THE LAMB'S INNOCENCY DEFENDED, Against Lies and Slanders. 〈◊〉 Answer to a Second Reply of a Priest, who is ●…lled a Minister at Lazonby in Cumberland called Simon At●…uson, who hath showed his Wolfish nature against those people ●…lled Quakers; ranking them up with the Papists; falsely accusing them ●…f those things which they utterly detest: but his weapons is turned against himself by one of the Camp of the God of Israel, whose ●ye it opened in measure, by the inward search and Counsel of God's spirit, to see the winding paths of the crooked Serpent, and to see the Wolf under the covering of outside Painted Profession; and to see ●he mystery of Witchcraft working in the shadow of Reformation translated into a fairer form springing from the old corrupt root; ●nd to see the bicker of the night-armie running on heaps now in the dawning of the day; and the uncircumcised in Heart and Ears is Flying from the light, and reproof of the same: and from the Alarm of the Spirits Trumpet which is sounded within, for the cutting down of the man of sin, and for the quenching of his Motions.  O Lord, in thy light, we see light, and by it all things is made manifest; and thou art worthy of all honour, and besides thee there is not another: for thou hast opened our eyes and unvailed our understandings, 〈◊〉 the discovery of the skirts of the Whore! 
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. Truly thy light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to behold the Sun,  Psal. 97.11. & 89. ●5. Eccles 11.7. 
Lift up thyself, thou Judge of the Earth; render a reward to the proud. They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the Innocent blood. Every day they wrist my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. And thou hast made us a byword among the Heathen, and a shaking of the head amongst the people,  Psal. 94 2. & 21. & 56.5 & 44.13 14. 
A false Witness shall not go unpunished, and he this speaketh lies shall perish,  Prov, 19.9. 
There is a voice of the howling of the Shepherds, for their glory is spoilt,  Zach. 11.3. 
Written in defence of the Truth as it is in Jesus, by a Fool to the Wisdom of this World, who, according to measure, hath tasted and obtained of the Wisdom of God; whose bodily name is called, Joseph Helling. 1658.   

To the READER.  
FRiend, whosoever thou art that Reads this Dialogue or Conference ensaing, I desire thy stability, in an honest Consideration before thou judge, that thy judgement may be without partiality, in truth, and sincerity; for the end of my Writing is not for the laud of Men, but for the taking off of Scandals: Therefore have I transcribed the Priests Second Reply to me. First, His Answers to my Paper, and some of my queries. Secondly, His Considerations. Thirdly, His Accusations and Closure; the scope of all which, I have transcribed and answered, having abridged my answers with as much brevity as I could conveniently, being assaulted with such a wresting, false-accusing Spirit, which is not ashamed to write his forged lies and false constructions in a Volume, the scope of which is divided into parsells, and answered in plainness, and singleness of Heart for all seeking-sober-minded, to judge with the seed and witness of God in the consciences of every one who reads them. And Friend, though thou may judge me rash or censorious, because I render to a false Prophet his name, and to an hireling his name, and to a liar his name, and to the mystery of witchcraft (in the shadow of Reformation) its name, and to the wolfish Ministry of anti-Christ is name. I say, though thou may judge me in thy will and reason to be rude in speech; yet know thou, that I am not rude in knowledge; but I shall stand to vindicate the truth of what I have here laid down in these ensuing Answers. Also, for brevity sake, I have only cited the chapter and the verses, but not transcribed the sum of the words, but hath left them to thy search, and honest consideration. And this is my desire, That the ancient of days might be exalted above all the heads of Heresy. And that people's understandings might be opened, that the Man of sin might he made manifest in the mystery of his working (mark) and that the worship might be known which standeth out of all the limiting wills of Men; and that all false Teachers might be discovered by their fruits, and according to Scripture, who in this age is found casting blocks in the way of innocency, and is as a thorn hedge before the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus; who for their Trade, Merchandise, and Bellies sake, they set themselves in array in the unity of enmity against the light and teachings of God's Spirit in Man: one of which volunteers of Gog, whose name is in the Title page S. A. hath uttered his folly, as one casting a stone into the Air, which falleth upon his own Head, as thou may see (Reader) if thy Measure be just, and Balances equal.  
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is solly and shame unto him. The Heart of the Righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things, Prov. 18.13. & 15.28.  
Joseph Helling.   

The Lamb's Innocency descended against Lies and Slanders, in Answer to a second Reply of a Priest, etc.  
Simon Atkinson,  
I Have received thy Paper, wherein I find thee acted by Corahs' spirit, in Kains' way: but man, know thou, that it's neither lies, nor false accusations that I have laid upon thee, far be it from me; and the Lord do so to me, and more if I wrong thee, or you, as thou haft done me and my Brethren. But in plainness, and in truth, I answer against thy sophistry, for the defence of innocency, and if there be any other end in me, let it be accursed.  
Priest. Deluded souls; The Scripture saith, Pro. 17.15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to the Lord.  
Answer. Deceiver of souls, Pro. 17.15. is fulfilled upon thee and you, who through covetousness, with feigned words makes matchandise of souls for your dishonest gain: and yet saith, you are the Ministers of Christ: here you are found justifying the wicked, even a generation of persecuting Priests, to be Christ's Ministers.  
Pr. Which abominable ends is found in you, and in all of your way, more than in any generation of people in the world at this day that I know of?  
Ans. Here thou art sound ignorant of us, and belies us, in saying, that we justify the wicked, we are clear from thine accusation; and let all that knows any thing of our conversations bear us witness, whether we countenance wickedness in the least, in any appearance: so man, be willing to receive thy rusty stuff back again into its own bottle from whence it was broached, for it hath no place amongst us; for by us all wickedness, and your leven and trash is denied.  
Pr. Who are not only as the Devil himself accusers of the Brethren; but also contemners of the generation of God's children Rev. 12.10. do you not discover this apparently in all your reproach full prattlings, slanders, seribling, and oppositions against the most godly and precious, both ministers and people, whom the world batch?  
Ans. As for accusing the Saints or Children of light, that's false; or for contemning godly and precious Ministers and People; far be if from us: but Kaines generation, Hams off-sping, and Ishmaels' brood, and them that say they are Christians, and Ministers of Christ Jesus, and are not (them we writ and speak against) in whose steps you are sound, in envy, and covetousness, suing at Law, straining men's goods, Preaching for hire, for filthy lucre: therefore let Rev. 12.10. turn edge against thee, who is not only found accusing, but falsely accusing, and fiercely despising the innocent; writing in wrath, and contempt, concluding us to be deluders, and deluded, because; e the Lord hath opened our Eyes to see your cunning deceit and hypocrisy: for which cause you are angry, because your trade is like to perish, or be set at naught; and if the rest of your Brethren (the children of Mammon) hate you; yet know thou, that you are both in one ground albeit you be a little more in words, and seeming something more like the truth then the other; yet receive them for thy Brethren, for you are sound in the unity of enmity against the seed of the woman, and teaching of God's spirit within man, contrary to john 14.26.  
Pr. And will God thank you, or will not the Devil rather, for sadding the souls of the Saints, whom the Lord would not have sadded?  
Ans. We are bound to give thanks unto God, but not God to give us thanks; here thou art seen in thy drunken wisdom, speaking thou knows not what: and as for the Devil, he sights to maintain his Kingdom against us, and therefore will not thank us, for his peace is broken (which thou calls sadding the souls of the Saints;) I say, take heed that it be not the Devil's peace that is broken in you, for no other Kingdom do we strive against, but that of darkness; and if you were out of it (in the election of grace) then would you know us, & what we justify & what we condemn; but thou and you knows us not, therefore it is fulfilled which was spoken by our head, they hated me without a cause; even so do you his members, who are content to bear your hatred, & the Lord lay it not to your charge.  
Pr. Or will he accept of your accusations, charges, and condemnations against his own Elect? Is it not he that justifieth them? who and what are you that you condemn them?  
Ans. God accepts the righteous, and they shall judge the world, and their accusations, charges, and condemnations is just against evil doers: but that we condemn such, is false; but the spirit of truth in us condemneth such as is not acted by it, and led out of pride and covetousness, and out of Kaines, Corahs', and Balaams' way, where you are found: And if you say, God justifieth such, I say its false, and thou wilt find it so, we are clear from accusing and condemning the Elect and justified of God; so here thou art found a liar.  
Pr. And if God have long patience with you, yet will not he always forget, nor at all forgive such great impiety, except you Repent; consider this you that forget God, etc.  
Ans. While we were in the night of Apostasy, and in darkness under your fruitless ministry; then were we forgetters of God (as thou and you are, which saith, and doth not) in which time the Lord might justly have cut us off in his hot displeasure: but now he hath turned us toward himself by repentance in self denial, which repentance is never to be repent of: and wouldst thou have us back again into the puddle of your imaginations? we know your spirits, if we could give you Tithes, and let you go on in your own ways unreproved, than we might be accepted, and have peace with you, by putting into your mouths as well as others, than we might escape the spoiling of our goods, and the imprisoning of our bodies (by you) as well as the Papists and others.  
Pr. Are not you they also that justify the worst and wickedest of the people above the godly? Does not your more ordinary silence towards them, with your feigned and false faxning sly and subtle insinuation, abundantly testify this?  
Ans. Here, thou false accuser, I charge thee with a lie, and it remains for thee to prove wherein, and what wickedness, or wicked people we justify; how long will thou not cease to lie, thou would fain be Capernaum-like, but thou must come down to the sides of the pit for thy lies and slanders, except thou repent; for I tell thee, that our silence is not at all towards thee and you the leaders, nor towards them that are led by you; but wheresoever we meet with deceit, we warn people to fly from it. And thou, the leader of the blind, must take thy portion with them that are blindly led except you repent. And as for subtly insinuating ourselves into the wicked, that's false; for out teaching is not with in●●cing words, but we Preach the cross of Christ, which is a dying unto sin, and a growing towards persection, which is foolishness to you, which teacheth people, and tells them, they shall never be persect; here thou and you are sound subtly to insinuate your persuasions into the transgressing part in people, and there you lodge in the hearts of your hearers, and by your bloody instigations, stirs them up to fight for your trade; take notice of that, and be ashamed thus to belly the innocent who is under persecution by you.  
Pr. Yea, and most especially your own justification evinceth your guilt in this.  
Ans. Here I do utterly deny thy assertion: for selfe-justification we deny, and all that remains in the flesh (which is of the flesh) and doth account it to be as rotten rags, and menstruous clothes, and doth abhor ourselves, and our own righteousness, and perfection, cleaving only to that of Christ Jesus, who hath, and doth perfect, juslifie, sanctify, and glorify, and worketh in us both to will and to do; so a liar thou art, and as I said before, not only an accuser, but a false accuser; so be content to own it, for thou hast set thy self to act it to thy shame.  
Pr. Who although, as I said before, you are a generation of evil doers, decemblers, and deceivers, as is abundantly evident by all your unfruitful words, and works of darkness, notoriously known of all, etc. yet do you justify yourselves more than the Pharisee, though you fall short of him, etc.  
Ans. This was thy accusation in thy former Paper, which thou promised to prove positively, and particularly; but being required to do it, thou now goes about to shift it off with false excuses; for art not thou ashamed to say it is un●chtistian-like in us; to say unto thee, we require thee to prove that which thou thyself promised to do? but now thou goes about to cast a snare upon the innocent, and by thy windy wisdom strives to drive thy Clouds to veil then Sun. Oh Elimas-like, how long wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?  
Pr. But thou Joseph Hilling hath sent me a proud Challenge and Charge to do it.  
Ans. I Charge thee to be a liar here again, and I appeal to these words which I sent unto thee (thou having laid down some accusations as before) this was my words. For all which we require thee to bring in proof positively and particularly, etc. not challenging nor charging thee at all to prove it, but only requiring thee; therefore own thy condemnation, thou hast belied me, and the lying spirit in the sets at naught the way of life.  
Pr. And why should Pearls be cast before Swine, that will trample them under feet, and turn again, and rend us?  
Ans. We do not look for Pearls at your hands; for how can a Fountain send forth at one hole, sweet water and bitter? Or how can a liar and a false Accuser communicate Pearls? and although thou term us to Swine, yet do we chew our Cud, and knows our Manna, the food of life; and the Swine we know, thou that feeds upon the husk, putting the letter for the word, and try all of spirits, and for your rule, and not the new Creature. Therefore, I say, deal honestly with thy soul, and take heed that thou be not found a Swincherd, in stead of a Shepherd, take notice of that, thou that trade's with the letter.  
Pr. And why should you require this of me, or nay of us, sigh thou dost deny and renounce the power which the Lord hath given us to edification, and not to destruction; which if thou hast no experience of thyself, yet take head of condemning them that have; for wisdom is justified of her children; and they that are of God, hears God's Word, etc.  
Ans. I have required nothing concerning this of thee, nor of any of you, but that which thou thy self prosered; and why dost thou proffer that which thou dost not perform? this is truce-breaking, and thou art a truce-breaker herein. And as for denying the power, which thou saith, the Lord hath given you, (as above) thou hast given me good cause to deny thee, and the power by which thou art acted, whose impudent lies, declares thee to have no power given of the Lord, but thy power is the power of darkness (which pleads against the light) transformed into the likeness of truth, before them whom the God of this world hath blinded, who sees not your life, nor discerns not your voices. And as for having experience of myself, It tell thee, The spirit of truth in me condemns all whose experience is but self experience, for I know nothing of God by myself, nor of myself, for that cannot justify wisdom; but thou whose experience is of thyself, is not a child of wisdom, for if thou were, thou would be ashamed to lie as thou hast done, as is proved. And as for them that are of God, who hears God's word, them I dearly own, and embrace, for they are gathered into the sold unto the one Shepherd, and shall be no more meat for you, (Ezek. 34.10. to the end) neither shall you be numbered with them so long as thou lies falsely accuseth, is called of men Master, and sells thy self-experiences for money; thou must stoop, the stone is descending against thy Image, and the Sun is risen which will scatter thy mist: therefore beware betime.  
Pr. Thou art angry with me, because I say, you are poor, miserable, etc.  
Ans. Thou speaks thou knows not what, for we are no more the blinder for thy so saying; but our blindness and miserableness was, when we were deprived of the food of life (and of the light which giveth the knowledge of God) by your cunning sophistical Doctrine, by which you insinuate yourselves into the people's affections, keeping them always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which maketh free: and here is blindness, and cause of anger, war, and fight in the unperfect unruly part, mark that.  
Pr. Pardon me, I had but almost forgot what you say, you see with them, John 9.41. and with Laodicea, Rev. ●. 17. that you are rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, etc.  
Ans. Here thou mocker shows thyself, in belying of us, we do not see with them, john 9.41. who did not own Christ; but we see with them that suffered the spoiling of their goods, and with them that was counted as the offscouring of all things, and as sheep for the slaughter for Christ's sake; yea, and with such as was counted deceivers by the Sect of the Learned, to wit, the Scribes and Pharisees: therefore be willing to receive it home again, for it shall stand for thine own condition, with the rest of thy Function, who is the successors of the Scribes and Pharisees there spoken of, john 9.41. take them for your predecessors, and fill ye up their measures, for In their steps you are found. And as for the La●diceaus, Rev. 3.17. that we are in their steps, there spoken of, is another lie; for the Lord is our witness, we do not boast of riches by increase of goods; neither do we say, that we have need of nothing; and here thou art exercising thyself in the war against the Lamb; for God forbidden that we should glory in any thing, save in the Cross of Christ, or delight in any other increase, but the increase of grace, for we have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise, Heb. 10, 36. so here thou art found in thy falsification, wresting and twining of Scripture (to thy owes destruction) against the innocent.  
Pr. But let me tell thee, that I do not, nor shall not at all believe you in this matter, though you trumpet out your own praises, and bla●e your own perfections never so much.  
Ans. Man, when we trumpet out our own praises, and blaxe out our own perfections, than you may have cause not to believe us, and though you seem to lay it upon us, yet we are cleave; and if thou affirm it. thou affirmeth a lie, as thou hast done many, as is proved already; for there is nothing of us, to wit, of flesh and blood, that's praiseworthy; but we praise the Lord, the the perfector and perfection of his Saints in whom is all fullness, unto whom we fly for teachings, which makes you seers and diviners of our days in such a rage, that forging lies is become your greatest refuge, who persuades people that we trust in ourselves, and self righteousness; which things we utterly detest, and they remain for thee and you all to prove. And as for despising of others, that is false, for we own all Creatures as they are in themselves (Creatures, or Vessels) but the seeds is at enmity (mind that) for the Creation of God, we have no cause to hate, but the mover of cedition in the ground, take notice of that.  
Pr. As for that Scripture thou citys, Luke 18.9.10. and bids we consider the scope of the Parable, and we cannot but see ourselves punctually to resemble the Pharisees.  
Ans. Here thou hast reckoned us up with the Pharisee, and saith, we resemble him; here I charge thee with another lie, and it remains for thee to prove which of us did, or doth boast in our prayers of Fast, paying foe Tythos, and that we were not like other men; but we are bold to declare, that our regeneration is not by our own merits, nor our salvation by works of righteousness which we have done; but according to his mercy; he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost, Tit. 3.5. so thy accusations touches us not, but shall stand against you (with Luke 18.9.10. and all other Scripture) for y●e are out of the rule of Scripture, both under the Law and Gospel, as easily may be proved.  
Pr. Couldst thou, or any of you, but convince me of this, that they are just that justify themselves, than I should side, and say with you and the Papists your patterns in this, and the most of your opinions, that perfection is not only attainable in this life; but that it is the easiest thing in the world; but how hard will it be to prove this principle  
Ans. I do not strive to convince any of their justness that justify themselves, for I deny them that so doth, and the Papists to be our patterns: but whether you will side with us, or not; thou and thy fellows must be forced to take the Pope's Law for a prop to your Gospel, for by that Law you are guarded; therefore let thine accusation return home again, and take the Papists for thy patterns (thou and you who tradeth in their shops;) and as for perfections to be attainable in this life; here thou shows forth thy ignorance; and that thou art not called into the ministry of Christ. (Reader mark) permand of God to Abraham, Gen. 17.1. Deut. 18.13. job 1.8. & 8.20. Psal 37.37. It was the Doctrine of the Apostle. 2 Cor. 13.9.11. & in Phil. 3.15. It was for that end that the Scripture was recorded, 2 Tim. 3.17. it was the Prayer of the Apostle for the Church, Heb. 13.21.1 Pet 5.10. Heb. 6.1. yea, the whole end of the Ministre, Ephes. 4.11.12. thou that denies perfection, denies thy gift, and the power of the Lord. For shame, for what end dost thou Preach? it is evident hereby, that you keep people always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which maketh free, john 8.32. And now, that it is the easiest thing in the world, I say, in perfection is ease, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, and no treasure is to be compared to it, or any measure of it; and you that are not growing towards it, knows nothing of redemption: And thou that persuades people, that perfection is not to be attained unto, here, keeps people always in the bondage of corruction, for it is hard to be attained unto, which is the cause why many stumble.  
Pr. Was is not Christ's peculiar prerogative to be without sin? Heb. 4 15.1 Pet. 2.22. 1 John 3.5. he did challenge the world, joh. 8 46. and could abide the bitterest brunts of the Devil, because there was nothing in him for Satan to work upon, john 14.30. but who besides himself could ever say so?  
Ans. I grant it was, and is, the proper freedom of the head, and also of the members of that head, and these Scriptures which thou hast cited, I own, compared with Heb. 2.18. and that none could ever truly say so of themselves, is granted also. But this doth not disannul perfection; and thou that doth despise it, and pleads against it, pleads against the one offering against the Prayer of Christ, and privilege of the Saints (john 23.14.) and against the whole end of the Ministry, Ephes. 4.12. and against the work of a Minister, Col. 1.28.29. so man, I exhort thee be ware what thou dost, lest thou repent when it is too late; for as the tree falls, so it lies, and as death seizes upon a man, so judgement will find him out; and every man shall be judged according to the deeds done in his body; and the righteous hath hope in his death: but the wicked shall rise to the resurrection of condemnation.  
Pr. Paul, after a long and prosperous progress in sanctification, mortification, and vivification, was not ashamed to speak the truth, Rom. 7.11.18.24. but who can bear witness of your humiliation in this manner; nay, the contrary is contemptuously, and impudently boasted of by you.  
Ans. Here thou art seen to be ignorant of us, speaking evil of things thou knows not; for the Lord is our witness, whether we have not groaned under the bondage of corruption, or not; and cried unto him which is only able, to be delivered from the body of sin. And the Apostles condition we own, knowing that in our flesh dwelleth no good thing which is of its own nature, although thou hast thus judged of us; nevertheless, we have a treasure hid in carthen vessels, which you (with all you do) cannot deprive us of, which is our joy. But to proceed, Paul did not continue in sin, he said, God forbidden, Rom 1.2 etc. they could not live any longer in sin, they were planted together in the likeness of his death; See what he died unto, Rom. 6.10. and although Paul did complain of the body of sin, Rom. 7. yet consider what testimony he gives in Rom. 8.1.2.3. & 37. verses; take notice of Rom 8.8. thou that stands up to make void the coming of the Son of God, by pleading against perfection, taking the Apostles condition in his imperfection, to plead for the Devil's Kingdom withal; but leaves his after condition, in Rom. 8.1.2. as though the Apostle all his life time had been subject to bondage. Oh shameless man, who for covetous ends would have people kept from the teachings of God's Spirit which sanctifieth. I say, The Lord rebuke thee.  
Pr. Is your condition then with Christ, and not with the Apostle? O horrible Blasphemy! are you finite creatures equal with the infinite Creator? do not all natural, as well as spiritual light, abhor this?  
Ans. Here thou asks a question; I say, our condition is with Paul in the measure of the growth, and with Christ according to the measure unto which we are grown; and although we be finite creatures, as the Apostles was; yet we can truly say, as we are faithful, that we are partakers of the divine nature, which worketh, and leadeth us unto the righteousness of God, and out of the Fall, and out of the Curse, into the Sonship, to receive the spirit of adoption; and so we are made members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, Ephes. 5.30. and is not ashamed of the Doctrine of the Apostle, Ephes. 2.5.6. (mark) thou that denies perfection, and equality with Christ; shall the members deny the head? oh horrible! if this be thy Knowledge, no wonder if thou rage's with thy natural light, (for spiritual light thou art ignorant of) which was the Apostles message 1 john 1.5. Acts 26.18. which message is trampled under Foot by you that hath your Logic: but that any thing which is of the flesh, or corrupt will of man, is equal with God, that we deny, and so is clear from horrible blasphemy.  
Pr. Thou tells me, I call Divine light, natural; but if this be thy Divine light? I must tell thee, I call it not natural light, but Diabolical delusion, even the glowings of Satan, transforming himself into an Angel of light.  
Ans. I have told thee the truth, though thou call it what thou will; and seeing thou art given over to believe lies; and not only so, but a maintainer of that work thyself; therefore thou calls light, darkness, and darkness, light. And if thou call that Diabolical delusion, which I call Divine light; I must tell thee, thou art a blasphemer, wrist and twine what way thou can; for I call no other light, the Divine light, but that spoken of Luke 2.31. john 1.9. & 3.20. & 5.35. & 8.12. & 12.36.46. Acts 26.18. Ephes. 5.13. consider this, thou that would put out the Sun, and have all to walk in the light of thy, (and your) flame, which by your fallen wisome is invented, or kindled; thou that hates this light, which we own, is in darkness, and so in Diabolical delusion, acted by the spirit of Satan in the transfiguration; having a name of that which you are not, to wit, the Ministers of Christ; for you are found in Kains, Corahs' and Balaams' way, in envy, resifting the spirit, gainsaying the truth, loving the wages of unrighteousness, pleading for fin and imperfection, and so, no Ministers of Jesus Christ, but of Anti-christ: For the Minister of Jesus Christ, said, If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, then have we fellowship one with another, and the blood of jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sins, (mark) if we dwell, or walk in the light, 1 John 1.7. the light gives the knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 4.6, the light is Christ jesus, John 8.12. & 12.36. & 46. and Christ is the power of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. and the power of God in Divine, 2 Pet. 1.3. by which Divine power, we are made partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. which nature being enjoyed, leads into an equality with Christ according to measure in the regeneration: So man, let thine own weapons turn edge against thee.  
Pr. But because you own not the Scripture to be the Word of God, you are not afraid to abuse them, and misapply them at your pleasure, both in this particular, and all other, that Satan suggests unto you.  
Ans. The Scriptures we own, to be what they are, to wit, the Words of God, Deut. 11.18. etc. 12.18. &c 17.9. Prov. 30.6. Isay 31.2. I●r. 44.28. Micah 2.7. & 9 and a testification, 10.5. 39 a Declaration, Luke 1.1. a Treatise, Acts 1.1. and the words of Christ, Marth. 24.35. Mark 8.38. Luke 4.22. john 8.47. 1 Tim. 6.3 Rev. 1.3. and these words we own (which was inspired by the spirit of life Into the Saints) to be a Declaration of the word of life, which is the Word of God; and what art thou, that thou would have us to pervert the Scriptures; thou shows thyself ignorant of the Word of the Lord, which would have the Scriptures to be the Word of the Lord, contrary to these Scriptures, Gen 15.1. Num. 22.18. Dout. 30.14.1 Sam. 3.1. Psal 33.6. & 107.10. & 119.89. jer. 2.1. & 7.1. & 33.1. Ezek. 1.3. & .6.1. & 7.1. Deu. 9.2. jer. 23.29. john 1.1. & 14 the World sanctifieth, 1 Tim. 4.5. it is called his, or him, Heb. 4.12.13, see Heb. 11.3. james 1.18. at. 22.1 Pet. 1.23.25. Rev. 19.13 & (mark) the a of Pet. 3.5.6.7. oh ye Priests, and others, who calls the Scriptures the Word of God, here you are found the abusers, and mis●applyars of the Scriptures; I refer the Reader to these places above cited, if it be not so, and th● suggestions of Satan to be in the Pharisaical grave like Ministers of this, and other nations, who thus perverts the Scriptures, calling the Scripture that, which they call not themselves, but testifieth against, as is proved. So Simon Atkinsou, thou art caught in the net, that thou hast laid for others, and the day is over thee and you all.  
Pr. As for further instance, how ignorantly, impudently, etc. hast thou wrested the words of the Prophets, Christ, and of his Apostles, to make odious his most faithful, pious, painful and profitable Ministers that rule well and labours in the word and doctrine, who are therefore of men to be counted worthy of double honour, 1 Tim. 5.17. upon whom thou would pour double contempt and disgrace for their labour.  
Ans. It's well that these Scriptures, and your practices is both apparent, we shall lay the one to the other, and the Reader shall judge, if he will, whether I have wiested the words of the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles by applying the Priest's practice to them, yea. or my; Reader, mind these Scriptures, I say 56.9.10.11. jer. 5 30.31. Ezek. 34. to the end. Hos. 6.9. Micah 3.11. Mat. 23. from 4 to the end. 2 Tim. 3.1 to the 10. ver. 2 Pet. 1.2.3. & 14.15. & 17. Ind 11. and now deal honestly with these places, and see it the Priests of our times be not in the same steps. And where as thou saith it is to make you odious; I say, I would you were discovered to all, then would your odiousness appear to them, as well as it doth to us, and your lamblike discipline they would also see to be of no profit, but for your own bellies, and your faithsulnesse and painfulness for that end: For which end, you strive to keep people from the new Covenant, Fleb. 8.9.10.11. and from the light that giveth the Knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 4.6.7. and from the anointing within, 1 john 2.27. I say, you keep people from the Kingdom of God within them, Luke 17.21. in the dregs of the old Covenant, miked with a new name, or shadow of Christianity, held in, and by, the covetous envious boasting principle: And here you keep people in slavery, to honour you own rules, as lords over them. You are not like the elders, that was of old spoken of, 1 Tim 5.17. they had not recorded that they had the tenth of men's increase, as of goods; and ground, or sued men as Law, or cast them into Prison, if they could not pay them: neither did they cast men in Prison, for ask them a question, as you have done, and threatneth: and here thou and you, and powering disgrace upon yourselves, and your Ministry, and I am clear from contemning, or falsely accusing you, for your fruit makes you manifest, and they are blind that doth not see your loven.  
Pr. They turn many souls to righteousness, and shall shine as stars in the firmament for even and even, Dan. 12.3. which the envious one in you, endeavours by you, to deprive them of their present comfort, though he cannot keep from them their future Corwne.  
Ans. How long wilt thou go about to cover thy, and your skirts, as though we were ignorant of your untempered morrer; nay man, know thou, that we have followed you (in a blind ceale) with fasting, mourning, and prayers, and we are well experienced what profit is reaped from you, even open war at the Assizes, and Sessions, if we put not in at your mouths, yea, Justice's Warrants (as you call them) Bailiffs Prisons, Flnes; and if we speak to you in the fear of the Lord, you cry up your weapons that props up your Gospel, as Churchwardens, Stocks, Justices Warrants (as you call them,) then a Fine, and so long Imprisonment; yea, double worse than Queen Mary's Jesuitical Priesthood for Persecution. Therefore, I say, take heed, left in stead of shining, your cry be not woe & alas for evermore. So S. A. thou art found far unlike them spoken of Dan. 12.3. it's in vain for thee to borrow these expressions to cover that nature in which thou, with thy Fellows, livest: your nakedness appears under this covering, because it's not your own, who is found out of God's wisdom in lies and false accusations, herein is envy known: And as for depriving you of your present comfort; that is utterly false except you call Tithes, and Augmentations, and set slypends your present comfort, which you strive after, as though gain were godliness. So let the Reader take notice, that we do not harbour an envious spirit, but we speak the truth by the spirit of truth, which hath blown its Trumpet against the seed of the Serpent, and the day is springing over the head of all your Assyrian Army, which fills the Countries.  
Pr. These are able, through God, to cast down the strong holds of the Devil, in the hearts of the children of men, and to convince, through the spirit, of sin, of righteousness, and judgement, whom the Devil (impatient of the down. fall of his Kingdom) rageth in you most furiously.  
Ans. They that are spoken of Dan. 12.3. indeed is able to do these things thou here speaks of: but ye are not like them, thou and thy Fellows, which denies the light, the manifester of transgression. Eph. 5.13. and denies perfection, and an equality with the head of the body; here thou shows, that ye are not members and that you do not turn people to righteousness, for he that doth no righteousness is not of God, 1 John 3.10. but he that doth righteousness is born of God, 1 John 2.29. and so a Son, and an Heir, Gal. 4.5 6 7. and so a member, Eph. 5.30. and thou that denies and equality, and pleads against it, rends the members from the head and so is not wise: and the spirit of truth in us, beats testimony unto those, Dan. 12.3. but against you leveners, liars, and slanderers, men in whom the Devilll rageth, as in Dometrius of old, and the rest of the Craftsmen, who gained by their Trade, as you do by yours. And now thou would make people believe that the Kingdom of Satan, and his rage is in, and amongst us! Reader (mark) I appeal to thee whether the Devil rage in the persecutor, or in the persecuted; in them that doth imprison for a word; or in them that is imprisoned; in them that suffers the spoiling of their goods, or in them that takes away men's Cows, Horses, Sheep, Pots, Kettles, or other householdstuff from them, for whom they do not work: so Reader, judge even as thou would be judged of, between us and the Priests: so S. A. I charge thee, and the rest of thy Function (whose Fruits makes you manifest) to be the agents of Satan, and Ministers of his rage, and you fight for his Kingdom, to wit, for imperfection, and a continuance in sin (contrary to Rom. 6.1.2.) so thine accusation turns home again to thee, and thy Fellows, who is found in the guilt thereof.  
Pr. And truly you do approve yourselves to be his most faithful Facters, and the potent promoters of his interest that ever he employed in any age that I have Read of; well may you look for liberal wages for your unwearied working, etc. you run at his book, when God bids you not, sends you not etc. you compass many Countries to make proselytes, etc.  
Ans. Here thou blind man cannot get into Lot's house to apprehend the messenger, (to wit, that of God in the consciences of men) but thou art groping in the dark, and lifting up thy lying voice in the streets of Sodom, take notice of that; and I appeal to the considerate Reader, whether they that plead for sin, and liveth in it, be not the potent promoters, or mighty advancers of Satan's Kingdom, or not? so here S. A. thou and you Priests are found the faithful Factors, or men interested in hellish wars, who counts it horrible to hold perfection and equality with the head: And as for looking for Wages, thou that art in Balaams. way, must look for that, who pleads for the Kingdom of darkness, viz. imperfection, &c, contrary to 2 Cor. 13.9. & 11. for that which keepeth from perfection, is sin; and I must tell thee, that so long as you have put in at your mouths, you will not be weary; but seize wages, and you tire, as is largely seen; but we run not at the book of Satan, but by the Commission and permission of our God (even the living God) to turn people from darkness to the light, a Cor. 4.6. which shines in their hearts, which leads out of, and preserves from the motions of transgressions, as it is minded and obeyed; and for that end do we labour in travel, as the Apostles did; and we are ashamed to call them the Ministers of Christ, who is settled Masters in their Parishes, at ease in the flesh (as a hog in the stall;) but if you be Ministers, Go reach all Nations, and let the Heathen (as you call them) hear your Message, If it be the same that johns was, 1 john 1.5.6.7. or else I conclude you justly to be idle drones, jumbling in your notions amongst your Natives; so thy false accusations touches us not, but is retorted into thine own budget.  
Pr. And when they are made, they are twofold more the, etc. having only changed some of their impiety, into deeper hypocrisy, and all their Religion into damnable Heresy.  
Ans. The Children of hell is liars, covetous, etc. which marks is stamped upon thee, and thy generation of Priests S. A. but that we make people two, fold more the children of hell then before, is utterly false; I appeal to every man's Conscience, whether he that was a liar, a swearer, a whoremunger, and an ignorant person, etc. being changed from these things into moderation? whether he be made twofold more the child of hell then before, or not? For this I testify, that we have no fellowship with the unfruitful (workers, and) works of darkness; but them we own, who is changed by the renewing of their minds. And as for changing impiety into hypocrisy (as above) in false, and I leave it for thee to prove wherein we are Hareticks, or hypocrites; for we are clear from all that thou hast laid downs in this Paper against us, and it shall stand for your own condition, impiety and hypocrisy, both apparently brought forth, as in most Goals, Courts, Assizes, Sessions, Correction-houses, etc. in this nation; so here you are found the impious hypocrites, who would be called Ministers of Christ, but is found biters and devourers, take notice of that, ye heretics, who calls it Heresy and Popery (to Preach the light to be within, which gives the Knowledge of God) here you contradict the Scriptures, john 8.12. john 17.21.2 Cor. 4.6. so heresy shall stand for your own lot in the end of time.  
Pr. How clearly is this seen of all, that have their Eyes open, is discorne between good and evil?  
Ans. If thy senses were exercised to discern between good and evil, then would thou be ashamed to say, that we made people twofold more the children of hell, then before; but that it might be made manifest that the god of this world hath blinded thine Eyes, therefore hast thou spoken.  
Pr. Were not these times fore-seen, and the danger of those days foretell by the Lord himself, and his Apostles, Mat. 24.24.25. 2 Thes. 2.9.10.11.12.1 Thes. 4.1.2.3.4.2 Tim. 3. to 6.2 Pet. 2. 12.1 John 4.1.2.3. jude 8. consider them seriously, and compare your own conditions with them impars●ially?  
Ans. These things were indeed foretell, which began in the days of the Apostles, as the Reader may take notice; but it seems thou art blind concerning the times. Reader, mark the ignorance of this man, who saith, these is the times (as above,) Christ said, False Prophets should come, Mat. 24.11. & 24.25. and by their fruits they should be known, Mat. 7.16.20. and john, before his decease, he said, they were come; see 1 john 2 18 19 saith he, it is the last times, (mark) it is; and, saith the Angel, all Nations have drunk, etc. (mark have) have drunk, Rev. 18.3. here you may see your ignorance, who saith, Christ said false Prophets should come, and now it is the last times; Christ said, they should come; john said, it was the last time then, and there was many Anti-christs' then; so let john bear testimony against you: And as for these Scriptures that thou hast cited, they shall stand recorded for a witness against all hireling Priests, who take pleasure in the wages of unrighteousness, whose working is after the flesh for fat benefices, succeeding the grievous Wolves, which spared not the Flock, whose coming is after the power of Satan the Prince of darkness, with enticing words of man: wisdom feeding itching ears, living in fullness, suing and haling to Prisons, lying, and falsely accusing, as I have proved upon you; and so S. A. thou art in the strong delusion, believing lies, as that we depend upon merits, as selfe-righteousnes, or selfe-performances, selfe-justification, and the like: And as for 2 Tim. 3. let us see whether we, or the Priests be such as is there spoken of, as self, lovers; the Priests for their back and belly sues poor people at Law, and causes some to travel 400. miles; and some is imprisoned to death, and some suffers so (by that generation of Balck-coats) that they have not had a Pan, nor a Kettle lest; I say, such is selfe-lovers, and covetous men, taking three times double that which they challenge at first, not only treble damage, but treble sums, this is the wages of unrighteousness, worse than Balaam, 2 Pet. 2.15. and they are boasters, beyond their measures, which is out of the Prophet's life, Christ's life, and the Apostles life, in a proud covetous life (as above) and yet speaking of the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles words, (in pretence of doctrine) pushing one another from their Benefices, as Beasts push from the F other; unstable souls, who trade's with other men's lines, and they are proud, that consents not unto the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Tim. 6.3.4. who said, swear not at all; be not ye called of men, Master; sue no man at Law; and freely ye have received, freely give, etc. but the Priests of England, resists his Doctrine herein; So (S. A.) they (and your) spirits is tried and seen: And I have considered these Scriptures which thou hast cited, and concluded thee in the path of rebellion, denying Christ to be come in the flesh, as in the vessels of his Sons and Daughters, to perfect and deliver from sin, and from corruption in this life; so man, desist from deceiving, lest thou perish.  
Pr. This time seemeth to me to be emblematized to the Prophet in the Vision, Zach. 3.12. it is the discovery of the state of a Church in the time of Reformation, etc. but the resisters shall reap rebuke for opposing the faithful Ministers, whom he hath raised up to reform his House in these days, and clothed with a spirit of light, zeal, and power, more than in many ages before, which that you cannot see, it's because blindness is fallen upon you.  
Ans. Here is a snare for thy Feet! for our High Priest is risen, who was the substance of Zachariahs' Vision, Christ jesus the light, whose Priesthood we own, who hath put an end to all you changeable Priests that receives Tithes, Heb. 7.12. and his Priesthood you (Tythe-mongers) resists, because you love the wages of unrighteousness, suing at Law, and as it were fights for your bellies, and so is found evil beasts, slow-bellies, who can never have enough, I say 56.11. but the Ministration of Christ jesus is free, without money or price, Isay 55.1. Mat. 10.8. Rev. 22.7. and you are found to be the resisters of this Highpriest, and his Doctrine, and Ministry, viz. the Ministre of the spirit of God. And as for opposing Gods Faithful Ministers that is false, for we own them that is such with our souls; but we deny the relics of Papistry, by which (you) reformers is up-held; and all such who saith, they are clothed with the spirit of holiness, light Leale, and power, we deny, when they are found in Kains, Corahs', Balaams' steps, acted by a persecuting spirit, haters of the light, in a Zeal without Knowledge, clothed with the power of darkness; by which power, you are suing at Law, casting into holes and dungeons, and pillaging poor people Houses (Cavelleer-like) and so is found as a Troop of Robbers, Hos. 6.9. so the spirit of holiness is not your clothing, for you execed your Forefathers, the Scribes and Phasisees, (or the Lesuits in Queen Mary's days) for persecuting: Here you are found to be filthy Dreamers, speaking the Visions of your own hearts, studying, invented for money, your Church is your Shop, your Sabbath is your Market day, which makes me cry, Oh miserable Reformers, and Reformation! for shame desist thy leven.  
Pr. You are given up to believe lies, for that you received not the truth in the love of at, nor liked to retain God in your Knowledge; therefore are you given up to these strong Delusions.  
Ans. All lies and liars we do deny, who saith they are Ministers of Christ jesus, and yet makes a trade of the Letter; and we have received the truth in the love of it, which is the light and grace of God, john 8.12. Tit. 2.11. which teacheth us to turn away from all covetous hirelings (who calls the Scripture their rule, and the tryar of spirits) but is neither guided by spirit, nor Scripture; I say, we are taught to turn from such to the light, which shines in our hearts, and to the anointing, 2 Cor. 4.6. 1 john 2.26. by which we come to know God, and to retain him in our Knowledge, by whose power we are brought from darkness, deluders, false Apostles; and from all them who are murmurers, complainers, walking, after their own lusts, whose mouths speaks great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration, because of advantage, jude 16. who serves not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies: so, S. A. thine accusation stands recorded against thy slefo.  
Pr. Vunder which you lie as spectieles of Divine wrath, which is come upon you, as heretofore upon the jowes, for the like sins; see 1 Thes. 2.15.16. in which sad case we are forced to leave you, not knowing whether ever the Lord will deliver you because you despise our help, and sets light by our cousells, and hates our instruction, your hearts being utterly, and desperately hardened.  
Ans. Reader, thou may take notice (how that the Apostle) in this 1 Thes. 2. who used not a cloak of covetonsnes, ver. 5. But laboured and traveled, that he might not be chargoable, ver. 9 I say, take notice how he declares against the Jews, (in the 15.16. v) who kiled the Lord jesus Christ, and their own Prophets; and forbade the Apostles to speak to the Goutiles: They had their Synagogues to ateep into, as the Priests of our time the Papists Masle-houses to creep into, not labouring in travel, as the Apostles did, (1 Thes. 2. 8.9.10.11.) but despising them that doth, (jewes-like, 1 Thes. 2. 15.16.) but you are more subtle, holding up the first Priesthoods maintenance, under the cloak of Gospel maintenance, crying against them that speaks what they have received freely: so the 1 Thes. 2.15.16. is fulfilled amongst you that is called of men Masters, stands praying in your (Masle) houses, or Synagognes', striving to draw from the spirits teachings, etc. but we are delivered from you, and knows your voices to be the voices of strangers; and the Lord hath brought us into that one Fould, where he is the Shepherd alone, from the mouths of all ye dumb shepherds, which made a prey upon us; and so your help we deny, for you help into spiritual whoredom, but not out: And your counsel we deny, its invented trash, and you are found, and proved liars; but he is our Counsellor, whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Isay 9.6. who is also our hope of glory, Col. 1.26.27. who is our Instructor, who faith, learn of me. Mat. 11.29. he hath turned unto us his pure Language, by taking away out stony hearts, for whose Instruction, we utterly deny all your leven, and you leveners, who faith, and doth not: so S. A. thou, and thy Fellows shall proceed no further undiscovered to the Children of Light; and except you repent of your lewdness, divine wrath will be the portion of your spiritual Witcheraft, wherein you keep people always learning, and you yourselves always pleading against perfection. Oh ye Caterpillars, and Grasshoppers, how long will ye not cause to destroy the blossoms of the vine, which increaseth daily before your bloody devouring jaws, and envious instigations? Oh that ye would be warned!  
Pr. And now to come to the conclusion of the Paper, which contains some simple Quaries, etc. and why Quaries etc.  
Ans. The end of my quaering was, and is for the clearing of the truth, and try all of thy spirit, whether patlent, or perverse, and not tempt thee with evil, as thou hast enviously judged, but that by slighty cunning might be made manifest, as after will appear.  
Pr. Thou shows thyself without shame, to do the works of thy Father, who was a tempter, etc. Mat. 22.17.18. & 19.3. etc. Mar. 8.11. & 9.14. Luke 10.25. John 8.56.  
Ans. Here thou hast eited some Scriptures, unto which thou compares me for ask of thee a question. Ah thou judge of evil thoughts; the Scribes and Pharisees had better cause to call Christ a tempter, than thou hath to call me; for the knew from whence the Baptisms of John was, better than they, as Mat. 21.25. and whose Son he was, better than they, Mat. 22.45. although he asked them; I say, they mocked him, and subtly laid wait to entangle him; but I have not quaeried of thee in that nature, but for clearing of truth, because of diversity of judgements: so I deny them (that sought to entangle Christ) to be my forefathers, although thy actions, with thy Fellows, cannot deny them to be your forefathers, as is proved; for innoceney will clears me, and the Lord be judge between thee and me.  
Pr. And now, though I might send thee away as Christ did thy forefathers, Mat. 21.25. & chap. 22.45. etc. yet because I know thee, and the rest of thy generation to be less ingonuous, and more impedent and apt to be lifted up upon light oceasion; and lest my total silence should afford any fuel for the fire of thy pride; I shall; shape thee such answers as may possibly have no more wisdom than thy Quaries, though probably more truth than thou quaries after.  
Ans. I have not asked after the nature of the Scribes and Pharisees to entangle thee (although thou hath entangled thy slefe) but for the causes afore said have I quaered, and thou art found the immetator of those who first consulted to lie, (Mat. 21.25.26.27.) and then answered plainly, ver. 31. & 41. as thou hast done, ●s after will appear: But first thou hast made thy Kaine-like Jewish spirit manifest; Christ Jesus asked many questions, although he knew; And the Apostle exhorted, to give a reason of the hope that was in them; but albeit thou pretend to be a Minister of Christ, yet thou art found unwilling to answer but is lifted up in contempt and false accusations; for I tell thee, we know what we are, in good report, and bad; so, far be it from us to be lifted up upon any oceasion. And as for the shape of thy Answers, in them thy wisdom is seen; and I appeal to the Reader, whether there be any truer thing to be quaried after, than the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness of it? and whether S. A. be not in felse-exaltation, who saith, his answers hath more truth than I quarie after? for the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, do I query after.  
And now to come to the Answer of my Quaeties; the first Word of my first query being transcribed (where? or what?)  
Quae. 1. Where? or what is the Kingdom? and where is it to be found? and what is the Righteousness of it?  
Pr. Ans. Where it is? there is it to be found. This answer is just as wise as thy question. But secondly, it is not amongst you, though it is in and amongst the Saints, I woane, the Kingdom of grace; for that ye are fallow from common grace, and from the means of spiritual grace; from Christ the King, and from the standing Laws of his Kingdoms; so that truly, you have need to inquire more seriously after is then you do, for you are far from it, and quite out of the way to it.  
A. Here thou are found a vain jangler, mocking simplicity with thy fallen wisdom, saying, the Kingdom of God is nothing, though in and amongst the Saints; as though the Kingdom of God were in none but the Saints; (Reader mark) Christ saith to the Scribes and Pharisees, that the Kingdom of God was in them, although they were opposers of him, Luke 17.21. But, S. A. shilf it is not amongst us viz. the Kingdom of grace, contrary to Tit. 2.11. john 1.9.10. which grace and light, hath enlightened, and appeared unto all men, and it is both spiritual and common unto all in its appearance, Tit, 2.11. or else the world should be excusabl; but the light shining, and the grace appearing, there is therefore now no cloak for sin: But that we are fallen from this grace, is false; or from the means, or from Christ, or from his standing Law, for this grace we own to be our Teacher, as the Apostle did, Tit. 2.12. (and not a hireling Priest, whose own the sheep are not) and the means we own, viz. the gist of God, Christ the light who is given unto the Gentiles, as well as unto the Jews, Isay 49.6. and his Law we own, according to the Prophets and Apostles testimony, jer. 31.33. Heb. 8.10. and these things we own, (and hear testimony of) to be within us, so that we need not go forth, as saith Christ and his Apostles, Mat. 24.26.1 john 2.27. whose command we have learned, by his grace to be obedient unto; and he, viz. Christ jesus, is our way to the Kingdom, who saith, learn of me, and got not forth; he doth not say, learn of Hirelings, that makes bargales with their Parishioners for so much a year: but he saith, learn of me, and he is our Highpriest, whose lips preserve our Knowledge. So I charge thee, 8. A. to be a false-accuser, and a liar in this thy Answer to the first part of my qu●rie.  
Pr. To the other part of thy quarie, viz. What is the righteousness of it? I answer, Not our own righteousness, which is imperfect; Isa. 64.6. but the righteousness of Christ, by faith imputed, etc. Phil. 3.9. this is the only perfect righteousness in itself, though the righteousnessse of Saints is also perfect in him; but not meritorious: his is the righteousness of God which is revealed from Faith to, etc. Rom. 1.17. the everlasting righteousness, etc. which first the Jews. Secondly, the Papists. And thirdly, the Quakers, being ignorant of, and all going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to, Rom. 10.3. & 9.10, etc.  
Ans. That it's not our righteousness, it's granted; nevertheless, we must not cease to work out our salvation, seeing that man is justified by works, and not by Faith only, james 2.24. Secondly, That it is the righteousness of Christ by Faith, and that that righteousness is perfect in him, and in the saints; and that not meritorious; as of themselves; but by the righteousness of God, which is revealed, according to, Rom. 1.17. is granted. But lyart, and false accusers, is out of this righteousness, albeit they may say as the Scripture saith, as thou S. A. hath done, who saith, that the Quakers is agnorant of God's righteousness, and goes about to establish their own righteousness. Here I charge thee again to be a liar; for God's righteousness, which it the righteousness of Faith, we own; which righteousness speaketh on this wise, etc. as in Rom. 10.6. but what saith it? the Word is nigh thee, in thy month, and in thy heart, Rom. 10.8. this is the Word of Faith, and the righteousness which is of Faith, which we believe and Preach; and if we, or any other, Preach another Gospel than the power of God, (Rom. 1.16.) or another power than Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1.24.) or any other righteousness then that which is of Faith, which saith, The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, I say, let him be accursed; so man, be ashamed, for thou art found one of them, that saith, The Scriptures is the Word of God, and so hath not submitted unto the righteousness of God, which saith, The Word is nigh, in the mouth and heart, as before; so in the gall of bitterness thou art sound, soming out thy own shame.  
2. Querie. What it is that giveth the Knowledge of God? and how? Priests Ans. God himself only giveth the Knowledge of himself, jam. 1.5.17. jer. 24.7. I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord.  
Ans. That God only gives the Knowledge of himself, is granted; and seeing that God gives man an heart to know him, and is the only giver of Knowledge: Why then dost thou judge us? because we do not own your help, counsel, and Instruction; (here thou art manifest) for God having given us hearts to believe (and know him) by his light which shineth in us, as in them, 2 Cor. 4.6. I say, this light, or grace (which is one) is sufficient for us, as it was for them, 2 Cor. 12.9. so him we own, and witness to be the only giver of Knowledge, without the help of all the Learned Rabbis in the World, who is of it  
Pr. Now he gives it? I answer: He gives it effectually only, by his Spirit; but instrumentally, by his Word Preached ordinarily: he gives also some kind of Knowledge of himself, by his Works, both of Creation, and Providence, when he exercises the minds of men to consider them: this answer is a truth, though I know it will not satisfy thy foolish fancy.  
Ans. That God gives the Knowledge of himself only, and effectually by himself, who is a spirit, is granted; therefore to God, who is a spirit, and who is light, who gives the Knowledge of himself by his light, 2 Cor. 4.6. to him we commit, and submit ourselves to be taught: And seeing God is the only giver of Knowledge effectually, (Reader mark) then, that, I say, which is the only giver, is the ground, cause, and effect, spiritually and instrumentally, as in Phil. 2.13. And whereas thou saith, He gives some kind of Knowledge of himself (as before) I say, He is the only effectual giver of all Divine Knowledge, drawing us unto his Son, (john 6.44.) in whom our Eye being placed, we come to see, and to understand (by his Knowledge) the Works of Creation and Providence. And although thou say, thy answers will not sat is f●● my foolish faney; As for thy reproachful terms of untruths. I little matter; but know, though I am satisfied with that which giveth satisfaction, and with so much of thine answers, as is truth, though but in words, gathered by thy comprehension, in literal experience, for true experience is far from a liar; but God gives the Knowledge of himself, by his light, 2 Cor. 4.6. and this thou art ignorant of, who kicks against the prieks of Conscienes, which tells thee, thou should not lie, nor falsely accuse, nor Preach for Hire, nor be called of men Master, nor strive to keep people always learning, and still unperfect, still in the bondage of corruption; they could but be so, if they never heard thee take notice of that. But furthermore, God is both the effectual and instrumental giver; effectually, (according to thy own confession) &, I say, instrumentally by the Word, 1 john 1.14. who was quickened in the spirit, by which he also went and Preached unto the spirits in Prison, 1 Peter 3.19. so, the Word is our Preacher, which the righteousness of Faith speaks of, Rom. 9.6.7.8 by whose light we see your cunning craft, and the bottom of you all.  
2. Quaerie, Whether you will own the Scriptures to be your rule, and your loves and practices, judged by the Apostles lives and practices, yea, or nay?  
Pr. Ans. I retort this Quarie upon yourselves, who have forsaken th●● Scripture rule, and left the good old way of the Saints: and what have you to do with the Apostles practices as Apostles? ye false Apostles, deceitful workers, transforming yourselves into the Apostles of Christ, a Cor. 11.13. that say, ye are Apostles, and are not, but is found liars, Rev. 2.12.  
Ans. Here thy winding Serpentine Wisdom and equivocation in seen, evading my question, turning is back against the innocent, (accusing us as above;) I say, the Scripture we own every jor and tittle in its place and time of its ministration, viz. the Old and New Testaments, the first and second Priesthood, the Law, and changest the Law; I say, all these we own in their time, and also the change; and we own, and also witness the service of God, and his worship, in the newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter; and also the ruse of a new Creature, which is available, Gal. 6.15.16. which is, and was, the good old way of the Saints; and so by that rule we come (through him that doth renew us, as in Tit. 3.5.6.7. into the practices of the Apostles, in measure; and so is not false Apostles, nor no deceitful workers (that remains for thee to prove S. A.) so 2 Cor. 11.13. touches us not; (Reader mark) Paul in the 7. ver. testifieth that he Preached freely, and in the 9 ver. Again, That he was not burdensome: And again, in the 10. ver. he would not be stopped of that boasting, for cutting off occasion, in the 12. ver. from them which desire occasion; (mark) Paul Preached freely, and they that sought occasion against Paul, was false Apostles; even as the Priests of our days, who Preaches for Hire, now seeketh occasion against them that Preaches freely; so Rev. 2.12. shall stand for your own condition; and the Lord knows our innocency, who knows also that I lie not, neither do I falsely accuse you, ye Task masters like of Egypt.  
Pr. Ah arrant arrogant Pharisees; Will no lower form in the Church then that of the Apostle fit you? 1 Cor. 12.28.29. and mark it well, ah more umbitious thou Diotrophes; Do you love to have the highest pre-eminence? Did ever any but the Pope, (that Lucifer Prelate) and yourselves pretend to an Apostolical Commission and Revelation, since the false Apostles? But if ye will needs be Apostles, then prove your Apostleship, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 12.11.12. or elt you must lie in the laps of the lie, as indeed you do?  
Ans. Here thou calls us proud wand'ring Pharisees, from which we are clear; I say, our example had not where to lay his head, Luke 9.58. and we are willing to take our portion with him, and with our cloud of witnesses, Heb. 12.1. who wandered, being destitute, etc. Heb 11.37. and such laboured in travel, Preaching the change of the Priesthood, and Law; and was persecuted of them that had their Synagogues to creep into (as you have now) because they testified against them then, as we do against you now, who is sound in their steps, as is proved. And whereas thou saith, Will no lower form sit etc. (as before) I say, we are content with our measure, whether high, or low, and it is lawful for us to covet earnestly the best things, 1 Cor. 12.31. and that Scripture owned, 1 Cor. 12.28. And though the Apostle hath showed a more excellent way, ver. 31. And whereas we are accused with the Pope, to pretend Apostolical Commission; the Pope we deny, and all you who is proped up by his beastly power; imprisoning for a Word, or a question, and suing at Law for your Gentiles Tithes, which was instituted and managed by the Pope and Saxon Kings, as in the years 933, 940, 959, by King Ateston, King Edmund, and King Edgar, Pope Innocent, and others; which Priesthood and Tithes, was never commanded by God in Old in or New Testament; here you are seen succeeding your fathers, ambitiously holding up that which God never commanded. And whereas thou saith, We pretend Apostolical Commission; False accusations & self protences, we deny; but unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gist of Christ, & that measure we own, (Eph. 4.7.) to be our Commission and Caller, viz. the grace of God, at the Apostle did, (Gal. 1 15.) whether into Apostolical, or Prophetical, or lower places, which is all free Ministrations, according to their measures, without money or price, and profitable in their places for the work of the Ministry, for the edesying of the body, for the perfecting of the Saints, which perfection, in this life, by your Priests is denied; and so you are sound unprositable, and false Apostles deceitfully working for your fat benefices, transformed into the name of the Apostles, or Ministers of Christ's, having your Commission from Man, to trade with the Letter for money, for the free Ministration of the Spirit is denied by you; so you deny the Commission of the Ministry, which was, Go teach, etc. freely ye have received, freely give; and for his sake who gave this Commition, we take pleasure in infirmity, as the Apostle did, a Cor. 12.10. and some in much patience, which signs and wonders, and mighty deeds, as may be proved to the praise of the loving God; and we do not make a gain of people, as you do, no more than the Apostles did, 2 Cor. 12.17.18. neither do we go to a Town or parish to inquire what maintenance there is for a Minister (as Tithes, Gleabe-Lands, &c) and give them a Sermon or two (as you call them) of liking: But we go to inquire who fears the Lord, and owns the Spirit of God to be their Teacher, which Teacher cannot be removed into a corner, Isay 30.20. and with such we can take a little meat and drink, which the Apostles was Commisioned to receive; and here is our joy and proof, not only in imitation, but in life also, witness a 'gainst all you who rules as Lords, patterns of pride and covetousness, learning your Trade, and selling, your invenitions, bearing rule by your weans, which is a filthy, horrible thing now in England, as it was in jeremiahs' days, jer. 5.30, 31. Oh ye Priests, put it not from you, for it sticks fast upon you.  
Pr. And now to the rest of the Quaries, I shall only propose some cousiderations.  
Ans. I did but propound four questions unto thee, as in number, and thou hast diverted two of them, and answered two of them with lies, and true words, and false accusations mixed together, as one void of all sense, making no matter what thou speak, as is, and may be proved. Reader, this is the query which is not answered: Whether the false Teachers and Decoivers may not be known by their fruits and whether they that bring●th forth the same fruits which was declared against by the true Prophet Christ jesus, and his Apostles of old, be not the false Teachers now, as they were then, yea, or nay? This query is digressed because it coma near thee S. A.  
Pr. first Consideration. Dost thou conclude in cold blood, that either none, or very few of the Ministers in England, are truly godly? and that either none, or very few real Saints are the seal of their Ministry in the Lord? and is such sensoriousnesse safe, and without flune?  
Ans. I do conclude, That the Ministers of Jesus Christ new in England, who is called by the grace of God, with Commission from the Spirit of God to Preach the Gospel freely, as they have received in by the Revelation of jesus in them, (as in Gal. 1.16) according to the measure of the gist of God, Eph. 4.7. I say, these are truly godly, as they are obedient to the grace appeared, (mark) and that the children of light who is called (and obedient to the grace) out of the fashions and customs of the world, and out of all formally invented worships, to worship God in spirit and in truth in the inward man, Psal 51.6. I say, this is the seal of their Ministry; but that the Parish ministers (who is called Ministers in England) is truly godly, that I do deny; For he that loves me, saith Christ, keeps my Commandments; (now mark.) he hath commanded his to be perfect; but the Priest of England denies, and pleads against his Doctrine herein he hath commanded, not to swear at all; but the Priests of England pleads against hsi Doctrine herein he hath commanded, not to sue any man at Law; but the Priests of England resists his Doctrine here, in suing poor people, and swearing, or causing some to swear men's goods from them, yes treble sums. Christ commanded to give freely as they had received; but the Priests of England, neither receives freely, nor gives freely, Christ commanded not to be called of man Master; but the Priests of England both calls, and is called Master, with many more particulars (which might be mentioned) to this purpose; all which shows, That the Priests of England is out of Christ's Doctrine, and so hath not God, 2 john 9 so not truly godly. And as for them which follows you, which is thus found out of and oppose it against Christ's Doctrine; I say, they make your Ministry manifert and seals it with their unbridled lungs and actions to be a barren fruitless Ministry, void of sanctification, which maketh Saints; so you, and your followers, I do deny to be either truly godly, or real Saints. But I call them (not in cold blood, as thou queries) neither according to flesh and bloods wiscom; but by the spirit of truth, and light of our Lord jesus Christ; I say, I call you, like Priest, like people, Hos. 4.9. etc. and this is no sinful sensuring, I commend my felse to every man's Conscience in the sight of God, as the Apostle did, 2 Cor. 4.2. and to the honest hearted every where, who is but willing to compare your practices with the Doctrine of Christ, and practices of his Aposels.  
Pr. second Consideration. Dost thou say or thinks, that thyself mire hatest all daceit, and sin whatsoever, than the said godly Ministers and Sainits in England, or elsewhere do?  
Ans. I am not sufficient of myself to think any thing as of myself; but my sufficiency is of God, who hath opened my Book of Conscience, wherein I find and read the motions of the flesh, to be an enemy to the motions of God's Spirit, which hath made me cry with tears for deliverance from that bondage; so, by the power of God, I utterly tetest that nature in myself in the particular, and in the general, which opposeth Christ and his Doctrine; and doth conclude you to be no Ministers of Christ, who wrists his Doctrine for self ends, and to your own destruction; and them to be no Saints who follows such; for the god of this world hath blinded their eyes (that cannot see you to be painted Harlots) lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine unto them; Therefore, I say, you are running from mountain to hill under pretence of Resormation, and still without the door in the fashions and customs of this world, and in your airic Knowledge and Wisdom, there you set up your building, and also the foundation of your worship, hatched by Tradition, springing from imaginations, the ground of changeable, weigh'st; take notice of that.  
Pr. third consideration. Dost thou affirm that the detestable titles of blind guides, dumb dogs, greedy Dogs etc. are given without sin to such Minesters, and that their Doctrine and practices prova them to be such, as Christ and his Apostles declares against?  
Ans. As for godly Saints, or Ministers, these titles are not given to such by us God forbid; but I affirm and testify by the spirit of truth, with the Prophet, that these titles are given without sin to you who is found seeking gain from your quarter, as they were. Isay 56.10, 11. and you bear the express image of the false Prophets, and false Apostles practices, as the Reader may take notice in my Answers all along this Book; to that of God in every Conscience who Reads it, I appeal.  
Pr. fourth con. Caused thou prove, or darest thou deny that Ministers in the Gosspel time were not seated in their own Churches, whether in Countries, Towns. or Cities, Act. 14.23. ch. 20.28. Tit. 1 5. 1 Pet 5 1.2. Col. 1.17. all these places plainly speaboth the contrary?  
Ans. I do not deny, but that the Apostles ordained Elders in every Church, and that such as was not greedy of filthy luere (Tit. 1.7. 1 Tim 3.3) but took the over sight, not for silthy luere, but of a ready mind, 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3 and they watched for souls, (Heb. 13 17.) and not for gain from their quarters, as you Priests do; but that they were seated in Parishes (the Pope's division) with their set stypends, suing men at Law if they could not pay them the tenth of the increase of their goods, and ground; I say, that of deny; and all these Scriptures that thou hast cited will not prove such a thing, as that the Eiders there spoken of received Tithes, either Tews Tithes, or Gentiles Tithes, as tenth Stack tenth Cock, tenth Lamb, tenth Fleece, tenth Geese, tenth Pig, and a Hen if one have but two, and Smoke pence, or Peter pence, etc. so S. A. thou and thy Fellows, with your invented Elders must be forced to own the Pope to be the institutor and promulgator of your Gentiles Tithes, and he is your example for these things, and not the Apostles, nor Elders of old; and I refer the Reader to Henry Clerks Book, styled, a description of the Prophets, Apostles, and Ministers of Christ, and also of them called Ministers in England, etc. there thou may take notice of the rise and foundation of your English Church order, and your Minister's maintenance, who is found deceitful workers, and enemies to the Cross of Christ.  
Pr. fifth con. Were not the Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets, extraordinary Officers in the Church, 1 Cor. 12.28. and particularly Commissioned to Preach up and down at itinerants any where, every where without limitation? Mark 16.15. and doth not thy denial of this, argue gross ignorance of the very Scripture letter?  
Ans Hear thou shows thine extravagant spirit confusedly, Reader compare the fourth proposition, and fifth together, and see what contraditions is in them; for in the fourth, thou S. A. goes about to prove the Ministers settled in Churches, whether in Countries, Towns, or Cities; and now thou saith, they are Commissioned to Preach any where, every where, without limitation; and also, that they are particularly Commissioned, and were extraordinary Officers, citing Marks 16 15, as though none but the eleven had had that commission; let Paul, Silas, Timothy, Barnabas, and these Scriptures (Acts 20.4.5.6. ch. 13.1. & ch. 9.10) bear witness against thy fallacy; for Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, with Pastors and Teachers (Eph. 4.11) is but ordinary members compacted in the body, (1 Cor. 12.12. & 27.28) and ordinarily supplieth that place in the body, where they are placed, as also doth the lesser members; and one cannot say to another, I have no need of thee, 1 Cor. 12.21.22. etc. so but ordinary Officers in the body for the edifying of the same, and for the completing and perfecting it; so here thy deceit is seen, and thou not to be like unto them, nor none of you Tythe-mongers who is at ease in the flesh, and in your parishes with a fat benefice: And whereas thou saith. I deny the Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets, Call, Commission Office, and Ministry, w●ch was without limitation; here I charge thee (in meekness, and in truth) to be a liar, for I own the Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists, their call commission office, and travel in their Ministry; and I honour them with my soul, whose record lays open such leveners as thou to be deceitful workers and enemies to the Cross of Christ transformed into the name of the Ministers of Christ; but the nature ground, commission and life of Christ & his Apostles you want; so take thy shameless accusations home again who hath thus belied me, & the Lord open thy eyes to see thy own folly  
Pr. sixth con. Is there not a vast difference between taking hire and wages, which the workman is worthy of, (Luke 10.7.1 Cor 9.7.10.15. 1 Tim. 5.18) and teaching for hire and filthy lucre sake? and if it be the duty of all that are taught in the Word, to communicate to him that teacheth in all good things Gal. 6 6. canst thou prove that it is not lawful for them to take such things, and if Tithes are a Legal ceremony, and unlawful under the Gospel?  
A. Here the end of thy drut is seen; Meats for the belly, and the belly is for meat; but God shall destroy both it and them, 1 Cor. 6.13. but there is a great difference between that hire & wages which the Apostles was commissioned to receive; and taking of Gentile tithes, which was never commanded in the Old or New Testament, and also taking set stipends, making bargains with Parishes, suing and casting into prisons, as is proved: I say, here is a vast difference; thou hast cited Luke 10 1.1 Cor. 10 7. 10 15.1 Tim 5.8. for the defence, of your hire. Reader take notice of Luke 10.7. where Christ saith, in the same house r●m●in eating and drinking &c. for the labourer is worthy of his hire; also v 8. Eat such things as is set before you, mark, he doth not say, Take Tithes and if they will not give you Tithes, sue them at Law, or cast them into prison, as you priests do; but he said they might eate and drink with them that did receive them, Luke 10.8 mind that, they were not to bide where they were not received, v 10. But the Priests of our time, who calls themselves Ministers of Christ (as men void of all reason) compels all sorts of people to maintain them albeit they be not received; and they that denies them to Tithes, (let them be what they will in opinion, or judgement) in Law, or prison they must go. Oh shameless men, where is your commission, or example in the New Testament for these things, yea, or in the Old Testament? And whereas thou citys, 1 Cor. 9 7. I say take notice, Paul saith, v. 4. have we not power to eat and to drink I (mark) he doth not say have we not power to take Tithes? and although he had power to eat and to drink, yet he used none of these things; neither did he write that it should be done unto him, see ve●ses 15.16.17 18 19 And as for 1 Tim 5.18. I answer, we shall not deprive the Ox of his provender, nor the labourer of his hire, but shall communicate of our carnals to them that sows spiritual, and teaches in all good things, as & all 6.6. I say, if any (who labours in the Word, and preaches freely as he hath received it) come amongst us, he shall have meat and drink, if he have necessity, and we shall not hinder him of such wages as Christ gave his commission to receive, Luke 10.7.8 but as for Tithes, (which you are not only Preaching for, but also as it were, fight for) the ministers of the Gospel, recorded in the Scriptures, did not own them to be a lawful ceremony after the change of the Priesthood; but preached the Law changed, and the commandment disannulled, Heb. 7.11. therefore unlawful under the Gospel and as unlawfully used by you, take it into consideration; is there not a beggar in England, as there was not to be in Israel? and where is your store house? Ah ye Tythe-mungers, let shame cover you all.  
Pr. seventh con, Whether the Ministers of England etc. or the Quakers trade in Babel's wares as thou chargest us I but stay a little, sigh thou art so forward in this matter, I suspect thee the more, and shall therefore make bold to search thy pack before we part that I may see what commodities thou carries, and whence thou hadst thy wares, etc. I fear thou will be found most foul in this fauls thyself.  
Ans. I answer, ye Parish-masters trades in Babells' wares, as is, and may be proved; and therefore my charge is truth, and shall stick near you till you come down from the throne of your imaginations, where the stone, of your building is graven, & your image melted. And whereas thou saith, Stay a little, etc. I say, come freely, with all thy Function, and search me, adn spare me not, and accuse me for nothing but that which I carry; so I shall say little more to this, but take heed thou be not found a blind searcher, as the Reader may take notice, as followeth.  
And now I come to thy false conjunction, or accusations wherein thou would rank us with the Papists, if thou could.  
Pr. first accusation. The Babylonish merchants. (I mean the Papists) have their several sorts of corrupt wares to sell, which you are their only chapmen for, and hath taken them of their hands; That the common light in all is sufficient to salvation, provided men do not stifle it, nor extinguish it by wilful sinning against it: Sirs, say not you-so too?  
Ans This accusation is false, and confused; we never was at the Papists Colleges to learn a trade, as most of you have been; as at Trinity College, Christ's College, Jesus College, St. John's College, etc. these Colleges was instituted by the Pope's Law, and named after Saints, for nursing up of Jesuits; as also your Churches with the Pope's Crosses upon the most of them, and called by the name of Saints, as St. Peter's Church, St. Paul's Church, St. Mary's Church, etc. so I have not given you a wrong title, viz. Merchants of Babel, which comes nearer you in the mystery, than Papists outward tenants; for I must tell thee and you, That Babel may be builded with cunninger Carpenters than the outward impression of superstition; nevertheless, you are found the Papists imitaters, enjoying both their learning-shops, and market-shops, to wit both Colleges, and Masse-houses, in which you buy and sell your wares; as singing Hopkins and Sternholds meeter, as part of your worship, commanded by the Sexon Kings as in the year 747, by King Edgbert, and in 924. by King Ethelstone, allies Atelstine, etc. as also your sprinkling of Infants, which was commanded by King I●as, allies Ina. or Ive, in 1213. I refer the Reader to Henry Clarks Book, styled a description of the Apostles and Ministers of Christ, and of those called Ministers in England, etc. Thou saith, the Papists holds, that the common light in all, is sufficient, (as before) joining us with them; and yet thou asks us, Whether we say so or not? Here the Reader may take notice, that thou accuseth us for thou knows not what, and also that thou art a blind searcher, who said, thou would search my pack, and yet thou art said to inquire of us, What we carry, and what we say? I say, thou art not fit to judge, seeing thou art both blind and hasty; and the Papists I deny, with their bloody instigations, but that light I own, which the Prophet Prophesied of, (Isay 49.6.) and John boar testimony to, John 1.9.10 to be sufficient to salvation which was given for salvation, Isay 46 6. John 8.12 and he that walks not in this light, walks in darkness, and knows not whether he goes, because darkness hath blinded his eyes, as is manifest upon thee S. A. which knows not what thou speaks, nor whereof thou affirmeth.  
Pr. 2. Ac. That man's natural will is free to repent, believe, and turn to God; and that conversion is not the fruit of the spirit in the elect alone.  
A. Here thou would join us with the Papists, but we deny thy conjunction with the Papists, and thou art found a blind searcher, for we hold no such thing (as above:) For we know, that man's natural fleshly carnal will and mind, is not subject to the Law of God, but naturally inclined to corruption, from which, he that walks in the light, knows a cleansing, 1 John 1.7. but that conversion is not the fruit of the spirit alone, is false also; For the spirit quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. John 6.63. and this we testify, that it is God in all his saints, m●sch worketh in them both to will, and to do, Phil. 2.13. so 5. A. thou must own a liars portion, except thou repont.  
Pr. 3. Ac. The Papist teathouth, that a man may be perfect, without sin in this life, and may fulfil all God's Commandments: and do not the Quakeres the same?  
A. Here thou accuseth us with the Papists in thy smoky consusion; for sirst, thou said affirmatively, that we had taken the Papists waves off their hands; and now thou art ask us questions, What we do? but thou should have had thine Eye better opened, before thou had searched my pack, for thou boasted proudly; and yet thou inquires of us: so thou art found a blind searcher in the streets of Sodom. and therefore a blind guide nor fit to lead others. And as for perfection. I have spoken to it before and he that perfects, is also the fulfuler and end of the Law for righteousness sake, to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Genetile, Rom. 10.4. and the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in them that walketh after the spi it Rom. 8.4. take notice of that ye who pretends Reformation, and see if ye be yet come to the Law and h●w you have passed through its Ministration of condemnation, to the Ministration of righteousness and peace.  
Pr. 4. Ac. The Papists makes their perfection to lie in thi●●●n casting off of worldly employments, callings relations after the fl●sh, proprieties, as their Nuns, Monks and Hormots, abusing Mat. 19 11 etc. you are as like them herein, as you were s●itted out of their moutles.  
Ans. We deny thy accusations and the papists perfection herein; but this is our perfecter by whom our perfection is wrought, even he, which said Fashion not your solves like unto this world, whose Doctrine we are willing to obey, though reproached for the same, and numbered with the papists as our head was with transgs ●ffours, Isay 53.11.12. but what the Nuns and the Munkes abuse. is nothing to us, for we know, that perfection doth not lie in selling out outward estates; but in dying with Christ unto sin, and in putting off of the old man, with his deeds, that the new man may be witnessed, which is perfect. (Eph 4.24) cleaving only to the perfect righteousness of God, by the spirits of his Son in our hearts, Gal 4.6. so we deny both you. and all the rabble of your papistical Function, who hath swallowed up the Pope's Law which he vomited, to guard his Jesultes with by which Law you cause the innocents' to suffer, as most of the Goals in this nation can witness; so you are the unclean spirits, which is spitten out of his mouth, exeresing the power of his beastly Laws; so you are his Image, though more kindlier carved, adn hath a more guilded covering, so you are found to be more in the mystery Babel, having your hearts exercised with covertous prctises,  is Idolatry, Gal. 3.5. this is extant is England, and else where amongst you priests, the papists imitators, as more largely may be proved by tour Churching of Women (as you call it,) Mortuaries, Funerall-Sermons, and Marrying for money, with much more Romish trash, too tedious to mention.  
Pr. 5 Ac. The Papists holds inherent righteousness to be the matter of our justsfication. and not the righteousness of Christ alone; and do not you also the same?  
A. Here thou blind man accuseth us with the Papists, and yet thou inquires, Whether we do the same, or not? thou art proved a blind searcher as I said; confusedly first accusing, and then querying whether it be so, or not? I say, if the Papists hold inherent righteousness, to be the matter of your justification, as thou saith; then we deny both you, and the Papists herein; for we hold not inherent righteousness, viz. th●● righteousness which dependeth upon outward merits to be our justification alone; although James hath said, that man is justified by Works, and not by Faith only, Jam. 2.24. but we are justified by the righteousness of the Faith of the Son of God, which Faith is justified or made perfect by works, Jam. 2.22. So S. A. beware how thou searchest my pack another time, lest thou be found falsely, and confusedly accusing, as then arr now.  
Pr. 6. Ac. The Papists do place their Religion and Righteousness most in externals, and things that have a show of wisedomo in will-worship etc. so do the Quakersridgedly restratning, as of obsolute necessity, the use of Cuff●, Points Lace, Hathands, and the like, as if they might not at all be used, or could not without sin, or as if these were matters of greatest moment.  
Ans. Here thy blind and false conjunction is seen, as all along is proved and thou art seen to be ignorant of us, and our Religion; for we deny that foundation which is external, and we deny the Papists the head, and you the tail in the mystery of Babel, and all your external performances, as they are held in the our sed nature and ground, and all your principles in that ground. And as for having a show of wisdom in will worship, etc. this will turn home again to thee and yourselves, who sormally in your wills can preach and pray by your glass or watch being not a shamed to lie in the conclusion of your work, (as thus) you having rend a verse of Scripture in piece, Preaching so long as an hour lasts; than you say, much more might be spoken but time will not por●●●t, when you have nothing else to does but to serve your bellies; for the which service, you leave the other, be beginning in your own time, and ending in your own time; and none must ask you a question, not speak in exhortation, till your hours talk be ended; contrary to 1 Cor. 14.30.31.32. and here your will worship is ●een, as certain of your own P●ets 〈◊〉 Cr●s●s-men can testify, who by the grace of God, is convinced of, and turned from your witchcrast. And as for ridgedly restraining the uso of Cuffs, etc. (as above) that is false; but we do it willingly in obedience to our God, not in a voluntary humility, neither to the satisfying of our stash; and if thou were not shamesul●y hardened, thou would not contemn us for the casting off of the superfluities of naughtiness, which l●mes exhorted to east off, Iames 1.21. see 1 Pet 3.3.1. Tim. 2.9. and thou that on encourages peoples in outward adorning is contraty to the Apostle 1 Pet. 3.3. and so help them to sow to the flesh, and into whoredom, and is of that generation which ealled the proad happy (Mas. 3.15.) and one with the Papists, with your C●ff Points, Ribbous, and ●uch like arregant trash, desired by your ambitious wills, for the outward adorning of your dust and ashes in which you Parish Masters is patterns, nothing different from the Papists in the ground, take notice of that Reader, if thou have an Eare.  
Pr. 7. Ac. The Papists, say, that we are no true M●●●sters of Christ, but decesvers, and teacheth the Divination of our own braides, and so do you, with much more.  
Ans. The papists we deny, with all their bloodthirsty crew: and also we deny all the persecuting generation of pr●efts in England, & else where to be the ministers of the power of God, which is the Gospel; and we have found you to be one in the ground with the papists though more painted in the mystery; not divine, though deviners; and what we say we are ready to prove against both the papists and you, having not only found you out in the mystery, but also in open rebellion against the Doctrine of Christ, the end of his coming, and against the virtue of his offering as is proved.  
Pr. 8. Ac. The Papists say, our Churches are no true Churches bus they own to for their Pastors and Teachers; and so say the Quakers.  
A. Here thou art trapped in thy own snare, both in Popery, and confusion: for thou said before, that the papists said, You were not true Minister's of Christ, but deceivers; and now thou saith, that they own you for their pastors and teachers: here is confusion that the papists should first call you decesvers; and now (according to thy own confession) calls you, and own you, to be their pastors and teachers: and ●o may they well, for they pay you wages; so here, you pri●sis are found papists pastors and teachers; although thou hast gone about hitherto to clear thyself and priesthood papistry, yet in thy ●●se conju●●i ●n, and blind search, the sire of thy pride, envy, and anger hath b●o●en f●rth in a flame to discover thee for thou art owned of them, with thy Faction, to be their pastore and teachers; so 〈◊〉 art found ●onle in that wherein thou seared me and now thou must take the papists for thy, and your brethren, and hearers, and let them b●ate your testimony, for they pay you Tithes, or wages, and you enjoy their sh●pps, mark that.  
Pr. 9 Ac. The ●arsts know, that the great thing that must be done before they can ●●duce amongst us, is to make them reject their teachers; and there fore they bond all their wits and endeavours to vi●●fie them and drow the hearts of the people from them; end so do the Quakers  
Ans. What the papists, your owners doth, it is nothing to us we deny them and your pastets and teachers, who is thus found in discord. First thou saith. they call you no true Ministers but deceivers. Secondly thou saith, they own you for their pastors and teachers. And now thou saith they strave to vis●●fie you, and draw people form you. Oh bottomless pit consasion no wonder if they missed or vapour darken the air, and obscure the Sn; but that we bend our wits and endeavours to debase you, or villisie you, contrary to truth and righteousness: I say that false, for we lie in the will of God, who is gathering people (from all dumb shepherds) himself, that they may be no more meat for them, Eze. 34.10. so we rest in his counsel and in his promise, ●zo. 34.11.10.17. john 10.16 so we rest in his counsel, who treads the winepress alone, Isay 63.3.4.5.6. by whose power, the refuge of liars is violated, and he hath a controversy with you all, and is risen in righteous judgement to render a reward to the proud, Psal. 94.2.  
Pr. 10. Ac. The Papists main error consists in the contempt of the Soriptures: they say, they will not take it for the Word of God, but on the authority of the Church; and that it is but part of his Word, and that Decrees and Constitutions of Popes and Counsels, are of equal authority with it: the Quakers say, it's not the Word of God, but only a Declaration of the Word that was in them that gave it forth, and that what themselves speak or write, is from the same spirit & therefore equal with it  
A. Here we deny both you and the papists, who holds the Scripture to be the Word, either in part, or in whole; and also we do deny both the Pope's Decrees, Constitutions, Counsels, and your divinations and practices, to be equal with, or agreeable either to the Scripture as it is or to the spirit that gave them forth; and you that say, they are the Word; and they that say, they are in part the Word of God; I say unto you, you are both Idolaters, for the Scripture, which you call, the Word, saith, God was the Word, John 1.1. and, that Word became Flesh, John 1.14. so you Priests is forming a whole idol, and the Papists but part of an idol; so you are found filling up the measure of your fathers, greater idolaters than the pa●if●s. And whereas thou saith, the Quakers say, it's but only a Declaration; I say, the Evangelist saith also so, Luke 1.1. and God is the Word, who also is a spirit which did inspire his mind and will into his servants, which they recorded for a testimony unto future ages; which testimony is perverted, wrested, idolised, and made a trade upon by the Parish-masters of England and elsewhere, who is owned of the Papists for Pastors and Teachers according to S. A. his own confession: but as touching the Word of God, I have spoken largely to it in the 15 pag. so, I say, he that speaketh and writeth truth in sincerity, speaketh and ●riteth from the spirit of truth, viz. the spirit of God and so from the same spirit that gave forth the Scriptures and so, (as it is truth) equal with the Scriptures of truth, according to its measure.  
Pr. 11. Ac. The Papists say, it is but a dead letter, & so do the Quakers  
A. Thou said before, that the papists owned you to be their pastors and teachers, so you popish pastors and teachers, we deny your testimony, if you say that ink and paper in itself is living; but we own it, that it was the inspired words, and will of God, freely revealed, and freely recorded by them to whom it was inspired by the moving of the holy Ghost, and so written freely for our learning; but not to make a trade of, as the Papists, Bishops, and jesuites did of old (after five, or six, or seven years' learning, as Prentices at some University) and as the Parish masters do now, who after 5.6. or 7. years' Prentices at some University or great School, gets a place, or Parish in the Country, and so much in the year, and teaches there, it may be, all his life-time, and will tell people, that three parts of the world hath never heard of Christ; and yet he abides in his Parish, and once in seven days stands up in his shop, where he is accompanied by some, may be 40.50. or 60. years with some, and more, or less with most part; and still they are like the crackling of Thorns under a pot, unbridled, unstable, not so much of Christ's Doctrine lived in and obeyed, as yea & nay; in their communication; or not to swear at all; so you Priests are found hatched in the Pope's Nest, but deeper in the mystery of witchcraft, by sayrer painted profession.  
Pr. 12. Ac. The Papists say, it is not fit to be judge of controversies; the Quakers say, the touchstone of trial is not the word without, but the light within.  
Ans. I say, I deny the Papists herein, for the Scriptures is fit to judge of some controversies, if it be held in the righteous part; but I do not say neither with the Papists that it is not fit; nor with you popish pastors and teachers, that it is the tryar of spirits: so here I deny both the Papists, and you. And whereas thou salst. We say the touchstone is not the Word without, but the light within: I say, that God it light, (John 1.5.) who fills Heaven and Earth with his presence, let. 23.24 and this is the word which we own, which is like a sire, and a hammer; before whose eyes all things are naked and open, Heb. 4.12.13. who is a discerner of the thoughts and searches the heart, and tries the reigns of people, this is our touchstone, the Word nigh in our mouths and hearts, Rom. 10 8. the ingrofied Word, I am. 1.21. and this is the light which shineth in our hearts, which giveth us the knowledge of the glory of God. 2 Cor. 4 6. and reproves and makes manifest all things, Eph. 5.13. and thou that contemns the light within, comtemns that which gave the Apostles knowledge, 2 Cor. 4 6, for Christ was given for a light, see the promise, Isay 49.6. and also his own testimony, joh. 8.12. & 12.46 and it was not a Christ without the Gentiles which was the hope of glory, but Christ in them, Col. 1.27. and this Christ is the light, and seed, which bruiseth the head of the serpent within, take notice of that; and unto him all power is given, and he hath said, Got not forth. Mat 14.16.  
Pr. 13. Ac. The Papists prefer the vulgar translations, before the saws words that the spirit did indite the Scriptures ●●s; namely, Hebrew and Greek; and so do the Quakers the English before these.  
Ans. We own all Tongues in their places; but that the Scripture was given forth or indicted by the spirit in Hebrew and Greek only, is false; or there was at ler isalem of every Nation under Heaven, and every man heard them speak in his own Language, Act. 2.3.9. but I say, that you, or any other, by the literal Knowledge of these Tongues can open the Scriptures, that we deny, for as there is no respect of persons with God, so there is no respect of Languages (with him) nor Tongues; but in every nation, he that fears God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted, Acts 10 34 35, so seance your witchcraft, & from daubing over the saints words with your Lod●ck, who epride is in your songs; your Tongues is waters, the seat of the Whore Rev. 17 15. and because you would be counted wise and learned therefore you mingle your Tongues & so your merchandise passes or currant amongst the blind; yea, I may say wilfully blind, who (if they will) may see your ravenous inside, out of which is powered envy railing lies and slanders covetousness, and persecution at all that reads in this, ●nd marks your reproaches, may see. And now I deny both the Papists, and you, who is both nursed up at Universities (so cal●ed) and learned in your Tongues, as Pilate was, john 10.19. o● let Peter and John (be witness against you) who was not learned and yet gave forth the Scripture; so our native Tongue we own as ch●ese to us, because it is the fist of God, whereby we understand one another, and we own all other in their places; but we deny them that takes pride in any Tongue, or mixes their dirty Logic with the Scripture, for money.  
P●. 14. Ac. If the Papists could but get down the regulusing authority of the Scriptures, they would conclude, they had won the field; for they will not abide that all spirits be toyed by the written word, nor will the Quakers.  
A. The Papists we deny, and their endeavour herein: and the Scriptures we own, and their regal authority, which is the power of God: but all such as creep into houses, to make a trade of the Scriptures, abuseth the Scriptures authority; and here ye Parish, made ●s, and Jesuit successors (who comes from their Colleges into their Masse-houses) are found in deavouring to tread the Regal or Kingly Authority of the Scripture under your feet; so from that authority, you are gone to the image of Queen Ma●●es Law, by which the Jesuits was and you Priests is guarded; and by the same Law, some of you have imprisoned to death; as witness, Exeter, Colchester, Lancester, York, and Durham Goals; so the authority of the Scriptures, viz. the power of God is denied by you, which is fled to the power of national Laws and Magistrates to hold you by; putting the letter for the word and trial of spirits, you yourselves being ministers of the letter; and yet,  the letter, cannot see yourselves in cain's, Corahs', and Bala●ms spirit and practices, for which (amongst the rest of your forceries) the curse will overtake you, exempt you repent: And thou that would have the Scripture to be the tryar of spirits, thou presumes to take the balances out of the hand of God; the Lord weigheth the spirits, Pro 16 2. and the spirit search●th all things 1 Cor. 2.10 and whatsoever maketh manifest, is light, Eph. 5.13 so that which searcheth weigheth and maketh manifest is, the Lord his spirit, and h● light, and these three are one, from whom we have ●ecei●ed the unction, or anointing, which teacheth of all thing, 1 john 2.27. they that toyed the pirits was such as John exhorted to the anointing for teaching from the teachings of man saith he Yere●d not that any m●n te●●h you &c 1 John 2 27, and they that were of God h●ard them that ex●or●ed to the anointing from the teachings of men of corrupt minds; and this I testify that they are guided by the spirit of A●● Christ, who doth not own Christ the light, come into th●i● flesh to destroy the works of the Devil, and to give thee knowle●●e of God and of Adoption, and the hope of Glory; and to give ●●e knowledge of condemnation, and righteousness and of ea●● 〈◊〉 stration and how they are passed through. And whereas h●● art telling of a●titeen word ●o be the ●rya●; I say, the Scripture we 〈◊〉 the addition ●●e deny and shall have it upon thee to prove, for ●●ver and gold is pure in its nature, but it may be mou●●en into a Calf; so ●●o the Scriptures is pure and true as they are; but they may be (and is) ab●sed by the bvilders of Babel now in the mystery of their working; but the Lo●d will no longer be mocked by such cunning Carpenters but is risen, and hath taken a view of all shadows, by his light, which is as the eyelids of the Morning by which all buildings is made manifest to be upon the sand, though the bvilders of all sorts have pretended to hue their stones from one Rock; yet the Lord hath a controversy with you, and by his power, which is the authority of the Scriptures, is the shaking all buildings at their very roots.  
Pr. Now many more particulars could I instance were it necessary, and not over tedious, to prove yourselves to be the Babylonesh Factors, that have received the mark of the Beast in your hand, though not in your foreheads so fully yet as to discover you to all; yet to us you are discovered plainly.  
A These particulars which thou hast already instanced, is sufficient for us to see thy blindness, for if thine eye had been open when thou searched my p●c●e (as thou said thou would) thou would have been ashamed to have thus falsely accused us with thy confusion which accusations is justly reforted to the puddle from whence they sprang, for even the same spirit, that called Christ mad, and said, he had a Devil; the same spirit that called Paul, a pestelont fellow, and a mover of Sedition; I say, the same spirit in thee S. A. hath endeavoured to join us with the Papists thine own predecessors as is proved; therefore the Romish Factors or Merchants you are found, as well as Babylonish, having received the mark of the Beast in your Foreheads, rushing forward in lies and slanders, as a horse into the battle; so beast like, pushing and wrestling with flesh and blood, viz. with the persons of men plunging them into holes and dungeons, even as strong beasts drives the weak; so here you are found exereising the power of the first Beast, persecuting the free ministration of the spirit the anoynter, the comforter; for the Scribes and Pharisees was the first that with stood the Ministry of Christ and persecuted the saints and spoilt their goods. Secondly, the Papists getting the name of Christians, they brought in Gentiles tithes, and so made an image to the first beastly persecuting Ministre of the Seribes and Pharisees, having get up their Tithes, Easter reckon, P●●er-pence, Smokepences, and the like, as in Henry Clerks Beck before mentioned, & in Anthony pearson's Book styled the great case of Tithes may be seen; for the which, they persecuted them that with held them. Thirdly, the ●arish masters or out days having get a fairer form, is found filling up the measures of both S●●thes and Pharisees, and the Papists persecuting and fight themselves, as hath been proved, and as I can witness from Richard Gilpyn of Grastooks, who pushed me with his hand, calling me simple fool, and threathing me with prison, and clapping by the heels. etc. so to us you are made manifest, and shall no more we are a rough garment (to deceive) or a black died Ink garment; but the Lord will cut off the name of the Kimerims, or the name of the Black-coats; so look to it you sons of the Sorcerers; for the lack of wages hath stopped, and will stop the mouths of the idol shepherds, that calls the Scriptures the word of God, and try all of spirits. And as for not being fully descovered to all; I would we were discovered to all, as we are by the grace of God, that all might know our innocency concerning those things whereof thou Acenseth us.  
Pr. And the mark you have received, is your allowance among them to buy and sell with them; so Rev. 13.16.17. for now they do trust you, and maintains commerce with you, sigh they see you will not stick to sell their Ratsbane for bread, with which you have poisoned many a sonle.  
A. Here thou slanderous man may be proved an open liar, as hitherto thou hast been all along thy preamble; for although thou hast endeavoured, and bended thy Caine-like spirit, to prove us confederate with the Papists, yet thou cannot justly; and therefore thy fallacy is turned home again, and thou, and all you, which is owned by them for their pastors and teachers, must own them in community or else be ashamed of taking wages of them; and also of ●●●ading in their steps, and trading with their Wares; for they learned 5. or 6. or 7. years, more or less, at a College, or elsewhere, and so do you: They sing David's Psalms Translated into Rhyme and Meeter by john Hopkins, and Thomas Sternhold, or others, and so do you: They sprinkled Infants, and so do you: They Preached Funerall-Sermons, and so do you: They had Mortuaries, and so have you: They took money for Marrying, Churching of Women, Burying the Dead and so do you: They stood up in the same Pulpits in which you stand, and in the same Houses (as may be proved) which you ignorantly call the Church: They rend the Scripture into Heads, Doctrines, Uses, Points, Motives, etc. and so do you: They halled to prison them that spoke to them in the time of their hours talk, and so do you: They Imprisoned but three months, but you Imprison six, so here you are found in their steps, as may be seen in Anthony pearson's Book, and in Henry Clarks Book, spoken of before. And whereas thou saith, We are allowed, trusted, and they maintains com●●e●ce or conversation etc. with us; here thou liar is seen: let their bloody persecution against us in France, Spain, Italy and elsewhere, bear testimony against thy slanderous Tongue, which discovers the treasure of thy heart what it is. And as for se●ing their Ratsbane, etc. whereby we person, etc. (as above as thou saith.) I say, the pason of Af●s is under the lips of liars, slanderers, and false accusers, in which work thou art found, and thy Fellow levenars; and all Ph●●i●●a●call and Papistical merchandise we abhor, and all such unreasonable men as thou art; the Smoke of thy inverted Fuel is sea●●ered by the light of our Lord Jesus Christ in this Paper; so p●ysoners you are by hypercrisie, and it shall stand upon you in the day of the Lord for a name, except thou repent of feeding poor people with leven.  
And now to thy closure, the scope of which I shall transcribe.  
Pr. ●●co fez I have been more tedious thou unintended, etc. and doth hereby testify against your present condition, and after a first, and now this second admonition, as Heretics, I●re act you, etc. Tit. 3.10. and will have no fam●lear fellowship with such self condemned persons as you are not honour any of your Papers any more with answer, ●●r receive you to house, etc. lest I should partake of your evil deeds etc.  
A. Thou hast had a long travel in lies, and standerous accustions; and the same that opened thy mouth in confusion and lies, is now closing or concluding thy paper with resolutions of the same nature; but thou had more need to confess and forsake thy folly and deceit in which thou livest in the mystery, as a Wol●e in a Sheep's Skin; but it's too hard for thee to wage war against the free ministration of the spirit of God; for he will not be tied to your form nor confined to your hourglasses, or watches: not will not at all be limited by this confused covetous Came-like, gainsaying slanderous spirit, which lodgeth, and liveth in your invented traditional will-worship; which spirit in thee S. A. hath begun with a lie, and continued thy Discourse with confused, and unjust retorting; and thy testimony against us, is but such another, a● theirs was who said, this fellow said I am able to destroy the Temple of God, etc. Mat. ●6. 60.61. and this I lay upon thee S. A. in the presence of the dreadful God of Heaven and Earth that thou art a liar, a false accuser, and a false witness against the innocent and guiltless, reflecting that upon us, which thou neither hast, nor canst prove, God forbidden, it were better for us to die, if it were so; but we know our innoceney, which will clear us in the sight of God, when these thy snares will setter thine own fect. And as for being Heretics, or obstinate in a false belief, this is utterly false; for we are willing to give account of our Faith; and we do appeal to God, the Judge of all, and to every man's conscience in his sight, and to the testimonies of the saints viz. the Scriptures, for any thing that we hold. And thou S. A. that teacheth for the fleede, and filthy lucre, and is found thus lying and slandering, hath nothing to do with Titus; For Titus did not make again of people, as thou dost; see a Cor. 12.28. but thou art found a liar, falsely, and enviously acousing the innocent. So thou art not found in the spirit of godly admonition, but in wrath, and in the spirit of wilful contempt against the innocent, with whom thou can have no fellowship, neither do we desire it in that nature. And whereas thou calls us Self condemned persons; here thou contradicts thine own accusation, who ranks us up with the Papists in selfe-justification; and now again calls us, selfe-condemned persons. I pity thy sad condition, unstable soul, thou art a wand'ring star, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever, except thou repent. And, as for honouring our papers any more etc. I say, thou hast vilified them hitherto with lies and slanders, and so is found contemning, and not honouring them. And now, whether thou will receive us to thy house, or bid us God speed? yet know thou, that we are not ashamed of the Doctrine of Christ. And we charge thee to prove wherein we are out of it, and what the evil deeds is which thou accuseth us of, and wherein we are Heretics; these things remains for thee to prove, without false accusations: so as I said before, so say I now, search our pack, and spare us not but give us righteous judgement, and mark well lest thou be mistaken; for thou S. A. hath not had thine eye in the head when thou searched my pack whereof thou did boast; so, blind-man-like, thou hast run thyself into error.  
And now to conclude against it, in plainness and love to thy soul, and for the feed sake in thee, I exhort thee, and warn thee, (being thy fellow-creature, and a lover of the Creation of God) that thou take head to thy soul, lest thou lose it, and consider thine estate seriously, and be not puffed up by fleshly wisdom, and because thou canst speak fair things; but take heed to the light which manites●eth all things, Eph. 5.13. which light will let thee see the root, ground and end of thy Ministry, and decen●ble not with that of God in thee, which me will answer; and testify with me, that you all rebelliously walk contrary either to the Rule of Scripture, or a New Creature; and also, that you Speak and Writ contemtuously contrary to your own knowledge; so man. I exhort thee (as one called in measure from the Net, and from the Ship) if thou wilt receive it, to beware betime, and come out of that wicked and adulterous generation, wherein thou lies in the shadow of reformation, masked by the mist of the whore's wisdom; For know this, That the fitteth upon multitudes, Nations, Tongues, and Peoples, Rev. 17.15. not upon one Nation, nor one Tongue, nor one People but upon Peoples, (mark) etc. but now is the Lord bringing People from the Multitudes, and Heaps of Teaching without, and from the mystery of Babylon the great which is drunk with the blood (or lise) (Rev. 17.11.) of the Saints which is recorded in the Scriptures. I say, he is bringing People from that airy drunken wisdom without, to the mystery which hath been bid. viz. Christ within, Col. 1.27. and those that doubteth of Christ speaking in man, is such as sought a prose of Christ speaking in Paul 2 Cor. 13.3 and now what shall I more say, for it would till a Volume to record all that might be spoken in defence of our innocency concerning those things whereof thou accouseth us, from which we are clear, God is our witness, in whose presence we are naked, who knows that I lie not; so the Lord weigh thee in a more equal balance than thou hast weighed us; and we pray that these things be not laid to thy charge. So with my tender love to the seed of God in all. I rest referring this Dialogue to the honest hearted, and by the seed of righteousness in all to be judged.  
And now, this w● testify unto you all, That after the way that ye eal Heresy, worship we the God of our Fathers, believing all things (as they are) which is Recorded in the Scriptures; and is willing to give a reason of the hope that is in us; and this is out hope, Christ in us the hope (Col. 1.27.) which hope maketh not ashamed Rom. 5.5. and this Christ, this light and hope within, gives us the Knowledge of the Glory of God, 2 Cor. 4.6. for none knows the Father, but by the revelation of the Son, which is light, Mat. 11.27. for that which may be known of God is manifest in man, Rom. 1.9. and whatsoever makes manifest is light, Eph. 5.13. and he that hath revealed, and made manifest the Father hath given us an understanding of the dversities of the operation of God, which worketh all in all, (mark) all in all, 1 Cor. 12.6 as saith the Apostle, Eph. 2.13. its God that worketh in you both to will and to do. So this we testify unto all people, That the living God is our God, who by the Word, the World did make, which Word became Flesh; who is the express Image of his Father's Person, Heb. 1.3. in whom dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily, Col 2.9. and this is the Word which sactifieth. john 17.17. the Word of Faith which is nigh, in the mouth, and heart, Rom. to. 8 by whose blood, or life, he hath purged and is purging our Consciences from dead works, to serve the living God in his spiritual worship, and in his own Kingdom, which consists not in words, but in power, 1 Cor. 4. 20. and in righteousness, Rom. 14.17. and is not to be found without, but within, Luke 17.21. in which Kingdom which consists in power and righteousness, is the deversities of the operation of Gods work known both of election redemption, and sanctification wrought by him which worketh all in all. He is the Author of our Faith; which Faith purifies our hearts; which Faith is perfected by works, james 1.22. viz. the works of righteousness wrought in our hearts by the spirit of God, and brought forth by obedience to the motions of his power; so that with our hearts we believe unto righteousness: & with our mouths, confession is made unto salvation; the new covenant being known, which is not like unto the old, under which Covenant we are in the substance of all Figures, in the better hope, which maketh perfect, Heb. 7.19. which hope we hold as an Anchor of our sonles, staying our wills and desires, subjecting all, as he is obeyed: And this is our Faith and Hope in which we stand, by which we know the teachings of God's spirit, which leads in to the life of righteousness, purging our Consciences from all uncleanness, as we obey the Counsel of his Will; by which Will we are sanctified, Heb. 10.10. and now we rejoice in hope.  
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light, who h●… delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath trai●… us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have ●…demption through his blood, merits, and righteousness, ev●… the forgiveness of sins, upon whom we lay hold by a lively Faith, the mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience, 1 Ti●… 3.9. Therefore all People, examine yourselves betime, wheth●… you be in the Faith or not, for all your profession (which is 〈◊〉 held in the purifying Faith) will vanish from you, and leave you naked in the day of the Lords vengeance; So take heed betim●… what you kick against, and mind the prick of that of God 〈◊〉 your Consciences in secret, which will let you see where you minds are, and what is the treasure of your Hearts; this is 〈◊〉 Teacher that cannot be removed to a corner, Isay 30.20. 〈◊〉 whose presence you cannot fly to hid your se●…ve, in 〈◊〉 Profession; therefore turn to the Teachings of God's Sp●… that his Law which he hath Written in your hearts, may be Light unto your Feet and a Lantherne to your Paths that y●… Bread may be sure, and your Water may never fail; that 〈◊〉 in your own Lamps you may witness, without which you 〈◊〉 not enter into the Bridegroom's Chamber: So remember ye●… are Warned.  
By One who-hath Learned of the Grace 〈◊〉 God to deny all Hirelings, and wolfe-fish She●…herds, and hath found him whom my Soul love●… which leads into his spiritual worship, there 〈◊〉 rest, willingly to suffer the trials of our F●… before all the Sons of Men. JOSEPH HELLING.  
THE END.