those who had not that SALVATION but perished Eternally their Destruction was of themselves as God said unto Israel O Israel thou destroyest thy self but in me is thy help The Angels which fell had a State of Rest and Peace with God this was their first state which Jude here speaks of but they kept not this First STATE and Habitation but LEFT IT yea Lost it through Presumption Irreverence and Neglect of their Duty whom God in his Righteous Judgments hath reserved in Everlasting CHAINS under Darkness unto the Judgment of the great day Jude 6. the keeping and preservation of Angels and Men from falling is in their Humble Lowly Constant depending upon God in the diligent improvement of all that God hath given them for his Glory and their Preservation Moreover Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to Fornication and going after STRANGE FLESH are set forth for Example suffering the Vengance of ETERNAL FIRE c. Jude 7. The holy Apostle Peter also sheweth that God did not spare the Angels that SINNED but cast them down to HELL and delivered them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment neither did he spare the old World nor Sodom nor Gomorah but by Fire and Water did he overthrow them making them an Ensample unto those that after should LIVE UNGODLY 2 Pet. 2. 4 5 6. Note Reader Here these holy Men shew that God spared not the Angels which sinned but cast them down to Hell It would be horrible Blasphemy to say that God ordained willed and purposed that they should sin against him that so he might cast them down to Hell this is not only Unscriptural and Unreasonable but it s wholly contrary to the nature of the holy glorious Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is LOVE as the Apostle saith yea a pure Fountain of Divine Love who made all things good yea VERY GOOD in the beginning who is of purer eyes then to behold Iniquity either in Men or Angels with approbation thereof delight therein or love thereto He said Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy for he made all things good and he CERTAINLY WILLED that ALL Angels and Men should be Good Holy and Clean according as he made Man and Angels in the beginning but for want of DUE REVERENCE DILIGENT WATCHFULNESS AND A TRUE AND FULL IMPROVEMENT of all that God gave them for his own Glory and their own PRESERVATION both Angels and Men have SINNED and the holy pure God NOT DELIGHTING IN THEIR SIN but on the contrary being DISPLEASED AT IT yea grieved WITH IT therefore doth God bring his Righteous Judgments upon the Angels who FELL and upon Ungodly Wicked Impenitent Men and Women who do not turn unto him by Unfeigned Repentance while the day or time of their Visitation lasteth As it s written God is Angry with the Wicked every day Psal 7. 11. The Wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9. 17. God tryeth the Righteous but the wicked and him that loveth VIOLENCE HIS SOUL HATETH Vpon the Wicked he shall rain Snares Fire and Brimstone and an herrible Tempest For the Righteous Lord loveth Righteousness his countenance doth behold the Vpright Psalm 11. 5 6 7. He that justifieth the Wicked and he that condemneth the Just even they both are ABOMINATION to the Lord Prov. 17. 15. To the Wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant inthy Mouth SEEING THOU HATEST INSTRUCTION AND CASTEST MY WORDS BEHIND THEE when thou sawest a THIEF thou consentedst with him and hast been partaker with the Adulterer thou givest thy Mouth to Evil and thy Tongue frameth Deceit Now consider this ye that FORGET GOD lest I TEAR YOU IN PIECES c. whoso offereth Praises glorifieth me and to him that ordereth HIS CONVERSATION ARIGHT will I shew the Salvation OF GOD The holy just equal merciful Lord God doth not WILLINGLY AFFLICT NOR GRIEVE the Children of men Out of the Mouth of the most high proceedeth NOT EVIL and Good as saith the holy Prophet Lamen 3. 33. 38. Reader thus it doth clearly appear that the Damnation of the Angels that fell and the Damnation and Destruction of all Impenitent men and women IS OF THEMSELVES and the Lord God is clear who saith As I live I have no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but that the wicked turn from his evil way and live Ezek. 33. 11. 18. 32. The Apostle Paul said unto the Galatians who had erred from the Truth O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the Truth c. are ye so foolish having BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT are ye now made perfect BY THE FLESH ye did run well who did hinder you that you should not obey the Truth This perswasion COMETH NOT of him that CALLETH you a little Leaven leaveneth a whole Lump Gal 3. 1. 3. Chap. 5. vers 7 8 9. Reader by these Scriptures it doth clearly and abundantly appear that God did not predestinate or fore-ordain that Angels or Men should Sin against him and so be damned Oh nay he loves and delights in Holiness but all Sin is abominable unto him yea Sin is of the Devil as the holy Ghost or Spirit hath spoken by the Mouth of the holy Apostle John And because it is of the Devil as it is signified by the holy Ghost through the holy Man Righteousness exalts a Nation but Sin is a Reproach unto any People Prov. 14. 34. And therefore the cry of the holy Ghost WAS AND IS unto the fallen Sons and Daughters of Adam Cleanse your Hands ye sinners and purifie your Hearts ye double-minded c. James 4. 8. Let the Wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his Thoughts Let him turn nnto the Lord and he will have mercy on him unto our God and he will abundantly PARDON Isa 55. 7. God said unto the Prophet Son of man when the Land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously then will I stretch forth mine Hand upon it and will break their Staff of Bread c. and ye shall know that I have not done WITHOVT CAVSE all that I have done in it saith the Lord God Ezek. 14. 13 23. Note Reader in as much as the JUST EQUAL Lord God of Heaven and Earth will not bring a temporal Judgment upon a Nation or Person untill they have given him JUST CAUSE by their great Sin Rebellion and Impenitency much less will HE Condemn or Damn or cast any Nation or Person into Hell or endless Misery untill they have given him Just Cause by their Sins and hardned Impenitency which Sin Hardness and Impenitency the Devil not God is the author of and Sin and the Impenitency of all such who Perish is according to the ordination will pleasure of the Devil the old Deceiver Destroyer and so is ABSOLUTELY
said God is Love he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him mark God in him and the Apostle John said We know that the Son of God is come hath given us an under standing that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and this is the true God and Life eternal 1 Joh. 5. 19 20. And it 's written He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath the Son hath the Father also Christ in his Prayer to the Father said of his Disciples I in them and thou in me John 17. 21. to the end of the Chapter Thus it plainly appears that the Christians did and do enjoy God and Christ within God is a Spirit as Christ said and the second Adam was made a quickning Spirit as the Apostle saith So God and Christ within is sufficient to lead unto Salvation being obeyed and thus to own God and Christ within did not nor doth not lead the Christians to justifie themselves or as J. B. phrases it To bear a part in their own Justification nor to give the Apostle the Lye who saith Ye are saved by Grace through Faith Now mark the great Ignorance of this J. B. he grants that People are saved by Grace through Faith I ask J. B. then must not they who are so saved have this Grace this Faith within them would he have them to be saved by Grace through Faith and yet have neither Grace nor Faith in them Oh gross Ignorance The Martyr Stephen was a man full of Faith and of the Holy Ghost or Spirit And the Apostle exhorted saying Be not drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be ye filled with the Spirit The Apostle saith It is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace And sure this Grace must be in their Hearts with which their Hearts were to be established The Apostle exhorted the Saints to teach and admonish c. with Grace in their Hearts Col. 3. 16. And the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience as it s written in the holy Scriptures The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men as saith the Apostle Tit. 2. 11. And the appearance of it is within Man and Woman as I have proved by the Scriptures and the Lord said unto the Apostle My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weakness They who do believe in the Grace do know the sufficiency of it yea of the least measure of it to their comfort to preserve save them but those who do despight unto it and continue in Unbelief shall come to know the sufficiency of it to condemn them And by this Grace which hath appeared to all men the Lord will be clear of all the Wicked who perish in their Wickedness yea he will overcome them all when he brings his Righteous Judgments upon them for their Rebellion Happy are all they who do believe and continue stedfast in obedience unto the Grace of God but Wo to the Wicked who continue in Rebellion against it The People of God in scorn called Quakers do believe and say as the holy Apostle did who said We are not able to think a good Thought of our selves of our selves we can do nothing that is good But we do believe that its possible to grow to such a stature in Christ Jesus by virtue of his spiritual presence WITHIN as that by virtue thereof the TRUE BELIEVER may be ENABLED to do all things which God doth require of HIM and of this belief was the Apostle who said I can do all things through Christ that strengthneth me Through the tender Mercy of God we are made sensible that as Christ said so it is Without him we can do nothing And the Apostle said We are God's Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God before ordained that we should walk in them And it is God that worketh all our Works in us And so said the Prophet and so say WE see Isa 20. 12. Ephes 2. 10. Postscript Being a Scriptural Testimony to the perfect Works of God in his People COme out from amongst them and be ye seperate saith the Lord and touch no unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be your Father and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty see Isa 52. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. read the Chapter through The holy Apostle saith God forbid that I should glory SAVE or except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto me and I unto the World For IN Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but A NEW CREATURE and as many as WALK according TO THIS RULE PEACE be on them c. Gal. 6. 14 15 16. Note Reader they that come out from amongst the unclean who touch no unclean thing these are the Elect of God these are his Sons and Daughters Servants and Hand-maids these are new Creatures in Christ Jesus these are Crucified with Christ these are in and through him Crucified to the World and the World is Crucified to them and as many as WALK according to these new Creatures RULE they walk according to the commands of God and Christ expressed in the holy Scriptures of Truth who saith Be Perfect be Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy And God is perfect and his way is perfect and his work is perfect as it is written 2 Sam. 22. 31. Psal 18. 30. Deut. 32. 4. Christ saith Except a man be Born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 5. Matth. 19. 28. Tit. 3. 5. Those who are Born again are new Creatures these Worship God in the newness of the Spirit of God and of Christ in which they come to see the Promises of God and Christ fulfilled who said I will walk in them c. I will teach my People my self I will write my Law in their Heart c. Ephes 46. Levit. 26. 12. Rev. 21. 3. Jer. 31. 33. Christ said I and my Father we will come and make our ABODE with you The Conversations of all such are sweet and clean according to the commands of God and Christ and the Doctrines and Examples of Christ and his holy Apostles and such are the true owners and lovers and esteemers of the holy Scriptures And NOT those who make their bost of their love to God and Christ and to them and yet in their EVIL Lives and Conversations denyboth God and Christ and them living in and loving and pleading for a continuance in Sin to the end of their dayes all which is directly contrary to the commands of God and Christ plainly laid down in the Scriptures And God said unto Rebellious Israel O that thou hadst hearkned to my Commandments then had thy Peace have been as a River thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea
ELECTION AND REPROBATION Scripturally and Experimentally Witnessed unto c. Wherein the Love of God in Christ is Freely and Clearly held forth to all Mankind Given forth in tender Love for a general Good but more particularly for the Comfort of all who in Sincerity seek after the pure God with Desires to walk in his Holy Undefiled Way Also Divers other weighty things needful to be duely considered and rightly understood witnessed unto as aforesaid By one who travails in Spirit for the gathering of the scattered Nations who are like troubled Waters out of their Sins home unto God by Christ Jesus the good Shepherd William Gibson Look unto me and be ye saved all the Ends of the Earth for I am God and there is none else a mighty God a Saviour c. Isa 45. 22. God's Will is that all men might be saved Christ gave himself a Ransom for all 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance but after the hardness and Impenitency of thy Heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the Day of wrath and Revelation of the righteous Judgments of God who will render to every man according to his Deeds Rom. 2. 4 5 6. Printed in the Year 1678. An Epistle to the Reader Reader REmember the Command and Example of Christ Jesus and obey and follow the same who said Learn of me I am Meek and Lowly and ye shall find Rest to your Souls if thou takest his counsel and followst his example then thou wilt read in meekness and lowliness of Mind and if thou so read I question not but what I have writ in this following Testimony will meet with an answer in thy Conscience and some benefit may come to thee thereby and if so it come to pass it will be matter of true rejoycing to me for I do take great pleasure in the Well-being of the Sons and Daughters of men every way both in Soul and Body It is certain that the Holy Glorious Lord God of Heaven Earth doth give Life and a Being upon Earth unto all mankind for one and the same purpose even that all should serve him with their Souls and with their Bodies which are his it is equitable in God to require this service therefore saith the holy Apostle This is your reasonable service at this the Law of God directly pointed given by Moses unto the Family of Abraham after through sin man-kind was fallen from God saying Hear O Israel Thou shalt have no other Gods but me thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind this is the first and greatest Commandment and the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Christ Jesus in the days of his Flesh did not only ratifie and confirm this and commend the same to his Disciples and to the Multitude but also opened or expounded the latter yea enlarged the same unto his Disciples saying Love your Enemies do good to those who do despightfully use you and persecute you Christ said to the Jews Think ye I came to destroy the Law I tell ye nay I came not to destroy but to fulfill those who did believe in him and receive him he did endue with power to love God with all their Heart Soul and Mind and their Neighbours as themselves yea to love and pray for their Enemies and it s written as many as receiv'd him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God and those Believers in him who received him into their hearts by Faith were not born of flesh nor of blood nor of the will of man but of God these were born of the Spirit and led by it and they are the Children of God who are led by the Spirit of God as the Apostle saith Christ Jesus through the Grace Favour and tender Mercy of God the Father tasted death for Every man as saith the holy Apostle and Christ saith I am the Light of the World mark that he is not only the Life and Light of his Disciples whom he hath gathered out of the World who are not of the world as he saith and therefore the world doth hate them but he is also the Light of the World which lieth in wickedness and by his light shining in their dark hearts he lets them see their sins and reproves them thereby and calls of them thereby to Repent Christ saith Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light and will not bring their deeds unto it but every one that doth Truth bringeth his deeds unto the Light that they may be made man fest that they are wrought in God who is LIHGT as saith the holy Apostle John and he saith Christ is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD mark that he is the common and universal Saviour who died for all lighteth all and is the propitiation or Intercessor provided for all but none can have the benefit of his Death or Life or his Light or of his Mediatorship unto their Eternal Salvation without Faith in him Abraham saw his day and believed in him and was glad and the Fathers under the Law and before the Law believed God and his Promises which are all yea and amen in him the Gentiles who had not the Law in the outward Letter did the things contained in the Law shewing the deeds of the Law written in their hearts as saith the Apostle by vertue of his enlightning enlivening presence they were naturalliz'd or made naturally to do the things contained in the Law and so were made partakers of that nature which is Divine of which nature the true Believers were and are made partakers as the holy Apostle saith here take notice that nature or the nature of man considered as he is in the fall from God man in and by this nature fallen corrupted and degenerated into a plant of a strange Vine unto God in this estate in this nature he cannot do the things contained in the Law of God but contrariwise as the Apostle saith the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him therefore those who without the Law in the outward Letter do the things contained in it these deeds are done by the verture of the heavenly and divine nature or spirit of the Lamb of God who as John Baptist saith cometh to take away the sins of the World Mark the sins of the World So it is certainly true which Christ Jesus saith without me ye can do nothing and this of old was and now is as true in and among the Gentiles as among the Jews there is not Salvation in any other there is no name given under Heaven by which any can be saved but by him whom the Father hath given to be
diligence in attending upon his Grace by which they were saved was required of them in which diligence they being found the Spirit of Grace did make them Fruitful in those good things before mentioned and the diligent did not fall but made their Calling and Election sure the same Apostle Exhorted the Saints saying Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the Wicked fall from your own stedfastness but grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Here again the Apostle sheweth not only his great care that the Saints might make their Calling and Election sure and so STAND but also sheweth that it was possible that they might be led away with the Error of the Wicked and so FALL if they did not diligently attend upon the Spirit of Grace which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Soberly and Godly in this present World The Author to the Hebrews saith Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Vnbelief in departing from the Living God lest any of you be hardened through the Deceitfulness of sin Here again the Apostle doth not only shew his great care that those Believers might not depart from the Living God but doth also shew that they might depart from him if they did not diligently wait upon him as aforesaid Thus it doth plainly appear that Faith Obedience are Gods conditions upon which God doth Elect that is Chuse People to inherit Eternal Life And the conditions upon which God doth Reject Reprobate and Turn people into Hell is Unbelief Rebellion Departing from him into Apostacy The Apostle writ of some who knew God who when they knew him glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkened and as they did not like to RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE God gave them up to a REPROBATE MIND Rom. 1. 21 28. Now these knew God and he gave them a time of Visitation to the end they might have been Everlastingly happy So it was their own Self-will and unthankful Evil hearts which did draw back from the Living God which did deprive them of Eternal Rest and Peace God did not will that they should draw back and depart from him For Gods will is that all People may be Holy and as the Apostle saith God's Will is that all men may know the Truth and be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. vers 5 6. He saith There is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for ALL to be testified in due time Mark Reader Christ gave himself a Ransom for All here is none shut out by him here is none Reprobated by him from this RANSOM he is God's free gift to the Gentiles or Heathens as well as to the Jews yea to be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth he is the Shilow the peaceable Saviour unto whom the gathering of all Nations must be even as God hath promised I will declare the Decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal 2. 8 9. He tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. He is the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. He is the Propitiation not for our Sins only said the Apostle but also for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2. 2. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 John 1. 4. The Apostle Peter saith God is Long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should Perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Note Reader the holy Apostles and the rest of the faithful Christians were come to Repentance and were Regenerated and Born of God and so were new Creatures in Christ Jesus But the Long-suffering of God is exercised towards the Ungodly who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance and he gives them time to repent and doth visit them with his good Spirit in tender Love to enable them to Repent but many reject his tender Love herein and will not obey his Voice as he said Israel would have none of me and as Christ said to the Jews Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life Christ Jesus the Son of God said unto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira That he gave the Woman Jezabel space to repent of her Fornications and she repented not Rev. 2. 18 21. Mark Reader though God gave her Space that is Time to Repent yet she Repented now her not Repenting proceeded from her own Self willfullness and not from God's holy Will for inasmuch as God gave her time to Repent she was put into a condition by him to Repent and therefore might have Repented within the time he gave her to Repent though afterwards it might be hid from her Eyes as it was in the Case of Esau The Author to the Hebrews Exhorted the Believers in Christ to Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which NO MAN shall see the Lord looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God or fall from it lest any Root of Bitterness spring up and trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12. 14 15 16 17. Here the holy Man labours to keep them to the Grace of God which doth bring Salvation which did teach them to deny Ungodliness and to live Soberly and Godly in the present World For he knew that the Devil who did and doth go about the Saints ever seeking which of them he may Devour would seek to draw them from the Grace of God and he knew that it was possible that he might prevail upon them and might lead them to do Despite against the Spirit of Grace if they did not Watch deligently against him and he knew if once they were drawn from the Grace of God then the Root of Bitterness would spring up speedily by which many might be Defiled but as a provision against this Evil he Exhorted them to Watch as afore-said in which Watch they being found the Grace of God was sufficient to preserve and uphold them even as the Lord said unto Paul that diligent Watcher My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in Weakness The Apostle Paul told the Galatians saying Whosoever of you are Justified by the Law or seek to be Justified by it ye are fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4. The Author to the Hebrews saith He that despised Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall they be thought worthy who have troden under Foot the Son
Unfaithfull is called to Repentance yea the Back-sliders is called to Repentance to do their first works to be watchfull to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye c. Now they who do take this heavenly Counsel they do the will of God and in so doing they stand approved in his sight The diligent Watchers who have and do put on and keep on the whole Armour of God as aforesaid they do NOT FALL but do grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ more and more of such the Psalmist speaketh saying Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Way of the Vngodly he shall be like a Tree that is planted by the Rivers of Water c. but upon the Wicked who repent not who forsake not their Wickedness God will rain Fire and Brimstone and an horrible Tempest as the holy Ghost hath said and there is no Peace to the Wicked saith my God but the Righteous hath said in Truth thou Lord wilt ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works IN US And the holy Apostle said We are Gods workmanship CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ORDAINED that we should walk IN THEM Isa 26. 12. Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Turth I perceive that God is NO Respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth HIM and worketh Righteousness is ACCEPTED with HIM the Word that God sent unto the Children of Israel Preaching PEACE by Jesus Christ he is Lord of ALL c. Acts 10. 34 35. Note Reader He by whom all were and are Created and he who according to the flesh DYED for all who enlighteneth the EYES of the UNDERSTANDINGS of ALL in some degree whose will is that all men may be saved he is Lord of all as saith the Apostle he is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation ALL those who fear him work Righteousness they are accepted with HIM Here God shews that he loves and delights in Righteousness but HATES the contrary and therefore he calls ALL Men to Repent EVERY WHERE as saith the holy Apostle God's condiditions of ELECTION and Salvation is Faith in him and unfeigned Repentance and he doth freely tender yea GIVE the true and real CAUSE of Faith and Repentance unto all the Ungodly and Impenitent to wit Visitations by the Spirit Word of Truth which doth convince the World of sin in which the Grace Love or Favour of God is held forth to all mankind in enlightening their Understandings giving them thereby to know Good FROM Evil by which he also MOVES upon the Soul to CHUSE the Good and REFUSE the Evil which spirit or word is of ABILITY to beget faith to work unfeigned Repentance doth IT in all where the stubborn will of man doth not withstand the Day of Gods tender Visitation given thereby but IT IS possible man in his STUBBORN SELF-WILL may so long resist that God will strive NO LONGER with him for his salvation for he hath said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man God said to the Wicked with whom he had long striven to gather them out of their wickedness UNTO himself WO unto them when I DEÌ„PART FROM THEM Hos 9. 12. I HATED them for the WICKEDNESS of their doings saith God V. 15. The Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy Heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But WHAT saith it The WORD is NIGH thee even in thy MOUTH and in thy HEART that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. But I say have they not heard Yes verily their Sound went into all the Earth and their Words to the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed the Gospel But to Israel he saith All day long have I stretched forth my Hands unto a Disobedient and Gain-saying People Ver. 18 16 21. Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14. Moreover God set Adam in a glorious state in Paradise and he willed that he should obey him as he commanded him and he put him in a condition that he might have continued in obedience unto him so it was possible that he might have continued in obedience unto him and so have stood and it was NOT impossible that he should FALL as the event hath proved and his Fall is NOT to be charged or placed upon God but upon himself for want of a due and full improvement of all that God gave him to keep him from falling God is able to keep his Creatures Man and Woman from falling his Name his pure holy Power is a strong Tower and in it IS Everlasting Safety Man and Womans being kept from falling consists in their constant diligent dependence upon him who made them he ONLY is able to keep them from falling Jude 24. God is mercifull slow to Anger and abundant in compassion towards mankind as he hath signified by the holy Ghost in his holy Prophets and Apostles he is full of compassion and tender pity he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ Jesus hath commanded his Disciples to be mercifull saying Be ye merciful as your Father is merciful he is KIND unto the UNTHANKFUL to the EVIL and he causeth his Light to shine upon the EVIL upon the Good and sendeth his Rain upon the Just and the UNJUST Luke 36. 37. Mat. 5. 45. The Prophet David saith The Lord is good to ALL and his tender Mercies are over all his WORKS c. Psal 145. ver 8 9 And he said to his Son Solomon If thou seek him he will be FOUND of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off forever take heed c. 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Moreover the holy Ghost saith Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near Isa 55. 6. Again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without MONEY and without Price wherefore do you SPEND Money for that which is NOT Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth NOT hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Encline your Ear and come unto me HEAR and your Soul shall live c. Isa 55. 1 2 3. Moreover the Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever WILL let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22. 17 c. Note Reader Here is a general comortable Proclamation of the favour good will of God to all people every one hath a T me or
away from thy presence and take NOT thy holy Spirit from me Psalm 51. 11. Read the Psalm through Christ said concerning the unfaithful Servant Take therefore the Talent from HIM and give it to him that hath ten Talents for to every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he HATH Matth. 25. 28 29. Chap. 13 12. Mark 4. 25. Note Reader here it plainly appeareth Saul had the Spirit of God and it departed from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against God God did not will or fore-appoint that Saul should rebell against him for after his Rebellion the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Samuel saying It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be King for he is turned BACK from following me and hath not performed my Commandments see 1 Chron. 15. 10 11. David who succeeded Saul in the Kingdom did see that God took his Spirit away from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion and therefore when David had committed that great Sin against God in the case of Vriah and his Wife dread terror and fear seised upon him he was afraid that God would take his Spirit from him as he did from Saul but in the BOWEDNESS of his Heart he fell under the righteous Judgments of the Lord and cryed unto him saying Create in ME a new Heart O God and renew IN ME a right Spirit Wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow cast me not away from thy presence take NOT thy holy Spirit from ME. He unfeignedly Repented God heard his Petition pardoned his Iniquity and received him graciously He said Make me to hear Joy and Gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Christ sheweth in the Parable of the sloathful or unprofitable Servant who hid his Lords Money in the Earth who doth not improve that little which God doth give him that he shall never be made a Steward of much nor enjoy much but that shall be taken from him which he hath and he shall be cast into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Therefore blessed are all they who despise NOT the day of small things who despise not the smallest the lowest or least appearance or manifestation of God but do thankfully receive and improve the same in obeying and following God according to the understanding strength and ability which God hath given them such shall grow in Righteousness and Holiness as the Willows by the Water Courses as the Trees by the Rivers of Water which bring forth their Fruit in due season But as for the Wicked who despise the day of small things who improve not that little that God hath given them There is no Peace to them saith the Lord God they shall be like the Chaff which the Wind driveth to and fro God is a Spirit as Christ saith His presence filleth Heaven and Earth as it s written he is Omnipresent or present in all places Note Reader besides what I have shewed before how God taketh his Spirit from the Rebellious I further say it may be properly said that man hath not the Spirit when he believeth not therein neither obeyeth it c. and so is not governed by it and therefore no real Possessor of it NOT being in UNION with it in this latter sense he enjoyeth it not he hath not Rest Peace in it because he believeth not nor obeyeth it yet this Spirit of Truth enlightneth his Soul in some degree by which he is Convinced of his Sin and reproved for it in secret THEREBY and in this sence of God's Omnipresence David said unto God Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there if I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there c. Psalm 139. 7 8. The Apostle John writeth thus viz. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son see 2 John 1. 9. Here John sheweth that those who do Transgress Christ's Doctrine have not God who is a Spirit ruling over them governing them but those who do obey Christ's Doctrine are governed by the Lord God and such have both the Father and the Son as the Apostle saith Object Many shall seek to enter the Kingdom of God and shall not be able therefore those who seek and are not able to enter the Kingdom were ordained by the Lord God to be damned before they were Born and cast into Hell Answ This is a gross mistake One said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved and he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the Door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not c. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thouhast taught in our Streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not c. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luke 13. 23 24 25 26 27. Note Reader Christ did NOT tell him who asked if few were SAVED that many no nor that any were ordained to be damned before they were Born nor yet that few were saved but exhorted in general saying Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. This he knew they might do before the Door was shut against them But when once the Master of the House was risen up and hath shut the Door against them then those that would enter with their Sins their Night-Garments their voluntary Humility or vain feigned shews of Humility and their Will-worship their Self-righteousness which is as filthy Rags and as menstruous Cloth and their polluted long Prayers in Hypocrisie and their MEER Fleshly Eating and Drinking and Carnal Washings boasting and glorying in the Flesh in opposition to and hatred against the Spirit of God and Christ yea in Derision and Mockage at the same these could not enter in at the strait Gate but must be cast out into the Lake of Endless misery where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Remember this all you who call upon God and Christ with your Mouthes and Lips but your Hearts are far from him following the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life who spend away your precious time in Pride Covetousness Envy Wrath Strife Drunkenness Gluttonny Whoredoms Oaths and Cursing ungodly Laughter vain Talking and idle Jesting Sports ungodly Plays and Games
Sin and Reprove it for the same IN THAT is Faith offered to all People the work of that Spirit within doth give in some degree a true and real Testimony in the Souls of all Men and Women that there is a God unto whom Worship doth belong by this Spirit God doth give just cause unto all Men and Women to believe in him every one in the time of their Visitation and if they believe NOT THEIR Unbelief is their SIN which doth shut them out of the Kingdom of God and such do destroy themselves as God hath said O Israel thou Destroyest thy self There are degrees or measures of the Spirit of Truth freely tendred as Gods free gift to all to profit withall and as the measure or degree differeth not in Nature but in measure or proportion so the enlightning of the darkned understanding thereby is greater or less according to that which God hath given and the Faith wrought thereby is more or less accordingly and every one that delightly improveth the little or LEAST measure God who is faithful to perform hath promised that they shall be made Ruler over much yea they shall enter into the Joy and Peace of their Lord and the Faith of such diligent Improvers of the little shall grow exceedingly as did the Faith of the diligent Ones of Old witnessed unto by the holy Apostle as is shewed before The Lord God is just and equal who requireth Faith and Obedience according or answerable to what he gives in all Ages and Dispensations be it more or less and NOT otherwise for he is equal in ALL his doings just in all his Judgments to him be all Glory Honour Dominion and Praise throughout all Ages yea World without End Amen Paul declared unto King Agrippa saying That Christ sent him to the Gentiles to open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me saith Christ see Acts 26. 14 15 16 17 18. Again Paul said We Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ but we have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us see 2 Cor. 4. 5 6 7. Christ said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. Again He saith I am the Light of the World c. I came not to destroy the World but to save the World He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the WORD that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day John 12. 46 47 48. Note Reader that Christ is the Author and Finisher of true Faith as it is written of him Heb. 12. 2. To believe in him as he is the Light of the World is true Belief or true Faith He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are evil for every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deed should be reproved but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God see John 3. 18 19 20 21. see also the 14 15 16 17 verses God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with onother and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin see 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Reader thus it plainly clearly and evidently appears in the words of the holy Scripture that God and Christ is Light and by God in and through Christ are all Men and Women enlightned in some measure or degree to know good and evil the one from the other in and by this Light is true and saving Faith tendred or offered to ALL. They who take heed unto this Light which shineth in their dark sinful Hearts and there convinceth them of and reproveth them for Sin they do well as saith the Apostle see 2 Pet. 1. 19. By this spiritual and divine Light which cometh from God who is a Spirit in and through Christ the second Adam who is made a quickning Spirit as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth is all true saving Faith begun increased and finished Now those who strive to enter the Kingdom of God out of this Light and Faith are as Thieves and Robbers who will not come to Christ the Light the Door to enter in by him but would climb up by another way and therefore must be cast down and though they strive never so much in their fallen corrupt Self-will out of the true Light and Spirit of God and Christ yet can they not be able to enter The Apostle saith And if a man strive for mastery yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully see 2 Tim. 2. 5. Again Christ compareth or likeneth the Kingdom of Heaven unto ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went out to meet the Bride-groom and five of them were Wise and five of them were Foolish while the Bride-groom tarried they all slumbred c. and at mid-night there was a Cry made Behold the Bride-groom cometh go you out to meet him then all those Virgins arose and trimed their Lamps and the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for OUR Lamps are gone OUT but the wise answered saying NOT so c. buy for your selves c. and while they went to buy the Bride-groom came and they that were ready went in with him into the Marriage and the DOOR was SHUT afterwards came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch ye therefore for ye know not neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of man cometh see Matth. 25. to the 14. verse Note Reader the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ten Virgins five Wise and five Foolish both wise and foolish had Lamps yea and both had Oyl ONCE for the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for our Lamps are gone out This sheweth that they were once IN lighted and burning but through sloathfulness they neglected to renew their Lamps with Oyl and so
in his own Spirit and Power feed the Flock of God and Christ Secondly That they did and do take the over-sight of the Flock not by Constraint but willingly God makes them willing by his heavenly power they are NOT made willing by Gold or Silver Corn or Cattel or any earthly thing neither do they AFFECT Titles of Eldership in Pride or Vain Glory but the False Teachers and Elders are made willing to Preach for Gold and Slver Corn and Cattel and Earthly things how such affect Titles Earthly things more then the true Elders WORK is known to God and it is discerned by many in this Morning of his heavenly Day which is dawned in this our Age glory to the Lord God for the same Such who feed with the Fat and cloath with the Wooll and make a PREY upon the People are in Balaams Way and Error who covet the Wages of Unrighteousness yea many in Cains way in Envy Persecuting about these things some even to Death and for these things they strive one against another the strife is who shall have the fattest Benefice The TRUE Elders and Ministers did not nor do not take the oversight of the flock of God for FILTHY LUCRE but of a ready mind which God begetteth in them by his good Spirit FILTHY Lucre is Earthly gain ILL GOTTEN Christ Jesus commanded his Disciples whom he made Elders to watch over his Church saying Freely ye have received freely give Those who esteem themselves Christs Ministers yet take the over-sight of their Flocks and watch over them and teach them for Gold Silver Corn Hay c. this their Gain is ungodly it is Ill gotten because in the getting of it they break Christs Command whose Servants they pretend to be and in so doing they greatly dishonour him Yet still the Ministers of Christ have power to eat such as is set before them freely but not to force or compel by Persecution those who did or do receive Spiritual things from them the Spirit of God makes such willing there is no use for outward Force and Persecution in this concern so then to be sure they had not power by outward Force to compel those who did not believe nor receive their Testimony or to pay them for preaching though the true Apostles and Elders had power to eat c. and where they did sow Spiritual things to reap Carnal yet they laboured with their own hands that they might make the Gospel without charge so far were they from desiring or receiving any outward thing for preaching from Unbelievers that they laboured with their own hands that they might not be chargeable to the Believers No the Ministers and Elders who were and are made by Christ were and are men of nobbler Spirits then to do so The true Elders and Ministers were not nor are not Lords over God's Heritage but were and are good Ensamples and true Servants to the Flock And their Exhortation was and is to walk as they had and have them for Ensamples Glory to the Lord for the same The faithful Elder and Apostle Paul by the holy Ghost exhorted Timothy saying Be thou an Example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Neglect not the Gift that is in thee c. take heed unto thy self and unto the Doctrine continue in them for in so doing thou shalt save both thy self and them that hear thee see 1 Tim. 4. 12. to the end Again Chap. 5. 22. Lay Hand suddenly on NO man neither be partaker of other mens Sins KEEP thy self PURE c. They are blessed who follow the blessed Example of the Lord Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles and the Elders made by him who abide in his Doctrine and in the Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and in the love which reacheth to all People both Friends and Enemies which Love thinketh no Evil neither doth any Wrong or Evil which Love is stronger than Death it is not puffed up it doth not behave it self unseemly This Love is the fulfilling of the holy Law of God as saith the holy Apostle All who keep therein are PLEASANT to the Lord and honoured by him with a truly tendred Heart and lowly mind and with the pure Patience in and through all Tribulation Trials and Affliction which cometh upon them for Christ's sake in which they possess their Souls in peace and quietness being kept by the mighty Power of God through the precious Faith and Love which is shed abroad in them BY and in Christ Jesus He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked see 1 John 2. 6. Concerning Original Sin IN page 10. J. B. takes upon him to say something concerning Original Sin he saith to his Neighbour I understand by you that its contrary to the Doctrine you teach c. Answ The Original or first cause of Sin is the Devil who abode not in the Truth as Christ said The Apostle saith He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might Destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. Jesus said Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin Joh. 8. 34. J. B. saith to his Neighbour in the aforesaid page You told me you questioned not at all but all those Infants that dyed without actual Sin were received into Heaven having nothing to be laid to their Condemnation Answ J. B's Neighbour hath spoken very Soberly and Charitably and Scripturally and Soundly in this matter though J. B. doth ignorantly Cavil against him for it the Dark Rebellious Apostized Jews were like unto this J. B. they said The Fathers have eaten sowr Grapes and the Childrens Teeth are s t on edge c. These Dark sayings displeased the Lord and he Rebuked them for them by the Mouth of his Servant Ezekiel saying The Soul that sinneth it shall dye the Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father neither shall the Father bear the Iniquity of the Son see Ezek. 18. 2 20. read the Chapter through Moreover the Lord said by the Mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah They shall say no more the Fathers have eat a sowr Grape and the Childrens Teeth are set on edge but every one shall dye for his own Iniquity every man that eateth the sowr Grape his Teeth shall be set on edge Jer. 31. 29 30. Thus it plainly appears that little Infants who never acted or committed Sin must not be cast into Hell for their Fathers Sins but dying without actual Sin must inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus called a little Child unto him and set it in the midst of them and said Verily I say unto you except ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 2 3. Mark 10. 15. Luke 18. 17. Jesus said Suffer little Children and forbid them
who believe in and faithfully follow him the Lamb of God he taketh away their Sins he being made Perfect is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto ALL them that OBEY him Heb. 5. 9. Daniel the Prophet who prophesied of the coming of the Messiah which is Christ Jesus and of his Sufferings he declared the End or Effects thereof Namely To make an END of SIN to finish Transgression and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness see Dan. 9. 24. to the end Jesus Christ said To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto the Truth every one that is of the Truth heareth MY VOICE John 18. 37. And Jesus said I came to call sinners to Repentance He that COVERETH his Sins shall NOT prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28. 13. These are faithful Sayings of God spoken through his Son and his Prophets and Apostles here is a Cloud of witnesses who in a sweet Unity and Harmony and Clearness speaks forth the Universal Love of God to Mankind in Christ Jesus in sending him to make an end of Sin the Devils Work The Wages of Sin is Death as saith the Apostle which NOT being Repented of and forsaken brings into the Pit of endless Torment a BARE confessing of Sin without repenting and forsaking will NOT bring Men Women to lay down their Heads in PEACE with God Therefore Wo unto those who go on in their sins unto the end of their Dayes upon Earth Raking up and down in the Scriptures of Truth to gather up the Failings MISCARRIAGES of some among God's People who for want of diligent Watchfulness were overcome by their Souls Enemy but Unfeignedly Repented and Ceased from the Evil did learn to do well and so were forgiven as in the cases of David and Peter w hose Miscarriages at a time or some few times is now made as TEXTS on them to preach up IMPERFECTION and SIN for Term of Life Wo to those sort of Preachers if they do not Repent of this Unchristian and Ungodly Preaching and cease there from they will not only Destroy themselves but also those who give up themselves to believe and love their sinful Doctrine who by this Wicked preaching do take courage and GREAT boldness to continue in sin and to love it and to commit it with greediness yea to drink it up abundantly even as an Ox drinks up Water and to pull it and draw it upon them as with Cords and Cart tropes as it s written This sort of Teachers God is against his Soul is grieved by them from day to day Oh! that they would consider it and lay it to Heart and Repent before it be too late The Woes were of Old and now are unto all those Preachers and Hearers who are covered and NOT with the holy pure Spirit of the Lord God in which spirit God is worshipped as Christ saith Wo to the Rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me saith the Lord God who cover with a Covering but NOT of my SPIRIT that they may ADD Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Wo unto them that call Evil Good and Good Evil c. Wo unto them who justifie the Wicked FOR a Reward c. Therefore as the Fire devoureth the Stubble and the Flame consumeth the Chaff so their ROOT shall be Rottenness and their BLOSSOM shall go up as Dust because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hosts and despised the Word of the holy One of Israel Wo to them that are Wise in their own eyes c. Isa 5. 18 to the 25th read the Chapter through Wo to the Wicked it shall be Ill with him for the Reward of his Hands shall be given him What mean ye that ye beat my People c. and grind the Faces of the Poor saith the Lord God of Hosts Moreover the Lord saith Because the Daughters of Zion are Haughty and walk with stretched-out Necks and wanton EYES c. Therefore the Lord will Smite with a SCAB the Crown or Top of the Heed of the Daughter of Zion Jerusalem is Ruined and Judah is Fallen because their TONGUE and their Doings are against the Lord to provoke the Eyes of his Glory They declare their Sin as Sodom Wo unto their SOULS for they have Rewarded EVIL unto THEMSELVES Isa 3. 8 to the 18th read the Chapter through In this Chapter the Proud and Wonton Women of our Age may read their pattern and see whose Ungodly Example they follow and also they may see what Ruin Destruction and Misery they brought upon themselves as the just Reward of their Ungodly Lives and seeing God did thus punish the Proud and Wanton Women under the Profession of the Law certainly he will not justifie such Persons or Practices under the Profession of Christ and his Gospel for though the Law could not make the Comers thereunto Perfect as pertaining unto the Conscience yet then God did not leave himself without a Witness in them he gave them his good Spirit to instruct them as Nehemiah saith but they rebelled against it but Christ and his Gospel can make them that come to him Perfect even as pertaining to the Conscience and that which makes the Conscience good and brings it into a perfect cleanness the same keeps Man and Woman clean in their Conversations outwardly and such who do believe in and obey Christ Jesus he teaches them to be truly Meek and Lowly and Humble according to the blessed Command and Example which he gave in the Dayes of his flesh who said Learn of me I am Meek and LOWLY in Heart and ye shall find REST TO YOUR SOULS The Apostle Peter in the holy Ghost exhorted the Women to be subject unto their own Husbands And said whose Adorning let it not be the outward Adorning of Plating the Hair NOR of WEARING of GOLD c. But let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is NOT Corruptible the Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit which IS in the sight of God of great PRICE For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God Adorned themselves c. 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4 5. Again the Apostle Paul saith I will in like manner also that Women Adorn themselves in MODEST Apparel with SHAMEFACEDNESS and SOBRIETY NOT w th Broidred HAIR or GOLD or PEARLS or Costly Aray But which becometh Women professing Godliness with GOOD WORKS 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. So all Women both Old and Young ought to obey the Command of Christ who commands to be Meek and Lowly and ought to follow the good Example of these holy Christian-Women who were cloathed and beautified with a Meek and Humble Quiet Spirit and with good Works as the holy Apostle Exhorts Depart from Evil and do good and dwell or live for evermore I have seen the Wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green Bay-Tree