacher of the Church of Christ heretofore meeting at Duckenfield, now in Stockport in Cheshire.  
LONDON, Printed by R. White for Thomas Brewster, and are to be sold at the sign of the three Bibles at the West-end of Paul's. 165●.   

To the Supreme Authority of the Nation, the Parliament now sitting in Westminster.  
Right Honourable,  
IT is the Duty of all that Love the Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity, to contend for the Faith that was once given to the Saints, every man in his place, according to the Calling, Office, Power, Interest, Gift, Ability that he hath received from God. And I in my place (though the weakest of many, being yet led forth thereto by special inviting Providences) have done it both formerly and at present. And I Assume the boldness to present my poor, plain, weak and slender labours to your Honour's view, and most humbly beg your  construction of my design and scope in them. It is not to asperse any who are innocent; it is not to bring Saints who are weak and frail under contumely; Neither is it to exasperate the Supreme Magistrate against any Persons in whom the visibility of Saintship shall be found; Nor is it to coniunce these Persons (betwixt whom and myself the contest lies) of their Error; for had there been any hope of that, I should have found out another way; but it is to preserve those who are yet sound in the Faith from infection, and it is to awaken others (who are far more able in the Scriptures than myself) to appear for God, for Christ, and for the Truth, in such times of the great Apostasy of so very many from the Faith. And it is to provoke your Honours to a selfreflection, if thereby you may discern what your own Duty may be, and whether there be not somewhat which the Supreme Magistrate, according to his Power, Place and Interest is called to do, in obedience to that command. I know you will manifest very much tenderness to all Saints, though in different forms, and of different judgements in circumstantial Truths, and no question Christ will take it kindly from your hands; but there is a company of Apostate Christians who are dispersed all over the Land, and who do sow much corrupt seed (which comes up with great increase in many places) who yet do pass with some for precious Saints. But my hope is, and my Prayer shall be, that the Lord will make you wise to judge of Saintship according to Scriptural Rules, and not according to the large Charity of some who are truly good, though too much friends to them. You are not ignorant what a Character Christ himself gives of false Teachers, though appearing a Righteous, Innocent and Harmless People, (as these Quakers style themselves) he calls them Wolves in Sheep's clothing. And Paul speaking of such, compares them to Satan in this, That they will transform themselves (as he doth himself into an Angel of Light, so they) into Ministers of Righteousness. And John in his Epistles makes them all Antichrists, And the Scope & Drift of all the Apostles in all their Epistles almost, is to confirm the Faith which the Saints had received, and to preserve from, & recover them out of Error; and it is to impugn such Doctrine as Seducers brought in among them, & the Zeal that they shown is worthy of observation. You know also that as God is a righteous God, & loves Righteousness, and therefore if you advance Righteousness (as my hope in God is that you will) you shall not lose your reward; For he is also a jealous God in the things wherein his Glory is more immediately concerned; And his Honour is not more concerned in any thing than it is in the Doctrines which men hold and teach, and in the Worships which men give to him: therefore if you also show yourselves jealous of his Glory in these things, it will be assuredly written down in God's Book of Remembrance what Zeal you had for your God, and the Lord will bless you thence forward. Are Magistrates for a Praise to good works, and for a terror to evil works, while only they are good and evil, but when they come to be best or worst (as they always be when Religion is in them) is it so that they then have nothing to do, neither are they to meddle with them? If this be the sense of the Apostles words (as all Persons which do exclude the Magistrate from having any thing to do with the matters of God) will have it to be; it is a strange one, and hath nothing to bear it up, either from that Text, or any that I know of. But you are sufficiently instructed (I doubt not) concerning your own power, and your Zeal shown where the honour of God is engaged, will provoke many whereto they will the rather be carried, considering that no sins do bring more & greater plagues upon a not on that professeth Righteousness, than sins against the first Table do; Now Magistrates are the Fathers of the Commonwealth, and therefore should study to preserve it from those judgements that would destroy it. Or else why are Laws made against Oaths, and such kind of Blasphemies, if they be not to intermeddle with matters of the first Table; and are there no sins against the first Table that God hates so much as he hates Oaths? yea, there are Blasphemies of opinion that are of a more hateful and horrid nature. But what ought to be done in this case, I leave that to your Honour's wisdom to find out by searching of the Scriptures; knowing that the Lord hath made many of you very dextrous and skilful in the understanding of the Scripture. When you meet with Crimes of a Civil Nature mentioned in the New Testament, as Murder, Adultery, Theft, etc. You cannot Read their Penalties there which ought to be inflicted; you find the sins, but not the Punishments against such Offenders; What course do you take? you are forced to fly to the Old Testament, and to fetch your Light thence. There are Apostates from the true God, from the true Christ, from the true Faith in the great Fundamental of it, and from the true Worship in the very Substantials of it, and who also are Teachers of Apostasy, who yet were once enlightened, and knew the Truth; What ought to be done to such, or what course ought to be taken, that Dishonour to God may not be increased, nor the Land troubled by God's Controversy against it? I leave it to be seriously thought of; and I hope the Lord will guide your minds (among the multiplicity of other weighty and serious thoughts within you) to the seasonable consideration of it. But if there be Sorcery and Familiarity with the Devil to be found among a People, who challenge Propriety in God, excluding all others from Interest in him; I have no cause to doubt but that such gross polluting Evils will be searched out. The God of Wisdom direct, and guide your Honours in all things that you take in hand, that by well doing, you may gain the Testimony of the Saints and World, that you are raised up of God, to exalt God, Christ, Faith, Truth, Godliness, Righteousness, and Mercy in this Nation. I most humbly beg pardon from your Honours, for my boldness in suggesting these thoughts of my heart, and spreading them before you, and remain  
Your Honours in all humble Duty Samuel Eton.   

To the Christian READER.  
CHristian READER, about three years since I was travelling through Notting ham towards London, and meeting with many reports respecting a People who are called Quakers, concerning Sorcery and witchcraft that should be among them; for confirmation whereof, it was asserted, that many Persons who came among them only as spectators and Observators of their way, grew distempered, and fell into trances among them. I was very desirous to satisfy myself concerning the truth thereof, being very unwilling to entertain reports upon Hear-say; At last (about half a mile from Nottingham Town) I met with a man of a godly, sober spirit (as he appeared to me) & Preacher to a people about amile off from the aforementioned Town: upon occasion of enquiring of the way which I was to go, I fell into discourse with him about the Quakers, and asked him, whether he conceived that there was any Sorcery among them; he answered, yea; and thereupon made Relation of this ensuing Story. There is (said he) a young man of my Farish, whom I judge to be truly godly; he desired leave from me to go among them one day to behold their way: but I durst not give way unto him, but told him that is might be a tempting of God if he should go. Notwithstanding (unknown to me) he went, and while he was observing of them, he began to be sick, and was afraid he should fall, and wished himself from among them, and soon after their meeting was ended; and he grew well again, and remained unsatisfied with that which he had seen (for he came late) and was very desirous to have some further knowledge of their way, and therefore went the second time among them; and after he had been there awhile, he began to be sick again, and his distemper increased upon him, till at length he fell into a trance among them, in which they left him, and went their way; and when he came to himself there was only an old woman there, and he returned home, and was very sensible of his miscarriage in not harkening to my advice, and came to me and confessed his fault, and acquainted me with all that he had done, and what had befallen him, and blessed himself from that people, and concluded the Devil was powerful among them. Having received this Relation from the Minister (who was a mere Stranger to me, but very godly in all his expressions) I became credulous of many like things, which I had before that time heard of them, and thought to have nothing to do with that Generation of men; and though I have been often solicited to confer with them, yet I have perpetually declined it, because I looked upon them as a People not only deluded, but given over to the power of Satan. Notwithstanding beyond all mine own thoughts, I have (by the Providence of the Lord, which order all things) been called forth to have some deal with them, and am now in a sort necessitated to appear in Print against them. Foyes thus it fell out.  
There was a certain man, named Richard Waller, who was Servant at a Gentleman's House near Stopport in Cheshire; this man fell in league with a Woman servant in the same house with him, who stood related to us, and was a Member of our Society; she acquainted us with this league, and sought our consent; we appeared not against it absolutely, because he made some profession of Religion, but withheld our consent till he should clear himself from some scandalous fact that was charged upon him; but she was impatient of delay, and received his own relation of the thing, and to our grief and trouble gave herself up unto him in Marriage. Not long after both of them left the Family in which they lived, and went into the lower parts of Lancashire to live there, near unto those parts where there are many Quakers, who meet frequently together. This man (it seems) had not been long there but he fell in among them, and gave himself up unto them; and within a short time after writ a Letter to the Family (where he and his wife had so lately been Servants) in which he pleads for such a Perfection which excludes all sin from being committed by the Saints; and he also pleads for quaking, and produces many Scriptures to prove both; and he reviles Ministers under the Title of Priests of this World which teach deceit, and he denies all the Teachers of the World, and witnesseth his Teacher to be within him, and he exhorts them to wait upon the Lord, and to cease from man, and to mind the Light of God-within them, with much more of this nature. A Copy of this Letter was given unto me, which I communicated to the Brethren, and after a debate had of those two things, which he asserted and endeavoured to make out by Scripture; it was concluded that the Letter with those Scriptures should be answered, and sent to this man's wife who wrote the Letter, for the establishing of her, because she stood related to us, and we were sensible of the danger that she was in; and I was entreated to draw the Answer, which I did, and it was sent by a special Massinger unto her. About two Months after, the same man that wrote the Letter (which occasioned our Letter of answer to his wife) came over to our side as a Messenger sent by the Quakers, with a Reply to our Answer, and with a paper of nineteen Questions; and upon the fifth of June last, being the first day of the Week, he delivers the paper of the Questions in their name to me, in the face of the Congregation, and requires an answer thereto, and pleads for an Absolute Perfection in the presence of all that were assembled; the paper of Reply he kept back, as being too scurrilous in his own thoughts, as some collected that spoke with him; but I had notice of it, and called for it from him the next day, and then received it.  
Upon this account it is that I come to be engaged in an answer to these Queries; I have also annexed the Copy of his Letter that was given me, and the Answer which I sent unto it, which was directed to his wife, together with the Reply that the Quakers made unto it; which indeed is too tedious to be read of any who have most time; it is such a sottish and senseless piece of stuff, and hath so much scurrilous language in it. But by it, and by the Queries, the Saints and World may know what a people these are, & what little hope there is of any good to be wrought upon them; if they would admit of any rational discourse from Scripture, some encouragement would be given to spend time that way with them; but they can easily evade all with such Answer as this, Busy minds give senses to Scripture, and are Persons that have nothing to do with Scripture, can witness nothing of that they speak of. They pretend to speak and act all by the Spirit, and if any one will try the Spirit that they speak by, their Reply is, that such an one can neither witness Scripture nor Spirit, and therefore hath nothing to do with such things. Yet they deceive many, and they increase in number continually; but the time will come that they shall proceed no further. In the mean time it ought to be sad to every godly spirit, that Satan should have such power to work so effectually in and upon many who have been reputed Saints, who are drawn into them; but God will issue all to his Glory at the last, and in this I rest, and remain  
Thine in the Lord Jesus Samuel Eton.   


THE Quakers QUERIES, For some Friends who call themselves Elders of the Church of Christ, meeting at Stopport, these etc. A few Queries to you who profess yourselves to be Teachers, Pastors and Elders.  
Querie 1. WHether you have the same eternal Spirit which gave forth the Scriptures, yea or no?  
Querie 2. Whether the Apostles did give a right meaking to the Scriptures when they gave them forth, or left them to you to give a meaning to them, yea or no?  
Querie 3. Whether the Plagues be not added to them who add to the Prophecies written in the Book? and whether his Name be not diminished out of the Book of Life, that diminishes? and whether you can witness this Name, yea or no?  
Querie 4. Whether you have an infallible Judgement to judge of things eternal, yea or no?  
Querie 5. Whether you be above the Apostle, and are able to judge his Condition? because you say, he was not perfect, who said, he spoke wisdom among them that were perfect.  
Querie 6. Whether you have the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the World was, which the Apostle speaks of yea or no?  
Querie 7. Whether you have heard the voice of the living God of Heaven and Earth? or whether do you not take the Prophet's words, Christ's words, and the Apostles words, and say, he saith it, when saith the Lord, I never spoke to you?  
Querie 8. Whether a man shall overcome the body of sin while he is upon the Earth, yea or no?  
Querie 9 Whether you preach no other Doctrine then that which the Apostles did? that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and with our hands have handled of the word of life? For this life is made manifest, and we have seen it, and bear witness and show it unto you.  
Querie 10. Whether you have this word which was from the beginning, and this life manifested to you which was to the Apostles? And if it be, why do you take a Text from the Letter, and Preach from it, and show the People the Letter?  
Querie 11. And show me where the Prophets did take a Text, and preach from it, but only Christ read a place, and said, it was fulfilled, who said he was anointed to preach; and which of you can witness you are anointed to preach by the living God, yea or no?  
Querie 12. Tell me why you sing David's Conditions and Experiences in Meeter, and when you read them, hats you keep on, and when you sing them, hats you put off.  
Querie 13. Whether you have the voice, and whether you do know the voice of Christ from the voice of a Stranger? My Sheep know my voice, saith Christ, seeing that you are so forward to judge, and sit as Judges of the Saints Conditions?  
Querie 14. Whether that which is in you which Judgeth, be eternal and infallible, yea or no?  
Querie 15. What is the Ordinance which is ordained of God, that those which you call Quakers deny, and where or when did God command you to observe them? As to sprinkle Infants, to pray before and after your Sermons, as you call them, or to set times, days and hours, which was in the Generation which were enemies to Christ, who observed such things.  
Querie 16. What these Ordinances of God be which you speak of? And where God commanded them, and to whom, which you say those that you call Quakers do deny? mention them in particular, and declare them openly in Writing, and give over accusing.  
Querie 17. Whether you do not seduce the People to draw them from the anointing within them? when as John saith, they need no man teach them, but as the anointing, and the Promise was Eternal Life to him that did abide in the anointing.  
Querie 18. Whether you do not bewitch the people, to draw them from the Spirit of God within them, to observe these things which God never commanded; to tell people of a Sacrament, and following your outward Teaching, who stand praying in the Synagogues, and are called of men-Masters; which Christ did forbid, Mat. 23. And have the chiefest places in the Assemblies; Whether these be not Antichrists, which act contrary to the Commands of Christ, this yea or no?  
Querie 19 Whether a man shall ever grow up that he need no man teach him under your Ministry, yea or no? seeing the Apostle saith, you need no man teach you, and you which have been long Teachers, how many have you brought up into this Condition?  
The Church of Christ is the Pillar and Ground of Truth, which doth witness the eternal Spirit; and if you be the same Church, and have the same Spirit, Answer me these Queries without any consequences or senses, otherwise deny your Eldership and Pastorship, and to be no Church of Christ.  
From some Friends in the Truth in Lancashire, whom the World calls Quakers.   

An ANSWER to the forementioned Queries, brought by one Richard Waller a Messenger of the Quakers, and presented by him in the name of them, unto the Elders of the Church common-called the Church of Duckenfield, now meeting at Stockport in the face and presence of the whole Congregation; and an Answer required fromthe above said Elders, upon the 5th of june 1653.  

Querie 1. WHether you have the Eternal Spirit which gave forth the Scriptures, yea or no?  
Answ. We do believe and assert, that all 
Concering the indwelling of the Spirit in the Saints.  that do believe in Jesus Christ (of which number we take ourselves to be) have the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Rom. 8. 9, dwelling in them, 1 Cor. 3. 16. Which Spirit is God, Acts 10. 3. 5. compared with vers. 19, 20. and therefore Eternal; Dout. 33. 27. and he who gave forth the Scriptures, 2 Pet. 1. 21. 2 Tim. 3. 16. But we do not believe that there is any substantial, essential or personal union, betwixt this Eternal Spirit and such Believers; For such Unions would either make the Spirit and Believers some third thing, as when soul and body are united, a third thing which is neither soul nor body, but compounded of both, ariseth from it, which is called Man; or else thee will be a confounding of substance which cannot be; for God cannot mix with the Creature. And else such Union if it should be Personal, as betwixt the two Natures in Christ, would make Believers God, and equal with Christ, and consequently equal with God himself; The Consequence of which would be, thatsuch Persons would have an Almighty Power, which they might put forth in working as many miracles as they please, as they may see it make for the Glory of God, and that they would be omniscient and know all things, and would have the rest of God's Atributes as Christ had, who was God andequal with God, and in whom this Personal Union was; But this is palpsbly false in reference to Saints, and is full of Blasphemy.  
And though we believe that the Spirit of Christ dwells in Saints, yet we assert the Spirit of Christ to be distinct from the Saint, and the Saints from the Spirit, And though he dwells in the Saints, yet he acts not in them but as it pleaseth him; neither doth he impart Wisdom, Power, Grace and Glory but as it pleaseth him; 1 Cor. 12. 7. to 12. And though there be the same Spirit in all Saints that gave forth the Scriptures, yet all Saints have not the same Inspiration of the Spirit which the Prophets and Apostles had, so as they should be able to give forth infallible Truths, and immediately discover the pure and clear will of God as the Prophets and Apostles did; Timothy had the Spirit of God, yet he must give attendance to Reading, 1 Tim. 1. 13. and 2 Tim. 1. 14. 15. He must continue in the things he had learned and had been assured of, knowing of whom he had learned them. And the holy Scriptures which of a child he had the knowledge of, are those Writings to which the Apostle sends him as being able to make him wise to Salvation. The Spirit within him did not dictate all things to him, but he must have recourse to the Scriptures. God dwelled in the Temple, but God did not make out all his Glory in the Temple. Sometimes there was no Glory at all that was visible, and yet God was there; and when there was Glory, there was not all that might have been: And Believers are the Temple of the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit of God dwells in them; but God doth not make out all his glory in them, not all the Glory his Wisdom, Power, Holiness, or of the rest of his Attributes; For neither is there a capacity in the Crreature to receive it, neither doth the Spirit communicate according to the capacity, but it is reserved for another time and place; and now every Saint is in weakness and infirmity, as in Knowledge so in all other Graces. 1 Cor. 13. 9 to 13.   

Querie 2. Whether the Apostles did give a right meaning 
Concerning the sense of the Scriptures.  to the Scriptures when they gave them forth, or left them to you to give the meaning of them, yea or no?  
Answ. The Apostles and so all the Penmen of Scriptures, in all the Scriptures they gave forth, had a meaning, and they gave it forth in and with those Scriptures which they gave forth, yet not always so plainly that the meaning thereof might be rightly taken up by those that read them, unless compared with some other Scriptures which they also have given out, which have a plainer sense in them, and are helpful to expound them; 1 Cor. 2. 13. Christ saith unto the Jews who required a Sign? joh. 2. 19 Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up again: Christ had a sense in which he meant those words; he understood what himself said; but the jews understood it not, could not take up the sense, but applied the words to a Material Building; But the Evangelist gives the right sense, in which Christ intended them; and we come to know the right sense, not by the signification of the words themselves; for more things are signified then one by one word, as the word (Temple) signifieth plainly and properly a material house where God gave his Presence and was worshipped; but siguratively and mystically the Body of man in which the Soul dwells. In this metaphorical sense Christ meant it; But this did not appear to them, nor would it have appeared to us by the signification of the word, if in another place of Scripture the Evangelist had not given the interpretation; joh. 2. 21, 22. The Apostle Peter tells us, 2 Pet. 3. 16. that some things in Paul Epistles were hard to be understood, which they which were unlearned and unstable did wrest to their own destruction. There was a sense which Paul gave forth in those Seriptures in his Epistles, but it was not easy but hard to be understood, and so hard that they who were unlearned in the Scriptures, not well read therein, not well versed, not well acquainted therewith, did wrest them; and unstable ones by reason of the difficulty that was in the sense of them, did pervert them to their own and others ruin. Christ in his Parables that he gave out (which are part of Scripture) had a meaning, But the meaning was so mystical and hidden, that the Diseiples could not have found it out, if Christ himself in other words had not given the sense and meaning thereof. And Moses & the Prophets wrote of Christ so darkly & obscurely, that though themselves knew what they meant in what they wrote, john 12. 41, yet others did not; the Disciples did not till Christ first expounded unto them the things which Moses and the Prophets wrote of him: Luk 24. 26, 27. Therefore it is that Christ commmands to search the Scriptures, because the meaning lieth deep in many places, and is hidden from the common eye; yet by searching what Scriptures laid together speak, the sense may be gotten out.  
In Answer therefore to the Question, the Apostles when they gave out the Scriptures, they gave out the sense in some places more darkly, in other places more clearly; so that the sense and meaning may be taken up (at least in all the, great Points of Faith) if Scriptures be compared with each other; And they have not left them to us, nor to any others to give the sense of them, that is, to put any sense of our own upon such Scriptures which they have given out, which is not their sense: but that which is Jeft to us, is, to find out the sense and meaneing which they have put, as in Re2. 13. 18. after some mystical things had been held out in which there was a meaning, but hard to be understood, it is is said, Here is Wisdom; let him that understandeth count the Number of the Beast; that is, let him set all his Wisdom and understanding that he hath on work to search it out. Nevertheless it is not to be understood, that the meaning which the Apostles intended in the Scripture which they gave out, doth perpetually follow the sound of the Letter; for the Letter contains contradiction many times in it, but the Apostles meaning as he interprets himself, hath sweet congruity in it without contradiction.   

Querie 3. Whether Plagues be not added to them who add 
Concerning adding to and diminishing from the Scripture, In what sense it is to be understood.  to the Prophecies Written in the Book? And whether his name be not diminished out of the Book of Life who diminisheth? And whether you can witness this name, yea or no?  
Answ. It is plain and clear from Rev. 22. 18. that the Evils are great and terrible, that are threatened against adding and diminishing; But what this adding and diminishing is that hath such woes belonging to it, is the question; If expounding the Scripture, and interpreting it, and showing the sense and meaning thereof, be the adding or diminishing that the question intends, against which such a fearful Sentence is pronounced, than it would reach Ezra and those others with him mentioned. Nehem. 8. 7, 8. For they read and they gave the sense, and caused the people to understand the reading. And Christ also gave the sense of those words in Isai. 61. 1, 2, 3. and declared how they were fulfilled in himself; and he expounded Moses and the Prophets, their Writings to those two Disciples who were travelling towards Emmaus. And Philip guided the Eunuch in his reading unto the right sense of the Prophet Isar. in Chap. 53. 7, 8, 9 He shown the Prophet spoke not of himself but of another, via. Christ; Acts 8. 31. 34 And what was preaching the Gospal ordained of God for? And why were Gifts given unto men? but that the People might be brought to Knowledge, and might come to understand the Scriptures. Therefore the Apostles were much exercised in opening those sealed Prophecies which were often read and never understood, which respected Christ, and in proving out of them that Jesus was the Christ. Therefore the interpreting of Scripture is not adding to it, so long as it is not any private interpretation that is given, which a man's heart hath found out and his fancy hath imagined; but such an interpretation as agreeth to the Spirit of the Scripture in other places. 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. and such as accords with the Analogy of Faith. Rom. 12. 6. that is, holds Proportion with the Doctrine of Faith as it is laid down in other Scriptures; This is not adding; but adding is, when the sufficiency of the Scriptures to build men up to salvation, and to make them perfect, throughly furnished unto every good work, is not acknowledged; and thereupon Traditions, Canons, and Doctrines and Commandments of men are brought in and annexed and imposed upon the people; As of old, by the Scribes and Pharisees which Christ so often conflicted with; and by the Roman Synagogue, and by some of that stamp amongst ourselves; And when Persons assume an Authority and Power to themselves to be the Judges of the Scripture, and expunge what they please out of it, and introduce into it what liketh them, and what sense they give unto it, whether it agrees or not agres with other Scriptures, yet that must be the sense of of it, and none must question it: Whereas Scripture itself ought to be its own interpreter, else there would be no plain standing rule to try truth by, but the Truth of God must be subjected to the various and opposite fancies of men. And when Persons pretend the Spirit, and say they have dreamt, and come with their apprehensions, and say it is made out so to them or it is so given in to them; and though there be never so much repugnancy in it to other Scriptures, yet that must be the sense; by which means the Spirit of Truth comes to suffer many affronts in this Age; This is adding: And (indeed) the rigid adhering to the letter of Scriptures and to the sound of words therein, without admitting a wholesome sense, such as accords with other Scriptures, is adding, which is the way of all Seducers and Deceivers to make their blasphemous doctrine the more vendible. For the letter of Scripture in some places, without searching out a sound sense, will countenance Papists, Arrians, Ranters, and whom not! in their Tenants; This is the introducing of another Scripture then that which is Scripture indeed; and it is properly such adding to the Scripture, against which such plagues are denounced. Let these Persons who are called Quakers, look to this, for it is their grand imposture wherewith they beguilc the people; they bring the Letter where it serves for their purpose, as the Papists were wont to bring their hoc est corpus meum, This is my Body, to prove the bodily presence of Christ in the Sacrament. And these press upon the people the Letter, and cry out upon the Ministers of Christ and say, they are lying Priests, and they lead the people in darkness, and so by the Letter destroy the sense of Scripture, and bring in another sense which is not Scripture-sense, and so themselves are found both adders to and diminishers from the Scripture.   

Querie 4. Whether you have an infallible Judgement to judge of things eternal, yea or no? 
Concering Infallibility in judging how fat men may have it, and how far not.   
Answ. The first state of every man is darkness; the natural man understands not the things that are of God, they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2. 14. When any man is brought from darkness to light, even than he knoweth but in part; Paul himself was in some darkness; now we see through a glass darkly, said he of himself and others, 1 Cor. 13. 12. Those to whom John wrote, who had the annointment to teach them all things, and of whom John said that they knew all things, (which was but an hyperbolical expression, and did import only much knowledge to be in them; 1 joh. 2. 20, 21, 27.) yet those were not all light without any darkness, but they were such who might be deceived, and were subject to error; therefore the Apostle warns them of Seducers, not withstanding the unction that they have received. They had not an infallible judgement, but might be mistaken in some of the things of God, though they had the Spirit; for the Spirit gives himself out to those in whom he is, in light, in power and grace as he will. Therefore neither we nor any others have infallible judgements in all things at all times, but we are subject to Error, and in many things we do not apprehend and speak aright of God, of Christ, of the Spirit, of the Saints, of ourselves, of the mysteries of the Gospel, which are some of those things which are eternal; As God said to jobs Friends, Ye have not spoken of me the things that are right, as my Servant Job hath; and job himself did darken Counsel by words without knowledge, when he spoke of God.  
Notwithstanding that fallible mind and judgement that is in all men in some things, and at some times; yet because the Rule that is left men to judge by, is an infallible, sure and certain Rule, which cannot deceive men, and because it is a plain Rule in many things and easily understood, Prov. 1. 4. and because the principles of Religion and fundamentals of Salvation are so clearly revealed in the Scripture, that Babes in Christ may come to the knowledge of them; therefore both we and all the Saints, may in some things have an infallible judgement, and may judge of things eternal with a judgement of Certainty, both respecting God, Christ, Faith, Repentance, Resurrection of the dead, eternal judgement, and many other things. How else could there be any preaching, if persons could not know infallibly, that in some things they hold forth they speak the Truth; And how could any thing be assuredly believed, if the word of Faith in the true sense of it, could not infallibly be held forth, and judged of? And how could any Person be at a certainty concerning his own Salvation? And how could any Christian seal the Truth of Christ with his blood, if some things could not be judged of with an infallible judgement?  
But whether any person having not the Spirit, can have an infallible judgement to judge of things eternal, by the knowledge they may get from the Scripture, is the drift and scope of the question, if I be able to make a judgement of it. They think that none can infallibly judge of things of an eternal nature, but such who have the Spirit; and that we are persons that have not the Spirit, and therefore cannot judge of them nor of their way, and that they themselves have the Spirit, and that judgement belongs to them only, both of persons and of things; we are but in our first birth, and are carnal, and know not things of an eternal Nature; they are in the second birth, and are spiritual, and can judge all things; and all men, for hitherto tends a great part of a large Letter sent unto us from them, by which I come to prove them in this question. In answer therefore unto this, I must distinguish of infallible judgement: There is an infallible Judgement which may be made from the Scripture without the Spirit, and there's an infallible judgement which cannot be made from the Scripture without the spirit. The Judgement that may be made from the Scripture without the Spirit infallibly, respects the Doctrine which the Scripture contains to be received & believed by men that they may be saved; what they be, and what manner of life it is, that Persons ought to live that would come to Life eternal; these things are clearly and plainly laid down, and may easily be taken up by unprejudiced Persons, who have unballanced spirits, though they have not the spirit. Upon this account it is that the Apostle John would not have every Spirit believed, but would have the spirits tried whether they be of God; but how must they be tried unless by the Scriptures? for every one will pretend the Spirit, and there are many false Prophets who have the spirit of delusion, and are gone forth into the world; 1 Joh. 4. 1. For if the Scripture were not the judge of the Spirit in this case, so far as concerns Doctrines and Manners which men have Received and learned, whether they be of God or no; or whether the spirit of the Devil hath not inspired them: therewith, all men living would be put upon desperate uncertainties, which is the Spirit that gives our the Truth, and which is the spirit of Error. And they would be confounded through the multiplicity of spirits, each spirit pretending to Truth, and crying down the contrary as Error; Therefore the Scripture alone being of the Spirits inspiring, is a light sufficient to show the Doctrine what it is, and the commandment & precept what it is, to one that will attend unto it, without any further inspiration of the Spirit; else in vain were the Scriptures at the first inspired.  
But then again there is an infallible Judgement which cannot be made without the Spirit, that is, whether those Doctrines and Rules of Life which are clearly contained in the Scripture be Doctrines which proceeded from God? whether God spoke with Moses, sent Christ to declare what he hath declared, inspired the Apostles in speaking and writing what they have spoken or written, or whether all these spoke of themselves. It is the Spirit of God alone that can give assured satisfaction concerning this. The Jews and their Rulers, though they saw the Miracles, yet they know not Christ to be the Messiah; for had they known him, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. These are among those invisible things which are revealed unto us by the Spirit, as the Apostle tells us, 1 Cor. 2. 8, 9, 10. It is easy for any man that hath his reason, and hath not the Spirit, by reading the Scripture to conclude that Scripture makes Jesus the Son of Mary to be the Son of God, and the Christ; But for any man to believe it, and build upon it as a sure truth of God, this is from the Spirit; flesh and blood hath not revealed this, but the Father which is in Heaven; Christ told Peter so, Mat. 16 16. The conclusion is, That the Scripture is the foundation of an insallible judgement concerning things contained in them, and not the Spirit: but both Scripture and Spirit must concur to give in the certainty of those things that are there contained, that they may become a sure rock to be built upon; for no one can say assuredly, and by a spirit of Faith, that Jesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 12. 3.   

Quere 5. Whether you be above the Apostle, and able to 
Concerning perfection, what may be granted and what not.  judge his condition, because you say he was not perfect who said he spoke wisdom among them that were perfect?  
Answ. This Question relates to a passage in our Answer to a Letter of theirs which pleaded for perfection; (which we had the sight of) which fell into their hands, and hath occasioned this Question. The words of our Answer are these, He might have discerned that Paul expressly denies perfection in reference to himself, Phil. 3. 12. His Question hence is, Are you above the Apostle, and able to judge his condition, because you say he was not perfect? It is a senseless, foolish, causeless Question, because he judged nothing of the Apostles condition, but perverted what the Apostle judged of his own condition; for it is his own words of himself, which are spoken in the above mentioned place, not our words of him. Not (saith he) as though I had already apprehended or were already perfect. We relate his words, And do we exalt ourselves in it above him, and judge his condition? As for his speaking of Wisdom among those who were perfect, that proves not his perfection of which the Question runs, nor (indeed) doth it prove any perfection at all, which excludes all sin, which is that which they drive at in making mention of it. There is a comparative perfection which some attain unto, which the Apostle intends in that place: There are some that are in their way towards it, and have made a good progress, and are still passing thitherward; these are perfect in comparison of the rude wild world, and of such who are only babes in Christ: He that can bridle his tongue, is a perfect man, as James affirms, not absolutely perfect; for the heart may be unruly, though the tongue be restrained; but comparatively perfect, because there are not many who can do it; amongst such perfect ones Paul speaks wisdom, but not amongst absolute Perfectists.   

Querie 6. Whether you have the hidden wisdom which God 
Concerning Christ in Saints, in what sense they have him, and in what sense not.  ordained before the World was, which the Apostle speaks of, yea or no?  
Answ. This hidden Wisdom which God, ordained before the world was, which the Apostle speaks of in 1 Cor. 2. 7. is CHRIST; for he is called the Wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 24. and he is hidden also; for he was in the World, and the World knew him not, and he came unto his own, and his own received him not, Joh. 1. 11. 12. For though they said they knew him, and whence he was, yet Christ told them, That they neither knew him nor his Father, nor whence he was, nor whither he went; For though they knew him as he was man, yet the Divinity which was vailed in his fl●sh, they saw no●, neither could see; for flesh and blood revealed it not, but the Father, as Christ told his Disciples; and it is clear from the  place, which he alludes to in this Question, that Christ is the person that is called The hidden wisdom which God erdained; For the Apostle saith, vers. 8. Had they known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory: Now if Christ be this hidden Wisdom, than the Question runs of Christ, whether we have him, yea or no? Our Answer to it is this: What we are will appear in time; but if we be Believers, we have him; for all Believers have him; for he dwells in their hearts by faith, Eph. 3. 17. For faith receives him, Joh. 1. 12. And who ever hath one of the three, hath all the three dwelling in him. If Saints have the holy Ghost (as was granted in the first Question,) Then they have Christ also; nay, they could not have the Spirit, if they had not Christ; for Christ sends him; yet it must be understood in a spiritual sense that they have Christ, and not in a literal and carnal. They have Christ standing in relation to them and they to him, as the members have the head because they are united to it and it to them, and as branches have the Vine, and the Vine the branches, because united to one another. And they have Christ's influence upon them, and Christ in those influences: And they have the virtue and power of his Spirit put forth in them in such measure as pleaseth him, but always in part, and not in perfection, 1 Cor. 13. 12. and therein they have him. But they have not Christ in flesh, or the flesh of Christ dwelling in them; for that was taken up into Heaven and will be there contained, till the restitution of all things. But they intent this Question of an higher way of having Christ, and they dream that they themselves have him in a higher way, and that neither we nor any others but themselves have him in that way. They imagine such an having of Christ as the flesh of Christ had God, or as the humanity of Christ had the Godhead: The flesh of Christ had God in such sort, that it was wholly comprehended of God, and taken up into oneness of Person with him, so as that the infinite power and wisdom and holiness of God, was put forth many times in flesh; and always when the flesh (that is, when the humanity) acted any thing, it was in perfection of compliance with God, which was in it and comprehended it; Such an having of Christ as this, they conceit in reference to themselves, that as the Godhead had the flesh, so they have the Godhead, which supplies with all Wisdom, Knowledge, Graces of all kinds, strength, holiness, and with every thing, so that they need nothing that is external, neither Scripture, nor Ordinances, or Teachers, but Christ whom they have within them is sufficient for all things, and unto all purposes, and makes them perfect as Christ is, as God is; Now such an having of Christ as this is, we assume not nor dare assume; And we declare against it as a Satanical delusion, to which God hath left these poor Creatures, who have forsaken him. They would be as God, as Christ; the Devil tempts them to it, as at first he did our first Parents, tells them that they are so, and so they cast off his Institutions, Ordinances, Servants, which he sends in his name, and him in them.   

Querie 7. Whether you have heard the voice of the living 
Concerning immediate voices, whether there be any such immediate voices now as of old time to the Prophets and Apostles. Or, concerning immediate inspiration.  God of Heaven and Earth? or whether you do not take the Prophet's words, Christ's words, and the Apostles words, and say, he saith it, when saith the Lord, I never spoke to you?  
Answ. This Question consists of two parts; The former part demands of us, Whether we be persons immediately inspired in what we deliver. For the voice which they en choir after, is some voice that immediately comes from God, such as came to the Patriarches, to Moses, to Samuel, to all the Prophets, to Christ and to all the Apostles, The Jews would confess that God spoke with Moses, and we Christians will acknowledge that God spoke both with Moses and with Christ; for all Scripture was given by Inspiration of God, and holy men of old spoke as they were inspired by the holy Ghost. And this we assert in reference to the New Testament as well as in reference to the old, because God by signs and wonders and with divers Miracles hath given Witness thereunto. Now our Answer is, That such a voice as this, as comes immediately from God, we have not heard, and such an inspiration as this we have not received, nor do we wait for it; And if the persons who propound this Question, have heard any such immediate voice as this (for they pretend much to it, and say Gods speaks unto them, and the Spirit immediately suggests what they speak or pray in their meetings, coming unto them at such time as they quake and tremble; and their quaking is the sign by which others know that the Spirit is come unto them) let such persons confirm Gods speaking or the Spirits speaking to them by signs and wonders and by diversity of Miracles as Christ and his Apostles did, Heb. 2. 3, 4. else they must of necessity be accounted Impostors and Deceivers of the People.  
The latter part of the Question shows the evilness of their design, and what it is that they strike at; it is at preaching out of the Scriptures; they would have no preaching but what immediately proceeds from the suggestion of the Spirit, which they pretend to have; and herein lies the venom and poison of the Question, as they are the propounders of it; And they would make all preachers, save such who preach by the immediate dictate of the Spirit as the Prophets did and the Apostles did, to be false Prophets and Teachers of lies, which cell the people that the Lord hath said so, and the Lord never spoke to them; Let this be looked into and examined,  
First, It will be granted by themselves, that God spoke by Moses. by the Prophets, by Christ, and by the Apostles, and that all their words are Gods Words; and what ever they said in their Prophecies, and preach, or Epistles, that they wrote, God said it by them; this is clear from Heb. 1. 1, 2. God spoke in times passed unto our Fathers by the Prophets.  
Secondly, It must be granted without contradiction, that what ever the Fathers heard of God at any time during the Old Testament, it was taken out of the Prophets, it was something that God spoke by the Prophets; For the Priests and the Levites, which were the Instructers of the Fathers and Teachers of the people, spoke not any thing which they had received immediately from God by voice, but what God had spoken by the Prophets, or by Moses, who was also a Prophet; We shall find that Ezra a Priest and the Levices with him, read in the Law, and gave the sense, Nehem. 7. 8. Now the Author to the Hebrews compriseth all the teaching that the Jews of the Old Testament had through all Generations whilst that Testament was standing, under this head, Gods teaching them by the Prophets. Now we know there were not Prophets at all times in all Generations, who brought immediate Messages from God; The last of the Prophets was Malachy, and there were many Ages after that, yet the people were taught all along by the Prophets; for the Apostle saith, God spoke to our Fathers by the Prophets: But how could that be when the Prophets were dead? Yea; for though the Prophets were dead, yet their Prophecies were living and remaining, and were made use of by the Ministers of the Old Testament, and urged and pressed upon the people as the Word of the Lord: And Christ is said to have spoken unto us, when only the words of Christ are brought unto us, Heb. 13. 25. And what ever it be that the Prophets or Christ have spoken from the Lord while upon the Earth, when such words are urged upon a people, it must be accounted God present speaking. The Apostles dehortation is, Heb. 12. 25. Not to refuse him that speaketh, he speaks in the present Tense, though Christ was then in Heaven, and spoke not; but what he hath spoken, when it is presented, must be accounted his present speaking. Christ himself expounded unto the Disciples The words that Moses and the prophets had spoken respecting his sufferings, and presseth them upon their Faith, as words spoken by God, blaming them for their unbelief; And Paul applied the words that God spoke by Esay the Prophet, to these unbelieving Jews that withstood his preaching as God's Message to them, and said they were The words of the Holy Ghost. Act. 28, 25. 26. And his whole witness that he gave of Christ, was fetched out of Moses and the Prophets. Act. 26. 2. And all that are brought to the Faith of Christ, are said to be built upon the Apostles and Prophets, Ephes. 2. 20. Not upon an immediate voice that comes from God to themselves or to any others who are their Teachers, but upon the Word of God that was of old spoken by the Prophets; and this is called a more sure word than any immediate word, unless it come notably, marvellously, and visibly confirmed unto them. 2 Pet. 1. 19 For there may be much fallacy in that, and much delusion; but we know that God spoke with Moses, and with the Prophets; so also with Christ and with the Apostles; and what was spoken to them, was intended to continue as a rule till Christ's appearing, Isai. 8. 20. 1 Tim 6. 13, 14.  
Thirdly, It is evident from Scripture, that what ever the Prophets or Apostles have spoken or written, is to be safely kept and retained, and also transferred and made over to others, and these others are to communicate and make the same known to others after them, and so it is to pass from man to man, and from age to age, and never to be lost, but kept as a precious treasury is kept for the benefit of after Posterity. And consequently that God did not intent immediate teaching, nor to give out an immediate voice in after ages, which should direct and guide men in the ways of Salvation, 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. This is the way in which God intended the propagating of the knowledge of himself, and of his Son, and of his will. Paul must have his knowledge immediately, but not Timothy, but he must have it from Paul, and those faithful men from him, and others from them; so the truth of God must pass from hand to hand throughout all Generations. And the Faith, viz. the Doctrine of Faith is said to be once delivered to the Saints, Judas 3. and that very Doctrine which was once delivered, must be always contended for: This (once) imports as much as already, as vers. 5. shows, or (once delivered) is once for all, never more to be delivered. It hath been delivered, that is, immediately from Heaven, and that cuts off all expectations of any other delivery from Heaven, and of all other immediate voices thence; But all Saints must hold what they have once had, 2 Thes. 2. 15. Hold the Traditions (said Paul) which ye have been taught whether by word or by our Epistle. Every Bishop or Elder (for they are one in Scripture expression) must hold fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound Doctrine, both to exhort and convince gainsayers, Tit. 1. 9, 10. And the reason is rendered, because there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, vers. 10. 11. There must not be waiting for a new word, an immediate word, but that word which hath been already taught, must be held fast; and that is the sound Doctrine which must be made use of to convince and exhort men by; and this word may be called the Word of the Lord to the Apostles and Prophets, for our use and benefit, though not spoken to us immediately, as Paul said, Well spoke the holy Ghost by Isaiah; he did not say, Well spoke the holy Ghost to me, but to Isaiah. It was God's Word to Isaiah, which he made use of against that people to whom he spoke, though not God's word to him immediately.   

Querie 8. Whether a man shall overcome the body of sin 
Concerning sin, what freedom persons have from it, and what not.  while he is upon the Earth, yea or no?  
Answ. If this Question be meant of a full and perfect Victory over the body of sin, which is accompanied with the utter destruction of the body of sin, so as that there shall be no remainders of it abiding in men, so as that persons shall be all Spirit, and no flesh, and in a perfect state without any propensity to sin; then the Answer must be negative; no man while upon Earth, shall overcome the body of sin after such manner: For the Apostle declares the condition of all the Saints in this World, Gal. 5. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would; and the same Apostle in Rom. 7. 14. to the end, describes in his own person the vexatious exercise that all Believers have more or less in this World, through contrary laws within them, viz. through the law of the flesh, and the law of the mind, which are always warring one against the other. And though they do delight in the Law of God after the inward man, yet many times through the strength of sin within them, they know not how to perform that which is good: And this made the Apostle groan for deliverance, v. 24. Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me, etc. And though he thanks God through Jesus Christ; yet it was not for any perfect or full deliverance that he obtained after his groaning from this condition; for he concludes of himself in the very next words after his thanksgiving, That with the mind he himself served the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. And the deliverance which he had in Christ, was from the Curse of such a state, rather than from the state itself; and from such dominion as would make him a perfect Captive, from which he was kept; For still his will was to do good, though many times, the good which he would have done he did it not. And it was deliverance he apprehended by Faith would be through Jesus Christ to him at last, in which he rejoiced, and for which he thanked God, rather than for any victorious strength he at that time possessed. And he saw it in Christ the head already, and assured himself of it in due time upon that account. But an overcoming of the body of sin, such as delivers from all sin in this world, is expressly against the Scripture, as hath been already declared in our Letter which we sent in Answer to that pleaded-for perfection contained in a Letter of theirs brought to our view. But if the Question respect only a partial overcoming, and such as is imperfect, and is only in tendency towards perfection of conquest, it will then be condescended to; For Saints go forth conquering and to conquer, and yet sometimes have the worst of it, and are as Captives, Rom. 7. 23. And yet are never totally disarmed, but reassume the weapons of their warfare, and take hold on God's strength, and get the better again, and weaken the fleshly part by a power from on high. And in such a sense as this, it will be granted, that a man may and doth overcome the body of sin. He is about the work and is doing it; by the power of the Spirit, he is mortifying the deeds of the flesh, Rom. 8. 13. and believing that through Christ strengthening him, he shall be perfectly Conqueror at the last, he may be said to have done it, as in 1 Joh. 5. 4.   

Querie 9 Whether you preach no other Doctrine but 
Concerning preaching, whether it depend upon seeing of Christ with our bodily eyes, hearing of him with our bodily ears, handling of him with our bodily hands, as the Apostles did, yea or no?  what the Apostles did? That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life. For this life is made manifest, and we have seen it, and bear witness and show it unto you.  
Answer. This Question is proposed upon occasion of John's Preface to his first Epistle, where John first declares the subject which he would bear witness of, and that was Christ, said to be from the beginning in reference to his Deity, and said to be one heard, seen, handled, in reference to his humanity; And afterwards he declares his assurance which he had in witnessing and showing what he should present; he would show them nothing but what he had both heard, seen, and handled, and therefore could confirm the truth thereof unto them; Now the Question demands of us, whether we preach no other Doctrine, than such as John preached? Is the meaning of it, Whether we preach Christ as he did? if so, we could resolve him, that we aim at no other thing but to exalt Christ. And we would have all our preaching tend thither. But there is another thing intended in the Question, Whether we preach with that assurance that he did, nothing but what we have heard of him, and seen of him, and handled and felt of him, and what is after this manner manifest unto us and within us. And if this be the sense (as without doubt it is) than the Answer must be that we do not preach that Christ whom we have seen with out bodily eyes, heard with our bodily ears, and handled with out bodily hands; for Christ is in Heaven in his humanity, and not on Earth; and therefore not to be seen, heard, or handled by us or any other that live on Earth; But that Christ which John and the rest of the Apostles heard, saw, and handled, we preach, and we do not give our own assurance, but the Apostles assurance; and we conceive that the Apostles assurance is as good now as it was then; And we have warrant to preach what we have understood from their writings, though we have not seen with our eyes; even as Timothy was commanded to preach and show what he had heard of the Apostle, who yet himself had not heard, nor seen, nor handled any thing of Christ; and he must commit them to faithful men, who had seen no more than he, and they must teach others also; But this Question holds affinity with the seventh Question, to which I refer the Reader; only I shall add this, that if the persons that make these proposals do glory over us, because we have not thus seen Christ, and do give it out that he hath appeared to them, and that they have seen him, and heard him, and heard him, and that he is with and in them; let them seriously consider, whether it be the true Christ, the same whom john heard or saw with his bodily eyes, and handled with his bodily hands, which they have seen, or a bodiless Christ of their own framing. And whether their seeing of Christ be not like Saul his seeing Samuel, who indeed saw the Devil in samuel's shape, and talked with him, and had fellowship with him, but saw not Samuel.   

Querie 10. Whether you have this word which was from 
Concerning the manifestation of Christ what it is; And concerning preaching from the letter how far it may and must be, and how far not.  the beginning, and this l●fe manifest unto you which was to the Apostles? And if it be, why do you take a Text from the Letter, and Preach from it, and show the People the Letter?  
Answ. This word and this life which is Christ, was manifested in flesh, joh. 1. 14. The Word was made flesh. 1 Tim. 3. 16. God was manifested in flesh: And this Word, and this life in flesh was manifested to the Apostles; for there was a glory of Christ in flesh, in reference to his mighty works which were done in flesh, which never any else did but he, joh. 3. 2. & chap. 15. 24. And this glory was as of the only begotten Son of God; and this glory they beheld, and all Saints have beheld it, and do behold it, but not with bodily eyes as the Apostles did, but with spiritual eyes, with the eyes of Faith, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom though ye see not, yet believing ye rejoice, etc. They did not see at that time, for Christ was ascended: neither do Saints as yet see, because the Heavens do yet contain him; but they believe; and believing is called a seeing in Scripture. joh 8. 56. Abraham rejoiced to see my days. He did not live to see it with his bodily eyes, but he saw it by Faith, by which also the Apostles had the sight of Christ; else they could have seen but the outside of glory, and have been dazzled therewith, as the rest of the Jews were which saw him, and were not ' able to judge whose glory it was that they saw. In this spiritual sense Christ is manifest to us, so many of us as believe, and we have seen him by faith, and he is in us by his Spirit, and is life within us as a living Word that quickeneth us.  
Notwithstanding this we take a Text from the letter, because the whole will of God, and mind of Christ is left us in letters; and blessed is he that readeth and considereth thereof, as it is contained and declared in letters, Revel. 1. 3. And Christ himself who was manifest to himself, did take a Text from the letter to preach things that respected himself, which the letter contained: And Philip he took that Text in the letter which the Eunuch was guided to read, and preached Christ from it. And though preaching be from the letter, that though we make something that is written, or something that is comprehended in letters, the foundation of our preaching, upon which we bottom and build our discourse; yet we preach not the letter, but such spiritual truths as are contained in it, respecting Christ, as Christ preached the glorious truths of himself: And Philip preached those blessed mysterious truths which concerned Christ, which have a virtue and power in them from the Spirit which accompanies them, and which is given to the Elect, whilst such truths written in words and letters are preached to them, by which such persons are quickened, who were before dead in trespasses and sins, 2 Cor. 3. 6, 8. For if the Gospel which is now left us in words and letters in the Evangelists and Apostles Writings, be hid from any, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine unto them, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. And indeed, this Gospel as it is now upon record in letters, and is become (as such) a standing rule to men, is hid from this Generation of men (so far as we can judge) who are the propounders of this Question; and their design is to hid it from others, and to draw all persons off from all that is written, to depend upon an unwritten word; some word immediately dictated to them, within them, proceeding from him, who is (as they say) the Word from the beginning, and is the life, and is manifested (as they give out) within them as to the Apostles: And in this sort of men doth the Devil show his spite, spleen, and malice, against the holy Scriptures.   

Querie 11. And show me where the Prophets did take a 
Concerning preaching from a Text, and the justification of it; And what anointment Ministes have to Preach.  Text, and preach from it; but only Christ read a place, and said, it was fulfilled, who said he was anointed to preach; and which of you can witness you are anointed to preach by the living God, yea or no?  
Answ. The Prophets took not any Text to preach from it, because they were to lay the foundation of preaching unto others, Ephes. 2. 20. and other were to build upon it all that they should preach; and therefore it was that the Priests and Levites did preach out of the Prophets; they read therein and gave the sense; And the Apostles proved all things from the Prophets which they preached; And though they did not preach from one particular Text, yet they preached from many Texts, for they cited many to confirm their preach. And the Apostles also, as wise masterbuilder, sinstructed immediately by the spirit, did in their Doctrine perform the same work, 1 Cor. 3. 10. viz. did found the Faith of Believers upon their Preach and Writings. And the Ministers of the Word which were to succeed them, are only to put their superstructure to it, bottoming upon that groundwork which they have laid; and therefore it is that both they and we take a Text, that the weight of our building may be laid upon it, and that all may see and be convinced that we preach not our own dreams, but what we have warrant for from the Writings of the Apostles and Prophets, with and to whom God spoke, and that the truth of our Doctrine may be read of all men, being engraven upon such Scriptures which we make choice of; and by this means also, the idle extravagances of men's wits and fancies, which will never convince the conscience throughly, are prevented.  
But, why is the taking of a Text quarrelled at, when yet it is confessed that Christ took a Text? And doth he not therein justify us? What if the Prophets did not, yet if Christ did, will not his example bear out our practice? But these men make light of this pattern, detracting and diminishing (though they know the danger of it, mentioned, Revel 22. 19) from the fullness of that Scripture that declares it, Luk. 4. 16. to 23. They say that only Christ read a place, but the Evangelist saith, That as his custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read; and that then there was a Book delivered to him, and when he had opened the Book, he found the place that he would read, and then closed it again, and gave it to the Minister. They say, that Christ said it was fulfilled; and as if this were all, they mention no more; but the Evangelist saith, That the people wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And these things are obvious from this Text they mention; First, there were public places to meet in, which were called Synagogues; Secondly, there were days set apart for service to be performed to God in such places, which are called Sabbath days; Thirdly, there was a Minister whose work it was to read out of some book of holy Scriptures to the people to instruct them thence. Fourthly, it is manifest that Christ approved of all this, and he liked this way so well, that he himself did go and do likewise, and did accustom himself to the same course of teaching the people, as that which was edifying to them, so that it was not once only done that Christ took a Text, but offend one, his custom was to read some portion of Scripture, and to preach out of it. And it is evident that Christ did not only say, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears; but many gracious words proceeded from him, tending (as must needs be supposed by any man that hath but the use of his reason) to clear it up to their capacities, how that Scripture in every part of it was fulfilled, by opening and unfolding the many branches of so plentiful and large a Text, and showing how all things therein related unto, were accomplished in himself, which might be a subject of many Month's discourse as Christ might have followed it.  
But these men object, that Christ was anointed to preach; and demand which of us can witness that we are anointed to preach by the living God.  
Christ's anointing was not by the pouring of any oil upon his head after the manner of the High Priests anointing, Psal. 133. 2. which was but a shadow of a more excellent Unction which Christ had. And the Prophet, Psal. 45. 7. doth but allude thereunto: But his anointing was by the donation of the Spirit, and the gifts and graces thereof, joh. 1. 32, 33. & ch. 3. 34. by which he was enabled to the execution of such Offices and works to which he was called, in redeeming a people to God, and especially to preach the Gospel, which in a very excellent and glorious way he effected, Luk. 4. 22. And all the Saints receive the same spirit, and gifts, and graces, every one according to the measure of such a part, which they fill up in the body, and are Kings, and Priests, and Prophets to themselves, as Scripture calls them. But those persons especially whom God calls out to be to the body in place of eyes to guide them and direct them, God gives more of his grace and influence to, as appears from Eph. 4. 8. He ascended up on high, and gave gifts to men, viz. such men as he placeth in his Church for the work of the Ministry, and for the perfecting of the Saints till the end of the world; therefore Christ is not anointed alone, but all whom he calls to the Ministry are anointed also with the same spirit and gifts, and graces; only he hath the pre-eminence, and hath an anoynment above his fellows, for he received not the spirit by measure, as those who are his Ministers and servants now do, Psal. 45. 7. joh. 3. 34.   

Querie 12. Tell me why you sing David's Conditions and 
Concerning singing of Scripture. Psalms; the Lawfulness, and necessity thereof.  Experiences in Meeter, and when you read them, Hats you put on, and when you sing them, Hats you put off.  
Answ. David's conditions and experiences are many times our own conditions and experiences, and then we sing them not as David's merely, but as our own, by a spirit of Faith making application to ourselves of what we sing out of David. But many times it's otherwise, that something of David's inditing, and of his state, and containing his experience, is the matter of our Psalms, which we cannot so fitly apply to our own condition and temper, and many stumble at this and are offended; but it's from some darkness in themselves, for Psalms are for instruction by the very design and scope of of God who dictated them and enjoins them, as the Titles of very many of them: show: And the Apostle enjoins the Saints to teach and admonish themselves in Psalms and Hymns, and spiritual Song; and what ever the matter of them be, one end or use of them must be instruction to ourselves from them, as from any other parts of Scripture. And the reasons of singing them are such as these:  
1. God would have us in our meetings to rejoice in him, which is done in singing.  
2. God would have his word to be familiar to us, Col. 3. 16. it must dwell in us, and this must be showed in singing; and would have us so much to delight in it, and to find such sweetness in it, that we should make ourselves spiritually merry with it.  
3. Because singing is that which raiseth the Spirit, refresheth the heart, moves the affections very much, God would have the Spirits of his people to be raised and refreshed in the deliberate meditation of his Word, what ever the subject matter be; For therefore it is that the Psalms which David and other Saints compiled to be sing, consist of subjects of greatest diversity and variety. Some are Historical, some Prophetical, some are Hortatory, some are Precatory, others Deprecatory, others Laudative or Psalms of praise, and the soul should take pleasure in all, and have the heart raised in the meditation of all; Do we not observe how a profane carnal spirit will compile Songs of every kind of matter, and will make itself merry therewith? And shall not a spiritual heart sing every thing that is a Psalm, and is Divine and Spiritual, with an elevated and raised mind?  
Object. But why most David's Psalms be sung Many strike at that who will assent unto the singing of other Psalms which are compiled by a special gift.  
Answ. There are reasons which are weighty, which do carry thereunto.  
1. Psalms which were immediately inspired by the Spirit of God are most Divine and Heavenly, and do contain the most admirable Doctrine.  
2. The Scripture is given for every use, to be read, sung, preached out of, confened of, medicated on, and to be the matter of our prayers also: And those parts of it which we find to be Psalms, we ought to make use of as Psalms, and sing them; And though we have liberty to sing other spiritual Songs of our own or others making, after we have well digested them, as well as to read other godly Books besides the Scriptures; yet as our reading of other Books will not excuse our omission of reading the Scripture, so our singing of other spiritual Songs will not excuse our omission of singing Scriptures Psalms.  
3. David's Psalms were brought into the Church of God in Hezekiahs' time, and an express command given to the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David, and of Asaph the Seer, which is a precedent and a pattern for Saints to follow.  
4. There are Commands laid upon the Churches of Christ, and upon particular Christians to sing Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs unto the Lord, and nothing suggested unto them concerning the matter of them: And doth Christ put a service upon use people, and nor afford them any straw or matter to perform the same with? There was no need, else Christ would not have been wanting; There were Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs complied by David to their hands; for such Titles we shall meet with in the Book of the Psalms; A Psalm, of David familiarly a Song often, in Hymn sometimes, as in the Title of 145 Psalm.  
5. The Ex 〈…〉 of the Apostle to the Church at Coloss, is to let the word of Christ dwell in them 〈◊〉, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing themselves in psalms, etc. what is this but a clear suggestion, that the word of Christ, which is some part of Scripture, should be famliar unto them, and become the matter of their Psalms for their instruction. For is there not first an injunction, Let the word of Christ dwell in your And is there not after wards a direction how to perfom it and one way is, by teaching and admonishing themselves in Psalms  
6. It is less warrantable, because there is no precedent for it; and more dangerous because of some evil consequences that may attend it to bring in other Psalms of men's compiling and not Scriptural, into the Church of God, and to impose them upon the people For the people that must act in singing, must first know them to be consonant to the Scripture, and must have a right understanding of them, that they may sing to their edification; and them there must either be a book of such Psalms so brought in and imposed, which every Saint must have, or else the whole Church must be gathered together every time there is singing, to peruse such Psalms which must be allowed to be sung amongst them but Scripture is silent concerning such ways, and seems to give other direction.  
And though he that had a gift brought his Psalm into the Church, 1 Cor. 14. 26. yet for aught appears he sung it alone, and then the rest might judge, and say Amen, or not say Amen, as they approved or disapproved of it; And it was not imposed upon the Church to be sung. But the Apostle Paul lays singing of Pslams, Hymns, and spiritual songs upon the whole Church, and there are no orders of Musicians now, or office of singing Choriston as in the Old Testment, but all the people are the Choristers in the days of the New Testament, to sing Psalms and Songs, etc. And the Apostle James lays at injunction upon every particular Saint, if he be merry, to sing Psalmi, Jam. 5. 13. But hath every particular Saint a gift to compile a Psalm? If not, what must such a Saint do? Therefore there must of necessity be use made of Scripture-Psalms.  
And as for singing them in Meeter, the Hebrews had their Poetry, according to which they both compiled and sung their Psalms: And it is but suitable, that every Nation should have the liberty of their own proper and peculiar Poetry among themselves to praise God by, and meeter is that which is congruons to our English Poetry.  
Concerning putting on of Hats in reading Psalms, and putting them off in singing them, I shall not much contest; But this I say, that reverence is that which is suitable to all God's Ordinances, and because the putting off the Hat doth show reverence, it would be very comely when Scripture is read; but if it be otherwise, I judge it not to be want of reverence in such a person, because reverence may be showed, and not tied to one posture, therefore I leave persons to their liberty. Yet there is a difference in Ordinances; in some we have an immediate address to God, and in such we use more reverence, as when we pray or give thanks, we do not send one to God with our requests, but we go ourselves to him immediately; but in preaching and reading it is otherwise, we have not immediate communion with God, but God sends by whom he will send his Message to us; and speaketh not immediately, but by another; and so there is no irreverence, though the like degree of reverence be not given. And hence it comes, that we may use a different posture and gesture, though the same words be spoken, if they be spoken in an Ordinance of a divers nature. As if words of prayer he read as a part of Scripture, than they are Gods speaking to us by another, but if we ourselves make use of such words, and put them into our own prayers, than they become our speaking to God, in our immediate addresses unto him, and so the Hat may be put on in the former, and yet aught to be put off in the latter; the like may be said of singing and reading David's Psalms: They are different Ordinances, and may require different postures. There is also difference betwixt speaking and hearing; he that is the speaker, though it be but in a civil Assembly, shows more reverence, speaking to many, than they that hear him do to him, and is usually uncovered, when they that are spoken to are covered, and in Religious Assemblies it is so also; he that speaketh, though it be in the name of God, is uncovered, when yet the people that are spoken to are usually covered; But in singing of Psalms, they are all Speakers, and have to do with God, showing their holy joy in him, and in his word, and therefore are all uncovered. But the custom of the Churches of God in these things, if there be not palpable superstition in them, is much to be respected, and not rashly departed from 1 Cor. 11. 16. and offence to brethren in such things is vigilantly to be avoided, Rom. 14. 20, 21.   

Querie 13. Whether you have the voice, and whether you do know the voice of Christ from the voice of a Stranger? My 
What is Christ's voice, and how distinguished from a Stranger's voice.  Sheep know my voice, saith Christ, seeing that you are so forward to judge, and sit as Judges of the Saints Conditions?  
Answ. The Apostle tells us in the Epistle to the Hebrews, that God who at sundry times, and in divers manners spoke in time passed unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son; for the Word was made flesh and dwelled among the Jews, and went up and down teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, Mat. 4. 23. and this Son of God in flesh sent forth the Apostles to preach, and put a word into their mouths, and guided them by his Spirit in writing to the Churches what his mind and will was unto them, Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. Now that which Christ preached, and the Apostles preached, and wrote unto the Churches, that is Christ's voice, as from Heb. 4 3. which is fetched out of Psalm 95. appears. David saith, to day if ye will hear his voice: What voice was this? The Apostle tells us, Heb 4. 2. That unto us was the Gospel preached aswel as unto them but the word preached did not profit them, through unbelief. The word then which they heard in David's time which was preaching out of the Prophets, was this voice, and so the Gospel which Christ and the Apostles have preached and left upon Record, is the voice of Christ. And this voice we have in the Scriptures, and this voice we know, and we are able through God's Grace to distinguish this voice from the voice of a stranger, if any bring not this Doctrine which Christ and the Apostles brought, we know him to be a Wolf and an Antichrist, and after once or twice admonition, we dare not say God speed to him. But there is another voice which th●se persons who question us, intent and pretend to, and that is an immediate voice which speaks within them, (as they say) and dictates unto them all that they say and do: Now this voice we have not heard, nor do we know it within ourselves experimentally, and we believe and hope that we shall be kept, that we may never know it. For we know it is not the voice of Christ, but the voice of a stranger. We know it from what it speaks and acts in others, yea, in these persons that pretend to it, and we bless ourselves from it, for it is the voice of the Devil, that comes as Christ to them, and pretends to be he, but deludes them, and deceives them, as one of themselves, recovered out of their sores hath confessed. Now to the praise and glory of God's Grace we speak it, that we have neither heard his voice nor seen his shape.  
Concerning our judging, there will be occasion to speak of it in the Answer to the next Question.   

Querie 14. Whether that which is in you which Judgeth, be eternal and infallible, yea or no?  
Answ. These men are harping in many of their Questions 
Ifallibility further discussed.  upon one and the same string; They have a conceit of Christ within them, speaking within them, acting within them; saying all, and doing all immediately and infallibly that is said and done by them; so that it is not they that say or do any thing, but it is Christ and the Spirit within them. And this so fills them, that it almost fills all their Questions: Now it doth appear, that it is a spirit of delusion, that thus possesseth them, because it contradicts both Christ and the Spirit in the Scriptures, in many things. And after this Christ and Spirit within, they inquire of us, whether that which judgeth in us be eternal and infallible; But we assert no such thing concerning ourselves. For though all the Saints have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them, which is eternal and infallible; yet that this Spirit should do all that Saints do, and should say all that Saints say, and should judge for them, both of persons and of things after an infallible manner; and that they should neither say, nor do, nor judge any thing by any understanding of their own, but the Spirit, all this we deny. For the Apostle speaks of himself, When I would do good, evil is present; so it may be said of every man, when I would say or do right, error is present. Notwithstanding though we judge not either person or thing, by any Spirit of infallibility, yet there's one that judgeth, and that is the word which Christ spoke, and which Scripture speaketh; and this word is eternal and infallible; And so far as we judge according to this word, our judgement becomes eternal and infallible; and so we may speak of persons present condition with much certainty, because we know what the Scriptures have said of them. Christ tells us of Wolves, that shall come in sheep's clothing, and that by their fruits we shall know them, Mat. 7. 15, 16. And John tells us who is an Antichrist, viz. he that denyeth the Father and the Son, 1 Joh. 2. 22. And Peter prophesieth of false Teachers, that shall bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, 2 Pet. 1. 1. When therefore we see such, we may judge of their present state, what and who they be; but in reference to their future final state, we must leave them to the judgement of God, who infallibly knows who are his.   

Querie 15. What are the Ordinances which are ordained of God, that those which you call Quakers deny? Or when did God command you to observe them, as to sprinkle Infants, and to pray before and after your Sermons, (as you call them) or to set times, days and hours, which was in the generation which were enemies to Christ, who observed such things. Querie 16. What these Ordinances of God be which you 
The justification of several ordinations of Christ in the Churches of God.  speak of? and where God commanded them, and to whom: which you say them (which you call Quakers) deny? mention them in particular, and declare them openly in Writing, and give over accusing.  
Answ. These two Questions are distinct in the paper presented to me, but the former entirely comprehends the latter, and is more ample than it, requiring us, not only to show reason of accusing them, but also grounds for the justification of our own practice, therefore I have joined them together; And in reference to the first; What Ordinances they do deny which God hath commanded, there is no need that we should accuse them, for they are accusers of themselves in their very Questions which they propound. The Reader may easily discern from them, what the things are, against which their malignity is showed. It is against all outward teaching, against singing of Psalms, against Ministry, against Sacraments, expressly against Infant's baptism, against public prayer, against all set times, days, and hours of performing religious duties, the 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19 Queries do declare all this. Now whether these be Ordinances of Christ, and how they will be maintained so to be, will be the Question, and for our own justification must be discussed. I have already given some touches, respecting outward teaching, and have endeavoured to clear up our practice in singing of Psalms, and shall now attempt to vindicate other of our ways, and the ways of the Churches of Christ, from unjust exceptions, and discuss them as I meet with them in the paper.  
And first concerning sprinkling of Infants, there is so much 
Concerning the sprinkling of Infants.  written for and against this practice, that I account it lost time to make any large debate about it; only something of that which satisfies us in reference to our own practice I shall present.  
First, for the Act of sprinkling, we use it not, though something may be held out to justify it; The blood of Christ is called the blood of sprinkling, Heb. 12. 24. and cleansing was by sprinkling blood, Heb. 9 13. and sprinkling of blood was used in the Passeover, and signified cleansing; therefore seeing water in Baptism typifies Christ's blood, and the application of it signifies cleansing from sin, why may not the water be sprinkled on the subject of Baptism, to signify the cleansing away of sin by the blood of Christ. If any object further, let such as use it maintain it. Our practice is to use the water of Baptism in a washing way, which suits well with the mystery in it, which is washing away of sin, Act. 22. 16. And the Greek word which is put for baptism, is applied to Tables, brazen vessels, beds, and such like things, which was not by dipping, but by the application of water in a washing way, Mar. 7. 4. So that though the word signify dipping, yet it signifies washing also, which warrants the application of water in Baptism, in a washing way.  
Secondly, for the subject of baptism, whether it be to be applied to Infants, amongst many things I shall only present this, viz. That Baptism is an outward Seal of an outward and visible Covenant of Grace, which runs always upon the condition of believing; and is to be applied to visible believers or Saints, and is also to be extended in reference to the subject as far as the Covenant is extended; and if the Covenant be extended not only to visible believers, but to their whole Infant seed, as from Gen. 17. 7. compared with Exod. 12. 48, 49. and also from Deut. 29. 10, 11. appears, than the Seal of. it must extend so far also. I shall confirm all this, first, that it is a Seal, for God having promised such a blessing as the taking away of sin in the Covenant of Grace, Jer. 31. 34. would (by the Ordinance of Baptism in the application of the element of water in a washing way to the body) have the baptised person to know and believe that he washeth away the sin of the Soul by the blood of Christ, Act. 22. 16. therefore it is said, Act. 2. 38. be baptised for the remission of sins, not to effect it, but to assure it to you; secondly, that it is an outward Seal, because all is external and visible; the water is, which is as it were the Seal; the washing is, which is as it were the Sealing, or the putting on of the Seal; the body is, which is as it were the thing sealed; all is outward, and done before men; but whether it be done in the conscience really and inwardly by the Spirit, that is a secret and known to God. And the Spirit only is the inward Seal that assures the heart. And many times, the outward confirmation is separated from the inward assurance, as in Simon Magus; he had the outward sign of remission of sins, but not remission of sins itself. Thirdly, that it is an outward Seal of an outward and visible covenant of Grace, because the profession of faith, with shows of reality, is all that is required unto the bringing of persons into it, and unto the participation of the Seal of it. It was enough to the Eunuch he professed his Faith, and Philip baptised him; he could not see into the heart to know the truth of it, yet he baptised him; And Ananias, and Saphira, and Simon Magus, their profession brought them within the Covenaut, and gave them a right to the Seal of it, and not any truth of Faith itself, for there was none: And indeed that Covenant wherein the ministry of man in made use of, in the making of it, must needs be external. Fourthly, that it is extended in reference to the subject of it as far as the Covenant is excended, because it is the confirmation of it, to the subjects of it; and the confirmation must need be as large as the Covenant; but this is not doubted of by any. Fifthly, that the Covenant is not only extended to visible Believers, but also to their whole Infant seed, because in Gen. 17. 7. we find it so; for it runs in these words, I will be thy God; now this is comprehensive of all blessings, even the very highest, as Heb. 11. 16. shows, and it is the same for substance with that in Jer. 33. 33. which is called a new Covenant; And Circumcision that sealed it, is called The Seal of the righteousness of Faith, Rom. 4. 11. and the Circumcision of the flesh did signify the circumcision of the heart, Col. 2. 11. And the Gentiles that professed Abraham's Faith, which had nothing to do with Canaan, entered into it, and spiritual privileges were sealed to them, Exod. 12. 48, 49. by which it appeareth to be a Covenant of Grace: And for the subject, it was with Abraham a Believer, and with his seed; what seed? his whole Infant seed; for the application of the seal, viz. Circumcision to the whole Infant seed, shows that the Covenant extended it so far; And Deut. 29. 10, 11. clears it, That the Covenant was with the little ones. And though all Infants are not counted the seed as to spiritual and eternal blessings, as indeed neither are all that profess Faith with shows of reality (as Demas, etc.) to be accounted the true spiritual seed, yet they are the seed as to Church privileges, and external Ordinances of a spiritual nature, and so were all Abraham's Infant natural seed, and Believers seed in all Ages the true seed, as to the enjoying of such Ordinances.  
Concerning praying before and after Sermon; first, we 
Concerning praying before and after Sermon.  find that in the meetings of the first Christian Church at erusalem, there was Doctrine, breaking of bread, and prayers, in which Ordinances that Church of Christ was conversant, Act. 2. 42. Secondly, we find that the Apostles, whose work was to attend upon the Ministry of the Word, upon that account casting off se●ing of Tables, did join prayer unto it, and did wait upon these jointly, Act. 6. 4. Thirdly, we read that it was the Custom of the Apostles to begin every weighty serious business with prayer; when they were to cast a lot, they went to prayer first; when they were to lay on hands on Deacons, they first prayed; when they were to send forth Paul, and Barnabas to the work which God had appointed them unto viz. to preach the Gospel, they prayed first, & when they ordained Elders in every City, they began it with prayer; so that all was attempted with prayer; preaching therefore being a weighty work, should be performed with Prayer. Fourthly, prayer is that which sanctifieth all things, and persons have a Christian holy use of things which in their nature are but Civil. Every creature of God (saith Paul) 1 Tim. 4. 5. is sanctified of God by the word and prayer; much rather should holy and religious services be used holily, by adjoining prayer thereunto. Fifthly, The Apostle Paul giving direction in his Epistle to Timothy, how the worship and service of God should he carried on in the Churches of Christ, doth in 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. enjoin, that first of all Prayers and Supplications should be made; his scope is not to direct particular Christians, but Churches of Christians in their public Assemblies; as appears from vers. 11, 12. where Women are commanded to keep silence, and are not suffered to teach. Now this respects the public meetings of the Saints, and in 1 Cor. 11. 4. the same Apostle gives light how public exercises of Religion were carried on in the Christian Assemblies, there was prayer and prophesying afoot amongst them; prophesying was not without prayer. Sixthly, there are also many general rules (amongst others that in Phil. 4. 8.) which serve to justify this practice: What ever things are just, true, honest, pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue, any praise, think on these things. Now I leave it to the judgement of any person who is not given up to a wicked spirit, whether prayer before and after preaching be not such a thing. And the Apostle many times requires, that things which make for edification may be done: 1 Cor. 14. 4, 5, 12, 26. Eph. 4. 26. 1 Thes. 5. 11. But these men show what spirit they are of, by their arguing against the most religious and holy Exercises, and spiritual Performances which the Saints use, and which the Devil and the Flesh have always much opposed.  
Concerning set times, days and hours, which was in the 
Concerning set times, and days and hours.  generation which was enemies to Christ, who observed such things, I know not what answer to make, unless I understood what it is that they find fault with: The Charge runs as if we did keep up those Jewish Sabbaths, and holy Fasts, and Feasts, and Hours of Prayer which were observed in Christ's time whilst he lived on Earth amongst those of his own Nation, most of which were enemies unto him; but they are, or might be convinced of the contrary concerning us, that we set no such times a part for worship as they did; neither was it the practice of the enemies of Christ only to set such times, and days and hours apart, but of the friends of Christ also, and of Christ himself while he was upon the Earth, and of the Apostles, seeing it was by divine institution that the people should meet at such times, Acts 3. 1. Nor was it any part of their enmity against Christ, but rather of their subjection to God, that they met at such times; therefore these Persons have another intent and scope in their question. It is our Lords day-meetings, and our Christian Fasts, and Thanksgiving-days that we keep, that they are offended at; it is the hours of prayer in our Church-meetings and Families which they find fault with: and in this also they strike at Godliness; for if they can but destroy all forms, the power will fall with it; for though the form be but the shell, yet it preserves the kernel; the power is put forth in a form, and if they can but acquit and discharge the body from service and religious exercise, the spirit will not bear up in it any long time after, but all devotion and duty Godward both in body and soul will fall in short time; Therefore the Devil and his Instruments plead against set times, days and hours, knowing very well that God's worship cannot at all be performed by many Christians together, without times, and days, and hours, no nor yet kept alive any long time in any.  
But for the better justification of set times, days and hours 
Concerning the first day.  for God's service, let it be considered; First, that time is a perpetual adjunct of action: there is no action can be done, but it must be done in time; It is therefore a necessary adjunct of divine and spiritual actions: so that if God will enjoin a worship and a service to be performed to him, he must needs enjoin the time in which he will have it performed. Secondly, let it be duly weighed, that both the Apostles themselves were wont to meet upon the first day of the week to worship God, and that Christ met with them upon that day twice, and thereby shown his approbation of their meeting upon that day: Joh 20. 19, 20, 26. And also that the Churches that were planted in the world by the Apostles, observed that day in course as it came, and set it apart for divine exercises; 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Act. 20. 7. and further it is to be observed, that the Apostle annexed duty to that day, and bound the collection of the Saints to that day as it should come in course; which how he could do without usurping upon them, unless he had received it from the Lord, I cannot understand. And also that that day above all other days was denominated the Lords day, and it was spoken of as a noted known day to all the Saints by that name Rev. 1. 10. which name (Lords day) doth point at an institution; as, when the Supper is denominated the Lords Supper, it is from the institution which it had from the Lord Christ that it is so named; and Lords day holds the setting of it apart to the Lords use, and to call something for remembrance, which can be nothing but the resurrection, as the Lords Supper is for remembrance. Thirdly, let it be observed that occasional Fasts are justified in the 
Concerning fasts and thanksgiving days.  New Testament as well as in the old, from Primitive examples both of Apostles and Churches, Acts 13. 3. and 14. 23. and upon the like account will occasional thanksgivings be maintained: and we have in the new Testament, besides the instances that may be fetched from the Old Testament, something that looks that way. Acts 4. 23. to 32. Fourthly, concerning hours, it doth not appear from the New Testament what hours were spent in their public service, nor 
Concerning hours in the public service.  whether those hours that were spent were spent together, and at one entire meeting without intermission and parting: or whether they divided their hours according to the pattern and example which they had in the Offerings and Sacrisiees of the Old Testament, which were not at once and together, but at discontinued times; there was a morning and an evening-Sacrifice, which were offered about the third and ninth hours; and there was a great expediency in it, that there might be some bodily refreshing betwlxt the times, and the necessity of Nature was provided for in it, and Sabbath-exercises were distinguished thereby from Fasts; and upon this account, it is equitable that Christian service should be carried for time after such manner: but herein Christian Prudence hath the Principal stroke; for we do not judge ourselves Scripturally obliged to so many hours, or so distributed, that some should be in the forenoon and some in the afternoon; but for conveniencies-sake we practise it, yet not precisely keeping to an hour. And for hours in Families, we 
Concerning time spent in holy exercises in Families.  have read how holy men of God have carried it in their milies: Abraham commanded his children and his household after him, and they did keep the way of the Lord: Jacob he reform his Family, and purged away the Idols and all the filth from it, that they might more purely serve the Lord together: Josbua resolved that he and his house would serve the Lord, now he could not resolve it in reference to secret worship, which each apart was to perform to God; but it refers to Family-duties and service, which should be on foot amongst them together: And David would walk not in his own Person alone, but in his house with a perfect heart: And there is a Prophecy that respects Families mourning apart, which is to be accomplished in the days of the Gospel. Zach 12. 12. to the end, And there is a Promise made, where two or three are gathered together, (suppose in a Family or any other way) Christ will be in the midst of them; and where Saints are together in a Family, the Spirit of God within them will be a Spirit of Prayer within them, and will bring them together; and there cannot be Family-duties but there must be a time to perform them in and if morning and evening be taken for them, it is most congruous: First, because occasions, wilt then best permiso for it will be before the works of these Callibas be begun, and it will be afree they are finished, Secondly all things are sanctified by prayer, and so will their is bours be in the morning, and their rest in the evening; But where or when doth a good heart dispute against these things? a spiritural heart will rather dictate to a Person to apprehend the opportunitigs unto prayer and all other spiritual duties, both apart and with others, and will practise what was commanded in reference to preaching, will pray in season and out of senson, at times which con●●eiency makes cheice of; and at other times also will put up all manner of prayers, and at all times, as occasion requites; And where Saipts are together they will encourage one another, and say, come let us joya together, and pray, and seek the face of God in prayer, and in other duties also; and in Families especially will this be done.   

Querie 17. Whether you do not seduce the People to araw 
Concerning the Spirits teaching, in what way to expect it. And whether the outward must be denied, that the inward may be received.  them from the anointing within them? when as John saith, they need no man teach them, but as the anointing, and the Promise was Eternal Life to him that did abide in the anointing.  
Ans. The scope and intent of this Question, is, to overtura all out ward teaching by men, & to erect an immediate teaching of the Spirit in the room of it; It is to carry men off from God's outward Ordinances, to wait for secret Inspirations of God; and indeed it is to subject men to Satanical delusions instead of the Spirits suggestions. For that which is insinuated, is this, viz that the drawing of any people to attend upon any out ward instruction, becomes in effect a withdrawing of them from the anointing, or from that inward teaching of the Spirit, (which indeed) hath not one syllable of truth in it: For John the Baptist did draw the people after him, so did Christ, so did the Apostles, to hear the Word of God which they preached, which was an outward word, an outward teaching: did they withdraw such Persons from the inward teaching, from the anointing within them? or were they not rather drawn to the anointing within them, by attending and giving heed to the outward preaching? did not the Spirit of God accompany their outward preaching? did not John come in the Spirit and Power of Elias in his outward Ministry? and were not many turned from their disobedience to the wisdom of the Just? and could this be without the Spirit? was there not an admirable power of the Spirit attending both Christ's teaching, and the Apostles preaching? did their outward instruction withdraw the people from the Spirit, or did they not rather convey the Spirit to them? Is not the Gospel as it is presented to men in an external way, said to be the administration of the Spirit? 2 Cor. 3. 8. Gal. 2. 5. And were not many anointed with enriching gifts by that Spirit, which is the Spirit of the Gospel, which comes along with the Gospel preached? How then are any seduced by being being brought to the hearing of the Gospel preached? or are not they rather seduced who are drawn off from the external Means and Ministry, by which the Spirit is given, and Faith is wrought, to wait for the receiving of the Spirit without any Word to convey it to them? which Spirit when they have, it is not the Spirit of Truth, but of Delusion: as is confessed by one of their own, newly redeemed out of such hellish captivity, under which these poor Creatures are held.  
Object. But they produce a Scripture which seems to erect and set up one only Teacher, which is the Spirit, and to throw down and cast under foot all outward Teaching which is performed by men. John saith to them he wrote, 1 joh. 2. 27. That they needed not that any man teach them, but as the anointing teacheth them of all things, and is Truth.  
Answ. First, This is not spoken of all men, but of those 
1 joh. 2. 27. Answered. viz. ye need that no man teach you, but as the anointing teacheth you all things.  who are come to Christ, and had the Spirit, that they needed no man to teach them; But what must they do that have not the Spirit? how must they obtain it, if not by the Word of the Gospel which conveys it? therefore an outward teaching is necessary for such. Secondly, The Apostle seems to speak of such an annointment which they had received, which had already taught them, by which they should abide in Christ and not be seduced; as those words show, Even us it hath taught you, you shall abide, etc. Now indeed the Spirit of God hath taught us of all things in the Scriptures which were of his inspiring: whereto if we attend, we shall abide in the Truth, and not be misled by Seducers; and to this teaching of the Spirit in the Scriptures, we need not that any teaching of man should be added, but as we are taught in them. Thirdly, The words, You need not that any man teach you, but as the anointing teacheth you, are hyperbolical expressions; there is an excess in them, as in many places of Scriptute, as where it is said, If all things should be written, which Jesus said and did, the whole world would not contain the the Books that would be written: The meaning is, there would be very many Books written, if all should be written; And in vers. 20 of this very Chapter, the Apostle tells them that they knew all things; it is an excessive speech, for no one knoweth all things but God: Christ himself as man knew not all things, who yet had the Spirit not according to measure, but beyond it; the meaning than is, they had much knowledge, and knew many things, and so they needed not that any man teach them; that is, they knew so much already of the Doctrine of the Gospel, that if only they persevered in that which they knew, they might be kept without much teaching; it is to be understood in a comparative sense; not in an absolute consideration, as to exclude all teaching, but to exclude much of that teaching which others do require; and it respects the abundance of knowledge which they had in comparison of Believers of former times before the Gospel was revealed; as from the Prophecy, from which these words of John were fetched, appears, Jer. 31. 34. They shall teach no more man his Neighbour, and every man his Brother, saying, know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them; saith the Lord; Knowledge should so abound in the days of the Gospel, that they should not need teaching so much as in the times of the Law; For it points at the days of the Gospel after Christ should be revealed; of which Christ saith, That he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven, should be greater than John the Baptist, who yet was greater than all the Prophets, so exceedingly should Light shine in Gospel-times; but that teaching should be absolutely excluded, was not the Apostles meaning; for though they never did need it less, yet they never had it more than in the days of the Apostles and of the Primitive Churches: For there were many who were eminently gifted besides Pastors and Teachers, who did teach; And it is to be observed, that the Spirit was never given so plentifully in any Age, as in that Age, wherein so much outward teaching was; so that there is no such measure of reception of the Spirit, that can thrust out outward teaching while we are here: yea, and John himself thought there was need of teaching, while he tells them of an unction that they had received, and that they knew all things, and needed not that any one should teach them; for vers. 36. he saith, These things have I written unto you in reference to them that seduce you; that is, lest you should be carried away from the Truth by them, he taught them to stand fast in the Truth they had received. Fourthly, It holds forth that they were not, neither should be Babes, which knew nothing themselves, were able to judge of nothing themselves, but do depend wholly and really upon others to teach them, and were led wholly as others guide them; in this sense they should not need teaching; for there was a light set up in their souls, and they had the Spirit of God, which is a light, and enables them to discern with such clearness, that they believe not because others tell them so, but because they can look into the Truth themselves. Concerning the last words of that question: viz. that the Promise was eternal Life to him that did abide in the anointing, because there is no such Scripture that saith so, and because no course we take in our teaching doth tend (as hath been showed) to withdraw from the anointing; therefore I shall not insist upon them.   

Querie 18. Whether you do not bewitch the people, and draw them from the Spirit of God within them, to observe those 
Sacraments and Ministry, maintained, and other practices in Church-meetings.  things which God never commanded; to tell the people of a Sacrament, and following your outward Teaching, who stand praying in the Synagogues, and are called of men Masters; which Christ d●d forbid, Mat. 23. And have the chiefest places in the Assemblies; Whether these be not called Antichrists, which act contrary to the Commands of Christ, yea or no?  
Answ. In this Question, besides the repetition of former things, they strike at Sacraments, at the teaching and praying of Pastors and Elders, for to them they speak in all their questions; at the posture of standing in prayer, at the places of meeting, calling them Synagogues in a derisive way, at the Title of Master, which is put upon them, and charge them with ambition, in assuming chiefest places, which (they say) such take; I must clear up the truth in all these particulars.  
First, Concerning Sacraments: there are no Ordinances on foot amongst us which we call by that name, though there 
Concorning Sacraments.  might be a defence for it; but there are Ordinances which others call Sacraments, and we call them Seals of the Covenant, which are to confirm Faith in the Covenant of God, concerning Remission of sin by the blood of Christ, and other Grace of the like nature, which is vouchsafed in Christ; and they are Baptism and the Lords Supper, and they are both of them instituted by Jesus Christ: Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 23. and they both point at Christ's Death and the shedding of his Blood, Rom. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 26. Mat. 26. 28. and they serve to Seal Remission of sins by Christ's Blood, Act. 22. 16. Mat. 26. 28. and indeed both of them are to put us in remembrance of Christ; and that which Christ hath instituted, who dares abrogate? And those that destroy the Seals, therein attempt the destruction of the Covenant; for Seals are the ratification of Covenants; or at least they do despise God's grace of condescendency, who for the cause of our weakness in belief of his Covenants, vouchsafeth to grant us Seals to confirm them. And God's Covenants have never been without Seals; and though there hath been change of Seals, yet Seals are as old (one or other of them) and are to last as long as the Covenants, and the Lords Supper expressly till Christ come: 1 Cor. 11. 26. And let all take heed, least slighting Seals and gracious Covenants, they be hereafter accounted despisers of God's Grace, which will be reckoned amongst the greatest sins.  
Secondly, Concerning our outward teaching, I have declared already in part the necessity of it; It is the ordinary way 
Concerning outward teaching and Ministry.  by which a people that are in darkness are brought to light: Mat. 4. 13, 14. Act. 26. 16, 17, 18. It is the way and means by which the deep and profound, and many most sweet and necessary Truths of Scripture come to be understood: Acts 8. 30, 31. It is the means which God hath appointed for the bringing of men to Faith: Rom. 10. 14, 17. It is the power of God to Salvation: Rom. 1. 16. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who do believe: 1 Cor. 1. 21. Upon which account it is, that the Apostle concludes, woe unto himself, if he preach not the Gospel of Christ: 1 Cor. 9 16. It is the means of exalting Christ: which made the Apostle so much to rejoice that Christ was preached, though from an envious Spirit: Phil. 1. 18. And hence it is, that God in all times and ages in which he hath had a Church, hath had such which have preached and taught the people; as James observed in that speech of his in the Council: Act. 15. 21. Moses (saith he) of old time hath in every City, them that preach him, being read in the Synagogue every Sabbath-day. And must Christ be worse provided for then Moses? no; Christ himself was a Preacher of himself, Luk. 4. 18. Mat. 4. 23. and he gave Commission to his Disciples to preach, and sent them into all the World for that purpose; Mat. 18. 19 and in them he commissioned others in all Ages to the end of the World; for he promised his presence to the end of the world, and consequently not to them only which were not to continue so long, but to such also who should succeed them impreaching. If any one should attempt to make this place invalid, by interpreting the words which are translated, to the end of the World, to be meant only to the end of that Age, because of the diversity of the sense that is put upon the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is translated (World) and sometimes signifies (Age) to show the weakness thereof. I shall only give this hint, these words together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are used for the end of the World in a plain proper sense in many places of Scripture; as Mat. 13. 39, 40. a●d cap 24. 3. Heb 9 26. and I know not that they are together used in any other sense.  
Secondly, It seems to be too gross and wicked to restrain Christ's presence to an Age, much more the things that are given in charge to be preached and observed vers. 20. as if one only Age were to observe Christ's Commands: for howsoever the Apostles were the Persons that immediately received the Commands, and had the Promise, yet there is a further scope in Christ's words, and a clear intimation of the continuation of the work by others, who should succeed after they should cease to be. For suitable to this, is that charge which Paul gives to Timothy. 1 Tim. 6. 13, 14. I give the● charge in the sight of God who quickeneth all things, and before jesus Christ, etc. that thou keep this Commandment without spot irrebukably, until the appearing of the Lord jesus Christ. Was Timothy to continue till the appearing of Jesus Christ, or is there not another thing employed, viz. that Timothy should have successors in that work? to whom Paul gives the charge as well as to him, and lays it upon them to keep the same Commandment: And because it is one work, Paul speaks to them all as to one man, and so did Christ in the Commission above mentioned. And Christ ascended, up on high and gave gifts to men, and he appointed some Apostles, some Evangelists, some Prophets, some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, and for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the Stature of the falness of Christ. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. that is, till all Saints come to a State of Perfection, so as neither to be subject to error nor to sin, which is not attainable in this World; Christ was born in weakness and littleness of stature as other men, and he grew up to a perfect man; the Apostle alludes to this: Saints are growing up whilst they are here in knowledge and in all spiritual Gifts and Graces, till nothing be wanting of that proportion which God hath appointed for them, which is not in this life; And Ministry must last while Saints are in their growing state, while any thing is wanting of the measure they must come unto.  
Object. But ministerial gifts are not now to be found in the world, such which the Ministers of the Gospel had in the Primitive times; the Apostles were not to go forth into the world, but were to tarry at jerusalem, though they had a Commission to Preach the Gospel in all Nations, till they were first endued with power from on high, that is, till they were anointed with the holy Ghost, as was done at the time of Pentecost, as is mentioned Act. 2 1, 2, 3. etc. then had they the Spirit given them, and were enriched greatly with gifts, by which they were enabled to discharge that service they were called unto; so Gal. 3. 5. the person that preached the Gospel, had the ministering of the Spirit, but now no such gifts; therefore no such work ministerial as was then, nor any such Officers, as Pastors, Teachers, etc. as was then.  
Answ. First, When the Apostle Paul layeth down the qualification of Bishops or Elders (for they are one) he mentions many things respecting a good conversation, and some other things respecting a right dispensation; he must be ●ound in the Faith, and settled and established in the Truth, and mighty in the Scriptures, that he may convince gainsayers; and inclinable to communicate what gift he hath, by an aptness to teach, and he must be good and upright in his life in all things; But not one word proceeds from the Apostle of any extraordinary gifts wherewith he is to be endued, but a total silence in that point: Now if such an anointment had been necessary with such an absolute necessary, as that without it there could be no Bishops, no Pastors and Elders of any kind at all; how comes it that the Apostle omits the mention of so main a thing which is made the principal, when he nominates many other things? Therefore that anointment which the Apostles had, and those gifts wherewith they were enriched, they served for other ends then to qualify them for the Ministry; Or if some of them were Apostles qualifications, which were to go into all the world to preach the Gospel, and did therefore stand in need of tongues, yet they were not Pastors and Teachers qualifications which are fixed to certain places and people; Such gifts as were then given, were testimonials that Christ was received to the Glory of the Father, and did sit at his right hand, and that all power was given him to Heaven and Earth, according as he spoke when he was upon the Earth.  
Secondly, There might be as forcible an argument fetch: against all Christianity (if words be taken up in the Letter, in which they run) as against Ministry, Mark 16, 17. Those signs shall follow them that believe in my name, they shall cast out Devils, they shall speak with new tongues, and many other things it is said they should do, and they did so in the Primitive times; very many of them, and perhaps all had one extraordinary gift or another; as, 1 Cor. 12. 7. The man ifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal; to one in one kind, and to another in another kind. And therefore when Paul met with Disciples at Ephesus, the first Question that he asked them, was; whetherthey had received the holy Ghost since they believed? As if suchgifts of the holy Ghost had been so connexed to Faith, that they could not be separated the one from the other shall we therefore reason from hence, that because these signs are not now accompanying those that profels Faith, that there are no Believers to be found in these latter Ages? We may as rationally, and with as much (and more) colour of Scripture reason after such manner, as these persons do against Ministry.  
Besides, the Apostle speaks of Ministry which some persons have received, Rom. 12. 7. and requires a waiting upon it, and he that teacheth must wait upon his teaching, and he that exhorteth must wait upon his exhortation: Here is not only an outward teaching allowed, (which the persons who shaped these questions oppose) but an outward teaching by office is enjoined, which some others that are no Quakers are ready enough to withstand; For if it should be merely by a gift, which some will grant, though they deny Office: How comes it that the Injunction is to wait upon it? For though it be not expressly in the Original, yet it is necessarily employed, that there may be sense made of it; and how comes an injunction of maintenance, Gal. 6. 6. from him that is taught, to him that teacheth, if teaching be not by Office, be not waited upon, and made the special work of some persons? And how comes the Apostle to raise a living to some persons from their preaching, when he saith, that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, and saith also, that so the Lord hath ordained it? 1 Cor. 9 14. and if persons make it not their office, and wait upon it as upon their office, if only they preach by virtue of a gift that they have, or think that they have and exercise it at their pleasure, will the Apostle have such men live upon the Gospel that so preach it? Or why doth the Apostle fetch an argument from them that served at the Altar, whohad their livelihood thence, to prove a living upon the Gospel Preached, if such who were to Preach the Gospel, were not Ministerially and by office to do it; For those who lived upon the things of the Temple, and upon the Altar, were Priests and Levites, and Ministers of the Old-Testament. Were all these Directions and Instructions which respect Office, Temporary and Transitory? Then may the whole Gospel in all the Injunctions and Commandments of it be made a Temporary, and a Transitory Gospel.  
Or can any rational person conceive how Preaching is like to be kept up, and to be on foot any long time, if some persons be not appointed to wait upon it, and if it be not laid upon some persons as their work? Or what certainty can the people be at concerning supply that way, if none be engaged to it? And how weakly is Preaching likely to be carried, when none attend upon it, nor give themselves over unto it? The Apostles who had incomparable endowments beyond any who live now, did yet give themselves to prayer, and to the Ministry of the Word. And shall not those who fall greatly below them, be much rather wholly devoted to that service, when as the work is so weighty if it be carried as it ought to be, that it requires the whole of man?  
But I believe these days wherein there is such arguing against Ministry, and such pleading for the Preaching of gifted men, were Prophesied of by Paul, 2 Tim. 4. 3, 4. where 
2 Tim. 4. 3, 4. which respects the heaping up of Teachers, opened.  he saith, that the time shall come, when they will not endure sound Doctrine; But after their own lusts, they shall heap to themselves Teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the Truth, and they shall be turned unto fables. It is observed that the Greek word that is translated (heaping) doth import three things: 1. An ardent study to acquire many Teachers. 2. A rash and heady gathering together of many Teachers, without any solid judgement exercised. 3. A confused multitude of such as are gathered together employed. And it may be further observed, what manner of persons they be that shall heap together Teachers after this manner, and what grounds they go upon. First, They are such who will not endure sound Doctrine. Secondly, they are such who please their own lusts and fancies in the Teachers whom they heap together to themselves. Thirdly, They are such who have itching ears, who affect to hear many, and no one nor a few will serve their turn; they hear one and another without being satisfied, after the manner of those who have an itch upon them. Fourthly, They turn away their ears from the Truth, and are turned to Fables; that is, any thing that is new, though it be a very fable and have no truth in it, is thirsted after by them; old truths will not please so well, they leave them, and turn after these. It is also worthy to be considered how Teachers come to be multiplied, that there is such an heap of them; why the wantonness, looseness, and vanity of the spirit of the People, which will not endure the strictness of the care and vigilancy of Pastors and Teachers, and have also itching ears, shall multiply them and pile them up one upon another like an heap; the lusts of the people make many Preachers more than any thing else. And these persons that are so wanton that they must have many, are yet such who will not have some, viz such who are solid and preach the Truth; For this Text saith, they turn away their ears from the Truth (where it is solidly held forth) and are turned after fables.  
Nothwistanding that there is a distemper of this kind which is very prevalent in these days, yet I dare not so affix preaching to office, as thereby to exclude all exercising of gifts; but the exorbitancy is that which I appear against; I would have those that do preach, and others also that are solid sober Christians, judge together who are fit to preach, and who have a gift; 1 Cor. 14, 32. and I would have them first proved, before approved, 1 Tim, 3. 10. and then they should exercise it occasionally; for he that hath an office, it belongs to him and is his part to wait upon it; but he that hath only a gift without an office, must look unto it how he is called out to exercise it before he use it.  
Thirdly, Not only outward teaching offends them, but 
Concerning praying standing.  praying standing will not down with them; I know not what posture they would have, but that which we intent by it, is, that he that prayeth may be seen by all the people on whose behalf he prays; For he is their mouth, and it doth affect the heart of the people when their eyes behold him who is praying for them, and it is justified from Solomon's example, who when he prayed on the behalf of Israel, he stood in the presence of all the Congregation, and spread forth his hands towards Heaven; And yet we plead not so for standing, but that we shall grant other postures to be lawful, provided that the person that prayeth be visible to the people; but they that love not the duty itself, but except against it as in Querie 15. may better be allowed to find fault with the posture.  
Fourthly, Nor will they be pleased with the place of 
Concerning praying in the Sunagogues.  meeting, who would have no meeting at all for such exercises; they call them Synagogues in way of derision; but there is no harm in that word if they understood it; it doth but signify a place where the people come together, a place of Assembling; It did signify the place where the Jews met together to hear the Word of God upon the Sabbath-day. It was no holy place in the Jews account, as the Temple was; it was not hallowed and sanctified for sacred uses only as the Temple was; but was made use of for civil purposes, as to punish offences; For they scourged such as they counted malefactors in their Synagogues, Mat. 23. 34. If our place therefore be only like a Synagogue, it's no brand to us; some place we must have if a service be to be done; & one place will serve our turn as well as another, provided it be a capacious place that will hold the company that are to meet in it, and that it be also a free place, which we may make bold with without detriment to any, and a known agreed-on place, which all may take notice of, and may repair thither: yet our place cannot hardly be called a Synagogue in allusion to the Jewish Synagogues; for it was not erected for any spiritual or divine use, or with any intent of serving God in it, as the Synagogues among the jews were, though they made use of them for other services.  
Fifthly, After cavilling at places, they come to strike at 
Concerning Title of Master.  Persons, and charge us with Ambition and Affectation of Honour: 1. Because we are called Masters. 2. Because we have as they say, the chiefest places in the Assemblies; for the former, viz. the title, we confess it is put upon some of us, and as we have not affected it, so neither have we cause to reject it. It doth import nothing but civil honour and respect which others show us: It is put upon all persons who have either birth, breeding, riches of this world, office and employment of an honourable nature: It was not only put upon Christ, but upon the Apostles of Christ also, in Joh. 12. 21. and not rejected by them. Some came to Philip, and said (Sir) we would see Jesus: It is in the Greek, Master, we would see jesus: and Acts 16. 30. The Gaoler came to Paul and Silas and said, (Sirs) that is in Greek, Masters, what shall etc. and they repelled him not in reference to that Title.  
But these Persons allege Mat. 13. where it is said; Be not ye called Masters, for you have one Master which is Christ. But this Text will stand them in no stead; for this word that is translated (Masters) is, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies such Masters as are Deuces viae, Guides of one's way, and Gubernatores vitae, Governors of a man's life, which is proper to Christ, and not to any man; For no man doth-it, saving instrumentally from and under Christ. And Rabbi which was forbidden them also, vers. 8. is such another Title, which carries too much in the signification of it; it imports one Teacher who for the abundance of his knowledge is instead of many: And the affectation is that which is principally forbidden, and the derogating in the coveting of such-Titles from God in that Glory which is due to him, who is that Dux viae, that Guide of Guides, and that Rabbi, that one teacher which is more than all; But for the Title Master in a civil acception, there is neither hurt in giving of it, nor in taking of it, provided that pride and haughtiness do not occasion it; For the Apostle saith, in giving honour, go one before another, Rom. 12. 10. And we know that he justifieth the Title of Master in all such who have others to serve them, and giveth direction unto them how they ought to deport themselves towards those who are their servants. But these persons may better be born with, if they destroy Titles, who destroy Relations themselves which founded them. Concerning chief places in the Assemblies, except the Pulpit be the chief place, which the great ones covet not, I know nothing of the cause of this charge, but do account it a meet slander.   

Querie 19 Whether a man shall ever grow up that he need no man teach him under your Ministry, yea or no? seeing the Apostle saith, you need no man teach you; and you which have been long Teachers, how many have you brought up into this Condition?  
Answ. Persons may grow up under the teaching of such a Ministry as is among us, to need no man to teach them, in the sense in which the Apostle understands it; they may be brought to the knowledge of all the great truths of the Gospel, and may come to understand many of the high and deep things of Scripture; they may also come to be much confirmed and established therein, so that in a comparative sense they may not need Teachers; not that they are absolutely perfect in knowledge, but that they know very much, and are able to teach others also; and of this we have some experience. But in the sense in which these persons understand it (for they intent such a perfection in knowledge as excludes all ignorance, and all humane helps for any further attainments) we ingenously confess, that no man is ever like to grow up so high, as to need no teaching, nor are we ourselves come up to such a perfection; and we think ourselves to be but Children in knowledge, in comparison of that which we hope to attain unto in heaven; nor do we think it any dishonour to us to confess so much, especially while we medicate upon the Apostles expression, 1 Cor. 13. 12. Now we see through a glass darkly, speaking of the time of this life, but then we shall see face to face, speaking of the time after this life. Nor do we find that Christ himself, or the Apostles, ever bred up persons to such a condition as these men speak of, to need none to teach them in their sense. Paul bred up Timothy, and to a great height he bred him under his Ministry, whom he calls Son, because he had been with him as a Son, yet he exhorts him to meditate upon such things, and to give himself wholly unto them, that his profiting might appear unto all, 1 Tim. 4. 15. And Peter exhorcs those that he wrote to, of whom he jaith, that he did only put them in remembrance of things, and that they knew them already, and were established in the present truth, that they would grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 3. 18.  
The Conclusion that they put to all these Questions, is this;  
The Church of Christ (say they) is a pillan and ground of Truth, which doth witness the eternal Spirit; and if you be the same Church, and have the same Spirit, answer me these Queries without any consequencies or senses; otherwise diny your Eldership, and Pastorship, and to be no Church of Christ.  
Answ. The Church of Christ is the ground and pillar of Truth, and doth witnese the truth of all that is contained in the holy Scriptures, and more especially that the mystery of godliness is gteat, viz. That God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the World, received up into Glory. And this we assert without any Consequencies or senses; many of which, (if not all) you that urge us thus, most desperately deny. As for your questions, we have answered them agreeablyto Scripture, and have made such inferences and necessary consequences, and have put such senses as cannot be contradicted by any knowing Christian, nor indeed by any but those whose design is to destroy all Scripture, and utterly to subvert the Faith of the Gospel, and to lead men captive after their own delusions: and instead of denying a Pastorship, and Eldership, and ourselves to be the Church of Christ, we shall pray God to open the eyes of so many of these poor creatures, who are thus sold over to delusions, that so many of them as belong to God's Election, may be recovered out of the snare of the devil, who are led captive for the present after his will.    

A Copy of a Letter which Richard Waller a Quaker, sent to a Gentleman's Family, near Stockport in Cheshire: in which both he and his wife had been formerly servants: Wherein he pleads for an absolute perfection, and for Quaking.  
Dear Friends,  
MY dear love in the Lord presents itself unto you all in the power of the truth; desiring the Lord to establish you all in the truth itself, that you may grow and become faithful unto the Lord to bring forth much fruit, that the Lord in all things may be glorified by you. Dear friends, I did long stand in opposition against a company of people by the World called Quakers; So it pleased the Lord in his time to let me see my condition; So that I did plainly see that I had got the Saints words to talk of before I came to witness the Saint's condition: Now the Scripture saith, Jesus Christ was made manifest to destroy the works of the Devil. Whosoever can witness Christ manifest in him, can witness sin destroyed: But he that saith Christ is manifest in him, and committeth sin, is a liar. For whosoever is born of God, sinneth not, 1 Job. 2. 4. For his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God; Now the Priests of the World tell us we cannot be perfect here: So they leave a hole for Satan here contrary to Scriptures; and when will they have him cast out? As for me, I deny all the Teachers of the World: For I can really witness that I have found my Teacher within me, which is a mystery to all the World. Now, I and the rest that can witness that Christ is made manifest in us, we are hated of the World; for we disown the World's ways, World's worships, and World's Customs, and they disown us. Now the Scriptures saith, He that is a friend to the World, is an enemy to God: The World calls us witches and mad men; they did so by Christ; they said he was a Devil: and they said Paul was mad, and Stephen spoke Blasphemy: It is just so now as it was then; they Jeer and say, Never any of the Saints Quaked and Trembled. Read these Scriptures at your leisure, and you may find them liars, Heb. 12. 25, 26. Ezra. 9 3, 4. Heb. 12. 21. Moses quaked and trembled. David trembled Psal. 119. 120. Psal. 18. 7. Heb. 3. 16. When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered. Jerem. 23. 9 Isa. 66. 2. Ezek. 32. 10. Dan. 10. 7. and 11. Daniel Trembled, Acts 9 6. Joel 2. 10. Job 26. 11. Amos 8. 8. Jer. 30. 6, 7. Acts 13. 40. 41. See here is a Cloud of Witnesses against them: And whereas they deny that perfection is to be attained, here they are found liars. See Phil. 3. 15, Let us, as many as are perfect, be thus minded. Col. 1. 28. Col. 4. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 17. Heb. 6. 1. Heb. 10. 14. Herald 12. 23. Heb. 13. 21. Jam. 1. 4. Col. 4. 12. Deut. 18. 13. Joh. 17. 21. I in thee, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. I plainly see the Priests taught deceit, and we believed them: But the Lord hath discovered their deceit to his, and he will teach all his himself. Oh therefore wait upon the Lord, and cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils, and mind the light of God in you which discovers deceit; and the peace of God be with you all, and keep you all in the sense of him stayed in your minds, that you may be kept in his fear which keepeth the mind clear, and pure, and open to receive his teachings, and to forsake the evil, and choose the good, and so bring you into obedience; and it will suffer you to join with nothing but what is of it own nature, pure and clear, and it will keep you from the evil of the World. The Lord cause you all to grow up as trees of Righteousness, and establish your hearts in the living truth, that his name in all thing may be glorified.  
Dear friend Christian, I have sent you a little book, read it without partiality, and you may see deceit discovered; My wife desires you to present her service to her Master and Mistress, and all the children, and her love unto you and all the servants; We are both well, and our child grows fast. As for me, as I begun with my dear love unto you all, so I end: For I dare not compliment, because it is a Custom of the World. Farewell,   

A Copy of an answer to the forementioned Letter, written in the name of the Church of Duckenfield, now meeting in Stopport, and sent unto the wife of Richard Waller, for the settling and establishing of her in the faith of Christ, being a member of the forementioned Church, wherein all such Scriptures which were brought to prove an absolute Perfection and Quaking are Interpreted, and the true sense given to them; and freed from such corrupt fence for which they are alleged.  
Sister Waller,  
YOu are very precious to us, though your miscarriage against God and us hath been very great. We are apt to hope that the Lord either hath or will convince you of the sin you committed in your unadvised Marriage; Which you so selfwilledly carried on against us: And when your heart is kindly humbled; we know you will give praise to God, and justify us: And then we shall conceive as much can see of joy from your repentance, as we have done grief from your sin: We cannot yet think otherwise, but that you do belong to the Lord: And if so, he will not suffer you to have rest in any evil way you have gone in, till he have made you truly sensible, and sorrowful after a Godly manner: which if ever you once manifest to us, we shall with as much tenderness own you, as in any time heretofore: For you are very dear to us, and our bowels do very much yearn after you: Especially since we heard of a Letter which your husband wrote to Duckenfield, which some of us have seen; by which we discern what deadly poison he hath sucked in, to the undoing of his poor Soul, if God be not very merciful to him, and bring him to Repentance. And you also, through your nearness of Relation to him, are exposed to multiplicity of Temptations, to forsake the faith of our Lord Jesus, and to turn aside to such Satanical delusions which he is carried away with. We do conceive hope, that as yet the Lord hath kept you, by observing one passage of his Letter, which holds out your desire, that your service may be presented to your Master and Mistress: therein, owning the relation they stood in to you, and you to them, which he declares against, making it the world's way, and not Gods. Our desire and prayer to God for you shall be, that he will yet keep you even to the end. And who can tell but that the Lord may bring out a great deal of good to your soul, by this evil of your Husbands fearful apostasy, which his Letter holds out? God may open your eyes, thereby to see your sinful haste which you made in that Marriage: He may humble you for rushing upon it against Counsel; he may make you to know that he was angry against you, by leaving him to such fearful error of way. He hath laid a sore affliction upon you, by giving up one so near and dear to you, to such fearful Temptations. You have offended God through him, and now you must be chastened in him. Be awakened, be awakened, and consider the Lords righteous hand in this matter; The person whom you have chosen, God seems to have forsaken; at least for a time he is become the Devils Captive. O fear you, and repent you, lest he also forsake you. But we hope better of you; and our prayer is, that you may be settled and established in the truth. We foresee that you will be strongly solicited: He that thought himself bound to tempt persons by his Letters at so great a distance, what alluring ways will not he take to cause you to forsake your integrity, and to turn aside to such fleshly deceits of Satan: take heed you be not bewitched with pretences, and quotations of Scripture presented in the Letter; there lies the greatest danger. The Devil tempted Christ, by telling him that it was written; and his Instruments will use the same flights: They will put false Glosses upon Scripture, while they deny all senses to be put upon Scripture, to deceive themselves and others thereby. The Apostle Peter saith, 2 Pet. 3. 16. that some that are unlearned, and unstable, do wrest Scripture to their own destruction; and he doth warn them, lest they being led away by the error of the wicked, do fall from their own steadfastness, by such means. And we also do beseech you to beware of this Snare, viz of Scripture abused by misconstructions. It is a misconstruction, when the construction is made to follow the sound of the words, though it be never so much repugnant to other Scripture: You know that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, 2 Tim 3, 16. And that holy men spoke as they were Inspired by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1. 21. Now God is a God of Truth, and the Spirit is a Spirit of Truth, and cannot speak contrary things, nor contradict himself: therefore, if there be any seeming contradiction in Scripture taken in the Letter of it, we must seek after a right sense, by which the seeming contradiction may be removed. Your husband produceth many Scriptures to prove an absolute perfection without sin; And the first Scripture he mentions, is Phil. 3. 15. Let us (saith Paul) (speaking of himself and the Philippians) as many as be perfect, be thus minded; He Collects from hence, that the Saints here have such a perfection that excludes all sin: Alas poor Creature! We thought he had been better acquainted with his own heart: But he might have looked a little higher in the Chapter, upon ver. 12. and have discerned that Paul expressly denies Perfection in reference to himself Not as though I were already perfect, saith he; Was Paul perfect, and yet was he not perfect? In the Letter there is a contradiction: But Paul speaking by the Spirit of God, cannot contradict himself: therefore, we must look after the sense of the word [Perfect] It is many time taken for sincere, 2 Kings 15. 14. Asa took not away the high places; that was his failing; Yet his heart was perfect; In what sense perfect? Was it perfect without sin? Not so, For it was his sin that the high places were not taken away; But perfect, that is Upright; He did not serve God in pretence, but in truth, They say we must not give the sense of Scripture, but must take it in the Letter; but that is contrary to the examples of Scripture. Those in Nehemiah 8. 8. read in the Book of the Law, and gave the sense; and it is necessary sometimes to avoid contradiction, which is in the Letter, to give the sense; The sense of that place, in Phillip 3. 15. Let us so many as be perfect, be thus minded, is this, Let us so many as be Sincere, Upright, and halt not betwixt Moses and Christ, betwixt the Law and the Gospel, be thus minded: that is minded like to Paul, as he had given them example; For that was the Scope in that whole Chapter; he had left the Law and all confidence in Mofaical Ordinances, and followed Christ; But yet was not perfect therein, as to be without defect in that, but was upright and sincere therein; and he presseth them, as many as were perfect, that is, upright, to be as he was, to do likewise, and yet not to think that they can be so complete as not to need to follow more and more after Christ; but to be still striving, as he was; This is clearly the sense, by which your husband may understand his error. As for all other places, to give a particular Exposition of each Quotation, will take up more time than we can well spare at present; but as need shall require, upon intimation given us, we shall be willing to hold forth the sense of any Scripture you shall doubt of hereafter, as the Lord shall help us, and we hope with Truth. comparing Scripture with Scripture, that one may not oppose another. Only in general it is good to take notice that is Scripture there is mention made of a Comparative perfection; Those who stuck in Moses his Rites, and could not get past them, were not so perfect as those who were clearly bottomed upon the Gospel. And to this Perfection Paul endeavoured to bring the Colossians, and Philippians, and all that did believe, Col 1. 28. And those who were Babes in knowledge, were not so perfect as those who had their senses exercised to discern betwixt good and evil, of which Heb. 6. 1. And there is a perfection that respect Justification, and not Sanctification, Heb. 10. 14. By one Offering he hath for ever perfected them that are Sanctified; that is, he hath perfectly justified all the Saints, by dying once; when as all the legal Offerings (though repeated day by day) could not do it; But there was still a Conscience accusing for sin. And there is a perfection that respects rather the number of Graces, than the measure of them, and respects rather duration and continuance to the end, than any height or strength in the act of performance; as Jam. 1. 4. Let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing; This perfect work of patience, is the work of patience perpetuated, and lasting to the end; He that endureth to the end shall be saved, Mat. 10. 22. Mat. 24. 13. And [being entire and wanting nothing] respects the filling up, and completing the rest of the Graces that they had, with this Grace of patience exercised to the end; as in 2 Cor. 8. 7: Therefore as ye abound in every thing, in Faith, and Utterrance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us; see that ye abound in this Grace also. When all Graces be in Saints, and do abide in exercise to the end, than there is a kind of Perfection in Saints. And the Scripture doth frequently stir up the Saints to endeavour after perfection; When yet it saith not that is is to be attained unto in this life. 2 Cor. 13. 9 We wish (said the Apostle) your Perfection; and Heb 6. 1. Let us go on to perfection; And the Apostle himself was not Perfect, but going on towards it, Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I were already Perfect; But I forget that which is behind, etc. and so follow on towards it. The Apostle Paul tells us, that while he was here, he did see through a Glass darkly; and that now, that is in this life, he did know but in part; and if but in part, where then was perfection? And the Apostle John tells all Saints, 1 Joh. 1. 8. that if they say they have no sin they deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them; And the Apostle James faith, that in many things we-offend all; he and all others did offend And he faith, he is a perfect man, that offendeth not in word; that is, he would be comparatively perfect that could only bridle his tongue; but who can do it at all times? we perceive your Husband cannot; for than he would never have uttered such reproachsul words against godly men, calling them Priests, and saying they are found Liars; his Conscience will tell him that some of them are such as fear the Lord: but he faith, if Perfection be not here, we leave an hole for Satan; and when will it be, if it be not here in this Life? Alas, alas, is he left so soon to so great darkness as not to believe another Life and World after this? that he asks when it will be, if not here? It seems Satan hath had an open door to enter into his heart, and fill it with such fogs and mists of Darkness; he might have read and weighed the Apostles words, in 1 Cor. 13. 9, 10, 11. Now we know in part, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away; and he might have considered that distinction of time contained in these words, Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; this [now] is here, and this [then] is after this life; But he strengthens himself in that place, in 1 joh. 3. 9 He that is born of God, sinneth not, but his Seed remaineth, and he cannot sin; This he urgeth, but he considereth not that the same john saith that which is contrary to this, viz. Whosoever saith he hath no sin, deceives himself, and the truth is not in him; A sound sense therefore must be brought out of john's words, else john will be found a Liar against himself, and against God, as your Husband endeavours to make him, denying sin to be there, in whom Christ is made manifest, from this text; but the meaning is of sin in course, perfisted and continued in, without true repentance and turning from it; he that is born of God cannot so sin; for the seed of Truth and of Grace within him, will not let him so sin; for after such manner the wicked of the world sin, but the Saints cannot so sin; there will be smitings of heart in them, and they will ask and inquire what they have done, and will repent and turn to God, as job did, David did, Peter and all the Saints have done.  
Now concerning quaking and trembling, there is a multiplying of many Texts of Scripture without knowledge; for none of them can be applied to justify the practice of those whom they call Quakers. The first Text that they allege, if it be taken in the Letter, as they take all Scripture, doth destroy them and their practice; viz. Heb. 12. 26 whose voice then shook the Earth, but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the Earth only, but the Heaven also. Now the Apostle gives the sense of these words [yet once more] vers. 27. It signifieth (faith he) the removing of those things that are shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain: Now those Persons whom they call Quakers, they are shaken in their meetings, first one, and then another; then the Text taken in the Letter, shows that they shall be removed and taken away, seeing they are shaken; but others who are not shaken, shall remain; so they fall by the Text which themselves allege. But the true sense of this Text is Metaphorical, and signifies the removing of things corrupt in Church and State, so far as it remains yet to be fulfilled; and it did signify the removal of Moses Law of Rites, that the Gospel might be established instead thereof. There was an outward shaking of the Mount, and of Moses, but it was typical of this Metaphorical and spiritual shaking, and shown how Moses Paedagogie, or Childish Discipline was to be removed away; but what is this to their purpose? There is also a spiritual trembling, arising from the reverence of God and his Word, which is inward in the foul, which all Saints have more or less; Isa 66, 2. Ezra 9 4. which are Texts of his citing, but they make nothing for the upholding of their outward shaking: nor are they persons that tremble at the Word of the Lord, but are despisers of it, There is also a quaking and trembling of Flesh, but it did ar●se from the sense of God's Judgements, Psal. 119. 120. Jer. 23 9, jer. 30 5 6. and from a sense of God's Wrath; Psal. 187. but they who have the name of Quakers, being all of them perfect and without sin (as they pretend) cannot be afraid of God's judgements & of his wrath, nor do they quake upon that account; what they shall do hereafter if they repent not, we leave to that one Iudge of the world to determine in his time. There is also a quaking from Visions and Apparitions, as when an Angel appeared to Daniel, Dan. 10. 7. 11. and the outside of the Vision, those that were with him saw, and quaked, and fled through fear; they saw not the inside, as those that were with Saul did which saw a light, though they saw no man, and they were terrified. And Paul was astonished, and trembled Acts 9 6. upon the appearance of Christ to him. Now whether these persons pretend to apparitions or not, we know not; and whether there be any Apparition unless the Devil doth appear, we know not; only this we know, Those persons who saw many Visions, and to whom God immediately, or by an Angel spoke familiarly, which caused quaking and trembling, they were such, for whom, and by whom, God wrought many wonderful things; therefore said the Pharisees to the people, We know that God spoke with Moses; It was known to all, by signs and wonders that Moses did, that God had Communion with him and spoke to him; so also it was with Daniel, Peter, Paul, and all others; so that all might be assured that God spoke with then, and the appearance was visible also: Now when these persons can confirm their Visions by miraculous things wrought for them and by them, it will be better received, that God hath appeared and spoken to them. But that which most satisfies us, that neither they nor their quaking are of God, is first, because though some particular persons, upon some particular and sudden appearances have trembled and quaked, yet there is nothing in all the Scripture that makes out the meetings of many people together in a constant way and course, waiting and expecting to see or hear something which casts them into trances, and brings upon them quaking and trembling, and in a kind of order also; as first one, and then another. Indeed the Apostles did abide waiting at jerusalem once; but never after, for the receiving of the Spirit according to the Promise of the Father, by Christ's own special Injunction; but then the Spirit came in visible manner; there was a rushing wind, and sound from Heaven, and an appearance of cloven tongues, like as it were fire sat upon every one of them, and they spoke with tongues; But what injunction have these men to meet, and sit together waiting for any appearance of spirit, or Angel, or aught else? And what promise have they made to them, or what outward appearance is there of any coming of the Spirit to them? Or what mighty works are done by them; Or what communion with God, or with his Spirit can they have, which oppose God in their many blasphemous assertions which come from them? and who destroy many of the great Doctrines of the Gospel? and who change and subvert God's Ordinances, viz. Relations betwixt Magistrates and Subjects, Masters and Servants, etc. which God doth build up in his word?  
Sister, You may discern what little strength there is in those many Scriptures in your Husband's Letter, heaped togegether, by that which we have presented in answer; A cloud of misapplied Scriptures we hope will deceive none but the simple. We are willing to believe that God hath, and will give you a better understanding, then to be deceived with vain words. Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit your self well like a solid Christian, be strong: If you doubt of any thing, send to us, we shall endeavour to give you satisfaction, and shall beg of God to guide you, even he himself by his Spirit, into all Truth: Appear not in any other meetings, as you tender the welfare of your Soul, tempt not God to, leave you. If your Husband bring them to your house, get from among them. If by any means you can, have no discourse with them, lest you be ensnared. You are warned in your Husband, he conversed with them, and how soon is he become one of them, as his Letter shows, We pity his condition greatly. What would we do to recover him, and bring him out of such snares? But we fear lest some sin is unrepented of, and that God is offended, and hath left him; Look you to yourself, and past ways, and know the evil you have done, and meet the Lord by faith and timely Repentance; It may be God will be gracious to you, and you shall be kept in the fire, and in the water, in the midst of the greatest and nearest dangers; so that they shall not touch you, nor hurt you. Which shall be the prayer of those who are true friends to your soul, and do watch over you, as those who must give an account to God for you.  
Farewell. From the Elders, and some brethren of the Church of Christ, meeting at Stoppors, In the name, and on the behalf of the rest. Sam. Eton.   

The Quakers Reply to our forementioned answer, sent by Richard Waller, with an injunction that it should be read in the presence of the CONGREGATION.  
I Have received a Letter, wherein I find many busy minds, giving senses upon the Scriptures, and false Accusations.  
Can you give a better sense upon the Scriptures than they are? thereby you show another Spirit then that which did give forth the scriptures. For all Scriptures being given forth by the Inspiration of the spirit, it is of no private Interpretation, nor came not by the will of man. O flesh be silent before the Lord, who art giving senses, and speakest with thy own will: wherein thou hast uttered forth thy folly, who art unlearned: therefore thou art wresting the Scriptures, which thou wouldst turn upon the backs of others, and the same turns upon thy own back and pate, who art giving senses: who livest in the corrupt nature, and pleadest for it, a servant to the Devil, maintaining his Kingdom: Whereof thou Accusest him being led Captive, and thou art led Captive, doing the work of the Devil, and art a witness against him, or them who are in the second Birth, and the children of the living God: Jacob was a perfect man, God saw no iniquity in him; job was a perfect man; And God saw no transgression in Israel; and Christ said, be ye perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect: and the Apostle said, see that you stand perfect in the will of God, And he that is born of God sinneth not, neither can be sin, because the seed of God remains in him; he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; let no man deceive you with vain words, and in that number you show yourselves to be deceiving with vain words; and we speak wifdom among them that are perfect, saith the Apostle; Yet not the wisdom of this world, that cometh to nought: but in the wisdom of the world thou art, witnessing against that which the Apostle justified, and hast raised thyself out of that which he was in, giving Senses and Meanings upon his words, as they painted Serpents did, showing a contrary Spirit than the Apostles had; Showing thyself in the first Birth, and not in the second, which is perfect; Literally learned, but not Spititually, that which will own it, own without any Witchcraft, Sorcery, or twining humane inventions, or its sense upon the Scripture, which all is for Destruction and Fire; For to that in thy Conscience do I speak, which shall eternally witness for me, and before you witness, the same Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures, you must witness these things in yourselves. The contradiction is in yourselves, and a seeming contradiction, and not in the Scripture: Therefore it is you that look after the sense of the word, which cannot own it as it is, and so make the contradictions; had you the Spirit which Paul had, and which gave forth the Scriptures, you would not wrest it to your own destruction; but the confusion is in your own minds, and that is wresting the Scriptures in you, and giving senses to it, which is for destruction; And whereas you speak of Paul's condition; I desire you to let Paul's condition, and the Saints alone: For you know nothing of them, but are giving senses upon their words, and wresting them, being unestablished with his Spirit, and his life, and the Saints; For that mind in you hath nothing at all to do with it: The Letter saith that the Saints were complete in him, and is not upright perfect? Wherein it shows that you are not complete in Christ, but without in the world, giving meaning to his words; whereas you speak of giving a particular exposition of every Quotation, it is the busy mind which would be exalted; So if I should answer to every sense which you have given upon the Scripture from your conceivings, I should make fools wise in their conceits, which God hath promised, he will scatter the proud in their imaginations, and there you are, and there is your portion.  
Friends, Your weakness you have uttered, while any one thinks they are perfect they cannot tell; but are in the same mind that you are in, giving senses upon the Scripture, which was given forth by an eternal spirit, and you are giving senses upon it, with your external minds, and your own imagined wisdom, which is from below, you utter it forth; for it denies perfection, and while your minds stand in imitation, there is an Image in your minds, which sets something up in it, that neither knows Christ, nor the way, nor the Scripture; Neither can it refolve doubtful minds; But that sense giving upon the Scriptures doth heal up the beast which hath a wound, and applies the Scriptures to a wrong nature, to your own sense, that thereby many are led blind by you, and led into doubts, and instead of stablishing, you unstablish, and that is it which keeps so many in sin, and from waiting upon Jesus Christ, which comes to take away sin.  
Friends, here you sit as Judges of the Saints conditions, speaking you do not know what of the Gospel, of Moses Law, of Justification, and Sanctification, which of these things you know nothing of, but are busy minds, uttering forth your folly; for none of these things can you witness, which you speak of, not the Law of Moses, nor Justification, nor Sanctification, nor the Gospel, not in the inward man, but in the Notion; he that is sanctified is justified, and witnessed, and where it is not, it is babbled and disputed upon, as you do, giving your own imaginations and senses upon it, which leads into temptations from God, both yourselves and others; By one offering he hath for ever perfected them that are Sanctified.  
Friends, give over your babbling, and see which of you can witness this Christ, this Sanctification, and this Perfection, and give over your disputes, and rabbling, and rambling with an unclean mind; For the Grace of God teaches to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. Which I do see you know nothing of but in the Notion, and the History of it, who are Ministers of the Letter.  
Friends, see if you be brought to see a Conscience that doth accuse for sin; For that you must witness before you witness the Gospel, and look within yourselves, and gad not abroad; For that is the woman that abides not in her own house.  
Friends, let me ask you one question, are you come to the end, that you are Teachers of others? I believe it will appear with a literal knowledge; or have you an infallible judgement to judge of perfection, who were perfect, and who were not perfect? For you make it appear as though you were able to judge, but it is with your own sense, and dark thoughts, and not with the spirit that gave forth the Scriptures, who was the Minister of Christ which had it; said that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; You speak forth your imaginations; Is the perfection that is in the Saints, but a kind of perfection as you speak of? These are your Saints which live in the Imaginations, and your Perfection, and your Sanctification, which is your own sense, who wrist the Scripture to your own destruction; by one offering he hath for ever perfected them that were sanctified: out of your own mouths you are judged. Friends, the Apostle Paul did not tell you these words, but you are thiefs that steal his words; For he spoke to the Saints which had an understanding, when he bade them forget those things which were behind, which you need not give a sense to his words, and wrest them to another meaning; that is your condition which James speaks of, for you live in the nature by whom Offences come; that is but a form, and the Robber to apply his words, except you had a Principle within you that told you so: And john saith, if they say they have no sin, they deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them; But saith he, if you confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive, and to cleanse from all sin; and if you walk in the light as he is in the light, the blood of Jesus, Christ cleanseth from all sin; But here you are not in this light, onor cannot witness this blood, no not the confession of your sin, but in the generation of the Pharisees, gathered Churches, separated from others, contending against Christ; Who said, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, and witnessed a good Conscience before Pontius Pilate: and where Christ is made manifest, he hath destroyed the works of the Devil; and he that is born of God sinneth not, and he that sinneth is of the Devil; Hereby are the children of God known from the children of the Devil; And in that Generation you are pleading for the sin, and not for the faith, which purifies the heart; But that mind and servant must serve its own master, whom you contend for; So every kingdom stands for itself, yet you have one of the beasts colours of profession, which makes you to appear beautiful, as ever the Harlot did, under a pretence of the true worship of God, which is a stranger from the Spirit of God, as you utter it forth, which the Saints were guided by.  
Friends, you give Exposition of the Apostles words, which he gave no such exposition, but spoke plainly; he was a perfect man that could bridle his own tongue; and I know none in your Church and Generation can do it; Herein thou showest thyself and thy Religion to be vain: For he that hath not power over his own tongue, his Religion is vain, and thyself no Minister of Christ; For he was a Minister of Christ that said so, but you are evil beasts, and slow bellies, which the Scripture speaks of; Are they not hirelings, as the Priests were? are they not called of men masters? and have they not the chiefest place in the assemblies? are they not liars, which pretend to be in the same state the true Prophets were in? you are in the same nature which justifies them, who are for condemnation, and God will condemn that high wisdom of yours; the Apostle said, as he is, so are we, in this present world: which of you can witness that there is no hole for Satan? But friends, look within, and you shall see he keeps the house, you plead so much for him; Friends, in that life you live in, you cannot see it, For none can see God and live: therefore are you blinded, Fogged, and Misted with the corruptions of the dark mind: therefore take the alas, alas, to yourselves, and pity your own selves: he that believes is born of God, and he that is born of God sinneth not, and he that is born of God overcomes the world, and this belief you shut yourselves out of, and do make it appear that you do not believe, to that in your Consciences I speak.  
Friends, as touching John's words, let flesh be silent for giving senses upon them, for that fills the world full of imaginations and fancies: For you are the Liars, which would draw something out of his words, and give another meaning to them, and show a contrary spirit, and the wresting of the Scriptures; but all such as you are discovered, where the life of them is made manifest, who wrist the Scriptures, and give your own sense and meaning upon them, and so bewitch them by your craft, and draw them from waiting upon God to have them fulfilled: so that mind judgeth all to be deceit, which is not according to your own lense, and so calls light darkness, and evil good: Friends, you strengthen yourselves with that Scripture, as he that saith he hath no sin, deceives himself, and the truth is not in him.  
And here you stand up for the Devil's kingdom, For you have not confessed your sins yet; If you confess you● sin, he is faithand just to forgive, and to cleanse from all sin; but these thing you know nothing of, but show forth your corrupt mind, and yourselves of them which the Scripture speaks of.  
Friends, here you have uttered forth your folly without knowledge and understanding, and make it appear that you never heard the voice of God, for his voice shakes the Earth; First you must witness the Earth shaken, before you witness the Heavens; and make it appear, that an your knowledge is notionary and earthly, and yet standing, and of this World; and the world by their wisdom know not God, and there you are: to that in your conscience I speak; here you thrust yourselves out of the Church of God, and show forth your ignorance, not having the form of the Letter; For Paul when he came among the Corinthians, he was with them in fear, and weakness, and much teembling, that their Faith might stand in the power of God, and not in the wisdom of Words; but here are you not: and the Corinthims received Titus trembling: and he that was a Minister of Christ, exhorted the Saints to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it was God that wrought both the Will and the Deed; and the Assembly which assembled to Ezra, had all trembling hearts, and jobs flesh trembled, and David's flesh trembled, and his bones quaked, and Moses when he heard the voice of God, he trembled; & Habbakuk when he heard the voice of God, he trembled. Hear the word of the Lord all you that tremble at his Word; when your Brethren hate you and cast you out and say 〈◊〉 the Lord he glorified, he shall appear to your joy when they shall be ashamed; and in that Generation you show yourselves to be, not knowing the Power of God not the Scriptures, but err; so shutting yourselves out, from the life of them that gave forth the Scriptures, making yourselves openly to appear blind; Friends, besilent, as giving senses of shaking and of removing of things without you; for, it is the e●●th within you, and the Corruptions within you which plead for the Devil's kingdom so much, which must be removed, and that bufie minds which are giving senses upon the Saints Conditions, for eternally you know nothing. Friends, as touching Moses Condition, when any one witnessestlie, same Condition, you cannot own it, but are cavilling about words; neither can you witness that you are made free from the Law, for the Law hath power over a man as long as he lives; The Saints that did witness they were made free: from the Law by the body of Christ, witnessed this quaking and trembling, which you with your serpentine wisdom would give senses upon them, and despise: but he shall not enter into the Kingdom: Did not Habbakuks lips tremble; and his belly quake? And did not the Prophet's knees knock together and quake? David and joh, their flesh trembled, and so must all proud flesh he laid low, and the loftiness of man be brought down and your imaginations, and God alone be exalted; the power that makes you to quake and tremble is now made manifest, which you know not; for if you did, you would not give so many senses upon the Scripture; and the same Power is now made manifest as ever was, praised be the Lord for ever; As they that saw the outside of the Vision, as you speak, so you see the outside of the Letter, and would fly from them who have the power of the Letter, as Daniel had; so you see the outside, but not the inside, as Daniel did, if you did, you would not utter forth your folly, ignorance and weakness: the same Christ they do witness to be made manifest, that makes proud flesh to tremble, and the same operation and death to be brought conformable to Christ they witness: but this power working in them as thou sayest thou knowest not, and whereof you speak, that you know them whom God spoke to by Angels and Visions, whom he wrought wonders by, but only by a history-knowledge by Paper and Ink, and there you show yourselves to be liars; for them whom you do accuse, which you call Quakers, the wondrous Works of the Lord are made manifest among them; though that Christ wrought Miracles among the people, yet they said, he did it by Belzebub the Prince of Devils; and thou showest thyself to be in the same Adulterous Generation that the Scribes and Pharisees were, which would have a sign or a wonder, but there in none shall be showed to thee but the sign of Ionas; for an adulterous Generation seeks for a sign, and there thou art. Friends, you say there is nothing in all the Scriptures, makes out of the people meeting together as concerning trembling; did not the Corinthians tremble when Titus came to preach among them? and did not the Assemblies that came to Ezra tremble? there is nothing in your minds of God, born up in your understandings to judge withal; so in your'own conceits you are satisfied; and doth not the Lord say, I will shake all Nations; and let all the Inhabitants of the Earth tremble; so ye show forth the ignorance of the form, for the power of it you cannot own, nor believe where it is operating and working; Friends, you have uttered forth many lies and slanders, and scandalous speeches; lay your hands upon your mouths, blush and be a shamed, who art in cain's nature, murdering the righteous ones in your hearts, and spewing forth your venom against a harmless people; was it not the practice of the Saints to wait alone upon God for counsel, for wisdom, for grace, and for the Spirit? and being guided by the light of God they waited upon God; and the Apostle exhorts them, that they should take heed to the light within them, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in their hearts; and no Prophecy of the Scripture came by the Will of man, so it was of no private Interpretation, but Holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; this moving you speak not from, neither know; therefore as dogs, fnarle and by't them who are guided by the same Spirit, and wait for the same Spirit, by which we have unity with them in the same Spirit; and you show yourselves to be in the number of them who use their tongues, and say, he saith, when saith the Lord, I never spoke to them; but you speak a vain divinatition of your own brain, and not from the mouth of the Lord, gathering yourselves together against the Lord and against his anointed; but I am satisfied, that I see your folly and weakness uttered forth, which doth blind many; but God is raising up a light which will discover you; the Doctrine of God they own, but your Doctrine which is of man, they deny; And if these be your Ordinances which you speak of, as sprinkling Infants, and telling people of a Sacrament, these we deny, for God never commanded them; and if you draw people to these things which God never commanded, you bewitch them; for the Galathians were bewitched, which were drawn to act these things, God had not commanded when the substance was come; & so you do bewitch them to follow your Traditions from the sight of God within them. And as touching Magistrates, you are false accusers which the Scripture speaks of, which have the form and not the power; For all who are brought into the Truth, do labour with singleness of heart unto God, and not with eye-service; and their souls are subject to the power of God, and Justice they own, and honour in their soul, which cuts down filthiness and corruptions which are alive in you, which makes you to give forth so many false accusations upon a harmless people, who wait for the restoring of the Kingdom, and the overturning the World and the Kingdoms of it, and the Image of the Devil defaced in man, and the Image of God renewed in Righteousness, and man brought into his being from whence he was fallen; and so you are yet under the dominion of Satan, judging truth error and blasphemy as ever they did, which had the form and not the power, in whose steps you walk; seeing you have uttered forth your folly so and filthiness, and call yourselves the Church of Christ; his Church is not a sinful Church, for that you stand up for; but his Church which he hath purchased with his blood, is without spot or wrinkle, or any such, and yours is but an imitation; therefore slander not the Church of Christ, as they which say they are jews, and are not, but are Synagogues of Satan; and there you are.  
I charge you by the Lord, that you read this among all your Churches as you call it, and as you will answer it before the Lord, for to that in your Conscience do I speak.  
From some Friends in the Truth, whom the World calls Quakers in Lancashire.   

Annotations upon this Reply, and an Extraction of the unsavoury passages contained in it.  
THe greatest part of this Reply contains nothing but reproachful and vilifying expressions, and is extremely censorious of us, as of persons who have nothing but darkness in us, and is self-magnifying, as conceiving themselves only in the light, and having themselves, and they only the spirit. And some small part of it makes mention of the very self same Scriptures which Richard waller's Letter doth contain, and of some few more of like nature; But there is scarce the show of an answer to any thing in ours, though it be very large and tedious; Some of the unfavory and un-Christian expressions, I have gathered out and presented to public view, that all persons that have to do with them, may know what scurrilous language they may expect instead of an Answer.  

I find many busy minds giving senses upon Scripture.  
O flesh be silent before the Lord, who art giving senses.  
Who speaks with thine own will.  
Thou hast uttered forth thy folly.  
Who are unlearned, therefore thou art wresting the Scriptures.  
The same turns upon their own back and pate.  
Thou livest in corrupt nature, and pleadest for it.  
A servant to the Devil, maintaining his Kingdom.  
Thou art led Captive doing the work of the Devil.  
Thou art a witness against him and them who are in the second birth.  
Thou art deceiving with vain words.  
In the wisdom of the world thou art.  
Showing a contrary spirit to the Apostle.  
Showing thyself in the first birth, and not in the second.  
Literally learned, but not spiritually.  
Had you the Spirit, you would not wrest Scripture to your own destruction.  
The confusion is in your own minds.  
Let Paul's condition alone, for you know nothing of it.  
You are not complete in Christ, but without in the world.  
It is the busy mind that would be exalted.  
If I should answer to every sense you give, I should make fools wise.  
God will scatter the proud, and there you are, and there is your portion.  
Your exernal mind, and imagined wisdom, which is from below.  
There is an Image in your mind, which neither knows Christ, nor the way, nor the Scripture.  
That sense giving, heals up the beast that hath a wound.  
Here you sit as Judges of the Saints conditions, speaking you do not know what of the Gospel, of Moses, of the Law, of Justification, of Sanctification.  
Of these ye know nothing, but have busy minds uttering forth your folly.  
None of these can you witness to, not the Law, not Moses, not Justification, not Sanctification, not the Gospel in the inward man, but in the Notion.  
It is babbled and disputed upon as you do.  
Friends, give over your babbling.  
Give over your disputing, and rabbling, and rambling with an unclean mind.  
Look to yourselves, and gad not abroad, for that is the woman that abides not in her own house.  
Paul did not tell you these words, but you are thiefs and steal his words.  
You live in that nature by whom offences come.  
But here you are not in this light, nor can witness this blood, nor the confession of your sin.  
You are in the Generation of the Pharisees contending against Christ.  
Children of the Devil, and in that Generation are ye pleading for sin, and not for faith.  
You have one of the beasts colours of profession.  
You appear beautiful as every harlot doth.  
None in your Church and Generation can bridle his tongue;  
Herein thou showst thyself and thy Religion to be vain.  
You are evil beasts, and slow bellies.  
You are Blinded, Fogged, Misted with the corruptions of a dark mind.  
You are liars which would draw something out of John's words.  
Here you stand up for the Devil's Kingdom.  
You have uttered forth your folly without knowledge.  
The world by wisdom knows not God, and there are you.  
You are in the same nature, who justify them who are for condemnation.  
The earth within is that which pleads for the Devil's Kingdom.  
Thou showest thyself to be of the same Adulterous Generation of the Scribes and Pharises.  
You have uttered forth many lies, and slanders, and scandalous speeches.  
You are in cain's nature, murdering the righteous one.  
You are spewing forth your venom against an harmless people.  
As dogs, ye snarl and by't them that are guided by the Spirit of God.  
You speak a vain divination.  
You are yet under the dominion of Satan.  
You have uttered forth your folly and filthiness.  
They that say they are jews, and are not, but are of the Synagogue of Satan, there are you.   
This is some of that mire and dirt, which as the Sea they cast up against us, merely for the cause of that Letter which we sent to one of their wives, who stood related to us; But this is not all, for the whole Reply consists of such kind of Language, save that here and there, there is some small intermixture of some Scriptures produced for the Justification of Perfection anh Quaking, which I see no cause to return any further answer to, because the answer that is already given in the Letter that we sent, which is now presented to public view, may be equally applied to such Scriptures which are here added, as to those other Scriptures which I met with before, and will remain in like force.  
These are the persons, who alone pretend to the Spirit, and to the second birth, and do not only lay us, but all the Saints in all the World, under the condemnation of such who have not the spirit, and are in the first birth, and not in the second. But what spirit it is, that Dwells, and Acts, and Rules in them, doth appear from their expressions, for their speech bewrays them.  
These things have I presented for this end and purpose, to obstruct their way, and stop their further proceed, that by their impostures they may pevail no longer; If God shall be pleased to give his blessing to my endeavours, herein it will be a good reward of my labours; however I have discharged my duty, and shall have peace in that.  
There was a paper given unto me, containing the confession of john Gilpin a Quaker; Which is now printed for public view, that all may take notice what spirit it is that possesseth these persons, and may fear and tremble at God's just Judgements, who delivers up them to Satan, who cast off him.   
FINIS.   

There is lately Printed and sold by Thomas Brewster, at the three Bible in Paul's Churchyard, near the West and, these Books, viz.  
A discovery of Mystical Antichrist, Displaying Christ's Banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, Churches, Christ, Faith, Hope. etc. Containing an examination of the Doctrines and ways of the Quakers in York-shirie; Written by, John Pomroy, Pa. Glissen, joseph Kellet.  
Milk for. Babes in Christ, or Meditations, Observations, and Experiences: Divers Cases of Conscience Resolved, etc. by M. Fynch, Preacher of the Gospel in Lincolnshire,  
Zions glory Discovered in the Churches and Ordinances, before the fullness of the jews come in by I. Proud.  
Three Treatises, 1. A Discovery of the unsupportable burden of sin. 2. The Resolution of a soul to return to God, that is sensible of his withdrawings. 3. The Entertainment that such meet within their returnings, by P. Hobson.  
The Resurrection of the Witnesses, and England's fall from Rome, by M. Cary.  
Refractoria Disputatio: Or the Thwarting Conference, In a Discouse between different Interests: Disputing about the Dissolution of the late Parliament, and other Changes of State.  
A stop to the mad multitude, being an Answer to a scurrilous book, published against the peace of this Commonwealth: Entitled, The Grand Politic Informer.  
A Description of jerusalem as it flourished in Christ's time; With a large Map, Explaining, 268. places therein, and in the Suburbs thereof; showing the several places of the Acts and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and his holy Apostles; As also of the Kings and Prophets, etc. Also seven general Rules for expounding Scriptures that speak of Christ's coming, and Kingdom, and calling the jews. by H. Jessey.  
Vindicae Justificationis Gratuitae, Justification without conditions, or the free Justification of a sinner, and the absoluteness of the New Covenant Explained, Confirmed, and Vindicated, from the Exceptions, Objections, etc. Cast upon it by the asserters of conditional Justification, viz. Mr. Baxter, Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Cranford, By W. Eyre, Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of a Church at New-Sarum.