Isa 55.2 Why do ye spend your mony for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not But fourthly by Bethsaida the house of Fishing and in this City the Fishers of men do dwell who being crafty with a divine subtilty catch Souls of Men for Christ and bring them home to their Master 2 Cor. 12.16 From hence came that Squadron of Fishes of whom Merlin told Lucius that should enter upon his Territories unarmed with Sword or Spear unto whom all Nations should in time obey who shall destroy the Temples of thy Gods O Lucius and convert them to the service of their Eternal King. These are also skilful in Fishing in the great deeps and find in the Book of Scripture and the book of Nature many precious Jewels Fifthly by Timnath-heres Judges 2.9 signifiing the image of the Sun and upon this City doth the Sun of Righteousness arise and shine with great yet with invisible Glory to the World and to the careless Daughters Mal. 4.2 and is a Sun and a Shield unto it Psalm 84.11 for this City hath Truth in the inward parts Psal 51.6 and is all glorious within Psal 45.13 And as the natural Sun by shining through a little crevice into a House forms his own image on the wall or on the floor even so the glorious Sun of Righteousness shining into the hearts of the Inhabitants of this City 2 Cor. 4.6 forms his own most precious Image there Chap. 3.18 from whence the beams of divine vertue shine forth to the World by which they become a light to men Sixthly by Bethania which in several languages as skilful men observe signifies divers things as sometimes the House of Obedience and indeed the obedience of Faith is eminently found in this City Secondly the House of Affliction of which she is oft partaker as a state that naturally attends the Gospel Thirdly of the Grace of the Lord which is the only vertue by which this City Works and Reigns and Shines Fourthly the House of a Song from the new Song which by redeemed Souls is sung to Jesus their Saviour who came to save his People from their Sins But Fifthly the House of the Poor from the Hebrew by th and Gnania from this signification is derived and this is the true state of the Church of Christ with respect to humane excellencies being poor in Spirit but rich in Faith empty of guile but full of Sincerity is become a Fool for Christ in respect of Worldly Wisdom but wise in Christ with that Wisdom which is from above she is weak and feeble as the Conies a feeble folk Prov. 30 26. with respect to humane Power but full of might and Power by the glorious Spirit of the Lord Mic. 3.8 she is ashamed of all her own Righteousness both of nature and also that which is of the Law it being imperfect by reason of the fall and so she accounts it as filthy rags and as a menstruous cloth but is full of the everlasting Righteousness Christ first imputed to her and after wrought in her by his divine Power yet all her natural glory is wholly vailed for the Son of Righteousness hath looked upon her and she is become black and undone in her self because her eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Cant. 1.6 Isa 6.5 but this Poverty consisted not only in internal things but also in the things of this World in which she seldom flourisheth in uncertain Riches nor appears in that Pomp and State in which Babel shines she sets light by the unrighteous Mammon of this World it being the portion of men of earthy Spirits therefore she is often in Hunger Thirst Cold and Nakedness she hath been Destitute Afflicted and Tormented hath wandred from one kindred to another People and hath seldom any certain dwelling place oft-times this Abel is slain by this Cainish brood but like the Phoenix she springs again out of her own ashes and the gates of Hell do not prevail against her Babel hath Golden Chalices but Wooden Priests but she is contented with wooden Chalices and rejoyceth in her golden or shining Ministery Lo this is that little City which we call Bethania where also the poor wise man Eccl. 9.14 is content and delights to dwell who became poor for our sakes that we might be made rich by him he had not a hole to rest his head in this World that we might possess Eternal Mansions of Glory in the World to come he left Heaven that we might be redeemed from Hell came out of the bosome of his Father that we that were banished from it might return He was crowned with Thorns that we might obtain by him a Crown of Righteousness and Glory he was content to bear his Father's wrath that we might obtain an interest in his Eternal Love. In fine be died an accursed Death that we might live a Blessed Life so that visible poverty hath been incident to Christ and his little City and it is like to be the Estate of his espoused Virgin till the Marriage of the Lamb be come and she be instated in his eternal Riches But now Bethania was a certain City or Town almost two Miles from Jerusalem John 11.16 scituate on the Mount of Olives Mar. 11.1 and was a Place which Jesus often visited into Bethania he went out of Jerusalem to lodge after the Children had sung Hosannah Mat. 21.17 Near this Place stood the Fig-tree which he cursed in his return again into the City be-because it bare nothing but leaves ver 9. It was in Bethania where the Woman anointed Jesus's feet Mat. 26 6. and John 12.3 In this Bethania Jesus mildly reproved Martha and justified Mary in waiting rather for something from him than being cumbred with Martha in preparing something for him Luke 10.38 39 40 41 42. In this Bethania he raised Lazarus and wept for Sympathy John 11.35 43. In or near Bethania he blessed his Disciples Luke 24.59 and from thence was taken up into Heaven vers 57. Acts 1.9 12. And to this Mount of Olives where Bethania standeth Jesus for ought appears may come the second time as the first Place he will visit in his Return as being the last he left in his Ascent to Heaven according to that Prophecy Zech. 14.4 This Bethania therefore is a clear Representation of the true Church of Christ where his quickning Spirit revives the otherwise dying Souls of men here he mildly reproves those who do one good thing when another more weighty should be attended in this place and state of poorness of Spirit are the spiritual Blessings enjoyed from Christ our Saviour and here Souls sit with a weeping Mary in great humility at Jesus his Feet here Jesus seems to weep through Sympathy with his poor and afflicted People and will not forget the Congregation of his poor for ever 34.19 This City is indeed a true Communion of Saints according to that ancient Article of the Apostles Creed and
Soul and Edifieth it which is the only Design of Divinity in all its various Operations So then Singing of Psalms is used in Bethania For the Song of Hosannah was sung very near it Mat. 21.9 but it is used there as a Gift of the Holy Spirit peculiar only to him that hath it and not as an Ordinance of God which respecteth all Yet nevertheless Praising of God is an Ordinance of God according to the Principles of Nature proper to all Creatures and so all the Works of God do Praise him but do not Sing unto him except only when their Spirits are Elevated and then the Trees of the Wood sing out and clap their Hands Psal 145.10 Isa 24.7 Isa 55.13 when the Celestial Influences have quickened them in the Spring and Summer and their Voice is uttered in their Leaves Blossoms and Fruit. But when those Influences are withdrawn then they retire and are silent all the Winter Season and so the Sun Moon and Stars Psal 148.3 do Praise the Lord by the Influences of his own Vertue that is in them yea Dragons and all Deeps Fire Hail Snow Stormy Wind Mountains Trees Cedars Beafts Cattle Creeping Things Flying Fowls all these Psal 148.7 8 9 10. in their proper Nature Praise the Lord and Sing unto him in that Season when he putteth the Song into their Mouth Bethania's Walks WITH GOD. Now last of all having briefly hinted First At the Doctrine of Bethania And Secondly At some part of her Discipline and Order We hope now Lastly Briefly to lay down her Manner of Life and serious Walks with God and to what Place this Motion Tendeth CHAP. I. THe Conversation and Manner of Life in Bethania is very Divine and Heavenly Gen. 5.22 Chap. 6.9 being a serious Walk with God and a careful Imitation of the innocent and pure Life of Jesus so that as her Inhabitants are begotten by the immortal Seed of the Word of God and born of the Divine Spirit 1 Pet. 1.2 3. John 3.6 which Birth is from above even so their Conversation isin Heaven as the way of Life which is above to the wise Phil. 3.20 Prov. 15.24 Ephes 1.3 Col. 1.3 1 Pet. 1.4 to deliver from the Snares of Hell beneath in which place and State they are and shall be blessed with all Spiritual and Eternal Blessings in and by Christ Jesus And therefore their Affections are set on things above as things that are incorruptible and will never fade away The which being their Everlasting Treasure unto which they are begotten and born as right Heirs of the same even so their Hearts seriously incline towards that place where this Treasure is layed up for them Heb. 11.14 and their Life is framed here on Earth among men as becometh those who expect to live with God in Heaven among Angels and is such a life Phil. 1.27 which is proper and natural to the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus in which the Grace apeareth which teacheth us To deny all Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Righteously Soberly Tit. 2.12 14. and Godly in this present World looking for that blessed Hope and glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity and Purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works that they might shew forth the Praises of him 1 Pet. 2.9 Phil. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.11 Chap. 2.14 Mark 3.45 who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light in which they shine as lights in the World and manifest the most pure Life of Jesus in their Mortal Flesh making manifest the Savour of his Knowledge in every place which Heavenly Off-spring are of near Affinity with most pure Jesus whose Divine Nature hath deeply Penetrated into their very Souls and changed the Properties thereof from Devilish and Beastial into Divine and Spiritual Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 8.28 John 3.1 2 Cor. 3.18 Ephes 2.19 Chap. 7.15 Heb. 12.13 Rev. 13.8 Gal. 4.25 and so he is but the first-born among these many Brethren as the glorious Son of God by Natural Generation and the Children of the same God with him by Divine Regeneration So that there is but one Nature Spirit Life and Image in Christ and Christians therefore they are called The Houshold of God and the Family in Heaven the General Assembly and Church of the first-born whose Names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb stain from the Foundation of the World and so are Fellow-Citizens with the Saints in that Spiritual Jerusalem which is above and is the true Mother of all real Bethanians CHAP. II. BUT now forasmuch as Bethania is scituate on the Mount of Olives and the Earthly Jerusalem is beneath it yet scarce two Miles distant from it and the direct Motion of the true Followers of the Lamb being still upward ascending from a fleshly Glory in a visible Profession Mat. 5.3 into Poverty of Spirit and Resignation to Jesus Ephes 3.8 and so through that Estate into Spiritual and Eternal Riches we shall a little consider the walk of Saints and the walk of the World as they are both hastening apace into Endless Eternity And forasmuch as the Soveraign God in whose hands is all Power and at whose dispose all things must be hath appointed Heaven Earth and Hell these three places to be the Habitation of all Creatures in time and Eternity according to their proper State. Eccles 3.1 It is Earth only that is allotted to Time and Heaven and Hell to Eternity so that Earth stands between Heaven and Hell equally distant and there are three steps by which men ascend from Earth to Heaven and three steps by which they descend from it to Hell. Now Bethania chooseth the way of Life which is strait and narrow Mat. 7.13 and ascendeth upwards but Babel imbraceth the way of Death Job 21.13 Isa 5.14 Rev. 3.16 which is broad and pleasant and descendeth downwards and the Earthly Jerusalem not well liking either of these yet having but a Luke-warm Spirit settleth upon her Lees just between but at last must sink down with Babel like a Millstone Rev. 18.21 Isa 33.14 into the Bottomless deep of Gods Eternal Wrath which the Sinners in Sion as well as the Sinners in Babel shall not be able to escape Now these three steps by which Bethania ascendeth upwards she hath learned of Christ our Lord who himself hath travelled the same way and they are First Deny your selves Secondly Take up the Cross and Thirdly Mat. 16.24 John. 21.26 Follow me and then Where I am there shall also my Servant be But those three steps by which Babel descendeth towards her Infernal Den are wholly of another Nature as they are layed down by the Apostle Phil. 3.19 And are First Their God is their Belly Secondly Their Glory is their Shame and Thirdly Who mind
Earthly Things the fearful issue of all which is Destruction in the end But Bethania's liketh not this way though seemingly pleasant therefore taketh her leave of Babel who on the other hand despiseth the way of Bethania Prov. 29.27 Zeph. 1.12 and so these two Cities turn back to back and leave the Earthly Jerusalem on her lees each one hastening in his proper Motion and never see one anothers Faces any more therefore we shall endeavour and desire to prosecute the way of Bethania and declare those things as the Lord shall enable us wherein she is said To be a Follower of the Blessed Lamb who is our Saviour Rev. 14.3 and the Prince of Peace and Life CHAP. III. THere is a right precious and most Holy Faith belonging to Christians as proper to the Elect of God of which we have spoken somewhat before 2 Pet. 1.1 Rom. 10.17 and it is a certain Divine Principle begotten in the Soul by the Word of God from whence springs that Vertue in which the Saints do walk the which Vertue is seven-fold as is noted in 2 Pet. 1.15 And it shineth forth in the Souls of Christians by the influence of that Grace which streameth unto them from the Seven Spirits of God which are before the Throne Rev. 1.4 2 Pet. 1.8 And where these things are and also abound that Soul is neither Barren nor Unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ But Entrance is administred abundantly into his Everlasting Kingdom These are the seven Pillars as it seemeth upon which Wisdom hath builded her House the Foundation of which House is laid in the Foundation-Stone of Sion Prov. 9. Isa 28.16 and by these Pillars it is exposed to open View and when any of these Pillars are wanting or out of Order there is a Breach and when they all disappear it is a total Ruine Now these Seven Spirits of God which are before the Throne are also the seven Pillars upon one Stone Rev. 1.4 Rev. 5.6 Zach. 3.9 the which seven Spirits are sent forth into all the Earth noted also to be seven Eyes and seven Horns possessed by that Lamb which was slain Rev. 1.18 but is now alive for evermore So that seven being a Number of Perfection it is proper to Christ who received the Spirit not by measure John 3.34 for in him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily and it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell By these seven Spirits are also seven Eyes Gal. 2.4 Rev. 15.6 and seven Horns signifying Power It pleaseth the Glorious God through Christ to look upon and finally to dispose of the whole Creation according to his own Will Now these seven Spirits are First Isa 11.3 The Spirit of Wisdom by which the Lord did first contrive the Creation which he made Secondly The Spirit of Power 2 Tim. 1.7 by which he formed and supporteth the same Thirdly The Spirit of Judgment Rom. 1.3 by which he ordereth and disposeth thereof Fourthly The Spirit of Holiness by which he gloriously shineth before and among his Creatures Fifthly The Spirit of Humility by which he vouchsafeth to behold the Creation as the Works of his own Hands 1 Cor. 4.21 Sixthly The Spirit of Meekness by which he is tender and pitiful to all so careful too of the Creation which cannot subsist without him Seventhly The Spirit of Love 2 Tim. 1.7 by which he delighteth in the things that he hath made These are the seven Spirits of Jehovah the which as seven Glorious Lamps of Fire do burn continually before his Throne Rev. 4.5 Rev. 3.1 by which seven Spirits the Glorious Lamb being also seven Eyes as we have said before looked into the state of the seven Churches and knew the lifeless state of the Church of Sardis and the self-conceited yet Luke-warm Condition of the Laodiceans Rev. 3.17 Rev. 1.20 and by his Spirit of Judgment will render unto them and to every one else according as their Works shall be From these seven Spirits John saluted the seven Churches whose Operation upon the Souls of Christian Men form therein those seven Glorious Excellencies which are Essential to pure Christianity before mentioned in the 2d Epistle of Peter chap. 1.5 6 7 Verses by which it may evidently appear that they are walking in the Spirit And First From the Spirit of Wisdom that is in Christ is formed true Knowledge in the Souls of men Secondly From the Spirit of Power that is in him is produced that Vertue that is in them And Thirdly From his Spirit of Judgment proceedeth the Temperance in which their Souls do live Fourthly From his Spirit of Holiness springeth forth that Godliness in which their Souls do live Fifthly From his Spirit of Meekness is begotten that Patience which is famous in Christianity Sixthly From his Spirit of Humility it sheweth forth the Brotherly Kindness that becometh Gospel-Professors And Seventhly From his Spirit of Love naturally ariseth that Charity in which all Bethania's things are done These are the seven Pillars that Wisdom hath hewn out and by Vertue of which 1 Cor. 16.4 Prov. 9.1 Christianity is made to appear in which also the Saints do walk in their Ascent towards their Everlasting Inheritance and by which they do shine as Glorious Lights in the World of which we shall speak particularly And first of Vertue CHAP. IIII. VERTUE is the inward Essence and Life of every living Form and is that by which those Forms become profitable and delightful unto those by whom they are used Vertue is of two kinds The first is Natural the second Divine and Spiritual Natural Vertue is that by which the Flowers in the Fields yeild forth unto men a Pleasant Savour and also a Medicinal Profit By Natural Vertue The Fruits of the Fields and Trees do nourish and feed the Bodies of Men and Beasts And besides by Natural Vertue the Needle in the Compass being touched with the Loadstone turneth always towards the North in which the Rocks of Loadstones lye even so also the Vertue of Fire penetrateth into whatsoever things cometh near to it and changeth the Properties thereof into a Similitude with its own Nature it causeth cold Water to become hot so that the Flesh that is boyled therein 1 Cor. 6.17 John 8.12 is made savoury Cold Iron is changed into a burning State and therein is capable of being wrought into divers Forms it is not the Form nor Colour of Salt for Snow hath both these but the Vertue thereof which maketh it to be so useful to the Sons of men Water hath the same liquid Form as Wine but not the same powerful Operation Therefore the Bodies of men are in that Estate in the Excess of Wine unto which the same Measure of Water will in no wise reduce them So every living Form subsisteth and worketh by Vertue of that Spirit which is proper to its own Nature
with Angels The second of these Lives Col. 3.18 Job 14.2 is Sensitive in which he is in Union with Beasts and Fowls The Third of these is Vegetive in which Man hath Union of Life with Herbs Plants and Trees Thus God breathed into Man the Breath of Life when Man became a living Soul. Man is also to be considered â—nd to know himself in a Threefold State First His State in Creation Gen. 2.7 Col. 7.29 John 8.44 John 3.8 â—n which he was a pure man. Secondly His State in the Fall in which his Soul beareth the Image of the Devil and his Body hath the Properties of a Beast Thirdly His State in the Restoration in which only he is a Christian and his Soul beareth the Image of Christ Eccles 3.20 Col. 3.10 Phil. 3.12 Rom. 6.3 and in the Resurrection his Body also shall be changed into shining Immortality Thus man descended out of the Image of God into Sin and so through Sin into Misery Therefore his Ascent must be out of Sin into Holiness and so through that into Safety The great desire of God in his out-goings to man is to make him know himself Therefore the first Question that God asked Man after the Fall was Adam where art thou So also Gen. 3.9 Heb. 4.12 't is the Property of his most sacred Word to pierce between the very Soul and Spirit and to discover the very Secrets and Intents of the Heart The first work of the Spirit of God towards man John 16.8 is To convince him of Sin and to set it all in order before him that he may see himself to be unclean and miserable and so look for a Premedy but it is the Desire of the Devil to keep man from knowing himself that he might believe he is what he is not thus 〈◊〉 would perswade the Woman in Edea that they should be as Gods Gen. 3.5 2 Cor. 4.4 when he designed to make them as Devils For the God of this World blindeth the Minds and darkneth the. Understanding of those that hearken to him that so he might lead there Souls blindfold to Hell. Ephes 4.8 Gen. 3.7 John 3.20 Isa 29.21 Isa 5.14 Rev. 4.8 Psal 19.12 Psal 25.21 2 Cor. 1.12 Rom. 8.16 1 John 5.10 Heb. 10.34 Gal. 4.9 1 Cor. 15.4 Rom. 5.9 Luke 21.28 Man therefore cannot endure to see his owâ—â— Nakedness nor to have his in side made manifest but hateth him that reproveth in the Gate and striveth to pâ—â—â— out that light by which his Deeds 〈◊〉 made manifest and so covereth himself either with worldly Glory as 〈◊〉 Painted Mortal or else with Fig. leaves as a seeming Christian whâ—â— his Soul is full of Deceitful Hypocâ—sie But that Knowledge in which Bothania is walking with God is 〈◊〉 Knowledge that springs from an Eye within and this is still looking into the Secrets and searcheth into thâ—â— most inward State of the Soul and from hence ariseth all true Peace and Comfort when the Root of the Matter is found within the Spirit of God beareth Witness with mans Spirit so he that believeth hath the Witness in himself and the rejoycing of a Christian is the Testimony of his own Conscience The reason why men so much love the World is because they want an inward Evidence for Heaven Heb. 10.34 and no such Evidence can possibly be obtained 1 Cor. 15.1 but â—s the Soul appeareth in a New Creature-State To know that Jesus our Saviour was born of a Virgin and dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures Gal. 4.19 is a true and needful Knowledge but except his Image be formed in our Souls 1 Cor. 15.4 2 Cor. 4.11 and they quickned by his Spirit and beautified by his Grace so that his precious Life may be made manifest in us this Knowledge will signify but very little Salvation was begun by Christ in the Flesh Rom. 5.9 Luke 21.28 John 17.3 John 15.20 Jer. 9.24 Heb. 11.27 Exod. 3.14 Isa 9.6 1 Tim. 6.16 Job 11.7 Isa 5.7 15. Jer. 23.23 24. 2 Chron. 6.18 Col. 1.15 it is carryed on by Christ in the Spirit and fully ends when he shall appear in Glory The second part of Knowledge is of the only true God and his Son Jesus Christ the which indeed is the Substance of all Knowledge and in it consisteth Life Eternal but the most pure Essence of God is invisible and unconceivable for he dwelleth in that light unto which no man can approach In this sence therefore none by searching can find out the Almighty unto Perfection for as he inhabiteth Eternity even so also he filleth it being infinite and incomprehensible yea Infinity it self and no Finite Creature can possibly in its greatest Capacity comprehend or conceive of an Infinite Essence Heb. 1.3 Nevertheless it hath pleased the invisible God to give forth an express Image of his most pure and unconceivable Substance John 1.18 and by that Image which is in the Bosom of the Father Angels and Men see him which otherwise is invisible Thus the Father in himself is God Concealed but the Son his express Image 1 Tim. 3.18 is God Revealed Therefore in the Name Jehovah 1 Tim. 3.16 Rev. 4.8 Mat. 1.23 he is beyond all Angels and unknown by them but in the Name Emanuel he is God with us and known by men God in his Eternal Substance is the only God in himself but in the Image of that Substance he appeareth to be the only God to his Creatures Thus the only Son of God Revealeth the Father who is the only good and maketh all the Goodness of God that concerneth Creatures to pass before them Mat. 19.17 Act. 3.3 19. Col. 1.19 Chap. 23. For it pleaseth the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell in whom also are hid the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge so he that causeth Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in the Hearts of those whose minds are turned to him and giveth them the Knowledge of his Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ and thus the invisible God through this Glorious Mediator maketh manifest his Unsearchable Goodness to the Sons of men 2 Cor. 4.6 Ephes 3.8 that he might engage them and encourage them to believe in him also to Love Fear and Serve him Psal 9.10 and to trust in him from whom they have received their Life and Being and whatsoever good they enjoy But till the minds of men be turned to God and so the Devil World and Sin be left behind they can know but little of his Goodness Ephes 4.18 Isa 5.20 therefore they call Evil Good and Good Evil and so hate the Good and say to God Depart from us Job 21.14 Isa 59.15 John 16.3 for we desire not the Knowledge of thy Ways Moreover also they hate and despise those men in whom the Image of Goodness appears and these things will they do because they know not God and his most
yet they cannot sing her Songs But their going forth is with Weeping and they sow their precious Seed in Tears Psal 126.5 Phil. 2.12 Isa 9.3 Isa 35.10 working out their own Salvation with Fear and Trembling yet at last they rejoyce as in the joy of Harvest and the ransomed of the Lord do return and come to Sion with Songs of Deliverance Nevertheless there be some in Gospel-Churches who have both Power and Right to Sing and they do it partly to Express the joy of their own Spirits Exod. 15.16 Judg. 5.20 Rev. 19.9 Isa 27.2 and partly for the Edification of others In which Song they set forth the Glorious Acts of God his great Love to mortal men the precious things to come the Soul-refreshing Supper of the Lamb the Blessed Union between Christ aâ—â— his Spouse Chap. 5.1 and such like Therefore to these it is a peculiar Gift Aâ—â— that Spirit that giveth the Gift of Doctrine of Revelation of Tongueâ— of Interpretation doth also give thâ— Gift of a Psalm 1 Pet. 4.10 and as every 〈◊〉 hath received the Gift of any kind 〈◊〉 Nature whatsoever Rom. 12.6 7. even so he is 〈◊〉 Minister as a good Steward of the manifold Grace of God and to wait upâ—â— his proper Ministry with great Diligent for the Glory of God for the Edification of all that hears that all may learn 〈◊〉 all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.31 So that every thâ—â—â— is done by Gift in Bethania Rev. 18.22 And 〈◊〉 for Art and Craft they leave it to thâ—â— Crafts-men of Babel Lev. 10.1 John 4.24 1 Cor. 14.21 Acts 2.4 for God 〈◊〉 not be Worshiped with strange Fiteâ—â— but is looking into the Churches for spiritual Worship and spiritual Worshippers and therefore Paul would Pray in the Spirit and Sing in the Spirit and the Preachers would Preach as the Spirit gave them Vtterance But if any say We have not such Gifts now and therefore cannot Act by them It is answered in Bethania That oâ—â— Cause is our being so full of Art. And so when the Crafts-men bid us sing Psal 40.3 then we sing and they put the Song into our Mouths when indeed the Lord should put it there And so when we should weep because by the Waters of Babylon we fall to singing Psal 137.1 according as men do teach us otherwise we could not sing our selves So that we may see that we be yet within the Limits of Babel but do not hearken to the Voice that saith Rev. 18.4 Mich. 4.10 Come out of her my People and again Go out of the City into the Field Therefore Bethania who is poor in Spirit and hath left Art and Craft to Babel and to the Earthly Jerusalem if any of them have a Gift to Preach Rom. 12.6 then he preacheth according to his Gift and all the rest are silent while he Preacheth and so it is observed also in Prayer and all the rest are silent only Act in their Spirits 1 Cor. 14.30 Verse 26. And so if any have the Gift of a Psalm then he only singeth to whom the Psalm is given but all the rest hold their Peâ—ce and are Exercised only in their Spirits and so are Edified For if all the whole Congregation should say the same Words 1 Cor. 14.23 after the Preacher hath said them it would be great Confusion and if all should Pray the same Words that the Minister prayeth it would appear Ridiculous Even so when one singeth by a Gift and all that are present sing the same things after or with him is it not great Confusion and Disorder For he only singeth by a Gift and all the rest learn of him and speak his Words and so are wholly guided by another Job 19.28 and there is nothing springeth from any Root of Matter in themselves and after this manner we may teach divers Birds to say what we have said to them Yea Prophane Persons and Carnal Professors that have nothing of Divinity in them may sing as well as the most Divine and Spiritual Therefore this cannot be Gospel-Worship which consisteth not in bodily Exercise 1 Tim. 4.8 but in Spirit and Truth anâ— therefore we are to observe a spiritual Method in the Management of it Aâ—â— did not sing in the time of the Law for there were Masters of the Musick who did instruct and order the Singeâ— in the Exercise of Songs 1 Chron. 15.19 Chap. 16.42 and 25.1 These were Asaph Heman Ethan and Jeduthan Asaph and Heman were Seers in the Words of God and These with their Brethren was set over the Song to instruct and train up Singers in that Divine Exercise and the Number of them with their Brethren that were instructed in the Songs of the Lord Alâ— that were Cunning was Two Hundred Fourscore and Eight 1 Chron. 25.7 Heb. 9.1 but this was during the time of the first Tabernacle and Temple which was called A Worldy Sanctuary And yet that Service of the Song was only peculiar to those who were instructed in it But we are now or should be at least under a more Spiritual Ministration Therefore all our Service should be done in Spirit Rom. 1.9 also in Newness of Spirit and not the Oldness of the Letter Chap. 7.6 Now when the Spirit of the Holy God hath inspired the Spirits and Refreshed the Souls of any of the Inhabitants of Bethania so that the Tongue of the Dumb is prepared to sing Isa 35.6 Psal 45.1 then the Hearts in which the Root of the Song doth lye Inditeth a good Matter and so they have liberty to use their Tongues for ought appears and sing in Metre or in Prose as the Song of Moses and Deborah Exod. 15. Jude 5. 2 Sam. 22.23 Luke 10.21 and David Also the Song of Jesus when he rejoyced in Spirit and said c. Moreover the Song of the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty Four Elders is in Prose both in English and Greek For they said Thou art worthy to take the Book Rev. 5.9 Chap. 15.2 3. and to open the Seven Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood c. So the Song that was sung upon the Sea of Glass is uttered in Prose for they sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb saying Great and Marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy Ways thou King of Saints Even so also the Song at the fall of Babylon which is an Hebrew Song is in Prose and is concluded by the Four Living Creatures and Twenty Four Elders Rev. 19.4 in these two Hebrew Words Amen Hallelujah yet they sometimes and often use a certain kind of Metre not exactly according to the Method of the Poets which only Elevateth the Affections of the sensitive Life but in the Spirits Dialect and such that pierceth through the sensitive Life into the rational