away from thy presence and take NOT thy holy Spirit from me Psalm 51. 11. Read the Psalm through Christ said concerning the unfaithful Servant Take therefore the Talent from HIM and give it to him that hath ten Talents for to every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he HATH Matth. 25. 28 29. Chap. 13 12. Mark 4. 25. Note Reader here it plainly appeareth Saul had the Spirit of God and it departed from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against God God did not will or fore-appoint that Saul should rebell against him for after his Rebellion the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Samuel saying It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be King for he is turned BACK from following me and hath not performed my Commandments see 1 Chron. 15. 10 11. David who succeeded Saul in the Kingdom did see that God took his Spirit away from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion and therefore when David had committed that great Sin against God in the case of Vriah and his Wife dread terror and fear seised upon him he was afraid that God would take his Spirit from him as he did from Saul but in the BOWEDNESS of his Heart he fell under the righteous Judgments of the Lord and cryed unto him saying Create in ME a new Heart O God and renew IN ME a right Spirit Wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow cast me not away from thy presence take NOT thy holy Spirit from ME. He unfeignedly Repented God heard his Petition pardoned his Iniquity and received him graciously He said Make me to hear Joy and Gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Christ sheweth in the Parable of the sloathful or unprofitable Servant who hid his Lords Money in the Earth who doth not improve that little which God doth give him that he shall never be made a Steward of much nor enjoy much but that shall be taken from him which he hath and he shall be cast into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Therefore blessed are all they who despise NOT the day of small things who despise not the smallest the lowest or least appearance or manifestation of God but do thankfully receive and improve the same in obeying and following God according to the understanding strength and ability which God hath given them such shall grow in Righteousness and Holiness as the Willows by the Water Courses as the Trees by the Rivers of Water which bring forth their Fruit in due season But as for the Wicked who despise the day of small things who improve not that little that God hath given them There is no Peace to them saith the Lord God they shall be like the Chaff which the Wind driveth to and fro God is a Spirit as Christ saith His presence filleth Heaven and Earth as it s written he is Omnipresent or present in all places Note Reader besides what I have shewed before how God taketh his Spirit from the Rebellious I further say it may be properly said that man hath not the Spirit when he believeth not therein neither obeyeth it c. and so is not governed by it and therefore no real Possessor of it NOT being in UNION with it in this latter sense he enjoyeth it not he hath not Rest Peace in it because he believeth not nor obeyeth it yet this Spirit of Truth enlightneth his Soul in some degree by which he is Convinced of his Sin and reproved for it in secret THEREBY and in this sence of God's Omnipresence David said unto God Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there if I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there c. Psalm 139. 7 8. The Apostle John writeth thus viz. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son see 2 John 1. 9. Here John sheweth that those who do Transgress Christ's Doctrine have not God who is a Spirit ruling over them governing them but those who do obey Christ's Doctrine are governed by the Lord God and such have both the Father and the Son as the Apostle saith Object Many shall seek to enter the Kingdom of God and shall not be able therefore those who seek and are not able to enter the Kingdom were ordained by the Lord God to be damned before they were Born and cast into Hell Answ This is a gross mistake One said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved and he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the Door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not c. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thouhast taught in our Streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not c. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luke 13. 23 24 25 26 27. Note Reader Christ did NOT tell him who asked if few were SAVED that many no nor that any were ordained to be damned before they were Born nor yet that few were saved but exhorted in general saying Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. This he knew they might do before the Door was shut against them But when once the Master of the House was risen up and hath shut the Door against them then those that would enter with their Sins their Night-Garments their voluntary Humility or vain feigned shews of Humility and their Will-worship their Self-righteousness which is as filthy Rags and as menstruous Cloth and their polluted long Prayers in Hypocrisie and their MEER Fleshly Eating and Drinking and Carnal Washings boasting and glorying in the Flesh in opposition to and hatred against the Spirit of God and Christ yea in Derision and Mockage at the same these could not enter in at the strait Gate but must be cast out into the Lake of Endless misery where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Remember this all you who call upon God and Christ with your Mouthes and Lips but your Hearts are far from him following the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life who spend away your precious time in Pride Covetousness Envy Wrath Strife Drunkenness Gluttonny Whoredoms Oaths and Cursing ungodly Laughter vain Talking and idle Jesting Sports ungodly Plays and Games
for there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for All Mark that for All 1 Tim. 3. 4 5 6. In the Prophecy of Obediah there is much said concerning Esau and his Generation of the just Judgments of God against them for their Wickedness Verse 6. its said thus How are the things of Esau searched out how are his hidden things sought up Verse 9 10. God threatned to cut off every one of the Mount of Esau for said God For thy Violence against thy Brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off forever Vers 18. And the House of Jacob shall be a Fire and the House of Joseph a Flame and the House of Esau for Stubble c. Reader here observe God by his holy Prophet shews the Cause why his hatred was kindled against Esau and his Generation House Family or Off-spring and why he would cut off or destroy them even because of their Wickedness and Rebellion The Apostle Paul saith The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteonsness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them and because when they knew God they glorified him not as God and even as they did not like to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a Reprobate Mind c. Rom. 1. 18 19 21 28. And again he speaks against those who did not know the Long-suffering and Goodness of God to lead them to Repentance and he saith God will render to every man according to their deeds and he also saith There is no respect of Persons with God c. Rom. 2. 4 6 11. And the same Paul puts the Question saying What if God willing to shew his Wrath and to make his power known endured with much Long-suffering on the Vessel of Wrath fitted to Destruction Rom. 9. 22. Thus it appears that God waited long upon the Evil-doers to lead them to Repentance But when they knew God they did not Glorifie him as God neither did they like to retain God in their Knowledge and after God had suffered and waited long to lead them to Repentance and they did not turn at his Call and Reproof then he gave them up to a Reprobate Mind They had a time in which they might have been made of an Heavenly Spiritual Mind in which they might have had Life and Peace The Prophet Jeremiah saith of the Apostatized Jews who were the Children of Jacob according to the Flesh Reprobate Silver shall men call them because the Lord hath rejected them Jer. 6. 30. Reader the People of God called Quakers do own Election and Reprobation but do utterly deny That God hath ordained that some men should be Wicked or that he WITH-HOLDS his Light Grace or Spirit from them and so puts them UPON A FORCE to be Wicked for want of the gift of his Spirit Grace and Light and afterwards casts them into Hell for not obeying him when they had no power offered or given to them by him to enable them to obey No God's Way is Equal as his Servants of old have testified Where he gives much he requires of man accordingly and where he gives less he requires accordingly and he that is faithfull in a little he will make Ruler over much The Apostle Peter said The Saints were Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience c. 1 Pet. 1. 2. And we do deny that any Man or Woman is Elect of God that is Chosen of God without the Sanctification of or by the Spirit of Truth and Obedience unto it The Apostle Paul saith unto the Saints at Rome Those whom God did fore-know them he did predestinate that is fore-ordain to be conformed to the Image of his Son that is to the Likeness of his Son Rom. 8. 29. But it is certain that none can be made Conformable to the Likeness of his Son without he be Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth and none can be so Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth but those who believein and obey the same Spirit for that is it which Christ promised should lead the Saints into all Truth The Apostle Paul writ to the Church of Christ at Ephesus saying Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in heavenly Places in Christ according as he hath chosen us that is Elected us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy without blame before him in Love c. Ephes 1. 3 4. We do believe that God doth fore-know those who become his while they are ignorant of him And we do believe that he hath chosen them in his Son before the Foundation of the World Christ the Son of God is the Light of the World he lighteth every one that cometh into World for one the same Cause Purpose or End even that all might believe in him obey him through Faith and Obedience might be Chosen or Elect in him and so have Eternal Life in him He that believes in the Son of God hath Everlasting Life he that doth not believe in the Son of God shall not see Life John 38. Again the first Epistle of John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life and such are not Elect in him but are under condemnation because of their Unbelief which Unbelief the Devil not God iâ— the Author of Reader thus we own Election and Reprobation as did the holy Men of old but we deny that those who continue in sin and plead for it term of Life are in that state chosen of God we do deny an UNCONDITIONAL Election Reprobation as held forth by many of the Professors in our time for the condition of Election is Faith in God and Christ and Obedience unto the Spirit of Truth which is given to lead the Saints into all Truth and to conviuce the World of sin And the condition of Reprobation and Damnation is Unbelief in God and Christ and Disobedience unto and Rebellion against the Spirit of Truth The Apostle Paul saith to the Saints at Rome If ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 13 14. And further the same Apostle saith His Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6. 16. So here the holy Apostle declares the GOSPEL conditions of Election and Reprobation or chusing to Eternal Life and casting off unto Eternal Damnation Christ is the Elect the Chosen of God Behold saith God my Servant
Repent and turn to the Lord from these abominable things that so they might not be forever shut out of the Kingdom of God! O that the Inhabitants of England and all Nations would believe in God that made them who is spiritual Light who is a holy pure Spirit who is Omnipresent or present every where who said Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Foot-stool c. see Isa 66. 1. read the Chapter through 1 King 8. 27. his pure Spirit lighteth every one that cometh into the World O that the great multitudes in England and all Nations who are in Strife and Contention Hatred and Envying Murthering and Killing one another about Religion and about Earthly things WOULD BELIEVE in this Heavenly Spirit that enlightneth them which giveth them to understand in some measure or degree what is Good and also what is Evil O that they would bow down unto it and become subject unto the leadings and teachings of it then would it teach them to love one another NOT to be like Cain who slew his Brother because his own works were evil and his Brothers righteous but it would teach them to do to all men as they would be done unto as God hath commanded yea it would teach them as it did good Joseph who was kind unto his Brethren who was cruel to him who sold him to the Ishmalites yea it would teach them to overcome the evil with the good as Joseph did and as God commandeth But because Multitudes and Nations believe not in this holy pure peaceable loving and long-suffering Spirit therefore it is that they are as the raging Sea that casts up Mire and Dirt and many are as the cruel merciless Beasts of Prey destroying one another yea many oppressing and seeking to destroy Gods tender People who have true love to all and desire the temporal and eternal good of all who Worship him in his holy Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth the faithful followers of it and because that Vengeance is not executed speedily or suddenly for these crying Abominations therefore are the Hearts of the Sons of men fully set in them to do Evil as it was of Old see Eccles 8. 11. and because it is thus that many have given up themselves to Unbelief and hardness of Heart who have closed their Eyes and stopped their Ears against the Convictions and Reproofs of this pure meek merciful and compassionate Spirit of God and Christ whom he hath sent and have given up themselves to work Wickedness with greediness therefore there is great cause to take up a dolefull Lamentation and Mourning and those whom God hath made skilfull in Mourning who greatly desire the Salvation of the Multitudes Tongues Languages and People these have Mourned and do Mourn to see Multitudes running on swiftly toward the Pit of everlasting Destruction suddenly to be sunk into it Thus as of Old many say in their Hearts unto the Almighty God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Thus they hate the knowledge of God they do not chuse his holy fear which is the beginning of the pure peaceable Wisdom which cometh from above as saith the holy Scriptures see Job 21. 14. read the Chapter through see Prov. 1. 4 7 22 29. read the Chapter through Well said the Apostle Peter Our beloved Brother Paul in all his Epistles writes things which are hard to be understood which they who are Vnlearned Vnstable wrest as they do the other Scriptures unto their own DESTRUCTION Peter was an Illiterate man and so an Unlearned man in Natural or Artificial Learning of Tongues and Languages but he was a man of great Learning in the Heavenly Spiritual School of Christ all who come to learn of Christ Paul and Peters heavenly Master they are taught by to understand their Words and to have unity with them and such are of one mind concerning them But they who are not yet come to learn of Christ as he is the Light of the World they are not come to a right understanding of the holy mens Words which are Recorded in the holy Scriptures and this is the cause that they are not of one mind concerning them but in very many contrary minds and in tumultuous Controversies about the meanings of them Paul doth say as is shewed before that God's Will is that ALL men should know the Truth and be SAVED This have I written in the love of God concerning Election and Reprobation for the Comfort and Encouragement of all those who are weary of and heavy laden with their Sins who hunger and thirst after Righteousness that they may come to Christ Jesus who dyed for them and rose again and ascended as it is written of him in the Scriptures of Truth who hath promised that he will give them Rest see Matth. 11. 28 29 30. This is also written as a Warning unto those who are at ease in their Sins flattering themselves speaking Peace unto themselves in their Unchristian Conversations and pleading for a necessity of continuing in the act of Sin unto the end of their dayes upon Earth and yet vainly imagin that they are the Elect and Chosen of God Jesus said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life The Pharisees therefore said unto him Thou bearest Record of thy self and thy Record is NOT true But Jesus said unto these Unbelieving Jews If ye believe NOT that I am he ye shall die in your Sins whither I go ye CANNOT come see John 8. 12 24. Note Reader These great professing Pharisees Opposed Christ Jesus and denyed him to be the Light of the World Too like these Pharisees are many Teachers high Professors of Christ in Words in our Age who though they will talk much of Christ as he was born and dyed and rose again according to the Flesh yet can they not endure to hear him preached as he preached himself and as the holy Apostles preached him to wit the Light of the World the true Light which lighteth every one that cometh into the World This is the Stone which all the Builders do reject and set at nought who build up their VAIN Religions Faiths and Worships in the Serpentine Earthly Devilish Wisdom in Murther Cruelty Oppression and Idolatry but when this Stone falls on them in Judgment it will grind them all to Powder see Luke 20. 17. Psal 118. 22. Mat. 21. 24. O Blessed will all they be who come unto and believe in this Living Stone their hard Hearts shall be broken by it and made soft and tender and thereby be made fit to enter into the Kingdom of God into which nothing that is Unclean can enter and their sins that are past though they be many God will freely Pardon Remit and Forgive them in his tender Mercy and forbearance in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself a Ransom for
concerning Christs putting an End to the Work of the Law we do NOT believe that Christ has put an end to the Command of God who said Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and thy Neighbour as thy self Thou shalt do no Murther Thou shalt not Steal nor Covet any thing that is thy Neighbours Thou shalt not bear False Witness nor remove the Antient Land-mark c. But we believe that Christ fulfills these Commands in all them that through Faith and Obedience grow up in him who is the true Vine by leading them to do those before-mentioned things which God Commands so the true Christians cease from the Shadows and in Christ by his Vertue and Power do Love God with all their Hearts and their Neighbour as themselves on which Commands as Christ saith hang all the Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 40. Concerning Perfection IN page 24. J. B. saith speaking to the People called Quakers You hold that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life Answ We do own the command of God who said unto Abraham I am God all-sufficient walk thou before me and be thou Perfect We say God was sufficient to enable him to keep his command and we believe he did so And we do believe the Command of Christ who said Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect And we do believe it is possible to keep this command of Christ by and through the Virtuous spiritual Presence of Christ in and with the believing DILIGENT SOUL And we do believe that the Gifts which were and are given for the PERFECTING of the Saints did and do accomplish that for which they were and are GIVEN The Apostle said We Labour that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus And we do believe that many were perfected in Christ Jesus though some Crucified Christ unto themselves afresh and put him to open shame as the Apostle saith We do believe the holy Apostle who said Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is Born of God Now as to J. B's Charge That we hold forth and own that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life I Answer The Word Degree concerning Perfection is neither our Word nor did I ever read it in the Scriptures of Truth as used by him concerning Perfection But this word Degree he hath thrust into his Charge against us thinking no doubt thereby to make it the more strong but all his labour is in vain He doth not declare what he meaneth by the word DEGREE but if by Degree he mean a freedom from acting or committing Sin such a Perfection we do believe is attainable in this Life by and through the mighty working of God and Christ in men and women and this is according to the command of God Christ the Doctrine and Experience of the holy Apostles But if by the word Degree J. B. mean a Perfection of Glory in the HIGHEST attainment of Glory that can EVER be enjoyed then we DEEM that such a Perfection is attainable in this Life or while we dwell here upon Earth For WE are of the same Faith the holy Apostle was of who when he was near to depart out of this World said I have fought a good fight I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judge shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all those that love his appearance J. B. hath taken upon him to interpret the Apostle John's words who saith Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit Sin he cannot Sin c. J. B. saith The meaning of these Words can be but this Whosoever is Born of God doth not make it his practice to Sin Answ What Confusion Falsness and Nonsence is this to say that he who commits Sin doth not practise Sin this is horrible abuse and wresting the holy Scriptures which God will bring him to Judgment for and if he do not Repent and cease from such Ungodly silly work as this he will bring Destruction upon himself As I do understand this J. B. is one of that sort of men who do in their Confessions tell the Lord God that they do Sin in their most holy Duties Now if their most holy Duties have Sin in them then there is Sin in all those other things which they call Duties and consequently in their Actions which they do not account Holy Duties and so they make it their Practice to Sin and so according to his own Argument Such who make it their Practice to Sin are not born of God But to speak his mind more fully I do apprehend his meaning is that the Children of God do not commit so much Sin as the Children of the Devil do Answ When the Apostle saith He that is Born of God doth not commit Sin he also saith He that commits Sin is of the Devil In the next verse he saith In this is the Children of God manifest and the Children of the Devil c. 1 John 3. 10. J. B. I ask thee dost not thou believe that God is GREATER then the Devil why then must Sin needs be in those who are Born of God as thou wouldst have it Oh that thou saw thy Blasphemy herein it would surely make thee ashamed and bring Sorrow upon thee But if in thy judgment those whom God BEGETS who are BORN of him must commit Sin and live in it all their dayes and Sin in their most Holy Duties I ask what DIFFERENCE dost thou put between God's Children and the Devil's Children whom he begets and who are Born of him for the Devil hath a Generation of whom he is the Father as Christ said see John 8. 44. For we believe that he that is Born of God is REGENERATED that is washed and cleansed through the virtue of the holy Spirit of Christ which is shed abroad abundantly in the Hearts Souls of the true Believers by virtue of this growing up in it as the Branches in the living Vine are they redeemed out of the ACT of Sin and have dominion given them in and by Christ over IT and the Devil who is the Author of it and such can say as the Apostle said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World to wit the Wicked BY WHOM we overcome them and such can say as the Apostle said Of my self I can do nothing but I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me and such can say as the Apostle said We are CONQUERORS and more than Conquerors through him that hath loved us and such do know Satan BRUISED under their Feet BY CHRIST the blessed Seed whom God promised should bruise his HEAD and the Apostle told the Believers in Christ That God whom they waited for should suddainly come and
diligence in attending upon his Grace by which they were saved was required of them in which diligence they being found the Spirit of Grace did make them Fruitful in those good things before mentioned and the diligent did not fall but made their Calling and Election sure the same Apostle Exhorted the Saints saying Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the Wicked fall from your own stedfastness but grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Here again the Apostle sheweth not only his great care that the Saints might make their Calling and Election sure and so STAND but also sheweth that it was possible that they might be led away with the Error of the Wicked and so FALL if they did not diligently attend upon the Spirit of Grace which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Soberly and Godly in this present World The Author to the Hebrews saith Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Vnbelief in departing from the Living God lest any of you be hardened through the Deceitfulness of sin Here again the Apostle doth not only shew his great care that those Believers might not depart from the Living God but doth also shew that they might depart from him if they did not diligently wait upon him as aforesaid Thus it doth plainly appear that Faith Obedience are Gods conditions upon which God doth Elect that is Chuse People to inherit Eternal Life And the conditions upon which God doth Reject Reprobate and Turn people into Hell is Unbelief Rebellion Departing from him into Apostacy The Apostle writ of some who knew God who when they knew him glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkened and as they did not like to RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE God gave them up to a REPROBATE MIND Rom. 1. 21 28. Now these knew God and he gave them a time of Visitation to the end they might have been Everlastingly happy So it was their own Self-will and unthankful Evil hearts which did draw back from the Living God which did deprive them of Eternal Rest and Peace God did not will that they should draw back and depart from him For Gods will is that all People may be Holy and as the Apostle saith God's Will is that all men may know the Truth and be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. vers 5 6. He saith There is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for ALL to be testified in due time Mark Reader Christ gave himself a Ransom for All here is none shut out by him here is none Reprobated by him from this RANSOM he is God's free gift to the Gentiles or Heathens as well as to the Jews yea to be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth he is the Shilow the peaceable Saviour unto whom the gathering of all Nations must be even as God hath promised I will declare the Decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal 2. 8 9. He tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. He is the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. He is the Propitiation not for our Sins only said the Apostle but also for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2. 2. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 John 1. 4. The Apostle Peter saith God is Long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should Perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Note Reader the holy Apostles and the rest of the faithful Christians were come to Repentance and were Regenerated and Born of God and so were new Creatures in Christ Jesus But the Long-suffering of God is exercised towards the Ungodly who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance and he gives them time to repent and doth visit them with his good Spirit in tender Love to enable them to Repent but many reject his tender Love herein and will not obey his Voice as he said Israel would have none of me and as Christ said to the Jews Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life Christ Jesus the Son of God said unto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira That he gave the Woman Jezabel space to repent of her Fornications and she repented not Rev. 2. 18 21. Mark Reader though God gave her Space that is Time to Repent yet she Repented now her not Repenting proceeded from her own Self willfullness and not from God's holy Will for inasmuch as God gave her time to Repent she was put into a condition by him to Repent and therefore might have Repented within the time he gave her to Repent though afterwards it might be hid from her Eyes as it was in the Case of Esau The Author to the Hebrews Exhorted the Believers in Christ to Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which NO MAN shall see the Lord looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God or fall from it lest any Root of Bitterness spring up and trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12. 14 15 16 17. Here the holy Man labours to keep them to the Grace of God which doth bring Salvation which did teach them to deny Ungodliness and to live Soberly and Godly in the present World For he knew that the Devil who did and doth go about the Saints ever seeking which of them he may Devour would seek to draw them from the Grace of God and he knew that it was possible that he might prevail upon them and might lead them to do Despite against the Spirit of Grace if they did not Watch deligently against him and he knew if once they were drawn from the Grace of God then the Root of Bitterness would spring up speedily by which many might be Defiled but as a provision against this Evil he Exhorted them to Watch as afore-said in which Watch they being found the Grace of God was sufficient to preserve and uphold them even as the Lord said unto Paul that diligent Watcher My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in Weakness The Apostle Paul told the Galatians saying Whosoever of you are Justified by the Law or seek to be Justified by it ye are fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4. The Author to the Hebrews saith He that despised Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall they be thought worthy who have troden under Foot the Son
of God and have counted the Blood of the Covenant WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED AN UNHOLY THING and hath done Despite unto the Spirit of GRACE Heb. 10. 28 29. Reader here take notice that the holy Man of God who writ this Epistle speaks of some who was Sanctified by the Blood of the Covenant who afterwards did tread under Foot the Son of God and counted the Blood of the Covenant by which he was Sanctified an Unholy thing and did Despite unto the Spirit of Grace Now he that did so did fall from the Grace as the holy Man said to the Galatians To the same purpose the said author speaks in Heb. 6. 4 5 6. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned have tasted of the heavenly Gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto Repentance seeing they crucifie unto themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 4 5 6. Heb. 10. 26 27. These mentioned by the Apostle are Apostates grown old in Iniquity grown ripe for Vengeance grown past feeling their Consciences seared with a hot Iron 1 Tim. 4. 2. But note Reader there may be some sliping and sliding in the Spiritual Journey after Man or Woman is come to know the Truth and a place in it this I say may come through want of watchfulness on the Creatures part and yet through the tender Mercy of the Lord snch may be renewed into savour with God again through his righteous Judgments and the Creatures unfeigned Repentance And this Repentance renewing into favour with God is wrought by the vertue of the Mediator and Advocate Christ Jesus At this the Apostle points saying Mylittle Children these things write I unto you that ye Sin not and if any man Sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2. 1. But let all who knows the Truth and hath a Place or a Habitation in it keep in the holy fear of the Lord God stedfast and lowly in mind and let none by what is here said take liberty to Sin that Grace or Favour may abound no God for-bid as saith the holy Apostle Rom. 6. 1. The Apostle Peter saith For if after they have escaped the Polutions of the World through the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again Entangled therein and OVERCOME the latter end with them is worse than the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment DELIVERED UNTO THEM But it is happened or come to pass unto them according to the true Proverb The Dog is turned to his own Vomit again and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. Here the Apostle plainly sheweth that some had escaped the Polutions of the World through the Knowledge of Christ Jesus they had the holy Commandment delivered to them and they turned from it and they turned like the Dog to his own Vomit or like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire God did not will that they should turn from the holy Commandment which he had delivered unto them nor that they should turn into the Polutions of the World again out of which they had escaped through the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for God who is unchangeable hath said If any man draw back my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. The Apostle Paul said We then â—â— Workers together beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God IN VAIN 2 Cor. 1. 6. Note Reader here the Apostle sheweth his Godly Jealousie over these Corinthians though they had received the Grace of God lest their receiving of it should be in Vain unto them this shews that the Apostle saw that men might receive the Grace of God and through their own Neglect Sloth and Unwatchfulness might fall from it and Perish and certainly some did so as Jude doth shew in his Epistle and Paul in his Epistle unto the Galatians he said unto them O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you and he said unto them Whosoever of you are Justified by the Law ye are fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4. and 3. 1. Note Reader their falling from Grace was not because the Grace was not sufficient to uphold them but because of their Sloth Negligence and Unwatchfullness the Apostle Peter Exhorted those he writ to To be good Stewards of the manifold GRACE of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. those who were good Stewards did grow in Grace and were saved by it as the holy Apostle saith By Grace ye are saved through Faith and he saith It is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace It hath appeared to all men as he saith Titus 12. 11. Ephesians 2. 5 and 8. Hebrews 13. 9. and its appearance unto all men is for one and the same Cause Purpose or End even to bring Salvation unto all the good Stewards of the Grace have Salvation by it But the Evil and Unjust Stewards do despite unto the Spirit of Grace read Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29 30. and such are the Idle Stewards wh o are spoken of by Christ in his Parables saying Take that Vnjust and Idle Servant who hath hid his Lord's Money in the Earth and Bind him Hand and Foot and cast him into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth By this it doth appear that the holy Apostles did believe and know that the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation which hath appeared unto all men is sufficient to bring and give Salvation unto all men And those who have not Salvation by it the Fault is not in God or Christ or the Grace but in themselves The Sluggard is cloathed with Rags and the Rebellious shall dwell in a dry Land the Backslider God hath no pleasure in he shall be filled with his own Evil Wayes and Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft but the diligent hand maketh Rich and he that is faithfull in a little shall be made Ruler over much God rejects the Proud but he teacheth the Humble he gives encrease of Grace and of Faith unto them The holy Apostles great Labour and Care was to bring people to the Grace of God and to keep them to it they knew the sufficiency of it yet also knew that the Serpent who drew Adam and Eve from God to sin against him would labour to keep people in Rebellion against the Grace of God and also would labour to draw those into Rebellion against it who were come into Obedience to it and they knew the Serpent might readily prevail if a diligent Watch were not kept and this our Lord Jesus well knew and therefore said unto his
of Esau for Stubble c. Obed. 3. 6 10 12 13 14 15 18. This Prophecy of Obediah is but one Chapter read it through Note Reader here God plainly tells Esau in his Seed and Generation of the many acts of Pride and Cruelty which he did which he should not have done and because he did them God was angry with him and therefore rejected him and cut him off and returned a reward upon him according to his evil works So Esau's ruin misery and destruction was of himself the effect and reward of his own rebellious evil Works which the Devil not God was the Original and cause of and God was and is just in his righteous Judgments that he brought upon him and which he brings upon all such Moreover concerning striving to enter into the Kingdom c. Paul in the holy Ghost saith And if a man also strive for mastery yet is he not crowned or gaineth not Victory except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. Now all who strive lawfully to enter the Kingdom of God they must strive ONLY in the divine heavenly Spirit or Word of God whereby every one that cometh into the World are enlightned in some measure or degree to know Good from Evil according to John 1. 9 8 12. 12. 46. Psalm 27. 1. 2 Sam. 22. 29. Isa 60. 20. Luke 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. John 3. 19 20. Ephes 5. 8 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Ephes 1. 18. Christ saith God is a Spirit and they who Worship him must Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for such the Father seeketh to Worship him c. John 4. 23 24. God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost gave a true Relation of the Voice which he others heard from the excellent Glory concerning Christ Jesus saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. After he had given this true Relation he further said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Take notice Reader God is Light God is a Spirit Christ is the Light of the World as he saith yea the true Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the World There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear witness of the Light that ALL MEN through him might believe he to wit John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light which was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of God 1 John 1. to vers 14. Note Reader Christ in his Divinity as he is the Word which was in the beginning by whom all things was made he is the true divine Light who lighteth every man that cometh into World He said unto the World whom he enlightneth Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light The Children of the Light are the Children of God for God is Light as is shewed before This holy Apostle John said The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Therefore was John the Baptist sent from God to bear witness to that Light which shineth in Darkness that all men through him might believe mark all being enlightned by Christ who is given for a Light to the Gentiles and to be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth for so it is written of him by the Holy man therefore Gods will is that all People Male and Female may believe in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them this Light being believed in giveth to see Christ and leads to him the giver of it and to God the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning or changing as saith the holy Apostle Mankind in the fall and alienation from God in their Sin are darkened by the God of the World who hath blinded their minds Man in that state is said to be Darkness The Apostle Paul saith For ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light for the Fruits of the Spirit is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5. 8 9. And so here the Light and Spirit are joyned together by the Apostle whose Fruits are one their Testimony and Work one and they are one as God who is Light and Spirit is one and not divided For God being a Spirit and Light and Christ as he is the divine Word is God is Light is a quickening Spirit so the Light and Spirit floweth from the Father in and through his Son and thereby are all men enlightned to know Good from Evil in some degree or measure this Light is the Condemnation of all them that hate it Christ saith This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his deed should be reproved but every one that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. To be turned to this Light is the great and weighty concern of the fallen darkened Sons Daughters of Adam and therefore was that great and faithful Prophet John the Baptist sent to bear witness of the Light that all men might believe here is none fore-ordained of God to be Unbelievers here none is Reprobated by him before they were Born Christ according to the Flesh dyed for all yea his Soul was made an Offering for Sin by his
is the Devil as Christ said these are the REPROBATES this Birth of the Serpents Seed is the Prophane Esau which God Hates this Birth is Cursed in its first Conception in its Youth and in its Old Age. Jesus said unto the Rebellious Jews The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruit thereof see Mat. 21. 45. And to such Unbelieving Rebellious ones he said Ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and ye your selves thrust out see Luke 13. 28. Again Christ said Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring to go in see Matth. 23. â—3 read the Chapter through See Luke 11. 52. Take notice of this all ye Loose and Prophane Livers who call your selves Christians your Un-God-like and Un-Christ-like Conversations bring a Scandal and Reproach upon the Name of Christianity you cause the honourable Name of Christ and Christianity to be Blasphemed against by Jews Turks and Indian Heathens O that the deep Sence of this your great Sin might fall upon you and that your Hearts might be truly broke in the Sence thereof O that you would yet Unfeignedly seek Repentance before the Door of Mercy be forever shut against you there is yet Mercy with God for multitudes therefore his holy Will is that they should seek after him Unfeignedly Repent and Turn unto him from all their Abominations but those who will not but go on stubbornly in Rebellion against him he will cut down suddainly in his Righteous Judgments SWIFTLY even as a Mower cuts down Grass therefore Fear Tremble and Bow before him all ye Workers of Iniquity And more particularly consider of these things O all ye several sorts of TEACHERS whose EVIL WORK it hath been and is to draw out and keep out Peoples Minds from the Spirit of God and Christ by which alone their Hearts are SEARCHED and their EVIL Thoughts Words and Actions shewed unto them this is the swift Witness by which the Living God doth Reprove them and Condemn them for the same This is the Faithfull and True Witness which neither BRIBES nor FLATTERY nor THREATNINGS can Corrupt Destroy nor Stop ITS inward Convictions Rebukes or Reproofs from those who Rebel against it and as it is faithfull in witnessing against all the Rebellious so is it faithfull in bearing witness to and with the Spirits of all the Obedient that they are the Children of God And of this the holy Apostles were Living True Witnesses who said Whatsoever is Reproved is made manifest by the Light and also said The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God And also said He that believeth in the Son of God hath a witness within himself and hath set to his seal that God is True As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are Sons of God and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his as saith the holy Apostle Those who believe not in the Spirit of God and Christ they are not governed by it they are NOT the real Possessors and Enjoyers of it and such have it not to save and deliver them out of sin because they believe not in it yet this Spirit of Truth doth convince the whole World which lieth in Wickedness of their sins and doth in secret condemn them for the same every one in the Day of Gods Visitation unto them So the Spirit of Truth which is the Saints Comforter which leads them into all Truth the same is the Reprover Condemner Judger and Tormentor of the Unbelieving Wicked Rebellious World see John 16. 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ephes 5. 13. Jer. 17. 10. Psal 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. 1 John 5. 10. Isa 55. 4. John 3. 33. Rom. 8. 14 16. Psal 50. 21 22. Amos 4. 13. John 1. 9. and 8. 12. and 3. 19 20. Acts 13. 47. and 26. 17 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth NO man but the Spirit of God the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God see 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. This was and is the KEY of all heavenly saving knowledge by this is mans Heart opened to understand and know those things which belongs to his Immortal Souls Rest and Peace and he that believeth therein is enabled thereby to do those things which are well-pleasing to the Lord God and keep out of those things which are displeasing to him And of this the holy Apostle was a Living true Witness who prayed for the Believers saying I pray God strengthen you by his Spirit in the INNER MAN see Ephes 3. 16. Col. 1. 11. Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews who made their boast of the Law yet wrested the Sayings thereof and brake it Wo unto ye Lawyers for ye have taken away the Key of Knowledge ye entered NOT in your selves and them that were entering in ye hindered see Luke 11. 52. Nehemiah said Lord thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them c. Nevertheless they were Disobedient and Rebelled against thee and cast thy Law behind their Backs and SLEW thy Prophets which testified against them to turn them unto thee see Nehem. 9. 20. 26. Remember this all YE that hate and Persecute those who Worship God who is a Spirit in the Spirit and in the Truth and Repent and cease from your Ungodly Works if you will not God will cut you off and vex you in his sore displeasure in rewarding you justly according to the Wickedness of your doings We to the Rebellious Children saith the Lord that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with a Covering but NOT OF MY SPIRIT that they may add Sin unto Sin see Isa 30. 1. This Spirit was and is the Covering UNDER which man and woman is blessed is in safety out of the reach of that evil hurtful Spirit which worketh in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience who also goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour as saith the Apostle whom the true Believers did and do resist in the living Faith and by the virtue of the good Spirit of God with which they were ARE covered and in it had have Victory over him such did do experience to their great Comfort the saying of the holy man fulfilled who said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the WORLD see 1 John 4. 4. O that the Haters of and Mockers at this holy pure Spirit would seriously consider what they are doing O that they would consider their latter end and the account that they must give to God for these things O that it were in their Hearts unfeignedly to
Wife and so he was after God had sanctified him through his Righteous Judgments and Mercy he prayed to God to Wash him and he said I shall be whiter than Snow make me to hear joy and gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Create in me a new Heart O God and renew a right Spirit within me take not thy holy Spirit from me Psal 51. 7 to the 15th J. B. in pag. 26. thou chargest the Apostles That they all at one clap forsook or denyed Christ To prove this thy Charge thou bringest Mark 14. 50. 66. which doth not prove thy Charge against them ALL Peter did deny him but when the Cock crew he turned about and Wept bitterly Here was timely and unfeigned Repentance he did not say he must continue denying his Master all his Dayes but he soon became a valiant follower of Christ and a sufferer with him and for him Mark saith the others fled but doth not say they all at once denyed their Master but it appears by their leaving of him at that time that they did not so boldly confess him before his Enemies as afterwards they did But let J. B. consider that this weakness which appeared in them was before the Holy Ghost was come upon them in that FULNESS which after the Death and Resurrection of their Master they received The Holy Ghost was NOT yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified John 7. 39. But after theywere endewed with Power from on high they confessed him with great boldness suffered with him for him Boldly J. B. here thou makest Ungodly shifts to plead for Sin term of Life which plea of thine is to uphold the Devil's Kingdom which stands in Sin and thy plea is against the Kingdom of Christ which doth stand in Holiness and Righteousness God will reward thee according to thy Deeds if thou do not come to unseigned Repentance but it is thy Repentance and Salvation that we desire In the aforesaid page J. B. quotes David's words who said in Psalms 14. 1. 53. 1 3. There is none that doth good c. Which Paul repeats in Rom. 3. 11 12. to the 20. where he doth plainly open the Words of David thus Now saith he we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every Mouth may be stopped and all the WORLD may become guilty before God The same Apostle saith Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes Rom. 10. 4. The same Apostle said to the Saints Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. The same Apostle saith Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the Body of Sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin Rom. 6. 6. And he saith How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 2. And the same Apostle saith to the Galatians If ye be led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law Gal. 5. 18. None are true Christians but those who are led by the Spirit of Christ as the Apostle saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God saith the holy man of God and such are not under the Law being come out of the Transgression upon which or because of which the Law was added Besides in the 14. 53. Psalms and in Rom. 3. David and Paul shew that God had a People in those Dayes which he distinguished from those workers of Iniquity he said Have the workers of Iniquity no Knowledge who eat up my People as they eat Bread and call not upon the Lord and he said The Wicked were in great fear for God is in the Congregations of the Righteous Mark God had a Righteous Congregation then though they might be few in Number Psalms 14. 4 5. 53. 4. J. B. quotes Jer. 17. 9. The Heart is desperately wicked who can know it The Prophet doth answer the Question in the Name of the Lord saying I the Lord search the Heart I try Reins to give unto every man according to his wayes and according to the Fruit of his doings God hath promised by the Mouth of his holy Prophet that he will take away the Stony Heart out of the Flesh and that he will give a Heart of Flesh that People may walk in his Statutes Ezek. 11. 19. And the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin of Righteousness and Judgment and whatsoever is reproved and condemned by God in Men and Women the same is made known to be Evil by the spiritual Light of Christ Jesus Every one that doth Evil hates the Light and will not bring his Deeds to it But he that doth Truth bringeth his Deeds to the Light that they may be made manifest that they are wrought in God as saith the Apostle J. B. God saith Wo unto the Rebellious Children who take counsel but not of me that cover with a covering but not of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Thou hast given large Proof in this thy Pamphlet that thou art not covered with the Spirit of God for if thou wert thou wouldst not thus wickedly wrest the holy Scriptures to cover thy self in thy Sins neither wouldst thou rake up the weakness and failings of such amongst God's People who at sometimes did Evil but Repented and forsook their Evils and were forgiven by the Lord as in the cases of David and Peter God made Man perfect and the Devil hath brought man into Imperfection by leading him into Sin and Rebellion against God So thy Plea for Sin and Imperfection term of Life is a plea for the Devil and his Kingdom whose Kingdom stands in Sin and thou art in this thy plea against Christ Jesus and his Kingdom which stands in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost So be ashamed of thy Ungodly Work and Repent Concerning God's dwelling in his People In page 23. J. B. saith If there be that in us which if obeyed leads to Heaven then sure we bear a part in our Justification our selves which giveth the Apostle to the Ephesians the Lye who tells us we are saved by Grace through Faith c. Answ God who cannot Lye hath promised that he will walk and dwell in his People and teach them himself And the Apostle said to the Saints There is one God over all through all and in you all Mark God was in them all and the Apostle said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and he said to some who questioned whether Christ did speak in him or no Try your selves know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates And the Apostle John
said God is Love he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him mark God in him and the Apostle John said We know that the Son of God is come hath given us an under standing that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and this is the true God and Life eternal 1 Joh. 5. 19 20. And it 's written He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath the Son hath the Father also Christ in his Prayer to the Father said of his Disciples I in them and thou in me John 17. 21. to the end of the Chapter Thus it plainly appears that the Christians did and do enjoy God and Christ within God is a Spirit as Christ said and the second Adam was made a quickning Spirit as the Apostle saith So God and Christ within is sufficient to lead unto Salvation being obeyed and thus to own God and Christ within did not nor doth not lead the Christians to justifie themselves or as J. B. phrases it To bear a part in their own Justification nor to give the Apostle the Lye who saith Ye are saved by Grace through Faith Now mark the great Ignorance of this J. B. he grants that People are saved by Grace through Faith I ask J. B. then must not they who are so saved have this Grace this Faith within them would he have them to be saved by Grace through Faith and yet have neither Grace nor Faith in them Oh gross Ignorance The Martyr Stephen was a man full of Faith and of the Holy Ghost or Spirit And the Apostle exhorted saying Be not drunk with Wine wherein is Excess but be ye filled with the Spirit The Apostle saith It is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace And sure this Grace must be in their Hearts with which their Hearts were to be established The Apostle exhorted the Saints to teach and admonish c. with Grace in their Hearts Col. 3. 16. And the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience as it s written in the holy Scriptures The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men as saith the Apostle Tit. 2. 11. And the appearance of it is within Man and Woman as I have proved by the Scriptures and the Lord said unto the Apostle My Grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weakness They who do believe in the Grace do know the sufficiency of it yea of the least measure of it to their comfort to preserve save them but those who do despight unto it and continue in Unbelief shall come to know the sufficiency of it to condemn them And by this Grace which hath appeared to all men the Lord will be clear of all the Wicked who perish in their Wickedness yea he will overcome them all when he brings his Righteous Judgments upon them for their Rebellion Happy are all they who do believe and continue stedfast in obedience unto the Grace of God but Wo to the Wicked who continue in Rebellion against it The People of God in scorn called Quakers do believe and say as the holy Apostle did who said We are not able to think a good Thought of our selves of our selves we can do nothing that is good But we do believe that its possible to grow to such a stature in Christ Jesus by virtue of his spiritual presence WITHIN as that by virtue thereof the TRUE BELIEVER may be ENABLED to do all things which God doth require of HIM and of this belief was the Apostle who said I can do all things through Christ that strengthneth me Through the tender Mercy of God we are made sensible that as Christ said so it is Without him we can do nothing And the Apostle said We are God's Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God before ordained that we should walk in them And it is God that worketh all our Works in us And so said the Prophet and so say WE see Isa 20. 12. Ephes 2. 10. Postscript Being a Scriptural Testimony to the perfect Works of God in his People COme out from amongst them and be ye seperate saith the Lord and touch no unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be your Father and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty see Isa 52. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. read the Chapter through The holy Apostle saith God forbid that I should glory SAVE or except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto me and I unto the World For IN Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but A NEW CREATURE and as many as WALK according TO THIS RULE PEACE be on them c. Gal. 6. 14 15 16. Note Reader they that come out from amongst the unclean who touch no unclean thing these are the Elect of God these are his Sons and Daughters Servants and Hand-maids these are new Creatures in Christ Jesus these are Crucified with Christ these are in and through him Crucified to the World and the World is Crucified to them and as many as WALK according to these new Creatures RULE they walk according to the commands of God and Christ expressed in the holy Scriptures of Truth who saith Be Perfect be Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy And God is perfect and his way is perfect and his work is perfect as it is written 2 Sam. 22. 31. Psal 18. 30. Deut. 32. 4. Christ saith Except a man be Born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 5. Matth. 19. 28. Tit. 3. 5. Those who are Born again are new Creatures these Worship God in the newness of the Spirit of God and of Christ in which they come to see the Promises of God and Christ fulfilled who said I will walk in them c. I will teach my People my self I will write my Law in their Heart c. Ephes 46. Levit. 26. 12. Rev. 21. 3. Jer. 31. 33. Christ said I and my Father we will come and make our ABODE with you The Conversations of all such are sweet and clean according to the commands of God and Christ and the Doctrines and Examples of Christ and his holy Apostles and such are the true owners and lovers and esteemers of the holy Scriptures And NOT those who make their bost of their love to God and Christ and to them and yet in their EVIL Lives and Conversations denyboth God and Christ and them living in and loving and pleading for a continuance in Sin to the end of their dayes all which is directly contrary to the commands of God and Christ plainly laid down in the Scriptures And God said unto Rebellious Israel O that thou hadst hearkned to my Commandments then had thy Peace have been as a River thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea
yet he passed away and lo he was not I sought him but he could not be sound Mark the PERFECT MAN and behold the Vpright for the end of that man is PEACE see Psal 37. 27 35 36 37. Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts which WAR against the SOUL Having your Conversation Honest among the Gentiles whereas they speak against you as Evil-doers they may by your GOOD WORKS which they shall behold glorifie God in the Day of Visitation 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. Reader Take notice here David owns Perfection he saith Mark the Perfect Man behold the Vpright for the end of that Man is Peace Thus it plainly appears that God and Christ and the true Prophets and Apostles and holy Men and Women were and are for Perfection Holiness and Uprightness but the Devil Anti-christ False Prophets False Apostles and all Wicked Men and Women are for Imperfection Ungodliness Unholiness Sin and Wickedness who plead for a continuance in Sin until Men and Women go to the Grave This Plea for Sin and Wickedness is not a Plea for God and Christ but for the Devil who is the author of Sin In the Grave there is no Repentance neither is there any Purgatory as some do falsly teach to purge people from their sins after they are dead and put in their Graves No Unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven therefore blessed are they who come to Christ Jesus and follow him who came to take away Sin and bring in Everlasting Righteousness to wash and cleanse from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and to strengthen his to perfect Holiness in the fear of the Lord God unto which the holy Apostle exhorted as is shewed before These things have I written in Testimony to God's Universal Love to all People and of his delight in Holiness and Purity and of his Hatred to all Sin and Wickedness I am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness and a real Lover NOT of only my Friends but also of mine Enemies according to the Command and Example of Christ Jesus my Lord William Gibson THe Author of this Book desires that it may be diligently spread among those People who think that Christ did not dye for all men who think that God would NOT have all People to be saved but vainly imagin that he hath ordained some to be Damned before they were Born that by the Spirit and Light of Truth shining in their Hearts and the plain Scripture Testimony they may be convicted of this their great and destructive Mistake ERRATA PAge 1. Line 2. for 157. read 15. p. 3. l. 5. f. himself r. him p. 5. l. 26. f. 38. r. 3. 36. p. 11. l. 13. put in not p. 12. l. 21. put out Heb. 6. p. 21. l. 26. put in of p. 37. l. 18. put in renew next before purifie p. 43. l. 8. f. profecy r. prosperity l. 17. f. forefooted r. fourfooted p. 60. l. 29. put out the Parentheses p. 171. l. 21. f. Judger r. Judge p. 74. l. 20. put in him p. 78. l. 4. f. is r. his p. 89. l. 31. f. deem r. deny Reader this is a great Error and it wholly alters the sense of the matter it renders me as though I did affirm that which in reality I do deny P. 94 l. 14. r. Gal. 6. 7 8. p 98 l 36 r the Reins p 104 l 9 f Commandment r Commandments THE END Mal. 1 2 3 4. Gal. 3. 16. Gen. 3 15. Heb. 3. 12 13. Gen. 3. 1. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God the Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8. 14 16. Note here the Darkness is within in the Heart of man in the Fall and the Light shines to expell the Darkness within the Day is to dawn and the Day-star is to arise in the darkened fallen mans Heart Some who believed not in Christ said unto him What shall we do that we might work the works of God he said unto them This is the work of God to believe in him whom God hath sent see John 6. 28 29. It is said in the holy Scriptures The Curse causless or without cause shall NOT COME But a Rod is for the fools Back see Prov. 26. 2 3. They are cursed Children or the Children of the curse who have forsaken the right way see 2 Pet. 2. 14 15. Christ preached unto his Disciples saying Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your GOOD WORKS and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 14. The Apostle who preached down the shadowy works of the Law said We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ordained that we should walk IN THEM Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle James saith Faith without Works IS DEAD being alone as the Body without the Spirit is dead so Faith without Works is dead also Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by Faith only Abraham believed and it was counted to him for Righteousness and he was called the Friend of God These are not the shadowy Works of the Law by which no Flesh can be justified in the sight of God but these are the substantial Works of the Gospel wrought in through Christ in all his true and real Disciples see Ja. 2. 17. to the end The Apostle prayed for the Hebrews or Jews saying The God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant make you PERFECT in every good Work TO DO HIS WILL working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory forever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. O all ye several sorts of Teachers Writers and Disputers who have been are striving to draw keep people from this swift faithful and true witness which searcheth the Hearts and shews People their Evil Thoughts Words and Actions and Reproves and Condemns them for the same Repent and cease from this your Vngodly Work or else God will take you away from this Cursed Work in his fierce Anger See Gen. 17. Gen. 6. 0. Deut. 18. 13. Psalm 37. 37. Matth. 5. 48. Luke 6. 40. 1 Cor. 2. 6. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Ephes 4. 11 12. 13. Heb. 5. 14. Col. 1. 28. 4 12. 2 Tim. 3. 17. Heb. 12. 22 23 13 21 6. 1. James 1. 4. 1 Pet. 5. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 9. 1 John 3. 9. ☞
divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
Sin and Reprove it for the same IN THAT is Faith offered to all People the work of that Spirit within doth give in some degree a true and real Testimony in the Souls of all Men and Women that there is a God unto whom Worship doth belong by this Spirit God doth give just cause unto all Men and Women to believe in him every one in the time of their Visitation and if they believe NOT THEIR Unbelief is their SIN which doth shut them out of the Kingdom of God and such do destroy themselves as God hath said O Israel thou Destroyest thy self There are degrees or measures of the Spirit of Truth freely tendred as Gods free gift to all to profit withall and as the measure or degree differeth not in Nature but in measure or proportion so the enlightning of the darkned understanding thereby is greater or less according to that which God hath given and the Faith wrought thereby is more or less accordingly and every one that delightly improveth the little or LEAST measure God who is faithful to perform hath promised that they shall be made Ruler over much yea they shall enter into the Joy and Peace of their Lord and the Faith of such diligent Improvers of the little shall grow exceedingly as did the Faith of the diligent Ones of Old witnessed unto by the holy Apostle as is shewed before The Lord God is just and equal who requireth Faith and Obedience according or answerable to what he gives in all Ages and Dispensations be it more or less and NOT otherwise for he is equal in ALL his doings just in all his Judgments to him be all Glory Honour Dominion and Praise throughout all Ages yea World without End Amen Paul declared unto King Agrippa saying That Christ sent him to the Gentiles to open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me saith Christ see Acts 26. 14 15 16 17 18. Again Paul said We Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ but we have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us see 2 Cor. 4. 5 6 7. Christ said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. Again He saith I am the Light of the World c. I came not to destroy the World but to save the World He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the WORD that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day John 12. 46 47 48. Note Reader that Christ is the Author and Finisher of true Faith as it is written of him Heb. 12. 2. To believe in him as he is the Light of the World is true Belief or true Faith He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are evil for every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deed should be reproved but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God see John 3. 18 19 20 21. see also the 14 15 16 17 verses God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with onother and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin see 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Reader thus it plainly clearly and evidently appears in the words of the holy Scripture that God and Christ is Light and by God in and through Christ are all Men and Women enlightned in some measure or degree to know good and evil the one from the other in and by this Light is true and saving Faith tendred or offered to ALL. They who take heed unto this Light which shineth in their dark sinful Hearts and there convinceth them of and reproveth them for Sin they do well as saith the Apostle see 2 Pet. 1. 19. By this spiritual and divine Light which cometh from God who is a Spirit in and through Christ the second Adam who is made a quickning Spirit as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth is all true saving Faith begun increased and finished Now those who strive to enter the Kingdom of God out of this Light and Faith are as Thieves and Robbers who will not come to Christ the Light the Door to enter in by him but would climb up by another way and therefore must be cast down and though they strive never so much in their fallen corrupt Self-will out of the true Light and Spirit of God and Christ yet can they not be able to enter The Apostle saith And if a man strive for mastery yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully see 2 Tim. 2. 5. Again Christ compareth or likeneth the Kingdom of Heaven unto ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went out to meet the Bride-groom and five of them were Wise and five of them were Foolish while the Bride-groom tarried they all slumbred c. and at mid-night there was a Cry made Behold the Bride-groom cometh go you out to meet him then all those Virgins arose and trimed their Lamps and the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for OUR Lamps are gone OUT but the wise answered saying NOT so c. buy for your selves c. and while they went to buy the Bride-groom came and they that were ready went in with him into the Marriage and the DOOR was SHUT afterwards came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch ye therefore for ye know not neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of man cometh see Matth. 25. to the 14. verse Note Reader the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ten Virgins five Wise and five Foolish both wise and foolish had Lamps yea and both had Oyl ONCE for the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for our Lamps are gone out This sheweth that they were once IN lighted and burning but through sloathfulness they neglected to renew their Lamps with Oyl and so