and Spirit in his People is one in its kind or Nature with himself he being the Fountain of it and it of himself it cannot contradict him or itself in the several Measures Manifestations Dispensations of it in those who receive it believe and obey it For if it should or could do so then God by it would be rendered the Author of Confusion and not of Peace in all the Churches of the Saints which to believe or suppose is very highly blasphemous against him and directly contrary to the holy Apostles Doctrine who saith God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace in all the Churches of the Saints The same Apostle saith The Fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness Righteousness und Truth proving what is acceptable unto the Lâ—rd And he exhorted the Saints saying Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them To those who walked in the Spirit and Light of God he said Walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us To these also he said Ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Lighi in the Lord walk as Children of the Light See Eph. 5. Again he saith The Fruits of the Spirit is Love Joy and Peace Long suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law and they that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with its Affections and Lusts If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit let us not be desirous of vain Glory provoking one another envying one another Again he saith The Works of the Flesh are manifest which are Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Darâ—ance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revellings and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in times past that they that do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5. Again the holy Apostle John in the Holy Ghost saith He that saith he is in the Light and hates his Brother is in Darkness even until now he that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light and there is none occasion of Stumbling in him But he that hateth his Brother is in Darkness and walketh in Darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that Darkness hath blinded his Eyes If a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a Lyar this Commandment have we from him that he who loveth God loveth his Brother also See 1 John 4. My dear Friends Observe That where the Fruits of the Spirit and Light of God and Christ are wanting in those who profess the same to be their Teacher Ruler and Orderer and contrariwise the Fruits or Works of the Flesh do appear this is a plain proof that their saying they are taught lâ—d and governed by the Spirit and Light of God and Christ is very notoriously false yea blasphemous against God Christ and his Divine Light and Spirit For when Christ told his Disciples that false Prophets Anti-Christs Deceivers c. should come saying Beware of false Prophets which come to you in Sheeps Cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves he said Ye shall know them by their Fruits Do men gather Grapes of Thorns or Figs of Thistles Even so every good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit but a corrupt Tree bringeth forth evil Fruit. A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit Every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Wherefore by their Fruits ye shall know them Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven See Math. 7. 15. and 24. Again he saith Many false Prophets shall arise and shall deceive many And because Iniquity shall abound the Love of many shall wax cold But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and Wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. See Matth. 24. 11 12 13 24. see Mark 13. 22. he repeating the same words of Christ and there he saith Take heed I have told you before Observe Christ's Promise to the faithful chosen Elect notwithstanding all the deceiveableness of unrighteousness which then did now doth or hereafter may work in the Instruments of Satan by feigned Words or fair or flattering Speeches false signs or lying wonders whereby he lieth in wait to betray and deceive by which he hath prevailed upon some unstable unwatchful unfaithful and therefore unskilful Souls who are not acquainted with the depths of Satan speaking in his Agents yet can he not in his Agents deceive the Elect the chosen of God Observe all that are convinced of the truth and come to some degree of Obedience to it are not come to the settled State of Election although they are come to a sight and feeling of the Spirit of Christ in whom the Election stands in which State it is impossible to be deceived Let not the weakest amongst the Believers in and Obeyers of the Light of Christ Within be discouraged at these sayings for as they keep to the Light God the Fountain of it will keep them from falling God set Adam in a State of Innocency in which it was possible for him to stand yet it was not impossible for him to fall for we both read and believe he did fall he could not stand in his own strength but in the strength of the Lord his Maker through want of his diligent attendance and waiting upon God his Maker for preservation he fell under the power of the Deceiver But Christ who never fell spake of a State brings those who continue diligent watchful into it which is beyond that as his forecited words do plainly imply The Apostles writ unto the Believers in the Light of Christ thus viz. Wherefore Brethren give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. 10. Read the Chapter through c. Again he saith Beware lest ye being led away with the Errour of the wicked fall from your own Stedfastness But grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Christ to him be Glory now and for ever Amen Chap. 3. 17 18. Again Juâ—e writes thus Now to him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen Jude 24 25. read the Epistle throughout Observe further that the Settled State of Election where deceit cannot enter is not a State above or beyond Watchfulness and the holy Fear of God the Son of God himself in the daies of his Flesh watched and
Fourthly Observe Christ calls those that were to be fed Lambs and Sheep which signifies they were not of a Woolfish or Dogish Nature or Spirit that is Bitter Cruel and Ravenous but as Lambs and Sheep they were meek and â—uâ—et Oh that all the professors of the Light of Christ within were such then would not some of them cause such dishonour to the Lord as they do neither would they cause such grief and travel to the faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Peace as they do Again Paul writ to Timothy thus viz. take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrine continue in them for in doeing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 16. read the Chapter throughout The same Apostle to the Church of the Thessalonians writ thus viz. Now we Command you Bretheren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition which ye received of us c. 2 Thess 3. 6. Again he writ thus viz. We Exhort you Brethren warn them that are unruly or disorderly Comfort the feeble minded support the weak be patient towards all men I Charge you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy Brethren the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen 1 Thess 5. 14 to the end And to the Thessalonians again he saith in his second Epistle viz. for we hear that there are some among you which walk Disorderly working not at all but are busi-bodies Now them that are such we Command and Exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with Quietness they Work and Eat their own Bread but ye Brethren be not Weary in well Doing and if any man obey not our word by this Epistle Note that man and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an Enemy but Admonish him as a Brother Now the Lord of Peace himself give you peace always by all meanes the Lord be with you all 2 Thess 3. 11 to the End Observe here if any of these to whom Paul wrote and to whom he Charges his Epistle to be Read should have called his Epistle his rotten Orders his Edicts mans Prescriptions Imposition upon Conscience Innovations or Apostacy and such like could he or any other of the faithful in Christ Jesus have owned such therein to be Brethren in the Unity and fellowship of the Gospel or could he or they have owned such words and sayings aâ— these to be the fruit of the Divine Light and Spirit of Christ within as applyed tâ— the faithful in Christ Jesus Oh Certainly Nay Concerning the form of the Apostles Doctrine c. The Apostle writ thus to the beleiving Obedient Romans viz. But God be thanked ye have obeyed from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was delivered unto you Note here that it was the Apostles Joy that they obeyed that forme of sound Doctrine which was delivered to them for this he thanked God he was not of the mind of some who formerly as also some of late were and have been who under the profession of the Light within and its teaching have spoken preached or written that the way of Gods People must or ought or may be as the way of a Serpent upon a rock or as the way of a ship on the Sea which leaves noe formâ— or Impression behind them this neither was nor is the way of Gods People either under his Law or Gospel but the way of an Adulterous woman as it is written Prov. 30. 19 20. And further observe Stedfastness of the true Christians in the Apostles Doctrine viz. And they Continued Stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship Acts 2. 42. Moses the man of God and the holy Prophets Christ and his holy Apostles left good forms of Doctrine in sound words behind them under the several Dispensations of God in which they Lived which is contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth which form of sound Words and Doctrines are both Comfortable and Profitable to the man of God in this day and will be to the People of God in Ages to come and it is gross Darkness and Spiritual Blindness that is come upon them who have spoken Preach or believe that the way of Gods People must be as the way of a Serpent on a Rock or as the way of a Ship in the Sea which leaves now Impresion or form behind it It were to be desired ineed that the Devil and Wicked men might leave â—â— form or Impression of their wickedness behind them seeing their wicked formes others are Apt to follow them in to their own hurt and danger of Eternal Ruine God Almighty in his own Appointed time will root out and destroy all the wicked formes of Imaging speaking and Acting wickedly which the Devil in whom there is no Truth hath led men and women into by which he hath led them to destroy themselves and each other Concerning the Commands of the Apostles of Christ whiâ—h they gave not of Themselves or by their own Power but by and in His Power Wisdom Strength and Authority for they were His Ambassadors over them He Reigned in them He spake and gave Commands who is Head of His Church and One in the Male and Female THe Apostle Paul writing to the Church at Corinth concerning the Things that were Not in good Order amongst them writing of many things in his First Epistle to them in the 14 Chapter concludes thus If any Man thinks himself to be a Prophet or Spiritual let him know that the things That I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord. Let all Things be done Honestly Desently and in Order vers â—7 and 40. Again the Apostle writing to the Church of the Thessalonians writ thus viz. We beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as you have Received of us how you ought to walk and please God so you would abound more and more for you know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus for this is the Will of God even your Sanctification That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour Not in the Lusts of Concupiscence as other Gentiles that know not God that No Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter because the Lord is the Avenger of such as we have forewarned and testified for God hath not called us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness He therefore who despiseth despiseth not Man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thess 4. 1. to the 9th Again the Apostle Paul writes thus to the Thessalonians viz. We have Confidence in the Lord touching you that you both do and will do the things which we Command you Now we Command you Brethren that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh Disorderly and not after the Traditions or Ordinances which ye
Philip. 3. 15 16 17. Observe here It was the Apostles belief that if any among the Believers in the Light were of another mind than he was in any thing that he in the Light practised God would reveal the same unto them also they abiding stedfast with the Light to which they were turn'd and as he believed so do we believe in this matter 'T is possible that some persons who are turned to the Light of Christ within who have believed and in some measure obeyed the same who in many things have Unity with the most antient grown and establish'd of the Children of the Light yet in some things may not be so opened and clear in their Understandings as to see them and joyn in Faith in the practice of them We believe and therefore say That if such abide in the Light faithful to what they know God will reveal these things unto them And we believe and therefore say They keeping in the Light it will keep them from contending against or opposing others in the practice of that which God has revealed to them and required of them What is not of Faith is sin as saith the Apostle Such therefore that are weak in the Faith we ought not to reject but to receive though not to doubtful Disputations but to hear their infirmities or weaknesses to be good Examples to them and to make intercession to God for them and to hold forth Truth to them in sound Doctrine that they may be strengthened with his glorious power in their Inward man and that he may increase their Faith and more and more fill them with that Wisdom and Knowledge which is pure and peaceable from above But observe where persons have been long convinced and are become Teachers of others and by their so doing would be look'd upon to be Elders wise and strong shall under the profession of the Light oppose and teach others to oppose the faithful Followers of Christ in things which they practise in the Faith of Christ accompanied with his Power and a good Understanding This Case is greatly differing from the before-mentioned For these will not grant that their refusing the practice of some things and the opposing the Practisers thereof proceeds from weakness or short-sightedness through their Infancy in the knowledge of the Truth Much less that it proceeds from Apostacy and Rebellion the latter of which is true upon some in our Age but these give out reviling Speeches against the Faithful calling them Apostates and many other evil names which I here omit to mention having no pleasure to repeat them Observe we are of the Apostles Faith and Judgment who writ thus to the Church at Galatia Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Bear ye one anothers burthens and so fulfil the Law of Christ See Gal. 6. 1 2. read the Chapter through Christ our Souls Bishop hath taught us how to seek to restore those that commit Offences against him and his People and several hath been so sought and recovered out of the Snare in which they were taken and others so sought have not been gained but have persisted in their evil doing until God has ceased any longer to strive with them through his Servants and then his Servants have witnessed against them and declared their disunion with them according to Christs command and some such being declared against as aforesaid have appeared in great wrath against us like the raging Waves of the Sea foming out their own shame but we pity them and should greatly rejoyce on their behalf if they could yet find a place of repentance and return for 't is true which Christ saith Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth c. Again it is true which the Apostle James writ Brethren if any of you do erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins Jam. 5. 19 20. Again to them that say they do not see as aforesaid hear what Christ saith by his Angel to the Church in Laodicea viz. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked I counsel thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white rayment that thou mayest be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see as many as I love I rebuke chasten Be zealous therefore and repent behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me c. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 3. 14. to the end 1. Observe this Church or Congregation was gathered into the Profession of Christ and his Light within 2. Observe how greatly they were mistaken concerning their own state and condition a most gross and lamentable Errour were they in as the before-cited words of Christ do plainly shew They were puffed up with Self-conceit that they wanted nothing when in reality and truth they Wanted all things that should have rendered them to be that which they professed to be Namely such who were Compleat in Christ Jesus the Head of His Church who is the fulness who Cloaths his Members with the Robes of his own Righteousness and fills them with the bright Beams of his Divine Light so that they see clearly and he fills their Hearts with the Riches of his Grace in the abundance of which their Hearts and Souls pour forth Praises and Thanksgiving to the Lord God and the Lamb who is Worthy for evermore 3. Observe Though their State was so miserable yet in his tender Mercy he calls them to Repentance Oh consider this thou Back-slider whoever thou art and let the sence thereof seize upon thee and break thy Heart Repent and Turn to the Lord with whom is forgiveness 4. Observe How Christ charges this Congregation to be blind and being blind they could not see their State as it was but in their blind Self-conceit said It was What it was not 5. Observe That these blind Self-conceited ones while they remained such could not see that to be their Duty which the Children of Light saw to be theirs 6. Observe That we do not here read that these blind self-conceited Laodiceans did so oppose the Children of Light in their Faithful Obedience to it as some do oppose in our day we do not read they called them Apostates 7. Observe That some blind Self-conceited ones in our Age have appeared worse than they who are not contented with that ungodly
contemn that which the Light or Spirit of Truth hath spoken and dictated to write in its servants and Children for the Profit Edification Confirmation Establishment comfort of the Body which Thousands being Children of the Light have gladly received and finds the great comfort and profit of These are not the Lights Children these do not walk in it though they talk of it and though some of them may be full of self-confidence that they walk in it and that they are discerning Persons Wise Strong c. yet this is their great mistake herein they shew their spiritual darkness blindness nakedness miserableness Laodician like Fourthly Again Observe That the Apostles who had turned the people to the Light and Spirit of Truth within who were thereby gathered into Congregations or Churches did afterward write the several Epistles to the several Churches and therein gave to them Commands Doctrines Instructions Exhortations Admonitions and sometimes sharp Reproofs and Rebukes as the Lord by his Light and Spirit moved in them according to the several States and Conditions of those they writ to the Apostle Exhorts Timothy viz. them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5. 20. Again Reprove Rebuke Exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4. 2. Again he writ to Titus viz. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority let no man dispise thee Titus 2. 15. And again Wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the Faith it is rendered out of the Greek in the Margent Cutingly touching to the quick Titus 1. 13. Here take notice that Reproofs and Rebukes are commanded of the Lord and profitable in their season though it sometimes comes to pass that those who are seasonably reprooved and rebuked do not seasonably and rightly receive the same but turns against it in Self-justification and into Enmity against those who in the Councel of God give it unto them for their good in some such is that Proverb verified Reprove a fool and he will hate thee but a wise man and he will love thee Fifthly Observe Timothy and Titus were Overseers made so by the Holy Ghost Spirit and Light therein to watch over the Saints for their good to Minister to them from time to time whether by Word or Epistle what was needful and profitable for them we do not read in the Scripture of Truth nor believe that these two Overseers did reject Paul's Epistles written to them or call them Man's Edicts Man's Decrees Prescriptions or put any such contemptable names upon them but on the contrary we believe they received them in Love and obeyed the good Counsel Charge and Exhortations therein given them we do not read nor believe that these two Ministers of Christ did plead their Place and Office in the Body and Church of Christ to Exclude and Reject Paul's Epistles to them which he gave forth in the Light and motion of the Holy Ghost we do not read nor believe that they said to Paul we deny thy Forms Dâ—deâ—s Prescriptions c. we are Ministers of the Gospel as well as thee thy Epistles are of no use or service to us why dost thou seek to impose them upon us the Holy Ghost and Light within by which we are made Overseers is sufficient for us away with thy Orders The Apostle Paul writ thus to Timothy viz. These things write I unto thee being to come to thee shortly but if I carry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 14 15. Behold here Paul in this Epistle Instructs Timothy who was an Overseer in the Church how to behave himself in it we do not read nor believe that this Overseer in the Church did Reject Paul's Instruction herein or that he pleaded the Sufficiency of the Light within in opposition to Paul's Advice and Instruction but we do believe that he saw in the Light the Instruction given to be good and profitable for him and therefore gladly received the same Now if these Overseers in the Holy Ghost could see a Service to them in Paul's Epistles which certainly they did then there certainly was a Service in his other Epistles to the Novices Paul who in the Light and Holy Ghost taught the Elders by his Epistles to them he also taught the Younger by his other Epistles though both of them knew and obeyed the Light within in it they saw the good use profit and comfort of them and therefore did not contend against them but chearfully received them and obeyed the Councel of the Lord therein given or young Schollars weak in the Faith feeble minded c. Upon all which Observe That neither these strong men Overseers in the Churches nor the younger who walked in the Light of Christ did plead their being taught by the Light of Christ or Holy Ghost within in opposition to their being Taught Exhorted and Instructed by the Instrumental helps of those Epistles which Paul and other of the Apostles writ to them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost I do Advise and Exhort those professors of the Light within who are offended at some profitable and wholsome Epistles given forth by some of the most ancient and faithful of the Children of Light in this Age concerning good Order and Government in the Church of Christ to read the two Epistles to Timothy and that to Titus and Peter's Exhortations to the Elders or Overseers to fâ—ed the Flock of God over which the Holy Ghost had made them Overseers which take as followeth viz. The Elders which are among you I Exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the sufferings of Christ and also partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Examples to the Flock and when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away likewise ye Younger subm't your selves unto the Elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be cloathed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth grace to the Humble humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may Exalt you in due time casting all your care upon him for he careth for you Be sober be 〈…〉 or watchful because your Adversary the Devil walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in the Faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World But the God of all Grace who hath called us into his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stabtish strengthen settle you To him be Glory for ever and ever Amen 1 Pet.
and the Salvation of your Souls are so very greatly concerned O Friends Be all as willing to follow and obey this Spiritual Divine Light as you are to profess it and talk of it for if there be not a Walking in it the Profession of it will be in vain For after the Light of Christ Within be known and Good and Evil made known by it if the Creature do not yield Obedience to it in forsaking the Evil and embracing following and doing that which is Good then his sin becomes more grievous to Almighty God than before for as 't is written In the time of Ignorance God winked but after the Gospel the Power of God is preached to and in the Creature which hath been subjected by Satan under sin in the Bondage of Corruption and by which the Creatures Heart and Soul is in some degree quickened and opened to know what God requireth of it If then it do not deny Self take up its Cross against the Devil and Self then its Opposition and Disobedience to the Divine Gospel-Light God accounts the Sin of stebellion which is as Witchcraft from which the Lord God of all our Mercies and Blessings deliver and preserve you Into this State of Misery were the foolish Galatians faln to whom the Apostle Paul wrote and after he had sharply reprehended them for their Backsliding and Unfaithfulness he travelled again on their behalf that Christ might be formed in them And as their Backsliding became matter of great Sorrow and deep Exercise to him the like hath befaln the ancient and faithful Labourers in the peaceable Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our age for some for as he was sent to turn the People from Darkness to the Divine Spiritual Light of God and Christ from the Power of Satan who had imbondaged them in sin to God whose Power is Almighty breaking the Power of Satan down and delivering the Creature by its powerful working out of the bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God Even so hath the Lord God Almighty and Merciful sent his faithful Servants in this Age to turn People from Darkness unto Light from the Power oâ— Satan unto God that through the working of the glorious Power of God in their In ward Man they might receive true Faith and Repentance and so might receive the Forgiveness of their Sins past in the name of Jesus Christ through the forbearance of God and not only so but also by the same power to know Redemption out of Sin from the Power of Satan who led them into it and so come into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God This glorious work of Restauration hath the Lord in his tender Mercy begun and effectually carried on in Thousands Glory be given unto him for the same and for all his tender Mercies for he is worthy But as it was in the Apostles days so is it in ours there were some then who after they had tasted of the Heavenly Gift and power of the World to come and thereby had known the beginning of the work of true Faith and Repentance and the Exercise of a good Conscience yet through their Slothtulness Negligence and multiplied Disobedience Rebellion they came to make Shipwrack of the Faith which God had given them and to put away a good Conscience which God by his powerful Spirit had wrought in them Of this sort the Apostle Peter writ saying It had been better they had never known the way of Truth than after they have known it to depart from the holy Commandment delivered to them But saith he it is come to pass according to the true Proverb The Dog is returned to his own Domit and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire Jude Peter writ of these and such like salse Apostles deceitful Workers saying They are Wells without Water Clouds without Rain carried about of Tempests wandring Stars to whom is reserved the Mist of darkness for ever Trees whose Fruit is witherâ—d without Fruit twice dead plucked up by the sâ—oâ—ts Such were they whom the Apostle Paul writ of saying Acts 20. 30. and 2 Pet. 2. 2. Men shall arise among your selves speaking perverse things and shall draw Disciples after them through whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of I say as it is was then so is it come to pass in our days diverse Persons who have come among us in a Profession of the Pure Unchangeable Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ who for some time did in some Measure know it and obeyed it they have turned into Rebellion against it and such have and do now make War against the Children of it who walk in it in whom the pure peaceable Fruits of it do appear And this some Men have done and do under the Profession of it and a specieus pretence of Love to it this is abominable Deceit yea the deceivableness of Unrighteousness which worketh in them which hath been wrought in them by Satan because they have not kept in true Love and Obedience unto the Spiritual Light of Christ the Son of God to which they were turned They have not kept in the Godly Fear not in true Humility therefore hath Satan the Prince of Darkness and King over all the Children of Pride darkned their Understandings adulterated their Affections and corrupted their Wills Thus by him they are prepared and used as Instruments for him against the Lord and his Divine Light Grace and Spirit under the Profession of the same Such by professing and using the words of Truth have and do deceive the Hearts of the Simple God Almighty hath Confounded the work of such in our Age we have seen it and do give Glory to him for the same We do believe that he will confound such Evil works and that the Instruments thereof will be eternally miserable if they do not find a place of Repentance which to see them find would be matter of great Comfort to us Several Persons have gone out of the Truth under specious Pretences of Greater Manifestations of God and Attainments and Growth in the way of Righteousness than they were come to whom they turned against And through those false Pretences they have drawn some tender-hearted well meaning Persons from the Divine Light and Fellowship in it into evil Imaginations and unrighteous Jealousies concerning the faithful Ministers of Christ and their Labour of Love for the Glory of God and the Peace Unity Preservation and Eternal Good of his People But the Lord God in Mercy hath given several who were thus hurt to see how the hurt came upon them and hath recovered them out of the Snare wherein they were subtilly taken blessed be his holy Name for the same and we hope that he will visit and restore such well-meaning Persons who are taken and yet held in such like Snares though some who are turned aside after Satan may grow worse and worse as others
have done before them until God cut them off in his Anger as he hath done such like already My dear Friends you who have anciently been turned to the Divine Light of Christ who have and do walk in it you know what I have here briefly touched at is true and you in this divine Light may see the Old Enemy of our Peace pure Christian Fellowship Unity at work against the same under a Profession of the Light to darken and draw persons from it into the works of Darkness And thus as in the Apostles days he hath and doth transform himself as like an Angel of Light as he can how should he appear like an Angel of Light if he should in words deny the Light of Christ Within Man and Woman The Apostle writing of false Apostles saith thus viz. For such False Apostles are deceitful Workers and fashion themselves like unto the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is changed into the fashion of an Angel of Light Therefore is it no great thing though his Ministers fashion themselves as though they were the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their Deeds Thus 't is rendered in 2 Cor. 10. Old Translation Printed in 1566. O consider of it all such whom it concerns And how should the False Apostles in the True Apostles days have transformed themselves like unto them if they should have in Words denied the Light of Christ Within though in Works they did Seeing Christ's Command was and is to believe in the Light and walk in at that Men and Women might then may now and hereafter be Children of the Light as the faithful Followers of the Light then were and now are The great Message and Work of John Baptist and the Apostles Paul John Peter and the rest was to bear witness of the Light and to turn People to it that they might all believe in it and obey and walk therein that they might be saved Now for Satan to send his Apostles or Preachers amoâ—gst us to seek to deceive us if they should come blaspheming against the Light of Christ Within mocking and scoffing at it as many dark Preachers and Professors of this Age do who have been bred up in Darkness and Ignorance from their Youth who yet never understood what the Light of Christ Within is he were not like to prevail upon those who have been turned to it and have had their Hearts tendered and in some measure opened by it But if he come under a Profession of it and his Ministers confessing it and in words owning of it professing to be taught and led by it in their talking of it and in the rest of their Conversation especially if they do keep out of the common gross Debaucheries that are in the World then they are like to prevail upon such who do not faithfully watch in the Light which maketh all things manifest as they are Christ hath commanded us to Watch and pray lest we fall into the Temptation of the Devil He said to his Disciples What I say unto one I say unto all watch The holy Prophet said I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak Peace to his People and to his Saints but let them not turn again to folly O blessed are all they who so do they are the Children of the Wisdom that comes down from above their Eye being kept single to God they are kept by his mighty Power through Faith so that they shall not stumble nor walk in the crooked ways of Satan which leads to the Chambers of Death even to take hold on Hell My Friends you who are anciently convinced of the blessed Truth as 't is in Christ Jesus our Lord and have kept your Habitations therein some of you may remember what great Evils some run into when they made a Profession of the Light of Christ Within and when they had so done and were reproved for it and admonished to repent and reform they would tell us We must leave them to their own Measures of the Light of Christ and what they did they were justified therein by it And such would say The Light Within is sufficient to teach us will not you leave us to it And when some had acted things which were evil and scandalous they would say That they were justified by the Light in them They would have persuaded us that the Light of Christ Within did lead them into those evil and confused disorderly Practices which they run into But the Lord Jesus Christ by his Light shewed us plainly that those things which they said the Light Within taught them led them into and justified them in were the Works and Fruits of Darkness proceeding through them from Satan who had betrayed and deceived them as he did Eve And as we then withstood those who blasphemed against the Divine Light of Christ Within by seeking to father their Works of Darkness upon it by rendering it the Author thereof so in the Light of Christ we do withstand those vain Talkers of the Light at this time whose Walking and Works are in Darkness and in the Light of Christ we testifie to the sufficiency of it against all Priests and Professors whatsoever who blaspheme against it calling it a Natural Insufficient Light c. Take notice Oh my Friends That Satan the Prince of Darkness and his dark wicked prophane Generation or Offspring long have and at this day do profess the great true and living God Christ Jesus whom he hath sent in Words but in Works they do deny both the Father and the Son And although Satan the Prince of Darkness may in some of his confused dark Instruments confess to and profess the Light of Christ Within yet he is still Satan the Adversary the Prince of Darkness and his Professing and Talking of the Light is only with design the more readily to prevail upon and destroy those who through Love to the Light delight to hear it spoken of and commended And Satan and his dark Instruments have done more harm to some such in their false feigned Profession Commendation of the Light than ever they did or could do by their direct opposition to it and blasphemous words against it My dear Friends Consider what our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles have testified concerning the only true God and left the same upon Record in the Scriptures of Truth Christs Testimony is That God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth The Apostle John's Testimony is That God is Light and in him there is no darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another c. Observe that this living true God who is a Spirit and Light is one God his Light
nor allowes of Oh Consider the sayings of Christ Strait is the Gate and Narrow is the Way that Leads to life c. and broad is the Gate and wide is the Way that Leadeth unto destruction and many there be that go in thereat but Labour ye To Enter in at the strait gate Many Ancient Faithful friends who have kept their habitations in the Light and their first Love therein to God the fountain of it and one to another have not forgotten what Exercisâ— was gone through Twenty Years ago and upward through the unsound Notions Doctrinâ— and Practices of some who not only professed the Light within but Largly talked and Preached in Commendation of it when they were out of it and in their works Enemies to it Oh how were some at unawars beguiled through their fair words fine speeches in their feigned Commendation of and in words Magnifying the Light within they told us in those dayes They were come to a greater Dispensation and Glory then we were in and they told us that we were in the form without the power and told us God would break our form and scatter us but they proved false Prophets for God hath broken them and scattered them but â—reserved and kept his People who have been kept by his Mighty power through Faith in the true form of Godliness while divers of them with their high and vain pretentions have not only been estranged from the Life and Power of Godlyness but also from the very form thereof turning into the Liberty and Lusts of the flesh and so became Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose minds went downward into the Earth and Earthly things from the Heavenly the Latter-end of such we have seen to be worse than their beginning though many that were so subtâ—ly prevailed upon and hurt in those days came through the tender Mercy of God to see the snare in which they were taken and came out of it and as it was then so will it be with respect to divers who through â—uâ—tâ—lty and at unawars for want of watchfulness in the Holy fear of God have been of late years and yet are ensnared and entangled as others were before them tho some whom Satan hath made use of to ensnare them may not return to the Lord by Repentance but be cut off in his displeasure And oh my friends and all you that profess the Light within to be your Teacher Consider doth not some at this time who profess the same Light within to be their Teacher pay Tithes to a Priest or â—riests go to a Pâ—â—â—â—â— to be married or be married by him use the unchristian Customs and fashons of the People of the Nation in their unsound speech and vain Complyments and some in their superfluous and needâ—â—s â—apparâ—â— and some in swearing and some in seeking to and complying with and trusting in the Arm of flesh for their security and do not these Cry we must be left to â—ur Liberty in these things We must havâ— Liberty of Concience and have Not some of them presumptuously said that the spirit or Light of God might allow them to do so and to cover and justifie themselves in this unchristian Liberty have not some of them sought to strain and wrest the afore cited sayings of the Apostles Concerning eating of Herbs Meats and the Observation of days and other parts of the Scripture of Truth Would not some straâ—â— and â—orest these Scriptures in our time to cover themselves in the aforesaid unchristian practices let Gods faithful witness in their own hearts speak in this Matter and let the words that have falen from the Mouthes of some of the professors of the Light within made publick of late Witness against them in this matter The Lord God said by the mouth of his Prophet Wo to the Rebellious Children that take Councell but not of me and that Cover with a Covering but not of my spirit that they may add sin unto sin Isa 30. 1. My tender desires are for all that profess the Light Spirit of God withtin that they may walk in it be covered by it that the woes of God they may Escape but the unruly loose and disorderly professors of it will not Ecape the woes and wrath of God if they do not unfeignedly Repent and amend their doings and Cease from their unchristian deeds which they have done and words which they have spoken against the Lord God Christ and his tender faithful servants who have Anciently and to this day do labour in the Word and Doctrine of the Gospel in turning many from darkness to Light from the power of Satan unto God and for their Preservation Confirmation and Establishment therein Something concerning Christian Order or Order in the Church of Christ THe Apostle writes thus God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace in all the Churches of the Saints Again he exhorts or commands saying Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. The Apostle James writes thus Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter Endyings and Strife in your Hearts glory not and lie not against the Truth This wisdom descendeth not from above but is Earthly Sensual Devilish for where Envy and Strife is there is Confusion and every evil work but the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated full of Mercy and of good Fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie and the fruit of Righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace James 3. 13. to the end Again Paul saith Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you c. and the rest will I set in order when I come 1 Cor. 11. 1 2 3 4. And again writing to Titus he saith For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee Titus 1. 5. read it through Again the Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth saith Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye 1 Cor. 16. 1. Observe here that all things were not set in order at once by the Apostles amongst the Believers and Professors of Christ but as the work of Faith Repentance and Regeneration was wrought in order by degrees even so good outward Order and Government they grew into gradually or by degrees so hath it been and is in our day with those who to the light of Christ are turned who therein wait and more and more follow on to know the Lord such do not build again the things which the Truth in them hath destroyed They
do not pay Tythes maâ—ry by a â—â—â—est or turn back into the sinful customs and vain glory of the world but they stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and hold fast the Truth which is their Crown that no man take it from them or them from it Now all you that are young in Truth and all others whom it concerns take notice that those whom God first turned from darkness to light in this our Age who became lovers and followers of it they thereby were led in the very morning or Infancy of their knowledge of the Light and the teachings of it to deny being Married by a Hriest and to deny paying of Tythes and to deny Swâ—aring to deny Envyings and Strife Wars and Fighting which are the fruits of the Flesh proceeding from the Lusts thereof and to deny the vain customs sinful Luâ—â—s and glory of the world to continue in the denyal of these is well pleasing to God And as it was with the faithful in the beginning or breaking out of the Gospel day amongst us so it is with the faithful now as with respect to their testimony in the denial of these things and God hath given great Increaâ—â— of his spiritual Treasures Riches and Blessings to those that have continued faithful since that time so that they are now nearer to the Lord than they were in the morning of the day and Infancy of their knowledge of him Glory to his Name for the same And thus it was with the Primitive Believers and Walkers in the Light as the Scriptures of Truth declare Now to such as say Things amongst us who profess the Light of Christ to be our Teacher are not as they were in the beginning I say â—ay as with respect to aâ—â— Persons professing the Light as aforesaid they are not nor yet with respect to divers things practised by the professors of the Light for the Faithful have grown from one degree of Grace to another and so from the practice of some good thingâ— to the practice of more good things having walked in the Light they have held what they had and gained more according to Christs promise who said He that is faithful in a little I will make him Ruler over much And there is to be a growing from strength to strength and from Glory to Glory from one degree of Grace to another till there be an appearing in Sion in perfect beauty till there be a coming to the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ to a perfect man in Christ Jesus This is accordiog to the Apostles Doctrine Who thus goes on gradually towards perfection are no Aâ—â—sâ—ates Backsliders or Drawers back to perdition but pressers forward for the complete Redemption of their Souls So these are in a better condition than they were in the beginning of their profession of the Spirit Truth and Light of Christ within As he saith â—very Scribe that is taught or instructed unto the Kingdom of God is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which bringeth out of his Treasure things new and old All that come to this State walking in the light as aforesaid they increase in good Order in the Power of God And again Christ saith Take heed what you hear c. And he said Whereunto shall we liken the Kingdom of God Or with what comparison shall we compare it It is like a Grain of Mustard-seed which when it is sown in the Earth is less than all the seeds that be in the Earth but when it is sown it groweth up and becometh greater than all Herbs and shooteth out great Branches see Mark 4. v. 24. to 32. Oserve here the Parables that Christ spoke concerning the Kingdom of God and the Increase of it Now as the Grain of Mustardseed is small but being sown in the Earth groweth gradually and in due season brings forth great increase of its own Nature and Kind even so the Heavenly spark or seed of life being believed in by man it takes root in his heart and grows gradually and in the Appointed season of the Father brings forth fruit first a little and afterwards more for Christ the living Vine said In this is my Father gloryfied that you bring forth much fruit I am the true vine my father is the husbandman Every branch that bringeth not forth fruit in me he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. And again he said So is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground and the seed should spring and grow up c. for the earth bringeth forth fruit of her self first the blade then the ear then the full corn in the ear Mark 4. v. 26. to 32. Again the Prophet Isaiah Prophesying of Christs Government and Kingdom writes thus For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given the Government shall be on his shoulder and his name shall be called wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace of the increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to Order it and to Establish it with Judgment and with Iustice from henceforth even for ever The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this see Isa 9. 6 7. Observe here the Parable of the Grain of Wheat cast into the Earth it first springs to the Blade secondly to the Ear thirdly to the full or ripe Corn in the Ear. Now it may be truly said that when the Grain of Wheat is sprung up to the Ear it is not as it was in the beginning of its growth into the Blade as with respect to the stature and growth of it for the second is greater than the first Again it may be said when it is grown to full ripe Corn in the Ear it is not as it was in the beginning of its growth into the Blade nor as it was when it was grown to the Ear but not ripe full or perfect Corn for the third degree of its growth was greater than the first or second though they proceeded of one seed and were of one kind and all good and beautiful in the order of their growth Now this Grain of Wheat and the fruit and product of it in the several degrees of the growth thereof to its perfection being made by Christ a Parable of the Heavenly Seed of God in the Hearts of his People and of the several degrees of its work and appearance in them and of thâ—ir several degrees of growth in it from their Infancy therein to their compleatness or ripe Age in Christ All you that profess to be the Generation or Off-spring of this Heavenly Seed Try and prove your selves in this matter be retired in the Spirit of your minds and with the Light you make profession of take a view of your States and Conditions and see whether your
and Light and therein waits upon him in it he will not be Limited by thee but will rebuke and Judge thee for thy presumptuous attempt behold the beautiful Creation the works of God in Heaven and Earth and the Order thereof and these will Teach thee better it is true what the Apostle hath writ The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the Invisible things of the Creation are clearly soon by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead so that they are with out excuse Rom. 1. 18 19 20 see the 21 22 23 24 25 26 to the end of the Chapter Observe here Gods Creation Heaven and Earth and the things therein are as a book wherein man and woman may read the wonderful works of God and the Glorious Order and Beauty of them all People being enlightened by Christ the divine word by whom God the Father made them all they believing in the Light of him in it they may see his wonderful power and wisdom in the bringing forth upholding and beautiful Order thereof God having enlightened all by his Word and Spirit which are one Calls all the Ends of the Earth to Look unto him he saith Look unto me O all ye ends of the Earth and be ye saved for I am God and there is None Else â— Mighty God and a Saviour they who believe in his Light and therein wait they come therein to see and have Unity with his glorious works in Heaven and in Earth and in their own Hearts and Souls and therein come to be made sensible of his bounty and kindness unto mankind in the Creating of them and setting them in their Beautiful Order and upholding them in the same and in the deep sence of these things Mans Heart becomes tender broken and humble within him and in this tender subjected humble frame of heart and mind he returns the Praise Honour Glory Dominion and Thanks unto him the great God and Creator of all things who is worthy of Glory Honour Obedience and Praise over all Heaven and Earth now and forever more Amen Something more particularly concerning the Order of Christ in his Church THE Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth writes thus viz. ye are the body of Christ and Members in particular and God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. see 1 Cor. 12. 27 28 29. Again he writes to the Church at Ephesus thus viz. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the Measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Ephess 4. 10 11 12. Observe here the Apostle shews the order particularly of the several gifts of God to the several Members of his Church which he gave them by the one Spirit in which gifts the several Members were appointed to serve him and eâ—ch other and as they all kept in their proper Gifts they did therein serve him and each other and the weakest Members of the Church also for whose service they received their Gifts The weak had and have the most need of the help and service of these gifts and as they all kept in the Exercise of their several gifts in the motion leading and guidance of Gods holy Spirit the root and fountain of them all they had all Unity therein one with another although their gifts did differ both in the manner of their working and in the measure or greatness of them so that there was an Harmony and Unity amongst them though they were many Members yet were but one body all in Subjection unto Christ the one head Secondly Observe the Apostles question are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. He doth not say they are the contrary is manifest neither are all the Members in the Church of Christ in this Age called appointed or ordained In their presant State to be Prophets Apostles or Teachers for these are peculiar or proper gifts given by the Lord God as and when he pleaseth according to the Counsel of his own will Thirdly Observe that by what I have said in this matter I only intend all the Members of the Church of Christ in their present State are not sent forth publickly with a message of Salvation to Preach to the Nations nor to Prophesie or Preach publickly in words the Doctrine of the Truth or Gospel of Christ nor are they all appointed of God to Prophesie and foretel things to come nor are they all made Teachers in a publick Ministry in Doctrine or Exhortation for these are peculiar or proper gifts given according to the Heavenly will and Counsell of God in his own time and season as I said before Fourthly Observe that though all the Members of the Body of Christ have not all or some of the aforesaid places in the body yet evâ—ry Member hath a place in the body and it is a precious and blessed thing for every Member to know its place and keep in it in its proper service whereto it s called of God but when any Member goes out of the Counsel of God and looks at anothers gift and goes out of his own proper place from his gift and service in the body striving in a wrong mind or zeal after others gifts Immitating them in words voice or sound or other visible or â—udabâ—e Motion or Action of the Creature or through a zeal without knowledge or by any other means whatsoever then such a Member hurts it self and grieves or offends the other more discerning Members of the body who sees and feels the out-going of the said Member Fifthly Observe it is the place and duty of the discerning Members of the body who see such out-goings tenderly in the Love and wisdom of God to speak to such in order to bring them to a sence of their out-going and to restore them into their place again if possible and to watch over them in Love for their preservation in it Sixthly Observe it is the duty of such who have been mistaken and gone out of their place as aforesaid to hear and receive Counsell of those who freely tender it to them in the Love of God several such in our day have had Counsell so given to them who have received it in the same Love which have tended greatly to their profit even to their settlement and Establishment with God and Unity with his People praised be the Lord God for the same Seventhly Observe that some who have had a place in the Church of
Christ through want of watchfulness in the holy fear of God have been drawn out of it by the subtill Adversary of their Souls and when some of the Members of the body who kept their habitation in the Light in which they have a right sence sight savour and discerning of Spirits words and Actions have spoken to them in the Wisdom and Love of God in Order to have Restored them into their places that they might therein have been preserved in Unity with God and his People they have not received in Love that which in Love was spoken to them for the good End aforesaid but on the Contrary have rejected the same and have let up prejudice hard thoughts and evil will against their friends who sought their good and so these evils given way to by them have eaten out the Love gantiness tenderness Meakness and patience that once in some Measure appeared in them and a raging scornful bitter reviling Spirit hath entered some as also from the same root faigned Humiliy faigned words and flattery hath appeared in some these latter mentioned fruits proceeding from the Evil root is more Dangerous to deceive than the former therefore all you who Love your own Souls be warned to fly from the Spirit of dissimulation and flattery as also from the rude railing boysterous quarelsome perverse Crooked self-revengful and scornful Stubborne selfwillful and self-Exalting Spirit Eightly Observe that the same God who by his Spirit and in his own Order set some in the Church First Apostles Secondly Prophets Thirdly Teachers c. by the same Spirit he gives proper or peculiar gifts to some that are not Apostles Prophets or publick Teachers according to the aforesaid difinition of them viz. he sets some in the Church helpers in Government which last mentioned Members are of great service in their places in the body of Christ they being kept by him in true Humility O friends all keep low in your Minds let nothing be done amongst you in highmindedness or vain glory for that God Accepts not but the Meek he Guides in Judgment but the Proud are an abomination to him This is the Testamony of the Lord Jesus Christ to you viz. The more Persons grow in Christ the Root Foundation and Head of his Church the more Meek Humble and Patient they grow Ninthly Observe that though all the Members of the body have not all or any of the before mentioned services in the body yet have they all a place in the Body as I said before and they are blessed who know their place and keep in it though it be the place of one of the least of the Members of the Body for that is to be desired which the good man made choyce of in his days who said I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the Tents of wickedness for the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield the Lord will give grace no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Psalm 84. 10 11. Tenthly Observe that as every Member hath a place in the Body so it hath a service therein though not the place of an Apostle or Propher or helper in Government yet all they who are properly and truly of the body do Preach witness and testitie of God and Christ his Kingdom and Glory and against the Kingdom of Satan Sin Wickedness and the vain Glory and Lusts that are in the World In their Christian Lives and Conversations and every Nember that abides in its place and service in the fear of the Lord and true Humility hath Peace and Comfort with the Lord and Unity with all their fellow-Members who keep in their places and services and all who keep their places and services as aforesaid therein are in a preparedness for whatsoever the Lord God pleaseth to call them further unto and when any is called to further or other service than what God hath already called them unto their Peace with God and Unity with his People will be continued in their obedience to God that calls them Again the Apostle writeth thus of Christ viz. he that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and Carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of men and cunning Craftyness whereby they lye in waite to deceive but speaking the Truth in Love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fiâ—â—ly Joyned together and compacted by that which every Joynt supplieth according to the Effectual working in the measure of every part maketh Increase of the body unto the Edifying of it self in Love Ephess 4. 10 11. to the 17. First Observe that the gifts of the Apostles Prophets Teachers Evangelists c. were not given only to convince People of the Truth and way of Righteousness but also to build them up in it gradually from strength to strength to a Râ—pe Age in Christ Secondly Observe that those who were turned to the Light and Spirit of Truth by those whom God sent to turn them to it could not in the Light and Spirit gainsay or oppose them who therein Laboured in their writing and speaking to them to build them up in it from strength to strength for the Light is not Contradictory to it self in the Preacher or the Nearer or in any of the Children of it for that which the Light or Spirit of Truth speaks or dictates to write in one of its Children it doth nor reject oppose or gainsay in any other of its Children for if it could do so then should it be the Author of Confusion amongst â—'s Children which is most false and blasphemous to say for God by this Spirit and Light is not the Author of Confusion but of good profitable and Comfortable order and peace in all the Churches of the Saints The Apostle in this divine Light saw and by Experience knew that which he writ concerning it viz. God is Light in him is no Darkness at all if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we lie and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son Cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Thirdly Observe that they who profess the Light of Christ within whether they be old or young professors of it that gainsay oppose reject slight and
5. 1 to the 12. Again hear his sweet Exhortation Finally be all of one mind having compassion one of another love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing For he that will love life and see good oaâ—s let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no Guile Let hâ—m eschew or fly from Evil and do good let him seek peace and ensue it that is follow it for the Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous and his Ears are open unto their prayers but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil 1 Pet. 3. 8 to the 13. Sixthly Observe here Peter that faithful Apostle of Christ in his general Epistle Exhorts the Elders who were among the Churches to feed the Flock we do not read nor believe that those Elders took it 〈◊〉 of Peter that he so Exhorted them we neither read nor believe that they pleaded their Gifts and Places in the Church or their being led by the Light or Holy Ghost within in opposition to his Christian Councel and Exhortation in the same Holy Ghost Light and Spirit given them by his Epistle but on the contrary we believe that in the Light they saw the same to be good and profitable for them and therein gladly received and obeyed the same and also we believe that the younger who walked in the Light did submit themselves â—nto the Elder therein and that they who obeyed the Light were thereby led into Humility and Lowliness and therein to submit themselves one to another in the Fear and Councel of God Again Paul writing to the Colossians writ thus viz. And when this Epistle is read amongst you cause that it be read in the Church of the Laodicians And say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Observe two things in the foregoing words first that he did not only charge or enjoin them to read his Epistle amongst them but also to take care that it was read to the Laodicearis Secondly He writ to them to say to Archippus take heed to thy Ministry c. We do not read or believe that the believing Colossians did reject this Epistle of Paul's or neglect their duty in reading it and causing it to be read according to his Exhortation or that they pleaded the sufficiency of the Light within in opposition to his Eâ—istles and councel therein given unthem but that in the light they had Unity with it and therefore gladly received it and had benefit by it neither do we read or believe that Archippus was offended with what Paul writ concerning him nor that he pleaded his Gift and Ministry and the Light within against Paul's councel in the matter relating to him but that he had Unity therewith in the Light Again Paul writ to Timothy thus viz. I charge thee before God and our Lord Jesus Christ who shall Judg the quick and dead at his appearing and his Kingdom Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine for the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears and they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Favles but watch thou in all things endure afflistions do the work of an Evangalist make full proof of thy Ministry 2 Tim. 4. 1 to the 6th Observe Have not some professors of the Light within now itching Ears which cannot endure sound Doctrine and are not some such for setting up Teachers which with unsound Doctrine for a wrong Liberty against the Cross of Christ can or do please their itching Ears The Apostle said we speak not as pleasing men but God who tryeth our hearts 1 Thess 2. 4. Again to the Galatians he writ saying For do I now perswade men or God or do I seek to please men for if I yet pleased men I should not be the Servant of Christ Gal. 1. 9 10. Paul charges Timothy before God and the Lord Jesus Christ to Preach the Word to Reprove Rebuke Exhort c. and to make full proof of his Ministry we do not read nor believe that Timothy was offended with this Fatherly Charge or Exhortation in this matter or that he excepted against or opposed this Charge or pleaded his Gift or Place in the Church or the Holy Ghost or Light of Christ in opsition to it or that he said he had no need of it or that it was of no use or service to him but on the contrary we believe that this faithful young man whom Paul had begotten to God through the power of the Gospel did gladly receive and profitably â—â—prove the Charge Exhortation and Councel of Paul the Aged his Elder in the Truth Again Christ after he was risen from the dead said unto Simon Peter Lovest thou me more then these he saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Lambs He saith to him again the Second time Simon Son of Jonas Lovest thou me he saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Sheep He said unto him the Third time Simon Son of Jonas Lovest thou me And he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my sheep John 21. 15 16 17. First Observe How Christ put the Question before Recited upon Peter Three times designing thereby to settle and revet or fasten the sence and care of this great Duty of feeding his Lambs and Sheep upon him which command of his Masters he faithfully performed and Exhorted the other Elders to perform their duty in this matter of so great weight as is shewed before The like did Paul James and John and the rest of the faithful Apostles and Elders Secondly Observe How these Holy men of God did fâ—ed the Lambs and Sheep of Christ in Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God unto them which they Preached in the Power of the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven Thirdly Observe We do not read in the Scriptures of Truth nor believe that these Lambs or Sheep of Christ did profess the Teachings of the Light within in opposition to its teaching of them through these Apostles and Elders who were commanded Note The Light of Christ within is not contradictory to it self in any of the Children of it nor in any others and empower'd from Heaven to feed them they did not plead the sufficiency of the Light of Christ within themselves against its Teaching them in these Apostles for as I said before the Light in him that is Taught cannot oppose the Light in him that Teacheth neither is the Light contradictory to it self in any of its Children but walking in it therein is their fellowship one with another
received of us Again the Apostle saith Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the Traditions which ye have been taught whether By Word or our Epistles 2 Thess 2. 15. See 2 Thess 3. 4 5. Again he writes to Timothy thus These things Command and teach let no Man dispise thy Youth but be thou an Example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity See 1 Tim. 4. 11 12. read the Chapter through Again hear what the Apostle Peter saith unto the Saints in Light viz. This Second Epistle Beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of Remembrance that ye may be mindful of the Words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the Commandment of us the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour knowing this first that there shall come in the Last days Scoffers walking after their own Lusts c. Again Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the Errour of the Wicked fall from your own Stedfastness but grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To Him be Glory both now and forever Amen 2 Peter 3. 1 2 3 and 17 18. Reader who ever thou art this I say to thee in the Presence of Almighty God the Searcher of all Hearts before whom all things are naked and bare who judgeth righteously That I do Not bring the Commands Ordinances or Doctrines given and spoken by the Apostles of Christ with Any Design to wrong strein or wrest them or any of them to exâ—lt any Friend Brother or Brethren Sister or Sisters above or out of their Place in which Christ the one Head hath set them in his Body his Church or in anywise to exalt them or any oâ—e of them as Lords over Gods Peoples Faith which our Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of by which Faith they live to God and please Him But my design therein is to Exalt Christ the Head â—n them All and over them All who is One in the Male and Female He hath given us a Command to Learn of Him saying Lâ—â—â—n of me I am meek and Low in heaâ—t and ye sâ—â—ll find rest to your Souls â—f him we have learned Humility tâ—ue 〈◊〉 of Mind in this we have found abundance oâ— Peace Joy Comfort and Rest to our Sâ—â—ls This to us is of much more value thâ—n all the Riches and Glory of this World â—ere is the Pleasant and comfortable Dwelling Place here we desire to dwell forever The Humble God doth teach he guides the Meek in Judgment and cloaths them with Salvation Eternal â—lory be given to Him for the same My Design in bringing these things to thy View is to shew that the Apostles who preach't the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven as it 's written did in the Movings and Authority of the same give forth those Commands Ordinances and Doctrines unto the Believers in the same Holy Ghost Spirit or Light by which Light they saw and understood the Truth Soundness and Serviceableness of them and by the same were they led Not to Oppose them and speak Evil of them but to Obey and practise them Now those that profess to be governed by the same Holy Ghost Spirit or Light within if they possess what they profess therein they will see that the same Holy Ghost is In some measure given to some in our Day and that by it Some are made Able Ministers and thereby have been Moved to give out Soâ—â— Commands Not in their own Name but in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ the chief Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls and such Professors of the Light who Poâ—â—ess what they Profess and dilligently attend upon God in the same they will herein See and thereby be Led to Obey and practise those things Not as the Precepts Traditions or Doctrines of Men But as the Commands Precepts and Doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gives and speaks by the Mouths of his Servants which answers that Light of Christ in the Consciences of his People And such who reject them they therein reject God and Christ These things so Commanded are Not contrary to the Commands of Christ and his Apostles recorded in the Scriptures of Truth but Agreeable to them in the fulfilling the precious Promises of God spoken by the Mouths of his Holy Prophets who said I will pour forth my Spirit upon all Flesh c. For Christ said to his Disciples When they shall lead you and deliver you up take no thought before hand what you shall speak neither do you premeditate but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour that speak ye For it is Not you that speak but the Holy Ghost Mark 31. 11. In the Apostles and Primitive Christians observe the Holy Ghost that spake to the Magistrates and Rulers that persecuted them the same spake in them to the Church of Christ and gave forth Commands Precepts Ordinances c. And the Believers unto whom they wrote having a measure of the same Holy Ghost were thereby given to understand the same and thereby led to the Obedience thereof Again the Apostle Paul said unto the Saints You know how we Exhorted and Comforted and Charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that you would walk worthy Of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory for this Cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it Not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 1 Thess 2. 11 12 13. Observe here the Apostle commends the Saints for receiving the Word or Testimony of God by him and others not as the Word of Man or Men but as it was indeed the Word and Testimony of the Lord which wrought Effectually in them as he saith And as â—t was then so is it now God having given by his Servants his Word his Commands and Doctrines he hath by his powerful enlightning Spirit of Life opened many to receive the same Not as the Word Doctrines Precepts Decrees Edicts or Orders of One Man Many Men or Any Men but as the Word Commands and Precepts and Doctrines of the Great God and our Lord Jesus Christ Glory yea glory to the Lord God and the Lamb for the same The Objection that some make concerning the practice of some things in the Church of Christ at this day is because they were not practised when we were first turned to the Light and came into the belief and profession of it This Objection is fully answered before in this Epistle where the divers growths and statures of Gods people are written of But the great Objection that is used by some at this day is That they An Objection answered
do not see those things required of them or believe them to be their duty and because they do not see the practice of those things to be their duty or required of them therefore they oppose Friends in the practice of them What these things are these Opposers know and the Faithful who are opposed by them therein know them also They are not things which are evil or scandalous or of evil same or report amongst serious sober persons we are not afraid to bring them to the Light they are practised by many thousands in Unity to their comfort and tends to preserve both young and old sweet and orderly in their Marriages and in the rest of their Conversations and is for the Relief of the Poor Widows and Fatherless Children Some have done hurt in their selfish and wilful striving against these things and when they have done the hurt they would lay the blame upon the things which they strive against and the Instruments who have and do incourage those things And thus they judge unrighteously the Innocent and justifying themselves who are guilty Again the Apostle exhorted saying Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report If there be any Vertue and if there be any Praise think on these things These things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you Philip. 4. 8 9. Observe that Meeting together in the Love Fear of Almighty God to take care of his glory in providing for the Poor Widows and Fatherless Children and others who have need of help assistance among us in their bodily Weakness Temptations Trials and Exercises is good is honest is Just is lovely is of good report and is worthy of praise These things are done in our Meetings both by Male and Female Such Meetings have the vertuous Presence of the Lord God them Such Meetings God doth gather own uphold and justifie by his powerful presence in the midst of them Again In those Meetings care is taken that such who profess the truth as it is in Christ Jesus and walk amongst us do proceed in their Marriages sweetly in good order according to the example of holy men and women of God in former time and in our days those proceedings are briefly though plainly touched at in the Scriptures of Truth Again In those Meetings care is taken that those whose proceedings in relation to Marriage are not as they ought to be that such be admonished that they may come into a right sense of the dishonour they bring to God thereby that they may repent and condemn the same and give glory to God therein that they may obtain forgiveness at his hand and that his People whom they have grieved by their unfaithfulness therein may be comforted in seeing this good Work of God wrought in them Again In these Meetings care is taken that those who profess the Truth as it is in Christ Jesus and walk amongst us do in their Conversations walk orderly as becomes the Gospel that no Professor thereof wrong another or any other person whomsoever in any matter or thing whatsoever This is endeavoured by the faithful Children of God Children of Light both Male and Female in their particular and distinct and also in their more general Meeting as much as in them lieth And where any professing the Truth amongst us do or have done the contrary care hath been and is to labour with them in the love of God and Meekness and Patience which Christ Jesus the meek and lowly Lamb of God hath taught us to bring them into a right sense of the dishonour they have brought to God by their evil doings and that they might repent of and sensually judge themselves for the same that so through unfeigned Repentance and forsaking the same they might obtain Forgiveness of their sins at the hand of God for the Lord God who is merciful delighteth not in the destruction of the sinner but rather that he should repent and turn from the evil of his ways and live and so come into unity with his tender People Again In these Meetings the faithful in Christ Jesus do watch one over another in Love to be helpful one to another in their Temptations Tryals and Afflictions labouring to build up each other in the holy Faith which works by Love as the Apostle saith herein they manifest their love one to another according to Christs command Their love is without dissimulation by which they are known to be the Disciples of Christ in fulfilling the Royal Law of Love in his Divine Light according the Scriptures of Truth Again in those Meetings care is taken that the Professors of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Teachings of his Divine Light within do walk in the Light which they make profession of that according to Christs command their Light may so shine before men that they may see their good works in Christ Jesus and glorifie our Father which is in Heaven that as the Salt of the Earth we may always keep that heavenly â—avour which God in Christ hath given us and that we may grow in it more and more that therein we may be a good savour both in them that are saved and in them that perish even as the Apostle exhorted All the before mentioned things are true honest just good virtuous lovely and of good report worthy of praise Hereby God is honoured and his children profited benefited comforted edified and built up in unfeigned Love Peace and sweet Unity to his praise and glory who is over all Heaven and Earth worthy of Honour Glory Dominion and Praise now and for ever more Amen Observe that which opposeth condemneth and â—â—orneth the faithful in Christ Jesus in these their services and labour of love is neither true just honest lovely virtuous â—or oâ— good report neither is it worthy of praise but the contrary Therefore all you who profess to be led and guided by the Light of Christ within you in the Light of Christ Jesus I tell you that his Light in you will not lead any of you to oppose any of the good things before mentioned And where any person professing to be led by the Light of Christ within do oppose any of the before-mentioned Meetings or the aforesaid good services in them it is Darkness and not the Light of Christ which so leads and perswades them He that was a Liar from the beginning hath deceived such Oh that they might see his Snare and come out of it this is our tender desire for them for their eternal good The Lord God who is Light in whom there is no Darkness at all said by the mouth of his holy Prophet Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light and light for darkness Wo unto them that are wise
fleshly Liberty and unchristian Loosness in which they are but therein do oppose War against the children of the Light because they will not joyn and walk and have Unity with them in their dark Words Works But in the Councel of God Witness against the same 8. Observe If these blind Self-conceited ones do not take Christ's Councel viz. Anoynt their Eyes with Eye-Salve that they may see and repent then their Latter End will be Miserable much worse than their Beginning was Oh that such might yet seek and find a Place of Repentance This would be matter of great rejoycing to the Children of Light who are calluminated reviled opposed and greatly abused by them Again the Apostle Peter writ to the Saints in Light viz. Giving all Diligence Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness brotherly Kindness Charity for if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall neither be barrennor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ but he that lacketh these Things is blind and cannot see far off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old Sins Wherefore the rather Brethren give All diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if you do these things ye shall never fall c. 2. Pet. 1. 5. to the 11. Read the Chapter through 1. Observe All you that profess the Light of Christ within what things you are to be found in Which will render you that you are not barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2. Observe That he that professes to be plentiful in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And is not found in the Possession and Practice of those before-mentioned Christian fruits he is blind as the Apostle saith and too like the self-conceited blind Laodiceans 3. Observe That there are some at this day who do profess themselves to be followers of the Light of Christ within Who do lack these before-mentioned good Things and so according to the Apostles saying These are blind and the blind cannot see till their Eyes be opened So they cannot see their Duty nor the Duty of the Children of Light till their Eyes be open'd Such of them who Have not yet sinned out the Day of Gods Uisitation to them I Exhort and warn to retire out of the Self-conceit and vain Imaginations to the pure Divine Light of Christ within and thereunto diligently attend that thereby the Eyes of their Understandings may be anointed and opened that therein they may see their Duty and by vertue of the same be led into it and kept in it and also may see the Duty of the Children of Light and have Unity with them therein Again Hear what the Apostle Paul saith concerning Blindness viz. But if our Gospel be hid It is hid in them that are 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 unto them for we Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake for God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ but we have this Treasure in the Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 3. to 8. 1. Observe That it is the God of the World who blinds the Minds of People designing thereby to hinder them of the Benefit of the Light that so they might be kept blind and in Blindness Conceit themselves to be wise and knowing in the Things of God and Gospel of his Kingdom and in their Blindness to oppose and contend against those whom God hath made Wise unto Salvation in opposing their Christian Counsel Advice and Conversation 2. Observe That the Apostles of Christ did not Preach Themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and Themselves their Servants for Jesus sake and so doth the faithful Ministers of Christ in this day praisEd be the Lord for the same and the Excellency of the Power by which they are enabled to serve God and each other is of God and not of Themselves Therefore the Glory belongs to him forever Again Hear what the Apostle Paul saith concerning the darkened and blinded viz. For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven Against all Ungodlyness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness because that which may be known of God Is Manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were they thankful but became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned professing themselves to be Wise they became Fools Rom. 1. 18 19 to 23. 1. Observe That the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodlyness and Unrighteousness of Men for holding the Truth in Unrighteousness That is holding a Profession of it Without Subjection and Obedience to it because they do not obey the Truth in forsaking that which it shews them to be evil chusing doing that which it shews them to be good 2. Observe That when they through their Negligence and Slothfulness continued and multiplied Disobedience and Rebellion are come to be darkned and made Spiritually blind so that they neither see know or desire to Know their Duty or to do it yet this their Darkness and Blindness doth not render them Excusable or uncondemnable either in the sight of God or his Faithful People but on the contrary Inexcusable and condemnable in the sight of God and also in the sight of his Faithful People .. 3. Observe The cause why they became so darkned and blinded was that when they knew God they glorified Him not as God neither were thankful therefore they became Vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkned professing themselvee to be Wise they became Fools 4. Observe What it is to Glorifie God as God when Man knows Him for there are several Degrees of the Knowledge of God all proceeding from one Cause and are of one kind though Not all of One Quantity or Largeness Certain it is that to Glorifie God as God is not only to believe that He is a Mighty Powerful Just and Holy God but also to Reverence fear and stand in awe of Him and to obey Him according to that Knowledge received of him His Blessing is upon will continue and increase upon all those who do so Glorifie Him for He hath promised who cannot lie That he that is Faithful in a little shall be made Ruler over much and shall enter into the Joy of his Lord. Again The same Apostle writ to the believing Gentiles at
Ephesus viz. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord That ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the Vanity of their Minds having the Understanding darkened being alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in them because of the Blindness of their Heart who being past feeling have given themselves over to Lasciviousness to work all Uncleanness with greediness Ephes 4. 17 18 19. Observe here the woful and miserable Effects of Disobedience to God what Darkness Spiritual Blindness Benummedness and Insensibility it brings them into who are given up thereto alienating them from the Life Power and Spirit of God yet this Blindness and Insensibility Doth not render them excusable in the Sight of the Lord God who hath sent his Son a true Light who lights every Man that comes into the World who therefore saith Look unto Me all O ye Ends of the Earth and be ye saved for I am God and there is none else a mighty God and a Saviour Isa 45. 22. And again The Apostle in his Light Spirit and Power saw and therefore said God's Will is that all Men should know the Truth and he Saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. They therefore who believe in the Divine Light of Christ and walk in and obey the same are therein saved preserved and justified but they that know this Light profess and talk of it but do not obey and walk in it they are justly by the Lord God condemned and their Disobedience justly Witnessed against by his Faithful People who walk in his Light and bring forth the pure peaceable Fruits of it and if such disobedient unfaithful Professors of the Light do not unfeignedly repent of their Evil Sayings and Doings against God and his People and walk in Obedience to the Light they make Profession of then will the Wrath of God fall heavy upon them in the End Again Hear what the Apostle Peter saith to the Faithful Children of Light viz. But ye are a chosen Generation an holy Nation a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the Praise of him that hath called you Out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light Dearly Beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims Abstain from Fleshly Lust which War against the Soul having your Conversations Honest amongst the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as Evil Doers they may By your Good Works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of Visitation 1 Pet. 2. 9 to the 13. Observe This Doctrine of the Apostle is according to the Command of Christ to his Disciples He said Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and Glorify your Father which is in Heaven Math. 5. 16. Again Christ saith The Light of the Body is the Eye If therefore thine Eye be single thy whole Body shall be full of Light 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 See Math. 6. 22 23. Again Christ saith Out of the Heart proceedeth an Evil Eye Mark 7. 22. Luke 11. 34. 1. Observe That the Children of Light are a Royal Priesthood a Holy Nation a Peculiar People called out of Darkness into Gods marvellous Light They walking therein are as Lights in the World their Light so shines before Men in the good Works or good Conversation in Christ this brings Glory to God the Father which is in Heaven they neither Need nor Do plead Ignorance of their duty to God or Man or of the Commands of Christ For they do both know obey and do their Duty to God and Man praised be the Lord God for the same 2. Observe That Christ saith The Light of the Body is the Eye wherefore if thine Eye be single thy whole Body is full of Light but when thine Eye is Evil thy whole body also is full of darkness Here are ' two Eyes spoken of the good one and the evil one he that hath the good Eye open in him with it Christ saith If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the Ditch Mat. 15. 14. sees right sees good things and is affected therewith embraceth and holdeth fast the same he sees his duty to God and Man and by Gods help doth the same and therein is blessed but he that hath the Evil Eye open in him which Eye proceeds out of the Heart as Christ saith with this his Evil Eye he seeketh and watcheth for Evil and therewith sees Evil things and hath pleasure in them and therefore embraces them practiseth them pleads for them and holds them fast This is the Man whose Good Eye is blinded and his evil one open therefore he calls Good Evil and Evil Good Here Darkness and its fruits are put for Light and its fruits and Light and its fruits are put for Darkness and its fruits The Person that doth this hath changed the Truth of God for a Lie Oh this is a miserable State which some fell into in Ages past and some are fallen into in our Age Out of which God Almighty preserve all who to his Light are turned who believe in and love the same And the Lord be merciful unto all who though they be Darkned and Intangled in the Snares of their Souls Enemy through want of Watchfulness in the pure Light of Christ and holy fear of God yet have not sinned out the day of his tender Visitation to them Oh that they may seek and find a place of unfeigned Repentance and so return unto the Lord God before the Harvest or Gathering or Restoring time to them be ended Concerning the Honour which God gives unto his People c. THe fear of the Lord is the Instruction of Wisdom and before Honour is Humility Proverbs 15. 33. And Christ saith If any man honour me him will my Father honour John 12. 26. And the Apostle Peter Exhorted the Saints saying Honour all men love the Brotherhood fear God c. 1. Pet. 2. 17. The Apostle Paul Exhorted the believing Romans to be kindly Affectionated one towards another with brotherly Love in Honour preferring one another Rom. 12. 10. Again he writ to them viz. But Glory Honour and Peace to every man that worketh good c. Rom. 2. 10. Again hear what the Lord saith by the mouth of Samuel the Prophet viz. Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteem'd 1 Sam. 2. 30. And again Paul writing to Timothy saith Let the Elders that Rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim 5. 17. Observe All the Children of God who are taught by his gracious Spirit of Life Light Love and Peace who walk therein they Glorifie and Honour him with their Spirits and Bodies which are his and with his good Creatures which he hath made them Stewards over which is their reasonable Service and
and Christ and the Divine Light within of living without Sin of Perfection or of perfecting Holiness in Gods Fear yet being out of the Light and Life of Christ in Death and Darkness and the Works and Fruits thereof It is but Death and Darkness in them which talks of Light and Life and Faith Holiness Perfection c. Their talk of these good things with their Mouths is an Abomination to God Almighty while their hearts are far away from him while they are not in the Love and Obedience to God and Christ and his Divine Light they make profession of such profession without Subjection and Obedience God doth reject it is loathsome to him neither can his tender people whom he hath sanctified by his Spirit of Judgment and Burning have unity with these dead talkers nor their dead words and works for Light hath no communion with Darkness though Darkness talk of Light Something concerning Self Separation JVDE the Servant of Christ writ concerning the Self-Separated ones thus viz. they are the RAging Waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame to whom is reserved the mist of Darkness for ever and Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of those saying Behold the Lord câ—meth in Ten thousands of his Saints mark so it is rendred from the Greek and is so in some English Translations to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly amongst them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodlily they have spoken against him c. these be they who separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit But ye Beloved building up your selves in your most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life and of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear hating even the Garment spotted by the Flesh Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling before the presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen Jude 13 and 19 to the end see also 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 2 Pet 3. 3. Oh my dear Friends seriously consider that as in the Primitive Gospel days there were such Self-separated ones makers of Sects or Parties which caused great grief and deep Exercise to the Faithful in Christ Jesus some such like have been in our Age and some such like yet are who having been convinced of the Truth have come amongst us under the Christian Profession of the Spirit and Light of Christ within who for some time did in some measure follow and obey the Teachings of it but have since turned from it yet keep in a Profession of it these are they who separate themselves without it in opposition to it and the Children of it blessed be God that their number is but small but alas they are too many for we have received the mind of God and Christ and his Apostles whose will was and is that all Men might know the Truth and not only know it but obey it that so they might be saved but alas a few restless spirited Instruments of Satan who under the pretence of the Spirit and Light of Christ make War against the God of Peace against Christ the Prince of Peace and against the Subjects of his Peaceable Kingdom these are in danger to deceive others and bring them to be restless like themselves the Lord in Mercy stop these evil Works and Workers Oh that there might be a place of Repentance yet found by them Oh that they could yet see from whence they are fallen and Repent and come into that simplicity and loving and peaceable frame of mind into which the Truth had once in some measure drawn them Oh! this would be matter of great joy to those whom they in their darkness account their Enemies as some â—loting dark Notionists did the faithful Apostle Paul for his faithful and stedfast Testimony against their Looseness Confusion and Disorder It is my stedfast belief in God that he will not long suffer this Evil Work to go on to the grief of his People and the indangering the loss of Souls but he will plead with these Evil Workers these Serpentine wise and self-conceited he will stop and drive them backward and woe will be to them if they cannot find a place of Repentance which will be hard for some of them to find they have so highly magnified themselves against God his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven but as Jude the Servant of Christ well observed in his Epistle that there was a difference to be put betwixt them who were so gone out into disorder loosness or confusion in his time some no doubt of those were unwarily through the subtilty of Satans Agents drawn from the simplicity honest mindedness and good intention which the Spirit of Truth had wrought in them into ungodly Jealousies and a wrong liberty from their obedience to the Cross of Christ Jude saw there was a Compassion to such and therefore wisely in the Wisdom of God put the Churches in mind of it and we are sensible such there hath been in our day who hath been betrayed and prevailed upon by Satan and his Agents as aforesaid these have been sought in the Love of God and Bowels of Jesus Christ their Advocate with the Father travelling for them in his Faithful ones who hath kept their Habitation in God and we have seen the travels and desires of our Souls answered in their returning into Unity with God and his People through their unfeigned Repentance and Condemnation upon the Spirit of Darkness which led them from God and upon the evil Words and Works it led them into and we believe that there are divers that yet remain in the same Snare for whose return to God we travelin Spir it and Hope that we shall see the Fruit of the Travel of our Souls in the Love and Power of God for their good and shall have cause to rejoyce and praise God for the same Wherefore oh my dear and well beloved Friends who are exercised by these sorts of Evil Agents and their Evil Works under a spacious profession of the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ and the Teachings of it All keep in the love of God and in the patience of Jesus Christ let Patience have its perfect work in those your deep Tribulations and sorrowful Exercises fret not because of evil Men nor their evil Works for behold the Judg of Heaven and Earth he sees them and you he will not suffer you to be tryed by them above what he will give you Ability to travel through without hurt and fear without loss or disadvantage to your Eternal Estates if you diligently wait upon him and move speak and act in his Council It is true which was anciently written