fleshly Liberty and unchristian Loosness in which they are but therein do oppose War against the children of the Light because they will not joyn and walk and have Unity with them in their dark Words Works But in the Councel of God Witness against the same 8. Observe If these blind Self-conceited ones do not take Christ's Councel viz. Anoynt their Eyes with Eye-Salve that they may see and repent then their Latter End will be Miserable much worse than their Beginning was Oh that such might yet seek and find a Place of Repentance This would be matter of great rejoycing to the Children of Light who are calluminated reviled opposed and greatly abused by them Again the Apostle Peter writ to the Saints in Light viz. Giving all Diligence Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness brotherly Kindness Charity for if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall neither be barrennor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ but he that lacketh these Things is blind and cannot see far off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old Sins Wherefore the rather Brethren give All diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if you do these things ye shall never fall c. 2. Pet. 1. 5. to the 11. Read the Chapter through 1. Observe All you that profess the Light of Christ within what things you are to be found in Which will render you that you are not barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2. Observe That he that professes to be plentiful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And is not found in the Possession and Practice of those before-mentioned Christian fruits he is blind as the Apostle saith and too like the self-conceited blind Laodiceans 3. Observe That there are some at this day who do profess themselves to be followers of the Light of Christ within Who do lack these before-mentioned good Things and so according to the Apostles saying These are blind and the blind cannot see till their Eyes be opened So they cannot see their Duty nor the Duty of the Children of Light till their Eyes be open'd Such of them who Have not yet sinned out the Day of Gods Uisitation to them I Exhort and warn to retire out of the Self-conceit and vain Imaginations to the pure Divine Light of Christ within and thereunto diligently attend that thereby the Eyes of their Understandings may be anointed and opened that therein they may see their Duty and by vertue of the same be led into it and kept in it and also may see the Duty of the Children of Light and have Unity with them therein Again Hear what the Apostle Paul saith concerning Blindness viz. But if our Gospel be hid It is hid in them that are lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them for we Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake for God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ but we have this Treasure in the Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 3. to 8. 1. Observe That it is the God of the World who blinds the Minds of People designing thereby to hinder them of the Benefit of the Light that so they might be kept blind and in Blindness Conceit themselves to be wise and knowing in the Things of God and Gospel of his Kingdom and in their Blindness to oppose and contend against those whom God hath made Wise unto Salvation in opposing their Christian Counsel Advice and Conversation 2. Observe That the Apostles of Christ did not Preach Themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and Themselves their Servants for Jesus sake and so doth the faithful Ministers of Christ in this day praisEd be the Lord for the same and the Excellency of the Power by which they are enabled to serve God and each other is of God and not of Themselves Therefore the Glory belongs to him forever Again Hear what the Apostle Paul saith concerning the darkened and blinded viz. For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven Against all Ungodlyness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness because that which may be known of God Is Manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were they thankful but became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned professing themselves to be Wise they became Fools Rom. 1. 18 19 to 23. 1. Observe That the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodlyness and Unrighteousness of Men for holding the Truth in Unrighteousness That is holding a Profession of it Without Subjection and Obedience to it because they do not obey the Truth in forsaking that which it shews them to be evil chusing doing that which it shews them to be good 2. Observe That when they through their Negligence and Slothfulness continued and multiplied Disobedience and Rebellion are come to be darkned and made Spiritually blind so that they neither see know or desire to Know their Duty or to do it yet this their Darkness and Blindness doth not render them Excusable or uncondemnable either in the sight of God or his Faithful People but on the contrary Inexcusable and condemnable in the sight of God and also in the sight of his Faithful People .. 3. Observe The cause why they became so darkned and blinded was that when they knew God they glorified Him not as God neither were thankful therefore they became Vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkned professing themselvee to be Wise they became Fools 4. Observe What it is to Glorifie God as God when Man knows Him for there are several Degrees of the Knowledge of God all proceeding from one Cause and are of one kind though Not all of One Quantity or Largeness Certain it is that to Glorifie God as God is not only to believe that He is a Mighty Powerful Just and Holy God but also to Reverence fear and stand in awe of Him and to obey Him according to that Knowledge received of him His Blessing is upon will continue and increase upon all those who do so Glorifie Him for He hath promised who cannot lie That he that is Faithful in a little shall be made Ruler over much and shall enter into the Joy of his Lord. Again The same Apostle writ to the believing Gentiles at
Gideon and of Baruck and of Sampson of Jephtha and of David also and of Samuel and of the Prophets c. see Heb. 10. 38 39. Read the 11 Chapter through Habbakkuk 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Again the Apostle Peter writ to the Saints concerning Faith vâ—z Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation see 1 Pet. 1. 5. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering Heb. 10. 23. Now the Apostle James who writ of this Faith writ also of the works and fruits of it which the rest also did hear what he saith in this matter viz. What doth it prâ—fit my Brethren though a Man say he hath Faith can Faith save him If a Brother or Sister be naked and destitute of dayly Food and one of you say unto them Depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not thâ—se things which are needful to the Body what doth it profit Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone yea a man may say Thou hast Faith and I have works shew me thy Faith without thy works and I will shew thee my Fath by my works Thou believest there is one God c. But wilt thou know oh vain man that Faith without works is dead Was not Abraham our Father justified by Works seest thou how Faith wrought with his Works and by works was Faith made perfect and the Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and was imputed to him for Righteousness and he was called the friend of God ye see then how that by works a Man is justified and not by Faith only for as the Body without the Spirit is dead so Faith without Works is dead also James 2. 14 to the end Again the Apostle John writ to the Children of Light concerning this Faith viz. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. Again Peter Exhorts those who were come to some degree of this Faith saying Give all diligence add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledg and to Knowledg Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly Kindness and to Brotherly Kindness Charity for if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ but he that laâ—keth these things is blind c. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if you do these things you shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. 4 11. Again the Apostle Paul writing to the believing Thessalonians said unto them We are bound to thank God always for you Brethren as it is meet because that your Faith groweth exceedingly and the Charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth 2 Thess 1. 3. Again Paul writ to the Galatians viz. Knowing that a Man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the Faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the Faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified but if while we seek to be justified by Christ we our selves are found sinners is Christ therefore the Minister of sin God forbid for if I build again the things which I destroyed I make my self a Transgressor for I through the Law am dead to the Law that I might live unto God I am Crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the â—on of God c. Gal. 2. 16 17 18 19 20. Again he writ thus to the believing Ephesians viz. We are Gods â—â—â—kmanship Created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained we should walk in them Ephesians 2. 10. The same Apostle writing to the believing Philipians writ thus viz. For it is God which worketh in you â—â—th to will and to do of his own good pleasure do all things without murmuring and disputing that you may be blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the World Philip. 2. 13 14 15. Again he writ to the Ephesians thus viz. Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us unto him be Glory in the Church throughout all Ages world without end Amen Eph. 3. 20 21. Again the Author to the Hebrews writing to them saith viz. Now the God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. O all you who profess your selves to be Christians and to be led and guided by the Spirit and Light of Christ within seriously consider of the faithful sayings of these faithful Apostles and Servants of Christ concerning Faith in God and Christ and the Gospel and Christian works which God in Christ works in all those who comes to the Baptized by Christ with the Holy Ghost and Fire which burns up the works of Satan to with Sin who destroys the old man with his deeds which are corrupt and which renews and restores man again into the likness or image of God who created him All who come to drink into the one Spirit and be Baptized by it into the one Body come thereby to be made of one Heart and Soul and to Worship and Serve God with one consent these have not Faith without Works which is dead but they have the living Faith which God hath wrought in them which by the Apostle is called the Faith of the Operation or Work of God and with this living Faith they have the living Works and Fruits which Faith and Works prove them to be the generation and living off-spring of God Further observe How sweetly all the before-mentioned Apostles in their sayings are in Harmony and Unity concerning this living Faith and its living Works or Fruits Again observe Where many Professors of Faith and Christianity have been grosly mistaken concerning Faith and Works The Apostle Paul in some of his Epistles writing much against the upholding of the shadowy works of the Law after Christ had ended them by his one offering many Professors of Christianity of latter times have been willing to exclude all works as with respect to Salvation or Acceptance with God under the Gospel dispensation though the holy Apostle Exhorted the Believers in Christ to work out their
unto vain jangling 1 Tim. 1. 5 6. Again ver 18 19. he chargeth Timothy to hold Faith and a good Conscience which sâ—me having put away concerning Faith have made shipwrack Again Chap. 3. ver 9. The Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience The Apostle Peter writes to the Believers thus viz. Having a good Conscience that whereas they speak evil of you as of Evil-doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good Conversation in Christ 1 Pet. 3. 16. Concerning evil Conscience THE Apostle writes thus Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to the seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Consciences seared with an hot Iron 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. Now the Prince that begets and upholds this evil Conscience hardened and seared is the Devil who abode not in the truth in whom there is no truth he is that Prince of the power of the Air who works in the hearts of the Children of Disobedience as the Apostle saith This is he who leads into the fleshly Liberty from the Cross of Christ into the fleshly Lusts which war against the Soul and drowns such men in predition who become Enemies to the Cross of Christ This Liberty is not to be given way unto nor to be pleaded for by any true Christian this is not the Liberty of the Sons of God which he hath promised to restore them into who believe in Jesus Christ and take up their daily Cross and follow him giving and taking Liberty to this evil Conscience brings into corruptible Bondage yea it vassalizeth the Creature Soul and Body to Satan and if this Liberty be continued in it brings everlasting destruction both upon Man and Woman Paul writ to Titus saying Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their Mind and Consciences defiled they profess that they know God but in Works they deny him See Tit. 1. 15 16. Again the Apostle writing to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised and let us consider one another to provoke unto Love and to good Works not forsaking the Assembling our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another c. See Heb. 10. 22 23 24 25. Oh my dear Friends All tenderly consider that the great work of God in and through Christ is to put away this evil Conscience and to work in man a good one yea to redeem out of all corrupt sinful fleshly Liberty which Liberty embondageth the Creature under Satans power as I said before Now Christ the patient and innocent Lamb of God was sent by the Father to take away the Sins of the World which John Baptist in his Eternal Light saw and testified of and in the same Divine Spirit and Light of Christ Daniel the Prophet saw and testified of saying He shall finish Sin and Transgression and shall bring in everlasting Righteousness Blessed are all they who in Faith and Patience wait to see this great Work carried on and finished in the appointed season of the Father O my Friends Seriously consider how enclinabâ—e apt and prone Men and Women are after they are come to some degree of the knowledge of God and of Christ and of the daily Cross to hearken to the Serpents voice who deceived Eve who leads into this ungodly Liberty who by his Transformations hath deceived some in our Age after they knew God and Christ as aforesaid and he has promised them Liberty and great things as he did Eve and has brought them into misery as he did her and through this his accursed work a Root of Bitterness is sprung up in some which is in danger to defile many which God through his tender Mercy put a stop unto confound and drive backward This is the earnest desire of my Soul The Apostle Peter writes against the fleshly Libertines with which the Church was exercised in his day which became matter of much Travel and Grief to the faithful Apostles of them he thus writes viz. These are Wells without Water Clouds that are carried with a Tempest to whom the mist of Darkness is reserved for ever for when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in errour While they promise them Liberty they themselves are the servants of Corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same he is brought into Bondage c. See 2 Pet. 2. 16. to the end Dear Friends Something more is upon me to write concerning Conscience The Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth speaketh of the Idolatry of the Gentiles viz. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto Idols we know that an Idol is nothing in the World for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be gods many and lords many But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge for some with Conscience of the Idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an Idol and their Consciences being weak are defiled But meat commendeth us not to God for neither if we eat are we the better neither if we eat not are we the worse But take heed lest by any means this Liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak for if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the Idols Temple shall not the Conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to Idols c. Read 1 Cor. 8. 4. to the end of the chap. Observe here that some with Conscience of the Idol did eat things sacrificed unto it and their Consciences therein and thereby were defiled The Christians who knew there was no other God but one were warned by the Apostle that they should not sit in the Idols Temple at Meat with those who eat their meat unto the Idol lest their so doing should embolden those ignorant Idolaters to persist in their Ignorance and Idolatry for though some might say they did not eat it to the Idol as the Idolaters did but for strength and sustenance to the outward man yet this would not answer the Counsel of the Lord in the Apostle nor the Light of Christ in their own Souls but they were to abstain from eating with them at such Sacrifices thereby to prevent emboldening them therein And in chap. 10. ver 20. take his Testimony against this sort of Idolatry in these
and Light and therein waits upon him in it he will not be Limited by thee but will rebuke and Judge thee for thy presumptuous attempt behold the beautiful Creation the works of God in Heaven and Earth and the Order thereof and these will Teach thee better it is true what the Apostle hath writ The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the Invisible things of the Creation are clearly soon by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead so that they are with out excuse Rom. 1. 18 19 20 see the 21 22 23 24 25 26 to the end of the Chapter Observe here Gods Creation Heaven and Earth and the things therein are as a book wherein man and woman may read the wonderful works of God and the Glorious Order and Beauty of them all People being enlightened by Christ the divine word by whom God the Father made them all they believing in the Light of him in it they may see his wonderful power and wisdom in the bringing forth upholding and beautiful Order thereof God having enlightened all by his Word and Spirit which are one Calls all the Ends of the Earth to Look unto him he saith Look unto me O all ye ends of the Earth and be ye saved for I am God and there is None Else â— Mighty God and a Saviour they who believe in his Light and therein wait they come therein to see and have Unity with his glorious works in Heaven and in Earth and in their own Hearts and Souls and therein come to be made sensible of his bounty and kindness unto mankind in the Creating of them and setting them in their Beautiful Order and upholding them in the same and in the deep sence of these things Mans Heart becomes tender broken and humble within him and in this tender subjected humble frame of heart and mind he returns the Praise Honour Glory Dominion and Thanks unto him the great God and Creator of all things who is worthy of Glory Honour Obedience and Praise over all Heaven and Earth now and forever more Amen Something more particularly concerning the Order of Christ in his Church THE Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth writes thus viz. ye are the body of Christ and Members in particular and God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. see 1 Cor. 12. 27 28 29. Again he writes to the Church at Ephesus thus viz. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the Measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Ephess 4. 10 11 12. Observe here the Apostle shews the order particularly of the several gifts of God to the several Members of his Church which he gave them by the one Spirit in which gifts the several Members were appointed to serve him and eâ—ch other and as they all kept in their proper Gifts they did therein serve him and each other and the weakest Members of the Church also for whose service they received their Gifts The weak had and have the most need of the help and service of these gifts and as they all kept in the Exercise of their several gifts in the motion leading and guidance of Gods holy Spirit the root and fountain of them all they had all Unity therein one with another although their gifts did differ both in the manner of their working and in the measure or greatness of them so that there was an Harmony and Unity amongst them though they were many Members yet were but one body all in Subjection unto Christ the one head Secondly Observe the Apostles question are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. He doth not say they are the contrary is manifest neither are all the Members in the Church of Christ in this Age called appointed or ordained In their presant State to be Prophets Apostles or Teachers for these are peculiar or proper gifts given by the Lord God as and when he pleaseth according to the Counsel of his own will Thirdly Observe that by what I have said in this matter I only intend all the Members of the Church of Christ in their present State are not sent forth publickly with a message of Salvation to Preach to the Nations nor to Prophesie or Preach publickly in words the Doctrine of the Truth or Gospel of Christ nor are they all appointed of God to Prophesie and foretel things to come nor are they all made Teachers in a publick Ministry in Doctrine or Exhortation for these are peculiar or proper gifts given according to the Heavenly will and Counsell of God in his own time and season as I said before Fourthly Observe that though all the Members of the Body of Christ have not all or some of the aforesaid places in the body yet evâ—ry Member hath a place in the body and it is a precious and blessed thing for every Member to know its place and keep in it in its proper service whereto it s called of God but when any Member goes out of the Counsel of God and looks at anothers gift and goes out of his own proper place from his gift and service in the body striving in a wrong mind or zeal after others gifts Immitating them in words voice or sound or other visible or â—udabâ—e Motion or Action of the Creature or through a zeal without knowledge or by any other means whatsoever then such a Member hurts it self and grieves or offends the other more discerning Members of the body who sees and feels the out-going of the said Member Fifthly Observe it is the place and duty of the discerning Members of the body who see such out-goings tenderly in the Love and wisdom of God to speak to such in order to bring them to a sence of their out-going and to restore them into their place again if possible and to watch over them in Love for their preservation in it Sixthly Observe it is the duty of such who have been mistaken and gone out of their place as aforesaid to hear and receive Counsell of those who freely tender it to them in the Love of God several such in our day have had Counsell so given to them who have received it in the same Love which have tended greatly to their profit even to their settlement and Establishment with God and Unity with his People praised be the Lord God for the same Seventhly Observe that some who have had a place in the Church of
Christ through want of watchfulness in the holy fear of God have been drawn out of it by the subtill Adversary of their Souls and when some of the Members of the body who kept their habitation in the Light in which they have a right sence sight savour and discerning of Spirits words and Actions have spoken to them in the Wisdom and Love of God in Order to have Restored them into their places that they might therein have been preserved in Unity with God and his People they have not received in Love that which in Love was spoken to them for the good End aforesaid but on the Contrary have rejected the same and have let up prejudice hard thoughts and evil will against their friends who sought their good and so these evils given way to by them have eaten out the Love gantiness tenderness Meakness and patience that once in some Measure appeared in them and a raging scornful bitter reviling Spirit hath entered some as also from the same root faigned Humiliy faigned words and flattery hath appeared in some these latter mentioned fruits proceeding from the Evil root is more Dangerous to deceive than the former therefore all you who Love your own Souls be warned to fly from the Spirit of dissimulation and flattery as also from the rude railing boysterous quarelsome perverse Crooked self-revengful and scornful Stubborne selfwillful and self-Exalting Spirit Eightly Observe that the same God who by his Spirit and in his own Order set some in the Church First Apostles Secondly Prophets Thirdly Teachers c. by the same Spirit he gives proper or peculiar gifts to some that are not Apostles Prophets or publick Teachers according to the aforesaid difinition of them viz. he sets some in the Church helpers in Government which last mentioned Members are of great service in their places in the body of Christ they being kept by him in true Humility O friends all keep low in your Minds let nothing be done amongst you in highmindedness or vain glory for that God Accepts not but the Meek he Guides in Judgment but the Proud are an abomination to him This is the Testamony of the Lord Jesus Christ to you viz. The more Persons grow in Christ the Root Foundation and Head of his Church the more Meek Humble and Patient they grow Ninthly Observe that though all the Members of the body have not all or any of the before mentioned services in the body yet have they all a place in the Body as I said before and they are blessed who know their place and keep in it though it be the place of one of the least of the Members of the Body for that is to be desired which the good man made choyce of in his days who said I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the Tents of wickedness for the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield the Lord will give grace no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Psalm 84. 10 11. Tenthly Observe that as every Member hath a place in the Body so it hath a service therein though not the place of an Apostle or Propher or helper in Government yet all they who are properly and truly of the body do Preach witness and testitie of God and Christ his Kingdom and Glory and against the Kingdom of Satan Sin Wickedness and the vain Glory and Lusts that are in the World In their Christian Lives and Conversations and every Nember that abides in its place and service in the fear of the Lord and true Humility hath Peace and Comfort with the Lord and Unity with all their fellow-Members who keep in their places and services and all who keep their places and services as aforesaid therein are in a preparedness for whatsoever the Lord God pleaseth to call them further unto and when any is called to further or other service than what God hath already called them unto their Peace with God and Unity with his People will be continued in their obedience to God that calls them Again the Apostle writeth thus of Christ viz. he that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and Carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of men and cunning Craftyness whereby they lye in waite to deceive but speaking the Truth in Love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fiâ—â—ly Joyned together and compacted by that which every Joynt supplieth according to the Effectual working in the measure of every part maketh Increase of the body unto the Edifying of it self in Love Ephess 4. 10 11. to the 17. First Observe that the gifts of the Apostles Prophets Teachers Evangelists c. were not given only to convince People of the Truth and way of Righteousness but also to build them up in it gradually from strength to strength to a Râ—pe Age in Christ Secondly Observe that those who were turned to the Light and Spirit of Truth by those whom God sent to turn them to it could not in the Light and Spirit gainsay or oppose them who therein Laboured in their writing and speaking to them to build them up in it from strength to strength for the Light is not Contradictory to it self in the Preacher or the Nearer or in any of the Children of it for that which the Light or Spirit of Truth speaks or dictates to write in one of its Children it doth nor reject oppose or gainsay in any other of its Children for if it could do so then should it be the Author of Confusion amongst â—'s Children which is most false and blasphemous to say for God by this Spirit and Light is not the Author of Confusion but of good profitable and Comfortable order and peace in all the Churches of the Saints The Apostle in this divine Light saw and by Experience knew that which he writ concerning it viz. God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we lie and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son Cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Thirdly Observe that they who profess the Light of Christ within whether they be old or young professors of it that gainsay oppose reject slight and
Philip. 3. 15 16 17. Observe here It was the Apostles belief that if any among the Believers in the Light were of another mind than he was in any thing that he in the Light practised God would reveal the same unto them also they abiding stedfast with the Light to which they were turn'd and as he believed so do we believe in this matter 'T is possible that some persons who are turned to the Light of Christ within who have believed and in some measure obeyed the same who in many things have Unity with the most antient grown and establish'd of the Children of the Light yet in some things may not be so opened and clear in their Understandings as to see them and joyn in Faith in the practice of them We believe and therefore say That if such abide in the Light faithful to what they know God will reveal these things unto them And we believe and therefore say They keeping in the Light it will keep them from contending against or opposing others in the practice of that which God has revealed to them and required of them What is not of Faith is sin as saith the Apostle Such therefore that are weak in the Faith we ought not to reject but to receive though not to doubtful Disputations but to hear their infirmities or weaknesses to be good Examples to them and to make intercession to God for them and to hold forth Truth to them in sound Doctrine that they may be strengthened with his glorious power in their Inward man and that he may increase their Faith and more and more fill them with that Wisdom and Knowledge which is pure and peaceable from above But observe where persons have been long convinced and are become Teachers of others and by their so doing would be look'd upon to be Elders wise and strong shall under the profession of the Light oppose and teach others to oppose the faithful Followers of Christ in things which they practise in the Faith of Christ accompanied with his Power and a good Understanding This Case is greatly differing from the before-mentioned For these will not grant that their refusing the practice of some things and the opposing the Practisers thereof proceeds from weakness or short-sightedness through their Infancy in the knowledge of the Truth Much less that it proceeds from Apostacy and Rebellion the latter of which is true upon some in our Age but these give out reviling Speeches against the Faithful calling them Apostates and many other evil names which I here omit to mention having no pleasure to repeat them Observe we are of the Apostles Faith and Judgment who writ thus to the Church at Galatia Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Bear ye one anothers burthens and so fulfil the Law of Christ See Gal. 6. 1 2. read the Chapter through Christ our Souls Bishop hath taught us how to seek to restore those that commit Offences against him and his People and several hath been so sought and recovered out of the Snare in which they were taken and others so sought have not been gained but have persisted in their evil doing until God has ceased any longer to strive with them through his Servants and then his Servants have witnessed against them and declared their disunion with them according to Christs command and some such being declared against as aforesaid have appeared in great wrath against us like the raging Waves of the Sea foming out their own shame but we pity them and should greatly rejoyce on their behalf if they could yet find a place of repentance and return for 't is true which Christ saith Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth c. Again it is true which the Apostle James writ Brethren if any of you do erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins Jam. 5. 19 20. Again to them that say they do not see as aforesaid hear what Christ saith by his Angel to the Church in Laodicea viz. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked I counsel thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white rayment that thou mayest be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see as many as I love I rebuke chasten Be zealous therefore and repent behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me c. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 3. 14. to the end 1. Observe this Church or Congregation was gathered into the Profession of Christ and his Light within 2. Observe how greatly they were mistaken concerning their own state and condition a most gross and lamentable Errour were they in as the before-cited words of Christ do plainly shew They were puffed up with Self-conceit that they wanted nothing when in reality and truth they Wanted all things that should have rendered them to be that which they professed to be Namely such who were Compleat in Christ Jesus the Head of His Church who is the fulness who Cloaths his Members with the Robes of his own Righteousness and fills them with the bright Beams of his Divine Light so that they see clearly and he fills their Hearts with the Riches of his Grace in the abundance of which their Hearts and Souls pour forth Praises and Thanksgiving to the Lord God and the Lamb who is Worthy for evermore 3. Observe Though their State was so miserable yet in his tender Mercy he calls them to Repentance Oh consider this thou Back-slider whoever thou art and let the sence thereof seize upon thee and break thy Heart Repent and Turn to the Lord with whom is forgiveness 4. Observe How Christ charges this Congregation to be blind and being blind they could not see their State as it was but in their blind Self-conceit said It was What it was not 5. Observe That these blind Self-conceited ones while they remained such could not see that to be their Duty which the Children of Light saw to be theirs 6. Observe That we do not here read that these blind self-conceited Laodiceans did so oppose the Children of Light in their Faithful Obedience to it as some do oppose in our day we do not read they called them Apostates 7. Observe That some blind Self-conceited ones in our Age have appeared worse than they who are not contented with that ungodly