THE True Christian's FAITH AND EXPERIENCE Briefly Declared Concerning God Christ the Spirit the holy Scriptures the Gospel and the Doctrines thereof Also The Titular Christian's Faith and Profession Try'd Examin'd and Judg'd Written for the Confirmation and Consolation of the One and for the Information in order to the Restoration and Salvation of the Other Also A Few Words to such who are newly turned in their Minds to the Light within are Believers in it By William Shewen He is not a Jew that is one outwardly Rom. 2.28 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom John 3.29 He that hath the Son hath Life he that hath not the Son hath not Life John 5.6 Darkness is past the True Light now shineth 1 Joh. 2.8 The People that walked in Darkness have seen a great Light they that dwell in the Shadow of Death upon them hath the Light shined Isa 9.2 Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light c. John 3.20.21 Printed in the Year 1675. THE CONTENTS THE Faith and Experience of the True Christian briefly declar'd 1. Concerning God page 33. 2. Concerning Christ page 39. 3. Concerning the Holy Spirit page 45. 4. Concerning the Holy Scriptures page 48. 5. Concerning Repentance page 52. 6. Concerning Mortification Warfare Self-denyal and Dying Daily page 60. 7. Concerning Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption page 65. 8. Concerning Justification page 72. 9. Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper page 76. 10. Concerning the Universal Love of God towards all Mankind page 88. 11. Concerning Election and Reprobation page 92. 12. Concerning Temptation page 105. 13. Concerning a Holy Life pag 114. 14. Concerning the Motion or Moving of the Spirit of God and the Motion of the Spirit of the Old Serpent in the Hearts of Men pag 119. 15. Concerning Revelation pag 224. 16. Concerning the Gospel or Gladtidings of Life and Salvation pag 133. 17. Concerning Grace and Living under it and Growing in it from one Degree unto another and of the Possibility of Falling Away from it pag 142. 18. Concerning Outward and Inward Miracles pag 150. 19. Concerning the Doctrine and State of Perfection pag 161. 20. A Few Words to such as are newly turned in their Minds to the Light and are Believers in it pag 173. TO THE READER Friend THou mayest know that in this Part of the World call'd Christendom the Name Christian is very Famous and that there are few therein but desire to be call'd by that Name and a high and great Profession of Christianity abounds amongst the divers Sects therein all covering the Name of Christian ☞ but the Christian-Life the Christ-like Life and the nature of Christianity is much Wanting and the Fruits and Effects of the holy Spirit of Christianity are much wanting among them all and the contrary much abounds whereby an Evil Savour is sent forth to the Nations round about called Heathens and Infidels For there is scarce any Sort of Wickedness to be found upon the Face of the whole Earth which is not done and committed in this Part of the World called Christendom whereby the Jews and Heathen instead of being Converted are strengthned and confirmed in their Infidelity Ignorance Blindness and Idolatry For where this Nominal or Titular Christian hath prevailed as among the Americans he hath sent forth such a Stink and III Savour by his Abominable Inhumane Practices that the Name of Christ is blasphemed and the Christian-Religion hated by many that have heard the Fame and Report thereof Had the Life of Christ and the Nature of Christianity been known and lived in by all that profess the Name Christendom had bin as a Fruitful Field and as a Pleasant Garden enclosed and as a Vineyard wall'd about full of Trees of Righteousness and Plants of God's own Right Hand planting and the Tree of Life would have flourish'd among them in the midst thereof and the Leaves of the same would have healed the Nations round about and it would have been as a City set upon an Hill which cannot be hid and as a Lamp that burneth being fed with Sweet Oyl and as a Glorious Light that shineth and many would have fled unto it as unto a City of Refuge and have walked in the Light thereof and have seen and beheld their Good Works and have Glorified their Father which is in Heaven and they would have lain down as a Flock of Harmless Lambs together solacing themselves in the Green Pastures of Life and Salvation in the low Valley and a top of that holy Mountain where no Destroyer is nor none can make afraid Isa 11.7 8 9. Where the Lyon eats Straw like the Ox and where the Sucking Child-plays on the Hole of the Asp and the weaned Child puts his Hand on the Cockatrice's Den without Hurt And the Earth would have been full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea And this Song would have been in Christendom as in the Land of Judah Isa 26.1 2. We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bullworks and the Gates thereof would have been open to them as a Righteous Nation that keepeth the Truth that they might have entred in and dwelt safely this would have been the State of Christendom But alas alas the quite Contrary appears Instead of being as a Fruitful Field and as a Pleasant Garden â—â—closed and as a Vineyard planted and walled about bearing Fruit unto God and flourishing with Trees Plants of his own Right-hand planting it s like a Desart Howling Wilderness full of Bryars Thorns and hurtful Weeds whereby the Good Seed that was sown is choaked and the Noble Plant degenerated from and become the Plant of a strange Vine which brings forth the sower Grapes which makes the Wine of Sodom which fills the Whore's Cup whereby Nations are made drunk And instead of being like a Flock of Harmless Lambs lying down together in Love and Unity feeding in the Green Pastures of Life and Salvation in the low Valley and a top of the holy Mountain where no Destroyer is they are like unto a Herd of Swine that is possessed and runs violently into the Sea and that walloweth in the Mire and like the Wolf Bear Lyon ☞ Asp and Cockatrice which the little Child hath not Power over but their devouring and poysonous Nature remains which makes them prey one upon another bite and devour one another hate and murder one another even under the Profession and Name of Christ and Christianity So instead of being as a City whose Walls are Salvation and as the heavenly Jerusalem they are like Sodom Gomorrah and Babylon And instead of being like a Lamp that burneth being fed with sweet Oyl and a Light that shineth they are like a Lamp that 's gone out and a Candle under a Bed or Bushel which gives no Light to others Instead of the Meekness Love Brotherly-kindnes Gentleness Patience Long-suffering Forgiveness Innocency Goodness
Glory and Power which is Terrible to the Worker of Iniquity is pleasant and desirable by those that witness Sion's Redemption by the Spirit of Judgment and Burning from Iniquity these things are known now as in former Ages The same Ark whose Presence troubled and plagued the Philistians was the Glory of Israel the same Hand and Power that smites and destroyeth the Egyptian saves and delivers the Israelite the same Spirit of Truth that reproveth the World of Sin is the Comforter of those that are made free by it from Sin the same Breath that breathed Life in the beginning before Sin entred kind'eth the Fire that tormenteth the Wicked He that can understand let him â—mnipresent in Beâ—â—g incomprehensiâ—â—e and Almighty in Power And he demonstrateth his Faith and Experience after this manner He has received a Manifestation of him in his own Heart Mind and Spirit and so is come to know him pore Omni-present by his Work and Operation therein he can say that God is pure of a Truth because he findeth his Appearance so pure and holy in his Heart that it will not allow nor suffer so much as a vain Thought to lodge there nor no unclean thing to be touched And this True Christian is a true witness of the Truth of those Scriptures Hab. 1.13 Jer. 17.10 15.19 which saith that God is of purer Eyes then to behold Iniquity and that He searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reins and divideth betwixt the Precious and the Vile betwixt Thought Thought Word and Word Work and Work And further He is a True Witness that God is Almighty in Power because he hath by his mighty Power broaken down those Strong Holds formerly builded in his Heart by the Enemy of his Soul Cast down Imaginations and every High Thing that exalted 〈◊〉 self against the Knowledge of God â—inging into Captivity very Thought into the â—bedience of Christ And he knoweth the â—rk Mountains at â—â—ich his Feet stumbled removed the Rocks rended the Raging Waves stilled and that Tongue and Nature bridled which no Man could tame But before this be witnessed he hath known him to sit as a Refiners Fire Mal. 3.3 and as Fullers Sope and as a Spirit of Judgment and Burning and so became a living Witness of what he hath seen felt heard understood by the mighty Working of his Holy Spirit in his Mortal Body The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in one God who is pure omnipresent and Almighty take his Word and there is no Difference But how doth he demonstrate his Faith that to him there is but one God why he hath heard a Relation of him his Oneness his Purity and Almightiness in the Holy Scriptures and he hath been educated and trained up in the Traditions of his Fore-fathers and so his Knowledge of God he professeth is acquired therefrom he hath read in some Book or some Body hath told him that God is One Pure Omnipresent and Almighty and he grounds his Faith and Knowledge upon this Tradition and History and sorofesseth God and his Attributes in Words but is not a living Witness of the same within himself And so notwithstanding he professeth one God he liveth in the World which hath many Gods and worships and falls down before them every beloved Lust obeyed is a God Let the Titular Christian profess what he will he that committeth Sin is the Servant of it and therein is no Believer Worshipper nor Knower of the True God his Purity nor Almightiness because his Heart remaineth Corrupt and Rocky and the Mountains of Darkness Ignorance remain unremoved and the strong Holds of Satan unbroaken down his Thoughts and Imaginations unsubjected to the Obedience of Christ his Will Tongue and Nature unbridled the Dross Tin and Rubbage remains and is as a Grave to the pure Mettal this Titular Christian contents himself to hear or read of God as a Refiner's Fire and as Fuller's Sope and as a Spirit of Judgment and Burning and of his cleansing and purifying some in former Generations but loves not nor cares not to know him so in himself but rather despiseth and hateth his pure Appearance in him whose first Work is to convince him of Sin Righteousnes Judgment which is compared to a little Silver amongst much Dross a little Seed amongst many great ones to a little Leaven hid in three Measures of Meal which Silver can't be parted separated enjoy'd but by the Appearance of God within as a Refiners Fire to purge away the Dross take away the Tin also which is somewhat like the Silver whereby indeed the Titular Christian is deceived neither can the little Seed grow up till the Rubbish be taken away and the Ground that is Cursed removed and the Heart made honest which is the good Ground wherein the Seed of the Kingdom grows to Perfection neither can the little Leaven work through and leaven the three Measures of Meal till that be taken away which lets and hinders viz. Unbelief and Hardness of Heart Now this Day of small Things this Day of Jacob's Troubles wherein he goes through the Refiners Fire this little Seed this little Leaven is overlook'd despised and flighted by the Titular Christian who in his own Conceit is exalted and puffed up above the pure Appearance of God in his Heart which to know and obey is the Gate of all true Wisdom and Knowledge and is grown so tall great and Wise in his own Thoughts and Imaginations that he cannot walk in the straight Way nor go in at the Door of the Sheepfold but would climb up some other Way and so contents himself with a Traditional Historical Profession of God in Words and deny him in Works And all the Knowledge and Experience he hath of God his Purity Oneness and Almightiness is but as some Body hath told him or as he hath in an Unsanctified and Unprepared Heart read in the Holy Scriptures which Knowledge avails nothing except accompanied with a living Expeâ—ience of the same Power working after the same Manner as it did in others in Times past who have left their Testimonies thereof upon Record II. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Lord Jesus Christ THE True Christian believes in one Lord Jesus Christ who came from the Bosom of the Father who is the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer Sanctifier and Cleanser by his precious Blood and is to him as a King Priest and Prophet c. And he demonstrateth his Faith in this Manner in being Obedient to him as he is Lord in being saved by him from Sin as he is Jesus and by his learning of him and being taught by him as he is Christ or the Anointing So he can call him Lord Jesus Christ in Truth and Righteousness having truly learned his Name and Nature through Obedience to his Cross and a Cleansing by his
Ignorance will advance them with Lip-Honour beyond what they testifie of themselves and above what they are for they are not the Word of God but proceeded from it and bear witness thereof which Word is sharp powerful sharper then any Two edged Sword dividing in the inward Parts this Word is in the Mouth and in the Heart to be heard there and obeyed there And they call Christ the Word of God which Word was in the beginning before the Scriptures were written And all that understand not the Voice of this Word this inward and spiritual Speaking Word are wholely ignorant of the Words of God and Good Men recorded in the holy Scriptures and is no true Honourer nor Believer of them notwithstanding his Verbal Traditional Notional Profession and high Titles he gives them he only therein shews his Blindness and Folly in taking the History and Description or Declaration of a thing for the thing it self They are not the Everlasting Rule Touch-stone and Tryer of Spirits but declare and testifie of him that is as Christ said to the Jews speaking of the Scriptures They are they that testifie of me but you will not come to me that you may have Life IIII. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Doctrine of Repentance THE True Christian believeth the Doctrines and Teachings of Christ and his Apostels recorded in the Holy Scriptures and that it is not only his Duty but his Practice to obey them and live according to them As first the Doctrine of Repentance from Dead Works or a turning from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God this is the Gate of the Kingdom or the first Step towards Christianity this is the Door at which the True Christian entereth if any miss this Way they strive to enter in vain without Repenting which is changing or turning from Evil to Good from the Way of Death to the Way of Life from Darkness it self to Light it self from the Power and Service of Sin and Satan to the Power Service of God Righteousness This is the Nature and Effect of true Repentance and without this no Man hath a true Title in Christ nor Christianity let his Profession of it be never so high for Death reigned over all Men from the Fall of Adam till Moses and all Men have therein come short of the Glory of God and in that faln Nature are the Children of Wrath dead in Sins and Trespasses and God hath concluded all in Unbelief Rom. 11.32 that he might have Mercy upon all And now the Call of God is to all Men every where to Repent Acts 17.30 and none but those that answer this Call finds the Mercy this Call of God is more universally inward and immediate then outward and mediate the which if People slight disregard and neglect to obey the outward Instruments and Means avail not Now the true Christian gives Testimony that he believes and obeys the Doctrine of Repentance in manner following First-Whereas his Mind and Heart was running after and captivated with the Sight of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life that are in that World which lies in Wickedness now his Mind and Heart is not only stopped but also turned from them and weaned from the Delight and Pleasure he had in them and not only so but by the Shining of the Light in his Heart is made to see the exceeding Sinfulness of them and to feel the Weight and Burthen thereof which while he was dead in Sins and Trespasses he could not feel nor be sensible of but now being quickned by the Voice of God which calls to Repentance he cryes out with Paul O wretched Man who shall deliver me c and this is the Cry which the Lord is ready to hear and to answer with the Manifestation of his Love and Power and with the Joy of his Salvation and now is his Face Sion-ward and his Travail towards the Holy City is begun and this True Christian right wel knows that his Repentance or turning from and out of the broad Way of Sin Satan and setting his Foot into the strait and narrow Way was not of himself nor effected in his own Will and Power but by the Virtue of the free Gift of God and Operation of his free-Grace and that he daily and momentarily needs the Divine Assistance of the same to lead guide and assist him every Step of his Journey to the End of the same And now he is a living Witness of the Truth of Christ's Saying when he said Verely verely I say unto you John 5.25 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 This is the first distinguishing Work of the powerful Voice of God and the true hearing of it the World hears its convincing Voice but not regarding nor obeying it are not made alive nor converted by it nothing is able nor sufficient nor appointed of God to give Repentance unto Life but the hearing of this Voice of the Son he hath formerly or in Times past heard many Voices Lo here and lo there and hath made many Repentances and Turnings from one Way and Opinion to another but till he heard and obeyed the Voice of the Son of God never knew that Repentance which is never to be repented of And then 2dly when this Christian hath heard and obeyed this Voice and is turned out of the broad Way and begins to walk in the straight and narrow Way and to have no Fellowship with the Unfruitful Works of Darkness but rather reprove them then he became a Wonder a By-Word and a Taunt and his former Companions who thought it strange that he run not with them into the same Excess of Riot but makes strait Steps to his Feet and measured all his Goings by the Line of Righteousness Rom. 2.4 which the Goodness of God that leadeth to Repentance hath brought him to now he appeared like an Owl in the Desart and like a Pelican in the Wilderness and like a Sparrow upon the House-Top Now his great Tryals Temptations and Exercises begin both within and without here he sees his Enemies about him like Bees when they swarm which till now he had no Sight nor Sense of the strong Man keeping the House all his Goods were at Peace and the House being Dark and his Eye Dim did not perceive nor discover the Enemies of his Soul that lodged therein nor could not judge nor discern the Nature of the Goods with which his House was furnished that old Deceiver having Power to transform himself like unto an Angel of God and to imitate the Furniture of his Temple but now he having heard the Voice of the Son of God and being quickned by his mighty Power and the Eye of his Mind opened fastened upon the same then the Devil rageth knowing he hath but a
follows as the Faith and Experience of a True Christian which iâ— written in True Love and Good-Wiâ—â— to all that have the Vail over their Hearts and the Scales before their Eyes when they are reading the holy Scriptures and professing God Christ Christianity and the Doctrines thereof which are but briefly hinted at or spoaken to in few words in what follows And whether thou art a bare Professor or a real Possessor thou mayest reap Profit hereby if the one thou art in vited to inherit Substance if the other thou art exhorted and Warned to beware lest thou lose thy Inheritance again So to the Light Grace and holy Spirit of God in thee 〈◊〉 thou Professor Prophane or Believerâ— I do commend thee with it to read and with it to judge by it to be taught gâ—â—ded into a good Understanding and into the true Knowledge of the two great Mysteries of Godliness and Iniquity And that thou mayest truly understand and receive the one and discover and avoid the other is the Desire of him who is a Lover of the Christian-Religion and of all that walk therein and hath Good-will to all men William Shewen Reader THese Scriptures following having a good Esteem in my Mind as Sayings worthy greatly to be noted and weightily considered I have committed them to the Press wishing thou mayest enjoy the End wherefore And this I will assure thee If thou canst understand believe and receive these Divine and Heavenly Sayings Precepts Exhortations Promises and Testimonies in these and other Scriptures mentioned in this brief Declaration of a True Christian's Faith c. thou wilt not stumble at nor reject his Testimony c. but imbrace and have Unity therewith But if thou understandest not nor believest the one neither wilt thou the other for the True Christian bears Testimony to the holy Scriptures and the Scriptures to him and the Titular Christian's Testimony is against them and they are against him because he doth not obey them nor live the Life they call for Eccl. 12.1 2. Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth while the Evil Dayes come not nor the Years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no Pleasure in them while the Sun or the Light or the Moon or the Stars be not darkened nor the Clouds return after the Rain Dearly Beloved Believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God for many False Prophets are gone out into this World 1 John 4. 1 c. Little Children You are of God and have overcome them for greater is he that is in you then he that is in the World Vers 4. Whosoever transgressâ—th and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God He that continueth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son 2 John 9th vers If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your House neither bid him God speed Vers 10. To be Carnally-minded is Death but to be Spiritually-minded is Life Peace because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God But ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of God he is none of his And if Christ be in you the Body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8.6 7 8 9 10 11. Vnto the Pure all things are pure but unto them that are Defiled and Vnbelieving is nething pure but even their Minds and Consciences are defiled They profess that they know God but by Works they deny him and are abominable and to every good Work Reprobate Tit. 1.15 16. If ye abide in me and my Words abide in you ask what you will and it shall be done unto you John 15.7 And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin John 8.32 34. Verely verely I say unto you If a man keep my Saying he shall never see Death Vers 51. Father I will That they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them John 17.24 26. The Disciple is not above his Master but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master Luke 6.40 But love ye your Enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again and your Reward shall be great and ye shall be the Children of the Highest for he is Kind to the Vnthankful and to the Evil Be ye therefore Merciful as your Father also is Merciful Luke 6.35 36. Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you But the Anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you And ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is Truth and is no Lye And even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 1 John 2.27 Read the 8th Chapter to the Romans and the Lord give thee Understanding Rom. 10.8 The Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith he knoweth him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him But whosoever keepeth his Word in him verely is the Love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him He that saith He abideth in Him â—ught himself also so to walk even as he walked 1 John 2.3 4 5 6. read to the end of the Chapter Little Children Let no man deceive you He that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning For this Purpose was the Son of God manifest that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil Whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loves not his Brother We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren He that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death 1 John Chap. 3. Vers 2. to the 10th and 14th No man hath seen God at any time If we love one another
precious Blood and so he not only reads hears and professes the Benefits and Priviledges which the primitive Christians partook of and enjoyed by believing in receiving of Christ but experimentally partaketh of and possesseth and enjoyeth the same Rom. 8 16. And the Spirit of God beareth Witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of God and a Joynt Heir with Christ Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh and that he hath the Mind of Christ and that Christ lives in him and is greater in him then he that is in the World And as the old Adversary the Devil is strong and powerful to tempt and ready on the one Hand and on the other to draw and allure into Evil so he knoweth his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as near and as ready and more powerful to deliver save and preserve him from falling into Evil and Temptation and he is not only enabled to resist the Divel but to make him flee also Thus in Truth can the True Christian call Christ the Captain of his Salvation who being armed with his Power fights as he did followeth him sits down in Heavenly Places with him triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave So the True Christian proveth himself so by denying himself and taking up his Cross daily and following of Christ and that he believeth in him because he enjoyeth Everlasting Life and abides not in Death and Darkness but hath overcome the Wicked one and that he is his Lord because he doth the thing he saith or commandeth and that he loveth him because he keepeth his Commandments and hath received Power to become the Son of God and further hath a Name better then the Name of Sons and Daughters The Titular Christian saith he believeth in one Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier by his precious Blood c. and professeth him as King Priest and Prophet and in all his Attributes and Offices But how doth he demonstrate and shew forth his Belief and Profession How is he his Lord Doth he do the Thing he saith How is he his Saviour Is he saved by him from the committing of Sin and redeemed from a vain Conversation How doth he believe in him as Christ or the Anointing Is he taught by him How is he his King Priest and Prophet Doth he rule in his Heart as King Are all his Services Sacrifices and Offerings offer'd up by and through his Hand as Priest Doth he hear him in all Things as the Prophet whom God hath raised like unto Moses No the Titular Christian hath no Knowledge of him after this Manner neither doth he believe 't is attainable on this side the Grave nor possible to obey him as Lord nor to be saved by him from Sin as Jesus nor taught by him as Christ or the Anointing nor that he can be washed cleansed and sanctified by his precious Blood from the Stains Spots and Defilements of the World Flesh and the Devil while he bears about this Body of Clay he contents himself with a corrupt traditional Faith which hath sprung up in the dark Night of Apostacy which is certainly a very venemous pernicious Weed of the Devil's Kingdom which hath poysoned and destroyed the Souls of many and is now grown to such Maturity and cloathed with such Beauty to the Eye of the Titular Christian that he calls it the Christian Faith though thereby he is taught to believe that 't is not possible to cease from Sin nor to have his Heart purified nor to overcome the Devil and gain Victory over the World and further that notwithstanding he committeth Sin daily and liveth in the Act of it Term of Life in this World he is hereby taught to believe that Christ will save him from the Guilt and Punishment of it in the World to come It may be said of this Titular Christian's Faith as it was once said of Saul and David Looseness and A theism hath slain its Thousands but this its Ten Thousands So although he hears and reads what Christ did in and for those that belived in him and of the powerful Virtue and Operation of that Ancient Christian Faith which was once delivered to the Saints and born witness to by the Holy Scriptures yet he neither hopes believes nor expects to witness the same wrought in him and for him they bear witness of some in whom Christ wrought (a) In whom Christ works all the Devil works nothing all their Works and that through him they were able to do all Things And many glorious Things were spoaken of and were enjoyed by the true Believers in Christ while upon Earth But the Titular Christian puts off all till he is dead and pleads for the Continuation of the Devil and his Works Term of Life and saith the Devil works strongly in him and prevails over him and causeth him to sin in his Holy Duties and that he is so captivated by him that he cannot live one Day nor Hour without Sin so notwithstanding his Profession of Christ he knows him not greater in him then he that is in the World so the strong Man keeps House and it s furnished with his Goods and though he cryes Lord Lord he is a Worker of Iniquity and is bound in Chains of Darkness and his Feet stick fast in the Mire and in the Clay even while he talks of Lord and Saviour he is led Captive at the Devils Will and is a Stranger to that Power which is able to resist him and make him flee and to that Faith which gives Victory So he cannot in Truth call Christ the Captain of his Salvation nor approve himself one of his Souldiers who is armed with the same Power with it fights against the same Enemy and gains the Victory and followeth him who rides on Conquering and to Conquer so never comes to sit down with him in his Father's Kingdom triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave but remains under the Power thereof through the Fear of which he is all his Life Time subject to Bondage 2 Heb. 15. let his Profession of Liberty and Redemption by Christ be what it will his fair Talk will avail him nothing though he saith he believeth in Christ and loveth him yet if he keepeth not his Commandments he is a Lyar and deceiveth himself and hath not Eternal Life abiding in him Profession and Name of Christ without Possession and Nature is of no worth III. The true Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Spirit THE True Christian believeth in the Holy Spirit being one of the Three which bears Record in Heaven which Three are one and he sheweth forth his Faith by his Obedience thereto he hath received the Spirit of Adoption whereby he can call God Father not as the Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites did but in Truth and Righteousness and he witnesseth
a being led by the Spirit in the Way of Holiness and so cannot fulfil the Lust of the Flesh but by the same doth mortifie them and gain Victory over them and is sanctified and cleansed from them and is taught by the Spirit the true Knowledge of God how to worship him aright in Spirit Truth and so prayes in the Spirit and with the Understanding and sings in the Spirit and praiseth God in the Spirit and the Law of the Spirit is in his Heart and this Law of the Spirit of Life makes him free from the Law of Sin and Death and the Spirit of God which raised up Jesus from the Dead dwelleth in him and quickneth his Mortal Body And this True Christian is the Spiritual Man which discerneth all Things but is not discerned by another out of the same Spirit which searcheth all Things yea the deep Things of God and he is led by the Spirit from under the Law and through the Law to him which was before the Law and so is under Grace and brings forth the Fruits thereof which is Love Peace Joy Long-Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against this Christian there is no Law The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in the Holy Spirit c. But how doth he demonstrate his Faith and Belief he is ready to make a Mock of receiving the Spirit and being led by the Spirit mov'd taught by the Spirit this seems strange Doctrine to him that he should know his Lusts mortified by the Spirit and that he should walk in the Spirit and be sanctified by the Spirit from all Sin and Uncleaness and that he should attend the Motion and Guidance of the Spirit and in all his Conversation to do nothing but what will stand justified by this Holy Spirit and that he should pray in the Spirit and sing with the Spirit and worship in the Spirit c. These are new Doctrines to the Titular Christian he knows not what to make of them except it be to brand them with despicable Names And the Law of the Spirit of Life which should free him from the Law of Sin and Death he is a Stranger to and wholy ignorant of the Indwelling of that Spirit which raised Jesus from the Dead to quicken his mortal Body this he counts Fanatick Doctrine c. And instead of being a spiritual Man which discerneth all Things he is Carnal and seeth not far off the Vail being over his Heart cannot see nor regard the Glory of God when it appeareth in the Inward Temple but opposeth slighteth the Appearance of that Holy Spirit which searcheth his Heart and all Things and so is not led by it from under the Law which Law was added because of Transgression and this Titular Christian which liveth in the Nature and Act of Transgression and that knows not the Cursed Ground removed which bringeth forth Bryars and Thorns from whence all Evil Thoughts Words and Works proceed and is a Stranger to the Mortification of them by the Spirit he is under the Law and liable to the Punishment thereof and not under Grace let him profess what he will if he brings not forth the Fruit of the Spirit in his Life and Conversation he clearly sheweth he doth not believe in it nor walk in it neither hath received it nor come to any true Knowledge of it by its Work and Operation in his Heart he only talks of it with his Tongue as some Book or Body hath told him this is the Property and State of a Titular Christian IIII. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Scriptures THE True Christian truly honoureth the Holy Scriptures in their Places and believeth and receiveth their Testimony and is a living Witness of the Truth thereof and he domonstrateth it as followeth By believing receiving and obeying him viz. Christ Jesus of whom they testifie whereby he receives Power to order his Conversation according to them and the True Christian believeth that they were spoaken and written by the Motion and inspiration of the Spirit of God in Holy Men Prophets and Apostles and that it is his Duty to Wait upon God to receive the Spirit of Grace and Glory and the Gifts thereof of whom they testifie that thereby be may be enabled to read them with Understanding and to receive the Comfort of them and to be made wise through Faith in Christ unto Salvation by them And this Christian knows rightwell That all the Vniversity or Acad miâ—al Learning in the World is not able to give the true Knowledge of the Mind of the Spirit in the holy Scriptures they are as a seal'd Book to all the Wit Reason Comprehension and Acquired Parts of all Mankind in the Fall Learned and Unlearned And until man comes to receive regard and improve the Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every man to profit withal as the Scriptures witness he is wholy ignorant and a Stranger to the Key of true Knowledge and the Treasures of Life and Wisdom are hid from him and secured as with seven Seals and the Cherubimâ— with a Flaming Sword that turns every Way and guards the Tree of Life with the Fruits thereof from the faln Wisdom of Man And this the True Christian knows by Experience having tryed what the Wisdom of this World in all its Perfection can do and hath seen it confounded and brought to nought in himself being discovered to be no part of the Key of true everlasting Knowledge but rather that which hides it makes the Vail the thicker and shuts the Door of the Kingdom the faster and those that abound in it neither enter themselves nor suffer those that would and this the Holy Scriptures testifie The Titular Christian he saith He honoureth the Scriptures and believeth the Testimony of them c. But how doth he demonstrate his Honour to them and Belief of them Doth he order his Conversation according to them They exhort To abstain from every Appearance of Evil and from every fleshly Lust which wars against the Soul and to put on the whole Armour of God and thereby resist the Devil and make him flee The Titular Christian doth not obey this Exhortation neither doth he believe that it 's possible that any should obey it on this side the Grave So while he pretends to honour them he gives them the Lye for what 's more ridiculous and unreasonablethen to profess a Belief that the Spirit of God in Holy Men hath left Holy Precepts and Exhortations upon Record in the Scriptures which are unpossible to be obeyed Yet this is the Language of the Titular Christian who honoureth them with his Lips and cryes them up with his Tongue but in Works denyes them Sometimes he will give them more Titles of Honour then to them is due as when he calls them The Word of God The Touch-stone and Tryer of all Spirits The Everlasting Rule of Faith and Practice so in his
among them that are sanctified Acts 20.32 Eph. 5.27 who are Members of that Glorious Church which is without Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Holy and without Blemish The Titular Christian he also talks of and professeth the Doctrine of Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption But his Talk is not true and his Profession is feigned because he is not a Witness of the Work thereof in himself He hath read in the Holy Scriptures That no Vnclean Thing can enter the Kingdom and that without Holiness no man can see the Lord and that the Lord will be sanctified of all that draw near unto him Therefore he hath devised a Profession of Sanctification which may be only talkeâ— of but never possessed and wrought in him on this side the Crave And to this End he hath made up a Faith of his own and is wholy ignorant of that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints or holy People by which their Hearts were purified And by Vertue of this Feigned Faith perswades himself that the Sanctification and Holiness of Christ without him shall be reckoned and imputed unto him ☞ while he remains unsanctified and unholy and that the Cleanness Innocency and Spotlesness of Christ shall be accounted unto him notwithstanding he remains foul guilty and full of Spots and Defilements and that God looks upon him not as he is in himself but as he is in Christ Jesus his Saviour when indeed he is not in him nor saved by him from that which defiles him for if any man be in Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 he is a New Creature old things are past away and all things are become New By this the Titular Christian may try himself if he be not really changed the old Creature and old Things past away he is not in Christ and God cannot nor doth not look upon him where he is not ☞ therefore let him not further deceive himself for God's Witness in his own Conscience seeth and judgeth him where he is out of Christ unsanctified in the old Nature and old things and God from whence it comes is greater and seeth and judgeth him also And this Titular Christian is so far from living and enjoying a sanctified State really indeed and in truth as the True Christian did and doth that he never comes to enjoy so much Clearness and Freedom from Sin as the Jews did who lived but in the Types Figures and Shadows of Good Things to come for they once a year while they kept the Law were quitted and eased of all their Sins and Transgressions and a full Attonement was made once a year for all Sins past c. which is more then all the Nominal Christians upon the Face of the Earth really enjoy notwithstanding their Boast of living in Gospel Times and in the Dayes of the New Covenant and of Salvation by Christ Jesus Their Boast is vain the Gospel which is the Power of God to Salvation working and operating in their Inward Man to save not only from the Guilt but from the Act of Sin and to cleanse from all Iniquity they are wholely ignorant of and Strangers to and the New Covenant the Law in the Heart which makes free from the Law of Sin and Death and the Spirit that sanctifieth from it reigns not in their Mortal Bodies but the contrary viz. Sin and the Law of it and by the Spirit of Truth are convinced of it and by God's Vicegerent the Light in their Consciences they stand arraigned and convicted before the Judgment-Seat of God let their Profession be never so high And the Titular Christian is not a living Witness of the One Everlasting Offering which perfecteth forever those that are sanctified nor of the Oneness and Unity which is between him that sanctifieth and those that are sanctified nor of the abiding with him that sanctifieth so as to sin no more neither is he drawn near unto God with a true Heart sprinkled from an Evil Conscience nor is his Body washed with pure Water he hath no full Assurance of Faith in these things but rather concludes them unattainable on this side the Grave and so is held captive in the Chains of Sin and Satan and entangled with the Yoak of Bondage and in this State inherits Misery and Darkness and is a Member of that Church which is full of Spots and Wrinkles Sores and Corruptions Diseased from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot of this Church Christ is not the Head Let the Titular Christian imagine what he will he must depart among the Goates because he is a Worker of Iniquity VIII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning Justification THE True Christian believeth the Doctrine of Justification and that it immediately succeeds the Work of Sanctification Being justified by Faith even that Faith which is the Gift of God he witnesseth Peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Heb. 10.38 Heb. 12.23 And the Just lives by Faith And he is come to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect c. even now in this Age as the True Christian did in former Ages testified of in the holy Scriptures Now to be Justified is to be made Just by Vertue of that Faith which gives Victory over the Unjust and by that Blood which cleanseth and saveth from Wrath to come And this Justification comes not by the Works of the Law Gal. 2.16 For by that shall no Flesh be Justified nor by self-Works nor self-Righteousness but by the free Gift of God which leads through the Law and fulfils it and destroys self-Works and self-Righteousness establishes good Works and brings in Everlasting Righteousness which exceeds the Righteousness of Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites and herein the True Christian stands Justified in the Sight of God who worketh all his Works in him and for him ☞ and to will and to do of his own good Pleasure Phil. 2.13 Rom. 8.33 And none can lay any Thing to the Charge of this Elect whom God justifieth The Titular Christian he professeth the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Christ Jesus But it 's no more then a bare Profession and his Faith is not the Faith of God's Elect neither is he led into Peace with God by it nor receives Power by it to gain Victory over the Unjust Nature and Spirit that lives in him but imagins an imputative Justification and applies the Justness Righteousness and Holiness of Christ wrought without him above 1600 Years ago unto himself while he is Unjust Unholy and Unrighteous But this avails not the Titular Christian at all herein also he decâ—ives himself being not experimentally acquainted with the Blood of Christ which justifieth washeth and cleanseth and saveth from Wrath to come and from that which is the Cause of it viz. Sin And so he knows not a leading through the Law which was added because of Transgression and hath Power over the Transgressor as
and Power to save being known to none but such as do receive it And all that do receive this Grace Tit. 2,11 are taught by it to deny Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World Thus it taught the True Christian in former Ages and teacheth the same now and all that are so taught by it ☞ are not under the Law but under Grace for Grace doth not destroy the Law but fulfils it and leads those that are under it to the Enjoyment of the Substance of those Heavenly Things it shaddowed forth and which the Prophets prophesied of And further it teacheth more Spiritual and Evangelical Lessons then Moses did by whom the Law came And the True Christian not only receives this Grace but grows in it from one Degree unto another and witnesseth a being saved by it and a being justified by it having Experience of its Sufficiency when the Enemy doth assault and Tryals and Temptations attend even as Paul 2 Cor. 12.19 the aged when in Danger and besought the Lord the Answer was My Grace is sufficient for thee The Christians are Witnesses this Day of the same And Paul could say ☞ By the Grace of God I am what I am That was an High and Heavenly State to be no otherwise then Grace made him Self Sin and Satan is here excluded and all Boasting and Glorying in the Flesh is laid aside and the free Gift and Grace of God exalted over all This is a standing by Grace and a living under it being sav'd by it from transgressing the Law Rom. 5.20 21. which is Holy Just and Good Here Grace reigneth through Righteousness unto Eternal Life even where Sin reigned once unto Death and abounded here Grace is known to abound much more ☞ This was not only professed and talked of by the True Christians in former Ages nor is not now in this Age but really selt known and witnessed in them by the effectual Work and Operation of it they did not nor do profess a living under Grace while they do and commit that which the Law is over and which the Law was added because of viz. ☞ Sin He that is alive to Sin the Law hath Power over him and he is indeed under the Law notwithstanding he may profess a being under Grace and living in Gospel-Times Rom. 7. Read and Vnderstand for Paul's Parallel holds good A Woman is bound by the Law to her Husband so long as he liveth but when Dead she is loosed from the Law of her Husband So the Law hath Dominion over a Man so long as he liveth in that Life and Nature which transgresseth it let him profess what he will And none are fitted and prepared to be married to another even to him who is raised from the Dead till they are become Dead unto the Law and so delivered from it that being Dead wherein or whereby they were held viz. Sin For saith he When we were in the Flesh the Motions of Sin which were by the Law did work in our Members to bring forth Fruit unto Death but now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that we should serve in Newness of Spirit and not in the Oldness of the Letter Here the True Christian knows the Righteousness of the Law fulfilled in him who walketh not after the Flesh nor the Motions of it but after the Spirit and the Motions thereof so that his Words are seasoned with Grace and walks to the Praise and Glory of his Grace And as he here abides he witnesseth a being delivered from under the Law and knows the Occasion of it taken away and so truly lives under Grace and grows in it and in the Knowledge of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to whom be Glory both now and forever But now notwithstanding the Cry of the Tuular Christian is No Falling from Grace totally c. yet there is a Possibility that after People have received the Grace of God and known the Virtue and Operation of it also that they may Fall from it again and of Children of Grace become Children of Wrath they may turn the Grace of God into Wantonness or rather turn from it after they have received it into Wantonness they may use their Liberty which by Grace they are come unto as an Occasion to the Flesh and so not stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ had made them free And they may fall from Stedfastness after by Grace they have attained unto it And after People have clean escaped from them which live in Error and from the Pollutions of the World they may Err again and be polluted again and turn like the Dog to his Vomit again and like the Sow that was washed to the Wallowing in the Mire again ☞ and an Evil Heart of Unbelief and Disobedience in departing from the Living God after they have known him may get in again and People may crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to open Shame and trample the Blood of the Covenant with which once their Hearts were sprinkled under Foot again and do Despight unto the Spirit of Grace and grieve the holy Spirit of God and finally they may make Shipwrack of Faith a Good Conscience c. These things may all be done or else in vain are the divers Exhortations recorded in the Holy Scriptures to the primitive Christians To Stand fast Abide and Continue to the End that they might not be Entangled again Deceived nor fall into Temptations again And in vain was all the Labour Travail Care and Exercise of the Apostles Teachers and Elders among the Churches after they were gathered out of the World and had received the manifold Graces of God to confirm them and establish them in the same if there had been no Danger of their Falling from it again and corrupting themselves again This Titular Christian's Opinion of no total Falling from Grace is contrary to the Current of the whole Scriptures and of the True Christan's Experience And Paul's Testimony is That such that so fall away who were once enlightened and tasted of the Heavenly Gift and Powers of the World to come Hebr. 6.4 10.26 if such sin wilfully after they have received the Knowledge of the Truth that it is unpossible to renew them again to Repentance and that there remains no more Sacrifice for Sins but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and Fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversaries who incur a sorer Punishment then those that despised Moses's Law who dyed without Mercy under Two or Three Witnesses There is a sorer Punishment then Outward Death which the Outward Law inflicted upon the Transgressors of it and those that have known the Law of him that is greater then Moses which is the Law of the Spirit of Life and have been Subjects of it and fallen and apostatized from it again
to know him that is true and is in him that is true And that he hath the Witness of God's Spirit bearing Witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of God and a Possessor of these Things which Things no Impostor Deceiver nor Titular Christian can have and possess while so I say when these Things are told and born Witness of in the Ears of the Titular Christian he slights and disregards and will not believe the same but counts it Delusion and Fanatick Dreams and Fancies arising from spiritual Pride High-mindedness and vain Conceit and so despiseth his Testimony the Works that bear Witness thereof even as the Jews did of old judge condemn Christ and his mighty Works as wrought by the Power of the Devil so doth the Titular Christian in this Age Judge Censure Arraign and Condemn Christ and his Mighty Works in this Day of his Power and spiritual Appearance in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men wherein he hath wrought as mighty Works and done as great Miracles as in any Age since the Fall of Man and many are now living Monuments of the same blessed is the Eye that seeth them and is fixed upon the Author thereof to whom be Glory and Praise throughout all Generations forever XIX The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Doctrine of Perfection IN the Holy Scriptures are divers Precepts and Commands and Exhortations not only to Holiness 2 Cor. 7 1. but to the Perfecting of Holiness in the Fear of God Phil. 3.14 and to the pressing forwards until it be attained unto and afull Growth be witnessed to the Stature of a Perfect Man in Christ Jesus Presented to God without Blemish Col. 1.28 Spot or Wrinkle or any such Thing And it 's said of Noah Gen. 6.9 that he was a Just and Perfect Man in his Gâ—neration and that he walked with God And God said unto Abraham Walk before me Gen. 17.1 and be thou Perfect And that Job was a Perfect and Just Man Job 1.8 And in David's Time he bids Mark the Perfect Man Psal 37.37 and behâ—ld the Vpright the End of such is Peace And Christ exhorted his Disciples to be Perfect as theirl eavenly Father was â—erfect Mat. 5 48. And the Labour and Travail of the Apostles was that People might be Perfect and Entire ☞ Jaâ— 1.4 wanting nothing and that they might be presented Perfect Heb. 13.21 and be made Perfect in every good Work And he wished the Perfection of those he wrote to 2 Cor. 13.9 â— Cor. 2.6 And he spoak Wisdom among them that were Perfect So the Holy Scriptures contain not only Precepts and Exhortations to Holiness and Perfection but they also give Testimony that several did obey them and attain thereunto in Ages past And the Faith and Testimony of the True Christian in this Age is That Holiness and Perfection are attainable now as in Dayes of old and that the divers Precepts and Exhortations in the Scriptures thereunto may be obeyed and the State truly enjoyed even while People dwell in these Earthly Tabernacles 2 Cor. 4.7 they may enjoy the Heavenly Treasure in their Earthen Vessels 1 Thes 4.4 which may be possessed with Sanctification and Honour Now this is one of the sound Doctrines which the Titular Christian cannot endure comprehend nor understand therefore cryes out against it and sayes No Perfection here no perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God no coming to the Mark of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 11.2 no growing up to the Stature of the Fulness of Christ no perfect Man in Christ nor no being presented to God as a Chast Virgin Holy Col. 1.22 28. Jude 24. and Vnblamable Faultless without Spot or Wrinkle In Sum no being now as the Fathers of old and the Christians in the primitive Times were No Possibility of perfect Obedience to the divers Precepts Exhortations and Commands of the Spirit of God throughout the Holy Scriptures this is the Language of the Titular Christian so that herein he commits these two great Evils ☞ First Notwithstanding his pretended Honour to the Scriptures and Holy Men he gives them all the Lye Secondly He with the sloathful Servant calls God a hard Master in requiring that which nont are able to perform But the Testimony Faith and Experience of the True Christian is quite the contrary he having passed through the Work of Regeneration and experienced the divers Workings and Operations of the Spirit of God in his Heart in this small Treatiâ—e before hinted at leading him from one Degree of Grace unto another from one Degree of Faith and Knowledge unto another until he is fully saved by the Grace hath gained Perfect Victory by the Faith from over that which made him Imperfect Sinful and Defiled and until the Knowledge of the Lord so abounds in him that it covers the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea and until he comes to the Sabbath of Rest the Anti-Type of the outward Sabbath wherein he speaks not his own Words nor thinks his own Thoughts nor doth his own Will nor Works but witnesseth a Denyal of them all and a putting off the old Man with his Deeds and keeping the Body under and a Bridle upon the Tongue Nature Will Thoughts and Desires which received the Temptation in the Beginning alwayes keeping them to the Cross ☞ though a Rent wing Restoration be attain'd unto and the State of Innocency known and lived in even as in the Beginning before the Fall yet the Will Thoughts and Desires must be watched ruled over and subjected to the Will and Command of God in Truth and Reality even as Christ hath lest an Ensample whose Will and Desires were as good pure and perfect as Adam's were before he fell and as any can attain to in this Age yet said he when he prayed to his Father Not my will but thâ—ne whose Will he came to do Now in this Heavenly Self Denyal and true Resignation stands the Perfection and Safety of the True Christian all which is wrought and effected by the Power and Spiritual Appearance of the second Adam in him and for him who of himself can do nothing And in this is his Happiness and Perfection that he is come to cease from his own Thoughts Words and Works his own Way and Will and his own Wisdom and Knowledge also for in these Things began his Misery ☞ and while they lived in him and ruled over him he continued in the Misery notwithstanding his divers Devices and Inventions and Strivings to get out of it Death Misery and Sorrow accompanied him and clave close unto him and he could never be rid thereof till he come through the Work of Regeneration through true Self Denyal and Resignation to that Estate which Paul was in when he said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and the Life that
Old Serpent in the Hearts of Men. THe True Christian is endued with a Heavenly Spirit of Discerning by which he seeth to the Beginning before Sin enter'd the World and by it perceiveth how it entered and how it hath grown and encreased and filled the Earth with Violence and how that Old Serpent which at first was fain to use great Subtilty and Lyes and make great Promises before he could prevail against Eve is now grown so Power ful a Prince in his Kingdom of Darkness in the Hearts of the Children of Men in whom he rules that he no sooner moves in their Hearts ☞ but they follow him no sooner commands but they obey he needs not use his Subtilty and Cunning to betray allure and perswade nor make great Promises before he can win to his Obedience many being grown such Natural Children of him and such born Slaves in his Kingdom that now in these dayes his Commands are sufficient to Thousands and Ten Thousands and his very Motions to Evil have gain'd such a Powerful Name in the World even among the Titular Christians that they count them too Mighty to be withstood too Powerful to vanquish too Strong to war with overcome and conquer in all his Motions Commands and Temptations while on this side the Grave hereby People are become Home-bred Slaves and have sold themselves for nought having let in that accursed Faith that hath sprung up in the Apostacy from the True Faith that they can never resist all the Motions of the Devil nor disobey all his Commands ☞ nor be delivered from all his Temptations till the Death of their Natural Bodies which is then too late for As the Tree falls so it lies c. Now the Titular Christian will readily acknowledge and confess that the Motions of the Devil are strong powerful and present with him and in him and that thereby he is stirred up to Evil But he doth not believe that the Spirit of God is so nigh him and present with him moving in him against the Motions of the Evil One nor that there is sufficient Power from God given to him to preserve him from obeying the Motions and Temptations of the World Flesh and the Devil and to move him to that which is Good and enable him to do it Also he hath no Faith in this Gift of God but rather counts it Delusion and the Property of a Phanatick to profess the Knowledge of the Spirit of God moving in them to speak and write good Words and do good Works this Professors and Prophane Learned and Unlearned make a Mock at concluding this Operation of the Spirit is not in use nor to be known in these dayes nor to be expected in these latter Ages of the World as if God had left the World of Mankind to be guided wholely by the Motions of the Devil as if there was no Law or Power in the Mind able and sufficient to war against the Law and Power that is in the Members and overcome it Thus to believe is the Faith of Devils and not the Faith of God's Elect For the True Christian in this Age as in former Ages is a living Witness of the Moving of the Spirit of God to every good Word and Work as the Holy Men and Christians in former Ages did who speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and as they were led and guided by the Spirit as is testified in the Holy Scriptures though made a Mock of in this Day And this Spirit of God accompanied the Righteous in all Ages and always moved led and guided them into the Way of Peace and as they obeyed it and abode with it Acts 7.9 they were preserved by it therein though in the midst of their Enemies This preserved Joseph when the Patriarchs moved with Envy sold him into Aegypt and out of the Temptations he met with there and the same Spirit of Envy that moved the Patriarchs to sell Joseph moved Cain to kill Abel and moved Esau to hate his Brother and the Israelites to envy Moses and Aaron and the Jews to persecute the Prophets Christ and the Apostles And the Unbelieving Vagabond Jews were moved by this Spirit of Envy Acts 17.5 to make a Tumult against Paul and Silas and to assault the House of Jason and to draw him and the Brethren to the Rulers with false Accusations the Spirit of Envy is the same at this Day and his Motions are the same and all that obey them are found in the same Work And the Motions of the Holy Spirit are also the same and all that obey them bring forth the Fruits thereof and they are both manifested by their Fruits the one moves to Good the other to Evil the one to Love and Good-will the other to Envy and Hatred ☞ the one to Patience and Long-suffering the other to Anger Rage and Persecution the one moves to Meekness Gentleness Lowly-mindedness the other to Hardness Roughness Exaltedness and High-mindedness So by the Fruits and Effects are the Motions of the Spirit of God known and distinguished from the Motions of the Devil the Prince in Darkness And whosoever do or shall profess to speak or write Words or do Works Many whom the old Serpent could not move nor draw into Carnal Wickednesses have been captivated with Spiritual Wiskednesses in High Places and have been deceived so far as to call High Thoughts and Imaginations Motions of the Spirit of God and these have been exalted above all that is called God being joyned to the Son of Perdition who usurps the Throne of God and hath been and is worshipped as God or do Works in and by the Motion of the Spirit of God if they tend not to Good if they are not accompanied with the Fruits of the same if they will not endure the Tryal of the Spirit of God in others and abide by the Testimony thereof and also agree with the Testimonies of the Holy Men of old left upon Record in the holy Scriptures For the Spirit of the Prophets was subject to the Prophets and The Christians were of One Mind I say except this their Motion is to be judged by the Spirit of God and them also that obey it as a Delusion of an Exalted Spirit and as a High Imagination which must be brought down and whoever glories therein or boasts thereof will fade and wither as a Flower and fall and corrupt as Untimely Fruit the Mouth of the Lord hath spoaken it XV. The True Christian 's Faith and Experience concerning Revelation THE Cry in the World is even among many called Christians No Revelation in these dayes Revelation is ceased No Spiritual Vision to be known now No Sight of God now as Abraham Moses and the Prophets and Primitive Christians had c. Now the Faith Experience and Testimony of the True Christian is that Where there is no Vision Prov. 29.18 no Heavenly Sight that 's the Perishing State Where there
is No Revelation known there is No True Knowledge of God as is witnessed by the Holy Scriptures Mat. 11.27 None knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Since the Vail came over Man's heart there was never any other Way in any Age nor is not in this Age to come to the true Knowledg of God but by Revelation by taking off the Vail and removing the Covering which hides the Face of God from Man the outward Vailes before Moses's Face and in the outward Temple were a Figure of this Vail that is spread over the Hearts of Men and the rending the Vail of the Temple from top to bottom ☞ was a Figure of Revelation and Spiritual Sight into the Holiest of all or the taking away that which stood betwixt Man and the True Sight and Knowledge of God And there is not nor never was since the Cause of the Vail entered any Man upon the Face of the Earth that came or comes to the Knowledge of God by any other Means Men have sought out many Inventions and devised many Wayes and Means to gain the Knowledge of God but all in vain as his Invention Device and Knowledge encreaseth his Sorrow encreaseth also and all he can arrive at is Traditional Knowledge a Historical Knowledge a Strong Conceit and Imagination concerning God which is all nothingworth When he comes to see and know him by Sight and Revelation he will say as Job once did Job 42.5 6. I have heard of thee by the Hearing of the Ear but now my Eye seeth thee therefore I abhor my self and Repent in Dust and Ashes And as there is no True Knowledge of God but by Revelation 2 Thes 2.3 4. so there is no perfect Knowledge of the Son of Perdition or Man of Sin but by Revelation Iniquity is a Mystery as well as Godliness and the Devil can appear like unto an Angel of Light and get into the Temple of God and sit there as God and be worshipped as God also and when he thus appears in the Temple of God cloathed with the Sheep's Cloathing ☞ and in the Form of an Angel of Light with the Saints Words in his Mouth many are then beguiled with him the Vail being over their Hearts and the Scales before their Eyes that they see no further then his Appearance his Shew and Out-side and hereby he deceives many in the Form of Religion which could not be deceived by him as a Devil nor drawn into his Service in the gross Evils that are in the World This is the Mystery of Iniquity which cannot be discerned nor discovered while the Vail is over till Revelation be known and the Prophecy of Isaiah witnessed Isa 25.7 I will destroy in this Mountain the Face of the Covering cast over all People and the Vail that is spread over all Nations This is a Blessed Promise to enjoy and to witness fulfilled Now till it pleased God to reveal his Son in Paul and to shine round about him with a Light surpassing the Natural Sun in his Strength and to cause the Scales to fall from his Eyes he was deceived and captivated with this Mystery of Iniquity and in his Religious Zeal and Ignorance thought he was serving God when he was serving the Devil And in this Estate lie all the Titular Christians at this day who are persecuting the True Christians and hating one another and destroying biting and devouring one another about Religion Church and Worship and this comes to pass for want of Revelation for want of true Knowledge All the Contentions Envyes Quarrellings and Divisions among all the Sects in Christendom ☞ arise for want of being acquainted with Revelation One saith Lo here is Christ another there one sayes Christ is this another that and are of many Minds concerning him now as they were in the Dayes of his Flesh some saying one Thing and some another of him But saith Christ to Peter and the rest what say ye Mat. 16.17 Peter answer'd thou art Christ the Son of the living God Christ saith blessed art thou Peter c. for Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven Revelation was the Cause of Peter's surpassing the others in true Knowledge many that eat and drank with him and had a Love for him and heard his gracious Words and saw his mighty Works that he did yet wanting this Revelation had only a Knowledge of him after the Flesh Ignorance of Revelation the Ground of Division Contention contended and reasoned about him but this Knowledge that was revealed to Peter they were Strangers to this was the Ground of Contention then and is the same at this Day throughout all Christendom But Peter himself did not abide in this Knowledge which was revealed to him but for want of Watchfulness and through self-Confidence Weakness and Fear became vailed again Mat. 26.70 7â— 74. and lost â—is Knowledge Sight and Revelation and in the Day of close Tryal denved that he knew him at all then began he to Curse and to Swear saying I know not the Man this is a great Change in Peter who in his Zeal and Affection thought if all forsook him he should not yea though he should or were to dye with him he would not deny him likewise also said all the Disciples This may learn all even those that have had Revelations Heavenly Sights and Visions to be watchful and beware lest Darkness overtake them again the Vail spread over again these things are written for our Learning and are set forth as an Ensample shewing how far Self-Confidence Zeal and Affections and a Knowledge of Christ after the Flesh can carry men and how Heavenly Sights Vision and Revelations may be seen and partaken of before a through Conversion The Wind bloweth where it listeth John 3.8 and many hear the sound thereof yet knoweth not whence it comes nor whither it goes so is every man that is born of the Spirit Now it s a farther thing to grow up in it and to encrease with the Encrease of God unto the Stature and Fulness of Christ such are not only born nor Children but Men such cannot be tossed to and fro with Wind and till this is attained unto there is much Danger I knew a Man Twenty Four Years ago who had Heavenly Sights and Revelations and Raptures into the Third Heaven and heard and saw Things unutterable ravished with Delight overcome with a Joy and Consolation while his Hand hath been in his outward Labour and would with Peter and John have built Tabernacles there and all before his Conversion before he was endued with Power from on High ☞ before the Work of Regeneration was wrought and before he knew from whence it came or whither it went being as the Lightening coming out of the East shining into the West so knew not how nor where to wait to receive