Lord and shall make it to appeare by the aforegoing words of the Apostle to the Romans and also by the words following that it was not the Apostles then present condition when he said O wretched man that I am c. but a condition that he had once passed through which through Christ he did witness a freedom from Rom. 8,12 onely it was the manner of the Prophets and Apostles when they writ to the people and for the condescending to the low estate or condition that those they writ unto were in to rank themselves with them to wit in using the word We or Us as for instance if we say we have nosin or have not sinned c. And in mamy things we offend all And as Isaiah saith Lord why hast thou caused us to erre from thy wayes James 3.2 1 John 1.8 Isaiah 36.17 But Paul as is a fore shewed affirmed they were really dead to sin Rom. 6.2 and he giveth an infallible reason for it for saith he Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death that like as Christ was raised from the grave so they were to walk in newness of life Rom. 6.1 to the 8. and so they came from under the dominion of sin and from under the Condemnation of the Law Rom. 6.14.15 Chap. 8.1 but whiles a man lives the Law hath Power over him He that hath an ear to hear can hear and understand Rom. 5.14 but he over whom and in whom death reigns though he may talk of Christ and his righteousness of Faith and Grace c. yet not being turned to the Light which is the Law Rom. 5.13,14 he is not come so far as the pure law of God neither knowes he it in righteousness and truth but is a stranger unto it for saith Paul Know ye not my brethren how that the Law hath dominion over a man so long as he liveth for I speake to them saith he that know the Law for the woman that hath an husband is bound by the Law to her husband so long as he liveth but if her husband be dead she is loosed from the Law of her husband so that she is no adulteress thoughshe be marryed to another Wherefore saith he my brethren ye also are not that ye shall become dead to the Law by the body of Christ that ye should be marryed to another even to Christ who is raised from the dead thorough whom they brought forth fruits unto God for saith he when they were in the flesh he did not then say they now are in the flesh or following the motions of the flesh the motions of sin which were by the Law wrought in their members sin and brought sorth fruits unto death but now he said they were delivered from the Law that they should serve in newness of spirit Rom 6.15 What shall we say then saith he Rom. 7.7 Is the Law sin God forbid for he had not-known sin except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet But sin taking occasion by the Commandement wrought in him all manner of Concupiscente For he was alive mark and take notice of that ONCE He there told them what he was once but by the receiving of the Law which caused sin to abound and appear exceeding sinful he cried out O wretched man c. So there was a time Paul saw his sin to abound by the Law c. and there was a time he did witness he was dead to sin And there was a time he told them The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had freed him from the Law of Sin and Death And that was Paul's then present condition for saith he There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh or its motions for they that so do cannot please God But saith he Rom. 8.1 to 10. Ye are not in the stesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his he gives a character of them that have this Spirit whereby in the Light of the Son of God they may judg and examine themselves for if the Spirit of Christ be in thee the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness So that through this Spirit of Life Paul did witness a freedom from sin and a Victory over sin on this side the grave and thanked God for it and said He had fought the good sight he had finished his course he had kept the Faith which gave victory over the world or sin and henceforth saith he 2 Cor. 12 7 8,9 there is laid up for me a Crown of Glory and Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not onely to me but unto all them which love his appearance And although Paul did cry out of the thorn in the flesh and of the buffeting of Satan lest he should be exalted above his measure Tit. 2.11,12 the Lord did not impute that unto him as sin but said My grace is sufficient for thee which Grace taught Paul and the Saints to deny sin and ungodliness whereby they lived like God in that present world So that it is evident by the Scriptures of Truth that the Apostles and Saints in Light did witness a redemption from sin and were regenerated washed and cleansed and sanctified on this side the grave Read and compare these Scriptures 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 6.2.7.22 Ch. 7.6 Rom. 8.2 to 10. 1 Cor. 6.11 Ch. 15.55,56,57 2 Tim. 4.7,8 1 Pet. 4.1,2 So I being cast into Prison that very day that Priest Whale thus affirmed not giving any just offence in word or action as Priest Whale passed by the Prison I required him to prove where man should be made free from sin seeing that he had affirmed That the godliest man that ever was did not get the victory over sin on this side the grave His Answer was They should be cleansed in heaven O wretched man How hast thou darkned the Counsel of the most High God uttering words without the true knowledg of God from thy wisdom which is from beneath which is earthly sensual and bruitish and how hast thou deceived thousands of souls Wo is me for thee the Controversie of the Lord will be great with thee and you all and have taken their moneys for that which is not Bread and have made them spend their labour all the daies of their lives for that which doth not profit their immortal souls which wil be required at thine such blind guides hands as thou art May not the People State wch have given thee a great house 150 l. a year some say 200 l. a year truly say It is for nought for if people can never be made free from sin or get the victory over sin on this side the grave the contrary
Mount Read and compare these Scriptures The spiritual man compares spiritual things with spiritual 1 Pet. 1.23,24,25 2 Pet. 1.17 to 21. Joh. 1.1 Rev. 10.13 Rom. 10 6,7,8 Heb. 4.12 So they which put the Letter which killeth for the Rule of Life and Faith unto Salvation in stead of the Spirit which quickneth are in the if I may speak Robert Carrs words fictions of the Divel and out of the true Faith and Truth of Jesus and not guided by that holy Spirit which righteous Abel Enoch and Abraham were before the Scriptures were written and shall be for ever when Scripture shall be no more 3. The Principles of Edward Whale Priest of Waterford and Priest Millard of Passage near Waterford Each of them affirmed in the Pulpit in the Idol Temple of Waterford That that Light which we called Quakers bear testimony unto which Christ hath enlightened every man withall that comes into the world they say say the Priests they have a Light within them but how great is that darkness This they both affirmed before the people Answ Here ye Priests have brought your selvs under the WOE which call the true LIGHT which lighteth every one that cometh into the world great darkness for WO is to them that call Light darkness darkness Light Isa 5.20 for I am the Light of the world saith Christ and he bids them walk in the Light he that walketh in the Light stumbles not but he that walketh in the dark stumbles and knowes not where he goes because there is no Light in him for the Light of the wicked which rebel against the Light shall be put out I am come a Light into the world saith Chaist and he bids them walk in the Light for he that believes in the Light and followes it shall not walk or abide in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Jo. 8 12 and no other Light than Christ do we testify of which God said Isa 42.9 he would give for a Light to lighten the Gentiles and for a Covenant to the people and for salvation to the ends of the earth And Paul a true Minister of God Act. 26.18 was sent to turn from darkness to the Light and from Satan's power to the living God Rom. 9.18 19. And he told them what might be known of God was manifest in them And Elihu said if the wicked confess their sin God will deliver their soul from going down to the pit and their life shall see the Light and be enlightned again with the Light of the living Jo. 12.46 Job 18.5 cha 24. chap. 23.26 to the 31. And John a man sent of God came to bear testimony of the Light and said That was the true Light that lighted every one that comes into the world Jo. 1.9 So ye Priests and ye all who deny the Light that lighteth every one that comes into the world are found to preach another doctrine than Christ and his Apostles preached and so are not to be received into the house neither bid God speed for they that so do will partake of your plagues 2 Jo. 9,10,11 4. The Principles and Judgement of Captain Samuel Wade Baptist Teacher given under his hand as followeth I do believe those people called Quakers are under the highest delusion in the world c. in the magnifying the Light within and stands in opposition to Christ without and the Scriptures And the first rise of the Quakers was in London about the year 1647 as witness S. Wade Ans It is agreeable and according to the Scriptures to magnifie and exalt God in man and the Spirit in man and Christ the Light in man for saith the Apostle What may be known of God who is Light is manifest in man Rom. 1.18 1 Jo. 1.5 And Christ said I am the Light which is within except ye be reprobates and this Light shined in the dark heart of man but the darkness comprehended it not but the Lord now by his eternall power hath caused and commanded the Light to shine out of darkness and hath shined take notice in our hearts and hath given the true knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.5 chap. 13.5 Jo. 1.1 to 9. And the Scripture saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ in him he is none of his but if the Spirit of Christ be in you the body is dead and the Spirit is life because of righteâ—usness And this testimony I give for the Lord and his truth that the same Spirit of Light and Truth that raised Jesus from the grave is in us and by it hath God quickened and is quickning our mortall flesh even by his Spirit that dwelleth in us which is that mystery that hath been hâ—d since the long night of Apostacy these many generations even Christ in us the hope of Glory Col. 1.25,26,27 Rom. 8. ver 9.10.11 and God is a Spirit and all that ever come to worship God in truth must worship him with and in the Spirit of truth And therefore let that of God in all Judge whether it be delusion to be led and guided by the Spirit of truth or in opposition against Christ and the Scriptures to extol and magnifie the Light or Spirit within for saith Christ when he was with his Disciples if I go not away the Comforter will not come but If I go away I will send you the Comforter even the Spirit of truth which shall lead you and guide you into all truth And Paul said unto the Galatians because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son take notice into your hearts c. Jo. 16 13. Gal. 4.6 And therefore thou Samuel Wade and all you Professors of the world that talk of Christ in your fleshly wisedom which is from beneath and is sensuall and brutish your knowledge must perish and dye if ever the true Comsorter the Spirit of life and truth from God ye come to know or enjoy for that is but a knowing Christ in the flesh or flesh glorying in Christ but an enmity to the Cross of Christ and I can truly say as Paul did though I have known Christ in the flesh yet henceforth I desire to know him so no more To Gods witness in you all I speak which did never change or consent to sin unto which as your mindes come to be turned and by it to be lead and guided it will cause you to cease from your own words and to know the time to keep silent for a time of silence if ever ye come to minister from the Spirit of truth shall ye Baptists will ye nill ye and all Professors on the face of the earth come to know 1 Cor. 12.7 and so as in the measure of Gods Spirit which is given to every one of you to profit withall ye come to wait in the pure fear of the Lord that will be a bridle to your tongue and a limit to your
God in thee judge The matter is great weighty which concerneth everlasting salvation And why should it be thought an incredible thing That Christ should now be manifested in mortal flesh qnickening them that were even dead in sins and trespasses for verily I I have written no other thing concerning him or of the operation of his Eternal spirit then what in measure I have really not imaginarily seen and handled and felt of his work and glory for I dare not speak of that which the Lord hath not wrought in me and by me or to boast in other mens lines for all the world have a form of worship talking of Christs words and the Prophets and Apostles words but are out of their Life and Power Behold what headiness and high-mindedness treachery and betraying one another and will be yet far worse by evil men and seducers c. What incontinence men and women burning in their lusts one towards another What eating and drinking and rising up to play c and yet all covered with a Profession of God and Christ But how can any better fruits be expected when Pastors and Teachers tell People for Doctrines they cannot get victory over sin on this side the Grave which herein is plainly proved false and the everlasting way of Truth discovered which leads out of sin and gives power against sin on this side the Grave and to live pure and holy even as God is holy Think it not impossible with the Lord all things are possible And what I have here written is not to render any man odious or to discover their nakedness but for the bringing of Gods truth to Light for I having had something lying on me a long time to give forth amongst the Professors and Baptists who have any true desires after God and as in obedience to the movings of the Lord I passing amongst them seeing their PRACTISES and hearing their DOCTRINES it was now laid on me of the Lord to give it forth as an Answer thereunto which I have done for the clearing of my Conscience in tender love that all who love their souls may be warned while time is For the dispensation of the fulness of time is come nigh for the gathering together all in ONE even in Christ whether things in Heaven or things in Earth The Parable of the Field is fulfilled the Pearl is found Father Mother Husband or Wife House or Land all is forsaken if the Lord calls and followed even to the end of the earth for the gathering into the unity with the Father and the Son This is the onely desire of him whom the Lord hath called into his labour which seeketh your Eternal good With the measure of God's spirit try all things and let not any motion passe away that seeks truly after God that you may come to have an infallible testimony of the spirit of the Lord in you to lead you and guide you For he that believeth hath the witness in himself T. M. THE BAPTIST AND INDEPENDENT CHURCHES So called Set on Fire By a bright shining Light revealed from Heaven Their PASTORS and TEACHERS scorching in the flame of it gnashing and blaspheming God and his Tabernacle As their Principles rash and judging herein recorded do demonstrate Which are answered for the vindicating of Truth and the satisfying of the simple In which they are found to be children of them which killed the Just and have drunken of the Cup of Fornication who also must drink of the Cup of Indignation at the hand of the Lord. 1. EDward-Whale accounted an Independent Teacher Priest of Waterford affirmed That the godliest man that ever was on the earth did not get the victory over sin or lived free from sin on this side the Grave He did not except Christ This he affirmed in his Pulpit before the whole Congregation in the Idol-Temple formerly a Masse-House with a Cross on the top of it and another at the end of it on the 21. day of the 6th Month 1659. in the City of Waterford Answ He that is born of God doth not commit sin because Christ the Seed of God is in him and as he abides in him he cannot sin though he may be tempted to sin as Christ was yet not overcome with the temptation of sin but thorough Faith in Christ gets the victory over sin and temptations on this side the grave 1 Joh. 3.9 ch 5. ver 4. Sin is of the Devil and he that commits it and pleads for it is taken captive by the Devil at his will 1 Tim. 2.26 1 Joh. 3.5.8 And for this purpose Christ the eternal Son of God was made manifest to take away sin and to destroy sin Heb. 2.14,15 And forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood Christ himself also partaked of the same that thorough the death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil and deliver them who thorough fear were all their life time subject to bondage which Christ redeemed them from for saith the Apostle He was made to us wisdom and redemption c. 1 Cor. 3.50 And the Apostle did witness through Christ victory over sin on this side the grave For saith he O death where is thy sting O grave or hell where is thy victory The sting of death is sin the strength of sin is the the Law but take notice thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory thorough our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.54,55,56,57 And so Priest Whale hath preached another Doctrine then Christ or his Ministers and hath as it were blasphemously charged Christ his holy Prophets and Apostles with sin for he did not except them when he said The godlinst man that ever was did not get the victory over sin on this side the grave And so by the holy Scriptures of this truth he is corrected and taken with a lye in his mouth and as it were denying the very purpose work and office of God in Christ which was to save from sin and thorough â—…ath to destroy sin and death and to take it away narling it to the cross c. And this testimony I give unto all the World for the Lord God and his truth That it is possible in and thorough CHRIST JESUS the light of the world that lighteth every one that comes into the World that all that it love and follow in the daily Cross I say That thorough Faith in the Blood of Christ who is our example whose steps many of us are following according to our measures who did not sin neither was guile found in his mouth c. it is possible to live free from sin and to live a pure righteous and holy life even perfect as he is perfect in this present World before this earthly Tabernacle go down to the grave and at this let none stumble but in the cool and calm spirit and in the Light and fear of God search the Scriptures for they testifie that
things of God I earnestly contending for the faith of Gods Elect once delivered to the Saints which gives victory over sin and bearing my testimony to Gods righteous Law and Spirit of Truth in man which largely afore is proved by the Scriptures of truth for all men by it to be guided having received a measure thereof this was the substance of what I there declared That of God in them bears me record which is the everlasting truth of God But William Lee Teacher and William Lamb Pastor strongly opposed me crying out The Ordiances of Christ The Ordinances of Christ to wit the Supper of the Lord and water Baptism which stood in time and were Ordinances of God and Christ But had a limitation of time and are ended in Christ the everlasting substance to every one that believes and follows as will be proved by the Scriptures of truth So he call'd Colonell Will. Lee governour and Baptist Teacher affirmed in the presence of Will. Lamb Pastor the Mayor and Aldermen so called and severall Captains and other men of quality in the worlds account both Baptists and Independants That I was absolutely damned and did not believe the truth nor abide in the Doctrine and Ordinances of Christ Now I appeal to Gods witness in the consciences of all who cry out that the Quakers do Judge when did any of the Quakers that are so in truth give such rash Judgement as to say any man was absolutely damned which is a secret belonging onely to God except the unbeliever confess it out of his own mouth or that the fruits of his Life make it appear But blessed be the Lord God and Father of Light through his eternall Love in Christ Jesus I do believe and follow the Truth which is Christ Jesus the Light of the world that Lighted every one that comes into the world and am dead with Christ buried with him in Baptism in measure and cannot bee subject to Ordinances that perish in the using and he that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that believes not shall be damned And this testimony I give to all the world and sons of men on the face of the whole earth I do believe that Jesus Christ the Saviour of the souls of mankind was the eternall Son of God born of a Virgin whose name and interpretation I truly in my measure witness even the Emmanuel God with us who made a good confession before Pontius Pilate that he was Crucified and Buried and by the mighty Power and Glory of God the Father of Life was raised again and appeared unto his Disciples and was received up to eternall Glory and Glorified with the Father with the same Glory he had before the world began And much more do I believe in him and of him according as it is recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth concerning him which I may not now declare And this Testimony I give for the Lord God and his truth unto all who have breathings after Christ and are hungering and thirsting after his righteousness But are gazing abroad and seeking him in outward observations c. that Christ Jesus the second Adam the quickning Spirit is come the second time without sin unto salvation in his chosen thousands Therefore turn in your mindes to that of God in you Rom. 1.19 and remember the woman that lost the groat and could not find it untill she had Lighted a Candle the Candle of the Lord is the Spirit of man the Light of Christ Lightneneth it and swept her house and when she found it she called her Neighbours and rejoiced read the Parable who can And I can truly say as Paul did he is come to save sinners of which I was chief which lived in Pride Lust Vanity blaspheming his holy name but have obtained mercy because it was in the time of ignorance and unbelief not through works that I have done but of his everlasting free Love Yet have born his Just and Righteous Judgements and deeply have drank of the cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and can truly say I am washed cleansed sanctified and Justified in my measure by the water the blood and the Spirit which three agree in one in the work of regeneration and so through the faith of God which works by love am brought in obedience to the Doctrine of Christ and his commands and in it to abide and this is his Doctrine Blessed be the poor in Spirit blessed be the meek blessed be they that mourn c. Thou hast heard that it hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy selfe but I say unto you swear not at all and when thou prayest be not like the Hypocrites which stand praying in Pulpits and call no man master neither be ye called of man master and Love your enemies give to him that asketh and from him that would borrow turn not away that you may be children of your heavenly Father for he maketh his Sun to shine on the evill and on the good and sendeth rain on the Just and unjust and he that looketh on a woman to Lust after her hath already Committed adultry with her in his heart c. And lay not up for your selves treasure in the earth where the moth and Canker do corrupt but lay up for your selves treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust do corrupt nor thievs break through and steal And I say unto you saith Christ swear not at all but in all your Communications let your yea be yea and your nay be nay for whatsoever is more then that cometh of evill and take no thought what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink or wherewithall ye shall be cloathed and take no thought for to morrow But first seck the Kingdom of God and his righteousness c. And be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect and his Ministers bid try all things and hold fast that which is good flee youthfull Lusts of Vanity abstain from every appearance of evill quench not the Spirit but if any thing be revealed to him that stands by let the first hold his peace c. Now whether thou William Lee and ye Baptists which cry out the Ordinances of Christ and the Commands of Christ be in the obedience to those weightier Commands and Ordinances which is fulfilled through faith mercy and Judgement upon the head of the transgressor I say whether you Baptists or we despisedly called Quakers be in the obedience to those Commands c. And many other which might be mentioned of Christ and his Ministers and abides in their Doctrine Let that of God in all Judge which the least of those or any of his Commands knowningly or willfully I dare not disobey if I might gain the whole world God is my record I lye not And he that saith he knows God mark that you Baptists and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him 1 Jo. 2.4 So
powerings forth of his eternall Spirit and to feel its operation and movings in you untill then in the dread power and authority of the Spirit of the Lord again I say unto you Let all flesh keep silence Gods witness in every one of you shall eternally witness me to be true for through the operation of Gods eternall Power and Spirit of Life Life and Immortality is brought to Light through which the Immortall soul comes to be refreshed and the seed of God raised out of death And that Life and seed is but one in all in the male and in the female so if Gods Spirit move in son or daughter to speak in the Church of Christ it is not lawfull to quench it But if any thing else speak whether in male or female and not the Spirit of the Lord or its movings that which speaks in male or female being in the sin and transgression that is the woman or sorrowfull sinfull man that must be silent and ask the husband at home which if she continue in the faith Patience Godliness Sobriety and Charity untill the man-child be born or brought forth in Dominion to Raign to Rule the transgressing part with a rod of Iron she may be saved he that can receive it let him for where sin and evill is standing there is woe and sorrow whether in male or female and all must be silent in the Church till sin and iniquitie is blotted out but who are come to know remission of sin through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ there is glad tidings Joy and Peace and all that ever ministers from the Spirit of Truth in the Church of Christ must first be a partaker of the fruits of the Kingdome of God in measure for saith the Apostle The husbandman that laboureth must first bepar taker of the fruits viz. of that he ministereth to wit of the Joy or Glory he testifieth of therefore saith he to Tymothy consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding c. And male and female is all one in Christ and each must come to know the Travell and Anguish which makes all faces gather paleness before that Child be brought forth Wherefore saith the Prophet Jeremiah Ask ye now and see whether a man doth travell with Child wherefore do I see every man with his hands upon his Loins as a woman in travell and all faces are turned into paleness c. Jer. 30 6. This is a mystery Christ in man And so I say when the Life of Christ is brought forth in power in son or daughter it is Lawful for either to speak in the Church of Christ as Miriam and the holy women did in the days of old teach and instruct in the Congregation of the Lord and Miriam taught Israel to sing praises to the Lord and Deborah a Prophetess Judged Israel and instructed Barack taught the people to praise the Lord and Huldah the Prophetess spoke the Word of the King saying Thus saith the Lord And Priscilla with Aquila her Husband took Apollo a man of Alaxandria and instructed him more perfectly in the way of the Lord And Paul commends those women to the Philippians which laboured with him in the Gospell And do the Baptists think the Apostle would commend those women in one place or to one people and reprove them or write against them to another people and command them to be silent because Paul saith I suffer not a woman to teach or to usurpe authority over the man But be silent and ask her Husband at home c. and therefore you will not willingly if the Lord send his handmaids or daughters amongst you suffer them to speak on whom the Lord promised he would pour out of his Spirit in the last days and they should Prophesie I tell you there is a great mistery in those words I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence c. The Lord of Hosts is the Husband of his Church and as Peter said Our beloved brother Paul writ in all his Epistles somethings hard to be understood which they that are unlearned in the Doctrine and mysteries of Christ wrest as they do all other Scriptures to their own destruction Therefore take heed all ye that are stumbling at the Lords speaking in his handmaids as in ages past who is the same for ever Least yee are found perverting the Truth of the Lord and quenching his Spirit For Anna a Prophettess a woman of great age that had lived with an Husband seven years from her Virginity a widow of about fourscore years of age that served God in Fastings and Prayers she coming into the Temple that instant when the Child Jesus was in the Temple she gave thanks and preached in the Temple redemption by Jesus Christ to all them that looked for it in Jerusalem And Christ himself bid Mary Magdalen to whom first he appeared after his Resurrection out of whom he had cast seven Devills Go and tell or preach to my Brethren that he is arisen saith the Angell and go to Gallalee there shal they see me saith Christ And so I say unto you where ever the seed which is Christ to which all the promises of God are Yea and Amen and all that ever come to be blessed it must be in the seed is brought forth in power to Raign it is lawfull to speak whether in male or female quench it not for in Christ Jesus there is no difference in him all is one Col. 3.11 Gal. 3.28 Therefore again I say unto you quench not the Spirit of the Lord but try all things and hold fast that which is good and despise not reproof of Instruction but receive the Truth in the Love of it to wit the Light and Spirit of Truth within as is largely before proved according to the Scripture of Truth as it is in Jesus And take heed least for your not receiving the Truth in the Truth in the Love of it God give you wholly over to reprobate minds to work uncleanness with greediness and so he Justly send you stronger delusions that ye all may be damned who will not believe and receive the Truth in the Love of it And then in that day of trouble and Anguish when you cry and call even you who have caused the simple to erre keeping them in that which perisheth in the using from the measure of of God in them bringing all the Arguments and strong Reasons to pervert and perswade from the Truth and to stop Gods Righteous witnesse from arising in the simple of which many would hear and receive the Truth but having not strength are afraid of being cast out from amongst you as it was amongst the envious Jews who ever of them did confess Christ was to be cast out But the day is near come that such fears shall be cast out of them who breath after God in righteousness and Truth and they shall come to know one if you cast them out will
the members of the true Church so lived in the days of old and many thousands blessed be the Lord in this day are living so and coming so to live Christ being the same yesterday to day and for ever For saith the Apostle What manner of love hath the Father bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not mark the reason because it knew him not but said He was Joseph's son a sinner and hath a Devil and deceiveth the people Why hear ye him Even as Teachers and Professors generally cry out this day against his servants whom he hath sent forth to bear witness of his true Light that it is a natural Light and not sufficient to lead out of sin c. But saith John Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear and blessed be the Lord he is appeared in his Saints 2 Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 Rom. 8.10 We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And every one that hath this hope in him purifieth himself mark that even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.1.2.3 And herein was Love made perfect and gives boldness in the day of Judgement because say they even as he is take notice of that so are we in this world 1 Joh. 4.17 He that can receive it let him for he was and is without sin and bare our sins in his body on the Tree c. Therefore saith the Apostle If we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall live â—…im Now Christ was dead to sin and the Gospel did wiâ—…s some of them dead to sin and could no longer live therein but live unto Christ in newness and righteousness of Life for a dead man that is really dead cannot move act or speak so he that is really dead to sin cannot act or commit sin and Paul did say That himself ahd others were dead to sin and free from sin Rom. 6.2.7 the old man crucified and the body of sin destroyed Therefore saith he Rom. 6.11 Ver. 14. Reckon your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God thorough our Lord Jesus Christ for sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace which Crace taught them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live truly like God in this present world Therefore saith Peter 〈◊〉 8.11,12 Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh as Old England and New-England and many other places can witness how much many of the faithful servants of the Most High God have suffered in their flesh to the loss of life and spoil of Goods for the Testimony of Jesus and the wicked actions on record will testifie to generations to come I say Pet. 4.12 He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased mark from sin that he no longer should live to the lust of the flesh or will of man the rest of his time but to the will of God c. And saith Paul Rom. 6.17 God be thanked ye were take notice not that then they were the servants of sin but having obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you mark â— 18. being made free from sin became the servants of Righteousness So here according to the holy Scripture the Apostle did testifie â—om 17. that the Romans thorough the Gospel he preached unto them had freedom and victory over sin on this side the Grave Cor. 15.54.57 And the Gospel he preached was CHRIST the LIGHT in them and to that was he sent to turn their minds for what may be known of God he told them was manifest in them Rom. 1.19 And his Doctrine was Cor. 2.4,5,6 not with enticing words of mans wisdom but in the demonstration of the spirit and power of the Lord that their Faith might not stand in the wisdom of men by which wisdom they knew not God but in the power of the Lord. Howbeit saith he We preach wisdom 〈◊〉 them that are perfect according to Christ's Doctrine wâ—…d Be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect And Paul was not ashamed of this Gospel for it was and is the Power of God to salvation to every one that believes and follows the Light of Christ â—om 1.16,17 for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith â—oh 5.4 by which faith the faithful came to get the victory over sin and freedom from sin and became servants to God and brought forth fruits unto holiness of life Rom 6.22,23 the end of which was and is everlasting peace â—atth 25.46 but the wages of sin living and dying in it is everlasting death and punishment Obj. But did not Paul say O wretched man c. And so though a man may say some be freed from the guilt of sin yet it cannot be that men may be free from the acting or committing of sin whilst they are on earth c. but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them they shall he saved that believe in Christ c. Answ He that acteth or committeth sin is under the guilt and condemnation for sin for he that commits sin is of the Devil and the Light wil be his condemnation and whosoever abides in him saith John sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither knoweth him for he dyed for sinners and ungodly ones but not to live in sin but unto himself which dyed for them 2 Cor 5 15 and the righteousness of Christ imputed to any that live in sin and daily act and commit sin that will stand them in little stead in the day of the Lords account when he shall give to every one according to the deeds done in the body And although the Scripture saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness yet it doth not say that the righteousness of Christ shall be imputed to them which daily live and abide in sin Abraham believed and also obeyed the command of God now that which was written concerning Abrahams righteousness that was imputed unto him was not written for his sake alone as saith the Scripture but for us also to whom take notice of that it shall be imputed if we believe mark and take notice if ye believe it shall be imputed unto you for righteousness if ye say ye do believe then ye shall not abide in sin if ye believe and follow the Light of Christ in you then you shall not saith Christ abide in darkness sin or evil but shall have the Light of Life Compare John 8.12 John 12.46 to Rom. 4.23,24,25 And as for Paul's saying O wretched man c. I do affirme in the fear of God according to what I have received of the