annot kindle it. 2. That tithes are abolished, as Jewish and
ceremonial, a great burden to the saints of God, and a discouragement of
industry and tillage. And here I should put out my second light, etc. 3.
That ministers are abolished, as anti-Christian, and of no longer use,
now Christ himself descends into the hearts of his saints, and his
spirit enlighteneth them with revelations and inspirations. And here
I should put out my third light, etc. 4. Magistrates are abolished,
as useless, now that Christ himself is in purity amongst us, and hath
erected the kingdom of the saints upon earth. Besides they are tyrants,
and oppressors of the liberty of the saints, and tie them to laws and
ordinances, mere human inventions. And here I should put out my fourth
light, etc. 5. Then putting his hand into his pocket, and pulling out
a little Bible, he showed it open to the people, saying, Here is a book
you have in great veneration, consisting of two parts, the Old and
New Testament. I must tell you it is abolished. It containeth beggarly
rudiments, milk for babes. But now Christ is in glory amongst us, and
imparts a further measure of his spirit to his saints than this can
afford. I am commanded to burn it before your face. Then putting out the
candle, he said, And here my fifth light is extinguished." It became a
pretty common doctrine at that time, that it was unworthy of a Christian
man to pay rent to his fellow-creatures; and landlords were obliged to
use all the penalties of law against their tenants, whose conscience was
scrupulous.]

[Footnote 24: NOTE X, p. 424. When the earl of Derby was alive, he had
been summoned by Ireton to surrender the Isle of Man; and he returned
this spirited and memorable answer:

"I received your letter with indignation, and with scorn return you this
answer; that I cannot but wonder whence you should gather any hopes that
I should prove, like you, treacherous to my sovereign; since you cannot
be ignorant of my former actions in his late majesty's service,
from which principles of loyalty I am no whit departed. I scorn your
proffers; I disdain your favor; I abhor your treason; and am so far from
delivering up this island to your advantage, that I shall keep it to the
utmost of my power to your destruction. Take this for your final answer,
and forbear any farther solicitations; for if you trouble me with any
more messages of this nature, I will burn the paper and hang up the
bearer. This is th