A Brief Representation AND DISCOVERY Of the notorious falsehood and dissimulation contained in a Book styled, The Gospel-Way confirmed by Miracles.  
Published by Nicholas Ware, and Matthew Hall, for the use of the Church of Whatfield in Suffolk. BEING The substance of the Informations, and free confessions of Anne the wife of the abovenamed Matthew Hall, (formerly called Anne Wells) and others, taken before Brampton Gurd●n Esquire, Justice of Peace of that County; and now (not without the same Justice his consent) set forth, for public satisfaction concerning the same Book.  Jer. 17.9. 
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?  Judas 17, 18, 19 
Remember the words of the Apostles— that there should be mockers in the last time— walking after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.  
Imprimatur. Edm: Calamy, June 4. 1649.  
LONDON, Printed by J. L. for Philemon Stephens, at the gilded Lion in Paul's Churchyard. 1649.   

To the Reader.  
Reader,  
THis ensuing Relation might sooner have been exposed to public view, had not the different Affirmations of some of the parties therein concerned, (for a season) retarded the same; but those obstructions (being by mutual discussion) removed, thou shalt find nothing therein related, but what in substance the same Parties (before a Justice of Peace) have seemingly yielded to be freely divulged. Which affirmations are methodically penned, and distributively set down in this following Treatise: Together with a brief collection of the most material passages contained in the book styled, The Gospel way confirmed by Miracles, which Book it may be, thou hast heard of, though not seen or read: All which (by the consent of that Justice) are now published to no other intent, then to reduce wand'ring sheep that decline their careful and painful Shepherds, to run after the voice of strangers: and likewise to be instrumental in restraining others from such unwarrantable Straggling; lest, they receiving not the truth in the love of it, from the mouths of God's Messengers, be deservedly given up (as these Parties were) to believe Lies uttered by seducing Impostors. If that which follows effect not this only aim; yet (if the Light of Conscience be not totally extinct) those dreadful threatenings of the Apostle cannot but work upon ingenuous Spirits, namely. 
Heb. 6.4, 5, 6.  * That those which have once tasted of the heavenly gift, and the Powers of the world to come, if they fall away, it is impossible to renew them again by repentance: As God cast down the Angels that sinned, drowned the old world, and burned Sodom for their uncleannesses: So his infinite Majesty knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of Judgement to be punished. I shall detain thee in the Porch no longer, but leave thee free passage to that which followeth; only, that the Relation following may attain its forementioned end, shall be the daily suit and request of him, who desires to approve himself  
A Real friend to thy precious soul, T. J.   

The Preface.  
THe Serpent at first beguiled Eve, wounding the man with his own rib; since (finding that way prevalent) he hath used the same Method in all ages of the Church. Josephus observes, that the Pharisees had their Gynacea, Colleges or meetings of women; and Jerome, that Martion had his female forerunner; Apelles, his Philumena; Montanus, his Maximilla; Donatus, his Lucilla; Elpidius, his Agape; Priscillian, his Galla; Arrius the Prince, his sister; and generally all Arch-heretics, some strumpet or other, by whom they spread the poison of their heresy. Eusebius notes, that Simon Magus had his Helena that wandered to and fro with him, and was termed the principal understanding: of the like practices, Paul speaks, 2 Tim. 3.5, 6.8, 9 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith: But they shall proceed no further; for their folly shall be manifested unto all men, as theirs also was.  
The same part doth the Devil act in these times, and in this thing, instigating these impostors, to make use of this female deceiver, for the propagating of their Errors. The confession of Anne Wells, compared with others, of her Anabaptistical society, do evidently declare the things contained in that book, called, The Gospel way confirmed by Miracles, to be but juggle and collusions. That they may be the better understood, something shall be premised of her former, and something of their later practices, being those things briefly, which are contained more largely in that book.  
She was born and brought up in Stoke by Nayland in the County of Suffolk, of very mean parents; she was always (though able of body) indisposed to labour, and therefore (as since it appears) attended unto the Ministry of the Word, and pretended great trouble of conscience for some years together, that she might be pitied and relieved by others. When those among whom she lived, suspected her trouble was not real, because (though she frequently made a show of hanging and drowning herself) she seldom   


raise up some in the room of Hall and Ware, to perfect the work of God: A member present, interrupts her, and desires she may have liberty to call over Anne Wells in the name of Jesus, which being done, she recovers.  Margaret, and others, came to this Anne Wells, saying, they were more confirmed now then ever, acknowledging her dream to be a 
b They say, Anne Wells made them believe she had a discovery from God, that they were coming back, and that the book was begun to print: which was so.  discovery.  
About a fortnight after the return of the aforesaid Ma. Hall, and Nic. Ware, this Informant saith, that she did counterfeit a dead fit; and Ma. Hall speaking to her, as formerly, in the name of Jesus, and she receiving no benefit, he then confessed to her in private, that it was revealed to him at London, that she should not be perfectly recovered of those fits, until she was 
c These inform, that the marriage was carried on by a pretended Revelation from Anne Wells, as a thing tending to the work of God: this discovery was made to her about the 4th day of the week that she must be married to Hall, and it must be dispatched upon the next first day without delay: the suddenness of which (they of Whatfield say) was opposed by them: then arguments were brought by them for it, that they had been in a work of God together, and so were still; and that they were to travel together: and put it to their judgements, whether it were not better to be married, then to travel single: they did also urge the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca: and that of Samson, Judg. 14.  married unto him. Accordingly they were married the next Lord's day, in John Pods' house of Whatfield, by Nich. Ware, in the presence of their members; who then told them, that he found nothing in Scripture concerning marriage, but only giving and taking: then ask the people whether they were willing the match should go forward, he joined them together. The same day after marriage, (as she informs) Ma. Hall her husband was taken very sick, and throwing himself upon a bed in the room, pretended himself to be in a strange condition, his legs seeming very stiff: until Nic. Ware had called over him in the name of Jesus, upon which he rises up. This was done, (as she saith) that the marriage might be confirmed to be of God: though afterward he (the said Hall) confessed unto his wife, (as she informs) that this was only to delude the people.  
She further informeth, that the ordinary subject of their preaching, was chiefly about love, the personal reign of Christ, etc. affirming, they needed not to preach 
e The seduced people of Whatfield do acknowledge, that their Pastors taught indeed, it was needless to preach faith and repentance to their members; but yet they preached it to the world, as they occasionally did come in among them.  faith and repentance, the foundation being already laid: and she further saith, that in all their discourses, they never fail to rail against the godly Ministers, as Antichristian, and preachers of false doctrine; and that none are admitted to be a member of their Church, before public profession made to hear none of them, except purposely to cavil against them, and disturb them: backing it with this Scripture, Withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly; applying this to the Ministry of the Church of England: further saying, they do maintain false worship.  
About a month after the marriage, Nic. Ware had a 
f They acknowledge such a Revelation, but it proceeded (say they) from Anne Wells, who tempted Ware to lie with her, saying it was revealed to her, that she should have a child, which should be borne at three month's end, and at a year old should speak with tongues, and then they should all speak with tongues: and that if he had no part in the child, he should have no part in the promise.  Revelation, that this Anne Wells (now Halls Wife) was a Type of the Church of the Jews, her husband of the Gentiles, and he the said Ware a type of Israel, and that Judah and Israel should be all one flesh, as well as spirit: and looking into the Bible, and finding in Esdras, that women had untimely births, that spoke with tongues, he told her, that she should have a child within three months, which should at a year old speak with tongues; but not unless he might have the carnal knowledge of her: whereupon, she asked her husband how she should yield to him, her husband bade her be willing; for if it were for the glory of God, why should she withstand it. The night following, Ware (lying in another bed where she and her husband lay) came to bed to them, but had not his desire of her, although her husband thrust her several times towards him, and bade her be willing. The next morning she said that she was much troubled, because Ware had lain in the bed with her, telling her husband, that he should never do the like again: whereupon her husband said, he should not; for it was revealed to him, That, as when Abraham was willing to offer up his son Isaac, God accepted the will for the deed; so he being willing that one night to offer his wife to the said Ware, God had accepted the will for the deed, and it should be so no more: whereupon, acquainting Ware with the said Revelation, Beware smote upon his breast and wept, saying. What, shall I lose another wife thus?  
This Informant further confesseth, that it being told them, that they should come into trouble for their delusive book, called, The Gospel Way confirmed by Miracles, Nic Beware brought this Scripture, when you are persecuted in one city, flee into another: accordingly this Informant and her husband, and the said Ware, went to Woodbridge: where it was 
g 
Those of Whatfield inform, that it was Anne Wells, that pretended she had it revealed to her, that there was plotting in the Army against the honest party, to destroy them, and then England should be destroyed; and therefore it was discovered to her, that they must go into Holland three years and an half: she said further, that she was a Type, and to that end, had fine habit bought her, that so she might be admitted into the Jews Congregation: being come thither, she and her husband wrote a letter to the Church of Whatfield, that she could understand the Jews language, and that the Jews spoke the true language, but mixed: The Copy of which letter follows, as it was taken out of the Original.  
Dear sister, my kind love to you remembered, hoping of your discerning spirit in the things of God: I shall send you a few words concerning my hearing of the Jews: I could understand them, and see abundance of God: they speak the true language, only mixed. And concerning brother Beware you know in many things already, I might have found them to be true by experience, which have caused a sad burden to me and my husband, it being the cause of one tempest: so now desiring your prayers to God for him and me, lest it hinder the work of God: and now desiring you to consider my condition in spirit and body, for my burden is very great, and I have no work I can do. So in haste, desiring to hear from you with all speed; by the Post at London, (you may send to Rotterdam every week) with my prayers to God for you, I rest,  
Your sister in Christ, Anne Hall. Dated at Rotterdam, Octob. 29. 1648.  
Postscript.  
You may send by any, and let no body see this letter.  
They inform further, that in the time of the absence of Ware, Hall, and Anne Wells, they sent an Epistle to the Church of Whatfield: the original copy of which, is here set down in their own spelling English, letter for letter, as followeth:  
An Epesele to the Church of Whatfelede.  
UNto the Church at Whatfelede, beloved of god, called to be Saints, grace, mercy and pease be multiplied unto you; our love in the Lord commended unto you: we are bound to give thinks to God always for you, and destringe you may gr●●●w to perfecktion, for 〈◊〉 we beware presante with you, we dead indener to exhort you, and now being absent, we deffer you that you would exhort one another daily, and endeavour to quicken the grace of God in you, and intreating you that you would walk worthy of the gospel where unto you are called, l●●●eringe is kept the unity of the spirit in the band of pease, and the God of pease shall dwill in you, and among you; and ferder we entreat you to stand fast in the leberty of the gospel wherein Christ have 〈◊〉 you fire, not suferinge yover selves to be mesled by int●●●nge words, for you cannot be ignorant of the confermationes you have had in the 〈◊〉 of God, by that mighty power of God manifested among you by sins and pericles, you ha●●●i●ege more case to rejoyse then any in the world: though for the preseante you may sufer by Satan or his instruments, who will labere to darken that lights, that ha●e sh●●● fo●th among you, whom reses●e steadfastly in the faith; for which case if you be called to sufer, for you know that Christ have sufered before you, and the servant is not grater then the Master, and allsoe you have a grate cloud of wetneces who have gone before you as valiente Conquerors threw Christ that strenthened them; what if Sathane should cast some of you in preson, or take away your life, you have a life in Christ fer better, and we know that god will strenthin you woe will be with you in all your suferinges, for it is not you that sufer, but Christ in you, for it is for his sake: therefore let not the rage of men, nor the temptation of Sathen frighte you nor desharten you, or Case you to draw back, for if you do, the Lord will take no pleasure in you; for you may know that this is no place of a bideinge, for we are as pelgrumes and strangers, and hour in heritance is not here, but in the world to come: and we seek a Country, let us not faint nor be wary, but be ye faithfule unto the death, and Christ shall give you a Crown of life: and you must know, that the days of trouble is at hand, for the Lord hath a Contravercy with ingelande, and they contemning his love, they must drink deep of the Cupe of God's anger, and their abominations ripen apace, and god will cut them down, and that shortly; but seek ye judgement and righteous, it may be you may be head to the day of the Lords anger; and you that are the Elders home God have Called to that place, we entreat you that you loocke over the family of god, which he have perchased with his blood, strenthininge the weak, and comforting the feeble, and reproving those that walk desorderly, and we, as hour duty is, shall pray, that god would supply all yover wants, and strenthinge that work that is begun in you, until the Coming of our Lord jesus Christ.  
Brethren and Sisters, we salute you all in the Lord, with an Epesle of love, destringe your perfection, as you are hour Epesele written in hour hearts, and we shall reioye to hear of your walking together in all things well plesinge to god, and destringe that he would fallen you with all joy in spirit, & coe remaye your pasters to Command,  
Nicholas Ware. & Matthew Hall. and Anne his wife, salute you all in the Lord.   Revealed to the said Ware, that this Informant (being a Type of the Jews) should go into the wilderness; and that she should have Earrings, and jewels, and costly apparel, such as the Jews had: which were accordingly bought for her at Woodbridge, by Ware and her husband. Their money being spent, Mat. Hall went thence to John Pods at Whatfield; and (as he told her) he reported there to the Church, that it was discovered to him, that the members should maintain their Pastors in their travels, whereupon he obtained three pounds, with which returning to Woodbridge, he told his wife, that he had gained that three pounds by telling an untruth; with this, and other moneys her husband had procured of his friends, they went all three of them into Holland, (which they termed the wilderness) where (as the said Ware alleged) they should continue the whole three years and an half. At their coming to Rotterdam, an Englishman presented them with a quart of sack and Suger-cakes, and other dainties, which (they said) was a confirmation to them, that this Informant was a Type of the Jews, in regard that as the Jews had gifts presented to them, so had she.  
But after they had been in Holland three weeks, and all their money was spent, they bethought themselves of their returning into England, and at the end of seven weeks they were returned: and this Informant demanding how three years and an half could be made up of seven weeks, her husband reckoned every fortnight for a year, and the odd week for half a year, and so made up the three years and an half.  
After their return from Holland, this Informant further saith, that meeting with one Sudbury Deekes a Member of Whatfield Church, (whose wife liveth at Hadley, and he with one Goodwife Webb of Briset) he told her, that more miracles had been wrought in her absence, by himself, and one Henry Hagur, another member of the said Church, (who hath one wife at Norwich, and 
h They say that Hagur was first contracted by promise, to one living at Norwich, and afterward married to another, that lives now in Holland.  another wife in Holland) and instanced in one Miracle wrought upon Goodwife Pod, who was miraculously cured of a great pain in her Chest: And the said Goodwife Pod did likewise tell this Informant, that when the said Deekes spoke unto her, she had much ease; but when the said Hagur said unto her in her pain, In the name of Jesus, Sister arise and walk; then she was fully cured of that pain. The other Miracle was wrought upon Goodwife Webb, who was miraculously cured of a disease in her Ears, called the Weennes, (as she told this Informant) upon their calling over her in the name of Jesus: but they have both (since the discovery of the falseness of their book, called The Gospel way, etc.) denied any miracles to be wrought upon them; though formerly they had acknowledged it to this Informant.  
This Informant doth further declare, that she having a brother, a poor boy, about 15. years of age, her husband procured for him a red gaudy 
i They inform, that this suit of apparel was sold to them by Hall, before he went into Holland, and after his return, Hall requested it again of them, because (as he said) it was discovered to his wife, that her brother must have that suit, being appointed to pour out a vial, spoken of in the Revelation.  suit of apparel, having it revealed to him (as he said) that this boy should do some strange things.  
Thus for a time they went on smoothly in their wickedness, blessing themselves, and making others believe (by their horrid delusions) that they were even miraculously blessed by God, in these most accursed practices; until God's wonderful patience (which though it be often long bearing, yet will not be ever bearing) could no longer bear with these notorious impostors: his righteous soul, in seeing and hearing, being vexed from day to day with their unlawful deeds: which he would now suffer to proceed no further, manifesting their folly unto all. For God (who in his infinite Wisdom, never wants means to bring about his ends) so ordered it,  

k The seduced people of Whatfield, fully agree in this information about this breaking out among them, that it was thus occasioned by her dream, as she relates: and further in form, that upon examination before them, Jan. 23. 1648. there was so much beastliness, uncleanness, & unheard of wickedness discovered and brought to light, (viz. that before marriage she counterfeited a pain in the lower part of her belly, which by Revelation Ware, and Hall must cure, by touching it, in the name of Jesus. As also after her marriage to Hall, that Ware did sundry times lie with her, which (as they inform) he hath testified to them with his own hand; with much more notorious villainy) which they say they tremble to relate: as being altogether unfit for a sober pen to write, or a modest eye to read; for it is a shame to speak of those things done by them in secret. Hereupon (they said) they dealt with them according to the command of Christ.  That upon January 16. 1648. this Informant Anne Wells (as she further confesseth) had a most terrible dream in the night, that the day of Judgement was come, and that the balls of fire fell thick about her ears, to her great terror and affrightment. When she awoke, she told this dream with abundance of horror to her husband; further telling him, that if she did not discover those notorious falsities and dissimulations contained in their late book, called (The Gospel way, etc.) she should go to the Devil: all that day following she lay in a sad despairing condition, still confessing their delusions. Then Nic. Ware was sent for, to whom she affirmed, that she must now declare, that all that was done, was but delusion. In this perplexed condition she continued for the space of 4 days, before Ma. Hall, or Ni. Ware, (to whom she had discovered herself) would declare it unto any, hoping to smother it; but when they could conceal it no longer, (her horror of conscience still continuing) it was made known to other of their members: hereupon the Church (she saith) was called together: the whole business was examined, she acknowledged, that sundry unclean practices (called by them the Bawdy Miracles) were acted upon her by Hall and ware; (which though confessed upon her information, yet are judged unfit to be turned into public expressions to any modest reader.) Her husband much displeased at the carriage of this business, frames complaints before the Church against her: among other things, informs the Church of Nic. Wares lying with her, alleging, that she had committed whoredom with the said Ware; and hereupon, did, in the presence of the Church, disown her for his wife.  
This Anne Wells being thus cast off, both by her husband, and the Church, she was necessitated to return to her poor mother at Stoke; where being taken notice of by the Inhabitants, as one likely to become presently chargeable to the Town, (being, as she confessed, with child) she was brought before the next Justice of the Peace, before whom she (upon her free confession) gave in these abovementioned Informations, relating to the proceedings of the seduced people of Whatfield, together with the most remarkable occurrences, during the time of her entertainment among them: hereupon, her husband appearing with many members of the said Church of Whatfield, (who laboured, as much as shame would let them, to clear both him and Beware their Pastors,) it was ordered by the Justice, that this Ma. Hall should take care to provide for his wife: which he showed much unwillingness unto. But when he saw there was no other way, but he must either suffer, or secure the Town of Stoke aforesaid; upon some private consultation with some of the said members then present, he was counselled by them, to own her before the Magistrate, though he ran away from her presently; which advice he accordingly followed: for engageing before the Justice to take her home, and maintain her as a wife, the very same evening returning homeward together, he ran away, and left her in the open fields.  
Thus have I as succinctly and impartially (as a relation of this nature would admit) drawn up the most material passages, (and as near as might be in their own words) concerning these Diabolical practices, collected out of their own Informations taken before the Justice; (without any prejudice to the persons of any) aiming only at God's glory, and the prevention of others from being led a way with such Satanical Revelations and delusions, forsaking the written Word of God, which should be a light to our feet, and lantern to our paths: desiring all to whose hands these papers shall come, seriously to read over, and deliberately to ponder these following Scriptures, Esay 8.20. To the Law, and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no LIGHT in them: again, 2 Pet. 1.19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a LIGHT that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: and to name no more, 2 Pet. 3.17, 18. Ye therefore beloved, seeing ye know those things, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ; to him be glory both now and for ever, Amen.  
FINIS.