idolize it but the excellence of man is but flesh even the best of it as all outward gifts without the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 13.1 2 3. Though I speake with the tongues of men and Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brasse or a tinckling cymbal And though I had the gift of prophesie and knew all secrets and all knowledge yea and if I had all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not love I were nothing And though I feed the poore with all my goods and though I give my bodye that I be burned and hoâ—â— not love it profiteth me nothing All this without love which is the Spirit For God and thâ— Spirit is one 1 John 5.7 God is love 1 Joh â— 8 All these excellent things without the Spiriâ— profieth me nothing Why because our happinesse consists alone in God and not in excellent cutward gifts without him Paul haâ— a great many before his conversion yet hâ— looked upon them as the workes of the flesh for he had not then the Spirit of God Foâ— we are the Circumcision which worship Goâ— in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus anâ— have no confidence in the flesh Though I alâ— might have confidence in the flesh If any maâ— thinketh that hee hath whereof he might tâ—â— in the flesh much more I Circumcised thâ— eighth day of the kindred of Israel of the trâ—â— of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews by thâ— Law a Pharisee Concerning zeal I perseâ—ted the Church touching the righteousnâ—â—â— which is in the Law I was unrebukeable Bâ— things that were vantage to me the samâ— counted losse for Christs sake Yea doubtleâ— I think all but losse for the excellent knowledâ— sake of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whâ—â— I have counted all things losse and dee 〈◊〉 them to be dung that I might winne Christ and might be found in him that is not having mine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ even the righteousnesse which is of God through faith Phil. 3.3 to the 9. All flesh is as grasse and all the glory of man is as the flowr of grasse The grasse withereth and the flowre falleth away but the word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet 1.24 25. This glory of the flesh which is compared to the flower of the grasse is the righteousnesse of man the most excellent of man without the Spirit of God as Paul had Yet this must all fall away it cannot stand before the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ but the word of God endureth for ever This word is Christ and he and his righteousnesse endureth for ever and when he and his righteousness appeareth in us and to us It will appeare so glorious and shine with such a burning heat that it will wither the flowre of our righteousnesse and cause it to fall away and be brought to nothing It will appeare so odious and filthy in our fight that we shall be ashamed of it as Paul was and count it as dung and drosse the filchiest things as is and so we shall be desirous to have this righteousnesse of ours destroyed by the glorious comming of Jesus Christ by g DESC = missing EXTENT = 1 span Spirit into us So none of the best of the excellencies of man can bring us to know any thiâ— of God in the mystery it is alone the work 〈◊〉 the Spirit of God without any thing of us Tâ—â— things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit 〈◊〉 God 1 Cor. 2.11 And this Spirit searcheth 〈◊〉 things yea the deepe things of God vers 10. 1. It is the Spirit alone that sees the thing of God 2. It is the Spirit that heares the things 〈◊〉 God 3. It is the Spirit alone that understandâ— the things of God 4. It is the Spirit alone that can doe thâ— works of God 5. It is the Spirit alone that makes us accepted with God For the first It is the Spirit of God aloâ—â— that seeth the things of God Mat. 6.22 Thâ— light of the body is the eye If therefore thine eye 〈◊〉 single thy whole body shal be ful of light Lu. 11 3â—â— This single eye is the Spirit of God and it seâ—â— the things of God for it cannot be the eye 〈◊〉 man Matth. 6.23 But if thy eye be evill thâ— whole body shall be full of darknesse If therefoâ—â— the light that is in thee be darkenesse how great 〈◊〉 that darknesse The eye is that whereby we see the eye 〈◊〉 man cannot see any thing but that which iâ—â— man and all the things of man even the best of them are but evill and the eye of man that seeth the things of man is one and the same with man And therefore it must needs follow that the eye of man is evill for it sees nothing done but that which is evill And if thy eye be evill thy whole bodie shall be full of darkenesse What is darkenesse but want of light and the light is Jesus Christ This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkenesse rather than light John 3.19 And the light shined in darkenesse and the darkenesse comprehended it not John 1.5 And that was the true light which lighteth every man that commeth into the world Hee was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not John 1.9 10. So as wee are men wee cannot know God nor any thing of God For if that light that is in us be darkenesse how great is that darknesse If those most excellent performances of man as man without the Spirit of God as Paul did performe before his conversion which is most likest light be darknesse how great is that darkenesse that man is in Man as man cannot comprehend the light of Jesus Christ none can doe it but that which is one and the same with him which is the Spirit of God and he â—s that single eye that sees all the things of God and Christ for they are one and Christ 〈◊〉 promised to send his Spirit unto us But Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the they will send in my Name he shall teach yâ—â— things and bring all things to your remember whatsoever I have said unto you John 14. â— When the Comforter is come whom I will send 〈◊〉 you from the father even the spirit of truth oâ— proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie oâ— Joh 15.26 The spirit of truth whom the world 〈◊〉 not receive because is seeth him not neither knoâ—â— him but ye know him for he dwelleth with and shall be in you and he shall abide with for ever John 14.16 17. These words Christ spake to his Disciâ—â— when he was present with them in the shaâ— man when he was to depart from theâ— that bodily shape they were unwilling 〈◊〉 he should goe away but he tels them that expedient that he should goe away For if 〈◊〉
and you in me and I in you John 14.20 For Christ is the head and is one with the Father and the whole Church of God is the body which is the Spirit of God in all the Saints and he is always in us and with us Christ in us the hope of glory we by faith see Christ in us and know that he is the glory and wait patiently upon him while he is pleased to manifest his glory in us So by faith we believe and hope for that which wee have not yet the enjoyment â—f Though wee have Christ who is the fulâ—â—sse of all happinesse yet wee doe not see him 〈◊〉 us till hee is pleased to manifest himselfe to 〈◊〉 and shew us his glory And this faith of â—elieving what we shall enjoy is a very gloriâ—us condition and we have abundance of joy â—â—d comfort in it for the promise to us of the â—â—joyment of himselfe is sealed to us we are â—re of it there is not any thing that can hinâ—â—r him from manifesting himselfe to us Eph. â— 13 14. After that yee heard the word of truth â—â—e Gospel of your salvation in whom also after â—hat ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit 〈◊〉 promise Which is the earnest of our inheritance â—â—till the redemption of the purchased possession â—â—to the praise of his glory So the Lord revealing to us by his Spirit â—â—at there is an inheritance purchased by â—hrist for us which is himselfe that is the â—â—eatest inheritance that can be and this Spiâ—â—â— doth seale it to us till the time is come that â—â—mselfe will give us possession of that inheriâ—â—nce that hee hath redeemed and purchased â—â—r us for the praise of his glory So while we â—ave but an earnest given us of this inheritance â—eing we know it is sure wee are exceedingly â—omforted and carried above all slavish fears â—nd troubles and above all things that wee see below Christ and many the Lord leades a great while by faith before he gives them a full possession of himselfe CHAP. XVI Not for any to despise nor undervalue nor persecute one another IT is a very dangerous thing to embrace and close with that we heare before wee know whether it be truth or no for it is not sufficient for us to believe a thing to be truth because another saith it is truth For us to build upon this is a sandy-foundation we cannot build sure upon it though the things that we heare be truth yet except we know them to be truth by the Spirits teaching us or witnessing to us by sufficient grounds set forth in the Scripture that those things are truth that we heare it is very dangerous to build upon it and it is impossible but this building will fall for this foundation will not nor cannot hold it up and if it come to the tryall it will fall to the great dishonour of God and the scandalling of Religion and it is as dangerous to despise hate or persecute any thing that wee heare though it doth not seem to us to be truth for saith Paul After that way that ye call heresie so â—orship I the God of my Fathers Though it apâ—eareth to you to be heresie yet it may be reâ—â—ll truth therefore doe not hate it nor perseâ—ute it for Paul thought before his conversion â—hat it was heresie and persecuted it Acts 9. â—2 And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and â—aughter against the Disciples of the Lord went â—â—to the high Priest and desired of him letters to â—amascus to the Synagogue that if he found any 〈◊〉 this way whether they were men or women he â—ight bring them bound unto Jerusalem And â—he journeyed he came neare to Damascus and â—â—ddenly there shined round about him a light from â—â—aven and he fell to the earth and heard a voyce â—â—ying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou 〈◊〉 And he said who art thou Lord And the â—ord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest it is â—â—â—d for thee to kicke against the pricks vers 3 4 â— Paul was then one that was very strict in all 〈◊〉 ways and walked very blamelesse as conâ—â—rning the performing of the Law and hee â—ought that all that was not as he was were â—â—retickes and hee persecuted them to the â—ath but the Lord said unto him Why perseâ—â—test thou me I am Jesus whom thou persecutest 〈◊〉 He persecuted Christ in his members Inasâ—â—eth as you have done it unto one of the least of â—â—se my brethren ye have done it to me Mat. 25.40 Take heed how you persecute any though you thinke they are heretickes and therefore persecute them as Paul did and indeed there was never any persecution but it went under the name of punishing Hereticks and doe iâ— by a shew of godlinesse as Paul did but it iâ— hard for you to kicke against prickes for it iâ— God that ye kicke against and he is stronger than you and will overcome you at the last and he is like pricks it will pierce your selves for not any weapon that is forged against hiâ— Saints shall prosper but shall returne backeâ— and destroy their enemies like as those meâ— were that tooke up Shadrach Mesbech and Abednego and cast them into the fiery fornan at the Kings command because they woulâ— not worship their false gods They made thâ— fornace exceeding hot because it should destroy the three men that were cast into it bâ—â— the flame of the fire slew those men that caâ— them in and Shadrach Mesbech and Abedego walked in the midst of the fire and neithâ—â— they nor their cloaths were burned nor 〈◊〉 much as smell of fire Dan. 3. Therefore whosoever thou art that persâ—cutest any take heed what thou dost for the last God will destroy thee whosoever thâ— art except thou commest to be converted and they whom thou dost persecute shall be 〈◊〉 livered out of thy hands if it be to the glory 〈◊〉 God and their good but if God hath giâ—â—n you so much power as to put them to â—â—ath the greatest harm that you can do them 〈◊〉 but to bring them to their full happinesse â—â—d that harm that you thinke to doe against â—â—â—m you doe against your selves for while 〈◊〉 persecute them they are at peace and quiâ—â— and have abundance of the enjoyment of â—â—od and enabled to bear exceedingly whatâ—â—ever is laid upon them for whatsoever is â—â—nting outwardly the Lord supplieth inâ—â—rdly by his Spirit and he conveyeth himâ—â—â—fe to them in that way that all the enemies 〈◊〉 the world nor all the Devils in hell are 〈◊〉 able to hinder them from the enjoyment him but while you persecute them you â—â—â—not be quiet in your mind but are troubled â—â—â—d cannot have peace like Saul that perseâ—â—â—â—d David The Spirit of the Lord departed 〈◊〉 Saul and an evill Spirit from the Lord trouâ—â—â—d him 1 Sam. 16.14 And this Spirit cauâ—â— him to persecute David and wheresoever 〈◊〉 Spirit is it causeth persecutions for it
the time of fasting and mourning yet God doth feed and preserve her from all those devouring beasts that are in the wildernesse and there are seven degrees of comming out of this wildernesse and the Lord doth first shew us that we are in the wildernesse before hee doth make it known to us that hee hath brought us out of it hee will shew us our barrennesse by stripping us quite naked of all our goodly things that we shall have nothing to trust too then will he reveale himselfe in us and appear to be all in all in us and then he will appeare very glorious Hosea 2.14 I will bring her into the wildernesse and speake comfortably unto her There is first a dying to the flesh before there is appearing to live in the Spirit for while our first husband the law or flesh is alive we live unto him but if he be dead by the life of Christ appearing in us then we are free to marry to another which is to Christ Rom. 7.4 Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 We are dead to the flesh by the power of the death of Christ for Christ dyed for the destruction I doe not meane our bodies but that which is of Anti-christ in us and our life is hid with Christ in God for our life is in the life of Christ I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life that I now live in the flesh which is in the body I live by the faith of the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 But in the beginning of this verse he saith I am crucified with Christ Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto mee and I unto the world So we are crucified to all things that is below Christ 2 Cor. 5.16 17. Wherefore hence-forth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet â—ow hence-forth know we him so no more Therefore if any man bee in Christ hee is a new creature â—lde things are passed away behold all things are become new We must not know Christ any longer after our fleshly apprehension for all our old imaginations of Christ must passe away by the new manifestations of Christ in us Rom. 8.10 11. And if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sinne but the Spirit is life because of righteousnesse But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you hee that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Here is a dying to the flesh and then living to thee Spirit It is aPpointed for man once to dye And after death comes the judgement as all things is and shall be fulfilled outwardly in the history so all things shall be fulfilled spiritually in us in the mistery Christ is risen in us and is come to spirituall judgment and doth raise up his Spirit in us that hath lyen as it were dead in us and the flesh which is Antichrist shall stand before God and be judged and condemned by him Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall yee also appeare with him in glory and we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.2 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Revel 20.6 This is the first resurrection and the Lord is set in his judgement-seate to destroy Antichrist And then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his comming Even him whose comming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2 Thes 2.8 9. Satan is said to sit in heavenly places because he transformeth himselfe to the likenesse of God and so deceiveth us making us believe he is God and so we worship him thinking hee is God How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer Son of the Morning how art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the Nations For thou hast said in thy heart I will ascend into heaven I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God I will sit also upon the mount of the Congregation in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the height of the clouds I will be like the most High Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell so the sides of the pit They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee and consider thee saying Is this the man that made the earth to tremble that did shake Kingdomes That made the world as a wildernesse and destroyed the Cities thereof that opened not the â—house of his prisoners Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy comming thy pomp is brought downe to the grave and the noise of thy viols The wormes are spread under thee and the worms cover thee Isa 14.9 to the 17. And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me saying unto me Come hither I will shew thee the judgment of the great Whore that sitâ—eth upon many waters With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication and the Inhabiters of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication So hee carried mee away in the Spirit into the Wildernesse and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast full of names of blasphemy having seven heads and tenne bornes And the woman was arraied in purple â—earlet and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls having a golden cup in her handfull of abhominations and filthinesse of her fornication And I saw the woman drunke with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus Revel 17. All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication Rev. 18.3 Here is a discovering of Anti-christ before she is judged condemned and destroyed and when the time is come for the discovering of her to us then hee shewes us her by a high and glorious revelation of himself for there is not any thing that can discover Anti-christ to us but the Spirit of God When the Lord doth come to shew us any thing of himselfe in the mystery he saith come up hither and I will shew you the things that must be hereafter and immediately I was in the Spirit Rev. 4.1 Rev. 1.10 Rev. 17.1 Rev. 21.9 There is no seeing of any thing of God in the truth of it but by the revelation of the Spirit of God and hee carrieth us as wee are Saints up into himselfe and the higher hee carrieth us the more he shews us of the mysterie of himselfe for as hee openeth the seales in making known any thing of himselfe to us hee saith Come up
Crooked PATHES Made STRAIGHT OR The wayes of God made knowne to lost Sinners or bewildered SAINTS Wherein is represented the severall conditions of a Christian in the Spirit as hee growes up out of weaknesse into strength through death into life eternall By ANNE YEMANS Isa 40.3 The voyce of him that cryeth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desart a high way for our God LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the black-spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1648. To the READER Gentle Reader I Have done mine endeavour to set forth unto you in some measure the bondage that we have been in by sin the Devill and false Teachers what wounds wee have received by them and all hath been because we have not been able to discerne the difference between the wayes of God and Anti-christ And the more wee strive struggle in our own strength the more we are wounded while Jesus Christ doth appeare to us to reveal some light of himselfe to us and hee is that Son of righteousnesse that will appeare to us with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 He will reveal his love to us and heale up all our wounds and lead us in the way that we should walke taking us by the hand and leading us gently as we are able to goe and drawing us with the cords of love Most of the children of God have been in this spiritual bondage and those that have been in it and are brought out of it doth know in some measure how to comfort them that are in it and the Lord doth make us many times instrumentall under himselfe for th comfort and edifying one of another but it is Gol that doth make known all things to us whether it be by meanes or without and we ought to give him all the honour it is very dangerous to idolize the meanes neither ought we to slight it thougo it be by never so mean a person For out of the mouth of babes will hee be praised And let not us undervalue any thing that is of God whosoever it be spoken by for God is no respecter of persons I beseech you beloved let not this my labour seeme odious to you nor causâ— you to slight iâ— because it is written by a weak woman nor for you to harbour any strange thoughts of me for the writing of it for I have my self gonâ— through much spirituall bondage in severall wayes and finding many severall turnes and windings of Satan how cunning hee is in all his wayes anâ— transforming himselfe to an Angel of light labours our destruction in all things And the Lord having brought mee out of that bondage into thaâ— spirituall freedome which is in Christ for all thâ— Saints and I seeing many that are yet in spiritâ—â— all bondage and knows not what freedome there 〈◊〉 in Christ for them it doth cause my bowels of affection to yern to them Yet I should not presume 〈◊〉 set forth this in writing but that I have beene exceedingly moved by the Spirit of God to doe iâ— that I could not be quiet till I had begun it I haâ—â— done what I could before I did begin to doe it to pâ—â— those thoughts out of my mind bringing as many objections against it as I could but still the Spirit of God moved me more and more with motives to stirre mee up to doe it and many promises for the enabling of me to doe it knocking all the objections in pieces that came against it and this was one thing that was laid before me When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren And if thou lovest me feed my Lambs Ioh. 21.15 And another was I am no respecter of persons And also if we are the children of God we must be led by the Spirit of God to doe what hee would have us but after I saw it was of God I durst not refuse to doe it for obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Sam. 15.22 For I plainly see how dearly God loveth all man-kind but especially his children and those that are babes in Christ how great his love to them is yea even those that Christ is but newly conceived in If there be but a desiring really after God though there be yet no enjoyment of God hee will not quench smoaking flâ—xe and his love is as great to those that are the lowest and weakest Saints as to those that are the highest and strongest onely hee makes his love knowne more to them than to those that are yet weake and his making his love known to us causeth us to grow strong in him We all were weake at the first but be strengthens us by degrees as he revealeth himselfe to us more and more and so be will doe to you and when hee doth reveale any thing to any it is not only for them bit that they should declare iâ— unto others that tâ—ey may know what love Goâ— hath toward them that our weake brethren maâ— he strengthned and the lambs of God whicâ— are the young children of God may be fed 〈◊〉 and the doing of this aright is exceeding pleasinâ— to God Here is one signe of our love to God anâ— after wee have found our Beloved all our desire should be that we should be led wholly by the Spirit of God to glorifie him and setting forth hiâ— praise and not to fear the scandals reproaches oâ— the world which are like thornes springing uâ— by the Devill labouring to choake the purâ— truth of Christ but I passe not what scandals oâ— reproaches I meete with all by this booke settinâ— forth for truth doth always finde some great enemies and the more because it is written by a woman for there are some always that doe respect thâ— persons of people having mens persons in admiration Jude 16. My brethren have not thâ— faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glâ—ry with respect of persons Ja. 2.1 And 〈◊〉 shall come to pass in the last days saith Godâ— I will pour of my spirit upon all fish you sons your daughters shal prophesie you young men shall see visiions and your old me shall dream dreams and on my servant an on my hand-maidens I will pour out in thoâ— days of my spirit they shall prophesie Joel 2.28 Act. 2.17 18. When the children of Israel murmured for flesh to eate and Moses was not able to bear it the Lord bid him gather seventy men of the Elders of the people and the Lord toook off â—he spirit that was upon Moses and put upon them and when the spirit rested upon them then they prophesied and did not cease and there was two â—f that seventy that went not out of the Host and they also prophesied Then there ran a young man and told Moses and said Eldad and Medad doe prophesie in the host And there was one answered and said My Lord Moses forbid them but Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake Yea would
to God that all the Lords people were Prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them Num. 11. Here is the spirit taken off of Moses which was a type of Christ and then â—hey prophesied ceased not Truly friends when the Lord doth put that Spirit of Christ upon us then we shall speak forth the things of God for we cannot but speake the things that we have seen and â—eard and enjoyed and let none be found to desâ—ise the things of God I have here set forth to you the way of God as plain as I am able shewing you the subtilty of the Devil in all his ways and how like the ways of God many of his ways are but the Spirit of God in us doeh discern the difference and â—e will reveal himself in us by degrees that as wee are Saints we shall see know enjoy him whom our soul loveth and waite with patience while heâ— doth manifest himself to you And I beseech you read this over with patience and the Lord give you understanding I have shown you the bondage that we have been led in in the first place and then in the next place what Christ hath done for all how he is offered to all And in the third place what hee hath done for his Children and what they are in him to him and ye may see what difference there is between being led on in a legall way and being led by the Spirit of God I have beginn in the lowest way as I could shewing you by degrees the mysteries of God for your better understanding And if there be any thing in it that seemes to you not to be truth yet despise it not before you know whether it be or no Neither would I have you embrace for a truth while it is made cleare to you to be a truth but waite upon God for him to reveale his mind to you and if the Lord be pleased to crowne my labour by his Spirit working with it upon any of you it will be my joy for God to be glorified and for you to be benefited The which I shall heartilâ— pray for and remaine Yours in the Lord. Anne Yemans Crooked paths made STRAIGHT OR The wayes of God made knowne to the weakest SAINTS CHAP. I. The poore soule lying under the burthen of sin is wishing to be eased WHen the Lord comes and manifests himself to us that he hath sowed the seeds of himselfe in us which is the good seed spoken of in Mat. 13.3 Then immediately the Tares appeare which is sin and wickednesse then there is a crying out Men and Brethren what shall we doe Acts 3.38 and 19. 16. Master what good thing shall I doe thâ—â— I may have eternall life but while we are thinking of doing something for eternall life theâ— comes Sathans enditements against us anâ— layes our sins before us and tels us what Rebels we have been against the King of Heaven and hee brings the condemning power of thâ— Law before them Cursed is every one that dotâ— not all things that is written in the Booke Anâ— also in Deut. 28.12 And it shall come to passâ—â— if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voyce 〈◊〉 the Lord thy God to observe and doe all his Commandements which I command thee this day thaâ— the Lord thy God will set thee on high above a 〈◊〉 Nations on the Earth And all these blessing shall come on thee and overtake thee if thoâ— shalt hearken unto the voyce of the Lord thâ— God Blessed shalt thou be in the City and blessed in the field c. But thou finding that thoâ— hast not done it then the the 15. and 1â— verses of this Chapter and so along But 〈◊〉 shall come to passe if thou wilt not hearken untâ— the voyce of the Lord thy God to observe to doe aâ— his Commandements that all these curses comâ— upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thâ— be in the City and cursed shalt thou be in tâ—â— field And so going along threatning cursâ— for thy disobedience and all places of Scripture that is sutable to this is laid before thee and then thou being sore perplext to thinke how thou hast walked contrary to the minde of God and that he is angry with thee for thy sinnes and all the curses of God belong unto thee and hell and damnation gapes for thee then thou bethinkst thy selfe of the gracious call of Christ Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Then thou bethinkest thy selfe to goe to the Lord by repentance that so thou maist have rest then these places of Scripture sets thee on repentance Ezek. 18.21 But if the wicked will returne from all his sinnes that hee hath committed and keepe all my statutes and do that which is lawfull and right he shall surely live he shall not dye And vers 30. Repent and turne your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine and vers 31. to the end of the chapter Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby you have transgressed mee and make you a new heart and a new spirit For why will you dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turne your selves and live ye And Jer. â— 12 Returne thou backe-sliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon â—ou for I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for ever And Jer. 4.1 If â—hou wilt returne O Israel saith the Lord return unto me and if thou wilt put away thy abhominations out of my sight then shalt thou not remove And vers 14. O Jerusalem wash thy heart froâ— wickednesse that thou maist be saved how long shall thy vaine thoughts lodge within thee Hos 14.10 O Israel returne unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity And theâ— he saith vers 4. I will heale their back-sliding I will love them truly for my anger is turned awâ—â— from them Prov. 1.23 Turne you at my reproof Behold I will poure out my Spirit unto you I wilâ— make knowne my words unto you Isa 1.16.13 Wash you make you cleane put away the evill 〈◊〉 your doings from before my eyes Cease to doe evill learne to doe well seeke judgement relieve thâ— oppressed judge the fatherlesse plead for the widdom So here you see there is a repentance calleâ— for not only a repenting for the sins that iâ— past but a returning from thy evill wayes and doing that is pleasing in his sight Anâ— vâ—rs 18. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord when thou hast done this aâ—â—ghâ— then there is free passage for thee to goe to thâ— Lord and hee will reason with thee Thouhâ— youâ— sinnes bee as scarlet they shall be as white 〈◊〉 snow though they be red like crimson they shall 〈◊〉 as wool If
â—â—bideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 Except a man borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot eâ—â— into the kingdome of God John 3.5 Before we be thus called we differ nothinâ— from those that are but servants but when 〈◊〉 are called by this new worke wrought inâ—â— which is the time appointed of the Father then he will make known to us what hee haâ—â— prepared for us before the world began 〈◊〉 were heirs to it when we were dead in sins aâ— trespasses but did not then make it known 〈◊〉 us and to all these hee will give eternall liâ—â— I give unto them eternall life and they shall neâ—â— perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand John 10.28 29. Feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome Thou hast given him power over them that he should give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him And this is life eternall that they might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.23 And it is hee alone that doth bring us to the knowledge of himselfe Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man commeth to the Father but by me John 14.6 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee the way that thou shouldst goe Isa 48.17 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it Isa 30.21 And these that are his children he will overpower them with his Spirit and make them come unto him Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Psal 110.3 Wee are unwilling by nature to come to God but when hee commeth with his power he will make us willing to doe what he would have us Mat. 22. Goe yee therefore out into the high wayes and as many as ye find compell them to come to the marriage This was a spirituall compulsion for noâ— hath the power to make them willing but tâ—â— Spirit The Magistrate doth compell to aâ—â— outward conformitie but that cannot maâ—â— them willing it is only the worke of the spirit and hee will compell all his children 〈◊〉 come to this marriage and make them williâ—â— to come CHAP. IX It is the Spirit alone in us that doth 〈◊〉 in all PAul saith I desire not to know any thing â—mong you save Jesus Christ and him craâ—â—â—ed 1 Cor. 1.2 For by him he being crucifiâ—â— for us he hath obtained al things for us aâ—â— we cannot know that Christ was crucified 〈◊〉 us nor any thing what he hath done for 〈◊〉 but by the Spirit of God we may believe maâ—â— things to be truth because it is writ in thâ— Scripture and because many say it is truâ—â— but this is but the hearing of the eare noâ— knows it to be truth by the hearing of the eaâ—â— as the truth is in Jesus but by the Spiritâ— God alone For what man knoweth the things a man save the spirit of man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 This spirit of man must be one with man or else it cannot understand the things of man as the thoughts and mind and will and desires of man which is one and the same with man so the Spirit of God is one and the same with God or else it could not know the things of God But this spirit knows all things of God For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 1.10 And this Spirit God hath given unto us Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God And vers 12. of this Chap. God hath revealed â—hem to us by his Spirit And vers 10. So Christ hath done all things for us and hath obtained all things for us and wee cannot know â—his without his Spirit and therefore he hath and will give us his Spirit that we may know â—t and have the enjoyment of it Man as man â—s not able to understand the things of God because man is carnall and the things of God â—re spiritual and a carnall apprehension cannot apprehend spirituall things The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 As wee are naturall we cannot know the things of the Spirit wee are not able to discerne them The eye of man hath not seen nor thâ— eare of man heard neither hath it entered into thâ— heart of man the things which God hath preparâ—â— for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 All the excellencies of man cannot bring us to know anâ— thing of the mysterie of God for every man iâ— beast by his owne knowledge Jer. 10.14 Jer. 51 17. I understood as a beast saith David How 〈◊〉 that according to a carnall apprehension anâ— a carnall imagination for the highest moâ—â— excellent thoughts that wee as we are men 〈◊〉 have of God is but according to our carnal imagination All the wisdome of man is bâ—â— foolishnesse with God 1 Cor. 2.20 Therefoâ—â— his wisedome cannot bring him to know thâ— things of God nor humane learning cannâ—â— doe it for then the Scribes and Pharisees anâ— the high Priests and Elders would have knowâ— Christ but they said Which of us hath beâ—â—ved him at any time And Paul had a great dâ—â— of humane learning yet that did not briâ—â— him to know God for hee was a persecuter 〈◊〉 the Church of God Gal. 1.13 Yet none 〈◊〉 the Apostles had so much humane learning 〈◊〉 he yet he did not come to know the minde 〈◊〉 God the things of God by the teachings of man Now I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me was not after man For neither received I it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.11 12. So it was by the Spirit of God revealed in him that brought him to know the things of God For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world to confound the mighty things And vile things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28 29. God strips us of all the excellence of the flesh lest wee should thinke by any thing that is of us brings us to the knowledge of God and so wee
not away the Comforter will not come but depart I will send him unto you John 16. â— So when hee departed from them in the â—â—dy hee did send his Spirit to them and only to them but to all his children to and of the world He shall abide with you â—â—ver I will not leave you comfortlesse I will to you John 14.18 So he departed from them in flesh and 〈◊〉 â—nto them in Spirit and remaineth with his Church for ever and is a greater Comforter â—o his Church in Spirit than hee was to his Disciples in his flesh when he was with them â—o Christ hath given us his spirit freely that we â—ay see the things that are freely given to us â—f God So in thy light saith David we see light Though wee as wee are men cannot see the â—hings of God but as we are Saints and have â—he Spirit of God so we come to see the things of God for the Spirit of God in us seeth the â—hings of God and so far as hee revealeth the â—hings of God to us so far wee see them with his s pirituall eye of himselfe The Lord is my â—ight Psalm 27.1 So in this light we see God who is light For ye were sometime darkenesse â—ut now are yee light in the Lord Ephes 5.8 For thou art my lamp O Lord and the Lord will â—ighten my darknesse 2 Sam. 22.29 So farre as God hath revealed himselfe to â—n so farre we have seen him with the light of himselfe And so farre as we have not seene him with the light of himselfe so farre we are â—n darknesse still and so farre as hee hath revealed himselfe to us hee teacheth us all things and brings all things to our remembrance For therefore hee was sent unto us to teach us to know what Christ hath done for us and to know the things that are freely given to us of God and to be our Comforter There is 〈◊〉 Comforter like this for he is alwayes in 〈◊〉 and knows our trouble there is not any thiâ— hid from him for we have not an high Prâ—â—â— which cannot be touched with the failing 〈◊〉 our infirmities but was in all points tempâ—â— like as we and yet without sin Heb. 4 1â— For in that he himselfe hath suffered being templâ— he is able to succour them that are tempted Hâ—â— 2.18 Christ hath suffered in all manner of afflicâ—â—â—ons both spirituall and temporall thereforâ— his Spirit is a sufficient Comforter to comfoâ—â— us in all our troubles with the love of himselâ— and in upholding us in it and to bring us 〈◊〉 of them when he sees it is for his glory and 〈◊〉 good Thus the Spirit seeth the things 〈◊〉 God For the 2d. It is the Spirit alone that hearâ— the things of God He that hath an eare to heaâ— let him beare Mat. 13.9 Mâ—r. 4.9 He that haâ—â— an ear let him beare what the Spirit saith unto tâ—â— Churches Rev. 2.7 It must be such an eare as can heare what thâ— Spirit faith It is only the Spirit that can heâ—â— the Spirit speak that knows the languageâ— the Spirit and none else man may or can hâ—â— what man speaketh and of the minde of Goâ— as it is writ in Scripture and to heare it in thâ— letter as it is in the letter but to hear it so as to understand know what it is in the truth of it as the truth is in Jesus none knowes it but the Spirit of God for it is spirituall The word that I spake unto you is Spirit and life and this word is Christ And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory 〈◊〉 of the only begotten of the Father ful of grace truth Joh. 1.14 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God John 1.1 So this word is spirituall for God is a Spirit John 4.24 And none can hear this word but that which is one and the same with it and therefore it is onely the Spirit of God which is one and the same with God which hath that hearing eare to hear what the Spirit saith and this Spirit of God heares all the mind of God yea all the secrets of God He doth heare what things they are that God hath prepared for them that love him and those things the eare of man as man cannot heare what they be for they are spirituall and heavenly glorious things and man is carnall and cannot heare them so as to understand it It is a strange language to him hee doth not know the meaning of it therefore he hath declared all things to his Spirit and hath given us his Spirit and so this Spirit of God in us doth heare the Spirit speake it speakes nothing but peace and love and mercy and goâ—â— will to us and what he hath done for us 〈◊〉 what he is in us and to us and what we are 〈◊〉 him and to him as we are Saints and 〈◊〉 Spirit will declare it to us by degrees that 〈◊〉 we are Saints wee shall know them for theâ—â—fore the Spirit was sent to us that throâ—â— him we may hear what God hath done for 〈◊〉 Thus have I shewed you in some measâ—â— that it is alone the Spirit of God that hearâ—â— the things of God for us For the 3d. It is the Spirit of God aloâ—â— that understands the things of God for mâ—â—â— as man cannot understand the things of Goâ— because they are spiritually discerned 1 Gâ—â— 2.24 And man is altogether earnall Mat. 1â— 13 They seeing see not and hearing bear nâ—â— neither doe they understand Isa 6.9 Mark 4 1â— John 12.40 Acts 28.26 How can they uâ—â—derstand that which they can neither see nâ—â— heare When Christ told his Apostles that he mâ—â— goe to Jerusalem and all things that are writâ— by the Prophets concerning the Sonne of Mâ—n fâ—â— be accomplished For he shall be delivered unto 〈◊〉 Gentiles and shall be mocked and spightfully 〈◊〉 treated and spit on And they shall scourge 〈◊〉 and put him to death and the third day hee shâ—â— rise againe And they understood none of thing and this saying was hid from them neither â—new they these things that were spoken Luke 18. â—1 32 33 34. They were the Apostles of Jesus Christ and â—â—e chose them among his Disciples to goe and â—â—reach the Gospel to all the world yet they 〈◊〉 they were men they understood not those â—â—ings in the mysterie what should be brought 〈◊〉 passe by those things They could not chuse 〈◊〉 know what those things meant outwardâ—y when he told them so plainly what things â—e must suffer for they could do no other but â—now those things outwardly but those sayâ—â—gs spirituall were kept from them that they â—â—derstood them not For man as man canâ—ot understand any thing but that which is of â—â—n For the things of God knowes no man Hee â—ay hear much with the eare and speak much 〈◊〉 that which hee
hath heard as the Eunuch â—â—d he read in the Prophet Isaiah and Philip â—â—ent to him and heard him read and he said â—â—to him Vnderstandest thou what thou readest 〈◊〉 he said how can I except some man guide me 〈◊〉 8.30 31. The heart of man is darkned that 〈◊〉 cannot understand the things of God Rom. 1. â—1 And that which is darknesse cannot comâ—â—hend light therefore the Eunuch said how 〈◊〉 I understand Can flesh understand the spiâ—â—t for they are contrary one to the other For we have need of one to teach us and it is oâ—â— the Spirit of God that doth know and theâ—â—â—fore it is hee alone that can teach us for 〈◊〉 doth know all things of God for hee is 〈◊〉 with him and is the very God therefore 〈◊〉 knows all things For he searcheth all things 〈◊〉 the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 As mâ— hath an eye to see and an eare to heare and heart to understand and other members suâ—â—ble for man to see and heare and understanâ— and perceive the things of man So for 〈◊〉 weake capacity God is set forth to us in 〈◊〉 Scripture by those things as an eye to see bâ—â—cause hee sees all things Neither is there 〈◊〉 creature that is not manifest in his sight 〈◊〉 all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of 〈◊〉 with whom we have to doe Heb. 4.13 And he is said to have an eye to see all our actioâ— and hee also seeth all the things of God in 〈◊〉 truth of them as the truth is in Jesus Aâ— therefore he is said to have an eye because 〈◊〉 the eye we see and so an eare to heare Wâ—â— you are in trouble call upon me and I will heâ—â— The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous â— eares are open to their crye Psal 30.15 He hâ—â—reth all things both the things of God whâ—â— are spiritual and all things else so he is saiâ— have an eare because by the eare we heare for our weake capacity God is said to havâ— eare because he heareth all things And so he is said to have a heart for with the heart wee come to understand thinke know and believe the things of man I know the thought that I have to you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and love and good will Isa 55.8 My thoughts are not as your thoughts Psal 139.17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto mee O God how great is the summe of them So the Lord hath thoughts towards us but we as wee are men know them not and he understands all the wayes of man and knows them for he is the maker of man therefore he must needs know all the wayes of man and he also knows all the things of himselfe and none can know the things of God but that which is one with God and that is alone the Spirit of God and he doth understand and â—hinke and know and believe the things of God For the first he doth understand the things of God Hee it is that doth understand the â—ruth of those things that he doth see heare There is a secret mysterie in all the things of God and it is all hidden from man as man â—e doth not nor cannot know any of them â—or understand any thing of them but the Spirit of God doth understand them all even â—he most secret things of all and all those excellent things that the Spirit of God doth seâ— and heare and understand what the truth of it is they are all purchased by Christ for thâ— children of God and is all kept in store is Christ for us to be revealed by this Spirit iâ— us and to us at the time appointed of the Father So the Spirit of God being given to 〈◊〉 makes us Saints so as we are men we understand not any thing of God yet as wee anâ— Saints and have the Spirit of God this spiriâ— in us understands all the things of God anâ— so by degrees reveales it in us and to us thâ—â— as we are Saints wee understand the minde 〈◊〉 God and those things that are laid up in stoâ—â— for us and this Spirit of God doth thinke the thoughts of God it thinkes all the excelleâ— thoughts that God thinkes for it knowes alone the thoughts of God what he hath to hiâ— children in the purity of them So though 〈◊〉 we are men wee cannot thinke the thought of God nor any thing aright of God yeâ— this spirit of God in us knows al the thought of God to us and it thinkes those thoughts oâ— God that God would have It thinks and sâ— by degrees reveales in us as we are Saints whaâ— the thoughts of God to us are this Spirit 〈◊〉 God knows all the things of God he doth nâ—only understand what the meaning of thâ—â—â— things are that hee sees and heares but hâ—â— knowes them to be very truth because hee is one and the same in it therefore man cannot know any thing of God For as he is man he is not one with God and to know is to be certaine that it is so and how can man be certaine that that is truth that hee can neither see nor hear nor understand it to be so But the Spirit of God is one with God therefore hee knowes it to be truth for hee searcheth all things and knows them all yea the deepe and most secret things of God all is for the Saints So the spirit in us knows all the things of God though man as man is quite ignorant and knowes not any thing of the ways of God so this Spirit brings us as we are Saints to know the things of God in his time Prov. 2.5 6 7. Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God For the Lord giveth wisedome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and understanding Hee layeth up sound wisdome for the righteous This Spirit doth bring us to know God for wee must first know God before wee can know the things of God so the Spirit leadeth us in that way that brings us to know God and that way is Christ Jesus for through him wee know God and hee brings us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ which to know him is to know the fulnesse of our happinesse for out of him God is an enemie to us but in him God is as well pleased with us as he is with Christ for through him wee have free passage to goe to God and Paul prizes the knowledge of Christ above all things in the world Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I might winne Christ and be found in him For to know Iesus Christ is to know al things for we cannot know him as he is but we shal know what we are in him Ephes 1.17 18. That the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him The eye of your understanding being enlightned that wee may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints The spirit in us knowes all things and heâ— believes all the things of God and none can doe it but he because none knowes the things of God but he and those things that he doth see and heare and understand what they are and knowes them to be truth therefore the Spirit believes them and this faith is a perfect faith he believes fully all things of God in every tittle there is no imperfection in it hee believes all things that Christ hath done for us and what he hath obtained for us Thus the Spirit of God in us believes all the things of God for us and without this faith we cannot be saved for by this faith we are justified This faith is that eye that sees all the things of God for it sees all things that Christ hath done for us and we as we are men we cannot believe the things of God because they are spirituall and we are carnall and cannot know spirituall things therefore we cannot believe them for it is impossible to believe that which they doe not know but though we as we are men and women doe not nor cannot believe yet the Spirit of God in us doth believe perfectly all the things of God for us So as we are Saints we believe the things of God through the Spirit of God God would have man to be saved and that hee should come to the knowledg of his truth and believe what Christ hath done for him and lay hold on Christ by faith that hee might be saved but man cannot doe it therefore God sent his Spirit to us that he should doe it for us in us so by this faith wee are justified for this is perfect and wee may have this spirit in us that doth believe God in Christ and wee aâ—we are men know it not yet the spirit of God is always the same with God and in his time he will make knowne in us and to us aâ— we are Saints that we have this saving justifying faith in uâ—â—and make known in us by degrees what our pledges are in him 4thly It is the Spirit of God alone that can doe the works of God man cannot doe any thing that can please God for all the workeâ— of man as man are evill continually Even the best performances that he can performe aâ—â— those performances that Paul performed beforâ— his Conversion For all that is not faith iâ— sinne and man as man hath not faith therefore all his works are evill and that which 〈◊〉 evill cannot please God and the way of God is past mans finding out John 6.28 29. Whâ—â— shall wee doe that we might worke the workes 〈◊〉 God Jesus answered and said unto them This 〈◊〉 the worke of God that ye believe in him whom 〈◊〉 hath sent This is the worke of God and it is only the Spirit of God that can doe it in man so man We doe just as the Apostles did wheâ—â— they went a fishing when Christ was abseâ— from them they toyled and laboured all thâ— night to get fishes and could get none Bâ—â— when Christ came to them hee bid them 〈◊〉 downe the net on the right side of the shippâ—â— and eâ— shall finde and they were not now able 〈◊〉 draw the net for the multitude of fishes John 2â— 6. So wee labour and toyle our selves in the night that is before the light of Jesus Christ appeares to us that wee may see him present with us by his Spirit wee labour in our owne way and strength to doe those things that should please God but wee labour on the wrong side of the shippe all our labour is in vaine there is nothing to be gotten but Christ comming to us by his Spirit to tell us the net must be cast in on the right side that is in a spirituall way for we have laboured in a carnall way and could find nothing And what is this net but that which catcheth something so the Spirit of God hee cast in the net that way that God would have him for us hee doth the whole worke of God in beleeving Jesus Christ and performing all obedience to him for us in us and hee makes knowne to us by degrees what the minde of God is and so wee finde in us that hee doth those things in us that hee doth reveale to us that we should doe it and as wee are men we cannot doe it so hee doth it in us making use of the members of man as instruments to performe the workes of God and hee makes us willing to yield to him for he over-powers us and so God accepts of it so the spirit casting in the net of right performances to God in us hee brings forth to us from God through Jesus Christ such a multitude of severall manifestations of the love of God to us in Christ Jesus and shewing us what we are in him that wee are not able to draw them forth wee cannot comprehend them as we are men so for us to labour on the wrong side of the ship is in vain Isa 49.4 Then said I I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain yet surely my judgement is with the Lord and my worke with my God Deut. 32.4 He is the rocke his worke is perfect for all his wayes are judgement a God of truth and without iniquity just and righteous is he Thus the Spirit of God doth the works of God for us in us and we have the comfort of it and it is he alone that doth make us accepted with God Wheresoever there is a manifest appearance of the Spirit of God in any one there hee purges and sanctifies that man or woman in their conversation by his acting in them and this Spirit of God seasons those actions that he acts in us making use of our members and our members being carnall and fleshly the acting of the spirit through us cannot appeare so pure and excellent as it is in it selfe for it is clouded with the vaile of our infirmities but the Spirit seasons the acting that hee acts through our flesh and so hee makes them accepted with God This is the Altar that sanctifieth the offering Christ is â—oth a King a Priest and a Prophet and hee â—ath made us so with him as we are Saints He â—as a Priest to offer sacrifice for all and this â—acrifice that hee did offer was his body and â—he Altar that he did offer it on was his diviniâ—y and this Altar sanctifies the sacrifice Mat. â—3 19 So this Spirit of Christ which is one â—ith God in us sanctifieth all those perforâ—ances that he acts through us they are offeâ—ed all of them upon
that thou hast anâ— be as well contented with that thou hast received of God as if thou hadst more still waiting patiently for a further manifestation 〈◊〉 himselfe to thee for he will doe it by degree by his Spirit in his time in us and ye shall sâ— in some measure that hee prepares the way 〈◊〉 the Lord for us for the way of the Lord is toâ—â— hard for man to finde out but he findeth oâ— the way for us Ier. 10.23 I know that the wâ— of man is not in himselfe it is not in man thâ— walketh to direct his steps It is only the Spiâ—â— of God that can doe it for there are maâ—â— stumbling blockes to be taken out of the way which is only the worke of the Spirit to doe â—hen there will be a pleasant way to walke in CHAP. XI â—f the two seedes Of the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent THe two seedes are a great stumbling-block in our way to hinder us while we come 〈◊〉 some measure to discerne the difference aâ—ight betwixt them which is the work of the â—pirit to doe it Our God revealing himself to 〈◊〉 is Children and shewing them the mystery â—f his wayes in the truth of it in some measure â—e makes them instrumentall many times by â—is Spirit to bring others to know the things â—f God and therefore he reveales himselfe to â—ome in a greater measure and in a more highâ—â— and glorious manner and enables them to â—peake to us those things that God hath made â—nowne to them that others might know the â—â—ings of God it is not because God loves â—â—em better than hee doth them that hee hath â—ot revealed himself too for he is no respecter 〈◊〉 persons for he loves all his children alike â—ith the same love that he loves Christ withal but he makes them instrumentall for the goâ—â— of others When Christ was to suffer he prayed to 〈◊〉 Father Iohn 12.28 29 30. Father glorifie thâ— Name Then came there a voyce from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie 〈◊〉 againe Then the people that stood by and heaâ—â— it said that was a thunder others said an Aâ—gel spake to him Iesus answared and said Tâ—â—â— voyce came not because of mee but for your sakâ—â— So the manifestations of the love of Gâ—â— and the things of God made knowne to anâ— it is not only for their sakeâ— but also foâ—â—therâ— so if the Spirit of God workâ— by thâ—â—â—strument in them that heares they have 〈◊〉 benefiâ— of it But if the Spirit doth not wiâ—â—â— is us those things that are spoken to us thâ— those things are truth and belongs to us thâ— instrument cannot worke upon us so let 〈◊〉 heare the instruments speake but it is the Spirit alone that can witnesse I shall in soâ—â— measure shew you the difference of the tâ—â— seedes and leave the successe to God Gen. â— 15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and tâ—â— woman and betweene thy seede and her seede 〈◊〉 shall breake thy head and thou shalt bruise 〈◊〉 heele The seed of the woman was Christ Gal â— 16. and the seede of the Serpent was thâ—â—â—vill And seede is to be sowne and the nature of seed is to bring forth that which is one and the same with it There is the seede of God which is one and the same with God which is Christ not as hee was man but as hee is God This is the good seed that is sown in all and this seede which is spirituall being sowne in us which is the Spirit of God in us is the seede of God and it is one with God Now as a seed is but a small matter to the whole bulke so the seede of God in us is but in a small measure to that fulnesse which is in God yet it is one with him Mat. 13.30 31. The Kingdome of heaven is like a graine of mustardsâ—â—de which a man taketh and soweth in his field Which indeed is the least of all feeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and it 〈◊〉 a tree so that the birds of heaven come and build in the branches thereof This parable Christ spake concerning thâ— seed of God sown in his children that though they have this seede in a small measure and that which they have may lye hidde a great while in them that they cannot perceiv it nor doe not know whether they have it or no â—et then God is making a way for a cleare manifestation to us that it doth begin to spring â—â—rth in us and he waters it daily with the â—â—reames of his owne selfe which is only that which doth make it grow and the Sonne of righteousnesse shining upon it makes it spring forth and grow by degrees and flourish in 〈◊〉 that it will appeare very glorious for it is the seed of God and it is like God and it is God And this seede being sowne in the children 〈◊〉 God hee makes it fruitfull there will bâ— fruits sutable in some measure to the seed in 〈◊〉 and more and more as this seed grows up in 〈◊〉 it will appeare more glorious and will bring forth fruits sutable to God and over-powâ—â— us and bring our wills into subjection 〈◊〉 himselfe that wee shall be willing for him 〈◊〉 reigne over us and so farre as he revealeâ— himselfe to us with his power to over-power 〈◊〉 wee are willing to be what hee would have 〈◊〉 and doe what hee would have us doe so God accepts of it and will reward us for it so also there is the seede of the Serpent that 〈◊〉 sown in all man-kind by his overcomming Adam and so getting an interest in him and for him in all man-kinde And the seed of the Serpent which is the Devill for it was hee iâ— the Serpent that overcame Adam is one anâ— the same with the Devill and he is also a Spirit and this seed of the Devill is sown by hâ—â— in all Mat. 13.24 25. The kingdome of God 〈◊〉 like a man which sowed good seed in his field Bâ— while men slept there came his enemie and soâ—â— tares among the Wheat and went his way God did sowe nothing in Adam but that good seede of himselfe there was no evill in him hee was made after the Image of God for spirituall things but the Devill being the enemie of God he envied mans happy condition hee came and sowed that evill seed of himselfe in Adam and in all man-kinde and his seede in us is the same as he is though it be small in it selfe yet it being sowne in us it quickly takes roote in us and appeares for this comes naturally and there is nothing to let and hinder it from growing in us except the Lord doth blast it by a new work wrought in us which comes not by nature and the Devill doth water this seede of himselfe in us with the streames of his temptations and causeth it to flourish and grow
saith not to the seedes as speaking of many 〈◊〉 but unto thy seede as of one which is Christ Abraham was a type of God and Isaa◠〈◊〉 type of Christ and the promises are promised to this seed Gen 17.7 8. I will establish my Covenant betweene me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be God unto thee and to thy seed after thee And I will give thee and thy seede afâ—â—â— thee the Land wherein thou art a stranger evâ—â— all the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God And vers 21. of this Chapter he saith My Covenant will I estâ—blish with Isaac And vers 19. And I will establish my Covenant with him an everlasting Covenant â—and with his seed after him All the promises are to Christ and his seâ—â— which is sowne in the Saints for that i◠〈◊〉 with Christ and all the land of Canaan 〈◊〉 promised to him and his seed The land of Câ—naan waâ— a type of heaven so heaven iâ— pâ—â—mised to the seed of Christ with Christ Christ obtained it of his Father for us by his suffering Heb 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 8.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified All that Christ did doe or suffer was for man he was made perfect for them and the children of God hath the whole benefit of it so they are made perfect in Christ Hee is the author of eternall salvation unto all them for they are the seede of Christ not as they are men but as they are Saints CHAP. XII How the seede of Christ is the Church of Christ or the Spouse of Christ CHrist hath purchased of his Father a chosen people to himselfe in his Father he is a common salvation to all but a speciall salvation to them and them he will make known hiâ— love and mind unto by degrees This seed of himselfe in them is the Church of Christ and the Church of Christ is the body of Christ Ephes 1.23 Not as he was man but 〈◊〉 he is God he iâ— a Spirit and the Church which is his body must be spirituall too and sutable to Christ for hee is the head of the Church Ephes 5.23 So the seede of himselfe being sown in all the Saints is the body Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the bodie vers 25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that bee might present is to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and wiihout blemish That seede of Christ in us is perfect and Christ came not to purge sanctifie and wash it but to wash us as we are men and women to purge away our sinnes by his blood and to sanctâ—fie and wash us in our conversation by his Spirit in us We have a neare relation to Christ as he was man for we are members of his bodie of his flâ—sh and of his bones Ephes 5.30 He tooke our nature upon him that he might obtaine all things for us as wee are men and he is the Saviour of our bodies Ephes 5.23 For our bodie is the temple of the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 Know yee not that yee are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If 〈◊〉 man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God is holy which tâ—â—ple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. For ye are not yoâ— owne ye are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 He hath redeemed us to himselfe that we should serve him in all love hee hath done all things for the glory of himselfe and that we should have the benefit of it and he doth purge his Temple for himselfe to dwell in but as we are men there is no good in us nor no inclination to good we are but poor earthen vessels yet hee himselfe is pleased to dwell in us by his Spirit For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.6 7. So it is not our bodies that is the Church for our bodies are not one with God for it is but an earthen vessell for the Spirit of God to dwell in But this Spirit being in all the children of God makes one body Now yee are the bodie of Christ and members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one bodie being many are one body so also is Christ For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one body whether wee be Jewes or Gentiles whether wee be bound or free and have been all made to drinke inâ—â— one Spirit For the body is not one member but many If the foote shall say because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the eare shall say because I 〈◊〉 not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were heâ—ring where were the smelling But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him And if they were all one members where were the body But now are they many members yet but one body And the eye caâ—â—â— say to the hand I have no need of thee nor agaiâ— the head to the feet I have no need of you Nâ—â— much more those members of the body which seeâ— to be more feeble are necessary But all thâ—â—â— worketh by one and the selfe same Spirit dâ—viding to every man severally as he will 1 Câ—â— 12.11 to the 22. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift 〈◊〉 Christ Wherefore he saith When hee ascended 〈◊〉 on high he led captivity captive and gave gifâ— unto men He ascended up far above all heavâ—â— that he might fill all things And he gave some â—postles and some Evangelists and some Pastors 〈◊〉 Teachers For the perfecting of the Saints for 〈◊〉 work of the Ministery for the edifying of the boâ—â— of Christ Anâ— growing up into him in all thiâ—â— which is the head even Christ From whom 〈◊〉 whole bodie is fitly joyned together and comâ—â—cted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh encrease of the bodie unto the edifying of it selfe in love Ephes 4.7 8.10 11 12.15 16. Christ is the head and
his Church the body and every particular Saint is the members of it and Christ which is the head hath compact and fitly joyned this body together he being the head of it the head is the principall of all for that receives sustenance for the nourishment of the bodie as a tree receiveth nourishment by the roote for the sap is in the root and springs into the body and so infuseth into the branches and causeth them to bring forth fruit I am the vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing Joh. 15.5 Christ in all the Saints in the Vine and every particular Saint are the branches and Christ hath the fulnesse of the God-head which is the roote of all and the Church is of the seede Christ is the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1.23 He is the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God Col. 2.19 And he hath put all things under his feete And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body Ephes 1.22 23. So he supplieth the wants of the Saints with the infusing of the fulnesse of himselfe into them working effectually in them according to the measure that he infuseth in them in his wisedome so though we have but the manifestation of himselfe in a small measure let us not say I am not of the body because I have no more for the body cannot be without the foote but beâ— contented with that thou hast still desiring waiting patiently for more and those that are the weakest members in this spirituall body the Church hath as much honour with God as the highest members and are as glorious Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary and thoâ—â— members of the body which wee thinke to be lest honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comelinesse for our comely parts have no neede but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked that there should be no schisme in the body but that the members should have thâ— same care one for another And whether oâ—â— member suffer all the members suffer with 〈◊〉 or one member be honoured all the membâ—â—â— rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12.22 to the 26. And â—is Church is compared to a building and 〈◊〉 called a spirituall building whose builder and â—â—ker is God Ye are the Lords building and yee â—e built upon the foundation of the Apostles and â—rophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe â—â—er stone In whom all the building fitly fraâ—ed together graweth unto an holy Temple in the 〈◊〉 In whom you also are builded together for 〈◊〉 hobitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. â—â— 21 22. The foundation of the Prophets and Apoâ—â—es is Christ and he is the corner-stone Ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house 〈◊〉 holy Priest-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice â—â—ptable to God by Jesus Christ Wherefore it 〈◊〉 contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in â—â—ion a chiefe corner-stone elect and precious and 〈◊〉 that believeth on him shall not be confounded â—sa 28.16 It is he that is the builder and he â—uilâ—s his Church upon himselfe hee is the â—ooke and he faith Vpon this rocke will I build â—y Church This is sure builded Therefore whoâ—â—ver beareth these sayings of mine and doth them â—ill liken him unto a wife man that built his â—â—se upon a rocke And the raine descended and 〈◊〉 â—â—oods came and the winde blew and beate 〈◊〉 that house and it fell not for it was founded â—â—on a rocke Mat. 7.24 25. And he is the corner-stone that joynes the building fast toâ—â—â—ther and this corner-stone holds up the bâ—â—â—ding and in the corner two meete together he gives the Jewes and Gentiles to himself and the Spirit of himself in us is the stone thâ—â— he builds withall through that word of Gâ—â— that was taught by the Prophets and Apostâ—â—â— and this Church and building is the Spousâ—â— Christ a garden enclosed is my sister my Spouse spring shut up a fountaine sealed Cant. 4 1â— There is the nearest relation betwixt Gâ—â—â— and his Church as can be and all his fulneâ—â— of love and all glory and all happinesse for his Spouse but yet it is shut and sealed thâ—â— she cannot see it yet it is shut up in her beleved for her and he will come quickly It shâ—â—â— not be long before he will come and break open this seale to thee that art the Spouseâ— Christ There is none can doe it but he aâ—â— he will shew thee that fulnesse of happiness thâ—â— thou hast in him and how it was thine whâ—â— thou wert an enemie to him and he hath kâ—â— it in store for thee though thou knewest is noâ— O what sweet expressions of love hee utterâ—â— to her that she might know his love hee â—alâ— her my love my dove my faire one Cant. 2 1â— Thou art all faire my Love and there is no spâ—◠〈◊〉 thee And my Dove my undefiled is bu◠〈◊〉 Cant. 6.9 Though some be growne in some measure â—â—gh Saints and some lies low some have â—uch enjoyment of God some little and some â—one at all yet they are all his Love his Dove â—is undefiled and faire one They all but only thee is his Spouse hee hath but one love for them all he loves them all alike with an everlasting love and none can keepe them from him she is his Wife I have married thee to my selfe Hosea 2.19 20. I will marrie thee unto 〈◊〉 for ever yea I will marry thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in mercy and in compassion I will marry thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. The Lord hath married us unto himself before the foundation of the world for he knew what should come to passe but wee doe not know it for it is shut up in Christ and sealed and in his time he comes and breaks open this seale to us by degrees and opens himselfe to us and sheâ—s us that he is married to us he is our husband Jer. 31.32 and we are his Wife Let us be glad and rejoyce and give glory to him for the matriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her selfe ready Revel 19.7 O what comfort is this to every member of this Church that Christ is thy husband and thou art his wife My well-beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 There cannot be a nearer relation for hee being our husband aâ—â— things are ours in him whether they be thingâ— present or things to come even all are yours 〈◊〉 you are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22 23. And being married to Christ God 〈◊〉 our Father and
is 〈◊〉 Ishmael that persecuted Isaac Object But ought wee not to punish open â—â—etiques and blasphemers for if wee doe 〈◊〉 punish them they may seduce abundance â—eople and bring them into their blaspeâ—us wayes Answ All the way that ought to be used is the preaching of the Word which is the sword of God For the word of God is quick and powerfull and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is 〈◊〉 discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 And in Revel 1.16 speaking there of Christ it saith Out of his mouth wenâ— a sharpe two-edged sword which is the Gospel And it is the power of God to salvation Rom. 1â— 16 And I saw another Angel flie in the middeâ— of heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preacâ— to them that dwell on the Earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people Sayinâ— with a loud voyce fear God and give glory to him for the houre of his judgement is come and worshiâ— him that made heaven and earth and the Sea anâ— the fountaines of waters And there followed another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is faller that great Citie because shee made all Nation drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornication Rev. 14.6 7 8. Ye may see how powerfull the preaching 〈◊〉 the Gospel is to the destroying of errours Thâ—â— is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word God Ephes 6.17 which is powerfull to the beâ—ting downe of all strong holds of Satan And it sharper than any two-edged sword and will destroy this great City Anti-christ and 〈◊〉 it downe to the ground for this will â—nt â—â—nder all the joynts whereby it is joyned toâ—â—ther and the very soule and spirit and â—â—arrow of it whereby it doth live even the â—â—y life of it shall be destroyed by the preaâ—ing of the Gospel for this doth find out the â—â—undation of the building of Anti-christ and â—â—ll it downe and the building will fall of it â—â—fe and we are commanded to use this way â—â—d the Apostles did use this way and no oâ—â—er and they found it very beneficiall for by they were brought out of their errors and â—â—re was daily abundance added to the â—â—urch such as should be saved False doctrine â—â—th not so much power to build up errours 〈◊〉 the Gospel of Jesus Christ hath power to â—â—roy them if it be rightly preached and if 〈◊〉 goe any other way to worke in beating â—â—ne errours it will not doe it though you â—â—â—secute them to the death it will make it â—â—ead the more and make them that you perâ—â—â—te the more zealous for it I beseech you beloved take heed of these two â—â—â—gs of closing to all that we hear and builâ—â—â—g upon it before God makes it truth to us â—his Spirit and of hating and persecuting 〈◊〉 which is not truth to you for it may be â—â—â—th though God hath not made it knowne to you therefore hate it not nor persecutâ— it lest you are found to persecute God Judgâ— not before the time but leave all to God foâ— to him we stand or fall for that which is noâ— of God shall fall at the last But whatsoevâ—â— you heare desire the Lord to teach you by hâ—â— Spirit whether it be truth or no and waiâ—â— upon God using the meanes as hearing aâ—â— reading and the like but not depend upon 〈◊〉 but see God above it while hee doth please reveale himselfe to you and shew you what truth and whensoever he doth any time maâ—â— knowne any thing to you to be truth by suâ—â—â—cient grounds according to the word thouâ—â—â— it be never so sudaine that embrace and â—â—tertaine and rejoyce at any manifestation the love of God to you Despise not the day small things and though you see others soâ—â— higher in the enjoyments of God and in 〈◊〉 wayes of God than you yet be not troubâ—â— at it nor doe not envy their condition 〈◊〉 he is the same to you as he is to them thouâ—â— you see it not for the Lord saith he will faâ—â— Christ as a naile in a sure place and he shall be a glorious throne to his fathers house And shall hang upon him all the glory of his fathers hâ—â— the off-spring and the issue all vessells of â—â—quantity from the vessels of cups even to all vessels of flagons Isa 22.23 24. They all 〈◊〉 upon Christ even the small cups which are â—e lowest Saints as well as the flagons which â—e high On all the vessels in the house of the â—ord is a glorious one for it is Christ that â—akes them so and bee not troubled because â—ou seest many several opinions in the world â—or God is not limited to any one of them â—â—r God hath and will reveal his whole mind â—o his Church but every particular one knows â—ut in part and opinions are but the shels â—t us not strive for them for wee cannot live â—pon them if wee have the kirnell it is sufficiâ—â—t which is Christ for he is the substance â—nd all things else are but shels to him and let 〈◊〉 be willing for him to lead us by his Spirit â—nd he will lead us in the right way and they â—hat are grown high Saints and have abunâ—ance of enjoyment let them not despise nor â—â—dervalue those that are low There is all â—anner of growth of Saints among us and I â—peak to al sorts of you do not uÌ„dervalue those â—hat are not as you are for we are all brethren 〈◊〉 Christ and so wee are to esteeme one anoâ—her if there by any appearance of godlinesse â—â—â—r my dove my undefiled is but one Cant. 6.9 Give no just occasion to any to scandall reâ—igion become low to those that are low yet speaking the truth but in such a way as they may plainly understand you doe not speake of high mysticall things to those that are very low except ye speak them forth in a very clear manner for being they cannot understand it they conclude it is heresie so by it religion comes to be scandaliz'd but this meate is too strong for babes they must be fed with milke as Paul did 1 Cor. 3.2 I have fed you with milk and not with meate for hitherto ye were not able to beare it Heb. 5.13 14. For every one that useth milke is unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe But strong meate belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern both good and evill .. So by degrees feede them as they are able to beare it and do not dishearten any though they are never so low for consider that once ye were low your selves therefore bear with their weakenesse and infirmities And beloved let not us make a rent or schisme in this body the Church of Christ let not the Presbytery despise those that they call
hither Rev. 4.12 After this I looked and behold a doore was open in heaven and the first voyce which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said Come up hither and I will shew thee things that must be hereafter And immediately I was in the Spirit and behold a Throne was set in heaven and one sate on the Throne And being in the Spirit he comes to see it then after hee hath showne himselfe to us he shows us Anti-christ which is called the great Whore because we all commit spirituall fornication with her and here is a carrying us up higher in the Spirit to see her And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me and saying unto me Come hither I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carryeth her I will shew unto thee the judgement of the great Whore Rev. 17.17 And then after he hath shewed us the mysterie of the Whore and her destruction then he shews us the marriage of the Church to Christ in the mysterie in his glory And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wise And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountaine and shewed me that great Citie the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God having the glory of God Rev. 21.9 10 11. So we are carried up higher and hiher into God by the Spirit of God revealing the things of God in us and when the Spirit of God doth shew us God sitting upon his Throne in his glory in such a measure as we are enabled to see him then he shewes us Anti-christ in his glory or the Whore in her glory for it is one and the same as Christ and his Church is Christ being the head and his Church the body so Anti-christ which is the Devill transformed to an Angel of light is the head 2 Cor 11.14 and his seede in us all is the body which is called the Whore and she doth appeare very glorious And the woman was arraied in purple and scarlet-colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls Rev. 17.4 like the church of God the Lambs wife and without the Spirit of God doth shew us the difference betwixt her and the Church of God we do not know her from the Church of God for she is in the wildernesse where the Church of God is Rev. 17.3 So he carried me in the Spirit into the wildernesse and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast full of names of blasphemie having seven heads and ten horns By seeing the beast that she sitteth upon which doth beare her up and this beast doth ascend out of the bottomlesse pit Revel 11.7 Wee come to know her from the Church of God And there appeared a great wouder in heaven a woman cloathed with the Sun and the Moone under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve Stars And she being with child crying travelling in birth and pained to be delived This woman is the Church of God and is said lo be in heaven that is in Christ for hee is the perfect heaven and she is cloathed with Christ which is the Sonne of righteousnesse and all things that are below him is under her feete And she hath a crowne of twelve stars the glory of Christ that did appeare by that Doctrine that was taught by the twelve Apostles of Christ for the Preachers of the Gospel are called stars Rev. 1.20 Shee hath the glory of Christ and is cloached with him and he is with her and in her yet she saw it not hee had not manifested himselfe to her She was as it were with childe with him and in great paine desiring to have him brought forth to her that shee mighe see him as hee is and have the enjoyment of him and no sooner did this woman appear but there appeared another wonder in heaven And behold a great red Dragon having seven heads and tenne bornes and seven crowns upon his head and hee stood before the Woman which was ready to be delivered for to devoure her childe as soone as it was delivered Thus Anti-christ labours to devoure Christ as soon as he is brought forth in us appearing to us like unto Christ And there was warre in heaven Michael and his Angels sought against the Dragon and the Dragon sought and his Angels and prevailed not neither was their places found any more in heaven And the great dragon was cast out that old Serpent called the Devill and Satan which deceives the whole world hee was cast out into the earth and his Angels were cast out with him Here is the Devill made known to us how he is in heavenly places fighting against Christ but Christ hath overcome him and cast him out of his heavenly shape that hee shall not be able to overcome us He is called a red Dragon and a scarlet-coloured beast because hee persecutes and destroyes the Church of God and this Beast is spoken of in many places of the Revelations and the woman that sits upon it is the glory and seeming excellency of Antichrist and she also is cloathed with scarlet-colour which is persecution Though shee be cloathed in the most glorious manner as can be with gold and precious stones and pearls like the glory of Christ yet this is but to deceive us And she hath in her hand a golden cup full of abhominations and filthinesse of her fornication Being shee appeares so glorious to us like unto Christ and the cup that shee giveth us to drinke of appeareth so pure and glorious which maketh us not to question it but thinke that it is the cup of salvation So we drinke of her abhominationr and commit spiritual fornication with her and she sitteth upon all people multitudes and tongues and nations Rev. 17. Shee domineereth over us all and she is carried on swiftly in her abominations upon the backe of the Beast which was full of names of blasphemie which blasphemeth the name of God and ways of God And he hath seven heads perfection of wisdome he knows all the wayes of God and hee transformeth himselfe to the likentsse of them all And hee hath tenne hornes to persecute withall and he makes use of them so farre as God suffereth him and he hath all wayes to decive us in appearing like a Lamb to us having two hornes like a Lamb but speaking like a Dragon Rev. 13.11 and also appearing like Prophets in us Revel 16.13 14. And I saw three uncleane spirits like frogs comming out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet For they are the spirit of Devills working miracles And the Lord doth make the wayes of Anti-christ appeare
wee shall see our selves live in his life and dead to that life that wee did live to our selves Thus the Lord will strip us of all our excellent things bringing us into the wildernesse and shewing us that all our works are burnt up so far as they are of us but that which is of God in us is not burnt up but is purged from our drosse and will appeare very glorious and will make us silent for we shall have nothing to boast of but confesse that it is Christ in us which is that glory then we shal â—e that he is no respecter of persons for whatsoever he be whether he be a strict Jew as the Jewes were very strict as ye may see by Paul before his conversion Or a Gentile one that makes no shew of godliness but lives very loosâ—y as those Gentiles did which are spoken of â—n Rom. 1. yet when Christ reveales himself to them they shall finde that his love is the same to them as to them that have been most strictest When the Lord of the Vine-yard sent labourers into his Vine-yard he sent some at the first hour and some at the third hour and some at the sixth hour some at the eleventh hour and when hee came to pay them hee began with him that went in last and he had as much given him as he that went in first Mat. 20. Those that are but young Saints that have been but lately brought into Christ the Lord doth many times reveal himselfe in a very glorious manner to them before he doth to them that have laboured in the Lords Vineyard a great while and have had the seede of God appearing in them a great while Mat. 29.30 But many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first That we may know that God is no respecter of persons for wee are all one body and his love is as great to one member as to another Ephes 4.4 5 6. There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling One Lord one faith one Baptisme One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Col. 3.11 Christ is all and in all the Saints CHAP. XVIII How glorious the glory of Christ will appeare in his Church when he bringeth them out of the Wildernesse VVHen Christ hath stripped his Church off of all her goodly things then she hath nothing to trust too but on Christ Isa 2. Then the lofty lookes of man shall be humbled and the baughtinesse of men shall be bowed downe and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day For the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and hee shall bee brought low and the Idols hee shall utterly abolish And they shall goe into the holes of the rockes and into the â—aves of the Earth for feare of the Lord and for the glory of his Majestie when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth In that a man shall cast his Idols of silver and his Idols of god which they made every one for himselfe to worship to the Moles and to the Bats Hosea 14.8 Ephraim â—â—all say what have I to doe any more with Idols Isa 31.7 For in that day every man shall â—ast away his Idols of silver and his Idols of gold which your owne hands have made for a sinne When this day of the Lord is come to us then wee shall be willing to cast them away because the Lord shewes us the odiousnesse of them by the glory of himselfe revealed in us but before this day is come to us we had rather part from any thing than part from them But when he comes to give a full possession of himself then wee are willing to part from all thinge that are not of himselfe but hee doth not reveale all his glory to us at once but revealeth himselfe to us by degrees as wee are able to beare and containe him And as hee shewes himselfe to us so hee shewes us Antichrist and his destruction for the more incomes wee have of Christ the more of selfe and Satan doth appeare to us and is destroyed more and more by this fire of Christ For hee doth baptize us with the holy Ghost and fire Mat. 5. Acts 2. Who among us shall dwell with devouring fire who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings Isa 33.14 This fire of the Spirit of God never goes out but is always burning up that in us that is contrary to it selfe that there may be all the drosse burnt up And this fire is in Sion and his fornace in Jerusalem Isa 31.9 which is the Church of God Who is this that commeth up from the wildernesse leaning upon her Beloved Cant. 8.5 The Spouse of Christ seeâ— all other things faile her and she leaneth now wholly upon her Beloved shee is of her selfe like a barren wildernesse but now hee will cause the fuiâ—ts of his Spirit to appeare to grow and flourish in her The Wildernesse and the solitary place shall bee glad for them and the desart shall rejoyce and blossome as a rose It shall blossome abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon they shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God Isa 35.12 The Spirit shall be powred upon us from on high and the Wildernesse be a fruitfull field and the fruitfull field bee counted for a Forrest Then judgment shall dwell in the wildernesse and righteousnesse remaine in the fruitfull field And the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and the effect of righteousnesse quietnesse and assurance for ever And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places and none shall make her affraid Isa 32.15 16 17 18. Now is the time come for us to see that the marriage day is come when he doth come and manifest himselfe in us in a glorious way to tell us what he is to us and in us and what wee are in him and to him when hee thus comes to us that day is the marriage day to us Rev. 19.7 8 9. Let us be glad rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her selfe ready And to her was granted that shee should be arraied in fine linnen cleane and white for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints And he said unto me write blessed are they that are called to the marrioge supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me These are the true sayings of God Rev. 20.9 10 11. And there came unto mee one of the seven Angels and talked with me and said unto me Come hither and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambes Wife And hee carried mee away in the Spirit to a great and