spending any part thereof in waste for which cause the Inhabitants thereof are very much given to Diligence being exercised in maintaining good Works or honest Trades to such necessary uses by which they may not be rendered Unfruitful either in Church or State and so glorious Elohim moved himself in vast Eternity by vertue of which Motion the whole Creation was produced for it is written Gen. 1.2 And the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the Waters and so a moving and working God brought forth a moving and diligent Creation and so every thing therein except depraved from its natural state hath still some proper kind of Employment So the Sun Psal 19.5 6. Gen. 1.14 Moon and Stars in the Firmament of Heaven duly observe their Motion and Order and with great diligence exactly perform their daily and yearly courses Cant. 2.12 Psal 104.12 Ver. 17. The Fowls move and sing right Chearfully and swiftly in the open Air and painfully build their Nests provide their Food bring forth their Young and carefully feed them till they be able to help or feed themselves and then they seek their own Provisions Ver. 27. So also the Creatures on the Earth and in the Waters Universally observe and shew forth a natural diligence yea also in the Vegitable Kingdom among the Herbs Plants and Trees time and motion are carefully observed the Trees in their proper Season send forth their tender Leaves then their beautiful Blossoms and afterwards their desirable Fruit the which being once perfected in ripeness they deliver to whom they were dressed So also the Seed in the Field the Flowers in the Garden Heb. 6.7 Psal 104.14 are very diligent in their nature in the time that is allotted them until their Fruit and Glory is brought to full perfection But in Bethania there is far more diligence used then is among other Creatures Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.2 Gen. 15.24 Prov. 15.24 for when their Hands are busie upon the Earth their Hearts are more diligently employed in Heaven and while their Feet are walking among men below their Souls are walking with God above and herein they exceed all other Terestial Creatures whatsoever in that they can do many works at once 1 Cor. 7.29 Psal 55.6 Act. 22.16 1 The. 2.29 for they know that time is short and that their business requireth haste therefore they are constrained to labour night and day and have no time to spare for Idleness for this is accounted by them a Monster in nature and therefore they fly from it as Moses fled from his transformed Rod when it was turned from a Rod to a Serpent and though Sleep and Rest and Bodily Nourishment be all things very desirable and pleasing to nature yet they use as little of these as well they may and what they use of these needful things at any time their only design herein is to supply the necessities of nature and to assist it in the exercise of Humane and Divine Affairs But time though never so precious in it self is of little or no account at all in Babel for it is a City of Idleness and great Voluptuousness they live that they may eat not like Bethania Amos 6.4 who eats that they may live they spend their precious time in Fleshly Pleasures and call it Pastime and so live many of them as if they had not proceeded out of the Loyns of him Gen. 3.19 who in the Sweat of his Brows was to eat his Bread Rev. 11.18 Jam. 2.6 Jer. 8.20 These are they which consume the Creation destroy the Earth oppress the Poor and spend their precious time in Vanity till the Summer of time is past and the Harvest of Grace be ended who then will be forced to cry out too late And we are not saved but in Bethania Neh. 4.17 the City of Diligence there ye may see the Workmen building the Walls with a Tool in one Hand and a Weapon in the other working out their own Salvation with fear and great trembling every on pressing forwards to the mark that iâ— set before them Phil. 2.12 Chap 3.12 and exercised in that proper calling to which he is designed some as Porters at the Doors some aâ— Watchmen upon the Walls Mark. 13.34 Isa 62.6 Rev. 11.1 Isa 57.2 Rev. 14.14 Psal 126.6 others laâ—â— bouring in the outward Court other again Worshiping in the Sanctuary and others Ministring before the Altar until all that is to be done in time is wholy finished and then Eternity opens it self and receives into her Bosome of everlasting Rest this Laborious and Painful City Bethania FOVRTEENTHLY There is no Swearing at all either Judicial or Prophane used in the little City Bethania for Jesus our Saviour in his most famous Sermon the which he Preached to his Hebrew Disciples Mat. 5.24 as he was with them in the Mount hath fully repealed that sometime a Lawful Custome and James a Disciple of Jesus in his Epistle also written to Hebrews among whom Swearing had been an usual Practise layeth a straight Injunction on them not to use it saying above all things My Brethren Swear not Jam. 5.12 neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and and your Nay Nay least ye fall into Condemnation so that as it was Lawful in old time to require an Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth to hate their Enemies Mat. 5.28 Deut. 24.3 Heb. 1.19 Chap. 9.11 and to put away their Wives for other causes then for Fornication yet now in the more perfect and more glorious Dispensations all these things together with that of Swearing are quite Repealed and so those Oaths the which in time past were carefully to be performed are not now at all to be made and therefore those Judicial Oaths which in time past were unto men an end of strife Mat. 5.27 and are used by them still for that end yet it is not to be so among Christians for it is not said An Oath for Confirmation is unto us an end of stife nor that we verily Swear by the greater but it is said Men verily Swear by the greater and an Oath for Confirmation is to them an end of strife Heb. 6.16 Mat. 28.29 John 15.14 and Christians are not to follow the Examples of men but carefully to observe the Precepts of Christ And there is no City in the whole World that is more faithful in their Allegiance to Princes then Bethania nor that hath lived more Peaceable under their Government in any Age then she 1 Pet. 2.18 Ver. 17. Mat. 5.41 Ver. 39. so that if they Magisterially compel her to go with them a Mile she goeth with them twain and if they Magisterially smite her on the one Cheek Luk. 6.30 Deut. 6.13 Jer. 4.2 Mat. 5.34 35. Jam. 5.12 Mat. 28.16.17 18 19 20 21. Jer. 10 3. Prov. 4.14 15. Psal 1.1 Amos 5.5 she
turneth to them the other and if they Magisterially take away her Goods she asketh them not again But yet further There is nothing in the whole Charter of Bethania from first to last that may in the least warrant her to Swear upon such a Book wherein Swearing is so flatly forbidden therefore she concludeth that the Root of this whole matter was Planted first in Babel and from thence sprang up as a custome in the Earthly Jerusalem but Bethania is a little City that hath little or no Affinity with any of these FIFTEENTHLY When Persecution ariseth against Bethania Act 14.22 John 16.2 2 Tim. 3.12 Psal 137.7 Ecles 9.14 Acts 20.24 Psal 121.4 1 Pet. 5.7 as often times it cometh to pass for great Babel cannot endure this poor little City and therefore the great King cometh oft against it yet when he cometh sitting upon a Seat of Violence they take but little notice of him for the poor wise man who is the Keeper of this City hath wit enough to cicumvent the greatest designs of Humane or Iufernal Enemies and Furies therefore they cast their whole care upon him who they know greatly careth for their Souls and their great care is on the other hand when they are brought before the Judgment Seat of men to beware of men Mat. 10.17 Psal 125.5 Rev. 12.17 1 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 12.17 Heb. 10.34 least by them they should be intangled in the crooked Paths of Error And in the next place to maintain a constant Testimony unto the Manifest Truths of the Blessed Lamb that so Truth may not fall in the Streets for want of Suffering Pillars to uphold it Then as for their Lives they love them not unto Death Rom. 8.28 Luke 21.17 18. Mat. 10.29 Luke 22.3 5. Joh 2.6 Luke 13.32 who also suffer joyfully the spoyling of their fading Treasures steadfastly believing that all things shall work together for the best and that there shall not one Hair of their Head perish and seeing that a Sparrow cannot fall to the ground without their Heavenly Father and that the Power of Darkness hath but one Hour and so is limited both to Time and Measure Therefore if it be told them as it was told to Christ That a cruel Herod seeks to kill them Yet they are ready to answer and say with him Behold We must Work to day and to morrow Prov. 11.6 and in the Morning of Prosperity must sow our Seed and in the Evening of Adversity must not withold our Hands For they know the Truth is sometimes planted in Blood and the Sufferings of some Christians Phil. 1.12 Heb. 10.25 have been the Conversion of others So that a sharp Winter may and doth oftentimes produce a fruitful Harvest Therefore the manner of Trading in this City Dan. 11.14 Esth 4.16 greatly differeth from the manner of Trading in other Cities for the Earthly Jerusalem when she heareth of a storm of Violence letteth fall much of her Trading is Truth and Vertue but Bethania increaseth hers the more And when the Robbers begin to Exalt themselves to Establish the Vision then this City bringeth forth the best of her Wares Their Prayers now are most Fervent and their Sermons most Divine their manner of Life most Circumspect and their Faith very stedfast Cant. 8.6 their Hope reacheth furthest within the Vaile their Charity is now more strong than Death and all their Graces takes the deepest or firmest Root So the Innocent stirreth up against the Hypocrite the Righteous also holdeth on his way and he that hath Clean Hands shall grow stronger and stronger At last Bethania cometh out of her Tribulation having washed their Robes Rev. 7.14 and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb and so she enjoyeth a Life which Death can never approach unto and a Substance that no Thieves can steal away inheriting a joy Mat. 6.20 Isa 60.20 which shall never more be Ecclipsed with sorrow in the glorious Morning of Bethania SIXTEENTHLY The frequent Discourse in Bethania is for the most part very savoury 2 Cor. 2.14 Ephes 4.29 and their Words do generally that are the Inhabitants thereof stand for something and they are very careful of avoiding Superfluity of Speech knowing That of every idle Word that men shall speak Mat. 12.36 they must give an Account thereof in the Day of Judgment Therfore their Words are very much seasoned with Grace designed in Spiritual Things namely for the Edification of the Hearers and in Natural Things to Express the Conceptions of the Mind touching humane Affairs otherwise they are very much given to Silence being swift to hear slow to speak carefully keeping the Bridle upon the Tongue James 1.19 Psal 39.1 least that unruly Member run headlong into Disorder and so the Heart be quite deceived and all their Religion prove to be a meer Vanity For in the Multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin Prov. 10.16 and he that restraineth his Lips is wise And they consider that God hath given unto men two Eyes two Ears two Hands and two Feet yet but one Tongue that the Actions of all these might be twice as much as the Tongue shall speak Therefore when any of the Inhabitants of Bethania meet together Job 32.4 1 Cor. 14.29 2 Tim. 2.7 and there be some Divine Matter about to be uttered they all wait and hear in Silence carefully avoiding all Interruptions and if any thing be wanting that ought to have been spoken another supplyeth that Defect when the first hath left off speaking and so all things are done to good purpose in much Decency and Order Job 32.11 15 16. For to speak two or three at once either in Humane or Divine Matters is counted ridiculous and a meer Confusion proper only to Babel But if they have no Divine matter to Communicate 1 Cor. 14.40 nor yet any Natural Thing that is needful to be spoken then they retire themselves into some serious Exercises of the Soul and in the Multitude of such thoughts within them they meet with great Consolation from the Father of Spirits Psal 94.23 whose Heavenly Vertue is a quickning Influence to every true Bethanian SEVENTEENTHLY Laughter in Bethania is counted madness Eccles 2.2 Rom. 8.6 Luke 6.25 and like the crackling of Thorns under a pot being a Vanity that springeth up in a carnal Mind and it is frequently found among such kind of Persons who are hastening into Eternal Mournings For the Triumphing of the wicked is but very short Job 20.15 and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment Therefore saith Jesus Woe to you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep This unseemly Vanity is none of the first Actions of innocent Age for some of the first Actions of a Child are to weep and after it hath lived about forty days in the World it then will begin to smile but it is a great while before it breaks out into plain
and a stamering Tongue it is too much to be doubted that others also are somewhat dull of hearing and from hence it might and yet may arise that our Mothers Children have had some occasion to be angry with me however I am greatly inclined to still them as well as I can so that I may keep Truth from falling in the Streets and a good Conscience from being violated by any means And you may plainly percieve that I have no end at my own glory in these things in that I have not attempted to beautifie it at all with humane wisdom but with great simplicity as becomes the Title it presents it self to view Neither do I mind mine outward profit by any thing that is now undertaken my mind being but little enclined thereunto ever since you and I have had to do one with another And by reason of many natural Impediments both pains and loss are like to be my present rewards and you are witnesses and God also that I have coveted no mans Gold or Silver or Apparel though I migt have had all these from you with right true desire but these hands for the most part through the good providence of God hitherto ministred unto my necessities and so what I have freely received I would freely give again desiring the Ever Blessed God to make all my poor endeavours as the wilderness-Feast of Barly Bread and Fishes which was blessed for the nourishment of very many Souls So not being willing to burden you too much nor too long to detain you from the things that follow I desire earnestly the continuance of your serious requests for me as I hope mine will be still for you Who am your unworthy Servant in what I can for your Souls Advantage W. P. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Courteous Reader THou art here presented with a little Treatise which meer Necessity forceth into the World being a Summary of the Faith and Practices in brief of the Christian Catholick Church which in her Militant Estate is rightly stiled Bethania and it was first occasioned by some Suspitions and Accusations cast upon the Author chiefly by some of his Mothers Children touching the Principles of his Belief who being known to be one that holdeth Vniversal Redemption hath been charged or at least suspected to hold many gross Opinions by them that are of a contrary Mind as Free-Will or Single Power in the Creature in the work of the Souls Conversion Secondly Of denying the Humanity of our Saviour and sometimes also his Divinity Thirdly Of holding the Mortality of the Soul and denying the Resurrection of the Body from the Dead or something equivalent thereunto sometimes suspected of Arianism of Praying to Angels and Justification by Works and such like things which suspicious minds could frame All which things he hath sometimes born with much calmness of Spirit thinking it sufficient that his own Conscience hath pronounced him innocent as to things of this nature and also rejoyceth in Divine Grace by which he hath been kept in such a state although full of imperfections as that occasion hath not been given to the accused or much suspected of an impious Life yet for the sake of the poor in Spirit his only companions and which are very dear unto him he hath given forth a brief declaration of the Christian Faith Order and Life in the which he himself expects to be saved and his design is to further the good and benefit of all serious Souls who in very many tossings to and fro have almost been tired and discouraged on the Mountains of Wandring but yet this is not all for he would fain awaken the Careless Daughters and give a Midnight-Cry to the Foolish Virgins that if possible they might see the Bed of Christian-Profession to be too short and the Covering of Church-Communion to be too narrow to rest secure in from that Heart-searching God with whom we all must shortly have to do But the Author did first intend to have left this little Treatise in Manuscript only to three Societies with whom he hath been more than ordinarily concerned the which though little in Bulk is great in Matter and contains that which might have been the Subject of many great Volumes it relating to the whole Mystery of Godliness from first to last the which without controversie is exceeding great and it is designed to be promoted by the Author as his poor Abilities will afford not only in the Theory thereof but also in the practical Part which is indeed the Substance of true Divinity and though it may come forth in a Name and Title somewhat strange at first yet when the Reason thereof is given it may not always appear a wonder for as the Church of Christ is sometimes in Scripture called a City as in Psal 46.4 There is a River the streams whereof makes glad the City of God the holy Place of the Tabernacle of the most High So Mat 5.14 it is said to be the Salt of the Earth and a City set on a Hill that cannot be hid and in Eph. 2.19 Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens of the Saints and of the Houshold of God. So also there are divers Cities and Towns in Scripture that do very much represent the same among which Bethania is no small representation according to the Hebrew signification of it And first it is represented by Zion which signifieth Driness and so indeed she is with respect to her own estate but that the Rivers of the waters of Life from the Rock in the weary Land Isa 32.21 flow unto her and is a place of broad Rivers and Streams therein Isa 33.2 Secondly Israel signifying the Vision of Peace and indeed this City where Christ the Prince of Peace dwelleth must needs be the elearest sight of Peace on this side Heaven it self and the Peace of God which passeth all understanding Phil. 4.7 doth keep the Hearts and Minds of them in perfect Peace who as the true Israel of God do stedfastly walk by the New Creature-Rule Gal. 6.16 Besides this City does not only see Visions of Peace from God but also Visions of Peace are seen from it to Men being a Kingdom which is not of this World John 18.36 Neither consisteth in meat or drink Rom. 14.7 but in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Thirdly Bethlehem which signifies the House of Bread and in the true Church of Christ this Bread of Life is the only food of Souls the which being the flesh of Christ our Life all the heavenly Off-spring live thereby John 6.57 He that eateth me shall live by me and from hence the Bread of Life is also ministerially tendered For the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that Heareth say Come and whosoever will let him come and take of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 and so Prov. 9.5 Come eat of my bread and drink of the Wine which I have mingled So
Isa 42.4 Job 22.22 Jer. 15.16 Psal 119.24 Isa 44.4 Psal 119.98 99 100. Ephes 1.18 Psal 119.93 Cant. 6.11 Psal 23.2 John 6.45 Gen. 27.27 Isa 5.13 In which for that time all other things whether Actions of Soul or Body are suspended and laid in Silence That with great Retiredness of Spirit they may watch with Christ one Hour And like the little Islands of the Poor in Spirit wait for the Law from his Mouth to lay up his Word in their Hearts that it may be for good Counsel and Comfort for their Soulâ—â— By which means improved in this manner the House of the Poor groweth rich in Divine Vertue and deep Wisdons being Fortified also in their Soule with the exceeding great Power of God of which retired Spirits have sensible Experience and by which they are quickned yet farther unto Spiritual Things And so feeding in the Valley of great Humility by the still Waters of immediate and Ministerial Teachings they grow like Willows by the Water-courses and flourish like a Field which the Lord hath Blessed When the Inhabitants of Babel that discomposed Multitude and all the carelese Daughters are famished and dryed up with Thirst SICONDLY The Inhabitants of Bethania are very careful to observe those Hours Dedicated to Divine Worship Acts 3.21 Isa 58.3 Verse 13. as time that then is none of Theirs but the Lords and therefore they think it dangerous to steal away any part thereof from him and convert it to their own private use Acts 5.1.2 Verse 5. Verse 10. like Annanias and Saphira which stole away part of that from God which they pretended to give unto him but felt the dreadful Effects thereof by the loss of Life And for mocking the Lord and lying against his Holy Spirit is is greatly to be doubted also Isa 32.9 12. Ephes 4.30 they have lost their Souls And hence it comes to pass among the careless Daughters who suffer the Lord to wait for them till his Spirit be greatly grieved and fore wearied with their intollerable Delay That they have little else in their coming to Meetings but dry Breasts Hos 9.14 Jer. 17.6 Isa 24.16 Psal 106.15 Job 16.18 Isa 58.2 and a Barren Womb The Lord having withdrawn himself from their careless Souls and left them to inherit the parched places of the Wilderness in great leanness of Spirit as their wrinckles testifie to their Faces And notwithstanding They are frequently at Meetings and evi learning in the visible Temple sitting constantly in the place of drawing Waters 2 Tim. 3.7 Jude 5.11 Isa 65.23 yet they dâ—â— but labour in vain and bring forâ—â— Trouble because they observe not theâ—â— accustomed Meetings in the careâ—â— Spirit of Bethania THIRDLY It is the Custom of that little City when they come to their Meeting place and the Hour of Meeting being at hand remembring that the time is now the Lords to retire eaâ—â— to their proper Place or Seat for bearing to salute any though never â—â— dear unto them and there to betakâ— themselves to some silent Meditation or reading of the Holy Scriptures Luke so 4. 2 Kings 4.29 Hab 2.20 Psal 104.34 Psal 94.19 Mat. 22.11 Chap. 18.21 1 Cor. 13.5 Eccles 3.1 1 Pet. 3.8 â—â— some other Spiritual Exercise the so when the Lord shall come to see the Guests and visit the Two or Threâ—â— that are gathered together in hâ—â— Name he may find none of theâ—â— distracted whispering dircoursinâ— or in any unseemly Posture foâ— there is a Time and a Season for everâ— lawful Custom and Salutations all in their proper Seasons with other friendly Discourse are convenient and comely in Bethania But it â—â— meet that the Lords work Phil. 3.8 the which also concerns our immortal Souâ—â— should in the first place be accomplished 1 Kings 17.13 Luke 10.42 and herein Mary was more approved of in sitting at the Feet of her Lord and waiting for his Divine Counsels then Martha was in making unseasonable Provision for him Therefore when the Disciples were sent forth in the work of the Lord they were commanded to salute no man by the way John 9.61 for he that would bid them of his house farewel when a greater Work was before him was judged unmeet for the Kingdom of God. Piety is to go before Courtesy the which being finished Courtesie follows in his right season Exod. 31.18 The Law was written in two Tables and though the second Table in which is contained our Duty to man have more Precepts in it then that which contains our Duty to God yet the Precepts of the first Table are to be observed in the first place Even so the holy Apostles first ended the Divine Matter of their Epistles Rom. 16.4 and then after saluted the Brethren Therefore Bethania when Divine Worship that appertaineth to God in the first place is performed then after they proceed in courteous Salutations one to another and not only to themselves neither like the Publicans Mat. 5.47 who will also salute their Brethren But likewise also to those besides themselves who do usually frequent their Meetings Rom. 12.9 10. all which Salutations are performed in unfeigned Love 1 Cor. 14.40 and without Diffimulation also in great Humility a decent orderly and serious Exercises in Bethania FOVRTHLY If in any of the Assemblies of Bethania Offenees happen to arise between Brother and Brother in a matter that is not simply a sin against God Then the offended goeth and telleth the Offender his Fault Mat. 18.15 16 17. who if he repent is readily forgiven and so all 〈◊〉 well but if he repent not then he is admonished by two or three and so it is done the second time If he still persist in stubbornness then the Church doth hear it and if he refuse to hear the Church it is plain Rebellion and so like that dreadful Sin of Witchcraft 1 Sam. 15.23 and such kind of Persons are in no wise sufferred to inhabite in Bethania Deut. 18.10 not be Freemen within the Corporation of it FIFTHLY Again if there be found any Person in the aforesaid Assemblies that is slothful Rom. 12.11 2 Tim. 3.18 1 Thess 5.14 and doth neglect his Duty either in natural or in spiritual things then he is seriously admonished unto it If he strive to amend although he cannot presently alter the in-bred Habits of an unconverted State it is sufficient for the present and he is counselled encouraged and comforted as one of the feeble-minded But if he be careless and giveth way to those evil habits 1 Tim. 5.11 he is suspended and noted as a Person not meet for Christian Communion yet in no wise exempted from friendly Admonition But if after all these manurings he still remaineth an unfruitful Tree Luke 13.7 John 15.6 and as a deyed Shrub in which there is no hope then he is cut up as a Cumberrer of the Ground and as a lifeless Withered Branch taken
having itching Ears are therefore wandering after divers and strange Doctrines 1 Cor. 3.15 or any way behave themselves unseemly contrary to the pure Principles of Vertue Which Charity teacheth towards any either in the Church or in their Families or in the World. These and such like things as these being open and manifest Errors are therefore Rebuked before all that others may fear and avoid the like offences for that which is openly committed is not censured in a corner and they that are not ashamed to Sin must not be excused from the shame of Suffering seeing the Rebukes of God against his own People are of greatest Antiquity and remain in lasting Characters in sacred Scriptures EIGHTHLY Heresy in Bethania is counted a very noysome Weed 1 Tim. 6.4 5. 2 Pet. 2.1 that springeth up in a corrupt Mind and is evermore accompanied with an Impious Life and then it is of a very Damnable Nature and the way thereof very Pernitious the which also endeth at last in most swift Destruction 2 Tim. 2.17 it is a kind of a Canker-eating Mischief which men involved in it take much delight to promote and so are rightly called Hereticks But every Error is not properly called Heresy seeing many may be guilty of Error in their Judgment who are notwithstanding of Pious and Vertuous Lives therefore as there is a Body of true Faith the which also is contained in that Ancient Creed called the Apstles Even so also the direct contrary thereunto is real Heresy for to deny the only Lord God by whom all things were Created which is the first Article of that Christian Creed 1 Cor. 8.6 and our Lord Jesus Christ by whom all things consist Jude 4. which is the second is the ready way to overthrow all pure Religion and then the next thing that followeth is to turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and such as these are absolute Hereticks and are of old ordained to this Condemnation Besides to let pass all other Articles of the Creed aforesaid which are all sufficiently confessed before in the Articles of Bethania's Faith. The Catholick Church is declared in this Creed to be a Communion of Saints or holy Ones whose priviledges are the Remission of Sins Resurrection of the Body and Everlasting Life therefore to believe and maintain that to be the Church of Christ which is a Communion of Impious and Ungodly Persons whether we respect National or Congregational Societies is very near of Kin if not the very same with Heresy for to father Children on the most pure God which are not of his own Begetting and to cast a Spouse upon his Blessed Lamb that is of a different nature from him is a very high degree of Indignity therefore the Earthly Jerusalem as well as Confused Babel are in great danger of being guilty of Herely Now the way by which Bethania Executeth her Censures against Hereticks is such as is contained in her great Charter therefore when the Heresy beginneth first to appear and the direct Tendency thereof clearly fore-seen the Persons thereunto enclined are the first and second time carefully to be Admonished if they reform and so are reduced to the right Faith Tit. 3.10.11 Luke 15.11 then there is Joy in Bethania for the return of the wandring Sheep but if they perfist to nourish this noysome and poysonous Weed then they are finally Rejected Isa 59 5. Chap. 11.18 and so the Cockatrice Egg is not permitted to grow up into a fiery-flying-Serpent And thus the hole of the Wasp being delivered from the Viper the little Children in Bethania are secure from danger NINTHLY Communion in Bethania is threefold and first Formal which is that state of Communion wherein Persons are conformable to one another in External Principles Exod. 12.6.8 1 Cor. 11.20 Acts 20.7 Psal 55.14 Psal 42.4 Rom. 6.17 Eze. 43.11 ver 8. Rev. 11.2 and are United in the Forms and Ordinances that relate to Visible Worship This Communion is held only in the outward Court it is the right Visible way into an higher degree of Communion and is only bounded with a strong Wall but hath no Covering over it the Storms of Temptation and Persecution oft Times deface the Steps of this Communion Those who only Worship in this outward Court are liable to be troden under foot of the Gentiles Nevertheless this Communion is of great Estimation in Bethania Rev. 2.17 Heb. 9.4 John 10.9 1 Cor. 5.2 John 10.9 and those whose proper Food is chiefly the hidden Manna the which they also Eat in the most holy Place yet they have learned of their great Master to go out into the place of little Children and with them to Feed of those Crumbs which are suitable to the Capacity of the little Childish Nature and so they experience the true meaning of that Scripture viz. They shall go in and out and find Pasture The second state of Communion is Congregational by vertue of which 2 Cor. 8.5 Acts. 2.41 a company of Persons who have first given up themselves to the Lord in Vifible Profession of Truth Now secondly Give up themselves one to another in Congregational Union in which Estate they have a special and more particular Interest in each others Persons and Enjoyments then when they were only Members one with another in a formal Union and so the Pastors in this state of Union are more especially engaged to their Flocks Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.17 1 Thes 5.12 13. and they on the other hand are deeply enjoyned to submit to their Pastors as such who watch for their Souls and must give account thereof in the day of the Lord. But the third state of Communion is Spiritual 1 Cor. 10.17 Chap. 12.18 Rom. 12.15 which consisteth excellently in this In that many Bodies have but one Soul for by one Spirit Souls in state of Union are Baptized into one Body and so are all Members one of another and hence it is that the whole Church of Christ though consisting of many distinct Congregations Psal 46.4 ssa 27.2 3. Cant. 4.12 Chap. 2.14 Chap. 4.11 is notwithstanding in holy Scripture often spoken of in the singular number and is called a City a Vineyard a Garden a Dove a Virgin a Wife and so Christs Beloved is but one and their Communion in this state is Celebrated in and maintained by the Divine Nature 2 Cor. 11.2 Rev. 19.7 Cant. 6.9 2 Pet. 2.4 Jam. 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Heb. 12.23 Joh. 1.3 in which they are of one kind even a kind of first Fruits of Gods new Creatures and by vertue thereof we have Union and Communion with those we never saw and highly esteem of those who long since are departed out of this World as Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Moses and the Prophets Apostles and those holy Servants of God that succeeded them yea those that differed in form with each other now in the present time are notwithstanding in Union with one
perfect Rest in Eternal Joy. ONE and TWENTIETHLY Fasting in Bethania is of great Antiquity and was first commanded in Eden especially from some things of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Gen. 2.17 and it hath run through all Dispensations from the Beginning until this time in which serious Exercise many Holy Men of God have been very famous yea those that have been filled most with God have often enjoyed the least of Creatures Moses fasted twice forty days yet in that time he was close with him Deut. 9.9 Verse 18. Exod. 34.30 1 Kings 19.8 2 Kings 2.11 Dan. 10.3 and came from him with a shining Face Elijah fasted forty days and at last God sent for him from Earth to Heaven Daniel he fasted three full Weeks though not from all kind of Food yet from that which was accounted pleasing and he was a man greatly beloved David chastened his Soul with fasting and he saith That his Knees were grown weak thereby Psal 109 24. yet he was a man dear unto God and sometimes enjoyed much of his presence Esth 4.16 Esther was a very Glorious Queen yet in a weighty case yielded her self unto three days fasting Jesus our Saviour fasted forty Days and forty Nights Mat. 4.2 in the beginning of his most Sacred Ministry So likewise his Apostles and approved Ministers were and are often in Fastings 1 Cor. 11.27 Luke 2.36 37 Hannah served God with Fastings and Prayer Night and Day Christ gave Directions to his Disciples about fasting and the Disciples of John were Exercised therein It was not only found among Jews and Christians Mat. 6.16 but Heathens also were famous in it For King Darius passed the Night in Fasting Mat. 14. Mark 2. Dan. 6. Act. 10.30 and the Prayers of Cornelius were performed with it Therefore it is an approved and a dilligent observed Custom in the City Bethania who also for divers Ends and in divers Manners observeth the same Sometimes it is used for the chastening of the Soul Psal 69.10 1 Cor. 9.27 and beating down of the Body that the Flesh may become weak and the Spirit strengthned in Vertue At other times when they go about any weighty Undertaking or desire to obtain any special Mercy or to remove any sore Affliction all or any of these are attempted and managed by Prayer and Fasting Dan. 9.4 Esth 4.16 If there be a publick Design on foot then Fasting is publick also yet not made common to any but only those who are concerned in it Joel 2.12 These retire themselves into the greatest Retirement as possible may be and there with earnest Prayers and silent Groans with frequent Sighs of Soul to God spend their time in most serious manner Rom. 8.26 Ezra 9.4 little minding their own Ease or moving from place to place except in great Necessity suspending all other Actions but those only that appertain to the present Exercise else it is not Fasting Isa 58.4 for Fasting is an Abstenance Neither do they mind any business nor take any Food or Natural Refreshment but with great Watchfulness keep their Minds retired to the Lord waiting to see how he appeareth unto their Souls And all their time is not spent in speaking Words but mostly in the Exercise of their Soul and working of the Mind with the Lord. Verse 9.27 But private Fasts if it be to beat down the Body and bring it into Subjection that it may not be too strong for the Soul then that kind of Fasting is accompanied with Labour or any Exercise whatsoever But if it be for obtaining any special Mercy or for the removing of any sore Affliction or for Assistance against any dangerous Temptation or for the subduing of any prevailing Corruption â—hen it is performed in great Retirement 1 Cor. 7.5 And so Wives and Husbands withdraw themselves from one another during that time of Fasting the which if it be for many days then they take a little Food and a little Water and after enjoy each others Company again Dan. 10.3 Phil. 4.5 Amos 4.6 with such moderate Refreshments of Nature that will stand with Christian Sobriety But much Wine and strong Beer and dainty Meats and gorgeous Apparel with soft and pleasant Resting places being inconsistent with the state of Pilgrims Heb. 13.14 are therefore meer Strangers in Bethania TWO and TWENTIETHLY Singing of Psalms in Bethania is a certain Divine and Spiritual Exercise by which the Inhabitants thereof do celebrate the Praises of the most High God and it is mainly and chiefly an Exercise of the Soul being performed by the lifting up of the Soul and Spirit unto great Jehovah Psal 32.7 and this Divine Mirth springeth up in the Souls of those who are in Experience of some Spiritual Refreshments Psal 101.1 Therefore when any is merry they sing Psalms in which they teach and admonish one another with Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in their Hearts to the Lord James 5.13 Col 3.16 Ephes 5.19 speaking also to themselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Hearts to the Lord giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Verse 20. So Jesus our Saviour rejoyced in Spirit and then said I thank Thee Luke 10.21 Psal 25.1 Psal 103.1 Job 29.30 Isa 65.30 Jer. 31.25 O Father c. Even so David lifted up his Soul to God and then set his Soul to bless his Holy Name and Job caused the Widows Heart to sing Even so faith the Lord My Servants shall sing for joy of Heart for I have satiated the weary Soul and I have Replenished every Sorrowful Soul. By all which and much more that might be said it appeareth that singing is a Work of the Heart and Soul the which being inwardly refreshed calleth to the Tongue to awake and declare it Psal 57.8 And it is only proper to those and none but those who are in Communion with the Blessed Lamb in some of Sions Glory For none can learn these Spiritual Songs Rev. 14.3 Chap. 5.3 but such who are Redeemed from an Earthly State and have gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the Number of his Name so that it be the Redeemed of the Lord whom he hath recovered from Spiritual Babylon that can say and sing Psal 107.2 Thy Mercy endureth for ever Therefore Singing of Psalms and Spiritual Songs 1 Cor. 12.4 Rom. 12.6 1 Cor. 14.26 Psal 40.3 Psal 137.4 is no Gospel-Ordinance neither is every individual Member of Gospel-Churches able to perform it But it is properly a Gospel-Gift and only belongs to those into whose Mouth the Lord hath put the New Song For who can sing the Songs of Sion while they sit by the Waters of Babylon who though they do often remember her and greatly desire to be there