An Easter-Reckoning OR A Free-will-Offering: Wherein we would have thee to give account, or make a full proof of thy ministry, and give account to these ensuing particulars, and other things that is needful to be answered; answer us in them, and give us Scripture for every particular, that it is agreeable to the Doctrine of Christ and the practise of the holy Apostles, and let us reckon then with thee, and thou shalt afterwards have thy deuce: first show us by Scripture.  
THou that professest thyself to be a Minister of Christ, and the Scripture to be thy rule:  
show,  
First, What Scripture thou hast for thy rule to go to Oxford and Cambridge, to be so many years there, and then come to give a meaning to the Scriptures( the conditions of the Prophets and holy Apostles) that suffered by the seed of evil doers; for what they did witness forth of the truth of God made manifest to them, by the company of chiefe-Priests, that did live in envy as thou dost.  
Give account of thy Internal call to thy Ministry, and show where ever any of the Ministers of Christ were Oxford and Cambridge men: and what Scripture thou hast for thy rule to give a meaning to the Scripture( the Saints declaration) whenas the Scripture saith, that every word of God is pure, and he that addeth to it or taketh from it shall be reproved, and found a liar, Prov. 30.5, 6. Rev. 22.18, 19. and again see Deut. 4.2. Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not add to the words which I command you, neither shal you diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord which I command you. 
Jer. 23.30 ●1, 3●  How dost thou stand in obedience to the command of God, when thou goes to study old Author●, and Commentators, and get a rabble of notionary and stolen words into 〈…〉 or a paper fair written to red over, and goes into the Idols temple on the market day, where thou sells thy wears, and tells the people that that is the Church; whenas the Scripture saith, that the Church is made all of living stones, elect, and precious; and saith the Apostle,( who was the true Minister of Christ) to the Saints, 
2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. Eph. 2.19, 20, 21, 22.  ye as living stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy Priest-hood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 2.5. and their bodies was made the temples of the holy Ghost, for God to dwell in, 1 Cor. 6.19.  
And they was made an habitation for God through the Spirit, and the Apostle was made a Minister by the dispensation of the grace that was given him, 
Gal. 1.11, 12.  Col. 1.25, and the Apostle, he was not a Minister by the will of man but by the will of God, and was not taught of man but of God; for saith he, Brethren, the Gospel which was preached of me was not of man, for I neither received it of men, neither was I taught it of man, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ, verse 11, 12. And saith he, when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers womb, and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, but went and preached the Gospel, &c. Gal. 1 15, 16.  
Now see how thou walkest answerable to these Scriptures, who calls a stone-house, that is, dead stones, ●●me and wood, a Church, whenas the Scripture saith, that the Church is all of living stones, 1 Pet 2.5. vers.  

1 ●o●n 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 John 5.4. Luk 4.32. Heb. 4.12, 13. Jer. 23.29. 1 Pet. ●. 25. 1 Cor. 2.14. Mat. 11.27 John. 15.10, 11, 12. 1 ●oh. 4.16. Jer. 5.14. Heb. 1.14.  Now thou that walks contrary to the Scriptures shows the Spirit of error, and knows nothing of the life of the Scriptures, as they did that spoken them forth, which I bear testimony to; and as it is said, John 3.33, 36. He that believeth hath set to his seal that God is true, and he that believeth is born of God, and he that is born of God doth not commit sin, 1 John 3.6, 9. And he that is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith; and he that is sent of God speaketh Gods word: and the word of God is quick, and powerful, sharper then a two edged sword, to the dividing asunder the joints and marrow, and in a disc●rner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and the word of the Lord is like a fire and a hammer, and the word of the Lord is eternal, Immortal, and invisible, and not to be seen with carnal eyes; for the natural man knows not the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned; And no man knows the Father but the Son, neither knows any man the Son, but the Father, and he to whom he is revealed; and he that hath the Son hath life, and be that hath not the Son hath not life; and he that hath the Son hath the Father also, and he maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Ministers flames of fire, and the ministry of the Gospel is eternal, 
John 1.  pure, and spiritual, and the word everlasting, the word of the Lord endureth for ever, And the word was in the beginning, in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, and the word is invisible: 
●●ol. 3.16. ●●o● 1.5.  what saith the Scripture? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart( the word of faith which we preach) Rom. 10.8. He did 〈◇〉 sand them to old Authors and Commentators, telling them of Aristotl●; and such like; but did teach them as he was taught, who was the true Minister of God; and said, that when the whole Church were come together, they might all speak one by one, and if any thing was revealed to him that sat by, the first was to hold his peace, and the other was to speak, 1 Cor. 14. chap.  
But how dost thou walk answerable to this Scripture, when any( as David did) declare what God hath done for his soul; thou out of envy casts him into the hands of the enemy to be abused, and after to be put in the stocks, and then to writ a paper full of lies in a Petition to present to the Judge; which the nobleness of his Spirit is to be commended for rejecting thy lies, and thou professeth thyself to be a Minister of Christ: see whether this be not contrary to the Scripture, and shows the spirit or error, and if thy actions do not show thee to be of that generation and seed of evil doers, that the high-Priests were, the greatest enemies to Jesus Christ, who stood in opposition against him, as thou dost, in any where he is made manifest, did not the chief-Priests and Elders of the people seek false witness against Christ, 
Mat. 26.59  and took counsel by subtlety to put him to death? red Act. 17.19, 20.21. What was done to Paul and Silas? and and see if it be not the fruits of this ministry, deny it if thou canst, doth not thy fruits make thee manifest to be of thy Father the Devil? art not thou among the Jews and chief-Priests, killing and stoning the Prophets? didst not thou at the first, when the Lord sent to speak to thee, suffer him to be beaten, and struck with fists and staves, and others to be stoned and thrown in channels, and did not any way seek to appease the tumult? was there ever a greater wickedness acted in Sodom, then was by thy hearers? didst not thou come to stir up their rage again, when they were audient and attentive many of them to hear the truth declared? was ever any such things acted by the Ministers of Christ, but against them, by such as thou art? 
1 Joh. 3.15. Rom. 6, 16.  but the Lord is discovering the nakedness of all your filthiness; thou art a persecuter of the Just, and persecution is of the Devil, deny i● if thou canst; and thou knows that he that commits sin is the servant of the Devil; devilish Priests is the University-men, the fruits of the old-Author-studyed-spirit is revenge and persecution; as a troop of robbers waits for a man, so the company of Priests murder in the way by consent, thy fruits make thee manifest.  
Steven who was a true Minister of Jesus Christ, he was stoned to death by the stony-hearted Jews, Act. 7.37, 38, 39. and the same fruits is brought forth by thy ministry; had not the Lord had been on our side when thy fruits were made manifest, we had been all destroyed; but praises be to our God for ever, who doth us keep and eke deliver, by his own power and out-stretched arm; never profess thyself any longer to be a Minister of Christ, for thy ministry is of the Devil, and his works thou dost, John 8.44. and thou strengtheneth the hands of evil doers, as the false Prophets did; which ran, but the Lord never sent them, and he sent his true Prophets to cry out against them, Jer. 23.13. as he doth now, to cry out against thee and such as thou art. blushy for shane, and give over deceiving the people, thou art one of those that Jeremiah was sent to cry out against, that holds up that filthy horrible thing, which he saw then committed in the Land, Jer. 5.30, 31. thou preaches for hire, and bears rule over the people by thy means, as the false Prophets did, and thou strengtheners the hands of evil doers, as they did, Jer. 23.13, 14. &c. but wo is thy portion, as it was theirs, Jer. 23.1. thou art a railer, and railing is forbidden in Scripture, 
1 Thes. 5.15. 1 Pet. 3.9.  render to no man railing; herein thou walkest contrary to the Scriptures, and shows the spirit of error, 1 John 4.5, 6.  
The Servant of the Lord, or the Minister of Christ must be gentle towards all men, 
2 Tim. 2.24, 25.  even to them that oppose themselves; but thou walkest contrary to the Scripture in this, and shows the spirit of error.  

Heb. 13.17  The Ministers of Christ was to watch for the souls, but thou seeks to destroy them, that persecutes and imprisons, and knows not those whom the Lord hath purchased to himself, 1 John 3.1, 2. Herein thou walkest contrary to the Scriptures, and shows the Spirit of error, bitterness malice, and envy: blushy for shane, and give over deceiving the People, the wo is to thee, Ezek. 34.2.  
Jesus Christ saith to his, Be not ye called of men Masters, Mat. 23.8. and the Apostle who was a true Minister, and did abide in his doctrine, said, that he made himself servant to all, in obedience to the command of Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 9.19. but thou art called Master, and loves to be so, and art scornful, walking contrary to the Scriptures, showing the spirit of error.  

Acts 20.33, 34.  Secondly, Thou professest the Scripture to be thy rule, what Scripture hast thou for thy rule to take tithes? did ever the Ministers of Jesus Christ do so? Paul who was a true Minister, he coveted no mans silver nor gold, 
Eph. 5.3. Heb. 13.5. Col. 3.5.  he took God to witness it; but thou covets after other mens labours, calling them thy deuce; and covetousness is forbidden by the Ministers of Jesus Christ; Paul saith, Let not covetousness be once name amongst you, as becometh Saints; and again saith he, Let your conversation be without covetousness; 
jer. 6.13. Ezek. 33.31 Luk. 16.14. 1 Tim. 6.9, 10.  and covetousness is Idolatry, and draweth your hearts from the Lord: and thou, and thy function are altogether in covetousness, wallowing in the mire and filth of your own conceivings and imaginations, letting open the floodgate of malice, and wickedness, teaching for money, which is the root of all evil, and that is the ground of your doctrine; without money will ye do nothing, like unto the false Priests, and false Prophets, that Micah was sent to cry out against, saith he, Put into their mouths, and they cry peace, peace; put not into their mouths, and they prepare war, Mic. 3.11. Nay, thou shames not to call for wages of those that thou dost no service to, and threateneth with the Law, contrary to 〈◇〉 the doctrine of Christ, Mat. 5.40. 1 Cor. 6.1. herein thou walks contrary to the Scriptures, the conditions of the holy men of God, showing that thou art guided by a spirit of error.  
There was tithes paid in the time of the Law, and the Levites that received tithes, they had no part nor portion in the promised Land, and the Levites that received tithes, they was to let their gates stand open, that the widows, the strangers, and the fatherless might come in to be filled and satisfied, 
Deut. 14.27 28, 29.  the poor, the widows, and strangers, and fatherless, had as much out of the tithes as they stood in need of, food and raiment, that there might be no beggar in Israel, that the Lord God might bless them.  
When Jesus Christ came, he took away both the tithes, Priest-hood, and the Covenant which was broken, and establish another Covenant, upon better promises, he took away the first, that he might stablish the second, Heb. 8.7, 8, 9, &c. Heb. 10.9.  
And thou holdest up those things which Jesus Christ came to throw down, herein thou walkest contrary to the Scripture, and art guided by the spirit of error: Thou beast, repent, and blushy for shane.  
Thirdly, What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to take Tythe-wool, and tithe Lambs? did ever the Ministers of Jesus Christ do so? the Idol-shepherds, and the false Prophets did, which the Lord sent his true Prophets to cry woe against, Ezek. 34.1, 2. saith he, Woe to the Idol-Shepherds, that teach for the fleece, and feed themselves with the fat, but feeds not the stock, Woe was their portion, and woe is thine that holds up the same things that the Idol-shepherds, and the false Prophets did, and professeth thyself to be a Minister of Christ, but thou art discovered by the Spirit of the Lord to be amongst the false Prophets that were enemies to God as thou art, but the Lord is against thee, as he was against them. See Jer. 23.30, 31, 32.  
Repent, and give over thy deceivings; and deceive the people no longer, lest the judgements of God fall down from Heaven upon thee.  
Fourthly, What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to take money for Kine and Calves, Mares, and Foals, and for reek passing up chimneys, and money for Eggs, and Tythe-Apples, Plumbs, and Cherries? art thou not a task-master of Egypt, and walks contrary the Scriptures?  
Fifthly, What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to take money of servants for their wages? Is this according to the Scripture? It shows forth thy covetous mind, and that thou art not acquainted with the life of the Scriptures, but art in the broad way, that leads to destruction, and art Demas-like, and loves this present evil world, 2 Tim. 4.10. and art unacquainted with that spirit that was in Paul, who said Godliness with contentment was great gain, 1 Tim. 5. for saith he, We brought nothing into the world, and it is certain that we shall carry nothing forth, and having food and raiment, let us therewith be content; this was the condition of the Minister of God, who was guided by the Spirit of God, 1 Tim. 5.6, 7, 8. But thou walkest contrary to the Scripture, and art with those that the Apostles speaks of in the ninth and tenth verses.  
But saith he, they that will be rich fall into divers temptations, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition, for the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they erred from the Faith, as thou dost, 
Gal. 1.10.  which walks contrary to Christ, and his Apostles, being a man-pleaser, a time-server, and not the servant of Christ.  
Sixthly, What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to sprinkle infants, which neither Christ nor his Apostles ever did, and thou telst them it is an Ordinance of Christ, when it is but a mark of the Beast, Rev. 13.16, 17, 18. The Apostle who was a true Minister of Jesus Christ, said he was sent to preach and not to baptize; 
1 Cor. 12.13.  and that they were by one Spirit, baptized into one body, and were made to drike into one spirit; and that there is but one faith, one Lord, one baptism, and that they which were baptized into Christ, 
Eph. 4.4, 5, 6. Gal. 3.27. Gal. 5.24. Col. 3.10, 11 2 Cor. 5.17, 18, 19. Co. l 2.8.  had put on Christ, and they that were Christs have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof, and that he that was in Christ was a new creature, old things were passed away, & all things become new; but thou dost make it appear that thou art in the old nature, and clothed with inventions, teaching the people for doctrine the traditions and customs of men of corrupt hearts, who are alive in the filth of the flesh, and knows nothing of the engrafting into Christ, they who are dead with Christ, are dead to the rudiments of the world, and they deny thy inventions, as the Ministers of Christ did, Col. 2.20, 21, 22, 23. verses.  
Seventhly, What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to take money for marrying people, 
Mic. 3.11.  and for burying them, as thou dost? without money wilt thou do nothing; as the Prophet Micah saith, The Priests, they preach for hire, and lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord amongst us? whenas, saith the Lord, They ran, but I did not sand them, therefore they shall not profit the people at all, as now it is made manifest, Jer. 23.32 verse.  
Thou runs on in the ways of Cain, to envy, and hatred, as Balaams Priests did, teaching for gifts and rewards, judas 11. But the Lord will out off the Land the remnant of Baal, and the name of the Ch●marims, with the Priests, and they shall wear no more a rough garment to deceive Zeph. 1.4. Zach. 13.4. vers.  
What Scripture hast thou for thy rule, to take offering-pennies of the people for bread and wine? which thou calls a communion of Saints, when it is but a sacrificing to Idols, a company of corrupt hearts, all mixed together joining in Iniquity, not knowing the body of Christ, which is spiritual, 
1 Cor. 10. ●0, 21.  and not to be known carnally; he that eateth and drinketh unwo●●hily, no● discerning the Lords body, eats and drinks damnation to himself; and that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to Devils, and not unto God; all being Gentiles in their first nature, drinking the cup of Devils, who discerneth not the Lords body; What fellowship hath light with darkness, and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols, and what concord hath Christ with Belial, 
Gen. 3.15. 1 joh. 3.5. 1 Cor. 6.19. Rev. 21.1, ●3. Heb. 12.22, 13. ● Pet. 1.21, 22. Mica. 4. joh. 3.5, 6.  or he that believeth with an Infidel? 2 Co●. 6.16, 17, 18. verse. Hath not God put enmity betwixt the two seeds, and they cannot be reconciled together? the promise is that the seed of the woman shall bruise the Serpents head, and where his promise is fulfilled, in those whose bodies are made the temples of the holy Ghost, the tabernacle of God being with men of pure hearts, they are brought to the Church of the first-borne written in heaven, to an innumerable company of Angels, to the Spirits of just men made perfect, being reconciled to the Lord, and sanctified by the living word, which liveth and endureth for ever, the mountain of the Lords house, being established in the top of the mountains; those that are born again, of water, and the spirit, and baptized into one body which is spiritual, 
1 Pet. 3.23. John 6.47, 48.  are made to eat all of one bread; which bread is Christ, who is a Mystery to the world; and those that are of the eternal birth, who eats of the hidden Manna, and drinks all at one rock, the head of the fountain, where they have free access to the throne of grace, where the Lords delight is, 
John 4 23, 24. 1 John 1.3.  and their worship is spiritual, having fellowship with the Father and the Son, which thou shows thyself to be ignorant of, that walks contrary to Christ and his Apostles, and to the divine power of truth, the guiding and leading of the holy Ghost, and blessed Spirit of truth, 
Rom. 8.5, 9, 19, 11, 14, 15. Cant. 2.3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. 10.15, 16, 17. Gal. 6.16.  who hath made his love freely known unto some of us, and hath lead us up to the Canaan, where the spiritual banqueting-house of the Lords love is, and makes us to eat of his rich mercies, the bread which we break is the body of Christ, and the Cup which we drink is the blood of Christ, which is a mystery to the seed of the Serpent, the generation of evil doers such as thou art, that walks contrary to the Scriptures, and he that walketh contrary to the Scriptures is to be noted, that he may be put to shane, 2 Thes. 3.14.  
Therefore for conscience sake, I am bound to writ to thee, to show thee thy deceits, 
2 Tim. 3 8, 9.  and how thou walks contrary to the Scriptures in all things, and art as Jannes and Jambres, that withstood Moses, opposing the power of the truth where it is made manifest, but thy folly doth appear as theirs did; thou wilt neither go into the Kingdom of heaven thyself, 
Mat. 23. ●● 13, 14, 15, 16.  nor suffer them that would to enter; but wo is thy portion: Repent, sit down and lament, and give over deceiving the people, the Lord is against thee, and such as thou art.  
Thou hast a long time deceived us, in telling us that thou wast a Minister of Christ, and hath taken our money for that which is no bread, and we have spent our labour for that which gave us no satisfaction. Now we would have thee to give us an account to 8 particulars by Scripture, and prove thyself, or else be ashamed for ever; If thou cannot give us an account, we utterly deny thee; and accordingly as good Zacheus did when Christ passed by, he saw himself to be a thief, 
Jer. 23.30, 31. John 10.1, 8, 10, 12, 13.  he came and restored fourfold; do thou likewise, and confess thy faults to us here openly, and make us restitution. First, Hast thou not stolen thy word from thy neighbour, and art exalted above the across? see if it be not so, Joh. 10.1. saith Jesus Christ, All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; here clear thyself by Scripture, to be a hireling, that thou mayest easily, and the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling, John 10.12, 13. But now give a reason of the hope that is in thee, and give account of things done in the body: we find by Scripture that death reigned from Adam till Moses, and something of it by experience, we witness of it in ourselves, and that thou did never profit us at all, we lay wounded till the Lord of his mercy came and visited us with his love, and poured into our souls the oil of faith, and the wine of his free love, and he is worthy of the praise.  
Death reigned from Adam till Moses, 
Rom. 5.13, 14. Joh. 5.35.  the Law and the Prophets are till John, John he came burning and shining; amongst those which was born of women was not a greater then John, yet he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater then he.  
Q. 1. How camest thou through these Ministrations in the inward man? give us account of every Ministration how it was with thee, before thou came to Moses ministry, and how it was with thee in it, and what was shaken down by it, and how thou left that administration, to come into the Prophecies, and what it is that the Angels do administer to, and how thou came to that administration of John, who came burning and shining, and how thou wast when thou came into the wilderness, and what is the sallow ground that is ript up, and the three that is cut down, and the restitution that is to be made, and how thou left that administration to come into the least in the kingdom, 
Ma●●●, 3. 〈◇〉 30.32, 33.  how thou came thorough the fire, where the Lord sits as refiner, and whether he leave any lust unburnt up, when he passeth through the Land, with his grounded staff, with battels of Shakings, as with tabrets, and harps, and where the grave is, and the great river Euphrates, where the Kings of the earth have their passage, and how the soul comes to be redeemed; what it is, and how it is raised up out of the heart of the earth, to glorify God.  
These with the other eight particulars, give us an account of, that we may see whether thou be a right master-builder yea or no; for now the Lord is working a strange work in the earth, which thou never was acquainted with; 
The Lord is ●●eacher himself.  whilst we were under thy ministry, we find him setting up the Ministry of his Son in our souls, and he teacheth us freely according to the promises made by his servants the Prophets, as in Jer. 31. chap. 31, 32, 33, 34. and Isa. 54.13, 14. and Ezek. 34.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. and Ezek. 36.23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. and in Joh. 6.45. and Joh. 14 16, 17. saith Jesus Christ, I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever: Now we find that what he prayed for, 
Heb. 8.10, 11.  he was heard in; and now in some measure we witness the efficacy of his prayers to our souls: and this spirit we find teaching us, even the Spirit of Truth, which leadeth us into his everlasting truth, Joh. 14, 17, 26. and 1 Joh. 2.20, 27, the Lord is making good those promises to our souls; and lets us see the deceits, wherein thou hast deceived us, now we stand bound in duty to give him all the praise, and we are bound in conscience, to testify against thy deceits, all our dayes, and for conscience sake are we bound to do that which is right in the sight of God, and we find his Ministry to be free, it hath no sale set upon it, and thus saith the Lord, Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doth not worthy? Psa. 55.2.  
Now our answer is, We knew not but that we was in the right way, for they  told us that they were the Ministers of the Gospel, and said, If we did neglect so great salvation, how should we escape that damnation? and we followed them, till now, that thou hast in some measure made thy love known unto us, in letting thy light shine into our hearts, ever praised be thy name.  
But now, thus saith the Lord, Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isa. 2.22. And harken ye diligently unto me, hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make with you as everlasting Covenant, even the sure mercies of David, Isa. 55.3, 4.  
And saith the Lord, What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and the temple of God with Idols? and, Be ye separate, and touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you, saith the Lord, and I will be to you a God, and ye shall be to me a people, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18.  
Now for conscience sake towards God, even for righteousness sake, are we in obedience to the commands of God: and we cannot in conscience pay for that which is the free gift of God, whose wisdom is not to be bought nor sold, Joh 28. Therefore we cannot, but return all praises to the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and glorified for ever, and ever. Amen.  
Object. But it may be objected, and said, That Paul said, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn, and that he that preacheth the Gospel, should live on the Gospel; and if we sow unto you spiritual things, it is a small matter if we reap of your carnal things, 1 Cor. 9.  
I answer by way of objection, Let me ask you who it was that the Apostle spoken to, was it the world, or was it not the seal of his Apostleship? and was they drunkards, and swearers, and proud, and covetous persons, liars, hypocrites, and dissemblers, lustful, and revengeful ones, scoffers, and scorners, haters, backbiters, cozeners and cheaters, whoremongers, 
Rom. 1.28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Mat. 7.19, 20. Heb. 6.8.  and adulterers, and such like? are not the wicked as chaff, stubble, briars, and thorns? is there any vines amongst such? is not the three known by its fruits? and is not every corrupt three to be hewn down, and cast into the fire? and is not the ground that bringeth forth briars and thorns, rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, and burning? and is not the wicked as chaff? is not such for the fire? see Mal. 4.1. was the Apostles seal such? nay, did he not say, that the unrighteous, and they that did such things, should not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. See if such fruits be not brought forth by the Ministry of the world, is there any thing brought forth but wild grapes? where is the corn trodden out? where is the vineyard planted? where is the everlasting Gospel preached, which is the power of God unto salvation? are they not despised, and hated by the Ministry of the world, that are brought to know the power of God, which breaketh the hearts, and brings into contrition of spirit, as the Lord saith by the prophet Isaiah, To this man will I look that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word, Isa. 66.2. but was not such hated then, that was brought to tremble at the powerful workings of God, as was in Isaiahs time, Isa. 66.5. Thus saith the Lord by his servant the prophet, Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye that tremble at his word, your brethren that hated you, and cast you out for his name sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and to their shane; do not those that know not the powerful workings of God, in shaking the earthly hearts, and ripping up the fallow ground, that he may plant; do not, I say, Priests and people now hate and despise those that are brought to tremble at the word of the Lord, Isa. 66.5.  

The seal of the Apostleship of Christs ministry.  
Paul he planted, and Apollo watered, and they wrought out their salvation with ●ea●, and trembling, and was not the seal of his Apostleship such as were spiritual? 
Phil. 2.12, 13.  was they not Epistles written in one anothers hearts? was they not manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ, seen, and red of all men, not with pen and ink, in tables of ston, but in the fleshly tables of the heart? 2 Cor. 3.1, 2, 3. was they not such as was washed, and cleansed, and justified, and sanctified, in the name and power of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God? 
Eph. 2 4, 5, 6. Eph. 2. 1 Pet. 1.23. 1 Pet. 3.8. Gal. 5.24. 1 Cor. 12.13. 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. Joh. 4.23, 24. 1 Joh. 1.3. 1 Cor. 9.2.  1 Cor. 6.11. was they not such as was made to sit together with Christ in heavenly places, who was the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works? was they not such as were born again, of the eternal birth? was they not of one heart, and one mind? had they not crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof? Was they not baptized by one Spirit into body? Was not their bodies made the temples of the Holy Ghost for God to dwell in? and was not their worship spiritual? and their fellowship was with the Father and the Son, such were the seal of his Apostleship.  
But how many is there of you of one heart and one mind? are you not many mindes, and lives in confusion?  
Was they not Ministers of the Gospel, made able Ministers of the Spirit, and not of the letter? 2 Cor. 3.6, 7, 8.  
Did not the Apostle say in 1 Cor. 9.15, 16, 17, 18, 19. that he used none of those things, neither did he writ that they should be done unto him? as he saith in another place, he coveted no mans silver nor gold, he took God to witness it, and in that Chapter he said, It were better for him to die, then to make the Gospel of Christ burdensome, and that necessity was laid upon him to preach the Gospel; and he writ to Peter to take the care of flock willingly, not by constrant, not for filthy lucre, but of ready mind, 1 Pet. 5.2, 3, 4. and to be examples to the flock.  
But their practise and the seal of their Apostleship, will condemn thee, and thy Apostleship, and such as thou art, that art constrained by tithes, gifts, and rewards, and makes your ministry burdensome, and are task-masters of Egypt, but the Lord is delivering his people out of your hands.  
Come now, let us reason together a little, and what is due, if it be all the plagues that is written in the book, 
jer. 23.26, 27, 32. Jer. 22.29, 30, 31.  thou and they that act in unrighteousness, and speak your own inventions, must have the plagues of God, therefore take heed of living in imaginations, and adding your human inventions, and say it is the word of the Lord, the word of the Lord, it is pure, and saith he, He that adds or diminishes, must partake of the plagues and wrath of the Almighty. See Rev. 22.18. Rev. 22.15.  
It may be objected by the Priests of Baal, and their confederates, that are with them in the vanity, as it was with the people in former ages, the leaders of them causing them to err, Isa. 9.16. but there is like Priest like People Hos. 4.9. Well, let us reason together a little, and take that which is your due, put forth your Objection.  
Obj. Is not the labourer worthy of his hire? and doth not the Scripture say, Render to every man his due?  
Yes, It doth so, but let me tell you, 
Mat. 6.24. Mat. 23.23, 24, 25. Isa. 28.1, 2, 3, Psal. 9.17, 18.  all ye that contend for Baal and Mammon; that no man can serve two Masters, so saith the Scripture, he that commits sin, is the servant of sin, John 8.34. and the wages of sin is death, and wo is the portion of hypocrites, and the unprofitable servant shall be cast into utter darkness; wo to the crown of pride, that is the due: wo to the drunkards of Ephraim, wo to the wicked, it shall be ill with them: Wo to them that ran, but the Lord never sent them, they are unprofitable servants, Jer. 23. 
Rom. 2.13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Jam. 1.8. 2 Pet. 3.16. 2 Pet. 2.  and the wicked and all that forget God shall be cast into hell, that is the portion of all those that act in iniquity, and swallow up sin with greediness, drawing iniquity as with cords of vanity, whose throats are open sepulchers, and cannot cease from sin; and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, and wrists the Scripture to his own destruction, who are not taught of God, nor guided by the Spirit of God, and he will reward every one according to his deeds, tribulation and anguish to all that do evil, both Priest and People, that is their due, Rom. 1 6, 7, 8.  
Object. It may be said, Thou justifies thyself, and condemneth us, and the Scripture saith, That there is none righteous, no not one; and he that saith he hath no sin deceiveth himself, and the truth is not in him, 1 Joh. 1.  
Answ I answer, 
Rom. 8.14, 15, 16, 17, 18.  both for myself and for all that are guided by the same guide; for it is for their sakes that I writ, to speak and expostulate the case in their behalf, for all that are guided by the Spirit of God, they are but one in the manifestation and growth, so far as they are grown up, and the strong is therefore to watch over the weak; 
Gal. 6.2. 1 Cor. 5.13 14. Rom. 8.32, 33, 34, 35, 36. Mat. 23.31 32, 33, 34, 35.  so for conscience sake towards God I am bound to speak according to the command of God, to bear one anothers burden, and so fulfil the Law of Christ: Well, though I be accounted as a mad man, and a fool with the world, I am content to bear it; but as for self-Justification, I deny it, It is God that justifieth, who art thou that dost Condemn, or layeth any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? I know my redeemer liveth, and as for condemning you, your fruits do make you manifest; do you not scoff, and scorn, & mock, and deride, lie, and swear, and curse, full of cursed speakings, and stones in the streets, and throws stones at our doors? but that it is Lord that doth preserve us, we should be destroyed, these is the fruits of the Reprobates. 
Isa. 9.16. Jer. 23.14, 15.   
Now to come to thee, thou that art the leader of the people, dost not thou cause them to err, and strengtheners the hand of evil doers? when didst thou reprove them? whereas the servant of the Lord should reprove sin in the gates, but dost thou so? herein thou err'st from the Scriptures: dost thou not rail against us in the public assemblies, 
1 Tim. 1.8, 9, 10.  and cast false a●persions upon us, which thou canst not prove? If thou canst prove any thing against us that is evil, reprove it, and we shall bear the shane, and if we do any ways transgress an outward law, we are willing to suffer by it as transgressors; but hadst thou been what thou dost profess thyself to be a true Shepherd, thou wouldst have come and taken us from the wolf, as thou callest him, and by thy spiritual weapons have slain fleshly fancies, where thou hadst discovered them, and then thou wouldst have got thyself a praise, and then thou wouldst have proved thyself to be the good Shepherd; 
joh. ●0.  for he laid down his life for the sheep, but the hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and the thief cometh not but to kill, and to steal, and to destroy; and as to the other part of the objection, that there is none righteous, no not one, and that he that saith, he hath no sin deceiveth himself, and the truth is not in him;  
Answ. It is true, every man by nature is the child of wrath, and he that commits sin is the servant of sin, and all have sinned, and com'd short of the glory of God, and are fallen from their maker, and a flaming sword is set, which turneth every way to keep the three of life, and nothing that disobeys shall enter into paradise, there is enmity put betwixt the two seeds, and the one acts altogether in unrighteousness, and the other in righteousness. Little children, let no man deceive you, he that doth righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous: he that committeth sin is of the Devil, by this are the children of God, and the children of the Devil made manifest, 1 John 3.7, 8, 9, 10.  

● Pet 1.20, 11.  Now the Scriptures were not given forth by the will of man; holy men of God spoken as they were moved by the holy Ghost; the will of man hath nothing to do with them, it is another seed which owneth them, which seed is begotten, not by the will of man, but by the will of God; for that which is flesh is flesh, 
Joh. 3.5, 6. Joh. 1, 12, 13.  and that which is spirit is spirit, there is a natural man and there is a spiritual man, and the one is of the earth earthly, the other is Lord from heaven, & as is the earthly, such are they that are earthly, as is the heavenly, such are they that are heavenly; but the natural man knows not the things of God, 
1 Cor. 2.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. 1 Joh. 3.4, 5, 6, 8.  because they are spiritually discerned, and the first nature sins; it is Christ where he is made manifest, that doth destroy sin; and the old man being crucified, and the body of sin put off, the works of the Devil destroyed, the old leaven purged out, the new man being raised up, as in measure we witness, the pure light of God convincing us of sin and evil, which causeth us to forsake our evil deeds which we lived in, 
2 Pet. 1.  in the time that we were under thy dark ministry, and as we are brought to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, 
1 Pet. 4.1, 2 3 4.  departing from iniquity, we become a prey to those that lives and acts in wickedness, such as thou, and thy hearers, who are of the seed of evil doers, that delights altogether in uncleanness, which persecutes those which are of the seed of Abraham; as it was it is, they that are after the flesh, 
Tit. 1.16.  they know not them that are after the spirit, but raiseth up war against them, as it is now made manifest by thee, and thy ministry, 
1 Joh. 3.15.  and such as thou art, that do act in unrighteousness, persecuting, and imprisoning, killing, and slaying the righteous ones in your hearts, as it is by your fruits made manifest, 
2 John 3. ●2, 13.  deny it if you can; they that are after the flesh, they persecute them that are after the spirit, and he that committeth sin is the servant of sin, and if you say you have no sin that lives altogether in the fall, you would be liars indeed, for your fruits would declare against you, and he that doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother; be not deceived, 
1 Joh. 2.4, 9, 11. 1 Joh. 4.20.  God will not be mocked, such as ye sow, such shall ye reap, they that sow to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, and the whole world lieth in wickedness; but blessed be our God, who hath letten us see thy deceits, and the deceits of the world in some me sure, 
Gal. 6.7, 8.  and persuadeth us to forsake them, which worketh a reformation in us, and causeth us to do as we would be done by, according to the righteous law of God written in our hearts, and we are commanded to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Eph. 5.11. and as we are guided by the light of God in us, that sheweth us sin and evil, the grace of God teaching us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts in measure, as we have received and grace o● grace, 
2 Pet. 1. 1●. 2 Cor. 4.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.  and strength and increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and as purity doth arise in us, it unites our hearts together, in the unity of the blessed Spirit, and causeth us to meet together, to declare what God hath done for our souls; and as we are guided by the pure light of God in us, it leadeth us out of the fall up to God; they who are got through into the Covenant, can witness that their souls are purified in yielding obedience to the commands of the Spirit, being born again, and loves one another with a pure heart fervently, 1 Pet. 1.22, 23. and we in our measure of grace, do witness the Lord to be good and gracious indeed, and he teacheth us to profit in his Ministry, and we are pressing after towards the mark, but as many as are perfect are steadfast, and unmovable in the will of God: as in Phil. 3.15, 16. but we are not yet grown up to that height, which we have but even a glimmering of, that which some hath already attained to; but being obedient to what we have received of the Lord, it teacheth us to act in righteousness, and to stand in obedience to the command of God, and to walk humbly before him; but as the pure seed of God comes to be raised up out of death now, death comes to pass over that which kept it in death, and death being swallowed up in victory, and the old man being crucified, as the Corinthians, and the Ephesians, 
1 Cor. 15.44, 45 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51. 1 Cor. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7. Col. 3.10. Gal. 4.22, 23, & 28. 29, 30, 31. Rom. 6, 6, 7, 8, 9. Rom. 6.18, 19, 20, 21, 22.  and Romans did witness, and the same seed witnesseth with them in those that are grown up, and com'd out of the fall, and gathered into the everlasting Covenant, they are able to witness forth through the power of God, the truth made manifest in them; where the old man is destroyed, the new man is raised up: but there is two ●eds, learn to know the difference of them, the one of the bond-woman, and the other of the free-woman cast out the bond-woman and her son, that the son of the free-woman; may take place: And what saith the Apostle, in the Epistle to the Romans? How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? and saith he, As ye have yielded yourselves members to act iniquity unto iniquity; so now yield yourselves members to act righteousness unto holiness, that your fruit may be to the praise and glory of God; the one seed doth dishonour God, and the other seed which is born of God and doth not commit sin, glorifieth God.  

Joh. 3.9. J●●. 3.10.  He that is born of God sinneth not, neither can he commit sin, because his seed remains in him: learn to know each seed, and see that the blessing is to the one, and the curse is to the other, for God is now confounding the wisdom of the wise, and bringing to nothing the counsel of the prudent, and revealing himself to Babes; and he will reward every one according to their deeds. Thus saith the Lord, Wo to the wicked, it shall be ill with them, and they shall be rewarded according to their doings, Isa. 3.11. now see if you be not workers of iniquity, which the woe is to.  

Isa. 3.10. Luke 6.22, 23.  But say un●o the righteous, It shall be well with them, and they shall eat the fruit of their doings; and pleased are you when in a shall hate you, and revile, and persecute you, and speak all in manner of evil of you, rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; but you shall be hated of all men for my a●mes sak●, 
Mat. 5.10, 11, 12.  bu● blessed a● you that suffer persecu●●on for righteousness sak●, so yours is the kingdom of heaven: and set your affections on things abov●, and no on ●●●ngs on the earth, and tak● no thought saying, that shall we eat, 
Mat. 6.25, 26, 27,  and what shall w● drink, and wh●● w●●● shall we be clo●●ed? consider the Ravens, th●y have neither been no sto●●●ou●, and y●● your heavenly Father provideth fo●●m, consider the Lil●●s, ●y ●ol no 〈◇〉 r●●o th●y sp●●, yet Solomon in all his glory was no● array●d like o● of 〈◇〉 and seek ye the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and all 〈◇〉 things shall be added unto you: And freely ye have received, freely gave, & they ●●d abide in his doctrine, and had the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ; as in Ma●. 25. and they gave all honour, and glory, and praise, and thanks to the Lord, to whom it did belong, and to whom it was and is due; 
Jam. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. Act. 17.26. Isa. 42.8. Joh. 5.44.  for Jesus Christ reproved those that sought for honour one of another, as the Jews did; so do the world now, who are out of the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without respect of persons, who hath made the Nations of the earth of one blood, and with him there is no respect of persons: and saith the Lord, I will not give my honour to graved Images, and how can ye believe that seeks honour one of another? and seeks not the honour that is of God, as to do unto all men as ye would be done by, and to love the Lord with all your heart, and to prefer one before another in love without partiality, or without respect of persons, not having mens persons in admiration, because of advantage, 
1 Pet. 1.21, 22. 1 Joh. 5.1, 2  but to love the Lord out of a pure heart, and to love one another in him: he that loveth him that begot, loveth him that is begotten of him, standing in obedience to his commands, giving him all the honour and glory to whom it is due, who is worthy, who is worthy to be praised, honoured, and glorified for ever.  
All ye Saints of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise him, and magnify him for ever, who doth us keep, and save, and eke deliver: praises be to him for ever, and let all that love him say amen, that he may have his due.  
The natural man that knows not the things of God, which are spiritually discerned, mindes nothing but that which is earthly and carnal, and sets up an outward, carnal, and earthly worship, not knowing God who is a spirit, nor those that are spiritual, that are of the seed of Abraham, and worship God in spirit; behold, 
1 Joh. ●. 2.  what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God! and the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not, and they are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them; we are of God, he that is of God heareth us, he that is not of God heareth us not, hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, 1 John 4.5, 6.  
Object. It may be objected and said, that no man goes a warfare at any time, on his own charges.  
Answ. Let me answer by way of Query.  
Whether art thou in the spiritual or carnal warfare? dost thou not join with the wicked to persecute the just, 
Isa. 54.15, 16, 17.  and are not thy Arguments and thy wisdom earthly and carnal, raising up war against the innocent? dost thou not join hand in hand with the wicked to persecute? and persecution is of the Devil, deny it if thou canst, whoever thou art that dost object: and his servants ye are to whom ye do obey: if thou obey thy own will, to have thy lustful mind satisfied by way of revenge, 
Rev. 17.  thou art out of the work of God, and art in the warfare with the dragon, raising up war against the Lamb; 
Rev. 20.6, 7, 8.  Gog and Magog joining and mustering up their forces against the Lamb, the Beast making war with the Saints and the Lamb: and for thy reward, whosoever thou art that persecutes the righteous ones, It were better for thee that a M●ll-stone were hanged about thy neck, and thou cast into the sea. 
vers. 9.10.  The Lord is now clearing up the innocency of his people, and they that make war with the Lamb by the Beast, and the false Prophet, 
2 Cor. 10.4 Eph. 6.17. 2 Cor. 6.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Rom. 8.36, 37.  shall be cast alive into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, Rev. 20.9, 10. The Apostle who was a true Minister of Christ, the weapons of his warfare was not carnal but spiritual, and his wages and maintenance was not carnal but spiritual, his portion of the world was mocking, striking, ston●ng, and imprisoning, hating and reviling, and he fought with beasts of Ephesus by the sword of the spirit, and was made more then a conqueror through him that loved him who was his assistance, and he obtained the crown of immortality, and he exhorted Timothy to mind his spiritual ministry, 
1 Tim. 1.18.19. 1 Tim. 2 9, 10, 11, 12.  that he might be acquainted with the spiritual warfare: Thou as a good soldier( saith he) of Jesus Christ, fight the good fight of faith, make full proof of thy Ministry, that thou mayest obtain the crown that is laid up for thee: he did not bid him go to the outward law, nor to contend with perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes, for that would but gender to strife, 1 Tim. 6.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17  
They did not fight for carnal maintenance, witness Paul, 
Act. 20.33, 34, 35.  who laboured with his hands, and coveted no mans silver nor gold, and said he had rather die, then make the Gospel of Christ burdensome; and saith he to Timothy, Seeing that we have food and raiment, 
1 Tim. 6.6, 7, 8.  let us therewith be content; and godliness with contentment is great gain, and my care is to make the Gospel of Christ without charge; and though I be free from all men, 
● Cor. 9.19  yet I make may self servant to all, that I might gain the more.  
And the refuge that they had to flee to, was the love of God, who kept them by his power, 
Mat. 10.23 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Mat. 10.11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Mat. 5.40. Mat. 10.7, 8, 9, 10. 1 Joh. 2.18, 22. 1 Joh. 2.20, 23, 24, 25, 26. 2 Joh. 10.11  and said, When they persecute you none City, f●ee into a●o●her, and where th●y will not receive you shake the dull off you● s●ct, it shall rise in judgement against them: he did not●ble them flee to the outward power, but to his inward power, his name being as a City of refuge, where there is safety in his power standing in his will. They were not to compel men to come to them by an outward power, as the Priests of the world do, neither was they to compel men to pay them so much, ●nd if did not, to threaten them with an outward Law, but freely they had received, and freely they was to give, and you that do profess yourselves to be Ministers of Christ, and the Scriptures to be your rul●, and walk contrary to them, and the practise of the holy Apostles, do show yourselves to be none of the Ministers of Christ, but are Antichrists. H● that abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath no God, 2 John 9. 1 John 4.1, 3 ●ut he that abido●●●●im sinneth no●, but hath fellowship with the Father and the Son, and they t●●●●e●e the true Ministers, did exhort others, and said, If any came, & brought not that doctrine, receive them not, neither bid them Godspeed lest they were partakers of their evil deeds, but those the world and the Ministry of the world knows not, but envies, hates, scoffs, scorns, and derides them, but their fruits makes them manifest to be of the seed of evil doers, wallowing in the mire, and filth of the flesh, lusting afterthat which is evil, and are heathens who knows not God, but the Lord is the Judge himself, and he will Judge the Heathen in righteousness, both Priests and People, and all that are enemies to him, and they that worship the Beast must drink of the wine of the wrath of the Almighty, poured forth into the cup of his indignation, and they shall be tormented day and night, and have no rest, who worship the Beast and his Image, Rev. 14.9, 10, 11.   

The Priests deuce.  

Mal. 2.1, 2, 3. Mal. 3.8, 9. Mic. 3.11.  Thus saith the Lord, This commandment is to you, O Priests, who have cast the law of God behind your backs, and ran, but I never sent you,( as the fal●e Prophets did) and are found acting the same things as they was, all preaching for hire, and saying, Thus saith the Lord, when he never spake to you: and all people, search those Scriptures, and mind your Priests, and see if they be not in the same condition that the false Prophets were in, which ran, but the Lord never sent them, and the Priests are in the same condition now, as they was then; see these Scriptures, Isa. 56.10, 11. Jer. 5.30, 31. Jer. 23.16, 17, 18, 19. Isa. 29.9. to the 16. Ezek. 34.1, 2. to vers. 11. Isa. 28.7, 8. Hos. 6.9. Hos. 4.9 Hos. 5.1, 2. Isa. 9.16. Zeph. 1.4. Zeph 3. Zach. 13.4, 5. Mal. 2. to the 10. The Lord is against them, Jer. 23.30, 31, 32. Zach. 11.17. Cese from them all, Isa. 2.22.  

Rev. 22.  The Lord is the teacher of all his himself, therefore cease from them, and hold them not up; for the curse of God is due to them, Mal. 2. Wo to them, all the plagues of God is to be poured forth upon them, 
Jer. 23.22. Jer. 11.3. Jer. 48.10. Matth. 25.41. Isa. 30.1. Isa. 28.1, 2, 3. Ezek. 34.10.16. Isa. 9.16. Matth. 15.14.  that adds and stands not in his counsel, but have said that they were the Ministers of Christ, but are not, and ran, but he did not sand them, and so deceiveth the people, & thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the deceiver, and wo to the Idol-shepherds, woe to them that take counsel, but not of me, saith the Lord, Woe to the Crown of pride, howl ye proud Priests, the Lord will render vengeance upon you, and require his flock at your hand, and cause you to cease from feeding the flock, neither shall you feed yourselves any more of them, but saith the Lord, I will feed the fat and the strong with judgement.  
Woe to the blind guides, the leaders of the people cause them to err, and the blind leads the blind, and both shall fall into the ditch.  
Woe to the lustful and revengeful ones, that digs deep to hid their counsel from the Lord, and joins hand in hand to persecute the righteous ones, it were better for you that a Mill-stone were hanged about your necks, and you cast into the Sea: the Lord is now coming to pled with all flesh, by his sword, and by fire, and great shall be the slain of them, Isa. 66.15, 16.  
Woe to the unprofitable servants that ran, but the Lord never sent them, neither have they profited the people, and a whirlwind shall fall grievously upon the head of wicked, Jer. 23.16, 17, 18, 19.  
All ye proud, covetous, envious, hateful, lustful, and revengeful, and scornful ones, perishing Prophets, that ran, and the Lord never sent you, 
2 Thes. 1.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  and your due is the wrath of the Almighty, the wrath of God is to be revealed from Heaven in flames of fire, upon all that disobeys the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.  
Your due is wrath, terror, horror, tribulation, 
1 Thes. 2.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.  and anguish to every soul that doth evil: You dissembling, proud persecuting Priests, weep, wail, and lament. Woe, and misery is coming upon you: Repent, Repent.   

The Lords free love-Offering to his people.  
Hoe every one that thirsteth, come and receive freely, without money, 
Isa. 55.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  or without price, harken diligently to me, incline your ear and hear, come, and your soul shall live, and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David, harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your souls delight themselves in fatness, and I will teach you myself, and you shall not need to teach one another, I will put my Laws in your hearts, 
Heb. 8.10, 11. Ezek. 36.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Ezek. 34.11, 12, 13, 14, 15.  and my Spirit in your inward parts, and I will create a right spirit within you, and heal you that are broken, and bind up the breaches, and pour in wine and oil, and love you, and make my power known unto you, that wait upon me; and in waiting you shall renew your strength, and I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and take away the names of reproach, and gather you together by my spirit, as a shepherd seeketh out his sheep, in the day that he is amongst his flock, so will I search, and seek out my sheep, I will gather those that were scattered in the cloudy, and dark day, and I will led them in and out, and they shall find pasture, 
Ezek. 34.23, 24, 25, 26, 27. Ezek. 37.24, 25, 26, 27. Psal. 9.16, 17.  upon the mountaines of Israel shall their fold be, and they shall go in and out, and inherit substance, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd; and every man shall sit under his own vine, and under his own figtree, and none shall make them afraid; and the righteous shall be as bold as a lion, and none shall make them afraid, but the wicked and all that forget God shall be turned into hell, and the Lord will be the delight of his own people, and dwell in them, and make his abode with them, that they may glorify his name for ever and ever.   

Childrens deuce or duty to their parents. R. F.  
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is acceptable unto him; 
Eph. 6. i, 2.3. 2 Pet. 1.19. Eph. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Prov. 7.1, 2. 1 Joh. 3.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Psal. 119.9, 10, 11. Prov. 2.1. Prov. 3.1. Prov. 4.1. Prov. 5.1. 1 Joh. 5.1, 2. Col. 3.20.  in obeying the Lord, you cannot disobey those that love the Lord, Therefore mind that of God in you, that shows you sin and evil, and checks you when you tell a lie; and if you do obey that, it will keep you in the fear of the Lord, to walk humbly before him, that he may be honoured by you; If I be a Father, saith the Lord, where is mine honour? honour the Lord in yielding obedience to him, that your dayes may belong in the land, which the Lord your God giveth you; and love one another, and be not stubborn, nor self-willed, nor across, nor hasty, nor envious, for therein you do dishonour the Lord; but be gentle, and diligent, and loving, and faithful, and meek, and moderate, let your moderation appear towards all men, and there you honour your parents in the Lord, in walking in obedience to his commands, and walking humbly before him, for that is well pleasing and acceptable unto him, and unto all those that loves him: and he that loveth him that begot, loveth him that is begotten also, 1 Joh. 15. love the Lord with all your heart, and obey your parents in the Lord, and love is the fulfilling of the Law.   

Servants deuce or duty to their Masters. R. F.  

Eph. 6.5, 6, ●, 8. Psal. 119.17, 8, Titus 2.9, 10, 11, 12.  Servants, obey your masters in the Lord, for, saith he, If I be a master, where is my fear? fear the Lord, and give glory to his name, and be faithful as to the Lord, and labour in love and diligence; be not churlish, across, stubborn, nor slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with singleness of heart, as to the Lord, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive a reward, Col. 3.22, 23, 24, 25.   

Wives deuce or duty to their husbands. R. F.  

1 Cor. 11.3. 1 Pet. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Eph. 4.29, 30, 31, 32.  Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, and love them in the Lord, walking in obedience to his commands, and be not angry, nor proud, nor stubborn, nor across, nor hasty, nor peevish, nor perverse, do not scold, nor braul, nor lie, nor swear, for God doth forbid it; but be loving, and meek, gentle, and lowly minded, and be in subjection to the Lord, and live in love one with another; 
1 Tim. 2.12 1 Pet. 3 6. Eph. 5.22, 23, 24. Col. 3.18.  let not the woman usurp authority over the man, but be in subjection, as Sarah was, who obeied Abraham, and called him Lord; and be chast, and sober minded, and stay at home, and wait upon the Lord, and give glory to his name, in yielding obedience to his commands, that he may be honoured and glorified for ever.   

Husbands deuce or duties to their wives, parents to their children, and masters to their servants. R. F.  
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved his Church, 
Eph. 5.25, 26, 27, 28. 1 Pet. 3.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Col. 4.1, ●. Eph. 6.9, 10. Jam. 3.1, 2. Levit. 19.13.  and gave himself for it, and be loving and gentle to them, according to the command of the Lord; and teach your children the fear of the Lord, and be patterns and examples of godliness to them, deal gently with them; and be not hasty with your servants, but rule in love, and diligence, and let them have their deuce, cherishing every tender desire in them that is towards godliness, and exhort one another in love: be not hasty nor across, but meek and lowly in heart, remembering that it is the command of your Master which is in heaven; give glory to his name, in yielding obedience to his commands.   

Tradesmens deuce or duty to the Lord. R. F.  
tradesman, and labourers, be faithful to the Lord, 
1 Pet. 3.16, 17. Deut. 25.23, 24, 35, 26. 1 Pet. 1.13.14, 15, 16, 17. Levit. 19.11, 12, 13. Mat. 5.37. Jam. 5.12. Mat. 7.12.  and do not couzen and cheat, deceive and dissemble one with another, and 〈◇〉 ●argaining, see that you do not go beyond, to defraud thy brother; use plainness of speech, and deal truly one with another, let your words be few, use no deceit, for no deceitful person shall dwell in the house of the Lord: and in all your communication, let your yea be yea, and your nay nay: and swear not at all, God doth forbid it, and he that breaks one of the least of his commands, and teacheth so, he is the least in the kingdom of heaven: give glory to the Lord in yielding obedience to his commands, and serving your generation in faithfulness, living in love one with another.   

Magistrates deuce or duty to the Lord. R. F.  
Fear the Lord, and lay aside pride and covetousness, 
Eph. 5.2. Pro. 16.18, 19. Pro. 13.6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Isa. 1.17. Deut. 16.18, 19, 20. Exo. 23.7, 8, 9. 2 Sam. 23.3, 4. Deut. 1. ●7. Deut. 10.11, 12. Deut. 11.1. Deut. 27.29.  God doth forbid it; and be faithful to the Lord, judging righteous judgement, in punishing evil doers, and countenancing them that do well; and pled the cause of the poor and needy, taking neither gifts nor rewards: and feed the hungry, cloath the naked, and let the oppressed go free; use no partiality nor hypocrisy, for wo is the hypocrites portion: and take heed of self-ends, for gifts blinds the eyes of the wise; do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord; it is joy to the just to do judgement: when the righteous bear rule the City rejoiceth, but when the wicked beareth rule, the land mourns; Love the Lord, and walk in obedience to his commands.   

You that keep Alehouses and Taverns,  

Isa. 28.7, 8. Isa. 28.3, 4. Haba. 2.5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Tim. 4.4.  See that you do not let men consume the creatures of God upon their lusts, to be drunk, and make beasts of themselves; it is required of you not to suffer the creatures of God to be abused, for men to consumne and swallow up, and devour the creatures of God, more then is in the service. Every creature of God is good in its service, as it was created for the health and preservation, but not for the lust; take heed of letting men have Ale, Beer, or Wine to be drunk, and abuse the good creatures of God, to devour the creation, and so dishonour the Lord, as you will answer it before the Lord, 
2 Thes. 1.8, 9.  the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, at the tribunal-seat of judgement, now that he is coming to pled with all flesh, by his sword and by fire, who is the heart-searcher and trier, Isa. 66.15, 16. Jer. 17.10.   

You that live in hawking, and hunting, game, and sporting,  
Lay aside all vain sports and pleasures, God doth forbid them; lay aside all your vain delights, 
Isa. 57.4, 12, 13. Isa. 63.6. Eph. 5.2, 3.4. ●a. 56.4. Jam. 5.5, 6. Isa. 1.19, 20.  and forsake your vain companies, and put away jesting, with foolish talking, God doth forbid it: you live in pleasures and wantonness, nourishing your earthly hearts, as in a day of slaughter, and kills, and slaves the holy one and the just; and they that lives in pleasures are dead in trespasses and sins, and are enemies of righteousness: therefore fear the Lord God Almighty, and give glory to his name, in departing from iniquity, and walking in his fear, least his judgements overtake you, and cut you off out of the land of the living.   

deuce to whoremongers and adulterers.  
Whoremongers and Adulterers, that lives in the lust and filth of the flesh, God will judge you and plague you, and pour out the vials of his wrath and indignation upon you, the plagues of God is your portion, and you are for the fire, Mal. 4.1. & 3.5.   

What is due to the wicked, and all that forget God, who turns his grace into wantonness.  

Isa. 3.11. Isa. 2. Isa. 28.1. Luk. 6.25. Isa. 33.1. Amos. 6.1. Isa. 29.25.  Thus faith the Lord, wo to the wicked, it shall be ill with them: wo to the proud and lofty ones, woe to all hypocrites, and dissemblers, that says one thing, and do another: wo to all drunkards; wo to them that laugh now, for they shall mourn: wo to the careless daughters that are at ease: wo, wo to blood-thirsty ones, wo to all lustful and unskilful ones, wo to them that dig deep to hid their counsel from the Lord: wo to them that take counsel, but not of the Lord: 
Luk. 6.24, 25, 26. Isa. 30 1. Isa. 5.11. Pro. 14.14. Luk. 9.62. Isa. 5.18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Jud. 11, 12. Mat. 13.41.42. Jer. 23.1. Ezek. 34.2. Rev. 22.18. Mat. 23.15, 16. Mat. 7.23. Mat. 25.41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46. Mat. 25.30  wo to them that cover with a covering, but not of his Spirit; wo to them that are at ease in Sion; wo to them that are strong to drink wine, and strong drink; wo to them that covet to themselves an evil covetousness; wo to them that add drunkenness to thirst; wo to all backsliders; wo to him that sets his hand to the plow, and looks back; wo to them that adds sin unto sin, and draws iniquity as with cart-ropes; wo to all scoffers, and scorners; wo to all that go on in the ways of Cain, to envy and murder; wo to them that go on in ways of Baal, teaching for gifts and rewards; wo to all liars, and false swearers, thieves and robbers; wo, wo, wo to them that adds their own inventions, teaching for doctrine the traditions of men, the plagues of God is their portion, cursed be the deceiver; wo to all blind guides, how land weep for the misery that is coming upon you. Now workers of iniquity must depart into hell; depart ye that be workers of iniquity, saith Jesus Christ, I know you not, go ye cursed, into hell, prepared for the devil and his angels, and take the unprofitable servant, bind him hand and foot, and cast him into utter darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   

All people young and old, great and small, who are yet in the earth, the lust and the fall.  
Who lives in opinions, sects, and fleshly fancies, following the traditions, and customs, and rudiments of the world, which is after the flesh, feeding the fleshly mindes, keeping that alive which must die, the old man, the man of sin, which causeth divisions, jarrings, and janglings, renting, and tearing one another in pieces, for earth, and earthly things, 
Rom. 8.  are ye not crrnal? and to be carnally minded is death, for the carnal mind is enmity with God, and is not in subjection to the law of God, neither indeed can be, and they that are in the flesh, and the fall, cannot please God, and that is the reason of childrens disobedience to their parents, servants to their masters, wives to their husbands, and Magistrates, and a people to their God, living in the old nature, under the curse, and in opinions, sects, and fleshly fancies, which those that are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world do deny.   

Therefore set your affections on things which are above, and not on things on the earth. 
Col. 3.2.   
And that you may be raised by the power of God, out of the fall, mind that which is pure in you, that shows you sin, and evil, to be guided by it, and it will turn your mindes out of the earth, and the lust, and direct you to God, who is pure, that your affections may be drawn out of the earth to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, affecting that which is pure, holy, and good, that God may be glorified by you, in yielding obedience to him, your mindes being directed towards him; as you do arise out of the fall, you come out of all opinions, sects, and fleshly fancies, and children comes into subjection to their parents, wives to their husbands, and magistrates, and a people to their God, and the Image of God comes to be restored again, righteousness being born up into your understandings to rule; Christ being made manifest to destroy the old nature, and to work out the old leaven, the new man being raised up, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, and the soul redeemed out of the grave, and the darling being delivered from the dog. The man-child born up to rule, he being the express Image and brightness of his Fathers glory, ruling in the bodies of those that are made the temples of the Holy Ghost, and spiritual sacrifices is offering up continually to God the Father, and spiritual praises is returning to him, and fruits of his Spirit is brought forth to his praise and glory, he being worshipped in Spirit and in Truth, by all those that are born again, being of one heart, and of one mind, all one soul, there can be no divisions, but all being guided by the Spirit of God, as one, and in one, gives glory to his Name, singing hymns and spiritual songs, with grace in th●●● hearts, with the spirit, and with the understanding, all being of one faith, one family, one ●●●shold, one God, and Father of all, in all, and through all, those that are born again, and redeemed out of the fall, up to the Lord God, and to the Lamb.  
Having fought a good sight, and finished my course, there is henceforth laid up for me a Crown of Life, and not for me only, but for all them that loves the Lord Jesus Christ, who waits for his appearance: and I know that my redeemer liveth.  

Tit. 2.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Col. 3.8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16. Jam. 5. ●  Young men, be sober minded, old men, be grave and temperate, and all people live in love one with another, and forsake that which is evil, Cease to do evil, and learn to do well, and beware of lying, and speaking evil of that you know not, lest you be condemned with the wicked; behold, the Judge stands at the door; now you have time, prise it, and fear the Lord God Almighty, and give glory to his Name, for the hour of his Judgement is coming, this is the day of your visitation.   

Divide the word aright, and render to over man his due.  
Render to Caesar that which is Caesars; tribulation and anguish to every soul that doth evil, to the Jew first, and also to the gentle: and how can ye believe that seeks honour one of another, 
Mat. 2● 2●, Rom. 2.5, ●, 7, 8, 9. 〈◇〉 5. ●  and seeks not the honour that is of God? and how can ye do well that are accustomend to do evil? but God will reward every man according as his deeds is: Wo to the wicked, it shall be ill with them.   

Render to God the things that are Gods.  
All honour, and glory, and praise, and thanks be to thee, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; thou art worthy to be praised, honoured, and glorified for ever, and ever.  
All ye that love the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise him, and magnify him for ever, who is the Alpha and Om●ga, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, who is King of kings, and Lord of Lords, blessed for ever, Amen.  
Hallelujah to the Highest.   

An exhortation to all people, that have a desire to know the truth, that the truth may make them free.  
EVery one that hath a desire to know the truth, that the truth may set you free, mind the light of God in you, that shows you sin and evil, that which checks you when you do amiss, either when you lie or swear, or are proud, or covetous, or oppress, or envy, or hate, or backbite one another, or use any deceit, there is something in you that will check you, and tell you that you should not do so, if you harken to it; that which shows you your vain thoughts, and wandering desires, and wicked imaginations; if you harken to that, and let it guide your mindes, it will turn them within, and so show you how you have spent your time, and bring you to consider of your ways and your doings, that you may forsake that which is evil, and turn to the Lord, that he may have mercy upon you: this light within, if you harken to it, it will not suffer you to do any wrong to any man, but to do to all as you would be done by; and obeying it, it will teach you to deny yourselves of pride, and covetousness, and oppression, and drunkenness, and lying, and swearing, and vain talk, and foolish jesting, and all vain delights and pleasures whatsoever: and minding this light within, to be obedient to it, it will across your earthly wills, and turn you out of the lust and filth of the flesh, and led you out of all the worlds ways, and words, and customs, and fashions, and worships, and delights, and vanities whatsoever, and bring you to delight in the Lord, to do his will, in yielding obedience to his commands, in what the light doth require of you to be done, that you may cast off the works of darkness, as this light within makes them manifest to you: this light within you, will not suffer you to eat and drink, to make yourselves wanton; if you harken to it, and let it guide your mindes, this light within will not let you wear apparel to make yourselves proud, and burden and oppress poor creatures: if you harken to it, and here is your teacher, this light, obeying it; and here is your condemnation, this light, disobeying it: this light is not without you, a Chapter or a verse, but the light is within, as it was in them that spoken forth the Chapters: Ye have a light, to the which ye do well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day down, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Take heed to that light, lest ye be condemned by it: obeying it, it will show you the way to salvation; disobeying this light, it will condemn you.  
Now you have time, prise it, and take heed of rejecting the counsel and admonition of the Lord to your souls, as you will answer it before the Lord; consider of it, and lay it to heart, this is the day of your visitation.  
AWake, awake, you blind watchmen, whose eyes are blinded with gifts and rewards, for those have blinded your eyes: give over taking your great hire, you hirelings, tythmongers, and robbers; the Lord is against you: you never entered in at the door, but have climbed up another way by your serpentine wisdom, and go on in ways of Cain, murdering by consent, as the false Priests did, running to the Magistrate to persecute such who are sent of the Lord, to lay your deceits open; you run greedily after the wages of Balaam; which perished in the gainsaying, and so shall you, except you repent: you are blind guides, and leads the people blind, teaching them your traditions, inventions, and imaginations, for the Doctrine of Christ; and herein you are blasphemers, in calling the imaginations of your own Brain the Doctrine of Christ, you are greedy doggs, and every one looks for his gain from his quarter, where he lives: and with such you are at peace, who puts into your mouths; but those that put not into your mouths, you prepare war against them; you either go to law with them, or prepares a prison for them, and in your Assemblies in your idols Temple, you casts all evil aspersions on them, by your slanderous tongues, and there you have liberty to speak lies, to backbite, rail, and falsely to accuse, and none must contradict you; and he that will not receive your vain repetitions, for the doctrine of Christ, is persecuted by you: and thus you bear rule by your means over the people, lording over Gods heritage; you seduce the people from the anointing within them, to follow your vain traditions and inventions without them: and thus the blind leads the blind, till both fall into the ditch. Cease from these blind watchmen, magistrates, and rulers, and all people; and hold them not up, for the Lord is against them; and be not partakers of so great sins, lest you be made partakers of the plagues that shall fall on them: the Lord is the alone teacher of his children.  
Thomas Adams a prisoner of the Lord at york Castle, for witnessing forth to the truth, by the world called a Quaker.   
FINIS.   

A CALL OUT OF Egypt and Babylon.  
Several Reasons why we Thou men.  
brief hints concerning MARRIAGE, BAPTISM, &c.  
Likewise that the Parents use to Name the CHILD.  
LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the Black-Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls. 1653.   

All people consider of your doings, and see how you stand: For,  
THe people in this generation profess themselves to be the people of God, and the Scriptures to be their rule, and will not own it to walk by: the time is come that they cannot endure sound Doctrine, but are as the Heathen, all their language is corrupt, and if any speak to them in plainness of speech, they are so scornful, that they cannot bear it; they are so far mingled amongst the Heathen, that they are under the curse, and wrath of the Almighty, dead in trespasses and sins, and is not willing to come out of Sodom and Egypt, but are willing to be ignorant: and those that speak in plainness of speech, them they hate; but it is because they are ignorant of the Scriptures, or the life of them, for did they know the Scriptures, they might see that those that spoken them forth, spoken in plainness of speech one to another, and said Thou to a single person, Thou art the man, to Thee I direct my speech; I, Thou, and Thee, to one: We, Ye, and They to more then one: Let plainness of speech be spoken, and the deceits laid open: the Lord is pure, and he will have his people to be as he is; proud hearts will Thou God and Christ in their prayers, as they call them, and scorns to take that to themselves, which they give to God; whoever thou art that cannot take Thee and Thou, art exalted and puffed up with pride, scorn, and derision, and knows not God, nor the first principle of Religion, for it is pure, and leads and guides to God who is pure.  
Thus saith the Lord, I will return to my people a pure language, and they shall all call upon me with one consent, Zeph. 3.9.  
In the beginning God created heaven and earth, and all the earth was of one language, Gen. 11.1.  
You do not red in all the Scriptures, from the one end to the other, that ever any spoken You to one single person, but I, Thee, and Thou; I is one, Thee to one, Thou one: that is the pure single language, that was from the beginning, You is many, Ye many, heathenish, double and not single, If that light that is in thee be darkness, owe great is that darkness?  
If thy eye see single, thy whole body shall be full of light; see if thou be single eyed to see all things as they were in the beginning, and then thou wilt know the pure language to be the same now that was then, where the restitution is made.  

The single language between God and his people, See  

Gen. 2.16, 17, 18. Gen. 3.9, 10, 11, 12. &c. Gen. 17.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. Gen. 18.17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25. Gen. 4.6, 7, 8, 13, 14. Gen. 12.1, 2, 3, &c. Gen. 13.8, 9, &c. ●●d the 25 and 26. chap. of Gen. Gen. 30.27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, &c.  God thoued Adam, and Adam thoued God; God thoued Moses, and Moses thoued God; God thoued Isaac, and Isaac thoued God; God thoued Abraham, and Abraham thoued God; God thoued Cain, and Cain thoued God; God thoued Noah, and theed him, and Noah did so to God, Gen. 7. Gen. 8.15, 16, 17, 18. God thoued Abraham and theed him, and Abraham thoued and theed God, Gen. 12. and they thoued and theed one another, both sister and brother, Gen. 12.13, &c. red the Scriptures through, and see if they did not use plainness of speech one to another. All will thou God and Christ in their prayers, and will think much to take the same which they give to God. Who art thou that repliest? art thou greater then God? In the time of old, when plainness of speech was spoken, the masters theed and thoued their servants, & their servants that feared God had fellowship with them, and theed and thoued their maste●●, as Abraham and his servant, Gen. 24. red this Chap. through, and see what fellowship there was between Abraham and his servant: Abraham thoued his servant, and he thoued Abraham, Gen. 24.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. and Abrahams servants thoued God, and thoued the dansel that was to be Abrahams sons wife, and her brother thoued Abrahams servant, vers. 27, 28, 29. red that Chapter. It is worth observing, to see what sweet union and fellowship there was between one and another; and in this generation proud scornful hearts cannot endure plainness of speech, and yet professeth the Scriptures to be their rule, but will not own them for their rule to walk by.  
Paul spoken with plainness of speech when he was taken prisoner for the truths sake; the chief Captain thoued Paul, and Paul said thee to him, and thou to the chief Captain, Act. 21.31. to the end of the Chapter. See their conference; they theed and thoued one another, both Paul and the chief Captain: the Centurion thoued the chief Captain, Act. 22.26, 27. to the end. The chief Priest caused Paul to be smitten, and Paul did thou the chief Priest, and called him a whited wall, Act. 23.2, 3.  
The young man, Pauls sisters son did thou the captain, and the Captain did thou the young man, and the Centurion did thou the Captain, and spake in plainness of speech one to another, See Acts 23.16. to the end.  
In the time of old, the Priests did not mary people as they do now: See the manner of the holy people of God: Isaac took Rebecca, and she became his wife, and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mothers death, Gen. 24.67.  
Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah, and neither of these had a Priest to give them, as they buy them of the Priests of the world in this generation, and they must take them at the Priests word, and pay him money in the Book, as those do that buys Colts and Fillies, and pays toul for them: see if this be not heathenish, and contrary to the Scriptures, and the practise of the people of God in former ages, Gen. 25.1.  
L●ah took Zilpah, and gave her Jacob to wife, without a Priest, Gen. 30.9.  
Boaz took Ruth to wife, without a Priest, onely the Elders and the people were witnesses of it: See Ruth. 4.11, 12, 13.  
There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, 
Joh. 2.1, 2, 3.  where Jesus turned water into wine, without a Priest.  
They had not Priests to give names to then children amongst the people of God in former ages, as they have now.  
First, Bilha conceived, and bare Jacob a son, and she called his name Dan, he was name without a Priest, Gen. 30.5, 6.  
Secondly, And Bilha conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son, and she name him without a Priest, and she called his name Naptali, Gen. 30.7 8.  
Thirdly, And Zilpah bare Jacob a son, and Leah she called his name Gad: and there was no Priest to give his name, to have money for it, as there is now; and these were the people of God, Gen. 30.10, 11.  
Fourthly, And Zilpah bare Jacob a second son, and he was name without a Priest, for Leah name him, and called his name Asher: Jacob was a man of God, and Leah she rejoiced and said she was happy, and she had not a Priest, neither to name the child, nor to cause her to rejoice, as they have now in this generation, See Gen. 30.12, 13.  
Fifthly, And God harkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son, and he was name without a Priest, and was not a Heathen, for Jacob was a holy man of God, they were the onely people of God, and she name the child herself, and called his name Issachar, Gen. 30.17, 18.  
Sixthly, And Leah conceived again, and she bare Jacob a sixth son, and he was name without a Priest, and they count all Heathen in this generation, that is not name by the Priest, and these were the people of God, this was Jacobs sixth son that was name without a Priest: Leah Jacobs wife name her children that God gave to her, her self; without the Priest, and she called his name Zebulon, Gen. 30.19, 20.  
Seventhly, Afterwards Leah she bare Jacob a daughter, and she was name without a Priest, and Leah she name her, and called her name Dinah, Gen. 30.21.  
This was the practise of the holy men of God, and they were not Heathen.  
Eighthly, And Rachel she conceived and bare a son, and he was name without a Priest, she name him her self, and called his name Joseph, and these were not Heathen, for they were the people of God: See Gen. 30.22, 23, 24.  
And Hagar bore Abraham a son, and he was name without a Priest, for Abraham gave him his name himself, and not the Priest, Gen. 16.15.  
God promised Abraham a son, and bad him call his name Isaac; he did not say, Thou shalt go to the Priest to have him name, but name him thyself, and Abraham was the Father of the Faithful, and was to name his child himself, and not the Priest: See Gen. 17.19. and these were not heathen, because they were not name by the Priest, but were the onely people of God, with whom his Covenant was established: Gen. 17.21, 22 but those are heathen that knows not God, all in their first nature are heathen; both Priest and people: like Priest, like people: Hos. 4 9. and the leaders of them cause them to err, Isa. 9.16. the Priests takes it upon them to do what they do without any command of God: red the Scripture through, and there is not one Scripture for them to sprinkle infants: see if it be not Popery and Athiesm.  

Gal. 3.27. Eph. 4.4, 5. Rom. 6.3, 4, 5, 6. Joh. 1. to 34.  They that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, and by one spirit, are baptized into one body: and there is but one Faith, and one baptism, and that is not carnal, but spiritual, baptized by the Holy Ghost, and by fire, and that is spiritual, and not carnal.  
Ruth, she bare a son, and he was name without a Priest, Naomi took the child, and became Nurse unto it, and the woman her neighbour gave it a name, and not the Priest, and she name the child, and called his name ob, See Ruth 4.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.  
Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, she conceived and bare a son, and he was name without a Priest, she called his name Samuel, and the Priest did not name him; and she was blessed of the Lord, and was no Heathen, see 1 Sam. 1, 20, 21.  
There was a certain man that was name Zacharias, of the course of Abiah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth, and they walked uprightly before God, and was childless, and the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and  told him that his wife should conceive, and bear him a son, and withal, the Angel gave forth his name, and said, he should be called John: the Angel of the Lord gave forth his name. See Luke 1.13. and his Father said, his name is John, Luke 1.59, 60, 61, 62, 63.  

Jer. 5.30, 31. Isa. 56.10, 11. Mic. 3.11. Isa. 1.22. Jer. 23.30, 31 32.  But now there can be nothing done without the Priests, and they must have money for it, and are taskmasters of Egypt, and walks altogether contrary to the Scriptures, but God is against them, for they ran, but he did never sand them, therefore do they not profit the people at all, Jer, 23.16.  
Cease from them, hold them not up, the Lord is utterly against them, they keep you in blindeness, darkness, and ignorance, and teaches for Doctrine, traditions of men of corrupt mindes, and deceive you by their inventions, telling you that sprinkling Infants is an ordinance of Christ, when it is but a mark of the beast; they that worshipped the beast that John speaks of in the Revelations, did mark them in the forehead, Rev 13.8. & 16.17, 18.  
But they that worship the beast and his image, must drink of the wine of the wrath of God, poured forth without mixture, into the cup of his indignation, and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast, but the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, Rev. 14.9, 10, 11.  
Wherefore come out of Babylon, 
Rev. 18.4, 5, 6.  lest ye be made partakers of her plagues: come out of the heathenish worship, come out of your old traditions and rudiments of the world; see if it be not Popery: come out of the Idols Temple? what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Wherefore be ye separate, and touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you, saith the Lord, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people, 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. But come out from them.   
FINIS.   

The Priests Ignorance, or contrary walkings to the Scriptures, or the practise of the Apostles, who were the true Ministers of Jesus Christ. Together with Six and twenty errors of the Priests discovered.  

2 John 4.9. Isai. 8.20.  THe teachers of this world profess the Scripture to be their rule, and touchstone to try withall, and he that walks contrary to the Scriptures is a Seducer, and hath the spirit of error.  

2 Pet. 1.21. Gal. 1.12. Ezek. 3.1. Jer. 23.33. & 22.  That which makes a minister of the world is Oxford, and Cambridge, and they are so long there, give so much for their learning, and when they have done, they have so much for their preaching: the Prophets and Apostles did not so, Christ gave no so such command: and here they act contrary to the Scriptures, and have the spirit of error; and they will let none preach but themselves, and such as come from Oxford and Cambrige: 
1 Cor. 14.30.  here they act contrary to the Scripture, for the Scripture saith, ye may all prophesy one by one, and if any thing be revealed to him that stands by, let the first hold his peace. Here they limit the holy one of Israel, and show the spirit of error.  

1 Cor. 6 6. Act. 20.33. 1 Pet. 5.2. Mat. 5.40. Deut. 4.2. Pro. 30.5, 6. Rev. 22.18, 19.  The teachers of the world have a set man of the world: and if any man refuse them, they sue them at the law: the Prophets and the Apostles did not so: these act contrary to the Scripture, and have the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world take a text, raise doctrines, uses, points, trials, motives, and have a clerk to say Amen: the Apostles did not so: these act contrary the Scripture, and show the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world sing David's quakings, tremblings, cryings, 
Psal. 6.6, 7.  wastings, praises, prayings, and prophecies, in metre; and have a glass to preach an hour: and when they red the Psalms, hats must be on; when they sing them, hats must be off: but the Priest hath one or two caps on his head. The Apostles did not so when they spoken to the world. 
1 Cor. 14.15.  These act contrary to the Scriptures, and have the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world cry, Let us sing to the praise and glory of God, and give the ignorant praphane people words to sing, as, I am not puffed in mind, I have no scornful eye, whenas they are puffed in mind, 
Psa. 131.1.  and have scornful eyes. Herein they dishonour the Lord, causing people to lie, showing the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world have the chiefest places in the assemblies, 
Mat. 23.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Mat. 6.5, 7 8, 9. 1 Joh. 2.22.  are called of men Masters, laying heavy burdens upon the people, stand praying in the Synagogues. Jesus Christ for bad such things: the teachers of the world now act such things, contrary to Christs commands and practise; so showing themselves to be Antichrists, Seducers, and Dissemblers, and have the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world hold up outward temples, 
1 Cor. 8.10 Act. 17.24, 25.  calling them Churches. Whereas the Church is in God, 1 Thes. 1.1. and calls it the house of God, and thus act contrary to the Scriptures, having the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world sprinkle infants, 
Gal. 3. Luke 1.62, 63. Gen. 21.3. Gen. 29.38 Gen. 10. Gen. 29.28  telling people it is an Ordinance of God; which is contrary to the Scriptures, never commanded by the Lord: but these hold it up, and so bewitch the people, and are seducers, having the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world call people unto a Sacrament, for the which there is no Scripture. Here they act contrary to the Scriptures, teaching lies, contrary to the Scripture, a declaration of God. Here they are seducers, and show forth the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world mary people, and take money for it. The Apostles did not so. Here they act contrary to the Scriptures, showing the spirit of error.  
The Teachers of the world takes money for burying the dead, 
Mat. 10.8. Mat. 8.12.  the Apostles did not so; here they act contrary to the Scripture, showing the spirit of error.  
The Teachers of the world take Money for Churching women. The Apostles did not so. Thus these act contrary to the Scripture, showing the Spirit of error.  
The Teachers of the world have Easter-reckonings, & Midsomer-dues, and money out of servants wages: the Apostles did not so: these act contrary to the Scriptures, and show the Spirit of error.  
The Teachers of the world preach Funeral-Sermons over the dead, and have 10 s. more or less, as they can get it for their pains: the Apostles did not so. These act contrary to the Scriptures, and show the spirit of error.  

Mat. 10.8. 1 Cor. 16.17, 18.  The Teachers of the world agree with people for so much a year for preaching. The Prophets and Apostles did not so. It is contrary to Christs commands, Freely ye have received, freely give. Thus they act contrary to the Scriptures, showing the spirit of error.  

1 Joh. 2.16, 17. Rom. 12.2. 1 Pet. 1.14. 1 Cor. 7.31  The Teachers of the world go in double cuffs, and Boot-hose-tops, living in the lust of the flesh, following the fashions of the world, which the Apostles spoken against: here they act contrary to the Scriptures, showing the spirit of error.  
The Teachers of the world take Tithes, the tenth of mens estates. In the old time Levi which received Tithes, 
Deut. 26.12.  the Fatherless, widdows, and strangers, were to come, and be received within his gates: but the Priests of the world do not fill the Fatherless, the widdows, and the strangers: here they act contrary to the Scriptures, and show the spirit of error.  

Mat. 5, 48. 1 Cor. 2.6. Phil. 3.15. Col. 4.12.  The Teachers of the world say, men shall never be perfect, when the Scripture saith, Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect: and we preach wisdom to them that are perfect: and every one that is perfect must be as his Lord: and as many as are perfect be thus minded: stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Here they deny the Scriptures, and show the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say, that men shall never overcome their sins as long as they are here, 
Rom. 6.22.  nor be made free from the body of sin: and the Scripture saith, We are made free from sin, and have put off the body of sin, 
Col. 2.11. 2 Cor. 5.17.  and they that are Christs, have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, and all things are become new. Here they act contrary to the Scriptures, and show the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say that men shall not be sanctified throughout in body, 
judas 1.  soul, and spirit; but in part as long as men are here: herein they pled for a hold for Satan in them, and are seducers, and deceivers: for the Scripture saith, Ye are sanctified throughout, in body, soul, and spirit; and he that doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous: let no man deceive you, he that sinneth is of the devil, and never knew God: here they go about to keep in their sin, 
1 Joh. 3.7, 8.  when Christ comes to take away sin, speaking contrary to the Scripture, and show the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say, The letter is the light, 
Joh. 8.12.  when the letter saith Christ is the light: the letter is the declaration of the light, which was in them that spoken forth the Scriptures. 
2 Cor. 4.6.  Here they speak contrary to the Scripture, and show the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say, that the letter is the word, which is false, 
Joh. 1.1.  for the letter saith that God is the word, the letter is a declaration of that word, which is a fire, and sharper then a two-edged sword: 
Rom. 8.10.8. Deut. 30.14. 2 Cor. 3.6. Ezek. 13.3, 6, 7. 1 Joh. 2.26, 27.  and the word is nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart: and so they that draw people to the letter, telling them that it is the word, are dissemblers, seducers, and no Ministers of the word, but are in an error.  
The teachers of the world say, that the spirit is in the letter, and that they are inseparable, when the Spirit saith, that the letter killeth, and is death, and thou that wouldest raise the Spirit out of the dead letter, thou art a diviner and a conjurer, following the imaginations of thy own brain: here thou art a seducer, and shows the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say, that salvation is in the Scripture, 
2 Cor. 5.18, 19.  and that the power goes along with the letter, which is death: God is the the cause of mans salvation: here thou art a seducer, and shows the spirit of error.  
The teachers of the world say, that the four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 
1 Thes. 1.5. 1 Pet. 1.9, 20.  John, is the Gospel, which is but the letter, a declaration of the Gospel: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world, is glad tidings to imprisoned souls, 1 Pet. 4.6.  
The teachers of the world pretending the Scriptures to be their rule and guide to walk by, and acting contrary, 
Mat. 23.27, 28.  they show themselves to be seducers, dissemblers, and hypocrites, and shows the spirit of error,  
For they are the sons of God, that are guided by the Spirit of God, 
Rom. 8.14.  to live the life that they did, that gave forth the Scriptures.  
FINIS.   

A DISCOVERY OF Truth and falsehood.  
Discovered by the light of God in the inward parts, 
Heb. 4.12, 13. 1 Cor. 4.6, 7. 2 Cor. 2.10. Joh. 8.12. Psal. 25.14. Prov. 3.32. Amos 3.8. Rev. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.  the spirit of of man being the candle of the Lord, which being enlightened, it searcheth the secrets, and spies out all the deceits of the heart, and the Lord commandeth that it should shine forth to others; for the spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God, that they may be enlightened, that sit in deceivableness: Christ within is the light of the Lord, and enlighteneth the understanding, and placeth his fear in the heart, and the secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him. Oh fear the Lord God almighty, and worship not the beast as all do that have not found their names written in the book of life, Rev. 13.8. God is a Spirit, and now he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth, Joh. 4.24. for he is seeking such to worship him, vers. 23. & Ezek 34.11. and 16. The Lord is gathering all his elect together by his Spirit, out of al Forms, into the substance of all Forms, to worship him in his temple at New Jerusalem, where the tabernacle of God is with men, Rev. 21.3. Oh all people, cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, Isa. 2.22. and fear God, 
Rev. 14.7.  and give glory unto him: for the hour of his judgement is coming: and worship him that made heaven and earth; the Lord doth require it.  
Written from the Spirit of the Lord, by one whom the people of the world calls a Quaker, but is of the Divine nature made partaker: whom the world knows not, that are in their old nature, and so mock and deride: 
Isai. 3.11.  but wo to the wicked, it shall be ill with them.  
Say unto the righteous, It shall be well with them: 
Isai. 3.10. Matth. 5.10, 11, 12.  for they shall inherit the blessing.  
Yorkshire, 1652. Rich. Farneworth.  
London, Printed for Giles Calvert. 1653.   

A discovery of truth, and falsehood.  
ALl people, see where you are, and consider how you stand, and see whether you be yet in the fall, or redeemed to God, and com'd into the promised land, born of water and the Spirit, and circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, and baptized by one spirit into one body, having put on Christ, which is the head of his body, the Church, the first born written in Heaven, 
1 Cor. 12.13. Gal. 3.27.  for they that are baptized into Christ, have put 〈◇〉 Christ, and are crucified to the world, and the world to them, being com'd thorough the law, by which the old man was crucified, and are redeemed from under the earth, to the Lord God, and to the lamb, Christ being the end of the law for righteousness, ruling by his power alone, in those that are of the new birth, and reconciled to God by the blood of the lamb, the enmity being slain, the old man destroyed, with the deeds of darkness, which the righteous law was to: and the new man raised up and com'd thorough the law by the divine power of righteousness, sees now what the law is to, not to the righteous, but to the unrighteous, and hath power over the fleshly man: they that are in the flesh cannot please God, who is a spirit, and of purer eyes then to behold iniquity: neither are they Israel that are after the flesh, but they that are after the spirit: he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, but he is a Jew that is one inwardly; the Jew outwardly had a law outwardly, written in tables of ston, 
Jer. 31.31, 32, 33, 35. Heb. 8.10, 11.  but the Jew inwardly hath his law written in inward fleshly tables of the heart, not with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, to teach them the knowledge of the everlasting truth, and to direct them to holiness and righteousness, to walk humbly before him, that they may inherit the blessing.  
In the time of the law that was given forth to the children of Israel after the flesh, they had it outwardly, written in tables of ston, in the first Covenant, which was outwardly: 
Deut. ● 1, 2, 3, ● Mica 3● 10, 11. ● Isai. 1. 2● 22, 23, 24.  and they that ruled over men were to be just and faithful, such as hated God and feared covetousness; for such the Lord delights in, but when they backslided from the truth, then they did not justice, neither did they execute true judgement according to the command of God, therefore was he displeased with them, and sent to cry out against them.  
Now see where you are, whether in the transgression, and in the fall yea or no: and learn to do that which is right in the sight of the God, that he may be glorified by you; 
Mic. 6.8.  do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before him, and execute true judgement and justice, for he doth require it.  

Just Men are to be rulers of the people  
Moses was a ruler over the people, and he set over them faithful men, such as feared God and hated covetousness.  
Moses was to set over the people Officers, to judge the people with just judgement: See thou shalt not wrest judgement, saith the Lord.  
The judges are not to respect persons in judgement.  
The Judges and Officers are not to take a gift. See Deut 16.19 for gifts blind the ●y●s of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous  

Deut. 32.36.  They 〈◇〉 ●o follow that which is altogether just, vers. 20.  
The Lord shall judge his people, and he judgeth righteously; and saith he, ●f I what my glittering sword, and my hand take hold of Judgement, I will 〈◇〉 ●●ngeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me, Deut. 32. ●1.  
The Lord shall judge the people, Psal. 7.8.  
The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins, vers. 9.  
God judgeth the righteous, and he is angry with the wicked every day, Psal, 7.11, 13, 14.  
They that judge the people must be righteous, that they may judge righteously, For they judge for God and not for man. See 2 Chron. 19.6.  
Jehos●●hat dwelled at Jerusalem, and he set over the Cities Judges, and gave them charge, and said to them, Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for man but for the Lord, who is with you in judgement, 2 Chron. 16.5, 6, 7. wherefore saith he, now that you are to judge for the Lord, see that you judge righteously, and the fear of the Lord be with you; and saith he, Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the Lord, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.  
And he charged the Judges and Officers, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord faithfully, and with a perfect heart, vers 9.  

Prov. 3●. 8.  The Judge is to o●●n his mouth for the dumb, in the cause of such as are appointed for destruction.  
They that judge 〈◇〉 people are to judge righteously, and they are to judge the poor and ●●●dy, Prov. 31.9.  
Moses gave the same charge to the Judges that Jehosaphat did, Deut. 1. ●● saith he, Hear the causes of your Brethren, between brother and brother, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that it with him.  

〈◇〉. 17.  The Judges are not to respect persons in judgement, but are to hear the shall 〈◇〉 well as the great; for the judgement is Gods.  
The Lord himself saith, That they that judge the people shall do no unrighteousness in judgement; It is a command of God. 2. He commands that they do not respect persons: for saith he, Thou shalt not respect the persons of the poor, nor honour the persons of the mighty. But 3. He commands them that they judge in righteousness; See Lev. 19.15, 16. vers.  

1. They are not to stand against the blood of their neighbour.  
2. They are not to have their brother in their heart.  
3. They are to reprove for sin.  
4. They must not bear any g●udge to the people.  
5. They are not to be a venger of them.  
6. They are not to be tale-bearers amongst the people.  
7. They are not to defraud their neighbour.  
8. They are not to curse the deaf, nor to put a stumbling block before the blind; but they are to fear the Lord, and lay aside evil.  
9. They are to keep the Statutes of the Lord, that they may judge righteously, Lev. 19. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.  
10. The judges are not to judge according to the outward appearance, but they are to judge righteous judgement; 
John 7.24  and it is joy to the Just to do judgement, Prov. 21.19.    

Justices are to be faithful and just men.  

1. He that ruleth over men must be just.  
2. He must be one that feareth God.  
3. He must rule in love, and in the fear of the Lord.  
4. He must be one that hateth evil, and loveth that which is good; and he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun ariseth, even a morning without clouds, 2 Sam. 23.3, 4.   
The path of the just is a shining light: they are to be just, 
Prov. 3.18.  and shine forth in brightness, to be examples for others to walk by.  
The way of the just is uprightness; 
Isa. 26.7.  thou most upright dost weigh the paths of the just.  
The just man walks in his integrity, Prov 20.7.  
It is joy to the just to do judgement, Prov. 21.15.  
An unjust man is an abomination to the just, 
Pro. 29.  and he that is upright in his way, is an abomination to the wicked.  
The just shall live by Faith, Rom 1.17.  
John was a just man and a holy, Mark 6.20.  
To do judgement and justice is more acceptable to the Lord, then sacrifice, Prov. 21.3. but an high look, and a proud heart is sin; and it is not for one that is to do justice, vers. 4. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them, because they refuse to do judgement, vers. 7.  

1. A Justice is to defend the poor and fatherless.  
2. They are to do justice to the afflicted and needy.  
3. They are to deliver the poor and needy, and rid them out of the hands of the wicked, Psal. 82.3, 4.  
4. They are to remove violence and spoil.  
5. They are to execute judgement and justice.  
6. They are to take away exactions from the people.  
7. They are to see that there be just weights and measures, saith the Lord; see if it be so, Ezek. 45.9, 10.    

Justices.  
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgement, and do justice; do judgement and justice, and it shall be well with you; the Lord requireth that they do justice, and be merciful, and to walk humbly before the Lord, Mic. 6.8.  
The true Judges was to be men that feared God and hated covetousness; and they was to judge righteous judgement, without partiality or respect of persons, and they were not to take bribes, but to do it freely; and likewise the Justices was to be the same, and to do justice, to take off oppression and violence from the people, and to see that they had all in equity and justice.  
Now when they did pervert the ways of the Lord, he was displeased with them, and sent forth his servants the Prophets to cry out against them; They are to do it freely, and to let the cause of the poor come before them, and to judge without any respect of persons in righteousness; 
Mic. 3.1.  but when they did it for money, it was odious to the Lord. See what Micah saith, in the 3 of Micah; Hear, saith he, I pray ye, O ye heads of ●●rael. It was Israel his own people that had forgot his Laws; It is a dishonour to the Lord, to have those that profess love to him, and those that had the Statutes and Ordinances committed to them, for to break his commands, and disobey, and cause his name to be evil spoken of, by those that made no profession at all; well might they be forgetful of him, and live in wicked imaginations, when those whom he had made himself manifest unto, in so large a manner as he did, which had the Statutes and Ordinances committed unto them, and had a rule given forth of the Lord to walk by, and had such large promises given forth, that if they did abide and keep in his Statues and Ordinances committed unto them, they might enjoy those things promised: but they waxed great and rich, and then forgot the Lord their God, and the laws and statutes which was committed to them, and so the Lord was displeased with them; for 〈◇〉 ●uch is given, much is required: but they forgot the Lord, and broken his statutes and ordinances; and yet professed love to him, and called him their Father: but, saith he, If I be your Father, where is my honour? and if I be a Master, where is my fear? for a son honoureth his father, and a servant his Master, but ye have dishonoured me, saith the Lord: yet ye say, Wherein? have ye not despised my name, saith the Lord, in offering polluted bread upon mine Altar? They was to bring of the best, and that which was clean, and pure, and they was to bring it freely, and the Priests was to ●ffer it up freely: in bringing the best, they brought their hearts, and ●●●y was to bring it freely, and it was to be offered up, a perfect figure of Jesus Christ, laying down his life freely: and when they did not bring of the best, then the Lord sent his true Prophets to cry out against them; saith he, Cursed be the deceiver, that hath in his flock a male, and offereth up that which is unclean, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord an unclean thing. See Mal. 1.14. the curse was upon them, for so doing; therefore all you professors, and all high, and low; take heed how you do profess love to God and Jesus Christ, and let your hearts be from him, either in your pride, or profits, or pleasures, or preferments, or covetousness, or oppression; for if you profess love to him in words, you which profess him to be your Father, and Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, if your hearts be not wholly with him, your sacrifices are abominable to the Lord, all your praying, preaching, and expounding is but Cains sacrifice, which God doth not accept; for the prayers of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: take heed of hypocrisy, God doth abhor it; for saith he, If ye love me, keep my commandments; and again, My Son give me thy heart. Now if you make never so great profession in words, and do not put it in practise, and walk answerably to it in your life and conversation, it is but hypocrisy, and dissimulation, and God doth loathe it, it stinks before the Lord, your professions in words without actions; therefore take heed of deceiving yourselves in making a profession; profession without possession is but hypocrisy; and saith the Lord, This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do they honour me, but their hearts are far from me: Oh see where your hearts are, are they not in the world? and the Scripture saith, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him; for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but are of the world, the works of the Devil, and are for the fire: The Lo●d is a consuming fire, and he will burn up all his enemies before him: On therefore take heed of dissembling with him; for God cannot endure a dissembler, he loves the upright in heart, in life, and conversation. See where you are, are you not going on to destruction? take heed betime; Oh where art thou? see, art thou not standing by the pits brink? take heed thou fall not in: canst thou see? art thou not blind? thou art abroad running a whore●ng, and the whoremonges God will judge. See, art thou not committing adultery under every green three? dost thou know? where art thou? art thou not a sleep in security? take heed, art thou? canst thou tell? See, there was one that had forgot the Lord, and was going after pride 〈◇〉 is not thine? Oh thou professor, turn again, that is not the way to Sion; tur● in hither, thou hast clear lost thy way: wouldst thou go to Sion? tell me, if thou wouldst, thou must not go with thy friends; canst thou forsake all? It is a narrow way to hit, there is no room at all for to take thy friends with thee: I would fain go to Sion, but I have such a love to my friends; that I cannot part with them; for if I part with them, I shall part with my life; do so, knowest thou not what Jesus Christ saith, He th●● will lose his life for my names sake, shall find it? and he saith, He that 〈◇〉 any thing more then me, is not worthy of me. Art thou willing to 〈…〉 thy friends, and lay down thy life? tell me, if thou be willing, it will be such an exchange as thou art not yet acquainted with, though thou be great, and have many friends and acquaintance, they are not to be compared to the life that is in Christ; I know thou hast many friends, but thou must forsake all, if thou follow Jesus Christ; for there is no room for them there: thou must leave thy friend pride behind thee, when thou interest into the streight way, there is no room at all for it to enter; nay thou must not leave thy friend pride onely, but thou must forsake thy kinsman covetousness, which hath laboured so much for thee among the earth-worms, to fetch in provision for thee, that did refresh thy friend old pride; and thou must leave thy heavy oppression behind, that hath so much tyrannized over thy friend simplicity; but simplicity shall go on the way with thee: but old neighbour guile, he cannot come near within a mile, he is a wanderer, and thy friends envy, hatred, anger, and malice, they are murderers, and they are for the fire; and thy friends pleasures and wantonness, they are for the sword, and all old acquaintance, as lying, swearing, and foolish talking, which was thy companions for pastime, thou must leave them also, and thy beloved fashions, and ancient customs which thou hast been so long breeding and training up, they must be left, and all thy darlings; as thy customary hearing of Sermons, and thy old friends thy companions that went along with thee, and thou must take thy poor despised friends, patience, an● meekness, and long suffering; for thy friends, thy customary hearers, and formal professors, and time-serv●●s, they will hate thee, and persecute thee: and old Pharaoh before he be willing to let thee go into the wilderness, will oppress thee, and set ask masters over thee, to cause thee to make brick without straw, to be subject to their earthly carnal wills: Be of good cheer, the Lord will sand out his servant Moses, his servant, for he is faithful, and he will execute true judgement, and justice upon him, and pour forth the Vials upon him, and there shall be darkness over all Egypt; but thou wilt find light in Goshon, and the Lord will sand his Angel to go before thee, to led thee through the Egyptian Sea of confusion, and troubles, and bring thee into the wilderness, where thou shalt hear a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk in it: and see that thou mind thy guide, when thou art in the way of the Wilderness, to follow it, lest thou by looking about thee, there to see the rage and envy of venomous beasts, be clouded and lo●● thy way, for ●here will be great danger of it: take heed of looking behind thee, when thou art got into the wilderness, lest thou lose thy guide, and then cannot find the way out, and so be ready to turn into Egypt again; if thou do, the curse will come upon thee, and thou will find nothing but torment and trouble there. Now that the light is risen among the Israelites, they see gross darkness over all Egypt: and Pharaoh, he fumes and frets, ●nd says, Who is God, that I should obey him, to let the people go? If I let them 〈◇〉 ●hall lose my honour and my greatness; for they labour for my lust, 〈…〉 ●ave my desire satisfied by them: and there are many Egyptians 〈…〉 ●lood, that have been brought up in pleasures, and had great 〈◇〉 Egypt by these bondslaves; and If I let them go, we can● 〈…〉 ●nd our honour will not be upheld; but I will go and give authority to some lofty spirited men, that is of an high descent, like unto myself, and before I will let them go free, I will give them the most part of their increase that they labour for, and they shall get up into an high place, and stand over them, and they shall be compelled to be under them: for I will take away their straw before, and make them labour the harder; and before they will be utterly desolate of livelihood, they will labour night and day, and so we shall keep them in subjection to us; for if they be not sore oppressed, they will not matter for us: but come, my Task-masters, take a command, and go; I'll give you authority: have not I power in mine hand to enact and give forth Laws, for all to be subject to my will? Go, take with you words, and say, Thus saith Pharaoh, As for this fellow Moses, I will not meddle with him, he comes to take you off from your work, and make you to idle; but I'll not hear him: you must fulfil your tale of brick, and see that there be none wanting; for Pharaoh hath given us authority over you, and now that we have got authority for him, as for this Moses, we care not for him: keep to your work, and stay, and hear us, give heed to our words: you were idle before, and cared not for us, because you had your straw provided for you; but now must you provide it yourselves: we will have our wages on you, that our master doth allow us, for we are men that have spent most of our time in the Egyptian studies, and we can speak that language very well: and it hath pleased Pharaoh to give us large benefits, which are able to maintain us, and now we will make you stay at your work, for we are men that are set in authority by our master Pharaoh, and he doth now allow us our wages: before you go into the wilderness, we will make you to abide here with us; for if we should have let you go with this Moses, we should have lost our benefits which we did receive by you: but now you must abide the bitterness of it. If you had been willing to have letten us been your masters, and so have laboured in the earth for us, ye might have had a little more liberty then now you are like to have; for now we have time enough to speak to you, for that is our work, but you must labour hard now for pharaoh is waxed proud, and high, and he must have a maintenance from you; and we are his servants, set up by him, to keep you to your work, and when it is ready, reap us the tenth part of the best of your labours, and we shall take it into us, and then we are to have part of every thing that you make use of besides, for we must be som●●●ing suitable our master, that he may have praise by us, for you are to 〈◇〉 subject to us, therefore keep to your work, and labour hard, that you may make us great and rich: for if we had letten you alone, you would have followed this Moses, but now you must be obedient to our master pharaoh, therefore labour hard. So the taskmasters 〈◇〉 ●●ypt kept the Israelit●● a great bondage, after that the Lord had sent his servant Moses, to b● pharaoh let them go free, and when they was so sore burdened, then 〈◇〉 came again from the Lord to speak to Pharaoh, but he would not hearken unto him, till the Lord poured forth his plagues upon him, and the● he called for Moses again, and bad him pray that the Lord might remove the plague from him, and then he would let them go: but when the plagues was removed, he forgot the Lord again, and kept them in grea● bondage, by tasking of them, and the cries of the poor oppressed ones ●ame before the Lord, and he sent his servant Moses again, but Pharaoh would not harken to him, any longer then the pl●gues were upon him, and afterward he hardened his heart, and grew exceeding proud, and kept the people in great slavery, by his proud and prattling taskmasters, that he had set over them: but when they would not obey the Lord after so many times sending forth his servants to show them signs and wonders, that they might repent, and forsake the evil of their doings, and let the oppressed go free; when nothing would prevail, he then came with his strong hand, and streched-out arm, and slay all their first born, and that did something tender them; yet they was so proud, and high spirited men, and men that had lived in so much pride, and pleasures, and idleness, and was maintained by their labours, that when they saw the Lord would have them from under their commands, and that they might be likely to lose their honours, preferments, and high places, they was sore moved with envy, wrath, and malice, that if they could not have them to be their slaves, they would after them, and they would go show all their valour, and fight against the Lord, that if they could conquer him, they might be Lords over all the earth: but the Lord was so full of mercy, that he would have had them to have obeied him, and to have letten the people go with him, and that they might have lived in the land where they was; but they would strive with their Maker, and would not harken to him, till they were all overwhelmed in the water: so the Lord made his power known in the deliverance of the Israelites; And secondly, in the destruction of the Egyptians. It is hard for all the proud and lofty spirits in the world, to fight against God, as daily they do, by seeking to suppress his own work, in the hearts of his poor people: It is better for them all to sit still then stand up in the height of pride and envy, to seek the Israelites blood to spill; for the Lord will make his power known, and all the crowns of envy, pride, and oppression, and cruelty must be thrown down, and he will rule as King above, because they will not do their word, as by their works they do profess, to take the burdens off from all that are oppressed; they that profess to love the Lord, must let their mercies run abroad, that he may be set up and honoured, and take the burdens off from all the people, and love their enemies, and feed the hungry, and cloath the naked ones; as Christ himself did teach 〈…〉 followed him, and for to live in love one with another: ●u● saith he, See that you bring forth much fruit, and glorify my Father: the Lord doth look to have all those that profess love to his name, to be as he is, that his name be not evil spoken of; he is just, merciful, and exceeding loving; and he would have those that do profess him in ●ords, to be the same in actions, else they do mightily dishonour him, and cau●● his name to be evil spoken of; he looks that they should be fruitful, ●oving, and merciful, and not to say they do love him, and profess to be ●●s people by their words, and by their actions deny him; for he doth not ●ay one thing and do another: he loves faithfulness and uprightness in heart, life, and conversation; he hath shewed man what is good, and what he requireth of him, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before him, and to live in love with one another, to do justly, and take off oppression, and to show mercy towards all people, and to walk in humbleness of heart before him, and to do freely; for all the gifts of God are free and large, and he is very loving and bountiful, and now he looks for fruits, not in words, but in actions; but it is not so among them that profess to be the people of the Lord, yet in their actions deny him; for the true Church of Christ was loving and tender one to another, there was not any among them that lacked any thing, they was of one heart, and one mind, there was no cruelty executed amongst them: the true Church of Christ is to be as he is, holy, and harmless, pure, and peaceable, and to be in subjection to him that is head, even to Christ, and to keep his commands, they that love him do obey him, and abide in his doctrine: Jesus Christ and his Spouse are both one, he is the head, and his Saints are the body, and the Spouse must be in subjection to him, and obedient to him in all things; as Sarah obeied Abraham, and called him Lord, & the wife is subject to her husband, so the Church is to Christ: Christ is the head, they are the body, and the body is guided by the head: Christ is the head in all things, and the Church is subject to Christ, for he is not without the body, and they are not without the head; so Christ and the Saints are one, and as he is, so are they, they are bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh; the Church is the love of Christ, and Christ is the love of the Church: as he is, so are they, all love, united together into one; even into the Law of the Father; the Father, Son, and Saints, make but one perfect Christ, I in them, and they in me, as thou Father art in me. Christ gave himself for the Church, that he might present it to his Father without any spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish: and the Church of Christ is sanctified and cleansed with the blood of the Lamb, and it is covered with the robes of righteousness, and made perfect through his holiness, being all glorious within, and the head of it is love; and Christ: and the Church is all one. But the Church of Babylon is an Harlot, and rides upon the scarlet coloured Beast, and professeth love to Christ; but lives like a Whore; for she is committing fornication under every green three, and playing the Harlot with many lovers: The Church of Christ is glorious within, and so the Whore of Babylon is glorious without, riding upon a painted Beast; a Beast is that which is not in the truth● and yet professeth to be by words, but in actions walk contrary, satisfying the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, lusting after pride, and lusting after covetousness, and lusting after honours, and after pleasures, and wantonness, and yet profess love to Christ; and can speak fine wor●● painted with the words of Christ, and with the words of the Proph●● and Apostles, but lives in the wicked Imaginations of their hearts, 〈◇〉 the Beast; and the Whore is one, and are united together, to 〈◇〉 pleasures and wantonness upon earth, being married to pride, and profits, covetousness, and oppression, and grinding the faces of the poor, and the head of them is envy, wrath, and malice; and if any speak of the love of Christ among them, they are so full of envy and wrath, that they persecute them to death, and yet profess to be the Spouse of Christ too: but Christ and his Spouse is one in love, and tenderness, and pity, and compassion, and they are united both into the divine being of the Father: and as the harlot is out of the divine nature, married to the lusts and pleasures of the world, so Christ and his are taken up into the full enjoyment of the Fathers love, and they loathe pride and covetousness, malice and envy, wrath and deceit, and oppression, knowing that all unrighteousness is of the devil. And as the Church of Christ is all glorious within, and covered with the righteousness of Christ, and contends for the faith that was once given to the Saints: so the Church of Babylon is all glorious without, but the inside is full of rottenness, and filthy hypocrisy, and secret envy, and hatred, and secret subtlety, and dissimulation, and yet makes a profession of God, and of Christ: but their ●●ll, doth appear daily more and more, and their secret abominations are discovering daily; and as the Saints are covered with the righteousness of Christ, the worlds Church, they are covered with unrighteousness: and in stead of contending for the faith in his purity, they contend altogether for the deceit, that they may uphold the kingdom of sin and Satan, and live altogether in pride, and oppression, and lust, and excess, and so makes themselves manifest by their fruits, that they do not live in what they do profess.