THe God of heaven hath put it into my heart to write a few words unto you , in the fear and dread of his Name , and in the councel of his own Will , concerning the work which ye have taken in hand against him and his people ; this is not the end and work for which the Lord God hath permitted you into the places of Government and Rule , in those Nations ( nor the way for you to prosper , nor to prolong your daies in the earth ) thus to persecute and afflict an innocent and harmless people , who are peaceable , and walk uprightly ( towards God and man ) therein , endeavouring ( in all things ) to keep their consciences void of offence , and who have no helper in the earth but the Lord alone , neither is their Kingdom of this world , but they are verily the children and servants of the most high God , whom he hath gathered from amongst men , and from the kindreds of the earth , to be the first fruits unto him , and to the lamb in this age ; and we are his and not our own , he hath bought us , and redeemed us unto himself , and to him alone have we committed our innocent cause , and he hath undertaken to plead it for us , with all our adversaries , and no weapon formed against us shall ever prosper , but be broken to pieces .

Therefore Friends , be awakened and open your eyes , and see what a stir and a do here is in this Nation , to hale and drag up and down a company of tender , innocent , harmless people , men and women , and children from their peaceable meetings , who meet together in the fear and tender love of God , without any evil or bad intent toward any , but have good will and compassion toward all men , even to the worst of our enemies , as the Lord bears us witness , and these are them that are driven as sheep to the slaughter , and thrown into your noysome Goals , and Prisons , and houses of Correction , by rude and bruitish people ( your servants ) whom you have set on work by your authority , till many of them have ( patiently ) suffered till death , whose innocent blood will assuredly be required at your hands , ( though they shall not go free of the guilt who have had the least hand in it , without speedy repentance ) and thus ye may see and read , how the Disciples of Christ Jesus are as sheep , and lambs in the midst of wolves in this age , and as a lilly among thorns , and all this is only for obeying his commands , and for worshipping the everlasting invisible God in the spirit , and in the truth , according to the Scriptures , the which if ye knew and understood , you would tremble to think what you have done against them , to cause so many of the little ones which believe in Christ so griev●●●sly to suffer , who said it were better a m●●stone were hanged about his neck , and he drowned in the depth of the Sea , that should offend one of these little ones that believe in me ; and as true as Christ Jesus suffered , and rose again , and as God liveth who raised him from the de●d , we are some of those his little ones that believe in him , who ( in derision and scorn ( in this age ) are called Quakers , as ye might call Moses , the Prophe●s and Apostles ( in dayes past ) who did quake and tremble at the presence of the Lord who is the same now as ever he was , though the ungodly know him not , nor his power ; And we are of that poor and afflicted people mentioned , Z●ph . 3.12 . Whose trust is only in the Name of the Lord , who will undo all their oppressors at this the return of their captivity , ver . 19 20.

But what shall I say unto you , if ye will not or cannot believe our faithful testimony ( or the testimony of God through us ) and the innocency of our cause and sufferings , neither will ye believe if one should rise from the dead and declare it unto you , for many tender visitation● , and timely warnings , and gentle reprehentions have you had , from the pure spirit of the Lord God , both from his witness in your own consciences , and from his faithful servants and m●ssengers , who have written and declared unto you in his Name and Power in this your day . And as for my part who am one of the least of the thousands of Israel , I could willingly have been silent as toward you at this time , but the Lord ( whom I serve in my spirit ) hath laid it upon me to warn you once more ( for whose sakes I have born a burthen ) in the true sight and sense of your sad estate , and of the day of thick darknesse , wrath and distress , which is hastening upon you from the Almighty .

Wherefore be not proud nor rebellious , but hear , and obey the Word of the Lord , for thus saith the Lord God that made heaven and earth , Let my innocent People alone , and touch them not any more as ye have done for they are mine , and I have called them , and chosen them , and redeemed them , they are my Jewels which I am making up ; they shall shew forth my glory before men to the whole world , I have anointed them , and I will preserve them and deliver them , and crown them with an everlasting salvation : I will rebuke Kings and Rulers for their sakes , and distress Nations , and disthrone the mighty from their seats that rise up against them , as I have done ; and let my everlasting Gospel have a free passage in these Nations , and do not reproach and afflict my servants and messengers so any more , whom I have cho●en and sent to preach and declare the way or life and salvation to the ends of the earth , but bow your car and your heart unto them and their testimony , that it may be well with you , and prolong your daies , for he that blesseth them shall be blessed and he that curseth them shall be cursed , and every hand shall wither that opposeth them , as hath been , and shall be , henceforth for ever : I the Lord have spoken it .

But and if you will not hear , but will still persist , and go on as ye have done , to oppresse my heritage , and harmless people , and make war and opposition against my power and truth , and thus set your selves and your Power against me the living God ; I will bring you down suddenly to the astonishment of Nations , and I 'le cut your day short , and turn your pleasures into howling and lamention , and shame , and contempt , shall cover your memorial as a garment : Thus will I work for the deliverance of my seed , and none shall let it , for the year of my redeemed is come , and the day of vengeance is in my heart , to plead its cause with all flesh .

Therefore consider your waies , and see what ye are doing , and what the effect of this your work will be , ye are but men , and the children of men , who were but as yesterday , your breath also is in your nostrils , and your life is but a vapour , which will soon vanish away : You labour in the very fire , and bring forth wind , which blows up the flame of that which will consume you , and deprive you of all happiness for ever ( O that ye had but hearts to consider it ) For the more you strive with the Lord , and oppresse his people , the more will they multiply and grow stronger & stronger , and you shal wax weaker & weaker , and your works shall be your heavy burthen , for life and immortality is risen , and the power of God is stirring in the hearts of thousands , and light understanding ( the excellent spirit which was in Daniel ) is breaking forth like the lightning ( which shines out of the East into the West ) in the light of many people , whereby they know it s the day of the coming of the Son of man , with power and great glory , that every eye may see him , and they that have pierced him shall mourn bitterly : So your labour is in vain , and your works for the fire , and your striving with your Maker to no purpose , as to effect your end and aim . And of these things you have been often forewarned , and the Lord hath been very long suffering towards you , in sparing you thus long , and suffering you thus far to act against him and his dear people , and his mercy and forbearance hath been evidently shewed in a large measure unto you , in deferring his heavy judgements thus long , which must have been confest to be just upon you : And will you thus require the Lord , by increasing your tasks of oppression upon his tender innocent people ? O unwise and ungrateful generation ! hath not God yet shewed you , that you should do justly , and love mercy , and walk humbly ? Mica 6.8 . But are these your fruits and practises , fruits of Mercy or Justice ? or if there be any tincture , or spark of love or humility in them ? Let Gods witness ( the light ) in all your consciences , and in all people , answer ; I tell you plainly , that such fruits and doings among you , that profess your selves Christians , have made the very Name of Christ and Christianity a Proverb of reproach through Nations , and have caused the God of heaven to be blasphemed : and how could it be otherwise ? seeing you who profess the most knowledge of God , and have talked of converting the Heathen ( as some of your leaders have done ) are found the least in the life and fruits thereof : but to what would they convert them ? to pride , and swearing , and drunkenness , and oppression , and all manner of excesse , and to persecute people for their good conscience ? they have no need of that , for some of them have said , they did not use to swear and be drunk , &c. till they came among the Christians , and learned of them , they did not do so in their own country , so ye are far from converting them , being out of the life of what ye profess and talk of your selves , that the very Heathen or Infidels ( as ye call them ) doth judge and condemn you ( who are making enquiry ) concerning these your proceedings against this harmless people , among whom some of them have been kindly entreated , who visited them at the Lords requiring , though contrary in opinion and Religion , and this doth rise up in judgement against you .

But friends , have not you your selves been under Sufferings , and some of you been driven into strange Countrys or lands , for your cause ( as it was called ) Nay did not the King himselfe , once fly for refuge to a Tree , to save himselfe , from his Enemies hands ; if not , why are there such representations made of it , in so many places in the Nation . And was not this a great mercy , and deliverance from God , so to obscure and preserve him , from them who pursued him ( and many of you also ) And are these things forgotten ; can mercy be loved , except it be remembered ? And do you remember and love his mercies , by doing justly , and walking humbly with him , as he doth require ? or do you boast in a vaine glory as if your own arme had done it , or your own strength or desarts had delivered you , if so , then God must needs be forgotten , and his mercies trod under foot , and his visitations and counsels c●st behind your back , and so all that forget God , shall be torn in peeces and there shall be none to deliver them , as it is written . Psal . 50

And were these your sufferings ( which you sustained by them , ye opposed ) unjust , and unequal , and if ye should say they were , then I say it is much more unjust and very unequall ( in the sight of God , and all sober People that fear him ) for you , thus to inflict such cruell sufferings ( as Imprisoning and stifling up to Death , in your Noysome Gayles and holes , among Theives and Murtherers , And to pronounce sentence of Banishment upon an Innocent , harmles , peacable People , that do not oppose you in the least , with any outward force , neither doth so much as the thoughts of it , lodg within our breasts , as the Lord God knoweth ( who have called us to peace ) but on the contrary , have sought and do seeke , your wellfare and happiness , both in this world , and in the world to come , which in time shall be manifest to the whole Earth .

And if you say your sufferings were unjust and unequall ( though you did oppose them and make war against them so long as you could ) because they deprived you of your rights and priviledges , and just liberties , and naturall birthrights , &c. which was your due to injoy as being free born of the Nation : Then how much more is it unjust , and unequal , and unrighteous thus to inflict sufferings upon your friends , and oppresse your peacable Neighbours , who are freeborn People of the same Nation , and doth not oppose you , but are tender toward you ( as aforesaid ) And Subjects to all wholsom just Laws , and tributary to you , for which causes we ought to have our just liberty , and injoy the Priveledg of our Birthright which is our due , ( so long as we live peaceably and harmlesly , ) but if it be not a Previledge to be pleaded for , then is all your own grounds and reasons , and cause , without a foundation , and you and the whole Nation may be swept away by any that are able to do it , without being charged with injustice or oppression , which is contrary to the just ballance ( the Light of Christ ) in all Peoples Consciences . And as we are the dearly beloved People of the most high God , who doth blesse us with his presence , and manifest his everlasting love and good will towards us daily , and overshadow us with his power and tender mercyes , whom he hath gathered out of the evill wayes , and spirit of this world and all the vanityes thereof unto himselfe , to walk with him who is invisible in the upright , blameless , undefiled Life , in the the midst of a Crooked and preverse Generation ; I say considering these things , how greatly and unrighteously doth our sufferings appeare to all sober People , whose eyes are open , and will be more open to discern and favour the bitterness , of that proud envious wrathfull spirit , which thus hath acted you , and deceived you , and its end is numbered by them that have wisdome from above .

For Friends , set aside the Reproachfull name of Quakers and the other titles of dirision and scorn ( which the envious and blood thirsty spirit hath invented to render the people of God odious in all ages ) And tell me what ye have justly to charge against this People , ( whom you so furio●sly persue , to the dens and caves of the Earth , to the losse of the lives of so many of them ; by which children are made fatherless and tender harted woman , mournfull widdows , ) and let it come forth to open view , and declare it abroad ( as your Articles against them ) to the whole World , and speake the truth , and nothing but the truth , ( as you use to tell one another ) that all People may rightly know and understand the very ground and most secret cause who do inquire ) of these your present proceedings against them , for notice is taken by many , and ere long it must be manifest to all men , as the folly and madness of Jannes and Jambres was that withstood Moses , for you withstand no lesse then him of whom Moses wrote , who said I am the Light of of the world , against whom Saul was once exceedingly mad , and had thoughts to do very much against that way ( which was then as well as now ) called heresie till the Light of Jesus ( whom he persecuted ) met with him , with his letters ( or warrants ) to hale men and women to Prison ( as your servants do ) and smote him to the ground , and made him tremble who ( from that time ( became such a Quaker , as you now persecute and Imprison till Death , But the light of Jesus Christ , the Son of the living God , will meet with all persecutors , and opressors about Religion , let them be never so mad , or think they ought to do much against that way , they call herefie as some of you have said , who have made a mock at the Light , even publickly , which many tooke notice of , and even marvelled at such blasphemy ( in an open court ) against the saviour of the world ; And there is no other name under Heaven by which men shall be saved , but him who said , I am the Light of the world ; who lighteth every man that cometh into the world Joh . 8.12 . & 19.

And this is he in whom we have beleived , and of whom we have declared , and must declare and bear testimony as long as we have a being and the world shall know that our testimony is true , and for his name and truth only , do we thus patienly suffer the Contradictions of Sinners , as our brethren did by the zealous Jewes , in ages past , but you are not so zealous for Christs Law , and Commandements , as they were of Moses and the Prophets ( which Christ ends and fullfills ) who thought it was not lawfull to do good one the Sabbath day , as to heale the sicke ) for then would you do to all men , as ye would they should do to you , for his law runs thus , and be you mercifull , &c. And love you your Enemies ; and swear not at all , &c as ye may read Luke 6. & Math . 5 34. &c.

But behold , how both Jews and Gentiles , take notice , and are ashamed and greived , to here and see what a deale of bad works you even on your Sabath day ( as some of you call it ) and how you prophane the day of your worship , with your cattell , and servants , ( which are within your gates , ) what Riding , and Runing , and Toyling , in rage and fury , ( like mad men ) Sweating , and Swearing , and Cursing , and draging , and haling , the Innocent members of Christs body , out of their peaceable meetings , into your layles and holes , on your day of worship , but are your Sacrifices ( ye offer at that time ) accepted ; have ye peace , while these things are acting , in your name , and by your Authority ; if ye have peace , and pleasure herein let me tell you , from the Righteous God , you are hardned in your sins against him , and he will break your peace speedily , and turn your pleasure into bitternes and Lamentation ; and his Innocent Peoples meetings shall stand , and be increased , And their way shall prosper , and the truth shall spread , and prevaile , and have dominion over all Nations ; And their Enemies shall fall , and be confounded , let them strive what they can against them , for they are of God ( and not by man , or the will of man ) and they seeke his glory and not their own , and such as abide faithfull to him , shall triumph over all the Principallities , and powers of the Rulers of the darkness of this world , and make a shew openly of the victory , over all that do or m●y oppose them , for their Life is Immortall , And the Lord of heaven and Earth is their strength , who is with them as a mighty Terrible one . Therefore shall their persecutors fall before them .

And let me tell you again , that by these your unreasonable , and unjust dealings , the understanding of thousands are the more opened , and the tender sober part , or principle in them , doth feel the weight , and burthen , of this greivousnes , which you have prescribed , and do so eagerly pursue to the Imprisoning to death so many Innocent persons and freeborn people of this Nation , besides hundreds are liable to the same , ( which yet remaine in your prisons ) And your unnaturall , cruell sentence of Banishment , to seperate dear and tender husbands , from their dear and tender wives and tender children , and little Innocent babes ; Oh how do ye rent the bowells of the meek of the Earth , whom God hath blessed , what is become of all your promises of liberty for tender Consciences , Gods curse and vengeance will come upon you . And his Plagues will pursue you to distruction if ye proceed in this worke , And your wives shall be widows , and your children Fatherless , the Lord hath spoken it . If you had the hearts of men , or of flesh , ye would be afraid and blush , at the very thoughts hereof ; my heart and foule melts within me , and I am even bowed down ( with cryes to God ) in my spirit , to think of the hardness of your hearts . God almighty cut short thy worke in Righteousnesse , and shorten the dayes of oppression and cruelty for thine elects sake , which cry night and day unto thee ; And make known thy Name and power to the ends of the earth , and let the heathen here , and fear , and bow to thy Righteous scepter ; And let the Kings of the earth lay down their Crowns at the feet of the Lamb , that through thy righteous Judgments they may partake of thy tender mercies which endureth for ever ; that their eys may be no longer withholden , nor blinded by the God of this world , ( the power and prince of darkness ) but that they might come to see thee , who art invisible and injoy the same precious Life , of pure unfeigned love , which abounds in the hearts of thy hidden ones ; and receive thy peacable wisdome to be governed , and to govern therein ; Then would they surely know , that we are thine and confesse to thy glorious truth , and speake good of thy Name . And magnifie thy power , and no longer count the bloud of thy everlasting covenant wherewith we are sanctified ) as an unholy thing .

But O thou righteous , holy , pure , eternal God , art unknown unto all them that sit in darkness , and dwell in the spirit of enmity , against thee and thy people , though thou art come near to judgment , according to the promise , Mal . 3.5 . And thy way of life and salvation is hid from them , therefore they hate us without a cause , and thus evilly entreat us in the darkness of their minds , and in the ignorance and hardness of their hearts , for which my soul doth pitty them , and even intreat thee for them , that if possible their eyes may be yet opened , and their hearts softned , and their spirit humbled , that they may see what they are doing in the dark , and consider the effect of their work , which will assuredly follow : and if thy warnings and gentle visitations will not humble them , then let thy Judgements awaken them , and bring them down and humble them , that they may perceive something of what thou art doing ( in these latter daies ) and art resolved to do to the ends of the earth , though the whole world should gather and band together to oppose thy work and people , for thou hast begun ( and thou wilt go through and perfect ) thy work , thou wilt raise thy seed , and gather thine Elect from the four winds , and bring them from the ends of the Earth , and scatter the proud in the vain imaginations of their hearts , and thou wilt break thy way through all that oppose thee in this the day of thy mighty power , in which thou art arisen ( as a Giant to run his race ) to finish transgression , and make an end of sin , and to bring in and establish everlasting righteousnes , that the Kingdoms of this world , may become thy Kingdoms , and of thy Christ , as thou hast promised , and art now fulfilling , glory , and honour , and thanks , and everlasting praises , be to thy glorious Name , world without end , Amen .

So friends , ye are , and have been warned again and again by the faithful Messengers and servants of the Lord , in love to your souls , and you are left without excuse if never words more should be mentioned unto you , by which ye might perceive how the Lord doth strive with you , that ye might repent and be saved from the wrath to come , though some of you feel little of it in your own consciences : But his Spirit will not alwayes strive with you , for if you will not believe them , but sleight and reject them , and neither make conscience of what hath proceeded out of your own mouth , nor regard to perform your own words and publick engagements , in that which is just which the Lord requireth of you , nor remember his by past , and present mercies , and long suffering towards you , but trample all under foot : I say , if it be thus with you , and you are resolved to go on , you will wholly be given up , and be exceedingly hardened , and grow desperate in cruelty and oppression against God , and his truth , and people , till your whole earth is filled with violence : And then ( as true as God liveth ) will the flood come upon you , and ye shall fall after the manner of Egypt , and the weight of the dreadful judgements due for all your abominations , and cruelties shall sink you down into the pit that 's bottomless , and that suddenly as the Lord hath spoken