and yet pretend themselves to be the Sons of God but his servants you are to whom you obey whether it be of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Chap. V. Of the righteousnesse of the Law in the spirit AS this law in the spirit is a law of light and liberty so it is a righteous law that is a law working righteousnesse in those in whom it is making soules partakers of its own righteousnesse which is indeed the righteousnesse of God He was made sin for us that we might be made the righeeousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. Now the righteousnesse of this law may be produced unto these two heads 1. An internal righteousnesse as it hath relation to God 2. An external righteousnesse as it hath relation to men First As it hath relation to God and so it is a righteousnesse in the spirit this may be considered likewise under these two heads 1. As it is more external 2. As it is more internal First As it is more external yes spiritual and the righteousnesse of God too because prepared by the Father for sinners brought home and applyed by the spirit and this is the righteousnesse of God in relation to what he hath done for them in laying helpe upon one that is mighty in laying iniquity upon Christ and condemning it there that so through the apprehending and applying of the Fathers love in this great worke the guilt of sin might be taken out of the conscience through the soules apprehending the Father doing that in Christ for it which it selfe could not doe For what the law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom 8. 3. Herein the soule beholding and enjoying love from the Father sees it selfe now to be justified and that by grace from al things by which it could not be justified by the Law of Moses this is a more external righteousnesse because wrought for us without us yet the righteousnesse of God of the spirit because prepared by God eyed and applyed in the light and power of the spirit 2. That which I cal a more spiritual righteousnesse it is a righteousnesse wrought within us by this law of righteousnesse and this righteousnesse wrought for us without us though declared in us is but a precedent to this righteousnesse wrought within that so the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit this is that mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory the forming of Christ within that is when the soule hath experience of the same spirit within as was and is in Christ working the soule into a spiritual conformity to Christ growing up in him til it come to the same fulnesse to the same perfection but both these I have in a measure unfolded in another Treatise and therefore passe it with the more brevity in this place onely I shal answer one Objection by the way and so passe to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit Obj. Some wil be ready to say That they know no such thing as this law in the spirit justifying this externall forming of Christ they know Christ no other waies but as he dyed at Jerusalem and that this talk of Christ within seems to be a mystery if not a delusion for Christ dwels in his people no otherwise but by faith that is souls beleeving only what he hath done for them and that there is no other forming of Christ in them till the day of resurrection of their bodies from the grave Answ I answer first That its true this forming of Christ within is a mystery indeed the compleater of it will be the top and height of all mystery this is the mystery Christ in you the hope of glory that is the said spirit and power conforming souls to Christ in death resurrection and life and this is the more mysterious man of sinne the antichrist who denies Christ to be come in the flesh this mystery of Christ in you the hope of glory And although some may abuse this truth this mystery being deluded only with the notion of it yet let others take heed they abuse it not through ignorance 2. I answer that whereas the Scripture saith Christ dwels in the heart by faith It 's true but there is a twofold dwelling of Christ in the heart by faith the first is when the soul sees and believes what God in Christ hath done for it and secondly when the soul sees and beleeves that this Christ that is the same spirit that dwelt in Christ dwels in him as a law of light life and liberty in him seeing the law of the spirit of life that was in Christ Jesus freeing it from the law of sinne and death for the soul taught of God sees and beleeves both these to be a truth Christ for and Christ in the soul this we shall finde clearly held forth in Scripture not setting up the one in denying the other but you shall finde that the Scripture presents you with a death with Christ and resurrection with him Rom. 5. Phil. 3. 10. with a life with him John 14. 19. Because I live ye shall live also and in him by vertue of spirituall union vers 20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Note a word by the way at that day they shall know it At what day in that day when Christ reveals himself in them The world shall see me no more but ye shall see me It is not such a sight as the Apostles had of Christ when he was with them in the flesh it is not such a sight as the world had or at this day have of Christ for the world beleeves that Christ died for sinners yet they see him not now Saints see him first dying for them 2. They see him living in them and this assurance of Christ in them they receive by faith beleeving and knowing this to be a truth for faith and knowledge in this particular is but one thing We beleeve and know saith Peter that thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God And thus Saints in whom this law of righteousnesse is manifest can in a measure say We beleeve and know that God hath revealed his Sonne not only to us but in us and thus Christ dwels in the heart by faith and there is no one truth of God more clearly revealed in Scripture more glorious in the spirits of Saints then this truth of Christ formed in them 2. I come now to the second part of the righteousnesse of this law in the spirit which is an external righteousnesse amongst men for this law in the spirit teacheth men to live soberly righteously and godly in the world God is a righteous God and this righteous law conforms
Father manifesting love grace to them in them 8. They living in this light seeing al conditions to be good through the appearance of the good God in it can now see and say thar it 's not the least part of their happinesse while they are here to live fully and compleatly in the will of their Father Oh saith the soul that I could attain to this but to live satisfiedly and contentedly in the will of God what a transcendent excellency doth the enlightned soul see in this one thing how would this quiet and silence all fleshly and carnall risings dislikings and quarrelings against the divine providence it can say Good is the Word of the Lord and good is the will of the Lord and good is this condition to me because it s my Fathers good pleasure so to have it who knows best what is good for me an excellent discovery but more excellent when living in the power in the glory of it 9. This Law of light discovers the vanity and folly of all fleshly wisdome in the things of God this Law of light makes that soul truly sensible in whom its manifest of the difference betweene the wisdome of the first and second Adam and so that word is fulfilled in him if any man will be wise let him be a fool that he may be wise he shall be a fool that is made truly sensible of the folly of all fleshly wisdome the insufficiency of the light of nature and wisdome of the flesh to attain the knowledge of God or the things of God For in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and its a gift of the Spirit to those whose eyes are enlightned to see into this mystery To you its given to know the mystery or secrets of the Kingdome when it s hid from others they are strangers to it though never so much indued with fleshly wisdome 10. And finally This Law of life is a light and lamp unto the feet and paths of those in whom its manifest to lead and direct them into its waies it is that voyce behind them saying This is the way walke in it when they turn to the right or left hand it 's that light which guides them into all their undertakings whether civil or spirituall it is their great comforter without whose direction they cannot comfortably act in any of their undertakings in a word it 's that Spirit of light and life that occasions motion action sutable to its owne nature and sets the soule upon that worke which is higher then it selfe that way which is a way of light and truth Thus the Law in the Spirit is a Law of light giving understanding unto the simple enlightning the minde it is the true light that lighteneth the darknesse of every Sunne and daughter of Sion Chap. II. Shewing nine false Lights flowing from the Law in the flesh BUT there is a false Light as well as a true Light there is a Law in the flesh as well as in the Spirit although its true that all false Light is indeed darknes though men call it light If the light that is in thee be darknesse how great is that darknesse therefore I shal speak somthing by way of discovery of this principle this power of darknesse under the nominall tearme of light this false Christ or rather this Antichrist which if it were possible would deceive the very elect Now this false light or rather delusion of this law in the flesh may be considered under these following considerations First false light 1. It presents low carnall and fleshly excellencies unto the creature as its chiefest good it gives a false representation of things it cals evil good and good evill it puts light for darknes and darknes for light it judgeth sweetnes to be bitter and bitter to be sweet and thus it represents the worst things with the greatest excellency in more particular First it discovers not sinne and fleshly motions and fleshly actings as the greatest evil but as the greatest good thus the soule is deluded with a false light when it looks upon the deeds of darknes as deeds of pleasure and the waies and paths of darknes to be waies and paths of pleasantnes and peace and thus it becomes a pleasure and pastime to a fool to commit folly this is the universall spirit of Satan and law of darknes that rules in the world even in the hearts of the children of disobedience so that in a word the worlds way is a way of darknes and they delight to have it so It s true sometimes they hear of Christ and grace by the hearing of the eare but the use they make of it through the deceivablenes of this false and dark light is to sinne the more freely to give up themselues to the service of the flesh with the less trouble thus are the most the greatest part of the world blinded to their own ruine and yet think they see Second false light Secondly this Law in the flesh presents the world as an excellent thing as the chiefest good to many a soul who will shew us any good saith the worldly creature who thinks the world best hence it is so many and that under the form and notion of godlines to hunt so earnestly after worldly honors profits pleasures doe not such through that false glass that thus represents things apprehend the chiefest good the chiefest exellency to be in the world when alas those poor deluded souls see no excellency no preciousnes in God the fountain it forsakes him and runs to streams not but that every creature of God is good the soule beholding and enjoying the good God in it but without God there is nothing good no man good no creature good nothing good God is the goodnes of all things unto an enlightened renewed minde now this love of the world and being taken up with and living in the worlds excellencie the worlds glory is not only the sinne and will be the shame of men of the earth who have their portion in this life but it s a temptation that lights many times very heavy upon those who are Christians Saints indeed Christ himselfe was set upon by this temptation and I believe Christians who have experience within themselves of that new birth which is from above walking the way of true holinesse can bear witnes to this truth amongst all their fiery tryalsand temptations this is one to imbrace this present evil world not evil in it selfe but evill to him who hath an evil heart to depart from the living God making the world its dead Idol this is that with which the world is overcome mad they are in the imbracing the honours profits and pleasures of this present world this is that which overcomes the heart of many a Judas what will ye give me of many a Demas who after much profession forsake the Lord imbracing this present world be yee therefore watchfull for your adversary the Devil goeth
unto it Yet it is that I have said often and must now speake it againe that its such a law such a discovery as in it all carnall ones and hypocrites shall be left behinde in it the one below it still opposing living upon something of flesh the other in the notion of it only running beyond it and so with the dogge returning to his vomit and the sow that was washt to her wallowing againe in the mire This is indeed the narrow and strait gate and way of life few there be that finde it But some perhaps may hereby object and say Sir What you say seemes to savour of the flesh of a low darkened and enslaved spirit and is indeed Barbarisme to a soule In lightnesse we know that all things are good and that which you call sinne is good and all motions and workes are alike good from whence comes sin doth not it come from God is there any power besides God or that which is ordained by him and therefore are not all things and actions alike good I answer First It is true there is no power but is of God yet there are those who in that power act things which the Most High hath sentenced with death and not only the things but those who practise them that not only in Scripture where we finde this truth in the Saints experience I protest saith Paul by my rejoycing in Christ Jesus our Lord I dye daily and this spirituall death which many are ignorant of was and is one great part of the mystery of the Crosse of Christ within us this likewise is the experience of those who live in light they have received the sentence of death within them I meane the death of sin and flesh and for this they waite till it be accomplished Againe although all things had their first rise and being from him and still subsist by him yet the corruption of those things flowes from it self and not from him and besides God hath set up two creations two Adams the one after the flesh the other after the spirit the one being but a figure of the other the one is of the earth earthly the second is the Lord from heaven In the one to declare himselfe a just God in sentencing and condemning all sinne and flesh because in that first creation after the flesh sinne and flesh workes In the second declaring himself not only a God sentencing sinne and flesh but likewise a God of purity and holinesse such a one with whom the throne of iniquity can have no fellowship and this I am sure is the Saints experience nothing eclypses the glorious enjoyment but wars and fightings within them from lusts What need we make so much of sinne God is good and be seeth no iniquity in his people It s true God seeth that is suffereth no travell against nor iniquity in his people to hurt them to separate them from him but it is as true that those who have this testimony within themselves cannot see sin and flesh working in themselves with delight and pleasure Shall we sinne because grace abounds God forbid How shall we who are dead to sin continue any longer therein Fifth false Light Fifthly I might come to visions and revelations too for here will Antichrist this mystery of iniquity appeare likewise for he must come with signes and lying wonders God giving up men by strong delusions to believe a lye Not that I am against visions or revelations from God but the working of Satan will be in lying visions and wonders filling the fancy with toyes and fleshly exaltations The discoveries and revelations of God are revelations full of light power and truth tending to the dethroning of flesh and the exalting of God drawes up the soule into a more spirituall conformity to and communion with God it doth not occasion fleshly exaltations like unto the man of sinne who exalts himselfe above all that is called God saying I am Christ and so deceives many but I passe this at present Sixth false Light Sixthly I shall descend downwards againe to some further discoveries though more fleshly this false light presents a universall will and power in all men to accept and receive grace from God that one man might obtain mercy as well as another all having alike power or at least power enough to receive grace that faith is but an act of reason and they are unreasonable men that doe not believe not knowing that it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy not knowing that it s he that worketh to will and to doe of his good pleasure not experiencing that mighty power of God in those who believe so giving all glory to God but rather laying the stresse of all upon the creature gives all to the creature whereas souls rightly taught by that spirit of light see al not onely love and grace but wil and power flowing from that fountaine And hence it is that as streames flowing from the fountain returne thither againe so those who truly live in grace returne al to that fountaine of grace I am nothing I can doe nothing al flowes from that fountain Thus the Lord alone is exalted in that soule Seventh false Light Seventhly This false light presents God to the understanding to be but a piece of reason and so that there is indeed no God but reason rules al things and upholds al things questioning if not denying the naming of GOD though I shal not question but that some may do it through curiosity finding some new or nise tearme for singularities sake through some temptation yet minding the same thing whereas the discoveries of God are plaine and familiar to his creatures Hence the wisedome of the Gospel is called the simplicity of the Gospel though a mystery in it selfe and indeed farre above the reach of reason I meane the reason of the natural man of the first Adam which is of the earth earthly Thus from the notion of high mystery wee fal downe under the lowest part of the creation of the invisible God by our reason in the creation to judge of God to be but reason who is indeed the fountaine the Creator of reason and of the whole Creation Eighth false Light Eighthly From hence creatures come to conclude at last that the whole creation is God that God is al things and that al things is God that the creation is but God brought forth into forme and that this forme or body of Gods shall again become invisible and as at first so at last there shal be nothing but God no Saints no happinesse no glory no misery but all things returning into that one thing God not seeing God by his power bringing forth a creation that is not himselfe to serve his pleasure an old creation on which he will manifest his justice a new creation on which he will make knowne his grace and glory glorifying some with himselfe which are not
himselfe though one with himself and so as himselfe partakers of the same light life and glory so that although God created all things yet he is nothing of all those things yet the life and glory of them he is the Creator they but the creatures Ninth false Light Ninthly And in conclusion some in this false light come to conclude that there is no God at all nothing but the God of nature or nature which is God that all things come by nature and are upheld by nature and so at last turn Atheists and here ends all religion and thus the foole hath said in his heart nay he is not now ashamed to say with his tongue that there is no God no heaven no hel no good no bad but all is of nature now nature may take its wil its fil of pleasure for what it lusts it may have there being no God no law unto it or above it nothing but that law of nature which acts it self in its own power in its owne liberty Thus dear Christian have I though with some difficulty tract and with much brevity discovered this false and deceivable man of sinne that is now acting now deceiving if it were possible the very elect not doubting but that those anointings which are in you will teach you in whom it is in truth and keep you untill the day of his appearing Chap. III. Of the liberty of the law in the spirit AS the law in the spirit is a law of light so likewise is the law of liberty a law which produceth much freedom of spirit where it is in truth this the Prophet David knew by experience when he prayed Psal 50. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and stablish me with thy free spirit It s a free spirit For 1. It s freely given 2. It s a spirit working freedom and liberty where it is received This spirit of freedom as its a law of liberty delivers those in whom it is from al their enemies from al their bondage and captivity First It sets them at liberty from sin and Satan I joyne them together because sinne is Satans worke and al natural men are servants and slaves to both servants to Satan enslaved to his wil servants to sinne willingly doing his worke for his servants you are whom you obey whether it be of sinne unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse Now this law in the spirit which is Christ in you the hope of glory delivers souls from this captivity from that captivity to sin in the conscience which flowes from the enlightning power of this law which doth not only make soules sensible of sinne but workes likewise a deliverance from sinne and so sets the soule at liberty from that bondage in taking away the guilt the sting of death which is sinne This law discovering love brings home that grace and pardon and seales up the soule til the day of redemption the day of its compleat deliverance And then Secondly It sets the soule at liberty from the love and affectation of sinne for naturally the very affections of love and joy are captivated and enslaved to base fleshly and carnal lusts now this spirit of liberty sets the soule free in its affections through its light discovering the evil nature of sinne and so its power in delivering the soule from the love of it Believe it Friends this is the light and liberty of the spirit it enlightens soules to see the evil of sinne and where it s a light enlightening there it s a law of liberty setting free from the guilt free from the love and affectation of sinne Thirdly It workes a liberty likewise from sinne in the conversation How saith the Apostle Rom. 5. 2. shall we who are dead to sinne live any longer therein Sin shal not reigne in the mortal body sin shal not have dominion where this law of the spirit is in power neither over the conscience the affections nor conversation this grace of God which brings home salvation teacheth to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world thus this law in the spirit is a law of liberty from sin from Satan whom natural men serve being taken captive at his wil and that willingly It s true that soules in whom this law of liberty is manifest may be taken captive but its contrary to their mindes it is their burden it is their prison and they can say with Paul O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me And they can say likewise through this spirit of liberty Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ though in my flesh I serve the law of sinne yet in my minde I serve the law of God And thanks be to God who giveth me a victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Secondly This law workes a liberty from the world likewise men naturally being enslaved to it there being such a sutablenesse unto it in the mindes of men The first man being of the earth earthly this first man lookes after nothing delights in nothing because it apprehends nothing above its creation but soules borne from a bone by this spirit of liberty For that which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit being created after the image of him that created them in righteousnesse and true holinesse that as they have borne the image of the earthly now they beare the image of the heavenly they are made capable to apprehend spirituall and heavenly things Being risen with Christ they now seeke after things above things of another nature and being delivered into the enjoyment of those spirituall and heavenly things that they can say God is mine Christ the Spirit is mine grace love glory is mine all is yours saith Paul they can say I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine now their hearts are tasten off from things below they have a loose affection unto it they see now that nothing is good to them but as they have God in it as they have love and grace in it being set at liberty from the inordinate affection to it by this spirit of liberty and this is the second part of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Thirdly Those in whom this law of liberty is manifest in power they are set at liberty from men viz. from being slaves and subjects unto men in the things of God The truth is that men through the power and spirit of Antichrist that son of perdition have a long time out of that pride of heart naturally residing in them gotten into the seate of God exalting themselves above all that is called God have become a law in the spirits of men subjecting and enslaving them to their owne wils and men through their ignorance of this law of liberty in the spirit have beene and yet for the most part desire to be subjects and slaves unto them now this spirit of liberty delivers souls from this
bondage from this subjection to the wils of men in the things of God Yee are bought with a price be yee not the servants of men 1 Cor. 7. 23. They now see in this light that they cannot serve two masters they now in this law of liberty are delivered from the fleshly law into the glorious liberty of the spiritual Fourthly This law sets men at liberty from all other lawes besides it selfe it teacheth men not to feare those who can but kil the body and cannot kil the soule it teacheth men not to act in any spiritual duty under the power of any command besides it selfe it sets souls at liberty from being subject to ordinances yet makes the soule able in whom it is in a measure to say with the Apostle Though all things be lawfull to me yet I will not be brought under the power of any thing that is of any thing besides this law of liberty in the spirit Ob. This seems to be a doctrine of liberty indeed and may be an occasion of liberty to the flesh A. First Although it seem to be a doctrine of fleshly liberty in the eye of a carnal and fleshly minde yet to a spiritual Christian there is no such thing and indeed it argues that those who shal so thinke have but little if any knowledge at al of the light liberty and power of this law The Apostle Gal. 5. 1. saith Stand fast in that liberty with which Christ hath made you free and be not entangled with any yoke of bondage Yet vers 13. Vse not your liberty as an occasion to the flesh And I say farther that this law in the spirit teacheth men to put on a conversation sutable to it selfe it teacheth men to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and therefore these men are much mistaken who thinke that it will teach men to be ungodly Secondly It s true that men of the flesh may abuse this heavenly law in getting a notion of it and so instead of a spiritual get into a carnal liberty but mens abuse of things through ignorance derogates nothing from the excellency of that truth this I am sure is a most excellent soule-satisfying truth being knowne in power this liberty from al other lawes besides this law of liberty this law of life well might the Apostle James say Whosoever looks into this perfect law of liberty and continues therein shall be blessed in his deed Jam. 1. 25. Thirdly As this law delivers soules out of bondage so it delivers into its owne glory as it brings soules out of bondage darknes so it delivers them into the Kingdom of his dear Son into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God But because I have occasionally mentioned this deliverance from bondage into a glorious liberty in some other Treatise I have beene and shall be the more briefe in this Onely note this particular they are delivered into the liberty of sons now what this liberty of sons is I shall mind in some few particulars First A liberty to know their Father No man knowes the Father but the Sonne and those to whom the Son reveals him they have a liberty to know his love his grace his goodnesse to them Secondly They have a liberty to know his will likewise the Father reveales in the spirits of his people his will concerning them his will concerning their justification sanctification and glory and so makes their calling and election sure to them seales them up by this spirit unto the day of redemption he makes knowne his will concerning his wayes and actings to the sons of men he doth nothing but he revealeth it to his servants the Prophets To them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome when it is hid from others and thus the covenant of grace is made good in the spirits of Christians I will write my law in their hearts and they shall all know me from the least even to the greatest a glorious liberty to know their Fathers will their Fathers love their Fathers secrets Secondly The liberty of a son is to abide in the house for ever to be one of his fathers family when the servant is turned out of dores So is it with the Sons of God made partakers of this free spirit by which they can call God Father Gal. 4. 6. When servants who work for wages that is all formall professors who serve that they may serve themselves shall be turned out of the family out of the Kingdome of his dear Son with their wages into the Kingdome of darknesse When the Son shall remaine a Citizen of the New Jerusalem a member of the family and houshold of God under the everlasting providence perfection and guidance of the Almighty When all servants and slaves shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets and all the sons of God set down in the Kingdome of heaven at their Fathers Table and they themselves thrust out of dores Luk. 13. 28. a glorious word for those who are established with this free spirit Thirdly The liberty of a son is to have communion and fellowship with his Father in the knowledge of his wil in the enjoyment of his love in being one with his Father in all his undertakings so is the spirituall Son made so by his free spirit brought into a sweet communion with the Father where he partakes of love lives in his will communicates with the Father in all his undertakings takes all his Fathers businesse as his own and acts with the like faithfulnesse in it when the servant he works and looks for wages a hireling that looks not so much after his masters businesse as after the reward and that he accounts to be as debt unto him the peny he lookt for he hath it duly paid him though many be called and few chosen when the peny the Son looks for is still to be a Son to have more and more communion with and conformity to his Father that as the Father honours the Son so the Son may honour the Father so as in all things to doe and be in that condition which is sutable to such a calling and all in the liberty and power of that free spirit Fourthly Liberty of the son is to have the Fathers inheritance to be lord of all when the servant shall have nothing but his wages the spirituall Son shal be made heir crownd with his Fathers glory although its true a Son when a child may be a servant through his minority so is it with sons many know not their sonship Gal. 4. 1. The heir when he is a child differeth not from a servant though he be lord of all But when the fulnesse of time is come God sends forth the spirit of his Son into their hearts by which they call God Father and so see themselves now to be lords of all heires to all their Fathers glory crownd not only with the titles of Sonnes but Kings and Princes with their Father partakers of
over-turned the tables of the money-changers and whipt the buiers and sellers out of the temple so hee doth in the spirits of his people whips out all those unclean lusts and fleshly imaginations which defile this holy temple not but that there may be the presence of these but they are not there with delight with content and this sanctifying spirit wil never leave them til hee hath turned them al out the God of peace will tread Satan under feet shortly and all those enemies shall become the Saints foot-stool this is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eies this is the Lords work and he will perfect it in his time Let all those who wait upon him for the accomplishment of it cry grace grace unto it the end of it wil be glory in the highest when al flesh shall vail it selfe to this excellent glory though it be not accomplished as soon as you expect it yet assuredly the end wil be glorious that is it will crown al your temptations and trials expectations when you shal partake of this perfect change 2. There is an external holines likewise that is a visible demonstration in the conversation of what is wrought within There is not onely holinesse within but without The Kings daughter is not only all glorious within but her cloathing likewise is of needle-work There is a visible manifestation of a renewed minde where the God of peace sanctifies he doth it through out not only in soul and spirit but in body too Hence it is the Apostle saith Be ye holy in all manner of holy conversation and godlinesse This outward appearance of holinesse is but the fruit of that tree of holines within and where this tree is this fruit wil appear there wil be fruit unto holines and the end everlasting life This external holines appeares under these two particulars First In the forsaking evil courses Secondly In the performing or acting that which is good 1. In the forsaking evil there is not only an evil root but there is evil fruit the fruit of the flesh now where this law of holiness and purity is there is a purging of al filthiness of flesh and spirit This is that the Apostle minds 1 Cor. 6. Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are purged by the Spirit of our God c. This is the true property of this law in the spirit to make clear not only within but without too Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes Isa 1. cease to doe evil c. al filthines and prophanenesse flows directly from the law of the flesh and are the fruits of the flesh the tree is knowne by his fruit It is altogether unpossible for a renewed changed sanctified heart to be given up to the lusts of the flesh they are fruits that grow in the devils garden upon the tree of nature and not of grace they are the fruit that grow upon the forbidden tree whosoever eateth thereof is dead if you walk after the flesh ye are dead but if by the spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh ye are alive Therefore take this in a word for al That it is altogether unpossible for a man that lives in the spirit to bring forth fruits after the flesh they who live after the flesh savour the things of the flesh Only two cautions considered First That those who live after the spirit may be and oft are burdened with flesh Secondly Although they are burdened with flesh yet they walke not they warre not after the flesh but spirit in them subdues and destroyes flesh and the conversation is in a measure sutable to such a spiritual law within 2. This holines appears not onely in the forsaking that which is visibly evil and carries a clear appearance in it to be of the flesh But likewise 2. In the visible acting and performing works of holines sutable to such an inward principle the soule does not only now cease to do evil but learns to doe wel This is that the Scripture so often mindes and Saints so much experienceth Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your Father that is in heaven And this is the wil of God even your sanctification that you may know how to possesse your vessels in sanctification and honour and the tree is known by his fruit Does a man gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistls And the good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things but the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things Thus Scripture clears this truth experience likewise manifests it Those who are taught of the Spirit can beare witness unto this truth That the more that spirit of holiness appeares within purifying the inner man the more visible does that holines appear without Quest But it may be questioned What are these workes of holinesse that visibly appeare thus in the sanctified man Ans 1. Negative I minde not customs and forms for in this natural men may act far But 2. Affirmatively 1. In speaking forth and declaring the goodness holiness and love of God A heart that is sanctified indeed and enjoyes love and communion indeed cannot but according to the measure enjoyed and the gift received but declare it forth unto others Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Thus Saints cannot keepe silence when God speakes in them but are ever and anon breathing forth the good the love of God then saith the soul Truly God is good O taste and see that the Lord is gracious Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare his wonderfull love to the sonnes of men The soul can now say God is good he is sweet he is lovely and altogether delightfull Thus Saints are not either first breathing forth fleshly and carnal discourse unprofitable and vain things but their words are alwaies seasoned with salt that it may minister grace unto the hearers neither are they dumb and tongue-tied alwaies not but that those who are precious may be slow of speech but being drawne forth something they have to declare of God They are not first altogether empty and so silent that argues a barren fruitless unsanctified soul neither secondly doe they pretend to be high in knowledge but wil not declare any thing except flesh talk of spirit and manifest flesh no they cannot with-hold the truth in unrighteousness nor hide his goodness within them as by stealth but still Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and the tree is known by his fruit God creating in his people the fruit of the lips peace peace to them who are afarre off and to them who are nigh And as this fruit of the lips appeares in speaking of GOD so likewise in speaking to GOD both in prayer and praise 2. There is the fruit likewise of the