unto thee what my opinion is concerning a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ it is not my desire that thou shouldest vow Allegiance to my Dictates or pin thy faith upon my sleeve as I doubt we have both â—oo much formerly upon others but my heart earns towards thee that thou mayst be perswaded to hearken to the teachings of Christs spirit alone and then thou wilt not need any of mans teaching for the Scriptures of Truth testifie that no man knoweth the things of God save the spirit of God which spirit is ready and willing to instruct thee in all things that are necessary for thee to know so this is one great benefit thou shalt partake of by this inward acquaintance with Christ in knowing him to be with thee at all times and in all places Nay when thou art in thy bed if thy mind be retired he will make thee remember what thou hast done in the day past for he sits in thy conscience judging all thy actions note therefore that conscience is not the Judge but the Seat wherein the Judges sits therefore pray mistake not the Seat for the Judge for I cannot but make mention of this thing because of the great mistake that thousands are in about this matter for when they have been afraid to commit some gross sin they say their conscience will not suffer them not considering who it is that is in their consciences restraining them from sinning so Christ hath been robbed of his honour and many hundreds have been in want of his Divine power because they have not known him so near them Friendly Reader let me intreat thee when thou art in a serious frame of spirit examine thy own heart and I doubt not but thou wilt find some sense of these things in thy own particular and it shall be the desire of my Soul that the Lord may increase in thee more and more a lively powerfull sence of his Truths that it may be to his glory and the everlasting welfare of thy poor immortal Soul and for thy farther satisfaction search the holy Scriptures for I desire not to write any thing but what they testifie and wait on the Lord alone for Direction and Counsel therefore consult not with flesh and bloud and thou shalt receive an inward sence of that which thou desirest to know for the seeking that of mans wisdom which alone belongs to the Revelation of Gods spirit hath been the only cause that many have been always a learning and yet never come to the knowledge of the Truth friendly Reader I doubt not if thou art one who desires to be acquainted with the holy dictates of Christs spirit but that thou wilt have a clear un-understanding of the vast difference between thy seeking knowledge from the precepts of men and the Revelations of Gods spirit too too much slighted by many in our Nation therefore pray let us beware of doing despite to the spirit of Grace and resisting the Holy Ghost in working on our corrupt wills and affections in order both to our conviction and conversion for though there is no power in our natural Wills to act that which is good yet there is an ability to refuse resisting of that which hath power to work otherwise how could it be said in Scripture that men grieve and quench the holy spirit of God and resist the Holy Ghost and turn from the grace of God to wantonness which hath provoked the Lord to declare by his holy Prophets that his spirit should not always strive with man which makes me to conclude that there is a Passive though not an active power in mans will for certainly the Lord would not so much complain on the Children of men for rebelling against his good spirit if they were not destitute of all power in yielding obedience to its holy operation how did our dear and ever blessed Saviour Jesus Christ lament the sad state and condition of the City of Jerusalem when he said How would I have gathered you as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings but you would not which to me is a plain demonstration that there was a possibility of their receiving as well as rejecting the tender offers of Christs love and doubtless he would not have intreated them were they wholly incapable of receiving his kind Intreaties Oh there fore Dear friends our destruction is of our selves for the Lord said by his Holy Prophet in the days of old why will you dye O House of Israel clearly shewing forth that we our selves are the cause of our own destruction Oh let us consider what could he have done more for us then he hath done he hath written his holy Laws in our hearts which are holy Rules for us to walk by he hath sent his only begotten Son to be our Mediator and Redeemer that we may be saved from our sins here and the punishment due to them hereafter he it is who is the Captain of our Salvation but if we will not be his faithful Souldiers we cannot expect his protection Oh how great hath his long-suffering been to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and to the knowledge of his blessed Truths Certainly had not our God been a God full of compassion slow of anger and of great kindness who retaineth not his anger for ever but in wrath remembreth his mercy because his compassions fail not we might have long since been destroyed and been now roaring in endless wo and misery but blessed and for ever blessed be the name of our God whose mercy endureth for ever that he hath been pleased to continue unto us a day of visitation whereby we have been made to cry out what have I done Lord what have I done How have I rejected the tender visitation of thy love how have I extinguished the Divine motions of thy holy Spirit how have I sinned against thy loving kindness which is better then life and abused all thy mercies Oh therefore let us beware of letting slip the day of our visitation being there is an Eternity of felicity depends on our improving so gracious an oppertunity but such are the base inclinations of our corrupt natures that we use all our dilligence and watchfulness rather to enjoy momentary pleasure then to make sure our Calling and Election how little do the generality of men regard that which is the most noble part of men how earnestly do they pursue their sensual delights which have anxiety always for a companion Oh that they would be perswaded and entreated to set a part some time for a serious contemplation on Eternity whereby they may be truly sensible of the sad and dangerous state that hitherto they have lived in Oh that they would beware of being rocked asleep in the Devils Cradle of carnal security which is a great cause that so many have dis-regarded the knocking 's of Christs spirit at the door of their hearts and if at any time they
thousands of miles asunder and yet the body or whole proportion remains entire in the firmament without any diminution so doth the glorious Son of righteousness though sitting in his Kingly Throne communicates a measure of his own spirit to every-man to profit with all which spirit is oftentimes in Scripture called the Light of Christ Jesus which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world John 1.4 sometimes the Grace of God which teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to walk soberly and godly in this present world this is that which hath been often in the mouths of many though they did not 't is to be feared know what it was therefore whoever thou art that hast been in ignorance be it known to thee that the Grace of God which thou hast had many times in thy mouth is Christs own spirit which spirit hath many times restrained thee from committing wickedness for without thou couldest not so much as think a good thought much less do a good action for as Christ tasted death for every man he hath given this Heavenly gift to every man that they may be in a possibility of Salvation so that we are not condemned for want of grace but because we do not improve his gift of Grace for he commands us to nothing but what his Grace or Spirit will enable us to perform if we will but watch when it reproves or instructs us Obj. 2d Some will query thus how I shall know that I have this good Spirit why may not persons be deceived and be led by the evil Spirit whilst they imagine they are under the guidance of the good one Sol. If thou wilt but enter into a serious examination of thy self thou mayst call to mind some certain times when thou hast been under some great temptation to commit some wicked action at which time thou hast had a sence of somewhat in thy mind that caused a great unwillingness in thee to proceed and perhaps giving way to the temptation thou wert overcome after which thou hast had some terrour in thy self now therefore observe that which caused that unwillingness to commit the sin was Gods spirit and that which inclined thee to the sin was the Devils spirit so the Tree is known by the fruit therefore be satisfied at whatsoever time thou dost sind thy self under temptation the Spirit of Christ Jesus will be always ressisting if thou wilt yield obedience to it thou shalt sind power arising in thee to overcome the tempter and temptation by this means thou wilt come to be Spiritually acquainted with Christ and partake of his benefits so that he will be precious to thee for thou wilt be more in love with him then possibly thou couldest formerly and thou wilt certainly know the difference between his spirit and the evil ones because the one enclines thy heart at all times to good and resists evil and the other always enclines to evil and resists good so thou needst not fear being decieved if thou art watchful over thy own heart Friendly Reader these things I write to thee out of pure assection and tender regard I have to Gods Glory and the everlasting wellfare of thy poor immortal Soul and that thou mayest know the difference between profession and possession for there are many that profess the name of Christ who are altogether ignorant of him for though Christ is by his spirit in every man yet every man is not in Christ that is every one hath not taken his good spirit for their Guide and Teacher but have continued rebelling against it in so much that they have provoked him to take his good spirit from them and then not till then they may be accounted reprobates for the Lord of life is so merciful that he condemns nont but those who have abused his long-suffering and forbearance therefore it behoves every one to beware sinning out the day of Gods visitation in which the tender offers of his love and mercy ere extended to them FINIS
Christian Unity EXHORTED TO BEING A few Words in tender love to all Professing of Christianity in Old England the Land of my Nativity WHEREIN The difference between Profession and Possession of that which is really the substance of True Religion is clearly manifested ALSO The great Breach of Christian Charity caused by their furious Contentions about Formality With a few words to the Poor in Spirit concerning my Opinion of a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus By one who dearly loves all those whose Conversation becomes Christ's Gospel Ephes 4. Ver. 1.2 3. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Printed in the Year 1678. Moderate Reader 'T IS my hearts desire that all might come to know the difference between the Form and the Power of Godliness which is the only Foundation of true Religion not that I do in the least imagine that all are in ignorance but because I have observed that the generality of Christians are chiefly contending about the form and the greatest animosity that I ever heard or read of have been caused by their different Opinions in that matter Therefore according to the knowledge the Lord hath been pleased to bestow upon me 't is my Judgment that if the Power of Godliness were more exalted and the Form less regarded our love towards God and our Neighbor would be more augmented Reader I doubt not but some have written largely on the same subject however new fashions and new Books are most pleasing to the curious pallates of these times but I have found more of Controversie than true Piety in many of them for 't is most certain that Logick translated into Divinity hath set all Christendom on fire And he that can frame Syllogisms in the vindication of his Opinion is reputed the best Christian although he be but a cold well disciplin'd Thus hath true Religion imongst Christians so called been almost if not altogether eztinguished Christian fellowship confounded and Charity which no true Christian can want buried in oblivion Thus have they by their implacable contests about the Form disputed themselves out of the true knowledge of the Power of Godliness witness the sensuality earthly mindedness and lukewarmness that most Professors are possessed with Friendly Reader 't is not my desire to exasperate the minds of any for moderation is that which I chiefly aim at therefore I pray be impartial in judging what thou readest and when thy mind is retired thou wilt find a living sense in thy self of the truth of what is written then may we praise and magnifie the name of our God to whom Glory Honour Praise and Obedience is due now and for ever July 13th 1678. Christian Vnity c. WHen I consider'd the diversity of opinions amongst nominal Christians I could not but consult the cause which being found the effect was not strange for the Devil hath been that Jesuit which hath sown the feed of Division amongst men in former and latter Ages and where the Notion of a Diety is not totally extinguished the Creature is a framing to it self something that may have the form of Divine worship wherein perhaps may be perceived some seeming satisfaction which Induceth many to make a large profession of it but the Soul not being satisfied with shadows puts them on seeking something else that may be more fatisfactory so after many years Travel in the wilderness they return empty lamenting their lost time spent in that which profiteth not the sence of which causeth them to enter into a serious contemplation at which time the still voice of the spiritual Shepherd Jesus Christ whispers to the Soul if thou art thirsty I will give thee of the water of life freely after which thou shalt never thirst for it shall be in thee a Well of water springing up to everlasting life so all the faculties of the Soul shall be refreshed with Heavenly food for he is the Heavenly bread which alone can satisfie the hungry Soul he is the true living substance most to be desired all outward elementary substances can but gratifie the sensual part of man but such hath been the deplorable state of many Nations since the great Apostacy from that pure Spiritual worship so much exhorted to by Christ and his Disciples that the Lord hath suffered a Cloud of darkness to over-spread the understandings of the children of men so that they have been a long time groveling in the dark among the earthly Elements pleasing themselves with the Pictures of Divine worship making such great professions of the form they deny the power of Godliness and have destroyed thousands of each other because their Emblems of Divine worship did not agree in likeness how contradictory this is to a serious humble self-denying meek Spirit let the sober Reader judge Oh therefore 't is the desire of my Soul that every one that professeth the name of Christ should walk worthy of him Eph. 2.3 endeavouring with all lowliness meekness long suffering and forbearing one another in love to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace therefore way a with all striving and contending about matters that are only circumstantiall forbear imposing that on each other which cannot freely be received by either exclaim not against each other because your Opinions do not agree in all particulars but labour more and more after Unity rather then Uniformity let all Controversie be ended since it lies not in your power to bring each others mind into one mould desire earnestly of the Lord to mould them into one Ah dear Friends how helpful would you then be to each other in exalting the glory of God and ready would the Lord of life be to water you with his blessings that you may encrease more and more with love to each other and this certainly will destroy the design of the great Enemy of our Souls Salvation whose design hath been chiefly to cause Dissentions amongst us Oh that our moderation might be known to all men that Christian Fellowship may be renewed and our conference with one another more Heavenly that vain Disputations may be prevented Oh let us rather declare to each other what the Lord hath done for our Souls how he hath filled us with spiritual joyes How sweet are the streams of Divine love How exceedingly pleasant is the Sun-shine of his countenance how are all the faculties of our Souls ravished with his Beauty Oh then may not we declare these things to worldly men that their affections may be more Heaven-ward Dear Friends these are not hearsays cull'd out of Books of mens inventions but they are the precious fruits of Gods holy Spirit or as Paul said the tasting of the Heavenly Gift which is a living power from whence all our Spiritual comforts arise the
knowledge whereof is one of the chiefest principles which constitutes a true Christian Friendly Reader these are the rich possessions of a Christian this indeed is the very substance of Religion therefore I say that man that enjoyes the substance may be a Christian without the form but no man with the form can be a Christian without the substance Moderate Reader notwithstanding I have contemned the formes of Religion I do not condemn all persons professing any of the several forms for there are some who have much of Gods power accompanying them in their external performances but no longer then the power of the mind and all the faculties of the Soul are joyned with them my Opinion is of that latitude which extends to all who desire to have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ notwithstanding I cannot but reprove those who content themselves with a bare Historical faith and indeed 't is to be feared that there are too too many have no other evidence for their Christianity then a verball repetition of their Creed commonly called a confession of Faith how far is this from that which purifies the heart and obtains such victory over sin even to the removing of Mountains of corruptions let any sober Christian judge but Christs own Testimony sufficeth for he saith he that believeth in him out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living waters therefore it manifestly appears that that faith which produceth not these effects is not the true faith A few words to the poor in spirit who have been wearyed in Travelling on the barren Mountains and do now earnestly desire to know the true way It being my own condition in times past I cannot but sympathize with thee who ever thou art that hast been wandering in by paths whilst we pretend to know the true way therefore it manifestly appears that we wanted a true acquaintance with and a spiritual knowledge of Christ who declared himself to be the way and the life Let us but reason together Was not the knowledge we had of Christ only Notional had we any other evidence of faith in him but a bare ascent to what we have heard and read concerning him what did it all amount to what satisfaction had we only a groundless hope of Salvation because many others whom we supposed good Christians were of the same faith we had hopes to be saved by Christs merits hope after from punishment but what experience had we of the virtue of Christs redeeming power out of sin here he came not only to save us from the punishment but dominion of sin and to bring in everlasting righteousness Now if thou art not wedded to thy former profession and hast a true desire after the saving knowledge Christ Jesus the only Saviour of the world I shall according to the measure of knowledge given me of God plainly and affectionately declare what I believe to be a saving knowledge of him also what I have experienced of the benefits flowing from him first thou must know him to be at the door of thy heart by his invisible and eternal Spirit at all times according to St. Johns Testimony Behold I stand at the door and knock if any one will open to me I will come into him and sup with him and he with me Friendly Reader how many Days Weeks Months and Years Reve. 3.20 hath our dear Saviour been knocking at the doors of our hearts and we have passed it by thinking't was nothing but the checks of a natural conscience How often have we vexed grieved and pierced his holy spirit how often have we crucified him afresh by rejecting and despising his Heavenly counsel how have we turned a deaf ear to all his reproofs and all was because we had not a true sence of his being so nigh to us but were a seeking him where he was not to be found Secondly thou must know him to be thy Teacher and reprover 't is his spirit and not a natural conscience that checks thee for every evil thought word and deed how often hast thou been made to cry Lord forgive me when no person in the world could accuse thee he it is that instructs in all things that pertain to thy everlasting wellfare for he is always wooing and beseeching thee to turn from the evil of thy ways Joh. 1.12 and if thou wilt but hearken to his instruction thou shalt receive power to overcome all the Enemies temptations for the wholy Scriptures of Truth testifie that to as many as receive him he gives power to become the Sons of God Thirdly thou must know that he alone works in thee all good acts which thou performest so thou art but the instrument and he the workman therefore all the honour of every good work is due to him who worketh in us both to will and to do all things that are pleasing to his Heavenly Father all therefore that he requires of thee is to be on a continual watch so that thou mayst know when thou art reproved for I testifie in Gods fear so long as thou art on thy spiritual watch thou shalt not think an evil thought but thou shalt be sensible of his reproof By this means friendly Reader thou wilt come to be more and more inwardly acquainted with him whom thou didst formerly know only by hearsay then wilt thou cry out with Job I have heard of thee before with the hearing of my ear but now hath mine eyes seen thee and the more thou comest acquainted with him thou shalt experience the virtue of Christs purifying power whereby thou shalt be more and more cleansed from all thy dross and corruption and those in whom he works righteousness he will continually justifie for the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all sin so that we may be made fit Heirs of that Kingdom prepared for those that are true believers now dear friend thou wilt not be in want of outward representation to bring thee in remembrance of Christ Jesus for the true real spiritual enjoyment of the substance will cause all shadows to vanish and beggerly Elements to melt away for it is impossible so long as thou art on thy spiritual watch to be unmindful of him otherwise thou mayst take thy lot with the unwatchful Centinel who though well armed is surprised with the Enemy and taken Captive this is the condition of many whom I believe to be true Christians for their being overcome by the enemy is not because they were false and hypocritical in what they professed but because they were sometimes off their watch for Christs Disciples were not all Hypocrites because they slept when their Lord and Master commanded them to watch yet I say that unwatchfulness is reprovable in any being a great duty exhorted to by Jesus Christ for he said what I say unto you I say unto all watch and this comprehends all the directions which are conduceably to a holy life Now my dear friend I have in short declared