The fifth book of wonders

chapter. How could the words of Peter be fulfilled to prove the last days had come if these ‘scoffers’ did not appear, ‘walking after their own lusts and saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’? These men are daily increasing, for they are willingly ignorant of the word of God. Therefore, the Spirit is mocked—the Spirit that testifies of the Scriptures, saying that the last days have come in which the Scriptures shall be fulfilled.

“And now men are fulfilling the words of Peter in the second chapter, ‘denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction.’ Many are following their harmful ways, because of whom the way of truth is spoken of as evil. Here you may clearly see the truth of the Gospel from what I said about the wheat and the tares being separated at the harvest, and what my disciples said after me regarding who these tares were that would arise in the last days.

“2 Timothy 3: ‘Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers.’ Now these men have come forward in their true colors, exactly as described by Paul: ‘truce-breakers, false-accusers, lacking self-control, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, headstrong, arrogant, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such people turn away.’

“And now I shall answer you, and the public at large, regarding the words which Besley Likely Thomas Besley, a printer/publisher who was critical of Southcott. has printed, recommending an early consultation with their respective pastors for a right explanation of the numberless scripture texts so evidently distorted in the writings of Joanna and her associates.