of Aurst-Pierpoint a metamorphosed Minister in the County of Sussex hath lately given under his hand by way of Quaery The Paper is as followeth September 6. 1663. WHether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge whilest he lives on Earth or whether it be possible for any man so keep Gods Commandements and to observe his righteous Law as to say any day I have not offended I have no need to say forgive me in any thing wherein I have done amiss This was the Question By which I have struck the Devil dumb in the Quakers Oracle at Hersham known to the World by the Name of Ambrose Rigge Lord open his lippes that his mouth may shew forth thy prayse in saying plainly it cannot be done L. L. Now Moses and Abraham which I have before asserted to whom the Law and Commandements was given forth did so keep them and observe them that the breach of them was never charged to them but was blessed in the keeping and doing of them as I have before spoken And David turned not aside from any of the Commandments of God all his dayes save in the matter of Vriah and many more who kept Gods Law and Commandments all the dayes of their lives and was blessed and their posterity after them and praised God with an upright heart in their obedience to the Law and Commandments of God and none of them did ever say Lord open my mouth that my lips may shew forth thy praise in saying plainly thy Commandments cannot be done as L. L. doth If they did shew when or where ever such a doctrine was preached by any either in the first Covenant or the second or else let those faithful servants of God afore-mentioned who kept Gods Law and Commandments and did live with God in them be as a thousand witnesses against Leo. Letchford who would have people believe it cannot be done Here followeth divers instances of Christ and his Apostles under the second Covenant concerning his Commandments which I shall here lay down from plain Scripture proof in order to the further discovery of this damnable doctrine 1. Christ saith after he had given forth many Commandments unto the people He that breaketh one of these least Commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5. 19. 2. Christ said to his Disciples If ye love me keep my commandments Iohn 14. 15. 3. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him Iohn 14. 21. 4. A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another Iohn 13. 34. 5. If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love even as I kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love Iohn 15. 10. Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my sayings he shall never see death Iohn 8. 51. 7. All which promises was made unto his Disciples upon this condition That they kept his commandments and not otherwise 8. To which the Disciples answered not as Leonard Letchford doth in saying it cannot be done and count this praise to God but they said Hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments 1 Iohn 2. 3. 9. Again they spoke in reproof of those who should say they knew God and kept not his commandments and said such were lyars and the truth was not in them 1 Iohn 2. 4. 10. Furthermore they testified that whatsoever they asked they received of him because they kept his commandments 1 Ioh. 3 22. 11. He that keepth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby they knew that he did abide in them by the Spirit which he gave them this was their proof of him in the dayes of old which is now so much condemned and cryed against by Leonard Lechford and men of his coat who saith none can exactly keep the commands of God 1 Iohn 3. 24. 12. And by this they knew they loved the children of God when they loved God and kept his commandments 1 Iohn 5. 2. 13. Again they said This is the love of God that they kept his Commandments and his Commandments were not grievous 1 Iohn 5. 3. Harken Leon. Letchford Art not thou of another minde who would have people say it cannot be done May not all these rise up in judgement against thee 14. And this is love that we walk after his Commandments 2 Iohn 6. All these gave testimony how they kept his Commandments thorow which their love was manifested to him and for so doing had no cause to repent any day nor to ask forgiveness of the Lord but yet Christ in their infancy taught them to say Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Matth. 6. 12. but this was before Christ was offered up who purged their Consciences from dead works by the blood of his Cross through the eternal Spirit by which he cleansed them from all sin and sanctified them in body soul and spirit which as they grew up unto God in stature they bare witness unto as hereafter I shall make appear in answer to Leonard Letchfords great Query concerning perfection which may serve for the universal good and satisfaction of all reasonable people for which end I was moved to make it and my answer to it publick Priest Letchfords Query Whether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge while he is upon the earth Which plainly demonstrates that he is against doing of good and for committing of sin and denies perfectien while people are upon the earth which is absolutely contrary both to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and makes the coming suffering and blood of Christ of none effect 1. It is contrary to the doctrine of Christ Matth. 5. 48. who said to his disciples Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect which was a perfection of holiness and freedome from sin for otherwise they could not be perfect as their heavenly father was perfect 2. Christ said unto the young man who had kept the Commandments from his youth If thou wilt be perfect sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and follow me Matth. 19. 21. 3. It is contrary to Christs prayer Iohn 17. 23. who desired that they whom God had given him might be one as he and his father was one He in them and they in him that they might be made perfect in one c. which could never be till sin and transgression was finished which was the first cause of separation 4. To say that none can be perfect while he is upon the earth is contrary to Christs words who said
thee to that lasting rest which he prepar'd for thee Before he formed East or West in his heavenly decree Therefore I warn thee to return unto the Lord that he May all his promises confirm that happy thou mayst be Which he will make thee in the end if thou his law regard And learn thy way for to amend by cleaving to his word This is written from a true lover of thy soul whose name is AMBROSE RIGGE The difference between the true Gospel and the false truly stated and clearly demonstrated that all people may see and read which Gospel they have received and obeyed this many years whether the true Gospel or the false THe true and everlasting Gospel of Iesus Christ the Son of God is glad tidings of good things which is remission of sins and reconciliation to God by Iesus Christ Luke 1. 19. Luke 8. 1. which was preached to give the knowledge of falvation unto all people by the remission of sins Luke 1. 77. So here it manifestly appears that this Gospell was preached to give the knowledge of salvation to all people which knowledge was onely received by the remission of sins The false Gospel of Antichrist the man of sin is sad tidings of bad things wherein there is no remission of sins but a continual slavery unto sin and Satan all mans dayes according as it is and hath been taught by the teachers of this generation which is as contrary to the true Gospel as light is to darkness The true Gospel its message is to turn people from darkness to the light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith in the Son Acts 26. 18. The message of the false Gospel is that people can never come from under the power of Satan but must have a body of sin as long as they live which is sad tidings and not glad tidings for he that hath been under a tyrants power from his mothers womb for another to pretend freedom to him and take his money as though he would bring him to Christ who would free him and yet in the end tell him he must remain under the power of this tyrant all his dayes this is sad tidings to him who hath both spent his money and is neither redeemed nor now hath any hopes ever to be while he lives and such is the false Gospel at this day The message of the true Gospel is a proclamation of liberty and freedom to all Captives who hath been imprisoned in sin and transgression wherein the blood of Christ is freely held forth for the remission of sins Mat. 26. 28. The message of the false Gospel is continual captivity in sin and never liberty nor freedom from it as we have seen by many years sad experience The true Captain of salvation saith Follow me and thou shalt finde rest to thy soul Mat. 11. 29. The false Leader saith Thou shalt never overcome but be in a continual warfare and shall never come to peace nor rest here which is sad news indeed The Messengers of the true Gospel saith They were circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Col. 2. 11. The Messengers of the false Gospel saith This can never be done but men must have a body of sin as long as they live which is far different from the other The Messengers of the true Gospel saith Christ shall save his people from their sins The Messengers of the false Gospel saith Christ shall save from the punishment due to sin but not from committing sin which doctrine overthrows the Iustice of God who giveth to every one according to their deeds Here followeth a few Queries put to Leonard Letchford either to be answered by plain Scripture according as I have answered his before cited or else to acknowledge that I have struck the Devil dumb in his minister at Hurst at last though I have long suffered him to boast himself as though he were a Minister of Christ even till his fruits are grown so foul and odious that every one is ready to bring in their verdict to the contrary Query 1. VVHat is that Image in which man was created in the beginning by God was that Image perfect or imperfect 2. What was the forbidden fruit of which he eat through which he lost this Image and where is it now and how is it to be known now 3. What was the Tree of Life from which man was driven and where is it and how must he come to it again 4. Whether man can be saved or come to life with God for ever unless he come to this Tree and feed thereof yea or nay 5. What are the Cherubims and the flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life 6. What is that death which passed over all men in transgression 7. What is the feed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head and what did God promise therein to all the Families of the earth 8. How must man be restored into that Image in which he was created and whether he can come from under the power of that death which passed over him till he be thus resored yea or nay 9. Whether can man be so restored in this life yea or nay If yea by what way and means If nay Whether at death or the day of judgement or betwixt both Answer by plain Scripture seeing the Scripture saith no unclean thing nor any thing that defileth or worketh abomination shall in any wise enter therein 10. What is the wall of partition which stands between God and Man And whether man can be brought into unity with God again out of the unity before this wall be broken down and this enmity slain yea or nay 11. What is the valley of Achor and where is it in which God will plead with man by his sword and by fire because of that death which hath passed over him by transgression 12. For what end was the Commandments and Law of God given forth by Moses Was they given forth to be broken or to be kept yea or nay 13. Whether did God give them power to keep his Laws and Precepts when he commanded them to observe and do them yea or nay 14. Why was this Law said to be weak and in what was this Covenant faulty and to what was this Covenant weak and in what was this Covenant faulty 15. For what end was this Covenant and the Priesthood therein changed And why was there of necessity made a change of the Law 16. What was that death which was the cause that Aarons Priesthood could not continue 17. VVhat was Aarons Office and what was the Office of Christ and what was the end of both their Offices 18. For what end was Christ manifested and said to be an everlasting high Priest Was it that sin might remain or be destroyed 19. For what end did he lay down his life Was it to ransome man from sin or no 20. VVhether can man be truly said to be ransomed or saved while he lives under the power of Satan yea or no 21. VVhether hath man any benefit by the death or blood of Christ whilehe lives in sin and transgression yea or nay 22. Can man truly say he is redeemed while he is in his vain conversation or can he truly say Christ is his Saviour while he is not saved from his sin yea or nay 23. VVhat is that death which Paul spake of when he said I thank God I dye dayly because his body was alive years after 24. Doth God look upon any one to be in Christ while he is in sin Or doth he justifie the ungodly while in ungodliness 25. VVhether is any justified by Christ who is not sanctified by the blood of his Cross throughout in body soul and spirit yea or nay 26. VVhether any doth know the truth as it is in Iesus who is in the bondage of corruption seeing Christ said to his Disciples if you obey my word you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free 27. VVhat was the work of Christ in the world which his father gave him to do and what was the difference between his works and the works of the Law by which no flesh could be justified 28. VVhether is man freed from the guilt of sin while he remains in the act of it Or whether is he freed from the punishment due for sin which is death and separation from God for ever while he remains in either yea or nay If yea shew how and by what way if thou can 29. VVhat is the vertue of Christs resurrection and whether hath man any benefit thereby while he lyes in the grave of corruption yea or nay 30. VVhat is the difference between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of faith And whether any can have this righteousness imputed to him as to be made his for ever until he come to cast off the old man with his deeds which is sin and trangression yea or nay 31. VVhat is the old leaven which was to be purged out that they might become a new lump And whether he who commanded this thing did not give them power to do it yea or nay 32. VVhat is that death and hell which was to be cast into the lake of fire And where is that lake And how may it now be known 33. VVhat is that victory of which death should be swallowed up and how and when may it now be gained or known 34. VVhether it was not a perfection of holiness and righteousness and freedome from sin and imperfection that Christ and his Apostles held forth and witnessed while they lived on earth through the power of him whom God had raised from the dead If yea why is this Doctrine now condemned If nay where or how were they made perfect shew by plain Scripture All these plain Scripture Queries are left to Leonard Letchsord to answer if he can or else consess himself a Minister not sent of God whose Doctrine is contrary to Christ and his Apostles Written by him who hath suffered under Leonard Letchfords cruelty this fifteen moneths and upward in the County Goal in Horsham for the testimony of a good Conscience whose name is Ambrose Rigge
Every one that is perfect shall be as his Master Luke 6. 40. which agrees with his words Matth. 5. 48. 5. It is contrary to the doctrine of Paul who said We speak wisdom among them that are perfect 1 Cor. 2. 6. 6. It is contrary to the Apostles exhortation 2 Cor. 13. 18. 7. It is contrary to all the gifts that was given to the Apostles which was for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till they all came into the unity of the Faith and of the knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11. 12 13. this was a large measure of perfection indeed which they testified of which afterwards was fulfilled in them 8. To say that none can be perfect while he is upon earth makes Pauls words to the Philippians false who though he had not then attained to perfection either were already perfect he did not say as Leo. Letchford doth that none could be perfect on earth but said he followed after it Phil. 3. 12. And pressed towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus v. 14. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal this unto you Phil. 3. 1st It seems iome was ready to be of another minde then as many are now unto whom this was not fully revealed to whom Paul said Whereunto we have attained Let us walk by the same rule Let us mind the same thing v. 16. So that it is clearly manifest that there was degrees of growth in the gift of God before they came to perfection for Paul was not perfect while he had a body of sin in him and the rest were not perfect as soon as they came to be convinced and believe but first witnessed a warfare against sin and the power of it and afterwards came to be freed from sin and have victory over it Rom. 6. 17 18 19 20 21. 1 Iohn 5. 4. and then grew up to perfect men in Christ to the same measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ and said by this was their love made perfect that they might have boldness in the day of judgment because as he is so were they in this world 1 Iohn 4. 17. Mark they were as he was in this world If Leonard Letchford had been amongst them then surely he would have cryed out against them for so saying and his unbelieving heart would not have received this doctrine no more then he can now for if Christs work had effected no more but to leave his people still in their sins he had done no more then the old Covenant did nor his blood had been no more available then the blood of Bulls and Goats which could not take away sin nor his offering of more force then the offerings of the old Covenant which did not make the Comers thereunto perfect Heb. 10. 1. and so was disannulled because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof Heb. 7. 18. For the Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did vers 19. Mark the bringing in of a better hope did this better hope was Christ in them the hope of glory Col. 1. 27. who when he was brought to within the Saints made them perfect even as he was in this world 9. This Christ in the Saints the Apostles preached warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdome that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. This was the end of their preaching to present every man perfect in Christ and 〈◊〉 any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away Mark that old things past away which is sin and transgression and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. Here is the new man who is created in Christ Jesus to good works that he should walk in them Eph. 2. 10. Here is good works in which they were to walk who was new creatures without which their faith was dead even as a body without a spirit Iames 2. 26. I suppose this may stop Leonard Letchfords mouth for asking Whether to do good and not to commit sin be a perfection that any man dares challenge while he is on earth c. It seems he dares challenge committing of sin but not doing good while he is upon the earth and so when all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life he that hath done evil and committed sin shall rise unto the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5. 28 29. 10. To say that nothing can be perfect upon the eatth is against the Apostles fervent labour in prayers for the Saints which was that thut they might stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Col. 4. 12. 11. It is against the end for which the Scriptures was given foth which was That the man of God might be perfect thorowly furnished unto every good work 2 Tim. 3. 17. 12. It is contrary to the Apostles exhortation to say that none can be perfect on earth who said Let us go on to perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance c. Heb. 6. 1. And these things we will do if God permit vers 3. 13. It is contrary to the exhortation of Iames who said Let patience have its perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing Iames 1. 4. and said If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Iames 3. 2. 14. It is contrary to Peters prayer who prayed That the God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Iesus after ye have suffered a while make you perfect c. 1 Pet. 5. 10. 15. To say that men must commit sin while they are upon the earth is contrary to the whole body of the Scripture and was never affirmend by any of the holy men of God but by such deceivers as Leonard Letchford hath proved himself so to be by pleading the devills cause so frequently which is to keep people in sin for term of life which if h◠can by any means do he knows they must come to him at the last because the Son of God hath spoken it Luke 13. 27. 16. It is contrary to all these plain Scripture proofs Iohn 8. 34. 1 Iohn 3. 4. 1 Iohn 3. 8. He that committeth sin is of the devil c. 17. To say that none can be perfect doth make void the Apostles prayers for the Hebrews when he parted from them who prayed That the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Iesus Christ that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the
Iohn 8. 12. Harken unto his voice who stands at thy door and knocks and would have thee receive him into thy heart which is his Throne upon which he must sit as King if ever he receive thee into protection with him there he must work the Fathers will in thee which is to purifie thee throughout in body soul and spirit without which thou canst never be a vessel of honour to God to set forth his praise and glory in the earth his righteousness he must work in thee by his right hand which must cover thee for ever and thou must be crucified upon his Cross from all thy own righteousness and unrighteousness which did all spring from the seed of enmity in which God had no delight before thou know the peace of God which passeth all understanding to keep thy heart and minde All this thou wilt find true in the day of thy visitation however the false Prophets may perswade thee to the contrary that will all deceive thee in the day of the Lords fierce indignation when every one shall receive a reward according to their deeds This is a hard saying to thee who is yet alive in the fulness of delight and pleasure in the flesh to tell thee of dying to thy own righteousness and unrighteousness before thou come to live to God This is a bitter cup to thee of which thou must be willing to drink before thou teste of the Cup of blessing which is the Communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. thou must suffer with him who dyed upon the Cross before thou know the vertue ol his resurrection thou must put off the old man with his deeds before thou put on the new man Eph. 4 22 23 24. Thou must purge out the old leven of uncleanness and the old bottle must be broken before thou keep a seast of unleavened bread 1 Cor. 5. 7 8 as a Passeover unto the Lord. This is the footsteps of the flock in which thou must walk before Christs righteousness he thine thou must buy the truth with the loss of all that is contrary to it if ever thou truly purchase it so as to be thine for ever This is the word of the Lord God unto thee which must be fulfilled in or upon thee Let no man deceive thee through vain word of such as tells thee God looks upon thee not as thou art in sin but as thou art in Christ Oh poor deluded wretch this is the deceiveableness of righteousness indeed which would make God as unrighteous as themselves to look upon a man in Christ when he is not but in sin and transgression Oh give not heed to such lying vanities lest thou forsake thy own mercies for ever For because of those things hath come the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Ephes 5. 6. Coll. 3. 6. He that saith to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the Nations curfe and people shall abhor him Prov. 24. 24. I say God looks upon thee as thou art art who will not justifie thee in sin nor hold thee guiltless in transgression but will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses Psal 68. 21. therefore return return unto the Lord by speedy repentance and kiss the Son lest he be angry and thou perish from the way of life for if his wrath be kindled blessed are they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. I tell thee again I am not sent to preach perfection unto thee but the day of the Lords vengeance ane recompence I am not to daub thee with untempered morter as the false Prophets hath done many years to cry peace to thee in iniquity to whom the Lord saith No peace Ifa 48. 22. chap. 57. 21. Therefore cease from man and from spending thy money for that which is not bread and thy labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55. 2. if thou art or has been feeding among the Swine upon the husk and wallowing in the mire among them and satisfying thy self with a profession of the Saints words outwardly as they are written in the Letter of the Scripture while thou art a stranger to that life in which they lived who writ them forth Oh this is as chaffe to the wheat which is the inward profession of the life and righteousness of the Son of God therefore return unto the Fathers house which is the light in which God dwelleth 1 Tim. 6. 16. so will he meet thee and embrace thee and rejoyce over thee and satisfie thee with bread enough Lnke 15. 17 18 19 20. yea with the fatted calf his own crucified one of which thou shalt feed and never hunger more This I was warned by the Lord to lay before all who are yet in Babylon and Egypt that they may flie out and escape from her sins lest they pattake of her plagues as it is writeen Kev 18. 4. for the hour of her judgement is comes and the execution will speedily follow which will leave the wicked neither root nor branch Therefore let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into heaviness for God hath clothed himself with a garment of vengeance and with zeal as with a cloak Isa 59. 17. and no unclean thing shall now stand before him Howl ye oaks of Bashan and ye Cedars of Lebanon the Lord hath haid his axe to your roots and your strength and tallness must come down for your fruit hath been the fruit of Sodom and your grapes the grapes of Gomorrah you have long cumbred the ground even till it is weary with you and is ready to vomit you up therefore bow your selves unto the mighty God of Iacob before he cut you down and cast you into the fire of his jealousie for ever and tremble at the presence of him whose word is gone forth even from Dan to Beersheba 2 Chroo 3. 5. for he is the God of the whole earth and before him all Nations are as the drop of a bucket Isa 40. 15. who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and meted the heavens with a span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa 40. 12. who will render to every man according to the fruit of his doings therefore while thou has a little time prize it lest the day of thy visitation pass away and the day of wrath come upon thee as a thief in the night 1 Thess 5. 2. Here followeth an Invitation of Love to all people to come unto the Fountain of Fountain of Living Waters which is now open that they may drink and be satisfied and never thrist more OH all ye Nations of the earth ye people every where Let me invite you to come forth the voice of Christ to hear By whom the Lord will now declare his righteousness and truth Unto the Nations every where that
they may now come forth Of that great bondage unto sin in which their souls doth mourn And that you all may now begin unto the Lord to turn That he may save your souls alive for his own mercy sake Of which he will not now deprive all them that do awake And follow him whom God hath sent his Law for to fulfil Which perfectly cannot present compleatly in his will Nor by its works cannot mankinde be justifi'd with him Until he come this Christ to finde with whom I did begin And his own righteousness obtain which he for them hath wrought In bearing of that mortal pain when he the reto was brought By which he fully ransomed all those who did believe And death he then abandoned and raised from the grave Him hath God raised now again in this the latter day Who must for ever now remain as Moses once did say Even Israels Shepherd and their Rock to save them from their sin Who now doth ope unto his knock and him receive within He 'll give them power his sons to be his danghters eke also And give them perfect victory over their internal foe But first he ll purifie their hearts by his own precious blood And quench the enemies fiery darts when they come as a stood He 'll ope to them his fountain sweet that they thereof may drink And when they pass the Lake so deep therein they shall not sink The waters he 'll divide that they way pass through without harm And Pharaoh and his host destroy That they his fear may learn And bring them through the wildenress wherein he 'll try their faith That they may know his righteousness and see his saving health He 'll bring his royal chosen flock thorow many tribulations And suffer many them to mock to exercise their patience And many other tryals great he 'll suffer them to bear Too many now for to repent that they his Crown may wear Thorow which he 'll purge away their dross their Tynne also consume And nothing in them shall be lost that with him must have room And when he thus hath brought them nigh unto his habitation He 'll fill their mouths with praises high and shew them his salvation That they may ever with him dwell in joy and lasting rest And tryumph over death and hell by which they were opprest In that strait path of righteousness in which he did them bring To see his truth and faithfulness that they his praise might sing Therefore ye people great and small unto the Lord return Incline your ears to hear his call that he may now confirm His promise made to Israel if they his face did seek Their enemies for to expel for his own mercy sake A Testimony concerning the spiritual man who is begotten of God through the spirit by the Immortal Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever and hath received the spirit of Adoption whereby he cries Abba Father AS there is a natural man who is corrupted after the deceitful lusts so there is a spiritual man who is born of the Spirit and hath the promise of Eternal Life thorow the Adoption viz. the redemption of the body he is made an habitation of God thorow the Spirit in whom God dwells and walks according to his promise of old 2 Cor. 6 16. he walketh in the Spirit and doth not fulfill the lusts of the Flesh in him hath God great delight and giveth him wisdom power strength and ability to do whatsoever he commands him and he can do all things thorow him whom is his strength Phil. 4. 13. The Commandements of God are not grievous but joyous to him nay they are his onely delight and this keeps him in love and favour with God so that he with-holds no good thing from him Psal 84. 11. but gives him of the abundance of his heavenly treasure He seeds him with the Heritage of Iacob even with the finest of the wheat and with honey out of the Rock Psal 81. 16. he opens his Brests of Consolation to him out of which delight some refreshment comes whereby he grows in the beauty of holinesse in his mouth is the high praises of the as a two-edged sword in his hand thorow which he executes vengeance upon the heathen and punishment upon the people Psal 149. 7. As the natural man is wife to do evil He is wife to resist evil so that it doth not come nigh unto his honse yea though evil pursue the wicked yet to him there is a Tree of Life Prov. 13. 21. upon which he seeds and lives for ever He is stout and valorous even as bold as a Lion Prov. 28. 1. he fears not the swelling of the Sea he is not afraid of the terrour of the night nor of the arrow that flieth by day Psal 9â— 5. the Law of Truth is in his mouth Mal. 2. 6. so that his steps cannot slide he calls no man Father upon Earth nor no man Master below the Sun Mat. 23. 9 10. for he is born of God and receiveth his Law from his mouth he is Created again in Christ Jesus unto good works that he may live in them He lives by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Mat. 4. 4. over him death nor darnknesse hath not power but he stands in the glorious liberty of the Sons of God a free born son and heir of God a joynt Heir with Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 17. he grows up in the measure of the stature and of the fullnesse of Christ unto a perfect man as it is written of him Eph. 4. 13. but this is a mistery to the natural man even as the winde blows where it listeth and he hears the sound thereof but knows not whence it comes nor whither it goes Iohn 3. 8. even so is every one that is born of the Spirit Therefore they who are of the flesh they minde the things of the flesh and they who are of the Spirit the things of the Spirit And as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. but the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse to him 1 Cor. 2. 14. but the spiritual man judgeth all things and he himself is judged of no man 2 Cor. 2. 15. And this is that noble birth which God hath brought forth in many at this day unto whom we preach perfection and freedome from the law of sin and death which is the same wisdome which Paul said he preached among them that was perfect 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. But this the carnal man cannot endure to hear of who receives not the things of the spirit of God as it is written of him 1 Cor. 2. 14. Therefore it is no marvel why Leonard Letchford cannot receive this doctrine of perfection which the holy men of God held forth unto the spiritual man so plentifully throughout the Scripture of truth as I have shewed
nor who shall descend into the deep to setch him from beneath but the Word shall be nigh thee in thy heart and in thy mouth according as'tis said Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 14. This will be a Lamp to thy seet and a Light to thy path Psal 119. 105. to guide thee in the way of truth and peace and will give thee the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Iesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. So let every one search his own heart and light the candle there that he may sinde the word of faith there to guide him this word David hid in his heart that he might not sin against God Psal 119. 11. This is the word of saith which I preach unto thee that thou may come to hear receive it whereby faith may be wrought in thy heart to give thee victory over the world sin death and darkness and the grave which hath long separated thee from God And then shalt thou witness him thy Redeemer even the Holy One of Israel But if thou ask me what must lead the to this Redeemer I answer The Law of God which he hath written in thy heart according to his promise in the second Covenant Ier. 31. 31 32 33. which Law was the Apostles Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ that they might be justified by faith Gal. 3. 24. This Law will be thy Schoolmaster to bring thee to Christ that thou may be justified by faith and not by works of the Law this will be a present Teacher with thee at all times and in all places and will never let thee do evil nor do that to another thou would not that he should do unto thee It will bring thee to love the Lord with all thy heart and thy neighbour as thy selse as it is written in the Law of Moses yea when thou turnest to tho right hand or to the lest thou shalt hear a voice behinde thee saying This is the way walk in it Isa 30. 21. But thou may object and say Shall I not go to hear Sermons from learned men such as are brought up at Oxford or Cambridge I say cease from man even from all them who keeps thee from the Law written in thy heart for such hath no light in them Isa 8. 20. Such are blinde Guides and would keep thee from this Law which is light Pro. 6. 23. loast it should discover their darkness unto thee that they may lead thee in blindeness and darkness which leads to the chambers of Death Pro. 7. 27. And that thou may spend all thy substance upon the Physitians as the woman had done and yet was not cured till she came to Christ Luke 8. 43 44. As thou Wilt not be till thou come to be led to him by that which manifests both thy deeds of darkness and theirs also who hath applyed salve to thy wounded soul before they have cleansed out the filthy rotten corrupted ulcers with which thy soul hath been loaded so their salve hath taken no impression nor been available at all unto thee so that they have been Physitians of no value Iob 13. 4. but thy corruptions hath prevailed upon thee till all thy money is spent Oh therefore hearken unto him who stands at thy door and often knocks If thou wilt open thy door he will come in to thee and will sup with thee and thou shalt sup with him Rev. 3. 20. Then shalt thou know the Supper of the Lord even a Feast of unleavened bread If thou wilt receive him he will cleanse thy sores and lance thy wounds like the good Physitian and reach the living sensible part in thee that the Corruption hath not prevailed against and nothing else he will suffer to remain within that he may thorowly cure thee and make thee perfectly whole in body soul and spirit and then he will pour in the oyle of Joy for the spirit of heaviness that thou may be called a Tree of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord Isa 61. 3. Then shall the light of the Moon be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be seven-sold as the light of seven dayes in the day when the Lord bindeth up thy breach healeth the stroke of thy wound Isa 30. 26. then shalt thou who hath been deaf hear and thy blinde eye shall be opened and shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness Isa 29. 18. And thou shalt encrease thy joy in the Lord and rejoyce in the Holy One of Israel verse 19. then shall Iudgment dwell in the wilderness which thou shalt love and righteousness in the fruitfull field in which thou shalt dwell and the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Isa 32. 16 17. Then shall thy soul delight it self in the Lord its Redeemer and magnifie the name of the God of Israel all thy dayes And thou shall not need to be taught of thy neighbour or of thy brother brother to know the Lord for thou shalt know him and be taught of him and great shall be thy peace according to the words of Ieremiah Ier. 31. 34. Isa 54. 13. Iohn 6. 45. and the anointing wherewith he hath anointed thee shall abide in thee and thou shalt not need any man to teach thee but as the anointing teacheth thee of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it teacheth thee thou shalt abide in him 1 Iohn 2. 27. These things I have written to thee concerning any that would seduce thee from this inward teacher ver 26. That if any come to thy house and bring not this doctrine bid him not God speed least thou be partaker of his evil deeds yea if I or an Angel from heaven preach any other doctrine let us be accursed and let God give no more increase to our work then he hath done to the work of the Priests this many hundred years Therefore cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils and hearken unto him by whom God speaks in these last dayes as thou may reade Heb. 1. 1. who saith Learn of me and you shall finde rest for your souls Mat. 11. 29. He will be a sufficient teacher unto thee in all the wayes of righteousness and be a wall unto thee in the time of storm and a shadow unto the time of heat Isa 25. 4. yea he will be they Shepherd and spread thy table in the sight of thy enemies Psal 23. 1 2 3 4 5. and he will lead thee into green pastures by the rivers of water and will restore thy soul to praise and glorifie his name for ever EVen all these things in mercy great hee 'l bring to pass for thee If thou wilt now upon him wait his saving health to see Hee 'l take thee from the lake so deep out of the mire and clay And on a rock hee 'l set thy feet and will divert thy way And bring