A general summons from the authority of truth, unto all ecclesiastical courts and officers wherein they may see what truth objecteth against their practice and proceedings in cases of conscience / by William Smith.

The Epistle to the READER.

Reader,

WHere Knowledge is heaped up concerning Truth, and the Truth not obeyed and practised, it makes the World like a Wilderness, or the height of Babel: for all People are out of order that do not obey and practise Truth: And by how much their Knowledge is large, even so much the more Confusion abound∣eth; because that Knowledge pusseth up the fleshly mind with false no∣tions and conclusions, and whatsoever Worship is set up from such a know∣ledge it only receiveth Life from the Power of Temporal Laws, and all such Worships either live or dye as the Law favours them or is against them; and such things are gotten up among the apostatized Christians, who are gone from the Spirit and Power of God: And so Bishops, Pastors, Vicars, Curates and People do erre and go astray from his wayes like lost Sheep, as they confess. And what is to be expected in such a Worship, where the Spirit and Power of God is wanting? And what is to be expected from such Bishops, Pastors, Vicars and Curats, as erre and go astray from his wayes like lost sheep? Do not such erre and go astray as walk in their wayes, who walk not in the way of God? And notwithstanding there is a confession of erring and go∣ing astray, yet People are driven forward in such wayes by the force of Temporal Laws, and so People must either erre and go astray, or come under the punishment of such Laws. Now let the wise and moderate Reader consider, whither such are going, as erre and go astray from the way of God? are they not going to the Chambers of Death and De∣struction? And is there any cause why People should be forced, by Tem∣poral Laws, to walk in that way? Oh that it might be seriously layd to heart! for such as erre and go astray like lost sheep, have more need to forsake their wayes, that to compel others to walk with them; for Christ hath sheep that hear his voice, and follow him; and those sheep do not erre and go astray from his wayes, but feed in his Pasture, and rest under his Shadow, and he saves them from the Wolf and Beasts of Prey. And all such as confess they erre and go astray from his wayes, they must turn unto him and follow him who is the Light of the

World, and Way to the Father; and then they will not erre and go astray like loss Sheep, but be gathered into the Fold, and into the Pa∣sture; and there is neither Bishop, Pastor, Vicar or Curate that can come into this state, but as they come to the Light with which Christ Je∣sus enlightens them; for who be from the Light, are in Darkness, and that is the cause why they erre and go astray like lost Sheep. And can any be true Worshippers of God, whilest they erre and go astray from his wayes? And is not God worshiped in his own way? And yet such as confess they erre from his wayes, would force others so worship with them, but such are seen in the Light, and their end is manifest, and ma∣ny are delivered out of such wayes, and gathered into the way of God, and so he is known to be a Spirit, and worshipped in the Spirit and in the Truth, which is his own way; for his Spirit doth not lead astray from his wayes, and they that have received his Spirit and live in it, they live in the Truth; and they that be in the Spirit, Life and Power, the outward Law can neither give Life, nor bring Death upon their Wor∣ship, because it standeth in the Substance which endures for ever.

So Reader, be thou mindful to obey the Light with which Christ Jesus enlightens thee, and that will keep thee from going astray like a lost sheep; for that which goeth astray is a wanderer from the Light, which is the Guide in the way of God, and they that erre and go astray are following and worshipping the Beast and false Prophet, whose habi∣tation is full of Persecution, by which the Saints and houshold of Faith are afflicted. But now the Lamb sits in Judgment, and the Beast, and the ••hore, and the False Prophet are judged, and their House will fall over their heads, and those that sit with them, and they will feel the ••urden of their house upon them; and there will be none to take the bur∣den of: Therefore whoever thou art that readest, mind that which gi∣veth Understanding, that thou mayest be a follower and worshipper of the Lamb, and not of the Beast, and the Whore, and False Prophet; for of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Truth, the Lamb and the Saints must have the Victory.

W.S.