A testimony of God, and his way, and worship against all the false wayes and worships of the vvorld.: Also an answer to some of the false doctrines held forth, by a professed minister, in VVales; shewing the unsoundness of his former actions, and is found to be one, in the nature of the vvorld; which sometime he hath spoken against. With an answer to some queries; propounded by one, who is called an Anabaptist. / Given forth for no other end, but in love to the truth, as it is in Iesus: by Alex: Parker.

An answer to some Queries given to my hands, which were propoun∣ded by one who goes under the name of an Anabaptist, living in Shrewsbury.

SOme Queries I have received from one who subscribes his name Richard Stephens, wherein he saith the intent of his writing is to be better informed in things wherein he is not satisfied. But in the Light of Jesus he is comprehended, and seen to be of that Generation, who cryed up the Commands and the Ordinances of God, as Temple, Sabbath, Circumci∣sion, Priests, Sacrifices, Scriptures and the like, and said they were of Abraham, and God was their Father, and they builded the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnished the sepulchre of the righteous, and condemned their fore-fathers, saving, if we had lived in their dayes, we would not have killed the Prophets, and yet these crucified the Son of God, and they did not believe in him, who was the light, the Covenant of the Fa∣ther, the sum and substance of those things which they upheld, which were but figures, tipes and shadows, yet in their time Commands of God, and were to bee observed and kept, yet those who had these outward Commands, did not believe in the Light, but were by (Christ) the Light cryed woe against, and those who believed in the Light and followed Christ, denyed those outward Commands, and had no Scripture for it, but the testimony of the light within them; which was a hard thing in those times to deny the Commands in the letters; for the Jews and Chief Priests had Scripture to uphold them; and counted the Apostles deceivers, and a cursed people that knew not the

Law: But by the mighty power of God they were carried on and witnessed against the outward Commands, and cryed against them that upheld them: and witnessed the Commands of God, and the worship of God in the spirit; and their bodies wa•• Tem∣ples of the Holy Ghost, and God dwelt in them; so the new Covenant they witnessed the Law of God written in their hearts, and the spirit put in the inward parts, which was their guide in the spiritual worship, and these denyed those things which once were Commands of God, which were outward and typical, and it was no breach of the Commands of God to them, but obedi∣ence to the commands of the Spirit of God in them, by which they witnessed against the shadows, and witnessed the sub∣stance: And a generation there is now (of which this man that gave forth these Queries is one) who hath gotten the good words (the Scriptures) and painted themselves over with a covering, like the spirit, but is not the spirit; and these cry up the Church of Christ, and the ordinances of Christ, and condemnes the Jewes their fore-fathers for crucifying of Christ, and yet they are found in the same nature, who deny the light and counts them deceivers and a cursed generation who are in the light, who (with the light) deny their imitated Churches, and taken on commands, which it no more but a will worship, and a self righteousnesse which stands in the will of man, which is as fil∣thy rags and as menstruous cloathes; seen they are and compre∣hended in the light of Christ to be under the woe out of the Cove∣nant of our God; and here is the ground of all the sects and opi∣nions and the many Religions: Man living in his will, and pro∣fessing the Scriptures which came not by the will of man, but con∣trary to mans will, here man in his will is giving his pr••vate meanings and interpretations, and one he gives one meaning to the Scriptures, and sets up a Religion and a worship of God, ac∣cording to his meaning, and conceiving from the letter of the Scripture in his will; Another he gives another meaning, and sets up another worship and a Religion, according to his mea∣ning and conceiving from the Scriptures: and so a third gives his meaning, and so are divided into many sects and opinions; and these are the Babel builders, one building up a wall, and ano∣ther daubing with untempered morter, and these are out of the faith and union of the Saints who walk in the light, and have

union and fellowship in the spirit of love, written in one ano∣thers heart, and so are all of one heart: But the other who stands in their wills, and imitates and takes on commands in their own wills, as their imaginations thoughts and conceivings leads them, are not all of one heart, but are divided, and some sprinkle water on the face of a child, and calls that Baptizme; and others deny that, and are dipped over head and ears in wa∣ter, and calls that Baptizme, and then they call themselves Beleevers and Saints, and so run to the letter of the Scripture, and reading with a wrong eye, are still in confusion, and more and more divisions there is a mongst them, some are called free∣willers, or that hold generall redemption (that Christ died for all) and some are called particulars, that hold that some are ordained to salvation, and some to condemnation before they have done good or evill, and these deny one another and hold one another accursed, yet all are dipped in the water: some are divided about that which they call the Lords supper, and about breaking of the bread, some will break it themselves, and some will eat it as a supper; some will sup before they eat it, some will have it in an upper chamber, some are for laying on of hands, and some will not: and many other things there are which breakes their union, and thus they are divided in Ba∣bylons Kingdom, tearing and rending one another like dogs and swine, falling out about the husks. But the Saints who are led by the light of the Son of God (out of Babylon) into the fold, do feed upon the bread of life in the Fathers house, where there is no want, but fulnesse where the presence of the Lord is en∣joyed, and the holy and innocent ones who are washed and cleansed in the bloud of the Lamb, rejoyce in his presence who are Baptized into Christ and have put on Christ, whose hearts are purified and conscience purged from dead works, these are Christians: But to sprinkle water on the face of a child doth not make it a Christian, or to be dipped over head and eares in water doth not wash and cleanse from sin; for hee is not a Christian which is one outward which hath the name only, nei∣ther is that the Baptizme which is outward with the water: But he is a Christian which is in Christ a new Creature, and Bap∣tizme is that of the spirit, having the heart sprinkled from an evill conscience, and the body washed with pure water, and

this Baptizme I own and witnesse unto, and deny all imitatour who have not a command from God, as they had that gave forth the Scriptures. Yet this I say, if any one now have a com∣mand from Christ to go and Baptize with water: or if any out of tendernesse of Conscience do such a thing, I do not deny it, nor judge them for it: But I was not sent to Baptize but to preach the Gospel, and it is no breach of Christs command, nor denying his ordinances in not Baptizing, not being commissioned by him to Baptize, for it is neither dipping nor sprinkling, or not dip∣ping that availes any thing but a new Creature, so to deny that which was a command of Christ to some, being but outward, it not being a command by Christ unto us, is no breach of Christs command, no more then it was in the Apostles in denying the outward commands, as Temple, Sabbath, Circumsition, and the like, which were commands in their time and place, and wee own them, and all the commands of God mentioned in the Scriptures by the same spirit which gave them forth: which spirit was the Saints Rule before the Scriptures were written, and their Rule who gave forth the Scripture, and the Saints Rule now ac∣cording to the Scripture, owning all things in their time and place as the Scripture declares of, and though we be counted as deceivers, yet true, it is no more but what the Ministers of Christ undergone from that generation, who were high in knowledge as doctours, chief Priests and learned Rabbies, yet by all their learning and Scripture knowledge they knew not the mistery, but counted the Crosse of Christ foolishnesse; as it is now by this ge∣neration of Scripture learned ones and university men, by all their learning and study the mistery of Godlinesse they know not, but counts them an ignorant people to whom the Lord hath made known himself in measure, and reveiled his secrets unto, and counts them as a people not worthy to live; I say amongst that generation that cryes up the commands of Christ in words I find this man querying without. But for the simple ones sake who de∣sire to be satisfied, I have written this in answer to his queries, that their minds may be informed, and from the darknesse they may be turned to the true light of lesus, which opens the dark un∣derstanding and leads out of darknesse to follow Christ in the pure path of life, which whosoever follows shall not abide in darknesse, but shall have the light of life.

Query the I. Whether you do own the New Testament with the Epistles of the Apostles unto the Churches, to be a true te∣stimony of the spirit of the Lord, yea or nay: And if they be whe∣ther were they not given forth as a Rule unto the Churches to walk by, and if they were not given forth as a Rule, then where∣fore were they given forth, and what use were they of unto the Churches?

Answ. The New Testament we do own and witnesse, which is the Law of God written in our hearts, and the spirit put in the inward parts, whereby we are gathered together into the fold, and are fed with living refreshments in the bosome of our Fathers love, which spirit was and is a Rule and guide unto the Saints, and thereby are taught of God in spirit, and do worship him in spirit, according to his promise, which promise is now fulfilled and fulfilling to his praise and glory, to whom all glory belongs for evermore: And the Epistles of the Apostles to the Churches we own to be a true testimony given forth from the spirit of the Lord, and was the word of the Lord in them and to them, to whom they were written for the edifying and building them up in their most holy faith, which faith was within them, a mistery held in a pure conscience; and their Rule and guid was within them, and all that was written or declared by the holy men of God, it was to bring them to the pure worship of God within, in the spirit.

Qu. II. Whether the Scriptures be of any use unto any people now in this generation; and if they are then whether the Ordinances therein conteyned, be to be practised by such a peo∣ple as beleeve in the Lord Iesus with all their hearts, yea or nay? And if they are not to be practised then when and where were they abolished.

Ans. The Scriptures are not of any private interpretation, neither (came by) mans will, but holy men of God spoke them forth as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and they are of use, for they were given forth to be read to be believed on to bee practised and fulfilled, but not to make a trade on, nor for un∣godly men with their vain and proud minds to talk on, but let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity, and as iniquity is departed from, and the fear of God placed in the heart, it keepes the heart cleare, and so the pure wisdom

from above, is received into the pure heart, and the pure in heart are blessed and shall see God who is light, and the Ordinances of God are seen in the light and led into by the light, but the darknesse cannot comprehend the light, nor all the wisedom of the world, and such puts darknesse for light, and light for dark∣nesse, and calls the ordinances and traditions of men the ordi∣nances of Christ, and so would make the word of God of none effect by their traditions; for they are the Sons of God who are led and guided by the Spirit of God, and such denyes the shadows who witnesse the substance, 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: God is a Spirit, and his ordinances are spiritual in the Gospel Administration.

Qu. III. Whether or no they are not blessed that do observe to do all the Ordinances and the Commands of the Lord Christ therein conteyned, yea or nay, and if they are then whether are not they a cursed generation of men, that do not observe to do them, but to teach men to break them.

Answ. They are blessed that do observe all the Command∣ments of the Lord Christ, that they may have right unto the tree of life, and may enter in through the gate into the City: But to that in thy conscience do I speak, art thou one that dost observe al the Commandments of the Lord Christ, art thou brought to yea and nay in thy communication, art thou brought to do to all men as thou would have them to do unto thee? Doth not some∣thing in thy conscience testify against thee, and let thee see the contrary? If any one sue thee at the Law and take away the Coat, let him have thy Cloak also, dost thou obey this command, or dost thou not rather go quite contrary, instead of letting him have thy Cloak with thy Coat, would not thou go to Law with him before hee should have thy Coat? To that in thy conscience do I speak; if one smite thee on one cheek, dost thou turn the other, or would not something in thee arise to smite again? Search and examine, and if upon search thou be found a trans∣gressour, then art not thou one of the cursed generation that dost not observe to do all the commands of the Lord Christ; which those whom thou art smiting & warring against through the ope∣ration of God working in them, are able and brought to observe, & are of the blessed generation, to whom all the promises of God are due.

Qu. IV. Whether there be any other Gospel then that which was declared and testified of unto the world, by Christ and his Disciples, which is left upon record unto us in this our genera∣tion in the Scriptures of Truth, yea or nay? And whether this that you declare be the same that Christ and his Apostles did declare unto the Saints in their generation both for matter and manner?

Answ. There is no other Gospel but that which was declared and testified of by Christ and his Disciples; and the same Gospel do we preach and no other, which is a mistery not known to the world, which cannot be contained in a book nor written in letters, for that which is written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and Iohn, is but a declaration, and that may be bought and sold for money: But the Gospel cannot be bought and sold for money, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeves, and those that witnessed the Gospel were freed from sin, and had remission of their sins: But many have the Scriptures, but have not the power of God, but are alive unto sin; and here thou hast much manifested thy folly and weak∣nesse, who would have the Gospel conteined in a book, which all the books in the world cannot conteyn; which Gospel and glad tydings is now witnessed by the Children of Light, free pardon of sin by Jesus Christ, who is come to take away sin; Glory and honour and everlasting praises to his Holy and dread∣full name for ever.

Qu. V. Whether the Apostles of Christ which wrote the Epistles unto the Churches, and the Saints in that generation had not as much of the light of Christ within them as any have now in this generation, yea or nay? And wherefore were the E∣pistles written, or did the Apostles write needlesse things, or thy did they not onely call upon them to mind the light which was within them?

Ans. Concerning the Apostles and the Saints, having as much of the light of Christ within them, as any have, now it little concernes thee or any one else, I leave it to him from whence all light comes, who is the same now as ever, and changes not, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, and gives to every one light, according as it pleaseth him, which light the Prophets, and Apostles, and Holy men of God, did witnesse in

them; from which they write, and did not write needlesse things, but exhorted to take heed to the light which was within them, which was and is a mistery: we have also a more sure word of Prophesie, unto which ye do well to take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place untill the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; The word is light, and the word was within them, nigh in their hearts; the Law is light, and the Law was within written in their hearts; the spirit is light, and it was within them to whom the Epistles were written; and the King∣dom of Heaven is light, and it was within though not compre∣hended in the earthly and dark wisedome of man; and Christ Jesus is the light, and this was the mistery which was hid from ages and generations, which was within the Saints, their hope of glory: and thou and all the world that denies the light of Christ within, and stumbles at the light, are strangers to the Co∣venant of promise, and art without God in the world in the sin and disobedience upon whom the wrath of God abides: and thou cannot escape the judgements of God, nor ever come from under the curse untill the light thou dost own to guid and lead thee in the way which is pure, out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God.

Qu. VI. Whether such men who walk up according to the testimony of the Scriptures in the life and power of them, accor∣ding to the measure of light they have received; and yet through the weaknesse of the flesh do commit some sin, though not will∣fully, whether you can pronounce such men children of the de∣vil yea or nay?

Ans. Those who walk up according to the Scriptures in the life and power according to the measure of light they have re∣ceived, are kept from the sin abiding in the light, for he that a∣bides in the light sins not; he that sins hath not seen him neither knows him: he that doth righteousnesse is of God, and he that commit sin is of the devil, as the Scripture declareth.

Qu. 7. Whether all men and women that have forsaken the rule of the Scriptures, and have betaken themselves to walk by the light within them, are made presently perfect from sin up∣on their owning of the light within; and so cannot sin any more while they live in this flesh.

Ans. The Scriptures are not forsaken by those who own

the light, but with the light the words are owned: and all those denyed, who talk of the good words and professe the Scriptures to be their rule, but live not in the pure life, but walk contrary to the Scriptures; and as there is a waiting in the light, there is a growth up from strength to strength, and from glory to glory un∣till the perfect day: But those who live in the flesh cannot prease God, whose faith is not perfect, but is reprobate concerning the faith of Christ, and such cannot believe that ever they shall be made perfect or free from sin while they live upon the earth; and without faith it is impossible to please God.

Qu. VIII. VVhether or no the first Resurrection spoken of Revel. 20.6. be in this life yea or nay? And if it be whether hath all that walk by the light within them part in the first re∣surrection so soon as they own that light; and if they have then whether or no is it not possible that they may forsake the light, and walk in darknesse, and so come to cast of the second death, which they that come to partake of the first resurrection shall never cast of; or is not the testimony of that place of Scripture true?

Answ. Concerning the first resurrection spoken of Rev. 20.6. it is not in that life that thou lives in, which gave forth these que∣ries: But those who dwelt in the light, and were in the faith had passed from death to life, and in the new life it is known which is in Christ Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, on such the second death hath no power, and such hath part in the first re∣surrection, and are blessed: But thou hast wronged the Scrip∣ture, and so it shall be a witnesse against thee, which testimony is true witnessed by the same spirit that gave forth the Scripture.

Qu. IX. VVhether or no that body of flesh of Christ that suf∣fered at Ierusalem upon the Cross, which Joseph of Arithma∣thea begged of Pilate, and buried in his own sepulchre, rose again the 3. day after it was buried, whether the same body of flesh be now glorified in Heaven with the Father.

These few Queries I have written unto you who are called by the name of Quakers, I have not written them to any particu∣lar person of you, but to whomsoever of you shall be free to give me an answer of them in particular in truth, according to your understanding in them, I have not written them in any intent, but onely to be better informed in things wherein I am not in∣formed

in things wherein I am not satisfied from him who wi∣sheth good to all and hurt to none Richard Stephens.

Answ. In this query thou art disputing and querying about the body of Jesus, as the devil disputed about the body of Moses: But it is a mistery hid from all dark understandings who hate the light that comes from Jesus, which is the eye that sees him who is invisible, which all who love their evill deeds and hate the light, never shall know nor see, but are shut out and with the light condemned: Thou must first own the light that shewes thee the body of sin, and so pass through the death of the crosse where∣by the body of sin is put of and crucified: then shalt thou know with what body Christ is glorified in Heaven with the Father. Godliness is a great mistery not known to the world nor to the earthly wisedom, but the secrets of God are with them that fear him; the spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep and hidden things of God: So in the fear of God I do exhort thee to return unto God, and mind that principle of God in thee, that reproves thee in secret for thy evill deeds, there is thy Teacher if thou love it, to guide thee to God, but if thou hate it, and live according to the course of this world, it will be thy comdemnation: Prize thy time while thou hast it.

VVritten by one who is a lover of all those that love the truth in simplicity and sincerity of heart, who is known to the world by the name of Alexander Par∣ker, but hath a new name which the world knows not; written in the Book of Life.