breaking of bread was the communion of his Body so the Church then must needs be but the dead body of the Lord but now in Babylon we are not onely the dead body but dry bones And as death appeared in their worships so in their walking in the world they were dead to it and the world dead crucfied to them Gal. 2.20 2 Cor. 4.10 for they always bare in their body the dying of the Lord Iesus which made them wait for the resurrection of the dead that the life of Iesus might be manifest in their mortal flesh in which when the life of Jesus appears then the body is said to be raised this is the resurrection of the dead Paul had not attained to the redemption of the Body which Paul waited for Rom. 8.23 Phil. 3.11 And not onely for himself but he waited when all the Saints should rise with him in the Body for then the Body of the Lord the dead Body of Christ is raised out of Babylon Now Brethren we all in these dayes are not onely his dead Body as the legal and Gospel-Churches were but we are the dead Body in Babylon yea we are dry bones very dry not onely dead but long dead for many hundred of years the Churches have been so ever since the Apostacie which Apostacie is now manifestly revealed in the Churches I say we are dry bones not onely the dead body as Gospel-Churches were who had the flesh of Christ on them and the Spirit of Christ in them I mean the manifestation of the Spirit in manifold Gifts for that was the Spirit which Jesus gave when he was glorified which we have not and therefore are dry Bones Againe we have no flesh not the flesh of Christ on us I mean his crucified flesh for that the Gospel-Churches had and glorifyed in it but the Cross is a thing now we cannot abide to bear as if we had tasted the delicacies of the Whore Rom. 5.3 Gal. 6.14 we with our Churches must bear rule in Commonwealths and Kingdomes yea though Christs Kingdome was not of this world John 18.3 6. yet the best of us fancy a reigne of Christ on earth for a thousand years and the Saints to reigne with him in an earthly manner and outward observation with rest and peace and power Luk. 17.20 21. and plenty this was not the flesh of Christ Thirdly I shewed we have not the flesh of Christ in us not the Faith of the Son of God nor that love in the Spirit nor so much as Scripture for any of our Gospel-Ordinances as I have and shall prove with God another time Fourthly we are dry Bones very dry indeed if our Faith be dead and no gospel-Gospel-Faith nor yet any knowledge so much as of the Ordinances we live in for which of the Churches conceive all this while that Baptism and Breaking of bread did hold forth nothing else even to Gospel-Saints but the dead body of the Lord which they also were indeed But we as I said are dry bones further from life then they because we think we are alive when we are not onely dead but dry bones yea very dry indeed that we know not our life at all 1 Pet. 1.3 Ezek. 37.11 compare Ezek. 37.3 Yea we are so dead and dry we have neither Faith nor Love nor yet any lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead the fruit of whose resurrection we look not for till many hundred years hence at the last day when we are dead and gone and turned to dust or dry bones Esa 26.29 whereas we consider not we are dry bones already and dwell in the dust this day I do not condemn you brethren for this that your hope is not lively that you look not for your resurrection from Babylon for you are but dry bones the whole house of Israel was so and they say our bones are dryed our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts Ezek. 37.11 that is it may be other generations may see the glory talked to be in the last times but we are cut off for our parts our children may possess it but for our parts we have no hopes to enjoy it or in this life to be raised out of our graves But Oh my people saith God I will open your graves and cause you to come out of your graves and bring you to the land of Israel v. 12. Pray brethren consider God will not onely open your graves that you may know you are dead and dry bones but he will cause you whether you will or no to come out of your graves of forms and flesh and bring you to the land of Israel to live in the Spirit to see your life in the Lord alone that your life may be no more hid with Christ in God but that Christ who is your life shall appear in you and your life may appear to be in God The greatest work that God hath to do with you this day is to make you see you are dead that 's the end why he does dash and divide you disquiet and destroy all your comforts for I know you are shaking already and 't is a mercy to you that God will disquiet the Inhabitants of Babylon Jer. 50.34 that you shall have no rest till you return to his land even to the Lord that lives within you and loves you as his own Son though the Body be dead for then when dead the beloved of your Father was in perfect union with him as well as when he was living in the flesh and doing wonders in the Spirit Oh brethren see your selves at last the dead body of the Lord for then you shall arise and live Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body they shall arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust that 's dry bones Isai 26.19 This cannot be meant of the last resurrection when all shall rise for here some shall not rise v. 14. but you brethren shall rise when as soon as you are become the dead body of the Lord for so the words are read Thy dead men shall live my dead body they shall arise that is when we see our selves the dead body of the Lord we rise and live immediately in the midst of death and sing in the dust yea though dry bones and in the lowest estate of flesh we can comfortably wait for the Spirit and for the comming of the Lord in us that by the same Spirit which raised his dead body we the dead body of the Lord may be raised up together with him Truly brethren the living God knows that all I have written or shall is not intended by me to trouble your walkings but to give our rest in the Lord alone at last not meerly to throw down your Churches or for your fall but to raise you up that we all may live together with Christ in God Farewell Yours William Erbery FINIS A Call
the same This I only speak to shew the Ignorance or inconsiderate proceeds of our Gospel-preachers who know not what they say nor the way they go nor the work they do nor the word they speak nor the Gospel which they pretend to preach unto the world But because I now write to the baptized Churches I would convince them also of this that they are not the true nor can baptize in truth having not a Gospel yet manifest among them I say not manifest for there may be a seed of it in them as also was in legal Saints I will not minde you of those two Scriptures mentioned in the following dispute John 7.38 39. and John 14.12 nor yet a third proof Mark 16.16 17. Hee that believeth and is baptixed shall be saved and these signs shall follow them that believe c. Those signes did follow Gospel-believers 1 Cor. 1.7 1 Cor. 12.7 compare at least every Gospel Church of believers in whose members as that faith was manifested so especially in the Ministers or Elders who by laying on of hands on the sick and by prayer of faith could save the sick from death The Oyle then used being not a physical receipt or chirurgical salve nor yet an empty Ceremony but a signe of the Spirits presence in the Church and power in the Elder to heal the body as well as the soul James 5.14 15. I will not mention that other laying on of the Presbytery or Eldership in ordaining by a gift of the Spirit ever given thereby 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 compare as with God I shall shew hereafter onely now 't is clear there is no gospel-Gospel-faith in all the Churches this day Know then that in the Churches of Christ there was both the gift of Faith and the grace of Faith the one in some Church-members as well as in Ministers 1 Cor. 12.9 the other was common to all believers though some that were carnal then in Gospel-Churches had but a legal faith because carnal 2 Cor. 3.1 Heb. 5.12 13. compare As for Gospel-faith suitable to that present state of the Spirit and spiritual Saints it was though not differing yet diverse from the legal faith of Gods people under the Law true faith was ever the same for substance but not for manifestation as the Gospel is everlasting and Christ the same to day yesterday and for ever But as Christ was onely vayled in the Law and revealed in the Gospel so the Gospel and Christ Jesus were both Mysteries hid since the world began from the Sons of men yea from the sons of God-under the Law Rom. 16.25 Eph. 3.5 Col. 1.26 compare This Mystery was not manifest till to the Apostles and primitive Saints by the Spirit Eph. 3.5 That Spirit was not given before yea the Spirit was not at all as the Greek there reads John 7.39 And so that Spirit is not now not the Baptisme of the Spirit which the Apostles themselves had not John 20.22 Act. 1.5 compare while Christ was with them in flesh and though after his resurrection he breathed the Spirit on them yet they were not baptized with the Spirit till afterward Before which given they could not go forth to Teach all Nations and Baptize in a Gospel-way Act. 1.4 Therefore Gospel-Believers could not be before the Baptisme of the Spirit that is the pouring forth the gifts thereof on the Church Act. 2.33 44. 1 Cor. 12.7 9. compared Besides as the object of a gospel-Gospel-faith was a mystery that 's Christ in us the hope of glory John 4.20 Col. 1.27 Gal. 1.15 and 2.20 compare 1 Cor. 2.2 7 10 12 13. vers compare the Son of God revealed in us living in us and dying in us and we crucified with him for both Christ and him crucified also was a mystery as the Gospel the object of that faith so this Gospel-faith was a mystery likewise the mystery of Faith in a pure conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 But the object of a Legal faith was no mystery but a plain promise or God in covenant not God in Christ for this the Apostles themselves knew not in the dayes of his flesh Yee believe in God saith he believe also in me c. Legal Saints believed on God not on Christ for Christ was a mystery not yet manifest or to believe on God by Christ is that which believing Christians this day know not nor consider For what 's this why first 't is to know Christ in the Father and the Father in him and he in us and we in him John 14.20 Secondly to know Christ as the way to the Father for us vers 6.7 how so he that believeth on me believeth not on me but on him that sent me and he that seeth me seeth him that sent me that 's the Father in me Iohn 12.44 45. Iohn 14.9 compared What 's that 't is thus to me he that sees God in Christ and the Father in him Emanuel God with us that 's Christ Mat. 1.23 Eph. 3.19 John 17.23 compare may as well see God even the Father in himself for Christ is in us and we in Christ that is God in our flesh as in Christs for Christ and we are perfect in one one with the Father thus he is the way to the Father and thus by him as the way we believe on God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory that our faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 1.23 So that in truth to believe on Christ is not to believe on Christ but on the Father in him God in his flesh and in ours also for our faith does tend and end in God yet through him and by him as I said before So that here 's the misbeliefe of Churches this day their faith is onely on God as the Iews or only on Christ as deceived Christians not on God and Christ or on God by Christ And by this it appears there has not been in the Churches a Gospel-faith at least formally for vertually there might be in some but formally and effectually there has not been a Gospel-faith in the Saints these 1400 years for what sign has followed any that believed who could ever shew the Gift of Faith when the grace of Faith was scarce known what mountain or mighty thing has been done Mark 6.17 Mat. 17.20 Mat. 21.21 compare Josh 6.13 or done away and removed meerly by Faith for an outward force and strength of man has alwaies attended great acts in latter times but where 's the fall of Iericho's walls by rams-horns or Gideons conquest by broken pitchers and lights held up in his hand Oh this new light believers are afraid of Judg. 7.20 or to hear the sound of a Trumpet All things saith Christ what soever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive it that is Matth. 21.22 asking in faith nothing wavering c. though the man want wisdom yet he shall have it liberally given him of God saith
thy faith by thy works and as faith works by love James 2.8 so the labour of love cannot possible be hid but 't will appear to all but in you it doth not therefore the first appearance of the Apostacie or falling away of the Churches was in leaving their first love Rev. 2.4 for as the seven Churches of Asia were types of the Apostolique Churches enclining to an Apostacy so Ephesus the first is charged with this Rev. 3.26 that she was fallen from her first love as Laodicea the last being the Type of these last Churches is commended for nothing but condemned altogether for want of zeal or fervent love though the Baptisme of the Spirit and of fire was that especially wanting in that Church and in all this day who are not hot nor have any Spiritual gift at all yea nor any grace of the Gospel as I shewed before For this cause Christ fore-told that at his comming Because iniquity should abound Matth. 24.12 the love of many would wax cold Noting first that iniquity would abound in the Churches as to be carnal covetous unclean proud and peevish without faith or love Secondly men looking upon Churches in this condition would have but cold love unto them whose love is so cold one to another But thirdly here 's the height of love the love of such who are saved from the Apostacy to love those in whom iniquity abounds to love the Churches though iniquity abounds among them 1 Cor. 13.7 for love believes all things and hopes all things believes the best of all and hopes they will be better But yet there is one mark of love I have not mentioned that 's Christs love not in word and in tongue but in deed and in truth pray what 's that 'T is 1 John 3.16 Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our life for our brethren Here 's first a Mystery that men know not how God did lay down his life for the death of the man Christ all conceive but how that man was nothing but God manifest in flesh and how God shed his blood crucifying that flesh to himself is the Mystery of Christ and him crucified not known to the Churches but because God laid down his life for us we ought to lay down our life for the brethren Heer 's love to the brotherhood and mark it this love is commanded as well as baptisme we ought so to love the brethren as to dye for them Oh that my dear baptized brethren could once dye to their own life their living in the world according to Ordinances Col. 2.20 Ordinances that shall be proved with God not to be of a Gospel-appointment or power will you not die to these if it be proved unto you that having not the baptisme of the Spirit and of fire in your Church you have no power to baptize with water I mean in a Gospel way Secondly that there is no true Administrator sent of God to baptize Thirdly that Water-baptisme was not by dipping but by washing the Disciples feet called Believers going down to the waters up to the Ankles Oh that you could dye to your own life to flesh and blood to that reason and understanding of yours raised on the traditions of men Yea that ye could dye to your own credit content comforts truly 't will not be to your credit to disown and lay down your Principles and practice of dipping so long continued I know you have much content and comfort in your performances and gathered Churches while many scattered Saints are mourning over your Formes and their own flesh yea to the flesh of Christ being dead unto them Ioh. 16 7. as the Disciples did at the departure of Christ when that pure flesh of his must suffer withering and weakness and his flesh be taken from them they had sorrow of heart while the world did rejoyce that is Ioh. 16.20 Rev. 11.10 compare Heb. 9.1 while the Church of the Jewes which was but a worldly Sanctuary were rejoycing in their Ordinances in their Temple and Church-fellowship So many scattered Saints are weeping and full of sorrow in their bewildernessed state in the want of the solemn Assembly because it cannot be yea Zeph. 3.18 by the waters of Babylon they sit down and weep while you are dipping in them and while others are merry with singing of Psalmes your brethrens Harps are hanged upon the Willowes Psal 137.1 2. on fruitless trees because they cannot sing one of the songs of of Zion they being in a strange land not in the life of God alone but living still in Babylon in flesh and self in which they feel themselves imbondaged We your brethren are not alive but dead in Babylon as dry bones there we lye even your brethren And will ye not yet dye for us have ye not that love as to give your lives for your brethren Truly if you did live indeed you would give your lives but because you are dead you cannot do it The Church of Sardis had a name that she lived and was dead you have the name of a Church of Church in order of Gospel-ordinances but are they not all dead Forms are not your fellowships divided also This shews you are dead as the dry bones in Babylon because you are so divided as those two sticks so your best Societies are even Judah and Israel Independants and Baptized Churches For as I shewed before the Gospel-Churches were but one Body had but one Baptisme there was the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace but now not onely the staff beauty but the staff bands that 's the brother hood is broken between Judah and Israel Zach. 11.10 14. So now beloved whether you will dye or no for your brethren you are but the dead Body and yet you are the dead body of the Lord Ezek. 37.12 Isa 26.29 compare that 's your comfort and mine that you shall rise at last Onely know at present that you are but the dead Body so indeed the Church under the Law was under a Ministery of death and so the Gospel-Churches were Dead also 2 Cor. 3.7 Col. 3.3 for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God More life was manifest in the Gospel then under the Law their life being not in Ordinances as the legal Church but their life was in Christ 1 Cor. 13.9 12. verse and with Christ in God but because they knew God but in part saw but in a Glass darkly because their life was hidden from them therefore they were said to be dead still and so the Gospel-Churches were but the dead bodie then Yea their Gospel-Ordinances indeed were but to death they held forth nothing but the death of Christ Rom. 6.3 1 Cor. 11.26 as in baptisme they were baptized into his death in breaking of bread they shewed forth the Lords death and as the
and he are perfect in one with the Father and as the Beast is the Wisdome of man and the Power of man in the Church that 's the seven Heads and ten Hornes c. so Christ is the Wisdome of God and Power of God which was in the Church and is though not known and is to come for that 's his name God with us Rev. 1.4 8 9 10 13 verses Christ in us the hope of glory which is to come when the mystery of God shall be finished or fully known to men at the sounding of the seventh Trump which is the last Trump the Trump of God when the great Trump shall be blown c. which is the last discovery of God When this great Trump is blown those who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria and the out-cast in the land of Aegypt shall come and worship the Lord in the holy Mount at Jerusalem Isa 27.13 That 's the new Jerusalem which shall come down from God out of Heaven after Babylons fall and freedome of all the Saints from that double bondage now upon their spirits not onely of gathered Churches but of scattered Saints 't is spoken of the one as ready to perish and the other as outcasts in Assyria and Egypt too as I said that 's the twofold captivity we are all carryed away in till the great Trumpet be blown Then the dead bones shall rise out of Babylon Ezek. 37.12 and God will open the graves of his people who shall all come forth out of their forms and flesh when the glory of the Lord shall cover them V. 19. and they live in the Eternal Spirit together then the two sticks also the divided societies of Saints shall become one c. for that 's the third dispensation called the dispensation of the fulness of time when all things both in heaven and earth shall be gathered up into one Ephes 1.10 11. all the Saints of highest appearances and of lowest performances both those of Legal tempers and Gospel attainments shall be gathered up into one into that glory into God himself This Resurrection of the dead Phil. 3.11 12 13.14 2 Pet. 3.13 the Apostle had not attained to though pressing toward it and Peter was waiting for it in the new Heaven and new earth for the old heaven and old earth both Legal and Gospel-dispensation vanish away in God Rom. 21.1 yea there 's no more Sea saith Iohn no more of that dividing and destroying Principle in man for that 's the Sea which has made the Saints not onely to dash one against another but every one to be as an Isle by himself and so indeed it must be in Babylons fall not a man to be found Isai 13.12 but every man flies to his own Land v. 14. to live solitary and alone in his own light Mich. 4.5.10 compared that light which shines in every man and every man in his God but every one that is found shall be thrust through and every one that is joyned with them that 's not in the Hebrew but every one that is joyned in Babylon shall fall by the sword v. 15. There 's no building of Temples in Babylon nor joyning there in Church-fellowship for that will fall and we with it till we retire alone into our selves or the Spirit rather in us and this we must be Zach. 12.12 every man apart by himself every Famlily apart and their wives apart man and his wife though nearest and dearest flesh Jer. 31.9 So the Margent there must be separated when the Spirit of Grace and Supplication or favours begins to appear to take us up into glory Then the multitude of the Isles shall rejoyce when the Lord comes to Raign Psal 97.1 the Raign of God and of Christ or the Saints with him being the same with their Resurrection the first Resurrection Isai 60.1 Ezek. 37.25 26. Zach. 14.5 9. For as by the great Trumpet they are gathered one by one Isai 27.12 so this shewes that all the Saints shall be found as so many Isles every one alone by himself made so by the Sea but the Sea shall be no more when the new Heaven and the new Earth comes Rev. 21. then all the people of God shall become one Land one Continent wherein the Lord alone shall live Ezek. 37.21 this is the Land so much spoken of by the Prophets the Land of the living the land of Israel who are promised to be brought to their own Land being now in a strange Land in Babylon but he that scattered Israel will gather him Jer. 31.10 and the Saints who are now scattered in and by their gathered Churches yea all the scattered Saints with them shall be gathered up into God who indeed is he who scatters as well as gathers we do nothing we can do nothing but in him who is All in all In this mystery of the Resurrection all your Questions in the Letter will be answered your doubts satisfied your darkness cleared your Captivity ended for 't is the glorious liberty of the children of God the manifestation of the sons of God Isai 52.8 the appearing of the great God in us when we shall be like him see him as he is know him as we are known see him eye to eye Isai 61.9 10. as he sees us we shall see him see his Face and his Name on our foreheads that is we shall not onely see God Rev. 21.3 Rev. 22.4.18 19. Rom. 8. but men shall see God in us for all that see us shall acknowledge that we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed the blessed seed is Christ the Son of God so all the Saints shall be in the glory of the Father when the Sonne shall be subject 1 Cor. 15.44 and God All in all This is the Adoption and Redemption of the body the Resurrection of the body when the body Rom. 8.23 now natural or soully as the Greek reads it shall be raised spiritual 2 Cor. 15.45 the Eternal Spirit appearing to be all in all This will be in every one of us in particular for we must be gathered one by one and this will be in all the Saints in general who are the body the dead in Babylon the dead body of Christ there But thy dead men shall live together with my body they shall arise c. Isa 26.19 together with is not in the Hebrew which reads Thy dead men shall live my dead body they shall arise c. that is when the Lord God in us all shall slâ—y us all and all flesh to himself our gifts our graces and all shall be slain to God and by him His sword his spirit the fire shall do it we must all dye come downe to the dust lye there as the dry bones not so much as flesh or skin upon us much less strength spirit and life yet we shall live though now dead yea the dead
all the Saints with you to look for this Col. 3.1 that is next and nearest to you to rise not onely from sin as those under the second dispensation were risen but to rise from self as we shall in the third when God shall be all in all that we may all hear him in us speaking with power Arise shake thy self from the dust Isa 52.2 arise and sit down O Jerusalem loose thy self from the bands of thy neck O captive Daughter of Sion Farewell Your William Erbery For Mr. Ambrose Moston Beloved Sir I Wrote unto you once before I received yours last but mine miscarried and 't is no matter for the whole contents thereof concerned outward things as Church-Order Ordinances and Officers which I proved then not to be of the primitive institution with power from on high and appearance of the Spirits presence in gifts Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 5. Act. 21.4 33. which was the ordinary constitution of a Gospel-Church First in order that is the manifestation of the Spirit in manifold gifts called the Baptisme of the Spirit this being the pouring forth of all the gifts of the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.7 12. 1 Cor. 14.1 12. for some the Church under the Law had as gifts of prophesying signes miracles raising the dead c. which the present professing Gospel-Churches are far below even that legal dispensation Secondly The Officers of Christ Act. 14.23 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 James 5.14 Act. 20.23 were as for number five Eph. 4.11 so the lowest Elder Pastor and Teacher was ordained with a gift of the Spirit given by the laying on of hands by which as they were enabled for their ministerial work so were they to abide and to sit down with their particular flocks for the Apostles onely were to go forth to the world Col. 1.23 25. as the Evangelists were appointed to ordain Eiders in every City Tit. 1.5 Act. 13.1 2 3. and the Prophets to minister unto the Lord in the Churches laying on their hand on such Apostles who were successively sent abroad out of those Churches to preach the Gospel with the holy Spirit sent downe from heaven 1 Pet. 1.12 Eph. 3.4 5. Col. 1.27 28 29. without which the Mystery of Christ could not be manifest to men This was the full ministery of Christ in those five which the world could not want nor the Church be without the want of which leaves both in Babylon or confusion as it has been all along the Apostacie and is now more visible this day to many scattered Saints Thirdly The Ordinances which are in the gathered Churches are far from the primitive institution in matter and form For first a Psalm a Doctrine a Tongue Interpretation Revelation were ordinary 1 Cor. 14.26 because for edifying and therefore Ordinances of the Church of Christ these are not now at all go the edifice is fallen into confusion that 's Babel Secondly the Ordinances which are as the Childish tradition of Childrens Baptisme the breaking of bread which should be the Communion of Christs body cannot be administred because the body is not onely dead Ezek 37.3 16. as the dry bones of Babylon but divided as the two sticks there and how then can there be a communion when there is no union of the body for as there was before in the Gospel-state but one Spirit one baptisme so but one body all believers and Gospel-Saints walked in one Church-way one way of worship doctrine and discipline c. and though there was particular divisions between brother and brother yet not between Church and Church for the body was but one as I said Now the Saints by calling have diverse baptismes and are divided bodies how can there be then breaking of bread or communion of the body 't is but the bread of Mourners Hosea 9.4 read it in the Spirit I will not speak of our Common-prayers and customary carnal singing of Psalmes for though Prayers were publiquely performed in the Jewish Church that Church being national Act. 2.42 yet in the Gospel-Churches being a company of Saints Prayers were proper onely in the Church as fellowship and breaking of bread was only there not with the world or multitude therefore Christ and his Apostles did never pray with their preaching Act. 3.1 12. Act. 4.24 compared These were the things I then enlarged to you in the Letter that was lost and truely I intended not now to speak a word of this when I first put pen to paper there is a providence and the hand of God in it which led mine thus far that you might lay it to heart Indeed Sir these are but outward things there are more inward spiritual and eternal truths I purposed to present to your serious thoughts that is the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven what the Lord has taught me therein I cannot now express only to tell you that I teach nothing now to man but the new Ierusalem in which when the Saints shall be gathered as they shall all be one for there 's but one street in that City so there being no Temple there but the Lord God and the Lamb the divided forms of Church-worship being fallen with Babylon shall appear no more but God will be seen to dwell in his people with that light and love that many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in them 't is not said joyned to them now for God shall be all in all This I call the third Dispensation differing from Law and Gospel-order yet comprehending both above both for Ierusalem is above and that was above to the highest Apostle will come downe and appear to the least and lowest of Gods people Gal. 4.26 for 't is the mother of us all yea the child shall dye a hundred years old Isa 65.20 Eph. 4.13 for the least child of God shall come to a perfect man to the fulness of the stature of Christ that is shall see himself filled with all the fulness of God as the most perfect man on earth Eph. 4.13 This third dispensation or third discovery of God all the Prophets did write of Rom. 8.18 23. and all the Apostles waited for the glory to be revealed in us the glorious liberty of the sons of God saith Paul 1 John 3.2 the appearing of God even the glorious appearing of the great God in us when we shall be like him and see him as he is saith Iohn the new heaven and the new earth saith Peter 2 Pet. 3.13 all this we wait for say they and Iohn saw it coming down even the new Ierusalem after Babylons fall The fall of Babylon will be by confusion when this comes to the Churches and in the Spirits of the Saints they shall then begin to see what before they were blind unto yea the blind alone shall see for they that see shall be made blind Iohn 3.39 Isa 29.18 But this is the comfort to me
Iames James 1.5 6. how then are they who pray most the greatest fools both Papists and Protestants then is not the wisest man as a wave of the Sea when the Sea is over the whole earth Isa 4.11 and the best are in the waters Truly we are all sick let us send then to the Elders of the Church and see if they have the prayer of faith to heal us or heal themselves from the stroke of their wound Isa 30.26 Jer. 30.17 Who among all the gathered Churches can hold forth a Gospel-faith to the scattered Saints who of all their Gospel-Ministers can go forth freely to the world Col. 24.15 1 Pet. 1.12 where is the Power from on high or holy Spirit sent downe from heaven for that work Yea where 's the Spirit of Faith in any of their Believers Gospel-believers were all of one heart and one soul because but one body Act. 2.44 Act. 4.32 c. ours are all divided believers then had all things common c. our Churches and Christians are all for self-interests and to seek their own This is not love as I shall shew anon nor faith indeed which works by love All have not faith saith the Apostle in those Gospel-times no man has a Gospel-faith in these times of the Apostacy and being of the Saints in Babylons captivity Yet this is the confusion that hath ever followed the Churches to this day to take up the Apostles words and writings and to apply that to our selves which was possible to those times and proper only to primitive Saints and Churches where that power was which is now wanting to all the world Thus the Baptists now take up the Apostles call and commission which was never given them by Christ much less by the Spirit afterward Again like the Angel of darkness or Devil cutting off part of Gods word they still tell their Proselytes Mat. 3.6 Mat. 28.19 Go teach and Baptize c. whereas 't is written Go Teach all Nations and Baptize c. Thirdly 't was not directed to the Disciples but to the Apostles upon this ground and the Eleven are mentioned by Matthew and Mark Mat. 28.16 Mark 16.14 for every Disciple had not that power from on high to Teach all Nations Fourthly Who can shew unto us that he is sent of God to Baptize seeing none baptized but either the Apostles or such who had a manifestation of the Spirit to confirm their call Act. 8.6 Act. 9.17 as Philip and Ananias Lastly 'T were well if they would not onely chuse their members by a confession of faith but catechise them and themselves first in the doctrine of Faith For the mystery of Faith was more then men imagine and it may be more then Paul wrote to the Romans and Churches of Galatia Rom 4.2 for both it seems had gone so far back to the Law to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh that the Apostle goes no farther then a Legal Faith Gal. 3.3 for Faith as justifying was no more and Faith on the promise was no higher then their Faith under the Law as is proved in the dispute hereafter Gospel-Faith was wholly exercised in our union with God in Christ and Christ in us which Paul rather points at in himself then teacheth the Church unless what he hints to some spiritual Saints therein Gal. 2.20 who had the anointing in them teaching them all things that they needed not any man should teach them 1 John 2.27 Therefore as Christ never heard any man preach so neither did the Apostles hear one anothers preachings or sit at a Sermon as our Gospel-preachers do This I onely speak by the way at present and another thing that the Apostles never preach'd a common place of the nature of Faith or repentance to bring people to repeat and believe but so preached Christ to all that they might believe and repent Gospel-Faith properly was this in knowing our followship with the Father and the Son in the Spirit to know our union with God in Christ and Christ so in us that we are in one with the Father as He in the same love and life in God with him John 14.19 Iohn 17.1 20 21 22 23. now the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ was not manifest to any under the Law nor to Abraham himself who though he saw the day of Christ yet 't was a far off Joh. 8.56 Heb. 11.13 for so the Fathers saluted the promises whose Faith was on the promise or power of God in performing the same and so it s justified Rom. 4.14 to 21. but the justifying faith of Christians was on Christ dying and raised up verse 24.25 though Abraham in a typical mystery believed on Christ dead and raised in his son sacrificed and slain in purpose verse 17. and raised in a figure Heb. 11.19 But as Christ was a mystery so his death and resurrection was a mystery also that none but the Apostles could manifest it by the Spirit which being not given to any one living the Faith which comes by hearing is no higher then theirs under the Law to justify and to save yea we know by experience the best Preachers when they would raise men to believe pitch them on the promise not on that power from on high or promise of the Father which they that believed on Christ did receive and by which the first Preachers of the Gospel brought men to believe But take faith in the lowest acceptance for justifying Faith was but of a legal temper which the Church of Rome beginning to fall from the Apostle is faine to set before them the faith of Abraham and David c to whom the mystery of Christ and of the Gospel being not yet manifested by the Spirit Rom. 3.13 Rom. 4.3 6. as to the Apostles and primitive Saints that Faith of theirs was but suitable to a legal estate I say take Faith in the lowest acceptance as justifying before God and men as working by love where is it when there is no love among you neither to other Churches or Saints differing from you nor to your own Churces who differ in doctrine as I said before much less love to all Saints The Sword doubled Col. 1.4 Tit. 9.3 2.4 to those scattered ones who cannot come to any of your Church-wayes as for love to all men 't is a thing you look not after though this be a higher degree of love then brotherly kindness or love to the brethren 1 Thes 3.12 2 Pet. 1.7 compared But alas the brotherhood is broken Zach. 11.6 9 14. vers there is not love to the brethren among you not onely love unfeigned but love out of a pure heart fervently is not to be found for the love of the best is but cold God knows not that fervent unfeigned that is without Hypocrisie 1 Pet. 1. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh how far are believers from that love the Apostle
mentions in fifteen several signes thereof 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7 Love suffers long and is kind love envyeth not again love seeketh not her own thinketh no evil is not easily provoked c. wheres's this in our passions pride self-seeking evil speakings ' envy strife together Again Love is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly what unseemly silly frothy fellows are many Church-members and Ministers also who know not how to behave themselves before their betters Again Love beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things Pray tell me if you have parts and patience what difference between bearing all things and induring all things Love alone can resolve the question But where 's Faith or Love for both are one Faith works by Love and love believeth also believeth all things therefore there being no love there is no believer among you By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples if ye love one another John 13.35 all the world sees now there is no love in the Churches how can they then be the Disciples of Christ who are thus divided and dash one against another not onely brother against brother but Church against Church Churches of Saints Good-Lord saith the world what shall we do whither shall we go when Churches go this way and that way one against another Ah poor Wales many Pastors have destroyed thee and distract thee how many have I heard crying out Jer. 1â— 10 where to finde their Religion their old Priests and Common-Prayer are gone and new Pastors and Preachers are come in who cannot agree together Oh that God would send men of one mind to minister a word to Wales were it but to speak love or to shew the Lord Christ that 's love in practice in pureness in power and peace 1 John 4.7 8. to the end Indeed brethren there is much love among your Church-members in word and in tongue calling one another Brother and Sister but where's Lots love to call Sodomites and Sinners Gen. 19.7 Ah my brethren do not so wickedly but when ye shall remember your wayes and be ashamed then you shall receive your Sisters your Elder and Younger for God gives them unto you for Daughters but not by your Covenant Ezek. 16.61 Sodons and Samaria are the Churches sisters verse 46. Samaria is the false Church-state therefore the Jewes hated the Samaritans who yet walked in Ordinances and waited for the Messiah as well as they John 4.20 45. Sodom was no Church at all but Sinners like Heathens yet the Church of the Jewes is called in her Ministers and Members Princes of Sodom and People of Gomorrha though abounding in Ordinances Isa 1.10 to 16. verse Yea I shall prove with God hereafter that all those sins of Sodom spoken of Ezek. 16.49 are in the present Churches who are worse then Samaria verse 51. Papists Prelates and Presbyters have not committed halfe of your sins yea the Independant Churches have much more love then you But when the Baptized Churches shall bear their shame and be confounded in all that they have done verse 54. though your Sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride before your wickedness or false worship was discovered c. verse 46 57. yet when God remembreth his covenant with you Rev. 10 7. Rev. 14.6 compare manifesting his grace to you and his love to the world with you for so the everlasting Gospel will when the mystery of God is finished and fully known then you shall remember your wayes and receive Sodom and Samaria as Sisters yea they shall be unto you as Daughters verse 61. For your love shall be so dear unto them Mat. 28.20 Observing all things whatsoever I command you The Baptisme of the Spirit was the first Gospel-command of Christ before water-baptisme in a Gospel-way Act. 1.4 Act. 2.38 For John's baptisme before was but a legal Ordinance not onely love one to another but toward all men thus 't was in Gospel-Churches this will be again and more also but not by thy covenant saith God not by your Church-covenant never known in Gospel-Churches by your Covenant none are called Brethren save those of your owne Church not visible Saints much less sinners Truely this want of love to all men shewes you have no true love among your selves no love unfeigned out of a pure heart fervently one to another You speak much of the command of Christ for baptisme but let me ask you one question why do yee not obey all the commands of Christ in his Apostles yea what he commanded himself Paul and Peter laid this command on the Churches of Christ Greet yee one another with a holy Kiss 2 Cor. 13.12 greet ye one another with a kiss of love 1 Pet. 5.14 The Papists have a Pax to represent this for all must kiss the Pax when they come to Mass in remembrance of this kiss of love but ye brethren have not so much as a shew of this less love among the Brethren then among Popish Churches how can you dispense with his Apostolique command of Christ how can ye omit this kiss of love will ye say of this as ye do of the gifts of the Spirit that 't was extraordinary onely for those Apostolique Churches this indeed is the Popish distinction which Protestants have learnt from them but we have prov'd before that those spiritual gifts were commanded to be followed because for the edifying of the Church 1 Cor. 14.26 If those gifts were extraordinary are Gospel-graces so for that faith you cannot shew nor their love we cannot see not a shew of it for where 's the kiss of love so oft commanded 't was not a Courtly ceremony nor a wanton kiss but a holy kiss the kiss of love 't was when spiritual Saints at the sight of each other especially coming together as one body to break bread as the body of Christ saluted one another with a kist with a hearty kiss they hug'd each other they embraced and kiss when they met as if their souls would move forth and meet together at the lips for as they were all of one heart and one soul so their soul saluted at each others lips Act. 4.32 that was their fervent love But again where are your feasts of love that were once in the Churches of Christ love is a stranger to you you know it not nor the feasts of love what they were 1 Cor. 5.8 Jude 12. compare wherein they did not coenare coenam sed disciplinam as Tertullian tells you This shewes the falling away is come upon you and that Apostacy foretold by the Apostles is come upon you in perfection having no gift of the Spirit nor yet the grace of Faith which because 't is a secret thing and hidden in the heart you cannot so easily be convinced of but love is a visible glory that may be seen of men yea faith also for shew me
To the Churches OR A Packet of Letters to the Pastours of WALES For Mr. William Erbery THe Milk and Honey ever remembred freind which formerly I sucked in your Ministration makes me apt to conclude that your pit is not dryed up nor your root withered but that the intern Spirit of the inward heaven doth raign in you in the night It 's many years since I looked on you as an Image I never heard nor had a line from you as some hereabout had It may be you thought me less teachable and more uncapable of understanding then some others indeed I am so I knew not where to direct a line to finde you by reason of your private life which to some is safe and serene and to others tempestuous and dangerous The Hermite is not very usefull to man or beast nor the Christ to him because Talents will rust and rot the living creature unless they be thrown out of your private chest and ship The Prophets Apostles c. spake to God the Eternity listened to him and spake from him they writ they preached they charged their Ambassage as the heavenly true Spirit spake to them and that creature was ever the basest that did trade least between the mother the heavenly nature and angelical world and the sinfull children of men now out of Paradise wandring in the heart of this shadowy world The more you be in the heavenly action which is publique also to millions every day in the year the more like the God of all beings and inhabitant of eternity I do both long and profess to become a little child againe willing to learne my A.B.C. anew if my once-dear School-master Erbery can teach it me for I must not take printed Pictures instead of reall Letters I am dayly longing to withdraw into the inner world the more spiritual Chamber to converse with the inhabitants that know how God is the Father of spirits lights loves and mercies in his begotten Word and generated Spirit I desire you according to your attainment to help me I mean to scribble a few lines to me in answering these things How is God above all through all and in all his people How all things are of him through and to him How do we live move and have our being in him what is that heresie of perdition the holy One in Peter mentions and chiefly what where when and how God is I am not ashamed to enquire or wait of a meer post neer the gate of the wisdome of God about these matters neither do I disown you as some strange notionist or sceptick gnostick in what you in the light of the Father can or will hold forth for satisfaction by the Spirit for since I knew you or tasted the wine in you I ever lodged respectful thoughts of you I fear neither truth nor its enemies I would try all things all spirits bodies and beings in the light liberty rest and power of the Spirit of Jesus and because a son of man is but a vanity a very glance a branch a shadow and off-spring of the eternal root therefore one branch may cosap with the other and the little little twig neer the root doth communicate in juce with the highest-flown branch of the same tree I doubt not but the whispering of the melodious love from any though from poor me might refresh you under the sun in this vain vaporary life This is but a word in haste and heart to invite if it seem good a line from you and then the few lines that concern you in my inward book I may better transcribe My true love with my wifes to your self and your rib begging we may rightly take in and not mistake the first and second man and the third form that is at hand I onely beg of you a sound about your grounds in Scripture-nature and in the internal eternal Spirit concerning Men Saints Officers Ordinances Churches and Societies of men No more then but that I am Wrexham 1652. 29 of 4 Month. Your fellow-branch at the feet of the God of all flesh and Father of all Spirits Mor. Lloyd I have a word with you when first you be pleased to let me hear from you For Mr. Morgan Floyd Sir YOurs of the twenty ninth of the fourth month I received at Roth near Cardiff this 12 of August and I return an Answer in silence seeing we are both in the Eternal Spirit with the spirits of just men made perfect where there is no need of speech to communicate our thoughts or attainments each to other being taken up into him who is our All and all in All. There the Mystery of the Resurrection begins and the Apostle goes on in that heighth from 1 Cor. 15.28 to the end that this is the Resurrection not that last and general of the world but the first Resurrection the rising of the Saints or of the dead in Christ who shall rise first I say that this is the Resurrection onely of the just and not of the unjust nor of all any man even without the Spirit of Revelation may judge by reason and reading of that Chapter where the rising of the spiritual body tâ— incorruption immortality power and glory is the glorious appearing of the second Man the quickning Spirit the Lord from Heaven in us to the heavenly Image which is the third estate of the Saints now approaching and the latter part of your Letter points at This I call the third dispensation or last discovery of God unto and in men differing from Law and Gospel-order yet comprehending both and above both yea above all for here all men and things are nothing but God is all and alone yea God is All in all This third dispensation as all the Prophets and Apostles did write and wait for so in this I wait in silence with God though I speak sometimes to men for a full discovery of him in me and to all the Saints with me for when the Lord my God shall come or appear all the Saints shall come with thee Zach. 14.5 The Earth-quake there spoken of is at hand 't is the same mentioned in Babylons final fall Rev. 16.18 19. for a threefold fall of Babylon is written Rev. 14.8 Rev. 18.2 and v. 21. and that the third or last fall of Babylon will be in the fall of this form of Church-fellowship so called you may see in your spirit and in some printed scriblings of mine therefore for Order Ordinances Officers Churches Societies of men all are in Babylon in confusion of Tongues that 's out of order c. though many of the Saints conceive they are come to Sion already Babylon is a Mystery as you shall see with God very shortly Babylon or the Beast is the mystery of man Rev. 13.18 Rev. 1 8 c. that 's the woman also or the Whore the man of sin and Christ is the mystery of God God manifest in the flesh in his flesh and in ours for we
16.17 This little while cannot be at the end of the world after so many hundreds of yeers to be seen in a fleshly appearence but not many days hence that 's a little while Acts 1.5 Yea but how was this in the like manner for they saw him go up in the flesh true but they saw not the fulness of the Spirit dwelling in that flesh after 't was raised but when he should ascend and give gifts unto men then God who received gifts in the man as the Hebrew reads Psal 68.18 appearing in the Saints and in their flesh with that Spirit and power that was in Christ is said to come and thus in the same sense or in the like manner Jesus came as they saw him go up to heaven Indeed he was taken up in the Cloud but the Cloud was to take him out of their sight Act. 1.9 to take his fleshly presence out of their sight this they would fain see still but should not verse 10. and he will come again in a Cloud that is in our flesh when most confused and darke for so the Disciples were before the Spirit came at first The comfort is at his second coming when in our flesh we are most cloudy dark confused Christ will come or appear in us with more majesty power and glory in the glory of the Father in us Yea the Apostles themselves dream'd of a personal raigne of Christ or restoring the Kingdome to Israel Act. 1.6 But 't is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power but ye shall receive power after that the holy Spirit is come upon you verse 7. Mark I pray you how the times and seasons of the Kingdom of Christ and of Israel with him was in the Fathers power this they were not to know nor could they while carnal but when the power of the holy Spirit came upon them they should then know the Kingdome restored to Israel when they had received power from on high for the Kingdome of God is within us This my dear Brother shall be made know to you and me that the Kingdome of God comes not by outward observation but seeing the Spirit shall againe be poured forth from on high Isa 32.15 let us wait for this together though our Palaces be forsaken verse 14. though our Church-fellowships and flesh fall for so 't will be before the Spirit come verse 9. to 13. for Christs pure flesh was crucified through weakness before he was raised in power or received the Spirits fulness Then shall we know the reign of Christ and of the Saints with him for a thousand years Rev. 20.4 6. but as yet what fleshly thoughts and interpretations have passed over these words by the Millenaries of old and by many gratious Saints of late what is all the book of the Revelation a Mystery and must these one thousand years onely be literally understood just for ten hundred of years and will not the Saints be more spiritual but still to think of a fleshly reigne a reigne of Christ after the flesh and of Saints after the flesh whereas no man nor Christ is to be known so any more And may not the one thousand years be but one day and that one day the day of God when God shall appear for that day is called one day Zach. 14.7 known to the Lord to the Lord alone in us Dear Sir I shall leave but two things and it may be a third to your serious considerations First you know the appearances of God from the beginning have been more and more spiritual and will be so to the end how fleshly and outward did he appear before and under the Law in visible forms In the Gospel the presence of the Lord and his power was more spiritual in inward and eternal things that is in things not seen 2 Cor. 4.18 Therefore the third dispensation which Mr. Mostons Letter tells you will be more spiritual yet Heb. 5.7 who in the days of his flesh c. that was when be was on earth therefore his being now in the Heaven is all in the Spirit for he is far above all heavens Eph. 4.10 for though Christ was in the days of his flesh yet he was not fully come till the Spirit was sent therefore this second coming will be more in the Spirit yet for the Apostles themselves had but the first fruits of the Spirit there will be a harvest a fuller measure of the Spirit then was in the Apostles times as the Prophets testifie Zach. 14.8.9.10 Secondly doth not the reigne of Christ which you hold forth in a fleshly presence hinder the Saints from looking for the Spirit that fulness of the Spirit promised by all the Prophets to be poured forth in the last dayes when he comes the second time without sin to salvation with fulness of the Spirit in us Lastly doth not that preaching of yours cause many Saints to be more carnal earthly looking for a Kingdome here below for they begin to reigne already as Kings but not with Christ nor in righteousness which is that alone and not in forms of Religion that shall dwell in the new Heaven and new Earth now waited for My dearest salutes and service present to all the Saints with you If I have not tyred your Spirit with these tedious lines and if you shall please to interpret my love and enlarged affections therein with acceptance thereof you will much more oblige Brecknock the 23 of Aug. 26. 1652. Your William Erbery For Mr. Walter Cradock Loving friend WHat was at first intended to all the Pastors in Wales that is now presented to you last who are first but as the first shall be last so He who is the last and the first is now beginning to appear not onely in the scattered Saints and against the gathered Churches but to gather up all into himself This is the hope and joy of Your William Erbery Dear Brethren IErusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen c. not onely Judah the National-Church but the gathered Churches of Saints that 's Jerusalem yet the old Jerusalem was the holy City a City in unity or compact together not onely in Spirit as Saints but in Forms as Churches but the Churches of Saints being this day divided in both and de filed also in their worships and walkings shew that they are fallen from their first love and from that gospel-Gospel-faith which wrought by love unfained to all Saints and to all men besides that pure conscience peaceable converse with holiness and heavenly mindedness self-denial and zeal once appearing among the Saints in Wales being so far from their present profession I could not but write and print because not admitted or not invited to confer in your Congregations What I have said and done in publique I am not sorry for though sorrow and sufferings are in my flesh being forced in Spirit to make my self bare first and then my brethrens nakedness
all particulars were written it would nauseate any Scholar or spiritual man Such a one I wisht my Antagonist had been for then he should have understood me or I him therefore I desired Mr. Nichols in a Letter the week before that we should reason together in private among Rational and Religious friends both his and mine But he was resolved to have it in publike either that the simple Welsh people might wonder at his wisdom or that his folly and mine might appear to all And truely I was a fool to accept of a dispute before an illiterate multitude and without a Moderator for many sometimes would be speaking at once But it was agreed upon at last that M. Nichols should be Respondent because I was by Argument to maintain the Truth that I taught which he had rumoured abroad to be Errour and Heresie The things were these First That the new Jerusalem is a state of the Saints in this life This he denied Secondly That the Saints this day have not a Gospel-faith This he affirmed Thirdly That God is in union with mankinde This he was negative too But I was to maintain all three in these following Arguments For the first I had many grounds to build upon and to prove that the new Jerusalem is a state of Saints in this life First because it must be immediately after Babylons fall which is in this lise where Babylon must fall and rise no more Rev. 18.21 Rev. 19. throughout Rev. 20.1 7. Rev. 21.2 3. Secondly New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven not goes up to heaven from earth Thirdly there God dwells with men not men with God for 't is a new earth as well as a new heaven Fourthly whole Nations are here to be saved and the Nations saved with their Kings bring their glory and honour to it which cannot be in heaven above as men conceive but 't is a third dispensation differing from Law and Gospel-Order For the first was a nation saved by the Lord. Deut. 33.29 Act. 2.47 Zach. 2.11 In the second believers of all Nations were saved or joyned to the Lord not to a Church but to the Lord not in any particular form of Religion Isa 60.21 but in the power of righteousness The first Argument was thus The Nations of them that are saved walk in the light of the new Jerusalem Rev. 21.24 and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour to it Ergo the new Jerusalem is a state of the Saints in this life Secondly Jerusalem shall be inhabited Zach. 2.4 as a city without walls for the multitude of men and cattel therein Ergo 'T is in this life M. Nichols Answers to both truely I remember not nor his to most of my Arguments onely to this second his answer was in laughter like Solomon's wise man Eccles 7.6 crying aloud to the people Hawer here 's cattel in heaven whereas my proof was that New Jerusalem in Zechariah was not heaven because cattel are there Yet contrary to Order Mr. Nichols would needs object and what That the new Jerusalem is not this life why Because saith he none shall enter in that defileth or telleth a lye Rev. 21.27 I caught him presently in three before witnesses One was a great untruth for whereas I was saying upon occasion that Zechariah's prophecie was after the Captivity M. Nichols would face me down before the people that his Prophecie was before and Adeodate saith he is of the same judgement with me The next day that I spake Adeodate was brought and read in publike Adeodate in Zach. 1. whose words were quite contrary to that M. Nichols said of him yea the Scripture is clear that Zachary prophesied in the second and fourth yeers of Darius that 's after the Captivity Zech. 1.1 7.1 Ergo said I Mr. Nichols must not enter into the new Jerusalem 'T was his own Argument Isa 65.22 But my third was this In the new Jerusalem men shall build houses plant vineyards labour and live long Ergo New Jerusalem is a state in this life The second thing that I held forth as truth to me was this That none of the people of God this day have a Gospel-faith Which I proved first by an Argument ex enumerat is or ex particularibus c. Neither M. Nichols nor any of the godly Preachers with him nor the people of God this day have a Gospel-Church Ergo None have c. 'T was proved thus Those who live not of the Gospel Isa 2.4 have not a Gospel-faith For the just live by faith But neither M. Nichols nor any of the godly Preachers with him live of the Gospel Ergo. The minor or second Proposition I proved thus Those who live upon Tythes 1 Cor. 9.14 live not of the Gospel But M. Nichols and the rest of the godly Preachers in Wales live upon Tythes Ergo. This was unanswerable therefore to the people of God I proposed a second Argument thus Those that have not received the Spirit which Jesus gave after he was glorified have not a Gospel faith John 7.39 But the Saints this day have not received that Spirit c. Ergo. This I proved First because that Spirit was not before given or as the Greek there reads The Spirit was not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly the Spirit which the Apostles had before and afterward breathed on them by Christ risen John 14.17 John 20.22 was not that Spirit which Jesus gave when he was glorified or ascended but the Saints this day have not that Spirit as the Apostles had before much less the Spirit which Jesus gave after he was glorified Ergo. Thirdly the Spirit which Jesus gave after he was glorified was the Baptism of the Spirit which the Apostles themselves had not received before Act. 1.5 till not many days after the Resurrection that is the pouring forth of all the gifts of the Spirit on the Church Act. 2.33 38. which present Churches and purest Christians are far from Ergo Nâ—ne have a gospel-Gospel-faith The third Argument was from Joh. 14.12 Those who do not the works which Christ did and greater also then those have not a Gospel-faith But none of the Saints this day by all their faith can do those works and greater also Ergo. The Argument is stronger in Christ who gives a double asseveration to it Verily verily that is not onely assevers but swears as Calvin interprets Joh. 14.12 Secondly those who believed on Christ did greater works then he did in the days of his flesh Act. 9.18 Act. 2.8 41. Act. 4.4 for some gave the Spirit by the laying on of hands 2. Others could speak to every one in his own tongue 3. They converted many thousands at once 4. Could preach the Gospel to every creature under heaven whereas Christ did onely to one Nation Col. 1.23 Mat. 15.24 Mark 6.4 Mark 16.17.18 for his commission was no farther 2. Converted but
a few 3. Spake not with tongues 4. Gave not the Spirit by laying on of hands as the Apostles did after Jesus was glorified Thirdly the weakest this day I mean many of the scattered Saints who do not profess any gospel-Gospel-faith to themselves yet dare not deny it in them for there 's a perfect confusion a Babel in their spirits as in gathered Societies I say the weakest of scattered Saints this day do greater works then Christ did in the days of his flesh though the Spirit appear not in them nor they as doing those works For first Babylons fall is by them yea Babylon the great from first to last has been ever laid lowe by the weakest of scattered Saints Isa 26.5 6. Zach. 12.7 Jer. 51.58 while the gathered Churches in all Ages have been still building Babylon a new when and old Form or piece of the wall has been falling Secondly the least of the flock draws for Babylon for utter destruction Jer. 50.45 yea draw them out whom Saints out of the Church Thirdly the weakest Isa 41.15 Jer. 51.20 Psal 149.8 9. 1 Cor. 6.2 3. even worms do this day thresh mountains throw down hills tear the rocks and whole armies in pieces break kingdoms binde kings nobles and judges yea judge the world and angels of Churches for the feeble or fallen Hebr. is become as David and the house of David as God Zach. 12.8 and the angel of the Lord before them All this we see done by the Saints this day and the Saints thus to be though they believe not for now they begin to walk not by faith but by sight that 's the third dispensation which being full Isa 52.8 Rom. 8.18 24. Rev. 22.4 faith shall be swallowed up into vision hope into o possession of that glory wherein we shall see God as he is see his face and the Father's Name on our foreheads yea his Name so visible and clear upon us that all men shall see God the Father in us and whole nations joyn to the Lord with us in that day This was the last truth which I taught That God is in union with mankinde And this I was about to prove by Argument That God is in union with man And this was all I taught the people But M. Nichols fearing the Arguments that might follow would needs perswade that I held a spiritual union between men and God This I never said but for Disputes sake and to try the mans strength I undertook to prove That union which is by the Spirit is a spiritual union But the union between God and mankinde is by the Spirit Ergo. This he could neither stand against therefore falls off fairly again Truth saith he the union is spiritual but not of grace God is not graciously united to All men I was willing to follow the man or the Lord in his weakness therefore I replied again The grace of God that bringeth salvation Tit. 2.11 hath appeared to All men Therefore the grace of union is to all or God graciously united to Mankinde This is that Philanthropie or kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man which appeared Tit. 3.4 This he grants again and therefore cries quarter the third time 'T is of grace saith he there is a gracious union but the union is not saving between God and all men or Mankinde Here I would follow him no further but left him in the flight because I foresaw and Ambush laid before me and that in the salvation of all men the man sought my destruction Therefore here the Dispute ended and we both departed in peace as friends But though I desire not any Disputes with men yet I shall with God make it good in due time That there is a Saving union between God and Mankinde for Tir. 2.11 the grace of God that bringeth salvation to All men hath appeared so the margin reads and so I am ready to prove to all the world London Jan. 18. 1652. Your William Erbery FINIS