which Law several honest rich Merchants in Boston received vvhich Law vvell pleased the Priests not knovving hovv little time they had to ride the Rulers at their pleasure but soon after this King Charles the second vvith his Council oâ— Parliament called them to an account and found thaâ— they had forfeited their Charter and which was condemned and for their misdemeanour towards him and his Subjects justly taken away And in that Day their pretended Holyness was such that none but them of their own Profession were admitted to bear Office or fight against their Enemies but now they will accept the Mahoque Indians or Pyrats or them highly accused of Witch-craft to be their chief Commanders and instead of differing Apparel all that can get it may wear wâ—at they please most striving who shall come nearest the newest French fashion and instead of Womens Vails in their Worship strive who can spy out the newest fashioned Apparel and the richest and highest Top-knoâ—s c. and too much let their minds out to discourse of these things till their next Worship day I write not these things to reflect upon the People of New-England but that they may repent of their evils which provoke the Lords Judgments against a People that profess him in words but deny him in Works for which cause it was that divers of the former Priests and Rulers were suddainly removed by the just hand of the Lord which reached them by suddain Death according as I have read in a printed Paper given to King Charles the second and to his Council that upon the day of putting to Death them four Persons called Quakers many people to see them put to death run over the Draw-bridge in Boston which broke down and several people hurt but only one Woman big with Child killed and that was her who had said That rather than those four Quakers should not be put to Death for want of some one to hang them that her Husband should perform the Work The next in order was their Major General whose Horse threw him in all his Pomp at the head of the Train-bands and he dyed immediately in the same place The third was the Captain of their Castle who was suddainly killed with Thunder at which time the blades of his Souldiers Swords melted in their sheathes by their sides yet all preserved alive The fourth and fifth were their two Captains which drove those innocent persons to their bloody Altar the one was deprived of his natural Reason and for filthiness degraded of his Church Brethren and became eaten of Lice and a reproach to them that met him The other was given up to strong Drink and suddainly dyed The sixth of their Rulers was one Webb who was accused of Uncleanness with his near Kins-woman he was strangely drowned when all others in the same Boat were out of danger The seventh was their Jaylor a devout Member of their Church who departed this Life in great horror of Conscience confessing it was for his great Cruelty to the poor Quakers The eight is said to have rotted alive and was he that condemned the innocent to dye The nineth bled to Death not known to have any Wound The tenth was one Vnderwood a rich Baker which wasted his Estate and became a Servant in Virginia And another which I well knew did the like The twelfth a great â—ersecutor was a rich Collonol he ended miserably being killed by the Indians in his own House in a taunting way of reproach And at the same time his Riches consumed by fire and his Daughter taken Captive The thirteenth was John Norton their high Priest in Boston who preached in the fore-part of the day and in the latter part of the day it s said he confessed the hand of God was upon him and â—o dyed And as the Word of the Lord was by the Mouth of his Servants to John Indicot Governour even so is it for his fair Dwellings in Boston are become a Barn and Stable for Cows and Horses and one can hardly find where his fair Dâ— in Salem stood And of all his other great Estate in Lands and Livings it s well known that on four pence a day for labour many honest men in Old England have and do live far more better than any of his Posterity upon the aforesaid great Estate and yet I know not any of them extravagant but things do not prosper with them Some Deep and Mysterious Matters for all to Consider BRIEFLY RELATING How Man came to fall his state in the Fall and Way of Restoration to God again CHAP. I. Concerning the wonderful and mysterious Trees in the Garden of Eden unknown ever since Man was driven out of Paradise until admitted to return again viz. the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God NOw some will have the Tree of Kowledge of good and evil to be a natural Tree planted by God in Paradise with whom I will not much contend but of such a nature it was that whosoever did eat thereof should have their Eyes opened against themselves and so to be as Gods to know both good and evil then might it be that God would admonish Adam both inwardly and outwardly of what he did inwardly and in his heart either forbid or teach him that he would 〈…〉 for the greater Evidence set before his Eyes but â—â—â—al this may be granted that what was outwardly done the same happened inwardly in the heart of Adam that he was there temped by the Seed of the Serpent viz. to make some account and reckoning of his own Wisdom Will and Nature and not submit himself unto God as void of all name knowledge or work but to be something of himself and there are two causes for it first because the promise is that the Seed of the Woman shall bruise thâ— head of the Serpent Now I do not read of any natuâ—aâ— oâ— living Serpent whose head was so bruised by the Seed of the Woman therefore it may besaid as the spiritual Seed of the Woman or Christ was in the heart of Adam so likewise was the serpents Seed for man was made good and not of the substance of God therefore is it that man turns himself always from God and inclineth to his own vanity for what is the Devil Sin Death and Hell but nothing even as many of the antient Fathers have writ especially Thaulerus that God never created them for they are a Non-entity a not being which is contrary and perfectly opposit to Entity and being and this might be the Devil that dwelt in Adam which seduced him as also in Lucifer The other cause is this that the Scriptures likewise witness that the City of God and the heavenly Jerusalam and the Kingdom of God is a Paradise within his People and furder that God and his Almighty Word is their Paradise the Tree of Life the Temple where they dwell walk sacrifice and pray as
Moneths c. p. 118. Chap. 19. Concerning Prophecying and Womens speaking in â—e Church p. 124. Chap. 20. Concerning Powers p. 127. Chap. 21. Concerning Oâ—thes and Sâ—earing p. 1â—â— Chap. 22. Concerning Wars and Fightings p. 136. Chap. 23. Concerning Conscience p. 144. Chap. 24. Concerning the free Love of God p. 146. Chap. 25. Concerning the Church of Christ c. p. 154. Chap. 26. Concerning the state of all men and of Gods Judgments and also of his calling the Jews c. p. 164. Chap. 27. Concerning being born and brought forth of the Immortal Seed of Gods Kingdom p. 169. Chap. 28. A Letter to the Committee in Salem p. 175. Chap. 28. Concerning covering uncovering the head p. 178. Chap. 29. Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitanâ—s of New-England by Wâ—â—h-craft p. 179. Chap. 30. Concerning the Lords Harvest p. 210. Chap. 31. 〈…〉 God 's Judgments upon diverâ— of the 〈…〉 Priests and Rulers in New-England 〈◊〉 p. 212. The Contents of the second Part. Chap. 1. COncerning the two wonderful Trees in the Gardâ—n of Eden â—viz the Tree Knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Lâ—â—e unknown ever since man was drove out of Paradise until admitted to return again p. 220. Chap. 2. Concerning the Tree of Life what it is and why Adam was shut out forbidden and with-holden from it and not suffered to eat thereof p. 227. Chap. 3. Concerning the Tâ—ee of Knowledge of good and evil planted in the heart of Adam p. 228. Chap. 5. Concerning the Sin of Covetousness p. â—35 Chap. 6. Concerning that Life and nature of it which God requireth of all men p. 2â—â— Chap. 7. Concerning Judgment begun at the House of God and in his House to judge down every appearance of evil p. 258. Friendly Reader ALthough the following Treatise has been very long detained in the Press yet hope thou shalt find the impression pretty clear of Errors as to the main except the mis-numbring of 〈◊〉 or three Chapters and one material error in 〈…〉 23. after Rule of Life read for Christ is the Way the Truth and 〈…〉 which pray amend CHAPTER I. Concerning the Light of Gods quickening Spirit by Jesus Christ THe Light of Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages from Abel to Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph and Moses in whose day the Lord wrought wonderful great Dâ—liverances by the Power of his Light figured in the 〈◊〉 by Day and in the Pillar of Fire by Night by which was Israel's Deliverances from their Enemies which perished in the midst of Darkness Exod. 13.21 Now Israel in that day wer commanded To remain still in their Minds and not to walk after their own Lust â—nd Evil wayes in which state of â—â—â—dience to the Liâ—hâ— they came to witness great Deliverances but when Israel through their Disobedience feâ—â— back in their Minds from the Light and Power of Gods Spirit having their Minds turned by the Power of the Enemy to look back after the Flesh Pots of Aegypt them remained Death by which they slighted the Lords Mercy despising his Gift inwardly as they despised the 〈◊〉 outwardly and saving That their Souls 〈…〉 â—read Numb 21.6 for which cause of Disobedience the Lord sent firey Serpents whereof the People became wounded and many dyed in that state then the Lord in reader Mercy towards the penitent preserved a number that had not sinned unto Death whose Redemption was wrought through the Power of God by lifting up the braâ—en â—â—â—pent in the bewildered state that whosoever in 〈◊〉 to the Light of Gods Power come to beâ—â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 â—erpent received 〈◊〉 which was a true 〈◊〉 Gods 〈◊〉 fullâ—led in this Gospel Day 〈…〉 Christ 〈…〉 divine Light is to be listed up above all other things in the heart of man even as they were to look to him by Faith aâ— he was to be outwardly lifted up on the 〈…〉 their sins dye and rise again for as Moses â—â—â—ted up the 〈◊〉 Serpeat in the Wilderness even so mast the Sâ—â— of 〈◊〉 be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not peâ—â—â— but have â—ternaâ— Life John 3.14 15. And this is that Lâ—gâ—t which hath been the Path of the Just in all Agâ—â— by which the holy men of God were enlighteâ—ed to see the Glory of God to come in sending his Son Jesus Christ to be a Light to the whole world that as many as believed in him might be saved for they that believe in Christ believe in the Light as he is Light which redeems the Soul and keeps it alive unto God by which the Soul comes to be redeemed from the Stings of the old â—erpent the Power of the Devil whose Power the Light makes manisest and by Obedience to the Light the Soul receives pâ—â—er from God which sets up the Light above all other Lope in the heart of man which must be overcome by the Power of Gods Spirit which is Light and Lise before the Soul 〈◊〉 receive any assurance of God in Christ for he that loveth any thing more than Christ is not found worthy to receive him Mat. to 27 38 39. for where the heart is set in the love of aâ—â— thing more than to love the Light the Soul of that man remains in the broad way where the venomous Serâ—ents â—e which draw the heart and mind from the Love of God inâ—o a state of sinning against the Giâ—â— of his divâ—â—e Light which is the Gift of his Spirit purchased by the death and Resurreâ—â—â—â— of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which some know no moâ—â— of than to call the gift of Gods divine Light in the hearts o◠〈…〉 A Stinking Vapour from Hell and The Reliques of 〈…〉 which they have said are the Checks of a Naturaâ—◠〈…〉 which words have proceeded from the Mouthes of 〈◊〉 Priest in New England which are no less than 〈…〉 Words by them in whom no goâ—d seed can take 〈…〉 for their Dischedience is against the Light for which the light is their Condemnation John 3.19 20. for the 〈…〉 Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteâ— is have been preserved in all â—ges which the faithful 〈◊〉 to the saving of their Souls in this day for the light of Christ is the Gift of God and the Gift of God by 〈◊〉 Christ is â—ernal Life to them that believe for it is the Seed of the Kingdom sown in the hearts of the faithful who witness their Life in Christ the hope of Glory in whom is the suâ—â—â—hing of things past wherein the faithful Servants of God â—â—ed and dyed in the holy Faith of Gods Promises 〈◊〉 Christ should 〈◊〉 me in the fullness of time for a Light 〈◊〉 the whole Worldâ— according to the Prophecy of Isâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 58 8. Then shall thy Light break forth as the Mâ—râ—ing and thine Health shall spring forth speedly and thy Righteousness shall go before the Glory of the Lord shall be thy Reward
in learning the holy Scriptures in which they have the Doctrine Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example to follow them even as they have been Followers of Christ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ to crucifie every unruly Affection which doth lust after sin and evil and leads the Mind from serving God into the excess of spending the Creation to perform their hearts Lusts by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord and increase Trouble and Sorrow to the destroying of their Souls which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life for whatsoever People may say in respect that their Tongues are their own anâ— that their Thoughts are free to think what they please and that there is a time to be Merry and to Sing and Dance and Recreate themselves with much more of the like Expressions yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must appear before the Lord of Life to render a just Account of every Thought Intent and Action of all the Deeds done in the Body in which Day it shall go well with the Righteous but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell with him unto whom their Obedience hath been for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts so living and dying God will also forget Mercy towards them for his Regard is only to his own Seed and to Men as they are joyned to it which hath been sown in all sorts of Ground which is in the heart of every Man and Woman for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto for whatsoever ye do whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Praise and Honour of God who gives Life Health and Strength for that end for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay it is for Condemnation which is great matter of weight for People well to consider what will become of their Souls who live in the daily Practice of Words Actions wherein the Lord never savingly appears but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts Intents Words and Actions so of his free Love in Mercy to their Souls the Lord doth manifest to them the evil of their way which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth which have been sent and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrighteous Wayes which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ which is that Cross for them to bear which remains in Opposition to their corrupted Desires then they would become able by the Power of God in Christ to witness his Yoke to be easie and his Burden to be light for what he hath said unto one be hath a so said unto all that is Watch and Pray lest ye eater into Temptation for he that remains faithful in his Watch by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement which by true Prayer in faithfulness to his Watch the Power of God in him doth appear to the resisting of his Souls Enemy and causeth him to slee so that in them in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord for the Knowledge of his Truth in Jesus Christ their Understanding will open more and more towards him by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of great benefit to the Understanding which will also refresh the inward Man so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received as a Seed of the Kingdom through which by Obedience it will grow and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God who requites his own with increase for the Honour of his Same and profit of Peoples Souls that by Obedience to his holy Seed they may remain in Covenant with God and be made Partakers of his Kingdom in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ Further concerning the Man Christ which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.16 Which doth manifest that God sent his only Son born of a Woman to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh for the Redemption of Peoples Souls in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit towards the Salvation of all mens Souls yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name for his Name is called Jesus because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 Luke 1.31 which is according to the Prophet Isaiah cap. 7.14 15. A bruised Reed shall he not breaâ— nor smoking Flax shall he â—ot quench till he send forth Judgment unto Victory and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.15 to v. 21. He came to his own and 〈…〉 received him not but as many as received him to them he gaâ—e Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the will of Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Joh. 1 11 12 13. Which doth manifest that where men only believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ who as he was in the Body of Flesh was God and Man without the believing in the Gift of his Spirit which iâ— the inward Word of Life and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace without which they cannot come to live in that true Faith which justifies the Souls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father in which state of true Obedience the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who in that Body of Flesh was both God and Man according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men and many that believed his Name believed his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness they believed him the Lord of Life as he was God and Man with an invisible Eve which by the Gist of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life whom to know by true Faith is Life Eternal which was made known unto them by the gift of
evil one time and another time move them to do it for the Spirit of God by Jesus Christ moves his People in the way of holiness in which holy Way of Righteousness they have born their faithful Testimonies for Gods holy Truth against Fighting to defend their Faith by or with the carnal Sword or to take up any such like evil Practice again for Gods way of bringing his People nearer to him is by Jesus Christ whose Kingdom he will more and more exalt in the hearts of the saithful and not with the using of any carnal Weapon but by the Power of his own Spirit Ezek. 4.6 in which state they desire the wellfare of all men both Soul and Body and not as many do to kill the Body and say they desire the wellfare of their Souls whose Bodies they have destroyed for the Spirit of God meaneth not any such thing as to destroy mens Bodies with the carnal Sword and say they desire the wellfare of their souls for according to Christs Dostrine he that destroyes the Body of his Enemy cannot love the Soul of his Enemy for Christ came to save both Soul and Body and through the Power of God in him are many redeemed which by nature were Enemies â—nto him then what more can be said are not men by rature Enemies to one another then come to the Law and the â—rophets and do even as ye would be done unto for if you will be beloved of God in Christ you must love both Soul and Body of your Enemies even as Christ hath done unto them which have been Enemies unto him for Love covers a multitude of faults and Love leads them that are faithfull to God to keep the sayings of Christ who hath commanded to pray for Enemies and to do good unto all men by which they may be the Children of their Father which is in heaven in which state the Kingdom of this World may become the Kingdoms of Jesus Christ that the Prophets saying may be fulfilled that Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more Isa 2.4 Mich 4.3 untill which time the saying of Christ is fulfilled upon them that take the Sword which must perish with the Sword then happy are they that are yet living in the Body and have known the end of all War Strife and Contention for unto their Number Will be the gathering of them that shall not lift up the Sword one against the other neither learn war any more of which Number are the despised of this day who strive to maintain Peace by denying all Wars and Fightings with the carnal Sword or of the like Nature CHAP. XXIII Concerning Conscience which justifies the Ways of the Righteous and condemneth the unrighteous Works of the Wicked MAny People talk of Conscience among vvhom some there are vvhose Hearts are so hardned that their Consciences are seared as vvith a hot Iron such are in the depth of Iniquity against God and his Christ and many are they that have so little regarded Conscience that they have sinned out the Day of Gods Grace and many more are travailing in the broad Way of Destruction and fevv there be that knovv vvhat Conscience is or the Nature of a good Conscience tovvards God and all men for the Righteousness of God is held in a pure Conscience by vvhich the fruits of their righteous Works are manifest in the sight of God and in the sight of men but the Righteousness of the World is Unrighteousness vvith God for their Righteousness is held in a corrupt Conscience of their own Unrighteousness vvhich is to themselves for Destruction but vvhere there is any thing of Life in heart mind and spirit as to the things of God vvhich concern the Wellfair of the Soul there is Conscience at vvork either excusing or accusing according as their vvords thoughts actions are before the Lord vvhich searcheth the heart and giveth to every man according to the Fruits of his ovvn Works vvhether of Faith and Obedience or of Unbelief and â—isobedience vvhich the Witness of God vvith every and â—isobedience vvhich either justifie or condemn for all men shall be tryed by their Deeds done in the Body and accordingly they shall receive from the Lord the righteous Judge of Heaven Earth vvho vvill call all to an Account in the great Day of his Coming to judge the Quick and the Dead then happy vvill it be vvith them vvho have made good Conscience in all things of this Life towards God and all men for the Day is coming in which Fear and Dread shall come upon all the Ungodly vvho have not made Conscience of Obedience to the Name of the Lord Jesus vvho is largely manifested and many have and do believe and confess and shevv their Deeds as many have already â—one vvho have brought out their Books of curious Arts â—nd burnt them in the presence of men the loss of which to â—hem vvas gain though the price thereof amounted to fifty thousand pieces of Silver Acts 19.17 18 19. and such vvere they that by believing made good Conscience before God in the sight of men vvhich if all vvould live up in obedience to the Witness of God they vvould come to the improvement of the like Conscience before God CHAP. XXIV Concerning the free Love of God in and by the Lord Jesus Christ THe Love of God by the gift of his Spirit of Light Life and Grace is free for all men by Jesus Christ for God so loved the World that he sent his only beloved Son the Lord Jesus to suffer Death for all men that abosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.15 16. Then they that believe in Christ are them that abide in the love of God which leads to keep all his Commandments which he hath by the Son of his Love the Lord of Life commanded all men to keep for the great Love of God was manifest that Jesus who was made a little lower then the Angels for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour that by the Grace of God should taste Death for every man Heb. 2.9 by which every man that heareth his Word and believeth on God hath Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life John 5.24 For the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Vers 25. which is according to the Apostles saying that when he was dead in Tâ—espasses and Sins against God the Voice of the Son of God appeared unto him who became willing to give up in true love to serve the Lord with uprightness in heart and mind by which thorough the Love oâ— God in Christ he came through Faith and Obedience to receive that Crown of Righteousness which was not only in store for him but for all them that love the appearance of the Lord Jâ—sus in their
Which â—â—th manifeâ—â— that the Prophet fore-saw Christ to come the Covenant or Light and Promise of God to the Gâ—â—â—ike of which Steek we are who have received a measure of Gods Spirit which is of the divine Light and Nature of Christ the true Sâ—ed of his Kingdom which by measure hath been sown in the Hearts of all the Sons and Daughters of Adâ—â— To open their blind Eyes to bring out the Prisoner out of the Prison House Iâ—a 42.6 7. which is that which the Prophet declared of Christ the Foundation of Life in whose Light the faithful see Light Psal 36 9. Here David saw God in Christ who was to 〈◊〉 and in that day was a Rule to light Dâ—vid in his 〈◊〉 goings and Incomings by which he received the heavenly â—â—ehes or Gods Love to the saving â—f his Soul which is the Portion of all the faithful who receive Christ in the love of his Light which is no less than Life Eternal to all them that believe in his Name for his Name is Light and this Light hath been preached to every Creature under the Heavens Col. 1.23 which is that Light which John was sent to preach Christ the true Light that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 and this Light opened their Understandings to know the Scriptures Luke 24 15 to 29. for Obeâ—â—ence to the Light of Christ brings into the Knowledge of 〈◊〉 by which there comes to be a right understanding of what iâ— contained in the holy Scriptures for by the Spirit of God in Christ were the holy men of God enlightned and gave forth the holy Scriptures as they were moved by the holy Ghost Now mind That of this Light hath every man received a â—â—â—sure in his heart it being the Seed of the Kingdom and â—â—â—â—geth forth Fruit in good Ground Mat. 13.4 5 6 7 8. 〈◊〉 not in all other Grounds which signifie dark unclean stoney and hard Hearts in which the Seed hath been sown but only thrives and brings forth Fruit acceptable to God in the good Ground that is the honest faithful Heart which yeilds Obedience unto that which the gist of Gods divine Light requires it being the Lords Talent Mat. 25. wherein we find Christ did declare concerning the Work of his Kingdont by the Parable of the ten Virgins and sloathful Servant both having received the Seed of the Kingdom the Lords Talent which is a Gift of his divine Light Spirit of Truth which had they been faithful thereunto Salvation had not been wanting for when men receive of the Lords heavenly Gift of divine Light be it more or less yet through faithful Obedience it is sufficient for their Salvation for whether more or less yet the Lord requires his own with profit and where much is given much also is required but he that is not faithâ—ul in that which is little shall neuer be made Ruler of that which is greater but that which he haâ—h poâ—â—mprâ—â—ved shall be taken away and given to him that hath improved the Gift of God for the Honâ—nur of his holy Nameâ—â— and comfort of mans own Soul Mat. 25 28 29. which is maâ—â—er of great concern for all to be wâ—le an diligent in the Work of the Lord for the diligent gain Heavenâ— Riches when the sloathful are sent empâ—y away which will be the Portion of all the 〈◊〉 that are found living in a careless state spending their time in that which brings dishonour to the Name of the Lord and sorrow to the Soul oâ—hâ—m that so liveth for the Light of the Wicked shall bâ— put out and the Sparks of his Fire shall not shâ—ne and the Light shall be Darbness in his Tabernacle and hâ—â— Candle shall be put out with him Job 18.5 6. but in the faithful shall the Light shine which begets the heart and mind into good Works that glorifie God their Father which is in Heaven Now the Light of Gods Spirit in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ is that Light â—hich the Lords People called Quakers profess to be the Rule of their Life whose Life is the light of men John 1.4 and this light hath been a Rule to the faithful in all Ages Psal 27 1. The Lord is my Light and Salvation and he shall bring forth thy Rightâ—oushesâ—â—â— the light and thy Judgments as the noon day In this the Righteous rejoyce and give Thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness Here Light is sown for the Righteous and Gladness for the Vpright in Heart Psal 97.11 12. And again he speaketh of Christ to be the Light For with thee is the Fountain of Life in thâ—â—ight shall we see Light Psal 36.9 O send out thy Light and 〈◊〉 Truth let them bring me unto thy holy Hill and thy Tabernacle Psal 43.3 And the Spirit in the Bropher saith Arise shine for thy Light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Isa 60.1 And the Gentile shall come to thy Light and the Kings to the Brightness of thy Râ—sing vers 3. And many more instances from the holy Prophets Writings may be produced to that effect but these are sufficient to prove Christ the Everlasting Foundation of Lâ—fe and Light in whom the faithful of God in all Ages have built their Faith in the Light of God in Christ which gave them â—ull assurance in the same Faith That God in his due time would enlarge his Covenant of Light to all Natâ—ons by sending hâ—â— Son Jesus Christ who hath appeared in the likenâ—ss of sinful flesh to take away sin in the flâ—sh by pâ—â—forming the Will of God the Father to fullâ—r Death in a Body of Fâ—â—sh for the Redemption of all men and this is Jesus which shall save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 By which it is evident That the Work oâ— God by Jesus Christ is to save People from their sins Then what is the state of such man who profess themselves to be the Ministers of Christ and teach People of an imperfect state never to be free from sin in this Life concerning which at presenâ—â— shall omit leaving it in order for another Head in which God willing I shall clear by sufficient Testimony of holy Sempture Proof and at present proceed in Vindâ—cation of the Light against the Lyes by which evil minded men reproaâ—â— the People of God and dishonour his holy Truth in which the saithful live each according to his measuâ—e of Light and 〈◊〉 Spirit of Grace Light Life by Jeâ—ds Christ which leadeth them to acknowledge God the Father Word and Spirit Christ the Word Life and Light and the holy Ghost which 〈◊〉 the Soirit of God the Father 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ the Son and Lord of Life and Light which was conceived by the holy Ghost and brought forth by the Virgin Mary betrayed by Judis suffered under Pontius Pilate rose again the third day aseen led into Heaven where now he sits in all Righteousness and Holiness with God
the Father in full Power Maiesty and Dominion being God over all and in all for evermore whom the World hath in great dispute and many Controversies have risen to the destroying of many Thousands of Peoples lives when that it is plain That Christ came not to dâ—stroy menâ— lives but to save and make alive leaving this Example That Wheat and Tares should grow together until the Harvest lest in gathering the Tares they root up also the Wheat with them Mat. 13 28 29 30. from which saving Christ proceeds to another Parable comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a grain of Mustard-sâ—ed being accountâ—d the least of all Grain Seeds which being grown up it becomâ—th the greatest among Hâ—rbs and bâ—cometh a Tree that the Bâ—rds of thâ— Air come to lodge in the Branches thereof Mat. 13.31 32. and in the 33 verâ— Christ likens the Kingdom unto leven hid in three measures of Meaâ— until the whole was leavened These things were spoke in Parables that the Saying of the Prophet might be fullfilled in the â—ttering things which have been kept secret from the Foundation of the World which now is manifest by the Light through the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus and also left upon Record in the holy Scriptures of Truth that in the light of the Lord God People may learn and come to uâ—derstand that Peoples perishing is not altogether for want of Knowledge but for want of Obedience to that measure of Light which they have received for he that is faithful in that which is little is made Ruler over more for as the Grain of Mustard Seed hath the Light been â—own in the hearts of many which have received as one Talent and in others who have received more so that where much is given much is required and where more or less if it light on good ground it becomes the greatest among Herbs in the Lords Garden and bringeth forth Fruit abundantly to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name also the little Leaven had in three measures of Meal implyes the whole man till the whole becomes leavened into a new lump of the heavenly Nature of Gods Kingdom in Christ Jesus which as men come into a true Christian state of Obedience to the Gift of Gods divine Light quickening Word or his Spirit which hath been handed â—orth through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of Life and Light they through Obedience may come to witness Eternal Life by Jesus Christ Which things one would think are sufficient to incourage all to yeeld their Obedience to the gâ—â—t of Gods divine Light for there is not a Thought of the Heart nor an Inâ—ent of the Mind but the Light makes it manifest which to obey is 〈◊〉 and to disobey is Death for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Rom. â— 6 For while men â—emain in obedience to the Light they are spiritually minded in which state they are â—ervants to Righâ—â—ousness but while men are in Disobedience to the Light it is accounted before the â—ord as Rebellion which is as the 〈◊〉 Witchcraft for it is the Willing and Obedâ—ent that shall 〈◊〉 the good Land which 〈◊〉 only extends to the Christ of 〈…〉 to the Lâ—ght who walk in the right as 〈…〉 â—â—dallght and â—n Christ the 〈◊〉 and Light havâ— they Fethâ—â—sh pâ—one with anothâ—â— and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleansâ—◠〈…〉 from their sins 1 John 1 7 for Christ is the Light 〈◊〉 the â—oeld and he that followeth Christ shall not walk in Darkâ—◠〈…〉 have the Light of Life Joh. 8.12 Now 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 it 〈◊〉 the Dâ—â—obedâ—ent whose Eyes are blâ—nde◠〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Gor. 4.4 Awake thou that sleepest in sin and Christ will give thee Light for all things that are reproveable in the heâ—â—t of man are reproved by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ephe. 5.13 1â— by which it is manifest that mans condemnation is of himself in that he will not be faithful to the Gift of Gods divine Light because his deeds are evil for every man that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reprovea Joh. 3.19 20. but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his â—eâ—ds may be manifest that they are wrought in God cap. 3.21 for God in Christ is the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Light in whom the â—aithful of God shall for evermore remain in the holy City of heavenly Jerusalem where there is no need of Sun Moon nor Stars to shine in it for the Glory of God righteth it and Christ the Lamb of God is the Light thereof and the Nation of them that have been Obedient to the Light of Gods Gift by Jesus Christ shall be saved and shall walk in the Light of it Rev. 21.23 24. So the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God of all Life and Light and the Way the Truth and the Life of Light which all men in measure have received that they may yeild their Obedience to the Requirings of it that by it their Understandings may come to be more more enlarged towards the Lord of Life and Light that by him through the Power of his Spirit of Grace they may come throughly to see and perceive to hear and understand the things of God treasured up in â—hrist for all them that love the appearance of his â—ight in their own hearts which is the gift of his Spirit of â—race which in measure all men have received and it preaches Life and Salvation to all that are found in faithful obedience to it but it preaches Condemnation Wo and Misery to all that live in a known Life of Disobedience to it which state of so living is no less than to â—rucifie the Lord of Life afresh and to trample under foot all that ever Christ hath done and suffered for the Redemption of the Soul of that Man or Woman which is found in a known state of Disobedience to the Gift of Gods Spirit of Truth which is that Gift of his divine Light which will not loose it honour either by the Salvation or Condemnation of all Mankind even as their Obedience or Disobedience hath been in this Life accordingly will be their Reward in the Life to come which is matter for all to consider before the Spirit of God hath lest striving and the Day of Gods Grace be over with them that perish through a Life of known Disobedience to the Gift of Gods divine Light which came by Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of his own Work in them that believe Concerning Christ the true Seed and everlasting Covenant of God to his People THis is the Christ which the holy men of God in their Day and eneration prophesied to come and to finish Sin and to put an end to Transgression in all thaâ— truly believe in his Name which according to Gods appointed
time the Word was made Fesh and dâ—elt among the Son Daughters of Men and they beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 and this is Christ unto whom all things of the Father are delivered both in â—eaven and Earth and no man knows him but the Father neither knoweth anâ— man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 By which it is evident that all Revelation is not ceased Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest vers 28. Here Christ hath promised Rest unto all that will come unto him But how shall they come unto him by Faith in Obedience to that measure of his divine Light of his Spirit of Grace which he hath placed in their Hearts it being the Lords Talent given to Man for this end that he should improve it to the Honour and Glory of God and Salvation of his own Immortal Soul by Jesus Christ the Evidence of whose Spirit giveth Life to the Soul of that Man whose cleart Mind and Spirit is faithful to his Gift for the Scriptures restâ—le That Christ affordeth unto all them that by true Faith come unto him Search the Scriptures for in them â—e think to have Eternal Life and they are they that testifie of me and ye will not come to me that you may have Life Job 5.39 40. Here it is evident from Christs own words That to search the holy Scriptures without the true saving knowledge of God in Christ and of his Spirit which moved in the holy Men of God and gave them Utterance to declare his Will and Mind according as contained in the holy Scripture without which in some measure Men cannot profit or benefit towards Salvation by Jesus Christ by their reading the holy Scriptures for they that will not come to the inward Evidence of Gods Gift of his Spirit and Grace they have not the Love of God in them Joh. 5.42 For Jesus Christ the Promise of God and Seed of the Kingdom him hath God given to be an Everlasting Covenant of Grace Light and Life to them that fear and tremble at the Power of his Word and stedfastly remain in the belief of his holy Name which is no less than to give up in their whole desire of Heart and Mind to serve him the Lord of Life in Truth and Righteousness with uprightness of Heart Mind Soul and Spirit for unto him it doth belong and unto such belongeth the Promise of God by the suffering of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which doth extend Salvation to their Souls for God in tender Love Mercy towards all men falling short of his Glory by the fall of the first Adam doth tender the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus by the call of his good Spirit of Grace Life and Light which remains not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit which hath no relation to the saving of that Soul which remains in sin term of Life having received the inward Evidence of the Spirit which condemns for every thought word and action which is not agreeable with the Spirit of Truth of which every man hath received a measure in his own heart to justifie or condemn even as his Works appear before the Lord so shall be his Reward if of Faith and Obedience then Life and Peace will follow but if it be of Sin and Unbelief then Death Hell and Destruction will be the Portion of him or her which dyes in such a state for the Wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life so they that dye in sin are free from Righteousness having no part lot nor share in the Promise of God and Hope of Jesus Christ for their Hope shall be cut as the Spiders Web which shall perish for evermore for Christ came not to save People in their sin but to save and redeem from sin and Transgression His Name shall be called Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 for they that dye in their sins cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven as Christ said If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins and where I go ye cannot come which relates to a state of Perfection in this Life upon which Head I shall God willing treat more at large in a distinct Chapter by which the Understandings of them that desire after Truth may receive the benefit of my small measure relating to the same for man living in sin becomes destitute of any benefit by Christ for the Salvation of his Soul for he that commits sin it is of the Devil and he knows not God the Father but he that is faithful to the Gift of God in his heart learns to fear the Lord and to work his Righteousness which is the fullfilling of what God requires in obedience to the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who spiritually moves in the hearts of all whose day of Visitation is not over for Christ ruleth over all and will in no way fall short of his Honour either by the Salvation of the one or Condemnation of the other for Christ by the measure of his Spirit is in all except Reprobates 〈◊〉 and therefore it is matter of great concern for People to examin their own hearts whether by true Faith Christ abides in them for the Body of Man where Christ by the gift of his divine Light and Spirit liveth is the Temple of the holy Ghost and if any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy Then he that is not in obedience to the gift of God which he hath received is a Pollutor of the Temple and is without true Faith in Christ Prove your own selves know you not that if Christ be not in you you are Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Now they whose Minds are wrought towards the Lord their Affections are set on heavenly things above to seek God in Christ and in them Christ by the measure of his divine Light Grace and Spirit liveth Gal. 2.20 Now Christ being in his People the Body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness Rom 8.10 for there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision Barbarian Sithian Bond nor Free but Christ is all and in all and many more Scripture Prooffs might be produced to the same effect That Christ lives and moves by the Gift of his divine Light and Spirit of Grace and Truth in the hearts of his People and that their Bodies are the Temple of God for Christ by the gift of his Spirit Life and Light to dwell in which if People both Young and Old would forsake their Vanity and apply their Minds to seek the Lord in his own way of Truth and Righteousness according to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit as by Record for their help
Man and Woman may know how it stands between God their own Souls which is good for all to mind and make their Peace vvith the Lord vvhile he hath given them space and time for that end that their Souls may not faint in the great Day of his Coming to call every Man and Woman to an account for their Deeds done in the Body CHAP. IV. Concerning the Scriptures which are the Writings of the holy Men of God wherein is contained that Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Word of God by whom is the Salvation of all Men that are saved by his Power which leads them to believe in his Name THe Holy Scriptures contained in the Old and Nevv Testament signifie Writings in vvhich VVritings are contained the VVords of God as they vvere received by the living VVord of God as may be read in the Prophets VVritings The Word of the Lord came unto them this vvas not the Letter of the Scripture that came unto them but it vvas the living VVord of God vvhich in Scripture is most properly and frequently called The Word of God In the beginning was the VVord and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh 1.1 2 3 And the VVord was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Now consider what grounds People have to call the Scripture the only Word of God without any Distinction but by way of Information to the understanding of aâ—â—unbyassed Minds that my design in the following Liâ—â— a is not to deprive the holy Scriptures of that honour due unto them but that Truth and Righteousness may take place for the holy Scriptures in their place are highly to be esteemed with that Honour due unto them for which end 〈◊〉 labour is that by others they may not be dissplaced by to understand a true distinction between the written declarative Word of God and the VVord of his Spirit of Grace Life and Light by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life indeed for they that come unto him it must be through Faith in obedience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit which opens the dark Understanding and quickens the Mind and works Grace in the Heart and sanctifies the inward Man of him that yeilds Obedience to the Word of his Spirit without which there can be no true understanding of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting concerning which things the written VVord is large in its Declaration concerning what God requires of the Sons and Daughters of Men who for Power to perform what they find to be their Duty as by holy Record they are to come unto Christ the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that believe for the holy Scriptures of Truth vvere given forth by the Spirit of Truth and living Word of Truth vvhich vvas the Word of God in His Servants of old vvhich Word according to measure remains the same to this Day in every sincere true Believer vvhose vvhole desire is to give up in obedience to the manifestation of Gods good Spirit of Grace by vvhich they come to a thorovv understanding of vvhat they find of his VVill and Mind recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth vvithout vvhich Obedience the Letter kills but by Obedience the Spirit makes alive for the holy Scriptures are full in relating of what hath been past and of what is to come but as to the time when and manner how the Lord in his own due time by the Word of his Spirit doth reveal it to his Servants and Messengers of his Truth in this Day even as it hath pleased him in days past for as then in that day the same is it with many in this day who the Scriptures yet it is said of them That they had not the Worâ— abiding in them for whom God had â—ent which was Christ the Word him they believed not Joh. 5.3 â— which by the written Word is evident that the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace Life Light by Jesus Christ is the saving Word of God to every Soul that by him is saved for what saith it the Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith James 1.21 Rom. 10 7 8 and this Word is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 it sanctifies the heart of the faithful by the Word of God and Prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 for the faithful are them that are poor and of a contrite Spirit which tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 56.2 5. Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that that Tremble at his Word And again I have written unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wicked One John 1.14 Now let all People mind by which they may come to a right understanding of the Scriptures which were not from the beginning neither do they of themselves and without the inward Word give Power to overcome the wicked One for the VVord of God was before Scripture promises Life eternal to all that are willing to receive the Word which is the Promise of God in Christ before the World began Ti. 2.3 And this Word hath been a Rule of Life to the faithful of God in all Ages shewing unto Man the Thoughts of his Heart and intents of his Mind and Obedience to the Word is an acceptable Sacrifice to the Lord and God hath promised oâ— overcome sin in the faithful by the Power of his Word which is as a two edged Sword to cut up and beat down all that is contrary to his heavenly divine Life in the heart of every faithful Man and Woman that is come to yeild their Obedience according 〈◊〉 that knowledge which they have received of God in Christ whom to know is Life Eternal in which Life they have the true saving knowledge of God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost which is One God and One Lord Lord Jesus Christ One holy Spirit God in all and through all and over all the Alpha and Oâ—aega the beginning and the end the first and the last blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Rev. 22.13 14. which as aforesaid is that which the Lord by the assisting Power of his Spirit hath made known to me concerning his Word of Life and Light by which the holy men of God were assisted in giving forth a Declaration of his holy Truth which they received by his holy Spirit which is the living Word of all Truth and will remain the same when the Letter of the Scripture
redeem from sin and will redeem the Souls of them that faithfully believe in his redeeming Power by which they shall be freed from sin in this Life till sin can find no place to lodge in the hearts of them that are saved and this hath been the state of Noah Abraham Job and David with many others of the Lords Servants who did not distrust in the Power of the Almighty but believed in God by which they became Men after Gods own heart and for any to believe that David or any other of the Lords Servants could be Men after Gods own heart and yet could not be free from all sin which is the work of the Devil to me it seems the Anti-christian Faith which is of the Devils begetting to perswade People that Gâ—d is not willing to give Power to them that truely believe in him to perform what he requires of his People that is to keep all his Commandments according as he hath commanded that thereby they may fullfill his Command To be perfect as â—od is perfect and holy as he is holy that is to be free from sin which is to be free from consenting to joyn with the Devils Temptations for Gods Holyness iâ— Perfection extends beyond what Mâ—n in this Life can â—â—â—prehend but they that dye from sin to live in 〈◊〉 aâ—â— made free from sin in this Life otherwise according to Christs own words where he is gone they can never come Then it is sufficient in the Wildom of God to be perfect just and holy according as the Lord requires in this Life and in the Life to come to see him and to be with him in Glory and to be in measure of his Glory even like unto him and as it pleased the holy God in his own Wisdom to let the Enemy by Temptation to prevail against David and Peter with others of his Servants in dayes past by which their Testimonies for Gods holy Truth came to bear the more force by the Power of God through which by true Repentance they came to be renewed to a heavenly Life again by which Fall they tâ—roughly came to see and behold that there was not any 〈◊〉 â—ower save the Power of God that was able to preserve and save from the Power of the Devil for tho' the Wildom of God many times doth suffer the righteous to all yet the cause is imputed unto themselves through the neglect of their Watch against the Temptations of their Souls Enemy but by Repentance through Faitly in God they by his Grace come to be restored again which is sufficient warning that their Watch should never be neglected more so that though the Righteous fall yet by their faithing it doth not in the least measure weaken the Truth of God's Cause in the work of Perfection for they which fall rise again and by Repentance through Faith in Christ by him they are restoâ—ed as his faithful Servants and Children to God again which state of Falling once or twice in the whole time of a Man or Womans Life some make an câ—â—sion or matter for the Devil to work against the Trum of God as doth evidently appear by them that sin daily in Thought Word and Deed against God â—hos Commanitonâ—nts they say no Man in this Life can keep accordingâ— to what God requires of them to do By which they unjustly charge the Lord as did that unfaithful Servant which hid his Lords Talent in the Earth and charged his Lord of being a hard Master â—at 25 2â— c. even so is it with them in this day who do not improve the Gift of God but live in the daily breach of Gods Commandments in which state they plead for sin all the dayes of their Life in which they remain in the Fall which is as much differing from the Life of the Righteous as Heaven diffâ—rs from Hell for the Righteous live not in the Fall for God is their strength and Power he maketh their wayes perfect Psal 18.32 By which it is manifest that if People would but give up in their Minds with this godly Resolution to follow the Dictates and Motions of Gods Gift which is the Light of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ and by measure is bestowed on the Sons and Daughters of men to profit withal that they would come to witness Gods Power by Jesus Christ to be sufficient for their preservation against all the Temptations of their Souls Enemy but while People remain in their Lo here and Lo there running in their Minds from one high Hill to â—he other Barren Mountain where the chiefest of their Food is by a Confession from their Shepherds Mouth That their best Performances are Sin and that they draw in Sin as an Ox draweth in Water which in so doing they do well to acknowledge the Truth of their state which by their continuance therein it doth further enlarge Gods just Judgments against a People which live in sin against the Lord of Life whose gift of Grace they ought to improve to the profit of their Lords Talent which hâ— hath bestowed upon them for the honour of his own Name and everlasting wellfare of their Immortal Souls which must either live by true Faith and Obedience to God or eternally perish through their Disobedience to his heavenly Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit for as they live in sin they continue Servants unto him whom they obey and his Children they are whose Works they do and they that plead for a Body of sin all their dayes they uphold the Devils Kingdom in which state they oppress the Seed of God and quench the gift of the Spirit of God by which they hinder themselves of the heavenly divine incomes of Gods Love which refreshes the Heart and quickens the Spirit of the faithful by which their Souls through Faith in Christ are made alive to God whose people preach pray and sing in his Time to the honour of his holy Name and edification of one another but the Prayers of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord for the Lord doth abhor the Prayers of him that prayeth in his own Time and in his own Will for the Spirit of Prayer leads the faithful to pray in the Lords own due time by which the Sourâ— comes to be refreshed by the effectual working of Gods spiritual Appearance which doth assist the in ward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance which doth assist the inward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance Prayer is of no effect to the Soul of Man who in their own Time go round in their own Wills in their preaching praying and singing even like to a Horse in the Mill and a Door on the Hinges and still remaining where they were yet such men in the like Confession will in the same place of their Worship presume to call the â—uakers Light a
that here is no command either to Particular time or Place but as often as ye eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord Death till he come which according to that spiritual Light of Understanding which God hath given me my Faith in Christ is to believe that the daily â—ood which every true Believer doth receive by Prayer and Thanks-giving that it is to be received in the remembrance of his Death till he come as well as when Believers eat together more solemnly remembring his Death with Prayer and Thanks-giving whose coming will be to reward the Wicked and Ungodly among whom are they that have a form of Godliness without the true saving Knowledge of God by the Body and Blood of Christ whose coming also will be to receive the Souls of them whom he hath promised to drink of the Vine new in the Kingdome of God and as to any command by Christ or example by his holy Apostles I find not for any hired Teachers to set up a form for People to eat Breâ—d and drink Wine once a month or more or less even as they and their followers can agree about the same for the Apostles were never hired to set up any â—orm without the Power of God neither without the Power of God did they ever maintain any Form for they did continue with one accord breaking Bread from House to House and did eat their bread with gladness and singleness oâ— heart Acts 2.46 Which doth and will continue among sincere Christians and true Believers until the last coming of Christ which doth manifest the blind Zeal which People have of their own Righteousness who have not the true form of Godliness according to the practice of the holy Apostles for which end I may improve the Prophets saying Wherefore do ye spend your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 Which indeed is so as doth appear by Peoples Lo here and Lo there in their differing Forms which are destitute of the Power of God who is the Bread of Life which is tendered by his free Grace in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who standeth at the Door and knocketh if any man will hear his Voice and open the Door he will come in to him and will sup with him and he shall sup with the Lord of life Râ—v 8.10 which if any refuse this the Lords Supper he refuses his own Salvation by Jesus Christ the Bread of Life which if any man eat and drink of this cup he shall neither hunger nor thirst but shall live forever And as to the outward Dispensations which the Lord bestoweth upon the Children of men among whom they that do not render a due acknowledgment by the spirit of Prayer and Thanks-giving for the Lords Mercies in his gifts bestowed upon them for the Comfort of the Body it doth but furder add to their Condemnation for whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Honour of God who hath not called man to live by Bread alone but by the Power of his Word Mat. 4.4 Luke 4.4 for the Power of his Word is in Jesus Christ the Bread of Life that a man may eat thereof and not dye for all outward Bread and Wine is of a perishing Nature but the Bread of Life and Wine of the Kingdom endureth forever for Christ hath said that he is the Bread of Life or Living Bread that cometh down from Heaven which if any man eat of this Bread he shall live forever that Bread that he giveth is his Flesh which he hath given for the Life of the World John 9.50 51. for in this is the Power of God made manifest unto the soul of every true Believer which have their whole Dependance on God by true Faith in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is become the Mediator of the New Covenant which speaketh better things then that of Abel Heb. 12 2â— for Christ is come and spiritually he lives in his People whose hearts and minds he hath redeemed out of all dead Forms by which they witness him to be the Lord of Life unto whom they yeild the strength of their minds to serve him the living God with uprightness of Soul Mind and Spirit by which their inward Life doth not remain in eaâ—ing Bread and drinking Wine which is not of it self material for the Salvation of any man Soul that so do for it comes short of Gods Promise by Jesus Christ and supping with him at his Table which affords Bread without Money and Wine without Price which if People had true Faith to believe these things their dead Form would soon end for Christ is the Bread of Life and he that cometh to him shall never hunger and he that believeth in him shall never thirst which is large in a general way to all men which they that refuse are left out from having any lot part or share with the Guests of the Bride Chamber where the Lamb of God hath his abode and remains with them where they by true Faith feed on his spiritual Food which is that spiritual Bread and spiritual Wine which is without Money and Price and giveth Life unto the World of them which by true Faith receive him Joh. 6.32 33. in which state of true Faith every sincere Believer receiveth of his Dispensation which by Prayer and Thanks-giving is sanctified unto them so as every true Christian doth worthily in all his eating and drinking eat and drink in the holy Faith and Fear remembring the Lords Death with Prayer and Thanksgiving So is it to be acknowledged that the primitive Christians did eat and drink together solemnly assembled and were to wait one for another that they might eat and drink together when solemnly assembled remembring the Lords death with prayer and Thanks-giving in token of their being Members together of one Body whereof Christ is the Head to signifie their Love Vnity and Fellowship one with another and the which is worthily practised by sincere and faithfull Christians at this day and is to continue to the last coming of Christ when he shall come without us to Judge the quick and the dead as well as his more abundant inward coming in spirit to them who have not yet witnessed it and many as yet are not come into the true Faith of these things which according to my measure of Faith in God by Jesus Christ do I faithfully believe by which thorough Faith I do receive of Gods outward Dispensation for the preservation of outward Life and in measure of his heavenly divine Riches by Faith in Christ which unto me is the Bread and Water of Life for the preservation of my soul and not to me only but unto all them that by true Faith witness their feeding with the Lord of Life at his his heavenly Table where all the faithfull of God witness the
eating of the Lords Supper CHAP. X. Concerning Baptism and Sprinkling Infants which People hold most necessary to Salvation SPrinkling of Infants it being set up without any prescribed command or Example commanded by Christ or his holy Apostles although many Teachers in this Age have wrested the holy Scriptures thinking thereby to make their own invention to be accounted the Ordinances of God Now the main Reasons that many teachers have rendered they have grounded from Christs word Mat. 22.19 which doth not prove baptizing of â—nfants to be commanded by Christ Go ye therefore and teach all Nations beptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Now the command of Christ was to his Disciples that they should go and teach which proves that teaching was commanded before baptizing or dipping as the word may be rendered by which all may understand that they could not be discipled which were untaughâ— for this we know that Infants are uncapable of being taught which proves that they are not capable of being Disciples And in Mark 10.14 15 16. where they bring Christs saying Suffer little Children to come unto me forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven which saying is explained in the following Verse that whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein can never reach by Visible Water which cleanseth not the inside of these wise Hebrew Greek and Latine learned Builders who ground their unsound Foundation of Sprinkling Infants in the room of Circumcision which according to the holy Scriptures of Truth one Tipe did never tipe out another but every Tipe typified the substance for Circumcision was a Tipe or Figure and cutting off the fore-skin was a Figure of the Circumcision and cutting off the Fore-skin of the heart Now baptism with water was a Tipe or Figure as in Peter 3.21 which tiped out the spiritual Washing or regeneration which is baptizing of Infants come in the room of Circumcision then how do they agree in a parrellel seeing that the Males were only circumcised then why are the Famales now baptized if Baptism come in the room of Circumcision which as to their form in batpizing they differ one from the other even as in other things which they account to be the Ordinances of Christ but are found to be the Ordinances of men set up and maintained by the Power of men who in their several Forms differ each from the other for some sprinkle others dip and some dip over again others plunge others sprinkle with mixt Water and to my knowledge some have had their Children sprinkled with warm water in cold weather for which form some of their Priests have said to me that they have allowance for their differing Forms under this Dispensation that is to dip or sprinkle according to the nature of the Climate where they live but to prove their assertion by Scripture they cannot do which without scripture Proof they are willing to say something for what they hold but in what form soever any by their Priests are baptized there is no effect of their work doth appear but like Priest like People all pleading for A Body of Sin while they remain in this Life which doth manifest that visible Water is of no effect notwithstanding these hired Builders bring Christs words to Nicodemus John 3.5 that except a man be born again of Water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God From which words some do infer that Infant Baptism is of absolute Necessity to Salvation Now Christ did then speak of that heavenly Water which did regenerate and make new for through the Power of that Water the Heart came to be made clean according to the Prophets Saying Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Ezek. 36.25 By which it is manifest that visible Water cleanseth not the inside which is to be cleansed through the washing of Regeneration for it is not the washing away of the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3 21. Now Johns Baptism was to decrease and the Baptism of Christ to increase for Christ was before John whose Baptism made way for the Baptism of Christ to take place for this Testimony John did bear of himself That he should decrease and that Christ should increase for John's baptizing was to Repentance but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 Then if John's Water Baptism was to decrease which was to Repentance where is the benefit of Water-Baptism in this day to any who have repented And to them which have not repented their Life of remaining in a Body of Sin all their days doth manifest no benefit in Water-Baptism towards the Salvation of any man that is baptized with visible Water in what Form soever for as Water Baptism was a â—ipe or Figure Pâ—t 3.21 so all Types and Figures made way for the Spirit of Hâ—iness in which they are all fulfilled through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ whose Baptism is that of the holy Ghost which except People receive they can never witness the heart cleansed from dead Works for John baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost having the pâ—omise to receive Power Acts 1 52 which doth manifest that People cannot receive full power against sin before they have received the Baptism of Christ which is that of the holy Ghost and Fire which burns up and purifies the heart of the inward man by which the thoughts of his own corrupted desire are brought into subjection to the Power of God by Jesus Christ which cleanâ—eth the inward man of Heart Mind and Spirit through which he comes to serve the Lord with Uprightness of his whole Desire in which state he becomes 〈◊〉 thorough Witness for Gods holy Truth that there is but one Lord one Faith one Baptism Ephes 4 5. into which Baptism all the Righteous oâ— God are baptized for so many as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his Death therefore they are bâ—râ—ed with him by Baptism into he Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life Rom 3.4 Now whâ—t People have gâ—thered in their Comprehension concerning the Apostles words 〈◊〉 Cor. 14. it avails no for their proâ—â—â— in the least measure of strength to prove Water Baptism an Ordinance of God in this day for if so then is Circumcision because the same Apostle in that day both circumcised and baptized which was for this end that he might gain some to Christ and not that it should continue in practise among Believers for time to come Then how are they true Beleivers with whom the practise of Water Baptism doth yet remain for the very same Apostle laid that practise aside in his day saying that least any should say
it is said That Esau sought the blessing with Tears but could not obtain it All which makes not the least proof that the soul of Esau did perish for they themselves allow that if the Parents are Believers their Children are holy Then finding that the Parents of Esau were holy Believers why should any judge of God to be such a severe Master as to decree the soul of a Child born of holy Parents to perish without having done any evil in its own Body And as to Esau â—s being hated the Lord never hated the soul of any man as to decree its Damnation before he was born but for its sins and final Impenitency for hatred is taken in a two-fold sence for Jacob loved Rachel and hated Leah And Christ said He that hateth not Father and Mother Wife and Children he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14.26 Now if God had hated Esau with such Hatred as to decree his soul for Damnation before he was born or had done either good or evil then Isaac by Faith would not have blessed Esau for Isaac did by Faith bless Jacob and Esau concerning things to come And as to Repentance which Esau could not find it was relating to the first blessing which he could not recover being before given to Jacob the younger of whom it is said Esau the elder should serve Which no more implyes that Esau did perish than David the younger Brother whom God chose before all the rest of his elder Brethren who were to serve David their younger Brother whom God saw good to place on the outward Throne in the outward Kingdom of Israel that the outward Government might 〈◊〉 in the Line of David in which line of David's stock the elder did serve the â—ounger for so did the Wisdom of God order the outward Government of Israel in Church and State in which the elder did serve the younger And in Jacob's Line the stock of Esau served the younger until the â—â—ling of the Gentiles which then did reach the stock of Esau and all Nadons that should be found to call on his Name that they may possâ—â—s the Remnant of Edom and all the Heaâ—hen which are called by any Name saith the Lord â—mos 9.12 by which it is manifest that the Church of God remains seattered aâ—nâ—ng all Nations among whom they that 〈◊〉 God and work his Righteousnâ—â—s the same shall be saved through Faith in Christ Jesus for the gift of Gods Grace bâ— Jesus Christ is large in his love to all Nations which bâ— his promise in calling the Gentiles it frees the yoke of servitude from the stock of Esau's Posterity which is no less priviledge than to be made partakers of Gods Promise in the Government of his Grace by Jesus Christ which the stock of Jacob have refused for which cause they have lost their Interest through their Self-Righteousness in the first Covenant of Works for which cause of refusing the rich Mercy of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ they are given up in Unbelief concerning the great Work of Redemption by the Son of God whom they wickedly slew without the City Gates for which cause the Lord hath given them the Spirit of Slumber Eyes that they should not see and Ears that they should not hear unto this day And Davîd said Let their Table be a Snare and a Trap and a stumbling Block and a Recompence unto them let their Eyes be dirkenêd that they may not see and bow down their back alway Then have they stumbled that they should fall God forbid but rather through their Fall Salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them to jealousie for if the fall of them be the Riches of the World and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles how much more their fuliness For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead for if the first Fruit be holy the Lump is also Holy and if the Root be Holy so are the Branches for if through Vnbelief they were broken off then it is by true Faith that there is an entrance into the Covenant of Grace which extends to the stock of Esau Ishmael and all the Nations of the World for the Lord hath said That he will call them his People which were not his People and her his beloved which was not his beloved Rom. 9.25 Hos 2.23 1 Pet. 2 10. Hos 1.10 Therefore let not any be ignorant to establish their own Righteousness but submit to that Righteousness which is of God by Faith in Jesus Christ who doth not delight himself in the death of any sinner but had rather all might turn and live By which it is evident that God hath not decreed the Destruction of any mans soul before he hath sinned out the day of Gods Visitation whose spirit shall not always strive with man whose Condemnation is of himself through the unbelief of his own hard heart and the decree of God respecteth him only as such which was the state of Pharaoh of whom it is said The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh that be might be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host So not only Pharaoh but his People also had rebelled against the Word of the Lord by his Servants and Messengers of his Truth for which cause the Lord gave them up thorough unbelief to haronâ—â— of heart by which it is said The Lord hardened Pharaohs heart for this end to give honour to his own holy name thorough the overthrow of so great a King as Pharaoh in the Earth then was who hardened his own heart through the unbelief which he had to the Word of the Lord who permitted the Devil to draw Tharaoh from Obedience to the Command of the Lord thorough which his heart came to be hardened to the Glory of God and honour of his name for all the Devils work is by permission and is to the honour of God in the Condemnation of them which thorough Disobedience yeild their minds in obedience to the Devils Power by which their hearts come to be hardened against Gods holy Truth so that God hardeneth not any mans heart whose Condemnation is of himself in that he will not yeild his Obedience to the gift of God who desires not that any should perish but that all might do his Commandments and live for which end all men have ever had the way of good and evil set before them which proves that man do not perish thorough a decree of Gods making before they have done either good or evil hat they shall perish for tho the Decree or Purpose of God begins not in time yet it respecteth Man having had a time and day of Visitation and living in Sin until it be expired for the holy Scriptures are very full that God is clear of all mens Blood which perish for he hath tendered Life to all the Children of men by which thorough Faith in Obedince to
Faith among all Nations for his Name Rom. 1.5 that in Ages to come they might shew forth the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his kindness towards them through Jesus Christ Ephes 2.7 and this is the Grace which is of God and is sufficient for the Salvation of them â—hat truly believe 2 Cor. 12.9 So that it is not an outward are Profession of what God hath wrought by Jesus Christ for the Salvation of others but that every man and woman live their Life in true Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace that by Faith in Christ they may witness the same Life through faith by which men are saved for the Grace of God bringeth Salvation only to them thaâ— believe in the the gift of his â—race without which no man can be saâ—ed foâ— it is by Grace that men are saved and noâ— oâ— an 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 of themselves but by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ Ephes 2 8. Then seeing it is by Gâ—ace that men are â—aved and not of themselves let every man and woman turn in the strength of the Mind to the teaching of Gods gift of Grace which teacheth to deny all Vngodliness and to live a righteous sober and godly Life in this present Woâ—â— that nothing may appear but what is good to the use of edifying that it may minister Grace to the Hearers Eph. 4.29 for where there is Obedience to the gâ—â— of Gods Grace â—â—e more of Christ dwelleth richly in all Wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Sâ—ngs singing with Grace in their Hearts Col. 3.16 17. which â—s contrary to the practice of mâ—â—y thousands who profess much in the outward of God and Christ in this day whereby they gain of one another the outward Name of Christians but inwardly in the Anti-christian Practice as their outward fruits manifest for where Faith is without Works it is 〈◊〉 dead Faith and in such Grace works no effect towards 〈◊〉 peace with God in Christ by whom the Righteous are 〈◊〉 conciled to God through Faith by Grace in him 〈◊〉 requires perfect Obedience to the gift of his Grace which teaches his â—eople to pray preach and sing with Grace 〈◊〉 their hearts to the praise and honour of his holy Name and edification of one another which they that yeild 〈◊〉 their Obedience to the Spirit of Grace cannot do for which cause of their unclean Fruits their Condemnation doth follow in which state they witness no true peace through Faith by Grace in Jesus Christ whose Sons and Daughters begotten through Grace in him they continue in the Way of the Lords own â—aying out having their words seasoned as with Sâ—â—â— and Grace abounding in their hearts through which by grace they become able Witnesses for the Lord of Life that by him through grace they are made able to perform his Will in what of them he requires by his good spirit of Grace Col. 3 17 in which state the Love of God by Jesus Christ is his Peoples everlasting Consolation and good Hope through Grace 2 Thes 2 1â— Not by Works of Righteousness which they have done but according to his Grace by the washing of Regeneration and the reâ—ewâ—nâ— of the holy Ghost Tit. 3 5 Which is sufficient encourage neâ— to come with holdness unto thâ— Throne of his Grace by which they obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 For the Grace of God hath appeared unto all men teaching them that they should dâ—ny Vngodliness and Wouldly Lâ—st and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Tâ—â— 2.11 12. By which we see and know that all men have received of his Grace sufficient for the present time and state for as the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath in measure appeared unto all men so all men that have neglected the day of Gods Visitation they shall be left without any excuse in that Day of the Lords calling all to an account for the Deeds done in the Body when it shall go well with the Righteous but sorrow and trouble will reach the Wicked on every side for the Lord will not hold them guiltless which take his Name in vain Then will the Wicked which have derided at the movings of Gods good Spirit of Grace in his People come to know a Day of Trouble when the Lord shall laugh at their Distress for unto them Damnation slumbereth nor sleepeth not but will overtake all the Ungodly as a Thieâ— in the Night of their Darkness but it shall go well with the Righteous which ask in Faith without doubting unto them is Salvation through Grace by Jesus Christ who came to save his People from their sins for which end he was made a littlâ— lower than the â—ngels for the suffering of Death and crowned with Glory and Honour that he might by the Grace of God taste Death for every man Hâ—â— 2 9. that whosoever believeth in him 〈…〉 but have Life eternal for the Promise 〈…〉 â—ent to then 〈◊〉 at believe in the gift of 〈…〉 of his Will and Mind by Faith thrâ—â— Grace in Jesus Christ by whom the Souls of them thaâ— believe in him are justified in the sight of God for he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2 11. for bâ— the Grace of God are they of him who unto them of God is made Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 〈◊〉 1.30 by which People may see that the main cause why People perish is through Disobedience to the gift of Gods Grace which by Jesus Christ they have received and it bringeth the Tenders of Salvation to every man in some measure or degree which as improved leads unto perfect Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus which they that refuse do unjustly charge God that is is for want of Grace by which they perish when that it is not for want of Grace tendered unto them but for want of their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which is sufficient for the Salvation of them that are faithful thereunto so as the Righteous through Faith and Obedience grow from grace to grace until they become perfect in Christ Jesus so the Unrighteous through unfaithfulness by Disobedience sin away the Grace of God more and more until the Day of Gods Grace with them be over and his Spirit with them hath left striving which all ought to consider while they have time to Repent for there is no repenting in the grave CHAP. XIV Concerning the Resurrection MAny are the People that are concerned to know how the dead are raised and with what Bodies they appear â—or 〈◊〉 what Bodies they do come forth Then seeing their minds are to concerned to know with what Bodies they shall appear doth manifest that they are not come to the knowledge of Gods saving Power through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ which to know gives
Judgment and receive Gifts then they are out of Gods way and rule not for his Honour but for their own Honour and self-ends among men for a Gift blindeth the Eyes of the Wise and causeth them to pervert the words of the Righteous Dan. 6.19 Now that Honour which is of Hand Hat and Knee to each other it is not of God for the Honour of God dwelleth in the heart of every faithful man which is faithful to what the Lord hath â—â—mmitted to his charge for it is the Lord that searcheth the heart and tryeth the reigns of the heart and declareth unto man what is his thoughts which no man can know by the Hat Hand and Knee of another for which Honour they have no express command from God nor example from his Servants in dayes past who in their day did render Tribute Custom Fear and Honour in its right place which at all times doth not belong to one and the same Person but as he appears for Gods cause is there Honour due to him as in the case of Paul before Festus and Agrippa the one appearing in the truth of Pauls cause and the other by Paul almost perswaded to be a Christian which Noble Principle in them was worthy of Honour from Paul Act. 26.2.28 31. 32 and divers other instances do the holy Scriptures afford of that noble Spirit appearing in man of outward Power whom they of this Generation esteem as Heathens but be what they will or whatsoever they were the Lord and his People well know that them so esteemed their works towards the Lords People in their day do condemn the works of many men towards the People of God in this day which do give Honour unto them unto whom it doth belong and not to honour them which honour not the Lord for they whose works bring no honour to the Name of the Lord they are not to be honoured by his People for Old Age to many is lengthened out by many dayes that the condemnation of him that fears not God and works not his righteousness may be the greater for though the Wicked may live to a hundred years so living and so dying they are accursed 〈◊〉 but the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousness Prov. 16.31 By which we see and know that God hath no respect for them that live not in the way of his Truth for Old Age is as a Judgment to some which desire to dye because of outward Troubles in Body and Horror of Conscience for their evil Deeds but Death as an addition to Gods Judgments from such flyeth away others again for their unrighte ous living in sin and Rebellion against God are by his Just Judgments cut off in the midst of their days And as to such Rulers that trouble the People of God from day to day and from time to time they may read their Portion Luke 16.19 to 24. but the People of the Lord cannot be brought into bondage by the Power of unrighteous Laws made by wicked men to ensnare and hinder the faithful of their Obedience to God who doth abhor the dark Works of unrighteous Rulers whose wicked Works against the Lords People are done in pretence of some service for God when that they are altogether for the service of Anti-Christ and the promoting of the Devils Kingdom which the Lords People by the Power of God are kept and preserved from touching tasting or handling with any unclean thing well knowing that the Wages of Sin is Death but the gift of God is Life Everlasting so then Death remains in the unrighteous Powers of Wicked and Ungodly Men who Balaam like love the Wages of Unrighteousness which the dumb Ass declared against when he forbid the madness of the wicked Prophet who had forsaken the right Way of the Lord to obey the dark Power of an Earthly Ruler So the portion of Balaam will be the Inheritance of them that do not obey the Power of God by Jesus Christ whose Power is the higher Power unto which every soul is to be subject for his Power is ordained of God and there is no other Power but the Power of God which is by Jesus Christ whom all men are commanded to obey for by and through his Power are the faithfull supported in all their Sufferrings for his Truth which is the Condemnation of all unrighteous Judges CHAP. XXI Concerning Oathes which includes all Swearing IN the first â—ovenant the Lords People were commanded to Swear by the Name of God in which time of the Law Oathes were observed in that Covenant which was faulty for if that Covenant had been faultless then should no place been sought for the second Heb. 8.7 Now that Ordinance did not maâ—e perfect as pertaining to the Conscience by which there came to be an end to that Covenant and a better Hâ—pe was brought in which stood upon better Promises for that Covenant and the Ordinances thereof were only to continue till the time of Reformation which stood only in Meats and Drinks and divers Washings and carnal Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformation Heb. 9.10 Now Christ the everlasting Covenant of God to his People fullfilled all Righteousness under the Law by which the Covenant of Grace took place in which the Oath ended for Christ is the Oath of God and the end of all Oathes Strife and Contention Mat. 5.33 to 37. It was said of old Time Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes but I say unto you Svvear not at all Plain Doctrine easie to be understood commanded by Christ Not at all to swear or not to Swear at all there is not a plainer and more strict Command contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth than for people Not to Swear at all which doth exclude from all manner of Oathes otherwise Christ would not have mentioned Oathes which were observed in the first Covenant of Works under the Law in which time they were not to forswear themselves but to perform their Oathes unto the Lord which were to be conscientiously performed according to Truth in what they were engaged or had engaged themselves in Gods Name to do Now Christ the Oath of God is come and in him is fullfilled the Righteousness of the Law for he is the end of all Oathes Strife and Contention and the holy Apostles followed Christs Doctrine and exhorted People to follow them as for Ensample they were Followers of Christ whose Command they obeyed and directed People to perform the same and that was Above all things not to Swear at all but to let their Yea be Yea and their Nay Nay lest they fall into Condemnation Mat. 5.33 34 35 36 37. James 5.12 Now the Apostles exhorting the Brethren to observe and keep close to the Truth of God according to the Doctrine of Christ which was Not to Swear at all which doth manifest by his calling them Brethren that they
Rest so that now in this Gospel day it is by the Sword of the Spirit by which the Kindom of God is advanced in the hearts of his People who pray to the Lord oâ— Life to teach their spiritual hands to right the Lords Battel against the Enemies of their Peace with him so as Israel of old were to destroy all Gods outward Enemies with the outward Sword for the outward advancing the outward Kingdom of Israel in the outward Laâ—d of Canaan so are the People of God in this day with the inward Sword of his spirit to maintain now in their inward Travail to the heavenly Canaan against all the inward Enemies which would hinder the advancing of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ in his People by whom they receive strength to fight the Lords spiritual Battel against the Enemies of their soul and as Israel of old did not perform the command of the Lord by the mouth of his Prophets to destroy all them outward Enemies out of their Land for which cause they remained as Thorns in their sides so will it be with them that reserve alive any one inward Enemy to Gods Truth for every Enemy to his Truth seeks to draw the heart and mind from serving God in the true and living way even as in the outward with Israel in that day of the Lords command to destroy all them that were outward Enemies to his Truth which Israel not fulfilling the word of the Lord them Enemies were as snares and gins to draw their minds from serving the true and living God by which they not obeying the word of the Lord they by their enemies were drawn into Idolatry to worship the gods of the Nation which were no godds to save Israel from the just hand of God through whose just Judgments they received their reward from â—he Lord which suffered them for their disobedience to be destroyed by the hand of their outward Enemies so as Israel was to fulfill Gods command to destroy their outward Enemies by or with the outward Sword of the Lords outward Battel against them that were outward Enemies to the true Worship of God in that day even so are the inward Enemies of mans soul to be destroyed by or with the spiritual Sword which is to fight the Lords spiritual Battel against the spiritual Enemies which would hinder the inward man of the true inward Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth so as the Rebellion in dayes past did not regard the Sword of the Lord who of long time after did strive with his People in that day of their outward War against their outward Enemies and they would not hearken to obey the Word of the â—ord by the mouth of his Prophets but beat one and destroyed another till at length through unbelief and hardness of heart they crucified the Lord of Life whom they put to open shame without their City gates for which cause their day was over and their House became desolate even so will it be with the Rebellious in this day who reserve Gods spiritual Enemies by keeping them alive whom God hath appoynted to be destroyed which for not obeying the command of God by his Son the Lord of Liâ—e but refuse the tenders of his Grace by his gifts of divine Light and Word of his Spirit which keeps striving from day to day and from time to time until their day be over and House be left desolate for the Spirit of God vvill not alvvays strive vvith man which is matter of great vveight for all to consider that they may so live in obedience to the manifestation of Gods Spirit that they may come to vvitness every evil Lust of the heart and corrupt desire of the mind vvhich are the invvard Enemies to God and mans Soul that they may not reserve or keep any one alive but keep all dovvn vvith the spiritual Svvord of Gods Povver in and through the Lord Jesus Christ vvho vvith-holds not from any that are vvilling to take up the Cross to their natural will and follovv him to gain the Crovvn vvhich is far from them that lust after War and Fighting vvith the outvvard Svvord vvhich hath no relation tovvards the promoting of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ vvho hath said all they that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword vvhich is according to the Apostles Query From whence come Wars and Fightings among you come they not hence even of your Lusts that war in your Members ye lust and have not ye kill and desire to have and cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have not because ye ask amiss that you may consume it upon your Lust Jam. 4.1 2 3. Then they vvhich ask cannot receive because thay ask that vvhich God hath forbidden they lust to kill and ask Victory that they may spend it on their lust but their reward is to be according to Christs vvords all that take the svvord shall perish vvith the Svvord But some vvill say If the Spirit move the Quaker he will sell his coat and buy a Sword to fight for his Religion To which I Answer That Christ sent his Disciples vvithout Purse and Scrip and Shoos yet they lacked nothing notvvithstanding he said unto them He that hath a Purse let him take it and likewise his Scrip and he that hath no Sword let him sell his Garment and buy one for I say unto you that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me So he that had no Svvord vvas to sell his Garment and buy one that the use of the Sword according to the Righteousness of the Lavv might befulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ vvho said unto them that two Swords were enough Luke 22.35 36 37 38. Then seeing that tvvo Svvords vvere enough for the Disciples of Christ by vvhom the use of the Svvord vvas fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ as to the Lavv then vvhose Unrighteousness is that vvhich the many Svvords are fulfilling in this day for the use of the Sword as to the Righteousness of the Law is fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ which suffered his Body to be pierced for the sins of the People that all might witness him to be the end of all War Strife and Contention for if his Kingdom had been of this World he could have prayed to the Father and the Father would have sent him more then twelve Legions of Angels and this was in full satisfaction to Peter which was after Peter had put up the Sword when Christ said to him all they that take the Sword shall Perish with the Sword which doctrine is true as by the Spirit of God and holy scripture with daily experience which teaches the same but Faith and Patience of the Lords People witness the Kingdom of Christ not to be of this World for which cause they cannot fight for him with the carnal Sword for the Spirit of God doth not change in his People to command them from a thing that is
his holy Will who knocks at the door of mans heart for obedience to his holy Truth which if any man will obey the Word of his Grace he spiritually will come in and sup with them and they with him Rev. 3.20 Then the Table of the Lord is in a clean heart and with them of a willing mind for Christ will not enter the Door to remain for his abode with them of corrupt hearts and unwilling minds whose state is alway to confess but never to forsake all sin against God and his Christ neither doth the most High dwell in Temples made with hands Acts 7.4.8 17.24 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit and revive the heart of the contrite Ones Isa 57.15 But to this Man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and Trembles at my Word Isa 66.2 By which it is manifest that God in Christ by the Grace of his Spirit of Life and Light dwelleth not in outward Covenants made by men in their own time and will whose hope of Salvation as they say depends on the Promises of God by Christ who is not to be found in all their humane Precepts and Ordinances which from time to time for many years People have observed which to the Dâ—obedient the Lords coming to them will be even as his coming was to a Generation in days past whom savingly he did not know because their works and way was not in obedience to his holy Commands for which cause though many Works by them were done in the outward Profession of his Name yet they were commanded to depart from him as workers of Iniquity because they had not kept the Commandment of God Mat. 7.23 Luke 13.22 27. for the Works of their own establishing were found unclean before the Lord even as all mens works will be which are not established by the Power of Gods Spirit in and through the Lord of Life whose Life is only witnessed in men of clean hearts and willing minds who are made willling that Christ should rule every Thought of the Heart and Intent of the Mind that all their Works may be done to the Honour and Praise of his own Name and they to receive the Comfort of it to their own Souls in which state of Obedience they witness the Cords of Gods Love to draw the heart and mind in to a more and more fellowship of his divine Nature in and through the Lord Jesus Christ by which they remain in the true Worship of the Spirit and in the Truth and such Worshippers are they whom the Lord seeks to worship him Joh. 4 22 23 24. 6.44 Then the true Church and People of God witness a drawing by his Spirit or the Power of his Spirit in and through the Lord of Life otherways they cannot receâ—ve Life for no man cometh to the Son except the Father draw him for all things of the Father are delivered unto the Son and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son reveals him Therefore all that will come to the knowledge of God by Jesus Christ it must be through Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which comes by Jesus Christ under whose eafie Yoke and light Burthen all may learn of him who is meek and lowly whereby they that are heavy laden may come to find rest in him to their Souls Mat. 11.27 28 29 30. for by and through the Power of God in Christ every obedient Child learns of the will and mind of God in Chriâ—â— Joh. 6.45 by which Life and Salvation cometh to them that believe neither is there any true Believers but as they are come to witness in measure of the like state for he that hath not received the Son hath not received the knowledge of God by the Son through whom every true Believer in him receives Life for he that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life 1 Joh. 5.12 Now they that have received this Life they manifest it by fruits of a holy Life in all manner of holy Conversation doing no other to another then as themselves are willing to be done unto for as the outward Tree is manifested by its fruits so is every mans works manifested by the outward manner of Life for Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles can no man expect to gather neither is any mans Faith accepted of God without Works of Obedience to his holy Will for as the Body is dead without the Spirit in the sight of men so is Faith without Works of Obedience also dead in the sight of God Mat. 7.16 17 18 19. James 2. Then where Faith is without Works of Obedience they cannot perform the Commands of God by the Power of his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ that Church and People remain in a dead Faith to God who is not a God to that which is dead but a God to that which is living in true Obedience to the maniâ—estation of his Spirit which they have received to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 for as in the time of the Law there was means for the Peoples outward cleansing who were to remain without the Camp as not fit for the service of Gods Worship before they were cleansed of their Filth Lev. 13.46 23 42 43. Neh. 8.14 even so in this Gospel Day is no man fit for the service of Gods Worship in Spirit and Truth before he comes to witness something of an inward cleansing through the little Leaven whereby through Faith and Obedience to his Talent received he will come to witness more and more of Gods Power by Jesus Christ until the whole Lump be leavened into the new Nature of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ which only belongs to them of his Church who are not in a state of always confessing and never so faking but as the true Church acknowledgeth her Weaknesses and Inabilâ—tâ—es as of themselves not able to do any one work acceptable to God so through Faith and Obedience to the Word and â—ower of God by Jesus Christ through his Grace are they made able to do all things according to what the Lord of his Church and â—eople requires so that they remain not in a state of always confessing what great Sinners they are but withal forsake their sins in Obedience to God whose Power gives Victory over their sins in which state they grow from one degree of Grace to another till they become perfect Men and Women in Christ Jesus which is according to the Apostles Doctrine who were sent of God by Jesus Christ to turn People fâ—â—m Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God and praying that they may present every
the Disobedient live in and in that state of Disobedience the Wicked perish for evermore more but unto the Righteous hath God regard whose Portion is of his heavenly Riches which shall for evermore endure with his People in the World to come But the Day shall come and now is that the Lord shall suffer his Judgments to make way for the Righteous to inhabit the Earth in which the Wicked have of long time been suffered through the permission of God by the Enemy of Maus Peace to lay waste the Lives and Estates of the Righteous who shall inhabit the Earth with Peace and Quietness when the Lords Judgments have destroyed all the Thornes and Thistles with all other the Combustible high and lofty Trees which have long incumbered the Lords Earth without bringing forth Fruit unto him through whose Judgments of Famine Sword and Pestilence with other Judgments of the like Nature by which the Potsherds shall dash one against another till the Earth shall become plain and smothe from the crooked Nature of unrighteous men For every Valley shall be exalted and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isa 40.4 5. Luke 3.5 And all Flesh shall see the Salvation of God in that Day in which all Israel shall be saved for there shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob which is his Covenant to them when he shall take away their sins Rom. 11.26 27. for the Lord will finish the Work and cut it short in Righteousness because a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth and for that end hath the Lord begun in his Judgments among the Wicked that he may make way for his Seed in the Remnants of the Nations which shall be saved of which there is a Number already gathered unto which small Number of despised People the Lord â—s daily adding unto his chosen Heritage and elect Seed unto whom the Promise doth belong which is to all them that fear the Lord and work Righteousness unto them is the gathering of the Nations which shall be saved and for their sakes hath the Lord begun his righteous Work against the Adversaries of his Truth whom he will overthrow and bring to nought for out of Heaven will the Lord thunder of his Judgments upon them and will judge the ends of the Earth for God hath given strength to the Righteous and will exalt the Horn of his anointed and he shall only and alone rule unto whom the Government doth belong for when his Judgments are in the Earth the Inhabitants thereof will learn Righteousness for God shall arise in Judgment to save the weak of the Earch and the Wrath of man shall praise him and the remainder of Wâ—ath shall the Lord restrain Psal 7.6 9 10. And the Lord will return to Jacob and have Mercy upon the House of Israel after they have born the Shame of their Trespasses whereby they have trespassed against the Lord Ezek. 39. Then will the Lord gather them from among the Heathen and they shall know him whom their Fathers slew to be the Lord of Life then shall they sing Praises acceptable to God giving Glory due unto his holy Name and their Offerings unto him shall be in the Beauty of Holiness for they shall know the Lord and him the only true God shall they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth theâ— shall the Earth fear before the Lord and the World also shall be stable that it be not moved then the Heavens will be glad and the Nations will sing Praises to the holy One of Israel whom they shall know to rule and reign in the hearts of the Out casts of Israel for if the casting away of them have been the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead Rom. 11.15 Then let the Sâ—a roar and the fullness thereof let the Fields rejoyce and all that is therein then shall the Trees of the Wood sing out at the presence of the Lord for he cometh to judge the Earth Chron. 16. And unto them that fear his Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and they shall grow up in Truth and Righteousness before the Lord and the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the solâ—s of their feet in the Day that I shall do this saith the Lord of Hosts for the Lord will pour out of his Spirit upon the Fathers and the Children and the hearts of the one shall be turned towards the other for Truth and Righteousnâ—ss shall reign in all the Earth and there shall be no more Norse of the Horses rushing into the Battle for all carnal Weapons of War shall be done a way and all the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and his Christ and the Lord of Life shall rule and reign in his People for evermore and happy is it with that small Number of despised Ones among men in this day who witness the beginning of these things in themselves for having set their hand to the Plow not looking back they shall be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven into which no unclean thing shall ever enter for it is prepared of God by Jesus Christ for them that have kept his Commandments in this Life and not for them that plead for a Body of sin all their days in which sinning state they know no end of Disobedience against Gods holy Truth for sin brings Death and Death brings Judgment which is for Wrath to come upon all the Ungodly which fear not God to keep his Commands for which cause the Wicked live in a â—ell upon Earth which by the Wrath of Gods just Judgment will be enlarged to all the Wicked after this Life for for when the Righteous dye they dye to live in the Lords Rest where they enjoy Pleasure at the right hand of God for evermore but the Wicked who have disregarded the Commands of the Lord in this Life they dye to live in Everlasting Torment of the fiery Flames of Gods Wrath and Indignation which is the Reward of all the Wicked and Ungodly of this Life whose Life is far worse than the Life of a Dog or a Toad for when they dye all their Misery is ended but when the Wicked dye their great Misery then beginneth and will encrease forever and ever Which things are too little regarded by many in this Life but the Day will come in which they shall wish that others might have warning but if they will not hear Moses and the Prophets neither have they regarded the Lord from Heaven for which cause is their Misery which will come upon all the Ungodly that call not as they ought to do upon the Name of the
which Doctrine ought not to find itching Ears among any the Children of them who have persecuted the Lords Servants to Death at Boston but as the Lords Seâ—vants and Messengers of his Truth have born the merciless Rod of that persecuting Generation so ought every man concerned either actually or by consent to bear the Charity of the Lords People which is great Charity indeed to inform them of their unrighteous ways against the Lord and his People The fore-going Letter some of them called Railing but the Day will come in which they shall know and that from the just God of Heaven and Earth that it is no railing to infoâ—m People of the Truth which in the time of my Letter was both lawful and expedient for me so to do neither are they to have forgiveness of God further than they turn and repent neither are the Lords People to forgive that on Earth which is not forgiven in Heaven but to pray that his Will may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven CHAP. XXVIII Concerning the Covering and Vncovering of the Head in Honour to Man or Men. WHere there is liberty by the Law of God for one man to remain with his Head covered before another it can be no transgression of any Righteous Law among men and as to Customs of that nature it is better to obey God than Manâ— for all things which a man is perswaded of God in his own heart to be comely decent and of good report that men ought in obedience to God to follow but that which hath no Scripture Example from any command of Christ nor Practice of any of his Apostles for one man to stand bear-headed in honour to another is that which cannot proceed from the Life and Power of God because it is not found in the holy Scriptures to be commanded of God neither in practice by any of Christs Disciples nor his holy Apostles bâ—t only a beaâ— Cuâ—tom got up among some of the Nations which indeâ—d by many of them are so accustomed to the Hat Hand and Knee by or with which they bestow so much Honour one towards the other that by that practice with other of their Works among men they have not due regard to the Works of Righteousness and Holiness for the honour oâ— God before whom in the time of praying prophecying the Head is to be uncovered for the Head of every man is Christ and the Head of Christ is God which proves a dishonour to the Name of the Lord to honour men whose hearts they know not as to God but honour them in the saâ—â—e form as they do the Lord when their Prayers are made to him who is the searcher of all hearts and giver to every man according to the fruits of his doings which to the faithful will be a Crown of Righteousness to the hoary Head but to the Sinner though a hundred yeaâ—s old he is accursed which also doth of Hat-Honour by which men honour that which is accursed of God CHAP. XXIX Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of New-England by Witch-craft WItch-craft is altogether wrought through the Spirit and Power of the Devil which rules in the Children of Disobedience who ramain in the Works of the flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 3. and 5 20 for which cause the just Judgments of God are the Reward of all Wicked and â—â—godly men but to all that repent their Sins and Blasphemies wherewithsoever they shall blaspheme shall be forgiven but he that blasphemeth against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven in this World nor the world to come Joh. 5.6 17. Mat. 21.10 Now as to divers Authors their apprehensions are various in differing one from the other about Witches and Witch-craft which to prevent error that Truth and Righteousness may take place I have taken in hand to set forth in order a Declaration which is according to the holy scriptures which do hold forth the nature and cause of People having familarity with the Devil who is the Father of all Unrighteouâ—ness through which Unrighteousness he begets the heart and mind to serve him in which state more or less are most men through which Life of Disobedience the Understanding of man is darkened that it cannot see what is for God according to his will neither do they comprehend divers works which are against him which is also as a Judgment from God for Disobedience which indeed is of the nature of Rebellion which is as the sin of Witch craft then where men are in the like state they are blind as to the knowledge or God concerning such whom he commanded to be destroyed in the time of the Law Deut. 〈…〉 11.12 Exod. 22 18. for they that are not come to 〈◊〉 Law and the Prophets do not know the will and Mind of God relating to the new Law of Light Life and Grace by Jesus Christ for they that serve sin are servants to sin and of him they are whose works they do Rom. 6.16 Iohn 8.44 Mat. â— 24 Luke 6.13 Then in what state are they that are alwayes confessing but never forsaking for if through Obedience they did forsake sin then there would be no such need of confessing that which they have forsaken because where men forsake their sins and live in all good order of Gods holy Truth as they are commandâ—d to do then the Lord will remember their Transgressions no more Isa 45 7. and 44.25 for where men keep Judgment and do Righteousness at all times they are not in a state of alwayes confessing and of not forsaking Psal 106.3 for where men confess and not forsake their works manifest a dead Faith James 2.26 in which state of â—â—obedience they draw near with their Lip and Moâ—th to honour the Lord when it is manifest by Works that the heart is far from him and their fear is taught by the precepts of men therefore doth the Lord do amarvelous work and a wonder for the Wisdom of then Wise Men shall perish and the Vnderstanding of their Prudent men shall be hâ—d Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.8 Mark 7.6 which scriptures are fulfilled as a Judgment of God for innocent Blood shed in New-England whose Priests and Rulers with the consenting Inhabitants have been bewitched that that should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ whose Servants they have put to Death at Boston for which cause as a Judgment they are deliverd up through Unbelief to hardness of heart to commit other sins which with the sin of Blood hath furder stored up the Lords Wrath to add to their Troubles through the increase of his Judgments against them for rebelling against his holy Truth for which cause as Judgment increaseth against sin so sin in New-England increaseth against Judgment until the Light of sin at this time is of that hight and nature that there is no less of the Priests and their Church Members with others of their hearers then five
belief of their being at more ease when out of this body than in the body then what changeth the nature between black People and white People the colour of the skin doth not change the Nature But some may say The Negroes in Barbadoes do not go to Church Indeed is it so and what better are many for going to Church in New-England where they that have been nearest related to the Church have manifested themselves to be the furden from God as witness their puting four of the Lords Servants to death at Boston which Church they then accounted the purest Church in the World and if the sheding of innocent Blood be the mark of a pure Church the Church of Rome is more pure then the church of Boston of which I may hereafter more relate so that it is not the going to Church in New-England that causeth white People to differ in nature from black people which go not to Church in Barbadoes And therefore Judges had need to consider all things aright because they are expresly commanded To do no Vnrighteousness in Judgment Lev. 19.15 Now some of these People have said to me that they were in trouble of mind and then hearing of themselves accused by the Specter or Devil turned Informer that it made them even as it were besides themselves or out of their natural Understanding and then hearing that all without confession were suddainly put to Death and large promises of mercy from God and Man and with the Priest and his Fallowers on the one side and their nearest and dearest Relations on the other side all urging to a Confession which is so as I beleive it was let all rational men judge what state and condition these confessors were in for we read That over much Oppression will make a wise Man mad and its easie to conceive that lesser Oppression will make them mad who are not in their right Understandings by reason of some trouble in mind But the thing then is how or which way or by what means shall men come to know one that is a Witch from one that is not a Witch To which I say it must be by that Wisdom by which the Damsel Eâ—â—mus and Simon came to be known Acts 10.16 13.8 9 10. 8.23 and notwithstanding they were known to be Witches the Apostle did not direct to the command in the Law of not suffering a Witch to live but directed or exhorted him to repent and pray which ought to be noted that first to repent then pray which may afford this use that Prayer before Repentance is not accepted of the Lord neither is Repentance without the Fruits of Repentance and without Fruits the Faith of Man is dead even as the Body is dead without the Spirit James 2.26 But then say the Professors of this Age Is there no other way and means to know Witches but as the Apostle did in his day Then there is no knowing a Witch in this day because say they all such means by the Spirit of God is ceased for one working of Miracles is past Answ Past indeed to them that know no other state but to bear a Body of Sin all their days but to them who are redeemed from sin they know in measure as the Apostle did in his day for if one Spirit cannot discern another then Christ is not in his People but the faithful witness Christ is spiritually in them and in whom he is not are they not Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 and to them is no Prophesie no Revelation no Miracle for they are spiritually dead deaf dumb and blind as to all the spiritual things of God by Jesus Christ and to such the Truth of God by any of his Servants is as Pearl before Swine and if a faithful man should say That he hath an infallible assurance that some of these twenty People put to Death in N. E. for Witches were not such Witches as accused condemned and put to Death for then what follows but the prosecution of Law because he hath but one Evidence and that 's in himself by the Spirit of God so though all are lawful yet all things are not expedient without the call of God thereunto But Witches there be of divers sorts as before related and if any be convicted of Murder they ought to dye but if men once maintain it lawful to put all to Death for Witches in whose likeness the â—evil may appear and work the like Wickedness as is laid to the charge of these put to Death they may I believe put to Death for Witches the greatest part of People now in the World because it s but a few in comparison that shall be saved which greatest Number that perish when the Spirit of God leaves striving and the day of Grace is over then their House becomes desolate and they become the Children of him whose Work they have done and he takes more full possession of his own House and Goods which is the heart mind and Spirit of them that are wholly departed from the Lord and the Lord from them Gen. 6.3 Mat. 12.43 44 45. Luke 11.24.25 And thou hath not the Devil full Power over his own that is without their consent to act and do so far as he is permitted any manner of Wickedness in their likeness or in the form and shape of their Bodies But to act and do such Wickedness in the form shape and likeness of Gods faithful Children is that which I cannot believe therefore I leave it waiting the Lords time for the further manifesting of that with other Mysteries unto me and doubt noâ— but as I remain faithful the Lord will manifest unto me in his own due time what he sees convenient for me And his I am well satisfied in that if men maintain that command of not suffering a Witch to live as in the time of the Law that they are not Ministers in all things according to the Law except they put to Death as the Law in that day did require that is the Witch and the Wizard the false Worshipper the rebellious Child the Adulterer and Adultress all which were under one sentence of Death in the time of the Law then why only a Witch not guilty of Murder to be put to Death in this Gospel Day when Christ hath said Let the Tares and Wheat grow till the Harvest and to let the blind alone for if one lead the other both shall fall into the Ditch And though the holy man of God destroyed twice fifty with their Captains by fire from Heaven and forty more by cursing them in the Name of the Lord these things according to Christs own words are not lawful to be done in this Gospel Day 1 King 1.10 Thes 2.24 Luke 9.5 Mat 15.14 Luke 6.39 Mat. 13.30 Mat. 5. Then as to the Command in the Law relating to false Worshippers as they were accursed so was their whole Substance accursed also therefore if these put to Death be Witches it must needs
follow that they are false Worshippers then why they put to Death according to that Command in the Law and their Substance taken away to defray publick Charge contrary to the express Command of God in the time of the Law Exod. 22 18. Deut. 28.16 13 1â— 1â— But when men come â—o burn their Books of curious Arts then the oldness of the Law will dye and newness in Spirit will appear through the growth of Gods Word which in that day shall prevail Acts 19.17 18 19 20. until which time let Christs saying to the Rebellious Jews be sufficient that is when they brought the Woman taken in the act oâ— Adultry saying Moses in the Law commanded that such should bâ— stoned to Death Christ bids Let him that is without sin cast the first stone but no man among them being without sin the woman escaped even so may Witches not guilty of Murder escape in this day for he that â—s wholly clear of every degree of Witch-craft may cast a stone at Witches that is when as evidently proved as the Womans act was in Adultry John 8.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. for where the nature of Witchtraft remaineth it evidently appears by Peoples Threats one to the other and their living in Malice Hatred and Envy one against the other watching and waiting for the opportunity of advantage one against the other and if no advantage present of damnifying one the other yet the sin of Witch-craft in one degree is as deeply rooted in them as the sin of Adultry is rooted in him that looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultry with her already in his heart Mat. 5 28. for the intent of Wickedness is of greater abomination in the sight of God than the act of sin is in the sight of sinful men Of which number I am now concerned to give an account of New England's first Inhabitants and of them which yet remain without Power but in the very nature of their fore Fathers justifying the Laws by which the Lords Servants were persecuted to Death at Boston for which Judgment after Judgment hath fallen upon this place even since and the Lords just Judgments were to bring them to a sight of that sin of Blood but instead of reâ—enting their hearts have waxed harder and harder against the Truth of God delivered by his Servants in that day in which Day of Gods Truth to them their requital was by destroying the Lives of the Lords People with whole innocent Blood New-England remains defiled for the very first stept of the first Inhabitants towards this land in may be questioned whether or not they fled beyond the command of the Lord for finding the Bishops Yoke uneasie under which if they had remained faithful the Yoke of the Lord would have been easie and his Burden light but instead of manifesting the Lords cause in the other City they fled this Land which fleeing was it not beyond what the Lord hath commanded when persecuted in one City to flee to the other that each place or each People may hear the Truth which all that are called of God are to deliver according to their measure which if any say that it was sufficient warrant from God for them to flee the Land and as Paul did preach the Gospel where Christ was not named then why followed they not Paul as for example he followed Christ who came not to destroy mens lives but to save and 〈…〉 by turning People from Darkness to Light and 〈…〉 Power of Satan to the Power of God but how 〈◊〉 they turned the Native Indians where Christ 〈…〉 named did they not in their first settlement 〈◊〉 them in to the Grave where there is no Repentance a strang turning in feed by a People that pretended so much to Gods Truth as they did and not come so far as the Law and the Prophets but to do unto the poor Natives otherwayes then they themselves would be done unto well might such a work not be expected to promote a People for the Service of God Honour of his Name who hath well rewarded the Inhabitants of New-England for their unrighteous dealings towards the Native Indians whom now the Lord hath suffered to reward the Inhabitants with a double measure of Blood by Fire and Sword which had they followed the command of the Lord to have prayed for their Enemies and done to others even as themselves would have been done unto the â—nhabitants might have been free from these great and terrible Judgments of God which for sin and evil is their Reward in this Day So its evident that through their unfaithfulness to God in their first settlement of this Land and since hath been the leading cause of their being further left to do these unrighteous things which have increased the Lords Wrath against them and their following Generation who remain guilty for not repenting of sin and evil against God for whose Truth they ought to have born a faithful Testimony in their publick â—ssemblies against all the unrighteous Ways of their fore-Fatcers which have been against the Lord and his People of which I may relate something that others thereby may receive warning not to follow Unrighteousness but to remain faithful to their measure lest the Lord deliver them up through Unbelief to hardness of heart and they do as New-England's Priests and Rulers have done which hath caused the hand of the Lord to be against them and all that actually or by silence have consented to their unrighteous ways which have been maintained by the Sword of the Magistrate which the Priests in the day of their Power whitted sharp through their false pernicious Doctrines which did encourage the Rulers of that day to deshoy all the Lords Servants that were found within their Government under the Name Quaker to whom they allotted the Valley of Achor for a door of Hope Josh 7 24.25 perverting the Truth of God through their preaching up things in the Law which Christians are not to do in the time of the Gospel Deut. 13. 1 King 1.10 2.24 Luke 9.54 which notwithstanding they would preach and pray That all were accursed that did their Work negligently against the Quakers whose living among the People the Priests did impute to be the cause of Gods Judgments which they said was the Peoples just Reward for suffering any one Quaker to live among them whereupon the Rulers with the silent consent of the greatest part of the Inhabitants did make sharp and bloody Laws against the Quakers whereby they were long imprisoned under many Hardships as in respect of the hard cold Clymate without fire and for days together without food having their Friends denyed of visiting them in any kind but as the Lord was daily with them their strength in love did increase towards him who did uphold and support them in their great Sufferings which were of that Nature that one would even wonder that a People of so much preaching and praying
should be so blind and of so unbelieving hard hearts to work in such a hight of Wickedness against the Lord and his People whom they have imprisoned whipt stockt out theâ— Ears undering them to be sold for Bonds Men and Bond Women banishing them upon pain of Death if ever they return to be offered up at their bloody Altar and to the value of twenty hundred Pounds taken from them for Fines and made a Law that every Master of a Vessel that landed any one Quaker within their Power of Government should pay one hundred Pounds and five pounds for any one that gave entertainment to any one of their Books with much more of the like nature acted and done by them to the aforesaid honest harmeless People whom in their Law they have stiled with the Name of Rogues and Vagabonds Blasphemous Hereticks and Seducers of the People from the Faith but if they have called the Master a Devil they of the same Spirit have called his People after the like manner and after the same nature have they perseented his Servants to Death at Boston which Wickedness they would cover with a Lye even as their fore Fathers did by giving large Money to the ignorant to say his Disciples stole him away by Night which large Money will not hide their Lying no more will the twenty hundred Pounds taken from the Quakers hide the Lyes of them in this day who say The Quakers hanged themselves for the Law by which they were put to Death was made after that they had been a time in the Country which after their Return according to that Law of Banishment were they in a most barbarous inhumane way put to Death being drove to their bloody Altar with Drums Guns and Swords and out down even to the breaking of their skulls and in a barbarous manner dragged their naked Bodies in a Roap with the gnashing of Teeth in which inhumane manner they threw their naked Bodies into a stinking Pit near to their Bloody Altar not suffering their Friends to secure the place with Fence by which their Bodies might be preserved from Swine and other ravenous Creatures By which it is evident they hanged not themselves but as they were persecuted in one place they kept the Command of the Lord by fleeing to the other until they delivered up their Lives as for â—xample the Lords Servants in days past have done for the Truth of God and Testimony of Jesus whom they have followed even as the Disciples and Apostles of Christ have done Then seeing that it is high Rebellion against God and the King to put his People to Death without any warrant precept command or example from either of how much lower nature is the Work of Witch-craft if really it so be in and about the Town of Salâ—m for the Lords People are to him as the apple of his Eye and he that toucheth them toacheth the Apple of his Eye Zâ—ch 2.8 Deut 32 10. Psal 17.8 for whosoever offendeth one of them bâ—tter were it for him that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Mat 18 6. Mark 9.42 Luke 17.1 2. Therefore People ought well to consider whom they establish to rule for their outward Peace among themselves for where men of Persecuting Principles are appointed by the People to rule where they once gain Power by the consent of the People to persecute their unrighteous Work draws the judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of the whole place where they rule for had the Body of the Jews withstood their unrighteous Prieâ—â—s and Rulers by bearing a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth they had been freed from that Judgment which now remains upon their Generation even so is it with tâ—e Inhabitants of New-England though many of them had no actual hand in shedding of innocent Blood which hath defiled the Land because they did not bear a faithful Testimony against the unrighteousness of their Priests and Rulers of that Day for which cause every Judgment upon this place reaches the whole Body of People in the general Calâ—â—â—ty for Christ charges the Spirit of Persecution with all the righteous Blood that hath ever been shed Mat. 23.35 Then seeing that this Spirit of Persecution is charged with more Unrighteousness towards God and his People then all them of that nature which they call witches who have not that influence upon People to bewitch them that they should not obey the Truth even as the persecuting Priests and Rulers have done which proves Persecutors to be the greatest Witches in the World because the one as the Devil was only permitted to touch the outward Body for the inward tryal of Faith but the other are permittnd to bewitch People to persecute one the other to Death and through the Power of the Devil cause People to believe that they are deing good Service for God when they are persecuting his People to Death Acts. 26.10 11. and 8.5 and 9.1 2. which time hath been and yet remains where the Priests bear rule Joh. 16.2.3 for as Troopes of Robbers have waited for a man so have the company of Priests murdered in the way by consent Hos 6.9 So that these things are in all places where the persecuting Priests are rule among the People who are like their Priests Hos 4.6 7 8 .10 it is by the consent of the People that persecuting Magistrates rule and by consent of their â—urighteous Laws do the persecuting Priests destroy he outward Lives and Liberties of the Lords People 〈◊〉 which cause the Lords Wrath and Indignation is gainst the whole People so far as they are either accally or by silence consenting to these things through which the righteous suffer for the cause of Gods holy Truth who are not to give their Bread to Dogs nor to cast their Pearls before Swine neither are they to forgive further then men turn and say they repent Mat. 6.10 Luke 17.4 for nofurther then men repent of their Evil Deeds will the Lord forgive so that his will may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven men are not to seek to unbind that on Earth which as not unbound in Heaven neither to â—â—ek to bind that on Earth which is not bound in Hraveâ— but to pray that the sin of Murder may not be laid 〈…〉 charge of them that know not what they do Mat. 5.44 Acts 7.00 for in this Day of great Trouble upon them that have not done even as they would be done unto the Lord is daily adding unto their Afflictions because they Kopent not of their evil Deeds towards him and his People whom Pharaoh-like they have opprest but the Lord hath in a great measure with-held the roaring of the Lyon and the fierce Lyon and the Teeth of the young Lyon the Lord hath broken and the strength of their power against Gods Heritage is become of no force for their striving against the holy One of Israel is brought to nought for he is a consuming fire to
received to profit withal Joh. 3.16 17 18 19 20 21. Mat 25. 1 Cor. 12.3 to 9. Ephes 5.13.14 So that if People would but give up in their minds to spend that time in reading the holy Scriptures which they spend in that which only satisfies the Lust of the natural Will which begets from a furder and furder obedience of retaining God in their thoughts by which the mind is fitly framed through Disobedience to veild it self a servant to the Devils Power through which they become Witches and in one degree or another are Instruments of bewitching others in which state of Disobedience the World remains in Wickedness bewitching one the other that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ so that the greatest sort of Witch-craft by the Devil is to make men Instruments for his service and to bewitch into that which is of the most service to promote his Kingdom of Unrighteousness which cannot be higher promoted by any that serve him then when they are by him bewitcht to bewitch others into the like state that when they are destroying the lives of the Lords Children think it is of the greatest Service for God and benefit to their Souls which is the greatest sort of Witch-craft that ever was for People of the Devil so to believe Now for all other sort of Witches they only touch the outward but cannot touch the Spirit of one true Believer in Christ Jesus which according to that command of God for the destroying of Witches and false Worshippers in the time of the Law if it remain the same in this Gospel Day it reaches the Life of every Persecutor which doth bewitch that they should not obey the Truth in which state though they worship not a false God as in the time of the Law yet they worship the true God in a false way which comes under the same Condemnation of not suffering a Witch and the false Worshipper to live in the time of the Law So that Persecutors are no more the true Worshippers of God in this Gospel Day than Witches and other false Worshippers were in the time of the Law for Publicans and Harlots shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven before them that are of that Persecuting Spirit by which so many Thousands of People are bewitched that they should not obey the Truth but remain in the works of the flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 5.20 for which cause the Devil is permitted to imitate the very form of the way and manner of their former proceedings against the People of God at their general Court in Boston for some of the afflicted bewitched or possessed Evidences say That the black Man i. e. the Devil in a high crowned Hat with his Priests have divers times called together about four or five hanared of their Number at Saâ—â—m they use to assemblâ— themselves together breaking Râ—â—ad and drinking Wine which they call the Devils Saâ—â—ament which practise as the Evidences with some of the confessed say is before they set upon the hight of their intended Work to a 〈◊〉 and torment others thereby to force them to conform to the same practice of the Devils way and some have confessed they have been freed from the Torment of their afflicted state upon conforming to the Devils Will who then baptizeth them into Covenant to do what he and the Priests with him command to be done Which work of the Devils general Court is as like in imitation to the work of the former Priests and Rulers against the People called Quakers as the moving shadow of a wicked man is like to the moving of 〈◊〉 corrupted Body for all that would not conform to the Faith of the Priests and Rulers to do as they did in that day were by them and their followers esteemed no better than Dogs for I never heard of any Dâ—g but received more Mercy than that Servant of the Lord William Breand received at the hands of the Priests Rulers and their Followers in that day who tyed the said W. B. neck and heels sixteen hours and laid upon his naked back thirty stripes with a three cord knotted whip and then from â—â—e of their Church Members with a pitcht Roap received one hundred and seventeen stripes only his Shirt to defend the same having his body thus beaten into a Jelly of flesh and blood he fainted away some thinking that he would not have recovered life again and the Doctor said if he did recover it would be a Miracle which through the goodness of God he did recover to 〈◊〉 and strength again whose Testimony was of great courage through the Power of God for the service of his Truth among them that did believe and for the further Condemnation of them that did not believe in which day the work of Unbelievers was of that nature against the said People called Quakers that to read the History of all their Sufferings in that day in and about Boâ—on may in Ages to come make men to wonder that such a professing People in New-England should manifest themselves so mad against an innocent people nay in that day did they not appoint their Women Church Members to search the Bodies of the Lords Hand maids for Witches whose Testimony will remain to the end on Record That one of them so searched in the bearing and bringing forth fire Children did not undergo the like trouble as the inhumane cruelty of these Church Women put her to in the searching of her Body for a Witch which she was clear of but now among their own Church Members they have as is supposed Witch-craft upon Wiâ—ch-craft the which whether true or not is a Judgment of God upon them for their not repenting of their evil Deeds against the Lord and his People who daily desire of God that they may manifest Repentance by the fruits thereof until which time of Reformation that men may come to do even as they would that all men should do unto them the Lords Anger against the Inhabitants of New-England will not be removed for they may expect that as they increase in Unrighteousness against God that as he draws off the lesser Judgment a greater for sin and evil against him will upon the Unrighteous be poured forth for God is not mocked such as men sow such they shall also reap and if the Inhabitants of New-England do not amend and repent the Lord hath yet a Work to do by Pestilence and Famine which will be more terrible than all the Lords former Judgments have been ever since they began to persecute the honest People called Quakers Of which work under Boston Government in that day I have before mentioned proving it to be the moving cause that the Lord hath as with Israel of old left the Inhabitants of New-England to further evils which with the shedding of the Blood of the innocent and their other sins these horrid Accusations of Witch-craft have increased among the Inhabitants and Churches
so called in New-England but whether true or not I do not affirm And to conclude I shall give an account of the Quakers sufterings in one small Town in New-England by which the whole may the better be comprehended which is as followeth An Account of Goods taken from the People called Quakers in the Town of Sandwich in New-England  l. s. d. Taken from Robert Harper 44 00 00 Taken from Ralph Allen 68 00 00 Taken from Joseph Allen 05 12 00 Taken from Thomas Greenfield 28 00 00 Taken from Edword Perry 89 00 00 Taken from Richard Kirby his son Richard 54 12 00 Taken from George Allen 25 15 00 Taken from William Allen 86 17 00 Taken from Matthew Allen 48 16 00 Taken from William Gifford 57 19 00 Taken from Thomas Ewer 25 08 00 Taken from William New-land 36 00 00 Taken from Daniel Wing 12 00 00 Taken from Ralph Allin 18 00 00 Taken from Peter Gaunt 43 14 06 Taken from Thomas Jenkins 19 10 00 Taken from Michael Turner 13 10 00 Taken from John Newland 02 06 00 In all 678 19 06 The other part of their Sufferings in this small Town of Sandwich was with whipping and long Imprisonment and though the sufferings of the Inhabitant Quakers of Sandwich were great yet under Boston Government the sufferings of this People did abound in Cruelty above the other Collonies adjoyning to Boston Government from which the other united colonies adjoyning took their example to persecute the Quakers as iâ— short I have before related but the Lord open the dark Understanding of their Mind and give them a heart Suitable to Repent that they may live to God as they ought to do which Repentance must appear by the fruits of Repentance otherwise there can be no Salvation to them that leave this Life without Repentance because that there is no repenting in the Grave which if men did without Repentance then they dye in their sins and cannot share with the faithfull in the things of Gods heavenly Riches which are in store for all them that love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ CHAP. XXX Concerning the Lords Harvest and of the Labour in his Vineyard EVen now as in dayes past the Lords Harvest is Great but the Labourers are few because many have received of the Lord to work in the Vineyard but are not faithful to that of him which they have received for which cause their part of labour in the Vineyard remains not done and they remain clothed with the works of their own Labour which is not of the Spirit of God therefore do they labour in Vain for it is the diligent hand through the gift of God which enriches the Soul of him that is a faithfull Labourer in the Lords Vineyard when the negligent and floathful ones are sent empty away for all have in measure received the seed of the Harvest but through unfaithfulness the harvest of Truth and Righteousness is not perseâ—â—ed in them because through their unfaithfulness to the gift of God the Seed taketh not root for the ground proves barren which is the cause of the seeds not taking root to bring forth fruit acceptable to God for as the feed in measure hath been sown in all forts of ground it only takes root to bring forth good fruit in the honest heart which is faithfull to God in the work of the Vineyard for many are called to labour in the Vineyard that through unfaithfulness to their call are never chosen among the faithful Labourers in the work of the Lords Vineyard therefore pray to the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth more faithfull Labourers or the Harvest is great many unfaithfull Labourers there be which hinder others from receiving the Truth for they have sown divers strange seeds in the Lords Vineyard where the many Pastors have trodden the Lords portion under foot and have made his pleasant Portion a desolate Wilderness which being desolate it mourneth unto the Lord for which cause the Lord hath sent his Servants as in dayes past to warn the learned wise rebellious Ones from the evil or their way that People may find ease from under these heavy burdens with which their Teachers have yoked them and encouraged them to beat one destroy the other perswading them it was good service for God in so doing in which state many have itching ears that will not endure to hear found Doctrine but heap up Teachers which turn them from the Truth into Fables through which the Vinyard is encumbered with a multitude of fruitless Trees Bryars Thornes and Thistles among which the Lyon waits for his prey and the Subtil Foxes have their hiding places where the Wolf also seeketh to devour which things are left for Preachers to consider and not to teach People to dash one against the other but to love one another and to pray for their Enemies and do no other thing to another then they themselves are willing to be done unto until which time the Just Judgment of God is their Reward for all their evil wayes towards him and his People for whom the Lord is making way through his righteous Judgments which take pleace upon all them that obey not his Word to keep his commands they like potsherds shall even dash one against the other until all be consumed which is not fitly framed and tempered according to the Lords own mind but the Lord is making way for the growth of his own Seed which shall bring forth abundant of increase to the praise of God and honour of his Name for the harvest is Great and the Labourers are few but the Lord will daily add more and more that by the strength of his own Power he will make his Vineyard fit according to his own defire where every one shall remaine in peace under his own Vine unto which many are gathered and unto them will be the gathering CHAP. XXXI Something of an Account concerning Gods Judgments upon divers of the chief persecuting Priests and Rulers in New-England as also relating to some of their Laws Acts and Orders for the further Reformation of them called their Churches with some what relating to their form and manner of Habit in that day IT hath been found lawful and expedient in all Ages as appears by the holy Scriptures to record the Works of the Righteous that as Land Marks they might remain for all to follow them in the way of Righteousness and also to record the Works of the Unrighteous that as Way-Marks all might take warning to hate evil and do good for had the first Inhabitants of New-England remained faithful under the Bishops Yoke in fleeing from one City and Town to the other the Yoke and Burden of Christ would have become easie and light but not bearing the Cross of Christ in opposition to their natural Wills they fled beyond the Command of God in fleeing the Land though seemingly under a fair pretence of gathering Churches and
wisdom knowledge and reason of Disobedience in its own time with his own words doth apply such means of which himself did never experience imputing the cause to proceed from Witch-craft or a Melancholly humor and withal giveth direction not to give way to comply with the Light within which he saith are the checks of a natural Conscience and reliques of old Adam Thus and of he like nature are the directions counsels advice of such proud covetous men who follow the ways of Balaam that forsook the right way of the Lord to gain the Wages of Unrighteousness for Light is sown for the Righteous and gladness for the Vpright in heart and to them that will not obey it is their Condemnation Joh. 3.19 for it is the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ by whom all that are saved come through the Cross which mortifies and kills every Lust which is mans deadly Enemy by which every covetous and unrighteous man is deceived and of his own lust drawn into this and the other form of Religion which is their cloak to cover hide and shelter all their pride and unrighteous Works of Covetousness And here it is that poor mortal men are become Servants and Slaves to their own Lusts which are Devils Thieves and Robbers the deadly Enemies of mans own House that have drawn a way his mind into the love of carnal things that perish and of this like Nature are they bewitched that they should not obey the Truth for in their own wisdom will and time they can neither see hear nor obey to do those things which are of faith in Christ to make their peace with God because their own wisdom knowledge will and reason is the Righteousness of their works which make a Wall of Partition between Man and his Creator who hath created him to wait upon his Maker to hear and obey God in all things according to his will and time that he may have the honour and praise of his own work done by and of himself on man the omitting of which Duty keeps the Children of men from the true saving Knowledge of God for Man in his own wisdom will and time hath always the eye of Knowledge and Reason open against himself in which state he cannot receive the will and mind of God from above because he giveth way to serve his own Lusts which are his Enemies that ensnare his Soul and keep his Mind in Bondage to serve this and the other thing of his own invention in which abideth Death and Destruction and indeed of this nature is every mans God that liveth not to the true God in thought word and work according to his Word which he teacheth and formeth in all them that abide faithful which without faithfulness to what God hath commanded no man can come unto him therefore it is that every covetous proud and unrighteous man is shut out from having any entrance into the true saving knowledge of God because to him is not the true God retained in any of his Thoughts which of his own lust are moved here and there and indeed every where into this and the other thing which abideth but for a time and then leaveth the Mind or the Mind leaveth it and so in its motion which is swift indeed for another thing of the like nature in which abideth Death So that every proud vain covetous man in the world to him there are Gods many all being of one nature which in his own wisdom will knowledge reason and righteousness to him make but one God which is their own lusts the Prince and Power of Darkness which rules in the Children of Disobedience and is called The God of this World because he is a God to them that are of the World who have yeilded their minds to serve their own lusts therefore is this lust to them the God of this World the Prince and Power of Darkness that rules the mind of every covetous proud and unrighteous man and woman that retain not the true and living 〈…〉 thoughts the moving cause of which 〈…〉 their own Enemies the Devil 〈…〉 away the mind in the swiftness of motion the world over into the many things thereof in 〈◊〉 and with which the mind is besettered and intangled with the love and delight therein that there is not the least measure of freedom in the will for the mind to abide in reâ—iredness to wait upon God to see his Salvation wrought in his own time according to the will and mind of himself Now to them that abide faithful unto God they keep in a true state of watchfulness waiting upon God and watching against the appearance of every lust which is such an Enemy against God and mans true peace with his maker that lust is ever ready to draw away the mind from God that it may not retain him in its thoughts but to be thinking of this and the other thing in which remaineth death that draws the soul into perdition which as they abide in faithfullness upon their watch their strength by the povver of God will be renevved that they shall not only perceive their Enemies motion but also receive povver to vvith-stand their lusts and cause Gods enemies to scatter And of this nature in the hour of temptation he receiveth strength in and through the Power of God which resisteth such Devils and causeth them to flee and of this nature it is with them that are not carnally minded to live after the flesh but spiritually minded to live after the spirit through which by the spirit they mortifie the deeds of the flesh which vvork of God is only known to them who retain him in all their thoughts that with a holy Resolution and godly zeal for his Cause they are made willing to give up and forsake all for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus him to hear and in all things to obey as becometh his Truth this is it which God would have all men to do that he only may rule in them and the spirit have the government that thereby Man may come to live and abide in peace with his Maker who is willing to be at peace with them that are willing he shall rule whose right it is to have the government for he that will be Christs Disciple must first take up the Cross and follow him in all things according to his wisdom will and time who best knows when where and how to cleanse the house of Thieves and Robbers which rob God of his honour by living to their ovvn lust their own thoughts vvords and vvorks according to the reason of their own vvill and vvisdom of the flesh which desires the Temple of God and makes it become an unfit habitation for the Lord of Life to abide in therefore if any covetous man any unjust man or he that is unrighteous and unholy vvill knovv himself to be purged from his unjustness his covetousness and unholiness he must forsake the
that he baptized in his own Name he then thanked God that he had not baptized as he knew of any more save Crispus and Gaius and the Houshold of Stephanus plainly concluding that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.16.17 Now the Apostles saying that he thanked God that had not baptized any other is sufficient proof that Water Baptism is not that which God doth expect in this day if other wayes the holy Apostle would never have said he than ed God that he had baptized no other as he knew of which is sufficient that the Almighty God doth neither except nor accept sprinkling or dipping with visible Water in this day for Jesus Christ hath fulfilled all Tipes and Figures which were but shadows of better things to come and are come to them which by true Faith in him and he in them by which there is no need to lay the Foundation of things past for Christ crucified and risen again as the Mystery oâ— his Death and Resurrection outwardly is inwardly revealed is the Substance and Foundation of his Peoples Faith which gives them an assurance in the hope of his heavenly Riches which they that are not dead with Christ from the Rudiments cannot pertake of for they are yet living with their affections uncrucifid as to the Rudiments of the World being yet subject to Ordinances of divers forms in their will Worship which the righteous have overcome so that they cannot again be brought into bondage to touch taste nor handle those things wherein their uncrucified Affections once did remain well knowing they are all to perish with the using after the Commandment of men which things indeed have a shew of will Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any honnor to the satisfying of the flesh Col. 2.20 21 22 23. Now the faithfull of God are risen with Christ in which state they are â—â—â—king those things which are above where Christ siâ—â—eth on the right hand of God so that their Affections are set on things above and not on things on the Earth Col. 3.1.2 and they are a blessed People which are come to witness that state in which they seek the Lord and his righteousness which is the right use of means that God hath appointed for the honour of his holy Name and the salvation of them who in the true use of means lay hold on God thorough faith in the son of his love the Lord Jesus Christ by whose Power the Faithful are baptized into the one spirit by the holy Ghost which is the true Baptism of Christ by whom they that are not baptized thorough the Water of Regeneration they yâ—t remain with their Affections uncrucified in which state the Lord hath no regard to their daily Offerings And yet if any for a furtherance of the Gospel should find freedom in the Will of the Lord to condescend to the weakness of some to baptize into Water we should not forbid it but the bare form and Imâ—â—ation taken up in the meer Will of men without any inward motion or call of God or inward approbation we utterly disown CHAP. XI Concerning the true Sabbath which signifies Rest to them who abide in Christ who is the everlasting Sabbath MAny are the Talkers of the Sabbath and of the first days Rest but few are they that come so far in the Work of God by Faith in Jesus Christ as to witness their first days Work in him who is the true and everlasting Sabbath in whom the faithful have their resting place they are them which are come to witness the end of their Labour which have their rest in Christ the true Sabbath Now where People in their differing forms of Will Worship rest from their outward Labour one day in seven calling that the Sabbath Day thinking thereby that the Lord of Sabboth will accept their will Worship with their rest from outward Labour for his â—abbath they deceive themselves and the Lord of Sâ—bâ—ath will reward them according to their own Works by which they preâ—end to serve him for the Lord only looks at them who in in uprightness of heart labour against sin that by so doing they witness the effect of their Labour through the Power of God by Faith in Christ against sin for they that labour not six days against sin shall never witness the seventh Day Holy to the Lord of Sabbath which proves such Talkers of the Sabbath to be no keepers of any Time Holy to the Lord of Sabbath and as to many such Talkers about the Sabbath Day on which they are more unholy in their Minds as to the Lord of Sabbath than on any other of the six days in which Peoples Minds are exercised on things of Bodily concern which being freed from outward Bodily Labour on the first day which they call the Sabbath their minds are more in the exercise of those things which are of no profit to the Soul neither of so much profit to the Body as their outward Labour is on the other six days of the Week which things are manifested by their Fruits as appears both in words and actions upon the first day which they pretend a Sabbath to the Lord in which state they are Sabbath Breakers and not Sabbath keepers for all Time is to be kept holy unto the Lord of Sabbath which if any observe a Day let him keep it holy unto the Lord and not to judge another mans Liberty in matters of Faith concerning the keeping or not keeping of a Day for one man may be prepared as from the Lord to keep a Fast unto him when another man may not be called of God to dâ— the same for every man is to seek God for himself for the Lord hath promised To be found of them that seek unto him with a peâ—fect Hâ—art and with a willing Mind for the Lord searcheth all Hearts and understandeâ—h all the Imaginations of the Thoughts which if they seek him he will be found of them but if they forsake him he will cast them off forever 1 Chron. 28.9 1 Sam. 16.7 Psal 7.8 9. and 139.2 3 4. Jer. 17.10 Now in what men pretend to God if in uprightness of heart they do not retain him in all their Thoughts their Work is of no effect for the profit of their Soul but further adds towards their Condemnation which is matter of weight for People to consider how thâ—y spend their precious Time which God hath given them in this Life to make their Peace with him through Faith in obedience to the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ the Lord of Life and Everlasting Sabbath of his Peoples Rest which for People to talk of without a true believing in his outward Sufferings and in the inward Word of his Life their Souls shall never find rest in the Lord of Sabbath who was buried and rose again the third day which is the first Day of the Week which in honour to
that great â—ork of Redemption by the Son of God and Lord of Sabbath is worthily regarded and attended for the Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth having the holy Apostles for Example to follow them as they were Followers of Christ and to mark them which walk otherwayes then sure we are to mark them whose Dress appears more like for Stage-Play than for the true Worship of God on the first Day of the Week for where the heart is there is the Treasures also and out of the heart proceedeth all evil Communications which abundantly appears among People who rather exceed upon the Day of their Worship than at other times when their Minds are exercised in things of Bodily Labour which by their Fruits they are to be judged that they live void of the true fear of God or regard to their Immortal Souls and so are as a People without God in the World who have no true saving Knowledge of God by Jâ—sus Christ they will talk of God and Christ and of the Sabbath without any spiritual sence of his saving Grace by Jesus Christ the Lord of Sabbath who is the everlasting â—abbath of his Peoples Rest where the Righteous cease from their own Works as God did from his Heb. 4.9 10. CHAP. XII Concerning Election and Reprobation agreeing with the Holy Scriptures THis is that which many hold That God from all Eternity hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass and That God hath decreed one part of the Angels with Men Women and their Infants for everlasting Damnation Which Doctrine is mostly held by the Presbyterians as by their Confession of Faith cap. 3. which Doctrine I have often considered in the spirit of Meekness and according to my measure of Gods holy Truth by Jesus Christ do I declare as followeth That to know God by Jesus Christ is Life eternal and for that end was the Son of God made manifest that all might come unto God through Faith in Jesus Christ and through Grace by him be saved for God made Man in his own Image and gave him a being in the Garden of Paradise from which state he soon fell which Fall was through Disobedience by eating of the forbidden â—ruit which hath brought Darkness over the Children of Men which are in a state of Bondage to that Seed of the Enemies sowing in their first Parents which more or less comes by Nature in the Children of Men in whom that Seed lusteth which is a doing of that in Obedience to the Temptations of the Souls Enemy which God hath strictly commanded should not be done And for that end that the Children after Adam should know the Will and Mind of their Maker God in all Ages gave unto the Sons and Daughters of Men a gift of his own Spirit of divine Light by which they might see the right way of the Lord and walk therein which is according to his holy Promise as in Gen. 3.15 And I will put Enmity between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Hâ—el in which two Seeds iâ— chiefly contained Election and Reprobation former Seed should bruise the Head of the Serpent and break his Power that is through perfect bedience to Christ the Seed of the Woman and to his Grace which is that gift of divine â—ight that makes manifest all the hidden things of Darkness so that let the Devil appear in what likeness soâ—ver he will yet as Men and Women stand faithful to the manifestation of Gods gift the Enemy's Power comes to beâ—broken So that the Promise of God in the Seed remains only to the faithful for the Promise of God was not to Seeds as of many but as of One and to thy Seed which is Christ Gal. 3.16 for the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ the Law which was four hundred and thirty Years after cannot disannul that it should make the Promise of none effect for the Law was added because of Transgression till the Seed should come to whom the Promise was made but the Scripture hath concluded all under sin that the Promîse by Faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Gal 3.17 18 19 20. Now all not believing in Christ the true Seed doth not include that God ordained them to perish because the Promise of God in the Seed is tendered in Gods own time and way to all the Children of Men otherwise all that perish would not be left without excuse concerning which the Spirit of God hath left it plain to be understood that the Seed of the Kingdom hath been sown in all sorts of Ground and the Reason is rendered by the Spirit of God why it did not bring forth fruit in all sorts of Ground which is because Obedience hath not been yeilded to the Command of God for if God had absolutely decreed mens Damnation his Decree being unrevokable there would be no need for men to strive for Salvation for who could resist such an absolute Decree But blessed be the Name of God and Father of Jesus Christ whose faithful People well know that he is a just God which hath not ordained the Souls of any to perish before they were born but for their Sins and final Impenitence through Disobedience to the â—ift of his Grace which is of the Seed of the Kingdom and hath been sown throughout all Ages in all sorts of ground of what Nature soever and hath been the same in this day among all the Children of Men and if any perish it is of themselves for Light is come into the World and mans Condemnation is of himself because he loves Darkness rather than Light Joh. 3.1 the Reason is because he hates the Light which repreves his evil Deeds in which stare the Seed is appressed and kept as in Bondage by which it can take no roâ—t in the hard rebellious heart and barren sandy ground where Rocks Thornes and Thistles grow and Serpents have their abiding place which destroy and cause the Life of the Seed to depart which iâ— the state of disobedient and rebellious men whose Damnation neither slumbereth nor sleepeth but is of themselves by which they cannot charge the just and holy One of ordaining them to perish By which it is manifest that mans Dimnation is of himself and thaâ— is by yeilding his mind to serve in Unrighteousness when occasions sin that destroys the soul â—y which at appears that they unjustly charge â—od of decreeing men â—o perish which for the begetting of a further belief of unfound Doctrine they have wrested the Apostles words Rom. 9.11 12 13 where is is said 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 Also in another place where