A collection of the several books and vvritings, given forth by that faithful servant of God and his people, George Fox, the Younger

A Noble Salutation, And a Faithful GREETING Unto THEE Charles Stuart, Who art now PROCLAIMED KING OF England, Scotland, France, and Ireland.

I. Several wholesom, sound Exhortations, &c.

LET thy Moderation be known unto all men, for the Lord is at hand, whose presence filleth Heaven and Earth; and let such a Nobility appear in Thee, as to try all things, and to hold fast that which is good; and either to read, or to hear with patience before thou judgest; for Wisdom becometh a

King, and true Reason, Solidness, and Patience, him that is a Ruler of the People. [Mark] The God of Heaven hath put into my heart to write unto Thee, and in tender love both to thy Soul and Body, to lay be∣fore Thee several things, whereby thou mayest come to see and consider, how the mighty Hand and Justice of the Invisible God hath been in these overturnings and changes, which have happened in these Nations of late years, therefore consider these things; The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, He is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, and the whole Earth is his, and the fulness thereof, and he Ruleth over the Kingdoms of men, and giveth them unto whomsoever he pleas∣eth: Yea, he pulleth down one, and setteth up another, and there is no overturning or changing the Kingdoms, but it is either by his Commission or Permission; and the Lord doth not do any thing, neither suffereth he any thing to be done, unto persons or Kingdoms without a Cause (though he may do whatsoever he pleaseth) and who shall call him to an account? Yet all his doings are righteous, and his wayes are just and equal altogether: And it is for the unrighteousness sometimes of a King or Kings, and sometimes of a People, and other times of both, that the Lord doth break, or suffer a Nation or Nations to be broken; and when he determines to break a People, or to change Governments (or to suffer such to be done) in vain do men strive to preserve or uphold them? and the Lord may, and doth make whomsoever he pleaseth his Instruments, for to do his determined Work; and when they have done his Work, then he may do whatsoever he pleaseth with them; and many times his Instruments, when they begin his determined Work, appear very contemptible unto many: Yet such speak foolishly, and without understanding, who say, That such Instruments are too weak and cannot prevail, seeing

all power is in the hand of God, who can give Wisdom, and Strength, and Courage, unto whomsoever he pleas∣eth; Yea, so much as may accomplish his Work; and he very oft-times, by that which appeareth foolish, weak, and contemptible, confoundeth and bringeth to naught that which appeareth to be Mighty and wise, that no flesh should glory in his presence. And when his Instruments have done his Work (and he determines to break, or suffer them to be broken again) let them ap∣pear never so Wise, Bold and Mighty, yet vainly do they speak, who say, Such a Wise, Bold and Mighty Peo∣ple cannot be broken, seeing the Lord can do whatsoever he pleaseth; who suddenly can turn man's Wisdom in∣to folly, his strength into weakness, and his boldness into dauntedness of Spirit. Now such things as these O King, come oft to pass, and none of them without a Cause; and they that are truly Wise, learn further, and get understanding through all these things: Therefore is true Wisdom better than Strength, and a right Under∣standing is better than an earthly Crown: Therefore O King, wait to feel the noble Principle of Wisdom, which God hath inspired Thee withal; for there is a measure of it in Thee, though it hath been hid, and that mea∣sure is the Light, which Christ the Wisdom of God hath enlightned Thee withal, which Light in Thee is that which never had fellowship with darkness in Thee, or its deeds, nor concord with the Devil or his Works; but makes manifest and reproves all such things; which Light, being received in the love of it, and believed and waited in, man becomes a child of it, and so it gives him a good understanding, and opens an eye in him, whereby he comes to see the hand, and workings, and appearances of the invisible God; and this Light is the free Gift of God, which is come upon all men; which being rejected, and a man not liking to retain it in his

knowledge, he profesing himself then to be wise, be∣comes a fool, and brings condemnation upon himself for rejecting that, which should minister all things unto him pertaining unto Life and Godliness. Therefore O King, give all diligence to receive the Gift which God hath placed in thy heart, that so thou mayest be acquainted with Wisdom, and that thou mayest be filled with moderation, gravity, and patience, and come to a right understanding and discerning, that so thou mayest rightly look upon things past, present, and to come, and see them as they were, are, and shall be.

II. Concerning the overturning of thy Fa∣ther, &c.

COncerning thy Father, and those that took his Part, There was an eminent hand of God in breaking them down, and bringing them under; and God did it not without a Cause; for the Iniquity in them provoked the holy God to anger, and the hight and pride of their spirits grieved and pressed the Spirit of the Just God; and after he had a long time born with them, and warn∣ed them with his Eternal Light in their Consciences, yet they repented not, but still grieved his good Spirit by many provocations, and waxed higher and higher a∣gainst him in disobedience; his anger then was kindled against them, and his indignation waxed hot; and he arose in the fiery spirit of his jealousie, to ease himself of his Adversaries, and avenge himself of his Enemies; and because the Living, Wise, Eternal God (who made all the Nations of the earth of one blood, and is no

respecter of persons) saw that those that took part with thy Father, were generally (according to outward ap∣pearance) accounted the wisest, richest, noblest, and stoutest men (mark) and that they did glory in their Wisdom, Riches, Nobility, Stoutness, and Strength, and vaunted themselves over those that were made of the same Blood; He (the living God) did then appear in contemptible Instruments, (as to outward appearance) as in Trades-men, Plough-men, Servants, and the like, with some others, whom I know thy Father's Party made a mock at, and even scorned them as it were, and thought it too low and too base a thing, to engage War with such a contemptible People; yet in such, I say, did the Lord appear to carry on that Work which he had determin∣ed, even to bring down the loftiness of man, and to stain the pride and glory of flesh, and that thy Father's Party might have come to see that they were but men, made of the same earth and blood that others were: And the Lord God appeared mightily in those his In∣struments, giving them Wisdom, Courage, and Strength to mannage a War against a far more Mighty and Wise People (as to outward appearance) than themselves, and they prevailed daily against their Enemies: And the affections of the People run forth and inclined towards them: And God struck thy Father's Party with daun∣tedness of Spirit, and turned their wisdom backwards, and prospered them not in the Field; but sometimes caused them to Flee before their Enemies, and other times gave them into their hands; and yet they repen∣ted not, neither did they humble themselves before the Lord; and some fretted and strove, and some Blasphe∣med and Cursed, even for madness, to see how they were Defeated; yet they strove in vain, for God was against them, and they grew weaker and weaker, until they were even wholly subdued, and brought under their

Enemies, and given into their hands for a Prey; That so they durst not scarce act, or speak any thing against their Enemies: And God suffered Thy Father to be de∣livered into their Hands: And thus the Lord stained the glory and pride of that People, which took part with Thy Father and Thee, by a low and contemptible means, as to outward appearance; Though I do verily believe, that those in whom God did appear against thy Father, thy Self, and those that took that part, did act several things against you, beyond their Commission they had from God, yet he did permit them: And in several of them, who did engage against Thy Father and his Party, there was once a tender, honest, good Principle, in the day wherein they were low; and there were true desires in some of them, after a just Liberty, both as appeartain∣ing to Conscience, and in things betwixt man and man; and they were truly sensible of many Oppressions that were in the Nations, both in matters of Religion, and in the Laws and Customs of the Land; and they cryed unto God when they were low, and Vowed unto him (and engaged unto man) That if he would deliver their Enemies into their hands, that then they would remove all Oppressions, and make the People of these Nations a Free People, and that they should have their Just Rights and Liberties, both as Men, and as Christians. Now after Thou hadst also stroven against them (with a perfidious People, to wit, the Scots) and ye were defeated; the Lord gave their Enemies so into their hands, that they had as much outward Power in these three Nations, as they could desire; and they also became a Dread and a Terror to some Nations about them: And they had Power and Opportunity to have removed all Oppressions out of the Land; but alas, Covetousness and self-seek∣ing Lusts sprang up in most of them, and leavened them; And when they had Rest and Fulness; they forgot the

Lord, who had raised them from a low degree; and they forgot the Oppression of their Brethren also, and regar∣ded not to pay their Vows to God and Man: But after a time the Chief of them got into thy Father's Houses and Lands, and into Thine, and into some of those that took your parts, and others they sold, and so thereby be∣came great in the Earth: And then their Lusts encreas∣ed, and they grew wanton against the Lord also, and boasted themselves over those whom they had conquered; And some of them began to creep into those Places and Things themselves, which they had cryed out against in others; And so built and set up the same Thing in, and among themselves, which they had thrown down, and de∣stroyed in another; only in Deceit and Hypocrisie, they got other Names for them. Then several of the Army that were amongst them, when they saw their Deceit and Wickedness; and that they did not intend the thing which they did pretend, durst not for Conscience sake continue any longer amongst them; but left them seve∣ral years ago, and declared against them: And others since, that feared the Lord, were turned out by them; so that in a short time many of them became greater Oppressors and Persecutors, than those whom they conquered, and so provoked the Lord to anger. Then the Lord raised up many Prophets and Servants, and sent them amongst those who had acted thus treacherously; and some also wrote unto them, and laid their Abomina∣tions plainly before them, and shewed them wherein they had erred, and exhorted them to Repentance; and plainly shewed unto them what the Lord required at their hands: And sometimes were made to Reprove them sharply and plainly, and prophesied unto them, That the Lord would confound and break them to pieces one a∣gainst another, and suffer them to be destroyed, if they re∣pented not speedily: but they would not hearken, but

grew stiff-necked against the Lord and his People, and suffered many of them to be Oppressed, and their Goods spoyled, and some of them to be Imprisoned unto death in their Names: And thus they Rebelled against the Lord more and more, and boasted of their Strength, and Wisdom, and Valour, and so forgot how that it was the Lord that raised them up from a low degree, and gave them Power over their Enemies: And thus they wrought grievous provocations in his sight, so that then the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and as they forsook him, so he forsook them; and at length he gave them up to the Counsels of their own Hearts, be∣cause they had rejected his Counsel: And then they be∣gan to divide and split amongst themselves, and to be∣tray one another for self-ends; and their courage began to fail, and faintness and deadness of Spirit seized upon them; And having plunged themselves so far in Co∣vetousness and Lusts, the Cloud of Error grew so thick upon them, that they could not see the Cause that they once were so zealous for: And when Confusion fell up∣on them, and they groped like blind men, and knew not at what they stumbled; neither knew they for whom, nor for what to stand; but sometimes cryed up, and en∣gaged for one Thing, and shortly after cryed against it, and threw it down again; and some of them cryed for one thing, and others brought forth another thing; and so like Babel's builders (whom God determined to scat∣ter) they acted; and their Eye being blinded, they wrought their own Destruction; and few of them saw it until it was come upon them; and them that did, were as men amazed, and knew not how to help them∣selves. And thus the just hand of the Lord came upon an Hypocritical, Deceitful, professing People, who in Words have made a great professing that they knew God, but in Works they have denied him; and therefore hath

the Lord taken away their strength for the present, and turned their wisdom backwards, and stained their glory, that they also might come to see what they were, and what the Lord did for them, and what they are fallen from, that so haply some of them may come to find repentance, and to be humbled under the Mighty Hand of God, and the Lord may heal their backslidings, and may raise up his own Eternal Witness in them (the Tabernacle of David) which hath been fallen down.

III. Concerning Thy coming so far into Power again, &c.

NOw observe the hand of the Lord in thy coming so far into Power again, and those who took part with thy Father & Thee. First, consider the cause of it (in the fear of the Lord) and thou wilt find that it is because they unto whom God gave such Power over you, were not faithful unto God, as hath been said before, but grieved the Spirit of the Lord with their hypocrisie from day to day, talking for Liberty, but behold they brought forth Oppression, and so became worser than you that went before them, who did not Profess so much for Liberty in words: And this I know, that if they had been faithful unto the Lord, thou and those called thy Friends, could not have come over them thus as ye have done; Therefore let no man deceive thee, by perswading thee that these things are thus brought to pass, because the Kingdom was thy own proper right, and because it was with-held from thee contrary to all right; or, because that those called Royallists are much more righteous than those who are now fallen under thee; For I plainly declare unto thee, that this Kingdom, and all the Kingdoms of the Earth, are properly the

Lords, and that he may and doth give them unto whomso∣ever he pleaseth; and whensoever he please, he may take them away again, and give them unto others; and when he doth thus, it is not contrary to right: And this know, that it was the just hand of God in taking away the Kingdom from thy Father and Thee, and giving it unto others; and that also, it is now the just hand of the Lord to take it again from them, and bring them under Thee; though I shall not say, but that some of them went beyond their Commission against thy Father, when they were brought as a rod over you, and well will it be for thee, if thou becom'st not guilty of the same transgression now thou art brought over them; and this consider, that those who are call'd thy Friends, who were con∣quer'd, have humbled themselves but little under the hand of the Lord, but are still found to be in great transgressions; and also consider the manner how this thing hath been wrought, and carryed on, concerning the bringing in of thee again, that so there may be no fleshly boasting; for the thing is plainly discerned by them whose eye is single, and I shall declare it unto thee: Mark; The Army having acted so deceit∣fully, the lusts and gain of the world blinded their eye, and they having so far provoked the Lord, untill his Decree was sealed against them, and he had determined that they should be broken; after they had split among themselves, and turned from one thing to another, and knew not where to rest, and the Lord suffered some of them to rise up from among themselves to deceive the rest, and so they through dissimulation (in professing to stand for those who had so eminently stood against thy Father and Thee) got Power to weaken and turn out those that were really against thee, (as disturbers of the Good Old Cause, as they termed it) and so by little and little strengthened those that stood for thee; and thus

the deceived blind men provided a Rod for themselves, and so by little & little wrought themselves under it, and it is just upon them; For the rod is for the fools back. So let this be considered, that this was not carryed on by the stoutness of those that stood for thee, nor yet by a visible plain down-right dealing, but rather through the hidden mystery of deceit, which was suffered to work against those whom God had determined should be broken, that so by the same way whereby they had deceived others, which was by pretending to stand for that which they did not intend: I say, even by the same way, they in the end should be deceived themselves: So let none glory in what is done concerning this thing, as if it were done by their Valour or Wisdom, though I can truly say, the hand of the Lord hath permitteed these things, and that for the Cause before mentioned, and he will be glorified in all these Overturnings.

IV. Concerning the great danger thou art in, in thy coming in, &c.

ANd also, consider the danger that thou art in, in thy coming in as King of these Nations, for it is exceeding great as things stand; and this hath been much upon me to lay before thee, and it is in tender love both to thy Soul and Body; for I plainly see that if thou shouldst come in upon the account of the People called Presbyterians, if thou shouldst refuse to bow to what they would set up, or if thou shouldst not satisfie the ungodly covetousness of their Priests, there is several of them would be ready to serve Thee as they did thy Father, if they were permitted. And if thou do come in upon the account of those People called Old Royallists, (Mark) truly, though I do be∣lieve

they would abhor such a thing as to sell Thee, yet the iniquity of many of them is so great, and there is so much Swearing, lusts and vanity amongst them, that except they repent, they are not like long to prosper, but the hand of the Lord will assuredly break them also. And furthermore consider, there are a deceitful People in these Nations, for there are many thousands that now appear highly for Thee in words, that if they could see a likelihood of a change, they would appear as much or more against Thee: Therefore consider thy standing, and be not high-minded, but fear, and take heed lest thou fall; and never go about to Engage the People unto thee by Oaths, lest thou cause many to forswear themselves; for truly this People, a great part of them are a perfidious People, as they have manifested them∣selves, who one while have sworn for a King and Par∣liament, and shortly after, they have sworn against a King, single Person, or House of Lords; and short∣ly after they have sworn or Engaged for a single Person again, and called one another Lords; and a little after they have turned against that Government, and cryed up a Parliament again; and now the same People are generally crying up a King again; And truly those Rulers who have imposed so many several Engagements upon the People, they have done ex∣ceeding evilly therein: And how abominably have these dirty, deceitful, covetous Priests acted in all these changes? O it is hard to utter their deceit! who one while they have prayed for a King & Parliament, and when they saw the King was likely to fall, and that he was no wayes likely to maintain them, then they turn'd against him, and prayed only for the Parliament, and asserted their Authority, and cursed them that would not go out to help against the Mighty. And shortly after when Oliver Cromwel had turn'd out the Parliament, and set up himself, then they cryed up (and prayed for)

him, and many of them began to assert his Authority to be just; and when he died, many of these Priests began to address themselves to his Son, & fawned upon him, that he might provide for their god, which is their belly, and they appeared to be sorrowful for his Fathers death, and blasphemously termed him the light of their eyes, and the breath of their Nostrils; and they told Richard that God had left him to carry on that glori∣ous Work which his Father had begun; And some of these Priests compared Oliver to be like unto Moses, and Richard to be like unto Joshua, who shall carry them into the promised Land; But surely these blind Priests are yet in Aegypt, the land of Darkness, and there are like to die except they repent. And surely those that made Oliver, Chancellor of one of their Ʋniversities, they hoped he should have continued longer in his place than he did; But it is manifest that they are such as the Prophet said, Night should come upon them, and they should have no Vision. And how soon did some of them turn for a Parliament again, when the Army turned out Richard? And when George Booth made a Rising, and they thought there would be a turn, then some of them cryed out against the Par∣liament, and began to curse such as would not go out against them; And when George Booth was taken, then many of them began to Petition to the Parliament, and to excuse themselves, that they had no hand in that rising; And now they are generally crying up, and pray∣ing for thee, and all this is for their bellies; therefore if thou wilt believe them, and trust to their prayers, thou art worthy to be deceived by them; And all that will uphold them in that state they are in, and compel others to maintain them, they are not like to prosper, for the hand of the Lord is against them, and that Scripture is fulfilled upon a great part of these Nati∣ons,

like Priests like People, who are given to covetous∣ness and deceit, and will turn and appear for any thing that is for their gain; Yet this I testifie in the Lord, that such Ministers as the Scriptures of Truth own, I own; And such a Maintenance as Christ allowed his Ministers to take, I have unity with; And I know, that such as are his Ministers, will be there-withal content, but such Ministers as will not, they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, and such I cannot but de∣clare against. Therefore now O King be Wise, and cleave unto the Lord with thy whole heart, and he will teach thee to love thy Enemies, and to do unto all men as thou wouldst they should do unto thee, if they were in thy Condition, and thou in theirs; and this is the Way for to prosper; and this will Engage the Lord for to stand for thee; and also it will reach the witness of God in all People, and thou wouldst become honourable in their hearts; and hereby they would be engaged and drawn unto thee more than by Oaths or force of Arms; But if thou wilt not hear, and do the thing that is just and right in the sight of the Lord, then will the Lord ap∣pear against thee; and when thou hast filled up thy mea∣sure, thou shalt be assuredly broken; and then shalt thou know that God hath spoken unto me. And if thou dost not speedily seek to stop this abounding ungodliness which flows in this Nation (and which hath much increased since there was a likelihood of thy being brought in) verily an evident hand of God shall come upon thee, which thou shalt not in any wayes be able to escape. Therefore consider it speedily, for verily, the Mighty God is greatly displeased by rea∣son

of the great wasting and spoil that is made of his Creatures, in a way of rejoycing and triumphing con∣cerning thee; O how is the Devil, the destroyer, let loose in this Nation! and the streets thereof become like unto Sodom; and Peoples mouths are filled with Oaths, and bitter Cursings; And they go stammering and staggering because of Drunkenness, and sober Peo∣ple that fear the Lord can scarce pass in the streets without being scoffed at, threatned, or having violence done unto them, by those that appear for thee, who bitterly will curse, and wish that which they call the Pox and Plague upon us, and the next words cry out and say, God save King Charles: Oh consider these things, and seek to stop them, least they become thy burthen! And also when we have been peaceably met together to wait on the Lord, and to hear and declare the everlasting Truth, we have been abused, and part of our Houses and Windows broken, and some of us knockt down and torn, as though they would have pulled us limb from limb, and our blood drawn, knocking us down without respect had to Age or Sex, & this they say thou wilt bear them out in, and they expect an order, they say shortly from thee, either to banish or hang us all; and in thy Name was I commanded and fetcht out of a Meeting at Harwich, upon the first day of this week, and haled to prison without being examin'd, and with∣out a Mittimus; and this was, because I was made in the Dread and Power of the Living God, to cry aloud against the Cursing and Rudeness, which I then heard and beheld amongst the People in the streets; and I was made to utter these words and say, Wo, wo unto the Rulers and Teachers of this Nation, who suffer such ungodliness as this, and do not seek to suppress it: And for this was I put in Prison, O King, for these things will the Lord God visit, and if thou seekest not

to stop them, thou wilt feel God's hand for it; Verily I declare unto Thee in the fear of the Lord, I never heard of, nor beheld so great prophaneness, as I have done within these few weeks past: Oh! it is hard to utter how much Wine and strong Drink hath been devoured in waste, by Peoples drinking of healths unto Thee! some upon their knees, and some otherwise, even until some have been so drunk, they could neither speak or go right; and what abundance of Wood hath been wasted and devoured in making of great Bon-fires (as they call them) which they have done as they say to rejoyce because of Thy coming; Yea even such great Fires have been made upon this account, that they have been dangerous both unto Cities and Towns; and such noises have been heard of late in Cities and Towns, as scarce ever have been the like, by shooting of Guns both great and small, and by ringing of Bells, and by People singing and laughing, and shouting like riotous mad men, and the Streets in several places strown with flowers, and the like; and this is done in rejoycing concerning Thee: And what abundance hath been de∣voured in Feasting, and Banqueting, and abominable re∣joycings? And also, consider in what great need poor People are of such Creatures as have been thus de∣voured, and consider what can be the end of all these things; now the Lord is my witness, when I have seen and felt this ungodliness, a tender pity hath arose in me towards Thee, because I have beheld the danger that Thou art in, which is exceeding great: Let no man deceive Thee by perswading thee, that Thou art in a safe Condition, because the outward strength of the Nation appears to be at thy Command; For consider this, Oliver Cromwell, and his party had as much of that strength, (or more once) as Thou hast now, and those called thy party, were faln as much under them, as they

are now under Thine; And yet consider how their strength was taken from them, and how it vanished away like smoak: Yea, the Lord is righteous and powerful, and if he speaks but the Word, it must be fulfilled, and there is no People too strong for Him; for all Nations in com∣parison of Him, are but as the drop of a Bucket, and as the small dust, which his breath scattereth as he pleas∣eth; and truly, God is highly provoked, therefore take heed what thou dost.

V. Concerning Religion, and the spirit of Per∣secution.

ANd as concerning Religion, I exhort and warn Thee, in the Name and Fear of the Lord, to take heed that thou bind not the Consciences of any, and that thou suffer no other means to be used about Religion, but what the Apostles used; for all this kil∣ling, and imprisoning, and persecuting about Religion, the Lord abhors it; Yea, the Papists killing, and impri∣soning, and persecuting of the Protestants, and the Prote∣stants killing, and imprisoning, and persecuting of the Pa∣pists, and others about a Form of Religion, these things are of the Devil, the destroyer, in them both, and not of Christ, who came not to destroy mens lives, but to save them: And consider, Cain was the first Murderer about Religion, who slew Righteous Abel, and Cain was for it a Vagabond: And the Vagabond Jews persecuted Christ and the Saints; and the Saints, since Christ suf∣fered without the gate by him and for sinners, used no persecution about Religion, but Christ said, that inwardly

ravening Wolves should come: And Paul prophesied, that after his departure, grievous and ravening Wolves should come, who would not spare the Flock; and before John dyed he saw them come, and said to the Saints, Little Children, ye have heard in the last times, that Antichrist shall come, (mark) even now (said he) are there many Antichrists already come, whereby we know that it is the last time: So mark, these Antichrists killed those that held the Testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Pro∣phesie: And here the Whore adulterated from God, got up, and she drank the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, and the Kings of the Earth committed forni∣cation with her, and drank her Cup; And she sate up∣on Nations, Kindreds, Tongues, and People; So all this imprisoning, and killing, and whipping, and stocking, and stoning, and mangling of the Creatures about Religion, is practised among the Heathens, and the Antichrists, the Apostatized Christians, who are gone out from Christ, and the Apostles Spirit and Doctrine; for they wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with Principalities and Powers, and Spiritual wickednesses in high places: So they fought against Spiritual wickedness, and not against Creatures, and the Weapons of their warfare were not Carnal but Spiritual, (mark) they used no imprisoning, stocking, whipping, stoning, hanging, burning, banishing, or mangling of the Creatures, to perswade or turn them to their Religion; neither did they use any other force (to turn people to the pure Religion) than that which proceeded from the Invisible Power of God's Eternal Spirit in them, which struck at the Spiritual wicked∣nesses, and the evil thoughts and imaginations which were exalted in People above the knowledge of Christ; and so they sought to bring the wickedness into Capti∣vity, and not the Creatures; but to bring them into Li∣berty, by turning them from Darkness to Light, and from

Satan's Power, into the Power of God; and them that had known the Truth, and turned from it, and became Hereticks, after the first and second admonition (if they would not hear) they rejected, knowing that such were condemned in themselves. But they did not give order to kill such, for that had been the way to have sent them head-long (as one might say) unto Hell: And as for such as withstood the Apostles, and would not re∣ceive the Gospel, but opposed the Truth and themselves, after they had gently and patiently dealt with some, and taught and instructed them concerning the Kingdom of God; and reproved and warned others, and they would not receive them and their Testimony, they turned from them unto others, and left them unto the righteous judgement of the Lord, which was to be revealed in flames of fire upon those that would not obey the Gospel; but they did not persecute any, nor use any outward force with any about Religion; neither did they give any command for such a thing; and to preserve in the Truth such as were come to it, they used patience, meek∣ness, long-suffering, and sound Doctrine; and kept them, and commended them unto the ingrafted Word (which was nigh in their hearts and in their mouths) the which was able to save their souls; and did not threaten to persecute them if they did not turn out of the Truth: Therefore, they that persecute about Religion, are not for Christ, but Antichrists, that is, against Christ. So take heed, that Thou dost not set up persecution about Religion, upon any pretence whatsoever, nor tolerate it; For the Lord God hath brought forth a People in these Nations, and will bring forth more, that cannot, nor may not bow unto any other thing in their Worship, than unto the Name of Jesus, whose Name is called the Word of God: And if Thou oppressest this People, the Lord wil assuredly take away Thy Power, & avenge their Cause;

(mark that) for he careth for them; And verily, we have not another to trust in, than the Name of the Lord, and we know that to be a strong Tower, which is able to preserve us; and we know, That he will not suffer any thing to come upon us, but what shall work for his glory and our good. But these things are spoken unto Thee, that Thou mightest fear the Lord, and mightest not pull judgement upon thy own Head.

VI. Concerning what Government and Governours the People of the Lord (called Quakers) stand for, and what they stand against, &c.

THis I declare in the Truth and Presence of the Lord, and I know, there are many thousands in these Nations, that are of the same mind with me, that it is not for the Name, that may be put upon a Govern∣ment, that we either stand for, or against; but it is a righteous Government (according to the higher Power, which is according to that of God in every man's Conscience) which we stand for, and earnestly desire af∣ter, both in things appertaining to God and man; And we, for our selves desire no greater Liberty, either in things Religious, or in things Civil betwixt man and man, than we desire all others might enjoy: And if such a Government as this be set up, then if he that is Chief, in taking care and seeing that Justice may be done to all without respect of persons, if he be called a King, a Judge, a Protector, or a General, we shall not be against either or any of the Names; Or if the care and trust

be laid upon more, if they be called by the Name of a Parliament, or a Council, or a Committee, or King and Parliament, or any, we are content, and shall willingly submit unto Righteousness from them, or any of them as our duty. And it is that which is unrighteous (which is called a Government, wherein Oppression, Partia∣lity, and Cruelty is exercised, either in things relating unto conscience in matter of Worship, or in things ci∣vil betwixt man and man) that we stand against; and if such a thing be set up and called a Government, and if the chief in it be called a King, or a Judge, or a Prote∣ctor, or a General, or a Parliament, or a Council, or a Committee, or King and Parliament, we cannot stand for any of the Names, nor submit unto the unjust things commanded by them, any other wayes, than through a patient suffering under it; And this according to the strength of the Lord, we shall be willing to do.

VII. How we resolve in the strength of the Lord, to stand for that which is righteous, and against that which is unrighteous, &c.

THe way how we shall stand for the Righteous Go∣vernment and Governours, is, by yielding all due lawful obedience unto them and their Commands; and by labouring in the Power of the Lord, to bring down, and to keep under the evil lust in People, which is the cause of all Wars, and Rebellions, and Transgression: And, as much as in us lies, we shall endeavour to live peaceably with all men, and perswade others unto the same;

And so, by a Godly Conversation, we shall be patterns unto others: And this will be an adorning of good Govern∣ment, and Governors, and a help unto them; And this we resolve in the strength of the Lord to do.

Also, the manner how we shall stand through the Power of the Lord against that which is unrighteous (though it be called a Government, and against unrigh∣teous Governours) is, by bearing our Testimony against them in the Power of the Lord; and by yielding no other obedience to them, than in submitting patiently to suffer and endure, whatsoever punishment the Lord shall suffer them to lay upon us: And this shall turn against them daily, and weaken them, and bring shame upon them; For Persecution, is to them that persecute us, a token of Perdition; but unto Us of Salvation, and that from the Lord.

VIII. Concerning a Government and Governours, wherein there may be something seen to be good, and something bad, &c.

ANd as concerning a Government or Governours, wherein there may be something good, and something bad; This I say in such a case, what∣soever is good in either, we shall be ready through the Lord's strength to submit unto, and own, and we shall labour to preserve and cherish that: And as the Lord shall move us, we shall be willing to shew the Gover∣nours in plainness what is wrong in them, and in the Go∣vernment; and if they refuse to hear us, and afflict us,

we shall in patience yield our Bodies to suffer under that which is bad in either; however, we shall discountenance it, and labour through the Power of the Lord in a Spi∣ritual Warfare to destroy it, that so it may further ap∣pear, that we are not against Magistracy, but for it, (it being God's Ordinance) and that we are only against that in Magistrates and People, which would, and which doth defile and pollute the place of Magistracy.

IX. Concerning Plotting, or using a Carnal Wea∣pon, and from whom we expect Deliverance, &c.

ANd I further testifie in the Lord, that I do not intend, neither have I any such thought in my heart, either to plot for, or against Thee, or any other upon the Earth; for I do not expect deliverance by a carnal Sword; and yet I know, deliverance shall come with, or without the help of man; and in vain have been, and shall be, all the strivings, compellings and murderings about Religion, Church and Worship; for man may as well say to the Sun in the Firmament, Stand thou still; Or to the Sea, Be thou dryed up, as hin∣der one jot of the Lord's mighty workings in this his day; for, his Work, yea, his strange work shall be brought to pass, and mine eye sees it, and not any mortal shall be able to hinder it. And into the belief of this, I know that the Lord hath gathered several thousands into the same mind with me, that are called by the name of Quakers; and we could desire, (if it were the Will of God) even that all men were of the same mind: And those that are otherwise minded, we shall leave them un∣to the Lord, to do what he pleaseth with them: And

we are freely given up unto the Will of God, and we have committed our Cause unto Him, and He shall bring it to pass, that so it may plainly be made manifest, that we are a People saved by our God, from whom we expect delive∣rance: And he hath made us willing to wait, until he bring it to pass: And this we are confident of, that the Everlasting Gospel; which is the Power of God, shall a∣gain be Preached unto all Nations, Kindreds, Tongues, and People; and that the Whore of Babylon, the Beast and his Horns, and his Names, which have prevailed against the Bodies of the Holy People in the night of Apostacy, shall cease to prevail against the Saints; and that Babylon and her Merchants shall be thrown down and confounded; and then shall the Saints of the most High possess the Kingdom. And we do believe, that God will overturn, and overturn, until he hath brought to pass the thing that he hath decreed, which is, to esta∣blish Righteousness in the earth, and then shall there be Judges as at the first, and Counsellors as at the begin∣ning; and Kings shall become Nursing-Fathers, and Queens shall become Nursing-Mothers, and the King∣doms of this VVorld shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ; and hereof we have an assurance in the Spirit of Truth, and yet we never ex∣pect to know Christ after the flesh to reign, but he shall reign over all the Earth, whose Kingdom is an everlast∣ing Kingdom, and all Powers shall serve and obey him, who is King of Saints.

X. Concerning Revenge, and what may follow if it be sought, and what if not, &c.

TAke heed of seeking Revenge; O let not the Ene∣my of thy Soul, within or without, get Thee into Blood: Vengeance is the Lords, and he will repay it: Therefore wherein thy Enemies went beyond their Com∣mission against thy Father, or any that took his Part, leave that unto the Lord, who will reward every one in Righteousness, according to their deeds done in their Bodies; And consider how far Christ was from seeking or desiring Revenge, when they murdered him as con∣cerning the flesh, who said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Oh mind that Spirit, and consider he was greater than thy Father, and he was free from all Transgression; and wherein thy Enemies did evil in any thing against thy Father or Thee, and those that took your Part, freely forgive them, and ren∣der not evil for evil unto any man, but overcome evil with that which is good. O King, this were the way for Thee to be established in peace, and so to end thy dayes: Oh that thy Heart were thus inclined! that Mercy, and Righteousness, and Peace might be found to reign in Thee, and that Mercy might Triumph over se∣verity; then might'st thou prosper, and many of thy Enemies, and also of those that are called thy Friends, might be converted unto God, and so ye might be uni∣ted in true love one unto another, and this were better than conquering by force. And consider this, there are many that acted against thy Father and Thee, whom the

Lord intends good towards, though I know, that seve∣ral of them through Covetousness and Envy, have done exceedingly wrong in many things: Yet consider, how Christ taught his to pray, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And I do veri∣ly believe, that if they turn unto the Lord, and truly humble themselves under his hand, and believe in the Light of his Son, and obey him, that he will freely forgive them all their Transgressions. But if thou resol∣vest to avenge thy self, and those called thy Friends which have suffered, and to keep under those which are now fallen under Thee, by a heavy yoke, either in matters of Worship, or otherwise, I know it will exaspe∣rate the spirits of many against Thee, and it will raise up the desperate aggravating part in man, and so the thing may kindle again in the murdering Spirit; And the Lord may suffer it to break forth into blood, which if it should, it may be the sadest time that ever thou yet sawest; for this I know, and do stedfastly believe, that after God hath tryed his People, he will assuredly bring an overflowing scourge upon this Nation, and many shall fall and perish by an eminent hand and judgement of the Lord, except they repent speedily: And verily, there is but a little space given to prevent this great Judgement and Destruction; because the Lord hath already born long, and his patience hath been exceeding great, and he hath sent many of his Servants and Prophets to warn this Nation and others, and many thousands have belie∣ved us, and are gathered into Peace with us, notwith∣standing they see a great Judgement to come upon the Earth; and though many have believed us, yet alas, the far greater part hath either beaten, or imprisoned, or scof∣fed at, or slighted and rejected us, or the Testimony which we hold; and some have spoyled our goods, and imprison∣ed some of us to death, and some of us have been killed

for the Testimony of Jesus, and the Word of God; And so, many in the Nations are waxed worse and worse; And when the Lord hath smitten some, they have re∣volted more and more; and when he hath raised up others, and given them prosperity, they have then fed themselves without fear, and forgot the Lord, and waxed wanton against him. Therefore seeing people will nei∣ther hear the Prophets of the Lord, nor regard the Light of his Son in their Consciences, which checks and re∣proves for sin and evil in secret, nor turn to the Lord when he smites them, nor regard his Truth when they have prosperity, the Lord will leave striving with such a People, and bring sudden destruction upon them, and de∣liver his chosen as he did just Lot. So, we are given up to the Will of the Lord, and do patiently wait for his mighty appearance to deliver us, who have long been a suffering People, who have suffered both by Parliaments, Army, Protectors, and by those called thy Friends also; yea, we have suffered, and been most cruelly entreated, even by Rulers, Priests, and People, Professors and Pro∣phane, because we could not joyn unto the evil in ei∣ther, but we have been made to reprove them for it, and to exhort them unto that which is good; and so we must yet do, so long as we find the Lord requiring it at our hands, though for it we be hated and persecuted unto death; yet knowing that it is without cause on our part when we suffer, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in all our sufferings; and our lives are not dear unto us, that we may finish our course with joy, and our Testimony for the Lord, which he hath given to bear, though it be sealed with our blood; for we certainly know, that the Lord is our re∣ward in whatsoever we do or suffer for his Names sake.

And now O King, as thou expects the Blessing and Presence of the Lord with Thee in thy Government, Fear

and Dread his Presence, by standing in awe of his living Witness, the Light, which he hath placed in thy Con∣science to guide and direct Thee in all thy wayes, that his wrath may be turned away from Thee, that so this Scripture might not be fulfilled upon the People of this Nation, God gave them a King in his anger, and he took him away in his sore displeasure. But if it should prove so, I shall have peace, for I am clear of thy blood, in as much as in plainness I have let Thee see how things have been, and how they may or shall be, and wherein thy danger stands, and how that Righteousness only establisheth the Throne. And my desire is, if it be the Will of God, that thou mightest consider them in the Principle of Life and Wisdom, and thereby come to be preserved and saved from that Destruction, which in God's Eternal Light I see Thee in great danger of.

Thus in Innocency and Truth, and in Uprightness and Sincerity of heart, I have freely declared unto Thee what was laid upon me, and it is in true, tender, and unfeigned love, both to thy Soul and Body: And that this is true, God is my Witness, and the Witness of himself in thy Conscience shall answer unto it; unto which I leave and commend Thee, from which thou canst not hide thy thoughts: So to the Lord God of Life be Glo∣ry, and Dominion, and everlasting Praises over all, to whom it doth belong, Amen.

Given forth in Harwich Goal in Essex, the 16. day of the 3d. Month, called May, 1660.

Where I suffer for the Te∣stimony of Jesus, through the envy of the Devil, who is the false accuser of the Brethren.

POSTSCRIPT.

THough this Treatise was more especially laid upon me, to write it unto the KING, and therefore to him was it directed; yet I could not but publish it, because its service reacheth so far in several Particulars, unto those also, that have been engaged in the late Wars on both sides; as in declaring the Mighty Hand, and work∣ing of the Invisible God therein, and for what cause these things have been suffered, and how they have been effe∣cted; which being truly considered, may cause many to bow before the Lord, and henceforward cease rejoycing, in the destroying one of another, and rather admire the Lord's mighty and strange workings, whereby he hath taken away the cause of boasting (in the Arm and Wis∣dom of flesh) on both Sides; that so, none might glory, but in the Lord: And many other things are declared in this Book, as a Testimony, both against Hypocrisie and Prophaneness; and what God will do, if Repentance be not come unto speedily; and also, the Innocency, and Just, and Equalness of the Way, and Order of the Truth, and such as live in the Life of it, both in many things ap∣pertaining to Religion, and in things Civil, is here De∣monstrated; with many wholesom Exhortations tending to Righteousness and Peace, and the safety both of King and Nation; and the contrary witnessed against, which may be of great service to many, if they in the Fear of God will read it, and receive his Witness in them, the Light of Christ, which will answer to the Truth; and for no other

ause do I Publish it, but that (if it be the Will of the Lord) Truth and Peace may be encreased (which this di∣rects unto) and that Violence, and Wars (which this bears witness against) might cease, and that so God may have the honour of all, unto whom it doth belong.

From the Counsel and Nobility of the Royal Seed, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, the Everlasting King of Righteousness, who reign∣eth in George Fox, the Younger.

A Coppy of this was delivered in Writing by Richard Hubberthorn, into the Kings hand at White-Hall, the 4th. day of the 4th. Month, 1660. And this may be of service to any of those called Royallists (or others) if they in Moderation will Read it, and for that Cause it is upon me to send it abroad in Print.

Notes

• Since the writing of this before it could be delivered, we have seen a Declaration put forth by Thee, by which in part this is answer∣ed, which as this and the rest comes to be fulfilled, the Lord will bless & prosper Thee.