are owned in this Covenant but those who are in it that is those in whose hearts it is written It s true men may be in the profession of this Covenant who are not in it nor never knew it but they ought not to be there and there shall not a man passe for currant that hath not on this wedding garment with Friend how camest thou in hither take him and binde him hand and foot cast him into utter darknesse c. Thus this Covenant being rightly knowne we shall be able to see and say that its a Covenant of grace indeed a Covenant of peace and love indeed in which our souls shall be abundantly refreshed and powerfully upheld in and under all temptations and conditions 5. That was a Covenant that might be broken that was broken Jer. 31. this a Covenant that shall never be broken it s an everlasting Covenant possessing soules with everlasting grace and love everlasting joy and praises Isa 35. last This Covenant in the spirit is the everlasting never-erring light and rule of Saints experienced it is that anointing which teacheth all things and so I commend it to you THE CONTENTS 1. OF the light of the Law in the spirit 2. Of nine false lights flowing from the Law in the flesh 3. Of the liberty of the Law in the spirit 4. Of false Liberty 5. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit 6. Of the unrighteous Law 7. Of the Law of true holinesse 8. Of false or fleshly holinesse 9. Of the power of the Law in the spirit 10. Of the power of this Law in the flesh 11. Of the glory of this Law in the spirit 12. Of the Law in the spirit a Law of peace 13. As it is likewise a Law of peace 14. Of the Law of Love 15. It s a Law of Edification A Second GENERALL EPISTLE To all the Saints Chap. I. Shewing the Light of the Law in the Spirit GOD is light and in him there is no darknesse at all All though its true God is with his People under dark dispensations upholding them in it though many times they are ignorant of it and although it 's true soules once gathered up by the power of light into its own fulnesse where it beholds the purity sweetnesse and glory of the invisible God being in some measure through that fight made conformable unto him and partaker of that selfe same glory the discovery of true light in Saints being the right way of true enjoyment Now Saints when they have not only drunk of the bitter cup with Christ viz. The cup of sufferings and so have been made conformable to him in his death but likewise have drunk new wine with him in his Fathers Kingdome even that wine of the Spirit which makes glad the heart of the City of God hence the soul being thus imbrac'd into the bosome of love and at present come in the Kingdome of his dear Son concludes with the Prophet Thou hast made my mountain so strong I shall never be moved but immediatly the Father withholding those manifestations and sweet imbracements in the bosome of Love the soule is troubled Thou didst but hide thy face and I was troubled This was Pauls condition who was caught up into the third heaven saw and heard things unutterable yet the Father lets him down again under a cloud of flesh which seems at present to eclipse and darken his former glory which was his trouble and his burthen desiring to be rid of it but he was answered My grace is sufficient for thee my strength shall be perfected in thy weaknesse this being the experienced condition of many a precious soul who although they are sometimes taken up into the third heavens and so have a tast given them of the heavenly glory yet they are let down again under a cloud of flesh living upon grace looking after and hasting unto the glorious appearing of the great God knowing That when Christ who is our life shall appear wee shall appear with him in Glory that as wee suffer with him wee shall raign with him Now there being false Light which is indeed darknes it felfe in the world and a mystery of iniquity under the pretence of truth by which many are deceived I shall therefore in this insuing Treatise according to the measure received give a brief touch of the true Light Liberty Righteousnesse Holines Power and Glory of the Law in the Spirit the Covenant of grace written in the heart in opposition too and discovering of that law of darknes sin and flesh the one being the law of the new the other the Law of the old man This Law in the Spirit is the Spirit it selfe conforming souls to it selfe and its first a Spirit a law of light even that true light that lighteth every soule that comes to the Father He is light and in him there is no darknesse at all This Law of light where it works powerfully where it works savingly it enlightens the understanding in these ten particulars following First It enlightneth the understanding by which it comes to see the evill of sinne the evil nature of it the evill consequences of it 1. The evil nature of it the evill fountain from whence it flowes even the fountain of flesh and devil a bitter and filthy root which produceth fruit sutable unto such a tree which is Death the consequent or fruit of sinne The wages of sinne is death the soul is now taught to see the evil nature of sin the contrariety of it unto the divine nature the soul can see and say truly that although sinne is nothing to God although sin reacheth not God yet it is absolutely contrary to those divine and heavenly discoveries of God made forth in the spirits of Christians if you search the Scripture you shall finde this a manifest truth in the Spirits working See Act. 2. 37. chap 9. 3 4 5 6. If you search your own experience you shall finde it sutable never any soule made partaker of grace but first made sensible of the want of grace by the enlightning power of the Spirit of grace in the discovery of a mans selfe unto himself and so of the evill nature of the evill consequence of sin which is a sensiblenesse of an internal and spirituall death under darknesse and a lake of fire and this worke of discovery by this Law of light is effected not only in soules at their first conversion but all along while flesh and sinne remains till death is swallowed up in life and mortality hath put on immortality till Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory Que. What is sinne Ans Sinne is a transgression of or turning aside from a righteous Law if wee judge of sinne by a letter a law without us then it is a transgression of that Law a turning aside from the Law but if we judge of sin according to the light of the Law in the Spirit
then all turnings aside from all motions and actings contrary unto that Spirit of life and light are sinne and indeed souls living in the light of this law are able to judge between the motions and actings of flesh and spirit they are made able to judge truly of good and evill and that not by eating of the forbidden fruit but by being made partakers of the fruit of the Tree of Life So that now the Christians discovery of sinne is not so much after the law of the old as after the law of the new man that law of spirit and life in Christ which is a sinne discovering law where it enlightens so that a Christian in the light of this law sces every motion to evill every lust and corruption the whole body of flesh to be contrary to that divine spirituall law to that divine nature received and hence is maintained a continuall warre against it untill that warfare be accomplished in the ending of it 2. This law in the Spirit is not only a light discovering sinne but likewise a light discovering Love and deliverance from sinne First it discovers Love notwithstanding the Creatures sinne nay not only so but it is Love in that Law that discovers sinne and it selfe who is Love unto Creatures while they sinne herein is the riches and freenesse of grace unfolded in the discovery of Love and grace unto Creatures who are in themselves unlovely he opens a fountain of Love notwithstanding sinne a fountain of blood and Spirit to wash away both the guilt and power of sinne a fountain of living waters even those waters of life that revives and comforts the weary soule in a barren and dry land thus this Spirit of light leads poor empty hungring and longing soules out of a barren and dry land that land of Aegypt a land of blacknesse and darknesse of oppression and hardship through and out of the wildernesse and solitary condition into the sweet imbracements of the Fathers Love both into the freenesse and fulnesse of it notwithstanding the Creatures sensiblenesse of its own unworthinesse and now the soul being thus lighted to and possessed with this everlasting Love and grace it is likewise brought in sight of a lovely gracious deliverance a deliverance from the guilt a deliverance from the power of the Law in flesh that although the Christian through the powerfull working of corruption can say many times with the Apostle Ob wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of sinne Yet it can say by faith triumphingly Thanks be unto God who giveth a victory through our Lord Jesus Christ flesh oft-times acts in Saints for their tryall and they are to passe through many tribulations to the Kingdome through a Sea of Glasse mingled with fire yet in conclusion they shall stand on top or above them all with the harps of God in their hands the Spirit making sweet melody in their hearts singing the song of Moses Praise be to him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever thus this Law of the Spirit in righteous souls not only of sinne and misery but likewise of love and deliverance it leads the soule not only into the beholding of darknesse and sorrow but it leads the soule out again into the beholding of light love and deliverance and so it shall be truly said of them These are they that are come out of great tribulation and have washed themselves white in the blood of the Lamb these are they that have gone through many tribulations to the Kingdome c. 3. This Law in the Spirit discovers not only a deliverance from flesh and sinne by which the soule is kept below its glory but it likewise discovers a glorious deliverance into that spirituall and eternall Kingdome where is nothing lesse then peace purity and perfection it hath an entrance given into that everlasting Kingdome of his dear Sonne First It hath a light given by and in which it sees into that Kingdome In thy light we see light and that Kingdome is within us in this light the soul sees into the severall dimensions and glory of it it sees it to be a Kingdome altogether lovely altogether delightfull of desire he sees it to be a Kingdom of righteousnesse holines peace joy and full of spirituall glory he now sees that no unclean thing can enter into this Kingdome all flesh and filthines filthines all hypocrites and hypocrisy all things that love and make a lye must be without cast out into utter darknesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth Secondly As there is a sight so there is an entring into that everlasting Kingdome with a full expectation upon sure ground of being eternally compleated in that Kingdome hence it is the Psalmist saith Psalm 145. 10 11 12. Thy Saints shall blesse thee they shall speake of the glory of thy Kingdome and talke of thy power to make known to men his mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his Kingdome marke you here the Saints shall speake of the majesty of his Kingdome and shall make known the glory of it to the sons of men and why so Because they are a ble to give a true relation of it they have been in the Kingdome and can speak experimentally of that Kingdome note by the way who are the likeliest men to make known the Kingdome of God to others University men or Saints the Scripture saith the Saints shall doe it for to them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome they have been in the Kingdome others parhaps have heard of the Kingdome and so can speak somthing by hear-say but the Saints they have been in the Kingdome and the Kingdome in them and they can speake experimentally of the grace and peace of it and of the glory of it too in a measure a wonderfull delusion that poor ignorant creatures should imagine that humane arts the wisdome of the flesh should be able to unfold the Kingdome of God unto them or to preach the everlasting Gospel which is called the word of the Kingdome no no it 's proper to Saints onely to doe it who alone have by the light of this Law in the Spirit been delivered into this Kingdome of righteousnes peace and joy others may speak and talke rudely of it but alas they know not what it is they never did so much as see into the glory of it never had so much as a pee-phole opened to see one glimpse of that light of that grace of that glory John 3. 3. Except a man be born from above he cannot so much as see into the Kingdome of God but Saints are delivered into this Kingdome in a measure by this law in the Spirit beloved it 's the property of this light of God to gather up souls into it selfe The Kingdome of Heaven is a Kingdome of light and in the light of Heaven which is God who is light we shall see light and enjoy that light the
about night day like a roaring Lion seeking whō he may devour one of his greatest temptations delusions is the presenting to your understandings the glory of this world although its true he falsly represents it too for he presents it glorious in it selfe to the deceiving of the soule but never presents God who is the quintessence the excellency and the glory of all things without whom there is nothing glorious nothing excellent nothing truly satisfactory or lovely this is the second false or deceivable light presenting things which are indeed good without him who is the goodnesse of them Third false light Thirdly If God make some discoveries of sinne to the naturall conscience it being convinced of sin waded under the apprehensions of it this false law in the flesh the spirit of Satan and darknesse if possible he can ensnares the soul under one of these mis-presentations Either 1. That notwithstanding there is such a discovery made of sin yet it is not so bad as is presented at present and there he presents the fleshly sweetnesse and pleasure of it hurryes on the creature into the most delightfull motions and actings of it that so by the sweetnesse and pleasure of sinne to flesh the troubled thoughts of sinne might be expeld But 2. If this will not doe the breath of the Lord kindles not onely new discoveries but fiery flames then the best way is with Adam to hide himselfe if not with Judas to hang it selfe an unlikely way to be delivered from fiery flames though many soules are thus deluded by that lying spirit withinthem 3. But if this will not prevaile then it will set the creature on worke with Adam to make clothes to cover it selfe withall although it be but figge leaves that is it will present unto the soule some creature righteousnesse and reformation some forme of godlinesse without the power as light and life enough to deliver the soule out of this condition it cloths the creature with a righteousnesse of its owne setting up reformations humiliations prayers teares preaching hearing in the roome of Christ and the spirit like unto Ephraim and Judah Hos 5. 13. when they saw their sicknesse sinne and wound then they went to the Assyrian for helpe but he could not helpe them and if they are healed that is falsly and unsoundly cured it proves their ruine for they become seven times more the children of hel and darknesse then before thus this law of flesh will through its deceivablenes gather up the soul into fleshly forms things sutable to it selfe mistaking Christ and the spirit of truth saying this is Christ thus transforming himself into an Angel of light to deceive souls but those who are indeed risen with Christ seeke things above of a higher nature if they at any time act in formes it is not the forme that satisfyeth them but Christ who is the substance Fourth false light But Fourthly When the soule comes to see that there is yet something above all formes and fleshly grounds of comfort When it comes to be truly informed or at least to get a notion that there is a law in the spirit an internall an invisible law which is indeed the true light and guide of all the Christians actings This law in the flesh or this spirit of darknesse which is Antichrist working in the highest mystery of iniquity and unrighteousnesse will be here working to the purpose too he hath here severall deceits under the pretence of light First In the throwing downe of all workes of holinesse and visible demonstrations of piety under the pretence of a more spirituall enjoyment Whereas before it lived in these now it throwes off all these as a thing of nought as watchings over and reprovings for sin righteous and in-offensive walkings love to the brethren spirituall communications of what the soule enjoyes meeknesse patience prayer c. which are all fruits of the spirit this is now all destroyed as a thing of nought by this law in the flesh and this false light is that with which the Saints themselves are sometimes tempted but the light of God the law in the spirit discovers it and expels it and it lets the soule to see that holinesse is becoming the House of the Lord for ever Secondly This spirit of delusion workes the minde into an earthly carnall distempered temper filling it with pride high-conceitednesse of its owne excellency passion and peevishnesse of spirit carnall and earthly mindednesse with a contentednesse in this condition because the creature is informed that its sutable to this high discovery of God which is indeed but a false suggestion of the spirit of delusion to this purpose James minds this excellent word James 3. 14. But if yee have bitter envyings and strife in your hearts glory not lye not against the truth This wisedome comes not from above but is earthly sensuall and devilish that wisedome which leades men into a spirituall carnalnesse loosenesse and liberty into pride passion and peevishnesse is not from above but from the bottomlesse pit this likewise fils the conversation with an externall appearance of lightnesse and vanity unprofitablenesse and pride sleighting all others who are not in the same temper with them Thirdly This spirit of delusion this mystery of iniquity never leaves if possibly he can accomplish it till he works the poore creature to and into its first station not onely to the owning in judgement but to the practise of all loosenesse and licenciousnesse and that too under pretence of being taught by the spirit the spirit it is indeed but it s the spirit of darknesse and not of light Now the soule comes as it saith in this darke and destroying light to see that all things are alike to God that there is no sinne but all actings are Gods or in his power therefore all is good There now in the esteem of such to lye steale be drunke commit adultery and the like is all good to such a creature and that God is now throwing his people out of all formes of righteousnesse as well as out of formes of worship Thus this man of sinne working deceiving ruining layes all upon God and the holy and pure spirit must beare all the blame and shame of this filthy spirits working when the truth is God can as soone throw downe himselfe as throw righteousnesse and holinesse out of his people and this those who are taught of God in whom the light of the spirit is manifest can beare witnesse unto although its true there is none of all these temptations but the Saints have had some experience some trials from the Prince and power of darknesse by which means they are the better enabled to speake and write in the discovery of it I deny not in any case the glorious dispensation of that law in the spirit it s a more full discovery of that law I wait for that so there might be a more full conformity both within and without
souls unto this righteous God and where there is an internall there will be likewise an externall righteousnesse And this righteousnesse in conversation may be considered under these two heads 1. In the abstaining from workes of unrighteousnes amongst men and they are such as these 1 Cor. 6. 8. oppression and fraudulency or such as are mentioned vers 9. Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Be not deceived neither fornicatours nor idolaters nor adulterers c. shall inherit the Kingdome of God These are works of unrighteousnesse that is works that declare men to be unrighteous 2. In performing visible workes of righteousnesse Shew me thy faith by thy works faith ever produceth workes works of piety and works of charity in a word this law of righteousnesse in the spirit makes good that word of righteousnesse in them Whatsoever ye would that men should doe unto you so doe unto them for this is the law and the Prophets It puts the man in whom it is in all his dealings amongst men in the other balance and this is the rule of his dealing with others to do as he would be done unto the true rule of righteousnesse amongst men and truly this law of righteousnesse is that I long to see more abundantly manifest in the Saints in these later daies for God hath a glorious dspensation of righteousnesse to bring forth in his Saints and through them to the world that the righteous God appearing with so much splendour glory and righteousnesse in his people and through them to the world that the world shall be driven to fall down and acknowledge God is in them of a truth he will take out of them that perverse and peevish spirit and fill them with the spirit of love he will take out of them that oppressing spirit of unrighteousnesse and fill them with the spirit of righteousnesse justice and equity and this glorious appearance of righteousnesse in them will by them and through them bring to nought the unrighteousnesse and oppression that is in the world for as the wrath of God was so now it is much more abundantly made manifest against all unrighteousnesse of men against all unrighteousnesse within against all unrighteousnesse without his people and this shall be effected by the glorious appearance of this glorious law of righteousnesse in them See Isa 45. 14. And they to wit men of the world shall be thine they shall come after thee in chains they shall come over and they shall fall down unto thee making supplication saying Surely God is in thee and there is none else there is no God Thus shall a King reign in righteousnesse and Princes shall rule in judgement although its true never more oppression then now under the pretence of liberty a great argument that the time is at hand and then shall all oppressours and oppressions fall to the ground and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day then shall ye return and see the difference between him that served God and him that served him not for unto them that fear his name shall this sonne of righteousnesse arise filling them with righteousnesse with healing under his wings and they shall goe forth and grow up as calves in the stall but this day of the Lord shall burn like an oven and all the proud and all oppressours and all that doe wickedly shall be as stubble the day cometh that shall burn them up and leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4. 1 2. This is the day of the Lord the day of fire that is coming upon the face of the earth Let the voice of Elijah the Prophet be a warning unto men lest he come and smite the earth with a curse How then should the spirits of Christians be up to the Lord in a way of waiting for the more full revelation of this righteous law within them that they may see all enemies both within them and without them made a footstoole unto this righteous dispensation that the world may not have cause to say as formerly that they professe more then others but they are as covetous as any as proud peevish and hard hearted as any as full of oppression as any by which meanes the name of God hath been blasphemed amongst the world But when they shal reade in the carriage of Christians nothing but love and righteousnesse and in-offensive walking a disposition alwaies to doe good and that unto all I say when this appearance of God is manifest in the Saints it shall throw downe that wickednesse that pride and that oppression which is in the world Waite therefore upon God for it For blessed are they that waite for him Chap. VI. The unrighteous Law I Shal come now briefly in a word or two likewise to speake a word in the discovery of that false law of righteousnesse or rather unrighteousnesse that dwels in the hearts of natural men and I shal minde it under these two heads likewise 1. As it is within them 2. As it is manifest without them First As it is within them and that under severall notions 1. Some thinking their civility and morality to be a perfect law and rule of righteousnesse in them having good natures doing as they thinke and say no body wrong they thinke this shal be their righteousnesse which is but a rghteousnesse of flesh and not of spirit 2. Others looke at and talke of Christ dying for sin not being made partaker of any power by which they are dead to sin and yet expect a justifying a righteousnesse a salvation in the end from the death of sin this is a false law of unrighteousnesse in the mindes of most not believing that the wages of sin is death 3. Others come higher then this under the notion of joining Christ and duty together flesh and spirit as co-workers together talking of the righteousnesse of Christ but looking for it as it were by the works of the law being indeed ignorant of the righteousnesse of God these are zealous but not according to knowledge and this is looked after and pleaded for as a high degree of righteousnesse when perhaps there is no more in it then what Paul accounted losse yea dung and drosse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord and was content to suffer the losse of al such things as grounds of righteousnesse that he might win Christ and be found in him Good it were and much mercy to such if they could with Paul suffer the losse of al such righteousnesse in a way of grace for it must be lost first or last if not til last then they must be bid depart from al their workes as workes and workers of iniquity into utter darknesse where shall be a lake of fire which will occasion weeping and gnashing of teeth 4. Others seem to come higher then this again seeming to be delivered from workes as it is their righteousnesse and are al for Christ and
A Second generall Epistle TO ALL THE SAINTS Wherein is unfolded the Covenant of grace as its a Law in the spirit of light liberty righteousnesse holinesse power and glory As likewise as it is a Law of peace love and edification Published for the good of those who love peace and holinesse Written by T. Collier LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West end of Pauls neare Ludgate M. DC XLIX A Preface to the ensuing Epistle Deare Christian THE occasion of my presenting this Epistle to your consideration at present was principally a sensiblenesse of the great miscarriages that I see daily not onely amongst the carnall and prophane ones of the world but many amongst those who have seemingly been purged from their former filthinesse yet seeme to be returning if not returned with the dogge to his vomit and the sow that was washed to their wallowing again in the mire This being a temptation that befals not onely a Judas a Demas but sometimes meets with Christ himselfe with true Christians it being covered over with a pretence of holinesse I could not at present be altogether silent concerning this thing not that my writing can in any case prevent your miscarriages it s the anointing in you that must and will teach you all things but if the same anointing speaking in and through me speak in and to you it may be through the power of the same anointing speaking in both establish and confirme us both in the same truth The subject I have treated on and at present commend to your consideration is the Covenant of grace that law in the spirit which God promised in the Prophets and now makes good in the Saints because the knowledge of this in power is that will keepe Saints upright with God prevent them running into those extravagancies and unheard of opinions and practices which men pretending godlinesse runne into now adaies there is no law but this law that I know can deliver souls from this danger for prevention of mistakes or mis-censuring I desire you to observe these ensuing rules 1. Without partiality or a heart biassed to any side dealing faithfully with your owne soules looke to God see if he speakes not the same truth in you 2. When I mention so often the law in the spirit I minde by it onely the Covenant of grace Jesus Christ who is all for and in the spirituall Christian 3. The reason why I so oft mind the falshood and delusions of natural carnal ones as well as of those who are or would be accounted more then ordinary Christians is because I intend the generall good my soule earnestly longing not only after a stedfastnesse and unmoveablenesse in those who are already come in but likewise earnestly longing after the coming in of more to the knowledge of this Covenant which is a soul-converting establishing and glorifying Covenant Qu. In what respect may Christ be said to be the Covenant Answ Christ is the Covenant of grace as he was given forth by the Father therein to demonstrate and declare grace The Father to make forth that fulnesse of grace that was and is in himselfe for sinners gives forth his Sonne as the Covenant There is my Sonne my only beloved take him for a Covenant that your soules may be satisfied in the knowledge of my grace Isa 42. 6. I will give the for a Covenant to the people for a light to the Gentiles He is called the minister or messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. Because the Father by him and through him declares this grace unto the sonnes of men and communicates his to whom he pleaseth 2. As the Father thus gives forth Christ a Covenant in whom he declares grace doing all in him for us without us so he comes into soules by the same spirit that he was in Christ so that Christ comes not onely as a Covenant to us but in us and the same law of spirit and life takes possession of us and this is the law written in the heart which will occasion soules in whom it is never to depart from God Qu. Why is this Covenant called a new Covenant is it not the same that was in the Old Testament Answ 1. It s true those that were saved were saved in and by the same Covenant Yet 2. This Covenant to speake in the language of Scripture was not then made but the Covenant then made verbally in word was another Covenant and that of workes which was broken Now because this seemes to be a doubt and scruple I shall give you severall cleare demonstrations for the confirmation of it First The Scripture cals it Two Covenants an old and a new I will make a new Covenant not such a Covenant as I made with your Fathers c. Jer. 31. Object But some will say that it s called an old and a new but therein to declare the clearnesse of grace under the Gospell yet the same Covenant as there is the old and new Moone when all is but one and the same Answ 1. It is not called a new Covenant in respect of the clearnesse but in respect of the nature of it it s not the same I will make a Covenant but not such a Covenant as I made with your Fathers The difference of the nature of these Covenants will appear if we consider 1. That was a Covenant written and engraven in Tables of stone this is a Covenant written and engraven in the heart 2. That was a Covenant that could not give life nor cause to walke because of its weaknesse Heb. 7. 18. But this Covenant is a Covenant of life 3. That was a Covenant that directly tended to bondage Gal. 4. 23 24. But this unto grace and spirituall liberty 4. That Covenant was but a type a shadow this the substance therefore not the same no more then the Jewish Ordinances who were all typicall and shadowes was the substance or thing shadowed no more the same then those creatures sacrificed was Christ no more then the bloud of the Paschall Lamb sprinkled on the door posts was the bloud of Christ or the land of Canaan the spirituall rest of Christians but all was typicall and the substance was shadowed forth in those types and Saints found grace couched under this old Covenant The mistake of this occasions much miscarriage amongst many looking upon the Covenant to be the same now as formerly wil have a Covenant without now as then and hence set up fleshly Ordinances of their owne invention sutable to such a Covenant by which thousands are deluded whereas the truth is that then there was a Covenant in the flesh which gendred to bondage which onely those in the spirit were delivered from by the mystery couched under that Covenant which none after the flesh could see into but we are onely under this Covenant in the spirit which is a Covenant of liberty a Covenant of grace and much glory and none
light of this Law is a transforming light I saith Christ am come a light into the world he that believeth on me shall not abide in darknesse John 12. 46. and we all with one face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image or likenesse that as we have borne the image of the earthly so now we shall bear the image of the heavenly being delivered out of that Kingdome of darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son which is a Kingdome of light light being sown for the righteous and gladnes for the upright in heart 4. Souls delivered into or participating of this law of light are able in this light to judge of things that differ Light is that which makes true discoveries of things in their colours darknesse either wholly hides the appearance of a thing or else presents it at the best as in a false glasse but light is that which makes all things manifest so this light in the Spirit expels that darknes within by which the understanding was either wholly blinded or else had things presented in another shape then what they are in themselves but now the new man in this light is able to judge according to the measure of light received it now no longer cals evil good and good evil it puts not light for darknes and darknes for light it cals not every thing good though it sees God working good out of every things it sees and is able to say that that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit it justifieth not the wicked thing nor taketh away the righteousnesse of the righteous from him in a word the soul in whom this glorious light of God is manifest is able in a measure to judge between flesh and spirit fancy and reality shadow and substance form and power notions and true discoveries delusions and true enjoyments The SPIRITVALL MAN judgeth all things yet hee himselfe is judged of no man that is according to the measure of light received he judgeth not but that it is possible for a spirituall man who is in part renewed to be under a temptation a cloude of darknes for a time although the Sun be there yet that dark and black cloude prevents the shining of it But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings the winde of the Spirit shall disperse those clouds and mists of thick darknesse and the glorious light shall again appear to the chearing and comforting of the weary soul causing the shadowes to fly away in his holy mountain and then the soul comes againe clearly to see wherein it was mistaken and then he can say with the Prophet so foolish was I and ignorant I was even a beast before thee thus light appearing they no more justify flesh and darknesse but justify God in every thing they no more lay their temptations to lust and fleshlynesse upon God but upon themselves having a true discovery made within themselves by the light of this Law of the righteousnes holines and glory of the Father they cannot but cry out Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty Heaven and Earth is filled with thy glory and now they are abased with Jobe I have heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but now mine eyes have seen thee wherefore I abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes Oh my beloved ones when once the soul hath seen the Lord then it laies downe the justification of flesh then and never till then it truly it savingly abhors it self layeth it self low and the Lord alone is exalted in that soul when the Prophet Isayah had seen the Lord Chap. 6. Then Wo is me I am undone I am a man of poluted lips for mine eyes have seen the King even the Lord of hosts this glorious and pure vision of the Almighty within us will be not only a light discovering but a fire burning up all things below and contrary to it selfe 5. This Light of the Spirit causeth the soul to see more excellency in God in Heaven in spirituall things then in all other things in the world besides nay it now sees all other things below to be but dung and drosse in comparison of of Christ when men of the earth are taken up with earthly excellencies this soul can say Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me that ' s light will fill me with more joy then those whose corne and wine and oyle abounds the soule sees a goodnes a lovelines in God in Christ in the Spirit by way of excellency it doth not only say that God is good but he is most good his love is better then wine better then life his countenance causeth more joy then corn and wine and oyle Oh this is sweet when experimentally enjoyed then the soule can say Thy word is sweet unto my mouth yea sweeter then hony to my tast sweeter then hony and the hony comb better then thousands of gold and silver now the soule eyes to worldly and fleshly excellencies as it is gathered up more and more into the glorious excellency of the Spirit it hath a propriety in God by way of excellency and hence it comes to pass that no propriety below this without this is of any value to a renewed a changed minde 6. This Law of light causeth those inwhom it is according the measure of its manifestation to see God in every thing to see him and enjoy communion with him in all conditions and this is a sweet discovery a heavenly light which produceth a heavenly life when the soul sees enjoyes God in all things when it sees God to lye as it were at the bottom of every creature of every mercy sees him to be the life the fountain the glory of all streaming light love communion to the soul through al now it can say God is to me the life the power the excellency of creatures by which I live and so I live not by bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God it sees a stream of life and power from the Father in the use of them it now in that light sees God in wicked mens actings to them sees him in every dispensation whether more pleasing or more frowning to a fleshly apprehension whether it be in prosperity or adversity in prison or liberty poverty or riches in light or darknes it can say truly God is good to Israel to such as are upright in heart all things shal work together for good to such as love God 7. This Law of light causeth the soul not only to see God in all things but it presents matter of rejoycing in all conditions souls thus enlightned can sing in prison enjoying communion with God there they can see it to be good being where their Father will have them to be much more where they enjoy the presence of their
Father manifesting love grace to them in them 8. They living in this light seeing al conditions to be good through the appearance of the good God in it can now see and say thar it 's not the least part of their happinesse while they are here to live fully and compleatly in the will of their Father Oh saith the soul that I could attain to this but to live satisfiedly and contentedly in the will of God what a transcendent excellency doth the enlightned soul see in this one thing how would this quiet and silence all fleshly and carnall risings dislikings and quarrelings against the divine providence it can say Good is the Word of the Lord and good is the will of the Lord and good is this condition to me because it s my Fathers good pleasure so to have it who knows best what is good for me an excellent discovery but more excellent when living in the power in the glory of it 9. This Law of light discovers the vanity and folly of all fleshly wisdome in the things of God this Law of light makes that soul truly sensible in whom its manifest of the difference betweene the wisdome of the first and second Adam and so that word is fulfilled in him if any man will be wise let him be a fool that he may be wise he shall be a fool that is made truly sensible of the folly of all fleshly wisdome the insufficiency of the light of nature and wisdome of the flesh to attain the knowledge of God or the things of God For in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and its a gift of the Spirit to those whose eyes are enlightned to see into this mystery To you its given to know the mystery or secrets of the Kingdome when it s hid from others they are strangers to it though never so much indued with fleshly wisdome 10. And finally This Law of life is a light and lamp unto the feet and paths of those in whom its manifest to lead and direct them into its waies it is that voyce behind them saying This is the way walke in it when they turn to the right or left hand it 's that light which guides them into all their undertakings whether civil or spirituall it is their great comforter without whose direction they cannot comfortably act in any of their undertakings in a word it 's that Spirit of light and life that occasions motion action sutable to its owne nature and sets the soule upon that worke which is higher then it selfe that way which is a way of light and truth Thus the Law in the Spirit is a Law of light giving understanding unto the simple enlightning the minde it is the true light that lighteneth the darknesse of every Sunne and daughter of Sion Chap. II. Shewing nine false Lights flowing from the Law in the flesh BUT there is a false Light as well as a true Light there is a Law in the flesh as well as in the Spirit although its true that all false Light is indeed darknes though men call it light If the light that is in thee be darknesse how great is that darknesse therefore I shal speak somthing by way of discovery of this principle this power of darknesse under the nominall tearme of light this false Christ or rather this Antichrist which if it were possible would deceive the very elect Now this false light or rather delusion of this law in the flesh may be considered under these following considerations First false light 1. It presents low carnall and fleshly excellencies unto the creature as its chiefest good it gives a false representation of things it cals evil good and good evill it puts light for darknes and darknes for light it judgeth sweetnes to be bitter and bitter to be sweet and thus it represents the worst things with the greatest excellency in more particular First it discovers not sinne and fleshly motions and fleshly actings as the greatest evil but as the greatest good thus the soule is deluded with a false light when it looks upon the deeds of darknes as deeds of pleasure and the waies and paths of darknes to be waies and paths of pleasantnes and peace and thus it becomes a pleasure and pastime to a fool to commit folly this is the universall spirit of Satan and law of darknes that rules in the world even in the hearts of the children of disobedience so that in a word the worlds way is a way of darknes and they delight to have it so It s true sometimes they hear of Christ and grace by the hearing of the eare but the use they make of it through the deceivablenes of this false and dark light is to sinne the more freely to give up themselues to the service of the flesh with the less trouble thus are the most the greatest part of the world blinded to their own ruine and yet think they see Second false light Secondly this Law in the flesh presents the world as an excellent thing as the chiefest good to many a soul who will shew us any good saith the worldly creature who thinks the world best hence it is so many and that under the form and notion of godlines to hunt so earnestly after worldly honors profits pleasures doe not such through that false glass that thus represents things apprehend the chiefest good the chiefest exellency to be in the world when alas those poor deluded souls see no excellency no preciousnes in God the fountain it forsakes him and runs to streams not but that every creature of God is good the soule beholding and enjoying the good God in it but without God there is nothing good no man good no creature good nothing good God is the goodnes of all things unto an enlightened renewed minde now this love of the world and being taken up with and living in the worlds excellencie the worlds glory is not only the sinne and will be the shame of men of the earth who have their portion in this life but it s a temptation that lights many times very heavy upon those who are Christians Saints indeed Christ himselfe was set upon by this temptation and I believe Christians who have experience within themselves of that new birth which is from above walking the way of true holinesse can bear witnes to this truth amongst all their fiery tryalsand temptations this is one to imbrace this present evil world not evil in it selfe but evill to him who hath an evil heart to depart from the living God making the world its dead Idol this is that with which the world is overcome mad they are in the imbracing the honours profits and pleasures of this present world this is that which overcomes the heart of many a Judas what will ye give me of many a Demas who after much profession forsake the Lord imbracing this present world be yee therefore watchfull for your adversary the Devil goeth
himselfe though one with himself and so as himselfe partakers of the same light life and glory so that although God created all things yet he is nothing of all those things yet the life and glory of them he is the Creator they but the creatures Ninth false Light Ninthly And in conclusion some in this false light come to conclude that there is no God at all nothing but the God of nature or nature which is God that all things come by nature and are upheld by nature and so at last turn Atheists and here ends all religion and thus the foole hath said in his heart nay he is not now ashamed to say with his tongue that there is no God no heaven no hel no good no bad but all is of nature now nature may take its wil its fil of pleasure for what it lusts it may have there being no God no law unto it or above it nothing but that law of nature which acts it self in its own power in its owne liberty Thus dear Christian have I though with some difficulty tract and with much brevity discovered this false and deceivable man of sinne that is now acting now deceiving if it were possible the very elect not doubting but that those anointings which are in you will teach you in whom it is in truth and keep you untill the day of his appearing Chap. III. Of the liberty of the law in the spirit AS the law in the spirit is a law of light so likewise is the law of liberty a law which produceth much freedom of spirit where it is in truth this the Prophet David knew by experience when he prayed Psal 50. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and stablish me with thy free spirit It s a free spirit For 1. It s freely given 2. It s a spirit working freedom and liberty where it is received This spirit of freedom as its a law of liberty delivers those in whom it is from al their enemies from al their bondage and captivity First It sets them at liberty from sin and Satan I joyne them together because sinne is Satans worke and al natural men are servants and slaves to both servants to Satan enslaved to his wil servants to sinne willingly doing his worke for his servants you are whom you obey whether it be of sinne unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Now this law in the spirit which is Christ in you the hope of glory delivers souls from this captivity from that captivity to sin in the conscience which flowes from the enlightning power of this law which doth not only make soules sensible of sinne but workes likewise a deliverance from sinne and so sets the soule at liberty from that bondage in taking away the guilt the sting of death which is sinne This law discovering love brings home that grace and pardon and seales up the soule til the day of redemption the day of its compleat deliverance And then Secondly It sets the soule at liberty from the love and affectation of sinne for naturally the very affections of love and joy are captivated and enslaved to base fleshly and carnal lusts now this spirit of liberty sets the soule free in its affections through its light discovering the evil nature of sinne and so its power in delivering the soule from the love of it Believe it Friends this is the light and liberty of the spirit it enlightens soules to see the evil of sinne and where it s a light enlightening there it s a law of liberty setting free from the guilt free from the love and affectation of sinne Thirdly It workes a liberty likewise from sinne in the conversation How saith the Apostle Rom. 5. 2. shall we who are dead to sinne live any longer therein Sin shal not reigne in the mortal body sin shal not have dominion where this law of the spirit is in power neither over the conscience the affections nor conversation this grace of God which brings home salvation teacheth to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world thus this law in the spirit is a law of liberty from sin from Satan whom natural men serve being taken captive at his wil and that willingly It s true that soules in whom this law of liberty is manifest may be taken captive but its contrary to their mindes it is their burden it is their prison and they can say with Paul O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me And they can say likewise through this spirit of liberty Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ though in my flesh I serve the law of sinne yet in my minde I serve the law of God And thanks be to God who giveth me a victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Secondly This law workes a liberty from the world likewise men naturally being enslaved to it there being such a sutablenesse unto it in the mindes of men The first man being of the earth earthly this first man lookes after nothing delights in nothing because it apprehends nothing above its creation but soules borne from a bone by this spirit of liberty For that which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit being created after the image of him that created them in righteousnesse and true holinesse that as they have borne the image of the earthly now they beare the image of the heavenly they are made capable to apprehend spirituall and heavenly things Being risen with Christ they now seeke after things above things of another nature and being delivered into the enjoyment of those spirituall and heavenly things that they can say God is mine Christ the Spirit is mine grace love glory is mine all is yours saith Paul they can say I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine now their hearts are tasten off from things below they have a loose affection unto it they see now that nothing is good to them but as they have God in it as they have love and grace in it being set at liberty from the inordinate affection to it by this spirit of liberty and this is the second part of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Thirdly Those in whom this law of liberty is manifest in power they are set at liberty from men viz. from being slaves and subjects unto men in the things of God The truth is that men through the power and spirit of Antichrist that son of perdition have a long time out of that pride of heart naturally residing in them gotten into the seate of God exalting themselves above all that is called God have become a law in the spirits of men subjecting and enslaving them to their owne wils and men through their ignorance of this law of liberty in the spirit have beene and yet for the most part desire to be subjects and slaves unto them now this spirit of liberty delivers souls from this
bondage from this subjection to the wils of men in the things of God Yee are bought with a price be yee not the servants of men 1 Cor. 7. 23. They now see in this light that they cannot serve two masters they now in this law of liberty are delivered from the fleshly law into the glorious liberty of the spiritual Fourthly This law sets men at liberty from all other lawes besides it selfe it teacheth men not to feare those who can but kil the body and cannot kil the soule it teacheth men not to act in any spiritual duty under the power of any command besides it selfe it sets souls at liberty from being subject to ordinances yet makes the soule able in whom it is in a measure to say with the Apostle Though all things be lawfull to me yet I will not be brought under the power of any thing that is of any thing besides this law of liberty in the spirit Ob. This seems to be a doctrine of liberty indeed and may be an occasion of liberty to the flesh A. First Although it seem to be a doctrine of fleshly liberty in the eye of a carnal and fleshly minde yet to a spiritual Christian there is no such thing and indeed it argues that those who shal so thinke have but little if any knowledge at al of the light liberty and power of this law The Apostle Gal. 5. 1. saith Stand fast in that liberty with which Christ hath made you free and be not entangled with any yoke of bondage Yet vers 13. Vse not your liberty as an occasion to the flesh And I say farther that this law in the spirit teacheth men to put on a conversation sutable to it selfe it teacheth men to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and therefore these men are much mistaken who thinke that it will teach men to be ungodly Secondly It s true that men of the flesh may abuse this heavenly law in getting a notion of it and so instead of a spiritual get into a carnal liberty but mens abuse of things through ignorance derogates nothing from the excellency of that truth this I am sure is a most excellent soule-satisfying truth being knowne in power this liberty from al other lawes besides this law of liberty this law of life well might the Apostle James say Whosoever looks into this perfect law of liberty and continues therein shall be blessed in his deed Jam. 1. 25. Thirdly As this law delivers soules out of bondage so it delivers into its owne glory as it brings soules out of bondage darknes so it delivers them into the Kingdom of his dear Son into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God But because I have occasionally mentioned this deliverance from bondage into a glorious liberty in some other Treatise I have beene and shall be the more briefe in this Onely note this particular they are delivered into the liberty of sons now what this liberty of sons is I shall mind in some few particulars First A liberty to know their Father No man knowes the Father but the Sonne and those to whom the Son reveals him they have a liberty to know his love his grace his goodnesse to them Secondly They have a liberty to know his will likewise the Father reveales in the spirits of his people his will concerning them his will concerning their justification sanctification and glory and so makes their calling and election sure to them seales them up by this spirit unto the day of redemption he makes knowne his will concerning his wayes and actings to the sons of men he doth nothing but he revealeth it to his servants the Prophets To them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome when it is hid from others and thus the covenant of grace is made good in the spirits of Christians I will write my law in their hearts and they shall all know me from the least even to the greatest a glorious liberty to know their Fathers will their Fathers love their Fathers secrets Secondly The liberty of a son is to abide in the house for ever to be one of his fathers family when the servant is turned out of dores So is it with the Sons of God made partakers of this free spirit by which they can call God Father Gal. 4. 6. When servants who work for wages that is all formall professors who serve that they may serve themselves shall be turned out of the family out of the Kingdome of his dear Son with their wages into the Kingdome of darknesse When the Son shall remaine a Citizen of the New Jerusalem a member of the family and houshold of God under the everlasting providence perfection and guidance of the Almighty When all servants and slaves shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets and all the sons of God set down in the Kingdome of heaven at their Fathers Table and they themselves thrust out of dores Luk. 13. 28. a glorious word for those who are established with this free spirit Thirdly The liberty of a son is to have communion and fellowship with his Father in the knowledge of his wil in the enjoyment of his love in being one with his Father in all his undertakings so is the spirituall Son made so by his free spirit brought into a sweet communion with the Father where he partakes of love lives in his will communicates with the Father in all his undertakings takes all his Fathers businesse as his own and acts with the like faithfulnesse in it when the servant he works and looks for wages a hireling that looks not so much after his masters businesse as after the reward and that he accounts to be as debt unto him the peny he lookt for he hath it duly paid him though many be called and few chosen when the peny the Son looks for is still to be a Son to have more and more communion with and conformity to his Father that as the Father honours the Son so the Son may honour the Father so as in all things to doe and be in that condition which is sutable to such a calling and all in the liberty and power of that free spirit Fourthly Liberty of the son is to have the Fathers inheritance to be lord of all when the servant shall have nothing but his wages the spirituall Son shal be made heir crownd with his Fathers glory although its true a Son when a child may be a servant through his minority so is it with sons many know not their sonship Gal. 4. 1. The heir when he is a child differeth not from a servant though he be lord of all But when the fulnesse of time is come God sends forth the spirit of his Son into their hearts by which they call God Father and so see themselves now to be lords of all heires to all their Fathers glory crownd not only with the titles of Sonnes but Kings and Princes with their Father partakers of
over-turned the tables of the money-changers and whipt the buiers and sellers out of the temple so hee doth in the spirits of his people whips out all those unclean lusts and fleshly imaginations which defile this holy temple not but that there may be the presence of these but they are not there with delight with content and this sanctifying spirit wil never leave them til hee hath turned them al out the God of peace will tread Satan under feet shortly and all those enemies shall become the Saints foot-stool this is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eies this is the Lords work and he will perfect it in his time Let all those who wait upon him for the accomplishment of it cry grace grace unto it the end of it wil be glory in the highest when al flesh shall vail it selfe to this excellent glory though it be not accomplished as soon as you expect it yet assuredly the end wil be glorious that is it will crown al your temptations and trials expectations when you shal partake of this perfect change 2. There is an external holines likewise that is a visible demonstration in the conversation of what is wrought within There is not onely holinesse within but without The Kings daughter is not only all glorious within but her cloathing likewise is of needle-work There is a visible manifestation of a renewed minde where the God of peace sanctifies he doth it through out not only in soul and spirit but in body too Hence it is the Apostle saith Be ye holy in all manner of holy conversation and godlinesse This outward appearance of holinesse is but the fruit of that tree of holines within and where this tree is this fruit wil appear there wil be fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life This external holines appeares under these two particulars First In the forsaking evil courses Secondly In the performing or acting that which is good 1. In the forsaking evil there is not only an evil root but there is evil fruit the fruit of the flesh now where this law of holiness and purity is there is a purging of al filthiness of flesh and spirit This is that the Apostle minds 1 Cor. 6. Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are purged by the Spirit of our God c. This is the true property of this law in the spirit to make clear not only within but without too Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes Isa 1. cease to doe evil c. al filthines and prophanenesse flows directly from the law of the flesh and are the fruits of the flesh the tree is knowne by his fruit It is altogether unpossible for a renewed changed sanctified heart to be given up to the lusts of the flesh they are fruits that grow in the devils garden upon the tree of nature and not of grace they are the fruit that grow upon the forbidden tree whosoever eateth thereof is dead if you walk after the flesh ye are dead but if by the spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh ye are alive Therefore take this in a word for al That it is altogether unpossible for a man that lives in the spirit to bring forth fruits after the flesh they who live after the flesh savour the things of the flesh Only two cautions considered First That those who live after the spirit may be and oft are burdened with flesh Secondly Although they are burdened with flesh yet they walke not they warre not after the flesh but spirit in them subdues and destroyes flesh and the conversation is in a measure sutable to such a spiritual law within 2. This holines appears not onely in the forsaking that which is visibly evil and carries a clear appearance in it to be of the flesh But likewise 2. In the visible acting and performing works of holines sutable to such an inward principle the soule does not only now cease to do evil but learns to doe wel This is that the Scripture so often mindes and Saints so much experienceth Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your Father that is in heaven And this is the wil of God even your sanctification that you may know how to possesse your vessels in sanctification and honour and the tree is known by his fruit Does a man gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistls And the good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things but the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things Thus Scripture clears this truth experience likewise manifests it Those who are taught of the Spirit can beare witness unto this truth That the more that spirit of holiness appeares within purifying the inner man the more visible does that holines appear without Quest But it may be questioned What are these workes of holinesse that visibly appeare thus in the sanctified man Ans 1. Negative I minde not customs and forms for in this natural men may act far But 2. Affirmatively 1. In speaking forth and declaring the goodness holiness and love of God A heart that is sanctified indeed and enjoyes love and communion indeed cannot but according to the measure enjoyed and the gift received but declare it forth unto others Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Thus Saints cannot keepe silence when God speakes in them but are ever and anon breathing forth the good the love of God then saith the soul Truly God is good O taste and see that the Lord is gracious Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare his wonderfull love to the sonnes of men The soul can now say God is good he is sweet he is lovely and altogether delightfull Thus Saints are not either first breathing forth fleshly and carnal discourse unprofitable and vain things but their words are alwaies seasoned with salt that it may minister grace unto the hearers neither are they dumb and tongue-tied alwaies not but that those who are precious may be slow of speech but being drawne forth something they have to declare of God They are not first altogether empty and so silent that argues a barren fruitless unsanctified soul neither secondly doe they pretend to be high in knowledge but wil not declare any thing except flesh talk of spirit and manifest flesh no they cannot with-hold the truth in unrighteousness nor hide his goodness within them as by stealth but still Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and the tree is known by his fruit God creating in his people the fruit of the lips peace peace to them who are afarre off and to them who are nigh And as this fruit of the lips appeares in speaking of GOD so likewise in speaking to GOD both in prayer and praise 2. There is the fruit likewise of the
actings taking the shadow for the substance the fruit for the tree nay or rather the false and deceivable fruit of the flesh for both the tree and fruit of holinesse in the spirit but those who sow to the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption 4. I shall adde in the fourth place though I might have mentioned it in the first that fleshly law of unholinesse that dwels in the hearts of all naturall men and yet they blesse themselves in their present condition There is and ever hath beene a naturall antipathy in the hearts of all men naturally against God and the appearance of holinesse in truth in his people such is the contrariety of the hearts of naturall men unto the holinesse of God that they ever did and doe to this day oppose it this is the law of unholinesse that dwels that rules in the hearts of all naturall men and hence it comes to passe that men naturally are taken up with fancies and shadowes instead of the substance something they must have to quiet them but not the truth the substance that affrights them because they are ignorant of it and have an enmity against it hence it is they call evill good and good evill they put light for darknesse and darknesse for light c. Chap. IX Of the power of the law in the spirit I Shall now proceed to speake a word of the power of this Covenant of grace this law in the spirit for as it is a law of light liberty righteousnesse and true holinesse it creates a new man within in righteousnesse and true holinesse so it s a law of power and much glory We preach Christ saith the Apostle the power of God and the wisedome of God This is that word which is mighty in operation and powerfull sharper then any two edged sword it enters in to the dividing of the joints and the marrow it is a searcher of the thoughts and intents of the heart the power of this law in the spirit This Covenant of grace made within the Saints may be discovered under severall considerations 1. The power of this law is a convincing power it over-powers the spirits of men it convinces men of sin of righteousnesse and of judgement it convinceth them of sinne making them truely and deepely sensible of it Of righteousnesse making soules sensible of the unrighteousnesse of all their best righteousnesse Of judgement that al those things delighted in formerly must be judged must receive the sentence of death from Jesus Christ sitting as a refiner and purifier in them c. 2. It converts as wel as convinceth it changeth and reneweth the minde takes off the minde from sinne it changeth the minde and the conversation it makes a separation between the soule and sinne it separates betweene a man and his beloved lusts it converts a soul from the love of sinne it converts it likewise from the practice of sinne it worketh a real change within which produceth a change without This is that power which overcomes flesh world and devil what 's the reason many a poor soul would many times gladly be rid of sinne but they want a power not being sensible where their power lieth but perhaps oppose flesh in the strength of flesh when its proper onely to the spirit to destroy flesh Therefore let Saints be informed where their power lieth that they may wait upon God whose worke it is to subdue all things in them all things without them that are contrary to him in his time 3. As it convinceth and converteth so it makes those in whom it is a free and a willing people In the day of thy power thy people shall be a willing people Psa 110. Willing to have sinne sacrificed lust and corruption subdued willing in the beauty of holiness to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God in Jesus Christ it s this powerful spirit which works in us both to wil to do of his good pleasure nothing in the world is able to over-power the wil and make it free but this free spirit of power it s this spirit which makes soules willing to yeeld up themselves to the scepter of the Almighty which makes soules free and willing subjects to the King of Kings that fils them with joy at the beholding of his presence of his power that saith not with the world He is come to torment them before the time but rejoiceth because the Lord God omnipotent reigns topping and keeping under all other lawes and powers besides it selfe Thus the Lord reignes and the Saints rejoyce the Lord reigns and the world trembles 4. The power of this invisible spiritual law wil appear in the destruction of Antichrist that man of sinne that son of perdition this hee will effect by the spirit of his mouth and the brightness of his coming The coming of Christ in the spirit which is the glorious manifestation of this law is that power that must destroy Antichrist By Antichrist that man of sinne I understand any thing within us or without us whether it appeare in wisdome or power if it be of the flesh though its pretences be never so fair and glorious yet it is but an Antichrist a man of sin a son of perdition its true all the workings of flesh is against Christ but there are workings in a more higher and glorious way and then its the more deceivable the more dangerous and it consists principally in wisdome and power whether within us or without us the wisdom and power of flesh in the things of God which occasions much pride and fleshly exaltation above all that is called God This is that deceivable Antichrist that mystery of unrighteousnesse which the Lord will destroy by this spirit of his mouth and this brightness of his coming therefore let all wisdome pride and power of flesh vale it self to this excellent glory for certainly its that which must be accomplished in these later times The day of the Lord of hoasts shall be upon every one that is lifted up and upon every one that is proud and lofty and he shall be brought low Every proud thing within the Saints and every proud and lifted up person among them upon al the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon al the Oaks of Bashan be they as tal as Cedars as strong as Oaks yet the day of the Lord wil be upon them and upon every high mountain and upon al the hils that are lifted up and upon every high tower and upon every fenced wal and upon al the ships of Tarshish and upon every pleasant picture and the loftiness of man shal be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shal be made low and the Lord alone shal be exalted in that day Isa 2. The day of the Lords power wil be upon al the wisdome pride power confidence comfort and beauty of flesh and then the Lord alone shal be exalted in that day this is the day of the Lords
power we wil rejoyce and be glad in it this wil minister true occasion of joy to Saints when they can say and sing this song The Lord God omnipotent reigneth And thus this powerful law in the spirit wil appear in the subjecting al powers below or contrary to it unto it selfe when al created powers whatsoever below this omnipotency shal acknowledge That thou Lord God Almighty art worthy to receive glory and honour and majesty for thou only art worthy Thus shal this power cause al other powers to bend the knee unto it to submit and fal down before it Learne therefore to wait upon this powerful law to accomplish al your works for you both within you and without you to bring down al your fleshly enemies and then in conclusion shal you be able to see and say that through the help of your God you have gone through an hoast by the help of your God you have leaped over the wal 5. The power of this Covenant and Law in the spirit appeares in that it upholds those in whom it is from falling it endangers the soul to God the power of standing or falling is not left to the creature but the power of God is become the Christians power to uphold him We preach Christ the wisedome of God and the power of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. Not onely wisedome and power to convert but to uphold and keep up the soule with the Almighty hence this Covenant is called an everlasting Covenant Jer. 32. 40. And saith the Lord I will not turne from them to do them good but I will put my feare in their hearts and they shall not depart from me this is the power of this spirituall law it keeps souls perpetually with it selfe so that as the Fathers love is an everlasting love so he makes with his people an everlasting Covenant that so their soules might live everlastingly in his everlasting love In a word it s this law of power which hath undertaken the effecting of all the Saints worke both within them and for them to carry them through temptations and trials and all oppositions both within and without untill they come to be compleated in that Kingdome Isaiah 42. 8 9 10. But thou Israel art my servant Jacob whom I have chosen the seed of Abraham my friend Believers are the Israel of God the spirituall seed of Abraham Gal. 3. last vers 9. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called thee from the chief men thereof and said unto thee thou art my servant I have chosen thee and not cast thee off Feare them not for I am with thee be not dismay'd for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will helpe thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse A blessed word being spoken in the spirits of Gods Israel how wil this raise soules above themselves worke them to a dependency upon him who is higher then themselves When the Lord speakes this word with power Feare not I am thy God I will uphold thee I will helpe thee c. What need such a soule feare temptations trials enemies This is that rock upon which Christ buildeth his Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it a word of comfort for the weake Saints they are not left to themselves to stand or fall at their own power but they are carried along in the everlasting armes of the Almighty He carrieth his lambs in his bosome he will not loose one of his little ones but will raise them up at the last day See Isaiah 43. 1. 2 3. But now thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel Feare not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by my name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy One of Israel thy Saviour this is made good in the spiritual Israel of God he undertakes for them his power and strength is to become theirs he wil help them and uphold them and carry them through fiery temptations and tryalls through flouds of afflictions and tribulations and thus through many a fiery tryall will he carry them to the Kingdome Oh therefore looke to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith looke to him who is your covenant and workes all for you and all all in you it is his word to you and likewise in you Looke to me and be yee saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isaiah 45. 22. There is no power below or besides God able to save you able to uphold and keepe you but he alone is able to keepe that which is committed unto him untill that day and his power is made manifest in his Saints 6. The power of this Covenant this law in the spirit enables to doe what it commands it is not onely a law of light enlightening the minde giving understanding to the simple but it carries on the soul in acting sutable to the light communicated hence it is the Apostle could say I can doe all things through Christ strengthening me And Christ Without me you can doe nothing It is he that worketh both to will and to do of his good pleasure I worke saith the Apostle yet not I but his grace in me 1 Cor. 15. 10. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me Gal. 2. 20. His power it is in you that destroyes corruption and flesh he it is in you that workes you up to a sutable acting and walking with himselfe I saith the Apostle am dead to the law that I might live unto God Gal. 2. 19. Through the power of this law in the spirit am I dead to the law in the flesh that so in the same power I might live unto God Thus Saints live in the power of this law act to God in the light and power of God an excellent thing to be knowne of Saints where the power the life of their lives lieth Because I live yee shall live also Thus is Christ who is the Covenant become not onely the wisedome of God but the power of God in every one that believes Thus this law in the spirit transcends all other lawes besides it selfe the Law and Covenant of Moses commanded but gave no power to obey hence it is the Lord complaines Jer. 3. That they had broken the Covenant though he was a husband unto them but this is a Law a Covenant not to be broken because it effects what it commands The Law of Moses is called a weak Law Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh c. This is a law of power it doth that which the Covenant in
with him in glory and you never enjoy the end of your faith until you come into the perfection of this glorious salvation Chap. XII The law in the spirit a law of peace THere is a false and fleshly joy and glory likewise which arises from the law in the flesh and that either 1. When creatures glory in sin and prophanenesse and ungodlinesse such a glorying is not good it will prove their shame Or 2. When men glory in the world in their profits pleasures and honours this glorying likewise is after the flesh Or else 3. When men glory in external priviledges as they call them although they are indeed but delusions as ordinances formes performances c. This likewise is but a fleshly glorying and that which Christ fore-told Mat. 7. 22. Luk. 13. 26 27. and the Apostle rejected Phil. 3. Or else 4. When men are gotten into such a notion as that now al is good every worke of the flesh and deed of darkenesse is now justifiable and they glory in it why al these are but fleshly gloryings And to such I say Glory not lie not against the truth for a day is coming when al flesh shal vale it selfe unto this excellent glory and al other glories shal perish as grasse as dung upon the earth and if mercy prevent not al these gloryings wil prove your shame Because you have rejoyced in lying vanities you have made lies your refuge and covered your selves under falshood And to you I say who have tasted how gracious how pure how glorious the Lord is Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome nor the rich man in his riches nor the strong man in his strength but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knows the Lord and his interest in him That the Lord is his portion his relation to him that he is his son his delight that he is heir with Christ to the same inheritance to the same glory and this is a glory wil out glory al fleshly gloryings in which men of the earth are taken up withal Or else 5. when this man of sin gets higher in filling the fancy with high apprehensions and glorious imaginations and seeming revelations to amazement in the creatures apprehension that it thinks certainly its the glorious God but the trial is it ends al in flesh fils the soule with pride and selfe-exaltations and is but like unto new wine put into old bottles that burst them al to peeces and by this meanes the evil one takes an advantage to blow them up root and branch and so to put an end to that which seemed to be in them whereas the discoveries of the spiritual law makes soules in whom it is the more humble the more spiritual the more conformable to it selfe and the more this glorious law appeares the more it changes the soule into its owne glory the more is flesh and fleshly exaltations subdued Chap. XIII It is likewise a Law of peace I Shal adde two or three particulars further in the discovery of this Covenant in the spirit And First It s a Covenant a Law of peace It s not onely a law of grace and love but it s likewise a law of peace hence it s called in Scripture a Covenant of peace Ezek. 37. 26. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them and it shall be an everlasting covenant c. This everlasting Covenant of grace is a Covenant of peace in the spirits of Saints he is our peace who hath broken down that middle wall of partition between us c. Ephes 2. 14. This Covenant of peace may be considered either 1. As it workes the soule into a peace and unity with the Father that now the soul who was once afarre off is made neare through the bloud of this Covenant and so being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdome of God within the Saints is a kingdome of righteousnesse peace and joy This is that the Apostle so often mindes in his Epistles Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ This is that peace of God which passeth al understanding of nature and flesh this is that peace which produceth joy which is unspeakable and full of glory Now the soule being in a Covenant of peace can goe boldly to the throne of grace there to have communion and fellowship with the God and Father of peace being made through grace a son of peace 2. This law of peace works the soul into a peace with all creatures possesseth it with a disposition of peace and love He is now at emnity with none ready to doe good to all to pray for enemies and those who oppose themselves being possest with that law in the spirit which is pure peaceable gentle easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruites James 3. 17 18. without partiality without hypocrisie and the fruit of righteousnesse is sowne in peace in them who love peace This disposition is planted in them as much as in them lieth to live peaceable with al men Thus are Saints not onely a people of grace but a people of peace the fruit of righteousnes being sown in peace in them they recompence not evil for evil but overcom evil with goodnes 3. This law of peace affords peace and quietnesse to the soul in al conditions under al trials and temptations when others hearts shal fail them for fear and for looking after those things which shal come upon the face of the earth They shall lift up their heads with joy being possest with peace knowing that their redemption and deliverance draweth near Thus are Saints quieted in their spirits through this spirit of peace Isa 32. 17 18 19. And the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and the effect of righteousnesse shall be quietnesse and assurance for ever And my people shall dwell in peaceable habitations and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places When it shall hail coming downe upon the forest and the City shall be low in a low place Here is a glorious Covenant of peace and quiet and this shall be effected when the spirit is poured forth vers 15. which wil produce such sweetnesse quiet and peace in Christians and that when the City is low in a low place and hail comes down upon the forest that is earthy creatures and hypocrites shall be filled with trouble perplexity and amazement then shal Saints live in rest and quiet peace shal come they shall rest secure nothing shall make them afraid Blessed are they which sow beside al waters in this water of life whose effect will be in such a soule quietnesse and peace for ever Chap. XIV Of the Law of Love 2. THis law in the spirit as its a law of peace so it s likewise a law of love it s the royal law of love love being the great command the ancient command commanded not onely in the letter