Crooked PATHES Made STRAIGHT OR The wayes of God made knowne to lost Sinners or bewildered SAINTS Wherein is represented the severall conditions of a Christian in the Spirit as hee growes up out of weaknesse into strength through death into life eternall By ANNE YEMANS Isa 40.3 The voyce of him that cryeth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desart a high way for our God LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the black-spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1648. To the READER Gentle Reader I Have done mine endeavour to set forth unto you in some measure the bondage that we have been in by sin the Devill and false Teachers what wounds wee have received by them and all hath been because we have not been able to discerne the difference between the wayes of God and Anti-christ And the more wee strive struggle in our own strength the more we are wounded while Jesus Christ doth appeare to us to reveal some light of himselfe to us and hee is that Son of righteousnesse that will appeare to us with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 He will reveal his love to us and heale up all our wounds and lead us in the way that we should walke taking us by the hand and leading us gently as we are able to goe and drawing us with the cords of love Most of the children of God have been in this spiritual bondage and those that have been in it and are brought out of it doth know in some measure how to comfort them that are in it and the Lord doth make us many times instrumentall under himselfe for th comfort and edifying one of another but it is Gol that doth make known all things to us whether it be by meanes or without and we ought to give him all the honour it is very dangerous to idolize the meanes neither ought we to slight it thougo it be by never so mean a person For out of the mouth of babes will hee be praised And let not us undervalue any thing that is of God whosoever it be spoken by for God is no respecter of persons I beseech you beloved let not this my labour seeme odious to you nor causâ— you to slight iâ— because it is written by a weak woman nor for you to harbour any strange thoughts of me for the writing of it for I have my self gonâ— through much spirituall bondage in severall wayes and finding many severall turnes and windings of Satan how cunning hee is in all his wayes anâ— transforming himselfe to an Angel of light labours our destruction in all things And the Lord having brought mee out of that bondage into thaâ— spirituall freedome which is in Christ for all thâ— Saints and I seeing many that are yet in spiritâ—â— all bondage and knows not what freedome there 〈◊〉 in Christ for them it doth cause my bowels of affection to yern to them Yet I should not presume 〈◊〉 set forth this in writing but that I have beene exceedingly moved by the Spirit of God to doe iâ— that I could not be quiet till I had begun it I haâ—â— done what I could before I did begin to doe it to pâ—â— those thoughts out of my mind bringing as many objections against it as I could but still the Spirit of God moved me more and more with motives to stirre mee up to doe it and many promises for the enabling of me to doe it knocking all the objections in pieces that came against it and this was one thing that was laid before me When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren And if thou lovest me feed my Lambs Ioh. 21.15 And another was I am no respecter of persons And also if we are the children of God we must be led by the Spirit of God to doe what hee would have us but after I saw it was of God I durst not refuse to doe it for obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Sam. 15.22 For I plainly see how dearly God loveth all man-kind but especially his children and those that are babes in Christ how great his love to them is yea even those that Christ is but newly conceived in If there be but a desiring really after God though there be yet no enjoyment of God hee will not quench smoaking flâ—xe and his love is as great to those that are the lowest and weakest Saints as to those that are the highest and strongest onely hee makes his love knowne more to them than to those that are yet weake and his making his love known to us causeth us to grow strong in him We all were weake at the first but be strengthens us by degrees as he revealeth himselfe to us more and more and so be will doe to you and when hee doth reveale any thing to any it is not only for them bit that they should declare iâ— unto others that tâ—ey may know what love Goâ— hath toward them that our weake brethren maâ— he strengthned and the lambs of God whicâ— are the young children of God may be fed 〈◊〉 and the doing of this aright is exceeding pleasinâ— to God Here is one signe of our love to God anâ— after wee have found our Beloved all our desire should be that we should be led wholly by the Spirit of God to glorifie him and setting forth hiâ— praise and not to fear the scandals reproaches oâ— the world which are like thornes springing uâ— by the Devill labouring to choake the purâ— truth of Christ but I passe not what scandals oâ— reproaches I meete with all by this booke settinâ— forth for truth doth always finde some great enemies and the more because it is written by a woman for there are some always that doe respect thâ— persons of people having mens persons in admiration Jude 16. My brethren have not thâ— faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glâ—ry with respect of persons Ja. 2.1 And 〈◊〉 shall come to pass in the last days saith Godâ— I will pour of my spirit upon all fish you sons your daughters shal prophesie you young men shall see visiions and your old me shall dream dreams and on my servant an on my hand-maidens I will pour out in thoâ— days of my spirit they shall prophesie Joel 2.28 Act. 2.17 18. When the children of Israel murmured for flesh to eate and Moses was not able to bear it the Lord bid him gather seventy men of the Elders of the people and the Lord toook off â—he spirit that was upon Moses and put upon them and when the spirit rested upon them then they prophesied and did not cease and there was two â—f that seventy that went not out of the Host and they also prophesied Then there ran a young man and told Moses and said Eldad and Medad doe prophesie in the host And there was one answered and said My Lord Moses forbid them but Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake Yea would
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
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
it up againe this Commandement have I received of my Father So now the time of his suffering being come hee was willing to lay downe his life for poore miserable fallen man-kinde he being nail'd upon the Crosse hee endured sore paines in his body and much more in his minde for the whole wrath of God lay upon him for all our sins for he was wounded for our transgressions both spirituall and temporall A man may bear the infirmities of his body but a wounded spirit who can beare They that hâ—â—â— beene wounded in spirit can tell that it i◠〈◊〉 very sore thing and heavy to be borne Hâ—â— much more sorer and heavier was it upâ—â— Christ when he was wounded for all the fâ—â— of all man-kinde it made him to cry out 〈◊〉 God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mar. 1â— 34. Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by 〈◊〉 hold and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrâ—â— which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hâ—â— afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger Lam. 〈◊〉 12. There was never affliction like this thâ—â— was done unto Christ his love was so grâ—â— to man-kind that there was not any thing tâ—â— deare to him but he was willing to for-go◠〈◊〉 for their sakes he shedde his heart-blood fâ—â— their sakes our sins could not be pardoneâ—â— without his blood being shed for withoâ—â— blood-shedding there is no remission Heb. 〈◊〉 12. And it is not possible that the blood â—â—buls and goats should take away sins wheâ—â—fore when hee commeth into the world hâ— saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offâ—rings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleâ—sure Then said I loe I come to doe thy will 〈◊〉 God By the which will wee are sanctifâ—â—â— through the offering of the body of Christ Jesâ—â— once for all Heb. 10.4 5 6 7. It was not tâ—â— sacrifice of beasts that could take away sin or make satisfaction to God therefore he prepaâ—ed Christ a bodie and he was the only saâ—rifice that could and did make full satisfactiâ—n to God for the sins of the whole world 1 â—et 2.24 Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in â—is owne bodie on the tree that we being dead to â—â—nne should live unto righteousnesse by whose â—â—ipeâ— ye were healed Titus 2.14 Who gave himâ—â—lfe for us that he might redeeme us from all iniâ—â—ity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people â—â—â—alous of good workes Col. 1.14 In whom wee â—ave redemption through his blood even the forâ—â—venesse of sins Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed â—â—s from the curse of the Law being made a curse â—or us For it is written cursed is every one that â—angeth on a tree So Christ was made perfect â—or us through suffering John 19.28 After â—â—is Jesus knowing that all things were now acâ—omplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled â—nd vers 30. He said it is finished and he howâ—â— his head and gave up the ghost I have now shewed you that the Father hath â—â—id all our sinnes upon Christ and hee hath â—ade full satisfaction to the Father for them All our sins being laid upon Christ they are â—ecome his they are not ours but his For â—e hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin â—hat we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 And Christ redeemed us frâ—â— the curse of the law being made a curse for 〈◊〉 How was Christ made sin and a curse for 〈◊〉 If a man be bound to pay another mans deâ—â—â—â— he is become the debter and if the Creditoâ—â— follows the Law of him he must pay the debâ—â—â—â— and he paying the debt the other that owâ— the debt is freed there is nothing to be doâ—â—â— against him because the other hath satisfiâ—â— the Creditour So our sinnes being laid upon Christ anâ— he undertaking to pay a full satisfaction to 〈◊〉 Father for them he is become the debter oâ— sins are his and his Father lookes upon hâ—â— as the sinner not that himself had sinned 〈◊〉 bearing our sinnes and as he became the siâ—ner for us so hee became a curse for us Fâ—â— the Law saith Cursed is every one that continâ—eth not in all things which are written in the bâ—â—â— of the Law to doe them Gal. 3.10 So God hath required this debt of Christ 〈◊〉 be paid by him to the utmost farthing and 〈◊〉 hath done it for us there is nothing to bâ— done for the salvation of our soules but all 〈◊〉 done already for us by the sufferings of Chriâ—â— and God is fully satisfied and well pleasâ—â— This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleâ—sed Mat. 3.17 And he is as well pleased wiâ—â— us in his Sonne as he is with his Sonne aâ—â— he hath no more to say against us for our sins than hee hath against his Son And God doth â—ove us with the same love that he hath loved Christ withall John 17.23 CHAP. V. Now Christ is offered freely to all man-kind without any price or worthinesse of their owne GOd was pleased to make Christ a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world to reconcile â—he world unto himselfe not imputing their sinnes â—â—to them 2 Cor. 5.19 And God would have â—â—e world to know what Christ hath done for â—â—em he would not have his love and mercy â—nd great goodnesse to be hid from them but 〈◊〉 be made known to them that poore souls â—â—at are wounded with sinne may looke upon â—hrist that was crucified for their sinnes and 〈◊〉 him see God as well pleased with them as 〈◊〉 is with Christ There is nothing now to â—nder Gods love to us he loves us freely I â—ll heale their rebellions I will love them freely 〈◊〉 my anger is turned away from them Hos 14. 〈◊〉 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I â—ll make a new covenant with the house of Israel 〈◊〉 with the house of Judah Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers wherâ— I tooke them by the hand to bring them out of thâ— land of AEgypt the which my Covenant they brake although I was an Husband unto them saith thâ— Lord. But this shall be the Covenant that I wiâ—â— make with the house of Israel After those dayâ— saith the Lord I will put my Law in their iâ— ward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Fâ—â— I will forgive their iniquity and will remembâ—â— their sins no more Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. That old covenant that he made with theâ— was a covenant of workes and that covenanâ— they broke they were not able to keepe it bâ— now God hath made a new covenant with 〈◊〉 in Christ a better covenant than the other for God hath given Christ to us for a coâ—nant for him to undertake to make full satisfaction for our sinnes and to be a Mediâ—tor betwixt God and us There was
way to life eternall but they continue refusing and loving their own darknesse better then the light or Jesus Christ and hate him in his waves and persecute him in his members and make a mock of godliness and thinke to get a righteousnesse of their own that shall carry them to heaven and so they undervalue the righteousnesse of Christ and tread under foote the Sonne of God and count the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified and unholy thing they doe not regard it but slight it and doe not really believe him And hee that doth not believe the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3.36 He that believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Sonne 1 John 5.10 It is the free mercie and love of God thaâ— is offered to all it is that that shall condemâ—â—â— all those that continue alwayes in unbeliefe Christ came neare Jerusalem and wept oâ—â— it and said O Jerusalem Jerusalem that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent â—â—to thee how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood â—â—der wings and ye would not Luke 13.34 Mat. 23.37 And in Mat. 23.31 there we may sâ—â— what children these were that hee would haâ—â— gathered to him Ye be witnes unto your selvâ—â— that ye are the children of them that killed the Prophets and they commit the same sin as their Fathers did In the 34. and 35. verse of this chapter Behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them yeâ— shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall yeâ— scourge in your Synagogues and persecute theâ— from Citie to Citie That upon you may come alâ—â— the righteous blood shed upon the earth from thâ— blood of righteous Abel unto the bloud of Zacharias sonne of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Alter These are the children that Christ would have gathered to him and his bowels of compassion yearns to them Hee wept over them to think what a miserable condition they were in and hee would have preserved them from it but they would not And thus hee offers himselfe still to all even the chiefest of sinners 2 Chron. 26.15 16. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his messengers rising up betimes and sending because hee had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remedie Prov. 1.24 to the 31. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my counsell and would none of my reproofe I also will laugh at your calamity I will mocke when your feare commeth When your feare commeth as desolation and your destruction commeth as a whirle-winde when distresse and anguish commeth upon you Then shall they call upon mee but I will not answer they shall seeke me early but they shall not find me For that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the feare of the Lord. They would none of my counsell they despised all my reproofe Therefore shall they eate of the fruit of their owne way and be filled with their own deviecs Thus he strives with them till there is no remedie and then hee giveth them over And when they have thus hardned their own hearts that they refuse all instruction and shut their eyes that they will not see then God hardened their hearts as he did Pharaoh's Exod. 10.1 and blind their eyes Mat. 13.14 15. By hearing ye shall heare and not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive For this peoples heart is waxed grosse and their eares are duâ—â— of hearing and their eyes they have closed lest at any time they should see with their eyes and heartâ— with their eares and should understand with their hearts and should be converted and I should heâ—â— them And therefore he spake to them in parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand Luke 8.10 Isa 6.9 Mark 4.12 God hath given them thâ—â— spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see anâ— eares that they should not heare Rom. 11.8 Sâ—â— the fault is in the creature and not in God for this good seede is sowne in all sorts of ground in good ground and in that which is stonie and that which is thorny and by the way side so it is sowed in all and the fault is not in the seede for the seede is all alike That seede is the word of God Luk. 8.11 which is sowne in all man-kind He that was the unprofitable servant had received a talent of his Lord as well as the profitable servants So God hath justified himself and left the world without excuse that they shall have nothing to say for themselves at the day of judgment and this is that that will be their greater condemnation Those mine enemies that would not that I bould reigne over them bring them and slay them â—efore my face Lu. 19.27 Not to have Christ â—eigne over them is that which condemnes â—hem CHAP. VIII How God doth compell those that are his children to come in to him GOd hath chosen and elected some before the world began to bee the children of God in Christ and to reveale himselfe unto â—hem and to give unto them eternall life â—aving predestinated us unto the adoption of â—hildren by Jesus Christ to himself according â—o the good pleasure of his will to the praise of â—he glory of his grace wherein he hath made â—s accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.5 6 According to the eternall purpose which he hath purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord Ephes 3.11 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gosâ—â— 2 Tim. 1.9 10. God did not see any thing in us where to love us but he loves us in his Sonne freâ—â— for his Sonnes sake Christ hath obtained 〈◊〉 things of his Father both in heaven and earâ— for us and there is not any thing that 〈◊〉 keepe them from us and at the time appoiâ—ted of the Father they shall be revealed to 〈◊〉 But the heir as long as he is a childe differeth 〈◊〉 thing from a servant though hee he Lord of 〈◊〉 Gal. 4.1 Before we be called with that hoâ—â— call which is that new work wrought in 〈◊〉 which is alone the worke of the spirit to 〈◊〉 borne againe not of corruptible seede but of inâ—â—ruptible by the word of God which liveth and
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
the Altar of his Divinity â—nd so are accepted with God so the Spirit â—akes us accepted with God CHAP. X. â—he Spirit of God makes the way of God plain and easie to us THe way of God is very hard for man to finde out it is a streight narrow way that â—an as man cannot goe in it for all the wayes 〈◊〉 man are crooked and that which is crooâ—d cannot enter into a streight narrow place 〈◊〉 man cannot find the way of God When â—hrist came before he taught the people himâ—â—â—fe through his owne person he sent a foreâ—â—nner to prepare the way before him Malac. 3.1 Behold I will send my messenger and 〈◊〉 shall prepare the way before mee and the 〈◊〉 whom yee seeke shall suddenly come into his Teâ—â—â—â— even the messenger of the Covenant whom ye deliâ— in behold he shall come saith the Lord of hâ—â— This messenger was John Baptist Mat. 3. â— For this is he that was spoken of by the Prophet 〈◊〉 saiah saying The voyce of one crying in the 〈◊〉 dernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make 〈◊〉 paths streight Isa 40.3 The way and paths of the Lord are streiâ—â—â— in it selfe and to the Spirit of God but iâ— crooked to man that man cannot find it 〈◊〉 So this messenger did prepare the way 〈◊〉 Christ and how did he prepare the way 〈◊〉 by preaching the word of God which 〈◊〉 Christ that hee was the Saviour and wâ—â— he would doe to them that he would bapâ— them with the holy Ghost and fire and â—tels them that himselfe was not the Christ Jâ—â— 1.20 lest the people should Idolize him 〈◊〉 comes but to prepare the way for Christ 〈◊〉 were not to continue there but to looke â—ther to Christ himselfe for John was bâ—â— prepare the way for him John was filled 〈◊〉 the holy Ghost from his mothers womb Luk. 1 â— and so he was sent to prepare the way 〈◊〉 the people might know that Christ waâ— Messias and when hee should make knâ—â— himselfe to them they should hear and believe him Yet John as hee was a man hee did not â—now whether Christ was the Messias or no Mat. 11.2 3. Now when John had heard in the â—rison the works of Christ be sent two of his Disciples And said unto him art thou he that should come or looke wee for another Yet the holy Ghost in him did know and did prepare the way for Christ John 5.35 John was a burning and a shining light That light of Jesus Christ that was made manifest by him was the greatest light that ever was revealed before it appeared very glorious and it was to give light to others and it burned up all that was contrary to it in the children of God so farre as it was made manifest to them and they rejoyce in this light for it was the greatest light that ever they saw yet this light was but to prepare a way for a greater light and then Christ did come which was the light it selfe which did exceed that light which did appear by John though it was all one light for it was all of the holy Ghost John had it but in measure but Christ had it all in the fulnesse of it and he was without sinne therefore that light in him could not be eclipsed by any sin He was the Son of God and the fulnesse of the God-head dwelt bodily in him so this light of Jesus Christ appeared fuller clearer more glorious than that of John and that glory 〈◊〉 John gave place to the glory of Christ foâ—â— out-shined that light that appeared so gloâ—â—ous by him And Iohn said Hee must increâ—â— but I must decrease Joh. 3.30 The glory of Jesus being revealed more aâ—â— more in his Saints doth cause all other gloâ—â—ous manifestations that they had before whiâ—â— is below this though as excellent as thâ—â— which was revealed by Iohn yet to decrease 〈◊〉 but the glory of Jesus Christ is alwayes tâ—â— same in it selfe but is encreased and maâ—â— knowne in us more and more and that glorâ— of Christ appeared then so glorious to theâ—â— that made them say Never man spake as thâ—â— man doth Joh 7.46 Those that did believe in him were so takeâ— in admiration of him with hearing him anâ— seeing those miracles that hee wrought thâ—â— they were willing to forsake all to follow him noâ— only outward things but also their sins and all those things that were so excellent and precious to them as their owne righteousnesse and performances which they did looke to haâ—â— beene justified by but now they were willing 〈◊〉 forsake all to follow him Yet when Christ dâ—â— come in the flesh and revealed himselfe in a great deale more clearer and excellenter man-ner than he did by John yet Christ came to prepare a way for a further manifestation of â—is owne glory to them in a clearer and great deale more fuller and glorious manner He â—ould have revealed himselfe to them in the â—ighest of his glory at once but they were not able to beare it therefore hee revealed himselfe to them by degrees as they were able â—o beare it for by the outward hearing and â—â—â—ing and the Spirit working in them by deâ—rees brought he them to believe and emâ—race that light that was revealed to them by Christ So when they came in some measure â—o conceive and understand and believe that which he came to declare to them for he spake 〈◊〉 a plaine and an easie way to them that so â—â—ey might understand him so when hee had â—â—ished all things for all then hee departed â—â—om them and sent the holy Ghost to them 〈◊〉 declare to them that glorious light of Jesus Christ in the purity of it and what those â—â—ings were that Christ taught them in the â—ysterie in some measure so the light of Jesus Christ was brought forth in a more glorious â—anner then ever before so they were not to â—â—est upon any one of those manifestations of â—â—sus Christ and say I will stay here and â—â—ll not desire any further manifestation of Christ But they were to walke in that light â—â—y had being contented with it and waiting upon Christ for a more fuller and cleaâ— manifestation of the light of him So when 〈◊〉 doth come to us in Spirit he sends his messeger before him to prepare the way before hiâ— which is some manifestations of his Spirit iâ— us to shew us some light of himselfe and 〈◊〉 to make way for a further manifestation 〈◊〉 himselfe and his glory in us Whatsoever waâ— have received of God by his Spirit makâ— known the love of God to us though in new so small a measure and that but seldome 〈◊〉 let us rejoyce in God that doth reveal this 〈◊〉 to us For this is but preparing a way to â—â—veale himselfe in a more glorious way to 〈◊〉 for where he doth take possession there he 〈◊〉 reigne and none can keep him from reigning and so walke in that light
that thou hast anâ— be as well contented with that thou hast received of God as if thou hadst more still waiting patiently for a further manifestation 〈◊〉 himselfe to thee for he will doe it by degree by his Spirit in his time in us and ye shall sâ— in some measure that hee prepares the way 〈◊〉 the Lord for us for the way of the Lord is toâ—â— hard for man to finde out but he findeth oâ— the way for us Ier. 10.23 I know that the wâ— of man is not in himselfe it is not in man thâ— walketh to direct his steps It is only the Spiâ—â— of God that can doe it for there are maâ—â— stumbling blockes to be taken out of the way which is only the worke of the Spirit to doe â—hen there will be a pleasant way to walke in CHAP. XI â—f the two seedes Of the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent THe two seedes are a great stumbling-block in our way to hinder us while we come 〈◊〉 some measure to discerne the difference aâ—ight betwixt them which is the work of the â—pirit to doe it Our God revealing himself to 〈◊〉 is Children and shewing them the mystery â—f his wayes in the truth of it in some measure â—e makes them instrumentall many times by â—is Spirit to bring others to know the things â—f God and therefore he reveales himselfe to â—ome in a greater measure and in a more highâ—â— and glorious manner and enables them to â—peake to us those things that God hath made â—nowne to them that others might know the â—â—ings of God it is not because God loves â—â—em better than hee doth them that hee hath â—ot revealed himself too for he is no respecter 〈◊〉 persons for he loves all his children alike â—ith the same love that he loves Christ withal but he makes them instrumentall for the goâ—â— of others When Christ was to suffer he prayed to 〈◊〉 Father Iohn 12.28 29 30. Father glorifie thâ— Name Then came there a voyce from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie 〈◊〉 againe Then the people that stood by and heaâ—â— it said that was a thunder others said an Aâ—gel spake to him Iesus answared and said Tâ—â—â— voyce came not because of mee but for your sakâ—â— So the manifestations of the love of Gâ—â— and the things of God made knowne to anâ— it is not only for their sakeâ— but also foâ—â—therâ— so if the Spirit of God workâ— by thâ—â—â—strument in them that heares they have 〈◊〉 benefiâ— of it But if the Spirit doth not wiâ—â—â— is us those things that are spoken to us thâ— those things are truth and belongs to us thâ— instrument cannot worke upon us so let 〈◊〉 heare the instruments speake but it is the Spirit alone that can witnesse I shall in soâ—â— measure shew you the difference of the tâ—â— seedes and leave the successe to God Gen. â— 15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and tâ—â— woman and betweene thy seede and her seede 〈◊〉 shall breake thy head and thou shalt bruise 〈◊〉 heele The seed of the woman was Christ Gal â— 16. and the seede of the Serpent was thâ—â—â—vill And seede is to be sowne and the nature of seed is to bring forth that which is one and the same with it There is the seede of God which is one and the same with God which is Christ not as hee was man but as hee is God This is the good seed that is sown in all and this seede which is spirituall being sowne in us which is the Spirit of God in us is the seede of God and it is one with God Now as a seed is but a small matter to the whole bulke so the seede of God in us is but in a small measure to that fulnesse which is in God yet it is one with him Mat. 13.30 31. The Kingdome of heaven is like a graine of mustardsâ—â—de which a man taketh and soweth in his field Which indeed is the least of all feeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and it 〈◊〉 a tree so that the birds of heaven come and build in the branches thereof This parable Christ spake concerning thâ— seed of God sown in his children that though they have this seede in a small measure and that which they have may lye hidde a great while in them that they cannot perceiv it nor doe not know whether they have it or no â—et then God is making a way for a cleare manifestation to us that it doth begin to spring â—â—rth in us and he waters it daily with the â—â—reames of his owne selfe which is only that which doth make it grow and the Sonne of righteousnesse shining upon it makes it spring forth and grow by degrees and flourish in 〈◊〉 that it will appeare very glorious for it is the seed of God and it is like God and it is God And this seede being sowne in the children 〈◊〉 God hee makes it fruitfull there will bâ— fruits sutable in some measure to the seed in 〈◊〉 and more and more as this seed grows up in 〈◊〉 it will appeare more glorious and will bring forth fruits sutable to God and over-powâ—â— us and bring our wills into subjection 〈◊〉 himselfe that wee shall be willing for him 〈◊〉 reigne over us and so farre as he revealeâ— himselfe to us with his power to over-power 〈◊〉 wee are willing to be what hee would have 〈◊〉 and doe what hee would have us doe so God accepts of it and will reward us for it so also there is the seede of the Serpent that 〈◊〉 sown in all man-kind by his overcomming Adam and so getting an interest in him and for him in all man-kinde And the seed of the Serpent which is the Devill for it was hee iâ— the Serpent that overcame Adam is one anâ— the same with the Devill and he is also a Spirit and this seed of the Devill is sown by hâ—â— in all Mat. 13.24 25. The kingdome of God 〈◊〉 like a man which sowed good seed in his field Bâ— while men slept there came his enemie and soâ—â— tares among the Wheat and went his way God did sowe nothing in Adam but that good seede of himselfe there was no evill in him hee was made after the Image of God for spirituall things but the Devill being the enemie of God he envied mans happy condition hee came and sowed that evill seed of himselfe in Adam and in all man-kinde and his seede in us is the same as he is though it be small in it selfe yet it being sowne in us it quickly takes roote in us and appeares for this comes naturally and there is nothing to let and hinder it from growing in us except the Lord doth blast it by a new work wrought in us which comes not by nature and the Devill doth water this seede of himselfe in us with the streames of his temptations and causeth it to flourish and grow
the holy Ghost is our Comforter and the Angels are our guard to attend us And what can we desire more but 〈◊〉 have the Seale broke open to see what we haâ—â— in him and Christ is comming to doe it 〈◊〉 yet a very little while and he that shall come wiâ—â— come and will not tarry Heb. 10.37 Behold I come quickly Revel 3 11. And doe thou waâ—â— patiently for his comming CHAP. XIII Christ is the Teacher and Governour of his Church CHrist is a King a Priest and a Prophet A King to reigne over his Church spiritually and a Priest to offer spirituall sacrifice to his Father for his Church and a Prophet to teach them He saith My kingdome is not of this world John 18.36 But he is an immortall and an everlasting King 1 Tim. 1.17 He 〈◊〉 a spirituall King and it is a spirituall Kingdome that hee reignes over and the children â—f God are the heirs of this Kingdome Feare â—t little flocke for it is your Fathers will to give 〈◊〉 the Kingdome Luke 12.32 And the kingdome of God is eternall life Joh. 10.28 And 〈◊〉 give unto them eternall life and they shall never â—â—ish neither shall any pluck them out of my band And this is a hidden glorious and mysticall â—â—ing But to you it is given to know the secrets of the kingdome of heaven Mat. 13.11 And the â—ingdom of God comes not with observations Neiâ—â—er shall 〈◊〉 say loe here on loe there for behold â—he kingdome of God is with in you Lu. 17.20 21. â—ry not in thine heart Who shall ascend into heaâ—â—n That is to bring Christ from above Or who â—â—all descend into the deepe That is to bring up Christ againe from the dead But what saith the Scripture The word is neere thee even in thy â—â—uth and in thy heart this is the word of faith â—hich wee preach Rom. 10.6 7 8. And this â—ord is Christ John 1.14 What is heaven but the fulnesse of all happinesse and that is God in Christ and Christ â—â—ing in us by his Spirit then is the Kingdom â—f God in us and so far as he reveales himself to us as he is we see him as he is and have the enjoyment of him and so farre we live in â—im and have out conversation in heaven that is in God For the kingdome of God is not 〈◊〉 word but in power 1 Cor. 4.20 It confâ—â—â— not in speaking of words but so far as he â—â—veales himselfe in us he comes with power enabling us to do that which is pleasing to hiâ— and he reveales heaven to us here in some measure by degrees in his time as shall be to hâ—â— glory and our comfort and in a great aâ—â— high measure in some but wee cannot have 〈◊〉 in such a measure as we shall have it hereafâ—â—â— when our bodies are dissolved then wee shâ—â—â— be wholy in it there shall be nothing to hiâ—der us now here our bodies are weake anâ— cannot containe him and there is a vaile bâ—fore us that wee cannot see him clearely anâ— Christ is the Governour of the Church Isa â— 6 7. For unto us a Childe is borne and unto 〈◊〉 a Sonne is given and the government is upon 〈◊〉 shoulder and he shall call his name Wonderfullâ— Counseller the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace The encrease of his government and peace shall have no end hee shall sâ—â— upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdoâ— to order it and to stablish it with judgement 〈◊〉 with justice from hence-forth even for ever thâ— zeale of the Lord of hosts will performe this Hâ—â— is our husband and he reignes over us in loâ— and so he governs us and all his lawes that 〈◊〉 doth set forth for us to observe is to love him â—â—d so farre as hee doth reveale himselfe to us â—e can doe no other and he defends us against 〈◊〉 our spirituall enemies that rise up against 〈◊〉 and would devoure us And he hath made 〈◊〉 Kings with him 1 Pet. 2.9 Revel 5.10 〈◊〉 reigne with him for ever And hee is our â—â—iest to offer up spirituall sacrifice to his Faâ—â—er for us upon that golden Altar of himselfe 〈◊〉 8.3 And he makes intercession continuâ—â—ly to his Father for us 1 John 1.12 My â—â—es these things write I unto you that ye sinne 〈◊〉 and if any man sinne wee have an Advocate â—â—th the Father Jesus Christ the just and hee is 〈◊〉 reconciliation for our sins and not for ours onâ—â— but also for the sins of the whole world And â—â—e hath made uâ— Priests with him as wee are â—ints for his Spirit in us offers up continuall â—â—rifice to God by Christ of praises and â—â—anks-giving And he is our Prophet to teach 〈◊〉 We shall be all taught of God he will teach 〈◊〉 so plainly by his Spirit his owne minde in â—â—â—h a plain way that a wayfaring man though â—oole cannot erre therein The Lord said Write the vision and make it â—â—â—ne upon Tables that he may run that readeth 〈◊〉 Hab. 2.2 After those dayes saith the Lord 〈◊〉 will put my law in their inward parts and write 〈◊〉 their hearts and I will be their God and â—â—ey shall be my people And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man 〈◊〉 brother saying know the Lord for they shalâ— know me from the least of them to the greatestâ— them Jer. 31.33 34. The Lord will teach his children by his Spâ—rit in a more clearer manner than he haâ— done and so farre as he teacheth them thâ— shall all know him and hee shall teach us 〈◊〉 profit 1 Cor. 2.4 5. My speech and my preachâ—â— was not with enticing words of mans wisdome 〈◊〉 in demonstration of the Spirit and of power Tâ—â— your faith should not stand in the wisdome of 〈◊〉 but in the power of God When the Lord dâ—â—â— teach us by his Spirit that comes with poweâ— and over-powers us and makes us willing 〈◊〉 doe and be what hee would have us so 〈◊〉 power is made knowne in us That whiâ—â— Christ teacheth us to know is himselfe Ephâ— 4.21 If so be that ye have heard him and 〈◊〉 been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus thâ—â— we may know what he is in the Saints and 〈◊〉 the Saints Psal 65.8 I will heare what God 〈◊〉 Lord will speake for he will speak peace to his pâ—â—ple and to his Saints All that Christ doth teach us is to knoâ— himselfe and Paul desired to know nothing 〈◊〉 but Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 Anâ— he speakes nothing but what is in him for 〈◊〉 that all that is in him hee hath purchased 〈◊〉 us and hee hath purchased us unto himselfes and we are his Wife and he will always dwell with us and be in us and alwayes uphold us and never leave us nor forsake us CHAP. XIIII God is very tender and careful over those that are but babes in him and leades them as they
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