Replies made to the Anti-queries of Thomas Lye, Title page – Prefatory letter
REPLIES Made to the ANTIQUERIES OF Thomas Lye, who writes himſelf Miniſter of the Goſpel at Chard. WHEREIN The Pariſh-Miniſters, Call, and Maintenance, and divers other matters now in controverſie, are handled and debated,
By H. L. a friend to the people of God called Quakers.
—Yea, they are greedy dogs that can never have enough, and they are ſhepherds that cannot underſtand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter, Iſa. 56.11.
For both Prieſt and Prophet are prophane; yea, in my houſe have I found their wickedneſs, ſaith the Lord, Jer. 23.11.
Thus ſaith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth and cry peace, and hee that putteth not into their mouths they even prepare war againſt him: Therefore night ſhall be unto you that yee ſhall not have a viſion, and it ſhall be dark unto you that yee ſhall not divine, and the Sun ſhall go down over the Prophets, and the day ſhall bee dark over them. Then ſhall the Seers be aſhamed, and the Diviners confounded, Mic. 3.5,6,7.
London: Printed for Dan. White at the ſeven Starrs in Pauls Church-Yard; 1657.
To the PARISH-TEACHERS OF ENGLAND.
Friends,
REfuſe not to think upon that day wherein ye muſt give an account of your doings; when not others tongues, but your own ſelf-conſciences ſhall be your accuſers and witneſſes; when not a fallible and corrupt minded man, but God that cannot erre, ſhall be Judge. Then will you not have leave to plead, what cunningly may be ſaid; but ſhall what is really known, confeſs. Then will no witty gloſs deceive, nor nice diſtinction have place: Now will ye be pained as a woman in travel, and paleneſs will ſpread over your faces.
But when eſpecially ſhall come to your remembrance, thoſe whom ye now do ſcorn, vex, and bitterly perſecute, the harmleſs holy Lambs of Chriſt:Then alas! what will ye do? how will yee beare, ſuſtain how can yee the preſence offered of ſuch a thought as this?
Now ſurely will your hearts be pierced as with arrowes, and the horrors of death will claſp you round; and to dye ye ſhal wiſh, but death ſhall flee from you.
Thus I ſay will it be with you except ye repent in time.
H. L.