and Baptists which Three I find so neerly united together as to the many Doctrines they place Salvation in that I join you in one Epistle together I confess I find you differing one from another and amongst your selves in Matters of Discipline and some other few Opinions wherein the Kingdom of God doth not consist and which a little Charity and Brotherly Love would easily unite and reconcile I know such and the like Things you much contend for and divide from each other as did and doth the Protestant from the Papist the Presbyterian from the Episcopal Protestant the Independent from the Presbyterian the Baptist from the Independent the Quaker as Ismael hath his hand against every one and all for nothing else than about Words and some outward Observations so that Christ's seamless Coat made of Good-will to all is much divided torn and rent who is one Spirit of Love to you all sent down from the Father of Spirits a Light to Jew and Gentile and to be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth Him who is the Eternal Son and Heir of God's Kingdom Him who is come into the World to save Sinners and to bless us by turning every one of us from the evil of our ways Against him do the Husbandmen Gog and Magog all Sects though never so different unite and join as Herod and Pilat did against the Lord 's Anointed in the Sanctified who is now coming to take his Kingdom though the Heathen never so much rage thereat and shall must and will rule and reign in them for ever and ever Amen Allelujah I know by what I have read in your Books that you Three all agree as do many other of the Sects in Christendom in the Birth of Christ as he was the Son of Man born of a Virgin that he lived a Holy Life was crucified dead and buried that he arose the third day and ascended into Heaven with his Natural Body of Flesh Blood and Bones And that your believing of what Christ did and suffered here on Earth in his own Person is your Salvation which Faith of yours I humbly crave leave to examine by the Scriptures of Truth And as I am a Priest of God to the World by having Christ Jesus in me I say and declare That unless ye be born of the Spirit and have the same Spirit in you that was in Christ Jesus to lead into Truth and Righteousness as it did him ye are no true Christians nor ever can see the Kingdom of God read John 3.3 Rom. 8.9 c. 2 Cor. 13.5 And except the Spirit of God's Grace kill Sin in us as in him Christ's Death at Jerusalem will do us but little good read Rom. 6.4 5 8. 8.6 10 11. 1 Cor. 15.31 Gal. 2.20 Ephes 2.5 Phil. 3.10 Col. 2.13 And as for Christ's Resurrection and Ascension without us this will do us no good unless in the Power of the same Spirit we be raised with him to sit down in Heavenly Places together with Christ Jesus read Rom. 6.4 8 11. 1 Cor. 6.14 Ephes 2.6 Col. 2.12 3.1 I also know and declare That in the true Christ are two Natures united in one Person First As he was the Son of God from all Eternity and is the Birth of God in all the Sanctified He is God blessed for ever Secondly As he was the Son of Man born of Humane Nature and of a Reasonable Soul subsisting as such he could do nothing of himself and denied himself and his own Will and was compassed about with many Infirmities like unto other Men Sin only excepted read John 5.30 Matth. 26.39 Heb. 5.2 As he was the Son of Man he was but a Creature having beginning of Days and end of Life But as he was the Son of God he was Alpha and Omega without beginning of Days and end of Life God's Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life to the World As he was the Son of Man filled with the Holy Ghost he had a Body prepared to do the Will of God here on Earth as it is in Heaven as all that are born of God have not only as our Example but for our Consolation and Salvation and thus it is with all that are born of the Spirit read 2 Cor. 1.5 6 7. John 13.15 Phil. 3.15 16 17. 1 Tim. 4.12 James 5.10 1 Pet. 1.21 So you see it is the Birth of the Spirit in all the Sanctified and not the Humane Nature that is the Saviour Not what Jesus did as he was the Son of Man at Jerusalem in his own Person only but what he did and for ever doth in the Saints as he was is and for ever shall be one and the same God's only begotten Son the Word in the Heart his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life to Jew and Gentile and so he is God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth Allelujah Moreover I would you might understand That all born of the Spirit are born of God and have the mind and Spirit in them that was in Christ Jesus and do the same Works and greater Works When as Dr. Taylor saith Christ is risen in them for are they not the Light of the World and Salt of the Earth walk as Christ walked and are in this World as he is in Heaven read Gen. 5.24 2 Cor. 6.16 Gal. 5.16 Col. 2.6 1 John 2.6 1 Cor. 2.16 Phil. 2.5 Matth. 5.14 Gal. 2.20 1 John 4.17 Mark 16.17 18. John 14.12 Rev. 1.5 6. As Christ by the Spirit of the Father was filled with the Holy Ghost in which Spirit the fulness of the Godhead doth dwell bodily of whose fulness is given to all the Sanctified Grace for Grace And as they receive the Spirit of Grace freely so they dispense the Word and Spirit of Grace freely for did not Paul give the Spirit read Acts 19.3 to 7. And was not that the Spirit Timothy received by the laying on of his hands called The Gift of God 2 Tim. 1.6 And did not he that ministred the Spirit to the Galatians give the Spirit to them read Gal. 3.5 And did not Paul by virtue and power of the Spirit 's Administration convert Thousands turning them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God And was it not by the virtue of the same Power of the Spirit that Peter converted at one Sermon about Five thousand And was it not the Power of the same Spirit in Christ Jesus in the Apostles and their Followers and in Moses and Aaron and in all the Prophets and Men of God that wrought and did all the Wonders and Miracles ever since the World began And this I do further declare to all the World as my Opinion That whosoever is not born of this Spirit and led by this Spirit of God is no true Christian nor Minister of Christ nor ever can profit the People or convert Souls to God I know that a Man void of the Spirit may through the Light of
and dare call God Father such are truly blessed and happy that can alway continually and ever-more pray God's Will be done here on Earth as it is in Heaven Allelujah O God make clean our Hearts within us and take not thy Holy Spirit from us And such only are true Christians that have God's Holy Spirit to wash and cleanse and to guide into Truth and Righteousness those that have gone astray YOu that are born of the Spirit Nune Dimittis and so have Christ Jesus in you may sing the Song of Old Simeon Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy Word Christ the Word in the Heart who speaketh Peace to all the sanctified People of God for mine eyes the Eye of the Spirit have seen thy Salvation Allelujah I have also perused the second Collect for Peace the third Collect for Grace the Prayer for the King and Royal Family the Prayer for the Clergie the Absolution Magnificat Deus Misereatur Cantate Domino Second Collect for Evening-Prayer the Litany the Collects for the second and third Sunday in Advent for the Nativity for St. Stephen 's St. John 's and Innocents days for the Circumcision for the first fifth and sixth Sunday after Epiphany for the first and second Sunday in Lent for the Sunday before Easter for Good Friday for Easter Even for Easter day for the third and fifth Sunday after for Ascension day for Whitfunday for the 7 9 11 16 17 18 19th Sundays after Trinity for Simon and Jude Philip and Jacob and All-Saints days In which foregoing Prayers Collects c. I take to be words of Truth and Soberness and do recommend them to all those that can pray them with a sincere Heart in the power and demonstration of the Spirit of Truth Allelujah Yet as I am a Priest of God by having Christ Jesus in me my Priest my Prophet my King I have somewhat to say and declare to the Heads and Governors of the Church of England That none amongst them presume to call or own themselves Ministers of Christ and his Gospel for not every one that crieth Lord Lord is a true Servant or Minister of Christ or fit to Teach Preach or Pray in his Name unless they first be called of God and baptized into the same Name and assisted by his Holy Spirit as Aaron was else none are fit Ministers of Christ read Exod. 4.30 6.13 26. 7.1 6. 28.30 Heb. 5.4 And that the Spirit of Christ be their Induction and Commission what to Preach and what to Pray Let such as are not regenerate and born anew take heed how they meddle with the Things of God that they touch not Holy Things with unclean and unsanctified Hearts and with polluted Hands and Lips lest they be smitten of God as Vzza was and lest a sorer Judgment attend them under the Gospel who run and are not sent than did those under the Law Thus declaring I have peace with God and am clear from the Blood of all Men that perish under such Teachers and Ministers as have not the Spirit of Christ to teach them and have no other Commission than from Man such cause the People to err and go astray and never can profit the Souls of their Hearers but like blind Guides they lead the Blind till both fall into Perdition I have observed in reading of our last English Translation of the Bible that many material Things might be amended and that it is better rendred out of the Vulgar Latin and Greek than we have it in English For which see some places in my Epistle to the Romanists And also Rom. 8.29 the Latin and Greek saith That he might be the first born in many Brethren The English The first born amongst many Brethren Which seems to deny Christ to be in the Saints Mat. 28.19 the Greek saith Baptising them into the Name The English Baptising them in the Name Which Name of God is a strong Tower whosoever is baptized thereinto puts on the Lord Jesus Christ a Saviour from Sin and Evil. Allelujah 2 Cor. 5.19 the Latin and Greek saith Hath put in us the Word of Reconciliation The English Hath committed to us the Word of Reconciliation This I conceive is for the setting up of Man to be the Preacher and not Christ the Word in the Heart Rom. 1.19 English Latin and Greek well translate all speaking one and the same thing viz. That which is to be known of God is manifest or made known in Man even his eternal Power and Godhead in the Heathen 2 Tim. 3.16 the Latin and old English Bible saith All Scripture inspired of God or given by inspiration is profitable c. The English saith All Scripture is given by inspiration c. The which seems not to be a Truth without a Comment for there is much written that is not inspired of God even in the Bible it self In the last Edition are said to be amended from the former many thousand words And how many Copies or rather Autographs of the New Testament are now in the Library at Oxford and all differing one from the other St. Hierom saith That in his time the Original Copies let the Learned pardon the Expression of the Hebrew and Greek were much corrupted by Jews and Hereticks therefore he chose the Vulgar Latin after he had purged it from Faults committed by Writers c. laying aside all other Latin Editions which St. Hierom saith were in his time almost innumerable Thus by reason of so many false Copies false Writers false Translators and false Interpreters arise so many different Sects and Opinions in Christendom every Master of a Sect taking his Rule from Scripture and his own private interpretation thereupon So that if you make the Letter of the Scripture the only Rule it must needs be crooked and uncertain But God be praised and ever magnified that hath not left Man without a Witness of himself in every one a Rule most true and certain Christ the Word in the Heart which shines in the dark Heart of every Man and is a sure Word of Prophecy even Truth in the Inward Parts to which we do well to take heed as to a Light that shines in a dark place till the Shadows flee away and the Day-star arise in our Hearts then shall we see that it is not any Scripture without us but the inspiration of the Almighty only that giveth to Man an understanding in the things of God what is Truth and what is Error as it is written Job 32.8 Joh. 1.4 2 Pet. 1.19 compared with Isa 55.4 54.13 1 John 5.10 2.27 So that if you have Christ the Word in you you need no other Teacher but as that Anointed one teacheth who is the Truth in every one both Male and Female Jew and Gentile they are all one in Christ Jesus the Truth Such as have not Christ Jesus God's true and faithful Witness in them are Reprobates and can
by what other name known or distinguished even all that fear God and work Righteousness are accepted of him and dearly Beloved by me even all that in sincerity and uprightness of Heart walk in the Light of Christ Jesus wherewith they are enlightned even so Amen Allelujah Most Reverend Arch-Bishops right Reverend the Bishops with others the Reverend Doctors and Fathers of our Church I humbly beg leave of you to enquire Whether setling Ministers in Parish Churches and compelling all to hear them to Preach and to Pray first came in by the Command of Christ and by his Command so continue or came this in in the dark Night of Apostacy by Man's command whilst the false Church the Whore and false Prophet ruled after the True Church of Christ was fled into the Wilderness Tithes Also I query Whether Tithes set out in every Parish Church were done by a Command or Law of God or by a Law of Man And if you receive them as from a Command of God to the Levitical Priesthood then are you to maintain all the Poor the Fatherless and Widows out of them that there may not be a Beggar in England as there was not in Israel And if you receive them as from a Law of Man then Whether a forced Maintenance by Man's Law be a suitable and proper Maintenance for the Ministers of Christ Jesus who receive freely from him the Things of God and so they give and dispense freely those Things without Mony and without Price not for filthy Lucre-sake but of a ready Mind and only to them they sow Spiritual Things of them they reap Carnal and not by a Law of Compulsion but by the Law of Love only which is Christ's Law and Command to his Disciples and Followers Allelujah Preaching in Churches And whether all the Ministry placed in every Parish to Preach and to Pray are sent of God as Aaron was read Exod. 4.5 12.15 Deut. 4.5 And as all Christ's Ministers are and ever were Commissionated Assisted and Instructed by his Holy Spirit when and what they shall Preach and when and what they shall Pray but 't is not so with Ministers made by a Carnal Commandment of Man that receive their Commission from Man only Such run with Balaam after Gifts and Rewards who preach for Hire and seek for Gain from their quarters such I declare are no true Ministers of Christ neither can ever any such as have not Christ in them profit the Souls of People at all for all God's People are taught of him and great is their Peace Allelujah Doth not David say O God thou hast taught me from my Youth up And the Meek God doth teach And Job who was no Israelite but an Edomite saith He did teach from the Hand of the Lord and that he was taught by immediate Revelation and Inspiration of the Almighty And Isaiah saith That in God's Mountain which is his Spirit he teacheth of his ways and that all God's Children are taught of him and that God had anointed him to Preach which Unction is Truth in the Inward Parts and no Lie and teacheth the Way of God truly which teaching of God's Spirit is the way to God wherein no Man can err though a Fool. And Jeremiah saith In those days of the Spirits teaching I will make a New Covenant saith the Lord for I will write my Law in their Hearts and put my Spirit in their inward parts and they shall teach no more every Man their Neighbour for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest Allelujah And Jonah preached what he received from the Mouth of the Lord and what the Lord taught him And Micah a true Prophet of the Lord saith That in the time of the Spirit 's Reign and Government the Mountain of the Lord shall be established on the top of the Mountains and many People shall flow to it and shall say of God He will there teach us of his Ways and we will walk in his Paths for the Law shall go out of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem which Jerusalem and Zion is no earthly Building made of Wood and Stone but the New Jerusalem is the sanctified Heart the new Heart and right Spirit a City whose Maker and Builder is God Father and Mother Sister and Brother of all God's Children Allelujah And did not John the Baptist whose Baptism was from Heaven teach his Disciples how and what to Preach and how and what to Pray saying As ye go preach the Kingdom of God is at hand And God the Father taught Holy Jesus his Son to preach deliverance to the Captives all those that truly repent the acceptable Year of the Lord. And as his Father taught him so taught he his Disciples saying Go ye into the High-ways and Hedges and tell the Blind the Lame and the Halt even all that are small and little in their own eyes all that are heavy laden with Sin let such come and buy Eye-salve buy the sincere Milk of the Word without Mony and without Price And did not Holy Jesus preach often in the Temple and Synagogues of the Jews and did he not weep over them who were so hard-hearted towards him that when he would have gathered them together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings yet they would not be healed nor covered under the Wings of the Cherubims that attend the Mercy Seat of God from under whose Wings of Grace and Love ariseth healing to all that are weary of their Sins And Holy Jesus also saith As my Father taught me I speak and do and as his Father taught him so taught he his Disciples the New and Everlasting Covenant How that by his Light and Spirit all God's People should be taught of the Lord and that great should be their Peace and that those who would be his Disciples must learn of him to be low and meek in Heart and to take up the daily Cross to their own Wills which made him to deny his own Will to do the Will of the Father as you may read Luke 22.42 John 4.34 5.30 6.38 Heb. 2.4 10.10 Phil. 2.13 And this Obedience to the Will of the Father Christ the Word in the Heart is our Sanctification Justification Redemption and Glorification Allelujah And all such alone as are taught of God Speak and Preach as Men having Authority and not as do the Scribes and Pharisees that have nothing else to teach them save the dead Letter and their own Interpretations thereupon Thus when Jesus had breathed on his Disciples and given them the Holy Ghost he saith Go ye and teach all Nations baptising them into the Name Nature and Power of Christ's Spirit not with material Water for that is John's Baptism but with Fire which is the Holy Ghost the only one true Baptism which washeth and cleanseth the Soul Regenerates and begets the New Man Christ in us all such who have their Hearts and Consciences washed and
Darkness to Light save those only that are born of the Spirit and so have Christ the Word in their Hearts as Paul had and all true Ministers of Christ have Read Gal. 1.15 16. 2.20 Eph. 2.10 Col. 1.27 2.6 3.16 2 Cor. 13.5 Thus learn to know Christ as all the truly sanctified know him not after the Flesh as he was the Son of Man nor after the Letter which kills but after the Spirit which begetteth Christ the new Man in us who is the only true Agnus Dei that takes away the Sins of the World of all that believe in him and that saves his People from their Sins as he did the Virgin Mary Luke 1.47 giving and encreasing Grace in them working all their Works in them and for them perfecting Holiness in all that love his Appearance which Work of Grace in our Hearts is our Sanctification Justification and Salvation Allelujah Thus being faithful to God in administring the things of God as you receive them from him on God's Name and in his Strength go on and prosper convert all Nations to Christ the Word in the Heart God's Covenant of Light to all the World to Christ the Rock and Revelation of God to Peter on which his Church is built which Spirit of Grace guided the Church of Rome when she was so much renowned into Truth and Righteousness which Spirit of Truth gave St. Peter Repentance and led him out of his Fall where the Gates of Hell prevailed into all Truth and made him an able Minister of Christ not of the Letter but of the Spirit in which Spirit he faithfully served his Master in feeding his Sheep with Spiritual Food Christ the Bread and Water of Life from Heaven Allelujah And know that no Man can please God save Christ the new Man in the Saints who is created after the Image of God in Righteousness and true Holiness And the first Step towards Heaven and true Christianity is to be born of the Spirit for no Man can please God nor go to Heaven save he that came from Heaven even the Son of God in Man which always is in Heaven Read John 3.13 Also know that every Motion in Man's Heart to Good is the Inspiration and Revelation of God as every Motion to Evil proceeds from the World the Flesh and the Devil which Trinity is but one evil Spirit that rules in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience for of our selves we cannot so much as think a good Thought and without Inspiration and Revelation we can never know God the Father nor God the Son but by the Inspiration of God the Holy Ghost Nor can we know or act aright in the things of God but by the Revelation of his own Spirit a measure whereof is given to every one to profit withal Nor can we please God nor attain Salvation but as we are born of his Spirit and led by his Spirit into Truth and Righteousness as it is written Mat. 11.27 John 3.3 6.44 1 Cor. 2.10 11. Gal. 1.15 16. 1 Pet. 1.13 1 John 3.24 with 1 Cor. 6.11 17. 12.7 2 Cor. 3.3 6. Gal. 5.16 Eph. 2.22 3.16 1 Pet. 12.11 For the natural unregenerate Man tho never so knowing in Literature and other worldly Knowledg as to please the Ear and Understanding of a Man knoweth nothing of the things of God nor understandeth the Scriptures meaning nor Gospel of Christ nor can he preach it because these things are only spiritually discerned And he that wanteth this Spirit of God in him to be his Prophet his Priest his King to reveal the things of God to offer Prayers and Praises to God and to lead into Truth and Righteousness is no Minister of Christ nor true Christian neither can such a one ever inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Read Luke 4.18 8.10 24 45. Rom. 10.8 1 Cor. 2.10 11. 2 Cor. 3.6 4.3 4 6 7. Gal. 1.11 12. 1 Thess 1.5 3.8 1 Pet. 1.11 12. With John 3.3 Rom. 8.9 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Joh. 3.3 After this manner you having Christ the Bread and Water of Life in you then may you feed Christ's Lambs otherwise not and your selves being converted and turned from Darkness to Christ the Light in your selves then you may convert others else not And all that profess themselves to be Ministers of Christ be sure you feel God's Spirit to be your Commission both to begin and carry on that Work else all Preaching and Praying will be but vain and you cannot profit the People at all but must lie down in sorrow under all your own Kingdlings and Conceivings either from the Letter or what you have learned from Man in the Schools c. Thus you having Christ the Truth in your selves being born of the Spirit he will teach you to preach Truth and lead you into all Truth to the saving not only of your own Souls but also of the Souls of those that hear you Even so Amen Allelujah And there is but one thing needful to make the Church of Rome as much renowned now as ever which is That all forsake the Wisdom of the Flesh and walk in the Wisdom of the Spirit of Grace the Word in the Heart given to every one of all Religions to be their Teacher and Leader into the Way of Truth and Righteousness Allelujah Thus there are and have bin in all Ages and of all Opinions and Religions Witnesses of Christ's Birth who are begotten and born again of the Spirit which crucifieth Sin in us and of his Resurrection which createth the New Man in us in which Body of Christ the Spirit of Light which came from Heaven the Sanctified arise and ascend into Heaven and there sit even whilst their Mortal Bodies are here on Earth at the right Hand of God the Father in the Unity and Fellowship of Christ the Son and Blessed Spirit where are Pleasures for ever-more Allelujah Read Ephes 1.3 2.6 Heb. 12.22 1 John 4.17 Psal 16.11 Job 36.12 In the Unity of which Spirit of Grace Love and Charity I most humbly take my leave and in it rest one with all the faithful Seed of Abraham who are begot and born again of the Seed and Spirit of God and led by the same Spirit into Truth and Righteousness Allelujah In which Spirit of Truth I remain a Friend to the Vniversal Catholick Church of Christ throughout all the whole World amongst Jews and Gentiles yea a true Friend to the Souls of all Men whilst I am and when I am no more ROBERT RICH. To the Episcopal Protestants the most Reverend Arch-Bishops the Right Reverend the Lord Bishops the Reverend the Priests Doctors and Deacons and all Degrees of the Clergy and Laity of the Church of England ROBERT RICH sendeth Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Allelujah TO you that are Regenerate and born again of the Spirit and so are initiated into the Church of Christ made Members of his Body Spiritual through sanctification of the Holy
free-will to Goodness in us that we may here fulfil the Law of God if we walk in the Grace given us to profit with as Rom. 8.13 Tit. 2.11 that the Causes of Predestination are not in God but in our selves who obey or disobey the Grace of God given as a Talent to every one to work out his own Salvation that Christ did not satisfy for us but gives power by his Grace to satisfy for our Selves that there is not a Trinity of Persons in one God he denies that God hath elected a certain number to Salvation and reprobated the residue to eternal Damnation he denies that God's Justice was satisfied by Christ's Sufferings and that God needed no such rigid Satisfaction that Men are not made really Righteous by any imputation from another's Righteousness without whilst they are really unrighteous within he doth not believe that Christ ascended into Heaven with his humane Body of Flesh Blood and Bones but that Body which he hath is more Spiritual and Glorious he owns the Spirit of Grace in every Man sufficient to all that obey and follow it to lead into Life Eternal Arminius his Doctrines I find chiefly to be these First That God hath not elected some and reprobated others that God is just in saving those that believe and obey his Gospel and in condemning those only that reject and disobey it Which I take to be according to Truth read John 3.19 Deut. 30.14 15 19. That Men are not made just by Imputative Righteousness only but Inherent that Man is not made Righteous within by any imputation from another's Righteousness from without whilst he is really unrighteous within which I take to be sound Doctrine read Rom. 8.9 10 11 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.17 10.5 13.5 Gal. 2.20 Col. 1.27 2.6 He affirms That the Grace of God is sufficient to lead Men that obey and follow it into Eternal Life This I take also to be sound Doctrine agreeable to Truth read Tit. 2.11 He says Christ's Carnal Flesh Blood and Bones is not ascended into Heaven read 1 Cor. 15.50 2 Cor. 5.16 John 3.13 6.63 Eph. 4.10 That God hath not decreed to leave any Man in the state of Damnation This also agrees with the Scriptures read Prov. 21.15 28.18 Isa 59.2 Jer. 4.14 Ephes 2.5 1 Tim. 2.4 That God affordeth sufficient means to bring to the knowledg of Christ by his Light and Spirit of Grace within every one read John 1.4 9. 1 Cor. 12.7 Tit. 2.11 That Christ did not die for the Elect only but tasted death for every Man even his Enemies by giving his Light and Life unto every one as John 1.4 9. Which Spirit of Grace if any resist or despise such crucify to themselves the Lord of Life afresh That Original Sin of it self is not sufficient to condemn Mankind to eternal punishment This also is a Truth read Jer. 31.30 Ezek. 18.2 3 4. That an unregenerate Man is not totally and finally dead to Sin and destitute of spiritual Strength but that he may by God's Grace hunger and thirst after Righteousness and live this also agrees with Ephes 2.1.5 5.14 That Grace and Free-Will are cooperating Causes in our Conversion and that Perseverance is not the effect of Election but is attained by virtue of the New Covenant read Jer. 31.33 c. Rom. 10.6 8. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. Heb. 8.8 13.5 That there is no Original Sin conveyed from Adam to his Posterity read Gen. 4.7 Ezek. 18.2 3 4. 33.11 18. Rom. 6.22 23. That there is free Will to Goodness in us by God's free Grace read Tit. 2.11 That God could justly pardon our Sins when by his Grace we repent without any other satisfaction than his own free Mercy and Grace That God doth not predestinate any to Damnation but as they obey or disobey his Laws read Gen. 22.18 Deut. 4.30 13.4 Job 36.11 Isa 1.19 Acts 5.32 Heb. 5.9 1 Pet. 1.2 22. I humbly beg pardon that I have presumed to illustrate the Sentiments of the Arminian Doctrines with Scriptures it is because they have bin much cried out against as errant Hereticks although upon examination I find them more sound in the True Faith than those that call them so And by that small experience I have obtained both by reading and otherwise I find and observe that those that are indeed the greatest Hereticks cry Hereticks first Thus the blessed Apostle St. Paul was estemed an Heretick when he said After that way you call Heresy do I worship the God of my Fathers And how was Holy Jesus cried out against as a Blasphemer and otherwise only for preaching the New Covenant the Gospel of Christ Jesus which the Scribes and Pharisees would not receive because against their Traditions and outward observation of the old Law which made void the New And I have known one of late Years much cried out against as a notorious Heretick and Blasphemer for preaching up Christ in the Saints God's New Covenant and the Way to Life Eternal Allelujah And certainly there is no greater mark of a false persecuting Church as learned Mr. Joseph Glanvil observes than to give evil Names to Dissenters in Matters of Opinion in Religien Lastly I humbly beseech and intreat all that undertake the Cure of Souls that they preach nothing save Christ and him Crucified that is to say His Spirit of Light crucifying and killing of Sin in us and Him risen that is to say That we seek in the Heavenly Spirit those things that are Heavenly And as by God's especial Grace he puts into our Minds those things that be Holy Just and Good so by his continual help we may bring the same to good effect through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Allelujah And my truly devout and hearty Prayer to thee O God of my Salvation is That thou wouldst be pleased to send down upon our Bishops and Curats and all Congregations committed to their Charge the healthful Spirit of thy Grace And that they may truly please tâ—â—e pour upon them the continual Dâ—â— of thy Blessing and so replenish them with thy Heavenly Grace that both by their Life and Doctriâ—â— they may set forth thy Glory and sit forward the Salvation of all Men through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Allelujah Finally my Brethren all you of the Clergy that are the Inheritance of God how-ever you are externally dignified or qualified that have Christ Jesus God's High Priest in you his blessed and holy Spirit to guide you 't is You that are truly Reverend in my esteem and are certainly precious in the sight of God Ye are his Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood a Holy Nation a Peculiar People able to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God the Word of God dwells plentifully in You whereby you are made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter which kills but of the Spirit which gives Life and ministers Grace to the Hearers 'T is You reverend and worthy Sirs that
can hold forth the blessing of Peace and Establishment to the World and I am perswaded God hath fitted you for such a Work as this therefore I beseech you suffer a word of Exhortation Be faithful to the Testimony of the Lord with which he hath inspired you stand forth in the Name and Power of that Spirit which dwells in you lay by all carnal Ends and self Interests and come forth in the nakedness and simplicity of the Love of God in which you will breath out the blessing of Peace amongst us O let not Sion be built up any longer with Blood nor her Mourners wander about in the Defarts to seek for shelter and safety let the searchings of your Hearts and the yearnings of your Bowels be for the Breaches and Divisions that are among the People of God 'T is You that the great expectation of many of the Lord's People in this Nation is now towards Our Wounds Breaches in the Circumstantials of Religion are too wide and extensive for a formal outward and literal Ministry to heal and cement We have languished in Divisions too long already under these Physicians 't is only a Spirit-Ministry with evidence demonstration and power that proceeds from an innate Principle of the Love of God shed abroad in our Hearts that can compose all our Differences satisfy all Parties and Interests and settle us upon a sure Foundation of Peace Rest and Happiness If there be therefore any Consolation in Christ if any Comfort of Love if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowels and Mercies fulfil ye the Joy of the People of God in these Nations that ye come forth with the like Mind and Spirit in your Ministry amongst us and in the Power of the same Love preserve the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace I know there is wisdom and largeness enough in the Love of God to accomplish these noble Ends and the witness of this upon your Hearts must necessarily strengthen your Faith in this Ministry for certainly that Love so ample that can redeem the World when and where 't is witnessed by the Spirit will appear large enough to cover all our Infirmities abate all our Contentions and quiet all the Clamours that abound among us If thus you can appear and stand forth this day as indeed Priests unto God and true Ministers of Christ Jesus you shall worthily be called The Healers of our Breaches and the Restorers of our Paths to dwell and walk in with love and pleasantness one towards another In which Spirit of Universal Love and good Will I Rest a Friend to you and the Souls of all whilst I am and when I am no more R. R. To all Teachers Preachers and Dispensers of the Word and Sacraments under the Dispensations of those called Presbyterians Independents and Anabaptists ROBERT RICH a Servant of Jesus Christ called to be an Apostle separated unto the Gospel of God which Gospel was promised and preached by the Holy Men of God ever since the Foundation of the World was Laid as in the Scriptures of Truth you may read Gen. 3.8 15. 12.1 3. with Gal. 3.8 Deut. 30.11 12 13 14 15. Rom. 10.6 8. Jer. 31.31 to 35. with Heb. 8.8 to the end Isa 52.7 with Rom. 10.15 Isa 61.1 with Luke 4.18 9.6 Mark 16.15 2 Cor. 4.4 6. 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Pet. 1.12 25. In the power and strength of which Gospel the Word in the Heart or Love of God shed abroad in our Hearts doth R. R. send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Allelujah TO you that are Regenerate and born again of the Spirit who have Christ Jesus the New Man in you and are Members of his Body Spiritual through Sanctification of the Holy Spirit of Grace you in him and he in you made perfect in one to you Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Allelujah In the Year 1656 feeling the Birth of God in me by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost wherein I was made a Member of Christ a Child of God and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven which Spirit of Light begat Christ Jesus the New Man in me by whom I obtained Reconciliation and Peace with God and good-will towards his Creation Which Spirit of Love moved me in the Year 1666 to send to the People called Presbyterians Thirty pounds to be distributed amongst their Poor that were in Need Sickness or any other kind of Adversity The like Sum I also sent to them called Independents As likewise to those called Anabaptists to be distributed to the Poor that were amongst them Not as Judas that betrayed his Master into the hands of Sinners for Thirty pieces of Silver but from one that witnessed the Resurrection from the Dead one who had long crucified the Lord of Life in my Self and by many and often Transgressions had slain the Witness of God his Holy Spirit of Grace and Light which oft cried in me Why wilt thou die Return to me the Light and Life of the Soul and thou shalt live At length I hearkened to the Voice of the Son of God in me in obedience to which Voice my Soul came to live in whose Life I have Rest Peace and Joy in the Lord my Saviour Allelujah Thus by the Incarnation or indwelling of the Life of Christ Jesus in my mortal Flesh I came to inherit Life Eternal by and through him that is the Regeneration the Resurrection and the Life Allelujah By which Spirit of Grace and Revelation of Christ in me I came to see what Peter saw Acts 10.34 35. Matth. 16.17 That of all Nations and Religions those that feared God and acted righteously towards Man are accepted with him Also by the same Revelation of God's Spirit I understood the great Love of God to the World that in all Ages and Times he hath sent and given his only begotten Son his Spirit of Light to be the Life of the World his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life wherewith every one is enlightned both Jew and Gentile that cometh into the World that so all Men might be saved by believing in him and by following of him who is the Way the Truth the Life and God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth Allelujah As you may read Isa 42.6 49.6 Deut. 30.11 to 15. Jer. 31.31 c. with Rom. 10.6 8. Heb. 8.8 to the end John 1.4 9. 8.12 12.46 2 Cor. 4.4 6. Which Spirit of Light Life and Truth in the Inward Parts the Word incarnate in the Heart moved on the Face of my Deep and shining on my Tabernacle which Tabernacle God pitched in me in whose Light I saw Light which gave me freedom to look into all manner of Opinions and Religions which Light opened my Understanding so as to know Good from Evil Right from Wrong and Truth from Error In which Spirit of Light I read many Books writ by Presbyterians Independents