all as saith the Apostle see Rom. 3. 24 25. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. Again the Apostle Peter said He commanded us to Preach unto the People and to Testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead to him all the Prophets gave witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of Sins see Acts 10. 42 43. Acts 2. 28. Note Reader The Command which the Apostles received from Christ concerning Remission of sins it was that they should preach the Remission or Forgivness of the sins that were PAST they did NOT receive Command from Christ to preach unto people that they must continue in sin all their Dayes NEITHER did he Command them to preach that he had paid the DEBT for all sins past PRESENT and to COME NO he nor his Apostles never preached this Doctrine this Doctrine proceeds from him whose Kingdom stands in Sin who is the Father of Lyes who first LEADS people into sin then tells them that they can NEVER come out of it while they are on this side the Grave and to encourage and embolden them to continue in sin all their dayes HE tells them Christ has paid the DEBT for it ALL and he tells them that God sees no sin in them the Debt being paid for all c. So tells them that they are the Elect and therefore cannot totally fall c. It s greatly to be Lamented that many do GIVE UP themselves to believe these his Lyes to their own Ruin and Destruction We do say that NOT only the sins which Man and Woman doth commit in their Dark Unbelieving State is forgiven when they come to believe repent but ALSO those who through unwatchfulness negligence fall into some sin after they have believed and Repented if THEY find a place of Repentance so Forgivness this forgiveness also is in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ but we do utterly DENY that God or Christ doth WILL or Ordain that any Man or Woman should live in sin ALL their DAYES upon Earth And those who do continue in sin all their dayes who Repent not who Forsake not this their sin will sink them into the Pit of Everlasting Destruction where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth and when they are THERE they will see how the Devil hath deceived and cheated them and then they will know that Christ hath NOT paid the Debt for all their sins past present and to come but they shall know he hath not paid the Debt for their sins which they do never Repent of for which they must suffer Vengeance of Eternal Fire as a just Reward from the Hand of the Lord God who said Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy Concerning Eternal Life JEsus Christ said unto the Unbelieving Jews Search the Scriptures or ye search the Scriptures for in them you think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me and YE will NOT come to me that ye might have Life John 5. 39 40. Note Reader Christ told them not that they COULD NOT come unto him but told them that they WOULD NOT come unto him so their NOT coming unto him Christ doth not place upon the fore-ordination or appointment of God but he placeth it upon their CORRUPT SELF-WILL for as it is before expressed in this Book God's will is that all Men might come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be SAVED This is a Gospel Truth spoken by the holy Apostle as he was moved by the holy Ghost Well said the Apostle Peter the Scripture came not in Old Time by the Will of Man but holy men of God gave them forth as they were moved by the holy Ghost or Spirit the holy Scriptures are things of God The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man SAVE the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God know no man but the Spirit of God but that Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. There is two weighty things to be considered and understood from the afore-said Words of Christ the one I have said something to Namely that it was NOT the Fore-appointment or Decree of God which HINDRED those Jews from coming to Christ but their own Corrupt WILL c. for Christ saith That men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him John 5. 23. Christ the Son of God saith I am the Light of the World Mark that he is not the Light of the Saints and true Believers ONLY for he said unto the Saints Ye are not of the World c. but he is the Light of the World that lieth in Wickedness by his Light in their Consciences he doth convince them of their sins and wickedness Now all that honour the Son according to the Will of the Father they do believe this is Doctrine and â—o do believe in the Light where-with he has enlightned them who is the true Light that enlighteneth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. he said Believe in the Light that ye may be Children of the Light He tasted Death for every man as saith the holy Scripture He is a Propitiation not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole World as saith the Apostle John as the Will of God is that all men should believe in the Father so his Will is that all men should believe in the Son and so in believing and obeying both honour the Father and the Son The second thing which I may speak something to upon the foresaid words of Christ concerning the grand Mistake of those Jews who would not come to Christ their Mistake was that they thought to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures for though the Scripture testifies of him as he saith yet the Scripture doth NO where say that Eternal Life is IN THEM but they do testifie that Life is in HIM Therefore GREAT was their Error who thought to have Eternal Life where it was not to be had and the same Error some are fallen into in our day and their Error in this weighty matter is greatly to be LAMENTED and my Soul with many more do greatly desire that out of this great Mistake they may be delivered There are two great EXTREAMS which many run into concerning the holy Scriptures in this our day the one is that which I have spoken to already which IS in those who think to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures where it is not to be FOUND but IN Christ as I said before the other Extream is run into by Prophane persons who do not value them and esteem them as they are truly worthy but in their Pride and Presumption greatly slight them yet make EVIL use of them many times in wresting of them to uphold
Day of Visitation given unto them by their mercifull Creator to turn unto him from their sin to eat that which is good he saith Whosoever WILL let him come and take of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely So it plainly appeareth by this that God would have all people eat of his Bread and drink of his Milk and Wine which he hath mingled and if they do not eat and drink thereof and so live to God by the vertue of the same it is not because God fore-appointed that they should NOT do so but it is because they have given up their Minds and Ears to the Whisperings and Lyes of that old Deceiver which first led Man and Woman from God and so he hath corrupted their Wills so hath led them to love sin and to chuse to abide in it all their Dayes so the Selfish-corrupt-will which the Devil hath begotten in fallen Man this WILL doth not chuse Christ nor the Cross which his true Disciples bear nor the Bread of Life or Water of Life nor Wine nor Milk which they eat and drink of abundantly to their immortal Souls strength joy and comfort and the Glory of the Lord. So it is true which Christ said Ye will not come to me that you may have Life Moreover he wept over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. Mark He did NOT say that they could not but that they would not and this his Testimony is true Gods Spirit which convinceth the World of sin MOVETH upon the hearts of sinners to purifie their Wills that so they may chuse the good and refuse the evil and his Spirit doth EFFECT this in all that do not withstand his tender Visitation therein and thereby till the day of their Visitation be over or ended when God moveth by his Spirit upon the Soul of man in Transgression to lead him out of his Transgression he requireth a YIELDING on the Creatures part according to the saying of the holy Ghost through the holy Apostle who said As ye have yielded your Members Servants to Vncleanness and to Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants unto Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6. 19. Note Reader the merciful God hath made the Creature able so to yield and therefore he doth not require Imposibilities of him who requireth him SO to yield and if man prove so hard and desperate as not to yield to serve God as aforesaid this his Hardy boldness and Self-willfulness and desperate Uugodliness is the cause of his Ruin and Destruction and so man destroyeth himself as God hath said O Israel thou destroyeth thy self but in me is thy help Note Reader the fallen corrupt will of man cannot chuse the good and refuse the evil but the Spirit of Truth doth visit man in this estate to PURIFIE his WILL and so to enable andlead him to chuse the Good and refuse the Evil But Man in this fallen corrupt ungodly bold WILL may yea many do with-stand the tender Visitation of God's Spirit yea grieve and vex it and do despight unto it and so cause God to be their Enemy and to fight against them as saith the Prophet God complained and said Israel would have none of me He did not say I would have none of them but he sent his Prophets to turn them unto him and they evil-intreated them yea slew them for which his Wrath was kindled against them who commanded them saying Touch not mine anointed do my Prophets no harm And he said WO unto the rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me that COVER with a Covering but NOT of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. And he said concerning such rebellious Ones They have set at naught all my Counsel and would have none of my Reproof c. Such Rebels as these said unto God Depart from us we desire not the Knowledge of thy ways Such did not take the Counsel of the holy Ghost which saith Seek the Lord while he MAY be found call upon him while he is NEAR Isa 55. 6. So as the Apostle Peter said God is NO Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him God doth NOT Partially or IN dis-respect to SOME Persons foreordain that they shall be wicked and so to be damned and cast into the Lake of everlasting Misery NO that is contrary to his tender love who gave his only begotten Son for the Redemption of the World which lieth in Wickedness We have all sinned as saith the Apostle and God hath Mercy upon all as HE saith and wills that all may be saved He sent his Son to seek and save that which was lost and to bring back again to himself that which hath been driven away God saith concerning him Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles A BRUISED Reed shall he NOT break the smoking Flax shall he not QUENCH he shall bring forth Judgment unto Truth he shall not fail c. And the Isles shall wait for his Law Isa 42. 1 3 4. Matth. 12. 18 20. Objection It s written that without Faith it is impossible to please God and that the Just shall live by Faith But it s also written that all men have not Faith therefore those who have not Faith or never have or NEVER had Faith God did ordain to be damned before they were Born Answ This is a great Mistake for God who cannot LYE saith Look unto me and BE YE SAVED ALL the ends of the Earth Isa 45. 22. Gods Will is that all men might be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. Again As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live c. Ezek. 33. 11. and 18. 31 32 33. The Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin By this Visitation and CONVICTION they are brought into a condition that they may believe that which convinteth them of sin leaves them without Excuse justly to be punished for their Sin IN the SAME is the true and effectual means cause and ground of Faith freely tendered to them that thereby they might be led out of the Sin of Unbelief by the Lord God yea it is his free gift unto them given to beget and work Faith in them and if they STILL continue in Unbelief this gift will condemn them and God justly will punish them for their Rebellion Hard-heartedness Unbelief c. and it convinceth them of Righteousness in some degree that thereby they might be led to do that which is just and righteous in the sight of God who is
righteous in the sight of men For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against ALL Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men c. Because that which may be known of God IS manifest IN them for God hath SHEWED it unto them For the Invisible things OF HIM from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and GODHEAD so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE Rom. 1. 18 19 20. Mark the WRATH of God is against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men for one and the same cause namely because that which may be known of God is manifest IN THEM here the holy just merciful God shews that he is not PARTIAL Reader it is certain that the Spirit of Truth which doth Convince the World of Sin and leaves those without Excuse justly to be punished who do not believe Repent and Forsake their Sins and turn to God the same IS sufficient to GIVE Faith unto ALL men and Women But God said Israel would have none of ME. And Christ said to the Jews Ye will NOT come to ME that ye might have Life And Christ in pity and tender compassion WEPT over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. He did NOT say Ye could not for he KNEW that it was possible that they might have come unto him while the day of their Visitation lasted but after that time was ended they could not he said O that thou hadst known or experienced and enjoyed in this thy day the things which belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Now your House is left unto you Desolate Now those that would not and will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth which God hath given to lead out of the Sin of Unbelief c. these WILL NOT have Faith For they in their stubborn corrupt Self-will refuse God and Christ the Author of it and the holy Spirit which is given to lead into the true Faith which purifieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience as saith the holy Apostle Those who are so hardened by the Devil that great hardener of Hearts that they will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth nor Faith this their refusing of God and Christ the Spirit Faith c. is NOT according to the WILL and mind of God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Truth but according to the cursed Will and Mind of the old Deceiver who led Adam and Eve to Sin against God and against their own Souls and according to their own cursed will and mind which he the old Deceiver and Destroyer hath begotten in them against God Christ the Spirit of Truth c. And such hardened ONES Perish whose Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth is clear which hath Convinced them of their Sin and Reproved them for the same in secret and hath waited and long striven to lead them out of the same into Faith INTO love and pure obedience to the pure holy God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Christ pronounced Wo against the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for OMITTING Faith see Matth. 23. 23. Note Reader here he pronounceth Wo against them because they had not Faith or were not in the true Faith here the just God shews that he did not with-hold the true and real means and cause of Faith from them but they in their corrupt wicked WILL did resist the working of the same till God ceased to strive with them for their Salvation So their being without Faith and perishing for want of it was of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth was and is clear of them and all such It would be blasphemous to say that it was God's will that they should have no Faith though he cryed Wo against them because they omitted it and condemned them for not being found in it But it is no very strange thing that all men have not Faith seeing many in former Ages and divers in this have made SHIPWRACK of the true Faith which they ONCE HAD The Apostle Paul charged Timothy to Hold FAITH and a GOOD CONSCIENCE which some having put AWAY concerning Faith have made Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. Moreover Paul said to Timothy The Spirit speaks expresly that in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot iron forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Moreover Paul told Timothy that Hymaeneus and Philetus had erred c. who had overthrown the Faith of some see 1 Tim. 2. 18. Again Paul said to Timothy Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in FAITH and Love this thou knowest that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me 2 Tim. 1. 13. 15. Again O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy TRUST avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and oppositions of Science falsly so called which some professing have enred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20 21. Reader thus it doth plainly appear that those who once had the true Faith did depart from it and fell into Apostacy and so made Shipwrack of that Faith which the Spirit of Truth had begotten in them and such became as Trees twice Dead plucked up by the Roots c. and as wandring Stars or wandring restless Spirits for whom is reserved the mist of Darkness forever as it s written in the holy Scriptures the Hearts and Consciences of such were grown very hard benumed and greatly insensible eyen answering in a Spiritual sense that saying viz. Having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron such are forward and bold to commit Sin with pleasure and greediness and to make a mock at true Tenderness holy Fear and true Watchfulness and at the godly Sorrow and unfeigned Repentance of those whose Hearts God hath broken by his Righteous Judgments through the effectual operation of the Word of FAITH which is to be known nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth which Word is as a Hammer to break the hard Heart and as an Ax or Sword to cut down the Lust and Wickedness thereof and as a Fire to burn up the same and as a strong Wind to drive away the Ashes thereof Wo wo to the Ranters and Atheists who have sold themselves to work Wickedness with greediness who make a Mock at God at his Works in Judgment and in Mercy unto the Children of men who sport themselves in their Devilish prophane Conversations wo to them it had been better for them that they had not been Born And wo to all Apostates who are departed from the true
away from thy presence and take NOT thy holy Spirit from me Psalm 51. 11. Read the Psalm through Christ said concerning the unfaithful Servant Take therefore the Talent from HIM and give it to him that hath ten Talents for to every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he HATH Matth. 25. 28 29. Chap. 13 12. Mark 4. 25. Note Reader here it plainly appeareth Saul had the Spirit of God and it departed from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against God God did not will or fore-appoint that Saul should rebell against him for after his Rebellion the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Samuel saying It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be King for he is turned BACK from following me and hath not performed my Commandments see 1 Chron. 15. 10 11. David who succeeded Saul in the Kingdom did see that God took his Spirit away from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion and therefore when David had committed that great Sin against God in the case of Vriah and his Wife dread terror and fear seised upon him he was afraid that God would take his Spirit from him as he did from Saul but in the BOWEDNESS of his Heart he fell under the righteous Judgments of the Lord and cryed unto him saying Create in ME a new Heart O God and renew IN ME a right Spirit Wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow cast me not away from thy presence take NOT thy holy Spirit from ME. He unfeignedly Repented God heard his Petition pardoned his Iniquity and received him graciously He said Make me to hear Joy and Gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Christ sheweth in the Parable of the sloathful or unprofitable Servant who hid his Lords Money in the Earth who doth not improve that little which God doth give him that he shall never be made a Steward of much nor enjoy much but that shall be taken from him which he hath and he shall be cast into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Therefore blessed are all they who despise NOT the day of small things who despise not the smallest the lowest or least appearance or manifestation of God but do thankfully receive and improve the same in obeying and following God according to the understanding strength and ability which God hath given them such shall grow in Righteousness and Holiness as the Willows by the Water Courses as the Trees by the Rivers of Water which bring forth their Fruit in due season But as for the Wicked who despise the day of small things who improve not that little that God hath given them There is no Peace to them saith the Lord God they shall be like the Chaff which the Wind driveth to and fro God is a Spirit as Christ saith His presence filleth Heaven and Earth as it s written he is Omnipresent or present in all places Note Reader besides what I have shewed before how God taketh his Spirit from the Rebellious I further say it may be properly said that man hath not the Spirit when he believeth not therein neither obeyeth it c. and so is not governed by it and therefore no real Possessor of it NOT being in UNION with it in this latter sense he enjoyeth it not he hath not Rest Peace in it because he believeth not nor obeyeth it yet this Spirit of Truth enlightneth his Soul in some degree by which he is Convinced of his Sin and reproved for it in secret THEREBY and in this sence of God's Omnipresence David said unto God Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there if I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there c. Psalm 139. 7 8. The Apostle John writeth thus viz. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son see 2 John 1. 9. Here John sheweth that those who do Transgress Christ's Doctrine have not God who is a Spirit ruling over them governing them but those who do obey Christ's Doctrine are governed by the Lord God and such have both the Father and the Son as the Apostle saith Object Many shall seek to enter the Kingdom of God and shall not be able therefore those who seek and are not able to enter the Kingdom were ordained by the Lord God to be damned before they were Born and cast into Hell Answ This is a gross mistake One said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved and he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the Door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not c. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thouhast taught in our Streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not c. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luke 13. 23 24 25 26 27. Note Reader Christ did NOT tell him who asked if few were SAVED that many no nor that any were ordained to be damned before they were Born nor yet that few were saved but exhorted in general saying Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. This he knew they might do before the Door was shut against them But when once the Master of the House was risen up and hath shut the Door against them then those that would enter with their Sins their Night-Garments their voluntary Humility or vain feigned shews of Humility and their Will-worship their Self-righteousness which is as filthy Rags and as menstruous Cloth and their polluted long Prayers in Hypocrisie and their MEER Fleshly Eating and Drinking and Carnal Washings boasting and glorying in the Flesh in opposition to and hatred against the Spirit of God and Christ yea in Derision and Mockage at the same these could not enter in at the strait Gate but must be cast out into the Lake of Endless misery where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Remember this all you who call upon God and Christ with your Mouthes and Lips but your Hearts are far from him following the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life who spend away your precious time in Pride Covetousness Envy Wrath Strife Drunkenness Gluttonny Whoredoms Oaths and Cursing ungodly Laughter vain Talking and idle Jesting Sports ungodly Plays and Games
of Esau for Stubble c. Obed. 3. 6 10 12 13 14 15 18. This Prophecy of Obediah is but one Chapter read it through Note Reader here God plainly tells Esau in his Seed and Generation of the many acts of Pride and Cruelty which he did which he should not have done and because he did them God was angry with him and therefore rejected him and cut him off and returned a reward upon him according to his evil works So Esau's ruin misery and destruction was of himself the effect and reward of his own rebellious evil Works which the Devil not God was the Original and cause of and God was and is just in his righteous Judgments that he brought upon him and which he brings upon all such Moreover concerning striving to enter into the Kingdom c. Paul in the holy Ghost saith And if a man also strive for mastery yet is he not crowned or gaineth not Victory except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. Now all who strive lawfully to enter the Kingdom of God they must strive ONLY in the divine heavenly Spirit or Word of God whereby every one that cometh into the World are enlightned in some measure or degree to know Good from Evil according to John 1. 9 8 12. 12. 46. Psalm 27. 1. 2 Sam. 22. 29. Isa 60. 20. Luke 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. John 3. 19 20. Ephes 5. 8 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Ephes 1. 18. Christ saith God is a Spirit and they who Worship him must Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for such the Father seeketh to Worship him c. John 4. 23 24. God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost gave a true Relation of the Voice which he others heard from the excellent Glory concerning Christ Jesus saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. After he had given this true Relation he further said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Take notice Reader God is Light God is a Spirit Christ is the Light of the World as he saith yea the true Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the World There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear witness of the Light that ALL MEN through him might believe he to wit John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light which was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of God 1 John 1. to vers 14. Note Reader Christ in his Divinity as he is the Word which was in the beginning by whom all things was made he is the true divine Light who lighteth every man that cometh into World He said unto the World whom he enlightneth Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light The Children of the Light are the Children of God for God is Light as is shewed before This holy Apostle John said The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Therefore was John the Baptist sent from God to bear witness to that Light which shineth in Darkness that all men through him might believe mark all being enlightned by Christ who is given for a Light to the Gentiles and to be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth for so it is written of him by the Holy man therefore Gods will is that all People Male and Female may believe in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them this Light being believed in giveth to see Christ and leads to him the giver of it and to God the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning or changing as saith the holy Apostle Mankind in the fall and alienation from God in their Sin are darkened by the God of the World who hath blinded their minds Man in that state is said to be Darkness The Apostle Paul saith For ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light for the Fruits of the Spirit is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5. 8 9. And so here the Light and Spirit are joyned together by the Apostle whose Fruits are one their Testimony and Work one and they are one as God who is Light and Spirit is one and not divided For God being a Spirit and Light and Christ as he is the divine Word is God is Light is a quickening Spirit so the Light and Spirit floweth from the Father in and through his Son and thereby are all men enlightned to know Good from Evil in some degree or measure this Light is the Condemnation of all them that hate it Christ saith This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his deed should be reproved but every one that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. To be turned to this Light is the great and weighty concern of the fallen darkened Sons Daughters of Adam and therefore was that great and faithful Prophet John the Baptist sent to bear witness of the Light that all men might believe here is none fore-ordained of God to be Unbelievers here none is Reprobated by him before they were Born Christ according to the Flesh dyed for all yea his Soul was made an Offering for Sin by his
Sin and Reprove it for the same IN THAT is Faith offered to all People the work of that Spirit within doth give in some degree a true and real Testimony in the Souls of all Men and Women that there is a God unto whom Worship doth belong by this Spirit God doth give just cause unto all Men and Women to believe in him every one in the time of their Visitation and if they believe NOT THEIR Unbelief is their SIN which doth shut them out of the Kingdom of God and such do destroy themselves as God hath said O Israel thou Destroyest thy self There are degrees or measures of the Spirit of Truth freely tendred as Gods free gift to all to profit withall and as the measure or degree differeth not in Nature but in measure or proportion so the enlightning of the darkned understanding thereby is greater or less according to that which God hath given and the Faith wrought thereby is more or less accordingly and every one that delightly improveth the little or LEAST measure God who is faithful to perform hath promised that they shall be made Ruler over much yea they shall enter into the Joy and Peace of their Lord and the Faith of such diligent Improvers of the little shall grow exceedingly as did the Faith of the diligent Ones of Old witnessed unto by the holy Apostle as is shewed before The Lord God is just and equal who requireth Faith and Obedience according or answerable to what he gives in all Ages and Dispensations be it more or less and NOT otherwise for he is equal in ALL his doings just in all his Judgments to him be all Glory Honour Dominion and Praise throughout all Ages yea World without End Amen Paul declared unto King Agrippa saying That Christ sent him to the Gentiles to open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me saith Christ see Acts 26. 14 15 16 17 18. Again Paul said We Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ but we have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us see 2 Cor. 4. 5 6 7. Christ said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. Again He saith I am the Light of the World c. I came not to destroy the World but to save the World He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the WORD that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day John 12. 46 47 48. Note Reader that Christ is the Author and Finisher of true Faith as it is written of him Heb. 12. 2. To believe in him as he is the Light of the World is true Belief or true Faith He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are evil for every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deed should be reproved but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God see John 3. 18 19 20 21. see also the 14 15 16 17 verses God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with onother and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin see 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Reader thus it plainly clearly and evidently appears in the words of the holy Scripture that God and Christ is Light and by God in and through Christ are all Men and Women enlightned in some measure or degree to know good and evil the one from the other in and by this Light is true and saving Faith tendred or offered to ALL. They who take heed unto this Light which shineth in their dark sinful Hearts and there convinceth them of and reproveth them for Sin they do well as saith the Apostle see 2 Pet. 1. 19. By this spiritual and divine Light which cometh from God who is a Spirit in and through Christ the second Adam who is made a quickning Spirit as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth is all true saving Faith begun increased and finished Now those who strive to enter the Kingdom of God out of this Light and Faith are as Thieves and Robbers who will not come to Christ the Light the Door to enter in by him but would climb up by another way and therefore must be cast down and though they strive never so much in their fallen corrupt Self-will out of the true Light and Spirit of God and Christ yet can they not be able to enter The Apostle saith And if a man strive for mastery yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully see 2 Tim. 2. 5. Again Christ compareth or likeneth the Kingdom of Heaven unto ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went out to meet the Bride-groom and five of them were Wise and five of them were Foolish while the Bride-groom tarried they all slumbred c. and at mid-night there was a Cry made Behold the Bride-groom cometh go you out to meet him then all those Virgins arose and trimed their Lamps and the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for OUR Lamps are gone OUT but the wise answered saying NOT so c. buy for your selves c. and while they went to buy the Bride-groom came and they that were ready went in with him into the Marriage and the DOOR was SHUT afterwards came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch ye therefore for ye know not neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of man cometh see Matth. 25. to the 14. verse Note Reader the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ten Virgins five Wise and five Foolish both wise and foolish had Lamps yea and both had Oyl ONCE for the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for our Lamps are gone out This sheweth that they were once IN lighted and burning but through sloathfulness they neglected to renew their Lamps with Oyl and so
is the Devil as Christ said these are the REPROBATES this Birth of the Serpents Seed is the Prophane Esau which God Hates this Birth is Cursed in its first Conception in its Youth and in its Old Age. Jesus said unto the Rebellious Jews The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruit thereof see Mat. 21. 45. And to such Unbelieving Rebellious ones he said Ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and ye your selves thrust out see Luke 13. 28. Again Christ said Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring to go in see Matth. 23. â—3 read the Chapter through See Luke 11. 52. Take notice of this all ye Loose and Prophane Livers who call your selves Christians your Un-God-like and Un-Christ-like Conversations bring a Scandal and Reproach upon the Name of Christianity you cause the honourable Name of Christ and Christianity to be Blasphemed against by Jews Turks and Indian Heathens O that the deep Sence of this your great Sin might fall upon you and that your Hearts might be truly broke in the Sence thereof O that you would yet Unfeignedly seek Repentance before the Door of Mercy be forever shut against you there is yet Mercy with God for multitudes therefore his holy Will is that they should seek after him Unfeignedly Repent and Turn unto him from all their Abominations but those who will not but go on stubbornly in Rebellion against him he will cut down suddainly in his Righteous Judgments SWIFTLY even as a Mower cuts down Grass therefore Fear Tremble and Bow before him all ye Workers of Iniquity And more particularly consider of these things O all ye several sorts of TEACHERS whose EVIL WORK it hath been and is to draw out and keep out Peoples Minds from the Spirit of God and Christ by which alone their Hearts are SEARCHED and their EVIL Thoughts Words and Actions shewed unto them this is the swift Witness by which the Living God doth Reprove them and Condemn them for the same This is the Faithfull and True Witness which neither BRIBES nor FLATTERY nor THREATNINGS can Corrupt Destroy nor Stop ITS inward Convictions Rebukes or Reproofs from those who Rebel against it and as it is faithfull in witnessing against all the Rebellious so is it faithfull in bearing witness to and with the Spirits of all the Obedient that they are the Children of God And of this the holy Apostles were Living True Witnesses who said Whatsoever is Reproved is made manifest by the Light and also said The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God And also said He that believeth in the Son of God hath a witness within himself and hath set to his seal that God is True As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are Sons of God and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his as saith the holy Apostle Those who believe not in the Spirit of God and Christ they are not governed by it they are NOT the real Possessors and Enjoyers of it and such have it not to save and deliver them out of sin because they believe not in it yet this Spirit of Truth doth convince the whole World which lieth in Wickedness of their sins and doth in secret condemn them for the same every one in the Day of Gods Visitation unto them So the Spirit of Truth which is the Saints Comforter which leads them into all Truth the same is the Reprover Condemner Judger and Tormentor of the Unbelieving Wicked Rebellious World see John 16. 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ephes 5. 13. Jer. 17. 10. Psal 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. 1 John 5. 10. Isa 55. 4. John 3. 33. Rom. 8. 14 16. Psal 50. 21 22. Amos 4. 13. John 1. 9. and 8. 12. and 3. 19 20. Acts 13. 47. and 26. 17 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth NO man but the Spirit of God the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God see 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. This was and is the KEY of all heavenly saving knowledge by this is mans Heart opened to understand and know those things which belongs to his Immortal Souls Rest and Peace and he that believeth therein is enabled thereby to do those things which are well-pleasing to the Lord God and keep out of those things which are displeasing to him And of this the holy Apostle was a Living true Witness who prayed for the Believers saying I pray God strengthen you by his Spirit in the INNER MAN see Ephes 3. 16. Col. 1. 11. Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews who made their boast of the Law yet wrested the Sayings thereof and brake it Wo unto ye Lawyers for ye have taken away the Key of Knowledge ye entered NOT in your selves and them that were entering in ye hindered see Luke 11. 52. Nehemiah said Lord thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them c. Nevertheless they were Disobedient and Rebelled against thee and cast thy Law behind their Backs and SLEW thy Prophets which testified against them to turn them unto thee see Nehem. 9. 20. 26. Remember this all YE that hate and Persecute those who Worship God who is a Spirit in the Spirit and in the Truth and Repent and cease from your Ungodly Works if you will not God will cut you off and vex you in his sore displeasure in rewarding you justly according to the Wickedness of your doings We to the Rebellious Children saith the Lord that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with a Covering but NOT OF MY SPIRIT that they may add Sin unto Sin see Isa 30. 1. This Spirit was and is the Covering UNDER which man and woman is blessed is in safety out of the reach of that evil hurtful Spirit which worketh in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience who also goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour as saith the Apostle whom the true Believers did and do resist in the living Faith and by the virtue of the good Spirit of God with which they were ARE covered and in it had have Victory over him such did do experience to their great Comfort the saying of the holy man fulfilled who said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the WORLD see 1 John 4. 4. O that the Haters of and Mockers at this holy pure Spirit would seriously consider what they are doing O that they would consider their latter end and the account that they must give to God for these things O that it were in their Hearts unfeignedly to
Repent and turn to the Lord from these abominable things that so they might not be forever shut out of the Kingdom of God! O that the Inhabitants of England and all Nations would believe in God that made them who is spiritual Light who is a holy pure Spirit who is Omnipresent or present every where who said Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Foot-stool c. see Isa 66. 1. read the Chapter through 1 King 8. 27. his pure Spirit lighteth every one that cometh into the World O that the great multitudes in England and all Nations who are in Strife and Contention Hatred and Envying Murthering and Killing one another about Religion and about Earthly things WOULD BELIEVE in this Heavenly Spirit that enlightneth them which giveth them to understand in some measure or degree what is Good and also what is Evil O that they would bow down unto it and become subject unto the leadings and teachings of it then would it teach them to love one another NOT to be like Cain who slew his Brother because his own works were evil and his Brothers righteous but it would teach them to do to all men as they would be done unto as God hath commanded yea it would teach them as it did good Joseph who was kind unto his Brethren who was cruel to him who sold him to the Ishmalites yea it would teach them to overcome the evil with the good as Joseph did and as God commandeth But because Multitudes and Nations believe not in this holy pure peaceable loving and long-suffering Spirit therefore it is that they are as the raging Sea that casts up Mire and Dirt and many are as the cruel merciless Beasts of Prey destroying one another yea many oppressing and seeking to destroy Gods tender People who have true love to all and desire the temporal and eternal good of all who Worship him in his holy Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth the faithful followers of it and because that Vengeance is not executed speedily or suddenly for these crying Abominations therefore are the Hearts of the Sons of men fully set in them to do Evil as it was of Old see Eccles 8. 11. and because it is thus that many have given up themselves to Unbelief and hardness of Heart who have closed their Eyes and stopped their Ears against the Convictions and Reproofs of this pure meek merciful and compassionate Spirit of God and Christ whom he hath sent and have given up themselves to work Wickedness with greediness therefore there is great cause to take up a dolefull Lamentation and Mourning and those whom God hath made skilfull in Mourning who greatly desire the Salvation of the Multitudes Tongues Languages and People these have Mourned and do Mourn to see Multitudes running on swiftly toward the Pit of everlasting Destruction suddenly to be sunk into it Thus as of Old many say in their Hearts unto the Almighty God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Thus they hate the knowledge of God they do not chuse his holy fear which is the beginning of the pure peaceable Wisdom which cometh from above as saith the holy Scriptures see Job 21. 14. read the Chapter through see Prov. 1. 4 7 22 29. read the Chapter through Well said the Apostle Peter Our beloved Brother Paul in all his Epistles writes things which are hard to be understood which they who are Vnlearned Vnstable wrest as they do the other Scriptures unto their own DESTRUCTION Peter was an Illiterate man and so an Unlearned man in Natural or Artificial Learning of Tongues and Languages but he was a man of great Learning in the Heavenly Spiritual School of Christ all who come to learn of Christ Paul and Peters heavenly Master they are taught by to understand their Words and to have unity with them and such are of one mind concerning them But they who are not yet come to learn of Christ as he is the Light of the World they are not come to a right understanding of the holy mens Words which are Recorded in the holy Scriptures and this is the cause that they are not of one mind concerning them but in very many contrary minds and in tumultuous Controversies about the meanings of them Paul doth say as is shewed before that God's Will is that ALL men should know the Truth and be SAVED This have I written in the love of God concerning Election and Reprobation for the Comfort and Encouragement of all those who are weary of and heavy laden with their Sins who hunger and thirst after Righteousness that they may come to Christ Jesus who dyed for them and rose again and ascended as it is written of him in the Scriptures of Truth who hath promised that he will give them Rest see Matth. 11. 28 29 30. This is also written as a Warning unto those who are at ease in their Sins flattering themselves speaking Peace unto themselves in their Unchristian Conversations and pleading for a necessity of continuing in the act of Sin unto the end of their dayes upon Earth and yet vainly imagin that they are the Elect and Chosen of God Jesus said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life The Pharisees therefore said unto him Thou bearest Record of thy self and thy Record is NOT true But Jesus said unto these Unbelieving Jews If ye believe NOT that I am he ye shall die in your Sins whither I go ye CANNOT come see John 8. 12 24. Note Reader These great professing Pharisees Opposed Christ Jesus and denyed him to be the Light of the World Too like these Pharisees are many Teachers high Professors of Christ in Words in our Age who though they will talk much of Christ as he was born and dyed and rose again according to the Flesh yet can they not endure to hear him preached as he preached himself and as the holy Apostles preached him to wit the Light of the World the true Light which lighteth every one that cometh into the World This is the Stone which all the Builders do reject and set at nought who build up their VAIN Religions Faiths and Worships in the Serpentine Earthly Devilish Wisdom in Murther Cruelty Oppression and Idolatry but when this Stone falls on them in Judgment it will grind them all to Powder see Luke 20. 17. Psal 118. 22. Mat. 21. 24. O Blessed will all they be who come unto and believe in this Living Stone their hard Hearts shall be broken by it and made soft and tender and thereby be made fit to enter into the Kingdom of God into which nothing that is Unclean can enter and their sins that are past though they be many God will freely Pardon Remit and Forgive them in his tender Mercy and forbearance in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself a Ransom for
and justifie themselves in their Ranterism and Debauched Wicked Conversations the State also of the latter is greatly to be Lamented and it is the earnest desire of my Soul with many more that those might come to Unfeigned Repentance for this their great EVIL that so they might come to a true and godly use Esteem of the holy Scriptures and so to have profit by them and comfort in them as the true Believers had in Primitive Times and such now have Glory to the Lord God for the same it is the Spirit or Light of Truth which leads the true Believers into all Truth and convinceth the World of sin that giveth a right Understanding and leadeth to a right use of the Scripâ—â—â—es this Spirit was mans Guide before the Scriptures were written by it men were made holy before they gave forth the holy Scriptures this is the Key which openeth them and leadeth to a right use and application of them but they whose Minds are gone ASTRAY from this Spirit who have not do not LEARN of it those do WREST the Scriptures to their own Destruction as some did in the Apostle Peter's Dayes against whom he testified Christ told some amongst the earthy Wise Jews Ye neither know the Scriptures nor the Power of God yet those were great Talkers of them and even as they knew them not not owning the Key that openeth them so many in our day knoweth them NOT because they believe not in the Spirit of Truth which ONLY openeth them Concerning Good Example CHrist suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps who did not Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth 1 Pet. â— 21 22. Here the holy Apostle shews that it is the Duty and Practice of all true Christians to follow the Example and the holy clean Steps of the holy man Christ Jesus who did not Sin But those who do continue in Sin and plead for a continuance in the same all their dayes upon Earth who Sin as they say in their most Holy Duties these are very far from the holy Faith and holy Conversation of the Apostles and Ministers of Christ and all true Christians and very far from following his pure Examples and his holy clean Steps The Apostle John saith concerning Christ Hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar But whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked 1 John 2. 3 4 5 6. Reader see how these holy men of God agree in their Testimony in this weighty matter these holy men did abide in Christ and Christ in them they by virtue of his divine spiritual dwelling in them were strengthned and enabled in their Lives and Conversations to follow that holy Example which he gave them in the dayes of his Flesh who went about doing Good who never did Evil and though they had sinned he redeemed them from it and from the Devil the Author or Original of it And so many came to behold their good Conversation in Christ COUPLED WITH FEAR as the Apostle exhorteth 1 Pet. 3. 2. John saith We know that whosoever is Born of God sinneth NOT And we know that we are of God and the whole World lieth IN WICKEDNESS And we know that the Son of God is come and hath give us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Life eternal Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen 1 John 5. 18 19 20 21. Here the Apostle shews plainly who are true Christians and who are not the true Christians are in Christ who hath redeemed them out of the bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Sons and Daughters of God and such have the Spirit of Christ bearing witness with or unto their Spirits that they are the Children of God according to the promise of God Rom. 8. 16 21. And they are NOT TRUE Christians who Lye or continue all their dayes in Sin and Wickedness these are the World as John saith Certain it is those who go on in Sin who plead a necessity to continue in it all their days they live or abide upon Earth these are NOT the Bride the Lambs Wife the true Church whom HE presents to the Father a glorious Church WITHOUT spot or wrinkle or any such thing Holy and without Blemish as in Ephes 5. 27. But those pleaders for and continuers in Sin all their dayes these are the Harlot these are the World that lieth in Wickedness whom the cursed One is the God of who hath BLINDED THEIR MINDS these are in the broad way that leads to Destruction IN VAIN DO these call Jesus Lord who do not believe his Commands who are not governed by him who do not that which he saith he said Learn of me I AM MEEK AND LOWLY and ye shall find rest to your Souls A Remnant hath learned of him in this Age and hath found his Promise true Glory to the Lord God for the same they have found Rest and Peace to their Souls in him THEIR PRINCE of PEACE though they have Trouble Oppression in the World for his SAKE yet these can truly say as the holy Apostles said of the faithful followers of Christ of Old GREATER IS HE that is in you then he that is in them to wit the World by whom we overcome them they are of the World therefore speak they of the World the World heareth them We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth NOT US hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Error 1 John 4. 4 5 6. The Apostle Paul said unto the the Philippians Brethren be followers together of me and mark them who walk so as ye have VS for an ENSAMPLE for many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even WEEPING that they are Enemies of the Cross of Christ Phil. 3. 17 18. to the end of the Chapter The same Apostle said to the Corinthians Be ye followers of ME even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor 11. 1. The Apostle Peter writ unto the Elders of the Church of Christ saying Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof NOT by constraint but willingly NOT for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind NEITHER as being LORDS over Gods Heritage but as ENSAMPLES TO THE FLOCK 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Reader there are several things worthy of thy serious and weighty Consideration in these words of the holy Apostle Peter the first is that the Elders of the Church of God and Christ did and do as Instruments in â—od's Hand Ministring that is Serving
concerning Christs putting an End to the Work of the Law we do NOT believe that Christ has put an end to the Command of God who said Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and thy Neighbour as thy self Thou shalt do no Murther Thou shalt not Steal nor Covet any thing that is thy Neighbours Thou shalt not bear False Witness nor remove the Antient Land-mark c. But we believe that Christ fulfills these Commands in all them that through Faith and Obedience grow up in him who is the true Vine by leading them to do those before-mentioned things which God Commands so the true Christians cease from the Shadows and in Christ by his Vertue and Power do Love God with all their Hearts and their Neighbour as themselves on which Commands as Christ saith hang all the Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 40. Concerning Perfection IN page 24. J. B. saith speaking to the People called Quakers You hold that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life Answ We do own the command of God who said unto Abraham I am God all-sufficient walk thou before me and be thou Perfect We say God was sufficient to enable him to keep his command and we believe he did so And we do believe the Command of Christ who said Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect And we do believe it is possible to keep this command of Christ by and through the Virtuous spiritual Presence of Christ in and with the believing DILIGENT SOUL And we do believe that the Gifts which were and are given for the PERFECTING of the Saints did and do accomplish that for which they were and are GIVEN The Apostle said We Labour that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus And we do believe that many were perfected in Christ Jesus though some Crucified Christ unto themselves afresh and put him to open shame as the Apostle saith We do believe the holy Apostle who said Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is Born of God Now as to J. B's Charge That we hold forth and own that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life I Answer The Word Degree concerning Perfection is neither our Word nor did I ever read it in the Scriptures of Truth as used by him concerning Perfection But this word Degree he hath thrust into his Charge against us thinking no doubt thereby to make it the more strong but all his labour is in vain He doth not declare what he meaneth by the word DEGREE but if by Degree he mean a freedom from acting or committing Sin such a Perfection we do believe is attainable in this Life by and through the mighty working of God and Christ in men and women and this is according to the command of God Christ the Doctrine and Experience of the holy Apostles But if by the word Degree J. B. mean a Perfection of Glory in the HIGHEST attainment of Glory that can EVER be enjoyed then we DEEM that such a Perfection is attainable in this Life or while we dwell here upon Earth For WE are of the same Faith the holy Apostle was of who when he was near to depart out of this World said I have fought a good fight I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judge shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all those that love his appearance J. B. hath taken upon him to interpret the Apostle John's words who saith Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit Sin he cannot Sin c. J. B. saith The meaning of these Words can be but this Whosoever is Born of God doth not make it his practice to Sin Answ What Confusion Falsness and Nonsence is this to say that he who commits Sin doth not practise Sin this is horrible abuse and wresting the holy Scriptures which God will bring him to Judgment for and if he do not Repent and cease from such Ungodly silly work as this he will bring Destruction upon himself As I do understand this J. B. is one of that sort of men who do in their Confessions tell the Lord God that they do Sin in their most holy Duties Now if their most holy Duties have Sin in them then there is Sin in all those other things which they call Duties and consequently in their Actions which they do not account Holy Duties and so they make it their Practice to Sin and so according to his own Argument Such who make it their Practice to Sin are not born of God But to speak his mind more fully I do apprehend his meaning is that the Children of God do not commit so much Sin as the Children of the Devil do Answ When the Apostle saith He that is Born of God doth not commit Sin he also saith He that commits Sin is of the Devil In the next verse he saith In this is the Children of God manifest and the Children of the Devil c. 1 John 3. 10. J. B. I ask thee dost not thou believe that God is GREATER then the Devil why then must Sin needs be in those who are Born of God as thou wouldst have it Oh that thou saw thy Blasphemy herein it would surely make thee ashamed and bring Sorrow upon thee But if in thy judgment those whom God BEGETS who are BORN of him must commit Sin and live in it all their dayes and Sin in their most Holy Duties I ask what DIFFERENCE dost thou put between God's Children and the Devil's Children whom he begets and who are Born of him for the Devil hath a Generation of whom he is the Father as Christ said see John 8. 44. For we believe that he that is Born of God is REGENERATED that is washed and cleansed through the virtue of the holy Spirit of Christ which is shed abroad abundantly in the Hearts Souls of the true Believers by virtue of this growing up in it as the Branches in the living Vine are they redeemed out of the ACT of Sin and have dominion given them in and by Christ over IT and the Devil who is the Author of it and such can say as the Apostle said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World to wit the Wicked BY WHOM we overcome them and such can say as the Apostle said Of my self I can do nothing but I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me and such can say as the Apostle said We are CONQUERORS and more than Conquerors through him that hath loved us and such do know Satan BRUISED under their Feet BY CHRIST the blessed Seed whom God promised should bruise his HEAD and the Apostle told the Believers in Christ That God whom they waited for should suddainly come and
bruise Satan under their FEET And the Apostle said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and the Life that I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH it is by the Faith of the Son of God Mark this Life was not a Life in Sin for Faith in the Son of God gives Victory over Sin and the Devil that is the author of it Rom. 6. 2 7. and the same Apostle saith How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein and he said He that is dead is freed from Sin And he also speaks in one of his Epistles of dying daily and in the aforesaid Chapter sayes I am dead with Christ c. So he knew a time of diyng unto Sin after his understanding was opened to see the sinfulness of it so dying gradually to it he came to be dead to it and so he said as before I live yet not I but Christ lives in me The Apostle Peter said to the Jews Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Mark J. B. thus God sent his Son to bless People in turning them from their Iniquities all Iniquity is Sin all Sin is of the Devil so THEY who are turned from Sin which is the Devil's work are under the Blessing but they that continue in Sin to the end of their dayes who Repent not who forsake not they are under the Curse Christ saith Whosoever committeth Sin is the Servant of Sin John 8. 34. And the Apostle exhorted saying Resist the Devil and he will flee from you James 4. 7. The Apostle John wrote to the Young-men saying Ye are strong the word of God abides in you ye have overcome the wicked One. Now mark J. B. these Young men were strong the Word or Seed of God did abide in them and by his virtue and strength they had overcome the wicked One as he saith and he wrote unto the Fathers saying You have known him that is from the beginning He doth charge NEITHER of these with the act of Sin or committing of Sin at that TIME though they had all sinned for saith he If we say we have not sinned we make him a Lyar and his Word is not in us But these had CEASED from Sin according to the command of the Lord who said Cleanse your Hands ye Sinners and purifie your Hearts ye double-minded c. But to the Little Children he said I write unto you Little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name-sake but also said Little Children these things I write unto you that ye Sin not Shewing hereby that though then all Sin was not vanquish't or overcome in them yet they were to wait to grow up into Christ and in him to Reign over it as the Fathers and Young-men did J. B. here take notice John writes to three states the weakest of which he named his little Children who though they had a love to him and the Testimony born by him yet were they not established in Christ over all Sin and the Devil the author of it as the Aged and strong in Christ were And as for John's saying If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves I say and affirm that his so saying doth no more prove him an actual sinner at that TIME then the Apostle James his saying With the Tongue we curse men proves James a Curser of men at that time which is just no proof at all For Iames writes to the twelve Tribes scattered many of whom were wicked and unruly Tongued and Cursers as he said and he being a natural Jew who sprung from the Loins of Abraham as did all the Jews in that sence he called them Brethren but he was then no Curser but abode in the Doctrine of his Master who said Bless them that Curse you And Iames said That mans Religion is Vain that hath not a Bridle to his Tongue And if James had been a Curser at that time his own Religion had been VAIN and he himself condemned by Christ by the Apostle Paul also for a Hypocrite for judging that in them which HE ACTED HIMSELF but he was a holy Man of God and lived in the Possession of the Good he exhorted them unto and out of the bad he reproved them for So John in the same way and manner speaking in condescention he allowing those his little Children to have some relation to him he being a faithful Labourer and traveller for their conversion saith with respect to them If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves c. John saith that which we have heard and seen declare we unto you that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship IS with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ This then is the Message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. J. B. Here take notice John had fellowship with the Father and Son and he wrote to the little Children and others That they might have fellowship with him c. which none can have when and while they are committing sin which is the Devils work but may when they have repented and forsaken it Christ said to his Disciples Ye CANNOT serve God and Mammon ye must forsake the one cleave unto the other This Mammon signifies Earthly Riches and if man cannot serve God and them at one and the same time that is set them up as Idols in his Heart then to be SURE Man cannot serve God and the Devil both at one time for Light has no Communion with Darkness nor Christ with Belial nor the Temple of God with Idols Now the words of the Apostle John are as follow He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might Destroy the Works of the Devil These words we truly own as we do the other which are He that is born of God doth not commit sin That is we do as absolutely believe that he that committeth sin is of the Devil when and while he committeth sin which is the Service of the Devil as we believe he that is born of God doth not commit sin In the same Chapter the same John saith Let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous And further saith In this the Children of God are manifest and the CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL whosoever doth NOT Righteousness is NOT of God c. 1 John 3. 7 8 9 10. The Apostle Paul
saith Rom. 6. 16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness And further saith Gal. 6. 7. If you live after the Flesh you shall dye but if ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live he that sows to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting Now who reads what is here written with a spiritual Understanding may see that John's Saying if we say we have no sin c. doth not prove that he was THEN AN ACTUAL SINNER though it doth shew that the little Children who stood in some relation to him as aforesaid had not yet over grown all sin as we have EXPERIENCE in this Day of Gods mighty Power wherein he is making his People WILLING and also ABLE to forsake Sin and the Devil who is the author of it and we do say there is a TIME which is given by the Lord God to Mankind to see their sins and a time to be made truly Sorrowful for them and UNFEIGNEDLY TO REPENT and to be forgiven in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ who tasted Death for EVERY MAN and a TIME to grow up IN Christ into Dominion over Sin and the Devil who is the Author of it so that we say this Work is wrought GRADUALLY in men women people are not so soon converted washed and cleansed from all their sins as they come to the sight of them but there is a STRONG Spiritual Combat or Warfare to be known after man is convinced of his sin before he be WHOLLY dead to it and redeemed from it and the Devil who is the Author of it and all who believe in the Spiritual and Divine Light of Christ which sheweth them their sins and PATIENTLY wait THEREIN they will see this Work wrought in order to their Salvation though they first sow in Tears they shall certainly afterwards reap in Joy and though their Temptations Troubles and Sorrows may be many God will certainly deliver them out of them all J. B. As for thy interpretation of John's Words that is He that is born of God doth not commit Sin It is Unscriptural Unreasonable and Ungodly it is not the holy Scriptures nor the Greek Copies which thou callest the Original that is thy Rule for this thy Ungodly Writing and Perverting of John's Words but thy own Wicked Dark and Sinfull Imaginations I desire thou may find a place of Repentance and so forgiveness at Gods hand and cease from such Ungodly Work as this for if thou do not God will reward thee according to thy Ungodly Deeds and the Cup which thou must drink as the reward of thy Work will be Bitter John saith In this is the Children of God made manifest and the Children of the Devil whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God But thou arguest That the born of God do commit sin which is Blasphemy but seeing this is thy Ungodly Opinion that the born of God doth commit sin I say the born of the Devil doth no more but commit sin so here thou put'st not a right difference betwixt the Righteous and the Wicked and so thou art not God's Minister or Mouth to the People but in these thy Ungodly Interpretations of the holy Scriptures thou art the Minister and Mouth of the Father of Lyes who hath led people into sin who tellest them they must never come out of it on this side the Grave Thus thou and many others have made agreement with Death and a Covenant with Hell for Term of Life and if you do not know this Covenant broken by Christ Jesus and by him be led out of sin your Reward will be Miserable in the World to come but we greatly desire your Unseigned Repentance and Salvation What a Wild Distracted Interpreter of the holy Scriptures is this J. B If he go on to interpret the rest of the Commands of God and Christ as he hath done these Commands to be Perfect Holy c. what Mad Work will he make it appears it is not the Scriptures of Truth nor the Spirit of God that must be his Rule but rather the Temptations of the Wicked One which hath large room in his Unbelieving Heart as this Ungodly Plea doth largely manifest Gods Command is Thou shalt do no Murder Now according to J. B's Wild Interpretation of the before-mentioned Commands he may say Those who are born of God may or must Murder But they may not Murther with that allowance that some other Murderers do or they must not do so much Murder as some others do Again God saith Thou shalt not Steal But J. B. may say by his Mad Rule of arguing they may or must Steal but they who are born of God may not or must not Steal with that allowance that others who are not born of God do or they must not stteal so much as such do And after this his Ungodly way of arguing he may deal thus with the rest of the Commands of God and Christ J. B. to strengthen thy Plea for the Devil and Sin which is his Work thou mentionest Paul's Words who said That which I would not do that do I. Answ Paul and all the Saints who did and do wait diligently upon God did and do grow from one degree of Grace unto another and Paul did grow up in Christ unto a better and stronger State He said I am Crucified with Christ c. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and the Life that I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God And he said I can do all things through Christ that strengthneth me And he said I have fought a good fight I have kept the Faith c. And he said The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath set me Free from the Law of Sin and Death Thus it doth appear that he did out-grow those Weaknesses which he doth mention in the 7th Chapter to â—he Romans see Chap. 8. J. B. saith David brake the sixth and seventh Commandment Answ I say David repented bore the Righteous Judgments of God for so doing and did so no more and was forgiven he did not say that he must continue breaking the commands of God all his dayes as many of the Priests and Professors of England and other Nations do he prayed to God to cleanse him from his secret Sins and from Blood guiltiness and God heard his Prayer and did so and it is written that David turned not aside from any thing that God commanded him all the dayes of his Life save only in the matter of Vriah the Hittite 1 Kings 15. 5. David is said to be a man after God's own Heart 1 Sam. 13. 14. So he was before he committed that great Sin in the case of Vriah and his
Wife and so he was after God had sanctified him through his Righteous Judgments and Mercy he prayed to God to Wash him and he said I shall be whiter than Snow make me to hear joy and gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Create in me a new Heart O God and renew a right Spirit within me take not thy holy Spirit from me Psal 51. 7 to the 15th J. B. in pag. 26. thou chargest the Apostles That they all at one clap forsook or denyed Christ To prove this thy Charge thou bringest Mark 14. 50. 66. which doth not prove thy Charge against them ALL Peter did deny him but when the Cock crew he turned about and Wept bitterly Here was timely and unfeigned Repentance he did not say he must continue denying his Master all his Dayes but he soon became a valiant follower of Christ and a sufferer with him and for him Mark saith the others fled but doth not say they all at once denyed their Master but it appears by their leaving of him at that time that they did not so boldly confess him before his Enemies as afterwards they did But let J. B. consider that this weakness which appeared in them was before the Holy Ghost was come upon them in that FULNESS which after the Death and Resurrection of their Master they received The Holy Ghost was NOT yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified John 7. 39. But after theywere endewed with Power from on high they confessed him with great boldness suffered with him for him Boldly J. B. here thou makest Ungodly shifts to plead for Sin term of Life which plea of thine is to uphold the Devil's Kingdom which stands in Sin and thy plea is against the Kingdom of Christ which doth stand in Holiness and Righteousness God will reward thee according to thy Deeds if thou do not come to unseigned Repentance but it is thy Repentance and Salvation that we desire In the aforesaid page J. B. quotes David's words who said in Psalms 14. 1. 53. 1 3. There is none that doth good c. Which Paul repeats in Rom. 3. 11 12. to the 20. where he doth plainly open the Words of David thus Now saith he we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every Mouth may be stopped and all the WORLD may become guilty before God The same Apostle saith Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes Rom. 10. 4. The same Apostle said to the Saints Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. The same Apostle saith Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the Body of Sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin Rom. 6. 6. And he saith How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 2. And the same Apostle saith to the Galatians If ye be led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law Gal. 5. 18. None are true Christians but those who are led by the Spirit of Christ as the Apostle saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God saith the holy man of God and such are not under the Law being come out of the Transgression upon which or because of which the Law was added Besides in the 14. 53. Psalms and in Rom. 3. David and Paul shew that God had a People in those Dayes which he distinguished from those workers of Iniquity he said Have the workers of Iniquity no Knowledge who eat up my People as they eat Bread and call not upon the Lord and he said The Wicked were in great fear for God is in the Congregations of the Righteous Mark God had a Righteous Congregation then though they might be few in Number Psalms 14. 4 5. 53. 4. J. B. quotes Jer. 17. 9. The Heart is desperately wicked who can know it The Prophet doth answer the Question in the Name of the Lord saying I the Lord search the Heart I try Reins to give unto every man according to his wayes and according to the Fruit of his doings God hath promised by the Mouth of his holy Prophet that he will take away the Stony Heart out of the Flesh and that he will give a Heart of Flesh that People may walk in his Statutes Ezek. 11. 19. And the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin of Righteousness and Judgment and whatsoever is reproved and condemned by God in Men and Women the same is made known to be Evil by the spiritual Light of Christ Jesus Every one that doth Evil hates the Light and will not bring his Deeds to it But he that doth Truth bringeth his Deeds to the Light that they may be made manifest that they are wrought in God as saith the Apostle J. B. God saith Wo unto the Rebellious Children who take counsel but not of me that cover with a covering but not of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Thou hast given large Proof in this thy Pamphlet that thou art not covered with the Spirit of God for if thou wert thou wouldst not thus wickedly wrest the holy Scriptures to cover thy self in thy Sins neither wouldst thou rake up the weakness and failings of such amongst God's People who at sometimes did Evil but Repented and forsook their Evils and were forgiven by the Lord as in the cases of David and Peter God made Man perfect and the Devil hath brought man into Imperfection by leading him into Sin and Rebellion against God So thy Plea for Sin and Imperfection term of Life is a plea for the Devil and his Kingdom whose Kingdom stands in Sin and thou art in this thy plea against Christ Jesus and his Kingdom which stands in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost So be ashamed of thy Ungodly Work and Repent Concerning God's dwelling in his People In page 23. J. B. saith If there be that in us which if obeyed leads to Heaven then sure we bear a part in our Justification our selves which giveth the Apostle to the Ephesians the Lye who tells us we are saved by Grace through Faith c. Answ God who cannot Lye hath promised that he will walk and dwell in his People and teach them himself And the Apostle said to the Saints There is one God over all through all and in you all Mark God was in them all and the Apostle said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and he said to some who questioned whether Christ did speak in him or no Try your selves know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates And the Apostle John
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