A tryall of a Christian shewing that it is not the outward name of Christian that differs from a heathen, but the inward life and nature ... / by Alexander Parker.

A TESTIMONY OF TRVTH, Against the deceit and subtilty OF THE SERPENT.

JEsus Christ the same to day as yesterday, and his appea∣rance in Power, (in the despised people who in derision by the scorners are called Quakers) is opposed and cryed against by the formal Professours as error and herefie, and many false accusations are cast upon them as that generation e•••••• did, who had the form of godlinesse, but did ever op∣pose the Power wherever it was made manifest.

Truth cleered, and some accusations answered.

Whereas we are accused by the people of the world (who know ••ot God nor his pure worship) especially by the chiefe Pri•••••• ••nd Parish Masters, and the Carnal form lists and self-s〈8 letters〉〈8 letters〉, that we are a people that deny the Ministers of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Church of Christ, and the commands and or∣dinances 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, and with these and such lowd cries they fill the eare•• of people, in such sort, that many simple and honest hear••, who are breathing and hungring after Righ∣teousnes, and knowes not where to find satisfaction and

rest to their souls, are even afraid to own plaine and pure truth, and dare not joyne themselves in fellowship with the Lords despised ones, for feare of being deceived. But for the truths sake (which ever was opposed by the formal Pro∣fessours) and for their sakes who love the truth and desire to be satisfied, I shall declare the truth as it is manifested in mee and answer their false accusations, that so they may not rest, nor lie upon the truth, but be turned back into the pit from whence they proceded, that so truth which is pure may be kept pure, and all who love the truth may be encouraged to confesse the truth, and not to be afraid of man, whose breath is in his nostrills, but with patience beare the Crosse of Christ, knowing this, that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

First, Concerning Ministery, it is an Ordinance of Christ which we dearly own, and honour all those who are sent forth by Christ and do abide in his Doctrine, such as are made by the will of God, called and chosen out of the world, and are sanctified by the living word of truth, and are fitted and prepared of God, and endued with perfect guifts, and so are sent forth into the world to gather people out of the world up to God, and to present them pefect in Christ Jesus according to the Scriptures, Eph. 4.10, 11, 12, 13. Col. 1.27, 28.

Such as speake and Minister from the Spirit of the Lord according as they are moved and directed, and are never unprovided, but speakes the Word of God in season, and out of season, at all times, and in all places as the Spirit gives them utterance, such Ministers as are thus fitted and prepa∣red, and by the Power of the Lord are sent forth into the world, and do abide in the Doctrine of Christ, we own and honour. But all such as are made Ministers (or rather Masters) in and by the will of man, brought up at schooles: and so sent to Oxford or Cambridge to learn the art of preaching, and afterward are approved of by man, and sent into the world, but are not sanctified, but the root of all evil is alive and fresh in them, for they love money, and strive to get great sums of mo∣ney by the yeare; and instead of enquiring who is worthy, they

enquire what will ye give; and they are not fitted and pre∣pared of God, and endued with perfect gifts, but of and by man with much labour and pains: and so theirs is of works, and not free-gift from God, and it is all imperfect; neither do they present any perfect in Christ Jesus, but denies perfe∣ction in this world, and so denies the true Ministers work and leads silly (men and) women captive, laden with sin, and led away with divers lusts, ever learning, but never comes to the true knowledge of God nor perfection: such as speak from the letter and not from the spirit, and cannot preach but at certain times when they have time to study, and so by their industry and paines provide themselves, not having freely received from the Lord: such called Ministers as are thus fitted and prepared are by the will of man, and are so sent forth in to the world, but are not sanctified by the pure living Word of God, neither do abide in the pure Doctrine of Christ, nor bring any to perfection, such we do deny and turne from them, and testify against them as Antichristian and deceivers of the peo∣ple, 1 Joh. 3.7, 8.

The Church of Christ we own, which is the pillar and ground of truth, which is built of living stones, elect and pre∣tious, which is the body, of which Christ Jesus is the head, and gave himself for it, and purchased with his own blood, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be ho∣ly and without blemish: this Church we own, and through the love and tender mercy of our God are made members of it, and so we receive nourishment from the head to nourish the body, for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

But that which the world calls a church which is built of dead stones, we do deny (which is a steeple house) which carnal people (that know not the Church) do call the Church, but doe lie and blaspheme, for Christ is not the head or a steeple-house as he is the head of his Church, neither are those who are earthly, carnal, proud, covetous, envious, wrath∣full, malicious, blood-thirsty, murderous, persecuting

drunken, lying, prophane, light, wanton, ungodly ones that meet in those idolatrous places which they call Churches they are not members of Christ but limbs and members of Antichrist, and them and their Church, all their Services we do deny, and against them testifie.

All the commands and Ordinances of Christ which are durable, pure, spiritual, and substantial, which tends to a godly and upright life, according as we are moved and guided by the pure spirit and power of the Lord, we own and practice▪ but all those things which are fading, carnal and shadowish, though once they were commands of God and of Christ, yet not being given to us in Commission, it is no breach of the commands, in not practising those out∣ward things to us, no more then it was in the Prophets and Apostles, in not practising the commands of God which were outward, but testified against them; For, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to Ordinances? Col. 2.20, 21, 22.

Christ Jesus the beloved Son of God, gave forth many precepts and commands, all which we dearly own in their time and place: but one command that he gave forth is chiefly to be observed above all others, and that is, to love one another; this is an enduring and a substantial command, and not to be neglected, for this is a true token and mark where∣by the children of God are known from others; as it is written, Hereby shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another: this command of love is the old com∣mandement, which was in the beginning, and it is the new commandement which John the beloved Disciple doth so much press unto, saying, Beloved, let us love one another, for God is love, and every one that loveth is born of God, and know∣eth God; he that loveth not, knowes not God, for God is love: Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another, 1 Joh. 4.

Love endures for ever, and without love all preaching, praying, reading, singing, and all other the Ordinances of God, are in vain; this is the chief thing (love) which is

grown cold amongst many of those who cry up the com∣mands and Ordinances of Christ in words, but iniquity doth abound, and their love is grown cold, and that is the cause of all these divisions and distractions, and wrangling a∣bout Religion, it is want of true love; For where the love of God is shed abroad in the hearts of his people, it links and joynes them together in one love, and life, and pure way, and one spiritual worship, and all strife, and contenti∣on and wrangling ceaseth, and so they are all of one heart and mind, and one faith (which we own) which works by love, Gal. 5.6.

Another command Christ gave forth, which is not to be neglected by any of his, and that is this; Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye likewise unto them; this is an enduring and substantial command, and ought duly to be observed, for this is the Law and the Prophets, and this command we own, and teach people to observe, and many others there be of like force and effect, and ought not to be neglected, as if any on smite thee on the one cheek, turn the o∣ther; and Christ saith, Swear not at all, but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, for whatsoever is more is evil. These and all other the commands of Christ, which tends to purity, and leads to truth (even that which the Lord loveth, which is truth in the inward parts, to serve the Lord in truth and righteous∣nes all the dayes of our lives) we own and practice; and I chal∣lenge all the world to come forth and mention what they can lay to our charge.

But as for the outward things which are but shadowes and figures, as bread, wine, and outward water, which ma∣ny of the professers in England do so much idolize and cry up (though the weightier matters be neglected) we are dead with Christ from such weak elements, and cannot be sub∣ject to such empty shadowes, having tasted of the living bread, and drunk of the fountain of life, where satisfacti∣on and refreshment we have found to our hungry thirsting souls. And no new gospel do we preach, but the same which hath been declared by the Servants of God, and

Ministers of righteousness. And this was that bread of life which the Saints did feed on, and the Communion-Ta∣ble where they did eat together in singleness of heart, as it is declared and testified in the Scriptures.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the Com∣munion of the body of Christ? for we being many are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread. This bread and this cup are not carnal and visible, but spiritual in invi∣sible: This bread is Christ; for saith he, I am the bread of life, I am the living bread that came down from above, he that eats of this bread shall live for ever, and he shall never hunger; and he that drinks of this cup shall never-thirst, but it shall be in him a well of living water springing up unto eternal life, John 4.14.

Christ Jesus is called by several names in the Scriptures; and they who have the names but not the substance, are in confusion and devision, and falls out about the names, and so runs into the outward which are but the shadowes, but knows not the life and substance. He who is called the bread of life, the same is called the Light of the World, who doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World; and every one loving and walking in the light, so they come to walk in love and unity, and are all made partakers of that one light, and so of that one bread which is the Saints life, which is spiritual and a mistery, hidden from the world, and from all worldly wisdom, but revealed to them that fear the Lord, and is to them a living Ordinance ordained of God for the Salvation of their souls.

And as for the outward water, it is but a figure of the li∣ving water within, which washeth and cleanseth the heart, which the outward water doth not. As for the one Baptism I own, which is the Baptism of Christ with the holy Ghost and with fire, which the water Baptism was but a figure of; and in denying the outward water Baptism, it is no breach of Christs Commands; for I was not sent to Baptize but to preach the Gospel: And all you who take upon you that power, I

demand of you, who gave you commission to go and Baptize with outward water; if you take your com∣mission from the letter, without a lively commission from Christ, I deny your ground and your commission; for it is not the letter of the Law of God that doth im∣power any one to execute the Law of God, neither doth the letter of the Gospel impower any one to go and preach the Gospel, though they be never so skilful and expert in the knowledge of the Scripture, without pow∣er from on high to commission and impower them; no more then the letter of the Law of England doth impower any one to be a justice of peace to execute the Law, though many may buy the letter of the Law, and may be expert and skilful: Yet if the earthly powers do not give them commission, they cannot act as a justice, nor execute the Law; if they should take upon them such a thing, the powers of the earth would, call them into question: Even so all you who have taken upon you that power to baptize without commission from the Lord, assure your selves you will be called into question: and in the Name of my Lord and Master, I do charge you to give an account who it was that gave you commission; and cease speaking against others, (who keep the commands of God) whom you cannot accuse justly for breach of the holy and pure substantial commands.

And likewise all other the Ordinances of Christ, as praying and singing, according as the spirit of God doth move to sing with understanding, and to pray with understanding; for as the Apostle saith, we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the spirit helpeth our in∣firmities, and makes intercession for us with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered; for it is the spirit that makes manifest, and searcheth out the deep and hidden things of God; for as God is a spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit; so there is none knowes him nor worships him in spirit, but those who are born of the spirit. And so whatsoever the world,

or the enemies of Truth do say or speak of us; yet we can truly say in the presence of the Lord, that we ow no man any thing but love, desiring the good of all people, that all might come to the knowledge of the truth, and for this end do we labour and travel under many heavy burthens through much reproaches and cruel mockings, stocks, bonds and imprisonments, every one giving their sensures of us, and so we pass thorow many tryals, but in all these things we can rejoyce, knowing that it is and hath been the portion of the Lords chosen ones to be reviled and persecuted by the wicked generation; they went through evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true: and so in the Name and Power of the Lord, do we go abroad as we are led by his spirit, freely de∣claring unto others in tenderness of love unto their fouls, what the Lord hath done for our souls: and we do not go about to deceive any, nor to draw any to our opinions; but to turn them from deceit and deceivers, and to gather them to the Lord, that so the Lord may teach them according as he hath promised, and accor∣ding as it is written, all the Children of the Lord shall be taught of the Lord. And though for our love we be envied and hated, yet for Christ our Masters sake we can wil∣lingly bear it; for the servant is not greater then his Masters for saith Christ, as they have done unto me, so will they do unto you: and so it is no new thing, but that which hath formerly been; for the appearance of Christ was ever op∣posed, especially by the professing people, who had a form of godliness, but were ignorant of the power, as the Scriptures do bear testimony with me; For in the time of the Law, under that administration divers Sta∣tutes and Ordinances were given forth by Moses, and while those things were practised and done in the inte∣grity and simplicity of heart, it was accepted of the Lord: But when they turned from their integrity and upright∣ness of heart, though they drew near to God with their lips and with their mouthes, and multipled their

offerings and sacrifices; Yet it was abomination in the eyes of the Lord, and the Lord sent his servants the Pro∣phets to testifie against them, as you may read. Isay. 1. chap. where the Prophets declares against the wickedness of that generation, saying, a sinful Nation, a people laden with ini∣quity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters, they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the holy One of Isra∣el to anger &c. to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me saith the Lord? bring no more vain oblations, incense is an abomination unto me. The new moons and Sahbaths, the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with, it is iniquity; when you make many pruyers, I will not hear; for your hands are full of blood: Thus the Prophet declares against them, and those things which they practised, though they were com∣mands of God; and his exhortation to them was, cease to do evil, learn to do well, wash ye, make ye clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes saith the Lord. And likewise read Isay. 66.3. Where the Prophet compared the commands of God to abominable things (saying) He that kills an Ox is as if he slew a man, he that sacrificeth the Lamb as if he cut off a dogs neck, he that offereth an oblation as if he offered swines blood, &c. Here you may see the Prophets testimony, and to what abominable things he compares the commands: And the Prophets of God in the days of their prophesie they were hated, and many of them killed by such as had the form of the Law, but were ene∣mies to the life of the Law: And after the Prophets dayes another generation comes and gets the Prophets words, and cries up the words, but are still in the same nature of their fore-fathers that killed the Prophets, as the Scrip∣tures make mention of the Scribes and Pharisees, and that generation who were zealous for the Law and the outward commands, and did build the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnished the Sepulchres of the righteous, yet not being led into those things by the light and spirit of God within, they were found enemies and persecutors, and cru∣cified him who was the life and substance of those things

which they had the form and shadows of: And thus the form in those dayes did oppose the power, and after∣ward the Ministers of Christ, who were sent forth in the Name and Power of Christ, they were hated and persecu∣ted in their dayes, by those who had the form but not the power; and so all along to this age the subtile twining Serpent hath got the form, but persecutes the appearance of Christ wherever he is made manifest, as it is at this day in England and other parts. The clouds of darkness hath long been over all Nations, but now the glorious day∣light of the Lord is breaking forth, and he is appearing in the power of his spirit, in the hearts of his people, and is bringing to pass his strange work, which makes the Hea∣then to rage, and the carnal Professor to swell in their va∣nity, and cryes out of error, and herefie, and deceivers, and blasphemers, and fills the ears of people with such a loud noise, that many who have prayed for these dayes formerly, and have had some glimmerings of the true light, now when the time is come, and the Lord is bring∣ing to pass his work, and fulfilling his promises, because it is not in their way, and according to their expectation, they stand up against, and oppose the truth as their fore∣fathers have done, and so as it was then, even so it is now; they that are born after the flesh, they persecute them that are born after the spirit; but woe to all persecu∣ters, and all envious and malicious ones, the sword of the Lord is drawn forth, and they shall be cut down as fuel for the fire.

Therefore all people every where try your selves, and the ground of your faith and profession; see whether you be in the true faith yea or nay: the true faith doth purifie the heart, and gives victory over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil; and so good fruit is brought forth, to the praise and glory of God. The Lord is coming to rip open and search all hearts, and a profession and talk of the Saints words (without the Saints life) will no•• hide nor cover any one of you: it is not your fair-saying, and

your crying Lord, Lord, that will stand you in stead in the great and terrible day of the Lord (being found wor∣kers of iniquity) it is not your many years profession, and hearing and writing of Sermons, and repeating them over and over: the Lord is coming to look for fruits, and all fruitless trees must be hewen down and cast into the fire.

You who have long been talking of the new-birth, ho∣nestly consider, and see what you can witness of a change, and what is cut down within you; for as long as the en∣mity stands within you, all your profession of the Scrip∣tures and Christ without you, will not save you in the fiery day of the Lords fierce indignation: for this I testi∣fie unto you, that Regeneration is not a thought, or a con∣ceiving of a thing, but it is a real work of God wrought within, by the power of his spirit, whereby the heart is purified and cleansed, and the affections and fleshly desires crucified according to Scripture; they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Now try and examine your selves, and see if your many years profession have wrought this effect; are you crucified to the world, and the world unto you? and are you dead un∣to sin, as those were whom you profess the words of? Be not deceived with a vain hope; the Lord calls for purity, and without holiness no man shall see him.

Now consider well, you who profess your selves to be Christians, and do cry up the commandements and Ordi∣nances of Christ, are you not a sinful people? are you not laden with iniquity? are you not a seed of evil doers? are you not corrupted from the top of the head, even to the sole of the foot, as those were which Isaiah cryed a∣gainst? I have heard many of you confess much in words, and cry out of your sins, but I see few of you that doth forsake your sins, but goes on in your customary wayes, being dead in sins and trespasses; then to what purpose is your calling of Assemblies? your preaching and your feigned long prayers? your dayes of humiliation, and

your Lecture dayes (as they are called) it is all abomina∣tion to the Lord; Though ye make many prayers, the Lord will not hear you; your hearts are polluted, and your hands are full of blood. Therefore fear the Lord, and depart from the evil of your wayes; cease to do evil, and learn to do well, and let every one that nameth the Name of Jesus Christ depart from iniquity.

Seek no longer the kingdom of God in observations without you, neither spend your money for that which is not bread, but return home to your fathers house, and there you shall find satisfaction; the candle being lighted, and the house being swept, you will find the lost groat in your own house.

Hearken to the voice of Christ which cryes in your consciences for equity, and reproves you for the evil of your doings, that is a sure testimony (it is the light of Christ, Eph. 5.13.) and you cannot be de∣ceived in following the light; for saith Christ, I am the light of the world, and whosoever follows me, shall not abide in darkness, but shall have the light of life. This light is alwayes present with you, and from this nothing can be hid; this light doth discover the evil thoughts, and the evil intents, that arises out of the evil heart, and as sin is discovered in any one, wait upon the Lord for his power, that it may be destroyed; and so the axe comes to be laid to the root of the tree, and every tree that brings not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. And none be hasty in believing false reports, but try all things, and hold fast that which is good.

And this is that which we labour to bring all unto, even pure truth in the inward part, that so they may offer up a sacrifice in righteousness, from the pure heart to the pure God, and so have peace with God, and dwell in safety, sitting under their own Vine, and eating their own bread, being built upon the Rock, where the stormy tempests, and the raging persecutors cannot move their foundation; but stand sure, being built upon the foundations of the Pro∣phets

and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord.

And so though we the servants of the Lord be counted deceivers, and the truth a Sect, and the way heresie (as for∣merly it hath been) I confess as Paul did, That after the way which they call herefie, so worship I the God of my fathers, belie∣ving all things, not only what is written in the Law and the Praphets, but likewise what is written in the testimony of Christ & the Apostles: and it is not any breach of Christs commands, in denying the shadows and rudiments of the world, no more then it was in Paul, in denying the car∣nal commandments and shadows of the Law, witnessing the substance, which is Christ within, the hope of glory, which I bear testimony unto, even the life of Christ ma∣nifest in mortal flesh, and seal it with my spirit, and sign it with my name.

Alexander Parker.

Notes

• Heb. 13.8
• Acts 28.22. 2 Tim. 3.5.
• 1 Cor. 1.21. Luke 23.2. to the 6.
• Joh. 12.42.43.
• Joh. 12.42, 43,
• 2 Tim. 3.12.
• Eph. 4.
• Gall. 1.1.12.
• Joh. 15.29.
• Jo. 15.3.
• 1 Pet. 4.10.
• 2 Cor. 3.6.
• 2 Tim. 4.2.
• Acts 2.4,
• 2 Joh. 9.
• Mat. 23.8.10.
• 1 Tim. 6.10.
• 2 Tim. ch. ••
• 2 John. 9. 1 John. 2.18 26.
• Secondly, 1 Tim. 3.••••.
• 1 Pet. 2.5, ••.
• Eph. 5.23.26, 27, 30.
• Col. 2.19.
• Eph. 5.29, 3••.
• Acts 17.24.25
• 1 Cor. 6.3, 10.
• 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.
• Thirdly, Joh. 4.23, 24.
• Col. 2.14. Heb. 9.10.
• Is. 66.1, 2, 3. Rom. 2.28, 29.
• John 15.12. Joh. 13.34, 35
• Joh. 4.7.
• 1 Cor. 13.
• Mat. 24.12.
• Joh. 27.21, 22 Acts 4 32.
• Eph. 4.4, 5, 6.
• Mat. 5. chap.
• 1 Per. 3.4. Psal. 51.6.
• Luke 1.74, 75
• 1 Pet. 3.21.
• Col. 2.21, 22.23. Joh. 5.50, 51.
• Rom. 1.16.
• 1 Cor. 10.16.
• John 6.35. John 6.51.
• 1 Cor. 2.14. John 6.35. John 8.12.
• John 1.9.
• 1 John 1.7.
• 1 Tim. 3.16.
• Psal. 25.15.
• Heb. 10.22. Ephes. 4.5. Mat. 3.11.
• 1 Cor. 1.17.
• 1 Cor. 3.11.
• 1 Cor. 14, 15.
• Rom 8.26.27. 1 Cor. 2.10.
• John 4.24.
• John. 3.5.
• Rom. 13.8.
• 2 Cor. 6.4. to the 11.
• Mat. 5.11, 12.
• Acts 26.18.
• Isa. 56.13.
• John. 15.20.
• Mat. 23.29.30, 31.
• Mat. 27.20, 22, 25, 26.
• Acts 8.3, 4. Act. 22.28, 30, 31, &c. 2 Thes. 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.
• 2 Thes. 1.10. Acts 13.4. 2 Cor. 6.8.
• Jer. 31.31, &c. Joh. 7.48.49. Gal. 4.29. Job 21.30. Isa. 66.15, 16.
• Lam. 3.40. 2 Cor. 13.5. 1 John 3.3. John 5.4.
• Jer. 17.10, Isa. 30.1.
• Mat. 7.2.
• Mat. 3.10.
• 1 Cor. 3.11. to 17, Rom. 8.7, 8. 2 Per, 3.7. to the end.
• 2 Cor. 5 17.
• 1 Cor. 6.11. Acts 15.9.
• Gal. 5.24.
• Rom 6.2. Gal. 6.14. 1 Pet. 1.15, 16.
• Isay 1. chap.
• Prov. 28.13.
• Rev. 14.7. 2 Tim. 2 19. Luke 17.20.
• Isa. 55.1. Luke 15.17. Mat. 11.28, 29
• Joh. 8.12.
• Heb. 4.12. Prov. 20.22.
• Mat. 3.10. 1 Thes. 5.21.
• Psal. 51.6. Deut. 33.19.
• 1 Pet. 2.5. Mat, 7.25.
• Eph. 2 20.21.
• 2 Cor. 6.8.
• Acts 28.22.
• Acts 24.14.
• Col. 22.20, 21 Heb 9.10, 11. Col. 1.27. 2 Cor. 4.11. 1 John 5.10.