A collection of the several writings and faithful testimonies of that suffering servant of God, and patient follower of the Lamb, Humphry Smith who dyed a prisoner for the testimony of Jesus, in Winchester common-goal the 4th day of the 3d moneth in the year 1663.

Man driven out of the Earth and Darkness, By the Light, Life, and Mighty Hand of GOD: Wherein plain and simple Truths are brought to light, that so the cause of Stumbling may be taken from before the Eyes of both Rulers and all sorts of Pro∣fessors in Herefordshire, &c.

Also something related of the Wonderful Power of God, in the Work of Redemption and Restrora∣tion. With a plain Self-denyal by him that takes up the daily Cross.

Behold, the Lord worketh wonderfully; every Morning he bringeth his Judgments to light; he hath brought me back from the Grave, and saved my Soul from Hell, and set my feet upon a Rock.

THE Living Truth of the Lord God, which he hath re∣vealed in me, by the mighty Operation of his Word of Life, which living eternal Truth being my Life, and shall last for evermore, and be as a Standard of the Most High, lifted up to all the scattered weary Souls, that they may flow unto it, and have it to be unto them a place of Refuge and Defence to fly unto in the day of Distress, and by it come to be made Free, and in it Worship the God of the Spirits of all Flesh, and feel it in the inward parts, according as the Lord requireth, by which Truth man comes to be sanctified; for the Word that liveth and abideth forever is Truth, which comes to be ingrafted into them who believe in the Light, and in it wait for the Promise of the Father, even that Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive; for they know it not, it being in Gods Wisdom hid

from the Wisdom of the World, who know not him that may be felt after and found, who is near unto every one of you, whose measure of Light in you, is it you are all to know, by it to come to know the eternal Power and Godhead, as they did who had not Scriptures, Rom. 1. 19. for the Light of Christ in you is that which is to give the Knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 4. 6. who hath assuredly revealed his Son in me, and led me in the straight Way to Life Eternal, and the enjoyment of the Truth, which is Immortal, the which being to me a Pearl of great Price, and more precious than a thousand Rivers of Oyl.

And that none may be hindred from receiving of this, which I have most assuredly found to be more excellent than the Royalty of Diadems, or the Excellency of the most purest Gold, or the most Renownedst Glory, Beauty or Riches that the natural Eye can behold; and that all who breathe after divine Refreshings, and the Rest that never shall be shaken, and the attaining to the Covenant of Life and Peace, may come to be gathered into the One Fold of blessed Happiness, and rest upon the Rock of Ages, and never more be moved henceforth and forever.

And that if possible, all Murmurings & Reasonings (concerning me, or what I was) may be taken out of the Minds of all People of all sorts, and that all Jealousies, Whisperings, and Heart∣burnings in the Wrathful Nature may be passified and cooled with the over-spreading Streams of God's free Love, which truely is shed and groweth in my Heart, and streameth forth as a Well-spring of Life toward the Seed that is yet oppressed in them, among whom sometime I walked in Darkness, & wallowed in Unrighteousness, and afterwards stood up as a tall Cedar in the height of Profession, preaching great and high things daily unto others, whereby then I was admired by many Hundreds, who thereby came not to receive Power to overcome their Sins, nei∣ther yet attain to that which the Souls of many of them thirsted after, whom since I have often mourned over in Pity, and in the Bowels of my Father's Love to the Soul in Bondage in them, from whom I have been long and far absent in Body.

And that none of them by looking and wondering at me, or any thing that hath befallen me may stumble thereby at the Light or Truth it self, or be thereby kept from receiving the living

Truth, or from giving heed to that which all the Wise Master∣builders refuse; nor that they by looking at what I was before I received and lived in the Truth, and at that which justly came upon me for my former Rebellion against the Light, nor at the Judgments of God that came upon me within or without, be∣cause of my unwillingness to follow him who said, I am the Light, follow me; and said, He that will not leave Father and Mother, Wife and Children, Goods or Lands for my sake, is not worthy of me; and he that will not deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me, is not worthy of me: And what a Cross it was for me to leave what I did, let that of God (in all that knew me) judge. But I say, that none of them who are Colonels, Captains, Justices, Pro∣fessors nor People, by looking out at any thing concerning me, may not be with-held from receiving the Truth, and so kept from that which is the way to the Father, and the Door to the Rest for evermore.

Therefore hath it lay long (of late years) and often upon me, and that from the hand of the Lord, to lay something before your Eyes (O ye Rulers, Professors and People of Herefordshire, and thereabout) endeavouring thereby to remove any cause of stum∣bling, by reason of what I was, or of any false Reports raised upon me, whereby the whole Truth of God might be Evil spoken of. And this have I waited long to declare among you, either in Words, Writing or Print; thought thereby Shame might come upon my former Course of Life, when I lived in all manner of Sin and Iniquity [except it were actual Adultery, Fornication and Murder] and though also hereby Contempt may come upon all that great Profession I was in, when I preached, daily in the Synagogue, or upon all that I then spoke or preached, out of the Innocent Life of God; or if hereby at present suffer I Reproach (as it is like I may by many) yet the Reproach of Christ is greater Riches to me than the Treasure, Glory and Preferment of England.

And first, Concerning my Call out of the World, or my going out from my House, Country and outward Employment.

THe Light of Christ, which condemns the Evil Deeds, comes from him who calleth his out of the World, and from their Employments, to follow him who putteth forth his Sheep, and thrultech forth Labourers into the Harvest; and Abraham, of whose Seed I now am, went out of his Country, and from his Fa∣thers House, Gen. 12. and him God blessed and encreased mighti∣ly, and the Lord also called, and thrust forth me, who at last was obedient to the Command of the God of Abraham; and ever since his Presence hath been with me, and his Blessings have I found, and the Encreasings of God have I received, Praises to the Lord God of Life for evermore, who hath called me by his Word of Power, through his Grace, which did teach me to deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, and to obey his blessed Will, which was and is my Sanctification in Jesus Christ, who did also call Matthew from the receit of Custom to follow him, and Peter and John from their Employment of Fishing and made them fishers of men; and Paul also being called, left his Employment of Tent-making (after a time) and was Obedi∣ent to the heavenly Vision; and those then became a Wonder and a Gazing-stock to many, yet they continued on, Travelling through many Countries, as I since have done, preaching the Word of God with boldness.

And one of these men, who were called from their outward Employment, said, Every man, wherein he is called, there abide; and whereunto they were called, they did abide, (and so do l) and when the Priests and Rulers would have stopt their Mouthes by their Commands, they said Whether it be lawful to hearken unto God or Man, judge ye: But these Ministers of Christ, did not say, he that is a Husbandman, there abide; for Noah was a Husbandman, yet a Preacher of Righteousness, and Elisha a Plow-man, and Amos a Herdsman; neither did they say, He that is a Fisherman, let him so abide; neither did Christ say, he that will be my Disciple must follow his outward Employment or Trade, but he said, He that will not hate Father and Mother,

Brethren and Sisters, Wife and Children, yea, and his own Life too, cannot be my Disciple, Luke 1••. 20. and if not a Disciple, much less a Minister of his.

But hereby, neither Christ, nor them Ministers of his, nei∣ther I did, or do intend to draw or perswade People to Idleness, or open a Door for any such Evil, (neither is there many who are called out of the World's Worships, and required to leave their Families and called to the Ministry) but that hereby it may plainly appear, that the Command and Call of Christ, to his Work and Ministry is to be obeyed, though it be to the for∣faking of House, Goods or Lands; for a Minister of his, said We have forsaken all (And have not I done so?) and unto them who had forsaken all, unto all such was promised a Hundred fold, Matth. 19. 17, 18, 19. And Heaven and Earth shall pass away, be∣fore one Jot or Tittle of his Word shall fail: And truly, I have found his Promise true, for a Hundred times Hundred sold have I already received, blessed be the Lord forever.

But how contrary it was to my own Will to fulfill the Will of the Lord. in leaving my Employment and outward Business in the World, let all them judge with the Light, who knew my Conversation therein, and saw my Eagerness in the things of the World and Contrivances therein, beyond many men; my Heart being set in the Earthly things, being very fierce in La∣bouring therein, for the getting and encreasing of the Fruits of the Earth, as though I would have laid up Treasure for many Years, which might have been good in its place, if my Mind had been redeemed out of it, and my Heart from the Covetous∣ness thereof; but I say again, it was much contrary to my strong Will, to leave these things and the love of them, and much more that might be named, and be taken from it with a Hundred and Fifty Pound loss, and be exposed to Want, Hardships, Revi∣lings, Imprisonments, Whippings, Stonings, and all manner of cruel Torture, that the Soris of men might have Power to inflict upon my Body, and for me (that ruled over many, and was respected by many) to become a Servant unto all, and coun∣ted the Off-scouring of all, and be abused by any Boy, or the Vilest Person I meet; and it was much contrary to my Will, to refuse that Glory, Honour and Preferment of the VVorld

which was offered me by the Rulers thereof, when I was beloved of them, and Hundreds more; and when I preached among them in the Pulpits daily, and was then called of men Master, like the Hirelings of England, who being in the Curse cannot cease from Sin, 2 Pet. 2. 14. yet I still refused their Unrighteous Gain, and denyed all their Gifts and Rewards; for the Lord, in his Mercy, kept me out of them Temptations, though sometimes some that were then near Friends unto me, would have perswa∣ded me to have taken something of what was offered, as to live upon, but I durst not, if I had wanted Food or Raiment; but answered one Justice, who was proposing me a free Gift toward Maintenance, which might have been worth a Hundred Pound a Year, or more, seeing I left my Employment, freely to preach daily, but I say, I answered, I shall rather go in Sheep-Skins and Goat-Skins, and eat Bread and drink Water; and that little ho∣nest, meek Principle in me, which then kept me from that (and such Temptations) in due time led me to be Ruler over much, which before I had not Power over; therefore I say unto all, it is good to be faithful to the little measure of God in the Conscience.

For when I was but young and void of the knowledge of God, or his Way of Holiness, my Mind ran much in the Earth, with a covetous care, how to gain the Riches thereof; and even then did the Hand of the Lord follow me, and his Witness in me did so judge and condemn me Night and Day for my Evil, that at last I was scarce able to do any thing in the Earth, or go upon it; & then waiting to see what the reason was, after many Hours, I saw clearly, if I would leave the Wickedness of the world, and follow the Lord and trust him, I might have Peace, and if not, I was like to be cut off: And then I left some Sins, and re∣solved to live more Holy, and began to Pray and Read, and then I went to follow the Priests, not knowing that in me which I was to hear and follow, yet it secretly led me out of some Evil, and so into some Peace; and then my Heart was exalted in the Earth, though I encreased in a Profession.

And when I was in the height of the World's Way and Wor∣ship, and expecting Riches to increase, even then in an unex∣pected time, did the dread of the Lord fall upon me, and his wonderful mighty Power wrought exceedingly in me, to break

me off from all my Wayes, and seperate me from all the Worship of the VVorld, and gave me to see the Abomina∣tions of all the Prayers of the Wicked, and the Invalidity of all the Worships of all Mankind, who are out of God's Covenant; and the Operations then upon me by the terrible Hand of the Lord, and the strivings that were in me, can never be declared, and then did the Lord command me to follow him in Obedi∣ence to his Will, to declare against all Unrighteousness of men, which I saw in the Light of Life to be in Priests, Rulers and People; and I then saw clearly, in the eternal Light and fore∣sight of God, the Hardships, Cruelties, Whippings, Imprison∣ments and Dungeon, and many such things, which since in part have been upon this Body fulfilled, as may be read in several of my Books, (read the True Rule) and at that time did the power∣ful Life of God so much break through me, with such unspeak∣able Love, that I was even willing to leave all & walk with God.

But then contrary to Paul, I reasoned with Flesh and Blood, that I should be esteemed a Mad-man, and that People would not be∣lieve me; and that I was not fit, (and many such things:) Then the Word of the Lord was spoken in me, saying, Who is it that openeth the Mouth? Is it not I the Lord? Then was my Bowels even turned within me, with the constraining Power of Gods Eter∣nal Love, and I began to be willing; but when that was a little over, the Tempter being near, •• reasoned concerning my Wife and Children, How they should be provided for? and present∣ly the Promise of the Lord was, That they should be cared for; and his Promise was to me, That he who converteth Souls to God, should shine as the Stars forever: And when I had received them VVords into me, I was overcome with the Refreshings of God, and at the present made willing to undergo all Tribulations, if in my whole Life I did Convert but one Soul to God, seeing and feel∣ing the Redemption of one Soul to be so precious, the which then grew so strong in me, that I was scarce able to retain from present actual Obedience to God therein; but when I looked at my outward things, and how first to settle that in order, then was I by Temptations made afraid, That it was a Delusion, or something of the Devil transformed as an Angel of Light; and then between both, I was in much Trouble and Distress, not know∣ing

what to do, having not then known any called Quakers, nor any such Operations in any man in those dayes; yet that could hardly prevail to make me believe it was a Temptation: But at last, reasoning about outward things, I then resolved not to leave them, but to mind the things of the World, and not obey that which called me out of the VVorld.

And to write in short; at last I did strive and joyn with all the Powers of Darkness that I could, and used all means pos∣sible to drive the Power of God from me, and the Thoughts of him and his Works out of my Mind; but Wo was me after for it, and it had been just, if his Spirit had never strived more with me, but left me to be cut off forever, and to remain in the horrible Pit of Darkness; (And surely it was for the good of others that the Lord did spare me, some whereof may now with me rejoyce for evermore.)

For when all was too little to overcome the mighty Power of God in me, then did the love of the World prevail, and even thirstings, for the love of it to come into my Heart, to drive out the Love of God; at last, I with it against God prevailed, though the living Power of God was so great, that the Devil, the Flesh and the World was scarceable to overcome it for a time; and so I have seen Children, Wife, Farms and Oxen to hinder from the Kingdom of God; but that which hindred most was the love of outward Goods: And so it was but just with God, to take that at the last out of the way; and if he had swept all away in his Anger, as from Job, he had done me no wrong.

But when I had thus, in a cursed manner, overcome the striving of the sweet and lovely Spirit of Truth, yet was I not quiet, but much troubled, and in a sad Condition, which I was not able to hide from the World, who said, I was going Mad, seeing me so changed into Sadness, but of all this, and much more, I durst not then spake a word to any Creature.

And now mark, what for my Rebellion did justly follow:

My outward Goods, which I then loved more than Christ, be∣came as a Prey and a Spoil to unreasonable men, and most unjust∣ly on their parts, was I by them deprived of it; and the Lord al∣so dried up all my Springs within, that such a time after I knew, that I was left without hope, being in the horrible Pit of Dark∣ness,

from God, that I could neither pray nor believe, but con∣cluded, that I was accursed from God forever (and that which disobeyed was accursed) and being in a sad miserable Condition, resolved to write a VVarning to all People, that they might take Example by me, and never resist the Spirit as I had done; but before I could write (sinking down into the Condemnation, without Murmuring against God, knowing him to be just, if he cast me into the nethermost Hell forever) the Lord had Compas∣sion on me, and listed my Soul out of the Horrible Pit, and staid me with his hand for a time; yet afterwards his Afflictions fol∣lowed me in Judgments within, and much trouble in things with∣out, which my Heart was so upon, and yet for a long time I turned not unto the Lord that did smite, that his hand might make whole, though Checks I had by his Light in my Conscience, but strong was my VVill about it, until the fierce Judgment of the Lord did often break forth upon me with much Astonishment of Heart, and Horrible Indignation (not to be uttered) with Tears as streams of VVater from mine Eyes night and day, when it came upon me with Tremblings and Breakings, which broke the hardness of my Heart, and opened a way to something in me, which then I dearly loved; but going out again from that, I rea∣soned about my Outwards, and not waiting to receive Counsel from the Lord, I went unto a Rich Understanding man in out∣ward things, whom I loved, who may yet remember, that I made my Complaint unto That I was not able any longer to abide in the Way of the World; whose Counsel I then took, and my own Will together, and so sought to keep two Kingdoms some time longer, and therefore much Trouble followed me within, and VVasting, Loss, Shame and Destruction upon things without.

But however, I durst do no less than follow the Lord, and be Obedient unto him, whatever Loss I suffered, or whatever Shame or Reproach I might undergo, though often times I was afraid that this Power of God in me would soon come to an end, or fail from me, and that then I might return to my outward Em∣ployment with great Shame and Loss, and that then, instead of doing Service for God, I might bring a Reproach upon his bles∣sed Name, and my self thereby be a Hissing-stock to all men, and they say, I began to build, and not able to finish; and this also kept

me back very much. But such was the Everlasting Love of the Lord, who is known in the Ways of his Judgments, that his Hand was heavy upon me, and his Judgments encreased in me, that there was no way for me to escape, but I must be Obedient, and bow under it, or be cut off forever by it, so that my Bowels were often pained in me, and it is like for many Weeks had little sleep or bodily rest, and sometimes knew not my Wife and Chil∣dren, that I felt and heard in the Bed by me, but thought they were People I should not be with: And therefore one time after it was day, I was rising and putting on my Clothes in a sober manner, and in Meekness said, Surely I should not be here; and my Wife then laying hand on me, easily perswaded me, but I said, I Know not who I am with; neither did I know her Voice at that time: And some time after, having endured much, I told she and my Family (with Heaviness and Tears) That I was not able to enduce it any longer; and that I had abode with them in the way of the World so long as possible I could; and that I must give up my Life to serve the Lord; desiring them (with Tears) to be Content, and in what I could, I should be careful for their good as ever I was: And this is true, and but little of what might be written.

For another time formerly, the Light of Christ in me (which then I knew not) did so condemn me, and judge and trouble me in secret, that it brought Sickness upon me, and thereby being Weak, expecting I should dye, I was then much troubled, and it lay much upon my Conscience at that time, that I had not in the time of my Health gone to the Steeple-house, and in the fear of the Lord warned all People to Repent; and I was then much grieved because I thought I should dye, and not first in that thing discharge my Conscience.

And so, though I might write much, by what is written may appear to the Meek and Sober-minded, that the Lord did not only call, but also thrust me forth of the World into his Harvest, and this was of God, and the operation of his powerful Word, which called me out of the World, and Hundreds since, by the Word of his Power through me have been gathered out of the Way of the World, and received the Earnest of the Rest Eternal, and many converted unto God, and Wo be unto them who open∣ly oppose me in this the Lords Work I now am in, which he hath

thus called me unto; and let none think that I did wilfully neg∣lect my outward Employment; neither let any one think, that I left my Family, as not regarding them, nor that I stay much out of that Country for any By-end; for the words are true, A Pro∣phet is not without Honour, save in his own Country, and in his own House; and those that did since seek to stop my Mouth, did not well.

Concerning my publick Preaching, and something of what followed.

THAT none may stumble thereat, and say, We called Quakers are such who change from one thing to another, and so what we hold not to be regarded: But I say, Those that have to changes, are not come into fear of God, psal. 55. 19. and the Fear of the Lord is to depart from Evil: And they depart from Evil are become a Prey; but such were cleansed and changed from Glory to Glory, 2 Cor. 3. 18. and grew in Grace and Knowledge in the Lord Jesus Christ. And what I did or said then, was in a great Zeal and real Intent to do good, neither did I covet mens Silver for it, neither was it my end to make a Gain thereby, though much was freely offered me, more than I intend to make mention, though I recceived it not; so that therein I was not much found in Cove∣tousiness. But when Judgement came upon me, as before-men∣tioned, I gave up that Preaching, and said at the last Meeting I had then, which was at Stoke-bliss, That my Mouth was stopt at that present, but if ever the Lord should open my Mouth again, I should Preach indeed; and it is so, Praises to the Lord forever, who hath indeed opened my Mouth, (and since I was no longer Rebellious) and the living Truth of Jusus Christ do I declare, and bear Testimony to his Name where-ever I come, as his Spirit moveth me.

And let none herby think, that I now glory in what was then my shame; for though I had a great Zeal then for God, it being not according to the Knowledge of the Crofs of Christ, which crucisies to the World, and all its vain Customs; the which Cross being then left behind, which is the Power of God, so the Love of the world, which is Enmity to God, remained in me, and the Root Iniquity not them removed out of my Heart, there∣fore

Fruits of Disobedience in secret were still brought forth, which the Would the World took little notice of, but I had one near me, who did let me see all that ever I did, and reproved me for vain Glo∣ry, and having the Praise of Men and the Love of the VVorld, and so my Preaching did not bring Souls home to God, though I informed their Minds of many things, which many ignorant People knew not before; and so though much Love was in many, yet this brought not forth Fruits of Obedience unto God, and so all came to little; for the People remained in their Sins, and re∣ceived not Power to come out of them; neither came they out of the Fashions and Customs of the World, nor to the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, which purrisies the Heart, stands in the pure Conscience my self: And so their Faith and mine was vain, be∣ing then in our Sins.

Therefore let none think, that I now justifie any Deceit, Hy-pocrisie or secret Evil, that then was in me, or practsed by me; for in the Presence of the Lord God I do openly declare against it all, and that Spirit that acted me therein (but I own that simple thing, which then encourged me to do good, out of an Honest Intent, and that kept me out of Covetousness, and from receiving of Gifts.) And I openly declare against all Cruel, Unjull and Ungcdly Action and Words and all that Filth which I wallowed in, before I was a zelous Professor, as it is known to may Ungodly Persons, how I was once as Wicked as many of them, whom I Warn all to Repent, otherwife they cannot escape the Dammantion of Hell.

And I utterly deny, and declare against that Blindnese and Hypocrisie I was in, when I followed the chief Priests from one Idols Temple to another, who were chief in the Serpent's Wif∣dom, deceiving me and many more, and taught me that Know∣ledge which came from the Devil, who said, Te shall be a Gods, knowing, Gen. 3. 5. And in that Knowledge (in which every man is Bruitish, Jer. 10. 14.) from them Hirelings Iencreased in that which pusseth up, and encreased my ••orrow, as before was mentioned; for by that Serpent's subtilty, which I learned from them without me, I fought against and resisted that which

was holy in me: Therefore I declare in the Name of the Lord God, that all the Hireling Priests do more harm than good, and shall never bring People to receive the Power of God, but lead them into Subtilty, and further off from the Knowledge of that of God in them, Rom. 1. 19. And as true as the Lord God liveth, up∣on their Death-beds shall both Priests and People witness this to be true: And its also as true, that I write this without any Pre∣judice to any of their Persons, but in Love to all Peoples Souls do I warn all them Hireling Priests in Herefordshire, and else∣where, to leave deceiving the People; for absolutely the People are deceived by them, and forced to maintain them too, who may be warned of them, by what I have learned by Experience from them, having tried them and their ways to the utmost, and have much experience of them more than many Country People, whose Souls I truly love, and therefore this I write.

And I declare against that which ruled in me in the time of Ig∣norance and Perverseness, and acted me in Cruelty or Oppression towards any Person; or to Wrong, Defraud or Insult over any one in Tyranny, either by Word or Action, or wherein I abus∣ed or smote with Envy (which is of the Devil) Either man or Beast, and that whereby I was led into any manner of Hypo∣crisie or Double-mindedness, or any manner of Evil whatsoever, which was Unjust in the sight of God, though not seen by Man; or any secret Evil that then lodged in the dark Corners of the stoney Heart then in me, whereby any thing did arise in me, or proceed from me, which was contrary to the Humble, Meek, Innocent, Upright Life of the Lamb of God, who is now come and hath taken away the Sin of the World, and is Pure, Humble, Meek and Lowly, whose Life and Power of Love constraineth me to declare openly against all that which was done or said by me in Envy, either openly or secretly against any Creature; for there is nothing done in secreet, that shall not be made manifest.

And let all who knew me before (who are saying, I was an honest man, be warned of the like Evil, and leave it, considering, that if the Righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the Ungodly and Sinner appear? for many did look upon me, to be either a Godly or an Honest man, yet am I made willing to let open Shame come

upon all that, which then was in me contrary to the Righteous∣ness of God; for he alone is to be exalted, and the Transgressor is to be ashamed, Psal. 25. 3. And every mouth shall be stopt, and every one stand guilty before God, and the Shame and Nakedness of all, both Priests, and Fathers, and People shall appear as much as mine, when Gods Witness in them arise, though they cover it for a time by deceitfull Flatteries, Promising Liberty, but are as deeply the Servants of Corruption as I was.

And I do assirm in the presence of the Lord God, that there are a Generation of Professors, who follow Sermons, and have gathered themselves into outward Forms, who are grown up into a Profession and Knowledge in the Letter, who are further off the Life of God than the Publicans and Harlots, and are grown into Pride, Hypocrisie, secret Deceit, Arrogancy and Covetousness; and some of them for a time denied the Priests, and then for their own ends, got into their places, and so are more Abominable than they, and the Tree of Knowledge they feed upon; but the good savour of pure Obedience unto God, in all Self-denial, they have cast behind their backs, and are be∣come an ill Savour among all men: And the Lord God will vi∣sit them for these things; and in the Day of his sierce Wrath will all such want a Hiding-place; and when the day of Howl∣ing and Astonishment come upon them, as it hath passed upon me, then shall they know that the Sinners in Sion shall be afraid, and Horrible Fearfulness shall surprize the Hearts of the Hypo∣crites, and then shall they find, that God will not be mocked, though they deceive themselves with vain Hopes, which shall perish with all such Professors, if they Repent not, ard strip themselves bare from all their false Coverings, which in the day of the Lord (which they put afar off) will certainly be all too Narrow: For because of the greatness of my Profession, with∣out the Power that overcomes all Sin, therefore was the Wrath of God the more upon me, and I never came to receive Pardon for Sin nor Power over it, nor to receive the Life of the Son of God, until his Judgments had confounded all that Wisdom, which I had learned from and among the Priests and Professors. And this is absolutely true, and may be a Warning unto all them.

And all that is herein declared of the Strivings in me, and Judgments of God which came upon me, is very short of what it was, neither indeed, can it be ever declared, being then con∣founded both within and without, not having any man to be a Director unto me, nor then to guide me in Gods Wisdom, neither did any man bring me unto that Condition, nor lead me through it, but even the Lord alone, in whose Judgments I now rejoyce for evermore; but this especially, would I have all people that then knew me to consider, That at that time, (when I was in Di∣stress,) I knew not well what I should do or sp••ke among men, neither what I should be, being become a Fool for Christs sake, and my Wis∣dom being confounded, and my Understanding brought to nothing; Read, 1 Cor. 1. 1, 9, vers. 27.

And so, that is true which I have writ in that book in Answer to Edmund Skipp, wherein I said, That we were but in measure lea∣ving of the World, and entering into a little of that which is Eternal; at which time before-mentioned, I was brought to be silent from my publick Preaching, and waited on the Lord, with a few foolish contemptible Ones in the Eyes of the World, at which time having lost my Earthly Wisdom, and not received that measure of the pure Wisdom of God, (which since he hath given me) whereby to order all my Words and Actions, in Pru∣dency and Moderation, before the Eyes of all People, and others also might then with me therein fall short, whereby some to this day may stumble at the whole Truth of God, looking at what happened among us, in that time, when the Judgments of God was often on us (by which Judgments, his Sion is now Re∣deemed) and so they looking at that, and watch ever since for Evil, may be kept thereby from receiving the precious tryed Stone, which the wise Master-builders also refuse, though we now know, he is laid in Sion (redeemed with Judgment, for a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Offence, even to both the houses of Israel; But let all take heed, of stumbling at the stumbling Stone, (the Light of Christ) for other causes of stumblings, especially by me, I have hereby endevoured to remove out of the way (and minds) of all that are willing to receive the Truth, or believe in the Light, John 12. 36.

And as for Edmund Skipp, if ever he come again to that, which

convinced him of Evil, and made him in publick deny his peaching for Hire and Tythes, though after he strated aside, and stumbled in the Dark, not minding the Light of Life (which once he honestly desired after) in him, to which Light, if he return, and love the Witness of God in him, which hath ever since stood a Witness for me, and hath let him see his Barrenness, and without a true Eternal Rest, and if he to that be obedient, which is manifest of God in him, and by it be led into Meek∣ness and Plainness, without Prejudice, he may come to receive the living Truth of Jesus Christ, for which this day I suffer Bonds; for I did never yet look upon him to be so utterly Reprobate, as not possible to receive the Faith that purifies the Heart, and Re∣spects no mans Person; for truly my love hath been to the Seed oppressed in him, though that which hath exercised him in Rash∣ness (against the Truth of God) I do deny forever; and there is neither him, nor any Priest, Preacher, Professor or Profane, that can have any good ground or reason to envy me for declaring openly against all that in them which I declare against in my self, when it ruled in me, when I was as they yet are.

I being by several long unjust Imprisonments detained from Liberty to declare in words those and other things, therefore for this very end have I written this in short, that God's Truth might stand clear, and not suffer in any thing done or said by me, before Gods pure Wisdom was born up in me; and that also the ground of all other things against the Truth (if occasioned by me) may be removed out of the Minds of all that are willing to receive the Truth, if they knew it; for I would not, if possible, that any thing whatsoever which concerned me, should so remain in the Mind of any one, as that thereby he should be hindred from receiving the living Truth, which I have found so precious, with∣out which none can be saved: And if by the appearing of the Shame of my former Nakedness, an inlet for the Truth may be made into the Minds and Hearts of any, therein will be my Joy, and the Eternal Comfort of all them, who by receiving, and Sanctification of the Truth, and faithfulness in the Light, do come to rest in the Kingdom of Joy and Eternal Peace forever and ever.

Thus at present, in tender Love to the Souls of you Rulers and Professors in Herefordshire, to whom I say, believe in the Light,

and mind God's Witness in you, and be not Rigid, Bitter, nor Persecutors of the Children of Light, who (by them in the dark) are called Quakers, among whom I have chosen to suffer Re∣proaches for Christ's sake, and Whippings, long Imprisonments, and Dungeon, and now in the House of Correction, all which declares me to be, as you may read, 2 Cor. 6. 3, to 11. who am a Friend to the Souls of all Mankind, a Servant of Jesus Christ, not by the Will of men, to whom I am known by the Name

Humphry Smith.

Winchester, the 19th of 6th Moneth, 1658.