in the ear preached on the house top but until he appear to be my life I must suffer with him waiting for a further manifestation of his glory and the appearance of the Son of God therein And so for reports alass thou canst not but know more of thy self in the root and ground of things and that to the light and heart-searching spirit art come than men can have to accuse thee and now being come to know nothing by thy self yet thou art not thereby justified what therefore is in this more than to manifest the frame and temper of such spirits that yet have a root of the same hidden that in thee hath broken forth and thou art therefore like to come first to the day of healing for their covering and false healing is the same that was thine and thus have they been daubing and are daubed with untempered morter as thou wert in that the same that hath been upbraiding when it is displeased will flatter when it is pleased and is it that is flattered deceiving and being deceived Therefore whatever they threaten and wait to see concerning thee wish not the same to them no not in thy heart because of him that seeth its secrets but wait on the Lord for preservation and the end of that spirits woâ—k thou shalt see manifest before thee and shalt be made able to judge of it And then as to thy state thou wilt see there is no need of a second offering or attonement for the offering is through the eternal Spirit once for all and the atonement for ever perfecting in the sanctified life and in thy going from that Spirit and the sence therein and thereof begotten the life of God hath been brought into a suffering state and to be afresh crucified which thou being again returned to and with the Spirit that manifesteth the cause thereof come into unity feelest the atonement makeâ— and the atonement making to be for ever then what the many offerings under the Law of works where was the blood of Bulls Goats of a year old sprinklings of an Heifer could not do in that they make nothing perfect â—s pertaining to the Conscience thou being come to that which manifesteth the nature that the Bull was a figure of and also the Goat at left hand that being offered up and slain on the Crosse all sufferance to the Lamb that went before for a peace-offering and is the atonement maker ceaseth and so the offering is but one and once for all that being offered to God which his Spirit hath begotten and wrought and the kindling and inflaming being of that nature and so no false fire put into thy Sensure Object 2. All this I confesse very true to my condition concerning the cause and ground of the apostasie and back-sliding and falling away from the truth of God in the prodigality of that mind a part and nature in the creature that could not be content to trust the Father withall and to have the portion in his hands and now I plainly see that the Apostate and Backslider and Prodigal is not so much such a Sect or Opinion and Perswasion and People of such a different Judgement from me though I confesse in these different Perswasions some are more deeply tainted with this apostatizing spirit than other-some as the spirit and nature of a part in all that hath backsliden from the Law and Commandements of God and in the adulteration of that mind hath been caused the breach that is yet standing between God and his Creture untill the spirit of atonement and reconciliation be so received and adhered to that it make up all again And seeing thou art not in Pauls state of unconversion from the ignorance of a blind zeal that persecuted and spoke evil of that he knew not when concerning the Law he could say he was blamelesse yet was one at whose feet was laid the garments of the witnesses neither art crying Lo here or Lo there or I am of Paul or Apollo c. but art found comforting the Babe and partaking with the afflicted in their way and as one that hath passed through the state and condition I am in and that would not have sin and wickedness countenanced under any pretence whatever but the creature of God pityed in every state betrayed under the enemies power and yet the Axe of God layed to the root of the tree and the root of the matter relating to the cause and ground of the apostasie and backsliding from the truth of God seen into that it may be removed and taken out of the way of God utterly the conditions of many being concerned herein I further query how and when it came in and how it may be removed again perfectly seeing it is generally the voyce and cry of the world it came in but just now and that the deceiver entred but as in their dayes and yet excuse themselves of his entring of them that they may lay the burden heavy on others Answ The first Apostate was old Adam that went from the guidance and government of the Spirit of God and as all have taken a nature and part from him who was of the earth earthly and as was the earthly so are they that are earthly though he was made a living soul nevertheless the soul that sinned having dyed in the day he eat of the forbidden fruit and so death having past over all from Adam c. all are to wait again for and in the power of the second Adam a quickning spirit and yet as to the first man as he was and is a natural man he was betrayed under and into this state and is not properly reckoned for the sinner and offender and transgressâ—r as to the natural part further than creatures in it are so joyned and united to the cause thereof that they neglect the work of that and him who gives the sight of the misery of such state and so in the end comes to sleight and dis-regard the remedy out of it for the mistery of iniquity that hath wrought and yet works in the hearts of many oppâ—sers of the work of the Spirit of Truth there is spiritual wickednesse in high places so that though death came on the bodyes of all as by one man that sinned they have taken a nature and part from for the souls sake that is immortal whom the tribulation and anguish hath rested on as a death that came by reason and means of sin yet the feeling of a remedy to the one to wit the soul once relapsed and fallen under the power of a second death is through the begettings and working up of a faith in the spirit of him that endured the one for the conquering the dominion and power of both Thus is there a man of sin or man by whom came sin whom God will destroy by the breath of his lips and nostrils and brightnesse of his appearance with an everlasting destruction and yet not properly the first
Crums of Comfort for the Mournful Babe of hope from one that condoleth the distresse of the Daughter of Sion that had been healed deceitfully which caused her wound again to break out for which she hath suffered reproach but the root of the matter being throughly searcht into she is now come and invited to the day of a perfect Cure Wherein the ground of all apostasie and backsliding from the Spirit of Truth is discovered and Objections answered concerning the one Offering that for ever hath perfected them that are sanctified how it can be but one Offering or offered once for all and yet he crucified afresh who in that he dyed once dyeth no more death hath no more dominion and also how and when the apostasie came in first OH that my voyce might be hearkned unto that it might rend the Clouds and that my tender compassions might reach the highest thought of him that hath been exalted in the Seat and Throne of dignity in the Heavens and there hath been found accusing the just provoking God against the Inhabitant of the Earth unto whom the woe is come in what hath overtaken him in the way of his sojourning and travelling onward toward the Land of Rest and City of everlasting content and thou poor distressed Babe of hope in a better life and state than this world could afford thee that art ready at all times to cry out What sorrow is like unto my sorrow and what affliction like unto my grief This being a day wherein the Sons of God hath come and appeared before him and Satan also hath come with them that God could no sooner say Hast thou considered these and how they have walked before me with a perfect heart mark that but the Devil that goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour that saith I come from walking up and down in the earth and compassing about the same is ready to reply Doth these serve God for nought hast thou not done thus and thus for them What shall I say unto thee and for thee thou art distressed and tossed up and down but not forsaken and thou dost not sorrow as one without hope for thou hast yet a little strength remaining and sure thy afflictions are come up before the Lord but what am I that I should comfort thee Only this is my hearts desire that my sorrowful complaints might find a place for its yearnings to rest and that I might condole thy grief in a fellow-feeling of the same yea and that the moan of my pierced grieved wounded soul that I am sure hath entred the highest Heavens and is come up before the Lord of Sabbaths might congratulate thy sence with me as a rebounding Eccho and by the rebellious in heart and stiff-necked in ear might no more be slighted and dis-regarded as such that cannot hear the voyce of the Charmer though he charm never so wisely but like the deaf Adder are closed and shut up against the breathings of the poor and needy that dare not despise the day of small things but hath been thankfull for a crum And then their Heavens shall be no more like Brasse nor their Earth as Iron nor shall an Iron finew be found on the neck the place she is to put on the harnesse but the Heavens will hear the Earth and the Earth will hear the Corn and the Wine and the Oyle and they will hear Jezerel that my words may drop toward the four winds of the Firmaments glory where stars remain fixed to constellate matter of praise to him that diâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 â—â—cellency of what is lustrous where I seek entertainment only in the meek and lowly heart whereby the worker of glory is endlesse hath his due and right in me and all that wait on the power that keeps and preserves fixed and from wandring out of and above the place and sphere we are serviceable in to the glory of the body shall never dye nor wax old Therefore Consider with me thou unpityed Babe though thou art ready to say None in all the earth like me for I see the wicked flourish on every hand and all things goeth well and are prosperous with them but I am utterly unstript of all earthly glorying and rejoycing in any fleshly and selfish confidence and though I flye from the enemy as one beset with the terrours of the night yet how doth he follow and surround me and layes snares for my seer and a Ginne and Trap to catch me in my way so that my besetments are even more than I am able to bear and my roarings are all the day long as one crying out of the belly of Hell and out of the grave of sorrow my moan ascends as he that the great Leviathan hath made to be his prey and the Net of every Fowler hath been spread in my way and the cunning Hunter hath pursued me with Dogs that as a Partridge on the Mountains of Israel I have been hunted for my life and had no place of safety untill I came into the low valleys though my soul panted after the Lord more than the Hart for the water brooks Alass for thee I know thy day and the night of thy sorrow hath not been hid from mine eyes but as one touched with the feeling of thy infirmity I can condole with thee being satisfied that thou canst never sit down and make an agreement with Hell and the Grave nor is it possible in this feeling any contract should be made with the wicked to strengthen the power and dominion of death or inlarge the mouth of Tophet and borders of destruction yea and though opportunities of returning back to thy wooted course in which was a seeming pleasure and content are dayly presented before thee and instruments are suffered to be stirred up to that purpose yet the very thoughts thereof are a defiance to thy soul neither darest thou look back on the pleasures of Egypt as one longing for the Onions and Garlick thereof and its Flesh-pots as did and doth those that were and are found murmuring and repining and complaining by the way at the leadings of the Prophet whose carkasses fell in the Wildernesse that said Were there not Graves enough there Neither art thou again to be inchanted with the gluttony of Sodom that looking back thou shouldest lose thy shape Oh dear heart Look not out for there is the Fools eye wandring abroad neither look back least thou be an example to savour and tincture the remaining part for concerning all such that draw back Gods Soul hath no pleasure in them because their love grows cold and such are not fit for the Kingdome of God that once had set their hand to the plough and now draws back look not out at the prosperity of the wicked I say either within or without nor at thy besettings and huntings up and down least thy foot almost slide but to God that delivers out of all let be thy eye of respect and what then
man Adam and natural body of elements the creature of God was betrayed in under the enemies power but he in all the world is to be redeemed and restored to wit the creature of God and nothing lost of him that comes into his hands who is the Redeemer and Restorer yet as the Elements are not properly the creature of God but that which the creature embodyed a being in to and for self for redemption sake from a state it was fallen in under and of the body that suffered and which he suffered in through the fall as self comes thus to be destroyed by a destruction that is everlasting the body thereby coming to suffer under the power of a death and destruction in time and place is restoring in time and place and restored out of time and place in the end thereof that was the beginning and then the first beauty is known which God created all things beautiful in when he set the world in their hearts that no man can find out the works of God from the beginning to the end which is all the work of the Spirit of God and attained by a faith therein where is only everlasting safety in a feeling of the spirit of the world and the way and course thereof it hath led into and under that hath made the body vile in the oldnesse of that state self hath made miserable and wretched and then are the groanings and sighings felt of that and him that hath begotten into a sence of the Spirits sufferance that makes intercession with that which cannot be uttered and so a fellow-feeling of the sufferers glory dwelt in in a hope that keeps waiting for and faith that believes in the perfect and thorow redemption and restoration again of the creature into a state it is fallen from Therefore The first Apostate being described in his place with the ground and cause thereof to wit of the apostasie this I have further to say to the remaining root of what continues undestroyed of the part and nature that was and is found in the cause Though the cause of the first breach was found in the first Adam in a nature he became embodyed in male and female where the woman was most properly seen and found in the cause of the first transgression against and erring and straying from the Spirit of God yet that being not so much the cause and ground of the apostasie as the deceitful healing is after the breach hath been made wherein Adam hath been found hunting about the Garden and running among the Trees for shelter as one afraid because of transgression and making to them aprons and coverings of Fig-leaves let this be throughly searched into and then all false coverings must off and the root will come to be removed from whence the cause of all complaints hath proceeded untill which time the daubings will be still but with untempered mortar and the false glosse will remain over every work of fallen man and here you will find the cause to be the nature of what was first degenerated from God and still is generated in the cause and ground of the mans fall and backsliding in which came up a Law which sin and the man of sin took occasion by and offerings under the Law which made nothing perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but served for the bringing in of a better hope a hope in a better life then that of the fall and transgression from God which all creatures live and move and have their being in under the sufferance of Gods Spirit as that which came and was taken from him but abode not in his will and good pleasure so that as far forth as any mans hope of glory is in this life the Law is not at an end nor the one offering rested and trusted in that makes a perfect-atonement but the remembrance is tinctured with the first Priest-hoods work whose lips was to preserve knowledge and so sin again is brought to the remembrance after there hath been a coming to the one offering that was offered up once for all and the Law can never be put an end to here the bringing up of which declared the everlasting High Priest to be come and an everlasting Priesthood the atonement maker for all but since the Watch-men hath been hunted after and there hath been a going down into Egypt for help as if there was no Balm in Gilead or no Physitian there it is seen what they have done and what is the most that the many Pastors can do even smite and wound or take away thy vail so that thou must get thee out besides the Shepherds Tents to find the place he makes his flock to lye down in and rest at noon-day even in him that is a shadow from the heat and refuge from the storm experience being my best Teacher in this condition I see no trusting in man but vain is the hope of all such confidence and now being returned to God I find a place of safety something of bread in my own house and water in my own Cistern and it being my own and not a strangers here I come to set down under my own vine and under my own fig-tree and none can rise up to make me afraid but God is to me all that I want or stand in need of both Husband Teacher Physitian and all in all and what need can I have here either of fruit of my body to rejoyce in or substance of and for my souls content of cure for my wounds or health to my disease since in him is both health to my soul and counsel and advice is in him to answer all my disquietness oh I have enough since I have again found him whom my soul loves this is my first beloved whom I will hold and never more will let him go when he meets me without he satisfieth me with kisses and this is he I have longed for all my life long And now I am over-joyed at his coming at our meeting again to finde his Armes so open and feel his imbraces so neer though I had put him off with delays and had wandred after other lovers untill I saw my way hedged up with thornes that I could no longer pass on and that I was among the swine in a prodigality of the Harlots love and there longed for my belly full of husks but there was found none to give them me I had a yoak of oxen to try and a wife to marry and father to bury and having put off my coat said how shall I put it on and having washed my feet how shall I defile them yet he never hath me denied in what ever I have been found asking in faith and this breaks my heart more than all his love notwithstanding my ingratitude but being thus returned I find in the house a home-born son that is elder by birth than I and he hath the name of a Jew but is only one outwardly for inwardly he is ravening