his righteousnesse free justification without workes but they are ignorant of if not enemies unto the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit Although I question not but that many who are yet come no further may be precious and enjoy true comfort according to that measure received yet these two things are considerable First That many are likely to perish after come forth of Egypt in the wildernesse before they come into this land of Canaan this land of rest Secondly That those who truly know Christ without them to be their righteousnesse doe or shal likewise know Christ within them although at present through ignorance they deny it although its that which is or shal be their greatest glory but I say for a man onely to know Christ without him glorying in this without any experience of the life of Christ in him in being made conformable unto him this is a fleshly and deceivable law of righteousnesse Fifthly Others seeme as they say to come higher then al the rest into a way of righteousnesse although lowest of al for they looke not after morality nor legality nor Christ nor this righteous law in the spirit which is the substance and perfection of al but they have found a new law of righteousnesse or rather of unrighteousnesse that is the law of the flesh doe what they wil its al good justifiable righteous but to such I say Be not deceived God is not mocked For what you sowe you are like to reape For God is not as man that he should lie or as the son of man that he should repent Let God be righteous let God be true and all false and fleshly perswasions be a lye 2. The external unrighteousnesse of this deceivable law in the flesh may be considered either 1. Doing or acting things contrary to the true rule of righteousnesse thus either First In acting that so they may appeare unto men to be righteous like unto hypocrites and this satisfies if there can be such a visible walking as may silence men though hypocrisy deceit and unrighteousnesse lie hid and lurking within these are the whited Tombes Christ speakes of which appear beautiful before men when within they are full of dead mens bones Secondly Or else when men take liberty to appear outward to men as they list ful of al unrighteousnesse and yet thinke to be innocent righteous and cleare before God justifying themselves that they have good hearts and the like these are they the Lord reproves by the Prophet Will you steal murder commit adultery and sweare falsly and yet come and stand before God in his house thinking to be delivered saying They shall have peace though they walke after the stubbornesse of their own hearts c. Thirdly Others not onely making gaine to be their godlinesse but gaine to be their rule of righteousnesse to others and hence it comes to pass oft-times that they have a law of liberty within them to lie and cosen for advantage not knowing that righteous rule To doe as they would be done unto and this gain self-advantage is the great rule by which most in the world walk I wish I had not cause to say that its the rule of many who would be accounted more then ordinary Christians which occasions in the fourth place much oppression and fraudulency now there is a liberty to defraud oppress to doe any thing for advantage this is the unrighteousnes of this law in the flesh Chap. VII The law of true holinesse THis law in the spirit is likewise a law of holines and purity in whom it is this law of the Lord is pure purifying and purging soules God is a holy God and he works the spirits of his people into his own likenes hence it is the Apostle 2 Cor. 3. 18. saith That all we with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of God are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit and glory of the Lord is a transforming Spirit and glory it never leaves those in whom its manifest until it change them into the very image and glory of the Father This law of holinesse as it works holinesse in the spirits of Saints may be considered under two heads likewise either more internall or more externall 1. More internally as it changes and reneweth the minde for this spirit begins to worke holinesse first within it reneweth the spirit of the minde it takes possession of the heart it doth not only say My sonne give me thy heart but it takes the heart and moulds it and forms it according to its own good pleasure it doth not onely say Be ye holy but it works holiness and saith likewise Thou shalt be holy hence it is called The holy the sanctifying Spirit not only in respect of its own purity but as it workes purity in the spirits of Saints Thus holinesse becomes the house of the Lord for ever every beleever every Saint is Gods house his temple his habitation in them hee dwels and that by way of union and spiritual communion and therefore holines becomes this house this habitation for ever Qu. What is holinesse Answ Holines in spirit it is when the inner man by the power and operation of the spirit is changed and renewed by which means the old man flesh is put off with his deeds and the new man is put on it is an inward change from flesh to spirit being made partaker of the divine nature of the nature of the holy God hence it comes to pass that the minde being thus renewed so earnestly presses after more perfection in this sanctity now the soul sees clearly what was the Fathers everlasting purpose concerning him to gather him up into the same perfection of purity and holiness with himselfe this indeed being the Saints perfection the Saints glory the putting off of al flesh the filth of the old man and to be cloathed in this holiness of the new And he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as Christ is pure that soul hath no patern or perfection short of him who is their elder brother who is entered into the Sanctum Sanctorum the holy of holies the most holy place perfection it self and a way being opened for Saints to follow him Hence it is they with so much earnestness presse after not as if they had already attained or were already perfect but they press forward if by any meanes they might attain the resurrection from the dead that is a full deliverance from this body of death into the compleat and perfect glory and purity of the Father Thus this law in the spirit is a law of holiness of sanctification it doth not leave men carnal and fleshly and filthy no no the will of God is your sanctification and this he works where he manifests himself he truly effects in the mindes of his people which is his house what he did in the temple at Jerusalem he
with him in glory and you never enjoy the end of your faith until you come into the perfection of this glorious salvation Chap. XII The law in the spirit a law of peace THere is a false and fleshly joy and glory likewise which arises from the law in the flesh and that either 1. When creatures glory in sin and prophanenesse and ungodlinesse such a glorying is not good it will prove their shame Or 2. When men glory in the world in their profits pleasures and honours this glorying likewise is after the flesh Or else 3. When men glory in external priviledges as they call them although they are indeed but delusions as ordinances formes performances c. This likewise is but a fleshly glorying and that which Christ fore-told Mat. 7. 22. Luk. 13. 26 27. and the Apostle rejected Phil. 3. Or else 4. When men are gotten into such a notion as that now al is good every worke of the flesh and deed of darkenesse is now justifiable and they glory in it why al these are but fleshly gloryings And to such I say Glory not lie not against the truth for a day is coming when al flesh shal vale it selfe unto this excellent glory and al other glories shal perish as grasse as dung upon the earth and if mercy prevent not al these gloryings wil prove your shame Because you have rejoyced in lying vanities you have made lies your refuge and covered your selves under falshood And to you I say who have tasted how gracious how pure how glorious the Lord is Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome nor the rich man in his riches nor the strong man in his strength but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knows the Lord and his interest in him That the Lord is his portion his relation to him that he is his son his delight that he is heir with Christ to the same inheritance to the same glory and this is a glory wil out glory al fleshly gloryings in which men of the earth are taken up withal Or else 5. when this man of sin gets higher in filling the fancy with high apprehensions and glorious imaginations and seeming revelations to amazement in the creatures apprehension that it thinks certainly its the glorious God but the trial is it ends al in flesh fils the soule with pride and selfe-exaltations and is but like unto new wine put into old bottles that burst them al to peeces and by this meanes the evil one takes an advantage to blow them up root and branch and so to put an end to that which seemed to be in them whereas the discoveries of the spiritual law makes soules in whom it is the more humble the more spiritual the more conformable to it selfe and the more this glorious law appeares the more it changes the soule into its owne glory the more is flesh and fleshly exaltations subdued Chap. XIII It is likewise a Law of peace I Shal adde two or three particulars further in the discovery of this Covenant in the spirit And First It s a Covenant a Law of peace It s not onely a law of grace and love but it s likewise a law of peace hence it s called in Scripture a Covenant of peace Ezek. 37. 26. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them and it shall be an everlasting covenant c. This everlasting Covenant of grace is a Covenant of peace in the spirits of Saints he is our peace who hath broken down that middle wall of partition between us c. Ephes 2. 14. This Covenant of peace may be considered either 1. As it workes the soule into a peace and unity with the Father that now the soul who was once afarre off is made neare through the bloud of this Covenant and so being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdome of God within the Saints is a kingdome of righteousnesse peace and joy This is that the Apostle so often mindes in his Epistles Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ This is that peace of God which passeth al understanding of nature and flesh this is that peace which produceth joy which is unspeakable and full of glory Now the soule being in a Covenant of peace can goe boldly to the throne of grace there to have communion and fellowship with the God and Father of peace being made through grace a son of peace 2. This law of peace works the soul into a peace with all creatures possesseth it with a disposition of peace and love He is now at emnity with none ready to doe good to all to pray for enemies and those who oppose themselves being possest with that law in the spirit which is pure peaceable gentle easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruites James 3. 17 18. without partiality without hypocrisie and the fruit of righteousnesse is sowne in peace in them who love peace This disposition is planted in them as much as in them lieth to live peaceable with al men Thus are Saints not onely a people of grace but a people of peace the fruit of righteousnes being sown in peace in them they recompence not evil for evil but overcom evil with goodnes 3. This law of peace affords peace and quietnesse to the soul in al conditions under al trials and temptations when others hearts shal fail them for fear and for looking after those things which shal come upon the face of the earth They shall lift up their heads with joy being possest with peace knowing that their redemption and deliverance draweth near Thus are Saints quieted in their spirits through this spirit of peace Isa 32. 17 18 19. And the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and the effect of righteousnesse shall be quietnesse and assurance for ever And my people shall dwell in peaceable habitations and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places When it shall hail coming downe upon the forest and the City shall be low in a low place Here is a glorious Covenant of peace and quiet and this shall be effected when the spirit is poured forth vers 15. which wil produce such sweetnesse quiet and peace in Christians and that when the City is low in a low place and hail comes down upon the forest that is earthy creatures and hypocrites shall be filled with trouble perplexity and amazement then shal Saints live in rest and quiet peace shal come they shall rest secure nothing shall make them afraid Blessed are they which sow beside al waters in this water of life whose effect will be in such a soule quietnesse and peace for ever Chap. XIV Of the Law of Love 2. THis law in the spirit as its a law of peace so it s likewise a law of love it s the royal law of love love being the great command the ancient command commanded not onely in the letter
but in the spirit likewise where this law is in power this is manifest first to God God being love drawes love from soules its true hee workes it first in them and then being possest with love they cannot but love We love God because he loved us first and this love being shed abroad in the heart by this spirit wee love him wee love him most we love him best he hath the heart the soul and it s married to him all other lovers being rejected in comparison of him 2. This spirit of love and grace produceth love to the Saints in whom the image of God holines and true righteousnes appears take this as an undoubted truth That where the love of God is shed abroad by the spirit there will be a sweet harmony in those soules a sweet agreement Love as brethren being al sonnes related to one Father al possest with one spirit which it a spirit of unity al heirs to one inheritance to one Crowne to one Kingdome al made partaker of the same divine nature which is love there is no one thing wherein the visibility of a Saint more appeares then in love for love is of God and every one who loveth is born of God and knoweth God hee that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 1 Joh. 4. 7 8. and he that loveth not his brother neither knoweth nor loveth God 3. This spirit of love produceth love in Saints to al it makes those in whom it is like unto their Father who is good unto al and his tender mercy is over al his workes as much as in them lieth they doe good to al especially to those who are of the houshold of faith In a word this spirit takes away that selfish disposition of nature in seeking it self and causeth the soule in whom it is not to seeke alone its owne but others good it workes out that peevish perverse and envious disposition and fils the soul with the spirit of love and that not feigned in shew but in deed and in truth ready with a real minde at al times to doe good to any man to any creature that is capable of receiving good Thus my deare Friends as God is love so those who dwel in God dwel in love and it s from the flesh and not from the spirit that those divisions backbitings and reproachings flow who cal themselves by the name of Christians This I must tel you that where the soul is possest with love and grace from the Father it produceth love and grace sutable to such an injoyment for grace and love in God being shed abroad in us works grace and love in us love to God to Saints to al men and hee that hath not this grace this love in him how dwelleth the love of God in him Chap. XV. It s a Law of Edification 3. THis law in the spirit it s likewise a law of edification it answers that exhortation of the Apostle Let all things be done to edification It is this law of grace which seasons the soul with grace the words and communications with salt that it may minister grace to the hearers have salt in your selves and have peace one with another In a word it delivers soules from earthlinesse vanity and folly from carnal and unprofitable discourses and that word of Christ is made good in them John 7. 38. He that beleeveth in me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters And this hee spake of the spirit that he would give and this spirit that he would give and this spirit giveth several gifts worketh several operations but it s given to every one to profit withall How might this discover then first the fleshlinesse of those who pretend to be Christians and yet manifest nothing but flesh vanity and unprofitablenesse in their discourses and communicatitions full of earth and flesh but empty of heavenlinesse and spirit 2. This discovers the fleshlinesse of those pretending such Christianity yet delight in vanity I had almost said slight if not scorne any spiritual or heavenly communication which tends to edification and indeed this law of love and edification is much wanting And therfore my exhortation to al you who have tasted how gracious the Lord is to waite upon him for a more ful pouring forth of this spirit of peace love and edification that so you may declare your selves to be a people of peace and love that you may become a blessing a comfort each to other that the peace and love of God shining in you and through you may so conform you to it self and so gather you up into its owne nature that you may shine forth as a people possest indeed with love that is may be made knowne to al men that you are indeed the children of a heavenly Father not of this world being born from above not of mortal but of immortal seed which shal endure for ever so shal you be to the praise of the glory of his grace who hath called you to an immortall crowne an eternal kingdome and glory which never shall have an end FINIS Errata PAg. 9. lin 1. for in righteous reade inlightens p. 16. l. 15. for eyes r. dies
A Second generall Epistle TO ALL THE SAINTS Wherein is unfolded the Covenant of grace as its a Law in the spirit of light liberty righteousnesse holinesse power and glory As likewise as it is a Law of peace love and edification Published for the good of those who love peace and holinesse Written by T. Collier LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West end of Pauls neare Ludgate M. DC XLIX A Preface to the ensuing Epistle Deare Christian THE occasion of my presenting this Epistle to your consideration at present was principally a sensiblenesse of the great miscarriages that I see daily not onely amongst the carnall and prophane ones of the world but many amongst those who have seemingly been purged from their former filthinesse yet seeme to be returning if not returned with the dogge to his vomit and the sow that was washed to their wallowing again in the mire This being a temptation that befals not onely a Judas a Demas but sometimes meets with Christ himselfe with true Christians it being covered over with a pretence of holinesse I could not at present be altogether silent concerning this thing not that my writing can in any case prevent your miscarriages it s the anointing in you that must and will teach you all things but if the same anointing speaking in and through me speak in and to you it may be through the power of the same anointing speaking in both establish and confirme us both in the same truth The subject I have treated on and at present commend to your consideration is the Covenant of grace that law in the spirit which God promised in the Prophets and now makes good in the Saints because the knowledge of this in power is that will keepe Saints upright with God prevent them running into those extravagancies and unheard of opinions and practices which men pretending godlinesse runne into now adaies there is no law but this law that I know can deliver souls from this danger for prevention of mistakes or mis-censuring I desire you to observe these ensuing rules 1. Without partiality or a heart biassed to any side dealing faithfully with your owne soules looke to God see if he speakes not the same truth in you 2. When I mention so often the law in the spirit I minde by it onely the Covenant of grace Jesus Christ who is all for and in the spirituall Christian 3. The reason why I so oft mind the falshood and delusions of natural carnal ones as well as of those who are or would be accounted more then ordinary Christians is because I intend the generall good my soule earnestly longing not only after a stedfastnesse and unmoveablenesse in those who are already come in but likewise earnestly longing after the coming in of more to the knowledge of this Covenant which is a soul-converting establishing and glorifying Covenant Qu. In what respect may Christ be said to be the Covenant Answ Christ is the Covenant of grace as he was given forth by the Father therein to demonstrate and declare grace The Father to make forth that fulnesse of grace that was and is in himselfe for sinners gives forth his Sonne as the Covenant There is my Sonne my only beloved take him for a Covenant that your soules may be satisfied in the knowledge of my grace Isa 42. 6. I will give the for a Covenant to the people for a light to the Gentiles He is called the minister or messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. Because the Father by him and through him declares this grace unto the sonnes of men and communicates his to whom he pleaseth 2. As the Father thus gives forth Christ a Covenant in whom he declares grace doing all in him for us without us so he comes into soules by the same spirit that he was in Christ so that Christ comes not onely as a Covenant to us but in us and the same law of spirit and life takes possession of us and this is the law written in the heart which will occasion soules in whom it is never to depart from God Qu. Why is this Covenant called a new Covenant is it not the same that was in the Old Testament Answ 1. It s true those that were saved were saved in and by the same Covenant Yet 2. This Covenant to speake in the language of Scripture was not then made but the Covenant then made verbally in word was another Covenant and that of workes which was broken Now because this seemes to be a doubt and scruple I shall give you severall cleare demonstrations for the confirmation of it First The Scripture cals it Two Covenants an old and a new I will make a new Covenant not such a Covenant as I made with your Fathers c. Jer. 31. Object But some will say that it s called an old and a new but therein to declare the clearnesse of grace under the Gospell yet the same Covenant as there is the old and new Moone when all is but one and the same Answ 1. It is not called a new Covenant in respect of the clearnesse but in respect of the nature of it it s not the same I will make a Covenant but not such a Covenant as I made with your Fathers The difference of the nature of these Covenants will appear if we consider 1. That was a Covenant written and engraven in Tables of stone this is a Covenant written and engraven in the heart 2. That was a Covenant that could not give life nor cause to walke because of its weaknesse Heb. 7. 18. But this Covenant is a Covenant of life 3. That was a Covenant that directly tended to bondage Gal. 4. 23 24. But this unto grace and spirituall liberty 4. That Covenant was but a type a shadow this the substance therefore not the same no more then the Jewish Ordinances who were all typicall and shadowes was the substance or thing shadowed no more the same then those creatures sacrificed was Christ no more then the bloud of the Paschall Lamb sprinkled on the door posts was the bloud of Christ or the land of Canaan the spirituall rest of Christians but all was typicall and the substance was shadowed forth in those types and Saints found grace couched under this old Covenant The mistake of this occasions much miscarriage amongst many looking upon the Covenant to be the same now as formerly wil have a Covenant without now as then and hence set up fleshly Ordinances of their owne invention sutable to such a Covenant by which thousands are deluded whereas the truth is that then there was a Covenant in the flesh which gendred to bondage which onely those in the spirit were delivered from by the mystery couched under that Covenant which none after the flesh could see into but we are onely under this Covenant in the spirit which is a Covenant of liberty a Covenant of grace and much glory and none
are owned in this Covenant but those who are in it that is those in whose hearts it is written It s true men may be in the profession of this Covenant who are not in it nor never knew it but they ought not to be there and there shall not a man passe for currant that hath not on this wedding garment with Friend how camest thou in hither take him and binde him hand and foot cast him into utter darknesse c. Thus this Covenant being rightly knowne we shall be able to see and say that its a Covenant of grace indeed a Covenant of peace and love indeed in which our souls shall be abundantly refreshed and powerfully upheld in and under all temptations and conditions 5. That was a Covenant that might be broken that was broken Jer. 31. this a Covenant that shall never be broken it s an everlasting Covenant possessing soules with everlasting grace and love everlasting joy and praises Isa 35. last This Covenant in the spirit is the everlasting never-erring light and rule of Saints experienced it is that anointing which teacheth all things and so I commend it to you THE CONTENTS 1. OF the light of the Law in the spirit 2. Of nine false lights flowing from the Law in the flesh 3. Of the liberty of the Law in the spirit 4. Of false Liberty 5. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit 6. Of the unrighteous Law 7. Of the Law of true holinesse 8. Of false or fleshly holinesse 9. Of the power of the Law in the spirit 10. Of the power of this Law in the flesh 11. Of the glory of this Law in the spirit 12. Of the Law in the spirit a Law of peace 13. As it is likewise a Law of peace 14. Of the Law of Love 15. It s a Law of Edification A Second GENERALL EPISTLE To all the Saints Chap. I. Shewing the Light of the Law in the Spirit GOD is light and in him there is no darknesse at all All though its true God is with his People under dark dispensations upholding them in it though many times they are ignorant of it and although it 's true soules once gathered up by the power of light into its own fulnesse where it beholds the purity sweetnesse and glory of the invisible God being in some measure through that fight made conformable unto him and partaker of that selfe same glory the discovery of true light in Saints being the right way of true enjoyment Now Saints when they have not only drunk of the bitter cup with Christ viz. The cup of sufferings and so have been made conformable to him in his death but likewise have drunk new wine with him in his Fathers Kingdome even that wine of the Spirit which makes glad the heart of the City of God hence the soul being thus imbrac'd into the bosome of love and at present come in the Kingdome of his dear Son concludes with the Prophet Thou hast made my mountain so strong I shall never be moved but immediatly the Father withholding those manifestations and sweet imbracements in the bosome of Love the soule is troubled Thou didst but hide thy face and I was troubled This was Pauls condition who was caught up into the third heaven saw and heard things unutterable yet the Father lets him down again under a cloud of flesh which seems at present to eclipse and darken his former glory which was his trouble and his burthen desiring to be rid of it but he was answered My grace is sufficient for thee my strength shall be perfected in thy weaknesse this being the experienced condition of many a precious soul who although they are sometimes taken up into the third heavens and so have a tast given them of the heavenly glory yet they are let down again under a cloud of flesh living upon grace looking after and hasting unto the glorious appearing of the great God knowing That when Christ who is our life shall appear wee shall appear with him in Glory that as wee suffer with him wee shall raign with him Now there being false Light which is indeed darknes it felfe in the world and a mystery of iniquity under the pretence of truth by which many are deceived I shall therefore in this insuing Treatise according to the measure received give a brief touch of the true Light Liberty Righteousnesse Holines Power and Glory of the Law in the Spirit the Covenant of grace written in the heart in opposition too and discovering of that law of darknes sin and flesh the one being the law of the new the other the Law of the old man This Law in the Spirit is the Spirit it selfe conforming souls to it selfe and its first a Spirit a law of light even that true light that lighteth every soule that comes to the Father He is light and in him there is no darknesse at all This Law of light where it works powerfully where it works savingly it enlightens the understanding in these ten particulars following First It enlightneth the understanding by which it comes to see the evill of sinne the evil nature of it the evill consequences of it 1. The evil nature of it the evill fountain from whence it flowes even the fountain of flesh and devil a bitter and filthy root which produceth fruit sutable unto such a tree which is Death the consequent or fruit of sinne The wages of sinne is death the soul is now taught to see the evil nature of sin the contrariety of it unto the divine nature the soul can see and say truly that although sinne is nothing to God although sin reacheth not God yet it is absolutely contrary to those divine and heavenly discoveries of God made forth in the spirits of Christians if you search the Scripture you shall finde this a manifest truth in the Spirits working See Act. 2. 37. chap 9. 3 4 5 6. If you search your own experience you shall finde it sutable never any soule made partaker of grace but first made sensible of the want of grace by the enlightning power of the Spirit of grace in the discovery of a mans selfe unto himself and so of the evill nature of the evill consequence of sin which is a sensiblenesse of an internal and spirituall death under darknesse and a lake of fire and this worke of discovery by this Law of light is effected not only in soules at their first conversion but all along while flesh and sinne remains till death is swallowed up in life and mortality hath put on immortality till Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory Que. What is sinne Ans Sinne is a transgression of or turning aside from a righteous Law if wee judge of sinne by a letter a law without us then it is a transgression of that Law a turning aside from the Law but if we judge of sin according to the light of the Law in the Spirit
light of this Law is a transforming light I saith Christ am come a light into the world he that believeth on me shall not abide in darknesse John 12. 46. and we all with one face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image or likenesse that as we have borne the image of the earthly so now we shall bear the image of the heavenly being delivered out of that Kingdome of darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son which is a Kingdome of light light being sown for the righteous and gladnes for the upright in heart 4. Souls delivered into or participating of this law of light are able in this light to judge of things that differ Light is that which makes true discoveries of things in their colours darknesse either wholly hides the appearance of a thing or else presents it at the best as in a false glasse but light is that which makes all things manifest so this light in the Spirit expels that darknes within by which the understanding was either wholly blinded or else had things presented in another shape then what they are in themselves but now the new man in this light is able to judge according to the measure of light received it now no longer cals evil good and good evil it puts not light for darknes and darknes for light it cals not every thing good though it sees God working good out of every things it sees and is able to say that that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit it justifieth not the wicked thing nor taketh away the righteousnesse of the righteous from him in a word the soul in whom this glorious light of God is manifest is able in a measure to judge between flesh and spirit fancy and reality shadow and substance form and power notions and true discoveries delusions and true enjoyments The SPIRITVALL MAN judgeth all things yet hee himselfe is judged of no man that is according to the measure of light received he judgeth not but that it is possible for a spirituall man who is in part renewed to be under a temptation a cloude of darknes for a time although the Sun be there yet that dark and black cloude prevents the shining of it But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings the winde of the Spirit shall disperse those clouds and mists of thick darknesse and the glorious light shall again appear to the chearing and comforting of the weary soul causing the shadowes to fly away in his holy mountain and then the soul comes againe clearly to see wherein it was mistaken and then he can say with the Prophet so foolish was I and ignorant I was even a beast before thee thus light appearing they no more justify flesh and darknesse but justify God in every thing they no more lay their temptations to lust and fleshlynesse upon God but upon themselves having a true discovery made within themselves by the light of this Law of the righteousnes holines and glory of the Father they cannot but cry out Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty Heaven and Earth is filled with thy glory and now they are abased with Jobe I have heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but now mine eyes have seen thee wherefore I abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes Oh my beloved ones when once the soul hath seen the Lord then it laies downe the justification of flesh then and never till then it truly it savingly abhors it self layeth it self low and the Lord alone is exalted in that soul when the Prophet Isayah had seen the Lord Chap. 6. Then Wo is me I am undone I am a man of poluted lips for mine eyes have seen the King even the Lord of hosts this glorious and pure vision of the Almighty within us will be not only a light discovering but a fire burning up all things below and contrary to it selfe 5. This Light of the Spirit causeth the soul to see more excellency in God in Heaven in spirituall things then in all other things in the world besides nay it now sees all other things below to be but dung and drosse in comparison of of Christ when men of the earth are taken up with earthly excellencies this soul can say Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me that ' s light will fill me with more joy then those whose corne and wine and oyle abounds the soule sees a goodnes a lovelines in God in Christ in the Spirit by way of excellency it doth not only say that God is good but he is most good his love is better then wine better then life his countenance causeth more joy then corn and wine and oyle Oh this is sweet when experimentally enjoyed then the soule can say Thy word is sweet unto my mouth yea sweeter then hony to my tast sweeter then hony and the hony comb better then thousands of gold and silver now the soule eyes to worldly and fleshly excellencies as it is gathered up more and more into the glorious excellency of the Spirit it hath a propriety in God by way of excellency and hence it comes to pass that no propriety below this without this is of any value to a renewed a changed minde 6. This Law of light causeth those inwhom it is according the measure of its manifestation to see God in every thing to see him and enjoy communion with him in all conditions and this is a sweet discovery a heavenly light which produceth a heavenly life when the soul sees enjoyes God in all things when it sees God to lye as it were at the bottom of every creature of every mercy sees him to be the life the fountain the glory of all streaming light love communion to the soul through al now it can say God is to me the life the power the excellency of creatures by which I live and so I live not by bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God it sees a stream of life and power from the Father in the use of them it now in that light sees God in wicked mens actings to them sees him in every dispensation whether more pleasing or more frowning to a fleshly apprehension whether it be in prosperity or adversity in prison or liberty poverty or riches in light or darknes it can say truly God is good to Israel to such as are upright in heart all things shal work together for good to such as love God 7. This Law of light causeth the soul not only to see God in all things but it presents matter of rejoycing in all conditions souls thus enlightned can sing in prison enjoying communion with God there they can see it to be good being where their Father will have them to be much more where they enjoy the presence of their
bondage from this subjection to the wils of men in the things of God Yee are bought with a price be yee not the servants of men 1 Cor. 7. 23. They now see in this light that they cannot serve two masters they now in this law of liberty are delivered from the fleshly law into the glorious liberty of the spiritual Fourthly This law sets men at liberty from all other lawes besides it selfe it teacheth men not to feare those who can but kil the body and cannot kil the soule it teacheth men not to act in any spiritual duty under the power of any command besides it selfe it sets souls at liberty from being subject to ordinances yet makes the soule able in whom it is in a measure to say with the Apostle Though all things be lawfull to me yet I will not be brought under the power of any thing that is of any thing besides this law of liberty in the spirit Ob. This seems to be a doctrine of liberty indeed and may be an occasion of liberty to the flesh A. First Although it seem to be a doctrine of fleshly liberty in the eye of a carnal and fleshly minde yet to a spiritual Christian there is no such thing and indeed it argues that those who shal so thinke have but little if any knowledge at al of the light liberty and power of this law The Apostle Gal. 5. 1. saith Stand fast in that liberty with which Christ hath made you free and be not entangled with any yoke of bondage Yet vers 13. Vse not your liberty as an occasion to the flesh And I say farther that this law in the spirit teacheth men to put on a conversation sutable to it selfe it teacheth men to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and therefore these men are much mistaken who thinke that it will teach men to be ungodly Secondly It s true that men of the flesh may abuse this heavenly law in getting a notion of it and so instead of a spiritual get into a carnal liberty but mens abuse of things through ignorance derogates nothing from the excellency of that truth this I am sure is a most excellent soule-satisfying truth being knowne in power this liberty from al other lawes besides this law of liberty this law of life well might the Apostle James say Whosoever looks into this perfect law of liberty and continues therein shall be blessed in his deed Jam. 1. 25. Thirdly As this law delivers soules out of bondage so it delivers into its owne glory as it brings soules out of bondage darknes so it delivers them into the Kingdom of his dear Son into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God But because I have occasionally mentioned this deliverance from bondage into a glorious liberty in some other Treatise I have beene and shall be the more briefe in this Onely note this particular they are delivered into the liberty of sons now what this liberty of sons is I shall mind in some few particulars First A liberty to know their Father No man knowes the Father but the Sonne and those to whom the Son reveals him they have a liberty to know his love his grace his goodnesse to them Secondly They have a liberty to know his will likewise the Father reveales in the spirits of his people his will concerning them his will concerning their justification sanctification and glory and so makes their calling and election sure to them seales them up by this spirit unto the day of redemption he makes knowne his will concerning his wayes and actings to the sons of men he doth nothing but he revealeth it to his servants the Prophets To them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome when it is hid from others and thus the covenant of grace is made good in the spirits of Christians I will write my law in their hearts and they shall all know me from the least even to the greatest a glorious liberty to know their Fathers will their Fathers love their Fathers secrets Secondly The liberty of a son is to abide in the house for ever to be one of his fathers family when the servant is turned out of dores So is it with the Sons of God made partakers of this free spirit by which they can call God Father Gal. 4. 6. When servants who work for wages that is all formall professors who serve that they may serve themselves shall be turned out of the family out of the Kingdome of his dear Son with their wages into the Kingdome of darknesse When the Son shall remaine a Citizen of the New Jerusalem a member of the family and houshold of God under the everlasting providence perfection and guidance of the Almighty When all servants and slaves shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets and all the sons of God set down in the Kingdome of heaven at their Fathers Table and they themselves thrust out of dores Luk. 13. 28. a glorious word for those who are established with this free spirit Thirdly The liberty of a son is to have communion and fellowship with his Father in the knowledge of his wil in the enjoyment of his love in being one with his Father in all his undertakings so is the spirituall Son made so by his free spirit brought into a sweet communion with the Father where he partakes of love lives in his will communicates with the Father in all his undertakings takes all his Fathers businesse as his own and acts with the like faithfulnesse in it when the servant he works and looks for wages a hireling that looks not so much after his masters businesse as after the reward and that he accounts to be as debt unto him the peny he lookt for he hath it duly paid him though many be called and few chosen when the peny the Son looks for is still to be a Son to have more and more communion with and conformity to his Father that as the Father honours the Son so the Son may honour the Father so as in all things to doe and be in that condition which is sutable to such a calling and all in the liberty and power of that free spirit Fourthly Liberty of the son is to have the Fathers inheritance to be lord of all when the servant shall have nothing but his wages the spirituall Son shal be made heir crownd with his Fathers glory although its true a Son when a child may be a servant through his minority so is it with sons many know not their sonship Gal. 4. 1. The heir when he is a child differeth not from a servant though he be lord of all But when the fulnesse of time is come God sends forth the spirit of his Son into their hearts by which they call God Father and so see themselves now to be lords of all heires to all their Fathers glory crownd not only with the titles of Sonnes but Kings and Princes with their Father partakers of
the same Kingdome of the same glory in a measure they have it already and the fulnesse is reserved in heaven for them Fifthly And till this glory be compleated in them they have liberty upon all occasions to have free accesse into the presence of their Father to make known al their wants al their wrongs free accesse to the throne of grace there obtaining mercy and finding grace a a great helpe a great comfort in time of need that which the world is ignorant of and goes without when the prayers of unbelievers are turned into sin yet the prayers of his people are his delight a great encouragement to the Saints in all their troubles to make knowne their wants to their Father Thus my dear ones have I given you a briefe hint of the sons liberty and spirituall freedome if the same spirit hints it to your enjoyments then it wil be glorious if the Son shall make you free then are you free indeed then stand fast and be not entangled with any yoke of bondage for freedome is glorious its glorious in possession more glorious in expectation when you shall be delivered from every thing wherein is but the least appearance of bondage and be compleated in perfect freedome which will be your glory Chap. IV. Of false Liberty I shall now descend to speake something very briefly of that false liberty and law in the flesh flowing from that spirit of Antichrist now reigning and ruling in the hearts of the children of disobedience for as there is a law in the spirit so there is a law in the flesh rebelling against this law in the minde and leading captive to the law of sinne this law or power of darknesse working in the flesh I shall discover briefly under these following considerations 1. The more common and carnall sort of people who account themselves Christians too they have a liberty but it s a false liberty a liberty to doe evill to fulfill the lusts of the flesh and the desires of the fleshly minde Now this fleshly liberty in the hearts of the more naturall and carnall minded flow from one or both of these two principles First From a blinde misunderstanding of the good of the pleasure and satisfaction the soule apprehends in those fleshly things for alwaies false liberty flowes from false light and true liberty succeeds true light now the minde being naturall and the light which is in it indeed but fleshly and darknesse it selfe now in this false light the soule mis-judging and so cals evill good and good evill it takes a false liberty sutable to its light the soul seeing a good a pleasantnesse a sweetnesse as it imagines in sinne and the world in the service of Satan it takes its liberty to act in it a false liberty flowing from a false light for the actings of al men are sutable to what they see unless given up to a spirit of slumber so as to quench the true discoveries that sometimes God makes forth to them and they cannot but owne it therefore all you carnall Libertines had need to looke about your selves for at present you seem to be given up to a great judgement blindnesse of minde not to see good when it cometh but to cal evill good and darknesse light to hardnesse of heart to sin and follow the lusts of the flesh with liberty of minde thinking God to be like your-selvs but he will reprove you and set your sins in order before you 2. Or from a mis-apprehension and application of Gods gracious love in giving Christ hence the natural creature hearing of free mercy grace and love to sinners drawes this conclusion That now it may take liberty to sinne the more freely Why Because God is mercifull and Christ died for sinners And thus creatures abuse mercy trampling under foot as much as in them lyeth the grace of God a high delusion and a body requitall of grace and love to offend grace because it is grace to sinne because God is mercifull Oh horrid wickednesse What shall we sinne because grace abounds God forbid But this false liberty in and after the flesh will produce a bad requitall if grace prevent not See Rom. 2. 4 5. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance but after thine hardnesse and impenitent heart treasurest up to thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God 3. Come to the more zealous and their liberty is in the flesh likewise a liberty to be servants of men a liberty to serve God as they thinke and themselves too in a fleshly way of obedience And to but hear of this liberty in spirit is bondage unto them and thus it seems to be their liberty to be slaves to others Lords to other lawes then this law of true liberty in the spirit to fulfil a fleshly righteousnesse seemes to be their liberty to be subject to the wils of men and so to become the servants of men seemes to be their liberty a liberty which truly is and will end in bondage and this false liberty flows likewise from false light 4. Come to others who have pass't through this life of zeale to the wils of men and to their owne wils they having gotten a notion not only of grace and love but of this spirit of liberty and onely a notion they presently apprehending as they thinke that all is now good they seeing no actions to be differing to them but all seemes to be alike they freely take a liberty from this false light to act after the flesh it is their liberty to be prophane carnall loose unprofitable and so indeed they make use of their liberty which is a carnall one as an occasion to the flesh they sinne as they say not only because grace abounds but because the spirit teacheth them so to doe which is a spirit of liberty and indeed it s to be doubted that they are possest with such a spirit of liberty after the flesh that all bonds of righteousnesse and true liberty are broken and in this I may speak in the Apostles words Phil. 3. 18. For many walke of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping that are enemies to the crosse of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their belly whose glory is their shame who minde earthly things And thus poore creaturs being given up to work al wickednesse with greedinesse doe not only act those things themselves but have pleasure in them that doe them so that to walke humbly with God is become in their eyes not onely a bondage but a scorne and those who talk of it barbarous a thing so low as not to be understood Thus whereas Saints have a liberty from sinne these have a liberty in sinne Saints have a liberty to be the Sons of God these have a liberty to be the sons of Satan of darknesse
and yet pretend themselves to be the Sons of God but his servants you are to whom you obey whether it be of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Chap. V. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit AS this law in the spirit is a law of light and liberty so it is a righteous law that is a law working righteousnesse in those in whom it is making soules partakers of its own righteousnesse which is indeed the righteousnesse of God He was made sin for us that we might be made the righeeousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. Now the righteousnesse of this law may be produced unto these two heads 1. An internal righteousnesse as it hath relation to God 2. An external righteousnesse as it hath relation to men First As it hath relation to God and so it is a righteousnesse in the spirit this may be considered likewise under these two heads 1. As it is more external 2. As it is more internal First As it is more external yes spiritual and the righteousnesse of God too because prepared by the Father for sinners brought home and applyed by the spirit and this is the righteousnesse of God in relation to what he hath done for them in laying helpe upon one that is mighty in laying iniquity upon Christ and condemning it there that so through the apprehending and applying of the Fathers love in this great worke the guilt of sin might be taken out of the conscience through the soules apprehending the Father doing that in Christ for it which it selfe could not doe For what the law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom 8. 3. Herein the soule beholding and enjoying love from the Father sees it selfe now to be justified and that by grace from al things by which it could not be justified by the Law of Moses this is a more external righteousnesse because wrought for us without us yet the righteousnesse of God of the spirit because prepared by God eyed and applyed in the light and power of the spirit 2. That which I cal a more spiritual righteousnesse it is a righteousnesse wrought within us by this law of righteousnesse and this righteousnesse wrought for us without us though declared in us is but a precedent to this righteousnesse wrought within that so the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit this is that mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory the forming of Christ within that is when the soule hath experience of the same spirit within as was and is in Christ working the soule into a spiritual conformity to Christ growing up in him til it come to the same fulnesse to the same perfection but both these I have in a measure unfolded in another Treatise and therefore passe it with the more brevity in this place onely I shal answer one Objection by the way and so passe to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit Obj. Some wil be ready to say That they know no such thing as this law in the spirit justifying this externall forming of Christ they know Christ no other waies but as he dyed at Jerusalem and that this talk of Christ within seems to be a mystery if not a delusion for Christ dwels in his people no otherwise but by faith that is souls beleeving only what he hath done for them and that there is no other forming of Christ in them till the day of resurrection of their bodies from the grave Answ I answer first That its true this forming of Christ within is a mystery indeed the compleater of it will be the top and height of all mystery this is the mystery Christ in you the hope of glory that is the said spirit and power conforming souls to Christ in death resurrection and life and this is the more mysterious man of sinne the antichrist who denies Christ to be come in the flesh this mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory And although some may abuse this truth this mystery being deluded only with the notion of it yet let others take heed they abuse it not through ignorance 2. I answer that whereas the Scripture saith Christ dwels in the heart by faith It 's true but there is a twofold dwelling of Christ in the heart by faith the first is when the soul sees and believes what God in Christ hath done for it and secondly when the soul sees and beleeves that this Christ that is the same spirit that dwelt in Christ dwels in him as a law of light life and liberty in him seeing the law of the spirit of life that was in Christ Jesus freeing it from the law of sinne and death for the soul taught of God sees and beleeves both these to be a truth Christ for and Christ in the soul this we shall finde clearly held forth in Scripture not setting up the one in denying the other but you shall finde that the Scripture presents you with a death with Christ and resurrection with him Rom. 5. Phil. 3. 10. with a life with him John 14. 19. Because I live ye shall live also and in him by vertue of spirituall union vers 20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Note a word by the way at that day they shall know it At what day in that day when Christ reveals himself in them The world shall see me no more but ye shall see me It is not such a sight as the Apostles had of Christ when he was with them in the flesh it is not such a sight as the world had or at this day have of Christ for the world beleeves that Christ died for sinners yet they see him not now Saints see him first dying for them 2. They see him living in them and this assurance of Christ in them they receive by faith beleeving and knowing this to be a truth for faith and knowledge in this particular is but one thing We beleeve and know saith Peter that thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God And thus Saints in whom this law of righteousnesse is manifest can in a measure say We beleeve and know that God hath revealed his Sonne not only to us but in us and thus Christ dwels in the heart by faith and there is no one truth of God more clearly revealed in Scripture more glorious in the spirits of Saints then this truth of Christ formed in them 2. I come now to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit which is an external righteousnesse amongst men for this law in the spirit teacheth men to live soberly righteously and godly in the world God is a righteous God and this righteous law conforms
over-turned the tables of the money-changers and whipt the buiers and sellers out of the temple so hee doth in the spirits of his people whips out all those unclean lusts and fleshly imaginations which defile this holy temple not but that there may be the presence of these but they are not there with delight with content and this sanctifying spirit wil never leave them til hee hath turned them al out the God of peace will tread Satan under feet shortly and all those enemies shall become the Saints foot-stool this is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eies this is the Lords work and he will perfect it in his time Let all those who wait upon him for the accomplishment of it cry grace grace unto it the end of it wil be glory in the highest when al flesh shall vail it selfe to this excellent glory though it be not accomplished as soon as you expect it yet assuredly the end wil be glorious that is it will crown al your temptations and trials expectations when you shal partake of this perfect change 2. There is an external holines likewise that is a visible demonstration in the conversation of what is wrought within There is not onely holinesse within but without The Kings daughter is not only all glorious within but her cloathing likewise is of needle-work There is a visible manifestation of a renewed minde where the God of peace sanctifies he doth it through out not only in soul and spirit but in body too Hence it is the Apostle saith Be ye holy in all manner of holy conversation and godlinesse This outward appearance of holinesse is but the fruit of that tree of holines within and where this tree is this fruit wil appear there wil be fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life This external holines appeares under these two particulars First In the forsaking evil courses Secondly In the performing or acting that which is good 1. In the forsaking evil there is not only an evil root but there is evil fruit the fruit of the flesh now where this law of holiness and purity is there is a purging of al filthiness of flesh and spirit This is that the Apostle minds 1 Cor. 6. Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are purged by the Spirit of our God c. This is the true property of this law in the spirit to make clear not only within but without too Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes Isa 1. cease to doe evil c. al filthines and prophanenesse flows directly from the law of the flesh and are the fruits of the flesh the tree is knowne by his fruit It is altogether unpossible for a renewed changed sanctified heart to be given up to the lusts of the flesh they are fruits that grow in the devils garden upon the tree of nature and not of grace they are the fruit that grow upon the forbidden tree whosoever eateth thereof is dead if you walk after the flesh ye are dead but if by the spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh ye are alive Therefore take this in a word for al That it is altogether unpossible for a man that lives in the spirit to bring forth fruits after the flesh they who live after the flesh savour the things of the flesh Only two cautions considered First That those who live after the spirit may be and oft are burdened with flesh Secondly Although they are burdened with flesh yet they walke not they warre not after the flesh but spirit in them subdues and destroyes flesh and the conversation is in a measure sutable to such a spiritual law within 2. This holines appears not onely in the forsaking that which is visibly evil and carries a clear appearance in it to be of the flesh But likewise 2. In the visible acting and performing works of holines sutable to such an inward principle the soule does not only now cease to do evil but learns to doe wel This is that the Scripture so often mindes and Saints so much experienceth Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your Father that is in heaven And this is the wil of God even your sanctification that you may know how to possesse your vessels in sanctification and honour and the tree is known by his fruit Does a man gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistls And the good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things but the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things Thus Scripture clears this truth experience likewise manifests it Those who are taught of the Spirit can beare witness unto this truth That the more that spirit of holiness appeares within purifying the inner man the more visible does that holines appear without Quest But it may be questioned What are these workes of holinesse that visibly appeare thus in the sanctified man Ans 1. Negative I minde not customs and forms for in this natural men may act far But 2. Affirmatively 1. In speaking forth and declaring the goodness holiness and love of God A heart that is sanctified indeed and enjoyes love and communion indeed cannot but according to the measure enjoyed and the gift received but declare it forth unto others Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Thus Saints cannot keepe silence when God speakes in them but are ever and anon breathing forth the good the love of God then saith the soul Truly God is good O taste and see that the Lord is gracious Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare his wonderfull love to the sonnes of men The soul can now say God is good he is sweet he is lovely and altogether delightfull Thus Saints are not either first breathing forth fleshly and carnal discourse unprofitable and vain things but their words are alwaies seasoned with salt that it may minister grace unto the hearers neither are they dumb and tongue-tied alwaies not but that those who are precious may be slow of speech but being drawne forth something they have to declare of God They are not first altogether empty and so silent that argues a barren fruitless unsanctified soul neither secondly doe they pretend to be high in knowledge but wil not declare any thing except flesh talk of spirit and manifest flesh no they cannot with-hold the truth in unrighteousness nor hide his goodness within them as by stealth but still Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and the tree is known by his fruit God creating in his people the fruit of the lips peace peace to them who are afarre off and to them who are nigh And as this fruit of the lips appeares in speaking of GOD so likewise in speaking to GOD both in prayer and praise 2. There is the fruit likewise of the
conversation as wel as of the lips there is not onely the fruit of saying but doing If any man doe my will he shall know saith Christ c. Now this doing consists either 1. In doing workes of piety according to the power and liberty received 2. In doing workes of righteous justice and equity not in seeking alone our owne but others good 3. In doing workes of mercy both to the soules and bodies of those who want else you may see the fruits of this spirit Gal. 5. 22. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance against such there is no law These are the fruits of the spirit which being manifest makes God and truth and Saints appeare lovely not onely each to other but to the world likewise they shall fall downe and confesse That God is in you of a truth These fruits of the spirit Peter mindes 1 Pet. 1. 5. Adde to faith virtue to your virtue knowledg to knowledge patience and to patience temperance and to temperance godlinesse and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse charity Thus the true Christian hath a holy conversation holy within and holy without holinesse written upon the horses bridles every pot in Jerusalem appeares to be holy in al manner of holy conversation and godlinesse a universall walking with and conformity to God in spirit soule and body Their conversation is in heaven their hearts there their minde their comfort and communion and it appeares by their walking before men in their word and actions that it is so Chap. VIII Of false or fleshly holinesse AS there is a holinesse in the spirit so likewise there is a holinesse after the flesh so accounted so called though it be indeed but unholinesse for the man of sinne imitates Christ in every particular and I believe that there hath been as great a mistake in the matter of holinesse in taking it to be what it is not as in any one particular therefore I shal minde a word or two briefly in the discovery of this mystery of iniquity 1. This mystery of iniquity the appearance of holinesse when it is nothing but flesh may be considered either First As it workes within and that either 1. Looking upon good purposes and good resolutions to amend and to doe better Or else 2. In a good minde to leave sin but it wants power a good a holy heart though a bad conversation not knowing that good purposes are common to the worst of men and that where there is a bad outside there is a worse inside for if the streames be filthy the fountaine is much more filthy For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and the outward man acts an ungodly conversation alwaies flowes from an unsanctified soule if the conversation be light vain and foolish the heart is much more light and vain for all prodigality prophanenesse and vanity hath its first rise in the heart therfore it is the Lord saith My son give me thy heart Or 3. Not only in having a minde to leave it but likewise in having some hatred against it and from hence a forsaking of it because it sees an evill a danger in it perhaps it now apprehends that the wages of sin is death and it feares hell and the eternall flames spoken of in Scripture and from hence growes out of liking with it when perhaps else it could be content many times to embrace it thus most men under the name and notion of Christian deceive themselves with a fleshly fancy of holinesse in the heart when indeed and in truth it is nothing more then fleshly delusions and that which is usually found in the hearts of naturall men Secondly There is likewise a most outward appearance of holinesse in the flesh which is indeed but fleshly and this may be discovered either 1. In the more common and carnall sort who account that now and then the performance of a good act is enough to make them holy and that their good acts will weigh downe their evill they thinke that Lord have mercy upon me or now and then a good prayer is enough to make them holy though perhaps they take the more liberty to sinne by meanes thereof a wonderfull delusion in the mindes of men 2. Others come higher perhaps in an outward civility and an externall acting in the use of Ordinances they will goe to Church as they call it and heare Sermons too perhaps have their Infants sprinkled go to the Sacrament as they call it c. And this is a high degree of holinesse in the mindes of most how doe poore creatures blesse themselves in such vaine and empty formes and fashions to their owne undoing For this is that which is sutable to nature to act in these low and formall waies after the doctrines and precepts of men or after the fleshly imaginations of the vaine and deceitful heart and not after Christ 3. Others come higher then this into an universall as they suppose hatred and forsaking of sin to the acting and performing of that which is good and thus it is much in doing and acting looking upon outward actings to be their holinesse and here hath lien a mysterious mystery of iniquity both in Ministers and People the one teaching the other practising such a holinesse Hence is it that Ministers when they would preach people in holinesse and righteousnesse they presse them to forsake sinne to weepe and mourne pray and heare Sermons to be much in duty and this without all peradventure was enough to make them holy never looking after that internall spirit of holinesse which occasions those external actings sutable to such an internall principle Hence it comes to passe that many poore soules being thus mis-led come under a spirit of delusion or else under a spirit of bondage being sensible of its coming short in performance being daily told that if thou canst not mourne and pray and performe such and such duties then thou art no Christian but Satan rules in thee Now the difference betweene the performance of the externall actings lieth principally in these two things the one acts in it as under a taske a burden a bondage and he hath no comfort till the thing is done the other acts in liberty and freedome of spirit God is his portion without any such acting and God is his portion in it he hath communion with God without it and that is it he expects in it 3. The one acts in duty that he might be holy lookes upon himselfe that the more he is in exercising and performing the more holy he is the other acts in externals because he is holy that is made partaker of that spirit of holinesse all true actions flowing from that fountain of light life liberty and love and thus most under severall forms and apprehensions live low and fleshly contenting themselves with a fleshly holinesse a holinesse consisting in formes formes and creature
the letter could not that was a Covenant that could not give life this is a law of life a law of power in the spirits of Christians Chap. X. The power of the law in the flesh AS this Law this Covenant in the spirit is a law of power so there is a powerfull law in the flesh likewise though this law in the spirit over-powers it and subjects it to it selfe where it is manifest in power This law of power in the flesh may be considered either as it is more grosse or more refined 1. As it is more grosse powerfully working the mindes and actions of naturall men into a conformity unto it selfe it carries on the naturall man to act all manner of unrighteousnesse and that with greedinesse insomuch that they thinke strange of those who run not with them to the same excesse of riot thus it operates in naturall men But 2. This same law of the flesh workes with much power many times even in the spirits of Christians this law of the flesh rebelleth against the law of the minde and lendeth captive to the law of sinne in the members how can Saints experience this truth Many times though the inner man be upright and as they are borne of God they sinne not yet what temptations what workings of flesh appeares within them which occasions blacknesse and darknesse many times the appearance of flesh in a way of power which seemes to stoppe the current of the soules present communion and leaves it under a waiting condition for deliverance Qu. Is this law in the flesh too strange and powerfull for that in the spirit when it seemes thus to prevaile in its rebelling against that holy law Ans It s not too strong for it but wisedome gives way to this rebelling law that it may act its part that so the soule may see it selfe what it is by nature and so may the more prize grace and the more earnestly waite for a deliverance and likewise for the keeping of the soule in a humble waiting dependency upon this Almighty power therefore he sends a pricke in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet lest there should be an exaltation above measure as experience teacheth us that flesh is ready to take advantage and that from spirituall discoveries 2. This law in the flesh worketh in a more refined and pure though in a more deceivable way not onely in working soules with violence and greedinesse in a way of sinne but likewise worke soules when they come to see their sinne into a fleshly righteousnesse so that the soule being ignorant of the righteousnesse of God it goes about to establish its owne righteousnesse Rom. 10. 3. And so it workes the soule into a fleshly boasting and a fleshly glorying in fleshly and carnall excellencies and that with as much violence as into a way of sinne and prophanenesse unlesse the power of this spirituall law prevent then it s true the soule is content with joy to suffer the losse of all and and to account all things but dung and drosse that it may winne Christ and be found in him then its content not only to suffer the losse of this law in the flesh in the grosser consideration but in the most refined consideration then it can say What things were gaine to me those I counted losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord c. Chap. XI The glory of this law in the spirit THis Covenant in the spirit is a glorious Covenant when Christ comes he comes with power and much glory this law rules in that Kingdome where there is power and much glory The glory of this Covenant appeares not onely in all those forementioned particulars as its a law of light liberty righteousnesse holinesse power c. which must needs produce much glory where all those excellencies met together in one soule and all are glorious glorious light and liberty and righteousnesse and holinesse and power it must needs be glorious when made partaker of the light liberty righteousnesse holinesse power and glory of the glorious God Besides this for illustrating of this glorious law I might minde how it 1. Interests the soule in whom it is into a neare relation to the Father not onely of son and of heire but likewise the relation of Wife of Spouse and so is married to the Almighty eternally this is a name better then that of sons and daughters 2. This glorious law makes forth many glorious discoveries and revelations in the hearts of Christians Such as eye hath not seene eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive those things that he hath prepared for them that love him but he hath revealed it to or in us by his spirit 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. Oh those sweet discoveries God oft makes in the spirits of his that they can say sweetly to their soules after a blacke and darke day Returne to thy rest O my soule for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee Thus are they let see into that glorious mystery of love which passeth knowledge 3. As it discovers glory so it works a glorious minde a desire in the minde to be compleated in this glory not out of selfe-love as most doe desire heaven that they might avoid hel but for glories sake its selfe it beholds its beauty its sweetnesse its purity its perfection and so the soule is overcome with it nothing in the world is to be compared to it and hence it is that Saints have such noble heroick spirits looking above slighting all things below as nothing all riches and creature-excellencies and glories is but grasse but drosse unto it this is the nature of this glorious law it fils the soule with so much glory where it is that the desire is taken up with it because it out-glories all other glories in the world besides 4. As it is an out-glorying glory and so drawes the desire of the minde unto it so it is likewise a transforming changing glory it never leaves soules in whom it is til it compleates them in al the glory set before them it workes up soules more and more to it selfe untill it hath perfected them in the glory of the Father Well done good and faithfull servant enter thou into the joy of thy master Hence it was Paul being possest with this truth expecting this compleating in glory presses on to the marke of the price of the high calling set before him and was able to say I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith from henceforth is laid up for me a crowne of glory which the Lord the righteous Judge hath laid up for me and not for me onely but for all those who looke for his appearing Oh therefore my deare brethren in the unity of this spirit looke and waite for this day of God the glorious appearing of the great God because when he shall appear you shall appeare