an assurance of Salvation in which state mâ—n may know hâ—w the dead are raised and with what Bodies they shall appear for it is certain that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead bâ—th of the Just and Unjust for all shall appear before the Lord the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth before whom the heavenly spirited and the earthly spirited shall appear to give an account of all their Deeds done in the Body of this Life which then will be time sufficient for the unrighteous to know with what Bodies they shall appear in the mean time the Apostles words are very suitable unto all such whose state of Disobedience is far from the saving knowledge of God by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and though not simply fools yet through 〈…〉 Disobedience and Unbelief 〈…〉 as the 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 the husband man â—o 〈…〉 of the Râ—â—rrection Thou soul that which thou so rest is not qâ—â—e 〈…〉 it dye and 〈◊〉 which thou so rest thou so well noâ— that 〈◊〉 that shall be bath reâ—â—rain it â—ay chance of Whâ—at 〈…〉 othâ—r Grain and withall coâ—â—ledes that God 〈…〉 as it pleaseth him and to every Seed his own Body 1 Cor. 15.35 36 37 38. by which the unrighteous may know with what Bodies they shall come forth for he that so with to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that soâ—eth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap Lifâ— Everlasting Gal 6.5 for the time is at hand that he that is Vnjust let him be Vnjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is Righteous let him be Righteous â—â—ll and he that is Holy let him be Holy stiâ—â— fâ—r behold the Lord will quickly come and his Reward will 〈◊〉 with him to give every man according as his works shall be Rev 22.11 12. which doth manifest that according as men have sown so shall they reap for every seed shall have his own Body whether of Works of Faith and Obedience to Salvation or Works of Unbelief and Disobedience to Damnation Then seeing these things are plain as by holy Record which agrees with the inward Word of Gods Spirit and the gift of his divine Light which came by Jesus Christ and through Faith in Obedience to him through whom Salvation comes which work is most necessary for People to be concerned in for as the Soul is the most Noble part of Man so ought every man principally to be concerned about his Soul and the well air thereof yet because the Body is a part of the Man and that Christ is the Saviour doth of Soul and Body of every sincere Believer in him therefore every Man may and ought to be concerned about the whole Man both â—oul and Body and the Faith and Hope of the Resurrection of the Body as the â—pirit of God worketh that Faith and â—ope in us it is of great use to sanctifie us and prepare us for the Resurrection to come for Paul doth not call them Fools simply for enquiring concerning the manner of the Resurrection but for their Ignorance and Unbelief that some did not believe the Resurrection which they that do not believe it they remain in gross Ignorance and Unbelief and such are directed to the Husband-man to learn the manner of the Resurrection by using the Example of the â—orn And it is a great Error for any to hold That the Saints now living in the mortal Body have attained the Resurrection of the Body or that they attain it immediately after Death for it is most evident from the holy Scriptures that the Resurrection of the Dead is reserved to the last coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead and the dâ—â—d in Christ shall rise first so where there is the true knowledge to God in Christ of the Souls well-being it mâ—â—t necessarily follow that the spiritual Understanding wâ— be the more capable to know in what state the Body wâ—â—appâ—aâ— which shall never enter Gods Kingdom with natural Flesh â—lood aâ—d Bones for though it be sown a natural Body it is raised a spiritual Body as it is written The first â—â—aâ— a living Soul the last â—â—dam was mad a quickâ—ning Spirit so that which was first was not spiritual but natural and afterwards that which is spiritual Sâ— then it must be 〈…〉 minded only that have the true knowledge of these things for the natural minded man is a fool aâ— to the true Knowledge of God because he remains in Dâ—â—obedience to the gift of his Grace but is bewitched that he should not obey the Truth made manifest by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.1 through which unfaithfulness the mind of his Understanding is Darkness as to the things of God which chiefly concern his Soul and such live without God in the World not knowing that there is a God by his saving Grace according as by their Works is manifest which includes them to be one with the fool which saith in his heart there is no God neither indeed is there any Salvation of God to the rebellious Children of Disobedience who pretend they know God but in Works deny him Therefore it is most necessary for all such to bend in their Minds and by true Repentance seek the Lord whiâ—e he is to be found for he is only found of them that truly seek him in true Humility of Spirit and not oâ— them that remain in a state of serving the Lust of their corrupted Desires and yet remain talking about the fashion of the Body and in what likeness they shall appear before they witness any thing for the Souls wellfair as they â—â—ght to do for Christ is rîsen otherwise all preaching is in vain and Faith also is in vain or if the deaâ— rise not thâ—n is not Christ raised and if Christ 〈…〉 raised Faith is in vain and all men are yet in their sins Buâ— the Lord hath given a true knowledge of himself to the Righteous who witness Christ to be raised from the dead and is become the first Fruits of them that slept and by true Faith they witness his Resurrection by what they feel of his heavenly divine Nature that he is raised from the dead for since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead for as in Adam all dye even so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.21 22. So as People come to witness a dying state from sin they shall also witness a living â—ate to God through whose Spirit of Grace they shall partake of his heavenly Riches through Faith in Jesus Christ but as to these spiritual things there is no profit by them to any who come not into Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which comes by Jesus Christ whom no man knoweth but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11 2â— Joh. 6.44 Then as the Scriptures are left for
in learning the holy Scriptures in which they have the Doctrine Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example to follow them even as they have been Followers of Christ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ to crucifie every unruly Affection which doth lust after sin and evil and leads the Mind from serving God into the excess of spending the Creation to perform their hearts Lusts by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord and increase Trouble and Sorrow to the destroying of their Souls which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life for whatsoever People may say in respect that their Tongues are their own anâ— that their Thoughts are free to think what they please and that there is a time to be Merry and to Sing and Dance and Recreate themselves with much more of the like Expressions yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must appear before the Lord of Life to render a just Account of every Thought Intent and Action of all the Deeds done in the Body in which Day it shall go well with the Righteous but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell with him unto whom their Obedience hath been for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts so living and dying God will also forget Mercy towards them for his Regard is only to his own Seed and to Men as they are joyned to it which hath been sown in all sorts of Ground which is in the heart of every Man and Woman for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto for whatsoever ye do whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Praise and Honour of God who gives Life Health and Strength for that end for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay it is for Condemnation which is great matter of weight for People well to consider what will become of their Souls who live in the daily Practice of Words Actions wherein the Lord never savingly appears but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts Intents Words and Actions so of his free Love in Mercy to their Souls the Lord doth manifest to them the evil of their way which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth which have been sent and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrighteous Wayes which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ which is that Cross for them to bear which remains in Opposition to their corrupted Desires then they would become able by the Power of God in Christ to witness his Yoke to be easie and his Burden to be light for what he hath said unto one be hath a so said unto all that is Watch and Pray lest ye eater into Temptation for he that remains faithful in his Watch by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement which by true Prayer in faithfulness to his Watch the Power of God in him doth appear to the resisting of his Souls Enemy and causeth him to slee so that in them in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord for the Knowledge of his Truth in Jesus Christ their Understanding will open more and more towards him by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of great benefit to the Understanding which will also refresh the inward Man so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received as a Seed of the Kingdom through which by Obedience it will grow and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God who requites his own with increase for the Honour of his Same and profit of Peoples Souls that by Obedience to his holy Seed they may remain in Covenant with God and be made Partakers of his Kingdom in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ Further concerning the Man Christ which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.16 Which doth manifest that God sent his only Son born of a Woman to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh for the Redemption of Peoples Souls in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit towards the Salvation of all mens Souls yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name for his Name is called Jesus because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 Luke 1.31 which is according to the Prophet Isaiah cap. 7.14 15. A bruised Reed shall he not breaâ— nor smoking Flax shall he â—ot quench till he send forth Judgment unto Victory and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.15 to v. 21. He came to his own and 〈…〉 received him not but as many as received him to them he gaâ—e Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the will of Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Joh. 1 11 12 13. Which doth manifest that where men only believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ who as he was in the Body of Flesh was God and Man without the believing in the Gift of his Spirit which iâ— the inward Word of Life and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace without which they cannot come to live in that true Faith which justifies the Souls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father in which state of true Obedience the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who in that Body of Flesh was both God and Man according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men and many that believed his Name believed his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness they believed him the Lord of Life as he was God and Man with an invisible Eve which by the Gist of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life whom to know by true Faith is Life Eternal which was made known unto them by the gift of
pray for but the Unrighteous pray for the deliverance from sin which living in a state of Unbelief that God will never in this Life wholly free them from Sin which Unbelief stops the current of Life and hinders the Work of God by Christ whose Work by Faith in him is to destroy Sin and put an end to Transgression that is in them which believe in the gift of his Grace by which men are saved for its the Gift of God which comes by Jesus Christ and through Faith in him is Life Everlasting that is to them who through Faith have their whole dependance on him but where men remain in a state of dayly sining against the manifestation of his spirit which all have received to profit with all it keeps them short of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ for the Prayers of the Wicked are sin because they remain in sin which causeth their Prayars to be sin in the sight of God for the Prayers of the wicked are an Abomination before the Lord and the Sacrifice of the wicked are an Abomination to him but the Prayers of the Vpright is his delight Psal 119.7 Prov. 15.2 so it is the Prayers of the Upright in heart which the Lord accepts and delights in for unto them is the promise of God by Christ who renews the Faith of his People by the power of his spirit which begets the inward man into a lively hope of that assurance which by true Faith the soul receives by true Prayer unto the Lord through which Prayer by Grace every Dispensation of Gods gifts come to be sanctified through the Power of his own spirit for every Dispensation is from God and only sanctified to the Righteous which receive of the Lords free benefits and rich Mercies of his Love in the outward Dispensation which through Prayer and Thanks-giveing are sanctified to them which live in Uprightness of heart and mind towards God which the Unrighteous also pretend but it is with unclean Hearts for which cause the Lord will not accept their Prayers for the Lord only dwells with the pure in heart whose minds are wrought into a true and living sence of Gods heavenly riches in Jesus Christ which is the inheritance of his faithfull People which pray unto him by the power of his own spirit which doth condemn the Prayers of all unrighteous men who pray in their own time and in their own wills But some may then query Whether the Unrighteous are not commanded to pray Ans The hearts of the righteous desire the return of the Wicked that they may forsake the evil of their way and serve the Lord in Truth and Righteousness and that the Wicked are to pray which will not discharge any part of their Disobedience to God until they come to forsake their Unrighteous way of sinning against the gift of his Grace and divine Light of his Spirit which remains their Condemnation for sin Joh. 3.19 20 21. By which it is evident that the Prayer of a wicked man availeth not before the Lord that is while he remaineth in the known Life of Sin which he prays against but let the wicked forsake their way and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and unto our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 55 7. So that where men live in known sins against God and in a belief of its being impossible to be free from sin in this Life the Prayer of such doth not proceed from the Spirit of God who hath Commanded his People not to touch taste nor handle with any unclean thing but to follow the leadings of Gods holy Spirit as the Apostles have done for Example and to mark them which walk otherwayes So every man and every woman is to seek God for themselves for he hath promised to be found of them that seek him in uprightness of heart and I do not read that any of the Lords servants in dayes past were ever lead by the spirit of God to pray either privatly among People in unbelief of ever attaining that which ths Apostles prayed for which is that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus then where in remains the profit of any true Beleivers Prayer in publick though in his own family which through their unbelief in the power of God that they shall never be free from sin in this Life by which they are not as yet of the true Houshold of Faith at times and seasons as the spirit of God moves in the heart of every such master of family he doth pray for the return of them and all other People which remain in the same state of Unbelief which until they repent and forsake their prayers will not be accepted of God CHAP. IX Concerning the Lords Supper which People call the Sacrament AS to the word Sacrament I find it not contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth but as to the Lords Supper according to Christs OWN words Luke 22.1.20 when he took Bread and gave Thanks and broke it and gave it to his Disciples saying This is my Body which is given you This do in Remembrance of me likewise also thê up after Supper saying This is the New Testament in my Blood which is shed for you The fore-going words some have Wrested by which they have gathered in their Comprehension some-what of a Meritorious Work which they hold most necessary to Salvation â—rom which grounds they have set up a Form each for themselves according to the Apprehension of the natural Mind being altogêther destitute of experience of the Power of the Blood of Christ the end of whose Death was not to destroy mens Lives and Estaâ—es about his Body and Blood for his Coming was to heal the Sick to bind up the Broken and to make alive but where the Nature of Christ is wanting they are not come to the true saving Knowledge of God by the Body and Blood of Christ through whose Death and Resurrection there is no hope of Salvation to them that by his Blood are not cleansed from all sin in this Life for where sin remains it Rules the Heart and darkens the Understanding by which the Power of God is not received which gives the true knowledge of the Nature of the body and Blood of Jesus Christ which proves their Form dead and they to remain in a dead Form having a zeal for God without his saving Knowledge by Jesus Christ about whose Body and Blood many thousands of Peoples Lives have been destroyed which makes manifest that such are not in the true form of Godliness for neither Christ nor his Apostles have enjoyned any to particular time or place but in remembrance of his Death as is furder manifested by the Apostles saying 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26 27. That Christ took the Cup when he had supped saying This is the New-Testament in my Blood this do ye as often as you drink it in remembrance of me So
that here is no command either to Particular time or Place but as often as ye eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord Death till he come which according to that spiritual Light of Understanding which God hath given me my Faith in Christ is to believe that the daily â—ood which every true Believer doth receive by Prayer and Thanks-giving that it is to be received in the remembrance of his Death till he come as well as when Believers eat together more solemnly remembring his Death with Prayer and Thanks-giving whose coming will be to reward the Wicked and Ungodly among whom are they that have a form of Godliness without the true saving Knowledge of God by the Body and Blood of Christ whose coming also will be to receive the Souls of them whom he hath promised to drink of the Vine new in the Kingdome of God and as to any command by Christ or example by his holy Apostles I find not for any hired Teachers to set up a form for People to eat Breâ—d and drink Wine once a month or more or less even as they and their followers can agree about the same for the Apostles were never hired to set up any â—orm without the Power of God neither without the Power of God did they ever maintain any Form for they did continue with one accord breaking Bread from House to House and did eat their bread with gladness and singleness oâ— heart Acts 2.46 Which doth and will continue among sincere Christians and true Believers until the last coming of Christ which doth manifest the blind Zeal which People have of their own Righteousness who have not the true form of Godliness according to the practice of the holy Apostles for which end I may improve the Prophets saying Wherefore do ye spend your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 Which indeed is so as doth appear by Peoples Lo here and Lo there in their differing Forms which are destitute of the Power of God who is the Bread of Life which is tendered by his free Grace in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who standeth at the Door and knocketh if any man will hear his Voice and open the Door he will come in to him and will sup with him and he shall sup with the Lord of life Râ—v 8.10 which if any refuse this the Lords Supper he refuses his own Salvation by Jesus Christ the Bread of Life which if any man eat and drink of this cup he shall neither hunger nor thirst but shall live forever And as to the outward Dispensations which the Lord bestoweth upon the Children of men among whom they that do not render a due acknowledgment by the spirit of Prayer and Thanks-giving for the Lords Mercies in his gifts bestowed upon them for the Comfort of the Body it doth but furder add to their Condemnation for whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Honour of God who hath not called man to live by Bread alone but by the Power of his Word Mat. 4.4 Luke 4.4 for the Power of his Word is in Jesus Christ the Bread of Life that a man may eat thereof and not dye for all outward Bread and Wine is of a perishing Nature but the Bread of Life and Wine of the Kingdom endureth forever for Christ hath said that he is the Bread of Life or Living Bread that cometh down from Heaven which if any man eat of this Bread he shall live forever that Bread that he giveth is his Flesh which he hath given for the Life of the World John 9.50 51. for in this is the Power of God made manifest unto the soul of every true Believer which have their whole Dependance on God by true Faith in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is become the Mediator of the New Covenant which speaketh better things then that of Abel Heb. 12 2â— for Christ is come and spiritually he lives in his People whose hearts and minds he hath redeemed out of all dead Forms by which they witness him to be the Lord of Life unto whom they yeild the strength of their minds to serve him the living God with uprightness of Soul Mind and Spirit by which their inward Life doth not remain in eaâ—ing Bread and drinking Wine which is not of it self material for the Salvation of any man Soul that so do for it comes short of Gods Promise by Jesus Christ and supping with him at his Table which affords Bread without Money and Wine without Price which if People had true Faith to believe these things their dead Form would soon end for Christ is the Bread of Life and he that cometh to him shall never hunger and he that believeth in him shall never thirst which is large in a general way to all men which they that refuse are left out from having any lot part or share with the Guests of the Bride Chamber where the Lamb of God hath his abode and remains with them where they by true Faith feed on his spiritual Food which is that spiritual Bread and spiritual Wine which is without Money and Price and giveth Life unto the World of them which by true Faith receive him Joh. 6.32 33. in which state of true Faith every sincere Believer receiveth of his Dispensation which by Prayer and Thanks-giving is sanctified unto them so as every true Christian doth worthily in all his eating and drinking eat and drink in the holy Faith and Fear remembring the Lords Death with Prayer and Thanksgiving So is it to be acknowledged that the primitive Christians did eat and drink together solemnly assembled and were to wait one for another that they might eat and drink together when solemnly assembled remembring the Lords death with prayer and Thanks-giving in token of their being Members together of one Body whereof Christ is the Head to signifie their Love Vnity and Fellowship one with another and the which is worthily practised by sincere and faithfull Christians at this day and is to continue to the last coming of Christ when he shall come without us to Judge the quick and the dead as well as his more abundant inward coming in spirit to them who have not yet witnessed it and many as yet are not come into the true Faith of these things which according to my measure of Faith in God by Jesus Christ do I faithfully believe by which thorough Faith I do receive of Gods outward Dispensation for the preservation of outward Life and in measure of his heavenly divine Riches by Faith in Christ which unto me is the Bread and Water of Life for the preservation of my soul and not to me only but unto all them that by true Faith witness their feeding with the Lord of Life at his his heavenly Table where all the faithfull of God witness the
Moneths c. p. 118. Chap. 19. Concerning Prophecying and Womens speaking in â—e Church p. 124. Chap. 20. Concerning Powers p. 127. Chap. 21. Concerning Oâ—thes and Sâ—earing p. 1â—â— Chap. 22. Concerning Wars and Fightings p. 136. Chap. 23. Concerning Conscience p. 144. Chap. 24. Concerning the free Love of God p. 146. Chap. 25. Concerning the Church of Christ c. p. 154. Chap. 26. Concerning the state of all men and of Gods Judgments and also of his calling the Jews c. p. 164. Chap. 27. Concerning being born and brought forth of the Immortal Seed of Gods Kingdom p. 169. Chap. 28. A Letter to the Committee in Salem p. 175. Chap. 28. Concerning covering uncovering the head p. 178. Chap. 29. Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitanâ—s of New-England by Wâ—â—h-craft p. 179. Chap. 30. Concerning the Lords Harvest p. 210. Chap. 31. 〈…〉 God 's Judgments upon diverâ— of the 〈…〉 Priests and Rulers in New-England 〈◊〉 p. 212. The Contents of the second Part. Chap. 1. COncerning the two wonderful Trees in the Gardâ—n of Eden â—viz the Tree Knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Lâ—â—e unknown ever since man was drove out of Paradise until admitted to return again p. 220. Chap. 2. Concerning the Tree of Life what it is and why Adam was shut out forbidden and with-holden from it and not suffered to eat thereof p. 227. Chap. 3. Concerning the Tâ—ee of Knowledge of good and evil planted in the heart of Adam p. 228. Chap. 5. Concerning the Sin of Covetousness p. â—35 Chap. 6. Concerning that Life and nature of it which God requireth of all men p. 2â—â— Chap. 7. Concerning Judgment begun at the House of God and in his House to judge down every appearance of evil p. 258. Friendly Reader ALthough the following Treatise has been very long detained in the Press yet hope thou shalt find the impression pretty clear of Errors as to the main except the mis-numbring of 〈◊〉 or three Chapters and one material error in 〈…〉 23. after Rule of Life read for Christ is the Way the Truth and 〈…〉 which pray amend CHAPTER I. Concerning the Light of Gods quickening Spirit by Jesus Christ THe Light of Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages from Abel to Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph and Moses in whose day the Lord wrought wonderful great Dâ—liverances by the Power of his Light figured in the 〈◊〉 by Day and in the Pillar of Fire by Night by which was Israel's Deliverances from their Enemies which perished in the midst of Darkness Exod. 13.21 Now Israel in that day wer commanded To remain still in their Minds and not to walk after their own Lust â—nd Evil wayes in which state of â—â—â—dience to the Liâ—hâ— they came to witness great Deliverances but when Israel through their Disobedience feâ—â— back in their Minds from the Light and Power of Gods Spirit having their Minds turned by the Power of the Enemy to look back after the Flesh Pots of Aegypt them remained Death by which they slighted the Lords Mercy despising his Gift inwardly as they despised the 〈◊〉 outwardly and saving That their Souls 〈…〉 â—read Numb 21.6 for which cause of Disobedience the Lord sent firey Serpents whereof the People became wounded and many dyed in that state then the Lord in reader Mercy towards the penitent preserved a number that had not sinned unto Death whose Redemption was wrought through the Power of God by lifting up the braâ—en â—â—â—pent in the bewildered state that whosoever in 〈◊〉 to the Light of Gods Power come to beâ—â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 â—erpent received 〈◊〉 which was a true 〈◊〉 Gods 〈◊〉 fullâ—led in this Gospel Day 〈…〉 Christ 〈…〉 divine Light is to be listed up above all other things in the heart of man even as they were to look to him by Faith aâ— he was to be outwardly lifted up on the 〈…〉 their sins dye and rise again for as Moses â—â—â—ted up the 〈◊〉 Serpeat in the Wilderness even so mast the Sâ—â— of 〈◊〉 be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not peâ—â—â— but have â—ternaâ— Life John 3.14 15. And this is that Lâ—gâ—t which hath been the Path of the Just in all Agâ—â— by which the holy men of God were enlighteâ—ed to see the Glory of God to come in sending his Son Jesus Christ to be a Light to the whole world that as many as believed in him might be saved for they that believe in Christ believe in the Light as he is Light which redeems the Soul and keeps it alive unto God by which the Soul comes to be redeemed from the Stings of the old â—erpent the Power of the Devil whose Power the Light makes manisest and by Obedience to the Light the Soul receives pâ—â—er from God which sets up the Light above all other Lope in the heart of man which must be overcome by the Power of Gods Spirit which is Light and Lise before the Soul 〈◊〉 receive any assurance of God in Christ for he that loveth any thing more than Christ is not found worthy to receive him Mat. to 27 38 39. for where the heart is set in the love of aâ—â— thing more than to love the Light the Soul of that man remains in the broad way where the venomous Serâ—ents â—e which draw the heart and mind from the Love of God inâ—o a state of sinning against the Giâ—â— of his divâ—â—e Light which is the Gift of his Spirit purchased by the death and Resurreâ—â—â—â— of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which some know no moâ—â— of than to call the gift of Gods divine Light in the hearts o◠〈…〉 A Stinking Vapour from Hell and The Reliques of 〈…〉 which they have said are the Checks of a Naturaâ—◠〈…〉 which words have proceeded from the Mouthes of 〈◊〉 Priest in New England which are no less than 〈…〉 Words by them in whom no goâ—d seed can take 〈…〉 for their Dischedience is against the Light for which the light is their Condemnation John 3.19 20. for the 〈…〉 Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteâ— is have been preserved in all â—ges which the faithful 〈◊〉 to the saving of their Souls in this day for the light of Christ is the Gift of God and the Gift of God by 〈◊〉 Christ is â—ernal Life to them that believe for it is the Seed of the Kingdom sown in the hearts of the faithful who witness their Life in Christ the hope of Glory in whom is the suâ—â—â—hing of things past wherein the faithful Servants of God â—â—ed and dyed in the holy Faith of Gods Promises 〈◊〉 Christ should 〈◊〉 me in the fullness of time for a Light 〈◊〉 the whole Worldâ— according to the Prophecy of Isâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 58 8. Then shall thy Light break forth as the Mâ—râ—ing and thine Health shall spring forth speedly and thy Righteousness shall go before the Glory of the Lord shall be thy Reward
Gods â—race through the effectual Working of the holy Ghost by which they came to understand the Will and Mind of God the Father in the Death and Resurrection of his Son the Lord Jesus which was expedient that he should depart that 〈…〉 forter might come Joh 15.26 which Promise was fulfilled by the voilding up that Body of Flesh which was born of a Woman and betrayed by Judas condemned by Pilate delive 〈◊〉 unto 〈…〉 set him at naught and crucified the Lord of Life upon their Cross without the Gates of Jerusalem which Body was buried and rose again the third Day being the first Day of the Week which Christians attend for the Worship of God having the holy Apostles for an Example to follow them as they were Followers of Christ who met together on the first day of the Week to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth which is in the Power of his Spirit by the effectual working of his Gift through his Death and Resurrection which appeared unto the Saints who received of his Fullness Grace for Grace which made them able Ministers of the New Covenant of Life Light in Christ Jesus which then ascended into Heaven with God the Father and with him is in a glorified Body which Flesh and Blood cannot reveal being glorified with that Glory which he had with the Father before the World began which is the Christ that the holy men prophecyed should come for a Light to the Gentiles and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Isa 49.6 Acts 13.47 who accordingly is come and hath done the will of God the Father in that Body as aforesaid and by him through his Death Resurrection Ascention have all the Sons and Daughters of Men received a Gift of his heavenly divine Light as a Talent Taleâ—ts for them to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling at his Work which is able to makeâ— thorow seperation betwixt the precious and the vile that is between the begettings of his own divine Life and that Seed which brings forth the Life of the Stranger which is the Devil and Enemy of mans Soul whom the faithful will not follow but are willing to submit under the Cross of Christ whose Yoke is easie and his burden light not desiring the Death of any one Sinner but that all might turn at his Reproofs and live the Life of the Son of God who hath suffered Death been buried and is risen again and ascended into the Heavens where he maketh Intercession with God the Father for the Redemption and Salvation of all them that are willing by true Faith to receive the tenders of his free Grace which by the Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit of Truth is largely manifested unto the Sons and Daughters of men for his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit in his People that is Christ in them the Hope of Glory by which not any will be left without excuse in the great Day of his Coming to take Vengeance on all the Ungodly of them which have not improved their Tâ—lents to the Honour of his Name and profit of their Immortal Souls in which Day with the Righteous it shall gowell but with the Wicked who have slighted the Day of the Lords Visitation through their idle careless loose and vain living in Disobedience to that which the Lord by the gift of his divine Light and Word of his Spirit requires of them for which cause sorrow and anguish shall overtake them in that Day in which they shall forever be shut out from having any lot part or share among the faithful in the Kingdom of Heaven through the Death and Resurrection of the Son of God who laid down his Life for the Sins of the whole World but as many shall be saved as truely believe in his Name for as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of the Man Christ Jesus many shall be made Righteous Rom. 5.19 for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth so that not any 〈…〉 to say whâ— shall descend to bring up Christ again from the 〈…〉 who shall ascend to bring down Christ from Heaven for the 〈◊〉 nigh even in the Mouth and in the Heart that is the Word of Faith Rom. 10 〈…〉 by which Word of Faith we 〈◊〉 that Christ whâ—â—â— outwardly descâ—â—d 〈…〉 ascended and by 〈◊〉 Power of divine Light quickening word of his Spirâ—â— he is the Author Finisher of every good Work of Faith in the hearts of his People for he is the Word of Life unto the 〈◊〉 by true Faith believe in him as he outwardly suffered and in the gist of his Spirit which is the inward Word of 〈…〉 them tâ— whom Christ giveth the Shield of Faith and Hope the Hâ—â— not of their Salvation by which Word Simâ—n Peter came to know the Lord of Life to be the Christ the Son of the living God which Flesh Blood did not reveal Mat. 16 14 15 16. but was revealed by God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ whose meer Bâ—dâ—y Presence did not give Peter the knowledge of the Church buils on that that Rock whose Foundation was so sure that â—he Gates of Hell could never prevail against â—â—s Members which by the most sare Word of Prophecy are ingrafted in the Man Christ in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth for evermore for he is the well-beloved of the Fathers own begetting and hath done the Work of God in that Body of Flesh which suffered on the Cross without the City Gates of Jerusalem and was buried and rose again the third Day and appeared to the Saints and gave Gifts unto them and ascended into Heaven of which things the Father Word and Spirit beareth witness and these three are one God and that no man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say That Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost and as there is but One God One Lord Jesus Christ One Father One Son and One holy Ghost One Word and One Spirit all which are One God who hath given Diversittes of Gifts but the same Spirit and Differences of Advanistrations but the same Lord and Diversities of Operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all for a manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.3 4 5 6 7. for as the Body is one and hath many Members and all the Members of that one Body being many are one Body so also is Christ for by one Spirit are all the faithful baptized into one Body whether they be Jewâ— or Gentiles Bond or Free they have been made to drink into one Spirit for the Body is not one Member but many and are ingrafted by the Power of Gods Spirit the most sure Word of Prophecy into the stock which is Christ the true Vine with which every true Branch
that is a Member of his Body doth of his divine Nature partake by which it doth bud spring and bring forth Fruit abundantly to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name but every Branch that bringeth not forth Fruit unto God by true Faith in Christ the Father taketh away for it s by Disobedience the Lord cuts it off and appoints it its Portion in Hell which is the Portion of all them that let the Day of Gods Grace and Visitation of his Spirit to pass over but every Branch that beareth Fruit in Christ the true Vine the Father purgeth it of its first nature the old heaven of Degeneration and by the Power of his Word Grace and Spirit leavens the heart mind and spirit into the new lump and nature of his heavenly Kingdom in Christ Jesus the Author and Finisher of his own Work in them that truely believe which by Faith in Christ bring forth Fruits of Righteousness and Holiness which are the Works of true Faith without which Faith is even dead as the Body is without the Spirit for by the Gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace is the Faith of every true Believer wrought into a lively hope in which stands an assurance of that Crown of Righteousness which 〈…〉 store for all true Believers that fear the Lord and keep his Commandments such are they that live in the true fear of the Lord which is the beginning of Wisdom and leads the Mind out of visible delights and to follow Christ with an easie Yoke and light burden to do his Will which is that strait and even narrow Way which leadeth unto the Kingdom in which no unclean thing can enter neither is there any cleansing but what is here on Earth for as Death leaves so Juâ—gment finds and there is no Repentance in the Grave Which things in the true Love of God to Peoples Souls I do exhort them to weigh and consider that they may turn in their minds from all vain Delights and obey the Voice of the Son of God in their own hearts that by the Gift of his Spirit they may come to be turned from Darkness to Light and from the Power of their Souls Enemy to serve the Lord in true Holyness of heart mind and spirit for there is no other Name given under Heaven for men to be saved but as they come to believe in Christ as he did outwardly suffer and also believe in the Gift oâ— his Spirit and inward Word of Life unto all them that are in true Obedience to the gift of his divine Light which hath been the Path of the Just in all Ages and yet appears in the heart of every man and Woman with whom the Day of Gods Grace is not over for his Love remains stedfast to all that which is of his own Nature which is of a contrary Nature to that permitted Power unto which too many yeild their obedience by which the desire of their Minds is drawn from obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit in which state they serve the the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life and as men void of all spiritual sense and reason as to the things of God their Thoughts Words and Actions are here and there in the love of those things which Work the Lords Soul abhors and such appear as Trees without Fruit as to God for their Fruit is of a strange Plant and unregenerate Vine for which cause the Spirit of the Lord in his Servants is the same as it was in his Servants of Old who are called of God to bear their faithful Testimony against all Unrighteousness of men who as evil corrupt Trees bring forth evil corrupt Fruit for which cause evil minded men are at Enmity with the Lord and his People whose Fruit is of his own Spirit which is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Genâ—leness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law for they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ whom now as in days past the wise builders set at naught wherefore he hath said The things of the Kingdom are hid from the wise and prudent of this World and revealed unto Babes even so hath it pleased God for the wise and prudent of this World pretend to build upon him at whom they stumble and is become the Head of the Corner and will so remain to the breaking down all that which is contrary to his holy blessed Truth so that no building shall stand but that which is built by the Power of his own Spirit in them whom the Wisdom of this World doth despise even as the Wise did despise in that Day when they set their Learning in Hâ—brew Greek and Latine over the Head of Jesus Joh. 19 20 even so is it with the Wise of this World in this Day whose Learning is set above the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ whose People begot by him in the true Faith and Oneness of Spirit do well know that there is No other Name under Heaven given among men whereby to be saved but by that Name Jesus of Nazareth that Christ by which is the Righteousness of his People for he unto them is made of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and that in this World as well as in the World to come and not simply so accounted as some judge and then made unto us of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption hereafter in the World to come but realty made to us here and that perfectly too so far as he is perfectly hoped in 1 Pet. 1.13 for Salvation that is Salvation from God by Christ through the Faith of his outward Sufferings and by obedience to the gift of his Spirit in the heart which is the inward Word oâ— Life to them that hear and obey by which they may be turned from Darkness to Light and from the Fower of Satan to the Power of God by which they may witnesâ—â—he Evidence of Gods spirit That they have the Pardon of sin and forgiveness of that which is past being washed with the Blood of Sprinkling which cleanseth the Heart and purgâ—th the Conscience from dead Works to serve the living God in uprightness of Soul Body and Mind and without witnessing of this VVork perfected through Faith in Jesus Christ the Soul can never be clean to enter his Rest with him in the Kingdom of Heaven which was prepared before the Foundation of the Earth was laid for a People that should serve the Lord in uprightness of Soul Mind and Spirit being throughly cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ whose Death Resurrection and Ascention will not avail any Man or VVoman whose Mind remains in the love of any one thing more than to love him and serve him with uprightness of Heart Mind for to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace and whereby every
for he came not to dest oy mens Lives and Estates but his coming was for this end To save that which he had made alive by calling Sinners to Repentance which by Obedience through Faith found Mercy and entered into that Hope by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages Heb. 11.2 to 40. for it is the Just that live by Faith â—ab 2.4 and therein is the Righteousness of â—od revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written The Just shall live by Faith Rom. 1.17 which proves That the Righteous by Faith in Christ are the Just that live by Faith having yeilded their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which gave them the Hope of Christ through his Death and rising again to Life by whose Spirit of Grace Life and Light they come to receive an assurance bâ— Faith of that blessed Hope in Christ for the Salvation of their Immortal Souls for through Faith by Grace are the Righteous saved for it is the gift of God Ephes 2 8. and the gift of God is Life Eternal unto them that are not found cloathed with any thing of their own Righteousness but altogether cloathed with that Righteousness which is by Faith in Christ which is the Righteousness of God Ephes 3.9 which 〈◊〉 works bâ— love and is that Faith which â—orâ—s into thâ—Vâ—ity of the one Spirit and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Ephes 4.13 in which state the Righteous 〈…〉 â—â—â—tified bâ— Faith and have peace with God through the Lord Jesus â—hrist Rom 5 1. and by him have the â—aith 〈◊〉 access by Faith into the Grace wherein they stand and rejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of God and not only so but they glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation works Patience and Patience works Experience and Experience works Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shâ—d abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto them Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Which things are by the Spirit of God in his faithful Servants Messengers of Truth left upon holy Record that People may learn to keep low in their Minds from the love of all Vanity and things of a perishing nature that so they may come to give wholly up in their Minds to retain God in their Thoughts by which through Faith and Obedience they may not fall short in the Hope of Gods heavenly Riches which are treasured up in Jesus Christ for all them that by Faith and Obedience live up to his Spirit of Grace Life and Light whereby the faithful have been made partakers of Gods durable Riches which is that Crown of Righteousness laid up in store for all them that by true Faith live in Obedience to the appearance of Christ in their Hearts such so living and so dying shall in no way fall short in the true Hope of Jesus Christ Concerning Perfection and that Warfare which the faithfull are to pass through before they come to witness free and full Redemption from Sin in this Life according as will appear by what follows GOD is perfect just and holy in all his Works and gifts towards all the Sons and Daughters of Men for every good and perfect gift cometh from the Fathêr of all Grace Life and Light with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of Turning Jam. 1.17 but in Man the heart above all things is deceitful and desperately VVicked who can know it save the Lord that made Man in his own Image after his own Likeness made he him and gave him Dominion over the things of the Earth Jer. 17. â— Gen. 1 26. commanding him that he should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil for in that day wherein he did eat thereof he should surely dye gen 2.17 Which Command through Disobedience Man broke by which he brought the Sons and Daughters of Men into a state of Lust which through the Temptations of the Enemy to his own feed in the Heart draws the natural Mind to lust after that evil which bringeth sin and sin bringeth Death oveâ— the Soul for the VVages of sin is Death but the gift oâ— God â—s eternal Lâ—â—e unto them who do not remain in that first staâ—e of Dâ—generation sinning against the gift of God for as the Children of men selâ— short of the glory of God through the I all of the first Man Earthly so the Children from Adam 〈◊〉 Faith and Obedience to the gift of â—od shall be saved through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of Life the second Adam â—om Heaven spiritual who requires perfect Obedience of all men to his holy Commands that their Souls through Faith in him may be saved for only they are saved which perfectly believe in him that he is able and willing to give them Power that are willing to keep his Commands â—or which end of Mans Salvation he hath commanded People to be â—â—â—â—ect even as God is Perfect Mat. 5.48 which Command by Jesus Christ seems too straight for many to receive into their Belief of ever attaining such a state in this Life that they either distrust in the Power of God â—y Jesus Christ or otherwise they are not willing to part with all their sins to gain Christ for Sin makes a partition Wall between God and mans Soul that it cannot come to receive the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ for all Sin is of Unrighteousness and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil which is the Father of all Sin whose work of Darkness hath no relation to the Kingdom of Heaven neither can any enter Gods holy place before they are free from Sin but he that serves the Lord and keeps all the Commandments of God doth witness a perfect state in this Life Mat. 19.20 21. 5.48 and the holy Scripture is full and clear that such as feared God and wrought Righteousness were perfect Men for Noah which walked with God was a perfect Man and God commanded Abraham to be perfect Gen. 17.1 Also Job was a perfect Mâ—n being upright and one that feaâ—ed God and eschewed evil Job 1.1 cap. â— 2 3. in which Tryal of Job's Faith he saidâ— That God would not cast away a perfect Man Jâ—b 8.20 which manifests that such have been perfect men in this Life otherways the Spirit of the Lord would not have suffered an account of the same to have been recorded in the 〈◊〉 Scriptures of Truth Also David was a man after Gods own heart except in the matter of Vriah of which he repented which could not have been had not David been a perfect Man for he that is not perfect in the Work of the Lord to keep his Commands he is not a Man after the Nature of Christ who perfectly performed the Work of God for the Redemption of Men in whom the work of God is to be perfected by Jesus Christ who came to
it is said That Esau sought the blessing with Tears but could not obtain it All which makes not the least proof that the soul of Esau did perish for they themselves allow that if the Parents are Believers their Children are holy Then finding that the Parents of Esau were holy Believers why should any judge of God to be such a severe Master as to decree the soul of a Child born of holy Parents to perish without having done any evil in its own Body And as to Esau â—s being hated the Lord never hated the soul of any man as to decree its Damnation before he was born but for its sins and final Impenitency for hatred is taken in a two-fold sence for Jacob loved Rachel and hated Leah And Christ said He that hateth not Father and Mother Wife and Children he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14.26 Now if God had hated Esau with such Hatred as to decree his soul for Damnation before he was born or had done either good or evil then Isaac by Faith would not have blessed Esau for Isaac did by Faith bless Jacob and Esau concerning things to come And as to Repentance which Esau could not find it was relating to the first blessing which he could not recover being before given to Jacob the younger of whom it is said Esau the elder should serve Which no more implyes that Esau did perish than David the younger Brother whom God chose before all the rest of his elder Brethren who were to serve David their younger Brother whom God saw good to place on the outward Throne in the outward Kingdom of Israel that the outward Government might 〈◊〉 in the Line of David in which line of David's stock the elder did serve the â—ounger for so did the Wisdom of God order the outward Government of Israel in Church and State in which the elder did serve the younger And in Jacob's Line the stock of Esau served the younger until the â—â—ling of the Gentiles which then did reach the stock of Esau and all Nadons that should be found to call on his Name that they may possâ—â—s the Remnant of Edom and all the Heaâ—hen which are called by any Name saith the Lord â—mos 9.12 by which it is manifest that the Church of God remains seattered aâ—nâ—ng all Nations among whom they that 〈◊〉 God and work his Righteousnâ—â—s the same shall be saved through Faith in Christ Jesus for the gift of Gods Grace bâ— Jesus Christ is large in his love to all Nations which bâ— his promise in calling the Gentiles it frees the yoke of servitude from the stock of Esau's Posterity which is no less priviledge than to be made partakers of Gods Promise in the Government of his Grace by Jesus Christ which the stock of Jacob have refused for which cause they have lost their Interest through their Self-Righteousness in the first Covenant of Works for which cause of refusing the rich Mercy of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ they are given up in Unbelief concerning the great Work of Redemption by the Son of God whom they wickedly slew without the City Gates for which cause the Lord hath given them the Spirit of Slumber Eyes that they should not see and Ears that they should not hear unto this day And Davîd said Let their Table be a Snare and a Trap and a stumbling Block and a Recompence unto them let their Eyes be dirkenêd that they may not see and bow down their back alway Then have they stumbled that they should fall God forbid but rather through their Fall Salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them to jealousie for if the fall of them be the Riches of the World and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles how much more their fuliness For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead for if the first Fruit be holy the Lump is also Holy and if the Root be Holy so are the Branches for if through Vnbelief they were broken off then it is by true Faith that there is an entrance into the Covenant of Grace which extends to the stock of Esau Ishmael and all the Nations of the World for the Lord hath said That he will call them his People which were not his People and her his beloved which was not his beloved Rom. 9.25 Hos 2.23 1 Pet. 2 10. Hos 1.10 Therefore let not any be ignorant to establish their own Righteousness but submit to that Righteousness which is of God by Faith in Jesus Christ who doth not delight himself in the death of any sinner but had rather all might turn and live By which it is evident that God hath not decreed the Destruction of any mans soul before he hath sinned out the day of Gods Visitation whose spirit shall not always strive with man whose Condemnation is of himself through the unbelief of his own hard heart and the decree of God respecteth him only as such which was the state of Pharaoh of whom it is said The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh that be might be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host So not only Pharaoh but his People also had rebelled against the Word of the Lord by his Servants and Messengers of his Truth for which cause the Lord gave them up thorough unbelief to haronâ—â— of heart by which it is said The Lord hardened Pharaohs heart for this end to give honour to his own holy name thorough the overthrow of so great a King as Pharaoh in the Earth then was who hardened his own heart through the unbelief which he had to the Word of the Lord who permitted the Devil to draw Tharaoh from Obedience to the Command of the Lord thorough which his heart came to be hardened to the Glory of God and honour of his name for all the Devils work is by permission and is to the honour of God in the Condemnation of them which thorough Disobedience yeild their minds in obedience to the Devils Power by which their hearts come to be hardened against Gods holy Truth so that God hardeneth not any mans heart whose Condemnation is of himself in that he will not yeild his Obedience to the gift of God who desires not that any should perish but that all might do his Commandments and live for which end all men have ever had the way of good and evil set before them which proves that man do not perish thorough a decree of Gods making before they have done either good or evil hat they shall perish for tho the Decree or Purpose of God begins not in time yet it respecteth Man having had a time and day of Visitation and living in Sin until it be expired for the holy Scriptures are very full that God is clear of all mens Blood which perish for he hath tendered Life to all the Children of men by which thorough Faith in Obedince to
the Gift of his Grace they may not fall short of the true Hope which is by Jesus Christ who will not with-hold from any man of his Grace whom he finds in the well doing for he that doth well shall be accepted but he that doth not well sin â—veth at the door and unto him shall be his desire and he shall rule over him which proves sin is the cause of mans perishing for the spirit of 〈…〉 and whosoever wîll let him come and tane the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 7. So that for my part ac 〈…〉 that small measure of Light which God hath 〈…〉 Concerning the knowledge of his Truth as it 〈◊〉 he Son of his Love the Lord Jesus thorough Faith 〈◊〉 do I believe with many thousands oâ— the Lords â—â—â—thfull People that God who in his indâ—ite Wisdom knows all things long before the â—oâ—ld began and whatever comes to pass that it is by his Power of commission or permission but thaâ— he hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever cames to pass seems to me a charging of God with all the unrighteous Actions and wicked Wâ—â—ks that ever unrighteous and wicked men have done or ever shall do for time to come and to hold that God from all eternâ—â—ty hath ordained men women and their infants for everlasting perdition without respect to their final impeaitency is that which they can never prove by or from any things that is left on holy Record by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures of Truth for he that fears God and works his righteousness through Faith in Christ the same shall be accepted as a faithfull Child of God and true Servant of Jesus Christ whom the Father hath made manifest by the gift of his divine Light which through Obedience thereunto no man need walk in Darkness but have the Light of Life which gives the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting CHAP. XIII Concerning the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation through Faith in Christ to the Souls of them that by him are saved THe Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. vers 17. Now the Love of God is largely manifested through the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ before whom no mans works shall stand which are not sanctified by Grace neither can any mans works be sanctified by Grace further then he comes into Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which is that gift of divine Light which God hath bestowed to the Children of men thorough the Death Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life in whom the fullness of Grace remaineth and it is by the Grace of Gods Power in and thorough him which sanctifieth the soul of every true Believer in him by whom thâ—i saith is imputed to them for Righteousness by which they are justified before God in the sight of Jesus Christ whose Kingdom hath been prepared before the Foundation of the World for the righteous to enter for their works have been in obedience to the gift of Gods Grace for as there is but one God and one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit so there iâ— but one saving Grace in the Ground Seed and Root or Being and Nature for the race of God is one and manifold according as we read in the holy Scriptures of the manifold Grace of God and manifold Wisdom of God even as the Spirit of God is one but diversity of Gifts and there are Diversities of Operations but one God and diversity of Administrations but one Lord and the Scriptures do declare of the Spirit of Fear and Bondage and of Adoption also the Sâ—â—â—â—ture distinguisheth between the Servants and Sons in the Hâ—â—se of God â—or every son is a servant of God but every Servant is not a son born of the Free Woman And of this mystery Ishmael and Isaac were Figures men may be Servants and Sons by the Bond Woman by obedience â—o the first Ministration of the Spirit or Light within as it teacheth common Duties Piety Temperance Justice without revealing the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again or working the Faith of it but none are the Sons of God by the Free Woman or Children of the New Covenant but they who have the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again Outwardly revealed in them and have a living Faith in it by which they witness a conformity to Christ in his Life Death and Resurection and by that Power that raised him from the dead The sufficiency of Gods Grace within is not to be understood in opposition either to the Faith of Christ as he was outwardly Crucified for us and rose again and is a scended into Heaven there making Intercession for us nor in opposition to the great benefit and help of the holy Scriptures or sincere preaching of faithfull men or any other help but in unity with all these and it ought to be acknowledged that though God hath not left the Heathens where Christ is not outwardly Preached altogether destiture but hath given them a dispensation of Light that is real and divine and is of great service to them who improve it to prepare and call them to receive the Faith of Christ when Preached to them yet faithful Christians are under another Dispensation of Light and Grace as far exceeding that of the meer Heathens however honest or conscientious as Gold excelleth Brass or the Light of the Sun excelleth that of the Moon but both proceeding from one God one Christ and one spirit and the sufficiency of Grace that any man doth receive or that any man hath is only with respect to the present time and state but not for all times to come for the best of Saints are to depend and Pray to God to receive more and more Grace from him who is the God of all Grace and Father of Mercies and Father of Lights which lighteth his Sons and Daughters by the gift of his Grace and good Spirit of Life which giveth unto them the Light of Life to walk in the straight and even way which he hath layd out by the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is one with God the Father in all his holy Works of Grace Life and Light by which he is Working among the Sons and Daughters of men among whom is also the spirit of Iniquity working in and thorough the many Teachers which would make the Grace of God to be 〈◊〉 and differing in kind of being and nature when it is evident that though the 〈◊〉 diversities of gifts yet they all proceed from the one Spirit of the one God and one Lord Jesus Christ whose Grace is but one which restrains and saves from sin for he is the only begotten of the Fâ—â—â—hâ— full of Grace and Tâ—uth and of his fulness every true Believer in him receives 〈…〉 for Grace John 1.14 16. and by his Grace they received Apostleship for Obedience to the
Faith among all Nations for his Name Rom. 1.5 that in Ages to come they might shew forth the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his kindness towards them through Jesus Christ Ephes 2.7 and this is the Grace which is of God and is sufficient for the Salvation of them â—hat truly believe 2 Cor. 12.9 So that it is not an outward are Profession of what God hath wrought by Jesus Christ for the Salvation of others but that every man and woman live their Life in true Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace that by Faith in Christ they may witness the same Life through faith by which men are saved for the Grace of God bringeth Salvation only to them thaâ— believe in the the gift of his â—race without which no man can be saâ—ed foâ— it is by Grace that men are saved and noâ— oâ— an 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 of themselves but by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ Ephes 2 8. Then seeing it is by Gâ—ace that men are â—aved and not of themselves let every man and woman turn in the strength of the Mind to the teaching of Gods gift of Grace which teacheth to deny all Vngodliness and to live a righteous sober and godly Life in this present Woâ—â— that nothing may appear but what is good to the use of edifying that it may minister Grace to the Hearers Eph. 4.29 for where there is Obedience to the gâ—â— of Gods Grace â—â—e more of Christ dwelleth richly in all Wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Sâ—ngs singing with Grace in their Hearts Col. 3.16 17. which â—s contrary to the practice of mâ—â—y thousands who profess much in the outward of God and Christ in this day whereby they gain of one another the outward Name of Christians but inwardly in the Anti-christian Practice as their outward fruits manifest for where Faith is without Works it is 〈◊〉 dead Faith and in such Grace works no effect towards 〈◊〉 peace with God in Christ by whom the Righteous are 〈◊〉 conciled to God through Faith by Grace in him 〈◊〉 requires perfect Obedience to the gift of his Grace which teaches his â—eople to pray preach and sing with Grace 〈◊〉 their hearts to the praise and honour of his holy Name and edification of one another which they that yeild 〈◊〉 their Obedience to the Spirit of Grace cannot do for which cause of their unclean Fruits their Condemnation doth follow in which state they witness no true peace through Faith by Grace in Jesus Christ whose Sons and Daughters begotten through Grace in him they continue in the Way of the Lords own â—aying out having their words seasoned as with Sâ—â—â— and Grace abounding in their hearts through which by grace they become able Witnesses for the Lord of Life that by him through grace they are made able to perform his Will in what of them he requires by his good spirit of Grace Col. 3 17 in which state the Love of God by Jesus Christ is his Peoples everlasting Consolation and good Hope through Grace 2 Thes 2 1â— Not by Works of Righteousness which they have done but according to his Grace by the washing of Regeneration and the reâ—ewâ—nâ— of the holy Ghost Tit. 3 5 Which is sufficient encourage neâ— to come with holdness unto thâ— Throne of his Grace by which they obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 For the Grace of God hath appeared unto all men teaching them that they should dâ—ny Vngodliness and Wouldly Lâ—st and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Tâ—â— 2.11 12. By which we see and know that all men have received of his Grace sufficient for the present time and state for as the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath in measure appeared unto all men so all men that have neglected the day of Gods Visitation they shall be left without any excuse in that Day of the Lords calling all to an account for the Deeds done in the Body when it shall go well with the Righteous but sorrow and trouble will reach the Wicked on every side for the Lord will not hold them guiltless which take his Name in vain Then will the Wicked which have derided at the movings of Gods good Spirit of Grace in his People come to know a Day of Trouble when the Lord shall laugh at their Distress for unto them Damnation slumbereth nor sleepeth not but will overtake all the Ungodly as a Thieâ— in the Night of their Darkness but it shall go well with the Righteous which ask in Faith without doubting unto them is Salvation through Grace by Jesus Christ who came to save his People from their sins for which end he was made a littlâ— lower than the â—ngels for the suffering of Death and crowned with Glory and Honour that he might by the Grace of God taste Death for every man Hâ—â— 2 9. that whosoever believeth in him 〈…〉 but have Life eternal for the Promise 〈…〉 â—ent to then 〈◊〉 at believe in the gift of 〈…〉 of his Will and Mind by Faith thrâ—â— Grace in Jesus Christ by whom the Souls of them thaâ— believe in him are justified in the sight of God for he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2 11. for bâ— the Grace of God are they of him who unto them of God is made Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 〈◊〉 1.30 by which People may see that the main cause why People perish is through Disobedience to the gift of Gods Grace which by Jesus Christ they have received and it bringeth the Tenders of Salvation to every man in some measure or degree which as improved leads unto perfect Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus which they that refuse do unjustly charge God that is is for want of Grace by which they perish when that it is not for want of Grace tendered unto them but for want of their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which is sufficient for the Salvation of them that are faithful thereunto so as the Righteous through Faith and Obedience grow from grace to grace until they become perfect in Christ Jesus so the Unrighteous through unfaithfulness by Disobedience sin away the Grace of God more and more until the Day of Gods Grace with them be over and his Spirit with them hath left striving which all ought to consider while they have time to Repent for there is no repenting in the grave CHAP. XIV Concerning the Resurrection MAny are the People that are concerned to know how the dead are raised and with what Bodies they appear â—or 〈◊〉 what Bodies they do come forth Then seeing their minds are to concerned to know with what Bodies they shall appear doth manifest that they are not come to the knowledge of Gods saving Power through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ which to know gives
good or evil the Lord shews it unto them in their own heart and conscience by the Revelation of his spirit which Justifies the thoughts and intents of the Righteous but condemns the thoughts and intents of the Wicked Now the holy Scripture is short in giving men the knowledge of their thoughts and intents without the searchings of the Spirit of God for the Lord searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reigns and decleares unto Man what is his Thoughts Amos 4.13 Also the Prophet hath said by the Spirit of Truth That they shall all be taught of God which is according to Christs saying John 6 45. Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh to meâ— neither hath Eye seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things which God hath Prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things even the deep things of God for what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit oâ— God and to whom the Spirit reveals them for true believers in this day as well as in dayes past have not received the Spirit of the World but the spirit which is of God that they might know the things that are freely given to them of God 1 Cor. 2 9 10 11 12 By which it is manifest that divine Revelation by the inspiration of Gods holy Spirit is of absolute necessity for Salvation in and thorough Faith by Jesus Christ whom no man can know but by the revealed gift of his Spirit which through Faith begets the inward man into the saving knowledge of God and of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ through which every true Believer in him comes to receive of the like benefit with the Saints in their day to see with their spiritual Eyes and to hear with their spiritual Ears and with their spiritual hands they come to handle the Word oâ— Life 1 John 1.1 Then if all divine Revelation and Inspiration of Gods Spirit to his Children be ceased must not all spiritual seeing and spiritual hearing be ceased also which by their Doctrines doth seem to me as if they conclude Christ also to be ceased for if the Inspiration of Gods holy Spirit of Revelation be ceased then how shall God and Christ be heard and seen spiritually as believers in dayes past did spiritually hear and see him Also if God hath committed his whole Will and Mind to Writing then by what means are these saved which have not received the knowledge of the Letter of the holy scripture Will they conclude they all perish for want of the Letter when the Mind and Will of God is that a Remnant of all Nations of them that fear him and work Righteousness shall be saved And though the holy Scriptures do give Infallible Marks of such an estate yet there is no scripture can infallibly assure any man that he hath these marks but it must be the spirit of God that gives every true believer such an assurance for the spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8.6 So it is the Spirit of God by which that assurance is revealed to beleivers or more properly in believers by which they come to witness that they have the Son and he that hath the Son of God hath Life 1 Joh 5.12 Now the holy Scriptures hold forth that he that hath the Son of God hath Life but give no assurnce of Life but the Spirit of God doth reveal an assurance which proves that all divine Revelation is not ceased CHAP. XVII Concerning the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of Anti-Christ THe whole state of mans Life is governed in Thoughts Words and Actions by the Power of the Spirit which hath the Commanding part in man who is either governed by the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of Antichrist which is the Devil for there are but two Spirits which rule the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ which rules in the Righteous whose Thoughts Words and Actions are governed by the Power of Gods Spirit which brings the Thoughts of the Faithful to be subject in Obedience to the Power of his own Spirit in and through Faith by Jesus Christ Now the Spirit of the Devil is that Anti-Christ which Gods Power permits to rule in the Children of Disobedience whose Thoughts Words and Actions are governed by the Spirit of the Devil so that men are Servants unto that Power which they obey for the Thoughts of mans Mind are in a continual motion and where God is not retained in the Thoughts they cannot be of any service to him for the Souls benefit but are in servitude to him unto whom they yeild their Obedience which Work altogether tends for Distruction of the soul therefore People ought to be diligent with that gift of divine Light which God hath given to find out the hidden things of Darkness in the heart of man who by Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace may come to understand the Lords Will to be done in their Thoughts Words and Actions which work will bring honour to the Name of the Lord and Peace to their own Souls for he that brings his Deeds to the Light they are made manifest by the Light whether they are wrought in God through faith and Obedience to the gift of his Grace for the promise of God by Christ is to the obedient part for his Children are made a free and Willing People to serve him with uprightness of Heart Mind Thoughts Word and Actions for the carnal Thoughts of man brings Death over the soul but the spiritual Thoughts of man bring Life for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace with God in Christ Sâ— as there is but two Spirits which bare rule the one or the other hath the Commanding part in the heart and mind of man for the Mind cannot serve two Masters that is no man can serve God and Mammon for while the Mind is in obedience to the Spirit of Life it overcomes the Spirit of Death but while it remains in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ it becomes dead remains with Death which state hath no relation to the things of Christs Kingdom for God is not a God oâ— that which is dead in sin and Treâ—pass against the heavenly divine gift of his Spirit of Grace Life and Light which come by Jesus Christ whole Spirit is not of this World neither are they of this World whose Minds are begotten of God thorough him to live in Obedience to his holy Truth but the Spirit of Anti-Christ is of this World and rules the Thoughts Words and Actions of them who are the Children of this World which by subjecting to his Power they believe that in the best of men sin remaineth all the
Lord. CHAP. XXVII Concerning the begetting being born and brought forth of the Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ THe Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ is of that Birth which the World by all their Wisdom in outward Learning are never able to find neither can any ever know to witness the new Birth further than by Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit by Jesus Christ whose Spirit of Life makes frâ—â— from the Law of Sin and Death for the Seed of the Kingdom is of a heavenly divine Nature which hath no fellowship with the Works of Darkness in which all that disobey the Lord of Life remain by which their Birth is of the Enemies Seed which alienates the Heart of Man and Woman from true Oâ—edience to God â—n which state they are Strangers to the nature of the New Birth which is not born of Blood nor of the will of the Fleâ— nor of the Will of Man but of God Iohn 1.13 for it is born of the Spirit of God and brought forth by Gâ—ace through Faith in Christ Jesus by whom the Children of men have received a measure which though but as a grain of the smallest of all grain it is of the little leavens Nature to purge out and leaven the whole Lump into the nature of Gods Kingdom in Christ Jesus whom the World by all their Wisdom can never know for the things of Gods Kingdom are hiâ— from the Wise and Prudent of this World and revealed to the Children of God whose Life remains in the Babe-like Nature of God in Christ whose Babes they are begotten of God by the word of his Spirit through Faith and Obedience to the Lord of Life in whose Life and Nature every true Child of God in their measure live move and have their being in the nature of him for as his nature is the New Birth and all that are born of him hey bring Fruits acceptible to him for they are the Children of the Day which live in the Light and walk in the Light which the Children of the Night cannot do for the Day of Gods Visitation by the gift of his divine Light is unto them a dark thing at which the wise stumble and the prudent cannot receive for by their own Wisd 〈◊〉 in their own prudent way is their Understanding darkdarkened as to the things of God and Nature of his Kingdom neither can any grow to understand the things of 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ buâ— as they grow in Grace through the affectual working of his divine Life and Light by the quickening Word 〈◊〉 his Spirit which opens the understanding and enlarges the gift of his divine Nature through which 〈◊〉 the holy Seed increâ—seth more and more and in the increase bringeth forth fruit more and more abundant to the praise of God and honour of his Name and well-being of the Soul in Christ Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of his own Work of Righteousness in his true begotten People who are begot by the gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace Life and Light in which the faithful see Light Psalm 36.9 for by Light is all and every Deed of Darkness manifested so that Faith in Christ Jesus and Faithfulness Obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light is the first beginning of an acquintance with the divine Nature of Christ who draws the heart of every faithful man and woman into the assurance of Faith having their hearts sprinkled from â—n evil Conscience and their Bodies washed with pure Water Heb. 10.22 and of this Nature is the Seed of Gods Kingdom in the hearts of them that belong unto him the nature of whose Kingdom the wise prudent part in man cannot comprehend for the wise unregenerated part is that which ramains in the Fall and is alienated from the true Seed of the Kingdom which will not take root in any other ground but in that honest heart which is made willing to bear the Cross in all things to the self will in which state of subjection to the will of God the Seed takes root down-ward and brings forth Fruit upward to the honour of Gods holy Truth so than all reasoning with Flesh and Blood is shut out by the Power of Gods Spirit in every upright honest heart to wards God in which life of Obedience there is no giving way to the Earthly part which ramains in the Disobedient through which they oppress the Seed of God and cause his Life in the measure of the Seed to depart which if they were but faithful to the measure of Seed received the Life of Gods Spirit of Grace would increase to the withstanding of all the Enemies Power which through the willingness of the obedient part being yeilded to him the true Seed of God will take no root of abidance in any sort of ground whatever where People live in a state of sinning against God and his Christ Mat. 13. So they that are new born of the incorruptible Seed they first come to dye through the Cross of Christ which crucifies the self will prudent part for Knowledge without Obedience brings Death over the Soul in which state the Kingdom oâ— God is hid For that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit John 3.2 3 4 5 6. So they that are truely begotten of God in Christ theâ— witness the New-Birth which is not born of Flesh and Blood nor of the Will of Man but of the incorruptible Seed the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever 1 Pet. 1.23 Now the Word of God which abideth forever is of his Spirit 〈◊〉 Life Light and Grace which floweth into the hearts 〈◊〉 true Believers through Faith in Christ Jesus who drawâ— the willing mind to partake of Gods heavenly Riches iâ— and through him who is the Lord of all Grace Life anâ— Light which by measure lives moves and abides in thâ— heart of every sincere Believer in him through whoâ— Power they witness a daily decaying of the first Nature and a daily increase of Newness in a holy Life unto Goâ— who gives power to the weak feeble through which there is no distrust in the Power of God which they daily experience to give them Victory over every Thought which would exalt it self above the Witness of God and hinder the growth of the Seed of the Kingdom of Heaven in which no man can enter without being born again the benefit of which no man is denyed of God by Jesus Christ who hath said by his Spirit of Truth Whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 Isa 55.1 2 3. By which it is clear that the Spirit of God hinders no man of any benefit by Jesus Christ for the Salvation of his Soul that is as Man keeps faithful to God according to what he hath commanded by the Son of his Love the Lord of Life Postscript MUch more might
should be so blind and of so unbelieving hard hearts to work in such a hight of Wickedness against the Lord and his People whom they have imprisoned whipt stockt out theâ— Ears undering them to be sold for Bonds Men and Bond Women banishing them upon pain of Death if ever they return to be offered up at their bloody Altar and to the value of twenty hundred Pounds taken from them for Fines and made a Law that every Master of a Vessel that landed any one Quaker within their Power of Government should pay one hundred Pounds and five pounds for any one that gave entertainment to any one of their Books with much more of the like nature acted and done by them to the aforesaid honest harmeless People whom in their Law they have stiled with the Name of Rogues and Vagabonds Blasphemous Hereticks and Seducers of the People from the Faith but if they have called the Master a Devil they of the same Spirit have called his People after the like manner and after the same nature have they perseented his Servants to Death at Boston which Wickedness they would cover with a Lye even as their fore Fathers did by giving large Money to the ignorant to say his Disciples stole him away by Night which large Money will not hide their Lying no more will the twenty hundred Pounds taken from the Quakers hide the Lyes of them in this day who say The Quakers hanged themselves for the Law by which they were put to Death was made after that they had been a time in the Country which after their Return according to that Law of Banishment were they in a most barbarous inhumane way put to Death being drove to their bloody Altar with Drums Guns and Swords and out down even to the breaking of their skulls and in a barbarous manner dragged their naked Bodies in a Roap with the gnashing of Teeth in which inhumane manner they threw their naked Bodies into a stinking Pit near to their Bloody Altar not suffering their Friends to secure the place with Fence by which their Bodies might be preserved from Swine and other ravenous Creatures By which it is evident they hanged not themselves but as they were persecuted in one place they kept the Command of the Lord by fleeing to the other until they delivered up their Lives as for â—xample the Lords Servants in days past have done for the Truth of God and Testimony of Jesus whom they have followed even as the Disciples and Apostles of Christ have done Then seeing that it is high Rebellion against God and the King to put his People to Death without any warrant precept command or example from either of how much lower nature is the Work of Witch-craft if really it so be in and about the Town of Salâ—m for the Lords People are to him as the apple of his Eye and he that toucheth them toacheth the Apple of his Eye Zâ—ch 2.8 Deut 32 10. Psal 17.8 for whosoever offendeth one of them bâ—tter were it for him that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Mat 18 6. Mark 9.42 Luke 17.1 2. Therefore People ought well to consider whom they establish to rule for their outward Peace among themselves for where men of Persecuting Principles are appointed by the People to rule where they once gain Power by the consent of the People to persecute their unrighteous Work draws the judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of the whole place where they rule for had the Body of the Jews withstood their unrighteous Prieâ—â—s and Rulers by bearing a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth they had been freed from that Judgment which now remains upon their Generation even so is it with tâ—e Inhabitants of New-England though many of them had no actual hand in shedding of innocent Blood which hath defiled the Land because they did not bear a faithful Testimony against the unrighteousness of their Priests and Rulers of that Day for which cause every Judgment upon this place reaches the whole Body of People in the general Calâ—â—â—ty for Christ charges the Spirit of Persecution with all the righteous Blood that hath ever been shed Mat. 23.35 Then seeing that this Spirit of Persecution is charged with more Unrighteousness towards God and his People then all them of that nature which they call witches who have not that influence upon People to bewitch them that they should not obey the Truth even as the persecuting Priests and Rulers have done which proves Persecutors to be the greatest Witches in the World because the one as the Devil was only permitted to touch the outward Body for the inward tryal of Faith but the other are permittnd to bewitch People to persecute one the other to Death and through the Power of the Devil cause People to believe that they are deing good Service for God when they are persecuting his People to Death Acts. 26.10 11. and 8.5 and 9.1 2. which time hath been and yet remains where the Priests bear rule Joh. 16.2.3 for as Troopes of Robbers have waited for a man so have the company of Priests murdered in the way by consent Hos 6.9 So that these things are in all places where the persecuting Priests are rule among the People who are like their Priests Hos 4.6 7 8 .10 it is by the consent of the People that persecuting Magistrates rule and by consent of their â—urighteous Laws do the persecuting Priests destroy he outward Lives and Liberties of the Lords People 〈◊〉 which cause the Lords Wrath and Indignation is gainst the whole People so far as they are either accally or by silence consenting to these things through which the righteous suffer for the cause of Gods holy Truth who are not to give their Bread to Dogs nor to cast their Pearls before Swine neither are they to forgive further then men turn and say they repent Mat. 6.10 Luke 17.4 for nofurther then men repent of their Evil Deeds will the Lord forgive so that his will may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven men are not to seek to unbind that on Earth which as not unbound in Heaven neither to â—â—ek to bind that on Earth which is not bound in Hraveâ— but to pray that the sin of Murder may not be laid 〈…〉 charge of them that know not what they do Mat. 5.44 Acts 7.00 for in this Day of great Trouble upon them that have not done even as they would be done unto the Lord is daily adding unto their Afflictions because they Kopent not of their evil Deeds towards him and his People whom Pharaoh-like they have opprest but the Lord hath in a great measure with-held the roaring of the Lyon and the fierce Lyon and the Teeth of the young Lyon the Lord hath broken and the strength of their power against Gods Heritage is become of no force for their striving against the holy One of Israel is brought to nought for he is a consuming fire to
wisdom knowledge and reason of Disobedience in its own time with his own words doth apply such means of which himself did never experience imputing the cause to proceed from Witch-craft or a Melancholly humor and withal giveth direction not to give way to comply with the Light within which he saith are the checks of a natural Conscience and reliques of old Adam Thus and of he like nature are the directions counsels advice of such proud covetous men who follow the ways of Balaam that forsook the right way of the Lord to gain the Wages of Unrighteousness for Light is sown for the Righteous and gladness for the Vpright in heart and to them that will not obey it is their Condemnation Joh. 3.19 for it is the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ by whom all that are saved come through the Cross which mortifies and kills every Lust which is mans deadly Enemy by which every covetous and unrighteous man is deceived and of his own lust drawn into this and the other form of Religion which is their cloak to cover hide and shelter all their pride and unrighteous Works of Covetousness And here it is that poor mortal men are become Servants and Slaves to their own Lusts which are Devils Thieves and Robbers the deadly Enemies of mans own House that have drawn a way his mind into the love of carnal things that perish and of this like Nature are they bewitched that they should not obey the Truth for in their own wisdom will and time they can neither see hear nor obey to do those things which are of faith in Christ to make their peace with God because their own wisdom knowledge will and reason is the Righteousness of their works which make a Wall of Partition between Man and his Creator who hath created him to wait upon his Maker to hear and obey God in all things according to his will and time that he may have the honour and praise of his own work done by and of himself on man the omitting of which Duty keeps the Children of men from the true saving Knowledge of God for Man in his own wisdom will and time hath always the eye of Knowledge and Reason open against himself in which state he cannot receive the will and mind of God from above because he giveth way to serve his own Lusts which are his Enemies that ensnare his Soul and keep his Mind in Bondage to serve this and the other thing of his own invention in which abideth Death and Destruction and indeed of this nature is every mans God that liveth not to the true God in thought word and work according to his Word which he teacheth and formeth in all them that abide faithful which without faithfulness to what God hath commanded no man can come unto him therefore it is that every covetous proud and unrighteous man is shut out from having any entrance into the true saving knowledge of God because to him is not the true God retained in any of his Thoughts which of his own lust are moved here and there and indeed every where into this and the other thing which abideth but for a time and then leaveth the Mind or the Mind leaveth it and so in its motion which is swift indeed for another thing of the like nature in which abideth Death So that every proud vain covetous man in the world to him there are Gods many all being of one nature which in his own wisdom will knowledge reason and righteousness to him make but one God which is their own lusts the Prince and Power of Darkness which rules in the Children of Disobedience and is called The God of this World because he is a God to them that are of the World who have yeilded their minds to serve their own lusts therefore is this lust to them the God of this World the Prince and Power of Darkness that rules the mind of every covetous proud and unrighteous man and woman that retain not the true and living 〈…〉 thoughts the moving cause of which 〈…〉 their own Enemies the Devil 〈…〉 away the mind in the swiftness of motion the world over into the many things thereof in 〈◊〉 and with which the mind is besettered and intangled with the love and delight therein that there is not the least measure of freedom in the will for the mind to abide in reâ—iredness to wait upon God to see his Salvation wrought in his own time according to the will and mind of himself Now to them that abide faithful unto God they keep in a true state of watchfulness waiting upon God and watching against the appearance of every lust which is such an Enemy against God and mans true peace with his maker that lust is ever ready to draw away the mind from God that it may not retain him in its thoughts but to be thinking of this and the other thing in which remaineth death that draws the soul into perdition which as they abide in faithfullness upon their watch their strength by the povver of God will be renevved that they shall not only perceive their Enemies motion but also receive povver to vvith-stand their lusts and cause Gods enemies to scatter And of this nature in the hour of temptation he receiveth strength in and through the Power of God which resisteth such Devils and causeth them to flee and of this nature it is with them that are not carnally minded to live after the flesh but spiritually minded to live after the spirit through which by the spirit they mortifie the deeds of the flesh which vvork of God is only known to them who retain him in all their thoughts that with a holy Resolution and godly zeal for his Cause they are made willing to give up and forsake all for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus him to hear and in all things to obey as becometh his Truth this is it which God would have all men to do that he only may rule in them and the spirit have the government that thereby Man may come to live and abide in peace with his Maker who is willing to be at peace with them that are willing he shall rule whose right it is to have the government for he that will be Christs Disciple must first take up the Cross and follow him in all things according to his wisdom will and time who best knows when where and how to cleanse the house of Thieves and Robbers which rob God of his honour by living to their ovvn lust their own thoughts vvords and vvorks according to the reason of their own vvill and vvisdom of the flesh which desires the Temple of God and makes it become an unfit habitation for the Lord of Life to abide in therefore if any covetous man any unjust man or he that is unrighteous and unholy vvill knovv himself to be purged from his unjustness his covetousness and unholiness he must forsake the
Man and Woman may know how it stands between God their own Souls which is good for all to mind and make their Peace vvith the Lord vvhile he hath given them space and time for that end that their Souls may not faint in the great Day of his Coming to call every Man and Woman to an account for their Deeds done in the Body CHAP. IV. Concerning the Scriptures which are the Writings of the holy Men of God wherein is contained that Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Word of God by whom is the Salvation of all Men that are saved by his Power which leads them to believe in his Name THe Holy Scriptures contained in the Old and Nevv Testament signifie Writings in vvhich VVritings are contained the VVords of God as they vvere received by the living VVord of God as may be read in the Prophets VVritings The Word of the Lord came unto them this vvas not the Letter of the Scripture that came unto them but it vvas the living VVord of God vvhich in Scripture is most properly and frequently called The Word of God In the beginning was the VVord and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh 1.1 2 3 And the VVord was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Now consider what grounds People have to call the Scripture the only Word of God without any Distinction but by way of Information to the understanding of aâ—â—unbyassed Minds that my design in the following Liâ—â— a is not to deprive the holy Scriptures of that honour due unto them but that Truth and Righteousness may take place for the holy Scriptures in their place are highly to be esteemed with that Honour due unto them for which end 〈◊〉 labour is that by others they may not be dissplaced by to understand a true distinction between the written declarative Word of God and the VVord of his Spirit of Grace Life and Light by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life indeed for they that come unto him it must be through Faith in obedience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit which opens the dark Understanding and quickens the Mind and works Grace in the Heart and sanctifies the inward Man of him that yeilds Obedience to the Word of his Spirit without which there can be no true understanding of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting concerning which things the written VVord is large in its Declaration concerning what God requires of the Sons and Daughters of Men who for Power to perform what they find to be their Duty as by holy Record they are to come unto Christ the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that believe for the holy Scriptures of Truth vvere given forth by the Spirit of Truth and living Word of Truth vvhich vvas the Word of God in His Servants of old vvhich Word according to measure remains the same to this Day in every sincere true Believer vvhose vvhole desire is to give up in obedience to the manifestation of Gods good Spirit of Grace by vvhich they come to a thorovv understanding of vvhat they find of his VVill and Mind recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth vvithout vvhich Obedience the Letter kills but by Obedience the Spirit makes alive for the holy Scriptures are full in relating of what hath been past and of what is to come but as to the time when and manner how the Lord in his own due time by the Word of his Spirit doth reveal it to his Servants and Messengers of his Truth in this Day even as it hath pleased him in days past for as then in that day the same is it with many in this day who the Scriptures yet it is said of them That they had not the Worâ— abiding in them for whom God had â—ent which was Christ the Word him they believed not Joh. 5.3 â— which by the written Word is evident that the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace Life Light by Jesus Christ is the saving Word of God to every Soul that by him is saved for what saith it the Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith James 1.21 Rom. 10 7 8 and this Word is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 it sanctifies the heart of the faithful by the Word of God and Prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 for the faithful are them that are poor and of a contrite Spirit which tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 56.2 5. Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that that Tremble at his Word And again I have written unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wicked One John 1.14 Now let all People mind by which they may come to a right understanding of the Scriptures which were not from the beginning neither do they of themselves and without the inward Word give Power to overcome the wicked One for the VVord of God was before Scripture promises Life eternal to all that are willing to receive the Word which is the Promise of God in Christ before the World began Ti. 2.3 And this Word hath been a Rule of Life to the faithful of God in all Ages shewing unto Man the Thoughts of his Heart and intents of his Mind and Obedience to the Word is an acceptable Sacrifice to the Lord and God hath promised oâ— overcome sin in the faithful by the Power of his Word which is as a two edged Sword to cut up and beat down all that is contrary to his heavenly divine Life in the heart of every faithful Man and Woman that is come to yeild their Obedience according 〈◊〉 that knowledge which they have received of God in Christ whom to know is Life Eternal in which Life they have the true saving knowledge of God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost which is One God and One Lord Lord Jesus Christ One holy Spirit God in all and through all and over all the Alpha and Oâ—aega the beginning and the end the first and the last blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Rev. 22.13 14. which as aforesaid is that which the Lord by the assisting Power of his Spirit hath made known to me concerning his Word of Life and Light by which the holy men of God were assisted in giving forth a Declaration of his holy Truth which they received by his holy Spirit which is the living Word of all Truth and will remain the same when the Letter of the Scripture