THE DECLARATION OF JOHN ROBINS, the false Prophet, otherwise called the Shakers' God, and Joshua Beck, and John King, the two false Disciples, with the rest of their Fellow-Creatures now prisoners in the New-prison at Clarkenwell: Delivered to divers of the Gentry and Citizens, who on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last resorted thither to dispute with them: With the Citizen's Proposals to the said John Robins, concerning his Opinion and Judgement, and his Answer thereunto: Together with his Prophecy of what is to come to pass this year, 1651. & the strange things revealed to him: his Religion, Principles, and Creed: as also his blasphemous Tenants, in attributing an inspiration from the Holy Ghost: with the manner of their Diet, and his Woe pronounced concerning all those that drink Ale. By G. H. an Earwitness.   4 scenes representing the supposed activities of the Ranters or Shakers: Two men in hats pointing to a man and woman kissing; A man in a hat standing on a barrel preaching to a crowd of men, women, and children; Three men in hats sitting at a table; a man in a hat holding a musical instrument while a group of men, women, and children dance naked 
This is the way  
I will deliver you.  
We are all Shakers'.  
Play Music  
London, Printed by R. Wood, 1651.   

To all that desire the Truth.  
Courteous Reader,  
HAving been an Eyewitness of the deportment and carriage of M. John Robins, Mr. Joshua, M. King, and the rest of their Fraternity called Ranters, now prisoners in the new prison at Clarkenwell, through the importunity of certain friends, I was desired to present to public view the true Character of the various Opinion & Judgements of these persons, which are three: And first, for Mr. John Robins, whom the parties cited in the ensuing Tract acknowledge to be their God, and only Redeemer; but he utterly denies the attributes thereof, saying that there is no other God, but the Creator of Heaven and Earth; and that by the merits of his most glorious and blessed Son, he hopes to be made partaker of eternal joy and felicity; for (saith he) Jesus Christ died for all, and he is the substantial cause and means for all, and that all men may be saved if they will, and that every man hath a will to come; but will not come, so that the cause is in themselves that they are damned.  
A second sort there be that say, That Christ died for none but for the Elect, and that none but the Elect are saved by the death of Christ.  
But that which is the most saddest, and of great astonishment, is, The blasphemous Opinion of John King, and his Associates, who deny the Godhead, and blessed Trinity, acknowledging no other Lord and Saviour but John Robins, whom they honour and worship; as will more evidently appear by the ensuing subject.   

A Declaration of the several Tenants, Opinion, and Principles, of Mr. Jo. bins, the new Prophet, and the rest of his Fellow-creatures, now in safe custody in New-prison at Clarkenwell.  
ON Saturday the 24 of May, 1651. John Robins, and the rest of his Fellow-creatures had a meeting in Long-Alley in moorfield's, where the Right Worshipful Justice Hubert having information thereof, immediately sent his Clerk, and certain other Officers to the said place, who apprehended them, and brought them before the said Justice; and after examination, Ordered that they should be committed to safe custody, and accordingly were sent to New-prison, where divers Lords, Knights, Ladies, Citizens, and others, daily frequent, to dispute and converse with them; And amongst the rest, one M. Alexander (a Oxford Student) on Friday last in the Afternoon, gave them a visit, who entered into discourse with the aforesaid John King, and asked him, Whether the Report abroad was true, That they acknowledged John Robins to be their God, and (his Wife) Mary Rob●ns, the Virgin Mary, and the child conceived by her (for indeed she is very big) to be Christ, He answered, Yes, all this I verily believe, for this man whom you call John Robins, is God, He is both King, Priest, and Prophet, he is that Melchesedike formerly spoken of, and is n●w come to reduce the world to its former condition, as it was before the fall of the first Adam. Alas! replied M. Alexander, I pity your condition, these are mere delusions of Satan, and may be put in the same balance with that of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to sacrifice to Idols, and to commit fornication, Rev. 2. 14. Well Sir! this is but one Doctor's Opinion, said John King, smiling: Yes Sir, It is truth, and flows from the pure fountain of Holy Writ: I beseech you give me leave to instance a few precedents: Well Sir! proceed. In Queen Elizabeth's Reign (said M. Alexander) the like erroneous Opinion sprung up, which you now assert, & divers there were, that accounted one Hacket to be their God; and amongst the rest one Ardingworth took upon him to proclaim him Christ in ●heapfide, where they were both apprehended, and soon after Hacket received sentence to be hanged on a Gibbit near the Standard where he belched forth these blasphemous words, O thou God of Heaven, come down and save me, or else I'll rend thy Throne asunder; and so miserably died. But at the same instant of time, it pleased God to work a sudden change in the heart of Arthingworth; for he became a pure Convert, and died a worthy penitent.  
One thing more hath happened, which is very remarkaable, and is an evident symptom of God's displeasure against Ranters; Wherein I shall declare, the last words of one Mr. Underwood, now a Reformado in the Lord General's Regiment, but formerly Cornet to a Company of Dragoons; which words were written from the said Cornet Underwoods' own mouth (at his own request) by Captain Clare, a Reformado in the same Troop with the aforesaid Underwood; and sent by the  Captain Clare, to Lieutenant Empson. This Underwood having been a notable companion with those people which are vulgarly ca●led Ranters, who maintain certain dangerous and unheard of (till of late days) tenets, tending to the destruction of their poor souls; being troubled in conscience at his wicked ways, after he had made this following recantation, fell into a slumber, and within half an hour after died.  
M. Alexander having ended his conference with J. King, he went into John Robin's chamber, and after a short salute, asked him, Whether he was the God of those creatures, that so attributed him to be: He replied, No, I am but a mortal creature as you are, only I have received many Revelations from the Holy Ghost, and am inspired by the blessed Spirit. Another standing by said, This woman affirms that you are God, Hang her (replied he) she is damned: whereupon the woman fell down on her knees trembling, to the great astonishment of the spectators, and had no power to rise, until her Prophet gave her command to stand up: whereupon M. Alexander stated this question, How have you power to cast down, and raise up, unless it be by some satanical art, and abominable Witchcraft: He replied, All Arts come of the Devil, but mine proceeds from inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Then said another Gentleman standing by, Why do your followers term you the third Adam? To that I answer particulary (said he) in the behalf of myself. So I am, for these reasons. The first Adam was made a living soul: the second, a quickening spirit, and in this law stands all the council of God the Father. The first, the servant of Death appointed: The second, the Son of life thereunto fore-ordained. And I am the third Adam, that must gain that which the first lost. Alas! this is no sound Argument (said Mr. Alexander) I pray Sir, what belief are you on? I believe in God the Father (said he) the maker of Heaven and Earth, and I believe in the communion of Saints, and the resurrection of the dead: What can you have more? I pray clear the room, for I am now called to some private meditation; and so the dispute ended.  
Their food is only bread and water, although they have plenty of moneys to buy other provisions.  
This Robins being asked the reason why he would drink no Ale, answered, Because it was not of Gods making: it is the drink of the Beast (said he) a poisonous liquor, and woe be unto all them that drinks it.  
On Thursday last, divers of the Gentry resorted to John Robins in their Coaches, and having access into his chamber, after some questions, asked him whether he was the God of the Shakers': His Reply was, Is there any necessity that I must resolve you? It was answered, That some of the Gentlewomen desired to be resolved therein: They shall have satisfaction immediately, and with that he pulled a paper out of his pocket, and presented them with it; a copy whereof followeth:  
WHereas I John Robins, do at this very instant lie un●er the censure of the people to be the God of the Shakers', and their only Lord in whom they put their trust in; I do here declare in the presence of Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, That I am free from assuming any such power or Title to myself, being but a mortal creature as you are; only I have received the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and have had great things revealed to me, and am now sent to call the Jews to conversion, which will be accomplished this present year, 1651. As for humane learning I never had any; my Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, comes by inspiration. And so grace and peace be with you all, Amen.  
JOHN ROBINS.  


The Names of the Shakers'.  
John Robin's Prophet.  
Joshua Beck.  
John King.  
Gabriel Smith.  
John Langley.  
William Welch.  
Marry Robins.  
Marry Wenmore.  
Marry Arthingworth.  
Jane Thwait.    
FINIS.