that are baptised with it are baptised into his death buried with him unto the world its wayes and worships loves and freindships and to all that in them is which would conforme or bow thereto and through this death is the seed of God raised up out of the grave quickned by the same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead And all that are Baptised with this Spirit and the old Man dead and buried they are raised a spiritual seed unto God holy and zealous of good works being begotten againe of another nature from above which is but one and all as they are baptized herein grow into one in God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ and so the Saints were all baptised by one Spirit into one body out of that nature in which all differences are Sects and opinions and so come to put on Christ which is but one for as many as are baptised unto Christ have put on Christ and his mind and affection and such know a further prize then contentions about Elements of the world or washings without neither do they stand laying againe such foundations as stands in times and seasons and customs and persons as all the world is contending about who are in the many Baptismes and many fashions some contending for sprinkling Infants â—ome for dipping them some for sprinkling them over againe and some for dipping them over againe when they are growne to such a confusion in outward words and many other outward Ceremonies they keepe themselves disputing and jangling about from the letter in an imitation of Johas Ministry calling it the Baptisme of Christ but out of the Spirit and power of Christ or John either yea so farre from the power as not come to the forme of either And this effect this hath taken in all who are gone out into the world in these imitations and imaginations that so many Baptismes so many Religions and Sects and every Sect Master and his followers set themselves against all other in the way they have conceived to be right and to that way must all bow or else no agreement though never so neare in other things nay so zealous they are for their Likenesse that if any come not into it though the Spirit of God be in them and they themselves confesse it yet he must not speake in that creature in their Churches without bowing to their formes of water which are all different one from another though the Spirit of God be but one and cannot be limitted to any visible forme or rudiment And thus the form is set above the power and not the true form neither but as men have conceived from the letter by the Counsels of their own braine some in the Popish Councels some since but none from the Mouth of the Lord and therefore they are scattered in their imaginations and baptismes But who are baptised with the baptisme of the Spirit are baptized into one body But all that are without who are the nearest are in the error not knowing the Scripture nor power of God herein For all who have not their law guide and rule in Spirit are in that generation who have erred and lost the Saints guide and such are scattered with what they from the letter imagine into divisions And this was that which Paul saw getting in amongst the Churches in 1 Cor. 14. 17. his time setting up sects and the persons by whom they were baptised puft up for them and against the other Apostles some of Paul some of Peter c. Which Paul seeing thanks God he had baptized no more of them and plainly saies Christ sent him not to baptize but to Which clearly shows it was not laid on the Apostles as of necessity but as they found it of service or disservice preach the Gospel though he could use it untill he saw them make an Idoll of it thereby to make devisions and parties and to puffe up one above another as it is now used at this day yea farre more for it is now made the key to let in and shut out of that they call a Church yea further some say none can be saved without it but all that have it are belâ—evers and shall be saved and so set it in the place of Christ But others are more moderate who finding it practised in the Letter they say it is an ordinance and they who practise it not deny an ordinance of Christ To such I say all that is in the letter is not ordained there to be taken up by all that read it for the Saints had their call to their particular Ministrations in Spirit and not in Letter for else they had not witnessed differences of administrations but the same Lord But by the Spirit they were led from carnall administrations and through them not sticking in the Letter What letter had Paul to deny Circumcision which the letter said should be as a signe for ever Or by what letter did he deny Baptisme Did he deny an Ordinance of Christ in either of these divers more rudiments which were commands in the letter which he preached practise in Spirit putting an end to the shadow of things to come and leading to the body as is plaine Col. 2. Further I say if it were so that all that was done in the letter was to be taken up then the forme thereof must not be changed if the letter be the rule But not any that I know at this day that are in the forme as the Saints did it for none practised this but who was called out to teach all Nations So you that have your certaine dwelling places and live in your worldly estates and fashions are out of this Call Neither did they take such into the outward washing who had beene there before but baptised such into the name of Christ Jesus with the Spirit that they might receive the holy Ghost But if you say they had it not in right forme and manner nor by persons rightly called and qualified c I say Nor can they have that from you who are not called out of the world but live in its friendship professions fashions and customs in which the Saints never lived after they were called to teach and baptize So you do but add another false forme to that they had before but still out of the power nor any change of faith or qualification onely in that thing of Water over againe differing in some circumstances as you have conceived from the letter but still with the rest of professions in Covetousnesse Pride and Contention vaine words and heathenish customes and manners of the Nations in which you live you that can live in Suites and revenge you that sweare at mens wills and so deny the commands of Christ and his Apostles whosaies Above all things sweare not at all you that can uphold the high places of Popery which yet remaine in the land and such a worship therein as Christ never commanded with tythes and
fell and into the self-inventions which he had chosen in the contrary will and so entring into the forbidden thing became accursed lost the measure of God his honour and likenesse in which he stood above the Creation and so became bruitish in his Understanding and as to the things of God as the Beast that perish for the Seed he had lost wherein the Election the Wisdome the Authority and all haopinesse present and eternal did consist and so became led by another Seed wherein God had placed emptinesse of himself which he had raised up for dishonour And here it is that man hath lost his dominion over the Devil by letting him in which otherwise had never power further then to proffer which now being got in with a shew of God and godlinesse into the Temple of God the principle part in man and man having joyned in one with him now is become his Captive in whom he makes havock beguiling him of the life of simplicity and godlinesse and perverting his ways as to the end for which man was made yea all the mercies that God gives to that Creature he being above and Ruler in the heart are turned to the Lust that is Carnal and Self-ended and to that Lust and Self-ended things the man becomes a Servant yea hath so lost his dominion as he is brought to serve the Creature over which he â—as Ruler Hence it is that some become servants and are captivated some with Covetousnesse some with Pride some with Lust and many other several things which are become Lords in the heart of man whereby he is hurried with all eagernesse out of all moderation hunting after vanity and folly yea what vain toyes and foolish trifles hath led away the heart of man from the pure wisdom of his God till he scarce knows any end of running after changable things gluttony and excesse in dyet yet not satisfied foolery in apparel without all stay or stop being wholly fallen from that which is unchangable the true satisfaction and honour and the further man goes in this state the more emptinesse and darknesse comes in upon himself and being fallen under the earthly principle he is covered with thick darknesse so that the mind of God he knows not nor his woful state he sees not the God of this world having blinded the eye which should show him his misery and the ear being stopt which should hear the voyce of the souls shepheard whereby he should be quickned his eye and ear being led out to Carnall things and there captivated so that the voyce of the Spirit he knowes not And so being become heart-blind cannot receive the way in Spirit and whatsoever is spoken to man in this state in love to the soul which lies in death the Serpent being above upon the earth catcheth the thing into the Imaginations and the Creature being led to consult with him there in the flesh he beguils the Creature of the simplicity and keeps the Creature so in Self that he regards not the Seed of God which is fallen under all this death and darknesse and so long as the Creature will but hearken to him and his lying promises he will lead him from one thing to another in things without but never to see that from whence he is faln Therefore to all in this state Christ and all his Ministers preached repentance that all might turn their minds from these dead works to the living God who is a Spirit known in Spirit and so worshipped whose Kingdom is within and whose light is in the midst of all this darknesse though the darknesse comprehend it not but as many as repenâ—â— of their following this way of self-wisdom and knowledge and come to stand still to such he shows his Salvation and his Kingdome near at hand which the Serpent whilst they follow him doth put afar off And as the mind is staid to wait for the Kingdome of God in Spirit the god of the world comes to be denied and resisted And as the mind is staid in the light from hearkning to the earthly So that Seed which lies in Death comes to hear the voyce of the Sonne of God and to receive life and strength from the Word whereby it is raised out of the grave and appears above the earth to receive from the Father the dew of heaven whereby it is nourished and refreshed and as man beholds the Seed growing so he comes to see the new Creation and what he lost in the Fall and so is restored by the power of the Word in the Son of God into his Dominion power and purity made able to resist the Devil to chuse the thing that is good and delight in it as before he delighted in the contrary so comes man to be reconciled to his Maker in the Eternal Unity beyond what is to be expressed The wisdome and power received from above whereby the heart is set free from Corruption and made able to escape the pollutions of the world and to run the pure ways with delight which is the glorious liberty of the Sons of God the resurrection from the dead and the entrance into the everlasting rest And now all you who find your selves fallen from your Dominon that measure of God which he placed in man from which he received power and wisdome over the evill one and now find your selves led Captive with the evil one into the ways of Death Sinne and Evill so that Corruption hath got dominion in you and over you never look to be restored by that which leads out for that which acts in the flesh is onely evill and will but lead you from Mountain to Hill and so keep you doing without in self without life and power healing your selves in false perswasions which will not stand in stead in the evil day nor reconcile to God to be accepted in any thing you do for that is the first man with his righteousnesse But to that from which you are fallen must you look return into that from which you are gone out that by the light that 's in the midst of all this darknes and death you may be led in again by the blood of the Cross through the fire and sword into the Garden of God where he plants and feeds into which the old man with his will and works cannot enter nor he whose Leader is any visible thing for by the Spirit from whence man is fallen and gone out by the same must he be led in again and that seed which man hath sinned against must make the atonement to which the Promise is which is free and sets all free as they were born thereof So that which leads out into the Knowledge is the Fall but that which leads into the Simplicity of Life which is manifest in the Spirit and not in the Knowledge of the first man that leads to the Resurrection of Life for it is the hidden wisdome that God ordained before the world unto glory So to
the mover thereof and worker also and the creature only servant therein in the same power And this is not a self taken on performance from the Letter but is in the eternall counsell and strength of God commanded moved and performed in Gods will and time contrary to the will of the flesh whereby the will of all flesh is subdued even all that is come in since the beginning till all be seen in the light to be good and the work of God and so his works praise him from a good understanding of the spirit and power of the Living God And with the living word is the living soul witnessed and the life of Christ made manifest in the mortal body and the creature comes to have fellowship in the life and is transformed thereinto and united in one and this is the word of reconciliation which unites God and the Creature in Spirit which who ever knows needs not go forth for wisdom counsell or strength against all the powers of darkness nor wiles of the enemy but by diligent taking heed to the word which is nigh in the heart from thence finds the issues of life spiritual strength and power against the spiritual wickedness which all who run out for help lye under become servants of Concerning Worship THe worship of the true and living God stands out of mans will and knowledge wisdom or prudence as in the naturall for God is a Spirit and in Spirit he is worshipped not with mens hands nor with bodily exercise further then by the eternall Spirit the body is exercised nor doth it stand in meats and drinks nor divers washings nor carnall ordinances taken on by tradition nor imitation of others but as every Creature is moved by the Spirit of the living God who is that Spirit who will be served with his own alone not with any thing in man which is come in since the fall so the imaginations thinkings and conceavings are shut out all mans ways mans times and formes nationall customes mans decency and orders by men devised and added are all shut out and condemned with that Spirit in which God alone is worshipped and his people taught his worship and the manner of it and the times are in his hand whose the worship is So that before any can rightly worship God they must waite to know his Spirit that leads to know him and his worship and the matter and manner for all who do the same thing as to the outward performance do not worship God because they worship not in Spirit and power of God himselfe So that all who would so worship him as to be accepted you must know the light and in it waite to know what God calls for at your hands for it is not what men appoint you to do or not to do that will acquit you before the Lord for this know that God made man for himselfe and for his service and the living God is not as the dumbe Idolls that people should imagine a way to serve him as may best sute with the fashion and custome of a Nation or people but he that made man hath given him a life from himself to improve in his service and a light hath he given wherewith to see the moving of this Spirit of life which ever moves after the will of God because it is of him and so where it is awakned it ever draws the Creature towards God the mind and will and affections and love of God is in it and who walks in the light sees this But the Creature running before this or without this there comes all the dead works and worships And the ground of all this ariseth out of darkness and disobedience for when the Creature hath beene out in the world and unrighteous wayes thereof doing that which is evill then that in the heart condemns for the evill and neglect of good then the same mind runs to act a worship to get peace when both the evill and the worship is in one nature and so the prayer becomes abomination as the others was for he that regards the iniquity God will not heare his prayers nor accept his worships that 's Cains sacrifice and Esaus prayers but either must your worship be performed in one that never sinned or it cannot be accepted with the pure God So that the way to be well pleasing to the Father is to waite in the light till you see somthing of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus moving in you and then to that joyne in its power to worship and that being of God he cannot forget himselfe and that is done in the name of Christ which is done in his light and power and wisdom and strength and what ever is done in his name is not denyed of the Father and so far as any are in him so far sons and so far accepted in him without whom you can doe nothing nor be respected nor did ever any worship in this nature but they found acceptance and the knowledge thereof and you who know not this to lead and guide you in your worships are worshiping you know not what nor with what and though you say that God works all your works in you and that it is his work and worship you are about yet when it comes upon tryall he will not own it for his which the worker of iniquity hath wrought For the evil worker hath not onely his hand in the deceitfull works of the unrighteous Mammom but in the deceitfull works of Worship too For did he not deceive in worship to hide his wickednesse with pretence of godlinesse and long prayers he could not keepe people in any peace in his wicked wayes so they who joyne to him herein receive the greater damnation for the false worshippers were alwayes greatest enemies to Christ and so to their own souls and woe to him that hides his sin thus So all who desire to worship in truth you must know the truth even the Spirit of truth to lead into all truth which Spirit of truth takes of Christ and testifies of his life and power in the Creature worshiping who believes in the light and such know they are in him and he in them who is true in whom they worship the Father of the truth and so God is served with his own and no further then this is known can any worship God in Spirit which the light doth manifest So you having received a light from Christ in that waite till therein you find the Spirits leading acting and ordering and here the least in the light is in Gods service when on him you are waiting in Spirit and such as abide in the light waiting upon God in the light are kept from serving the Prince of darknesse and having your loynes gire and your light burning you are always ready to know the voyce and answer it with obedience and then you serve God and not men when you have a command from the living God not
Therefore faith Jam. 4. 4. God let love be without dissimulation abhor that which is evill cleave to Rom. 12. 9. that which is good and that love is it which covers sinne which condemns sin unto death and covers it with righteousnesse Otherwise saith the Scriptures he that covereth sinne shal not prosper And saith James Prov. 28. 13. Jam. 5. 20. He which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a Prov. 29. 5. soul and shall hide a multitude of sinnes And saith Solomon Open rebuke is better thâ—â—â—â—â—â—t love such wounds are precious to them that know what love is but he that spares mens wickednesse hates Gods righteousnesse And so with the Light is seen Gods love and the Devils love and each loves his own works and so do their Children in whom they raign For who ever loves the one hates the other and he that serves the one hates the other and so the Servant pleads for his Master whom he loves Concerning Judgment TRue Judgment as it is known to men is a gift from the Spirit of God set in the heart of every one who dwells in the Light of Christ which Judgmennt passeth upon all that 's in the Creature contrary to the life of God and so as it is received springs up with Light and Salvation to the redeeming of the heart from all uncleannesse condemning all which is contrary to purity that God may be seen in his dwelling place with his righteousnesse and so he is said to redeem Zion with Judgment and her Isa 1. 27 Converts with Righteousnesse and to purge away the filth of the Daughter of Zion with the Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of burning And if there be a dwelling in the Light this Judgment ceases not till the Isa 4. 4. Throne of Christ be established in the heart in peace for this is his Judgment and is upon all that stands up against his Kingdom and this Isa 9. 7. is the cause why the enemies of righteousnesse love it not but have turned it into gall and wormwood which the righteous delights in and loves who are redeemed and saved therewith and knows it to be the the Promise first to be received For saith the Lord I will make Judgment Isa 51. 4 to rest for a light of the people which being received his righteousnesse is neer to be revealed Therefore his Judgment must passe before upon all that 's Unrighteous and none can have his righteousnesse but who receives his Judgment Hos 6. 5. Therefore saith the Lord I have hewed them by the Prophets I have slain them by the words of my mouth and my Judgments are as a Light that Dan. 7. 2 goeth forth And for this end is Judgment given to the Saints of the most High And saith the Lord righteous men shall judge them after the manner of Adulteresses and after the manner of women that shed blood because they are Adulteresses and blood is in their hands thus will I cause loudness to cease out of the Laud. Therefore is Ezekiel so often commanded to judge them and cause them to know their abominations And Jeremy was full of the fury of the Lord and he was weary with hold 〈◊〉 in And Micah was full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of Judgment to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sinne And so in all Ier. 6. 11. Ages he placed his Judgments in his servants who were to judge the Heathen and such as knew not God therewith and so many as did believe Mic. 3. 8. it and receive it did repent and found mercy and the rest were hardened And this judgment is eternal and shall stand in Heaven as it is passed upon earth And this was committed to the Apostles as a Doctrine and Heb. 6. 2. whom they bound were bound and who by it they loosed were loosed therefore did all the Saints love judgment for it is the ministration of Christ ministred out upon all that 's against Christ and that which is against Christ is against the Soul so this judgment must begin at the 1 Pet. 4. 17 house of God but where the Devil keeps the house he rejects it and saith Solomon the ungodly scorneth Judgment and evill men understand it not So saith he there i that 's destroyed for want of Judgment and Prov. 19. 28. he that hath not Judgment is blind and sees not that his Enemy raigns which must raign till Judgment be brought into victory and set in the Prov. 28. earth but when Judgment is laid to the Line and Righteousnesse to the Prov. 13. 25. Plummet then the Covenant with Hell and Death must be disanulled so all that are in this Covenant loves not that which breaks it Isa 28. 17 18. And this is your Case who hates reproof who when you are told of your evil hearts where sinne lives and your cursed crooked natures you say Who made thee a Judge And many say You could like what we say but that we judge people so you are they that hate Judgment and would not have the Ministry of Christ to go on for who hath the Spirit of Christ hath the Spirit of Judgment and who serves that Spirit must sâ—ffer it to speak and judge in them and all that oppose it shall be condemned by it Therefore saith David the tongue of the Righteous talketh judgment the Law of God is in his heart his steps shall not slide but the wicked Psal 137. 30 31 32. seekech to slay him So for uttering the Judgments of God against the Wicked have the just ever suffered and for the same do you now hate them and condemn them and you are in the same nature and covenant that your Fore-fathers was in who shed the innocent bloud and you would have joyned with them had you lived with them what ever your deceipt may say to the contrary And you are found in the same Opposition to the utmost power you have against the Spirit of Judgment now as they was then and the cause is the same now as it was then both they and you living in that which is for Judgment Fire and Condemnation therefore you cannot receive their Testimony who have that evil judged and condemned which you love and live in and for this cause Cain slew his Brother and so do all his generation and with that which you hate shall you be condemned and shall not be able to stand in judgment which is the Saints delight in which they are united to God as he hath said I â—os 2. 19. will betroth ye unto me for ever in righteousness and in judgment which righteousnes and Judgment must condemn the wicked So who hath Christ hath him in Judgment and righteousness and loves him his Judgment and righteousness but who is married unto the world cannot love that which is his Condemnation for so doing Concerning
your selves above your brethren for that came in by the devil and perfection is hid from it and all that live therein nither can it be bought or sold nor procured with all the industry of man Only such obtain it who wait in the light till they receive the free gift of rigteousness and be indued with power from above Not they who heare a thing in the notion and then declare it nor who see a work done and go do the like for none was more like to have been able ministers then the Apostles in this who had seen the mighty works of Christ and heard him and his doctrine but these were not fit for perfecting the Saints till they had received the same Spirit from above Therefore was they commanded to wait at Jerusalem till therewith they was indued and then they was made able ministers not of the letter but of the spirit and their testament in the spirit not old in the letter for that of the letter kills but the Spirit perfects And so all that ever beare the testament in spirit preach and beleive perfection but that testimony of the letter being without cannot perfect the comers thereto for the light faith hope love patience c. are gifts Spiritually given for perfecting and cannot be had any other way but in spirit freely given and freely received which gifts you know not nor the effect of them who are in the literal ministration but in your vain imaginations and comprehensions are Judging you know not what And limitting the spirituall covenant of God to the literall and because you who are in the letter searching with your witt can find no perfection therefore you will judge the spirituall covenant also That so the devill may for ever keep people from the coming in of the better hope for if the first covenant made nothing perfect nor the second neither what hope is there for people seeing no imperfection can enter into the kingdom of heaven Concerning Government or Magistracy THere is no just government but what is of God and in whomsoever he having called them placeth his power and authority which is just and righteous received in the light and from the anointing of Jesus and the subjection to his spiritual power in the soul whom the Father hath appointed King and Governour of all things in heaven and in earth And none can deserve the name of Christian governors but who by him are governed and do receive his authority with subjection thereunto in Spirit Therefore saith the Apostle Let every soul be subject to the higher power And he that will rule for God must first see that his own soul be subject to the higher power must know one higher then hee and so himselfe coming under that power then with that power authority upon him he goes forth to rule with God for God and having set up his Kingdom in his heart he goes to make way that his Kingdom may be set up in others that all may bow to his authority wherewith he is anointed from above and to which he is become subject for conscience sake And so his government being according to that in every conscience every one that minds that in the conscience shall witnesse him and his government to be of God and so he that resists shall receive to himselfe damnation witnessed by that in the conscience and all who own not that in the conscience which is pure to obey the Lord therein the sword of the Lord in the hand of his Minister shall be upon such and that of God to which he is subject even the anointing he hath received shall instruct him in the Spirit of meekenesse wisdome and judgment to find out the transgressor and lay the sword upon him and such shall not beare the sword in vaine but a terror to the evil doer shall be without respect to the persons of men or any other thing but onely to the law of God which is one with that in the conscience So is Christ honoured as Lawgiver and Judge and King and with this honour he honoureth such Rulers in the consciences of all his people and before all the world and though the world knows not the authority of such nor from whom they have it yet all that feare God doe and are made to confesse them before God and man and so Isay was made to confesse to Cyrus whom others counted a Heathen for it is the authority in the person that is honourable where ever it is placed so Moses was dreadfull in this authority though otherwise but a shepheard and the meekest man in the world and Samuel a poore man yet this authority made the Elders of Bethlem to tremble at his coming when they heard thereof Nay it is too much to instance in particulars for all that ever honoured God in this he honoured them whose names are a blessing to this day and their memoriall shall not rott for when such raignes the people rejoyce that delights in righteousnesse the just are bold and righteousnesse flourishes in the open streets and wickednesse is ashamed and is hid and the innocent clap their hands for joy that the Lord raignes and their governors are of themselves When Christ rules all in all then he makes his Officers peace and his exactors righteousnesse But if it be said Must not men own wicked Majestrates I say they are to be owned and obeyed in all things as they are appointed by God for God limits them and hath set bounds to them though they know it not and so far as they command the will of God they are to be obeyed for conscience sake but when they are contrary to God and command that which God forbids and forbid what he commands then God is to be obeyed and man denyed for Consciencesake for none can be obeyed for conscience sake who commands that which is contrary to that of God in the conscience though many do deny the Lord and conforme to such yet who are guided by the Spirit of God which keeps the conscience cleane never could but in all ages have suffered violence from such to keepe their consciences void of offence for so it must be when rulers themselves deny obedience to God in Spirit then all who walk after the Spirit must needs suffer by them And here is the ground of all persecution that ever was when governors are out of the feare of God and stand in their owne wills and walke after the flesh then that seed rules which persecutes him that is borne after the Spirit and so the enmity getting up snares are laid for the innocent to make him an offender for a word who is none indeed And from this ground have the Lambes beene devoured always as evill doers but ever innocent yet never wanting accusations as Heretickes Ring-leaders of Sects and Seditions Blasphemers and the like that so the Devill may the more blind the world least they should see his envie and their innocency
they come to receive in their hearts onely such come into the good work and will of God For without the Word was nothing made nor without it can any be redeemed For it is the Word of the Lord heard and received that quickens the Dead and raises to Life that which is dead in the trespasses and sins and the Spiritual man being quickned the power of the Word brings forth in him the work of Gods righteousnesse which was from everlasting which in the measure thereof confirms the Creature unto God in righteousnesse who lost the Image in unrighteousnesse and so is the Creature renewed in the Spirit of the mind and inward parts to receive wisdom and power in the hidden man how to escape the evil and resist it and to bring to light what God begets in the heart and so the new Creature is seen created in Christ Jesus unto good works to walk therein as was fore-ordained And as the Believer is found diligent in the light waiting and in the Spirit obedient to this work in this work he comes still more to learn Gods Power and Teaching and Christs obedience and Gods wisdome and care over him in leading into the sufferings and tribulations tryals and temptations and the Faith and Fellowship with Christ therein in which if the creature stand not a hair can fall but he is sure to come out more pure then gold and so in all this work he grows in the knowledge of Christ and his Sonship toward the measure and stature and fulnesse of the perfect man into the likenesse of God And thus the Saints were made conformable to God by his mighty working whereby he wrought powerfully in them after his good pleasure contrary to their fleshly pleasures And what is thus wrought is good because it comes from the Fountain of all good and this is not a new work but the everlasting good work of God manifest to the Creature and through the Creature to the World by which God is glorified who is the Father and Author and Finisher thereof in every one that believes And this is no self-work nor can it be wrought in any but where self is denyed and a Crosse to self taken up so boasting is excluded the Creature having nothing but what he hath received neither by his own Will nor Deed but by believing in the Light and in obedience of Faith And with this Faith and Work are all the world judged who are in their own works and all that are without works whose Faith is dead and to every good work reprobate And whose works are their own their prayers are abomination where the Works come not from this one everlasting Work and Workings For though there be many Works as to the Creatures obedience and measures yet they all compleat but this one work of the Creatures Redemption and Gods praise therein the beginning and end of all And of this work of God is all the world ignorant who are preaching pressing and acting their good works as they call them but all their works do not manifest a Power that brings them out of sinne and the worlds Conformity and service thereof in his ways and worship but every good work of God in his Saints who become obedient to his working as they subject to bring forth the good work and will of God every work begets the Creature nearer to God and into his likenesse and nature and this is the reward of good works to every one who are exercised therein that thereby they are wrought out of the worlds likenesse and conformity and so out of their friendship till all manner of evil they suffer for the name of God that is in them and the nature of his works which is abomination to the Worlds works and the world to them And so their name being cast out as evil among men they are received into the love of the Father of the Work for which they are hated of the world and so the reproach of the world becomes great riches to all who love God and are obedient to his work which none who stands in their own wills can inherit And so self-works and Gods works are manifest in the light The one is that which men see or hear or imagine and so set themselves to imitate the same in their own Wills and Ways which they have conceived in their fallen wisdome and earthly minds not in Spirit new born but in the old letter or tradition from men But Gods works are those which are from everlasting before the Will of Man or the Worlds Customs and therefore must conform to neither but every one who into this Work will come must deny the world and their own Wills and all that is in them must bow and conform to the motion of the Spirit and to its Workings which is seen to such as in the Light dwels and in its way and time must bring forth the fruits of the Spirit in due season not the works of the flesh nor to the flesh but the working of the Spirit to God in the sight of God and the praise of such is not of the world who bring not forth to the World but of God who bring forth to God and the World praises it own Concerning Election and Reprobation THis is that which is Sealed from all the world nor can any know it nor receive it who is in the reprobate state though many be disputing about it in the dark which none know but the children of light So as one who have obtained favour to have this mystery revealed I shall according to permission write a few words as is received in Jesus yet can be received by no mans wisdom nor any who are born after the flesh but who knows what it is to walk in the Spirit shall witness me herein And I deny all of that Spirit who would foolishly Charge God to have concluded the condemnation of some persons before they come into the world and though they seek after God yet they cannot be sayed because God hath purposed the contrary And on the contrary some are concluded to salvation though they live and dye in their sins And this is the Spirit of the world which knowes not the secrets of God revealed in Spirit and therefore judges from the letter from the figures and shadows but knows not the uprightness that lyes in the mystery but being without so he imagins But none knows the purpose of God but who comes to the beginning for in the beginning was the Election and reprobation established by an eternal decree unalterable in the two seeds that after the flesh and that after the Spirit and he that can Judge of these two he knows the two vessels ordained to honour and dishonour and as every one is found in these so is Gods purpose touching them Now in the fall all are in the dishonour and so children of wrath under the curse and â—heirs thereof and so without God or the promise
offerings and all the rest of Popish inventions whereby Christ is denyed comne in the flesh the everlasting Preist and somthing set up instead of his way like unto the Jewish Preisthood which is not it neither but an imagined thing from men of corrupt minds c You who can do these things and much more of that Nature rather then you will suffer the losse of all things you are farre unlike those you would imitate or those they baptised And were baptisme in your manner as great a crosse to you now as it was in the time of the persecuting Jews or as these other weightier things are now we should find few to contend for it as for the other things For did you know the right ends of that ministration of water you would know that it was a forerunner of Christs Kingdom and a witnesse to all men that the Jews Ceremonies and Heathenish prayers and worships wherein they was growne into divisions was to have an end and the spirituall ministration and baptisme was to be set up in the downfall of Carnall Ordinances and Elements of all which they were to repent for the Kingdom of God was at hand even within all that would beleive it who did deny all the Jews worships circumcisions and ordinances without in the letter and preached them and practised them in Spirit but your baptisms which comes not to an end of tythes and offerings and Jewish Ceremonies and Gentiles also that baptisme we deny for herein was the crosse of Christ and the Power of God manifest for they suffered for this all the envy that Jews and professors could do unto them who upheld the same in the letter but denied the power and Spirit which could they but have bowed to their ceremonies outward the crosse of Christ had ceased and then the power of Christ had ceased also and the same is now seene of you at this day and the same crosse For could but those whom Christ hath called out now bow to your severall forms of baptismes and worships of you that be zealous for them and bow to mens wills and worship the persons of such as are zealous for their Pride and wilfulnesse we should not suffer by you but the offence of the crosse would cease as it is ceased to all who preach Baptismes Carnall Ordinances respect of persons conformity to mens wills and the worlds customes and manners who preach up pride swearing and imperfection and sin for terme of life c. I say to you who can conforme to the wayes of men and please them the Crosse of Christ is ceased and so the power also and therefore are you ever preaching against the worlds wayes and wickednesse but never able to lead out of them like those who minded earthly things who were enemies to the Crosse of Christ ever learning and teaching but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth that makes free to those the Crosse and sufferings is ceased and they and the Powers of the Earth are one against such as take up the Crosse to follow Christ in the way of the Spirit and such being without in the letter are become spiritually blind and so cannot see that the appearance of Christ was ever crosse to all who was got into the rudiments pleading for out-sides but had lost the power wherein this generation exceeds having lost both power and forme also And to you I say of all sorts of baptismes as the Apostle said of circumcision We are the baptisme who worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh though we might have confidence in the outward washing being that we have had it from such as gathered it from the letter and yours is no more But this we have learned that it is not baptisme which is outward in the flesh but that is Baptism which is in the Spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God whereby we are baptised by one Spirit into one body and as many as are baptised into Christ are baptised into his death and have put him on and are become new creatures and this is that which availeth to save us not the washing the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus And this baptisme we witnesse that whosoever is therewith baptised shall be saved but for other baptismes which men are contending about from the letter we see the end thereof and what they bring forth But if any should come in the power and Spirit of Johns baptism or if any had a Call from God thereto such we judge not nor gainsay but that any hath power from the letter to take up and impose it upon others yea though it was the true form that I deny or that they who are not sent to baptize that the leaving the outward water and going on to the Spiritual Baptism is a sleighting or contemning of an Ordinance of God that I deny also for this might as well have been charged against Paul who denyed it in his time and preached Baptisme in Spirit in its stead the same thing for which we are accused to deny an Ordinance of Christ whom he hath not sent to dip or sprinkle in water but to preach the Gospel of Light and Life and the Spiritual Baptism of Christ Jesus to the bringing all that receive our testimony into one body by one Spirit not making divisions about carnal things for to us the day is come and the shadows fly away And your Baptisme we judge and the end of it which hath not led you out of Tythes and Offerings Swearing Suing and Contention out of the Worlds Worships Manners and respects of Persons and to suffer the losse of all to witnesse Christ That Baptisme we see to be out of the Faith of Christ Jesus and not worth contending about for he that is in the world without it is as good as he that is in the world with it if not much better for that Baptisme which preaches not repentance to all the ways of faln-man and manners there set up is none of Johns and that which walks in the flesh is none of Christs So with the Light of Christ if you it mind you will see your selves out of the true Baptism both as to Matter Manner and the End who are crying up Ordinances in the World which leads not out of the world and when the world comes to Judgment that Baptism will not save you from the worlds portion But this I say to those who would knew the truth herein as we have received we do not despise any Ordinance of God which he hath called any of his people to in any Generation nor dare we take a Tradition upon us which God hath not required at our hands lest we keep people in that which God is departed out of and it be said to us who hath required it at your hands But God hath
the cause thou knows not God the Father nor the Son for to this he is revealed though thou talke of redemption yet thou knows not God nor his power nor life nor persence with thee to guide thee out of the evill and to give the victory over the Prince of this world and his dominion but art captivated at his will to do his works and so under the condemnation that he is in and the talke of redemption doth not deliver thee from his temptations but into it thou falls and commits the sin that is of his moving and so art of the Devill but that which is of God lies under in death and captivity and bonds of iniquity and so thou canst not have power nor the promise nor salvation which in the seed is placed which is not of thee nor with thee while thou art in these delights but against thee and thou sinning against it and so art not of the promised seed but an enemy to it and by thy lusts and pleasures and self-will art in Pharoahs state and nature keeping the seed of God in the house of bondage and dost not pittie nor regard the cryes thereof which cryes against thy pride and excesse envie and wrath and all thy wickednesse by which thou oppressest the seed of God in thee in that state where death raignes for which the wrath of God comes upon the world of iniquity who are enemies to that seed which is of the Covenant and are not joyned to it but to the contrary in the contrary nature to which all who are joyned in the light come to pertake of Gods love and life therein by Jesus Christ who takes upon him that seed after the flesh not the seed of the evill one nor the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham to whom the promise is And all who know this quickned and raised by the Spirit of Jesus know the plant of Gods renowne of Gods own planting in which the fruit is found and such knows where to waite for a supply of all wants and counsell in all straits where is the law received that is spirituall and the righteousnesse of saith revealed from faith to faith from which Gods righteousnesse is manifest in the world not of selfe nor self-works nor of that seed but of the heritage of faith a free gift to the seed And in this seed as it is redeemed hath the Saints fellowship with the Father and the Son in the light and all the gifts and grace whereby that creature becomes free from the law of sin that they be married to Christ in him to serve the living God set free from the service of sin and Satan And this is their freedom even their righteousness which is everlasting as the seed is redeemed out of the pit For where this seed is raised up there the creature receives from God of his fulness but where the seed is in the grave the curse is betwixt upon him where the sin is and the trespasses by which it is slain But where this is raised the creature is blessed of God for the seeds sake throughout all the Nations of the Earth which layes this seed for in this is God worshipped but where this is dead the sacrifice is abomination for they that are in the grave cannot Praise God it s the living that he accepts and not the dead And this I say to all you who find such a thing as is holy thus moving in you against your lusts and worldly pleasures Take heed and do not deceive your selves with a talk of redemption while this is in prison and not brought above all your lusts But in the light of Christ waite which lets you see this that you may see his power in spirit to raise this to raign above all in you that is contrary so shall you raign with it over all the world and its wicked wayes but if you have found this breathing towards God and you have no regard thereto take heed lest he that gave this for thy salvation take it away from thee in wrath and leave thee to thy lusts without reproof For his Spirit will not alwayes strive with you And then it had been good you had not been born And this hath befallen many after many reproofes and motions to good Who now are left to fill up their measure with greedinesse Who now glory in their shame and boast of their filthynesse and this day is coming upon many more who now little minde the measure of God moving in them but live in the lust sinning against their conscience out of the selfe ends And yet please themselves with a talke of redemption As the greatest profession now set up by many is to make the redemption of Christ a cover for all licentiousnesse and fleshly liberty and say they are to that end redeemed which redemption the Son of God needed not to come from Heaven to purchase for them man being thither fallen by nature subject thereto but all who know the redemption of Christ by his pretious blood are redeemed from the vaine Conversation received by tradition into the holy conversation 1 Pet. 1. 5 18. of him that hath called them to be holy as he is holy and not vain as the World is vain And this is the true redemption to all that know it whereby this seed hath received redemption for us who were transgressors even to purge the conscience from dead works to serve Heh 9. 12 15. the Living God And for this end he gave himself for us to redeeme Tit. 2. 14. us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of Rev 5 9. of good works who hath redeemed us to God by his blood out of Rev. 14. 4. kindreds tongues and fashions from amongst men to follow the the lamb and not the lust And all whose redemption leads not out of this world will fail you when you look for another and this all that are redeemed know but who live in the lust are blinded with the god thereof as the light in every conscience shall testifie that he that lives to the flesh is not redeemed So with the light of Christ which lets you see your transgressions search your hearts that you may see if the just principle that moves to righteousnesse be not oppressed and burthened and over-powred by the seed of the evill doer and that nature which loves carnal delights and so you be led captive to do the works of Satan then what redemption have you further then a talk like a man that hath a conceit of eating but still hungry so you conceit freedom but still serve sin and while servants of sin you are free from righteousnesse as he that is a servant of righteousnesse is free from sin for it is an easie thing to conceit righteousnesse and redemption but he that doth righteousnesse is righteous even as he is righteous but this is not seene while the seed of God is
in bondage Concerning Justification Sanctification and Mortification THe wisdom of men in the Fall finding these several words in Scripture hath in their imaginations run them into divisions and separated that which is in one and cannot be devided in the possession for it is one that worketh all these where he is present according to the measure received And this is the just one who by faith lives in the Creature and the Creature in him and so becomes the justifier and sanctifier of all that believe and the mortifier of that nature which is out of the faith and one of these is not alone without the rest For that which sanctifies that mortifies and the same justifies and all that know what it is to have these in the life knows this I know there are a people who have a desire to Heaven more then to holynesse and they lest they should spoyle their Carnal delights have in their brain-imag'nation conceipted a Justification without santification or mortification wresting those Scriptures which condemns the works of the law and therewith they would exclude the righteousnesse of faith also And because the Scripture saith God justifies the ungodly through faith therefore they conclude themselves justified in their ungodlinesse by a fancy which they call faith but are without faith in Christ For that faith which laies not hold upon Gods righteousnesse is not the faith of Christ but a dead thing for so far as any hath the faith of Christ so far it reveals Gods righteousnesse without the law from faith to faith by which righteousnesse of God the just lives and the unjust dies and so justified as they are sanctified and mortified and no further even as the righteousnesse of God without the law is manifest being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets even the righteousnesse of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that beleive without respect of persons No righteousnesse no faith in Christ but where Gods righteousnesse is unto all and upon all there the belief is witnessed and the faith is shewed by the works which cannot be shewed without the works for that faith that hath not works is dead being alone as the body without the Spirit so is your faith without workes and so is your justification without holinesse and mortification of life And you will find in the end that he that justifies the wicked in you is the same that condemneth the just and they are both abomination to the Lord And this is your state who plead for sin and live in pleasure and wantonly on the earth you slay the just and holy one and save the unjust alive and so know not him that is just who justifies mortifies sanctifies and redeemes who of God is made so to us that in all things we are and have we may glory in him And although the Scriptures mention these three yet not to devide them so as to make people believe they may have one and not all but as to shew the severall effects of that one work of mans redemption all wrought by one thing in the creature For the blood of Christ it washes away the filth and so puts off the old man and mortifies the deeds of that body and so sanctifies and justifies The Spirit it mortifies and sanctifies and justifies now though the Saints named both these it was not to devide them but being one they might declare it by either for none could have the one without the other and all that have them are thereby mortified sanctified and justified yet none of these without the creature being works of faith and not of selfe for by the law of faith is selfe-sanctification self-mortification and self-justification excluded though they who had received the Spirit were called to all these by faith in his blood yet it is the work of God wrought by Christ in the believer and in the light are they called to behold the work of God herein and joyne to it in the faith and obedience thereto being the work of God which he will work in all that beleive in the light that they may receive his Son in whom the promise is and the power to mortification sanctification and justification as by faith he is received from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised againe for our justification but such who would share in his Justification but not have fellowship in his sufferings and obedience are such as are justified in conceipt but sin raignes and the unjust lives and acts in them and this is selfe that justifies selfe but is not just before God the just being dead in trespasses and sins but God justifies the living and not the dead Therefore the Saints suffered the losse of all things counting them as doung that they might know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable to his death These through death came to the power and fellowship of his resurrection whereby they are justified being raised with him to newnesse of life by faith receiving the gift of Gods righteousnesse and becoming servants thereto and thereby became free from sin and this is true justification where there is no condemnation where the deeds of the flesh are mortified and the creature walks no more after the flesh but after the Spirit for the condemnation is to him that walks after the flesh but he Gal. 5. 16. that walks in the Spirit is justified for he that walks in the Spirit shal not Rom. 8 3 4 fulfill the lusts of the flesh and there is mortification to that nature that breaks the law and the just is seen who fulfils the law in such as walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit So not the hearers of the law are just Rom. 2 13. before God but the doers of the law shall be justified In the first mans state the law is broken and there mortification and sanctification is denyed and there the man would be justified from the guilt of sin but not from the love and power of sin but would have his carnall delights in the world and Heaven also but this is vaine hope and will perish But in the second mans state the law is fulfilled through mortification sanctification Justification of the Spirit And no man can be justified where the just lives not for that by which the just lives is that by which the creature is justified Concerning the Law IN this thing are many people confounded yea all who know not the ministration of the Spirit for such going into the Scriptures and finding the ministration of the Letter and the ministration of the Spirit and themselves being under neither of these but in Notion as they have received it in their imaginations and not from the Mouth of the Lord some say they are under the Law and that it continues still others say but some part of it which is Morall others say nay but it
is done away and they are not under any ministration of Law but under grace and so by their faith make voyd the Law not knowing what they say herein And this is all such know either of Law or Gospel who in their wisdom and prudence read the letter and from thence imagine what is Law and what is Grace not having that spirit by which they were ministred to the Saints and by them received who had the law in their hearts and grace there also and such do know that the one of these doth not make voyd the other but establish the other for the coming of Christ was not to make voyd but to fulfill the Law and he doth not come to put the Law afatre off but to bring it neare that with his light all may see it as it is written in the heart by the living God and he is so farre from destroying or taking away the Law that he declares it in its force and purity saying That one jot or tittle should not passe till it be fulfilled And whereas it was said in the letter Thou shalt not commit adultery saith he Thou shalt not lust In the letter it was said thou shalt not sweare falsely but in the Spirit he saith Swear not at all In the letter Thou shalt not kill but in the Spirit Thou shalt not be angry and whosoever doth any of these things is guilty before God and this is farre from making it voy'd which declares it in its purity so as they who might seeme to be cleare in the letter might be found guilty in the Law of the Spirit that by Christ Jesus who is the end of that Law they may come to see their condemnation and by faith in him become set free not by the blood of Bulls and Goats and the ashes of an Heifer and carnall Sacrifices Oracle Temple or Altar or Days or Sabbaths without in the letter but by all these in Spirit which are in Christ Jesus ministred to the soule and conscience to wash away sin and purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God which the ministration of the letter and carnall Ordinances could not do And for this cause is the ministration of the letter done away because it could not make perfect the commers thereto as pertaining to the conscience And the Ministration of the Spirit preached in its steed which gives perfect knowledge of sin and perfect redemption from it and from all things from which the Law without could not and the same Spirit doth testifie it perfectly in the conscience which the letter cannot though the letter may shew a man his condemnation yet it cannot give life it can shew the duty but not give power to performe it so the letter kils but the Spirit giveth life And hence it is that all you who read your duty in the letter but want power to performe what you read you set up your imaginations instead of performance and some say the Law is done away and none now shall be condemned by it others say Christ fulfilled it in his own person and to believe what he did sixteene hundred yeares since is all we need to do others say nay but we must do what we can of what the Scriptures commands and he will do the rest with his Father others say that what we do he makes it accepted which the Father as though we did performe all that is required but none in that state knows his commands in Spirit which gives life and power to performe what is commanded in Spirit which none knows who reads what others did but want their Spirit and power to performe the same This was the selfe righteousnesse and is the selfe righteousnesse which is by the letter of the Law taken-on without the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus And here is the weaknesse of the Law taken-on through the flesh but the power of the law to such as receive it in Spirit and life for the Law is fulfilled in Spirit and not in the letter and so in Christ and not in selfe and so by faith and not by works even by the everlasting righteousnesse of God freely given and received by faith and revealed in the creature from faith to faith in every one that beleives and not by works of the Law which the creatures see in the letter and sets themselves a doing who are carnall and sold under sin not quickened by the Spirit of righteousnesse for the letter of the Law gives the knowledge of sinne but the Law in the Spirit gives not only the knowledge of sin he knowledg of God and his righteousnesse in Christ Jesus for fulfilling the Law which is life eternall according to his promise I will write my Law in your hearts and put it in your inward parts and you shall all know me from the greatest to the least so the letter kills but the Spirit giveth life So all you who read the commands in the letter without from thence you may fetch your own Condemnation but from thence can you not fetch power for obedience to justification of life From within is the Life in Spirit and not in the letter And here is change of the Law to that which is Spirituall the Preisthood Spirituall The Temple Spiritual The Altar the Circumcision the offering the blood the Oracle the Anointing the washings and the whole worship which was without and could make nothing perfect is become Spirituall and within which is the better hope being more pure then that without could be and so more perfect even as he is perfect Now the Law was added because of transgression till the promised seed should come of whom it is prophesied in types and figures which seed is Christ the end of the Law to every one that believes without respect of persons and so it is in the spirit A Law hath God written in the heart whereby the transgressor is condemned in his own Conscience and this Law is upon the first Man who is the Transgressor and hath power over that man as long as he lives Judging reproving and condemning And prophesying of one that is to come to fulfill the Law in every one who minds the light And so is as a Scool-master to bring to Christ And till he come to fulfill it who is the end of it there is Condemnation upon the Creature because the pure Law of God is broken And this is testified by the light in the conscience a witnesse against the first Man and his deeds which is contrary to the perfect Law of God And so by that which perfect is he condemned who is imperfect where the Image of God is lost and the seed lyes in death because of trespasses and sins For God did not give a Law to condemne his own work but the work of the Devil And where the transgressor is there is the work of the Devil And the law hath power over that man as long as the transgressor lives
And all his works are by the law condemned untill the Resurrection of the seed and the Image of God be witnessed and all things subdued to him who is the end of the Law by whom the fruits of the Spirit are brought forth against which there is no Law And so by his resurrection and the vetrue thereof that which is of God in the Conscience is answered And so the creature saved from the condemnation of the Law of God which respects no mans person But hath respect to his own seed where it is raised but condemns all where it lyes in death and where death raigns So the Law that layes hold upon all trangressors we witnesse to endure spirituall just and good Given forth against the first Man and his works good or bad as people calls them yea though he set himself to do the workes of the Law never so zealously yet a witnesse of condemnation the pure Law of God is against him in his conscience untill the promised seed be born which is not of the will of the first Man nor after the flesh but after the spirit after the will of God one with the Law and by his grace who shews the merry and glad tydings Now Israel after the flesh who received the law in the literall Ministration and the carnall ordinances of them was Christ to be born who was made of a woman under the law to redeeme them that was under the law if they did beleive Even so now Israel fater the Spirit who receive the law in the Spirituall ministration written in the heart such shall witnesse the Child Born of the Royall seed heir of the promise even of Gods righteousnesse for the fulfilling of the pure Law of God for that end given forth Whereof there are many witnesses at this day who have patiently waited in what God hath written in their hearts seen with the light of Christ Who have therein received the faith of the Gospel and the end of that faith even Gods righteousnesse revealed from faith to faith whereby the pure law of God is fulfilled in many and fulfilling in others who abide in their measures of faith which God hath dealt to them walking in the Light not after the flesh but after the Spirit And so by the Law of the spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus see themselves set free from the law of sin and death And so witnesse the Gospel which you cannot do who cast the law of God and his Light behind your backs and in your vain minde say you are not under it in the day of tryal you will be found under the Condemnation thereof And that in every conscience shall witnesse thereto at that day Concerning Christ Jesus THis is He whom the world much talk of but few there be that know him though it be He by whom all things were made who is the Life of all Creatures the Beginning of all Creatures who was before all Creatures without Beginning of Dayes or End of Life a Priest for ever and a King of whose Dominion there is no end By him Kings reign and Dominions are cast down though they know him not where Self is standing who is hidden from the worlds wisdome and the depth of Prudence cannot find him out yet doth he reveal himself to such as walk in his light which is contrary to all the dark paths of the world nor can the will of man walk therein but who deny themselves that they may learn the way of the Lord to such he freely reveals his way for their return that he may bring them down from the seat of exaltation and make known to them their beginning and from whence they are digged that they may see him that bears up the pillars of the earth hath laid the foundation thereof who hath set the world in their hearts who stood not in his counsell so that they cannot find out the beginning nor the end of the work of God yet will vain man in that state be imagining touching him and from whence he had his beginning who is the Eternal Word before all time glorified in the Heavens with the Father who in time was manifest which Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to the death that he might become a living Example to all Generations which no Creature could be the whole Creation being in the Fall and having finished the Work of Redemption given him of the Father to do and for which he was begotten he ascended far above all Heavens to prepare a place for all that follow him by Faith in his Light and that from thence all such as wait for him may see his appearance as a Saviour and onely such know him for their Redeemer who know him for their Judge and Law-giver who love him and keep his Commands to such he comes and the Father also and make their abode with him And this is He who is the Light of the world and lighteth every man that comes into the world who stands at the door and knocks and if any hear his voyce and open he will come in and sup with him and such know him and he knows them who hear his voyce by which they are quickned out of the trespasses and sins and the Seed of God raised out of death but where Death reigns Christ is rejected and the wisdome by which he should be known is foolishnesse So if you desire to know him who is not of this world but who is before the world was a Witnesse against all the worlds wayes and wickednesse then mind that light in you which thus witnesseth for as Christ is so is his light that leads to him for that which bears testimony against the world is not of the world even as he is not of the world and so leads out of the world to him who is not known in the world for the world by wisdome knows him not And as thou follows the light out of the world thou wilt come to see the seed which by the worlds wisdome and glory is crucified to which Seed are all the Promises and wherein is all the knowledge of God and Christ and as that Seed is raised therein is the Father revealed and his Power and God-head in his Son Jesus Christ which in him dwels and without him is not revealed but being known is Life Eternal and Eternal Power and Eternal Glory and Riches made manifest in the Light for as you know this Seed raised by the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the death so shall you see him to whom all power and judgment is committed in Heaven and Earth and for whom and by whom all things were made in Heaven and Earth of whom it is said When he bringeth his onely begotten Son into the world Let all the Angels worship