Formalities of the persecuting Powers and Priests of this perishing world 19 This was that shutting up of the Serpent Dragon Devil in the evil powers aforesaid from deceiving the Nations any more until the thousand years of their ten bloody persecutions of the Saints was fulfilled 20 Again it is written And I saw seats and they sate upon them and judgement was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which did not worship the beast neither his image neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads and they lived and raigned with Christ a thousand years My spiritual friends what judgement-seats were those which John saw and who were them that sate thereon in judgement 21 Those seats of judgement were the accusing consciences of the bloody persecutors aforesaid and the preaching or publishing of the glorious truths of our Lord Jesus Christ through the Commissionated mouthes of the chosen Apostles Ministers or Saints was that judge of life and death reigning in the consciences of the aforesaid spiritual Tyrants Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world Know ye not that we shall judge the Angels 22 My spiritual friends what ever men shall imagine of these literal Records as sure as the Lord liveth those Angels spoken of by the Apostle Paul were the Tyrannical Magistrates and their bloody minded covetous Priests which committed spiritual wickedness together in high places 23 Again you chosen ones may know though the bodies of the Saints suffer imprisonment or death for the truth of Christ yet their spirits are in pure peace and at perfect liberty in life and death 24 But of the contrary though the persons of the cruel persecutors be at perfect liberty in their temporal heaven yet their spirits are close prisoners in their own bodies and void of all heavenly peace whatsoever through that envy in them against all divine purity 25 And that blood spilt upon the earth by them for the testimony of Christ that was the shutting up of the door of all true hope from them and sealing up their bloody spirits unto an eternal vengeance at the great day of our Lord Jesus Christ with his mighty Angels 26 Again seeing John by a divine light saw the souls of them that were put to death for bearing witness to the word of God or spiritual truth of Jesus reigning with Christ over the raging spirits of their bloody persecutors that thousand years time of the Ten persecutions aforesaid My spiritual brethren what was that worship of the beast and receiving his mark in their fore-heads and hands which they were preserved from in the thousand years reign or time of their fiery tryals for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that is they were delivered from that idolatrous worship proceeding from the beastly imagination of their spiritual bloody Tyrants as aforesaid not daring in the least to handle any carnal weapons in defence of their cursed inventions what sufferings soever they endured 27 This I would gladly have you to understand that the commissionated Witnesses of the Lord of Glory are for the most part appointed unto the greatest tryals at the hands of Cananitish devils or perishing gods of this vain glorious world because of the reward of that transcendent glory which the Lord Jesus hath prepared for them with himself above ordinary Saints with his holy Angels face to face 28 Again it is written But the rest of the dead men shall not live again until the thousand years be finished this is the first resurrection blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power but they shall be the Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years â—nd when the thousand years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison My spiritual brethren who were those dead men that lived not again until the thousand years were finished You know in holy Writ it is said ye that were dead in sins and trespasses hath he quickened 29 So likewise you may also know that those dead men there spoken of were the remainder of the Saints and chosen Witnesses of the eternal Spirit that were to appear in these last days to bear record unto that glorious Truth which the Prophets Apostolical Ministers and Saints sealed too with their blood as abundantly beforesaid 30 Again you know it is written that Satan shall be loosed out of his prison for a little season when the thousand years are expired to deceive the people which are in the four quarters of the earth even Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel whose number is as the sand of the Sea and they went up in the plain of the earth and they compassed the tents of the Saints about and the beloved City but fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them 31 Again you may remember that from an unerring Spirit that sent me to declare divine secrets that I have already demonstrated unto you what that Satan is and that prison of his thousand years abode 32 It remains now that I should write somewhat concerning his being loosed out of his prison that you may the better understand the truth in relation to the dead men aforesaid 33 Moreover you that have been well acquainted with spiritual conditions cannot but know that no men in the world are in such a deep prison of raging darkness as those men that tyrannize over the consciences of innocent souls which cannot bow down to their imaginary divine ordinances 34 Furthermote you may also know that when the Magistrate and his pretended Prophets were prevented from persecuting mens persons in reference to their consciences towards God then and not till then was Satan loosed out of his prison 35 This was that loosing of Satan for a little season out of his unspeakable prison in the temporal powers when the innocent professors of Christ had freedom of conscience in reference to their faith in the Lord of Glory through which the Christians were multiplied again in the earth 36 Again you may know that it was but a very little season since Christ was glorified that the Saints possessed any such spiritual freedom in any kingdom under heaven 37 Therefore the persecuting spirits of Satanical Prelates in the Civil Powers have had but a very little season of resting from shedding the blood of Gods innocent people in the whole world 38 Moreover though the name of Christ was almost extinguished from the face of the earth in the thousand years spiritual reign of the Saints and raging of the serpents as aforesaid yet you may know in that season of liberty of Christian conscience that the Saints were mightily increased again in the world 39 Furthermore you may also know that those Saints are the dead men that lived not again until these last times of the invisible teachings of
Moon and Stars 8 The Sun and Moon of contrary natures SEeing a right understanding of the mysteries of the true Creation or Redemption or any spiritual truth whatsoever consists onely in the knowledge of him which gave them their beings therefore by divine assistance in the next place I shall treat again of that glorious Being concerning whom there is and hath been in this world such innumerable dark disputes 2 My beloved brethren in the truth you may remember that unto any sober mans understanding it is cleared already that earth and water were an eternal chaos of confused matter essentially distinct from the Creator 3 Also you may remember that out of those elements I have told you by inspiration from an unerring spirit that the Divine Majesty hath created all things that were made into that heavenly order they appear to be whether for a time or for eternity 4 Moreover it is clear also that without those eternal materials was nothing made that was made neither possibly could be onely that serpentine devil in the learned men of this world have long imagined a confused creation of more seeming wisdom power and glory then that of the Creator as abundantly beforesaid 5 Again concerning the word Create make or form I shall write a little of the sense of it 6 My beloved brethren the very true meaning of that word Create is to compose confused dead matter into compleat living forms or that word Create is light and life producing dark dead dâ—st or water into sensible living beings or it is a powerful word proceeding from a glorious form of sensible light and life into a chaos of confused formless matter of sensless darkness and death and from thence producing variety of sensible living bodies according to their kinde for the demonstration of the Creators infinite wisdom power and glory in creation unto some of these living forms 7 Again seeing unlearned spiritual men wrest the Scripture to their own destruction therefore for our more cleerer understanding of the true Creator in order thereunto I shall speak somewhat of the visible heavens and the lights formed in them for mans natural comfort next unto the Creators glory 8 My beloved spiritual brethren you know concerning the deep waters throughout the Scripture Records no man can finde one word or tittle in reference to its beginning therefore of necessity it must be eternal 9 Likewise you know that the waters covered the earth before the creation wherefore the earth being as it is in the deep waters of necessity must needs be one essence eternally with those deep waters aforesaid 10 Therefore though it be said In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the deep and the spirit of God moved upon the waters 11 My spiritual brethren you cannot be deceived by literal interpretations as to think that the deep waters might be eternal but that lump of hid earth within those waters had a beginning by the word of the Lord 12 No you know that is against all sober sense or reason it self for if that earth which was within the water proceeded from the word of the Lord then the dark deep water must of necessity have its beginning also at that time the earth received its being because in the lump they were essentially one 13 Wherefore what ever man in darkness have dreamed as to say that God created all things of nothing or that God created that confused chaos of water and earth it is so far from having any truth in it that it is all one as if they should say there is no Creator at all but eaâ—th and water and such like stuff as they are 14 Again by inspiration from an unerring spirit I positively affirm against men or angels that the earth and the deep water were eternally one chaos of confused matter distinct from the ever-living God 15 And whereas it is said In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth that is out of that matter of water and earth that were formless and void God did by a word speaking create a formable world as a place of convenient residence for mortals to inhabit in 16 I also declare from the holy Spirit that God created no light nor darkness at all without bodies 17 Wherefore concerning those words Then God said Let there be light and there was light that is the spirit of God being all light moving or speaking into the deep dark waters his word caused a light to appear throughout those waters to make a distinction between light and that utter darkness that was both in the deep water and the earth inclosed as a prisoner in the womb of darkness 18 So that the Lord called this created light Day not onely because it was all darkness before or that he did not purpose to form a more eminent natural light then that was but as aforesaid an ordinary created light is worthy to be called Day as well as ordinary darkness is called Night 20 Or you may know that the very word Light signifieth Day as the word Darkness signifieth Night 21 Likewise you know that darkness was not darkness without its body therefore you may know that light can be no light unless it be in a body also 22 It is not the word Light nor the word Darkness is or possibly can be any thing at all unless they be in distinct bodies that they might become absolute beings of light or beings of darkness 23 It is written Agaâ—n God said Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the waters and let it separate the waters from the waters 24 My spiritual brethren I declare from the holy Spirit that this visible Firmament called Heaven was formed by the powerful word of the Creator out of those very waters in which it is now fixed to keep them asunder 25 Moreover it is written And God said Let there be Lights in the Firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth and it was so God then made two great Lights the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night He made also the Stars and God set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth 26 My spiritual brethren whatsoever hath been written formerly from mens imaginations concerning the vastness of the bodies of the Sun Moon and Stars it arose in them from their utter darkness of that glorious Creator from whence all true light proceeds 27 Wherefore from that Light by whom no man ever was deceived in some measure I shall demonstrate why the Lord called the Sun and Moon two great Lights and of that matter of which they were made 28 My spiritual brethren though the Sun Moon and Stars transcend each other in glory yet you may know that they were all created of that element of water and are distinct bodies of light fixed in the heavenly firmament 29 I do not
a signification of the divine nature and form of a something that is infinite 10 It is as clear as the purest light it self unto you that are experimentally spiritual that it is not names words or titles proves God or Man to be any living beings at all except they be distinct persons to manifest their honorable names as proceeding from comprehensible somethings and not from incomprehensible nothings 11 If the God of Glory in Scripture Records should be called not onely by three divine titles but by threescore thousand holy names also yet all the men in this world or Angels in that world to come can never prove him to be an infinite spirit without a body or prove him to be any more then onely one distinct glorious person also 12 You heavenly ones may also know that the divine Majesty is called in Scripture Records by three divine titles that as beforesaid that the most learned prudent men in this world might never attain to a right understanding of the very true God and the spiritual mysteries of his everlasting kingdom by all their rational study in the Scripture Records or any other ways and that was the very cause that the Lord Jesus Christ said unto his own spiritual power represented by Angelical Moses and Elias I thank thee Father that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to babes and sucklings 13. Concerning that threefold title of Father Son and Holy Ghost in stead of three persons as of long time by blinde guides have been imagined doth it not rather stand to better sence that the word Father hath reference unto the Godhead Spirit eternally united unto Christ Jesus our Lord. 14 And that the word Son hath relation unto the glorious body of the everliving Emanuel which is visibly seen by elect Angels Moses and Elias 15 And that word Holy Ghost hath reference unto a divine word of light life or power proceeding from the invisible Father through the glorious mouth of the visible Son into the invisible spirits of elect mankind to the inlightning of their dark understandings and purifying of their fleshly mindes 16 Thus you which are truly enlightned from above may clearly see what that threefold heavenly Record signifieth of that onely distinct personal Majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ God alone blessed for ever and ever Amen 17 It is also as clear to you that are spiritual as the light it self that the holy one of Israel could not possibly be three distinct persons or spirits in one Godhead being or any such like confused deities 18 You know that wheresoever the Scriptures exactly make mention of the Holy One of Israel it attributes all honor praise and glory unto him always in the fingular number as unto one distinct personal Majesty or glorious being and not in the plural number of three distinct persons or spirits in one body as hath been long imagined by deceivers of the whole Christian world so called which are in bondage to their confused God and invented formalities 19 You know that in the conclusion of many several things the Scriptures run in such a line as this to the onely wise God or unto God onely wise or though there be that are called many Gods or many Lords yet unto us there is but one God or the holy one of Israel and such like 20 You know because there is none above a King or head Magistrate in his own kingdom or equal with him upon an extraordinary occasion he will swear by himself or by the faith or word of a King 21 Thus it was with that Holy One of Israel because there was none above him or beside him or equal with him in Heaven or Earth he swore by himself concerning the transmutation of his uncreated glory and everlasting spiritual Priesthood into a pure body of flesh blood and bone 22 Before the God of Glory was descended into the Virgins Womb you know he had many holy names attributed unto him wherefore you may also know from all eternity he was a distinct divine person and not an infinite formless spirit as most men blindly imagine 23 You spiritual ones may also know before he was clothed with flesh it is not the holy names of Creator infinite Spirit Jehovah Ancient of dayes mighty God Lord of Hosts Redeemer Holy One of Israel King of Glory or everlasting Father or any glorious expressions that can be uttered by the tongues of men or Angels that can prove any God at all except he was a divine person distinct from Heavens Earth Waters Angels Men and all things else 24 That the one personal infinite Majesty may remain in the heavenly center of his own uncreated glory and all beings that he hath formed to live in his sight may continue in their own creaturely stations for an everlasting distinction between the glorious Creator and poor changeable creatures 25 Thus by a free gift received from the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Throne of Glory in simplicity of spirit and plainness of speech in a small measure I have declared the minde of the Holy One of Israel in those literal expressions for there are three which bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one CHAP. XXI Of a threefold Record of natural witnesses proceeding from the blessed person of Christ at his death I Shall write a little of a threefold Record in that most pure natural body of Christ when he was on this earth in relation unto the threefold record of his spiritual body in the invisible heavens before said in the 53. of Isaiah it is written He poured forth or out his soul unto death and in the 19 Chap. by S. John you may finde it thus written but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there blood and water here you that are spiritually discerning may clearly see a threefold Record of natural witnesses proceeding from that blessed person of our onely God and Savior at his voluntary death 2 As namely blood water and spirit wherefore his most precious soul pouring forth it self unto death that was the witness of the death of the everlasting Father in flesh 3 The issuing forth of the unvaluable blood that was the witness of the death of the eternal Son in flesh 4 The flowing forth of the water that was the witness of the death of the erernal spirit in flesh on earth 5 These sayings are not onely hard but intollerable to be born by cursed Oanaanites which understand nothing truly of the power of an infinite Majesty 6 Nevertheless unto you which are made to understand the deep and hidden mysteries of the most wise and powerful Creator doth not this answer these Scriptures sayings 7 I and the Father are one and from Jesus Christ which is that faithful witness and that first begotten of the dead and that Prince of the Kings of the
further convincing or confounding of that Luciferian reasoning in the learned men of this world against the infinite power wisdom or glory of the Creator I shall speak somewhat from the Lord Jesus in answer to this curious Quere 13 You may know that all things are possible and very easie for an infinite Spirit to bring to pass when his glory moves him to do it 14 You may also know that though the eternal Spirit be infinite yet it hath no power to do any thing at all except his Glory moves him to it or against its own glory 15 I confess it is not onely contrary to reason but far above all reasons reach truly to understand the mysteries of the Creation or Redemption of the mighty Jehovah or everliving Jesus 16 What is the height or depth of the purest rational comprehension in men or angels concerning the glorious things of eternity Is it any thing else but either strength of memory or excellency of speech or swiftness of understanding in comprehending all words whatsoever whether they are uttered according to acuteness of sense or no but for a true understanding of those heavenly things signified by those divine words it knoweth nothing at all in the least 17 You know it is written With thee is a well of Life and in thy light shall we see light Here you see that David did not attribute the sight of that light of the well of life unto his rational comprehension but unto the divine light which he received from the well of life eternal 18 So likewise you may understand that the holy Angels themselves do not comprehend that inspired light of life in them by their own rational purity but by vertue of the glorious in-comes themselves proceeding from the divine nature of the eternal spirit 19 So that you that are spiritual may clearly see that neither men nor Angels are capable to comprehend divine truths by any rational comprehension whatsoever 20 But onely by vertue of divine words or motions received from the spirit of an infinite Majesty of all glorious truths which are eternal 21 If the divine Majesty could not by the power of his word speaking into some substance distinct from him as well create sensible and insensible living beings of variety of natures contrary to his own heavenly nature as produce sensible beings of his own divine nature how could be possibly then be infinite 22 If the most High God should have inherent in his own spirit somewhat of every nature that he hath created how could he then be all variety of nothing but infinite purity in himself 23 Or how could there be any spiritual Creator at all but perishing nature onely as over-wise men blindly imagine 24 I would gladly have you that are spiritual-minded to understand this divine secret Though every thing that have life had its original from the Creator yet all spirits whose natures are opposite to the divine Glory were without him and not within him and so were eternally distinct from his most pure spirit 25 From eternity he perfectly foresaw all those spirits alive in their own elements though they were nothing but senâ—less confused matter in themselves and when his divine pleasure moved him to make them appear into distinct living beings you may know that it was none of his divine nature but a powerful word onely commanding those spirits to come forth out of secret death or darkness and manifest themselves according to their several properties into distinct living beings in the visible sight of themselves and elect men and angels as manifestations of his eternal decree 26 Wherefore you know in the forming of the man Adam it is recorded that God said Let us make man in our image but you never read or heard that any other creatures were made in the image or likeness of God besides them 27 You know it is written that Christ took not on him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham why did not the Creator take on him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham you that are spiritual may know it was because the one was created or renewed into his own image or spiritual likeness and the other was in his nature quite contrary to the divine Majesty 28 If the angels spirits had been of the divine nature how could it be said that Christ took not on him the angelical nature 29 But it may be objected that those words were spoken in relation to Christs fleshly part To that I answer Was not Christ both God and man in one person and was not his divine spirit and natural flesh one bodily essence after his Godhead was transmuted into pure manhood 30 Though the unchangeable glory of the Creator was wholly transmuted into a body of flesh blood and bone that sinful mortals might behold their God face to face and live 31 Yet you may know that the nature of his spirit in respect of its divine purity neither was nor possibly could be changed but onely his infiniteness was laid down in flesh for a season for the fulfilling of Scripture prophesies 32 Again if Christ took not on him that Angelical nature of pure reason what then think you will become of all rational wise men which understand nothing but what is visible unto the eyes of earnal flesh 33 If the eternal spirit of the Creator hath no Angelical reason in his divine nature some men may say unto me How will you answer that Scripture where the Creator saith unto the Jews Come let us reason together 34 As to that you may know when that Scripture was spoken that the Lord did not talk with the Nation of the Jews in his own person but in the persons of his true Prophets which were sent to convince those stony-hearted Jews by declaring the glorious God and his spiritual truths unto them in the ballance of their own reason 35 You know is it written that the Israelitish Jews cryed out Let not God speak to us any more lest we die and it was granted unto them that he would not speak unto them any more in his own person as they desired therefore you may know that the Lords reasoning with the Jews was onely by his Prophets which were rational men like unto themselves 36 If the Creator himself seemeth to reason with any man is it any other wayes but to confound the wisdom of unclean reason in man by way of quere and such like as Christ the onely God often did to the Jews in the days of his flesh 37 You know it is written that Christ wept over Hierusalem and the Jewish Nation saying How often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not behold as he was a man he wept over the unbelief of their bloody minded spirits but as he was a God he rejoyced at their damnation in relation unto his eternal decree 38 Is not this answerable unto those sayings of
sin may be all like God himself in the heavens also in their several divine measures at the personal appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven with all his holy Angels 33 Was not this one end also why the Holy One of Israel spake in the plural number saying let us make man in our image that the learned men of this world should not onely blinde their own eyes but also become that scarlet whore that sits upon many waters making the nations continually drunk with their spiritual witchcraft of trinitary Merchandizing lies that they may be justly condemned in their own consciences in that day when our Lord Jesus Christ shall say unto them Depart from me ye workers of iniquity I know ye not or I sent you not ye preached in my name onely for silver and honor among men and ye persecuted my Prophets to the death because they discovered your lâ—arned deceits unto my people from your own subtile imaginations you made laws to stop all mens mouths as Blasphemers Hereticks Seducers Deceivers of the people or disturbers of the civil peace and such like that you onely might usurp lordship over all mens consciences persons and estates that could not bow down to your Idolatrous inventions you laid snares to entrap all those that you suspected mâ—ght impede your vain glorious decrees you lived in secret lusts and pleasures upon the ruines of my innocent people and flattered the ignorant what pains you took in studying after sparitual things for their souls health you made use of my holy Name onely as a cloak to hide all your subtilties from the deceived people you blinded their understandings with your Sabbattical Ceremonies of long prayers and lifting up your eyes and hands towards heaven as if you had been purity it self notwithstanding your hearts were full of covetousness and your fees swift to shed innocent blood you offered up your bloody fasts and feasts unto me for a sacrifice of acceptation of your doings as if I were like unto your selves to be perswaded by goodly words to justifie all your unrighteousness you pretended my glory in all your imaginary formalities but it was your own honor principally you sought from the people and death unto you to loose it earthly riches honor beauty unsatiable pleasures long life and such like were your onely joyes you have had this your desired Paradise already and my poor people have suffered their hell in your heaven and now must you suffer your eternal pain and shame and they must possess everlasting joy and glory 34 So much at present why the God of Glory spake in the plural number in the next place I shall in some measure shew what that image of God in the creating of man doth signifie CHAP. XXX 1 How God made man in his own image or likeness 2 The soul of Adam was of the same divine nature of God 3 Not of the nature of the Angels 4 Of the created vertues in Adams soul 5 Adam did not know of his power to stand or fall 6 The breath of life which Adam had received from God dyed THe Scripture declareth what condition man was formed in in these words thus God created the man in his image in the image of God created he him 2 After the man was compleatly made in the similitude of his Creator the Scripture tells you then what substance he was created of in those words the Lord God also made the man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man was aliving soul 3 You that are spiritual may know in the creating of man that the Lord God spake the word onely into the dust of the earth and immediately the vertue of that word brought forth a living man of pure flesh blood and bone like unto God himself as near as possibly could be 4 It was not the visibility of their persons that differ in the least but the glory of them onely 5 The one was an infinite spiritual body in all parts perfectly holy and the other was a finite natural body of perfect innocency resembling that divine form as aforesaid 6 You know I have abundantly shewed the impossibility of the least motion of reason to be inherent in the nature of God therefore I would have you to understand though Adams body being made of dust and appointed for generation was but natural yet his soul was not rational but super-natural or divine Why because it was formed according to the invisible glory of the eternal spirit 7 Therefore you may understand that if the soul of Adam had been rational in its creation then it could not have been divine but of an Angelical desiring nature onely of unsatisfaction in it self 8 Again you spiritual ones may understand that that divine soul in Adam which was created after the likeness of the eternal spirit did consist of several heavenly properties in its measure answerable unto those divine qualifications in the glorious Creator above all measure 9 What were those created vertues in Adams soul It was an invisible spiritual light and life called wisdom faith love righteousness meekness patience and such like 10 Though his soul could be nothing at all without its several properties and though those qualifications were all in a heavenly harmony yet this I would have you to take notice of that joy of soul that Adam did possess arose in him from one divine voice onely called the spirit of faith which was all satisfaction in himself with his present condition not having the least thought of any happiness beyond what he enjoyed already 11 As the divine nature of the eternal spirit was variety of infinite satisfaction in it self so likewise the soul of Adam being composed of the very same qualifications was variety of heavenly satisfaction in it self also according to its measure 12 If the nature of Adams soul had been rational in his creation then through want of divine satisfaction in it self it would always have been desiring after something that he wanted like unto the elect Angels and us which have two contrary voices in one soul 13 You may know that the created nature of the soul of Adam could not possibly have any reason in it why because the very nature of reason is seriously to consider whether things be good or right that are propounded unto its understanding or no. 14 But of the contrary that spirit which without the least consideration perfectly knoweth the excellencie of a thing as soon as ever it is presented unto it as Adams did must needs be divine as Gods is and so super-rational though cloathed with pure nature onely 15 Again though the soul of Adam through the divine purity of its nature was immortal and uncapable of the least motion of any kinde of rebellion against the glorious spirit of its Creator yet because his body was natural and had its beginning of dust and so was subject to change or to
be changed from its present condition his immortal soul having its being in a piece of clay was become subject through temptation to be transmuted from its present created glory also 16 For this I would gladly have you to understand though the soul of Adam was of a divine nature yet because it was a created nature distinct to it self it was become a son a subject a servant unto its divine God and capable of transmutation through deep temptation into a sinful condition through which both soul and body might not onely be subâ—ect to natural death but also full of fears of an eternal death or casting out of the spiritual presence of the divine Majesty 17 To bring forth his heavenly design of a more transcendent eternal glory that he had prepared through sufferings to be enjoyed by his divine image at the last day with himself face to face 18 You that are spiritually quick may know that the body of Adam was not created natural onely because he was appointed for generation but also because if his body had been immortal in its creation as well as his soul he would not onely then have been uncapable of natural generation but also he would have been uncapable of any kinde of transmutation whatsoever unless he gave consent unto it self 19 And where then had the prerogative power infinite wisdom and transcendent glory of the Creator ever been seen or known by man or Angels as beforesaid 20 Again though Adams soul was of the divine nature in its creation yet I would have you to understand that he knew not whether he should stand or fall from his present estate or no. 21 Neither did he know not what power he was endued withall in his created purity as many man vainly imagine 22 If he had known that he had power in his own will to preserve himself in his present condition he not knowing as aforesaid any glory above what he had enjoyed you may be sure if he could have kept himself in that blessed estate he would never have lost it for want of making use of all the power that was in him to have resisted a temptation unto rebellion in which he knew there was a threatning of the losse of that created glory he enjoyed as beforesaid 23 Again though the soul of Adam was of the divine nature in its creation yet because it was one essence with a body that was taken out of dust therefore it was both probable and capable to be brought into a condition of entring into dead dust for a moment to fulfil those Scripture sayings for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death in the sweat of thy face shalâ— thou eat bread till thou return to the earth for out of it wast thou taken because thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return 24 Was the body of Adam any thing but dead dust before its living soul was infused 25 Was the soul of Adam ever spoken of as a sensible living being before it became one essence with his body of flesh blood and bone formed our of the dust as an house or tabernacle for its comfortable substance and sensible understanding of its own living being 26 Seeing the body of Adam was nothing but a lump of dead cold senceless dust before his soul entered into it and composed it inâ—o a comâ—leat living man by vertue of a spiritual word spoken through the glorious mouth of the Creator dost thou think it possible that either of them could enjoy any sensible living being without the other 27 You know the Scripture saith the Lord God also made the man of he dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living soul though the body of Adam was formed of dust you see all the lise it enâ—oyed was from its soul onely and the man became a living soul 28 When the Lord said for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death was it not the very soul of Adam as well as his body that was threatned with death it self 29 Nay was there any thing could live in the body of Adam but the soul what then could be capable of dying but the soul onely 30 Again canst thou be so senceless as to think that ever the body of Adam could have turned to dust if his soul had not died within his body and like a spark of sire in an Oven that is closed from all kinde of air 31 So likewise thou mayest understand that the immortal soul of Adam became mortal as soon as ever it was polluted with sin and when it came to taste of death according to the word of the Lord through the sloppage of the breath of life proceeding from the invisible soul that fiery spark was quenched with silenâ—sleep of death as life or light that is smothered and did not flye in the air as men vainly imagine 32 Again it is said the man became a living soul now you know that every mans sinful soul is the life of its natural body yet it may be a dark dead soul in spiritual matters while it is alive in natural but as beforesaid the spirit of Adam was called a living soul in relation unto the living vertue beauty or invisible glory of its creation 33 I confess that it was impossible for the soul of Adam of ever being capable of death if it had been always preserved from being polluted with sin 34 Moreover as soon as ever it was but touche with sin in that very sin was death it self 35 Who ever thou art that shalt say that the pure soul of Adam was not defiled with sin it self what ever light thou pretendest to know thou art utterly ignorant as yet of the spirit of the Scriptures 36 If according to the divine truth of Scriptures thou art made to confess that the pure soul of Adam was overcome of sin and therewith all defiled through his whole man though men or Angels should gain-say it thou mayest be fully assured that both the soul and body of Adam are in the dust of the earth dead asleep void of all life light motion heat or any thing appearing unto life until that second man Adam the Lord from heaven by the mighty power of his word doth or shall raise him again and all mankinde that are asleep with him in the dust at the last day 37 Again though the body of the man Adam being formed of dust was absolutely natural through its appointment for generation yet I would have you that are spiritual to understand this secret that until Eve lufted after Adam through her being first defiled with the Angelical Serpent the soul of Adam being divine and free from all kinde of rationality could not possibly have any desire in it after carnal copulation with his wife 38 You may know that carnal pleasures were too low for a spiritual soul whose nature was variety of divine satisfaction in it self
the divine Majesty himself wherefore you spiritual ones may also know that that Gog and Magog that are gone forth to battel in the plains of the earth compassing the Tents of the Saints and the holy City are those Heathenish Magistrates and their bloody Priests that proceeded from cursed Cain through the loins of King Herod and his Priests and Scribes as beforesaid so that the dead men that lived not again until the thousand years were fulfilled are those Saints and holy City of God which at this time and to the end of all time do suffer cruel persecution for the testimony of a good conscience in all the Nations of the world 40 My beloved Brethren this is that spiritual raign of the first resurrection with Christ on this earth appointed in some measure for all men to drink which are delivered from that second death which is treasured up for all bloody minded Tyrants whatsoever 41 Thus you that are sober may clearly see that it was not a visible personal raign of Christ a thousand years with his Saints on this earth that John aimed at as many men have long imagined but it was a spiritual raign or suffering with him for his truths sake upon earth that when he appeareth in his glory with all his holy Angels then to raign with him in his Throne to all eternity in the third heavens 42 Now brethren I shall go on to prove his personal coming in glory according to the intent of his most holy Spirit from his own words CHAP. XLIII 1 Of the personal glory of Christs coming to judgement 2 No man hath so much faith as a grain of mustard-seed but Christ onely 3 Of spirits finite and infinite MY beloved brethren in the unerring spirit you may know there is a twofold appearing of Christs glory in his chosen ones as the glory of the Sun excels the glory of the Moon so these two glories transcend each other 2 Moreover you know the Moon appears in the brightness of her glory at one time and at another time she appears altogether like unto darkness or shame 3 So likewise it is with Christs appearing in glory to mens souls in this life sometimes by vertue of the in-comes of his eternal spirit the soul of man for a moment is transmuted into the glorious likeness of the divine Majesty himself 4 But at another time you know when none of these spiritual lightnings appear through some fleshly guilt the poor soul seems to be full of fearful darkness horror and shame as if it had never seen any light or life at all 5 So that you see all the glory of Christs appearing unto the spirits of men in this life is but a changeable Moon-like glory at the best 6 Therefore it can be but a spiritual type of this personal appearing of Christ in his judgement-seat glory with all his mighty Angels 7 Again you know the Sun is no way subject to change in the least but Gyant-like runs his course in four and twenty hours through the whole heavens and in one place or other appears in his glory unto the end of all time 8 So likewise you may know it is with this personal appearing of Christ in his glory with his holy Angels for in that day of his appearing the persons of his redeemed ones shall be nothing else but Sun-shine like divine glories in themselves and so run their heavenly course even to all eternity 9 Who ever thou art that is ignorant of this personal glory of Christs coming in the clouds or air with his elect Angels to make an eternal separation between the persons of the blessed Israelites and cursed Cananites though thou art full of seeming glorious expressions concerning a God or Christ living in mens consciences yet thou canst never be firmly established until thou knowest that personal God or Christ sitting in the throne of his infinite glory in the high heavens without thee from whence alone all inward light or life proceeds 10 I confess if a man become an innocent merciful spirit he may be able to speak such a language from a supposed God or Christ in mens consciences onely that may confound the seeming holiness of all Church fellowships in the world 11 But what advnatage is this to himself or his heirs except when he is confounded in the room thereof he doth not onely declare the effects of Christs truth in the minds of men but is able to demonstrate in some measure the personal appearing of Christ in his glory in the world to come 12 If the visible appearing of a glorified God or Christ in the person of a man be such a choak-pear unto thee or seem low or carnal because the national Priests confess such a like thing 13 I would fain know of thee by sober speaking or writing where thy God or Christ is become when thy soul and all thy light or life for a moment is become silent death or darkness with thy body of dust 14 Moreover if thou understandest not a personal God or Christ too transcendent glorious for Heavens Earth Angels or Men to be capable of the indwelling of his eternal spirit what is thy inward God or Christ thou discoursest so much about but pleasant words or perishing nature onely 15 Furthermore if thou knowest this wonderful secret concerning what a spirit is then wouldst thou certainly know how impossible a thing it is for any spirit whatsoever to possess a living being without a distinct body of his own 16 Again of what bigness dost thou think a spirit is whether it be finite or infinite give me leave to write a little of this strange thing from those sayings of Christ to his disciples in the 17. Chapter by St. Matthew the words are these For verily I say unto you for if ye have faith as much as is a grain of Mustard seed ye shall say unto this mountain remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be unpossible unto you Behold is not a grain of Mustard seed a very little and yet you see Christ saith nothing should be unpossible unto that man that hath such a quantity of spiritual faith in him 17 Again it is written with God nothing shall be unpossible who then is capable to possess so much faith in him as will contain the quantity of a Mustard seed but Christ Jesus the God of Glory himself unto whom all things are possible that he is moved unto by that seed of faith which is the eternal spirit of his glorified person 18 Moreover if a spirit be in its quantity but as a grain of Mustard seed or a spark of fire how then is it possible for the Spirit of God Men or Angels to possess any sensible light life joy or glory but in their own bodies onely 19 Furthermore if this description of a spirit seem strange be it known unto thee the Lord hath made me to declare it for the confounding of that cursed error