if not for Deliverance for he saith presently after The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.2 hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death So it is plain that he was delivered and set free from the Law of Sin and Death unto which he had been in Captivity while he was carnal sold under Sin and therefore the aforesaid Words of Paul with which some plead against the possibility of freedom from Sin cannot properly be rendred to describe his present condition at the writing thereof And it may at large be read in the Epistles of the Apostle Paul as also of the other Apostles that Freedom from sin Eph. 2.4 to 11. Rom. 6.22 1 Cor. 15.56 57. and the servitude thereof may be and was attained by true Christians while in this World And those that from the aforesaid Words of Paul do plead for continuance in sin during Life 1 Cor. 15.32 33 34. Isa 22.12 13 14. Isa 56.10 11 12. Wisd 2.5 6 7. they may as sensibly plead that he in a commanding manner spake to the Corinthians saying Let us eat and drink for to morrow we dye which in Scripture is recommended as a Motto of Epicures and Libertines though he writes next after saying Be not deceived Evil Communications corrupt good Manners awake to Righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame But the Apostle Peter as it were to put the matter concerning the understanding of Paul's Words out of all question 2 Pet. 3.14 15 16. writes thus Be diligent that ye may be found of him without Spot and Blameless and account that the Long suffering of our Lord is Salvation even as our beloved Brother Paul also according to the Wisdom given unto him hath written unto you as also in all his Epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction By which Words it is plain that some things written by Paul and here spoken of by Peter were things concerning Spotlesness and Blamelesness which things are not consistent with Sin and concerning which things Paul wrote in all his Epistles And it was such who obeyed not the Light and Grace of Christ which is the Word of Faith Tit. 2.11 12. Rom. 10.8 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 1 John 2.13 14. 1 John 5.4 nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart which the Apostles preached who were not diligent to be found spotless and blameless and it was such as those that wrested Paul's Words to their own destruction for such being in Sin and out of the living Faith whereby true Christians overcome they feeling themselves under the power of the Man of Sin in themselves he easily perswades them that there is no overcoming sin or attaining freedom from sin or spotlesness and blamelesness on this side the Grave and there he would have all Mankind And so such Rom. 6.18 22. quite contrary to the Doctrine of Paul and of the other Apostles wrest the Words of Paul to their own destruction Rom. 8.2 〈◊〉 Cor. 15.57 1 Tim. 6.12 14. 2 Tim. 4.7 Heb. 11.6 and plead for Sin with the Words that he wrote concerning his Warfare in the Faith against Sin though presently after he declares himself to be in another condition but they being out of that Faith without which it is impossible to please God they do not undertake the Warfare aright and therefore are not like to witness the Victory as Paul did And now let all those that plead for Sin for term of Life beware lest they be of those Unlearned and Unstable who wrest the Words of Paul to their own Destruction for though they may have learned many Languages and all the Learning that can be gotten for Money at Schools and Colleges yet if they be not learned in the Mystery of the Faith of Christ which is in his Light and Word of Faith nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart they will be found to be of the unlearned that the Apostle Peter here speaketh of Acts 1.13 for concerning humane Learring Peter himself was called unlearned and ignorant And let all consider whether are most likely to wrest the Apostles to their own destruction they who are truly diligent to be found spotless and blameless who take his Words as well as the words of the other Apostles against Sin in so strict a sence that according thereunto and for f ar of offending God they dare not allow themselves in any Sin lest it be to their destruction Job 28.28 Psal 111.10 Prov. 1.2 to 7. Prov. 9.10 Prov. 8.13 Prov. 14 26 27. Prov. 13.14 Prov. 16.6 or those that take liberty in Sin and chuse not the Fear of the Lord which is Wisdom whereby they might better understand the Words of the Wise and their dark Sayings which Fear is not only to hate Evil but to depart from Evil and from Sin the snare of Death and so they make use of the Apostle's Words to plead for the continuance of Sin reckoning that the Apostle when he wrote Letters on Truth 's account and reproved Sin with severity in others was himself continually sinning And so such who reject the Fear of God and his Counsel in their Hearts they are perswaded by the spirit of the Man of Sin in themselves that though they may strive and talk against sin yet while they are in this World they must continue in sin yea even in their best Performances and then what are their worst And so they do not believe that while they live God Feb. 12.29 who is a consuming Fire is able in them with the Spirit of his Mouth and the Brightness of his Coming to consume the Man of Sin or the Body of Sin and Death whose coming is after the working of Satan Mat. 3.11 12. Luke 3.16 17. with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders and so for all their using signs of Baptism that is a sign that they are not baptized througly with the Baptism of Christ who baptizeth with the Holy Spirit and with Fire whose Fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into the Garner but he will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Mark his Floor which is the Heart of Man he will throughly purge gather his Wheat and burn up the Chaff that which proceeds from the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that worketh in the Children of disobedience And what Mat. 15.18 19 20. must Sin remain in the Heart when it is throughly purged or if Sin be not in the Heart where is 〈◊〉 And let all consider that to whom they yield themselves servants to obey Rom 6.16 17. his servants they are to whom they obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness as
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-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
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
Fruit must be cast into the Fire and there must lie how can the Pope or any Man else recover such out of the Fire And if it be the wide Gate and broad Way that leadeth to Destruction how can they that walk therein escape Destruction or the Pope deliver them from it when they come to the end of their Journey But yet this Antichristian Doctrine of a Purgatory after this Life is upheld by the Popes and by their Cardinals Bishops and Councils to their great gain of Money to themselves and their Clergy so called and upon this groundless point of their Faith hangs many of their Antichristian Ceremonies to get Money by as their Trentals Masses Diriges Requiems Indulgences Pardons Jubilees and their pretended power of Binding and Loosing and their Prayers for the Dead And though many pretending Reformation from Popery deny their Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead yet they claim Popish Wages for Praying for the Dead which they call Mortuaries and annex it to their Tythes for which they cast them that cannot for Conscience sake pay them into Prison and so they deny the Work but claim the Wages which is more unreasonable then to work for Wages And it is a general Tenet of pretended Reformists that none can be fully cleansed from Sin on this side the Grave and yet confess they that no unclean thing shall enter into Heaven and then where must they be cleansed or how will they escape the Popes Purgatory which they also deny And the Popes and their Abettors on the other hand say Council of Trent Can. 10. Ellar lib. 2 de justific chap. 2. pag. 129. That they can do more good Works than God hath commanded which they call Works of Supererogation which they hold not only meritorious of Eternal Life and of singular Glory in Heaven but also that they may communicate of the abundance of these their Merits unto others but this Doctrine is also false and also Antichristian For the Apostle of Christ said I laboured more abundantly then they all speaking of the Apostles and yet not I 1 Cor. 15.10 but the Grace of God which was with me and by the Grace of God said he I am what I am and said he the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us so it was his Teacher or Commander that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.11 12. we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present world So the Grace of God teacheth to live Godly or like God who worketh all in all in his Servants and by his Spirit the Manifestation whereof is given to every Man to profit withal giveth the Word of Wisdom and Faith 1 Cor. 12.6 7 to 12. and Gists of Healing and working of Miracles and discerning of Spirits c. dividing to every Man severally as he will and so it is God that worketh in his People both to will and to do Phil. 2.13 Isa 64.6 of his own good pleasure and all Man 's own Righteousness is as filthy Rags Therefore they who say 1 John 4.17 1 John 3.3 7. that they can out-live the Teachings or Commands of the Grace of God which teacheth to live Godly or like God as true Christians do it is plain that such are not as true Christians are the workmanship of God by his Grace created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath ordained and prepared for his Servants to walk in Eph. 2.10 but it is certain that such are exalted in their Imaginations by the working of the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above the Word of God's Power in their Hearts and so he as God sitteth in the Temple of God the Heart shewing himself that he is their God Acts 20.28 Heb. 9.12 who with his wicked deceivableness hath deceived them in a high degree or else they durst not speak such Words or teach such Doctrine And so no Men can communicate any of their Merits towards the saving of others that Pretence being an abominable Cheat to get Money by for true Christians are what they are by the Grace of God and the working thereof in their Hearts and never pretend to any of their own Merits for their Salvation is only by Christ who bath obtained Eternal Redemption for them and purchased them with his own Blood And as the Man of Sin is yielded unto obeyed and worshipped by them upon whom he prevaiss with his Temptations he becomes exalted in their minds and proud ambitious and imperious like himself and then they are offended when others do not bow or submit unto them and as by his deceit he prevaileth in them he makes them like himself Deceivers Lyars and Hypocrites and yet they would be called true Christians and Children of God like the Jews formerly who were in the same Nature though not Profession to whom Christ said Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do John 8.44 he was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth because there is no Truth in him And so the Devil being a Murtherer and a Lyar makes his Children and Servants as like himself as he can of a murthering lying Spirit and apt to persecute and murther those over whom they have the power that cannot comply with their Doctrines Worships Traditions Inventions Customs and Practices by them in the dark and woful Apostasy from the Truth invented ordained set up and practised And all false Churches or gatherings of People what Name soever they go under are all one in the ground for being erred from the Light and Spirit of Christ who is the Way of God the Truth it self and the Life of Righteousness they are all wandred into Confusion and that is the ground in which all who are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves remain let them profess what they will And so as Babel's Builders of Old would build themselves a Tower whose top might reach to Heaven but were defeated by being all confounded in their Languages who before were all of one Speech and of one Language so all that are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves being gone into Confusion inwardly they would have a Tower or a Way of their own making or building to get to Heaven by and they can but build it where they are that is in Confusion And so all who are erred and strayed from the Way of God the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and depend upon Men of Languages to teach them or guide them to Heaven are in Confusion and may fitly be called Children of Babylon and Mystery Babylon the Great is their Mother who is the Mother of Harlots Rev. 17. and Abominations of the Earth whom the Servant of Christ saw drunken with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus and this Woman is the great Whore that sitteth upon many Waters which
for they abide not in Christ the true Vine but are cast forth as Branches and withered and it will not profit them at all to have a Name to live and be dead And this eating of spiritual Meat 1 Con. 0.1 2 3 4. and drinking of spiritual Drink was witnessed by the Fathers in Israel who were all under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea for said the Apostle they all drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them or went with them and that Rock was Christ and these were directed by Moses to the word very nigh in the Mouth Dent. 30.11 12 13 14. and in the Heart and he told them of the Prophet that God would raise up unto them in the midst of them that was to be heard in all things which the Martyr Steven said was Christ who was with the Church in the Wilderness whom said he our Fathers would not obey Acts 7 37 to 51. but thrust him from them and in their Hearts turned back again into Egypt And he said to the Jews The stiff necked and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears ye do always resist the Holy Ghost as your Forefathers did so do ye And so they that believe in and faithfully obey the Light of Christ which is the Manifestation of his Holy Spirit and the Word of his Grace in their Hearts which is nigh to reprove for sin they become Children of the Light and with his inward Baptism by his own Spirit they are all Baptized into one Body whereof Christ is the Head and so they are Members of Christ whether they be Jews or Gentiles 1 Cor. 12.11 12 to 21. whether they be Bond or Free being all made to drink into his one Spirit for as the Apostle Paul saith The Body is not one Member but many for as the Body is one and hath many Members and all the Members of that one Body being many Eph. 4.5 are one Body so also is Christ And saith he If they were all one Member where were the Body but now are they many Members yet but one Body And these all eat the same spiritual Meat and drink the same spiritual Drink even of the spiritual Rock Christ Jesus of which the Fathers who were under the Cloud of old drank and of which all the Servants Children and People of God and Disciples and Members of Christ in all Ages have drunk Even as all the Members of the Body receive Nourishment from or of the Body and as all the Branches or Members of the Vine receive Nourishment of the Vine in which they dwell But they that believe not in but Rebel against the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts they resist his Holy Spirit and will not by it be Baptized into his one Body and so they are not Members of Christ nor Branches of him the true Vine nor they do not receive Nourishment from him as his Members and Branches do neither do they know an eating of his Flesh or drinking of his Blood to have Eternal Life thereby though they may talk much of it for the power of Death and Darkness even the Man of Sin prevaileth over such and they are subject to his unclean dark unholy Spirit and so are Servants to him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and lying Wonders And so he prevailing upon them to yield to his Temptations and to obey his Power and so to disobey the Light of Christ in their Hearts which reproveth them for sin so that they can have no true spiritual satisfaction then he perswadeth them to endeavour for satisfaction in the use of outward Signs as well of Baptism before treated of as also of eating and drinking the Lord's Supper to wit cating his Flesh and drinking his Blood and so they use Bread and Wine as signs thereof but it is but after the Doctrines and Commandments of Men some after one manner and others after another manner for the Spirit of the Man of Sin doth not Baptize its Followers all into one Body as the Spirit of Christ doth his Followers to whom he giveth one Heart Jer. 31.39 and one Way but it makes them of many different Hearts and Ways and filleth all its Followers with Confusion and Disorder inwardly and outwardly For some believe that the visible Bread and Wine at or by the words of their Priest are Converted or Transubstantiated into the very Body and Blood of Christ and so they think they eat the Body of Christ with their outward Mouths though under the form of outward Bread and that they drink his Blood under the form of outward Wine See Councel of Trent Sess 13. C. 1. Others hold that the Body of Christ is in or with or about the Bread and Wine others only use it in remembrance of Christ's Death c. affirming That the Body of Christ is not there Corporally or Substantially but yet that it is Really and Sacramentally received by the Faithful in the use of outward Bread and Wine In Contention about these Opinions especially about that first mentioned much Innocent Blood hath been shed which is a plain Argument and Evidence that such Blood-shedders are not such as feed spiritually upon the Flesh and Blood of Christ Jesus Mat. 26 5â— whose coming is not to destory Mens Lives but to save them But it is also very plain that such who kill and destroy one another or the Servants of Christ about their Religions and Opinions John 16.2 are such as Rebel against the Light or Manifestation of Christ's Spirit in their Hearts being gradually drawn to that high degree of Rebellion Luke 23.34 by their being prevailed upon by the deceitful Power of the Man of Sin even the Power of Death and Darkness in themselves which maketh them so dark and sensless in spiritual things Acts 3.17 that they know not what they do no more than the Jews did when they Crucified Christ who came to save them but they think they do God good service 1 Cor. 2.7.8 9 10. as Christ foretold of them when they kill his Servants and Children in whom in and by his own meek innocent Spirit he appeareth testifying against all ungodliness and wickedness And so they become as Mystery Babylon their Mother drunken with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus whose Plagues shall come in one Day Death and Mourning and Famine instead of eating as they say the Flesh and drinking the Blood of Christ Jesus and having Eternal Life thereby And as concerning the said Opinions themselves it is needless to make particular Refutations of them if any think themselves to be clear from shedding Innocent Blood concerning their manner of Doctrine and using of their Bread and Wine and that they have killed none about that matter particularly though they have warred with and probably killed some
〈…〉 By the FINGER of Gods Power AND His Visage Discovered by the Light of CHRIST JESUS and his Ministers Members Workes 〈◊〉 Lying Wonders Manifested by the Spirit of God a Manifestation whereof is given to every Man and Woman to profit withal With Friendly and Serious Invitations Exhortations and Warnings to all Professors of Christianity to beware that Antichristian Spirit that leadeth to Destruction and those Teachers who are Influenced by it Written in the Love of God by a Prisoner at Lancaster Castle for the Testimony of Truth and one of the People called in Scorn Quakers HENRY MOLLINEVX And Jesus answered and said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and because Iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold Mat. 24.4 5 10 11. As ye have beard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 LONDON Printed and Sold by T. Sâ—â—â—â— near the Meeting-house in White-Hart-Court in 〈◊〉 street 1695. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Friendly Reader IT hath been a weighty Concern upon me for several Years to give forth in Writing a Testimony against the Spirit of Antichrist as I have through the Love and Mercy of God been made sensible thereof by the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ Jesus the Son of the Living God and so having cleared and eased my Mind and Conscience of what hath lain upon me I commit to thee the following Treatise desiring that the fear and dread of the Lord God may constantly have a place in thy Heart in the Reading of it as it had in mine in the Writing of it and that will preserve thee Meek and Low in Heart in an aptness to Learn of Christ the Son of God's Love that many Professors of Christianity are but ignorantly talking of and so thou wilt not be apt to take offence nor stumble at the Truth as thou art made sensible of it in thy Heart but wilt be willing for thine own Eternal Good truly to examine thy self before the Lord in Secret how thou standest in thy Spiritual State and Condition before his All-seeing Eye for there was never more need for People to be truly concerned for the Salvation of their Precious Souls than there is now but they who walk not in the fear of the Lord slight it And if thou Reason saying Ah! But I am Unlearned and how should I understand or know the Truth For there are many great Scholars and Men Learned in Latin Greek and Hebrew and yet one sort of them preacheth one Doctrine and others other Doctrines and therefore how should I know which is the Truth I answer that thou mayest be as capable to know the Truth as if thou understood Latin and Greek and Hebrew for the Manifestation of the Spirit of Truth in thy own Heart that reproveth for Sin is sufficient to teach thee to know the Truth if thou believest in it and be truly willing to obey it and in disobedience to it none can know the Truth to their Comfort though they may perfectly understand Latin Greek and Hebrew the understanding whereof in its place may be good and serviceable Yet thou knowest not how soon thou must give an Account to the God of Truth how thou hast profited with the Manifestation of his Spirit of Truth which is given to thee to profit withal As for the Times and Manner of the Inventions setting up and establishing of the Popish Mass Ceremonies Tythes and other Trumpery I refer thee to a Book put forth by Francis Howgill in Two Parts the first Intituled The Glory of the True Church discovered and the latter Part The Rock of Ages exalted above Rome 's imagined Rock And also to a little Book called Popery Arraigned set forth by G. F. and E. H. it not being my present Concern so much to shew the Times and Persons and Manner how by whom and when the Popish Inventions came up in the Apostacy that being upon Record and sufficiently done before as to shew how much they are contrary to the Scriptures of Truth and to the Spirit of Truth by which those Scriptures were given forth and how many professing Christianity and Reformation from Popery are yet found in them and in an Antichristian Spirit and how they may know the evil thereof and come out of them that they may enjoy the pure Life of Christianity which is more than Profession thereof Herein several Popish Inventions and Practices are very little or none Treated of yet comprehended being contrary to the Scriptures of Truth and the Witness of God in every Heart in them who truly take heed to it will Testifie against them such as their Worshipping of Images and Pictures and Relicks and Bones of the Dead and praying to the Dead and for the Dead and counting their Prayers by Beads as if they thought like the Heathens of which Chirst spake that they should be heard for their much speaking or babling with their Mattens and Letanies and their Idle Complements and giving of Flattering Titles c. and also their being divided into many distinct and different Orders and Sorts of Monks Friars and Jesuits and yet they plead or cry up Unity and also their Orders for Barbarian Praying wilfully in an Unknown Tongue and their not permitting to the People the Scriptures of Truth in their own Language which were publick amongst the Primitive Christians who searched them daily and found great Comfort by them and the Apostles and Holy Men of God wrote in a Known Tongue or Mother Tongue to whom they wrote that all might understand them and be edified by them in the Spirit of Christ by which only the Scriptures of Truth may be truly understood And so I commit thee to the Word of God's Grace which is the Light or Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in thine own Heart by which only thou mayest be made sensible to understand aright the Things that Concern thy Everlasting Peace and Happiness who am a Well-wisher to all Mankind H. M. THE CONTENTS COncerning the Prevailings of Antichrist and his being manifested in the Primitive Times of Christianity and the Prophesies of him from Page 1 to 32. Concerning the Power of Antichrist and also concerning Freedom from Sin and concerning the Popes and Babylon from Page 32 to 105. Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper and also concerning the Signs of Antichrist and Fighting and Persecution and Tythes and the Spirit that denieth Christ come in the Flesh from Page 105 to 233. Concerning Reformation from Popery and Constancy and Inconstancy to Professions from Page 233 to 251. Concerning the Wonders of Antichrist and concerning them that say lo here and lo there from Page 251 to 258. Concerning the Rock on which the Church of Christ is Built and the Popes pretended Headship and Infallibility and Popish Persecutions from Page 258 to 270. Concerning the Popes pretended Stewardship from Page
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
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
said the Apostle Paul but how doth any obey unto Righteousness or how is any right in the sight of God that doth continue in Sin during Life for the same Apostle plainly intimateth the contrary concerning true Christians in his repeated Question and Answer saying Rom. 6.1 2 15. Shall we continue in sin God forbid And so it is plain that those who continue in Sin Acts 6.7 Rom. 1.5 Rom. 16.26 Eph. 6.11 16. Joh. 2.13 and believe that they must do so while they live they are out of the Obedience of the Faith of Christ in which true Christians are and they want the Shield thereof wherewith true Christians are able to quench all the fiery Darts of the wicked One And so though such may strive or talk of striving against Sin yet they are never like to get the Victory while they take not the only right Weapon Eph. 6.17 Rom. 10.8 or Shield which is Faith in his Word the Word of Faith nigh in the Mouth Rom. 13.12 and in the Heart which is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Light that truly manifesteth the Deeds of Darkness which while they are out of the Faith they know not how to put off nor how to put on the Armour of Light aright And such are unlearned in the Mystery of that Faith which is held in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 Luke 17.21 and in the Mystery of Godliness and of the Kingdom oâ— God which is within and they are also unstable and double-minded who would have their Sins and continue in them while they live and have Heaven at their latter end notwithstanding and that is double mindedness James 1.8 and a double minded Man is unstabe in all his Ways And so being unlearned and unstable they wrest the Scriptures to their own Destruction in pleading for Sin all the while they live which is the very upholding of the Kingdom of the Prince of Darkness for they can be his subjects in this World no longer and none are his subjects but the disobedient to the Light of Christ in themselves and they are subjects to him and his Power and consequently in his Dominion Rev. 16.10 Evh. 5.11 to 15. John 3.18 to 21. Empire and Kingdom which is full of Darkness working the Works of Darkness which Works are reproved and manifested by the true Light in themselves which they hate and rebel against which is their Condemnation let them profess what they will But they that believe in the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences and are faithful in obedience thereunto come to know deliverance from the Power of Darkness Col. 1.12 13. and Translation while in this World into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God and are made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light And let all that believe not this great Work of God to be possible beware lest that come upon them which was spoken of by the Prophet and the Apostle saying Behold ye Despisers and wonder and perish Hab. 1.5 Acts 13.40 41. for I work a Work in your days which you shall in no wise believe though a Man declare it unto you And although the Apostle James writes saying In many things we offend all James 3.2 yet he saith in the very next Words If any Man offend not in Word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole Body which is nothing against Perfection being attainable or a being made free from Sin and able to bridle and govern the whole Body And again he saith speaking of the Tongue Therewith bless we God even the the Father James 3.9.10 and therewith curse we Men which are made after the similitude of God out of the same Mouth proceedeth Blessing and Cursing my Brethren these things ought not so to be So they that will say that the Apostle here speaketh of himself in many things offending may as truly say that he proclaimeth himself to be a Curser which he here reproveth for the manner of speaking is in both alike being in one continued kind of Speech And the same Apostle writes saying lay a side all filthiness and all Sin is filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engraffed Word James 1.21 22 23 24. which is able to save your Souls but be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves for if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer he is a like a Man beholding his natural Face in a Glass for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way and straightway forgetteth what manner of Man he was This engraffed Word which is able to save the Soul is the Word of God's Salvation which he hath prepared before the Face of all People Luk 2.30 â—1 32. Tit. 2.11 12. Rom. 10.8 a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of his People who are Israclites indeed And it is the Word of God's Grace which bringeth Salvation and hath appeared to all Men teaching true Christians And it is the Word of Faith which is near in the Mouth and in the Heart which the Apostles preached Psal 119.9 10 11. and this is the Word which David hid in his Heart that he might not sin against God and he accounted the only means whereby a Young Man may cleause his Way is by taking heed thereto according to this Word which he said was Lamp unto his Feet Psal 119 105. and a Light unto his Path. And so the Apostle James biddeth to be Doers and not hearers only of this Word comparing them that hear and do not to him that beholdeth his natural Face in a Glass c. for they thereby see and know their condition to be sinful and miserable because of Disobedience but not truly taking heed to this Word that according to the teaching thereof their Ways might be cleansed so they go from it and more and more forget their sinful condition and what manner of Persons they are how filthy by reason of sin Rev. 21.27 and how unfit they are for the Kingdom of Heaven which no Unclean thing can enter And it is the Man of Sin that is the Devil that tempteth People into disobedience to the Word or Light of Christ in their Hearts James 4 7. but the said Apostle James saith Submit your selves unto God resist the Devil and he will flee from you And certainly none truly submit themselves unto God but they that submit to and obey his Light the Word of his Grace in their own Hearts So then if the Devil who is the author and original of all Sin will flee when he is resisted stedfastly in the Faith he being fled those that he is fled from are not surely continually sinning but Christ who puts an end to Sin Jer. 23.6 Jer. 33.16 Dan 9.24 and finisheth Transgression in them bringeth in Everlasting Righteousness and such
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
is made manifest by the Light And so all by Examination may prove and try themselves whether they be in the true Faith of Christ which giveth the Victory and so the Apostle advised adding thereunto these Words Know ye not your own selves said he how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Oh! it is a dreadful thing to sell Eternal Happiness for Earthly Trifles and what else is all the Glory of the World as Esau being faint it seems he wanted true Faith he sold his Birthright for a Mess of Pottage and lost the Blessing being hunting abroad Heb. 12.17 and afterwards could not find a Place of Repentance tho' he sought it earnestly or carefully and that with Tears And so let all beware lest they bring themselves into Esau's condition for they cannot find a Place of Repentance when they have sinned out their Day and sold Heaven for a little Vanity And let none hunt abroad like Esau who that while lost the Blessing but every one at home may do well to take heed to the Light though it shine but as in a dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in their Hearts For it it a terrible thing to neglect the Day of the Visitation of the Love of God in and by the Light and Grace of Jesus Christ for he would not that any should perish as Jerusalem did whom he would often have gathered as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but she would not wherefore Christ wept over her saying Oh! that thou hadst known in this thy Day the things which concern thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes And then he declared of the Wo Confusion and Misery that was therefore to come upon her by her Enemies prevailing over her because she knew not the time of her Visitation Luke 19.41 42 43 44. And so Wo Confusion and Misery will certainly come upon every particular Man or Woman by the prevailing Power of their Enemy the Man of Sin the Power of Darkness who reject the Light of Christ and rebel against it and neglect the Day of their Souls Visitation by it For the Light of Christ who is the Sun of Righteousness is extended to all Mankind to teach People to fear the Name of God that so the Sun of Righteousness may arise upon them and that they may be gathered under the healing Wings thereof as a Hen gathereth her Chickens and so Christ standeth at the Door of Peoples Hearts and knocketh and desireth Rev. 3.20 and entreateth that they may open unto him that he may come in unto them and Sup with them and they with him But all they who reject his Counsel and will none of his Reproof but delight in Vanity and do not chuse the Fear of the Lord who when he knocketh will not open when he calleth will not answer and when he stretcheth out his Hand Prov. 1. refuse to be gathered these may seek him but shall not find him these may call but he will not answer these may cry but he will not hear them And it is not Profession only that will stand any instead though it be of the very Truth it self without Faithfulness to God in the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord which is at hand Zeph. 1.12 wherein the will Plead with all Flesh and stain the Glory thereof wherein he will search Jerusalem with Candles and punish the Men that are settled on their Lees for the Lord by his Light searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reins Jer. 17.10 even to give to every Man according to his Ways and according to the Fruit of his Doings And now God requireth all People to hear his beloved Son who speaks from Heaven by his Light in their Hearts his Heavenly Voice which Voice from Heaven saith Come out of Babylon my People Rev. 18.4 that ye be not partakers of her Sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues he that hath an Ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith And let none refuse him that speaketh from Heaven for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth Heb. 12.25 of how much sorer Punishment shall they be worthy who turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven And they who call themselves Protetestants what sort soever they be of who protest against the Abominations of the Pope and the Church of Rome if they come not to the Light nor bring their Deeds to it that their Deeds may be made manifest by it that they are wrought in God they are yet but in Babylon in Confusion and in Darkness and there they are in the inventing Nature in which Popery first arose and from which sprung their Ceremonies and Ordinances to get Money by and so they are far from the Nature of them who first began to protest against Popery who according to what was made manifest answered the Light in their Hearts and were wonderfully preserved And so they who profess Christianity and are erred from the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and live in Disobedience to it they are walking in the Way of the Man of Sin who is their Leader and Ruler And what need such to call the Church of Rome Babylon or the Pope who is called the Head of it Antichrist or the Man of Sin who are in Spiritual Babylon and subject to the Spirit of Antichrist in themselves For the Papists themselves as they do tell of an Antichrist or a Man of Sin to be revealed of which one of them called Robert Persons in his Book entituled A Christian Directory or Resolution printed Permissu superiorum that is with the Licence of Superiors in the Year 1622 in Part 1. and Chap. 7. and in Page 246. thus writeth That according to the written Prophecies of Ezekiel Daniel Saint John in the Revelation a little before the last General Day of Judgment there shall be revealed the Man of Sin called Antichrist who after the Conquest of many Kings and Kingdoms shall make himself the Monarch and absolute Owner of the World and shall exercise upon good Christians more Barbarous Cruelty and shed more Innocent Blood within the space of three Years and an half which shall be the term of his outragious Tyranny than all other Enemies of God have done from the beginning In which Words the said Robert Persons writes as if the Man of Sin or Antichrist were not yet revealed or not yet come to his Exaltation but the said Apostle John whom he quotes testified That the Spirit of Antichrist in his time 1 John 4.3 was in the World and that there were then many Antichrists whereby saith he we know that it is the last time Joh. 2.18 And if the Spirit of Antichrist and many Antichrists were then so known to true Christians that thereby they knew it was the last time it must needs follow that Antichrist was in the Apostles time revealed But if
what and the Worship of 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
to Christ Nay do they not rather keep them from him teaching them to kneel down and ask Blessing of them called their Godfathers and Godmothers and teaching them to say that by or in Baptism in their Infancy they are made Members of Christ and Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven and so do they not train them up after the Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ And do not many called Christians and Protestants in their Profession of Religion compel their Children to these things in their Childhood Is it not Blasphemy and Idolatry thus to teach and practise and whether such things be bringing Children to Christ or keeping them from him and from his Light and Grace and the Manifestation of his Spirit wherewith every one ought to profit let the honest single hearted judge And concerning the Saying of Christ that Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein 1 Pet. 1.23 That is no proof of the need of Water for true Christians are Children of the Light and are born of the Incorruptible Word of God which liveth John 3.5 and abideth for ever and such though they be Men in outward Stature yet are as little Children being little and low in their own esteem For Christ said Except a Man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And this some alledge for proof of their Infants Baptism though neither Infant nor outward Water be mentioned for a Man is not an Infant and here Christ speaketh of the Spiritual Water which washeth the inside unto Regeneration or the New Birth Zech. 13. which springeth out of the Fountain opened to the House of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for Sin and for Uncleanness which also purgeth from Idolatry and false Prophecy Isa 55.1 as was prophesied And to these Waters every one that thirsteth may come and buy without Money and without Price So they need not give Money to be sprinkled And Christ saith John 7.37 38. If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he that believeth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water And saith he I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely Rev. 21.6 Joh. 4.14 and he that drinketh of the Water that I shall give him it shall be in him a Well of Water springing up unto Eternal Life So it is this Spiritual Water that inwardly washeth and regenerateth unto Eternal Life without the washing whereof none can enter into the Kingdom of God and they that are born of this Water and of the Spirit they are Children of the Light and of the Kingdom of God and they are truly as little Children in the receiving of his Kingdom though they be outwardly Men of Stature And the Apostle John writing to the Christians calleth them Little Children saying If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light 1 Joh. 1.7 we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin Here is a cleansing beyond the Priest's sprinkling of Infants and saith he 1 Joh. 2.1 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not And again The Darkness is past and the true Light now shineth he that saith he is in the Light and hateth his Brother is in Darkness even until now he that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light 1 John 2.8 9 10 11 12. and there is none occasion of stumbling in him but he that hateth his Brother is in Darkness and walketh in Darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that Darkness hath blinded his Eyes I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Names sake And again he writeth 1 John 2.18 20 28. Little Children it is the last Time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists But saith he ye have an Vnction from the Holy One and ye know all things those were intelligent little Children Again he saith Now little Children abide in him And again Little Children let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousness 1 John 3.7 8 9 10 18. is righteous even as he is righteous he that commiteth 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 whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother And again My little Children let us not love in Word neither in Tongue but in Deed and in Truth And again Ye are of God little Children and â—â—ve overcome and saith he Hereby know we that we are in him and he in us 1 John 4.4 12. 1 John 5.21 because he hath given us of his Spirit And again Little Children keep your selves from Idols So it appeareth that the Children of the Light the Children of God who had received and believed in the Word of Faith in the Heart which the Apostles preached the Word of the Kingdom of God and were born of it they were frequently called little Children therefore that saying to wit Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein maketh nothing for the Doctrine of the Priests Infant Baptism neither is it any warrant for the same And let every one that readeth this take diligent notice of what is here before quoted which the Apostle John wrote to them which he called little Children and seriously examine themselves whether they be such little Children and whether their Teachers teach such or the same Doctrine either to Children or others and if they perceive any difference it is good for them weightily to consider it For the single Eye can see plainly that it is because People have neglected the Substance that they have idolized the Shadow and being by their subtil Enemy deceived and drawn from obedience to the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences they are become dark and vain in their Imaginations and walk in Darkness and know not whither they go or else they could not surely for shame talk of Godfathers and Godmothers and of Men making Infants Children of God and Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven and yet profess the Scriptures to be their Rule which mention no such thing And whereas some may say That outward Water Baptism is a Sacrament wherein there is an outward visible Sign of an inward Spiritual Grace and if it do Children no good say they
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
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
Mat. 26.52 And so it was Prophesied concerning true Christians that they should say to one another Come ye Isa 2.4 5. and let us walk in the light of the Lord and that they should beat their Swords into Plough-shares and their Spears into Pruning-hooks and should not learn War any more and he that killeth with the Sword shall be killed with the Sword Here is the Patience Rev. 13.10 and the Faith of the Saints And likewise all Persecutors about Religion who profess Christ to be Christ and say he is come in the Flesh doth not their Spirit deny the end of his coming in denying his Doctrine who said Mat. 5.39 44. Love your Enemies do good to them that hare you and pray for them that despitefully use you and and persecute you and said Resist not evil 1 Thes 4.9 Isa 54.13 John 6.45 Mat. 5.12 but whosoever smiteth thee on the Right Cheek turn unto him the other also And true Christians are all taught of God to love one another and their Enemies also and great shall be their Peace and they can rejoice and be glad when they are persecuted for Righteousness sake And likewise Professors of Christianity who Challenge to take Tythes which were given too the Children of Levâ— who had no other Inheritance for their service of the Tabernacle and for Offerings under the Law c. they say That Christ is Christ and that he came in the Flesh and suffered under Pontius Pilate and by the perswasion of the Chief Priests was Crucified and that he rose from the Dead Mat. 5.17 Eph. 2.15 Heb. 7.11 to 28. and Ascended into Heaven c. as the holy Scriptures declare but for all this Confession in words doth not their Spirit deny the very end or his coming in the Flesh which was to fulfil that Law that gave Tythes and abolish it and disanul it Yea moreover doth not their Spirit perswade That People ought to pay Tythes as under the Law which made none Christians which Law could not be abolished till Christ was Crucified And then doth it not follow certainly that it perswadeth as the Jewish Chief Priests did that Christ may be Crucified again Mat. 27.20 and so both in Takers and Payers of Tythes denieth Christ Crucified And it is observable that one William Thorp whom those Reformed from Popery own to be a Martyr being brought before Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury and then Chancellor of England in the Year 1407. and examined giving a clear Testimony according to the Holy Scriptures against Tythes as being no Gospel Maintenance amongst other notable Answers said That those Priests that Challenge to take Tythes deny Christ come in the Flesh to which the Bishop replied saying Heard ye ever Lossel speak thus and this William Thorp is one whom the Tythe-takers now own for a Martyr except they have lately rejected the Books of Martyrs because they bear Witness against many of their Popish Practices read the large Testimony of William Thorp against Tythes and Swearing is the Book called Acts and Monuments in pages 536 537 And likewise they that Preach up Infants Baptism as they call it but can find no Divine Warrant not President for it and they whouse many Cer moâ—ieâ— Ordinances and Traditions besides that about Infants most of which they reckon if not all as outward visible signs of inward spiritual Graces being used after the Commandments Doctrines and Traditions of Men such say that Christ is Christ and that he was Crucified on a Cross as the Scriptures declared But doth not their Spirit deny Christ come in the Flesh Eph. 2.15.16 Col. 2.14 whose coming in the Flesh was to abolish the Law and the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances which was against true Christians and contrary to them and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross Cal. 4.9 And if these things which the Apostle of Christ called weak and beggarly Elements were contrary to true Christians formerly how come they to be for them now But true Christians are Baptized into the Death of Christ Rom. 6.3 4. by his spiritual Baptism and they are also Buried with him by Baptism which Death with Christ and Burial with Christ Col. 2.6 to 23. Infant-sprinklers know little of and they are also dead with Christ from the Rudiments or Ordinances of the World if they be true Christians and are not to be subject to Ordinances nor to touch taste nor handle them which are after the Doctrines and Commandments of Men and are all to perish with the using though they have as the Apostle said a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any honour to the satisfying of the Flesh Or as some more sensibly Translate the last Sentence thus * See Margined Bibles But they are of no Value save for the filling or satisfying of the Flesh And so their signs have a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship and voluntary Humility and they have a shew of neglecting the Body and so hath their Fasting to be seen of Men Mat. 6.1 to 19. and their Prayers and their Alms to be seen of Men which Christ taught to beware of And Christ said to such as pleaded for the Traditions of the Elders about washing of Hands and Pots and Cups and Brazen Vessels Mark 7.9 to 10. and of Tables Well said he hath Esaias Prophesied of you Hypocrites as it is written This People honoureth me with their Lips but their Heart is far from me howbeit in vain do they Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men and said he Ye reject the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Tradition or Mat. 15.6 thus have ye made the Commandment of God of none effect by your Tradition And so where the Power of the Man of Sin prevaileth inwardly there he keepeth People by his Instruments in a Belief or Perswasion that outward Shews Signs Ordinances and Ceremonies are of necessity to be used and practised by Christians and that it is impossible to keep any Order or quiet Discipline in the Church without Ceremonies and some plead the Authority of Christ for them and of his Apostles who Preached and Taught the contrary And so their pleading is without ground or warrant from Christ or his Apostles for their Signs and Ceremonies and Traditions by which they make the Commandment of Christ of none effect And the Commandment of Christ is to believe in the Light that they may be Children of it And the Children of the Light see and know the emptiness and insufficiency of all the Shews Signs Shadows and Ceremonies of the Man of Sin which were invented by his dark Power in the Night of Apostacy from the Spirit of Christ and used after the Doctrines and Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after the Doctrine of
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
Spirit in their Hearts to be Spirit and Life unto their Souls And if they know not neither witness these things in some measure in themselves how then can they know themselves to be true Christians For true Christians know that they are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness and can truly say 1 John 5.18 19 20. We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal Life Also to them who believed in the Light John 8.12 and learned to deny themselves and follow him that they might enjoy the Light of Life Christ said I am the true Vine my Father is the Husbandman ye are the Branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much Fruit John 15. for without me ye can do nothing if ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much Fruit so shall ye be my Disciples as the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love this is my Commandment that ye love one another even as I have loved you If the World hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you if ye were of the World the World would love his own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you And as Christ said I am the true Vine and my Father is the Husbandman he also said Every Branch IN ME that beareth not Fruit he taketh away and every Branch that beareth Fruit John 15. he purgeth it that it may bring forth more Fruit Now said he to his are ye clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear Fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me for without me ye can do nothing If a Man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered And so they that are true Christians and Children of God and Members of Christ being Taught by his Light and Grace in their Hearts in which they have believed they are Branches of Christ the true Vine and they partake of the Nourishment that through the true Vine is extended unto them the Branches as they abide in the Vine but they that abide not in him the Vine are cast forth as Branches and are withered which answereth to the other saying of Christ to wit Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood John 6.53 ye have no Life in you For this answereth to the eating of the Flesh and drinking of the Blood of Christ And as the Branches in the Vine live by Nourishment of the Life of the Vine in whom they abide so they that eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ saith he they dwell in me and I in them 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 4.16 Eph. 5.29 30. and he that eate home shall live by me saith Christ And so the Branches of the Vine feed upon and drink or suck in of the Sap or Life of the Vine and live by it as also the Members of the Body do by the Nourishment of the Body And also Christ said I am the good Shepherd the good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep And said he I know my Sheep and am known of mine for saith he they know my Voice and they sollow me John 10. and I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand but he said to the Jews who believed not in the Light as he commanded but were Taught by the Doctrines and Traditions of Men ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep as I said unto you my Sheep hear my Voice So Christ is the good Shepherd who feedeth his Sheep with his own Life as well as the true Vine whereof his Sheep are the Branches John 6.48 to 58. and partake of the very Life and Nature of him the Vine who is the Bread of Life of which if any Man eat he shall live for ever and dwell in Christ and Christ in him and so they are as the Vine and the Branches dwelling in each other and such Branches bear Fruit to the Glory of the Vine in which they dwell which Fruit and Branches are precious in the Eye of God the Husbandman to whom Glory belongs and is ascribed for ever And these Branches are the Sheep of Christ their good Shepherd and they hear and diligently hearken unto the Voice or Light or Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts and the words thereof unto them spoken they are SPIRIT and they are LIFE and so they know his quickening Spirit to minister Life to their Souls in which they live and grow and bring forth excellent Isa 4.2 3 4. and comely Fruit whereby God their Heavenly Father is glorified And because many believe not the words of Christ concerning the eating of the Bread of Life and the eating of his Flesh and drinking of his Blood but murmured and went back and walked no more with him therefore he said to the Twelve Disciples Will ye also go away John 6.66 to 70. And one answered saying Lord to whom shall we go Thou hast the words of Eternal Life and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God So they were satisfied and knew him by the words of Eternal Life which he spake unto them And so he will satisfie all who truly hunger and thirst after him by the words of his Spirit if they believe in the Light and obey it But those that are in Unbelief and Disobedience to the Light in their own Hearts they have no such satisfaction for the Light which inwardly reproveth them for sin and disobedience is the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ by which he speaketh unto his Sheep who know his Voice and satisfieth them with the words of Eternal Life and with the Bread of Life and Water of Life unto which Isa 55.1 â—er 22.17 by his Light or spiritual Voice he inviteth all that thirst to come and take and drink freely without Money and without Price But they that Rebel against the Light Prov. 6.23 and will not hearken to its Reprof they err from the Way of Life and Understanding Prov. 21.16 though never so worldly-wise and they remain among the Congregation of the Dead and cannot in that state know a feeding upon the Bread of Life nor a drinking of the Water of Life which Christ giveth to the Faithful
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