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OF

JOHN WROE'S

LIFE AND TRAVELS;

ALSO,

REVELATIONS ON THE SCRIPTURES,

AND

VARIOUS COMMUNICATIONS,

GIVEN TO HIM BY DIVINE INSPIRATION,

From the conclusion of 1822, to the conclusion of 1834,

LIKEWISE,

SEVERAL PROPHECIES

WITH THEIR FULFILMENT,

PREVIOUS ΤΟ AND DURING THE ABOVE PERIOD.

FOURTH EDITION.--VOL I.

ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.

GRAVESEND:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY B. A. WROE, STONE STREET.

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JOHN WROE'S LIFE AND TRAVELS,

&c.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

IT is manifest that a great outcry has been long since raised in the land against JOHN WROE, a part of whose life, travels, and communications are now introduced to your notice, as well as against those who dare to be so singular as to think, believe, and act with him.

By many they are reputed as the filth and offscouring of society; and from the treatment which some of them have received, there is reason to conclude that, were it not for the protecting care of the Almighty, and the good laws of the realm, they would all long since have been extirpated from the earth! But this appears to have been the case in all ages of the world.

The ancient prophets suffered much, not merely from the openly profane, but from the professed worshippers of the God of Israel. Jesus, his apostles, and primitive followers, had more to contend with and to suffer than generally falls to the lot of man. Some said of the Lord Jesus Christ, "He is a good man," but others replied, "Nay, but he deceiveth the people." John vii. 12.

At one time" All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." Luke iv. 22. But by and by "They rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built,

that they might cast him down headlong." 29th v. By some he was declared to be mad, and that he acted under satanic influence. "He hath a devil and is mad; why hear ye him?" John x. 20. And surely human nature, continues the same, "The carnal mind is enmity against God." Rom. viii. 7. And, as then, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now." Gal. iv. 29.

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The rulers, scribes, and pharisees were some of the bitterest enemies of Jesus and his disciples; and there has been lamentable proof that some of J. W.'s greatest opposers and enemies have been found among the more learned and moral portions of the community. He and his doctrines, &c., are condemned by many who have never conversed with him on religious subjects, nor read any of his books, or examined the grounds of his visitation. You are requested to set aside your preconceived opinions, and observing Nicodemus' words, "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him?" John vii. 51.

Pass regularly through at least the commencement of this work, and inquire, Would you be willing to expose yourself to as much derision, persecution, inhuman treatment, and dangers by sea and land, in support of your religion, as he and his friends have done, in continuing to speak and act as they consider themselves required by the Almighty to do? Perhaps it would be too great a trial for your faith and feelings to contend with!

Did the outery raised against Jesus, and his rejection by his countrymen the Jews, prove that he was not the true Messiah? When Judas betrayed him, and Peter denied him, with imprecations, and all the disciples forsook him and fled, was this a proof that he was an impostor? When an uproar was raised against Stephen, (see Acts vi. vii.,) did this prove him to be a blasphemer or an impostor? When the self-interested Ephesians perceived that their craft was in danger, and raised an outery

against Paul, did this prove him to be a deceiver? No! nor could the self-righteous moralists, and the learned doctors, with all their weight of influence, crush or stop the progress of that work which God was pleased to carry on by the instrumentality of a few humble and illiterate individuals; not indeed educated in the great seminaries of the day, but endued with power from on high; not skilled in the logic or philosophy of the times, but declaring the great truths they were commanded to publish, with plainness and simplicity.

Can the reader be offended with the great and self-existent I AM for selecting his own instruments? Or have you forgotten that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen; yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Cor. i. 27-29. "For with stammering lips, and another tongue, will he speak to this people." Isa. xxviii. 11.

How solemn are the words of the apostle, "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." Acts xiii. 40, 41.

It is a most glaring fact, that even in this thinking and enlightened age, any person professing to foretel future events, or advance doctrines at variance with the current opinions of the religious teachers of the day, will be certain of meeting with every species of calumny from the religious world, and of insult and persecution from the ungodly; some concluding that such a person is deranged, or a teacher of false doctrines; others exclaiming, "Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live." Acts xxii. 22. How strictly true are the fol

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