a mystery to all naturall men and worthy to be looked into and known of all the sonnes and daughters of Syon 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. Behold what manner of love is this that we sh uld be called the sonnes of God 2. Relation of Christ and so of the Saints as of sons so of a spirituall union with God not onely a union by way of peace but a union of Spirit thus was the Father and the Son one Iohn 14.10 11 Iohn 10.30 I and the Father are one And thus are all the Saints one in the Father and the Son and in and with each other in the Spirit Iohn 17.21 It was a part of the prayer of Christ who was heard in all things he asked That they also may be one in us Now the union of the Father Sonne and Saints may be considered either as first a union of spirits The Lord powred down of his Spirit abundantly upon the Lord Jesus according to that glorious prophesie Esay 11.2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the spirit of Wisdome and understanding the spirit of counsell and might the spirit of knowledge and the feare of the Lord. And this was fulfilled when Christ was baptized Matth. 3.16 Iohn 1.22 23. Of this spirit are the Saints made partakers Iohn 14.16 17. I saith Christ will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter and he shall abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive This Spirit of Christ or this spirituall anoynting is that which every son and daughter of God are made partakers of Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Christ dwels spiritually in all the Saints Christ is in you except yee bee reprobates Therefore it concernes all who professe themselves to bee Christians to examine themselves It is much to bee feared that there are exceeding many carnall Christians I mean that bear the name of Christians and that in a more than a common and ordinary way And if Christ be in you Rom. 8.10 the body is dead because of sinne that is the body is a dead and sinfull body and cannot act toward God and if Christ be in you you shall be sensible of it Never a soule wherein Christs dwels but is sensible of its own deadnesse through the dwelling of Christ there Col. 3.8 ye are dead saith the Apostle and your life is hid with God in Christ but the spirit is life because of righteousnesse that spirit of Jesus that adopteth sons to the Father in him and hath discovered and made the soule partaker of the righteousnesse of God in him lives and acts continually in the spirituall Christian Hence it is the Apostle could say by experience Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ lives in me Thus are the Saints made partakers of the same spirit of life that was in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 6.17 he that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit of the same annoyntings and the annoyntings that ye have received shall teach you all things 1 Iohn 2.27 2. They that are joyned to the Lord are made partakers of the same power there is a union with the Father in his power the spirit of Might was powred upon Jesus Christ and he stood in the power of the Father as he came forth in the wisdome of the Father so he acted by the power of the Father and this power the first Adam never had and as Christ the head was upheld in the Fathers power he was annointed with the holy spirit and with power Act. 10.38 All power in heaven and earth was given to him so that he stood in the power and strength of the Almighty and this did not the first Adam if he had then he had not fallen he is called Esa 9. the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace so that he stands while God stands So likewise this is the condition of all the Sainâ—s spiritually made one with God in him the same power upholds them that upheld Christ they are kept by the power of God unto Salvation Gods power is become the Saints power A glorious word of comfort for the Sons and Daughters of Syon with relation to affâ—ictions either externall or internall they stand not in their own strength they are not founded upon their own bottome they are out of themselves the power of God is theirs and they may conclude with comfort that while God stands they shall stand he hath promised to be with his in affâ—iction to uphold them to comfort them to carry them through in his bosome If the Saynts were but sensible of this truth that the power of God is for them it is that would exceedingly helpe them against the feare of faâ—ling 2. Consider this might be a warning to the Saints to take heede of acting in their own power but in all undertakings to see themselves acted by a power above themselves 3. As there is a union of spirits a union of power so there is a union in wisdome the wisdome of God is become the Saints wisdom and that not as in the first Adam he was made partaker of wisdome God imparted wisdome unto him so as to make him a reasonable man humane wi doÌ„e according to his humane nature so that here dwelt in him as you have hâ—aâ—d formerly a humane perfection in this par icular but the second Adam Christ was not onely made partaker of the guifts of wisdome but he was the very wisdome of the Father he was both the power and the wisdome of God he had the spirit of wisdome powred down upon him he dwelt in the Fathers bosome and lived in the knowledge of the whole Councel of God and from hence he never did his own will but the will of the Father and as Christ so all the Saints are made one in this wisdome Christ who is the wisdome of God is made unto us wisdome 1 Cor. 1.30 not onely by way of imputation but by the operation of the same spirit who dwells as truly in every beleever as in Christ and as the wisdome of the spirit increaseth so the wisdome of the flesh decreaseth that wisdome in the first Adam was a humane wisdome this a spirituall and heavenly wisdome this wisdome destroyes that wisdome that is in the things of God he destroyes the wisdome of the wise and brings to nought the understanding of the prudent that wisdome sets the creature a-working this sets the creature a beleeving that wisdome carried on the creature in its own power this spirituall wisdome sets the creature out of himselfe in the power of God that wisdome carried on the creature to the answering of God in the letter and yet in all comes short this wisdome carries on the soule where it dwells not after the oldnesse of the letter but after the newnesse of the spirit In a word that wisdome could not helpe to the knowledge of
bodies of flesh shall bee raised in the same forme in which it dyed others that it shal be spiritual yet question whether it shall he of the same substance therefore it wil be necessary to consider two particulars for the clearing of it First by what power we shal be raised Secondly with what bodies 1. By what power Answ 1. By the same power by which Jesus Christ was raised which was by the power and spirit of God he was declared to be the sonne of God with power by his resurrection from the dead Rom. 1 4. Secondly by the same power and spirit the Saints are enlightned and raised from the spiritual death of sinne and selfe which is the same power by which the body of Christ was raised so that when we say we are raised by the resurrection of Christ in the spirit that is by the same power by which Christ was raised therefore the Apostle desireth to know the power of the death and resurrection of Christ Phil. 3.10 by the same power and Spirit shall our bodies be raised at the last day Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 15 13 14 15 16. this being a truth that they shal be raised by the same power it may somwhat direct us to the form in which they shal be raised which is the second particular that is in a spiritual forme not in a fleshly for as the spirit of Christ raiseth us up in the spirit while we are here so shal it raise up our bodies in the spirit at the last day it is sowne a natural body it is raised a spiritual body our vile bodies shal be changed and made like his glorious body he tooke upon him our forme that so we might be brought into his forme for when he shal appeare we shal be made like unto him the substance of our natural body raised in spirit Of Judgment It is appointed to all men once to dy but after this the Judgment when all men shal be called to an account before him to wit the Lord Jesus there to give an accompt for all things done in their bodies whether good or bad Mat. 25. and so God in this way wil acquit his Saints and cleare them before the world although this is not their life neither that in which they appeare Mat. 25.36 to 40 Fourthly of the estate of the Saints after Judgment it is first ever to be with the Lord beholding his glory 1 Thes 4.17 Iohn 17.24 and in his presence wil be fulnesse of joy and 2. at his right hand everlastingly to be compleated in the same glory Col. 3.3 when Christ who is our life shal appeare we shal appeare with him in glory all flesh shal be swallowed up in Spirit and our bodies shall be changed and made like his glorious body all things that offend shal be done away and we shal be made eternally one in the Father and in the Sonne in the spirit one in eternity one in injoyment and one in glory this for the Saints is enough to know besides what shal be we do not know it is an height and depth a length and breadth unsearchable Oh the unsearchable riches of Christ what the Saints do injoy what they shal injoy swallowes up the spiritual Christian in the beholding of it hence let us continue searching after an higher measure of the height depth bredth and length of his love which passeth knowledge and there shall we be able to see and say that his wisdome is unsearchable and his wayes past finding out FINIS A briefe Discovery of Antichrist both in the Mystery and in the Historie By THOMAS COLLIER 1647. For my more cleare proceeding in the discovery or the Man of Sinne five things are considerable 1 What Antichrist or the Man of Sin is 2 What his Reigne 3 What shall be his discovery 4 What his ruine 5 When his ruine shall be SECTION I. What Antichrist or the Man of Sin is ANtichrist or the Man of Sin is to be considered either in the Spirit or in the Letter 1 In the Spirit Antichrist signifies one seemingly for Christ yet in deed is against â—â—m and so is but a Man of sin a son of perdition and this hee will appeare to be both in the Mystery and in the History 1 In the mystery or spirit and in this he hath taken hold of every man especially in these latter dayes yet t is true much time hath been spent by many to find out this Man of sinne who he is and for the most part ascribe it to some particular man never looking at the mystery or root of iniquity which is not in the first place a man but a wicked thing in man and this for want of a spirit of discerning we have not seen Antichrist in our selves but have cast him upon others and so misse of the thing or at least most strike at the top-boughes and are ignorant of the root Now Antichrist in the mystery or spirituall and internal part It is a confederacie betweene Sathan the deceitful heart of man transforming himself into an Angel of light nay into the Son of light and while nothing lesse than Christ and Christian wil satisfie he wil be the Christ or at least the Antichrist instead of Christ to deceive soules For this was and is the last the greatest and most deceiving stratagem that ever Sathan made use of to ruiâ—e sâ—uâ—â—s that where he cannot content soules but they must be Christians he can be content with that so he may be the Châ—ist hence he is called the man of sin the Son of perdition that wicked deceiver 2 Thes 2. It is not Sathan acting in a carnal and fifthly forme of the flesh but in the most refined part of the first Adam so he keepe the creature in the first Adam still he cares not 1. There must be a reformation that it shall injoy provided it be legally in the Letter it must believe or else it cannot be satisfied and bâ—lieve it doth but the ground must be built upon that first reformation qualification c wisdome is required to walke in Gods wayes and to the knowledge of the miâ—de of God wisdome must and may be obtained provided it be humane the wisdome of the first Adam that is enâ—ugh power of acting must likewise of necessity be obtained a power shall be obtained but it must be a creature-power â—nd a creature-acting under the name and noâ—ion of the power of God that is indeed and intruth condemned though in none owned there must now somtimes be a spiritual minde and that it injoyes likewise in its own apprehension although hardly obtained and indeed the highest pitch of spiritualnesse is but carnal to the spiritual mans injoyment this is a high pitch of spirituall mindednesse where Sathan dwells to have selfe thoughts of Reformation thoughts to pray more to walke more exactly and to please God better never thoughts of living out of its selfe more and of living in the injoyment
1 Cor. 15.44 And our vild body shall be changed and made like his glorious body In a word Such is the Saints glory and shall be in the perfection of it through their union with God in Christ that wee must conclude with 1 Iohn 3.2 We are already the sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shal be But this we know when Christ shall appeare wee shall bee made like unto him and this is enough for us to know And as there is an Onenesse between Father Son and Saints so likewise there is a spiritual union between the Saints This was Christs prayer who was heard in all things hee prayed for that the Saints might be one as he himself was one in and with the Father the union of the Saints is not a carnal union but a spirituall they who are joyned to the Lord are one spirit Vse 1. To incourage all the Saints to presse forward in the power of the Lord after a farther knowledge and injoyment of this spirituall union with the Lord and with the Saints Truly friends as this was not only the resolution of the Apostle himself Phil. 3. but his prayer for the Ephesians 1.16 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus the Father of glory might give unto them the spirit of wisdome in the Revelation of him that their eyes being inlightened they might know what was the hope of their calling the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints so is it my desire not only to presse forward in the power of God after the knowledge of this mystery but that all the Saints might live in the knowledge of it that their hearts might bee comforted together being knit together in the spirit of unity and love The effects of the knowledge of this blessed union will prove exceeding glorious 1 It is that will produce a glorious spirituall communion and fellowship with the Father Son and Saints union alwayes being that which produceth communion even a civill union after the flesh when once the Lord saith concerning man and woman they are no more twaine but one flesh that produceth fellowship and communion after the flesh so likewise and much more doth a spirituall union produce a spirituall communion and fellowship a fellowship and communion with the Father and the Son in all his administrations in all the wayes and acts of his providence civill or spirituall the spirituall Christian enjoyes God in all 1 Iohn 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father his son Jesus Christ Christ and the Saints from their union with each other 1 They dwell together in the spirit they are his house and he dwels in them the Temples of the holy spirit and they dwell in him they who dwell in God dwell in love 2 They enter together in the spirit eate O friends drink yea drink abundantly the Lord takes as it were spirituall satisfaction in his Saints and they take spiritual satisfaction in the Lord it is their life to live in the enjoyment of him 3 They walk together in the spirit they have their garden and galleries and pleasant delights 4 They talk together and commune with each other in the spirit the Lord he makes forth himself in the spiritual discoveries of his love to his Saints thē they are carryed forth to tell him of it to admire him in it and to praise him for it and thus there is many a sweet conference and heart-discovery betweene the Lord and a spirituall Christian which makes the soule to revive within it selfe 5 Christ and the Saints lye down together in the spirit and take their fill of love each with other they sleep as it were in the bosome of each other and so they rest themselves in love And this likewise produceth fellowship amongst Saints a fellowship in spirituals a fellowship in temporals and they continued in the Apostles Doctrine fellowship in breaking bread and prayer breaking bread from house to house being filled with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart Act. 2. and they who beleeved had all things commune a community as well as a unity that is so far forth as need is and cals for it so in guifts so in all things 1 Cor. 3.22 All is yours Paul Apollo Cephas And secondly the knowledge of this spirituall glorious onenesse which the Father produceth an exceeding earnest desire in the soule enjoying of it to live more more in that glory What is the reason Professors content themselues to be so low so carnall in their minds but because they were never acquainted with nor enjoyed higher things but the Apostle who had seen and tasted of that glory forgets all behind and presseth forward if so be that he might obtaine the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. and apprehend that for which he was apprehended that love that grace that God who had apprehended him Certainly that soule who hath once tasted how good how gracious the Lord is in the spirit can never be satisfied with the knowledge of him in the Letter 3 The knowledge of this spiritual union with God produceth an acting more in and after the spirit of God How doth the creature set it self a-work and acts it self even in the Letter of the Gospel aswel as formerly in the Letter of the Law for want of knowledge of the union in the spiritual power of the Lord although without Christ that is not being acted by Christ we can do nothing the Creature being unacquainted with that spiritual mystical union with God acts himself in the things of God 4 The knowledge of this spiritual union with God produceth the killing crucifying of that earthly part nothing kils and destroyes the flesh but the growing up in the spirit Oh! how would the soule many times be content to undergoe any thing so it might bee rid of pride and selfe and those fleshly corruptions and why it is the growing up in the spirit that destroyes the flesh the more you live in and after the spirit the lesse after the flesh 5 It is that will help us to know Christ and the Saints more in and after the spirit and lesse after the flesh and so wil produce a more spiritual communion amongst all the spiritual Saints of Jesus 6 And lastly it is that wil make the thoughts of a change exceeding sweet because the soule lives in expectation of a glorious freedome from sinne and sorrow and a full perfection of spiritual and eternal glory therefore it can be contented to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all where it shal for ever live in the continual admiration of and glorying in the spiritual enjoyment of God whose work shal bee everlastingly and fully to enjoy and freely to sing prayses unto the Lord. SECTION VII Wherein is declared what the Law is and what the Gospel is with the difference betwee◠them both in the Letter and in the Spirit THE Law in the Letter is a rule of
all his spiritual Ones after him unto the same perfection into the same glory Object If this be the Gospel in the Spirit to know Christ no more after the flesh and to live in the spirit to look upon Christ as the way in the flesh into the spirit or holyest where he is then what need of faith so much spoken of in the Scripture the just shall live by faith and We are justifiâ—d by faith c. Answ 1. Faith may be acted not only on Christ dying upon the Crosse but in Christ living in the soule that is my beleeving that Christ is spiritually formed in me as wel as that he hath dyed for me that I am justified in the spirit as wel as in the flesh faith hath the same object in the spirit as in the flesh to beleeve that Christ lives spiritually in the soule and that it shal bee swallowed up in the conclusion wholly in the spirit 2 There may be often occasions to make use of faith likewise while we are in this body of flesh although the soule obtaines a good degree of the enjoyment of the spirit from and in God yet there wil bee through the presence of corruption some stirre and trouble and this God in his wisdome permits for ends best known to himselfe The Apostle Paul who lived exceeding highly in the spirit sometimes in the third heaven that is in the highest discovery of God yet he meets with a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet him that was some strong lust in the flesh that might cause him to look down again And the reason he renders Lest he should be exalted above measure 2 Cor. 12. For the truth is if God should cause any one to live alwayes in heaven that is above all lusts and corruptions in the highest discovery and enjoyment of God he would be ready to be lifted up above measure Experience teacheth us as much ready to look upon all knowledge and enjoyment beleeve it to be nothing but carnal therefore he brings down Paul that he might exercise faith and live upon grace as well as others My grace is sufficient for thee My strength shall be perfected in thy weaknesse So that notwithstanding this life of a Christian in the spirit yet there will be the use of faith alwayes either in the Spirit or in the Letter sometimes God brings a soule to live upon grace as it was revealed by Christ in the flesh and brought home and enjoyed by the spirit when we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord in the spiirit but when we are absent from the body we are at home in the Lord in the spirit 3. There is a continuall use of Faith and that of the most spirituall Christian with relation to the perfection of our eternall injoyments for the Saints do not onely injoy a onenesse with God here and from hence much spirituall and internall glory but by faith believes and hope expects that perfection of glory hereafter wherein it shall be perfectly made like unto Christ when this vile body shall be changed and made like unto his glorious body which at present so acts it selfe even in the Saints which prevents them even of that perfection of glory which they by faith expect when the change comes when Corruption shall put one Incorruption and Mortall shall put on Immortality When this naturall body shall become spirituall then shall be fully injoyed what hath been by faith believed and by hope expected and of this hath the spirituall Christian a taste in the spirituall injoyment of God here although not as then so fully swallowed up in that glory Obj. But it seemes that Christ in the flesh is the way to Justification and glory the way into the holyest which is heaven it selfe where none shall enter till they are changed but Christ who is entred already Heb. 9.24 Answ True Christ is entred into heaven it selfe onely in perfection but beleevers they enter likewise in part viz. when they are got within the veil that is to say the flesh then they see into the spirituall mystery and mansions of glory unconceivable and indeed un-utterable as the Apostle saith and desire to live continually within the veil if it might be while they are here yet they are raysed up more and more in the spirit and in the conclusion shall be for ever with Christ within all veiles which was best of all as the Law in the Letter was a veil to the Gospel both in Letter and Spiriâ— 2 Cor. 3.14 So is the Gospel in the flesh a veil to the Gospel in the Spirit a veil through which and within which all the Saints by degrees shall fully enter Qu. What is the difference between the Law and the Gospel Answ The difference is both in the Letter and in the Spirit the Gospel in the Spirit is the substance of that righteousnesse spiritually included in the Law as the Type Image or Character of that spirituall substance the Saynts are partakers of Hence it is often called the Law in the Spirit the Letter killeth the Spirit giveth life and I through the Law am dead to the Law that I might live unto God Gal. 2.19 that is I through the Law of the Spirit that is the righteousnesse of God in Christ am dead to the Law in the Letter that I might live unto God in the Spirit and not to the Law and selfe in the Letter 2. Difference is in the Letter of the Law and so of the Gospel and this is glorious for the letter of the law required a righteousnesse that was broken death ceiseth on all by that meanes the Gospel in the Letter holds forth a righteousnesse in Christ fulfilling the Letter of the Law so that what righteousnesse is in the Law required is obtained by Christ and every beleever is made partaker of it and so the difference is 1. The Law prescribes a Rule the Gospel fulfills the Rule Mat. 5.28 The Law requires a righteousnesse The Gospel fulfills that righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 The Law was the administration of death the Gospel the administration of life Qu. Is not the Law in the Letter a Rule to beleevers Answ 1. Not as it was handed forth by Moses from Mount Sinai so it was a killing Letter but 2. as it was taken into the hand of Christ and so satisfied and handed forth by Christ being turned into Gospel-Rules it remaines a Rule so farre as we are in the flesh I meane in the knowledge of Christ after the flesh but as God writes his Lawes in the heâ—ris of his people and taketh them up in the spirit so shall they live above the Law in the Letter even of the Gospel yet not without for they have it within them it is in their hearts and so they are a Law unto themselves Then the Rule in the Letter is as a stay in the hand or as a guide in the way helping the soule up to the
Spirit and then he walkes not after the flesh but after the spirit having the Law of the spirit of life within himselfe guiding him in the way of holinesse and so that Scripture is made good 1 John 3. The annoyntings which you have received shall teach you all things and ye need not that any man teach you and The spirituall man judgeth all things yet he himselfe is judged of no man 1 Cor. 2.14 Application To incourage the Saints in the power and spirit of Jesus to presse forward after this knowledge and injoyment of God in the Spirit this was Paules resolution who had tasted of the spiritual discoveries of God as deeply as any to presse forward after perfection Phil. 3. Forgetting things that are behinde not alwayes living below The effects of it will prove very glorious 1. It is that by which you shall be able with the more evidence of light and truth to judge of things that differ the spirituall man judgeth all things 2. It is that will make the life of a Christian exceeding glorious carrying him through all difficulties with much spirituall joy 3. It is that will put a period to all differences and divisions amongst the Saints Divisions flow from our ignorance and dwelling so much in the Leter 1 Cor. 3.3 whereas there are among you divisions and strife are ye not carnall and walke as men Those divisions and that strife amongst the Saints about things in the Leâ—ter argue that they are exceeding carnall but this knowledge of God in the Spirit will as a mighty Guâ—â—e swallow up all those litterall differences and put an end to all strife both among particular Saints and in the Nations Esa 2.2.3.4 When once the Mountaine of the Lords House which is his Saints comes to be established on the topp of all Mountaines and Hills that is in the spirituall injoyment of God above all carnall and flâ—shly things then shall all warres and divisions have an end and not till then 4. It is that will cause many a glorious Starre to fall from heaven many who have acted much after the Letter will upon the discoveries of the glory of God in the Spirit fall from that light they seemed to have SECTION VIII The matter of the Church what THE Church of Christ may be considered either as more generall or more particular 1. More general and then it includes the whole body of the Saints in the spirit this of some is called the invisible Church but to speake in the Scripture-Language it may be rather called the general or universal Church the whole body of Saints in the Spirit called the mysticall body of Christ because of their spiritual union with and in Christ their head This Church or assembly for so the Greek Ecclesia properly signifieth we shall read of Heb. 12.22.23 ye are comâ— to Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels and to the generall assembly or Church of the first borne and written in heaven and to the spirits of just men made pâ—rfect this is the Church that shall be made one in glory he generall assembly of Saints the spiits of just men and it is that might be desired at present that Saints Communion might flow more from their union in the spirit and not altogether from the union in the letter this is the glorious Church of Christ and the knowledge of it in the spirit will cause Saints to own each other more in the spirit 2. The Church of Christ may be considered more particular or a particular body or company of Saints in the visible profession of the Gospel walking in the injoyment of Ordinances taking particular care of each other and building up each other in the faith of this Church we shall reade frequent in the new Testament and this Church is likewise called the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 and it is not to be questioned but that this practise is very commendable amongst Saints and the knowledge of God in the Spirit and of Saints in the Spirit will not breake or lessen the fellowship of particular Churches but increase it and make it to be more spirituall for questionles that which tends to the breach of communion and fellowships amongst Saints is not of God for God is love they who dwell in God dwell in â—ove it is that will increase love and this is the more excellent way and that which in conclusion will swallow up all differences yet one thing is much to be desired that is that there might be a generall union amongst the Saints that those who are spirituall might not be divided in spiritual Communion because of some litterall differences about the use of ordinances and the like Oh that the Lord would helpe us to beare with each other in such things why cannot Saints in matters of difference beare with each other according to the Apostles rule seeing he that observeth a day observeth it to the Lord and he that observeth not a day observeth it not to the Lord and both give God thankes Obj. But our difference is in matters of Ordinances for the most part which God commands and hath given them to us as priviledges Answ True yet they are such commands and priviledges as God hath given to his Servants to leade them up to himselfe in the Spirit and what if some injoy God gloriously in the Spirit without these and we finde them spiritual and walking answerable to the spirit of Christ why should my conscience judge another mans Liberty and why should not we hold Communion with such in the Spirit and in the letter too in those things wherein there is a union but the truth is there is too-too much erring at present upon both hands the one judging it too carnal for any Saints to walke in the use of ordinances which is not a truth at present the other judging it inconsistent with the Gospel and the state of a Christian to live without the practise and use of Ordinances a third sort there are that would submit to Ordinances but want Administrators and this is more carnal than ether of the former because they expect that to be in a creature which is onely in God but here should be a learning and forbearing where the spirit of Christ is A fourth sort there are who put Ordinances upon those not capable of them without any word at all in the letters and this is the most carnal work of all and savours much of the earth and of an old Testament-spirit from whence usually the ground is brought and it were much to be desired that the Lord would be pleased to enlighten their eyes that they might have more spirituall apprehension of the Gospel and the end of Gospel-Ordinances yet it should be the wisdome of those taught from above to own any thing of God where-ever they finde it and although it is true there cannot be a Communion with
Nations both Gentile as well as Jew but the veil shall be taken away Isai 25. And I will saith the Lord destroy or swallow up in â—his mountaine that is in the Church the face of the covering cast over all people and the veile spread over all Nations Such hath been the ignorance that hath overspread all People and Nations through the spiritual operation of the man of sinne that the mystery of the Gospell hath been hid as it were from us and sealed up even with seven seales a perfection of darknesse that none was found worthy to open it Humane Arts and Creature-wisdome being set a-work did but so much the more darken it and cast a veile upon it till at last the Lord Jesus begins to open it himselfe and will unseale it by degrees and cause the veile to vanish away to the great glory of his spirituall Ones but to the great terror of all humanists who were left without this spirituall knowledge of Christ See the further confirmation of this truth Isa 11.9 The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea As ignorance hath as a veil been spread over all Nations so shall the knowledge of the Lord goe forth abundantly throughout all Nations Isa 60.17 19 20. Rev. 21.22 23. Secondly that which shall make for the Churches spirituall glory shall be the enjoyment of a full freedome from the guilt of sinne that which much troubles many a pretious soule and it was that the Apostle Paul was freed from Rom. 8. We have not received the spirit of bondage to feare again but the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father And this is that the Lord hath promised to his people in the latter day Isa 33.24 And the inhabitant shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity Sin is the cause of spirituall sicknesse This cause shall be taken away for they shall be forgiven their iniquity i. e. they shall live in the knowledge and enjoyment of it And from henceforth they shall not say I am sicke and the voyce of crying and weeping shall be no more heard in her for the former things are passed away there shall bee no more sin nor sorrow but everlasting joy shall be upon her head and sorrow and sighing shall passe away Isai 35.10 A third thing that shall make for the Saints spiritual glory is the knowledge of and enjoyment of a spiritual Onenesse with God in Christ and each with other although this be a glorious spiritual truth yet it is that the Saints have lived exceeding short in the knowledge of it the knowledge and enjoyment of it will be exceeding glorious to the spiritual Christian What this union is and wherein it consists I referre it to what hath been said formerly in the glorious condition of persons in the second Adam above the first A fourth thing that will make for the Saints spirituall glory is a living above creatures and things in the spirituall enjoyment of God whom to enjoy is life when all things below shal bee nothing when the soule shall be content to suffer the losse of all things that Christ may bee all and in all the glorious Lord will bee unto us a place of broad rivers streams wherin shal go no Gally with Oares nor shall gallant Ships passe thereby Isai 33.24 no need of rowing in creatures or things no need of gallant ships of any thing to carry the soul up unto God or to bring God in Christ down to the soule but the glorious Lord will be all and in all and the spiritual Christian shal live in the enjoyment of him verse 23. Then shal the tacklings be forsaken or loosed they could not strengthen their Mast they shal not be able who desire it to saile any further or longer in ordinances duties creatures but the great spoyle shal be divided and the lame take the spoyle the lame contemptible ones they are the people that are like to enjoy this spiritual glory A fifth thing that wil make for the Saints spiritual glory is a spiritual and internal conformity unto God they shal live up in the spirit and walk after the spirit Christ will manifest himselfe spiritually in them the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seuen-fold as the light of seven dayes the light of the Moon that is of the Church shal be as the light of the sun that is Christ the sonne of Righteousnesse who is both a Sun and a shield and the light of the sunne shall be seven-fold that is Christ shal appeare in the spirit to his conforming them to himself in the spirit which wil appear seven times more glorious than formerly when we knew him after the flesh Zach. 12.8 He that is weak and feeble amongst them shal be as David that is Christ David shal be as God even as the Angels of God before him This is the glorious conformity that all the Saints shal have unto Jesus Christ in the spirit this glorious unity and conformity unto the Law of Righteousnesse is that wil appear at the first sight of it very terrible and dreadful to the sons of men Cant. 6.10 Who is She that looketh forth as the morning faire at the Moon cleare as the Sun terrible as an Army with Banners such wil bee the strangenesse of this glorious truth that it wil not only appear terrible and dreadful to the men of this world but even Christ sets it forth himself with a note of admiration not as if it were strange to him but rather to discover her excellent glory and indeed the Church will bee worth a looking on her glory a seeking-after of all spiritual ones 4 Particular propounded for the clearing of the truth in hand is that the kingdome of Christ is wholly spiritual and not of this world that as formerly so in the latter dayes the glory of his Kingdom shal be in the spirit and not in the flesh it wil be spiritual and not personal for clearing of it I shal first prove it from testimony of Scripture 2ly By spiritual Arguments grounded upon Scripture 3ly Answer such Questions and Scripture-grounds which seeme to hold it forth 1 By testimony from Scripture it is the word of Christ himself My Kingdom is not of this world that is not a fleshly and external Kingdome over the bodies of men but a spiritual and internal one the kingdom of heaven is within you So likewise 1 Cor. 5.16 There is no more knowledge of Christ after the flesh they are too fleshly thoughts for a spiritual Christian Secondly it wil appear by spiritual Arguments likewise 1 Argument The spiritual presence of Christ with his Saints is the most glorious presence Christ wil be most gloriously present with his people in the latter dayes ergo his presence and so his Kingdome will be a spiritual
of the ruling of his Saints over their enemies for in this Kingdome of Christ shall the enemies of Christ be subjected and shall serve the Saints the Nations that wil not serve thee shall perish and Christ reigning in his Saints over them may be said truly to reigne over them Psal 149.7.8.9 Rev. 2.26.27 Rev. 5.10 Thus the first assertion in part is truth Christ shal reign 1000. yeares that is many Generations but it wil be spiritual and not personal 2. Assertion from thence is that all the Saints from the begining of the world shal be raised and come and reign with Christ Answ For the clearing of the truth in this Scripture which wil answer this assertion consider 1. what is meant by the beheading for the witnesse of Jesus 2. What is meant by not receiving the marke of the beast 3. What is meant by being raised living and raigning with Christ 4. What is meant by the not living of the rest of the dead until the 1000. yeares were finished 1. What is meant by being beheaded for the witnesse of Jesus It is a spiritual beheading such a beheading are all the Saints who shake off Antichrists badge and yoake like to meete withal Christ is said to be the head of the Church and the head of every man that is of every Saint is Christ now when the Lord discovers the evil of Antichristian wayes to his people and they forsake it they durst not receive either the Image name or marke of the beast they shalâ— presently be beheaded by the beast that is they wil condemn them as those that forsake Christ and cry out on them that they are revolted that they are Sectaries Hypocrites Hereticks c. And thus they behead the Saints spiritually and that for the testimony of Jesus because they cannot but declare the things that they have seene and heard from him which wil overthrow and ruine all things contrary to himselfe in the end 2. What is meant by a receiving of the Image or marke of the beast Answ By the Image of the beast is meant that likenesse that it hath unto the first beast who seemes to receive a deadly wound being compared with Chap. 13.11 to 16. that is this beast seems to make a change he speaks great words his looke is more stout than his fellows he thinks to change times and Lawes yet when all is done it is but the Image of the first beast the exercise of the same power the same wisdome in the things of God the same worship for substance it is all the same in substance and it is but the number of a man all of the flesh it is from below yet such must the worth and the excellency of it be for a time that whosoever wil not receive the Image of the first beast and account it somthing too is likewise to be beheaded and not to be suffered either to buy or sel amongst them and many a Saint is like to be given into his hand and he shal prevaile over them but it shal be but for a time times and the dividing of a time and then the Kingdome shal become the Saints Dan. 7. 2ly The Image is that internal spiritual principle from which the beast acts for none can truly follow the beast but those who have received this Image that is who act from the same principle those are acted who act for and from the man of sin and it is called an Image because it resembles Christ both in the internal as wel as the exâ—ernal part yet acts from his own wisdome by its own power according to its own mind to its own end and this in all resembles Christ Now these who refuse this Image in the spirit and cannot be contented with a wisdome like Christ a selfe acting in the roome of Christ a rule short of Christ an end besides Christ from hence casting off this Image is carried on in another track then before they come to be beheaded for Christ because they cannot receive the Image who is the Antichrist in the Spirit and not Christ so that here is not onely the Image of the first beast with relation to patern and power but likewise in relation to holinesse the first wil be for Christ and so the second yet are both but Antichrist 2. What is meant by the marke of the beast in the forehead and in the right hand by the marke in the forehead is meant the visible profession of Antichrist in the external part those that would not visibly professe the wayes of Antichrist or in the right hand that is to act for him these were denyed to buy or sel Chap. 13.17 to sel that is to preach the Gospel for Antichrist under the notion of preaching the Gospel sels his wares but a time is coming that none wil buy their wares anymore so they deny any who own not the Image name or marke to sell hence they may examine those who preach upon such and such intergatories and if it appear that they deny the Image name or marke they may not sel that is give forth freely what God communicates unto them when others sell or buy that is partake of any spiritual good amongst them if they could prevent it those were beheaded for the witnesse of Jesus but they were at last raised and lived with Christ 1000. yeers that is raised up from their low condition taken up into heaven in the sight of their adversaries and lived with Christ in the Spirit reigning triumphantly over all spiritual enemies selfe sathan world and those Merchants that sel all yea the soules of men too shal be weeping and crying alas alas Rev. 18. when the Lord shal make good that word of truth Esâ— 66.5 heare the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word your brethren that hated you that beheaded you that cast you out for my name sake said let the Lord be glorified that is it tends to the Honor of God to behead and to cast out these men but he shal appeare to your joy you shal be raised up with Christ and I wil give you a new name but they shal be ashamed Obj. John saith the Saints that had not worshipped the Beast he speakes in the Preterpluperfectence therefore it seemes not to be the Saints raised who at present were beheaded in the mystical sence but the Saints that had been beheaded in the litteral sense Answ First it is the use of the Spirit or the spirits Language to deliver it selfe in darke and mystical termes so the Apostle saith in another case 1 Thes 4.5 that we which are alive and remaine til the coming of the Lord c. the Apostle speakes of we as if he had intended the Thessalonians and himself which was least intended but the Saints who being all one in the spirit and but one mysticall body in Christ while there are any Saints in the world the Apostle makes it to bee all one as if Hee and the
Nations called Christian whether almost all people of all sorts devoutly slain in the spirit under this mystery of iniquity to have formes of worships prescribed that all Priests and People may walk in one forme and way of worship and all compelled unto it is accounted an excellent part of Christianity but here lyeth a mystery of iniquiâ—y under it First it brings all sorts of people to be acting in something though worse than nothing and so de ude themselves in all their actings it causeth them to look to men and not to Christ Secondly it causeth them to blesse themselvs in their unity in formes and worships never questioning their Onenesse with Christ in the Spirit they are as strangers unto it Hence it is that uniformity in the Letter is so much called for amongst all sorts of people being wholly ignorant of unity in spirit I could instance in divers other particulars as Ministry Guifts Church Ordinances all have something like Christ in them but it is al but the number of a man meerly humane carnal Ministry humane guifts and annointings in stead of the spirit carnall Church invented Ordinances but I passe it at present SECT II. What is his Reigne ANtichrists reigne is likewise in the spirit and in the letter Antichrist or the Man of sinne is as high in his reign as confident of his good estate First his reign in the spirit in the mystery he sheweth himself that he is God he perswades soules that he is the Christ his wisdome and his righteousnesse his rules his Ordinances they are of God and they must stand although it hath neither Scripture nor reason I mean in the spirit for it and thus this mystery of iniquity hath reigned a long time it began to work in the Apostles dayes Secondly the reign of Antichrist in the Letter he also visibly sheweth himselfe that he is God and must be submitted unto under penalties fines and imprisonments better speaking against the Ordinances of Christ than his Ordinances And thus he reignes with power and likewise with much confidence for She sitteth as QVEENE and saith she shall see no sorrow but her sorrowes will come in one day c. SECT III. The discovery of Antichrist THE Revelation of Antichrist may bee considered either first as he openly and publicly reveales himselfe to bee the Antichrist by his confidence and powerful acting as the Christ or above Christ of this the Apostle speakes 2 Thes 2.3 2 It may be considered as a mystery of iniquity and so revealed by the spirit of Christ unto his servants and so the revelation or discovery of Antichrist unto the Saints shal be by the spirit of Christ in the preaching of the Gospel as it is a mystery of iniquity in it self so it must be that hidden wisdome in a mystery 1 Cor. 2. that must discover it Now where the Lord worketh for his discovery hee first discovers him to be the Antichrist hee helpes the soule to find him out And then secondly he discovers the evill the iniquity of him he lets the soule see that it is the greatest and the subtlest adversary that ever it had to deal withall the most dangerous because cloathed under so faire and Christ-like a Garbe and the hardest to be discovered such an Adversary as bears soules in hand that they are going to heaven when they are in the broad and rode-way to ruine like a cunning Hocas-Pocas that jugleth away a mans estate before he is aware of it and all the while pretends friendship thus it is the spirit o God in the Gospel that must discover and reveal Antichrist in the mystery that same spirit who revealed it to the Apostle Paul and the same who revealed both his rising and falling to John in the Revelations those who thinke to attain the discovery of him by humane industry historicall readings c. are exceeding low in their apprehensions and come short of the discovery of him he may bee strongly working in a man while hee is discovering of him SECT IV. What shall be the ruine of Antichrist THe consummation of Antichrist shall be by the same meanes that discovers him the bright goings forth of Jesus Christ in the Gospel for as the kingdom of Jesus Christ goes up in the spirit for the kingdoÌ„ of heaven is within you c. so the kingdom of Antichrist must go down this is the meanes fore-told and prescribed by the Apostle who fore-saw him in his rising 2 Thes 2.8 The Lord will consume him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming the preaching of the Gospel and the bright comings forth of Jesus Christ in the spirits of his people shall both consume and destroy him As it is not a humane wisdom that shal discover him so neither is it a humane power that must destroy him for all humanity in the things of God wheâ—her wisdome or power it is Antichristian Therefore not that which shall destroy Antichrist but that which will uphold him untill he be destroyed the ruine of Antichrist is farther held forth Rev. 14.6 The Angel flyeth through the midst of heaven preaching the everlasting Gospell and vers 8. Another Angel followeth saying That Babylon is fallen is fallen that great City c. The preaching of the Gospel is the meanes you see of Antichrists ruine and the Sermon is Feare God and give glory to him This Sermon is that wil ruine Antichrist both in the letter and in the spirit give glory to God that is let God be all and in all let God bee your enjoyment in the spirit see you live upon nothing below him give not glory to creatures duties actings any thing either of the first Adam or Antichrist give glory to God in the letter give not glory to Man set not up Man in the roome of God doe not cry the voyce of Man and not of God in any of the things of God and this is the Sermon that shal ruine Antichrist See likewise Rev. 12.9 The Divel and Sathan the mystical Antichrist was cast forth of heaven to the Earth that is he shal not bee suffered any more to delude soules in a heavenly shape the Divel is now turned Christian and he makes warre with the Saints under the name of Christ both in the Spirit as wel as in the Letter And hence the great warre is betweene Christ and Sathan in Heaven that is between the Heaven of Christ and the Heaven of Sathan under the name of Christ But now John saith he saw Sathan cast out of Heaven that is he shal deceive soules no more in a Heavenly forme neither persecute the Saints any more under the name of Christ A glorious word and it is comming on apace for the most part of soules in that part of the world called Christians are ruined in the Divels Heaven and beleeve it this is the great work Christ hath to doe in these latter dayes the consummation of Antichrist
What is the meanes by which God worketh faith Answ The meanes by which God workes faith is his word and spirit by the preaching of the Gospel as the instrumentall meanes of his spirit working as the principall meanes Rom. 10.14 Iohn 6.63 now it is true God is not limited in his way of working that is he hath not confined himselfe to a verball preaching although it is true likewise that he ordinarily and usually worketh faith by by such meanes but a Gospel preaching as of necessity in the working of faith that is a spirituall Gospel desiring of the love of God in Christ and such a preaching may be by the spirit of Christ in reading some word or any other way he pleaseth to worke and it may truly be called a Gospel-preaching any spirituall Gospel discoverie to a soule through which it is brought up into Gospel-injoyments may truly be called a spirituall unfolding or preaching of the Gospel Hence it is that the preaching of the letter or a verball preaching is no where called a powerfull and prevailing preaching unls the spirit preach it is the spirit that must convince the world of sin Iohn 16. and our Gospel came not onely in word but in power and in the holy spirit 1 Thes 1.5 It is true God usually worketh by means but it is as true that he can as well worke spiritually without meanes if he please and this he hath done much of late I do not question but many who are spiritually inlightned and live in the spirituall injoyments of God have had experience of it Qu. 3. What are the properties and effects of faith Answ The properties and effects of Faith are many It justifies the soule from sin Act. 13.39 by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Qu. How may faith be said to justifie Answ 1. Not as the efficient cause of our Justification that is God onely in Christ it is God that justifies who shall condemn But 2. Faith justifies as it receives Christ and applyes him as its justification so that it is said to justifie because it satisfies and quiets the soule in Christ who is its justification Rom. 4.5 he that worketh not but beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Note two words 1. He that beleeveth on him that justifieth that is Christ all that beleeve are justified by him Acts 13.39 So it is Christ that justifieth faith onely ownes that justification held forth in Christ 2. word His faith is counted for righteousnesse that is either first God never declares a man righteous and just untill he give him faith to enjoy his righteousnesse in Christ or else secondly his faith is counted or called his righteousnesse because he never till then enjoyed his righteousnesse And so that when I say or the Scripture saith that Faith justifieth that is faith receives and ownes the justification of God in Christ declared and so the soule by it lives in the enjoyment of justification and freedome from sin The 2d property or effect of faith is union peace with God Rom. 51. Being justified by faith we have peace with God chap. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with joy and peace through beleeving This is one glorious effect that those who once were a-farre off should now bee made nigh by the blood of Christ and be brought into the enjoyment of it by beleeving The third effect is it puts the soul into the possession of the love of God 1 John 4.16 We have known beleeved the love that God hath to us and God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him It acts the soule above it selfe and causeth it to dwell in God and so to dwell in his love and this is an exceeding glorious effect and that which in the fourth place fills the soule with joy 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy unspeakable and full of glory What can a soule desire more than to dwell continually in the love of God When the soule is satisfied from its union with God and its dwelling in God that all the administrations and makings forth of God is love unto it And thus it dwels in love and from hence is filled with joy it causeth the soule alwayes to dwell at the right hand of God where is joy and pleasure for evermore Fifthly in a word to conclude the effect of faith is such as that God by it workes up the soule to an internall and externall conformity to Christ in some measure with a spirituall and eternall conformity in perfection in another world 1 John 3. 1 2.3 Phil. 3.19 where faith shall cease and love and unity be made perfect 1 Cor. 13.13 SECT VI. Wherein is the condition of persons restored by Christ and their union with God discovered THe Restauration of persons by Christ may be considered 1. either externall and generall or else 2. more speciall and spirituall First externally and generally and that hath a relation to aâ—l it is as ye have heard formerly 1. A condition of being in the world 2. A condition of possibility of a spirituall and eternall well-being in God if God in his Sâ—nne draw up the soule to himselfe John 6.44 But secondly and that I principally intend is the more speciall and spiritual condition of soules thus drawn up to God in Christ it is not onely a restauration to the condition of the first Adam with relation to a freedome from sin This every beleever enjoyes by Christ a freedome a justification from sin But secondly every soule drawn up out of it selfe to God is brought into the condition of the second Adam which is a condition as far above the first as the heaven is above the earth For the first man is of the earth earthy the second Man is the Lord from Heaven And as all men have born the Image of the earthy so those who beleeve beare the Image of the heavenly as is the heavenly such are all they that are heavenly 1 Cor. 15.47 48 49. And wherein Christ exceedes the first Adam therein beleevers exceed for they are as he is even in this world 1 Iohn 4.17 Now the condition of Christ and so the Saints exceeds the condition of the first Adam not onely in their being upheld by God but principallâ— in these foure particulars 1. In their spirituall relations unto God Christ and so all beleevers are related to the Father as Sons and that not onely by creation as the first Adam or naturall generation but first Christ a Son by a spirituall proceeding and comming forth from the Father who was eternally one in the Father and so in him all beleevers are made by the same Spirit the adopted Sons of God being made partakers of the same divine Nature Adams Sonship was in the flesh by creation or in the Spirit by regeneration and the Spirit of adoption which is indeed