as the instrumentall meanes of this spirit working as the principall meanes Rom. 10.14 Iohn 6.63 now it is true God is not limited in his way of working that is he hath not confined himselfe to a verbal preaching although it is true likewise that he ordinarily and usually worketh faith by such meanes but a Gospell-preaching is of necessity in the working of faith that is a spirituall Gospel-discovery of the love of God in Christ and such a preaching may be by the spirit of Christ in reading some word or any other way he pleaseth to work and it may truly be called a Gospell-preaching any spirituall Gospel-discovery to a soule through which it is brought up into Gospell-injoyments may truly be called a spirituall unfolding or preaching of the Gospell hence it is that the preaching of the Letter or a verball preaching is no where called a powerfull and prevailing preaching unlesse the spirit preach it is the spirit that must convince the World of sin Ioh. 16. And our Gospell came not onely in word but in power and in the holy spirit 1 Thes 1.5 It is true God usually worketh by means but it is as true that he can as well work spiritually without meanes if he please and this he hath done much of late I do not question but many who are spiritually inlightned and live in the spirituall injoyments of God have had experience of it Qu. 3. What are the properties and effects of faith An. The properties and effects of Faith are many It justifies the soule from sin Act. 13.39 by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Qu. How may faith be said to justifie Answ 1. Not as the efficient cause of our Justification that is God onely in Christ it is God that justifies who shall condemne But 2. Faith justifies as it receives Christ and applyes him as its justification so that it is said to justifie because it satisfies and quiets the soule in Christ who is its justification Rom. 4.5 He that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousnes Note two words 1. He that believeth on him that justifieth that is Christ all that believe are justified by him Acts 13.39 So it is Christ that justifieth faith only ownes that justification held forth in Christ 2. Word His faith is counted for righteousnesse that is either first God never declares a man righteous and just untill he gives him faith to enjoy his righteousnesse in Christ or else secondly his faith is counted or called his righteousnesse because he never till then enjoyed his righteousnesse And so that when I say or the Scripture saith that Faith justifieth that is faith receives and ownes the justification of God in Christ declared and so soule by it lives in the injoyment of justification and freedome from sin The 2. property or effect of faith is union and peace with God Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God ch 15.13 Now the God of hope filyou with joy peace through believing This is one glorious effect that those who once were a farre off should now be made nigh by the blood of Christ and be brought into the injoyment of it by believing The third effect is it puts the soule into the possession of the love of God 1 Ioh. 4.16 We have known believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him It acts the soule above it selfe and causeth it to dwel in God and so to dwell in his love and this is an exceeding glorious effects and that which in the fourth place fills the soule with joy 1 Pet. 1.8 joy unspeakable and full of glory What can a soule desire more then to dwell continually in the love of God When the soule is satisfied from its union with God and its dwelling in God that all the administrations and makings forth of God is love unto it And thus it dwels in love and from hence is filled with joy it causeth the soule alwayes to dwell at the right hand of God where is joy pleasure for ever more Fifthly in a word to conclude the effect of faith is such as that GOD by it workes up the soule to an internal and external conformity to Christ in some measure with a spirituall and eternal conformity in perfection in another world 1. Iohn 3.1 2 3. Phil. 3.19 where faith shall cease and love and unity be made perfect 1 Cor. 13.13 SECTION VI. Wherein is the condition of persons restored by Christ their union with God discovered THe Restauration of persons by Christ may be considered 1. Either external and generall or else 2. more special and spirituall First externally and generally and that hath a relation to all it is as ye have heard formerly 1. A condition of being in the world 2. A condition of possibility of a spirituall and eternall wel-being in God if God in his Sonne draw up the soule to himselfe Ioh. 6.44 But secondly and that I principally intend is the more speciall and spirituall condition of soules thus drawne up to God in Christ it is not onely a restauration to the condition of the first Adam with relation to a freedome from sin This every believer enjoyes by Christ a freedome a justification from sinne But secondly every soule drawne up out of it selfe to God is brought into the condition of the second Adam which is a condition as far above the first as the Heaven is above the Earth For the first man is above the earth earthly the second man is the Lord from Heaven and as all men have born the Image of the earthly so those who believe beare the Image of the Heavenly and as is the Heavenly such are all they that are heavenly 1 Cor. 15.47 48 49. And wherein in Christ exceeds the first Adam therein believers exceed for they are as he is even in this world 1 Iohn 4.17 Now the condition of Christ and so the Saints exceeds the condition of the first Adam not only in their being upheld by God but principally in these four particulars 1. In their spirituall relations unto God Christ and so all believers are related to the Father as Sons and that not only by creation as the first Adam or naturall generation but first Christ a Sonne by a spirituall proceeding and comming forth from the Father who was eternally one in the Father and so in him all believers are made by the same spirit the adopted sons of God being made partakers of the same divine Nature Adams Son-ship was in the flesh by creation ours in the spirit by regeneration and the spirit of adoption which is indeed a mystery to all naturall men and worthy to be looked into and knowne of all the sonnes and daughters of Syon 1. John 3.1 2 3. Behold what
for the witness of Jesus were raised or lived and reigned with Christ as the sense of the former then they that shall be alive at the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep so that the spirit of God might as well deliver a truth which is in the Present tense in the Preterpluperfect tense as a truth in the Present tense which was in the Future and yet is all to exercise the mind of him that readeth and to let us know there is mystery in the Gospel Secondly very few Saints have been beheaded in the litterall sence those that have dyed for Christ have dyed other deaths and not beheaded therefore we cannot understand it in the Letter but in the spirit The fourth particular propounded was what was meant in that the rest of the dead were not raised untill the 1000. yeares were finished that is none that had been bodily dead Saints or wicked good or bad were raised till after the 1000. yeares were finished and then you shall see the resurrection of all which is called the second resurrection the first is called a resurrection and the first resurrection because it shall be a resurrection from shame and disgrace in the world And secondly it shall be a glorious resurrection in the spirit this first all the Saints have in some measure been partakers of it Thus it appeares that Christ shall have a Kingdome a glorious a spirituall One Quest But when shall this Kingdome be Ans It is already begun in the spirits of Saints The Kingdome of Heaven is within you 2. I beleeve that the time of the 1000 years which is a more glorious estate in the spirit is not yet begun but the beginning of that time shall be when the 7. seales are fully opened c. the 7. Trumpets fully sounded and the 7 vials powred forth they being but effects of each other the opening of the seales occasions the sound of the Trumpets the sound of the trumpets occasions the vials the opening of the seales the unfolding of the mysteries of the Gospell which have been hid Rev. 5.1 2. As light breaks forth the Trumpets sound the servants of Jesus preach forth the mystery of the Gospell in the power and puritie of it occasions the vials of wrath to fall upon the Antichristian estate both in the spirit and in the letter which work is now adoing Wait the Lords time and it will come on apace But first we are yet like to be given into the hands of the little horn who changes times lawes the two witnesses are yet like to be slain and to lye dead 3 dayes and a halfe and the Woman cloathed with the Sun to be driven into the wildernes for a little space a time times and halfe a time the beast with two hornes like a Lambe hath yet a little time to make use of his power perswading them that dwell in the earth to make an Image to the first beast and that none but those who own it shall buy or sell with them the Saints beheaded under the Alter to wait a little time before they be raised up to live with Christ 1000. yeares but it is not long the vision is for an appointed time in the end it will speak and not lye it will come and not tarry the first 1000. is almost past the second and third are coming on apace and all the Nations and Kingdoms in the world will come apace to be the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever their lives shall be prolonged for a season and a time and other Scriptures are alleaged for a personall reign of Christ as the stone cut out of the Mountain without hands Dan. 2. that is the glorious power of Christ by weak meanes subduing al Antichristian enemies without his Saints all Antichristian things by his spirit within them So that in Dan. 7.10 the glorious company of Saints attending on Christ in the spirit which shall be fulfilled at the raising of the two witnesses up into Heaven in the sight of their enemies Rev. 5.10 11. This is the first glorious work of the Lord Jesus in and amongst the Saints the Lord reigneth let the Saints rejoyce the Lord reigneth let the world tremble see Zach. 14.5 The Lord our God will come and all the Saints with him that is Christ will come in the Spirit and all the Saints shall appear gloriously in him A word of application First if this be truth that the Kingdome of Christ is a spirituall Kingdome and not of this world this may inform us how farr besides the Gospel in the spirit and truth of it those men are who make the Kingdome of Christ to be meerely politicall and a state-Kingdome who turne the world by a humane power into the Church and Kingdome of Christ as they say and Christ must have a worldly carnall Kingdome no better th n the Kings of the earth enjoy or else he shall have none at all it savours exceedingly of the earth and ere long thither it must returne 2. This could incourage the Saints to pres forward after the knowledge of God in the spirit that as the Kingdom of Christ is spirituall and not of this world so may the Saints Kingdome likewise be in the spirit and so all their enioyments may be spirituall enjoyments this is that will make the soule fat and wel-liking in the Lord I l fithe soule with joy and peace which the world is not acquainted with their eyes never saw it nor their hearts conceived it neither are they like to see it unlesse the Lord make them spirituall SECT X. Of Death Resurrection Iudgement and the state of the Saints after Iudgemene eternally with God FIrst of death It is appointed for all men once to dye Dust we are to dust we must returne and therefore it behoves us to to expect it All the dayes of mine appointed time will I waite til my change come Death is certaine although the time be uncertaine it is that none are in a common aid ordinary way exempted from unlesse those Saints who are alive at the last comming of Christ they shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye 1. Cor. 15.51.52 and so shall be caught up in the spirit to meet the Lord in the ayre 1 Thes 4.17 Secondly of the Resurrection That there shall be a resurrection of the Body at the last day is evident John 5.28 29. John 11.24 with 1 Cor. 15. throughout Rev. 20.12.13 although this truth is by some denyed and by others too carnally looked upon some thinking that our bodies of flesh shall be raised in the same forme in which it dyed others that it shall be spiritual yet question whether it shall be of the same substance therefore it will be necessary to consider two particulars for the clearing of it First by what power we shall be raised Secondly with what bodies 1 By what Power
with 1 Iohn 3.2 We are already the Sons of God but it doth not yet appeare what we shall be But this we know when Christ shall appeare we shall be made like unto him and this is enough for us to know And as there is an Onenesse betweene Father Son and Saints so likewise there is a spirituall union betweene the Saints this was Christs prayer who was heard in all things he prayed for that the Saints might be one as he himself was one in and with the Father the union of the Saints is not a carnall union but a spirituall they who are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit Vse 1. To encourage all the Saints to presse forward in the power of the Lord after a farther knowledge and injoyment of this spiritual union with the Lord and with the Saints Truly friends as this was not onely the resolution of the Apostle himselfe Phil. 3. but his prayer for the Ephesians 1.16 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus the Father of glory might give unto them the spirit of wisdome in the Revelation of him that their eyes being inlightned they might know what was the hope of their calling and the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints so is it my desire not onely to presse forward in the power of God after the knowledge of this mystery but that all the Saints might live in the knowledge of it that their hearts might be comforted together being knit together in the spirit of unity and love The effects of the knowledge of this blessed union will prove exceeding glorious 1. It is that will produce a glorious spiritual communion and fellowship with the Father Son Saints union alwaves being that which produceth communion even a civil union with the flesh when once the Lord saith concerning man and woman they are no more twaine but one flesh that produceth fellowship and communion after the flesh so likewise and much more doth a spirituall union produce a spirituall communion and fellowship a fellowship and communion with the Father and the Son in all his administrations in all the wayes and acts of his providence civill or spirituall the spirituall Christian injoyes God in all 1. John 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ Christ and the Saints from their union with each other 1. They dwell together in the spirit they are his house and he dwels in them the Temples of the holy spirit and they dwel in him they who dwell in God dwell in love 2. They eat together in the spirit Eat O friends drinke yea drink abundantly the Lord takes as it were spirituall satisfaction in his Saints and they take spirituall satisfaction in the Lord it is their life to live in the injoyment of him 3. They walke together in the spirit they have their garden and galleries and pleasant delights 4. They talke together and commune with each other in the spirit the Lord he makes forth himself in the spiritual discoveries of his love to his Saints and then they are carried forth to tell him of it to admire him in it and to praise him for it and thus there is many sweet conference and heart-discovery betwene the Lord and a spirituall Christian which makes the soule to revive within it selfe 5. Christ and the Saints lye down together in the spirit and take their fill of love each with other they sleep as it were in the bosome of each other and so they rest themselves in love And this likewise produceth fellowship amongst Saints a fellowship in spiritualls fellowship in temporalls And they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking bread and prayer and breaking bread from house to house being filled with gladness and singleness of heart Act. 2. And they who believed had all things common a community as well as a unity that is so far forth as need is calls for it so in gifts so in all things 1. Cor. 3.22 All is yours Paul Apollo and Cephas And Secondly the knowledge of this spirituall glorious onenesse which the Father produced an exceeding earnest desire in the soule enjoying of it to live more and more in that glory What is the reason Professors content themselves to be so low so carnal in their minds but because they were never acquainted with nor enjoyed higher things but the Apostle who had seen and tasted of that glory forgets all behind and presseth forward if so be that he might obtain the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. and apprehend that for which he was apprehended that love that grace that God who had apprehended him Certainly that soul who hath once tasted how good how gracious the Lord is in the spirit can never be satisfied with the knowledge of him in the letter 3. the knowledge of the spirituall union with God produceth an acting more in and after the spirit of God How doth the creature set it selfe a works and acts it selfe even in the letter of the Gospel as well as formerly in the letter of the Law for want of knowledg of the union in the spirituall power of the Lord although without Christ that is not being acted by Christ we can do nothing the Creature being unacquainted with that spirituall mysticall union with God acts himself in the things of God 4. The knowledge of this spirituall union with God produceth the killing and crucifying of that earthly part nothing kills and destroyes the flesh but the rowing up in the spirit Oh! how would the soule many times be content to undergoe any thing so it might be rid of pride and selfe and those fleshly corruptions and why it is the growing up in the spirit that destroyes the flesh the more you live in and after the spirit the lesse after the flesh 5. It is that will help us to know Christ and the Saints the more in and after the sdirit the less after the flesh and so will produce a more spirituall communion amongst al the spirituall Saints of Jesus 6. And lastly it is that will make the thoughts of a change exceeding sweet because the soule lives in expectation of a glorious freedome from sin and sorrow and a full perfection of spirituall and eternall glory therefore it can be contented to be dissolved and to be with Christ whichs best of all where it shal for ever live in the connuall admiration of and glorying in the spirituall enjoyment of God whose worke shall be everlastingly and fully to enjoy and freely to sing praises unto the Lord. SECT VII Wherein it declared what the Law is and what the Gospel is with the difference between them both in the Letter and in the Spirit THE Law in the Letter is a rule of Life answerable to those moral principles of nature left in man since his fall the substance of which Law was written in the heart of the first Adam and was contained in that Verball word In the day thou eatest thou
to destroy but to save John 12.47 Secondly what the Gospel is There is likewise the Gospel in the letter and the Gospel in the spirit The Gospel in the letter which properly doth signifie glad tidings and this Gospel is to go forth amongst all but none are made partakers of it in the spirit but believers All are made partakers of it in the letter it is glad tidings to all and that in a double sense 1. It is glad tidings to all for all have a being by it it is that which hath made peace for all an externall peace in taking away that present curse Secondly it is that wherein internall and externall peace is held forth and propounded to all which is glad tidings none are exempted in the letter till they exempt themselves through unbelief and so judge themselves unworthy of eternall life Secondly there is the Gospell in the letter likewise as it is a Gospel of spirituall peace and reconciliation And thus every believer receives it first in the letter through the power of the spirit and this is Christ in the flesh dying upon the crosse taking away the condemnation of the Law in the letter And this is that answers the guilt of sin in the natural conscience a visible satisfaction for a literall transgression This was Gods way to take away sin and this is the first discovery God makes of himselfe to a sinner because he is pleased to conform himselfe to that way that might best suit with our understanding and so by degrees to draw us up more in the spirit unto himselfe and this is the Gospell in the letter answering the Law in the letter and the conscience troubled through the sense of sin which is the first knowledge of Christ and is indeed but a knowledge after the flesh and so is in the esteem of the Apostle but a carnall knowledge that is being compared to the spirituall knowledge therefore the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 3. I cannot write unto you as unto spirituall but as unto Carnall even as unto Babes in Christ Note I do not speak thus of the knowledge of Christ upon the Crosse and the application of it taking away the guilt of sin as a low and slight thing in it selfe For first it is Gods way to satisfie finning soules and so none ever partake of mercy but by this way Secondly it is that being wrought by the spirit of Christ brings soules under the denomination of children 1. John 2.12 Thirdly it is that by which the soule injoyes much joy and peace who so hath obtained it from the Lord hath obtained a good degree and much boldness in the spirit Yet fourthly God usually by this way brings soules up into a spirituall union with himselfe and in comparison of the soules injoying of God in Christ the Scripture calls it a carnall or fleshly knowledge and doubtlesse many may attaine the knowledge of the Gospel in the letter and may own a dying Christ upon the Crosse and yet be but a humane faith a literall Gospel and never truly known in the spirit But those who are brought to the knowledge of and believing in Christ dying upon the Cross by the saving worke of the spirit shall grow up in the more spirituall knowledge of him Secondly the Gospel in the spirit is the righteousnesse of God imparted in the spirit to the believer it is the making of the believer partaker of the same nature of the same spirit that was in Christ Jesus The Gospel in the spirit is the same as the Law in the spirit and represents the spiritual righteousness of God with which he intends to cloath his people and it is called The righteousnesse of God in Christ 2. Cor. 5. As there was a literall transgression of the Law so there is a Gospel in the letter to answer it and a Christ dying upon the Crosse As there was a spirituall righteousnesse included in the Law so likewise is there a spirituall righteousness in the Gospel that is in Christ they are both in Christ the former righteousness is the knowledge of Christ without as dying and satisfying the second is the knowledge of Christ spiritually formed is us which is here done in part and we shall in the conclusion be wholly changed and swallowed up in that spirituall righteousnesse And indeed here lies the great mysterie of the Gospel in these three particulars 1. God in Christ 1. Tim. 3.16 2. Christ spiritually in the Saints Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1.27.3 That full spiritual change into the spirit at the last day of the Gospel in the spirit not onely that we are made one with God but likewise that we are made one in God he dwelleth in us and we dwell in him and we now serve no longer in the oldness of the letter that is with our old nature in the old letter given forth Adam and by Moses to the old end the obtaining of righteousness but in the newness of the spirit that is the renewed mind by the spirit to a new letter written in the heart to a new end to glorifie the name of our Lord Jesus to declare our conformity to him in the spirit That this is in the Gospel in the spirit which the Lord Jesus brings up his unto by degrees the Scriptures in the spiritual understanding will declare not onely for conformation 2. Cor. 5.16 with Heb. 10.19.20 In the first the Apostle saith Henceforth we know no man after the flesh yet though we have known Christ after the flesh yet henceforth we know him no more after the flesh Note first there is a knowledge of Christ after the flesh even of the Saints Although we have known Christ after the flesh yet know we him no more Why v. 17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Christ is formed in him after the spirit and he comes now to know a spirituall Christ within him as well as a fleshly Christ without him The 2d Scripture faith We have boldnesse to enter into the holyest by the blood of Christ by a new and a living way that he hath consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his flesh where likewise note that the blood of Christ is but the way into the holyest and the flesh of Christ is the veil through which we enter into the holiest that is into the spirituall and heavenly injoyment of God We come first to the flesh and secondly to the spirit the flesh being the way to the spirituall injoyment of him where Christ is entred already in the perfection and will in conclusion draw all his spiritual Ones after him unto the same perfection into the same glory Object If this be the Gospel in the spirit to know Christ no more after the flesh and to live in the spirit to looke upon Christ as the way in the flesh into the spirit or holiest where he is then what need of faith so much spoken of in
1 Cor. 2.14 Application To incourage the Saints in the power and spirit of Iesus to presse forward after this knowledge and injoyment of God in the spirit this was Pauls resolution who had tasted of the spirituall discoveries of God as deeply as any to presse discoveries of God as deeply as any to presse forward after perfection Phil. 3. Forgetting things that are behind not alwayes living below The effects of it will prove very glorious 1. It is that by which you shal be able with the more evidence of light truth to judg of things that differ the spirituall man judgeth all things 2. It is that will make the life of a Christian exceeding glorious carrying him through all difficulties with much spirituall joy 3. It is that will put a period to all differences and divisions amongst the Saints Divisions flow from our ignorance and dwelling so much in the letter 1 Cor. 3.3 Whereas there are among you divisions and strife are ye not carnall and walk as men Those divisions and that strife amongst the Saints about things in the letter argue that they are exceeding carnall but this knowledg of God in the Spirit will as a mighty Gulfe swallow up all those little differences and put an end to all strife both among particular Saints and in the Nations Isa 2.2 3 4. When once the mountain of the Lords house which is his Saints come to be established on the top of all Mountaines and Hills that is in the spirituall enjoyment of God above all caruall and fleshy things then shall all warres and divisions have an end and not till then 4. It is that will cause many a glorious Starre to fall from Heaven many who have acted much after the Letter will upon the discoveries of the glory of God in the Spirit fall from that light they seemed to have SECT VIII The matter of the Church what THE Church of Christ may be considered either as more generall or more particular 1. More generall and then it includes the whole body of the Saints in the spirit This of some is called the invisible Church but to speake in the Scripture-language it may be rather called the generall or universal Church the whol body of Saints in the spirit called the mystical body of Christ because of their spirituall union with and in Christ their head This Church or assembly for so the Greek Ecclesia properly signifieth we shall read of Heb. 12.22 23. Ye are come to Mount Sion unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the genearal Assembly or Church of the first born and written in heaven and to the spirits of just men made perfect this is the Church that shall be made one in glory the generall assembly of Saints the spirits of just men and it is that might be desired at present that Saints Communion might flow more from their union in the spirit and not altogether from the union in the letter this is the glorious Church of Christ and the knowledge of it in the spirit wil cause Saints to own each other more in the spirit 2. The Church of Christ may be considered more particular or a particular body or company of Saints in the visible profession of the Gospell walking in the injoyment of Ordinances taking particular care of each other and building up each other in the faith and of this Church we shall read freqent in the new Testament and this Church is likewise called the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12 27. and it is not to be questioned but that this practise is very commendable amongst Saints and the knowledge of God in the Spirit and of Saints in the Spirit will not breake or lessen the fellowship of particular Churches but increase it and make it to be more spirituall for questionles that which tends to the breach of communion and fellowship amongst Saints is not God for God is love and they who dwell in God dwell in love it is that will increase love and this is the more excellent way that which in conclusion wil swallow up all differences yet one thing is much to be desired that is that there might be a generall union amogst the Saints that those who are spirituall might not be divided in the spirituall Communion because of some literall differences about the use of ordinances and the like Oh that the Lord would help us to beare with each other in such things why cannot Saints in the matters of difference beare with each other according to the Apostles rule seeing he that observeth a day observeth it to the Lord and he that observeth not a day observeth it not to the Lord and both give God thankes Obj. But our difference is in matters of Ordinances for the most part which God commands and hath given them to us as priviledges Answ True yet they are such commands and priviledges as God hath given to His servants to lead them up to himselfe in the spiri and what if some injoy God gloriously in the Spirit without these and we find them spirituall and walking answerable to the spirit of Christ why should my conscience judge another mans Liberty and why should not we hold communion with such in the spirit and in the letter too in those things wherein there is a union but the truth is there is too too much erring at present upon both hands the one judging it too carnall for any Saints to walk in the use of Ordinances which is not a truth at present the other judging it inconsistent with the Gospel and the state of a Christian to live without the practice and use of ordinances a third sort there are that would submit to Ordinances but want Administrators and this is more carnall then either of the former because they expect that to bee in a creature which is only in God but here should be a bearing and forbearing where the Spirit of Christ is A fourth sort there are who put Ordinances upon those not capable of them without any word at all in the letters and this the most carnall work of all and savours much of the earth and of an Old testament-Testament-spirit from whence usually the ground is brought and it were much to be desired that the Lord would be pleased to enlighten their eyes that they might have more spiritual apprehension of the Gospel and the end of Gospel-Ordinances yet it should be the wisdome of the those taught from above to own any thing of God where-ever they find it and although it is true there cannot be a Communion with and in thing a never of God prescribed yet the spirit of love should so temper our spirits as that we should not bite devour on eachother but that as many as are spiritual though differing in some circumstantiall things in the letter yet owne each other in the Spirit imputing those differences to the flesh and this union in the
14.26 That if they loved him they would not reason because he said he would goe away because his spiritual presence was the most glorious presence we see it by experience that the Disciples of Christ were most spirituall and had most spirituall enjoyment of God when Christ was gone from them in person and they enjoyed him in the spirit That the presence of Christ in the latter dayes will be most glorious appeares by all that have been formerly spoken and I think none of light deny it then the conclusion holds true that the presence of Christ with his people in the latter dayes wherein they shall enjoy most light and glory will be a spirituall presence 2. Argument If Jesus Christ be known of the Saints no more after the flesh but after the spirit then his regne in the latter dayes of the Gospel will not be personall but spirituall but he is no more to be known of the Saints after the flesh as you have formerly heard 1 Cor. 5.16 Therefore his presence so and his Kingdome wil not be a fleshly or personall presence and Kingdome but a spirituall 3. Argument Spirituall glory and spirituall enjoyment is that which most of all suites with the Majesty and glory of God John 4.22 23 24. Col. 3.1 1 Cor. 2.9.10.14 The glory of the Saints shall be spirituall and their enjoyment spirituall in the latter dayes spirituall knowledge Esa 11. and spirituall conformity unto Christ Zach. 12.8 and spirituall joy and rejoycing Esa 35.10 Ergo the presence and Kingdome of Christ in and with his Saints will be a spirituall Kingdome and not a personall 4. Ar.g. Christs Kingdome and presence shall be with all his people filling them with spirituall glory Esa 25.7 He shall take away the veil spread over all Nations and v. 6. And they shall say Loe this is the Lord we have waited for him Christs personall presence cannot be with all his at once therefore his presence and Kingdome will be spirituall and not personall Objections answered concering the personal reigne of Christ Obj. 1. That Christ was promised to the Jews to come as a King they to this day expect him to come as a King to deliver them from their captivity Ans 1. It is is true he was promised to come as a King Isa 9.7 and so he came King although not in outward appearance Mat. 2.2 Where is he that is borne King of the Jewes we have seen his Star in the East and are come to worship him He was the King of the Jewes when he was born he was a Child and yet a King 2. he is King of all spirituall Jewes For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly but he is a Jew that is one inwardly and Christ reignes spiritually in all his people the Kingdome of Heaven is within you 3. Christ will appeare a spirituall glorious King to the Jewes the natural seed of Abraham in the latter dayes gathering them from among the Heathen to himselfe in the spirit and so will reigne in and over them in the spirit gloriously Ezek. 37. throughout see ver 24 25. That they shall be gathered in with all the beloved of God by the spirituall working of Christ and not by his personall appearing is cleare from this ground They shall be gathered unto Christ from the beholding of Christ crucified and not from the beholding of his glorious personall appearing Therefore Christ shall come a King in the spirit to his people and not in the flesh see Zach. 12.10 They shall looke upon him whom they have pierced and mourn over him c. The eying of a pierced Christ shall be the way of bringing in Jew as well as Gentile Obj. 2. Christ suffered reproach and shame in the flesh from his enemies therefore it is likely he shall be glorified in the flesh before his adversaries Answ Christ shall without question be glorified in the presence of his adversaries and all Nations shall be gathered together before him when he shall appeare from Heaven in flaming fire to render vengeance to them that know not God and obey not his Gospel but whether Christ shall appeare personally or in any personall form will be a great question but with much spirituall power manifesting himselfe to the salvation of his people and to the confusion of all his and his Churches enemies Matt. 5.25 Obj. 3. It is said Rev. 20.4 That those that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God that had not worshipped the Beast nor his Image nor received his mark in their fore heads and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeares and the rest of the dead lived not againe Answ For clearing the mysterie of this Scripture it will be requisit first to set downe the things asserted from hence Secondly to unfold the mysterie intended which will answer the things asserted the things asserted hence are these 1. That Christ shall reigne a thousand yeares personally 2. That all the Saints departed from the beginning of the world shall be raised and come and reigne with him 3. That the wicked shall not be raised till after the thousand yeares be finished For answer unto and clearing of the truth 1. I conceive it to be a glorious truth that Christ shall come and reigne a thousand yeares a long time spiritually in his people but not personally amongst his people that Christ shall reigne thus gloriously see not onely this Scripture but Rev. 11.15 And the seventh Angell sounded and there weare great voyces in Heaven saying the Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord. and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever Thus you see Christ shall have a Kingdome and for the time of it it is said Rev. 20. to be a 1000. yeares and in Isa 60. to be many Generations I will make thee an eternall Excellencie a joy of many Generations Obj. But it s said Rev. 11.15 That the Nations and Kingdomes of the world are become the Nations of Christ and he shall reigne for ever therefore it seemes that his Kingdome shall be personall Answ The Nations and Kingdomes of the world may be said to be the Nations and Kingdomes of Christ in a two fold respect and yet Christ not reigne personally and this the Scripture clearly holds forth 1. In respect of the abundance shall be converted unto Christ in all Nations that in comparison of what hath been formerly the Nations and Kingdomes shall become the Kingdomes of Christ Esa 66.19 20.60 ch from 5. to 12. verse 2. Christ may be said to be the King of Nations in respect of the ruling of his Saints over their enemies for in this Kingdome of Christ shall the enemies of Christ be subjected and shall serve the Saints the Nations that will not serve thee shall perish and Christ reigning in his Saints over them may be said truly to reigne over them Psal 149.7 8 9. Rev. 2.26 27. Rev. 5.10
comes with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse and well may be called a man of sinne an Antichrist a mystery of iniquity for in this shape he deceives soules and they are never sensible of it drawn in and never know it until everlastingly undon and he hath his diversities of forms in this kind 1. If the name of Christian will serve and yet live loose and prophane that they shall have and there he will hold them If there must bee a conformity to CHRIST and a more zealous and conscionable walking to quiet the conscience shal have it he will go as neere unto Christ with the soule as may be provided it rest it selfe below and thus Christ saith many shall come under this delusion expecting life from duty and it will apprear to be but workes of iniquity of sin why because acted by the man of sinne acted not from a right principle nor by a right power neither to a right end acting there must be but not Christ acting Hence it is that though he will be a Christian and so talkes much of Christ yet he denyes Christ to be come in the flesh that is in the flesh of his Saints the spirit of Christ acting and working all things in the Saints and they are sensible of it and thus this deceiveable man of sinne carries on hood winkt to perdition many and many a soule And now it is more wicked and deceiveable then when in its proper place acting after the lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.19 20.21 then every one almost is sensible of 1. Hence it is that Christ saith Mat. 12.45 The uncleane spirit being cast out that is cut in its unclean form it can no longer be owned he is now content to come in when it is swept garnished prophanesse and filthinesse is gone and now be comes in a more refined forme perhaps legall reformation as the present Pharisees to whom Christ spake or else the name of Christian or the knowledge of Christ after the flesh but Christ saith the latter end of the man thus deceived is seven times worse then the begining he comes in this refined form with seven worse spirits then himself and so makes him seven times more the child of perdition than before Oh then how doth it concern every one bearing the name of Christian to look about themselves if they are not deceived and deluded with this Antichrist under the name of Christ seeing it is the high way of soules ruine now in the dayes of the Gospell for herein doth Sathan declare himself to be the Master of arts in transforming himselfe into the son of light and under the name of Christ and Christian to ruine soules 2. There is Antichrist in the History or in the Letter and this flowes from Antichrist in the Spirit now the soule being possessed with Antichrist he growes up into some forme and now not only in the spirit invisibly but in the letter more visible hee appearee sitting in the seat of God and he may be descryed principally under these three heads as sitting in the seat of Christ and acting those things which properly belong to Christ 1. In making Christians by a humane power it being the proper worke of God in Christ to make Christians Iohn 6.37.44 but now here is Antichrist will undertake the businesse and so turnes the world into Christians or rather Antichristians and pretend that they doe the worke of Christ too when if he did the worke of Christ he would rather keep of all carnall ignorant ones and accept of none untill made willing and spirituall by Jesus Christ for Christ doth not onely own soules when they come but first gives them a will to come and that by a spirituall and not a humane power Hence it comes to pass that there are so many carnall profane ones under the name of Christian because made Christian not by Jesus Christ but by men Oh that the Lord would be pleased to inlighten the understandings of these men betimes that they might not walke in a way so directly opposit to the Gospel and destructive to their own and millions of soules in prescribing rules of worship which is properly onely to Jesus Christ to prescribe rules and 10 carry through the soule in acting according to these rules To prescribe rules this belongs unto Christ whosoever undertakes it puts themselves in the roome of Christ is the Antichrist this is to exercise-creature wisdom in the things of Jesus Christ and indeed to sit in the seat of God it is the worke of Christ in the spirit to help in prayer or any duty we know not what we pray for as we ought but the spirit helpeth our infirmities Rom. 8. It is Christ that helpeth both to see our want formeth by his spirit words within accordingly Therefore those who prescribe formes and rules of worship put themselves in the roome of Christ 2. It belongs to Christ to give in power to act according to those rules but Antichrist gives the command and so carries on an externall acting and not according to Christ but his owne mind 3. Antichrist may be discovered as sitting in the seat of God not onely 1. In making Christians 2. In prescribing rules but 3. In compelling all unto those rules whatever Christ saith that matters not he himselfe will the Christ and must be obeyed let Christ say what he will and all that question his power must be the Antichrist for he exalteth himselfe above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God and in all these particulars there is a mysterie lyeth a mysterie of iniquity that is iniquity hid under the name and notion of Christ therfore so much the more to be dreaded To bea Christian is accounted agallant thing and therefore not himself only but others likewise look upon it to be a matter of much piety to make men Christians and cause them to own Christ On I but here lyes a mystery of iniquity many soules made Christians by a humane power are but Antichristians and so under the name of Christian are likely to be undone for ever if the Lord prevent it not an excellent thing accounted in the world to make creaturs Christians as soone as they are borne by sprinckling a little water upon them and so in bearing them in hand that they are so ever after but here lyeth a mystery of in quity and one of the soule-running mysteries of iniquity as ever came from Hell Speak England speak all Nations called Christian whether almost all people of all sorts devoutly slaine in the spirit under this mystery of iniquity to have formes of worships prescribed that all Priests and People may walk in one forme and way of worship and all compelled unto it is accounted an excellent part of Christianity but here lyeth a mystery of iniquity under it First it brings all sorts of people to
be acting in something though worse then nothing and so delude themselves in all their actings it causeth them to look to men and not to Christ Secondly it causeth them to blesse themselves in their unity in formes and worships never questioning their Onenesse with Christ in the spirit they are as strangers unto it Hence it is that uniformity in the Letter is so much called for amongst all sorts of People being wholly ignorant of unity in spirit I could instance in divers other particulars as Ministry Guifts Church Ordinances all have somthing like Christ in them but it is all but ths number of a man meerly humane carnall Ministry humane gifts and anointings in stead of the Spirit carnall Church invented Ordinances but I passe it at present SECTION II. What is his Reigne ANtichrists reign is likewise in the spirit and in the Letter Antichrist or the man of sinne is as high in his reigne as confident of his good estate First his reigne in the spirit in the mystery he sheweth himselfe that he is God he perswades soules that he is the Christ his wisdom and his righteousnesse his rules and his ordinances they are of God and they must stand although it hath neither Scripture nor reason I meane in the Spirit for it and thus this mystery of iniquity hath reigned a long time it began to work in the Apostles dayes Secondly the reign of Antichrist in tste Letter he also visibly sheweth himselfe that he is God must be submitted unto under penaltyes fines imprisonments bitter speaking against the Ordinances of Chrst than his Ordinances And thus he reignes with power and likewise with much confidence for she sitteth as QVEEN and saith she shall see no sorrow but her sorrowes will come in one day c. SECT III. The discovery of Antichrist THE Revelation of Antichrist may be considered either first as he openly and publickly reveales himselfe to be the Antichrist by his confidence and powerful acting as the Christ or above Christ of this the Apostle speakes 2 Thes 2.3 2. It may be considered as a mystery of iniquity and so revealed by the spirit of Christ unto his Servants and so the revelation or discovery of Antichrist unto the Saints shall be by the spirit of Christ in the preaching of the Gospel as it is a mystery of iniquity in it selfe so it must be that hidden wisdome in a mystery 1 Cor. 2. that must discover it Now where the Lord worketh for his discovery hee first discovers him to be the Antichrist he helps the soule to find him out And then secondly he discovers the evill the iniquity of him he lets the soule see that it is the greatest and the subtlest adversary that ever it had to deal withall the most dangerous because clothed under so faire and Christ-like a Garb and the hardest to be discovered such an adversary as bears soules in hand that they are going to heaven when they are in the broad and rode-way to ruine like a cunning Hoc as Poc as that jugleth away a mans Estate before he is awarc of it and all the while pretends friendship and thus it is the spirit of God in the Gospell that must discover and reveale Antihrist in the mystery that same spirit who revealed it to the Apostle Paul and the same who revealed both his rising and falling to Iohn in the Revelations those who think to attain the discovery of him by humane industry historicall readings c. are exceeding low in their apprehensions and come short of the discovery of him he may be strongly working in a man while he is discovering of him SECT IV. What shall be the ruine of Antichrist THe consumation of Antichrist shall be by the same means that discovers him the bright goings forth of Jesus Christ in the Gospel for as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ goes up in the spirit for the Kingdome of Heaven is within you c. so the Kingdome of Antichrist must go down this is the meanes fore-told and prescribed by the Apostle who fore-saw him in his rising 2 Thes 2.8 The Lord will consume him with the breath of his mouth destroy him with the brightnes of his coming the preaching of the Gospel and the bright comings forth of Jesus Christ in the spirits of his people shall both consume destroy him As it is not a humane wisdom that shall discover him so neither is it a humane power that must destroy him for all humanity in the things of God whether wisdom or power it is Antichristian Therefore not that which shall destroy Antichrist but that which will uphold him untill he be destroyed the ruine of Antichrist is farther held forth Rev. 14.6 The Angell flyeth through the midst of heaven preaching the everlasting Gospel verse 8. Another Angel followeth saying That Babylon is fallen that great City c. The preaching of the Gospel is the means you see of Antichrists ruine and the Sermon is feare God and give glory to him This Sermon is that will ruine Antichrist both in the letter and in the spirit give glory to God that is let God be all and in all let God be your enjoyment in the spirit see you live upon nothing below him give not glory to Creatures duties actings any thing either of the first Adam or Antichrist give glory to God in the Letter give not glory to man set not up man in the roome of God do not cry the voice of Man and not of God in any of the things of God and this is the Sermon that shall ruine Antichrist See likewise Rev. 1 2.9 The Divel and Satan the mysticall Antichrist was cast forth of Heaven to the earth that is he shall not be suffered any more to delude souls in a heavenly shape the Divell is now turned Christian and he makes warre with the Saints under the name of Christ both in the Spirit as well as in the Letter And hence the great warre is between Christ and Satan in Heaven that is betweene the Heaven of Christ the Heaven of Satan under the name of Christ But now Iohn saith he saw Satan cast out of Heaven that is he shall deceive soules no more in a Heavenly form neither persecute the Saints any more under the name of Christ A glorious work it is coming on a pace for the most part of souls in that part of the world called Christans are ruined in the Divels heaven believe it this is the great work Christ hath to do in these latter dayes the consumation of Antichrists that is first of all Antichrists spirituall delusions by which he hath deceived soules 2. And all Antichrists deluding forms ordinances by which the common sort of people are generally deluded the work of Christ is to powre down vials of wrath upon the head of the Man of sin both in the spirit in the letter look about you therefore all you whose spiritual life consists in
nothing but spirituall Antichristian delusions with invented and Antichritian formes and Ordinances A Vial of wrath is coming on you which will shatter to pieces all your confidence and then if mercy prevent not you may stand looking on and crying alas elas in one houre is so great riches come to naught and then when this is fulfilled there shall be no more War in Heaven or spirituall delusion under the name of Christ A glorious word for those that dwell in Heaven and that which will cause joy to the Saints For first they shall be without and above all danger of delusions in the spirit or in the letter And secondly they shal from the same ground be for ever freed from fellowship with Hypocrits and literall Christians for their communion shall be more in the spirit and lesse in the Letter and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoaever worketh abomination that is lives earthly carnall and prophane or maketh a lye that is Hypocriticall that seems to be what he is not But they which are written in the Lambs book of life and there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of the Lord for ever This is the great work Christ hath to do in these latter dayes the consumation of the Kingdome of Antichrist who hath a long time sat in his seat with the exaltation of his own Kingdome in the spirit SECTION V. Quest When he shall be ruined Answ FIrst in the mystery and spirits of the Saints as Jesus Christ comes in and shines gloriously in the spirit so shall Antichrist be discovered and destroyed and so he hath received a great blow already in this Nation through the shinings in of Jesus Christ in the spirit amongst many of his Saints so that this is the time of Antichrists ruine when Jesus Christ comes in takes place in the spirit of his people and the Kingdome of Christ increaseth so the Kingdome of Antichrist decayeth and consumeth Secondly Antichrist shall be destroyed when the everlasting Gospell shall be preached that is when the Angell flyeth through the middest of Heaven preaching the everlasting Gospell that is when the Ministers of the Gospel shal come forth with their full and heavenly discoveries of God in the spirit being permitted to preach the Gospel by the earthly power in all places with liberty For much hath been don already by the witnesses prophesyng in sack cloth that is almost always in danger of a civill persecution and much ignorance of the mystery of the Gospel which hath caused them to prophesie in sac-cloth yet they have had power to cause fire to come from Heaven as oft as they please burning up all Antichristian formes and invented delusions And then what will be done think you when the Ministers of the Gospell shall come forih in the full and bright discoveries of the Gospel with liberties here below for the publishing of it Thirdly Antichrist shall be destroyed when the witnesses have been slaine laine dead three dayes that is a short space then a tenth part of the City shall fall and the rest shall have their time prolonged but for a time a season The first woe is almost past behold a second and third woe cometh quickly wait and it will come apace Thus have I from the light of Truth with as much brevity as may be in some measure hinted at this Man of sinne this mystery of Iniquity with his reign ruine with the meanes and time FINIS