what end they were created even for them to serve his body and his body to serve his soul and his soul to serve his Creator in the body and as he thus stood in the fear dominion and wisdome of his Lord all things were blessed unto him and all things were clean and pure and being guided by the pure holy Spirit of his maker is counselled as in the beginning and hath a law-giver as at the first but when once he gave ear unto the voyce of the Serpent who was more subtile than any beast of the field consented to eat of that which was forbidden him that he should not touch to eat even of the tree of knowledge of good and evil let him which readeth understand he had liberty to eat of every tree but that all being good and that also for all that which God made was good and blessed but for food it was not to be eaten of nor touched And as I said when man once had transgressed the righteous Law of his Creator he lost his glorious Dominion he had and the pure Spirit of the Lord by which he was covered departed from him so that he was naked without a covering then shame entred in upon him and so he went to make unto himself other coverings then those which he had in the beginning to hide himself but all in vain So all the professors in the world who are not covered with the holy Spirit of the Lord may read and see what they are doing for this is truely your state and condition feeding upon your own knowledge which is forbidden and feeding thereon are thereby set on work to make unto your selves other coverings then that of the holy Spirit of truth and righteousnesse So read and consider when Adam had once done so the Lord cast him out of his Garden and he lost his dominion which he had and God placed Cherubins at Eden gate which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life so that men could never enter again that way but through death even the death of that nature and wisdom which he fed on which was of the earth and is earthly sensuall and devilish So read and consider whether you witnesse this yea or nay And so man being drove out of the earth the curse entred and the Serpent became head in him and he that was the sonne of God before and was guided by him in all his actions became the son and servant of the Devil and a bondslave unto corruption and thus was the Lamb slain even the just seed of God became oppressed in him even as a Cart that is loaded with sheaves which before bore rule in him wholly yet the Lord having regard to the works of his hands and his bowels being moved with pity towards them his mercy being over all the works of his hands took not his holy seed from him but made a Covenant with man that the seed of the woman should bruise the Serpents head which was become head in man then which promise was witnessed and fulfilled in Abel who was righteous and was accepted the seed of God bearing rule in him and the seed of the envious one was brused which reign'd in his brother Cain and so being one with the holy seed became a sufferer and suffered by the seed of the evil one in his brother and here was the first persecution and from that day unto this hath the just suffered by the unjust the seed of the Bond-woman persecuting the seed of the free-woman which kept the Commandements of God So here all men may read and see what stock and generation they are of and what seed is head in them for one of the two beareth rule in every individual man upon the face of the whole earth where the seed of the woman is head there is peace humility meeknesse long-suffering patience temperance love to all bearing and forbearing praying for enemies and suffering and enduring all things not having confidence in the arm of flesh nor yet a helper in the earth not seeking revenge but committeth its innocent cause to God knowing that vengeance belongs only to him praying for enemies doing good to those that despitefully use them and this this only is the life of the true christian for in him alone this holy seed of God beareth rule and hath dominion for they are the peace-makers but where the seed of the Serpent beareth rule there lust reigneth from whence cometh all warre strife contention and debate and this was Cains nature even to kill and murder who was a Vagabond drove from God yet he built him a City and called it by the name of his son and so from this stock hath risen oppression and murder and getting of possession in the earth and this was the fruit and effect of that seed which from him sprung for which cause the holy Spirit of God was grieved from day to day until it had repented him at the heart that he had made man which caused Noah to preach unto them righteousnesse but they rejected his counsel and would not be warned but they continued eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage all in the lust and unclean nature which crucified the just and so continued until the day of wrathful unresistable vengeance and flood of Gods indignation brake out upon them And thus in all ages have those in whom this seed of enmity hath borne rule provoked the holy God to wrath against them yet he forbore with them until they had filled up their measure of iniquity in which time he sent his holy servants the Prophets to warn and forewarn them of the wrath which was due unto the transgressors and still as they did reject the councel of the Lord and his tender reproofs they felt his heavy hand in the end for he hath said his Spirit shall not always strive with man though men may as they did then seek by their own strength policy and wisdome to build them a Tower to reach up unto Heaven but God confounded their design for neither by that way nor by that meanes could they ever bring their purpose to passe and from that stock came and sprung all the divisions upon the face of the earth one building this thing and the other that thing and all in the confusion being confounded and dispersed in their understandings by the wise God though vain man may think by such meanes to build him a Tower to reach up to Heaven but such are the thieves and the robbers which climb up another way then Christ spake of who came not in by the door which is the light the onely and alone true way to God and there is not another but men are so hardened and their understandings so darkned through the deceitfulnesse of sin that though these things are plainly written and spoken of in the Scriptures yet they cannot perceive them the book being become to them a book that is sealed which one
to shine as his own elect and chosen people as the Stars in the Firmament and many shall desire to be joyned unto you yea the day hastneth apace That ten shall lay hold of h m which is a Jew and say we will eat our own bread and drink our own drink only let us be called by thy name yea this and much more which is hard to be uttered either by tongue or Pen shall be the portion of him who is of the true circumcision which is made without hands who worships God in the Spirit a City and habitation is prepared for them whose builder and maker is God wherein the Lamb shall be their Light and they shall walk in it for ever and ever Therefore come all away to the light which is the true door into the new and Heavenly Jerusalem wherein no unclean thing can or ever shall enter thereby by the light must ye come to be cleansed which is the blood of the Covenant which is freely shed abroad for the cleansing of all the sons of Adam therefore trample it not under your feet as the blood of a dead man and count it not an unholy thing for by it alone were all the Saints of old cleansed and it did not serve them onely to talk of but were truly purged purified and made clean by it and so witnessed Justification and Sanctification in this life without which they never could for except you come to witnesse your souls cleansed from sin and sanctified with the blood of the everlasting Covenant you cannot be justified by God for God justifieth no unclean thing and remember it is written That without holinesse no man shall see the Lord and lay it to heart and there ponder these things in the coole of the day which if you do The grace of God will not be bestowed upon you in vain but through its pure teachings and vertue you will come to witnesse salvation to your souls and death swallowed up in victory and he that hath the power of it which is the Devil then will that saying be brought to pass O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory and will thank God with your souls bodies and spirits and serve him therewith as holy vessels sanctified to his use who hath given you the victory over all and living praise will issue out of your mouths not by constraint but willingly out of a pure heart for evermore to the living praise of him who hath redeemed your souls out of the horrible pit and set your feet upon a Rock even upon Mount Sion to live and Reign for ever And this is the true Salvation of God through Christ Jesus which thousands witnesse at this day in England and praise the Lord with one heart mind and soul continually which is their only joy and delight God only being witnessed to be their Judge King and Law-giver who hath saved them with everlasting Salvation from sin and uncleanness and are translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son and there live and delight only to walk to the praise and glory of the glorious God of all grace who hath thus bestowed his rich grace and mercy upon them which also is freely and richly tendred unto you O ye inhabitants of France therefore slight it not but draw nigh unto God and he will draw unto you for he is a God at hand and not afar off even unto them who call upon him with a simple heart and is a ready help unto such in time of need and you will witnesse him so unto you if ye embrace the riches of his grace mercy and goodnesse which is freely tendred to every individual of you without respect of persons Therefore call upon the Lord while he is neere least when you call he will not answer which is counsell of life unto you all which if you reject then hear what the Spirit saith ye shall have your portions with the wicked stiff-necked unbelievers and rebellious and your children shall enjoy the blessing for God of a truth will be glorified in many of them and you also if ye count not your selves unworthy of Eternal life which is richly and plentifully tendred unto you Therefore cease from all your Idol-shepherds and hireling-Priests which feed themselves and not the flock preach up sin as long as men live which shews they are imperfect Ministers and cannot make the comers thereunto perfect therefore I say cease from them in time least while the blind lead the blind ye both fall into the ditch for they are truly the Ministers of Satan and preach up his power to be greater than the power of God even to have more force to keep people in sin then the power of God hath to redeem from sin as hath already been said and so make the coming of Christ to be of no effect which was to redeem people from the Law which was added because of transgression up to God to live in his power which was before transgression was therefore saith the Apostle in what the Law could not doe in that it was weak God sending his own Son in the likenesse of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh that the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Mark this was the true end of Christs coming not to destroy the Law because the Law is righteous and layeth hold on the transgressor but he came to destroy the transgressions and so he redeems all who come unto him from the curse of the Law by destroying the works of the Devil in people that so the righteousnesse thereof might be fulfilled in them by the power of Christ Jesus and so they come to the Spirits of just men made perfect the seed of the Serpent being bruised and wholly destroyed in them by Christ the seed of God in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen and they who witnesse this witnesse the end of Christs coming and the new birth which is incorruptible of God which sinneth not and they who come to witnesse this know that the power of Satan is not greater then the power of God in Christ Jesus who saves his people from their sins and this is the only true living Ministry which is to the salvation of the soul and all who preach any other doctrine then this though we our selvs or an Angell from heaven let them be accursed therefore consider your doctrine who preach against perfection and for keeping men in sin as long as they live and then the Devil knows he hath them sure enough afterwards for the wages of sin is death out of which there is no redemption if the creature dye therein for as the tree falls so it lyeth And this is the truth of God to all the inhabitants of the Earth therefore high and low rich and poor bond and free be ye warned and while ye have time prize it and if ye call upon God who
it and do you thereby take warning and read search and see your state if you are true Christians and redeemed of God and be no longer fed with a name for they were a Royall Priesthood a holy nation and did Reign as Kings upon the earth even over the World Sin Hell Death and the Devil and though on the earth yet they loved not the world neither the things of the world but used all those as though they used them not being in the Light which is Christ the wisdome of God they came to use all creatures in the same wisdome as they were created and to the same end for by Christ Jesus the eternal Word of the Father were all things created and as ye come to live and walke in him who is the wisdome of the Father ye will come to the right use and understanding of all things and know and witness the ends of the earth upon you and your conversation will be in Heaven far above all created things Therefore come all to the word by which all was created even the good word of God which is quick powerfull and sharper then any two edged Sword dividing between the precious and the vile the clean and the unclean for it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and this is the true word which sanctifies makes clean which is Christ the Light the Word of God which will be a Light and a Lanthorn unto your path if you diligently heed and follow it as David did witness and unless you come to witness this word in you you can never witness Christ nor the end of his coming Who hath given himself for us to redeem us from this present evil world according to the will of God These things are plain to every single eye Who desires not to hold the truth in unrighteousness nor make Christ a cover for sin and uncleanness by crying they are saved by Christ and have remission through his Death and shed his Blood for their Redemption and yet witness nothing they are redeemed or saved from and are aliens unto the Covenant of promise which is That he shall save his people from their sins and his Blood which purifies sanctifies and makes clean for so the true Christians did witnesse it even through it they had access to God and were redeemed from their vaine lives and conversations through and by it even By the Bloud of the Lamb which was offered up to God Without spot or blemish who hath also given himself for his Church that he might present it in like manner unto God which is a spiritual building Built and joyned together a spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God Christ being the chief corner stone even he who the builders have in all Ages rejected and refused therefore come to the living Stone that ye may be joyned and united to it as the Christians were and as you come to be joyned here you will come to be one Spirit in the Lord and be covered with it without which covering wo unto you as it is written Wo be unto you who are covered and not with my Spirit saith the Lord for the day is come and coming even upon you O ye Protestants in France as well as in all Nations that all other coverings will be too short for to hide you and will stand you in no stead in the day of tryall Therefore be awakened and awake arise and stand up ye which sleep in the dust and the Lord shall give you Light and understanding of the things which belongeth unto your peace in this the day of your visitation therefore sleep not any longer in a false security least they be hid from your eyes you be left desolate and without excuse for ever for of a truth this is the day of Gods everlasting love and mercy unto you which constraineth me to warn you and wo would be unto me if I did not but whether you hear or forbear I shall be a sweet savour unto God if ye perish therefore I use great plainness of speech unto you and not as mans wisdome teacheth but in the demonstration of the Spirit I speak beseeching you to be reconciled unto God I being one who truly hath known the terrours of the Lord for sin and hath been accepted at the tribunal seat of God for Christ sake in whom and through whom I have had access unto God and by his stripes am healed and purged by his Blood from sin and corruption and this hath not been of works but by grace I am saved through faith in Christ by which victory is obtained through patience and hope which purifies even as Christ is pure Which hope is an Anchor unto the soul in the time of tryal And this hath God done for my soul not by any works of my own righteousness as though I had any thing to boast of above another for all boasting is excluded for ever by the Law of Faith neither have I any thing but what I have received of God whose love hath been in an unexpressible manner extended unto me since I gave up unto him believed his report by his holy servants messengers of his holy new and everlasting Covenant unto the sons of men which is Light and in and with the same love the Father hath loved me am I drawn forth to invite you my Countrey-men after the flesh whom God moved me to visit even from a far Countrey where my outward habitation was many years even in Virginia and truly my soul is often powred out unto God for you and sure I am if you do not wilfully reject his love but open freely unto him his love will touch many of your hearts as it hath touched mine which if you receive you will I know with a ready heart and mind follow him and forsake all earthly treasure to follow him in the delightfull way of peace and holiness And dear Countrey-men remember Moses who chose Rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God then to injoy the pleasures of sin for a season refusing to be called the son of Pharaohs Daughter and take all the holy Servants and Prophets of God for an example of patience and suffering through which and by which they plainly declared they sought not a habitation in this world but were strangers and Pilgrims therein Seeking a City whose builder and maker is God into which my soul desireth that ye may have an entrance and habitation even into the new and Heavenly Jerusalem which cometh down from God into which nothing that workes abomination or makes a lie can enter Though the gates thereof stand open day and night but without are Dogs and Sorcerers and all uncleanness And this the true Christians waited for even for a new Heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness therefore saith the Apostle Peter Seeing these things what manner of persons ought we to be yea they were