ye

opened unto them, and they shall enter into their eternal rest, even while in this world; as you may see the like words of Christ, Matthew the 21st, and 22d verse, speaking to his own disciples, who did believe in him, saith, All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive; so that there is nothing to be had of heavenly peace, joy, or glory, or the assurance of everlasting life, by prayer, except it be the prayer of faith; that is, to believe in the true God, and to believe that messenger he doth send. Likewise in Mark, the 11th chapter, and 24th verse, Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and shall have them; so that there is no heavenly gift whatsoever to be had, but by the prayer of faith, which is to believe, as I said before. So James the first, and 5th and 6th verses, saith, If any of you, meaning believers of his commission, lack wisdom, let him ask it of God; that is, heavenly wisdom, which maketh men and women wise unto salvation; but. let him ask it in faith, nothing wavering, nor doubting; for if the soul doubt, he shall receive nothing of the Lord. This is that prayer of faith which did heal the sick in the apostles time; and this is that prayer of faith that healeth the wounded soul of every man and woman in these our days, who have set to their seals, in believing the doctrine and declaration declared by us the witnesses of the Spirit, and that we two are the two last witnesses and prophets that God will ever send, to the end of this world: this is that faith that many men and women have, by it, removed mountains, and high hills, of ignorance and darkness, which lay before their understandings, by the power of faith in this commission of the Spirit, into the bottom of the sea, that is, into utter oblivion; so that

peace of mind enters into the soul, and bringeth the assurance of eternal life into the soul; so that eternal life doth abide in them, and are entered into their rest, having no need to pray any more; for where the assurance of eternal life is granted, what need that soul pray for the same thing again, which he hath in possession. This prayer may be called the prayer of faith, which is the motions of the mind in secret; and so we pray in secret, and our faith, peace, and joy, and heavenly knowledge, being increased in secret, in the mind or soul, it comes to be rewarded openly in the kingdom of glory: but as for publick prayer to be heard of men, that is the practice of all hypocrites; they do imitate the words of Christ, which he said to his own disciples and believers; therefore it is they pray, but are never heard; they ask for peace, and assurance of God's mercy, but never receive any: they knock at heavengate a thousand times, but the gate is never opened unto them, because they are like the foolish virgins, that have no oil in their lamps; so they have many prayers to heaven, but no faith in their hearts; so that in the day of death the door of heaven is shut against them; then are they forced to go the broad way into utter darkness: but the prayer of faith, if it be but once in his life-time, it is of that power with God, that he will open the gate of heaven, and let him in, even as the door of his heart was opened to receive his prophet's report, and let the King of glory, that is, the knowledge of the true God, his form, and nature, enter into his soul here in this life.

This prayer need not be said day after day. Let any man or woman pray this prayer of faith but once in their life-time, and the gates of heaven shall

be opened unto them, and they shall enter into the Paradise of peace here on earth, and into the assurance of eternal glory hereafter.

This experience hath shewed me, and many others, both men and women can witness the truth of it; so that you may well perceive, that if you have no faith in your prayer, and do not believe God will answer you in peace, you had better let it alone, and submit to God's prerogative power, let him do what he will with you after death. This was my way, and many more that have followed me have found rest to their souls; for so long as you practise that which was others duty to do, you will never find peace of mind here in this life, no more than ali professors of religion do, notwithstanding the multitude of prayers they make; yet not a man of them hath true peace and assurance of their salvation in themselves. Why? Because they act over the apostle's commission again, which was given to those people that believed them. Therefore I shall say this unto the woman, that if she can but believe me, and follow my advice, and let prayers alone, though I know she cannot hinder the motions, if she could she would, her soul would be quiet; but if she can but let God alone, and submit to his prerogative power, in matters of salvation and damnation; for there is no striving with the Creator, neither will he be intreated to alter his will or purpose. If she can but take this yoke upon her, it is but easy and light, but seems very heavy to reason. My soul for hers she shall be saved; and in a small time the day-star of light in her understanding will arise, and bring peace and rest to her soul.

And as for Claxton's revelation, it proceeded from the seed of faith in himself, from that faith he had in John Reeve and myself, and not from God without

him; neither did God choose him as he did John Reeve and myself, by voice of words. But however, the things he wrote concerning God and devil were true; but you need not concern yourself any ways with him as long as I am alive.

I have written the more large, on purpose to satisfy your troubled soul, if possible. So take leave,

and rest,

Your friend in what I may,

LODOWICKE MUGGLETON.

London, Feb. 26, 1678.

A Copy of a Letter written by the Prophet Lodowicke Muggleton to Mr. Thomas Nosworthy, in Antigua, bearing date the 3d of March, 1678.

Loving friend in the true faith, Thomas Nosworthy,

THIS is to certify you, I received your letter, dated Antigua, July 12, 1678, by the hands of our friend John Saddington. I am glad to hear of your health; also to let you know, that we received your kind token you sent to my wife, the barrel of pickled limes, and a box of sugar; for which my wife and myself do return you many thanks; but as for those commodities which you sent, and whether any friends will venture any thing in way of traffick for those commodities that country or island doth afford, I

leave it to Mr. Saddington to give you an account of it; for I have not commerce with any men of the world. Also I am glad to hear, that your faith is so strong in the true God, and in this commission of the Spirit and as for the thing you request of me, to satisfy your conscience as to matter of fighting, in case you are forced to it, I confess the power of liberty in this case lieth only in me. But I have considered, that we have no express command from the Lord to lay that bond upon every believer, let his case be ever so desperate or dangerous, in a strange land, where no hiding-place is, nor none to suffer with himself to utter ruin, the enemies being not of the same profession, neither in the temporal affairs; nor of the same profession in religion; neither is it in those strange islands, amongst the heathen, as it is here in England, Ireland, and Scotland, who profess all one faith, though very few have true faith. Besides, here is many hiding-places here, and safer to be in prison than to go to war, so it be for that cause only : but in those islands people must do as they do, else utter ruin will befall. Therefore, as the old proverb saith, " If you will live at Rome, you must do as

Rome doth.”

Upon this consideration I do give you leave to submit to the laws and customs of that island, which are for the defence and preservation of the temporal life, and the estates of the people, against the heathen, and any other enemies that seek to invade that island, and you shall be justified in your conscience, as if you had never borne arms at all. Let these lines satisfy you in this matter.

I was intended to send an answer to you long before now, but could never hear that any ship went to Antigua before now.