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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59955	The true Christian's faith and experience briefly declared, concerning God, Christ, the Spirit, the Holy Scriptures, the Gospel, and the doctrines thereof also, the titular Christian's faith and profession try'd, examin'd, and judg'd : written for the confirmation, and consolation of the one, and for the information in order to the restoration and salvation of the other : also, a few words to such who are newly turned in their minds to the light within, & are believers in it / by William Shewen.	Shewen, William, 1631?-1695.	1675 (1675)	Wing S3424; ESTC R24530	87,397	208

THE True Christian's FAITH AND EXPERIENCE Briefly Declared Concerning God Christ the Spirit the holy Scriptures the Gospel and the Doctrines thereof Also The Titular Christian's Faith and Profession Try'd Examin'd and Judg'd Written for the Confirmation and Consolation of the One and for the Information in order to the Restoration and Salvation of the Other Also A Few Words to such who are newly turned in their Minds to the Light within are Believers in it By William Shewen He is not a Jew that is one outwardly Rom. 2.28 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom John 3.29 He that hath the Son hath Life he that hath not the Son hath not Life John 5.6 Darkness is past the True Light now shineth 1 Joh. 2.8 The People that walked in Darkness have seen a great Light they that dwell in the Shadow of Death upon them hath the Light shined Isa 9.2 Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light c. John 3.20.21 Printed in the Year 1675. THE CONTENTS THE Faith and Experience of the True Christian briefly declar'd 1. Concerning God page 33. 2. Concerning Christ page 39. 3. Concerning the Holy Spirit page 45. 4. Concerning the Holy Scriptures page 48. 5. Concerning Repentance page 52. 6. Concerning Mortification Warfare Self-denyal and Dying Daily page 60. 7. Concerning Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption page 65. 8. Concerning Justification page 72. 9. Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper page 76. 10. Concerning the Universal Love of God towards all Mankind page 88. 11. Concerning Election and Reprobation page 92. 12. Concerning Temptation page 105. 13. Concerning a Holy Life pag 114. 14. Concerning the Motion or Moving of the Spirit of God and the Motion of the Spirit of the Old Serpent in the Hearts of Men pag 119. 15. Concerning Revelation pag 224. 16. Concerning the Gospel or Gladtidings of Life and Salvation pag 133. 17. Concerning Grace and Living under it and Growing in it from one Degree unto another and of the Possibility of Falling Away from it pag 142. 18. Concerning Outward and Inward Miracles pag 150. 19. Concerning the Doctrine and State of Perfection pag 161. 20. A Few Words to such as are newly turned in their Minds to the Light and are Believers in it pag 173. TO THE READER Friend THou mayest know that in this Part of the World call'd Christendom the Name Christian is very Famous and that there are few therein but desire to be call'd by that Name and a high and great Profession of Christianity abounds amongst the divers Sects therein all covering the Name of Christian ☞ but the Christian-Life the Christ-like Life and the nature of Christianity is much Wanting and the Fruits and Effects of the holy Spirit of Christianity are much wanting among them all and the contrary much abounds whereby an Evil Savour is sent forth to the Nations round about called Heathens and Infidels For there is scarce any Sort of Wickedness to be found upon the Face of the whole Earth which is not done and committed in this Part of the World called Christendom whereby the Jews and Heathen instead of being Converted are strengthned and confirmed in their Infidelity Ignorance Blindness and Idolatry For where this Nominal or Titular Christian hath prevailed as among the Americans he hath sent forth such a Stink and III Savour by his Abominable Inhumane Practices that the Name of Christ is blasphemed and the Christian-Religion hated by many that have heard the Fame and Report thereof Had the Life of Christ and the Nature of Christianity been known and lived in by all that profess the Name Christendom had bin as a Fruitful Field and as a Pleasant Garden enclosed and as a Vineyard wall'd about full of Trees of Righteousness and Plants of God's own Right Hand planting and the Tree of Life would have flourish'd among them in the midst thereof and the Leaves of the same would have healed the Nations round about and it would have been as a City set upon an Hill which cannot be hid and as a Lamp that burneth being fed with Sweet Oyl and as a Glorious Light that shineth and many would have fled unto it as unto a City of Refuge and have walked in the Light thereof and have seen and beheld their Good Works and have Glorified their Father which is in Heaven and they would have lain down as a Flock of Harmless Lambs together solacing themselves in the Green Pastures of Life and Salvation in the low Valley and a top of that holy Mountain where no Destroyer is nor none can make afraid Isa 11.7 8 9. Where the Lyon eats Straw like the Ox and where the Sucking Child-plays on the Hole of the Asp and the weaned Child puts his Hand on the Cockatrice's Den without Hurt And the Earth would have been full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea And this Song would have been in Christendom as in the Land of Judah Isa 26.1 2. We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bullworks and the Gates thereof would have been open to them as a Righteous Nation that keepeth the Truth that they might have entred in and dwelt safely this would have been the State of Christendom But alas alas the quite Contrary appears Instead of being as a Fruitful Field and as a Pleasant Garden ●●closed and as a Vineyard planted and walled about bearing Fruit unto God and flourishing with Trees Plants of his own Right-hand planting it s like a Desart Howling Wilderness full of Bryars Thorns and hurtful Weeds whereby the Good Seed that was sown is choaked and the Noble Plant degenerated from and become the Plant of a strange Vine which brings forth the sower Grapes which makes the Wine of Sodom which fills the Whore's Cup whereby Nations are made drunk And instead of being like a Flock of Harmless Lambs lying down together in Love and Unity feeding in the Green Pastures of Life and Salvation in the low Valley and a top of the holy Mountain where no Destroyer is they are like unto a Herd of Swine that is possessed and runs violently into the Sea and that walloweth in the Mire and like the Wolf Bear Lyon ☞ Asp and Cockatrice which the little Child hath not Power over but their devouring and poysonous Nature remains which makes them prey one upon another bite and devour one another hate and murder one another even under the Profession and Name of Christ and Christianity So instead of being as a City whose Walls are Salvation and as the heavenly Jerusalem they are like Sodom Gomorrah and Babylon And instead of being like a Lamp that burneth being fed with sweet Oyl and a Light that shineth they are like a Lamp that 's gone out and a Candle under a Bed or Bushel which gives no Light to others Instead of the Meekness Love Brotherly-kindnes Gentleness Patience Long-suffering Forgiveness Innocency Goodness

Devil and Anti-christ rules there teacheth there thou art a poor Captive and Bondslave thereof profess what thou wilt and if the Power of God thou knowest not working within thy self and operating in thy Heart not only to shake pull down and remove that which can be shaken and removed but also to bring in that which cannot be shaken nor removed viz. Everlasting Righteousness I say if this thou knowest not the Power of the Enemy of God and thy Soul worketh in thee and prevaileth over thee by working in thy Imaginations Will and Affections Mind and Members that which is Evil either in self-Sinning or self Righteousness which are both Abomination to the Lord So if thou knowest not the Word of God within thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart with the Virtues and Properties thereof as a Hammer as a Fire quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword and hearest and obeyest the Voice thereof I say if this Word thou knowest not within thou art not made clean nor sanctified by it but those Things stand in thee against which it is as a Hammer Fire Sword sharp and powerful and the Word and Commands of the old Serpent that Betrayer sounds lo●d in thy Ears and pierceth deep into thy Heart and thou art carryed away with the Wind thereof and enterest into his Temptations daily and knowest not Power against them so thou canst not say as David once did Psal 119.11 I have hid thy Word in my Heart that I might not sin against thee neither hast thou received with Meekness the Ingrafted Word which is able to save but art of those whom Christ spoak to Ye have not his Word speaking of his Father abiding in yo● John 5.38 And if thou knowest not the Law of the Spirit of Life within thee written in thy Inward Parts thou art a Stranger to the New-Covenant Jer. 31.33 the Law of Sin Death hath Power over thee the Law that is in thy Members leads thee Captive thereto and the Carnal Mind which is Enmity against God and cannot be subject to his Law reigns in thee though thou professest the Law of God with thy Tongue thou dost not love it nor delight in it in thy Hearr neither is it better in thy Esteem then Thousands of Gold and Silver So in short If thou art not Partaker Possessor of the Heavenly Treasures in thy Earthen Vessel thou art fraighted with Earthly Treasures Vanities if thou knowest not thy Body the Temple of the Living God and thy Heart his Throne then is it as a Cage for Unclean Birds and as a Habitation for Wild Beasts and as a Nest for Venemous Creeping Things and the Prince of Darkness sits upon the Throne of thy Heart and rules there let thy Opinion and Talk of Religion be what it will Now be thou warned and advised to watch against that Spirit in thy self which moveth thee to sleight deride and mock at the Appearance and Manifestation of the Light Crace Spirit Power Word and Law of God within And learn to cease also from those Teachers without which have caused thee to err who hate the Light within and despise the Shining of it and give it despicable Names as Ignis Fatuus 〈◊〉 certain or Falce Fire Natural Light and the Checks and Reproofs of it but the Checks of a Natural Conscience and despise the Grace that appears to all men and call it Common and not Saving Crace and sleight and reject the Power and Spirit of God within which moves and works against all Evil and to all Good not allowing it to be the principal Rule and Guide of a Christian and also endeavour to demolish race out the Word and Law of God within under Pretence of directing thee to a more sure Word and Law without viz. the Holy Scriptures which contain divers Words Precepts and Commandments c. spoaken by holy men to whom the Word of the Lord came which was before the Words were and by this Word and Spirit that came to them and was in them were they moved to speak them and that is greater then the Words and till thou knowest a Measure of the same Word and Spirit within thy self thou canst neither truly understand nor obey the Words and holy Precepts and Exhortations that proceeded from it that indeed being the Original Cause Root and Ground from whence all the Good Words and Good Works that ever sprang up in the Heart of Mankind proceeded Such Teachers have ran ●ut God hath not sent them so People are not profitted but spoiled by them they shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against Men they neither enter themselves nor suffer those that would and under the Name of Ministers of Christ are direct Ministers of Antichrist from such turn thou away learn of the Grace of God which Teacheth to deny Ungodliness c. and love the Light and bring thy Deeds to it John 3.21 and walk in it so shalt thou become a Child of it and have Right to inherit the precious Promises and possess and enjoy the Glorious Priviledges which thou hast hitherto only profess'd heard and read of in the holy Scriptures so wilt thou come to inherit Substance and soon be wiser then thy former Teachers and of a Titular Christian thou wilt become a Christian indeed an Israelite indeed a Jew inward indeed whose Praise is of God and not of Men. W. S. THE True Christian's FAITH AND EXPERIENCE DECLARED Concerning God Christ the Spirit c. First Concerning God THE True Christian believes there is One God who is a Spirit pure in Essence God is infinite and incomprehensible in himself and all the Words of Men and Angels cannot define him as he is being in all through all and above all And the various Names given him throughout the holy Scriptures were according to the Manifestation or Appearance and Operation of his Spirit in their Hearts that wrote them and according to the State it found them in when it appeared to them hence he was call'd a Consuming Fire Our God is a Consuming Fire and his Word as a Hammer and as a Fire and a Jealous and Angry God who as a Devouring Fire goes through the Bryars and Thorns and consumes them and the Day of his Appearance among these Bryars and Thorns Thi●les and Stubble is compared to the burning of Fire in an Oven in which the Wicked cannot dwell And others could call him by quite contrary Names even according to the Operation of his Spirit in them by the same could say that God is Love and his Word was as Milk and sweeter then Hony or the Hony-Comb and that the Light of his Countenance was better then the Encrease of Corn Wine and Oyl and that he was a Shield and a Shaddow of a Rock in a Weary Land his Name as a strong Tower and safe-dwelling-Place and as precious Oyntment pour'd forth and his Face or Presence

precious Blood and so he not only reads hears and professes the Benefits and Priviledges which the primitive Christians partook of and enjoyed by believing in receiving of Christ but experimentally partaketh of and possesseth and enjoyeth the same Rom. 8 16. And the Spirit of God beareth Witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of God and a Joynt Heir with Christ Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh and that he hath the Mind of Christ and that Christ lives in him and is greater in him then he that is in the World And as the old Adversary the Devil is strong and powerful to tempt and ready on the one Hand and on the other to draw and allure into Evil so he knoweth his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as near and as ready and more powerful to deliver save and preserve him from falling into Evil and Temptation and he is not only enabled to resist the Divel but to make him flee also Thus in Truth can the True Christian call Christ the Captain of his Salvation who being armed with his Power fights as he did followeth him sits down in Heavenly Places with him triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave So the True Christian proveth himself so by denying himself and taking up his Cross daily and following of Christ and that he believeth in him because he enjoyeth Everlasting Life and abides not in Death and Darkness but hath overcome the Wicked one and that he is his Lord because he doth the thing he saith or commandeth and that he loveth him because he keepeth his Commandments and hath received Power to become the Son of God and further hath a Name better then the Name of Sons and Daughters The Titular Christian saith he believeth in one Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier by his precious Blood c. and professeth him as King Priest and Prophet and in all his Attributes and Offices But how doth he demonstrate and shew forth his Belief and Profession How is he his Lord Doth he do the Thing he saith How is he his Saviour Is he saved by him from the committing of Sin and redeemed from a vain Conversation How doth he believe in him as Christ or the Anointing Is he taught by him How is he his King Priest and Prophet Doth he rule in his Heart as King Are all his Services Sacrifices and Offerings offer'd up by and through his Hand as Priest Doth he hear him in all Things as the Prophet whom God hath raised like unto Moses No the Titular Christian hath no Knowledge of him after this Manner neither doth he believe 't is attainable on this side the Grave nor possible to obey him as Lord nor to be saved by him from Sin as Jesus nor taught by him as Christ or the Anointing nor that he can be washed cleansed and sanctified by his precious Blood from the Stains Spots and Defilements of the World Flesh and the Devil while he bears about this Body of Clay he contents himself with a corrupt traditional Faith which hath sprung up in the dark Night of Apostacy which is certainly a very venemous pernicious Weed of the Devil's Kingdom which hath poysoned and destroyed the Souls of many and is now grown to such Maturity and cloathed with such Beauty to the Eye of the Titular Christian that he calls it the Christian Faith though thereby he is taught to believe that 't is not possible to cease from Sin nor to have his Heart purified nor to overcome the Devil and gain Victory over the World and further that notwithstanding he committeth Sin daily and liveth in the Act of it Term of Life in this World he is hereby taught to believe that Christ will save him from the Guilt and Punishment of it in the World to come It may be said of this Titular Christian's Faith as it was once said of Saul and David Looseness and A theism hath slain its Thousands but this its Ten Thousands So although he hears and reads what Christ did in and for those that belived in him and of the powerful Virtue and Operation of that Ancient Christian Faith which was once delivered to the Saints and born witness to by the Holy Scriptures yet he neither hopes believes nor expects to witness the same wrought in him and for him they bear witness of some in whom Christ wrought (a) In whom Christ works all the Devil works nothing all their Works and that through him they were able to do all Things And many glorious Things were spoaken of and were enjoyed by the true Believers in Christ while upon Earth But the Titular Christian puts off all till he is dead and pleads for the Continuation of the Devil and his Works Term of Life and saith the Devil works strongly in him and prevails over him and causeth him to sin in his Holy Duties and that he is so captivated by him that he cannot live one Day nor Hour without Sin so notwithstanding his Profession of Christ he knows him not greater in him then he that is in the World so the strong Man keeps House and it s furnished with his Goods and though he cryes Lord Lord he is a Worker of Iniquity and is bound in Chains of Darkness and his Feet stick fast in the Mire and in the Clay even while he talks of Lord and Saviour he is led Captive at the Devils Will and is a Stranger to that Power which is able to resist him and make him flee and to that Faith which gives Victory So he cannot in Truth call Christ the Captain of his Salvation nor approve himself one of his Souldiers who is armed with the same Power with it fights against the same Enemy and gains the Victory and followeth him who rides on Conquering and to Conquer so never comes to sit down with him in his Father's Kingdom triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave but remains under the Power thereof through the Fear of which he is all his Life Time subject to Bondage 2 Heb. 15. let his Profession of Liberty and Redemption by Christ be what it will his fair Talk will avail him nothing though he saith he believeth in Christ and loveth him yet if he keepeth not his Commandments he is a Lyar and deceiveth himself and hath not Eternal Life abiding in him Profession and Name of Christ without Possession and Nature is of no worth III. The true Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Spirit THE True Christian believeth in the Holy Spirit being one of the Three which bears Record in Heaven which Three are one and he sheweth forth his Faith by his Obedience thereto he hath received the Spirit of Adoption whereby he can call God Father not as the Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites did but in Truth and Righteousness and he witnesseth

is taken up he meets with no greater Enemy in his Journey then Self-Thoughts and Imaginatons Self-willing and Running Self-consultation and Self-working which * This made Paul careful to keep his Body under lest while he preached to others he himsolf became a Cast-away if he watch not against rule over and keep under by that Hand and Power that hath appeared for his Deliverance and hath wrought it in a measure he again may be entangled and enshared and driven back into that Pit wherein is no Water therefore he stands in the Doctrine of Self-Denyal till Self be denyed and in the putting off the Old Man with his Deeds till they are wholy put off and when he hath done all to stand still and abide with the same powerful Hand that hath wrought all these things in him and for him and to it he attributes the Glory and gives the Praise forever Now the Titular Christian professeth the Doctrine of Mortification and talks of a Dying to Sin and a Warring against it and of Self-Denyal and putting off the Old Man and taking up the Daily Cross c. But how doth he answer his Profession What Course doth he take to mortifie Sin while he believes not in the Light which shines in his Heart that discovers it nor in the Manifestation of the Spirit given him to mortifie and destroy Sin nor in the Power of God within which gives Strength to War against it and to overcome Sin within neither hath he received the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 whereby he is enabled to call God Father but is unacquainted and ignorant of him in that Relation yet hath learned by Tradition as the impenitent and unconverted Jews did John 8.41 to call God Father whose Knowledge of him was taught by the Precepts of Men And though they accounted themselves Children of God by virtue of this Traditional Knowledge received from their Fore-Fathers Isa 29.3 John 8.44 c Rabbies and Doctors of the Law yet Christ Jesus the Great Doctor and Righteous Judge and True Teacher told them they were quite the Contrary even of their Father the Devil So the Titular Christian while unbegotten to God in his impenitent unregenerate State having read the holy Scriptures and the Traditions of his Fathers furnisheth himself with the Profession of the Doctrines of the Gospel as the Jews did of the Law even while Sin reigns in his mortal Body while the Old Man with his Deeds are un put off and while Self Will Self-Wisdom and Self in all its Properties is undenyed and while he is a Stranger to the Cross of Christ and so takes it not up and follows him but wants Power to mortifie Sin and to war against the World Flesh and the Devil So while he talks of Mortification and Dying to Sin Sin lives in him encreases as his Days encrease and instead of overcoming it is overcome daily by it And while he professes Self-Denyal nothing but Self is owned Self wills and runs Self worships and offers the Offerings of Cain Self seeks and knocks and strives to enter but is not able And ●●ll this Willing and Running and Power of Self is denyed judged and brought down and made of no Reputation by the Powerful Working and Operation of the Spirit of God within none can witness a being dead to Sin nor have Victory over it nor be a Disciple of Christ Jesus nor follow him in the Work of Regeneration let them profess what they will except this be known their Profession is a Lye and they deceive their own Souls This is the Word of Truth to all the Titular Christians upon the Face of the Earth of what Name or Sect soever VII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption THe True Christian owns and believes the Doctrine of Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption and he manifests his Faith by the Virtue and Operation of the Spirit of God working in him having been led by the same through the Work of Repentance Mortification and Self-Denyal he is now not only turned from Sin and come to the Mortifying of it but also to the Sanctifying Washing and Cleansing from it so he comes to witness a being delivered from the dead Body and the Dead to be buried out of his Sight ☞ and as he abides and dwells with this Sanctifying and Cleansing Power he is preserved from corrupting himself or so much as touching the Dead again This is the Anti-Type and Substance of all the divers Washings Purifications and Sanctifications used under the Law where the Temple and all the Furniture thereof were sanctified 1 Cor. 6.19 Now he knoweth himself to be the Temple of the Holy Ghost and this Knowledge keepeth him from defiling of it being bought with a Price not with Gold nor Silver nor Corruptible Things but with the Precious Blood of Christ which cleanseth and keepeth clean the True Christian who trampleth it not again under his Feet And herein also he witnesseth the Anti-Type and Substance signified by the laying of the People's Sins upon a Scape-Goat once a year and letting him go into the Wilderness c. so that the People were as free and clean from Sins committed the year past Levit. 16. from vers 8. to 26. as if they had committed none at all their Sins confessed and Sacrifices being offered and Attonement made ☞ These were the Shadows of Good Things to come the Substance of which the True Christian now enjoyeth and is come to the One Everlasting Offering Christ Jesus which perfects forever those that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 and both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one Hebr. 2.11 And he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit And the True Christian abiding in this Sanctification and Unity with the Lord Sins no more so needs no farther Confession of Sin nor further Sacrifice for it being drawn near unto the Lord with a true Heart Heb. 10.22 in full Assurance of Faith having his Heart sprinkled from an Evil Conscience and his Body washed with pure Water Here is no more a Remembrance again of Sin once a Year Yet there is a Possibility after this Estate is witnessed and enjoyed Heb. 10.26 that there may be a Falling-away or a Wilful Sinning again which the Apostle knew well and therefore warned People to beware of it that they tread not the Son of God under Foot Heb. 10.29 30. nor count the Blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an Vnholy Thing nor do Des●ight unto the Spirit of Grace Therefore the True Christian after he is washed cleansed and sanctified watcheth against all that would defile him again and in the Spirit and Power which hath wrought his Sanctification abiding he rules and reigns over Sin and Satan and is no more entangled with the Yoak of Bondage but keeps in his Inheritance

these things the Titular Christian deceives himself and indeed hath no Part in the one nor in the other in the true Figure nor in the Substance And notwithstanding his outward Mouth eats and drinks outward Bread and Wine which comes from beneath and is the Fruit of the Earth his Inward Man pines and hungers for want of partaking of that Living Bread which comes down from Heaven and is wholely a Stranger to that Flesh which is Meat indeed and to that Blood which is Drink indeed and puts the Coming of the Lord far off and is wholely ignorant not only of him but of the Manner of his Coming also and of the very Door of Conscience at which he stands knocking and so doth not open unto him but openeth to a Stranger and entertaineth his Enemy and giveth Place and Obedience to that which occasioned all his Sufferings to wit Sin and the Author of it ☞ this is to sit at the Table of Devils eating of the Forbidden Fruit in this State he hath no Part in the Precious Promises no Right nor Title in Christ nor his Ordinances much being to do before all things are prepared ☞ and made ready for the Last Supper And before this Titular Christian is made fit to fit at the Table with him or stand upright in his Presence and before he knows him tomake his abode with him and to sup with him as he hath promised and as the True Christian in former Ages and now in this Age enjoyeth who did and doth witness Eternal Life abiding in him Read John 6.53 54 55 56 57 58. For he that eateth his Flesh and drinketh his Blood hath Eternal Life and dwelleth in him and he in him c. This the Titular Christian cannot receive nor understand no more then the Jews did this he stumbleth at and goeth backward murmureth and taketh Offence as some of old did when Christ was speaking of the Bread which came down from Heaven which who eat of should live forever many of his own Disciples said This is a Hard Saying who can hear it and so murmured and went backward walked no more with him ☞ These though they heard his many Gracious Words and saw his Mighty Works and Miracles wrought before their Carnal Eyes and Ears yet they saw not him as he was the Mighty Power of God nor heard him as Peter did who said when he asked the Twelve Will ye leave me also Master To whom shall we go Thou hast the Words of Eternal Life and we believe and know thou ●rt Christ the Son of the Living God This Knowledge Christ said was revealed unto him not by Flesh and Blood but by his Heavenly Father Now the Titular Christian denyes Revelation the only Means of all true Knowledge and so in his Carnal Imaginations and exalted Mind above the Cross of Christ glories in the Flesh and prides himself with what Flesh and Blood hath taught him and revealed unto him and cryes up Natural Bread and Natural Wine ☞ and a Natural Supper which feeds the Natural Man and remains a Stranger to that Bread which cometh down from Heaven and to the Wine of the Kingdom and to the Supper of the Lord and to his Table which is richly spread and hates and derides the True Christian who possesseth and enjoyeth these things And this is the Cause that notwithstanding the Titular Christian eats never so often of this Outward Bread and drinks this Outward Cup which he in his Ignorance calls The Supper of the Lord he hungers and thirsts again ☞ even after the Forbidden Fruit and after the Wine of Sodom and Egypt and drinks down Iniquity as the Ox drinketh Water And so in the End notwithstanding his Notions and Profession of the Supper of the Lord and Eating at his Table his Soul is hard bestead with Hunger and pines for Thirst and labours for very Vanity soweth the Wind and reaps the Whirle-wind of the Wrath of God This is the State of all the Titular Christians upon the Face of the Earth of what Name or Sect soever X. The True Christian 's Faith and Experience concerning the Universal Love of God towards all Mankind THe True Christian believes that the Love of God is universal unto all Mankind and that his Grace which bringeth Salvation hath and doth appear unto all men and that he hath given a manifestation of his Spirit to every man to profit withal and that he hath and doth give his Good Spirit and Gifts to the Rebellious and that God so loved the World that he hath given his only begotten Son that * None excluded from Salvation in Christ by any Decree who soever believeth in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life and that he is the true Light that lighteth every man coming into the World ☞ and that this Light is saving and sufficient to lead all Mankind that love it and walk in it to him from whence it comes where they may inherit Life and Salvation and God wills not the Death of him that dyes neither doth he desire the Death of a Sinner but rather that he would turn and live and his Call is to all men every where to Repent and there is a Possibility that all men may hear his Voice and Repent and may partake of his Universal Love and be saved by his Grace which hath appeared and profit by the Manifestation which he hath given The Gifts Graces and Spirit of God are given to all men yea to the Rebellious Sloathful and Disobedient to lead them out of those things and be guided out of Rebellion by his Good Spirit and to believe in him which saves from perishing and gives Everlasting Life These things are call'd for exhorted to throughout the Holy Scriptures and there is a Possibility to obey them otherwise all is in vain the Call to all in vain the Appearance of Grace to all in vain the Gift and Manifestation of the Spirit to every one in vain and the Shining of the Light in vain if Men may not obey it ☞ and walk in it So Man's Destruction is of himself and his Sores remain uncured and his Soul unredeemed not because there is no Balm in Gilead or because the Arm of the Lord is shortened or his Love abated nor not because he hath decreed any man's Destruction from Eternity but because men will not make use of the Balm nor be gathered by his Arm that is stretched out all the Day long even to the Rebellious to save them nor receive that Love that daily is tendered Their Eye is blind and their Souls poor miserable and naked not because he hath not Eye-Salve Fine Linnen and Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge to furnish them withal but because men are taken up with other things and have no mind to purchase Gold tryed in the Fire nor White Raiment to be cloathed The Forbidden Fruit seems more beautiful and lovely to desire the

and beguiled Eve in Paradice Gen. 3. Job 1. Rev. 12.4 And on a Day when the Sons of God appear'd before the Lord Satan came also among them and accused Job And John in his Day saw the great red Dragon appear in Heaven ☞ waiting to devour the Man-Child he that reads let him understand This made Paul fear the Serpent might beguile them he wrote to 1 Cor. 11.3 as he beguiled Eve through his Subtilty tempt allure them out of Innocency out of a Virgin sinless and harmless Estate after they were in it * It 's possible to be tempted and allured out of Innocency and to loose a good Estate this he once did and may do again if he be not watched against and resisted in the Power of the second Adam which enables to endure Temptation and so to receive the Blessing and after Tryal to enjoy the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1.12 XIII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning a Holy Life THE True Christian believeth that it is his Duty to live a holy Life and to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanity of the World which lyes in Wickedness and to keep God's holy Will and Commandments Jer. 31.33 and they are not grievous unto him for he loves the Law of God in his Heart and sees it written there with his own Finger enjoying that precious Promise I will write my Law in their Hearts Isa 51.7 and put my Fear into their inward Parts and he can say as David once did Oh how I love thy Law it is my Meditation all the Day Psal 119. how sweet are thy Words unto my Tast yea sweeter then the Hony to my Mouth thy Law is my Delight the Law of thy Mouth is better to me then Thousands of Gold and Silver The True Christian being in this Estate and persevering in this Love of God and his Law it becomes his Meat and Drink to do the Will of his Heavenly Father And so by walking in this Law and meditating in it and by feeding on this Word which is sweeter then Hony he becomes so united with it and so natural a Subject and Child of it that he comes to be able to say ☞ as some of old did We can do nothing against the Truth this is the true forsaking the Devil and all his Works c. and the keeping God's Holy Will and Commandments And as the True Christian grows up in this he doth alwayes that which pleaseth him like unto his elder Brother the Captain of his Salvation who is gone before being Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh sitting in Heavenly Places with him beholding the Glory of their Heavenly Father even the same Glory which was before the World began before the Devil and his Works entered before his Holy Will and Commandments were broaken or before the forbidden Fruit was eaten Those that have their Eyes anointed with Eye-Salve and are cloathed with fine Linnen and have their Garments washed in the Blood of the Lamb and follow him whethersoever he goeth and have no Guile in their Mouthes but stand before the Throne of God without Spot or Wrinckle those are they that are redeem'd from the Earth and have their Conversation in Heaven and enjoy those Things and give the Glory to him who is God blessed forever The Titular Christian he saith and professeth that it is his Duty to live a holy Life to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of the World and to keep God's Holy Will and Commandments but never cometh to witness that Estate it 's very grievous to him to make streight Steps to his Feet he enjoys not that precious Promise the Law writ in his Heart and the Fear which keeps the Heart clean in the inward Parts neither is the Law of God his Meditation all the Day nor his Delight therein neither are his Words to him sweeter then Hony or better then Thousands of Gold and Silver he cannot say that he doth nothing against the Truth nor that he doth alwayes that which pleaseth God nor that he follows Christ the Captain of Salvation neither is he a Member of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones nor sits in Heavenly Places with him beholding the Glory of God c. though he will sometimes talk of these Things as they are written in the Holy Scriptures but in his Heart he is a Stranger to them and God's Holy Witness in his own Conscience makes him confess that his Heart is desperately wicked and that his Thoughts and Meditations are defiled and full of Sin and that his best Performances or Doings are accompanied with Sin and Corruption and that in all he doth he doth something against the Truth ☞ And further he is so far from living a Holy Life and forsaking the Devil and all his Works and keeping God's Holy Will and Commandments that he is begotten into such a Belief and Perswasion that it is not possible to do it while he breathes in the Air of this World but must alwayes be sinning and doing that which he ought not to do and leaving undone that which he ought to do alwayes confessing alwayes sinning and never forsaking so alwayes reaping the Wages of Sin which is Death and so alwayes wanting the Mercy and Forgiveness which he that forsakes the DEVIL and all his WORKS partaketh of So in short this is one of the last Lessons the Devil can teach his Children viz. to † Those that preach this Belief and Perswasion in the world aredirect Ministers of Satan perswade them and make them believe that they cannot cease from Sin but must be Committers of it and Servants to it and that they cannot forsake him and all his Works nor keep God's Holy Will and Commandments so long as they live in these Houses of Clay such Titular Christians as these he hath them in Chains and Fetters strong enough nothing less then the Mighty Arm and Power of God is able to break them and to release those poor Captives and to redeem them out of this deep Pit of Misery wherein is no Water wherein their Souls or inward Man lyes as among the Pots soiled with the Smoak and Soot of the Bottomless Pit Oh God hasten and bring Deliverance to these poor Bend-slaves of Sin and Satan is the Cry of the Souls of the Righteous who have the Mind of their Heavenly Father who desires not the Death of him that dyes but that they should come to the Knowledge of his Truth and be saved and be Partakers with them of the exceeding Riches and Glory that is laid up for all that love his Appearance ☞ and is ready to be reveal'd to all that truly wait for it XIV The True Christian 's Faith and Experience concerning the Motion or Moving of the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the