his Church the body and every particular Saint is the members of it and Christ which is the head hath compact and fitly joyned this body together he being the head of it the head is the principall of all for that receives sustenance for the nourishment of the bodie as a tree receiveth nourishment by the roote for the sap is in the root and springs into the body and so infuseth into the branches and causeth them to bring forth fruit I am the vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing Joh. 15.5 Christ in all the Saints in the Vine and every particular Saint are the branches and Christ hath the fulnesse of the God-head which is the roote of all and the Church is of the seede Christ is the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1.23 He is the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God Col. 2.19 And he hath put all things under his feete And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body Ephes 1.22 23. So he supplieth the wants of the Saints with the infusing of the fulnesse of himselfe into them working effectually in them according to the measure that he infuseth in them in his wisedome so though we have but the manifestation of himselfe in a small measure let us not say I am not of the body because I have no more for the body cannot be without the foote but beâ— contented with that thou hast still desiring waiting patiently for more and those that are the weakest members in this spirituall body the Church hath as much honour with God as the highest members and are as glorious Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary and thoâ—â— members of the body which wee thinke to be lest honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comelinesse for our comely parts have no neede but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked that there should be no schisme in the body but that the members should have thâ— same care one for another And whether oâ—â— member suffer all the members suffer with 〈◊〉 or one member be honoured all the membâ—â—â— rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12.22 to the 26. And â—is Church is compared to a building and 〈◊〉 called a spirituall building whose builder and â—â—ker is God Ye are the Lords building and yee â—e built upon the foundation of the Apostles and â—rophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe â—â—er stone In whom all the building fitly fraâ—ed together graweth unto an holy Temple in the 〈◊〉 In whom you also are builded together for 〈◊〉 hobitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. â—â— 21 22. The foundation of the Prophets and Apoâ—â—es is Christ and he is the corner-stone Ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house 〈◊〉 holy Priest-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice â—â—ptable to God by Jesus Christ Wherefore it 〈◊〉 contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in â—â—ion a chiefe corner-stone elect and precious and 〈◊〉 that believeth on him shall not be confounded â—sa 28.16 It is he that is the builder and he â—uilâ—s his Church upon himselfe hee is the â—ooke and he faith Vpon this rocke will I build â—y Church This is sure builded Therefore whoâ—â—ver beareth these sayings of mine and doth them â—ill liken him unto a wife man that built his â—â—se upon a rocke And the raine descended and 〈◊〉 â—â—oods came and the winde blew and beate 〈◊〉 that house and it fell not for it was founded â—â—on a rocke Mat. 7.24 25. And he is the corner-stone that joynes the building fast toâ—â—â—ther and this corner-stone holds up the bâ—â—â—ding and in the corner two meete together he gives the Jewes and Gentiles to himself and the Spirit of himself in us is the stone thâ—â— he builds withall through that word of Gâ—â— that was taught by the Prophets and Apostâ—â—â— and this Church and building is the Spousâ—â— Christ a garden enclosed is my sister my Spouse spring shut up a fountaine sealed Cant. 4 1â— There is the nearest relation betwixt Gâ—â—â— and his Church as can be and all his fulneâ—â— of love and all glory and all happinesse for his Spouse but yet it is shut and sealed thâ—â— she cannot see it yet it is shut up in her beleved for her and he will come quickly It shâ—â—â— not be long before he will come and break open this seale to thee that art the Spouseâ— Christ There is none can doe it but he aâ—â— he will shew thee that fulnesse of happiness thâ—â— thou hast in him and how it was thine whâ—â— thou wert an enemie to him and he hath kâ—â— it in store for thee though thou knewest is noâ— O what sweet expressions of love hee utterâ—â— to her that she might know his love hee â—alâ— her my love my dove my faire one Cant. 2 1â— Thou art all faire my Love and there is no spâ—◠〈◊〉 thee And my Dove my undefiled is bu◠〈◊〉 Cant. 6.9 Though some be growne in some measure â—â—gh Saints and some lies low some have â—uch enjoyment of God some little and some â—one at all yet they are all his Love his Dove â—is undefiled and faire one They all but only thee is his Spouse hee hath but one love for them all he loves them all alike with an everlasting love and none can keepe them from him she is his Wife I have married thee to my selfe Hosea 2.19 20. I will marrie thee unto 〈◊〉 for ever yea I will marry thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in mercy and in compassion I will marry thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. The Lord hath married us unto himself before the foundation of the world for he knew what should come to passe but wee doe not know it for it is shut up in Christ and sealed and in his time he comes and breaks open this seale to us by degrees and opens himselfe to us and sheâ—s us that he is married to us he is our husband Jer. 31.32 and we are his Wife Let us be glad and rejoyce and give glory to him for the matriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her selfe ready Revel 19.7 O what comfort is this to every member of this Church that Christ is thy husband and thou art his wife My well-beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 There cannot be a nearer relation for hee being our husband aâ—â— things are ours in him whether they be thingâ— present or things to come even all are yours 〈◊〉 you are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22 23. And being married to Christ God 〈◊〉 our Father and
â—â—bideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 Except a man borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot eâ—â— into the kingdome of God John 3.5 Before we be thus called we differ nothinâ— from those that are but servants but when 〈◊〉 are called by this new worke wrought inâ—â— which is the time appointed of the Father then he will make known to us what hee haâ—â— prepared for us before the world began 〈◊〉 were heirs to it when we were dead in sins aâ— trespasses but did not then make it known 〈◊〉 us and to all these hee will give eternall liâ—â— I give unto them eternall life and they shall neâ—â— perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand John 10.28 29. Feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome Thou hast given him power over them that he should give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him And this is life eternall that they might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.23 And it is hee alone that doth bring us to the knowledge of himselfe Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man commeth to the Father but by me John 14.6 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee the way that thou shouldst goe Isa 48.17 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it Isa 30.21 And these that are his children he will overpower them with his Spirit and make them come unto him Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Psal 110.3 Wee are unwilling by nature to come to God but when hee commeth with his power he will make us willing to doe what he would have us Mat. 22. Goe yee therefore out into the high wayes and as many as ye find compell them to come to the marriage This was a spirituall compulsion for noâ— hath the power to make them willing but tâ—â— Spirit The Magistrate doth compell to aâ—â— outward conformitie but that cannot maâ—â— them willing it is only the worke of the spirit and hee will compell all his children 〈◊〉 come to this marriage and make them williâ—â— to come CHAP. IX It is the Spirit alone in us that doth 〈◊〉 in all PAul saith I desire not to know any thing â—mong you save Jesus Christ and him craâ—â—â—ed 1 Cor. 1.2 For by him he being crucifiâ—â— for us he hath obtained al things for us aâ—â— we cannot know that Christ was crucified 〈◊〉 us nor any thing what he hath done for 〈◊〉 but by the Spirit of God we may believe maâ—â— things to be truth because it is writ in thâ— Scripture and because many say it is truâ—â— but this is but the hearing of the eare noâ— knows it to be truth by the hearing of the eaâ—â— as the truth is in Jesus but by the Spiritâ— God alone For what man knoweth the things a man save the spirit of man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 This spirit of man must be one with man or else it cannot understand the things of man as the thoughts and mind and will and desires of man which is one and the same with man so the Spirit of God is one and the same with God or else it could not know the things of God But this spirit knows all things of God For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 1.10 And this Spirit God hath given unto us Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God And vers 12. of this Chap. God hath revealed â—hem to us by his Spirit And vers 10. So Christ hath done all things for us and hath obtained all things for us and wee cannot know â—his without his Spirit and therefore he hath and will give us his Spirit that we may know â—t and have the enjoyment of it Man as man â—s not able to understand the things of God because man is carnall and the things of God â—re spiritual and a carnall apprehension cannot apprehend spirituall things The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 As wee are naturall we cannot know the things of the Spirit wee are not able to discerne them The eye of man hath not seen nor thâ— eare of man heard neither hath it entered into thâ— heart of man the things which God hath preparâ—â— for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 All the excellencies of man cannot bring us to know anâ— thing of the mysterie of God for every man iâ— beast by his owne knowledge Jer. 10.14 Jer. 51 17. I understood as a beast saith David How 〈◊〉 that according to a carnall apprehension anâ— a carnall imagination for the highest moâ—â— excellent thoughts that wee as we are men 〈◊〉 have of God is but according to our carnal imagination All the wisdome of man is bâ—â— foolishnesse with God 1 Cor. 2.20 Therefoâ—â— his wisedome cannot bring him to know thâ— things of God nor humane learning cannâ—â— doe it for then the Scribes and Pharisees anâ— the high Priests and Elders would have knowâ— Christ but they said Which of us hath beâ—â—ved him at any time And Paul had a great dâ—â— of humane learning yet that did not briâ—â— him to know God for hee was a persecuter 〈◊〉 the Church of God Gal. 1.13 Yet none 〈◊〉 the Apostles had so much humane learning 〈◊〉 he yet he did not come to know the minde 〈◊〉 God the things of God by the teachings of man Now I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me was not after man For neither received I it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.11 12. So it was by the Spirit of God revealed in him that brought him to know the things of God For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world to confound the mighty things And vile things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28 29. God strips us of all the excellence of the flesh lest wee should thinke by any thing that is of us brings us to the knowledge of God and so wee
not away the Comforter will not come but depart I will send him unto you John 16. â— So when hee departed from them in the â—â—dy hee did send his Spirit to them and only to them but to all his children to and of the world He shall abide with you â—â—ver I will not leave you comfortlesse I will to you John 14.18 So he departed from them in flesh and 〈◊〉 â—nto them in Spirit and remaineth with his Church for ever and is a greater Comforter â—o his Church in Spirit than hee was to his Disciples in his flesh when he was with them â—o Christ hath given us his spirit freely that we â—ay see the things that are freely given to us â—f God So in thy light saith David we see light Though wee as wee are men cannot see the â—hings of God but as we are Saints and have â—he Spirit of God so we come to see the things of God for the Spirit of God in us seeth the â—hings of God and so far as hee revealeth the â—hings of God to us so far wee see them with his s pirituall eye of himselfe The Lord is my â—ight Psalm 27.1 So in this light we see God who is light For ye were sometime darkenesse â—ut now are yee light in the Lord Ephes 5.8 For thou art my lamp O Lord and the Lord will â—ighten my darknesse 2 Sam. 22.29 So farre as God hath revealed himselfe to â—n so farre we have seen him with the light of himselfe And so farre as we have not seene him with the light of himselfe so farre we are â—n darknesse still and so farre as hee hath revealed himselfe to us hee teacheth us all things and brings all things to our remembrance For therefore hee was sent unto us to teach us to know what Christ hath done for us and to know the things that are freely given to us of God and to be our Comforter There is 〈◊〉 Comforter like this for he is alwayes in 〈◊〉 and knows our trouble there is not any thiâ— hid from him for we have not an high Prâ—â—â— which cannot be touched with the failing 〈◊〉 our infirmities but was in all points tempâ—â— like as we and yet without sin Heb. 4 1â— For in that he himselfe hath suffered being templâ— he is able to succour them that are tempted Hâ—â— 2.18 Christ hath suffered in all manner of afflicâ—â—â—ons both spirituall and temporall thereforâ— his Spirit is a sufficient Comforter to comfoâ—â— us in all our troubles with the love of himselâ— and in upholding us in it and to bring us 〈◊〉 of them when he sees it is for his glory and 〈◊〉 good Thus the Spirit seeth the things 〈◊〉 God For the 2d. It is the Spirit alone that hearâ— the things of God He that hath an eare to heaâ— let him beare Mat. 13.9 Mâ—r. 4.9 He that haâ—â— an ear let him beare what the Spirit saith unto tâ—â— Churches Rev. 2.7 It must be such an eare as can heare what thâ— Spirit faith It is only the Spirit that can heâ—â— the Spirit speak that knows the languageâ— the Spirit and none else man may or can hâ—â— what man speaketh and of the minde of Goâ— as it is writ in Scripture and to heare it in thâ— letter as it is in the letter but to hear it so as to understand know what it is in the truth of it as the truth is in Jesus none knowes it but the Spirit of God for it is spirituall The word that I spake unto you is Spirit and life and this word is Christ And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory 〈◊〉 of the only begotten of the Father ful of grace truth Joh. 1.14 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God John 1.1 So this word is spirituall for God is a Spirit John 4.24 And none can hear this word but that which is one and the same with it and therefore it is onely the Spirit of God which is one and the same with God which hath that hearing eare to hear what the Spirit saith and this Spirit of God heares all the mind of God yea all the secrets of God He doth heare what things they are that God hath prepared for them that love him and those things the eare of man as man cannot heare what they be for they are spirituall and heavenly glorious things and man is carnall and cannot heare them so as to understand it It is a strange language to him hee doth not know the meaning of it therefore he hath declared all things to his Spirit and hath given us his Spirit and so this Spirit of God in us doth heare the Spirit speake it speakes nothing but peace and love and mercy and goâ—â— will to us and what he hath done for us 〈◊〉 what he is in us and to us and what we are 〈◊〉 him and to him as we are Saints and 〈◊〉 Spirit will declare it to us by degrees that 〈◊〉 we are Saints wee shall know them for theâ—â—fore the Spirit was sent to us that throâ—â— him we may hear what God hath done for 〈◊〉 Thus have I shewed you in some measâ—â— that it is alone the Spirit of God that hearâ—â— the things of God for us For the 3d. It is the Spirit of God aloâ—â— that understands the things of God for mâ—â—â— as man cannot understand the things of Goâ— because they are spiritually discerned 1 Gâ—â— 2.24 And man is altogether earnall Mat. 1â— 13 They seeing see not and hearing bear nâ—â— neither doe they understand Isa 6.9 Mark 4 1â— John 12.40 Acts 28.26 How can they uâ—â—derstand that which they can neither see nâ—â— heare When Christ told his Apostles that he mâ—â— goe to Jerusalem and all things that are writâ— by the Prophets concerning the Sonne of Mâ—n fâ—â— be accomplished For he shall be delivered unto 〈◊〉 Gentiles and shall be mocked and spightfully 〈◊〉 treated and spit on And they shall scourge 〈◊〉 and put him to death and the third day hee shâ—â— rise againe And they understood none of thing and this saying was hid from them neither â—new they these things that were spoken Luke 18. â—1 32 33 34. They were the Apostles of Jesus Christ and â—â—e chose them among his Disciples to goe and â—â—reach the Gospel to all the world yet they 〈◊〉 they were men they understood not those â—â—ings in the mysterie what should be brought 〈◊〉 passe by those things They could not chuse 〈◊〉 know what those things meant outwardâ—y when he told them so plainly what things â—e must suffer for they could do no other but â—now those things outwardly but those sayâ—â—gs spirituall were kept from them that they â—â—derstood them not For man as man canâ—ot understand any thing but that which is of â—â—n For the things of God knowes no man Hee â—ay hear much with the eare and speak much 〈◊〉 that which hee
is called flesh and it is an enemie against God The seed of God 〈◊〉 us is called Spirit and the seed of the Devil 〈◊〉 us both the grosse seed and that seeming glorious seed is called flesh and there is a striâ—ng and strugling in us betwixt them for the â—eed of God works mildly and by degrees in 〈◊〉 and receives the power from God and reâ—â—nes all the praise to God it would not have â—ny thing ascribed to us in the least degree It makes no hast but is willing to stay the Lords â—easure Isa 28.16 Hee that believeth shall not â—â—ke hast And it is the Spirit in us that doth â—elieve and he doth not make hast that is wilâ—ing to waite upon God and stay his leasure while hee doth manifest himselfe in us in that â—ay that the Spirit doth desire it for us Cant. 2.7 I charge you O daughters of Jerusalem thâ—â— yee stirre not up nor waken my beloved untill hâ—â— please He makâ— us wait patiently upon God usâ—â— the means as prayer hearing and readingâ— but not at all depend upon them but to looâ—â— higher and see God above it yet hee is maâ—â— times pleased to manifest himselfe to us 〈◊〉 his Spirit in the meanes and our comforâ— consists only in him who is the fulnesse of oâ—â— happinesse and not in the strength of our peâ—formances but the righteousnesse of man is 〈◊〉 enemie to this it will not stay the Lords leâ— sure but doth strive and struggle with Gâ—â— for that which it would have and cannot be 〈◊〉 quiet while hee hath it and will not let Goâ— have the honour but keepe it to their selveâ— though God shall have it in words but not deeds for if we think to be saved by it anâ— without it we shall not be saved doe we noâ— ascribe the honour to our selves because wâ— performe that righteousnesse that we looke be saved by And this is a great policie of thâ— Devill to destroy all man-kinde for hee saâ— that his first policy was brought to noughâ— Then he seekes to destroy us by our own riâ—â—â—teousnesse making us believe that it is the riâ—â—â—teousnesse of Christ because without his riâ—â—â—teousnesse we shall not be saved and so maâ—â— â—s to depend upon it and take the honour from God and ascribe it to our performanas and keeps us from desiring after the righâ—ousnesse of Christ And when as God saith â—ooke unto me and be ye saved from all the ends â—f the Earth The Devill saith Looke unto this â—â—ghteousnesse of the flesh and see that yee have â—â—at and ye shall be saved for without it ye shall â—â—t be saved And this he doth to rob God of is honour and to keepe all man-kinde out of â—eaven and he works it so craftily in us that â—â—r as we are men and women cannot perceive 〈◊〉 we cannot be brought to believe it while God doth shew us it by his Spirit it is a very â—angerous thing and the higher wee grow in 〈◊〉 the more dangerous it is for there is noâ—hing under the Devill that is so great an eneâ—ie to God as our rightteousnesse It is Antiâ—rist in the mystery it opposeth Christ in all â—s ways and persecutes him in all his wayes â—nd exalteth it self in all his ways above Christ â—â—d will not have Christ to reign over us in his â—â—y nor he to save us but that he would reign â—â—r us in the Devils way and that should â—â—e us And so long as we live to this righteâ—â—nesse of our owne we live to our selves and 〈◊〉 to Christ and this seede is in all the chilâ—â—en of God and the seed of Christ is hidden it in us like gold that is mixt among a great deale of drosse that it cannot appeare so paâ—â— to us as it is in it selfe yet that which is gold is without drosse and is excellent even so thâ—â— seede of God in us is mixt with the seed of the Devill yet that which is of God is perfect pure there is no drosse in it but it cannot appeare so to to us by reason of that drosse of oâ—â— righteousnesse mixt with it and so farre as there is any thing in us and to us that is of Jesus Christ made knowne to us though it be but in a small measure it is reall truth but sâ— farre as it is not reall pure truth as the truth 〈◊〉 in Jesus though it appeare never so gloriouâ— that which hath not the truth in it is of Anâ—â—christ the seede of the Devill in us but thâ—â— which is reall truth so farre as it is truth 〈◊〉 is of God although it be mixed with fashood but this seede of the Devill which hee sowed 〈◊〉 us through envie to rob God of his honour and to destroy all man-kinde shall never dâ—â—stroy the children of God for Christ haâ—â— broken the head of the Devils policie but thâ— seed of the Devill shall not wholly be destroyed in us but God will get himselfe honour uâ—on it by the discovering of it by the pure lighâ— and cleare manifestation of the truth of Châ—â— made known to us by the Spirit revealing 〈◊〉 us what he is in us and what wee are in hiâ— By degrees he will make known his love toâ— and as he doth reveale himselfe to us in his owne righteousnesse the wayes of Antichrist will be discovered and his glory will out-shine the glory of Anti-christ and it shall appeare grosse darknesse to it and we shall be ashamed of it and as the light of Jesus Christ appears by his Spirit in us that seeming excellent glorious righteousnesse of our flesh which is Anti-christ in the mystery in us which opposeth light and is nothing but that which is contrary to it shall bee destroyed by the comming of Christ spiritually in us These two seeds are typifâ—â—d out to us by Isaac and Ishmael Gal. 4.22 23. For it is written that Abraham had two sonnes the one by a bond-maid the other by a free woman But bee that was born by the bond-maid was after the flesh but he of the free woman was by promise The son of the bond-woman which was Ishmad did cypifie Anti-christ in us this comes by nature and Isaac which was borne of the free woman was a type of the seede of God in us the Spirit of Christ which is borne in the new birth by promise and not by nature But as then hee that was borne after the flesh peâ—fâ—cuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now neverthelesse what faith the Scripture Câ—st ouâ— the bond-woman and her son for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heire with the son of the free-woman The righteousnesse of man must not be purged but câ—st out it persecutes Christ it shall not be heire with Christ and all the promiseâ— of God is to this seed of God in us and it is this that God loves so dearly Gal. 3.16 Nâ—w to Abraham and his seede were the promises made He
and you in me and I in you John 14.20 For Christ is the head and is one with the Father and the whole Church of God is the body which is the Spirit of God in all the Saints and he is always in us and with us Christ in us the hope of glory we by faith see Christ in us and know that he is the glory and wait patiently upon him while he is pleased to manifest his glory in us So by faith we believe and hope for that which wee have not yet the enjoyment â—f Though wee have Christ who is the fulâ—â—sse of all happinesse yet wee doe not see him 〈◊〉 us till hee is pleased to manifest himselfe to 〈◊〉 and shew us his glory And this faith of â—elieving what we shall enjoy is a very gloriâ—us condition and we have abundance of joy â—â—d comfort in it for the promise to us of the â—â—joyment of himselfe is sealed to us we are â—re of it there is not any thing that can hinâ—â—r him from manifesting himselfe to us Eph. â— 13 14. After that yee heard the word of truth â—â—e Gospel of your salvation in whom also after â—hat ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit 〈◊〉 promise Which is the earnest of our inheritance â—â—till the redemption of the purchased possession â—â—to the praise of his glory So the Lord revealing to us by his Spirit â—â—at there is an inheritance purchased by â—hrist for us which is himselfe that is the â—â—eatest inheritance that can be and this Spiâ—â—â— doth seale it to us till the time is come that â—â—mselfe will give us possession of that inheriâ—â—nce that hee hath redeemed and purchased â—â—r us for the praise of his glory So while we â—ave but an earnest given us of this inheritance â—eing we know it is sure wee are exceedingly â—omforted and carried above all slavish fears â—nd troubles and above all things that wee see below Christ and many the Lord leades a great while by faith before he gives them a full possession of himselfe CHAP. XVI Not for any to despise nor undervalue nor persecute one another IT is a very dangerous thing to embrace and close with that we heare before wee know whether it be truth or no for it is not sufficient for us to believe a thing to be truth because another saith it is truth For us to build upon this is a sandy-foundation we cannot build sure upon it though the things that we heare be truth yet except we know them to be truth by the Spirits teaching us or witnessing to us by sufficient grounds set forth in the Scripture that those things are truth that we heare it is very dangerous to build upon it and it is impossible but this building will fall for this foundation will not nor cannot hold it up and if it come to the tryall it will fall to the great dishonour of God and the scandalling of Religion and it is as dangerous to despise hate or persecute any thing that wee heare though it doth not seem to us to be truth for saith Paul After that way that ye call heresie so â—orship I the God of my Fathers Though it apâ—eareth to you to be heresie yet it may be reâ—â—ll truth therefore doe not hate it nor perseâ—ute it for Paul thought before his conversion â—hat it was heresie and persecuted it Acts 9. â—2 And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and â—aughter against the Disciples of the Lord went â—â—to the high Priest and desired of him letters to â—amascus to the Synagogue that if he found any 〈◊〉 this way whether they were men or women he â—ight bring them bound unto Jerusalem And â—he journeyed he came neare to Damascus and â—â—ddenly there shined round about him a light from â—â—aven and he fell to the earth and heard a voyce â—â—ying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou 〈◊〉 And he said who art thou Lord And the â—ord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest it is â—â—â—d for thee to kicke against the pricks vers 3 4 â— Paul was then one that was very strict in all 〈◊〉 ways and walked very blamelesse as conâ—â—rning the performing of the Law and hee â—ought that all that was not as he was were â—â—retickes and hee persecuted them to the â—ath but the Lord said unto him Why perseâ—â—test thou me I am Jesus whom thou persecutest 〈◊〉 He persecuted Christ in his members Inasâ—â—eth as you have done it unto one of the least of â—â—se my brethren ye have done it to me Mat. 25.40 Take heed how you persecute any though you thinke they are heretickes and therefore persecute them as Paul did and indeed there was never any persecution but it went under the name of punishing Hereticks and doe iâ— by a shew of godlinesse as Paul did but it iâ— hard for you to kicke against prickes for it iâ— God that ye kicke against and he is stronger than you and will overcome you at the last and he is like pricks it will pierce your selves for not any weapon that is forged against hiâ— Saints shall prosper but shall returne backeâ— and destroy their enemies like as those meâ— were that tooke up Shadrach Mesbech and Abednego and cast them into the fiery fornan at the Kings command because they woulâ— not worship their false gods They made thâ— fornace exceeding hot because it should destroy the three men that were cast into it bâ—â— the flame of the fire slew those men that caâ— them in and Shadrach Mesbech and Abedego walked in the midst of the fire and neithâ—â— they nor their cloaths were burned nor 〈◊〉 much as smell of fire Dan. 3. Therefore whosoever thou art that persâ—cutest any take heed what thou dost for the last God will destroy thee whosoever thâ— art except thou commest to be converted and they whom thou dost persecute shall be 〈◊〉 livered out of thy hands if it be to the glory 〈◊〉 God and their good but if God hath giâ—â—n you so much power as to put them to â—â—ath the greatest harm that you can do them 〈◊〉 but to bring them to their full happinesse â—â—d that harm that you thinke to doe against â—â—â—m you doe against your selves for while 〈◊〉 persecute them they are at peace and quiâ—â— and have abundance of the enjoyment of â—â—od and enabled to bear exceedingly whatâ—â—ever is laid upon them for whatsoever is â—â—nting outwardly the Lord supplieth inâ—â—rdly by his Spirit and he conveyeth himâ—â—â—fe to them in that way that all the enemies 〈◊〉 the world nor all the Devils in hell are 〈◊〉 able to hinder them from the enjoyment him but while you persecute them you â—â—â—not be quiet in your mind but are troubled â—â—â—d cannot have peace like Saul that perseâ—â—â—â—d David The Spirit of the Lord departed 〈◊〉 Saul and an evill Spirit from the Lord trouâ—â—â—d him 1 Sam. 16.14 And this Spirit cauâ—â— him to persecute David and wheresoever 〈◊〉 Spirit is it causeth persecutions for it
Independents nor the Independents despise the Presbytery and those that are neither of them let them not despise either of them for those that are the children of God what form soever they are in there is the seed of God in them though it be covered with a great deal of drosse that the seed of God doth little appear yet that which is of God is pure wheresoever it is though Anti-christ appeareth more in â—hem than Christ and seduceth them and â—hey cannot see it while Christ doth break oâ—en his seales to us and as hee breakes open a â—â—al to us then we come to see more light then â—e see what grosse ways of Anti-christ we have â—een in then we come out of that forme into â—nother that more seeming glorious forme â—han the other that we were in before but Anâ—i-christ will reign in us in this form as well as in the other that we were in appearing more glorious to us then hee did before and when the Lord comes and breaks open another seale to us and brings us up higher to himselfe and â—hews us more light than we saw before then wee see what a darke way wee were in before then wee come out of that forme into another forme more glorious than the other even the most purest and glorious form that we can find in all the Scripture Thus the Lord brings us from one thing to another from Papacie to Presbytery from Presbytery to Independency and the Lord is in every one of these formes to his people while hee brings them out of it and Sathan also doth transforme himselfe to an Angel of light and will be in that form to you for now you are out of an Anti-christian way and thinke your selves safe but you may hug and embrace Anti-christ in the mystery when you hate him speak against him in the history and the more glorious form you are in the more secure you thinke your selves and are ready to say let us here build Tabernacles And beloved wee make goodly Images to our selves the more glorious our forme is the more glorious images we make and the more liker God the more dangerous for that which is not purely of God so far as it is not of God it is of Anti-christ and we make an image of it and that which is like Christ for Anti-christ doth appeare in us like Christ we doe not know him from Christ therefore let not any of us despise each other or undervalue one another for Anti-christ doth tyrannize over us all some in one way and some in another and hee it is that causeth us to despise and undervalue one another for that which is of God is loving and kind to all and meeke and milde and causeth us to forgive one another and forbeare one another and overcome one another with love When Christ comes and breaks open another seal to you then you will see that yet you are in the darke for that light which now you have is a great light to that which you saw before but it is but darknesse to that light which shall appeare to you and then hee will shew you that a great deale of that in you which you thought was spirit will appeare to be but flesh which is of Anti-christ CHAP. XVII How God brings his Church into the wildernesse THere is a spirituall wildernesse that Christ brings his Saints into before hee giveth them a full possession of Canaan that is that glorious inheritance which is Christ A wildernesse is a barren place he will strippe us of all our excellent things so far as it is not purely of himselfe hee will come with the North-winde and nip and deaden and blast all our most excellent performances that wee shall have nothing to trust to but see our selves in a barren condition like a wilderness The church of God hath been in the wildernesse ever since Anti-christ began to reigne and Anti-christ is that which is like Christ yet opposeth Christ and it began in the Apostles dayes for no sooner is there any thing of Christ made known but the Devill will transforme himselfe as like it as may be and labour to set up his way in us and opposeth the way of Jesus Christ For every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Anti-christ whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already it is in the world 1 John 4.3 Little children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Anti-christ shall come even now there are many Anti-christs whereby wee know that it is the last times 1 John 2.18 That which doth deny Christ any other ways in the history or in the mysterie in what manner soever it be so farre as wee hold any thing that is not the pure truth of Christ so farre as it is not truth it is of Anti-christ though it appeare never so glorious and it is said that there are many Anti-christs because hee appeareth in many wayes to us but he did not reigne in the Apostles time so as he hath done since for the Gospel was then purely preached but Christ told his Disciples what things should come to passe Mat. 24.15 When yee therefore shall see the abhomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet stand in the holy place whoso readeth let him understand When the Lord openeth our eyes that wee see it before us and in us then wee come to read and understand that the abhomination of Anti-christ being set up makes the truth of Jesus Christ desolate for that light that shined in the Apostles dayes hath beene quite put out and the Church hath been led in a very darke way for the minde of God hath beene sealed up with seven seales and all the time that the booke is sealed up the Church is in the wildernesse and there shee hath a place prepared of God and there she should be fed a thousand two hundred and threescore days Rev. 1.26 And this was the time of the two Witnesses prophesying And I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes cloathed in sack-cloath Rev. 11.3 God hath some alwayes to speake forth his pure truth in some measure and they that speake forth the things of Christ are the witnesses of Christ and they prophesie in sacke-cloath which signe of sorrow and mourning when there is but little manifestation of Jesus Christ then we are kept under by Anti-christ both outward and inward and then is the time of mourning Can the children of the bride-chamber fast while the Bride-groom is with them but when the Bride-groom is taken from them in those dayes shall they fast And when they fasted they used to be cloathed in sack-cloath which doth appeare that the time of the Church being in the wildernesse having then but small appearance of the Bride-groom to them then is
worshipped God that sate upon the Throne saying Amen Allelujah And a voyce came out of the Thronâ— saying Praise our God all ye his servants and yee that fear him both small and great And I heard as it were the voyce of a great multitude and as the voyce of many waters and as the voyce of mighty thundrings saying Allelujah for the Lord God oâ—â—â—â—potent reigneth Revel 19. The foure and twenty Elders are thought to be the Prophets and Apostles for by them was the minde of God made known and these foure beasts yee shall find spoken of in the first of Ezek. Rev. 4. which was moved by the Spirit of God and was continually praysing God And this heaven where there is such a noyse of joy and rejoycing and praising God is the Church of God here is the singing of birds Cant. 2.12 Because the voyce of this Turtle our beloved Bride-groom our sweet Saviour Jesus Christ his sweet voyce of love and peace to us and joy and rejoycing in us is heard by us and wee see all things that hath hindered us from seeing him is destroyed by him for these earthen pitchers of Antichrist in us wherein the lamps of the light and glory of God lieth hid These pitchers being broke by Christ then the glory of God appeareth Judges 7. And then the trumpets will sound forth the praises of God our tongues shall be as a trumpet being blown by the Spirit of God to sound forth the praises of our God and this sound shall be heard throughout the whole world for the Lord will come in his time and reigne in all his Saints throughout the whole world and throughout the whole world shall this trumpet be sounded and it will cause a great earth-quake for all things that are not of God shall be exceeding fraid and troubled for as the Saints joy encreaseth more and more by Christ manifesting himselfe in us so shall the sorrow of those that are not the children of God encrease more more Rejoyce ye heavens ye that dwell in them Woe to the inhabiters of the earth of the sea for the Devill is come down unto you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time Rev. 12.12 For the light of these lamps and the sound of these trumpets doth terrifie our spirituall enemies and causeth them to flie and let us doe as the four and twenty Elders did fall downe at the feete of Christ And when those beasts gave glory and honour and thankes to him that sate on the Throne who liveth for ever and ever The four and twenty Elders fell downe before him that sate on the Throne and worshipped him that liveth for ever ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4.9 10 11. These Elders that God had revealed himselfe unto in such a high and glorious way and made them instruments to make his mind knowne to all people crowned them with his crowne of glory these cast their Crowns at the feet of God for it was he in Christ that did make knowne his minde by them and as he deserveth all the honour and praise so let us be willing for him to have all the honour for wee have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.7 It is he that doth all in us and let him have all for it is the glory of the Saints for Christ to have all the glory and for us to be abased and cast downe as low as may be at the feete of Christ and for him alone to be exalted in us There is one seale more to be broke open for this is the sixth seal and the first resurrection and now is Satan bound but he must be again let loose for a little season Revel 20. Hee shall have power given him of God and will transforme himselfe to the likenesse of this glory to deceive us but hee shall never have his will of the Saints for when he thinks to deceive us in this way the Lord breakes open the seventh seale then is the whole mystery of God made known and then shall the seventh trumpet of perfection of joy and rejoycing sound forth the praises of God in the dayes of the seventh Angel when he shall begin to blow the Trumpet even the mystery of God shall be finished as hee hath declared to his servants the Prophets Rev. 10.7 And now we see but in part and know but in part and so we have an enjoyment of God but in part but when that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away and now we see him but darkly but then we shall see him face to face and behold him as he is in his full glory and when we come to have this seale broke open to us then we shall know when the time is for the breaking of it open and how it is what it is that we shall enjoy and in the mean time let us not be inquisitive to know when it shall be or how it shall be for wee shall not know till then and then we shall know whether it be here while we live in this world or hereafter when all things are dissolved but let us leave that to God and to him commit our selves rejoycing always in the Lord. To whom be all honour praise and glory given both now and for evermore Amen FINIS