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
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
Moneths c. p. 118. Chap. 19. Concerning Prophecying and Womens speaking in â—e Church p. 124. Chap. 20. Concerning Powers p. 127. Chap. 21. Concerning Oâ—thes and Sâ—earing p. 1â—â— Chap. 22. Concerning Wars and Fightings p. 136. Chap. 23. Concerning Conscience p. 144. Chap. 24. Concerning the free Love of God p. 146. Chap. 25. Concerning the Church of Christ c. p. 154. Chap. 26. Concerning the state of all men and of Gods Judgments and also of his calling the Jews c. p. 164. Chap. 27. Concerning being born and brought forth of the Immortal Seed of Gods Kingdom p. 169. Chap. 28. A Letter to the Committee in Salem p. 175. Chap. 28. Concerning covering uncovering the head p. 178. Chap. 29. Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitanâ—s of New-England by Wâ—â—h-craft p. 179. Chap. 30. Concerning the Lords Harvest p. 210. Chap. 31. 〈…〉 God 's Judgments upon diverâ— of the 〈…〉 Priests and Rulers in New-England 〈◊〉 p. 212. The Contents of the second Part. Chap. 1. COncerning the two wonderful Trees in the Gardâ—n of Eden â—viz the Tree Knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Lâ—â—e unknown ever since man was drove out of Paradise until admitted to return again p. 220. Chap. 2. Concerning the Tree of Life what it is and why Adam was shut out forbidden and with-holden from it and not suffered to eat thereof p. 227. Chap. 3. Concerning the Tâ—ee of Knowledge of good and evil planted in the heart of Adam p. 228. Chap. 5. Concerning the Sin of Covetousness p. â—35 Chap. 6. Concerning that Life and nature of it which God requireth of all men p. 2â—â— Chap. 7. Concerning Judgment begun at the House of God and in his House to judge down every appearance of evil p. 258. Friendly Reader ALthough the following Treatise has been very long detained in the Press yet hope thou shalt find the impression pretty clear of Errors as to the main except the mis-numbring of 〈◊〉 or three Chapters and one material error in 〈…〉 23. after Rule of Life read for Christ is the Way the Truth and 〈…〉 which pray amend CHAPTER I. Concerning the Light of Gods quickening Spirit by Jesus Christ THe Light of Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages from Abel to Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph and Moses in whose day the Lord wrought wonderful great Dâ—liverances by the Power of his Light figured in the 〈◊〉 by Day and in the Pillar of Fire by Night by which was Israel's Deliverances from their Enemies which perished in the midst of Darkness Exod. 13.21 Now Israel in that day wer commanded To remain still in their Minds and not to walk after their own Lust â—nd Evil wayes in which state of â—â—â—dience to the Liâ—hâ— they came to witness great Deliverances but when Israel through their Disobedience feâ—â— back in their Minds from the Light and Power of Gods Spirit having their Minds turned by the Power of the Enemy to look back after the Flesh Pots of Aegypt them remained Death by which they slighted the Lords Mercy despising his Gift inwardly as they despised the 〈◊〉 outwardly and saving That their Souls 〈…〉 â—read Numb 21.6 for which cause of Disobedience the Lord sent firey Serpents whereof the People became wounded and many dyed in that state then the Lord in reader Mercy towards the penitent preserved a number that had not sinned unto Death whose Redemption was wrought through the Power of God by lifting up the braâ—en â—â—â—pent in the bewildered state that whosoever in 〈◊〉 to the Light of Gods Power come to beâ—â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 â—erpent received 〈◊〉 which was a true 〈◊〉 Gods 〈◊〉 fullâ—led in this Gospel Day 〈…〉 Christ 〈…〉 divine Light is to be listed up above all other things in the heart of man even as they were to look to him by Faith aâ— he was to be outwardly lifted up on the 〈…〉 their sins dye and rise again for as Moses â—â—â—ted up the 〈◊〉 Serpeat in the Wilderness even so mast the Sâ—â— of 〈◊〉 be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not peâ—â—â— but have â—ternaâ— Life John 3.14 15. And this is that Lâ—gâ—t which hath been the Path of the Just in all Agâ—â— by which the holy men of God were enlighteâ—ed to see the Glory of God to come in sending his Son Jesus Christ to be a Light to the whole world that as many as believed in him might be saved for they that believe in Christ believe in the Light as he is Light which redeems the Soul and keeps it alive unto God by which the Soul comes to be redeemed from the Stings of the old â—erpent the Power of the Devil whose Power the Light makes manisest and by Obedience to the Light the Soul receives pâ—â—er from God which sets up the Light above all other Lope in the heart of man which must be overcome by the Power of Gods Spirit which is Light and Lise before the Soul 〈◊〉 receive any assurance of God in Christ for he that loveth any thing more than Christ is not found worthy to receive him Mat. to 27 38 39. for where the heart is set in the love of aâ—â— thing more than to love the Light the Soul of that man remains in the broad way where the venomous Serâ—ents â—e which draw the heart and mind from the Love of God inâ—o a state of sinning against the Giâ—â— of his divâ—â—e Light which is the Gift of his Spirit purchased by the death and Resurreâ—â—â—â— of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which some know no moâ—â— of than to call the gift of Gods divine Light in the hearts o◠〈…〉 A Stinking Vapour from Hell and The Reliques of 〈…〉 which they have said are the Checks of a Naturaâ—◠〈…〉 which words have proceeded from the Mouthes of 〈◊〉 Priest in New England which are no less than 〈…〉 Words by them in whom no goâ—d seed can take 〈…〉 for their Dischedience is against the Light for which the light is their Condemnation John 3.19 20. for the 〈…〉 Christ is the Power of God by which the Righteâ— is have been preserved in all â—ges which the faithful 〈◊〉 to the saving of their Souls in this day for the light of Christ is the Gift of God and the Gift of God by 〈◊〉 Christ is â—ernal Life to them that believe for it is the Seed of the Kingdom sown in the hearts of the faithful who witness their Life in Christ the hope of Glory in whom is the suâ—â—â—hing of things past wherein the faithful Servants of God â—â—ed and dyed in the holy Faith of Gods Promises 〈◊〉 Christ should 〈◊〉 me in the fullness of time for a Light 〈◊〉 the whole Worldâ— according to the Prophecy of Isâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 58 8. Then shall thy Light break forth as the Mâ—râ—ing and thine Health shall spring forth speedly and thy Righteousness shall go before the Glory of the Lord shall be thy Reward
in learning the holy Scriptures in which they have the Doctrine Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example to follow them even as they have been Followers of Christ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ to crucifie every unruly Affection which doth lust after sin and evil and leads the Mind from serving God into the excess of spending the Creation to perform their hearts Lusts by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord and increase Trouble and Sorrow to the destroying of their Souls which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life for whatsoever People may say in respect that their Tongues are their own anâ— that their Thoughts are free to think what they please and that there is a time to be Merry and to Sing and Dance and Recreate themselves with much more of the like Expressions yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must appear before the Lord of Life to render a just Account of every Thought Intent and Action of all the Deeds done in the Body in which Day it shall go well with the Righteous but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell with him unto whom their Obedience hath been for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts so living and dying God will also forget Mercy towards them for his Regard is only to his own Seed and to Men as they are joyned to it which hath been sown in all sorts of Ground which is in the heart of every Man and Woman for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto for whatsoever ye do whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Praise and Honour of God who gives Life Health and Strength for that end for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay it is for Condemnation which is great matter of weight for People well to consider what will become of their Souls who live in the daily Practice of Words Actions wherein the Lord never savingly appears but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts Intents Words and Actions so of his free Love in Mercy to their Souls the Lord doth manifest to them the evil of their way which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth which have been sent and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrighteous Wayes which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ which is that Cross for them to bear which remains in Opposition to their corrupted Desires then they would become able by the Power of God in Christ to witness his Yoke to be easie and his Burden to be light for what he hath said unto one be hath a so said unto all that is Watch and Pray lest ye eater into Temptation for he that remains faithful in his Watch by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement which by true Prayer in faithfulness to his Watch the Power of God in him doth appear to the resisting of his Souls Enemy and causeth him to slee so that in them in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord for the Knowledge of his Truth in Jesus Christ their Understanding will open more and more towards him by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of great benefit to the Understanding which will also refresh the inward Man so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received as a Seed of the Kingdom through which by Obedience it will grow and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God who requites his own with increase for the Honour of his Same and profit of Peoples Souls that by Obedience to his holy Seed they may remain in Covenant with God and be made Partakers of his Kingdom in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ Further concerning the Man Christ which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.16 Which doth manifest that God sent his only Son born of a Woman to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh for the Redemption of Peoples Souls in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit towards the Salvation of all mens Souls yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name for his Name is called Jesus because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 Luke 1.31 which is according to the Prophet Isaiah cap. 7.14 15. A bruised Reed shall he not breaâ— nor smoking Flax shall he â—ot quench till he send forth Judgment unto Victory and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.15 to v. 21. He came to his own and 〈…〉 received him not but as many as received him to them he gaâ—e Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the will of Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Joh. 1 11 12 13. Which doth manifest that where men only believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ who as he was in the Body of Flesh was God and Man without the believing in the Gift of his Spirit which iâ— the inward Word of Life and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace without which they cannot come to live in that true Faith which justifies the Souls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father in which state of true Obedience the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who in that Body of Flesh was both God and Man according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men and many that believed his Name believed his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness they believed him the Lord of Life as he was God and Man with an invisible Eve which by the Gist of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life whom to know by true Faith is Life Eternal which was made known unto them by the gift of
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
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
hundred accused of Witch craft but some of them called Witches with some of the afflicted Evidences as the say do give an account â—f seven hundred all being by them accused for Witchâ—s of which Number there is now this present year 1692. â—ne hundred and twenty which are apprehended for Witch-craft of which there are 20 put to Death and about twenty more condemned to dye but by reason that the Spertre or apparition hath accused some Priest and others accounted eminent the Rulers have abaâ—ed in their speedy work and as at first they with speed did condemn and put to death so now with as much speed they have cleared many â—rom their Prison though as giulty of Witch-craft by the accusation of the Speâ—â—er as they alredy put to Death all which left this life in denial of what was laid to their charge though they had before confessed yet when they come to dye before the multitude they said that their confession was by reason of divers fair pretences That if they did confess they should find marcy with God and Man and one the other side if not confess as they said divers did threaten what would bâ— done unto them So what with the Prieâ—ts on the one fiâ—e and Relations on the other side any indefferent man may judge of the work But as to the Work of the Devil to the afflicted Evidences it is sufficient in short to say that I never heard nor read of the like work from any Author and not to omit Lynn Priest who was one of the forwardest to have all that by the Specter were accused to be put to Death which in some shorâ— time was also by the Specter or Devil accused him self by which People may see and know their eminent Teachers they so term are no more freed from the Power of the Devil then others so accused to Geo. Burroughs in denial of all laid to his charge â—thougâ— a learned Preacher of the Gospel as People called him and a Teacher for them called the Church of Chrisâ— was one whom now is put to Death the other priestâ— do now render him as odious as may or can be bâ— let him be what he is for my part I know not to thâ— contrary but that in his Doctrine they do not him exeeeâ— and as to their Principles and Practice let the faithful judge how far they fall shorâ— of bewitching People that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ who came to destroy all the Devils Power which to me many Teachers in this Age seem to uphold through their imperfect Preaching That a Body of sin remains with all men to the end of this Life then where the Body of Sin remains it must needs follow that there remains the Devils Power which doth bewitch People to commit sin because all Unrighteousness is of the Devil and all sin is of Unrighteousness then they that commit sin are Servants to sin even as we daily see to the grief trouble of the upright in heart to see such a known Life of Disobedience among the Inhabitants of New England among whom the Devils Power rules in their body of sin and bewitches the Mind to obey him in which state People are instrumental through the Devils Power in bewitching one another either to believe pernicious false Doctrines or to swear lye and be drunk which is common with all other sins which attend them that by false Perswasions men are seduced from the true Faith so that in whomsever the Devils Power bears rule they are Instruments for his Service to bewitch others into the same manner of Life even as we daily see one Drunkard Swearer Lyar begets another into the same sin and of the like nature doth one evil minded Person beget another for as the Righteous are Instruments in the hand of the Lord to beget others into the Works of Righteousness so are the Wicked Instruments in the hand of the Devil to bewitch others into the Works of Unrighteousness and of this Nature is the bewitching of one another to serve the Devil in the Works of the Flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 5.20 Then if they that despised Moses's Law were to be cut off without mercy under two or three Witnesses how much greater Punishment suppose ye are they found worthy of who live in Rebellion against the Lord of Life in this Gospel day are they not to be cut off without Mercy by the just hand of Gods Judgments under three Witnesses viz. the Father Son and Spirit Heb 10 28 29. which if otherways that the command in the Law remain of not suffering a Witch to live in this Gospel Day then the false Worshipper the Adulterer and the Adultress with the rebellious Son are also according to that Command to be cut off from the Land of the Living in which more than two thirds of the People are guilty of the one or the other but Christ hath said Love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despightfully use you and persecute you that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he mâ—keth the Sâ—n to rise on the evil and on the good and on the just and on the unjust for if ye love them which love yâ—u what Reward have you do not even the Publicans the same And if ye salute your Brethren only what do you more than others do not the Publicans so Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Mat 5.44 45 46 which if People through Obedience to the Command oâ— God would fulfil his Will according to his Command it would soon put an end to all mens various Apprehensions and these busling Noises about the Devil and Witches and indeed the very Name of a Devil and a Witch is to be abhorred among men also shall the Name of the Wicked perish which are no such manner of Witches as these are accused for though through Gods goodness I have noâ— Relation among them neither am I any Advocate for the Devil Witches nor Wicked Men but desire that Truth and Righteousness may take place in the Earth for it were better that one hundred Witches should live than that one person be put to death for a Witch which is not a â—itch but God Almighty best knows what the Priests and Rulers have done towards these People who have not lived unto God as they ought to have done for which cause these things are as a Judgment for â—in and Transgreâ—sion fallen upon them But with the Righteous it is not so because they abide in Obedience to the holy Commands of God through whose Power they witness a sure dâ—eâ—ing place having their settlement upon that sure Râ—ck of an everlasting Foundation against which there is â—o Inchantment nor Divination for the Gates of Hell against it shall never prevail for the Love of God
love of all things vvhich are his ovvn and vvholly cleave to the Tree of Life to live to Gods Word that the Life of it may grovv in him othervvise he vvill remain in that state vvhich fulfils vvhat is vvritten That he which is unjust unrighteous unholy and filthy let him be so still for the Lord will quickly come as a swift Witness and his Reward will be with him to give to every man according as his Works shall appear to be and a day of terror horror and misery vvill be to every vain proud covetous and unrighteous man and vvoman vvho have defiled the Temple of God through a life of obedience to the love of any one thing vvhatever more than to love the appearance of Gods holy Truth his divine Light and Word of his Spirit vvhich is the appearance of Christ the Tree of Life and seed of the Kingdom of Heaven which all unrighteous and covetous men have and do in this day burden oppress and keep under as a Cart loaden with Sheaves until with many the Spirit of God leaves striving and their house becomes desolate being left in hardness of heart with a seared Conscience having eyes and ears with which they can never more see the tenders of Gods free Love and the riches of his free Grace and large Mercy towards them that hunger and thirst after his Righteousness which only them that abide faithful are made to partake of for although the seed of the Tree of Life hath been lown in all sorts of ground yet for as much as through pride covetousness usury oppression and the like of other sins which fruit it hath brought forth to unrighteousness the seed or their own lust which hath refused to cleave to the Tree of Life and lived on the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil which hath caused their ground to be accursed and their 〈◊〉 with the fruit thereof to vvither vvaste and perish away for every branch which bringeth not forth fruit in the Tree of Life the saâ—â—e is taken off and cast into the fire of Gods Wrath which is burning against all the unrighteousness of men but as any repent they find mercy with God with whom all power in Heaven and Hell doth remain for as Love is a Heaven to them that live to him so likewise is his Wrath a flame of holy zeal and fire from Heaven which is Hell both in this World and also Hell in the World to come which will burn forever against every wicked Spirit of every wicked Man and Woman who have yeilded themselves Servants to serve their own lusts which hath brought forth all manner of evil fruit which is accursed in the sight of God who hath commanded all men against Pride and Covetousness which are the two great inlets or doors of Unrighteousness which mans Enemies the Devils his own lusts keep open through which the greatest of all sins enter namely Pride Blasphemy Covetousness Vsury Oppression Murders all manner of Prophaneness Lying Swearing Drunkenness Theft Whoredoms both spiritual and temporal Back-bitings Whisperings Witch-crafts Hatreds Strifs Emulations and what not of other sins is it that Pride and Covetousness make not way for them to take place for Pride and Covetousness are not willing to live and abide alone without the whole company of Enemies which find room enough to abide and live together as Brethren of one House or Family in the heart and mind of every covetous man and woman whose lust is natural to give way to any appearance of outward profit or gain in the things of this 〈◊〉 Lust is such a subtil Devil that it teaches and lead 〈◊〉 a covetous man and woman to cloath the outside with a form of Religion which is but a Child of their own lusts begetting whose Servants they are to whom they obey and a Child of their own Lusts whose work they do And thus is the Scripture fulfilled by men in a form of godliness without the power of God therein being outwardly cloathed with Scripture words which to them is such cloathing that causeth such men and women outwardly to appear as Sheep of the true Fold when indeed as the Scripture speaketh they are inwardly ravening Wolves for when they speak most fair there is seven abominations in their heart So that all men and women under what Name soever few are they that cleave to the Tree of Life to live to God in thought word and work as they ought to do because the love of some one thing or another blocks up the way of Truth that no part of the Cross can be taken up by them that love any thing more than the appearance of Gods holy Truth for which cause many are them that cannot enter the strait Gate which will not open to any but to them that keep in the path of the just which leadeth to the Tree of Life from which the faithful receive their daily nourishment who are made fit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven but of such their Number is small and in this life the tryal of their Faith is great but this is their strength through faith in the Promise of God that nothing shall befall them more than what he will enable them to bear for they have an assurance of his Grace that it is able to save from the nethermost pit of Hell and will keep and preserve all them that abide faithful to him who in the stillness of mind and retiredness of thoughts witness his saving power whose Salvation is to the ends of the Earth So that nothing more shall befall his chosen ones then vvhat hath happened to the Houshold of Faith in dayes past There is no nevv thing under the sun for as in all ages even so novv he that vvas a Jew in the outvvard vvas only a hearer of the Lavv and not a doer of vvhat vvas contained in the Lavv and so no true Heir of the Promise vvhich vvas to faithfull Abraham and to his seed not after the flesh but after the spirit for that which is born after the flesh lives to the things of the flesh which to the wisdom of the flesh are sweet and delightfull but the end thereof is the bitterness of Death for Death and Destruction is the portion and inheritance of every covetous man born after the flesh whose love to covet is that Enemy the Lust and Devil of his own houre that persecutes the Just Principle of Truth both in themselves and others which fulfilleth the scripture he that that is born after the flesh persecutes him that is born of the spirit which consequently follows that every man which is in disobedience to the spirit of God is a persecutor of the just and holy One but who is it that considers this or thinks of it nay rather do not men hide and cover themselves with this and the other form of Religion which if they do but barely come up to the outward form and in common honesty answer the extream
another mans necessity whereby the borrower rather becomes a slave than a servant to the lender who through covetousness can in no wise simpathize nor participate with his friend or neighbour in loss or cross whatever because the affectionate part is only to self so as covetousness can do no good work to it self neither can it do that which is properly good to another therefore is it not safe to be too far concerned with the god of any covetous Usurer for as it wholly tends to the destruction of the soul of him that binds so it also tends to impoverish him that is bound for the lust of a covetous man namely the Devil his idol and god will never suffer the rust and canker to feed upon his Money nor the mote to devour his goods more than to supply the necessity of any man without interest so that the mercy and pity of a covetous man is plain Cruelty not only to his own soul but also to the body of others who are concerned with the idol or god of a covetous man whose mind is always bent towards the enlarging of his idol therefore he taketh the opportunity of every advantage by bill bond mortgage and the like to enrich himself with those things which will perish with him except he repent and of this nature by opportunity through advantage of another mans necessity do men enrich and impoverish one another so that Oppression among men is like to a sweeping rain which drives all from one man into the bounds and possession of another through which many men are enlarged with Mountains Hills and Vallies when many have not whereon to set their foot and of this nature is it that Covetousness leads to Usury Oppression and the like which hath divided the things of this World and is the only portion of every covetous proud and vain man which does not forsake and repent of all his evil deeds and covet after the better part unto which is the promise of adding all things needful therefore is it written The Righteous are never forsaken nor their seed begging Bread Say unto the righteous it shall go well with them but with the wicked it shall go ill Therefore study after Righteousness and covet after the better part against which lust to covetousness cannot prevail for lust to covet after the Riches of this World is as natural to the Children of men as the ground is natural to bring forth Weeds therefore is it that men by nature of their own wills wisdoms knowledges reasons righteousnesses and the like will not come under the cross to hear and obey Moses and the Prophets to fulfil what the Law required of him to do so also are they accursed which refuse to hear and obey the Voice of the Son of God whose gift of divine light is the condemnation of every covetous mans thoughts words and works so that Covetousness is of no profit to any man that gains the riches of this world with the loss of his soul but godlâ—ness with content is great gain to them that fear God work righteousness do justly love mercy walk humbly and do no other thing to others than as themselves would be done unto Yet notwithstanding this and whatever else is written in the holy Scriptures against Covetousness how do men daily nourish and cherish it as if it were a godd of such a nature and life as to abide with them forever therefore are they so choice of this lust of unrighteousness that for its sin they provide the largest cloak for of all other sins Covetousness is most in credit among the Sons of men therefore they will not let this Devil go naked but cloath it with credible Names not as sin or vile but as thrift provident good care of a mans own and care of the main chance and not only so but will protect and defend it with Scripture words viz. He that provideth not for his own house is worse than an Idfidel and hath denyed the Faith Therefore as God directeth is my labour to uncloak and lay open this Lust Devil and Sin of Covetousness which abideth in the wise and prudent of this World who through coveting after Money the love of which is the root of all evil in them that will neither enter the Kingdom of Heaven nor suffer others which are entering to go therein which doth manifest their Covetousness to exclude all love and fear to God and all love and pity to their Neighbours good Nay what sin is it that Covetousness leads men not to commit it leadeth them that are covetous to oppress cozen deceive lye and sell their Conscience for every trifle also it leads men to turn from the Faith betray the Truth sell it for Money and to hold the Truth in Unrighteousness it leads men to forsake all good Religion to turn Persecutors which is the greatest Oppression that can be for it sweeps away the Life and Estate of many men it leads men to wait as Troops of Robbers to kill and destroy by the consent of unrighteous Laws which have been made by covetous Usurers And I may say Covetousness not only leads men to kill and steal by the high-way but to rob God of his honour by stealing his words which he spake by the mouth of his holy Ones whose words they sell for Money each looking for his gain from his Quarter which if any man refuse to pay open war is prepared against him and of this and the like nature doth Covetousness lead men to sin against God even to the destroying of their peace with him for to the Wicked there is no true peace in this life nor in the Life to come Covetousness is one of the chief gates and Inlets to the broad way of Death Hell and Destruction and is so delightful and well-pleasing that many are led thereby into all manner of Abominations even to rebel against God and King and to change the form of Worship at every change in Government In short it leadeth Parents to destroy their Children and Children to destroy their Parents also it leadeth men to lye and swear and to hold the the Truth in unrighteousness and to pervert the truth thereby to turn the cause of the Fatherless and Widdow Therefore let all men beware of coveting after that which God hath forbidden for while some have beên coveting after Riches they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows because it is such a sin that it draws the soul of him that is over much righteous into perdition for over much righteous before men is over much wicked in the sight of God because its only mans own works which is plain hypocrisie and deceit and indeed so are all things which are not done by man in truth and sincerity with uprightness of heart and mind to God whose all-seeing eye beholdeth the evil and the good in all men whatever among whom the heart of some that labour to
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