〈…〉 By the FINGER of Gods Power AND His Visage Discovered by the Light of CHRIST JESUS and his Ministers Members Workes 〈◊〉 Lying Wonders Manifested by the Spirit of God a Manifestation whereof is given to every Man and Woman to profit withal With Friendly and Serious Invitations Exhortations and Warnings to all Professors of Christianity to beware that Antichristian Spirit that leadeth to Destruction and those Teachers who are Influenced by it Written in the Love of God by a Prisoner at Lancaster Castle for the Testimony of Truth and one of the People called in Scorn Quakers HENRY MOLLINEVX And Jesus answered and said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and because Iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold Mat. 24.4 5 10 11. As ye have beard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 LONDON Printed and Sold by T. Sâ—â—â—â— near the Meeting-house in White-Hart-Court in 〈◊〉 street 1695. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Friendly Reader IT hath been a weighty Concern upon me for several Years to give forth in Writing a Testimony against the Spirit of Antichrist as I have through the Love and Mercy of God been made sensible thereof by the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ Jesus the Son of the Living God and so having cleared and eased my Mind and Conscience of what hath lain upon me I commit to thee the following Treatise desiring that the fear and dread of the Lord God may constantly have a place in thy Heart in the Reading of it as it had in mine in the Writing of it and that will preserve thee Meek and Low in Heart in an aptness to Learn of Christ the Son of God's Love that many Professors of Christianity are but ignorantly talking of and so thou wilt not be apt to take offence nor stumble at the Truth as thou art made sensible of it in thy Heart but wilt be willing for thine own Eternal Good truly to examine thy self before the Lord in Secret how thou standest in thy Spiritual State and Condition before his All-seeing Eye for there was never more need for People to be truly concerned for the Salvation of their Precious Souls than there is now but they who walk not in the fear of the Lord slight it And if thou Reason saying Ah! But I am Unlearned and how should I understand or know the Truth For there are many great Scholars and Men Learned in Latin Greek and Hebrew and yet one sort of them preacheth one Doctrine and others other Doctrines and therefore how should I know which is the Truth I answer that thou mayest be as capable to know the Truth as if thou understood Latin and Greek and Hebrew for the Manifestation of the Spirit of Truth in thy own Heart that reproveth for Sin is sufficient to teach thee to know the Truth if thou believest in it and be truly willing to obey it and in disobedience to it none can know the Truth to their Comfort though they may perfectly understand Latin Greek and Hebrew the understanding whereof in its place may be good and serviceable Yet thou knowest not how soon thou must give an Account to the God of Truth how thou hast profited with the Manifestation of his Spirit of Truth which is given to thee to profit withal As for the Times and Manner of the Inventions setting up and establishing of the Popish Mass Ceremonies Tythes and other Trumpery I refer thee to a Book put forth by Francis Howgill in Two Parts the first Intituled The Glory of the True Church discovered and the latter Part The Rock of Ages exalted above Rome 's imagined Rock And also to a little Book called Popery Arraigned set forth by G. F. and E. H. it not being my present Concern so much to shew the Times and Persons and Manner how by whom and when the Popish Inventions came up in the Apostacy that being upon Record and sufficiently done before as to shew how much they are contrary to the Scriptures of Truth and to the Spirit of Truth by which those Scriptures were given forth and how many professing Christianity and Reformation from Popery are yet found in them and in an Antichristian Spirit and how they may know the evil thereof and come out of them that they may enjoy the pure Life of Christianity which is more than Profession thereof Herein several Popish Inventions and Practices are very little or none Treated of yet comprehended being contrary to the Scriptures of Truth and the Witness of God in every Heart in them who truly take heed to it will Testifie against them such as their Worshipping of Images and Pictures and Relicks and Bones of the Dead and praying to the Dead and for the Dead and counting their Prayers by Beads as if they thought like the Heathens of which Chirst spake that they should be heard for their much speaking or babling with their Mattens and Letanies and their Idle Complements and giving of Flattering Titles c. and also their being divided into many distinct and different Orders and Sorts of Monks Friars and Jesuits and yet they plead or cry up Unity and also their Orders for Barbarian Praying wilfully in an Unknown Tongue and their not permitting to the People the Scriptures of Truth in their own Language which were publick amongst the Primitive Christians who searched them daily and found great Comfort by them and the Apostles and Holy Men of God wrote in a Known Tongue or Mother Tongue to whom they wrote that all might understand them and be edified by them in the Spirit of Christ by which only the Scriptures of Truth may be truly understood And so I commit thee to the Word of God's Grace which is the Light or Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in thine own Heart by which only thou mayest be made sensible to understand aright the Things that Concern thy Everlasting Peace and Happiness who am a Well-wisher to all Mankind H. M. THE CONTENTS COncerning the Prevailings of Antichrist and his being manifested in the Primitive Times of Christianity and the Prophesies of him from Page 1 to 32. Concerning the Power of Antichrist and also concerning Freedom from Sin and concerning the Popes and Babylon from Page 32 to 105. Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper and also concerning the Signs of Antichrist and Fighting and Persecution and Tythes and the Spirit that denieth Christ come in the Flesh from Page 105 to 233. Concerning Reformation from Popery and Constancy and Inconstancy to Professions from Page 233 to 251. Concerning the Wonders of Antichrist and concerning them that say lo here and lo there from Page 251 to 258. Concerning the Rock on which the Church of Christ is Built and the Popes pretended Headship and Infallibility and Popish Persecutions from Page 258 to 270. Concerning the Popes pretended Stewardship from Page
Christ nor his Apostles But if they that Teach such things as these for Doctrines to get Money by had not a shew of Christianity and a shew of believing in Christ and in the Scriptures of Truth they walking contrary could not prevail upon many who Believe the Truth of the Holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles Recorded therein to embrace their Doctrines and receive them for Teachers nor to pay for their Teachings who through Covetousness with feigned words 2 Pet. 1.19 2 Pet. 2.2.3 make Merchandise of such as follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the Way of Truth which the Scriptures declare of even the Light the sure Word of Prophecy in the Heart is evil spoken of For if the False Church called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth had not been Arrayed in Purple and Scarlet Colour and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearls then probably the Kings of the Earth would not have been so apt to commit Fornication with her Rev. 17.1 2 to 6. And so if those that Preach up this or that Ordinance or Tradition to get Money withal contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles did not deck themselves and their Doctrines with the precious words of Christ and his Apostles making them to serve to their Purposes as far as they can with all the feigned words and fair speeches that they can study out or invent their Trade would soon fail and their Merchandize be rejected as it is by the Children of the Light who plainly see their deceit let their shews be as fair as they can Now if it be any thing whereby God is really honoured or the Name of Christ exalted or People bettered or edified in Christ the Truth there is no reason why any such thing should be wanting amongst Christians but such Ceremonies Types Signs and Shadows which the Holy Scriptures declare of which were in their Time and Season appointed of God to be as Figures Types or Shadows to them who were as under the Cloud to typifie or shew forth Christ to come and to be as Shadows of good things to come Col. 2. â—â— and to be as Explanations of the Great Mystery of Godliness which by the prevailing Power of Darkness was hid from Ages and Generations which is made manifest to his Saints who have believed in Col. 1.26 27. and walk in his Light which is Christ in them the hope of Glory So now Christ the Antitype the End of all Figures Types and Shadows being come and also inwardly revealed and made manifest why then should not all those outward Ceremonies Types Figures Signs and Shadows cease seeing there is no Warrant nor Command of God nor Christ nor of his Holy Apostles left upon Record in the Scriptures of Truth for the continuance of them For that which was a Figure for the time then present in which were offered both Gifts Heb. 7.18 19 Heb. 9.9 10. Eph. 2.15.16 and Sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the Conscience which stood only in Meats and Drinks and divers Washings imposed on them to wit the Jews until the time of Reformation that Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances was disanulled or made void for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof by Christ who came to fulfil abolish disanul and make void the same And the Apostle saith If that first Covenant had been faultless then should no place have been sought for the second for finding fault with them the Lord said Behold the Days come Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. Heb. 8.7 8 9 10 11. when I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the Day that I took them by the Hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord But this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those Days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their Mind and write them in their Hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People And they shall not teach every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest and I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more So here is a clear Testimony to God's Law in the Mind and in the Heart Prov. 6.23 which is the Light that reproveth for sin and the Reproof of its Instruction is the Way of Life and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus setteth them who walk in the Light the Way of Life free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 But it doth not so set them free from the Law of sin and death who love not the inward Law and Light of Life but are in Bondage to outward Ordinances John 8.12 Joh. 12.35 36. Gal. 4.9 and weak and beggarly Elements which the Apostles of Christ reproved And said the Apostle Paul in that he saith a New Covenant he hath made the first old now said he that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to Vanish away and so he testified in his Day that the outward Covenant or Law of Ceremonies or of Commandments contained in Ordinances was old and ready to vanish away and it was his Exercise and Travail to bring those that in any measure believed in Christ out of those Ceremonies Ordinances and weak and beggarly Elements into the Obedience of the Inward Law of God put into their Mind and written in their Hearts that therein they might walk as Children of the Light which now the Preachers up of Ordinances and Elements hate and speak evil of and cannot endure to hear of Read the Epistles of Paul to the Hebrews Galatians Colossiani and Ephesians And so there is a great difference between the Ministers of Christ whose Labour and Travail was and is to turn People from Darkness to Light that they may believe in it become Children of it and walk in it and come out of the use of outward Ordinances and Elements into the true Worship of God in his Spirit and Light And the Ministers of the Man of Sin whose labour is to keep People from believing in the Light and in the sufficiency of it and so to keep them in Darkness where sin and the Works of darkness are done which are inwardly reproved by the Light and so to keep People in the use of such outward Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Elements in their Vain and Ignorant Worship which are Taught variously according to the Traditions and Doctrines of Men and that for their Gain of Tythes Money and outward Preferment far different from the expectation of the
Condition upon a Spiritual Account and as he faithfully followeth the Leadings of it he cometh to know a profiting by it and in it and as he persevereth in the Love 1 Cor. 2.9 10. and Obedience of it it manifesteth and revealeth inwardly unto such a one the Things which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man which God hath prepared for them that Love him Thus the Apostle Paul preached 1 Cor. 2.4 not with enticing words of Man's Wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and said he Christ sent me not to Baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 not with Wisdom of Words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect Gal. 1.11 to 17. So he was a Minister sent of Christ by his Spirit and by his Spiritual Appearance in him and to him for otherwise he was a Persecutor of Christians after the Ascension of Christ And all that are true Ministers of Christ are sent and taught and moved by the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 2.11 to 15. for no Man can know the Things of God but by his Spirit And if any falsly profess to be sent by his Spirit their Deceit will be manifested by the Light and Spirit of Christ to them who walk in it but as for such as pretend to be Ministers of Christ who say Divine Revelation is now ceased and mock at the Teachings 1 Pet. 1.19 20 21. Isa 54.13 14. John 6.45 Leadings and Movings of the Spirit of God by which all that ever were Children of God were led and taught and moved as is fully declared by the Scriptures of Truth which they falsly profess to be their Rule the Deceit Hypocrisie and Wickedness of such is manifest to the view of all who have not wilfully shut their Eyes And so though Antichristians may talk or preach of the Worship of God and may use Scripture words and the words which Christ and his Prophets and Ministers speak which are Recorded in the Scriptures yet they being erred from his Spirit wherein only the true Worship of God is performed they are out of the true Worship of God and Worship they know not what for their Worship is in the Spirit of Errour and not in the Spirit of Truth and all the Preaching of such with all their Learning acquired Parts and Philosophy it is but vain Deceit and stands in the Wisdom that is from below Jam. 3.15 which is earthly sensual and devilish and so those are moved by the Spirit of the Devil who mock at the movings of the Spirit of God let their Profession be what it will So the Scriptures shew plainly that there was Antichrists or Antichristian Ministers in the Apostles Time and that there was a great difference between them and the Apostles or true Ministers of Christ and the Followers of those false flattering Deceivers were as their Leaders were principally deceived by giving heed to the Insinuations of the Old Serpent their deceitful Enemy in their own Particulars For those that loved and obeyed the Light of Christ Jesus in their own Hearts and Consciences they came to a good understanding of their own Estates and Conditions inwardly and also came thereby into a true discerning of the difference between the true Ministers of Christ who were in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ Commissionated to Preach the Gospel of Truth and those who without Commission from Christ and in disobedience to his Light and Spirit preached for their own Carnal Ends and Designs such could discern between the Voice of Christ in his true Ministers John 10.4 5. and a strange Voice in them that falsly pretended so to be Such could discern between those who preached for filthy Lucre love of Money or any other self-end and those whom the Love of Christ constrained to Preach 2 Cor. 5.14 without which Love which they want who hate his Light all Preaching though with never so much Excellency of words is but as sounding Brass 1 Cor. 14.1 2 3. or a tinkling Cymbal and without which the most seeming excellent Works of Piety are nothing available Such could discern in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ which searcheth all things to which they were obedient between them that were of God whom true Christians heard 1 John 4.6 and them that were of the World whom the World heard and thereby they knew the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Errour And such by the Light and Spirit of Christ in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge came truly to discern the deceitful Devices Col. 2.3 2 Cor. 2.11 and Snares of their Souls great Enemy who in his Devilish Wisdom and Serpentine Subtilty was continually endeavouring to entangle and deceive them as he did others both inwardly by his dark unclean wicked Power and outwardly by the Deceit of the same Power and Spirit in his deceived deceitful Antichristian Ministers who transformed themselves as into the Apostles 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. or Ministers of Christ but the true Christians discerned them and knew that their end should be according to their Works and they likewise knew that Satan himself was transformed into an Angel of Light And yet in and by the true Light of Christ which enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World they saw him to be what he is to wit a Serpent a Dragon a roaring Lion the Devil an Adversary a Murderer a Devourer a wicked Spirit and by many other Names and suitable Descriptions is he called by the Scriptures of Truth to describe the Visage of the Wicked One that all may in the Light of Christ behold his Deceitfulness wherewith he is continually endeavouring to Destroy Murther and Devour the Souls of the Children of Men both by his Transformed Instruments and otherwise And all that profess Christianity and oppose the Light and Spirit of Christ they may fitly be said to be Transformed or to Transform themselves whether Leaders or Followers of others for they are neither Members of Christ Children of the Light nor Children of God who is Light as all true Christians are and therefore such only Transform themselves into Christians that is they pretend to be Christians falsly And such as are not Children of the Light nor Children of God whose Children are they Are not they Children of Darkness and Disobedience and of the Power of Darkness which is the Devil Such are grosly deceived and transformed as were those Jews who professed to be both the Children of Abraham and of God and yet Christ said plainly unto them John 8.33 to 45. Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do And all People in and by the Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ may examine and try themselves whether they be true Christians who are Children of God yea or nay For the Spirit
over and to exercise Lordship over others their fellow Creatures with much Pride and Austerity expecting and desiring to receive and receiving Honour from them and one from another and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only and this sheweth according to the Words of Christ that they are out of the true living John 5.44 1 John 5.4 Eph. 6.16 1 John 2.13 14 15. Christian Faith and so in the false dead Antichristian Faith which giveth no Victory as the true Faith doth for such are overcome and captivated by the love of the Honours Pleasures Preferments and Vanities of the World which if any man love said the Apostle the love of the Father is not in him And so though the dark Power of the Man of Sin more and more prevail upon and captivate them yet the Light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences often sheweth them their Sins and for Sin checks and reproves them and sheweth them the dangerous dismal consequences of Sin but they not believing in the Light of Christ the Word of Faith Rom. 10.8 Heb 5.13 and the Word of Righteousness do not submit themselves unto the Righteousness of God nor unto Christ who is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth no more then old Israel did Rom. 10.1 2 3 4. And so though they may be zealous for their several Professions and as the Jews were for their Traditions Ordinances and Ceremonies which they use some after one manner and some after another according to their particular Apprehensions and Imaginations seeking to find Souls-satisfaction by using outward typical shadowy things which they cannot find whilst they neglect the Light the Substance the Word of God's Grace in their Hearts the Word of Faith Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 1 Joh. 1.11 Col. 1.5 Mat. 13.19 John 3.36 the Word of Salvation the Word of Wisdom the Word of Truth the Word of Christ the Word of Life the Word of Reconciliation the Word of the Kingdom of God which is in the Heart and so they being in unbelief the Wrath of God abideth on them in all their doings For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 And so their best Performances their Prayers their Preaching and whatsoever they can do in that state is sinful as they generally confess But they who seek the Lord while he may be found with all their Hearts and Souls and cannot rest satisfied till he manifest himself in his Love but patiently in true brokenness and contrition of Heart wait under his Judgments till his Indignation for Sin be overpast as they continue faithful in true self-denyal bearing patiently the daily Cross to their own Wills the Lord will in his own time satisfie such with his Mercy and with his everlasting Kindness But if any flatter themselves that they shall have Peace although they walk in the stubbornness of their own Hearts they shut the Door of Mercy against themselves and when they have sinned out and slighted the Day of their Visitation wherein the love of God in and by his Light in their Hearts visiteth them and striveth with them then the Spirit of God ceaseth to strive any longer with them and they are wholly given up to be rul'd by the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above all that is called God or that is worshipped Psal 14.1 2 3 4. and although some of them may be wickeder then others yet none of them are righteous at all there is none of them that doth good no not one but many of them do badly with eagerness eating up the People of the Lord as they eat Bread And they do not only prey upon those who depart from Iniquity who make themselves a Prey but they often prey upon one another Isa â— 15 and sometimes war about their Ceremonies and Ordinances and many thousands have been killed upon that account and many they have put to Death for their Testimony for God who have by his Spirit been raised up even in the darkest times of Apostasy to testifie against the Abominations set up by the ruling power of the Man of Sin the Devil and his Instruments And many call the Popes or Pope of Rome the Man of Sin which the Apostle said should be revealed who may by the Light of Christ in their own Hearts be sensible of the Man of Sin and his power and works in themselves unto them revealed and therefore it were good for such first by the Power of God to be cleansed from him and his power and works inwardly in themselves lest they become more and more like unto him But indeed the Popes of Rome have been the chief visible Rulers of the false Church drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.5 6. and the Mother of Harlots and the many Abominations of the Earth and the Inventers and setters up of the pestilent Traditions and idolatrous Ceremonies still used in the Apostasy from the Truth and many who look upon themselves as reformed from Popery are yet in a great measure found in many of their pernicious Practices and Inventions to get Money by For the Popes having been in a great degree influenced by the power and spirit of the Man of Sin the Devil and having had the highest outward Exaltation over the Nations and Kings of the Earth or at least having claimed or challenged it may fitly be said to have been or to be the highest Representatives of the Man of Sin And amongst the many Popish Cheats none seemeth greater then their Purgatory or their telling of a purging Place from Sin after this Life whereby many are cheated of Eternal Happiness by living in hopes thereof securely in Sin while they live and many cheated of their Money also for Pardon and Indulgences from the Pope to redeem the Souls of their deceased Friends out of Purgatory Which is contrary to the Truth and to the Record of the Holy Scriptures which say where the Tree falleth there shall it be and every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Ecc'e 11.3 Mat. 3.10 and Christ said Enter ye in at the straight Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be that go in thereat because straight is the Gate and narrow is the Way that leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it And beware said he of false Prophets in Sheeps cloathing which are inwardly ravening Wolves ye shall know them by their Fruits A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Matth. 10.7 to 20. Now if a good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit how is it then that all good men are continually sinning for Sin is Evil Fruit And if every such a one as bringeth not forth good
them who are in judgment contrary to themselves yet they must never have their desire but as they destroy their Fellow-Creatures their Friends so Eternal Destruction will be to themselves and the Light and Spirit of God will be their Condemnation for ever But blessed and happy are all they and shall be for evermore who suffer for the Testimony of a good Conscience and are faithful unto Death for God will give them a Crown of Eternal Life and such in the midst of Persecution or at the laying down of their Lives for their Testimony in obedience to the Light and according to the Example of Christ the Captain of their Salvation can pray for their Persecutors who being blinded by their deceitful Leader the Devil know not what they do but think they do God service but Eternal Torment shall seize upon the Murtherers fear shall surprize them and truth will rise up in Judgment against them over all Deceit over all Error and over the Devil and all his deceived Followers and God will be magnified over all who is worthy for evermore Amen And after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ when his Apostles who according to his command waited at Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high were commissionated to Preach in his Name and Power his Everlasting Gospel then the great Deceiver and Enemy of Man's Felicity was very busie in his deceived Servants and Instruments to hinder the propagation and publication of it stirring them up by his Murthering Persecuting Spirit to Murder and Persecute the Ministers and Apostles of Christ as may at large be read in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles But Christ the power of God by the living operation of his Light which he sent his Ministers to turn People unto from Darkness and by the word of his Grace which is one with the Light working effectually in the Hearts of many to the convincement of them of their evil deeds thereby-bringing them to true Repentance and to the acknowledgment of the truth and not only so but also teaching them to live godlily and righteously and soberly thereby as well in Life and Conversation as in Words to Preach and Propagate the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ in the demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God So that the number of Christians encreased much and that in several Nations to the glory of God and the great comfort and cause of rejoicing of many Souls who had received the Light of Christ and believed in it and walked in it wherein they had true Unity and Fellowship one with another and knew by the Blood of Christ Jesus 1 John 1.7 a cleansing from all sin which their Soul's Enemy had wrought in them and in the Name and Power of Christ knew and witnessed a triumphing in his Eternal Life over the power of Death which is the Devil 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 2.13 to 17. Heb. 2.14 who had formerly captivated them and held them as in Chains of Darkness which they knew and witnessed to be broken and dissolved by the Light and Power of Christ and so could say The Darkness is past 1 John 2.8 and the true Light now shineth So the great Deceiver the Devil was frustrated of his Will for the Gospel was Preached and the Name of Christ gloriously magnified in his People over the Earth all the Endeavours of the Devil and his deceived ones not being able to suppress it But although many received the Gospel of Christ in uprightness of Heart and believed in his Light unto which his Ministers were sent to turn their Minds from darkness and in faithful obedience from their very Hearts gave up their All to the service of God in his Light the manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts and Souls and Consciences out of which Light and Spirit no service was ever acceptable to the Lord and so became Children of the Light of God who is Light and in him is no Darkness at all and in his Light and Spirit enjoyed precious Unity and Fellowship one with another and knew Satan the Devil the Old Serpent who by his subtilty had formerly deceived them to be by the power of God as bruised under their Feet no more able to prevail upon them by his subtil deceit but in the Light Spirit and Power of God they could keep their standing over him and all his deceivable Device of Unrighteousness and in Christ the Lord their Righteousness had Peace and Joy in his Holy Spirit and so rejoiced together in their Heavenly Places in Christ and glorified God over all in their day and time and though many came to these and the like Attainments as the Scriptures of Truth at large declare Yet the subtil Deceiver the Devil who was a Lyar and a Murtherer from the beginning by his deceitful Devices and dark Power prevailed upon many that were convinced of the true Light that enlightens every Man that cometh into the World and that believed concerning Christ that he laid down his Life for Mankind and rose again from the Dead and ascended up on high and so they could make a Profession of Christianity having a Notional Knowledge of Christ and of things relating to Eternity and it was by drawing their Minds from the Light of Christ in themselves that the deceitful Enemy prevailed to keep them only in a Profession of Christianity and in a Form of Godliness but out of the obedience of the Light and Spirit of Christ and so out of the Truth though professing it And so being out of the Truth and out of the Obedience of the Light which is the manifestation of the Spirit of God they were not though they might profess to be Children of the Light nor Children of God for it is they that are led by the Spirit of God that are Children of God and all the Children of God are taught of God by his Spirit and consequently they were out of the glorious Liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.14 Isa 54.13 John 6.45 Heb. 8.11 1 John 2.27 and of the Gospel of Christ the beguiling Serpent keeping their Minds fast in the love of outward things and so they would still keep up the Ordinances Col. 2.14 Gal. 4.9 10. Ceremonies and Customs of their Forefathers though contrary to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and were in Bondage to weak and beggarly Elements and observed Days and Months and Times and Years And so they were held in Bondage to Corruption and Corruptible Things and tho' they then professed Christianity and desired no doubt to be called Christians yet their Enemy beguiling them and keeping them by his deceit in disobedience to the Light of Christ in themselves they acted and lived contrary to true Christianity And though they appeared as for Christ they were really against him and his Truth and being themselves deceived they endeavoured to deceive others being Enemies to the Cross of Christ to which he
had nailed the Hand-writing of Ordinances Phil. 3.18 Col. 2.14 blotting it out and taking it out of the way where the Redeemed were to walk And as the Ministers of Christ declared among the true Christians that the Spirit of Antichrist should come so the Apostle John in his time restified 1 John 4.3 that it was then already in the World And although it appeared in them upon whom it prevailed as for Christ or on his behalf yet it was and still is really against him and the Truth of his Gospel being the same deceitful Spirit that draws into and endeavours to keep the Minds of Mankind in the love of outward things and in a kind of satisfaction in outward Performances old Ceremonies uncertain Traditions and beggarly Elements and so keeps out of the obedience of the Light and Spirit of God and out of the Service of God which they profess but it keeps in the Service of him who is their Enemy the Devil who hath deceived them who is to be cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone to be tormented Day and Night for ever and ever Rev. 20.10 So when Man 's grand Enemy could not hinder the glad-tydings of the Gospel of God's Salvation from being Preached thorough the Nations of the World then by his Spirit of Antichrist he laboured with all his subtil Devices to keep them who were convinced of the Light of the Gospel of Christ only in a Profession of Christianity without the Life and Power of Godliness that so though they profest Christ in words Titus 1.16 yet in works they might deny him And at that time he thus prevailed upon many with his deceit and made them deceitful like himself 2 Tim. 3.5 Philip. 1.15 Titus 1.11 having a Form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof and so some preached Christ even of Eavy Strife and Contention and others being Men of corrupt Minds supposing Gain to be Godliness and having Hearts exercised with covetous Practices taught for filthy Lucreâ—s sake things that they ought not And many having itching Ears followed such Teachers and their pernicious ways erring from the way of Truth the Light and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in themselves to which if they had been faithful and obedient it would have manifested inwardly unto them the subtil Devices Snares and Stratagems wherewith the Devil their Enemy had beguiled them and whereby he acted them in his Service to deceive others and to draw them away from the true Faith of Christ being themselves reprobate concerning the Faith resisting the Truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8 But their Folly was manifested by the Light and Spirit of Christ and they that walked in the Light saw their Folly And the Apostle called such Antichrists saying Little Children it is the last time And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 19. whereby we know that it is the last time They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Thus it is manifest that when the Enemy of Man's Happiness the Devil could not keep People from believing in Christ because the Testimony of the Light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences confirmed and was at one with the Doctrine and Preaching of his Ministers yet those that he could with his deceit prevail upon by his Unclean Envious 2 Tim. 3.13 Antichristian Spirit to keep them in disobedience to the Light them he made Antichrists evil Men and Seducers waxing worse and worse deceiving and being by him deceived And yet the Devil could allow such to make a Profession of the Knowledge of God and of Christ and to speak great swelling words 1 Pet. 2 1â— 19. to allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were clean escaped from them that live in Errour and to promise Liberty to others while they themselves were the Servants of Corruption And so though such could style themselves Ministers of Christ and of his Gospel and could use the words of the Scriptures and of the true Ministers of Christ and of his Prophets who spake by his Holy Spirit as they were moved thereby and could make a large flourishing shew by their Preaching in their enticing words of humane Wisdom which is earthly sensual and devilish and in their large comprehending Wit Jam. 3 1â— which they had as natural Men thereby to draw many after them yet all that was in the Airy Lustful Wanton Spirit that proceeds from the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 who works and rules in the Hearts of all the Children of Disobedience And therefore it was not like that they should bring any into Obedience they themselves being in Disobedience to the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in themselves which teacheth them that believe in it and obey it to live soberly godly and righteously and reproveth for lightness and vanity and lustfulness and wantonness and all the hidden works of darkness and dishonesty and unrighteousness and ungodliness all which the Prince of the Power of the Air teacheth and worketh and leadeth into by his dark Power and deceitful Antichristian Spirit And it is not like that his Servants and Followers should bring any out of those things for he leads them into them and so do his Ministers too let them profess what they will or can And none can come out of them but by taking diligent heed to the Light of Christ in themselves which is the Grace of God which brings Salvation and hath appeared to all Men. And so Antichristian Ministers keep poor People from the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves although many by it see them to be wrong that they may be ever learning of them but never thereby be able to come to the knowledge of the Truth as it is in Jesus and such can never bring any to the knowledge of the Truth for they are out of it themselves and all are such who Preach for Hire and for their own Carnal Ends or for Strife or Envy and filthy Lucre's sake through Covetousness with feigned words making Merchandise of People for such run and God never sent them therefore they shall not profit the people at all Jer. 23.21 32. But they who obey the Light of Christ in their Hearts by it see their deceit who would keep People from it for the Apostles were sent to turn their Minds to it and the Eye of the Lord is upon the ways of all and he will render unto all according to their ways and according to the fruit of their doings who sees and knows and searches the Hearts and tryeth the Reins of all And though those Antichristian Ministers could not only talk and preach of Holiness and
Righteousness and Redemption and Justification by Christ Jesus but also though they might perswade exhort and advise People thereunto as they without Commission from Christ took upon them yet they were unlike to bring any to the enjoyment of those good things which they exhorted and advised to being out of them themselves and being in unrighteousness and disobedience themselves they could not bring others unto those good things which they wanted themselves But the true Christian Ministers who lived in and preached in obedience to the Light and Spirit of Christ and directed and turned peoples Minds to the true Light the Manifestation of the Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences by taking heed thereunto and giving up freely with their Hearts to the obedience of it thereby many came to see not only the Snares and subtil Devices of the Devil but also to know power to avoid them and also to know Redemption Holiness Righteousness Justification and Salvation by Christ whose Light and Spirit in their Hearts they obeyed and lived in and walked in according to the advice and exhortation of the true Ministers of Christ But how could the Antichristian Ministers direct or turn Peoples Minds to the Light which they doing evil hated John 3 2â— For every are that doth evil hateth the Light and bringeth not his deeds to the Light lest thereby they should be reproved And how should such bring any out of Sin and Unrighteousness by their Preaching who hate the Light which leads out of Sin and Unrighteousness them that believe in it and obey it But they that are unfaithful and disobedient to it them it reproveth and condemneth in their Hearts and such hate it and love rather to bear the words of Men though false Teachers than to hear the voice of the Light the word of God's Grace in their Hearts that reproveth them for Sin and is the true Teacher that leadeth to Salvation from Sin and from the Devil the Author of Sin the deceitful Enemy of Mankind So the deceitful Antichristian Ministers hating the Light of Christ were unlike to speak well of it and more unlike to possess others with the love of it or to turn their Minds to it for they loved Darkness rather than the Light and endeavoured to keep their Followers in Darkness lest they should turn from them But the true Christian Ministers they loved the Light believed in it walked in it and in the love and authority of it they preached it and said 1 John 1.5 6 7. That the preaching of the Light was the Message which they had heard of God and declared unto People and they turned the Minds of many to it who in the love of it received it believed in it became Children of it walked in it had Fellowship one with another in it and knew a cleansing from all Sin by the Blood of Jesus Christ the Author of their Faith in it Mark the difference between the true Ministers of Christ and the Antichristian Ministers and all that desire the Salvation of their Souls ought to beware what they hear and whom they follow And the difference between the Ministers of Christ and the Ministers of Antichrist is yet more fully declared of by the Scriptures of Truth for the true Christian Ministers preached that all should believe in the Name of Christ Jesus Rev. 19.13 Heb. 4.12 whose Name is called the Word of God which Word they said was quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing to the dividing asunder of the Soul and Spirit and of the Joints and Marrow and is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Hearts And they preached that this Word ought to be believed in which was nigh even in the mouth Rom. 10.8 1 Pet. 1.23 and in the heart being the word of Faith which they preached By which Word which liveth and abideth for ever the true Christians were Born again and so were the Children of God and Heirs of Eternal Life through Christ Jesus who is called the Word John 1.1 2 4 9.12 13. which was in the beginning with God and was and is God in whom was Life and the Life was the Light of Men that was the true Light which enlighteneth every Man and Woman that cometh into the World And they preached that as many as received him and believed in his Name to them he gave power to become the Sons of God which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh John 12.36 John 1.5 Rev. 21.24 nor of the will of Man but of God and so they were Children of the Light by believing in it and Children of God who is Light in which Light the Nations of them which are saved must walk And the true Christian Ministers preached that this Light 1 Cor. 12.7 Jam. 1.21 or Word or Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every Man to profit withal was the engraffed Word which is able to save the Soul and they called it the Word of God's Grace which brings Salvation and which is able to build up Isa 20.32 and to give an Inheritance among all them that are sanctified Tit. 2.11.12 and they said that this Grace of God hath appeared to all Men teaching them who obeyed it to live godly righteously and soberly and to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts and thus all the true Christians as Christ said were to be taught of God John 6.45 Rom. 5.21 Rom. 8.2 and so Sin should not have dominion over them they being not under the Law but under Grace And they said as Sin had reigned unto Death so Grace might reign through Righteousness to Eternal Life And so the true Christians could say the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had made them free from the Law of Sin and Death Jer. 31.32 33 which Law according to the Promise of God in his Covenant of Light and Grace was put into their Minds and written in their Hearts so that they should not need to teach every Man his Neighbour and his Brother saying Know the Lord Heb. 8.10.11 for all should know him from the least even to the greatest And they preached that what was spoken of by the Prophet Joel Joel 2.28 Acts 2.16.17 Rom. 8.14 Rom. 8.9 Cor. 3.16.17 Gal. 5.5 25. was fulfilled which God said That he would pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and they said As many as are led of the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God And if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.1 he is none of his and so consequently is no true Christian for the Spirit of God dwelleth in true Christians who through the Spirit wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith And as they lived in the Spirit so they exhorted to walk in the Spirit saying There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after
the spirit And John the Apostle of Christ often exhorteth him that hath an Ear to hear what the Spirit saith Rev. 2.7 11 17 29. and 3.6 13 22. And by the preaching of the true Ministers of Christ many came to receive the Teachings of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost which is the same and were led by it Rom. 8.16 Isa 54.13 14. Jer. 31.32.33 John 6.45 Heb. 8.10.11 and so became Children of God And it was truly said among them the Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God and so they were all taught of God as it was Prophesied of them They were taught of God by his Grace Light Spirit or Word being one and the same though called by several other Names and Appellations besides what is before here written according to the most suitable Expressions whereby to shew the Operations and Effects of it to the Understandings and Capacities of all The Apostle John likewise calleth it the Unction Joh. 2.20.27 or Anointing writing thus Ye have an Unction from the Holy One and ye know all things and again the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no Lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him This and much more to the same purpose was the Doctrine of the true Christian Ministers as the Scriptures of Truth more at large declare and the true Ministers of Christ preach the same in our Age and Generation And as the true Ministers of Christ in his Authority preached his Divine Word Light Grace and Spirit so by the same they preached up the Liberty of his Gospel and true Christian Dispensation and preached down the use of the Ceremonies of the Jewish Law though formerly commanded of God and given by Moses his Servant which was then to cease being abolished by the Death of Christ they being in their time for Shadows and Types of good things to come by Christ but he the Substance being come having as they truly preached nailed them to his Cross and taken them out of the way they were not then to be used by them who had received the free and glorious liberty of his substantial Everlasting Gospel in the inward Spiritual Dispensation of his Word Light Grace and Spirit in their Hearts and Souls whereby they knew the glorious Liberty of the free-born Children of God they were not then to be subject to Ordinances neither burthened with Traditions nor to observe Days and Times as may at large be read in the holy Scriptures particularly in these places Gal. 4.9 10. Gal. 5.2 to 8. Eph. 2.13 to 17. Col. 2.14 to 23. Rom. 7.6 Heb. 7.11 12. But the deceitful Antichristian Ministers could not bring any into the True Faith which is in the Name Light Grace and Spirit of Christ for they were out of it themselves and were not faithful but disobedient to the Light and hated it and would not bring their own Deeds thereto lest they should be reproved thereby For though they might talk and preach of the Name Word Grace Light or Spirit of Christ and speak there of great swelling words to allure and draw others after them yet all that was but in disobedience to Christ and in deceit and therefore they could not by such Preaching bring any into the true Faith of Christ who is the Truth nor bring any to believe in his Light and Grace which they hated and did despite unto And the true Ministers preached that true Christians had put off the old Man with his deeds Col. 3.9 10 11 and had put on the new Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision nor Uncircumcision Barbarian Scythian Bond nor free but Christ is all and in all and they preached up a Spiritual Circumcision saying That he is not a Jew which is one outwardly Rom. 2.28 29. neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose praise is not of Men but of God And again saying to some Ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without Hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ being buried with him in Baptism Col. 2.11 12. to â—â—c end wherein you are also risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God And it is plain that the Apostle here meant no outward Ordinance of Circumcision nor of Baptism for he writes after in the same Chapter thus If ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances or burdened with Traditions as some Translate it touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men Which things have indeed a shew of Wisdom in Will-worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any Honour to the satisfying of the Flesh concerning which things he warned them lest any Man should beguile them or spoil them through Philosophy or vain Deceit after the Tradition of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ Read the Second Chapter to the Colossians And the same Apostle said Phil. 3.3 We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh which sheweth plainly that they were Jews inwardly and of the inward Circumcision as all true Christians are And this agreeth with the Doctrine of Christ himself who said to the Samaritan Ye Worship ye know not what we know what we Worship for Salvation is of the Jews John 4.22 23 24. But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seekethsâ—â—â—h to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth So the Worship of the true Christians was in Spirit and in the Truth and in the obedience of the Spirit of Truth and not in outward Ordinances Observations of Times Will-worship nor in Acts of voluntary Humility and accordingly in the demonstration of the Spirit the true Christian Ministers preached and not in the words that Man's Wisdom teacheth but which the same Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost teacheth which preaching is foolishness to the natural Man 1 Cor. 2.13 14. for he receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned But he that yields obedience to the Light or Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every Man to profit withal he cometh to discern his own Estate and
Coming even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of Vnrighteousness in them that perish Now in as much as he who is called the man of sin the Son of perdition and the wicked one is truly said to be in them that perish it is evident that he first by his deceit drawing them into disobedience to the Light and Spirit of God had beguiled and deceived them and so by the working of his deceitful power 1 Cor. 3.10 17. had gotten in them an usurped place of exaltation above the Light and Spirit of God which he had tempted them to disobey 1 Cor. 6.19 and oppose in themselves and so he and his dark power thereby was exalted in them above the Light Power and Spirit of God whose Temple true Christians are And so the Devil the Man of Sin sitteth in the Temple of God or that which ought to be the Temple of God being exalted above all that is called God or that is worshipped in and by them that obey him And let all mark that he is to be consumed and destroyed with the Spirit of God and with the Light or brightness of Christ when he comes to rule and reign in People whose right it is and that is when his Light or Voice in their Heart is obeyed And so though those who disobey the Light of Christ in themselves may yet in words confess him Rom 1.16 1 Cor. 1.18 24 and profess Christianity yet they by disobedience to his Light which is the Word of his Power who is the Wisdom and Power of God in yielding to and embracing the allurements drawings and temptations of the wicked One thereby he getteth the power over them and begetteth them into a belief of his Power perswading them that it is impossible for them while they live in this World to be set free from the ruling or prevailing of his Power over them And so he whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs Ephes 2 2. Ephes 5.2 3 4 5 6. and Lying Wonders who is the Prince of the Power of the Air he worketh in the Children of Disobedience and he ruleth and hath all the power and prevalency in and over such whom he holdeth in such a Belief or Faith that they must carry a Body of Sin and Death while they live in this World which is a dead Faith and never like to give Victory over the World nor over Death nor him that hath the power of Death which is the Devil nor over his Works And so such through disobedience to the Light of Christ which is the Word of Life Phil. 2.16 Prov. 6.23 Prov. 21.16 and the Reproofs of its Instruction the Way of Life are wandred from the Way of Life and Understanding and remain in the Congregation of the Dead Ephes 2.1 and are dead in Trespasses and Sins and are never like to be by a dead Faith recovered to Life to live to God in Christ Jesus in whom is Eternal Life and such may contend for their dead Faith But the Faith which true Christians are earnestly to contend for â—ude 3. Eph. 6.16 Phil. 1.27 Rom. 10.8 1 Tim. 6.12 1 John 5.4 Chap. 2.13 14. which was once delivered to the Saints stands in the Word of God's Power which is the Word of Faith which the Apostles preached which is nïgh in the Mouth and in the Heart and this is a Living Faith and gives Victory and overcometh as the true Christians testified And so they that in their dead Faith believe no overcoming the wicked One on this side the Grave they believe quite contrary to the true Christians as the Apostle John testified of them to whom he wrote 1 John 4.4 saying Ye have overcome the wicked One and though he writes 1 John 1.8 9 10. saying If we say that we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us yet he writes in the next words after If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his Word is not in us Now if the said Words to wit If we say that we have no Sin c. which some greatly object in this case be taken as they are in the common Translations yet that will not import the Apostle himself to be included as the Scripture hath such Expressions for the Apostle James speaking of the Tongue saith Therewith curse we Men c. James 3.9 And Paul saying Let us Eat and Drink for to morrow we dye 1 Cor. 15.32 Who can conclude from hence that the Apostle James was a Curser of Men Or that Paul was one of those luxurious Ones who used that saying about Eating and Drinking which was reproved by the Prophet Isa 22.13 and 56.12 Or who can from the Apostle John's Words here conlude that he then had Sin For as the Apostle James explained his saying of the Tongue to wit Therewith Curse we Men by saving presently after thus My Brethren these things ought not to be so vers 10. And as Paul also explained himself when he said Let us eat and drink for to morrow we dye by saying forthwith Be not deceived evil Communications corrupt good Manners c. vers 33 34. So also the Apostle John in this place after that which some translate thus to wit If we say that we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us which might relate to the Conditions of others though not to his own present condition saith in the very next words thus If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness Now is not all Sin Unrighteousness And therefore what can be more plain than that the Apostle here declareth that upon Confession and Repentance true Believers are not only forgiven but also come to be cleansed from Sin And doth he not also in the next Words before those that are objected as well as after fully declare the same speaking of the Light which they that love Sin do not love thus If we walk in the Light c. we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin And moreover according to said the common Translation if any should think the Apostle John here to be included yet he doth not say that we sin daily in Thought Word and Deed nor that the best Performances of the Children of God are sinful or mix'd with Sin as the pleaders for Sin for term of Life say therefore what he said importeth not the matter they contend for But according to those Translators much approved by Protestants Beza and Pasor and others the aforesaid objectible Words of the Apostle John are to be rendred thus
Fruit must be cast into the Fire and there must lie how can the Pope or any Man else recover such out of the Fire And if it be the wide Gate and broad Way that leadeth to Destruction how can they that walk therein escape Destruction or the Pope deliver them from it when they come to the end of their Journey But yet this Antichristian Doctrine of a Purgatory after this Life is upheld by the Popes and by their Cardinals Bishops and Councils to their great gain of Money to themselves and their Clergy so called and upon this groundless point of their Faith hangs many of their Antichristian Ceremonies to get Money by as their Trentals Masses Diriges Requiems Indulgences Pardons Jubilees and their pretended power of Binding and Loosing and their Prayers for the Dead And though many pretending Reformation from Popery deny their Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead yet they claim Popish Wages for Praying for the Dead which they call Mortuaries and annex it to their Tythes for which they cast them that cannot for Conscience sake pay them into Prison and so they deny the Work but claim the Wages which is more unreasonable then to work for Wages And it is a general Tenet of pretended Reformists that none can be fully cleansed from Sin on this side the Grave and yet confess they that no unclean thing shall enter into Heaven and then where must they be cleansed or how will they escape the Popes Purgatory which they also deny And the Popes and their Abettors on the other hand say Council of Trent Can. 10. Ellar lib. 2 de justific chap. 2. pag. 129. That they can do more good Works than God hath commanded which they call Works of Supererogation which they hold not only meritorious of Eternal Life and of singular Glory in Heaven but also that they may communicate of the abundance of these their Merits unto others but this Doctrine is also false and also Antichristian For the Apostle of Christ said I laboured more abundantly then they all speaking of the Apostles and yet not I 1 Cor. 15.10 but the Grace of God which was with me and by the Grace of God said he I am what I am and said he the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us so it was his Teacher or Commander that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.11 12. we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present world So the Grace of God teacheth to live Godly or like God who worketh all in all in his Servants and by his Spirit the Manifestation whereof is given to every Man to profit withal giveth the Word of Wisdom and Faith 1 Cor. 12.6 7 to 12. and Gists of Healing and working of Miracles and discerning of Spirits c. dividing to every Man severally as he will and so it is God that worketh in his People both to will and to do Phil. 2.13 Isa 64.6 of his own good pleasure and all Man 's own Righteousness is as filthy Rags Therefore they who say 1 John 4.17 1 John 3.3 7. that they can out-live the Teachings or Commands of the Grace of God which teacheth to live Godly or like God as true Christians do it is plain that such are not as true Christians are the workmanship of God by his Grace created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath ordained and prepared for his Servants to walk in Eph. 2.10 but it is certain that such are exalted in their Imaginations by the working of the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above the Word of God's Power in their Hearts and so he as God sitteth in the Temple of God the Heart shewing himself that he is their God Acts 20.28 Heb. 9.12 who with his wicked deceivableness hath deceived them in a high degree or else they durst not speak such Words or teach such Doctrine And so no Men can communicate any of their Merits towards the saving of others that Pretence being an abominable Cheat to get Money by for true Christians are what they are by the Grace of God and the working thereof in their Hearts and never pretend to any of their own Merits for their Salvation is only by Christ who bath obtained Eternal Redemption for them and purchased them with his own Blood And as the Man of Sin is yielded unto obeyed and worshipped by them upon whom he prevaiss with his Temptations he becomes exalted in their minds and proud ambitious and imperious like himself and then they are offended when others do not bow or submit unto them and as by his deceit he prevaileth in them he makes them like himself Deceivers Lyars and Hypocrites and yet they would be called true Christians and Children of God like the Jews formerly who were in the same Nature though not Profession to whom Christ said Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do John 8.44 he was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth because there is no Truth in him And so the Devil being a Murtherer and a Lyar makes his Children and Servants as like himself as he can of a murthering lying Spirit and apt to persecute and murther those over whom they have the power that cannot comply with their Doctrines Worships Traditions Inventions Customs and Practices by them in the dark and woful Apostasy from the Truth invented ordained set up and practised And all false Churches or gatherings of People what Name soever they go under are all one in the ground for being erred from the Light and Spirit of Christ who is the Way of God the Truth it self and the Life of Righteousness they are all wandred into Confusion and that is the ground in which all who are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves remain let them profess what they will And so as Babel's Builders of Old would build themselves a Tower whose top might reach to Heaven but were defeated by being all confounded in their Languages who before were all of one Speech and of one Language so all that are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves being gone into Confusion inwardly they would have a Tower or a Way of their own making or building to get to Heaven by and they can but build it where they are that is in Confusion And so all who are erred and strayed from the Way of God the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and depend upon Men of Languages to teach them or guide them to Heaven are in Confusion and may fitly be called Children of Babylon and Mystery Babylon the Great is their Mother who is the Mother of Harlots Rev. 17. and Abominations of the Earth whom the Servant of Christ saw drunken with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus and this Woman is the great Whore that sitteth upon many Waters which
what and the Worship of God is in Fear and Trembling before him and at his Word in the Heart and such are accepted of God and shall be accepted with him and with such he will dwell as the Scriptures largely testifie read John 4.20 to 25. Mich. 6.8 Isa 66.2 5. Ezra 9.4 and 10.3 Jer. 5.21 22. and 33.9 Psal 2.11 Dan. 6.26 And so I durst not but deny all Worships prescribed by the Wisdom of Men and set-up by Men which were not in the Spirit and Truth of God neither durst I embrace the Pleasures or Preferments of the World for I was sensible both of their danger and Vanity and that the Words of Christ were true who said If any man will come after me Luke 9.23 24 25. Luke 14.27 let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me and whosoever doth not bear his Cross and follow me cannot be my Disciple for whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it for what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole World and lose himself or be cast away And now I am not of their Perswasion who believe that there is no Salvation nor Freedom from Sin on this side the Grave and that the Souls of true Christians cannot be cleansed from Sin while their Bodies live in this World for that is contrary to the Truth and to the Testimony of the Holy Scriptures and where Sin hath a place in the Heart or Soul of any there the Man of Sin hath a place whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 9. And so much of the Worship of them in whom the Man of Sin ruleth by his Power consisteth in Ceremonies and Signs for he will allow them all Signs of that which is good so that they may be content without the Substance yea even the very Name at least in Profession or Pretence of Christians though he have quite bereaved them of the Nature of true Christians and allow them outward Signs of Baptism also at least whilst uncapable Infants which they may afterwards be told of and taught to believe that they were thereby made Children of God Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 8.10 11. although they know nothing experimentally of the one Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Spirit or Ghost and with Fire nor believe in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in which all true Christians believe who are really Members of Christ Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 13.19 being led and taught by his Light and Spirit and obeying the Word of the Kingdom which is one with the Light and is sown in the Hearts of all Men. And Christ said to the unbelieving Pharisees that The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation or outward Shew neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for saith he behold Luke 17.21 the Kingdom of God is within you And why may it not as well be said now to be within those who are ignorantly seeking it without them For their Teachers teach them to believe that they were made Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven when they were Infants by their outward Baptism and yet they have it to seek and know not where it is to be found but seek it as they are taught and expect it to come with their Observations outward Shews and Signs without them and Pray at least in Words to God saying Thy Kingdom come and yet believe not in the Word of his Kingdom which is sown in their Hearts which is the Light Grace and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which reproveth them for Sin in their Hearts and Consciences And so whilst they disobey the Word of the Kingdom the Light in themselves they are making themselves Strangers to God and his Kingdom through disobedience and so are unlike to be Inheritors of it though they make never so large a Profession of seeking it in their Observations outward Shews and Signs for there it is not to be found much less inherited And John the Baptist who baptized with Water to Repentance we read not that he baptized Infants for what should Infants repent of but he Preached saying Repene ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand So it seemeth the Kingdom of Heaven was near then and to some who came to his Baptism he said O Generation of Vipees who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance or as some translate answerable to amendment of Life for said he the Ax is laid to the Root of the Tree Mat. 3. therefore every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fare But do not Infants sprinkled with Water or Baptized as they call it afterward bring forth Fruits rather to be repented of than meet for Repentance So it seemeth they that came to John's Baptism which was with Water to Repentance if they brought not forth Fruits meet for Repentance they were little or no better being to be hewn down and cast into the Fire And where can any read that John's Baptism being outward could make any true Christians Was it not before Christ that John came Baptizing with Water and before there were any called Christians for we read not of that Name given till after the Ascension of Christ and if John's Baptism could not make Christians how should Sprinkling of Infants now or the outward Baptism of any others either It is not like that they that now take upon them to baptize either Infants or others for Money for which none can buy the Gift of God should exceed John who was sent of God Acts 8.20 and did it freely without Money And John was sent to bear witness of the Light that all Men through him might believe that was the true Light John 1.8 9 10. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World though the World knew it not But the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers in our days are far from bearing witness to the true Light for they cry out against it and give it many ridiculous Names John 3.20 and Titles and this is according to the Words of Christ that Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light And what a strange thing doth it seem that any should believe which some suppose that Sprinkling an Infant with a little Water some after one manner and some after another should make it a true Christian For true Christians are Members of Christ and Children of God and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven but no Man can make them so for it is only by believing in the Light of Christ and obeying it that a
Christ Princes of Priests and say they sit in Peter's Chair and that they have the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to bind and loose and remit and retain Sins and that they cannot Err are in these things found Liars and Deceivers and so Servants of the great Deceiver the Father of Lies for the Apostle Peter declared that Christ is the Rock and the Popes say Peter and his Successors are the Rock the Apostle said Christ was the Head of his Church and the Popes say Col. 2.19 Eph. 1.22 they are the Head of Christ's Church Peter â—alled not himself the Prince of Priests for he wrote to the Christians saying That coming to Christ as a Living Stone they were as lively Stones Built up a Spiritual House and an Holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ which Sacrifices acceptable to God are invisible but so is not a Wafer the Sacrifice of the Mass-Priests of whom the Pope styleth himself Prince which Wafer a Mouse or a Rat would not be afraid of and do they not say it is the very Flesh Blood and Bones of Christ Jesus who suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem Which is abominable Deceit And though Peter and the rest of the Apostles who were in the Power of God had that which did open into the Kingdom of Heaven and shut out that which did defile and was unclean yet Peter Sold no Indulgences nor Pardons for Money as the Popes have done or do but he Prophesied of such false Teachers to come who said he shall privily bring in Damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. even denying the Lord that bought them and many shall follow their pernicious Ways by reason of whom the Way of Truth shall be evil spoken of and through Covetousness shall they with feigned words make Merchandize of you And so the Apostle Peter plainly foretold of the false Teachers who Teach for Hire and Divine for Money and through Covetousness with feigned words make Merchandize of People and deny the Lord that bought them of which fort of Teachers the Popes have been the Head which have no part in the Church of Christ they being neither Head nor Members of it for Peter acknowledged that Christ is the Rock upon which his true Church is Built but the Popes say that Peter is that Rock and that they are his Successors and so they deny the Lord that bought them and account themselves in his place and many have followed their pernicious Ways in preaching for Hire or Tythes and Gifts or Rewards and all such deny the Doctrine of Christ who said Freely ye have received freely give and so they deny the Lord that bought them and speak evil of the Way of Truth that they may readily make Merchandize of People with their feigned or lying words as Peter Prophesied and so it is plain that the Popes are the Head of the Deceivers and false Teachers that Christ and his Apostles foretold of And as for Peter's Keys that the Popes have reckoned that they keep and with them the Power of Binding and Loosing c. however they have been esteemed of yet it is written of Pope Julius the Third a noted Sodomist that he destroyed Two Hundred Thousand Christians in the space of Seven Years the abominable wicked Lives of many of them and also their many flat Contradictions being upon Record and that he intending to make War against the French and marching to the Bridge of Tyber he threw Peter's Keys into the River Tyber saying Peter's Keys help not let Paul 's Sword defend * Witness Prideaux Introd and Burton's Wonderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy us and yet that Pope could sell his Pardons And except the Keys were found again which I never read of yet have not all their Popes Pardons been sold without the Keys since And have not People been greatly deceived who gave their Mosey for Pardons to them that had not the Keys of Heaven to lot them in as they made them to believe that they had And doth it not seem as if the Pope erred who threw away Peter's Keys And it was written of him thus He selleth Heaven but hath not Heaven himself But the Kingdom of Heaven is within Luke 17.21 Mat. 13.89 and the Word of that Kingdom is in the Heart and so the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are Spiritual and not to be seen by a Carnal Eye and it is only they who receive believe in and obey that Word the Word of Faith in their Hearts that by the Keys know an opening and so an entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven and thus testified Peter who advised them to whom he wrote to take heed to this sure Word the Light and to give diligence to make their Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 to 20. And so the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are not made by a Smith upon an Anvil as probably the Popes Keys may which must rust perish and be of no esteem for the Day is at hand wherein no Man buyeth their Merchandize any more Rev. 18.11 It is Recorded in undoubted Histories what Bloody Persecution and Monstrous Murders the Roman Emperors in the time of those called the Ten Persecutions inflicted upon the Suffering Christians in the Primitive Times and then was there any talk of a Pope for a Visible Head of the Church at Rome Or then was Rome any more accounted of than the others The Churches at Jerusalem See Hist Magd. Cent. 5. Chap. 19. and Leo. ad Gal. Epist 77 89. at Constantinople at Alexandria at Cesaria and at Cyprâ—is had as much Power in their several Churches as Rome had during the first Three Hundred Years after Christ And the Elders or Bishops of the said other Churches did sometimes sharply reprove the Bishop of Rome and it was at the least Six Hundred Years after Christ as Records declare when Phocas Platina Christ Misseas Hen. Panteleon c. Epist 32 33 34. Cap. 76.77 to aspire to the Empire of Rome Murdered his Master Mauritius and his Children and Phocas somewhat searing and willing to have the Favour of Bâ—â—isace the Third then Bishop of Rome cohdescendeth to all his Petitions and grants him to be Head Bishop over all Christian Churches and here begun the Name of Pope being the first Rise of Rome's Visible Head And as the Popes had their Rise by a Murderer so a Murdering Persecuting Spirit hath influenced them as their Bloody Principles and Murdering Practices have abundantly declared to the World witness the sad Massacres of the Waldenses in Provence in the Year 1545. and of Christians in Haly in Calabria in the Year 1560. and likewise in France of above Thirty Thousand Persons in the Year 1572. and the Irish Massacre in the Year 1642. being yet fresh in Memory wherein by the Papists were put to several sorts of Death in the Province of Vlster an Hundred and Fifty Thousands
as Strangers to it and had not tryed the Vertue of it For the Scriptures also are herein very plain John 1.1 4 9. that this Light is the Life which was in the Eternal Word which is Christ which was in the beginning with God which Word was and is God and so this Light is certainly divine and consequently sufficient to lead to Salvation all that faithfully give up with all their Hearts Tit. 2.11 12. Eph. 2.8 2 Cor. 12.9 to follow it and obey its Requirings and this Light is the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men and was the true Christians Teacher and by it they were saved through Faith for it was and is sufficient and it was and is the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which is given to every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 Eph. 5.13 Rom. 1.10 and whatsoever maketh manifest is Light which maketh manifest all things that are reproved and whatsoever may be known of God is manifest within But the said Teachers said That Revelation was now ceased and that in our days none must expect to enjoy God or Christ in his inward appearance in the Heart Soul and Conscience in which his Servants the Prophets Apostles and true Christians enjoyed him in days past but that now God hath in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament called the Bible given us wholly to understand our Duty towards him and one unto another and that none can know God but by the Scriptures And indeed none can know God but by that which the Scriptures declare of which is the Light or Spirit for I then knew certainly that though I had often with zeal and delight read the Scriptures yet I knew not rightly my own condition nor how far I was from the state of a true Christian till I gave diligent heed to the Light of Christ the Grace of God in my own Heart and Conscience and as I waited low in it by it I received a clear discovery of my own state towards God and what was needful for me to know And though the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy saith Of a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation yet saith he it is through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Mark that Rom. 10.6 7 8. It is through Faith which is in Christ Jesus the Light and the Word of Faith nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth And saith Paul All Scripture given by Insporation of God is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works So they that deny Perfection through Faith which is in Christ Jesus to be attainable on this side the Grave for which end the Scriptures by the Inspiration of God were given do not such deny the very end for which the Scriptures were given But the Apostle Paul did not write according to the common Translation that All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God Take notice of this for the Word Is is added there being nothing for it in the original Greek Copies And also the Word Scriptures signifieth Writings whether good or bad and no bad Writings are given by the Inspiration of God Therefore they that profess the Scriptures to be their Rule and Standard should not add to their Rule or Standard lest they be found to falsify it And so whilst I was thus reasoning with my former Teachers I became fully satisfied concerning their Ignorance of the Truth and their Insufficiency to be Teachers or Guides to direct in the Way of Salvation being out of it themselves and so I became as it were weaned and in weaning from the Breast I had formerly sucked which was the Conceivings of the Wisdom of Men and in the Eyes of the World I became a Fool and was reckoned mad and a Changeling and I durst not give way to the Entreaties nor to the Threatnings neither of Parent nor Relations though near and dear unto me whose Welfare every way I defired as my own yet then they became as mine Enemies being mightily offended with me though after some time more Friendly again then before some of them came to be unto me And when the said Teachers said unto me Why do you question our Religion for we exhort People to Vertue and to live Holily and to strive against Sin I answered saying Whether is it possible that the Soul of Man may be Cleansed from Sin on this side the Grave They replyed No then considered I Ah! then where must my Soul be cleansed and to strive and fight against Sin all the time of a Man's Life and never to get the Victory but always to be overcome surely this is not the good Fight of Faith but a very uncomfortable fighting when a man knoweth or thinketh before he fight that he certainly must be conquered And when they said unto me You may live as Holily and as strictly and as free from Sin as you can or will and yet continue of our Religion too for we command no Vices nor are not against any of our Hearers living holily and strictly but advise them to it Then I answered Ah! but I am unsatisfied and I have read in the Scriptures That they who seek the Lord with all their Heart shall find him and I believe this is true but alas I have not yet found him to my Satisfaction and I am resolved whatever cometh to seek him with all my Heart and I hope that I shall find him and so I considered that he who would find the Lord to his satisfaction and enjoy his Blessing must not walk in the Counsel of the Ungodly nor stand in the Way of Sinners and so I durst no longer join with them in their Worship For I believed that they who seek God aright and so find him to their Satisfaction must seek him Inwardly and Spiritually for he is a Spirit and is not to be found in Carnal Ordinances Ceremonies or Traditions of Men which the said Teachers pleaded for and I had been very zealous in those things but found no profit until I took heed to the Light of Christ in mine own Heart and Conscience And as I continued waiting upon God in his Light and taking heed unto it the Day dawned more and more upon me and the Day-Star arose in my Heart and I plainly saw the emptiness of all outward Ceremonies invented in the wosul Night of Apostasy and set up when the Power of Darkness ruled in the Heart by such as were disobedient to the Light in their own Wills and for filthy Lucres sake And I came to see plainly that the true Worship of God is only performed in his own Spirit and Truth the Mani estation whereof is the true Light out of which none can know God nor worship him acceptably but worship they know not