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
for he came not to dest oy mens Lives and Estates but his coming was for this end To save that which he had made alive by calling Sinners to Repentance which by Obedience through Faith found Mercy and entered into that Hope by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages Heb. 11.2 to 40. for it is the Just that live by Faith â—ab 2.4 and therein is the Righteousness of â—od revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written The Just shall live by Faith Rom. 1.17 which proves That the Righteous by Faith in Christ are the Just that live by Faith having yeilded their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which gave them the Hope of Christ through his Death and rising again to Life by whose Spirit of Grace Life and Light they come to receive an assurance bâ— Faith of that blessed Hope in Christ for the Salvation of their Immortal Souls for through Faith by Grace are the Righteous saved for it is the gift of God Ephes 2 8. and the gift of God is Life Eternal unto them that are not found cloathed with any thing of their own Righteousness but altogether cloathed with that Righteousness which is by Faith in Christ which is the Righteousness of God Ephes 3.9 which 〈◊〉 works bâ— love and is that Faith which â—orâ—s into thâ—Vâ—ity of the one Spirit and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Ephes 4.13 in which state the Righteous 〈…〉 â—â—â—tified bâ— Faith and have peace with God through the Lord Jesus â—hrist Rom 5 1. and by him have the â—aith 〈◊〉 access by Faith into the Grace wherein they stand and rejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of God and not only so but they glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation works Patience and Patience works Experience and Experience works Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shâ—d abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto them Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Which things are by the Spirit of God in his faithful Servants Messengers of Truth left upon holy Record that People may learn to keep low in their Minds from the love of all Vanity and things of a perishing nature that so they may come to give wholly up in their Minds to retain God in their Thoughts by which through Faith and Obedience they may not fall short in the Hope of Gods heavenly Riches which are treasured up in Jesus Christ for all them that by Faith and Obedience live up to his Spirit of Grace Life and Light whereby the faithful have been made partakers of Gods durable Riches which is that Crown of Righteousness laid up in store for all them that by true Faith live in Obedience to the appearance of Christ in their Hearts such so living and so dying shall in no way fall short in the true Hope of Jesus Christ Concerning Perfection and that Warfare which the faithfull are to pass through before they come to witness free and full Redemption from Sin in this Life according as will appear by what follows GOD is perfect just and holy in all his Works and gifts towards all the Sons and Daughters of Men for every good and perfect gift cometh from the Fathêr of all Grace Life and Light with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of Turning Jam. 1.17 but in Man the heart above all things is deceitful and desperately VVicked who can know it save the Lord that made Man in his own Image after his own Likeness made he him and gave him Dominion over the things of the Earth Jer. 17. â— Gen. 1 26. commanding him that he should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil for in that day wherein he did eat thereof he should surely dye gen 2.17 Which Command through Disobedience Man broke by which he brought the Sons and Daughters of Men into a state of Lust which through the Temptations of the Enemy to his own feed in the Heart draws the natural Mind to lust after that evil which bringeth sin and sin bringeth Death oveâ— the Soul for the VVages of sin is Death but the gift oâ— God â—s eternal Lâ—â—e unto them who do not remain in that first staâ—e of Dâ—generation sinning against the gift of God for as the Children of men selâ— short of the glory of God through the I all of the first Man Earthly so the Children from Adam 〈◊〉 Faith and Obedience to the gift of â—od shall be saved through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of Life the second Adam â—om Heaven spiritual who requires perfect Obedience of all men to his holy Commands that their Souls through Faith in him may be saved for only they are saved which perfectly believe in him that he is able and willing to give them Power that are willing to keep his Commands â—or which end of Mans Salvation he hath commanded People to be â—â—â—â—ect even as God is Perfect Mat. 5.48 which Command by Jesus Christ seems too straight for many to receive into their Belief of ever attaining such a state in this Life that they either distrust in the Power of God â—y Jesus Christ or otherwise they are not willing to part with all their sins to gain Christ for Sin makes a partition Wall between God and mans Soul that it cannot come to receive the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ for all Sin is of Unrighteousness and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil which is the Father of all Sin whose work of Darkness hath no relation to the Kingdom of Heaven neither can any enter Gods holy place before they are free from Sin but he that serves the Lord and keeps all the Commandments of God doth witness a perfect state in this Life Mat. 19.20 21. 5.48 and the holy Scripture is full and clear that such as feared God and wrought Righteousness were perfect Men for Noah which walked with God was a perfect Man and God commanded Abraham to be perfect Gen. 17.1 Also Job was a perfect Mâ—n being upright and one that feaâ—ed God and eschewed evil Job 1.1 cap. â— 2 3. in which Tryal of Job's Faith he saidâ— That God would not cast away a perfect Man Jâ—b 8.20 which manifests that such have been perfect men in this Life otherways the Spirit of the Lord would not have suffered an account of the same to have been recorded in the 〈◊〉 Scriptures of Truth Also David was a man after Gods own heart except in the matter of Vriah of which he repented which could not have been had not David been a perfect Man for he that is not perfect in the Work of the Lord to keep his Commands he is not a Man after the Nature of Christ who perfectly performed the Work of God for the Redemption of Men in whom the work of God is to be perfected by Jesus Christ who came 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
the Gift of his Grace they may not fall short of the true Hope which is by Jesus Christ who will not with-hold from any man of his Grace whom he finds in the well doing for he that doth well shall be accepted but he that doth not well sin â—veth at the door and unto him shall be his desire and he shall rule over him which proves sin is the cause of mans perishing for the spirit of 〈…〉 and whosoever wîll let him come and tane the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 7. So that for my part ac 〈…〉 that small measure of Light which God hath 〈…〉 Concerning the knowledge of his Truth as it 〈◊〉 he Son of his Love the Lord Jesus thorough Faith 〈◊〉 do I believe with many thousands oâ— the Lords â—â—â—thfull People that God who in his indâ—ite Wisdom knows all things long before the â—oâ—ld began and whatever comes to pass that it is by his Power of commission or permission but thaâ— he hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever cames to pass seems to me a charging of God with all the unrighteous Actions and wicked Wâ—â—ks that ever unrighteous and wicked men have done or ever shall do for time to come and to hold that God from all eternâ—â—ty hath ordained men women and their infants for everlasting perdition without respect to their final impeaitency is that which they can never prove by or from any things that is left on holy Record by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures of Truth for he that fears God and works his righteousness through Faith in Christ the same shall be accepted as a faithfull Child of God and true Servant of Jesus Christ whom the Father hath made manifest by the gift of his divine Light which through Obedience thereunto no man need walk in Darkness but have the Light of Life which gives the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting CHAP. XIII Concerning the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation through Faith in Christ to the Souls of them that by him are saved THe Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. vers 17. Now the Love of God is largely manifested through the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ before whom no mans works shall stand which are not sanctified by Grace neither can any mans works be sanctified by Grace further then he comes into Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which is that gift of divine Light which God hath bestowed to the Children of men thorough the Death Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life in whom the fullness of Grace remaineth and it is by the Grace of Gods Power in and thorough him which sanctifieth the soul of every true Believer in him by whom thâ—i saith is imputed to them for Righteousness by which they are justified before God in the sight of Jesus Christ whose Kingdom hath been prepared before the Foundation of the World for the righteous to enter for their works have been in obedience to the gift of Gods Grace for as there is but one God and one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit so there iâ— but one saving Grace in the Ground Seed and Root or Being and Nature for the race of God is one and manifold according as we read in the holy Scriptures of the manifold Grace of God and manifold Wisdom of God even as the Spirit of God is one but diversity of Gifts and there are Diversities of Operations but one God and diversity of Administrations but one Lord and the Scriptures do declare of the Spirit of Fear and Bondage and of Adoption also the Sâ—â—â—â—ture distinguisheth between the Servants and Sons in the Hâ—â—se of God â—or every son is a servant of God but every Servant is not a son born of the Free Woman And of this mystery Ishmael and Isaac were Figures men may be Servants and Sons by the Bond Woman by obedience â—o the first Ministration of the Spirit or Light within as it teacheth common Duties Piety Temperance Justice without revealing the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again or working the Faith of it but none are the Sons of God by the Free Woman or Children of the New Covenant but they who have the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again Outwardly revealed in them and have a living Faith in it by which they witness a conformity to Christ in his Life Death and Resurection and by that Power that raised him from the dead The sufficiency of Gods Grace within is not to be understood in opposition either to the Faith of Christ as he was outwardly Crucified for us and rose again and is a scended into Heaven there making Intercession for us nor in opposition to the great benefit and help of the holy Scriptures or sincere preaching of faithfull men or any other help but in unity with all these and it ought to be acknowledged that though God hath not left the Heathens where Christ is not outwardly Preached altogether destiture but hath given them a dispensation of Light that is real and divine and is of great service to them who improve it to prepare and call them to receive the Faith of Christ when Preached to them yet faithful Christians are under another Dispensation of Light and Grace as far exceeding that of the meer Heathens however honest or conscientious as Gold excelleth Brass or the Light of the Sun excelleth that of the Moon but both proceeding from one God one Christ and one spirit and the sufficiency of Grace that any man doth receive or that any man hath is only with respect to the present time and state but not for all times to come for the best of Saints are to depend and Pray to God to receive more and more Grace from him who is the God of all Grace and Father of Mercies and Father of Lights which lighteth his Sons and Daughters by the gift of his Grace and good Spirit of Life which giveth unto them the Light of Life to walk in the straight and even way which he hath layd out by the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is one with God the Father in all his holy Works of Grace Life and Light by which he is Working among the Sons and Daughters of men among whom is also the spirit of Iniquity working in and thorough the many Teachers which would make the Grace of God to be 〈◊〉 and differing in kind of being and nature when it is evident that though the 〈◊〉 diversities of gifts yet they all proceed from the one Spirit of the one God and one Lord Jesus Christ whose Grace is but one which restrains and saves from sin for he is the only begotten of the Fâ—â—â—hâ— full of Grace and Tâ—uth and of his fulness every true Believer in him receives 〈…〉 for Grace John 1.14 16. and by his Grace they received Apostleship for Obedience to the
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
their People to live in a Life of these things which are so contrary to the holy Scriptures and the Spirit of God by which they have been given forth doth manifest that such People are only Christians in the outward Name but not in the inward Liâ—e and Nature of what God requires that every true Christian should be CHAP. XIX Concerning Prophecying Womens speaking in the Church PRophecying signifies Preaching which is declaring the Word of God as they receive his Will and Mind by his Spirit of Grace in and through the gift of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ whose gift of good spirit of Grace is by measure in the Male and in the â—emale alike who are made partakers of his blessed Truth and in this day called of God by Jesus Christ to declare his Truth as the holy Men and Women were in days past for he hath promised To pour out of his Spirit upon all flesh and among the faithful their old Men dream Dreams and their Young Men see Visiâ—ns and their Sons and Daughters Prophecy But many have wrested the Apostles words 1 Cor. 14 35 Lâ—t our Womâ—â— keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted them to speak but are commanded to be under Obedience and if they will leaâ—â— any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shamâ— for a Woman to speak in the Church Now the Apostle words do not include all speaking by Women in the Church which if they did it would then follow that every true believing Woman is debarred from improving the gift of Gods holy Spirit among his People which are the Church of Christ for by measure is the gift of God by Jesus Christ to the Man and Woman alike wherefore they may pray and prophecy in the Church of Christ for all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.31 So that here is no tye nor bar from believing Womens speaking in the Church of Christ but deparred by them which are not the true Church for every Woman that praveth prophecyeth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head 1 Cor. 11.15 By which it is evident that their Women did in that day speak in the Church for it s of no Edification for any Woman to prophecy alone by her self but where two or three are gathered together in the Name of the Lord there will his Spirit be in the midst oâ— them which proves that where two or three Male or Female are met together in the Lords Name that there is his Church and whether Male or Female if called of him they are to speak which is not that speaking which Women in the Church are not permitted to do For whereas they are not permitted to speak in the Church it is to be understood relating to the Government of the Church in which they are to keep silence and be under Obedience as also in the Law for the outward Government of the Church God hath committed unto men of which if the Women will learn they are to ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church relating to the Government thereof for in so 〈◊〉 she comes to usurp in Government over the man 1 Tâ—o 2.12 for Christ is the Head of his Church and the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God 1 Cor. 11.3 And as to such Women whose Husbands are Unbelievers or that have no husband a believing Brother hath liberty to inform them in things relating to the Government of the Church in which the Women Prophets in days past did not rule in the Government of the Church as may be read of Miriam and Deborah who were Prophetesses in their day Exod. 15 20. Judg. 4.4 and Haldah the Prophetess which prophesied of the evil to come upon Jerusalem 2 Chron. 34.22.23 And we read of Anah that prophesied concerning Redemption for it is said she coming in that instant gave Thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem which all that looked for Redemption did include the whole Church of Christ in Jerusalem and at that instant of her coming in and giving Thanks likewise was when the Church was gathered together and Christ himself at that time in the midst of his Church in which at that time Anah the Woman Prophetess did speak Luke 2.27 to v. 0. And Phillip had four Daughters which did prophesie Acts 21.8 9. And the Lord hath promised That he will pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh and their Sons and Daughters shall prophecy and their old Men shall dream Dreams and their Young Men shall sâ—e Visions and upon the Servants and Hand-maids will the Lord pour out his Spirit Act. 2 17 18. Joel 2.28 29. By which it appears that prophecying is not altogether ceased among the People of God whose promise doth continue among the faithful whom he hath called both Male and Female to preach the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ and by his good spirit of Life Light and Grace are they lead to preach in order as becometh the Gospel so to do that the Prophets may speak two or three and the others to judge and if any thing be ravealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his pâ—ace that all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and be comforted for the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints but if any he ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor. 14 to v. 38. But all covet to prophesie and forbid not to speak with Tongues vers 39. Now among such Professors where these things are not in practise according to the Record of the holy Scriptures which are for Peoples learning that by the Spirit of God they may follow Christ as the Apostles have done for Example and to mark them which walk other ways then whom is it that true Believers should mark but them who pretend to be Gospel Ministers and with their Hearers are not in the holy Practice of the faithful in days past whom they are commanded to follow as they have followed Christ which until such time as they reform in obedience to Gods holy Truth and are found to worship him in the Spirit in the Truth they are to be marked by all true Believers in Christ Jesus To have a form of Godliness but deny the Power who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth CHAP. XX. Concerning Powers ALL Power is of God either by commission or permission Let every Soul be subject to the higher Power for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13.1 The Apostles words are very weighty for all to Consider and not
Truth held Forth AND MAINTAINED According to the Testimony of the holy Prophets Christ and his Apostles recorded in the holy Scriptures With some Account of the Judgments of the Lord lately inflicted upon New-England by Witch craft To which is added Something concerning the Fall of Adam his state in the Fall and way of Restoration to God again with many other weighty things necessary 〈◊〉 People to weigh and consider Written in true Love to the Souls of my Neighbours all Men which includeth that Love to them 〈…〉 by Thomas Maule Printed in the Year 16â—◠〈◊〉 PREFACE Friendly Reader AMong the many Writers in this Age who profess themselves Gospel Ministers great iâ— the number of false Prophets and wordâ— teachers whose Doctrines Principles Practices are inconsistant with the Doctrines Principles and Practices of the holy Prophets and Apostles in days past who brought glad tidings of Peace to â—he souls of many People who were turned from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Pow-God Acts 26.18 even so ingmeasure is it with true Gospel Ministers in this day who turn Peoples minds to the inward manifastation of the gift of Gods Spirit which ministers Life to them that hear and obey unto them its life indeed for the gift of God is Life eternal and as every true faithful Minister of Christ hath received the gift of God freely they minister freely from he same as good Stâ—wards of the manifold Grace of God dâ—ing unto all men at they would have all mâ—n do unto them not striving for Mastership but are gentle unto all men and apt in teach patient in 〈◊〉 instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 〈◊〉 24 25. that 〈◊〉 by the Church may be edefied for the true Ministers of Christ are Servents to Christ and not Masters own 〈…〉 as many Anti-christian Teachers are 〈…〉 Hâ—â—itage 〈…〉 Persons in admiration for advantage but the true Ministers of Christ are men of sorrow desolâ—ed and rejected oâ— mend as he was they are not made ministeâ—s by the mill of 〈◊〉 but by the will of God and blameless as the Stewards of God not self willed nor soon angry nor given to Wine nor strikers â—or are they greedy of filthy Luâ—re but lovers of Hospitality and sober Just holy temperate holding fast the faithful Word as they have been taught that they may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers for there are many unruly and vain Talkers and Deceivers even as those in days past whose mouths must be stopped for they subvert whole Houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy Lucre sake and as in that day they had a Prophet of their own said the Cretians are alwayes Lyars evil Beasts flow bellies Tit. 1.7.8 9 10 11 12. even so as by Luther and others who have left their Testimonies agreeable with what is found incorded in the Scriptures of Truth which give a true account of the Doctrine Principles and Prectices of the many Teachers in this age who will not preach 〈…〉 Mony This witness is true wherefore rebake thâ—â— sharply that they may be found in the Truth for they profess they know God but in Works they deny him Tit. 〈…〉 By which is it not manifest that the love of Money which is the root of all evil is in them that will not prench without Money what better are they theâ— the 〈…〉 and false Prophets we read of Jer. 14.14 Do they 〈◊〉 bare rule by their means in all Nations where 〈◊〉 seeâ— for their gain each from his Quarter Isa ◠〈…〉 Do they 〈◊〉 preach for hire and divine for Money Mâ—â— 3.11 And do they not preach peace so long as men keep paying but when any come to see their deceit and cannot put into their mouths then they preach open war 〈…〉 And have not the false Prophets Anti-christian 〈◊〉 and hired Priests destroyed â—he lives of many thousands of People for their obedience to the faith which work by consent of the Magistrâ—â—â— hath had its day in New-England when they put to â—ath four of the People called Quakers at Boston concerning the which an Account will hereafter follow which was by the Priests accomplished by the consent of the then Rulers for without the consent of Power the Priests could not Persecute which they wait to do as Troops of Robbers wait for a man so have the company of Priests murdered in the may by consent Hos 6.9 So that by their fruits men may know them Luke 6.13 Mat. 7.13 16. for they are tryed which say they are Apostles and are not and they are found to be Lyars Rev. 2.2 Come from among them and do not pertake of their sins that ye may be free from their Plagues which the Lord is bringing upon the Whore and the false Prophets Teachers which 〈◊〉 wrought Iniquity against the Lord and his chosen People From my dwelling House at Salem in New-England 1st 3d. Mon. 1690. Thomas Maule Humane Learning I have not God doth to me afford His Teaching by his Spirit good To understand his Word T. M. The Heads or Contents of the ensuing TREATISE Chap. 1. COncerning the 〈◊〉 of Gods quickening Spirit by Jesus Christ pag. 1. Chap. 2. Concerning Christ the true Seed and Everlasting Covenant of God to his People p. 10. Chap. 3. Concerning the Man Christ Jesus which was conceived of the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men p. 16. Chap. 4. Concerning the holy Scriptures p. 2â— Chap. 5. Concerning Faith Hope and Obedience which by the Power of God through Jesus Christ worketh Salvation to them that truely believe Also something concerning Silence p. 30. Chap. 6. Concerning Perfection and that Warfair which the faithful are to pass through before they come to witness fâ—ll and free Redemption from sin p. 47. Chap. 7. Concerning the Worship of God in Spirit p. 5â— Chap. 8. Concerning true Prayer by which the faithful find acceptance with God by faith in the Son of his Love p. 6â— Chap. 9. Concerning the Lords Supper which People call the Sacrament p. 65. Chap. 10. Concerning Baptism and sprinkling Infants which many hold most necessary to Salvation p. 70. Chap. 11. Concerning the true Sabbath p. 76. Chap. 12. Concerning Election and Reprobation p. 79. Chap. 13. Concerning the 〈…〉 tion through Faith in Chr◠〈…〉 p. 87. Chap. 14. Concerning the 〈…〉 p. 93. Chap. 15. Concerning the Ministers of Christ and the Ministers of Anti-christ Also of humane Learning and the use of it and how it came in practise among the Reformed Churches in this latter Age. And concerning Gospel Maintenance in what manner and to whom it belongeth p. 99. Chap. 16. Concerning divine Inspiration and Revelation p. 109. Chap. 17. Concerning the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of Anti-christ p. 114. Chap. 18. Concerning the true Language and proper Nature of Speech and the true Names of the Days and
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