The quaking prophets two wayes proved false prophets,: upon their own grounds laid down in an aiery [sic] whimsical answer to three queries ... vvith a discovery of their jugling the people out of their understanding ... also how Christ lighteneth every man that cometh into the world ... With a brief answer to three queries, sent by the Quakers to the author. / By T. Winterton.

To the READER.

Courteous Reader,

I Have presented to thy view this small Treatise, wherein I have proved the Quaking Prophets false, upon their own grounds whether I have, or no, I leave it to thy impartial judgment. And forasmuch as thou mayst think it high presumption for so weak and unable a person, to ingage against such a Sect, when so many able learned men, the sons of the Churches, have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off with loss I confess, the Objection is of weight enough to have kept me silent, had I not known the grounds on which these Rabbies opposed them on were as un∣sound as the Quakers were; so as they but clash their errors together: And a new Opinion that doth but equally defend it self alwayes gets ground; and up∣on this score, I am confident, they have gained a multitude. Howsoever, I have put forth my firstborn in whomly dress; but if this were all, I should be glad: I fear there may be many faults the which I see not; I have cause enough to be jealous, in that I have seldome read a piece that hath bin wholly empty of mistakes; and though this is no excuse for me, yet it casteth a shadow of incouragement to crave so much favour of thee, as to except the Will for the Deed, it being the first fault, to the which the greatest Tyrant in the world will contribute mercy; especially where the mind is upright. Howsoever, I thought my self the fitter for this work, in regard I have formerly trod these wayes of imagination bare, till I was as bare my self in a worldly eye: so great was my desires, and yet no greater then my intention good; for heaven it self was not more choice to me, then the true worship of the pure God the which I imagined I had attained to; and in that back of imagination I transported all my hopes for many years, and through many dangers, till at length I began to question my security in her: whereupon making a through search, I found her fit for nought but to set me ashore, where I left his, and returned with my ad∣venture, the which amounted to no less then a sad remembrance that I was deceived. Howsoever, my love and desires are still as strong, and my spirit as free, to serve the Lord, whensoever he shall be pleased to set my feet upon a sure ground: till then I wait, and till then I think it better to sit still, then rise and fall; for I am resolved that imagination shall no more deceive me: Howsoever, I would be loath to change my condition with those that assume an infallible spirit, or something in them above Nature, the which they can∣not demonstrate to a natural capacity; because if they were disabled, and no∣thing left them but what they had of this, it might prove a tedious work to find in the world a lesser thing then they.

T. W.

Notes

• The w^ch I have begoten upon their own grounds