Concerning the observation of the First Day to be kept above any other day, which is the world's old idol, wherein they satisfie their lusts in pride and idleness.

A Testimony for Truth against Deceit, and a hypocritical people, who pro∣fesse Christ and the Apostles words, but persecute his Life wheresoever it doth appear.

COme people, let us reason together; Where had your priests this Order for sprinkling a little Water on a childs face, and to crosse it with the sign of the Crosse, and that they should have God-fathers or God-mothers? Where did you read of these things in the Prophets days? And had you this command out of the Scriptures, or in Christs days, or the Apostles days? Where ever God had a Father, or a Mother, or that the childrens God-fathers or God-mothers should promise and vow such things as these are; first, That they should for∣sake the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh: But your priests do perswade you to promise and vow lyes, and that ye your selves know: And who gave such a povver for a man to forgive sins, as the bishop hath gi∣ven to the priest? And where had the Apostles a Common-prayer-book? But this was their vvay; for they knew not what to ask but as the Spirit made intercession with sighs and groans that could not be uttered, and the Spirit helped their infirmities: So that they did not speak & pray by other mens lines that are made ready to their hands, as your Priests do, to say such a Lesson on such a day, and such a prayer on such a day as ye call Holy-days; but they can make a scoff at the mo∣vings of the Spirit of the Lord in any of his servants.

But wo unto you priests and people that mock at these things, for the Lord God is arising with his mighty power to plead vvith all flesh, and your coverings vvil be too short in the day of his mighty power, vvhich he hath rent part from off your hypocritical profes∣sion, and not in possession, that all vvho are turned to the Lord, see thorough all your crooked vvaies that ye vvalk in;

Therefore I say unto you people who have any tenderness in you towards the way of truth, separate your selves, and touch no unclean thing, and come out from amongst them, and be not partaker with them in their sins, lest ye be partakers with them in their plagues; and do not satisfie your selves in the pretence of keeping of the first day of the week for a Sabbath, or as you say, the Lords day, for where did he allow any day to do the Devils work in? And seeing that the Lord hath no re∣spect to days, persons not places, but at what time soever a sinner doth repent him from the bottom of his heart, the Lord hath promised to have mercy on them that so repent and turn from their evil ways; therefore come out of your own times, into God's time, which is an everlasting time, and a day that hath no end, which is the end of all outward shadows, Christ the everlasting Covenant, which redeems man out of outward times and days, up to God again: Therefore mind that which doth reprove you in secret, which can lay that to your charge which no man can, which is a swift witness against your evil deeds in your own consciences, hearken to the reproof, for the reproofs of instruction is the way to life, and thou shalt not need to say in thy heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven to fetch Christ down? Or who shall descend to fetch Christ from the dead? But what saith the Word? it is nigh thee, in thy heart, and in thy mouth, that thou may obey it, and do it; this is the Word of Faith which the Apostles preached; this is that Light which shineth in a dark place, which doth so convince you and make you repent, cry out, and say, Oh that I had not done this evil thing: I do heartily desire you may take heed unto it, that that may be your Teacher and your Leader; for the Lord hath promised, that in the latter dayes he will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, and they shall pro∣phesie: So consider these things in moderation, and do not only these things be∣cause I have written them, but because the Lord doth perswade you of the truth of them in your hearts.

This was written by Simon Adam, the 9th of the 2d month, called April, 1663.