with him that is that the curse shall â—e removed and the power of it killed and consumed And that created flesh by that mighty power the man of truth should be made subject to the spirit that made it so â—hat the spirit which is the Father may beâ—ome all in all the chiefe ruler in flesh And truly this is but according to the â—urrent of the whole Scripture that in the â—ay of Christ every one shall be made of one â—eart and one spirit that is all shall bee â—rought in to acknowledge the Father to â—bey him walke humbly before him and â—ive in peace and love in him This is the â—octrine of Christ and the Gospell This is â—lad tydings to heare of But when you are â—ade to enjoy this doctrine as yours then you shall know what it is to know the Son and what it is to be set free by the Sonne therfore wait upon the Father till he makâ— forth himself in you Qu. I waite that 's true but I must use the meanes Answ That which you call meanes doth harden your hearts and blind your eyes iâ— shuts you out from sweet enjoyment thaâ— is to run after men for teachings I speakâ— not rashly I speak what I know and yoâ— shall finde before your soules taste of truâ— peace that whosoever takes those Scriptures and makes exposition upon them from theiâ— imagination and â—els you that is the worâ— of God and hath seen nothing That they are the false Christs and false Prophets anâ— their way of teaching is meer deceit both to your soules and to your purses for now in this day of Christ which is begun and which will have a greater appearance ere long in the great world Men must speak their own experienced words and must not speake thoughts For thoughts and studies and imagination of flesh are the men that are found gathering sticks upon this sabbath day and these are stoned to death by the Power that is arising in some already and shall be stoned to death in all that the Lord alone may be exalte in this day of his Power Qu. Must I use no meanes at all or what meanes must I use An. These 3 first let your chief endeavour be to act according to your creation that is to doe as you would be done unto by all creatures as I have shewed and I le tell you this is as needfull a gospell doctrine to be practised as any I know for the present for I le assure you the world is at such a passe yea and among imaginary professors especially that I know not who I can say is a sincere hearted friend so that I am sure the sonne of man at his coming finds no faith in earth neither in my flesh nor in the flesh of other he brings it with him and gives it to us Secondly waite upon the Father with a meek spirit for his teaching And you shall find it a very hard thing to performe these â—wo meanes for the flesh is both very unâ—ighteous to seek it self and it is very hasty â—o have all knowledge peace and experience â—n a sudden it s so proud and hasty it will â—ot wait Thirdly if you would hear other men â—peak you may doe two things First read the record and there see what the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets your fellow servants were but do not alter their words by forceing a meaning till the Father teach you Secondly if you would hear then acquaint your selves with such as can speake from a testimony within for as they received what they have from the pure teachings of the Father so this second hand teaching will be pure teaching to you but be sure you do not prefer this second hand teaching before the first for now the everlasting word and gospel must reveale himself to you or else you cannot be satisfied I have now discharged my service to the Father in this declaration remember what is tould you despise not the Fathers meanes by preferring the way and meanes of the flesh above the wayes of the Father They say I deny the Scriptures because I say that the Scriptures were not appointed for a rule to the world to walke by without the spirit but were the testimony of the Father in those men that writ them for the comfort and benefit of those that are drawn up into communion with the same spirit And to this I shall give this accompt Qu. What is the Law and Testimony which if a man speak not according to it it is because there is no light in him An. This Law and Testimony to which I must have recourse for my comfort is not the words or writings of other men without me But the spirit of the Father in me teaching me to know him by experience and when I can speake purely what I doe see and heare from the Father this is the Law and Testimony within me from which I speake and if I speak not from this Law within I have no knowledge in me Qu. But are not the Scriptures the Law and Testimony of the Father Answ It was the Law and Testimony of the spirit which rested in and upon the Prophets and Apostles for they writ what they saw in vision and they spake what they heard by voice speaking to them spiritually Qu. But are not those Scriptures the Law and Testimony for people to walk by in these dayes Answ No For this is to walke by the eyes of other men and the spirit is not so scanty that a dozen or 20 pair of eyes shall serve the whole world but every sonne and daughter as they are called children of light have light within themselves The same spirit that fils one fils all and makes the whole number of them according to their severall measures to be of one heart and one mind Qu. But may not men take these Scriptures and spend construction upon them and hold forth those constructions to others as perfect light by way of office An. I answer no neither reason nor Scripture allowes any man to speake any words but what he knowes positively to be truth And he that spends constructions thereupon speaking from his imagination he speaks from the flesh and devill and so he makes himself to be a traytor to the father inholding forth that to be truth which is no truth And a thief robber and unrighteous dealer with the Prophets and Apostles First in taking their words as his own and secondly in expounding their meaning and so putting his own meaning upon their words But yet he that hath the same spirit may speak the same word where the Father hath given him the same sight and experience for no man can safely tell another this is a positive truth of God till he have the same testimoniall experience within himself as the penmen of Scripture had and this I am sure all that stand up to teach by way of office have not therefore it is clear that the power that
the one spirit this makes the second man perfect for corruption and curse is removed and the whole earth is filled with holy breathing all acting and living in righteousnesse And this is Jesus Christ the second man They say I deny the Gospell and the doctrine of it hereunto I give this accompt Qu. What is the Gospell Ans. It is the Father himselfe that is the Word and glad tydings that speaks peace inwardly to poore soules Qu. But are not the writings of the Apostles and Prophets the Gospell Ans. These writings are the report or declaration of the Gospell which are to cease when the Lord himselfe who is the everlaststing Gospell doth manifest himselfe to rule in the flesh of sonnes and daughters Qu. But did not Paul say This is the word of the Gospell which we preach and so left those words in writing Ans. It is true his writings are the word of it or the report of it but it is not the thing it selfe for when it was reported that the Father would dwell in the flesh and destroy the Serpent this report savoured sweet But when man comes to see and feel and know that the Father dwels and rules in him This is farre more sweet This is to enjoy the Gospell himselfe The word of life within and this shall never cease but endures for ever Qu. But how doe you know that this is the Gospell Ans. I know it by the testimony that is within my selfe and by the sweet peaceable and soule-satisfying rest that I have through communion with the spirit The Lord our righteousnesse In the midst of the mad rage of the world Secondly For satisfaction to the world I desire all men to take the Record and search those Scriptures for they are they that doe testifie of the truth hereof as well as they testified of Christ after the flesh to be the Lambe And this is the mystery and testimony of the Scriptures The spirit dwelling and ruling in flesh The declaration or report of words out of the mouth or pen of men shall cease but the spirit endures for ever from whence those words were breathed as when I have the thing promised the word of the promise ceases Qu. What is the lively testimony or appearance of the everlasting Gospell to dwell in flesh Ans. I answer Justice and Judgement are the two witnesses or the manifest appearance of the spirit or the pure light of Reason teaching a man both to know what is righteous and to doe righteously And when these two rule in man then is flesh subject to the spirit Qu. But I have heard men say That the Scripâ—ures are not onely the word of God but God himselfe for the word and spirit goe together as I the beginning was the Word and The Word was God Ans. If that very written word were God himselfe truly God then would mightily be torne in pieces every day by the bad interpretations of imaginary flesh But I answer The spirit himselfe is the Word This is the power that tooke flesh and dwelt amongst us And the Scriptures are the testimony of those men to whom this secret was revealed by which testimony within they were made able to give First A report that such a mystery as God manifest in the flesh should break forth and appeare in the world in a child that should be borne of a Virgin and so all the writings of the Prophets foretold the coming of the man-child the Messiah The Lambe of God And so when the Pharisees told Christ he was a deceiver He answered I am he and unlesse that you believe that I am he you shall dye in your sinnes and search the Scriptures of the Prophets and you shall see that they tesâ—ifie of mee that I am the Messiah the Man-child the Lamb that am to answer all Moses types and the Prophet whom the Father hath sent For I came not to doe my owne will but the will of him that sent me Secondly The writings of the Apostles doe justifie the Prophets and declare posiâ—ively this is the Christ the Son of the Faâ—her well-beloved we ate and dranke with â—im we saw him and heard him and were â—ye-witnesses that the Rulers of the Jewes â—lew him and that the spirit raised him from the death Qu. But doe the Apostles writings report no â—ore but this Ans. Yes As they declared when they â—aw and heard how the spirit dwelt bodily â— that humane flesh or single man Jesus Christ So they have declared by the same â—estimony that the same spirit that ruled in â—im should in the latter dayes be poured out â—pon sonnes and daughters and shall spread â— the earth like the shining of the Sun from â—ast to West And this is that which this mouth and â—en of mine doe testifie of to all that heare â—ee that the same spirit that hath layne â—id under flesh like a corne of wheat for an â—ppointed time under the clods of earth is â—ow sprung out and begins to grow up a â—uitfull vine which shall never decay but â— shall encrease till he hath filled the earth â—his is the Kingdome of God within man This is the graine of mustard seed which is little in the beginning but shall become a mighty tree This is the fire that shall dry and burne up all the drosse of mans worke and turne all things into his owne nature This is that spirit which is broke out that will bring mankinde into one heart anâ— one minde For assure your selves I know what I speake The Thorne bush is burning but the Vine is flourishing The Ashes of the Thorne bush is laid at the root and feet oâ— the Vine and it growes abundantly Now search the Scriptures for this likewise for they doe testifie of the sending oâ— the spirit into the flesh of sons and daughters and they testifie of the utter destruction of the man of sinne the flesh with all hiâ— curse power inwardly and outwardly Now he that doth jeere the spirit or denies thaâ— the spirit shall come and rule in flesh in sonâ— and daughters as he did in that one man Jesus Christ is an Antichrist and a Traitor to the Father let him be whom he will Therefore leâ—rne to put a difference betweene the Report and the thing Reported of The spirit that made flesh is he that is reported of The writings and words of Saints is the report These reports being taken hold of by corrupt flesh that would rule are blemished by various translations interpretations and constructions that King flesh makes â—ut those sons and daughters in whom the â—pirit rests cannot be deceived but judgeth â—ll things They say I deny the doctrine of the Gosâ—ell I shall give this account to that Q. What is the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Ans. What Jesus Christ is I have shewed â—efore The doctrine or report of hâ—m is â—his That mankinde shall be by him reâ—onciled to his Maker and be made one in â—pirit
sets up such teachers is not from the Father commanding but from the flesh being suffered by the Father for a time that when he comes to throw downe his enemies flesh may be shamed and he honoured That man that cannot speak the testimony of the Father no other way but from his book as he reads or from the mouth of another what he heares as the publike teachers doe speake by hearsay and not from experience and so declares himself to be a false Christ a false prophet that runs to teach others before he have any discovery of God within himself Qu. But are not the Scriptures the truths of God An. Yes for they declare that the spirit was the mighty governour of the flesh of those that writ them and so the truths of God the great governour in the pure experience of those penmen And I shall demand of you how you know that these Scriptures are the word of God in the sense you call them but the testimony of the spirit within your selves I say there is no way to know but by the spirit himself seeing there are so many expositions upon them which without doubt hath varied the copies if it were possible to see those very writings from the prophets and Apostles own pen which is not to be seen But when the spirit comes in he must nay he doth and will declare his own meaning And so the spirituall man judges all things and he himself is judged of no man he can judge the flesh and passe righteous judgement because he sees and knowes whâ—t the flesh is The flesh cannot judge him for if he doe it is not righteous judging but rash censure Qu. What use is to be made of the Scriptures An. First they are or may be kept as a record of such truths as were writ not from imagination of flesh but from pure experience and teachings of the Father Secondly we are taught thereby to waite upon the Father with a meek and obedient spirit till he teach us and feed us with sincere milk as he taught them that wrote these Scriptures Thirdly when I look into that record of experimentall testimony and finde a sutable agreement betweene them and the feeling of light within my own soule now my joy is fulfilled And every man and woman may declare what they have received and so become preachers one to another For the Scriptures doth but declare the sending down of the spirit and how he shall rule in the earth in the latter dayes but they doe not declare every particular measure and beame of the spirits ruling for this the sons and daughters are to declare by their particular experiences as they are drawn up Qu. But when I read the Scriptures and findes a perswasion in my heart that they are true may I not owne them as a truth and speak them as a truth and speak them to others An. You may deliver the same words you reade which you are perswaded of but to passe construction and the meaning by way of office teaching others this you cannot do There is an imaginary perswasion grounded upon thoughts or as he conceives but this is a sandy foundation and deceiveth all the world Secondly there is an experimental perswasion grounded upon sight and feeling of the spirit of truth ruling king within him and this is the rock that will never fayl Qu. But did not the Apostles and Christ take texts of Scripture and expound them as Philip did to the Eunuch and Christ from the 61 Esay An. They did not preach and expound any text customarily as the parish gods do but such particular Scriptures as the oportune time and occasion served to declare Christ to be the lambe of God or the greaâ— prophet which the Father promised to send So that all the Scriptures of the ancient prophets which they spake from was only to make it appear that the Messias was come but they did not preach in setled parishes forcing the people by the hand of the magistrate to come and hear them and give them a maintenance for so doing under pain of punishment the Scriptures knowes no such custome or way to be used therefore whosoever lives in such a practise denies the Scripture and are enemies to Jesus Christ But now if any one take Scriptures that speak of the spirits ruling in flesh and so proves the truth of the Scripture by his own testimony or witnesse within himselfe this may be done but for any other way of expounding Scripture I know none neither will nor doth the Scripture warrant any other but what advances the spirit and throws down the flesh by the speakers own experience Qu. But may not the powers of a land compell their people some to preach and others to hear Scriptures expounded as the manner is in England An. I answer That power that compels is the little horne or dragon wheresoever it sits and that expounding is a flat denial of those Scriptures and treason against the spirit liberty is to be given to every one in the case for the kingdome of Christ hath an interest herein Lands and Kingdoms are most commonly governed more by the wisdome of the flesh then of the spirit and why because the spirit gave that power into the hand of flesh for a certain time and when the flesh is judged for his action the Lord wil condemn him for his unrighteous cruell self-seeking and oppressing government over his lambs and sheep The Powers of the Land punished Christ and his Apostles for holding forth their testimony of the Father which was within them but they did not compell any to hear them or to follow them it is an â—asyer thing for magistrates to be breaking forth against such as speak from a pure testimony then against such as speak from imaginary studies of the flesh both in regard of the powers of the flesh within them blinding their eyes and because of so many envious spirits against truth that will be flattering the magistrate and telling him tales of slander on purpose to incense him against the sincere hearted in the land because they hate them through ignorance that is in them not knowing the Majesty of the Lord that is in his servaâ—ts whom they despise Qu. What must the powers of a Land doe then in the matters of Religion as they call it An. First they must suffer every one that will quietly to keepe the record in their houses or to rerd it or speak of it one to another and they that find their own experience to suite therewith speaking from a pure testimony and walkes in all acts of righteousnesse towards his fellow creatures It is the charge which the Father hath put into the hand of the Magistrate to protect these from their oppression of unreasonable men Secondly if any man walk unrighteously towards his fellow creature in civil matters the Powers of a land must punish him according to the nature of his offence and so to be a
terror to all unrighteousnesse Qu. But what if the Powers of a Land command some of their people to hold forth the scriptures to the rest and they be willing to obey An. If they doe they can command their servants only to read them and to such people as are willing to hear them read but they cannot command their servants to spend constructions thereupon neither can they force the people to come to hear those constructions but must leave both parties at liberty neither can they force the people to give the tenths of their increase for a yearly maintenance to those servants neither can those servants say we speake truthes and what differs from our constructions are errors and so call upon the Magistrate their master to punish such whom they brand for hereticks for all these things denie the scriptures and is contrary to the spirit of the Father and doe tie his hands and hinder the setting up of pure service and sow emnity to the Fathers own way of teaching They say I deny Father Son and Holy Ghost but wherefore they raise such a scandall I cannot tell yet hereof I shall give this accompt Qu. What is Father Son and Holy-Ghost Answ These are three names given to the one Spirit As first the Father he is the spirit Reason out of whom the creation of heaven and earth with every branch of it proceeded The Spirit in whom all things lay before there was any manifestation appeared visible and this is called the siery orbe or spirit of burning that will trie all mens works of what nature they be Secondly the Son is the light and declaration of the Father to the creation after it was come forth and here first note that every creature in its place and stature is a son to the Father because every single creature doe demonstrate his maker to the view of his fellow creature every one as a candlestick holding forth the Father by the light that is in it self for indeed the light that is in it is the Father himself and the Father shewes forth himself to the creation by every particular parcell of the creation but these are but darke or weake shining Suns Suns over which the clouds are much spread But now perfect man is the Son of the Father in perfect glory for when the Father rules and shines in him bodily then he can declare the Father by all his senses to the câ—eation which no other creature can doe but he Therfore man is called the supream creature and he can call the spirit Lord because he sees and heares feels smels and tastes that he who is the spirit of gentlenesse uniting all together in love and sweet compliancie doth governe the whole creation and subjects all the flesh under him and makes it serviceable Now thaâ— man that is not humble and subject to the spirit his maker he is a Sun undâ—r a dark eclipse he hath the forme of the Son indeed that hath no â—rightnesse in him he is not the well beloâ—ed Son So you see here is the Father and the Son both in one person and spirit Now thirdly the Holy Ghost is a man in whom the Father dwels bodily which is Eâ—manuel God with us and in and by whom the Father doth manifest his power in doâ—ng great works And he is said to be holy â—ecause the darknesse of the flesh is subdued â—nder the feet of the spirit and the spirit â—ules in flesh over all his enemies And he is called the Go-host or the â—rength of heaven living and walking in â—esh as an host or army of men are called the â—rength of a land and going up and down or the defence of the land against all eneâ—ies so I say perfect man hath the strength â—f the Father dwelling bodily in him And â—ne man thus drawne up is as an hoste of â—en or a strong army or a Go-host going â—r travelling among enemies and subduing â—hem under his feet by the power of the â—pirit that is in him And thus did the man Jesus Christ tread â—ll enemies powerfully under foot and â—ranke not he was a Go-host or a traveling army of mighty strength which way sover he went the spirit dwelt in him without measure And the particular Saints likewise as they are drawn up into the Father they have this tearme given them that on shall chase a hundred and a hundred put tâ— thousand to flight this declares they aâ— go-hosts or armies of mighty strength Now he that sins against the Father or the the Son in the former sense of Son-ship â— I said shall be forgiven and here he speakâ— of creatures one trespassing against anotheâ— and in so doing sins against the Father the is the light in them And here flesh mâ— possibly walke in wayes of opposition to the Father as he shines forth in creatures or â— he shines forth out of man weakly but â— that sins against that body in whom the Fâ—ther dwels bodily shall not be forgiven A man may sin against other sons and â— forgiven but he that sins against this belâ—ved son this holy Ghost this strength â— the Father shall never be forgiven By the word He or whosoever doth sinâ— is not meant here the creature man but the man of sin or powerfull serpent within the flesh for this strong wicked man fights against the strength of heaven this would nâ— have the spirit to dwel in flesh bodily why because he himself would dwel there wouâ—â— have the spirit to be under his proud feet therefore there is an irreconcilable difference between the man of sin the serpent and the man of righteousnes the Spirit both striving to dwell in man but the spirit will prove the stronger Qu. But if it must only be the cursed one in me that shal be destroyed I le live as I list I shal be saved An. Know this that this body of sin and the flesh is so nearly wrapped each in other that before the spirit hath parted them thou shalt roar in bitternesse and wish thou hadst never been borne and the more familiarity thou hast had with thy cursed lust the sharper will thy torments be the foundâ—r cannot burn away the drosse but must burn the gold too in the fire Qu. But if you take it Spirit Father Son and holy Spirit and leave the word Ghost out as to be a declaration of the Father as some say Answ Then the Spirit doth declare holy breathing as when man was first made his maker breathed into him the breath of life and man became a living soul so that the spirit in the man is the life and breath of God in the man and so a holy spirit And in this sense likewise the man of sin the powers of the curse in man seeke to deâ—troy the light life and breathing of God in man but he must be destroyed under the feet of the spirit who will dwell himself in his own house which house is man Qu. But
may rest no longer upon words without knowledge but hereafter may look after that spirituall pâ—wer and know what it is that rules them and which doth rule in and over all and which they call their God and Governour or preserver And this I hope will be a sufficient accompt why I alter the word what here followes may give more light into the thing Gerrard Winstanly Reade and judg let flesh be silent let the Spirit be honored TRUTH LIFTING UP HIS HEAD ABOVE SCANDALS I Have said That whosoever worships God by hear-say as others tels thâ—m knowes not what God is from light within himselfe or that thinks God is in the heavens above the skyes and so prayes to that God which he imagines to be there and every where but from any testimony within he knowes not how nor where this man worships his owne imagination which is the Devill But he that is a true worshipper must know who God is and how he is to be worâ—hipped from the power of light shining in him if ever he have true peace And from hence a report is raised and is frequent in the mouthes of the teachers That I deny God And therefore First I shall give account what I see and know is to be and let the understanding in heart judge me Qu. Wâ—at is God Ans. I answer He is the incomprehensible spirit Reason who as he willed that the Creation should flow out of him so he governes the whole Creation in righteousnesse peace and moderation And from hence he is called The Lord because there is none above him And he is called The Father because as the whole creation came out of him so he is the life of the whole creation by whom every creature doth subsist Qu. When can a man call the Father his God Ans. When he feels and sees by experience that the spirit which made the flesh doth governe and rule King in his flesh And so can say I rejoyce to feele and see my flesh made subject to the spirit of righteousnesse Qu. But may not a man call him God till hee have this experience Ans. No For if he doe he lyes and there is no truth in him for whatsoever rules as King in his flesh that is his God As for example If pride envy frowardnesse hypocrisy uncleanesse feare of men more then feare of God or covetousnesse If all or any one of these rule and governe thee either all or any one of these is thy God and so thou worships the flesh and that Devill is thy God And the spirit of righteousnesse is not thy God for thou dost not yet submit unto him Qu. But I hope that the Father is my Governor and therefore may I not call him God Ans. Hope without ground is the hope of the hypocrite thou canst not call him God till thou be able in pure experience to â—ay Thy flesh is subject to him for if thy knowledge be no more but Imagination or â—houghts it is of the Devill and not of the â—ather or if thy knowledge be meerly from what thou hast read or heard from others it â— of the flesh not of the spirit Qu. When then may I call him God or the mighâ— Governour and doe not descend my selfe Ans. When thou art by that spirit made â— see him rule and governe not onely in â—ee but in the whole creation so that thou â—eâ—s and sees that the spirituall power that â—â—vernes in thee hath a community in thee â—â—th the whole globe and thou art made subject to that spirit of righteousnesse peace meeknesse and love who doth subject all things to himselfe and brings all things into a one-nesse Now thou mayst call him God warrantably for thou knowest him to be the mighty governour And that the government of the whole creation is upon the shoulders of that spirit to which thou art maâ—e experimentally subject Waite upon him till he teach thee All that reade doe not understand the spirit only sees truth and lives in it Qu. But how shall I know the spirit of the Father so that I may call him God Ans. The spirit of the Father is pure Reason which as he made so he knits the whole creation together into a one-nesse of life and moderation every creature sweetly in love lending their hands to preserve each other and so upholds the whole fabrique Qu. Where doth this Reason dwell which yoâ— call Father and Lord of all Ans. He dwels in every creature according to the nature and being of the creature but supreamely in man Therefore man iâ— called a Rationall creature and the well-beloved son of the Father because by hiâ— creation he is to live in the light of Reason But when he acts unrighteously he lives without Reason and so contrary to his creation as a man But when he acts righteously then he lives in Reason and Reason in him and so according to his creation to the honour of his Maker Qu. Give some example how Reason made and governes the creation Ans. Take these among many and yet you shall finde that the further you dive into Reason the more incomprehensible hee will appeare for he is infinite in wisdome and mighty in power past finding out by flesh till the flesh be made to see light in his light The clouds send downe raine and there is great undeniable reason in iâ— for otherwise the earth could not bring fâ—â—â—â— grasse and fruit The earth sends forth gâ—â—sse or else cattle could not be preserved The cattle feed upon the grasse and there is Reason in it for else man could not be preserved The Sunne gives his light and heate or else the creation could not subsist So that the mighty power Reason hath made these to give life and preservation one to another Reason makes a man to live moderately and peaceably with all he makes a man just and righteous in all his actings he kils frowardnesse envy and pride in a man and why where lyes the Reason Because this man stands in need of others and others stand in need of him and therefore makes a man to doe as he would be done unto Indeed Reason is of such a mighty power that when he rules King in the flesh he governes all things in righteousnesse and there is no complainings or cryings out against oppression There is nothing but unreasonablenesse in all the powers of the flesh as in coveteousnesse pride envy and the like and hereby the flesh brings misery and ruine upon it self But pure and perfect Reason makes every thing to sing and rejoice in righteousnesse When this King reignes the City is glad Qu. What Reason is there that I should have such temptations within and afflictions without Ans. Reason sees it fit you should be befitted by your owne lusts which you have chose to delight in that hereby you being inwardly tormented and shamed you may be drawne to owne and submit to the spirit that gives peace and liberty and so for ever after
breathing Here is Father Son and uncleane spirit or King and Beast and bottomlesse pit Three names but one power of darknesse filling the earth and corrupting the creation more and more All this is but the first man that Reason would have to governe the earth Qu. Why doth the Father suffer this first man to fill the earth so abundantly with unrighteousnesse Ans. For two reasons First That mankinde may see that though it spring up to an innumerable multitude of sonnes and daughters all living upon creature objects not upon the spirit are but still the one first man that wearied out himselfe in vaine and finds no true peace thereby Secondly That the second man may have the more glory when in the fulnesse of time he shall come and pull the Kingdome out of the first mans hand and tread him under foot and rule righteously in flesh himselfe Yea and to begin this great worke when all the nations of the earth are filled with the wit and strength of the first man who fights against the rising up of the Second man with violence and therefore is it said when the Son of man comes shall he finde faith on earth No he must bring it along with him and new spirit the creation Qu. What Are all troubles sinnes and sorrowes the worke of the first man Ans. Two things are to be observed in the first man First his revolt from the spirit in making choyce to live upon the creation and not upon the spirit and hereby now the law of Reason is broke And this is one thing that such as are of the generation of the first mans flesh doth doe Secondly Note the misery that this first man flesh doth bring upon himselfe by so doing he puls crosses and sorrowes within upon himselfe and troubles without for his unrighteous breath corrupts the aire and raises hurtfull winds and weather and his unrighteous flesh corrupts the earth and causes it to send forth hurtfull crops and poysonous Vipers these are the fruits of his earthy choyce and labours and therefore when you see misery in the world then say this is the fruit of living upon the creatures and not upon the spirit Well From the beginning to this day Reason hath suffered the first man to reigne and to fill the earth therefore is it said The first man is of the earth earthy and he fils the earth as one beane multiplying every yeare fils the earth with that graine which is but the multiplication of it selfe Adam or first man is looked upon in a three-fold sense First Adam or first man that went astray from his Maker which lived upon earth many thousand yeares agoe which the eyes of every man is upon Secondly Every man and woman that live upon the objects of the creation and not in and upon the spirit that made the creation is a sonne and daughter of the first man and being put altogether make up but the one first man so that we may see Adam every day before our eyes walking up and downe the street But Thirdly I see the two Adams in every man The first Adam hath his time to rule first in me when the chiefe powers in me leads me forth to looke after objects and to delight in them more then in the spirit And this first man must act his part in me till the fulnesse of time come that the Father is pleased that the second Adam Christ shall come and take the Kingdome out of his hand and deliver me from his bondage and so rule King of righteousnesse for ever after in mee Qu. What is the second man or second Adam Ans. He is a preparer likewise to hold forth three clear names in one perfect power of life who is called the well-beloved Son for this Son is said to be the Lord from heaven or a mighty man governing the earth in righteousnesse from the strength of pure Reason not placing his delight upon the objects of the creation as the first man did But upon the enjoyment of that mighty power that made the creation and that upheld it by himselfe Qu. Is this second man one single person Ans. First This second man is a meek spirit drawn up to live in the light and strength of pure Reason Now as the first man ruling in flesh drew mankinde from his maker so this second man ruling in flesh drawes mankinde back againe to his maker And this second man is called a man anointed or mankind living in the light and strength of pure Reason the essentiall Father And so the whole bulke of mankinde when they shall be drawne up to live in the unity of the one spirit is the second man every son and daughter of this spirit is of the lynage of the second man Qu. But shall this second man fill the earth as the first man did Answ Yes Reason hath so determined that as the first man filled the earth with unrighteousnesse and corrupted all So this second shall take the Kingdom in the latter dayes and raign King of righteousnesse in flesh and spread as far in restoring al things as the first man corrupted all things Q. But hath this second man never ruled the earth Answ He hath appeared in the earth but the first man having a limited time given him by the Father would never let him risâ— up to rule but still pressed him downe by persecution or death he did never generally rule over the earth as the first man hath done but hath still been as a servant Qu. But is his time now to come to rule the earth and fill it with himself Answ Yes and shall have as large a priviledge to sill the earth as the first man had surely and he wil change times and customâ— fil the earth with a new law wherin dwels righteousnes and peace And justice and judgment shal be the upholders of his kingdom And he shal fill the earth with himself as a corn of wheat multiplying every yeare fils the earth with that graine so that all live in the light and strength of pure Reason in righteousnes are but the sons daughters of the second man And being looked upon in the bulke they being made to be all of one heart and one spirit They are but the second man still that fils all and is in all though they overspread the earth And this is the generation of the second man or second Adam mankinde living in and upon his maker from the power within himself Qu. What are those three names which this second man declares to be one perfect power of life First the Father Reason that made all things before the creation was brought forth he was not known Secondly the Son and this is that part of the creation that holds him purely forth to the view of others Now truth begins to shine and Reason begins to be honoured by an humane body so that here is Father and Son Thirdly when the whole earth is filled with