A Testimony of God, And his way, and worship against all the false ways and worships of the World.  
Also an answer to some of the false Doctrines held forth, by a professed Minister, in Wales; showing the unsoundness of his former actions, and is found to be one, in the nature of the World; which sometime he hath spoken against.  
WITH An answer to some Queries; propounded by one, who is called an Anabaptist.  
Given forth for no other end, but in love to the truth, as it is in jesus:  
BY ALEX: PARKER.  
LONDEN, Printed for Giles Calvert, at the West end of Paul's, 1656.   

A Testimony of God, and his way, and worship, against all the false ways and worship of the world.  
GOD is pure and holy, and loves righteousness, and his worship is a pure and a spiritual worship, not known to the world that lives in wickedness: the world by all their wisdom and study cannot find out the mind of God, neither do they worship him in spirit, but are wondering and worshipping the Beast, who have not found their names written in the book of life, and though they make a profession of the name of God, yet are aliens and strangers from the pure life and power of God, and so are climbing up another way and building up Babel, (a Tower to reach up to Heaven in their Heathenish and Babilonish wisdom) where there is nothing but confusion and strife, one crying lo here is Christ, another crying lo there, one crying up his way to be the only way, and counts all accursed that are not in his way, and so the second cries up his way, and so all the world lies in confusion and wickedness, strife and debate, and though many have long been seeking after God, yet have not found him, because they sought him not in his own way. Which is pure for ever; but by their own wit and wisdom have gone about to know and find out the mystery of the Kingdom of God, & so have walked & gone on in the crooked ways, and by paths of the world, and have despised that little thing within, which is the light of Jesus that shines in the midst of all this darkness, and reproves them in secret for their evil deeds, and shows them their confusion, and oftentimes bring them to a stand, and some sense or feeling of the deadness and emptiness of all their profession, and of their tottering building which is builded upon the sand, and cannot stand in the fiery day of the fierce wrath and indignation of God, and when they daub up themselves with smooth words, crying the ordinances of Christ, and the Church of Christ, and the righteousness of Christ, and faith in Christ, and though they be wicked and sinful, and must be so while they live, yet Christ doth not impute their sin unto them, they are justified in Christ, though they sometime run into sin, and thus would make Christ a cloak for their sin: yet still the light of Christ testifies against them, and all their coloured and painted outside, and talking of justification, without holiness of life, will not bring them peace, but still there is a cry after God for purity, and reproves them for their sin and iniquity, and no peace there is to the wicked, as long as they act contrary to the measure of God, all their profession and high notions, and glorious comprehensions and guilded outsides, is but like unto Adam's figleaf garment, and will not cover their nakedness in the dreadful and powerful day of the Lord, the wicked shall be as the stubble, and shall be consumed root and branch, all their crying Lord, Lord, will not avail them in that day, all their sermons, reading, praying, and the like (being found workers of iniquity) will do them no good, but this dreadful sentence from the Lord will be pronounced against them, Go cursed workers of iniquity, I know you not, depart from me, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Consider of this all you carnal and formal Professors, Priests and People, who talk so much of the name of God, drawing near unto him with your lips and with your mouths, but your hearts goes after your covetousness and things of this world, which comes to an end and withers and fades away, and pleads against the power and purity of Godliness; saying, none can ever be made free from sin nor perfect in this world, but must continue in sin or sin in him while he lives, and so have made a Covenant with hell and with death, and no longer time will serve the devil your master whole servants you are, as long as you live in sin) but term of life; What will ye answer the Lord in that day, will then a distinction serve you, that you have not sinned unto death, or that your sin shall not be imputed to you? Shall not then the witness of God in your own conscience, which all along hath testified against you, for your ungodly practices and reproved you for your secret evils? Shall it not stop your mouths and you shall stand speechless, and shall be made to confess that God is just, and your condemnation just, who in your life time have rejected his counsel, and cast his Law behind your backs, and have turned his grace into lasciviousness, know this assuredly, this will be your portion at the latter day, for God is just and will render a just reward unto every one, according to their deeds done in the body whether they be good or whether they be evil; They that have improved their talents and done well, shall enter into the Lord's joy: But those who have slighted the Lords free love, which is freely tendered and have been careless and negligent and have not improved, their talents shall be cast out from his presence, and shall have their portion in the lake of utter darkness, where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth: and this shall be the condemnation of all the world who hate the light, that Jesus Christ hath enlightened them withal, and love their evil deeds better than the light: For this is the condemnation of the world, (not because light is not come,) but that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, and so all the world lies under condemnation who are in the sin and evil and deny the light, which gives the entrance into the Kingdoms of Christ, which stands in righteousness, and no unrighteous one can enter, for no entrance is made but through the death of sin, and there is no death nor freedom from sin, but only by the Son of God, there is no way but by him, no salvation but in him, no separation from sin nor reconciliation to God, but only by the Son o● God, who is given of the Father a Covenant of light into the World, who doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, and by this light is the Devils work seen, and by faith in him who hath given the light is the heart purified and the conscience purged from dead works, and so the devils works comes to be destroyed, for, for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might destroy the works of the devil; and the works of the devil are in the heart; for in the time of the night the devil the enemy of man, he hath wrought his works in the heart of man, and so hath wrought and begotten him into his image, to do his work, and so man becomes a servant to the devil, bringing forth fruits of unrighteousness, and this is all done in the heart, the devil having gotten possession, and sits and rules as King in the heart of man; and there is the ground of all sin, it a riseth out of the heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked from thence ariseth pride, envy, wrath, malice, murders, drunkenness, lying, swearing, adultery, fornication, covetousness, persecution, tyranny and oppression, and all other evils whatsoever they have their ground and rise from with in out of the heart, for there is no man tempted of God, but every man when he is tempted he is drawn a way of his own lust, for lust is conceived in the heart, and after it is conceived it brings forth sin, and sin being finished brings forth death, and the ways of sin is death: and while sin lodgeth and is regarded in the heart, it defiles the heart and separates from God, and all the prayers and sacrifices that are offered up unto God from an impure heart, are abomination to him; all outward shows and outward cleansing, will not avail nor bring peace, as long as the ground and root of sin remains within, for it is the heart which the Lord requires, as it is written my Son give me thy heart; so it is an inward work that every one must know and witness, if ever you know true peace, and rest, for as the devil's work is within in the heart and defiles the heart, so must the work of Christ be within likewise, for the destroying of the devils works, and for the purifying of the heart, for this is the mystery which hath been hid, and is hid from all wisdom of the flesh, and from all vultrous eyes and venomous beasts, and reveiled to the Babes and Lambs of God, who have laid down their Crowns at the feet of the Lamb, and have denied themselves and the pomp and glory of this world, and do bear the daily Cross and despised the shame, and do love and walk in the light, which the world hates, and thereby are led out of darkness, and the ungodly practices which the world lives in: into righteousness and peace to exercise a good conscience towards God and towards man; and this must every one own, if ever they own the living God, or a pure conscience where the Mystery of faith is held, they must own this light to guide them in the exercise of their consciences: for this light is the eye, whereby a man comes to see himself and the root and ground of sin, and until man comes to own this light he never comes truly so see himself, and so is far from denying self, for first a man must see himself before he can deny himself, and the light it is, that let a man see his sin, and that he is driven from God, and out of union with God, because of his sin: and it is sin that separate from God, and breaks the peace with God, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; all have gone astray (we ourselves even as others) and have been wand'ring as Sheep without a Shepherd, but the Lord of Hosts is risen; and hath sent forth his Son even Jesus Christ the true Shepherd, who is gathering his Sheep into the fold where they shall lie down in peace, and none shall make them afraid; and if the Son make you free, then are you free indeed, but no freedom there is but only by him, whose blood washeth and cleanseth from all sin; and whereas it is sai●, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; This was spoken to a condition before confession, as is plain to the Children of Light, for saith he, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: he doth not say from part but from all, and this they witnessed who were in the light, and hath fellowship with the Father and the Son, as is written, God is light, and in him is no darkness at all, he that saith he hath fellowship with God and walks in darkness, is a liar, and doth not the truth; But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin; and him we witness, even Jesus Christ the everlasting Covenant of God, who makes free to the utmost all that come unto God by him; and we testify against all those that oppose the pure doctrine of Christ Jesus, and says, none can be fully cleansed from sin while they live upon the earth, and so would make the blood of Christ of none effect, which (whosoever walketh and abideth in the light of Christ, his blood) cleanseth from all sin, for whosoever abides in him, sins not, he that sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him, and this the Scripture declareth, and I bear testimony and set to my seal that it is true, for he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous, and he that commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning: but whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God, and in this are the Children of God made manifest, and the children of the devil, 1 Joh. 3. etc. He that is born of God is the Son of God, and the Son of God doth not commit sin; and except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, for the first man is of the earth earthly, and minds earthly things, his joy and treasure is there, in things that are below, delighting in the visible things, his heart is there, his care and labour is for the things of this life, what to eat, what to drink, what to put on, how to become great in the earth, and by his earthly wisdom which is from below, (which is sensual and devilish) he is plotting & contriving to get great possessions, and to compaste the earth to get himself a name in the earth, but cannot be satisfied, when he hath compassed one piece of ground which he coveted after, presently the lust runs out again and covets more, but is never satisfied, and in this state man is an enemy to God, and the thoughts of his heart are evil, and that continually, and notwithstanding many times a true sense and feeling of his sad and miserable condition is arising in him, and the witness of God reproving him and calling him from his abominations and whoredoms, and many times brings him into some trouble, yet he sleights his love and hates the reproof and goes on in his rebellious ways, and so treasures up to himself wrath, against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God, who will render a just reward unto him according to his deeds, and here lies all the ungodly world, driven from God, out of his Covenant, out of his peace, out of his presence, out of his pure love and spiritual worship, and are loving and delighting in and worshipping the creature more than the Creator: But the Saints and holy men of God, who came to witness redemption and were in Covenant with God, and faith of his Son, had passed from death to life, and they had put of the body of sin, and the old man and his deeds, and were created anew, being born again of the eternal word, which liveth and abideth for ever; and their hearts was purified, and their consciences purged from dead works, and their bodies made fit Temples holy and pure for the Lord God to dwell in, and there was his worship, in the spirit, in his holy Temple, where there is no need of Sun Moon or of Candle, but the glory of the Lord fills the Temple, and this they witnessed who were redeemed from the earth, and were in Christ Jesus, where there union, joy, and fellowship was, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumsition, nor uncircumsition Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all; and the same is the Lord our God, now working and bringing to pass even by his own power and outstretched arm is he getting himself the victory, what we are, we are of and by him, he alone it is that worketh in us both to will and to do, by his own power made manifest in us, and worketh mightily in us, whereby we are made willing to do his will and work, and this is all by his Son, who of God is made wisdom, justification, sanctification and redemption, he is made unto us all things, and through him we can do all things even through the Son of God, whom we know is come, and hath given us an understanding to know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ, who is our life, our joy, our stay and strength, by whom we are freed from sin, and from our vain conversations, which formerly we lived in; who hath broken the bond of iniquity, and set the oppressed free, to praise and glorify his name, who alone do praise him, the dead cannot praise him, it is the living, the living that praises him to whom be everlasting praises and glory, world without end, Amen.  
So I say and declare that if any man say he hath no sin before he come to confess his sin, and to witness the power of God cleansing him from his sin, he doth dec●ive himself, and the witness of God in his own conscience will testify against him and be his condemnation: But where the living power of God is made manifest to purify and cleanse, and to destroy the works of the devil, to burn up and consume the old heavens and the old earth, which is cursed and brings forth cursed fruits: I say where the old is destroyed, and the new heaven and the new earth witnessed, wherein dwells righteousness. Shall we deny the work of God? Not far be it from us, but to declare his marvelous works which he hath wrought in our days, to ages and generations to come that they may dread and fear the name of our God, and to others who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, who are wand'ring astray as sheep without a Shepherd, and are feeding upon the husk, and spending their money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which doth not satisfy: freely from the bowels of tender love to their souls, do we declare what the Lord hath done for our souls, that they might return home into the Father's house, where there is bread enough to satisfy the hungry thirsting soul, that every one may eat their own bread, and sit under their own vine, and have union and feilowship with us in our father's love for evermore. So in the name of the Lord I do warn all people who read these lines, to repent and cease from all their sins and abominations, which formerly they have lived in, and from all the false and Idolatrous worships of the world, which a long time ye have followed, and thereby have been deceived and led captive laden with sin, but have not come to the true knowledge of God, but are still in their old crooked and perverse nature, and knows not the Cross of Christ, nor the yoke nor the bridle to the tongue, but are at ease in the flesh, and can speak their own words, and think their own thoughts, and do their own works; I say return, return, and hearken diligently to the voice of the Son of God, which cries for purity and holiness, without which none can see God, that thereby your souls may live, and may feed upon the daily bread in the Father's bosom, which whosoever eats of this bread shall never hunger, and he that drinks of this cup shall never thirst; but it shall be a well of living water, springing up unto eternal life: so every one wait in the measure of light, which from Christ you have received for the appearance of Christ in you, that his life may be made manifest in your mortal bodies: for this is the command of God, This is my beloved Son hear him; and Christ, the Son calls, and says, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, I am meek and lowly in spirit, and you shall find rest to your souls. So all people come freely, his love is freely tendered to you, slight not the tender proffers of his love, but come forth and separate yourselves, and touch no unclean thing and the Lord will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be his Sons and Daughters, mind the pure and still voice, that thereby you may be led into the pure life, and pure union and love of the children of light; for if you neglect such great salvation, woe will be your portion for ever. There over whi●e you have the light believe in the light, and work while it is day, before the dreadful night of darkness come when none can work.  
By one who hath seen the deadness and emptiness of all the formal worships and formal profession that stands in the will of man act d in man's will, who is returned back into his father's house, and there dwells in rest and peace, and hath ceased from his own work; written forth in the bowels of love to captive and weary souls, who have long been tossed to and fro, by following the changeable doctrine of men, but are not satisfied that they may return home into the father's house with me, where they shall find satisfaction and plenteous redemption, where all the Saints are one, and their food one, and have a new name written, which none knows nor can read but those that hath it: and there my name is written in the Spiritual book of life, and they that are there do it read and know. Who am known to the World by the name of ALEX: PARKER.   

An answer to some of the false doctrines, held forth by one Vavasar Powel, who is called a Master and a Minister, and something further occasioned by some conference held with the said Vavasar, in the public meeting place at old Radnor in Wales; showing the unsoundness of his sormation: and to be one in nature and rage with all the Parish Teachers, which he hath so much tried against written for the sake of the simple ones, that they may be awarned and fore-armed to keep out of his snare.  
GReat hath been and is the rage of the world & the professors of truth, against the life and power of truth wherever it was made manifest in former generations, as it is now in this generation against the despised people of God, whom the Lord hath owned, and made his power manifest, whom the scorners that knows not God do call Quakers, especially the Priests, and they who profess themselves Teachers of the Nations, who in their high places utters forth their spite and venom, and incensing their hearts against them, as though they were a people not worthy to live: Amongst whom one who is called Mr. Vavasar Powel, who is called a Teacher, and much set up and adored by the blind Professors in Wales and other parts, who is looked upon to be one above the rest and separated from them, yet in persecution & rage join with them, and exceeds many of them in railing, backbiting, and casiling many false aspersions upon the innocent people and harmless Lambs of Christ, in his high place uttering forth such things as are not fit to be mentioned by any that professes the name of God, much less by one who professes himself a Minister of God. And I being in those parts of Wales, and hearing of his railing accusations against the people of God, in most places where he came, and I amongst the rest of my brothers was falsely accused and slandered by some of his hearers, and I being innocent, and the Lords truth clear from all those things falsely charged upon us was moved of the Lord to go to old Radnor in Wales on the 5. day of the 3. month called May 1656. to stand a witness for the living truth of God against Powel and all opposers of the truth, and that day he the said Powel was found in the steps of the Scribes and Pharisees, whom our Lord Jesus Christ cried woe against, he went up into the high place, and stood praying in the Synagogue as the Scribes and Pharisees did, he is called of men Master, contrary to the command of Christ to his Ministers, who saith unto his, be not ye called of men Master, for ye have but one Master even Christ, and ye are brethren; but Vavasar powel is called of men Master, contrary to the command of Christ, which none of his true Ministers were; and so under the woe. The true Ministers of God had the Spirit of God, and had salt in themselves to savour withal, and they knew who were the true Ministers of God, and who were deceivers even by the Spirit of God that was in them, and they prayed by the Spirit of God. But Vavasar Powel in this is short of the true Ministers; for he in his prayer desired that the Lord would discover and show them, who his true Ministers were, and who were deceivers, and in this thing he is made manifest, and doth plainly appear that he prayed not by the Spirit of God, who cannot discern the true Ministers from the deceivers, and so hath not salt in himself to savour withal, but hath lost his honour and is good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of man, for the Spirit of the Lord doth discern and discover, and put a difference between the precious and the vile, and betwixt the true Ministers and the deceivers; in this he is found contrary to the true Ministers of God. He said and held forth, that every natural man had a fourfold light, but denied that he had any light in him that was pure, to lead him to Christ. He said that all men were wholly in darkness, and nothing at all of the spiritual light in them, (or words to that effect) and yet said that every natural man had a talon which if he did not improve was his condemnation. Now all whose eyes are in any measure opened may see his confusion, for if the natural man have a talon, and the talon be natural, than a natural man that improves his natural talon, may enter into the Lord's joy: as is plain in Scripture, for he that had five talents gained other five, and he that had two he gained other two; and the Lord calling them to account pronounces to them well done good and faithful servants enter into your Master's joy; but the slothful servant who did not improve his talon was cast out, but the talon was taken from him, and given to him that had improved: And in this thing I stand a withesse's against Mr. powel so called, and do witness to Jesus the True Light, the same which john bare testimony of, who lighteth every one that cometh into the world who is pure and spiritual, in whom is life, and the life is the light of men, and his life is spiritual, and so is his light, which the dark world cannot comprehend, for this is the condemnation of the world who love their evil deeds and hate the light: for every one that doth truth, he loveth the light, and brings his deeds to the light, and thereby is led out of darkness by oaths and crooked ways, and so shall have the light of life: But he that doth evil he hateth the light, and will not bring his deeds to the light, because he knows the light will reprove him, and so the light is his condemnation, and is the same and one with that, which is the salvation of the believer: so I say that the light is one in the believer, as in the unbeliever, according to measure as the talents were one, given to the slothful as well as the faithful, and the talents were pure, and those who improved them entered into joy, and he that did not was cast out into utter darkness, but the talon was not, for it was taken from him, and given to him that had, etc. So this is the condemnation of the world and all the ungodly ones who live in ungodliness, they are condemned by the light, for the light is pure, and that which reproves and makes manifest sin, is light, as the Apostle declares, Eph. 5.13. and this light shows sin before the action of it, it shows it in its rise and conception, before it come to action, if there be but an evil thought, or an evil motion, or an evil desire, or any evil intent the light discovers it, and waiting in the light and believing in Christ, who hath given the light, the victory is obtained, for the true faith purifies the heart, and gives victory over the world, and without faith it is not possible to please God, and Paul who was a true Minister of God he was sent to open the blind eyes, (not to bring them eyes) but to open that eye which the God of the world had blinded, and so to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance a mongst them that are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ, and he preached Jesus Christ which was within the Saints their hope of glory, teaching and exhorting every man in all wisdom, that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Col. 1.27, 28. And when Christ ascended he gave some Apostles and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Eph. 4.11, 12. this is the pure doctrine of Christ Jesus, and that which he himself taught, Mat. 5.48. Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect. But this doctrine powel, and all the Parish Teachers do oppose, and so manifest themselves to be Antichrist a 'gainst Christ and his true Ministers, and serve another Master which is the Devil whose work they are doing, pleading strongly for his Kingdom, which stands in sin and imperfection, and says none can be perfect while they live upon the earth, this with them is an impossible thing, but with God all things are possible, and the true Ministers of God believe it and do earnestly contend for this faith, and for their Master Christ and his Kingdom, which stands in righteousness, purity and perfection, and no unrighteous one, nor imperfect one can enter into it, than woe to them that live in sin while they are upon earth, their end will be in the lake of endless misery, and this shall powel and all the Antixtian Babblers one day witness: And powel in words this did preach, that no unrighteous one could enter into the Kingdom of God, and as long as any one sin was alive in any, though never so little the devil could keep them by one, as well as by many bringing this comparison, that if a fisherman had catched hold of a fish, and the fish had broken two of his hairs, yet by one he might catch him; so saith he all sin must be destroyed, and the house clean swept, and afterward he pleaded for sin and said, none could be without sin, nor perfect while he lived (see his confusion) by this doctrine a man must never be without the devil in him, for all sin is of the devil, and while sin is within; the devil is with in. But the true Ministers of God who came to witness Christ jesus and his life and power, made manifest in them, did witness the devils work destroyed, and consumed by his word, which was as a fire in them, and the Ministers of Christ do witness the same now, by the same living power by which the devils works comes to be destroyed, and the Son of God witnessed who makes free from sin, and if the Son make you free, then are you free indeed; and in this Mr. powel, so called, is out of the doctrine of Christ, and contrary to his true Ministers. Further the said powel in the presence of many people, did affirm that the Scriptures were the foundation and ground of Faith; which thing I did deny, and did testify a 'gainst him for blasphemy, and do still affirm the same, that whosoever doth say and teach that the Scripture is the foundation of Faith, is a liar and a blasphemer, and doth lay another foundation contrary to the Apostles, as is testified of in 1 Cor. 3.11. For no other foundation can any man lay, then that is laid, which is jesus Christ, and the same do I witness and no other: and here powel must either confess the Scriptures to be Christ, or else he layeth another foundation, contrary to that which all the holy men of God were built upon, which had faith before the Scriptures were written. Abel had faith before the Scripture was written, and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and many others mentioned and spoken of in the Scripture, they had faith and were built upon the rock, even jesus Christ, who was before Abraham was, and before the letter or writing was, who was before the world was, who is the same yesterday to day and for ever, who is the ground and foundation of faith: And powel, and all the Parish Teachers in England and else where, that says the Scriptures are the foundation, are in the blasphemy and error, and his and their fowdation will not stand in the day of the Lord, which shall burn up their works as hay and stubble, and this shall powel one day witness to be truth to him, and all others who lay another foundation, which is but sandy, and cannot stand, but great shall be the fall of it, when the storm and tempest doth arise; and in this the said called Mr. Powel is contrary to the true Ministers of Christ, and the Scriptures shall be a testimony against him and his blasphemy, who sets the Scriptures in the place of Christ, which only testify of Christ, but are not Christ; and the Scriptures declare of the foundation of faith jesus Christ, but the Scriptures are not the foundation Christ Jesus, neither did any of the Ministers of Christ ever call the Scriptures the foundation and ground of faith; but witnessed and declared Christ to be the Author and the finisher of their faith, and the rock and foundation which they were built upon, and the same do I testify of, even Jesus Christ, who was from the beginning, and the same to day and for ever, who was the rock in former ages, and the ground of their faith, and the rock of this age, and so the rock of ages, and the ground and foundation, and the Author, and finisher of our faith, to whom be all honour and glory of and from all that know him for evermore.  
And further as I was speaking of the word of the Lord, and its power and effect, and that the Holy men of God who came to witness the word of the Lord, than knew it not by hearsay from others, but by its powerful operation in them, by which word their hearts was purified and cleansed, which word was within them as a fire to burn up and consume the works of the devil, and as a hammer to break the hard heart, and this word was not far of, as the Apostle testifieth, say not in thy heart who shall ascend up into Heaven to fetch Christ from above, or go down into the deep to fetch him from below, but the word is nigh thee in thy heart and in thy mouth, and this is the word of faith that we preach, Rom. 10.8. and this word was within them, and wrought powerfully in them, which they witnessed to be quick and powerful sharper than a two edged sword; and those who know not this living and powerful word within them puts the letter for the word and calls that the word; and when I spoke these words, the said powel said unto me, Is not the Scriptures called the word of God? And then I said unto him, is it the word of God (for it hath long been called so by ignorants, that knows not God and his word) and he affirmed, and said it was, and was put to prove it, and he brought two places of Scriptures, but neither place did say that the Scriptures was the word of God, but declared of the word: and then powel said to his hearers, we will leave them hear, they deny the Scriptures to be the word of God; and some of his hearers were very ready to receive it, and cried out they deny the Scripture; whereupon I spoke to them and wished to be moderate and hear with patience, and do not accuse falsely. That because we cannot call the Scriptures by the name of Christ, do we therefore deny the Scripture? No, far be it from us, to deny it, for if I should deny its testimony, I should deny my own life; and I said, I own it to be a true declaration of that word that was in them that spoke it forth, and it was the word of the Lord to them and in them that spoke it forth; but for ungodly and unholy men to talk of their words, and not live in their life, are thiefs that steals the word from their neighbour; and some of the people said, was it the word of the Lord to them and not to us? And this they would not hear; and then I instanced some Scriptures to them, how that the word of the Lord came to the true Prophets, and they spoke the word of the Lord as they had received it from the mouth of the Lord; and after it was spoken forth, the false Prophets stole the true Prophet's words, and they said, thus saith the Lord, when the Lord never spoke to them, and so run when the Lord never sent them, and therefore they did not profit the people at all. And this further I say, that as it was then even so it is now in these our days prond men, and covetous men, heady and high minded men, and men that follows pleasures and are lovers thereof, more than lovers of God, and envious men, and men of strife and railers, backbiters, slanderers and false accusers, and such like ungodly and unholy men, have gotten the Scriptures, the good words which the holy men of God spoke forth from the holy and pure word of God, which was within them, which was (and is) spiritual and invisible, and endures for ever, such ungodly men aforementioned, have gotten the declaration, and are talking of the fame of God, but are strangers to the living life and power of God, and they faith this saith the Lord, or hearken to the word of the Lord as you shall find it written in such a chapter and such a verse; and so use their tongues and say, the Lord saith (as the false Prophets did) when the Lord never spoke to them, and so have gotten a form of godliness, but want the life and power, and leads silly (men and) women captive, laden with sin and led away with divers lusts ever learning, but never able to come to the true knowledge of God: so I say that many may have the Scriptures (which were given forth from them who knew the voice and word of God) and know not neither have heard the voice of God nor his word, but only the sound or frame of it: for the jews who had the Scriptures, Moses writings, and the Prophets, and could speak much of them, and often heard them read, and yet Christ tells them plainly, they had neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape, for they had not the word of God abiding in them for whom the Father had sent they did not believe, and there Christ himself calls them Scriptures which testify of him, but he doth not call them the Word of God; for if they had been the Word of God, than the jews had heard the word of God, but Christ tells them they had not at any time heard the voice of God, neither was the word of God abiding in them: as it is written, joh. 5.37, 38, 39 etc.  
And now a few words concerning the word of God, from Scripture testimony which the Holy men of God spoke forth, and so witnesses to the same eternal word, which I bear testimony of, which was in the beginning before all time, by which the Heavens and the earth were made, and are upheld by the word of his power, as it is written, joh. 1.1, 2, 3. Psal. 33.6. Heb. 1.3. And the word of the Lord is spiritual and endures for ever, it is as a fire and as a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces. The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, and pearces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, 1 Pet. 1.23.25. jer. 23.29. Hebr. 4.12. But the Scriptures or writings were nor in the beginning before all time: but were since the beginning in time, neither were the Heavens made by the Scriptures, not are all things upheld by the Scripture, neither do they endure for ever; but they are visible and in times passed away, but the word of the Lord which the Scriptures declare of, is spiritual, and shall endure for ever: The Scriptures or writings are not as a fire, but with fire may be burnt, as jeremiah his roll was burnt, but the word of the Lord cannot be burnt, for by the living word another Roll was written: The Scriptures or writings are not as a hammer, but with a hammer may be beaten to pieces, neither is the Scriptures quick, nor sharper than a two edged sword; but they are dead, and with a two edged sword may be cut to pieces, behold your ignorance you carnal Professors, whose understandings are so dark, and your eyes so blind that you stumble at noon day, and so cannot put a difference between the precious and the vile, nor between the living word and the dead letter, but sets the letter in the place of Christ, as Vavasar Powel doth, who calls the Scriptures the Foundation of Faith, and the Word of God: when plain Scripture doth testify against him, and witnesseth Christ to be the Foundation and the Author and finisher of Faith, whose name is called the Word, of God, Heb. 12.2. Rev. 19, 13. Many other Scriptures I might bring that witnesses of the Word of God, for all the whole Scriptures being given forth from the word, declare of the word, and so they are called by the Ministers of the word, Luke the first.  
But it hath been a common thing amongst the Professors of our time, because we do not, nay dare not set the Scriptures in the place of Christ, nor call them by his name, to accuse us for denying of the Scriptures, but their accusation we do deny, and let our lives and conversations which we live in Christ Jesus, be witnesses for the Lord and for us herein, and I appeal to the conscience of all the honest hearted in the nation to judge, whether those who talk so much of Scripture, and calls it the Word of God and their Rule to walk by: and they themselves live in pride and covetousness, strife and envy, wrath, malice, stubborness and crossness, backbiting and speaking evil one of another behind their backs, foolish jesting, idle communication, vain sports and pleasures, and in the customs and fashions of the world, little or nor at all differing from them in any thing but in words, which things the Scripture testifies against or those who live in the fear of God in meekness and humility, and cannot fashion themselves according to the world, nor use the vain customs and traditions of men, who cannot bow to the rich, nor respect the persons of those who were the gay clothing and the gold Ring, no more than the poor man in the vile Raiment, which of these doth deny the Scriptures, those who talk of them, and live not in the life of them: or those whose lives and conversations are according to them, let the wise in heart Judge.  
A. P.   

An answer to some Queries given to my hands, which were propounded by one who goes under the name of an Anabaptist, living in Shrewsbury.  
SOme Queries I have received from one who subscribes his name Richard Stephens, wherein he saith the intent of his writing is to be better informed in things wherein he is not satisfied. But in the Light of Jesus he is comprehended, and seen to be of that Generation, who cried up the Commands and the Ordinances of God, as Temple, Sabbath, Circumcision, Priests, Sacrifices, Scriptures and the like, and said they were of Abraham, and God was their Father, and they builded the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnished the sepulchre of the righteous, and condemned their forefathers, saving, if we had lived in their days, we would not have killed the Prophets, and yet these crucified the Son of God, and they did not believe in him, who was the light, the Covenant of the Father, the sum and substance of those things which they upheld, which were but figures, tips and shadows, yet in their time Commands of God, and were to be observed and kept, yet those who had these outward Commands, did not believe in the Light, but were by (Christ) the Light cried woe against, and those who believed in the Light and followed Christ, denied those outward Commands, and had no Scripture for it, but the testimony of the light within them; which was a hard thing in those times to deny the Commands in the letters; for the Jews and Chief Priests had Scripture to uphold them; and counted the Apostles deceivers, and a cursed people that knew not the Law: But by the mighty power of God they were carried on and witnessed against the outward Commands, and cried against them that upheld them: and witnessed the Commands of God, and the worship of God in the spirit; and their body's wa● Temples of the Holy Ghost, and God dwelled in them; so the new Covenant they witnessed the Law of God written in their hearts, and the spirit put in the inward parts, which was their guide in the spiritual worship, and these denied those things which once were Commands of God, which were outward and typical, and it was no breach of the Commands of God to them, but obedience to the commands of the Spirit of God in them, by which they witnessed against the shadows, and witnessed the substance: And a generation there is now (of which this man that gave forth these Queries is one) who hath gotten the good words (the Scriptures) and painted themselves over with a covering, like the spirit, but is not the spirit; and these cry up the Church of Christ, and the ordinances of Christ, and condemns the Jews their forefathers for crucifying of Christ, and yet they are found in the same nature, who deny the light and counts them deceivers and a cursed generation who are in the light, who (with the light) deny their imitated Churches, and taken on commands, which it no more but a will worship, and a self righteousness which stands in the will of man, which is as filthy rags and as menstruous ; seen they are and comprehended in the light of Christ to be under the woe out of the Covenant of our God; and here is the ground of all the sects and opinions and the many Religions: Man living in his will, and professing the Scriptures which came not by the will of man, but contrary to man's will, here man in his will is giving his pr●vate meanings and interpretations, and one he gives one meaning to the Scriptures, and sets up a Religion and a worship of God, according to his meaning, and conceiving from the letter of the Scripture in his will; Another he gives another meaning, and sets up another worship and a Religion, according to his meaning and conceiving from the Scriptures: and so a third gives his meaning, and so are divided into many sects and opinions; and these are the Babel bvilders, one building up a wall, and another daubing with untempered mortar, and these are out of the faith and union of the Saints who walk in the light, and have union and fellowship in the spirit of love, written in one another's heart, and so are all of one heart: But the other who stands in their wills, and imitates and takes on commands in their own wills, as their imaginations thoughts and conceivings leads them, are not all of one heart, but are divided, and some sprinkle water on the face of a child, and calls that Baptizme; and others deny that, and are dipped over head and ears in water, and calls that Baptizme, and then they call themselves Believers and Saints, and so run to the letter of the Scripture, and reading with a wrong eye, are still in confusion, and more and more divisions there is a mongst them, some are called free-willers, or that hold general redemption (that Christ died for all) and some are called particulars, that hold that some are ordained to salvation, and some to condemnation before they have done good or evil, and these deny one another and hold one another accursed, yet all are dipped in the water: some are divided about that which they call the Lords supper, and about breaking of the bread, some will break it themselves, and some will eat it as a supper; some will sup before they eat it, some will have it in an upper chamber, some are for laying on of hands, and some will not: and many other things there are which breaks their union, and thus they are divided in Babylon's Kingdom, tearing and rending one another like dogs and swine, falling out about the husks. But the Saints who are led by the light of the Son of God (out of Babylon) into the fold, do feed upon the bread of life in the Father's house, where there is no want, but fullness where the presence of the Lord is enjoyed, and the holy and innocent ones who are washed and cleansed in the blood of the Lamb, rejoice in his presence who are Baptised into Christ and have put on Christ, whose hearts are purified and conscience purged from dead works, these are Christians: But to sprinkle water on the face of a child doth not make it a Christian, or to be dipped over head and ears in water doth not wash and cleanse from sin; for he is not a Christian which is one outward which hath the name only, neither is that the Baptizme which is outward with the water: But he is a Christian which is in Christ a new Creature, and Baptizme is that of the spirit, having the heart sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water, and this Baptizme I own and witness unto, and deny all imitator who have not a command from God, as they had that gave forth the Scriptures. Yet this I say, if any one now have a command from Christ to go and Baptise with water: or if any out of tenderness of Conscience do such a thing, I do not deny it, nor judge them for it: But I was not sent to Baptise but to preach the Gospel, and it is no breach of Christ's command, nor denying his ordinances in not Baptising, not being commissioned by him to Baptise, for it is neither dipping nor sprinkling, or not dipping that avails any thing but a new Creature, so to deny that which was a command of Christ to some, being but outward, it not being a command by Christ unto us, is no breach of Christ's command, no more than it was in the Apostles in denying the outward commands, as Temple, Sabbath, Circumsition, and the like, which were commands in their time and place, and we own them, and all the commands of God mentioned in the Scriptures by the same spirit which gave them forth: which spirit was the Saints Rule before the Scriptures were written, and their Rule who gave forth the Scripture, and the Saints Rule now according to the Scripture, owning all things in their time and place as the Scripture declares of, and though we be counted as deceivers, yet true, it is no more but what the Ministers of Christ undergone from that generation, who were high in knowledge as doctors, chief Priests and learned Rabbis, yet by all their learning and Scripture knowledge they knew not the mystery, but counted the Cross of Christ foolishness; as it is now by this generation of Scripture learned ones and university men, by all their learning and study the mystery of Godliness they know not, but counts them an ignorant people to whom the Lord hath made known himself in measure, and reveiled his secrets unto, and counts them as a people not worthy to live; I say amongst that generation that cries up the commands of Christ in words I find this man querying without. But for the simple ones sake who desire to be satisfied, I have written this in answer to his queries, that their minds may be informed, and from the darkness they may be turned to the true light of lesus, which opens the dark understanding and leads out of darkness to follow Christ in the pure path of life, which whosoever follows shall not abide in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  
Query the I. Whether you do own the New Testament with the Epistles of the Apostles unto the Churches, to be a true testimony of the spirit of the Lord, yea or nay: And if they be whether were they not given forth as a Rule unto the Churches to walk by, and if they were not given forth as a Rule, then wherefore were they given forth, and what use were they of unto the Churches?  
Answ. The New Testament we do own and witness, which is the Law of God written in our hearts, and the spirit put in the inward parts, whereby we are gathered together into the fold, and are fed with living refreshments in the bosom of our Father's love, which spirit was and is a Rule and guide unto the Saints, and thereby are taught of God in spirit, and do worship him in spirit, according to his promise, which promise is now fulfilled and fulfilling to his praise and glory, to whom all glory belongs for evermore: And the Epistles of the Apostles to the Churches we own to be a true testimony given forth from the spirit of the Lord, and was the word of the Lord in them and to them, to whom they were written for the edifying and building them up in their most holy faith, which faith was within them, a mystery held in a pure conscience; and their Rule and guide was within them, and all that was written or declared by the holy men of God, it was to bring them to the pure worship of God within, in the spirit.  
Qu. II. Whether the Scriptures be of any use unto any people now in this generation; and if they are then whether the Ordinances therein contained, be to be practised by such a people as believe in the Lord jesus with all their hearts, yea or nay? And if they are not to be practised then when and where were they abolished.  
Ans. The Scriptures are not of any private interpretation, neither (came by) man's will, but holy men of God spoke them forth as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and they are of use, for they were given forth to be read to be believed on to be practised and fulfilled, but not to make a trade on, nor for ungodly men with their vain and proud minds to talk on, but let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity, and as iniquity is departed from, and the fear of God placed in the heart, it keeps the heart clear, and so the pure wisdom from above, is received into the pure heart, and the pure in heart are blessed and shall see God who is light, and the Ordinances of God are seen in the light and led into by the light, but the darkness cannot comprehend the light, nor all the wisdom of the world, and such puts darkness for light, and light for darkness, and calls the ordinances and traditions of men the ordinances of Christ, and so would make the word of God of none effect by their traditions; for they are the Sons of God who are led and guided by the Spirit of God, and such denies the shadows who witness the substance, for if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances: God is a Spirit, and his ordinances are spiritual in the Gospel Administration.  
Qu. III. Whether or no they are not blessed that do observe to do all the Ordinances and the Commands of the Lord Christ therein contained, yea or nay, and if they are then whether are not they a cursed generation of men, that do not observe to do them, but to teach men to break them.  
Answ. They are blessed that do observe all the Commandments of the Lord Christ, that they may have right unto the tree of life, and may enter in through the gate into the City: But to that in thy conscience do I speak, art thou one that dost observe all the Commandments of the Lord Christ, art thou brought to yea and nay in thy communication, art thou brought to do to all men as thou would have them to do unto thee? Doth not something in thy conscience testify against thee, and let thee see the contrary? If any one sue thee at the Law and take away the Coat, let him have thy Cloak also, dost thou obey this command, or dost thou not rather go quite contrary, instead of letting him have thy Cloak with thy Coat, would not thou go to Law with him before he should have thy Coat? To that in thy conscience do I speak; if one smite thee on one cheek, dost thou turn the other, or would not something in thee arise to smite again? Search and examine, and if upon search thou be found a transgressor, than art not thou one of the cursed generation that dost not observe to do all the commands of the Lord Christ; which those whom thou art smiting & warring against through the operation of God working in them, are able and brought to observe, & are of the blessed generation, to whom all the promises of God are due.  
Qu. IU. Whether there be any other Gospel then that which was declared and testified of unto the world, by Christ and his Disciples, which is left upon record unto us in this our generation in the Scriptures of Truth, yea or nay? And whether this that you declare be the same that Christ and his Apostles did declare unto the Saints in their generation both for matter and manner?  
Answ. There is no other Gospel but that which was declared and testified of by Christ and his Disciples; and the same Gospel do we preach and no other, which is a mystery not known to the world, which cannot be contained in a book nor written in letters, for that which is written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and john, is but a declaration, and that may be bought and sold for money: But the Gospel cannot be bought and sold for money, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes, and those that witnessed the Gospel were freed from sin, and had remission of their sins: But many have the Scriptures, but have not the power of God, but are alive unto sin; and here thou hast much manifested thy folly and weakness, who would have the Gospel contained in a book, which all the books in the world cannot conteyn; which Gospel and glad tidings is now witnessed by the Children of Light, free pardon of sin by Jesus Christ, who is come to take away sin; Glory and honour and everlasting praises to his Holy and dreadful name for ever.  
Qu. V Whether the Apostles of Christ which wrote the Epistles unto the Churches, and the Saints in that generation had not as much of the light of Christ within them as any have now in this generation, yea or nay? And wherefore were the Epistles written, or did the Apostles writ needless things, or thy did they not only call upon them to mind the light which was within them?  
Ans. Concerning the Apostles and the Saints, having as much of the light of Christ within them, as any have, now it little concerns thee or any one else, I leave it to him from whence all light comes, who is the same now as ever, and changes not, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, and gives to every one light, according as it pleaseth him, which light the Prophets, and Apostles, and Holy men of God, did witness in them; from which they writ, and did not write needless things, but exhorted to take heed to the light which was within them, which was and is a mystery: we have also a more sure word of Prophecy, unto which ye do well to take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; The word is light, and the word was within them, nigh in their hearts; the Law is light, and the Law was within written in their hearts; the spirit is light, and it was within them to whom the Epistles were written; and the Kingdom of Heaven is light, and it was within though not comprehended in the earthly and dark wisdom of man; and Christ Jesus is the light, and this was the mystery which was hid from ages and generations, which was within the Saints, their hope of glory: and thou and all the world that denies the light of Christ within, and stumbles at the light, are strangers to the Covenant of promise, and art without God in the world in the sin and disobedience upon whom the wrath of God abides: and thou cannot escape the judgements of God, nor ever come from under the curse until the light thou dost own to guide and lead thee in the way which is pure, out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God.  
Qu. VI Whether such men who walk up according to the testimony of the Scriptures in the life and power of them, according to the measure of light they have received; and yet through the weakness of the flesh do commit some sin, though not wilfully, whether you can pronounce such men children of the devil yea or nay?  
Ans. Those who walk up according to the Scriptures in the life and power according to the measure of light they have received, are kept from the sin abiding in the light, for he that abides in the light sins not; he that sins hath not seen him neither knows him: he that doth righteousness is of God, and he that commit sin is of the devil, as the Scripture declareth.  
Qu. 7. Whether all men and women that have forsaken the rule of the Scriptures, and have betaken themselves to walk by the light within them, are made presently perfect from sin upon their owning of the light within; and so cannot sin any more while they live in this flesh.  
Ans. The Scriptures are not forsaken by those who own the light, but with the light the words are owned: and all those denied, who talk of the good words and profess the Scriptures to be their rule, but live not in the pure life, but walk contrary to the Scriptures; and as there is a waiting in the light, there is a growth up from strength to strength, and from glory to glory until the perfect day: But those who live in the flesh cannot press God, whose faith is not perfect, but is reprobate concerning the faith of Christ, and such cannot believe that ever they shall be made perfect or free from sin while they live upon the earth; and without faith it is impossible to please God.  
Qu. VIII. Whether or no the first Resurrection spoken of Revel. 20.6. be in this life yea or nay? And if it be whether hath all that walk by the light within them part in the first resurrection so soon as they own that light; and if they have then whether or no is it not possible that they may forsake the light, and walk in darkness, and so come to cast of the second death, which they that come to partake of the first resurrection shall never cast of; or is not the testimony of that place of Scripture true?  
Answ. Concerning the first resurrection spoken of Rev. 20.6. it is not in that life that thou lives in, which gave forth these queries: But those who dwelled in the light, and were in the faith had passed from death to life, and in the new life it is known which is in Christ Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, on such the second death hath no power, and such hath part in the first resurrection, and are blessed: But thou hast wronged the Scripture, and so it shall be a witness against thee, which testimony is true witnessed by the same spirit that gave forth the Scripture.  
Qu. IX. Whether or no that body of flesh of Christ that suffered at jerusalem upon the Cross, which Joseph of Arithmathea begged of Pilate, and buried in his own sepulchre, risen again the 3. day after it was buried, whether the same body of flesh be now glorified in Heaven with the Father.  
These few Queries I have written unto you who are called by the name of Quakers, I have not written them to any particular person of you, but to whomsoever of you shall be free to give me an answer of them in particular in truth, according to your understanding in them, I have not written them in any intent, but only to be better informed in things wherein I am not informed in things wherein I am not satisfied from him who wisheth good to all and hurt to none Richard Stephens.  
Answ. In this query thou art disputing and querying about the body of Jesus, as the devil disputed about the body of Moses: But it is a mystery hid from all dark understandings who hate the light that comes from Jesus, which is the eye that sees him who is invisible, which all who love their evil deeds and hate the light, never shall know nor see, but are shut out and with the light condemned: Thou must first own the light that shows thee the body of sin, and so pass through the death of the cross whereby the body of sin is put of and crucified: then shalt thou know with what body Christ is glorified in Heaven with the Father. Godliness is a great mystery not known to the world nor to the earthly wisdom, but the secrets of God are with them that fear him; the spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep and hidden things of God: So in the fear of God I do exhort thee to return unto God, and mind that principle of God in thee, that reproves thee in secret for thy evil deeds, there is thy Teacher if thou love it, to guide thee to God, but if thou hate it, and live according to the course of this world, it will be thy comdemnation: Prise thy time while thou hast it.  
Written by one who is a lover of all those that love the truth in simplicity and sincerity of heart, who is known to the world by the name of Alexander Parker, but hath a new name which the world knows not; written in the Book of Life.   
FINIS.