are owned in this Covenant but those who are in it that is those in whose hearts it is written It s true men may be in the profession of this Covenant who are not in it nor never knew it but they ought not to be there and there shall not a man passe for currant that hath not on this wedding garment with Friend how camest thou in hither take him and binde him hand and foot cast him into utter darknesse c. Thus this Covenant being rightly knowne we shall be able to see and say that its a Covenant of grace indeed a Covenant of peace and love indeed in which our souls shall be abundantly refreshed and powerfully upheld in and under all temptations and conditions 5. That was a Covenant that might be broken that was broken Jer. 31. this a Covenant that shall never be broken it s an everlasting Covenant possessing soules with everlasting grace and love everlasting joy and praises Isa 35. last This Covenant in the spirit is the everlasting never-erring light and rule of Saints experienced it is that anointing which teacheth all things and so I commend it to you THE CONTENTS 1. OF the light of the Law in the spirit 2. Of nine false lights flowing from the Law in the flesh 3. Of the liberty of the Law in the spirit 4. Of false Liberty 5. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit 6. Of the unrighteous Law 7. Of the Law of true holinesse 8. Of false or fleshly holinesse 9. Of the power of the Law in the spirit 10. Of the power of this Law in the flesh 11. Of the glory of this Law in the spirit 12. Of the Law in the spirit a Law of peace 13. As it is likewise a Law of peace 14. Of the Law of Love 15. It s a Law of Edification A Second GENERALL EPISTLE To all the Saints Chap. I. Shewing the Light of the Law in the Spirit GOD is light and in him there is no darknesse at all All though its true God is with his People under dark dispensations upholding them in it though many times they are ignorant of it and although it 's true soules once gathered up by the power of light into its own fulnesse where it beholds the purity sweetnesse and glory of the invisible God being in some measure through that fight made conformable unto him and partaker of that selfe same glory the discovery of true light in Saints being the right way of true enjoyment Now Saints when they have not only drunk of the bitter cup with Christ viz. The cup of sufferings and so have been made conformable to him in his death but likewise have drunk new wine with him in his Fathers Kingdome even that wine of the Spirit which makes glad the heart of the City of God hence the soul being thus imbrac'd into the bosome of love and at present come in the Kingdome of his dear Son concludes with the Prophet Thou hast made my mountain so strong I shall never be moved but immediatly the Father withholding those manifestations and sweet imbracements in the bosome of Love the soule is troubled Thou didst but hide thy face and I was troubled This was Pauls condition who was caught up into the third heaven saw and heard things unutterable yet the Father lets him down again under a cloud of flesh which seems at present to eclipse and darken his former glory which was his trouble and his burthen desiring to be rid of it but he was answered My grace is sufficient for thee my strength shall be perfected in thy weaknesse this being the experienced condition of many a precious soul who although they are sometimes taken up into the third heavens and so have a tast given them of the heavenly glory yet they are let down again under a cloud of flesh living upon grace looking after and hasting unto the glorious appearing of the great God knowing That when Christ who is our life shall appear wee shall appear with him in Glory that as wee suffer with him wee shall raign with him Now there being false Light which is indeed darknes it felfe in the world and a mystery of iniquity under the pretence of truth by which many are deceived I shall therefore in this insuing Treatise according to the measure received give a brief touch of the true Light Liberty Righteousnesse Holines Power and Glory of the Law in the Spirit the Covenant of grace written in the heart in opposition too and discovering of that law of darknes sin and flesh the one being the law of the new the other the Law of the old man This Law in the Spirit is the Spirit it selfe conforming souls to it selfe and its first a Spirit a law of light even that true light that lighteth every soule that comes to the Father He is light and in him there is no darknesse at all This Law of light where it works powerfully where it works savingly it enlightens the understanding in these ten particulars following First It enlightneth the understanding by which it comes to see the evill of sinne the evil nature of it the evill consequences of it 1. The evil nature of it the evill fountain from whence it flowes even the fountain of flesh and devil a bitter and filthy root which produceth fruit sutable unto such a tree which is Death the consequent or fruit of sinne The wages of sinne is death the soul is now taught to see the evil nature of sin the contrariety of it unto the divine nature the soul can see and say truly that although sinne is nothing to God although sin reacheth not God yet it is absolutely contrary to those divine and heavenly discoveries of God made forth in the spirits of Christians if you search the Scripture you shall finde this a manifest truth in the Spirits working See Act. 2. 37. chap 9. 3 4 5 6. If you search your own experience you shall finde it sutable never any soule made partaker of grace but first made sensible of the want of grace by the enlightning power of the Spirit of grace in the discovery of a mans selfe unto himself and so of the evill nature of the evill consequence of sin which is a sensiblenesse of an internal and spirituall death under darknesse and a lake of fire and this worke of discovery by this Law of light is effected not only in soules at their first conversion but all along while flesh and sinne remains till death is swallowed up in life and mortality hath put on immortality till Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory Que. What is sinne Ans Sinne is a transgression of or turning aside from a righteous Law if wee judge of sinne by a letter a law without us then it is a transgression of that Law a turning aside from the Law but if we judge of sin according to the light of the Law in the Spirit
souls unto this righteous God and where there is an internall there will be likewise an externall righteousnesse And this righteousnesse in conversation may be considered under these two heads 1. In the abstaining from workes of unrighteousnes amongst men and they are such as these 1 Cor. 6. 8. oppression and fraudulency or such as are mentioned vers 9. Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Be not deceived neither fornicatours nor idolaters nor adulterers c. shall inherit the Kingdome of God These are works of unrighteousnesse that is works that declare men to be unrighteous 2. In performing visible workes of righteousnesse Shew me thy faith by thy works faith ever produceth workes works of piety and works of charity in a word this law of righteousnesse in the spirit makes good that word of righteousnesse in them Whatsoever ye would that men should doe unto you so doe unto them for this is the law and the Prophets It puts the man in whom it is in all his dealings amongst men in the other balance and this is the rule of his dealing with others to do as he would be done unto the true rule of righteousnesse amongst men and truly this law of righteousnesse is that I long to see more abundantly manifest in the Saints in these later daies for God hath a glorious dspensation of righteousnesse to bring forth in his Saints and through them to the world that the righteous God appearing with so much splendour glory and righteousnesse in his people and through them to the world that the world shall be driven to fall down and acknowledge God is in them of a truth he will take out of them that perverse and peevish spirit and fill them with the spirit of love he will take out of them that oppressing spirit of unrighteousnesse and fill them with the spirit of righteousnesse justice and equity and this glorious appearance of righteousnesse in them will by them and through them bring to nought the unrighteousnesse and oppression that is in the world for as the wrath of God was so now it is much more abundantly made manifest against all unrighteousnesse of men against all unrighteousnesse within against all unrighteousnesse without his people and this shall be effected by the glorious appearance of this glorious law of righteousnesse in them See Isa 45. 14. And they to wit men of the world shall be thine they shall come after thee in chains they shall come over and they shall fall down unto thee making supplication saying Surely God is in thee and there is none else there is no God Thus shall a King reign in righteousnesse and Princes shall rule in judgement although its true never more oppression then now under the pretence of liberty a great argument that the time is at hand and then shall all oppressours and oppressions fall to the ground and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day then shall ye return and see the difference between him that served God and him that served him not for unto them that fear his name shall this sonne of righteousnesse arise filling them with righteousnesse with healing under his wings and they shall goe forth and grow up as calves in the stall but this day of the Lord shall burn like an oven and all the proud and all oppressours and all that doe wickedly shall be as stubble the day cometh that shall burn them up and leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4. 1 2. This is the day of the Lord the day of fire that is coming upon the face of the earth Let the voice of Elijah the Prophet be a warning unto men lest he come and smite the earth with a curse How then should the spirits of Christians be up to the Lord in a way of waiting for the more full revelation of this righteous law within them that they may see all enemies both within them and without them made a footstoole unto this righteous dispensation that the world may not have cause to say as formerly that they professe more then others but they are as covetous as any as proud peevish and hard hearted as any as full of oppression as any by which meanes the name of God hath been blasphemed amongst the world But when they shal reade in the carriage of Christians nothing but love and righteousnesse and in-offensive walking a disposition alwaies to doe good and that unto all I say when this appearance of God is manifest in the Saints it shall throw downe that wickednesse that pride and that oppression which is in the world Waite therefore upon God for it For blessed are they that waite for him Chap. VI. The unrighteous Law I Shal come now briefly in a word or two likewise to speake a word in the discovery of that false law of righteousnesse or rather unrighteousnesse that dwels in the hearts of natural men and I shal minde it under these two heads likewise 1. As it is within them 2. As it is manifest without them First As it is within them and that under severall notions 1. Some thinking their civility and morality to be a perfect law and rule of righteousnesse in them having good natures doing as they thinke and say no body wrong they thinke this shal be their righteousnesse which is but a rghteousnesse of flesh and not of spirit 2. Others looke at and talke of Christ dying for sin not being made partaker of any power by which they are dead to sin and yet expect a justifying a righteousnesse a salvation in the end from the death of sin this is a false law of unrighteousnesse in the mindes of most not believing that the wages of sin is death 3. Others come higher then this under the notion of joining Christ and duty together flesh and spirit as co-workers together talking of the righteousnesse of Christ but looking for it as it were by the works of the law being indeed ignorant of the righteousnesse of God these are zealous but not according to knowledge and this is looked after and pleaded for as a high degree of righteousnesse when perhaps there is no more in it then what Paul accounted losse yea dung and drosse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord and was content to suffer the losse of al such things as grounds of righteousnesse that he might win Christ and be found in him Good it were and much mercy to such if they could with Paul suffer the losse of al such righteousnesse in a way of grace for it must be lost first or last if not til last then they must be bid depart from al their workes as workes and workers of iniquity into utter darknesse where shall be a lake of fire which will occasion weeping and gnashing of teeth 4. Others seem to come higher then this again seeming to be delivered from workes as it is their righteousnesse and are al for Christ and
himselfe though one with himself and so as himselfe partakers of the same light life and glory so that although God created all things yet he is nothing of all those things yet the life and glory of them he is the Creator they but the creatures Ninth false Light Ninthly And in conclusion some in this false light come to conclude that there is no God at all nothing but the God of nature or nature which is God that all things come by nature and are upheld by nature and so at last turn Atheists and here ends all religion and thus the foole hath said in his heart nay he is not now ashamed to say with his tongue that there is no God no heaven no hel no good no bad but all is of nature now nature may take its wil its fil of pleasure for what it lusts it may have there being no God no law unto it or above it nothing but that law of nature which acts it self in its own power in its owne liberty Thus dear Christian have I though with some difficulty tract and with much brevity discovered this false and deceivable man of sinne that is now acting now deceiving if it were possible the very elect not doubting but that those anointings which are in you will teach you in whom it is in truth and keep you untill the day of his appearing Chap. III. Of the liberty of the law in the spirit AS the law in the spirit is a law of light so likewise is the law of liberty a law which produceth much freedom of spirit where it is in truth this the Prophet David knew by experience when he prayed Psal 50. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and stablish me with thy free spirit It s a free spirit For 1. It s freely given 2. It s a spirit working freedom and liberty where it is received This spirit of freedom as its a law of liberty delivers those in whom it is from al their enemies from al their bondage and captivity First It sets them at liberty from sin and Satan I joyne them together because sinne is Satans worke and al natural men are servants and slaves to both servants to Satan enslaved to his wil servants to sinne willingly doing his worke for his servants you are whom you obey whether it be of sinne unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Now this law in the spirit which is Christ in you the hope of glory delivers souls from this captivity from that captivity to sin in the conscience which flowes from the enlightning power of this law which doth not only make soules sensible of sinne but workes likewise a deliverance from sinne and so sets the soule at liberty from that bondage in taking away the guilt the sting of death which is sinne This law discovering love brings home that grace and pardon and seales up the soule til the day of redemption the day of its compleat deliverance And then Secondly It sets the soule at liberty from the love and affectation of sinne for naturally the very affections of love and joy are captivated and enslaved to base fleshly and carnal lusts now this spirit of liberty sets the soule free in its affections through its light discovering the evil nature of sinne and so its power in delivering the soule from the love of it Believe it Friends this is the light and liberty of the spirit it enlightens soules to see the evil of sinne and where it s a light enlightening there it s a law of liberty setting free from the guilt free from the love and affectation of sinne Thirdly It workes a liberty likewise from sinne in the conversation How saith the Apostle Rom. 5. 2. shall we who are dead to sinne live any longer therein Sin shal not reigne in the mortal body sin shal not have dominion where this law of the spirit is in power neither over the conscience the affections nor conversation this grace of God which brings home salvation teacheth to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world thus this law in the spirit is a law of liberty from sin from Satan whom natural men serve being taken captive at his wil and that willingly It s true that soules in whom this law of liberty is manifest may be taken captive but its contrary to their mindes it is their burden it is their prison and they can say with Paul O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me And they can say likewise through this spirit of liberty Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ though in my flesh I serve the law of sinne yet in my minde I serve the law of God And thanks be to God who giveth me a victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Secondly This law workes a liberty from the world likewise men naturally being enslaved to it there being such a sutablenesse unto it in the mindes of men The first man being of the earth earthly this first man lookes after nothing delights in nothing because it apprehends nothing above its creation but soules borne from a bone by this spirit of liberty For that which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit being created after the image of him that created them in righteousnesse and true holinesse that as they have borne the image of the earthly now they beare the image of the heavenly they are made capable to apprehend spirituall and heavenly things Being risen with Christ they now seeke after things above things of another nature and being delivered into the enjoyment of those spirituall and heavenly things that they can say God is mine Christ the Spirit is mine grace love glory is mine all is yours saith Paul they can say I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine now their hearts are tasten off from things below they have a loose affection unto it they see now that nothing is good to them but as they have God in it as they have love and grace in it being set at liberty from the inordinate affection to it by this spirit of liberty and this is the second part of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Thirdly Those in whom this law of liberty is manifest in power they are set at liberty from men viz. from being slaves and subjects unto men in the things of God The truth is that men through the power and spirit of Antichrist that son of perdition have a long time out of that pride of heart naturally residing in them gotten into the seate of God exalting themselves above all that is called God have become a law in the spirits of men subjecting and enslaving them to their owne wils and men through their ignorance of this law of liberty in the spirit have beene and yet for the most part desire to be subjects and slaves unto them now this spirit of liberty delivers souls from this
and yet pretend themselves to be the Sons of God but his servants you are to whom you obey whether it be of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Chap. V. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit AS this law in the spirit is a law of light and liberty so it is a righteous law that is a law working righteousnesse in those in whom it is making soules partakers of its own righteousnesse which is indeed the righteousnesse of God He was made sin for us that we might be made the righeeousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. Now the righteousnesse of this law may be produced unto these two heads 1. An internal righteousnesse as it hath relation to God 2. An external righteousnesse as it hath relation to men First As it hath relation to God and so it is a righteousnesse in the spirit this may be considered likewise under these two heads 1. As it is more external 2. As it is more internal First As it is more external yes spiritual and the righteousnesse of God too because prepared by the Father for sinners brought home and applyed by the spirit and this is the righteousnesse of God in relation to what he hath done for them in laying helpe upon one that is mighty in laying iniquity upon Christ and condemning it there that so through the apprehending and applying of the Fathers love in this great worke the guilt of sin might be taken out of the conscience through the soules apprehending the Father doing that in Christ for it which it selfe could not doe For what the law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom 8. 3. Herein the soule beholding and enjoying love from the Father sees it selfe now to be justified and that by grace from al things by which it could not be justified by the Law of Moses this is a more external righteousnesse because wrought for us without us yet the righteousnesse of God of the spirit because prepared by God eyed and applyed in the light and power of the spirit 2. That which I cal a more spiritual righteousnesse it is a righteousnesse wrought within us by this law of righteousnesse and this righteousnesse wrought for us without us though declared in us is but a precedent to this righteousnesse wrought within that so the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit this is that mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory the forming of Christ within that is when the soule hath experience of the same spirit within as was and is in Christ working the soule into a spiritual conformity to Christ growing up in him til it come to the same fulnesse to the same perfection but both these I have in a measure unfolded in another Treatise and therefore passe it with the more brevity in this place onely I shal answer one Objection by the way and so passe to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit Obj. Some wil be ready to say That they know no such thing as this law in the spirit justifying this externall forming of Christ they know Christ no other waies but as he dyed at Jerusalem and that this talk of Christ within seems to be a mystery if not a delusion for Christ dwels in his people no otherwise but by faith that is souls beleeving only what he hath done for them and that there is no other forming of Christ in them till the day of resurrection of their bodies from the grave Answ I answer first That its true this forming of Christ within is a mystery indeed the compleater of it will be the top and height of all mystery this is the mystery Christ in you the hope of glory that is the said spirit and power conforming souls to Christ in death resurrection and life and this is the more mysterious man of sinne the antichrist who denies Christ to be come in the flesh this mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory And although some may abuse this truth this mystery being deluded only with the notion of it yet let others take heed they abuse it not through ignorance 2. I answer that whereas the Scripture saith Christ dwels in the heart by faith It 's true but there is a twofold dwelling of Christ in the heart by faith the first is when the soul sees and believes what God in Christ hath done for it and secondly when the soul sees and beleeves that this Christ that is the same spirit that dwelt in Christ dwels in him as a law of light life and liberty in him seeing the law of the spirit of life that was in Christ Jesus freeing it from the law of sinne and death for the soul taught of God sees and beleeves both these to be a truth Christ for and Christ in the soul this we shall finde clearly held forth in Scripture not setting up the one in denying the other but you shall finde that the Scripture presents you with a death with Christ and resurrection with him Rom. 5. Phil. 3. 10. with a life with him John 14. 19. Because I live ye shall live also and in him by vertue of spirituall union vers 20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Note a word by the way at that day they shall know it At what day in that day when Christ reveals himself in them The world shall see me no more but ye shall see me It is not such a sight as the Apostles had of Christ when he was with them in the flesh it is not such a sight as the world had or at this day have of Christ for the world beleeves that Christ died for sinners yet they see him not now Saints see him first dying for them 2. They see him living in them and this assurance of Christ in them they receive by faith beleeving and knowing this to be a truth for faith and knowledge in this particular is but one thing We beleeve and know saith Peter that thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God And thus Saints in whom this law of righteousnesse is manifest can in a measure say We beleeve and know that God hath revealed his Sonne not only to us but in us and thus Christ dwels in the heart by faith and there is no one truth of God more clearly revealed in Scripture more glorious in the spirits of Saints then this truth of Christ formed in them 2. I come now to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit which is an external righteousnesse amongst men for this law in the spirit teacheth men to live soberly righteously and godly in the world God is a righteous God and this righteous law conforms
unto it Yet it is that I have said often and must now speake it againe that its such a law such a discovery as in it all carnall ones and hypocrites shall be left behinde in it the one below it still opposing living upon something of flesh the other in the notion of it only running beyond it and so with the dogge returning to his vomit and the sow that was washt to her wallowing againe in the mire This is indeed the narrow and strait gate and way of life few there be that finde it But some perhaps may hereby object and say Sir What you say seemes to savour of the flesh of a low darkened and enslaved spirit and is indeed Barbarisme to a soule In lightnesse we know that all things are good and that which you call sinne is good and all motions and workes are alike good from whence comes sin doth not it come from God is there any power besides God or that which is ordained by him and therefore are not all things and actions alike good I answer First It is true there is no power but is of God yet there are those who in that power act things which the Most High hath sentenced with death and not only the things but those who practise them that not only in Scripture where we finde this truth in the Saints experience I protest saith Paul by my rejoycing in Christ Jesus our Lord I dye daily and this spirituall death which many are ignorant of was and is one great part of the mystery of the Crosse of Christ within us this likewise is the experience of those who live in light they have received the sentence of death within them I meane the death of sin and flesh and for this they waite till it be accomplished Againe although all things had their first rise and being from him and still subsist by him yet the corruption of those things flowes from it self and not from him and besides God hath set up two creations two Adams the one after the flesh the other after the spirit the one being but a figure of the other the one is of the earth earthly the second is the Lord from heaven In the one to declare himselfe a just God in sentencing and condemning all sinne and flesh because in that first creation after the flesh sinne and flesh workes In the second declaring himself not only a God sentencing sinne and flesh but likewise a God of purity and holinesse such a one with whom the throne of iniquity can have no fellowship and this I am sure is the Saints experience nothing eclypses the glorious enjoyment but wars and fightings within them from lusts What need we make so much of sinne God is good and be seeth no iniquity in his people It s true God seeth that is suffereth no travell against nor iniquity in his people to hurt them to separate them from him but it is as true that those who have this testimony within themselves cannot see sin and flesh working in themselves with delight and pleasure Shall we sinne because grace abounds God forbid How shall we who are dead to sin continue any longer therein Fifth false Light Fifthly I might come to visions and revelations too for here will Antichrist this mystery of iniquity appeare likewise for he must come with signes and lying wonders God giving up men by strong delusions to believe a lye Not that I am against visions or revelations from God but the working of Satan will be in lying visions and wonders filling the fancy with toyes and fleshly exaltations The discoveries and revelations of God are revelations full of light power and truth tending to the dethroning of flesh and the exalting of God drawes up the soule into a more spirituall conformity to and communion with God it doth not occasion fleshly exaltations like unto the man of sinne who exalts himselfe above all that is called God saying I am Christ and so deceives many but I passe this at present Sixth false Light Sixthly I shall descend downwards againe to some further discoveries though more fleshly this false light presents a universall will and power in all men to accept and receive grace from God that one man might obtain mercy as well as another all having alike power or at least power enough to receive grace that faith is but an act of reason and they are unreasonable men that doe not believe not knowing that it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy not knowing that it s he that worketh to will and to doe of his good pleasure not experiencing that mighty power of God in those who believe so giving all glory to God but rather laying the stresse of all upon the creature gives all to the creature whereas souls rightly taught by that spirit of light see al not onely love and grace but wil and power flowing from that fountaine And hence it is that as streames flowing from the fountain returne thither againe so those who truly live in grace returne al to that fountaine of grace I am nothing I can doe nothing al flowes from that fountain Thus the Lord alone is exalted in that soule Seventh false Light Seventhly This false light presents God to the understanding to be but a piece of reason and so that there is indeed no God but reason rules al things and upholds al things questioning if not denying the naming of GOD though I shal not question but that some may do it through curiosity finding some new or nise tearme for singularities sake through some temptation yet minding the same thing whereas the discoveries of God are plaine and familiar to his creatures Hence the wisedome of the Gospel is called the simplicity of the Gospel though a mystery in it selfe and indeed farre above the reach of reason I meane the reason of the natural man of the first Adam which is of the earth earthly Thus from the notion of high mystery wee fal downe under the lowest part of the creation of the invisible God by our reason in the creation to judge of God to be but reason who is indeed the fountaine the Creator of reason and of the whole Creation Eighth false Light Eighthly From hence creatures come to conclude at last that the whole creation is God that God is al things and that al things is God that the creation is but God brought forth into forme and that this forme or body of Gods shall again become invisible and as at first so at last there shal be nothing but God no Saints no happinesse no glory no misery but all things returning into that one thing God not seeing God by his power bringing forth a creation that is not himselfe to serve his pleasure an old creation on which he will manifest his justice a new creation on which he will make knowne his grace and glory glorifying some with himselfe which are not
actings taking the shadow for the substance the fruit for the tree nay or rather the false and deceivable fruit of the flesh for both the tree and fruit of holinesse in the spirit but those who sow to the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption 4. I shall adde in the fourth place though I might have mentioned it in the first that fleshly law of unholinesse that dwels in the hearts of all naturall men and yet they blesse themselves in their present condition There is and ever hath beene a naturall antipathy in the hearts of all men naturally against God and the appearance of holinesse in truth in his people such is the contrariety of the hearts of naturall men unto the holinesse of God that they ever did and doe to this day oppose it this is the law of unholinesse that dwels that rules in the hearts of all naturall men and hence it comes to passe that men naturally are taken up with fancies and shadowes instead of the substance something they must have to quiet them but not the truth the substance that affrights them because they are ignorant of it and have an enmity against it hence it is they call evill good and good evill they put light for darknesse and darknesse for light c. Chap. IX Of the power of the law in the spirit I Shall now proceed to speake a word of the power of this Covenant of grace this law in the spirit for as it is a law of light liberty righteousnesse and true holinesse it creates a new man within in righteousnesse and true holinesse so it s a law of power and much glory We preach Christ saith the Apostle the power of God and the wisedome of God This is that word which is mighty in operation and powerfull sharper then any two edged sword it enters in to the dividing of the joints and the marrow it is a searcher of the thoughts and intents of the heart the power of this law in the spirit This Covenant of grace made within the Saints may be discovered under severall considerations 1. The power of this law is a convincing power it over-powers the spirits of men it convinces men of sin of righteousnesse and of judgement it convinceth them of sinne making them truely and deepely sensible of it Of righteousnesse making soules sensible of the unrighteousnesse of all their best righteousnesse Of judgement that al those things delighted in formerly must be judged must receive the sentence of death from Jesus Christ sitting as a refiner and purifier in them c. 2. It converts as wel as convinceth it changeth and reneweth the minde takes off the minde from sinne it changeth the minde and the conversation it makes a separation between the soule and sinne it separates betweene a man and his beloved lusts it converts a soul from the love of sinne it converts it likewise from the practice of sinne it worketh a real change within which produceth a change without This is that power which overcomes flesh world and devil what 's the reason many a poor soul would many times gladly be rid of sinne but they want a power not being sensible where their power lieth but perhaps oppose flesh in the strength of flesh when its proper onely to the spirit to destroy flesh Therefore let Saints be informed where their power lieth that they may wait upon God whose worke it is to subdue all things in them all things without them that are contrary to him in his time 3. As it convinceth and converteth so it makes those in whom it is a free and a willing people In the day of thy power thy people shall be a willing people Psa 110. Willing to have sinne sacrificed lust and corruption subdued willing in the beauty of holiness to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God in Jesus Christ it s this powerful spirit which works in us both to wil to do of his good pleasure nothing in the world is able to over-power the wil and make it free but this free spirit of power it s this spirit which makes soules willing to yeeld up themselves to the scepter of the Almighty which makes soules free and willing subjects to the King of Kings that fils them with joy at the beholding of his presence of his power that saith not with the world He is come to torment them before the time but rejoiceth because the Lord God omnipotent reigns topping and keeping under all other lawes and powers besides it selfe Thus the Lord reignes and the Saints rejoyce the Lord reigns and the world trembles 4. The power of this invisible spiritual law wil appear in the destruction of Antichrist that man of sinne that son of perdition this hee will effect by the spirit of his mouth and the brightness of his coming The coming of Christ in the spirit which is the glorious manifestation of this law is that power that must destroy Antichrist By Antichrist that man of sinne I understand any thing within us or without us whether it appeare in wisdome or power if it be of the flesh though its pretences be never so fair and glorious yet it is but an Antichrist a man of sin a son of perdition its true all the workings of flesh is against Christ but there are workings in a more higher and glorious way and then its the more deceivable the more dangerous and it consists principally in wisdome and power whether within us or without us the wisdom and power of flesh in the things of God which occasions much pride and fleshly exaltation above all that is called God This is that deceivable Antichrist that mystery of unrighteousnesse which the Lord will destroy by this spirit of his mouth and this brightness of his coming therefore let all wisdome pride and power of flesh vale it self to this excellent glory for certainly its that which must be accomplished in these later times The day of the Lord of hoasts shall be upon every one that is lifted up and upon every one that is proud and lofty and he shall be brought low Every proud thing within the Saints and every proud and lifted up person among them upon al the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon al the Oaks of Bashan be they as tal as Cedars as strong as Oaks yet the day of the Lord wil be upon them and upon every high mountain and upon al the hils that are lifted up and upon every high tower and upon every fenced wal and upon al the ships of Tarshish and upon every pleasant picture and the loftiness of man shal be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shal be made low and the Lord alone shal be exalted in that day Isa 2. The day of the Lords power wil be upon al the wisdome pride power confidence comfort and beauty of flesh and then the Lord alone shal be exalted in that day this is the day of the Lords