Form of Godliness in the outside Profession of Christ hath been setting up Faiths and Forms of Worship from the true Faith and true Worship of God which is in the Spirit John 4.23 and out of the Power and Life in the dark out of the Light wherein the Fellowship of the Saints stood in the dayes of old 1 Joh. 1.7 And this Faith that 's of man's making and setting forth works not by Love neither brings people into Unity and a holy Fellowship one with another but people are brought under by Constraint and by outward Force and such as are in their Way zealous for their Worship run into Persecution and so the Ground is not good the Heart is not changed but the old Man of Sin remains and this is far from the true Faith that works by Love and many times people whose Hearts God hath touched are compelled to go to such Worships against that which hath in some measure given them to see the Insufficiency of those Worships and Faiths that stand not in God's Power And so people you that are in any measure made tender in your Consciences and are breathing inwardly for Deliverance that you may witness Redemption to your Souls and know not the true Way and are many times afflicted inwardly and accept not Faith to believe in yout Hearts on the Lord Jesus Wait you in the Sense of that which begets the Breathings and pens your Hearts for the Desire to spring forth that desires after the Lord and that will let you see the Way more and more yea the invisible Way of God Christ Jesus who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 and then you will have Faith to believe that God will bring you forth out of the False Wayes of this World into Peace with himself and into Covenant with him and so your Hearts will be changed and you will come to witness inwardly the Law of the Spirit of Life written in your Hearts and so then you will have no need to wander abroad to seek Christ Jesus in the dark wayes of this World but you will all know the VVay of his Appearance in your selves and so you will be his People and he will be your God Hebr. 8.10 And this is the same Truth that was in the dayes of the Apostles Christ the true Foundation that upheld all the true Christians in the former dayes who were the true Church in Covenant with God joyned unto the Lord and so were Heirs of God's Kingdom yea joynt Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Ephes 2.20 and this was a true Church that was in God and in Christ Jesus 1 Thes 1.1 not an outside Profession only but an inward Possession a people that were risen with Christ seeking the things that are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God Colloss 3.1 So they had Heavenly Riches and Treasure laid up in Heaven that faileth not And this true Church was the House of God not an Outward House builded with men's Hands but a Spiritual House a People made alive to God by Christ Jesus and so they were the Workmanship of God Ephes 2.10 1 Pet. 2.5 But since the Apostacy came in and people having gone a whoring from the Lord they have not known this Mystery but have been building High Places and calling them Churches and God's House contrary to the Scriptures and so People have lost the true Sense and saving Knowledge of Christ Jesus though they have the Letter of the â—criptures which tells us plainly that the Bodies of the true Christians are God's Temples and his House 1 Cor. 6.15 19. And his Church is of his building and of his raising up who is the sure VVorkman even Jesus Christ that makes alive and brings up Mankind unto God out of the Fall and of this Church he was and is the Head who is worthy of more Honour then the House which is his Church the Ground and Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 So Christ Jesus was in his House in his Church over which he ruled and was the Head and he is in his Church to this day and is the true Head the true Guide and Leader of his People that are quickned by him and brought forth to Praise him with one â—ongue and one Morth even as one Body And so all people come to know Christ in you as they that we read of in the Scriptures Coll 26.27 for this is a Time wherein he is to be sound if you seek to him berimes and not sleight the Day of your Visitation for the Visitation of the Almighty is come and he hath caused the Day pring from on Pigh to visit us Luke 1.78 79. in which the Lord will bring to pass that which hath been of old in his Determination viz to set up Righteousness in the Earth and this Day shall never have an End it the lasting Dispensation that shall never more be vailed Prov. 14.6 and blessed are all that come to the Knowledge of it and in the first Breakin gs forth of it in the dayes of the Apostles many Thousands were gathered to God and that which was the Cause of its being vailed from man's Understanding was because of the Unfaithfulness of such as did profess the Truth whose Candlestick at last was removed out of its place Rev. 2.5 and Darkness came over them who retained a Form of Godliness and lost the Power thereof and these were the first that rebelled against the Spirit of Christ in the dayes of the Apostles Acts 7.51 and so the Devil got the Possession of their Hearts and sate in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thess 2.4 Therefore oh ye professing Christians search your selves let not the Devil rule in your Hearts for all Unrighteousness is begotten in the Heart by the Devil who is the Author of all Sin in the Heart before it be committed but turn to the Light of Christ within that convinceth your Consciences and shews you the Begettings of that false spirit and so you will know Deliverance from the subtil Serpent the Enemy of all Mankind for it is high time to look about you and consider whose Servants you are and to whom you yield your selves Servants to obey and whose Work you are doing whether ye are obeying Christ Jesus in the Spirit of Truth that leads out of the World's Wayes Fashions and Customs into all Truth John 14 16 17 20 and Righteousnes that ye may know ye are his Sheep for My Sheep saith he hear my Voice John 10.11 14. and I lead them out and they follow me and ill give unto them Eternal Life John 10.28 Or whether you are obeying the Devil which is the Spirit of Error which leads your Minds into the Wickedness which is in the World out from God and Christ Jesus the true Light into Darkness and Death and so you are under the Bondage of Corruption polluted with all manner of Uncleanness and so in the Way to Everlasting
reproving you in your hearts for your Prophaneness and Idolatry therefore while you have Time put into your Hands Repent and obey the Good Spirit of the Lord God lest God cease striving with you and so you be overthrown by his Almighty Power who is a terrible God against all Unrighteousness but all the holy People of God before the Flood were guided by his holy Spirit which was a true Guide and a sure Leader from the Beginning and the Spirit of Truth was the Guide of all the chosen People of God after the Flood even Abraham Isaac and Jacob and that sustained them in all their Travails and was with them as you may read at large in Gen. 12 48. And this was the Foundation of all the Holy Men in all Ages and Generations And when Israel at any time rebelled against the Spirit of God which he gave them to instruct them read Neh. 9. throughout then the Lord turned against them and afflicted them and caused them to be carryed away out of their own Land Therefore the Spirit was and is the true Guide and the true Fountain of Life of Living Refreshment and Heavenly Virtue which gives true Wisdom and a heavenly Mind which when people forsook and rebelled against it then Ignorance abounded And so you that rebel against God who is a Spirit are you not one with Israel in the Apostacy notwithstanding your Profession against whom the Prophet testified saying My People have committed two horrible Evils the one they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters and have hewen out to themselves broken Cisterns that will hold no Water Jer. 2.13 And is not this your State and Condition this day Are you not digging Wells of your own and hewing out to your selves Cisterns and when all is done it retains nothing pure nothing holy nothing clean no living Water nothing from Heaven but all is corruptible all filthy all sinful Oh that your Eyes were opened to see these things how ye are erred from the Life and Power from the Living Fountain with the old backsliding Jews and dark bewildered Christians who in old time lost the Light of the Sun of Righteousness but these things have happened through gross Mistakes as for instance The general Belief hath been and is amongst the outside Professors of Jesus Christ confessing only and believing that Christ dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem though it is true and so in a general sense saying We believe in God and in Christ Jesus and so come no farther to any inward Belief and Knowledge of him as did the true Christians Rom. 8. from Vers 1. to 17. now here lies the Mistake and here many comfort themselves because they confess to his Appearance in the World sixteen hundred Years since but this a man or woman may do and yet they may perish for to profess Christ and live in the Lust of Uncleanness is but to augment their Sorrow because there is a living Witness in them which they rebel against and pierce and so cause his Wounds to bleed afresh and put him to an open Shame Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 And notwithstanding they may use Meats and Drinks and have respect to Days and Times Moneths and Years yet all will pass away and perish with the using and the ground of the Separation from God may remain and so you may eat and drink Damnation to your selves at unawares for he that eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27 therefore be warned whilest you have time and consider these things whilest your Day lasteth that you may come to God out of Sin and Death by Christ Jesus who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh mark that in the Flesh this is a nearer Knowledge of him then to confess him only as he dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem who is glorified with the Glory he had with the Father before the World was and fills Heaven and Earth neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eye of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Therefore take beed to your Way and mind that pure Eye even the heavenly Light within you which is a sure Word of Prophecy to which ye do well if ye take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark Place till the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 And this is the true saving Faith and saving Knowledge to believe in your Hearts the Lord Jesus Acts 16.30 31. Rom. 10.8 And whatsoever Way or Worship there is or may be this Day or whatsoever Profession or Confession otherwise then that which the ancient Apostles declared of who were Eye-Witnesses of his Majesty is contrany to Truth and will not make the comers thereunto Perfect who preacht from a certain Divine yet Intelligible Principle revealed within them which was the Seed Immortal Incorruptible promised of God to destroy Sin bruise the Head of the Serpent and this Seed or Spirit of Life you must all come to know within you to destroy Sin in Flesh in your Mortal Bodies and to quicken you from dead Works to serve the Living God Rom. 8.11 And this is the plain Truth unto you from the Spirit of the Lord witnessed by the Scriptures as John well said when the spirit of Antichrist began to work and some were seduced by the Wicked One said he Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God every spirit that confesseth that Christ is come in the Flesh is of God mark every spirit that confesseth Christ come in the Flesh Rom. 8.3 who came to save his People from their Sin and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 4.2 for the Devil had wrought in the Flesh of Mankind the Works of Darkness Corruption Uncleanness and all manner of Filthiness in which he rules and Reigns over the Children of Disobedience in that State and Nature which he hath begotten them into and such were those sometimes that the Scripture mentions who were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others but God who is rich in Mercy and abundant in Loving-kindness caused his Love to break forth in Christ Jesus the Brightness of his Glory Hebr. 1.1 2 3 and visited those that were dead in Sins and Trespasses and quickened them by the Spirit of his Son and so they were made Witnesses of the Life of Jesus who begat them again and Redeemed them from the Bonds of Death by his Blood So here is the Way of Life and Path of Eternal Rest Christ Jesus the Power of God which destroyes the Devil and his Works 1 John 3.8 Hebr. 2.14 and this is the true Spirit this day we know it to our Souls Satisfaction that confess Christ come in the Flesh and this was the Advice of the Apostle John to such as did retain Christ the Power Wisdom of
A TESTIMONY Unto the TRUTH AND A Warning unto the World IN GENERAL But more particularly to the Inhabitants of Enoder parish in Cornwall By one whom God hath called out to bear witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus called by the Name of RICHARD SAMBLE Printed in the Year 1676. TO THE READER READER THou art desired to be considerate when thou readest this following Book and to be very ponderous in thy Mind as touching the things therein contained that thy Understanding may be opened by the invisible God who giveth unto us Life Breath and Being and also that thou wouldst lay to Heart this very Thing How that Almighty God hath risen in many Ages of the World in his Judgments and Fury to stain the Glory of all Flesh and to set up Righteousness in the Earth and hath caused his Truth to spring and flourish amongst his People under every Dispensation until they departed from the Lord and served other Gods and followed their own Inventions and then Darkness came over them and so their Hearts were hardened from his Fear Prov. 1.29 30. And this thou art also to consider That Sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Destruction from Generation to Generation and therefore if thou dye in thy Sins thou art like to have no part amongst the Living in the Kingdom of Christ but the same will be thy Portion that hath been the portion of the Wicked in all Ages which is perpetual Sorrow Distress and Anguish for evermore And this consider also That whatever thou dost profess or what Shew of Religion soever thou mayest make whilst thy sins remain I am to tell thee and that in the Name of Christ Jesus Thou art not accepted of God but all thy Prayers are an Abomination to the Lord Ezek. 8.17 18. Isa 1.15 because thou art in the Transgression in that which the pure God of Glory hateth and upon which he will pour out his Fury and Indignation for evermore and if thou art one that lives in Pleasure thy daily Satisfaction is in following these Evil Devices that are very common amongst men in this Generation to wit Drunkenness Swearing Lying or other Prophane Practices and that which is called Pastime or sporting thy self amongst such as count it Pleasure to Riot in the day time Jam. 5.5 6. know this that all these things will be a Hindrance to thy eternal Well-fare for such as do such things cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. And also thou art to consider That there hath been a Night of gross Darkness over the Hearts of the Children of men since the Apostles dayes and that Saving Grace which was common in that Generation people have lost in the Night and are become dry and barren as a Desert or Wilderness as relating to Matters of Spiritual Concerns wherein consists the Stability of their Souls Peace with God And this also I am to tell thee That God who is unchangeable and immortal hath revealed his blessed Truth again and the Gospel of his blessed Kingdom is now preached to the Nations and if ever thou comest to God's Kingdom thou must come to know him that is the Everlasting Teacher to wit Christ Jesus and him to know in thy own Particular who is the Man of God's Right Hand a quickening Spirit the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.45 and so thou wilt come out of thy lost Condition wherein thou art in the Fall in the first Man Adam into the Life of Holiness and Righteousness into the Restoration by Christ Jesus the second Adam the Heavenly Man And this know also That thou canst not come to him by any other way but as thou comest into Self denyal and believest in thy Heart the Record that God hath given of his Son which is the true Light that shines within thee and lets thee see thy Sins And farther That as sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Separation from the Lord yet when thou shalt return again and come to know a Godly Sorrow in the Secret of thy Heart and when thou shalt feel in thy self a Tenderness and a Broken-heartedness before the invisible God who sees in secret Mat. 6.6 he will grant thee Repentance unto Life and he will return unto thee in his Everlasting Mercies and blot out thy sins out of his Remembrance And this also I am to tell thee in the Fear of God and in his Name That as the Lord hath appeared in dayes past and in Generations that are gone in his Indignation and hath smitten many Nations and Peoples in his Wrath sometimes overturning the World by Water and sometimes destroying Cities and Peoples by Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Luke 17.29 Gen. 19.24 25. and again by Plagues Pestilence and at certain Seasons the Lord God because of the Abominations of the Children of Men hath visited them in his Wrath and hot Displeasure and greatly afflicted them and the End of the Lord hath been that such as remain upon the Earth might fear before him and dread his great Name who is Mighty and none can escape him And people in these last dayes and times have greatly grieved the Lord and therefore except they Repent his Fury will he pour forth upon them until that which is in his Heart be accomplished and they shall not escape his heavy Hand And so Reader whoever thou art that reads these following Lines the Desire of my Soul is that thou mayest be impartial concerning me and conclude in thy Mind that it s written in tender Love to thy Soul and so thou wilt see my honest Intent who am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness desiring thy Eternal Well-fare when this Time and Day of thine is at an End I rest Thy Friend and Well-Wisher RICHARD SAMBLE A TESTIMONY UNTO THE TRUTH c. IN the deep Consideration of the States and Conditions of the Sons and Daughters of men in the Fall and seeing how the World lies in the Extremity of Wickedness being overcome by the Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan who hath tyed and bound them with his Chains of Sin who is the Author of all Sin I am drawn in Spirit to warn them to Repentance and to declare to the World the Way that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath ordained which is Christ Jesus who is Everlasting and was with the Father before the World began John 17.5 who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 by whom my Soul hath been redeemed and who raised me up out of Sin and therefore having obtained Mercy through the Love of God in Christ Jesus whom he hath sent a Light into the World and I having known in measure the Judgments of the Lord and the Terrors of the Almighty because of my Transgressions therefore cannot but perswade men to turn from Ungodliness even all people that lie in Wickedness knowing assuredly that all People shall be called to an Account before the Tribunal Seat of Christ
Primitive Câ—ristians who were true Believers their Faith did arise from this living Word which came down from Heaven And Wo be to such as turn away from him that speaks from Heaven Heb. 12.25 which is sent forth from God to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Christ Jesus the Seed Immortal and Incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.23 that bruiseth the Head of the Serpent and by this Seed they were redeemed in the Days of the Apostles and brought forth and born of it not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible and this Seed must be witnessed within as in the Days of Old to raise up Mankind out of the Fall inwardly and to quicken to God by his Spirit that dwelleth in you said the Apostle Rom. 8.11 And this is the true Shepherd that laid down his Life for the Sheep John 10.11 that gathers his Sheep from the Barren Mountains where they have been scattered in the cloudy dark Day Ezek. 34.12 and brings out of the Wilderness and Solitary Ways into a sure Dwelling and a quiet Resting Place Isa 32.18 And this true Bishop of the Soul was known savingly in the primitive times by all those that did return unto him as the Apostle said Ye were as Sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls 1 Pet. 2.25 And so by the Operation of his Spirit inwardly People came to the Knowledge of God and Christ Jesus whom God sent forth to save the World and this is Life Eternal as our Lord said in the Days of his Flesh to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17 3. And there is not another Way to Salvation but as People come to know Christ revealed in them as the Apostle said Examine your selves prove you own selves what know you not how that Christ Jesus is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. but in those Days this pure Way of Life was hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to Babes and Sucklings mark such as were born again regenerated and walked in the Way of Regeneration those only knew the Mysteries of God's Kingdom for it was revealed unto them by the Spirit Rom. 2.10 But the wise Men who were outside Professors yet Rebellious and Stiff necked and a Gainsaying People unto whom God stretched forth his Hand all the Day long but they would not obey him nor hearken to his Voice Rom. 10.21 Acts 7.51 These knew not Christ in the Mystery but crucified him though they were I rofessors and had a Zeal for the Traditions of their Fore-Fathers yet I say the Workings of God's Spirit was a strange Thing unto them for said the Apostle We preach Christ in a Mystery which none of the Princes of this World knew for if they had known him they would not have crucified the Lord of Life 1 Cor. 2.7 8. And those holy Apostles and Servants of Christ who preacht by the Spirit even by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.12 they were hated and persecuted and set at nought and esteemed as a Foolish and Ignorant People as the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 And said the Apostle God hath made foolish the Wisdom of this World When the World by Wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 20.21 So those that were Enemies to God and to the Appearance of his Son they cast him that is the true Heir out of the Vin yard and slew him that the Inheritance might be theirs Mat. 21.38 39. So read this ye professing Christians who are in the Rebellion against Christ's Appearance who is now appeared in Spirit in these last Days Glory to the Name of the Lord forever And is not this it that you rebel against even his Appearance in your Hearts that breaks your Peace in the Transgression and brings forth your Deeds which you have wickedly wrought in secret to your Remembrance And do you not love Darkness rather then Light because your Deeds are evil John 3.19 And are you not in the same Transgression with those Jews who hated his Appearance in the Flesh and are turned from Jesus Christ in your Hearts and consulting together against him who is the Light Life of Men how you may betray and overcome this true Principle of Eternal Life in your selves others that you may set up your selves and live in your Pride and Lostiness and all manner of Wickedness and so in much Wantonness you pass and spend away your precious time in Rioting and Drunkenness in Chambering and Wantonness which is forbidden and will be eternally punished James 5.5 6. And so you live above the Cross of Christ Jesus the Power of God in your own Hearts which Cross said the Apostle Crucisies the World unto me and me unto the World And so you are found Enemies to God resisting the holy Ghost as they that cast him out in Days past and would not believe that it was he And said Christ Jesus If ye believe not that I am he you shall dye in your Sins John 8.24 Acts 7.51 Ye shall seek me but shall not find me and whither I go thither ye cannot come So all People believe that it is he that reproves you in secret and obey him in your Hearts lest you dye in your Sins c. for it is surely the same true Witness that in old time testified of the World that the Works thereof are Evil John 7.7 which is a sure Witness that doth not alter but is Unchangeable with whom there is no Variableness James 1.17 but if you rebel against him who is the great Power of God Christ Jesus WO will be unto you for evermore Therefore I warn you in God's holy Fear and in the Authority of his Spirit That you rebel no longer against God for if ye continue in the Rebellion against him Time will not bring End to your Misery but you will go into Everlasting Punishment and so take heed to your wayes lest ye be found with Judas betraying his Master for Judas was a Professor of Christ and yet apostatized So ye professing Christians take heed lest ye be found in the Treachery dealing deceitfully against the Light of Christ Jesus in your Hearts professing him with your Mouthes and denying him in your Hearts who is the Spirit of Truth that reproves the World of Sin Righteousness and of Judgment Joh. 16.8 And therefore examine your selves and try whether ye be in the true Faith for there is but One Lord One Faith and One Baptism Ephes 4.5 which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost the pure Spirit of Life which baptizeth into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 And so all other Faiths and Baptisms will come to an End and this brings into true Love and Unity one with another And this true Faith works by Love Gal. 5.6 But in this dark Night of Apostacy the World that hath retained a
of iniquity under a Pretence of Religion in these latter Ages and Generations of the World yet it 's not that which must stand in the Earth being polluted and defiled neither are such polluted Worshippers who are bound with the Chain of Sin accepted of God who are placed in the Habitations of Cruelty And so the wicked One hath been possessing the Minds and Hearts of those who wander from God in their Imaginations that Revelation is ceased but though this Doctrine be preached as though God would work no more in the Children of Men I say it is not consistent with Truth but is of the false Part in man that wanders from God and therefore shall not hinder the Lord from breaking forth in this his Day to redeem a People to himself for his own Glory neither doth it hinder or stop the Blessings of God unto his People and redeemed ones who wait to be sustained by him with the Bread of Life but the Lord is at work in this his blessed Day wherein he hath sent forth a Saviour even jesus who is revealed from Heaven and your preaching against the Work of the Spirit of Christ within will not be sufficient in the great Day of Account to stop but rather to hasten the Eternal Judgment from being executed upon you who are in the Deceivableness of Unrigteousness with them that perish 2 Thes 2.10 Oh that you would lay to Heart these things repent and live while your Day lasteth that you may come forth from all your Abominations and believe the true Witness in your Consciences that records your Deeds for which if ye repent not you will suffer in time to come and such as deny the Work of the Spirit within are one with them that went out from the Apostles Fellowship that stood in a regenerated State 1 John 1.7 who walkt in the Light and had Fellowship with God 1 John 1.3 And since the first turning from God out of the Heavenly Light how hath the Devil deceitfully wrought in the Kingdoms of this World but blessed for ever be the Name of our God the true Light is come that lets us see through the gross Darkness of this Night of Apostacy wherein the Stars that have fallen from Heaven have been wandering in the Night of Darkness having lost their Habitations for whom the Blackness of Darkness is reserved forever Jude 13. And therefore you that have lost the Truth and are yet in the Death that came by Adams Transgression you that have gotten the Name Christian and lost the Power and Life of Christianity unto you this opens in my Heart to write if ever you be saved you must come to that which was in the Beginning before the Apostacy entered and before they denyed the work of the Spirit even to the Word that God hath given of his only Son which is the living Witness in you testifying against your Evil Deeds and so your Eyes will be opened to see the Death that hath reigned over Mankind since the Working of the Spirit of Christ hath been denyed and also you will see the Work that God hath begun and is doing in this his Day who hath shewed forth his Strength in the Redemption of a little Remnant who are true Worshipers who worship the Father in the Spirit in the Truth John 4.23 24. but if you hold to the Traditions of your Fathers who deny Revelation and so have set up your Resolutions not expecting the Spirit to be revealed in you then I say you cannot be saved for without the Spirit man is dead to God and Righteousness and Holiness and so without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and this is the Gross Darkness that is over many this Day who are setled upon their Lees as Moab of old not being emptied from Vessel to Vessel Jer. 48.11 not knowing the Lord's Power in them to change their Hearts and such have set themselves against the Spirit of Truth within and cry out to People that Revelation is ceast in such a Day as this wherein the Iniquity of many is even come to the full and wherein God hath afforded to Mankind a Day of Visitation that they may be saved So in a general Sense the Wise and Learned amongst men in the Apostacy in their several Professions are resting in something besides the Spirit and so esteem the Profession without the Spirit that first in the days of old the true Christiâ—ns received and obeyed by which they were brought to profess Christ Jesus and so their Profession and Worship was not only in a Form but in the Power and Spirit of God until the Deceiver entred and then they retained the Form and lost the Power 2 Tim. 3 5. and now through the Disobedience of Mankind and rebelling against the Power they have undertook to gainsay and resist the Holy Ghost even the Holy Spirit which iâ— the true Leader to God's Kingdom as did their Fore-Fathers Acts 7.51 52. Oh that you would return to God! Ye professing People while you have a Day for now is a time wherein you may find the Lord if you seek him early for he hath said They that seek him early shall find him Isa 55.6 7. And now all such as deny the Revelation of Jesus Christ they are seen to be in the Deceit and in the old corruptible Way as in the Days of old in the broad Way that leads to Destruction Mat. 7.13 where no true Peace is but men out of God's Counsel running not being sent of God and so profit not the People at all Jer. 23.32 And now as one whom God hath raised up to proclaim his ancient Truth against all the Deceit that hath entered into the World in the Night of Darkness for the Sakes of such as have Desires after the Lord this is written for there are many I do believe that are amongst you whose Hearts the invisible God hath touched by his word which is Eternal and from the Beginning that is nigh in your Hearts Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Rom. 10.6 7 8. at certain Seasons being quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword Heb. 4.12 which doth open the Secrets of your Hearts and declares unto you your Thoughts so that you need not go far away to seck a Saviour but wait for him from Heaven to be revealed within you as the Apostle directed 1 Thes 1.10 and then you will find him who is the true Beloved for if ever you come to the true Enjoyment of him you must wait for him in his own Way who is Heavenly and comes from his Holy Habitation and you must turn from the blind Watch-men who are in the Night who have loft the Way of his Appearance and are turned against him even fighting against his Appearance with their filthy Weapons pleading for sin for which Cause the Earth mourns and the Inhabitants thereof who are redeemed take up a Lamentation in the Consideration of these things And
all you that are thus touched inwardly and tendred in any measure in the Bowed-dowaness of your Souls seeking the Lord that you may be saved oh go not forth after your Imaginations to seek him in the Desert nor after such as say Lo here or Le there Go ye not after them nor follow them Mat. 24.23 but wait having your Minds retired in the Manifestation of his heavenly Light within you and then ye will come to a true and certain Knowledge of him and so you will see how the Wise have Erred how they are gone back into the old By-Pathes that they were in that could not speak a Word in Season to the Soul that is weary but shut the Kingdom of Heaven against men and hindred such as were entring Mat. 23.13 therefore WO was cryed against them which WO stands over the Heads of all that are in the Rebellion against the Spirit of God to this day And is it not even so Do not our Wise Men and Professors shut the Kingdom against men Do not they preach against the Entrance into Life Eternal saying Revelation is ceased and this sad Doctrine hath filled the Land with Uncertainties and many Thousands are like to perish and dye in their Sins through Unbelief John 8.21 24. Now all you that are out of the Light of Life in the World of Death and Darkness and are perswaded though you dye in your Sins and Vncleanness yet you shall be saved not being freed by Christ Jesus from the Act of Sin here in this Life Troly this is a false Faith and Hope that will come to an End for Sin ever was and is the Cause of man's Separation from God Isa 51.1 2. and God sent his Son to destroy Sin in the Flesh and to be a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2.2 And though People have forsaken the Lord God of Power and Life yet he hath again visited with his Ancient Mercies the Sons of men to the End they might not perish and his Ancient Arm is revealed that gathers to himself and though the Night hath been long and tedious wherein the Enemy of the Soul hath possessed the Place and Seat in the Temple 2 Thes 2.4 yet now the Lord calls for Repentance and for all to come unto him out of their Sins and from under Satan's Power and whosoever comes unto him he will in no wayes cast out John 6.37 but in this Day who refuseth to hearken to his Heavenly Voice and come not unto him they will unavoidably perish for evermore and their Blood shall be upon their own Heads for there is no way to God's Kingdom but as Redemption is witnessed by Christ Jesus out of the lost State and so being restored to God by Christ Jesus you come into the Way of Life where Peace with God is known and this hath been the Happiness of People in all Ages and Generations as they have come up into Obedience out of the Transgression and so have had Fellowship together in the Light of Righteousness and so Truth and Righteousness was their Way and Christ the Rock was their Foundation which Foundation God hath laid 1 Cor. 3.11 and so they found Favour with the Lord and ended their Days in Peace but on the other Hand this hath been the sad unhappy State of Mankind when they turned from God and Righteousness and Holiness into Disobedience and so became wicked workers filthy and corrupted with Sin and Uncleanness and so the Devil through Deceit hath undone many to their Utter Ruin and their Eternal Sorrow and sometimes perswading the Creature one Way and sometimes another sometimes in profession of Religion without the Life of Holiness which is an Abomination to the Lord for unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth Psal 50.16 And so let all repent and turn to the Lord that you may be saved for the Truth is revealed that hath a long time been hid with the Lord even the same unchangeable immortal Seed CHRIST that bruiseth the Serpent's Head and though many are so vailled with Darkness as to deny his working Inwardly and limit the holy one yet he is come contrary to their Expectations and therefore they receive him not So the Way of God is not to be known in man's Way nor yet in man's Time nor in man's Will but as man obeyes God and is subject to him so he comes to know his Way And so all People consider these things whilest you have time and be warned to come out of Ignorance and become sensible that you may understand for God never forsakes any People without a just Cause therefore lay it to Heart and ponder this in your secret Meditations and as your wise men tell you Revelation is ceast let them tell you when where to whom and for what cause did God ever cast off any People when they were obedient to him Nay he never forsakes People till they forsake him therefore the Cause is in man and God is clear So the Lord in his Mercy in these latter Days hath opened his Truth and hath brought us into the Way of Life wherein we see how the Apostacy came in and in all Ages and under every Dispensation the Cause was in men because they rebelled and turned from God but now there are many so bewildred in their Minds having lost the good old Way are perswaded the Cause is in God and that he will not work by his Spirit now as he did in Days past and so being deceived do not truly endeavour to come out of Sin all their Life time but imagine that God will accept of them in their Sins and yet are perswaded that they shall inherit Heaven when this Life shall be at an End Ephes 5.5 whereas the Apostle said The Heaven and the Earth that now is are kept in store reserved unto Fire against this Day of Judgment and Perdition of VNGODLY MEN 2 Pet. 3.7 so you may read your Portion here if you turn not to God that you may be cleanled where all your false Joyes and Pleasures will come to an End Amos 8.10 and everlasting Sorrow will overtake you And farther as you deny the Working of the Spirit and rebel against it you are one with the old Backsliders even from the Beginning for that was the chief Cause that God brought Destruction upon the old World because they rebelled against his holy Spirit for after they departed from the Lord yet his good Spirit did strive with them till at length the Lord was grieved and said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with Man c. Gen. 6.3 so the Day of their Visitation passed away and they were overthrown with the Flood Gen. 7.23 so you may read and apply this to your selves for you dare not say but the Lord by his Spirit hath doth strive with you as in the dayes of Noah who is
out of my Sins and from the Wayes and Worships of the VVorld who are not in the Spirit and in the Truth and therefore will come to an End and the true VVorship which is in the Spirit and in the Truth will be established for God who is strong in Judgment will raise up his own Tabernacle Amos 9.11 Acts 15.16 and the Time is come wherein the Lord will work and wo unto such as endeavour to hinder his VVork which is a righteous VVork and will stand when the Pleasure of Sin shall end with Everlasting Punishment for it is Righteousness that will remain when God shall judge the VVorld and search out every secret VVork that hath been wrought in Darkness yea when Inquisition shall be made for the Thoughts of the Vngodly And so all that read understand and turn unto the Lord for he is certainly risen in great Power yea he hath taken unto him his great Power and is come to reign 1 Cor. 15.25 for he hath seen the great Backslidings of the Sons of Men and the Darkness that hath vailed the Creation and the Death that hath reigned over Mankind and he is come to take away the Vail that the Enemy of Mankind hath spread over the Nations and to destroy the Face of the Covering cast over all People that Death may be swallowed up in Victory 1 Cor. 15.54 55 And the Holy Pure God whole Dominion is an Ancient Dominion and his Heavenly Glorious Kingdom is from Everlasting to Everlasting before the Devil and Death's Kingdom Rule and Government was he hath beheld the Sad Estate of the Sons of Men hath sent forth a Saviour who is mighty the same that in Dayes past was mighty in word and Deed before God and all the People Luke 24.19 and the same Saviour even Jesus which is Christ the Lord hath redeemed and saved a People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 who is able to bring forth all the distressed amongst the People whose inward Cry is to the unknown God as mine was who hath delivered my Soul from Death who is my Shepherd Bishop and Teacher in whom dwelleth all Fullness who laid down his Life for his Sheep whose precious Blood hath redeemed us whom my Soul hath Cause to extol and praise Night and Day who is my Strength and Defence against all the Assaults of my Soul's Enemy to whom saith my Soul be Glory Everlasting and Praises for ever rendered who is over all Blessed forever Amen After this Work was begun in my Soul and my Understanding opened to see the sad and woful State of Mankind being fallen into the State of the first Adam in the Separation from God and Christ Jesus my Heart was filled with Sorrow and a Zeal for the Name of the Lord God did livingly spring in my Heart and a Necessity was laid upon me to warn my Neighbours to turn unto the Lord and the Lord shewed me the sad and woful State of many whose Iniquities are even come to the full and I warned them in the Name of the Lord in their publick Assembliâ—s to turn from the Evil of their wayes and now it lives in my Heart afresh to warn them by writing also in the Holy Fear and Awe of the God of Heaven and Earth in the deep Consideration of their sad Estate And now my Neighbours this is unto you in Bowels of tender Love whose oâ—l desireth your Everlasting Good that you may consider your Wayes and turn unto the Lord for he is merciful slow to anger and of great Kindness that Inwardly you may be sensible of the Power of Jesus Christ whose Heavenly Light shews you your Sins for great are your Abominations which grieves the Lord God and the abounding thereof from Day to Day How doth Drunkenness abound amongst you and Pride and Vain Glory and Swearing and Lying from Day to Day abound within the Borders of the Place of my Nativity for whose Sakes my Heart hath often been bowed down before the Lord that the Dayes of Sin and Iniquity may come to an End Now Friends and Neighbours there is no Way for you to escape the Indigration of the Lord but by Repentance and therefore repent speedily and forsake your Sins in this Day wherein the Lord hath visited you with his Day Spring from on high and that is the true Light that sheweth unto you your Thoughts and reproves you in Secret for Lying Swearing and Drunkenness and all manner of Uncleanness and that is the Day Spring from on high revealed from God to lead out of Sin and to save from Transgression and this is the Grace of God which the Apostle spake of which hath appeared unto all men which is the true Teacher and Leader out of Sin Tit. 2.11 into Holines and this will search your Hearts as you wait for it for how have you been saying from Time to Time At what Time soever a Sinner doth repent him from the Bottom of his Heart God will blot out all his Transgressions out of his Remembrance and do not many take Liberty to sin because of this but as the Promise of Forgiveness upon Repentance Ezek. 18.21 22. commends the Mercy of God that none might despair yet the Lord will surely plead with all that are presumptuous and Continuers in Sin read your Portion Ezek. 18.20 therefore all both old and young remember Repentance from the Bottom of the Heart for that you must all come to witness if you be made clean so that God may receive you And indeed that is a Thing of great Concernment but that is the Thing most wanting amongst men for there are Professions enough but I see but few that are come to the Cleansing of the inside or inward Washing but as the Pharisees who made clean the outside of the Cup or Platter but the inside was unclean Luke 11.39 So there are many outside Professors of God and Christ that â—râ— confessing their Sins and Repentance as they say from the Bottom of the Heart but the Cause remains the Bottom is still corrupt and therefore that you may come to the Bottom that is the Desire of my Soul and the End of writing unto you for you can never come to the Bottom till you come to the Spirit of Truth the Heavenly Light that lets you see the Bottom of your Hearts and searcheth out the most hidden Things for the Heart of Man is deceitful and none can search it but the Lord Jer. 17.10 and the Lord knows it and tries the Heart aâ—d searcheth the innermost Parts And this is the Substance that is come that searcheth the Heart and declares unto man his Thoughts Ames 4.13 and as you obey him who is near you even the Spirit of Truth â—o you will come to witness the Work you are a talking of a Death to Sin and a New Birth unto Righteousness for Christ Jesus is manifest to take away Sin renew Man and Woman again to God And such as come to witness Repentance from
Sin nay for man comes short of all spiritual Blessings notwithstanding all his Wisdom Parts and Abilities for God hath placed Cherubims and a Flaming-Sword which turns every Way to keep the Way of the Tree of Life Gen. 3.24 and here man is defeated notwithstanding all his fair outward Shew or Pretence of Religion for without Obedience to Christ he is undone and lost though he may retain the Name Christian and as some in Dayes past who had a Name to live and were dead Rev. 3.1 and stood as though they were Rich and had need of nothing but knew not that they were Poor Blind Wretched Naked and Miserable and so were without the City New Jerusalem without a Part or Inheritance in the Kingdom of God though they had a Name yet were dead to God in the Profession only without the Life and so were threatned as said the Spirit I will kill her Children with Death and all the Churches shall know that I am the Lord that searcheth the Heart and trieth the Reins and give to every one according as his Work shall be Rev. 2.23 3.17 And so dear People come into the Light of Christ that is within you before your Glass be run that you may find a Place of Repentance lest the Dayes come over you when Repentance shall be hid from your Eyes Hosea 13.14 and so with Esau seek the Blessing when it is too late and a Place of Repentance with Tears and could not find it therefore while it is called to day if you will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 3.7 8. but draw near unto the Lord and he will draw nigh unto you and gather you unto himself and you shall no more wander without the Knowledge of him but the gathering Arm of God's Power will keep you from the Enemy of your Immortal Souls who is a Thief and a Lyar from the Beginning and a Murderer who abode not in the Truth John 8.44 and so you will be with the Redeemed of the Lord whose Hearts are in Covenant with him who are come to the Blood of Sprinkling that speaks better Things then that of Abel Heb. 12.24 and so you will know a sure Teacher even Jesus Christ who is a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek whose Ministration is Life who hath the Words of Eternal Life John 6.48 And this Teacher cannot be removed into a Corner Isa 30.20 who is the tender gathering Shepherd and careful over-seeing Bishop 1 Pet. 2.25 which leads by the Springs of Living Water and guides to the Fountain of Life Rev. 7.17 and here you will find Power and Wisdom Strength and all things needful for God hath laid Help on one that is mighty which is the mighty Redeemer and Reconciler of Man to God and this is that secret Joy that springeth up in my Soul from day to day feeling the holy Power of the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World who hath delivered my Soul and now he doth minister Joy and Comfort to my inner Man in the Sense whereof my Soul saith Come all ye scattered ones who are yet wandring as Sheep having no Shepheâ—d come to the Fold of Rest Oh! let your Hearts be bowed down and tendred before the Lord who is risen in this the Day of his Power and hath made a little Remnant willing to follow him whose Eye is render and seeth every secret thing and beholdeth the Breathings of the Souls of the Children of Men who have Desires after him and all you that mourn in secret cleave unto him who hath toucht your hearts and go not forth but be retired in your Minds and he will make way for you through all and so Fear not them that can kill the Body but fear him that hath Power to cast both Body and Soul into Hell Luke 12.5 and so such as will obtain Life let them take up the Cross and despise the Shame Hebr. 12.2 and turn your Backs upon all the World's Pleasures Delights and follow Christ in the Regeneration and be of Moses 's Mind who esteemed it greater Riches to suffer Persecution with the People of God then to injoy the Pleasure of Sin for a season Hebr. 11.24 25. for the Wo reacheth forever to Man and Woman in the Transgression if they Repent not and that State is attended with the Wrath of God and the Lord's Displeasure which is a sufficient Discouragement And so read these Lines in Coolness of spirit and in a ponderous weighty sense of your present Conditions then you will receive Benefit thereby and the End will be answered for which this is written so being clear in my Conscience in that I have done as I was drawn in Spirit by the Lord God of Heaven and Earth to declare unto the World in general and to some more particularly that which was opened to my Understanding to warn People concerned herein to turn unto the Lord I shall leave the Issue of all unto him who knoweth all Hearts and return into my Rest in that Measure of Grace given me of God where with my Brethren and Sisters who are redeemed out of the Sins of the World I shall give Glory to him that sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for evermore Rev. 5.13 which was and is and is to come who is our God our King and Law-giver before whom all must appear who is God over all blessed forever Amen Richard Samble POSTSCRIPT GOD who is Everlasting in his Being and Mighty over all in his Power rewarding such as obey him with Life eternal Joy Peace and everlasting Comfort and also rewarding the Wicked with Punishment and Sorrow for evermore When first he created Man and Woman he created them in his own Image in Righteousness and true Holiness but soon after the Creation the Devil prevailed over them and corrupted their Hearts and so they lost the pure Presence of the Lord and then as the World came to be peopled so did Wickedness abound in the Earth although the Lord did strive with them by his Spirit that they might return and live but they continued in the Rebellion against the Lord and then the Lord said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man c. Gen. 6.3 and so God brought the Flood upon them and their Blood was upon their own Heads And after the Flood though great was the Deliverance of Noah and his Family in that great Deluge wherein many Thousands were overthrown yet one of the Sons of Noah became a Wicked Man and the Curse came over him Gen. 9.25 and as the World became peopled again so did Wickedness encrease and people grew up in Ignorance without the Knowledge of the true God in Rebellion against the Lord and then God appeared unto Abraham and commanded him to forsake his Father's House and his Kindred Gen. 12.1 and Abraham believed and obeyed God and was faithful in all things before him with whom the Lord made a Covenant