The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.Sewel, William
History
The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers: Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs.
Sewel, William
Society of Friends -- History -- Early works to 1800
In September, E. Burrough wrote another letter to Cromwell, wherein he
signified to him, that he had many enemies, some of which endeavoured
to destroy him by any means, without regarding the danger that might be
in the attempt. And that he going on in oppressing through tyranny, or
suffering it, perhaps the Lord might raise up the wicked to be a plague
to wickedness, and suffer the oppressors to overthrow oppressions.
That there were others, viz. the Fifth Monarchy men, who, though not
so bad as the former, yet secretly murmured against him, and envied
him, not being friends to his government, some of them being cast out
and rejected, without just cause, as they supposed. ‘And as to us, how
can we, (said he,) mention thee in our prayers to God, except it be to
be delivered from thee, who are daily unjustly sufferers by thee, or
because of thee? Or how can we be friends to that government, under
which we daily suffer such hard and cruel things, as the loss of our
liberty and estates, and are in danger of life also?’
It was about the beginning of this year, that Christopher Birkhead came
to Zealand, having been before at Rochelle, in France, where, having
spoken and written against the popish religion, he was imprisoned and
examined by the bishop: and some would have had him burnt, but the
criminal judge absolved him. It was in the latter end of the month
called February, when he came to Middleburgh, in Zealand; and going to
the English congregation there, after the preacher, William Spanke,
had preached about three quarters of an hour, he said, ‘Friends, the
apostle saith, that we may all prophesy, one by one; that two or
three prophets may speak, and the others judge; and if any thing be
revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.’
This speaking caused a great stir in the congregation, and the rather,
because he stood in the place where the women used to sit: so he was
apprehended by order of the magistrates, and examined in the presence
of some of the public preachers. When he was asked what his name was?
He answered, that his name, according to the flesh, was Christopher
Birkhead. Then it was asked him, whether he had yet another name?
And his answer was, ‘Yes, written in the Lamb’s book of life.’ Being
inquired what that name was, he made answer, ‘None knows it but he that
hath it.’ To which was said, ‘Why, if you have it, tell it us.’ ‘No,’
replied he, ‘read it, if ye have seen the book of the Lamb opened: it
is forbidden me to tell it.’ Then the English teacher, Spanke, asked
whether he had seen the book of the Lamb opened? And he answered,
‘Yea.’ The next question was, whether he had opened it? ‘No,’ said
Birkhead, ‘it was the Lamb that did it.’ Then Spanke asked, whether
his name in the book of the Lamb was not Jesus. ‘No,’ quoth Birkhead,
‘that is the name of the Lamb.’ More other questions to ensnare him,
Spanke put to him; and being examined by the magistrates concerning
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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