numbers of dead Corps lie upon the Earth this would not be desireable to us the sight would offend us and the smell would offend us and the thoughts of it would trouble us O! what is it then to behold and see a dead world a world that lies in wickedness a world that is spiritually dead this is the sad fate and condition of every man and woman of the World they live and yet they are dead they are without spiri ual life But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5.6 They live in the pleasures of sin but the Spirit of Truth liveth not in them they live but without God in the World. At that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no bope and without God in the World Eph. 2.12 Oh! how can they expect to live with God in another World that live without God in this this is next to living in Hell with Devils and Damned Spirits wicked men are but as so many walking Ghosts And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience among whom also we had all our conversations in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath Eph. 2.1 2 3. You see here these Gentiles walked though they were dead dead in trespasses and sins yet they walked but how did they walk they walked as the most of men and women walk now 1. They did walk according to the course of this World. 2. According to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in them 3. The Children of disobedience 4. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind 5. They were by nature the Children of wrath For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is â—ound Luk. 15.24 How loud need a man to speak that the dead may hear their bodies are but as so many living Coffins to carry about their dead Souls in the Worlds faith is a dead faith the worlds worship is a dead worship the worlds ministry is a dead ministry how can a dead world have a living faith how can a dead ministry speak forth the words of spirit and life how can a dead worship be profitable to men and acceptable to the living God There was a great cry in Egypt for there was not a house where there was not one dead Exod. 12.30 There was then a great cry in Egypt and the cause of this cry was because the Lord had passed through his Enemies to smite them for there was not a house where there was not one dead where is that family to be found amongst us that there is not one or more dead in it dead in their sins dead Godward and Christward and Heaven-ward Are there not in most houses all dead Parents dead and Children dead Masters dead and Servants dead and yet no crying heard for this The fear of God is not in their houses nor his name is not there call'd upon the Peace of God is not there nor the love of God they live but Christ Jesus liveth not in them they are without all spiritual life and grace and the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 Men will believe the words of a Prince they will believe the words of a Man but they will not believe the word that God hath spoken â—o them God hath said If ye live after the flesh ye shall die Rom. 8.13 but who believes it God hath said Ye shall die in your sins if ye believe not John 8.24 but who minds it They will be venturers and run the risque and hazzard of losing all this is a dead world that will not hear Verily verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Joh. 5.25 Secondly It is a dark world it lies in darkness under thick darkness and how great is that darkness But if thine Eye be evil thy whole body shall be full of darkness if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6.33 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shaddow of death Luk. 1.79 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 8.12 I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 12.46 The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light Rom. 13.12 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph 5.11 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded their eyes 1 John 2.11 There be three things that have darkened the world 1. The Devil 2. Sin. 3. The inventions of Men. First the Devil He is the ruler of the darkness of this world He is a ruler but it is of darkness and this darkness is of this world The Devil is Darkness His nature is Darkness Jude 6. His prison is Darkness 1 Pet. 3.19 His power is Darkness Col. 1 13. His Kingdom is Darkness Rev. 16.10 His work is Darkness Mat. 12.26 1 Joh. 3.8 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that â—e lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine in them 1 Cor. 4.3 4. The Devil as he is the god of this world so he blinds the minds of men and puts out their eyes the eyes of their understandings that the light of the glorious Gospel may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4.4 As he is the Prince of the Air he worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But what doth he work in them No good be sure The Devil works in them his own â—ature his will and property he works in them darkness blindness and ignorance that they may be like him and do his works Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do he was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth becâ—use there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie
The Name of the Lord And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written in their foreheads Rev. 14.1 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the City which is New Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my God and I will write upon him a new name Rev. 3.12 The Name of God is upon his People and this shews to whom they do belong and whose they are 3. The comliness and glory of the Lord And thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through my comliness which I had put upon thee saith the Lord Ezek. 16.14 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence Isa 4.5 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Pet. 4.14 These are the things that are upon the righteous And there are three things that God hath given to his People 1. Himself But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People Jer. 31.33 They shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my People and they shall say The Lord is my God Zech. 13.9 For what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor. 6.16 2. A Kingdom Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me Luke 22.29 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5.3 3. Grace and Glory For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 O Christian how canst thou say thou hast nothing or that thou hast but little Here is thy Inventory see here what thy heavenly Father hath given thee count it and cast it up Thou hast all things God hath given thee himself and a Kingdom grace and glory things present and things to come the world life and death are all thine how great is thy happiness O! wait but a little and thou wilt be in the possession of all There be three things that God will never take from his people whiles they are in this life 1. His love and loving kindness I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee Jer. 31.3 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him John 14.21 Having loved his own which were in the World he loved them unto the end John 13.1 This the righteous are crown'd with in this life He crowneth them with loving kindness and tender mercies Psalm 103.4 2. His Spirit And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth John 14.16 17. but the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness saith meekness temperance Gal. 5.22 23. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 God will not leave his Children comfortless he will not leave them orphans the Spirit of God dwells in them and abides with them and resteth upon them and leads them into all truth it convinceth sinners and it comforteth Saints For the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 3. His Presence which is the glory of his People and the glory in the midst of them God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and â—hat right early Psalm 46.5 Take counsel â—ogether and it shall come to nought speak â—he word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isa 8.10 Jesus answered and â—aid unto him If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and â—e will come unto him and make our abode with him John 14.23 The presence of God is the Saints Heaven on Earth They do sometimes in a duty enjoy so much of God's presence that it fills their eyes with tears and their hearts with joy they â—eel that they cannot express and enâ—oy that which cannot be fully uttered and tast that which they cannot declare to others I did know a young man in the City of Exon about thirty five years ago who lay under many temptations and fears because he wanted God's comforting presence but in a certain night when all the people in the family were in their beds and as he thought fast asleep except himself he rose up from his bed and went up into the Garret and there wrestl'd with God by prayer with fervency and many tears but was then so terrified by temptations and fears that he thought the Devil waâ— present with him in the room sometimeâ— before him and sometimes behind him which did so distract and interrupt him that he was forc'd often to break off foâ— a little time and this he continued to do for three nights together but on the third night as he was pouring out hiâ— Soul before the Lord in prayer his voicâ— was taken from him that he could noâ— utter a word but his understanding remained with him for about the space oâ— a quarter of an hour and in that time he thought himself to be in Heaven or the Joys of Heaven to be in him he then tasted and enjoyed so much of God that it was not possible for a man to utter nor to declare to others but when his speech returned to him that he could speak he then found that this extraordinary presence of God withdrew it selâ— from him then he blest and prais'd the God of Heaven that had seal'd his Love to him and given him the earnest of his Spirit and victory over the Devil God knows that what I have here
written is true and I appeal to Saints experience whether they have not found this at the Throne of Grace when they have been lying at God's feet they have been then â—aken up into his bosom Oh tast and see â—hat the Lord is good blessed is the man that â—rusteth in him Psal 34.8 There is a Riâ—er the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Taberâ—acles of the most High Psal 46.4 This is not a little Spring but a River not a few drops but streams that makes glad â—he hearts of God's People Come and â—ear all ye that fear God and I will declare that he hath done for my Soul Psal 66.16 By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children 2. The Son will not leave them And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All â—ower is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Naâ—ions baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost â—eaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even to the end of the World. Amen Matth. 28.18 19 20. Will the Head leave the Body Will the Vine leave the Branches Will the Shepherd leave the Flock Will the Fountain leave the Stream Will the Bridegroom leave the Bride Will the Purchaser leave the Purchase First then the Church is his body the body cannot live without the head this is a living body and the head gives life to every member of this body A life of Grace A life of Comfort A life of Glory Because I live ye shall live also John 14.19 as the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me John 6.57 Now if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also live with him Rom. 6.8 For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15.24 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2.1 Every Member of the true Church is a living Member and this life they all receive from Christ Jesus the Head and this glorious Head cannot leave his own Body the Church Let no man say he is a Member of Christ's Church unless he be born again Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 1 Pet. 1.3 Every Member of Christ hath in him a vigorous Faith a lively Hope a saving Knowledge a measure of the Spirit and a sufficiency of Grace 2. Christs Church is a fruitful Church I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 you see here Christ Jesus is the Vine and Believers are the Branches the blessed Jesus will never leave these branches for without him they can do nothing but in him they are more than Conquerors and do bring forth the fruits of Righteousness love and Charity love towards God and charity towards men they do bring forth out of that treasure of grace that is in them good lives and conversations living righteously and godly in this present world all the Children of God that are in this world they are but as so many branches of this Vine they are but as so many limbs of this Tree they are but so many little partys and bodys that make up this body of Christ the Church of God that shall not be left to another people 3. They are his flock I am the good shepherd of the sheep and know my sheep and am known of mine John 10.14 Our Lord Jesus is that good shepherd and pastor that feeds all the members of his body he will not leave them nor fly from them that is the part of an hireling the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep v. 13. when he was on Earth he did not leave them but watcht over them and preacht peace to them and nourished and cherished them and fed them with that truth which he had received from the Father and often prayed for them and when he left the Earth and went to Heaven there he ever liveth to make intercession for them But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.24 25. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2.1 Every believer feeds on Christ Jesus by Faith he sups with them and they with him and when they leave this life then they live and reign with Christ in the Heavenly glory 4. The Church of God hath a fountain and this fountain is the Lord the fountain of life and from this fountain come the streams that make glad the City of God this fountain is always flowing and over-flowing with love and kindness mercy and grace righteousness and truth They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountain of life in thy light we shall see light Psalm 36.8 9. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life John 4.14 He that beleiveth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water John 7.38 These rivers of living water will never be dried up because it is water of life and it flows from a fountain of life that doth always refresh strengthen and comfort the people of God. For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 5. The Church of Christ is a Bride the Lambs wife And Jesus said unto them Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast Matth. 9.15 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly
the Church is the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 The World is as a Field of Blood but the Church is a righteous Nation The World is a Den of Thieves but the Church is God's Family and houshâ—ld Ephes 2.19 The World lies in wickedness 1 John 5.19 but the Church is glorious without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5.27 The World is as a heap of rubbish but the Church is God's peculiar Treasure Psal 135.4 The World is a lump of vanity but the Church is the City of God Psal 87.3 The World is as a common Harlot but the Church is the Spouse of Christ Cant. 5.1 The World is the habitation of Devils Rev. 18.2 The Devil is the God of this World the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But the Church is the habitation of God a choseâ— Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nâ—tion a peâ—uliar People 1 Pet. 2.9 By this you may see what the World is and what the Church of God is how vastly they differ the one from the other and how unlike they are the one to the other and have been ever separated the one from the other Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness And what concord hath Christ with belial or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.14 to 18. The Kingdom shall not be left to another People but this People shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations Thirdly It shall not be left to another People to follow their examples Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 you must not follow bad men for company nor good men for applause When the Children of Israel were to enter into the land of Canaan they were not then to enquire after their Gods Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them after that they be destroyed from before thee and that thou enquire not after their Gods saying How did these nations serve their Gods Even so will I do likewise Deut. 12.30 And ye shall destroy all their â—ictures and destroy all their molten Images and quite pluck down all their high places Numb 33.52 Thou shalt not bow down to their Gods nor serve them nor do after their works but thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their Images Exod. 23.24 But ye shall destroy their altars break their Images and cut down their Groves Exod. 34.13 But thus ye shall deal with them ye shall destroy their altars and break down their images and cut down their groves and burn their graven images with fire Deut. 7.5 Let the reader then well consider these Scriptures and dwell a little on them God will not be worship'd by imitation that is to worship ye know not what God is the author and object of true worship the Jews were not to enquire after other G ds and the Lord commanded them to destroy all their Pictures and to pull down their Images and burn them with fire they were not to keep them in their Houses nor to worship them in any place How vain and silly a thing is it for people to worship Idols and Images the works of mens hands they may make them eyes but they cannot make them see they may make them ears but they cannot make them hear they may make them feet but they cannot make them walk they have been often snares but never helpers they have brought Judgments upon People but never turned away any Men have provoked the Lord with their inventions and never pleased him with their Idols this prov'd a snare to Israel of old and brought upon them Gods heavy Judgments The Lord God is very Jealous of his worship and will not have his glory given to graven Images The Lord hath had a People in all ages and in all times that hath worshiped him according to his own will and commands For all people will walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the name of our God for ever and ever Mic. 4.5 The true worshippers shall woâ—ship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4.23 For we are the circumcision whâ—ch worship â—od in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come and worship him that made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and the fountains of Waters Rev. 14.7 Little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5.21 Thus I have shewed you that the Kingdom shall not be left to another people the Church of God. Thirdly It shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms This destruction is not of mens lives but of mens lusts this destruction is not of mens bodies but of that sin that reigns in their mortal bodies this destruction is not of mens Rights and Properties but of that vanity and enmity that is in their hands and in their minds For if ye live â—fter the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye â—hall live Rom. 8.13 Mortifie therefore your members which are upon Earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3.5 I have already shewed you a draught of the True Church and now I will shew you a Map of the World The whole World lies in wickedness 1 Joh. 5.19 Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the lust of the Eyes and the pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.15 16 17. First It is a dead World dead in Sins dead in trespasses When the Assyrian Army came up against Jerusalem to destroy the Church of God the Lord sent an Angel that did destroy that great Army one hundred fourscore and five thousand this was done in one night Isa 37.36 and when the inhabitants of Jerusalem arose early in the morning they were all dead Corps what a sight was this to behold Should we see great
he speaketh of his own for he is a liar and the Father of it Joh. 8.44 and as he is the Ruler of the darkness of this World so he rules in dark hearts in dark Souls in dark understandings fills them with so much darkness that they love darkness and hate the light And this is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Joh. 3.19 the Devil is called the power of darkness Col. 1.13 for he fills thousands of People with darkness Nations and Kingdoms he fills with darkness And he opened the bottomless Pit and there arose a smoke out of the Pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the Air were darkned by reason of the smoke of the Pit Rev. 9.2 And his Kingdom was full of darkness Rev. 16.10 But as the Devil is the strong man arm'd that keeps this house When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted and divideth the spoil Luke 11.21 22. Every wicked and dark heart is the Devils house and all the Children of disobedience are his goods his slaves and vassals and captives And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 Secondly Sin darkens Having their understandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness Eph 4.18 19. Who leave the paths of uprightness to walâ— in the ways of darkness who rejoyce to do evil and delight in the frowardness of the wicked Prov. 2.13 14. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day but the way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Prov. 4.18 19. The Apostle Paul shews the dark state of the Gentiles and of the Jews in that day They became vain iâ— their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened professing themselves to be wise they became foolish and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to Birds and to four-footed beasts and to creeping things wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledg God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of envy murther debate deceit malignity whisperers back-biters haters of God despiteful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents without understanding covenant-breakers without natural affection implacable unmerciful who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them Rom. 1.21 to the end This was the sad and dark state of the Gentiles then Let us see next that of the Jews what was their state then they were the National Church and unto them were committed the Oracles of God they had Moses and the Prophets the Law and the Testimony the Covenant and the Promise What advantage then hath the Jew or what profit is there of circumcision Much every way Rom. 3.1 2. Notwithstanding their priviledges and the many advantages they then had above the Gentiles yet their state was a dark state a cursed state sin had so darkened their Hearts and minds and understandings that they had forsaken and gone out of the way of truth as you may see at large in Romans 3. What then are we better than they No in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin as it is written There is none righteous no not one there is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God they are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one their throat is an open Sepulchre with their Tongues they have used deceit the Poison of Asps is under their Lips whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness their feet are swift to shed blood destruction and misery are in their ways and the way of peace have they not known there is no fear of God before their Eyes ver 9 to 18. Thirdly the inventions of men darken When men leave the precepts of God and follow the precepts of men when men leave the scriptures of truth and follow the traditions of men when men leave the pure worship of God and follow Idolatry when men leave the path of the Just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day and walk in the way of Baal then their Hearts are darkned and their minds are blinded and their understandings are clouded that they see not whither they go then they submit to any thing then they bow down to any thing and worship any thing thus did the Gentiles they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to four-footed beasts and to creeping things and worshiped and served the Creature more than the Creator Rom 1.23 25. Thus did the Jews do of old And the Children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God and they built them high places in all their Cities from the Tower of the Watchmen to their fenced City And they set them up images and groves in every high hill and under every green Tree and they burnt incense in all the high places as did the Heathen whom the Lord carried away before them and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger for they served Idols whereof the Lord had said unto them Ye shall not do this thing yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah by all the Prophets and by all the Seers saying Turn ye from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes according to all the Law which I have commanded your Fathers and which I sent to you by my Servants the Prophets notwithstanding they would not hear but hardened their Necks like to the Necks of their Fathers that did not believe in the Lord their God and they rejected his statutes and his covenants that he had made with their Fathers and his testimonies which he had testified against them and they followed vanity and became vain and went after the Heathen that were round about
them concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them and they left all the commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten images even two calves and made a grove and worshiped all the host of Heaven and served Baal and they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the Fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger 2 Kings 17.9 to 17. O learn from hence these four things First When men leave God God leaves them when men leave truth truth leaves them when men leave the true Church the Church leaves them I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 Secondly You may see and understand by this what that is that blinds and darkens nations and people the Devil darkens Sin darkens and the inventions of men darken And he opened the bottomless Pit and there arose smoke out of the Pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the Air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the Pit and there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the Earth and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the Earth have power Rev. 9.2 3. Thirdly Marvel not then that men are ignorant and blind superstitious and inventers of evil things Idolaters and Blasphemers What wonder then is it to see these things when men change the Truth of God into a Lie and hold the Truth of God in unrighteousness And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.11 12. They feared the Lord and served their own Gods after the manner of the Nations whom they carried away from thence 2 Kings 17.33 Fourthly Learn from hence the cause of the sufferings of the People of God in all times This hath been the flaming Sword of persecution that hath turn d every way against them in all places namely the dark World by their inventions and by their cruel Decrees And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World Rev. 13.7 8. Here was a War and this War was with the Saints whose names were written in the book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World. The cause of this War was for their not worshipping the image of the beast this the Saints of God could not do and therefore they were slain And cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name ver 15.17 The Saints did not make the image therefore they would not worship the image they did not set up this worship neither will they be worshipers of it with the World. God gives life to his worship but the Beast gave life to this by forcing and compelling saying to them that dwell on the Earth that they should make an image to the beast and he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak c. ver 14 15. This indeed is a mystery but if my reader be a Child of Light he will understand it by that little light I have here given him in this mystery Thirdly It is an evil World what evil is there out of Hell that may not be seen in this World What do you see in this World but evil What is there done by this World but evil And what do you expect from this World but evil Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World Gal. 1.4 When our Lord Jesus was upon the Earth he then prayed for them that did believe and he prayed for them which should believe on him hereafter he prayed long and he prayed fervently that all they whom the Father had given him might be kept from the evil of the World Joh. 17.15 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the father is this to visit the fatherless and widdows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the evil world Jam. 1.27 First then What have the Saints of God seen in this World but evil and do still see it men wallowing in the mire and filth of sin and all wickedness praying for their own damnation and treasuring up of wrath against their own Souls marching in troops to Hell and Damnation They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge the thoughts of their hearts are evil and that continually the words of their mouths are evil full of cursing and bitterness the works of their lives are evil being abominable Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him For all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the lust of the Eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 John 2.15 16. you see here what is in the World it is lust nothing but lust the lust of the Flesh and the lust of the Eyes and the pride of Life the lust of drunkenness the lust of Swearing the lust of Uncleanness the lust of Adultery the lust of Idolatry the lust of Covetousness the lust of Ambition and of Pleasures and Idleness a fulfilling the desires of the Flesh and of the Mind this is that the World is covered with as with a Garment Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1.15 Secondly what is done by the World but evil Evil to themselves and Evil to the Saints And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Judgment that wickedness was there and the place of Righteousness that iniquity was there Eccl. 3.16 so I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the Sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter and on the side of the oppressors there was power but they had no comforter Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive yea better is he than both they which hath not yet been who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the Sun Eccl. 4.1 2 3. This is that which
say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not whence ye are depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luk. 13.25 26 27. See here a carnal worlds profession it is words all words and nothing but words Let us go a little farther and see the worlds worship O! 't is a brave worship fine and gawdy to behold if you will believe carnal men But let us see what the Scriptures of truth say of it Bring no more vain oblations incense is an abomination unto me the new moons and sabbaths the calof assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity even the solemn meetings your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth they are a trouble unto me I am weary to bear thâ—m And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood Isa 13.14 15. He that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck he that offereth an oblation as if he â—ffered swines blood he that burneth incense as if he blessed an Idol yea they have chosen their own ways and their Soul delighteth â—n their abominations Isa 66.3 The God of Israel did not condemn the worship but the worshipers he reproved them and thundered from Heaven against them by his Prophets for their uncleanness and â—ilthiness for their sins and abominaâ—ions for their cruelties and oppressions â—heir hands were full of blood these were â—he worshipers in that day that the Lord did hate and abhor In the New Testament you may find a worship spoken of and worshipers both â—ondemn'd by God himself and disalâ—ow'd of Ye worship ye know not what but â—he hour cometh and now is when the true â—orshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and â— Truth for the father seeketh such to worâ—â—ip him Joh. 4.22 23. Let no man beguile â—â—u of your reward in a voluntary humility â—nd worshiping of Angels intruding into those â—â—ings which he hath not seen vainly puft up 〈◊〉 his fleshly mind touch not tast not hanâ—e not Which all are to perish with the using â—â—ter the Commandments and Doctrines of men Col. 2.18 21 22. But also that the Temple of the great Goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the World worshipeth Acts 19.27 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk Rev. 9.20 And all the world wondered after the Beast and they worshiped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast and they worshiped the Beast saying Whâ— is like unto the beast Who is able to makâ— War with him Rev. 13.3 4. Here is a worship and worshipers but what saith the Lord of these worshipers If any maâ— worship the Beast and the Image and receivâ— his mark in his forehead or in his hand thâ— same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath oâ— God which is poured out without mixture intâ— the Cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presencâ— of the Holy Angels and in the presence of thâ— Lamb and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no resâ— day nor night who worship the beast and hiâ— Image and whosoever receiveth the mark oâ— his name Rev. 14.9 10 11. A carnaâ— man may have the words of prayers the form of prayers but he hath not the grace of prayer the Spirit of prayer He may make a profession but still holds fast his corruptions and will not let them go He may have a form of Godliness and â—et be an Enemy to the power of Godliâ—ess He may have a seeming Religion â—nd yet allow himself to live in all open wickedness Having a form of Godliness â—â—t denying the power thereof from such turn way 2 Tim. 3.5 Bad men deny the power of Godliness â—nd look most upon the form Good â—en desire the power of Godliness and â—ook least to the form Saints must turn â—way from evil men that they be not parâ—â—kers with them and sinners must turn â—way from the evil of their ways that God may have mercy upon them 3. They hate the people of God and â—ave enmity against them but they shall â—e and be ashamed for their envy at the â—eople yea The fire of thine Enemies shall â—vour them Isa 26.11 This enmity was â—st in the Devil against our first Parents â—hen they were in Paradice And ye shall â— as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3.5 â—ut how Ye shall know the good by â—lling from it and ye shall know the evil by undergoing it This enmity was in the mind of Cain against Abel And iâ— came to pass when they were in the field thaâ— Cain arose up against Abel his brother and slew him Gen. 4.8 Abel was the first sufferer for truth the first witness that waâ— kill'd the first righteous blood that waâ— shed upon the Earth This enmity waâ— in Esau against Jacob and Esau said iâ— his Heart The days of mourning for my Father are at hand then will I slay my brotheâ— Jacob Gen. 27.41 This enmity was iâ— the Hearts and Minds of the Egyptian against the Children of Israel The Enemâ— said I will pursue I will overtake I wiâ—â— divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upoâ— them I will draw my Sword my hand shaâ—â— destroy them Exod. 15.9 This enmitâ— was in wicked Ahab and Jezabel againâ— the Prophets of the Lord. And Ahab toâ— Jezabel all that Elijah had done and witâ— all how he had slain all the Prophets with tâ—â— Sword then Jezebel sent a messenger unâ—â— Elijah saying So let the Godâ— do to me alsâ— and more if I make not thy life as the life oâ— one of them by to morrow about this timâ— 1 Kings 19.1 2. This enmity was in the Scribes and Phâ—risees against our Saviour If we let this maâ— alone all men will believe on him Joh. 11 4â— This enmity was in the people of the Jews against the holy Apostles They took counsel to slay them Acts 5.33 This enmity was in the Heathens against the Christians in the time of the â—en persecutions This enmity was in the Beast and in â—he Woman that sits upon many Waters â—gainst the Saints and Martyrs of Christ Jesus And I saw the Woman drunken with â—he blood of the Saints and with the blood â—f the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.6 And â—his enmity is now in the Hearts and Minds of all carnal people against Gods faithful servants that are redeem'd from â—he Earth and from amongst men Fifthly It is a vain World. Vanity of
are but a few therefore vain and carnal men do conclude thaâ— they are in the right and that the most are the best and that it is a safe and sure way to follow a multitude Secondly Because they are poor I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord Zeph. 3.12 The true followers of the Lamb in all Ages have been the poor of this world but rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven and because they were so the world despised them and were filled with prejudice against them Then answered them the Pharisees Are ye also deceived Have any of the Rulers or the Pharisees believed on him but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Joh. 7.47 48 49. The world have always had a great prejudice against Truth where-ever it was found against Truth in the Word of God against Truth in the Worship of God against Truth in the Ways of God against Truth in the People of God against Truth in the Providences of God this is that the world knoweth not this is that it cannot receive this is that it cannot bear therefore the people of the world are filled with prejudice against Truth as they have been in all times and in all Ages past that is to say 1. Against the Morning Truth 2. Against the Naked Truth 3. Against the whole Truth 4. Against the Love of Truth 1. The Morning Truth is that love light mercy and grace which Almighty God hath been pleas'd to bring forth and make manifest to his people in the dispensations of Times and in the Ages of the World for the good of them that did love and fear him When the fulness of time was come that the Children of Israel were to be brought out of the Land of Egypt and to go in and possess that good Land of Canaan which the Lord had promis'd to give them for an inheritance this was then the Morning truth To believe the Lord their God and to follow him fully but they were filled with prejudice against it And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this Land to fall by the Sword that our Wives and our Children should be a prey were it not better for us to return into Egypt And they said one to another Let us make a Captain and let us return into Egypt Numb 14.3 4. But when they had possessed the Land of Canaan and had divided the Land by Lot the Morning truth was then To keep Gods Commandments and to observe his Statutes and Judgments and to keep themselves from Idols and from all Idolatry but they were filled with prejudice against it and rebelled against the Lord their God and built them high places and did set up Images and Groves on every Hill and under every green Tree 1 Kin. 14.23 And when they slew the Beasts for sacrifice that they might offer up their blood they were then to look through all the sacrifices and through the blood to the blood of Jesus For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.13 14. Then the morning truth was to believe the Prophets which shewed of the coming of the Just one but they were filled with prejudice against it Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just one of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers Acts 7.52 And in the days of our Saviour when he was on the Earth and preached Peace to them and wrought many Miracles amongst them went up and down doing good this was then the morning truth To believe in him Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 But they were filled with prejudice against it Then Jesus said unto the chief Priests and Captains of the Temple and the elders which were come to him Be ye come out as against a Thief with Swords and Staves When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no Hands against me but this is your hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.52 53. And after he was risen from the dead and had shewed himself several times to his Disciples and that all power was given to him both in Heaven and in Earth then this was the morning truth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Mat. 28.19 20. But they were filled with prejudice against it And when they had brought them and set them before the counsel the high Priest asked them saying Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name And behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this mans Blood upon us Acts 5.27 28. But when believers were added unto the Lord multitudes both of Men and Women then the morning truth was the free grace of God being Justified by Faith. And by him all that believe are Justified from all things from which ye could not be Justified by the law of Moses Acts 13.39 but they were filled with prejudice against it For as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls saying Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such commandment Acts 15.24 And this is the morning truth now to worship the ever living God in spirit and in truth and to wait for his Son Christ Jesus from Heaven and for the rich anointing of the spirit and the fulfilling of his word and the accomplishment of the prophecies and the perfecting of his work and the finiâ—hing of the mysteries of God to wait in patience in faith and in hope in a lamb-like spirit this is the morning truth in this our day and the World is filled with prejudice against it 2. The naked truth as it stands in the scriptures of truth which was delivered to the Saints of God by the Prophets and by the holy Apostles and by our Lord Jesus For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Heb. 1.1 2. To the law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light
under Christ Jesus the Captain of our Salvation fighting under him against the Devil and the World against Sin and Lust against Principalities and Powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Eph. 6.12 Every Saint is a petitioner and a wrestler with God by prayer and supplication for the peace and happiness of the Church Every Saint is a labourer and a worker together with God that Gods glory may be advanced and his holy name lifted up in the Earth that his ways may be made known to all Nations and his saving health to all people that the work of God may go on and prosper in these Nations which the Lord hath begun and hath been carrying on these many years that Babylon may become a desolation and the hissing and loathing of all Nations and the Zion of God may become the joy and praise of the whole Earth and this is the Faith and Hope and Desires of all Gods people Fourthly From the Enemies of God Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel what hath God wrought Numb 23.23 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing behold the world is gone after him John 12.19 And now I say unto you Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5.38 39. We have here a Cloud of Witnesses the Testimonies of good men that the True Church shall stand for ever and here are also the sayings of bad men and it is agreed on all hands That the Church of Christ cannot be destroyed but it shall stand for ever Can men pull out the Rocks that are in the Sea with their Teeth Can men blow away the Mountains of the Earth with their Breath Can men reach up to Heaven with their Hands Can men dry up the great and wide Sea where Ships go from Nation to Nation Can men draw a Curtain before the Sun that it shall not shine on the Earth Can men Seal up the Wind that it shall not blow where it listeth Alas this will be soon granted by all that men the greatest of men cannot do any of these things surely then men cannot â—estroy the Church of God for the Lord God is a Wall of Fire round about it For I sâ—ith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about anâ— will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 One of the seven Angels shewed St John two things which made him wonder with great admiration And he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wildernâ—ss And I saw a Woman sit uâ—on a Scâ—rlet coloured Beast full of Names and Blasphemy having sâ—ven Heads and ten Horns And the Woman was arayed in Purple and Scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearls having a Golden Cup in her Hand full of Abominations and filtâ—iness of her Fornication And upon her Forehead was a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth And I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus And when I saw her I wondered with great admiration Rev. 17.3 to 6. But where did John see this sight In the Wilderness And have not many Thousands of Gods faithful Servants seen the same sight in the Wilderness which John saw since that time and are still liâ—e to see until the Mystery of God be finished and the Mystery of Iniquity be removed In the Second place There came one of the sâ—vâ—n Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shâ—w thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heavâ—n from God having the glory of God And her light was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal and had a Wall great and high and had twelve Gates and at the Gates twelve Angels and names writtâ—n thereon which are the Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South thrâ—e Gates on the West three Gates And the Wall of the City had twelve Foundations and in them the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. And he that talkeâ— with me had a Golden Reed to mâ—asure the Ci y and the Gates thereof and the Walls thereof And the City lyeth four-square and tâ—e length is as large as the br dth And he measured the City with the Reed twelve Thousand Furlongs The length the br dâ—h and the heighth of it are equal And he measured the Wâ—ll thereof an hundred and forty and four Cubits accordiâ—g to the measure of a man that is of the Angel. And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure Gold like unto clear Glass And the Foundations of the Wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious Stones The first Foundation was Jasper the second Saphir the third a Chalcedony the fourth an Emâ—rald the fifth a Sardonix the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrisoprasus the eleventh a Jacâ—nct the twelfth an Amethyst And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearls every several Gate was of one Pearl and the Street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent Glass And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it Rev. 21.9 to 22. As the first sight which St. Joâ—n saw here was dreadful and terrible that made him wonder with great admiration to see a Woman drunk with Blood the Blood of Saints and Martyrs of Jesus And after this he saw another sight the Bride the Lambs Wife that great City the Hâ—l Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God! having the glory of God! and the City lyeth four square Now 〈◊〉 was a glorious and a delightful thing to behold â—â—ere is want of words and want in words to express the glory of it There is a vast difference between good and evil light and darkness the works of the Flesh and the fruits of the Spirit the table of the Lord and the table of Devils the Temple of the Holy Ghost and the Synagogue of Satan between the Mystery of God and the Mystery of Iniquity Babylon and Zion the True Church and the Mother of Harlots The True Church may be known by its Purity by its Poverty by its Sufferings by it s not Conforming to this World by its Patience under sore and great Tryals by its keeping the Commandments of God and having the Testimony of Jesus Christ and his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads by the Victory it obtaineth over all Enemies And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 And upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Every Son and Daughter of this Church is a living Member and a fruitful Member and a holy Member and an enlightned Member a growing Member a sympathizing Member a praying Membâ—r a useful Member and a sanctified Member But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes 2.13 There is one Body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling One Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.4 5 6 7. Now he that hath an Ear let him hear FINIS