Iacob shall be among the Gentiles as a Lion among the beasts of the forrest and as a young Lion among the flocks of the sheep which should rouze them and go thorow and none can deliver ver 7 8. All which Prophesies being so clear and full both of the Birth and coming of the Son of God and of his perfecting the work of the Lord which is to destroy the works of the Devil and restore man into that Image and Glory of God which he lost by transgression that he that runs may read it Hab. 2. 2. this was the very end for which he was manifested and for which he dyed and rose again according to the Scriptures So when he was come of whom the Prophets gave testimony and born in Bethlehem of Iudea Mat. 2. 1. Luke 2. 4. he began to do many mighty works and wonders in restoring the blinde to his sight and the lame to walk and the deaf to hear as it is written of him Mark 7. 37. whose work was alwayes a work of perfection both in his restoration of body and soul who saved to the uttermost all who came to God by him Heb. 7. 25. and made man every whit whole Iohn 7. 23. and did not leave his work imperfect nor uneffected in nor upon them who did believe in him for then he had done no more then did the Old Covenant which was disannulled because of the weakness andunpr ofitableness thereof because it made not the comers thereunto perfect for then it should have ceased Heb. 10. 1 2 but he hath obtained a more excellent ministry how much also he is become a Mediator of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises Heb. 8. 6. For if perfection had been by the Levitical Priesthood under which the Law was received what further need was there that another Priesthood should arise after the Order of Melchisedec and not be called after the Order of Aaron Heb. 7. 11. All which is granted the first Priesthood with all its Offerings and Sacrifices evening and morning and with all its Rites and Ceremonies could not make the comers thereunto perfect and the Law with all its works could never justifie any nor make any thing perfect Heb. 7. 19. And therefore Moses did but obtain a Servants place yet being faithfull therein according to what God had manifested Heb. 3. 2. 5. he was called the Friend of God in doing whatsoever he commanded him and laid down his head in peace in the Land of Moab according to the word of the Lord Deut. 34. 5. though that Priesthood was not then appeared thorow which the perfection of holiness was afterward witnessed nor power to become the Sons of God but only servants who in doing what the Lord commanded them it was well-pleasing to God and he blessed them in their generation And Abraham also God blessed in his generation because he obeyed the Word and Commandement of God and with-held not his onely Son at the Commandement of the Lord Gen. 22. 8 9 10 11 12. who believed in God and obeyed his Word therefore he died in a good old age an old man and full of years and was gathered unto his people Gen. 25. 8. And God said unto him because thou hast done this and hast not with-held thy Son thine onely Son that in blessing I will blesse thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed and make it as the Stars of Heaven and as the sand upon the Sea shore c. Gen. 22. 16 17. And David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the dayes of his life save onely in the matter of Vriah the Hittite I Kings 15. 5. for which he suffered the severe judgement of the Lord so that he laid roaring all the day long and watered his Couch with his tears Psal 22. 1. Psal 32. 3. by which judgement he was redeemed again unto God and became a vessel of honour to sound forth the praises of God Psal 98. Psal 101. and 103. and 104. after which he departed not from the Law of God but continued in the same unto the end of his dayes And many other of the faithful servants of the Lord who obeyed his Word and Commandements which I might mention both in the time of the Law and the Prophets who kept the Commandements Laws Statutes and Ordinances of God in the keeping of which he promised life unto man Levit. 8. 5. Ezek. 20. 11. which Laws Statutes and Iudgements was given to Israel but they despised them and polluted his Sabboths therefore he powred forth his fury upon them in the Wildernesse to consume them Ezek. 20. 13. And all that went on in breaking his Laws and Commandements he overthrew in the Wildernesse and they never came into the promised Land I Cor. 10. 5. Now these things were examples to them that came after that they should not lust after evil things as they also lusted verse 6. Neither to be Idolater as were some of them as it is written The people sate down to eat and drink and rose up to play Exod. 32. 6. I Cor. 10. 7. This was counted Idolatry then which many are found in at this day who cannot endure so to be called though we know that no Whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath any Inheritance in the Kingdome of Christ nor of God Eph. 5. 3 4 5. And the Apostle said Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience verse 6. ¶ Here followeth some of Leonard Letchford's doctrine by way of Quaery lately published in two or three papers sent to me which I shall compare with the writings of the holy men of God which I have before asserted who lived but in the dayes of the first Covenant and the Prophets in which the Law and Commandements of God was given forth yet they were blessed in the keeping of them as I have before shewed but Leo Letchford hath lately sought to perswade it would be praise to God sor me to say the Commandements of God could not be done without sinning as he and his brethren hath long believed and hath caused many to believe to their own destruction And so hath kept people in sinne and transgression and imperfection for which they have long pleaded and doth yet plead for their disobedience to Gods Law and Commandements from some failings of the servants of God before mentioned which were onely written to warn all not to tempt the Lord as some of them tempted him many of which was destroyed in their rebellion and disobedience but they who were willing and obedient came to eat the good of the Land of promise And none of them did answer the Lord when he gave them his Laws Statutes and Ordinances Commandements and Preceps and say it cannot be done as Leonard Letchsord
of Aurst-Pierpoint a metamorphosed Minister in the County of Sussex hath lately given under his hand by way of Quaery The Paper is as followeth September 6. 1663. WHether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge whilest he lives on Earth or whether it be possible for any man so keep Gods Commandements and to observe his righteous Law as to say any day I have not offended I have no need to say forgive me in any thing wherein I have done amiss This was the Question By which I have struck the Devil dumb in the Quakers Oracle at Hersham known to the World by the Name of Ambrose Rigge Lord open his lippes that his mouth may shew forth thy prayse in saying plainly it cannot be done L. L. Now Moses and Abraham which I have before asserted to whom the Law and Commandements was given forth did so keep them and observe them that the breach of them was never charged to them but was blessed in the keeping and doing of them as I have before spoken And David turned not aside from any of the Commandments of God all his dayes save in the matter of Vriah and many more who kept Gods Law and Commandments all the dayes of their lives and was blessed and their posterity after them and praised God with an upright heart in their obedience to the Law and Commandments of God and none of them did ever say Lord open my mouth that my lips may shew forth thy praise in saying plainly thy Commandments cannot be done as L. L. doth If they did shew when or where ever such a doctrine was preached by any either in the first Covenant or the second or else let those faithful servants of God afore-mentioned who kept Gods Law and Commandments and did live with God in them be as a thousand witnesses against Leo. Letchford who would have people believe it cannot be done Here followeth divers instances of Christ and his Apostles under the second Covenant concerning his Commandments which I shall here lay down from plain Scripture proof in order to the further discovery of this damnable doctrine 1. Christ saith after he had given forth many Commandments unto the people He that breaketh one of these least Commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5. 19. 2. Christ said to his Disciples If ye love me keep my commandments Iohn 14. 15. 3. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him Iohn 14. 21. 4. A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another Iohn 13. 34. 5. If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love even as I kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love Iohn 15. 10. Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my sayings he shall never see death Iohn 8. 51. 7. All which promises was made unto his Disciples upon this condition That they kept his commandments and not otherwise 8. To which the Disciples answered not as Leonard Letchford doth in saying it cannot be done and count this praise to God but they said Hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments 1 Iohn 2. 3. 9. Again they spoke in reproof of those who should say they knew God and kept not his commandments and said such were lyars and the truth was not in them 1 Iohn 2. 4. 10. Furthermore they testified that whatsoever they asked they received of him because they kept his commandments 1 Ioh. 3 22. 11. He that keepth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby they knew that he did abide in them by the Spirit which he gave them this was their proof of him in the dayes of old which is now so much condemned and cryed against by Leonard Lechford and men of his coat who saith none can exactly keep the commands of God 1 Iohn 3. 24. 12. And by this they knew they loved the children of God when they loved God and kept his commandments 1 Iohn 5. 2. 13. Again they said This is the love of God that they kept his Commandments and his Commandments were not grievous 1 Iohn 5. 3. Harken Leon. Letchford Art not thou of another minde who would have people say it cannot be done May not all these rise up in judgement against thee 14. And this is love that we walk after his Commandments 2 Iohn 6. All these gave testimony how they kept his Commandments thorow which their love was manifested to him and for so doing had no cause to repent any day nor to ask forgiveness of the Lord but yet Christ in their infancy taught them to say Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Matth. 6. 12. but this was before Christ was offered up who purged their Consciences from dead works by the blood of his Cross through the eternal Spirit by which he cleansed them from all sin and sanctified them in body soul and spirit which as they grew up unto God in stature they bare witness unto as hereafter I shall make appear in answer to Leonard Letchfords great Query concerning perfection which may serve for the universal good and satisfaction of all reasonable people for which end I was moved to make it and my answer to it publick Priest Letchfords Query Whether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge while he is upon the earth Which plainly demonstrates that he is against doing of good and for committing of sin and denies perfectien while people are upon the earth which is absolutely contrary both to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and makes the coming suffering and blood of Christ of none effect 1. It is contrary to the doctrine of Christ Matth. 5. 48. who said to his disciples Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect which was a perfection of holiness and freedome from sin for otherwise they could not be perfect as their heavenly father was perfect 2. Christ said unto the young man who had kept the Commandments from his youth If thou wilt be perfect sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and follow me Matth. 19. 21. 3. It is contrary to Christs prayer Iohn 17. 23. who desired that they whom God had given him might be one as he and his father was one He in them and they in him that they might be made perfect in one c. which could never be till sin and transgression was finished which was the first cause of separation 4. To say that none can be perfect while he is upon the earth is contrary to Christs words who said
God Isa 10. 20 21. as afterwards it came to passe And again he testified of the peaceable Kingdome of Christ wherein the earth should be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. which ksowledge came afterwards to be received by the Light which God had commanded to shine in their hearts who was witnesses of the same 2 Cor. 4. 6. by which the light of the knowledge of the glory of God was received in the face of Iesus Christ Again the Lord by the Prophet called every one that thirsted to drink freely of the waters of Life without money and without price and called many to pentance verse 6. and said Let the wicked forsake his wayes and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him verse 7. Here was the promise of mercy unto man if he forsaked his unrighteous wayes and thoughts and to no other as afterwards was testified Prov. 28. 13. and furthermore the Prophet declareth the glory of the true Church and saith the Gentiles shall come to her light and Kings to the brightnesse of her rising Isa 60. 3. which was afterwards fulfilled All which prophesies was the universal love of God in Christ Iesus to Mankind for his restauration into that Image and perfection of holinesse in which he was created so that all who received him when he came to be manifested to them he gave power to become the sons of God and heirs of life Iohn 1. 12. And Ieremiah also prophesied of the scattered flock of the Lord whom the wicked Pastours of Israel had destroyed And the Lord said I will gather the remnant of my Flock out of all Countries where they have been driven and will bring them again into their fold and will set one Shepherd over them which shall feed them Ier. 23. And in his dayes Iudah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness ver 6. And they shall no more say the Lord liveth which brought the children of Israel out of Egypt but the Lord liveth which brought the seed of the house of Iacob out of the North Countrey and out of all Countries whither he hath driven them vers 7 8. All which the Lord spoke by way of Prophesie that he would restore Israel his people into unity with him which could not possible be untill he had finished transgression in them which was the first cause of separation from God and the glory of his power And again the Lord by the mouth of Ieremiah Prophesied of the restoration of Israel and said he would bring them from the North Countrey and gather them from the coasts of the earth he that scattered Israel will gather them as a Shepherd doth his flock Ier. 31. 10. And also said he would make a Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Iudah not according to the Covenant which he made with their Fathers when he took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt Mark but this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord c. Ier. 31. 31 32. 33. This is the Covenant in which Christ was promised where in God would write his Law in his peoples hearts which afterwards the Apostles witnessed with whom this Covenant was made and confirmed in which they witnessed the blood of Christ to cleanse them from all sin 1 Iohn 1. 7. This Covenant was a Covenant of Light and of Life wherein the Law of the Spirit of Life not writ in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly Tables of the Heart 2 Cor. 3. 3. was their Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ that they might be justified by faith Gal. 3. 24. and so were presented blameless unto God which the blood of Bulls and Goats could not do nor any outward thing Heb. 10. 4. And by the mouth of Ezekiel the Lord promised to gather his people again unto himself and seek them as a Shepherd seeketh his Sheep and feed them in a good pasture Ezek. 34 12 13 14 15 16. Here was Gods universal love again manifested by way of prophecy for the recovery of lost man again all which promises was made conditionally unto mankind if they believed in him whom God hath chosen to be the author of eternal salvation to all who received and believed in him Then afterwards Daniel prophesied of the suffering of the Son of God of whom the Prophets had written whom the Angell shewed that seventy weeks were determined to finish transgression and to make an end of sin and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness Dan. 9. 24. And in verse the 26. saith that after sixty two weeks shall the Messiah be slain but not for himself and in verse the 27. he shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week and in the midst of the week he shall cause the offerings and the oblations to cease This shewed the death of the Son of God before he came into the world by which sin and transgression was to be finished which was the cause of offerings and sacrifices still demonstrating Gods eternal purpose through him to put an end to transgression in man without which man could never come to him again nor be restored into that image and glory which he lost by transgression which is the perfection of holiness in the sight of the Lord which the Apostles testified unto 2 Cor. 7. 1. that man might live with God in the spirit for which end he was created which was brought to pass through the death and suffering of his Son whom he sent into the world that they through him might be saved Iohn 3. 17. And the Lord spake again by the mouth of Amos and said The plow-man should overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him that sowed seed and the mountains shall drop down with sweet wine and he would bring again the captivity of his people Israel Amos 9. 13 14. And Micah foretold of the birth of this Saviour even in Bethlehem Ephratah though it was little among the thousands of Iudah yet out of it shall he come forth that was to be ruler in Israel whose goings forth hath been from old from everlasting and he shall stand and rule in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of the name of the Lord and shall be great unto the end of the earth Micah 5. 2 3 4. And also said that the remnant of Israel should be among many Nations as a dew from the Lord that tarrieth not for man and as the showers upon the tender grass c. And the remnant of
Letchford would have others say doth overthrow the foundation Principles of the Book of Common-Prayer which enjoyneth every childe to keep Gods holy Will and Commandements and walk in the same all the dayes of his life 15. This makes the God-fathers and God-mothers as they are called Covenant-breakers which Leo. Letchford and others of his profession hath caused to promise and vow that the Childe should keep Gods holy Will and Commandements and walk in the same to his lifes end Many more damnable Consequences incurres from this Doctrine which are to many to mention which is charged upon Leonard Letchford and all the rest of his brethren of the same minde throughout this Nation till they clear themselves which they can never do but by speedy repentance and publick revocation of these their wicked Errours Oh! return unto his mercy gate Whose patience long for you doth wait And learn your waies for to amend Least God destroy you in the end ¶ A few words concerning man in his fallen degenerated estate from God in which he hath not power to keep the Commands of God nor his Law nor to do any work accoptable to him but all his righteousness is as filthy raggs or as a menstruous garment ALL men by nature are the children of wrath as it is written Eph. 2 3. fallen from God his power degenerate plants of a strange Vine Ier. 2. 21. daily bringing forth evil fruit in which God hath no delight his heart is corrupted his minde is corrupted and every part and member of his body from the crowne of the head to the sole of his foot full of wounds and bruises and putrifying fores Isa 1. 6. every imaginatión of his heart is onely evil continually cen 8. 21. So that he is a Vessel altogether unfit for the Lords use or service neither hath the Lord any delight in him in that state because he is a slave to Satan led captive at his will to dishonour his Maker in all his words and works So that all his undertakings and out-goings is to promote Satans kingdome He calls evil good and good evil and puts light for darknesse and darknesse for light And is void of understanding as the beast that perisheth He is altogether unsenseable of his Creator and of his Way Truth and Life because they are spiritually discerned being wholely a stranger to the Life of God and to the Covenant of Promise and without God in the World in its wayes and workes of darknesse drawing iniquity with Cords of vanity and drinking it in as the Oxe drinks water till he fill himself and vomit it up again In this estate he was compared to a dog whose nature is to vomit up that which he greedily eats and to a swine whose nature is to wallow in the mire as most pleasing to his nature till he hath fouled himself all over that he is loathsome to behold Even such is man by nature who wallows in sin and corruption till he be loathsom in the sight of the Lord and fit for no service for him till he be washed again and therefore the Lord cryed unto the house of Israet Wash ye and make ye clean put away the evil of your doing Isa 1. 16. and then come unto me ver 18. In this condition mans Wisedom is earthly carnal sensual and devilish yet by this he would compass the heavenly mystery of eternity and dive into the secrets of the Almighty and set up a way of Worship of God in his will and establish a righteousness of his own and will pray read sing and perform many duties in an hot zeal though without undetstanding of the least grain of the knowledge of God his Creator And in this state was the Iews who killed and persecuted the Lord of life in their darkness and unbelief in a righteousness of their own which was as filthy rags and as a menstrous garment and would not cover them from the wrath of the Almighty a just reward of all their ungodly deeds unto whom Christ put forth many parables and said Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Iohn 3. 3. And except ye be converted and become as little children ye shall in no wise enter the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 17. though they was whited over as whited walls yet they were foul and corrupted blinde and naked therefore the wo was often pronounced against them for all their zeal and profession of Christ and the Apostles words Therefore oh natural man who ever thou be whether Professor prophane thy profession and prophaness are alike justified in the Lord while thou art uncoverted unregenerated and uncreated again into that Image and nature which is from above which can do the will and work of God well-pleasing to him I preach not perfection to thee but repentance I do not say that thou can keep the Law of God for then I should bely thee and the truth also I do not press thee to keep the Commandments of God for thou will say with Leo. Letchford it cannot be done but this I say to thee if thou wilt be wise thou must first become a fool that thou may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. but this thou canst hardly bear thou art so puffed up in the pride of thy heart in what thou performest unto God though when thou hast done all thou canst thou art an unprofitable servant as it is written Luke 17. 10. which is to have his portion with hypocrites where is weeping and gnashing of teeth for ever Matth. 25. 30. At thy hand God cannot have a sacrifice well-pleasing to him if thou give thy first-born for thy transgression or the fruit for the sin of thy soul it is but as the cutting off a dogs neck or offering Swines blood while thy heart is corrupted thorow the deceitfulness of sin this is that with which God hath a controversie in thee and with thee he will not make peace till this wall of partition be broken down for it was that which first made a separation between thy father Adam and him which stands against all his seed and race after him nay it was not all the offerings and oblations throughout the first Covenant which stood in outward things which could ever make an atonement so as to bring Adams stock into unity with his Creator Therefore this is my counsel and advice unto thee who art in the unconverted state alienated from God and estranged in thy minde from his Covenant of life who hath any desires in thee to return unto the Lord who made thee that he may save thee from the heat of his wrath for ever cease from thy own words works and wayes and be not hasty to run before thy Maker lead thee by the hand in the light of his truth wherewith Christ hath lighted thee Iohn 1. 9. which shineth in thy dark heart 2 Cor. 4. 6. so shall not thou abide in darkness but shall receive the light of life
Iohn 8. 12. Harken unto his voice who stands at thy door and knocks and would have thee receive him into thy heart which is his Throne upon which he must sit as King if ever he receive thee into protection with him there he must work the Fathers will in thee which is to purifie thee throughout in body soul and spirit without which thou canst never be a vessel of honour to God to set forth his praise and glory in the earth his righteousness he must work in thee by his right hand which must cover thee for ever and thou must be crucified upon his Cross from all thy own righteousness and unrighteousness which did all spring from the seed of enmity in which God had no delight before thou know the peace of God which passeth all understanding to keep thy heart and minde All this thou wilt find true in the day of thy visitation however the false Prophets may perswade thee to the contrary that will all deceive thee in the day of the Lords fierce indignation when every one shall receive a reward according to their deeds This is a hard saying to thee who is yet alive in the fulness of delight and pleasure in the flesh to tell thee of dying to thy own righteousness and unrighteousness before thou come to live to God This is a bitter cup to thee of which thou must be willing to drink before thou teste of the Cup of blessing which is the Communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. thou must suffer with him who dyed upon the Cross before thou know the vertue ol his resurrection thou must put off the old man with his deeds before thou put on the new man Eph. 4 22 23 24. Thou must purge out the old leven of uncleanness and the old bottle must be broken before thou keep a seast of unleavened bread 1 Cor. 5. 7 8 as a Passeover unto the Lord. This is the footsteps of the flock in which thou must walk before Christs righteousness he thine thou must buy the truth with the loss of all that is contrary to it if ever thou truly purchase it so as to be thine for ever This is the word of the Lord God unto thee which must be fulfilled in or upon thee Let no man deceive thee through vain word of such as tells thee God looks upon thee not as thou art in sin but as thou art in Christ Oh poor deluded wretch this is the deceiveableness of righteousness indeed which would make God as unrighteous as themselves to look upon a man in Christ when he is not but in sin and transgression Oh give not heed to such lying vanities lest thou forsake thy own mercies for ever For because of those things hath come the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Ephes 5. 6. Coll. 3. 6. He that saith to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the Nations curfe and people shall abhor him Prov. 24. 24. I say God looks upon thee as thou art art who will not justifie thee in sin nor hold thee guiltless in transgression but will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses Psal 68. 21. therefore return return unto the Lord by speedy repentance and kiss the Son lest he be angry and thou perish from the way of life for if his wrath be kindled blessed are they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. I tell thee again I am not sent to preach perfection unto thee but the day of the Lords vengeance ane recompence I am not to daub thee with untempered morter as the false Prophets hath done many years to cry peace to thee in iniquity to whom the Lord saith No peace Ifa 48. 22. chap. 57. 21. Therefore cease from man and from spending thy money for that which is not bread and thy labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55. 2. if thou art or has been feeding among the Swine upon the husk and wallowing in the mire among them and satisfying thy self with a profession of the Saints words outwardly as they are written in the Letter of the Scripture while thou art a stranger to that life in which they lived who writ them forth Oh this is as chaffe to the wheat which is the inward profession of the life and righteousness of the Son of God therefore return unto the Fathers house which is the light in which God dwelleth 1 Tim. 6. 16. so will he meet thee and embrace thee and rejoyce over thee and satisfie thee with bread enough Lnke 15. 17 18 19 20. yea with the fatted calf his own crucified one of which thou shalt feed and never hunger more This I was warned by the Lord to lay before all who are yet in Babylon and Egypt that they may flie out and escape from her sins lest they pattake of her plagues as it is writeen Kev 18. 4. for the hour of her judgement is comes and the execution will speedily follow which will leave the wicked neither root nor branch Therefore let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into heaviness for God hath clothed himself with a garment of vengeance and with zeal as with a cloak Isa 59. 17. and no unclean thing shall now stand before him Howl ye oaks of Bashan and ye Cedars of Lebanon the Lord hath haid his axe to your roots and your strength and tallness must come down for your fruit hath been the fruit of Sodom and your grapes the grapes of Gomorrah you have long cumbred the ground even till it is weary with you and is ready to vomit you up therefore bow your selves unto the mighty God of Iacob before he cut you down and cast you into the fire of his jealousie for ever and tremble at the presence of him whose word is gone forth even from Dan to Beersheba 2 Chroo 3. 5. for he is the God of the whole earth and before him all Nations are as the drop of a bucket Isa 40. 15. who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and meted the heavens with a span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa 40. 12. who will render to every man according to the fruit of his doings therefore while thou has a little time prize it lest the day of thy visitation pass away and the day of wrath come upon thee as a thief in the night 1 Thess 5. 2. Here followeth an Invitation of Love to all people to come unto the Fountain of Fountain of Living Waters which is now open that they may drink and be satisfied and never thrist more OH all ye Nations of the earth ye people every where Let me invite you to come forth the voice of Christ to hear By whom the Lord will now declare his righteousness and truth Unto the Nations every where that
nor who shall descend into the deep to setch him from beneath but the Word shall be nigh thee in thy heart and in thy mouth according as'tis said Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 14. This will be a Lamp to thy seet and a Light to thy path Psal 119. 105. to guide thee in the way of truth and peace and will give thee the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Iesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. So let every one search his own heart and light the candle there that he may sinde the word of faith there to guide him this word David hid in his heart that he might not sin against God Psal 119. 11. This is the word of saith which I preach unto thee that thou may come to hear receive it whereby faith may be wrought in thy heart to give thee victory over the world sin death and darkness and the grave which hath long separated thee from God And then shalt thou witness him thy Redeemer even the Holy One of Israel But if thou ask me what must lead the to this Redeemer I answer The Law of God which he hath written in thy heart according to his promise in the second Covenant Ier. 31. 31 32 33. which Law was the Apostles Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ that they might be justified by faith Gal. 3. 24. This Law will be thy Schoolmaster to bring thee to Christ that thou may be justified by faith and not by works of the Law this will be a present Teacher with thee at all times and in all places and will never let thee do evil nor do that to another thou would not that he should do unto thee It will bring thee to love the Lord with all thy heart and thy neighbour as thy selse as it is written in the Law of Moses yea when thou turnest to tho right hand or to the lest thou shalt hear a voice behinde thee saying This is the way walk in it Isa 30. 21. But thou may object and say Shall I not go to hear Sermons from learned men such as are brought up at Oxford or Cambridge I say cease from man even from all them who keeps thee from the Law written in thy heart for such hath no light in them Isa 8. 20. Such are blinde Guides and would keep thee from this Law which is light Pro. 6. 23. loast it should discover their darkness unto thee that they may lead thee in blindeness and darkness which leads to the chambers of Death Pro. 7. 27. And that thou may spend all thy substance upon the Physitians as the woman had done and yet was not cured till she came to Christ Luke 8. 43 44. As thou Wilt not be till thou come to be led to him by that which manifests both thy deeds of darkness and theirs also who hath applyed salve to thy wounded soul before they have cleansed out the filthy rotten corrupted ulcers with which thy soul hath been loaded so their salve hath taken no impression nor been available at all unto thee so that they have been Physitians of no value Iob 13. 4. but thy corruptions hath prevailed upon thee till all thy money is spent Oh therefore hearken unto him who stands at thy door and often knocks If thou wilt open thy door he will come in to thee and will sup with thee and thou shalt sup with him Rev. 3. 20. Then shalt thou know the Supper of the Lord even a Feast of unleavened bread If thou wilt receive him he will cleanse thy sores and lance thy wounds like the good Physitian and reach the living sensible part in thee that the Corruption hath not prevailed against and nothing else he will suffer to remain within that he may thorowly cure thee and make thee perfectly whole in body soul and spirit and then he will pour in the oyle of Joy for the spirit of heaviness that thou may be called a Tree of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord Isa 61. 3. Then shall the light of the Moon be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be seven-sold as the light of seven dayes in the day when the Lord bindeth up thy breach healeth the stroke of thy wound Isa 30. 26. then shalt thou who hath been deaf hear and thy blinde eye shall be opened and shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness Isa 29. 18. And thou shalt encrease thy joy in the Lord and rejoyce in the Holy One of Israel verse 19. then shall Iudgment dwell in the wilderness which thou shalt love and righteousness in the fruitfull field in which thou shalt dwell and the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Isa 32. 16 17. Then shall thy soul delight it self in the Lord its Redeemer and magnifie the name of the God of Israel all thy dayes And thou shall not need to be taught of thy neighbour or of thy brother brother to know the Lord for thou shalt know him and be taught of him and great shall be thy peace according to the words of Ieremiah Ier. 31. 34. Isa 54. 13. Iohn 6. 45. and the anointing wherewith he hath anointed thee shall abide in thee and thou shalt not need any man to teach thee but as the anointing teacheth thee of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it teacheth thee thou shalt abide in him 1 Iohn 2. 27. These things I have written to thee concerning any that would seduce thee from this inward teacher ver 26. That if any come to thy house and bring not this doctrine bid him not God speed least thou be partaker of his evil deeds yea if I or an Angel from heaven preach any other doctrine let us be accursed and let God give no more increase to our work then he hath done to the work of the Priests this many hundred years Therefore cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils and hearken unto him by whom God speaks in these last dayes as thou may reade Heb. 1. 1. who saith Learn of me and you shall finde rest for your souls Mat. 11. 29. He will be a sufficient teacher unto thee in all the wayes of righteousness and be a wall unto thee in the time of storm and a shadow unto the time of heat Isa 25. 4. yea he will be they Shepherd and spread thy table in the sight of thy enemies Psal 23. 1 2 3 4 5. and he will lead thee into green pastures by the rivers of water and will restore thy soul to praise and glorifie his name for ever EVen all these things in mercy great hee 'l bring to pass for thee If thou wilt now upon him wait his saving health to see Hee 'l take thee from the lake so deep out of the mire and clay And on a rock hee 'l set thy feet and will divert thy way And bring
A Standard of Righteousness lifted up unto the Nations and an Ensigne of Grace unto the People But the Flagge of Defiance against Antichrist and all his Messengers and Ministers who are under his power and pleading for it for terme of life All which are held forth in a plain answer unto Leonard Letchfords Quaery Concerning Perfection and keeping of Gods Law and Commandements which may serve for the universal good and satisfaction of all people who are yet unsatisfied in these weighty matters in this Book inserted With a testimony concerning the natural man who cannot keep the Law nor Commands of God Also an Invitation to all people to come unto the Fountain of Living Waters from whence they have been driven Also a testimony concerning the spiritual man in whom the Law of God is fulfilled and the Commands of Christ kept Also the way to the Kingdome of God in short held forth to all who are willing to enter therein Also the difference between the true Gospel and the false truly stated With 34 Quaeries for Leo. Letchford of Hurst-pier point in the County of Sussex to be answered by him by plain Scripture as I have answered his Given forth this 13th day of the 8th Moneth 1663 by a follower of the Lamb thorow many tribulations whose Name is AMBROSE RIGGE When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him Is 59. 19. Printed in the Year 1663. Gentle and Courteous Reader IN this small Book is many weighty matters laid down to thy serious consideration even the things which belongs to thy eternal peace with God therefore be not rash nor hasty to judge of any thing herein which may be above thy capacity but wait in that measure of the gift of grace which God hath bestowed upon thee that it may lead thee in the path of righteousnesse so will these heavenly mysteries be unfolded unto thee and if in any thing thou be contrary minded God shall reveal even this unto thee for he revealeth secrets and the light dwelleth with him And as no man knows the things of man save the spirit of man that is in him so no man knows the things of God save the spirit of God Therefore if thou wouldst know whether these things in this little Volume be of God or no return to the manifestation of Gods Spirit which he hath given to thee to profit withal this will be as the Key of David unto thee and will open unto thee these things and no man shall shut them from thee but if this shut them from thee no man shall open them to thee Therefore unto this I recommend thee and remain Thine to serve in love AMB. RIGGE A Standard of Righteousnesse lifted up to the Nations and an Ensigne of Peace unto the People IN the beginning God made man upright Eccl. 7. 29. perfect and compleat in his owne Image Gen. 1. 26 27. which was righteousness and true holiness and gave him divers Commandements and alsopower to keep and observe them while he stood in that perfect image in which he was created who in that state was a Son of God and Heir of Life and had the Tree of Life freely given him to be his food that he might live for ever But out of that state the Serpent led him to sin and break Covenant with God whereby he lost that perfection of holinesse in which he stood compleat while he kept Covenant with God And also was dispossessed of that power by which he kept the Commands of God and so all his posterity died in him from that power and perfection of holinesse in which man was created and fell into Satans Kingdome which is sin and imperfection and so were and alwayes have been led captive at his will into many noysome lusts which hath drowned thousands in perdition But as in Adam all died so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 22. This glad tydings of Life Salvation and Redemption was general to all Mankind without respect of persons who would hear and obey him by whom God in his eternal purpose would restore man into his first estate viz. by Christ the second Adam according to his word by Isaiah the Propet who said that Zion should be redeemed through judgement and her Converts with righteousnesse Isa 1. 27. And also said he would restore her Judges as at the first and her Counsellors as at the beginning and afterwards she should be called the City of Righteousnesse the faithful City verse 26. This was the first promise of mans restoration into that perfection of holinesse in which he was created And he prophesied of the Coming and Kingdome of Christ and said it shall come to passe in the last dayes that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains And many people should say Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Iacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walke therein Isa 2. 2 3. And the same Prophet cried unto the house of Iacob and said Come let us walke in the light of the Lord Isa 2. 5. Here was the way of God which was his Light prophesied of to lead man again to God from whence he was fallen which afterwards came to lead the Israel of God in all his wayes as hereafter I shall fully declare Yet never thelesse the same Prophet said Christs Kingdome should be a Tabernacle when the Lord had washed away the filth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of judgement and burning Isa 4 4. 5 6. yet the same Prophet saw in a Vision the stubbornesse of many to their own destruction and said they would make their hearts fat and their ears heavy and would not hear and shut their eyes least they should see until their Cities was wasted without inhabitants and their houses without men Isa 6. 10 11. But said in it there should be a remnant which should be as a Teyle Tree or as an Oake whose substance was in them when they cast their leaves so the holy seed should be the substance thereof Isa 6. 13. which afterwards was fulfilled for Christ the holy seed was after in the remnant that was saved as the substance remained in the Teyle Tree or Oake when their leaves was cast This was also a certain testimony of the Son of God who was set for the fall and the raising again of many in Israel Luke 2. 34. who was to be manifested in man to restore him to his first estate as the Apostles at large afterwards witnessed The same Prophet also prophesied of the birth of this Second Adam and of his Kingdome and Government Isa 9. 6. 7. And said the remnant of the house of Iacob should no more stay upon him who smote them but should stay upon the Lord the Holy One of Israel and should return unto the mighty
they may now come forth Of that great bondage unto sin in which their souls doth mourn And that you all may now begin unto the Lord to turn That he may save your souls alive for his own mercy sake Of which he will not now deprive all them that do awake And follow him whom God hath sent his Law for to fulfil Which perfectly cannot present compleatly in his will Nor by its works cannot mankinde be justifi'd with him Until he come this Christ to finde with whom I did begin And his own righteousness obtain which he for them hath wrought In bearing of that mortal pain when he the reto was brought By which he fully ransomed all those who did believe And death he then abandoned and raised from the grave Him hath God raised now again in this the latter day Who must for ever now remain as Moses once did say Even Israels Shepherd and their Rock to save them from their sin Who now doth ope unto his knock and him receive within He 'll give them power his sons to be his danghters eke also And give them perfect victory over their internal foe But first he ll purifie their hearts by his own precious blood And quench the enemies fiery darts when they come as a stood He 'll ope to them his fountain sweet that they thereof may drink And when they pass the Lake so deep therein they shall not sink The waters he 'll divide that they way pass through without harm And Pharaoh and his host destroy That they his fear may learn And bring them through the wildenress wherein he 'll try their faith That they may know his righteousness and see his saving health He 'll bring his royal chosen flock thorow many tribulations And suffer many them to mock to exercise their patience And many other tryals great he 'll suffer them to bear Too many now for to repent that they his Crown may wear Thorow which he 'll purge away their dross their Tynne also consume And nothing in them shall be lost that with him must have room And when he thus hath brought them nigh unto his habitation He 'll fill their mouths with praises high and shew them his salvation That they may ever with him dwell in joy and lasting rest And tryumph over death and hell by which they were opprest In that strait path of righteousness in which he did them bring To see his truth and faithfulness that they his praise might sing Therefore ye people great and small unto the Lord return Incline your ears to hear his call that he may now confirm His promise made to Israel if they his face did seek Their enemies for to expel for his own mercy sake A Testimony concerning the spiritual man who is begotten of God through the spirit by the Immortal Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever and hath received the spirit of Adoption whereby he cries Abba Father AS there is a natural man who is corrupted after the deceitful lusts so there is a spiritual man who is born of the Spirit and hath the promise of Eternal Life thorow the Adoption viz. the redemption of the body he is made an habitation of God thorow the Spirit in whom God dwells and walks according to his promise of old 2 Cor. 6 16. he walketh in the Spirit and doth not fulfill the lusts of the Flesh in him hath God great delight and giveth him wisdom power strength and ability to do whatsoever he commands him and he can do all things thorow him whom is his strength Phil. 4. 13. The Commandements of God are not grievous but joyous to him nay they are his onely delight and this keeps him in love and favour with God so that he with-holds no good thing from him Psal 84. 11. but gives him of the abundance of his heavenly treasure He seeds him with the Heritage of Iacob even with the finest of the wheat and with honey out of the Rock Psal 81. 16. he opens his Brests of Consolation to him out of which delight some refreshment comes whereby he grows in the beauty of holinesse in his mouth is the high praises of the as a two-edged sword in his hand thorow which he executes vengeance upon the heathen and punishment upon the people Psal 149. 7. As the natural man is wife to do evil He is wife to resist evil so that it doth not come nigh unto his honse yea though evil pursue the wicked yet to him there is a Tree of Life Prov. 13. 21. upon which he seeds and lives for ever He is stout and valorous even as bold as a Lion Prov. 28. 1. he fears not the swelling of the Sea he is not afraid of the terrour of the night nor of the arrow that flieth by day Psal 9â— 5. the Law of Truth is in his mouth Mal. 2. 6. so that his steps cannot slide he calls no man Father upon Earth nor no man Master below the Sun Mat. 23. 9 10. for he is born of God and receiveth his Law from his mouth he is Created again in Christ Jesus unto good works that he may live in them He lives by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Mat. 4. 4. over him death nor darnknesse hath not power but he stands in the glorious liberty of the Sons of God a free born son and heir of God a joynt Heir with Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 17. he grows up in the measure of the stature and of the fullnesse of Christ unto a perfect man as it is written of him Eph. 4. 13. but this is a mistery to the natural man even as the winde blows where it listeth and he hears the sound thereof but knows not whence it comes nor whither it goes Iohn 3. 8. even so is every one that is born of the Spirit Therefore they who are of the flesh they minde the things of the flesh and they who are of the Spirit the things of the Spirit And as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. but the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse to him 1 Cor. 2. 14. but the spiritual man judgeth all things and he himself is judged of no man 2 Cor. 2. 15. And this is that noble birth which God hath brought forth in many at this day unto whom we preach perfection and freedome from the law of sin and death which is the same wisdome which Paul said he preached among them that was perfect 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. But this the carnal man cannot endure to hear of who receives not the things of the spirit of God as it is written of him 1 Cor. 2. 14. Therefore it is no marvel why Leonard Letchford cannot receive this doctrine of perfection which the holy men of God held forth unto the spiritual man so plentifully throughout the Scripture of truth as I have shewed
before to all who with a spiritual eye discerneth the things of God by which they are only known 1 Cor. 2. 11. but they are foolishness and madness to such sons of Belial as Leo. Letchford hath manifested himself to be whos 's Query is Whether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge while he is upon the earth c. By which it manifestly appears that he hath made a strong Covenant with death and an agreement with hell who dares challenge no perfection but to do evil and commit sin and that for term of life and would perswade others so to do and make them believe this is praise to God which is the highest disgrace he can possibly bring to his Name and the most for the promoting of that antichristian doctrine of the Church of Rome that the devil can lead any of his servants to give forth For it is wholly raked out of that kennel and filthy puddle of iniquity and never once mentioned in the Scriptures of truth but condemned thereby root and branch as I have shewed above By which let all sober-hearted men judge whether Iohn or he is to be believed who said He that committeth sin is of the Devil c. I Iohn 3. 8. And whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaines in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God then said In this is the children of God manifested and the children of the Devil Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother I Iohn 3. 9 10. and by this they will soon see whether L. L. be a childe of God or of the Devil who would perswade others that to do good and not to commit sin is that which none dares challenge upon the earth and that it would be praise to God to say his Commandements cannot be done without sinning or offending this cannot be parallel'd in all the Scripture if it can I leave it to Leo. Letchford to produce if it cannot I leave him naked to all the world to judge of him in truth equity and righteousness whether this doctrine of sin and imperfection doth not overthrow all the works and sufferings of Christ the Son of God and establish the work of the Devil for term of life yea or nay Therefore oh thou begotten of God who art born again of the water and of the spirit give in thy evidence who ever thou art against this unheard of Heresie which God will confound with the breath of his mouth and with the brightness of his shining glory Which is arisen and arising to expell all these foggs mists and vapours which the man of sin hath overspred the earth withall in this long night of darkness and apostacy from the life of God wherein the great Whore that hath sitten upon many waters hath made all Nations drunk with the wine of her fornication Rev. 17. 1 2. 18. 3. and hath sitten a a Queen and seen no sorrow and all her ministers hath pampered themselves like fat horses in the sulness of the earth and hath made merchandise of many through covetousness and feigned words 2 Pet. 2. 3. this sixteen hundred years and upward ever since the Antichrists went out into the world who hath continued in the world to this day I Iohn 2. 18. deceiving the Nations with the multitude of their Inchantments but now is the day of the Lord broken forth in clearness again in this latter age which hath discovered her skirts with all her merchants who is worse then Balaam the son of Bosor who though he loved the wages of unrighteousness durst not take it Num. 22. 18. and 24. 13. but they love and take it and persecute all those who will not give it to them as we have a cloud of witnesses standing upon record against them at this day their actions hath been more cruel then ever was any of their sore-fathers the Pope excepted as thou who art spiritual has clearly seen I question not but their end shall be according to their works Cor 11. 15. what ever their words are the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Here is the way which leadeth to the Kingdome of God in short held forth to all who are willing to enter therein AS Satan by sin and transgression hath opened a way into eternal misery and condemnation from God for all who followes and obeyes him So God in his infinite love and mercy by Jesus Christ hath opened a gate of mercy unto all mankinde and hath prepared a way of life peace and eternal salvation that all who are willing to walk therein may attain thereunto This way is called the way of Holiness which the unclean shall not pass over the wayfareing man though a fool shall not err therein Isa 35. 8 This way is a mystery to all the Sons of Adam and is strait and narrow and few there be that finde it Matth. 7. 14. but the way which leads to destruction is wide and broad and all the unclean yea all the workers of Iniquity can walk therein Matth. 7. 13. So there is but these two wayes for all mankinde to walk in the one leads to life eternal and the other to eternal death Now the Lord hath opened my heart a little to shew unto every one the way of life which is Christ Jesus Iohn 14. 6. And that by which they may be brought into this way according as the Spirit of God shall give me utterance It is written in the Scriptures of truth of a Woman having ten pieces of silver if she loose one doth light a candle and sweepeth her house and seek diligently till the finde it and when she hath found it calleth in her friends and neighbours together saying Rejoyce with me for I have found the piece which I had lost Luke 15. 8 9. This was a Parable of the way of Life which was to be found within when the candle was lighted thy house swept Which is thy heart which is soul and corrupted by the enemy of thy soul who hath led thee from mountain to hill like a lost sheep I mean from one High Priest to another so that thou hast sorgotten thy resting place Isa 50. 6. Therefore hath the good Shepherd left the ninety and nine in the Wilderness and is gone after thee which is lost in the mountains and will lay thee upon his shoulders till he bring thee home and rejoyce over thee Luke 15. 4 5. And when thou art come in thou shall be sed in a good pasture by the rivers of water where thou shalt not want Ezek. 34 14. and thy soul shall delight it self in fatness and shall live Isa 55. 2. For the Lord will be thy Shepherd and thou shalt be established in Righteousness and great shall be thy peace Isa 54. 13. and thou shalt not need to say Who shall ascend into heaven to setch Christ from above
thee to that lasting rest which he prepar'd for thee Before he formed East or West in his heavenly decree Therefore I warn thee to return unto the Lord that he May all his promises confirm that happy thou mayst be Which he will make thee in the end if thou his law regard And learn thy way for to amend by cleaving to his word This is written from a true lover of thy soul whose name is AMBROSE RIGGE The difference between the true Gospel and the false truly stated and clearly demonstrated that all people may see and read which Gospel they have received and obeyed this many years whether the true Gospel or the false THe true and everlasting Gospel of Iesus Christ the Son of God is glad tidings of good things which is remission of sins and reconciliation to God by Iesus Christ Luke 1. 19. Luke 8. 1. which was preached to give the knowledge of falvation unto all people by the remission of sins Luke 1. 77. So here it manifestly appears that this Gospell was preached to give the knowledge of salvation to all people which knowledge was onely received by the remission of sins The false Gospel of Antichrist the man of sin is sad tidings of bad things wherein there is no remission of sins but a continual slavery unto sin and Satan all mans dayes according as it is and hath been taught by the teachers of this generation which is as contrary to the true Gospel as light is to darkness The true Gospel its message is to turn people from darkness to the light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith in the Son Acts 26. 18. The message of the false Gospel is that people can never come from under the power of Satan but must have a body of sin as long as they live which is sad tidings and not glad tidings for he that hath been under a tyrants power from his mothers womb for another to pretend freedom to him and take his money as though he would bring him to Christ who would free him and yet in the end tell him he must remain under the power of this tyrant all his dayes this is sad tidings to him who hath both spent his money and is neither redeemed nor now hath any hopes ever to be while he lives and such is the false Gospel at this day The message of the true Gospel is a proclamation of liberty and freedom to all Captives who hath been imprisoned in sin and transgression wherein the blood of Christ is freely held forth for the remission of sins Mat. 26. 28. The message of the false Gospel is continual captivity in sin and never liberty nor freedom from it as we have seen by many years sad experience The true Captain of salvation saith Follow me and thou shalt finde rest to thy soul Mat. 11. 29. The false Leader saith Thou shalt never overcome but be in a continual warfare and shall never come to peace nor rest here which is sad news indeed The Messengers of the true Gospel saith They were circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Col. 2. 11. The Messengers of the false Gospel saith This can never be done but men must have a body of sin as long as they live which is far different from the other The Messengers of the true Gospel saith Christ shall save his people from their sins The Messengers of the false Gospel saith Christ shall save from the punishment due to sin but not from committing sin which doctrine overthrows the Iustice of God who giveth to every one according to their deeds Here followeth a few Queries put to Leonard Letchford either to be answered by plain Scripture according as I have answered his before cited or else to acknowledge that I have struck the Devil dumb in his minister at Hurst at last though I have long suffered him to boast himself as though he were a Minister of Christ even till his fruits are grown so foul and odious that every one is ready to bring in their verdict to the contrary Query 1. VVHat is that Image in which man was created in the beginning by God was that Image perfect or imperfect 2. What was the forbidden fruit of which he eat through which he lost this Image and where is it now and how is it to be known now 3. What was the Tree of Life from which man was driven and where is it and how must he come to it again 4. Whether man can be saved or come to life with God for ever unless he come to this Tree and feed thereof yea or nay 5. What are the Cherubims and the flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life 6. What is that death which passed over all men in transgression 7. What is the feed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head and what did God promise therein to all the Families of the earth 8. How must man be restored into that Image in which he was created and whether he can come from under the power of that death which passed over him till he be thus resored yea or nay 9. Whether can man be so restored in this life yea or nay If yea by what way and means If nay Whether at death or the day of judgement or betwixt both Answer by plain Scripture seeing the Scripture saith no unclean thing nor any thing that defileth or worketh abomination shall in any wise enter therein 10. What is the wall of partition which stands between God and Man And whether man can be brought into unity with God again out of the unity before this wall be broken down and this enmity slain yea or nay 11. What is the valley of Achor and where is it in which God will plead with man by his sword and by fire because of that death which hath passed over him by transgression 12. For what end was the Commandments and Law of God given forth by Moses Was they given forth to be broken or to be kept yea or nay 13. Whether did God give them power to keep his Laws and Precepts when he commanded them to observe and do them yea or nay 14. Why was this Law said to be weak and in what was this Covenant faulty and to what was this Covenant weak and in what was this Covenant faulty 15. For what end was this Covenant and the Priesthood therein changed And why was there of necessity made a change of the Law 16. What was that death which was the cause that Aarons Priesthood could not continue 17. VVhat was Aarons Office and what was the Office of Christ and what was the end of both their Offices 18. For what end was Christ manifested and said to be an everlasting high Priest Was it that sin might remain or be destroyed 19. For what end did he lay down his life Was it to ransome man from sin or no 20. VVhether can man be truly said to be ransomed or saved while he lives under the power of Satan yea or no 21. VVhether hath man any benefit by the death or blood of Christ whilehe lives in sin and transgression yea or nay 22. Can man truly say he is redeemed while he is in his vain conversation or can he truly say Christ is his Saviour while he is not saved from his sin yea or nay 23. VVhat is that death which Paul spake of when he said I thank God I dye dayly because his body was alive years after 24. Doth God look upon any one to be in Christ while he is in sin Or doth he justifie the ungodly while in ungodliness 25. VVhether is any justified by Christ who is not sanctified by the blood of his Cross throughout in body soul and spirit yea or nay 26. VVhether any doth know the truth as it is in Iesus who is in the bondage of corruption seeing Christ said to his Disciples if you obey my word you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free 27. VVhat was the work of Christ in the world which his father gave him to do and what was the difference between his works and the works of the Law by which no flesh could be justified 28. VVhether is man freed from the guilt of sin while he remains in the act of it Or whether is he freed from the punishment due for sin which is death and separation from God for ever while he remains in either yea or nay If yea shew how and by what way if thou can 29. VVhat is the vertue of Christs resurrection and whether hath man any benefit thereby while he lyes in the grave of corruption yea or nay 30. VVhat is the difference between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of faith And whether any can have this righteousness imputed to him as to be made his for ever until he come to cast off the old man with his deeds which is sin and trangression yea or nay 31. VVhat is the old leaven which was to be purged out that they might become a new lump And whether he who commanded this thing did not give them power to do it yea or nay 32. VVhat is that death and hell which was to be cast into the lake of fire And where is that lake And how may it now be known 33. VVhat is that victory of which death should be swallowed up and how and when may it now be gained or known 34. VVhether it was not a perfection of holiness and righteousness and freedome from sin and imperfection that Christ and his Apostles held forth and witnessed while they lived on earth through the power of him whom God had raised from the dead If yea why is this Doctrine now condemned If nay where or how were they made perfect shew by plain Scripture All these plain Scripture Queries are left to Leonard Letchsord to answer if he can or else consess himself a Minister not sent of God whose Doctrine is contrary to Christ and his Apostles Written by him who hath suffered under Leonard Letchfords cruelty this fifteen moneths and upward in the County Goal in Horsham for the testimony of a good Conscience whose name is Ambrose Rigge