the spirit And John the Apostle of Christ often exhorteth him that hath an Ear to hear what the Spirit saith Rev. 2.7 11 17 29. and 3.6 13 22. And by the preaching of the true Ministers of Christ many came to receive the Teachings of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost which is the same and were led by it Rom. 8.16 Isa 54.13 14. Jer. 31.32.33 John 6.45 Heb. 8.10.11 and so became Children of God And it was truly said among them the Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God and so they were all taught of God as it was Prophesied of them They were taught of God by his Grace Light Spirit or Word being one and the same though called by several other Names and Appellations besides what is before here written according to the most suitable Expressions whereby to shew the Operations and Effects of it to the Understandings and Capacities of all The Apostle John likewise calleth it the Unction Joh. 2.20.27 or Anointing writing thus Ye have an Unction from the Holy One and ye know all things and again the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no Lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him This and much more to the same purpose was the Doctrine of the true Christian Ministers as the Scriptures of Truth more at large declare and the true Ministers of Christ preach the same in our Age and Generation And as the true Ministers of Christ in his Authority preached his Divine Word Light Grace and Spirit so by the same they preached up the Liberty of his Gospel and true Christian Dispensation and preached down the use of the Ceremonies of the Jewish Law though formerly commanded of God and given by Moses his Servant which was then to cease being abolished by the Death of Christ they being in their time for Shadows and Types of good things to come by Christ but he the Substance being come having as they truly preached nailed them to his Cross and taken them out of the way they were not then to be used by them who had received the free and glorious liberty of his substantial Everlasting Gospel in the inward Spiritual Dispensation of his Word Light Grace and Spirit in their Hearts and Souls whereby they knew the glorious Liberty of the free-born Children of God they were not then to be subject to Ordinances neither burthened with Traditions nor to observe Days and Times as may at large be read in the holy Scriptures particularly in these places Gal. 4.9 10. Gal. 5.2 to 8. Eph. 2.13 to 17. Col. 2.14 to 23. Rom. 7.6 Heb. 7.11 12. But the deceitful Antichristian Ministers could not bring any into the True Faith which is in the Name Light Grace and Spirit of Christ for they were out of it themselves and were not faithful but disobedient to the Light and hated it and would not bring their own Deeds thereto lest they should be reproved thereby For though they might talk and preach of the Name Word Grace Light or Spirit of Christ and speak there of great swelling words to allure and draw others after them yet all that was but in disobedience to Christ and in deceit and therefore they could not by such Preaching bring any into the true Faith of Christ who is the Truth nor bring any to believe in his Light and Grace which they hated and did despite unto And the true Ministers preached that true Christians had put off the old Man with his deeds Col. 3.9 10 11 and had put on the new Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision nor Uncircumcision Barbarian Scythian Bond nor free but Christ is all and in all and they preached up a Spiritual Circumcision saying That he is not a Jew which is one outwardly Rom. 2.28 29. neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose praise is not of Men but of God And again saying to some Ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without Hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ being buried with him in Baptism Col. 2.11 12. to â—â—c end wherein you are also risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God And it is plain that the Apostle here meant no outward Ordinance of Circumcision nor of Baptism for he writes after in the same Chapter thus If ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances or burdened with Traditions as some Translate it touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men Which things have indeed a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any Honour to the satisfying of the Flesh concerning which things he warned them lest any Man should beguile them or spoil them through Philosophy or vain Deceit after the Tradition of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ Read the Second Chapter to the Colossians And the same Apostle said Phil. 3.3 We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh which sheweth plainly that they were Jews inwardly and of the inward Circumcision as all true Christians are And this agreeth with the Doctrine of Christ himself who said to the Samaritan Ye Worship ye know not what we know what we Worship for Salvation is of the Jews John 4.22 23 24. But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seekethsâ—â—â—h to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth So the Worship of the true Christians was in Spirit and in the Truth and in the obedience of the Spirit of Truth and not in outward Ordinances Observations of Times will-Will-worship nor in Acts of voluntary Humility and accordingly in the demonstration of the Spirit the true Christian Ministers preached and not in the words that Man's Wisdom teacheth but which the same Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost teacheth which preaching is foolishness to the natural Man 1 Cor. 2.13 14. for he receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned But he that yields obedience to the Light or Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every Man to profit withal he cometh to discern his own Estate and
as Strangers to it and had not tryed the Vertue of it For the Scriptures also are herein very plain John 1.1 4 9. that this Light is the Life which was in the Eternal Word which is Christ which was in the beginning with God which Word was and is God and so this Light is certainly divine and consequently sufficient to lead to Salvation all that faithfully give up with all their Hearts Tit. 2.11 12. Eph. 2.8 2 Cor. 12.9 to follow it and obey its Requirings and this Light is the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men and was the true Christians Teacher and by it they were saved through Faith for it was and is sufficient and it was and is the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which is given to every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 Eph. 5.13 Rom. 1.10 and whatsoever maketh manifest is Light which maketh manifest all things that are reproved and whatsoever may be known of God is manifest within But the said Teachers said That Revelation was now ceased and that in our days none must expect to enjoy God or Christ in his inward appearance in the Heart Soul and Conscience in which his Servants the Prophets Apostles and true Christians enjoyed him in days past but that now God hath in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament called the Bible given us wholly to understand our Duty towards him and one unto another and that none can know God but by the Scriptures And indeed none can know God but by that which the Scriptures declare of which is the Light or Spirit for I then knew certainly that though I had often with zeal and delight read the Scriptures yet I knew not rightly my own condition nor how far I was from the state of a true Christian till I gave diligent heed to the Light of Christ the Grace of God in my own Heart and Conscience and as I waited low in it by it I received a clear discovery of my own state towards God and what was needful for me to know And though the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy saith Of a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation yet saith he it is through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Mark that Rom. 10.6 7 8. It is through Faith which is in Christ Jesus the Light and the Word of Faith nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth And saith Paul All Scripture given by Insporation of God is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works So they that deny Perfection through Faith which is in Christ Jesus to be attainable on this side the Grave for which end the Scriptures by the Inspiration of God were given do not such deny the very end for which the Scriptures were given But the Apostle Paul did not write according to the common Translation that All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God Take notice of this for the Word Is is added there being nothing for it in the original Greek Copies And also the Word Scriptures signifieth Writings whether good or bad and no bad Writings are given by the Inspiration of God Therefore they that profess the Scriptures to be their Rule and Standard should not add to their Rule or Standard lest they be found to falsify it And so whilst I was thus reasoning with my former Teachers I became fully satisfied concerning their Ignorance of the Truth and their Insufficiency to be Teachers or Guides to direct in the Way of Salvation being out of it themselves and so I became as it were weaned and in weaning from the Breast I had formerly sucked which was the Conceivings of the Wisdom of Men and in the Eyes of the World I became a Fool and was reckoned mad and a Changeling and I durst not give way to the Entreaties nor to the Threatnings neither of Parent nor Relations though near and dear unto me whose Welfare every way I defired as my own yet then they became as mine Enemies being mightily offended with me though after some time more Friendly again then before some of them came to be unto me And when the said Teachers said unto me Why do you question our Religion for we exhort People to Vertue and to live Holily and to strive against Sin I answered saying Whether is it possible that the Soul of Man may be Cleansed from Sin on this side the Grave They replyed No then considered I Ah! then where must my Soul be cleansed and to strive and fight against Sin all the time of a Man's Life and never to get the Victory but always to be overcome surely this is not the good Fight of Faith but a very uncomfortable fighting when a man knoweth or thinketh before he fight that he certainly must be conquered And when they said unto me You may live as Holily and as strictly and as free from Sin as you can or will and yet continue of our Religion too for we command no Vices nor are not against any of our Hearers living holily and strictly but advise them to it Then I answered Ah! but I am unsatisfied and I have read in the Scriptures That they who seek the Lord with all their Heart shall find him and I believe this is true but alas I have not yet found him to my Satisfaction and I am resolved whatever cometh to seek him with all my Heart and I hope that I shall find him and so I considered that he who would find the Lord to his satisfaction and enjoy his Blessing must not walk in the Counsel of the Ungodly nor stand in the Way of Sinners and so I durst no longer join with them in their Worship For I believed that they who seek God aright and so find him to their Satisfaction must seek him Inwardly and Spiritually for he is a Spirit and is not to be found in Carnal Ordinances Ceremonies or Traditions of Men which the said Teachers pleaded for and I had been very zealous in those things but found no profit until I took heed to the Light of Christ in mine own Heart and Conscience And as I continued waiting upon God in his Light and taking heed unto it the Day dawned more and more upon me and the Day-Star arose in my Heart and I plainly saw the emptiness of all outward Ceremonies invented in the wosul Night of Apostasy and set up when the Power of Darkness ruled in the Heart by such as were disobedient to the Light in their own Wills and for filthy Lucres sake And I came to see plainly that the true Worship of God is only performed in his own Spirit and Truth the Mani estation whereof is the true Light out of which none can know God nor worship him acceptably but worship they know not what and the Worship of
only by his Light in his Faithful People revealeth the Man of Sin but also with the Spirit of his Mouth will consume and with the Brightness of his Coming will destroy the Man of Sin and his Works these having tasted and experienced something of the Goodness of God to their Souls not only of the Revelation but also of the Destruction of the Man of Sin and his Works in themselves and also having sweet and satisfactory Comfort and Consolation in their Hearts in the Love of God given unto them these cannot with the Times turn as Hypocrites do from one Profession of Religion to another for these are fully satisfied concerning the Way of God which is straight and narrow and not like the Ways of the Man of Sin the Devil the Serpent which are crooked like himself and broad and wide and can hold of all sorts of Professors and too many go in thereat But these being Children of the God of Truth who is Light they love to walk in their Fathers way which is the true Light and so they cannot neither dare they go out of it into the Ways of the Man of Sin and so serve him again in the least for they have had too much of his Tyrannical Servitude before and though his Children love his Ways wherein they have their pain bringing Pleasures yet the Children of God love them not but in the fear of God hate them all and love the Light of Christ Jesus in their Hearts the Way of God their Father And so it is in vain for Men to offer to force them out of God's Way into their ways for they dare not for fear of offending their Heavenly Father comply in the least to Worship God after any other Way or Manner but as he manifesteth himself in the Light of his Spirit of Truth in their Hearts and Consciences in which only with acceptance he is to be worshipped Neither can they again embrace or come into the Bondage of Corruptible Elements Ceremonies or Traditions of Men Gal. 4.9 Rom. 8.14 to 22. for which there is no warrant from God their Father lest they forfeit their glorious liberty of the Children of God Gal. 5.1 Tim. 2.12 Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 4.12 to 19. Col. 1.23 to 28. whose Spirit beareth witness with their Spirits that they are the Children of God and if Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-heirs with Christ And they know that if they suffer with him they shall also be glorified together and they account that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in them And such can truly rejoice that unto them it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake and this was the state of the Primitive Christians And as there is a great difference between the outward husk sign or shew of Religion of the Followers of the Man of Sin who are his Children and the pure spiritual undefiled Worship and Religion of the Followers of Christ who are Children of God so there is as great a difference between the Nature of the true Christians and false and between the Children of God and the Children of the Devil and also between the Persecutor for Religion and the Persecuted for true Religion and so doubtless as great a difference will and must be between their Rewards And so every one Male or Female Rich or Poor High or Low as they tender the Eternal Salvation of their precious Souls are to examine themselves in and by the true Light of Christ Jesus which is the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts whether they Worship God in his Light John 4.20 to 25. Mat. 15.7 8 9. Isa 29.13 14. Acts 17 22 to 31. Col. 2.6 to 23. Mat. 15.2 to 15. and Spirit and Truth in which only his pure spiritual undefiled Worship is acceptably performed Or whether their Worship â—e formal and taught and prescribed by the Traditions Precepts and Commandments of Men and so but a sign or shew of Religion being Will-worship and Voluntary Humility which Christ and his Apostles warned People to beware of For all such Worshippers worship God in vain or worship they know not what and the Reward of Hypocrisie shall be their Portion for they be Blind leading of the Blind and if the Blind lead the Blind both shall fall into the Ditch And likewise it concerneth all truly to examine themselves inwardly in the Light of Christ whether they be Baptized truly with the one Baptism of Christ by his spiritual Water and the Fire and Fan of his Spirit with which he will and is able thorowly to purge his Floor Mat. 3.11.12 Heb. 9.14 1 Pet. 1.22 23. even the Hearts Souls and Consciences of true Believers and that only maketh fit to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven And so whether they be Children of the Light and of God who is Light and Born again of the Water and of the Spirit whose witness agreeth in one witnessing with their Spirits that they are the Children of God Born of his Incorruptible Word which liveth and abideth for ever Or whether they have only been Baptized or Sprinkled with Water by a Man and because thereof are taught to believe that then they were made Children of God and Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven And if they have no better Assurance than such Baptizing or Sprinkling with outward Water then the Light and Spirit of Christ will bear witness in their Hearts that they are not Children of Light nor of God and then whose Children are they And likewise all may examine themselves in and by the true Light in their Hearts whether they be in the true Religion or not That is Whether or no they be true Christians John 6.45 who are all taught of God by the Light Grace and Spirit of his Son Christ Jesus in their Hearts Or they be but Pretenders to Christianity having a Profession or Form of Godliness but denying the Life and Power thereof resisting and rebelling against the strivings and movings and teachings of the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ and embracing and complying with the temptations motions and teachings of the Spirit of Antichrist and the Power of Darkness which is the Devil And such can profess that they know God Tit. 1.15 16. but in Works they deny him which is abominable And every one that doth Truth John 3.18.19 20 21. cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God but every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved or discovered and so loving Darkness rather than the Light that is the Condemnation And it is certain that all who love not the Light of Christ Jesus in themselves and believe not in the sufficiency of it are deceived by the deceivableness of
Condition upon a Spiritual Account and as he faithfully followeth the Leadings of it he cometh to know a profiting by it and in it and as he persevereth in the Love 1 Cor. 2.9 10. and Obedience of it it manifesteth and revealeth inwardly unto such a one the Things which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man which God hath prepared for them that Love him Thus the Apostle Paul preached 1 Cor. 2.4 not with enticing words of Man's Wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and said he Christ sent me not to Baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 not with Wisdom of Words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect Gal. 1.11 to 17. So he was a Minister sent of Christ by his Spirit and by his Spiritual Appearance in him and to him for otherwise he was a Persecutor of Christians after the Ascension of Christ And all that are true Ministers of Christ are sent and taught and moved by the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 2.11 to 15. for no Man can know the Things of God but by his Spirit And if any falsly profess to be sent by his Spirit their Deceit will be manifested by the Light and Spirit of Christ to them who walk in it but as for such as pretend to be Ministers of Christ who say Divine Revelation is now ceased and mock at the Teachings 1 Pet. 1.19 20 21. Isa 54.13 14. John 6.45 Leadings and Movings of the Spirit of God by which all that ever were Children of God were led and taught and moved as is fully declared by the Scriptures of Truth which they falsly profess to be their Rule the Deceit Hypocrisie and Wickedness of such is manifest to the view of all who have not wilfully shut their Eyes And so though Antichristians may talk or preach of the Worship of God and may use Scripture words and the words which Christ and his Prophets and Ministers speak which are Recorded in the Scriptures yet they being erred from his Spirit wherein only the true Worship of God is performed they are out of the true Worship of God and Worship they know not what for their Worship is in the Spirit of Errour and not in the Spirit of Truth and all the Preaching of such with all their Learning acquired Parts and Philosophy it is but vain Deceit and stands in the Wisdom that is from below Jam. 3.15 which is earthly sensual and devilish and so those are moved by the Spirit of the Devil who mock at the movings of the Spirit of God let their Profession be what it will So the Scriptures shew plainly that there was Antichrists or Antichristian Ministers in the Apostles Time and that there was a great difference between them and the Apostles or true Ministers of Christ and the Followers of those false flattering Deceivers were as their Leaders were principally deceived by giving heed to the Insinuations of the Old Serpent their deceitful Enemy in their own Particulars For those that loved and obeyed the Light of Christ Jesus in their own Hearts and Consciences they came to a good understanding of their own Estates and Conditions inwardly and also came thereby into a true discerning of the difference between the true Ministers of Christ who were in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ Commissionated to Preach the Gospel of Truth and those who without Commission from Christ and in disobedience to his Light and Spirit preached for their own Carnal Ends and Designs such could discern between the Voice of Christ in his true Ministers John 10.4 5. and a strange Voice in them that falsly pretended so to be Such could discern between those who preached for filthy Lucre love of Money or any other self-end and those whom the Love of Christ constrained to Preach 2 Cor. 5.14 without which Love which they want who hate his Light all Preaching though with never so much Excellency of words is but as sounding Brass 1 Cor. 14.1 2 3. or a tinkling Cymbal and without which the most seeming excellent Works of Piety are nothing available Such could discern in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ which searcheth all things to which they were obedient between them that were of God whom true Christians heard 1 John 4.6 and them that were of the World whom the World heard and thereby they knew the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Errour And such by the Light and Spirit of Christ in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge came truly to discern the deceitful Devices Col. 2.3 2 Cor. 2.11 and Snares of their Souls great Enemy who in his Devilish Wisdom and Serpentine Subtilty was continually endeavouring to entangle and deceive them as he did others both inwardly by his dark unclean wicked Power and outwardly by the Deceit of the same Power and Spirit in his deceived deceitful Antichristian Ministers who transformed themselves as into the Apostles 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. or Ministers of Christ but the true Christians discerned them and knew that their end should be according to their Works and they likewise knew that Satan himself was transformed into an Angel of Light And yet in and by the true Light of Christ which enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World they saw him to be what he is to wit a Serpent a Dragon a roaring Lion the Devil an Adversary a Murderer a Devourer a wicked Spirit and by many other Names and suitable Descriptions is he called by the Scriptures of Truth to describe the Visage of the Wicked One that all may in the Light of Christ behold his Deceitfulness wherewith he is continually endeavouring to Destroy Murther and Devour the Souls of the Children of Men both by his Transformed Instruments and otherwise And all that profess Christianity and oppose the Light and Spirit of Christ they may fitly be said to be Transformed or to Transform themselves whether Leaders or Followers of others for they are neither Members of Christ Children of the Light nor Children of God who is Light as all true Christians are and therefore such only Transform themselves into Christians that is they pretend to be Christians falsly And such as are not Children of the Light nor Children of God whose Children are they Are not they Children of Darkness and Disobedience and of the Power of Darkness which is the Devil Such are grosly deceived and transformed as were those Jews who professed to be both the Children of Abraham and of God and yet Christ said plainly unto them John 8.33 to 45. Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do And all People in and by the Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ may examine and try themselves whether they be true Christians who are Children of God yea or nay For the Spirit
can truly call him according to the Prophecies of Old the Lord our Righteousness Rom. 8.4 9 10 14. and this is to be fulfilled in them who walk not after the Flesh Gal. 5.25 1 John 1.7 but after the Spirit and in the Light and Manifestation thereof And they that truly examine themselves and prove themselves whether they be in the Faith 2 Cor. 13.3 Gal. 2.20 Col. 1 2â— they may know how that Jesus Christ the Lord their Righteousness is in them except they be Reprobates thus the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 13. who through weakness in the Faith sought a Proof of Christ speaking in him which speaking of Christ he affirmeth was to themwards not weak but was mighty in them By which it is evident that where the Man of Sin hath prevailed by his deceitful power in and upon any when such come by the Light of Christ the Word of God's Power in themselves to be convinced of their Sins and made willing to resist the wicked One in the Faith of Christ the Power of God yet it seemeth not easie at the first for such to believe in the mighty Speakings of Christ the Power of God in themselves nor to believe in Christ's Ability to save and cleanse them from all Sin and that he is able with the Spirit of his Mouth and the Brightness of his Coming to consume and destroy the Man of Sin and his Works in them For while People yield their Members Servants to Sin and profess Christianity the Man of Sin in themselves and by his Instruments outwardly is ready to perswade them either that a Priest can forgive them or pronounce Forgiveness to them for their Sins as not only the Popish Priests but others as for instance the Author of the Book called The Practice of Piety teach and that so they may be absolved from their Sins or else he would perswade them as he doth too many That they must have the Righteousness of Christ only imputed to them wholly without them to justifie them though they be not inwardly sanctified by the Word of his Power in their Hearts and though they be continually sinning in Thought Word and Deed against his Light the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Consciences and that they must believe that they must only be saved by the Meriâ—s of Christ's Death and Sufferings which he suffered for them now above Sixteâ—n Hundred Years since without the Gates of Jerusalem to satisfie the Justice of God for their Sins but they must not expect to be free from Sin but to be continually sinning while they live in this World So the Man of Sin the Devil will suffer his Servants to make as large a shew of Christianity as they can so that they will continue in Sin that is in Service and Slavery to him and his Power but he willeth not to have them believe that they must be saved from their Sins by the precious Blood of Christ which he hath shed for them Rev. 5.9 Tit. 2.12 13 14. Eph. â—2 5 nor that they must be saved from their Sins and redeemed from all Iniquity by the Grace of God in their own Hearts Heb. 2.9 by which all true Christians were and are saved and by which Christ tasted Death for every Man and the Man of Sin would have People to believe Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.18 22. Heb 8.10 that while they are in this World they cannot be set free from the Law of Sin and Death by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus as true Christians witnessed that they were and that Law was in their Hearts Thus the Prince or Ruler of Darkness keeps many in subjection to his dark Power and Spirit so that they consider not that they who live in Sin Heb. 6.6 and in disobedience to the Light of Christ's Spirit in themselves crucifie Christ afresh and put him to open shame whereas the Apostle said Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from Iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Gal. 5.24 they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts And the Apostle John writes He that saith he abideth in Christ as true Christians do ought himself also to walk even as be walked 1 Joh. 2.6 1 John 4.13 And said he Ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sin and in him is no Sin whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 1 John 3 5 6 7. little Children let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous And the Apostle Paul saith The Church is subject to Christ in every thing but they that live in Sin are not so and that he gave himself for it Eph. 5.24 25 26 27. that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word which is nigh that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And again he writes The Weapons of our Warsare are not Carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 5. casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ And now let all that profess Christianity examine and prove themselves whether or no they be thus subjected to Christ for though he be the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 Heb. 2.9 Job 10.14 15. Nah. 1.3 Rom. 2.6 to 10. Rev. 22.12 John 1.4 and though by the Grace of God he hath tasted Death for every Man yet he will not acquit the Wicked but as he is a righteous Judge he will render to every Man according to his Deeds and how shall those escape that neglect his great Salvation and rebel against his Light which is his Life which they crucifie and oppress in themselves by Sin in their Affections and Lusts They are not like to escape the Righteous Judgments of God who disobey the Light of his Spirit in their Hearts and obey the Man of Sin the Devil who tempts them so to do and so they yielding to his Temptations are taken captive by his power which cometh through disobedience to God to be exalted in them above all that is called God or that is worshipped and so he swayes and rules them being his Subjects by his dark power who ought as true Christians are to be subject to the Light of Christ the Word of God's Power in their Hearts And so according to the perswasion of him whose power prevails over them many believe Gen. 17.1 Mat. 5.48 1 Cor. 13.11 1 John 2.3 3 4 5 6. and plead that none though assisted by the Grace and Power of God can keep the Commandments of God nor be freed from Sin
Christ nor his Apostles But if they that Teach such things as these for Doctrines to get Money by had not a shew of Christianity and a shew of believing in Christ and in the Scriptures of Truth they walking contrary could not prevail upon many who Believe the Truth of the Holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles Recorded therein to embrace their Doctrines and receive them for Teachers nor to pay for their Teachings who through Covetousness with feigned words 2 Pet. 1.19 2 Pet. 2.2.3 make Merchandise of such as follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the Way of Truth which the Scriptures declare of even the Light the sure Word of Prophecy in the Heart is evil spoken of For if the False Church called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth had not been Arrayed in Purple and Scarlet Colour and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearls then probably the Kings of the Earth would not have been so apt to commit Fornication with her Rev. 17.1 2 to 6. And so if those that Preach up this or that Ordinance or Tradition to get Money withal contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles did not deck themselves and their Doctrines with the precious words of Christ and his Apostles making them to serve to their Purposes as far as they can with all the feigned words and fair speeches that they can study out or invent their Trade would soon fail and their Merchandize be rejected as it is by the Children of the Light who plainly see their deceit let their shews be as fair as they can Now if it be any thing whereby God is really honoured or the Name of Christ exalted or People bettered or edified in Christ the Truth there is no reason why any such thing should be wanting amongst Christians but such Ceremonies Types Signs and Shadows which the Holy Scriptures declare of which were in their Time and Season appointed of God to be as Figures Types or Shadows to them who were as under the Cloud to typifie or shew forth Christ to come and to be as Shadows of good things to come Col. 2. â—â— and to be as Explanations of the Great Mystery of Godliness which by the prevailing Power of Darkness was hid from Ages and Generations which is made manifest to his Saints who have believed in Col. 1.26 27. and walk in his Light which is Christ in them the hope of Glory So now Christ the Antitype the End of all Figures Types and Shadows being come and also inwardly revealed and made manifest why then should not all those outward Ceremonies Types Figures Signs and Shadows cease seeing there is no Warrant nor Command of God nor Christ nor of his Holy Apostles left upon Record in the Scriptures of Truth for the continuance of them For that which was a Figure for the time then present in which were offered both Gifts Heb. 7.18 19 Heb. 9.9 10. Eph. 2.15.16 and Sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the Conscience which stood only in Meats and Drinks and divers Washings imposed on them to wit the Jews until the time of Reformation that Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances was disanulled or made void for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof by Christ who came to fulfil abolish disanul and make void the same And the Apostle saith If that first Covenant had been faultless then should no place have been sought for the second for finding fault with them the Lord said Behold the Days come Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. Heb. 8.7 8 9 10 11. when I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the Day that I took them by the Hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord But this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those Days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their Mind and write them in their Hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People And they shall not teach every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest and I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more So here is a clear Testimony to God's Law in the Mind and in the Heart Prov. 6.23 which is the Light that reproveth for sin and the Reproof of its Instruction is the Way of Life and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus setteth them who walk in the Light the Way of Life free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 But it doth not so set them free from the Law of sin and death who love not the inward Law and Light of Life but are in Bondage to outward Ordinances John 8.12 Joh. 12.35 36. Gal. 4.9 and weak and beggarly Elements which the Apostles of Christ reproved And said the Apostle Paul in that he saith a New Covenant he hath made the first old now said he that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to Vanish away and so he testified in his Day that the outward Covenant or Law of Ceremonies or of Commandments contained in Ordinances was old and ready to vanish away and it was his Exercise and Travail to bring those that in any measure believed in Christ out of those Ceremonies Ordinances and weak and beggarly Elements into the Obedience of the Inward Law of God put into their Mind and written in their Hearts that therein they might walk as Children of the Light which now the Preachers up of Ordinances and Elements hate and speak evil of and cannot endure to hear of Read the Epistles of Paul to the Hebrews Galatians Colossiani and Ephesians And so there is a great difference between the Ministers of Christ whose Labour and Travail was and is to turn People from Darkness to Light that they may believe in it become Children of it and walk in it and come out of the use of outward Ordinances and Elements into the true Worship of God in his Spirit and Light And the Ministers of the Man of Sin whose labour is to keep People from believing in the Light and in the sufficiency of it and so to keep them in Darkness where sin and the Works of darkness are done which are inwardly reproved by the Light and so to keep People in the use of such outward Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Elements in their Vain and Ignorant Worship which are Taught variously according to the Traditions and Doctrines of Men and that for their Gain of Tythes Money and outward Preferment far different from the expectation of the
Ministers of Christ whose Travail and Preaching often is and hath been in the hazard of their Lives and outward Estates And they that receive believe in walk in and continue in the New Covenant of the Everlasting Gospel of God which is the Light Grace Law and Spirit of God in their Hearts there is no need for them to be subject to Ordinances of Men nor to be burdened writh ther Traditions 2 Cor. 3. nor to be in Bondage to weak and beggarly Elements in their true Worship of God John 4.24 Col. 2.20 Rom. 8.21 Gal. 5.1 Gal. 4.9 which is in his Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and such are all led and taught by the Spirit of God and stand fast in the glorious Liberty of the Children of God wherewith Christ hath made them free from the Yoak of Bondage to outward Elements Ordinances and Traditions of Men. And the Children of God who stand in their Liberty are the Babes unto whom the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God are revealed which are hid from the Wise and Prudent of the World Mac. 11.25 and these Babes have believed the Record of the Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these Three are One and this is the Record that God hath given unto them Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son and these Babes believe on the Son of God 1 John 5.1 2 to 12. and have in themselves the Record or Witness being One in signification and this is the Witness of God which is greater than the Witness of Men which Witness the Spirit beareth because the Spirit is Truth and so there are Three that bear witness in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these Three agree in One witnessing with the Spirits of these Babes who are true Christians that they are the Children of God And these are not dead Witnesses as outward Water is dead but are living Witnesses John 6.63 1 Cor. 15.45 for the living Spirit beareth Witness 2 Cor. 3.6 Tit. 3.5 Jer. 4.14 John 4.10 Isa 4.4 1 John 1.7 which Spirit quickeneth and giveth Life and the living Water beareth Witness which Water washeth the Heart from filth and wickedness which Water Christ giveth to them that are athirst and ask and the Blood which is not dead for the Blood is the Life Dent. 12.23 beareth Witness which Blood cleanseth them that walk in the Light as God is in the Light from all sin And so these Three the Spirit and the Water and the Blood agree in One witnessing or bearing Witness in the Earth to wit the Hearts of true Christians of and unto the inward Baptism of Christ And these Babes being Born not of Corruptible Seed 1 Pet. 1.23 24 25. Heb. 4.12 Eph. 6.17 Eph. 6.25 but of Incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever which is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword 1 Pet. 2.2 which is the Sword of the Spirit of God by which the true inward Circumcision is made and the true inward Baptism of Christ in the Heart wrought These as now Born Babes desiring the sincere Milk of this Living Word how should their tender Heavenly Father who knoweth all their Needs and Necessities but afford them Nourishment by the same that they may grow thereby And though these Babes at the first be but as unskilful in the Word of Righteousness Heb. 5.12 13.14 Col. 2.19 and use as it were Milk and not strong Meat yet as they truly hunger after the Divine Milk of this Word they come to be satisfied therewith and nourished thereby and so they grow and increase with the increase of God till they come to have their senses truly exercised by reason of use to discern both good and evil and then the Apostle calleth them perfect or of full Age as some Translate to whom strong Meat belongeth and so then they know an eating of the Bread of God which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World And Christ said If any Man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever and saith he The Bread that I will give is my Flesh John 6.32 33 to 63. which I will give for the Life of the World and he said to the Jews Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eat my Flesh and drink my Blood ye have no Life in you whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the last Day for my Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him as the Living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me This is the Bread that came down from Heaven not as your Fathers did eat Manna and are dead he that eateth this Bread shall live for ever and to them that murmured at these sayings Christ said Doth this offend you What and if you shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before It is the Spirit that quickeneth the Flesh profiteth nothing The words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life And so it is plain Mat. 4.4 that true Christians live by the words that Christ speaketh in their Hearts and Souls and Consciences by his Light and Grace the answering of which in faithful Obedience is as Meat and Drink to their Souls and they know the Law of the Mouth of God to be better unto them John 14.10 Psal 119.72 Mal. 2.7 than Thousands of Gold and Silver And as in Times past under the Law the Priests Lips were to keep Knowledge Col. 2.3 and the People were to seek the Law at his Mouth so the Lips of Christ who is a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedeck they keep Knowledge and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge and all true Christians inwardly seek the Law at his Mouth and their Souls live by the words that proceed out of it Psal 26.8.9 1 Tim. 6.16 Isa 60.19 and these are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of God's House who dwelleth in the Light and these drink of the River of his Pleasures for with him is the Fountain of Life and in his Light they see Light and the Lord will be unto them an Everlasting Light and their God their Glory But they that believe not in the Light of Christ in their Hearts but rebel against it and kick against the Pricks and Reproofs of it how should such be satisfied with the fatness of God's House Or how should such know an eating of the Bread that Christ giveth which is his Flesh and Blood and a dwelling in Christ and Christ in them Or how should such know the words that Christ speaketh unto them by his Light Grace and
270 to the end Antichrist Unvailed c. THE large Love of God in his Son Christ Jesus being freely tendered unto all Mankind it hath been and is the endeavour of the Devil the great Enemy of Man's Happiness by his Subtilty and Devilish Wisdom and oft by insinuating into them hopes of better Attainments to draw out the Minds of Mankind from the pure Obedience to what God hath made known in them and unto them of his Will and Mind and their Duty towards him and so by affecting their Minds with outward things to bring them into disobedience to the Will of God thereby to make them unworthy of the Goodness of God to their Souls and of his Bounteous Love in which he gives to every Man and Woman a measure of his Divine Light in their Hearts and Souls which is the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 12 7â— which is given to every man to profit withal which Christ said should comfort and lead them that follow it into all truth or into truth in every thing but should reprove the World of sin and of righteousness and of judgment John 16.8 13. Now the God of Mercy in the tender Bowels of his Love having for the Redemption of fallen Mankind sent his Son into the World in the Body that was prepared him who came a Light into the World which is the true Light that enlightens every Man and Woman that cometh into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not perish John 1.9 but have everlasting life Joh. 3.15 16 Man's grand Enemy at that time endeavoured as much as in him lay to keep Peoples Minds in a Love of the Ceremonies and Ordinances given to their Forefathers and in an outward shew and form of Worship in which they that were erred from and rebelled against God's good Spirit Neh. 9.20 which he had given them to instruct them Isa 1.13 were not accepted of him thereby to keep People from coming to the light or manifestation of the Spirit whereby they might have come to have believed in him the Messiah or Christ Prophesied of by the Prophets who spake by his Spirit whose Writings they had and believed them to be true according to which they expected him about that time Yet by erring from and rebelling against his Light and Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences many of the Jews who esteemed themselves the peculiar People of God were so darkned that they did not believe in him but they that walked in Obedience to the Light of his Spirit they believed in him and they received him as the only Messiah the Christ the Son of the Living God as Simeon did who took him up in his Arms and said Lord Luke 2.2 â— to 35. now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel The great Enemy of Mankind had then so far prevailed upon the Learned Rabbies and Doctors among the Jews that though they had the Scriptures which testified of him in their own Language yet being erred from the light of his Spirit in themselves they were so far from receiving Christ and believing in him that they agreed that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue John 9.22 And although he did many Miracles among them yet they believed not but contended with him maliciously and falsly accused him and said He cast out Devils through Beelzebub the Prince of Devils and said that he brake the Sabbath with much more of the like kind of words as may be read in the Scriptures of Truth and at length were so desperately hardned in their wickedness that seeking opportunity to kill him when the Chief Priests had hired the false pretender Judas to betray him and deliver him unto them they put him to the Death of the Cross yet some of them said they found no fault in him And yet still his Love was towards them even upon the Cross and he prayed for them saying Father forgive them Luke 23.34 for they know not what they do So the Devil their great Enemy by his deceit had drawn them so far into darkness and from the light of Christ in themselves that they knew not what they did And indeed it may well be supposed that they knew not what they did when in the Service of the Enemy of their Souls they Crucified and put to Death him that came to save them from their Sins from Wrath and from the Devil their Enemy And so now all that oppose and contend against the Light which is the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in the Heart or envy them that profess it and walk according to it or any other People whosoever upon the account of Religion are certainly deceived by their great Enemy Satan whose Service they are in being erred from the Light and Spirit of Christ which teacheth them who walk in it good will towards all Men and love to their Neighbours though Enemies But when the Chief Priests and Pharisees and People of the Jews had with a general consent Crucified the Lord of Glory after they had mocked him and scourged him yet they and their Enemy whom they served missed of their expectation and desire for they were still in fear lest he should rise again as he had told before and therefore they watched him sealing the stone Mat. 27.62 to 66. Mat. 28.2 to 2. and making as they thought the Sepulchre sure but in the Lord 's appointed time there was a great Earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sate upon it his countenance was like Lightning and his raiment white as snow and for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead men but the Angel said to the Women who were Friends of Jesus Fear not ye for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified he is not here he is risen So the Grave could not contain him Death had not dominion over him Hâ—b 2. â—â— but through death he destroyed and will destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil So the Devil and his deceived Servants had not their desire nor the power to destroy Christ but they came to destruction themselves And so now all that err from and disobey the Light and Spirit of Christ and follow the leadings and movings of their deceitful Enemy the Prince of Darkness if he shall prevail in them so far as to cause them to kill the Bodies of the People of God who walk in his Light and answer the manifestation of his Spirit of Love and in it are kept in true good will towards all Men because of their Religion on purpose thereby to root out and destroy
them who are in judgment contrary to themselves yet they must never have their desire but as they destroy their Fellow-Creatures their Friends so Eternal Destruction will be to themselves and the Light and Spirit of God will be their Condemnation for ever But blessed and happy are all they and shall be for evermore who suffer for the Testimony of a good Conscience and are faithful unto Death for God will give them a Crown of Eternal Life and such in the midst of Persecution or at the laying down of their Lives for their Testimony in obedience to the Light and according to the Example of Christ the Captain of their Salvation can pray for their Persecutors who being blinded by their deceitful Leader the Devil know not what they do but think they do God service but Eternal Torment shall seize upon the Murtherers fear shall surprize them and truth will rise up in Judgment against them over all Deceit over all Error and over the Devil and all his deceived Followers and God will be magnified over all who is worthy for evermore Amen And after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ when his Apostles who according to his command waited at Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high were commissionated to Preach in his Name and Power his Everlasting Gospel then the great Deceiver and Enemy of Man's Felicity was very busie in his deceived Servants and Instruments to hinder the propagation and publication of it stirring them up by his Murthering Persecuting Spirit to Murder and Persecute the Ministers and Apostles of Christ as may at large be read in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles But Christ the power of God by the living operation of his Light which he sent his Ministers to turn People unto from Darkness and by the word of his Grace which is one with the Light working effectually in the Hearts of many to the convincement of them of their evil deeds thereby-bringing them to true Repentance and to the acknowledgment of the truth and not only so but also teaching them to live godlily and righteously and soberly thereby as well in Life and Conversation as in Words to Preach and Propagate the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ in the demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God So that the number of Christians encreased much and that in several Nations to the glory of God and the great comfort and cause of rejoicing of many Souls who had received the Light of Christ and believed in it and walked in it wherein they had true Unity and Fellowship one with another and knew by the Blood of Christ Jesus 1 John 1.7 a cleansing from all sin which their Soul's Enemy had wrought in them and in the Name and Power of Christ knew and witnessed a triumphing in his Eternal Life over the power of Death which is the Devil 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 2.13 to 17. Heb. 2.14 who had formerly captivated them and held them as in Chains of Darkness which they knew and witnessed to be broken and dissolved by the Light and Power of Christ and so could say The Darkness is past 1 John 2.8 and the true Light now shineth So the great Deceiver the Devil was frustrated of his Will for the Gospel was Preached and the Name of Christ gloriously magnified in his People over the Earth all the Endeavours of the Devil and his deceived ones not being able to suppress it But although many received the Gospel of Christ in uprightness of Heart and believed in his Light unto which his Ministers were sent to turn their Minds from darkness and in faithful obedience from their very Hearts gave up their All to the service of God in his Light the manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts and Souls and Consciences out of which Light and Spirit no service was ever acceptable to the Lord and so became Children of the Light of God who is Light and in him is no Darkness at all and in his Light and Spirit enjoyed precious Unity and Fellowship one with another and knew Satan the Devil the Old Serpent who by his subtilty had formerly deceived them to be by the power of God as bruised under their Feet no more able to prevail upon them by his subtil deceit but in the Light Spirit and Power of God they could keep their standing over him and all his deceivable Device of Unrighteousness and in Christ the Lord their Righteousness had Peace and Joy in his Holy Spirit and so rejoiced together in their Heavenly Places in Christ and glorified God over all in their day and time and though many came to these and the like Attainments as the Scriptures of Truth at large declare Yet the subtil Deceiver the Devil who was a Lyar and a Murtherer from the beginning by his deceitful Devices and dark Power prevailed upon many that were convinced of the true Light that enlightens every Man that cometh into the World and that believed concerning Christ that he laid down his Life for Mankind and rose again from the Dead and ascended up on high and so they could make a Profession of Christianity having a Notional Knowledge of Christ and of things relating to Eternity and it was by drawing their Minds from the Light of Christ in themselves that the deceitful Enemy prevailed to keep them only in a Profession of Christianity and in a Form of Godliness but out of the obedience of the Light and Spirit of Christ and so out of the Truth though professing it And so being out of the Truth and out of the Obedience of the Light which is the manifestation of the Spirit of God they were not though they might profess to be Children of the Light nor Children of God for it is they that are led by the Spirit of God that are Children of God and all the Children of God are taught of God by his Spirit and consequently they were out of the glorious Liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.14 Isa 54.13 John 6.45 Heb. 8.11 1 John 2.27 and of the Gospel of Christ the beguiling Serpent keeping their Minds fast in the love of outward things and so they would still keep up the Ordinances Col. 2.14 Gal. 4.9 10. Ceremonies and Customs of their Forefathers though contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and were in Bondage to weak and beggarly Elements and observed Days and Months and Times and Years And so they were held in Bondage to Corruption and Corruptible Things and tho' they then professed Christianity and desired no doubt to be called Christians yet their Enemy beguiling them and keeping them by his deceit in disobedience to the Light of Christ in themselves they acted and lived contrary to true Christianity And though they appeared as for Christ they were really against him and his Truth and being themselves deceived they endeavoured to deceive others being Enemies to the Cross of Christ to which he
had nailed the Hand-writing of Ordinances Phil. 3.18 Col. 2.14 blotting it out and taking it out of the way where the Redeemed were to walk And as the Ministers of Christ declared among the true Christians that the Spirit of Antichrist should come so the Apostle John in his time restified 1 John 4.3 that it was then already in the World And although it appeared in them upon whom it prevailed as for Christ or on his behalf yet it was and still is really against him and the Truth of his Gospel being the same deceitful Spirit that draws into and endeavours to keep the Minds of Mankind in the love of outward things and in a kind of satisfaction in outward Performances old Ceremonies uncertain Traditions and beggarly Elements and so keeps out of the obedience of the Light and Spirit of God and out of the Service of God which they profess but it keeps in the Service of him who is their Enemy the Devil who hath deceived them who is to be cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone to be tormented Day and Night for ever and ever Rev. 20.10 So when Man 's grand Enemy could not hinder the glad-tydings of the Gospel of God's Salvation from being Preached thorough the Nations of the World then by his Spirit of Antichrist he laboured with all his subtil Devices to keep them who were convinced of the Light of the Gospel of Christ only in a Profession of Christianity without the Life and Power of Godliness that so though they profest Christ in words Titus 1.16 yet in works they might deny him And at that time he thus prevailed upon many with his deceit and made them deceitful like himself 2 Tim. 3.5 Philip. 1.15 Titus 1.11 having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof and so some preached Christ even of Eavy Strife and Contention and others being Men of corrupt Minds supposing Gain to be Godliness and having Hearts exercised with covetous Practices taught for filthy Lucreâ—s sake things that they ought not And many having itching Ears followed such Teachers and their pernicious ways erring from the way of Truth the Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in themselves to which if they had been faithful and obedient it would have manifested inwardly unto them the subtil Devices Snares and Stratagems wherewith the Devil their Enemy had beguiled them and whereby he acted them in his Service to deceive others and to draw them away from the true Faith of Christ being themselves reprobate concerning the Faith resisting the Truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8 But their Folly was manifested by the Light and Spirit of Christ and they that walked in the Light saw their Folly And the Apostle called such Antichrists saying Little Children it is the last time And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 19. whereby we know that it is the last time They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Thus it is manifest that when the Enemy of Man's Happiness the Devil could not keep People from believing in Christ because the Testimony of the Light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences confirmed and was at one with the Doctrine and Preaching of his Ministers yet those that he could with his deceit prevail upon by his Unclean Envious 2 Tim. 3.13 Antichristian Spirit to keep them in disobedience to the Light them he made Antichrists evil Men and Seducers waxing worse and worse deceiving and being by him deceived And yet the Devil could allow such to make a Profession of the Knowledge of God and of Christ and to speak great swelling words 1 Pet. 2 1â— 19. to allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were clean escaped from them that live in Errour and to promise Liberty to others while they themselves were the Servants of Corruption And so though such could style themselves Ministers of Christ and of his Gospel and could use the words of the Scriptures and of the true Ministers of Christ and of his Prophets who spake by his Holy Spirit as they were moved thereby and could make a large flourishing shew by their Preaching in their enticing words of humane Wisdom which is earthly sensual and devilish and in their large comprehending Wit Jam. 3 1â— which they had as natural Men thereby to draw many after them yet all that was in the Airy Lustful Wanton Spirit that proceeds from the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 who works and rules in the Hearts of all the Children of Disobedience And therefore it was not like that they should bring any into Obedience they themselves being in Disobedience to the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in themselves which teacheth them that believe in it and obey it to live soberly godly and righteously and reproveth for lightness and vanity and lustfulness and wantonness and all the hidden works of darkness and dishonesty and unrighteousness and ungodliness all which the Prince of the Power of the Air teacheth and worketh and leadeth into by his dark Power and deceitful Antichristian Spirit And it is not like that his Servants and Followers should bring any out of those things for he leads them into them and so do his Ministers too let them profess what they will or can And none can come out of them but by taking diligent heed to the Light of Christ in themselves which is the Grace of God which brings Salvation and hath appeared to all Men. And so Antichristian Ministers keep poor People from the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves although many by it see them to be wrong that they may be ever learning of them but never thereby be able to come to the knowledge of the Truth as it is in Jesus and such can never bring any to the knowledge of the Truth for they are out of it themselves and all are such who Preach for Hire and for their own Carnal Ends or for Strife or Envy and filthy Lucre's sake through Covetousness with feigned words making Merchandise of People for such run and God never sent them therefore they shall not profit the people at all Jer. 23.21 32. But they who obey the Light of Christ in their Hearts by it see their deceit who would keep People from it for the Apostles were sent to turn their Minds to it and the Eye of the Lord is upon the ways of all and he will render unto all according to their ways and according to the fruit of their doings who sees and knows and searches the Hearts and tryeth the Reins of all And though those Antichristian Ministers could not only talk and preach of Holiness and
Righteousness and Redemption and Justification by Christ Jesus but also though they might perswade exhort and advise People thereunto as they without Commission from Christ took upon them yet they were unlike to bring any to the enjoyment of those good things which they exhorted and advised to being out of them themselves and being in unrighteousness and disobedience themselves they could not bring others unto those good things which they wanted themselves But the true Christian Ministers who lived in and preached in obedience to the Light and Spirit of Christ and directed and turned peoples Minds to the true Light the Manifestation of the Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences by taking heed thereunto and giving up freely with their Hearts to the obedience of it thereby many came to see not only the Snares and subtil Devices of the Devil but also to know power to avoid them and also to know Redemption Holiness Righteousness Justification and Salvation by Christ whose Light and Spirit in their Hearts they obeyed and lived in and walked in according to the advice and exhortation of the true Ministers of Christ But how could the Antichristian Ministers direct or turn Peoples Minds to the Light which they doing evil hated John 3 2â— For every are that doth evil hateth the Light and bringeth not his deeds to the Light lest thereby they should be reproved And how should such bring any out of Sin and Unrighteousness by their Preaching who hate the Light which leads out of Sin and Unrighteousness them that believe in it and obey it But they that are unfaithful and disobedient to it them it reproveth and condemneth in their Hearts and such hate it and love rather to bear the words of Men though false Teachers than to hear the voice of the Light the word of God's Grace in their Hearts that reproveth them for Sin and is the true Teacher that leadeth to Salvation from Sin and from the Devil the Author of Sin the deceitful Enemy of Mankind So the deceitful Antichristian Ministers hating the Light of Christ were unlike to speak well of it and more unlike to possess others with the love of it or to turn their Minds to it for they loved Darkness rather than the Light and endeavoured to keep their Followers in Darkness lest they should turn from them But the true Christian Ministers they loved the Light believed in it walked in it and in the love and authority of it they preached it and said 1 John 1.5 6 7. That the preaching of the Light was the Message which they had heard of God and declared unto People and they turned the Minds of many to it who in the love of it received it believed in it became Children of it walked in it had Fellowship one with another in it and knew a cleansing from all Sin by the Blood of Jesus Christ the Author of their Faith in it Mark the difference between the true Ministers of Christ and the Antichristian Ministers and all that desire the Salvation of their Souls ought to beware what they hear and whom they follow And the difference between the Ministers of Christ and the Ministers of Antichrist is yet more fully declared of by the Scriptures of Truth for the true Christian Ministers preached that all should believe in the Name of Christ Jesus Rev. 19.13 Heb. 4.12 whose Name is called the Word of God which Word they said was quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing to the dividing asunder of the Soul and Spirit and of the Joints and Marrow and is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Hearts And they preached that this Word ought to be believed in which was nigh even in the mouth Rom. 10.8 1 Pet. 1.23 and in the heart being the word of Faith which they preached By which Word which liveth and abideth for ever the true Christians were Born again and so were the Children of God and Heirs of Eternal Life through Christ Jesus who is called the Word John 1.1 2 4 9.12 13. which was in the beginning with God and was and is God in whom was Life and the Life was the Light of Men that was the true Light which enlighteneth every Man and Woman that cometh into the World And they preached that as many as received him and believed in his Name to them he gave power to become the Sons of God which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh John 12.36 John 1.5 Rev. 21.24 nor of the will of Man but of God and so they were Children of the Light by believing in it and Children of God who is Light in which Light the Nations of them which are saved must walk And the true Christian Ministers preached that this Light 1 Cor. 12.7 Jam. 1.21 or Word or Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every Man to profit withal was the engraffed Word which is able to save the Soul and they called it the Word of God's Grace which brings Salvation and which is able to build up Isa 20.32 and to give an Inheritance among all them that are sanctified Tit. 2.11.12 and they said that this Grace of God hath appeared to all Men teaching them who obeyed it to live godly righteously and soberly and to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts and thus all the true Christians as Christ said were to be taught of God John 6.45 Rom. 5.21 Rom. 8.2 and so Sin should not have dominion over them they being not under the Law but under Grace And they said as Sin had reigned unto Death so Grace might reign through Righteousness to Eternal Life And so the true Christians could say the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had made them free from the Law of Sin and Death Jer. 31.32 33 which Law according to the Promise of God in his Covenant of Light and Grace was put into their Minds and written in their Hearts so that they should not need to teach every Man his Neighbour and his Brother saying Know the Lord Heb. 8.10.11 for all should know him from the least even to the greatest And they preached that what was spoken of by the Prophet Joel Joel 2.28 Acts 2.16.17 Rom. 8.14 Rom. 8.9 Cor. 3.16.17 Gal. 5.5 25. was fulfilled which God said That he would pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and they said As many as are led of the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God And if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.1 he is none of his and so consequently is no true Christian for the Spirit of God dwelleth in true Christians who through the Spirit wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith And as they lived in the Spirit so they exhorted to walk in the Spirit saying There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after
of Christ beareth witness with true Christians â—om 8.16 1 John â— 10 that they are the Children of God and consequently their Spirits bear witness of the same with the Spirit of Christ and he that is of God hath the witness in himself But he that is not sensible of the Spirit of Christ thus to witness in him that he is a Child of God hath not he the Manifestation or Testimony of the Spirit though possibly he may not believe what it is that in his Heart and Conscience testifies that he is of his Father the Devil Surely these things are of great importance and are worthy to be seriously and weightily considered of by all People who desire the Salvation of their precious Souls and they who have truly believed in the Light of Christ and yielded obedience thereunto have therein and thereby seen and weightily considered these things and have learned and are learning to avoid the Snares of the Devil's deceit of Unrighteousness wherewith he beguiles many to the Loss of their Souls Happiness Eternally although such when so beguiled may profess Christianity and look upon themselves to be Christians But the Light of Christ in true Christians sheweth and discovereth to them the Deceit of their Spiritual Enemy in all his Appearances both in their own particulars and in others his deceived deceitful Members and Ministers who in his Service may profess Christianity For true Christians are the Sheep of Christ which hear and know his Voice and follow him John 10.3 to 14. and a Stranger they will not follow for they know not the Voice of Strangers but Christ is the good Shepherd who giveth his Life for the Sheep and said he I know them and am known of mine whereby it is evident that true Christians have a true discerning of the Voice of Christ which is the Light or Manifestation of his Spirit in them from the Voice of a Stranger which saith he they will flee from whether in themselves or from others And such may rightly be called Strangers who disobey the Light Voice and Spirit of Christ Eph. 4.18 19 20 21. Eph. 2.12 Isa 42.6 Isa 49.6 which if they obeyed it would lead them in the Way of Life which through disobedience they err from and lose and so become alienated from the Life of God and Righteousness and true Christianity and such are Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and Strangers to the Covenant of Promise which is Christ the true Light and God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth And to such Christ is a Stranger though they may profess great things in his Name and in the Sentence of true Judgment he will say unto them they not being termed his Sheep but Goats I was a Stranger Mat. 25.33.43 46. and ye took me not in and then when such cannot be received of Christ they shall begin to say We have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets but he will say I tell you I know you not whence you are Luke 13.26 depart from me all ye Workers of Iniquity and these shall go away into Everlasting Punishment And those that say Lord Lord but do not the Will of God but disobey his Voice Light Grace and Spirit whereby he would teach and lead them to Eternal Rest and Happiness when they shall say to Christ Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works then for all their large Profession he will profess unto them saying I never knew you Mat. 7.21 22 23. depart from me ye that work Iniquity And among all sorts of People called Christians there will at last appear to be but two to wit true and false or Sheep and Goats and it is very like that the Sheep know themselves from Goats and if the Goats be not very senceless they may possibly by the Light discern that they are none of the Sheep And all that by true Examination of themselves in the Light of Christ do perceive that they are not of his Sheep who know him and his Voice in them they must upon necessity of Salvation yield up their whole Hearts to seek the Lord if they expect Mercy from him who is a God of Mercy to all that truly fear him and also hearken to the Voice Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of his Son Christ Jesus in their Hearts Souls and Consciences to which as they are faithful and wait diligently and seriously always in his fear which will keep their Hearts clean and upright to him they in due time may come truly to know not only a following of the Lamb which is likewise the great Shepherd of the Sheep but also a being created anew into the Lamb-like Nature and so a being made new Creatures even Lambs or Sheep of the one Fold of Eternal Rest whereof Christ Jesus the Lamb without blemish is the true Shepherd who leads and brings thither his Sheep John 10.16 Them said he I must bring and they shall hear my Voice and there shall be one Fold and one Shepherd So then true Christians which are the Sheep of Christ they hear the Voice of Christ they walk in his Light they are taught by his Grace and they are led by the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts Souls and Consciences which Voice Light Grace and Manifestation is one And the true Christians did not only know them who were gone out from them to be Antichrists but they also knew that then amongst them there was false Brethren Gal. 2.4 2 Cor. 11.26 Jude 4. who came in amongst them privily to spy out their true Christian Liberty whom the true Christians then knew to be perilous And the true Ministers of Christ in and by his Light and Spirit saw and prophesied of an Apostacy or falling away from the Truth and that among Christians because they would not receive the love of the Truth which in the inward parts God loveth that they might be saved therefore said the Apostle Paul God shall send them strong Delusions 2 Thes 2.11 12. that they should believe a Lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Vnrighteousness And likewise the same Apostle Paul prophesied of the Man of Sin being revealed the Son of Perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God And be said to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 2.1 to 13. Ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time for the mystery of Iniquity doth already work only he who now leâ—teth will let until he be taken out of the way and then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of his
Coming even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of Vnrighteousness in them that perish Now in as much as he who is called the man of sin the Son of perdition and the wicked one is truly said to be in them that perish it is evident that he first by his deceit drawing them into disobedience to the Light and Spirit of God had beguiled and deceived them and so by the working of his deceitful power 1 Cor. 3.10 17. had gotten in them an usurped place of exaltation above the Light and Spirit of God which he had tempted them to disobey 1 Cor. 6.19 and oppose in themselves and so he and his dark power thereby was exalted in them above the Light Power and Spirit of God whose Temple true Christians are And so the Devil the Man of Sin sitteth in the Temple of God or that which ought to be the Temple of God being exalted above all that is called God or that is worshipped in and by them that obey him And let all mark that he is to be consumed and destroyed with the Spirit of God and with the Light or brightness of Christ when he comes to rule and reign in People whose right it is and that is when his Light or Voice in their Heart is obeyed And so though those who disobey the Light of Christ in themselves may yet in words confess him Rom 1.16 1 Cor. 1.18 24 and profess Christianity yet they by disobedience to his Light which is the Word of his Power who is the Wisdom and Power of God in yielding to and embracing the allurements drawings and temptations of the wicked One thereby he getteth the power over them and begetteth them into a belief of his Power perswading them that it is impossible for them while they live in this World to be set free from the ruling or prevailing of his Power over them And so he whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs Ephes 2 2. Ephes 5.2 3 4 5 6. and Lying Wonders who is the Prince of the Power of the Air he worketh in the Children of Disobedience and he ruleth and hath all the power and prevalency in and over such whom he holdeth in such a Belief or Faith that they must carry a Body of Sin and Death while they live in this World which is a dead Faith and never like to give Victory over the World nor over Death nor him that hath the power of Death which is the Devil nor over his Works And so such through disobedience to the Light of Christ which is the Word of Life Phil. 2.16 Prov. 6.23 Prov. 21.16 and the Reproofs of its Instruction the Way of Life are wandred from the Way of Life and Understanding and remain in the Congregation of the Dead Ephes 2.1 and are dead in Trespasses and Sins and are never like to be by a dead Faith recovered to Life to live to God in Christ Jesus in whom is Eternal Life and such may contend for their dead Faith But the Faith which true Christians are earnestly to contend for â—ude 3. Eph. 6.16 Phil. 1.27 Rom. 10.8 1 Tim. 6.12 1 John 5.4 Chap. 2.13 14. which was once delivered to the Saints stands in the Word of God's Power which is the Word of Faith which the Apostles preached which is nïgh in the Mouth and in the Heart and this is a Living Faith and gives Victory and overcometh as the true Christians testified And so they that in their dead Faith believe no overcoming the wicked One on this side the Grave they believe quite contrary to the true Christians as the Apostle John testified of them to whom he wrote 1 John 4.4 saying Ye have overcome the wicked One and though he writes 1 John 1.8 9 10. saying If we say that we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us yet he writes in the next words after If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his Word is not in us Now if the said Words to wit If we say that we have no Sin c. which some greatly object in this case be taken as they are in the common Translations yet that will not import the Apostle himself to be included as the Scripture hath such Expressions for the Apostle James speaking of the Tongue saith Therewith curse we Men c. James 3.9 And Paul saying Let us Eat and Drink for to morrow we dye 1 Cor. 15.32 Who can conclude from hence that the Apostle James was a Curser of Men Or that Paul was one of those luxurious Ones who used that saying about Eating and Drinking which was reproved by the Prophet Isa 22.13 and 56.12 Or who can from the Apostle John's Words here conlude that he then had Sin For as the Apostle James explained his saying of the Tongue to wit Therewith Curse we Men by saving presently after thus My Brethren these things ought not to be so vers 10. And as Paul also explained himself when he said Let us eat and drink for to morrow we dye by saying forthwith Be not deceived evil Communications corrupt good Manners c. vers 33 34. So also the Apostle John in this place after that which some translate thus to wit If we say that we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us which might relate to the Conditions of others though not to his own present condition saith in the very next words thus If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness Now is not all Sin Unrighteousness And therefore what can be more plain than that the Apostle here declareth that upon Confession and Repentance true Believers are not only forgiven but also come to be cleansed from Sin And doth he not also in the next Words before those that are objected as well as after fully declare the same speaking of the Light which they that love Sin do not love thus If we walk in the Light c. we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin And moreover according to said the common Translation if any should think the Apostle John here to be included yet he doth not say that we sin daily in Thought Word and Deed nor that the best Performances of the Children of God are sinful or mix'd with Sin as the pleaders for Sin for term of Life say therefore what he said importeth not the matter they contend for But according to those Translators much approved by Protestants Beza and Pasor and others the aforesaid objectible Words of the Apostle John are to be rendred thus
to wit If we have said us not to have Sin the Latin words being thus si dixerimus nos peccatum non habere which are according to the signification of the Greek words in which the Apostle wrote which are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which implieth the time past and that there had been a time wherein they could not have truly said that they had no Sin See Beza's Latin Testament and Pasor's Lexicon But that all are to continue in Sin while in this World the Words of the said Apostle here are very plain to the contrary to wit If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins 1 John 1.7 and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness And again If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another 1 John 2.1 to 10. and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin And again My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not And speaking of Christ he saith He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a lyar and the truth is not in him And again saith he Every one that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure And again Ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sin and in him is no Sin whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him Little Children let no man deceive you it seemeth there were pleader for Sin then he that doth Righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous he that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 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 in this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil By all which and many other Scripture sayings it is evident that the Faith of those who believe that they cannot be free from sinning but must carry a Body of Sin and a Body of Death while they are in this World is quite contrary to the Faith and Testimony of true Christians For the Faith of true Christians is in Christ the Power of God 1 Cor. 1.2 and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 2.5 2 Cor. 13.3.4 5. 1 John 4.4 Phil. 2.13 Rom. 6.18 22. Jude 24. and that he is greater that is in them than the Prince of the power of the Air he that is in the World and that he must rule in them whose right it is who worketh in them both to will and to do and their Faith is that he is more able to cleanse and keep them free from Sin as true Christians were and are than the Devil is to lead them to Sin the Wages whereof is Death which the Servants thereof must have And so though those whose Faith is dead being servants of Sin may profess Christ who is a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 Ephes 2.1 2 to 7. and quickned and quickneth them that truly believe in him who were dead in Trespasse and Sins yet in that dead Faith they cannot enjoy the benefit which true Christians did Rom. 8.1 2. and do enjoy which is to be set free from the Law of Sin and Death by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus for according to their Faith so it is unto them For as the People of Christ's own Country were offended at him for his Wisdom and his mighty Works and being astonished said Mark 6.1 to 7. Mat. 13.54 to 58. Whence hath this Man this Wisdom and these mighty Works Is not this the Carpenter's Son is not kis Mother called Mary and his Brethren James and Joses and Simon and Judas and his Sisters are they not all with us whence then hath this Man all these things And he did not many mighty Works there because of their unbelief So they that are offended at the Light of Christ in his Spiritual Appearance in their Hearts that shews them their Sins and reproveth them in their Souls and Consciences for all their Offences against it insomuch that they are sometimes astonished thereby yet say they Is not this the Check of a Natural Conscience Is not this a Natural Light that we are born and bred up with are not our Vnderstandings and Knowledge in Arts and Sciences Brethren and Sisters to it whence hath it these things And there cannot in such be mighty Works done because of their Unbelief But true Christians who have believed in the Light Rom. 8.11 Ephes 2. Rom. 6.1 2 to the end Gal. 2.20 1 Pet. 4.6 Phil. 2.13 the Manifestation of the quickning Spirit of Christ in their Hearts and Souls they have as they have been faithful in the obecience of it known by the effectual working of it in themselves a being raised from the Death of Sin to the Life of Righteousness and that where Sin hath abounded Grace doth much more abound and so to the Praise and Glory of God they live by Faith in the quickning Spirit of Christ in them But they that believe that they must carry a Body of Sin and Death with them while they live in this World and that the Devil's power and spirit must prevail in them so long as they live how can the Faith of such or their Works either honour God or Christ or his Power And they that deny Freedom from Sin being attainable while in this Life 1 Joh. 3.8 Jer. 23.6 Chap. 33.16 Dan. 9.24 deny the very end and purpose of Christ's coming which is to destroy the Works of the Devil and to put an end to Sin and to finish Transgression Rom. 8.3 4. and bring in Everlasting Righteousness and therefore it was prophesied that he should be called Mat. 21.1 The Lord our Righteousness and likewise it was said Thou shalt call his Name Jesus which is Saviour for he shall save his People from their Sins But are such his People or how doth he save them from their Sins who sin while they live in this World And likewise they that deny that Perfection to true Christians who are Saints is attainable while they live Eph. 4.11 to 17. they deny the very end of the true Christian Ministry which is for the perfecting of the Saints but they that are imperfect till they dye how doth the Work of the Ministry perfect them Eccles 11.3 or doth the Death of the Body perfect them for as the Tree falleth so shall it lie And if any believe that the Power of God if faithfully obeyed is able to make them free from Sin and so perfect one minute of an hour before Death why may they not as well believe that the same Power is able to make them so Heb. 13.8 Psal 111.3 10. two Minutes or two
Words so well that they think they cannot leave them till they dye what an Account will they have to give then because they hated the Light of Christ which reproved them in their Hearts and Conscientes for every one that doth Evil John 3.20 hates the Light therefore they must be cast into outer Darkness they must then have Darkness enough where there is Weeping Mat. 8.12 Ch. 22.13 Ch. 24.51 Ch. 25.30 Wailing and gnashing of Teeth And though the Swearer think it impossible to leave Swearing or the Drunkard think it impossible to forsake Drunkenness and those that are accustomed to sinful Words or Actions think it impossible to leave them because the Man of Sin hath gotten power over them and so perswadeth them yet those that have chosen the Fear of the Lord and believed in his Name in his Light in the Word of his Power in their Hearts and from the very Heart have obeyed the Teachings thereof have come in the Lord 's due time to know hard things to be made easie to them and the power of Christ in which they have believed to be stronger in them than the power of the Man of Sin which once prevailed in them But those have first sought the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and they have sought God with all their Heart Deut. 4.29 Pro. 8.17 Mat. 7.7 Ch. 21.22 Mark 11.24 and with all their Soul and have experienced his Promise truly fulfilled that they who seek so shall find him And Christ the Wisdom and Power of God hath been their Beloved and they have sought him early and found him as he promised Luke 11.9 John 16.24 But while they sought him as in the Night or in Darkness and in their ease as upon their Beds then they sought him but they found him not and when they arose and sought him as about the City where multitudes dwell and in the broad Ways of Profession wherein many walk where there is room for Sin there they sought him but they found him not and then they enquired of the Watchmen that go about the City the professed Teachers and pretended Ministers of Christ saying particularly Isa 56.10 11 12. Cant. 3.1 2. Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth Alas the Watchmen were blind and all ignorant as such like were in the days past and they saw him not how should they but they smote and wounded these diligent Enquirers after Christ their Beloved in telling them that is impossible really to enjoy him the Righteousness of God in them to be the Lord their Righteousness while in this World they must only have the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them for they cannot be freed from Sin and the Body of Death while they are on this side the Grave said the Watchmen And such Doctrine as this smote and wounded the Enquirers who could not so be satisfied because there was no enjoyment of their Soul 's beloved and therefore they passed from them and it was but a little that they passed from them Cant. 3 3 4. and they found him whom their Souls loved and they held him and would not let him go for all the Glory of the World But these were and are such as were first sick of Love who mightily thirsted after the Fountain of the Water of Life Cant. 5.8 Rev. 21.6 Isa 55.1 Mat. 5.6 Luke 14.33 Luke 14.26 Rev. 13.11 John 12.25 Luk. 9.23 and 24. Mat. 8.19 20. Rev. 14.4 John 10.5 27. Joh. 14.4 5 to 26. John 16.13 Phil. 2.7 Luk. 6.20 to 36. Mat. 5.1 2 to 48. who truly hungred and thirsted after Righteousness that could forsake all that they had knowing that none but such can be true Disciples of Christ and who could not only forsake but also hate the enticement of Father and Mother Wife and Children Brethren and Sisters yea and their own Lives also for none others though they could come to him can be true Disciples of Christ for he that loveth his Life shall lose it these were and are they who denyed themselves and took up their Cross daily and followed Christ who heard and believed in his Voice his Word his Light the Manifestation of his Spirit the Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth or into Truth in every thing these were and are they who are willing with Christ to make themselves of no reputation who can rejoice and be exceeding glad when men revile them and persecute them and say all manner of Evil falsly for Christ's sake against them these were and are poor in Spirit meek and low in Heart and could and can endure Persecution for Righteousness sake and can do good to and love them that hate them and bless those that curse them and Pray for those that despightfully use them and it was these who received and do receive the comfortable Promises of Christ fulfilled in them and came and do come to the true enjoyment of their Souls beloved Mat. 10 22. Mat. 24. â—â— and are despised and hated of all Men and of all Nations for Christ's Name sake and are zealously affected to Christ who gave himself for them that he might redeem them from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People Tit. 2.14 zealous of good Works But those that continue in Sin and plead for Sin to continue in them till they dye how can they know Purification or Redemption from all Iniquity such have not in them the true Christians hope for the Apostle saith 1 John 3.3 1 John 4.17 1 John 2.6 1 John 3.7 Every one that hath 〈◊〉 this Hope in them purifieth himself even as Christ is pure but such are not as he is in this World as true Christians are such walk not as he walked such are not righteous even as he is Righteous such do not truly seek and therefore do not find such do not truly hunger and thirst after Righteousness and therefore they are not filled with it as Christ promised Mat. 5.6 For none can be so filled or satisfied who believe not in the Light of Christ in their own Hearts but disobey and rebel against it Job 24.13 and abide not in the Paths thereof and know not the Ways thereof which is the Path of the Just that is as a shining Light Prov 4.18 19. that shineth more and more unto the perfect Day but the Way of the Wicked is as Darkness 1 John â— 10 11. they know not at what they stumble for he that abideth in the Light there is none occasion of stumbling in him but they who abide in Sin while they live they stumble while they live because they know not whither they go nor how near they are to the Pits brink for they walk in Darkness and so in a dangerous state And so the power of Darkness the power of the Man of Sin prevailing upon them who yield their Members Servants thereunto it cometh to rule over them and makes them ambitious to rule
over and to exercise Lordship over others their fellow Creatures with much Pride and Austerity expecting and desiring to receive and receiving Honour from them and one from another and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only and this sheweth according to the Words of Christ that they are out of the true living John 5.44 1 John 5.4 Eph. 6.16 1 John 2.13 14 15. Christian Faith and so in the false dead Antichristian Faith which giveth no Victory as the true Faith doth for such are overcome and captivated by the love of the Honours Pleasures Preferments and Vanities of the World which if any man love said the Apostle the love of the Father is not in him And so though the dark Power of the Man of Sin more and more prevail upon and captivate them yet the Light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences often sheweth them their Sins and for Sin checks and reproves them and sheweth them the dangerous dismal consequences of Sin but they not believing in the Light of Christ the Word of Faith Rom. 10.8 Heb 5.13 and the Word of Righteousness do not submit themselves unto the Righteousness of God nor unto Christ who is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth no more then old Israel did Rom. 10.1 2 3 4. And so though they may be zealous for their several Professions and as the Jews were for their Traditions Ordinances and Ceremonies which they use some after one manner and some after another according to their particular Apprehensions and Imaginations seeking to find Souls-satisfaction by using outward typical shadowy things which they cannot find whilst they neglect the Light the Substance the Word of God's Grace in their Hearts the Word of Faith Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 1 Joh. 1.11 Col. 1.5 Mat. 13.19 John 3.36 the Word of Salvation the Word of Wisdom the Word of Truth the Word of Christ the Word of Life the Word of Reconciliation the Word of the Kingdom of God which is in the Heart and so they being in unbelief the Wrath of God abideth on them in all their doings For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 And so their best Performances their Prayers their Preaching and whatsoever they can do in that state is sinful as they generally confess But they who seek the Lord while he may be found with all their Hearts and Souls and cannot rest satisfied till he manifest himself in his Love but patiently in true brokenness and contrition of Heart wait under his Judgments till his Indignation for Sin be overpast as they continue faithful in true self-denyal bearing patiently the daily Cross to their own Wills the Lord will in his own time satisfie such with his Mercy and with his everlasting Kindness But if any flatter themselves that they shall have Peace although they walk in the stubbornness of their own Hearts they shut the Door of Mercy against themselves and when they have sinned out and slighted the Day of their Visitation wherein the love of God in and by his Light in their Hearts visiteth them and striveth with them then the Spirit of God ceaseth to strive any longer with them and they are wholly given up to be rul'd by the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above all that is called God or that is worshipped Psal 14.1 2 3 4. and although some of them may be wickeder then others yet none of them are righteous at all there is none of them that doth good no not one but many of them do badly with eagerness eating up the People of the Lord as they eat Bread And they do not only prey upon those who depart from Iniquity who make themselves a Prey but they often prey upon one another Isa â— 15 and sometimes war about their Ceremonies and Ordinances and many thousands have been killed upon that account and many they have put to Death for their Testimony for God who have by his Spirit been raised up even in the darkest times of Apostasy to testifie against the Abominations set up by the ruling power of the Man of Sin the Devil and his Instruments And many call the Popes or Pope of Rome the Man of Sin which the Apostle said should be revealed who may by the Light of Christ in their own Hearts be sensible of the Man of Sin and his power and works in themselves unto them revealed and therefore it were good for such first by the Power of God to be cleansed from him and his power and works inwardly in themselves lest they become more and more like unto him But indeed the Popes of Rome have been the chief visible Rulers of the false Church drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.5 6. and the Mother of Harlots and the many Abominations of the Earth and the Inventers and setters up of the pestilent Traditions and idolatrous Ceremonies still used in the Apostasy from the Truth and many who look upon themselves as reformed from Popery are yet in a great measure found in many of their pernicious Practices and Inventions to get Money by For the Popes having been in a great degree influenced by the power and spirit of the Man of Sin the Devil and having had the highest outward Exaltation over the Nations and Kings of the Earth or at least having claimed or challenged it may fitly be said to have been or to be the highest Representatives of the Man of Sin And amongst the many Popish Cheats none seemeth greater then their Purgatory or their telling of a purging Place from Sin after this Life whereby many are cheated of Eternal Happiness by living in hopes thereof securely in Sin while they live and many cheated of their Money also for Pardon and Indulgences from the Pope to redeem the Souls of their deceased Friends out of Purgatory Which is contrary to the Truth and to the Record of the Holy Scriptures which say where the Tree falleth there shall it be and every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Ecc'e 11.3 Mat. 3.10 and Christ said Enter ye in at the straight Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be that go in thereat because straight is the Gate and narrow is the Way that leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it And beware said he of false Prophets in Sheeps cloathing which are inwardly ravening Wolves ye shall know them by their Fruits A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Matth. 10.7 to 20. Now if a good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit how is it then that all good men are continually sinning for Sin is Evil Fruit And if every such a one as bringeth not forth good
God is in Fear and Trembling before him and at his Word in the Heart and such are accepted of God and shall be accepted with him and with such he will dwell as the Scriptures largely testifie read John 4.20 to 25. Mich. 6.8 Isa 66.2 5. Ezra 9.4 and 10.3 Jer. 5.21 22. and 33.9 Psal 2.11 Dan. 6.26 And so I durst not but deny all Worships prescribed by the Wisdom of Men and set-up by Men which were not in the Spirit and Truth of God neither durst I embrace the Pleasures or Preferments of the World for I was sensible both of their danger and Vanity and that the Words of Christ were true who said If any man will come after me Luke 9.23 24 25. Luke 14.27 let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me and whosoever doth not bear his Cross and follow me cannot be my Disciple for whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it for what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole World and lose himself or be cast away And now I am not of their Perswasion who believe that there is no Salvation nor Freedom from Sin on this side the Grave and that the Souls of true Christians cannot be cleansed from Sin while their Bodies live in this World for that is contrary to the Truth and to the Testimony of the Holy Scriptures and where Sin hath a place in the Heart or Soul of any there the Man of Sin hath a place whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 9. And so much of the Worship of them in whom the Man of Sin ruleth by his Power consisteth in Ceremonies and Signs for he will allow them all Signs of that which is good so that they may be content without the Substance yea even the very Name at least in Profession or Pretence of Christians though he have quite bereaved them of the Nature of true Christians and allow them outward Signs of Baptism also at least whilst uncapable Infants which they may afterwards be told of and taught to believe that they were thereby made Children of God Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 8.10 11. although they know nothing experimentally of the one Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Spirit or Ghost and with Fire nor believe in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in which all true Christians believe who are really Members of Christ Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 13.19 being led and taught by his Light and Spirit and obeying the Word of the Kingdom which is one with the Light and is sown in the Hearts of all Men. And Christ said to the unbelieving Pharisees that The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation or outward Shew neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for saith he behold Luke 17.21 the Kingdom of God is within you And why may it not as well be said now to be within those who are ignorantly seeking it without them For their Teachers teach them to believe that they were made Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven when they were Infants by their outward Baptism and yet they have it to seek and know not where it is to be found but seek it as they are taught and expect it to come with their Observations outward Shews and Signs without them and Pray at least in Words to God saying Thy Kingdom come and yet believe not in the Word of his Kingdom which is sown in their Hearts which is the Light Grace and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which reproveth them for Sin in their Hearts and Consciences And so whilst they disobey the Word of the Kingdom the Light in themselves they are making themselves Strangers to God and his Kingdom through disobedience and so are unlike to be Inheritors of it though they make never so large a Profession of seeking it in their Observations outward Shews and Signs for there it is not to be found much less inherited And John the Baptist who baptized with Water to Repentance we read not that he baptized Infants for what should Infants repent of but he Preached saying Repene ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand So it seemeth the Kingdom of Heaven was near then and to some who came to his Baptism he said O Generation of Vipees who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance or as some translate answerable to amendment of Life for said he the Ax is laid to the Root of the Tree Mat. 3. therefore every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fare But do not Infants sprinkled with Water or Baptized as they call it afterward bring forth Fruits rather to be repented of than meet for Repentance So it seemeth they that came to John's Baptism which was with Water to Repentance if they brought not forth Fruits meet for Repentance they were little or no better being to be hewn down and cast into the Fire And where can any read that John's Baptism being outward could make any true Christians Was it not before Christ that John came Baptizing with Water and before there were any called Christians for we read not of that Name given till after the Ascension of Christ and if John's Baptism could not make Christians how should Sprinkling of Infants now or the outward Baptism of any others either It is not like that they that now take upon them to baptize either Infants or others for Money for which none can buy the Gift of God should exceed John who was sent of God Acts 8.20 and did it freely without Money And John was sent to bear witness of the Light that all Men through him might believe that was the true Light John 1.8 9 10. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World though the World knew it not But the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers in our days are far from bearing witness to the true Light for they cry out against it and give it many ridiculous Names John 3.20 and Titles and this is according to the Words of Christ that Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light And what a strange thing doth it seem that any should believe which some suppose that Sprinkling an Infant with a little Water some after one manner and some after another should make it a true Christian For true Christians are Members of Christ and Children of God and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven but no Man can make them so for it is only by believing in the Light of Christ and obeying it that a
true Christian state is atta ned unto and so true Christians are Children of God Tit. 3.5 6 7. Eph. 4.5 who is Light and Heirs of his Kingdom and these have experience of the one Baptism of Christ by his Spirit even the washing of Regeneration or of the New Birth and are sensible of the renewings of his Spirit also But it is a very poor Evidence concerning so great a matter as Eternal Happiness or true Christianity is only to be told to a Man or Woman or to see it written in a Book that when he was an Infant or a Child of a few days old he was baptized and made a Christian whenas he knoweth nothing of certainty that he is so but rather hath an Evidence in his own Heart plainly and truly witnessing that he is in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity and is not led and guided by the Spirit of Christ as true Christians are and so if he weightily examine himself he may find his estate to be otherwise then some would perswade him to believe of it and see it to be very Miserable John bare Testimony of Christ saying There cometh one after me which is preferred before me for he was before me and I knew him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel John 1.30 31 32 33. John 3.30 therefore am I come baptizing with Water And saith he The same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost or Spirit and said he he must increase but I must decrease So it is plain that the reason why John Baptized with Water was that Christ and his Spiritual Baptism which only can render Men true Christians should be made manifest to Israel but there can be no such Reason given for Infants Baptism for Christ and Baptism hath been long talked of by Sprinklers of Infants and still both Hearers and Preachers strangers to Christ and his Baptism how then should they make him or his Baptism manifest or known to little Infants And Christ said Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 but they who believe in the Light the incorruptible Word of God in their Hearts Look in the Margined Bibles and so become Children of the Light and of God being Born again or from above as the Word implieth they in the Light see and discern the Kingdom of God within them Rom. 14.17 which consisteth in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit or Ghost which are inwardly to be known And this Sign of Baptism wherewith now adays they sign Infants and reckon it a Badge of Christianity they call a Sacrament and some say there are Seven Sacraments and others say but two to be used in the Church of Christ though in all the Holy Scriptures they find no mention of the Word Sacrament and they say It was commanded by Christ because he said to his Disciples Mat. 28.19 Go teach all Nations Baptizing them in or when truly translated into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit or Ghost Observe here he first bad them to teach them so they should let Teaching be before Baptizing But how can they teach Infants And he commanded this to his Disciples who were learners of him and Witnesses of his Resurrection but they are not such who act contrary to his Commands And he bad them to Baptize into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Now this Name of God is called the Word Light Love and Holy Spirit which is placed in his Spiritual Temple where God dwelleth of which Deut. 12.5 1 Kings 8.29 2 Chron. 7.12 2 Cor. 3.16 the Temple that Solomon built was a Type or Figure in which he said he would place his Name which outward Temple was destroyed but true Christians are the holy Spiritual Temple of God and it was prophesied the Glory of the second Temple should exceed that of the first Hag. 2.4 7 8. But they who pretend to baptize Infants with Water Rev 19 13. they do not believe in the Name of God which is his Word and Light in the Heart and so they are not like to baptize either Infants or others in it or into it being out of it themselves And in the Command of Christ there is no mention at all of Water for the Disciples to baptize withal they being to preach Repentance and Remission of Sins in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 49. And behold said he I send the Promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem until ye be endued with Power from on High And so they tarried at Jerusalem until they were endued with Power from on High and then they declared what the Promise of the Father was that Christ had sent upon them even that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour of my Spirit upon all Flesh Acts 2.16 17 18. and your Sons and your Daughters shall prophesie and your Young Men shall see Visions and your Old Men shall dream Dreams and on my Servants and on my Handmaidens I will pour out in these days of my Spirit and they shall prophesie So the Disciples of Christ preached other Doctrine then the Sprinklers of Infants and the pretending Baptizers of this Age preach for they cannot endure to hear of the Spirit of God being poured out upon all Flesh but they mock at the Movings of the Spirit of God in his Servants and Handmaidens as if there were no such thing now which sheweth that they are not endued with Power from on High and so they are short of John the Baptist who was sent of God John 1.6 7. and said A man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven John 3.27 And so they having no Authority from God but only from Men take upon them to sprinkle Infants after the Ordinances of Men and call it Baptism having a ridiculous Custom of using Godfathers and Godmothers as they call them and another of signing Infants in the Forehead with the Sign of the Cross some using Oyl Spittle Salt and other silly Ceremonies having nothing at all in the Holy Scriptures to warrant such things being invented in the Apostasy in the deceitful Wisdom of the Antichristian Spirit that hath prevailed and drawn from the Simplicity of true Christianity into the love of outward Signs which are Antichristian Another Argument for their Custom of Sprinkling Infants is the Words that Christ spake saying Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14,15 and whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein Now they who sprinkle Infants bring them to Water which Christ commanded not but do they bring them
it can do them no hurt It is granted that whilst they are not capable of understanding it can neither do them hurt nor good but when they come to be taught a Lye that is to believe that by Baptism in their Infancy they were made Christians and Members of Christ that doth them much hurt as I have in my own particular experienced for because of such teachings when I was young I was ready to conclude my self to be a Christian and a Child of God whenas the Grace of God in my own Heart which they told me my Baptism was a sign of testified plainly to me that it was not so with me and that my condition was very dangerous and yet I then should have thought my self highly affronted if any Man had told me so And so I know by experience that my being taught to believe and depend upon the outward visible Sign made me to neglect the Teachings of the inward spiritual Grace of God in my own Heart and Conscience and made me more secure and careless of my Duty towards God in not answering the requirings and teachings of his Grace in order that I might be prepared to render an account to God of his Talent which he had given me and so I saw perfectly before I left them that my Teachers had deceived me as it was formerly the Leaders of the People caused them to err Isa 5.16 and they that were led of them were destroyed 〈◊〉 is recorded that Claudius Espontius a Popish Bishop at a Council at Pysoy in France in the Year 1500 ordained that Infants Baptism should be received by Tradition because it could not be proved as a Command from the Scriptures and yet many that profess Reformation from Popery and profess the Scriptures to be their Rule are contending for it and practising it to get Money by having no warrant from God nor the Scriptures of Truth for it nor any Example but Popish Tradition and such are certainly Deceivers and deceived But some may think that outward Water Baptism is a Seal of Christianity and therefore to be used because in some Cases and to some People it was used by the Apostles among the Primitive Chrisitans as they can read As to its being a Seal of Christianity if it were a Seal to one it is likewise so to others that have it and so a Seal to them all but no outward Sign is needful to be a Seal to true Christianity for it is Inward and Spiritual and therefore cannot be known by any outward Seal neither doth it admit of the impression of any such outward Seal for true Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4.30 and so they need no outward Seal for if an outward seal would do many would get that upon their own terms and so many get outward Baptism for Money which pleaseth the Priests well though it profiteth nothing to the buyer of it But it is the true inward Spiritual Baptism of Christ that is the true Seal wherewith all true Christians are sealed to the Day of Redemption by the Spirit of God And although it is said that Abraham received the Sign of Circumcision Rom. 4.11 to 17. a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised yet it was that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised whereby it is plain that true Christians who are of the Faith of Abraham who saw the Day of Christ may truly be called Children of Abraham though they have not the Sign nor Seal of Circumcision outwardly but they who were naturally the Children of Abraham and were not in the Faith of Abraham Mat. 3.9 that would not avail them And although Circumcision of Infants was commanded by the Law of Moses which Law of Ceremonies and Types was abolished by the offering up of Christ the Substance the Antitype who is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 read the 8th 9th and 10th Chapters of the Hebrews yet concerning Circumcision which was a cutting off the Foreskin of the Flesh and typified the Substantial Spiritual Circumcision by Christ Rom. 2.29 and the cutting off the foreskin of the Heart which thing true Christians witness Paul the Apostle of Christ said 1 Cor. 7.1 Circumcision is nothing nor Vncircumcision is nothing but the keeping the Commandments of God and also in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision Gal. 5.6 Gal. 6.15 but Faith which worketh by Love or a New Creature And so though some alledge that outward Water Baptism was instituted in the stead of outward Circumcision yet there is no proof for it neither doth the Apostle mention any such thing but saith that Faith that worketh by Love and the keeping of the Commandments of God and being a New Creature availeth but not Circumsion Also to the Collosians he writeth thus to wit In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without Hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ buried with him in Baptism wherein also you are risen with him through the Faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the Dead And he saith to them of Christ's Blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross and saith he to them Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments * See Margined Bibles or Elements of the world why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances or as some translate burdened with Traditions touch not taste not handle not which are all to perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men Col. 2.11 12 14 20 21 22. Thus it is very plain that the Apostle here writeth of the Spiritual Circumsion of Christ and of his Spiritual Baptism through the Faith of the operation or working of God and was far from preaching up such outward Ordinances declaring that they were against them and contrary to them who were true Christians and he bad them not to touch taste nor handle such things saying they were all to perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men And so now the Commanders and Teachers of their Ordinance of Water-Baptism as also of their other Ordinances and Traditions some of them command and teach it after one way and others after other ways and yet all profess the Scriptures to be their Rule and therefore some of them are erred from the direction of their Rule yea are they not all erred from their professed Rule for the Scriptures plainly testifie against such Ordinances and Traditions as being contrary to true Christians But these Baptizers for Money are so far erred from the Light and Grace of Christ in themselves which the Scriptures
testifie of and now are so darkned by the dark deceitful Antichristian Spirit that they alledge the foresaid 11th and 12th Verses of the second Chapter to the Colossians to be their proof for the Institution of Water Baptism in the room of Circumcision whenas the said Verses themselves and the remainder of the Chapter plainly sheweth otherwise as is before rehearsed even the 20th 21st and 22d Verses of it And the Apostle Peter intimateth that the Salvation of Noah and his Family in the Ark by or in Water was a Type or Figure of Baptism inwardly saying The Antitype whereunto even Baptism doth now save us 1 Pet. 3.20 21. not the putting away of the filth the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ The common Translation hath it thus The like Figure whereunto even Baptism but the Word in the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the thing figured or typified or signified or the Antitype So here is a great difference between the common Translation which saith The like Figure and what it should be that is the thing figured And it is plain that the Baptism here spoken of was more than a Figure being the Substantial Spiritual Baptism of Christ which said Peter saveth us by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Col. 2.12 and Paul writing to the Colossians said of it Wherein also ye are risen with him through the operation of God So it is clear that the Apostles meant the one true inward and spiritual Baptism of Christ which all true Christians are to witness And so according to the Scriptures there is as much Reason for them that use Water Baptism to say that it was instituted instead of the saving by the Water of the Flood in the days of Noah as that it was instituted in the room or stead of Circumcision for the Scriptures mention that to be a Type of Baptism but not Circumcision and we read not that the Apostles preached up one outward Ordinance in the room of any other But the Baptism of John with Water unto Repentance did plainly by a Figure or Sign shew or typifie the Spiritual Baptism of Christ to weak Capacities and to them who were unacquainted with his Spiritual Washing and Cleansing by his Blood 1 John 1.7 which cleanseth them that walk in the Light as he is in the Light from all Sin and the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians and speaking of Thieves Covetous Drunkards 1 Cor. 6.11 Revilers and such others as shall not inherit the Kingdom of God as true Christians do writes thus to wit And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God And said Paul to them 1 Cor 1.14 15 16 17 18. I thank God that I Baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius lest any should say that I had baptized in my own Name and I Baptized also The Houshold of Shephanas besides I know not whether I haptized any other for Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel So the Apostle Paul declared that he was not sent to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel which saith he is the Power of God And if the Apostle Paul was not sent to Baptize how and by whom are the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers of this Age sent For he told the said Corinthians 1 Cor. 11. that he supposed himself not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles 2 Cor. 12.11 Rom. 1.16 and said In nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles and he being sent not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel the Power of God to Salvation and that where Christ was not named lest he should build upon another man's Foundation Rom. 15.15 to 24. being a Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles who from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum fully preached the Gospel so that no doubt if the true Apostles of Christ had esteemed outward Baptism of necessity to Salvation then Paul who was in nothing behind the very chiefest of them might have been sent to Baptize as well as to Preach And the Message of Paul was to open the Eyes of People and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they might receive Forgiveness of Sins Acts 26.17 18. and Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith in Christ and it was agreeable to the Message which the other Apostles had to declare 1 John 1.5 That God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all And many received Paul's Message and believed in the Light the Word of Faith nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 1.23 Eph 4.5 Eph. ◠26 which he and the other Apostles preached and so became Children of the Light and were born of the Incorruptible Word and knew the One Baptism which he preached of wherewith Christ sanctifieth and cleansoth his Church by the washing of Water in the Word as it is in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the Word which implieth a Spiritual Washing or Cleansing though some translate it by the Word And Paul said 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be Bond or Free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Gal. 3.26 27 28. and also as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ And again So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death that like as Christ was raised from the Dead by the Glory of the Father Rom. 6.3 4. even so we also should walk in Newness of Life So by all these Sayings it is plain and evident that Paul and the true Apostles preached up the One Spiritual Baptism of Christ which only renders men true Christians Children of God and Members of Christ although they did sometimes comply with the weakness of some concerning outward Baptism to gain them to the Truth and to instruct them in the Mystery of Godliness 1 Cor. 9.20 21 22. Acts 16.3 and in the Knowledge of the Spiritual Baptism of Christ and so Paul declared saying To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the Weak c. and therefore he circumcised Timothy and so if any pretend to follow the Example of the Apostles in baptizing with outward Water they may as well by the same pretence use Circumcision also And Paul also complied to purifie himself according to the Law of Moses for the sake of many of the Jews that beheved but were zealous of the Law Acts 21.20 to 27. And so the pretending Baptizers with as much warrant may imitate the Apostle in Purification according to the Law of Moses as well as in Baptism But although Paul in Christian
liberty did such things in compliance with them that were weak in the Faith in order to bring them out of their many Ceremonies rather than keep them in them yet he could not do so for fear of Perseeution he would not be compelled to such things neither do them for the gain of Money nor the like for writing to the Galatians he saith As many as desire to make a Fair shew in the Flesh they constrain you to be circumcised Gal. 6.12 Gal. 5.11 only lest they should suffer Persecution for the Cross of Christ and saith he I Brethren if I yet preach Circumcision why do I yet suffer Persecution then is the offence of the Cross ceased So it seemeth that some professing Christianity who were not obedient to the Light of Christ in their own Hearts which teacheth to bear his Cross patiently preached up Circumcision lest they should have suffered Persecution and yet such desired to make a fair shew in the Flesh but the true Ministers of Christ did not so for notwithstanding the Threats of Men and the consequence of Persecution in the Faith of the Power of God and in the love and obedience of the Light of Christ in their Hearts they preached Liberty from all such burdensome things and in his Name and Authority preached his Cross Boldly and declared that such as preached otherwise were false and anrichristian And do not many desiring to make a fair Shew of Christianity in the Flesh now preach up Water-Baptism and that of Infants with other such Ceremonies for fear of Persecution or for Money and their own carnal ends not having any authority from Christ or his Apostles for such things Therefore let all beware of such false Prophets and Deceivers as Christ himself forewarned of saying Many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and said he If any man say unto you Mat. 7 1â— to 21. Mat. 24.23 2. Luke 2 8. Lo here is Christ or there believe it not for said he there shall arise false Christs and false Propâ—eâ—s and shall shew great Signs and Wonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elâ—ct And so now there are many come as in the Name of Christ and they all say that he is Christ as he foretold so they profess him in Words and so deceive many saying also Lo here is Christ in this Profession Ceremony or Sign and Lo there is Christ in that Observation Ordinance or Tradition but they that believe in his true Light the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts which he said should reprove the World of Sin John 15 8. c. they do not believe them and though they shew great Signs as of Baptism and the like yet the Children of Light see them and by their Signs and by their Fruits know them to be the Deceivers that Christ foretold of Mat. 7.16 and though they shew great Wonders and the World wonder after them yet true Christians cannot be deceived by them knowing them to be influenced by the Power of the Man of Sin in their Hearts whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders And now it is good for all to beware that they truly examine themselves in the Light of Christ Jesus in their Hearts whether they be really the Children of God yea or nay Rom. 8.16 1 John 5.10 and they may certainly know for he that is of God hath the Witness in himself God giveth to his Children to Know that he is their Father and that they are his Children but the Man of Sin he would not that his Children should know who is their Father for he being deceitful perswadeth them as far as he can that they are the Children of God but the Manifestation of the Spirit of God the Light during the Day of their Visitation in their Hearts reproveth them of their Sins and often sheweth and testifyeth in them unto them the Contrary to wit that they are not Children of God And so let all inwardly examine themselves truly Rom. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.6 whether or no they be Members of Christ being baptized by his One Spirit into his One Body for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and it is his quickning Spirit that giveth Life to all his Members and maketh them sensible in what state and condition they are And so let none be satisfied with being told that in their Infancy or any time else in their Baptism with outward Water they were made Members of Christ and Children of God c. For that will not stand them in any stead when they must give an account to God of their improvement of the Talent which he hath given them to profit withal and let none presâ—me to teach Children or others that they were in outward Baptism made Members of Christ or Children of God lest the Blood of such be required at their Teachers Hand and so both the Teacher and the taught perish For John the Baptist speaking of Christ John 3.30 said He must increase but I must decrease intimating that his Baptism was to give place to the Spiritual Baptism of Christ with his Spirit and Fire and John said His fan is in his Hand and he will thor wly purge his Floor and gather the Wheat into his Garner but he will burn the Chaff with unquenchable Fire and this all ought to take notice of for this Baptism of Christ is of absolute necessity to Salvation of which that all might come to be partakers the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ hath appeared in the Hearts of all and is given to every man to profit withal John 1.8 Luk. 3.6 to which John who was sent to beare witness of the true Light bare Testimony saying All flesh shall see the Salvation of God and also Simeon saying as to the Lord Mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People Luk 2.30 31 32. a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy People Israel And seeing that the Salvation of God prepared before the face of all People is Christ Oh! Let all who would enjoy the Salvation of God come to this Light which reproveth for all Sin in every Heart and Conscience that by believing therein and bringing there Deeds to it into true Examination they may through the judgment thereof know the true Spiritual Baptism of Christ in their Hearts Souls and Consciences where they may come to know him to be in them unto them as a Refiners Fire and as Fullers Soape that will purge away all the Dross and wash away every Spot and Stain as they abide faithful and continue freely given up withal their Hearts to abide the burnign of this Fire and the scowring with this Soape and so they may know the washing with pure Water and come to have
it will teach also to take up thy daily Cross to thy own Lusts and to follow Christ in the Regeneration or New Birth Luk. 9.23 John 8.12 Rev. 14.4 and so thou mayest come inwardly to know the true Spiritual Baptism of Christ with his Spiritual Fire and Fan and Water to burn up Sin root and branch in thee and to blow away all Lightness and Vanity and to wash thee inwardly from sin which hath defiled thee and so thou mayst know a walking as a Child of the Light in newness of Life and enjoy the Salvation of God For it is plaâ—n that true Christians are truly baptized with the inward and spiritual Baptism of Christ and are Children of God who is Light through believing in the Light of Christ in their Hearts Tâ—ess 5 John 12.35 36 46. and the Spirit of God beareth witness with their Spirits that they are the Children of God and Heirs of God Rom. 8.16 17. and Joint Heirs with Christ and they are led of his Spirit and walk in his Light Rom. 8.14 1 Cor. 12.13 Luk. 12.32 and they are also members of Chrst being baptized by his one Spirit into his one Body and they are also Inheritours of the Kingdom of Heaven by the obedience of Faith in the Word of his Kingdom in their Hearts And I know by certain experience that though I was in my Childhood and Youth told by my Parents and others that I was baptized in my Infancy and that such were my Godfathers and such a one was my Godmother of whom I was taught Idolatrously to ask Blessing and also was taught according to their Catechism that in that Baptism I was made a Member of Christ and a Child of God and an Inheritour of the Kingdom of Heaven and I was so trained up in my Youth by my Parents yet in a somewhat moderate manner and being held in this implicite Faith by yielding to the power of Darkness I was prevailed upon to stand as a Godfather as they term it to three Children which were sprinkled with Water Yet ever when I took a serious view of my own condition by the Light of Christ Jesus in my own Heart though I knew not then what it was I plainly saw that I was not in such a condition as I heard the Preachers Preach of and I my self could read of that the Children of God were inâ— for the Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ instead of bearing witness with my Spirit that I was a Child of God it bore witness in my Heart and Conscience against my Sins and reproved me for them and so witnessed with my Spirit and Conscience that I was not a Child of God though no Man was my Accuser And so it shewed me how unclean I was as the Preachers used to confess in their Prayers even full of Bruises and Wounds and putrifying Sores inwardly as from the Crown of the Head to the Soles of my Feet and therefore unlike a Child of God or a Member of Christ and unfit to be an Inheritour of the Kingdom of Heaven which no unclean thing can enter And blessed be the Day wherein I first received the reproof of the Light in the Love of it for there had been a time wherein I had slighted its Reproofs and when it troubled me in my Heart and Conscience for my Sins then I sometimes gat amongst such as are called merry Company to put the trouble away but well was it for me that the reproof pursued me until I inwardly received it in its love and then in some little time I saw Sin to be exceeding sinful yea and loathsom too and I became weary of it and could no longer delight in folly and vanity where Sin ever dweleth no more then a man can delight to see others to laugh at him for his being outwardly full of grievous Wounds and Bruises and putrifying loathsom Sores as I was inwardly And so my greatest need and desire was to be inwardly healed for I saw I was unlike to heal others or to assist to make them Children of God being in that forlorn condition for I saw my self to be in extream need of an able Physician and therefore I consulted them that had been my Teachers who pretended to be Divines and spiritual Physicians having great need of such a one and they told me that my distemper could not be cured on this side the Grave and said it was not to be expected that any Soul of Man can be cleansed from Sin and from the contagion of it and have the grievous Wourds and Bruises and loathsome Sores that Sin hath made all over it to be cured till its Body dye And when I had considered their dismal Opinion for they could not tell me where my Soul could certainly be cleansed or cured after the death of my Body but judged it could not be before then I preceived they were all like Job's Visitants when he was afflicted outwardly as I was inwardly to whom he said Job 1â— 4 15 16 ye are all Physicians of no value and speaking of God he said though he slay me yet will I trust in him and he also shall be my Salvation for an Hypocrite shall not come before him and so Job had a confidence and faith in God that he would save him and whatever became of aim he would curst in God And I then had a little Grain of the Faith in which Job was that God would cleanse me and heal me if I continued Faithful unto him and would be my Salvation and therefore though my said Teachers and pretending Physicians offered me then not questioning their Pay if I would Buy more of their Physick and Salve yet I durst Buy no more of them but refused both their Physick and Merchandize knowing it to be certainly of a pernicious quality and that it would but cast me into a Spiritual Lethargy and so stupifie my Senses that I should not be sensible of my dangerous condition for while I bought of it before-time I knew it was apt to make me so but though I left Trading with them then which is now some Years since and had paid formerly as freely and duly as other their Customers and owed them nothing and since that time never bought nor offered to Buy any more such Physick c. yet Men have Yearly made spoil of my Goods pretending they want Pay of me for their Physick which I would not have taken upon their Gift for I have met with a far better Physician who can Cure all manner of Diseases and therefore I wtll deal with them and their Physick no more and this is a Physician of Value who can and is willing to Cure all manner of inward Diseases of the Souls of those who with all their Hearts commit themselves to him and his Heavenly Orderings and neither requireth nor plundereth for Tythes nor other Wages for his Excellent Cure when fully performed But these Men that
pretend to be Spiritual Physicians though they confess themselves to be all overspread with the Contagion and Leprosie of Sin and believe that they and all People must be so whilst their Bodies live for their Preaching and Confessing is to that effect and so they are not like to Cure others of it though they hold their Trade of advising People against Sin that brings this Contagion and Leprosie upon them and others might as needfully advise the Pretended Physicians for they themselves know not how to be rid of their Leprosie yet these Pretenders claim and rob and make havock of Peoples Goods and cast them into Prison for Tythes and Wages for their Advice and pay for their unprofitable Physick though People have not had it nor would have neither Buy any of their deadly Physick And so they are worse than Gehazi who when his Master Elisha would receive nothing though freely offered for the Cure of the Leprosie of Naaman the Syrian being thro' Elisha's Advice 2 Kings 5. by dipping himself Seven times in Jordan fully performed yet this Gehazi being Covetous ran after Naaman and took somewhat of that he offered to Elisha which was given to Gehazi very freely and yet Elisha by the Manifestation of the Spirit of God knowing what he had done said to his Servant Gehazi The Leprosie therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy Seed for ever and he went out from his presence a Leper as white as Snow And now these Pretenders to be Spiritual Physicians though the Cure never be performed nor can be by their Directions and though People have nothing of Advice or Physick from them they are like Gehazi and so of his Seed spiritually for Gifts and Rewards yea and more for Tythes and Wages for their Advice or Physick and take it by force and so worse than their Father Gehazi and so the Leprosie of Naaman which clave unto Gehazi and unto his Seed cleaveth unto these Pretenders being spiritually of Gehazi his Seed and so they are all spiritually Lepers as indeed they know it and confess themselves to be spiritually Leprous being sensible of it by the Light in their own Hearts which they hate because it reproveth for their unrighteous Doings and the Children of the Light see their Leprosie which cleaveth to them spiritually to be even as white as Snow so plain to be seen But the Light of Christ Jesus which reproveth for Sin in the Hearts and in the Consciences of People though it may be despised and rejected 2 Kings 5.11 12. as Naaman despised Jordan before he tryed it as in the Love of it any receiveth it and with a true Heart obeyeth it it will direct such a one to the spiritual Jordan which is by Interpretation the River of Judgment which is inwardly to be known where Christ Baptizeth with his Holy Spirit and washeth away the Contagious Leprosie of Sin and healeth the Bruises and Wounds and loathsom putâ—ifying Sores which Sin had made in the Soul as the dipping and washing in it is time after time abode in and that in true faithfulness and therefore they who have tryed the Vertue of it do freely recommend the tryal of its Vertue to all who are ignorant of it and are willing to be recovered from the spiritual Leprosie of Sin And now I heartily acknowledge my great Errour who being in a wretched sinful state my self did undertake and promise for Infants that which I then believed impossible for me ever to perform my self to wit That they should forsake the Devil and all his Works and keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the Days of their lives Oh what an abominable thing is it thus to Promise and Vow unto God who knoweth the Secrets of all Hearts that Children shall do that which a Man who promiseth it believeth that he shall never be able to do himself God accepteth of no such Sureties For it is a Ridiculous thing amongst Man for a Man to become Surety for the Debt of others that is never like to be able to pay the one half of his own Debt And then certainly God will not so be mocked and therefore let this serve for a warning to all that hear or read this that they undertake no such thing for the Lord will plead with all who are found in such things by his Light in their Consciences and he will fight against them with the Sword of his Mouth Rev. 2.16 Acts 3.22 23. Joh. 13.7 8 9. and every Soul that will not hear his Voice the Word of his Grace and Light in their Hearts and Consciences and suffer him thereby to wash them in his spiritual Baptism they have no part in him but shall be cut off And though some pretend that the Children sprinkled may receive Benefit by the Faith of their Sureties 1 King 17.17 to 24. 2 King 4.18 to 37. Luke 8.49 Luke 7.10 called Godfathers and Godmothers and alledge Examples to prove it as the Widows Son being raised to Life and Jairus Daughter also by the Faith of their Parents and the Centurions Servant restored to Health by the Faith of his Master and such others but this proveth nothing at all to their purpose for there is no mention made of Godfathers nor Godmothers nor of them promising any thing for the Parties restored nor yet of Water Baptism nor of paying the Priest for it and the Lord is often pleased and hath been formerly to answer the Desires and Cries that he hath begotten in the Hearts of his Faithful Ones upon the behalf of others in making them Instrumental in his Hand for the Benefit of whom it pleaseth him but it doth not follow that God requireth one Man to be Surety for another and especially to perform that which he believeth he cannot not perform himself Rom. 14.12 Mat. 12.36 but every one must give account of himself to God and that of every idle word And what a Ridiculous Prophane and Foolish thing doth it appear to be and without the least Ground of Scripture to Teach Children to say Such a one is my Godfather 2 Cor. 1.11 12. or Godmother Is it not far more absurd than that which Paul reproved the Corinthians for because they said I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cophas and I of Christ Nevertheless it is of absolute Necessity to Salvation that every one be truly careful to perform that which they say was promised in their Baptism to wit That they should forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful Lusts of the Flish but do not their Teachers teach them when they have their Money and this Promise of them to believe that they cannot perform this Promise whilst they live in this World And is not that confused Baptizing and Teaching And how should it be otherwise being composed in Babylon that is in Confusion in the False
Church the Whore that is adulterated from God And if any that readeth this by the Light of Christ in their Consciences see their sinful Condition and that they are in any part of Babylon or its Suburbs let them hearken to the Voice of his Light and Grace in their Hearts and Consciences which saith Come out of Babylon my People that ye be not Partakers of her Sins and that ye receive not of their Plagues and as they truly and inwardly are retired to the Light they will see the Wounds and Bruises and Sores which Sin hath made in their Souls and they dare not let them be slightly healed by the Fair Speeches and Perswasions of Men neither can all that Babylon's Merchants say satisfie that any such Salve as they have to sell can make their Souls sound But as they freely give up with all their Hearts to seek him who is the desire of all Nations and the Beloved of the Souls of the Righteous who Cureth all manner of Diseases he will give Eye-salve that they may more and more see and he will wash and bind up their Wounds and pour in Oyl as he seeth meet in his own time And as the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt by his Servant Moses so will he lead them out of Spiritual Babylon by the Hand and Power of his Son Ghrist Jesus the Spiritual Prophet whom Moses Prophesied of Acts 3.22 that God would raise up in the midst of his People like unto me said he him shall ye hear in all things and every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed and so as the Israelites were led through the Red Sea which the Lord divided for them to pass thorow Exod. 14. so the Lord will make way through Difficulties and Exercises for all them to pass thorow who are freely willing to be led by the Light and hearken to the Voice of Christ in their Hearts and as the Enemies of the Israelites pursued them even into the divided Sea and made them afraid even so their spiritual Enemies may pursue them in their Exercises but as they abide still and quiet in their Minds and trust in the Lord they shall see the salvation of God and their Enemies that they then see they shall never see them again for as the Egyptians were overthrown in their pursuit of Israel in the Red Sea so the Lord will overwhelm and destroy the spiritual Enemies of such as truly Follow and Believe in him And so as the Israelites were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10.2 and in the Sea so they must be Baptized into Christ Jesus in bitter Tryals and Exercises and as Moses and the Children of Israel Exod. 15. â— sung of the salvation of God when they had passed thorow the Sea and saw their Enemies destroyed even so they will have great cause to rejoice whose spiritual Enemies God hath destroyed and they may sing of God's salvation And as Israel was led through the Wilderness Hos 2.14 so will the Lord allure his People as into the Wilderness spiritually and there he will speak to their Hearts and as they are faithful and obedient to follow him in the Wilderness without murmuring they will come to know a passing thorow the spiritual Jordan Jesh 3.17 or River of Judgment as on dry Ground into the Promised Land And so they may know an entring into the Rest of God Heb. 4.9 or the true spiritual keeping of the Christian Sabbath which remaineth to the People of God Isa 58.13 Joh. 6.28 29. Phil. 2.13 in which they â—â—e not to do their own Ways nor find theâ—â—â—â—wn pleasure nor speak their own words and so they may know a working of the Works of God and know God to work in them both to will and to do of his own good pleasure and know a ceasing from their own Works as God did from his And such as these it is who know aright the true inward and spiritual Baptism of Christ with his Holy Spirit and Fire who know him to be unto them inwardly like a Refiners Fire and as Fullers Soap Mal. 3.2 Zech. 13.9 Mal. 3.17 18. who refineth them as Silver is refined and tryeth them as Gold is tryed and the Lord maketh them his Jewels and these can discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not And these are such as were sometimes Darkness whilst the Power of Darkness prevailed in them over them but now they are light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 9 10.11 John 12.36 1 Thes 5.5 and they walk as Children of the light and have no fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness but rather reprove them these according to Christ's Command having believed in the light are become Children of the light and they walking in the light 1 John 1. as God is in the light have Unity and Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth them from all Sin And so in the light Knowledge is given to them of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God Col. 2.2 Mat. 13.28 they being also Children of it and though they know nothing of divers Languages yet in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ they can try the Spirits whether they are of God and hereby know they the Spirit of God 1 John 4.1 2 3. and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God and this is the Spirit of Antichrist Mat. 4.25 1 John 4.1 2 3. Now mark All Antichrists as Men say that Christ is Christ as Christ foretold that they should but their Spirits deny him to be come in the Flesh to wit denying the end of his coming in the Flesh And so they who being under the Dominion of the Man of Sin teach that there is no freedom from sin at tainable on this side the Grave they say that Christ is Christ and in words own that he came in the Flesh as the Holy Scriptures declare But doth not their Spirit deny the very end of his coming in the Flesh Dan. 9.24 which is to finish Transgression and to make an end of sins and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness and to sanctifie and cleanse true Believers who are his Church Eph. 5.26 27. that he may present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing And likewise many of them that Fight and Kill one another and the Servants of Christ also about Religion such say that Christ is Christ and in words own his coming in the Flesh but doth not their Spirit deny the very end of his coming which was not to destroy Mens Lives but to save them Luke 9.56 And he said My Kingdom is not of this World else would my Servants Fight and said All that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword
Brimstone mark this they must be so cast alive And the Remnant must be slain with the Sword that proceedeth out of the Mouth of the Lamb and so the Lamb and his Followers shall have the Victory And the pure Everlasting Gospel Rom. 1.16 which is the Power of God which is now Preached again if it be hid it is hid in them that are lost as the Scripture saith though some Translate to them that are lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not 2 Cor. 4.34 lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God who is Light should shine unto them 2 John 1.5 and so they that believe in the Light of the Gospel in them it will shine unto them as they are Faithful to it but the Man of Sin the God of this World with his Signs and all the means that he and his Ministers or Members can use endeavoureth to blind the Minds of People that he may keep them in Darkness unto Destruction with himself And those that God maketh Instruments Acts 20.24 Tit. 2.11 1 Cor. 2.4 to 14. in his Power to Preach the Everlasting Gospel of his Grace that bringeth Salvation they Preach not with enticing words of Man's Wisdom nor in the words that Man's Wisdom teacheth as Man-made Preachers do but which the Holy Spirit teacheth and they Preach not themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and their selves Servants for Jesus sake for God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness 2 Cor. 4.3 to 7. hath shined in their Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ Acts 26.18 and so their Errand is to turn People from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan which is the Power of Darkness unto God who is Light And so the Message of the true Ministers of the Gospel in this Day and the Message of the true Ministers of it in the Primitive Times of Christianity is one and the very same for the Message of the true Ministers of the Gospel which they had heard of God and declared unto People was that God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all and they that walk in Darkness have no Fellowship with him and they Preached 1 John â— 1 to 7. and wrote to People that they should walk in the Light that they might have Fellowship with them whose Fellowship truly was with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ And they preached not neither wrote that which they had not Experience of but of that which was from the beginning which they had spiritually heard and seen and handled of the Word of Life and they Preached not up Carnal Ordinances nor Signs nor Shadows but against them and Preached the true Doctrine of Christ Jesus the Substance And the Doctrine of Christ concerning Faith without which it is impossible to please God is this Heb. 11 6. John 12.10 to 37. while ye have Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of Light and yet many believed not because the God of this World had blinded their Minds and hardened their Hearts and the Chief Priests were Cruel against him for his Doctrine in those Days as they are against the Light now and consulted to put him to Death And the true Ministers of Christ they preached this Doctrine that it is the Life in the Word which is Christ that is the Light of Men Joh. 1.1 to 12 and the true Light that lighteth every Man and Woman that cometh into the World 1 Cot. 12.7 Eph. 5.7 to 15. and they called the Light also the manifestation of the Spirit given to every Man to profit withal and said Whatsoever doth make manifest is Light and all things that are reproved Rom. 1.18 19. are made manifest by the Light and whatsoever may be known of God is manifest within and they called it the Word of Faith nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart which they preached Rom. 10.8 Jam. 6.21 to 26. and the Engraffed Word that is able to save the Soul and the Word of God's Grace that bringeth Salvation Acts 20.32 Tit. 2.11 1.2 2 Cor. 5.19 Phil. 2.16 Col. 3.16 Luke 17.20 21. Mat. 13.18 to 23. which hath appeared to all Men to teach and they called it the Word of Reconciliation which God had put in them as Margined Bibles truly say it is in the Greek and the Word of Life and the Word of Salvation and the VVord of Christ which they advised some to let it dwell in them richly and the VVord of Righteousness And Christ himself called it the VVord of the Kingdom of God which is within which is sown in the Heart And many other suitable Names and significant Appellations hath Christ and his Ministers given to the Light which they preached that People might believe in it Recorded in the Holy Scriptures and this was and is and is to be the Doctrine of Christ and his Ministers But this is terrible Doctrine to the Devil the Man of Sin the Power of Darkness for when People believe in the Light of Christ in their Hearts and in the Sufficiency of it and come into the Obedience of it then the very Foundation of the Devil's Kingdom cometh to be shaken and the Kingdom of Christ in some measure cometh to be enjoyed in them And this Doctrine is also terrible to the Ministers of the Man of Sin who undertake to teach People and tell them that the way to Christ is in the frequenting of their Ordinances Preachings Prayers and VVorships and in the use of their Elements Ceremonies and Traditions when as all of it is but for their Tythes Benefices Wages worldly Interest and Promotion for when any come to believe in the Light of Christ in their Hearts and to receive its Teachings in the Love of it they will know the free Teachings of Christ by his Light to teach them to profit in Spiritual Things and first to deny themselves of their Beloved Sins and so they will find ease and satisfaction of Soul which all their former Teachers with all their fair words John 6.45 Isa 48.17 Isa 54.23 Jer. 23.32 Psal 119.165 John 14.16 to 27. and preachings never so much against sin could not profit them in at all but God freely teacheth all his People to profit and in their profiting in his Fear and Obedience great shall be their Peace and therefore they who truly learn the Teachings of God by his Light they will never Hire other Teachers neither pay towards the Elements and Ordinances of the Worships of Mens Institutions or Doctrines but they will deny them all and Worsip the Image of the Beast no more And they who in the Faith and Obedience of the Light in their Hearts have in true Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness forsaken all for the Gain of its Rich
Satisfaction Psal 29.11 the Lord will give strength unto them and plentifully bless them with his Peace which passeth all the Understending of Men and it will rule in their Hearts and keep their Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus in a continual watchfulness against the Adversary of their Souls Peace and also in a continual earnest breathing or praying to the Lord for a daily and constant supply of the Heavenly Bread and Water of Life without which they know their Souls cannot live unto God but the Power of Death and Darkness will again prevail in them and over them And all those that in and by the Light the Word of God's Grace have Authority from Christ in the Movings of his Spirit and in the Constrainings of his Love in their Hearts to preach his Everlasting Gospel such preach not for Gifts visible Rewards Tythes nor outward Benefices neither Covet they any Man's Silver or Gold or Apparels but their labour of Love in the Service of Christ is to bring People from the Teachings of Men which are fallible to the Teachings of their Teacher which is the true Light even the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men which was the Teacher of the Apostles of Christ which Teacher is Infallible that all by receiving his Teachings and believing in the sufficiency of this Grace Light or Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts which is given to every Man to profit withal might so far profit therewith as to become Children of the Light and so Children of God Isa 48.17 18. who are all led of the Spirit of God who reacheth his People to profit And also that being delivered from the Bondage of Corruption and the Corruptible Traditions and Ordinances of Men all such may know and enjoy the glorious Liberty of the Children of God who are not to be subject to such Traditions or Ordinances and this is the Doctrine of the true Ministers of Christ as appeareth by these and many other places of Holy Scripture Rom. 8. Chap. 2 Cor. 3.2 to 18. Gal. 4.1 to 15. Gal. 5.1 to 26. Eph. 2.1 to 22. Col. 1 and 2. Chapters Heb. 8 9 and 10. Chapters Mat. 10.7 8 9 10. 1 Tim. 6.3 to 12. Acts 20.24 to 36. 2 Cor. 12.8 to 20. 1 Cor. 9.16 to 23. 2 Pet. 1.18 19. Heb. 12.22 to 26. Rev. 2.7 17 29. Rev. 3. But they who in their Humane Wisdom or Learning or both for the love of Money Gifts Rewards Tythes Benefices outward Interest or Promotion undertake to Preach and style themselves Ministers of the Gospel of Christ and claim the precious Name of Christianity such mock at the mentioning of the Movings and Leadings and Gindings of the Spirit of Christ whereby it appeareth that they are not moved nor led nor guided by it in their preaching and so it is another Spirit even the Spirit of the Man of Sin by which they are moved to Preach for it must be the one of the two Spirits that moveth them but he that hath not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.8 to 17. 3 Cor. 12.3 is none of his and so is no true Christian and no Man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit so it is plain that he that is not moved led and guided by the Holy Spirit of Christ is none of the Ministers of Christ And such Preachers have only their Authority from Men by which they Preach and not at all from God as all true Ministers of the Gospel have and so their Labour is quite contrary to the Labour of the Ministers of Christ for they preach up Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Traditions of Men and labour to keep People in dependance upon them which are all to perish with the using that thereby they may keep them in Ignorance to receive admire and depend upon their Teachings that for their Preaching they may pay them Wages Tythes Easter Reckonings Midsummer Dues c. as they call them or give them Gifts Rewards Honours or Esteem and so with their Signs and all their other Endeavours they labour to keep People from believing in the Sufficiency of the Light of Christ Acts 20.32 Tit. 2.11 12. the Word of God's Grace in their own Hearts which is the Teacher of all true Christians and which bringeth Salvation Isa 5.13 John 6.45 Heb. 8.10 11. Jor. 31.34 that so they may keep them in dependance upon Man's Teachings and from the Teachings of God who teacheth all his Children and all true Christians who must all know him from the least even to the greatest of them And if any Pleaders for Signs or Ceremonies think themselves obliged to the use of them by reason of any Command from Christ or his Apostles yet they may certainly know and that is more than think that they make not near so great a matter of the other plain and positive Commands of Christ and his Apostles but generally act quite contrary to many of them as plainly appeareth for Christ commanded his Ministers Mat. 10.8 Mat. 19.27 to 30 Mark 10.28 to 31. Tuke 14.33 saying Freely ye have received freely give but because many such Preachers have paid dear for their Learning therefore perhaps they may not think that Command obliging upon them but they may read that they to whom this Command was given had left all to follow Christ and Christ saith He that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple And whether such Preachers have freely received or not all may see that they are far from freely giving their Preaching or Ministry who Persecute cast into Prison or make Spoil or Havock of the Goods of Innocent People only because they cannot receive their Teaching nor pay them for it nor for their Ceremonies such as Bread and Wine and outward Baptism or others which they make a Trade of to get Money by which is quite contrary to the Command of Christ and of his Apostles and so such are also far from for saking all for the sake of Christ and far from being his Disciples or keeping his Commands And Christ said to his Ministers Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves Mat. 20.1 to 42. be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but they that Persecute or cast into Prison others for not paying them for their Preaching or their Ceremonies they obey not this Command being far from the harmlesness of Doves and indeed they are not so wise as the Serpent who hath deceived them and blinded their Minds with the love of outward things with which they know not how soon they must part so that they cannot see the things which concern Everlasting Peace yet the Serpent hath endued them with much of his Wisdom whereby both they themselves and many others throgh them are deceived but the Children of the Light in the Wisdom that cometh from above see beyond all his and
Ceremonies and Traditions look upon these Two Ceremonies which they call Sacraments to wit outward Baptism and eating Bread and drinking Wine which they call the Lord's Supper to be now practiced and of necessity to be used because of a Command of Christ or his Apostles therefore what is here before-written though much might be added is that all concerned may see and examine and know that without the substance in some measure enjoyed the Types and Ceremonies never profited at all and that by believing in and obeying and walking according to the Teachings of the Grace or Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences they may in the Fellowship and Unity of all the Children of God John 6.51 to 58. Luke 22.15 to 31. Luke 17.20 21. enjoy true satisfaction by the Bread of Life which Christ freely giveth to all true Christians which Bread is his Flesh and likewise may drink freely of the Wine of the Kingdom of God which Christ termed as the Blood of the Grape which is his Blood which he giveth to true Christians to drink at his Table in his Kingdom which is within And so in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ they may know and enjoy the liberty of true Christianity from the Bondage of and unto any sort of weak and beggarly Ements Types Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Traditions of Men which after Mens Doctrines and Commandments are all to perish with the using and into the use of which the Man of Sin is apt to lead People and the Devil himself may creep into the use of them And the Man of Sin likewise alloweth or rather teacheth to his Followers in whom he ruleth by his Power in a Profession of Christianity to use more Signs than those of Baptism and of Bread and Wine for which there is no ground at all from Christ or his Apostles nor is there any mention of any Command for such things in the Scriptures of Truth all which are too many to be mentioned here but some of them may be noted As the white Linnen or Surplice which their Priest or Minister must wear when he readeth Prayers c. which is reckoned to be a Sign of or else taken for the true fine Linnen Rev. 19.7 8. clean and white which is the Righteousness of the Saints which is given to the Lamb's Wife the Church and Spouse of Christ to be arrayed with Jer. 23.6 Jer. 33.15 16 Mâ—â— 4.2 3. Now the Righteousness of the Saints is Christ of whom it was Prophesied that he should be called The Lord our Righteousness and he is called the Branch of Righteousness and the Sun of Righteousness and in him is the true light that enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World and unto them that fear the Name of the Lord Luke 1.78 79. Zech. 3.8 will he arise with healing in his Wings and they shall go forth and grow up as Calves of the Stall and shall tread down the wicked that shall be as Ashes under the Soles of their Feet And this Sun of Righteousnes which is Christ arrayeth those that believe in 2 Cor. 4.6 and love and obey and walk in his light which shineth in their Hearts with his glorious Beams and puts on them the white Robe of Righteousness for these walk in the light of the Lamb that takes away the Unrighteousness Rev. 7.13 14. Rev. 12.11 Rev. 14.4 5. and they follow him though it be thorow great Tribulation whithersoever he goeth or leadeth and these are they that overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony who love not their Lives unto Death and coming out of great Tribulation wash their Robes and make them white in the Blood of the Lamb. But the Priest's Surplice is not washed after that manner but rather in the spoil of other Peoples Goods gotten by Deceit or Violence and when it is washed and made as white as he can get it made yet the Leprofie of Gehazi 2 King â— 27 which cleaveth to his Seed for ever which was and is as white as Snow is as plain to be seen upon the Priest's Mind by the single Eye as his white Surplice is to be seen upon his Back by the natural Eye for all that covet Gifts or Rewards for Preaching or the like are of the Seed of Gehazi and much more Persecutors for Wages for their Preaching are plain to be seen so to be being worse than Gehazi And another Sign which the Man of Sin teacheth and alloweth to his Followers is the Sign of the Cross of Christ as they call it which they make of Gold Silver Wood or Stone c. which in the Wisdom of the Man of Sin is highly exalted in the Popes Territories but the Exalters of this Sign of the Cross refuse to take up the daily Cross of Christ who is the Power and Wisdom of God and the preaching of the Cross of Christ is to them that perish foolishness but to them that are saved it is the Power of God whereby the World is Crucified to them and they unto the World and the Apostles preaching of the Cross of Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 to 30. was a stumbling-block to them that required a Sign and so it is now and it was foolishness to them that sought after Wisdom and so it is now Luke 9.23 and Christ saith If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Now this true self-denial and taking up daily of the Cross of Christ that Crucifieth to the World and Crucifieth the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts thereof it is not so light a matter as is the taking up of a little Golden or Silver or Wooden Cross and the carrying of it which pleaseth the Carnal Mind that is Enmity against God and would have the Mind satisfied with the Sign Eph. 2.16 though it be far from the Substance Rom. 8.6 7. for the Cross of Christ Crucifyeth the Carnal Mind and Slayeth the Enmity in those that daily bear it and all that know the state of true Christianity they inwardly know a daily taking up and bearing of the Spiritual Cross of Christ Gal. 5.24 which in them Crucifieth the Carnal Mind and the Flesh with its Affections and Lusts and thereby their Souls come to witness liberty in the Service of Christ and to answer his Requirings by his light in their Hearts and such need not to make or carry outward Crosses to put them in mind of the Crucifixion of Christ For the Admirers and Carriers of outward Crosses pretend that they are helpful to put them in Mind that Christ was Crucified for them when as they may carry as many of them as they can bear on their Backs and yet be Crucifying Christ inwardly and so there is a great difference between the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God without the taking up and bearing of
which none can obtain the Crown of Life and Salvation and those Crosses that are made of Silver or Wood c. that any Child can carry or those that are made with Water in the Foreheads of Children or others which some Pretenders to be Reformed from Popery yet use And concerning the Invention of their outward Crosses it is Recorded That before the Name of Pope was given or the Bishop of Rome Entituled Universal one Mocarius Bishop of Jerusalem See Socrat. 1 Cap. 6 9. Plat. Polid. Deborus c. was the means with one Helena that the Cross was found in the Year 310. so it seemeth the Apostles and Primitive Christians made no stir about the outward Cross otherwise it would not have been neglected Three Hundred Years And Agapetus Bishop of Rome first commanded People to go a Processioning to follow the Cross in the Year 533. this is contrary to Christ and his Apostles And as the Power of the Man of Sin prevailed those Crosses and other Inventions were more and more esteemed so that in the Year 569. King Conwell had always a Silver Cross carried before him and caused Crosses to be set first upon every Steeple in England And the Days of the Invention and Exaltation of the Cross are to be found in most Almanacks or Kalenders Plat. Pan. Bec. fol. 355. the one being on the Third Day of the Third Month called May which is called Invent. Crucis or holy Cross or Helena's Day because they say she helped to find it and the other is on the Fourteenth Day of the Seventh Month or September which is called Exalt Crucis or holy Cross or holy Rood so they may see not only the Year but the Month and Day of the Invention and Exaltation of their Crosses It were large to write of all the Signs Ceremonies and silly Superstitious Practices which the Apostate Christians upon whom the Power of the Man of Sin prevailed have by degrees as the Apostles Prophesied that they should brought into their Churches so called some instituting one thing and some another in the fallen Wisdom for their outward Gain part of them being derived from the Jews and part from the Heathens and the Inventions or Introductions of them are largely to be found upon Record notwithstanding the strict Inquisitions and Search that hath by the Papists been made for the destruction of such Books where is to be found the Authors Names and the Times when they were first imposed upon and received by and amongst them called Christians witness Eusibius lib. 5. Aug. lib. de Haeres Becon's Works Hospinian de Orig. Temp. Pageon of Popes Acts and Monuments and many others And at the dawning of the Day of God which is breaking forth upon the Nations Cant. 2.17 and the Shadows of the dark Apostacy are flying away many being Convinced by the Light of Christ in their Hearts concerning the Vanity of many of the Superstitious Popish Ceremonies as well as of their destructive Doctrines Tenets and Practices they in following and minding the Light which had Convinced them they upon good ground separated from the Papists and protested against their Abominations and so according to what they knew made a Reformation and were called Protestants And at that time great was the Work of God in bringing many in some measure out of Babylon the City of Confusion wherein many had long been held in Captivity and for bearing the same Testimony that the Protestants then bore against the Invented Idolatrous Ceremonies Signs and Superstitious Practices of the Times had suffered greatly under the Popes Usurped Exalted Power and under his Subjects the Apostatized Christians and many had been Murdered And those that in their Day and Time answered and obeyed the Light that in their Hearts convinced them of their own Sins and also of the Errour and Superstition of Popery and continued to the end in sincerity of Heart answering the Requirings of the Lord according to what he made manifest to them in their Hearts they laid down their Heads in Peace with God who preserved them in their Exercises to their endless Comfort and to his own Praise But many by negligence in not answering the Lord according to what he made known by his Light in them were prevailed upon by the deceit of the Man of Sin to rest as satisfied with the Form of the Protestant Worship and Religion and with the Pleasures Riches and Honours of the World and so rested short of the Possession of the Life and Power of Godliness and Christianity though they held the Profession and Name of Christians and Protestants and such rather went backwards towards Popery again than forward towards a full Reformation from it For though there was a denying and a protesting against many Popish Ceremonies and Superstitious Practices and a denying of the Pope their Head and the Head of the Romish Church which was well so far for Christ is the Head of his Church which is his Body and he ought to rule and sway by his holy Light Power and Spiritual Scepter in the Hearts of People yet many that professed Christ and Reformation from Popery they would not that he should rule over them but they desired to rule over others for when they that reckoned themselves Ministers of the Reformed Churches became setled in their Benefices Tythes and other Incomes then they assumed to themselves great Names and Titles as the Most Reverend and Right Reverend and Reverend the Archbishops and below them the Reverend Lord Bishops now the Title of Reverend implieth that they are to be scared and worshipped and honoured and Archdeacons Deans Doctors c. yea and every Parish Priest can claim or assume to himself the Title of Rector which is Governour or Ruler of his Parish and so they call themselves Governours or Rulers And how the Parish Priests which are but of the Inferiour sort have ruled by Force and Cruelty like the False Prophets and Shepherds of old Ezek. 34.2 to 17. who did eat the Fat and cloathed with the Wooll and killed them that were fed but fed not the Flock and how they have Persecuted Sued at Law and Imprisoned them that could not receive them for Ministers of Christ nor pay them for their Preaching though they heard it not and how Cruel they are and have been for their Tythes and Wages it is very manifest and well-known to many in these Nations But the true Ministers of Christ over and in whom he governeth by his Light and Spirit 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 9.16 to 20. 2 Cor. 4.3 to 18. Mar. 10.42 43 44. Acts 20.35 they do not so but serve Christ their Master Ruler and Governour and are really Servants for his sake as he said to his formerly that they should not be as the Rulers of the Gentiles that exercise Lordship over them but said he Whosoever of you will be the chiesest let him be servant of all And said he Freely ye have
the Man of Sin the Power of Darkness whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and lying Wonders And as he first by his deceit prevailed upon Mankind so thereby he still endeavoureth to keep all in subjection to him who is the Father of Lies through his Allurements and Bewitching Perswasions that all is well and that though they do yet more and more continue to practice such and such things which he tempteth to but the Light reproveth for yet he perswadeth that it may be well with them and they may repent afterwards time enough And thus he draweth People on in his Service from time to time till the Day of their Visitation be over and the things that concern Everlasting Peace be hid from their Eyes and then there remaineth no place of Repentance to be found though they seek it carefully with Tears as Esau did but was rejected Heb. 12. â—7 And so though People do not answer nor obey the Light that in their Hearts convinceth them of their evil Deeds yet the Man of Sin perswadeth as far as he can that it is impossible so to do whilst on this side the Grave and so he laboureth continually to keep People satisfied in the woful Condition into which he hath drawn them And to this end he hath his Ministers preaching his Doctrine that none ought to believe that it is possible that they can be freed from sin by the Power of God whilst they live upon the Earth and some of them Preach of a Purgatory to cleanse from sin after Death though the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles before-treated of largely testifieth the contrary as it is declared in the Holy Scriptures which the said Preachers profess b t for all their Learning cannot understand whilst they resist the Light and Spirit of God by which the Scriptures were given forth And therefore every one upon necessity of Salvation is to take heed to the Advice and Warning of Christ Mat. 24. 1 John 3.7 2 Thes 2.3 Col. 2.18 Phil. 3.2 Gal. 3.1 2. and his Apostles that no Man deceive them for according to Christ's forewarning many have come and are come in his Name saying That he is Christ so they profess Christianity and by their shewing of great Signs and Wonders have deceived and do deceive many who look upon them to be what they are not but they who believing in the Light are become Children of the Light they see them plainly and know them by their Fruits to be what they are and therefore they can neither receive them nor pay them Wages for their preaching that they may any longer deceive others in drawing the Minds of People from the true Light in their Hearts after their deceitful Signs and Wonders and so to Eternal Destruction Though it is not like that any should be deceived by such false Prophets or Instruments of the Man of Sin but such as disobey the Light of Christ and are also prevailed upon by the power of Darkness in themselves which alienateth them from the Light and Life of God the quickening Spirit of Christ the Second Adam the Manifestation or Light whereof reproveth and convinceth inwardly all who have not quite out-lived the Day of their Visitation that are in the fallen Estate of the First Adam of their Sins and Transgressions even in their best Performances which John 3.16 to 22. Prov. 6.22 23. 8 〈◊〉 Prov. 10.17 according to the Knowledge by the Light inwardly given to them they generally confess to be sinful or mixt with sin not knowing nor believing that it is what it is that reproveth them nor that the Reproofs of its Instruction are the Way of Life as the Scriptures of Truth witness And so such who Rebel against the true Light in their Hearts are in great danger of being Eternally deceived by the Power of Darkness in the false Christs and false Prophets which Christ Jesus the Truth foretold of that they should shew great Signs and Wonders insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect but said he to his Disciples Mat. 24. I have told you before wherefore if they shall say unto you behold he is in the desart go not forth behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not for as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be And said he If any man shall say unto you lo here is Christ or there believe it not And said he Verily I say unto you this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled And accordingly his Beloved Disciple John witnessed that in his time there were many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 19 20. or false Christs and Prophets but to them who believed in and walked in the true Light he said Ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things so they knew better things than to be deceived by the false Christs and false Prophets By which it is plain that Christ who said of himself John 8.12 to 25. I am the light of the world and to the Pharisees who accused him of bearing false Record in so saying of himself he said John 12.35 36. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins and whither I go ye cannot come And also commanded saying While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be children of light He commanded his Disciples not to go forth after nor to believe those that say Christ is here or there or in the Desart or in the secret Chambers nor those that shew great Signs and Wonders though such come in his Name and say that he is Christ and so make a Profession of him And so they who in the Obedience of Christ believe in his Light and thereby become Children of the Light which the true Primitive Christians witnessed of and left upon Record that it shined in their Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ they dare not go forth nor can they believe them that say that a piece of Bread or a Wafer after Consecration as they call it is the very Christ or the very Body of Christ neither can they any whit the more believe them that say Lo here is Christ in this Ceremony or in this Ordinance or in this Profession or the other Fellowship or Form of Faith or Directory or Communion whatsoever of them who shew never so great Signs Ceremonies and Wonders or make never so great a Professoâ—â— of Christianity either in praying or preaching or the like John 1.1 to 10. 1 Cor. 12.7 who deny the true Light of Christ or walk not in it which is the Manifestation of his Spirit and enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World and is given to every Man to profit withal For the Children of the Light
Abomination unto him and therefore as Cain was with his Brother Abel so they are wroth with those whose Offerings and Worships finds respect with God being in the Spirit of God which they are erred from as also was Cain And so these also run greedily after the Errour of Balaam for a Reward and tho' they Preach Peace to them that buy of them yet they prepare War against such as put not into their Mouths these are such as Judge for Reward Teach for Hire and Divine for Money and yet seem to lean upon the Lord Miâ—â—h 3. and say Is not the Lord amongst us no evil shall come upon us But when such as these cry unto the Lord he will not hear them but he the Light whom they have rejected will hide his Face from them and then surely Night will be unto them that they shall not have a Vision for so it was Prophesied of such deceitful Prophets no marvel then if they say Vision is ceased and Revelation ceased for it was said The sun shall go down over them and the day shall be dark over them that they shall not Divine the seers shall be ashamed and the diviners confounded yea they shall all cover their lips for there is no answer of God So here is the Work and Wages of false Prophets described And now is at hand the great and notable Day of the Lord wherein he will try and weigh all People in the just Ballance of his Sanctuary and it will come as a Thief in the Night in an unexpected and terrible time and manner upon all the Children of Disobedience in whose Hearts the Prince of the Power of the Air worketh and ruleth and they being Airy and Light and Wanton which are compared to Chaff will be found too light in the tryal and upon them will the unquenchable Fire take hold Mat. 3.12 and in that day their Leaders and Teachers of whom it is said Mic. 7.4 The best of them is as a Briar and the most upright is sharper than a Thorn-hedge Eccles 7.6 who are thus compared to Briars and Thorns whose end is to be burned their end must be like the end of the laughter of a Fool which is compared to the crackling of Thorns under a Pot and all their Wit and Learning Arts and Parts can then yield them small satisfaction So there is a great difference between these false Teachers and their Rewards and the Ministers of Christ and their Rewards for the Apostle Peter said 1 Pet. 4.10 As every man hath received the gift so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 5.2 3 4. Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a reçady mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being ensamples to the flock and when the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away So the Reward of the Ministers of Christ who are faithful Stewards of his manifold Grace and diligently improve the Talent which he hath given them shall be a Crown of never-fading Glory And they that are faithful to God tho' it be but as in a little may be made Stewards or Rulers over more but they who are unfaithful whether in much or little that is committed to them and sin against the Light and Grace of Christ in their Hearts and continue in so doing how can such expect any other from the Hand of the Lord Mat. 25.14 to 31. but the unprofitable Servant's Reward which is to be cast into outer Darkness where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth And certainly the Lord God of Heaven and Earth will render to every Man and Woman according to their Works and will bring all People upon the Face of the whole Earth to an account not how strictly they have obeyed the Orders Laws and Injunctions about Religion made by Popes Cardinals Bishops or Priests of any sort who say Lo here or lo there in this Way or in that Form is the true Religion but he will have an account how every one hath improved and profi ed with the Talent which he hath given them to profit withal which is the Manifestation of his Holy Spirit the true Light inwardly enlightening every Man and the Word of his Kingdom in their Hearts the Word of Faith nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth which is the Grace of God that brings Salvation and hath appeared to all Men and this Word Grace and Light inwardly reproveth for Sin in the Hearts and Consciences of People and woe to them that turn not at its Reproof But all that in the love of it receive it and believe in it and give up their Hearts and Minds freely to learn of it will become sensible of the powerful Work of it more and more in their Hearts for it teacheth all that believe in it and carefully take heed to it to deny all ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to deny all other teachings of Men who are not taught by it but turn from it into wantonness or worldly-mindedness and it teacheth to deny paying any thing to any Man for his Teachings whereby he may deceive People for the Teachings of Christ are free and all Christ's Ministers have freely received and they freely give and Covet no Man's Silver Acts 20.32 33 34. nor Gold nor Apparel nor other of his worldly things but are content with such things as they have and Godliness with Contentment is to them great Gain And so the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation is the Teacher of all true Christians and teacheth them to live soberly Tit. 2.11 to 15. righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for them that he might redeem them from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works who have profited with the Talents that God hath bestowed upon them and must enter into the Joy of their Lord having hearkened diligently to the Reproof of Instruction in their own Hearts which is the Way of Life and love to walk therein even in the Just Man's Path Prov. 4.18 which is as a shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect Day of Redemption and Salvation from all Iniquity 1 Cor. 6.2 Eph. 4.30 and these glorifie God in their Bodies and in their Spirits which are his to whom belongs the Honour and the Glory and the Praise for ever and for evermore Amen The END