SHORT DISCOVERY OF THE STATE of MAN Before The fall in the fall and out of the fall againe wherein is also laid open the ignorance and error of Robert Hall Preacher at Colebrooke in Buckingham-shire and Edmund Board of the same Town a Professor who are contentious obeying not the truth which they be erred from but do oppose themselves against it as may be seen with the single eye in that which followeth by W B The Lord frustrateth the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners mad he turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolish Isa 44 25 But the secrets of the Lord are with them that feare him Psa 25 14 IN the 4th Moneth 59 At a meeting in Colebrooke as I was moved of the Lord I spake these words verily verily I say unto you except a man be born again he can in no wise enter into the Kingdome of God and I also declared that God made man in his image after his likenesse having dominion and was blessed of God Gen 1 26 28 also that this state was lost from Adam in which he was blessed â—y reason of sin and transgression which brought the curse marke man was made â—n the image of God and in that state was blessed here was the first word man in the â—mage of God that ever I read of in Scripture Let us make man in our image after â—ur likenesse and let him have dominion Gen 1 26 man in the image of God like God upright having dominion blessed of God marke this state was lost and erred from â—y transgression transgression lost the dominion shuts out of the kingdome therefore exâ—ept a man be born again he cannot enter into the kingdome or dominion of Gods nor â—e blessed of God nor be in the likenesse or image of God these things I did and doe still â—ffirme and testifie and that as Adam lost the dominion the peace and the blessing of â—od goeing from God into transgression so must all that ever enter the kingdome again which is righteousness peace and joy in the holy spirit come to the light which Christ â—esus hath enlightened them withall which shewes them sin and believe in it and â—â—ey it to be led out of transgression by it up to God again This is the work of the last â—dam to destroy the workes of the Divell to quicken up to God again and to bring again â—â—â—t which was driven away by transgression marke that Ezek 34 4 for it is your â—â—iquities that have seperated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you Isa 59 3 4 for this purpose was the son of God manifested to destroy the workes of the Divell 1 John 3 8 marke to destroy that which the Divell hath wrought disobedience transgression all unrighteousnesse and sin this the Divell wrought the old Serpent when he led man out from God who is light into darknesse the thick cloud the seperation Isa 44 2â— which must be broken down and destroyed by the power of God before fallen man can be reconciled to God again Now such were the things which these men Robert Hall and Edmund Board opposed saying my doctrine tended to no other thing then to bring people from Chriâ—t to be as the firâ—t Adam was who said they was not in Chriâ—t neither had he the holy spirit said Robert Hall in his first state but was earthly And that the breath of life which God breathed into man whereby he became a living soule was a created thing these things was by them spoken before many people bringing the Apostles words in their dark mindes where he said the first man is of the earth earthy c. now the Scripture is true the first Adam was in two states who will deny it but I query whether the first state of the first man was earthly seeing he was made in the image of God in his likeness without sin upright and was blessed of God having dominion and peace with God I know the first Adam became earthy when drove from God by transgression into the earth after he had transgressed and was afraid of God when he saw his nakednesse and hid himselfe marke he had a selfe now to hide after transgression then 't was I heard thy voyce and was afraid here was a division and seperation I and thy twaine after transgression but not before marke that so here is the state of the whole world in transgression afraid of God drove from God in the earth hiding and covering selfe and loving and imbracing that which God will destroy Now these men granted and confessed that man in his first state had peace with God and was without sin in the image likenesse and dominion of God and was blessed of God but said Robert Hall he had not then the holy spirit and said Edmund Board he was not in Christ in that state now this is to be considered with a sober mind in the light Christ Jesus is called the image of God who was without sin 2 Cor. 4 4 and man was made in the image of God before sin and transgression was after the likenesse of God and had dominion and was blessed of God and saith the scripture Adam which was the son of God Luke 3 38 Then I thus query could Adam be in the image oâ— God without sin in the likenesse of God the son of God at peace with God and blessed of God and yet not have the holy spirit nâ—r be in Christ is not God holy and can any be in his image like him but such as are holy or be in peace with him but who are holy seeing the scripture saith there is no peace to the wicked saith my God Isa 57 21 and without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb 12 14 and be yee holy for I the Lorâ— your God am holy Levit 19 2. 1 Pet 1 16. can any man be the son of God or like God or blessed of God and not bâ— holy let the just answer or can any be holy like God iâ— the image of God without the holy spirit if thou say no none can be like God whâ— is holy but such as are holy and that none can be holy without the holy spirit then whether man had not the holy spirit when he was in the image of God the sone of God in peace and blessed of God before sin and transgression was or can any be the sons of God at peace reconciled to God again without Christ and the holy spirit yea or nay or doe God speake peace to that which is nâ—t like him or is his blessing to two seeds or but to one Gal 3 16 yea or nay Now if any other shall say that man in his first state in the image of God before sin and transgression was when he was blessed of God had not then the holy spirit neither was he in Christ Then doe I query what and whose spirit was it which he had
a virgin in due time and is yet hid to and in such as walk in darknesse and from all transgressors who love the evill and darkness rather then the light Now when Moses and Israell was in the wildernesse and when they sinned in the wildernesse there was a rock which followed them marke some thing that 's hard to â—hem that sinneth and the Apostle said the rocke which followed them was Christ consider this well with a single eye he that was given for a leader and commander and goes before his own sheepe followeth them that sinned read within and he is the â—ight which lighteth every man that cometh into the world which is to lead up to God â—gaine out of the world to the beginning before the transgression or hills was So that this one seed which was a rocke in Moses dayes to them that sinned and calâ—ed a hard master by the sloathfull hath in processe of time many names though one â—ower in nature as he was called the word a child a son a stone the elect the foundation the doore the vine the lambe of God and slain from the foundation of the world and all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of â—ife 1 John 2 16 and he is called the lion of the tribe of Judah the saviour the redeemer the mediatour the way the truth the life the seed the wonderfull counsellour â—he mighty God the prince of peace the immanuell God with us the Messiah and Jesus which is called Christ all these names and more is given to the one seed now must people be pooring and imagining and contending about names letters and words which was given since the fall since transgression or be brought to the seed the word which was in the beginning the substance which was before the names and ends the names and the letters and the words and the imaginations strivings and contending about words to no profit and before transgression was who is the expresse image of the invisible God who now is come a light into the world and preacheth himselfe the light of the world John 8 12 and his witnesse declares him to be the true light that lighteth every man which cometh into the world full of grace and truth John 1 9 14. Now Reader if the blessed eye in thee be open and thou stand single in it thou wilt see someâ—hing in what I have written for the simple sake and for the truth sake and if thou can stand still and but see the truth then wilt thou see Robert Halâ— teacher at Colebrooke and Edmund Board in blindnesse and error and with a lye in their right hand who said man in his first â—â—ate before transgression who was the son of God in the image of God and blessâ—d of God â—ad not the holy spirit nor was in Christ but bare the earthly image and that the breath of â—â—fe which God breathed into man was a created thing let the sober minded with Gods witâ—esse the light in them judge whether that which made living be the created thing or that which was made living by it or whether a created thing can create and make living or whether that life in which we live move and have our being be the created or the creator let understanding judge Acts 17 28 Deut 30 20 Now this was the great error which Robert Hall charged against me viz. that I went to bring people from Christ to that state which Adam was in before the fall marke and consider and see what state Adam was in before the fall before transgression that was his fall and then see wherein I have erred if I had brought all people upon earth into that state or wherein I brings any from Christ as he hath said Adam before the fall was without sin before the fall was in the image of God in his state before the fall had dominion over the world and was the son of God in the likenesse of God before the fall was blessed of God Gen 1 Now if I had could or doe bring people to this state to be without sin to be in the image of God to be the sons of God to have dominion over the world to be blessed of God wherein is my error or what have I erred from herein or what are they erred from which are brought into this state let truth judge Now if any shall say we are erred from Christ or from God in Christ or from the spirit or from the doctrine of Christ I answer nay its he that transgresseth that abideth not in the doctrine of Christ and such hath not God 2 John 1 9 and the father son and spirit arâ— one and Christ is the first and the last without sin before sin and transgression was the desire of all nations the image and son of God glorified with the father before the foundation of the world to him and into him is our desire that people should come in which seed only the blessing is Gen 22 18 Gal 3 16 1 John 3 9 which all in transgression be erred from Then it was askt Robert Hall what he went to bring people unto by his preaching He answered he went to bring them from that state marke that Now if any people were come into that state to be without sin in the image of God the sonnes of God having dominion over the world and blessed of God as at the first read Isa 1 25 26 is it noâ— the worke of the divell of his ministers and messengers and angells to bring them out oâ— this state is not this the same worke which the divell the old serpent did when he broughâ— man from that state in which he was without sin and blessed of God at the first when hâ— transgressed and was driven out of paradice peace rest joy into the earth where he becamâ— earthly unsavoury unrighteous and unfruitfull to God and was it a work of the serpent then to bring from that state which God blessed whose blessing unchangeably and promises are 〈◊〉 the seed only and in the seed yea and amen 2 Cor 1 20 And is it not now the work of the divell the old serpent in Robert Hall and the rest of hâ—â— minde to bring people from that state which of God is blessed let them that fear God judgâ— and then see whose messenger and minister he is and whose will and work he doth and if he 〈◊〉 found doing the same work which the divell did when he brought man from his blessed staâ—â— into transgression then whether the son of God the light of the world will not destroy hâ—â— work seeing for this purpose he was manifested even to destroy the works of the diveâ—â— 1 Joh 3 8 and whether he will not 〈…〉 … â—her the wages of sin be not death and whether it be not a sin to bring people into sin from â—hat state which God doth blesse yea or nay and whether
there be any other state among men but the blessed and the cursed if not then whether he that brings from the bless d state do not bring under the curse and whether he that brings to the state blessed brings not from under the curse into peace with God into the image of God again into the resurrection and the life which was before death the curse and the fall so if it be not an error to bring people from all error into a blessed state out of transgression into the image of God to be the sons of God to have victory over the world through him who is the second Adam the light of the world the quickening spirit the first and the last then I am cleared of that which Robert Hall himself is in and the blessing of God is to him that brings into the blessed state and is in the blessed state which was before sin and transgression was the first and the last Cant 12 3 Rev 22 13 14 Mat 5 9 Also this Edmund Board said that he was through grace in a more glorious state then Adam was in before the faâ—l these are to high words for a lyar and that he was sate down with Christ in heavenly places and bad peace with God and was harmlesse and innocent and without spot and that the bloud of Christ had cleansed him from all sin Something of this I may leave to his neighbours at Colebrook to judge which knoweth his words and actions and conversation whether he be without spot or cleansed from all sin yea or nay if so then he have no sin but if he commit sin then he is a lyar and of his father whose works he doth now if it were so as he hath said he is cleansed from all sin so was man without sin before the fall for sin transgression was his fall and error and if he were without sin and had no sin and blessed of God before the fall then how much do Edmund Boards state exceed this in glory who saith the bloud of Christ hath cleansed him from all sin marke to be cleansed from all sin and to have no sin what difference is here if no sin had been committed there had been no need of being cleansed from it he said he is sate down with Christ in heavenly places now Christ is the image of God 2 Coâ— 4 4 and man before the fall was in the image of God Gen 1 26 he said he was innocent and without spot and had peace with God now if it were as he hath said was not man in his first state before the fall innocent and without spot is not sin the spot and had he not peace with God before transgression or was he afraid or hid himself before transgression or after read within or was he blessed in peace and dominâ—on before or after he had transgressed search the scriptures they testify of the truth and are a true declaration Gen 1 28 Luk 1 1 So that if any could believe that this professor were in a more glorious state then man was in before transgression was yet I would have them believe the truth also and search the scriptures for they testify of him which was before sin and transgression was glorified with the father before the world began who is the alpha and omaga the first and the last he that have ears to heare let him hear and understand a right Rev 22 13 Now if this man were cleansed from all sin without spot innocent sate down with Christ in heavenly places and had peace with God as he hath said yet in the light search him out further and see if we can find him in a more glorious state then man was in before the fall before transgression was who was made in the image of God the son of God and blessed of God then in peace having dominion over all before transgression and sin was then without sin the spot and innocent so that if he be not in a more glorious state then this then say I he is a lyar for he hath said he was in a more glorious state thâ—n Adam was in before the fall as many other can witnesse and if he be a lyar then of him which â—ed from 〈…〉 whose work 〈…〉 people 〈…〉 â—tate in which God blessed man before transgression was then he is noâ— innocent nor cleansed from all sin for lying is sin and the spot so not without spot not in peace nâ—â— blessed of God then not in so glorious a state as Adam was in before lying and transgression was buâ— shut out without are dogs and all lyars Rev 22 13 14 15 Now consider all them that are in transgression are in the fall in the adulterated seed to which thâ— curse is and not the blessing driven from God into the earth vagabonds cast out loosing the blessing aâ—â— that are in lying swearing pride covetousnesse wantonnâ—sse drunkennesse envy wrath frowardnesse corrupt communication lust whoredome idolatry deceit wildnesse prophanenesse mocking these are iâ— the fall lost cast out driven banished from God by transgression in the seed of evill doers which shall never be renowned but judged condâ—mned plagued and tormented day and night for ever and ever if they be not converted and changed into another seed and stock Cain the envious the vagabond driven from God Ishmaell the wild man the mocker cast out Esau the prophane person the cunning hunter lost the blessing hear this all professors who are of that stock and seed whose deeds are evill hateing the light with which you be lighted and all you ungodly ones every where which lets you see all your ungodly deeds and hard speeches and your perverse and crooked wayes you have walked in it s your condemnation in that state even the light John 3 19 which would lead you out of transgression up to God again did you love it out of the world to the beginning before the world and transgression was to Christ Iesus by whom the world was made the word which was before the words and letters and before the many things and names and languages and before the sects and opinions heapes and imaginations were the light leads out of all these up to him from whence it comes who hath a name above and before every name under heaven the saviour of the soule immortall glorified with the father the prince of peace who brings out of transgression and sin out of darknesse the curse and fall again all them that follow him in the regeneration and I say again except a man be born again he cannot inherit the kingdome of God which is righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy spirit so to whom this may seeme error as it hath to some my advice to such is come to the light which is true in thy conscience and be not hasty to speake evill of things thou know not as many as hath done but first cast out the beame and let it search thy heart and try thy reines and wayes and words and in it see if thou be not yet in the fall transgression and error for all that be from the lâ—ght are erred from the right way Christ the light the way the truth and the life who is the first and the last the image of God and so are in darkness not able to discern things that differ because darkness hath blinded the eye 1 Ioh 2 11 These things are not published in envy to any man upon earth but in true love to the seed and truth of God and for the sake of the simple who are tossed up and down with every winde of doctrine that they may come to the word which was in the begining which the true light comes from and in it be established By William Bayly Kingston upon Thames the 24th of the 4th moneth 59 London Printed the 6th moneth for Mary Westwood 1659.
when he was made in the image of God and blessed selfe was not before transgression and Christ being the image of God without sin 2 Cor. 4 4 and man was made in the image of God before sin and transgression and selfe was blessed of God having dominion over the earth and the creatures then what or who stood he in if not in Chriâ—t or what spirit was he guided and upheld by before transgression if not by the holy spirit or what was his fall and what fell he from when he transgressed did he fall from that which was earthly or from that which was holy pure and eternall of God yea or nay consider it But if any should say that mans firâ—t state was earthly as these men have said then say I man fell from that which was earthly for he fell from his first state by transgression did he not fall from that which he transgressed or doe any now fall from that which is earthly or from that which is heavenly when they transgresse and sin against God Let Gods witnesse in you answer Object But doe not the scripture say the first man is of the earth earthly and the second is the Lord from heaven and as we have borne the image of the earthly so shall we beare the image of the heavenly 1 Cor 15 47. Answ Yea it doth so and the scriptures is true but he speakes of a miâ—tery verse 51. which the blinde cannot see and a leight minde in vanity and lust and rebellion against God cannot weigh the weight of holy mens words being from the light in them the just ballance neither can men by the wisedome of this world comprehend and discerne spirituall things Therefore must all people upon earth be brought to the light which they be lighted withall which comes from Christ the first and the laâ—t the saviour out of transgression before they can see and know that state which was before sin and transgression was for in the dark thou cannot see things that differ iniquity is darkenesse but come to the light which condemnes sin and in it waite and thou wilt see a great difference between a state before sin and transgression was and a state in transgression between a state in peace and blessed of God in the image of God the son of God And a state under condemnation wrath and the curse of God out of his image out of his son a transgressor afraid of God without peace and the blessing of God for both these states Adam was in the first before he transgressed the other after transgression so the wages of sin is the curse and death which came by sin by transgression in which state Adam was drove from God into the earth Gen 3 24 and this image all transgressors have borne and the Apostle said yee were sometimes darkenesse c. envying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 living in malice hateing and hatefull Here was the image which they had borne but were waiting to beare another image to put on Christ and walk in him who is the image of God 2 Cor 4 4 the first and the last Rev 1 17 Now if any can say that the Apostle or them to whom he thus spake had ever borne that image which Adam was in before sin or transgression entered into the world then let me know when it was they bore it if thou shall say when they were infants having done neither good or evill they were in that state then let me query whether all men since transgression in the naturall state were not conceived in sin and borne in iniquity yea or nay and whether the Apostle and them he spoke to had any other birth before regeneration in Christ the way to God againe the truth the light the life the first and the last the image of God Object But how could Adam be in Chriâ—t before Christ came into the world or was borne of the Virgin seeing Adam was made in the image of God long before could he be made in Christ or by Christ before Christ was how can these things be Answ The word Chriâ—t in letters CHRIST was not known neither was there any occasion of them before man had transgressed and lost that life in and by which he was created but the power which was in that man or body which suffered without the gate of Jerusalem was before the body or creature was made and it was the power of the most high which overshaddowed the Virgin and said he a body hast thou prepared me marke this was the life and power in the bâ—dy which spoke in whom the fullnesse of the God-head dwelt and he spake and prayed to his father which was in him John 14 11 so though he was not known by them letters or the name CHRIST yet he was with the father glorified before the world began and was the word in the beginning John 1 1 by whom the world was made who said before Abraham was I am John 8 58 but the name or letters CHRIST was not untill many hundred yeares after so thou may see that the Chriâ—t of God the word by whom all things was made was before it was made glorified with the father before Abraham and Adam and Moses and the names or letters were the image of God the blessed seed Then why was not man who was made in the image of God and blessed of God in that seed or power or image seeing the scripture saith he was made in Gods image and blessed of God Gen 1 26 28 or whethâ—r there be any blessing to more seeds then one and whether God did not say to Abraham in thy seâ—d shall all Nations upon earth be blessed Gen 22 18 and they that are Chriâ—ts are Abrahams seed and heires according to promise Gal. 3 29 in Christ in the seed in the heire in the image of God which was before Abraham was is the promises and the blessing 2 Cor 1 20 yea and amen and not unto seeds Gal. 3.16 Again in those dayes before transgressiâ—n was there was no need of a saviour or words or letters or names or preachings or teachings to bring man to God untill he had departed from him by transgression untill sin entered into the world and death by sin and darknâ—sse ignorance blindenesse captivity and bondage was there was no need to say beleeve in the light and come to the light and follow and obey it which shews you sin untill sin was and darknesse was sin could not be discovered where it was not or before it was there was no need to say know the Lord and feare the Lord and depart from evill and to tell of a redeemer untill ignorance transgression and bondage was and to say obey the Lord or his word vntill disobedience was so there was not need â—o mention the name Christ at that time neither was it though that seed was a mistery hid from ages and generations the seed of the Woman which bruises the serpents head which was borne of