"Because the Inward Light was everywhere unitary and identical, true communication and persuasion were effected by the reaching of the Light in another person. Truth was felt in the resonant chord struck within one’s conscience by another’s message. Accordingly, "the true ministers need no human authority, to authorize their ministry; for they have a witness in every man's conscience.""(J. Aynsloe, 1672, A Short Description of the True Ministers and the False) "…his words and his ministry, proceeding from the inward power and virtue, reach to the hears of his hearers, and make them approve of him, and be subject unto him." (Robert Barclay, 1831, Truth Triumphant, Vol 2, p 280).

The immediate objection heard to this is that false communication and persuasion can reach that of the flesh of hearers, that carnal messages have a witness in all people, as well. Those, then, who proceed from earthly powers and corruption also have the ability to reach into the hearts of their hearers, where they find approval. People will heed such false messages, as they will the authentic, and will act according to the lies they have heard.

How then, can we tell the true from the false, that which proceeds from the Light and that which proceeds from the flesh?

Fruit, of course.

Does the message guide with Truth, or with illusion? Does it edify? Or does it degrade?

If the message grows the seed of God within us, if it turns us toward a reliance on the Spirit to direct us, then it is of the authentic source. If it grows the worship of the flesh, encouraging us to live through earthly passions, then it is not.

Is the person directed toward, or along, the path that leads to simplicity, harmony, community, equality and integrity? Or is direction toward means of meeting our needs that rely on complication, discord, alienation, subordination and duplicity to make our way through the world?