the Messenger of Satan to buffet least he should be exalted above measure And whereas he said O wretehed Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Sin and Death Rom. 7.24 All which doth not incinde him to be a Transgressor of Gods holy Law as every man that remains in sin is which cannot in truth and righteousness say as the holy Apostle did I thank God throvgh Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the Mind I my self serve the Law of God but with the Flesh the Law of sin vers 25. Now by the Law of Sin the ignorant do conclude the holy Apostle was not free from sin in this Life which he clears in Rom 8.1 2 3 4 5 6. There a therefore no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Lâ—â— of Sin and Death for what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that the Rightenâ—sness of the Law might be fullâ—illed in them who walk not after Flesh but after the Spirit For they that be after the Flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that be after the Spirit the things of the Spirit for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the carnal mind is at Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can it be so then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God Rom. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. By which it is manifest that the holy Apostle did not all his days continue in a Body of sin but in his Warâ—are was pressing forward towards the Mark of the Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before Phil. 3.13 That the Man of God might be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 4.17 in which state of pressing forward to Perfection Patience hath her perâ—ect work that they might be perâ—ect wanting nothing James 1 17. Which state the holy Scriptures bear Record Paul in the end of his Warfare did attain which is a state free from sin in this Life according as by the Spirit of God he himself testified That he had ought a good fight wherein he had finished his Course and â—ept the Faith or whom there was laid up a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous â—udge would give him at the last Day and not to him only but to all them that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.7 8. And these things were done before his Departure from the Body as appears by his Epistle to Titus and to Philemon and also to the Hebrews so that the Lords People well know by the Spirit of God agreeing with the holy Scriptures as also by their daily progâ—ess in the Way of the Lord all agreeing with the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit that by true Faith and Obedience thereunto they shall receive a daily supply of his Power which will give sufficient strength against the Devil and all his Temptations by which he that hath set his hand to the Plow and doth not look back shall come to witness a thorow cleansing from sin in this Life which they that witness not in this Life shall not witness a cleansing in the Kigndom of Heaven for no imperfect thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven neither is there any Repenting in the Grave for as Death leaves so Judgment finds Concerning the true Worship of God in Spirit EVen at this day as in days past among the Peopâ—â— of the World there are many Wayes of Worship but with the People of the Lord his way of Worship is but one in which they worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth for God is a Spirit and they which are true Worshippers of him they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth Then how can any be true Worshippers of God which abide not in his Truth for Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and they that are not in â—hrist are out of his Truth and so not in the true Worship of God so as they are not in Christ theâ— are not in the 〈◊〉 but out of that spiritual Life in which the true Worship of God remaineth Now this we know that all men are in the worship of some one thing or another all pretending that their Worship is the right and true way of Worship Then seeing that all are Worshippers How is the true Worshipper known from the false Even as the Tree is known by its Fruit so are Worshippers known one from the other for the good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit but the evil Tree bringeth forth corrupt Fruit for men do not expect to gather Grapes of Thornes nor Figs of Thistles neither can any man be a true Worshipper of God in Spirit that doth not bring forth Fruits of the Spirit which are Love Joy Peace Long-Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 23. for they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ such are the true Worshippers of God in Spirit and Truth but such Worshippers that draw in sin as an Ox draweth in Water their best Performances in Worship are sin unto which the Lord hath no regard for we know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a true Worshipper of God and he doth his will him he heareth John â— 31 Now to think that God will accept any mans Work wherein sin remaineth that man deceiveth himself for all Works wherein sin remaineth it is not of the Spirit of God but of the Devil for he is a sinner from the beginning and the Truth abideth not in him for in the time of the Law the Peoples Offerings before the â—ord were to be perfect without blemish Lev. 22.21 and their weight and measure were to be perfect before the God or their Salvation Deut. 25.15 Which did signifie spiritual Obedience to â—hrist the Lamb of God without blemish spot or wrinkle who requires in this Gospel Day under the Light of his â—ovenant of Grace Light and Life unto which not any thing of mans imperfect Gift and Offerings can find place to enter into Covenant with the Lord of Life for the Salvation of their immortal Souls for as God hath perfected his work of Grace in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of Peoples Souls so most their work be also perfect by the Power of God in and through Christ for the Salvation of them that are saved in and through him the Lord of Life of whose Spirit there is a gift given to the Sons and Daughters of men which is for
this end that through perfect Obedience thereunto they may work out their Salvation by true Faith in Jesus Christ who is Author and Finisher of his own Work in the hearts of them that in him believe for he is given a Light to the Gentiles and a Rule of Life for all to walk by So here is no occasion of stumbling as the heart and mind attends its Rule which Rule directs the heart and mind in to the true and living Way which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven where they that worship out of the Spirit and Truth can never come for though they may not profess to worship a false God as many do yet they profess a worship of the true God in a false way by which their worship is a false Worship which the â—ord will destroy for contrary to the mind and will of God they have set â—p a false Worship teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men Mat. 15.9 For the hour cometh and now is â—hen the true Worshipper shall worship the Father in Spirit â—â—d in ruth for the Father seeketh such to worship him â—ob 4.23 By which its manâ—est That all words in Deâ—arations Preaching and Praying with all whatsoever â—se that men pretend to the Worship of God being not â—ad thereunto by the Power of God it is no more before 〈◊〉 Lord than he that cuts off a Dogs Neck or â—fforeth Sâ—ines â—lood Isa 66. â— For the â—ord is o◠〈◊〉 pure Eyes â—an to behold Iniquity or to regard Iniquity for be will not have regard to that Worship in which Obedience is not yeilded to the gift of his own Spirit of Truth which calls for Silence in the heart and mind of all such People whose Worship is not in the Spirit and in Truth for the fleshly part must be subdued and the natural Thoughts of the heart and the intents of the natural Mind must be subdued by the Power of God unto which Obedience is to be yeilded that every wandering Thought may be brought into subjection by the Power of God then the Lord will have regard unto the Soul of him that so worshippeth for such Worshippers are they of the Circumcision which worship in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus having no Confidence in the Flesh Phil 3 3. Now this is the main Reason why People do not pront but in their Worship as themselves confess go round in their Duties even like a Horse in the Mill and a Door on the Hinges still remaining where they were because they offer to God with a false weight and measure which is of their own Imperfection in a belief that they shall never be free from Sin in this Life whereby their Debt is in larged and causeth them to fall short of a true Hope by Jesus Christ who will not accept that imperfect Offering which would not profit in the Time of the Law for this is the Day of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ in which if any man will hear let him not harden his heart through a false Belief begotten by the denyal that in this day of so large a Dispensation of Light by Jesus Christ that God will receive the imperfectness of Mans own Work which indeed is that which the â—ords Soul abhors for the Devil and Enemy of Mans Peace hath seated himself in the heart and mind of Man and exalted himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God fitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God Thes 2.4 and unto him the natural Mind inclineth to serve by which the Soul remaineth in Sin and Transgression against God whose Gift of divine Light is vailed from the Understanding which also becomes Dark in which state they walk in the light of their own wayes which leads in the Paths of Death which fulfills Christs saying If the Eye be evil the whole Body shall be full of Darkness then how great is that Darkness Mat. 6.23 which Darkness drowns the Understanding of the inward Man that it cannot come to perceive the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which is the Power of God to Salvation in them that believe in the Light of it which if it be hid it is only to the Disobedient who yeild their Obedience to their hearts Lusts which lusteth after Sin and Evil being also desirous to know God without Obedience to the gift of his Spirit of Grace in which state the Devil hath the ruling part in the heart which lusteth after some outward Work in pretence of worshipping God only for the outward Name of Christian amongst Men such Worshippers the Lords Soul doth abhor for Mans natural Will is Enmity with God and in that state mans Time in Worship is not that Time which the Lord doth accept but the Lords Time in which he doth accept Mans Offering is when by the Power of his own Spirit the heart is moved to worship him the only true God in the only true way of his Worship which is in the Spirit and Truth So all are commanded to keep silence before the Lord and to hear him for the profit of their own Souls before they can speak or declare any one thing for the spiritual Edification of another for he that nameth the Name of the Lord is first to depart from Iniquity and to wait for the Teachings of Gods holy Spirit which hath commanded Silence to all Flesh before hîm Hab. 2.20 Ezek. 2.13 also Psal 3.25 28 Let all the Earth keep Silence before the Lord I patiently waited on the Lord Truely my Soul waiteth on God from him cometh my Salvation So that God requireth a free and willing Mind to be free from all Incumberments and love of visible things which are below the true Wisdom of God which unto the wise-learned in the things of this World is counted foolishness to see the Lords Children sit together in Silence waiting on God to hear the Voice of his inward Call by the gift of his Spirit of divine Grace Life and Light in which is the true Worship of God in Spirit and Truth So here is to be no giving way to any stragling Thought of the Heart nor Intent of the Mind for all that is of Self is by the Power of God to be brought into Subjection to his holy Will which is the true worshipping of God in Spirit and Truth for all Thoughts and Intents which proceed not from the Power of Gods Spirit they are Thieves and Robbers which keep lurking through the Devils Power to deceive the Soul of that benefit which if they were obedient to the command of the Lord they might receive for as the true Worshippers in all Ages have been sound in the silent waiting their strength hath been renewed for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and thâ—y shall walk and not be faint Isa â—0 31 for they come
to witness the Renewings of Gods Grace from day to day and from time to time which increases their Faith in the hope of Gods heavenly Riches in Jesus Christ whose Spirit of Grace gives Utterance to preach pray add sing in the Spirit of Holiness to the praise and honour of God and to the edification and comfort of one another which is the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth And in this Worship have all been in whose Minds have been turned from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God through which their Souls were made alive in Jesus Christ without whose Spirit of Grace all preaching praying and singing avails not the Soul in the sight of God for whatever men practice as to the worshipping of God if it do not proceed from the drawings of Life by his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ it is no more but what is by and from their own Works of Righteousness which will not justifie in the sight of God to save from his Wrath to come in which Day it will be said Who required these things of you Therefore it is expedient for People which are in their several ways of Worship to be deeply concerned about these things and to make a diligent search with the Light of the Lord in their own hearts which through Obedience they may soon find how it stands between God and their Immortal Souls which must come to witness the Lords spiritual â—ppearance in their Worship which if other ways it is not the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth but is a false Worship which differs not from the Worship of them that worship a false God all which are built without the Spirit of God stand upon sandy Foundation which the Lord in his own due time will overthrow for no Worship shall remain but that which is in the Spirit and Truth for that is the true worship of God and the Father seeks such to worship him for they are the true Worshippers and their building remains upon the Rock of Ages and Foundation of many Generations on which the holy men of God in dayes past built their Faith in him who gave them an assurance in the Hope of their Salvation who in their day were perfect Obedient Children to the gift of Gods divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit which made them able Ministers not of the Letter but of the Spirit by which they were lead and guided in a holy fear to perform the Work of God according as they were moved thereunto by the Power of his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ the gift of whose Light and movings of whose Spirit in his People is that which is as much derided and evil spoken of among Professors in this Day as his holy Servants of Truth were by that professing People the Rebellious Jews in days past vvho had a zeal for God but not according to true Knowledge even as it is vvith many vvho profess to vvorship the true God but vvorship in a false vvay in this Day but blessed are they vvhose Works are governed by the Spirit of God in and through Jesus Christ such are they that vvorship God in the Spirit and Truth for as I have said and that by experience that God is Worshipped by his ovvn and not by or from any thing of mans ovvn natural Will but all are to wait the Lords Time that his Will in all things may be done to the honour and praise of his own holy Name and the overlasting comfort of them that continue in the vvell doing unto them belongs a Revvard vvhich is that heavenly Portion of Gods Riches in Christ Jesus vvho is the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that love him and keep his Commandments Concerning vvhich things it is good for People to consider vvhile Time is before Time be no more for every Man and Woman have a Soul which must either live vvith the Lord of Life or eternally perish vvhich vvill be the state of all them who at the Lords coming shall by him be found to have been Worshippers of false Gods or that have been false Worshippers of him who is the true and living God whom all men are commanded to worship in the true and living way which is in the Spirit and Truth which is the desire of my Soul that all may do that so they may come to witness true Peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ who is God of all and over all blessed be his holy Name for evermore for in him is the Riches of God which belongs to them that worship him in the Spirit and Truth CHAP. VIII Concerning true Prayer by which the faithful find Acceptance with God by Faith in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ TRue Prayer is an Ordinance of God and a Duty which God requires of Man to be performed by the Power of his own gift which came by Jesus Christ who hath commanded all men to watch and pray in a believing frame of Spirit which is that that God requires of all men and all men that are in perfect Obedience to God they watch and pray by the assisting Power of Gods Spirit by which they are made able to resist the Devil in the hour of Temptation but they who are in Unbelief of Gods Power by Jesus Christ That they shall never be made free from sin in this Life they cannot pray by the Spirit of God because of their Unbelief for all sin is of Unrighteousness and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil and the Pâ—â—â—â—s of them that continue in sin are an Abomination in the sight of God for the Eyes of the Lord are more purer than to behold Sin or regard Iniquity for the Thoughts of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord but the words of the Poor are pleasant words Pro. 15.26 By which it is plain that by Peoples living in Sin is the cause of their Prayers not being accepted with the Lord because the Wayes of the Wicked are an Abomination before him but he loveth him that followeth after Righteousness Prov. 15.9 for sin being loved and entertained makes a separation between God and mans Soul in which state man is incapable of receiving the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ by whose Spirit of Life the hearts of them which hunger and thirst after Righteousness come to be enlightened through which they come to receive his Will in what they should pray for unto him for Man in his own Will cannot know when or what to pray for â—s he ought to do for thou O Lord hast revealed unto thy Servant therefore hath thy Servant found in his heart to pray this Prayer unto thee 2 Sam. 7.27 By which it is evident that true spiritual Prayer proceedeth from the Power of Gods Spirit by which the Righteous come to enjoy the benefit of that which they
his holy Will who knocks at the door of mans heart for obedience to his holy Truth which if any man will obey the Word of his Grace he spiritually will come in and sup with them and they with him Rev. 3.20 Then the Table of the Lord is in a clean heart and with them of a willing mind for Christ will not enter the Door to remain for his abode with them of corrupt hearts and unwilling minds whose state is alway to confess but never to forsake all sin against God and his Christ neither doth the most High dwell in Temples made with hands Acts 7.4.8 17.24 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit and revive the heart of the contrite Ones Isa 57.15 But to this Man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and Trembles at my Word Isa 66.2 By which it is manifest that God in Christ by the Grace of his Spirit of Life and Light dwelleth not in outward Covenants made by men in their own time and will whose hope of Salvation as they say depends on the Promises of God by Christ who is not to be found in all their humane Precepts and Ordinances which from time to time for many years People have observed which to the Dâ—obedient the Lords coming to them will be even as his coming was to a Generation in days past whom savingly he did not know because their works and way was not in obedience to his holy Commands for which cause though many Works by them were done in the outward Profession of his Name yet they were commanded to depart from him as workers of Iniquity because they had not kept the Commandment of God Mat. 7.23 Luke 13.22 27. for the Works of their own establishing were found unclean before the Lord even as all mens works will be which are not established by the Power of Gods Spirit in and through the Lord of Life whose Life is only witnessed in men of clean hearts and willing minds who are made willling that Christ should rule every Thought of the Heart and Intent of the Mind that all their Works may be done to the Honour and Praise of his own Name and they to receive the Comfort of it to their own Souls in which state of Obedience they witness the Cords of Gods Love to draw the heart and mind in to a more and more fellowship of his divine Nature in and through the Lord Jesus Christ by which they remain in the true Worship of the Spirit and in the Truth and such Worshippers are they whom the Lord seeks to worship him Joh. 4 22 23 24. 6.44 Then the true Church and People of God witness a drawing by his Spirit or the Power of his Spirit in and through the Lord of Life otherways they cannot receâ—ve Life for no man cometh to the Son except the Father draw him for all things of the Father are delivered unto the Son and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son reveals him Therefore all that will come to the knowledge of God by Jesus Christ it must be through Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which comes by Jesus Christ under whose eafie Yoke and light Burthen all may learn of him who is meek and lowly whereby they that are heavy laden may come to find rest in him to their Souls Mat. 11.27 28 29 30. for by and through the Power of God in Christ every obedient Child learns of the will and mind of God in Chriâ—â— Joh. 6.45 by which Life and Salvation cometh to them that believe neither is there any true Believers but as they are come to witness in measure of the like state for he that hath not received the Son hath not received the knowledge of God by the Son through whom every true Believer in him receives Life for he that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life 1 Joh. 5.12 Now they that have received this Life they manifest it by fruits of a holy Life in all manner of holy Conversation doing no other to another then as themselves are willing to be done unto for as the outward Tree is manifested by its fruits so is every mans works manifested by the outward manner of Life for Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles can no man expect to gather neither is any mans Faith accepted of God without Works of Obedience to his holy Will for as the Body is dead without the Spirit in the sight of men so is Faith without Works of Obedience also dead in the sight of God Mat. 7.16 17 18 19. James 2. Then where Faith is without Works of Obedience they cannot perform the Commands of God by the Power of his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ that Church and People remain in a dead Faith to God who is not a God to that which is dead but a God to that which is living in true Obedience to the maniâ—estation of his Spirit which they have received to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 for as in the time of the Law there was means for the Peoples outward cleansing who were to remain without the Camp as not fit for the service of Gods Worship before they were cleansed of their Filth Lev. 13.46 23 42 43. Neh. 8.14 even so in this Gospel Day is no man fit for the service of Gods Worship in Spirit and Truth before he comes to witness something of an inward cleansing through the little Leaven whereby through Faith and Obedience to his Talent received he will come to witness more and more of Gods Power by Jesus Christ until the whole Lump be leavened into the new Nature of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ which only belongs to them of his Church who are not in a state of always confessing and never so faking but as the true Church acknowledgeth her Weaknesses and Inabilâ—tâ—es as of themselves not able to do any one work acceptable to God so through Faith and Obedience to the Word and â—ower of God by Jesus Christ through his Grace are they made able to do all things according to what the Lord of his Church and â—eople requires so that they remain not in a state of always confessing what great Sinners they are but withal forsake their sins in Obedience to God whose Power gives Victory over their sins in which state they grow from one degree of Grace to another till they become perfect Men and Women in Christ Jesus which is according to the Apostles Doctrine who were sent of God by Jesus Christ to turn People fâ—â—m Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God and praying that they may present every
that he baptized in his own Name he then thanked God that he had not baptized as he knew of any more save Crispus and Gaius and the Houshold of Stephanus plainly concluding that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.16.17 Now the Apostles saying that he thanked God that had not baptized any other is sufficient proof that Water Baptism is not that which God doth expect in this day if other wayes the holy Apostle would never have said he than ed God that he had baptized no other as he knew of which is sufficient that the Almighty God doth neither except nor accept sprinkling or dipping with visible Water in this day for Jesus Christ hath fulfilled all Tipes and Figures which were but shadows of better things to come and are come to them which by true Faith in him and he in them by which there is no need to lay the Foundation of things past for Christ crucified and risen again as the Mystery oâ— his Death and Resurrection outwardly is inwardly revealed is the Substance and Foundation of his Peoples Faith which gives them an assurance in the hope of his heavenly Riches which they that are not dead with Christ from the Rudiments cannot pertake of for they are yet living with their affections uncrucifid as to the Rudiments of the World being yet subject to Ordinances of divers forms in their will Worship which the righteous have overcome so that they cannot again be brought into bondage to touch taste nor handle those things wherein their uncrucified Affections once did remain well knowing they are all to perish with the using after the Commandment of men which things indeed have a shew of will Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any honnor to the satisfying of the flesh Col. 2.20 21 22 23. Now the faithfull of God are risen with Christ in which state they are â—â—â—king those things which are above where Christ siâ—â—eth on the right hand of God so that their Affections are set on things above and not on things on the Earth Col. 3.1.2 and they are a blessed People which are come to witness that state in which they seek the Lord and his righteousness which is the right use of means that God hath appointed for the honour of his holy Name and the salvation of them who in the true use of means lay hold on God thorough faith in the son of his love the Lord Jesus Christ by whose Power the Faithful are baptized into the one spirit by the holy Ghost which is the true Baptism of Christ by whom they that are not baptized thorough the Water of Regeneration they yâ—t remain with their Affections uncrucified in which state the Lord hath no regard to their daily Offerings And yet if any for a furtherance of the Gospel should find freedom in the Will of the Lord to condescend to the weakness of some to baptize into Water we should not forbid it but the bare form and Imâ—â—ation taken up in the meer Will of men without any inward motion or call of God or inward approbation we utterly disown CHAP. XI Concerning the true Sabbath which signifies Rest to them who abide in Christ who is the everlasting Sabbath MAny are the Talkers of the Sabbath and of the first days Rest but few are they that come so far in the Work of God by Faith in Jesus Christ as to witness their first days Work in him who is the true and everlasting Sabbath in whom the faithful have their resting place they are them which are come to witness the end of their Labour which have their rest in Christ the true Sabbath Now where People in their differing forms of Will Worship rest from their outward Labour one day in seven calling that the Sabbath Day thinking thereby that the Lord of Sabboth will accept their will Worship with their rest from outward Labour for his â—abbath they deceive themselves and the Lord of Sâ—bâ—ath will reward them according to their own Works by which they preâ—end to serve him for the Lord only looks at them who in in uprightness of heart labour against sin that by so doing they witness the effect of their Labour through the Power of God by Faith in Christ against sin for they that labour not six days against sin shall never witness the seventh Day Holy to the Lord of Sabbath which proves such Talkers of the Sabbath to be no keepers of any Time Holy to the Lord of Sabbath and as to many such Talkers about the Sabbath Day on which they are more unholy in their Minds as to the Lord of Sabbath than on any other of the six days in which Peoples Minds are exercised on things of Bodily concern which being freed from outward Bodily Labour on the first day which they call the Sabbath their minds are more in the exercise of those things which are of no profit to the Soul neither of so much profit to the Body as their outward Labour is on the other six days of the Week which things are manifested by their Fruits as appears both in words and actions upon the first day which they pretend a Sabbath to the Lord in which state they are Sabbath Breakers and not Sabbath keepers for all Time is to be kept holy unto the Lord of Sabbath which if any observe a Day let him keep it holy unto the Lord and not to judge another mans Liberty in matters of Faith concerning the keeping or not keeping of a Day for one man may be prepared as from the Lord to keep a Fast unto him when another man may not be called of God to dâ— the same for every man is to seek God for himself for the Lord hath promised To be found of them that seek unto him with a peâ—fect Hâ—art and with a willing Mind for the Lord searcheth all Hearts and understandeâ—h all the Imaginations of the Thoughts which if they seek him he will be found of them but if they forsake him he will cast them off forever 1 Chron. 28.9 1 Sam. 16.7 Psal 7.8 9. and 139.2 3 4. Jer. 17.10 Now in what men pretend to God if in uprightness of heart they do not retain him in all their Thoughts their Work is of no effect for the profit of their Soul but further adds towards their Condemnation which is matter of weight for People to consider how thâ—y spend their precious Time which God hath given them in this Life to make their Peace with him through Faith in obedience to the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ the Lord of Life and Everlasting Sabbath of his Peoples Rest which for People to talk of without a true believing in his outward Sufferings and in the inward Word of his Life their Souls shall never find rest in the Lord of Sabbath who was buried and rose again the third day which is the first Day of the Week which in honour to
be related for the convincing of People concerning the Truth of God by Jesus Christ but all that hath been with all whatsoever of holy care and means that may be used is but for the further Condemnation of them that refuse Obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light which men have received as a Talent or Talents for them to improve for their Lords use and the benefit of their Souls for the Lord of Life waits with the Tenders of Life and Salvation for every Soul where the heart and mind is willing to forgo all the ways of Unrighteousness and to give up in true Obedience to serve the Lord with an upright heart and willing mind as becometh his People so to do for there is no Salvation of God by Jesus Christ to any mans soul but by true Faith and Obedience to God in Christ who sivingâ— is noâ— a God to them 〈◊〉 love and delight in any one thing which is not 〈…〉 his holy Commands for as the Lord of 〈…〉 of God in all things for the Servation 〈…〉 so them that witness Sâ—â—vation in and through him must through Faith and Obedience come through the Cross even as he hath done for as he was outwardly crucified on the outward Cross for the sins of the People somust the Power of God through Christ come to crucifiâ— every lustful affection which would exalt it selâ— above the Witness of Gods holy Truth which no man can savingly partake of but as he comes through faith and obedience to partake of Gods heavenly Riches which are in store for all them that love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ whom it any man will hear let him not harden his heart by Disobedience in â—nbelief for the Devils Power is of no other strength than to tempt the mind of man to serve him which if men obey his Temptations to serve him in sin it begets the heart into a hard stare of Unbelief to believe no other but a sinning life all the days of their appointed time in this life the cause of which is altogether through their Obedience to the Devils Temptations whose Power never did neither can force any man to sin but as they yeild their Obedience to his alluring Temptations which if through faithfulness men would watch and pray to God the strength of his Power by Jesus Christ would give them Victory against and over every lustful Desite of the corrupted heart which is by nature inclineable to serve no other save the Devil which seeks all unrighteous ways to destroy the soul of Man which through Faith and Obedience to what God hath of his divine Grace and Light of his Spirit made manifest by Christ Jesus through which they may be saved And though some may despise at my small measure in the aforesaid Work yet this I have an aâ—â—urance of and that from the Lord of Life thaâ— as 〈◊〉 keep faithful to that measure of his good Spirit of Grace Light and Life which through Faith and Obedience he will increase my Faith and enlarge my Understanding to understand his Will and Mind more and more in the things which concern the wellfair of the Souls well-being with God in Jesus Christ CHAP. XXVIII The Substance of my Letter to the Committee of the Militia in Salem in answer to what they did desire of me I Received yours by one of the Committee relating to my joyning with your laying out Disbursments for a Town stock of Ammunition and Provision against a time of Invasion Now you your selves well know that I never did with-hold the promotion of any Work among you or any other of Power in this place so far as it hath not been inconsistent with the Truth of God according to my Faith which leadeth me to assist and help according to my measure when and where God shall direct until which time if I should conform to your desire where then will follow my Reward And as to your War both Temporal and Spiritual where doth the benefit of it appear to a People whose unrighteous cruel Bloody Laws yet remain only wanting Power against the Lives and Estates of their honest Neighbours whom your Priests esteemed as those of your Church Members whom your selves do now put to Death as Witches which possibly some of them may be so and if that God should further permit the Devils Power against the Rulers Priests and Hearers it would follow to be the greatest of all other of Gods just Judgments that ever have befallen New-England since they began to stock whip cut off Ears banish order for Bonds men and women long and cruel Imprisonment and taking away to the value of twenty hundred Pounds besides the Lives of them four Righteous â—e sons put to Death at Boston all which hath been the afflicted state of the Lords People which in Derision have been known by the Name of Quakers And if the Children of them that destroyed the Lives and Estates of the Lords People in that day will say That they had no hand in the same I say that their assertion is utterly false so long as they condemn not their Predecessors actions and I prove it by the rebellious Jews many thousands of whom had no actual hand in destroying the Righteous in those days and they could say even as these in this day That they had no hand in the same but forasmuch as they did not bear a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth against the Unrighteousness of their Priests and Rulers the just Judgments of God hath reacht their Posterity to following Generations even so is it with New England while the Land remains defiled with the Blood of the Lords Servants slain at Boâ—on which New-England former Priests and Rulers have done in the Name of God and the Kings Name without any warrant or example from either but in their blind persecuting Spirit have maintained their persecuting way from a command in the Law which relates to false Worshippers in that day which in this Gospel Day they have charged upon the Lords People which worship the only true God in the Spirit and in the Truth which if God should permit the Power of the Devil by the spirit of Persecution then might more than three parts of the People of the World lose their Lives among whom it is evident the Lord hath a Number belonging unto him though at present stâ—angers to the outward Sufferings of Christ for he is the Light of the Gentiles and Salvation to the ends of the Earth and by him the Remnant of the Nations which fear God and work Righteousness are saved and he hath commanded That Wheat and Tears should grow together until the Harvest of which things I only hint to you for your understanding my Mind concerning the Proceedings in New-England whose former Priests and Rulers have not manifested the like Repentance as that of Judas who repenting himself oâ— betraying innocent Blood and withal returned the Money which he had unrighteously taken
belief of their being at more ease when out of this body than in the body then what changeth the nature between black People and white People the colour of the skin doth not change the Nature But some may say The Negroes in Barbadoes do not go to Church Indeed is it so and what better are many for going to Church in New-England where they that have been nearest related to the Church have manifested themselves to be the furden from God as witness their puting four of the Lords Servants to death at Boston which Church they then accounted the purest Church in the World and if the sheding of innocent Blood be the mark of a pure Church the Church of Rome is more pure then the church of Boston of which I may hereafter more relate so that it is not the going to Church in New-England that causeth white People to differ in nature from black people which go not to Church in Barbadoes And therefore Judges had need to consider all things aright because they are expresly commanded To do no Vnrighteousness in Judgment Lev. 19.15 Now some of these People have said to me that they were in trouble of mind and then hearing of themselves accused by the Specter or Devil turned Informer that it made them even as it were besides themselves or out of their natural Understanding and then hearing that all without confession were suddainly put to Death and large promises of mercy from God and Man and with the Priest and his Fallowers on the one side and their nearest and dearest Relations on the other side all urging to a Confession which is so as I beleive it was let all rational men judge what state and condition these confessors were in for we read That over much Oppression will make a wise Man mad and its easie to conceive that lesser Oppression will make them mad who are not in their right Understandings by reason of some trouble in mind But the thing then is how or which way or by what means shall men come to know one that is a Witch from one that is not a Witch To which I say it must be by that Wisdom by which the Damsel Eâ—â—mus and Simon came to be known Acts 10.16 13.8 9 10. 8.23 and notwithstanding they were known to be Witches the Apostle did not direct to the command in the Law of not suffering a Witch to live but directed or exhorted him to repent and pray which ought to be noted that first to repent then pray which may afford this use that Prayer before Repentance is not accepted of the Lord neither is Repentance without the Fruits of Repentance and without Fruits the Faith of Man is dead even as the Body is dead without the Spirit James 2.26 But then say the Professors of this Age Is there no other way and means to know Witches but as the Apostle did in his day Then there is no knowing a Witch in this day because say they all such means by the Spirit of God is ceased for one working of Miracles is past Answ Past indeed to them that know no other state but to bear a Body of Sin all their days but to them who are redeemed from sin they know in measure as the Apostle did in his day for if one Spirit cannot discern another then Christ is not in his People but the faithful witness Christ is spiritually in them and in whom he is not are they not Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 and to them is no Prophesie no Revelation no Miracle for they are spiritually dead deaf dumb and blind as to all the spiritual things of God by Jesus Christ and to such the Truth of God by any of his Servants is as Pearl before Swine and if a faithful man should say That he hath an infallible assurance that some of these twenty People put to Death in N. E. for Witches were not such Witches as accused condemned and put to Death for then what follows but the prosecution of Law because he hath but one Evidence and that 's in himself by the Spirit of God so though all are lawful yet all things are not expedient without the call of God thereunto But Witches there be of divers sorts as before related and if any be convicted of Murder they ought to dye but if men once maintain it lawful to put all to Death for Witches in whose likeness the â—evil may appear and work the like Wickedness as is laid to the charge of these put to Death they may I believe put to Death for Witches the greatest part of People now in the World because it s but a few in comparison that shall be saved which greatest Number that perish when the Spirit of God leaves striving and the day of Grace is over then their House becomes desolate and they become the Children of him whose Work they have done and he takes more full possession of his own House and Goods which is the heart mind and Spirit of them that are wholly departed from the Lord and the Lord from them Gen. 6.3 Mat. 12.43 44 45. Luke 11.24.25 And thou hath not the Devil full Power over his own that is without their consent to act and do so far as he is permitted any manner of Wickedness in their likeness or in the form and shape of their Bodies But to act and do such Wickedness in the form shape and likeness of Gods faithful Children is that which I cannot believe therefore I leave it waiting the Lords time for the further manifesting of that with other Mysteries unto me and doubt noâ— but as I remain faithful the Lord will manifest unto me in his own due time what he sees convenient for me And his I am well satisfied in that if men maintain that command of not suffering a Witch to live as in the time of the Law that they are not Ministers in all things according to the Law except they put to Death as the Law in that day did require that is the Witch and the Wizard the false Worshipper the rebellious Child the Adulterer and Adultress all which were under one sentence of Death in the time of the Law then why only a Witch not guilty of Murder to be put to Death in this Gospel Day when Christ hath said Let the Tares and Wheat grow till the Harvest and to let the blind alone for if one lead the other both shall fall into the Ditch And though the holy man of God destroyed twice fifty with their Captains by fire from Heaven and forty more by cursing them in the Name of the Lord these things according to Christs own words are not lawful to be done in this Gospel Day 1 King 1.10 Thes 2.24 Luke 9.5 Mat 15.14 Luke 6.39 Mat. 13.30 Mat. 5. Then as to the Command in the Law relating to false Worshippers as they were accursed so was their whole Substance accursed also therefore if these put to Death be Witches it must needs
Which â—â—th manifeâ—â— that the Prophet fore-saw Christ to come the Covenant or Light and Promise of God to the Gâ—â—â—ike of which Steek we are who have received a measure of Gods Spirit which is of the divine Light and Nature of Christ the true Sâ—ed of his Kingdom which by measure hath been sown in the Hearts of all the Sons and Daughters of Adâ—â— To open their blind Eyes to bring out the Prisoner out of the Prison House Iâ—a 42.6 7. which is that which the Prophet declared of Christ the Foundation of Life in whose Light the faithful see Light Psal 36 9. Here David saw God in Christ who was to 〈◊〉 and in that day was a Rule to light Dâ—vid in his 〈◊〉 goings and Incomings by which he received the heavenly â—â—ehes or Gods Love to the saving â—f his Soul which is the Portion of all the faithful who receive Christ in the love of his Light which is no less than Life Eternal to all them that believe in his Name for his Name is Light and this Light hath been preached to every Creature under the Heavens Col. 1.23 which is that Light which John was sent to preach Christ the true Light that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 and this Light opened their Understandings to know the Scriptures Luke 24 15 to 29. for Obeâ—â—ence to the Light of Christ brings into the Knowledge of 〈◊〉 by which there comes to be a right understanding of what iâ— contained in the holy Scriptures for by the Spirit of God in Christ were the holy men of God enlightned and gave forth the holy Scriptures as they were moved by the holy Ghost Now mind That of this Light hath every man received a â—â—â—sure in his heart it being the Seed of the Kingdom and â—â—â—â—geth forth Fruit in good Ground Mat. 13.4 5 6 7 8. 〈◊〉 not in all other Grounds which signifie dark unclean stoney and hard Hearts in which the Seed hath been sown but only thrives and brings forth Fruit acceptable to God in the good Ground that is the honest faithful Heart which yeilds Obedience unto that which the gist of Gods divine Light requires it being the Lords Talent Mat. 25. wherein we find Christ did declare concerning the Work of his Kingdont by the Parable of the ten Virgins and sloathful Servant both having received the Seed of the Kingdom the Lords Talent which is a Gift of his divine Light Spirit of Truth which had they been faithful thereunto Salvation had not been wanting for when men receive of the Lords heavenly Gift of divine Light be it more or less yet through faithful Obedience it is sufficient for their Salvation for whether more or less yet the Lord requires his own with profit and where much is given much also is required but he that is not faithâ—ul in that which is little shall neuer be made Ruler of that which is greater but that which he haâ—h poâ—â—mprâ—â—ved shall be taken away and given to him that hath improved the Gift of God for the Honâ—nur of his holy Nameâ—â— and comfort of mans own Soul Mat. 25 28 29. which is maâ—â—er of great concern for all to be wâ—le an diligent in the Work of the Lord for the diligent gain Heavenâ— Riches when the sloathful are sent empâ—y away which will be the Portion of all the 〈◊〉 that are found living in a careless state spending their time in that which brings dishonour to the Name of the Lord and sorrow to the Soul oâ—hâ—m that so liveth for the Light of the Wicked shall bâ— put out and the Sparks of his Fire shall not shâ—ne and the Light shall be Darbness in his Tabernacle and hâ—â— Candle shall be put out with him Job 18.5 6. but in the faithful shall the Light shine which begets the heart and mind into good Works that glorifie God their Father which is in Heaven Now the Light of Gods Spirit in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ is that Light â—hich the Lords People called Quakers profess to be the Rule of their Life whose Life is the light of men John 1.4 and this light hath been a Rule to the faithful in all Ages Psal 27 1. The Lord is my Light and Salvation and he shall bring forth thy Rightâ—oushesâ—â—â— the light and thy Judgments as the noon day In this the Righteous rejoyce and give Thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness Here Light is sown for the Righteous and Gladness for the Vpright in Heart Psal 97.11 12. And again he speaketh of Christ to be the Light For with thee is the Fountain of Life in thâ—â—ight shall we see Light Psal 36.9 O send out thy Light and 〈◊〉 Truth let them bring me unto thy holy Hill and thy Tabernacle Psal 43.3 And the Spirit in the Bropher saith Arise shine for thy Light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Isa 60.1 And the Gentile shall come to thy Light and the Kings to the Brightness of thy Râ—sing vers 3. And many more instances from the holy Prophets Writings may be produced to that effect but these are sufficient to prove Christ the Everlasting Foundation of Lâ—fe and Light in whom the faithful of God in all Ages have built their Faith in the Light of God in Christ which gave them â—ull assurance in the same Faith That God in his due time would enlarge his Covenant of Light to all Natâ—ons by sending hâ—â— Son Jesus Christ who hath appeared in the likenâ—ss of sinful flesh to take away sin in the flâ—sh by pâ—â—forming the Will of God the Father to fullâ—r Death in a Body of Fâ—â—sh for the Redemption of all men and this is Jesus which shall save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 By which it is evident That the Work oâ— God by Jesus Christ is to save People from their sins Then what is the state of such man who profess themselves to be the Ministers of Christ and teach People of an imperfect state never to be free from sin in this Life concerning which at presenâ—â— shall omit leaving it in order for another Head in which God willing I shall clear by sufficient Testimony of holy Sempture Proof and at present proceed in Vindâ—cation of the Light against the Lyes by which evil minded men reproaâ—â— the People of God and dishonour his holy Truth in which the saithful live each according to his measuâ—e of Light and 〈◊〉 Spirit of Grace Light Life by Jeâ—ds Christ which leadeth them to acknowledge God the Father Word and Spirit Christ the Word Life and Light and the holy Ghost which 〈◊〉 the Soirit of God the Father 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ the Son and Lord of Life and Light which was conceived by the holy Ghost and brought forth by the Virgin Mary betrayed by Judis suffered under Pontius Pilate rose again the third day aseen led into Heaven where now he sits in all Righteousness and Holiness with God
time the Word was made Fesh and dâ—elt among the Son Daughters of Men and they beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 and this is Christ unto whom all things of the Father are delivered both in â—eaven and Earth and no man knows him but the Father neither knoweth anâ— man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 By which it is evident that all Revelation is not ceased Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest vers 28. Here Christ hath promised Rest unto all that will come unto him But how shall they come unto him by Faith in Obedience to that measure of his divine Light of his Spirit of Grace which he hath placed in their Hearts it being the Lords Talent given to Man for this end that he should improve it to the Honour and Glory of God and Salvation of his own Immortal Soul by Jesus Christ the Evidence of whose Spirit giveth Life to the Soul of that Man whose cleart Mind and Spirit is faithful to his Gift for the Scriptures restâ—le That Christ affordeth unto all them that by true Faith come unto him Search the Scriptures for in them â—e think to have Eternal Life and they are they that testifie of me and ye will not come to me that you may have Life Job 5.39 40. Here it is evident from Christs own words That to search the holy Scriptures without the true saving knowledge of God in Christ and of his Spirit which moved in the holy Men of God and gave them Utterance to declare his Will and Mind according as contained in the holy Scripture without which in some measure Men cannot profit or benefit towards Salvation by Jesus Christ by their reading the holy Scriptures for they that will not come to the inward Evidence of Gods Gift of his Spirit and Grace they have not the Love of God in them Joh. 5.42 For Jesus Christ the Promise of God and Seed of the Kingdom him hath God given to be an Everlasting Covenant of Grace Light and Life to them that fear and tremble at the Power of his Word and stedfastly remain in the belief of his holy Name which is no less than to give up in their whole desire of Heart and Mind to serve him the Lord of Life in Truth and Righteousness with uprightness of Heart Mind Soul and Spirit for unto him it doth belong and unto such belongeth the Promise of God by the suffering of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which doth extend Salvation to their Souls for God in tender Love Mercy towards all men falling short of his Glory by the fall of the first Adam doth tender the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus by the call of his good Spirit of Grace Life and Light which remains not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit which hath no relation to the saving of that Soul which remains in sin term of Life having received the inward Evidence of the Spirit which condemns for every thought word and action which is not agreeable with the Spirit of Truth of which every man hath received a measure in his own heart to justifie or condemn even as his Works appear before the Lord so shall be his Reward if of Faith and Obedience then Life and Peace will follow but if it be of Sin and Unbelief then Death Hell and Destruction will be the Portion of him or her which dyes in such a state for the Wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life so they that dye in sin are free from Righteousness having no part lot nor share in the Promise of God and Hope of Jesus Christ for their Hope shall be cut as the Spiders Web which shall perish for evermore for Christ came not to save People in their sin but to save and redeem from sin and Transgression His Name shall be called Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 for they that dye in their sins cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven as Christ said If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins and where I go ye cannot come which relates to a state of Perfection in this Life upon which Head I shall God willing treat more at large in a distinct Chapter by which the Understandings of them that desire after Truth may receive the benefit of my small measure relating to the same for man living in sin becomes destitute of any benefit by Christ for the Salvation of his Soul for he that commits sin it is of the Devil and he knows not God the Father but he that is faithful to the Gift of God in his heart learns to fear the Lord and to work his Righteousness which is the fullfilling of what God requires in obedience to the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who spiritually moves in the hearts of all whose day of Visitation is not over for Christ ruleth over all and will in no way fall short of his Honour either by the Salvation of the one or Condemnation of the other for Christ by the measure of his Spirit is in all except Reprobates 〈◊〉 and therefore it is matter of great concern for People to examin their own hearts whether by true Faith Christ abides in them for the Body of Man where Christ by the gift of his divine Light and Spirit liveth is the Temple of the holy Ghost and if any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy Then he that is not in obedience to the gift of God which he hath received is a Pollutor of the Temple and is without true Faith in Christ Prove your own selves know you not that if Christ be not in you you are Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Now they whose Minds are wrought towards the Lord their Affections are set on heavenly things above to seek God in Christ and in them Christ by the measure of his divine Light Grace and Spirit liveth Gal. 2.20 Now Christ being in his People the Body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness Rom 8.10 for there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision Barbarian Sithian Bond nor Free but Christ is all and in all and many more Scripture Prooffs might be produced to the same effect That Christ lives and moves by the Gift of his divine Light and Spirit of Grace and Truth in the hearts of his People and that their Bodies are the Temple of God for Christ by the gift of his Spirit Life and Light to dwell in which if People both Young and Old would forsake their Vanity and apply their Minds to seek the Lord in his own way of Truth and Righteousness according to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit as by Record for their help
that is a Member of his Body doth of his divine Nature partake by which it doth bud spring and bring forth Fruit abundantly to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name but every Branch that bringeth not forth Fruit unto God by true Faith in Christ the Father taketh away for it s by Disobedience the Lord cuts it off and appoints it its Portion in Hell which is the Portion of all them that let the Day of Gods Grace and Visitation of his Spirit to pass over but every Branch that beareth Fruit in Christ the true Vine the Father purgeth it of its first nature the old heaven of Degeneration and by the Power of his Word Grace and Spirit leavens the heart mind and spirit into the new lump and nature of his heavenly Kingdom in Christ Jesus the Author and Finisher of his own Work in them that truely believe which by Faith in Christ bring forth Fruits of Righteousness and Holiness which are the Works of true Faith without which Faith is even dead as the Body is without the Spirit for by the Gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace is the Faith of every true Believer wrought into a lively hope in which stands an assurance of that Crown of Righteousness which 〈…〉 store for all true Believers that fear the Lord and keep his Commandments such are they that live in the true fear of the Lord which is the beginning of Wisdom and leads the Mind out of visible delights and to follow Christ with an easie Yoke and light burden to do his Will which is that strait and even narrow Way which leadeth unto the Kingdom in which no unclean thing can enter neither is there any cleansing but what is here on Earth for as Death leaves so Juâ—gment finds and there is no Repentance in the Grave Which things in the true Love of God to Peoples Souls I do exhort them to weigh and consider that they may turn in their minds from all vain Delights and obey the Voice of the Son of God in their own hearts that by the Gift of his Spirit they may come to be turned from Darkness to Light and from the Power of their Souls Enemy to serve the Lord in true Holyness of heart mind and spirit for there is no other Name given under Heaven for men to be saved but as they come to believe in Christ as he did outwardly suffer and also believe in the Gift oâ— his Spirit and inward Word of Life unto all them that are in true Obedience to the gift of his divine Light which hath been the Path of the Just in all Ages and yet appears in the heart of every man and Woman with whom the Day of Gods Grace is not over for his Love remains stedfast to all that which is of his own Nature which is of a contrary Nature to that permitted Power unto which too many yeild their obedience by which the desire of their Minds is drawn from obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit in which state they serve the the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life and as men void of all spiritual sense and reason as to the things of God their Thoughts Words and Actions are here and there in the love of those things which Work the Lords Soul abhors and such appear as Trees without Fruit as to God for their Fruit is of a strange Plant and unregenerate Vine for which cause the Spirit of the Lord in his Servants is the same as it was in his Servants of Old who are called of God to bear their faithful Testimony against all Unrighteousness of men who as evil corrupt Trees bring forth evil corrupt Fruit for which cause evil minded men are at Enmity with the Lord and his People whose Fruit is of his own Spirit which is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Genâ—leness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law for they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ whom now as in days past the wise builders set at naught wherefore he hath said The things of the Kingdom are hid from the wise and prudent of this World and revealed unto Babes even so hath it pleased God for the wise and prudent of this World pretend to build upon him at whom they stumble and is become the Head of the Corner and will so remain to the breaking down all that which is contrary to his holy blessed Truth so that no building shall stand but that which is built by the Power of his own Spirit in them whom the Wisdom of this World doth despise even as the Wise did despise in that Day when they set their Learning in Hâ—brew Greek and Latine over the Head of Jesus Joh. 19 20 even so is it with the Wise of this World in this Day whose Learning is set above the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ whose People begot by him in the true Faith and Oneness of Spirit do well know that there is No other Name under Heaven given among men whereby to be saved but by that Name Jesus of Nazareth that Christ by which is the Righteousness of his People for he unto them is made of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and that in this World as well as in the World to come and not simply so accounted as some judge and then made unto us of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption hereafter in the World to come but realty made to us here and that perfectly too so far as he is perfectly hoped in 1 Pet. 1.13 for Salvation that is Salvation from God by Christ through the Faith of his outward Sufferings and by obedience to the gift of his Spirit in the heart which is the inward Word oâ— Life to them that hear and obey by which they may be turned from Darkness to Light and from the Fower of Satan to the Power of God by which they may witnesâ—â—he Evidence of Gods spirit That they have the Pardon of sin and forgiveness of that which is past being washed with the Blood of Sprinkling which cleanseth the Heart and purgâ—th the Conscience from dead Works to serve the living God in uprightness of Soul Body and Mind and without witnessing of this VVork perfected through Faith in Jesus Christ the Soul can never be clean to enter his Rest with him in the Kingdom of Heaven which was prepared before the Foundation of the Earth was laid for a People that should serve the Lord in uprightness of Soul Mind and Spirit being throughly cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ whose Death Resurrection and Ascention will not avail any Man or VVoman whose Mind remains in the love of any one thing more than to love him and serve him with uprightness of Heart Mind for to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace and whereby every
among all thâ— Nations for his Name Rom. 1.5 and as many as received this Word in oâ—e â—rence to the Faith being grafted in him in whom there is not my thing availeth the Soul of Man but by that Faith which worketh by the Love of God Gal. 5 6. Now seeing that tâ—â—e Faith worketh by the Love of God in and through Christ what Faith is that in them which leads to destroy the Lives and Estates of People for their Obedience to God who worketh by Love in the hearts of his People for this end that they might believe in the Word of Faith which sanctifies the Soul of every true Believer that by Faith in Jesus Christ through Grace they are saved for true Faith works by Love through Obedience to the Word of Faith which is Christ in his People the Hope of their Glory by whom his People are begot into a lively Hope that maketh not ashamed but that Faith which leads People to believe that they do good service for God by destroying the Lives and Estate of their peaceable Neighbours for their different Judgment concerning spiritual things is it not the Faith of Devils and Hope of â—pocrites whose Obedience is to the Prince of Darkness the Enemy of Mans Happiness and all such are in a dangerous stâ—â— for God worketh by love and Christ came not to dâ—stroy mens Lives but to save them and such men being many that pretend to work â—o God whose Truth is contrary to their Doctrine Principle and Practice as doth at large appear by their preaching and writing such things as in Deut. 13. Numb 25. also in Ezra and divers other places in the Law which were only to continue the Lords time of fullfilling the Righteousness thereof whose Râ—gateousness in this Gospel â—ay will not be received by the many Teachers in this Age who preach and teach to advance their own profit in way of their Trade for in the time of the Law the false Worshipper with all hâ—â— Substance was held accursed before the Lord and for that end both were to be destroyed and therefore in this Age the Anti-christian Teachers do account that such who are not of their Faith and as one with â—hem in Doctrine Principle and Practice that â—heâ— as false Worshippers are to be destroyed But Christ is come by whose Coming the Righteousness of the Law is fullfilled in that he came not to destroy mâ—ns Lives but to save and make alive by calling Stanners to Repentance and to return by Faith in Oâ—edience to serve him the living God with uprightness of Heart Mind and Spirit doing unto all Men even as they themselves would be done unto which is the Law and Prophets out of which state men are not in the true Faith but are ignorant of Gods Righteousness which is in the New Covenant of Life Light and Grace which came by Jesus Christ contrary to whose Righteousness they establish their own Righteousness and not submit themselves to the Righteousness which is of God Rom. 10.13 wherefore their Faith remains dead and their Hope vain for Faith is the gift of Gods Word which is Christ the true and living Priest who by the gift of his Spirit of divine Life Lighâ— preaches Light Life and Grace by which the Souls of â—he faithful are saved and of this nature cometh Faith â—y hearing the Word of God Rom. 10.17 which doth manifest that Faith comes not by that Word which is not from the Spirit of God in such faithâ—ess men who for â—â—cre of Gain make use of other mens lines made ready to their hands that is of such who bargain with People to preach unto them for their Money who if they perceive a greater benefit to present in another place they account it sufficient Encouragement to leave the lesser and to hold the greater but such their Doctrine Principle and Practice is inconsistent with Gods holy Truth which doth live in the hearts of them that are faithful unto what of God by Jesus Christ is made manifest unto them for unto them doth the Promises of God belong by whose Spirit of Grace is his Righteousness revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written The Jâ—st shall live by Faith Rom. 1.17 Then what doth it profit any man to say that he hath Faith when that by works of Righteousness he doth not maâ—â—est the â—â—me for Faith without Works is dead even as the Body is dead without the Spirit such may believe that there is one God they do well the Devils also believe the same and fear and tremble but they fear and tremble because of Gods Wrath in Judgment even so it is with the Rebellious who by their vain Life of Disobedience fall short of true Faith they also fear and tremble but not in love to God but for fear of Terment to comâ— such are they whose Faith is without Works whose Faith is as dead as the Body is dead without the Spirit 〈◊〉 2 17 18 19 20. Then seeing that without that Faith whâ—â— is by the gift of Gods Grace that sanctâ—fies every true Believers Work of Obedience by which it is imputed to him for Righteousness without which â—t is impossible to pâ—ease God who will hold all men guilty of Dist bedâ—ence â—haâ— remain in sin for sin makes a continual â—eperation 〈…〉 God and â—he Soul whereby they that continue in a state of sinâ—â—ng against the gift of Gods Grace they by so doing fall short in the true Hope of Salvation for by true Faith in Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit the Mind is wrought into a still frame of Spirit being made able through the Power of Gods Gift to wait for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith Gal. 5 5. By which it is manifest that waiting in Silence of Mâ—â—â— the inward Affections come to be drawn from having any desire in that part which through the Temptation of the Souls â—nemy is natural to lust after evil for the Body is the Temple of the holy Ghost and all thoughts and intents of the heart and mind that appear contrary to the moving of his own Spirit they are Thieves and Robbers that proceed from the Souls Enemy which strive to prevent and hinder the prosperity of Gods Gift of divine Light which is of the Seed of the Kingdom of God which Seed in measure hath been sown in all sorts of ground which is the heart in all men Mat. 13.3 4 5 6 7 8 for the Temple of God is the Body of Man in which Christ is to rule for the Salvation of all them that by Faith in obedience to the gift of his Grace Life and Light receive him Know ye not that ye are the Temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 1â— â—t is a worthy subject for every Man and Woman to consider well with
for he came not to dest oy mens Lives and Estates but his coming was for this end To save that which he had made alive by calling Sinners to Repentance which by Obedience through Faith found Mercy and entered into that Hope by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages Heb. 11.2 to 40. for it is the Just that live by Faith â—ab 2.4 and therein is the Righteousness of â—od revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written The Just shall live by Faith Rom. 1.17 which proves That the Righteous by Faith in Christ are the Just that live by Faith having yeilded their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which gave them the Hope of Christ through his Death and rising again to Life by whose Spirit of Grace Life and Light they come to receive an assurance bâ— Faith of that blessed Hope in Christ for the Salvation of their Immortal Souls for through Faith by Grace are the Righteous saved for it is the gift of God Ephes 2 8. and the gift of God is Life Eternal unto them that are not found cloathed with any thing of their own Righteousness but altogether cloathed with that Righteousness which is by Faith in Christ which is the Righteousness of God Ephes 3.9 which 〈◊〉 works bâ— love and is that Faith which â—orâ—s into thâ—Vâ—ity of the one Spirit and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Ephes 4.13 in which state the Righteous 〈…〉 â—â—â—tified bâ— Faith and have peace with God through the Lord Jesus â—hrist Rom 5 1. and by him have the â—aith 〈◊〉 access by Faith into the Grace wherein they stand and rejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of God and not only so but they glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation works Patience and Patience works Experience and Experience works Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shâ—d abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto them Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Which things are by the Spirit of God in his faithful Servants Messengers of Truth left upon holy Record that People may learn to keep low in their Minds from the love of all Vanity and things of a perishing nature that so they may come to give wholly up in their Minds to retain God in their Thoughts by which through Faith and Obedience they may not fall short in the Hope of Gods heavenly Riches which are treasured up in Jesus Christ for all them that by Faith and Obedience live up to his Spirit of Grace Life and Light whereby the faithful have been made partakers of Gods durable Riches which is that Crown of Righteousness laid up in store for all them that by true Faith live in Obedience to the appearance of Christ in their Hearts such so living and so dying shall in no way fall short in the true Hope of Jesus Christ Concerning Perfection and that Warfare which the faithfull are to pass through before they come to witness free and full Redemption from Sin in this Life according as will appear by what follows GOD is perfect just and holy in all his Works and gifts towards all the Sons and Daughters of Men for every good and perfect gift cometh from the Fathêr of all Grace Life and Light with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of Turning Jam. 1.17 but in Man the heart above all things is deceitful and desperately VVicked who can know it save the Lord that made Man in his own Image after his own Likeness made he him and gave him Dominion over the things of the Earth Jer. 17. â— Gen. 1 26. commanding him that he should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil for in that day wherein he did eat thereof he should surely dye gen 2.17 Which Command through Disobedience Man broke by which he brought the Sons and Daughters of Men into a state of Lust which through the Temptations of the Enemy to his own feed in the Heart draws the natural Mind to lust after that evil which bringeth sin and sin bringeth Death oveâ— the Soul for the VVages of sin is Death but the gift oâ— God â—s eternal Lâ—â—e unto them who do not remain in that first staâ—e of Dâ—generation sinning against the gift of God for as the Children of men selâ— short of the glory of God through the I all of the first Man Earthly so the Children from Adam 〈◊〉 Faith and Obedience to the gift of â—od shall be saved through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of Life the second Adam â—om Heaven spiritual who requires perfect Obedience of all men to his holy Commands that their Souls through Faith in him may be saved for only they are saved which perfectly believe in him that he is able and willing to give them Power that are willing to keep his Commands â—or which end of Mans Salvation he hath commanded People to be â—â—â—â—ect even as God is Perfect Mat. 5.48 which Command by Jesus Christ seems too straight for many to receive into their Belief of ever attaining such a state in this Life that they either distrust in the Power of God â—y Jesus Christ or otherwise they are not willing to part with all their sins to gain Christ for Sin makes a partition Wall between God and mans Soul that it cannot come to receive the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ for all Sin is of Unrighteousness and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil which is the Father of all Sin whose work of Darkness hath no relation to the Kingdom of Heaven neither can any enter Gods holy place before they are free from Sin but he that serves the Lord and keeps all the Commandments of God doth witness a perfect state in this Life Mat. 19.20 21. 5.48 and the holy Scripture is full and clear that such as feared God and wrought Righteousness were perfect Men for Noah which walked with God was a perfect Man and God commanded Abraham to be perfect Gen. 17.1 Also Job was a perfect Mâ—n being upright and one that feaâ—ed God and eschewed evil Job 1.1 cap. â— 2 3. in which Tryal of Job's Faith he saidâ— That God would not cast away a perfect Man Jâ—b 8.20 which manifests that such have been perfect men in this Life otherways the Spirit of the Lord would not have suffered an account of the same to have been recorded in the 〈◊〉 Scriptures of Truth Also David was a man after Gods own heart except in the matter of Vriah of which he repented which could not have been had not David been a perfect Man for he that is not perfect in the Work of the Lord to keep his Commands he is not a Man after the Nature of Christ who perfectly performed the Work of God for the Redemption of Men in whom the work of God is to be perfected by Jesus Christ who came to
it is said That Esau sought the blessing with Tears but could not obtain it All which makes not the least proof that the soul of Esau did perish for they themselves allow that if the Parents are Believers their Children are holy Then finding that the Parents of Esau were holy Believers why should any judge of God to be such a severe Master as to decree the soul of a Child born of holy Parents to perish without having done any evil in its own Body And as to Esau â—s being hated the Lord never hated the soul of any man as to decree its Damnation before he was born but for its sins and final Impenitency for hatred is taken in a two-fold sence for Jacob loved Rachel and hated Leah And Christ said He that hateth not Father and Mother Wife and Children he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14.26 Now if God had hated Esau with such Hatred as to decree his soul for Damnation before he was born or had done either good or evil then Isaac by Faith would not have blessed Esau for Isaac did by Faith bless Jacob and Esau concerning things to come And as to Repentance which Esau could not find it was relating to the first blessing which he could not recover being before given to Jacob the younger of whom it is said Esau the elder should serve Which no more implyes that Esau did perish than David the younger Brother whom God chose before all the rest of his elder Brethren who were to serve David their younger Brother whom God saw good to place on the outward Throne in the outward Kingdom of Israel that the outward Government might 〈◊〉 in the Line of David in which line of David's stock the elder did serve the â—ounger for so did the Wisdom of God order the outward Government of Israel in Church and State in which the elder did serve the younger And in Jacob's Line the stock of Esau served the younger until the â—â—ling of the Gentiles which then did reach the stock of Esau and all Nadons that should be found to call on his Name that they may possâ—â—s the Remnant of Edom and all the Heaâ—hen which are called by any Name saith the Lord â—mos 9.12 by which it is manifest that the Church of God remains seattered aâ—nâ—ng all Nations among whom they that 〈◊〉 God and work his Righteousnâ—â—s the same shall be saved through Faith in Christ Jesus for the gift of Gods Grace bâ— Jesus Christ is large in his love to all Nations which bâ— his promise in calling the Gentiles it frees the yoke of servitude from the stock of Esau's Posterity which is no less priviledge than to be made partakers of Gods Promise in the Government of his Grace by Jesus Christ which the stock of Jacob have refused for which cause they have lost their Interest through their Self-Righteousness in the first Covenant of Works for which cause of refusing the rich Mercy of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ they are given up in Unbelief concerning the great Work of Redemption by the Son of God whom they wickedly slew without the City Gates for which cause the Lord hath given them the Spirit of Slumber Eyes that they should not see and Ears that they should not hear unto this day And Davîd said Let their Table be a Snare and a Trap and a stumbling Block and a Recompence unto them let their Eyes be dirkenêd that they may not see and bow down their back alway Then have they stumbled that they should fall God forbid but rather through their Fall Salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them to jealousie for if the fall of them be the Riches of the World and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles how much more their fuliness For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead for if the first Fruit be holy the Lump is also Holy and if the Root be Holy so are the Branches for if through Vnbelief they were broken off then it is by true Faith that there is an entrance into the Covenant of Grace which extends to the stock of Esau Ishmael and all the Nations of the World for the Lord hath said That he will call them his People which were not his People and her his beloved which was not his beloved Rom. 9.25 Hos 2.23 1 Pet. 2 10. Hos 1.10 Therefore let not any be ignorant to establish their own Righteousness but submit to that Righteousness which is of God by Faith in Jesus Christ who doth not delight himself in the death of any sinner but had rather all might turn and live By which it is evident that God hath not decreed the Destruction of any mans soul before he hath sinned out the day of Gods Visitation whose spirit shall not always strive with man whose Condemnation is of himself through the unbelief of his own hard heart and the decree of God respecteth him only as such which was the state of Pharaoh of whom it is said The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh that be might be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host So not only Pharaoh but his People also had rebelled against the Word of the Lord by his Servants and Messengers of his Truth for which cause the Lord gave them up thorough unbelief to haronâ—â— of heart by which it is said The Lord hardened Pharaohs heart for this end to give honour to his own holy name thorough the overthrow of so great a King as Pharaoh in the Earth then was who hardened his own heart through the unbelief which he had to the Word of the Lord who permitted the Devil to draw Tharaoh from Obedience to the Command of the Lord thorough which his heart came to be hardened to the Glory of God and honour of his name for all the Devils work is by permission and is to the honour of God in the Condemnation of them which thorough Disobedience yeild their minds in obedience to the Devils Power by which their hearts come to be hardened against Gods holy Truth so that God hardeneth not any mans heart whose Condemnation is of himself in that he will not yeild his Obedience to the gift of God who desires not that any should perish but that all might do his Commandments and live for which end all men have ever had the way of good and evil set before them which proves that man do not perish thorough a decree of Gods making before they have done either good or evil hat they shall perish for tho the Decree or Purpose of God begins not in time yet it respecteth Man having had a time and day of Visitation and living in Sin until it be expired for the holy Scriptures are very full that God is clear of all mens Blood which perish for he hath tendered Life to all the Children of men by which thorough Faith in Obedince to
the Gift of his Grace they may not fall short of the true Hope which is by Jesus Christ who will not with-hold from any man of his Grace whom he finds in the well doing for he that doth well shall be accepted but he that doth not well sin â—veth at the door and unto him shall be his desire and he shall rule over him which proves sin is the cause of mans perishing for the spirit of 〈…〉 and whosoever wîll let him come and tane the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 7. So that for my part ac 〈…〉 that small measure of Light which God hath 〈…〉 Concerning the knowledge of his Truth as it 〈◊〉 he Son of his Love the Lord Jesus thorough Faith 〈◊〉 do I believe with many thousands oâ— the Lords â—â—â—thfull People that God who in his indâ—ite Wisdom knows all things long before the â—oâ—ld began and whatever comes to pass that it is by his Power of commission or permission but thaâ— he hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever cames to pass seems to me a charging of God with all the unrighteous Actions and wicked Wâ—â—ks that ever unrighteous and wicked men have done or ever shall do for time to come and to hold that God from all eternâ—â—ty hath ordained men women and their infants for everlasting perdition without respect to their final impeaitency is that which they can never prove by or from any things that is left on holy Record by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures of Truth for he that fears God and works his righteousness through Faith in Christ the same shall be accepted as a faithfull Child of God and true Servant of Jesus Christ whom the Father hath made manifest by the gift of his divine Light which through Obedience thereunto no man need walk in Darkness but have the Light of Life which gives the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting CHAP. XIII Concerning the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation through Faith in Christ to the Souls of them that by him are saved THe Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. vers 17. Now the Love of God is largely manifested through the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ before whom no mans works shall stand which are not sanctified by Grace neither can any mans works be sanctified by Grace further then he comes into Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which is that gift of divine Light which God hath bestowed to the Children of men thorough the Death Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life in whom the fullness of Grace remaineth and it is by the Grace of Gods Power in and thorough him which sanctifieth the soul of every true Believer in him by whom thâ—i saith is imputed to them for Righteousness by which they are justified before God in the sight of Jesus Christ whose Kingdom hath been prepared before the Foundation of the World for the righteous to enter for their works have been in obedience to the gift of Gods Grace for as there is but one God and one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit so there iâ— but one saving Grace in the Ground Seed and Root or Being and Nature for the race of God is one and manifold according as we read in the holy Scriptures of the manifold Grace of God and manifold Wisdom of God even as the Spirit of God is one but diversity of Gifts and there are Diversities of Operations but one God and diversity of Administrations but one Lord and the Scriptures do declare of the Spirit of Fear and Bondage and of Adoption also the Sâ—â—â—â—ture distinguisheth between the Servants and Sons in the Hâ—â—se of God â—or every son is a servant of God but every Servant is not a son born of the Free Woman And of this mystery Ishmael and Isaac were Figures men may be Servants and Sons by the Bond Woman by obedience â—o the first Ministration of the Spirit or Light within as it teacheth common Duties Piety Temperance Justice without revealing the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again or working the Faith of it but none are the Sons of God by the Free Woman or Children of the New Covenant but they who have the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again Outwardly revealed in them and have a living Faith in it by which they witness a conformity to Christ in his Life Death and Resurection and by that Power that raised him from the dead The sufficiency of Gods Grace within is not to be understood in opposition either to the Faith of Christ as he was outwardly Crucified for us and rose again and is a scended into Heaven there making Intercession for us nor in opposition to the great benefit and help of the holy Scriptures or sincere preaching of faithfull men or any other help but in unity with all these and it ought to be acknowledged that though God hath not left the Heathens where Christ is not outwardly Preached altogether destiture but hath given them a dispensation of Light that is real and divine and is of great service to them who improve it to prepare and call them to receive the Faith of Christ when Preached to them yet faithful Christians are under another Dispensation of Light and Grace as far exceeding that of the meer Heathens however honest or conscientious as Gold excelleth Brass or the Light of the Sun excelleth that of the Moon but both proceeding from one God one Christ and one spirit and the sufficiency of Grace that any man doth receive or that any man hath is only with respect to the present time and state but not for all times to come for the best of Saints are to depend and Pray to God to receive more and more Grace from him who is the God of all Grace and Father of Mercies and Father of Lights which lighteth his Sons and Daughters by the gift of his Grace and good Spirit of Life which giveth unto them the Light of Life to walk in the straight and even way which he hath layd out by the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is one with God the Father in all his holy Works of Grace Life and Light by which he is Working among the Sons and Daughters of men among whom is also the spirit of Iniquity working in and thorough the many Teachers which would make the Grace of God to be 〈◊〉 and differing in kind of being and nature when it is evident that though the 〈◊〉 diversities of gifts yet they all proceed from the one Spirit of the one God and one Lord Jesus Christ whose Grace is but one which restrains and saves from sin for he is the only begotten of the Fâ—â—â—hâ— full of Grace and Tâ—uth and of his fulness every true Believer in him receives 〈…〉 for Grace John 1.14 16. and by his Grace they received Apostleship for Obedience to the
an assurance of Salvation in which state mâ—n may know hâ—w the dead are raised and with what Bodies they shall appear for it is certain that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead bâ—th of the Just and Unjust for all shall appear before the Lord the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth before whom the heavenly spirited and the earthly spirited shall appear to give an account of all their Deeds done in the Body of this Life which then will be time sufficient for the unrighteous to know with what Bodies they shall appear in the mean time the Apostles words are very suitable unto all such whose state of Disobedience is far from the saving knowledge of God by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and though not simply fools yet through 〈…〉 Disobedience and Unbelief 〈…〉 as the 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 the husband man â—o 〈…〉 of the Râ—â—rrection Thou soul that which thou so rest is not qâ—â—e 〈…〉 it dye and 〈◊〉 which thou so rest thou so well noâ— that 〈◊〉 that shall be bath reâ—â—rain it â—ay chance of Whâ—at 〈…〉 othâ—r Grain and withall coâ—â—ledes that God 〈…〉 as it pleaseth him and to every Seed his own Body 1 Cor. 15.35 36 37 38. by which the unrighteous may know with what Bodies they shall come forth for he that so with to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that soâ—eth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap Lifâ— Everlasting Gal 6.5 for the time is at hand that he that is Vnjust let him be Vnjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is Righteous let him be Righteous â—â—ll and he that is Holy let him be Holy stiâ—â— fâ—r behold the Lord will quickly come and his Reward will 〈◊〉 with him to give every man according as his works shall be Rev 22.11 12. which doth manifest that according as men have sown so shall they reap for every seed shall have his own Body whether of Works of Faith and Obedience to Salvation or Works of Unbelief and Disobedience to Damnation Then seeing these things are plain as by holy Record which agrees with the inward Word of Gods Spirit and the gift of his divine Light which came by Jesus Christ and through Faith in Obedience to him through whom Salvation comes which work is most necessary for People to be concerned in for as the Soul is the most Noble part of Man so ought every man principally to be concerned about his Soul and the well air thereof yet because the Body is a part of the Man and that Christ is the Saviour doth of Soul and Body of every sincere Believer in him therefore every Man may and ought to be concerned about the whole Man both â—oul and Body and the Faith and Hope of the Resurrection of the Body as the â—pirit of God worketh that Faith and â—ope in us it is of great use to sanctifie us and prepare us for the Resurrection to come for Paul doth not call them Fools simply for enquiring concerning the manner of the Resurrection but for their Ignorance and Unbelief that some did not believe the Resurrection which they that do not believe it they remain in gross Ignorance and Unbelief and such are directed to the Husband-man to learn the manner of the Resurrection by using the Example of the â—orn And it is a great Error for any to hold That the Saints now living in the mortal Body have attained the Resurrection of the Body or that they attain it immediately after Death for it is most evident from the holy Scriptures that the Resurrection of the Dead is reserved to the last coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead and the dâ—â—d in Christ shall rise first so where there is the true knowledge to God in Christ of the Souls well-being it mâ—â—t necessarily follow that the spiritual Understanding wâ— be the more capable to know in what state the Body wâ—â—appâ—aâ— which shall never enter Gods Kingdom with natural Flesh â—lood aâ—d Bones for though it be sown a natural Body it is raised a spiritual Body as it is written The first â—â—aâ— a living Soul the last â—â—dam was mad a quickâ—ning Spirit so that which was first was not spiritual but natural and afterwards that which is spiritual Sâ— then it must be 〈…〉 minded only that have the true knowledge of these things for the natural minded man is a fool aâ— to the true Knowledge of God because he remains in Dâ—â—obedience to the gift of his Grace but is bewitched that he should not obey the Truth made manifest by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.1 through which unfaithfulness the mind of his Understanding is Darkness as to the things of God which chiefly concern his Soul and such live without God in the World not knowing that there is a God by his saving Grace according as by their Works is manifest which includes them to be one with the fool which saith in his heart there is no God neither indeed is there any Salvation of God to the rebellious Children of Disobedience who pretend they know God but in Works deny him Therefore it is most necessary for all such to bend in their Minds and by true Repentance seek the Lord whiâ—e he is to be found for he is only found of them that truly seek him in true Humility of Spirit and not oâ— them that remain in a state of serving the Lust of their corrupted Desires and yet remain talking about the fashion of the Body and in what likeness they shall appear before they witness any thing for the Souls wellfair as they â—â—ght to do for Christ is rîsen otherwise all preaching is in vain and Faith also is in vain or if the deaâ— rise not thâ—n is not Christ raised and if Christ 〈…〉 raised Faith is in vain and all men are yet in their sins Buâ— the Lord hath given a true knowledge of himself to the Righteous who witness Christ to be raised from the dead and is become the first Fruits of them that slept and by true Faith they witness his Resurrection by what they feel of his heavenly divine Nature that he is raised from the dead for since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead for as in Adam all dye even so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.21 22. So as People come to witness a dying state from sin they shall also witness a living â—ate to God through whose Spirit of Grace they shall partake of his heavenly Riches through Faith in Jesus Christ but as to these spiritual things there is no profit by them to any who come not into Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which comes by Jesus Christ whom no man knoweth but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11 2â— Joh. 6.44 Then as the Scriptures are left for
mens learning no man can learn to know God aright without the gift of his Grace and divine Light of his Spirit by Jesus Christ for the Letter kâ—â—eth but the Spirit giveth Life 2 Cor. 3.6 for as the Spirit of God is the Ministration of Condemnation to the Disobedient so also do they read their Condemnation in the Scriptures of Truth but to the faithful who live in Obedience to the Spirit of Truth to them the Spirit of God by Jesus Christ is the Ministration of Life and Salvation and through Faith in Christ Jesus the Scriptures do minister the knowledge of Life for through Faith in Christ they are able to make wise to Salvation Then whatever men may gather in the outward Comprehension from the holy Scriptures concerning the great Work of God by the Death and Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life which will not profit them that remain in a state of daily sinning against the gift of his divine Light which is their Condemnation for evil Deeds Joh 3.19 20 21. in which state they remain dead as to God having no benefit by the Resurrection in the Life to come â—or God is not a God of that which is dâ—ad but a God of thê Living Mat. 22 23 So that God is a â—od of the living who have been buried with the first Man in sin but through the Resurrection of the second Man the Lord from Heaven have they received the earnest of Life Everlasting 1 Cor. 15.48 49 50. having obtained the Promise of God through the Resurrection oâ— Jesus Christ which the 〈…〉 the benefit 〈◊〉 Christ concâ—ied and 〈…〉 â—he is â—hat which People ought to witness through the in â—ard Word of his traching which teaches the true knowledge of God according as is recorded in the holy 〈…〉 That â—â—s sâ—hcient to Salvâ—tion to know God and Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lord which was made of the Sâ—ed of David accordâ—nâ— to the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 to be the Sâ—â— of God with 〈◊〉 according to the Spirit of Hoâ—â—ness by the Resâ—rrection of thâ— death Rom 1 4. which the Righteous witness through 〈◊〉 the Law of sin by the Body of Christ that they should b◠〈◊〉 to another even to him who is raseaâ— from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Râ—m â— 4 for they 〈◊〉 have been planted together in the likeness of his Death 〈…〉 also in the likeness of his Resurrection Rom. 6.5 So that the châ—efest desire of true Believeâ—â— is to know the Lord Jesus Christ and the Power of his Resurrection and the fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his Death Phil. 3 10. for they that shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Kingdom of God and the Resurrection from the Dead neither marry nor give in Marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto Angels and are the Children of the Resurrection Luke 20.34 35 36. but they whose hearts and minds are joyned to the perishing things of this â—ife they are not married to Christ and so have no hope to be the Children of the Resurrection but only Children of the World which love gain delights and pleasures in which there is no profit for a man to gain and lose his soul for he that loveth any thing more than Christ is not worthy of the rich benefits which the faithful receive through his Death Resurrection Therefore it concerns all that they may so live as to dye from sin and be mâ—me alive with Christ that they may be partakers of his heavenly Riches in the Kingdom of God where Flesh and Blood cannot inherit 1 Cor. 15.50 CHAP. XV. Concerning the Ministers of Christ and the Ministers of Antichrist Also of Humane Learning and the Vsâ—â—f it and how it came in practise among them called the Reformed Churches of this latter Age. And concerning Gospel-Maintenance and in what manner and to whom it belongeth JEsus Christ the Son of God and Everlasting Covenant of Grace Life and Light he is Minister of all Truth and Righteousness which hath appeared for Salvation of men for which end in dayes past he chose unto himself Twelve Disciples which were men that believed in him and not being brought up in that manner as the many Teachers are in this day who serve a time in Schools of Learning by which they gather outward knowledge in Hâ—brew Greek and Latine Phrases also Arts in other things which the holy men of God did never practise for the twelve Disciples of Christs chusing were not fitted after any such manner to preach the Gospel for they were illiterate and Trades-men c. and lived not by hire for preaching but laboured with their hands for their outward subsistance such were they whom the Lord did call to preach the Gospel which did minister the glad Tidings of Peace and Salvation unto the Nations among whom the Word of God was divided 〈◊〉 and every one their portion according to their 〈◊〉 for they had not their Wisdom from below is the many Teachers now have notwithstanding the Lands Servants wanted not Wisdom from above when gave them utterance of words whereby they were enabâ—â—d â—o divide the Word aright in declaring and demâ—ustraâ—ing the Will and Mind of God at which time some of the learned Jews and wife Rabbies opposed them setting them at naught others resisted them notwithstanding they did not 〈◊〉 to be approved in that Wisdom that Man toucheth which is never able to prepare and sit for 〈…〉 work and service of the Gospel as is further manifested by the saying of him who was brought up in great outward Learning at the feet of Gamaltel Acts 22. in which state he was not capable by all his outward Learning to know Christ whom he persecuted in his Servants and Messengers of his Truth thinking that he did good service for God when he was destroying his People even as hath been in many places many of the learned Hebrew Greek and Latine Men have destroyed the Lives and Estates of many People because they could not conform to their Anti-Christian Faith which the Devil would have had set up in the Disciples of Christ who came not to destroy mens lives but to save and make alive which work is of a contrary Nature to that Wisdom which is from below for the true Wisdom of God openeth the Understanding in the things of God which the learned by all their outward wisdom can never do for they remain in the Wisdom of Darkness as to the things of Gods Kingdom which Paul in all his outward Learning was a stranger unto but by that Wisdâ—m which is from above he came to receive that spiritual sight which gave him the true saving knowledge of God by Jesus Christ whose Minister he became being then a Witners unto all men of both what he had seen and heard Act. 22.13 14 15. Which doth manifest that his 〈◊〉 to the work of the â—oâ—pel was of God which Work he attended according
that service for which it was intended that is for the honour of God and service of mens outward Imployments between Man and Man and Nation anâ— Nation and not to be upheld for this end that non without humane Learning are capable of preaching thâ— Gospel for Paul without that Learning which was 〈◊〉 the Wisdom of God was not capable of preaching Chriâ—â— to the Peoplè no more are they Gospel Ministers nâ— Ministers of the Gospel which remain in Pauls first staâ— of outward Learning but Learning sanctified through Grace by Faith in Jesus Christ is of benefit to his People which without Grace outward or 〈◊〉 Learning cannot be any Honour to God for 〈◊〉 profit of his People which doth prove that men without Grace cannot be the true Ministers of Christ but all without Grace are of the Ministers of Anti-christ unto whom no Gospel Mainteuance belongeth for they remain in the outward knowledge of the Letter and by their Fruits they are manifest not to be the Ministers of Christ but the Ministers of Anti-christ CHAP. XVI Concerning divine Inspiration and Revelation MAny are the Teachers which hold all divine Inspiration and Revelation to be ceased ever since the Apostles days and from that time that God hath wholly committed his Will and Mind to be known by the written Word To which I Answer That God in Christ before the World began did determine all things necessary for mans Salvation whom God did make in his own Image and gave him Dominion over the Works of his own Hand which Image of Holiness Man lost in the Fall Now Adam is called the Son of God and he that is a Son of God is also a Child of God Luke 3.38 in whom the Spirit of God by measure dwelleth which is for this end to direct the mind of Man unto the true and living Knowledge of God for which end there was a sufficient gift of God Spirit to save Adam's Soul which gift in measure is given to all the Children of Men that they may know the Mind of God and do it for Salvation is not by the Works of the Law but by Grace through Faith in â—esus Christ for the Law was given by â—loses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of his own work of in his people John 1 1â— and for that end they have received a divine gift of his Spirit of Grace which doth reveal the Mind and Will of God in and through the Son of his love the Lord Jesus which is Christ by the divine Life and Light of his Spirit in his People the Hope of Glory in which state they serve the Lord of Life according to the Revelation of his Spirit of which all in measure have received or shall receive for their Obedience to the Faith through which Obedience of Faith is the Justification of Life and Salvation and Condemnation unto them whose Disobedience is to the true Faith which hath been delivered unto the Saints unto whom the Lord in measure doth reveal himself in this day as to his faithful Children in days past it being granted that God gave extraordinary Revelations c. to the holy Prophets and Apostles beside what he gave them in common with all Saints for he changeth not but is the same God yesterday to day and for evermore who makes known the Mystery of Salvation by the Revelation of his good Spirit of Grace through their Faith in Jesus Christ So now as the Almighty God hath in all Ages made known of his Will and Mind to the Children of men by the revealings of his Spirit in their hearts even so is it among his Children in this Day who behold with their spiritual Eyes the mighty Works of God to their Souls by the Revelations of his Spirit in and through Jesus Christ for he that was to come is come in whom the fullness is and hath brought in the hope of Salvation to all them that believe in the gift of his Spirit which doth reveal the Mind of God in his People who witness him to be come which hath fulfilled all Righteousness and brought in the Hope of Assurance which is revealed by the Inspiration of his holy â—pirit in them through which they are brought into a further acquaintance with the Lord of Life whom to know through the drawings of the Father is Life Eternal through the Son for no man cometh to receive Life by the Son but as the Father draws him neither cometh any to the Father but by the Son John 6.44 Thes 65 So here is a drawing by the Spirit which reveals the Will of God in the Children of his own begetting thorough which by Faith they come into fellowship with the Son more and more whom no man knoweth but the Father neither knoweth any the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11 2â— Therefore the true saving knowledge of God is by the divine Revelation of his own Spirit in and through Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Eternal of which the Scriptures do declare that the Power of God remains in the gift of his Grace which câ—me by Jesus Christ through which is the assurance of Salvation to them that by Faith in Christ through whom by his Grace they are saved Now the holy scriptures were given forth by the holy Spirit of God therefore is his Spirit before and above the Scriptures as the workman is above the instrument he works with for the spirit worketh with the Scriptures instrumentally upon the souls of men both to inform their Understandings and to move and incline their Wills and Affections and no man can understand the things oâ— the Spirit but by the Revelation of the Spirit for they in days past did search the Scriptures thinking therein to find eternal Life when tho' they restifie of him yet there is no Life to them thâ— by true Faith in Obedience to the gift of his Spirit will noâ— come unto him Joh. 5.39 40 Here is Life tendered but not barely and only by the Scriptures but by coming to Christ for they in that day had the outward knowledge of the Letter which kills without the saving knowledge of God in Christ which by Faith is revealed thorough the Gift of his own Spirit in his People for all that either tends to Salvation or Condemnation it is by the Revelation of Gods Spirit in man for the Spirit of God keeps striving against the Enemies Power in them whom God hath armed with his spiritual Armor against the Devils Temptations and in them that disobey God thorough their Life of Disobedience to the gift of his divine Light in them it is their condemnation for sin and evil Joh. 3.19 Rom. 1.18 19. 2 Cor. 3.6 for it is by the Revelation of Gods Spirit that men come to the knowledge of which thought and intent is for him or against his Truth for the thoughts and Intents of men whether
good or evil the Lord shews it unto them in their own heart and conscience by the Revelation of his spirit which Justifies the thoughts and intents of the Righteous but condemns the thoughts and intents of the Wicked Now the holy Scripture is short in giving men the knowledge of their thoughts and intents without the searchings of the Spirit of God for the Lord searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reigns and decleares unto Man what is his Thoughts Amos 4.13 Also the Prophet hath said by the Spirit of Truth That they shall all be taught of God which is according to Christs saying John 6 45. Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh to meâ— neither hath Eye seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things which God hath Prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things even the deep things of God for what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit oâ— God and to whom the Spirit reveals them for true believers in this day as well as in dayes past have not received the Spirit of the World but the spirit which is of God that they might know the things that are freely given to them of God 1 Cor. 2 9 10 11 12 By which it is manifest that divine Revelation by the inspiration of Gods holy Spirit is of absolute necessity for Salvation in and thorough Faith by Jesus Christ whom no man can know but by the revealed gift of his Spirit which through Faith begets the inward man into the saving knowledge of God and of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ through which every true Believer in him comes to receive of the like benefit with the Saints in their day to see with their spiritual Eyes and to hear with their spiritual Ears and with their spiritual hands they come to handle the Word oâ— Life 1 John 1.1 Then if all divine Revelation and Inspiration of Gods Spirit to his Children be ceased must not all spiritual seeing and spiritual hearing be ceased also which by their Doctrines doth seem to me as if they conclude Christ also to be ceased for if the Inspiration of Gods holy Spirit of Revelation be ceased then how shall God and Christ be heard and seen spiritually as believers in dayes past did spiritually hear and see him Also if God hath committed his whole Will and Mind to Writing then by what means are these saved which have not received the knowledge of the Letter of the holy scripture Will they conclude they all perish for want of the Letter when the Mind and Will of God is that a Remnant of all Nations of them that fear him and work Righteousness shall be saved And though the holy Scriptures do give Infallible Marks of such an estate yet there is no scripture can infallibly assure any man that he hath these marks but it must be the spirit of God that gives every true believer such an assurance for the spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8.6 So it is the Spirit of God by which that assurance is revealed to beleivers or more properly in believers by which they come to witness that they have the Son and he that hath the Son of God hath Life 1 Joh 5.12 Now the holy Scriptures hold forth that he that hath the Son of God hath Life but give no assurnce of Life but the Spirit of God doth reveal an assurance which proves that all divine Revelation is not ceased CHAP. XVII Concerning the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of Anti-Christ THe whole state of mans Life is governed in Thoughts Words and Actions by the Power of the Spirit which hath the Commanding part in man who is either governed by the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of Antichrist which is the Devil for there are but two Spirits which rule the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ which rules in the Righteous whose Thoughts Words and Actions are governed by the Power of Gods Spirit which brings the Thoughts of the Faithful to be subject in Obedience to the Power of his own Spirit in and through Faith by Jesus Christ Now the Spirit of the Devil is that Anti-Christ which Gods Power permits to rule in the Children of Disobedience whose Thoughts Words and Actions are governed by the Spirit of the Devil so that men are Servants unto that Power which they obey for the Thoughts of mans Mind are in a continual motion and where God is not retained in the Thoughts they cannot be of any service to him for the Souls benefit but are in servitude to him unto whom they yeild their Obedience which Work altogether tends for Distruction of the soul therefore People ought to be diligent with that gift of divine Light which God hath given to find out the hidden things of Darkness in the heart of man who by Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace may come to understand the Lords Will to be done in their Thoughts Words and Actions which work will bring honour to the Name of the Lord and Peace to their own Souls for he that brings his Deeds to the Light they are made manifest by the Light whether they are wrought in God through faith and Obedience to the gift of his Grace for the promise of God by Christ is to the obedient part for his Children are made a free and Willing People to serve him with uprightness of Heart Mind Thoughts Word and Actions for the carnal Thoughts of man brings Death over the soul but the spiritual Thoughts of man bring Life for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace with God in Christ Sâ— as there is but two Spirits which bare rule the one or the other hath the Commanding part in the heart and mind of man for the Mind cannot serve two Masters that is no man can serve God and Mammon for while the Mind is in obedience to the Spirit of Life it overcomes the Spirit of Death but while it remains in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ it becomes dead remains with Death which state hath no relation to the things of Christs Kingdom for God is not a God oâ— that which is dead in sin and Treâ—pass against the heavenly divine gift of his Spirit of Grace Life and Light which come by Jesus Christ whole Spirit is not of this World neither are they of this World whose Minds are begotten of God thorough him to live in Obedience to his holy Truth but the Spirit of Anti-Christ is of this World and rules the Thoughts Words and Actions of them who are the Children of this World which by subjecting to his Power they believe that in the best of men sin remaineth all the
Judgment and receive Gifts then they are out of Gods way and rule not for his Honour but for their own Honour and self-ends among men for a Gift blindeth the Eyes of the Wise and causeth them to pervert the words of the Righteous Dan. 6.19 Now that Honour which is of Hand Hat and Knee to each other it is not of God for the Honour of God dwelleth in the heart of every faithful man which is faithful to what the Lord hath â—â—mmitted to his charge for it is the Lord that searcheth the heart and tryeth the reigns of the heart and declareth unto man what is his thoughts which no man can know by the Hat Hand and Knee of another for which Honour they have no express command from God nor example from his Servants in dayes past who in their day did render Tribute Custom Fear and Honour in its right place which at all times doth not belong to one and the same Person but as he appears for Gods cause is there Honour due to him as in the case of Paul before Festus and Agrippa the one appearing in the truth of Pauls cause and the other by Paul almost perswaded to be a Christian which Noble Principle in them was worthy of Honour from Paul Act. 26.2.28 31. 32 and divers other instances do the holy Scriptures afford of that noble Spirit appearing in man of outward Power whom they of this Generation esteem as Heathens but be what they will or whatsoever they were the Lord and his People well know that them so esteemed their works towards the Lords People in their day do condemn the works of many men towards the People of God in this day which do give Honour unto them unto whom it doth belong and not to honour them which honour not the Lord for they whose works bring no honour to the Name of the Lord they are not to be honoured by his People for Old Age to many is lengthened out by many dayes that the condemnation of him that fears not God and works not his righteousness may be the greater for though the Wicked may live to a hundred years so living and so dying they are accursed 〈◊〉 but the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousness Prov. 16.31 By which we see and know that God hath no respect for them that live not in the way of his Truth for Old Age is as a Judgment to some which desire to dye because of outward Troubles in Body and Horror of Conscience for their evil Deeds but Death as an addition to Gods Judgments from such flyeth away others again for their unrighte ous living in sin and Rebellion against God are by his Just Judgments cut off in the midst of their days And as to such Rulers that trouble the People of God from day to day and from time to time they may read their Portion Luke 16.19 to 24. but the People of the Lord cannot be brought into bondage by the Power of unrighteous Laws made by wicked men to ensnare and hinder the faithful of their Obedience to God who doth abhor the dark Works of unrighteous Rulers whose wicked Works against the Lords People are done in pretence of some service for God when that they are altogether for the service of Anti-Christ and the promoting of the Devils Kingdom which the Lords People by the Power of God are kept and preserved from touching tasting or handling with any unclean thing well knowing that the Wages of Sin is Death but the gift of God is Life Everlasting so then Death remains in the unrighteous Powers of Wicked and Ungodly Men who Balaam like love the Wages of Unrighteousness which the dumb Ass declared against when he forbid the madness of the wicked Prophet who had forsaken the right Way of the Lord to obey the dark Power of an Earthly Ruler So the portion of Balaam will be the Inheritance of them that do not obey the Power of God by Jesus Christ whose Power is the higher Power unto which every soul is to be subject for his Power is ordained of God and there is no other Power but the Power of God which is by Jesus Christ whom all men are commanded to obey for by and through his Power are the faithfull supported in all their Sufferrings for his Truth which is the Condemnation of all unrighteous Judges CHAP. XXI Concerning Oathes which includes all Swearing IN the first â—ovenant the Lords People were commanded to Swear by the Name of God in which time of the Law Oathes were observed in that Covenant which was faulty for if that Covenant had been faultless then should no place been sought for the second Heb. 8.7 Now that Ordinance did not maâ—e perfect as pertaining to the Conscience by which there came to be an end to that Covenant and a better Hâ—pe was brought in which stood upon better Promises for that Covenant and the Ordinances thereof were only to continue till the time of Reformation which stood only in Meats and Drinks and divers Washings and carnal Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformation Heb. 9.10 Now Christ the everlasting Covenant of God to his People fullfilled all Righteousness under the Law by which the Covenant of Grace took place in which the Oath ended for Christ is the Oath of God and the end of all Oathes Strife and Contention Mat. 5.33 to 37. It was said of old Time Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes but I say unto you Svvear not at all Plain Doctrine easie to be understood commanded by Christ Not at all to swear or not to Swear at all there is not a plainer and more strict Command contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth than for people Not to Swear at all which doth exclude from all manner of Oathes otherwise Christ would not have mentioned Oathes which were observed in the first Covenant of Works under the Law in which time they were not to forswear themselves but to perform their Oathes unto the Lord which were to be conscientiously performed according to Truth in what they were engaged or had engaged themselves in Gods Name to do Now Christ the Oath of God is come and in him is fullfilled the Righteousness of the Law for he is the end of all Oathes Strife and Contention and the holy Apostles followed Christs Doctrine and exhorted People to follow them as for Ensample they were Followers of Christ whose Command they obeyed and directed People to perform the same and that was Above all things not to Swear at all but to let their Yea be Yea and their Nay Nay lest they fall into Condemnation Mat. 5.33 34 35 36 37. James 5.12 Now the Apostles exhorting the Brethren to observe and keep close to the Truth of God according to the Doctrine of Christ which was Not to Swear at all which doth manifest by his calling them Brethren that they
evil one time and another time move them to do it for the Spirit of God by Jesus Christ moves his People in the way of holiness in which holy Way of Righteousness they have born their faithful Testimonies for Gods holy Truth against Fighting to defend their Faith by or with the carnal Sword or to take up any such like evil Practice again for Gods way of bringing his People nearer to him is by Jesus Christ whose Kingdom he will more and more exalt in the hearts of the saithful and not with the using of any carnal Weapon but by the Power of his own Spirit Ezek. 4.6 in which state they desire the wellfare of all men both Soul and Body and not as many do to kill the Body and say they desire the wellfare of their Souls whose Bodies they have destroyed for the Spirit of God meaneth not any such thing as to destroy mens Bodies with the carnal Sword and say they desire the wellfare of their souls for according to Christs Dostrine he that destroyes the Body of his Enemy cannot love the Soul of his Enemy for Christ came to save both Soul and Body and through the Power of God in him are many redeemed which by nature were Enemies â—nto him then what more can be said are not men by rature Enemies to one another then come to the Law and the â—rophets and do even as ye would be done unto for if you will be beloved of God in Christ you must love both Soul and Body of your Enemies even as Christ hath done unto them which have been Enemies unto him for Love covers a multitude of faults and Love leads them that are faithfull to God to keep the sayings of Christ who hath commanded to pray for Enemies and to do good unto all men by which they may be the Children of their Father which is in heaven in which state the Kingdom of this World may become the Kingdoms of Jesus Christ that the Prophets saying may be fulfilled that Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more Isa 2.4 Mich 4.3 untill which time the saying of Christ is fulfilled upon them that take the Sword which must perish with the Sword then happy are they that are yet living in the Body and have known the end of all War Strife and Contention for unto their Number Will be the gathering of them that shall not lift up the Sword one against the other neither learn war any more of which Number are the despised of this day who strive to maintain Peace by denying all Wars and Fightings with the carnal Sword or of the like Nature CHAP. XXIII Concerning Conscience which justifies the Ways of the Righteous and condemneth the unrighteous Works of the Wicked MAny People talk of Conscience among vvhom some there are vvhose Hearts are so hardned that their Consciences are seared as vvith a hot Iron such are in the depth of Iniquity against God and his Christ and many are they that have so little regarded Conscience that they have sinned out the Day of Gods Grace and many more are travailing in the broad Way of Destruction and fevv there be that knovv vvhat Conscience is or the Nature of a good Conscience tovvards God and all men for the Righteousness of God is held in a pure Conscience by vvhich the fruits of their righteous Works are manifest in the sight of God and in the sight of men but the Righteousness of the World is Unrighteousness vvith God for their Righteousness is held in a corrupt Conscience of their own Unrighteousness vvhich is to themselves for Destruction but vvhere there is any thing of Life in heart mind and spirit as to the things of God vvhich concern the Wellfair of the Soul there is Conscience at vvork either excusing or accusing according as their vvords thoughts actions are before the Lord vvhich searcheth the heart and giveth to every man according to the Fruits of his ovvn Works vvhether of Faith and Obedience or of Unbelief and â—isobedience vvhich the Witness of God vvith every and â—isobedience vvhich either justifie or condemn for all men shall be tryed by their Deeds done in the Body and accordingly they shall receive from the Lord the righteous Judge of Heaven Earth vvho vvill call all to an Account in the great Day of his Coming to judge the Quick and the Dead then happy vvill it be vvith them vvho have made good Conscience in all things of this Life towards God and all men for the Day is coming in which Fear and Dread shall come upon all the Ungodly vvho have not made Conscience of Obedience to the Name of the Lord Jesus vvho is largely manifested and many have and do believe and confess and shevv their Deeds as many have already â—one vvho have brought out their Books of curious Arts â—nd burnt them in the presence of men the loss of which to â—hem vvas gain though the price thereof amounted to fifty thousand pieces of Silver Acts 19.17 18 19. and such vvere they that by believing made good Conscience before God in the sight of men vvhich if all vvould live up in obedience to the Witness of God they vvould come to the improvement of the like Conscience before God CHAP. XXIV Concerning the free Love of God in and by the Lord Jesus Christ THe Love of God by the gift of his Spirit of Light Life and Grace is free for all men by Jesus Christ for God so loved the World that he sent his only beloved Son the Lord Jesus to suffer Death for all men that abosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.15 16. Then they that believe in Christ are them that abide in the love of God which leads to keep all his Commandments which he hath by the Son of his Love the Lord of Life commanded all men to keep for the great Love of God was manifest that Jesus who was made a little lower then the Angels for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour that by the Grace of God should taste Death for every man Heb. 2.9 by which every man that heareth his Word and believeth on God hath Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life John 5.24 For the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Vers 25. which is according to the Apostles saying that when he was dead in Tâ—espasses and Sins against God the Voice of the Son of God appeared unto him who became willing to give up in true love to serve the Lord with uprightness in heart and mind by which thorough the Love oâ— God in Christ he came through Faith and Obedience to receive that Crown of Righteousness which was not only in store for him but for all them that love the appearance of the Lord Jâ—sus in their
own hearts 2 Tim. 4.8 which is that true beâ—eving on Christ by which the faithfull receive Life everlasting John 6.7 for he that loveth any thing more thâ—n the appearance of Gods Gift of divine Light of Life by Jâ—ins Christ he is not in the true Love of God to receive Christ for he that will not come into obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit in his own heart he is free through Disobedience from the Love of God by Jesus Christ for it is the Willing and Obedient that are made partakers of Gods heavenly Riches by the Son of his Love and Lord of Life whose Life remains hid to them that are not willing in true love to forsake the love of all Visibles and visible Delights for his sake but they who in obedience to him are willing to forsake the love of Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Fathers or Mothers or Wife or Children or Lands for the Name of Christ they shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherâ—â— everlasting Life Mat. 19.29 Luke 8.29 30. So that Life and Salvation is of no other way then by that love which is free for God to serve him in what he hath commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ who requires no less love from his People then to serve him in true love of Uprightness in heart and mind for he that was to come is come to redeem his People from spiritual Bondage and they are to serve no other lovers but the Truth of God made manifest by the Son of Gods love the Lord Jesus Christ whose Commands they are to keep all the dayes of their appointed time and not to love any thing more then to serve the Lord with a perfect heart and willing mind out of which state the Soul is free from that benefit which the faithfull receive through the love of God by Jesus Christ for no man can remain in love to serve two Masters he will either hate the one love the other or despise the one and hold with the other for no man can serve God and mammon Mat. 6.2 Luke 16.13 but many are they that profess love to God in words but their love is far from him in works for he that saith his love is to God and doth not keep the Commandments of God the same is a Lyer and the love of God abideth not in him for whosoever keepeth his word in him is the Love of God perfected and he is known by his walking even as he walked Joh. 2.1 â— 3 4 5 6. for Christ is the Righteousness of Gods Love to his People and every one that doth Righteousness is born of him 1 Ioh. 2 2â— then People who are in a profession of Gods Truth and of loving one another and their Neighbours as themselves which except such Professors are come to witness the saving Love of God and of his redeeming Power through Faith and Obedience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit their Profession is for Condemnation because it remains dead as to the Love of God by Jesus Christ in which state it is not he that saith Lord Lord that shall enter but he that doth the will of God in love of obedience to what he hath required which is to serve him and keep his Commandments for in that day many shall say they have done wonderfull Works in his Name but having not done the will of God in perfect Love of Obedience to keep his Commandments they shall not be found worthy to enter the Lords Rest Mat. 7. to 23. Luke 13.27 So that Gods Love is not for the rest of mans Soul which remains only in the outward Profession of his Truth unto such the Lord will say Depart from me ye that work Iniquity I know you not so that the Love of God by Jesus Christ doth not reach to save the soul of any man only and barely by an outward Profession of his Truth but if any man love him and keep his Word the same is accepted of God Iohn 14. for the Promise of Gods Love is only to them that fear him and work Righteousness they shall receive Life everlasting for where the heart is there the Treasure is also if in the Love of Visibles then free from the love of God for all that is of the World the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life all which is not of God but altogeather of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth forever 1 Iohn 16.17 then as the World and Vanities thereof shall perish the Souls of them whose minds remain in the things of this World they shall perish also therefore let none be deceived for God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that also shall he reap for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption but be that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting Gal. 6.7.8 which is sufficient encouragement for all to be faithfull in love to God by which they will come more and more to witness of his divine Love to the spiritual strength of their inward man through which every true Believer in him comes to witness their holy Life in all manner of good Conversation in which state the love of God in and through the Lord of Life leadeth in true love to do good unto all men especially to them of the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6. â— 10. who arê bound in true love to God that they do not dare to love that which God haâ—tâ— neither to hate that which God loves neither indeed can they because the Love of God is to his own begetting and they that are begot of him through Faith and Obedience in Christ they can neither love nor hate but as â—â—od loveth or hateth that which is for him or against him so that the Life of every true believer in Christ is of the nature of Christ and is led by his spirit to love that which Christ loveth and to hate that which he hateth in which Life of true love to God by his good Spirit of Grace are the faithful led to perform his will in all things of Love and Charity to the honour of his Name and the everlasting well-beeing of their own Immortal Souls so that good Works are in a band of true Love and Charity which man in his own Will and Time cannot perform according to what the Lord requires for the Lords Thoughts are not as mans Thoughts neither is the Lords Time as mans time whose Love is as unstable as the Mind which mâ—ves here and there having no constant abiding place even so is the Love and charity of unstable men which for want of true Love to God and obedience to his command they have no a biding in his Truth but love and hate even as the natural will stands affected one towards the other in which state
they run on in many words about Love and Charity even as they do in all other things of the like nature not knowing a bridle to the Tongue in true love to God and knowledge of his Wayes which lead the faithful in love to render unto every Man his due in which work they do justly love mercy and hate all iniquity in which life of true Obedience there is no room to love that which the Lord hates nor to hate that which the Lord loves but to render in true love to every man according to the mind of God in Christ who doth not allow his Children to give their holy things to Dogs nor to cast their Pearls before Swine but to live in the true love of God which is above the Wisdom of the Serpent whose Wisdom in unregenerated man is far from the innocent Dove-like nature in which liâ—e the faithful continue and remain in the Power of an endless Life in which they are redeemed from the pollutions of the World which the unfaithful remain in for as they are of the World the world loves its own but the Righteous whom God hath chosen out of the World such the world hates John 15.9 Then they which remain in the love of the world they cannot receive the love of God because they continue in Disobedience against the known will and mind of their maker therefore they have no true love to God nor his People John 15.18 but this the righteous know that all things of this world shall perish even so shall the love of them which are of this world perish also but unto them which are of the world to come the love of God is there received which shall endure forever but the love of this World remains in the works of Darkness in which the minds of them that are the Children of this World are roving out of one perishing thing into another of the like nature being unstable in all their wayes as to the Lord but the love of God which passeth knowledge is stable in the hearts of all that are faithful whose Works are without Dissimulation aâ—horing all that is evil cleaving only to that which is good and leads to be kindly affectionated in Brotherly Love and in the holy fear of God honouring and prefering one another in the work of his own calling who hath called his People out of all sloathfulness into fâ—rventness of Spirit seeking the Lord and rejoâ—cing in Hope patient in Tribulation and instant in prayer in which state love worketh no ill to his Nighbour but is the fulfilling of the righteous Law Rom. 12 9 to v. 13. and 13.10 So the works of the Righteous manifest them to be Christs Disciples Joh. 13.35 for they have not received the Spirit of Fear but of Power and Love and good Works 2 Tim. 1.7 Heb 10.2 4. which they that witness not these things they remain in Darkness as to the things of God from which the Righteous cannot be seperated neither by tryal in Affliction Tribulation Distress nor Persecution neither Famine Nakedness Peril nor Sword for as it is written the Righteous are all the day long killed for his sake and accounted as sheep for the Slaughter Rom. 8.35 36. which is the state of Gods Heritage who are justified by Faith and have peace with God in Jesus Christ by whom also they have access by Faith into his Grace wherein they stand and rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of God and not only so but they glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in their Hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto them Rom. 5.2 3 4 5. so that hight nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to seperate from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. for their Souls are redeemed and become the first fruits of his Spirit in Truth and Righteousness and Holiness Love Joy Peace Long-sufferîng Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law Gal. â— 22 23. And this is the Love of God in Christ which passeth knowledge that they may be filled with all the fulness of God Ephes 3.19 in which state the Work of the Lord is done in them that are brought home to him through perfect Obedience to his holy Will in all things which of them he hath required by the gift of his Spirit of Grace in and through the Lord Jesus Christ â—y whom the Righteous are saved for they are grounded in the Love of God which is without blame forbearing in love speaking in love walking in love dwelling in love having no fear in love being knit together in Faith and love which is in Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 4.12 Ephes 1.4 Thes 3.17 and 4.2.15 and 5.2.16 Col. 2.2.2 Tim. 1.13 and many more Instances which the holy â—criptures afford to the same effect that the free love of God by Jesus Christ hath appeared unto all men but all men have not received the free tenders of his love through faith and obedience to his holy Will so that by Disobedience to the free gift of Gods Grace hardness of heart and unbelief hath got the Victory in all that perish and God is clear of the Blood of all men that perish because his free love hath been tendered through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ who delights not in the death of them that perish but had rather all might turn and live CHAP. XXV Concerning the Church of Christ and Gospel Order in the Government of the Church of Christ IN the World among men of divers Perswasions each Society pretends to be the Church of Christ and each have their differing Forms to govern in their Church Now Christ is but one in God the â—ather and so are his Children but one in him who are begotten by the quickening Word of his Spirit which governs the Righâ—â—ous in Thought Word and Deed by which they know his government in his Church which are the true People of God in whom Christ is glorified John 17.9 10 11. for as God is but one in Christ and Christ is but one in God so are the People of God but one in Christ and Christ is but one in them for as their Body is the Temple of the living God he hath said That he will dwell in them and walk in them and will be their God and thâ—y shall be his People 2 Cor 6.16 Then Gods People begotten by him through their Faâ—â—h and Obedience to the gift of his Grace in and through Christ Jesus by whom through Grace his People are of an upright heart and willing mind to part with all that is not agreeable to his holy Will who will not take up his abode in men of corrupt hearts whose minds are not free to part with every delight to gain Christ and only to delight in the performing of
in days past have done for Example 1 cap. 12 13. in which holy Work the holâ— Scripturesâ— great help for through Faith in Christ Jâ—sus they are to make the Man of God wise to Salvation for of the Nâ— of God and Christ is every true Believer begotten by and by his Spirit gifted in measure and are to mark that live not up in good Works of Faith to the wâ— Gods holy Truth according as it is manifested by 〈◊〉 Christ and left recorded by his Spirit of Truâ—h wâ— hath commanded each Member of the Body to wâ— over one another not for evil but for good and iâ— Member be out of place the next Members are to seeâ— the way of the Lord for to restore it into its place agâ— but when all diligent care and means hath been useâ— its restoration and with long waiting cannot be recovâ— but remains in a state of dishonour to the Body the 〈◊〉 is to cut off that Member in obedience to God by wâ— means all the other Members of the Body may receivâ—nefit in the Work of the Lord by by casting that 〈◊〉 from the Body which hath offended the whole Body by all the other Members of the Body cannot be resâ— to the Body again for its better that one Member â—â—perish than that the whole Body should be cast into Hell 5.29 18.8 Mark 9.47 So that of what use for that Member hath been as to the benefit of the Eâ— whether as the right â—ye or the right Hand yet if oâ—â—orrupted and cannot be recoved by all the other Mâ—â—ers of the Body it is not to remain whereby to destroy â—he whoâ—e Body and to cause it to perish So that all is â—o be done by and through the gift of Wisdom which is from him who is the great Physitian of Value so that all â—â—e to stand faithful upon their Watch and to watch over one another for good and not for evil that all may be done to the praise and honour of Gods Name and for the Prosperity of his Truth in and among his chosen People which are the Church of Christ among whom there can â—e no real forgiving of each other further than thy Brother turns to thee and says he does Repent for the Lord forgiveth no man but as he doth turn by Obedience and Repent So that alâ— may live so as to keep out that Canker Worm of Prejudice which hath caten up some till they are become nothing as to the Life and Power of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ but are turned with the Dog to the Vomit and with the Sow to the wallowing in the Mire such went out from the People of God because they never were of the Church of Christ but remain as Land-marks and not as Way-marks for any of the Lords People to follow so there is no unbinding that on Earth which is 〈◊〉 unbound in Heaven neither binding that on Earth which is not bound in Heaven but that all may be done to the Honour of God and Prosperity of his Truth whose People are to pray that in all their Undertakings for his Truth the Will of God by them may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven through which he will have the Honour of his own Work and they the Comfort of it to their own Souls which I desire may be fulfilled When all the scattered Sheep shall come Into that Fold in which are some Then will the faithfull come to see Christs Church in glorious State to be CHAP. XXVI Concerneng the State of all men and of Gods Judgments and also of Gods calling the Jews and manner of their Return to the Light of the Gospel THe Light of the Gospel is of God by Jesus who is the Power of God to Salvation in all them that believe and the Power of God for Condemnation in them that beâ—ieve not John 1.11 12 for the Lord searcheth the heart and tryeâ—h the Râ—ms even to give every man according to the fruit of his doings for the Light of Gods gift of divine Life by Jesus Christ makes manitest what fruit God requires of the Sons and Daughters of men who through Faith and Obedience do not answer his holy Will for which cause the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men because their Life of Disobedience is knowingly against the gift of Gods divine Light which is their Condemnation for their evil Deeds John 3.19 20. for that which may be known of God is manifested in them for God hath shewed it unto them Rom. 1.18 19 For the Lord sheweth unto Man what is his Thoughts Amos 4.13 Which if through Faith and Obedience to what the Lord makes manifest then the Thoughts of the Heart and Intents of the Mind are justified before him but if their Works are of Unbelief through Disobedience then the Thoughts of their Heart and Intents of the Mind are for Condemnation for every Obedient Child of God bringeth his Deeds to the Light by which they are manifest to be wrought in God but they who are Lovers of their own unrighteous Ways more than they are Lovers of Gods holy Truth they hate the Gift of Gods divine Light because by it their evil Deeds are reproved So that the state of all men is either of Obedience or Disobedience to the known Will Mind of God made manifest by the Light of his Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus â—hrist whose Light is not hid to them that are faithful but through Disobedience the Wicked that sin away the Day of Grace their Candle hath been often lighted and through their Disobedience goeth out again Job 21.17 8.5 6. Prov. 2.20 So that if the Light of the Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the godd of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shâ—ne unto them 2 Cor. 4.3 4. So that it is thâ—ough continued Disobedience by which men perish for the Light of the Lord is not hid under a Bed nor under a Bushel for there is nothing hid that shall not be made manifest neither was any thing kept secret but that it shall come abroad Mat. 5.15 Mark 4.21 22 23. Luke 11.33 By which it is clearly manifested that Gods Wrath and Indignation in his just Judgments upon the Unrighteous is because of their Unbelief and Rebellious living which is as the sin of Witch craft before him and in his sight Now as the state of the faithful witness Salvation by Grace through Faith and Obedience so also do the unfaithful witness Condemnation Destruction through Disobedience and Unbelief begotten by the Father of all Unrighteousness So that the state of all men are either in Servitude to the Power of Gods gift by Jesus Christ or in Servitude to the Power of the Devil who is the Father of all Unrighteousness which
the Disobedient live in and in that state of Disobedience the Wicked perish for evermore more but unto the Righteous hath God regard whose Portion is of his heavenly Riches which shall for evermore endure with his People in the World to come But the Day shall come and now is that the Lord shall suffer his Judgments to make way for the Righteous to inhabit the Earth in which the Wicked have of long time been suffered through the permission of God by the Enemy of Maus Peace to lay waste the Lives and Estates of the Righteous who shall inhabit the Earth with Peace and Quietness when the Lords Judgments have destroyed all the Thornes and Thistles with all other the Combustible high and lofty Trees which have long incumbered the Lords Earth without bringing forth Fruit unto him through whose Judgments of Famine Sword and Pestilence with other Judgments of the like Nature by which the Potsherds shall dash one against another till the Earth shall become plain and smothe from the crooked Nature of unrighteous men For every Valley shall be exalted and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isa 40.4 5. Luke 3.5 And all Flesh shall see the Salvation of God in that Day in which all Israel shall be saved for there shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob which is his Covenant to them when he shall take away their sins Rom. 11.26 27. for the Lord will finish the Work and cut it short in Righteousness because a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth and for that end hath the Lord begun in his Judgments among the Wicked that he may make way for his Seed in the Remnants of the Nations which shall be saved of which there is a Number already gathered unto which small Number of despised People the Lord â—s daily adding unto his chosen Heritage and elect Seed unto whom the Promise doth belong which is to all them that fear the Lord and work Righteousness unto them is the gathering of the Nations which shall be saved and for their sakes hath the Lord begun his righteous Work against the Adversaries of his Truth whom he will overthrow and bring to nought for out of Heaven will the Lord thunder of his Judgments upon them and will judge the ends of the Earth for God hath given strength to the Righteous and will exalt the Horn of his anointed and he shall only and alone rule unto whom the Government doth belong for when his Judgments are in the Earth the Inhabitants thereof will learn Righteousness for God shall arise in Judgment to save the weak of the Earch and the Wrath of man shall praise him and the remainder of Wâ—ath shall the Lord restrain Psal 7.6 9 10. And the Lord will return to Jacob and have Mercy upon the House of Israel after they have born the Shame of their Trespasses whereby they have trespassed against the Lord Ezek. 39. Then will the Lord gather them from among the Heathen and they shall know him whom their Fathers slew to be the Lord of Life then shall they sing Praises acceptable to God giving Glory due unto his holy Name and their Offerings unto him shall be in the Beauty of Holiness for they shall know the Lord and him the only true God shall they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth theâ— shall the Earth fear before the Lord and the World also shall be stable that it be not moved then the Heavens will be glad and the Nations will sing Praises to the holy One of Israel whom they shall know to rule and reign in the hearts of the Out casts of Israel for if the casting away of them have been the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead Rom. 11.15 Then let the Sâ—a roar and the fullness thereof let the Fields rejoyce and all that is therein then shall the Trees of the Wood sing out at the presence of the Lord for he cometh to judge the Earth Chron. 16. And unto them that fear his Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and they shall grow up in Truth and Righteousness before the Lord and the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the solâ—s of their feet in the Day that I shall do this saith the Lord of Hosts for the Lord will pour out of his Spirit upon the Fathers and the Children and the hearts of the one shall be turned towards the other for Truth and Righteousnâ—ss shall reign in all the Earth and there shall be no more Norse of the Horses rushing into the Battle for all carnal Weapons of War shall be done a way and all the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and his Christ and the Lord of Life shall rule and reign in his People for evermore and happy is it with that small Number of despised Ones among men in this day who witness the beginning of these things in themselves for having set their hand to the Plow not looking back they shall be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven into which no unclean thing shall ever enter for it is prepared of God by Jesus Christ for them that have kept his Commandments in this Life and not for them that plead for a Body of sin all their days in which sinning state they know no end of Disobedience against Gods holy Truth for sin brings Death and Death brings Judgment which is for Wrath to come upon all the Ungodly which fear not God to keep his Commands for which cause the Wicked live in a â—ell upon Earth which by the Wrath of Gods just Judgment will be enlarged to all the Wicked after this Life for for when the Righteous dye they dye to live in the Lords Rest where they enjoy Pleasure at the right hand of God for evermore but the Wicked who have disregarded the Commands of the Lord in this Life they dye to live in Everlasting Torment of the fiery Flames of Gods Wrath and Indignation which is the Reward of all the Wicked and Ungodly of this Life whose Life is far worse than the Life of a Dog or a Toad for when they dye all their Misery is ended but when the Wicked dye their great Misery then beginneth and will encrease forever and ever Which things are too little regarded by many in this Life but the Day will come in which they shall wish that others might have warning but if they will not hear Moses and the Prophets neither have they regarded the Lord from Heaven for which cause is their Misery which will come upon all the Ungodly that call not as they ought to do upon the Name of the
Lord. CHAP. XXVII Concerning the begetting being born and brought forth of the Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ THe Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ is of that Birth which the World by all their Wisdom in outward Learning are never able to find neither can any ever know to witness the new Birth further than by Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit by Jesus Christ whose Spirit of Life makes frâ—â— from the Law of Sin and Death for the Seed of the Kingdom is of a heavenly divine Nature which hath no fellowship with the Works of Darkness in which all that disobey the Lord of Life remain by which their Birth is of the Enemies Seed which alienates the Heart of Man and Woman from true Oâ—edience to God â—n which state they are Strangers to the nature of the New Birth which is not born of Blood nor of the will of the Fleâ— nor of the Will of Man but of God Iohn 1.13 for it is born of the Spirit of God and brought forth by Gâ—ace through Faith in Christ Jesus by whom the Children of men have received a measure which though but as a grain of the smallest of all grain it is of the little leavens Nature to purge out and leaven the whole Lump into the nature of Gods Kingdom in Christ Jesus whom the World by all their Wisdom can never know for the things of Gods Kingdom are hiâ— from the Wise and Prudent of this World and revealed to the Children of God whose Life remains in the Babe-like Nature of God in Christ whose Babes they are begotten of God by the word of his Spirit through Faith and Obedience to the Lord of Life in whose Life and Nature every true Child of God in their measure live move and have their being in the nature of him for as his nature is the New Birth and all that are born of him hey bring Fruits acceptible to him for they are the Children of the Day which live in the Light and walk in the Light which the Children of the Night cannot do for the Day of Gods Visitation by the gift of his divine Light is unto them a dark thing at which the wise stumble and the prudent cannot receive for by their own Wisd 〈◊〉 in their own prudent way is their Understanding darkdarkened as to the things of God and Nature of his Kingdom neither can any grow to understand the things of 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ buâ— as they grow in Grace through the affectual working of his divine Life and Light by the quickening Word 〈◊〉 his Spirit which opens the understanding and enlarges the gift of his divine Nature through which 〈◊〉 the holy Seed increâ—seth more and more and in the increase bringeth forth fruit more and more abundant to the praise of God and honour of his Name and well-being of the Soul in Christ Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of his own Work of Righteousness in his true begotten People who are begot by the gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace Life and Light in which the faithful see Light Psalm 36.9 for by Light is all and every Deed of Darkness manifested so that Faith in Christ Jesus and Faithfulness Obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light is the first beginning of an acquintance with the divine Nature of Christ who draws the heart of every faithful man and woman into the assurance of Faith having their hearts sprinkled from â—n evil Conscience and their Bodies washed with pure Water Heb. 10.22 and of this Nature is the Seed of Gods Kingdom in the hearts of them that belong unto him the nature of whose Kingdom the wise prudent part in man cannot comprehend for the wise unregenerated part is that which ramains in the Fall and is alienated from the true Seed of the Kingdom which will not take root in any other ground but in that honest heart which is made willing to bear the Cross in all things to the self will in which state of subjection to the will of God the Seed takes root down-ward and brings forth Fruit upward to the honour of Gods holy Truth so than all reasoning with Flesh and Blood is shut out by the Power of Gods Spirit in every upright honest heart to wards God in which life of Obedience there is no giving way to the Earthly part which ramains in the Disobedient through which they oppress the Seed of God and cause his Life in the measure of the Seed to depart which if they were but faithful to the measure of Seed received the Life of Gods Spirit of Grace would increase to the withstanding of all the Enemies Power which through the willingness of the obedient part being yeilded to him the true Seed of God will take no root of abidance in any sort of ground whatever where People live in a state of sinning against God and his Christ Mat. 13. So they that are new born of the incorruptible Seed they first come to dye through the Cross of Christ which crucifies the self will prudent part for Knowledge without Obedience brings Death over the Soul in which state the Kingdom oâ— God is hid For that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit John 3.2 3 4 5 6. So they that are truely begotten of God in Christ theâ— witness the New-Birth which is not born of Flesh and Blood nor of the Will of Man but of the incorruptible Seed the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever 1 Pet. 1.23 Now the Word of God which abideth forever is of his Spirit 〈◊〉 Life Light and Grace which floweth into the hearts 〈◊〉 true Believers through Faith in Christ Jesus who drawâ— the willing mind to partake of Gods heavenly Riches iâ— and through him who is the Lord of all Grace Life anâ— Light which by measure lives moves and abides in thâ— heart of every sincere Believer in him through whoâ— Power they witness a daily decaying of the first Nature and a daily increase of Newness in a holy Life unto Goâ— who gives power to the weak feeble through which there is no distrust in the Power of God which they daily experience to give them Victory over every Thought which would exalt it self above the Witness of God and hinder the growth of the Seed of the Kingdom of Heaven in which no man can enter without being born again the benefit of which no man is denyed of God by Jesus Christ who hath said by his Spirit of Truth Whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 Isa 55.1 2 3. By which it is clear that the Spirit of God hinders no man of any benefit by Jesus Christ for the Salvation of his Soul that is as Man keeps faithful to God according to what he hath commanded by the Son of his Love the Lord of Life Postscript MUch more might
which Doctrine ought not to find itching Ears among any the Children of them who have persecuted the Lords Servants to Death at Boston but as the Lords Seâ—vants and Messengers of his Truth have born the merciless Rod of that persecuting Generation so ought every man concerned either actually or by consent to bear the Charity of the Lords People which is great Charity indeed to inform them of their unrighteous ways against the Lord and his People The fore-going Letter some of them called Railing but the Day will come in which they shall know and that from the just God of Heaven and Earth that it is no railing to infoâ—m People of the Truth which in the time of my Letter was both lawful and expedient for me so to do neither are they to have forgiveness of God further than they turn and repent neither are the Lords People to forgive that on Earth which is not forgiven in Heaven but to pray that his Will may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven CHAP. XXVIII Concerning the Covering and Vncovering of the Head in Honour to Man or Men. WHere there is liberty by the Law of God for one man to remain with his Head covered before another it can be no transgression of any Righteous Law among men and as to Customs of that nature it is better to obey God than Manâ— for all things which a man is perswaded of God in his own heart to be comely decent and of good report that men ought in obedience to God to follow but that which hath no Scripture Example from any command of Christ nor Practice of any of his Apostles for one man to stand bear-headed in honour to another is that which cannot proceed from the Life and Power of God because it is not found in the holy Scriptures to be commanded of God neither in practice by any of Christs Disciples nor his holy Apostles bâ—t only a beaâ— Cuâ—tom got up among some of the Nations which indeâ—d by many of them are so accustomed to the Hat Hand and Knee by or with which they bestow so much Honour one towards the other that by that practice with other of their Works among men they have not due regard to the Works of Righteousness and Holiness for the honour oâ— God before whom in the time of praying prophecying the Head is to be uncovered for the Head of every man is Christ and the Head of Christ is God which proves a dishonour to the Name of the Lord to honour men whose hearts they know not as to God but honour them in the saâ—â—e form as they do the Lord when their Prayers are made to him who is the searcher of all hearts and giver to every man according to the fruits of his doings which to the faithful will be a Crown of Righteousness to the hoary Head but to the Sinner though a hundred yeaâ—s old he is accursed which also doth of Hat-Honour by which men honour that which is accursed of God CHAP. XXIX Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of New-England by Witch-craft WItch-craft is altogether wrought through the Spirit and Power of the Devil which rules in the Children of Disobedience who ramain in the Works of the flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 3. and 5 20 for which cause the just Judgments of God are the Reward of all Wicked and â—â—godly men but to all that repent their Sins and Blasphemies wherewithsoever they shall blaspheme shall be forgiven but he that blasphemeth against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven in this World nor the world to come Joh. 5.6 17. Mat. 21.10 Now as to divers Authors their apprehensions are various in differing one from the other about Witches and Witch-craft which to prevent error that Truth and Righteousness may take place I have taken in hand to set forth in order a Declaration which is according to the holy scriptures which do hold forth the nature and cause of People having familarity with the Devil who is the Father of all Unrighteouâ—ness through which Unrighteousness he begets the heart and mind to serve him in which state more or less are most men through which Life of Disobedience the Understanding of man is darkened that it cannot see what is for God according to his will neither do they comprehend divers works which are against him which is also as a Judgment from God for Disobedience which indeed is of the nature of Rebellion which is as the sin of Witch craft then where men are in the like state they are blind as to the knowledge or God concerning such whom he commanded to be destroyed in the time of the Law Deut. 〈…〉 11.12 Exod. 22 18. for they that are not come to 〈◊〉 Law and the Prophets do not know the will and Mind of God relating to the new Law of Light Life and Grace by Jesus Christ for they that serve sin are servants to sin and of him they are whose works they do Rom. 6.16 Iohn 8.44 Mat. â— 24 Luke 6.13 Then in what state are they that are alwayes confessing but never forsaking for if through Obedience they did forsake sin then there would be no such need of confessing that which they have forsaken because where men forsake their sins and live in all good order of Gods holy Truth as they are commandâ—d to do then the Lord will remember their Transgressions no more Isa 45 7. and 44.25 for where men keep Judgment and do Righteousness at all times they are not in a state of alwayes confessing and of not forsaking Psal 106.3 for where men confess and not forsake their works manifest a dead Faith James 2.26 in which state of â—â—obedience they draw near with their Lip and Moâ—th to honour the Lord when it is manifest by Works that the heart is far from him and their fear is taught by the precepts of men therefore doth the Lord do amarvelous work and a wonder for the Wisdom of then Wise Men shall perish and the Vnderstanding of their Prudent men shall be hâ—d Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.8 Mark 7.6 which scriptures are fulfilled as a Judgment of God for innocent Blood shed in New-England whose Priests and Rulers with the consenting Inhabitants have been bewitched that that should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ whose Servants they have put to Death at Boston for which cause as a Judgment they are deliverd up through Unbelief to hardness of heart to commit other sins which with the sin of Blood hath furder stored up the Lords Wrath to add to their Troubles through the increase of his Judgments against them for rebelling against his holy Truth for which cause as Judgment increaseth against sin so sin in New-England increaseth against Judgment until the Light of sin at this time is of that hight and nature that there is no less of the Priests and their Church Members with others of their hearers then five
follow that they are false Worshippers then why they put to Death according to that Command in the Law and their Substance taken away to defray publick Charge contrary to the express Command of God in the time of the Law Exod. 22 18. Deut. 28.16 13 1â— 1â— But when men come â—o burn their Books of curious Arts then the oldness of the Law will dye and newness in Spirit will appear through the growth of Gods Word which in that day shall prevail Acts 19.17 18 19 20. until which time let Christs saying to the Rebellious Jews be sufficient that is when they brought the Woman taken in the act oâ— Adultry saying Moses in the Law commanded that such should bâ— stoned to Death Christ bids Let him that is without sin cast the first stone but no man among them being without sin the woman escaped even so may Witches not guilty of Murder escape in this day for he that â—s wholly clear of every degree of Witch-craft may cast a stone at Witches that is when as evidently proved as the Womans act was in Adultry John 8.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. for where the nature of Witchtraft remaineth it evidently appears by Peoples Threats one to the other and their living in Malice Hatred and Envy one against the other watching and waiting for the opportunity of advantage one against the other and if no advantage present of damnifying one the other yet the sin of Witch-craft in one degree is as deeply rooted in them as the sin of Adultry is rooted in him that looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultry with her already in his heart Mat. 5 28. for the intent of Wickedness is of greater abomination in the sight of God than the act of sin is in the sight of sinful men Of which number I am now concerned to give an account of New England's first Inhabitants and of them which yet remain without Power but in the very nature of their fore Fathers justifying the Laws by which the Lords Servants were persecuted to Death at Boston for which Judgment after Judgment hath fallen upon this place even since and the Lords just Judgments were to bring them to a sight of that sin of Blood but instead of reâ—enting their hearts have waxed harder and harder against the Truth of God delivered by his Servants in that day in which Day of Gods Truth to them their requital was by destroying the Lives of the Lords People with whole innocent Blood New-England remains defiled for the very first stept of the first Inhabitants towards this land in may be questioned whether or not they fled beyond the command of the Lord for finding the Bishops Yoke uneasie under which if they had remained faithful the Yoke of the Lord would have been easie and his Burden light but instead of manifesting the Lords cause in the other City they fled this Land which fleeing was it not beyond what the Lord hath commanded when persecuted in one City to flee to the other that each place or each People may hear the Truth which all that are called of God are to deliver according to their measure which if any say that it was sufficient warrant from God for them to flee the Land and as Paul did preach the Gospel where Christ was not named then why followed they not Paul as for example he followed Christ who came not to destroy mens lives but to save and 〈…〉 by turning People from Darkness to Light and 〈…〉 Power of Satan to the Power of God but how 〈◊〉 they turned the Native Indians where Christ 〈…〉 named did they not in their first settlement 〈◊〉 them in to the Grave where there is no Repentance a strang turning in feed by a People that pretended so much to Gods Truth as they did and not come so far as the Law and the Prophets but to do unto the poor Natives otherwayes then they themselves would be done unto well might such a work not be expected to promote a People for the Service of God Honour of his Name who hath well rewarded the Inhabitants of New-England for their unrighteous dealings towards the Native Indians whom now the Lord hath suffered to reward the Inhabitants with a double measure of Blood by Fire and Sword which had they followed the command of the Lord to have prayed for their Enemies and done to others even as themselves would have been done unto the â—nhabitants might have been free from these great and terrible Judgments of God which for sin and evil is their Reward in this Day So its evident that through their unfaithfulness to God in their first settlement of this Land and since hath been the leading cause of their being further left to do these unrighteous things which have increased the Lords Wrath against them and their following Generation who remain guilty for not repenting of sin and evil against God for whose Truth they ought to have born a faithful Testimony in their publick â—ssemblies against all the unrighteous Ways of their fore-Fatcers which have been against the Lord and his People of which I may relate something that others thereby may receive warning not to follow Unrighteousness but to remain faithful to their measure lest the Lord deliver them up through Unbelief to hardness of heart and they do as New-England's Priests and Rulers have done which hath caused the hand of the Lord to be against them and all that actually or by silence have consented to their unrighteous ways which have been maintained by the Sword of the Magistrate which the Priests in the day of their Power whitted sharp through their false pernicious Doctrines which did encourage the Rulers of that day to deshoy all the Lords Servants that were found within their Government under the Name Quaker to whom they allotted the Valley of Achor for a door of Hope Josh 7 24.25 perverting the Truth of God through their preaching up things in the Law which Christians are not to do in the time of the Gospel Deut. 13. 1 King 1.10 2.24 Luke 9.54 which notwithstanding they would preach and pray That all were accursed that did their Work negligently against the Quakers whose living among the People the Priests did impute to be the cause of Gods Judgments which they said was the Peoples just Reward for suffering any one Quaker to live among them whereupon the Rulers with the silent consent of the greatest part of the Inhabitants did make sharp and bloody Laws against the Quakers whereby they were long imprisoned under many Hardships as in respect of the hard cold Clymate without fire and for days together without food having their Friends denyed of visiting them in any kind but as the Lord was daily with them their strength in love did increase towards him who did uphold and support them in their great Sufferings which were of that Nature that one would even wonder that a People of so much preaching and praying
should be so blind and of so unbelieving hard hearts to work in such a hight of Wickedness against the Lord and his People whom they have imprisoned whipt stockt out theâ— Ears undering them to be sold for Bonds Men and Bond Women banishing them upon pain of Death if ever they return to be offered up at their bloody Altar and to the value of twenty hundred Pounds taken from them for Fines and made a Law that every Master of a Vessel that landed any one Quaker within their Power of Government should pay one hundred Pounds and five pounds for any one that gave entertainment to any one of their Books with much more of the like nature acted and done by them to the aforesaid honest harmeless People whom in their Law they have stiled with the Name of Rogues and Vagabonds Blasphemous Hereticks and Seducers of the People from the Faith but if they have called the Master a Devil they of the same Spirit have called his People after the like manner and after the same nature have they perseented his Servants to Death at Boston which Wickedness they would cover with a Lye even as their fore Fathers did by giving large Money to the ignorant to say his Disciples stole him away by Night which large Money will not hide their Lying no more will the twenty hundred Pounds taken from the Quakers hide the Lyes of them in this day who say The Quakers hanged themselves for the Law by which they were put to Death was made after that they had been a time in the Country which after their Return according to that Law of Banishment were they in a most barbarous inhumane way put to Death being drove to their bloody Altar with Drums Guns and Swords and out down even to the breaking of their skulls and in a barbarous manner dragged their naked Bodies in a Roap with the gnashing of Teeth in which inhumane manner they threw their naked Bodies into a stinking Pit near to their Bloody Altar not suffering their Friends to secure the place with Fence by which their Bodies might be preserved from Swine and other ravenous Creatures By which it is evident they hanged not themselves but as they were persecuted in one place they kept the Command of the Lord by fleeing to the other until they delivered up their Lives as for â—xample the Lords Servants in days past have done for the Truth of God and Testimony of Jesus whom they have followed even as the Disciples and Apostles of Christ have done Then seeing that it is high Rebellion against God and the King to put his People to Death without any warrant precept command or example from either of how much lower nature is the Work of Witch-craft if really it so be in and about the Town of Salâ—m for the Lords People are to him as the apple of his Eye and he that toucheth them toacheth the Apple of his Eye Zâ—ch 2.8 Deut 32 10. Psal 17.8 for whosoever offendeth one of them bâ—tter were it for him that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Mat 18 6. Mark 9.42 Luke 17.1 2. Therefore People ought well to consider whom they establish to rule for their outward Peace among themselves for where men of Persecuting Principles are appointed by the People to rule where they once gain Power by the consent of the People to persecute their unrighteous Work draws the judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of the whole place where they rule for had the Body of the Jews withstood their unrighteous Prieâ—â—s and Rulers by bearing a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth they had been freed from that Judgment which now remains upon their Generation even so is it with tâ—e Inhabitants of New-England though many of them had no actual hand in shedding of innocent Blood which hath defiled the Land because they did not bear a faithful Testimony against the unrighteousness of their Priests and Rulers of that Day for which cause every Judgment upon this place reaches the whole Body of People in the general Calâ—â—â—ty for Christ charges the Spirit of Persecution with all the righteous Blood that hath ever been shed Mat. 23.35 Then seeing that this Spirit of Persecution is charged with more Unrighteousness towards God and his People then all them of that nature which they call witches who have not that influence upon People to bewitch them that they should not obey the Truth even as the persecuting Priests and Rulers have done which proves Persecutors to be the greatest Witches in the World because the one as the Devil was only permitted to touch the outward Body for the inward tryal of Faith but the other are permittnd to bewitch People to persecute one the other to Death and through the Power of the Devil cause People to believe that they are deing good Service for God when they are persecuting his People to Death Acts. 26.10 11. and 8.5 and 9.1 2. which time hath been and yet remains where the Priests bear rule Joh. 16.2.3 for as Troopes of Robbers have waited for a man so have the company of Priests murdered in the way by consent Hos 6.9 So that these things are in all places where the persecuting Priests are rule among the People who are like their Priests Hos 4.6 7 8 .10 it is by the consent of the People that persecuting Magistrates rule and by consent of their â—urighteous Laws do the persecuting Priests destroy he outward Lives and Liberties of the Lords People 〈◊〉 which cause the Lords Wrath and Indignation is gainst the whole People so far as they are either accally or by silence consenting to these things through which the righteous suffer for the cause of Gods holy Truth who are not to give their Bread to Dogs nor to cast their Pearls before Swine neither are they to forgive further then men turn and say they repent Mat. 6.10 Luke 17.4 for nofurther then men repent of their Evil Deeds will the Lord forgive so that his will may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven men are not to seek to unbind that on Earth which as not unbound in Heaven neither to â—â—ek to bind that on Earth which is not bound in Hraveâ— but to pray that the sin of Murder may not be laid 〈…〉 charge of them that know not what they do Mat. 5.44 Acts 7.00 for in this Day of great Trouble upon them that have not done even as they would be done unto the Lord is daily adding unto their Afflictions because they Kopent not of their evil Deeds towards him and his People whom Pharaoh-like they have opprest but the Lord hath in a great measure with-held the roaring of the Lyon and the fierce Lyon and the Teeth of the young Lyon the Lord hath broken and the strength of their power against Gods Heritage is become of no force for their striving against the holy One of Israel is brought to nought for he is a consuming fire to
burn up and lay waste the Works of the Wicked whose unrighteous ways have been in Disobedience against hiâ— holy Truth in which the Righteous are preserved for the Lord is the Hope of his People against whom there is no Inchantment neither against them can any Divination take place for the Lord exalteth Judgment for the Oppressed and giveth food to the hungry the Lord is his Name by whose Power Miracles are wrought and Aonders done for the Lord openeth the Eyes of the blind and unstoppeth the Ears of the deaf and causeth the Lame to walk in pleasant places the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down and preserveth the strangers he is God and Lord over all he relieveth the Fatherless and pleadeth the Widdows Cause but he turneth the way of Wicked upside down which they that are not deaf dumb and blind may hear see and understand â—o the praise of God and honour of his Name who preserves the Righteous from falling into the many Snares of the Worlds Ways and Customs who are accustomed to serve in those things which the Lords soul abhors in which state the blind lead the blind to Death Hell and Destruction wherefore the Day of Gods Wrath increaseth against the Wickedness of men who without Repentance shall certainly perish for the â—ay of Gods Vengeance hath overtaken many and is hastening towards all that preach for hire and all that divine for Money and to all them that pervert the Truth and turn the cause of the Fatherless and Widdow and he that purteth the Cup to his Neighbours mouth for outward gain by which excess is made in the use of the Creature and to him that oppresseth in time of Sickness and wrongeth the weak and feeble in time of Trouble and the Thief with the Swearer Lyar and Drunkard and the Adulterer with the Adultress and he that oppresseth the Poor and he that is opprest in buying which seeks his loss by Oppression in selling which causeth Oppression among the poor even like a sweeping rain and he that spends of the Creation beyond what is meet for his present state and of all others of what nature soever as the Charmer or Observer of Times or Inchanter or Witch or Consulter with familiar Spirits or a Wizard or a Nicromancer for all these are an Abomination unto the Lord which with these sins and the destroying of the Lords Servants let the Priests Rulers and rest of the Inhabitants consider what Work there is for them to do before the Lord will with-draw his Wrath which burneth against New-England for their rebellious stiff-neckedness in Unbelief and hardness of Heart against the Lord of Life who hath given a measure of the same Light Life and Grace to the faithful in this day as to the Righteous in days past through which they receive Wisdom from above which leads them not to spend their whole time to study out of other mens Lines made ready to their hands but receive the mind of God in Christ through the gift of that Wisdom which gave the Lords Servants to know the staâ—e of Annanias and Saphira and the Damsel Simon and Elymus Acts 8.23 2â— cap. 5.9 14.9 10 11. 16 17 18. But to them that live in known Disobedience against the known Commands of the Lord they deny all infallible means by the Spirit of God for which cause of Disobedience the Light of the Lord is their Condemnation for evil Deeds John 3.19 20 21. for the Lord doth call to remembrance the Disobedience of them that are bewitched that they should not obey his Truth and against them will the Lord draw up Judgment after Judgment until he hath destroyed the Disobedient even as he hath done to the Rebellious in days past for he will out off the Wicked even as we see in the midst of their days in which day the sinner escapes not though a hundred years old Isa 56 20. Deut. 18.6 Heb. 10.28 Psal 37.16 21.37 38 Gen. 6.3 Therefore let not People be any longer deceived by such idle Shepherds as we read of in days past which live upon the Peoples Labour and not profit their Souls Isa 56.10.11 Ezek. 34. Mic. 21.2.3.4 Isa 5.2.9.10 Jer. 14.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16 Joh. 10.12.13 but insteed of Peoples searching the holy Scriptures which through faith in Christ Jesus are able to make wise to Salvation they are roving in their minds after this and the other Teacher as learned and brave Orthodox men whom they esteem to be Preachers of the Gospel not at all considering that the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation to them that beleive and Condemnation to them that do not believe which must needs follow that such savingly believe not in the Power of God which gives Power to them that savingly believe in his Power which redeems the mind of every true believer out of every dead form and from all dead formal Teachers whose Teachings is altogether from the Letter without the assisting Power of divine Grace and Spirit which in words they will seem to own but in works they deny for their preaching is where outward profit gives the greatest encouragment and if there be one place of more outward benefit then another that is for the accutest Workâ—man and the lesser benefit for the weaker capacity in their way but as Unrighteousness is of mans Enemys and they are they of his own House and unto them is their Obedience yeiled through which they are Servants unto him whom they obey and Children unto him whose Work they do Rom. 6.16 Ioh. 8.44 Mat. 6.24 Luke 16.13 1 Joh 3.8 so that if they say they have no sin they are Lyars and deceive themselves for they remain in the Degeneration having their minds alienated from God and from serving him in the true and living way Rom. 3.11.12 13. Psal 59. 140.7 Prov. 1.16 Isa 59.7.8 But that nature which maketh atrue believer is by Faith in God through Jesus Christ and they that are true Believers believe in him of whose nature they be which sinneth not 1 Joh. 3.2 to 11. Isa 5.3.6 but they whose minds are exercised in the love of that which is below the love of God in Christ are not worthy to receive him Mat. 19.20 to 25. and 10.37.38.39 But through Disobedience the wise are blind from receiving the Truth of these things Mat. 11.25 Luke 10.21 but the faithful press forward having the assurnace through Grace by faith in Christ that the Lord will perfect his Work of Grace according to his faithful Promise even as he hath done to his faithful Children in dayes past Gen. 17.1 Job 1.1 and 8.3 Psal 18 â—2 Mat. 19.20.21 Ephes 4.12 Luke 6.40 Col. 1.28 for nothing less then of what Obedience God required of man in the time of the Law will be of God accepted in this Gospel Day Levit 22.21 Deut. 25.5 Therefore not any one man nor woman but shall be left without excuse in the Day of Account because all have in measure
received to profit withal Joh. 3.16 17 18 19 20 21. Mat 25. 1 Cor. 12.3 to 9. Ephes 5.13.14 So that if People would but give up in their minds to spend that time in reading the holy Scriptures which they spend in that which only satisfies the Lust of the natural Will which begets from a furder and furder obedience of retaining God in their thoughts by which the mind is fitly framed through Disobedience to veild it self a servant to the Devils Power through which they become Witches and in one degree or another are Instruments of bewitching others in which state of Disobedience the World remains in Wickedness bewitching one the other that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ so that the greatest sort of Witch-craft by the Devil is to make men Instruments for his service and to bewitch into that which is of the most service to promote his Kingdom of Unrighteousness which cannot be higher promoted by any that serve him then when they are by him bewitcht to bewitch others into the like state that when they are destroying the lives of the Lords Children think it is of the greatest Service for God and benefit to their Souls which is the greatest sort of Witch-craft that ever was for People of the Devil so to believe Now for all other sort of Witches they only touch the outward but cannot touch the Spirit of one true Believer in Christ Jesus which according to that command of God for the destroying of Witches and false Worshippers in the time of the Law if it remain the same in this Gospel Day it reaches the Life of every Persecutor which doth bewitch that they should not obey the Truth in which state though they worship not a false God as in the time of the Law yet they worship the true God in a false way which comes under the same Condemnation of not suffering a Witch and the false Worshipper to live in the time of the Law So that Persecutors are no more the true Worshippers of God in this Gospel Day than Witches and other false Worshippers were in the time of the Law for Publicans and Harlots shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven before them that are of that Persecuting Spirit by which so many Thousands of People are bewitched that they should not obey the Truth but remain in the works of the flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 5.20 for which cause the Devil is permitted to imitate the very form of the way and manner of their former proceedings against the People of God at their general Court in Boston for some of the afflicted bewitched or possessed Evidences say That the black Man i. e. the Devil in a high crowned Hat with his Priests have divers times called together about four or five hanared of their Number at Saâ—â—m they use to assemblâ— themselves together breaking Râ—â—ad and drinking Wine which they call the Devils Saâ—â—ament which practise as the Evidences with some of the confessed say is before they set upon the hight of their intended Work to a 〈◊〉 and torment others thereby to force them to conform to the same practice of the Devils way and some have confessed they have been freed from the Torment of their afflicted state upon conforming to the Devils Will who then baptizeth them into Covenant to do what he and the Priests with him command to be done Which work of the Devils general Court is as like in imitation to the work of the former Priests and Rulers against the People called Quakers as the moving shadow of a wicked man is like to the moving of 〈◊〉 corrupted Body for all that would not conform to the Faith of the Priests and Rulers to do as they did in that day were by them and their followers esteemed no better than Dogs for I never heard of any Dâ—g but received more Mercy than that Servant of the Lord William Breand received at the hands of the Priests Rulers and their Followers in that day who tyed the said W. B. neck and heels sixteen hours and laid upon his naked back thirty stripes with a three cord knotted whip and then from â—â—e of their Church Members with a pitcht Roap received one hundred and seventeen stripes only his Shirt to defend the same having his body thus beaten into a Jelly of flesh and blood he fainted away some thinking that he would not have recovered life again and the Doctor said if he did recover it would be a Miracle which through the goodness of God he did recover to 〈◊〉 and strength again whose Testimony was of great courage through the Power of God for the service of his Truth among them that did believe and for the further Condemnation of them that did not believe in which day the work of Unbelievers was of that nature against the said People called Quakers that to read the History of all their Sufferings in that day in and about Boâ—on may in Ages to come make men to wonder that such a professing People in New-England should manifest themselves so mad against an innocent people nay in that day did they not appoint their Women Church Members to search the Bodies of the Lords Hand maids for Witches whose Testimony will remain to the end on Record That one of them so searched in the bearing and bringing forth fire Children did not undergo the like trouble as the inhumane cruelty of these Church Women put her to in the searching of her Body for a Witch which she was clear of but now among their own Church Members they have as is supposed Witch-craft upon Wiâ—ch-craft the which whether true or not is a Judgment of God upon them for their not repenting of their evil Deeds against the Lord and his People who daily desire of God that they may manifest Repentance by the fruits thereof until which time of Reformation that men may come to do even as they would that all men should do unto them the Lords Anger against the Inhabitants of New-England will not be removed for they may expect that as they increase in Unrighteousness against God that as he draws off the lesser Judgment a greater for sin and evil against him will upon the Unrighteous be poured forth for God is not mocked such as men sow such they shall also reap and if the Inhabitants of New-England do not amend and repent the Lord hath yet a Work to do by Pestilence and Famine which will be more terrible than all the Lords former Judgments have been ever since they began to persecute the honest People called Quakers Of which work under Boston Government in that day I have before mentioned proving it to be the moving cause that the Lord hath as with Israel of old left the Inhabitants of New-England to further evils which with the shedding of the Blood of the innocent and their other sins these horrid Accusations of Witch-craft have increased among the Inhabitants and Churches
so called in New-England but whether true or not I do not affirm And to conclude I shall give an account of the Quakers sufterings in one small Town in New-England by which the whole may the better be comprehended which is as followeth An Account of Goods taken from the People called Quakers in the Town of Sandwich in New-England  l. s. d. Taken from Robert Harper 44 00 00 Taken from Ralph Allen 68 00 00 Taken from Joseph Allen 05 12 00 Taken from Thomas Greenfield 28 00 00 Taken from Edword Perry 89 00 00 Taken from Richard Kirby his son Richard 54 12 00 Taken from George Allen 25 15 00 Taken from William Allen 86 17 00 Taken from Matthew Allen 48 16 00 Taken from William Gifford 57 19 00 Taken from Thomas Ewer 25 08 00 Taken from William New-land 36 00 00 Taken from Daniel Wing 12 00 00 Taken from Ralph Allin 18 00 00 Taken from Peter Gaunt 43 14 06 Taken from Thomas Jenkins 19 10 00 Taken from Michael Turner 13 10 00 Taken from John Newland 02 06 00 In all 678 19 06 The other part of their Sufferings in this small Town of Sandwich was with whipping and long Imprisonment and though the sufferings of the Inhabitant Quakers of Sandwich were great yet under Boston Government the sufferings of this People did abound in Cruelty above the other Collonies adjoyning to Boston Government from which the other united colonies adjoyning took their example to persecute the Quakers as iâ— short I have before related but the Lord open the dark Understanding of their Mind and give them a heart Suitable to Repent that they may live to God as they ought to do which Repentance must appear by the fruits of Repentance otherwise there can be no Salvation to them that leave this Life without Repentance because that there is no repenting in the Grave which if men did without Repentance then they dye in their sins and cannot share with the faithfull in the things of Gods heavenly Riches which are in store for all them that love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ CHAP. XXX Concerning the Lords Harvest and of the Labour in his Vineyard EVen now as in dayes past the Lords Harvest is Great but the Labourers are few because many have received of the Lord to work in the Vineyard but are not faithful to that of him which they have received for which cause their part of labour in the Vineyard remains not done and they remain clothed with the works of their own Labour which is not of the Spirit of God therefore do they labour in Vain for it is the diligent hand through the gift of God which enriches the Soul of him that is a faithfull Labourer in the Lords Vineyard when the negligent and floathful ones are sent empty away for all have in measure received the seed of the Harvest but through unfaithfulness the harvest of Truth and Righteousness is not perseâ—â—ed in them because through their unfaithfulness to the gift of God the Seed taketh not root for the ground proves barren which is the cause of the seeds not taking root to bring forth fruit acceptable to God for as the feed in measure hath been sown in all forts of ground it only takes root to bring forth good fruit in the honest heart which is faithfull to God in the work of the Vineyard for many are called to labour in the Vineyard that through unfaithfulness to their call are never chosen among the faithful Labourers in the work of the Lords Vineyard therefore pray to the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth more faithfull Labourers or the Harvest is great many unfaithfull Labourers there be which hinder others from receiving the Truth for they have sown divers strange seeds in the Lords Vineyard where the many Pastors have trodden the Lords portion under foot and have made his pleasant Portion a desolate Wilderness which being desolate it mourneth unto the Lord for which cause the Lord hath sent his Servants as in dayes past to warn the learned wise rebellious Ones from the evil or their way that People may find ease from under these heavy burdens with which their Teachers have yoked them and encouraged them to beat one destroy the other perswading them it was good service for God in so doing in which state many have itching ears that will not endure to hear found Doctrine but heap up Teachers which turn them from the Truth into Fables through which the Vinyard is encumbered with a multitude of fruitless Trees Bryars Thornes and Thistles among which the Lyon waits for his prey and the Subtil Foxes have their hiding places where the Wolf also seeketh to devour which things are left for Preachers to consider and not to teach People to dash one against the other but to love one another and to pray for their Enemies and do no other thing to another then they themselves are willing to be done unto until which time the Just Judgment of God is their Reward for all their evil wayes towards him and his People for whom the Lord is making way through his righteous Judgments which take pleace upon all them that obey not his Word to keep his commands they like potsherds shall even dash one against the other until all be consumed which is not fitly framed and tempered according to the Lords own mind but the Lord is making way for the growth of his own Seed which shall bring forth abundant of increase to the praise of God and honour of his Name for the harvest is Great and the Labourers are few but the Lord will daily add more and more that by the strength of his own Power he will make his Vineyard fit according to his own defire where every one shall remaine in peace under his own Vine unto which many are gathered and unto them will be the gathering CHAP. XXXI Something of an Account concerning Gods Judgments upon divers of the chief persecuting Priests and Rulers in New-England as also relating to some of their Laws Acts and Orders for the further Reformation of them called their Churches with some what relating to their form and manner of Habit in that day IT hath been found lawful and expedient in all Ages as appears by the holy Scriptures to record the Works of the Righteous that as Land Marks they might remain for all to follow them in the way of Righteousness and also to record the Works of the Unrighteous that as Way-Marks all might take warning to hate evil and do good for had the first Inhabitants of New-England remained faithful under the Bishops Yoke in fleeing from one City and Town to the other the Yoke and Burden of Christ would have become easie and light but not bearing the Cross of Christ in opposition to their natural Wills they fled beyond the Command of God in fleeing the Land though seemingly under a fair pretence of gathering Churches and
which Law several honest rich Merchants in Boston received vvhich Law vvell pleased the Priests not knovving hovv little time they had to ride the Rulers at their pleasure but soon after this King Charles the second vvith his Council oâ— Parliament called them to an account and found thaâ— they had forfeited their Charter and which was condemned and for their misdemeanour towards him and his Subjects justly taken away And in that Day their pretended Holyness was such that none but them of their own Profession were admitted to bear Office or fight against their Enemies but now they will accept the Mahoque Indians or Pyrats or them highly accused of Witch-craft to be their chief Commanders and instead of differing Apparel all that can get it may wear wâ—at they please most striving who shall come nearest the newest French fashion and instead of Womens Vails in their Worship strive who can spy out the newest fashioned Apparel and the richest and highest Top-knoâ—s c. and too much let their minds out to discourse of these things till their next Worship day I write not these things to reflect upon the People of New-England but that they may repent of their evils which provoke the Lords Judgments against a People that profess him in words but deny him in Works for which cause it was that divers of the former Priests and Rulers were suddainly removed by the just hand of the Lord which reached them by suddain Death according as I have read in a printed Paper given to King Charles the second and to his Council that upon the day of putting to Death them four Persons called Quakers many people to see them put to death run over the Draw-bridge in Boston which broke down and several people hurt but only one Woman big with Child killed and that was her who had said That rather than those four Quakers should not be put to Death for want of some one to hang them that her Husband should perform the Work The next in order was their Major General whose Horse threw him in all his Pomp at the head of the Train-bands and he dyed immediately in the same place The third was the Captain of their Castle who was suddainly killed with Thunder at which time the blades of his Souldiers Swords melted in their sheathes by their sides yet all preserved alive The fourth and fifth were their two Captains which drove those innocent persons to their bloody Altar the one was deprived of his natural Reason and for filthiness degraded of his Church Brethren and became eaten of Lice and a reproach to them that met him The other was given up to strong Drink and suddainly dyed The sixth of their Rulers was one Webb who was accused of Uncleanness with his near Kins-woman he was strangely drowned when all others in the same Boat were out of danger The seventh was their Jaylor a devout Member of their Church who departed this Life in great horror of Conscience confessing it was for his great Cruelty to the poor Quakers The eight is said to have rotted alive and was he that condemned the innocent to dye The nineth bled to Death not known to have any Wound The tenth was one Vnderwood a rich Baker which wasted his Estate and became a Servant in Virginia And another which I well knew did the like The twelfth a great â—ersecutor was a rich Collonol he ended miserably being killed by the Indians in his own House in a taunting way of reproach And at the same time his Riches consumed by fire and his Daughter taken Captive The thirteenth was John Norton their high Priest in Boston who preached in the fore-part of the day and in the latter part of the day it s said he confessed the hand of God was upon him and â—o dyed And as the Word of the Lord was by the Mouth of his Servants to John Indicot Governour even so is it for his fair Dwellings in Boston are become a Barn and Stable for Cows and Horses and one can hardly find where his fair Dâ— in Salem stood And of all his other great Estate in Lands and Livings it s well known that on four pence a day for labour many honest men in Old England have and do live far more better than any of his Posterity upon the aforesaid great Estate and yet I know not any of them extravagant but things do not prosper with them Some Deep and Mysterious Matters for all to Consider BRIEFLY RELATING How Man came to fall his state in the Fall and Way of Restoration to God again CHAP. I. Concerning the wonderful and mysterious Trees in the Garden of Eden unknown ever since Man was driven out of Paradise until admitted to return again viz. the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God NOw some will have the Tree of Kowledge of good and evil to be a natural Tree planted by God in Paradise with whom I will not much contend but of such a nature it was that whosoever did eat thereof should have their Eyes opened against themselves and so to be as Gods to know both good and evil then might it be that God would admonish Adam both inwardly and outwardly of what he did inwardly and in his heart either forbid or teach him that he would 〈…〉 for the greater Evidence set before his Eyes but â—â—â—al this may be granted that what was outwardly done the same happened inwardly in the heart of Adam that he was there temped by the Seed of the Serpent viz. to make some account and reckoning of his own Wisdom Will and Nature and not submit himself unto God as void of all name knowledge or work but to be something of himself and there are two causes for it first because the promise is that the Seed of the Woman shall bruise thâ— head of the Serpent Now I do not read of any natuâ—aâ— oâ— living Serpent whose head was so bruised by the Seed of the Woman therefore it may besaid as the spiritual Seed of the Woman or Christ was in the heart of Adam so likewise was the serpents Seed for man was made good and not of the substance of God therefore is it that man turns himself always from God and inclineth to his own vanity for what is the Devil Sin Death and Hell but nothing even as many of the antient Fathers have writ especially Thaulerus that God never created them for they are a Non-entity a not being which is contrary and perfectly opposit to Entity and being and this might be the Devil that dwelt in Adam which seduced him as also in Lucifer The other cause is this that the Scriptures likewise witness that the City of God and the heavenly Jerusalam and the Kingdom of God is a Paradise within his People and furder that God and his Almighty Word is their Paradise the Tree of Life the Temple where they dwell walk sacrifice and pray as
wisdom knowledge and reason of Disobedience in its own time with his own words doth apply such means of which himself did never experience imputing the cause to proceed from Witch-craft or a Melancholly humor and withal giveth direction not to give way to comply with the Light within which he saith are the checks of a natural Conscience and reliques of old Adam Thus and of he like nature are the directions counsels advice of such proud covetous men who follow the ways of Balaam that forsook the right way of the Lord to gain the Wages of Unrighteousness for Light is sown for the Righteous and gladness for the Vpright in heart and to them that will not obey it is their Condemnation Joh. 3.19 for it is the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ by whom all that are saved come through the Cross which mortifies and kills every Lust which is mans deadly Enemy by which every covetous and unrighteous man is deceived and of his own lust drawn into this and the other form of Religion which is their cloak to cover hide and shelter all their pride and unrighteous Works of Covetousness And here it is that poor mortal men are become Servants and Slaves to their own Lusts which are Devils Thieves and Robbers the deadly Enemies of mans own House that have drawn a way his mind into the love of carnal things that perish and of this like Nature are they bewitched that they should not obey the Truth for in their own wisdom will and time they can neither see hear nor obey to do those things which are of faith in Christ to make their peace with God because their own wisdom knowledge will and reason is the Righteousness of their works which make a Wall of Partition between Man and his Creator who hath created him to wait upon his Maker to hear and obey God in all things according to his will and time that he may have the honour and praise of his own work done by and of himself on man the omitting of which Duty keeps the Children of men from the true saving Knowledge of God for Man in his own wisdom will and time hath always the eye of Knowledge and Reason open against himself in which state he cannot receive the will and mind of God from above because he giveth way to serve his own Lusts which are his Enemies that ensnare his Soul and keep his Mind in Bondage to serve this and the other thing of his own invention in which abideth Death and Destruction and indeed of this nature is every mans God that liveth not to the true God in thought word and work according to his Word which he teacheth and formeth in all them that abide faithful which without faithfulness to what God hath commanded no man can come unto him therefore it is that every covetous proud and unrighteous man is shut out from having any entrance into the true saving knowledge of God because to him is not the true God retained in any of his Thoughts which of his own lust are moved here and there and indeed every where into this and the other thing which abideth but for a time and then leaveth the Mind or the Mind leaveth it and so in its motion which is swift indeed for another thing of the like nature in which abideth Death So that every proud vain covetous man in the world to him there are Gods many all being of one nature which in his own wisdom will knowledge reason and righteousness to him make but one God which is their own lusts the Prince and Power of Darkness which rules in the Children of Disobedience and is called The God of this World because he is a God to them that are of the World who have yeilded their minds to serve their own lusts therefore is this lust to them the God of this World the Prince and Power of Darkness that rules the mind of every covetous proud and unrighteous man and woman that retain not the true and living 〈…〉 thoughts the moving cause of which 〈…〉 their own Enemies the Devil 〈…〉 away the mind in the swiftness of motion the world over into the many things thereof in 〈◊〉 and with which the mind is besettered and intangled with the love and delight therein that there is not the least measure of freedom in the will for the mind to abide in reâ—iredness to wait upon God to see his Salvation wrought in his own time according to the will and mind of himself Now to them that abide faithful unto God they keep in a true state of watchfulness waiting upon God and watching against the appearance of every lust which is such an Enemy against God and mans true peace with his maker that lust is ever ready to draw away the mind from God that it may not retain him in its thoughts but to be thinking of this and the other thing in which remaineth death that draws the soul into perdition which as they abide in faithfullness upon their watch their strength by the povver of God will be renevved that they shall not only perceive their Enemies motion but also receive povver to vvith-stand their lusts and cause Gods enemies to scatter And of this nature in the hour of temptation he receiveth strength in and through the Power of God which resisteth such Devils and causeth them to flee and of this nature it is with them that are not carnally minded to live after the flesh but spiritually minded to live after the spirit through which by the spirit they mortifie the deeds of the flesh which vvork of God is only known to them who retain him in all their thoughts that with a holy Resolution and godly zeal for his Cause they are made willing to give up and forsake all for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus him to hear and in all things to obey as becometh his Truth this is it which God would have all men to do that he only may rule in them and the spirit have the government that thereby Man may come to live and abide in peace with his Maker who is willing to be at peace with them that are willing he shall rule whose right it is to have the government for he that will be Christs Disciple must first take up the Cross and follow him in all things according to his wisdom will and time who best knows when where and how to cleanse the house of Thieves and Robbers which rob God of his honour by living to their ovvn lust their own thoughts vvords and vvorks according to the reason of their own vvill and vvisdom of the flesh which desires the Temple of God and makes it become an unfit habitation for the Lord of Life to abide in therefore if any covetous man any unjust man or he that is unrighteous and unholy vvill knovv himself to be purged from his unjustness his covetousness and unholiness he must forsake the
Righteousness of the Law of men they pass among men for Christians not at all considering that no man can be a true Christian but as he is born of the Spirit and through the Spirit to mortifie the deeds of the flesh such are not only Christians in name but in nature also they witness the work of God by Jesus Christ whose Leaven is the seed of the Kingdom the Tree of Life unto which every true Christian cleaveth to know himself purged cleansed and purified regenerated new born and planted into Christ being of one spirit with him to know do omit go forth and work for God when and at what time soever his spirit moveth here the Anointing teacheth them in all things and the Evidence of the spirit gives an infallible assurance of their having the mind of God in Christ and to thêm that have not made some good beginnings in this work however their outside Cup may seem clean as to men yet their minds are in the world and the world in all its wayes is at enmity with God who will shut out every covetous man woman from having any lot or inheritance in the Tree of Life except they turn to God by true Repentance which will manifest it self by holy fruit of the Spirit which bringeth forth no unclean thing in thought word nor work but is altogether obedient and submitting to its own nature to work Righteousness do justly love mercy and in lovvliness of mind and meekness of heart keeps the even path and enters the strair Gate which will not open to any that do not in all things follow the teachings of Gods Word and leadings of his Spirit which begetteâ—h true faith of which is good works viz. to fear God to work Righteousness to do justly love mercy walk humbly and doing no other thing to any whatever than as themselves would be done unto this is the Law and Prophets and what God requires of all men to do otherwise they are not accepted of God by Jesus Christ to enter into his rest So that if any man say he hath faith and trusteth in God to believe in his promise and doth not manifest his faith by holy works which according to the Light of the Gospel so shine that others may gloryfie God by the same that man whomsoever he be is a Lyar and the saving knowledge of Gods holy Truth abideth not in him for faith without works is dead and such a faith and hope will fade away and perish And again in whom Faith is not Grace worketh no effect which is altogether through mans own neglect of Obedience to the spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth for the Truth is no other than the Tree of Life which is Christ in whom no mans faith can abide without works of Holiness for where men have a Faith without works of Righteousness their building is founded upon a rotten foundation against which the Gates of Hell do ever prevail that is of their own Lusts they are led and kept in bondage not having any right to the promise which only belongeth to the free born who are redeemed by the power of an endless Life and made heirs of the promised Land and heavenly Jerusalem which is from above and is the Mother of all them that abide in faithfulness to the end Now here every unrighteous and covetous minded man is shut out from entring the Kingdom of Heaven nay though he may be outwardly righteous as was one in Christs day when he said It was easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom Heaven which is for this cause of a coveting desire to which their love is joyned that their love abounds more to delight therein than to part with all to take up the Cross in true love to follow Christ who hath said He that loveth any thing more than me is not worthy of me Now for what end do people think were these things written do they think that God is such another as themselves or that he will be mocked No verily God will not be mocked such as every man soweth of the same he shall reap whether to the flesh or to the spirit the one being life the other death for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace which things ought by all men to be duely considered before Time be no more for as Death leaves so Judgment finds and in the Grave they cannot repent but these things are not regarded nor minded among many therefore is it written The fool hath said in his heart there is no God which though in words he acknowledge God yet the bent of his covetous mind draws the heart from retaining God in its thoughts that such men live without God in the World for by their deeds they manifest the same therefore is it that there is no true saving knowledge of God to them and in this state are all covetous men among whom many are they that have taken upon them the Name of God and Christ whose words they have stollen who through covetousness make it their Trade to gain Money by this is also contrary to the Word of God and not at all according to the example of his holy Ones who coveted no mans Silver nor Gold but freely received the gift of God and as good Stewards of his manifold Grace they freely broke their Bread from House to House with singleness and gladness of heart rejoycing in the Work of the Lord whose Word they divided to every one his portion without Money or Price labouring with their hands for their maintenance that they might not make the Gospel chargeable to any and wo was to him that did not preach the Gospel without reward from men because the promise of him that taketh care for birds of the air and beasts of the field is large in that he taketh the greater for his Servants and Messengers of his Truth who have said That Godliness with content is great gain but alas who is it among men that regard or mind these things is not the love of Money which is the root of all evil that which is most beloved among men And again Covetousness is of Lust such a Devil that contrives and joyns so close and fast to the mind of men that some have lost their lives by sorrow for worldly goods for a covetous mâ—n can meet with no greater sorrow than to part with that in which his love doth most abide for above all other things that which a man doth most love to delight his mind in that is to him his Godd therefore is it that bear outside Christians are so entangled with the things of this Life for where the Treasure is there is the heart also and yet extream righteous as towards the Law of men which often is extream wrong in the sight of God because a covetous man takes the opportunity to enrich himself by