Tribulations Therefore though this Scripture Heb. 6.2 mentions Baptisms yet Bethania believes Heb. 10.32 that according to Ephes 4.5 That there is but one Baptism of which these three are the several parts FOVRTEENTHLY The fourth thing is laying on of hands Heb. 5.12 which is believed in Bethania to be one of these first Principles of the Oracles of God Mat. 28.20 and therefore given by Christ to his true Ministers to be by them performed upon believing and baptised Souls Act. 8.14 Chap. 19.6 with which they use earnest Prayers and serious Supplications to the Soveraign God in whom is infinite fulness that those Souls may receive his holy Spirit and that Divinely assisting Grace 2 Cor. 12.9 1 Cor. 1.8 by which they may be instructed confirmed and enabled to walk and persevere to the end in that Divine Christianity in which they are now ingaged by holy Baptism This principle is to be asserted by all Christs true Ministers 1 Cor. 15.1 Act. 20.20 Verse 27. as their own indispensible Duty and by them to be performed as an highly excellent priviledge for believing and baptised Souls in Bethania FIFTEENTHLY The fifth thing is the Resurrection of the dead both of Just and Unjust Act. 24.15 Joh. 5.28 and is a Doctrine that in Bethania hath been earnestly contended for and is still of great estimation in the house of the Poor that as by the fall both Soul and Body lost their paradisical Estate and became dead unto it Even so God hath appointed a way by him who is the Resurrection and the Life John 11.25 John 5.5 to obtain it again and it is begun first in the Soul and that in this world who by the Voice of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace Tim. 5.6 Rom. 6.11 is raised up from a Death in Sin to a Life of Righteousness which is a true state of true Regeneration and Spiritual Resurrection 1 Pet. 1.23 Ephes 2.16 by which it recovers again the Divine Image 2 Col. 3.18 1 John 1.3 and so obtaineth communion with God the which by the Fall was utterly lost 2 Sam. 14.14 In which communion stands the Divine Joy which is a true paradisical state 1 Joh. 1.4 and first part of that Resurrection of Just men in which Bethania obtaineth great consolation Job 19.25 Sam. 26.19 Mat. 27.52 Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 15.42 The second part is that of the Body which will be accomplished when Jesus shall appear the second time by whose Voice of Power in the dispensation of Glory he will bring it to pass that hath said John 6.39 Phil. 3.20 I will rise again at the last day in which these Eyes shall see God and these Vile Bodies of ours be made like the Glorious Body of Christ Rom. 6.19 So that these Members of our Bodies Job 17.14 1 Cor. 4.11 Psal 49.12 which were yielded in this World as Instruments of Righteousness unto the Glory of God although by reason of the Fall we are sunk down into a state of Corruption afflicted with Hunger Thirst Cold and Nakedness subject to Sickness Pains Persecutions Deformity and variety of Likeness like the Beasts and Fowls into whose Kingdom we now are fallen having lost our own Eccl. 3.19 1 Cor. 15.43 which at first was Paradise and therefore subject to Mortality and Death as they are yet this very Essence shall rise again but in a far more excellent Estate and become a glorious Body like the glorious Body of Christ Matt. 22.30 Gal. 3.28 in which Estate it will be neither Male nor Female neither Marry nor be given in Marriage nor be of variety of Form nor yet appear in the imperfections of old Age or Infancy but all Heaven-born Christians whose Souls are formed into the Image of Christ and also grown up into his Similitude and into the measure of his Stature in the inward man Even so in the Resurrrection Phil 3.21 Ephes 4.13 the Bodies of the Saints shall be all of one entire likkeness one with another fashioned in the likeness and raised up into the measure of the Stature of the Glorious Body of Christ and now become meet Companions for their Heaven-born Souls unto whom in their corruptible State before the Resurrection they were meer Prisons 2 Cor. 5.2 and in this united State of Body and Soul Rev. 19.7 the whole Catholick Church becomes Triumphant and is the glorious Bride the Lambs Wife Chap. 21.9 who being now Married unto him which is the highest degree of her Blessed Union Verse 7. she is therefore Instated in his Unspeakable Glory in which she lives and with whom she shines for evermore Blessed therefore are those Souls which shall at last obtain this glorious Resurrection of Just men Mat. 13.43 Rev. 20.6 about which the Faith of Bethania is firm and unshaken but as for Unjust men who will not hear the Voice of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace and come out of the Grave of Sin by the sweet awakening Call of Gods convincing Spirit Prov. 6.9 Joh. 16.8 Ephes 5.14 Joh. 8.44 these must arise from Death and the Grave by force in the dispensation of Vengeance and as their Souls have lived in a state of Sin unto the lusts and will of the Devil by reason of which they are deeply defiled with divers kinds of Impieties and so in the sacred Scriptures are rightly called Serpents Mat. 23.33 Chap. 7.6 Ver. 15. Luke 13.32 Job 20.5 Isa 14.12 Job 41.34 Vipers Dogs Swine Wolves Foxes and such like Even so in the Resurrection their now beautiful and stately Bodies in which they are proud and triumph like the Peacock with his flourishing Tail following the steps of Lucifer their Infernal King shall receive an ugly deformed monstrous shape suitable for such a Devilish Soul whose Image they received in this World 1 Cor. 15.38 Ephes 2.2 and in whose Spirit they walked while in this World therefore in that Image their Souls and Bodies must appear in the World to come and sink down in it into Gods Eternal Wrath in which as in unquenchable Fire maintained by the Breath of the Eternal God as a stream of Brimstone Isa 30.33 Mark 9.46 to make their Torments everlasting SIXTEENTHLY The sixth thing according to the Doctrine of Bethania Act. 17.31 Rom. 2.16 2 Cor. 5 10. is Eternal Judgment or a day wherein or in which God will Judge the Secrets of men by Jesus Christ before which Judgment Seat must all both good and bad appear and there receive according to the things done in the Body whether they be good or evil Mat. 12.37 in which time the Justification of Christian Souls shall be fully compleated who were Justified first from the Sin of their Nature Joh. 1.29 1 Joh. 2.2 by the meer Merits of Christ who as the Lamb of God taketh away the Sin of the World. Secondly from the Sin of their
in the fulness of this Vnion Meum and Tuum are not the native Speech this Vnion is perfectly compacted and maintained by unfeigned Love the Bond of Perfection Col. 3.16 And where Love abounds Life and Goods and all will very easily go for the Brethren therefore we long greatly to see this Place and State and often express our Desires in this manner O that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Sion And Return Return O Shulamite return return that we may look upon thee for the Shulamite hath long time dwelt in the Clefts of the Rock and the secret places of the Stairs and our Church hath yet recovered but little of her Beauty nevertheless we have found out her Charter and out of it collected some part of her Divinicy and it is greatly desired that all the true Sons of Sion would leave all their Fury in which they have appeared like a wild Bull in a Net Isa 1.200 take poor Bethania by the hands that Sharon may be a Fold of Flocks and the Valley of Achor Isa 65.10 viz. a state of trouble for a door of hope Hos 2.15 That the ruines of many gener ations may be repaired and that the Divisions of Reuben may not fill the Souls of the Poor with the cup of trembling for whose sakes chiefly we have written this little Treatise and have likewise given an Account why we call it Bethania who though we have been born out of due time and very unworthy to be numbred among the Repairers of Breaches yet we have endeavoured and attempted to cast in our Mite in order thereunto and in all that we have done do really design the Glory of God the Benefit of the poor in Spirit the Satisfaction of all our Mothers Children the Advantage of Truth and Profit of our Fellow-creatures and desire herein to be judged by the great Charter of Bethania and so Courteous Reader I commit thee to the Father of Mercies desiring that the Wonderful Counsellor may be thine infallible Guide and keep thee from every crooked Path Even so Amen W. P. Ancient Christianity REVIV'D c. Principles of Doctrine believed in Bethania laid down in several Articles for the Removing of Doubts touching the Faith of the House of the Poor FIRST THERE is one only God acknowledged and believed in Bethania Joh. 17.3 Joh. 4.24 Col. 1.15 1 Kings 8.27 Heb. 13.8 Rev. 1.4 Jer. 23.24 2 Cor. 6.18 1 Joh. 4.16 1 Tim. 6.16 Jude 25. 1 Pet. 1.16 Heb. 13.20 Psal 145.9 Psal 103.17 Deut. 32 14. Exod. 34.7 Psal 103.2 who is purely a Spirit invisible incomprehensible eternal infinite omnipotent who is Love it self dwelling in light unto which no man may approach and is most wise most holy a God of Grace full of tender and Everlasting Mercies yet most just without iniquity and will in no wise clear the guilty knoweth all Secrets and filleth all places of whom are all things who is distinguished not divided into Father Son and Spirit SECONDLY II. 1 Cor. 8.6 1 Joh. 5.7 1 Tim. 3.16 Joh. 14.9 Heb. 1.3 Rev. 1.8 Phil. 2.16 Isa 43.10 1 Cor. 8.6 John 1.3 Rev. 3.14 Colos 1.15 Who that he might become manifest unto Angels and to men gave forth an express Image of his own invisible substance which Image is the First-last the very form of God before whom there was no God formed by whom were all things made that were made who is the beginning of the Creation of God and First-born of every Creature the Head of all Principality and Power The glorious Root of David and Upholder of the whole Universe in whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily and from whom the glorious Attributes and Properties of the absolute Deity do shine forth in full Perfection He is of the same Essence with the Father as firmly believed in Bethania THIRDLY III. Which glorious Image in fuilness of time Gal. 4.4 Heb. 2.14 Isa 7.14 Heb. 7.14 Rom. 1.3 Heb. 4.5 Luke 21.23 assumed humane Nature and was born of a pure Virgin A branch sprung out of David and made of his seed according to the Flesh and so in all things like unto us sin only excepted in which humane Nature he was nourished by and subject to Parents And in it was circumcised and fulfilled the whole Law who also about thirty years of Age was baptised to fulfill all Righteousness both Legal and Evangelical Mat. 3.15 In it he was tempted but overcame the Tempter Mat. 4.3 and then went out to preach to the lost Sheep of the house of Israel Act. 2.22 Luke 24.19 1 Pet. 2.21 Isa 53.4 Chap. 7. Phil. 2.8 Col. 2.15 Isa 53.11 Dan. 9.24 2 Cor. 5.19 John 1.29 Luke 1.77 Chap. 24.27 Exod. 34.7 1 Cor. 15.4 Dan. 9.24 Rom. 4.25 Acts 1.3 Chap. 1.11 Heb. 12.3 Mat. 15.18 John 5.27 2 Cor. 5.10 Mat. 1.21 23. In our humane Nature he wrought many famous Miracles and gave forth a perfect pattern of absolute Piety At last quietly endured the smitings of God and uttermost cruelties of men subjecting himself to the Death of the Cross by which he spoyled the Principallity of Darkness satisfied Divine Justice and so made Reconciliation between God and Man. And having obtained Eternal Redemption for us opened a way for the Remission of sins which before Divine Justice would in no wise admit of And then the third day in our Nature rose again from the Dead and brought in Everlasting Righteousness for our Justisication And after he had reigned forty days over Death in this World he ascended in our Nature into Heaven and sate down on the Right Hand of God and so hath all power in Heaven and Earth delivered into his hands who as he is the Son of Man will come again the second time to judge the Quick and the Dead and give to every one as his work shall be He is our Emanuel and our only Saviour in Bethania FOVRTHLY IV. Gen. 1.1 Exod. 20.11 Col. 1.16 Rev. 4.11 Psal 103.19 20. Mat. 18.10 Heb. 1.7 Verse 14. Ezek. 28.15 Verse 3. Eph. 21.22 Rev. 4.10 Chap. 19.14 Jude 6. 2 Pet. 2.4 Mat. 25.41 Touching the Creation in it glorious Elohim the number of whose Name is Three Created three sorts of living Creatures The first whereof were Angels unto whom Heaven was assigned for their Habitation These by Nature are Spirits and their Life is only rational and immortal of whom the first-born of every Creature was and is Soveraign Lord being the glorious Head of all their Principality and after whom they were to move in great Subordination Their Essence is immutable but their State in Creation subject to change Therefore many of them breaking the order designed by Creation and kept not their first Estate were cast down to Hell and are reserved under Darkness in Chains unto the Judgment of the Great day after which they are deeply involved in Gods Eternal Wrath out of which there is no Redemption The Second sort of
Creatures was Man Heb 1.7 who was by Creation a little lower than the Angels but his Soul was a rational Being therefore of the same Essence with them not capable of Annihilation but only a change of State Gen. 3.22 Chap 2.8 His Body was immortal in which it was to be confirmed by Eating of the Tree of Life his place was Eden his State was Paradice Male and Female Gen. 1.27 Eccles 7.29 capable of producing an Off-spring He was made in he Image of God viz. in Holiness Wisdom Soveraignty and was Lord of all the inferiour Creation unto whom all the communicable Attributes of the Divine Nature were communicated as Mercy Justice Patience Bounty Love Humility and such-like He was naturally inclined to good but capable being as yet unconsirmed Gen. 1 3â— of being drawn into Evil therefore being tempted Chap. 3 19. broke that Righteous Law that was given him by reason of which his Body was designed to the Dust Eccles 12.7 Chap. 20.21 Jer. 2.21 his sensitive Spirit to extinguish as the Spirit of a Beast and his rational Soul to a change of State as having lost the Image of God and fallen into the Image of the fallen Angels sunk down with them into the same Wrath of God out of which neither by himself Eph. 2.2 Psal 49 7. nor yet by any other Creature there was no Redemption This point will be further argued and endeavoured to be cleared unto any sober Person that shall doubt thereof if he inquire further about it in Bethania The Third sort of Creatures were those that move in the Air in the Earth and in the Waters Their Estate was inferiour to mans as mans was inferiour to Angels Their Place or Habitation was and is in this World Gen. 1.26 1 Pet. 2.11 but since the fall man doth cohabit with them Heb. 11.13 Chap. 13.14 Job 1.21 Rom. 1.12 John 3.5 yet is but a stranger in it and hath no continuing City here he enters this World naked and mourningly lives in it sinfully and except he be Born again and so recover himself to his first Estate he must leave it miserably this third sort of Creatures have no Rational Life therefore their end is only anihilation there being no state after Death proper to them FIFTHLY Touching the Decrees of God Eph. 1.11 Jam. 1.17 Jud. 4. Mark 16.16 about the everlasting state of men it is concluded and believed in Bethania that they are eternal and unchangeable and that they do respect the Persons and not the Qualities of men Mat. 25.34 Mat. 3.10 Psal 50.22 Mat. 24.5 so that there is a state of Election and a state of Reprobation proper to men as they are found in a state of Regeneration to Christ which is the true estate of Election or remain in the Fall which is the true state of Reprobation Even so that Decree which is proper to that estate is executed upon them SIXTHLY It is concluded in Bethania Tit. 3.3 Eph. 2.3 2 Tim. 2.19 Esa 42 1. Rev. 5.5 Rom. 11.17 that none are elected but such as are in Christ who is the only Elect of God and the Foundation that standeth sure in whom the Lord knoweth them that are his So that he is the Elected Root and Heaven-born Souls are the Elected Branches 2 Cor. 5.19 2 Pet. 1.4 and there is no real being in him but what is by Regeneration Ephes 4.15 2 Cor. 2.18 Rom. 8.29 v. 30. Rom. 1.16 in which the New-creature-Soul is partaker of the Divine Nature being Ingrafted into him as a Graft into a Stock and so partaketh of his vertue from whence springeth up the Divine Nature and Image which is the Image of the first born among many Brethren unto a conformity to which Image God hath predestinated the Sons of men and into a conformity thereunto he doth call them by the Gospel of his Grace and in that consormity he doth Justify them and Glorify all those that shall be Eternally saved SEVENTHLY Bethania further believes Ephes 2.2 Rom. 3.11 Mat. 7.18 Luk. 19.10 Col. 1.13 Act. 26.18 John 15.15 1 Cor. 15.10 That man in the Fall is dead in sin and averse to every thing that is good and therefore though means be prepared of God for his recovery yet without the Grace of God to help him to lay hold on that means he is like still to continue in that lost Estate for deeply intangled in the Kingdom of Darkness he is therefore held by the Prince thereof in great Captivity and Bondage which being firmly believed it must needs follow that Free-will is a great stranger in the House of the Poor EIGHTHLY Therefore that Grace by which Christ our Lord tasted Death for every man Tit. 2.11 Heb. 2.9 Chap. 9.15 Ephes 2.4 Tit. 2.12 Rom. 2.4 and procured by the merit thereof Salvation for them hath appeared and doth appear unto all men reaching them the way and administring to them the power to deny Ungodliness and Worldly-Lusts For the observation of which appearance and for the complying with which power the Lord waiteth in long forbearance upon men and calleth upon them by the loud Calls of the Gospel striving with them by the frequent working of his holy Spirit Gen. 6.3 that so they may come into that Estate in which this Salvation may be obtained by them NINTHLY So that the first moving cause of mans Conversion is God Ezek. 16.6 Gen. 3.9 Heb. 12.2 Act. 14.27 Phil. 1.27 Act. 11.18 Isa 65.2 Prov. 1.25 Luk. 13.34 Matt. 22.9 who is the Author of their Faith and openeth the door thereof and giveth power to believe and granteth unto men repentance unto Life stretching out his Arms of Mercy unto the Stubborn and Rebellious and to such as set at naught all his Counsels seriously desiring to gather in all those who in the end are not gathered inviting to the Feast and that in good earnest those that do not come marveling at their unbelief and reproving their wilful and careless refusal Hos 11.4 but his manner of working in the dispensations of Grace is to perswade not to force the will of man theresore it is concluded in Bethania that the power to repent and believe are the Gifts of God Mark. 1.15 but the Acts of Believing and Repentance are the Acts of men TENTHLY And seeing Bethania hath been suspected in her Doctrine about the great work of Christs Satisfaction She seriously professeth and hath fully concluded Heb. 7.27 Rom 5.10 2 Cor. 5.18 Heb. 10.12 Verse 14. that by the sufficiency of Christ the work of Reconciliation of God to men was fully wrought and satisfaction for all sins past present and to come was compleatly made and justification and remission of sins by that means was effectually procured so that he needed to suffer no more his Sacrifice being every way sufficient for those ends for which it was designed John 16.2 John 5.22 Mark 16.16 upon
which satisfaction made by Christs sufferings the Father delivered all Flesh into his hands that he might give Eternal Life or dispose to Eternal Torments such as conform or remain Nonconformists to the gracious Terms of the Gospel Rom. 3.25 So that in the first Acts of Repentance and Faith men do only receive Remission of sins that are pasto according to the riches of the Grace of God through Christ and in case any truly converted Soul be overcome by the violence of Temptation Heb. 4 15. Chap. 7.15 Joh. 1.9 2 Cor. 7.10 1 Tim. 2.5 and slip and fall and thereby be bruised very sore yet if he readily confess his Sins and enter into most true Repentance for the same Jesus our Saviour as a Mediator between God and man by vertue of his Intercession is able to recover them and to save to the uttermost those who thus come to God by Him Hos 14.4 Isa 57.18 Heb. 9.22 so pardoning and healing the wounded but Penitent Soul and into this capacity he was put and entred into the Holy place for this end by his own blood without which there is no Remission of Sins so that the work of Reconciliation was only wrought by the death of the Son of God but the Salvation of Reconciled Souls is fully compleated by his most precious Life Rom. 5.9 Heb. 7.25 as may clearly appear by Christian Principles professed and believed in the little City Bethania And thus having laid down in certain Articles The sum in brief of the Doctrine of Bethania as it respecteth God to Man I shall as the Lord shall assist briefly hint at her Doctrine as it respecteth Man to God. And ELEVENTHLY There are six things believed in Bethania to be the Foundation upon which Christian Religion is to stand And they are written Heb. 6.1 2. The first of which is Repentance from Dead Works Act. 3.19 1 Thes 1.9 2 Cor. 7.10 Eph. 4.18 Isa 14.29 Col. 1.21 Eph. 5.8 Joel 2.13 14. Psal 51 17. James 4.10 Job 42.6 which is a true turning of the whole mind to God without which turning it is impossible that men should walk with him the which turning is not only a change of Judgment but also a change of Life For from a mind estranged from God proceedeth as from the Serpents Root an evil Judgment and a wicked Life but when the mind is wholly turned to God a Right Judgment and a New Life presently ensues Besides Repentance is an hearty sorrow for Sins that are past which sheweth forth it self in great brokeness of Heart and deep humblings of Soul before the Father of Mercies abhorring it self in Dust and Ashes in that it hath lived so long in sin against him from whom all its good proceeds Act. 9.11 Psal 109.22 Job 31.1 Chap. 34.32 and this godly sorrow worketh Repentance unto Salvation not to be repented of and further appears by earnest Prayers and frequent fastings and careful Circumspection with stedfast Resolutions through the Grace of God for time to come to lead a Holy Life In this Estate the Soul is received into Mercy Luke 1.77 and through tender Mercies obtains Remission of Sins TWELFTHLY The Second thing Joh. 6.29 is Faith in which there are three parts The first of which James 2.19 is Credence by which we believe the things reported of God and Christ Salvation and the way thereof to be true Secondly Adherence By which we believe the things reported to be good John 12.42 excellent and very profitable adhering to them in our Affectionate Desire Thus far went the Rulers and many others in the way of Faith believing the things reported by Christ Mark 6.20 to be true and adhering unto them as good things Mat. 25.10 Act. 8.21 Chap. 11.23 Ephes 1.13 Ephes 4.2 Mark 7.29 Hos 11.8 Act. 15.9 John 1.16 Psal 97.2 Psal 66.9 but yet for all this came short of Salvation which stands at utmost end of Faith. The Third and last part of which is Compliance By which the Souls of men comply and become one with the things of God. And herein Faith arrives at his Maturity and Fullness being now compleated in all its parts in which compleat state it reacheth unto the very Heart of Christ in whom all fullness dwells and draws that vertue from him by which the saving health of God is brought into and also maintained in the believing Soul. THIRTEENTHLY The Third thing is Baptism in which also are three parts Heb 6.2 Acts 10.42 Chap. 38. Rom. 6.4 Mat. 28.19 And therefore in this place called Baptisms The formal part of which is Water in which the whole body is dipped or plunged in every part and this done in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit By this formal part of Baptism Acts 8.13 we are baptized into the Name and Profession of Divine Christianity which outward washing is a true figure of the inward washing of the Soul by the Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 3.21 Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.2 Rom. 6.5 Isa 1.6 Acts 15.9 and Sanctification of the Holy Spirit and is the laver of Regeneration but not Regeneration it self It is a sign of our being dead unto Sin and burial with Christ in the likeness of his Death and of our Resurrection with him into Newness of Life And therefore as every part of the Soul was defiled by Sin and is actually cleansed in its turning to God even so also as a true figure hereof after Repentance and Faith is professed every part of the body is to be washed John 13.10 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Cor. 12.13 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Tim. 1.7 John 3.6 shewing thereby the Universal Defilement of the Soul before its cleansing and that after its cleansing it ought to be universally pure The Second part of Baptism is that of the Spirit by which cleansed Souls are baptised into the Mystical Body of Christ 2 Cor. 2.15 Gal. 5.16 Isa 30.11 and into the Nature Power and Vertue of Divine Christianity This Baptism is Effected when the whole Soul is Spiritualized and Regenerated into the Divine Nature of Christ and formed after his own Image that as in outward Baptism the whole Body is covered over with Water even so also in this Baptism the whole Soul is covered over with the Spirit of God in which it is to live and walk and act in Divine Things and this is true Regeneration of which the other part is but the Laver. Blessed therefore are those Souls who are born not only of Water John 3.2 but also of the Spirit The Third Part of Baptism Luke 20.20 2 Tim. 1.8 is that of Afflictions and into this the Spiritual Soul is deeply plunged for the Gospel sake and as Christ our Lord was straitned in himself until this part of Baptism was also accomplished even so the spiritual Soul desires to confirm his Love to him Rom. 5.3 by great and overwhelming
turneth to them the other and if they Magisterially take away her Goods she asketh them not again But yet further There is nothing in the whole Charter of Bethania from first to last that may in the least warrant her to Swear upon such a Book wherein Swearing is so flatly forbidden therefore she concludeth that the Root of this whole matter was Planted first in Babel and from thence sprang up as a custome in the Earthly Jerusalem but Bethania is a little City that hath little or no Affinity with any of these FIFTEENTHLY When Persecution ariseth against Bethania Act 14.22 John 16.2 2 Tim. 3.12 Psal 137.7 Ecles 9.14 Acts 20.24 Psal 121.4 1 Pet. 5.7 as often times it cometh to pass for great Babel cannot endure this poor little City and therefore the great King cometh oft against it yet when he cometh sitting upon a Seat of Violence they take but little notice of him for the poor wise man who is the Keeper of this City hath wit enough to cicumvent the greatest designs of Humane or Iufernal Enemies and Furies therefore they cast their whole care upon him who they know greatly careth for their Souls and their great care is on the other hand when they are brought before the Judgment Seat of men to beware of men Mat. 10.17 Psal 125.5 Rev. 12.17 1 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 12.17 Heb. 10.34 least by them they should be intangled in the crooked Paths of Error And in the next place to maintain a constant Testimony unto the Manifest Truths of the Blessed Lamb that so Truth may not fall in the Streets for want of Suffering Pillars to uphold it Then as for their Lives they love them not unto Death Rom. 8.28 Luke 21.17 18. Mat. 10.29 Luke 22.3 5. Joh 2.6 Luke 13.32 who also suffer joyfully the spoyling of their fading Treasures steadfastly believing that all things shall work together for the best and that there shall not one Hair of their Head perish and seeing that a Sparrow cannot fall to the ground without their Heavenly Father and that the Power of Darkness hath but one Hour and so is limited both to Time and Measure Therefore if it be told them as it was told to Christ That a cruel Herod seeks to kill them Yet they are ready to answer and say with him Behold We must Work to day and to morrow Prov. 11.6 and in the Morning of Prosperity must sow our Seed and in the Evening of Adversity must not withold our Hands For they know the Truth is sometimes planted in Blood and the Sufferings of some Christians Phil. 1.12 Heb. 10.25 have been the Conversion of others So that a sharp Winter may and doth oftentimes produce a fruitful Harvest Therefore the manner of Trading in this City Dan. 11.14 Esth 4.16 greatly differeth from the manner of Trading in other Cities for the Earthly Jerusalem when she heareth of a storm of Violence letteth fall much of her Trading is Truth and Vertue but Bethania increaseth hers the more And when the Robbers begin to Exalt themselves to Establish the Vision then this City bringeth forth the best of her Wares Their Prayers now are most Fervent and their Sermons most Divine their manner of Life most Circumspect and their Faith very stedfast Cant. 8.6 their Hope reacheth furthest within the Vaile their Charity is now more strong than Death and all their Graces takes the deepest or firmest Root So the Innocent stirreth up against the Hypocrite the Righteous also holdeth on his way and he that hath Clean Hands shall grow stronger and stronger At last Bethania cometh out of her Tribulation having washed their Robes Rev. 7.14 and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb and so she enjoyeth a Life which Death can never approach unto and a Substance that no Thieves can steal away inheriting a joy Mat. 6.20 Isa 60.20 which shall never more be Ecclipsed with sorrow in the glorious Morning of Bethania SIXTEENTHLY The frequent Discourse in Bethania is for the most part very savoury 2 Cor. 2.14 Ephes 4.29 and their Words do generally that are the Inhabitants thereof stand for something and they are very careful of avoiding Superfluity of Speech knowing That of every idle Word that men shall speak Mat. 12.36 they must give an Account thereof in the Day of Judgment Therfore their Words are very much seasoned with Grace designed in Spiritual Things namely for the Edification of the Hearers and in Natural Things to Express the Conceptions of the Mind touching humane Affairs otherwise they are very much given to Silence being swift to hear slow to speak carefully keeping the Bridle upon the Tongue James 1.19 Psal 39.1 least that unruly Member run headlong into Disorder and so the Heart be quite deceived and all their Religion prove to be a meer Vanity For in the Multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin Prov. 10.16 and he that restraineth his Lips is wise And they consider that God hath given unto men two Eyes two Ears two Hands and two Feet yet but one Tongue that the Actions of all these might be twice as much as the Tongue shall speak Therefore when any of the Inhabitants of Bethania meet together Job 32.4 1 Cor. 14.29 2 Tim. 2.7 and there be some Divine Matter about to be uttered they all wait and hear in Silence carefully avoiding all Interruptions and if any thing be wanting that ought to have been spoken another supplyeth that Defect when the first hath left off speaking and so all things are done to good purpose in much Decency and Order Job 32.11 15 16. For to speak two or three at once either in Humane or Divine Matters is counted ridiculous and a meer Confusion proper only to Babel But if they have no Divine matter to Communicate 1 Cor. 14.40 nor yet any Natural Thing that is needful to be spoken then they retire themselves into some serious Exercises of the Soul and in the Multitude of such thoughts within them they meet with great Consolation from the Father of Spirits Psal 94.23 whose Heavenly Vertue is a quickning Influence to every true Bethanian SEVENTEENTHLY Laughter in Bethania is counted madness Eccles 2.2 Rom. 8.6 Luke 6.25 and like the crackling of Thorns under a pot being a Vanity that springeth up in a carnal Mind and it is frequently found among such kind of Persons who are hastening into Eternal Mournings For the Triumphing of the wicked is but very short Job 20.15 and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment Therefore saith Jesus Woe to you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep This unseemly Vanity is none of the first Actions of innocent Age for some of the first Actions of a Child are to weep and after it hath lived about forty days in the World it then will begin to smile but it is a great while before it breaks out into plain
he soon left it and after fell a fearful Fall. In this Estate of Virginity Jesus our Saviour continued all the time of his abode in this World Isa 7.14 Jer. 31.22 in this Estate the Virgin-Mother of our Lord having compassed a Man and so fulfilling the Sacred Prophecy continued also till the time of Her Departure out of this World. For the Lord God of Israel having entred through the East-gate of her Sanctified Womb shut it afterwards perpetually Ezek. 44.2 that so no other man might enter in thereby any more In this Estate shall Blessed Souls again appear in the Glorious Resurrection of just Men Luke 20.35 and be as the Angels of Heaven in that World where Marrying and giving in Marriage is wholly out of Date yea the state of the Church of Christ in the highest Degree of her Perfection 2 Cor. 11.3 Rev 4.4 Mat. 23.1 that she arriveth unto in this World is a State of Spiritual Virginity and in it she is Espoused unto the Blessed Lamb of whom she is then a faithful Follower Therefore no marvail if Natural and Spiritual Virginity be of very high Estimation in Bethania 1 Cor. 7.29 Nevertheless all her Inhabitants are left free to choose a Married or a single State as they were able to bear it only it is utterly unlawful there to mingle in Matrimonial Conjunction 2 Cor. 6.14 with any but those only that are within the Liberties of her own Corporation Gen. 6.2 Ezek. 9.2 Mat. 11.29 Ephes 4 20. and have learned of Jesus our Saviour to embrace such Principles and to walk in those steps of Vertue which are approved and owned in her Divine Charter neither is it at all the practice of this little City to go out unto great Babel Amos 5.5 1 John 4.5 2 Cor. 6.17 Isa 65.11 or the Ministers of the worldly Churches to seek their assistance in the celebration of such Marriages as are concluded between the Members of her own Society but all her Marriages are celebrated within her own Corporation the which are performed there with very great Solemnity as is meet in so weighty a case therefore when any of the Inhabitants of this City have engaged themselves to each other by and in a Matrimonial Covenant then they present themselves before some considerable Assembly in Bethania Ruth 4.9 10 11. and there in a very grave and serious manner publish their secret Contract the which being accomplished certain special Witnesses unto this solemn Marriage record their Names in the Register-Book of this Society after which serious Prayers are made to the God of Heaven Eph. 5.31 who at first was pleased to make two of one so now that he would make one of two again After which the Parties are dismissed with some grave Admonition about the state of Marriage Eph. 5.24 25. and exhorted to live as is meet for Christians in that estate according to the divine Charter of Bethania TWENTIETHLY Watching Mar. 13.37 Mat. 24.42 Ephes 6.18 2 Tim. 4.5 in Bethania is accounted of great necessity and is the last work of a Christsan being a constant Exercise of the Soul after the Warfare is wholly ended it is to be a Companion with all Actions and Enjoyments and to attend diligently on every State. The Bethanians divide it into three Parts and desire to be found always in that Posture in which every one of them may be performed The first Part of Watching is an Abstenance from Sleep at some times 2 Cor. 11.27 Chap. 6.5 and to use as little thereof at all times as well you may For they know that Sleeping began the Fall of man and something else helped it forwards but eating fully compleated it Gen. 2.21 Sleep is very near of kinn to Death therefore hath the very same Name with it and so is an unmeet Exercise for living Souls for it consumeth much precious time and the Excess thereof greatly stupifieth the sensitive Life Prov. 6.9 and maketh indisposed to the Exercises of Eternity It extends no further than the Animal Kingdom and so wholly ends in Death and is never seen any more after the Resurrection Both the Heathens and Christians have shunned it as much as they could Rev. 4.8 for it is in the Excess thereof often reproved by an awakened Conscience We read of very many Actions of Christ but very little of his sleeping Once he was found sleeping on a Pillow while the Ship was tossed Mark 4.38 and the Disciples terrified but he quickly awoke and wrought a Miracle The Gospel-Ministers who are appointed by Christ to awaken Spiritual Sleepers have been often themselves Exercised in Watchings Ephes 5.14 So saith Paul In Stripes in Imprisonments in Travels in Labours in Watchings in Fastings yet further in Weariness and Painfulness in Watchings often in Hunger and Thirst in Cold and Nakedness Therefore though Sleep be pleasing and incident to Nature yet the Cross of Christ doth Crucifie the Superfluity thereof in all true Bethanians But the second Degree of Watching is a careful observing of the out-goings of the Soul in all its Exercises and Imployments Prov. 4.23 Luke 21.34 for there be Snares attending upon every State yea Eden it self was not secure from them and seeing the Soul is so apt to wander before it is fixed in the immutable State Psal 119.10 therefore the Man of God is to be watchful in all things and Prayer it self that most serious Business is carefully to be attended with it For if the vigilant Enemy cannot distract us by gross Corruptions 2 John 8. yet he will endeavour to do it by unseasonable Exercises The Soul that is dispossessed of an unclean Spirit being swept and garnished with many Vertues may be Re-possessed again through want of Watchfulness with Seven Spirits worse than the former Decayes are incident to all unfixed things Mat. 11.43 therefore the Church of Ephesus left her first Love unto which she is advised again to return Rev. 2.5 Chap. 3.2 Chap. 15 16. and keep the same with Watchfulness Blessed therefore is he that Watcheth and keepeth his Garments least he walk Naked and they see his Shame The Third Part of Watching is an earnest Expectation of the Accomplishment of all Gods Gracious Promises Psal 40.1 Isa 28.16 Heb. 6.12 Heb. 2.3 Rev. 3.20 yet he that believeth maketh not haste but quietly waiteth till the Vision shall speak Therefore Bethania is Porter at the Door of her own Heart and watcheth to open to Christ in all his Appearances that she may answer him in all his Requirements and so become a Follower of the Lamb Cant. 5.2 Rev. 14.4 whithersoever he goeth in all things expecting to be supplyed with that Grace 2 Cor. 12.9 which is suffieient for every State and so quietly enduring the Burden and Heat of the day watching dilligently for his Glorious Appearance who then will call watchful Bethania into a
Soul and Edifieth it which is the only Design of Divinity in all its various Operations So then Singing of Psalms is used in Bethania For the Song of Hosannah was sung very near it Mat. 21.9 but it is used there as a Gift of the Holy Spirit peculiar only to him that hath it and not as an Ordinance of God which respecteth all Yet nevertheless Praising of God is an Ordinance of God according to the Principles of Nature proper to all Creatures and so all the Works of God do Praise him but do not Sing unto him except only when their Spirits are Elevated and then the Trees of the Wood sing out and clap their Hands Psal 145.10 Isa 24.7 Isa 55.13 when the Celestial Influences have quickened them in the Spring and Summer and their Voice is uttered in their Leaves Blossoms and Fruit. But when those Influences are withdrawn then they retire and are silent all the Winter Season and so the Sun Moon and Stars Psal 148.3 do Praise the Lord by the Influences of his own Vertue that is in them yea Dragons and all Deeps Fire Hail Snow Stormy Wind Mountains Trees Cedars Beafts Cattle Creeping Things Flying Fowls all these Psal 148.7 8 9 10. in their proper Nature Praise the Lord and Sing unto him in that Season when he putteth the Song into their Mouth Bethania's Walks WITH GOD. Now last of all having briefly hinted First At the Doctrine of Bethania And Secondly At some part of her Discipline and Order We hope now Lastly Briefly to lay down her Manner of Life and serious Walks with God and to what Place this Motion Tendeth CHAP. I. THe Conversation and Manner of Life in Bethania is very Divine and Heavenly Gen. 5.22 Chap. 6.9 being a serious Walk with God and a careful Imitation of the innocent and pure Life of Jesus so that as her Inhabitants are begotten by the immortal Seed of the Word of God and born of the Divine Spirit 1 Pet. 1.2 3. John 3.6 which Birth is from above even so their Conversation isin Heaven as the way of Life which is above to the wise Phil. 3.20 Prov. 15.24 Ephes 1.3 Col. 1.3 1 Pet. 1.4 to deliver from the Snares of Hell beneath in which place and State they are and shall be blessed with all Spiritual and Eternal Blessings in and by Christ Jesus And therefore their Affections are set on things above as things that are incorruptible and will never fade away The which being their Everlasting Treasure unto which they are begotten and born as right Heirs of the same even so their Hearts seriously incline towards that place where this Treasure is layed up for them Heb. 11.14 and their Life is framed here on Earth among men as becometh those who expect to live with God in Heaven among Angels and is such a life Phil. 1.27 which is proper and natural to the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus in which the Grace apeareth which teacheth us To deny all Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Righteously Soberly Tit. 2.12 14. and Godly in this present World looking for that blessed Hope and glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity and Purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works that they might shew forth the Praises of him 1 Pet. 2.9 Phil. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.11 Chap. 2.14 Mark 3.45 who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light in which they shine as lights in the World and manifest the most pure Life of Jesus in their Mortal Flesh making manifest the Savour of his Knowledge in every place which Heavenly Off-spring are of near Affinity with most pure Jesus whose Divine Nature hath deeply Penetrated into their very Souls and changed the Properties thereof from Devilish and Beastial into Divine and Spiritual Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 8.28 John 3.1 2 Cor. 3.18 Ephes 2.19 Chap. 7.15 Heb. 12.13 Rev. 13.8 Gal. 4.25 and so he is but the first-born among these many Brethren as the glorious Son of God by Natural Generation and the Children of the same God with him by Divine Regeneration So that there is but one Nature Spirit Life and Image in Christ and Christians therefore they are called The Houshold of God and the Family in Heaven the General Assembly and Church of the first-born whose Names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb stain from the Foundation of the World and so are Fellow-Citizens with the Saints in that Spiritual Jerusalem which is above and is the true Mother of all real Bethanians CHAP. II. BUT now forasmuch as Bethania is scituate on the Mount of Olives and the Earthly Jerusalem is beneath it yet scarce two Miles distant from it and the direct Motion of the true Followers of the Lamb being still upward ascending from a fleshly Glory in a visible Profession Mat. 5.3 into Poverty of Spirit and Resignation to Jesus Ephes 3.8 and so through that Estate into Spiritual and Eternal Riches we shall a little consider the walk of Saints and the walk of the World as they are both hastening apace into Endless Eternity And forasmuch as the Soveraign God in whose hands is all Power and at whose dispose all things must be hath appointed Heaven Earth and Hell these three places to be the Habitation of all Creatures in time and Eternity according to their proper State. Eccles 3.1 It is Earth only that is allotted to Time and Heaven and Hell to Eternity so that Earth stands between Heaven and Hell equally distant and there are three steps by which men ascend from Earth to Heaven and three steps by which they descend from it to Hell. Now Bethania chooseth the way of Life which is strait and narrow Mat. 7.13 and ascendeth upwards but Babel imbraceth the way of Death Job 21.13 Isa 5.14 Rev. 3.16 which is broad and pleasant and descendeth downwards and the Earthly Jerusalem not well liking either of these yet having but a Luke-warm Spirit settleth upon her Lees just between but at last must sink down with Babel like a Millstone Rev. 18.21 Isa 33.14 into the Bottomless deep of Gods Eternal Wrath which the Sinners in Sion as well as the Sinners in Babel shall not be able to escape Now these three steps by which Bethania ascendeth upwards she hath learned of Christ our Lord who himself hath travelled the same way and they are First Deny your selves Secondly Take up the Cross and Thirdly Mat. 16.24 John. 21.26 Follow me and then Where I am there shall also my Servant be But those three steps by which Babel descendeth towards her Infernal Den are wholly of another Nature as they are layed down by the Apostle Phil. 3.19 And are First Their God is their Belly Secondly Their Glory is their Shame and Thirdly Who mind
up in the Soul by the Love of God which is shed abroad into it this is the number of perfection and highest degree of Virtue it is the highest Stone in Zerubbabel's Temple who is a stranger to Babel and the bond of Perfection Zech. 4.7 Col. 3 16. it is that wherein Bethania enjoyeth her highest Communion with God and is the chiefest Street in all her City for there the Palace of Emanuel standeth as it is written John 4.16 He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him She hath many a Walk with God in this Street and while she walketh with him there she seeth nothing but Glory in his Face in this Street she is fearless of Men or Devils and the Terrors of God do not make her afraid 2 Cor. 4.6 for perfect Love casteth out Fear Psal 27.1 in this Principle of Love God moved himself in all Eternity and produced that Image 1 John 4.17 who is called the Son of his Love Light and Love are the pure Essence of the glorious God and in that Principle were the Angels of Light created whom the Father appointed to attend that Throne on which the Son of his Love sitteth who being the glorious Head of their famous Principality Col. 1.13 1 John 1.5 2 Cor. 11.14 Isa 6.1 2. Col. 1.10 Rev. 4.10 Psal 84.11 Job 38.7 was therefore by them most humbly worshiped and so the heavenly Host of resigned Spirits vail their Faces and cast down their Crowns when the Son and Glory of all these Morning-Stars ascends the Throne Out of this Principle of Light and Love issued forth that Light that was in the beginning before the Sun and Moon and Stars were created the which after they were created seized upon their Bodies as Fire seizeth upon an unlighted Candle when it is touched therewith whose Bodies being thus enlightned they carrylight from Heaven round about the Earth in twenty four hours In this Principle was the Soul of man breathed in his Nostrils in the day of his Creation Gen. 1.34 Vers 14. Gen. 2.7 therefore Man's Soul did bear the Image of God and God is Love yea the whole Creation was brought forth in this Principle of Light and Love therefore the Fruits do grow so quietly among the Leaves together upon the Tree and the great Multitudes of Flowers of so many several Colours Forms and Virtues all peaceably together in one Meadow so that nothing of Strife and Contention or any other Disorder did immediately proceed from God whose Essence and dwelling place was Light and Love from all eternity so that the contention that is now among the Creatures ariseth from some other remote Cause and though there be generation and corruption among those Creatures which are under the influence of the four Elements Gen. 1.31 yet in the beginning there was no contention for the Herbs and Plants and Trees with the Fruits in the vegetable Kingdom grew up by the influence of Heaven into the perfection of their own Nature and yielded up their Spirits into the sensitive Creatures and so live in a more excellent state in the Animal Kingdom than when they lived in their own These again when their Bodies are grown old and feeble resign their Spirits into the four Elements who according to the course of Nature produce new Vegetables and young Animals to possess the places of those who are gone into a formal decay therefore the first disorder of Nature began in the Kingdom of Lucifer who set his Seat above the Stars of God Isa 14.13 upon the Mount of the Congregation in the side of the North Isa 6.2 Rev. 4.1 Ezek. 28 6. Isa 9.6 and did not vail his face at the appearance of the Son of God's Love nor yet cast his Crown before his glorious Throne but would set his Heart as the Heart of God and so be like the most High this kindled Wrath in the Father of Eternity or or rather stirred up pure Justice in him which lay before as Fire is hid in the Flint until it be smitten upon and hence it is that God became a consuming Fire Heb. 12.28 but the next disorder began in the Garden of Eden where Man should have obeyed the Voyce of God Gen. 3.6 Rom. 5.12 Ephes 2.3 Gen. 1.28 Jer. 2.21 Gen. 3.17 Psal 82.2 and have turned to the Tree of Life and so have eaten of that Fruit without which he could not long securely stand but he turned the quite contrary way and Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and so brought Sin and Death into his first Nature and in that Nature he is still a Child of Wrath Thus the King of the Creatures being degenerated the Earth is cursed for his sake therefore the whole Foundations thereof are out of Course and the Devil is become Prince of the World and so there is little but Confusion and Disorder in it Isa 24.1 John 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Dan. 9.24 for which cause the great Jehovah moved himself again in the Principle of Love and sent the Son of his Love out of his own Bosom to make all things new again even to put a final End to Sin and so take away the Curse and to turn out Death Rev. 22.3 Hos 13.14 Rev. 20.10 also to send the Devil into his infernal Den and to create Souls anew for Heaven into which New-Created Souls he infuseth the Spirit of Power of Love and of a sound Mind and in this Estate they become followers of God as Dear Children 2 Tim. 1.9 walking in Love so that all their things be done in Charity or Love and this Love fulfilleth the whole Law Ephes 5.1 1 Cor 16.114 Rom. 15.8 1 Tim. 1.5 Cant. 8.7 Rom. 5.3 1 Pet. 4.13 Mat. 11.29 and goeth to the end of the Commandment For the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and of a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned and where it is shed abroad in the Hearts of Christians it is more strong then Death and many Waters cannot quench it passing through all Tribulations very chearfully rejoycing therein because it is then in Communion with Christ being Partaker of his Suffering and walking with him in the Kingdom of his Patience John 5.3 John 6.6 Gal. 6.16 Rom. 8.37 Cant. 5.10 James 3.24 it counts his Yoke easie and his Commandments are not grievous and those things which to others appear as hard sayings are unto it as Words of Eternal Life It glorieth in the Cross by which 't is more then a Conqueror and nothing separates it from the Love of God It letteth out the whole Soul after Christ and counteth him the chief of ten Thousand and the only Portion of the Soul Cant. 2.5 Psal 71.20 Col. 1.3 so that if he go but behind the Curtain it is sick of Love but when he sheweth his Face again the Spirit is greatly revived and the Lips that were a