Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n day_n lord_n see_v 3,711 5 3.5921 3 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A85176 The new non-conformist; who having obtained help of God, doth persist unto this very day; witnessing, both to small and great, some of those glorious things which the Apostles, the prophets, & Moses, did say should come to pass. Or, the voice of a careful shepherd, crying from his watch-tower at W.C. unto his little flock at W.L. with a loud voice. Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660. 1654 (1654) Wing F571; Thomason E737_1; ESTC R202090 39,800 63

There are 5 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

the Lord Jesus in the light of his own Spirit found it a blessed imployment to be inquiring and hearkning where the signe of Gods presence was and upon which of the Congregations or assemblies I could finde the most glorious demonstrations of the power of godliness and where the Lord was pitching his Tents and revealing himself to his Beloved Ones This is also my work at this day to contemplate and consider what posture the Saints are now in and to watch that I may know where the glory of the Lord is revealed and where or from whence it will break forth at the approaching revolution In time past before the New Model was in being or extant in the world it was in the scattered Saints yet gathered together in several meetings kept in the City Army and Countries to finde out a right way from Babylon to Sion You remember what distress the Lords people were in at that time when that Tyrant had the North and West at his devotion when Essex his Army was beaten and degenerate when we were betrayed and forsaken by the old Souldiers of Fortune when the King and his Princes were victorious and rampant after the sacking of Leicester And when the new Model was despised in almost all mens eyes It was commonly called in reproach and scorn both by the King 's and Essex his souldiers The New Model save a small remnant of praying and believing Saints where was the presence of God then who could declare before whom the pillar of fire did shew it self as the token of Jehovah's presence It must not be forgotten but remembred with renewed thankfulness even at this day That it did break forth and manifest it self most gloriously from Nazeby-field even every day more and more Then the Lord began to use the new Army as One of the weak foolish despised Things of the world Then the Council of War used to aske counsel of God and God was with them wonderfully to direct them to bless them with victorious success abundantly Then the Head-quarters were famous and amiable even as the Tabernacles of the Lord of Hosts Then the Spirit of Glory and of God rested upon them and marched before them everywhere yea it was as a wall of fire round about them and the glory in the midst of them Zech. 2.5 And so it continued from year to yeer to the astonishment of the wicked and to the triumphant rejoycing of the righteous At length after some dangerous Temptations were overcome as the Armies trinkling and tampering with and for the King Queen and their Issue which afterward in their straits they bewailed in Windsor Castle the presence and Spirit of the Lord ingaged them also to execute judgement and justice upon the grand murtherer and persecutor of the Saints not to mention other strange and great enterprizes so as that the whore of Babylon and the Kings of the earth had cause to be exceedingly afraid Ireland was reduced also with a high hand especially at the beginning and the Lord was gloriously present still with the General and his Army onely some intelligent self-denying souls did discern plainly that divers Officers began betimes even too too early to minde the prey even before the work was done and it cost many of them very dear Let us remember also the expedition into Scotland and the high Appeal made by our Presbyterian-Brethren and the Army with their friends nights and dayes were spent in earnest prayer on both sides the Lord appeared in terrible Majesty at Dunbar About that time the Cause of Christ the Interest of Christ the work of God the downfal of Babylon and such-like language sounded from the Head-Quarters from the great Officers of the Army My soul was ravished to see and observe the spirit of prayer at White-Hall in those dayes among many of the chief Commanders as if they had loved none but Christ as if they cared for none but Christ and his Interest as if they would never have endured any King but the Lord Jesus or any Laws but his or any Ministers but his We who through grace were plain-hearted thought there were not such another people upon the face of the earth for love to Christ to the glory of Christ that he might be magnified and exalted as were the conducting and commanding part of the Army But Oh! Oh my Bowels my Bowels The gradual declension and defection since Worcester with what words shall I bewail it how have all the things of Christ been neglected how hath that most noble and glorious Cause of the Lord Jesus been forsaken by those who ought by manifold obligations to have promoted it to the utmost there was a price put into their hands and power was in their hands Oh this spirit of Baruch to seek great things for our selves when Jehovah saith Seek them not Behold that which is built God will pull down and that which is planted He will pluck up The Lord Jesus is making great hast to break in pieces all these Kingdoms both new and old and yet men are busie in seeking their own things and not the things of Jesus Christ I cannot but speak I must open my heart to some who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity my lise is not dear to me in this Cause If the Powers of the world and Rulers of the people have a minde to take away my Life as they have done my Liberty behold here it is in a readiness If the Lord give the word I am willing through grace not onely to be bound but to die for the Name of the Lord Jesus and for the Gospel of the Kingdom I am free to give directions to my worst enemies were they may make inquiry after all my wayes from my childhood to this day and if they finde I have committed any thing worthy of death or of bonds let them take their advantage but to keep me a Prisoner seven or eight moneths and not bring me to the place of hearing that I may know what my crime is and who are my accusers and the witnesses this is not fair dealing I am loth to aggravate things but the manner of the Romans was more according to justice expressed in Acts 25. Brethren I desire to keep in memory the Cause of our dear Lord so do you and know them who are of this Spirit through the Nation provoke one the other to wrestle with God to cry unto our Father If his children cry unto him he will not he cannot long forbear he will return and have compassion on the Remnant of his Heritage for mercy pleaseth him The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all your Spirits in the glorious ministration of Grace Mercy and Peace continually Amen From my house of bondage this 31 of the 6 month 1654. Yours for the Lord's sake to do or to suffer on your behalf Christopher Feake FINIS For the well-beloved CHURCH of Christ meeting in Colemanstreet Swan Alley My dearly beloved
THE NEW Non-conformist Who having obtained help of GOD doth persist unto this very day WITNESSING Both to Small and GREAT Some of those Glorious Things WHICH The Apostles the Prophets Moses did say should come to pass OR The VOICE of A Careful Shepherd Crying From his Watch-tower at W.C. Unto his Little Flock at W.L. With a loud Voice Matth. 10.17 Matth. 7.15 Philip. 3.2 Tit. 1.12 BEWARE of Men Beware of Dogs Beware of Wolves and of other evil Beasts Joh. 10.11 12 13. The GOOD SHEPHERD giveth his life for the sheep But He that is an HIRELING and not the Shepherd whose own the sheep are not seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep The Hireling fleeth because he is an Hireling and careth not for the sheep Printed at London for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1654. A PREFACE To every Honest and Intelligent READER IT seemed good unto the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.23 〈◊〉 and Brethren at Jerusalem when they wrote to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia to recommend their beloved Barnabas and Paul with this short choice Character They are men which have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tradiderunt animas Bez. exposuerunt And verily they must not love the Lord Jesus at that ordinary rate which even the Bishops and the Deacons of the Churches generally content themselves withal at this day who do intend to adventure their lives in his Cause and for his Name against the present refined policies and practices of the Whorish Woman and her lovers the Kings of the earth with their Retinue It is a sad Symptome Mat. 24.12 when the love of many grows colder and colder at that point of time when the Lord expects as well he may if you knew all Christian friends it should grow hotter and hotter till it amounts to that degree and perfection of operation which is mentioned Rev. 11.5 If any One will hurt them who stand before the Lord of the whole earth fire proceedeth of out their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if ANY ONE will hurt them he must in this maner be killed I humbly conceive the Word of JEHOVAH is not in any of his servants hearts as A BURNING FIRE but they are also at the same time enflamed with love and zeal this multiplication of heat as I may so say causeth them like Ieremiah to be weary of forbearing Jer. 20.9 so that they cannot stay and contain themselves within those bounds of Mediocrity and Moderation which used to be cried up by the luke-warm generation of Preachers and Professors in all ages hitherto But the Scriptures must be fulfilled and therefore it 's not to be admired that there should be such an universal Apostacy and that those who had a Name to live Rev. 3.1 are now dead Wonder not I say Oh Little Remnant that there are so many fallen asleep but rather ponder the true reason why there are any kept awake For that most excellent old Doctrine which our Lord taught his Disciples in the daies of his flesh and accordingly after his ascension was very much practised hath been of late if you observe it almost utterly out of date I mean the Doctrine of self-denial and of forsaking all Relations Mat. 16.24 Luke 9.23 Liberty Goods good Name yea life it self for his sake and the Gospels How little is it preached now how much less is it practised But the reason is ready and upon record These are the last days and the Spirit speaketh plainly 2 Tim. 3.1 c. and without a Parable That in those days men shall be lovers of their own selves cevetous boasters proud blasphemers c. lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God yet having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof Observe whether very many in stead of denying themselves as Christ hath taught do not deny the power of godliness 2 Pet. 2.1 and the Lord that bought them as the world and lust perswade But hearken dear hearts and be cheerful yea be ye very joyful in believing that the Spirit of life and power from God shall ere it be long enter into a choice company Rev. 11. Ezek. 37.10 and they shall stand upon their feet and fear shall fall upon all those who see them for I know and am perswaded that there is at this present time a remnant according to the election of grace reserved by God to himself Rom. 11.4 5. notwithstanding the present Apostacy who have not bowed the knee either to the Beast or to his Image I wait to see this reserved remnant call'd out of their several holes and caves where they are hid from the world and from one another and so brought together even as so many dry bones bone to his bone c. to make a standing Army for the King of Saints in the time appointed of the Father Mine heart Judg. 5.9 a Deborah's was is towards the Governours of Israel that offer themselves willingly among the people bless ye the Lord. Oh! keep your garments clean and close about you and you shall walk with Christ in white for such are worthy How do I rejoyce in Spirit that I can in Spirit go thorow the grates of my Prison and pass thorow all the guards which are set to shut and keep me up from the society of the Saints and converse sweetly in a mystery with those beloved Brethren of mine whose faces I never saw in the flesh Methinks I hear A mystical Conference betwixt the prisoner and his Brethren who are one spirit with him in the present truth and work of God in the world Dan. 8.13 with Daniel one Saint speaking and another Saint saying unto that certain Saint which spake How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary the Host to be troden under foot Then methinks I hear a sweet voice from another Believer saying The Sanctuary shall be cleansed it shall be cleansed Amen say I from my watch-Tower the Lords Sanctuary hath need of cleansing Quest But where are the Instruments say others and who shall be imployed in this glorious work we thought the Son of David had had such Worthies come from New-England from Holland at the beginning of the late great revolution as would not onely have helped to maintain their own their Brethrens attainments but would also have advanced valiantly like undaunted Leaders of the Lords voluntiers 2 Tim. 2.3 upon the old carnal Church and its Clergie and as becomes good Souldiers of Jesus Christ would have endured any hardness rather then have given place by retreat or subjection though but for an hour Gal. 2.5 that so the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom might have prevailed in the
Brethren in the Lord my Joy and my Crown INdeed and in truth The high and glorious mysteries of the New Testament and the most sweet ministrations thereof are little understood by any of the Saints in this day Therefore we are so exceeding low in our Spirits in our Experiences in our Affections and Resolutions for our dear Lord Jesus But in the appointed season the return of our King from a far Country will amaze all those that would not have him to reign over them This salutation now is sent unto you to signifie to you that you are in my heart through rich grace to live and to die with you in this most noble and most honourable Cause of the Lord Jesus Christ both yours and mine Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus that ever he revealed his Son in such a poor silly inconsiderable worm as I am Oh the riches of his grace to intrust me with the preaching of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God I would not exchange mine imployment so sweet so comfortable for all the riches glory authority and pompous excellencies which the fourth kingdom can tempt the sons of the earth withal God is gloriously gracious in these dispensations of sufferings What a sweet night have I had Why should the Lord condescend to refresh the Spirit of a poor sinful very sinful creature in so transcendent a manner Be of good cheer wait on the Lord believe more pray more praise more do more love more abound in every good work more and more The God of Peace of Grace of Truth shall be with you Undoubtedly as I lately told you the Spirit of the Lord is rising he cannot be kept down by the Princes Powers Souldiers Politicians of the Earth Oh what confusions in Counsels What concussions in Kingdomes and Common-wealths what contestations among the professors in this City are at hand Great is Gospel-truth and shall and must prevail How can we forbear triumphing in the expectations of the downfal of mystical Babylon If the Lord crucifie us unto the world and the world unto us as I know he will and pour out his Spirit richly What may we not attempt for the interest of our dear Lord Remember The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver in the Hebrew Statute-maker the Lord is our King He will save us Your eminent growth in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is that rich blessing which living and dying I bequeath unto you and request for you A rise and shine O ye precious sons and daughters of Sion in the midst of this dark world as the stars in the firmament each of you in the families neighbourhood and companies where the Lord hath or shall dispose of you Believe it my dear hearts the Lord is coming keep close together love as brethren above all be exceeding careful to maintain on your part holy heavenly spiritual intimate communion with the Father with the Lord Jesus and with the Saints of the most High the fruits whereof will be joy in the Holy Ghost unspeakeable and most full of glory Amer and Amen Hallelujah Letter the first from White-Hal written while I was waiting on the Councel before I was called in Yours in the most sweet fellowship of the Gospel and at liberty whilst in bonds for they are easie ones hitherto CHRISTOPHER FEAKE POSTSCRIPT My Fellow-prisoner for Christ Mr. Powel saluteth the Congregation with dear affection For the well-beloved CHURCH of Christ meeting in Colemanstreet Swan-Ally My very dear hearts ●he sons and daughters of despised Sion THe most spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ be your portion yea the Lord Jesus himself with all his fulness and glory be still the lot of your inheritance and when the streams are at any time cut off the Lord shew you the Fountain which is Himself God blessed for ever Although my heavenly Father hath given me a Writ of ease for the present yet I am with you in Spirit and signifie to you my love in the Lord my time is not yet come it may be it must be the fruit of your fervent prayers I am cleerly convinced from a power invisible and invincible that this imprisonment is not unto death But for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby See John 11.4 I allude to that saying of Christ concerning Lazarus his sickness saith Christ This sickness is not unto death and yet afterward Jesus said plainly vers 14. Lazarus is dead did Christ speak untruth before when he said This sickness is not unto death No in no wise So although this imprisonment should be unto death which blessed be my Lord my God my Father I do nothing fear in the vulgar sence yet in a spiritual sence it is not but for the glory of God yea undoubtedly if I should be gathered to my Fathers by the Souldiers the Priests means in an unusual way I rejoyce in Spirit in the apprehensions of faith which the Lord vouchsafeth to me that out of my blood shall spring forth such a notable Spirit as will be the utter ruine of that cursed whore with all the powers on earth new and old that take her part paint her face and do her work Wherefore rouze up my dearest hearts in the might of your God and go on in the Name of your Captain-General and by your secret inward in●isible weapons wound this base upstart ●rivate interest under the fifth rib But in the midst of all your h●●y ●eal for the service of your dear Lord forget no● I charge you and every of you before him that quickneth all things and witnessed a good confession before Pont●us Pilate that you do principally constantly zealously minde the inward work the intimate communion which the Saints use to have with the Father and the Son as being their present paradise on this side heaven Oh for the Lords sake every one of you Parents Children Masters Servants Young men Old Disciples Weak Strong Rich Poor Married Unmarried Oh! I say Be holy be humble be spiritual live in love walk in sweet peace Blessed be God I have such satisfaction of you generally that you are a holy people wholly separate to God and if there should be any close hypocrite among you pray the maske and vizard off that it may he known who hath not loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity but their own lusts secretly traded in A godly jealousie over you causeth me thus in true Gospel-affection to write unto you watching over you at this distance with thoughtfulness and carefulness in some small measure night and day that I might present you to Christ and He to his Father as beautiful and glorious a part of his spiritual kingdom as any other in this generation Oh! that it might be so Oh! that it might be so The Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit especially in your holy Assemblies Brethren all of you pray
earthly things do indeavour so industriously to heap upon us The truth is The world knoweth us not because it knew not him it hateth us because it hated him And the news of his second coming is as troublesome to the Kings of the earth now in being whether they are the sons of ancient Kings as the Prophet speaks or late Usurpers and Tyrants as ever Herod was troubled at his first coming Mat. 2.3 and all Jerusalem with him Oh Beloved those appearances which are acceptable to the Saints are no waies welcome to the earthly powers those truths which are milk and honey to the children of Sion are gall and wormwood to the inhabitants of Babylon It 's no marvel nor urange at all that it is but a little little flock which will be found to remain faithful to that inward invisible pure spiritual interest of our dearest Lord which is now breaking forth through all these thick and tempestuous clouds Verily my Spirit is more and more heightned and quickned to look for most glorious and admirable vicissitudes Methinks my heart rejoyceth as if a cordial from heaven were conveyed to it to incourage me now in prison for this good old Cause Oh! what a pleasant sight to see the Whore of Babylon with the Kings of the earth with all her drunken Princes and her Wise men and her Captains and her Rulers and her Mighty men wearying themselves in new Counsels tiring out their Spirits in obviating the feared and suspected designes of the praying awakened Saints both in Cities and Countries Come dear Brethren this is not a season for you to be wearied and to faint in your mindes but let us look unto our Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and despised the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God Brethren now it is a fit time for us to consider I say to consider the Apostle and high-Priest of our profession and to hold fast our profession let no man or devil get our Crown our very confidence hath great recompence of reward What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits unto me especially those blessings of the New-Testament-Ministration And what thanks can you render unto him who hath hitherto kept you by his mighty power from the present abominable apostacie Have you every one on a garment of fine linen white and clean which is the righteousness of the Saints And doth the Lord help you to keep your garments about you that no man see your nakedness then you shall walk with Christ in white when he comes for you are worthy But if on the contrary there should be a declining and departing from the living God in any degree through unbelief if there be a decay of love to the Father and a warm affection to the world and the great and the sweet things thereof in any of you in any among you what a sad consequence were that after all the open and professed declarations which have been observed by Angels and Men. But I hope better things though I thus write from that principle of Pastoral-love and care which the Lord hath put into me What shall I say methinks I am present with you in the midst of you observing what love peace gentleness sweetness of brotherly communion there is among you from the greatest to the least What inward spiritual joy manifest zeal what beauty of holiness what mutual edifying what praying in the holy Spirit what warm exhortations what gracious admonitions are stirring among you Yea but Brethren what if the Lord himself should suddenly come and stand in the midst where you are assembled together and view the posture of that little flock from which I am violently removed for a season for their tryal should he finde all things managed after his own heart would you be glad to see the Lord as the Disciples were John 20.19 20. read the place Might he not upbraid you with unbelief and hardness of heart should he finde nothing in you and among you worthy of admonition or reproof Tell me at this distance how could you behold him if you should see him in his glory and in his Fathers glory are you able to abide the day of his coming I fear there are very few Congregations of Saints in all the world that are tolerably prepared for the Bridegrooms coming Finally Beloved remember what I have spoken to you while I was among you from the word of the Lord the searcher of hearts knoweth I did and endeavoured to do all things for your edifying for the best advantage of your precious souls I was alwaies willing to bring forth out of my poor treasury things both new and old even such Truthes and Principles and Rules as I received of the Lord by the teachings of that holy unction and delivered unto you I kept back nothing that I could judge by the light of the Word and Spirit that it was profitable unto you and it was and is your part to search the Scriptures daily whether those things were and are so or not If I should see your faces no more if I were to be offered up I should not repent of what I have taught you and the poor sinful children of men whatever the Rulers of the darkness of this world do judge or say my heart doth not condemn me in the least all this time of banishments from the courts of the Lords house And blessed for ever be my Shield and Buckler I have great and sweet confidence towards him and the Lord being my Helper and Protector I do not for I have no cause to fear what man can do unto me The Lord make you and me faithful unto the death and fill us that are his in good earnest with joy and peace in believing onely let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you or else be absent I may hear of your affairs that ye stand fast in one Spirit with one minde striving together for the faith of the Gospel My fellow-prisoner saluteth you Brethren pray for us strive in prayer for us that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men in the time appointed of the Father Salute most the most holy lively heavenly active Saints in this crooked generation The Lord be with you Yours as and because your are Christs Christopher Feake Brethren Beloved and longed for in the Lord THe High and Mighty One whose name is Jehovah our righteousness be your Protector for ever O! that he would look down from the Habitation of his Holiness and of his Glory and smile and shine upon every one of you in the Beloved The Lord Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us when we were yet sinners and ungodly when we were yet enemies in our mindes by wicked works to whom be glory for ever Amen Verily it is good to be
speak in the Spirit pray in the holy Spirit rule in the Spirit come together in the Spirit continue together in the Spirit conclude in the Spirit all your meetings reserve the Brethren that are fullest of the holy Spirit for the last in exercises that you may go home with a sweet relish of the presence of Christ with warmed refreshed hearts with an appetite to come again the next opportunity because you found Jehovah so graciously present the last time Oh! when Brethren dearly beloved and longed for shall I see your faces again in the great Congregation In the Lords best time in the time appointed of the Father my Father your Father to Him with the Lord Jesus and the holy Spirit be glory for ever Amen Salute every Saint in Christ Jesus The Lord the eternal God be with you and keep you every one in his bosome for ever Amen The 8 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Yours in the Lord to serve and love you unfeignedly Christopher Feake For the Saints and faithful Brethren in CHRIST meeting in Warwick-lane LONDON My dear Brethren in Christ THe prosperity of whose souls I ardently desire more and more Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for all those spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ wherewith he hath and doth bless us the unworthiest of his sons and daughters Let me now write a few words unto you by way of exhortation to press forward toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus for I perceive that in the neglect of this duty Satan takes great advantage to keep up his tottering and sinking kingdom at this day If the Angels of all the Churches had been zealous in the prosecuting of those things of which they made a fair shew in the flesh and in face or appearance Undoubtedly the several Congregations had been the glory of the Nation in the midst of it as God was willing to be their glory in the midst of the Nation then had not the faces of the most intelligent and spiritual Saints waxed pale with grief to behold the apostacy of the most eminent leaders then had not the forceries and witchcrafts of this present world beguiled them ere they were aware then had not Satan filled their hearts and the hearts of so many of the Brethren to deal treacherously with the Lord Jesus and this glorious Cause which is in great danger to be deserted utterly as a thing of no value But they are the last times and therefore it is the less wonder to see men to be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures hunting feasting musick worldly pompe and pastime more then lovers of God having a form of godliness and denying the power of it from such those who are contrary minded must and will turn away namely such Christians as being full of the Spirit 1. Are not lovers of their own selves but of the Lord Jesus and of all the Saints 2. Not covetous but liberal laying aside as God hath prospered them honouring the Lord with their substance and with the first-fruits of all their increase doing good rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate 3. Not arrogant boasters but lowly and meek self-denying resigning up all to the wise disposal of their Father 4. Not promise-breakers or covenant-breakers but faithful not changing a good resolution or word though it be to their hurt 5. Not traitors to the Saints to Christs Interest to Gods Glory but zealous promoters of common justice of righteous laws 6. Not heady or rash wilful violent advancers of their own forms but praying waiting deliberating 7. Not lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God but lovers of God of Christ of the Saints of the Common-wealth and publick-good more then of all the pleasures delights honours powers and glory which the world can by any means administer to her admirers Oh take heed of mingling with backsliders and revolters you will gain nothing by acquaintance with them or dependence on them be contented with such things as you have if it be possible yea if you have but food and raiment be not sollicitous do not make a busling for places and preferments as do others lest you be brought into the temptations of serving proud imperious mens lusts and humours The word of command from our Captain-general by this his unworthy leader of one of his Companies is To your close order to your close guard and the watch-word is The Lord is coming watch and pray the Lord is coming watch and pray Give the word fellow-Souldiers throughout the Lords Host which is armed with invisible invincible spiritual weapons it will become in due time terrible as an Army with Banners Amen Finally my Brethren the time being short Oh! beg of the Lord that you may go forward towards Gospel-perfection that you may be full of spiritual knowledge experiences and acquaintance with God even the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ Now let the word of Christ dwell richly in you As for faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and love to all the Saints if your souls flourish and prosper therein all will flourish then you will press onward you will be zealous not luke-warm you will admonish one another watch over each the other advise help one the other you will glorifie the Lord adorn the Gospel shine like lights in the dark world and put formal worldly hypocritical professors and Church-members to shame at the coming of Jesus Christ Salute every Saint especially those who are most helpful exemplary and diligent to promote the communion of Saints If there be any that will not obey the Law of Christ upon admonition in love note that man or woman by letter that I my help to heal them at this distance for I am with you in Spirit The Lord even the Lord that fanctifies and saves you be your portion for ever The 11 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Yours in the Lord with all I am Christoph Feake My Beloved in the Lord I Do again salute you as those to whom the Father of glory hath appeared in the face of Jesus Christ and to whom the holy Spirit hath already come as the Comforter to satiate the soul of the hungry and thirsty ones more or less My soul is still waiting upon the Lord for your good as knowing that all your fresh springs are in him as mine are otherwise we should soon lie down in sorrow But blessed for ever be the glorious Name of our Jehovah who in the superabundant riches of his grace hath made most precious provision in the Lord Jesus Christ for us and for all the Saints Verily Brethren the consideration of the willingness and large heartedness of our heavenly Father is enough to overwhelme our poor weak Spirits our frail hearts are not in any wise able to