To the Parliament of the Comon-Wealth [sic] of England. Fifty nine particulars laid down for the regulating things, and the taking away of oppressing laws, and oppressors, and to ease the oppressed. / By G.F.

TO THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMON-WEALTH OF ENGLAND .

Fifty nine Particulars laid down for the Regulating things , and the taking away of Oppressing Laws , and Oppressors , and to ease the Oppressed .

By G. F.

LONDON , Printed for Thomas Simmons , at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate , 1659.

FRIENDS , Who are the Parliament of this Common-Wealth , who are to regulate things for the taking away of oppressing Lawes , and oppressors , and to stop the oppressors .

1 LET no man be prisoned for Tithes , which have been set up by the Apostates ( the Papists ) since the dayes of the Apostles .

2 Let no mans goods be spoiled , and made Havock on Treble , by the Priests and their company , though the Priest doth them no work whose goods he spoils .

3 Let no men or women be summoned up two hundred miles or upward to the Court at London , because they cannot give the Priest Tithes , who doth no work for them , and when they appeared they will prison them , because they did not appear by an Attorney , and swear to their answers .

4 Let no man be prisoned for not appearing by an Attorney , who hath appeared in his own person , who is not sick nor beyond Sea .

5 Let nothing be put in Bills that are more then the thing is , and let nothing be put in Writs more then the thing is , and let nothing be put in Indictments more then the thing is .

6 Let no man speak in an unknown tongue .

7 Let no man be prisoned for non doffing his hat , let no man unable , un-man and weaken himself about that .

8 Let no man be prisoned because he swears not at all , not by Heaven nor by earth , nor by book nor any other oath , but abides in the Doctrine of Christ , and keeps to yea and nay , and keeps his commands who witnesses the end of all strife .

9 Let no man be fined , and his goods spoiled , because for conscience sake towards Christ and his commands hee cannot swear , let no man be put out of place or office , or service because he cannot swear , because he doth what he doth faithful to God , at yea and nay to serve in his place where he is .

10 Let no man be put out of place for saying thee to a particular , and you to many who acts in the singular and plural , let no one be put out of place or office for not doffing their hats , who take not , nor give not the honour below , but to the higher Power their soul is subject , who receives the honour that comes down from above ; so let no one be persecuted for wearing their hats , for saying THOU , for not swearing , who for conscience sake towards God cannot swear .

11 Let none have their goods strained and spoiled , and made havock on , and cast into prison for not paying Clerks wages for turning the hour-glasse , and saying Amen , and such like services .

12 Let no one be put to death for cattel , for money or any outward thing , let them restore , and minde the Law of God which is equity and measurable , agreeable to the offence , and minde the Judges of Old , and Moses , and their judgement , ( let the thief live to restore for his theft ) and minde the Apostles doctrine , let him that stole , steal no more , but work with his hands the thing that is good ; So that neither Moses nor the Apostles saith , hang him .

13 Let no one have their goods spoiled and made havock on because they cannot pay to mend the old Steeple-houses which were the old Masse-houses , who have left their places , and their seats both , and the man that is in it ; and for them that be in it , they are uncharitable , though they have left their seats , and left them their house , to take their goods , and make them to maintain it that be come out of it

14 Let all laws in England be brought into a known tongue , that every Countryman may plead his own cause , without Attorney or Counsellour , or for mony , but men that fears God , and hates covetousnesse , decide and end things among People in all places , but let none do it for money and reward , let it never be had in esteem among you , and away with cap-men , and coyf-men , ( as they are called ) and thirty shillings , and twenty shillings , and ten groat fees , and this oppression , that makes people pay eight pence a sheet , for not above sixteen lines ; So away with all these Councellors , that will not tell men the Law , a few words , without twenty , or ten , or thirty shillings , which is a great oppression .

15 Let all these things be taken away , that will not speak a few words to people , without money to his neighbour , freely without any end , or reward , or bribery , and so bring it to a free Nation , and so a free People by the pow - of God , and this will be the way to take off oppression off the poor people , when in every place such as fear God , and hate covetousnesse , decides things among the people , and if they be great things , let them send them up to you the Parliament ; and away with those lawyers , twenty shilling Councellors , thirty shilling Sergeants , ten groat Attournies , that will throw men into Prison for a thing of nought , for not swearing , for not appearing by an Attorney , for not doffing their hats ; so if this trade were thrown away , and making Merchandize of Law , and great soms of money for councelling , and great rewards and fees , and the Priests making a trade of the Scriptures , people would soon come to be plain , and Countrey people would soon decide their businesse , being left to all to do it freely , this would be the way to take off oppression , and if any would speak concerning law or Scripture to do it freely , this is the way to bring the Nation like a Garden , and a free Nation , a free people .

16 Let none that is high , proud , or lofty , envious or scornful bear Office , for he will turn the sword backward , and do the Divels work , which is to bring the World into a Wildernesse , and quench the spirit of God , whereby every one should see his way , and he will not be like Moses , who said , would all the Lords People were Prophets ; Moses said so that comprehended all transgression , the first transgression , and what was transgressed , which sprung forth , for they that are hasty , and heady , proud in a mad blind zeal will turn the sword against the just , and are not a praise to them that do well , such are not a terrour to evil doers , but lets them upon the righteous , and such God will overturn , and overturn , as often as they get up ; Cain that Governour who built a City , he was called a vagabond , who killed faithfull Abel , and he that did so , had not an habitation in God .

17 And let all fines and amercements be given to the poor , and let no one be prisoned , and fined , and their goods spoiled for not going to Steeple-houses , as many have been ; and let no one be imprisoned for going to Steeple-houses , as many have been for speaking a few words to the people , biding them fear God , and repent , and crying up Christ among them , and speaking as they were moved , as it was revealed to them , according to the Apostles doctrine and order , as 2 Cor . 14.30 . which was the practice and order in the Church of God , that if any thing was revealed to another , the first was to hold his peace , but this order is broken amongst the Christians , and they are prisoned till death that practice it , or whipt , or stocked , or imprisoned .

18 Let no law be , but that man may ask man a question , either going to or coming from Steeple-house , or there , if it be a free Nation , let it be free , let none have the name of a Minister , but such as are able to satisfie all doubts , and all questions , and for to convince , and stop the mouths of all gainsayers , and opposers , and not let them be such as call to the Magistrates to send to prison for asking a question , like the Jewes that cryed out , help men of Israel , for these are the men that turn the World up-side down .

19 Let all names of people be thrown down , nick-names that be given for their opinions by men , that all may be gathered into the Name of Christ .

20 Now if you say , that we call your Ministers Priests , we do so , from your law , your great law book calls them so , and then their practise shewes it .

21 And let no man be whipped , or stocked , or imprisoned , as many have been , for bidding people repent in a market , and to lay aside their deceitful Merchandize , and their couzening and cheating , and swearing , and cursing , and to keep to yea and nay in all their communications .

22 Let no man be prisoned , and their money taken away , for going to visit prisoners , and to relieve them in what they wanted .

23 Let none have their horses and goods spoiled and taken away , for meeting together in the fear of God , the first day of the week , traveling to meetings .

24 Let no one that meet together in the fear of God , in several houses , waiting upon the Lord , praying , or exhorting , & edifying one another in the most holy faith , let them not have their houses broken , their windows broken , and they pulled out of their houses , and knockt down and beat , and houses unthatched , and many pulled down , and men plucked out , and knocked down , as many have been .

25 Let none be persecuted and prisoned as vagabonds who are moved of the Lord to speak abroad his Word freely and faithfully , let them not be persecuted as vagabonds , for those are the vagabonds that be envious and wrathful , that turns against the faithful ones , and though they be Lords of Cities , like their old brother Cain , yet they are in Cains way that turns against the just , and God hath no respect to their sacrifice , though they may build cities , yet vagabonds , if they be envious , that hath not a habitation in God ; But Abel , Abraham and Christ was not , which were as strangers , and had no certain dwelling house , and Christ had no where to lay his head .

26 And let none be Goalers that are drunkards , or swearers , or oppressors of people , but such as may be good paterns to the prisoners , and let none lie long in Goal , for that is the way to spoil people , and to make more thieves , for there they learn wickednesse together ; and let no peevish man bear any office , or ambitious , for he will be exalted with the rich , and a shame to the poor , and not hear his cause . The cap is on as the rich go with the rich , but the cap off with the poor , and there is the offence , if it be not to the rich ; so let not that be minded , but let every one do justly to his neighbour without respect .

27 Let no swearer , nor curser , nor drunkard bear any office whatsoever , or be put in any place , nor drunkard nor adulterer , nor covetous Idolater .

28 Let all this money , and stipends , and Tithes , and hour glasses for preaching by the hour be taken away from men , who make a trade of the Scripture , but let every one speak freely as they have received , but let them go out to get vine-yards , and plant vineyards , and thresh , and plow in hope , and then there will be little cause to call to the Magistrates to give them maintenance , but they will then all have enough , then every one of them will gather into the barn , of the wheat and crop of God .

29 Let all those Abie-lands , Gleab-lands , that is given to the Priests , be given to the poor of the Nation , and let all the great houses , Abbies , Steeple-houses , and White-Hall be for Alms-houses ( or some other use then what they are ) for all the blind and lame to be there , and not to go begging up and down the streets .

30 And let all that worship God , worship him in spirit & in truth , & not tyed up to will-worships , let all those Schools & Colledges down , who makes Ministers by the will of man , but that all may come to wait upon God and Christ Jesus , whereby they are made Ministers by his will , that redeems people out of the earth , but those keep people in the earth , and let not the mouth be stopped , which the Lord opens .

31 Let all those crosses upon seals be pulled off , and off the silver , and gold , and weights , and of Steeple-houses , and chimnies , and Ships , and signs , and Mayses , and arms , and scucheons , and flags , and Ensignes , and standards which is the Popes Crosse , let it be rooted out of the Nation , and the Pope and his authority .

32 Let all those Fines that belong to Lords of Mannors be given to the poor people , for Lords have enough .

Now the people of the World that comes into our meetings , spit upon us , throw stones at us , set and throw dogs at us , speak all manner of evil upon us , and all manner of slander , Them that be great Professors and great talkers practice this , and pluckers down , yet if our friend go into the Steeple-house , and aske but a question , they will hale him out , and cast him into prison , or if he speak never a word , they will cast him into prison , and if he do not go , they will cast into prison for asking a question .

33 Let all the poor people , blinde and lame , and creeples be provided for in the Nation , that there might not be a begger in England nor Englands Dominions , that you may say you come to be equal with the Jewes , that had the law , that made provision for widows , strangers and fatherlesse , and Levis hee that turns his ears from hearing the poor , turns his ears from the Law , which is to provide for them , for ye have read the practice of the Church , the Saints which were in the Gospel , which doth condemn this Nations practice , where is so many Beggars among them , both the Jews in the Law , and the Church in the Gospel ? And so let all great gifts given to great men , be given to the poor , let the receiver deny it , and the giver return it to the poor ; for the rich may give to the rich , but the poor cannot give it him again , so minde Christs Doctrine .

34 Let all those Easter-reckonings , Midsommer-dues , be taken & thrown aside , and let no ones goods be spoiled , who for conscience sake cannot give the Priest these things , and let all this Burying the dead for mony , and Marrying for mony , and Christening for mony , and Churching of women for mony , let all these things be swept away , and let the Nation be a free Nation , and what any one doth , let them do it freely ; These twenty shilling Sermons , and ten shilling Sermons , and ten groats the grave for the Priest be laid aside , and then see whose mouth the Lord will open ; for mony choaks , and gifts blindes .

35 And let no man bear the sword that does violence to any man , or accuse any man falsely .

36 Let all these naming of dayes , those Sunsdayes , and Moonsdayes , Tuisdayes , Wodensdayes , Thorsdayes , Frydayes , Saturdayes , that is after the Heathens manner ( and naming ) be put out of your Almanacks , which is contrary to the Jewes naming of dayes , and the true Christians both .

37 Let all this observing of holidayes , and Saints days , ( which hath been set up by them who were out of the power of God , as Michalmas , and Candlemas , and Christmas , Whitsontide , Easter , and many of the Saints days which they were killed on , those they feast on , sottish people feast on , fools and Ideots feast on ; let this abomination be taken away .

38 Let no man that is a striker or fighter , and a wrestler with flesh and blood , and wrestles with the Creatures of God , that goes under the name of a Minister of Christ , not to go under the name of Minister , that would have Creaturs to be whipt , stockt and prisoned , for they that fight with powers of darknesse , and spiritual wickednesse , they must lay aside the outward sword and the spear , the whips , the stockings , and the prisonings , and they must come to the spiritual weapons , the spirit of God in themselves , the spiritual weapon that wars with the powers of darknesse , and spiritual wickednesse , to bring the Creature into the liberty of the Sons of God , for they that fight with Creatures fight with outward weapons .

39 Let no Judge , nor Justice , nor Sherif that is ambitious , High-minded , bear rule , or bear any Government , for such are out of the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom , with which they should order the Creation to the Glory of God the Creator , and are out of the meek state and the humility , and of doing justly , loving mercy , and walking humbly before God , and they are an ill favour in the nostrils of God , and to all sober , tender people and sincere .

40 And let the noise of this summing people up by writs , into the courts of the Nation and Sessions for Priests , poor people , them the Priest does no work for , let that be taken away and stopt , and all those Courts pulled down , that doth oppress and hold up oppression , that Justice might be done without oppression , and not for money , for these things hath shamed the so called Ministers of the Gospel , which sues people up and down , which they do no work for , and so do not bring glad tidings to the Nations , but trouble , as their fruits have declared ; What trouble are men brought into by their Courts and Sessions whom they do no work for ? had the Apostle done so , he might have made the Gospel loathsom , troublesom , but he kept it without charge ; but such there hath been but few since the dayes of the Apostles , so let the Gospel be kept without charge , and let them that Minister the Gospel , keep it without charge .

41 And away with all these stipend-men and glebe-land men , augmentation men , gifts , fees and rewards , &c.

42 Let no man , Priest nor Lawyer have Tithes , augmentations , stipends , glebe-lands , great fees , gifts and rewards , but if any one will preach or read the Law , let him do it freely , for God is a free God , and so are his people , and Christ is a free Christ , and offered himself freely ; what any one hath received freely from him , he is to give it freely , ( this is Christs Command to be obeyed ) and so this will be the way to set the Spirit of God free , and the Oxes mouth shall not be muzeled that treads out the Corn , and this will be the way to stop all such that makes a trade of the Law , and Scriptures , that if any one will read Law or Scriptures , let him do it freely , and not by this carnal measure , the hour-glass , by which the Spirit of God is quenched in others , which reveals something to them for edification and comforting , according to the Order and Practise of the Church of God , 1 Corinthians 14.30 .

43 And you that are Officers , that have great estates of your own , and Commanders , and men of Authority , do that which you do freely , and that will be the way for to gain the love of God and your Countrey , and the way to take off this oppression , and it will be the way that the poor might have the more plenty , and it will be the way whereby Justice , the Gospel may run freely without money and without price .

44 Let all these things for money , and preaching for money , and singing for money be laid aside , let not preaching be a trade , nor the Word of God made Merchandize of ; and let not the Law be sold nor bought , and let not them handle the Law , nor none of them be handlers of the Law that will not do Justice without money ; for those will not do Justice , but will favour the rich for a fee , a gift or reward , which eates up the poor , and hold people in long suites , by which cause the Just suffers , and is often overthrown .

45 Let all Images and Pictures be taken away and plucked up , and blotted out of all Signes , Steeple-houses and Gardens , and Houses , and rooted out of the Land .

46 And let none keep Ale-houses or Taverns , but who fear God , that is come into the Wisdom of God , that will not let the Creatures of God be destroyed by Drunkards .

47 Let all Games , Sports be taken away that pleases the fleshly mind .

Is it not to honour a Magistrate to live in the Power of God ?

48 Let all the Stage-playes , May-Games , Shoffel-boards , Dice , Cards , Nine-holes , Foot-balls and Hand-balls , and Fidlings , and all these vain Musicks , which stirs up the light vain minds of people , that doth not know what to eat nor drink , nor what to put on ; let all these things be taken away that stirs up the light mind , and maketh provision for the flesh , or else they will lye upon you .

49 Let all those Bul-baitings , Cock-fightings , Horse-racing , which is destructive to the Creatures , and to please peoples vain light minds , and is destructive to seriousness ; let all these things be taken away .

50 Let no one wear Sword , Dagger or Pistol , or weapon , but who is in Office , or Service , or Place , and this will bee the way to stop wickedness , and murderers and killers .

51 Let no man keep Ale-houses or Taverns that keeps Bowls , Shoffelboard-Tables , or Fidlers , or Dice , or Cards .

52 Let neither Beggar nor Blind people , nor Fatherless , nor Widows , nor Cripples go a Begging up and down the streets , but that a House may be provided for them all , and meat , that there may be never a Beggar among you ; and let this great Fees of Goalers and Garnish-money be taken away , which through those great Fees many have layn long in Prison .

53 Let all Goals be in wholesom places , that the Prisoners may not lye in their own dung , and Piss , and straw like Chaffe , having never a House-of-office in the Prison ; Therefore let there be an House-of-office in all Goals , and let these things be mended .

54 And let all these jangling of Bells cease , which do feed peoples pleasures and vain minds .

55 Let all those Ballad-singers , and Ballad-makers , and Jest-book-makers which stirs up peoples vain and light minds , be taken away .

56 And let all this wearing of gold Lace , and costly attire , more like Anticks then sober men , let this be ended , and cloath the naked , and feed the hungry with the superfluity ; And turn not your ear from the cry of the poor , for if you do , you turn it away from the Law that provides for them .

57 Let all the Priests restore to the poor people , who have so expressively taken away their goods , treble and treble ; if you be the men that will do justice , make them to restore to them their goods again ; and that is but Just .

58 And let not the Priests strike ( our Friends , nor set on their Professors and hearers ; but keep the Peace .

59 Let none have their goods taken away for not paying for the Priests bread and wine , their Communion ( as they call it ) though they do not eat with them , nor hath not for these many years ; yet the Church-wardens ( so called distrains the goods of our Friends , to make them pay for their bread and wine , their Communion ( so called ) which they eat and drink .

Justice and Righteousness exalteth a Nation ; But sin is a shame both to Rulers and people .

Be not high-minded but fear , and be meek and low , for the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom , and before honour goeth humility , Prov. 15.33 .

HE that persecutes another for his Faith , maketh shipwrack of his own in himself ; he that persecutes and kills another about sacrifice is a Vagabond , and is ●ain and not Abel , though he build a City , and be the Chief Magistrate in a City , as Cain was , and he doth not well , so he hath not dominion over sin .

He that persecutes another about meats and drinks , and dayes , is in the wisdom below , and out of Christ the substance by whom all things was made , who is the Wisdom of God . He that is a Lord over another mans Faith , is a persecutor , and knows not Christ the Lord , the Author of Faith , and God the giver of it ; and he that would bear rule over another mans Faith is out of the Apostles Doctrine , 2 Cor . 1.24 . And he that would bear rule over another mans Faith , will persecute , such will not have him to bear rule over their Faith which Christ is the Author of , and so to make shipwrack of Faith , and Christ the Author of it , such doth , as will be Lords , and this is but the form of godliness out of the power , who brings the World on heaps ; and this hath been in whole Christendom since the dayes of the Apostles .

Such as would have dominion over mens Faith was the Anti-christs doctrine , and false Christ , which would have been as Christ , who was the author of true the Faith , and these have been making Faith almost in every age , and have power over the false faith , and called defenders of the Faith , and so have wildernessed people , and brought them all into Sects and heaps , and this hath kept people from the power of God : And who comes to receive the end of their Faith , they receive the Salvation of their Souls . And they that will have the power over mens Faith , they must needs be the end of their faith , which is a dead one ; Now they that have gotten power over mens Faith , which is but a dead one since the dayes of the Apostles , for they that be in the living Faith suffereth with Christ , the Author and end of it , before they will yield to others , that would have power over their Faith , which if they get power , they make shipwrack , if not , they persecute the Creature , till death by imprisonment or banishment , whipping , stocking , persecuting and stoning , mocking or reproaching , yea , for their own maintenance such as they do not work for ; so those men ; Ministers or Teachers , that would have power over mens Faith , and call themselves defenders of it , they must needs be the end of it , that have power over it ; And now with their power they will persecute and Prison Creatures till death , about their faith .

Them that seek to have preheminence over mens Faith , which is the cause and ground of bringing all people on heaps and sects in the whole Christendom , for when they have lost the head Christ , who is the Author of the Faith which is one in whom it ends , who hath the power over it ; now Christ that hath power over Faith , is the Author of it , and the end of it , he comes to save mens lives , and destroyes the Devil and his workes , and death wherein he hath his Authority , and saves mens lives , and can reconcile them to God : And the Apostles that bid people believe in Christ , and look unto him who is the Author of their Faith , and that they should have Faith in Christ Jesus , they wrestled not with flesh and blood , but spiritual wickedness , and rulers of darkness , and brought the creatur into the liberty of the Sons of God .

So men that have power over mens Faith , the dead faith , they destroy the Creatures and mars them , and that is the power of darkness , that leads them to persecute and do the works of darkness , but Christ who hath power over the living Faith , who is the Author of it , the end of it , the finisher of it , he destroyes the Devil the power of darkness , that went out of truth , & leads men out of truth into the darkness , where they devour one another by that power of darkness , — and Christ is the cause of the living Faith , who saves mens lives , and destroyes the Author of sin , and death , and dead Faith , and the cause and the Author of this Faith , and men destroying one another ; so the Devil is the power of death , that went out from truth , where he hath his dead faith , and makes the World like a Wilderness , where death and destruction talkes of the fame of God , Christ , the Prophets and Apostles , where the Devil will have power over their Faith , that murder and persecute Creatures with all his false apostles and false magistrates , which the true Magistrates never did with carnal weapons , with sword and spear , he fights with Creatures , with flesh and blood , he cannot fight with spiritual wickedness , and the powers of darkness , with swords and spears , he that fights with them , fights with flesh , and blood with the Creatures , he doth not preach the Gospel to that which is captivated with the powers of darkness , he that runs against the Creatures with swords and spears , and defaces and marrs it , doth not go the way to bring it into the liberty of the Sons of God , for hee that wrestles with spiritual wickedness and rulers of darkness , he must be turned from them in his own particular , and with that eye he sees the Gospel & receives the Gospel , which is the power of God , and comes to receive the Covenant of Light , whereby the prisoners shewes themselves sorth out of the pit , wherein there hath been no water , and so comes to fight with spiritual weapons and rulers of darkness ; for he that fights with the powers of darkness and rulers of darkness , he must have the shield of Faith , and spiritual weapons to beat them down , and to bring the Creature into the liberty of the Sons of God .

Now they that fight with their spiritual weapons , they come into the true zeal of Christ , and fight not with flesh and blood , to wrestle with Creatures , but fights with their spiritual weapons , and wrestles against spiritual wickedness , and rulers in darkness .

Now they that say , They are Ministers of Christ and Ministers of the Gospel , and Christians , and fight with carnal weapons , swords and spears , about your Church , Religion and Worship , and Faith and Gospel , those fight with Creatures , with flesh and blood in the mad blind zeal , and are presumptuous and usurped authority , but you cannot sight with outward spear and sword , with powers of darkness , and spiritual wickedness ; Now they that fight with spiritual wickedness and Rulers of darkness , they can do no good with an outward sword and outward spear , they can do no good with those weapons , for tha● is Goliah●● ; but they that fight with that must be with spiritual weapons , and lay aside the carnal weapons , sword and spear .

He that will be Lord over a mans Faith is in darkness , and out of the power of God , and hath lost the head , Christ the Author of Faith , and is in the dead Faith , and doth not believe that he shall overcome sin , and the body of sin , while he is upon the earth .

He that will persecute men about the Worship of God , he is out of the truth , and out of the Spirit , a will-worshipper , and in fained humility ; for they that Worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth , they are in the Truth that the Devil , and murtherer , and persecutor is out of .

They that will persecute about Religion , they are in the vain religion below , among whom the power is not over their tongues , who will destroy the Creatures , and persecute to death about their vain religion ; but who is in the pure Religion which is from above , that keeps unspotted from the World , which is to visit the fatherless , feed the hungry , cloath the naked , these be the preservers of the Creation ; but they that persecute about their vain religion , be full of the World , and pleading about their body of sin while they are upon the earth , which cloaths not the naked , feeds not the hungry , relieves not the widow and the sick that lyes up and down like to famish ; And such be in the divelish envious persecuting nature , and yet they will profess the Scriptures from Genesis to the Revelation , where they find not their example , that will persecute people about the Gospel ; such be out of the Apostles Doctrine , and Christs Doctrine , who wrestled not with flesh and blood , but with powers of darkness , and spiritual wickednesses , & Christ came to save mens lives , not to destroy them , and to bring the Creature into the liberty of the Sons of God , and they that persecute people about the Gospel , are out of the power of God , in the Devils power , which power of God comprehends the World , and all transgression , and is glad tidings which sets free , through which power , life and immortality comes to light , and doth not persecute , and they that persecute people , and burn people , and Prison people about their zeal of Christ , the Prophets and Apostles words , they are mad and blind , and out of the life of Christ and the Apostles , and his zeal that saved mens lives , and brought the Creature into the liberty of the Sons of God , and wrestled with the powers of darkness and spiritual wickednesses , and destroyed the Devil and his works , and death where he had his authority , and reconciled the Creature , and man to God ; This was Christs zeal , and did not persecute creatures , but the blind and mad zeal destroyes Creatures , and Prisons and persecutes them to death , instead of reconciling them , that is the Devils power .

And they that persecute people about Religion , persecute Creatures , and fight with them with swords , spears , staves and bills , Judas guard , Prisons , houses of Correction , whipping , stocking , with outward weapons , they quench the Spirit of God in themselves , and throws away spiritual weapons , and such never begets to God , nor Ministers to the Spirit , but sowes to the flesh , that of the flesh corruption may be reaped ( and so much of it is to be reaped in Christendom ) that is the fruit of the carnal weaponed men , which quenches the Spirit , and throwes away the spiritual weapons .

And who persecute and Prison them about their wisdom and knowledge , opinion and judgement , they have in Christs , the Apostles and Prophets Words , that will kill , prison , stock and whip with the wisdom which they have in Christs , the Prophets and Apostles Words , such are in the wisdom below that is earthly , sensual and devilish , and out of the Wisdom that is from above , that is not departed from evil , and is not come to it , which is pure and gentle , and peaceable , and easie to be intreated , which doth not destroy but preserve , and is not earthly , sensual nor divelish , for that is destroying .

They that persecute and kill people about their Church and Ministry , be in the Dragons and Beasts , & great Whores authority , and false church compelling , out of the Dominion and Authority of the Church of God ( which Christ is the head of ) and the Ministry saves mens lives ; And that Church which Christ is the head of , who Worship God in Spirit and truth , the Church which is the Ground and Pillar of truth , that all persecutors are out of , for the Devil and all his guard is out of this Church .

They that say , they are believers which are not born of God , and do not believe in the Light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the World , and are not born of God , by which they overcome the World ; That belief is false , that say , they do believe , and yet while they be upon the earth , they must have a body of sin and corruption while they be upon this side of the grave , their Faith ●● dead , and so their Conscience is defiled ; for the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience , which is a living lively Faith , that gives victory , through which Faith the fiery darts of Satan is quenched , through which Faith they have access to God that purifies the heart , which the Mystery of is held in a pure Conscience , by which the Just lives , by which they overcome the unjust , the author of death , and the dead faith .

They that say , they are Worshippers of God , and lives out of truth , they worship as the Devil doth out of truth ; for who worships God in the truth , is in that which the Devil is out of , and Worships in that .

And they that say , they are Worshippers of God , and must have sin and corruption , and the body of sin while they be upon the earth ; they are the will-worshippers , and worships out of the Spirit , and quenches the Spirit of God in themselves , which mortifies sin , and puts off the body of sin and corruptions , through which Spirit they have Unity with God , and one with another , and Scripture , and them that gave it forth , which was in the Spirit of God .

They that say , they have a hope , and they must not be pure while upon the earth , which doth not purifie them as God is pure , but they must have sin and corruption , and the body of sin while this side of the grave ; it is the hope of the Hypocrite which shall perish , though they do profess all Scripture , from Genesis to the Revelation , for the true hope , Christ the Mystery , which remains and doth not perish , perfects , and makes as pure as God is pure ; and this differs from the false hope which doth not purifie , and is to perish .

And they that will persecute about hope , be in the Hypocrites hope ( like Pharisees ) professing Scriptures , and will turn against Christ the hope ; and so they persecute him in his Saints . ( Why persecutest thou me ? ) And so they who persecute people about Worship , be out of the truth ; for who be in the truth , be in that the Devil is out of , the persecutor .

They that will persecute People about Faith , be in the dead faith , and is out of that Faith which works by love , and give victory , and quenches the fiery darts of the wicked , the Devil who is the author of persecution .

And they that will persecute enemies , and hate enemies , and will call them Blasphemers , seducers , they are haters of Creaters , and strikers of Creatures , and hath that power which captivates Creatures , and are not the Spiritual men in the armour of God , to sight with spiritual wickednesse , of whom remains the curse that comes not up to fight against the Mighty ; The Dragon , and all carnal weaponed men , with which he fights with all about worship ; And they that have enemies , have thrown aside the commands of Christ , which is to love enemies , and be out of the love of Christ , and God that loved the World though it lay in Wickednesse , and sent his onely begotten Son into the World , and gave him for an offering , and a sacrifice for the sins of the whole World , and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the World , that all through him might believe , and he that believes him and receives him , hath power to become the Son of God , and he that doth not believe , but hates the light with which he is enlightened , which comes from Christ , he an is Anti-christ , and will not come to the light , because it doth reprove him , and this is his condemnation , who loves the darknesse , rather then the light , because his deeds be evil ; and those that call themselves Ministers of Christ , and Preachers of the Gospel , and will persecute men for Tythes , Easter-reckonings , Mi●summer dues , and for Clerks wages for saying Amen , and for not mending the old Mass-house , they be out of the Apostles order and Christ ; for no such things were practised among the Ministers nor Apostles of Christ , nor had they any such practice , but stood in the power of God , with which they stopped the mouths of such evil beasts , and slow-b●llies , which taught for filthy lucres sake , which they gave the name of evil Beasts , and slow-Bellies , whose words was as canker , who admired mens persons because of advantage , who are found in Balaims way , Corahs and Cains way , and persecuting and turning against the just ; who will persecute people about the Scriptures , be out of the life of the Apostles and Christ who was the end of the Scriptures , and just mens spirits that gave them forth , in him they end whose name is called the word of God , who is come to fulfill the words of God ; for the Ministers of Christ never persecuted any , neither did Christ give them any such command , but taught to love enemies ; and so these say they are Ministers of Christ and the Gospel , and teacheth Magistrates to persecute , which are contrary to them , have thrown away the commands of Christ and his Doctrine , and are out of the Apostles life and Doctrine both , that be strikers , that sayes they must not be strikers , and out of the mind and spirit of Christ , life and power , who comes to save mens lives , and judged and rebuked their zeal , who would have mens lives destroyed , and told them they should perish , who would have mens lives destroyed except they repented .

And they that will persecute people for wearing their hats , are in the honour below , out of the honour that commeth from God above ; the hat honour , worship & humility hath been set up in the fall , hath been since man transgressed , & was driven from God , and is the worship among th●m that is covered , but not with the spirit of God , in whom the witness is transgressed , and quenched ; And they that will persecute people about that they call civility , & fellowship , and language , and fashions , be out of the fellowship of God , the spirit , and out of the shape of God , and out of the sound speech and language that cannot be condemned , and out of the singular and plural , though they have learned such words amongst themselves , yet practiseth them nor themselves , nor will have others ; and the civility stands not in outward things , but in that which comprehends outward things , in which their is love , life , and faith that works by love , who envies not , So the civility in which there is envy , outward civility , but it stands in the love of the World , self-love , honours , self-righteousnesse , w●●l-worship , fained humility , crouching , scraping , capping , fained love , in which is the envy that have it not , in which is that they call their civility , which is come up since the spirit hath been transgressed , in which love and wisdom of God , there is courteousnesse , and kindnesse , and tendernesse , and stooping and coming down to the Prisoned and oppressed , and among the captivated ones , here is tendernesse , and love , and compassion , and mercy , and the wisdom that is from above , in this stands the civility that is plain and pure and good in the love of God , that envies no creature , that would have all creatures to worship God , and honour Him , this love thinks no evil , and this is not of the World , and they are the false Church , and false Apostles , and Ministers of unrighteousnesse , and false teachers , and among whom is not the order of the true Church , nor exhorting , nor edifying ; that is , if any thing be revealed to another that sits by , the first is to hold his peace , ye may all prophecy one by one , that all may learn , and all be comforted , which was the order of the true Church , and true Ministry ; but the false Church and Ministry gets to the powers of the earth , to make them a law , if any one speak to them to bid them hold their peace that sits by , there is something revealed unto them to comfort and edifie the people , the false Church and the false Ministers tells the Magistrates , Revelation is ceased , of whom they have a Law to cast them into prison or house of correction , or getting mony when they are going to the Steeple-house , or in it , or coming from it , as disturbers ; And this is the practice of the true Church , which was to edifie & to comfort , is become disturbers of the false Church and Ministery , that have gotten a law to hinder exhorting and comforting .

G. F.

THE END .