The Saints testimony finishing through sufferings: or, The proceedings of the court against the servants of Jesus, who were called before them to be tryed at the late assizes (or sessions) held in Banbury in the county of Oxon, the 26 day of the seventh moneth, 1655.: Also a relation of Margret Vivers, going to the steeple-house in Banbury, after the assize (or sessions) as aforesaid: and a testimony against false prophets, and false doctrine; ... And the manner of Richard Farnsworth imprisonment at Banbury, with a short examination and answer. And the cause of his detainment. Also, a warning from the spirit of the Lord (in his hand-maid Anne Audland) to the persecuting priest and people, &c. And a letter of Robert Rich to the magistrates of Banbury, ... Likewise a letter of Tho. Curtis to the professed minister called Samuel VVells in Banbury. And a certificate wherein is manifested the diligence that was used to know the causes of the prisoners commitments ... (Anne Audland, Iane VVaugh, Sarah Tims, and Nathaniel VVeston) as wel as Robert Rich, ... With a paper relating the sufferings of the innocent.

A TESTIMONY Against False Prophets, and false Teacher: And also the Ob∣jection answered, concerning the woman forbidden to speak in the Church With a Relation of Margret Vivers, was moved of the Lord to go speak to the Priest in the Steeplehouse in Banbury: And also concerning the imprisonment of Richard Farnsworth, &c.

UPon the first day of the week, being the 3⁰. day of the 7. month, one Margret Vivers, a servant of the Lord, (inhabiting in the Town of Banbury) was moved of the Lord to go in to the Synagogue, or Stee∣plehouse in the said Banbury, and waited upon the Lord, whose power mo∣ved her to go to be ordered by him, who worketh after the counsell of his own will; and when the Priest of Banbury (Samuel Wells by name, their pro∣fessed Minister) had ended and done, she was moved of the Lord to speak somthing unto him who had in his Doctrine, or preachment, been speaking against self-denyal, and exhorting his people that they that had not the spi∣rit might pray for it; saying most of them remained in unbelief, &c. But the Prayers of the wicked is abomination unto the Lord, and such as are with∣out the Spirit of Christ (and have it not) are none of his, and they are the wicked that are in unbelief, and the enviors, mockers, scoffers, and such as walk after their own ungodly lusts, who are persecutors of the servants or Je∣sus, like those (malicious wicked ones, and unbelievers) here at Banbury, and whilest you regard iniquity in your hearts, God wil not regard your prayers; and to speak against self-denyal, is to speak against the Doctrine of Christ, so no self-denyall in obedience to the Doctrine of Christ, no Disci∣ple or follower of Christ, and no Disciple, no Saint; for saith Christ, he that wil be my Disciple, let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me, here the necessity is laid down by Christ himself, therefore he that de∣nyeth not self, in obedience to Christ to follow his light, but continues in sin and unbelief, abiding in darkness, is (no Saint but a Servant of sin, and so) out of the Doctrine of Christ, and he that abides in darkness, speaking against self-denyall, saying it makes no Saint, (though in obedience to the Spirit and word of God) he is a contradictor of the truth, and a denyer of the Doctrine of Christ, and neither knoweth a Saint nor him that sanctifieth, but is ignorant of the turn and the Apostles Doctrine, who saith, seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, love one a∣nother with a pure heart fervently, being born again (contrary to self, and

the corruptible seed) for witnessing him that sanctifieth, and that which discovereth sin and self in the ground of it, with its fruits and effects, which is the true light of Christ who calls to repentance, and a denyall both of sin and self, and in obedience to his call, such as follow his light are thereby led out both of darkness and self, out of self-love, self-seeking, self-conceited∣ness, and all unbelief and sinfulness, as wel as out of self-righteousness, error, delusion, and deceit; and into the love and joy of the Lord, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and so into the marvellous light, even the light of life, according to the word of the Lord, in obedience thereunto, through the working of the Spirit and power of God; but such as are servants of sin, and do not envy self, but disobeyeth the light of him that sanctifieth, they are in the unrighteousness, denying the Doctrine of Christ, and turns persecutors of them that deny self in obedience to him, as their fruits maketh manifest (who continue in felse undenyed) as wel as the Priests (anti∣christian or) false Doctrine, for after the Priest of Banbury had been spoken unto for the same, instead of vindicating by Scripture what he had delive∣red contrary to truth, when he was spoken to for it, he suffered the servants of the Lord Jesus (as antichristians aforetime did) to be haled out of the Synagogue, and haled down to the Goalers house, attended with a great company of people which, shewed much rudeness and wildness, & what little effect their Ministry had wrought, and so it were a clear manifestation that they were unbelievers, and those that regarded iniquity in their hearts, and lived in sin, and self undenyed, and were not guided by the spirit of Christ, but of Antichrist, as persecutors and such in their nature aforetime were, Act. 17.5, 6, &c. Afterwards, one was moved to go down to the Goalers house, to the friend that was in custody at that time, and some they pushed and abused him, and some others began to reason with him, and would have had the Steeplehouse to be the Church, but could not prove it so to be; and there they shewed again that their Priests Ministry had neither taught them civility nor good-behaviour, that were so wild and disboist, neither had his Ministry taught them (as was said) to know what the Church of Christ was, for the Church is the body, of which Christ is head, and he is the head of the body his Church, as the Scripture witnesseth, but Steeplehouses are not the body of which Christ is head, neither is Christ the head of the body of Steeplehouses (as he is of his Church (therefore the Steeplehouses are not Christs church, and yet poor deluded creatures, have been taught by the Priests to believe that steeplehouses are churches, and so they call them, and rests in the perishing and visibles, that are so ignorant of the true church, the pillar and ground of truth, 1 Tim. 3.15. Heb. 3.6. 1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.20.21, 22. Eph. 5.25, 26, 32. ver.

And after that when they had confessed that they had Margret Vivers, (who had spoken to the Priest in the Steeplehouse, after that he had ended that day) there, neither for whoredome, felony, nor theft, and words to that purpose, yet it was the Mayors mind that she should be there; but whether

she had committed any offence or no, they could not tel, (as they said, and words to that effect;) and the man that kept her there upon such uncertain∣ty, when they was about to put her in Prison, and had her at the dore, but did not put her in; for no Law by her was transgressed at that time, as it was said, that could be proved for witnessing the truth in obedience to the com∣mand of the Lord; (yet though they did not commit herto Prison, other two they did, one that stood by, and another that was quietly passing up the street at that same time) and the man that had kept her in custody, did object against a woman speaking in the Church; it was asked whether the Spirit of God might not be permitted to speak in the Temple of God, yea or nay; the which by some was answered and granted that it might.

Answer. To the Question about the woman forbidden to speak in the Church, and proved that the spirit of God may speak in his Temple, either in the Body of male or female, let the woman keep silence in the Church, as it is said, and let God speak by his spirit in his Temple, 2 Cor. 6.16. Either of male or fe∣male, whose bodies are the Temples of God through the spirit, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. For in Christ Iesus the spirit of God in male and female is both one, Eph. 2.19.19, 20. Gal. 3.27, 28. And Paul he commended Pheba in his Epistle to the Romans, which Phebe was a servant of the Church which was at Cenchrea, Rom. 16.1. and in the same Epistle he saluted Priscilla, and also gave thanks with the Churches for her labour, who had been a helper of him in Christ Jesus, and she was a woman labourer in the Gospel by the Spirit of truth; so was there woman labourers with Paul in the Gospell, which he writes of in his Epi∣stle to the Philippians, as wel as them he speaks of, whose names are written in the book of life, Rom. 16.3, 4. Phi. 4.3.

So was there women guided by the Spirit of the Lord, that were the Lords Prophetesses, as wel as there were men that were his Prophets; and the Lord spoke his word by his own Spirit, in and through the one as wel as the other: Miriam, Arons Sister, was a Prophetess, and spake forth the praise of God, in that dispensation and administration, by the spirit of God that teacheth to prophensie, as wel as the manifestation of it is given to profit withall, Exod. 15.20, 21. Isa. 8.16, 17, 1 Cor. 12.7.

And Deborah a Prophetess by the Spirit of the Lord which taught her to prophesie, she therewith judged Israel, and were a Minister of Justice a∣mongst the Lords people in her dayes, and in that dispensation, insomuch, that the Children of Israel came up to her for judgment, and did not dis∣pise the counsell of the Lords spirit in a woman preacher, or a Iudge in Isra∣el, and a Prophetess of the Lord, Iudg. the 4, 5, 6, 7, &c.

And in the dayes of Iosiah King in Israel, there was one Huldah a Prophe∣tess, that lived in Ierusalem, a woman Preacher, or one, who by the Spirit of the Lord, declared and spoke to the people the word of the Lord, and to her the Priest and people went to enquire and hear the word of the Lord, ac∣cording also to the Kings command, 2 King. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, &c. Be∣sides, several other Prophetesses as wel as Prophets, there was in the time of

old among the Lords people, as the prophetess in Isajahs time, and in Nehe∣miahs time, so there was in the Apostles time a man in Cesaria had four daugh∣ters that were virgins did prophesie, Act. 21.8, 9. And at the comming of Christ when Simeon that just man spoke of him, the light of the Gentiles and the glory of the people Israel, there was one woman a widow, of above fourscore years of age, that had no outward huusband at home to ask, who was a preacher, or one that spoke of the Lord Iesus to all that looked for Redemption in Ieru∣salem, Luke 2.36, 37, 38.

And Tryphena, and Tryphosa, and Persis (three vertuous godly women) did labour much in the Lord, which Paul (in his Epistle to the Romans) did sa∣lute; and as the wife is in subjection to her husband, so is the Church sub∣ject unto Christ, who is the head thereof, as the husband is the head of the wife; and Chsist being the Head of his Spouse, or husband of his Church, the Spouse of Christ united unto him, and betrothed in Righteousness, both as∣keth of him, and staying at home taketh counsell with him, though the Harlot from home, and the stranger unto him, knoweth it not; and saith the Lord, I wil pour out of my spirit, that sons, and daughters, and handmaids also shall prophesie; and who are they that are offended hereat now? that the Lord doth see, but proud, covetous, self-seeking priests, (who never knew God,) and their hearers that are deceived by them, and such in their nature who know not the sure word and spirit of prophesie, but are ignorant both of the mystery of godliness, and so of him whose name is called the word of God, and know∣eth neither the teachings of God, not the life of the Scriptures, and the work of the Spirit of God, who would not have him to be the same now that he was, and Christ to be the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; who are such opposers of the work of the Spirit of God, and persecutors of the servants of Jesus, in whom it is bringing and brought forth, as their Generation and seed of evil doers ever was; Mat, 23.33, 34, &c.

Holy men of God spoke forth the Scriptures.

The Scriptures or Writings that proceeded from the Spirit of truth, were not spoken forth by the seed of evill doers, that were haters of God, and per∣secuters of his, neither were they spoken forth by such as preached for Hire, barerule by their means, nor such as laid heavy burthens upon the people, & sought for their gain from their quarter, (like the Priests of England, the false prophets, and pharisees) but Holy men of God, who witnessed against such, spoke forth the Scriptures, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, who were persecuted, mocked, stoned, haled out of the Synagogues, set in the Stocks, most shamefully abused, evilly entreated, and sore punished, smitten, put in the Dungeon, and often imprisoned, and such a portion from the world and seed of evill doers doth the servants and messengers of God meet withall now, that witness against them, who make a trade upon their words, also denying them, and owning the teachings of God, and the life of the Scriptures again now, as they that spoke them forth, who suffered for wit∣nessing the truth in the life and power of them aforetime did.

A short Relation betwixt the true Prophets and the false, and how they may be known a ssunder.

First, THe true Prophets of God, had the word of God revealed to, and inspired in them, and the moving cause of their speaking, was from the light, life and power of the Holy Ghost within them, who dwelt in the light which discovered deceit, whereby they know the false Pro∣phets, and declared against them, and against such as spoke the words of o∣thers, saying thus saith the Lord, when the Lord spoke not unto them, or by them, and so they speak a Divination of their own brain, (as do the Hire∣ling Priests and Deceivers) and not from the mouth of the Lord, as to those that dwel in the light, as the true Prophets did, they now are very wel, known, and against testified, though it be not received by the besotted, turned from the light; and the deceived, who persecutes those that are sent to witness a∣gainst them (contrary to the wil of man) as the true Prophets were, who were not sent by the wil of man, but by the Lord God and his spirit, Isa. 48.16, 17. which the world could not receive, nor the wil of man, no more than it doth now, Iohn 4.17 and therefore do they persecute, and put out of their Synagogues, for to fil up the measure of their iniquity, and to fulfil the prophesie of Christ, ye a these things they do, because they are in enmity a∣gainst the living truth, and know neither the father nor the Son, Iohn 16.2.3. and so manifest what an evil and a wicked Generation they are on.

2. The true Prophets of God, who were indued with his spirit, and dwelt in the light, and spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and were not sent of man (contrary to the wil of God,) but of God, (contrary to the wil of man;) and such as are sent by the Lord God and his spirit now, have their commander neer them, and by his holy Spirit are moved to speak as he pleaseth, and as they was, who were not sent by the wil of man, neither did mans wil receive them that went contrary to it (and stood in the coun∣sel of God) no more than it doth now, but rather persecured and impriso∣ned, as they do now; and the true Prophets that were sent of the Lord, and stoood in his counsell, neither preached for hire, nor sought for their gain from their quarter, nor sought for the fleece, but preached or declared free∣ly the word of the Lord, and said, come freely without money or price Isa. 55. And also declared against the deceit of the false Prophets, and hireling Priests, and such as sought for their gain from their quarter, Ier. 5.30, 31. Isa. 56.10, 11. And the true prophets declared against such as cryed peace, peace, to the people whilest they put into their mouths, but when they could not for conscience sake uphold them in their deceits, nor put into their mouths, then the false prophets, and such as preached for hire, either shut up in prison or prepared war against them, Mic. 3.5.11. Hos. 6.9. And the

false prophets and Hireling priests do the same now, and therefore they walk in their fore-fathers steps, and are known by their fruits, which is marks; and the way to know them by according as Christ hath said, Mat. 7.15, 16. &c.

3. And the true prophet that stood in the counsel of God & preached or pro∣phesied, and declared the word of the Lord freely, they neither persecuted, imprisoned, nor caused any to be persecuted and imprisoned, as the (false prophets and) priests that stood not in the counsel of God aforetime did, as wel as their off-spring hireling Priests, false prophets, and seed of evil doers do now: Ieremiah was a true prophet, and were sent of the Lord to declare a∣gainst the false, and against such as bore rule by their means, and held up the filthy and horrible thing, which he then saw committed in the Land, as the false prophets and hireling priests do now; and Ieremiah the true prophet neither put others in the Stocks, nor persecuted and imprisoned any, but he himself were persecuted and imprisoned, put in the Dungeon, and set in the Stocks in the high gate of Benjamen, Ier. 20. And when Ieremiah went to the Cities of Judah, who were in the disobedient nature, and come up then (to worship) the Lord commanded Ieremiah to go stand in the Court, and speak to them the words which he commanded him to say, without dimini∣shing of them, and he did so in obedience to the command of the Lord, then the Priests asked him why he had spoken such words, and they were sore of∣fended at him for it, that they judged him worthy of death, and said he should surely dye, and so sought to take away his life for it, and Ieremiah an∣swered the Priests and their party that were so in rage against him for spea∣king the truth, and said unto them, As for me, behold, I am in your hands, as for me, do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you, but (be sure, or) know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood both upon your selves and upon your City, and the inhabitants thereof, and of a truth the Lord hath sent me to speak all these words in your ears: Jer. 26. Ye persecutors and blood-thirstie ones, who cannot receive the truth that bears testimony against your deceit, but seeks the blood of the innocent, the persecuting priests and their party a∣foretime did, from whence you are sprung; stop your mouths, cover your fa∣ces and blush, observe your root, and see both the fruits of the persecuting priests and their party. And likewise behold your Spirit, and repent of your cruelty & madness (at Banbury) for there is like priest like people, as saith the Prophet: Hos. 4.9. And as a troop of Robbers wait for a man, so the company of Priests murder in the way by consent, as it is written and witnessed, Hos. 6.9.

Notes

• Rom. 8. Rom. 1.28, 29. Psal. 66 18. Iud. 18. Mat. 16.24. Mat. 10.38. Luk. 14.26, 27. Heb. 2.10, 11. 1 Pet. 1.22.23.
• Iohn 8.12.
• Eph. 1.22, 23. Coll. 1.18, 19.
• Issa. 8.3. Nebe. 6.14. Luke 2.29, 30, 31, 32.
• ••el 2.28, 6.
• 2 Pet. 1.19. Col. 1.27. Rev. 19.13. Heb. 17.8.
• 2 Pel, 1.21. Ier. 26.9, 10. Ier 20.2 Ier. 37.16. 2 Cor. 6.4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
• 2 Pet. 1.19, 20, 21. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12 Isa. 48.16, 17. Ier. 23.
• 2 Pet. 2.
• Iude 11.
• Ier. 5.30, 31.