in learning the holy Scriptures in which they have the Doctrine Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example to follow them even as they have been Followers of Christ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ to crucifie every unruly Affection which doth lust after sin and evil and leads the Mind from serving God into the excess of spending the Creation to perform their hearts Lusts by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord and increase Trouble and Sorrow to the destroying of their Souls which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life for whatsoever People may say in respect that their Tongues are their own anâ— that their Thoughts are free to think what they please and that there is a time to be Merry and to Sing and Dance and Recreate themselves with much more of the like Expressions yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must appear before the Lord of Life to render a just Account of every Thought Intent and Action of all the Deeds done in the Body in which Day it shall go well with the Righteous but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell with him unto whom their Obedience hath been for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts so living and dying God will also forget Mercy towards them for his Regard is only to his own Seed and to Men as they are joyned to it which hath been sown in all sorts of Ground which is in the heart of every Man and Woman for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto for whatsoever ye do whether ye eat or whether ye drink let all be done to the Praise and Honour of God who gives Life Health and Strength for that end for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay it is for Condemnation which is great matter of weight for People well to consider what will become of their Souls who live in the daily Practice of Words Actions wherein the Lord never savingly appears but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts Intents Words and Actions so of his free Love in Mercy to their Souls the Lord doth manifest to them the evil of their way which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth which have been sent and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrighteous Wayes which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ which is that Cross for them to bear which remains in Opposition to their corrupted Desires then they would become able by the Power of God in Christ to witness his Yoke to be easie and his Burden to be light for what he hath said unto one be hath a so said unto all that is Watch and Pray lest ye eater into Temptation for he that remains faithful in his Watch by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement which by true Prayer in faithfulness to his Watch the Power of God in him doth appear to the resisting of his Souls Enemy and causeth him to slee so that in them in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord for the Knowledge of his Truth in Jesus Christ their Understanding will open more and more towards him by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of great benefit to the Understanding which will also refresh the inward Man so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received as a Seed of the Kingdom through which by Obedience it will grow and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God who requites his own with increase for the Honour of his Same and profit of Peoples Souls that by Obedience to his holy Seed they may remain in Covenant with God and be made Partakers of his Kingdom in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ Further concerning the Man Christ which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.16 Which doth manifest that God sent his only Son born of a Woman to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh for the Redemption of Peoples Souls in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit towards the Salvation of all mens Souls yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name for his Name is called Jesus because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins Mat. 1.21 Luke 1.31 which is according to the Prophet Isaiah cap. 7.14 15. A bruised Reed shall he not breaâ— nor smoking Flax shall he â—ot quench till he send forth Judgment unto Victory and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.15 to v. 21. He came to his own and 〈…〉 received him not but as many as received him to them he gaâ—e Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the will of Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Joh. 1 11 12 13. Which doth manifest that where men only believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ who as he was in the Body of Flesh was God and Man without the believing in the Gift of his Spirit which iâ— the inward Word of Life and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace without which they cannot come to live in that true Faith which justifies the Souls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father in which state of true Obedience the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus who in that Body of Flesh was both God and Man according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men and many that believed his Name believed his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness they believed him the Lord of Life as he was God and Man with an invisible Eve which by the Gist of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life whom to know by true Faith is Life Eternal which was made known unto them by the gift of
Gods â—race through the effectual Working of the holy Ghost by which they came to understand the Will and Mind of God the Father in the Death and Resurrection of his Son the Lord Jesus which was expedient that he should depart that 〈…〉 forter might come Joh 15.26 which Promise was fulfilled by the voilding up that Body of Flesh which was born of a Woman and betrayed by Judas condemned by Pilate delive 〈◊〉 unto 〈…〉 set him at naught and crucified the Lord of Life upon their Cross without the Gates of Jerusalem which Body was buried and rose again the third Day being the first Day of the Week which Christians attend for the Worship of God having the holy Apostles for an Example to follow them as they were Followers of Christ who met together on the first day of the Week to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth which is in the Power of his Spirit by the effectual working of his Gift through his Death and Resurrection which appeared unto the Saints who received of his Fullness Grace for Grace which made them able Ministers of the New Covenant of Life Light in Christ Jesus which then ascended into Heaven with God the Father and with him is in a glorified Body which Flesh and Blood cannot reveal being glorified with that Glory which he had with the Father before the World began which is the Christ that the holy men prophecyed should come for a Light to the Gentiles and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Isa 49.6 Acts 13.47 who accordingly is come and hath done the will of God the Father in that Body as aforesaid and by him through his Death Resurrection Ascention have all the Sons and Daughters of Men received a Gift of his heavenly divine Light as a Talent Taleâ—ts for them to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling at his Work which is able to makeâ— thorow seperation betwixt the precious and the vile that is between the begettings of his own divine Life and that Seed which brings forth the Life of the Stranger which is the Devil and Enemy of mans Soul whom the faithful will not follow but are willing to submit under the Cross of Christ whose Yoke is easie and his burden light not desiring the Death of any one Sinner but that all might turn at his Reproofs and live the Life of the Son of God who hath suffered Death been buried and is risen again and ascended into the Heavens where he maketh Intercession with God the Father for the Redemption and Salvation of all them that are willing by true Faith to receive the tenders of his free Grace which by the Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit of Truth is largely manifested unto the Sons and Daughters of men for his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit in his People that is Christ in them the Hope of Glory by which not any will be left without excuse in the great Day of his Coming to take Vengeance on all the Ungodly of them which have not improved their Tâ—lents to the Honour of his Name and profit of their Immortal Souls in which Day with the Righteous it shall gowell but with the Wicked who have slighted the Day of the Lords Visitation through their idle careless loose and vain living in Disobedience to that which the Lord by the gift of his divine Light and Word of his Spirit requires of them for which cause sorrow and anguish shall overtake them in that Day in which they shall forever be shut out from having any lot part or share among the faithful in the Kingdom of Heaven through the Death and Resurrection of the Son of God who laid down his Life for the Sins of the whole World but as many shall be saved as truely believe in his Name for as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of the Man Christ Jesus many shall be made Righteous Rom. 5.19 for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth so that not any 〈…〉 to say whâ— shall descend to bring up Christ again from the 〈…〉 who shall ascend to bring down Christ from Heaven for the 〈◊〉 nigh even in the Mouth and in the Heart that is the Word of Faith Rom. 10 〈…〉 by which Word of Faith we 〈◊〉 that Christ whâ—â—â— outwardly descâ—â—d 〈…〉 ascended and by 〈◊〉 Power of divine Light quickening word of his Spirâ—â— he is the Author Finisher of every good Work of Faith in the hearts of his People for he is the Word of Life unto the 〈◊〉 by true Faith believe in him as he outwardly suffered and in the gist of his Spirit which is the inward Word of 〈…〉 them tâ— whom Christ giveth the Shield of Faith and Hope the Hâ—â— not of their Salvation by which Word Simâ—n Peter came to know the Lord of Life to be the Christ the Son of the living God which Flesh Blood did not reveal Mat. 16 14 15 16. but was revealed by God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ whose meer Bâ—dâ—y Presence did not give Peter the knowledge of the Church buils on that that Rock whose Foundation was so sure that â—he Gates of Hell could never prevail against â—â—s Members which by the most sare Word of Prophecy are ingrafted in the Man Christ in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth for evermore for he is the well-beloved of the Fathers own begetting and hath done the Work of God in that Body of Flesh which suffered on the Cross without the City Gates of Jerusalem and was buried and rose again the third Day and appeared to the Saints and gave Gifts unto them and ascended into Heaven of which things the Father Word and Spirit beareth witness and these three are one God and that no man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say That Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost and as there is but One God One Lord Jesus Christ One Father One Son and One holy Ghost One Word and One Spirit all which are One God who hath given Diversittes of Gifts but the same Spirit and Differences of Advanistrations but the same Lord and Diversities of Operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all for a manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.3 4 5 6 7. for as the Body is one and hath many Members and all the Members of that one Body being many are one Body so also is Christ for by one Spirit are all the faithful baptized into one Body whether they be Jewâ— or Gentiles Bond or Free they have been made to drink into one Spirit for the Body is not one Member but many and are ingrafted by the Power of Gods Spirit the most sure Word of Prophecy into the stock which is Christ the true Vine with which every true Branch
the Messenger of Satan to buffet least he should be exalted above measure And whereas he said O wretehed Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Sin and Death Rom. 7.24 All which doth not incinde him to be a Transgressor of Gods holy Law as every man that remains in sin is which cannot in truth and righteousness say as the holy Apostle did I thank God throvgh Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the Mind I my self serve the Law of God but with the Flesh the Law of sin vers 25. Now by the Law of Sin the ignorant do conclude the holy Apostle was not free from sin in this Life which he clears in Rom 8.1 2 3 4 5 6. There a therefore no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Lâ—â— of Sin and Death for what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that the Rightenâ—sness of the Law might be fullâ—illed in them who walk not after Flesh but after the Spirit For they that be after the Flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that be after the Spirit the things of the Spirit for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the carnal mind is at Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can it be so then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God Rom. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. By which it is manifest that the holy Apostle did not all his days continue in a Body of sin but in his Warâ—are was pressing forward towards the Mark of the Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before Phil. 3.13 That the Man of God might be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 4.17 in which state of pressing forward to Perfection Patience hath her perâ—ect work that they might be perâ—ect wanting nothing James 1 17. Which state the holy Scriptures bear Record Paul in the end of his Warfare did attain which is a state free from sin in this Life according as by the Spirit of God he himself testified That he had ought a good fight wherein he had finished his Course and â—ept the Faith or whom there was laid up a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous â—udge would give him at the last Day and not to him only but to all them that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.7 8. And these things were done before his Departure from the Body as appears by his Epistle to Titus and to Philemon and also to the Hebrews so that the Lords People well know by the Spirit of God agreeing with the holy Scriptures as also by their daily progâ—ess in the Way of the Lord all agreeing with the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit that by true Faith and Obedience thereunto they shall receive a daily supply of his Power which will give sufficient strength against the Devil and all his Temptations by which he that hath set his hand to the Plow and doth not look back shall come to witness a thorow cleansing from sin in this Life which they that witness not in this Life shall not witness a cleansing in the Kigndom of Heaven for no imperfect thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven neither is there any Repenting in the Grave for as Death leaves so Judgment finds Concerning the true Worship of God in Spirit EVen at this day as in days past among the Peopâ—â— of the World there are many Wayes of Worship but with the People of the Lord his way of Worship is but one in which they worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth for God is a Spirit and they which are true Worshippers of him they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth Then how can any be true Worshippers of God which abide not in his Truth for Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and they that are not in â—hrist are out of his Truth and so not in the true Worship of God so as they are not in Christ theâ— are not in the 〈◊〉 but out of that spiritual Life in which the true Worship of God remaineth Now this we know that all men are in the worship of some one thing or another all pretending that their Worship is the right and true way of Worship Then seeing that all are Worshippers How is the true Worshipper known from the false Even as the Tree is known by its Fruit so are Worshippers known one from the other for the good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit but the evil Tree bringeth forth corrupt Fruit for men do not expect to gather Grapes of Thornes nor Figs of Thistles neither can any man be a true Worshipper of God in Spirit that doth not bring forth Fruits of the Spirit which are Love Joy Peace Long-Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 23. for they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ such are the true Worshippers of God in Spirit and Truth but such Worshippers that draw in sin as an Ox draweth in Water their best Performances in Worship are sin unto which the Lord hath no regard for we know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a true Worshipper of God and he doth his will him he heareth John â— 31 Now to think that God will accept any mans Work wherein sin remaineth that man deceiveth himself for all Works wherein sin remaineth it is not of the Spirit of God but of the Devil for he is a sinner from the beginning and the Truth abideth not in him for in the time of the Law the Peoples Offerings before the â—ord were to be perfect without blemish Lev. 22.21 and their weight and measure were to be perfect before the God or their Salvation Deut. 25.15 Which did signifie spiritual Obedience to â—hrist the Lamb of God without blemish spot or wrinkle who requires in this Gospel Day under the Light of his â—ovenant of Grace Light and Life unto which not any thing of mans imperfect Gift and Offerings can find place to enter into Covenant with the Lord of Life for the Salvation of their immortal Souls for as God hath perfected his work of Grace in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of Peoples Souls so most their work be also perfect by the Power of God in and through Christ for the Salvation of them that are saved in and through him the Lord of Life of whose Spirit there is a gift given to the Sons and Daughters of men which is for
this end that through perfect Obedience thereunto they may work out their Salvation by true Faith in Jesus Christ who is Author and Finisher of his own Work in the hearts of them that in him believe for he is given a Light to the Gentiles and a Rule of Life for all to walk by So here is no occasion of stumbling as the heart and mind attends its Rule which Rule directs the heart and mind in to the true and living Way which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven where they that worship out of the Spirit and Truth can never come for though they may not profess to worship a false God as many do yet they profess a worship of the true God in a false way by which their worship is a false Worship which the â—ord will destroy for contrary to the mind and will of God they have set â—p a false Worship teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men Mat. 15.9 For the hour cometh and now is â—hen the true Worshipper shall worship the Father in Spirit â—â—d in ruth for the Father seeketh such to worship him â—ob 4.23 By which its manâ—est That all words in Deâ—arations Preaching and Praying with all whatsoever â—se that men pretend to the Worship of God being not â—ad thereunto by the Power of God it is no more before 〈◊〉 Lord than he that cuts off a Dogs Neck or â—fforeth Sâ—ines â—lood Isa 66. â— For the â—ord is o◠〈◊〉 pure Eyes â—an to behold Iniquity or to regard Iniquity for be will not have regard to that Worship in which Obedience is not yeilded to the gift of his own Spirit of Truth which calls for Silence in the heart and mind of all such People whose Worship is not in the Spirit and in Truth for the fleshly part must be subdued and the natural Thoughts of the heart and the intents of the natural Mind must be subdued by the Power of God unto which Obedience is to be yeilded that every wandering Thought may be brought into subjection by the Power of God then the Lord will have regard unto the Soul of him that so worshippeth for such Worshippers are they of the Circumcision which worship in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus having no Confidence in the Flesh Phil 3 3. Now this is the main Reason why People do not pront but in their Worship as themselves confess go round in their Duties even like a Horse in the Mill and a Door on the Hinges still remaining where they were because they offer to God with a false weight and measure which is of their own Imperfection in a belief that they shall never be free from Sin in this Life whereby their Debt is in larged and causeth them to fall short of a true Hope by Jesus Christ who will not accept that imperfect Offering which would not profit in the Time of the Law for this is the Day of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ in which if any man will hear let him not harden his heart through a false Belief begotten by the denyal that in this day of so large a Dispensation of Light by Jesus Christ that God will receive the imperfectness of Mans own Work which indeed is that which the â—ords Soul abhors for the Devil and Enemy of Mans Peace hath seated himself in the heart and mind of Man and exalted himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God fitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God Thes 2.4 and unto him the natural Mind inclineth to serve by which the Soul remaineth in Sin and Transgression against God whose Gift of divine Light is vailed from the Understanding which also becomes Dark in which state they walk in the light of their own wayes which leads in the Paths of Death which fulfills Christs saying If the Eye be evil the whole Body shall be full of Darkness then how great is that Darkness Mat. 6.23 which Darkness drowns the Understanding of the inward Man that it cannot come to perceive the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which is the Power of God to Salvation in them that believe in the Light of it which if it be hid it is only to the Disobedient who yeild their Obedience to their hearts Lusts which lusteth after Sin and Evil being also desirous to know God without Obedience to the gift of his Spirit of Grace in which state the Devil hath the ruling part in the heart which lusteth after some outward Work in pretence of worshipping God only for the outward Name of Christian amongst Men such Worshippers the Lords Soul doth abhor for Mans natural Will is Enmity with God and in that state mans Time in Worship is not that Time which the Lord doth accept but the Lords Time in which he doth accept Mans Offering is when by the Power of his own Spirit the heart is moved to worship him the only true God in the only true way of his Worship which is in the Spirit and Truth So all are commanded to keep silence before the Lord and to hear him for the profit of their own Souls before they can speak or declare any one thing for the spiritual Edification of another for he that nameth the Name of the Lord is first to depart from Iniquity and to wait for the Teachings of Gods holy Spirit which hath commanded Silence to all Flesh before hîm Hab. 2.20 Ezek. 2.13 also Psal 3.25 28 Let all the Earth keep Silence before the Lord I patiently waited on the Lord Truely my Soul waiteth on God from him cometh my Salvation So that God requireth a free and willing Mind to be free from all Incumberments and love of visible things which are below the true Wisdom of God which unto the wise-learned in the things of this World is counted foolishness to see the Lords Children sit together in Silence waiting on God to hear the Voice of his inward Call by the gift of his Spirit of divine Grace Life and Light in which is the true Worship of God in Spirit and Truth So here is to be no giving way to any stragling Thought of the Heart nor Intent of the Mind for all that is of Self is by the Power of God to be brought into Subjection to his holy Will which is the true worshipping of God in Spirit and Truth for all Thoughts and Intents which proceed not from the Power of Gods Spirit they are Thieves and Robbers which keep lurking through the Devils Power to deceive the Soul of that benefit which if they were obedient to the command of the Lord they might receive for as the true Worshippers in all Ages have been sound in the silent waiting their strength hath been renewed for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and thâ—y shall walk and not be faint Isa â—0 31 for they come
to witness the Renewings of Gods Grace from day to day and from time to time which increases their Faith in the hope of Gods heavenly Riches in Jesus Christ whose Spirit of Grace gives Utterance to preach pray add sing in the Spirit of Holiness to the praise and honour of God and to the edification and comfort of one another which is the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth And in this Worship have all been in whose Minds have been turned from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God through which their Souls were made alive in Jesus Christ without whose Spirit of Grace all preaching praying and singing avails not the Soul in the sight of God for whatever men practice as to the worshipping of God if it do not proceed from the drawings of Life by his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ it is no more but what is by and from their own Works of Righteousness which will not justifie in the sight of God to save from his Wrath to come in which Day it will be said Who required these things of you Therefore it is expedient for People which are in their several ways of Worship to be deeply concerned about these things and to make a diligent search with the Light of the Lord in their own hearts which through Obedience they may soon find how it stands between God and their Immortal Souls which must come to witness the Lords spiritual â—ppearance in their Worship which if other ways it is not the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth but is a false Worship which differs not from the Worship of them that worship a false God all which are built without the Spirit of God stand upon sandy Foundation which the Lord in his own due time will overthrow for no Worship shall remain but that which is in the Spirit and Truth for that is the true worship of God and the Father seeks such to worship him for they are the true Worshippers and their building remains upon the Rock of Ages and Foundation of many Generations on which the holy men of God in dayes past built their Faith in him who gave them an assurance in the Hope of their Salvation who in their day were perfect Obedient Children to the gift of Gods divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit which made them able Ministers not of the Letter but of the Spirit by which they were lead and guided in a holy fear to perform the Work of God according as they were moved thereunto by the Power of his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ the gift of whose Light and movings of whose Spirit in his People is that which is as much derided and evil spoken of among Professors in this Day as his holy Servants of Truth were by that professing People the Rebellious Jews in days past vvho had a zeal for God but not according to true Knowledge even as it is vvith many vvho profess to vvorship the true God but vvorship in a false vvay in this Day but blessed are they vvhose Works are governed by the Spirit of God in and through Jesus Christ such are they that vvorship God in the Spirit and Truth for as I have said and that by experience that God is Worshipped by his ovvn and not by or from any thing of mans ovvn natural Will but all are to wait the Lords Time that his Will in all things may be done to the honour and praise of his own holy Name and the overlasting comfort of them that continue in the vvell doing unto them belongs a Revvard vvhich is that heavenly Portion of Gods Riches in Christ Jesus vvho is the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that love him and keep his Commandments Concerning vvhich things it is good for People to consider vvhile Time is before Time be no more for every Man and Woman have a Soul which must either live vvith the Lord of Life or eternally perish vvhich vvill be the state of all them who at the Lords coming shall by him be found to have been Worshippers of false Gods or that have been false Worshippers of him who is the true and living God whom all men are commanded to worship in the true and living way which is in the Spirit and Truth which is the desire of my Soul that all may do that so they may come to witness true Peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ who is God of all and over all blessed be his holy Name for evermore for in him is the Riches of God which belongs to them that worship him in the Spirit and Truth CHAP. VIII Concerning true Prayer by which the faithful find Acceptance with God by Faith in the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ TRue Prayer is an Ordinance of God and a Duty which God requires of Man to be performed by the Power of his own gift which came by Jesus Christ who hath commanded all men to watch and pray in a believing frame of Spirit which is that that God requires of all men and all men that are in perfect Obedience to God they watch and pray by the assisting Power of Gods Spirit by which they are made able to resist the Devil in the hour of Temptation but they who are in Unbelief of Gods Power by Jesus Christ That they shall never be made free from sin in this Life they cannot pray by the Spirit of God because of their Unbelief for all sin is of Unrighteousness and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil and the Pâ—â—â—â—s of them that continue in sin are an Abomination in the sight of God for the Eyes of the Lord are more purer than to behold Sin or regard Iniquity for the Thoughts of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord but the words of the Poor are pleasant words Pro. 15.26 By which it is plain that by Peoples living in Sin is the cause of their Prayers not being accepted with the Lord because the Wayes of the Wicked are an Abomination before him but he loveth him that followeth after Righteousness Prov. 15.9 for sin being loved and entertained makes a separation between God and mans Soul in which state man is incapable of receiving the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ by whose Spirit of Life the hearts of them which hunger and thirst after Righteousness come to be enlightened through which they come to receive his Will in what they should pray for unto him for Man in his own Will cannot know when or what to pray for â—s he ought to do for thou O Lord hast revealed unto thy Servant therefore hath thy Servant found in his heart to pray this Prayer unto thee 2 Sam. 7.27 By which it is evident that true spiritual Prayer proceedeth from the Power of Gods Spirit by which the Righteous come to enjoy the benefit of that which they
dayes of this Life which Faith is begotten by the spirit of Anti-christ which rules in the Children of Disobedience whose minds are drawn into works of Darkness which are begotten by their Father the Devil the Prince Power of the Air whose â—iry Kingdom remains in the Heart and Mind of all Unrighteous men who are bewitched by the spirit of Anti-Christ that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.1 by whose Spirit the heart and mind in the righteous are governed from vain and evil Thoughts for every Thought Word and Action that tends not to the honour of God it proceeds from the lust of the corrupted Desire which yeilds its Obedience to the Spirit Power of Anti-christ who is that Devil and Enemy to God and all Mankind and his they are if they obey for his Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6.16 So that Death Hell and Destruction remains in all Thoughts Words and Actions which proceed not from the Power of God in Obedience to the gift of his Spirit by Jesus Christ for all that is not of Gods Righteousness by the Spirit and Power of Christ is of Unrighteousness by the Spirit and Power of Anti-Christ So that all sin is of Unrighteousness and all unrighteousness is of the Devil who sinneth from the beginning and he that committeth sin it is of the Devil but whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remnineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is born of God 1 Joh. 3.8.9 Then let no man be deceived by the Spirit of Anti-Christ or by any of his Disciples for he that doth Righteousness is righteous even as he is Righteous 1 Joh. 3.7 for whosoever committeth Sin is a Servant to sin Joh. 8.34 Then he that is a Servant to sin is free from Righteousness for the wages of sin is Death and God is not a God of the Dead but a God of them that are made alive by the Power of his Spirit in and thorough the Lord Jesus Christ whose gift of Righteousness is Life eternal that is to them that keep close in their minds with the Lord by which they may not be drawn into the Anti-Christian Faith of any one thing with which the Devil seeks to destroy the Soul for God is not mocked whatsoever men some that they shall also reap for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption but he that soveth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting Gal 6.7.8 Now every-Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God 1 Joh. 4 2.3 Then that which appears from a spirit in men which doth not lead from sinning against the gift of Gods holy Spirit their so living doth manifestuâ— a unrighteous Life is towards God and that unrighteous Life is in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ which denyeth that Christ is come in the flesh of which Spirit there are many which have entered the false Prophets which are gone out into the World by which many are deceived for they are of the World and speak of the World and the World heareth them 1 â—oh 4.5 but the Children of God are begotten by the Power of his own Spirit in and thorough the Lord Jesus Christ and by Grace through Faith in him their works are of Righteousness before him who is the Author and the Finisher of his own Work in all them whose Works of Righteousness manifest Jesus Christ to be come in the flesh which the works of the Unrighteous do not do CHAP. XVIII Concerning the true Language and proper Nature of Speech and the true Names of the Days and Months And also the Vnrighteousness of Peoples vain living Through the Unrighteousness of Peoples careless living unto God they are got into a habitual custom of vain living before the Lord not regarding to live up in Obedience to the the Spirit of Truth which lead Gods faithful People into the true Nature of Speech and to call the Dayes of the Week and the Months of the Year by their proper Names according as by that Spirit of God they are recorded for People to learn in the holy Scriptures of Truth which givs a holy Testimony of the Righteous in dayes past who lived in all manner of good Life and holy Conversation before the Lord speaking their words in the true Language which is the proper Nature of Speech and calling the Days of the Week and and Months of the Year by their proper Names which holy Practise doth witness against this Generation of evil Doers who accostom themselves to a vain way of living both in Words and Actions by which it doth manifest that they are Lovers of their own vain Wayes and not the Lovers of Gods holy Truth which leads every upright hearted man and woman to keep in the true Language and proper Nature of Speech unto all men without respect of Person to any for that which the World terms Reâ—pect with Hand Hat and Knee and You to the Rich and Thee and Thou to the Poor is a respecting of Mâ—ns Peâ—sons which is a transgressing of Gods holy Law for they that respect mens persons commit sin and are convinced of the Law as Transgressors Jam 2.9 for thee and thou is proper to all men and you to more then one for God said thee and thou to Adam and Adam said thee and thou to God again Gen. 3.12 13. and the same was maintained between â—acob and his Sons Gen. 43.49 which proves that thee and thou was the true Nature of Speech between God and Man and Men and their Children as Jeptha a Judge in Israel did thee and thou his Daughter and his Daughter did thee and thou her Father again Judg. 11.3 5 6. And the three Children did thee and thou to the King and also Paul to Agrippa And the same form of thee and thou to a single person and you or ye to more then one was prectised by Christ to his Disciples and the same by the Disciples as thee and thou to Christ again which is the true Nature of speech as contained in holy Record thoroughout the Scriptures of Truth though some have wrested divers Scriptures thinking thereby to prove a lawfullness of saying thee and thou to more then one which doth not prove that you on ye is proper to a single person for those scriptures which they have wrested do manifest that when the spirit of God in his Servants and Messengers of his Truth did speak by the Spirit of Truth to a Nation Church or People it was proper to say either you or ye or thou which did include a Nation Church or People as one body in the cause which was from the Lord either for or against them which is not the
their People to live in a Life of these things which are so contrary to the holy Scriptures and the Spirit of God by which they have been given forth doth manifest that such People are only Christians in the outward Name but not in the inward Liâ—e and Nature of what God requires that every true Christian should be CHAP. XIX Concerning Prophecying Womens speaking in the Church PRophecying signifies Preaching which is declaring the Word of God as they receive his Will and Mind by his Spirit of Grace in and through the gift of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ whose gift of good spirit of Grace is by measure in the Male and in the â—emale alike who are made partakers of his blessed Truth and in this day called of God by Jesus Christ to declare his Truth as the holy Men and Women were in days past for he hath promised To pour out of his Spirit upon all flesh and among the faithful their old Men dream Dreams and their Young Men see Visiâ—ns and their Sons and Daughters Prophecy But many have wrested the Apostles words 1 Cor. 14 35 Lâ—t our Womâ—â— keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted them to speak but are commanded to be under Obedience and if they will leaâ—â— any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shamâ— for a Woman to speak in the Church Now the Apostle words do not include all speaking by Women in the Church which if they did it would then follow that every true believing Woman is debarred from improving the gift of Gods holy Spirit among his People which are the Church of Christ for by measure is the gift of God by Jesus Christ to the Man and Woman alike wherefore they may pray and prophecy in the Church of Christ for all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.31 So that here is no tye nor bar from believing Womens speaking in the Church of Christ but deparred by them which are not the true Church for every Woman that praveth prophecyeth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head 1 Cor. 11.15 By which it is evident that their Women did in that day speak in the Church for it s of no Edification for any Woman to prophecy alone by her self but where two or three are gathered together in the Name of the Lord there will his Spirit be in the midst oâ— them which proves that where two or three Male or Female are met together in the Lords Name that there is his Church and whether Male or Female if called of him they are to speak which is not that speaking which Women in the Church are not permitted to do For whereas they are not permitted to speak in the Church it is to be understood relating to the Government of the Church in which they are to keep silence and be under Obedience as also in the Law for the outward Government of the Church God hath committed unto men of which if the Women will learn they are to ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church relating to the Government thereof for in so 〈◊〉 she comes to usurp in Government over the man 1 Tâ—o 2.12 for Christ is the Head of his Church and the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God 1 Cor. 11.3 And as to such Women whose Husbands are Unbelievers or that have no husband a believing Brother hath liberty to inform them in things relating to the Government of the Church in which the Women Prophets in days past did not rule in the Government of the Church as may be read of Miriam and Deborah who were Prophetesses in their day Exod. 15 20. Judg. 4.4 and Haldah the Prophetess which prophesied of the evil to come upon Jerusalem 2 Chron. 34.22.23 And we read of Anah that prophesied concerning Redemption for it is said she coming in that instant gave Thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem which all that looked for Redemption did include the whole Church of Christ in Jerusalem and at that instant of her coming in and giving Thanks likewise was when the Church was gathered together and Christ himself at that time in the midst of his Church in which at that time Anah the Woman Prophetess did speak Luke 2.27 to v. 0. And Phillip had four Daughters which did prophesie Acts 21.8 9. And the Lord hath promised That he will pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh and their Sons and Daughters shall prophecy and their old Men shall dream Dreams and their Young Men shall sâ—e Visions and upon the Servants and Hand-maids will the Lord pour out his Spirit Act. 2 17 18. Joel 2.28 29. By which it appears that prophecying is not altogether ceased among the People of God whose promise doth continue among the faithful whom he hath called both Male and Female to preach the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ and by his good spirit of Life Light and Grace are they lead to preach in order as becometh the Gospel so to do that the Prophets may speak two or three and the others to judge and if any thing be ravealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his pâ—ace that all may prophecy one by one that all may learn and be comforted for the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints but if any he ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor. 14 to v. 38. But all covet to prophesie and forbid not to speak with Tongues vers 39. Now among such Professors where these things are not in practise according to the Record of the holy Scriptures which are for Peoples learning that by the Spirit of God they may follow Christ as the Apostles have done for Example and to mark them which walk other ways then whom is it that true Believers should mark but them who pretend to be Gospel Ministers and with their Hearers are not in the holy Practice of the faithful in days past whom they are commanded to follow as they have followed Christ which until such time as they reform in obedience to Gods holy Truth and are found to worship him in the Spirit in the Truth they are to be marked by all true Believers in Christ Jesus To have a form of Godliness but deny the Power who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth CHAP. XX. Concerning Powers ALL Power is of God either by commission or permission Let every Soul be subject to the higher Power for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13.1 The Apostles words are very weighty for all to Consider and not
his holy Will who knocks at the door of mans heart for obedience to his holy Truth which if any man will obey the Word of his Grace he spiritually will come in and sup with them and they with him Rev. 3.20 Then the Table of the Lord is in a clean heart and with them of a willing mind for Christ will not enter the Door to remain for his abode with them of corrupt hearts and unwilling minds whose state is alway to confess but never to forsake all sin against God and his Christ neither doth the most High dwell in Temples made with hands Acts 7.4.8 17.24 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit and revive the heart of the contrite Ones Isa 57.15 But to this Man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and Trembles at my Word Isa 66.2 By which it is manifest that God in Christ by the Grace of his Spirit of Life and Light dwelleth not in outward Covenants made by men in their own time and will whose hope of Salvation as they say depends on the Promises of God by Christ who is not to be found in all their humane Precepts and Ordinances which from time to time for many years People have observed which to the Dâ—obedient the Lords coming to them will be even as his coming was to a Generation in days past whom savingly he did not know because their works and way was not in obedience to his holy Commands for which cause though many Works by them were done in the outward Profession of his Name yet they were commanded to depart from him as workers of Iniquity because they had not kept the Commandment of God Mat. 7.23 Luke 13.22 27. for the Works of their own establishing were found unclean before the Lord even as all mens works will be which are not established by the Power of Gods Spirit in and through the Lord of Life whose Life is only witnessed in men of clean hearts and willing minds who are made willling that Christ should rule every Thought of the Heart and Intent of the Mind that all their Works may be done to the Honour and Praise of his own Name and they to receive the Comfort of it to their own Souls in which state of Obedience they witness the Cords of Gods Love to draw the heart and mind in to a more and more fellowship of his divine Nature in and through the Lord Jesus Christ by which they remain in the true Worship of the Spirit and in the Truth and such Worshippers are they whom the Lord seeks to worship him Joh. 4 22 23 24. 6.44 Then the true Church and People of God witness a drawing by his Spirit or the Power of his Spirit in and through the Lord of Life otherways they cannot receâ—ve Life for no man cometh to the Son except the Father draw him for all things of the Father are delivered unto the Son and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son reveals him Therefore all that will come to the knowledge of God by Jesus Christ it must be through Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace which comes by Jesus Christ under whose eafie Yoke and light Burthen all may learn of him who is meek and lowly whereby they that are heavy laden may come to find rest in him to their Souls Mat. 11.27 28 29 30. for by and through the Power of God in Christ every obedient Child learns of the will and mind of God in Chriâ—â— Joh. 6.45 by which Life and Salvation cometh to them that believe neither is there any true Believers but as they are come to witness in measure of the like state for he that hath not received the Son hath not received the knowledge of God by the Son through whom every true Believer in him receives Life for he that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life 1 Joh. 5.12 Now they that have received this Life they manifest it by fruits of a holy Life in all manner of holy Conversation doing no other to another then as themselves are willing to be done unto for as the outward Tree is manifested by its fruits so is every mans works manifested by the outward manner of Life for Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles can no man expect to gather neither is any mans Faith accepted of God without Works of Obedience to his holy Will for as the Body is dead without the Spirit in the sight of men so is Faith without Works of Obedience also dead in the sight of God Mat. 7.16 17 18 19. James 2. Then where Faith is without Works of Obedience they cannot perform the Commands of God by the Power of his own Spirit in and through the Lord Jesus Christ that Church and People remain in a dead Faith to God who is not a God to that which is dead but a God to that which is living in true Obedience to the maniâ—estation of his Spirit which they have received to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 for as in the time of the Law there was means for the Peoples outward cleansing who were to remain without the Camp as not fit for the service of Gods Worship before they were cleansed of their Filth Lev. 13.46 23 42 43. Neh. 8.14 even so in this Gospel Day is no man fit for the service of Gods Worship in Spirit and Truth before he comes to witness something of an inward cleansing through the little Leaven whereby through Faith and Obedience to his Talent received he will come to witness more and more of Gods Power by Jesus Christ until the whole Lump be leavened into the new Nature of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ which only belongs to them of his Church who are not in a state of always confessing and never so faking but as the true Church acknowledgeth her Weaknesses and Inabilâ—tâ—es as of themselves not able to do any one work acceptable to God so through Faith and Obedience to the Word and â—ower of God by Jesus Christ through his Grace are they made able to do all things according to what the Lord of his Church and â—eople requires so that they remain not in a state of always confessing what great Sinners they are but withal forsake their sins in Obedience to God whose Power gives Victory over their sins in which state they grow from one degree of Grace to another till they become perfect Men and Women in Christ Jesus which is according to the Apostles Doctrine who were sent of God by Jesus Christ to turn People fâ—â—m Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God and praying that they may present every
the Disobedient live in and in that state of Disobedience the Wicked perish for evermore more but unto the Righteous hath God regard whose Portion is of his heavenly Riches which shall for evermore endure with his People in the World to come But the Day shall come and now is that the Lord shall suffer his Judgments to make way for the Righteous to inhabit the Earth in which the Wicked have of long time been suffered through the permission of God by the Enemy of Maus Peace to lay waste the Lives and Estates of the Righteous who shall inhabit the Earth with Peace and Quietness when the Lords Judgments have destroyed all the Thornes and Thistles with all other the Combustible high and lofty Trees which have long incumbered the Lords Earth without bringing forth Fruit unto him through whose Judgments of Famine Sword and Pestilence with other Judgments of the like Nature by which the Potsherds shall dash one against another till the Earth shall become plain and smothe from the crooked Nature of unrighteous men For every Valley shall be exalted and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isa 40.4 5. Luke 3.5 And all Flesh shall see the Salvation of God in that Day in which all Israel shall be saved for there shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob which is his Covenant to them when he shall take away their sins Rom. 11.26 27. for the Lord will finish the Work and cut it short in Righteousness because a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth and for that end hath the Lord begun in his Judgments among the Wicked that he may make way for his Seed in the Remnants of the Nations which shall be saved of which there is a Number already gathered unto which small Number of despised People the Lord â—s daily adding unto his chosen Heritage and elect Seed unto whom the Promise doth belong which is to all them that fear the Lord and work Righteousness unto them is the gathering of the Nations which shall be saved and for their sakes hath the Lord begun his righteous Work against the Adversaries of his Truth whom he will overthrow and bring to nought for out of Heaven will the Lord thunder of his Judgments upon them and will judge the ends of the Earth for God hath given strength to the Righteous and will exalt the Horn of his anointed and he shall only and alone rule unto whom the Government doth belong for when his Judgments are in the Earth the Inhabitants thereof will learn Righteousness for God shall arise in Judgment to save the weak of the Earch and the Wrath of man shall praise him and the remainder of Wâ—ath shall the Lord restrain Psal 7.6 9 10. And the Lord will return to Jacob and have Mercy upon the House of Israel after they have born the Shame of their Trespasses whereby they have trespassed against the Lord Ezek. 39. Then will the Lord gather them from among the Heathen and they shall know him whom their Fathers slew to be the Lord of Life then shall they sing Praises acceptable to God giving Glory due unto his holy Name and their Offerings unto him shall be in the Beauty of Holiness for they shall know the Lord and him the only true God shall they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth theâ— shall the Earth fear before the Lord and the World also shall be stable that it be not moved then the Heavens will be glad and the Nations will sing Praises to the holy One of Israel whom they shall know to rule and reign in the hearts of the Out casts of Israel for if the casting away of them have been the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but Life from the Dead Rom. 11.15 Then let the Sâ—a roar and the fullness thereof let the Fields rejoyce and all that is therein then shall the Trees of the Wood sing out at the presence of the Lord for he cometh to judge the Earth Chron. 16. And unto them that fear his Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and they shall grow up in Truth and Righteousness before the Lord and the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the solâ—s of their feet in the Day that I shall do this saith the Lord of Hosts for the Lord will pour out of his Spirit upon the Fathers and the Children and the hearts of the one shall be turned towards the other for Truth and Righteousnâ—ss shall reign in all the Earth and there shall be no more Norse of the Horses rushing into the Battle for all carnal Weapons of War shall be done a way and all the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and his Christ and the Lord of Life shall rule and reign in his People for evermore and happy is it with that small Number of despised Ones among men in this day who witness the beginning of these things in themselves for having set their hand to the Plow not looking back they shall be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven into which no unclean thing shall ever enter for it is prepared of God by Jesus Christ for them that have kept his Commandments in this Life and not for them that plead for a Body of sin all their days in which sinning state they know no end of Disobedience against Gods holy Truth for sin brings Death and Death brings Judgment which is for Wrath to come upon all the Ungodly which fear not God to keep his Commands for which cause the Wicked live in a â—ell upon Earth which by the Wrath of Gods just Judgment will be enlarged to all the Wicked after this Life for for when the Righteous dye they dye to live in the Lords Rest where they enjoy Pleasure at the right hand of God for evermore but the Wicked who have disregarded the Commands of the Lord in this Life they dye to live in Everlasting Torment of the fiery Flames of Gods Wrath and Indignation which is the Reward of all the Wicked and Ungodly of this Life whose Life is far worse than the Life of a Dog or a Toad for when they dye all their Misery is ended but when the Wicked dye their great Misery then beginneth and will encrease forever and ever Which things are too little regarded by many in this Life but the Day will come in which they shall wish that others might have warning but if they will not hear Moses and the Prophets neither have they regarded the Lord from Heaven for which cause is their Misery which will come upon all the Ungodly that call not as they ought to do upon the Name of the
the Father in full Power Maiesty and Dominion being God over all and in all for evermore whom the World hath in great dispute and many Controversies have risen to the destroying of many Thousands of Peoples lives when that it is plain That Christ came not to dâ—stroy menâ— lives but to save and make alive leaving this Example That Wheat and Tares should grow together until the Harvest lest in gathering the Tares they root up also the Wheat with them Mat. 13 28 29 30. from which saving Christ proceeds to another Parable comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a grain of Mustard-sâ—ed being accountâ—d the least of all Grain Seeds which being grown up it becomâ—th the greatest among Hâ—rbs and bâ—cometh a Tree that the Bâ—rds of thâ— Air come to lodge in the Branches thereof Mat. 13.31 32. and in the 33 verâ— Christ likens the Kingdom unto leven hid in three measures of Meaâ— until the whole was leavened These things were spoke in Parables that the Saying of the Prophet might be fullfilled in the â—ttering things which have been kept secret from the Foundation of the World which now is manifest by the Light through the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus and also left upon Record in the holy Scriptures of Truth that in the light of the Lord God People may learn and come to uâ—derstand that Peoples perishing is not altogether for want of Knowledge but for want of Obedience to that measure of Light which they have received for he that is faithful in that which is little is made Ruler over more for as the Grain of Mustard Seed hath the Light been â—own in the hearts of many which have received as one Talent and in others who have received more so that where much is given much is required and where more or less if it light on good ground it becomes the greatest among Herbs in the Lords Garden and bringeth forth Fruit abundantly to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name also the little Leaven had in three measures of Meal implyes the whole man till the whole becomes leavened into a new lump of the heavenly Nature of Gods Kingdom in Christ Jesus which as men come into a true Christian state of Obedience to the Gift of Gods divine Light quickening Word or his Spirit which hath been handed â—orth through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of Life and Light they through Obedience may come to witness Eternal Life by Jesus Christ Which things one would think are sufficient to incourage all to yeeld their Obedience to the gâ—â—t of Gods divine Light for there is not a Thought of the Heart nor an Inâ—ent of the Mind but the Light makes it manifest which to obey is 〈◊〉 and to disobey is Death for to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Rom. â— 6 For while men â—emain in obedience to the Light they are spiritually minded in which state they are â—ervants to Righâ—â—ousness but while men are in Disobedience to the Light it is accounted before the â—ord as Rebellion which is as the 〈◊〉 Witchcraft for it is the Willing and Obedâ—ent that shall 〈◊〉 the good Land which 〈◊〉 only extends to the Christ of 〈…〉 to the Lâ—ght who walk in the right as 〈…〉 â—â—dallght and â—n Christ the 〈◊〉 and Light havâ— they Fethâ—â—sh pâ—one with anothâ—â— and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleansâ—◠〈…〉 from their sins 1 John 1 7 for Christ is the Light 〈◊〉 the â—oeld and he that followeth Christ shall not walk in Darkâ—◠〈…〉 have the Light of Life Joh. 8.12 Now 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 it 〈◊〉 the Dâ—â—obedâ—ent whose Eyes are blâ—nde◠〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Gor. 4.4 Awake thou that sleepest in sin and Christ will give thee Light for all things that are reproveable in the heâ—â—t of man are reproved by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ephe. 5.13 1â— by which it is manifest that mans condemnation is of himself in that he will not be faithful to the Gift of Gods divine Light because his deeds are evil for every man that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reprovea Joh. 3.19 20. but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his â—eâ—ds may be manifest that they are wrought in God cap. 3.21 for God in Christ is the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Light in whom the â—aithful of God shall for evermore remain in the holy City of heavenly Jerusalem where there is no need of Sun Moon nor Stars to shine in it for the Glory of God righteth it and Christ the Lamb of God is the Light thereof and the Nation of them that have been Obedient to the Light of Gods Gift by Jesus Christ shall be saved and shall walk in the Light of it Rev. 21.23 24. So the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God of all Life and Light and the Way the Truth and the Life of Light which all men in measure have received that they may yeild their Obedience to the Requirings of it that by it their Understandings may come to be more more enlarged towards the Lord of Life and Light that by him through the Power of his Spirit of Grace they may come throughly to see and perceive to hear and understand the things of God treasured up in â—hrist for all them that love the appearance of his â—ight in their own hearts which is the gift of his Spirit of â—race which in measure all men have received and it preaches Life and Salvation to all that are found in faithful obedience to it but it preaches Condemnation Wo and Misery to all that live in a known Life of Disobedience to it which state of so living is no less than to â—rucifie the Lord of Life afresh and to trample under foot all that ever Christ hath done and suffered for the Redemption of the Soul of that Man or Woman which is found in a known state of Disobedience to the Gift of Gods Spirit of Truth which is that Gift of his divine Light which will not loose it honour either by the Salvation or Condemnation of all Mankind even as their Obedience or Disobedience hath been in this Life accordingly will be their Reward in the Life to come which is matter for all to consider before the Spirit of God hath lest striving and the Day of Gods Grace be over with them that perish through a Life of known Disobedience to the Gift of Gods divine Light which came by Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of his own Work in them that believe Concerning Christ the true Seed and everlasting Covenant of God to his People THis is the Christ which the holy men of God in their Day and eneration prophesied to come and to finish Sin and to put an end to Transgression in all thaâ— truly believe in his Name which according to Gods appointed
time the Word was made Fesh and dâ—elt among the Son Daughters of Men and they beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 and this is Christ unto whom all things of the Father are delivered both in â—eaven and Earth and no man knows him but the Father neither knoweth anâ— man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 By which it is evident that all Revelation is not ceased Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest vers 28. Here Christ hath promised Rest unto all that will come unto him But how shall they come unto him by Faith in Obedience to that measure of his divine Light of his Spirit of Grace which he hath placed in their Hearts it being the Lords Talent given to Man for this end that he should improve it to the Honour and Glory of God and Salvation of his own Immortal Soul by Jesus Christ the Evidence of whose Spirit giveth Life to the Soul of that Man whose cleart Mind and Spirit is faithful to his Gift for the Scriptures restâ—le That Christ affordeth unto all them that by true Faith come unto him Search the Scriptures for in them â—e think to have Eternal Life and they are they that testifie of me and ye will not come to me that you may have Life Job 5.39 40. Here it is evident from Christs own words That to search the holy Scriptures without the true saving knowledge of God in Christ and of his Spirit which moved in the holy Men of God and gave them Utterance to declare his Will and Mind according as contained in the holy Scripture without which in some measure Men cannot profit or benefit towards Salvation by Jesus Christ by their reading the holy Scriptures for they that will not come to the inward Evidence of Gods Gift of his Spirit and Grace they have not the Love of God in them Joh. 5.42 For Jesus Christ the Promise of God and Seed of the Kingdom him hath God given to be an Everlasting Covenant of Grace Light and Life to them that fear and tremble at the Power of his Word and stedfastly remain in the belief of his holy Name which is no less than to give up in their whole desire of Heart and Mind to serve him the Lord of Life in Truth and Righteousness with uprightness of Heart Mind Soul and Spirit for unto him it doth belong and unto such belongeth the Promise of God by the suffering of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ which doth extend Salvation to their Souls for God in tender Love Mercy towards all men falling short of his Glory by the fall of the first Adam doth tender the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus by the call of his good Spirit of Grace Life and Light which remains not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit which hath no relation to the saving of that Soul which remains in sin term of Life having received the inward Evidence of the Spirit which condemns for every thought word and action which is not agreeable with the Spirit of Truth of which every man hath received a measure in his own heart to justifie or condemn even as his Works appear before the Lord so shall be his Reward if of Faith and Obedience then Life and Peace will follow but if it be of Sin and Unbelief then Death Hell and Destruction will be the Portion of him or her which dyes in such a state for the Wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life so they that dye in sin are free from Righteousness having no part lot nor share in the Promise of God and Hope of Jesus Christ for their Hope shall be cut as the Spiders Web which shall perish for evermore for Christ came not to save People in their sin but to save and redeem from sin and Transgression His Name shall be called Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 for they that dye in their sins cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven as Christ said If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins and where I go ye cannot come which relates to a state of Perfection in this Life upon which Head I shall God willing treat more at large in a distinct Chapter by which the Understandings of them that desire after Truth may receive the benefit of my small measure relating to the same for man living in sin becomes destitute of any benefit by Christ for the Salvation of his Soul for he that commits sin it is of the Devil and he knows not God the Father but he that is faithful to the Gift of God in his heart learns to fear the Lord and to work his Righteousness which is the fullfilling of what God requires in obedience to the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ who spiritually moves in the hearts of all whose day of Visitation is not over for Christ ruleth over all and will in no way fall short of his Honour either by the Salvation of the one or Condemnation of the other for Christ by the measure of his Spirit is in all except Reprobates 〈◊〉 and therefore it is matter of great concern for People to examin their own hearts whether by true Faith Christ abides in them for the Body of Man where Christ by the gift of his divine Light and Spirit liveth is the Temple of the holy Ghost and if any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy Then he that is not in obedience to the gift of God which he hath received is a Pollutor of the Temple and is without true Faith in Christ Prove your own selves know you not that if Christ be not in you you are Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Now they whose Minds are wrought towards the Lord their Affections are set on heavenly things above to seek God in Christ and in them Christ by the measure of his divine Light Grace and Spirit liveth Gal. 2.20 Now Christ being in his People the Body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness Rom 8.10 for there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision Barbarian Sithian Bond nor Free but Christ is all and in all and many more Scripture Prooffs might be produced to the same effect That Christ lives and moves by the Gift of his divine Light and Spirit of Grace and Truth in the hearts of his People and that their Bodies are the Temple of God for Christ by the gift of his Spirit Life and Light to dwell in which if People both Young and Old would forsake their Vanity and apply their Minds to seek the Lord in his own way of Truth and Righteousness according to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit as by Record for their help
Man and Woman may know how it stands between God their own Souls which is good for all to mind and make their Peace vvith the Lord vvhile he hath given them space and time for that end that their Souls may not faint in the great Day of his Coming to call every Man and Woman to an account for their Deeds done in the Body CHAP. IV. Concerning the Scriptures which are the Writings of the holy Men of God wherein is contained that Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Word of God by whom is the Salvation of all Men that are saved by his Power which leads them to believe in his Name THe Holy Scriptures contained in the Old and Nevv Testament signifie Writings in vvhich VVritings are contained the VVords of God as they vvere received by the living VVord of God as may be read in the Prophets VVritings The Word of the Lord came unto them this vvas not the Letter of the Scripture that came unto them but it vvas the living VVord of God vvhich in Scripture is most properly and frequently called The Word of God In the beginning was the VVord and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh 1.1 2 3 And the VVord was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Now consider what grounds People have to call the Scripture the only Word of God without any Distinction but by way of Information to the understanding of aâ—â—unbyassed Minds that my design in the following Liâ—â— a is not to deprive the holy Scriptures of that honour due unto them but that Truth and Righteousness may take place for the holy Scriptures in their place are highly to be esteemed with that Honour due unto them for which end 〈◊〉 labour is that by others they may not be dissplaced by to understand a true distinction between the written declarative Word of God and the VVord of his Spirit of Grace Life and Light by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life indeed for they that come unto him it must be through Faith in obedience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit which opens the dark Understanding and quickens the Mind and works Grace in the Heart and sanctifies the inward Man of him that yeilds Obedience to the Word of his Spirit without which there can be no true understanding of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Everlasting concerning which things the written VVord is large in its Declaration concerning what God requires of the Sons and Daughters of Men who for Power to perform what they find to be their Duty as by holy Record they are to come unto Christ the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that believe for the holy Scriptures of Truth vvere given forth by the Spirit of Truth and living Word of Truth vvhich vvas the Word of God in His Servants of old vvhich Word according to measure remains the same to this Day in every sincere true Believer vvhose vvhole desire is to give up in obedience to the manifestation of Gods good Spirit of Grace by vvhich they come to a thorovv understanding of vvhat they find of his VVill and Mind recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth vvithout vvhich Obedience the Letter kills but by Obedience the Spirit makes alive for the holy Scriptures are full in relating of what hath been past and of what is to come but as to the time when and manner how the Lord in his own due time by the Word of his Spirit doth reveal it to his Servants and Messengers of his Truth in this Day even as it hath pleased him in days past for as then in that day the same is it with many in this day who the Scriptures yet it is said of them That they had not the Worâ— abiding in them for whom God had â—ent which was Christ the Word him they believed not Joh. 5.3 â— which by the written Word is evident that the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace Life Light by Jesus Christ is the saving Word of God to every Soul that by him is saved for what saith it the Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith James 1.21 Rom. 10 7 8 and this Word is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 it sanctifies the heart of the faithful by the Word of God and Prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 for the faithful are them that are poor and of a contrite Spirit which tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa 56.2 5. Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that that Tremble at his Word And again I have written unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wicked One John 1.14 Now let all People mind by which they may come to a right understanding of the Scriptures which were not from the beginning neither do they of themselves and without the inward Word give Power to overcome the wicked One for the VVord of God was before Scripture promises Life eternal to all that are willing to receive the Word which is the Promise of God in Christ before the World began Ti. 2.3 And this Word hath been a Rule of Life to the faithful of God in all Ages shewing unto Man the Thoughts of his Heart and intents of his Mind and Obedience to the Word is an acceptable Sacrifice to the Lord and God hath promised oâ— overcome sin in the faithful by the Power of his Word which is as a two edged Sword to cut up and beat down all that is contrary to his heavenly divine Life in the heart of every faithful Man and Woman that is come to yeild their Obedience according 〈◊〉 that knowledge which they have received of God in Christ whom to know is Life Eternal in which Life they have the true saving knowledge of God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost which is One God and One Lord Lord Jesus Christ One holy Spirit God in all and through all and over all the Alpha and Oâ—aega the beginning and the end the first and the last blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life Rev. 22.13 14. which as aforesaid is that which the Lord by the assisting Power of his Spirit hath made known to me concerning his Word of Life and Light by which the holy men of God were assisted in giving forth a Declaration of his holy Truth which they received by his holy Spirit which is the living Word of all Truth and will remain the same when the Letter of the Scripture
mens learning no man can learn to know God aright without the gift of his Grace and divine Light of his Spirit by Jesus Christ for the Letter kâ—â—eth but the Spirit giveth Life 2 Cor. 3.6 for as the Spirit of God is the Ministration of Condemnation to the Disobedient so also do they read their Condemnation in the Scriptures of Truth but to the faithful who live in Obedience to the Spirit of Truth to them the Spirit of God by Jesus Christ is the Ministration of Life and Salvation and through Faith in Christ Jesus the Scriptures do minister the knowledge of Life for through Faith in Christ they are able to make wise to Salvation Then whatever men may gather in the outward Comprehension from the holy Scriptures concerning the great Work of God by the Death and Resurrection of his Son the Lord of Life which will not profit them that remain in a state of daily sinning against the gift of his divine Light which is their Condemnation for evil Deeds Joh 3.19 20 21. in which state they remain dead as to God having no benefit by the Resurrection in the Life to come â—or God is not a God of that which is dâ—ad but a God of thê Living Mat. 22 23 So that God is a â—od of the living who have been buried with the first Man in sin but through the Resurrection of the second Man the Lord from Heaven have they received the earnest of Life Everlasting 1 Cor. 15.48 49 50. having obtained the Promise of God through the Resurrection oâ— Jesus Christ which the 〈…〉 the benefit 〈◊〉 Christ concâ—ied and 〈…〉 â—he is â—hat which People ought to witness through the in â—ard Word of his traching which teaches the true knowledge of God according as is recorded in the holy 〈…〉 That â—â—s sâ—hcient to Salvâ—tion to know God and Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lord which was made of the Sâ—ed of David accordâ—nâ— to the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 to be the Sâ—â— of God with 〈◊〉 according to the Spirit of Hoâ—â—ness by the Resâ—rrection of thâ— death Rom 1 4. which the Righteous witness through 〈◊〉 the Law of sin by the Body of Christ that they should b◠〈◊〉 to another even to him who is raseaâ— from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Râ—m â— 4 for they 〈◊〉 have been planted together in the likeness of his Death 〈…〉 also in the likeness of his Resurrection Rom. 6.5 So that the châ—efest desire of true Believeâ—â— is to know the Lord Jesus Christ and the Power of his Resurrection and the fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his Death Phil. 3 10. for they that shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Kingdom of God and the Resurrection from the Dead neither marry nor give in Marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto Angels and are the Children of the Resurrection Luke 20.34 35 36. but they whose hearts and minds are joyned to the perishing things of this â—ife they are not married to Christ and so have no hope to be the Children of the Resurrection but only Children of the World which love gain delights and pleasures in which there is no profit for a man to gain and lose his soul for he that loveth any thing more than Christ is not worthy of the rich benefits which the faithful receive through his Death Resurrection Therefore it concerns all that they may so live as to dye from sin and be mâ—me alive with Christ that they may be partakers of his heavenly Riches in the Kingdom of God where Flesh and Blood cannot inherit 1 Cor. 15.50 CHAP. XV. Concerning the Ministers of Christ and the Ministers of Antichrist Also of Humane Learning and the Vsâ—â—f it and how it came in practise among them called the Reformed Churches of this latter Age. And concerning Gospel-Maintenance and in what manner and to whom it belongeth JEsus Christ the Son of God and Everlasting Covenant of Grace Life and Light he is Minister of all Truth and Righteousness which hath appeared for Salvation of men for which end in dayes past he chose unto himself Twelve Disciples which were men that believed in him and not being brought up in that manner as the many Teachers are in this day who serve a time in Schools of Learning by which they gather outward knowledge in Hâ—brew Greek and Latine Phrases also Arts in other things which the holy men of God did never practise for the twelve Disciples of Christs chusing were not fitted after any such manner to preach the Gospel for they were illiterate and Trades-men c. and lived not by hire for preaching but laboured with their hands for their outward subsistance such were they whom the Lord did call to preach the Gospel which did minister the glad Tidings of Peace and Salvation unto the Nations among whom the Word of God was divided 〈◊〉 and every one their portion according to their 〈◊〉 for they had not their Wisdom from below is the many Teachers now have notwithstanding the Lands Servants wanted not Wisdom from above when gave them utterance of words whereby they were enabâ—â—d â—o divide the Word aright in declaring and demâ—ustraâ—ing the Will and Mind of God at which time some of the learned Jews and wife Rabbies opposed them setting them at naught others resisted them notwithstanding they did not 〈◊〉 to be approved in that Wisdom that Man toucheth which is never able to prepare and sit for 〈…〉 work and service of the Gospel as is further manifested by the saying of him who was brought up in great outward Learning at the feet of Gamaltel Acts 22. in which state he was not capable by all his outward Learning to know Christ whom he persecuted in his Servants and Messengers of his Truth thinking that he did good service for God when he was destroying his People even as hath been in many places many of the learned Hebrew Greek and Latine Men have destroyed the Lives and Estates of many People because they could not conform to their Anti-Christian Faith which the Devil would have had set up in the Disciples of Christ who came not to destroy mens lives but to save and make alive which work is of a contrary Nature to that Wisdom which is from below for the true Wisdom of God openeth the Understanding in the things of God which the learned by all their outward wisdom can never do for they remain in the Wisdom of Darkness as to the things of Gods Kingdom which Paul in all his outward Learning was a stranger unto but by that Wisdâ—m which is from above he came to receive that spiritual sight which gave him the true saving knowledge of God by Jesus Christ whose Minister he became being then a Witners unto all men of both what he had seen and heard Act. 22.13 14 15. Which doth manifest that his 〈◊〉 to the work of the â—oâ—pel was of God which Work he attended according
Rest so that now in this Gospel day it is by the Sword of the Spirit by which the Kindom of God is advanced in the hearts of his People who pray to the Lord oâ— Life to teach their spiritual hands to right the Lords Battel against the Enemies of their Peace with him so as Israel of old were to destroy all Gods outward Enemies with the outward Sword for the outward advancing the outward Kingdom of Israel in the outward Laâ—d of Canaan so are the People of God in this day with the inward Sword of his spirit to maintain now in their inward Travail to the heavenly Canaan against all the inward Enemies which would hinder the advancing of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ in his People by whom they receive strength to fight the Lords spiritual Battel against the Enemies of their soul and as Israel of old did not perform the command of the Lord by the mouth of his Prophets to destroy all them outward Enemies out of their Land for which cause they remained as Thorns in their sides so will it be with them that reserve alive any one inward Enemy to Gods Truth for every Enemy to his Truth seeks to draw the heart and mind from serving God in the true and living way even as in the outward with Israel in that day of the Lords command to destroy all them that were outward Enemies to his Truth which Israel not fulfilling the word of the Lord them Enemies were as snares and gins to draw their minds from serving the true and living God by which they not obeying the word of the Lord they by their enemies were drawn into Idolatry to worship the gods of the Nation which were no godds to save Israel from the just hand of God through whose just Judgments they received their reward from â—he Lord which suffered them for their disobedience to be destroyed by the hand of their outward Enemies so as Israel was to fulfill Gods command to destroy their outward Enemies by or with the outward Sword of the Lords outward Battel against them that were outward Enemies to the true Worship of God in that day even so are the inward Enemies of mans soul to be destroyed by or with the spiritual Sword which is to fight the Lords spiritual Battel against the spiritual Enemies which would hinder the inward man of the true inward Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth so as the Rebellion in dayes past did not regard the Sword of the Lord who of long time after did strive with his People in that day of their outward War against their outward Enemies and they would not hearken to obey the Word of the â—ord by the mouth of his Prophets but beat one and destroyed another till at length through unbelief and hardness of heart they crucified the Lord of Life whom they put to open shame without their City gates for which cause their day was over and their House became desolate even so will it be with the Rebellious in this day who reserve Gods spiritual Enemies by keeping them alive whom God hath appoynted to be destroyed which for not obeying the command of God by his Son the Lord of Liâ—e but refuse the tenders of his Grace by his gifts of divine Light and Word of his Spirit which keeps striving from day to day and from time to time until their day be over and House be left desolate for the Spirit of God vvill not alvvays strive vvith man which is matter of great vveight for all to consider that they may so live in obedience to the manifestation of Gods Spirit that they may come to vvitness every evil Lust of the heart and corrupt desire of the mind vvhich are the invvard Enemies to God and mans Soul that they may not reserve or keep any one alive but keep all dovvn vvith the spiritual Svvord of Gods Povver in and through the Lord Jesus Christ vvho vvith-holds not from any that are vvilling to take up the Cross to their natural will and follovv him to gain the Crovvn vvhich is far from them that lust after War and Fighting vvith the outvvard Svvord vvhich hath no relation tovvards the promoting of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ vvho hath said all they that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword vvhich is according to the Apostles Query From whence come Wars and Fightings among you come they not hence even of your Lusts that war in your Members ye lust and have not ye kill and desire to have and cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have not because ye ask amiss that you may consume it upon your Lust Jam. 4.1 2 3. Then they vvhich ask cannot receive because thay ask that vvhich God hath forbidden they lust to kill and ask Victory that they may spend it on their lust but their reward is to be according to Christs vvords all that take the svvord shall perish vvith the Svvord But some vvill say If the Spirit move the Quaker he will sell his coat and buy a Sword to fight for his Religion To which I Answer That Christ sent his Disciples vvithout Purse and Scrip and Shoos yet they lacked nothing notvvithstanding he said unto them He that hath a Purse let him take it and likewise his Scrip and he that hath no Sword let him sell his Garment and buy one for I say unto you that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me So he that had no Svvord vvas to sell his Garment and buy one that the use of the Sword according to the Righteousness of the Lavv might befulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ vvho said unto them that two Swords were enough Luke 22.35 36 37 38. Then seeing that tvvo Svvords vvere enough for the Disciples of Christ by vvhom the use of the Svvord vvas fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ as to the Lavv then vvhose Unrighteousness is that vvhich the many Svvords are fulfilling in this day for the use of the Sword as to the Righteousness of the Law is fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ which suffered his Body to be pierced for the sins of the People that all might witness him to be the end of all War Strife and Contention for if his Kingdom had been of this World he could have prayed to the Father and the Father would have sent him more then twelve Legions of Angels and this was in full satisfaction to Peter which was after Peter had put up the Sword when Christ said to him all they that take the Sword shall Perish with the Sword which doctrine is true as by the Spirit of God and holy scripture with daily experience which teaches the same but Faith and Patience of the Lords People witness the Kingdom of Christ not to be of this World for which cause they cannot fight for him with the carnal Sword for the Spirit of God doth not change in his People to command them from a thing that is
received to profit withal Joh. 3.16 17 18 19 20 21. Mat 25. 1 Cor. 12.3 to 9. Ephes 5.13.14 So that if People would but give up in their minds to spend that time in reading the holy Scriptures which they spend in that which only satisfies the Lust of the natural Will which begets from a furder and furder obedience of retaining God in their thoughts by which the mind is fitly framed through Disobedience to veild it self a servant to the Devils Power through which they become Witches and in one degree or another are Instruments of bewitching others in which state of Disobedience the World remains in Wickedness bewitching one the other that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ so that the greatest sort of Witch-craft by the Devil is to make men Instruments for his service and to bewitch into that which is of the most service to promote his Kingdom of Unrighteousness which cannot be higher promoted by any that serve him then when they are by him bewitcht to bewitch others into the like state that when they are destroying the lives of the Lords Children think it is of the greatest Service for God and benefit to their Souls which is the greatest sort of Witch-craft that ever was for People of the Devil so to believe Now for all other sort of Witches they only touch the outward but cannot touch the Spirit of one true Believer in Christ Jesus which according to that command of God for the destroying of Witches and false Worshippers in the time of the Law if it remain the same in this Gospel Day it reaches the Life of every Persecutor which doth bewitch that they should not obey the Truth in which state though they worship not a false God as in the time of the Law yet they worship the true God in a false way which comes under the same Condemnation of not suffering a Witch and the false Worshipper to live in the time of the Law So that Persecutors are no more the true Worshippers of God in this Gospel Day than Witches and other false Worshippers were in the time of the Law for Publicans and Harlots shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven before them that are of that Persecuting Spirit by which so many Thousands of People are bewitched that they should not obey the Truth but remain in the works of the flesh with which Witch-craft is included Gal. 5.20 for which cause the Devil is permitted to imitate the very form of the way and manner of their former proceedings against the People of God at their general Court in Boston for some of the afflicted bewitched or possessed Evidences say That the black Man i. e. the Devil in a high crowned Hat with his Priests have divers times called together about four or five hanared of their Number at Saâ—â—m they use to assemblâ— themselves together breaking Râ—â—ad and drinking Wine which they call the Devils Saâ—â—ament which practise as the Evidences with some of the confessed say is before they set upon the hight of their intended Work to a 〈◊〉 and torment others thereby to force them to conform to the same practice of the Devils way and some have confessed they have been freed from the Torment of their afflicted state upon conforming to the Devils Will who then baptizeth them into Covenant to do what he and the Priests with him command to be done Which work of the Devils general Court is as like in imitation to the work of the former Priests and Rulers against the People called Quakers as the moving shadow of a wicked man is like to the moving of 〈◊〉 corrupted Body for all that would not conform to the Faith of the Priests and Rulers to do as they did in that day were by them and their followers esteemed no better than Dogs for I never heard of any Dâ—g but received more Mercy than that Servant of the Lord William Breand received at the hands of the Priests Rulers and their Followers in that day who tyed the said W. B. neck and heels sixteen hours and laid upon his naked back thirty stripes with a three cord knotted whip and then from â—â—e of their Church Members with a pitcht Roap received one hundred and seventeen stripes only his Shirt to defend the same having his body thus beaten into a Jelly of flesh and blood he fainted away some thinking that he would not have recovered life again and the Doctor said if he did recover it would be a Miracle which through the goodness of God he did recover to 〈◊〉 and strength again whose Testimony was of great courage through the Power of God for the service of his Truth among them that did believe and for the further Condemnation of them that did not believe in which day the work of Unbelievers was of that nature against the said People called Quakers that to read the History of all their Sufferings in that day in and about Boâ—on may in Ages to come make men to wonder that such a professing People in New-England should manifest themselves so mad against an innocent people nay in that day did they not appoint their Women Church Members to search the Bodies of the Lords Hand maids for Witches whose Testimony will remain to the end on Record That one of them so searched in the bearing and bringing forth fire Children did not undergo the like trouble as the inhumane cruelty of these Church Women put her to in the searching of her Body for a Witch which she was clear of but now among their own Church Members they have as is supposed Witch-craft upon Wiâ—ch-craft the which whether true or not is a Judgment of God upon them for their not repenting of their evil Deeds against the Lord and his People who daily desire of God that they may manifest Repentance by the fruits thereof until which time of Reformation that men may come to do even as they would that all men should do unto them the Lords Anger against the Inhabitants of New-England will not be removed for they may expect that as they increase in Unrighteousness against God that as he draws off the lesser Judgment a greater for sin and evil against him will upon the Unrighteous be poured forth for God is not mocked such as men sow such they shall also reap and if the Inhabitants of New-England do not amend and repent the Lord hath yet a Work to do by Pestilence and Famine which will be more terrible than all the Lords former Judgments have been ever since they began to persecute the honest People called Quakers Of which work under Boston Government in that day I have before mentioned proving it to be the moving cause that the Lord hath as with Israel of old left the Inhabitants of New-England to further evils which with the shedding of the Blood of the innocent and their other sins these horrid Accusations of Witch-craft have increased among the Inhabitants and Churches
an assurance of Salvation in which state mâ—n may know hâ—w the dead are raised and with what Bodies they shall appear for it is certain that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead bâ—th of the Just and Unjust for all shall appear before the Lord the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth before whom the heavenly spirited and the earthly spirited shall appear to give an account of all their Deeds done in the Body of this Life which then will be time sufficient for the unrighteous to know with what Bodies they shall appear in the mean time the Apostles words are very suitable unto all such whose state of Disobedience is far from the saving knowledge of God by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and though not simply fools yet through 〈…〉 Disobedience and Unbelief 〈…〉 as the 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 the husband man â—o 〈…〉 of the Râ—â—rrection Thou soul that which thou so rest is not qâ—â—e 〈…〉 it dye and 〈◊〉 which thou so rest thou so well noâ— that 〈◊〉 that shall be bath reâ—â—rain it â—ay chance of Whâ—at 〈…〉 othâ—r Grain and withall coâ—â—ledes that God 〈…〉 as it pleaseth him and to every Seed his own Body 1 Cor. 15.35 36 37 38. by which the unrighteous may know with what Bodies they shall come forth for he that so with to the Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that soâ—eth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap Lifâ— Everlasting Gal 6.5 for the time is at hand that he that is Vnjust let him be Vnjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is Righteous let him be Righteous â—â—ll and he that is Holy let him be Holy stiâ—â— fâ—r behold the Lord will quickly come and his Reward will 〈◊〉 with him to give every man according as his works shall be Rev 22.11 12. which doth manifest that according as men have sown so shall they reap for every seed shall have his own Body whether of Works of Faith and Obedience to Salvation or Works of Unbelief and Disobedience to Damnation Then seeing these things are plain as by holy Record which agrees with the inward Word of Gods Spirit and the gift of his divine Light which came by Jesus Christ and through Faith in Obedience to him through whom Salvation comes which work is most necessary for People to be concerned in for as the Soul is the most Noble part of Man so ought every man principally to be concerned about his Soul and the well air thereof yet because the Body is a part of the Man and that Christ is the Saviour doth of Soul and Body of every sincere Believer in him therefore every Man may and ought to be concerned about the whole Man both â—oul and Body and the Faith and Hope of the Resurrection of the Body as the â—pirit of God worketh that Faith and â—ope in us it is of great use to sanctifie us and prepare us for the Resurrection to come for Paul doth not call them Fools simply for enquiring concerning the manner of the Resurrection but for their Ignorance and Unbelief that some did not believe the Resurrection which they that do not believe it they remain in gross Ignorance and Unbelief and such are directed to the Husband-man to learn the manner of the Resurrection by using the Example of the â—orn And it is a great Error for any to hold That the Saints now living in the mortal Body have attained the Resurrection of the Body or that they attain it immediately after Death for it is most evident from the holy Scriptures that the Resurrection of the Dead is reserved to the last coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead and the dâ—â—d in Christ shall rise first so where there is the true knowledge to God in Christ of the Souls well-being it mâ—â—t necessarily follow that the spiritual Understanding wâ— be the more capable to know in what state the Body wâ—â—appâ—aâ— which shall never enter Gods Kingdom with natural Flesh â—lood aâ—d Bones for though it be sown a natural Body it is raised a spiritual Body as it is written The first â—â—aâ— a living Soul the last â—â—dam was mad a quickâ—ning Spirit so that which was first was not spiritual but natural and afterwards that which is spiritual Sâ— then it must be 〈…〉 minded only that have the true knowledge of these things for the natural minded man is a fool aâ— to the true Knowledge of God because he remains in Dâ—â—obedience to the gift of his Grace but is bewitched that he should not obey the Truth made manifest by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.1 through which unfaithfulness the mind of his Understanding is Darkness as to the things of God which chiefly concern his Soul and such live without God in the World not knowing that there is a God by his saving Grace according as by their Works is manifest which includes them to be one with the fool which saith in his heart there is no God neither indeed is there any Salvation of God to the rebellious Children of Disobedience who pretend they know God but in Works deny him Therefore it is most necessary for all such to bend in their Minds and by true Repentance seek the Lord whiâ—e he is to be found for he is only found of them that truly seek him in true Humility of Spirit and not oâ— them that remain in a state of serving the Lust of their corrupted Desires and yet remain talking about the fashion of the Body and in what likeness they shall appear before they witness any thing for the Souls wellfair as they â—â—ght to do for Christ is rîsen otherwise all preaching is in vain and Faith also is in vain or if the deaâ— rise not thâ—n is not Christ raised and if Christ 〈…〉 raised Faith is in vain and all men are yet in their sins Buâ— the Lord hath given a true knowledge of himself to the Righteous who witness Christ to be raised from the dead and is become the first Fruits of them that slept and by true Faith they witness his Resurrection by what they feel of his heavenly divine Nature that he is raised from the dead for since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead for as in Adam all dye even so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.21 22. So as People come to witness a dying state from sin they shall also witness a living â—ate to God through whose Spirit of Grace they shall partake of his heavenly Riches through Faith in Jesus Christ but as to these spiritual things there is no profit by them to any who come not into Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace which comes by Jesus Christ whom no man knoweth but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11 2â— Joh. 6.44 Then as the Scriptures are left for