by poor Lazarus lest said he they also come to this Place of Torment Luke 16.28 So all you that are lofty and wanton upon the Earth consider your latter End who spend your precions Time to the Flesh in the Lust of Uncleanness and nourish your Hearts as in a Day of Slaughter James 5.5 O remember the Day wherein the Holy Pure God will plead with you for all your Abominations and for your Secret Sins that you have committed against the God of Heaven and how you make merry over the VVitness that brings Condemnation upon you because of your Sins and even torments the VVorker of Iniquity in secret this is the Faithful and True VVitness even Jesus the True Messenger who brings Gâ—adtidings to the imprisoned Soul that 's like to perish in Iniquity and this is he that was crucified in the Flesh but quickned again in the Spirit by which Spirit he preached to the Spirits in prison 1 Pet. 3.18 19. And it may be thus men may rebel agaiâ—st him and not turn at his Reproofs but spiritually may crucifie him to themselves as some did in Days past Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 but it would have been much better that they had never had a Being for when God shall call them to an Account for the Deeds done in the Body then shall they cry to the Mountains fall upon us and to the Hills cover or hide us from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6.15 16 17. for the Hour of his Judgment is come and who shall be able to stand Therefore return unto him betimes before it be too late that you may be reconciled to the Father and so the Lord will return unto you in his Love and in his Tender Mercy will he visit you as you yield unto him in your Hearts for such as obey him this Day do certainly injoy his Peace and in his Name is their Safety which is his Power by which their Souls are kept from the spiritual Enemy and therefore O Land of my Nativity hear the Word of the Lord God of Heaven which VVord is near unto all the Inhabitants thereof from one End unto another that the Land may be cleansed and enjoy hâ—r Sabbaths lest Afflictions and great â—orrow come in like a flood upon the inhabitants from the Great God whose Righteous Soul is grieved because of the Abominations that are within thy Borders who by his searching living Power that is Eternal over all Death and Hell is searching from one End to the other to bring Mankind into his Light and Life to worship him in his Spirit and Truth who is the blessed Creator of all the Beginning and the End to whom be Glory forever Amen THE Righteous God whose Power is great and who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in working Isaiah 28.29 hath in these last Days appeared invisibly in the inward Parts of Mankind to place his Name and his pure Fear in the Hearts of his People according to his ancient Promise Heb. 10.16 Jer. 31.33 and to write his Law in the Hearts of his Children who are truly turned unto him and amongst the many Witnesses the Lord who is rich in his Love unto Mankind not willing that any should perish he visited me who was a Wanderer in Desolation from Year to Year seeking the Way of the Redeemed of the Lord and a Cry in secret was begotten in my Heart after God who in his own time did hear and Answer my Earnest Desire and I well remember the Days of my tender Years when I was very young there was an Innocent Breathing within me after the Thing that is Good and I saw Sin in its Conception but knew not that which gave me the Knowledge of it and Swearing I saw to be a great Evil in them that were addicted thereunto and unto the Nineth and Tenth Year of my Age I was in a good Measure restrained from Evil according to the Knowledge I then had but afterwards when Years did encrease I well remember my great Loss for evil Desires did spring up within me and by the subtil one I was betrayed and led into divers Pleasures and Vanities of this Wicked World and into many Evils which did displease the Lord and so the Tender Desires which were after Righteousness were slain and then great Darkness and Sorrow did overtake me and so into a spiritual Captivity from the Light that did shine within me in my tender Years and so for many Years walkt in the Crooked By-paths of Darkness and Ignorance in Disobedience without the Knowledge of the true God in which time I was a Servant to the Wicked One and so are all that obey him be they high or low rich or poor and after some Years I began to consider my Condition and something within me bringing to Remembrance what I had done and laying before me the Danger that attends the wicked and in this time a Travail was begotten within me to seek the Lord and repent of my Sins and from Day to Day under the Indignation of the Lord which was revealed against me because of Sin and here was a Travail through much Fear and Doubtfulness what would become of my Soul if God should cut off my Life and indeed I could read Adam's Condition when he was afraid of the Lord and hid himself because he was naked and in the first Adam I then was and so lost in the Fall and as God behold me in that woful State Heb. 2.15 subject to Bondage for Fear of Death at last he opened unto my Soul the way of Life howbeit Sorrow overtook me and much Bowed-downness did compass me about and then the Enemy of my Soul woâ—â—d have taken away my Life but the secret invisible Arm of God's Power did uphold me though I knew it not so I say God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 1.10 And as Tenderness was begotten in my Heart so my Sins became a Burden too heavy for me to bear And this Testimony I give in the Name of the Lord that whosoever feels the Weight of their Sins it 's by the working of God's Heavenly Power begetting Tenderness in their Hearts though they know it not And so none can come to God but by this Way as our Lord said None can come unto me except the Father that has sent me draw him John 6.44 And so my Heart was bowed before the Lord and an Inward Desire begotten that none could satisfie but him alone And I saw the Ways of Man in his corrupt Nature were not those which lead to God's Kingdom and from Professor to Prophane all were gone astray then my Cry was the more earnest to the unknown God and none amongst my Worldly Relations and Neighbours could tell me the Way of my Soul 's Beloved till at last the Power of the Lord opened my Understanding and as I retired my mind inwardly in
A TESTIMONY Unto the TRUTH AND A Warning unto the World IN GENERAL But more particularly to the Inhabitants of Enoder parish in Cornwall By one whom God hath called out to bear witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus called by the Name of RICHARD SAMBLE Printed in the Year 1676. TO THE READER READER THou art desired to be considerate when thou readest this following Book and to be very ponderous in thy Mind as touching the things therein contained that thy Understanding may be opened by the invisible God who giveth unto us Life Breath and Being and also that thou wouldst lay to Heart this very Thing How that Almighty God hath risen in many Ages of the World in his Judgments and Fury to stain the Glory of all Flesh and to set up Righteousness in the Earth and hath caused his Truth to spring and flourish amongst his People under every Dispensation until they departed from the Lord and served other Gods and followed their own Inventions and then Darkness came over them and so their Hearts were hardened from his Fear Prov. 1.29 30. And this thou art also to consider That Sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Destruction from Generation to Generation and therefore if thou dye in thy Sins thou art like to have no part amongst the Living in the Kingdom of Christ but the same will be thy Portion that hath been the portion of the Wicked in all Ages which is perpetual Sorrow Distress and Anguish for evermore And this consider also That whatever thou dost profess or what Shew of Religion soever thou mayest make whilst thy sins remain I am to tell thee and that in the Name of Christ Jesus Thou art not accepted of God but all thy Prayers are an Abomination to the Lord Ezek. 8.17 18. Isa 1.15 because thou art in the Transgression in that which the pure God of Glory hateth and upon which he will pour out his Fury and Indignation for evermore and if thou art one that lives in Pleasure thy daily Satisfaction is in following these Evil Devices that are very common amongst men in this Generation to wit Drunkenness Swearing Lying or other Prophane Practices and that which is called Pastime or sporting thy self amongst such as count it Pleasure to Riot in the day time Jam. 5.5 6. know this that all these things will be a Hindrance to thy eternal Well-fare for such as do such things cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. And also thou art to consider That there hath been a Night of gross Darkness over the Hearts of the Children of men since the Apostles dayes and that Saving Grace which was common in that Generation people have lost in the Night and are become dry and barren as a Desert or Wilderness as relating to Matters of Spiritual Concerns wherein consists the Stability of their Souls Peace with God And this also I am to tell thee That God who is unchangeable and immortal hath revealed his blessed Truth again and the Gospel of his blessed Kingdom is now preached to the Nations and if ever thou comest to God's Kingdom thou must come to know him that is the Everlasting Teacher to wit Christ Jesus and him to know in thy own Particular who is the Man of God's Right Hand a quickening Spirit the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.45 and so thou wilt come out of thy lost Condition wherein thou art in the Fall in the first Man Adam into the Life of Holiness and Righteousness into the Restoration by Christ Jesus the second Adam the Heavenly Man And this know also That thou canst not come to him by any other way but as thou comest into Self denyal and believest in thy Heart the Record that God hath given of his Son which is the true Light that shines within thee and lets thee see thy Sins And farther That as sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Separation from the Lord yet when thou shalt return again and come to know a Godly Sorrow in the Secret of thy Heart and when thou shalt feel in thy self a Tenderness and a Broken-heartedness before the invisible God who sees in secret Mat. 6.6 he will grant thee Repentance unto Life and he will return unto thee in his Everlasting Mercies and blot out thy sins out of his Remembrance And this also I am to tell thee in the Fear of God and in his Name That as the Lord hath appeared in dayes past and in Generations that are gone in his Indignation and hath smitten many Nations and Peoples in his Wrath sometimes overturning the World by Water and sometimes destroying Cities and Peoples by Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Luke 17.29 Gen. 19.24 25. and again by Plagues Pestilence and at certain Seasons the Lord God because of the Abominations of the Children of Men hath visited them in his Wrath and hot Displeasure and greatly afflicted them and the End of the Lord hath been that such as remain upon the Earth might fear before him and dread his great Name who is Mighty and none can escape him And people in these last dayes and times have greatly grieved the Lord and therefore except they Repent his Fury will he pour forth upon them until that which is in his Heart be accomplished and they shall not escape his heavy Hand And so Reader whoever thou art that reads these following Lines the Desire of my Soul is that thou mayest be impartial concerning me and conclude in thy Mind that it s written in tender Love to thy Soul and so thou wilt see my honest Intent who am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness desiring thy Eternal Well-fare when this Time and Day of thine is at an End I rest Thy Friend and Well-Wisher RICHARD SAMBLE A TESTIMONY UNTO THE TRUTH c. IN the deep Consideration of the States and Conditions of the Sons and Daughters of men in the Fall and seeing how the World lies in the Extremity of Wickedness being overcome by the Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan who hath tyed and bound them with his Chains of Sin who is the Author of all Sin I am drawn in Spirit to warn them to Repentance and to declare to the World the Way that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath ordained which is Christ Jesus who is Everlasting and was with the Father before the World began John 17.5 who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 by whom my Soul hath been redeemed and who raised me up out of Sin and therefore having obtained Mercy through the Love of God in Christ Jesus whom he hath sent a Light into the World and I having known in measure the Judgments of the Lord and the Terrors of the Almighty because of my Transgressions therefore cannot but perswade men to turn from Ungodliness even all people that lie in Wickedness knowing assuredly that all People shall be called to an Account before the Tribunal Seat of Christ
of iniquity under a Pretence of Religion in these latter Ages and Generations of the World yet it 's not that which must stand in the Earth being polluted and defiled neither are such polluted Worshippers who are bound with the Chain of Sin accepted of God who are placed in the Habitations of Cruelty And so the wicked One hath been possessing the Minds and Hearts of those who wander from God in their Imaginations that Revelation is ceased but though this Doctrine be preached as though God would work no more in the Children of Men I say it is not consistent with Truth but is of the false Part in man that wanders from God and therefore shall not hinder the Lord from breaking forth in this his Day to redeem a People to himself for his own Glory neither doth it hinder or stop the Blessings of God unto his People and redeemed ones who wait to be sustained by him with the Bread of Life but the Lord is at work in this his blessed Day wherein he hath sent forth a Saviour even jesus who is revealed from Heaven and your preaching against the Work of the Spirit of Christ within will not be sufficient in the great Day of Account to stop but rather to hasten the Eternal Judgment from being executed upon you who are in the Deceivableness of Unrigteousness with them that perish 2 Thes 2.10 Oh that you would lay to Heart these things repent and live while your Day lasteth that you may come forth from all your Abominations and believe the true Witness in your Consciences that records your Deeds for which if ye repent not you will suffer in time to come and such as deny the Work of the Spirit within are one with them that went out from the Apostles Fellowship that stood in a regenerated State 1 John 1.7 who walkt in the Light and had Fellowship with God 1 John 1.3 And since the first turning from God out of the Heavenly Light how hath the Devil deceitfully wrought in the Kingdoms of this World but blessed for ever be the Name of our God the true Light is come that lets us see through the gross Darkness of this Night of Apostacy wherein the Stars that have fallen from Heaven have been wandering in the Night of Darkness having lost their Habitations for whom the Blackness of Darkness is reserved forever Jude 13. And therefore you that have lost the Truth and are yet in the Death that came by Adams Transgression you that have gotten the Name Christian and lost the Power and Life of Christianity unto you this opens in my Heart to write if ever you be saved you must come to that which was in the Beginning before the Apostacy entered and before they denyed the work of the Spirit even to the Word that God hath given of his only Son which is the living Witness in you testifying against your Evil Deeds and so your Eyes will be opened to see the Death that hath reigned over Mankind since the Working of the Spirit of Christ hath been denyed and also you will see the Work that God hath begun and is doing in this his Day who hath shewed forth his Strength in the Redemption of a little Remnant who are true Worshipers who worship the Father in the Spirit in the Truth John 4.23 24. but if you hold to the Traditions of your Fathers who deny Revelation and so have set up your Resolutions not expecting the Spirit to be revealed in you then I say you cannot be saved for without the Spirit man is dead to God and Righteousness and Holiness and so without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and this is the Gross Darkness that is over many this Day who are setled upon their Lees as Moab of old not being emptied from Vessel to Vessel Jer. 48.11 not knowing the Lord's Power in them to change their Hearts and such have set themselves against the Spirit of Truth within and cry out to People that Revelation is ceast in such a Day as this wherein the Iniquity of many is even come to the full and wherein God hath afforded to Mankind a Day of Visitation that they may be saved So in a general Sense the Wise and Learned amongst men in the Apostacy in their several Professions are resting in something besides the Spirit and so esteem the Profession without the Spirit that first in the days of old the true Christiâ—ns received and obeyed by which they were brought to profess Christ Jesus and so their Profession and Worship was not only in a Form but in the Power and Spirit of God until the Deceiver entred and then they retained the Form and lost the Power 2 Tim. 3 5. and now through the Disobedience of Mankind and rebelling against the Power they have undertook to gainsay and resist the Holy Ghost even the Holy Spirit which iâ— the true Leader to God's Kingdom as did their Fore-Fathers Acts 7.51 52. Oh that you would return to God! Ye professing People while you have a Day for now is a time wherein you may find the Lord if you seek him early for he hath said They that seek him early shall find him Isa 55.6 7. And now all such as deny the Revelation of Jesus Christ they are seen to be in the Deceit and in the old corruptible Way as in the Days of old in the broad Way that leads to Destruction Mat. 7.13 where no true Peace is but men out of God's Counsel running not being sent of God and so profit not the People at all Jer. 23.32 And now as one whom God hath raised up to proclaim his ancient Truth against all the Deceit that hath entered into the World in the Night of Darkness for the Sakes of such as have Desires after the Lord this is written for there are many I do believe that are amongst you whose Hearts the invisible God hath touched by his word which is Eternal and from the Beginning that is nigh in your Hearts Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Rom. 10.6 7 8. at certain Seasons being quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword Heb. 4.12 which doth open the Secrets of your Hearts and declares unto you your Thoughts so that you need not go far away to seck a Saviour but wait for him from Heaven to be revealed within you as the Apostle directed 1 Thes 1.10 and then you will find him who is the true Beloved for if ever you come to the true Enjoyment of him you must wait for him in his own Way who is Heavenly and comes from his Holy Habitation and you must turn from the blind Watch-men who are in the Night who have loft the Way of his Appearance and are turned against him even fighting against his Appearance with their filthy Weapons pleading for sin for which Cause the Earth mourns and the Inhabitants thereof who are redeemed take up a Lamentation in the Consideration of these things And
there to give an Account for the Deeds done in the Body 2 Cor. 5.10 and such as have done well shall receive a Crown of Life and Peace with God forever and they that have done Evil shall go into Everlasting Punishment Mat. 25.46 And therefore as you have been Transgressors against God and Strangers to the Life of Holiness it is upon my Spirit from the Lord God to warn you speedily to turn every one from the Evil of your Wayes that out of Darkness you all may come and out of Ignorance and Blindness unto Christ Jesus the true Way that you may have Life who said I am come that you may have Life and that you may have it more abundantly John 10.10 And therefore turn unto him in your Hearts whose Spiritual Appearance is inwardly whom God hath sent a Light into the World John 1.9 Now that all may come unto him and believe in your Hearts the Lord Jesus and be saved for people have been in a great Mistake concerning the Faith that saves and overcomes the World for the true Faith is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 arising from the Word of Faith nigh in the Heart Rom. 10.8 which Faith Christ is the Author of and the Finisher also Heb. 12.2 and without this Faith you cannot please God Hebr. 11.6 And so all People read your States and Condition in the Light of Christ within you which shews unto you what you are and declares unto you your Thoughts this is the Record which God hath given of his Son in the Earth which is Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son John 5.11 this reproves you in secret for sin this is the Holy Spirit of Promise that was to come whom the Prophets prophesied of in the dayes of old whom God hath given for a Leader and a Commander of the People Isa 55.4 the Gentiles Light and Israel's Glory Luke 2.32 and unto him you must turn who stands at the Door of your Hearts and knocks Revel 3.20 who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh whose living Power was felt in the Hearts of many Thousands in dayes past after his Resurrection in the dayes of the Apostles when he returned to his Glory that he had with the Father before the World was who descended first into the lowest parts of the Earth and ascended up far above all Heavens Ephes 4.9 10. that he might fill all things whose Glory fills Heaven and Earth neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eye of him with whom we have to do Hebr. 4.13 who dyed for our Sins and rose again for our Redemption and Justification Rom. 4.25 who appeared first to Mary Magdalen and made her a Preacher of his Resurrection Mat. 28.10 Mark 16.9 and then to his Disciples before he ascended into Heavenly Glory And when he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive und gave Gifts unto Men Ephes 4.8 And though he appeared to his Disciples as they sate at Meat yet he bad them wait for the Gift of the Spirit when he asecended unto the Father Luke 4.49 And so they were made Witnesses of his Resurrection that he rose out of the Grave and not only so but that he was in Heavenly Glory who came again as he had foretold his Disciples who said Ye have heard how I said I go away and come again unto you c. John 14.28 And as the Apostle said he was offered up once for all and to every one that looks for him will he appear the second time without Sin unto Salvation and by his spiritual Appearance were many Thousands gathered and many were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 And this Spirit of Grace taught them to deny all Ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to live soberly and righteously in this present World Tit. 2.12 And this Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men Tit. 2.11 even to Jew and Gentile the Grace of God the pure Spirit of Christ the Light of the Gentiles unto which Light the Apostles were sent to turn the Heathen that had no wrâ—tten Law in those Days and from the Power of Satan unto God Acts 28.8 Thus the Lord stretched forth his Everlasting Arm of Strength and Power in those Days that People might be gathered unto him and raised up by Christ Jesus out of Death and spiritual Bondage and those Preachers of the Glorious Gospel of God's Kingdom travailed chearfully in the Lord's Work and preached freely as they had received freely Mat. 10.8 declaring both to Jew and Gentile that God hath raised his Son from the dead Acts 2.24 25. and that the Day of Joy and Glad tidings was come wherein Deliverance from the wicked one was to be known and Redemption from dead Works to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 who waited for the Son from Heaven mark that you that are Preachers in this Nation The Apostles did not come to People with Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but directed them to the Light that was revealed from Heaven to wit the Son of God the Light of the World Thes 1.10 1 Cor. 2.4 John 1.9 and if you turn not People to the Son of God the Light of the World to wait for him inwardly then ye are blinded and are in Darkness and preach another Gospel then Christ jesus whom the Apostles did preach Gal. 1.8 for Christ Jesussaid Seek not the Kingdom in Observations for behold the Kingdom of Heaven is within you Luke 17.21 And Paul to the Romans saith That which may be known of God is manifested in them for God hath shewed it unto them Rom. 1.19 And the true Gospel is the Power of God wherein the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.16 17. and the Light of this Glorious Gospel shines within and if this glorious Gospel be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them that believe not 2 Cor. 4.3 4. And you that have not this Gospel take heed how you preach lest you be found false Witnesses runnning before the true Guide Christ Jesus and professing God and Christ and yet dead in Sin all such Preachers and Hearers that are not come to the Gospel within to the Word of Eternal Life in their Hearts 1 John 5.12 are out of the Truth in the Fall and so abiding in Death for he that hath not the Son who is the Truth hath not Life for this living Word within was the Foundation of the Holy Prophets and Apostles by which they were made alive and this did divide between the good bad which Word is quick and powerful and searcheth the Heart and trieth the Reins Heb. 4.12 Rev. 2.23 And it is the same to this Day as ever it was yea it lives and abides for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 And the
all you that are thus touched inwardly and tendred in any measure in the Bowed-dowaness of your Souls seeking the Lord that you may be saved oh go not forth after your Imaginations to seek him in the Desert nor after such as say Lo here or Le there Go ye not after them nor follow them Mat. 24.23 but wait having your Minds retired in the Manifestation of his heavenly Light within you and then ye will come to a true and certain Knowledge of him and so you will see how the Wise have Erred how they are gone back into the old By-Pathes that they were in that could not speak a Word in Season to the Soul that is weary but shut the Kingdom of Heaven against men and hindred such as were entring Mat. 23.13 therefore WO was cryed against them which WO stands over the Heads of all that are in the Rebellion against the Spirit of God to this day And is it not even so Do not our Wise Men and Professors shut the Kingdom against men Do not they preach against the Entrance into Life Eternal saying Revelation is ceased and this sad Doctrine hath filled the Land with Uncertainties and many Thousands are like to perish and dye in their Sins through Unbelief John 8.21 24. Now all you that are out of the Light of Life in the World of Death and Darkness and are perswaded though you dye in your Sins and Vncleanness yet you shall be saved not being freed by Christ Jesus from the Act of Sin here in this Life Troly this is a false Faith and Hope that will come to an End for Sin ever was and is the Cause of man's Separation from God Isa 51.1 2. and God sent his Son to destroy Sin in the Flesh and to be a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2.2 And though People have forsaken the Lord God of Power and Life yet he hath again visited with his Ancient Mercies the Sons of men to the End they might not perish and his Ancient Arm is revealed that gathers to himself and though the Night hath been long and tedious wherein the Enemy of the Soul hath possessed the Place and Seat in the Temple 2 Thes 2.4 yet now the Lord calls for Repentance and for all to come unto him out of their Sins and from under Satan's Power and whosoever comes unto him he will in no wayes cast out John 6.37 but in this Day who refuseth to hearken to his Heavenly Voice and come not unto him they will unavoidably perish for evermore and their Blood shall be upon their own Heads for there is no way to God's Kingdom but as Redemption is witnessed by Christ Jesus out of the lost State and so being restored to God by Christ Jesus you come into the Way of Life where Peace with God is known and this hath been the Happiness of People in all Ages and Generations as they have come up into Obedience out of the Transgression and so have had Fellowship together in the Light of Righteousness and so Truth and Righteousness was their Way and Christ the Rock was their Foundation which Foundation God hath laid 1 Cor. 3.11 and so they found Favour with the Lord and ended their Days in Peace but on the other Hand this hath been the sad unhappy State of Mankind when they turned from God and Righteousness and Holiness into Disobedience and so became wicked workers filthy and corrupted with Sin and Uncleanness and so the Devil through Deceit hath undone many to their Utter Ruin and their Eternal Sorrow and sometimes perswading the Creature one Way and sometimes another sometimes in profession of Religion without the Life of Holiness which is an Abomination to the Lord for unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth Psal 50.16 And so let all repent and turn to the Lord that you may be saved for the Truth is revealed that hath a long time been hid with the Lord even the same unchangeable immortal Seed CHRIST that bruiseth the Serpent's Head and though many are so vailled with Darkness as to deny his working Inwardly and limit the holy one yet he is come contrary to their Expectations and therefore they receive him not So the Way of God is not to be known in man's Way nor yet in man's Time nor in man's Will but as man obeyes God and is subject to him so he comes to know his Way And so all People consider these things whilest you have time and be warned to come out of Ignorance and become sensible that you may understand for God never forsakes any People without a just Cause therefore lay it to Heart and ponder this in your secret Meditations and as your wise men tell you Revelation is ceast let them tell you when where to whom and for what cause did God ever cast off any People when they were obedient to him Nay he never forsakes People till they forsake him therefore the Cause is in man and God is clear So the Lord in his Mercy in these latter Days hath opened his Truth and hath brought us into the Way of Life wherein we see how the Apostacy came in and in all Ages and under every Dispensation the Cause was in men because they rebelled and turned from God but now there are many so bewildred in their Minds having lost the good old Way are perswaded the Cause is in God and that he will not work by his Spirit now as he did in Days past and so being deceived do not truly endeavour to come out of Sin all their Life time but imagine that God will accept of them in their Sins and yet are perswaded that they shall inherit Heaven when this Life shall be at an End Ephes 5.5 whereas the Apostle said The Heaven and the Earth that now is are kept in store reserved unto Fire against this Day of Judgment and Perdition of VNGODLY MEN 2 Pet. 3.7 so you may read your Portion here if you turn not to God that you may be cleanled where all your false Joyes and Pleasures will come to an End Amos 8.10 and everlasting Sorrow will overtake you And farther as you deny the Working of the Spirit and rebel against it you are one with the old Backsliders even from the Beginning for that was the chief Cause that God brought Destruction upon the old World because they rebelled against his holy Spirit for after they departed from the Lord yet his good Spirit did strive with them till at length the Lord was grieved and said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with Man c. Gen. 6.3 so the Day of their Visitation passed away and they were overthrown with the Flood Gen. 7.23 so you may read and apply this to your selves for you dare not say but the Lord by his Spirit hath doth strive with you as in the dayes of Noah who is
reproving you in your hearts for your Prophaneness and Idolatry therefore while you have Time put into your Hands Repent and obey the Good Spirit of the Lord God lest God cease striving with you and so you be overthrown by his Almighty Power who is a terrible God against all Unrighteousness but all the holy People of God before the Flood were guided by his holy Spirit which was a true Guide and a sure Leader from the Beginning and the Spirit of Truth was the Guide of all the chosen People of God after the Flood even Abraham Isaac and Jacob and that sustained them in all their Travails and was with them as you may read at large in Gen. 12 48. And this was the Foundation of all the Holy Men in all Ages and Generations And when Israel at any time rebelled against the Spirit of God which he gave them to instruct them read Neh. 9. throughout then the Lord turned against them and afflicted them and caused them to be carryed away out of their own Land Therefore the Spirit was and is the true Guide and the true Fountain of Life of Living Refreshment and Heavenly Virtue which gives true Wisdom and a heavenly Mind which when people forsook and rebelled against it then Ignorance abounded And so you that rebel against God who is a Spirit are you not one with Israel in the Apostacy notwithstanding your Profession against whom the Prophet testified saying My People have committed two horrible Evils the one they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters and have hewen out to themselves broken Cisterns that will hold no Water Jer. 2.13 And is not this your State and Condition this day Are you not digging Wells of your own and hewing out to your selves Cisterns and when all is done it retains nothing pure nothing holy nothing clean no living Water nothing from Heaven but all is corruptible all filthy all sinful Oh that your Eyes were opened to see these things how ye are erred from the Life and Power from the Living Fountain with the old backsliding Jews and dark bewildered Christians who in old time lost the Light of the Sun of Righteousness but these things have happened through gross Mistakes as for instance The general Belief hath been and is amongst the outside Professors of Jesus Christ confessing only and believing that Christ dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem though it is true and so in a general sense saying We believe in God and in Christ Jesus and so come no farther to any inward Belief and Knowledge of him as did the true Christians Rom. 8. from Vers 1. to 17. now here lies the Mistake and here many comfort themselves because they confess to his Appearance in the World sixteen hundred Years since but this a man or woman may do and yet they may perish for to profess Christ and live in the Lust of Uncleanness is but to augment their Sorrow because there is a living Witness in them which they rebel against and pierce and so cause his Wounds to bleed afresh and put him to an open Shame Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 And notwithstanding they may use Meats and Drinks and have respect to Days and Times Moneths and Years yet all will pass away and perish with the using and the ground of the Separation from God may remain and so you may eat and drink Damnation to your selves at unawares for he that eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27 therefore be warned whilest you have time and consider these things whilest your Day lasteth that you may come to God out of Sin and Death by Christ Jesus who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh mark that in the Flesh this is a nearer Knowledge of him then to confess him only as he dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem who is glorified with the Glory he had with the Father before the World was and fills Heaven and Earth neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eye of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Therefore take beed to your Way and mind that pure Eye even the heavenly Light within you which is a sure Word of Prophecy to which ye do well if ye take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark Place till the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 And this is the true saving Faith and saving Knowledge to believe in your Hearts the Lord Jesus Acts 16.30 31. Rom. 10.8 And whatsoever Way or Worship there is or may be this Day or whatsoever Profession or Confession otherwise then that which the ancient Apostles declared of who were Eye-Witnesses of his Majesty is contrany to Truth and will not make the comers thereunto Perfect who preacht from a certain Divine yet Intelligible Principle revealed within them which was the Seed Immortal Incorruptible promised of God to destroy Sin bruise the Head of the Serpent and this Seed or Spirit of Life you must all come to know within you to destroy Sin in Flesh in your Mortal Bodies and to quicken you from dead Works to serve the Living God Rom. 8.11 And this is the plain Truth unto you from the Spirit of the Lord witnessed by the Scriptures as John well said when the spirit of Antichrist began to work and some were seduced by the Wicked One said he Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God every spirit that confesseth that Christ is come in the Flesh is of God mark every spirit that confesseth Christ come in the Flesh Rom. 8.3 who came to save his People from their Sin and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 4.2 for the Devil had wrought in the Flesh of Mankind the Works of Darkness Corruption Uncleanness and all manner of Filthiness in which he rules and Reigns over the Children of Disobedience in that State and Nature which he hath begotten them into and such were those sometimes that the Scripture mentions who were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others but God who is rich in Mercy and abundant in Loving-kindness caused his Love to break forth in Christ Jesus the Brightness of his Glory Hebr. 1.1 2 3 and visited those that were dead in Sins and Trespasses and quickened them by the Spirit of his Son and so they were made Witnesses of the Life of Jesus who begat them again and Redeemed them from the Bonds of Death by his Blood So here is the Way of Life and Path of Eternal Rest Christ Jesus the Power of God which destroyes the Devil and his Works 1 John 3.8 Hebr. 2.14 and this is the true Spirit this day we know it to our Souls Satisfaction that confess Christ come in the Flesh and this was the Advice of the Apostle John to such as did retain Christ the Power Wisdom of
Primitive Câ—ristians who were true Believers their Faith did arise from this living Word which came down from Heaven And Wo be to such as turn away from him that speaks from Heaven Heb. 12.25 which is sent forth from God to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Christ Jesus the Seed Immortal and Incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.23 that bruiseth the Head of the Serpent and by this Seed they were redeemed in the Days of the Apostles and brought forth and born of it not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible and this Seed must be witnessed within as in the Days of Old to raise up Mankind out of the Fall inwardly and to quicken to God by his Spirit that dwelleth in you said the Apostle Rom. 8.11 And this is the true Shepherd that laid down his Life for the Sheep John 10.11 that gathers his Sheep from the Barren Mountains where they have been scattered in the cloudy dark Day Ezek. 34.12 and brings out of the Wilderness and Solitary Ways into a sure Dwelling and a quiet Resting Place Isa 32.18 And this true Bishop of the Soul was known savingly in the primitive times by all those that did return unto him as the Apostle said Ye were as Sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls 1 Pet. 2.25 And so by the Operation of his Spirit inwardly People came to the Knowledge of God and Christ Jesus whom God sent forth to save the World and this is Life Eternal as our Lord said in the Days of his Flesh to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17 3. And there is not another Way to Salvation but as People come to know Christ revealed in them as the Apostle said Examine your selves prove you own selves what know you not how that Christ Jesus is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. but in those Days this pure Way of Life was hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to Babes and Sucklings mark such as were born again regenerated and walked in the Way of Regeneration those only knew the Mysteries of God's Kingdom for it was revealed unto them by the Spirit Rom. 2.10 But the wise Men who were outside Professors yet Rebellious and Stiff necked and a Gainsaying People unto whom God stretched forth his Hand all the Day long but they would not obey him nor hearken to his Voice Rom. 10.21 Acts 7.51 These knew not Christ in the Mystery but crucified him though they were I rofessors and had a Zeal for the Traditions of their Fore-Fathers yet I say the Workings of God's Spirit was a strange Thing unto them for said the Apostle We preach Christ in a Mystery which none of the Princes of this World knew for if they had known him they would not have crucified the Lord of Life 1 Cor. 2.7 8. And those holy Apostles and Servants of Christ who preacht by the Spirit even by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.12 they were hated and persecuted and set at nought and esteemed as a Foolish and Ignorant People as the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 And said the Apostle God hath made foolish the Wisdom of this World When the World by Wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 20.21 So those that were Enemies to God and to the Appearance of his Son they cast him that is the true Heir out of the Vin yard and slew him that the Inheritance might be theirs Mat. 21.38 39. So read this ye professing Christians who are in the Rebellion against Christ's Appearance who is now appeared in Spirit in these last Days Glory to the Name of the Lord forever And is not this it that you rebel against even his Appearance in your Hearts that breaks your Peace in the Transgression and brings forth your Deeds which you have wickedly wrought in secret to your Remembrance And do you not love Darkness rather then Light because your Deeds are evil John 3.19 And are you not in the same Transgression with those Jews who hated his Appearance in the Flesh and are turned from Jesus Christ in your Hearts and consulting together against him who is the Light Life of Men how you may betray and overcome this true Principle of Eternal Life in your selves others that you may set up your selves and live in your Pride and Lostiness and all manner of Wickedness and so in much Wantonness you pass and spend away your precious time in Rioting and Drunkenness in Chambering and Wantonness which is forbidden and will be eternally punished James 5.5 6. And so you live above the Cross of Christ Jesus the Power of God in your own Hearts which Cross said the Apostle Crucisies the World unto me and me unto the World And so you are found Enemies to God resisting the holy Ghost as they that cast him out in Days past and would not believe that it was he And said Christ Jesus If ye believe not that I am he you shall dye in your Sins John 8.24 Acts 7.51 Ye shall seek me but shall not find me and whither I go thither ye cannot come So all People believe that it is he that reproves you in secret and obey him in your Hearts lest you dye in your Sins c. for it is surely the same true Witness that in old time testified of the World that the Works thereof are Evil John 7.7 which is a sure Witness that doth not alter but is Unchangeable with whom there is no Variableness James 1.17 but if you rebel against him who is the great Power of God Christ Jesus WO will be unto you for evermore Therefore I warn you in God's holy Fear and in the Authority of his Spirit That you rebel no longer against God for if ye continue in the Rebellion against him Time will not bring End to your Misery but you will go into Everlasting Punishment and so take heed to your wayes lest ye be found with Judas betraying his Master for Judas was a Professor of Christ and yet apostatized So ye professing Christians take heed lest ye be found in the Treachery dealing deceitfully against the Light of Christ Jesus in your Hearts professing him with your Mouthes and denying him in your Hearts who is the Spirit of Truth that reproves the World of Sin Righteousness and of Judgment Joh. 16.8 And therefore examine your selves and try whether ye be in the true Faith for there is but One Lord One Faith and One Baptism Ephes 4.5 which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost the pure Spirit of Life which baptizeth into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 And so all other Faiths and Baptisms will come to an End and this brings into true Love and Unity one with another And this true Faith works by Love Gal. 5.6 But in this dark Night of Apostacy the World that hath retained a