themselves for the mind without knowledge is not good Our Apostle therefore concludes by transferring this wo unto himself in a figure as he saith in another case of himself and Apollo thereby teaching the proper state of the false apostles in their practise I say herein he concludes that salvation doth consist only in the preaching of the gospel as necessarily and absolutely as it doth consist in faith for there is nothing that is a grace of the gospel but hath in it the compleat and full estate and condition of Jesus Christ without which no salvation For as the whole law in all points is fulfilled in one word namely love so is salvation comprehended in every virtue that is in Christ whereof the revelation and opening of the mind of the Father is one And as it is true that he who breaks one commandment is guilty of all even so he that excludes any Christian from any one grace or virtue that is in Christ he excludes him from all for as it is true that with the heart man believes unto righteousness even so with the mouth confession which is preaching is made unto salvation and the one is as necessary unto life as the other for he that confesseth not or he that preacheth not that Christ is come in the flesh is Antichrist and Antichrist is that son of perdition or destruction and not of salvation Every Christian therefore is to witness a good confession or is to witness a good preaching as befnre Pontius Pilate or else no attaining unto salvation that is every Christian must with boldness and courage oppose the virtue and power of the Son of God against all the rulers of the darkness of this world which is of that evil one This wo therefore pronounced against false apostles in this figurative speech of the Apostle as transferring it unto himself rests upon all such in its real abode as either preach not the gospel according as the truth is in Jesus and simplicity thereof in the rest or else neglect it or forbid it to be preached by others or in themselves for they may as well neglect or deny to themselves or others the faith of Gods elect or any virtue and grace appertaining to life and salvation therefore our Apostle in whom is personated all true and faithful Saints of God is necessitated hereunto and doth it by constraint even as the love of Christ constraineth him to deal faithfully and plainly in the cause oâ— God according to the demonstration and evidence of the Spirit of God in the salvation of his chosen though the false apostles judged him to be besides himself in so doing therefore it follows Vers 17. For if I do it willingly that is if I do it voluntarily of my own accord by any will or law of a creature constraining and urging me thereunto then I have a reward that is suitable to the fountain from whence it comes which is the will of a creature which Christ never came to do nor to be in motion thereby but only to do the will of the Father and from that to receive motion in all his enterprizes Or thus then I have my reward or my end as the word imports that is if I preach from a humane will my end is also humane if I preach from the learning and abillities of a creature it is the obtaining of the things of the creature which I propound as my aim and end therein and not the things of God my main scope and intent is so fading and perishing Mammon of unrighteousness and not the durable treasure consisting in that righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus For according to the nature of the spirit which goeth forth such is the nature of the thing expected and looked for in the return and such it ever proves to be for he that sows to or in the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that sows in the spirit shall reap everlasting life a carnal ministry ever expects carnall things and an expectation of carnal things for preaching the word of God is an evident demonstration of a carnal and corrupt ministry not acceptable in the house of God or in any Christian heart for it never knew what the liberties and priviledges of the gospel are and therefore can never utter them But if I do it against my will that is against the will and proper law of man which is at enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be as this our Apostle affirms in another place for Christ is not brought forth or born of flesh nor of bloud nor of the will of man but of God as the Scriptures teach then is the dispensation committed unto me as if he should say then the ordering and disposing of all the whole matter of the gospel is committed to me in trust as to a Steward and so the glory excellency and virtue in point of the dispensation and disposure thereof in its going out as also the return of praise honour and all due deserts appertains and belongs solely unto my Lord or unto that Lordship derived unto me which is never abstracted from the steward and not unto me as a man nor to any mortal creatures who or whatsoever Vers 18. What is my reward then or as the word is what is my end then in preaching the gospel what do I propound unto my self in so doing or expect to be the return of my work verily or in truth upon my serious asseveration or engagement as upon oath that when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of Christ free that is my end in preaching is this that when or in what respect or relation soever I publish and declare salvation and manifest wherein it consists in Christ my intent and full reward stands in this to make it of such fulness and perfection as that it stands not in need nor is it beholding nor ingaged to any earthly or transitory thing either to give it its being add to its form perfection or virtue for no earthly thing can contribute thereunto no more then dust in the beginning could contribute to the Image of God in any respect which is immortal and eternal nor can humane nature contribute to the death of Jesus Christ for it is a death which holds proportion with the Son of God and in all points according to the truth and reality thereof is infinit and eternal because its virtue consists in the eternal word and not in any thing proper to a creature though the creature doth really communicate therein none therefore can ever say I have been his counsellour to contribute unto his wisdome neither to any thing that is proper to Jesus Christ neither can any thing of the creature say I have given unto him first that I may be recompenced no more then it can be said that God is ingaged or indebted unto man for taking him into the unity of eternal
is the beginning and end of all things that Alpha and Omega therefore never from off the head of him who rightly runs in this race for he is never void nor destitute of that honour which is peculiar to the Son of the eternal a glory without compare ever accompanied with sufficient courage fortitude and confidence to gain the prize for time to come which is as certainly renewed in the continued act and exercise in the race as it is certainly injoyed in the present time for as the operations of the Spirit of God are in present exercise upon him so he knows that the Spirit of glory and of God shall remain and rest upon him for time to come through his suffering of the loss of the glory of this world which shall be the crown of all his exercise in the things of God unto perpetual aye and therefore he runs not as at uncertainties but upon present possession which gives us assured hope for time to come as it is certain that God is faithful and cannot deny himself So fight I not as one that beateth the air that is I give not my strokes in combate in my contending for the faith of the Son of God as one that woundeth not or as one that findeth not reality of matter for the weapons of my warfare to take place in exercising their force skill and accomplishing their ends upon but I deal with such as I accomplish like atchievments upon in the management of mine affairs in the gospel as David the beloved of God did in that 11. Psalme which is a true commentary upon this my warfare For I am not as one beating or fighting with the aire as with a thing of no substance I doing no real exploit nor it receiving any wound or foil from me but closeth up and healeth it self again as fast as it receiveth the strokes but contrarily I beat down and bring to nought that which hath in it the reality of sin and death which is the wisdome or law of the flesh As certainly as I guard and defend that which hath in it the reality of eternal life and peace namely tbat wisdome or law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus my Lord exercising it self in the one and the other in my soul and that no otherwise but as it shall be my life and peace spirit and power prowess and victorious imployment and conquest forever for the offices exercises and virtues of Christ are all of like honour worth and duration Vers 27. But I beat down my body that is the body of sin and death and it is my body as in the original and materials of it consisting of God and man as truly as Esau and Jacob came both out of loyns of Isack and Rebekkah so doth the body of sin arise of God and man being made one in that way of the body of death and also that mysticall body of life in Christ in the one the properties and heavenly disposition of the Son of God are crucified to the sin and Satan in the Son of perdition and in the other the properties and earthly disposition of man aâ—â— crucified to the life of righteousness and peace in the Son of God Again it is my body as I am considered from the earth and so have naturally in that respect the nature and disposition of all flesh as the gospel is my gospel as in the spirit of God I come down from heaven and so am one with the Son of God being of the same spirit with him who is both the authour and product thereof Again it is my body as I die thereunto dayly as the same Apostle speaks and also it dies nnto me so as it never hath any power over dominion or me or I any community or fellowship with it even as the body of Christ is mine as I rise and live in newness of life unto it and it unto me wherein consists my proper and only converse and fellowsh p. Again it is my body as I acknowledge the misery and wretchedness of all slesh destitute of the wisdome and Spirit of God and so it is gone over all in regard of the aptitude and disposition of all men naturally inclining thereunto and so I can say in that respect O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death Even as I can give God thanks as in that body of Christ acknowledging by the spirit thereof my deliverance happy condition and salvation being inabled by the same spirit to bring that body of death into subjection in all things exercising the rule and authority of the Son of God over it so as it can never prevail against me but though the enemy may come against me as a flood yet the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standerd against him to chase him away so that in my mind that is in the formings fashionings and framings of all things in my spirit I serve the law of God but in my flesh that is as my natural disposition is found in the men of the world out of Christ there it is under sin and death being a servant thereunto forever Now the ground and reason why I thus beat down my body and bring it in subiection and not the body of another is this viz. Lest whilst I preach to others I my self should become a reprobate in these words our Apostle doth elegantly as in a figure as he speaks formerly in this epistle in a like case transferring the state and condition of all false teachers of the word of God unto himself that thereby he may with modesty set them forth and make them appear in truth to be that which indeed they are Lest while I preach to others or as the word is lest while I preach in others the word lest is not brought in here as a doubt or supposition but as a thing of certainty as if he should say he who preacheth in another he is a reprobate or he is reproved rejected or is become a castaway as disallowed of God So that the Apostles argument stands thus he that preacheth in another that which he preacheth not in himself as being matter of the gospel that minister and ministry is as reprobate silver it is disallowed of God and never passeth for currant doctrine in his kingdome So that he which forms sin in such sort as that he inveighs against it and indeavours to beat it down in another and not in himself as being free from a sin of that nature as in or of himself that is a reprobate ministry he beats the aire and doth not beat down that body which is his that ministry therefore that forms sin so as to belong to one state of men and not unto another to be a sin in one age of the world but not in another or to belong to one six or age of man and not unto another that man doth not in all things beat down his own body that
for the bringing forth of such operations yet cannot but confess the time of them is past and at present is only assemblance of it So do false interpreters they pretend the primative of the church and yet know no more how to make this time the first time then they know how to make a Christian in these dayes to be the first begotten of God therefore meer counterfeiters of time 4. Stage players counterfeit places if he draw but a curtain they act as in the Kings pallace when it may be but in a stew or brothel house So do false interpreters draw but out wine and wafer or water and a person without vale or covering and the act as in the pallace of the king of Saints and in the mean time confess that his dwelling is in heaven where themselves never as yet came and thus false interpreters are the stage players of the world who dissemble the being of persons histories times and places and cannot but confess the reality of them is out of being in point of present appearance Whereas the truth of interpretation doth not only comprehend them all extending it self unto them but also gathereth them up into present exercise and that in the reality of their proper being For he that can look back upon the word and work of God he knows how to convey himself thither or else it is a dead letter unto him he also knows how to bring up convey that word and work to take place and give it self a real and present being in himself otherwise it is not become a quickening spirit unto him and the like skill that the spirit of the Scriptures hath to convey it self back to the original and foundation of things it hath also to convey it self forward to the accomplishing and finishing of them not only in after times but also in the time present otherwise it is as the word of man subject to times and seasons and not as the word of God that is ever the same as himself is Therefore it is that Christ saith before Abraham was I am and the prophet Hosea speaking of Jacob conversing with God saith he met him in Bethel and there he spake with us and the Lord hath set up this name as his memorial in Abraham Isaac and Jacob as being in them conveyed unto Moses and all the Saints of God namely I am that I am hath sent thee for if the sender had not been in him that was sent those great works in Egypt had never been effected for the memorizing of the name of God forever Wo therefore unto false and counterfeit interpreters of the law of God which wo doth not only concern such as know themselves to deal deceitfully with the Scriptures for advantage but also such as upon false principles are never so much perswaded that they speak truth whether they deliver it unto others or receive and take it in as upon their own account it skils not the matter is the same and hath the same acceptance and reward intailed The word wo is a voice of cursing as an edict or proclamation given out by Christ as ruler of all things which none can gain say or contradict containing the whole sum in every part and particular of that cursed estate and condition of sin and unrighteousness as brought in and continued among the sons of men by false and hypocritical interpretation of the word of God as being no other but the spirit of the serpent from the beginning who is said to be the dragon that old serpent which is the devil and Satan Revel 20. 2. And this woful and sinful estate and condition as the proper portion and patrimony of all false interpreters being the only spirit whereby they live in fostring and maintaining the deeds of the flesh is apposed unto that blessed condition of the Son of God the fountain and original of all happiness whose spirit is the true intent and proper scope of the word of God in which alone his life is preserved and maintained forever and therefore he is called the word of God and saith of his proper language the words that I speak are spirit and life therefore without true interpretation of the Scriptures no conservation but a crucification of the Son of God Therefore it is that Christ so often ingeminates and reiterates this word wo as the curse consisting in false interpretation being that and also those which put him to death the persons and the spears being one therefore the Prophet cries out unto God Rebuke the company of spâ—armen or the roor or the crew of the Canes or the wilde beasts of the reed as the word imports Psalm 68. 30. prophecying of those who gave Christ vineger upon a reed in his thirst upon the cross and put a reed in his hand and smote him on the head head with the reed Matth. 27. 29 30 34 48. Psalm 69. â—2 as such as make hollow the word of God emptying it of the proper spirit thereof which thereby becomes as a spunge to draw in sharp bitter and tart things to present unto Christ that is cruel and savage persecutions even unto death therefore the prophet calls them the mighty bulls and calves of the people that is the high priests scribes pharises and elders who falsly expound and apply the word of God to the putting of it to death of whom the prophet largely comments in that two and twentieth Psalme Now to describe a false expositour of the word of God as a general Maxim to hold true undeni bly and universally in the discovery of them in all times places and persons is this They deny the word of God its proper and natural rise and accordingly carry it to an improper and unnatural center First they deny the word of God its proper and natural rise that is they conclude that all things whereinsoever God hath expressed himself do not arise nor have their original in the word of God as considered and consisting in the unity of God and man no nor that any thing in the first act of creating the world could possibly arise out of such a fountain but say they that device of God and man being one was only brought in after man had sinned but in the beginning all things were good yea man himself in a goodness besides short of and out of Christ Whereas the truth is there was never reality of goodness to be found as coming within the account of God but only in that work of God and man being made one in Christ therefore it is that when the man said unto Christ good master taking him for a meer man Christ asks him why callest thou me good there is none good but God not denying himself to be good but that goodness doth not consist in the excellencies of the creature but in the excellencies of the Spirit of God that made all things and what work soever holds nor proportion with the mind of the maker hath not the
the breach of every law under the breach of every one Jam. 2. 10. And the multiplyed and innumerable manifestation of distinct laws and punishments for the breach of them is to declare how unreckonable the wayes are wherein that one holy mind and will of God in Christ may be contradicted and violated with the variety of plagues and punishments appertaining and annexed thereunto but every one of them of an infinite and eternal nature which cannot admit of any conteinment limitation or bounds of restraint even as it is with one Son of God to have such infinite wayes of the legal and orderly expressing of himselfe and to every one of them an eternal peace and satisfaction in God annexed To terminate the word of God therefore in the distinctions of these humane laws and institutions together with their penalties or rewards annexed is nothing else but to garnish the burying place of that righteous and equal one declaring to all the world that his spirit is ceased therein and departed therefrom so that all manner of dissimulation and cruelty is to e expected in all the wayes of their administration indevouring only to uphold the throne of iniquity by establishing the wisdome and glory of the flesh in the pulling down and demolishing that righteous Reign and Scepter of the Son of God Psal 94. 20. 23. Heb. 1. 8. Keeping him in the grave as dead and buried in regard of any of his life vertues-wisdome justice or righteousnesse appearing in such way of interpretation and administration For God as he hath formed himself in Christ is not in all their thoughts Psal 10. 4 5. Psal 56. 5. For he that forms another law to himselfe besides the law of the spirit in Christ as under the bond of the word oâ— God that man frames another God to himself besides the true God and lies under the breach and guilt of the law of God expressed in the first Commandement Exod. 20. 2 3 2 The second point in the order proposed in the Text stands in what these false Interpreters say that is in what they teach for it is their doctrine wherby they build the Tombs of the Prophets and garnish the Sepulchers of the righteous therefore where one Evangelist saith he said unto them another saith he said unto them in his doctrine Compare Mat. 13. 3. with Mark 4. 2. so that it is matter of doctrin whereby both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdome of Satan are erected and maintained 1 And first they conclude their Progenitors to be Murtherers in that they took away the lives of the Prophets by which we see that it is a maxime written in all mens hearts that the cessation of the spirit of prophefie which is done by falsifying and counterfeiting of the Scope and intent of the word of God is a grosse and capital sin which is to extort and violently to take away the life of any one that is innocent Q. But if it be a sin to take away by violence the life of the innocent is it not a sin to lay down and part with an innocent life if there be power to retain it as Christ is said to lay down his life Iohn 10. 11 12. Answ The Answer to this is twofold first it is not against law to suffer as an innocent for it is the gift of God to suffer as well as to beleeve Phil 1. 29. And it is a blessed thing to suffer for righteousnesse sake 1 Pet. 3. 14. but it is against law to take away the life of the innocent for God never made law to take away the life of his Son as the world do violently extort and take it away for then he should institute a law against himself and that eternal life for the Father and the Son are one Iohn 10. 30 Secondly we answer that Christ layes down his life properly with respect unto his death unto all the motions of sin operations of the flesh in all things which is his proper quickning and reviving in the spirit and living eternally unto God which death iâ— nothing else but his Resurrection and possession of everlasting life therefore a righteous and glorious act in the Son of God thus to lay down his life being an innocent act to crucifie all the affections and lusts of the flesh to the quickning and reviving of all the operations of the spirit of God Gal. 5. 24. Ephes 2. 16. 2 The second point in the order of the text stands in what they say in way of excusing and clearing of themselves in these words if we had been in the dayes of our Fathers we would not have taken parts with them in the blood of the Prophets wherein they acknowledge their Fathers to be murtherers â—â—t themselves reformed and become in better state and condition than their fathers were wherein they professe a better condition and a worse in the same Line Posterity Generation and Ofspring of Father and Son as though there were a better state and a worse where God is the Father and Fountain and his sons and offspring Iohn 1. 12. and a better and worse condition also where Satan is the Father and Fountain and his offspring and Children Iohn 8. 44. 1 Iohn 3. 8. This is the doctrine of all false and hypocritical Interpreters at this day who say that Satan is in a worse condition than mankind though never so wicked because the Devil sinned voluntarily without a tempter but man sinned being tempted drawn aside by another plainly declaring thereby that they know not what the Devil is who is so often in their mouths and hearts also nor what mans fall from God is nor wherein consists that great though secret inlet of sin into the world Neither can they truly teach what Christ is what his resurrection from the dead is nor wherein consists that great though secret and hidden inlet of Gods righteousnesse into the sons of men Again they teach that in the way of God there is a better and an inferiour condition as that one son of God is nearer to the father and in greater favour and dignity than another whereas they reall first-born Heb. 12. 23. or else they cannot be an acceptable gift nor are they to be consecrated unto the Lord unlesse they be the opening or emission of the womb Exod. 13. 1 2. Luk. 1. 13. therfore they are called in Hebrew Coach the first of Gods might or able strength or the beginning ofstrengths so the first-born is named Deut. 21. 17. Gen. 49. which Christ complains to be dryed up personating himselfe in those wicked Iews his persecutors Psal 22. 15. These men teach also that the Fathers who served in their generations before us were more remote from God under dark semblances and shadows the light of salvation not so appearing nor the approach and appearing of Christ so neer and perspicuous as it is to us at this day and such Fathers as were in favour with God also for we know that
that inferiour part or place of the sting of sin and curse of God Rev. 9. 10. made manifest in his word 1 Cor. 15 56. Oh Serpents this your false and carnall interpretation hath stopped the ear of man from the beginning that he will not hear the voice of the Son of God though he useth all his skil for the opening of it it is carnall and earthly interpretation in all ages that hath stoped the ear from hearing entertaining and approving the good word of God and by other means was the word of life never hindred from making entrance into the heart of man in any age of the world nor among any people or nation And it is only words of spirit and life Iohn 6. 63. that boar the ear and open it to hear the voice of the Son of God Psalm 40. 6. Iohn 5. 25. that they may live it is that which incorporates into the house and family of God so as never to depart thence for he is tyed thereby unto the door post even by that sound of the word in his soul that he can never depart from it even as the Servant that had served his Master seven years and would have no other freedome but what was found in that house and service was brought to the door post and boared thorow the ear entring into covenant therby to serve him for ever Exo. 21. 6. For there may be a Covenant struck by the ear as well as by the hand Heb. 8. 9. Therefore the Psalmist proclames Oh blessed is that people that know the joyful sound for they shall walk on in the light of thy face Oh Lord in thy name shall they be glad all the day and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted Psalm 89. 15. 16. alluding to the sound of the Silver Trumpet at the Wars Assemblies Solemn Feasts Iourneys and over the Sacrifices of Israel Psalm 81. 3. Numb 10. 3. 9. 10. Joel 2. 1. 15. The ear listning to true interpretation binds over to God incorporates into that mystical body of Christ and keeps from ever departing thence any more knowing the shrill sound of the trump of God which is the dictate of the spirit of God it preserves in the Camp for ever 5 Fifthly The Serpent is known by his act that is he crusheth the heel of Christ as the seed of the woman breaketh or crusheth his head so he breaks bruiseth or crusheth the heel or foot-soal of the seed of the woman that is of Christ Gen. 3. 15. For as Christ bruiseth the head of the serpent crusheth or squeezeth out the headship and power of the Devil so that nothing of his wisdom subtilty cruelty hypocrisie and authority appearâ— in the Saints of God in any of their wayes even so doth the Serpent by false interpretation bruise and crush the heel or soot soal of Christ or the print of the soot as the word imports that is whereas the Son of God in the Character letter or historical records of the word written in mans heart hath therein secretly and mystically involved his proper and saving intent which the Saints of God know how to take â—ut as their only and meet help Gen. 2. 18. for the propagation of their kind as they are the workmanship of God in Christ and his off spring Ephes 2. 10. Act. 17. 29. Even as the Lord tooke aâ— rib out of the side of the first man that great and original Character of mankind and made a woman of it Gen. 2. 21. for the multiplication of man upon the face of the earth Gen. 2. 28. So false interpreters they take out the letter and history of the word from the intent and mind of God and by that means bruise and squeeze out the life and spirit of Scripture that not a print of Christs proper footsteps which he hath truly taken therein can appear being they have carnallized them by closing up the flesh instead therof as though the glory power consisted only therein and as though no defect were upon man in the departure of the rib or bone the life and spirit of the word wherein all true power and glory doth consist which they by this means of spoyling the proper print of Christs footstep which he hath set upon all things in heaven and in earth terminating the form thereof in transient things which is the arm of flesh and so with the Serpent are accursed Jerem. 17. 5. Oh Serpents who by the bruising and disfiguring of the prints of Christs footsteps which he hath set upon all things rightly considered to make his way known to the sons of men according to the Spirit in closing up the flesh instead thereof to be the glory have thereby deluded and destroyed the world unto this day Rev. 9. 10. But these men cry out against such as stand for the scope intent life and spirit of the Scriptures which Christ saith his words are Iohn 6. 63 that they turn the Scriptures into an Allegory whilst in the mean time themselves are the only persons that so do for they will have all to consist in the proper allegory metaphor history outward form of parable proverb journeys buildings sacrifices and ceremonies and therefore in the laying down of one form and figure they take up another or else they would lose all their Religion as they must needs do at the time of their death for they have nothing to do when they come to heaven according to their own doctrine which they do hear no not to love God himselfe which they say only continues not understanding the speech of the Apostle concerning faith hope and love 1 Cor. 13. 13. for by their owne doctrine they deny to love God in Heaven as they do now here in this world for now they professe they love him mediately in another but then they will love him immediately in himself These are the allegorizers upon the word of God for they turn all into the proper figure Allegory Metaphor and misse of the truth and substance in all things 6 Sixthly The Serpent is known by his names and they are many whereof one is Pithon coming of the Hebrew word Pethen a Spirit of delusion that followed the Apostle Paul thereby to maintain and uphold the way of its delusion this is a certain effeminate Spirit oâ— divination that for gaine fi nds out a way by subtilty to prostrate it selfe to any forme of doctrine and that which seemes to prevail and be in honour with the most that it takes up with great applauding of the same together with the Publishers thereof Act. 16. 16. 17. And that this Sepent sets upon his own principles which are carnall and diabolicall which principles by that means he covertly and cunningly insinuates into the world by transforming himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 13. for the upholding of the glory power riches and outward prosperity thereof as though the way of Iesus Christ were promoted and propagated therein Oh ye
the sight of all good men making it clear and manifest unto whom they belong and of what brood and off-spring they are 5 The fifth conclusion is that the word of God is of like concernment in all men and takes hold of them with like force whether it be laid in the way of the blessing or of the curse for it is of like concernment to maintain and uphold the principles of the Creature that it is to maintain and uphold the principles peculiar to God for if the principles of the Creature were not upheld to their height which argue themselves into the place office and seat of God 2 Thes 2. 3. 4. then there were no place for the curse and then the redemption of Christ were without vertue in that it delivered from no wretched nor cursed condition and then praise-worthinesse due unto God should cease having no matter nor cause from which to take place Again if mans principles were not maintained as well as the principles peculiar to God the word and work of God should faile and be extinct for the word of God never uttered it self nor did the work of God exist but in order to Gods wisdom framing the Son of man into its own likenesse making him in conformity with it selfe which is the state of the Son of God Iesus Christ as also the wisdom of man framing the Son of God into its own similitude and likenesse conforming him into the proportion of naturall and earthly principles which is the state of Antichrist that son of perdition and if either of these should fail the word and work of God should faile which are as durable as God himself Psal 119. 89. 90. The word of God therefore takes hold of all men yea of whole mankind with like authority and force both in way of the curse as also in the way of blessednesse for each maintains its own proper principles as upon life and death for in case mans principles and reasonings should take place and beare sway in a Saint the life and spirit of God should be extinct and if the wisdom and argument of the Son of God should take place and bear sway in any wicked man then the spirit of Satan whereby he lives would be extinct so that each of them hath the foâ—ce and authority of life and death upon them than the which a greater bond cannot be for if the force and authority of the word of God were not of like power in point of wrath in the way of the curse as to hold proportion with the word of blessing and peace then could not the word of God hold proportion with it selfe which must of necessity be in all things of an infinite and illimited force and authority 6 In the sixth place we conclude that the word of God hath ordained necessitated it self to come unto all men in way of interpretation and that in all its expressions and intimations whatsoever because it speaks and utters it self in mankind from divers principles and therefore the word must be interpreted or translated â—ut of one into another that is out of one proper speech or language into another and the very formings and fashionings of the heart is the proper speech or language of man therefore the abundance of the heart is that which he speaks Mat. 12 34 Now God hath taken up all things of man as he hath respect to all Creatures to utter and reveal his secret wisdom and counsel by in Christ the spirit of God therefore in the Saints takes out the minde and meaning of God from that originall Copy naturally written in the Tables of stone in all mens hearts and translates it according to that wisdom of God in Christ into the fleshy Tables of the heart fitted to receive the impressions of God by the removal of those stony strong and earthly apprehensions and conclusions which man naturally conceivs and concludes within himselfe from the word of God so that Gods true intent according to the dictate of his spirit being taken out of that husk or shell wherein it is expressed is no more the language of the flesh but of the spirit and this is of necessity to be done in the conservation of the Spirit and life of Iesus Christ the Son of God Again the spirit of errour and false interpretation takes out of that originall copy of the wisdom of G d that law of the spirit of life in Christ and translates it into principles and conclusions humane proper to the thoughts device and invention of a Creature terminating the mind and will of God in things limited by time place and person things transitory which cannot hold proportion with the Son of God and by means of this translation it is no more the language of the spirit but the language of the flesh and so the dictates of the Serpent the mind and will of Satan who captivates man by the lusts of his own heart 2 Tim. 2. 26. Furthermore the word of God is not the word of life without interpretation as it is translated out of death into life therfore he saith Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see Corruption Psalm 16. 10. Neither is the spirit of God a spirit of Revelation nor hath the honour of opening the mind of the father in any without this grace of interpretation whereby man is conformed unto the image and similitude of the Son of God Add further that man cannot lay claime to his proper being and prerogative as he is wicked namely to be wiser than the beasts of the field or to have dominion over the inferiour Creatures but as he translates the excellencies of God into his own humane principles and thereby exalts himself as Lord over all the works of Gods hand and by this his translation he interprets the word of God in direct opposition unto Gods true intent and proper meaning in that originall Copy of Gods wisdome in Christ presented unto the world and hereby are the principles of humane wisdom set up to bear sway in the world in the vilifying of the wisdom of God in Christ by which means the life of Satan is continued in the sons of mortall men And this interpretation is by translating one tongue and language into another which cannot be done but by presenting the originall Copy which by this means is cast aside and vilified as to be no more imbraced nor accepted and in this presentation of the original Copy of the wisdom of God which cannot but be acknowledged by all men ought to be magnified and submitted unto by all doth the answer of the question propounded consist for in this representation of the wisdom of God unto mankinde contained in such yea the same expressions written upon every mans heart herein doth the spirit of the Prophet the Wise-men and Scribes visit all the wicked of the world yea there where never good man bodily appeared a d in their rejection
of the wisdom of God and imbracing the wisdom of the flesh they kill the spirit of the Prophets persecute and evilly intreat them to their own destruction and finall overthrow So that the word of God in way of the curse as it utters it selfe in the principles proper to a creature cannot take account of it selfe in the conservation of those principles and aptitudes but as it terminates the mind of the spirit of God in them which is an utter cessation of the proper language of the Son of God and killing of the spirit of the Prophets of which spirit and state of the Son of God there is not one Prophet wise man or Scribe in Gods esteem and account suffered to live in the world for the son of God reckons and accounts of himselfe only according to that wisdom which eternizeth all things in his estate and condition for though the Son of God be a Creature as well as a Creator yet his estate through that unity of both is an eternall estate and condition so that the spirit of the word of God is sent unto and presents it self to all men whatsoever in the very same things themselves speak as that the most Excellent is to have the preheminence who is the Author of all things and the end of them also and if this be but granted which no man can deny for Pharaoh in his sober mood will acknowledg Gods preheminency of what worth or of what excellent use then shall any temporary thing be accounted or appear to be if God have preheminence in wisdom power authority riches peace plenty friendship and the like every thing in him is full and compleat in whomsoever he communicates the same where then is there a vacuum found for or a necessary use of the glory wisdom power authority friendship riches and prosperity of the world to make the Saints of God more honourable prosperous or excellent than that wherein their proper being doth consist which the world cannot give neither can they take it away nor work a diminution thereof in the least Note hence that in regard the glory of the Creature is of no use but altogether blasted and withered as grasse wheresoever the spirit of God breaths as a North wind and as the South wind upon the garden of God that the Spices thereof may flow out when the beloved comes to eat his pleasant fruit Isaia 40. 6. 7. 8. Iames 1. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 24. Cant. 4. 16. Therefore it is that the wisdom of the Creature to exalt flesh in preferring it before the life and spirit of the Lord Iesus who lives for ever terminates the word of God in carnal and terrene things according to its own principles whereby it preserves a carnal and sensual life in its selfe contradictory to the life and spirit of the son of God and the spirit and life of all true prophesie or found interpretation of the word of God and so quencheth the spirit and despiseth prophesie 1 Thes 5. 19. 20. pursuing carnal doctrine and bodily exercises upon the life and death of his spirit being engaged and bound over thereunto by the carnall Commandement Customs and Traditions of men and thereby expungeth and evacuateth the life and spirit of the Scripture which is the life and spirit of the son of God who is the only Prophet of the Church singularly considered and all the Prophets of the Church in a true and real distribution and plural acceptation according to the minde of the Scriptures Canticles 1. 3. We conclude then in order to the question that no man can carnalize the word of God out of the Characters written in his own heart Rom. 2. 13. 14. 15. 16. in which expressions the spirit is involved but his heart is touched with a higher thing than himselfe can form in his present act therefore Christ is still to come or hath been here but is departed in the judgment or doctrine of a carnall Iew or Gentile and takes not a perfect and real form in any thing they do or say but something is of a higher nature which these steps are ascending unto shall we think that men constituting a Church of a company of people who were no such thing the other day and in a few years following it shall come to nothing are not touched with something of a higher more excellent eminent and durable nature which this is only a help or step to attain unto shall we think that men exercised in ordaining officers for their defence safety honour and instruction are not touched with higher things which these lead unto shall men be exercised in bread and wine and water chewed with the teeth taken into the naturall stomack washing and dipping the naturall body which food perisheth which water slideth away are not these men touched with matters of higher concernment then any of these things are or ever can be These touches and intimations therefore are the visitations of the spirit of the true Prophet sent unto these wicked hypocritical and dissembling Scribes and Pharisees the blind guides of the world whose vilification of the spirit in preferring carnall Rites and Ordinances is the rejection persecution and killing of the spirit of the true Prophet maintaining nothing but a dead carkasse of Religion or dead bulk or body of the Scriptures in the world for their own gaine honour cruelty and contriving of means and making of engines and instruments to exercise their enmity upon the spirit of true prophesie and interpretation in the person of whomsoever it appears in the world and herein consists the very root and rise the seed and off-spring of the Serpent which is the Devil and Satan in his operations in the men of the world as at this day Observe further in this point that the word of God as it utters it selfe according to Gods wisdom upon principles proper to the eternall Son of God cannot take an account of it selfe in the conservation and maintaining of them nor can it speak its own proper language but as the originall copy out of which it is translated presents it selfe which is the letter of the Scripture the characters written upon mans heart the very engine and instrument of Satan whereby he exalts himselfe whereupon the spirit of revelation is necessitated unto interpretation taking out the mind of God in rejection of the will and wiles of Satan and so becomes an interpreter one of a thousand to declare unto man his righteousuesse to be such as becomes the only begotten Son of God Iob 33. 23. 24. translating the language of the Creature into the proper wisdom and speech of the Son of God in whom the proper language which man naturally speakes with respect to the word of God hath no place nor do humane principles bear any sway in him at all therefore when the Mother of Christ according to the flesh would have had his glory to have appeared at the marriage feast in Canaan of Gallilee to the end
fulnesse of all subtilty and all mischief the child of the Devill and enemy of all righteousnesse which ceaseth not to pervert the straight wayes of the Lord Acts 13. 10. And without an emptinesse of man in both these respects from the first act of his ordination or creation the full and compleat death of Christ is never known nor doth it appear in the world unto salvation which sets man at an utter distance from God in Cain with respect unto Abel as also it sets man in unity with God in Seth with respect to the same Abel he being set in his stead and the father of Christ Luke 3. 23 -38 And from this twofold vanity the death of the Son of God is forever perfected for in that way of Cain he is dead to al heavenly and spiritual vertue as he is the Son of God and yet God in the exercise of wrath and displeasure is really there and in Seth he is dead to all earthly and carnall things as he is the Son of Sons man and yet man in exercise of goodnesse and love is really there and without respect to these twain the death of Christ is not revealed for it is not part of Christ that suffers for the salvation of man as only in his manhood as the blind Pharisees of the world hold and teach but it is Christ compleat who consists of God and man and in the same respect he is said to dye he never lives therefore it is said that he is dead and is alive as the words may be truly read Rev. 1. 18. Rev. 2. 8. And from this death of the Son of God in this twofold respect there flows a twofold righteousnesse or justice namely of absolution and of condemnation Mat. 25. 34. 41. Psalm 6. 8. And if it were not for this death of Christ thus considered there were no place for the righteousnesse of Faith in the exercise of mercy nor for that of the Scribes and Pharises in that exercise of Gods severity Rom. 11. 22. Rom. 9. 22. 23. but Gods glory were extinct in both respects and therefore he is righteous Abel For if a wicked man could content himself simply with the Creature in his relation to it as the bruit beasts do then were there no severity of God to be exercised in way of the curse for there were no ground nor footing for it But man hath a spirit as it appears in Gain that will inherit acceptation with God as well as his brother though in that way of an earthly and carnall sacrifice whereby it cometh to passe that he kils his brother causelesly nay he kils him because his own works are evill and his brothers good even as all wicked men quench and kill the spirit and life of Christ Iesus in their own hearts by their earthly and carnall thoughts and imagination of that good word and work of God in point of salsalvation 1 Iohn 3. 12. which is the kindling of wrath in our soules for as it was in Cain so it is in all such as wander in the way of Caein Iude 11. For according to the worth and dignity of the person whose life is extinct and taken away which is the spirit and life of the Son of God of such wce and weight is the nature and guilt of his sin for so doing which can never be recovered nor healed and accordingly the weight of justice and Gods severity must of necessity go forth in the exercises of self in his just condemnation and execution thereof And as the spirit of man naturally being made one with God inclineth and seeketh after God whereby to honour and dignifie it selfe with his titles and excellencies without which he cannot make himself Lord of all Gen. 1. 28. which carnally enterprised works such effect So also there is naturally in the Son of God an aptitude and propensity unto man for the revelation and manifestation of himself in all his vertues according to the fulnesse thereof which cannot be but by the crucifying of the flesh in all the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5. 24. which is a work of no lesse weight than the overcoming of Satan himself which none but the Son of God himself can do Heb. 2. 14. which conquest and vâ—câ—um of the flesh is a work of no lesse worth nor holinesse inferiour unto that which is peculier to the spirit of God and therefore the righteousnesse of absolution and acceptation with God in the bountifuâ—l expression of mercy and goodnesse is ever annexed thereunto and thus is there a righteous Abel or righteous vanity spread throughout the Earth overall mankind there ore the Psalmist saith every man is vanity or as the word is all Aâ—am is vanity taking Adam there as the root of all mankind which are either empty of the things of God as the wicked universally are or else of the lusts of men as the elect of God in that mysticall body of Christ are Gal 5. 24. And it is a certain and undeniable truth as Christ the Son of God is set forth and taught herein that he who is the Creator and Maker of all things emptyeth himself and becomes vain in all things both of flesh and spirit that he thereby may manifest himself to have the glory of all things not only of life but also of death for in that he dies to the things of the Spirit in the wicked he thereby riseth in wrath through the wisdom of the flesh and in that he dies unto the flesh in the Saints he riseth in mercy and peace in the exercises of the spirit whereby he hath the glory of all things which otherwise could never be For as man in Christ hath the righteousnesse and glory of God and yet nothing can be attributed to the things naturall proper to man in that wonderfull work of Gods Creation even so God in Antichrist hath the sin and shame of Satan and yet nothing of that condition can be attributed to any thing naturally proper to God in that wonderfull destruction of the Devill And with respect unto vanity thus distributed it is called the bloods of thy brother in the form plurall Gen. 4. 10. And it speaks guilt and terrour from the ground or earthly heart of Cain that so drinks it in Gen. 4. 11. and it also speaks as a witnesse of acceptation with God by faith in that way of Seth who is that set one unto this day of whom is Christ who yet speaketh Heb. 11. 4 for though Abel be cut off from all succession of mercy in that way of carnall sacrifices in Cain yet hath he a succession of terrour in Cains heart Gen. 4. 13. 14. so also though he have no succession according to the flesh in that acceptable Sacrifice of the firstling of the flock being dead in that respect in the way of Seth yet hath he his succession and language in the witnesse and acceptation of faith unto this day Heb. 11. 4. And according to this
out of an unclean and corrupt Fountain or habitation for Earth holds no correspondencie nor hath any congruity with Heaven the Creature with the Creator but falls infinitely short in all things not a blemish forbidden in all the Sacrifices and Offerings but in that respect he hath the defect superfluity and defilement upon him yet doth he corrupt a pure and holy thing in himself and unto himself namely the holy Word of God in the false construction thereof so that as this unclean Spirit corrupts a pure Word of Eternity in it self mortalizing it by putting it into a human form so also its return is into an house of uncleanness of like antiquity in point of the state of death and mortality and so is truly said to go out of an unclean habitation which never was otherwise and yet he makes it unclean and desolate of all the things of God unto himself by false interpretation bringing the will of God unto the mind of the Creature and not the mind of the Creature to the will of God But the Spirit of Christ coming out of a clean Fountain even from God himself and therefore is said to come forth from God and go to God Ioh. 13. 1. yet doth he purifie in himself that which by nature is otherwise unclean namely the spirit of man else were he not the son of Man as he is called a matter of eighty eight several times in the Prophecie of Ezekiel and according to the eternity of that Word or Spirit that purifies such is the state and condition of the purified for they are no more twain but one Mat. 19. 6. And thence it is that Man who otherwise is mortal lives an eternal and immortal life being that the Wisdom of God hath formed his mind according to the Will of God and not to the will or law of a creature and so Man in Christ who otherwise is mortal lives for ever and knows no death no more than En ch did Gen. 5. 24. who was translated that he should not see death Heb. 11. 5. That is that he should never tast of it or feel the nature thereof so the Psalmist saith Tast and see how gracious the Lord is Psal 34. 81. And the Son of God who otherwise is immortal doth in that way of Antichrist dye an eternal death where never any life appears but a mortal state and condition of like time of him who is mortalized therefore they are said to go into everlasting fire which must have respect to time past as well as time to come Mat. 25. 41. Therefore Tophet is prepared of old or of antiquity or from eternity as the word imports yea it is prepared for the King the burning whereof is fire and much wood and the breath of the Lord as a River of Brimstone kindles it Isaiah 30. 33. So that as antient as the breath of the Lord is so antient is that place of abode for the wicked therefore a full measure of wrath in point of time as well as present torment So that unclean spirit is said to take seven spirits worse than himself that is fulness of uncleanness and vexation which a creature simply considered could never have therefore his going out in the matters of God in a carnal manner is the way of his multiplication of mischief in himself therefore his house is empty and swept of all the things of God but furnished with all uncleanness and wickedness suitable to that unclean and wicked condition therefore the end of that man is worse than his beginning for the original and proper ground ofthis abomination ariseth from the creature whichin it self is but a finite thing as all other creatures are but his end and scope being to adorn himself with God in making him like to himself as the Psalmist speaks Psal 50. 21. thence it is that God becomes a fearfull and infinite death and torment to him which all the creatures in the world could never be And of such nature and concernment is the house or habitation of these false Teachers which is left unto them or in them desolate of all the things proper to God and filled with all the things of Satan even as Iudas was to become his own Executioner and the bursting of him in sunder that all men might see his abomination and shame who is said to goe to his own place Act. 1. 25. as one laid waste of all Apostleship and Ministry in the Faith of Christ and therfore his proper inheritance or habitation yeelds him nothing that is holy or profitable to Minister but is voyd and desolate of all Neither hath he any life or spirit to move or act in the things of God though tendred unto him for he is dead and gone to his own place and office of an eternal executioner of himself And this is the desolation of the habitation applied to Iudas the false and counterfeit betrayer of Christ with a kiss which Christ applyes hereunto all false Interpreters of the Word of God in these Scribes and Pharisees who faun upon Christ in their Doctrin in all lowly demeanour to maintain uphold him in the ways of the flesh by things mortal momentary therby give a sign unto the world for the betraying of that life and spirit of the Son of God into the cruel hands of the wicked that the law of the Spirit or Christ taught after the Spirit wilnot be suffered or endured among them the habitation of such Confessors Pharisees or Preachers of Christ with Iudas is left unto them desolate without any in-dwellings of the Spirit of God with them or any building up of the House of God by them but ruination of themselves and others with Iudas who are their maintainers and upholders The Reason of this Desolation and Destruction follows For ye shall not see me henceforth Whence observe that the want of Christs sight and revelation in the world is the cause of all ruin and desolation of the world as Christ affirms Without me saith he ye can do nothing Ioh. 15. 5. It is alike true without me ye have nothing without me ye are nothing Christ is unto man that Microsmos or little world as the Sun in the Firmament is unto this spherical world take away and annihilate the one or the other and all things therin perish and come to ruin Want of true Revelation is the cause of all Desolation and Destruction By seeing here we are to understand the communication of the sences The Apostle Paul saw Christ when he went to Damascus even that light that shined about him clearer than the Noon-day for it is said he saw no man Act. 22. 26. Act. 9. 8. That is he saw no humane shape of Christ though he opened his eyes to see but Christ according to the spirit in his mystical body was revealed unto him therefore he saith Am I not aâ— Apostle am I not free have I not seen our Lord Iesus 〈…〉 Cor. 9. 1. Paul alâ—â—â—eard
in way of humane genealogies O fools and blind shall we think that the genealogy and off-spring of the Son of God ended and was cut off in the Virgin Mary or that it was more carnal and bodily in onr forefathers then it is in our dayes is not the flesh of Christ though never a carnal and fleshly Christ conserved in his off-spring until now shall we think this word hath not eternity in it and is made good in his mystical body whereever any member thereof appears viz. My flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed and he that eateth not my flesh and drinketh not my blood hath no life in him or is this speech worn out so as that it comprehends not the whole body viz. My heart and my flesh rejoyces in the living God Is there no more mention to be made of this word My soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth greatly after thee is a land of drought Such as lay these things aside and count it blasphemy to say Christ is compleatly present in his Saints in these dayes in the reallity of whatsoever his body consists of and will but afford him only some certain spirit or rather rayes and influences thereof to be resident in his Saints to this end that the world may not want power to do what they please with their bodies these men are of that spirit of Antichrist which deny the coming of Christ in the flesh as the Spirit of God in his Apostle averreth for if it were salvation to confess Christ come in the flesh as born of the Virgin Mary in such an age of the world only then would that wicked sea and lake of Rome have as much salvation in it as thy people at this day extant who profess and describe him in that respect by so many abominable signs and Images for our Apostle affirms that that spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God But this spirit which confesses Christ upon the same principles that Rome and the rest of the rabble of the world do who read the writings of the Apostles they do not acknowledge the insufficiency of man in that alsufficiency of the Son of God nor that disability of the creature in point of all humane help to be born up and carried out in that strength and desire proper only to the spirit of God In case therefore of the Jews in their strictness about genealogies and pedegrees I am as a Jew in all such matters and it is the only doctrine I teach whereby I find an ear in them to hear but it is to confound and bring to nought all carnal vain genealogies tribes kindreds and families as having respect unto God that the family and race of the Son of God only may take place of them all that so I may gain them all unto him or vanquish and subdue them all under him that the reality of them all may only be found in him as they are of any truth holiness honour or of any acceptation unto or in any respect with God at all and that all other are but vain and endless genealogies as our Apostle calls them Ignorance of this point in that obcaecoâ—n and pro-caxiouse spirit in the ministry of the world is the cause of that carnal conceit that a member of a church ordered composed and cast into a form by men and the children born in the confines of a church so framed are the true seed and off-spring of Christ and that all others are without any visible ensign of the true Religion and worship of God Again ignorance in this point of the true and compleat proceed of Christ whenever he appears really in any particular person or office is the very ground of that diabollical conceit that the Spirit of God operates in man here on the earth for a time and at his death man as a creature returns unto the earth both in regard of soul and body and is dissolved into the elements whereof natural bodies are made and composed and that nothing but simply God as an increated being is saved or returns to his ancient center these two opinions seem to be far distant but are both alike diabolical denying the truth and reallity of the Son of God and are deceivers of mankind causing them to be inamored with and dore upon the wayes of death and destruction in the villification and rejection of that salvation which is by Christ To them that are under the law as under the law that is to such as are under that Ceremonial bond and ingagement of being tied in the wayes of their worships to persons places times and terms of humane relations as necessary parts thereof instituting of churches creating of officers setting up seals signs services of time which in time will vanish away to these I declare my self to be under as strict bonds and ingagements as themselves be so as I move not in heart nor by hand utterance in tongue or gestures and demeanure in carriage But with respect unto this my ingagement which is the bond of the spirit binding me over unto God by freeing me from all ingagements and things whatsoever inferiour to himself in his Son Christ and not the spirit of bondage which ingageth unto the creature as being set in the place of the Creatour which is ever accompanied with trembling and fear because of the conscience of the insufficiency and uncertainty thereof And by taking up these their bonds and transitory ingagements whereabout as servants of sin they spend their time imploy their studies exercise their zeal in binding heavy burdens upon themselves and others seeking rest by the imployment of that unclean spirit but find none busying themselves in picking at the bark rinde husk or shell and never come to taste of the pith marrow or kernell and by opening of these rudiments and declaring what they be in their strictest injunctions which being followed to the uttermost of their intent in what they drive at and lead unto which is no less nor fall they short of an impossibility to please God thereby I do by these things bring out the reallity of the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord which is the only freedome from this law of sin and death Which law of God hath all its relations operations and respects only in Christ and out of him it neither binds by any bond nor layes it any burden but hath in it in every respect the liberty freedome and authority of the Son of God And by this means I gain the truth and verity of all law bonds and ingagements to have their subsistance and being only in the Son of God being of the same degree power and continuation which himself is and ever will be which is the onely freedome and therefore the Saints of God are not bound unto but transcend and are far above all humane and transitory things from which God hath freed
them and set them infinitely above them once and for ever making them Lords over them all and not as slaves to any of them even as it is said that the Son of man is Lord of the subbath which goes beyond all pharisaical conceptions therefore they bow and kneel unto it as to aged of the continuation of foure and twenty hours Vers 21. To them that are without law as without law that is to such as have a spirit of such liberty as that they can give themselves leave to do any thing never having respect to any order or strictness of conversation to be injoyned by the word of God but stand aloof and a distance from all ties and ingagements thereby like the profane Gentiles with respect unto the strictness of the Jew To such persons I preach and profess as great liberty and more then they can possibly do as being free from all law bonds and ingagements whatsoever as not being under an absolute command or prohibition to do or forbear any earthly or transitory thing and in opening of this my freedome and authority I must of necessity declare how and upon what grounds I injoy and am possessed of this liberty and that is only in becoming one with him who is Lord of all things So that I acknowledge no bond but what is only found in him who is both the giver and also the receiver of the law or else I preach not Christ only but bring in some superfluous thing to joyn with him which sacrifice so brought is an abomination unto the Lord. But in him alone there is fulness of freedome and liberty and out of that freedome there is no true ingagement according to the law and will of God neither ever was nor shall be and hereby I bring in all true and lawful relations according to the mind and intent of God in all his expressions from things transitory to consist and to be only in Christ And therefore I bring by this means that spirit of extravagancy and licentious liberty to yield it self over and become subject unto that bond of the Spirit which is in Christ Jesus wherein all true freedome and authority doth consist in all such as are appointed unto life And this is done by preaching liberty from all carnal and earthly ties as not being under any law or absolute ingagement unto any of them all further then expedience and present oportunity calls for in the prosecution of the work of God whereby we bring the whole law of God in all points to stand in its true relation between God and man all other things being inferiour and infinitely to low to answer in point of relation in the spirit and state of a Christian so as to bear a part in the fulfilment of that Royall law of God which is only fulfilled in us namely God and man in the unity of faith and so in every Christian and in no other relation whatsoever no more then man could find a meet help for the production of his kind in all the creatures in the beginning but must have one as taken out of himself that so she might be flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone not only having his nature but bearing his name and authority aso as Ish and Isha only distinct with respect to Sex as it is in Christ in point of Creatour and creature So that by preaching freedome and liberty from all law in point of relation to things which fade and come to nought I bring to nought and abrogate that law or spirit of bondage and also gain unto my self that eternal law and ingagement of faith to consist only and wholly in the Son of God and therefore he inserts When I am not without law to God Intimating thereby that the true property or form of the law is only to face unto God and not unto any creature no not among the Saints themselves for the Spirit of God in each other as it is the Spirit of Jesus is the proper object of the bond of relation so that wheresoever a meer creature is made a relative in the law of God it is the adulterating of the word of God by that spirit of an harlot and of fornications as also an Idolizing of the creature setting it in the place of or bringing it in competition with the Lord for the Spirit or life of Christ though a man yet was never destitute of the Image wisdome and spirit of God so that God had never respect unto mankind as in unity and order of his law but with respect to that wisdome and Image of his own and not of a meer creature simply considered Therefore he adds But in the law of Christ or but under the law or within the law of Christ that is I am in or under that law of the Spirit as within the bounds and confines of it in all things namely that law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord out of whose mystical body or spiritual incorporation there is not any pieces or part no not a word or syllable of the proper law and will of God in any of the relations or operations proper thereunto for if any momentany thing or temporary office or relation should be that whereof any part of the law of God doth consist then would the law of God suffer loss and detriment when we part from all temporary relations and things And we may as well affirm that the almighty suffers loss of his Royal will and of his being that which he is in Christ as to affirm the least diminution of the law in any respect or at any time for one jot or tittle thereof shall never fail nor pass away no though heaven and earth should pass away yet the law of God shall never fail Vers 22. To the weak I become as weak that is to them who are destitute of the power of godliness in the exercise of these virtues and offices peculiar to Christ to such I became as weak that is I preach my self and all flesh to be utterly insufficient and altogether disabled to move towards God by any strength of the creature in any way of acceptation with him that is to say by means of any humane power or wisdome art or abilitie whatsoever and this universal insufficiency of all flesh where it is truly seen and rightly acknowledged I preach to be the only capacity of the reception of the Spirit of God wherein and through which it comes to move upon the mind of man as it is said to move upon the face of the deep in the beginning which insufficiency of the creature void of the excellencies and abillities of the Creatour naturely nor seen nor rightly and groundedly acknowledged is nothing else but that mysterie of iniquity the depths of Satan and the devil that great deceiver of mankind who is the proper fulness thereof therefore he is called the prince of the power of the aire because every vessel
doth eternize the spirit of the creature which by its own nature and property is momentany and mortal So that in this inocculation of the wisdome or word of the creature all the motions and operations springing up in the Creatour as being the stock which in it self is eternal are all translated and changed into temporallity and mortality and so the power of God works effectually in the way of death as the wisdome of God implanted in the weakness of man the creature comes to work effectually in that way of eternal life and that whole state or tree is but one eternal Son and Saviour And in that implanting of the wisdome of man in the power of God that whole state or tree is a state of mortallity and destruction and is but one son of perdition and law of sin and death because all that spring up and what fruit it yields is of the nature of the science and doth not savour of the stock at all but is become mortal and diabolical even as a man in that way of Christ is become eternal and the real son of the immortal God So long therefore as an eternal wisdome abides to draw forth the stock in whatsoever it yields according to the nature of the science so long shall the fruits of righteousness and delight appear upon the Saints in a blessed estate and condition And so long as the power and plenty of an eternal stock yields any motion or matter of growth so long shall that graft or science of the wisdome of the flesh mortalize it and change it into corruption in it self then the which greater indignity cannot be done unto a pure and immortal word or spirit so long shall that unhappy guilty and accursed condition of the wicked abide and remain so that both estates have their pereminency arising from the eternity of the holy word of God though the one be a state of the eternal life and the other a state of eternal death and the stock of each is no proper cause of the fruit which the whole tree yields and forever brings forth Take in also Christs inference and conclusion in these words therefore you shall receive the greater damnation Mat. 23. 14. The word damnation implies a disinheriting and binding over to distruction and by greater here we are not to understand it comparatively with respect to others damned but superlatively as the greatest measure of distruction so that false interpreters are in the grand condemnation that is they receive no less then damnation of the devil who is a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth or inheritance Iohn 8. 35 44. a false interpreter therefore is the grand sinner and therefore receives the damnation of the devil for as the serpent set himself nearer to God then the woman as knowing more of God then she did Gen 3. â— 2 3 4 5. So do those false interpreters these hypocritical praâ—ers as though their calling were nearer to God then others of their brethren wherein they act the part of the serpent and are in the grand condemnation of the devil so in Scripture Language the eldest is said to be the greater Gen. 25. 23. the Hebrew word Rab whereof great men are called Rabbies as first or chief in place and office is translated by the holy Ghost in Greek the greater Rom. 9. 12. so that whilst men talk of Original sin speaking they know not what for mans sin cannot be Original if there was sin in the devil before they are in the very progress thereof and are in that act of false expounding of the law of God as truly the first bringers of sin into the world as the continuation thereoâ— for a spirit cannot be devided though the kingdome wherein it works may and they have the proper spirit of the serpent which is only to make false repo t of the word of God whether to a mans self or to others which may be comprehended in this bud namely that one Saint or Son of God is nearer to God and in more fâ—vour and respect with God then another or that God was ever or at any time or in any thing at one with himself out of mankind For a man to conclude that any Saint of God fails or falls short of the grace of God in any particular wherein another hath interest is that root of bitterness or gall of wormwood which springs up to the trouble of all the world for it is that which springs up as the Greek translates en cholee with gall Dent. 29. 18. and enochlee with trouble Heb. 12. 15. having both the bitterness of death in it being the bond iniquity Acts 8. 23. and the trouble and vexation of disinheriting in the loss of the first birthright therefore the Apostle brings in the fornication and profaneness of Esau thereupon as under the guilt of sin Heb. 12. 16. as also the trouble of his being disinherited as seeking a blessing too late with tears for there is no place of repentance found in the father Heb. 12. 17. or way to change his mind forever the Apostle concludes this to be the defilement of many that is to say of all the world for so the word many is taken Rom 5. 18. We would think that man a fool that went about to teach any humane art to another if he did not conclude that the principles thereof were wrapt up as in a bud in the disciple and he only indeavours the drawing of them out in their proper luster and use otherwise a man might as well set himsâ—lf awork to teach a dog or a horse humane arts who are altogether destitute of that proper nature in which they are only found and if we understand the bud we see the whole tree therein and wrong the bud if we give it not the glory of it And though a grain of mustardseed be one of the smallest seeds yet it hath branches for the fouls of heaven to make their lodging in the branch or under the shadow of it Matt. 13 31. unto which Christ compares the kingdome of heaven So that if we give not the whole glory of the kingdome unto the seed in which it is involved we give not the seed its proper right and due which belongs unto it but are faâ—sifiers of the word of God And no man can look upon a Saint destitute of the seed of God 1 Iohn 3. 9. nor void of the Spirit of God Rom. 8. 9. he therefore that gives not the seed the glory of the whole off-spring of God he wrongs the kingdome and is a false interpreter and he that denies the Spirit of God the compleat life and virtue of the Son of God he is a false expounder of the work and operation of God and so is under that grand condemnation Matth. 23. 14. of the devil That ministry therefore that spends its time study and care in seeking and hoping for the transfusing of the Spirit of Christ into such hearts
is said the word was made flesh or is made flesh and tabernacles in us as the words are and we saw his glory as the glory or as the word is verily the glory of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth Iohn 1. 14. So that he maintains a Spirit of Christ early or late without the complete matter whereof Christ consists that man is ignorant of Christ and interprets the word in the denyal of him being that spirit denies that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh which is not of God but is that spirit of antichrist 1 Iohn 4. 2 3. for to confess Christ Jesus as born of the Virgin Mary only in the dayes of Herod is not confession which the Apostle intends for it that his coming in the flesh in the confession thereof were to speak by the Spirit of God I think then all that ever spoke the Latine tongue would prove speakers by the Spirit of God and then such as they stile Papists would be the most eminent confessours of Jesus which are so cried out against as hereticks for as concerning that act of his doctrinal coming in the flesh who have more images crucifixes Sacraments and Idolatrous monuments then they amongst whom there is no speaking by the holy Spirit of God at all but are such as compass sea and land walking to and fro without certainty and pitching the points of their circumference at such a distance as the coming of Christ in the flesh never admitted of the Jews propounded a time remote wherein he would come the Gentiles a time remote that he was here in the flesh and neither the one nor the other led by that spirit never would nor will acknowledge him his true and real appearance Psalme 2. 1. 6. 2. The second point in the pronouncing of this wo is the end for which they are in this care and travel and that is to make one proselite that is one religion to have all men of the same profession that so the arm of flesh might bear the sway without controul or disturbance this the world hath travelled in from the beginning thinking it can never be glorious and secure till it be effected at the least in great measure so as to be the major vote at the least to this eomes the study of reformation that great toil of preaching after the manner of the doctrine of the pharises that rigour of executions in carnal governments that all may come to be of one mind to make a glorious Church and state to have no gainsayers nor such as shall offend These cannot be content to give unto Cesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods Matth. 22. 21. but they will make Cesar to be God and so convert the devil and cannot rest till light and darkness Christ and Belial be made one 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16. These men are remote from hearing of that voice my graâ—e is sufficient for thee for if they know that the power of God were only made manifest and perfected through the weakness of man that is by an utter cessation of all humane abillities in the matters of God they could not but know also shat the force of man by means of multitude can be no hinderance of the good successe of the Saints though never so few in number in any age of the world for that day of small things in the eyes of carnal contemners and dispisers break forth into those seven eyes of God or seven fold light of the Spirit which are about the throne of God Zachar. 4. 10. Revel 1. 4. together wit that plummet or plumm-line in the hand of our Zorubbabel to give a â—ight form unto all things belonging to the temple in the perfecting thereof then is the time for power to appear in the oxes goad Iudge 3. 31. and strength in the jaw bone of an asse Iudges 15. 15 16. then will terrour arise out of the whistling or the wind in the top of the Mulberry trees 1 Chron. 14 â—4 15. and fear from the appearance of Gidians Barley cake Iudges 7. 13 22. If men knew the manner of the resurrection of Gods power in the Spirit of a Saint how it perfects it self through mans own deficiency they would never be so industrious to make the world become of one religion for fear of a multitude of opposites Not but that the Saints of God may be furnished with abillity to know any art or science as well as any other man and have the practice of it only with this two fold caveat they know all humane and temporary things through the valing of them and the vanishing of them if they know them so as Christ is propagated uâ—to them by the knowing of them as he is the true end of all things Rom. 10. 4. Rom. 11. 36. So to know them is to vale them in point of all glory or excellency appearing in them heing so truly known even as Tamar was valed when Judah knew her in the propagation of Phares Gen. 38. 13. 13 14 15 16 19 20 21. of whom Christ came Matth. 1. 8. so that in knowing her he knew her not the Saints look upon the glory of the world as an inticing harlot nsing it as though they used it not and buy as though they possessed not for the fashion of it passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 31. Therefore in the second place they know the things of the world to the vanishing of them as a leaf tossed with the wind Iob 13. 25. Isa 34. 4. and as the flower of grass when the wind hath passed upon it Isa 4 6 7. even as Tamar was vanished when the kid was sent to receive the robes of honour from her Therefore the Apostle speaking of that glory which seems to be in the administration of the law which he calls the ministry of condemnation saith it hath no glory when the ministration of the spirit appears which he calls the exceeding or excellent glory 2 Cor. 3 9 10. To conclude this point those who see such excellencies to appear in the multitude as to use all their pollicy and industry to bring all into a uniformity they never saw the excellent glory but they are such men of renown as were in the beginning the Giants of the world who to bring forth a mighty and monstrouse generation bring into contract and covenant the posterity of Cain and Seth in the point and matter of increase abroad have been the ruine of the world ever since it existed Gen. 6. chap. the only composers of sea and land to the production of the deluge of Gods displeasure upon the sons of men 3. Therefore the third point is the issue when you have made him he is two fold more the child of hell then you your selves that is when false interpretation of the law hath begotten a spirit of pride and cruelty to execute according to those lying and dissembling dictates which is the bringing forth
the men which walk over them perceive not Luke 11. 44. Declaring plainly that men as they are indued with humane wisdome and secular learning may travel and walk constantly over doctrine springing from like principles and never perceive those gross and filthy abominations which lie hid under the same Christ therefore perceiving their outward trappings paintings and pargeting humane traditions with the name of God to make them acceptable for the deluding of carnal minds he openeth their inside unto the world and tells them that these graves however they may appear to simple men unlearned in the mystry of God yet in truth they are full of dead mens bones and of all filthiness and uneleaness 1. Now we know that when men rifâ—le into a grave where nothing appears but dead mens bones they appear in a confused heap there is no order nor comliness to be found among them they are scattered from the original unity of all things yea they are therefore Babylon with respect unto that Jerusalem which is compact and a city in unity with it self forever Psalme 12â— 3. such is the condition of all them where false interpretation of the word of God takes place there is not a jot of Gods order or unity to be sound amongst them 2. They are dead bones also being destitute of any marrow wherewith to oil the points for motion they move not in the way of God Psalme 115. 7. 3. Again they are dead bones without marrow to supple them and make them capable of conjunction with that which was their ornament such are false interpretours not having the Spirit Iude 19. they are not in any capacity of conjunction with that which is the only ornament of the sons of men which is the son of God Psalme 3. 3. no more then dead mens bones are capable of unity with flesh and blood vains sinews muscles arteries and the like 2. Secondly he tells them that as graves they are full of all filthiness and uncleanness wheresoever doctrine is not filled with the marrow of the Spirit of God there is a defiling and corrupting of all the holy things of God for as Christ sanctifies and makes holy mans nature in himself which otherwise is unholy and unclean even so antichrist by false doctrine in misconceiving of the word of God makes that unholy and filthy in himself which otherwise is most holy and undefiled Mallac 2. 11. Ezekiel 22. 26. For as Christ saith in like case if the light that is in you be darkness how great is that darkness Matth 6 23. for there remains nothing to inlighten it or cure it if the light be darkness it self So likewise if their paintings and pargettings their purity and cleanness in their whited tombs and glosses set upon their doctrine amiable and delightful in the eye of humane reason be nothing else in the truth of the matter but rottenness putrifaction and corruption how great is that uncleanness when there remains nothing to cure it for their cure is the proper corruption for their proper way of cure is to turn the truth of God into a lie Rom. 1. 5. by terminating the word of God in vanishing things which is to erect avain Idol for it is all one to deny the Son of God to be the only Authour of all things as to deny him to be the only end of all things For we may as well and safely conclude that something in the word of God comes from some other then the Son of God Iohn 1. 12. who is the only mind wisdome consistance and exsistance of the father as to conclude that any thing in the word of God points at any thing short of or inferiour to the same Son of God in its proper intent and scope then the which nothing can be greater Idolatry either in one respect or in the other for he only is that Alpha and Omega the first and the lâ—st the beginning and the end Revel 22. 13. All things therefore are from Christ as their Authour and to Christ as their end and in him in their exercise Rom. 11. 36. For we know that an Idol is nothing in the world 1 Cor. 8. 4. but a meer vainifying or falsifying of the word of God which is indeed the devil 1 Corinth 10. 19 20. 21. To conclude this point false interpretours are corrupt and unclean by defiling the holy things of God turning the glory of God into shame Rom. 1. 21. 25. by denying Christ the right of inheritance and present possession of all things whether office or execution within the confines of his kingdome which is no other then that Spirit of Saul that ever denies David the present right and possession of the whole kingdome of Israel in all the administrations thereof whatsoever Psalme 4. 2. for to attribute or design an office or administration to another beside Christ is to defame and callumniate the Son of God as though he were unworthy of it or wanted power and skill to accomplish and perform it or as one being in exile and not really present to undertake it which must either deny the incomprehensible vertue of his mystical body or else such officer must exclude the Spirit of Christ out of the world in their dayes and then themselves must of necessity work by another spirit then his body is quickned by Rom. 8. 9 10 11. 2. The second general point noted in this wo is the application of the Metaphor according to its real intent declaring the nature of the doctrine of false interpretours in the inside thereof not discerned by humane learning or the traditions of men therefore they are said to appear righteous before men because it is the letter that kils which they teach which comes within the capacity of mans wisdome according to the judgement and wisdome of God and therefore it can never stand before his tribunal Psalme 1. 5. however men of like principles judge them to be righteous which is only in appearance without the reallity thereof 1. For in truth they are full of hypocrisie that is deceit and guile being of the same spirit which beguiled Eve at the first as she is the mother of all living according to the flesh 1 Cor. 6. 16. 2 Cor. 21. 3. 2. Again they are full of iniquity unequal and uneven in all things they never reconcile the word of God so as to have alike weight and worth in it self all things and of like use in all the Saints of God who are all Kings and all Priests all first-born all servants and all freemen of the city of God Revel 5. 10. Hebr. 12. 23. 1 Cor. 7. 22. They cannot give like dignity unto the Son as to the father at all times and in all things as having received the inheritance and hath the disposure thereof in all things as truly it is the donation of the father which twofold act can stand together in Christ though not in earthly relation nor carnal mind and that perpetually they cannot
18. 19. Therefore to terminate Equality in temporary relacions as the meaning of the word of God is a strong pillar to bear up and establish the Tomb of the Prophet And in these three points of Supportacion of the Tombs of the Prophets wherin their spirit is departed stands the enervating and disanulling of the fift Commandement and he that is guilty of one hee is guilty of all James 2. 10. 4 The fourth pillar supporting the Tombs of the Prophets for the expunging of their spirit out of the world that men may send gifts and gratifications one to another rejoyceing in the glory of the flesh by abandoning the deeds of the spirit Revel 11. 7. 8. 9. 10. stand in the abrogacion of the sixt Commandement Thou shalt not kill but shalt preserve life wherin all meanes of offence and defence are strictly given in charge for the effecting whereof how many are the terms relacions and respects of Honour contrived and composed in Military affaires and Disciplin according to the differing peoples and Nacions wherein it is exercised with their severall Engines and Instruments to attayn their ends and that from the Law of the carnall Commandement as it is written in all mens hearts Rom. 2. 14. 15. And when the word of God is expounded so as to consist in any thing as is naturally brought forth in the heart of man destitute of the spirit of Christ that is a meer karkasse of the Scripture voyd of the spirit of true prophesy so that to place the word of God in warlike affaires attayning its end in gaining or recovering temporary interests of honour riches lands places offices revenues safety or destruction of body goods and the like this may be done as a karkasse of the Law voyd of the spirit and life of it and so no more but a Tomb wherein the Prophet lies buried And the parties thus teaching and submiting to such Doctrin by working accordingly may and are destitute of the current of the Law how it runs wherein the proper plea stands and what is the tru point of issue For the Law is spirituall but the mind of man never so much refined by humane Learning gives a carnall construction therof Rom. 7. 14. But true Martiall Discipline that is of God must have Eternity in it elce it is not of God And all warlike affaires temporarily managed without the spirit of Christ is an unclean thing yea the Tombes of the Prophets and all the strength manifested therein is but as dead mens bones accompanied with rottennesse and filthinesse For the Military affaires intended by the word of God calling him The Lord of Hosts or of Armies Psalm 46. 7. Psalm 48. 8. is to be followers of the Lamb upon mount Zion as an Army of an hundred forty and four thousand every one of the twelve Tribes being multiplied into twelve thousands to signify unto all men that in whom soever Christ Iesus becomes a Root in Israel whether the Root in David Revel 5. 5. or a Root in Iesse Isay â—1 10. or the Root in Ephraim or any of the Tribes Judges 5. 12. 13. 14. 15. he multiplies himselfe into a compleat and triumphant Host for the conquering of whatsoever opposeth him who have their fathers name as the Motto in their Ensigne written in their foreheads that is the authority and power of God alone openly chearfully and boldly professed and maintayned amongst them Revel 14. 1 And for the Harnesse wherewith the spirit of the Prophet strengthens and animates it selfe it is the whole armour of God for a good souldier of Christ hath his loynes girt about with truth and hath the breast-plate of righteousnesse the helmet of salvacion the shield of faith his feet shod with the preparacion of the Gospell of peace the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and therefore a spirituall war praying with all supplication in the spirit watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints Ephes 6. 14 -18 And for their Onsets and Assaults it is to resist the Devill in the stedfastnesse of Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. to quench the fiery darts of Satan Ephes 6. 16. and war a good warfare according to the Prophesies that are gone before of every son of God 1 Tim. 1. 18. centring themselves in each of them as their proper intent in whom they are fulfilled and made good by which wee are made able to war a good warfare For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but spirituall mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginacions and every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5. And so much for the four Pillars upon which the Tombs of the Prophets are erected and are every one of them a compleat grave wherein Christ is buried that he appears not in the world but in a sensuall respect 1 For the Superiority and Authority of the world is a grave wherein Christ as King is covered with that dust or earth and men walk over it and perceive it not Luke 11. 44. 2 The Inferiority and temporary Subjection of the world is a grave wherein the High-priest of our profession lies hid and covered mens eyes being directed unto that Monument that they perceive not the Subjection of the Son of God who humbled himselfe and became obedient unto death even the death of the Crosse 1 Phil. 2. 8. Hebr. 3. 1. 3 The Doctrin of Equals in the world is a Monument to cover Christ as he is the First-born of God when they state Equals in King and King earthly in Priest and Priest made by men in Captain and Captain only for the slaughter or preservacion of an earthly body or corporacion these things in Equality being made the scope of their Doctrin do fill the eys of men as a Monument set upon a grave and so hide the state of the first-bornship that is in Christ Iesus where every one hath equall Dignity for every Saint and Son of God is the first prime and chief act of God for the tru form of Christ Gal. 4. 19. is the principall and chiefe work that ever God did and all other things whatsoever are subservient thereunto Rom. 11. 36. P ov 16. 4. No direct nor tru Equality can bee found therefore out of the Son of God which is hid and buried by false interpretacions of the Word of God 4 The fourth particular is a grave to bury Christ as he is the Captain of our Salvacion Hebr. 2. 10. whilst men set up a Hearse of temporary Conquest over the bodies of men to be the end and accomplishment of the word of God for which their prayse is to be returned which hath not Eternity in it for they dare not lay prayses upon the Altar for that they have thrust mens souls down to Hell therefore a temporary act that mens eyes must be held
teachers Phil. â— 19. For they move not but to satisfie their carnall appetite with honour wealth friendship outward peace and prosperity to be strengthned in the arm of flesh and leave plenty of such things unto their posterity Oh ye Serpents that move not but upon the cause of your belly to satisfie your corporeall body and life and when you attain to any preferment herein your religion either becomes a slavish underling or else withers quite away as the Serpent casts his withered slough or skin in the heare of Summer Yea he goes upon his belly breast or heart as the word imports that is their principal part signified by breast or heart cleaves unto the earth that is unto carnal and terrene things their mind understanding wisdom will affections and conscience yea all their learning is carnal earthly in the very prime and height thereof so that their principal aptitudes as breast or heart move not but upon the earth other creatures tread upon the earth as a thing mean and base put under their feet the Serpent moves not but layes it to his heart and bosom Oh Serpents the original of the curse of God but for false interpretation there had never been curse in the world nor wrath of God upon mankind which consists in going upon the belly or breast that is in carnalizing the word of God going upon it as upon the words of mâ—ns wisdom and principles not according to the wisdom and power of God 1 Cor. 2. 5. And in the words of mans wisdome and principles the letter of the Scriptures doth properly consist as is apparent to all that are not wilfully blind by the histories thereof proverbs parables relations offices buildings battels journeyings genealogies life and death of the Saints with the nature and operations of all Creatures in the heavens and on the earth which we see come in some sort within the confines of humane capacity which is the common doctrine of the world only adorning it as with God or making it as their God which is that which the Hebrews call Cashaph of which the Greeks have formed their word â—a caino and the Latins Fascino which is to bewitch and is the changing of the glory of the incorruptible God into thè image of a corruptible man and into birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things Rom. 1. 23. Which is nothing else but to place the glory of God to consist in conformity with the letter of the Scripture which is naturally written in every mans heart else the word of God could not expresse it selfe in all men that is in such as unto whom the spirit of God is not given also such as never had the written word of God could not lie under the breach of any known law of God and therefore their consciences could not accuse or excuse which is the portion of all men Rom. 2. 15. for doubtlesse the sound of the Scriptures is gone into all the earth and their words unto the end of the world Rom. 10. 18. 3 Thirdly the Serpent is known by his food dust shalt thou eat saith God Gen. 3. 14. to declare the basenesse of his proper sustentation to be such as all creatures decline dry dust can bring forth nothing that is good to perfection Isaia 65. 25. This is the food of all false Interpreters they carnallize and corrupt the word of God in all things for as dust is void of moisture which makes the earth fruitful so do they bereave the word of God of all that moisture and oyly intent of the Spirit or else it s no acceptable food for them to sustain the works of the slesh in terrene glory and beauty Oh Serpents that feed on nothing but basenesse by the verdict of God for to cast the word of God into a transitory form is nothing else but that unclean Spirit of the Devil which Christ here as his manner is rebukes for though there be an acknowledgement of Christ to be the Son of the most high God yet in that they professe Christ to be another thing than themselves are for they are affraid of being tormented by him therefore reckon themselves to be another thing for Christ doth not torment himselfe no man hates his own flesh Ephes 5. 19. In this they appear to have that unclean Spirit for it is and ever was the very form of the Devil so to do as really as it is the form of the Son of God to make himselfe one with the Father Iohn 10. 30. Iohn 14. 9. Therefore Christ rebukes such as unclean spirits yea that spirit of Satan as such as hath no interest in them that are his Mark 5. 7. 8. Oh Serpents who feed so basely as upon the husk the shell the barke and rinde of the word of God whereby the curse is formed and maintained in the world forsake the â—eed of immortality the kernel the sap the pith and the marrow of all things which is the scope intent and spirit of all things recorded and registred in the word and works of God 4 Fourthly the Serpent is known by his hearing for his custome is to stop his ear though the Charmer charm never so wisely Psalm 58. 5. he will not hear now we know that to charm a thing is to utter the same tune note speech or language which that uttereth which we are about to charm with an interposition or infinuation of something whereby to take with guile in the motion or coming forth of the thing as the Apostle useth the word guile in a good sense 2 Cor. 12. 16. But this Serpent in false Interpretation stops the ear let the good Charmer charm never so wisely it will not hear that is let the Son of God in tru interpretation opening of the word of God sound forth speak in the very same note tune which mans heart is known by naturally according to the history proverb parable and progresse of the word of God in way of ushering it into the heart of man or bringing forth the thoughts of mans heart to symbolize and agree therwith as it is propounded in the figure similitude metaphor allegory and dialogiums thereof yet when the truth of the thing appears which the spirit of God intends and is properly taken with against that doth the Serpent and false and subtle interpreter stop his ear even as it is said of the Serpent that he layes one ear to the ground and stops the other with his tayle wherein his life and motion properly resides for some Serpents after their head be cut off will live and move many hours which life and motion appears properly in the tayl So these false Interpreters when truth appears stop their ear in one respect with an earthly conjecture and conception of the word of God and in another respect with that lively aptitude which naturally they have to move and act in such carnal and sensuall wayes and respects which resides in the tail or in
Iaphet brought forth but also that cursed condition of Cham and Canaan so that Noah in this drunkennesse ceaseth from all carnall argumentation in the things of God even as a man drunk with Wine is bereaved of the use of naturall reason and common sense Noah therefore according to Gods intent and meaning is drunk in that sense of the Apostle where he saith be not drunk with Wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the spirit or as the word is be drunk in the spirit Ephes 5. 18. that is as Iohn is said to be in the spirit on the Lords day Rev. 1. 10. even as a man being in drink it hath dominion over his senses carrying him beyond the common operations of them therefore it is said that a man sâ—outeth because of wine Psal 78. 6â— Even so a man being in the spirit it carries him beyond all naturall reason common sense and humane argumentation to resolve conclude and determine of things according to the wisdom power and glory of God and not of the Creature therefore it is that the Spouse in the Canticles saith Eat O friends drink abundantly or as the word is drink and be drunke O well-beloved Canticles 5. 1. The truth is that the argument or wisdome of a Saint encouraging him to stand in opposition unto all the world which he cannot but do though there were not another to stand by him in the cause of God is to carnall reason liker to a man bereaved of his senses than one in his right mind and thence it is that C ham the youngest son of Noah or the least son being so diminished in point of Sonship that he comes not within the compasse of inheriting any part of his fathers blessing because he looking upon his father as being uncovered of all the ornaments of mans power and wisdome and so asleep or dead to them all whom Cham declares to his brethren as the shame of his father looking upon him with that unclean spirit of the Raven but Sem and Iaphet beheld not any shame in that nakednesse but know it to be the only capacity of their father to be clothed with those honourable robes of righteousnesse which they bear upon their shoulders as the Levites carry the Ark of God and go backwards unto their father a quite contrary way than Cham doth therefore Noah awaking unto God or being alive unto the spirit as really as dead to the flesh exercising himself in the wisdom of the spirit knows what his sons have done through this his sleep and drunkennesse ministring unto them according to their deed and therefore denounceth a curse against Canaan not naming Cham but Canaan his son wherein a deep mystery is couched namely that the curse doth not in the least arise out of the Ark wherein salvation is but out of a spirit propagated and ingendred by concluding that the glory of salvation consists in that which it doth not namely in the glory of the Creature and not in that glory which is immediately of God even as C ham lookt at the blasting of mans glory through the power of the holy spirit of God to be the shame of his father and not the true glory Neither doth the curse arise and spring out of any proper work or operation of God in any particular but from a false construction and interpretation made of that good work of God therefore the act of ingendring Canaan as accursed merchandizing as his name signifies by a false construction concerning our deliverance given by Cham comes between Noah and the blessing distributed to his sons and however Cham be not named in denouncing the curse yet he is included else the curse were not full in originall and off-spring even as the blessing is pronounced upon the root and originall of blessing and therefore he saith blessed be the Lord God of Shem but Shem the true off spring is included and so it is full in the root and branch also So is the curse denounced upon Canaan but Cham is included also else the curse were not full in root and off-spring and as Noah here in this place is not the immediate root of Canaan the accursed no more is the Lord of all the Earth the immediate root of any particular in the curse That spirit therefore that stands for mediate Ordinances and offices of God it stands for and upholds the proper propagation of the curse and as the curse goeth out unto Canaan the son of perdition including Cham the father of lies so Christ here denounceth desolation upon the Mother Ierusalem including all false Interpreters her Children in the Scribes and Pharisees as her proper off-spring and thus comes the curse to be propagated in all the men of the World and the orders thereof constituted and established if we may call it order established in all the Cities of the Iebusites namely by preferring the wisdome power authority and glory of man before the wisdome power authority and glory of God maintaining the wayes and operations of the Creature in the vilifying of the operations of the spirit of God as a shamefull thing in that way of the crosse of Christ and in this stands all those mother like conceptions in the orders of the World to produce and bring forth a brood and generation of false Interpreters as the orders of Ierusalem had brought forth these Scribes and Pharisees as her children ingendred by that bond woman or spirit of bondage For the orders constituted and established in the world beget false Interpreters as naturally as every Creature begets and conceivs its own kind for according to the form of order established in any nation Kingdom or jurisdiction such is the officer it brings forth for he must be produced and established according to that law or else he is a Usurper so that the immediate call and invisible vertue of the Spirit of God is thereby to be rejected in whomsoever it appears for the Officer must be a child of that order and law wherin he exerciseth of what order and constitution soever it be which this City order of Iebus or Ierusolem hath ordained and erected and herein she becomes murtherous and diabolicall in her self and in her children or the children are such in the mother and the mother is such in the children in that they reject all immediate revelation of Christ and his Spirit putting it off by their law to a time past or to come or to both and so kill it in the present time as these Interpreters did and as the City ordains and appoints such laws to bring forth children by so the children are bound to promote maintain and justifie that law and order by which they are brought forth Even as children do their Parents whilst they stand in that relation of children for when they are once betrothed they become a root in themselves and these two taken spiriritually according to the intent of Scripture are never separated whether in the mystery of
Iewes and Grecians Christ is the power of God and the wisdome of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. and thence it is that our faith stands not in the wisdome of men or any thing that they can transfuse or instill but in the power of God 1. Cor. 2. 5. which is one and the same in whomsoever it appears 4 Fourthly the Hen hovereth upon her Chickens for their nourishment and increase that they may attain to her stature and ability Even so doth the wisdome God brood upon his saints that they may come unto a perfect man unto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ Ephes 4. 13. Therefore it is said that the Saints increase with the increasinâ—s of God Collos 2. 19. Now wee know that the Holy One dwells not it temples made with hands for the heavens of heavens cannot contain him 2 Chro. 6 18. No more is he subject to increase or diminution therefore perfected at once and for ever in all his demensions and operations whatsoever his increasings are that bountiful flowing forth and issuing out of his Spirit in the variety of his operations and revelations springing from that inexhaustible Fountain in Christ that Store-house and Treasury of them all 5 Fiftly the Hen broods upon her Chickens to save them from harm of storm and tempest or birds of prey which otherwise they are Lyable unto Even so the wisdome of God hovers upon his Saints to save them from danger Isaiah 45. 6. Psal 91. 1. even the cruell stormes and tempestuous gusts of the Devil who goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom hee may devour 1 Peter 5. 8. who though he come in against the Saints as a flood yet shall this spirit and wisdome of the Lord lift up a standard aganst him to chase him away Isay 59. 19. And this is the onely safety of the Saints who otherwise are in continuall danger even as a Sparrow upon the house top Psal 102. 7. who watcheth alone for if shee fall upon the earth there is the Fowlers snare and if she abide upon the rooff of the house she is subjct to birds of pray So are the saints of God if it were not for this wisdom and Word of God rightly interpreted that watcheth over them for it they look down to the inferiour and more grosse things of this life there is a snare hid in every thing to catch us with vain hopes and expectations to be inriched and exalted by them in case we can but heap them up together and make the best of them and if wee look up at the principalities and powers of the world we are ready to be devoured and swallowed up by them if this wisdome move not upon us as the spirit brooded upon the waters in the beginning to preserve them in purity that they corrupt not as we see they are in motion unto this day for that purpose in their ebbings and flowings Nay if we look down to mans sin fall from God and imperction in all things we are ready to bee insnared with doubts and feares and discontentments with our own condition and if we look up unto that happie and blessed estate of man in Christ we are Ready to wax proud arrogant and wanton in the things of God if this wisdom of God do not brood and flutter upon us and watch over us that his power may prevent all inconveniences that otherwise would fall upon us Psal 77. 10. This wisdom and Word of God is our onely strength and help in the true interpretation thereof and without that there is no proper power or help of God at all as is formerly noted therefore it is said thou hast advanced thy Word over all thy Name or upon all thy Name or Authority and power Psalm 138. 2. So it is said that the mercy of the Lord is over all his works Psalm 145. 9. or upon all his works That is there is not a work of God in Heaven or in Earth but there is a stamp and impression of the mercy of God upon it with respect unto the Saints of God yea every work of God is a Monument or Remembrancer of Gods mercy unto them See an epitomee or breviary hereof Psalm 136. 1 -26 where the Spirit of God impresseth the mercy of God upon his works six and twenty severall times Even So the Lord hath magnified his Word upon all his Name or his authority and power that is there is no power and authority of God but that which his Word in the true interpretation thereof invests into it is that and that onely which sets up and maintaines Gods Name and Authority in all things whatsoever and without the true interpretation of the Word of God his Name is not magnificall in the heart of any man likewise there is nothing whereby the power of Satan is advanced in the world but onely the false interpretation of the Word of God neither is there any contention among the sons of men besides that contending for the common salvation by faith once given unto the Saints Jude 3. But it ariseth from a mistake and false interpreting of the Word of God for it is at unity with it self where in whomsoever it is truly acknowledged We Conclude then that it is Word of God which is the wisdome of God that is the proper wing of God under which the Saints are gathered which false interpreters refuse to come under 5 Which is the fift point in order And that is their unnaturall deniall but ye would not Not that the wickednesse and destruction of man depends onely upon the will of a creature simply considered but it depends upon the law of the flesh or the word of a carnall commandment that is the word of God falsly interpreted Neither doth Salvation depend upon the meer will of an Eternall God simply considered but it depends upon the Law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Iesus which is that word or wisdome of God rightly opened and interpreted else doth not Salvation consist only in Christ Iesus who is God and Man as the wisdome of God affirms it doth Acts 4. 11 12. And this is the Stone cast aside by you builders which is become the head of the Corner Neither is there Salvation in any other for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Mat. 1. 21. 1 This denyall of being gathered into unity by Christ therefore is the voice of a law which wicked men are under in way of Hagar the bond woman which speaks effectually in way of negation to every point expressed in the metaphor taken from the Hen and her Nest or Chickens that is we will not have the Nest to bee one in originall and off-spring that is God and man making one inâ—ire Condition in all and every Saint of God in the point of time place and individuall subsistence for the Spirit of God in the soul of man in every operation of a
delighted in Gallatians 6. 14. It never attains to the offering up unto God the fruits of an Eternall spirit as that which is onely acceptable to God without the institution or addition of any things transient and temporary whatsoever for Christ who is onely acceptable to God so offereth up himself once and for ever in the true operation and continued act of acceptation thereof for the act and acceptation are of like continuance and have the same place of residenccy for where the one is found there is never the absence of the other Hebrewes 9. 14. For Christ is both the one and the other Again false Interpretation can never make God its onely inheritance and portion to live on him onely in the exercise of its Ministery because it terminates the word in carnall things and therefore is bound over to seek some certainty and settlement in the things of this present life and cannot as a pilgrim in point of all transitory things where ever he comes commit himself to God as his onely and allsufficiency as the true Priests and Prophets of God have ever done according to that Royall Ordination and apointment of God Deut. 18. 1 2. Num. 18. 20. 21. who is become their lot and happy inheritance Psal 16. 5 6. even of all true worshippers who are made Kings and Priests unto God Revel 5. 10. Revel 1. 6. False interpretation never invests into the spirit of intercession an office of the Priest which Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites never received nor gave out the spirit of prayer never accompanies false interpretation and it is the Spirit only that helps our infirmities and makes intercession in us or by us otherwise we know not how to pray as we ought Rom. 8. 26. and the spirit of prayer never moves but upon the words of truth Psam 45. 4. for it ever comes to God in the name of Christ or in the power and authority of the Son of God Iohn 14. 13 14. Iohn 16. 23. which onely consists in the true understanding of his Word Isay 11. 4. Revel 2. 16. For all things receive their being form and proper vertue from it Moreover false interpetation never attaines the Priests office to make an Atoment and Reconciliation between God and man to reconcile the Word of God so as to accord and agree with it self in all things and at all times having a like cessity of the utteriug of it self upon the same foundation 1 Cor. 3. 11. in the same termes and form of Words according to the true scope and intent 2 Tim. 1. 13. and of the same attainments in point of the end and issue 2 Tim. 4. 8. Iames 1. 1â— without which there was never peace wrought between the Creator and the Creature nor form given unto the Faith of Christ for the Word of God never came out as from God but in that onenesse of spirit which appears in the man Christ and he that cannot bring the Word of God into an agreement and harmony in it self without neglect of what hath been spoken or want of somewhat which hath not yet appeared he Can never utter the truth as it is in Iesus Ephes 4. 21. and without the Truth as it is in Iesus no peace with God appears for he onely is our peace Ephes 2. 14. And this reconciliation of the Word of God is as strange a thing to a naturall minde as to bring the strict Iew and the profane Gentile to become one and that to the minde of a carnall interpreter takes a man being a Iew or a Confessour according to the letter as far from the Word of God as it is the ground of his beleese as the Apostle Paul that Minister of the Gentiles was taken away from his religion as it consisted of the orders of Ierusalem the minde letters and power of the High Priest and Elders and those breathings out of slaughters against all that called upon the name of the Lord Acts 9. 1 -14 And as it takes a strict Iew that is one outward and according to the letter so far from his religion and so from his God which hee flies unto as his onely help So also it takes the carnall Gentile as far from his religion and God who walkes at large without any tie or bond upon him in the liberall and licencious use of all things as Corneliâ—s was taken far from being a thing common and unclean to become a devout man one that feared God with all his houshold giving much almes and praying unto God yea became Baptized or ingrafted through the Apostle Peters Ministery who was a Minister of the Circumcision into the grounds and true principles of the whole Law of God Acts. 10. To bring therefore the carnall Iew into liberty as from under the Law in all things and the profane Gentile who hath no bond upon him in the use of Gods works buâ— can use them all at his pleasure to become as under the bond of the law of the Spirit in all things This power of God in freeing from the law of the flesh and bringing men under the law of the spirit is in a carnall mans eyes as though religion cast off both the Word of God as also the works of God as though he would not be ruled by the one nor acknowledge any thing to be in the other as though religion sprung from neither of them both neither from word nor work of God but did annihilate both and verily so it doth according to that judgement which a carnall Interpreter passeth upon them according to which he can never reconcile the Word of God and therefore his proper work is to set God and man at variance Adde further that false Interpretation never blesseth nor speaketh well of the King Christ it never attaines unto the Office of Priesthood so as to speak well of the King of Saints therefore he saith ye shall not see me so as to blesse praise or commend him that comes in the Name of Lord it is a definitive sentence given by Christ that the spirit of a false Interpreter will never speak well of the power and authority of the Son of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revel 19. 16. Revel 17. 14. that is his Kingdom consists of none but Kings for they all Reign over the things of this life as things put under their feet Psal 8. 6 7 8 9. as really as they are all in subiection unto what soever is of God which no earthly Kingdom can ever attain unto 1 Whosoever comes therefore in the Name of the Lord as having authority to command by vertue of the law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Iesus Carnall interpreters ever prefer the commands of men according to the law of the flesh before that Iohn 19. 7. Setting up the glory of the Creature before the glory of the Creatour 2 Whosoever comes in the authority of Gods Wisdome to order and contrive all things according to that
think they shall escape the wiles and power of the Devill when the arm of flesh fails them whereby they seek to defend themselves for the present sure they think their God will be grown to more power and care over them in and after death or else they will be loath to passe through it but I leave them and in Spirit cleave unto him as being in you who is ever the same allsufficient In whom I am yours Samuel Gorton A Copy of a Letter from the Men called Quakers The Superscription For our Friend Samuel Gorton this deliver Friend IN that measure which we have received which is eternall we see thee and behold thee and have onenesse with thee in that which is meek and low and is not of this world but bears witnesse against the world that the wayes and works thereof are evill and in that 〈…〉 spirit we salute thee and owns that of God 〈…〉 is waiting for and expecting the raising 〈…〉 is unâ—er the Earth and in the Grave groâ—niâ—g â—or the removing of the stone which the wise professors hath and doth lay upon that it might not come forth but the time is come and coming for the Angell of his presence to take away that which hinders that the Prisoner may come forth and arise to the glory of him who is raised up to the glory of the Father and hath overcome Hell and Death and all the powers of darknesse and is a spreading his name forth to the nds of the Earth and hath sounded his Trumpet in these parts also and is a beginning his war with Ameleke and the Philistins and Egyptians in this part of the world who are set and setting themselves against the Lord in this the day of his mighty power wherein he will exalt the horn of his annointed and bring down all the fat Kine and Buls of Bashan whose eyes are ready to start out with rage and madnesse against that which is become as a burthensome stone amongst them and is that stone which will break all their imaginaries to peeces and shall become a great mountain which shall bring down the stout hearts of the Kings of Assyria and all their high looks and levell their mountains of wisdome and knowledge and dry up the tongue of the Egyptian Sea and shall make way for the ransomed of the Lord to come to Sion with joy and gladnesse being redeemed from Kindreds Nations Tongues and People by the blood of Iesus which is spirit and life in all those that obey the light which from the life doth come for the life is the light of men and whosoever beleeves in the light which they are inlightned with shall not abide in darknesse but shall have the light of life which light we have obeyed in coming into these parts and we do witnesse the life in the measure given to us whereby we are enabled to encounter with Principalities and Powers and wickednesse in high places and can deny the world and the glory of it and take up his Crosse dayly and follow him in which we witnesse the power of God whereby the World is crucified unto us and us unto the World and in that in â—ur measure we deny our selves and can wait in the eternall counsell which is out of time manifested in time not being hasty but let the Lord alone to do his own worke in â—is own vvay and there can sit down in our rest which is his will and when he moves us then we go and do his will in his power and when he clouds we stand still waiting for the removing of the Cloud and so we know when to journey and when not and herein are we aâ— rest when our Adversaries are in trouble and in Egyptian darknesse sitted and prepared for destruction which assurealy must fall upon them from the God of 〈◊〉 Friend the Lord hath drawn forth our hearts to this place in much love knowing in the light that he hath a great seed among you though scattered up and down and are as sheep without a shepherd and you are travelling from Mountain to Hill in your wisedome and imaginations the resting place being not yet known nor cannot be known by the highest wisdome of the world but in the deniall of it for there is something underneath which is not nor cannot be satisfied with all the divings into the mystery of things declared in the Scriptures of truth which is the man of Gods portion and was given to that to profit withall that it might be throughly furnished to every good word and work but this is too low a thing for those which are high in their wisdome and knowledge which they can hardly stoop unto that is to become fools that they may be wise that the pure wisdome may dwell with them for evermore But the Lord is come and coming â—o lovell the Mountains and to rend the Rocks of wisdome and knowledge and to exalt that which is low and foolish to the wisdome of the world and blessed shalt thou and all those be who meets him in this his work which he is doing in the Earth and in this place wherein thou now dwellest in setting up the King the Lord of Hosts to reign in righteousness for his tabernacle shall be among men and he vvill dwell in them and vvalk in them and he will be their God and they shall be his people from henceforth even for ever Now to that which thou writes to us to know our minds to stay in these parts â—e are unwilling to go out of these parts if here we could be suffered to stay but we are willing to mind the Lord what way he will take for our staying and if he in wisdome shall raise thee up and others for that end we shall â—e willing to accept of it but what the Master of the Ship will do in the thing we know not they indeaveuring to force him to to enter into bond of 500l to set us ashoar in England which he did at first refuse for which they sent him to prison without Bail and Mainprize as we are informed but since he doth proffer his own bond but they will not at present accept it without security b sides to be bound with him for they are affraid that we should be set ashoar in these parts again therefore they make their Bond as strong as they can but the Lord knows away to break their bonds asunder The Master hath been writ unto and warned that he should not enter into bond which if he did not it would be as a Crown of honor upon his head but if he doth the Lord knows how to defeat themand him too Now what he doth is out of a slavish fear because he would not lie in prison and hinder his voyage but if the bond hinder him not he would have been willing to have delivered us and we should have been willing to have satisfied him which we did proffer him and if he be not