Isa 42.4 Job 22.22 Jer. 15.16 Psal 119.24 Isa 44.4 Psal 119.98 99 100. Ephes 1.18 Psal 119.93 Cant. 6.11 Psal 23.2 John 6.45 Gen. 27.27 Isa 5.13 In which for that time all other things whether Actions of Soul or Body are suspended and laid in Silence That with great Retiredness of Spirit they may watch with Christ one Hour And like the little Islands of the Poor in Spirit wait for the Law from his Mouth to lay up his Word in their Hearts that it may be for good Counsel and Comfort for their Soulâ—â— By which means improved in this manner the House of the Poor groweth rich in Divine Vertue and deep Wisdons being Fortified also in their Soule with the exceeding great Power of God of which retired Spirits have sensible Experience and by which they are quickned yet farther unto Spiritual Things And so feeding in the Valley of great Humility by the still Waters of immediate and Ministerial Teachings they grow like Willows by the Water-courses and flourish like a Field which the Lord hath Blessed When the Inhabitants of Babel that discomposed Multitude and all the carelese Daughters are famished and dryed up with Thirst SICONDLY The Inhabitants of Bethania are very careful to observe those Hours Dedicated to Divine Worship Acts 3.21 Isa 58.3 Verse 13. as time that then is none of Theirs but the Lords and therefore they think it dangerous to steal away any part thereof from him and convert it to their own private use Acts 5.1.2 Verse 5. Verse 10. like Annanias and Saphira which stole away part of that from God which they pretended to give unto him but felt the dreadful Effects thereof by the loss of Life And for mocking the Lord and lying against his Holy Spirit is is greatly to be doubted also Isa 32.9 12. Ephes 4.30 they have lost their Souls And hence it comes to pass among the careless Daughters who suffer the Lord to wait for them till his Spirit be greatly grieved and fore wearied with their intollerable Delay That they have little else in their coming to Meetings but dry Breasts Hos 9.14 Jer. 17.6 Isa 24.16 Psal 106.15 Job 16.18 Isa 58.2 and a Barren Womb The Lord having withdrawn himself from their careless Souls and left them to inherit the parched places of the Wilderness in great leanness of Spirit as their wrinckles testifie to their Faces And notwithstanding They are frequently at Meetings and evi learning in the visible Temple sitting constantly in the place of drawing Waters 2 Tim. 3.7 Jude 5.11 Isa 65.23 yet they dâ—â— but labour in vain and bring forâ—â— Trouble because they observe not theâ—â— accustomed Meetings in the careâ—â— Spirit of Bethania THIRDLY It is the Custom of that little City when they come to their Meeting place and the Hour of Meeting being at hand remembring that the time is now the Lords to retire eaâ—â— to their proper Place or Seat for bearing to salute any though never â—â— dear unto them and there to betakâ— themselves to some silent Meditation or reading of the Holy Scriptures Luke so 4. 2 Kings 4.29 Hab 2.20 Psal 104.34 Psal 94.19 Mat. 22.11 Chap. 18.21 1 Cor. 13.5 Eccles 3.1 1 Pet. 3.8 â—â— some other Spiritual Exercise the so when the Lord shall come to see the Guests and visit the Two or Threâ—â— that are gathered together in hâ—â— Name he may find none of theâ—â— distracted whispering dircoursinâ— or in any unseemly Posture foâ— there is a Time and a Season for everâ— lawful Custom and Salutations all in their proper Seasons with other friendly Discourse are convenient and comely in Bethania But it â—â— meet that the Lords work Phil. 3.8 the which also concerns our immortal Souâ—â— should in the first place be accomplished 1 Kings 17.13 Luke 10.42 and herein Mary was more approved of in sitting at the Feet of her Lord and waiting for his Divine Counsels then Martha was in making unseasonable Provision for him Therefore when the Disciples were sent forth in the work of the Lord they were commanded to salute no man by the way John 9.61 for he that would bid them of his house farewel when a greater Work was before him was judged unmeet for the Kingdom of God. Piety is to go before Courtesy the which being finished Courtesie follows in his right season Exod. 31.18 The Law was written in two Tables and though the second Table in which is contained our Duty to man have more Precepts in it then that which contains our Duty to God yet the Precepts of the first Table are to be observed in the first place Even so the holy Apostles first ended the Divine Matter of their Epistles Rom. 16.4 and then after saluted the Brethren Therefore Bethania when Divine Worship that appertaineth to God in the first place is performed then after they proceed in courteous Salutations one to another and not only to themselves neither like the Publicans Mat. 5.47 who will also salute their Brethren But likewise also to those besides themselves who do usually frequent their Meetings Rom. 12.9 10. all which Salutations are performed in unfeigned Love 1 Cor. 14.40 and without Diffimulation also in great Humility a decent orderly and serious Exercises in Bethania FOVRTHLY If in any of the Assemblies of Bethania Offenees happen to arise between Brother and Brother in a matter that is not simply a sin against God Then the offended goeth and telleth the Offender his Fault Mat. 18.15 16 17. who if he repent is readily forgiven and so all 〈◊〉 well but if he repent not then he is admonished by two or three and so it is done the second time If he still persist in stubbornness then the Church doth hear it and if he refuse to hear the Church it is plain Rebellion and so like that dreadful Sin of Witchcraft 1 Sam. 15.23 and such kind of Persons are in no wise sufferred to inhabite in Bethania Deut. 18.10 not be Freemen within the Corporation of it FIFTHLY Again if there be found any Person in the aforesaid Assemblies that is slothful Rom. 12.11 2 Tim. 3.18 1 Thess 5.14 and doth neglect his Duty either in natural or in spiritual things then he is seriously admonished unto it If he strive to amend although he cannot presently alter the in-bred Habits of an unconverted State it is sufficient for the present and he is counselled encouraged and comforted as one of the feeble-minded But if he be careless and giveth way to those evil habits 1 Tim. 5.11 he is suspended and noted as a Person not meet for Christian Communion yet in no wise exempted from friendly Admonition But if after all these manurings he still remaineth an unfruitful Tree Luke 13.7 John 15.6 and as a deyed Shrub in which there is no hope then he is cut up as a Cumberrer of the Ground and as a lifeless Withered Branch taken
yet they cannot sing her Songs But their going forth is with Weeping and they sow their precious Seed in Tears Psal 126.5 Phil. 2.12 Isa 9.3 Isa 35.10 working out their own Salvation with Fear and Trembling yet at last they rejoyce as in the joy of Harvest and the ransomed of the Lord do return and come to Sion with Songs of Deliverance Nevertheless there be some in Gospel-Churches who have both Power and Right to Sing and they do it partly to Express the joy of their own Spirits Exod. 15.16 Judg. 5.20 Rev. 19.9 Isa 27.2 and partly for the Edification of others In which Song they set forth the Glorious Acts of God his great Love to mortal men the precious things to come the Soul-refreshing Supper of the Lamb the Blessed Union between Christ aâ—â— his Spouse Chap. 5.1 and such like Therefore to these it is a peculiar Gift Aâ—â— that Spirit that giveth the Gift of Doctrine of Revelation of Tongueâ— of Interpretation doth also give thâ— Gift of a Psalm 1 Pet. 4.10 and as every 〈◊〉 hath received the Gift of any kind 〈◊〉 Nature whatsoever Rom. 12.6 7. even so he is 〈◊〉 Minister as a good Steward of the manifold Grace of God and to wait upâ—â— his proper Ministry with great Diligent for the Glory of God for the Edification of all that hears that all may learn 〈◊〉 all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.31 So that every thâ—â—â— is done by Gift in Bethania Rev. 18.22 And 〈◊〉 for Art and Craft they leave it to thâ—â— Crafts-men of Babel Lev. 10.1 John 4.24 1 Cor. 14.21 Acts 2.4 for God 〈◊〉 not be Worshiped with strange Fiteâ—â— but is looking into the Churches for spiritual Worship and spiritual Worshippers and therefore Paul would Pray in the Spirit and Sing in the Spirit and the Preachers would Preach as the Spirit gave them Vtterance But if any say We have not such Gifts now and therefore cannot Act by them It is answered in Bethania That oâ—â— Cause is our being so full of Art. And so when the Crafts-men bid us sing Psal 40.3 then we sing and they put the Song into our Mouths when indeed the Lord should put it there And so when we should weep because by the Waters of Babylon we fall to singing Psal 137.1 according as men do teach us otherwise we could not sing our selves So that we may see that we be yet within the Limits of Babel but do not hearken to the Voice that saith Rev. 18.4 Mich. 4.10 Come out of her my People and again Go out of the City into the Field Therefore Bethania who is poor in Spirit and hath left Art and Craft to Babel and to the Earthly Jerusalem if any of them have a Gift to Preach Rom. 12.6 then he preacheth according to his Gift and all the rest are silent while he Preacheth and so it is observed also in Prayer and all the rest are silent only Act in their Spirits 1 Cor. 14.30 Verse 26. And so if any have the Gift of a Psalm then he only singeth to whom the Psalm is given but all the rest hold their Peâ—ce and are Exercised only in their Spirits and so are Edified For if all the whole Congregation should say the same Words 1 Cor. 14.23 after the Preacher hath said them it would be great Confusion and if all should Pray the same Words that the Minister prayeth it would appear Ridiculous Even so when one singeth by a Gift and all that are present sing the same things after or with him is it not great Confusion and Disorder For he only singeth by a Gift and all the rest learn of him and speak his Words and so are wholly guided by another Job 19.28 and there is nothing springeth from any Root of Matter in themselves and after this manner we may teach divers Birds to say what we have said to them Yea Prophane Persons and Carnal Professors that have nothing of Divinity in them may sing as well as the most Divine and Spiritual Therefore this cannot be Gospel-Worship which consisteth not in bodily Exercise 1 Tim. 4.8 but in Spirit and Truth anâ— therefore we are to observe a spiritual Method in the Management of it Aâ—â— did not sing in the time of the Law for there were Masters of the Musick who did instruct and order the Singeâ— in the Exercise of Songs 1 Chron. 15.19 Chap. 16.42 and 25.1 These were Asaph Heman Ethan and Jeduthan Asaph and Heman were Seers in the Words of God and These with their Brethren was set over the Song to instruct and train up Singers in that Divine Exercise and the Number of them with their Brethren that were instructed in the Songs of the Lord Alâ— that were Cunning was Two Hundred Fourscore and Eight 1 Chron. 25.7 Heb. 9.1 but this was during the time of the first Tabernacle and Temple which was called A Worldy Sanctuary And yet that Service of the Song was only peculiar to those who were instructed in it But we are now or should be at least under a more Spiritual Ministration Therefore all our Service should be done in Spirit Rom. 1.9 also in Newness of Spirit and not the Oldness of the Letter Chap. 7.6 Now when the Spirit of the Holy God hath inspired the Spirits and Refreshed the Souls of any of the Inhabitants of Bethania so that the Tongue of the Dumb is prepared to sing Isa 35.6 Psal 45.1 then the Hearts in which the Root of the Song doth lye Inditeth a good Matter and so they have liberty to use their Tongues for ought appears and sing in Metre or in Prose as the Song of Moses and Deborah Exod. 15. Jude 5. 2 Sam. 22.23 Luke 10.21 and David Also the Song of Jesus when he rejoyced in Spirit and said c. Moreover the Song of the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty Four Elders is in Prose both in English and Greek For they said Thou art worthy to take the Book Rev. 5.9 Chap. 15.2 3. and to open the Seven Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood c. So the Song that was sung upon the Sea of Glass is uttered in Prose for they sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb saying Great and Marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy Ways thou King of Saints Even so also the Song at the fall of Babylon which is an Hebrew Song is in Prose and is concluded by the Four Living Creatures and Twenty Four Elders Rev. 19.4 in these two Hebrew Words Amen Hallelujah yet they sometimes and often use a certain kind of Metre not exactly according to the Method of the Poets which only Elevateth the Affections of the sensitive Life but in the Spirits Dialect and such that pierceth through the sensitive Life into the rational
therefore every Herb Plant and Tree live and work by Vertue of a Vegetative Spirit so the Beasts Fowls and Fishes and Creeping Things live by Vertue of a Sensitive Spirit also all Angels and Souls of men live immortal Lives by Vertue of a rational Spirit Even so all real and true Christians live and move in a Divine Life by Vertue of that Divine Spirit which is the very Life and Vertue of Jesus our Emanuel which Vertue was in him in such exceeding Fulness that from his sacred Body Vertue issued out to cure by touching all the Impediments of Nature for by touching He cleansed the Leper drave away the Fever Mat. 8.19 Chap. 9.29 opened the Ears of him who had been Defective both in his Speech and Hearring raised the Widows Son as he was carrying to his Burial Mark 7.37 Luke 7.4 Mat. 9.20 21. stanched the Bloody Issue which the Physicians could not do yea by touching He Expelled Fear out of the Spirits of his Disciples when sorely surprised therewith in the Mount of Transfiguration Mat. 17.7 So that the whole Multitudes of People sought to touch him by reason that Vertue went out of him to cure all their Maladies Luke 7.19 Even so also the precious Faith of Christians that Divine Principle begotten in the Souls of God Elect goeth forth from thence as a touching Instrument Tit. 1.1 Mat. 15.2 Gal. 2.20 which reacheth into the very Heart of Christ and draweth forth that Divine Vertue which dwelleth there into its self and so by that Vertue it lives Divinely Acts 6.5 and walketh with God. Now according to the Greatness and Perfection of the Instrument even so is the Measure of Vertue obtained by it Heb. 11.33 Therefore in ancient Times when Faith in the Prophets and Apostles and Holy Men of God was strong and famous so accordingly their Souls were possessed with great Degrees of Vertue by which they wrought many famous Miracles Heb. 2.4 Deut. 2.1 and in which they flourished in a Life of Eminent Piety but as a little Fire can give but a little heat and a little Candle can yield but a little light even so Faith since it became weak Miracles are for the most part ceased and Piety doth but meanly flourish Therefore Bethania who is poor in Spirit is letting out her whole Heart and Soul to Christ Isa 26.9 John 21.14 offering up her whole Will to him and so presseth after a great increase of Faith by which her Soul may be fast linked to her Saviour in which most Blessed Union she may obtain much of his Vertue Luke 1.75 and shine forth in it right gloriously before her fellow-Mortals in which most pure Life she liveth to the Praise of him who hath called her to Glory and Vertue 2 Pet. 1.3 Prov. 12.4 Chap. 30.10 and 29. and so this Vertuous Woman is a Crown to her Espoused Husband and when she can be found Her Price is above Rubies and though many have done vertuously yet she in that that is Divine hath Excelled them all Vertue is the Direct contrary to Vice and so is of God in whom dwelleth all good things but Vice is of the Devil Vertue maketh man like God James 1.17 Psal 119.68 Acts 10.38 and in it man is good but Vice maketh man like the Devil and in it he is a meer Monster Vertue is always profitable both in Church and State but Vice bringeth Ruine upon both It s Property is ever to do good even in Natural and Spiritual Things but is altogether a Stranger to Evil. Col. 1.10 Rom. 16.19 In either of these Vertue is of great Antiquity even from Eternity it self but Vice is but of yesterday and had a Beginning Mat. 10.16 Verse 6.16 Rom. 6.12 Rev. 21.25 and at last all Iniquity shall have an End. Vertue liveth in the whole Creation except in that part that is Degenerated from its first Estate and it a very Courteous and of good Behaviour always letting out it self for the good of others that it may transform other things into its own likeness It is very humble gentle and exceeding harmless helpful to all and needesh help from none It will shine before the Face of Tyrants Cant 3.16 John 2.14 Rom. 5.3 Rev. 15.4 Heb. 1.14 Rev. 12.11 1 Cor. 20.24 and stand in a modest boldness against the Threats of most furious Mortals Vertue is a Conqueror of the Devil and triumpheth gloriously over all Temptations it standeth in perpetual Friendship with God and Angels delight to become Ministring Spirits unto those who are Professors of it It maketh nothing of Death and Fear can never make it hide its Head yea those that hate it Gen. 39.2 3. and will not entertain it in themselves do yet desire to be served by it in others Dan. 2.4 hence Joseph and Daniel became famous in the sight of Heathens Psal 11.7 Acts 10.39 Psal 63.8 Rev. 14.4 for it is faithful in its Service both to God and Man. Vertue hath great Communion with an Holy God who also will own it wheresoever it appears for it keepeth constantly at his Right-hand and will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth John 4.17 2 Pet. 15. It hath great boldness in the Day of Judgment and knoweth that it shall not be condemned and where the precious Faith is there it is also as a perpetual Companion and so those that have walked with God by Faith have also walked before him in a state of Vertue It maketh uncomely Bodies very Beautiful when Vice deformeth the most comely Creatures So then Vertue is a strong Pillar in the House of Wisdom and a Street in Bethania in which Bethania hath many a Walk with God. In this street standeth her Market-place from whence are dispersed many precious things Therefore O ye that pretend to Faith be careful to prove the Truth thereof James 2.18 by its Companion Vertue and whatsoever things are true whatsoever Things are honest whatsoever Things are just whatsoever things are pure Phil. 4.8 whatsoever Things are lovely whatsoever things are of good Report if there be any Vertue if there be any Praise think on these Things CHAP. V. THE Second Pillar in 〈◊〉 House of Wisdom is Knowledge in which there are two Party First Speculative by which we look at things without us Secondly Experimental by which we know things from within us It consistent mainly in two Things First In 〈◊〉 Knowledge of God. Secondly In the Knowledge of our selves and in both these Bethania desires to walk 〈◊〉 Wisdom Without all Controversy God is a great Mystery and so also is man Col. 4.5 1 Tim. 1.16 Psal 139.14 Mat. 13.33 Therefore saith David I am fearfully and wonderfully made Man is to be considered in a Threefold Life the which are the three Measures of Meal in which the Leaven is to be hid The first of these is Rational in which man is in Union of Life
and Unspotted Virgin Chap. 6.9 2 Cor. 11.2 Chap. 6.16 Psal 50.2 Isa 60.8 Verse 1. Psal 87.30 This â—s Christs Holy Temple wherein he dwells and walks and the Perfection of Beanty out of which he shineth So that those who are fleeing as Doves to his windows may clearly see That the Glory of the Lord is risen upon Her This is Spiritual Sion of whom many Glorious things might be spoken But we must come into Bethania and be poor in Spirit to hear them But Her third Estate is Glorious Rev. 21.23 Verse 16. and every way Perfect In which the Light of the Sun Moon and Stars are needless Her length breadth and height are now equal for Soul and Body both are got beyond all Corruption Verse 9. and arrived at fullness of endless Glory in which She is become the Lambs Beautiful Bride who in Her Spiritual Estate was only Espoused to Him and therefore is Exalted with Him upon a Throne of Glory Rev. 3.21 Chap. 19.7 Mal. 4.2 Isa 60.20 Nah. 3.4 and all the Heavenly Host rejoyceth at it Thus the Lamb who was before Her Sun of Righteousness is now become Her Sun of Glory and will never more be Ecclipsed from Her. But Bethania hath heard of a well-favoured Harlot Isa 4.1 Isa 33.14 Rev. 18.7 yet delights not to have any Acquaintance with her who though she derives her Name from Christ yet in Nature is far different from Him But she will at last appear in her own Estate being stripped and made bare and unclothed of all her Forms of Godliness and so these Sinners in the visible Sion shall be afraid Isa 27.4 John 15.6 and that Fearfulness shall surprise the seeming Christian who being a fruitless Fig-tree and but a well-favoured Harlot must together with the pricking Bramble and Defiled Strumpet be Fuel for Everlasting Burnings NINETEENTHLY The true Ministers of Christ and such as are approved in Bethania Euseb Eccl. Hist Lib. 3. Chap. 21. are men of passing pure lives be-dect with every kind of Vertue Divinely instructed out of the great Charter of Bethania Tit. 1.6 7 8 9. Jude 3. 1 Pet. 5.1 Verse 4. Luke 22.32 by the Holy Spirit of Jesus keeping close to those Principles upon which Christian Religion is founded carefully pursuing those Principles by which it is carried on and contending earnestly for those Principles by which it is compleated These being inferiour Shepherds are to be guided by Eupoimenos the Prince of Shepherds And so being first Converted themselves are carefully to strengthen their Brethren and diligently to feed the little Children John 21 15. that so as their Ears do hear and their Eyes do see even so also their Hands may handle the Word of Life going still before the Flock in the difficult Passages of every kind of Suffering 1 John 1.1 Jer. 50.8 Phil. 4.9 Cant. 1.8 James 5.10 Act. 20.19 2 Cor. 6.6 Acts 6.4 2 Cor. 6.5 Chap. 11.26 27 Acts 20.20 Tit. 2.15 Prov. 28.1 1 Thess 2.10 Mat. 10.16 2 Cor. 6.4 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Tim. 1.11 Mat. 5.12.14 2 Cor. 8.23 Acts 1.1 and leaving the Print of their Feet in the narrow Path of Self-Denial giving them good Examples of great Patience Deep Humility and Divine Purity given much to Prayer Fastings and Watchings Often contented to be in Weariness and Painfulness in their frequent Journeys or Journyings taking care of all the Churches teaching also from House to House that the Guilt of Souls may not be upon them Being bold and undaunted in Reproving Sin in high or low like Lyons that turn not aside for any And yet in Nature Meek and Tender like Lambs and the harmless Doves of the Valley carefully encouraging the least Spark of Vertue and in all things approving themselves as the Ministers of Christ as such who are put in trust with the Mysteries of the Gospel That they may be a Light unto the World a Salt of the Earth and a Glory in the Christian Churches that so as the great Shepherd their Master whose work was both to Do and Teach They also may say What ye have heard and seen in us That do and the God of Peace shall be with you walking as we have given you an exact Example Phil. 4.9 Phil. 3.20 For our Conversation â— in Heaven be therefore followers of us as we have followed our Lord Jesus And so as every one hath received a Ministerial Gift 1 Pet. 4.10 Mat. 19.28 having first made Experimental Tryal of the painful Passages of Divine Regeneration Isa 50.4 â— Tim. 2.18 he is to minister unto others with much freeness having the Learned Tongue of Divine Teachings that he may rightly divide the Word of Truth Luke 22.32 Mark. 10.21 1 Sam. 24.24 Heb. 10.38 2 Cor. 2.14 John 3.10 1 Cor. 8.1 Heb. 8.12 13 2 Cor. 11.3 2 King. 4.40 Heb. 8.7 Job 15.2 Zach. 11.17 Isa 2.16 and speak a Word in Season to weary Souls Taking their own Purse till it was wholly empty and so giving Examples to live by Faith on him the savour of whose Knowledge they carefully manifest in every place but such as know not by most true Experience the very Nature of Divine Regeneration though as great Masters in the fleshly Israel they eminently flourish in the Gifts of Knowledge are still unskilful in the Word of Rigteousness and great Strangers to the simplicity of the Gospel Therefore They make indeed a Pottage like the Sons of the Prophets but there is Death in it and it doth fill the Head with Notions and the Belly with the East-wind These therefore are but idol-Shepherds setting up the pleasant Pictures of their own Excellencies and thereby forming lifeless less Images of an outward Profession in the Souls of men where the living Image of God should stand such as these may build a fleshly Jerusalem and engrave upon it a confused Babel But Bethania who is poor in Spirit desires them not in her Divine Corporation Prov. 14.1 least as the foolish woman They should pull down many Houses with their hands and turn the little City Bethania into the great Contused Heap of Babel Isa 28.7 Prov. 20.1 Jude 19. Psal 14.4 being very apt to err through Wine and to be mocked by Strong Drink having their Sences Stupified by fullness of Dainty Meats and other Flesh-pleasing Enjoyments by reason whereof They forget the Law and pervert the Truth of Christ and lay that upon others which themselves will hardly touch with one of their Fingers Mat. 23.4 Therefore The Ministers of Bethania do drink but very little Wine 1 Tim. 5.23 and that chiefly for their Stomachs sake and in case of often Infirmities and scarce any Strong Drink at all but in case of great necessity and to revive the Spirit when it is ready to faint through weakness Prov. 31.6 according to the usual Order and Gustom carefully observed in the House of the Poor whose Ministers as before
the Spirit Heb. 12.9 1 Cor. 14.15 Rom. 1.9 1 Tim. 4.8 John 4.24 and God 〈◊〉 my Witness whom I serve with my Spirit For bodily Exercise profiteth little or for a little time but the constant Exercises of the Spirit are delightful to God Therefore it is the Desire of Bethania when they have spread a thing before the Lord in a few serious and weighty Words to keep their Minds stedfast in a Praying Posture Psal 40.1 Psal 39.7 Psal 103.1 waiting upon the Lord from whom is their Expectation until they obtain their Hearts desire the which being obtained is a great Experience of Mercy and engages the Soul in Songs of Praises But if at any time they have presented a thing before the Lord 1 Sam. 16.1 Ezek. 14.16 that doth greatly concern the Ease of their Soul or the comfort of their outward Life or have intreated for a Mercy for Mercy-Rejecting Sinners or have desired the Removing of some bodily Distemper or natural Impediments from Natural or Christian Friends and the Lord doth flatly deny them or long defer therein to answer them Luke 18.7 then they cast their Eye upon Jesus who hath taught them to say Our Father thy Will be done And in great Calmness of Soul Mat. 6.10 Heb. 2.7 quietly sink down into the Will or God subjecting themselves as is most meet to the wise disposings of the Father of Spirits Luke 11.8 Gen. 22.2 Luke 1.7 Isa 57.16 yet in some cases the Lord alloweth of restless Importunity And therefore Bethania will not hold her Peace but wrestleth strongly with great Jehovah until the Day-break of Mercy appears And he being of a wonderful condescending Spirit suffers himself oftentimes to be overcome in such cases that be of great weight about which he is importuned So then Prayer is a serious business and accordingly is very seriously performed Eccles 5.2 being mainly and chiefly the work of the Soul about which the Tongue is but little concerned But in great Babel and also in the Earthly Jerusalem Prayer is wholly another business and is mainly and principally the work of the Tongue in which these two Cities have many very skillful Artists Mat. 6. who like the Heathens seem to act as if they should be heard in their much speaking but their Sacrifice is but as the Sacrifice of Fools and like Smoak in the Nostrils of the Heart-searching God Eclces 5.1 Isa 65.9 Jer. 17.10 who is greatly wearied with the Words of Men Therefore Bethania is not rash with her Mouth neither is her Heart hasty to utter Words or any thing before God knowing that he is in the Heavens and she on Earth therefore her Words are weighty Mat. 6.11 but few TWELFTHLY The Gesture used in Bethania in the time of Prayer is such as becometh serious men Dan. 10.10 Acts 7.60 Ezra 9.5 Ephes 3.14 Josh 7.6 when they are talking with an immortal God. And therefore in that Divine Exercise they either bow their knees upon the Earth or fall down flat with their faces upon the ground or else stand upright upon their feet In all or any of which gestures they have the most glorious Majesty of God still in their Eye whom in every part of his Worship they desire to serve with great Reverence and godly Fear Heb. 12.28 Psa 89.7 But this last gesture of standing is most used in Bethania when they are giving Thanks or pronouncing Blessings upon Persons or craving them upon things they are to use But as for that unseemly gesture of sitting in the time of Prayer although it be in frequent use among the careless Daughters in these Flesh-pleasing times 1 Tim. 3.2 wherein men are Lovers of themselves It is a great stranger in the Charter of Bethania and therefore is but very seldom used there and if at all yet it is upon the Account of some Infirmity proceeding from Age or Weakness constraining thereunto neither do they usually kneel upon Cushions if ever at all in that Soul-Exercising time of Prayer For they know that Christ had none in the Mount when he continued all Night in Prayer to God nor had Solomon Luke 6.12 2 Chron. 6.13 Dan. 6.10 as yet appears when he kneeled before the Lord and before the Altar in the Temple Neither do we find that Daniel used Cushions when he Prayed in his Chamber upon his Knees three times a day with his Windows open towards Jerusalem nor is it likely that there were any Cushions in the Mount of Olives where our Saviour kneeled down and Prayed in the time of his Agony Luke 22.41 and it may be much supposed that Paul had none when taking his leave of the Ephesians he kneeled down and Prayed with them all And to be sure there were none on the Shore of Tyre Acts 20.36 Acts 21.5 when Paul and his Companions kneeled down and Prayed And it is very unlikely that James the Disciple of Jesus used to kneel on Cushions when his Knees were benummed like Camels Knees and bereft of the sense of feeling by reason of his continual kneeling in Supplication to God Euseb Eccles Hist Lib. 2. Chap. 23. And therefore it is concluded in Bethania that those things which are easy to the Body 1 Pet. 4.1 2. are not always profitable for the Soul. And therefore they used to suffer in the Flesh and through the Divine Spirit mortifie the Deeds of the Body Rom. 8.13 Psal 55.6 that the Soul being unclogged of sensual Delights may as with the Wings of a Dove hasten its escape and find rest in the Heavenly places But if any shall instance Moses and David Exod. 17.12 about sitting to Pray It is to be considered that Moses case was a case of Necessity Therefore Aaron and Hurr when Moses was tyred by reason of standing and continual spreading of his Hands took a Stone and sate upon it and they held up his Hands between them But this was when he could neither stand nor lift up his Hands nor spread them out any longer and as for David 2 Sam. 7.18 Verse 25.26 27. Psal 95.6 1 Cor. 13.15 he went in and sate before the Lord and then spake unto him and after that he Prayed in which most serious Exercise his Practice was to kneel as is said Psal 95.6 O come let us fall down and let us kneel before the Lord our Maker Therefore as Charity doth not behave it self unseemly neither doth it seek its own either Ease or any other delightful things Even so Bethania who is greatly possessed of Divine Vertue taketh great care according to the uttermost of her Capacity to avoid all superfluous Words and needless Repetitions long and tedious speakings with all unseemly Gestures in that most serious and Divine Exercise of Prayer THIRTEENTHLY Time in Bethania is accounted a very precious Jewel Eccl. 9.12 2 Cor. 6.2 Ephes 5.16 Tit. 3.14 and therefore she is very careful of
perfect Rest in Eternal Joy. ONE and TWENTIETHLY Fasting in Bethania is of great Antiquity and was first commanded in Eden especially from some things of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Gen. 2.17 and it hath run through all Dispensations from the Beginning until this time in which serious Exercise many Holy Men of God have been very famous yea those that have been filled most with God have often enjoyed the least of Creatures Moses fasted twice forty days yet in that time he was close with him Deut. 9.9 Verse 18. Exod. 34.30 1 Kings 19.8 2 Kings 2.11 Dan. 10.3 and came from him with a shining Face Elijah fasted forty days and at last God sent for him from Earth to Heaven Daniel he fasted three full Weeks though not from all kind of Food yet from that which was accounted pleasing and he was a man greatly beloved David chastened his Soul with fasting and he saith That his Knees were grown weak thereby Psal 109 24. yet he was a man dear unto God and sometimes enjoyed much of his presence Esth 4.16 Esther was a very Glorious Queen yet in a weighty case yielded her self unto three days fasting Jesus our Saviour fasted forty Days and forty Nights Mat. 4.2 in the beginning of his most Sacred Ministry So likewise his Apostles and approved Ministers were and are often in Fastings 1 Cor. 11.27 Luke 2.36 37 Hannah served God with Fastings and Prayer Night and Day Christ gave Directions to his Disciples about fasting and the Disciples of John were Exercised therein It was not only found among Jews and Christians Mat. 6.16 but Heathens also were famous in it For King Darius passed the Night in Fasting Mat. 14. Mark 2. Dan. 6. Act. 10.30 and the Prayers of Cornelius were performed with it Therefore it is an approved and a dilligent observed Custom in the City Bethania who also for divers Ends and in divers Manners observeth the same Sometimes it is used for the chastening of the Soul Psal 69.10 1 Cor. 9.27 and beating down of the Body that the Flesh may become weak and the Spirit strengthned in Vertue At other times when they go about any weighty Undertaking or desire to obtain any special Mercy or to remove any sore Affliction all or any of these are attempted and managed by Prayer and Fasting Dan. 9.4 Esth 4.16 If there be a publick Design on foot then Fasting is publick also yet not made common to any but only those who are concerned in it Joel 2.12 These retire themselves into the greatest Retirement as possible may be and there with earnest Prayers and silent Groans with frequent Sighs of Soul to God spend their time in most serious manner Rom. 8.26 Ezra 9.4 little minding their own Ease or moving from place to place except in great Necessity suspending all other Actions but those only that appertain to the present Exercise else it is not Fasting Isa 58.4 for Fasting is an Abstenance Neither do they mind any business nor take any Food or Natural Refreshment but with great Watchfulness keep their Minds retired to the Lord waiting to see how he appeareth unto their Souls And all their time is not spent in speaking Words but mostly in the Exercise of their Soul and working of the Mind with the Lord. Verse 9.27 But private Fasts if it be to beat down the Body and bring it into Subjection that it may not be too strong for the Soul then that kind of Fasting is accompanied with Labour or any Exercise whatsoever But if it be for obtaining any special Mercy or for the removing of any sore Affliction or for Assistance against any dangerous Temptation or for the subduing of any prevailing Corruption â—hen it is performed in great Retirement 1 Cor. 7.5 And so Wives and Husbands withdraw themselves from one another during that time of Fasting the which if it be for many days then they take a little Food and a little Water and after enjoy each others Company again Dan. 10.3 Phil. 4.5 Amos 4.6 with such moderate Refreshments of Nature that will stand with Christian Sobriety But much Wine and strong Beer and dainty Meats and gorgeous Apparel with soft and pleasant Resting places being inconsistent with the state of Pilgrims Heb. 13.14 are therefore meer Strangers in Bethania TWO and TWENTIETHLY Singing of Psalms in Bethania is a certain Divine and Spiritual Exercise by which the Inhabitants thereof do celebrate the Praises of the most High God and it is mainly and chiefly an Exercise of the Soul being performed by the lifting up of the Soul and Spirit unto great Jehovah Psal 32.7 and this Divine Mirth springeth up in the Souls of those who are in Experience of some Spiritual Refreshments Psal 101.1 Therefore when any is merry they sing Psalms in which they teach and admonish one another with Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in their Hearts to the Lord James 5.13 Col 3.16 Ephes 5.19 speaking also to themselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Hearts to the Lord giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Verse 20. So Jesus our Saviour rejoyced in Spirit and then said I thank Thee Luke 10.21 Psal 25.1 Psal 103.1 Job 29.30 Isa 65.30 Jer. 31.25 O Father c. Even so David lifted up his Soul to God and then set his Soul to bless his Holy Name and Job caused the Widows Heart to sing Even so faith the Lord My Servants shall sing for joy of Heart for I have satiated the weary Soul and I have Replenished every Sorrowful Soul. By all which and much more that might be said it appeareth that singing is a Work of the Heart and Soul the which being inwardly refreshed calleth to the Tongue to awake and declare it Psal 57.8 And it is only proper to those and none but those who are in Communion with the Blessed Lamb in some of Sions Glory For none can learn these Spiritual Songs Rev. 14.3 Chap. 5.3 but such who are Redeemed from an Earthly State and have gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the Number of his Name so that it be the Redeemed of the Lord whom he hath recovered from Spiritual Babylon that can say and sing Psal 107.2 Thy Mercy endureth for ever Therefore Singing of Psalms and Spiritual Songs 1 Cor. 12.4 Rom. 12.6 1 Cor. 14.26 Psal 40.3 Psal 137.4 is no Gospel-Ordinance neither is every individual Member of Gospel-Churches able to perform it But it is properly a Gospel-Gift and only belongs to those into whose Mouth the Lord hath put the New Song For who can sing the Songs of Sion while they sit by the Waters of Babylon who though they do often remember her and greatly desire to be there
pure Image So then the World which lyeth in Wickedness 1 John 5.19 1 Cor. 1.12 by all its Wisdom knoweth not good For the Workers of Iniquity have no Knowledge and when the Sons of Ely became the Sons of Belial then they knew not the Lord Yea the Priests said not Psal 14.4 1 Sam. 2.11 Jer. 2.8 1 John 2.5 James 2.19 Where is the Lord And such as handled the Law knew him not Therefore he that saith He knoweth him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him so that to know God by a Speculative Knowledge signifieth little The Devil may be more Excellent herein then men But the saving Knowledge of God Job 42.5 which in Bethania is added to Vertue and it is an Experimental Knowledge by which he is known to be the only good Psal 73.26 Luke 10.42 2 Kings 4.9 John 14.21 Psal 73.24 Psal 121.8 and therefore is chosen to be the only Portion His Counsels are embraced as infallible his Way is chosen and greatly approved his Image is loved wherever it appears and Conformed unto with all possible Exactness Unto such as these he will manifest himself in his Wisdom to guide them in his Power to defend them in his Love to comfort them Cant. 1.2 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 3.18 Col. 4.5 Luke 12.5 2 John 1.2 in his Mercy to relieve them and in his Bounty to reward them so that as Persons grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus in this Experimental Knowledge it will enable them to walk in Wisdom with him to fear none but God to love nothing but for his sake Acts 20.24 Dan. 6.10 Lam. 1.16 Mat. 3.26 Acts 8.3 Psal 17.15 Cant. 3.4 to leave his Service for no Peril for they see him to be their only good and all things to be but empty without him Therefore Bethania entreth into the inside of Scriptures and looketh through all Ordinances and searcheth into the depth of whole Nature that she may know him who is her only good with whom her Soul is greatly satisfied and in whose Communion as her Soul is walking with him she enjoys unspeakable solace In this Street standeth the Schools of Learning and the Perfection of the Knowledge that is there attained to is for man to know himself and God. CHAP. VI. A Third Pillar in the House of Wisdom is Temperance and it is a famous street in Bethania it cometh from the Word which signifieth Strength Therefore when it dwelleth in the Soul every thing therein is subjected to Reason and Divinity Gal. 5.22 23. It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit and a State wherein Heaven-born Souls walk with God it is meet to be observed in the Management of the Christian War he that striveth for Masteries is temperate in all things it is a Qualification that must be found in a Bishop and with great Diligence is to be added to Knowledge Sound Doctrine teacheth that Aged Men be sober grave temperate 1 Cor. 9.25 Tit. 1.8 2 Pet. 1.5 Tit. 2.2 Acts 24.25 sound in the Faith in Charity in Patience when Paul reasoned with Felix of Righteousness Temperance and Judgment to come that Doctrine made him tremble For Temperance is a great Enemy to Voluptuousness Where Temperance stands firm in the Soul as a stable Pillar Lust and Self-will are conquered for Temperance is to overcome our selves Tit. 1.7 and so all the Affections to Creatures as Creatures are Crucified in true Temperance and the Soul is kept in a quier Calm Gal. 6.14 Lam. 3.26 1 Thess 4.13 and is not discomposed either by Love or Fear Where Temperance is a ruling Principle joy and sorrow appear in a great Modesty When Temperance guides the Stern and stears the Course there is no Natural Object so delightful nor Cross so distasteful Gen. 22.16 Heb. 11.35 but it can freely leave the one and quietly bear the other Where Temperance is a constant Walk of the Soul Anger and Passion are meer strangers for Temperance is very Meek but Anger i◠very Outragious Therefore saith Seneea Prov. 27. Chap. 25.2 Anger and Frenzy are but tu◠several Ways of a mans losing 〈◊〉 Wit but the temperate man that ruleth his own Spirit hath that Evi◠Passion in Subjection Prov. 16.2 1 Tim. 6.8 and so is better than he that taketh a City Temperance is contented with Food and Rayment though both but mean and maketh no Provision for the Flesh at all but only to supply the Necessities of Nature Rom. 13.14 but Lust and Envy are never satisfied who having obtain and one thing straitway desireth anoter and like the Horse-leach cry Give Give Prov. 30.1.5 Temperance manageth strife both with Men and Devils in great Sobrieties and to the one it saith The Lord forgive thee Luke 25.34 Isa 59.11 and to the other The Lord Rebuke thee But Railing and Immodesty spring from Lust and are never found in Temperance Temperance beareth an Ecclipse from God with great Submission and only mourneth like a Dove not roareth like a Bear so Jesus our Saviour in his great Agony ruied his Spirit with much Modesty saying If it be thy Will Luke 22.42 let this Cup pass from me Therefore Temperance is a pleasant Walk in Bethania and most of the discourse of her Spirit there is not my Will but thine be done and so the whole state of the Soul Act. 26.14 and all the Affections of the sensitive Life are ordered and composed by Temperance John 2.10 and in this Estate she walketh with God and findeth no Occasion of stumbling Isa 28.17 Thus Judgment being laid to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet a Narrow Path is marked out by these to be a constant Walk of Bethania CHAP. VII THE Fourth Pillar in the House of Wisdom is Patience the which is also divided into three Parts The first of which Luke 21. Numb 12.3 Isa 28.16 is that by which we quietly endure Adversity The second is that by which we bear with great Provocations and Reproaches But the Third is accounted waiting for the Accomplishment of all Promises till their proper Season this is a long Street in Bethania and she hath many a walk with God therein whose mind being firmly fixed there her State is always comfortable and her Soul is kept in perfect Peace Isa 26.3 But as a curious piece of Work is formed out of Iron by Fire and Blows even so also Patience is wrought out by Suffering Rom. 5.3 as it is said Tribulation worketh Patience He that will turn a Withered Tree into shining Glass must first burn it to Ashes and as a Silver or Golden Vessel is made by melting in the Fire so Patience in the first Degree thereof springeth out of Afflictions and therefore he who will have it firmly Rooted in his Soul must dig deep therein for Patience will grow no where but there and
sleep begin to speak This Divine Charity being the Head Stone of all is still looking upwards and setteth its Affections on things above Heb. 11.24 so that all Earthly things are of a small Esteem with it therefore if it lose all its worldly Possessions for Jesus sake it grieveth not If it have but one Isaac and he also a Child of Promise yet Love will give its first-born to God who did not with-hold his first-born from men Nevertheless Charity loveth every Creature yet not for their own but for the Creators sake and so it loveth the Earth and all that groweth upon it because Gods Vegetative Spirit is the Life thereof it also loveth the sensitive Creature because Gods sensitive Spirit dwelleth in them it loveth all Angels and Souls of men John 21.16 John 4.2 because Gods national Spirit hath inspired their Essences it loveth Christ and the Saints most dearly because God by his Divine Spirit liveth in them it loveth the Sun Moon and Stars Rom. 1.20 Job 31.27 Rev. 5.13 with all the whole Host of Heaven because they possess the light of God and shew forth his Eternal Power and Godhead to men Yet it will Worship no Creature whatsoever God and the Lamb are the only Objects of Divine Worship with it 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7. therefore Charity envyeth not but suffereth long and is not easily provoked yea it thinketh no evil but is kind and beareth all things endureth all things vaunteth not it self is not puffed up seeketh not her own neither doth it behave it self unseemly it rejoyceth not in Iniquity but rejoyceth in the Truth Verse 8. Verse 13. it standeth firm and unchangeable when all Prophecies fail and Tongues do utterly cease yea it out-liveth Faith and Hope and will at last swallow up all the Heavenly Off-spring into it self and become their Glorious Habitation in Endless Eternity this is the longest Street in all Bethania and we have not yet travelled unto nor yet seen the End thereof Therefore cannot give so full a Description of it as we would and possibly as many also may desire yet all the Free-born Citizens of Bethania often walk in this Street and all other Streets have a Dependance upon it CHAP. XI THese are the seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom Prov. 9.1 Ephes 5.2 Verse 15. 2 Cor. 2.14 Ephes 5.1 Rev. 14.4 and upon them pure Christianity most firmly standeth and so is thereby exposed to open View The savour of the Knowledge of Christ being manifest by these things in every place they are the seven famous Streets in Bethania wherein she is carefully walking with an holy God and is a faithful Follower of the Blessed Lamb and in this Path of the Just which is as a burning light shineth more and more to the perfect day John 14.23 John 15.11 Isa 26.3 2 Cor 4.4 Job 29.3 4. She experienceth great Communion with God and in that Communion is often filled with Divine and lasting joy And being stedfast in Spirit in these Paths of Vertue their minds are kept in perfect Peace and the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ shineth in and round about their Tabernacle by which many famous Mysteries are plainly discovered for unto these it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God who are therefore enabled in the Spirit to speak Mysteries Mat. 13.11 1 Cor. 14.2 1 Tim. 3.9 Rev. 5.5 1 Tim. 3.16 Mat. 11.27 and also to hold the Mystery of the Faith in a pure Conscience for 't is the Lamb whom these do follow that openeth the seven Seals of the Mystery of Godliness which without Controversie is exceeding great and it is his proper Work to reveal the Father and in his times to shew who is the Blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Heb. 1.3 Acts 5.19 Lev. 25.9 10. Rev. 14.14 who only hath Immortality dwelling in the Light which no man can approach to whom no man hath seen or can see but by the Revelation of him who is the express Image of his invisible Substance which are the times of refreshing which will shortly come from the presence of the Lord Ephes 1.10 Rev. 10.7 being the glorious Jubilee and Year of Rest for all labouring and painful Christians in which Dispensation of the fullness of times all things in Christ will be gathered together in one both which are in Heaven and Earth These also being the days of the Voice of the seventh Trumpet in which the Mystery of God will be fully finished and the Eternal Light and Love of the Father 1 John 1.7 Chap. 4.16 in which he moved in all Eternity most gloriously Unvailed the which Divine Brightness and the Everlasting Love will then be the State and Habitation of all Holy Souls who have walked in light and dwelt in Love while they were strangers in this World and so God shall be all in all and the Eternal Admiration of all Divine Creatures both Angels and Men who now in these times through the glorious Son of Righteousness see the Face of the invisible God Rev. 22.4 and have his Name written in their Foreheads CHAP. XII EVEN so also to such as Walk with God in these Divine Paths Luke 24.22 Isa 16.11 Psal 25.14 The Lamb openeth the Mystery of the Holy Scriptures and sheweth unto them the Paths of Life making manifest the Secret of the Lord to them that fear him teaching the humble his most pure Way and guiding the Meek in Judgment Isa 42.16 Chap. 29.18 Psal 119.99 Mat. 13.2 for he will bring the blind by a way they knew not and make them see out of great Obscurity so the humble and holy Souls in Divine Wisdom oft excelleth their very Teachers and grow so skillful in the Word of Righteousness that as Scribes greatly instructed into the the Kingdom of God Wisdom 2. they can bring out of their Treasures things both New and Old and thus the pure Wisdom which in all Ages entereth into Holy Souls still maketh such kind of men Friends to God Psal 63.5 and Prophets by whom the inside of Scriptures and Divine Ordinances are clearly discerned and invisible things which are signified by External Forms are the satisfying and Nourishment of the Soul for the Soul of Man heing a Spiritual Essence cann't be perfectly satisfied by a Corporal thing therefore as it is tinctured by an Heavenly Influence it still looketh into inward things and through the pure Humanity of Jesus our Saviour it spyeth out his glorious Divinity and through the Ministerial Word the Holy Scriptures it searches into the Essential Word which was before the Scriptures were written and through the Baptism of Water which concerneth the Body it reaches into the Baptism of the Spirit which concerneth the Soul and through the Bread and Wine which nourisheth the outward man it discerneth the Lords Body which is the Life of the Spirit
Antient Christianity Revived Being a DESCRIPTION OF THE Doctrine Discipline and Practice Of the Little CITY BETHANIA Collected Out of her Great Charter the HOLY SCRIPTVRES and confirmed by the same for the Satisfaction and Benefit of the House of the Poor By One of Her Inhabitants who desireth to Worship God after the way which some Men call Heresie Ps 132.15 I will abundantly bless her Provision and satisfie her Poor with Bread. LONDON Printed by George Larkin 1688. To his very much Esteemed Friends those three Societies of Leominster Worcester and Litchfield the Atthor wisheth whatsoever may conduce to their Spiritual and Eternal Felicity in this World and in that which is to come even so Amen Christian Friends ALthough the whole Israel of God are dear to me and after whose Consolation I am greatly longing yet you are the People above all others with whom I have been most concerned and unto whom I am most engaged and therefore to you chiefly do I dedicate these my small Labours who though I have been a long time in Congregational Union with one of you yet my growth in the most true Divinity is very small for when I was in the chief of natural Perfections and being of low Stature and climbing a Tree to see JESVS like Zacheus my feet slipping thereby I got a dangerous fall and you though you used all the means you could devise for my recovery yet it proved all in vain till at last Addressing your selves to the Father of Mercies after many Prayers and Tears were made and spent you obtained an answer of Peace but it was to me an answer by such terrible things in Righteousness that it left such deep impresses on my Soul the which lasting time can hardly declare yet I being very weak in my Spirit and unfit for action it pleased the wise Physician of Souls to retire me for almost Seven Years into a den of Darkness and a place of many dangers and difficulties where I lived by such Provisions as your earnest Prayers procured for me of the Father of Mercies at last after many a dangerous wound by the sting of the fiery Serpent the nature of which being known to God and me this longed-for Trumpet of Jubilee was graciously sounded in mine ears viz. Tell her that her Warfare is accomplished yet I abode in this retirement for some time after and then at length obtained a full release but much of the shining dross of this World together with the deforming Leprosie of Corruption was happily left behind me but then I could hardly leave that Society of Worcester with whom my Spirit was now so deeply intangled and having obtained leave of you I abode with them the issue of which was to me a state of joy and trouble for when I beheld you O ye my dear Friends of Worcester so strongly assaulted by the seat of violence I almost dispaired of your security and fell for a season into such a fainting state that I had but little natural strength left in my Body yet obtained help of God by strong assaults at the Throne of Grace and you and I came out of that Tribulation with little inward or outward damage But Satan began to work against us some other way by which both I and some of you were sore wounded in the house of our Friends the which I greatly desired might still be born with a Christian calmness but hardly obtained my desire herein as the event did shew therefore some of you giving way to the unruly Spirit of Belial he let in divers other Spirits into your Souls till some of you became dangerously intangled in the Spirit of Apostacy and others of you stood tottering in great dimness and sore discouragements which sunk me down into a second and more great dispair for when I saw the Weeds grow so fast and there was no way to root them out I sorely feared the whole Field would be forsaken for them but at last the workers of Iniquity began to go to their own place and so the little Children had a little relief And while we were thus entangled in Pihahiroth in the Mountains of Straits I was importuned and at last consented to write down the sum and substance of my belief about those things our Mothers angry Children had me in suspition but while I was exercised about these things some things fell out concerning some persons which made me like Moses break the Tables and so this ensuing Treatise lay almost asleep for a good while yet I had many fears in my Spirit by reason of my neglect herein both before and after I came to Leicester Prison where now by the Grace of God in the midst of some distractions I have at last finished this brief description of the estate of the true Church of Christ And forasmuch as it was by reason of you O ye my dear Friends of Litchfield that I was first cast into these parts by whose importunity also at last these Papers have been compleated you must needs be taken into the number of those to whom they are now dedicated for you have been and still are exceeding dear to me and concerning you I have had more than ordinary experience of the Mercy of the Holy both in natural and spiritual things even at all times and have felt great benefit by your Prayers as I believe both to Soul and Body therefore I cannot but esteem and prefer you with those Societies with whom I have had more long acquaintance unto whom all of you together do I present these the first fruits of my poor endeavours desiring you to make the best construction of it and carefully to weigh and consider before you approve or reject ought you find therein And now the heart-searching God that tryeth the Heart and all things knoweth my end in these Papers and I have declared it in part in the Epistle to the Courteous Reader and do yet again profess to you that I desire as well as I can the glory of God the advantage of Truth the benefit and satisfaction of Souls the which I beseech the Father of Mercies to bring to pass and though I have been as one of the feeble and as a Tree shaken with the wind among you yet have I not kept back ought that I had from you that I judged might have been profitable for the good of your Souls but like one of the little Children in the Market-place have been ready upon all occasions to talk with you touching those things which concerns our Fathers Kingdom the which being a land of distances unto many of us we have shewed our selves to be like that Man whose eyes Jesus had almost opened and so could see Men but seem to walk as Trees and we have yet need notwithstanding all our great confidence to be crying to the Lord for a second Touch that all the scales might fall from our Eyes and I do know well that I have but a dim Sight
and a stamering Tongue it is too much to be doubted that others also are somewhat dull of hearing and from hence it might and yet may arise that our Mothers Children have had some occasion to be angry with me however I am greatly inclined to still them as well as I can so that I may keep Truth from falling in the Streets and a good Conscience from being violated by any means And you may plainly percieve that I have no end at my own glory in these things in that I have not attempted to beautifie it at all with humane wisdom but with great simplicity as becomes the Title it presents it self to view Neither do I mind mine outward profit by any thing that is now undertaken my mind being but little enclined thereunto ever since you and I have had to do one with another And by reason of many natural Impediments both pains and loss are like to be my present rewards and you are witnesses and God also that I have coveted no mans Gold or Silver or Apparel though I migt have had all these from you with right true desire but these hands for the most part through the good providence of God hitherto ministred unto my necessities and so what I have freely received I would freely give again desiring the Ever Blessed God to make all my poor endeavours as the wilderness-Feast of Barly Bread and Fishes which was blessed for the nourishment of very many Souls So not being willing to burden you too much nor too long to detain you from the things that follow I desire earnestly the continuance of your serious requests for me as I hope mine will be still for you Who am your unworthy Servant in what I can for your Souls Advantage W. P. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Courteous Reader THou art here presented with a little Treatise which meer Necessity forceth into the World being a Summary of the Faith and Practices in brief of the Christian Catholick Church which in her Militant Estate is rightly stiled Bethania and it was first occasioned by some Suspitions and Accusations cast upon the Author chiefly by some of his Mothers Children touching the Principles of his Belief who being known to be one that holdeth Vniversal Redemption hath been charged or at least suspected to hold many gross Opinions by them that are of a contrary Mind as Free-Will or Single Power in the Creature in the work of the Souls Conversion Secondly Of denying the Humanity of our Saviour and sometimes also his Divinity Thirdly Of holding the Mortality of the Soul and denying the Resurrection of the Body from the Dead or something equivalent thereunto sometimes suspected of Arianism of Praying to Angels and Justification by Works and such like things which suspicious minds could frame All which things he hath sometimes born with much calmness of Spirit thinking it sufficient that his own Conscience hath pronounced him innocent as to things of this nature and also rejoyceth in Divine Grace by which he hath been kept in such a state although full of imperfections as that occasion hath not been given to the accused or much suspected of an impious Life yet for the sake of the poor in Spirit his only companions and which are very dear unto him he hath given forth a brief declaration of the Christian Faith Order and Life in the which he himself expects to be saved and his design is to further the good and benefit of all serious Souls who in very many tossings to and fro have almost been tired and discouraged on the Mountains of Wandring but yet this is not all for he would fain awaken the Careless Daughters and give a Midnight-Cry to the Foolish Virgins that if possible they might see the Bed of Christian-Profession to be too short and the Covering of Church-Communion to be too narrow to rest secure in from that Heart-searching God with whom we all must shortly have to do But the Author did first intend to have left this little Treatise in Manuscript only to three Societies with whom he hath been more than ordinarily concerned the which though little in Bulk is great in Matter and contains that which might have been the Subject of many great Volumes it relating to the whole Mystery of Godliness from first to last the which without controversie is exceeding great and it is designed to be promoted by the Author as his poor Abilities will afford not only in the Theory thereof but also in the practical Part which is indeed the Substance of true Divinity and though it may come forth in a Name and Title somewhat strange at first yet when the Reason thereof is given it may not always appear a wonder for as the Church of Christ is sometimes in Scripture called a City as in Psal 46.4 There is a River the streams whereof makes glad the City of God the holy Place of the Tabernacle of the most High So Mat 5.14 it is said to be the Salt of the Earth and a City set on a Hill that cannot be hid and in Eph. 2.19 Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens of the Saints and of the Houshold of God. So also there are divers Cities and Towns in Scripture that do very much represent the same among which Bethania is no small representation according to the Hebrew signification of it And first it is represented by Zion which signifieth Driness and so indeed she is with respect to her own estate but that the Rivers of the waters of Life from the Rock in the weary Land Isa 32.21 flow unto her and is a place of broad Rivers and Streams therein Isa 33.2 Secondly Israel signifying the Vision of Peace and indeed this City where Christ the Prince of Peace dwelleth must needs be the elearest sight of Peace on this side Heaven it self and the Peace of God which passeth all understanding Phil. 4.7 doth keep the Hearts and Minds of them in perfect Peace who as the true Israel of God do stedfastly walk by the New Creature-Rule Gal. 6.16 Besides this City does not only see Visions of Peace from God but also Visions of Peace are seen from it to Men being a Kingdom which is not of this World John 18.36 Neither consisteth in meat or drink Rom. 14.7 but in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Thirdly Bethlehem which signifies the House of Bread and in the true Church of Christ this Bread of Life is the only food of Souls the which being the flesh of Christ our Life all the heavenly Off-spring live thereby John 6.57 He that eateth me shall live by me and from hence the Bread of Life is also ministerially tendered For the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that Heareth say Come and whosoever will let him come and take of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 and so Prov. 9.5 Come eat of my bread and drink of the Wine which I have mingled So
Isa 55.2 Why do ye spend your mony for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not But fourthly by Bethsaida the house of Fishing and in this City the Fishers of men do dwell who being crafty with a divine subtilty catch Souls of Men for Christ and bring them home to their Master 2 Cor. 12.16 From hence came that Squadron of Fishes of whom Merlin told Lucius that should enter upon his Territories unarmed with Sword or Spear unto whom all Nations should in time obey who shall destroy the Temples of thy Gods O Lucius and convert them to the service of their Eternal King. These are also skilful in Fishing in the great deeps and find in the Book of Scripture and the book of Nature many precious Jewels Fifthly by Timnath-heres Judges 2.9 signifiing the image of the Sun and upon this City doth the Sun of Righteousness arise and shine with great yet with invisible Glory to the World and to the careless Daughters Mal. 4.2 and is a Sun and a Shield unto it Psalm 84.11 for this City hath Truth in the inward parts Psal 51.6 and is all glorious within Psal 45.13 And as the natural Sun by shining through a little crevice into a House forms his own image on the wall or on the floor even so the glorious Sun of Righteousness shining into the hearts of the Inhabitants of this City 2 Cor. 4.6 forms his own most precious Image there Chap. 3.18 from whence the beams of divine vertue shine forth to the World by which they become a light to men Sixthly by Bethania which in several languages as skilful men observe signifies divers things as sometimes the House of Obedience and indeed the obedience of Faith is eminently found in this City Secondly the House of Affliction of which she is oft partaker as a state that naturally attends the Gospel Thirdly of the Grace of the Lord which is the only vertue by which this City Works and Reigns and Shines Fourthly the House of a Song from the new Song which by redeemed Souls is sung to Jesus their Saviour who came to save his People from their Sins But Fifthly the House of the Poor from the Hebrew by th and Gnania from this signification is derived and this is the true state of the Church of Christ with respect to humane excellencies being poor in Spirit but rich in Faith empty of guile but full of Sincerity is become a Fool for Christ in respect of Worldly Wisdom but wise in Christ with that Wisdom which is from above she is weak and feeble as the Conies a feeble folk Prov. 30 26. with respect to humane Power but full of might and Power by the glorious Spirit of the Lord Mic. 3.8 she is ashamed of all her own Righteousness both of nature and also that which is of the Law it being imperfect by reason of the fall and so she accounts it as filthy rags and as a menstruous cloth but is full of the everlasting Righteousness Christ first imputed to her and after wrought in her by his divine Power yet all her natural glory is wholly vailed for the Son of Righteousness hath looked upon her and she is become black and undone in her self because her eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Cant. 1.6 Isa 6.5 but this Poverty consisted not only in internal things but also in the things of this World in which she seldom flourisheth in uncertain Riches nor appears in that Pomp and State in which Babel shines she sets light by the unrighteous Mammon of this World it being the portion of men of earthy Spirits therefore she is often in Hunger Thirst Cold and Nakedness she hath been Destitute Afflicted and Tormented hath wandred from one kindred to another People and hath seldom any certain dwelling place oft-times this Abel is slain by this Cainish brood but like the Phoenix she springs again out of her own ashes and the gates of Hell do not prevail against her Babel hath Golden Chalices but Wooden Priests but she is contented with wooden Chalices and rejoyceth in her golden or shining Ministery Lo this is that little City which we call Bethania where also the poor wise man Eccl. 9.14 is content and delights to dwell who became poor for our sakes that we might be made rich by him he had not a hole to rest his head in this World that we might possess Eternal Mansions of Glory in the World to come he left Heaven that we might be redeemed from Hell came out of the bosome of his Father that we that were banished from it might return He was crowned with Thorns that we might obtain by him a Crown of Righteousness and Glory he was content to bear his Father's wrath that we might obtain an interest in his Eternal Love. In fine be died an accursed Death that we might live a Blessed Life so that visible poverty hath been incident to Christ and his little City and it is like to be the Estate of his espoused Virgin till the Marriage of the Lamb be come and she be instated in his eternal Riches But now Bethania was a certain City or Town almost two Miles from Jerusalem John 11.16 scituate on the Mount of Olives Mar. 11.1 and was a Place which Jesus often visited into Bethania he went out of Jerusalem to lodge after the Children had sung Hosannah Mat. 21.17 Near this Place stood the Fig-tree which he cursed in his return again into the City be-because it bare nothing but leaves ver 9. It was in Bethania where the Woman anointed Jesus's feet Mat. 26 6. and John 12.3 In this Bethania Jesus mildly reproved Martha and justified Mary in waiting rather for something from him than being cumbred with Martha in preparing something for him Luke 10.38 39 40 41 42. In this Bethania he raised Lazarus and wept for Sympathy John 11.35 43. In or near Bethania he blessed his Disciples Luke 24.59 and from thence was taken up into Heaven vers 57. Acts 1.9 12. And to this Mount of Olives where Bethania standeth Jesus for ought appears may come the second time as the first Place he will visit in his Return as being the last he left in his Ascent to Heaven according to that Prophecy Zech. 14.4 This Bethania therefore is a clear Representation of the true Church of Christ where his quickning Spirit revives the otherwise dying Souls of men here he mildly reproves those who do one good thing when another more weighty should be attended in this place and state of poorness of Spirit are the spiritual Blessings enjoyed from Christ our Saviour and here Souls sit with a weeping Mary in great humility at Jesus his Feet here Jesus seems to weep through Sympathy with his poor and afflicted People and will not forget the Congregation of his poor for ever 34.19 This City is indeed a true Communion of Saints according to that ancient Article of the Apostles Creed and
Creatures was Man Heb 1.7 who was by Creation a little lower than the Angels but his Soul was a rational Being therefore of the same Essence with them not capable of Annihilation but only a change of State Gen. 3.22 Chap 2.8 His Body was immortal in which it was to be confirmed by Eating of the Tree of Life his place was Eden his State was Paradice Male and Female Gen. 1.27 Eccles 7.29 capable of producing an Off-spring He was made in he Image of God viz. in Holiness Wisdom Soveraignty and was Lord of all the inferiour Creation unto whom all the communicable Attributes of the Divine Nature were communicated as Mercy Justice Patience Bounty Love Humility and such-like He was naturally inclined to good but capable being as yet unconsirmed Gen. 1 3â— of being drawn into Evil therefore being tempted Chap. 3 19. broke that Righteous Law that was given him by reason of which his Body was designed to the Dust Eccles 12.7 Chap. 20.21 Jer. 2.21 his sensitive Spirit to extinguish as the Spirit of a Beast and his rational Soul to a change of State as having lost the Image of God and fallen into the Image of the fallen Angels sunk down with them into the same Wrath of God out of which neither by himself Eph. 2.2 Psal 49 7. nor yet by any other Creature there was no Redemption This point will be further argued and endeavoured to be cleared unto any sober Person that shall doubt thereof if he inquire further about it in Bethania The Third sort of Creatures were those that move in the Air in the Earth and in the Waters Their Estate was inferiour to mans as mans was inferiour to Angels Their Place or Habitation was and is in this World Gen. 1.26 1 Pet. 2.11 but since the fall man doth cohabit with them Heb. 11.13 Chap. 13.14 Job 1.21 Rom. 1.12 John 3.5 yet is but a stranger in it and hath no continuing City here he enters this World naked and mourningly lives in it sinfully and except he be Born again and so recover himself to his first Estate he must leave it miserably this third sort of Creatures have no Rational Life therefore their end is only anihilation there being no state after Death proper to them FIFTHLY Touching the Decrees of God Eph. 1.11 Jam. 1.17 Jud. 4. Mark 16.16 about the everlasting state of men it is concluded and believed in Bethania that they are eternal and unchangeable and that they do respect the Persons and not the Qualities of men Mat. 25.34 Mat. 3.10 Psal 50.22 Mat. 24.5 so that there is a state of Election and a state of Reprobation proper to men as they are found in a state of Regeneration to Christ which is the true estate of Election or remain in the Fall which is the true state of Reprobation Even so that Decree which is proper to that estate is executed upon them SIXTHLY It is concluded in Bethania Tit. 3.3 Eph. 2.3 2 Tim. 2.19 Esa 42 1. Rev. 5.5 Rom. 11.17 that none are elected but such as are in Christ who is the only Elect of God and the Foundation that standeth sure in whom the Lord knoweth them that are his So that he is the Elected Root and Heaven-born Souls are the Elected Branches 2 Cor. 5.19 2 Pet. 1.4 and there is no real being in him but what is by Regeneration Ephes 4.15 2 Cor. 2.18 Rom. 8.29 v. 30. Rom. 1.16 in which the New-creature-Soul is partaker of the Divine Nature being Ingrafted into him as a Graft into a Stock and so partaketh of his vertue from whence springeth up the Divine Nature and Image which is the Image of the first born among many Brethren unto a conformity to which Image God hath predestinated the Sons of men and into a conformity thereunto he doth call them by the Gospel of his Grace and in that consormity he doth Justify them and Glorify all those that shall be Eternally saved SEVENTHLY Bethania further believes Ephes 2.2 Rom. 3.11 Mat. 7.18 Luk. 19.10 Col. 1.13 Act. 26.18 John 15.15 1 Cor. 15.10 That man in the Fall is dead in sin and averse to every thing that is good and therefore though means be prepared of God for his recovery yet without the Grace of God to help him to lay hold on that means he is like still to continue in that lost Estate for deeply intangled in the Kingdom of Darkness he is therefore held by the Prince thereof in great Captivity and Bondage which being firmly believed it must needs follow that Free-will is a great stranger in the House of the Poor EIGHTHLY Therefore that Grace by which Christ our Lord tasted Death for every man Tit. 2.11 Heb. 2.9 Chap. 9.15 Ephes 2.4 Tit. 2.12 Rom. 2.4 and procured by the merit thereof Salvation for them hath appeared and doth appear unto all men reaching them the way and administring to them the power to deny Ungodliness and Worldly-Lusts For the observation of which appearance and for the complying with which power the Lord waiteth in long forbearance upon men and calleth upon them by the loud Calls of the Gospel striving with them by the frequent working of his holy Spirit Gen. 6.3 that so they may come into that Estate in which this Salvation may be obtained by them NINTHLY So that the first moving cause of mans Conversion is God Ezek. 16.6 Gen. 3.9 Heb. 12.2 Act. 14.27 Phil. 1.27 Act. 11.18 Isa 65.2 Prov. 1.25 Luk. 13.34 Matt. 22.9 who is the Author of their Faith and openeth the door thereof and giveth power to believe and granteth unto men repentance unto Life stretching out his Arms of Mercy unto the Stubborn and Rebellious and to such as set at naught all his Counsels seriously desiring to gather in all those who in the end are not gathered inviting to the Feast and that in good earnest those that do not come marveling at their unbelief and reproving their wilful and careless refusal Hos 11.4 but his manner of working in the dispensations of Grace is to perswade not to force the will of man theresore it is concluded in Bethania that the power to repent and believe are the Gifts of God Mark. 1.15 but the Acts of Believing and Repentance are the Acts of men TENTHLY And seeing Bethania hath been suspected in her Doctrine about the great work of Christs Satisfaction She seriously professeth and hath fully concluded Heb. 7.27 Rom 5.10 2 Cor. 5.18 Heb. 10.12 Verse 14. that by the sufficiency of Christ the work of Reconciliation of God to men was fully wrought and satisfaction for all sins past present and to come was compleatly made and justification and remission of sins by that means was effectually procured so that he needed to suffer no more his Sacrifice being every way sufficient for those ends for which it was designed John 16.2 John 5.22 Mark 16.16 upon
which satisfaction made by Christs sufferings the Father delivered all Flesh into his hands that he might give Eternal Life or dispose to Eternal Torments such as conform or remain Nonconformists to the gracious Terms of the Gospel Rom. 3.25 So that in the first Acts of Repentance and Faith men do only receive Remission of sins that are pasto according to the riches of the Grace of God through Christ and in case any truly converted Soul be overcome by the violence of Temptation Heb. 4 15. Chap. 7.15 Joh. 1.9 2 Cor. 7.10 1 Tim. 2.5 and slip and fall and thereby be bruised very sore yet if he readily confess his Sins and enter into most true Repentance for the same Jesus our Saviour as a Mediator between God and man by vertue of his Intercession is able to recover them and to save to the uttermost those who thus come to God by Him Hos 14.4 Isa 57.18 Heb. 9.22 so pardoning and healing the wounded but Penitent Soul and into this capacity he was put and entred into the Holy place for this end by his own blood without which there is no Remission of Sins so that the work of Reconciliation was only wrought by the death of the Son of God but the Salvation of Reconciled Souls is fully compleated by his most precious Life Rom. 5.9 Heb. 7.25 as may clearly appear by Christian Principles professed and believed in the little City Bethania And thus having laid down in certain Articles The sum in brief of the Doctrine of Bethania as it respecteth God to Man I shall as the Lord shall assist briefly hint at her Doctrine as it respecteth Man to God. And ELEVENTHLY There are six things believed in Bethania to be the Foundation upon which Christian Religion is to stand And they are written Heb. 6.1 2. The first of which is Repentance from Dead Works Act. 3.19 1 Thes 1.9 2 Cor. 7.10 Eph. 4.18 Isa 14.29 Col. 1.21 Eph. 5.8 Joel 2.13 14. Psal 51 17. James 4.10 Job 42.6 which is a true turning of the whole mind to God without which turning it is impossible that men should walk with him the which turning is not only a change of Judgment but also a change of Life For from a mind estranged from God proceedeth as from the Serpents Root an evil Judgment and a wicked Life but when the mind is wholly turned to God a Right Judgment and a New Life presently ensues Besides Repentance is an hearty sorrow for Sins that are past which sheweth forth it self in great brokeness of Heart and deep humblings of Soul before the Father of Mercies abhorring it self in Dust and Ashes in that it hath lived so long in sin against him from whom all its good proceeds Act. 9.11 Psal 109.22 Job 31.1 Chap. 34.32 and this godly sorrow worketh Repentance unto Salvation not to be repented of and further appears by earnest Prayers and frequent fastings and careful Circumspection with stedfast Resolutions through the Grace of God for time to come to lead a Holy Life In this Estate the Soul is received into Mercy Luke 1.77 and through tender Mercies obtains Remission of Sins TWELFTHLY The Second thing Joh. 6.29 is Faith in which there are three parts The first of which James 2.19 is Credence by which we believe the things reported of God and Christ Salvation and the way thereof to be true Secondly Adherence By which we believe the things reported to be good John 12.42 excellent and very profitable adhering to them in our Affectionate Desire Thus far went the Rulers and many others in the way of Faith believing the things reported by Christ Mark 6.20 to be true and adhering unto them as good things Mat. 25.10 Act. 8.21 Chap. 11.23 Ephes 1.13 Ephes 4.2 Mark 7.29 Hos 11.8 Act. 15.9 John 1.16 Psal 97.2 Psal 66.9 but yet for all this came short of Salvation which stands at utmost end of Faith. The Third and last part of which is Compliance By which the Souls of men comply and become one with the things of God. And herein Faith arrives at his Maturity and Fullness being now compleated in all its parts in which compleat state it reacheth unto the very Heart of Christ in whom all fullness dwells and draws that vertue from him by which the saving health of God is brought into and also maintained in the believing Soul. THIRTEENTHLY The Third thing is Baptism in which also are three parts Heb 6.2 Acts 10.42 Chap. 38. Rom. 6.4 Mat. 28.19 And therefore in this place called Baptisms The formal part of which is Water in which the whole body is dipped or plunged in every part and this done in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit By this formal part of Baptism Acts 8.13 we are baptized into the Name and Profession of Divine Christianity which outward washing is a true figure of the inward washing of the Soul by the Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 3.21 Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.2 Rom. 6.5 Isa 1.6 Acts 15.9 and Sanctification of the Holy Spirit and is the laver of Regeneration but not Regeneration it self It is a sign of our being dead unto Sin and burial with Christ in the likeness of his Death and of our Resurrection with him into Newness of Life And therefore as every part of the Soul was defiled by Sin and is actually cleansed in its turning to God even so also as a true figure hereof after Repentance and Faith is professed every part of the body is to be washed John 13.10 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Cor. 12.13 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Tim. 1.7 John 3.6 shewing thereby the Universal Defilement of the Soul before its cleansing and that after its cleansing it ought to be universally pure The Second part of Baptism is that of the Spirit by which cleansed Souls are baptised into the Mystical Body of Christ 2 Cor. 2.15 Gal. 5.16 Isa 30.11 and into the Nature Power and Vertue of Divine Christianity This Baptism is Effected when the whole Soul is Spiritualized and Regenerated into the Divine Nature of Christ and formed after his own Image that as in outward Baptism the whole Body is covered over with Water even so also in this Baptism the whole Soul is covered over with the Spirit of God in which it is to live and walk and act in Divine Things and this is true Regeneration of which the other part is but the Laver. Blessed therefore are those Souls who are born not only of Water John 3.2 but also of the Spirit The Third Part of Baptism Luke 20.20 2 Tim. 1.8 is that of Afflictions and into this the Spiritual Soul is deeply plunged for the Gospel sake and as Christ our Lord was straitned in himself until this part of Baptism was also accomplished even so the spiritual Soul desires to confirm his Love to him Rom. 5.3 by great and overwhelming
Tribulations Therefore though this Scripture Heb. 6.2 mentions Baptisms yet Bethania believes Heb. 10.32 that according to Ephes 4.5 That there is but one Baptism of which these three are the several parts FOVRTEENTHLY The fourth thing is laying on of hands Heb. 5.12 which is believed in Bethania to be one of these first Principles of the Oracles of God Mat. 28.20 and therefore given by Christ to his true Ministers to be by them performed upon believing and baptised Souls Act. 8.14 Chap. 19.6 with which they use earnest Prayers and serious Supplications to the Soveraign God in whom is infinite fulness that those Souls may receive his holy Spirit and that Divinely assisting Grace 2 Cor. 12.9 1 Cor. 1.8 by which they may be instructed confirmed and enabled to walk and persevere to the end in that Divine Christianity in which they are now ingaged by holy Baptism This principle is to be asserted by all Christs true Ministers 1 Cor. 15.1 Act. 20.20 Verse 27. as their own indispensible Duty and by them to be performed as an highly excellent priviledge for believing and baptised Souls in Bethania FIFTEENTHLY The fifth thing is the Resurrection of the dead both of Just and Unjust Act. 24.15 Joh. 5.28 and is a Doctrine that in Bethania hath been earnestly contended for and is still of great estimation in the house of the Poor that as by the fall both Soul and Body lost their paradisical Estate and became dead unto it Even so God hath appointed a way by him who is the Resurrection and the Life John 11.25 John 5.5 to obtain it again and it is begun first in the Soul and that in this world who by the Voice of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace Tim. 5.6 Rom. 6.11 is raised up from a Death in Sin to a Life of Righteousness which is a true state of true Regeneration and Spiritual Resurrection 1 Pet. 1.23 Ephes 2.16 by which it recovers again the Divine Image 2 Col. 3.18 1 John 1.3 and so obtaineth communion with God the which by the Fall was utterly lost 2 Sam. 14.14 In which communion stands the Divine Joy which is a true paradisical state 1 Joh. 1.4 and first part of that Resurrection of Just men in which Bethania obtaineth great consolation Job 19.25 Sam. 26.19 Mat. 27.52 Rom. 8.11 1 Cor. 15.42 The second part is that of the Body which will be accomplished when Jesus shall appear the second time by whose Voice of Power in the dispensation of Glory he will bring it to pass that hath said John 6.39 Phil. 3.20 I will rise again at the last day in which these Eyes shall see God and these Vile Bodies of ours be made like the Glorious Body of Christ Rom. 6.19 So that these Members of our Bodies Job 17.14 1 Cor. 4.11 Psal 49.12 which were yielded in this World as Instruments of Righteousness unto the Glory of God although by reason of the Fall we are sunk down into a state of Corruption afflicted with Hunger Thirst Cold and Nakedness subject to Sickness Pains Persecutions Deformity and variety of Likeness like the Beasts and Fowls into whose Kingdom we now are fallen having lost our own Eccl. 3.19 1 Cor. 15.43 which at first was Paradise and therefore subject to Mortality and Death as they are yet this very Essence shall rise again but in a far more excellent Estate and become a glorious Body like the glorious Body of Christ Matt. 22.30 Gal. 3.28 in which Estate it will be neither Male nor Female neither Marry nor be given in Marriage nor be of variety of Form nor yet appear in the imperfections of old Age or Infancy but all Heaven-born Christians whose Souls are formed into the Image of Christ and also grown up into his Similitude and into the measure of his Stature in the inward man Even so in the Resurrrection Phil 3.21 Ephes 4.13 the Bodies of the Saints shall be all of one entire likkeness one with another fashioned in the likeness and raised up into the measure of the Stature of the Glorious Body of Christ and now become meet Companions for their Heaven-born Souls unto whom in their corruptible State before the Resurrection they were meer Prisons 2 Cor. 5.2 and in this united State of Body and Soul Rev. 19.7 the whole Catholick Church becomes Triumphant and is the glorious Bride the Lambs Wife Chap. 21.9 who being now Married unto him which is the highest degree of her Blessed Union Verse 7. she is therefore Instated in his Unspeakable Glory in which she lives and with whom she shines for evermore Blessed therefore are those Souls which shall at last obtain this glorious Resurrection of Just men Mat. 13.43 Rev. 20.6 about which the Faith of Bethania is firm and unshaken but as for Unjust men who will not hear the Voice of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace and come out of the Grave of Sin by the sweet awakening Call of Gods convincing Spirit Prov. 6.9 Joh. 16.8 Ephes 5.14 Joh. 8.44 these must arise from Death and the Grave by force in the dispensation of Vengeance and as their Souls have lived in a state of Sin unto the lusts and will of the Devil by reason of which they are deeply defiled with divers kinds of Impieties and so in the sacred Scriptures are rightly called Serpents Mat. 23.33 Chap. 7.6 Ver. 15. Luke 13.32 Job 20.5 Isa 14.12 Job 41.34 Vipers Dogs Swine Wolves Foxes and such like Even so in the Resurrection their now beautiful and stately Bodies in which they are proud and triumph like the Peacock with his flourishing Tail following the steps of Lucifer their Infernal King shall receive an ugly deformed monstrous shape suitable for such a Devilish Soul whose Image they received in this World 1 Cor. 15.38 Ephes 2.2 and in whose Spirit they walked while in this World therefore in that Image their Souls and Bodies must appear in the World to come and sink down in it into Gods Eternal Wrath in which as in unquenchable Fire maintained by the Breath of the Eternal God as a stream of Brimstone Isa 30.33 Mark 9.46 to make their Torments everlasting SIXTEENTHLY The sixth thing according to the Doctrine of Bethania Act. 17.31 Rom. 2.16 2 Cor. 5 10. is Eternal Judgment or a day wherein or in which God will Judge the Secrets of men by Jesus Christ before which Judgment Seat must all both good and bad appear and there receive according to the things done in the Body whether they be good or evil Mat. 12.37 in which time the Justification of Christian Souls shall be fully compleated who were Justified first from the Sin of their Nature Joh. 1.29 1 Joh. 2.2 by the meer Merits of Christ who as the Lamb of God taketh away the Sin of the World. Secondly from the Sin of their
described are to be submitted unto and had in great Estimation as such who watch for Souls 1 Thoss 5.13 Heb. 13.17 who must also give an account thereof to Jesus the Prince of Shepherds Therefore Their Doctrine is to be belieâ—ed their Counsel to be regarded the Order to be observed and their Examples to be followed Matt. 9.37 38. Eph. 6.29 1 Pet. 2.1 Rev 1.20 Isa 62.6 who also are earnestly to be prayed for even for their increase in Number and Divine Excellencies That Bethania may have pleaty of Ministerial Bread and her little Children nourished with sincere Milk Her Star-light may be Glorious Her Vision Plain and the Gates of her City carefully watched against all the hurtful Spirits of Babel TWENTIETHLY And now forasmuch as we have already signified that the Holy Scriptures are the great and only Charter of Bethania by vertue of which she holdeth all her Priviledges and from whence she deriveth her whole Doctrine Together with her Discipline and Rules of Life We have also thought convenient to lay down in writing from whence she hath received this Divine and Ancient Charter First Then she believeth That there is an Essential and a Ministerial Word of God which Essential Word is that by which the Eternal and Invisible Deity doth utter his most Sacred Mind Heb. 1.1 Prov. 8.22 and reveal his Secret Counsels to his Creatures both Angels and Men. This Word is He who was with the Father before ever the World was made Jehn 17.5 John 1.12 Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.15 16 17. Psal 78.24 25. Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3 John 6.5 7. Chap. 14. Heb. 4.12 and by Him were all things made that were made Being the Word of His Eternal Power by which they are upheld and do consist He is the Food of Angels and immortal Souls of Holy Men by vertue of whom they live for-ever For in him is Life and this Life is the Light of Men This Word is Quick and Powerful and sharper than any Two-Edged Sword and pierceth into the deepest parts of the Soul dividing between the very Soul and Spirit the Joynts and Marrow and discerneth all the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart and there is no Creature that can be hid from his Sight Rev. 10.13 He will shortly be cloathed with a Vesture dipt in blood whose Name is called The Word of God This Word became Flesh and dwelt among us And we beheld his Glory the Glory of the only Begotten of the Father John 1.14 full of Grace and Truth From this Essential Word Mark. 4.35 springing immediately from the Eternal Deity proceedeth that Ministerial Word which Mortal Creatures are capable to hear Col. 3.16 Gal. 3.19 Acts 7.53 Heb. 2.2 Rev. 1.1 Gen. 18.19 which Ministerial Word was at first received by Angels and by them utered to Holy Men in ancient Times who carefully taught it to one another from Father to Son. And so the Gospel was Preached to Abraham long before the Scriptures were written Gal. 3.8 Heb. 4.4 Exo. 24 4 7 8. 1 Cor. 10.4 Chap. 5.7 This Word that was uttered at divers times and in divers manners by the Ministry of Angels was at last committed to Writing by famous Moses and so it lay hid in Types and Figures secretly couched in the Names of Men and things mentioned by him in those five Books which he hath written and these are they which we call the first part of Holy Scripture The which by the Spirit of Jesus were unvailed unto and by famous Prophets who wrote more clearer Visions out of Moses being Expounders of him then Moses himself before had discovered uttering many Divine Prophesies touching the Messiah Hab. 2.2 Neb. 8.8 Act. 10.43 who was the subject which all the Prophets pointed at or unto still making the Vision more plain and clear as they drew nearer the coming of Christ These also wrote fully of the State of those who kept and also of those who did transgress this Ministerial Word of God whose writings were designed also for our Learning and these are the second part of the Scripture Rom. 15.4 But at last John 1.14 1 John 4.14 Mat. 3.15 John 19.28 Mat. 5.18 Luke 1.2 Acts 1.1 2 Pet. 1.16 Mark 16.15 1 Pet. 1.12 Acts 26.18 1 Cor. 3.6 2 Pot. 3 16. The Essential Word was made Elesh and became visible and uttered himself by a humane Tongue to mortal Men and so fulfilled those things in clearness in his most Sacred Person which Moses and the Prophets had written of him The fulfilling of which together with his famous Sermons and mighty Miracles were written by those who were Eye-witnesses of what he did and taught whose Holy Apostles having received a Commission to preach the Gospel to every Creature were assisted thereunto by an infallible Spirit and so turned many Souls from Darkness to Light and Planted many famous Churches unto whom they sent certain Divine Epistles The which together with the Holy Evangelists makes the Third part of Scripture Rev. 22.18 and this altogether with the Mysterious Book of the Revelations is the Divine and Antient Charter of the little City Bethania which proceedeth first from the Eternal Deity by the Essential Word of his most mighty Power by whom it was committed to Angels and by them Ministred unto men and first written by Moses then Expounded by the Prophets fulfilled by Jesus further written and Exemplisied by the Apostles and Evangelists 2 Chron. 34.27 Acts 24.28 Psal 119.46 Rev. 12.17 Heb. 11.35 whose Authority maketh many impresses upon the Consciences of Mortals hath made Tyrants tremble and humble Souls to triumph hath remained firm and uncorrupted especially in its Essence in the midst of its very Enemies And they who have witnessed for it in all Ages have easily passed through inhumane Tortures it hath out-lived many Cities and all their firmest Charters and hath seen many Laws repealed that have been made against it Hath been frequenty pleaded for by the Inhabitants of Bethania Psal 19.110 Psal 119.72 Jer. 15 16. before high and mighty Mortals and is a marvellous Precious Jewel in the House of the Poor Discipline and Order Observed in BETHANIA Thus having briefly hinted at divers Points of Doctrine Held and Believed in the little City Bethania Of the Signification of which Word we have given an Account in our Epistle to the Reader and in our last Article have more plainly declared her Divine Charter And from whence also she hath received the same We hope now to give a Brief Description of the Discipline Order and Manner of Life Owned and Observed in the House of the Poor And FIRST THERE be Solmn Meetings for Divine Worship of the Holy God Heb. 10.28 and Instruction and Edification of Mortal Men seriously diligently and with great Reverence and Godly Fear Observed and highly Esteemed in Bethania Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 11.20 Heb. 12.28 Psal 89.7 1 Chron. 22.19 1 Cor. 7.22 Mat. 26.40
having itching Ears are therefore wandering after divers and strange Doctrines 1 Cor. 3.15 or any way behave themselves unseemly contrary to the pure Principles of Vertue Which Charity teacheth towards any either in the Church or in their Families or in the World. These and such like things as these being open and manifest Errors are therefore Rebuked before all that others may fear and avoid the like offences for that which is openly committed is not censured in a corner and they that are not ashamed to Sin must not be excused from the shame of Suffering seeing the Rebukes of God against his own People are of greatest Antiquity and remain in lasting Characters in sacred Scriptures EIGHTHLY Heresy in Bethania is counted a very noysome Weed 1 Tim. 6.4 5. 2 Pet. 2.1 that springeth up in a corrupt Mind and is evermore accompanied with an Impious Life and then it is of a very Damnable Nature and the way thereof very Pernitious the which also endeth at last in most swift Destruction 2 Tim. 2.17 it is a kind of a Canker-eating Mischief which men involved in it take much delight to promote and so are rightly called Hereticks But every Error is not properly called Heresy seeing many may be guilty of Error in their Judgment who are notwithstanding of Pious and Vertuous Lives therefore as there is a Body of true Faith the which also is contained in that Ancient Creed called the Apstles Even so also the direct contrary thereunto is real Heresy for to deny the only Lord God by whom all things were Created which is the first Article of that Christian Creed 1 Cor. 8.6 and our Lord Jesus Christ by whom all things consist Jude 4. which is the second is the ready way to overthrow all pure Religion and then the next thing that followeth is to turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and such as these are absolute Hereticks and are of old ordained to this Condemnation Besides to let pass all other Articles of the Creed aforesaid which are all sufficiently confessed before in the Articles of Bethania's Faith. The Catholick Church is declared in this Creed to be a Communion of Saints or holy Ones whose priviledges are the Remission of Sins Resurrection of the Body and Everlasting Life therefore to believe and maintain that to be the Church of Christ which is a Communion of Impious and Ungodly Persons whether we respect National or Congregational Societies is very near of Kin if not the very same with Heresy for to father Children on the most pure God which are not of his own Begetting and to cast a Spouse upon his Blessed Lamb that is of a different nature from him is a very high degree of Indignity therefore the Earthly Jerusalem as well as Confused Babel are in great danger of being guilty of Herely Now the way by which Bethania Executeth her Censures against Hereticks is such as is contained in her great Charter therefore when the Heresy beginneth first to appear and the direct Tendency thereof clearly fore-seen the Persons thereunto enclined are the first and second time carefully to be Admonished if they reform and so are reduced to the right Faith Tit. 3.10.11 Luke 15.11 then there is Joy in Bethania for the return of the wandring Sheep but if they perfist to nourish this noysome and poysonous Weed then they are finally Rejected Isa 59 5. Chap. 11.18 and so the Cockatrice Egg is not permitted to grow up into a fiery-flying-Serpent And thus the hole of the Wasp being delivered from the Viper the little Children in Bethania are secure from danger NINTHLY Communion in Bethania is threefold and first Formal which is that state of Communion wherein Persons are conformable to one another in External Principles Exod. 12.6.8 1 Cor. 11.20 Acts 20.7 Psal 55.14 Psal 42.4 Rom. 6.17 Eze. 43.11 ver 8. Rev. 11.2 and are United in the Forms and Ordinances that relate to Visible Worship This Communion is held only in the outward Court it is the right Visible way into an higher degree of Communion and is only bounded with a strong Wall but hath no Covering over it the Storms of Temptation and Persecution oft Times deface the Steps of this Communion Those who only Worship in this outward Court are liable to be troden under foot of the Gentiles Nevertheless this Communion is of great Estimation in Bethania Rev. 2.17 Heb. 9.4 John 10.9 1 Cor. 5.2 John 10.9 and those whose proper Food is chiefly the hidden Manna the which they also Eat in the most holy Place yet they have learned of their great Master to go out into the place of little Children and with them to Feed of those Crumbs which are suitable to the Capacity of the little Childish Nature and so they experience the true meaning of that Scripture viz. They shall go in and out and find Pasture The second state of Communion is Congregational by vertue of which 2 Cor. 8.5 Acts. 2.41 a company of Persons who have first given up themselves to the Lord in Vifible Profession of Truth Now secondly Give up themselves one to another in Congregational Union in which Estate they have a special and more particular Interest in each others Persons and Enjoyments then when they were only Members one with another in a formal Union and so the Pastors in this state of Union are more especially engaged to their Flocks Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.17 1 Thes 5.12 13. and they on the other hand are deeply enjoyned to submit to their Pastors as such who watch for their Souls and must give account thereof in the day of the Lord. But the third state of Communion is Spiritual 1 Cor. 10.17 Chap. 12.18 Rom. 12.15 which consisteth excellently in this In that many Bodies have but one Soul for by one Spirit Souls in state of Union are Baptized into one Body and so are all Members one of another and hence it is that the whole Church of Christ though consisting of many distinct Congregations Psal 46.4 ssa 27.2 3. Cant. 4.12 Chap. 2.14 Chap. 4.11 is notwithstanding in holy Scripture often spoken of in the singular number and is called a City a Vineyard a Garden a Dove a Virgin a Wife and so Christs Beloved is but one and their Communion in this state is Celebrated in and maintained by the Divine Nature 2 Cor. 11.2 Rev. 19.7 Cant. 6.9 2 Pet. 2.4 Jam. 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Heb. 12.23 Joh. 1.3 in which they are of one kind even a kind of first Fruits of Gods new Creatures and by vertue thereof we have Union and Communion with those we never saw and highly esteem of those who long since are departed out of this World as Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Moses and the Prophets Apostles and those holy Servants of God that succeeded them yea those that differed in form with each other now in the present time are notwithstanding in Union with one
another in this Spiritual state So Moses and Job though one circumcised and the other not by reason of which it was not Lawful for Job to eat the Passover nor for Moses to suffer him and therefore they could have no formal Communion one with another yet their Spiritual Communion was held firm together as their Souls were both Instated in the Divine Nature Acts 2.41.42 and though it be not Lawful for Persons Baptized and Unbaptized to have Communion one with another at the Lords Table because that is formal Communion and therefore they that would enjoy it in one part ought not to reject it in another yet so far as their Souls are Instated into the new Creature Life they have close Union with each other in this part of Communion of which we are now speaking Therefore the Baptized do keep their formal Communion at the Lords Table with baptized Persons only yet not reject from spiritual Union those who differ from them in that particular By reason of which Difference though there is not a perfect Agreement in all things 1 Cor. 19 1â— yet there is maintained a friendly Distance which is carefully observed in Bethania TENTHLY Sympathy in Bethania is a certain Divine Quality which springeth up in the Souls of the Inhabitants thereof by reason of their close Union one with another 1 Cor. 12.25 Verse 26.27 And so it is that by which one Christian doth feel another's Estate Therefore if any serious Soul in the House of the Poor by the Violence of Temptation at any time be overthrown and the Iniquity of his heels doth overtake him though he flee away from it Psal 49.8 but yet cannot escape it Therefore is forced to fall by it And so by this his fall his Conscience become wounded his Spirit become sorely broken Psal 31.12 Psal 16.3 his Soul sorely terrified his Peace even wholly extinguished his Joy fearfully ecclipsed insomuch that his State is now become an heavy burden Gal. 6.2 too heavy for himself to bear Then by vertue of this Sympathy the Inhabitants of Bethania make this Estate their own And thus they bear one anothers burdens Rom. 12.15 and so fulfil the Law of Christ Mourning for them that Mourn Praying for them Comforting of them Administring all relief unto them being even restless in themselves until they see their Brethren again restored Yea This Sympathy is so great in the House of the Poor that we have known some who have made the State of others so much their own that they have offered unto God the very Comforts of their own Souls for them and that with very great seriousness and earnest Entreaties till at last the the Lord hath accepted thereof and relieved the Afflicted Party but withdrew his Soul-refreshing Influences from the Sympathizing Person leaving the Sympathizer in right poor and low Estate Insomuch that some Complaints have been made to God for the which he hath given a mild and gentle Rebuke By vertue of which there hath been a sinking into great Patience till the former State hath been recovered again Moreover by vertue of this Divine Sympathy they are Partakers of one anothers joy Prov. 14.10 Acts 4.35 Verse 24. the which no Stranger unto it can intermeddle withal And so they rejoyce with them that rejoyce and are comforted in each others relief Therefore Bethania appears as one entire single Body and all the Members thereof are concerned in each others Estate Now as it is so in Spiritual things even so it is in Natural things Therefore these three troublesome Words Mine Thine and Our Own are seldom the Native Language of the House of the Poor Neither yet doth this Sympathy stand between themselves alone but also between Jesus our Saviour Hos 11.8 Isa 63.9 Heb. 4.16 and the whole Society of Bethania So that his Bowels are turned in him towards them and in all their Afflictions he is afflicted and taketh Pity on the distressed and sendeth them Grace and Mercy from the Throne of Grace to help in time of need Zeph. 3.17 Mat. 25.36 Chap. 10.40 Psal 44.16 Jer. 13.17 Psal 119.136 And then when they are restored he doth rest in his Love towards them and joyeth over them with Singing And thus when they are visited he is visited and when they are rejected despised and neglected he looketh upon himself to be concerned in it Even so they also on the other hand when they hear his most Sacred Name Blasphemed or taken in Vain see his Truth despised his Mercies abused or any Dishonour brought unto him are greatly concerned in it and it is wounds in their own Souls and pierceth more deep therein then any thing they feel in themselves in any Case But this Sympathy between Christians and Christians and between Christ and them Ephes 1.10 Rev. 21.16 Ephes 4.16 Isa 61.3 Heb. 11.40 Rev. 21.9 ends not only here For in the fulness of times when all things shall be gathered together into one and the length breadth and height thereof become equal as one entirely Compacted and perfectly compleated Body Then in this Estate poor Bethania shall put off all her Garments of Mourning and be cloathed with Perfection of Glory and so become the Lambs most Beautiful Bride being now taken into Personal Union with himself who is therefore Instated in his whole entire Possessions Rev. 21.7 Mat. 20.10 insomuch that every one inheriteth all things For there shall be no Inequality in the Reward of the Labourers when Union and Sympathy is fully compleated in the Glorious Day of Bethania ELEVENTHLY Prayer in Bethania is a Divine Discourse between mortal Men Gen. 18.27 Heb. 12.18 Mat. 6.7 Psal 19.10 James 5.16 and the immortal God and therefore is performed by the Inhabitants thereof as all other Divine Exercises are with great Reverence and godly Fear It confisteth not so much of the Multitude of Words and Excellency of Speech as in the Strength and Fervency of Desire Therefore the Prayers of Divine Men Rom. 12.11 Mat. 26.39 Rom. 12.12 1 Thess 5.17 Acts 6.4 Luke 18.7 Eccles 5.1 and also of Jesus our Saviour was usually short in the Tongue but very fervent and lasting in the goings forth of the Soul. And in this sense the Christians were exhorted to Pray continually and without ceasing and after this manner the Elect of God do cry day and night unto him But this cannot possibly be done by a continued Speech and constant Exercise of the Tongue For then all other Actions must in a manner be wholly suspended and so one Duty would destroy another Besides we should thereby greatly weary the Lord with our Words Mal. 2.27 Isa 49.4 and also send our strength for nought Therefore as the Soul of man is a spiritual Essence it only is most meet in the out-goingâ— of it self to make its Adresses to the Father of Spirits Therefore saith Paul I will Pray with the Spirit I will sing with
turneth to them the other and if they Magisterially take away her Goods she asketh them not again But yet further There is nothing in the whole Charter of Bethania from first to last that may in the least warrant her to Swear upon such a Book wherein Swearing is so flatly forbidden therefore she concludeth that the Root of this whole matter was Planted first in Babel and from thence sprang up as a custome in the Earthly Jerusalem but Bethania is a little City that hath little or no Affinity with any of these FIFTEENTHLY When Persecution ariseth against Bethania Act 14.22 John 16.2 2 Tim. 3.12 Psal 137.7 Ecles 9.14 Acts 20.24 Psal 121.4 1 Pet. 5.7 as often times it cometh to pass for great Babel cannot endure this poor little City and therefore the great King cometh oft against it yet when he cometh sitting upon a Seat of Violence they take but little notice of him for the poor wise man who is the Keeper of this City hath wit enough to cicumvent the greatest designs of Humane or Iufernal Enemies and Furies therefore they cast their whole care upon him who they know greatly careth for their Souls and their great care is on the other hand when they are brought before the Judgment Seat of men to beware of men Mat. 10.17 Psal 125.5 Rev. 12.17 1 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 12.17 Heb. 10.34 least by them they should be intangled in the crooked Paths of Error And in the next place to maintain a constant Testimony unto the Manifest Truths of the Blessed Lamb that so Truth may not fall in the Streets for want of Suffering Pillars to uphold it Then as for their Lives they love them not unto Death Rom. 8.28 Luke 21.17 18. Mat. 10.29 Luke 22.3 5. Joh 2.6 Luke 13.32 who also suffer joyfully the spoyling of their fading Treasures steadfastly believing that all things shall work together for the best and that there shall not one Hair of their Head perish and seeing that a Sparrow cannot fall to the ground without their Heavenly Father and that the Power of Darkness hath but one Hour and so is limited both to Time and Measure Therefore if it be told them as it was told to Christ That a cruel Herod seeks to kill them Yet they are ready to answer and say with him Behold We must Work to day and to morrow Prov. 11.6 and in the Morning of Prosperity must sow our Seed and in the Evening of Adversity must not withold our Hands For they know the Truth is sometimes planted in Blood and the Sufferings of some Christians Phil. 1.12 Heb. 10.25 have been the Conversion of others So that a sharp Winter may and doth oftentimes produce a fruitful Harvest Therefore the manner of Trading in this City Dan. 11.14 Esth 4.16 greatly differeth from the manner of Trading in other Cities for the Earthly Jerusalem when she heareth of a storm of Violence letteth fall much of her Trading is Truth and Vertue but Bethania increaseth hers the more And when the Robbers begin to Exalt themselves to Establish the Vision then this City bringeth forth the best of her Wares Their Prayers now are most Fervent and their Sermons most Divine their manner of Life most Circumspect and their Faith very stedfast Cant. 8.6 their Hope reacheth furthest within the Vaile their Charity is now more strong than Death and all their Graces takes the deepest or firmest Root So the Innocent stirreth up against the Hypocrite the Righteous also holdeth on his way and he that hath Clean Hands shall grow stronger and stronger At last Bethania cometh out of her Tribulation having washed their Robes Rev. 7.14 and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb and so she enjoyeth a Life which Death can never approach unto and a Substance that no Thieves can steal away inheriting a joy Mat. 6.20 Isa 60.20 which shall never more be Ecclipsed with sorrow in the glorious Morning of Bethania SIXTEENTHLY The frequent Discourse in Bethania is for the most part very savoury 2 Cor. 2.14 Ephes 4.29 and their Words do generally that are the Inhabitants thereof stand for something and they are very careful of avoiding Superfluity of Speech knowing That of every idle Word that men shall speak Mat. 12.36 they must give an Account thereof in the Day of Judgment Therfore their Words are very much seasoned with Grace designed in Spiritual Things namely for the Edification of the Hearers and in Natural Things to Express the Conceptions of the Mind touching humane Affairs otherwise they are very much given to Silence being swift to hear slow to speak carefully keeping the Bridle upon the Tongue James 1.19 Psal 39.1 least that unruly Member run headlong into Disorder and so the Heart be quite deceived and all their Religion prove to be a meer Vanity For in the Multitude of Words there wanteth not Sin Prov. 10.16 and he that restraineth his Lips is wise And they consider that God hath given unto men two Eyes two Ears two Hands and two Feet yet but one Tongue that the Actions of all these might be twice as much as the Tongue shall speak Therefore when any of the Inhabitants of Bethania meet together Job 32.4 1 Cor. 14.29 2 Tim. 2.7 and there be some Divine Matter about to be uttered they all wait and hear in Silence carefully avoiding all Interruptions and if any thing be wanting that ought to have been spoken another supplyeth that Defect when the first hath left off speaking and so all things are done to good purpose in much Decency and Order Job 32.11 15 16. For to speak two or three at once either in Humane or Divine Matters is counted ridiculous and a meer Confusion proper only to Babel But if they have no Divine matter to Communicate 1 Cor. 14.40 nor yet any Natural Thing that is needful to be spoken then they retire themselves into some serious Exercises of the Soul and in the Multitude of such thoughts within them they meet with great Consolation from the Father of Spirits Psal 94.23 whose Heavenly Vertue is a quickning Influence to every true Bethanian SEVENTEENTHLY Laughter in Bethania is counted madness Eccles 2.2 Rom. 8.6 Luke 6.25 and like the crackling of Thorns under a pot being a Vanity that springeth up in a carnal Mind and it is frequently found among such kind of Persons who are hastening into Eternal Mournings For the Triumphing of the wicked is but very short Job 20.15 and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment Therefore saith Jesus Woe to you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep This unseemly Vanity is none of the first Actions of innocent Age for some of the first Actions of a Child are to weep and after it hath lived about forty days in the World it then will begin to smile but it is a great while before it breaks out into plain
Earthly Things the fearful issue of all which is Destruction in the end But Bethania's liketh not this way though seemingly pleasant therefore taketh her leave of Babel who on the other hand despiseth the way of Bethania Prov. 29.27 Zeph. 1.12 and so these two Cities turn back to back and leave the Earthly Jerusalem on her lees each one hastening in his proper Motion and never see one anothers Faces any more therefore we shall endeavour and desire to prosecute the way of Bethania and declare those things as the Lord shall enable us wherein she is said To be a Follower of the Blessed Lamb who is our Saviour Rev. 14.3 and the Prince of Peace and Life CHAP. III. THere is a right precious and most Holy Faith belonging to Christians as proper to the Elect of God of which we have spoken somewhat before 2 Pet. 1.1 Rom. 10.17 and it is a certain Divine Principle begotten in the Soul by the Word of God from whence springs that Vertue in which the Saints do walk the which Vertue is seven-fold as is noted in 2 Pet. 1.15 And it shineth forth in the Souls of Christians by the influence of that Grace which streameth unto them from the Seven Spirits of God which are before the Throne Rev. 1.4 2 Pet. 1.8 And where these things are and also abound that Soul is neither Barren nor Unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ But Entrance is administred abundantly into his Everlasting Kingdom These are the seven Pillars as it seemeth upon which Wisdom hath builded her House the Foundation of which House is laid in the Foundation-Stone of Sion Prov. 9. Isa 28.16 and by these Pillars it is exposed to open View and when any of these Pillars are wanting or out of Order there is a Breach and when they all disappear it is a total Ruine Now these Seven Spirits of God which are before the Throne are also the seven Pillars upon one Stone Rev. 1.4 Rev. 5.6 Zach. 3.9 the which seven Spirits are sent forth into all the Earth noted also to be seven Eyes and seven Horns possessed by that Lamb which was slain Rev. 1.18 but is now alive for evermore So that seven being a Number of Perfection it is proper to Christ who received the Spirit not by measure John 3.34 for in him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily and it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell By these seven Spirits are also seven Eyes Gal. 2.4 Rev. 15.6 and seven Horns signifying Power It pleaseth the Glorious God through Christ to look upon and finally to dispose of the whole Creation according to his own Will Now these seven Spirits are First Isa 11.3 The Spirit of Wisdom by which the Lord did first contrive the Creation which he made Secondly The Spirit of Power 2 Tim. 1.7 by which he formed and supporteth the same Thirdly The Spirit of Judgment Rom. 1.3 by which he ordereth and disposeth thereof Fourthly The Spirit of Holiness by which he gloriously shineth before and among his Creatures Fifthly The Spirit of Humility by which he vouchsafeth to behold the Creation as the Works of his own Hands 1 Cor. 4.21 Sixthly The Spirit of Meekness by which he is tender and pitiful to all so careful too of the Creation which cannot subsist without him Seventhly The Spirit of Love 2 Tim. 1.7 by which he delighteth in the things that he hath made These are the seven Spirits of Jehovah the which as seven Glorious Lamps of Fire do burn continually before his Throne Rev. 4.5 Rev. 3.1 by which seven Spirits the Glorious Lamb being also seven Eyes as we have said before looked into the state of the seven Churches and knew the lifeless state of the Church of Sardis and the self-conceited yet Luke-warm Condition of the Laodiceans Rev. 3.17 Rev. 1.20 and by his Spirit of Judgment will render unto them and to every one else according as their Works shall be From these seven Spirits John saluted the seven Churches whose Operation upon the Souls of Christian Men form therein those seven Glorious Excellencies which are Essential to pure Christianity before mentioned in the 2d Epistle of Peter chap. 1.5 6 7 Verses by which it may evidently appear that they are walking in the Spirit And First From the Spirit of Wisdom that is in Christ is formed true Knowledge in the Souls of men Secondly From the Spirit of Power that is in him is produced that Vertue that is in them And Thirdly From his Spirit of Judgment proceedeth the Temperance in which their Souls do live Fourthly From his Spirit of Holiness springeth forth that Godliness in which their Souls do live Fifthly From his Spirit of Meekness is begotten that Patience which is famous in Christianity Sixthly From his Spirit of Humility it sheweth forth the Brotherly Kindness that becometh Gospel-Professors And Seventhly From his Spirit of Love naturally ariseth that Charity in which all Bethania's things are done These are the seven Pillars that Wisdom hath hewn out and by Vertue of which 1 Cor. 16.4 Prov. 9.1 Christianity is made to appear in which also the Saints do walk in their Ascent towards their Everlasting Inheritance and by which they do shine as Glorious Lights in the World of which we shall speak particularly And first of Vertue CHAP. IIII. VERTUE is the inward Essence and Life of every living Form and is that by which those Forms become profitable and delightful unto those by whom they are used Vertue is of two kinds The first is Natural the second Divine and Spiritual Natural Vertue is that by which the Flowers in the Fields yeild forth unto men a Pleasant Savour and also a Medicinal Profit By Natural Vertue The Fruits of the Fields and Trees do nourish and feed the Bodies of Men and Beasts And besides by Natural Vertue the Needle in the Compass being touched with the Loadstone turneth always towards the North in which the Rocks of Loadstones lye even so also the Vertue of Fire penetrateth into whatsoever things cometh near to it and changeth the Properties thereof into a Similitude with its own Nature it causeth cold Water to become hot so that the Flesh that is boyled therein 1 Cor. 6.17 John 8.12 is made savoury Cold Iron is changed into a burning State and therein is capable of being wrought into divers Forms it is not the Form nor Colour of Salt for Snow hath both these but the Vertue thereof which maketh it to be so useful to the Sons of men Water hath the same liquid Form as Wine but not the same powerful Operation Therefore the Bodies of men are in that Estate in the Excess of Wine unto which the same Measure of Water will in no wise reduce them So every living Form subsisteth and worketh by Vertue of that Spirit which is proper to its own Nature
is like the Rainbow Gen. 9.13 never seen but in the Clouds that is no Patience which seemeth to be so when it hath nothing to endure therefore when Patience is begotten by Adversity then it begetteth Experience and at last a Deliverance out of them worketh Hope Rom. 5.45 and Hope encourageth the Soul against future Adversity and setleth it self in God and so the expectation of the Soul is not cut off neither is it exposed to shame Pro. 23.18 Jam. 1.4 Patience therefore is to have its perfect Work if we intend to have Experience and Hope for both these are formed by Patience in the Fire that the Soul may be entire and want nothing Patience taketh up the Cross willingly not like Simon of Cyrene Mat. 27.32 who was compelled to bear it and quietly endures the same Heb. 12.2 despising the shame and reproach thereof only sometimes these words may possibly be uâ—â—ered viz. This is a Grief Jer. 10.9 but I must bear it Jesus our Saviour was condemned in Gabatha the Pavement a place of walking for the Feet but he suffered in Golgotha Joh. 19.16 the place of a Scull with a Crown of Thorns upon his Head and so Head and Hands Side and Feet were all concerned in the Cross yet Patience in him did quietly endure it but at last he went from Golgotha to the Grave thence again ascended to Mount Olivet Luke 24.50 Acts 1.12 Eph. 4.10 Heb. 12.2 Eph. 1.11 22. 1 Pet. 3.22 as if he would bid Bethania farewel and thence he proceeded in ascending and never left till he was gotten far above all Heavens where he sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Angels and Principalities being subject unto him So then Patience tho' its Root be in Adversity and may be troden under foot of Men and Devils Job 39.18 yet its Fruit groweth out of the reach of both and like the Ostrich despiseth the trampling Horse and all his furious Riders Patience proceedeth from one of the seven Spirits of God viz. The Spirit of Meekness and that 's the quality of a Lamb Isa 53.7 who though he be slain like a Swine both for Food yet he is not like a Swine in crying being wholly dumb and not opening his mouth while the Life is taken away Those who will follow Christ in good earnest must expect to have Self World and Hell all against them therefore they have need of Patience Luke 21.17 Heb. 10.36 Phil. 1.4 and that will help them upwards in the right-hand passage out of the reach of all these and at last set them in a quiet Repose in the quiet and perfect peace of Bethania But a second degree of Patience is long-suffering under great provocations and reproaches Rev. 5.6 so he that looks through the seven Eyes Rom. 9.22 which also are the seven Spirits endureth with much long-suffering the Vessels of wrath almost fitted for destruction therefore be would not destroy the Old World Gen. 6.3 Zach. 7.13 Gen. 15.16 till he had given them an hundred and twenty years warning in which he waited with the strivings of his Spirit which yet will not always strive with man till Mercy was out of date So also the Iniquity of the Amorites was four hundred years in ripening till at last Lev. 18.28 Deut. 32.19 the Land which they had defiled with their Iniquites spewed them out of its possession So also he waited upon the City Jerusalem 2. Chr. 36.16 Vers 15. because he had compassion upon his People and upon his dwelling place till by reason of the provokings of his Sons and Daughters wrath seized upon them at last when there was no remedy Patience in God is like a Dove with wings Isa 65.2 Nah. 1.3 Hos 5.4 always flying swiftly with the Oâ—ive-Branch of Peace in his mouth still inviting provoking Souls to Mercy but Justice followeth it like a Snail yet those which it overtaketh 't will tear like a Lion. God is flow to Anger but when the Day of wrath is come who shall be able to stand Patience in Bethania standeth against many an Affront Rev. 7.6 and if he be smitten on the one cheek yet it will turn the other also it blesseth them that curseth it and prayeth for them that despitefully use it Acts 7.60 Stephen looked more at heaven whither also he committed his Spirit and from whence he called for Mercy for his enemies than at the Stones that flew about his ears So also James when he was thrown from the Pinacle of the Temple made more haste to his knees that he might pray for his Enemies than to his feet to fly from the Fuller's Club which while he was praying beat out his Brains The Reproach of Christ in Bethania is counted great Riches and she is content to go with him out of the Camp to bear it Heb. 13.13 she careth little for an evil Name seeing she hath obtained a divine Nature there is a time for the rebuke of Christians to be taken quite away Isa 25.8 but there must be a time first to bear it We got shame and reproach to our selves Isa 54.4 by sin and it must be endured a time by suffering Est 6.13 but when Sin is gone shame and reproach will quickly follow it it is time enough to be honoured in Heaven and that honour is eternal but the Honour obtained in this world beginneth to decline like that of Haman before it be come to full perfection therefore provocations and reproaches are but little minded nor yet credit and estimation lightly regarded 2 Cor. 6.8 and so good report and evil report are passed through much alike in the patient Spirit of Bethania But the Third Degree of Patience consisteth in the waiting the accomplishment of Promises Heb. 6.12 Prov. 13.12 and herein Patience is often exercised and though Hope deferred makes the Heart sick yet Patience is an effectual Medicine He that believeth maketh not haste Hab. 2.1 and the just shall live by his Faith therefore Patience sinketh into the Will of God as well for the obtaining of Mercies as for the removing of Afflictions and after it hath patiently waited it inheriteth the Promises C. 7.9 In this Street are the working-houses of Bethania and here she is often labouring in the Fire Mat. 20. and endureth the burden and heat of the Day nevertheless when she passeth through the Fire the Lord is with her Isa 43.2 visiting the Labourers in the Vineyard and in the form of the Fourth which is the Son of God he walketh with her in the midst of the burning fiery Furnace Dan. 3.28 and she with him in this Divine Principle of Patience CHAP. VIII THE fifth Pillar in the House of Wisdom is Godliness Prov. 4 18. and is also a glorious Path even the Path of the Just as a shining light shineth more unto the
perfect day in this famous street of Bethania she hath many a close walk with God Pro. 3.17 and there findeth great pleasure and profit for all the ways of Wisdom are pleasantness and all her paths are peace So also godliness is profitable unto all things 2 Tim. 4.8 having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come It signifieth a likeness unto God being a conformity to his Will in matters of Worship 3. Jo. 11. Eph. 5.1 Ja. 1.17 and also in manner of life and so it is God's likeness Now he is altogether good and ever was so even from eternity and when he created the Creation Gen. 1.13 it was also good yea very good and Lucifer himself was the anointed Cherub Esa 20.14 and was perfect in all his ways in the day that he was created till iniquity was found in him Jude 6. it was first found in himself through his own default and there it had its proper begining 1 Jo. 3.8 and he introduced it into man and by man it entred into the World and now hath infected all Mankind Rom. 5.12 Ps 82.6 and the whole foundations of the Earth are out of course and sin hath spoiled and brought disorder into that Creation which at first was good so that evil is not of God for he made things like himself and that was pure and very good yet he made no Creatures immutable in that goodness as they stood in their own single Essences for then he had made gods and not creatures so that all things went out from him and therefore must needs be good for a good Tree cannot bring forth evil fruit So also it was according unto his unchangeable Decree Mat. 7.18 that the very principal of his Creatures Angels and Men should live in an absolute dependance upon him resigning their wills wholly unto him yielding most humble subjection unto the Sovereign Lord of the whole Creation that so through that resignation subjection and dependance they may be by him confirmed in that goodness Act. 17.28 Eph. 1.22 1 Cor. 2 8. in which they were first created so then God did not divide his Essence in the Creation of the most excellent creatures viz. Angels and Souls of Men Ja. 1.17 for then they must have been immutable in state and so could never have fallen but he produced a fruit Ja. 1.11 and left it in freedom of will not compelling it to any thing which lived by it self in that glory and purity in which God created it and did not resign its will to God as the Tree from whence it hath its being and nourishment and so like fruit fully ripe it fell because it was not made immutable and sunk into another change of state through its own default Thus the Creation lost its first and primitive glory and changed quite into another estate but the Creator is still the same even yesterday to day and for ever Jer. 4.23 and in the second Creation which produceth the new creature he maketh things good still and so like himself therefore those souls who are regenerated and made anew are regenerated into Christ's nature 1 Pet. 1.4.20.18 and formed in his Image quickned by his spirit nourished by his flesh and bloud that so it may be in the life of God and like him in all things Jo. 6.5 7. in which a Creature may be like its Creator and this is the true godliness Eph. 4.18 when the Souls of men are given up into the will of God to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.16 and to serve him with reverence and godly fear cleaving to the truth which is after godliness Heb. 12.28 Tit. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.12 walking in simplicity and godly sincerity in that quiet life which is in all godliness and honesty Such godly men God the Lord hath set apart for himself who though they are godly in Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.2 Ps 4.3 2 Tim. 3.12 oftentimes suffer Persecution Yet the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of all adversity and to put an end to those light afflictions 2 P. 2.9 2 Cor. 4.17 which for a few moments attend upon a godly life so that Godliness is a strong pillar in the house of Wisdom and therefore if that be wanting in the power thereof though the form remain untouch'd there must needs be a great breach and where this breach is 2 Tim. 3.5 the house will quickly fall Luk. 10.39 Mat. 11.19 Heb. 7.26 2 Pet. 2.22 therefore Bethania chuseth to sit at Jesus feet and to enter into his Yoke learning of him with that diligence who is holy harmless undefiled meek gentle lowly and every way vertuous a perfect pattern of true piety who did no evil neither was guile found in his mouth and hath left us an example that we should follow his steps and this godliness springeth up in the soul by vertue of the operation of one of the seven spirits of God viz. the spirit of holiness Rom. 1.3 whose Divine tincture changeth their nature into its own even as Wine by entring into Water maketh the Water talte of it self So also their whole life savoureth of the spirit and tasteth of the vertue and grace of God which appeareth in the Soul teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts that the mind may be exercised in that godliness Tia 2.11 2 Tim. 4.7 by vertue of which the conversation may be as becometh the Gospel of our Lord Jesus In this street of Bethania standeth her place of Worship in which she performeth Divine service to the Holy God with great reverence and godly fear who is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of the Saints Heb. 12.28 Ps 89.7 and to be had in reverence of all that come about him CHAP. IX THE sixth Pillar in the House of Wisdom is Brotherly Kindness the which is also produced out of one of the seven Spirits before the Throne viz. the Spirit of Humility and is a very beautiful Street in Bethania in which she hath great communion by walking with God in the Brotherhood and fellowship of the Gospel 1 Pet. 2.17 Phil. 1.5 Heb. 2.11 Mat. 23.8 for as there is a very near relation between Christ and his Disciples even so there is also a Divine brotherhood between Christians and one another but there is a two fold brotherhood generally considered the first is natural wherein all mankind are of one blood and children of the first Adam Act. 17.26 and descended all out of his Loins and have all one kind of Soul 1 Cor. 15.48 and one manner of sensitive life and also one kind of humane flesh and have all equal interest in the Priviledges of Nature Jer. 38.16 1 Cor. 15.39 Psal 24.1 Rom. 5.18 John 2.2 Heb. 9.27 Acts 24.15 Chap. 17 31. Dan. 12.2 and are all equally involved in the Fall
Therefore it is the Desire of this Author that all his Fellow-Travellers who are seeeking and walking in the way of Life that they would turn their Minds into themselves and carefully weigh the State of their own Souls to see that the Root of the Matter is in themselves neither casting off any Truth of Christ nor yet resting therein till they have found the inside thereof neither yet to satisfie themselves until the inside of Truth be firmly setled in the inward parts of the Soul For the All-seeing God looketh for Psal 51.6 Psal 19.11 Jer. 15.16 Psal 119.105 and desireth Truth in the inward parts and there only it is profitable unto men and will stand them in great stead in their greatest and deepest Necessities For it will be a light in the Land of Darkness Psal 119.143 Psal 9.4 Mat. 4 4. Isa 32.2 Psal 25.21 a Comfort in the time of Trouble an hiding place in the Hour of Temptation a Shield and Buckler against the storms of Violence it will be for Food in the time of Famine and Refreshing Water in the Land of Drought For Integrity and Uprightness will still preserve those who really possess it and cause them to lift up their Heads before the Face of the most insulting Adversary Psal 19 6. Verse 14.6 Heb. 10.34 neither shall they be ashamed before Kings that have respect unto all Gods Righteous Judgments Truth in the inward parts fortifieth the Soul against the Fear of Men and Devils and possesses it only with the pure Fear of God it sealeth unto it an inward Evidence for Heaven Psal 17.14 Mat. 13.21 and where that Evidence is Earth and its Fullness are easily forsaken but where this Evidence is wanting the Mind is frequently filled with Fear and all the known Portion being the things of this World the Thieves are suspected to be likely to steal and the Moths to corrupt that which is within the reaches of their Power and many a time through want of Truth in the inward parts with which also the inward Evidence stands divers Souls desist the Service of the holy God and through the Fear of Mortal men Isa â—1 12 13. when it can but kill the Body and deprive us of the Comforts of this outward Life they wander into a Spirit of Apostasie and forget the fear of him which is able to kill Mat. 10.28 Verse 29. Luke 12.20 Prov. 14.26 Acts 20 24. and Eternally to torment the Soul and hence it cometh to pass that by seeking to save the Life of the Body we lose the Eternal Life of the Soul by possessing our selves of Earth for a few Moments we lose Heaven to all Eternity but the pure Fear of God driveth away all other Fear and causeth the Soul to pass through all Difficulties with much chearfulness keeping it clean from all Impurity but while men possess themselves only with the outside of Truth and have the glorious Forms of Godliness shining forth in a visible Profession this being but the outward Court of Gods holy Temple and Suburbs of his little City Dan. 8 12. Rev. 11.2 will not secure in the hour of Temptation nor be a shelter from the Storms of Violence For Men and Devils can invade this place and cast down this part of Truth to the ground and tread under Foot those Persons who have their Habitations only here Therefore our Safety consisteth not in Forms only but also in the Power of Godliness yet the greatest Contention among men is about the Wall and outward Court of the House where also many poor Souls have been sore wounded and discouraged by Reason of the Divisions of Reuben Judg. 5.15 16. Numb 32.5 who chose to dwell on this side Jordan where his Possessions lie open to divers kinds of Dangers but when this out-side of Truth is used only as Spectacles to help us to the light of invisible things then it standeth in its right place and so every part of Truth is very precious when observed in that Order whereunto the Lord appointed it and when the visible things have done their Office and the time of Figures is come to an End then the light of this Sun Moon and Stars will disappear and Prophecies fail Rev 21.23 1 Cor. 13 8. and Tongues shall cease and Faith and Hope have a final End and so those who have rightly used these Spectacles shall see no more through a Glass darkly but shall see as they are seen and know as they are known For in the glorious Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.44 the very Bodies of men shall be made Spiritual so that which is perfect being come that which is in part shall be done away Therefore have I endeavoured according to my weak Ability to hint at things through these Papers both in their Formal and Spiritual Natures that so none might despise the one or miss the other but if it be possible might be brought to conform unto the Walk in the whole will of God and it is very much to be supposed Col. 4.12 that I shall be censured by many not understood by all yet I hope quietly to bear the one and carefully to inform the other according to my utmost Capacity and I commit these Writings which have been Composed in the midst of many Distractions to the disposing of the most wise God beseeching him of his great Mercy to perfect all my Imperfections that in them appear and to guide the serious Reader by his most pure Counsel that in the use thereof he may attain to greater Wisdom then that which at present is my little Talent and when he hath found any thing in the use of this short Breviate of things that he be as ready to impart to me as I have now at last been to communicate these things to him and though I have used divers Allegories and Figurative Speeches in these Writings Hos 12.10 Psal 1.8 1 Cor. 4.34 yet I know how to excuse my self therein and intreat that I may not be too fiercely condemned before I come to Judgment And forasmuch as our Brethren called Particular Baptists were the principal and only Occasion of the first part of these Papers I intreat them to consider that both of us might come nearer the Truth as 't is in its own Nature if we did not set our selves too much to wander into extreams by reason of which we have been smiting each other in the dark and so weakning each others Spirits while Piety and Vertue the Substance of all true Religion doth but meanly flourish on either side and though we should share alike among the rest Isa 33.18 1. Cor. 4.1 in the outward Knowledge of outward things yet in the end it will signifie little for it is Charity only that edifieth and Contention and Vanity are all or very near the Earthly Spirit but Unity is from above and nearly related to the only wise God whose Name is One and to our Lord Jesus Christ whose Work is together in One Unto whom who is the most Glorious and Blessed Lamb 1 Cor. 4.3 with the Eternal Father The only Wise and Invisible God be all Glory Might Majesty Dominion Love Service and Obedience throughout all Ages Ephes 3.21 and to all Eternity Amen FINIS
Soul and Edifieth it which is the only Design of Divinity in all its various Operations So then Singing of Psalms is used in Bethania For the Song of Hosannah was sung very near it Mat. 21.9 but it is used there as a Gift of the Holy Spirit peculiar only to him that hath it and not as an Ordinance of God which respecteth all Yet nevertheless Praising of God is an Ordinance of God according to the Principles of Nature proper to all Creatures and so all the Works of God do Praise him but do not Sing unto him except only when their Spirits are Elevated and then the Trees of the Wood sing out and clap their Hands Psal 145.10 Isa 24.7 Isa 55.13 when the Celestial Influences have quickened them in the Spring and Summer and their Voice is uttered in their Leaves Blossoms and Fruit. But when those Influences are withdrawn then they retire and are silent all the Winter Season and so the Sun Moon and Stars Psal 148.3 do Praise the Lord by the Influences of his own Vertue that is in them yea Dragons and all Deeps Fire Hail Snow Stormy Wind Mountains Trees Cedars Beafts Cattle Creeping Things Flying Fowls all these Psal 148.7 8 9 10. in their proper Nature Praise the Lord and Sing unto him in that Season when he putteth the Song into their Mouth Bethania's Walks WITH GOD. Now last of all having briefly hinted First At the Doctrine of Bethania And Secondly At some part of her Discipline and Order We hope now Lastly Briefly to lay down her Manner of Life and serious Walks with God and to what Place this Motion Tendeth CHAP. I. THe Conversation and Manner of Life in Bethania is very Divine and Heavenly Gen. 5.22 Chap. 6.9 being a serious Walk with God and a careful Imitation of the innocent and pure Life of Jesus so that as her Inhabitants are begotten by the immortal Seed of the Word of God and born of the Divine Spirit 1 Pet. 1.2 3. John 3.6 which Birth is from above even so their Conversation isin Heaven as the way of Life which is above to the wise Phil. 3.20 Prov. 15.24 Ephes 1.3 Col. 1.3 1 Pet. 1.4 to deliver from the Snares of Hell beneath in which place and State they are and shall be blessed with all Spiritual and Eternal Blessings in and by Christ Jesus And therefore their Affections are set on things above as things that are incorruptible and will never fade away The which being their Everlasting Treasure unto which they are begotten and born as right Heirs of the same even so their Hearts seriously incline towards that place where this Treasure is layed up for them Heb. 11.14 and their Life is framed here on Earth among men as becometh those who expect to live with God in Heaven among Angels and is such a life Phil. 1.27 which is proper and natural to the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus in which the Grace apeareth which teacheth us To deny all Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Righteously Soberly Tit. 2.12 14. and Godly in this present World looking for that blessed Hope and glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity and Purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works that they might shew forth the Praises of him 1 Pet. 2.9 Phil. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.11 Chap. 2.14 Mark 3.45 who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light in which they shine as lights in the World and manifest the most pure Life of Jesus in their Mortal Flesh making manifest the Savour of his Knowledge in every place which Heavenly Off-spring are of near Affinity with most pure Jesus whose Divine Nature hath deeply Penetrated into their very Souls and changed the Properties thereof from Devilish and Beastial into Divine and Spiritual Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 8.28 John 3.1 2 Cor. 3.18 Ephes 2.19 Chap. 7.15 Heb. 12.13 Rev. 13.8 Gal. 4.25 and so he is but the first-born among these many Brethren as the glorious Son of God by Natural Generation and the Children of the same God with him by Divine Regeneration So that there is but one Nature Spirit Life and Image in Christ and Christians therefore they are called The Houshold of God and the Family in Heaven the General Assembly and Church of the first-born whose Names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb stain from the Foundation of the World and so are Fellow-Citizens with the Saints in that Spiritual Jerusalem which is above and is the true Mother of all real Bethanians CHAP. II. BUT now forasmuch as Bethania is scituate on the Mount of Olives and the Earthly Jerusalem is beneath it yet scarce two Miles distant from it and the direct Motion of the true Followers of the Lamb being still upward ascending from a fleshly Glory in a visible Profession Mat. 5.3 into Poverty of Spirit and Resignation to Jesus Ephes 3.8 and so through that Estate into Spiritual and Eternal Riches we shall a little consider the walk of Saints and the walk of the World as they are both hastening apace into Endless Eternity And forasmuch as the Soveraign God in whose hands is all Power and at whose dispose all things must be hath appointed Heaven Earth and Hell these three places to be the Habitation of all Creatures in time and Eternity according to their proper State. Eccles 3.1 It is Earth only that is allotted to Time and Heaven and Hell to Eternity so that Earth stands between Heaven and Hell equally distant and there are three steps by which men ascend from Earth to Heaven and three steps by which they descend from it to Hell. Now Bethania chooseth the way of Life which is strait and narrow Mat. 7.13 and ascendeth upwards but Babel imbraceth the way of Death Job 21.13 Isa 5.14 Rev. 3.16 which is broad and pleasant and descendeth downwards and the Earthly Jerusalem not well liking either of these yet having but a Luke-warm Spirit settleth upon her Lees just between but at last must sink down with Babel like a Millstone Rev. 18.21 Isa 33.14 into the Bottomless deep of Gods Eternal Wrath which the Sinners in Sion as well as the Sinners in Babel shall not be able to escape Now these three steps by which Bethania ascendeth upwards she hath learned of Christ our Lord who himself hath travelled the same way and they are First Deny your selves Secondly Take up the Cross and Thirdly Mat. 16.24 John. 21.26 Follow me and then Where I am there shall also my Servant be But those three steps by which Babel descendeth towards her Infernal Den are wholly of another Nature as they are layed down by the Apostle Phil. 3.19 And are First Their God is their Belly Secondly Their Glory is their Shame and Thirdly Who mind
and are accordingly concerned in the benefit of the Restoration for Jesus our Saviour is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World and are all alike designed to Mortality and must be all equally concerned in the Resurrection and Eternal Judgment and so at last according to their proper State must be center'd in a woful or Blessed Eternity But the second Degree of Brotherhood is Spiritual and Divine in which Estate Christians are of the Second Adam being Members of his Body Ephes 5.30 of his Flesh and of his Bones John 16.57 and so are nourished by that Vertue which issueth out from the living Father unto them through Christ So that as he in Conjunction with the Father liveth in and by the Fathers Vertue and Fullness John 14.6 even so Christians by their close Union and Conjunction with Christ live by him and his Fullness and Vertue is the Life of their Souls according as it is written in the Holy Scriptures He that Eateth me shall live by me therefore all our Union with the Father is mediately not immediately and that through Christ unto whom it is only proper to enjoy immediate Union with the Father Chap. 10.30 John 14.10 Rom. 9.5 and by Vertue thereof the infinite Fullness of the Father dwelleth it him so that he is very God being the absolute and perfect Image of the Fathers Substance Heb. 1.5 and if we did live immediately upon the Father and had all the incommunicable Properties of the Divine Nature John 2.25 as well as those which are communicable which is impossible either for Angels or men Then we might be Gods and Christs as well as he but this is Blasphemy for any to imagine and also Lies for them to speak Therefore this Brotherhood or Heavenly Off-spring are Branches that grow upon Christ the Stock Rom. 11.17 who is in perfect and immediate Union with the Father who is the Root from whence the Vertue goeth into the Stock and so through him into the Branches from which Branches the fruits of Vertue springeth forth unto the World John 3.21 Hos 14.8 Acts 11.16 1 John 2.20 Verse 27. Ephes 3.14 and thus all their Works are wrought in God in whom also all their Fruit is found therefore these Souls are not Christs but Christians not the Anointed ones of God but the Anointed ones of Christ so that as he lives by the Father even so they also live by him and so being of a Heavenly Descent and born from above they are of the Family in Heaven and Brotherhood that is Divine and Spiritual between whom there is great Brotherly Kindness Therefore Heb. 13.1 as the Branches of a Tree do link themselves into one another and so support and help each other to bear the Burthen of their Fruit winding themselves for that Purpose into a certain kind of round Body by which the Tree is made comely to behold and so shewing a Natural Kindness one to another even so this Brotherhood all acts as one man Phil. 1.27 Rom 12.10 Prov. 31.26 and Charity being a Ruling Principle in their Souls these are kind one to another Be kindly affectioned as becometh Brethren in whose Tongue appeareth the Law of Kindness Now Kindness is a Quality that looketh not only to it self but goeth out of it self and emptieth it self to others imparting unto them somewhat of that which is its own for none can love themselves and keep â—heir own that dwell in Kindness for that would be great Cruelty Prov. 5.27 the which consisteth not only in inflicting Misery upon men but also in detaining from them that by which Misery may be removed Kindness if it cannot help its Friend will therefore mourn because it cannot help him and evermore extendeth it self to them that have need of Succour Luke 10.34 Sometimes it respecteth the Body at other times the Soul sometimes in one way and then again in another so the Wounds of a Friend are better then the Kisses of an Enemy For when the Righteous smiteth it is in Kindness Prov. 27.6 and his Reproofs are as precious Oyl but when the Wicked smiteth Psal 141.5 Prov. 27.4 1 Thess 2.8 Zach. 4.12 it is in Wrath and their stroaks are full of Cruelty If kindness hath received any Spiritual thing straitway it desireth to impart it to others but Cruelty keepeth all to its self if it hath any natural thing that will profit its Brother it rejoyceth when it is accepted For that End Kindness doth divide not its Natucal or Spiritual Enjoyments between it self and others 2 Cor. 8.9 John 1.16 Rom. 5.10 but emptieth it self of all if the call so requires even as Jesus our Saviour who emptied himself both of Comforts of Soul and Body and became exceeding poor in that which was his own that we may be filled with that Fulness which by right is none of ours John 3.16 Kindness in him laid down his Life for the Brethren yet Kindness in Christians extendeth not it self only to the Brotherhood in the last Degree but also to the Brotherhood in the first Degree Rom. 12.20 Therefore when the Enemy is Hungry it feedeth him and when he is thirsty it giveth him Drink it cloatheth the Naked relieveth the Oppressed and succoureth the helpless Enemy 2 Tim. 2.25 Therefore there is no Cruelty nor Persecution in Bethania no Heart-burnings against any that will not in all things conform to her Charter Luke 13.34 In Meekness she instructeth them that oppose themselves and waiteth if peradventure God will give them Repentance Chap. 19.41 John 2.18 Mat. 13.30 Jer. 17.16 Isa 53.5 Jer. 4.19 Psal 33.15 1 Tim. 6.5 Rev. 18.24 She weepeth over the Earthly Jerusalem but will not set it on Fire and when she taketh a Whip in hand it is only to purge the Temple of the Lord and then it is made but of small Cords neither She will let the Tares grow in the World though not in the Church and by her Prayers doth not hasten the woful Day She cryeth out against the Spirit of Babel but not against those who are Baptized with it Her Heart is often bleeding for others but her Hands are dyed in the Blood of none so that sharp and proud Contentions are found in the Earthly Jerusalem and Blood and Cruelty dwell in Babel but Brotherly Kindness in both Degrees of Brotherhood taketh up its Habitation in Bethania Psal 112.9 Mal. 25.36 Heb. 13.2 James 1.27 In this Street standeth the great Hospital in which the poor are relieved the Sick are visited Strangers are entertained and the helpless succoured and there also she hath many a pleasant and comfortable Walk with Her Dear Emmanuel CHAP. X. THE Seventh Pillar in the House of Wisdom Gal. 5.22 1 John 4.9 Rom. 5.5 is Charity and it is produced by one of the seven Spirits before the Throne being a precious fruit of the Spirit and a divine Principle springing
up in the Soul by the Love of God which is shed abroad into it this is the number of perfection and highest degree of Virtue it is the highest Stone in Zerubbabel's Temple who is a stranger to Babel and the bond of Perfection Zech. 4.7 Col. 3 16. it is that wherein Bethania enjoyeth her highest Communion with God and is the chiefest Street in all her City for there the Palace of Emanuel standeth as it is written John 4.16 He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him She hath many a Walk with God in this Street and while she walketh with him there she seeth nothing but Glory in his Face in this Street she is fearless of Men or Devils and the Terrors of God do not make her afraid 2 Cor. 4.6 for perfect Love casteth out Fear Psal 27.1 in this Principle of Love God moved himself in all Eternity and produced that Image 1 John 4.17 who is called the Son of his Love Light and Love are the pure Essence of the glorious God and in that Principle were the Angels of Light created whom the Father appointed to attend that Throne on which the Son of his Love sitteth who being the glorious Head of their famous Principality Col. 1.13 1 John 1.5 2 Cor. 11.14 Isa 6.1 2. Col. 1.10 Rev. 4.10 Psal 84.11 Job 38.7 was therefore by them most humbly worshiped and so the heavenly Host of resigned Spirits vail their Faces and cast down their Crowns when the Son and Glory of all these Morning-Stars ascends the Throne Out of this Principle of Light and Love issued forth that Light that was in the beginning before the Sun and Moon and Stars were created the which after they were created seized upon their Bodies as Fire seizeth upon an unlighted Candle when it is touched therewith whose Bodies being thus enlightned they carrylight from Heaven round about the Earth in twenty four hours In this Principle was the Soul of man breathed in his Nostrils in the day of his Creation Gen. 1.34 Vers 14. Gen. 2.7 therefore Man's Soul did bear the Image of God and God is Love yea the whole Creation was brought forth in this Principle of Light and Love therefore the Fruits do grow so quietly among the Leaves together upon the Tree and the great Multitudes of Flowers of so many several Colours Forms and Virtues all peaceably together in one Meadow so that nothing of Strife and Contention or any other Disorder did immediately proceed from God whose Essence and dwelling place was Light and Love from all eternity so that the contention that is now among the Creatures ariseth from some other remote Cause and though there be generation and corruption among those Creatures which are under the influence of the four Elements Gen. 1.31 yet in the beginning there was no contention for the Herbs and Plants and Trees with the Fruits in the vegetable Kingdom grew up by the influence of Heaven into the perfection of their own Nature and yielded up their Spirits into the sensitive Creatures and so live in a more excellent state in the Animal Kingdom than when they lived in their own These again when their Bodies are grown old and feeble resign their Spirits into the four Elements who according to the course of Nature produce new Vegetables and young Animals to possess the places of those who are gone into a formal decay therefore the first disorder of Nature began in the Kingdom of Lucifer who set his Seat above the Stars of God Isa 14.13 upon the Mount of the Congregation in the side of the North Isa 6.2 Rev. 4.1 Ezek. 28 6. Isa 9.6 and did not vail his face at the appearance of the Son of God's Love nor yet cast his Crown before his glorious Throne but would set his Heart as the Heart of God and so be like the most High this kindled Wrath in the Father of Eternity or or rather stirred up pure Justice in him which lay before as Fire is hid in the Flint until it be smitten upon and hence it is that God became a consuming Fire Heb. 12.28 but the next disorder began in the Garden of Eden where Man should have obeyed the Voyce of God Gen. 3.6 Rom. 5.12 Ephes 2.3 Gen. 1.28 Jer. 2.21 Gen. 3.17 Psal 82.2 and have turned to the Tree of Life and so have eaten of that Fruit without which he could not long securely stand but he turned the quite contrary way and Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and so brought Sin and Death into his first Nature and in that Nature he is still a Child of Wrath Thus the King of the Creatures being degenerated the Earth is cursed for his sake therefore the whole Foundations thereof are out of Course and the Devil is become Prince of the World and so there is little but Confusion and Disorder in it Isa 24.1 John 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Dan. 9.24 for which cause the great Jehovah moved himself again in the Principle of Love and sent the Son of his Love out of his own Bosom to make all things new again even to put a final End to Sin and so take away the Curse and to turn out Death Rev. 22.3 Hos 13.14 Rev. 20.10 also to send the Devil into his infernal Den and to create Souls anew for Heaven into which New-Created Souls he infuseth the Spirit of Power of Love and of a sound Mind and in this Estate they become followers of God as Dear Children 2 Tim. 1.9 walking in Love so that all their things be done in Charity or Love and this Love fulfilleth the whole Law Ephes 5.1 1 Cor 16.114 Rom. 15.8 1 Tim. 1.5 Cant. 8.7 Rom. 5.3 1 Pet. 4.13 Mat. 11.29 and goeth to the end of the Commandment For the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and of a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned and where it is shed abroad in the Hearts of Christians it is more strong then Death and many Waters cannot quench it passing through all Tribulations very chearfully rejoycing therein because it is then in Communion with Christ being Partaker of his Suffering and walking with him in the Kingdom of his Patience John 5.3 John 6.6 Gal. 6.16 Rom. 8.37 Cant. 5.10 James 3.24 it counts his Yoke easie and his Commandments are not grievous and those things which to others appear as hard sayings are unto it as Words of Eternal Life It glorieth in the Cross by which 't is more then a Conqueror and nothing separates it from the Love of God It letteth out the whole Soul after Christ and counteth him the chief of ten Thousand and the only Portion of the Soul Cant. 2.5 Psal 71.20 Col. 1.3 so that if he go but behind the Curtain it is sick of Love but when he sheweth his Face again the Spirit is greatly revived and the Lips that were a