THE Friendly Enquirer's Doubts and Objections ANSWERED Concerning The Light within The Word of God The Church of Christ Gospel Ministers Ordinances in General and in Particular Water Baptism and The Lord's Supper TOGETHER With a Brief Testimony against OATHS and SWEARING First Intended and Written for the Satisfaction of some particular Acquaintance And now published for more General Service By Iames Iackson London Printed and Sold by T. Sowle next door to the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-Street 1698. THE Friendly Enquirer's Doubts and Objections ANSWERED c. THat which was from the beginning even that good Word of Life which is the Light of Men that which we have seen and heard and tasted of is here declared unto you that ye also may have Fellowship with us And truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ and for this and no other end write I unto you but that your joy may be full This then is the Message that God is Light and in him is no darkness at all and if we say that we have Fellowship with him and walk in darkness we Lie and do not the Truth But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us but if we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all our Unrighteousness 1 John 1.1.2.3 to the 9th Whoever therefore would attain unto the blessed Work of Sanctification to be cleansed from all Sin by the Blood of Jesus Christ and so come to enjoy the comfortable fellowship of the Holy Ghost which proceeds from the Father and the Son Must turn from Darkness to Light Acts 26.18 must Believe in the Light John 12.36 And walk in the Light even as he is in the Light and will know that this Turning is an Inward Turning from the Darkness which is within unto the Light within where the Day dawneth his Star ariseth and the day spring from on high doth visit us even in our Hearts 2. Pet. 1.19 Wherefore blessed are they who are not offended in the Light but turn to it believe in it and obey it in all things 1. Objection But we are afraid of being deceived This is a new and strange Doctrine did ever Christ or his Apostles bid Men believe and obey the Light within Answer 1. Are you not already deceived Consider and faithfully examine your own conditions if you are delivered out of the deceived State wherein the greatest part of the World yet remain are you not in a sinful Trasgressing State For 't is said The Woman being deceived was in the Transgression 1 Tim. 2.14 2. They who believe and abide in the Light know that they are not deceived seek not to deceive any nor fear any deceiving them tho' whilst we walk in the imaginations of our own Hearts and warmed our selves with the sparks of our own kindling that then as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so our Minds were corrupted from the Simplicity that is in Jesus in which State we see many yet to stand whom the Lord will undeceive in his own time But evil Men and seducers will wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived And never fear deceit in those that turn you to the Light unto which they that do the Truth bring all their works Verily you ought cautiously to be aware of and suspect all those who pretend safe conduct but reject and hate the Light 3. Search and Prove this Doctrine freely without prejudice or partiality judge nor condemn it unheard speak not evil of any thing unknown for so we may unhappily condemn the Innocent and make our selves Guilty We should rightly understand what another holds before we contend against him least for want of this Wisdom and Patience we oppose not so much his Judgment as our own Conceit Better it is to hear a Mans mind with meekness and candor than hastily to guess at it 4. Be not wedded I beseech you to any Opinion nor wise in your own Conceits so as to build upon your own or other Mens Judgments and rest satisfied therein because it is strengthned by Multitude Custom Authority and Antiquity for undoubtedly many have erred grosly in those things they have thought themselves infallible Better it is to cleave to the clear and naked Truth 's of God alone than to follow the Doctrines and Examples of the most learned and Eminent Professors in the World when they hold not the Truth as it is in Jesus 5. Reproach not this Doctrine saying it is new and strange or that ye never heard it so before for this discovers your ignorance more than my Error for this which to you may seem to be a new Error being rightly examined by the Scriptures will evidently prove an old Truth and if you will needs reject whatsoever to you savours of Novelty how shall the Truths we yet know not be brought in and the Ignorance and Error which yet remain be purged out 6. This is the same Doctrine which was preached by our blessed Saviour and his holy Prophets and Apostles which was believed and obeyed by all the Faithful Saints and Servants of God since the Creation the same which the Lord gave in charge to the Israelites by the mouth of Moses saying Behold I send my Angel before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thee to the place I have prepared Beware of him and obey his Voice Exod. 23.20 But the Soul that doeth ought presumptuously reproacheth the Lord and shall be cut off from his People because he hath despised the Word of the Lord Numb 15.30 what is here meant by the Word of the Lord Answer Nothing less than the Light of Christ in their Hearts For saith Moses It is not hidden from thee neither is it far off but the Word is very nigh even in thy Heart and in thy Mouth that thou shouldest hear it and do it Deut. 30.11 to 14. to which the Apostle gives his Testimony that this Word or Light within is not Diabolical nor Natural nor Legal but Evangelical and affirms that obedience thereunto is of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 10. from the 5th to the 8th David calls it a Lamp to his feet and a Light to his paths and prays that the Light and the Truth may be his Leader and Guide Solomon says The reproof of instruction is the way of Life And the Prophet Isaiah testifies thou shalt hear a Word behind thee saying this is the Way walk in it Isa 30.21 John the Baptist preached Christ the Light which was the Word which was in the beginning of the World and He was sent to bear witness of this Light which is not a false Light or a natural Light but the true Light which lighteth
every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 and our blessed Lord said John 8.12 I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life While ye therefore have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light John 12.36 and he bids seek first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof which Kingdom he told the Scribes and Pharisees was in them Luke 17.21 whence it is evident that every true Convert must inwardly turn from the Power of Satan and Kingdom of darkness within and inwardly seek and feel after the marvelous Light of God's Kingdom to seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him and find him tho' he be not far from every one of us Acts 17.27 and the Apostle James writing to Sinners bids them lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingrafted Word which is able to save their Souls which Peter calls the sure Word of Prophesie unto which says he ye do well to give heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place till the day dawn and the day star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 which said ingrafted Word and sure Word of Prophesie cannot be intended or meant by the Holy Ghost to be the Scriptures because they are not able to Save Mens Souls or give Eternal Life to such as think to have it thence John 5.39 but it is the Light of Christ our Lord in whom is Life Eternal and the same Life is the Light of Men and his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19.13 2 Object But dost thou deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God Which is the only rule both for Life and also to judge of Doctrines and the only Weapon to resist Satan and confute his Ministers and Christ overcame the Tempter only by the Scriptures which are the Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God Answ 1. In obedience to the command of Christ John 5.39 I have perused and diligently searched the Scriptures both in the Originals and several Translations it may be as much as any Man and find that they sufficiently declare and testify of and for our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to be the Word of God But through the whole Volumn of this holy Book called the Bible and Scriptures of Truth I find not therein that they are called by this Name 2. And therefore that the Scriptures are the Sword of the Spirit or the Word of God I have no Scripture warrant to believe but that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit I own and witness experimentally and that it is sharper than a Two edged Sword like a Hammer and Fire the Ax at the Root of the Tree and that 't is Vnchangeable Incorruptible and Eternal without beginning of Days or end of Time and so are not the Scriptures 2. Nevertheless we preferr the Holy Scriptures above all Books as they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God and therefore of Divine Authority and believe them to be a true Declaration of God and of his Word yet we must not fix our hopes of Eternal Life in the Scriptures as the Jews did and would not believe in Chirst nor come to him that they might have Life John 5.38.39.40 It is not they therefore who have the Scriptures but only they who have the Son of God that have life 1 John 5.12 4. Wherefore we preferr Christ Jesus above the Scriptures for in all things he must have the preheminence therefore said John he is preferr'd before me for he is before me and before Abraham was saith Christ I am Wherefore know that we build not upon the holy Prophets and Apostles their Words Works Writings and Experiences but upon Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone and the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles so that we have not received our Light Life Peace Comfort Faith Hope and Assurance from the Writings of the Saints but from him that was their Light Life Hope Rest and Foundation and have our teaching from that inward Light Law Word and Vnction whereby Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob and Joseph walked with and pleased God long before the Scripture or Scriptural Rules were written and manifested 5. Neither are the Scriptures the only Rule for they declare and testifie of the Law written in the Heart and the Rule of a new Creature Gal. 6.15.16 and as for the only Judge of Doctrines we know that the Scriptures are hard to be understood and therefore Men in their Carnal Wisdom are putting their several meanings upon one and the same Scripture wherefore we say the Spirit of God is the Judge of Doctrines because he alone who gave forth the Scriptures best knows the meaning thereof For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Answer 6. Neither yet do I believe that the Scriptures were the only means which Christ made use of to overcome and repel the Tempter in the Wilderness for Satan allegdd and pleaded Scripture till he indeed took the Sword of the Spirit even his Divine Power and commanded him to be gone and said Get thee behind me Satan Object 3. Though it is granted that Christ by his Light and Spirit is in every true Believer yet we cannot believe him to be so in every Man for Paul tells the Ephesians that before their Conversion they were without God and without Christ in the World Eph. 2.12 and the same Apostle bids others to examine and prove themselves and to know that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 whereby it appears that Vnbelievers and Reprobates are without Christ Answ 1. As to Vnbelievers before Conversion they are alienated from the Life and Light of Christ and under the Powers of the Prince of Darkness nevertheless the true Light shines in this Darkness but the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1.5 and I can truly witness to the Truth hereof knowing the time when I was without Christ and without God in the World i. e. without the true knowledge of them living as if there was no God yea without any awful regard to the Eye of God yet I can as truly affirm that at that time the Light of Christ was in me testifying against all mine Iniquities And tho' this may seem to be a Mistery that a measure of his Light should be in a Man when that Man is without Christ yet having experienced the truth hereof do therefore testify that it is one thing for the Light of Christ to be in a Man and another thing for a Man to be in the Light of Christ and therefore affirm that the Light of Christ is in every Man but no Man is in Christ Jesus till he be a new Creature Answ 2. And as to Reprobates such as the Scripture testify who have sinned out the Day of Grace
Land of Egypt from whence ye came out where thou sowedst thy Seed and didst carry Water to it as to a Garden of Herbs Verse 11. But it is a Land of Hills and Valleys and drinketh Water of the Rain of Heaven no need here of Man's Pumping Draining or Forceing Verse 12. A Land which the Lord thy God careth for the Eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it from the begining of the Year even to the end of the Year And observe what a good account Caleb and Joshua gave of the Land in the presence of these Men who had brought up the aforesaid evil report to the jeopardy of their Lives Numb 14.7 It is say they an exceeding good Land a Land that floweth with Milk and Hony and as for those Gyants and mighty Men of stature say they fear not the People of the Land they are bread for us and upon hearing of this all the Congregation bad Stone them with Stones Whereby it is very observable how readily the common People close with and embrace the evil suggestions of the Enemy and also how hard a thing it is to undeceive such as are prejudiced against the Truth tho' grounded only upon bare report and false accusations and thus the Hearts of People are perverted 2. And yet these Evil Men do not only discourage the Hearts of the People by despising and Reproaching the good Land but they also deter and hinder them by suggesting such difficulties as possibly cannot be overcome such Enemies as never on this side the Grave can be conquered Altho' the Lord had graciously promised a total subduing of all Israel's Enemies Deut. 11.22 Saying If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do them to love the Lord your God to walk in all his ways and to cleave to him then will the Lord drive out all these Nations from before you and ye shall possess greater Nations and mightier â—han your selves and there shall no Man be able to stand before you All this and much more did the Lord promise to Israel of Old concerning a perfect dominion and victory over all their Enemies And in a more especial manner hath he promised an absolute Conquest and Deliverance from the Kingdom and Powers of Darkness to all that are Travelling to the Spiritual Canaan even unto all that receive Jesus Christ that love him believe in him and obey his Voice John 1.7.9 They who walk in the Light as he is in the Light have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus cleanseth from all Sin and if we confess and forsake our Sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleansâ— us from all Vnrighteousness John 12.46 I am come saith Christ a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness And indeed for this very end is our Lord Jesus promised sent and manifested to put an end to Sin to finish Transgression and bring in everlasting Righteousness to destroy the works of the Devil to bind the strong Man though never so well armed to cast him out and spoil his Goods not in part but to save even to the uttermost all that come to the Father by him But these Men do not only refuse and despise the Land of Promise and the only way to Life and Salvation but hinder and shut up the Kingdom that others who would enter in cannot yea they deny the only means of eternal Salvation by their confidently affirming that Revelation is ceased whereas our Lord Jesus hath declared and all the Faithful Servants of God in all Ages bear witness That none know the Father but he to whom the Son reveals him 7. And we are against all those who are and have with Judas through envy and avarice been the betrayers of the Interest and cause of Christ and People of God into the Merciless Hands of cruel Persecutors who will not yet see But saith the Lord they shall see and be ashamed for their envy against my People Of these therefore I shall only say with Jacob Simeon and Levi are Brethren Instruments of cruelty are in their Habitations O my Soul come not thou into their Secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their Anger they shed much Blood and in their self-will they digged down a Wall Gen. 49. But the Ministers of Christ whom he has sent as his Ambassadors we own and none else if you say who are they I answer they who have received their Commission and Embassie from Christ for saith he to his Father As thou sent me so have I sent them into the World and to his Disciples he said As the Father sent me into the World even so send I you into the World John 17. 1st Christ was the Son of God and a Voice from Heaven testified saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him 2ly he was immeasurably anointed with the Spirit 3d. by Vertue of his Sonship and Unction he endured and conquered all the Assaults and Temptations of Satan and 4ly he went out and preached the Gospel and 5ly that Doctrine which he had preached and witnessed to in his Life he confirmed and sealed by his Death in his Blood So are all true Ministers in their measure Children of God his anointed ones fitted through Sufferings to preach the Doctrine of the Gospel in the Life Power of the Eternal Word and thereby made ready to Seal thereto with their Blood if required Answ 2. As concerning Churches we believe that the Lord had a Church and peculier People whom he hath preserved through all Ages from the beginning to this present time in and with whom he will also abide for ever and this Church we own which is in The Communion of Saints one with another in the things of God through their Vnion with Iesus Christ which differs from the Churches of Men 1st In their constitution not gathered by Force Fear Favour or Will of Man but drawn of the Father adopted through the new Birth and so become a Spiritual Society first united to Christ by the Spirit of Faith and then knit together by the Bond of Love and Peace 2ly in their Discipline not by a Temporal Sword nor by humane Officers that act in the strength of natural or acquired parts but built beautified and governed by Christ himself Isa 54.12 Zach. 6.12 and by Instruments helped so far as the Spirit of Jesus Christ acts in them 2 Cor. 13.3 in the Church of Christ all are taught of God Isaiah 54.13 Tit. 2.11 1 John 2.27 4ly the Churches of Men are often broken to pieces scatered and confounded But the Gates which is the Power of Hell shall never prevail against the true Church Mat. 16.18 5ly in the Churches of Men are more Wicked than Righteous nay all of them being unrighteous and unclean are more or less the Synagogues of Satan the Habitation of Anti-christ
until John so John was until Christ and John must no more exceed his bounds than the Prophets theirs for as the Prophets continued and gave way to John so John resigned up to Christ John's Temporary Ministry had a Temporary Baptism but the Everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus had an Everlasting Baptism I must decrease but he shall increase saith John therefore we leave John and his Baptism where we found them viz. Without the bounds and limits of Christ's Kingdom as to his dispensation Mat. 11.11 Verily I say unto you among them that are born of Women there hath not risen a greater Prophet than John Baptist nevertheless he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he and if ye will receive it this is the Elias which was for to come But now to bring Signs and Ceremonies into Christ's Kingdom the true Church is acting directly against Christ and him crucified and surely none are so weak as to rely upon Water Baptism as sufficient which I fear many Thousands do without the Sactification of the Spirit or to think that Christ's Spiritual Baptism is not compleat with John's these do worse than to build Tabernacles for Moses and John the Baptist equal to one for Christ and so debase the greatest Glory of the New Testament the Baptism of the Spirit Object 1. But have all our Christian fore-Fathers been in the dark about this Thing that Water Baptism which gives us our Christendome hath no room now in the Church and Kingdom of Christ Answ 1. The Judgments of the Lord are unsearchable and his ways past finding out 2. that Christianity which proceeds from Water Baptism is but low and mean it is but Skin deep However it is only the Baptism of Christ's Spirit which maketh a true Christian Also our Lord said to Peter Vnless I wash thee thou hast no part in me John 13.8 even so it is with us unless we be sanctified and cleansed by the Spirit of Jesus we shall perish our Uncleanness Object 2. But Christ who is Lord of the Kingdom and Head of the true Church submitted to this Ordinance and was baptized with Water I Answer very true and Jesus was also circumcised and honoured John's Baptism 1. because he was born under the Law 2. to fulfiill and finish all legal Righteousness and so he that knew no Sin was made Sin for us That we might be made the Righteousness of God in him wherefore beware least any spoil you through Philosophy and vain Deceit after the Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of this World and not after Christ for he is the Substance and in him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are Compleat in Him in whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Buried with Him in Baptism wherein also ye are Risen with Him through the Faith of the operation of God blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances which was against us and contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to the Cross and having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly Triumphing over them in it Col. 2.8 to 15. Object 3. But does not the Lord justifie Water Baptism in saying Except a Man be born of Water John 3.5 and commands it Go teach all Nations Baptizing them c. Answ Not at all for the Lord does not say Except a Man be baptized of Water but born of Water whence it plainly appears such Water is here intended as can give a new Birth or a new Life And saith he if thou hadst known the Gift of God thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee Living Water And so all that are regenerated know this Well of Living Water and witness it to be in them springing up to Everlasting Life John 4.14 and I have long observed when Baptism in Scriprure is mentioned presently it is by some assigned and confined to Water Baptism whereas nothing less can be intended as Mat. 28.19 there is Christ's Commission to his Apostles Go teach all Nations baptizing them how or wherewith 'T is soon answered with Material Water but we say Material Water is not mentioned and no more intended in this Baptism than the material Element of Fire is meant in these Words He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 and therefore in full answer to this last Objection I say that our Lord Jesus never practised instituted or commanded the use of Water Baptism in his Church John 4.3 Jesus our Lord commanded to Baptize Mat. 28.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Here is the Commission at large and not a word of Water mentioned neither doth it appear that these words In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost was at any time expressed by the Apostles when they or any of them condescended to the use of Water for they understand the import of their Embassie consisted not in the use of those words but that by the effectual ministration of the Word of Faith they might implant such as believe into the Name i. e. the Power Vertue and Life of God the Father Son and Spirit Besides Paul whose Commission was as full as the other Apostles speaking of Water Baptism saith thus Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 Object 4. But the Apostles practised Water Baptism not only before Christ's Spiritual Baptism came in but afterwards also Answ It is granted and they used Circumcision also but neither of these practices were in obedience to any command of Christ but from the Example of Moses and John Baptist and in condescention for certain it is all and every outward Sign or Ceremony having at first Divine Institution are not easily laid down by reason of that Honourable Account they have obtained in the Church as the brazen Serpent the use whereof was only in the Wilderness but being appointed of God and very Serviceable in that time yet it remained many Generations though of no use unless for an Idol till the Reign of Hezekiah who broke in pieces the brazen Serpent which Moses had made for unto those days the Children of Israel did burn Incense unto it In like manner Circumcision being ended an Ordinance of God of great esteem and service amongst the Jews was continued long after it was abolished by Christ but the Apostle affirms of it to be nothing even as it 's said in another place an Idol is nothing in the World so says Paul Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing nor is he a Jew that is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit
may not command nor suffer us any longer to be Smitten contrary to the Law Acts 23.3 Postscript THE summ and end of all Testimonies Declarations Words and Writing is or ought to be to Reconcile Recover and Restore lost Man unto God and into his Favour And this is to be done no other way but only in and by Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the Way I am the Way saith he and no Man cometh to the Father but by me John 14.4 5 6. Now then He and he only is in the right way to Eternal Life who is in Christ that hath put on Christ that dwelleth and abideth in Christ and Christ in him John 6 56. But some will say who is in Christ Answ The new Creature even he or she that is raised up from dead Works and made alive to God by the same Spirit and Power that raised up Jesus from the Dead Rom. 8.11 That like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of Life Rom. 6.4 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature behold all things are become new and all things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 Wherefore all my Dear Friends Brethren and Sisters who have believed in the Light and do walk in the Light and tho' this way is every where evil spoken of Acts 19.9 Yet to you he is precious his ways are ways of Pleasantness and all his paths full of Peace Prov. 3.17 Hold on keep in this your way to the end and as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord even so walk in him Col. 2.6 So run as that ye may obtain the Crown and finish your Course with Joy Take heed Watch and Pray least ye fall or enter into Temptation of being easie or luke-warm or to begin to wax wanton against Christ 1 Yim 5.11 And so espouse to your selves any carnal Intrest or false Liberty which leadeth down to the Chambers of Death and Hell Prov. 7.27 And therefore believing that I am in Conscience obliged both to God and Man and made willing as a warning unto All here to Insert and Publish this following Testimony A Copy of the Paper sent to Nottingham the 21st of the 7th Month 1697. To all tender and upright-hearted Friends in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire James Jackson sendeth Greeting in the Love and Fear of God which abideth unchangable for ever MY Dear Friends whereas by my sinful Prevarications and publick Revolt the Glorious Name of the Lord and his ever blessed Truth hath been greatly dishonoured his holy Spirit together with yours exceedingly grieved besides the manifest occasion of Stumbling Offence and Perjudice hereby given to the World And now through the infinite Goodness and Mercy of God in Jesus Christ being brought into the weighty sence of his righteous Judgments and just Displeasure for my Transgressions and Backslidings feeling also the operation of his mighty Power in the fresh Visitations of his Love renewing and reviving his own blessed Work upon my Heart whereby he hath made me as at first to look unto him whom I have Pierced and with shame and contrition to yeild unto and fall under those very same Pricks and Divine Reproofs against which I have too too long kicked In the living sence hereof I am constrained to declare unto you and am not ashamed to Publish unto the World how abundantly Good and Gracious the Lord hath been and is to me who after all my Provocations and Ill requitals hath once more in the way of his Judgments extended Mercy and as a God that waits to be Gracious hath given me a repenting broken and returning frame of Heart filled with Self-condemning and Self-abhorring resentments and withal raised in me a living hope that as he hath seen all my Wanderings and perversness of my ways he will also pity and heal me and restore Comforts to me and to you my Mourners according to that precious Word Isa 57.15 16 17 18. Neither can I here omit to make my sincere and thankful Acknowledgements for the many repeated Testimonies of your tender Care and Christian-like Dealing with me watching over me administring wholsome and seasonable Admonitions faithful and compassionate Reproofs and lastly righteous and just Censures All which as to me I own were very necessary and as from you the products of Love and Faithfulness The savour thereof hath ever since by times affected my Heart with warm Inclinations to love you and secret Motions to return with the Dove into the Ark back again unto you Hos 2.7 And also in tender Love and Faithfulness I cannot but warn and beseech those who in any measure or degree have swerved from the pure path of Holiness and Selfdenial whose Hearts are privy to any secret allowance of Sin or inward declinings or decay from your first Love that ye make haste and delay not but immediately look up unto Jesus as they in the Wilderness to the Brazen Serpent Oh! linger not dally not with Sin nor take liberty to defer from mine or any others evil Example least hardness come through the deceitfulness of Sin who knows how soon the Day of Visitation may be over the strivings of Gods Spirit cease and the Door of Mercy be shut And as for my part tho' I can truly say the Lord hath preserved me from the Spirit of Envy and Prejudice the usual Companions of Apostacy yet I must ever pray that none who have known the Truth may have the like occasion to feel the bitter Pangs Terrors and Difficuties which attend a deferred return And Ye who have abode Faithful and continued in your first Station knowing that all your Strenth and Sufficiency is of Grace Put on as the Elect of God Bowels of Mercy and Pitty sustaine the Weak and pray for Us and all that have tasted of the Good Word of Life and the Powers of the World to come that we together with you may be Preserved and persevere in that Liberty wherein the Truth doth set us free and there abiding may keep our Dominion in the Authority of Truth over the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eyes and the Pride of Life And to conclude with the humble Expression of Nebuchadnezzar in the like case Dan. 4.37 I Praise and Extoll and Honour the God of Heaven all whose Works are Truth and his Ways are Judgment and they that walk in Pride he is able to Abase Iames Iackson THE END