Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	receive_v	unrighteousness_n	1,743	5	11.2223	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59955	The true Christian's faith and experience briefly declared, concerning God, Christ, the Spirit, the Holy Scriptures, the Gospel, and the doctrines thereof also, the titular Christian's faith and profession try'd, examin'd, and judg'd : written for the confirmation, and consolation of the one, and for the information in order to the restoration and salvation of the other : also, a few words to such who are newly turned in their minds to the light within, & are believers in it / by William Shewen.	Shewen, William, 1631?-1695.	1675 (1675)	Wing S3424; ESTC R24530	87,397	208

precious Blood and so he not only reads hears and professes the Benefits and Priviledges which the primitive Christians partook of and enjoyed by believing in receiving of Christ but experimentally partaketh of and possesseth and enjoyeth the same Rom. 8 16. And the Spirit of God beareth Witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of God and a Joynt Heir with Christ Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh and that he hath the Mind of Christ and that Christ lives in him and is greater in him then he that is in the World And as the old Adversary the Devil is strong and powerful to tempt and ready on the one Hand and on the other to draw and allure into Evil so he knoweth his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as near and as ready and more powerful to deliver save and preserve him from falling into Evil and Temptation and he is not only enabled to resist the Divel but to make him flee also Thus in Truth can the True Christian call Christ the Captain of his Salvation who being armed with his Power fights as he did followeth him sits down in Heavenly Places with him triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave So the True Christian proveth himself so by denying himself and taking up his Cross daily and following of Christ and that he believeth in him because he enjoyeth Everlasting Life and abides not in Death and Darkness but hath overcome the Wicked one and that he is his Lord because he doth the thing he saith or commandeth and that he loveth him because he keepeth his Commandments and hath received Power to become the Son of God and further hath a Name better then the Name of Sons and Daughters The Titular Christian saith he believeth in one Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier by his precious Blood c. and professeth him as King Priest and Prophet and in all his Attributes and Offices But how doth he demonstrate and shew forth his Belief and Profession How is he his Lord Doth he do the Thing he saith How is he his Saviour Is he saved by him from the committing of Sin and redeemed from a vain Conversation How doth he believe in him as Christ or the Anointing Is he taught by him How is he his King Priest and Prophet Doth he rule in his Heart as King Are all his Services Sacrifices and Offerings offer'd up by and through his Hand as Priest Doth he hear him in all Things as the Prophet whom God hath raised like unto Moses No the Titular Christian hath no Knowledge of him after this Manner neither doth he believe 't is attainable on this side the Grave nor possible to obey him as Lord nor to be saved by him from Sin as Jesus nor taught by him as Christ or the Anointing nor that he can be washed cleansed and sanctified by his precious Blood from the Stains Spots and Defilements of the World Flesh and the Devil while he bears about this Body of Clay he contents himself with a corrupt traditional Faith which hath sprung up in the dark Night of Apostacy which is certainly a very venemous pernicious Weed of the Devil's Kingdom which hath poysoned and destroyed the Souls of many and is now grown to such Maturity and cloathed with such Beauty to the Eye of the Titular Christian that he calls it the Christian Faith though thereby he is taught to believe that 't is not possible to cease from Sin nor to have his Heart purified nor to overcome the Devil and gain Victory over the World and further that notwithstanding he committeth Sin daily and liveth in the Act of it Term of Life in this World he is hereby taught to believe that Christ will save him from the Guilt and Punishment of it in the World to come It may be said of this Titular Christian's Faith as it was once said of Saul and David Looseness and A theism hath slain its Thousands but this its Ten Thousands So although he hears and reads what Christ did in and for those that belived in him and of the powerful Virtue and Operation of that Ancient Christian Faith which was once delivered to the Saints and born witness to by the Holy Scriptures yet he neither hopes believes nor expects to witness the same wrought in him and for him they bear witness of some in whom Christ wrought (a) In whom Christ works all the Devil works nothing all their Works and that through him they were able to do all Things And many glorious Things were spoaken of and were enjoyed by the true Believers in Christ while upon Earth But the Titular Christian puts off all till he is dead and pleads for the Continuation of the Devil and his Works Term of Life and saith the Devil works strongly in him and prevails over him and causeth him to sin in his Holy Duties and that he is so captivated by him that he cannot live one Day nor Hour without Sin so notwithstanding his Profession of Christ he knows him not greater in him then he that is in the World so the strong Man keeps House and it s furnished with his Goods and though he cryes Lord Lord he is a Worker of Iniquity and is bound in Chains of Darkness and his Feet stick fast in the Mire and in the Clay even while he talks of Lord and Saviour he is led Captive at the Devils Will and is a Stranger to that Power which is able to resist him and make him flee and to that Faith which gives Victory So he cannot in Truth call Christ the Captain of his Salvation nor approve himself one of his Souldiers who is armed with the same Power with it fights against the same Enemy and gains the Victory and followeth him who rides on Conquering and to Conquer so never comes to sit down with him in his Father's Kingdom triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave but remains under the Power thereof through the Fear of which he is all his Life Time subject to Bondage 2 Heb. 15. let his Profession of Liberty and Redemption by Christ be what it will his fair Talk will avail him nothing though he saith he believeth in Christ and loveth him yet if he keepeth not his Commandments he is a Lyar and deceiveth himself and hath not Eternal Life abiding in him Profession and Name of Christ without Possession and Nature is of no worth III. The true Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Spirit THE True Christian believeth in the Holy Spirit being one of the Three which bears Record in Heaven which Three are one and he sheweth forth his Faith by his Obedience thereto he hath received the Spirit of Adoption whereby he can call God Father not as the Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites did but in Truth and Righteousness and he witnesseth

a being led by the Spirit in the Way of Holiness and so cannot fulfil the Lust of the Flesh but by the same doth mortifie them and gain Victory over them and is sanctified and cleansed from them and is taught by the Spirit the true Knowledge of God how to worship him aright in Spirit Truth and so prayes in the Spirit and with the Understanding and sings in the Spirit and praiseth God in the Spirit and the Law of the Spirit is in his Heart and this Law of the Spirit of Life makes him free from the Law of Sin and Death and the Spirit of God which raised up Jesus from the Dead dwelleth in him and quickneth his Mortal Body And this True Christian is the Spiritual Man which discerneth all Things but is not discerned by another out of the same Spirit which searcheth all Things yea the deep Things of God and he is led by the Spirit from under the Law and through the Law to him which was before the Law and so is under Grace and brings forth the Fruits thereof which is Love Peace Joy Long-Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against this Christian there is no Law The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in the Holy Spirit c. But how doth he demonstrate his Faith and Belief he is ready to make a Mock of receiving the Spirit and being led by the Spirit mov'd taught by the Spirit this seems strange Doctrine to him that he should know his Lusts mortified by the Spirit and that he should walk in the Spirit and be sanctified by the Spirit from all Sin and Uncleaness and that he should attend the Motion and Guidance of the Spirit and in all his Conversation to do nothing but what will stand justified by this Holy Spirit and that he should pray in the Spirit and sing with the Spirit and worship in the Spirit c. These are new Doctrines to the Titular Christian he knows not what to make of them except it be to brand them with despicable Names And the Law of the Spirit of Life which should free him from the Law of Sin and Death he is a Stranger to and wholy ignorant of the Indwelling of that Spirit which raised Jesus from the Dead to quicken his mortal Body this he counts Fanatick Doctrine c. And instead of being a spiritual Man which discerneth all Things he is Carnal and seeth not far off the Vail being over his Heart cannot see nor regard the Glory of God when it appeareth in the Inward Temple but opposeth slighteth the Appearance of that Holy Spirit which searcheth his Heart and all Things and so is not led by it from under the Law which Law was added because of Transgression and this Titular Christian which liveth in the Nature and Act of Transgression and that knows not the Cursed Ground removed which bringeth forth Bryars and Thorns from whence all Evil Thoughts Words and Works proceed and is a Stranger to the Mortification of them by the Spirit he is under the Law and liable to the Punishment thereof and not under Grace let him profess what he will if he brings not forth the Fruit of the Spirit in his Life and Conversation he clearly sheweth he doth not believe in it nor walk in it neither hath received it nor come to any true Knowledge of it by its Work and Operation in his Heart he only talks of it with his Tongue as some Book or Body hath told him this is the Property and State of a Titular Christian IIII. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Scriptures THE True Christian truly honoureth the Holy Scriptures in their Places and believeth and receiveth their Testimony and is a living Witness of the Truth thereof and he domonstrateth it as followeth By believing receiving and obeying him viz. Christ Jesus of whom they testifie whereby he receives Power to order his Conversation according to them and the True Christian believeth that they were spoaken and written by the Motion and inspiration of the Spirit of God in Holy Men Prophets and Apostles and that it is his Duty to Wait upon God to receive the Spirit of Grace and Glory and the Gifts thereof of whom they testifie that thereby be may be enabled to read them with Understanding and to receive the Comfort of them and to be made wise through Faith in Christ unto Salvation by them And this Christian knows rightwell That all the Vniversity or Acad mi●al Learning in the World is not able to give the true Knowledge of the Mind of the Spirit in the holy Scriptures they are as a seal'd Book to all the Wit Reason Comprehension and Acquired Parts of all Mankind in the Fall Learned and Unlearned And until man comes to receive regard and improve the Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every man to profit withal as the Scriptures witness he is wholy ignorant and a Stranger to the Key of true Knowledge and the Treasures of Life and Wisdom are hid from him and secured as with seven Seals and the Cherubim● with a Flaming Sword that turns every Way and guards the Tree of Life with the Fruits thereof from the faln Wisdom of Man And this the True Christian knows by Experience having tryed what the Wisdom of this World in all its Perfection can do and hath seen it confounded and brought to nought in himself being discovered to be no part of the Key of true everlasting Knowledge but rather that which hides it makes the Vail the thicker and shuts the Door of the Kingdom the faster and those that abound in it neither enter themselves nor suffer those that would and this the Holy Scriptures testifie The Titular Christian he saith He honoureth the Scriptures and believeth the Testimony of them c. But how doth he demonstrate his Honour to them and Belief of them Doth he order his Conversation according to them They exhort To abstain from every Appearance of Evil and from every fleshly Lust which wars against the Soul and to put on the whole Armour of God and thereby resist the Devil and make him flee The Titular Christian doth not obey this Exhortation neither doth he believe that it 's possible that any should obey it on this side the Grave So while he pretends to honour them he gives them the Lye for what 's more ridiculous and unreasonablethen to profess a Belief that the Spirit of God in Holy Men hath left Holy Precepts and Exhortations upon Record in the Scriptures which are unpossible to be obeyed Yet this is the Language of the Titular Christian who honoureth them with his Lips and cryes them up with his Tongue but in Works denyes them Sometimes he will give them more Titles of Honour then to them is due as when he calls them The Word of God The Touch-stone and Tryer of all Spirits The Everlasting Rule of Faith and Practice so in his

John saw in his Divine and Heavenly Revelation and thou abiding in the Light and walking in the Spirit wilt not only see but enjoy the same Read Rev. 21 22. and the Lord give thee Understanding more and more and encrease thy Joy in believing and strengthen thy Faith and Hope that they may be as a Trusty Shield of Defence and as an Anchor sure and stedfast to preserve thee from all Assaults and from splitting upon a Rock or Sands till thou arrivest at the Haven of Eternal Rest and lie down in the Valley where thy Bread yea thy Daily Bread fresh fresh from the Table of the Lord will be sure and thy Water fail not where none can make thee afraid where no Enemy can prevail where no Danger of making Shipwrack of Faith and a Good Conscience is where no Destroyer is where all Tears and the Cause of them are wiped away where Faith and Hope hath an End and where the Heavenly City is whose Gates stand alwayes open and yet no unclean thing can enter As thou perseverest in the Light and obeyest and followest him that hath called thee out of Egypt and translated thee from the gross Darkness thereof thou wilt thereby be led to inherit and possess these things for It is he that endureth to the End that shall be saved Now tender Friend As thou walkest in thy Way the Light within the Spirit and Grace of God within which teacheth not only to deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts but also to live Soberly Righteously and Godlily in this present World thou art safe But I do advise thee notwithstanding to take great heed and watch diligently against the Enemy of thy Happiness in all his Appearances and especially when he appears under the Form of Truth it self with the Words of it in his Mouth and with the very likeness of it for I have seen him there he has beguiled and betrayed many thereby in this Age even since we were a People and he effected it by drawing the Mind from being staid upon God waiting low in his Light to wonder after and desire something else which he made appear lovly to behold the attaining of which he perswaded them would better their Condition and encrease their Glory so in hope many after they have been presented as a chaste Virgin to Christ have again been subjected unto Vanity in this Age as Mankind was in the Beginning and have lost a present good Estate by believing the Lyes of the Serpent who told them They should enjoy a better some he hath drawn out on this wise and by other of his Wiles to that Degree of Apostacy and Degeneration that they are become like Trees twice dead and plucked up by the Roots never like to grow in the Garden of God again whose Way and End is Vtter Darkness out of which there is no Redempi●on Now his other Wayes and Means whereby he lies in wait to deceive are more open and manifest but his Working under the Form of Truth more secret and mysterious and more likely to prevail upon the Mind of ●e Simple unless a diligent Watch be kept then when he appears as he is By this Means I have known him not only get into the Temple of God sit there but to be worshipped as God and exalted above all that is called God or that is worshipped besides him Now ●e never got into the Temple not sate there 〈◊〉 was worshipped under the Name of a D●vil Satan or Prince of Darkness now 〈◊〉 in any Age but mysteriously wrought himself in under a Disguize cloathing himself like an Angel of Light that desired and endeavoured the Good of Mankind by this Means he came and comes to be obeyed and worshipped not as he is but as he appears to be Now this Temple where he sits and where he is Worshipped is the Heart and Mind of Mankind in the Degenerate Stite And that which doth reveal him with his Mystery of Iniquity is the Light and Sp●rit of God in which thou hast believed working and Operating in the same place and consuming him with the Spirit of his Mouth and destroying him with the Brightness of his Coming But this thou knowest not effected so soon as thou believest 't is a Work wrought by Degrees thy Safety and Duty is To wait with Patience for the Coming of the Lord in that Light and Grace which fits and prepares his Way and teacheth thee how to joyn with him when he appears and to help the Lord against the Mighty and to meet him in the Way of his Judgments by which Sion is redeemed And so as thou here waitest thou wilt discern him when he appears from all the Appearances of thy Enemy and be made willing in this Day of his Power to yield up thy Heart Mind and Strength unto him and to serve him love fear and obey him this is required on thy Part so wilt thou know him to appear unto thee as a Morning without Clouds and in his Light thou wilt see more Light and know it shine more and more unto a Perfect Day till by the Brig●tness thereof the whole Mystery of Iniquity be discovered and the Man of Sin destroyed and thy Temple cleansed from all that doth Defile and the Mystery of Godliness display'd therein and Truth and Righteousness sit upon the Throne and reign where Sin and Unrighteousness did reign even in thy Heart and Mind Will and Conscience then will thy Earth rejoyce and thy Heavens rain down ●atness and Everlasting Peace will be in thy Dwellings The which that thou mayest attain unto hold fast that thou hast let none take thy Crown whereunto thou hast attained therein walk pressing forwards to the End of thy Race where the Crown of Life is laid up and take heed of thy own Thoughts and Imaginations Conceivings and Consultations and of that Will that works not the Righteousness of God these of thy own House will prove thy greatest Enemies if thou walkst not in the Light which discovers them and takes up the Cross that crucifieth them and is able to bring every high Thought and Imagination into the Obedience of Christ while this is bringing to pass abide in the Patience bearing the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God and keep thy Eye fixed on the same and look not downward to the Earth nor at the Smoak that ascends out of the bottomless Pit and darkens the Air nor at the Dragon that makes War in Heaven but joyn thou with Michael the Prince and follow the Lamb which rides on conquering and to conquer so shalt thou overcome and sit down with him on his Throne as he sate down with his Father on his Throne and know thy Enemies made thy Foot-stool And that thou mayst not fail hereof Watch also against the dead Spirit of Formality see that thy Form of Godliness is accompanied and seasoned with Life Virtue and Power for though Godliness is not manifested without

it again nor knew not a Stay to his Mind nor a Bridle to his Tongue nor Strength to endure Temptations nor Patience to have its perfect Work neither was he endued with Wisdom and Discerning to discover the divers Wiles and Devices of that Old Serpent that betrayed in Paradice being not humbled and brought down to the true Foundation though the Seed of the Kingdom was sown and received with much Joy but springing up in great Haste for want of Depth of Earth proved like Corn upon the House-top or in Stony Ground soon withered again So let none be lifted up above Measure because of Revelations Heavenly Sights and Visions let none rest in Zeal and Affections let none deck themselves with God's Jewels and play the Harlot with them nor lay up Manna for to morrow but wait upon him from whence the Daily Bread comes and abide low in the Root ☞ from whence all Heavenly Blessings Gifts and Graces spring so a growing up in him which was from Everlasting before Evil sprung up before the Vail was spread over when all was good yea very Good will be witnessed This is the converted Estate which those that are come unto it not only stand themselves but are able to streng then their Brethren who are begotten by the same Father and born of the same Mother And this Counsel Christ gave unto Peter that Zealous Affectionate Disciple after he had had Heavenly Sights and Revelations When thou art Converted Strengthen thy Brethren Let this be minded by all to whom the Lord hath appeared and given Discoveries of himself lest they take up their Rest by the way and like Peter and John at the Sight of the Transfiguration of Christ say Master it is Good for us to be here let us build Three Tabernacles one for Thee one for Moses one for Elias This they spoak in Ignorance while the Cloud over shadowed them while they saw his Payment shining exceeding white as Snow but did not see him not hear him as the Beloved Son of God nor understand the Vision Mark 9 therefore the Voice out of the Cloud saith to them This is my Beloved Son hear him c. Heights may separate as well as Depths therefore what Christ saith to one he saith to all Watch and Pray l●st ye enter into Temptation In hearing and obeying the Beloved Son there 's Peace Blessings and Safety but in hearing and obeying the Serpent Tribulation Anguish and Sorrow and great Danger which all that wait watch in that True Light The Light that shines in the heart is the safe Dwelling place of its Children where with they are enlightend enjoy the one and escape the other XVI The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Gospel or Glad Tidings of Salvation THE True Christian believes the Gospel or Glad Tidings of Life Liberty and Salvation and at the hearing the Joyful Sound thereof he is glad and he rejoyceth to see the Angel fly through the midst of Heaven having the Everlasting Gospel to preach again to them that dwell on the Earth Rev. 14.6 and to every Nation Kindred Tongue and People saying with a loud Voice Fear God and give Glory to him for the Hour of his Judgments is come and worship him that made Heaven and Earth the Sea and Fountains of Water And the True Christian hath not only heard but obeyed this Gospel and he knoweth Life and Immortality brought to Light through this Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 and the Light of this Glorious Gospel shines in his Heart and he hath repented or turned to the Light thereof received and believed this Gospel Gal. 3.8 which is the Power of God unto Salvation which Gospel was preached unto Abraham and was and is now preached in every Creature under Heaven Col. 1.23 of this Gospel Paul was a Minister And the True Christian is come to the Mystery of the Fellowship of the Gospel That which judgeth the Secrets of Mens Hearts is the Gospel which stands not in Word but Power and is not of Man nor by Man but of God and this Gospel judgeth the Secrets of all Men and he is come to the Knowledge of the Mystery of the Gospel and through it hath received Life Liberty and Salvation and his Feet are shod with the Preparation of the GOSPEL of Peace and his Conversation is as becomes the Gospel and he adorns the Gospel of his Lord and Saviour and in this abiding he enjoyes the Priviledges of the Gospel and inherits the precious Promises made of old and enjoyes that which was prophecied of by that Evangelical or Gospel Prophet Isaiah when he saw and spoak of the Universal Love of God to be enjoyed in the Gospel Dayes in making a Feast unto all People In this Mountain shall the Lord of Host make unto all People a Feast of fat Things Isa 25.6 7 8 9. a Feast of Wine on the Lees of fat Thingsfull of Marrow of Wine on the Lees well refined and he will destroy in this Mountain the Face of the Covering that is cast over the Face of all People and the Vail that is spread over all Nations he will swallow up Death in Victory the Lord will wipe away Tears from all Faces and the Rebuke of his People will he take away from off all the Earth the Lord God hath spoken it And it shall be said in that Day Do this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us this is the Lord we have waited for him and we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation c. A Blessed Sight and Heavenly Prophecy which the True Christian is come and coming to the full Enjoyment and Fulfilling of Glory to God forever And the Anti-type of the Year of Jubile is now enjoyed and the Sabbath of Rest is entered into and the holy Mountain in which is no Destroyer is now dwelled in and the Light of God's Countenance is lifted up which makes the True Christian's Heart more glad then the Joy that comes with the Encrease of Corn Wine and Oyl many Prophets and Righteous Men saw that afar of which he now possesseth so that he can truly say Gospel-Times are Glorious Times the Priviledges of the Gospel are Glorious Priviledges ☞ Christ reigning and ruling in his Heart leading Captivity Captive and giving Victory over Death Hell and the Grave wiping away all Tears and taking away the Reproach being Sin which is a Reproach to any People and giving Power to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron and no war with Spiritual Wickednesses in high Places and to bring down every High Thought and Imagination into the Obedience of Christ this Honour have all the Saints who receive the Gospel of Peace and Salvation and arive at the Mark of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in the Gospel and talks of Life Liberty and Salvation by it

he saith he hath heard the Sound of the Gospel and that he obeyes the Gospel but how doth he shew forth the Truth hereof let him examine himself doth he know the Light of the glorious Gospel to shine in his Heart whereby the Mystery of it is revealed unto him Hath he repented or turned to the Light and believed the Gospel Doth he know it to be the Power of God unto Salvation And is he saved by it as Abraham was when preached unto him and as the Primitive Christians were when they received it Doth he know Life Immortality brought to Light through the Gospel Hath he obeyed the Gospel And is his Feet shod with the Preparation of it And doth be adorn the Gospel with a Holy Life and Conversation No the Titular Christian knows no such Gospel nor the Light of it to shine in his Heart nor the Mystery of it to be revealed in him for he hates the Light and denyes Revelation and saith it is ceased and that there is no Revelation to be expected in these Dayes nor no Possibility to live a holy Life as becometh the Gospel nor no inheriting the precious Promises nor enjoying the glorious Things prophesied of while on this side the Grave nor no having the Vail taken off the Heart nor Tears wiped away nor the Cause of them removed nor Death swallowed up in Victory while he remains in the Body nor that the Anti-Type of the Year of Jubilee which is perfect Liberty and Redemption can be witnessed and enjoyed by believing in the Gospel nor that the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established upon the Top of all Mountains or that any can dwell in that where no Destroyer is nor that the Sabbath or Rest wherein he shall not speak his own Words nor think his own Thoughts nor bear any Burden can be entered into or dwelled in while on this Side the Grave ☞ The Titular Christian hath no Faith in any of these Things therefore his Faith is feigned and the Object of it is Imaginary and is indeed that which may be called another Gospel which he that bringeth is accursed and is not of God but of Man And the Titular Christian can be a professor of this Gospel and a Hearer of this Gospel and yet never hear the Voice of the Son of God nor never come to be quickned unto Life nor never receive Remission of Sin nor Inheritance among them that are sanctified nor never come to enjoy the Priviledges of the Gospel signified and shewed forth by divers Types Figures and Shadows under the Law and seen and prophecied of by the holy Prophets yet can talk of all these Things even while in Death will talk of the Fame of Wisdom and the glorious Things her Children formerly enjoyed while he himself is poor blind and miserable and wants the Possession and Experimental Enjoyment thereof And indeed the Mystery of Iniquity hath so far prevailed and the Darkness is grown so thick by Reason of the Smoak that ascend out of the Bottomless Pit in this Night o● Apostacy which hath spread over this Part o● the World called Christendom since the Apostles Dayes that the Titular Christian which hates the Light and dwells in this Darkness is grown so great a Friend to the Devil that old Serpent ☞ that he will not endure the preaching any other Gospel then such an one which will admit of living under the Bondage Service and Slavery of the Devil Term of Life this is he that cannot endure sound Doctrine Now the joyful Sound of this Gospel which whole Christendom rings of is No perfect Victory over Sin no Overcoming the Devil no withstanding him in all his Temptations no abstaining from every Appearance of Evil The Message and Sound of the Ministers of Darkness who preach another Gospel no perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God no ceasing from committing of Sin no dispossessing the strong Man and spoiling all his Goods no sweeping the House and garnishing it with Heavenly Goods no pulling down the strong Holds of Sin and Satan no bringing every Thought and Imagination into the Obedience of Christ no putting off the old Man with his Deeds nor putting on the new nor bearing the Heavenly Image nor any such Regeneration or new Birth to be known which committeth not Sin no repairing the Breach which our first Parents made no finding again that which is lost no Restoration into Innocency and a sinless State again while Men dwell in these Earthly To bernacles none of these Things can be effected saith the Sound of this Gospel or the Preachers of it in all Sects Oh! how greatly is it to be lamented not only to see and behold the Garden and Vineyard of the Lord become so great a Wilderness and so overgrow with Bryars and Thorns Thistles and noysome Weeds where many venemous and hurtful Things are nourished but also to see those who count themselves Labourers in the Vineyard and Dressers of the Garden sit down and conclude that it can never be dressed nor the Vineyard purged from all that doth offend the tender Grapes and that the wild Bore and the little Foxes can never be driven out nor those Plants which the Heavenly Father never planted be pulled up nor that this Wilderness can ever become a fruitful Field nor like Eden again and that there are so many Believers of this sorrowful Tidings and miserable Messengers and Ministers of Satan The Sorrow and Misery of Mankind is much encreas'd and continu'd by this Vnbelief and Sound of bad Tidings or another Gospel which they that have brought are accursed Evil Unbelieving Spies who discourage and perswade the People they can never inherit the good Land nor overcome their Enemies Oh thou God of Heaven appear more and more and disperse and remove this Unbelief and gross Darkness and stop the ascending of this Smoak which ariseth out of the Bottomless Pit and darkens the Air and gather thy scattered People from under those Idol Shepherds and false Vine Dressers blind Guides and miserable Comforters thou hast gathered a Remnant from under them and made their Folly manifest and to them their Gospel is accursed do so for Thousands and Ten Thousands which yet know thee not is the Breathing of the Soul of the Righteous and remove this Monstrous Faith out of the Hearts of all Men which holds up the Devil's Kingdom there TERM OF LIFE And let thy POWER be known and Magnified over all who art God Blessed forever XVII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning Grace and Living under it and Growing up in it from one Degree unto another and of the Possibility of Falling Away from it THE Law came by Moses but Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ Grace is the free Gift of God for the Salvation of all and hath appeared unto all men but all men did not nor do receive it so know not the Teachings and Virtue of it nor its Sufficiency