1. 12. And now the zealous professing Iewes Scribes and Pharisees have the Scriptures but they deny him that is the light and so they are blind and all those must needs be blind who hate the light and deny it and so the Iewes had the Oracles of God without them and the Law without them and Christ the Son of God without them and among them preaching to them and yet they were deaf and blind and of the Devil for they did his works And moreover the disciples of Christ might read the scriptures without them and they had him in whom was the fulness of God among them with them or without them and yet in many things they understood not Joh. 12. 16. but were often asking questions as in Matth. 23. 10 36. Mat. 16. 22. Matth. 17. 10. 13. 19. Matth. 18. 1. 21. Matth. 19. 10 Matth. 24. 3. Iohn 13. 7. and sometime they knew not what spirit they were of Luke 9. 55. and though he had been a long time with them yet it was hard for them to know him Ioh. 1â— 5 6 7 8 9. and though he had been so long time with them consider he was with them for with may be one thing and in an other untill he had finished the work without them which the Father gave him to do Ioh. 17. 4. Consider the outward work of Christ without or among the Disciples may be finished and he was at the passover with them and at the supper with them and gave his life for them and they saw his body broken and his blood shed without them and yet notwithstanding all this afterwards he that is the light upbraided them of unbelief and hardnesse of heart Mark 16. 14. Who for a long time had the fulnesse of God amongst and with them who being with them said He that is with you shall be in you John 14. 17. and so they were to wait to receive him within and that within was to abide forever but that without departed away but that within was and is to lead into all truth and be with his to the end of the world for that which is in man is alwaies with him but that which is with man and not in him may not be alwaies with him And now the light is in man and so he that is with his to the end of the world is the light of the World Who is the Resurrection and the life who was dead and is alive and I say he liveth for evermore Who hath finished his worke in the outward things to wit Circumcision Baptisme the supper and death on the Crosse without the gate and is now revealed within and worketh all our works in us and ever liveth to make intercession for us Isa 26 12. Heb. 7. 25. in whose hearts he is now crying Abba Father and he that hath the Son hath also the Father To whom be eternall dominion glory honour and humble obedience for evermore And so Christ Jesus being also guided by that of God or rather the Fulnesse of God in him whereby he finished his Work and departed away from among them and bid them wait for that which should abide with them for ever said These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with you but the comforter whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things John 14. 16. 25. 26. and that which teacheth all things was to be revealed within untill that was come and revealed in them they did not know all things so that that which teacheth all things and sheweth plainly of the Father and abideth for ever is to be received within and they in obedience to his command did wait and their waiting was not in vaine for when the time was fully come they did receive the promise of the Father which they had waited for and so were filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 1 2 3 4. as Joshua was full of the spirit and in Christ was the fulnesse of God and Stephen was a man full of the holy Ghost and the desires of such was That others might be filled with all the fulnesse of God Eph 3. 19. it 's not filled with the scriptures and so they being filled with that which was holy were by that led into the way of holinesse and with that which was holy in them were they to build up one an other Jude 20. and then they spake the word of God with boldnesse and after the Son of God was revealed in Paul three years after he went up to Jerusalem to see Peter Gal. 1. 16 17 18. and fourteen years after he went up again to Jerusalem by revelation Gal. â— 1 â— and so he did not say he went by the scriptures or any comand without him but by revelation and a Revelation is within and that all the Ministers and Disciples of Christ did come to be led and guided by his Spirit that was in them might easily be proved by many undeniable truths of plain Scripture whereby it might more largely appeare that they were all led guided and directed by the one spirit in them though the gifts leadings and operations of that one spirit in them was various as might be read 1 Cor. 12. And now most people will grant this before written to be true That all the people of God formerly were led by the spirit that was in them but that men should now in these days be led by the spirit of Christ in them is by many denied the which thing chiefly is that which I would a little search into or rather open to thee from that which hath searched me Psal 139. 23. and that according to the scriptures of truth if that will be by thee regarded that so it might appear unto all that are not wilfully rebellious against the light of Christ in their own consciences and also deniers of plain scriptures by the which I am ready to prove That the people of the Lord and Ministes of Christ were not onely led by the spirit of God themselves but also in their words and Writings did direct others thereunto saying Walke in the spirit be ye filled with the spirit and worship God in the spirit Gal. 5. 16. Eph. 5. 18. Phil. 3. 3. Joh. 4. 24. But say the people Though they did walke and direct others to walke by the spirit yet are not we now to walke by the Scriptures and is not the scriptures now to be our Rule and are we not to be led by that To which I answer That God changeth not and where doth the Scriptures say That the Scripture is to be a Rule to walke or to be led by and the Ministers of Christ did not say As every man hath received tâ—e sâ—â—iâ—â—ures so walke But as every man hath received Christ and he is the light so walk Col. 2. 6. Consider there is first something to be received and then there is to be a walking in the power and strength of that received
to arise But I with the rest do witnesse he is risen through the earth and his feet stands upon it and is become the first fruites of them that slept and is ascended up on high and hath dominion over all and is crowned with glory and honour eternally in the heavens and hath given gifts unto men and from him the gift of eternall life is come And this is my beloved O ye daughters of Jerusalem and this is my Friend and Redeemer O ye sons of men even he who hath redeemed my soul from Hell brought me back from the power of the Grave this is the prophet of whom Moses did write should come and is come and and there is not another then he that is risen up in the midst which is Christ the light of the world in the heart this is he that hath done wondrous works for in anâ— by me and many more who are thereby made living with â—â—es unto his Name whose Name is a strong Tower and a rock of defence he is a sure dwelling-place he is the rest of the soule and the joy of the living And since he hath put the sword of his spirit into my hand and his word of life into my mouth the wicked thereby hath been cut down like the grasse and the mighty have been trampled upon as the dust in the streets the tall Gedars have been as the Brambles and the strong Oaks have been rooted up the Prophet became a fool the Pastors became brutish and the spirituall man was mad but the seed hath been refreshed and the weake nursed up the tender plant preserved and the hungry fed And for his name sake will I not keep silence untill my testimony be finished and untill Jerusalem be made a praise over all the Earth and her righteousnesse break forth as the morning and her comlinesse as the brightnesse of the Son and till I see the destruction of her enemies and her Adversaries overturned for ever for powerfull is our King who is come to raign Oh! Who can with-hold the pen from writing and the tongue from declaring When the Lyon hath roared who will not hear When the Lord hath spoken who can but prophesie How can I but declare his wondrous works and proclaime his Name where ever I come and confesse him before men though I should suffer much more imprisoning dungeon and whipping then I have done Surely his name I will declare in the world who is the light and give my testimony of him that saves from sin whose Name is called Jesus the light of the world which is the elect precious and corner but stumbling stone even to both the houses of Israel but it is he that is come to rule the Nations with his Iron rod and dash his enemies in pieces like a potters vessell and judge the Earth in righteousnesse and the people with his living truth and now the sinner shall not stand in judgement nor the wicked in the congregation of the righteous for he utters his voice like thunder against the wicked and is dreadfull against the double-minded he condemns the unjust with an utter over-throw and pulls downe the unrighteous from their seats Oh! Who of the wicked can stand when he Thunders from heaven and pierceth through the secret parts of the heart And though I doe speak an allegory yet I doe not speak contrary to the scriptures but according thereunto from the spirit of truth and though I speak of the operation of Christ in his members yet I doe not deney the works which were wrought by him in his own person and though I preach Christ within the hope of glory yet I doe not preach an other and though Paul travelled in birth again untill Christ was formed in the Galathians yet he did not desire an other Christ should be formed in them And though Paul said God had revealed his Son in him yet it was not an other Son and though I say the Son of God is come and hath given me an understanding yet it is not another Son but the same that ever was who worketh all our works in us And though I preach him the maker an end of sin yet I doe not preach another but they who preach a Christ that doth not make an end of sin nor save them who preach him from their sins do preach another Christ seeing the true Christ maketh an end of sin And though I say the prophet is come who is mighty in word and worke and raised up in the midst or in the heart yet it is not another but the same whose wonders appeared outwardly whilst he was in the forme of a servant upon the earth And though I preach him to the world the light of the World yet it 's not an other but the same who said I am come a light into the world and I am the light of the world Ioh. 8. 12. and so he being come a light into the world he is to be preached as he is the Light that all men through him might believe and mens minds turned from darknesse to him who is the light in the darknesse and it is most right and proper to preach him the light who is now come and is the end of the Law to all them that believe in the Light and the end of the Prophets who preached him that is the light under various Names or Terms as King Pâ—iest Prophet a â—on a Child the Mighty God and Daviâ— calls him Lord and he is called a Saviour a Redemer a Mediatour c who being come saith I am the light and so it 's right and sound Doctrine to preach him as he is The light of the World and lightneth every man that cometh into the World which is the true light and we that preach this doe not preach another but him who said I am the light By me who refused the glory treasure and prefermen of the world and did choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God and though I profited much in that Religion where the carnall Ordinances are yet that profiting came to be accounted as drosse and dung that he might be received who makes an end of sin who being now come his love constraineth me his Name to publish who is the true Prophet whose Name is called Jesus who hath and doth save from sin for whose name-sake I have often been brought before Rulers haled and beat out of the Synagogues numbred among the transgressors tryed at an Assizes as an offender yet there denyed the liberty of a murtherer being six times imprisoned twice stript naked and whipt with Rods and since put into Bridewell once put into and kept long in a dungeon for praying often abused in prison sometimes near death in tryals often in perills often in losse of goods in dayly reproaches And in that which hath been greater then all these things and yet have I been preserved unto this day by the power of him who is the light
Jer. 18. 12. Fourthly I do not bid any man follow the spirit of the world for we who have believed and obeyed him who said I am the light and follow me for we have not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given unto us of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. and so that spirit of the world which in words seemeth to professe God but in works deny him having a large cloak of religion but continue in sin and unrighteousnesse making long prayers like the Pharisees having sin lye at their door like Cair talking much of God and Christ and the scriptures and yet have mens persons in admiration because of advantage whose faith is vaine having a forme of Godlinesse but denying that power which saveth from sin and so deny Christ yet intruding into those things he hath not seen being vainely puft up with the fleshly mind that spirit in man which so guideth him I deny for ever And that man may the better understand what that is which he is to love and wait to receive by it after received to be his rule guide and leader and leading him in the narrow good old way of life unity peace and love which all the holy men of God walked in which is a pure way of holinesse then not of hypocricy and sin where the ransomed of the Lord doth walk and where the waifairing men though fools shall not ere therefore I declare that man is to be silent and quiet and wait to receive the spirit of meekenesse patience gentilnesse and long suffering and so come to know somthing borne of the water and of that spirit which truly calls God Father and in which no evill standeth and out of which doth not arise any perversnesse impatience distrust envy nor prejudice towards the person of any man but is pure lamb like harmlesse undefiled and thinketh no evil the which being received obeyed and abode in it guideth unto keepeth man in perfect peace out of the reach of the devouring nature of the wild beastâ— of the field so that unity peace passing understanding eternall felicity joy in the holy Ghost and love unchangable is injoyed for ever and there is no boasting nor exaiting above or beyond the measure received from God And they that have received this measure and dwell in the spirit of the Lamb which cometh from God who is love it thinketh no evill neither is it easily provoked and this is that which was in Esaiah and so ruled him and in him Ruled over all his natural passion that he could give his back to the smiters and his cheek to them that plucked off the hare and hid not his face from shame and spitting and this is that which comes from the God of love which can bear all things hope all things endure all things And that man may come to receive this spirit and have it alwaies in him to the end of the world ruling him in the feare of God and leading him to the eternall dominion of the God of order and that man may know the true and infalable thing which is most assuredly given into man to lead him to the injoyment of the God of the spirits of all flesh Therefore let all people in what formes or state soever have their minds turned to that in them which lets them see their sins and every evill thought and evill motions of the enemy in the darke minde before it be brought forth into the act of sin by word or action that in them which lets them see this which is evill before it be acted as they love it believe in it and obey it it will keep them from the acting of that which they are tempted to and that in them which letteth them see the evill and that they should not sin is the onely thing which God hath plased in man to keep him from acting the evill and from sin and by it may all mankind receive power to withstand sin and stay the first appearance of that which is evill and the nature and property of it being loved is to destroy sin where it is and to keep out of it and kill that from whence the motions to sin would arise this is that which led me out of sin when no other waies helps or meanes could be found and that which sheweth man his sin and leadeth out of sin and gives power over it is a certain rule to follow and walke by for it doth never lead into sin and that which letteth see the motions of sin and leadeth out of all sin is absolutely that which commeth from him in which there is no sin and certainly as true as the Lord God liveth this is that which leadeth up even to the Lord God of life and this is his free love who gave his son to them that asked not for him and his Son is the light which is the gift of the Fathers Love given to the Rebellious that he might be manifest to them that asked no for him and that he might be found of them who sought him not that he might dwell in them who did rebell and gather them nere who were afar off this is Gods eternall love and the gift of his grace unto all mankind who willeth not that they should dye in their sins and these are the true and faithfull sayings of God and that which will stand for ever and in the presence of the Lord God of life and of his holy Angels I doe declare that this is that which God hath placed in man to rule him in his feare that by it he may come to rest eternall and in the face of men and devils who oppose the truth of God I doe affirme that there is no other Rule waies meanes or name by which man shall ever come to walke with God but by that which is manifest of God in him even the light of Christ Jesus the Son of the living God according to the Scriptures But we boast not of things without our measure but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us A measure to reach even unto you who have not known the Rule according to 2 Cor. 10. 13. The true Prophet who was to come is come and there is not an other his worke witnessed truth declared from a feeling sence and experience according to Scripture THe true Prophet is come of whom Moses the servant of the Lord did write who is raised up in the midst and hath rent the vaile and from under death is risen in his unlimited power Dominion and authority even him that death nor the grave can not hold who through death hath conquered death for ever and though death had power over him before the way into the holyest of all was made manifest yet death now hath no more dominion over him but he is risen through death who was made a curse and hath borne
the many Languages professed God who confounded the Language before whom their father Nimrod hunted and they being found in that which God confounded though they professed God yet in works denied him crucified his Son the Lord of glory writ over his head of the many Languages Latin Greek Hebrew this was written above him that was the light and so them now who are of this stock of Babel are yet exalted above the light and count the light a weak and low contemptible thing not able to save it self much less to save them that beleeve in it and so therein manifest themselves to be of their fathers who crucified him that said I am the light and said unto him If thou be the Son of God save thy self and so despised him who came to save them And this is some of the effect of mans hunting mightily in the earth as Nimrod did before they come to receive the spirit Gen 9. 18. and 25. Gen. 1â— 8 9 10 11. Gen. 11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. John 19. 19 2. But Jacob followed obeyed and believed the Lord who is a spirit and the presence of God was with him and the blessing of the Most High was upon him and the Lord promised to be with him who was as a Worm in six troubles and in seven and when he passed through the fire and the water and God gave him a new Name and afterwards promised to give his seed a Name better then of Sons and of Daughters and Jacob was a plain man and dwelt in Tents and him God loved and he prevailed with God Isa 41. 14. Isa 43. 1 2 3 4 5. Ger. 2â— 28. Isa 56. 5. And so Nimrod with his followers who was mighty in the earth came to be confounded and Jacob who was little in the earth as a worm and dwelt in Tents he and his Seed came to be blessed And Moses the servant of the Lord whom God Almighty honored in his everlasting love made him a deliverer unto and a Judge and Ruler over the people Acts 7. 35. he being in Aegypt the Land of darkness bondage and all the seed and Israel of God in cruel oppression and I do not read that he had any direction from man or scripture or any thing else without him to guide him at first to refuse to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter and the glory of Aegypt and to chuse to suffer affliction with the people of God neither do I read that he saw the Angel or glory of the Lord until after he was and had been obedient unto that which God had given into him for that which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. for it is said in the scriptures of truth that it was by faith Heâ— 11. 24. that he refused the evil and chused the good and faith is that which is in the heart Acts 15. 9. as it is written If thou believe in thy heart Rom. 10. 9 Acts 18. 37. and of that faith in the heart God hath given to every man a proportion Rom. 12. 6. and as that which is but little in man is loved and obeyed so man comes to know more of God and hear his word of Faith which is in the heart Rom. 10. 8. and it came into Moses heart to visit the Brethren and by hearing obedience of Faith then not Scripture man receiveth the spirit Ga. 3. â— which is an undeniable truth which I might prove by a Cloud of Witnesses from the scriptures which were given forth from the inspiration of God by his holy servants and so there being something of God in man wherby man may as Moses did first refuse the evil and then chuse a suffering state so learn to do well the sin then comes to be done away Isa 1. 16. 17. 18. and afterwards more of Gods endless love and powerful presence is made manifest and so being faithful in the little received from God in the heart man comes to rule over much as Moses did who first learned the obedience of faith in the heart though in Aegypâ— and in the time of great persecution where he was also despised of his Brethren yet he obeyed the Word of faith in the heart and so afterwards to him God appeared and the Word of the Lord came unto him and he talked with God afterwards face to face as a man talketh with his friend and the many wonders and mighty power of God wrought in and by him are recorded at large in the holy Scriptures for a testimony thereof to last throughout all generations And by this faith also afterwards the Members of Christ did walk 2 Cor. 5. 7. And Joshua who succeeded Moses was full of the spirit of wisdom consider that he was first full of the spirit and so thereby he came to be a Leader Ruler over others and the dread of the Lord fell and his judgements came upon them who rose up or stood against him and those whom he by the power of the spirit in him came to rule over and great many and mighty were the victories that God gave unto this man who was bold and couragious by reason of the fulnesse of the spirit that was in him and the people hearkened unto him as they did unto Moses and he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses Deut. 34. 9. Josh 11. 15. But the Lords people in these days who are led by the spirit of God in them are accounted both by Priests Rulers people to be drunk or mad as it was before when the Son of God who is the light was revealed in Paul Gal. 1. 15 16. he was accounted by the ruler of the people to be mad Act. 26 24. and when the disciples of Christ had waited and afterwards received the spirit of truth within from which they spake as with new tongues as the spirit gave them utterance at them then many were amazed others mocked supposing theÌ„ to be drunk Acts 2. 12 13 14 15. and when Hannah prayed in heart being grieved in spirit was esteemed to be drunk even by Ely the priest yet she by her prayers in her heart obtained her desire of the Lord who gave her a Son that knew the Lord and ministred before him being yet a child but the Sons of Ely the priest who was in the outward sacrifices were sons of Belial and knew not God lâ—ke the sons of the Priest of England 1 Sam. 1. 14. â— â—8 And David a man after Gods own heart was as a deaf man and heard not as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth being dumb with silence held his peace even from good until his heart was hot within him and the fire burned then he spake with his tongue Ps 38. 13 14. Ps 39. 1 2 3. 9 afterwards he said Thy word have I hid in my hear which word is as a fire That I might not sin
against thee and so that which keepeth from sin is hid in the heart and that word David said was a lamp to his feet and a light unto his patheâ— Which word he kept and loved the Law of the Lord which is written in the heart and so was made wiser then his Enemies and had more understanding then the ancient and all his Teachers Ps 19. â—0 11. v 4â— 43. â— 5â— v 67. v. 81. v. 97 98 99 10â— 101 102 1â—3 104 105. And all the Prophets of the Lord were led guided directed by the Spirit of Christ which was in them both in their actions which sometimes were as foolishness and madness in the eyes of the professing Jewes also in their words which sometimes were as thunder against the ungodly though they were the Rulers of the people and their words were so terrible against them that professed godliness and lived in unrighteousness that Amaziah the High Priest said of one of the Prophers who speak in the dread of the Lord That the whole land was not able to bear his-words Amos 7. 1â— And Amaziah the Priest of Bethuel being not able to bear the Word of the Lord therefore he falsly accused Amos of conspiring against the King Amos 7. from the spirit in them did the Prophets with boldness declare against the wickednes of the Rulers of the people saying to the poluted City Thy Princes are rebelli us and companions of thieves they love giâ—â—s and rewards and judge not the fatherlesse nor the cause of the widow and such as these are the adversaries and enemies of the Lord upon whom he will be avenged and all them that trouble his servants Isa 1. 23 24. 2 Thess 1. 6. and it is just and right for the Friends of Christ to declare against the enemies of the Lord and those that decree unrighteous Decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed and turn aside the needy from judgement and take away the the right of the people that they may rob the fatherles against these is the hand of the Lord stretched out and they are to bow down under the prisoners and fall under the slain Isa 10. 1 2 3. 4 and saith the Prophet Wo to the filthy and polluted City her Princes are roaring Lions her Judges are evening wolves her Prophets are light and treacherous her priests have polluted the Sanctuary Zeph. 3 1 2 3 4. and many more such expressions they used which was not rayling but sound words in the fear and dread of the Lord Read Amos the first and second Chapters And from the spirit of truth in them did they also declare even against such as were the teachers leaders of the people and were made Ministers by a law of God which law was then in force those Ministers departing out of the way and corrupting the Covenant like the Priests of England therefore the Lord made them as he will these who deny the way the light base and contemptible in the eyes of all the people because they also have been partial in the Law Mal 2 8 9. and against such did do the servants of the Lord declare they being such shepherds that cannot understand but are blind ignorant dumb greedy dogs these are the worst of dogs Isa 56. 10 11. and by such is the horrible thing committed Jer. 5. 30 31. and the Pastors are become bruitish Jer. 10. 21. therefore hearken not unto them Jer. 27. 13 15 16. also read Jer. 23. and Ezek. 34. for as troops of robbers wait for a man so the company of Priests murther in the way by consent Hos 6. 9. and one of the chief of that number is John Hodder Priest of the Parish called Haâ—church in the county of Dorset for he said if the Protector would raise an Army to cut off all the Quakers he would be the first MAN in it and there was a people the heads thereof judged for reward the priests teached for hire and the prophets divined for money is it not so in England Mich. 3. 11. and saith the prophet O ye Priests this commandment is for you I will send a curse upon you and corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces even the dung of your solemn Feasts hearken ye Priests of England Mal. 2. 1 2 3. And this was and is sound doctrine which the itching eares of the false teachers of your daies cannot endure to heare being found themselves such cursed children that cannot cease from sin that were to come in the latter daies 2. Pet. 2 14. And those words and many more to the same effect were they guided by the spirit of Christ the light in them to speake and from that spirit they declared against the Rulers Priests and people who had the law or letter and Moses writings with out them yet were enemies to the Spirit of truth within-But the prophets searched diligently to see what and what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie 1 Pet. 1. 11. so that the spirit of Christ was in the Prophets which testified unto them and was their rule and guide And when Christ came who is the end of the prophets and the Law he also declared against the same generation as the Prophets did and wee do and he said They were of their father the Devil who did his works notwithstanding they had the Scriptures and the Oracles of God and were of the place of the holy worship and were zealous and strict therein even against them did Christ proclaim many Woes Matth. 23. For the word of God had no place in them neither could they heare it Job 8. 37. 43. but in Christ the light did all the fulnesse of God dwell Coâ— â— 19. and 2. 9. and so he that had the fulnesse of God within him was counted a deceiver a blasphemer denyed and crucified by them that had the Oracles of God without them and read the Prophets every sabbath-day yet knew not their voices Acts. 13. 27. which prophesied of him whom they knew not when he was come who is the light And now we do bare Witnesse that the light is come as did Isaiah 6â— 1 2 3. though darknesse covereth the earth and grosse darknesse the people yet in him that is the light doth the fulnesse of God abide and no man cometh to the Father or fulnesse of God but by the Son who is light And now those that have the Scriptures and call that their rule in the which they read of Christ the light yet the light they deny and so deny him of whom the Scripture speakes and him unto whom all power in heaven and earth is committed and so long as they deny him who is the light unto whom all power is committed they cannot receive power from him to become the Sons of God but they who do receive and believe in him who is the light to them he gives power to become the sons of God Ioh.
let any man or woman be so mistaken as to think that we in scorne called Quakers are any of that number which cries loe here and loe there for I doe not bid any man goe forth from that which is manifest of God in him to any place or outward forme or image or invention of man or command without or any thing done in private neither indeed do I somuch as bid them come forth from the light of Christ in them to follow my writings and take that to be their rule guid or Leader but that by my writings words example and sufferings they might be informed even by this without them of that which God hath freely given into them by that to be guided and that to be to them a Rule of life and by it to be led into all truth for its the spirit received within which leads into all truth even into the truth it selfe of which I declare and so people being come to be guided by that which is of God in them this will abide with them for ever and that in them may be with them when they have neither my writings words nor person without them as at that present by them therefore I say unto all as Christ did go not forth And to this very end were the scriptures written that men might come to receive and attain to the knowledge of the Son of God and his mighty power manifest in them to destroy sin and reconcile unto God and to be led by him as a shepherd who sheweth unto his all things plainly of the Father and so to be taught of the Lord and come to be guided by him and need not any man teach them A short discovery of that in man which is not to be his guide nor Rule ANd now seeing man is gone so far forth from the life of God that was first breathed into him and that by his rebellion against the light and transgression of the command of that power whereof man was made by his degeneration from the holy life of that breathing spirit which at the first in him gave an eternal life unto the soul and that by the continuall receiving in following of that which at first led man forth from the life of God which was breathed into him and that by mans continuall grieving of that spirit which giveth life and being to all things living and also by reason of the multiplyings and increasing oâ— that mistery of iniquity in fallen man which hath ever since the fall ruled over and guided him in that which is contrary to the upright innocent life of God whereby man is become brutish in his knowledge Jer 10. 14. and the minds wholly darkned and the understanding shut up in the womb of obscurity from receiving that which comes from God and is freely tendred unto man to Rule lead guid and direct man in the way of uprightnesse and in the plaine simplicity and foolâ—shnesse of God into which the wisdome of the World can never enter And seeing that by reason of these things there are many things which have gotten enterance into the heart minde of man so that man being in the many things cannot but all offend and seeing those many things in men doth draw forth their minds whereby they are exercised in many and various things proceeding from the power of darknesse whereby even the simplicity in many have been betrayed and deceived sometimes by following of that which in them hath appeared as an Angel of light the which some receiving and becoming subject unto it in them hath wrought in all manner of deceiveablenesse and lying wonders the fruits whereof hath been even brought forth in open view not onely in former ages but also in this your daies even in this nation among them called Ranters and divers others that might be named and such who once professed the living truth but abode not in it who also have gone forth from the meek thing in which Gods wisdome and feare is placed to follow the evill motions of the Prince of the ayr who worketh in the vain ayry light minds And that none may believe a Lye and so follâ—w something in them which moves in the darke minde and take that to be the ture guid or rule and that none may be deceived through a mistake of what I have here intended neither yet through ignorance by reason of the want of the true knowledge of that which is of God in man which in him is perfect and there is placed not onely to be his Rule guid and leader in the way of life but also with it to rule and have dominion over all other creatures of God and to rule and order them to the glory and praise of him who at first made man honourable in dominion over all these things by that which was the breath of the God of life in him Therefore first let all people take heed of following their owne spirits for their owne spirits are also in them the which I doe not bid them follow for they were false prophets who followed their own spirits and had seen nothing Ezek 13. 3. and these that followed their own spirits though they spoke never so great and many words and as in the name of the Lord as some doe at this day by whom the living truth of God doth suffer yet against such as these did and doe the prophets declare who were and truly are guided by the eternall spirit of truth which was and is in them and guideth them in faithfulnesse to testifie against those who say thus saith the Lord and the Lord had not spoken unto them but they had seen a false vision Secondly I doe not bid any man follow the thoughts of his own heart for there is a heart which is hard even hardned in sin the workes of darknesse and receives not the light neither yet loves it which is the old heart that remaineth in all them in whom the old man is yet alive and not put off and the thoughts of that heart is vaine and out of the abundance of that heart the mouth speaketh folly and the lips uttereth perversnes and all manner of fruits of disobedience is brought forth and that is the heart which yet remaineth in all them who have not received the spirit of of God to become his sons and obey his Will Jer. 23. 16 17. Thirdly I doe not bid any man follow his own imaginations though they also arise from within him for I have found by experience that the imaginations of the thoughts of the hearts of the Sons of men are evill continually Gen. 6. 5. and much most desperate wickednesse blasphemy heresie and the like have been brought forth by many in these Nations who have followed their own imaginations speaking great swelling words pretending great ayry things which indeed are without substance which that transsforming prince of the ayre hath suggested into their darke minds who then follow their owne devices
and the onely Son of God to whom be eternall glory from his own seed in his servant who is one of the least among many brethren being a prisoner at Winchester for the truth of Christ by the will of men unto whom I am known by the Name of Humphry Smith An Invitation from the Spirit of Christ COME unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden come unto me and find rest I even I am he who comforteth Sion I am he who preacheth liberty to the captives Oh come unto me stay not I am the way the truth and the life I am he and there is none other I came out from the Father into the world that it might be reconciled up unto God through me I am the good shepherd that am now come to gather the outcasts of Israel and to bring home unto God the lost sheep that the dispersed of Judah might now return and the seed of Abraham may be brought in to me in whom the redemption is even plentious redemption for all that will hear and turne in hither Oh all ye scattered of the flock my voice is to you that have not found rest to your soules now hearken diligently to heare my voice and feel my words of life for now the time is come that the seed that hath long lain in the death shall heare my voice and they that heare shall live and rise out of the death and I will give them life Oh! come unto me my own my beloved before the foundation of the world come and stay not I have long waited for you my locks are wet with the drops of the night and you have even wearied me with waiting for you long have I knocked at the door of your hearts calling to repentance and no man regarded nor the slothfull would not arise that I might come in and take up my abode with and in my own and refresh them with waters of life but now am I come who am the bridegroom and the bishop of the soul with my alluring termes Come Oh my friends â— hearken my beloved let me not be denyed open the door of thy hard heart and let me not stand waiting any longer behold I have honour for all them that follow me crowns of life for all wil receive me come unto me my lambs I have prepared my supper I have made in this Mountain a feast of wines of the Lees of fat things full of marrow all things are now ready Come in unto me I am the bread of life I am the hidden Manna I come to save mens lives Come all ye that are weary with the burthen of your sins I am the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world I come to take away the sins of the world I am the root of Jesse and the off-spring of David I am he that opens and none can shut and shuts and no man opens I have power to forgive sins on earth Come cease from the evill of your doings learn of me to do well then we will reason together though thy sins have been as scarlet they shall then be as white as Snow for I come to finish transgression and make an end of sin and bring in the everlasting righteousnesse of God Therefore hear oh ye scatered of the flock that are yet in the miery clay covered over with the thick clouds of your sins oh remain not in filth nor continue no longer with the flesh-pots in the house of bondage for I am come to condemn sin in the flesh destroy the works of the Devill that you may find redemption in me and be washed from your filthinesse and cleansed from your sin Wherefore hear all ye that are far from righteousness behold I have gifts for the rebellious my hand is streched forth oh ye simple ones come unto me and learn pure wisdom ye fools be of an understanding heart O why will ye dye oh ye house of Israel have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye turn you turn you now I do cal oh ye hard-harted where fore do you hide your selves from me dig deep to hide your councels from me why do you run alwais astray Oh what shall I do unto you that I have not don yet do you stil go on in the evil of your wais when wil you once return Oh Jerus I wilt thou not be made clean When shal it once be Oh! I have seen your abominations am wearied with your fins yet you have not regarded oh now it is high time to consider thy ways return from the evill of thy doings lest thou be shut out for ever And all ye my dear ones that have long waited for me behold I come quickly and my reward is with me saith Christ the Son of God and I will open to you the hidden Treasures of my father and make known his will to you and I will remove off the burden and circumcise your hearts behold I come saith Christ and I will open the prison-door raise the prisoner out of the pit and bring deliverance to the captive and refresh the plant of my Fathers planting and nourish the tender grape which the subtilty hath hurt and I will bind up the broken and restore unto the mourners the years of joy and comfort and I will be unto you a sure foundation and a present help in time of need and I will bring back the scattered and they shall now return and fear the Lord God of their Fathers in my mountain of holiness and they shall walk in the way of peace and in the pathes of righteousness where the unclean shall not passe over nor the wild beasts of the field shall not come but the ransomed of my Father saith Christ the Son of God Therefore hear all ye my brethren and consider all yee my friends for I am come who am the sure foundation the corner-stone the Light the true light of the world and the life of man and the everlasting covenant of the father and power of God and the wisdome of the Father by me Kings reigne and the princes of Israel shall now rule in equity for behold I am come even he that you have long waited for and there is not another come learn of me I am meek I am lowly I am the light low in the heart I am the living Minister saith Christ the Son of the Fathers love and the light of the World I change not but remain a Priest for ever a living Minister a Minister of life within the vail ministring life unto the spirit in prison H S. The two striving within THat which went forth from the life of God professed the name of God to cover it selfe with that without the life the which profession through the secret subtilty did more and more increase which led further off from the sense of the feeling of the life of God and when it s stirred to judge that which