Day of Visitation given unto them by their mercifull Creator to turn unto him from their sin to eat that which is good he saith Whosoever WILL let him come and take of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely So it plainly appeareth by this that God would have all people eat of his Bread and drink of his Milk and Wine which he hath mingled and if they do not eat and drink thereof and so live to God by the vertue of the same it is not because God fore-appointed that they should NOT do so but it is because they have given up their Minds and Ears to the Whisperings and Lyes of that old Deceiver which first led Man and Woman from God and so he hath corrupted their Wills so hath led them to love sin and to chuse to abide in it all their Dayes so the Selfish-corrupt-will which the Devil hath begotten in fallen Man this WILL doth not chuse Christ nor the Cross which his true Disciples bear nor the Bread of Life or Water of Life nor Wine nor Milk which they eat and drink of abundantly to their immortal Souls strength joy and comfort and the Glory of the Lord. So it is true which Christ said Ye will not come to me that you may have Life Moreover he wept over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. Mark He did NOT say that they could not but that they would not and this his Testimony is true Gods Spirit which convinceth the World of sin MOVETH upon the hearts of sinners to purifie their Wills that so they may chuse the good and refuse the evil and his Spirit doth EFFECT this in all that do not withstand his tender Visitation therein and thereby till the day of their Visitation be over or ended when God moveth by his Spirit upon the Soul of man in Transgression to lead him out of his Transgression he requireth a YIELDING on the Creatures part according to the saying of the holy Ghost through the holy Apostle who said As ye have yielded your Members Servants to Vncleanness and to Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants unto Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6. 19. Note Reader the merciful God hath made the Creature able so to yield and therefore he doth not require Imposibilities of him who requireth him SO to yield and if man prove so hard and desperate as not to yield to serve God as aforesaid this his Hardy boldness and Self-willfulness and desperate Uugodliness is the cause of his Ruin and Destruction and so man destroyeth himself as God hath said O Israel thou destroyeth thy self but in me is thy help Note Reader the fallen corrupt will of man cannot chuse the good and refuse the evil but the Spirit of Truth doth visit man in this estate to PURIFIE his WILL and so to enable andlead him to chuse the Good and refuse the Evil But Man in this fallen corrupt ungodly bold WILL may yea many do with-stand the tender Visitation of God's Spirit yea grieve and vex it and do despight unto it and so cause God to be their Enemy and to fight against them as saith the Prophet God complained and said Israel would have none of me He did not say I would have none of them but he sent his Prophets to turn them unto him and they evil-intreated them yea slew them for which his Wrath was kindled against them who commanded them saying Touch not mine anointed do my Prophets no harm And he said WO unto the rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me that COVER with a Covering but NOT of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. And he said concerning such rebellious Ones They have set at naught all my Counsel and would have none of my Reproof c. Such Rebels as these said unto God Depart from us we desire not the Knowledge of thy ways Such did not take the Counsel of the holy Ghost which saith Seek the Lord while he MAY be found call upon him while he is NEAR Isa 55. 6. So as the Apostle Peter said God is NO Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him God doth NOT Partially or IN dis-respect to SOME Persons foreordain that they shall be wicked and so to be damned and cast into the Lake of everlasting Misery NO that is contrary to his tender love who gave his only begotten Son for the Redemption of the World which lieth in Wickedness We have all sinned as saith the Apostle and God hath Mercy upon all as HE saith and wills that all may be saved He sent his Son to seek and save that which was lost and to bring back again to himself that which hath been driven away God saith concerning him Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles A BRUISED Reed shall he NOT break the smoking Flax shall he not QUENCH he shall bring forth Judgment unto Truth he shall not fail c. And the Isles shall wait for his Law Isa 42. 1 3 4. Matth. 12. 18 20. Objection It s written that without Faith it is impossible to please God and that the Just shall live by Faith But it s also written that all men have not Faith therefore those who have not Faith or never have or NEVER had Faith God did ordain to be damned before they were Born Answ This is a great Mistake for God who cannot LYE saith Look unto me and BE YE SAVED ALL the ends of the Earth Isa 45. 22. Gods Will is that all men might be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. Again As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live c. Ezek. 33. 11. and 18. 31 32 33. The Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin By this Visitation and CONVICTION they are brought into a condition that they may believe that which convinteth them of sin leaves them without Excuse justly to be punished for their Sin IN the SAME is the true and effectual means cause and ground of Faith freely tendered to them that thereby they might be led out of the Sin of Unbelief by the Lord God yea it is his free gift unto them given to beget and work Faith in them and if they STILL continue in Unbelief this gift will condemn them and God justly will punish them for their Rebellion Hard-heartedness Unbelief c. and it convinceth them of Righteousness in some degree that thereby they might be led to do that which is just and righteous in the sight of God who is
Revellings and Dancings Whisperings and Back-biteings Lying and Slandring evil Imaginations and Thoughts and abominable Idolatries The BARE Name of Christian will not profit you any thing while you are out of the true Christian Faith and Obedience in Rebellion against Christ O that you would consider your latter end O that you would seek after God! O that you would unfeignedly seek Repentance there is Mercy with God that he may be feared and sought after BY YOU while the Day of your Visitation lasteth before the Door of Mercy be FOREVER shut against you but if you will STILL go on in your Wickedness you will in a very little TIME grow RIPE for Vengeance and the Lord will CERTAINLY be TOO strong for you and will cut you down as in a moment and will bring you into everlasting Punishment as the just reward of your wicked ungodly Works Words Imaginations and Thoughts For the holy Ghost saith by the Mouth of the holy Apostle Paul Be NOT deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap he that soweth to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting If you live after the Flesh you shall DYE but if you through the Spirit mortifie the Deeds of the Body then shall you LIVE His Servants you are to whom you yield your selves Servants to OBEY whether it be of SIN unto Death or of OBEDIENCE unto Righteousness Gal. 6. 7 8. Rom. 6. 16. and 8. 13. Moreover mortifie your Members which are upon the Earth Fornication Vncleanness inordinate Affection evil Concupiscence and Covetousness which is Idolatry for which THINGS SAKE the Wrath of God cometh on the Children of Disobedience in the which ye also walked SOME TIME when ye lived IN them but now ye also put off ALL these Anger Wrath MALICE BLASPHEMY filthy Communication out of your Mouth Lye NOT one to another c. Put on CHARITY which is the bond of PERFECTNESS and let the PEACE of God rule in your Hearts to the which YOU are also called in one Body and be ye thankful c. Col. 3. 5 6 7 8 9 14 15. Read the Chapter through Again Be ye therefore Followers of God as dear Children and walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour but Fornication and ALL Uncleanness or Covetousness let it NOT ONCE be named among ye c. neither Filthiness nor foolish TALKING nor JESTING which are not convenient but rather giving of Thanks For this you KNOW THAT NO Whoremonger NOR Unclean Persons NOR Covetous man which is an Idolater hath ANY Inheritance IN the Kingdom of Christ and of God Let no Man deceive you with VAIN Words for because of these things cometh the Wrath of God upon the Children of Disobedience be NOT ye therefore partakers with them for ye were SOMETIMES DARKNESS but NOW ARE YE LIGHT IN THE LORD walk as CHILDREN of the LIGHT for the FRUIT of the Spirit IS IN ALL GOODNESS and Righteousness and Truth and have NO fellowship with the unfruitful WORKS of Darkness BUT rather reprove them For it is a SHAME even to SPEAK of those things which are done of them IN SECRET but ALL things that are reproved are made manifest BY the LIGHT for WHATSOEVER DOTH make manifest IS LIGHT Wherefore he saith AWAKE thou that SLEEPEST and arise from the DEAD and Christ shall give thee LIGHT Ephes 5. to the 14. Read the Chapter through Moreover the Author to the Hebrews saith by the holy Ghost or Spirit Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord looking diligently lest any man fail of the Grace of God or FALL from IT As in the Margin before Lest any Root of bitterness spiringing up trouble you and THEREBY many be defiled lest there be any Fornicator or PROPHANE Person as Esau WHO for one morsel of Meat sold his Birth-right Heb. 12. 14 â—5 16. Note Reader this is WORTHY of thy observation that Esau SOLD his Birth-right and the following words of the Apostle are these viz. You know saith he that afterward WHEN he would have inherited the BLESSING he was REJECTED c. ver 17. Note here the holy Ghost renders Esau a Prophane Person and rendereth the SELLING and despising of his Birth-right as a proof of his Prophaneness for which he was rejected of God and could not inherit the Blessing though he Afterwards sought it c. The holy Ghost or Spirit said by Moses Thus Esau despised his Birth-right Gen. 25. 34. God did not fore-appoint Esau to be a prophane or wicked man he did not fore-appoint him to serve and obey the Devil the Original and first cause of all Prophaneness and Wickedness It is written that Ahab SOLD HIMSELF to work Wickedness in the sight of the Lord 1 Kings 21. 25 20. So Wickedness and Prophaneness alwayes proceeded from the Devil and CORRUPT SELF but all Purity and Holiness proceeds from God who is everlasting Holy his command unto all People is Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord as saith the holy Ghost and also saith Holiness becomes the Lords House forever God DID NOT SELL Esau to work Wickedness but he sold himself or gave up himself to the Original of wickedness the Devil for after he was corrupted by him who is the Original of all Prophaneness and Wickedness he despised his Birth-right and sold it for a Mess of Pottage and after he had done this God rejected him but before this he had a day or time of Visitation in which he might have entred into Rest and Peace with God In the Prophecy of Obediah there is much said concerning Esau and his House Family or Off-spring the Edomites as I have shewed before in this Book God said to Esau IN HIS Generation The Pride of thine Heart hath deceived thee how are the things of Esau searched out how are his hidden things sought up c. For the Violence against thy Brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off forever Thou shouldst NOT have rejoyced over the Children of Judah in the day of their Destruction NEITHER shouldst thou have spoken proudly in the day of Distress thou shouldst NOT have entred into the Gate of my People in the day of their Calamity c. NOR have laid hand on their SUBSTANCE in the day of their Calamity NEITHER shouldst thou have STOOD in the cross way to CUT OFF those of him that did escape NEITHER shouldst thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of Distress AS thou hast done it shall be done unto thee thy REWARD shall turn upon thy own Head c. And the House of Jacob shall be a Fire and the House of Joseph a Flame and the House
for there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for All Mark that for All 1 Tim. 3. 4 5 6. In the Prophecy of Obediah there is much said concerning Esau and his Generation of the just Judgments of God against them for their Wickedness Verse 6. its said thus How are the things of Esau searched out how are his hidden things sought up Verse 9 10. God threatned to cut off every one of the Mount of Esau for said God For thy Violence against thy Brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off forever Vers 18. And the House of Jacob shall be a Fire and the House of Joseph a Flame and the House of Esau for Stubble c. Reader here observe God by his holy Prophet shews the Cause why his hatred was kindled against Esau and his Generation House Family or Off-spring and why he would cut off or destroy them even because of their Wickedness and Rebellion The Apostle Paul saith The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteonsness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them and because when they knew God they glorified him not as God and even as they did not like to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a Reprobate Mind c. Rom. 1. 18 19 21 28. And again he speaks against those who did not know the Long-suffering and Goodness of God to lead them to Repentance and he saith God will render to every man according to their deeds and he also saith There is no respect of Persons with God c. Rom. 2. 4 6 11. And the same Paul puts the Question saying What if God willing to shew his Wrath and to make his power known endured with much Long-suffering on the Vessel of Wrath fitted to Destruction Rom. 9. 22. Thus it appears that God waited long upon the Evil-doers to lead them to Repentance But when they knew God they did not Glorifie him as God neither did they like to retain God in their Knowledge and after God had suffered and waited long to lead them to Repentance and they did not turn at his Call and Reproof then he gave them up to a Reprobate Mind They had a time in which they might have been made of an Heavenly Spiritual Mind in which they might have had Life and Peace The Prophet Jeremiah saith of the Apostatized Jews who were the Children of Jacob according to the Flesh Reprobate Silver shall men call them because the Lord hath rejected them Jer. 6. 30. Reader the People of God called Quakers do own Election and Reprobation but do utterly deny That God hath ordained that some men should be Wicked or that he WITH-HOLDS his Light Grace or Spirit from them and so puts them UPON A FORCE to be Wicked for want of the gift of his Spirit Grace and Light and afterwards casts them into Hell for not obeying him when they had no power offered or given to them by him to enable them to obey No God's Way is Equal as his Servants of old have testified Where he gives much he requires of man accordingly and where he gives less he requires accordingly and he that is faithfull in a little he will make Ruler over much The Apostle Peter said The Saints were Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience c. 1 Pet. 1. 2. And we do deny that any Man or Woman is Elect of God that is Chosen of God without the Sanctification of or by the Spirit of Truth and Obedience unto it The Apostle Paul saith unto the Saints at Rome Those whom God did fore-know them he did predestinate that is fore-ordain to be conformed to the Image of his Son that is to the Likeness of his Son Rom. 8. 29. But it is certain that none can be made Conformable to the Likeness of his Son without he be Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth and none can be so Sanctified by the Spirit of Truth but those who believein and obey the same Spirit for that is it which Christ promised should lead the Saints into all Truth The Apostle Paul writ to the Church of Christ at Ephesus saying Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in heavenly Places in Christ according as he hath chosen us that is Elected us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy without blame before him in Love c. Ephes 1. 3 4. We do believe that God doth fore-know those who become his while they are ignorant of him And we do believe that he hath chosen them in his Son before the Foundation of the World Christ the Son of God is the Light of the World he lighteth every one that cometh into World for one the same Cause Purpose or End even that all might believe in him obey him through Faith and Obedience might be Chosen or Elect in him and so have Eternal Life in him He that believes in the Son of God hath Everlasting Life he that doth not believe in the Son of God shall not see Life John 38. Again the first Epistle of John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life and such are not Elect in him but are under condemnation because of their Unbelief which Unbelief the Devil not God iâ— the Author of Reader thus we own Election and Reprobation as did the holy Men of old but we deny that those who continue in sin and plead for it term of Life are in that state chosen of God we do deny an UNCONDITIONAL Election Reprobation as held forth by many of the Professors in our time for the condition of Election is Faith in God and Christ and Obedience unto the Spirit of Truth which is given to lead the Saints into all Truth and to conviuce the World of sin And the condition of Reprobation and Damnation is Unbelief in God and Christ and Disobedience unto and Rebellion against the Spirit of Truth The Apostle Paul saith to the Saints at Rome If ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 13 14. And further the same Apostle saith His Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6. 16. So here the holy Apostle declares the GOSPEL conditions of Election and Reprobation or chusing to Eternal Life and casting off unto Eternal Damnation Christ is the Elect the Chosen of God Behold saith God my Servant
Unfaithfull is called to Repentance yea the Back-sliders is called to Repentance to do their first works to be watchfull to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye c. Now they who do take this heavenly Counsel they do the will of God and in so doing they stand approved in his sight The diligent Watchers who have and do put on and keep on the whole Armour of God as aforesaid they do NOT FALL but do grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ more and more of such the Psalmist speaketh saying Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Way of the Vngodly he shall be like a Tree that is planted by the Rivers of Water c. but upon the Wicked who repent not who forsake not their Wickedness God will rain Fire and Brimstone and an horrible Tempest as the holy Ghost hath said and there is no Peace to the Wicked saith my God but the Righteous hath said in Truth thou Lord wilt ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works IN US And the holy Apostle said We are Gods workmanship CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ORDAINED that we should walk IN THEM Isa 26. 12. Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Turth I perceive that God is NO Respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth HIM and worketh Righteousness is ACCEPTED with HIM the Word that God sent unto the Children of Israel Preaching PEACE by Jesus Christ he is Lord of ALL c. Acts 10. 34 35. Note Reader He by whom all were and are Created and he who according to the flesh DYED for all who enlighteneth the EYES of the UNDERSTANDINGS of ALL in some degree whose will is that all men may be saved he is Lord of all as saith the Apostle he is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation ALL those who fear him work Righteousness they are accepted with HIM Here God shews that he loves and delights in Righteousness but HATES the contrary and therefore he calls ALL Men to Repent EVERY WHERE as saith the holy Apostle God's condiditions of ELECTION and Salvation is Faith in him and unfeigned Repentance and he doth freely tender yea GIVE the true and real CAUSE of Faith and Repentance unto all the Ungodly and Impenitent to wit Visitations by the Spirit Word of Truth which doth convince the World of sin in which the Grace Love or Favour of God is held forth to all mankind in enlightening their Understandings giving them thereby to know Good FROM Evil by which he also MOVES upon the Soul to CHUSE the Good and REFUSE the Evil which spirit or word is of ABILITY to beget faith to work unfeigned Repentance doth IT in all where the stubborn will of man doth not withstand the Day of Gods tender Visitation given thereby but IT IS possible man in his STUBBORN SELF-WILL may so long resist that God will strive NO LONGER with him for his salvation for he hath said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man God said to the Wicked with whom he had long striven to gather them out of their wickedness UNTO himself WO unto them when I DEÌ„PART FROM THEM Hos 9. 12. I HATED them for the WICKEDNESS of their doings saith God V. 15. The Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy Heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But WHAT saith it The WORD is NIGH thee even in thy MOUTH and in thy HEART that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. But I say have they not heard Yes verily their Sound went into all the Earth and their Words to the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed the Gospel But to Israel he saith All day long have I stretched forth my Hands unto a Disobedient and Gain-saying People Ver. 18 16 21. Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14. Moreover God set Adam in a glorious state in Paradise and he willed that he should obey him as he commanded him and he put him in a condition that he might have continued in obedience unto him so it was possible that he might have continued in obedience unto him and so have stood and it was NOT impossible that he should FALL as the event hath proved and his Fall is NOT to be charged or placed upon God but upon himself for want of a due and full improvement of all that God gave him to keep him from falling God is able to keep his Creatures Man and Woman from falling his Name his pure holy Power is a strong Tower and in it IS Everlasting Safety Man and Womans being kept from falling consists in their constant diligent dependence upon him who made them he ONLY is able to keep them from falling Jude 24. God is mercifull slow to Anger and abundant in compassion towards mankind as he hath signified by the holy Ghost in his holy Prophets and Apostles he is full of compassion and tender pity he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ Jesus hath commanded his Disciples to be mercifull saying Be ye merciful as your Father is merciful he is KIND unto the UNTHANKFUL to the EVIL and he causeth his Light to shine upon the EVIL upon the Good and sendeth his Rain upon the Just and the UNJUST Luke 36. 37. Mat. 5. 45. The Prophet David saith The Lord is good to ALL and his tender Mercies are over all his WORKS c. Psal 145. ver 8 9 And he said to his Son Solomon If thou seek him he will be FOUND of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off forever take heed c. 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Moreover the holy Ghost saith Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near Isa 55. 6. Again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without MONEY and without Price wherefore do you SPEND Money for that which is NOT Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth NOT hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Encline your Ear and come unto me HEAR and your Soul shall live c. Isa 55. 1 2 3. Moreover the Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever WILL let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22. 17 c. Note Reader Here is a general comortable Proclamation of the favour good will of God to all people every one hath a T me or
righteous in the sight of men For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against ALL Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men c. Because that which may be known of God IS manifest IN them for God hath SHEWED it unto them For the Invisible things OF HIM from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and GODHEAD so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE Rom. 1. 18 19 20. Mark the WRATH of God is against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men for one and the same cause namely because that which may be known of God is manifest IN THEM here the holy just merciful God shews that he is not PARTIAL Reader it is certain that the Spirit of Truth which doth Convince the World of Sin and leaves those without Excuse justly to be punished who do not believe Repent and Forsake their Sins and turn to God the same IS sufficient to GIVE Faith unto ALL men and Women But God said Israel would have none of ME. And Christ said to the Jews Ye will NOT come to ME that ye might have Life And Christ in pity and tender compassion WEPT over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. He did NOT say Ye could not for he KNEW that it was possible that they might have come unto him while the day of their Visitation lasted but after that time was ended they could not he said O that thou hadst known or experienced and enjoyed in this thy day the things which belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Now your House is left unto you Desolate Now those that would not and will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth which God hath given to lead out of the Sin of Unbelief c. these WILL NOT have Faith For they in their stubborn corrupt Self-will refuse God and Christ the Author of it and the holy Spirit which is given to lead into the true Faith which purifieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience as saith the holy Apostle Those who are so hardened by the Devil that great hardener of Hearts that they will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth nor Faith this their refusing of God and Christ the Spirit Faith c. is NOT according to the WILL and mind of God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Truth but according to the cursed Will and Mind of the old Deceiver who led Adam and Eve to Sin against God and against their own Souls and according to their own cursed will and mind which he the old Deceiver and Destroyer hath begotten in them against God Christ the Spirit of Truth c. And such hardened ONES Perish whose Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth is clear which hath Convinced them of their Sin and Reproved them for the same in secret and hath waited and long striven to lead them out of the same into Faith INTO love and pure obedience to the pure holy God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Christ pronounced Wo against the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for OMITTING Faith see Matth. 23. 23. Note Reader here he pronounceth Wo against them because they had not Faith or were not in the true Faith here the just God shews that he did not with-hold the true and real means and cause of Faith from them but they in their corrupt wicked WILL did resist the working of the same till God ceased to strive with them for their Salvation So their being without Faith and perishing for want of it was of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth was and is clear of them and all such It would be blasphemous to say that it was God's will that they should have no Faith though he cryed Wo against them because they omitted it and condemned them for not being found in it But it is no very strange thing that all men have not Faith seeing many in former Ages and divers in this have made SHIPWRACK of the true Faith which they ONCE HAD The Apostle Paul charged Timothy to Hold FAITH and a GOOD CONSCIENCE which some having put AWAY concerning Faith have made Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. Moreover Paul said to Timothy The Spirit speaks expresly that in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot iron forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Moreover Paul told Timothy that Hymaeneus and Philetus had erred c. who had overthrown the Faith of some see 1 Tim. 2. 18. Again Paul said to Timothy Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in FAITH and Love this thou knowest that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me 2 Tim. 1. 13. 15. Again O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy TRUST avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and oppositions of Science falsly so called which some professing have enred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20 21. Reader thus it doth plainly appear that those who once had the true Faith did depart from it and fell into Apostacy and so made Shipwrack of that Faith which the Spirit of Truth had begotten in them and such became as Trees twice Dead plucked up by the Roots c. and as wandring Stars or wandring restless Spirits for whom is reserved the mist of Darkness forever as it s written in the holy Scriptures the Hearts and Consciences of such were grown very hard benumed and greatly insensible eyen answering in a Spiritual sense that saying viz. Having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron such are forward and bold to commit Sin with pleasure and greediness and to make a mock at true Tenderness holy Fear and true Watchfulness and at the godly Sorrow and unfeigned Repentance of those whose Hearts God hath broken by his Righteous Judgments through the effectual operation of the Word of FAITH which is to be known nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth which Word is as a Hammer to break the hard Heart and as an Ax or Sword to cut down the Lust and Wickedness thereof and as a Fire to burn up the same and as a strong Wind to drive away the Ashes thereof Wo wo to the Ranters and Atheists who have sold themselves to work Wickedness with greediness who make a Mock at God at his Works in Judgment and in Mercy unto the Children of men who sport themselves in their Devilish prophane Conversations wo to them it had been better for them that they had not been Born And wo to all Apostates who are departed from the true
away from thy presence and take NOT thy holy Spirit from me Psalm 51. 11. Read the Psalm through Christ said concerning the unfaithful Servant Take therefore the Talent from HIM and give it to him that hath ten Talents for to every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that he HATH Matth. 25. 28 29. Chap. 13 12. Mark 4. 25. Note Reader here it plainly appeareth Saul had the Spirit of God and it departed from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against God God did not will or fore-appoint that Saul should rebell against him for after his Rebellion the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Samuel saying It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be King for he is turned BACK from following me and hath not performed my Commandments see 1 Chron. 15. 10 11. David who succeeded Saul in the Kingdom did see that God took his Spirit away from him because of his Disobedience and Rebellion and therefore when David had committed that great Sin against God in the case of Vriah and his Wife dread terror and fear seised upon him he was afraid that God would take his Spirit from him as he did from Saul but in the BOWEDNESS of his Heart he fell under the righteous Judgments of the Lord and cryed unto him saying Create in ME a new Heart O God and renew IN ME a right Spirit Wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow cast me not away from thy presence take NOT thy holy Spirit from ME. He unfeignedly Repented God heard his Petition pardoned his Iniquity and received him graciously He said Make me to hear Joy and Gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore to me the joy of thy Salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit c. Christ sheweth in the Parable of the sloathful or unprofitable Servant who hid his Lords Money in the Earth who doth not improve that little which God doth give him that he shall never be made a Steward of much nor enjoy much but that shall be taken from him which he hath and he shall be cast into utter Darkness where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Therefore blessed are all they who despise NOT the day of small things who despise not the smallest the lowest or least appearance or manifestation of God but do thankfully receive and improve the same in obeying and following God according to the understanding strength and ability which God hath given them such shall grow in Righteousness and Holiness as the Willows by the Water Courses as the Trees by the Rivers of Water which bring forth their Fruit in due season But as for the Wicked who despise the day of small things who improve not that little that God hath given them There is no Peace to them saith the Lord God they shall be like the Chaff which the Wind driveth to and fro God is a Spirit as Christ saith His presence filleth Heaven and Earth as it s written he is Omnipresent or present in all places Note Reader besides what I have shewed before how God taketh his Spirit from the Rebellious I further say it may be properly said that man hath not the Spirit when he believeth not therein neither obeyeth it c. and so is not governed by it and therefore no real Possessor of it NOT being in UNION with it in this latter sense he enjoyeth it not he hath not Rest Peace in it because he believeth not nor obeyeth it yet this Spirit of Truth enlightneth his Soul in some degree by which he is Convinced of his Sin and reproved for it in secret THEREBY and in this sence of God's Omnipresence David said unto God Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there if I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there c. Psalm 139. 7 8. The Apostle John writeth thus viz. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son see 2 John 1. 9. Here John sheweth that those who do Transgress Christ's Doctrine have not God who is a Spirit ruling over them governing them but those who do obey Christ's Doctrine are governed by the Lord God and such have both the Father and the Son as the Apostle saith Object Many shall seek to enter the Kingdom of God and shall not be able therefore those who seek and are not able to enter the Kingdom were ordained by the Lord God to be damned before they were Born and cast into Hell Answ This is a gross mistake One said unto Christ Lord are there few that be saved and he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut to the Door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not c. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thouhast taught in our Streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not c. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luke 13. 23 24 25 26 27. Note Reader Christ did NOT tell him who asked if few were SAVED that many no nor that any were ordained to be damned before they were Born nor yet that few were saved but exhorted in general saying Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. This he knew they might do before the Door was shut against them But when once the Master of the House was risen up and hath shut the Door against them then those that would enter with their Sins their Night-Garments their voluntary Humility or vain feigned shews of Humility and their Will-worship their Self-righteousness which is as filthy Rags and as menstruous Cloth and their polluted long Prayers in Hypocrisie and their MEER Fleshly Eating and Drinking and Carnal Washings boasting and glorying in the Flesh in opposition to and hatred against the Spirit of God and Christ yea in Derision and Mockage at the same these could not enter in at the strait Gate but must be cast out into the Lake of Endless misery where there is Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Remember this all you who call upon God and Christ with your Mouthes and Lips but your Hearts are far from him following the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life who spend away your precious time in Pride Covetousness Envy Wrath Strife Drunkenness Gluttonny Whoredoms Oaths and Cursing ungodly Laughter vain Talking and idle Jesting Sports ungodly Plays and Games
of Esau for Stubble c. Obed. 3. 6 10 12 13 14 15 18. This Prophecy of Obediah is but one Chapter read it through Note Reader here God plainly tells Esau in his Seed and Generation of the many acts of Pride and Cruelty which he did which he should not have done and because he did them God was angry with him and therefore rejected him and cut him off and returned a reward upon him according to his evil works So Esau's ruin misery and destruction was of himself the effect and reward of his own rebellious evil Works which the Devil not God was the Original and cause of and God was and is just in his righteous Judgments that he brought upon him and which he brings upon all such Moreover concerning striving to enter into the Kingdom c. Paul in the holy Ghost saith And if a man also strive for mastery yet is he not crowned or gaineth not Victory except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. Now all who strive lawfully to enter the Kingdom of God they must strive ONLY in the divine heavenly Spirit or Word of God whereby every one that cometh into the World are enlightned in some measure or degree to know Good from Evil according to John 1. 9 8 12. 12. 46. Psalm 27. 1. 2 Sam. 22. 29. Isa 60. 20. Luke 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. John 3. 19 20. Ephes 5. 8 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Ephes 1. 18. Christ saith God is a Spirit and they who Worship him must Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for such the Father seeketh to Worship him c. John 4. 23 24. God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost gave a true Relation of the Voice which he others heard from the excellent Glory concerning Christ Jesus saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. After he had given this true Relation he further said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Take notice Reader God is Light God is a Spirit Christ is the Light of the World as he saith yea the true Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the World There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear witness of the Light that ALL MEN through him might believe he to wit John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light which was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of God 1 John 1. to vers 14. Note Reader Christ in his Divinity as he is the Word which was in the beginning by whom all things was made he is the true divine Light who lighteth every man that cometh into World He said unto the World whom he enlightneth Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light The Children of the Light are the Children of God for God is Light as is shewed before This holy Apostle John said The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Therefore was John the Baptist sent from God to bear witness to that Light which shineth in Darkness that all men through him might believe mark all being enlightned by Christ who is given for a Light to the Gentiles and to be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth for so it is written of him by the Holy man therefore Gods will is that all People Male and Female may believe in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them this Light being believed in giveth to see Christ and leads to him the giver of it and to God the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning or changing as saith the holy Apostle Mankind in the fall and alienation from God in their Sin are darkened by the God of the World who hath blinded their minds Man in that state is said to be Darkness The Apostle Paul saith For ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light for the Fruits of the Spirit is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5. 8 9. And so here the Light and Spirit are joyned together by the Apostle whose Fruits are one their Testimony and Work one and they are one as God who is Light and Spirit is one and not divided For God being a Spirit and Light and Christ as he is the divine Word is God is Light is a quickening Spirit so the Light and Spirit floweth from the Father in and through his Son and thereby are all men enlightned to know Good from Evil in some degree or measure this Light is the Condemnation of all them that hate it Christ saith This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his deed should be reproved but every one that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. To be turned to this Light is the great and weighty concern of the fallen darkened Sons Daughters of Adam and therefore was that great and faithful Prophet John the Baptist sent to bear witness of the Light that all men might believe here is none fore-ordained of God to be Unbelievers here none is Reprobated by him before they were Born Christ according to the Flesh dyed for all yea his Soul was made an Offering for Sin by his
divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
Sin and Reprove it for the same IN THAT is Faith offered to all People the work of that Spirit within doth give in some degree a true and real Testimony in the Souls of all Men and Women that there is a God unto whom Worship doth belong by this Spirit God doth give just cause unto all Men and Women to believe in him every one in the time of their Visitation and if they believe NOT THEIR Unbelief is their SIN which doth shut them out of the Kingdom of God and such do destroy themselves as God hath said O Israel thou Destroyest thy self There are degrees or measures of the Spirit of Truth freely tendred as Gods free gift to all to profit withall and as the measure or degree differeth not in Nature but in measure or proportion so the enlightning of the darkned understanding thereby is greater or less according to that which God hath given and the Faith wrought thereby is more or less accordingly and every one that delightly improveth the little or LEAST measure God who is faithful to perform hath promised that they shall be made Ruler over much yea they shall enter into the Joy and Peace of their Lord and the Faith of such diligent Improvers of the little shall grow exceedingly as did the Faith of the diligent Ones of Old witnessed unto by the holy Apostle as is shewed before The Lord God is just and equal who requireth Faith and Obedience according or answerable to what he gives in all Ages and Dispensations be it more or less and NOT otherwise for he is equal in ALL his doings just in all his Judgments to him be all Glory Honour Dominion and Praise throughout all Ages yea World without End Amen Paul declared unto King Agrippa saying That Christ sent him to the Gentiles to open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me saith Christ see Acts 26. 14 15 16 17 18. Again Paul said We Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness 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 see 2 Cor. 4. 5 6 7. Christ said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. Again He saith I am the Light of the World c. I came not to destroy the World but to save the World He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Words hath one that judgeth him the WORD that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last Day John 12. 46 47 48. Note Reader that Christ is the Author and Finisher of true Faith as it is written of him Heb. 12. 2. To believe in him as he is the Light of the World is true Belief or true Faith He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are evil for every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deed should be reproved but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God see John 3. 18 19 20 21. see also the 14 15 16 17 verses God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with onother and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin see 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Reader thus it plainly clearly and evidently appears in the words of the holy Scripture that God and Christ is Light and by God in and through Christ are all Men and Women enlightned in some measure or degree to know good and evil the one from the other in and by this Light is true and saving Faith tendred or offered to ALL. They who take heed unto this Light which shineth in their dark sinful Hearts and there convinceth them of and reproveth them for Sin they do well as saith the Apostle see 2 Pet. 1. 19. By this spiritual and divine Light which cometh from God who is a Spirit in and through Christ the second Adam who is made a quickning Spirit as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth is all true saving Faith begun increased and finished Now those who strive to enter the Kingdom of God out of this Light and Faith are as Thieves and Robbers who will not come to Christ the Light the Door to enter in by him but would climb up by another way and therefore must be cast down and though they strive never so much in their fallen corrupt Self-will out of the true Light and Spirit of God and Christ yet can they not be able to enter The Apostle saith And if a man strive for mastery yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully see 2 Tim. 2. 5. Again Christ compareth or likeneth the Kingdom of Heaven unto ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went out to meet the Bride-groom and five of them were Wise and five of them were Foolish while the Bride-groom tarried they all slumbred c. and at mid-night there was a Cry made Behold the Bride-groom cometh go you out to meet him then all those Virgins arose and trimed their Lamps and the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for OUR Lamps are gone OUT but the wise answered saying NOT so c. buy for your selves c. and while they went to buy the Bride-groom came and they that were ready went in with him into the Marriage and the DOOR was SHUT afterwards came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch ye therefore for ye know not neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of man cometh see Matth. 25. to the 14. verse Note Reader the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ten Virgins five Wise and five Foolish both wise and foolish had Lamps yea and both had Oyl ONCE for the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your Oyl for our Lamps are gone out This sheweth that they were once IN lighted and burning but through sloathfulness they neglected to renew their Lamps with Oyl and so
is the Devil as Christ said these are the REPROBATES this Birth of the Serpents Seed is the Prophane Esau which God Hates this Birth is Cursed in its first Conception in its Youth and in its Old Age. Jesus said unto the Rebellious Jews The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruit thereof see Mat. 21. 45. And to such Unbelieving Rebellious ones he said Ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and ye your selves thrust out see Luke 13. 28. Again Christ said Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring to go in see Matth. 23. â—3 read the Chapter through See Luke 11. 52. Take notice of this all ye Loose and Prophane Livers who call your selves Christians your Un-God-like and Un-Christ-like Conversations bring a Scandal and Reproach upon the Name of Christianity you cause the honourable Name of Christ and Christianity to be Blasphemed against by Jews Turks and Indian Heathens O that the deep Sence of this your great Sin might fall upon you and that your Hearts might be truly broke in the Sence thereof O that you would yet Unfeignedly seek Repentance before the Door of Mercy be forever shut against you there is yet Mercy with God for multitudes therefore his holy Will is that they should seek after him Unfeignedly Repent and Turn unto him from all their Abominations but those who will not but go on stubbornly in Rebellion against him he will cut down suddainly in his Righteous Judgments SWIFTLY even as a Mower cuts down Grass therefore Fear Tremble and Bow before him all ye Workers of Iniquity And more particularly consider of these things O all ye several sorts of TEACHERS whose EVIL WORK it hath been and is to draw out and keep out Peoples Minds from the Spirit of God and Christ by which alone their Hearts are SEARCHED and their EVIL Thoughts Words and Actions shewed unto them this is the swift Witness by which the Living God doth Reprove them and Condemn them for the same This is the Faithfull and True Witness which neither BRIBES nor FLATTERY nor THREATNINGS can Corrupt Destroy nor Stop ITS inward Convictions Rebukes or Reproofs from those who Rebel against it and as it is faithfull in witnessing against all the Rebellious so is it faithfull in bearing witness to and with the Spirits of all the Obedient that they are the Children of God And of this the holy Apostles were Living True Witnesses who said Whatsoever is Reproved is made manifest by the Light and also said The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God And also said He that believeth in the Son of God hath a witness within himself and hath set to his seal that God is True As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are Sons of God and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his as saith the holy Apostle Those who believe not in the Spirit of God and Christ they are not governed by it they are NOT the real Possessors and Enjoyers of it and such have it not to save and deliver them out of sin because they believe not in it yet this Spirit of Truth doth convince the whole World which lieth in Wickedness of their sins and doth in secret condemn them for the same every one in the Day of Gods Visitation unto them So the Spirit of Truth which is the Saints Comforter which leads them into all Truth the same is the Reprover Condemner Judger and Tormentor of the Unbelieving Wicked Rebellious World see John 16. 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ephes 5. 13. Jer. 17. 10. Psal 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. 1 John 5. 10. Isa 55. 4. John 3. 33. Rom. 8. 14 16. Psal 50. 21 22. Amos 4. 13. John 1. 9. and 8. 12. and 3. 19 20. Acts 13. 47. and 26. 17 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth NO man but the Spirit of God the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God see 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. This was and is the KEY of all heavenly saving knowledge by this is mans Heart opened to understand and know those things which belongs to his Immortal Souls Rest and Peace and he that believeth therein is enabled thereby to do those things which are well-pleasing to the Lord God and keep out of those things which are displeasing to him And of this the holy Apostle was a Living true Witness who prayed for the Believers saying I pray God strengthen you by his Spirit in the INNER MAN see Ephes 3. 16. Col. 1. 11. Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews who made their boast of the Law yet wrested the Sayings thereof and brake it Wo unto ye Lawyers for ye have taken away the Key of Knowledge ye entered NOT in your selves and them that were entering in ye hindered see Luke 11. 52. Nehemiah said Lord thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them c. Nevertheless they were Disobedient and Rebelled against thee and cast thy Law behind their Backs and SLEW thy Prophets which testified against them to turn them unto thee see Nehem. 9. 20. 26. Remember this all YE that hate and Persecute those who Worship God who is a Spirit in the Spirit and in the Truth and Repent and cease from your Ungodly Works if you will not God will cut you off and vex you in his sore displeasure in rewarding you justly according to the Wickedness of your doings We to the Rebellious Children saith the Lord that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with a Covering but NOT OF MY SPIRIT that they may add Sin unto Sin see Isa 30. 1. This Spirit was and is the Covering UNDER which man and woman is blessed is in safety out of the reach of that evil hurtful Spirit which worketh in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience who also goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour as saith the Apostle whom the true Believers did and do resist in the living Faith and by the virtue of the good Spirit of God with which they were ARE covered and in it had have Victory over him such did do experience to their great Comfort the saying of the holy man fulfilled who said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the WORLD see 1 John 4. 4. O that the Haters of and Mockers at this holy pure Spirit would seriously consider what they are doing O that they would consider their latter end and the account that they must give to God for these things O that it were in their Hearts unfeignedly to
concerning Christs putting an End to the Work of the Law we do NOT believe that Christ has put an end to the Command of God who said Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and thy Neighbour as thy self Thou shalt do no Murther Thou shalt not Steal nor Covet any thing that is thy Neighbours Thou shalt not bear False Witness nor remove the Antient Land-mark c. But we believe that Christ fulfills these Commands in all them that through Faith and Obedience grow up in him who is the true Vine by leading them to do those before-mentioned things which God Commands so the true Christians cease from the Shadows and in Christ by his Vertue and Power do Love God with all their Hearts and their Neighbour as themselves on which Commands as Christ saith hang all the Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 40. Concerning Perfection IN page 24. J. B. saith speaking to the People called Quakers You hold that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life Answ We do own the command of God who said unto Abraham I am God all-sufficient walk thou before me and be thou Perfect We say God was sufficient to enable him to keep his command and we believe he did so And we do believe the Command of Christ who said Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect And we do believe it is possible to keep this command of Christ by and through the Virtuous spiritual Presence of Christ in and with the believing DILIGENT SOUL And we do believe that the Gifts which were and are given for the PERFECTING of the Saints did and do accomplish that for which they were and are GIVEN The Apostle said We Labour that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus And we do believe that many were perfected in Christ Jesus though some Crucified Christ unto themselves afresh and put him to open shame as the Apostle saith We do believe the holy Apostle who said Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is Born of God Now as to J. B's Charge That we hold forth and own that Perfection in degree is attainable in this Life I Answer The Word Degree concerning Perfection is neither our Word nor did I ever read it in the Scriptures of Truth as used by him concerning Perfection But this word Degree he hath thrust into his Charge against us thinking no doubt thereby to make it the more strong but all his labour is in vain He doth not declare what he meaneth by the word DEGREE but if by Degree he mean a freedom from acting or committing Sin such a Perfection we do believe is attainable in this Life by and through the mighty working of God and Christ in men and women and this is according to the command of God Christ the Doctrine and Experience of the holy Apostles But if by the word Degree J. B. mean a Perfection of Glory in the HIGHEST attainment of Glory that can EVER be enjoyed then we DEEM that such a Perfection is attainable in this Life or while we dwell here upon Earth For WE are of the same Faith the holy Apostle was of who when he was near to depart out of this World said I have fought a good fight I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judge shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all those that love his appearance J. B. hath taken upon him to interpret the Apostle John's words who saith Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit Sin he cannot Sin c. J. B. saith The meaning of these Words can be but this Whosoever is Born of God doth not make it his practice to Sin Answ What Confusion Falsness and Nonsence is this to say that he who commits Sin doth not practise Sin this is horrible abuse and wresting the holy Scriptures which God will bring him to Judgment for and if he do not Repent and cease from such Ungodly silly work as this he will bring Destruction upon himself As I do understand this J. B. is one of that sort of men who do in their Confessions tell the Lord God that they do Sin in their most holy Duties Now if their most holy Duties have Sin in them then there is Sin in all those other things which they call Duties and consequently in their Actions which they do not account Holy Duties and so they make it their Practice to Sin and so according to his own Argument Such who make it their Practice to Sin are not born of God But to speak his mind more fully I do apprehend his meaning is that the Children of God do not commit so much Sin as the Children of the Devil do Answ When the Apostle saith He that is Born of God doth not commit Sin he also saith He that commits Sin is of the Devil In the next verse he saith In this is the Children of God manifest and the Children of the Devil c. 1 John 3. 10. J. B. I ask thee dost not thou believe that God is GREATER then the Devil why then must Sin needs be in those who are Born of God as thou wouldst have it Oh that thou saw thy Blasphemy herein it would surely make thee ashamed and bring Sorrow upon thee But if in thy judgment those whom God BEGETS who are BORN of him must commit Sin and live in it all their dayes and Sin in their most Holy Duties I ask what DIFFERENCE dost thou put between God's Children and the Devil's Children whom he begets and who are Born of him for the Devil hath a Generation of whom he is the Father as Christ said see John 8. 44. For we believe that he that is Born of God is REGENERATED that is washed and cleansed through the virtue of the holy Spirit of Christ which is shed abroad abundantly in the Hearts Souls of the true Believers by virtue of this growing up in it as the Branches in the living Vine are they redeemed out of the ACT of Sin and have dominion given them in and by Christ over IT and the Devil who is the Author of it and such can say as the Apostle said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World to wit the Wicked BY WHOM we overcome them and such can say as the Apostle said Of my self I can do nothing but I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me and such can say as the Apostle said We are CONQUERORS and more than Conquerors through him that hath loved us and such do know Satan BRUISED under their Feet BY CHRIST the blessed Seed whom God promised should bruise his HEAD and the Apostle told the Believers in Christ That God whom they waited for should suddainly come and