because their deeds were evil for every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh he to the light least his deeds should be reproved but he that doth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. And he that believeth not is condemned alreadie because he hath not believed on the Name of the only begotten Son of God John 3. 18. And God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the world through him might be saved for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting life And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life v. 14 15 16 17. And I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of Life John 8. 12. I say they that are in the state of nature which is in the fall in the Transgression are without the sence of God or of his life or of his Son who is Life I am the Way the Truth and the Life No man saith he cometh unto the Father but by me if ye had known me ye should have known my Father also and hence forth ye know him and have seen him Philip saith unto him Lord shew us the Father and it sufficeth Jesus saith unto him have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me Philip be that hath seen me hath seen my Father and how sayst thou then shew us the Father belieâ—est thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the Works Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me Or believe me for the very work sake Verily verily I say unto you he that believeth me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go to my Father and whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye ask any thing in my Name I will do it If ye love me keep my Commandements and I will pray 〈◊〉 Father and he shall give you another Comforther that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth in you and shall be with you John 14. 6. to the eighteenth And being without the sence of God and his Life and his Son who is life they are in a state of Reprobation in the state of the Devil who is without any thing of this any thing of any true sence of God or of his Life or of the Son of God who is Life For verily he took not upon him the nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. And they that are in this state can never see God whilst they are in this state nor know him nor his Son in the knowledge of whom is life eternal John 17. 3. and there is no coming out of this state without the knowledge of him who is Life eternal and there can be no knowledge of him who is Life eternal but in his Light In thy Light shall we see Light Psal 36. 9. And God who commanded the Light to shine out darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the light of knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. And this is the 〈◊〉 that which reproves that which makes manifest as the Apostle saith But all things saith he that are reproved are made manifest by the Ligtt for whatsoever doth make manifeâ—t is light wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give the Light Ephes 5. 13 14. And I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thy Hand and will keep thee and will give thee for a Covenant of the People for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. 6. And to give light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death to guide our feet in the way of peace Luke 1. 78. And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12. 21. And the light shined in darkness but the darknesse comprehended it not That is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 5. 9. Now how can darkness shew it self And how can darkness reprove darkness And how can he that is in darkness see the light by the darkness And how can he that sees not the light come out of darkness And how can the light guide a man whilst darkness covers him And how can it be but that darknesse should cover a man whilst he is in the state of darkness And how can a man come out of darknesse but by the light Therefore is he called light because he sheweth darkness and brings out of darkness as many as are led by him whose darkness he lightneth Thou wilt light my Candle the Lord my God will enlighten my darknesse Psal 18. 28. that they may see the light of Life So that the light it is that sheweth darkness and darkness is comprehended by the light but darknesse cannot comprehend the light Therefore every one must heed the light that shineth in him in the darknesse that which reproves that which makes manifest the darknesse that he may come to the light of Life Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light least darknesse come upon you for he that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whither he goeth While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be children of the light John 12. 35 36. For if darkness cannot comprehend the light it cannot shew the light but the light it is that makes manifest the darknesse that which reproves that which makes manifest and shews it and if the darknesse cannot comprehend the light though it shine in it nor make manifest nor shew it self in what state then are all they who abide in darknesse and know not the light nor are guided by it Which way can they come out of darknesse who abide in darknesse And how can they be delivered without the help of another thing without the light which shews them their state which shews them darknesse which makes it manifest which shines in darknesse though the darknesse comprehendeth it not And this light is Christ as hath been often instanced who is the light of Life who is the Saviour of all those who believe in him and to him must all come to the light in them that which reproves that which makes
Mind and the Law in the Members the Flesh and the Spirit the Son of God in the likeness of sinful flesh condemning sin in the flesh and the body of sin and death Two Nations two manner of People the one stronger then the other the strong man armed the stronger then he The Elder as to man in the state of the fall that came out first the Younger which was before the Elder though it came out in the World after This is he said John of whom I said after me cometh a Man which is preferred before me for he was before me John 1. 30. The Younger who comes after the fall the seed of the Woman to redeem out of the fall to bruise the Serpents head which the Elder must serve which taketh hold of the heel of the Elder and supplants it and makes it to serve the Elder shall serve the Younger And so the Apostle speaketh They are not all Israel who are of Israel Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all Children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called That is they that are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God but the children of the Promise are counted for the seed For this is the word of Promise at this time will I come and Sara shall have a son And not only this but when Rebecca also had conceived by one even by our Father Isaac for the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of works but of him that calleth It was said unto her the Elder shall serve the Younger as it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated as aforesaid Rom. 9. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. And here is the whole matter as it lies together and as the Scriptures testifie and are the Explanation of one another in the Spirit of the Lord from whom I have written and who hath shewn me these things that I might write them unto you that your understandings might be opened and that ye might come to see the Truth as it is in Jesus and be brought to the Knowledge of the Truth And so I have finished this particular The Lord God Eternal open your eyes that in this your day you may know the things that belong unto your Peace And so I shall proceed As the Lord made not man to destroy him and as he hath not concluded any man from all Eternity to destruction So neither hath he so made man as that it is impossible for him to fall from the state in the which he was made or to miscarry so as to fall from life for ever and ever That were to put man in another state then that in the which he was made who was made in a Dependance on God for his being and Subsistance in the state in the which he was made and to render him as God knowing both good and evil that is to set him as do he good or do he evil he shall never be finally removed from the state in the which he was made that is from Life but shall remain as God The Judgement of the Ranters whom the Serpent hath taken with that which was his first bait with which he took Eve at first and with which they are taken at this day who hold That do they what they will they shall never be finally â—emoved from the state in the which they were made that is from Life Ye shall not surely die for God knoweth that in the day that ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3. 4 5. This the Serpent laid before Evè viz. a state beyond that in the which she was made Ye shall not surely die a state at the pleasure of him that made you and at his Commandmen who gave you your being Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every Tree in the garden v. 1. hath he put you are ye under such a dependency on him and at his command Nay ye shall not surely die it is not so ye shall be as Gods a state beyond that in which ye were made ye shall not need to stand in such awe and dread Ye are not necessitated to such a dependency upon God as that doing contrary to his Command ye shall die your state shall be changed nay your state shall not be so changed but eating of the Tree doing of that which he hath said ye shall not doe which signifies a Subjection and Subordination a Creature state of Variation and Change at the Will of Him that made you Nay the doing of this will enter you into another state that 's more high more fixed more certain a state wherein God is who changeth not nor is moved nor doth alter or varie from that wherein he is and this God knoweth for God doth known this is the Reason that God hath set you under such a command in such dread in such awe as of death a loosing of the state in the which ye are and a coming into a quite contrary or another this he knows and therefore hath laid this Command upon ye to keep ye from this to prevent your attaining unto this to be as he is setled and unchangeable do ye what ye will ye shall not surely die Nay it shall enter you into that state wherein there is no such thing as death but only a death unto that in which ye are as you are passing to it as through death to life ye shall not need thus to be put to it ye shall be as Gods without change without alteration without fear or dread or a necessary dependance upon another to keep you in the state in the which ye are Ye shall not need thus to be put to it at every turn to be under this Rod under this reproof under this check under such a manifestation as this and who would be so when he may be otherwise This God knoweth therefore hath he laid this Bar upon you this Precept this Bond to keep ye under that in the day that ye eat thereof ye do otherwise then he hath ordained you and so put your selves out of a state of dependance upon him or of being Creatures so to be disposed of and ordered by him so taking your selves into your own Power your own disposal as he doth himself and you whilst it is thus with you that you dare do nothing but what he requires you and that ye dare not do that which he forbids you which is a Creature state of alteration and change of Subjection and Subordination you will be as he is you will be as Gods unalterable unchangeable insubjectible insubordinate and this God knoweth that in the day that ye eat thereof that ye so put your selves that ye so take your selves into your own order and not stand under his Order and Rule who hath so
said unto you Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every Tree in the Garden Yea is it so We may eat of the Fruit of the Trees of the Garden said the Woman who was first in the Transgression Adam was not deceived the first man Adam was made a living Soul 1 Cor. 15. 45. that was not deceived which was made a living Soul after the Image of God being the Image of God or the Image of God in man Christ Jesus the Son of God the new man And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision Barbarian Scythiâ—n bond nor free but Christ is all and in all Col. 3. 10 11. Who is the Image of the Invisible God the first born of every Creature Col. 1. 15. Who being the brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person and upholding all things by the Word of his Power in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God All things were made by him without him was not any thing made that was made 1 Joh. 1. 1. 3. Heb. 1. 3. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head forasmuch as he is the Image and Glory of God but the woman is the glory of the man For the man iâ— not of the woman but the woman of the man Neither was the man created for the woman but the woman for the man he that reads let him understand for this cause ought the woman to have Power over her head because of the Angels Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman neither the woman without the man in the Lord for as the woman is of the man even so is the man also by the woman but all things of God 1 Cor. 11. 7. to the 13. And as we have borne the Image of the Earthly we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly 1 Cor. 15. 49. and this is Christ but the woman being deceived was in the transgression the woman that man waâ— not Created for but the woman for the man the woman by whom also the man is as the woman is of the man the woman without whom neither is the man neither the man without the woman in the Lord being deceived was in the Transgression the Creature that was made not the Soul of the Creature the living Soul that of God the Image of God in which the Creature was made God breathed into man the Breath of Life and man became a living Soul the first man Adam was made a living Soul I say the Creature that was made in the Image of God the living Soul that man became after God had breathed into man the Breath of Life and man became a living Soul the first man Adam the Creature that was so made the woman not Adam the living Soul which by this came into death and death came over it and there he remains till the second Adam the quickening Spirit the Lord from Heaven raise it up and deâ—iver it being deceived mistaking the thing was in the Transgression went from the Commandement in the which Adam was not deceived for that testified in the woman that which was taken out of man which proceeded from man for which the man was not Created but that for man without which the man is not nor that without the man in the Lord We may eat of the Trees of the Garden said the woman to the Serpent whilst she stood in the man the Image of God the living Soul the first man Adam into whom God breathed the Breath of Life and man became a living Soul this said she but of the Fruit of the Tree which is in the midst of the Garden the Eternal state of which the Creature is and by which it is preserved from a dependency on which the Creature cannot be that is to say to be as it is without dependancie change or alteration which the Lord alone onely is and the Creature can be never viz. in a state of Independency on God on another nor shall be ever no eating no touching of this fruit of this Tree that groweth in the midst of the Garden no coming to this state by man for ever no coming at it though the Serpent climbing up to it mist and so keeping not his first state drew man thither to fall also God hath said ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it least ye die v. 2 3. Thus said the woman whilst she stood in the man in that in which she was made out of which she was took from which she proceeded thus she answered the living Soul that was not yet under that death was not yet over for she had not yet let it in the first man Adam into whom God breathed the Breath of Life and man became a living Soul the Image of God Righteousness and true holiness the new man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him as aforesaid Christ Jesus the Lord from Heaven the quickening Spirit who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as if they were the amen the true faithful Witnesse the beginning of the Creation of God that was dead and is alive and behold I am a live for ever more Amen And have the Keys of Hell he that is Holy he that is true he that hath the Key of David he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth the first and the last the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Behold he cometh in Clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which piereed him and all Kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of him even so Amen Rom. 4. 17. Rev. 1. 7 8 18. Rev. 2. 14. Rev. 3. 7. He was not yet slain the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World Rev. 13. 8. So she was not yet deceived He yet spake in her as aforesaid Adam who was not deceived who was not in the Transgression but shewed the Transgression who said in her God hath said and she spake after him God hath said said she c. Now she spake right now she was not deceived whilst she spake after him in her who witnessed who was the Son of Adam who was the Son of God Luke 3. 38. The Seed of the Woman which God said should bruise the Serpents head Gen. 3. 15. who lives for Ever the Root and Off-spring of David whilst she heard him speaking in her and kept there she said God hath said Ye shall not eat thereof neither shall ye touch it least ye die Yea said the Serpent hath God said ye shall not eat of every Tree in the Garden Ther 's somewhat in the matter I 'le tell you a secret tush there 's a state beyond that in the which you
the Minister of sin God forbid For if I build again the things that I have destroyed I make my self a transgressor Gal. 2. 17 18 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformable to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born of many brethren Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 29 30. So then there is no Predestination where there is not first a Foreknowledge and this Predestination is to be conformed to the Image of his Son and his Image is Righteousness and true Holiness and where Righteousness and true Holiness are not there is not the Image of his Son and where the Image of his Son is not there is no Conformity to the Image of his Son and where there is no conformity to the Image of his Son there is no Predestination And where sin is there is no Conformity to the Image of his Son And so no Predestination no Calling that abides no Justification no Glorification no Foreknowledge to Life Eternal Whom he did Predestinate them he also Called and whom he also called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also Glorified and whom he foreknew he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many Brethren Rom. 8. 27. And here is the sum of the whole matter No fore-knowledge to life Eternal no predestination no calling that abides no justification no glorification but in conformity and to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he may be the first born of many brethren The Brethren of whom he is the first born are such as are conformed to his Image which is Righteousness and true Holiness and he hath predestinated none but to this nor fore-known any to predestination but to this and where this is not there is no fore-knowledge no predestination to life Eternal none of the Brother-hood of which he is the first born for whom he did fore-know he also did predestinate to what to be conformed unto what to the Image of his Son So where conformity is not to the Image of his Son there is no predestination there is no calling that abides as I have said and the Scripture speaks it plain For the Gifts and calling of God are without Repentance saith the Apostle as to Election and that of the Jews who saith he as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11. 28 29. And the gifts and calling of God that are without Repentance are unto Eternal Life and Eternal Life is in his Son John 5. 11. and he that is in Christ Jesus is a new Creature Old things are passed away behold all things are made new 2 Cor. 5. 17. And saith he have put on the new man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision Barbarian Scythian bond nor free but Christ is all and in all Put on therefore as the Elect of God bowels of Mercy kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man hath a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 10 11 12 13. And where there is no calling which is unto Holiness there is no justification For God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto Holiness 1 Thes 4. 7. and Holiness becomes thy House O Lord for ever Psal 93. 5. And who hath saved us and called us with an Holy calling not according to our Works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Chriâ—t who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light thorough the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. And the eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his Power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his Mighty Power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 18. to the end And there is one Body and one Spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling One Lord one Faith one Baptism One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Ephes 4. 4 5 6. And we pray alwayes for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of Faith with Power that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 11 12. And you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought the things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption That according as it is written He that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 26. to the end And I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14 15. And Holy brethren partakers of the Heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithful in all his house For this man was counted worthy of more glory then Moses inasmuch as he that hath builded the house hath more honour then the house For every house is builded by some man but he that built all
made by hands that at that time ye were without Christ being Aliens from the Common wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of Promise having no hope and without God in the World But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of Partition between us having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the law of Commandements conteined in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new man so making peace and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby and came and proached peace unto you which were a far off and to them which were nigh for through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Now therefore ye are no more strangers and Forreyners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed togather groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded togather for an habitation of God through the Spirit Ephesians 2. So then here 's the Matter all must come to that in them which witnesseth to God to the Son to be Purged to be Purified to be Washed to be cleansed that they may be joyned to God again from whom they are are gone through transgression and through transgression are defiled and this is the Will of God and none are saved but who come here neither willeth God the Salvation of any but of such as come here who come to the Son to that which reproves to that which makes manifest in them the measure of him in every one that which cleanseth that which purifies that they may be fit vessels for the Masters use and be found to praise and honour and be Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in Know ye not that ye are the Temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy whose Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. And what agremeent hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of God as God hath saith I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. So a coming out there must be a being separate or a separation a Not touching of the unclean thing that which defiles there must be a seperation from a coming out of it must not be touch't and all sin defiles it must be come out of seperated from not touch't the unclean thing sin must not be touck't ere the Lord saith I will receive you and be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters A coming out from among them there must be a seperation from such a Not touching of that which defiles that which is unclean sin the unclean thing ere any becomes the Temple of God for the Temple of God is Holy saith he to the Saints who were washed who were cleansed who once were as others and such were some of you saith he but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of Our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of Our God 1 Cor. 6. 11. whose Temple are ye and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for ye are the Temple of God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols as aforesaid So no Temple of God that is to say No walking of God in any no dwelling of God in any no being the People of God No being of God unto a People no agreement Shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee which imagines mischief by a Law For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee And thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on Iniquity with Idols It s the Word of the Lord. And this is the Will of God That every one come to the Son to that in them which shews them evil and obey it and believe in it that they may be purified that they may feel the Power that sanctifies which is the Power of God to Salvation Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God the Gospel I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek for therein the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith as it is Written The Just shall live by Faith Rom. 1. 16. And of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption that according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. So to the Power every one must come in them to that which purifies to that which cleanses to that which Sanctifies the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things then that of Abel Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God who of God is made unto Vs Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption saith the Apostle as aforesaid that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. So he to whom Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God is made Wisdom and Righteousness and Redemption he is made Sanctification and they who of God are in him he is made so unto them and they that are not so that are not made so of him are not in him it is the Word of the Lord For they that are in him are new Creatures as I have often said and do now again speak by the Spirit of the Lord Old things are passed away behold all things are become New Now behold all things are made new And this is the state of Regeneration of a man in Christ Jesus And this is the Work of Christ in the World to make all things new Renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him him that is the New man that maketh new Created in him unto good works as he hath before ordained that we should walk in them said the Apostle as aforesaid and so we are his Workmanship And this is his work to make all things new And so it was with the Collossians they