of him 1 Joh. 5. 18. and they were born of the word of God and of the incoruptible seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. and they were created in Christ Iesus unto good works Eph. 2. 10. and they were new Creatures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things were done away 2 Cor. 5. 17. they had put off the body of sin and death â—…oll 1 18. and were the servants of rightâ—… and free from sin Rom. 6 22. as you may read But now also woful are you Christians degenerated from this for thousands upon thousands of you are not born nor begotten of God though you have the name of Christians neither are you born of the word of God which lives for ever nor of the incoruptible seed neither are created again nor become new creatures nor have put off the body of sin and death neither are the servants of righteousness nor free from sin But on the contrary are the servants of sin and free from righteousness and are in the corruptible state and are old creatures and are not washed nor purified as the Saints were as you may read 1 Cor. 6. 11. and here is a woful degeneration of the Christians now from what the Christians were in the beginning the Christians then were new creatures and put off the body of sin and were washed and sanctified but the Christians now are not so but the contrary to wit unwashed and unsanctified remaining in the pollutions of the world and are of the birth which is born of the flesh and are in the old nature serving sin and the lusts of their own hearts and thus are you fallen from that which the true Christians possessed for being compared to them you are not agreeable but rather contrary to them in all these things and the Lord is now come to search you and to try you and to all people shall you be discovered for the Lord is now risen to bring all to tryal and to judgement And again herein will the Apostacy of the Christians appear in respect of unity and fellowship for the Christians in their beginning while yet the life of God was not darkened amongst them they were of one heart and one mind and one soul as you may read Acts the 4. 32. and the Lord promised that he would give unto his people one heart and one way and Ezek the 11. 19. the Lord promised to give his people one heart and a new spirit which promise the Christians received and they that believed were of one bea rt and there was no lack amongst them but some sold their possessions and distributed to them that had need and they were members of Christ and he was head amongst them and over them and they were flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones Eph. 5. 23. 30. and all the Christians were of one faith Eph. 45. and had unity and fellowship in the life which was made manifest in them for they had tasted and handled and seen and heard the word of life and they had fellowship with the father and with his son Jesus Christ But all ye Christians upon earth how are you degenerated and how great is your fall in this for you are not of one heart and mind nor in unity and fellowship one with another but are of divers sorts sects and are run into many opinions and devisions and are of many ways and minds and hearts divers sorts there are of Papists and divers sorts of 〈◊〉 so called which are all divided in opinions and striving and contending about faith and Religion and the worship of God and are opposing one another and putting one another to death because of a difference in those things how great is the difference through many nations amongst Christians about those things which sheweth that the Christians are wofully fallen in respect of unity and it is manifest such Christians have not received the promise of God as the Apostles had for now the Christians can suffer one another to lack and to perish and die and starve for hunger and want 〈◊〉 in this all ye Christians generally how you are fallen then in the beginning of Christianity no lack nor want was amongst them they that had much sold it and gave to them that had none but now thousands are oppressed through want while others have too much some are feeding and cloathing excessively with their multitude of dishes and changes of rayment while others hath scarce whereon to feed or to cover their nakedness and this manifesteth that you are not members of the body of Christ neither is he head in you nor amongst you but you are members of an harlot and joyned to a hâ—…rlot and one with a harlot for you profess many faiths some say they believe Christ is given to all others believes not so some say they believe he died for all others they say they believe contrary to that and thus the one faith which the Apostles had the Christians of this generation have lost and they have lost the one head Christ and hath many heads every Sect hath their head many heads among the Protestants many heads among the Papists but thus it was not in the beginning of Christianity therefore you Christians are subverted from the true life of Christ the Christians then were of one faith but now of many the Christians then had one head Christ but now the Christians so called hath many heads the Christians then could lay down their life one for another and were written in the hearts of one another by the spirit of the living God but the Christians now are in envy one towards another and in strife one with another the great men doth oppress the poor and they go to Law one with another for earthly things and one stealing from another and one hanging another and murdering one another and making slaves one of another and robbing one another and seeking utterly to destroy one another and yet such hath the name of Christians amongst whom all this is acted but consider how woful is your fall and how wicked is your degeneration from the life of God and from the true Christian life and unity which was amongst them in their beginning then they were of one heart and of one way but now divided and in strife and contention about Religion and the worship of God and also about earthly things for which they destroy one 〈◊〉 and seek so to do then they could lay down their life one for another but now they are taking the life one from another through wickedness a woful Apostacy and great night of darkness is upon you then none amongst them had lack of any thing nor none destroyed through wasting any thing upon their lusts but now thousands perisheth for want while others hath too much and are destroying it upon their lusts then had the Christians one head Christ but now the bâ—…ast reigns that hath many heads then they were of one faith but now the Christians profess many faiths then the
have said were the people of God never called Christians in any generation and ever since that time through all ages all that professed Christ and believed in him throughout the whole world were called by the name of Christians and the Name and Religion of Christians were honourable and greatly beloved of God for that people were the peculiar people a chosen generation as you may read 1 Pet. 2. 19. and whilst the life of Christ was manifest and the Spirit of Christ did lead them and teach them in all their wayes and practices of Religion and whilst I say they retained the power and life of that of which they had the name the power and presence of the Lord was amongst them and above all the people of the earth were they blessed and more then all people upon the earth besides had they the countenance of God shining amongst them and upon them and pure unity with God and one with another had they in his life whereby they were made a terror and a fear to all nations while they stood in the councel of God and were Christians in life and power and practice as well as in name and the Lord greatly increased them in number for as you may read through the Acts of the Apostles through all the world many believed in Christ and became followers of him and received the knowledge of him and became anointed people and received the name of Christians sometimes thousands at one Sermon were converted to the faith of Christ and became subject to his spirit and had his mark upon them and all such were called Christians and the Apostles went through many Nations and of the Iews and Greeks and of the Heathen and all other people some of each were converted from that way in which they had walked to follow Christ and they became Christians and here was the increase of Christianity and through many 〈◊〉 of the world they planted Churches and assemblies of Christians and as I said while they stood in the councel 〈◊〉 the Name and Religion was of him greatly beloved But now the Christians are Apostatized and degenerated from the spirit of Christ and from that which gave theâ—… the true Name of Christian and the name is retained onely and the life and power lost and now many have a name to live but are dead and that is departed from which gave the true interest and title in the name Hear this all ye Christians that life light and power of God which was amonâ—… the Apostles and Christians once you are departed from and have lost the sence and knowledge of and hath the naâ—…e and not the thing which was the reason and ground of the name wherefore all ye through the world that are called Christians look back to your original look unto the Apostleâ—… who were the first that were called Christians from whoâ—… you had the name and see how you are degenerated and 〈◊〉 len from the life that they were in and though you retain the name of Christians yet you are not followers of Christ noâ—… taught by his Spirit and none in the dayes of the Apostleâ—… were truly counted or called Christians but who followed the Spirit of Christ and were first converted to him and changed by his power from sin to righteousness and fromâ—… death to life and such as were so were truly called Christians But now all such as are called by that name and 〈◊〉 not followers of the Spirit of Christ nor converted to hiâ—… neither changed by his power from death to life and 〈◊〉 sin to righteousness such are in the degeneration from 〈◊〉 life of Christianity and hath a name without the life 〈◊〉 power thereof And now it remains to be shewed how and when the degeneration came upon the Christians and wherâ—…in they are apostatized and degenerated from that life and spirit and practice which was amongst the Apostles thâ—…t were first called Christians The Spirit of the Lord spoke through the Apostles and foretold of a falling away from the truth and from the true Christian life and Paul said Acts 20 29 30. said he Grievous â—…olves shall arise and enter in who would not spare the flock 〈◊〉 from among themselves should men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them and he also said 1 Tim. 4. 1. That some should depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and he also said that it should come to pass that people should become wicked departing from the truth having the form of godliness but denying the power thereof and such were led away with divers lusts and men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith and the Apostle â—…eter also foretold that there should false teachers arise among the Christians who should bring in damnable heresies and many Christians should follow their pernicious wayes by reason of which the way of truth should be evil spoken of And the Apostle Iohn 〈◊〉 that many false Prophets were gone out then and many Antichrists were then come in among the Christians now all these doth shew and declare of a degeneration and falling away of Christians from the life of Christianity and we see these Propheâ—…ies fulfilled and flocks of Christians are devoured from the life of Christ by devouring wolves which hath entred among them who hath led them into pernicious wayes and into damnable heresies whereby the name of Christianity is become reproachful among the Heathens that never were called Christians and many thousands are departed from the true faith from that faith which did purifie the hearts of the Saints and many of the Christians have given heed to seducing spirits and hath the form of godliness but denyes the power thereof and they are led of divers lusts and are become men of corrupt minds and are reprobate and without the true faith and the Apostles prophesied of the degeneration which we see fulfilled in these our dayes and even while some of the Apostles were yet living they saw the Christians Apostatizing and falling away and the Spirit of the Lord spoke through Iohn Rev. 2. 3. to the Christian Churches in Asia who were already departing from the Christian life some of them was departed already from their first work and some of them were given to the doctrine of Bâ—…laam and to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing the Lord did hate and others of them were seduced by Jezabel and taught to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols and others oâ—… them had a name to live but were dead and others of them were neither hot nor cold and the Lord said he would 〈◊〉 them out of his mouth Now here the Christians were falling away you may see and as before it had increased so now the true Christian life began to decrease and the glory thereof became darkned through all Asia And also Rev. 13. 11. 1. 16. Iohn saw one beast arise out of the Sea and another out of the earth
teacher but as that annointing teacheth all things and for this spirit and annointing all that feare God may waâ—… to receive it in this present age which Spirit brings into the same unity and life into the same worship and fellowship that was amongst Christians in the beginning before the Apostacy and this state may Christians be restored to and for this state all that fear God and love him are to wait for this shall come to passe in the world And as concerning the Ministry I know and do believe it may be and is received again as the Apostles and Christian Ministers first received it to wit by the eternall spirit and gift thereof through the revelation of Christ Jesus in them and such may and doth preach the Gospel freely as they doe receive it freely and without naturall learning and languages For by that can none be made Ministers of Christ nor by any thing without the gift of the holy Spirit and Christs Ministry shall again be received thereby this I believe and all this Ministry made and sent forth by naturall learning and without the gift of the holy Spirit the Lord will confound it in this Age for this is come up since the Apostles dayes to make Ministers by naturall learning and it stands in the apostacy from the life and spirit of Christ and its call and work and maintenance savours not of the kingdome of Christ and the Lord will bring it downe and the gift of his Ministry will he restore by his Spirit and this is and shall come to passe and it may be waited for in this present age and the Lord will restore his Ministry as in the beginning and his work shall be glorious for many there are is and shall be converted to God and brought out of the degeneration and to that shall people come which all Christendom hath been apostatized from and shall receive the same spirit and the same annointing which was amongst the Christian Churches and life and immortality shall again be brought to light through the Gospel which hath been hid for ages while darkness hath been over the minds of people and I say and testifie before all the world that Christianity shall be restored to its former state Life shall spring forth and Truth shall be increased and faith shall waxe strong even the same 〈◊〉 that the Apostles had which gave them victory over all the world which shall again give people the same victory and this shall be known in the earth For the marriage of the Lamb shall come and all his people shall be joyned unto him and they shall be one way and one worship and one teacher and every man shall fit under Christs Vine and none shall make afraid Yea and more then a Vine shall he be known â—…d more then a door and more then a Shepheard shall he be known to be to his people and greater then a rock shall he be witnessed to be and more then a Teacher in the wildernesse If any man have eares to hear let him hear more and greater is he becoming to his people then is lawfull yet to utter Eye hath not seen nor it hath not entred into the heart of man but it is revealed to us by his Spirit The joyfull day is approaching the Lambs wife is making her selfe ready the wedding Garment is putting on and all that which is polluted is to be done away and blessed is he that cometh to the marriage of the Lamb that he may become one spirit with the Creator here is glory and rejoycing for ever when this is known That the wife hath not power over her owne body but the husband nor the husband hath power over his owne body but the wife Where this is known Death is swallowed up of Life and 〈◊〉 is overcome of righteousnesse and the inheritance of life eternall comes to be possessed and Death and Hell is cast into the lake and he which hath deceived can deceive no more and blessed is the eye that seeth this and the heart that understands Wherefore all ye Christians upon earth awake awake and put away your whoredoms cast off your idolatries and strip you and make you clean of all your adultries drink no longer of the cup of fornications nor eat no longer of the abominable flesh nor wear no longer your garments of unrighteousness but strip ye strip ye make ye bare all your old garments must be put off before you can appear before the Lord A great work will the Lord work amongst you he will â—…ake and overthrow all your Altars Images and Idols which you have set up and worshipped the Lord hath uttered 〈◊〉 voice the beast that hath many heads and many horns 〈◊〉 tremble 〈◊〉 one head and one horn onely shall be exalted and the Government shall be set up of whose increase there shall be no end and people shall be brought into that and they shall go forth no more for who comes to this time is no longer and the Kingdom and Government is delivered to the Father and he is become all in all And all that ever comes to know these things must first come to the light of the Lamb in them with which every man is lightned that cometh into the world and all that ever knows these things must first be brought to the principle of God in them which they have trangressed against and all that owns the light of Christ and walks in it shall come to know these things which to know and be in them is eternal life Therefore all ye Christians come to the light which Christ hath lightned you withal and that will let you see the Government of Satan and of sin and death which hath been ruling in you and the light will teach you to war against it till it be subdued the light will discover unto you that nature in which the kingdom of Satan bears rule it will 〈◊〉 you see the Devil who is the Prince of darkness who is the adversary of God who is out of the truth and he has draâ—… all people out of the truth but if you love the light of Christ in you it will teach you to war against him and against all that that 's out of the truth for all that is of Satans kingdom that is out of the truth and must be destroyed by the coming of the kingdom of Christ whose coming is in the light which Christ hath lightned every man withal who comes to destroy the Devil and his kingdom and all his works So to the light must all minds be turned which will reveal the kingdom of the man of sin and consume 〈◊〉 the appearance of Christ is light and Christ is the light of Israel which is as a fire to consume all fruitless trees which cumbers the ground which the Lord will consume by the brightness of his coming And now is the man of sin revealed even in the heart of Christians so called and he hath long shewed himself to be God but now the Lord will bring him down for Antichrist has ruled for many ages and the Lord of life has been crucified in spiritual Sodom but Sodom shall be consumed by fire and the Lord will avenge himself of all his enemies and all people and Nations shall know there is a God who executes justice and true judgement who is a God near at hand to reward his people with everlasting life and to give unto his enemies judgement and condemnation THE END