dayes of this Life which Faith is begotten by the spirit of Anti-christ which rules in the Children of Disobedience whose minds are drawn into works of Darkness which are begotten by their Father the Devil the Prince Power of the Air whose â—iry Kingdom remains in the Heart and Mind of all Unrighteous men who are bewitched by the spirit of Anti-Christ that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.1 by whose Spirit the heart and mind in the righteous are governed from vain and evil Thoughts for every Thought Word and Action that tends not to the honour of God it proceeds from the lust of the corrupted Desire which yeilds its Obedience to the Spirit Power of Anti-christ who is that Devil and Enemy to God and all Mankind and his they are if they obey for his Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6.16 So that Death Hell and Destruction remains in all Thoughts Words and Actions which proceed not from the Power of God in Obedience to the gift of his Spirit by Jesus Christ for all that is not of Gods Righteousness by the Spirit and Power of Christ is of Unrighteousness by the Spirit and Power of Anti-Christ So that all sin is of Unrighteousness and all unrighteousness is of the Devil who sinneth from the beginning and he that committeth sin it is of the Devil but whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remnineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is born of God 1 Joh. 3.8.9 Then let no man be deceived by the Spirit of Anti-Christ or by any of his Disciples for he that doth Righteousness is righteous even as he is Righteous 1 Joh. 3.7 for whosoever committeth Sin is a Servant to sin Joh. 8.34 Then he that is a Servant to sin is free from Righteousness for the wages of sin is Death and God is not a God of the Dead but a God of them that are made alive by the Power of his Spirit in and thorough the Lord Jesus Christ whose gift of Righteousness is Life eternal that is to them that keep close in their minds with the Lord by which they may not be drawn into the Anti-Christian Faith of any one thing with which the Devil seeks to destroy the Soul for God is not mocked whatsoever men some that they shall also reap for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption but he that soveth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting Gal 6.7.8 Now every-every-Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God 1 Joh. 4 2.3 Then that which appears from a spirit in men which doth not lead from sinning against the gift of Gods holy Spirit their so living doth manifestuâ— a unrighteous Life is towards God and that unrighteous Life is in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ which denyeth that Christ is come in the flesh of which Spirit there are many which have entered the false Prophets which are gone out into the World by which many are deceived for they are of the World and speak of the World and the World heareth them 1 â—oh 4.5 but the Children of God are begotten by the Power of his own Spirit in and thorough the Lord Jesus Christ and by Grace through Faith in him their works are of Righteousness before him who is the Author and the Finisher of his own Work in all them whose Works of Righteousness manifest Jesus Christ to be come in the flesh which the works of the Unrighteous do not do CHAP. XVIII Concerning the true Language and proper Nature of Speech and the true Names of the Days and Months And also the Vnrighteousness of Peoples vain living Through the Unrighteousness of Peoples careless living unto God they are got into a habitual custom of vain living before the Lord not regarding to live up in Obedience to the the Spirit of Truth which lead Gods faithful People into the true Nature of Speech and to call the Dayes of the Week and the Months of the Year by their proper Names according as by that Spirit of God they are recorded for People to learn in the holy Scriptures of Truth which givs a holy Testimony of the Righteous in dayes past who lived in all manner of good Life and holy Conversation before the Lord speaking their words in the true Language which is the proper Nature of Speech and calling the Days of the Week and and Months of the Year by their proper Names which holy Practise doth witness against this Generation of evil Doers who accostom themselves to a vain way of living both in Words and Actions by which it doth manifest that they are Lovers of their own vain Wayes and not the Lovers of Gods holy Truth which leads every upright hearted man and woman to keep in the true Language and proper Nature of Speech unto all men without respect of Person to any for that which the World terms Reâ—pect with Hand Hat and Knee and You to the Rich and Thee and Thou to the Poor is a respecting of Mâ—ns Peâ—sons which is a transgressing of Gods holy Law for they that respect mens persons commit sin and are convinced of the Law as Transgressors Jam 2.9 for thee and thou is proper to all men and you to more then one for God said thee and thou to Adam and Adam said thee and thou to God again Gen. 3.12 13. and the same was maintained between â—acob and his Sons Gen. 43.49 which proves that thee and thou was the true Nature of Speech between God and Man and Men and their Children as Jeptha a Judge in Israel did thee and thou his Daughter and his Daughter did thee and thou her Father again Judg. 11.3 5 6. And the three Children did thee and thou to the King and also Paul to Agrippa And the same form of thee and thou to a single person and you or ye to more then one was prectised by Christ to his Disciples and the same by the Disciples as thee and thou to Christ again which is the true Nature of speech as contained in holy Record thoroughout the Scriptures of Truth though some have wrested divers Scriptures thinking thereby to prove a lawfullness of saying thee and thou to more then one which doth not prove that you on ye is proper to a single person for those scriptures which they have wrested do manifest that when the spirit of God in his Servants and Messengers of his Truth did speak by the Spirit of Truth to a Nation Church or People it was proper to say either you or ye or thou which did include a Nation Church or People as one body in the cause which was from the Lord either for or against them which is not the
was done in Heaven therfore is it writen that as the body is dead without the spirit so is also Faith dead without Works that by whomsoever works are not manifested agreeable to Gods holy Truth and example of his holy People in days past they are only Christians in namê and not in nature of that life which God requireth of all men to live and abide in therefore it is that people profit not by what they hear or read because they are spiritually dead having blinded Eyes and deaf Ears with which they can neither see hear nor receive to understand the Spirit of Truth of which a manifestation is given to every man to profit withal and is the gift of his Spirit the Word of Faith to them that will hear to obey the Light of the Spirit of Truth which is the condemnation of the Disobedient who are here and there in this and the other Form of Religion serving God with mouth and lip in their own wisdom wills and with their own words being only called by the Name of Christ without the Nature of his Life which being destitute of no man can be a true Christian yet how contentedly do men live and abide in this and the other form but do not witness the strength of the power of God to redeem from sin and transgression and to make alive to God who is only a God them that through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh and through the Spirit are brought in again by the flying Cherub and glittering Sword of Gods power in and by Christ the Tree of everlasting Life on which as any eats he cannot dye to God but hath an infallible assurance of life in the Son of God without which assurance no man can truly say that he pleaseth God in thought word and deed for it is the anointing which is by the Tree of Life that teacheth all things which leadeth into all Truth the evidence of which Spirit doth assure the Son in whom there is life and the nature of his life dwelleth and abideth in them that by true faith in him and obedience to the word of his Spirit they are made alive unto God and of this nature is Christ in his people and in whom he is not they are Reprobates and in whom he abideth not they are cursed Children abiding under the curse in their own wisdom knowledge will reason righteousness and the like which causeth them to lust more and more after the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil for which cause they rebel against the Spirit of God in themselves and deny his appearance in his People for which cause of Rebellion which is as the sin of Witch-craft the Truth of God abideth not in them therefore are they without God in the world living to their own God of which in the world there are many that delight and sweetly recreate their minds in by living a life of obedience to their own ways of righteousness which only proceeds from lust that gives way for men to live according as their own will and reason directeth them in all they do for God and to one another all which is vnder the Curse as it is written Cursed is he that putteth his Trust in man and maketh flesh his Arm. So all men that live in flesh and blood and are obedient to their own wisdom will and reason they are servants to their own lust being in bondage as slaves servants to that and those things which they do as it is written Men are Servants to him to whom they obey and Children of him whose work they do therefore he that will be free from the curse of condemnation must take up the cross and deny himself of all things which are not of God and his Spirit of Truth otherwise he cannot come to the Tree of Life but will fall short of that Crown of Righteousness which is in store for all them that abide faithful to God as by his divine Light he doth lead and teach by the spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth by which men are made fit to enter in at the strait gate of Christâ— Kingdom CHAP. VII Concerning Judgment begun at the House of God and in his House to judge down every appearance of evil THe House of God in general where Judgment first beginneth is his people but Judgment cometh to every Transgressor of his holy Truth and that to judge down every appearance of evil therefore said one in his day Who shall deliver me from this Body of sin death Now the Body of this man was the House of God and Temple of the holy Ghost in which God by his Judgment was at work to judge down cast out and destroy every lust that would evalt it self above the Witness of God that the House of God might be throughly cleansed and only become a house of â—oly Habitation for the Spirit of Truth to abide in for as 〈◊〉 is written The high holy one who inhabits EternÃty dwelleth not in Temples made with hands but taketh up his abode with men of clean hearts contrite spirits that fear him and work righteousness do justly love mercy and walk humbly such bear the image of God and nature of Christ with whom and in whom both Father and Son do take up their abode therefore where men give not up to come under the cross and follow the light and word of Gods Spirit in obedience to his call they resist the holy one crucifie him afresh to themselves such defile the house and temple of God and them will God destroy indeed how many such people with a fair Israel 〈…〉 of Religion are crept into a profession of Gods Truth 〈◊〉 â—hrough deceit have under the like profession entered 〈◊〉 selves as Christians among the People of God but he that caused the Net to be cast into the Sea which brought forth good and bad to the shore the same doth permit the net of profession to gather all sorts of People into the outward name Christian therefore doth Judgment also begin at the House of God which are his people to make a seperation between the precious and the vile not only to purge and cleanse from lusts but also to cut off the stubborn and stiff-necked ones which will not submit to the cross whose Judgment will also reach to the old Age of them that live in disobedience to the Spirit of Truth for Judgment from God hath spread it self to the ends of the Earth and hath begun its work at the house of God If the righteous scarcely are saved where shall the ungodly and sinners appear Judgment is not come to bring peace to any unrighteous person but is gone forth to do the work of God among the People and will both inwardly and outwardly lay waste and destroy all that is not of himself for that which only is of himself shall stand and that which is not of himself shall come to nought and therefore Judgment from God is gone forth to the ends of Earth that all that will be gathered may be preserved and that which will not hear the Spirit of Truth to be obedient thereto the same shall be scattered abroad till Judgment gather it as Fuel for the fire of Gods Wrath which forever burneth against the unrighteousness of wicked and ungodly men and for this very end is judgment at work for God that he may gather a People pure in heart and of uprightness in mind which in all things shall be of one spirit and mind towards him in thought word work therefore let none in this day which make a profession of Gods holy Truth deceive themselves for God will not be mocked such as every man soweth of the same he shall 〈◊〉 reap whether to the flesh or to the Spirit for all that is of the Spirit the spirit giveth evidence in every faithful man and woman that it is of God though the Spirit abideth not in every unrighteous man yet the appearance of it is often to their condemnation and so doth continue 〈◊〉 it hath left striving and the day of Gods Grace be over having sinned out the day of Gods Visitation Let all therefore consider in what state they abide as to God whose promise to the Righteous is That it shall go well with them but it shall go ill with the Wicked Therefore let not these Truths which have been received by the Spirit of Truth find itching Ears among any but as every man turn in his mind to the Spirit of Truth he will witness the truth of these Things â—th 1st Mon. 1694. THO. MAVLE THE END
in learning the holy Scriptures in which they have the Doctrine Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example to follow them even as they have been Followers of Christ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ to crucifie every unruly Affection which doth lust after sin and evil and leads the Mind from serving God into the excess of spending the Creation to perform their hearts Lusts by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord and increase Trouble and Sorrow to the destroying of their Souls which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life for whatsoever People may say in respect that their Tongues are their own anâ— that their Thoughts are free to think what they please and that there is a time to be Merry and to Sing and Dance and Recreate themselves with much more of the like Expressions yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must appear before the Lord of Life to render a just Account of every Thought Intent and Action of all the Deeds done in the Body in which Day it shall go well with the Righteous but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell with him unto whom their Obedience hath been for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts so living and dying God will also forget Mercy towards them for his Regard is only to his own Seed and to Men as they are joyned to it which hath been sown in all sorts of Ground which is in the heart of every Man and Woman for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto for whatsoever ye do whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Praise and Honour of God who gives Life Health and Strength for that end for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay it is for Condemnation which is great matter of weight for People well to consider what will become of their Souls who live in the daily Practice of Words Actions wherein the Lord never savingly appears but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts Intents Words and Actions so of his free Love in Mercy to their Souls the Lord doth manifest to them the evil of their way which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth which have been sent and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrighteous Wayes which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ which is that Cross for them to bear which remains in Opposition to their corrupted Desires then they would become able by the Power of God in Christ to witness his Yoke to be easie and his Burden to be light for what he hath said unto one be hath a so said unto all that is Watch and Pray lest ye eater into Temptation for he that remains faithful in his Watch by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement which by true Prayer in faithfulness to his Watch the Power of God in him doth appear to the resisting of his Souls Enemy and causeth him to slee so that in them in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord for the Knowledge of his Truth in Jesus Christ their Understanding will open more and more towards him by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of great benefit to the Understanding which will also refresh the inward Man so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received as a Seed of the Kingdom through which by Obedience it will grow and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God who requites his own with increase for the Honour of his Same and profit of Peoples Souls that by Obedience to his holy Seed they may remain in Covenant with God and be made Partakers of his Kingdom in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ Further concerning the Man Christ which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.16 Which doth manifest that God sent his only Son born of a Woman to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh for the Redemption of Peoples Souls in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit towards the Salvation of all mens Souls yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name for his Name is called Jesus because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 Luke 1.31 which is according to the Prophet Isaiah cap. 7.14 15. A bruised Reed shall he not breaâ— nor smoking Flax shall he â—ot quench till he send forth Judgment unto Victory and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.15 to v. 21. He came to his own and 〈…〉 received him not but as many as received him to them he gaâ—e Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the will of Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Joh. 1 11 12 13. Which doth manifest that where men only believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ who as he was in the Body of Flesh was God and Man without the believing in the Gift of his Spirit which iâ— the inward Word of Life and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace without which they cannot come to live in that true Faith which justifies the Souls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father in which state of true Obedience the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who in that Body of Flesh was both God and Man according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men and many that believed his Name believed his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness they believed him the Lord of Life as he was God and Man with an invisible Eve which by the Gist of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life whom to know by true Faith is Life Eternal which was made known unto them by the gift of
redeem from sin and will redeem the Souls of them that faithfully believe in his redeeming Power by which they shall be freed from sin in this Life till sin can find no place to lodge in the hearts of them that are saved and this hath been the state of Noah Abraham Job and David with many others of the Lords Servants who did not distrust in the Power of the Almighty but believed in God by which they became Men after Gods own heart and for any to believe that David or any other of the Lords Servants could be Men after Gods own heart and yet could not be free from all sin which is the work of the Devil to me it seems the Anti-christian Faith which is of the Devils begetting to perswade People that Gâ—d is not willing to give Power to them that truely believe in him to perform what he requires of his People that is to keep all his Commandments according as he hath commanded that thereby they may fullfill his Command To be perfect as â—od is perfect and holy as he is holy that is to be free from sin which is to be free from consenting to joyn with the Devils Temptations for Gods Holyness iâ— Perfection extends beyond what Mâ—n in this Life can â—â—â—prehend but they that dye from sin to live in 〈◊〉 aâ—â— made free from sin in this Life otherwise according to Christs own words where he is gone they can never come Then it is sufficient in the Wildom of God to be perfect just and holy according as the Lord requires in this Life and in the Life to come to see him and to be with him in Glory and to be in measure of his Glory even like unto him and as it pleased the holy God in his own Wisdom to let the Enemy by Temptation to prevail against David and Peter with others of his Servants in dayes past by which their Testimonies for Gods holy Truth came to bear the more force by the Power of God through which by true Repentance they came to be renewed to a heavenly Life again by which Fall they tâ—roughly came to see and behold that there was not any 〈◊〉 â—ower save the Power of God that was able to preserve and save from the Power of the Devil for tho' the Wildom of God many times doth suffer the righteous to all yet the cause is imputed unto themselves through the neglect of their Watch against the Temptations of their Souls Enemy but by Repentance through Faitly in God they by his Grace come to be restored again which is sufficient warning that their Watch should never be neglected more so that though the Righteous fall yet by their faithing it doth not in the least measure weaken the Truth of God's Cause in the work of Perfection for they which fall rise again and by Repentance through Faith in Christ by him they are restoâ—ed as his faithful Servants and Children to God again which state of Falling once or twice in the whole time of a Man or Womans Life some make an câ—â—sion or matter for the Devil to work against the Trum of God as doth evidently appear by them that sin daily in Thought Word and Deed against God â—hos Commanitonâ—nts they say no Man in this Life can keep accordingâ— to what God requires of them to do By which they unjustly charge the Lord as did that unfaithful Servant which hid his Lords Talent in the Earth and charged his Lord of being a hard Master â—at 25 2â— c. even so is it with them in this day who do not improve the Gift of God but live in the daily breach of Gods Commandments in which state they plead for sin all the dayes of their Life in which they remain in the Fall which is as much differing from the Life of the Righteous as Heaven diffâ—rs from Hell for the Righteous live not in the Fall for God is their strength and Power he maketh their wayes perfect Psal 18.32 By which it is manifest that if People would but give up in their Minds with this godly Resolution to follow the Dictates and Motions of Gods Gift which is the Light of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ and by measure is bestowed on the Sons and Daughters of men to profit withal that they would come to witness Gods Power by Jesus Christ to be sufficient for their preservation against all the Temptations of their Souls Enemy but while People remain in their Lo here and Lo there running in their Minds from one high Hill to â—he other Barren Mountain where the chiefest of their Food is by a Confession from their Shepherds Mouth That their best Performances are Sin and that they draw in Sin as an Ox draweth in Water which in so doing they do well to acknowledge the Truth of their state which by their continuance therein it doth further enlarge Gods just Judgments against a People which live in sin against the Lord of Life whose gift of Grace they ought to improve to the profit of their Lords Talent which hâ— hath bestowed upon them for the honour of his own Name and everlasting wellfare of their Immortal Souls which must either live by true Faith and Obedience to God or eternally perish through their Disobedience to his heavenly Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit for as they live in sin they continue Servants unto him whom they obey and his Children they are whose Works they do and they that plead for a Body of sin all their dayes they uphold the Devils Kingdom in which state they oppress the Seed of God and quench the gift of the Spirit of God by which they hinder themselves of the heavenly divine incomes of Gods Love which refreshes the Heart and quickens the Spirit of the faithful by which their Souls through Faith in Christ are made alive to God whose people preach pray and sing in his Time to the honour of his holy Name and edification of one another but the Prayers of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord for the Lord doth abhor the Prayers of him that prayeth in his own Time and in his own Will for the Spirit of Prayer leads the faithful to pray in the Lords own due time by which the Sourâ— comes to be refreshed by the effectual working of Gods spiritual Appearance which doth assist the in ward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance which doth assist the inward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance Prayer is of no effect to the Soul of Man who in their own Time go round in their own Wills in their preaching praying and singing even like to a Horse in the Mill and a Door on the Hinges and still remaining where they were yet such men in the like Confession will in the same place of their Worship presume to call the â—uakers Light a
pray for but the Unrighteous pray for the deliverance from sin which living in a state of Unbelief that God will never in this Life wholly free them from Sin which Unbelief stops the current of Life and hinders the Work of God by Christ whose Work by Faith in him is to destroy Sin and put an end to Transgression that is in them which believe in the gift of his Grace by which men are saved for its the Gift of God which comes by Jesus Christ and through Faith in him is Life Everlasting that is to them who through Faith have their whole dependance on him but where men remain in a state of dayly sining against the manifestation of his spirit which all have received to profit with all it keeps them short of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ for the Prayers of the Wicked are sin because they remain in sin which causeth their Prayars to be sin in the sight of God for the Prayers of the wicked are an Abomination before the Lord and the Sacrifice of the wicked are an Abomination to him but the Prayers of the Vpright is his delight Psal 119.7 Prov. 15.2 so it is the Prayers of the Upright in heart which the Lord accepts and delights in for unto them is the promise of God by Christ who renews the Faith of his People by the power of his spirit which begets the inward man into a lively hope of that assurance which by true Faith the soul receives by true Prayer unto the Lord through which Prayer by Grace every Dispensation of Gods gifts come to be sanctified through the Power of his own spirit for every Dispensation is from God and only sanctified to the Righteous which receive of the Lords free benefits and rich Mercies of his Love in the outward Dispensation which through Prayer and Thanks-giveing are sanctified to them which live in Uprightness of heart and mind towards God which the Unrighteous also pretend but it is with unclean Hearts for which cause the Lord will not accept their Prayers for the Lord only dwells with the pure in heart whose minds are wrought into a true and living sence of Gods heavenly riches in Jesus Christ which is the inheritance of his faithfull People which pray unto him by the power of his own spirit which doth condemn the Prayers of all unrighteous men who pray in their own time and in their own wills But some may then query Whether the Unrighteous are not commanded to pray Ans The hearts of the righteous desire the return of the Wicked that they may forsake the evil of their way and serve the Lord in Truth and Righteousness and that the Wicked are to pray which will not discharge any part of their Disobedience to God until they come to forsake their Unrighteous way of sinning against the gift of his Grace and divine Light of his Spirit which remains their Condemnation for sin Joh. 3.19 20 21. By which it is evident that the Prayer of a wicked man availeth not before the Lord that is while he remaineth in the known Life of Sin which he prays against but let the wicked forsake their way and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and unto our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 55 7. So that where men live in known sins against God and in a belief of its being impossible to be free from sin in this Life the Prayer of such doth not proceed from the Spirit of God who hath Commanded his People not to touch taste nor handle with any unclean thing but to follow the leadings of Gods holy Spirit as the Apostles have done for Example and to mark them which walk otherwayes So every man and every woman is to seek God for themselves for he hath promised to be found of them that seek him in uprightness of heart and I do not read that any of the Lords servants in dayes past were ever lead by the spirit of God to pray either privatly among People in unbelief of ever attaining that which ths Apostles prayed for which is that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus then where in remains the profit of any true Beleivers Prayer in publick though in his own family which through their unbelief in the power of God that they shall never be free from sin in this Life by which they are not as yet of the true Houshold of Faith at times and seasons as the spirit of God moves in the heart of every such master of family he doth pray for the return of them and all other People which remain in the same state of Unbelief which until they repent and forsake their prayers will not be accepted of God CHAP. IX Concerning the Lords Supper which People call the Sacrament AS to the word Sacrament I find it not contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth but as to the Lords Supper according to Christs OWN words Luke 22.1.20 when he took Bread and gave Thanks and broke it and gave it to his Disciples saying This is my Body which is given you This do in Remembrance of me likewise also thê up after Supper saying This is the New Testament in my Blood which is shed for you The fore-going words some have Wrested by which they have gathered in their Comprehension some-what of a Meritorious Work which they hold most necessary to Salvation â—rom which grounds they have set up a Form each for themselves according to the Apprehension of the natural Mind being altogêther destitute of experience of the Power of the Blood of Christ the end of whose Death was not to destroy mens Lives and Estaâ—es about his Body and Blood for his Coming was to heal the Sick to bind up the Broken and to make alive but where the Nature of Christ is wanting they are not come to the true saving Knowledge of God by the Body and Blood of Christ through whose Death and Resurrection there is no hope of Salvation to them that by his Blood are not cleansed from all sin in this Life for where sin remains it Rules the Heart and darkens the Understanding by which the Power of God is not received which gives the true knowledge of the Nature of the body and Blood of Jesus Christ which proves their Form dead and they to remain in a dead Form having a zeal for God without his saving Knowledge by Jesus Christ about whose Body and Blood many thousands of Peoples Lives have been destroyed which makes manifest that such are not in the true form of Godliness for neither Christ nor his Apostles have enjoyned any to particular time or place but in remembrance of his Death as is furder manifested by the Apostles saying 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26 27. That Christ took the Cup when he had supped saying This is the New-Testament in my Blood this do ye as often as you drink it in remembrance of me So
that great â—ork of Redemption by the Son of God and Lord of Sabbath is worthily regarded and attended for the Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth having the holy Apostles for Example to follow them as they were Followers of Christ and to mark them which walk otherwayes then sure we are to mark them whose Dress appears more like for Stage-Play than for the true Worship of God on the first Day of the Week for where the heart is there is the Treasures also and out of the heart proceedeth all evil Communications which abundantly appears among People who rather exceed upon the Day of their Worship than at other times when their Minds are exercised in things of Bodily Labour which by their Fruits they are to be judged that they live void of the true fear of God or regard to their Immortal Souls and so are as a People without God in the World who have no true saving Knowledge of God by Jâ—sus Christ they will talk of God and Christ and of the Sabbath without any spiritual sence of his saving Grace by Jesus Christ the Lord of Sabbath who is the everlasting â—abbath of his Peoples Rest where the Righteous cease from their own Works as God did from his Heb. 4.9 10. CHAP. XII Concerning Election and Reprobation agreeing with the Holy Scriptures THis is that which many hold That God from all Eternity hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass and That God hath decreed one part of the Angels with Men Women and their Infants for everlasting Damnation Which Doctrine is mostly held by the Presbyterians as by their Confession of Faith cap. 3. which Doctrine I have often considered in the spirit of Meekness and according to my measure of Gods holy Truth by Jesus Christ do I declare as followeth That to know God by Jesus Christ is Life eternal and for that end was the Son of God made manifest that all might come unto God through Faith in Jesus Christ and through Grace by him be saved for God made Man in his own Image and gave him a being in the Garden of Paradise from which state he soon fell which Fall was through Disobedience by eating of the forbidden â—ruit which hath brought Darkness over the Children of Men which are in a state of Bondage to that Seed of the Enemies sowing in their first Parents which more or less comes by Nature in the Children of Men in whom that Seed lusteth which is a doing of that in Obedience to the Temptations of the Souls Enemy which God hath strictly commanded should not be done And for that end that the Children after Adam should know the Will and Mind of their Maker God in all Ages gave unto the Sons and Daughters of Men a gift of his own Spirit of divine Light by which they might see the right way of the Lord and walk therein which is according to his holy Promise as in Gen. 3.15 And I will put Enmity between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Hâ—el in which two Seeds iâ— chiefly contained Election and Reprobation former Seed should bruise the Head of the Serpent and break his Power that is through perfect bedience to Christ the Seed of the Woman and to his Grace which is that gift of divine â—ight that makes manifest all the hidden things of Darkness so that let the Devil appear in what likeness soâ—ver he will yet as Men and Women stand faithful to the manifestation of Gods gift the Enemy's Power comes to beâ—broken So that the Promise of God in the Seed remains only to the faithful for the Promise of God was not to Seeds as of many but as of One and to thy Seed which is Christ Gal. 3.16 for the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ the Law which was four hundred and thirty Years after cannot disannul that it should make the Promise of none effect for the Law was added because of Transgression till the Seed should come to whom the Promise was made but the Scripture hath concluded all under sin that the Promîse by Faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Gal 3.17 18 19 20. Now all not believing in Christ the true Seed doth not include that God ordained them to perish because the Promise of God in the Seed is tendered in Gods own time and way to all the Children of Men otherwise all that perish would not be left without excuse concerning which the Spirit of God hath left it plain to be understood that the Seed of the Kingdom hath been sown in all sorts of Ground and the Reason is rendered by the Spirit of God why it did not bring forth fruit in all sorts of Ground which is because Obedience hath not been yeilded to the Command of God for if God had absolutely decreed mens Damnation his Decree being unrevokable there would be no need for men to strive for Salvation for who could resist such an absolute Decree But blessed be the Name of God and Father of Jesus Christ whose faithful People well know that he is a just God which hath not ordained the Souls of any to perish before they were born but for their Sins and final Impenitence through Disobedience to the â—ift of his Grace which is of the Seed of the Kingdom and hath been sown throughout all Ages in all sorts of ground of what Nature soever and hath been the same in this day among all the Children of Men and if any perish it is of themselves for Light is come into the World and mans Condemnation is of himself because he loves Darkness rather than Light Joh. 3.1 the Reason is because he hates the Light which repreves his evil Deeds in which stare the Seed is appressed and kept as in Bondage by which it can take no roâ—t in the hard rebellious heart and barren sandy ground where Rocks Thornes and Thistles grow and Serpents have their abiding place which destroy and cause the Life of the Seed to depart which iâ— the state of disobedient and rebellious men whose Damnation neither slumbereth nor sleepeth but is of themselves by which they cannot charge the just and holy One of ordaining them to perish By which it is manifest that mans Dimnation is of himself and thaâ— is by yeilding his mind to serve in Unrighteousness when occasions sin that destroys the soul â—y which at appears that they unjustly charge â—od of decreeing men â—o perish which for the begetting of a further belief of unfound Doctrine they have wrested the Apostles words Rom. 9.11 12 13 where is is said The Children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of Works but of him that calleth it was said unto her the elder shall serve the younger as it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated Also in another place where
the Gift of his Grace they may not fall short of the true Hope which is by Jesus Christ who will not with-hold from any man of his Grace whom he finds in the well doing for he that doth well shall be accepted but he that doth not well sin â—veth at the door and unto him shall be his desire and he shall rule over him which proves sin is the cause of mans perishing for the spirit of 〈…〉 and whosoever wîll let him come and tane the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 7. So that for my part ac 〈…〉 that small measure of Light which God hath 〈…〉 Concerning the knowledge of his Truth as it 〈◊〉 he Son of his Love the Lord Jesus thorough Faith 〈◊〉 do I believe with many thousands oâ— the Lords â—â—â—thfull People that God who in his indâ—ite Wisdom knows all things long before the â—oâ—ld began and whatever comes to pass that it is by his Power of commission or permission but thaâ— he hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever cames to pass seems to me a charging of God with all the unrighteous Actions and wicked Wâ—â—ks that ever unrighteous and wicked men have done or ever shall do for time to come and to hold that God from all eternâ—â—ty hath ordained men women and their infants for everlasting perdition without respect to their final impeaitency is that which they can never prove by or from any things that is left on holy Record by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures of Truth for he that fears God and works his righteousness through Faith in Christ the same shall be accepted as a faithfull Child of God and true Servant of Jesus Christ whom the Father hath made manifest by the gift of his divine Light which through Obedience thereunto no man need walk in Darkness but have the Light of Life which gives the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting CHAP. XIII Concerning the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation through Faith in Christ to the Souls of them that by him are saved THe Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. vers 17. Now the Love of God is largely manifested through the gift of his Grace which came by Jesus Christ before whom no mans works shall stand which are not sanctified by Grace neither can any mans works be sanctified by Grace further then he comes into Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which is that gift of divine Light which God hath bestowed to the Children of men thorough the Death Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life in whom the fullness of Grace remaineth and it is by the Grace of Gods Power in and thorough him which sanctifieth the soul of every true Believer in him by whom thâ—i saith is imputed to them for Righteousness by which they are justified before God in the sight of Jesus Christ whose Kingdom hath been prepared before the Foundation of the World for the righteous to enter for their works have been in obedience to the gift of Gods Grace for as there is but one God and one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit so there iâ— but one saving Grace in the Ground Seed and Root or Being and Nature for the race of God is one and manifold according as we read in the holy Scriptures of the manifold Grace of God and manifold Wisdom of God even as the Spirit of God is one but diversity of Gifts and there are Diversities of Operations but one God and diversity of Administrations but one Lord and the Scriptures do declare of the Spirit of Fear and Bondage and of Adoption also the Sâ—â—â—â—ture distinguisheth between the Servants and Sons in the Hâ—â—se of God â—or every son is a servant of God but every Servant is not a son born of the Free Woman And of this mystery Ishmael and Isaac were Figures men may be Servants and Sons by the Bond Woman by obedience â—o the first Ministration of the Spirit or Light within as it teacheth common Duties Piety Temperance Justice without revealing the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again or working the Faith of it but none are the Sons of God by the Free Woman or Children of the New Covenant but they who have the Mystery of Christ crucified and raised again Outwardly revealed in them and have a living Faith in it by which they witness a conformity to Christ in his Life Death and Resurection and by that Power that raised him from the dead The sufficiency of Gods Grace within is not to be understood in opposition either to the Faith of Christ as he was outwardly Crucified for us and rose again and is a scended into Heaven there making Intercession for us nor in opposition to the great benefit and help of the holy Scriptures or sincere preaching of faithfull men or any other help but in unity with all these and it ought to be acknowledged that though God hath not left the Heathens where Christ is not outwardly Preached altogether destiture but hath given them a dispensation of Light that is real and divine and is of great service to them who improve it to prepare and call them to receive the Faith of Christ when Preached to them yet faithful Christians are under another Dispensation of Light and Grace as far exceeding that of the meer Heathens however honest or conscientious as Gold excelleth Brass or the Light of the Sun excelleth that of the Moon but both proceeding from one God one Christ and one spirit and the sufficiency of Grace that any man doth receive or that any man hath is only with respect to the present time and state but not for all times to come for the best of Saints are to depend and Pray to God to receive more and more Grace from him who is the God of all Grace and Father of Mercies and Father of Lights which lighteth his Sons and Daughters by the gift of his Grace and good Spirit of Life which giveth unto them the Light of Life to walk in the straight and even way which he hath layd out by the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who is one with God the Father in all his holy Works of Grace Life and Light by which he is Working among the Sons and Daughters of men among whom is also the spirit of Iniquity working in and thorough the many Teachers which would make the Grace of God to be 〈◊〉 and differing in kind of being and nature when it is evident that though the 〈◊〉 diversities of gifts yet they all proceed from the one Spirit of the one God and one Lord Jesus Christ whose Grace is but one which restrains and saves from sin for he is the only begotten of the Fâ—â—â—hâ— full of Grace and Tâ—uth and of his fulness every true Believer in him receives 〈…〉 for Grace John 1.14 16. and by his Grace they received Apostleship for Obedience to the
their People to live in a Life of these things which are so contrary to the holy Scriptures and the Spirit of God by which they have been given forth doth manifest that such People are only Christians in the outward Name but not in the inward Liâ—e and Nature of what God requires that every true Christian should be CHAP. XIX Concerning Prophecying Womens speaking in the Church PRophecying signifies Preaching which is declaring the Word of God as they receive his Will and Mind by his Spirit of Grace in and through the gift of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ whose gift of good spirit of Grace is by measure in the Male and in the â—emale alike who are made partakers of his blessed Truth and in this day called of God by Jesus Christ to declare his Truth as the holy Men and Women were in days past for he hath promised To pour out of his Spirit upon all flesh and among the faithful their old Men dream Dreams and their Young Men see Visiâ—ns and their Sons and Daughters Prophecy But many have wrested the Apostles words 1 Cor. 14 35 Lâ—t our Womâ—â— keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted them to speak but are commanded to be under Obedience and if they will leaâ—â— any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shamâ— for a Woman to speak in the Church Now the Apostle words do not include all speaking by Women in the Church which if they did it would then follow that every true believing Woman is debarred from improving the gift of Gods holy Spirit among his People which are the Church of Christ for by measure is the gift of God by Jesus Christ to the Man and Woman alike wherefore they may pray and prophecy in the Church of Christ for all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.31 So that here is no tye nor bar from believing Womens speaking in the Church of Christ but deparred by them which are not the true Church for every Woman that praveth prophecyeth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head 1 Cor. 11.15 By which it is evident that their Women did in that day speak in the Church for it s of no Edification for any Woman to prophecy alone by her self but where two or three are gathered together in the Name of the Lord there will his Spirit be in the midst oâ— them which proves that where two or three Male or Female are met together in the Lords Name that there is his Church and whether Male or Female if called of him they are to speak which is not that speaking which Women in the Church are not permitted to do For whereas they are not permitted to speak in the Church it is to be understood relating to the Government of the Church in which they are to keep silence and be under Obedience as also in the Law for the outward Government of the Church God hath committed unto men of which if the Women will learn they are to ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church relating to the Government thereof for in so 〈◊〉 she comes to usurp in Government over the man 1 Tâ—o 2.12 for Christ is the Head of his Church and the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God 1 Cor. 11.3 And as to such Women whose Husbands are Unbelievers or that have no husband a believing Brother hath liberty to inform them in things relating to the Government of the Church in which the Women Prophets in days past did not rule in the Government of the Church as may be read of Miriam and Deborah who were Prophetesses in their day Exod. 15 20. Judg. 4.4 and Haldah the Prophetess which prophesied of the evil to come upon Jerusalem 2 Chron. 34.22.23 And we read of Anah that prophesied concerning Redemption for it is said she coming in that instant gave Thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem which all that looked for Redemption did include the whole Church of Christ in Jerusalem and at that instant of her coming in and giving Thanks likewise was when the Church was gathered together and Christ himself at that time in the midst of his Church in which at that time Anah the Woman Prophetess did speak Luke 2.27 to v. 0. And Phillip had four Daughters which did prophesie Acts 21.8 9. And the Lord hath promised That he will pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh and their Sons and Daughters shall prophecy and their old Men shall dream Dreams and their Young Men shall sâ—e Visions and upon the Servants and Hand-maids will the Lord pour out his Spirit Act. 2 17 18. Joel 2.28 29. By which it appears that prophecying is not altogether ceased among the People of God whose promise doth continue among the faithful whom he hath called both Male and Female to preach the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ and by his good spirit of Life Light and Grace are they lead to preach in order as becometh the Gospel so to do that the Prophets may speak two or three and the others to judge and if any thing be ravealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his pâ—ace that all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and be comforted for the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints but if any he ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor. 14 to v. 38. But all covet to prophesie and forbid not to speak with Tongues vers 39. Now among such Professors where these things are not in practise according to the Record of the holy Scriptures which are for Peoples learning that by the Spirit of God they may follow Christ as the Apostles have done for Example and to mark them which walk other ways then whom is it that true Believers should mark but them who pretend to be Gospel Ministers and with their Hearers are not in the holy Practice of the faithful in days past whom they are commanded to follow as they have followed Christ which until such time as they reform in obedience to Gods holy Truth and are found to worship him in the Spirit in the Truth they are to be marked by all true Believers in Christ Jesus To have a form of Godliness but deny the Power who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth CHAP. XX. Concerning Powers ALL Power is of God either by commission or permission Let every Soul be subject to the higher Power for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13.1 The Apostles words are very weighty for all to Consider and not
own hearts 2 Tim. 4.8 which is that true beâ—eving on Christ by which the faithfull receive Life everlasting John 6.7 for he that loveth any thing more thâ—n the appearance of Gods Gift of divine Light of Life by Jâ—ins Christ he is not in the true Love of God to receive Christ for he that will not come into obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit in his own heart he is free through Disobedience from the Love of God by Jesus Christ for it is the Willing and Obedient that are made partakers of Gods heavenly Riches by the Son of his Love and Lord of Life whose Life remains hid to them that are not willing in true love to forsake the love of all Visibles and visible Delights for his sake but they who in obedience to him are willing to forsake the love of Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Fathers or Mothers or Wife or Children or Lands for the Name of Christ they shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherâ—â— everlasting Life Mat. 19.29 Luke 8.29 30. So that Life and Salvation is of no other way then by that love which is free for God to serve him in what he hath commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ who requires no less love from his People then to serve him in true love of Uprightness in heart and mind for he that was to come is come to redeem his People from spiritual Bondage and they are to serve no other lovers but the Truth of God made manifest by the Son of Gods love the Lord Jesus Christ whose Commands they are to keep all the dayes of their appointed time and not to love any thing more then to serve the Lord with a perfect heart and willing mind out of which state the Soul is free from that benefit which the faithfull receive through the love of God by Jesus Christ for no man can remain in love to serve two Masters he will either hate the one love the other or despise the one and hold with the other for no man can serve God and mammon Mat. 6.2 Luke 16.13 but many are they that profess love to God in words but their love is far from him in works for he that saith his love is to God and doth not keep the Commandments of God the same is a Lyer and the love of God abideth not in him for whosoever keepeth his word in him is the Love of God perfected and he is known by his walking even as he walked Joh. 2.1 â— 3 4 5 6. for Christ is the Righteousness of Gods Love to his People and every one that doth Righteousness is born of him 1 Ioh. 2 2â— then People who are in a profession of Gods Truth and of loving one another and their Neighbours as themselves which except such Professors are come to witness the saving Love of God and of his redeeming Power through Faith and Obedience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit their Profession is for Condemnation because it remains dead as to the Love of God by Jesus Christ in which state it is not he that saith Lord Lord that shall enter but he that doth the will of God in love of obedience to what he hath required which is to serve him and keep his Commandments for in that day many shall say they have done wonderfull Works in his Name but having not done the will of God in perfect Love of Obedience to keep his Commandments they shall not be found worthy to enter the Lords Rest Mat. 7. to 23. Luke 13.27 So that Gods Love is not for the rest of mans Soul which remains only in the outward Profession of his Truth unto such the Lord will say Depart from me ye that work Iniquity I know you not so that the Love of God by Jesus Christ doth not reach to save the soul of any man only and barely by an outward Profession of his Truth but if any man love him and keep his Word the same is accepted of God Iohn 14. for the Promise of Gods Love is only to them that fear him and work Righteousness they shall receive Life everlasting for where the heart is there the Treasure is also if in the Love of Visibles then free from the love of God for all that is of the World the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life all which is not of God but altogeather of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth forever 1 Iohn 16.17 then as the World and Vanities thereof shall perish the Souls of them whose minds remain in the things of this World they shall perish also therefore let none be deceived for God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that also shall he reap for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption but be that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting Gal. 6.7.8 which is sufficient encouragement for all to be faithfull in love to God by which they will come more and more to witness of his divine Love to the spiritual strength of their inward man through which every true Believer in him comes to witness their holy Life in all manner of good Conversation in which state the love of God in and through the Lord of Life leadeth in true love to do good unto all men especially to them of the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6. â— 10. who arê bound in true love to God that they do not dare to love that which God haâ—tâ— neither to hate that which God loves neither indeed can they because the Love of God is to his own begetting and they that are begot of him through Faith and Obedience in Christ they can neither love nor hate but as â—â—od loveth or hateth that which is for him or against him so that the Life of every true believer in Christ is of the nature of Christ and is led by his spirit to love that which Christ loveth and to hate that which he hateth in which Life of true love to God by his good Spirit of Grace are the faithful led to perform his will in all things of Love and Charity to the honour of his Name and the everlasting well-beeing of their own Immortal Souls so that good Works are in a band of true Love and Charity which man in his own Will and Time cannot perform according to what the Lord requires for the Lords Thoughts are not as mans Thoughts neither is the Lords Time as mans time whose Love is as unstable as the Mind which mâ—ves here and there having no constant abiding place even so is the Love and charity of unstable men which for want of true Love to God and obedience to his command they have no a biding in his Truth but love and hate even as the natural will stands affected one towards the other in which state