of iniquity under a Pretence of Religion in these latter Ages and Generations of the World yet it 's not that which must stand in the Earth being polluted and defiled neither are such polluted Worshippers who are bound with the Chain of Sin accepted of God who are placed in the Habitations of Cruelty And so the wicked One hath been possessing the Minds and Hearts of those who wander from God in their Imaginations that Revelation is ceased but though this Doctrine be preached as though God would work no more in the Children of Men I say it is not consistent with Truth but is of the false Part in man that wanders from God and therefore shall not hinder the Lord from breaking forth in this his Day to redeem a People to himself for his own Glory neither doth it hinder or stop the Blessings of God unto his People and redeemed ones who wait to be sustained by him with the Bread of Life but the Lord is at work in this his blessed Day wherein he hath sent forth a Saviour even jesus who is revealed from Heaven and your preaching against the Work of the Spirit of Christ within will not be sufficient in the great Day of Account to stop but rather to hasten the Eternal Judgment from being executed upon you who are in the Deceivableness of Unrigteousness with them that perish 2 Thes 2.10 Oh that you would lay to Heart these things repent and live while your Day lasteth that you may come forth from all your Abominations and believe the true Witness in your Consciences that records your Deeds for which if ye repent not you will suffer in time to come and such as deny the Work of the Spirit within are one with them that went out from the Apostles Fellowship that stood in a regenerated State 1 John 1.7 who walkt in the Light and had Fellowship with God 1 John 1.3 And since the first turning from God out of the Heavenly Light how hath the Devil deceitfully wrought in the Kingdoms of this World but blessed for ever be the Name of our God the true Light is come that lets us see through the gross Darkness of this Night of Apostacy wherein the Stars that have fallen from Heaven have been wandering in the Night of Darkness having lost their Habitations for whom the Blackness of Darkness is reserved forever Jude 13. And therefore you that have lost the Truth and are yet in the Death that came by Adams Transgression you that have gotten the Name Christian and lost the Power and Life of Christianity unto you this opens in my Heart to write if ever you be saved you must come to that which was in the Beginning before the Apostacy entered and before they denyed the work of the Spirit even to the Word that God hath given of his only Son which is the living Witness in you testifying against your Evil Deeds and so your Eyes will be opened to see the Death that hath reigned over Mankind since the Working of the Spirit of Christ hath been denyed and also you will see the Work that God hath begun and is doing in this his Day who hath shewed forth his Strength in the Redemption of a little Remnant who are true Worshipers who worship the Father in the Spirit in the Truth John 4.23 24. but if you hold to the Traditions of your Fathers who deny Revelation and so have set up your Resolutions not expecting the Spirit to be revealed in you then I say you cannot be saved for without the Spirit man is dead to God and Righteousness and Holiness and so without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and this is the Gross Darkness that is over many this Day who are setled upon their Lees as Moab of old not being emptied from Vessel to Vessel Jer. 48.11 not knowing the Lord's Power in them to change their Hearts and such have set themselves against the Spirit of Truth within and cry out to People that Revelation is ceast in such a Day as this wherein the Iniquity of many is even come to the full and wherein God hath afforded to Mankind a Day of Visitation that they may be saved So in a general Sense the Wise and Learned amongst men in the Apostacy in their several Professions are resting in something besides the Spirit and so esteem the Profession without the Spirit that first in the days of old the true Christiâ—ns received and obeyed by which they were brought to profess Christ Jesus and so their Profession and Worship was not only in a Form but in the Power and Spirit of God until the Deceiver entred and then they retained the Form and lost the Power 2 Tim. 3 5. and now through the Disobedience of Mankind and rebelling against the Power they have undertook to gainsay and resist the Holy Ghost even the Holy Spirit which iâ— the true Leader to God's Kingdom as did their Fore-Fathers Acts 7.51 52. Oh that you would return to God! Ye professing People while you have a Day for now is a time wherein you may find the Lord if you seek him early for he hath said They that seek him early shall find him Isa 55.6 7. And now all such as deny the Revelation of Jesus Christ they are seen to be in the Deceit and in the old corruptible Way as in the Days of old in the broad Way that leads to Destruction Mat. 7.13 where no true Peace is but men out of God's Counsel running not being sent of God and so profit not the People at all Jer. 23.32 And now as one whom God hath raised up to proclaim his ancient Truth against all the Deceit that hath entered into the World in the Night of Darkness for the Sakes of such as have Desires after the Lord this is written for there are many I do believe that are amongst you whose Hearts the invisible God hath touched by his word which is Eternal and from the Beginning that is nigh in your Hearts Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Rom. 10.6 7 8. at certain Seasons being quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword Heb. 4.12 which doth open the Secrets of your Hearts and declares unto you your Thoughts so that you need not go far away to seck a Saviour but wait for him from Heaven to be revealed within you as the Apostle directed 1 Thes 1.10 and then you will find him who is the true Beloved for if ever you come to the true Enjoyment of him you must wait for him in his own Way who is Heavenly and comes from his Holy Habitation and you must turn from the blind Watch-men who are in the Night who have loft the Way of his Appearance and are turned against him even fighting against his Appearance with their filthy Weapons pleading for sin for which Cause the Earth mourns and the Inhabitants thereof who are redeemed take up a Lamentation in the Consideration of these things And
the Heavenly Light I was made more and more sensible of the Operation of his blessed Spirit which gave me Dominion over one Sin and here was the Beginning of the Work of God in my Soul and then I had a little Hope of overcoming and a little Faith to believe I should be saved So this is the Seed of God's Kingdom which is immortal compared to a little Leaven â—â—…d in three Measures of Meal until the whole be leavened which Seed is the Foundation which God hath laid 1 Cor. 3.11 for Man and Woman to build upon And when all my Hope was lost of getting out of that fallen State and when I could not believe that I should be saved if I died in Sin so that this Cry was within me My Bones are dryed my Hope is lost I am cut off for my Part Ezek. 37.11 then did the Lord remember me and manifested a Saviour in an acceptable Time and as my Mind was inclined towards the invisible Power that opened my Understanding Ephes 5.13 14. so the Sins of Youth I overcame and this is the Light of the Glory of God that shined in my dark Heart before I knew what it was and so it is certain the Light shineth in Darkness but the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1.5 and then I came to know God's Salvation near me according to his Promise Isa 51.5 and so I saw the Days I had spent in Vanity and began to redeem the Time Ephes 5.15 16. and also how youthful Lusts and Pleasures came over me in the Beginning and how I was betrayed from my Innocent State in the Days of my Childhood so now I know this is the Spirit of Promise that brings all Things to my Remembrance Joh. 14.26 and so my Soul by the Spirit of Jesus Christ was redeemed from dead Works and out of the dark Ways of sin and Ignorance into the Light of Righteousness to serve the living and true God and this I affirm is the Spirit of Truth that first convinceth the Conscience of sin and then as it is obeyed it leadâ— out of sin and roots out the Worker of Iniquity and sets up Righteousness and Holiness in the Heart and this is the true Teacher that comes to do the works that none other can do and such as declare that which he hath done for their Souls they are the true Messengers as it is written How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of them that bring Glad-tidings and publish Peace bringing Glad-ridings of good Things Rom. 10.15 and such as are come unto this true Teacher and abide with him are happy forever and as my Soul lamented in Days past for a Saviour and languished for lack of Spiritual Comfort now I am satisfied fully in that I feel a VVitness in my self 1 John 5.10 which bears witness that my Soul is redeemed and this was before me for some Years to give a Testimony of these Things which God hath done for me in restoring me to my Habitation Everlasting Praises be given to his Name forevermore And as Man that is lost in the first Adam as he obeys the Heavenly and Spiritual Adam Christ Jesus who never fell so he comes to God again and is restored into Life and a holy Liberty vvith the Sons of God And novv my Soul is made a VVitness for Jesus Christ that God haâ—h raised him from the Dead vvho hath quickned me that was dead in Sins and Trespasses 1 Cor 15.45 And this is the Mystery of Godliness hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto Babes and Sucklings Mat. 11.25 Luke 10.21 And this Everlasting Power that is now revealed is that which will overcome even unto the End Rev. 3.21 and his Government is everlasting and shall root out and destroy the Government of the Wicked One for he shall reign whose Right it a Rev. 11.15 And now all you that have Desires after the Lord and are not come to the Knowledge of him consider these Things and singly read these Line that the saving Knowledge of God you may come unto and then the Burden of Sin an the heavy Weight will be taken away from your Souls and then Life and Immortal Glory will be your Portion forever for great yea unspeakable is God's Love to his People who are saved by him and Infinite are his Mercies to he Souls of his Children and though there be many miserable Comforters that say Revelation is ceast so much as to say The Way of God's Heavenly Mercies to the Souls of Men is shuâ— up but blessed be the Lord there are many Witnesses this Day unto whose mourning Souls God hath opened the Way of his Tender Mercies and they are come to the Faithful and True VVitness even Jesus the Mediator and he openeth and none can shut and shuts and none can open And my Soul is made willing to invite all to come for the Spirit saith come and the Bride saith come and let him that is a thirst come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 that all may be saved from the VVrath to come which will be heavy upon those of this Generation who sleight the Day of their Visitation and therefore you that are come to seel your Sins to be your Burden look not out for a Saviour but wait for the Appearance of Christ within and you will find him to your great Satisfaction and Everlasting Comfort and in your Age and Generation you will come to be VVitnesses for God and his Presence you will come to know in which is Life and at his Right Hand are Pleasures for evermore And this is the Joy of my Soul now God hath made me sensible of his VVay even to do his VVill and I know that such as do not his VVill will be found on the left Hand amongst the Hypocrites and such as are without God unto whom it will be said depart ye cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 7.23 Mat. 24.41 And then I well remember when this VVay of Life first I came to knovv and when I was separated from my former Acquaintances could not go with them into the same kind of Riot as before they then turned against me and I became a By woâ—d unto my Neighbours and as the Apostle said They think it strange because you go not with them to the same kind of Riot speaking evil of you 1 pet 4.4 and so our Lord foretold of theâ—e things who said They shall cast you out of their Company and your Names shall be cast out as evil for the Kingdom of God Sake and when men shall persecute you and speak all manner of Evil fasly for my Name Sake rejoyce in that Day for great is your Reward list up your Heads and be glad for your Redemption draweth night Luke 21.28 And this was that which did uphold me in that Day even my Redeemer drawing nigh And now I have written concerning my Coming forth
A TESTIMONY Unto the TRUTH AND A Warning unto the World IN GENERAL But more particularly to the Inhabitants of Enoder parish in Cornwall By one whom God hath called out to bear witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus called by the Name of RICHARD SAMBLE Printed in the Year 1676. TO THE READER READER THou art desired to be considerate when thou readest this following Book and to be very ponderous in thy Mind as touching the things therein contained that thy Understanding may be opened by the invisible God who giveth unto us Life Breath and Being and also that thou wouldst lay to Heart this very Thing How that Almighty God hath risen in many Ages of the World in his Judgments and Fury to stain the Glory of all Flesh and to set up Righteousness in the Earth and hath caused his Truth to spring and flourish amongst his People under every Dispensation until they departed from the Lord and served other Gods and followed their own Inventions and then Darkness came over them and so their Hearts were hardened from his Fear Prov. 1.29 30. And this thou art also to consider That Sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Destruction from Generation to Generation and therefore if thou dye in thy Sins thou art like to have no part amongst the Living in the Kingdom of Christ but the same will be thy Portion that hath been the portion of the Wicked in all Ages which is perpetual Sorrow Distress and Anguish for evermore And this consider also That whatever thou dost profess or what Shew of Religion soever thou mayest make whilst thy sins remain I am to tell thee and that in the Name of Christ Jesus Thou art not accepted of God but all thy Prayers are an Abomination to the Lord Ezek. 8.17 18. Isa 1.15 because thou art in the Transgression in that which the pure God of Glory hateth and upon which he will pour out his Fury and Indignation for evermore and if thou art one that lives in Pleasure thy daily Satisfaction is in following these Evil Devices that are very common amongst men in this Generation to wit Drunkenness Swearing Lying or other Prophane Practices and that which is called Pastime or sporting thy self amongst such as count it Pleasure to Riot in the day time Jam. 5.5 6. know this that all these things will be a Hindrance to thy eternal Well-fare for such as do such things cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. And also thou art to consider That there hath been a Night of gross Darkness over the Hearts of the Children of men since the Apostles dayes and that Saving Grace which was common in that Generation people have lost in the Night and are become dry and barren as a Desert or Wilderness as relating to Matters of Spiritual Concerns wherein consists the Stability of their Souls Peace with God And this also I am to tell thee That God who is unchangeable and immortal hath revealed his blessed Truth again and the Gospel of his blessed Kingdom is now preached to the Nations and if ever thou comest to God's Kingdom thou must come to know him that is the Everlasting Teacher to wit Christ Jesus and him to know in thy own Particular who is the Man of God's Right Hand a quickening Spirit the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.45 and so thou wilt come out of thy lost Condition wherein thou art in the Fall in the first Man Adam into the Life of Holiness and Righteousness into the Restoration by Christ Jesus the second Adam the Heavenly Man And this know also That thou canst not come to him by any other way but as thou comest into Self denyal and believest in thy Heart the Record that God hath given of his Son which is the true Light that shines within thee and lets thee see thy Sins And farther That as sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Separation from the Lord yet when thou shalt return again and come to know a Godly Sorrow in the Secret of thy Heart and when thou shalt feel in thy self a Tenderness and a Broken-heartedness before the invisible God who sees in secret Mat. 6.6 he will grant thee Repentance unto Life and he will return unto thee in his Everlasting Mercies and blot out thy sins out of his Remembrance And this also I am to tell thee in the Fear of God and in his Name That as the Lord hath appeared in dayes past and in Generations that are gone in his Indignation and hath smitten many Nations and Peoples in his Wrath sometimes overturning the World by Water and sometimes destroying Cities and Peoples by Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Luke 17.29 Gen. 19.24 25. and again by Plagues Pestilence and at certain Seasons the Lord God because of the Abominations of the Children of Men hath visited them in his Wrath and hot Displeasure and greatly afflicted them and the End of the Lord hath been that such as remain upon the Earth might fear before him and dread his great Name who is Mighty and none can escape him And people in these last dayes and times have greatly grieved the Lord and therefore except they Repent his Fury will he pour forth upon them until that which is in his Heart be accomplished and they shall not escape his heavy Hand And so Reader whoever thou art that reads these following Lines the Desire of my Soul is that thou mayest be impartial concerning me and conclude in thy Mind that it s written in tender Love to thy Soul and so thou wilt see my honest Intent who am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness desiring thy Eternal Well-fare when this Time and Day of thine is at an End I rest Thy Friend and Well-Wisher RICHARD SAMBLE A TESTIMONY UNTO THE TRUTH c. IN the deep Consideration of the States and Conditions of the Sons and Daughters of men in the Fall and seeing how the World lies in the Extremity of Wickedness being overcome by the Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan who hath tyed and bound them with his Chains of Sin who is the Author of all Sin I am drawn in Spirit to warn them to Repentance and to declare to the World the Way that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath ordained which is Christ Jesus who is Everlasting and was with the Father before the World began John 17.5 who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 by whom my Soul hath been redeemed and who raised me up out of Sin and therefore having obtained Mercy through the Love of God in Christ Jesus whom he hath sent a Light into the World and I having known in measure the Judgments of the Lord and the Terrors of the Almighty because of my Transgressions therefore cannot but perswade men to turn from Ungodliness even all people that lie in Wickedness knowing assuredly that all People shall be called to an Account before the Tribunal Seat of Christ
Destruction and as the Ground that bringeth forth Bryers and Thorns which is nigh unto Cursing whose End is to be burned for his Servants you are to whom you yield your selves to obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6.16 for it s not sufficient to say with your Mouthes and your Lips We believe in God and Christ Jesus while ye abide in the Transgression and your Hearts far from him and that he dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem and ye still live in the Nature of the Wicked One this is the same as they in old time who retained a Form of Godliness and denyed the Power thereof 2 Tim. 3.5 who were False Apostles Deceitful Workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and it s no Marvel said the Apostle for Satan himself is transformed into an Argel of Light and it 's no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose End shall be according to their Works 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. And this was the great Deceit that entered into the Church and began in the Days of the Apostles when that false Spirit of Antichrist seduced those that were called Christians I say such as were deceitful Professors of Christ Jesus in that Day who turned aside after filthy Lucre into Balaam's VVay and so loved this present VVorld 2 Pet. 2.15 and these denyed the Immediate working of the Spirit of Christ and so became Enemies to God and unto the Cross of Christ whose God is their Belly whose Glory is their Shame who mind earthly things said the Apostle Phil. 3.19 and said Jude Beloved you have heard before of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ how that there should Mockers come in the last time walking after their own ungodly Lusts these be they said he who separate themselves Jude 18 19. sensual not having the Spirit and these were they that denyed the only Lord God and our Lord jesus Christ savingly under the Dispensation of the Gospel who rebelled against the Spirit and Power of God in their Hearts and these were corrupted deceitful treacherous Heady High-minded Lovers of Pleasure more then Lovers of God 2 Tim. 3.3 4. And thus the Devil by his Insinnuations brought in the Apostacy and led People into the Rebellion against the Light and Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ and so People have been bewildred and greatly desolated since the Days of the Holy Apostles Rev. 12.6 and VVanderers from Hill to Mountain even from one dry Profession to another in the Darkness of Transgression and so Ignorance hath abounded in the Kingdoms of men and the general Doctrine hath Been denying the work of the Spirit of Christ within and the Light not to be the Way and so People are bâ—inded from time to time and following the Spirit Power of Darkness who leads from God and Christ Jesus who is Light and Life to the Souls that obey him into Death and Sorrow under the We and Indignation of Almighty God Now consider ye that are denying the Working of the Spirit of God within you and say Revelation is ceast Oh that you would diligently weigh this thing in the just Ballance in your own Hearts Is not this the denying of Christ for God looks to the Heart 1 Sam. 16.17 and not to the outward Appearance and all that deny the Spirit of Christ within they have broken Covenant with God and are in Danger of Eternal Death and so go a whoring after other Gods and other Lovers as the old apostate Jews who turned aside into by Paths and crooked Ways from the Way of Life whose Services Sacrifices and offerings New moons and Sabbaths were all an Abomination to the Lord Isa 1.13 And so you that deny the work of the Spirit in your Hearts your Service Worships and Ordinances are not acceptable to the Lord because Sin remains the Sting of Death yet untaken away you remaining in the Guilt dead in Trespasses and Sins and so the Spirit of the VVicked One keeps the House hath the Possession in the Heart who hath no right to reign in the Hearts of the Children of Men therefore as the wicked Spirit hath reigned which hath led you into Darkness and possessed you with a Perswasion that Revelation is ceast now examine and try your selves that he may be cast out and your Hearts cleansed and your Souls redeemed that Christ may reign whose right it is and so you will come to know the VVorking of God's Holy Spirit the true Power Christ Jesus who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh Rom. 8.3 to the 11th and as you yield your selves unto him inwardly so the Change of the Mind you will come to witness and your Affections Desires and Inclinations will be redeemed out of the Earthly corruptible things and Vanities of the VVorld into a Heavenly-mindedness and so you will have Treasure in Heaven with the Lord being delivered from the Power of Death and Darkness which rules in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience and so you will be true VVitnesses for God that he hath raised up his Son from the dead who is become a quickning Spirit who works in the Hearts of all that obey him and these are the true Christians this Day who are redeemed by Christ Jesus to God out of the Fall out of the Death that came by Sin into the Life that came by Christ Jesus who sinned not and so you will know in your selves the Truth and the VVay which is Holy and no Defilement at all in it which is the Light and Life of Men Christ Jesus John 1.4 for assuredly the Day is dawned wherein God hath opened the VVay of Truth which is not another but the same as in old time which is the VVay of Holiness Isa 2.3 35.8 And though this seems to be a strange thing to preach Christ Jesus in Spirit this Day who is the Light of the VVorld as God hath sent him forth to enlighten every man that cometh into the VVorld John 1.4 9. yet we know to our Souls Comfort and Satisfaction that he is come whose Power and Dominion shall sway and bear Rule in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men until he hath utterly wasted that wicked Nature in Man that rebels against him and will not that he should reign Luke 19.27 And though People have rebelled against him in this Night of Darkness and the Clouds thereof have shaddowed vailed and darkned the Understandings of the Sons of Men yet that shall not make void the Ancient Promise of God who said that the Knowledge of his Glory should fill the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 Hab. 2.14 neither shall it frustrate the Intention of the Lord whole Determination hath been and is to make an End of Sin and bring in Everlasting Righteousness Dan. 9.24 though the Enemy of the Souls of Men hath brought in a great and deep Mystery
reproving you in your hearts for your Prophaneness and Idolatry therefore while you have Time put into your Hands Repent and obey the Good Spirit of the Lord God lest God cease striving with you and so you be overthrown by his Almighty Power who is a terrible God against all Unrighteousness but all the holy People of God before the Flood were guided by his holy Spirit which was a true Guide and a sure Leader from the Beginning and the Spirit of Truth was the Guide of all the chosen People of God after the Flood even Abraham Isaac and Jacob and that sustained them in all their Travails and was with them as you may read at large in Gen. 12 48. And this was the Foundation of all the Holy Men in all Ages and Generations And when Israel at any time rebelled against the Spirit of God which he gave them to instruct them read Neh. 9. throughout then the Lord turned against them and afflicted them and caused them to be carryed away out of their own Land Therefore the Spirit was and is the true Guide and the true Fountain of Life of Living Refreshment and Heavenly Virtue which gives true Wisdom and a heavenly Mind which when people forsook and rebelled against it then Ignorance abounded And so you that rebel against God who is a Spirit are you not one with Israel in the Apostacy notwithstanding your Profession against whom the Prophet testified saying My People have committed two horrible Evils the one they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters and have hewen out to themselves broken Cisterns that will hold no Water Jer. 2.13 And is not this your State and Condition this day Are you not digging Wells of your own and hewing out to your selves Cisterns and when all is done it retains nothing pure nothing holy nothing clean no living Water nothing from Heaven but all is corruptible all filthy all sinful Oh that your Eyes were opened to see these things how ye are erred from the Life and Power from the Living Fountain with the old backsliding Jews and dark bewildered Christians who in old time lost the Light of the Sun of Righteousness but these things have happened through gross Mistakes as for instance The general Belief hath been and is amongst the outside Professors of Jesus Christ confessing only and believing that Christ dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem though it is true and so in a general sense saying We believe in God and in Christ Jesus and so come no farther to any inward Belief and Knowledge of him as did the true Christians Rom. 8. from Vers 1. to 17. now here lies the Mistake and here many comfort themselves because they confess to his Appearance in the World sixteen hundred Years since but this a man or woman may do and yet they may perish for to profess Christ and live in the Lust of Uncleanness is but to augment their Sorrow because there is a living Witness in them which they rebel against and pierce and so cause his Wounds to bleed afresh and put him to an open Shame Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 And notwithstanding they may use Meats and Drinks and have respect to Days and Times Moneths and Years yet all will pass away and perish with the using and the ground of the Separation from God may remain and so you may eat and drink Damnation to your selves at unawares for he that eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27 therefore be warned whilest you have time and consider these things whilest your Day lasteth that you may come to God out of Sin and Death by Christ Jesus who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh mark that in the Flesh this is a nearer Knowledge of him then to confess him only as he dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem who is glorified with the Glory he had with the Father before the World was and fills Heaven and Earth neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eye of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Therefore take beed to your Way and mind that pure Eye even the heavenly Light within you which is a sure Word of Prophecy to which ye do well if ye take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark Place till the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 And this is the true saving Faith and saving Knowledge to believe in your Hearts the Lord Jesus Acts 16.30 31. Rom. 10.8 And whatsoever Way or Worship there is or may be this Day or whatsoever Profession or Confession otherwise then that which the ancient Apostles declared of who were Eye-Witnesses of his Majesty is contrany to Truth and will not make the comers thereunto Perfect who preacht from a certain Divine yet Intelligible Principle revealed within them which was the Seed Immortal Incorruptible promised of God to destroy Sin bruise the Head of the Serpent and this Seed or Spirit of Life you must all come to know within you to destroy Sin in Flesh in your Mortal Bodies and to quicken you from dead Works to serve the Living God Rom. 8.11 And this is the plain Truth unto you from the Spirit of the Lord witnessed by the Scriptures as John well said when the spirit of Antichrist began to work and some were seduced by the Wicked One said he Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God every spirit that confesseth that Christ is come in the Flesh is of God mark every spirit that confesseth Christ come in the Flesh Rom. 8.3 who came to save his People from their Sin and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 4.2 for the Devil had wrought in the Flesh of Mankind the Works of Darkness Corruption Uncleanness and all manner of Filthiness in which he rules and Reigns over the Children of Disobedience in that State and Nature which he hath begotten them into and such were those sometimes that the Scripture mentions who were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others but God who is rich in Mercy and abundant in Loving-kindness caused his Love to break forth in Christ Jesus the Brightness of his Glory Hebr. 1.1 2 3 and visited those that were dead in Sins and Trespasses and quickened them by the Spirit of his Son and so they were made Witnesses of the Life of Jesus who begat them again and Redeemed them from the Bonds of Death by his Blood So here is the Way of Life and Path of Eternal Rest Christ Jesus the Power of God which destroyes the Devil and his Works 1 John 3.8 Hebr. 2.14 and this is the true Spirit this day we know it to our Souls Satisfaction that confess Christ come in the Flesh and this was the Advice of the Apostle John to such as did retain Christ the Power Wisdom of
God which taught them all things and instructed them in the things of God and in the weighty Matters pertaining to Eternal Life Little Children saith he I write these things concerning those that seduce you but the Anointing that you have received of him abideth in you and you have no need that any man teach you 1 John 2.27 and this was at that time when the Devil went about to deceive the Churches for said Peter Your Adversary the Devil goes about like a Roaring Lyon seeking whom be may devour And again saith John It is the Last Time in which you have heard that Antichrist should come for even now there are many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 and Every spirit that confesseth not that Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God but is a Deceiver and this is that spirit of Antichrist which ye have heard of should come and even now is already come into the World 1 John 4.3 And this hath been and is to this day the loss of many in that they profess Christ Jesus only outwardly come and not try the spirits that they may know Christ also inwardly by his Spirit Power and Wisdom crucifying the fleshly Desires Affections and Lusts that he alone may reign and rule And this is the true Guide Leader and Teacher of all the Children of the Lord in every Age and Generation who is given for a Leader even Christ Jesus the Light of the World Isa 55.4 and such as are not taught of him they are not the Children of the Lord but Children of him that hath stoln their Hearts from God and leads them into Forgetfulness concerning the weighty things wherein consists their eternal Peace and so multitudes are deceived and are Wanderers in the Darkness of the palpable Night wherein the Thief hath robbed stoln and deprived Thousands of their Right for Man was not created for Destruction but to inherit Life Eternal and our God creates none to be destroyed but that all should be saved and come to the Knowledge of his Truth 1 Tim. 2.4 And therefore if any perish it s because they yield themselves to the Wicked One to work Unrighteousness which is the Cause of Man's Misery And I certainly know That no Man or Woman can have Peace with God but as they come to witness in themselves Reconciliation by Christ Jesus which can never be until they obey him for this I find by good Experience That Tribulation and Anguish is upon every Soul of man that doth Evil to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2.9 both Professors and Prophane and notwithstanding the Height of Profession where Christ Jesus is not become the Head or where that which is contrary to his blessed will is not yet put under his Feet in every particular there is Condemnation and Terror within secret Fears and Doubtfulness which many Times causeth Torment 1 John 4 18. And so in the Bowels of tender Love to all the Sons and Daughters of Men is my Heart opened to declare the Truth as it is in Jesus who is the true Foundation and Rock of Ages 1 Cor. 10.4 And for lack of the true and saving Knowledge of him many have wandered in great Fear and many to this Day wander from the Knowledge of him and some whole Hearts by the Nearness of God unto them are tendered in Secret and mourn in Secret and are broken in Heart in the Consideration of their Conditions whose Sins are laid before them by the Lord Psal 50 8. and know no Way to escape the Indignaion of Almighty God but lye down in Fear and rise up in Sorrow those are they whose secret Cry is to the unknown God whom yet they are not come to know but here is a Travail inwardly to enjoy the Redeemer and here the invisible immortal God hath reached forth his spiritual Power and some have come to a Desire after the Lord from a real Sense of an inward Breathing after him and yet have come short of the thing they desired in the Day of the Tenderness of their Hearts for the Desire begotten inwardly it must inwardly be satisfied and all outward things as Ordinances and outward Observations cannot satisfie the Soul and herein many in this Day have come to a loss and have stumbled at the Foundation that God hath laid 1 Pet. 2.6 7 8. and so have over-run themselves and the tender Breathings of their Souls come to be stopt and so comes up Hardness of Heart again though the Pretence be never so fair and here many stand in their Imaginations fighting against the Appearance of God and so many that might have been serviceable for God's Cause in their Day and time and Witnesses in the Life of Jesus against the Works of Darkness are now become Enemies to the Lord that first begot them into Tenderness in Days that are gone and past and this is the very Way in which many Thousands in this Nation have lost themselves but a Remnant there are that have obeyed the Heavenly Voice of the Beloved that first touched their Hearts and opened their Understandings whose Souls have continually mourned after him Day and Night when Sorrow overtook us and Lamentation was heard within our Dwellings till we were sensible of the Way that leads to God's Kingdom and then it was the true Desire of our Souls to obey him and follow him in the Way of his Judgement Prov. 8.20 21. Isa 1.27 4.4 and now he is become our Leader who is the true Satisfier of the Soul even Jesus Christ unto whom every one must give an Account who is the first and the last Rev. 21.6 22.13 the Beginning of the Creation of God who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth Mat. 28.18 and is near to all who is that Grace of God that bringeth Salvation unto mankind Tit. 2.11 13. and these that obey him and hear him who is the Beloved of the Father according to his Commandment Mat. 17.5 they are the true Church the true Body Christ Jesus being Head ruling by his blessed Power and Spirit in every Member and this Spirit and Power redeems the Church and raises it up from the Grave and such come to know the Resurrection of the Body and the Passage from Death to Life who obey Christ and know his Power in their Hearts to quicken and make alive and so tâ—is mortal puts on Immortality and this corruptible puts on Incorruption and so Death is swallowed up in Victory Isaâ—ah 25.8 And this is a holy Church redeemed to God whole Light is God's Glory Rev. 21.23 Isa 60.19 and those that are come to this Spirit and Power that overcomes the Devil are true Witnesses for the Lord in this Age and Day who are redeemed from Death and Darkness into Life and Light and this is the Lamb's Wife which is espoused unto him betrothed in Loving Kindness and confesseth him and is not ashamed of his Name before Men Mat. 10.32 and such as
by poor Lazarus lest said he they also come to this Place of Torment Luke 16.28 So all you that are lofty and wanton upon the Earth consider your latter End who spend your precions Time to the Flesh in the Lust of Uncleanness and nourish your Hearts as in a Day of Slaughter James 5.5 O remember the Day wherein the Holy Pure God will plead with you for all your Abominations and for your Secret Sins that you have committed against the God of Heaven and how you make merry over the VVitness that brings Condemnation upon you because of your Sins and even torments the VVorker of Iniquity in secret this is the Faithful and True VVitness even Jesus the True Messenger who brings Gâ—adtidings to the imprisoned Soul that 's like to perish in Iniquity and this is he that was crucified in the Flesh but quickned again in the Spirit by which Spirit he preached to the Spirits in prison 1 Pet. 3.18 19. And it may be thus men may rebel agaiâ—st him and not turn at his Reproofs but spiritually may crucifie him to themselves as some did in Days past Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 but it would have been much better that they had never had a Being for when God shall call them to an Account for the Deeds done in the Body then shall they cry to the Mountains fall upon us and to the Hills cover or hide us from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6.15 16 17. for the Hour of his Judgment is come and who shall be able to stand Therefore return unto him betimes before it be too late that you may be reconciled to the Father and so the Lord will return unto you in his Love and in his Tender Mercy will he visit you as you yield unto him in your Hearts for such as obey him this Day do certainly injoy his Peace and in his Name is their Safety which is his Power by which their Souls are kept from the spiritual Enemy and therefore O Land of my Nativity hear the Word of the Lord God of Heaven which VVord is near unto all the Inhabitants thereof from one End unto another that the Land may be cleansed and enjoy hâ—r Sabbaths lest Afflictions and great â—orrow come in like a flood upon the inhabitants from the Great God whose Righteous Soul is grieved because of the Abominations that are within thy Borders who by his searching living Power that is Eternal over all Death and Hell is searching from one End to the other to bring Mankind into his Light and Life to worship him in his Spirit and Truth who is the blessed Creator of all the Beginning and the End to whom be Glory forever Amen THE Righteous God whose Power is great and who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in working Isaiah 28.29 hath in these last Days appeared invisibly in the inward Parts of Mankind to place his Name and his pure Fear in the Hearts of his People according to his ancient Promise Heb. 10.16 Jer. 31.33 and to write his Law in the Hearts of his Children who are truly turned unto him and amongst the many Witnesses the Lord who is rich in his Love unto Mankind not willing that any should perish he visited me who was a Wanderer in Desolation from Year to Year seeking the Way of the Redeemed of the Lord and a Cry in secret was begotten in my Heart after God who in his own time did hear and Answer my Earnest Desire and I well remember the Days of my tender Years when I was very young there was an Innocent Breathing within me after the Thing that is Good and I saw Sin in its Conception but knew not that which gave me the Knowledge of it and Swearing I saw to be a great Evil in them that were addicted thereunto and unto the Nineth and Tenth Year of my Age I was in a good Measure restrained from Evil according to the Knowledge I then had but afterwards when Years did encrease I well remember my great Loss for evil Desires did spring up within me and by the subtil one I was betrayed and led into divers Pleasures and Vanities of this Wicked World and into many Evils which did displease the Lord and so the Tender Desires which were after Righteousness were slain and then great Darkness and Sorrow did overtake me and so into a spiritual Captivity from the Light that did shine within me in my tender Years and so for many Years walkt in the Crooked By-paths of Darkness and Ignorance in Disobedience without the Knowledge of the true God in which time I was a Servant to the Wicked One and so are all that obey him be they high or low rich or poor and after some Years I began to consider my Condition and something within me bringing to Remembrance what I had done and laying before me the Danger that attends the wicked and in this time a Travail was begotten within me to seek the Lord and repent of my Sins and from Day to Day under the Indignation of the Lord which was revealed against me because of Sin and here was a Travail through much Fear and Doubtfulness what would become of my Soul if God should cut off my Life and indeed I could read Adam's Condition when he was afraid of the Lord and hid himself because he was naked and in the first Adam I then was and so lost in the Fall and as God behold me in that woful State Heb. 2.15 subject to Bondage for Fear of Death at last he opened unto my Soul the way of Life howbeit Sorrow overtook me and much Bowed-downness did compass me about and then the Enemy of my Soul woâ—â—d have taken away my Life but the secret invisible Arm of God's Power did uphold me though I knew it not so I say God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 1.10 And as Tenderness was begotten in my Heart so my Sins became a Burden too heavy for me to bear And this Testimony I give in the Name of the Lord that whosoever feels the Weight of their Sins it 's by the working of God's Heavenly Power begetting Tenderness in their Hearts though they know it not And so none can come to God but by this Way as our Lord said None can come unto me except the Father that has sent me draw him John 6.44 And so my Heart was bowed before the Lord and an Inward Desire begotten that none could satisfie but him alone And I saw the Ways of Man in his corrupt Nature were not those which lead to God's Kingdom and from Professor to Prophane all were gone astray then my Cry was the more earnest to the unknown God and none amongst my Worldly Relations and Neighbours could tell me the Way of my Soul 's Beloved till at last the Power of the Lord opened my Understanding and as I retired my mind inwardly in