to receive the Spirit by it then to be led into all Truth and so being first led into the Truth then in the same Truth to worship God in Spirit who is a Spirit And whether there be now any true Worship standing which God accepteth but only this And whether this alone be not agreeable to Moses Christ and Scriptures And whether all other Worships now upheld be not contrary to this true Worship of God and contrary to Moses Christ and Scriptures and indeed chiefly opposite to the Spirit of God whereby he is grieved And if so whether all such Worship Way Practice Performances Duties and Ordinances so called be not better left undone then performed until Gods Spirit be received to guide therein Thirdly Concerning the Ministration of the Spirit which abideth for ever MOses and his Ministry were visible and Christ in the form of a Servant and so like unto Moses was visible and so were his Miracles and that which is visible to the natural eye the carnal mind can come to profess and contend about but the blessed eye which God openeth with the light cometh to see the one done away and the other finished by Christ the Light and Life And the Spirit is that which first moved and yet moveth and moved unto and led through the visible Ministration and this Spirit is invisible as it is written the invisible only wise God whom no eye of flesh hath seen or can see and this moving invisible Spirit of God which is without limit or end is that which all people should be led unto by all its outward visible appearances ministrations and dispensations and this Spirit was that which gave forth and ordained the Ministration of the Law which was glorious in its time though to be done away but how much more glorious is the Ministration of that Spirit of Life it self from which the Ministration of the Law came which Spirit abideth for ever And the second Adam is made a quickning Spirit and the Spirit which is the Word was with God and was God before the body of flesh was made and that Spirit abideth for ever as is heard out of the Law He shall abide for ever And this is that which ever liveth to inâ—ercede And this for ever blessed invisible Spirit was before time and is to be when time shall be no more and is without limit an eternal lively Substance giving life from it self and secretly covering it self from the carnal part of man not seen nor understood but by such as by its secret motions come to be led to see through that which shadows it forth and by the image form shadow or figure to discern the Substance which is the Life where Immortality dwelleth for in the most innermost and secret of all is the Life of all being covered over with that in which it lies through which it breaking forth in any discovery of it self is that whereby the beholders might be drawn through the discovery unto it self which in the discovery broke forth for the discovery was still too short of that from whence it came and that which was discovered forth in any shadow form or image was not to be idolized nor set up for the very thing or substance of Life from whence it proceeded and herein hath been much mistake by such who came not by that which opened in the visibles to that from whence it came in that to have their understandings opened and thereby to be made sensible of that which is eternal by it to be brought in where its indwellings abide for ever whose breaking forth in the visible which was to draw to that invisible refreshed the soul invisibly in an unexpected manner and time but being after sought for in the visibles and not in the eternal withdraws it self out of the visibles and out of the sight and reach of that which seeks it there that thereby that which is to live for ever with it may come through all that which it appeared in unto the very thing and invisible Substance it self which is the Life of all and the true Center of the living Motion which moveth of it self and gave forth all things good as they proceeded from it by vertue of its gradual and various motions and this being come opens it self in them that find it and live therein and this maketh Darkness Light before the people whose dwelling is with God and the crooked comes to be made streight by the thing it self and dark sayings of old come to be opened and secret things revealed But to write more plain for the sake of the weak of this glorious indwelling Spirit which in the fulness of time cometh forth in flesh laying hold of the Seed of Abraham the most glorious Appearance that ever was being thus appeared was the express Image of God who dwelleth in his People whose bodies are flesh and earthly tabernacles but by the operation of the sanctifying cleansing Spirit which the Father sendeth are made fit habitations of God and so Coheirs with Christ and Members of his Body Flesh and Bones which Spirit quickneth to God and being thus received and obeyed is felt to live for ever though the shadowings-forth of it be done away and this is Eternal and never endeth but abideth with such for ever and the Ministration of it is Life it self to the soul and more to be valued and desired than all that ever was seen before it And as the Lord took of that Spirit which was upon Moses and put it upon his Brethren the Elders of Israel whereby they might rule and judge with him so saith Christ The Father shall take of mine and give it unto you even of that Spirit of Love Life Power Valour and Virtue which was upon and in him that was like unto Moses is ministred into and put upon such as are truly his Brethren and Friends whereby with him they thus gifted sanctified and qualified judge the World for all Judgment is committed tâ— the Son and of that which the Son hath and is committed to him doth the Father give unto his Members and so from Christ the Head they come to receive power over the World and its Way Worship and Fashions and over unclean spirits And that is an unclean spirit which will lead into any sin and it is an unclean spirit in which sin standeth and which pleadeth for the continuance and upholding of that which is unclean and that is of the world which the Saints judge And as those Elders of Israel who were of the Church in the Wilderness were not made fit to Judge or Rule in outward matters by all the writings and words of the Law though received by disposition of Angels until the Lord himself took of that Spirit which was upon Moses and put upon them So those that profess to be Elders in the Church now or any other person whatsoever are much less made fit to Rule or Judge in spiritual matters by all the reading
and professing Moses Writings and Christ's Words and the rest of the holy Scriptures though they were given by the inspiration of God until the Lord take of that Spirit which was upon and in Christ who is like unto Moses and give unto and pour it upon and minister it in unto them And this is done in Gods way which is secret and time which is in his own hand to those whom he accounteth worthy thus to honour and who truly wait for it as a wayfering man for a resting place and as a Captive for deliverance And though Christ after his Resurrection said All Power in Heaven and in Earth is given unto me Go ye therefore and teach yet they were to tarry until they had the power in themselves and when that was come which they were to tarry and wait for then with that they went and so taught the Nations from the sensible feeling of that which taught them how to teach and all things else when the same Spirit and Power was upon them which was before committed unto him and so the coming forth of it from him into them and filling them therewith was to them in that work of the Ministry most effectual like as the Vertue going forth of Christ healed the woman so the Power and Vertue of the holy Spirit coming forth from Christ being sent of the Father and received by the Disciples who with much desire waited for that impowered them to do that which before they were commanded to do after they were endued with Power or had the Power in them and so what they were comcommanded to do they were to wait to receive Power in themselves from God to perform and Christ did intend to give them power to do that which he commanded And as he commanded them to go and teach he also required them to tarry and so not to go until they had received power so to do and so it was the Power of the holy Ghost in them which made them Ministers and these were and such are truly Ordained Ministers And after they had received Power from on high even the Spirit or Life of Truth and were filled therewith and so had it in them then they went to do that which was commanded them then they went to teach the Nations and converted thoâ—sands and turned sinners and brought souls to God and then they were called Christians and then were People brought to be of the True Church which Christ buildeth upon that which flesh and blood revealeth not And this is the entrance into the Church in God 2 Thes 1.1 the receiving of the Spirit and in this God is worshiped and not else for this hath excluded all other Worship and these only are the true Worshippers who come in thus by the door which is Christ the Light and Spirit oâ— Truth sent into the heart from God And if all the prudent learned Divineâ— so called in Europe or all or any oâ— the wisest Orthodox men so called iâ— any other quarter of the whole World can prove by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament any other true Worship of God who is a Spirit now extaâ—â— among men and to be performed especially among them called Christians with acceptance to God but only that which the Spirit of Truth leadeth such unto as receive it then let them bring it forth thâ—â— we may see it and prove it by plain uâ—deniable truth of Scripture or otherwise I shall look upon their proofs words wayes actions practises performances duties and several Worships as things of no value Or if there be any other entrance into the true Worship of God then this Spirit that God sendeth or the Light which leadeth to it or if there be any other Worship which God doth or will accept to be after this spoken or prophesied of in the Scriptures of Truth whereby this shall ever be done away or ended from being the true only and alone Worship of God whilst men have a being upon Earth then let the wisest of the sons of men bring it forth and produce their strong Reasons therein that we may plead together and that the entrance into and the true Worship it self of the onely true invisible God may be declared over all the World for the satisfaction of every tender heart concerning this For this I am satisfied in that Christ Jesus who is the end of the Law and who finished his work when he was upon the Earth is made a quickning Spirit and is the Way and Truth of Life which bringeth into the Worship of God and he is the beginning and the end and he leadeth to the beginning of Gods Worship and he is the end and the Rest of all the Faithfull in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen and without him all is as nothing and all that comes before him are Thieves and Robbers and he it is that abideth a Priest for ever and his Spirit of Truth is it which all People and Professors whatsoever should first wait to receive thereby to be led into that true spiritual Worship which alone God accepteth lest they and their worship and building fall together in a day when there is none to deliver And then thus I query If Christs own dear Disciples who had forsook all and followed him not Priests or Baptists did not come to receive this Spirit by hearing all the words which he spoke unto them but by waiting after the words were ended Then whether those that have not forsaken all nor so much as the Worlds fashions do now come to receive the Spirit by reading hearing or professing the same words of Christ now written or any other part of the Scriptures Or whether a Proud man hath received this Spirit or a Lyar or Prophane Person or any Wise or Prudent man whatsoever by any means or way of his And whether any such ever did have or can or may by any industry or other way or means attain to this Spirit which leadeth in the true worship of God but as it is freely given forth from God and then whether all people are not to be led by that Spirit which God freely giveth into the Worship of God because Christ said the Spirit should lead which indeed doth lead into all Truth and nothing else doth so And they that have not received this from God to lead them are not yet come to be led by that which the Sons and Children of God were and are led by And the Ministration of the Spirit which all are now to be taught by is inwardly to be known in the nearest secret invisible manner and is more out of the sight comprehension and reach of mans wisdom then any other Ministration and it is given forth from the clear Fountain it self unto the soul-satisfaction of man when he is come to the end of words or having heard much or all the words that can be spoken of it remaineth unsatisfied in a restless longing desire to find receive
Perfection and so denies the Ministers work neither do minister freely but seek for gain from â—heir Quarters and will not preach without a price who are not sanctified by the Word of God but plead for a continuance in Sin while people walk upon the Earth Such as minister from the Letter and not from the Spirit who cannot preach except they have time to study and so by their industry provide themselves and â—re not provided of the Lord such a Ministry is of Works and not the Free Gift from God such cannot profit people but â—ead them captive in an empty and dead Form alwayes learning but never able to come to the true knowledge of God such calâ—ed Ministers we do deny and turn from them and testifie against them as the hoâ—y men of God formerly did read Isaiah 56.10 11. Jer. 5.30 31. Mic. 3.11 1 Cor. 1.19 20 26 27 28 29. and chap 2.10 11. Jer. 23.22 30 31 32 Isaiah 56.10 11. Phil. 3.18 19. Jude 11. John 8.24 1 John 3.8 Jer. 23.15 16 17. 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Ezek. 34. Hosea 6.9 Matth. 23. 1 Tim. 5.6 10 11. 2 Tim. 3. 2 Pet. 2. 2. Such Magistrates who rule for God who be men of Truth fearing God and hating Covetousness who execute true Justice and Judgment in the Earth without partiality not respecting the persons of the Rich nor despising the persons of thâ— Poor but in Truth and Equity giving to every one his due and portion according to the Law of Equity who neither sees nor receive honour from men but see the honour that comes from God onely who are a terror to Evil-doers but a praiâ— to them that do well such Magistrates wâ— own and in the Lord honour Exod. 18.21 Deut. 16.18 19 20. John 5.41 4â— Rom. 13.3 4. But such Magistrates who be proud anâ— lofty who rule not for God but for themselves who love the praise of men anâ— judge for gifts and rewards and love money which is the root of all evil who respect the rich in their gay cloathing abovâ— the poor in vile rayment who seek anâ— receive honour of men and if they 〈◊〉 not honoured with that which they see for turns Judgment backward that Equiâ— cannot enter such as be wrathfull and malicious cannot rule for God such are eâ—couragers of Vice and Wickedness anâ— turn their Sword backward against the Uâ— right and Innocent who reprove sin iâ— the gate such Magistrates we do deny and testifie against for when the Wicked bear rule the Righteous mourn and the Evil-doers rejoyce over them and mock and reproach them Isa 2.11 12 c. Isa 1. â—1 23. John 6.43 Mic. 3.11 Jam. 2.1 2 3 4 9. John 5.44 Isa 59.13 14 15. â—sa 29.21 Prov. 29.2 Such as live in Pride and Pleasures and â—ollow ungodly Lusts and wicked practiâ—es deny God though in words they may â—rofess him even so all such as do evil who follows Drunkenness Oaths Games â—ain Sports and Pleasures and such like â—ngodly actions do deny disgrace and â—reatly dishonour both Ministers and Maâ—istrates though in words they may own â—hem and bow the Hat and Knee and give â—ttering Titles unto them Tit. 1.16 Pasm 15. Hosea 4. James 1.25 Job 32.1 22. To walk Soberly Righteously and doâ—g Justly according as the Grace of God which brings Salvation doth teach an diâ—ect is a sweet savour to the Lord and true owning and in the Lord honouring â—ue Ministers and Magistrates Micah 6. 8. Tit. 2.11 12. Psal 51.17 Isa 57.15 Rom 13.3 But to walk loosly and prophanely doing wicked and unjust actions turning thâ— Grace of God into wantonness Sucâ— are an ill savour to God and denies anâ— dishonours True Ministers and Magistrateâ— James 3.14 15 16. Jude 4. Isa 59.2 3 c. True Honour doth not consist in bowing the Hat and Knee and such like thing for that is the honour below which meâ— seek and receive one of another whicâ— is in the unbelief but in the obediencâ— of the Magistrates just Commands whâ— are a Terror to wickedness but a Praise 〈◊〉 them that do well For the Law wâ— not made for the Righteous who feâ— God and live uprightly but for thâ— Lawless who are out of Gods Fear whâ— live wickedly casting the Law of God behind their backs John 5.44 Romans 1â— 3 4. 1 Tim. 1.8 9 10. Psalm 50 1â— 17. So this may certifie all whom this mâ— come unto that we do not deny Ministerâ— nor Magistrates who are made and ordained by God but honour them in thâ— Lord let our Lives and Conversations and That of God in all your Consciences judge for if all were brought into our Life the Magistrate should live at peace and so as the eyes of your understandings come to be opened with true Light you will see that those who live Soberly and Righteously do own and honour Ministers and Magisrates though they cannot for conscience sake respect their persons nor give them flattering Titles as your Highness your Lordship your Worship and such like for such belong to God For Christ Jesus said I receive not honour from man and saith he How can you believe that receive honour one of another and seeks not the honour that comes from God only Gal. 1.11 12. Rom. 13.1 Deut. 16.18 19. John 1.9 Jam. 2.1 2 3 4 9. John 5.44 Read with understanding prove all things hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 A. Parker To all that want Peace with God Tâ— the Sheep every where not broughâ— home To the thirty breathing Souâ— and to the Seed though in Captivity among and in the midst of 〈◊〉 Professors Greetings of Love Mercy and Peace from God the Father 〈◊〉 the Living VVHere the Bowels are not shut up nor the Heart darkened anâ— where that doth not bear rule which stoppeth the ear and closeth the eye anâ— where prejudice and Rebellion againâ— the Light with the wisdom of the flesâ— through that knowledge which puffeth uâ— hath not wholly eaten up devoured gâ— over and wholly overcome that Tendâ— Principle which once moved in thâ— heart towards that Beeing of the Livinâ— Substance there may my words taâ— entrance and unto such who feel thâ— which breaths to God and who are wiâ—ling to be satisfied concerning the Livinâ— Truth of his Son and who would receive the Truth if they knew it and do yet more desire after the Power of God then all the temporal things that are seen and who are yet come no further than the reading of the Law the Priests Tythes and that Religion that makes nothing perfect and who are come no further then the outward Baptism or Shadow or Figure or such things which are to be left behind Hebr. 6. or who are come no further than the Supper or the Death and so not yet saved by his Life nor drunk of that which saveth and is to cleanse from all that which separateth from God after whom and the incomes of his Love immortal whosoever
truly desireâ—h and is willing to receive the Power of his Life and come into Covenant with the Lord. Such may lend me an ear a little and you are them who may receive some benefit hereby for behold I write in plainness of the things of God my heart being enlarged with abundance of his Peace in which there is good will towards men that you might come to draw near to the Witness the testimony whereof is within the Vail which Vail is over the heart 2 Cor. 3.15 and is not done away but 〈◊〉 you come to be in him who is given for 〈◊〉 Witness Isaiah 55.4 by believing in thâ— Light John 12.36 and so to have thâ— Witness in you 1 John 5.10 and you tâ— be in it and that you may come to partâ—cipate of Gods indwellings and feel thâ— Oyl which will last for ever therefore 〈◊〉 proceed thus How can I but look back a little witâ— an eye of pitty over those who yet aâ— where once I was when the Darkness wâ— over the Earth and the cloud of Erroâ— compassed me as well as others surely 〈◊〉 cannot now be unmindfull of them thâ— are yet lost as not to have compassion uâ—on the Out-casts of Israel or to conceâ— from them these things of so great concerâ—ment but rather as the Lord of my Liâ— hath opened to me I will reach forth 〈◊〉 hand towards the weak and utter my voiâ— to the Prisoner of hope and shew unto tâ— Meek in the Earth how the invisible Gâ— hath led his Seed and is leading his Reâ—nant through and out of the variety 〈◊〉 things unto the One Thing it self froâ— whence the various Things Gifts and Mâ—nistrations do come Now that which is chiefly in my heart to write for the Seeds sake is First Something concerning the Ministration of Moses when he was upon the Earth Secondly Concerning the Ministration of Christ whilst he was upon Earth Thirdly and chiefly Concerning the Ministration of the Spirit First Concerning Moses Ministration when he was upon Earth which was to last till Shilo came or until the time of Reformation AS concerning Moses's Ministration to wit the Law Condemnation or Death with the Priests Offering and worldly Sanctuary and an outward Tabernacle and daily Offerings for sin and Store-houses for the Levites Strangers Fatherless and Widows having the Ark of the Testimony within the Vail and the Mercy-Seat covered and the Golden Pot and the People to seek the Law at the Priests mouth whereby their knowledge is preserved and many profit much thereby and come day by day and year 〈◊〉 year unto that which they esteem a plaâ— of Holy Worship and Ordinances of Goâ— And notwithstanding the Priests of Moseâ— Law were made by the Law of God yâ— that Priesthood changeth and the Laâ— changeth and the very glory of all thiâ— passeth away for this did once seem glorious unto me and many more which only discovered sin though it made nothinâ— perfect and with much delight was thâ— reading of the Law and the Prophetâ— hearkened unto and the daily Confession of Sin but the Vail is over the hearâ— whilst Moses is preached and Sacrificeâ— Morning and Evening with the long Prayers which the Comers thereunto were not at all thereby made perfect as pertaining to the Conscience though it haâ— a Shadow of good things to come yeâ— the glory thereof comes to be done away Then how much more will the very glory of the most glorious appearance of that Ministry perish and be done away which cometh short of this and hath not so much as the image of this which was a Shaddow O weak and beggerly things that are found among those Priests now and their Followers who come short of Mose's Ministry for he directed them to Christ the Substance and so his Ministration comes to be done away as Christ comes to be received for Moses did not seek to uphold his Priests or Law or Tythes or any thing else when Christ should come who is the end of the Law â—ut did write of him and notwithstanding his Ministry and Priests he said He that would not hearken unto him should be cut off and said The Lord will raise up mark the words raise up the Lord shall raise up a Prophet and when the Prophet was come he said I am the Light and I am meek and â—ow in heart and this is to be raised up which is meek for to them that sate in darkness Light hath sprung up And the Soul that hearkneth not to the Prophet which springs up shall be cut off for Truth springeth up out of the Earth and Christ is the Truth and he said I am the Light which is the horn of Salvation that God raised up to be a Light to lighten the Gentiles and is the Salvation of Israel and so the soul is to hearken to that which God raised up and that is it which condemneth Sin under it who is like unto Moses whose Ministry discovers Sin and so Moses directed unto Christ who puts away the Sin and Paâ— said of the glory of Mose's Ministration that it was no glory in respect of the glorâ— of the Ministration of the Spirit and thâ— glorious Ministry of the Spirit was recâ—ved after he who had a body prepared haâ— suffered the crucifying of his body and thâ— Prophets searched diligently to see the glory that was to be after the Sufferings 〈◊〉 Christ 1 Pet. 1.10 11. But the thing intended That Mosâ— when he was upon Earth directed untâ— Christ and gave commandment that theâ— should hearken unto him who said I am thâ— Light and this is one Tittle of the Law thâ— the Light be hearkened unto who is the end 〈◊〉 the Law and the Substance and he that oâ—fendeth herein is guilty of all and this iâ— that in which all the large Ministrations oâ— Moses is included that Christ the Light thâ— true Prophet be hearkened unto and obeyeâ— that by hearing and obeying his voice or thâ— word in the heart they might come from under the Law and the Priests and thaâ— which waxeth old unto the Life Obediencâ— of him who abides a Priest for ever even thâ— Lord of that Glory which lasteth for evermore Secondly Concerning CHRIST and his Ministration when he was upon Earth and his Work which he finished ANd when he cometh which Moses commandeth to hearken unto even Christ the true Prophet the Light of the World the Living Minister the end of the Law who had a body prepared to do the Will of the Father which was in him the Man CHRIST JESVS he saith Follow me and he took up his Cross and passed through the Death and the Vail and so being made perfect through Sufferings attained that glory which he had with the Father before he had a body which body was prepared to do the Fathers Will whose Will was that all men should be saved therefore Christ tasted death for every man and rose again for the Justification of those that
now before they had received the Spirit of Truth in themselves by and with that to be led into all Truth but might receive the power of truth in themselves from the Life thereof to convert others into the same therefore said he further after he was risen again But tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high Mark 24.4 so that though they had seen his body before and had now seen him after his Resurrection yet that and all the rest was not enough without the Power and the Spirit which was to come which they were to wait for And so now men should tarry wait and stand still to see the Salvation of God and until they receive the Spirit for it is the Spirit not the body which searcheth all things and sheweth plainly of the Father And by this before written in short I have a little endeavoured to shew unto the meek and single-hearted that Moses when he was upon Earth directed unto Christ As in these words The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy Brethren like unto me unto him shall ye hearken Deut. 18.15 And Christ when he was upon Earth directed unto the Spirit which was to come in like words saying These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with you but the Comforter which is the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things John 14.25 26. And then what if I did write after the manner of men and say If Moses were now upon the Earth and Christ in his own body upon the Earth and Moses with all his Priests Tythâ—s and Offerings and Religion which discovers Sin but makes nothing perfect which Paul profitted much in If he I say should command and exhort all people under his Ministry to go to Christ and hear him And if Christ were now upon Earth and notwithstanding his outward Miracles Circumcision Baptism Supper and Death yet he should command and exhort all that come through the Law or Ministration of Moses unto him to look and tarry and wait for another Comforter that they might receive the Spirit in them and say unto them that that should teach them all things and lead them into all Truth Then whether or no people were to continue following Mose's Priests with their Tythes and long Prayers and still be seeking the Law at their mouth or to come to Christ to seek the Gospel for Moses himself did not say that they should seek the Gospel at the Priests mouth And then when did the Priests ever preach the Gospel And then whether those obey not Moses who leave the Priests and come to Christ the Light and whether such when they are come to Christ should alwayes be looking and following after his Body Miracles Baptism or Supper without them or tarry and wait to receive the Spirit within them And then which of these now should all people that profess Christ be led by in these dayes either Moses or the Person of Christ or the Spirit of Truth And whether such as have received and are truly indeed led by this Spirit of Truth and know that to be their Teacher and follow it and are ruled governed and guided by it according to the Command of Moses and Christ do not hereby obey the command of Moses and Christ and fulfil their Doctrine And whether any other People or Professors whatsoever do obey the Command of Moses and Christ but only such And whether this be not a thing of great concernment to be known and learned by all who profess Christianity But why then do People follow these Priests of England any longer which are contrary to Moses and also to Christ who have no Store-houses but suffer the poor to want within and without and the Widow and the Stranger ready to perish and moreover devour and can never have enough of the Spoil of other mens goods And why do others dispute about and talk of the Body so much which they never saw nor knew And is it not better be silent and know God who dwells in his People and the Spirit of Truth which he requires in the inward parts and to feel after God even the Life in themselves because the Apostle said they were saved by his Life being before reconciled by his Death Rom. 5.10 and until the Life came there were many things which they were not saved from by his Body for the Body was before the Death and the Death which reconciles was passed through before the Life was received again to save and justifie And why then are People so much busied about that which was before the Reconciliation and so therein much short of the Life and for outward Bread Wine and Water Are not these things which are seen And are not the things that are seen Temporal But Christ the true Prophet being come of whom Moses did write who is the end of the Law and so the end of that Ministry whereby that is done away for the weakness and unprofitablenesâ— thereof and Christ coming after John oâ— whom John bare witness that he was before and greater and came after him and Christ also having finished that which he himself came to do and likewisâ— so largely and often Exhorted to waiâ— for another Comforter even the Spirit oâ— Truth Then what Ministration is it that now standeth and remaineth which is accordinâ— both to Moses Christ and the holy Scriptures and what Ministration is to be expected or waited for but the Ministratioâ— of the Spirit And whether all they be noâ— compassed about with a cloud of Error whâ— are upholding that Ministry of the Law or a worse which Christ is the end of and the Apostles said was done away and likewise such as are upholding and keeping up that which Christ said he had finished And whether the upholding of such thingâ— now be not quite opposite both to Moses Christ and Scriptures And being that Moses nor indeed hiâ— true Ministers of the Law are not upâ—â— Earth neither that Body of Christ which by the Professors was murthered at Jerusalem visibly to be seen upon Earth then what was it those have to follow who have not received the Spirit to be led by and if they will say they have the Writings of Moses and the Word of Christ I say if that be all then they that forsook and denied Christ had more than them for they had the words from his own mouth which were Spirit and Life and yet they understood not and then what do those understand who have not so much as they had therefore after he had suffered and rose again he opened their understandings And so what is all their Religion worth who are not come to the Spirit And whether Moses Ministration being ended by Christ and Christ also having finished his work are not all people in the first place now to wait for the Spirit and
after and he that gets the most is highest exalted so every one is exalted above another and there is nothing but Tyranny Cruelty and Oppression among you you sons and daughters of Babylon And in her was found the blood of the Prophets and of the Sains and all that were slain upon the Earth The Merchants of Babylon are your Teachers who draw you from your Guide which is the pure Light of Christ in you to seek the Kingdom of God in observations without you contrary to the mind of Christ The Kingdom of God comes not with observations neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you But these your Merchants have no Scripture for their Merchandize which they sell to you enslaved Captives for so many hundreds in the year and is paid in the Nation or elsewhere for these observations they tell you you must observe or else you cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven though they are contrary to the Scripture as are practised by them there is no Scripture that witnesseth their call to the Ministry by humane wisdom Not many great not many noble not many wise after the flesh There is no Scripture which testifies of any that Jesus Christ sent forth that made a Bargain with the People for so much a year as these do that profess themselves to be sent of Christ This is the call of the Ministers of Christ Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ neither of man nor by man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ I send you forth saith Jesus Christ as Lambs among Wolves Into what Town or City ye enter enquire who is worthy and if they receive you there abide eating such things as is set before you the Labourer is worthy of his meat freely ye have received freely minister Those whom Jesus Christ commits the Word of Eternal life unto and calls them forth to declare it unto others the Love of Jesus Christ which is sealed up to their souls through his own blood constrains them to give up themselves to death in witnessing forth the Eternal Life they enjoy in Christ as it was it is The Love of Christ constraineth me to preach the Gospel saith Paul But these your Merchants are they which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness And as there is no Scripture for their call to the Ministry by their human learning nor making bargains with the people for so much in the year so there is no Scripture for these observations they call the Ordinances of God as they are practised by them There is no Scripture that Christ or any that he sent forth did take a Child and sprinkle water on its face and said in so doing they baptized it into the Church of Christ Suffer little Children to come unto me saith Christ and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God for whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child shall not enter therein He sets the Child as a type and a figure to shew forth to every one that they must become as a little Child depending upon the Will of God before they enter into the Kingdom of God He took them up in his arms and put his hands on them and blessed them but that he sprinkled water on their faces and said He baptized them into his Church there is no such Scripture Another observation your Teachers tell you you must observe is hearing these Studied Sermons in taking a part of Scripture and adding to it their wisdom calls it The Word of God which is contrary to the Scripture but they say They have Christ for an example There was delivered to him the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and when he had opened the Book he found where it was written The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel unto the poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of the sight of the blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable year of the Lord And he closed the Book and sate down and he began to say unto them This day is the Scripture fulfilled in your ears And all bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth He was the substance of the Prophesie which was then fulfilled in him This is no ground for any to take the Saints words and to add to it their wisdom and call that the Word of God The Prophet that hath a Dream let him tell a Dream He that hath my Word let him speak my Word faithfully What is the Chaff to the Wheat saith the Lord Is not my word like a fire and like a hammer saith the Lord that breaks the Rocks in pieces All to whom the Word of the Lord is committed can witness it to be as a fire within them and as a hammer that breaketh the rocks in pieces subjecting all in the heart under the power of it self so it alone rules and guides him that he is what he speaks that if he had never seen any thing that the Saints have declared without him he had known what is manifest in him and he to whom the Word is thus made manifest is a true Minister of Christ who is called to speak the Word faithfully But these that call themselves your Teachers and make bargains with you for so much by the year they never witnessed the word of the Lord in them as a fire and like a hammer that breaketh the Rocks in pieces so they never had any thing to have spoken of the Lord but as they have stoln it from the testimony of the Saints So they speak a divination of their own brain a riddle to their own hearts and whilst they speak to others themselves are cast-aways And the Lord testifies against them Behold I am against the Prophets saith the Lord that steal my Word every one from his Neighbour 〈…〉 Behold I am against the Prophets saith the Lord that use their tongue and say He saith Behold I am against them that prophesie false Dreams saith the Lord and to tell them and cause my People to err by their Lyes and by their lightness yet I sent them not nor commanded them therefore they shall not profit the People at all saith the Lord And this fruit is made manifest of the Ministry that hath been in England Another Observation your Teachers bid you observe which is contrary to Scripture as it is practised by them in singing of David's Psalms in Meeter taking David's words who was a man after Gods own heart and putting words into the mouthes of poor ignorant People to sing that which they never knew and so causeth them to blaspheme the Name of God saying Let us sing to the Praise and Glory of
earthly and carnal heart of man that he might read his condition within Therefore despise not the day of small things but mind the Counsel of the Lord Jesus the little Light that shines in thy dark heart look upon the figures the parables The little Leaven which is hid in three measures of meal it changeth the whole lump into the nature of it self So the little Light that shine in thy dark heart is the powerfull Word of Faith which was in the beginning by which all things were created and without him was nothing made this Word is Life and the Life is the Light of men and Light shines in Darkness and the Darkness comprehends it not This Light is the Word of Faith the Apostle exhorted to take heed unto Say not in thy heart Who shall ascend up to Heaven to fetch Christ down or down into the deep to fetch him up the Word is nigh thee in thy heart and n thy mouth and this is the Word of Faith which we preach the Vnction of the holy One given of the Father whereby we need not to teach one another but as the Anointing teacheth us which is Truth and no lye which is the sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well to take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark place until the day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your hearts All People return within give up your selves freely to be guided by that Light that discovers to you the evil of your hearts and none be discouraged because you see an evil heart but prize the Love of God that discovers it to you and whatever the Light makes manifest to you to be evil Wait on the Lord for Power and he will give thee power to obey and in being faithfull in a little more will be communicated from the Lord so will the Righteous Law be set up in your hearts that will cry through your earthly and carnal hearts for Righteousness and Judgment and so will bring you to an account for every idle word and all deeds done in the body Look up unto the Lord against whom you have sinned and he will arm you with power to what he layes upon you with patience to undergo his Will until all the Powers of the Earth in you be famished and slain under his righteous Judgments then will Judgment be brought forth into Victory that you can no longer live without the loving kindness of your Father in Christ Jesus Now is the Parable fulfilled the little grain of Mustard-Seed grown up above all herbs and the little Leaven hath leavened the whole Lump and the Prodigal starved for ever if his Father receive him not freely into his house Thou that canst witness this condition stand still in the Will of God he will raise up his Seed in thee to trust in his Name and to delight in the Eternal Covenant of Love and Life he hath made with thy soul in the Lord Jesus Christ and will guide thee by the Word of his Power in a way thou knowest not forth of Babylon where thou wast an enslaved Captive under the power of the filthy Beast which is thy will and the Whore the Mother of Witchcrafts which is thy wisdom which enthralled thee under the powers of Darkness to satisfie the Lust of thine own heart which led thee to destruction up to Sion to live by Faith in the Lord Jesus which will purifie thy heart and set thy soul free from under the powers of Darkness into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God where thou shalt sing the Songs of Sion Hallelujahs and Praises for evermore unto the Lord God that sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever W. D. To all enslaved hard-hearted and unbelieving Jews in this Nation and elsewhere who are made drunk with the wisdom of the Whore and bewitched through the abundance of her Sorceries to put the Day of the Lord afar off looking for Christs coming in the Spirit as the hard-hearted unbelieving Jews in the Letter did for his coming in the Flesh according to the Promise but they limitted the Holy-One according to their carnal wisdom expected his coming in great pomp and glory and when he came in that poor despised way contrary to their expectations they stumbled at him and would not own him to be their Saviour but rose up against him and put him to death Mat. 27.1 to vers 50. BEhold you hard hearted and unbelieving Jews do you not look for Christ coming in the Spirit according to his Promise as they did for his coming in the flesh but you limit the Holy One as they did expecting Christ to come in power and glory according to your own fancies and so put the day of the Lord afar off you in rejecting and despising the Counsel of Jesus Christ the pure Light in your Consciences which lets you see every evil thought word and action and cries behind you This is the Way walk in it but you disobey the Light and hearken to the counsel of your hearts as the Jews in the Letter did who put Christ to death and so you slay the Witnesses in Spiritual Sodom and Egypt in your hearts where our Lord is crucified in not regarding the Counsel of Christ which is that Light that shines in your dark hearts which knocks at the door according to his Word I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Oh thou enslaved Soul under the power of Babylon in thee Come forth mind the Light in thee which is the sure Word of Prophecy whereunto you do well to take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts stand not out against this secret Counsel of Christ in you lest you perish in your gain sayings for if his Anger be kindled a little blessed are all they that trust in him All give up give up freely to be guided by the Counsel of the Lord the Light in you believing in his Power that is present with the Light he will lead you daily through the Cross in the streight way of his Sufferings and death where the old man will be put off with his deeds and so you shall have right to the Tree of Life and shall enter with him through the Gates into the City New Jerusalem where you shall have communion with the Father and the Son and an Inheritance with those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus and shall reign as Kings upon the Earth to the praise and glory of the riches of the Grace of our heavenly Father to whom alone be all Power Dominion Honour and Glory for ever and ever W. D. A Word from the Lord to all that are waiting on the Lord in Sion and to those that are weeping and are seeking the Lord their God asking the way to Sion with their
faces thitherwards FEar not ye Mourners in Sion the Lord waits on you to be gracious unto you and though he give you the Bread of Adversity now and the Water of Affliction yet shall not your Teachers be removed into Corners any more but your eyes shall see your Teachers and your ears shall hear a voice behind you saying This is the Way walk in it when you turn to the right hand or the left Therefore every one of you mind the Light which is of Jesus Christ in you that judgeth the unrighteousness of your hearts give up to be guided by the pure Light in you which is your Teacher the Counsel of Jesus Christ and it will bring Judgement forth unto Victory and whatever he makes manifest to you to be his Will Wait on the Lord in his Counsel and he will give you power to obey and when you have obeyed his Will take heed of departing from the Counsel of the Lord which is the Light within you to hearken to the counsel of your own hearts which will draw your minds to look back at your obedience and the experiences you have passed through so will the Beast which received a deadly wound with the Sword the Righteous Law that goeth out of the mouth of the Lamb in you his deadly wound will be healed and sits a painted Beast above the Cross of Christ working lying wonders in your hearts and imitating the operation of the Power of God who is purifying his Sons and Daughters with the Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of Burning and the Beast in you that tasted of the Power of God when he received his deadly wound under the Justice of God now can imitate the same in deceit and cause fire to come down from Heaven in the sight of men intimating the operation of the Spirit of Burning and so deceives himself and all that dwell upon the Earth he is made manifest to all that dwell in the heavenly Light in their hearts All Friends mind your Watch for the Adversary the Devil goes about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour abide in the Counsel of the Lord which is the Light in you and you will discern between the Beast which is Antichrist in his lying Wonders and the Lamb Jesus Christ in the opperation of his Power so you will come to try the spirits whether they be of God yea or no all that are guided by the Beast have their life in speaking and acting in outward opperations what they once experienced and what they comprehended to be truth speaking that they enjoy not and is exalted in pride the heart returned into the Earth But thou that art guided by the Lamb the Light in thy Conscience the righteous Law cries through thy earthly heart and brings it to Judgment and thou canst find no life in the opperation of the Power of God nor in thy obedience but whilst the Presence of the Lord is with thee in it and when thou hast done the Will of God in obeying what he hath made known unto thee thou seest thy self to be an unprofitable Servant and hast need of Patience that thou mayest receive the Promise where thy Life is hid with Christ in God to save thee freely for his Name sake or else thou perishest and to carry thee on by his Mighty Power or else thou fallest so thou hast nothing to glory in but in the Lord. And as they that are guided by the Beast which is Antichrist speaks of the Truth a riddle to their own hearts not knowing the Power and Life of what they speak adding to the Word of the Lord and the plagues and curse of God will be added unto them But thou art guided by the Lamb Jesus Christ thou knowest when the Word of the Lord is committed to thee If any have my Word saith the Lord let him speak my Word faithfully Is not my Word like a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the rocks in pieces Thou canst witness the Word of the Lord to be as a fire and as a hammer to break the Rocks in pieces in thee and bring down all in thee in subjection to it self and it alones rules in thee and thou that canst witness the Word of the Lord thus manifest in thee thou art a true Messenger of the Lord let not the deceit stop thy mouth for the Word of the Lord that calls thee to speak shall perfect his Work for which he is sent All Friends stand fast in the Counsel and Will of God be faithfull in following the Lamb daily through the Cross and none be discouraged in temptations be content look up to the Lord to keep you in the hour of temptations for it is no sin to be tempted but to yeeld to the Tempter and when the Lord delivers you from the power of the Tempter watch that your will get not from under the Cross but sink down into the Love of God and every one be content in what the Lord hath made manifest to you and be faithfull according to your Talents and more will be communicated to you and none look forth at others conditions for if you do the Enemy will cause you to stumble and you will come to a loss in your own condition wait patiently in the Counsel of the Lord the Light in you for he is making a short work in the Earth that you that come into the Vineyard at the eleventh hour shall receive as much as they that came in at the third hour and have laboured in the heat of the day All ye children of the Lord lift up your heads behold your King riding in Majesty and Power upon the wild Ass Colt which is your wild nature subjecting it to himself that you may enter with him through the Gates of the City into the New Jerusalem where there enters nothing that worketh abomination and maketh a lie but what is written in the Lambs Book of Life and there you shall dwell in the Banqueting-house of the Lord for ever seeding upon the feast of fat things rejoycing in the Eternal Love and Mercy of your Souls in the free Covenant of Life in the Blood of Christ who is the Lord of lords and King of kings God blessed forever who is riding on in majesty and in power conquering and to conquer all the powers of darkness in the hearts of his Saints that they may reign as people upon the Earth to the praise and glory of our God who is taking unto him his Great Power to reign in his Saints for evermore To whom alone be all honour glory power and eternal praises for ever W. D. A Word of Consolation unto the Child of Light that yet sits in Darkness being deeply afflicted and wounded in spirit through ignorance of Salvation in the New Covenant in Christ Jesus the Light DEar Child of the Birth of the Immortal Seed which cries over all the World and beyond all the Pleasures Pomp and
Vanity therein for the enjoyment of the light Countenance of God fear thou not neither be thou discouraged because of the violent assaults of the Enemy who seeks to draw thee into the carnal reasonings of thy spirit and in it to kindle a fire to thy self and cause thee to walk in the light of the sparks that thou hast kindled and this thou hast at the hand of the Lord in going from his Counsel lyest down in sorrow few knows thy great distress but to the Lord it is known and to them that had and walked in the same paths Oh thou beloved Babe who liest in the deep sence of the working of the evil-one in thy mind and many times art ready to say Never was any like unto me neither any sorrow like unto my sorrow and in this languishing despairing mournings of thy soul all things made bitter unto thee as the waters of Marah thus art thou driven from all comfort as a Child without a Father and a desolate Widdow without a Husband and as a Stranger that no eye pittieth in thy apprehension sometimes saying in thy heart in the heat of the temptation and the fire that thou hast kindled O that I had been any Creature but what I am or if it were the Will of the Lord that he would shorten my dayes that I might not be any longer on Earth to sin against him for in thy own sence and feeling thou walking in the sparks thou hast kindled in carnal reasonings thou deservest not any thing but Wrath Horror Misery and Distress on every side and great languishings that thy dayes were shortened secretly crying out in thy heart O that I were alone in the Wilderness or any Cave or Den in the Earth that I might never set nor hear any of the Sons of men any more but in the secret retiredness even roar and mourn out my dayes until I die O thou Royal Child of the birth of the morning of the pure eternal Day of the God of Israel hearken no longer to the enemy who saith There hath none travelled where thou art nor none drunk of the Cup that thou art drinking he is a Lyar who goes about to destroy thy precious soul In the Word of the Lord God I declare unto thee I drank the same cup with my faithful Friends who are born of the Royal Seed every one in their measures travelled in the same path and have endured the same temptations and walked in the light of the same sparks and laid down in sorrow in the sence of the same misery as thou mournest under this day no longer lend an ear to the enemy and the thoughts of thy heart Arise arise in the Light of the Covenant stay thy heart and the Lord will throw down the Enemy of thy peace destroy the carnal reasonings of thy mind put out the fire that thou hast kindled and he will deliver thee out of the horrible Pit and set thy feet upon the Rock of Ages and thou shalt tread down the enemies of thy soul in the sensible feeling of the Love of the Father who will manifest himself to be a Father to the Fatherless in thee and a Husband to the mournful Widdow and a Comforter to the Immortal Babe that mourns in thee in the uprightness of thy heart to do the Will of the Living God so in the power of his Might stay thy heart and tread upon all doubts fears dispairing thoughts questionings reasonings musings imaginations and consultings arise over them all in the Light of Christ he will lead thee into the Banqueting-house of the Pleasure of our God where thou shalt sit down with me and all the Redeemed of my Father who are born of the Immortal Seed and have passed through great Tribulations have washed our Garments and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb therefore do we now stand before the Throne of God praising him day and night in his Holy Temple And this shall be the portion of thy Cup if thou diligently hearken to the Counsel of the Lord which calls thee to trust in him he will embrace thee in the arms of his Love and thou shalt praise his Name for ever God Almighty in his Light and Life raise up thy soul and establish thy heart in his Counsel stedfastly to wait in his Power to lead thee in the Cross out of all unbelief and cause thee to lie down at rest in obedience to his Will where thou shalt drink the Cup of Salvation for ever Farewel William Dewsbury THE END
God As O Lord I am not puft in mind I have no scornfull eye I do not exercise my self in things that be to high When they never knew any change wrought in their minds and so causeth the People to lye And causing them to sing David's Prayers as O Lord rebuke me not in thy Wrath neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure for thine arrows stick fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore for my iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burthen they are too heavy for me to bear my wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness I am troubled I am bowed down greatly I go mourning all the day long And may be none of you in all that place can witness the condition and so blasphemes the Name of God who will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth and this is the rule given out from him If any be afflicted let him pray if any be merry let him sing Psalms And there is none merry but the Ransomed of the Lord who returns to Sion with joy and singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away All people may search the Scriptures and see how you have been deceived by your Teachers who have caused you to seek your lost God in carnal and dead observations which they have not any Scripture for all cease from them for the Lord complains of them The Leaders of my People cause them to err saith the Lord of Hosts and now are these Scriptures fulfilled in these men which the Apostle prophesied of This know also That in the last dayes perilous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous proud boasters blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankfull unholy All people see are not your Teachers so self-lovers before they come at you they must know what they must have covetous griping for much and if you will not give them so much as they can have in another place they will not come at you here is self-love and covetousness manifested without natural affection Truce-breakers false-Accusers Traytors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof from such the Apostle exhorts to turn away All People behold and see all these Scriptures are fulfilled in your Teachers they speak against Pride and live in it against covetousness and live in it they teach by words to be naturally-affectionated one towards another and they walk contrary causing poor people to pay to maintain them in pride and high ranks in the Earth who can scarce get bread for their bellies and clothes for their backs yet they force them to pay to them being void of all natural affections and they are Truce-breakers breaking all Bonds and Covenants if they can get more money in another place Thus they shew forth to all the world that they are lovers of Pleasures more then lovers of God and have a form of Godliness in words but deny the power thereof from such turn away for of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sin and divers lusts These Scriptures are fulfilled in your Teachers every one hath his particular house to creep into where none must come but themselves or whom they please which is contrary to the practise of Christ or any that he sent forth they went through the Countries Towns Cities Villages according as they were guided by the Spirit of God to declare what he gave them to speak and your Teachers lead silly women captive laden with sin and led away with divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Do not they tell you to look for Christ's coming in such Observations as they set up which is nothing but the inventions of their brains for Christ tells you The Kingdom of God comes not with observations but is within you But many of them deny that the Light in your Conscience which makes manifest the evil of your hearts is the Kingdom of God calling it the light of a corrupt conscience so shut the Kingdom of Heaven against men and will neither enter in themselves to be guided by the pure Light of the Kingdom of Christ within them nor suffer them that are entring in to enter as the Scribes and Pharisees did Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these men resist the Truth men of corrupt minds Reprobates concerning the Faith but they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be made manifest to all men as theirs also was and no man shall buy their Merchandize any more All you enslaved Captives in the Kingdom of Babylon why will you lay out your Money for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which satisfies not hearken diligently unto Jesus Christ the Light that lets you see the evil of your hearts to be guided by it and you shall eat that which is good Encline your ears saith Christ and come unto me hear and your souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David Mind the call of a powerful and tender Father in the Lord Jesus who calls Come forth of Babylon my People and touch no unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Fath r unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty Friends prize your times slight not the day of the Lords Mercy for he waits to be gracious and saith I stretch forth my arm all the day long to a backsliding and gainsaying People Every one mind your conditions deal justly with your own hearts see what your hearts have fellowship with and guide your minds for the Kingdom of Christ is within you it is not in observations as your Teachers tell you for they deceive you therefore Christ forewarned us for looking forth at those which would come in the latter dayes that would say Lo here is Christ lo there is Christ as it is in these our dayes some say Lo here is Christ in the Presbyterian practise the Independants say He is there and the Anabaptists say Lo he is here But Friends mind what Christ saith unto you believe them not look not forth the Kingdom of Christ is not in any of those nor in any other outward observations but be warned the Kingdom of Christ is in you and that is the Light that lets you see the evil of your hearts and Christ compares it to a grain of Mustard-seed the least of all Seeds and it grows up above all other herbs and becomes a Tree that the Fowls of the Air lodge therein and he compares it to a little Leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of Meal and it leavened the whole Lump These are earthly parables and figures which Christ layes down speaking to the