HTBTL Letter from R Rich To J Naylor

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A Letter from Robert Rich to J.N. written in 1657.

Dear Lamb,

About seven weeks since, I past into the Country, in the Spirit of Love, to visit the Brethren, where, in most places, I found they could not receive me; as at John Crooks, and at Banbury &c. the whore that sits on the many waters (that sets up man instead of the anointing) hath so bewitched them: but I see, many there are, amongst them, that will come to hate her flesh, and to burn it: for their sakes I freely lay under all, and suffered much, wherein I had Peace.

At Bristol I found many dear tender Lambs that were able to discern between things that differ: I believe many of them will abide at Jerusalem (the measure of God) till power they receive from on high. Here I met G.F. and went to see him where he lodged; with great moderation he spake to me, of many things I found him wise as an Angel of Light, and as one that had all {Page 42} knowledge, and understood all mysteries, After this he sent for me privately alone, where (abiding in my simplicity and integrity) I saw that God had chosen foolish things to confound the wise. And then it was given me, the G.F. is the Star fallen from Heaven, to whom was given the key of the bottomless pit, and was King of the Locusts that came out of the smoak thereof, (which Bramble the Trees have chosen for their King) whose name and nature is to destroy. That consideration of which, moves me to acquaint thee of a Dream I had in the year 1655. Whilst I was Prisoner in Banbury, I thought I was hunting the Fox with Hounds( a sport I much affected in my youth) and that the Fox ran into a great City, where we were at a loss. My self searching diligently espised him almost hid in a private corner, at which I so rejoiced, that I fell a whooping and hollowing in my sleep, and a Dog (blood red I thought) run following the Fox out of the Town at which I awoke, and told this my dream to my fellow prisoners then little thinking it to have any relation to G.F. and might concern some of the Town with whom I had then a contest, but since, considering matters and things, and how subtil G.F. hath been to hide himself under the good smooth words, as a Citizen of the new Jerusalem and a having a love to all, when as in truth he can love none, but those that call him Master, receive his Mark, and the Number of his Name. And thou may call to mind (what thou told me in our journey to Bristol) how he came to thee when imprisoned in the West, tempting thee with fair words, what he would give thee if thou would bow down to him, and supposing he had prevailed, held out his hand for thee to kiss, which thou refusing, did not he then lift up his foot, saying, he was mistaken, it should have been his foot, and not his hand? Was this (thinkest thou) the spirit of the Lamb, or the Dragon that thus acted G.F.? And since my return to London, sitting in their meetings, and hearing his and their words full of knowledg and understanding of truth without life and power, and seeing the enmity they bear towards the innocent, confirms me, that the Vision I had of G.F. is true. These things I find freedom to lay before thee, that if thou have any thing from the Lord concerning me, I may hear from thee so in the love of God, which changeth not, and giveth power to follow the Lord perfectly (but no mans will) do I in it with thee rest.

R.R.

This day E.B. in the meeting spake many truths, and opened great mysteries (so did Balaam that erred from the spirit, who was in the enmity and not in the love) one was, That the Beasts Government is known by this, that he leaves not to freedom (mark) but compels both small and great to worship him, and receive his (mark G.F.) Another was, that those that were under the Lambs Government, did not speak their own words, nor let their own understanding lead them, both which I own for truths. This also I may add, that he that truly witnesses the Lamb, doth not speak but what he first hears the Father speak. Such a one must first lay down his own Crown, become a fool, deny self, though never so righteous, yea, offer up (the son of the promise) even all those graces and operations of the Spirit received, to God the Father, that he may be all in all. Hallelujah. This is a hard saying to him that is rich in the comprehension of truth, and few there can bear it. Also know this, that the Beast, (or his Image) hath yet a head of Gold standing (discerned but by few) that hath two horns like a Lamb, but acts like the Dragon, tearing and rending all that will not receive his Traditions or Impositions, blessed are those that refuse, and who cease from man to follow the Lord fully; over such the oppressor shall have no power, the whore, the false Prophet, the Dragon shall have no power over such. Hallelujah. In truth, I see this people is a-weary of the Manna that comes from Heaven (Gods spirit of light and life in man) and cannot wait for its descending, accounting it a light food, not sufficiently able to lead through the wilderness into the good Land that floweth with all good; and they longing after the flesh-pots of Egypt (that they might be like other Masters of Assemblies) God hath (in the whirlwind of his wrath) sent them Quails, till the flesh stick in their teeth, and comes out at their nostrils; even long Declarations of truth without power and life, which may serve to feed the comprehension and lead into a sect, but shall never quicken the soul, nor raise it out of death, nor lead into life eternal.

{Page 43} For my own part, I had rather speak few words in the moving of the Spirit of Grace, than ten thousand words from my own understanding, though my words be never so true.