divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
Unfaithfull is called to Repentance yea the Back-sliders is called to Repentance to do their first works to be watchfull to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye c. Now they who do take this heavenly Counsel they do the will of God and in so doing they stand approved in his sight The diligent Watchers who have and do put on and keep on the whole Armour of God as aforesaid they do NOT FALL but do grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ more and more of such the Psalmist speaketh saying Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Way of the Vngodly he shall be like a Tree that is planted by the Rivers of Water c. but upon the Wicked who repent not who forsake not their Wickedness God will rain Fire and Brimstone and an horrible Tempest as the holy Ghost hath said and there is no Peace to the Wicked saith my God but the Righteous hath said in Truth thou Lord wilt ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works IN US And the holy Apostle said We are Gods workmanship CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ORDAINED that we should walk IN THEM Isa 26. 12. Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Turth I perceive that God is NO Respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth HIM and worketh Righteousness is ACCEPTED with HIM the Word that God sent unto the Children of Israel Preaching PEACE by Jesus Christ he is Lord of ALL c. Acts 10. 34 35. Note Reader He by whom all were and are Created and he who according to the flesh DYED for all who enlighteneth the EYES of the UNDERSTANDINGS of ALL in some degree whose will is that all men may be saved he is Lord of all as saith the Apostle he is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation ALL those who fear him work Righteousness they are accepted with HIM Here God shews that he loves and delights in Righteousness but HATES the contrary and therefore he calls ALL Men to Repent EVERY WHERE as saith the holy Apostle God's condiditions of ELECTION and Salvation is Faith in him and unfeigned Repentance and he doth freely tender yea GIVE the true and real CAUSE of Faith and Repentance unto all the Ungodly and Impenitent to wit Visitations by the Spirit Word of Truth which doth convince the World of sin in which the Grace Love or Favour of God is held forth to all mankind in enlightening their Understandings giving them thereby to know Good FROM Evil by which he also MOVES upon the Soul to CHUSE the Good and REFUSE the Evil which spirit or word is of ABILITY to beget faith to work unfeigned Repentance doth IT in all where the stubborn will of man doth not withstand the Day of Gods tender Visitation given thereby but IT IS possible man in his STUBBORN SELF-WILL may so long resist that God will strive NO LONGER with him for his salvation for he hath said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man God said to the Wicked with whom he had long striven to gather them out of their wickedness UNTO himself WO unto them when I DEÌ„PART FROM THEM Hos 9. 12. I HATED them for the WICKEDNESS of their doings saith God V. 15. The Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy Heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But WHAT saith it The WORD is NIGH thee even in thy MOUTH and in thy HEART that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. But I say have they not heard Yes verily their Sound went into all the Earth and their Words to the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed the Gospel But to Israel he saith All day long have I stretched forth my Hands unto a Disobedient and Gain-saying People Ver. 18 16 21. Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14. Moreover God set Adam in a glorious state in Paradise and he willed that he should obey him as he commanded him and he put him in a condition that he might have continued in obedience unto him so it was possible that he might have continued in obedience unto him and so have stood and it was NOT impossible that he should FALL as the event hath proved and his Fall is NOT to be charged or placed upon God but upon himself for want of a due and full improvement of all that God gave him to keep him from falling God is able to keep his Creatures Man and Woman from falling his Name his pure holy Power is a strong Tower and in it IS Everlasting Safety Man and Womans being kept from falling consists in their constant diligent dependence upon him who made them he ONLY is able to keep them from falling Jude 24. God is mercifull slow to Anger and abundant in compassion towards mankind as he hath signified by the holy Ghost in his holy Prophets and Apostles he is full of compassion and tender pity he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ Jesus hath commanded his Disciples to be mercifull saying Be ye merciful as your Father is merciful he is KIND unto the UNTHANKFUL to the EVIL and he causeth his Light to shine upon the EVIL upon the Good and sendeth his Rain upon the Just and the UNJUST Luke 36. 37. Mat. 5. 45. The Prophet David saith The Lord is good to ALL and his tender Mercies are over all his WORKS c. Psal 145. ver 8 9 And he said to his Son Solomon If thou seek him he will be FOUND of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off forever take heed c. 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Moreover the holy Ghost saith Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near Isa 55. 6. Again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without MONEY and without Price wherefore do you SPEND Money for that which is NOT Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth NOT hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Encline your Ear and come unto me HEAR and your Soul shall live c. Isa 55. 1 2 3. Moreover the Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever WILL let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22. 17 c. Note Reader Here is a general comortable Proclamation of the favour good will of God to all people every one hath a T me or
who believe in and faithfully follow him the Lamb of God he taketh away their Sins he being made Perfect is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto ALL them that OBEY him Heb. 5. 9. Daniel the Prophet who prophesied of the coming of the Messiah which is Christ Jesus and of his Sufferings he declared the End or Effects thereof Namely To make an END of SIN to finish Transgression and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness see Dan. 9. 24. to the end Jesus Christ said To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto the Truth every one that is of the Truth heareth MY VOICE John 18. 37. And Jesus said I came to call sinners to Repentance He that COVERETH his Sins shall NOT prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28. 13. These are faithful Sayings of God spoken through his Son and his Prophets and Apostles here is a Cloud of witnesses who in a sweet Unity and Harmony and Clearness speaks forth the Universal Love of God to Mankind in Christ Jesus in sending him to make an end of Sin the Devils Work The Wages of Sin is Death as saith the Apostle which NOT being Repented of and forsaken brings into the Pit of endless Torment a BARE confessing of Sin without repenting and forsaking will NOT bring Men Women to lay down their Heads in PEACE with God Therefore Wo unto those who go on in their sins unto the end of their Dayes upon Earth Raking up and down in the Scriptures of Truth to gather up the Failings MISCARRIAGES of some among God's People who for want of diligent Watchfulness were overcome by their Souls Enemy but Unfeignedly Repented and Ceased from the Evil did learn to do well and so were forgiven as in the cases of David and Peter w hose Miscarriages at a time or some few times is now made as TEXTS on them to preach up IMPERFECTION and SIN for Term of Life Wo to those sort of Preachers if they do not Repent of this Unchristian and Ungodly Preaching and cease there from they will not only Destroy themselves but also those who give up themselves to believe and love their sinful Doctrine who by this Wicked preaching do take courage and GREAT boldness to continue in sin and to love it and to commit it with greediness yea to drink it up abundantly even as an Ox drinks up Water and to pull it and draw it upon them as with Cords and Cart tropes as it s written This sort of Teachers God is against his Soul is grieved by them from day to day Oh! that they would consider it and lay it to Heart and Repent before it be too late The Woes were of Old and now are unto all those Preachers and Hearers who are covered and NOT with the holy pure Spirit of the Lord God in which spirit God is worshipped as Christ saith Wo to the Rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me saith the Lord God who cover with a Covering but NOT of my SPIRIT that they may ADD Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Wo unto them that call Evil Good and Good Evil c. Wo unto them who justifie the Wicked FOR a Reward c. Therefore as the Fire devoureth the Stubble and the Flame consumeth the Chaff so their ROOT shall be Rottenness and their BLOSSOM shall go up as Dust because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hosts and despised the Word of the holy One of Israel Wo to them that are Wise in their own eyes c. Isa 5. 18 to the 25th read the Chapter through Wo to the Wicked it shall be Ill with him for the Reward of his Hands shall be given him What mean ye that ye beat my People c. and grind the Faces of the Poor saith the Lord God of Hosts Moreover the Lord saith Because the Daughters of Zion are Haughty and walk with stretched-out Necks and wanton EYES c. Therefore the Lord will Smite with a SCAB the Crown or Top of the Heed of the Daughter of Zion Jerusalem is Ruined and Judah is Fallen because their TONGUE and their Doings are against the Lord to provoke the Eyes of his Glory They declare their Sin as Sodom Wo unto their SOULS for they have Rewarded EVIL unto THEMSELVES Isa 3. 8 to the 18th read the Chapter through In this Chapter the Proud and Wonton Women of our Age may read their pattern and see whose Ungodly Example they follow and also they may see what Ruin Destruction and Misery they brought upon themselves as the just Reward of their Ungodly Lives and seeing God did thus punish the Proud and Wanton Women under the Profession of the Law certainly he will not justifie such Persons or Practices under the Profession of Christ and his Gospel for though the Law could not make the Comers thereunto Perfect as pertaining unto the Conscience yet then God did not leave himself without a Witness in them he gave them his good Spirit to instruct them as Nehemiah saith but they rebelled against it but Christ and his Gospel can make them that come to him Perfect even as pertaining to the Conscience and that which makes the Conscience good and brings it into a perfect cleanness the same keeps Man and Woman clean in their Conversations outwardly and such who do believe in and obey Christ Jesus he teaches them to be truly Meek and Lowly and Humble according to the blessed Command and Example which he gave in the Dayes of his flesh who said Learn of me I am Meek and LOWLY in Heart and ye shall find REST TO YOUR SOULS The Apostle Peter in the holy Ghost exhorted the Women to be subject unto their own Husbands And said whose Adorning let it not be the outward Adorning of Plating the Hair NOR of WEARING of GOLD c. But let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is NOT Corruptible the Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit which IS in the sight of God of great PRICE For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God Adorned themselves c. 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4 5. Again the Apostle Paul saith I will in like manner also that Women Adorn themselves in MODEST Apparel with SHAMEFACEDNESS and SOBRIETY NOT w th Broidred HAIR or GOLD or PEARLS or Costly Aray But which becometh Women professing Godliness with GOOD WORKS 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. So all Women both Old and Young ought to obey the Command of Christ who commands to be Meek and Lowly and ought to follow the good Example of these holy Christian-Women who were cloathed and beautified with a Meek and Humble Quiet Spirit and with good Works as the holy Apostle Exhorts Depart from Evil and do good and dwell or live for evermore I have seen the Wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green Bay-Tree