1. 12. And now the zealous professing Iewes Scribes and Pharisees have the Scriptures but they deny him that is the light and so they are blind and all those must needs be blind who hate the light and deny it and so the Iewes had the Oracles of God without them and the Law without them and Christ the Son of God without them and among them preaching to them and yet they were deaf and blind and of the Devil for they did his works And moreover the disciples of Christ might read the scriptures without them and they had him in whom was the fulness of God among them with them or without them and yet in many things they understood not Joh. 12. 16. but were often asking questions as in Matth. 23. 10 36. Mat. 16. 22. Matth. 17. 10. 13. 19. Matth. 18. 1. 21. Matth. 19. 10 Matth. 24. 3. Iohn 13. 7. and sometime they knew not what spirit they were of Luke 9. 55. and though he had been a long time with them yet it was hard for them to know him Ioh. 1â— 5 6 7 8 9. and though he had been so long time with them consider he was with them for with may be one thing and in an other untill he had finished the work without them which the Father gave him to do Ioh. 17. 4. Consider the outward work of Christ without or among the Disciples may be finished and he was at the passover with them and at the supper with them and gave his life for them and they saw his body broken and his blood shed without them and yet notwithstanding all this afterwards he that is the light upbraided them of unbelief and hardnesse of heart Mark 16. 14. Who for a long time had the fulnesse of God amongst and with them who being with them said He that is with you shall be in you John 14. 17. and so they were to wait to receive him within and that within was to abide forever but that without departed away but that within was and is to lead into all truth and be with his to the end of the world for that which is in man is alwaies with him but that which is with man and not in him may not be alwaies with him And now the light is in man and so he that is with his to the end of the world is the light of the World Who is the Resurrection and the life who was dead and is alive and I say he liveth for evermore Who hath finished his worke in the outward things to wit Circumcision Baptisme the supper and death on the Crosse without the gate and is now revealed within and worketh all our works in us and ever liveth to make intercession for us Isa 26 12. Heb. 7. 25. in whose hearts he is now crying Abba Father and he that hath the Son hath also the Father To whom be eternall dominion glory honour and humble obedience for evermore And so Christ Jesus being also guided by that of God or rather the Fulnesse of God in him whereby he finished his Work and departed away from among them and bid them wait for that which should abide with them for ever said These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with you but the comforter whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things John 14. 16. 25. 26. and that which teacheth all things was to be revealed within untill that was come and revealed in them they did not know all things so that that which teacheth all things and sheweth plainly of the Father and abideth for ever is to be received within and they in obedience to his command did wait and their waiting was not in vaine for when the time was fully come they did receive the promise of the Father which they had waited for and so were filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 1 2 3 4. as Joshua was full of the spirit and in Christ was the fulnesse of God and Stephen was a man full of the holy Ghost and the desires of such was That others might be filled with all the fulnesse of God Eph 3. 19. it 's not filled with the scriptures and so they being filled with that which was holy were by that led into the way of holinesse and with that which was holy in them were they to build up one an other Jude 20. and then they spake the word of God with boldnesse and after the Son of God was revealed in Paul three years after he went up to Jerusalem to see Peter Gal. 1. 16 17 18. and fourteen years after he went up again to Jerusalem by revelation Gal. â— 1 â— and so he did not say he went by the scriptures or any comand without him but by revelation and a Revelation is within and that all the Ministers and Disciples of Christ did come to be led and guided by his Spirit that was in them might easily be proved by many undeniable truths of plain Scripture whereby it might more largely appeare that they were all led guided and directed by the one spirit in them though the gifts leadings and operations of that one spirit in them was various as might be read 1 Cor. 12. And now most people will grant this before written to be true That all the people of God formerly were led by the spirit that was in them but that men should now in these days be led by the spirit of Christ in them is by many denied the which thing chiefly is that which I would a little search into or rather open to thee from that which hath searched me Psal 139. 23. and that according to the scriptures of truth if that will be by thee regarded that so it might appear unto all that are not wilfully rebellious against the light of Christ in their own consciences and also deniers of plain scriptures by the which I am ready to prove That the people of the Lord and Ministes of Christ were not onely led by the spirit of God themselves but also in their words and Writings did direct others thereunto saying Walke in the spirit be ye filled with the spirit and worship God in the spirit Gal. 5. 16. Eph. 5. 18. Phil. 3. 3. Joh. 4. 24. But say the people Though they did walke and direct others to walke by the spirit yet are not we now to walke by the Scriptures and is not the scriptures now to be our Rule and are we not to be led by that To which I answer That God changeth not and where doth the Scriptures say That the Scripture is to be a Rule to walke or to be led by and the Ministers of Christ did not say As every man hath received tâ—e sâ—â—iâ—â—ures so walke But as every man hath received Christ and he is the light so walk Col. 2. 6. Consider there is first something to be received and then there is to be a walking in the power and strength of that received
The true and everlasting RULE From GOD discovered AND That which proveth all things published from the spirit of truth to the which Rule the Scriptures also beareth testimony that all the simple and honest-hearted may see what Rule they are to walk by to come to perfect peace and rest with God for evermore With an addition to the former wherein is also shewed what that is in man which is not to be his Guid nor Rule Also a Testimony of the true Prophet who was to come and is come and there was not another his work witnessed and truth declared from a feeling sence and experience according to Scripture Wherein is also shewed that the Prophets of God and Ministers of Christ did preach the light and so those who preach the Light now do therein preach the same doctrine as the Prophets Christ and his Apostles did With an Invitation from the Spirit of Christ 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. By a servant of the Lord a sufferer for his truth in the house of correction at Winchester in Hampshire called Humphrey Smith LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1658. The true and everlasting RVLE received from God discovered c. that all the simple and honest-hearted may see what Rule they are to walk by to come to perfect peace and rest with God for evermore THE Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life man became a living soul So man was formed of that which was earthly and into that which was earthly that which was living was breathed and that which is living comes from God which is to keep and lead men unto God but man going from that which is living into that which is earthly is thereby led from God and being led from that which is living he is also pleading for another thing then that which is the life to be his Rule and Guide and so comes not to be guided by that which is manifest of God in him Gen. 2. 7. Rom. 1. 19. Now the letter without is not living but the breath of life within is the which living breath man not knowing goeth forth from it to be guided by the letter which killeth 2 Cor. 3. 6. But the holy men of God who walked with God and were obedient to his will and spake forth and writ scriptures from that which was holy in them and were perfect in their generation they were such who came to be guided by that which was living in them and from that men in the dayes of old called upon the Name of the Lord Gen. 6. 28. and they had not a scripture without them to guide them thereunto And Enoch walked with God and so he walked with that which is living and not with that which is earthly neither had he a Scripture without him to be his Rule and so he walking with him who is the life came to be translated that he should not see death Gen. 5. 24 Heb. 11. 5. And Noah who was perfect in his generation found grace in the sight of the Lord consider this he found that by which man comes to be saved for by grace man is saved which grace to all men hath appeared and so Noah found that which bringeth salvation which is the Grace of God in the heart thereby hee came to do Gods will and not by any thing that was earthly nor from a scripture without Geâ— 6 8 â— Eph. 2. 5. 8. Col. 3. 15 16. And Noah who found that by which man is saved him God blessed and his Seed and said the fear of you and the dread of you shal be upon every beast of the field and they were to multiply and bring forth abundantly from the living that was within the earth for by that comes the increase of God and with them God established his Covenant so Gods Covenant came to be established with him who found that in the heart by which man is saved Gen. 9. 1 2. 7 8 9. And the Lord who is the one spirit was Abrahams Leader from his Kindred and Fathers house and so Abraham heard that which was living obeyed that which was spiritual who had not a scripture to be his Rule and unto him the Lord appeared and blessed and in the time of grievous Famines he and his Seed was fed Gen. 1â— 1 2. and 7 1 9 1â— and he that is led by the spirit comes thereby to receive feedings when the Famine comes upon them who are led by another thing and Abraham who followed the Lord was called the Friend of God and he through believing became the Father of many Nations and he saw the day of Christ the light and obeyed the Word which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Peâ— 1. 23. and being led by that which is living from his Fathers House and out of his Countrey so by that which is living was he preserved and him God loved and to him afterward the Word of the Lord did come saying Fear not Abraham I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward And Abraham answered the Lord and the seed which God blessed came forth of his Loins who was led by the spirit Gen. 15. 1. Heb. 11. 8 9. And on the contrary Nimrod who began to be a mighty one in the earth he went hunting before the Lord who is the one spirit and now there is that first which is earthly and much earthly wisdom whereby man goeth hunting before the spirit comes the which should not be but man should stand stil and not hunt and see the salvation of God and so receive the spirit to lead or go before him and not to run or hunt before the spirit but let it lead man as it is written As many as are led by the spirit of God are the Sons of God â—om 8. 14. but Nimrod hunted before God who is a spirit he was one of the seed of Ham who was the Father of â—anaâ—r whom Noah cursed And the beginning of this mâ—ghty hunters Kingdom was Babel where the Lord whom he hunted before followed after and confounded the language of all the that belonged to this mighty Hunter who was a mighty one in the earth and out of this land of Babel went forth them that built many cities afterwards there was a people whose gods were according to the number of their cities and so see what followeth when man is not led by the spirit of God as Noah was and so preserved but hunts mightily before him being mighty in that which is earthly first he is mighty in the earth then a mighty Hunter then builds a mighty Tower whereby he that is earthly would climb up to heaven this a figure then God confounded the Language and afterwards those that were in
the many Languages professed God who confounded the Language before whom their father Nimrod hunted and they being found in that which God confounded though they professed God yet in works denied him crucified his Son the Lord of glory writ over his head of the many Languages Latin Greek Hebrew this was written above him that was the light and so them now who are of this stock of Babel are yet exalted above the light and count the light a weak and low contemptible thing not able to save it self much less to save them that beleeve in it and so therein manifest themselves to be of their fathers who crucified him that said I am the light and said unto him If thou be the Son of God save thy self and so despised him who came to save them And this is some of the effect of mans hunting mightily in the earth as Nimrod did before they come to receive the spirit Gen 9. 18. and 25. Gen. 1â— 8 9 10 11. Gen. 11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. John 19. 19 2. But Jacob followed obeyed and believed the Lord who is a spirit and the presence of God was with him and the blessing of the Most High was upon him and the Lord promised to be with him who was as a Worm in six troubles and in seven and when he passed through the fire and the water and God gave him a new Name and afterwards promised to give his seed a Name better then of Sons and of Daughters and Jacob was a plain man and dwelt in Tents and him God loved and he prevailed with God Isa 41. 14. Isa 43. 1 2 3 4 5. Ger. 2â— 28. Isa 56. 5. And so Nimrod with his followers who was mighty in the earth came to be confounded and Jacob who was little in the earth as a worm and dwelt in Tents he and his Seed came to be blessed And Moses the servant of the Lord whom God Almighty honored in his everlasting love made him a deliverer unto and a Judge and Ruler over the people Acts 7. 35. he being in Aegypt the Land of darkness bondage and all the seed and Israel of God in cruel oppression and I do not read that he had any direction from man or scripture or any thing else without him to guide him at first to refuse to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter and the glory of Aegypt and to chuse to suffer affliction with the people of God neither do I read that he saw the Angel or glory of the Lord until after he was and had been obedient unto that which God had given into him for that which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. for it is said in the scriptures of truth that it was by faith Heâ— 11. 24. that he refused the evil and chused the good and faith is that which is in the heart Acts 15. 9. as it is written If thou believe in thy heart Rom. 10. 9 Acts 18. 37. and of that faith in the heart God hath given to every man a proportion Rom. 12. 6. and as that which is but little in man is loved and obeyed so man comes to know more of God and hear his word of Faith which is in the heart Rom. 10. 8. and it came into Moses heart to visit the Brethren and by hearing obedience of Faith then not Scripture man receiveth the spirit Ga. 3. â— which is an undeniable truth which I might prove by a Cloud of Witnesses from the scriptures which were given forth from the inspiration of God by his holy servants and so there being something of God in man wherby man may as Moses did first refuse the evil and then chuse a suffering state so learn to do well the sin then comes to be done away Isa 1. 16. 17. 18. and afterwards more of Gods endless love and powerful presence is made manifest and so being faithful in the little received from God in the heart man comes to rule over much as Moses did who first learned the obedience of faith in the heart though in Aegypâ— and in the time of great persecution where he was also despised of his Brethren yet he obeyed the Word of faith in the heart and so afterwards to him God appeared and the Word of the Lord came unto him and he talked with God afterwards face to face as a man talketh with his friend and the many wonders and mighty power of God wrought in and by him are recorded at large in the holy Scriptures for a testimony thereof to last throughout all generations And by this faith also afterwards the Members of Christ did walk 2 Cor. 5. 7. And Joshua who succeeded Moses was full of the spirit of wisdom consider that he was first full of the spirit and so thereby he came to be a Leader Ruler over others and the dread of the Lord fell and his judgements came upon them who rose up or stood against him and those whom he by the power of the spirit in him came to rule over and great many and mighty were the victories that God gave unto this man who was bold and couragious by reason of the fulnesse of the spirit that was in him and the people hearkened unto him as they did unto Moses and he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses Deut. 34. 9. Josh 11. 15. But the Lords people in these days who are led by the spirit of God in them are accounted both by Priests Rulers people to be drunk or mad as it was before when the Son of God who is the light was revealed in Paul Gal. 1. 15 16. he was accounted by the ruler of the people to be mad Act. 26 24. and when the disciples of Christ had waited and afterwards received the spirit of truth within from which they spake as with new tongues as the spirit gave them utterance at them then many were amazed others mocked supposing theÌ„ to be drunk Acts 2. 12 13 14 15. and when Hannah prayed in heart being grieved in spirit was esteemed to be drunk even by Ely the priest yet she by her prayers in her heart obtained her desire of the Lord who gave her a Son that knew the Lord and ministred before him being yet a child but the Sons of Ely the priest who was in the outward sacrifices were sons of Belial and knew not God lâ—ke the sons of the Priest of England 1 Sam. 1. 14. â— â—8 And David a man after Gods own heart was as a deaf man and heard not as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth being dumb with silence held his peace even from good until his heart was hot within him and the fire burned then he spake with his tongue Ps 38. 13 14. Ps 39. 1 2 3. 9 afterwards he said Thy word have I hid in my hear which word is as a fire That I might not sin
against thee and so that which keepeth from sin is hid in the heart and that word David said was a lamp to his feet and a light unto his patheâ— Which word he kept and loved the Law of the Lord which is written in the heart and so was made wiser then his Enemies and had more understanding then the ancient and all his Teachers Ps 19. â—0 11. v 4â— 43. â— 5â— v 67. v. 81. v. 97 98 99 10â— 101 102 1â—3 104 105. And all the Prophets of the Lord were led guided directed by the Spirit of Christ which was in them both in their actions which sometimes were as foolishness and madness in the eyes of the professing Jewes also in their words which sometimes were as thunder against the ungodly though they were the Rulers of the people and their words were so terrible against them that professed godliness and lived in unrighteousness that Amaziah the High Priest said of one of the Prophers who speak in the dread of the Lord That the whole land was not able to bear his-his-words Amos 7. 1â— And Amaziah the Priest of Bethuel being not able to bear the Word of the Lord therefore he falsly accused Amos of conspiring against the King Amos 7. from the spirit in them did the Prophets with boldness declare against the wickednes of the Rulers of the people saying to the poluted City Thy Princes are rebelli us and companions of thieves they love giâ—â—s and rewards and judge not the fatherlesse nor the cause of the widow and such as these are the adversaries and enemies of the Lord upon whom he will be avenged and all them that trouble his servants Isa 1. 23 24. 2 Thess 1. 6. and it is just and right for the Friends of Christ to declare against the enemies of the Lord and those that decree unrighteous Decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed and turn aside the needy from judgement and take away the the right of the people that they may rob the fatherles against these is the hand of the Lord stretched out and they are to bow down under the prisoners and fall under the slain Isa 10. 1 2 3. 4 and saith the Prophet Wo to the filthy and polluted City her Princes are roaring Lions her Judges are evening wolves her Prophets are light and treacherous her priests have polluted the Sanctuary Zeph. 3 1 2 3 4. and many more such expressions they used which was not rayling but sound words in the fear and dread of the Lord Read Amos the first and second Chapters And from the spirit of truth in them did they also declare even against such as were the teachers leaders of the people and were made Ministers by a law of God which law was then in force those Ministers departing out of the way and corrupting the Covenant like the Priests of England therefore the Lord made them as he will these who deny the way the light base and contemptible in the eyes of all the people because they also have been partial in the Law Mal 2 8 9. and against such did do the servants of the Lord declare they being such shepherds that cannot understand but are blind ignorant dumb greedy dogs these are the worst of dogs Isa 56. 10 11. and by such is the horrible thing committed Jer. 5. 30 31. and the Pastors are become bruitish Jer. 10. 21. therefore hearken not unto them Jer. 27. 13 15 16. also read Jer. 23. and Ezek. 34. for as troops of robbers wait for a man so the company of Priests murther in the way by consent Hos 6. 9. and one of the chief of that number is John Hodder Priest of the Parish called Haâ—church in the county of Dorset for he said if the Protector would raise an Army to cut off all the Quakers he would be the first MAN in it and there was a people the heads thereof judged for reward the priests teached for hire and the prophets divined for money is it not so in England Mich. 3. 11. and saith the prophet O ye Priests this commandment is for you I will send a curse upon you and corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces even the dung of your solemn Feasts hearken ye Priests of England Mal. 2. 1 2 3. And this was and is sound doctrine which the itching eares of the false teachers of your daies cannot endure to heare being found themselves such cursed children that cannot cease from sin that were to come in the latter daies 2. Pet. 2 14. And those words and many more to the same effect were they guided by the spirit of Christ the light in them to speake and from that spirit they declared against the Rulers Priests and people who had the law or letter and Moses writings with out them yet were enemies to the Spirit of truth within-But the prophets searched diligently to see what and what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie 1 Pet. 1. 11. so that the spirit of Christ was in the Prophets which testified unto them and was their rule and guide And when Christ came who is the end of the prophets and the Law he also declared against the same generation as the Prophets did and wee do and he said They were of their father the Devil who did his works notwithstanding they had the Scriptures and the Oracles of God and were of the place of the holy worship and were zealous and strict therein even against them did Christ proclaim many Woes Matth. 23. For the word of God had no place in them neither could they heare it Job 8. 37. 43. but in Christ the light did all the fulnesse of God dwell Coâ— â— 19. and 2. 9. and so he that had the fulnesse of God within him was counted a deceiver a blasphemer denyed and crucified by them that had the Oracles of God without them and read the Prophets every sabbath-day yet knew not their voices Acts. 13. 27. which prophesied of him whom they knew not when he was come who is the light And now we do bare Witnesse that the light is come as did Isaiah 6â— 1 2 3. though darknesse covereth the earth and grosse darknesse the people yet in him that is the light doth the fulnesse of God abide and no man cometh to the Father or fulnesse of God but by the Son who is light And now those that have the Scriptures and call that their rule in the which they read of Christ the light yet the light they deny and so deny him of whom the Scripture speakes and him unto whom all power in heaven and earth is committed and so long as they deny him who is the light unto whom all power is committed they cannot receive power from him to become the Sons of God but they who do receive and believe in him who is the light to them he gives power to become the sons of God Ioh.
let any man or woman be so mistaken as to think that we in scorne called Quakers are any of that number which cries loe here and loe there for I doe not bid any man goe forth from that which is manifest of God in him to any place or outward forme or image or invention of man or command without or any thing done in private neither indeed do I somuch as bid them come forth from the light of Christ in them to follow my writings and take that to be their rule guid or Leader but that by my writings words example and sufferings they might be informed even by this without them of that which God hath freely given into them by that to be guided and that to be to them a Rule of life and by it to be led into all truth for its the spirit received within which leads into all truth even into the truth it selfe of which I declare and so people being come to be guided by that which is of God in them this will abide with them for ever and that in them may be with them when they have neither my writings words nor person without them as at that present by them therefore I say unto all as Christ did go not forth And to this very end were the scriptures written that men might come to receive and attain to the knowledge of the Son of God and his mighty power manifest in them to destroy sin and reconcile unto God and to be led by him as a shepherd who sheweth unto his all things plainly of the Father and so to be taught of the Lord and come to be guided by him and need not any man teach them A short discovery of that in man which is not to be his guide nor Rule ANd now seeing man is gone so far forth from the life of God that was first breathed into him and that by his rebellion against the light and transgression of the command of that power whereof man was made by his degeneration from the holy life of that breathing spirit which at the first in him gave an eternal life unto the soul and that by the continuall receiving in following of that which at first led man forth from the life of God which was breathed into him and that by mans continuall grieving of that spirit which giveth life and being to all things living and also by reason of the multiplyings and increasing oâ— that mistery of iniquity in fallen man which hath ever since the fall ruled over and guided him in that which is contrary to the upright innocent life of God whereby man is become brutish in his knowledge Jer 10. 14. and the minds wholly darkned and the understanding shut up in the womb of obscurity from receiving that which comes from God and is freely tendred unto man to Rule lead guid and direct man in the way of uprightnesse and in the plaine simplicity and foolâ—shnesse of God into which the wisdome of the World can never enter And seeing that by reason of these things there are many things which have gotten enterance into the heart minde of man so that man being in the many things cannot but all offend and seeing those many things in men doth draw forth their minds whereby they are exercised in many and various things proceeding from the power of darknesse whereby even the simplicity in many have been betrayed and deceived sometimes by following of that which in them hath appeared as an Angel of light the which some receiving and becoming subject unto it in them hath wrought in all manner of deceiveablenesse and lying wonders the fruits whereof hath been even brought forth in open view not onely in former ages but also in this your daies even in this nation among them called Ranters and divers others that might be named and such who once professed the living truth but abode not in it who also have gone forth from the meek thing in which Gods wisdome and feare is placed to follow the evill motions of the Prince of the ayr who worketh in the vain ayry light minds And that none may believe a Lye and so follâ—w something in them which moves in the darke minde and take that to be the ture guid or rule and that none may be deceived through a mistake of what I have here intended neither yet through ignorance by reason of the want of the true knowledge of that which is of God in man which in him is perfect and there is placed not onely to be his Rule guid and leader in the way of life but also with it to rule and have dominion over all other creatures of God and to rule and order them to the glory and praise of him who at first made man honourable in dominion over all these things by that which was the breath of the God of life in him Therefore first let all people take heed of following their owne spirits for their owne spirits are also in them the which I doe not bid them follow for they were false prophets who followed their own spirits and had seen nothing Ezek 13. 3. and these that followed their own spirits though they spoke never so great and many words and as in the name of the Lord as some doe at this day by whom the living truth of God doth suffer yet against such as these did and doe the prophets declare who were and truly are guided by the eternall spirit of truth which was and is in them and guideth them in faithfulnesse to testifie against those who say thus saith the Lord and the Lord had not spoken unto them but they had seen a false vision Secondly I doe not bid any man follow the thoughts of his own heart for there is a heart which is hard even hardned in sin the workes of darknesse and receives not the light neither yet loves it which is the old heart that remaineth in all them in whom the old man is yet alive and not put off and the thoughts of that heart is vaine and out of the abundance of that heart the mouth speaketh folly and the lips uttereth perversnes and all manner of fruits of disobedience is brought forth and that is the heart which yet remaineth in all them who have not received the spirit of of God to become his sons and obey his Will Jer. 23. 16 17. Thirdly I doe not bid any man follow his own imaginations though they also arise from within him for I have found by experience that the imaginations of the thoughts of the hearts of the Sons of men are evill continually Gen. 6. 5. and much most desperate wickednesse blasphemy heresie and the like have been brought forth by many in these Nations who have followed their own imaginations speaking great swelling words pretending great ayry things which indeed are without substance which that transsforming prince of the ayre hath suggested into their darke minds who then follow their owne devices
and 19 20. so that Kings and Gentiles shall come unto him that is the light who is Gods wisdome that is from everlasting Prov. 8. 2 3. who is given a for light to the Gentiles and in him they trust And Isaiah said Come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord Isa 2. 5. And the Disciples called him Lord who is the light And David's servants were carefull that the light of Israel might not be quenched by his going forth to war marke That which leads forth to war quenches the light 2 Sam 21. 17. And Job did not deny but the light was given to him that was in misery and to the man whose way was hid Job 3. 20. 23. And David preached him who is given for a light to the Gentiles to be salvation to the ends of the earth and saith The Lord is my light and my salvation Psal 27. 1. And in thy light we shall see light Psal 36. 9. And light is sown for the righteous Psal 97. 11. And he that came of David said Truely light is sweet Eccles 11. 7. And when he came of whom the Prophets prophesied who is the onely prophet and High-priest and the end of the prophets and the law and that Priesthood which was made by a Law he being come preached himself to be the light of the World and said while you have the light believe in the light Ioh. 8 Ioh. â—2 And Iohn who was a Minister of Christ preached the light and said it was the light of man Ioh 1 and life is come into the world Ioh. 3. 10. and Peter preached the light shining in a dark place And the Ministers of Christ who were eye witnesses of his glory said the light shined in darknesse and God commanded the light to shine out of darknesse and some witnessed that they were made partakers of the inheritance with the Saints in light And many more proofs might be brought from the scriptures of truth as a cloud of witnesses to prove that we who preach declare and beare witnesse to the light do not therein preach a new doctrine nor another Gospell but the same with all the holy men of God and that which we have heard and seen which was from the beginning which Message is this even the light which light in the world in the heart is the corner stone which is the sure foundation and other foundation can no man lay then he that is the light that is already laid And this is the true Prophet which all are to heare and the children of the light doe hear know and obey his voice and a stranger they will not hear but him by whom God speaks for God in times past spake unto our Fathers at sundry times and in divers manners but in these last daies he hath spoken unto us by his Son who is the light whose Name is called the word of God â—eâ— 19 13. which word was hid in Davids heart of whom Christ came who is the light and the word which was a light unto Davids feet and a lanthorn to his steps and so David called him Lord who is the Light and the word nigh who is in the midst and preacheth peace to them that believe in follow and obey him that is the light and the light is the condemnation of all them that hate it and every one that doth evill hateth the light but the light is the condemnaton of all whose deeds are evill and every one that loves the light wherewith he is enlightned brings his deeds to it and by it the hidden things of darknesse are made manifest and waiting in that which it doth make manifest to be evill so Christ the light comes to destroy the works of the Devill and makes an end of sin and reconciles up unto God who hath given him a light of the Gentiles and a covenant to be salvation to the ends of the earth and this is he that lighteth every man that comes into the world which World God so loved that he gave his Son a light into it that all men through him might believe and be saved from the wrath to come and so it s the will of him that sent him who is the light that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth which truth brings freedome to the seed whereby it comes to have peace with God being redeemed from the bondage of corruption and set at liberty from under the shadow of death wherein many long have walked whose feet now comes to be guided into the way of everlasting peace where the children of the light doth rest together And this is he who hath wrought redemption with his own power and redeemed out of captivity and opened the prison door and preached peace to the spirit that was in prison in the days of Noah when the old world was destroyed and brought the Flood upon the ungodly yet saved the seed in the midst of the storme and raging waves and by him even he that is the light is captivity led captive and that which ruled over is brought to be a servant under when the Word of the Lord came to the Rock it opened and much of living water issued forth abundantly whereby the thirsty comes to be satisfied and clothing from him who is the light doth dayly come the rayment that never waxeth old he clothes with the armor of light and is as a Son and a shield from him the spirituall weapons comes and he teacheth the hands to war and the fingers to fight so that the strong holds are broken down and every thought come to be subjected and when he leads through the sufferings like a Lamb so is he followed and when he arises up to speake with authority and not as the Scribes then is he obeyed who then utters his voice like a man of war and lifts up his voice like a Trumpet crying aloud unto all them that are thirsty proclaiming the woes to all them who wear the false coverings and by him are his enemies comfounded and Judges led away fools and Princes laid in the dust And at him do the Kings of the Earth shut their mouthes and before him shall they all bow for with the sword of his mouth and with the breath of his lips doth he slay the wicked and his slaine are many and shall be more for no flesh shall stand before him who is now come to plead and make war in righteousnesse and now are his enemies flying unto their strong holds and fenced Cities but his salvation is stronger then Walls or Bulwarks and that all them that follow him their captain knowes right well and before him all the mighty of the earth are as a tottering Wall and as a broken hedge and he it is that rideth upon the wings of the wind whose power is unlimited whose waies are past finding out who descended into the lower parts of the earth from whence the wicked never knew him
the obedience to the life of that power by which man was made from which through disobedience he was led by that which said Ye shall be as gods which against God doth stand in that ground which by him is cursed And how can the unsearchable love of the father be uttered with words who so loved the world and his seed in it that he gave his Son to them that asked not for him that by his light may be seen the deceiveableness of the many workings of the powers of darkness in the mind that is darkned which from the darkness to the light is to be turned with the light in the fear to watch against every appearance and first motion of the changeable powers of darknesse which sometimes appeareth as an Angell of light against whose appearance all are to stand armed with the power of him who is the light and to feel the power of the word which is as fire and yet to resist that which the Devil darteth in which is also like unto fire And that the tender simplicity after which my soul breaths may not be betrayed by that which still seeketh to devour and keep from the power of the Cross and turne aside from the narrow way of life in which that all the innocent friends of Christ may be kept to follow the leadings of that which from the God of truth and love and peace to them have come by it to be led out of and from all that which in the truth doth not abide and in the power doth not stand Therefore is this given forth even from the breathings of my life to the pure witness in you all which the changeableness of iniquity doth always stand against the which in Gods living power let all that feel it keep against the other to stand and out of all Satans wiles to be preserved to the end of all that which hath an end that then when time shall be no more you may rest and abide with and in him that is the truth whom the Devil hath nothing in to receive the blessings of the father and the tender mercies of the most high to refresh you and overcome you with the power of his love that it to you all may be the bond of everlasting peace in which with all the humble and faithfull am I bound up and in it with them for evermore do rest Writing the name of my flesh H. Smith Concerning that which overcomes and prevails with God JAcob is the second birth whom God loveth the noble seed who like a Prince wrestles for the everlasting blessing he prevaileth and hath power with God and with men who was and is beloved for ever he was of God beloved and blessed called by another name after he wrestled and prevailed and had power with God and with men mark he had a new name given after he prevailed and had power as it is written He that overcometh shall eat of the hidden Manna and have a white stone and in it a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it Rev. 2. 17. Mark a new name in a white stone Christ the light the corner-stone a new name in the light of life in the white stone pure and precious the elect the sure foundation the foundation laid in Sion the Law shall go forth of Sion the Law is written in the fleshly tables of the heart I will write my Law in their hearts saith God from whence it shall go forth The law is light and the commandement The law shall go forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone he that believeth on him shall not be confounded He that believeth makes not hast but he that believeth not is to be confounded he makes hast he wils he runs not he that wills nor runs but he that waits upon God for mercy he believeth he makes not hast he waits he wrestles with God for the blessing he prevaileth Jacob the plain simple man the seed of Abraham that dwelt in his tent he gets the blessing of God that waits upon him that wrestles with him like a Prince he prevaileth and hath power with God and with men he hath a new name in a white stone who overcometh whose light is like a stone most precious clear as chrystal He that overcomes shall be cloathed with white rayment white as the light Jacâ—b the second birth he knoweth the dreadful place the house of God and the gate of heaven he passeth over Jordan and after become two bands his seed is blessed of God who prevaileth and overcometh the second birth born of the spirit him God loveth but Esaâ— have I hated the first birth born of the flesh the cunning hunter a man of the field wandering in the field in the wildernesse in the darknesse abroad hunting for venison mark for food for meat that perisheth the wild man abroad hunting he loseth the blessing Hearken all professors of the Scriptures who know not the wilde Asses colt tyed to the vine the Covenant of God the life of God and the power of God you are out of and strangers to Here is the state of the foolish virgins the foolish woman is clamourous her feet abide not in her house but she that tarryeth at home divideth the spoyl she sweepeth the house and seeketh diligently for the piece of money which was lost The Lords money was hid in the darkness which hath his image which is found in the house by the light he lighteth the candle and diligently searcheth The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord which in the house is lighted searching all the inward parts of the belly Prov 20. 27. The Lord will search Jerusalem with candles I the Lord search the heart and try the reynes how are the hidden things of Esau searched out mark of Esau the first birth of the flesh the cunning hunter a man of the field in the darknes the dark places of the earth are full of cruelty he is born there the first birth Esau Cain the first birth the murtherer the envious one in the darkness conceived after the flesh born the persecuter and murtherer of the second birth born after the spirit beloved of God whose offering of him is accepted but the offering of the first birth is not accepted sin lyeth at the door which separateth he is to be banished and driven from the presence of God before whose door sin lyeth and is the vagabond and fugitive on the Earth Hear this ye blinde persecutors and professors your envy deceit and your hunting in the subtilty in the ravening and devouring nature shutteth you out And except ye be born again you shall never inherit the kingdom of the Lord God of eternal life and love wherein dwelleth righteousness and peace for ever and ever W. B. THE END