be done as Deut. 30. And this was the reason why God so often commanded the Jews to circumcise their hearts and to wash them and make them clean from their wicked wayes and vain thoughts because Moses had directed their minds to that and that was near to them wherein and whereby it might be done In another place he bids them make them a new heart Ezek. 18.31 how could that be done Why by turning to Gods Spirit which strove with them his Power would effect it in them and men are said to purifie their hearts through the Spirit in loving and obeying the Truth which doth it 1 Pet. 1.22 Joh. 17.17 2 dly by Job who speaks of Gods Candle shining upon his Head and of walking through Darkness by his Light Chap. 29.30 He speaks likewise of those that rebel against the Light that know not the wayes thereof nor abide in the paths thereof Chap. 24.13 3 dly By David who by it saw through the tipes and shadows to the substance and grew wiser then his Teachers he knowing the Word within and having his Candle lighted by it so that he knew the inward Law which converts the soul and was led by Gods Light and Truth shining in his inward parts Psal 43.3 4 thly By Solomon The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law Light and the reproofs of instruction the way of Life Prov. 6.23 Every one that experienceth the Light the Law the Commandment within knoweth it to be thus Again saith he The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Chap. 4.18 Just as a Light which shines outwardly is to the outward man such is the inward Light to the inward man ye more for inwardly the Light and the Way is all one Christ is the way the Truth and the Life which are three names of one and the same thing And he that walks in the Light walks in the way of Life and Holiness which he that walks in the darkness walks out of I shall mention but one place more which is very differently rendred it is Chap. 20.27 The new Translation renders it thus The Spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly The Old thus The Light of the Lord is the breath of man and searcheth all the bowels of the belly The heart of man the unregenerate mind the unregenerate spirit is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked that whereby God searcheth it is his Light his Candle his own Holy Spirit 5 thly By the Prophets as Jsaiah Jeremy Ezekiel Micah c. who said He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to Love mercy and to humble thy self to walk with thy God Chap. 6.8 How doth God shew this to mankind but by the inward Light of his Spirit 6 thly By John Baptist who was the fore-runner and testified of Christ as of the inward and spiritual Baptizer who had his Fan in his hand what is that What doth Christ Fan with What doth he fan and with what The Light within is a Fan the Spirit within is a Spirit of Judgment and burning it scatters the darkness yeâ— it consumes and burns up the Dross and Stubble there 7 thly By Christ himself who said This is the condemnation that Light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather then Light because their deeds were evil John 3.19 Mark how Christ preached the Light the Seed the Kingdom the Leaven and bid men bring their deeds to it and blamed them that did not ver 20.21 How can there be an inward Jew an inward Circumcision without an inward Law inward Light an inward Testimony and to this inward Law and Testimony must the inward Jew daily have recourse and bring his deeds thither to be judged and scanned there Again Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Chap. 8.12 How is Christ the Light of the World or how was Christ the Light of the World Was he only so as he appeared in that body of flesh Is he not so in his inward and spiritual appearance Is he not the Universal Light the Son of Righteousness which enlighteneth the whole dark World Yet again he saith Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be the Children of light Chap. 12.35.36 This is Christs direction to men how they may become true Believers to wit by believing in the Light The Light shines in the darkness ye were darkness and by believing in it men become Children of it 8 thly By the Apostles and Evangelists They were sent to turn men from Darkness to Light Acts. 26.18 and they testified of the Light they were to turn men to delivered their message that God was Light and that in him was no darkness at all They preached Christ the Light the Life the Way the Truth They turned men from Satans spirit which is darkness to Gods Spirit which is Light John the Evangelist testified of the Word which was in the beginning and said In him was life and the Life was the Light of men And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not Chap. 1.4 5. And again saith speaking of him That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world vers 9. Paul saith whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ehes 5.3 Wherefore Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead vers 14. for God hath sent forth the Light of his Son to rouse thee Again he professedly averreth that the word nigh in the mouth and heart was that Word of Faith which he preached Rom. 10.8 If so then that is the Word of faith which is to be believed in if men would believe in Christ and be saved by him James speaketh of God as the father of Lights from whom every good and perfect Gift proceedeth Chap. 1.17 Then surely from him is the Grace and the Gift the free Gift by Grace which is upon all to Justification of life that receive it and follow the teachings of it Peter speaks of the more sure word of prophesie to which men should take heed and wait in taking heed to that for the dawning of the day and the arising of the Day-Star in the heart 2 Pet. 1.19 Indeed all men ought to wait for and give heed to the Light of God's holy Spirit and the holy Prophesies Warnings and Directions thereof in their hearts And John at last as I may say in that Book of the Revelation closing up the Testimony of that Age and Generation speaks of walking in the Light of the Lamb Chap. 21.23 24. which every one
the Lord hath shewn them how this had been formerly with them even in the dayes of their former Profession and how God had wrought by this in them in former times though they then knew it not and that all their Ability then to understand any thing of God aright or to pray unto him or reap any true benefit from the Scriptures was through the stirring of this in them whereby God even then in some measure enlightened and quickened their minds For there being such a Principle in man it works variously and many times when he is not aware of it and he hath benefit thereby if he resist it not but receive its influence and operation though he hath not the distinct knowledge and discerning of it 3dly Again consider Whether the Light of Christs Spirit or the Grace and Truth which is by Jesus Christ hath not this property of discovering convincing and reproving for sin Doubtless the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus in the lowest Ministration of it is of that nature that it discovereth and fighteth against the Law of sin and death wherever it finds it And whether the Comforter the holy Spirit of Truth who leads out of all Error and Falshood and into all Truth is not as well to be known by this even by his convincing the world of sin and inwardly reproving for sin as by his comforting of the Saints in their holy Travels out of sin and Battels against sin Consider 4thly Whether any thing can convince of sin but the Light of God's holy Spirit shining in the heart There may be an outward Declaration of sin by the Law outward but it never reacheth the heart and Conscience but by the shining of the Light inward Nay it cannot so much as reach to the understanding but as God opens the heart and brings home the conviction by his Light and Power This we have experience of in the Jews who though the Prophets came with certain evidence and demonstration from God's Spirit yet they were not convinced thereby but stood it out against the Prophets and justified themselves against the Voice and Word of the Lord their Eyes being closed their Ears shut and Hearts hardened against that of God in them as may be read in Jeremiah Chap. 2. and in divers other places even to Admiration And what wickedness is so great which the hardened man will not plead for and be defending and justifying himself in Yea if God do open mens understandings in some measure so that they cannot but confess such and such things to be evil in general as Pride covetousness drunkenness riotousness excess in apparel lying swearing c. yet they are not able to see the evil and danger of these things in and to themselves but have covers and excuses to hide them unless the inward Light and Spirit of the Lord search their hearts and make them manifest to them 5thly Consider the weight and proper tendency of these two Scriptures and do not form another meaning and so put off the drift and intent of God's holy Spirit in them The first is that of the Apostle Ephes 5.13.14 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light For whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sheepest c. Every man is bid to Awake because every man hath some proportion of that in him which if hearkened to will reprove rouse up and awaken him and lead him from among the dead to him who gives the Light and causeth it to shine in him even in the midst of his darkness and corruption that it might awaken him out of it The other Scripture is that of Gal. 5. â—7 where the Apostle speaks of the Flesh its lusting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and that these two are contrary Did not God's Spirit strive with the old World not only with the Sons of God who had corrupted themselves but with the rest also And what is it that hath striven with wicked men since and that doth strive with wicked men still Is it not the same good Spirit What is it also that inwardly resists and lusts against the Will and strivings of God's Spirit Is it not Flesh So here are the two Seeds the two Principles which are contrary one to the other near man For there is the Creature man which of right is the Lords into whom the Destroyer hath gained enterance and in whom he rules by the Law of Sin and Death Now he who made man seeketh after him and findeth out his Enemy in man and giveth forth a Law against him inwardly in the heart which so far as any man gives ear to believes and receives there ariseth presently a fight and striving between these two contrary Principles in him so that this man cannot do the things that he would Now that which thus strives against sin in any man and troubles him because of sin reproving and condemning him for it that is of another nature then the Flesh which harbours sin and contrary to it Lastly consider the great love of God to mankind and the great care he hath of them First as touching their Bodies How doth he provide for the Bodies of all mankind He would have none hurt none destroyed but feedeth all nourisheth all making plentiful provision and giving fruitful seasons causing his Sun to shine and his Rain to descend on all Then as to their Souls He knoweth the preciousness thereof and what the loss of a Soul is yea he knoweth how eager the Devourer is to destroy and setteth himself against him He is the Father of Spirits and his Son the Shepherd and Bishop of Souls whose nature it is to gather and save and it is said expresly of God by the Testimony of the Spirit of Truth that he would â—ave all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth And whereas it was said to the Jews that God was as the Potter and they as the Clay and he could make them Vessels either of honour or dishonour at his pleasure Jer. 18.6 yet it was said to this end even to invite and incourage them to be subject to him that they might be made Vessels of honour by him as appears ver 11. Now consider If God be as tender of souls as of the bodies of men doth he not make provision for the soul as well as for the body Would he not have the soul live and would he not have the soul fed as well as the body If so then needs must the light of his holy Spirit shine inwardly throughout all Nations and the saving Grace and Power be manifest everywhere even in every heart in some measure and the Flesh and Blood of the Son of God which is the souls food be distributed to all And truly the Lord is not an hard Master to any as the unprofitable Servant in every Dispensation is ready to account of him for the times of
Apostle Peter in this place can prefer the Testimonies of the Prophets for that which is called the new Testament was not yet written and added to the old before this glorious immediate Testimony from God Almighty which Christ was honoured with and they were greatly honoured in being admitted to be Beholders and Witnesses of Yet somewhat sticks with me namely those words of the Apostle ver 20.21 wherein he plainly seems to me to speak of the Scriptures or Writings of the Prophets as if that had been the more sure Word of Prophesie which in this place he had directed to For why should he say thus Knowing this first c. unless he had intended the same Word of Prophesie which he had been speaking of before and directing their minds how they might make use of that Word of Prophesie Answ Peter was the Minister of the Circumcision and he was to deal with people who were great Admirers and Studiers of the Letter Therefore though he as well as Paul and John and the other Apostles Rom. 10. and Acts 26.18 and 1 John 1. was to direct men to the Word within and Light within yet he knew it was of great concernment to them rightly to read and be able to understand the Letter without Therefore having first directed them to the Word of prophesie to the Path of the Just which is the inward shining Light to the Light which shines more and more in the dark place to them that give heed to it in the next place it was very proper useful and necessary to direct them how to read the Scriptures aright For indeed the Oracles of God were given to them Rom. 3.2 and they ought to be diligent in the reading of them that they might understand the holy Prophesies and precious Promises c. and reap the hope and comfort of them and be made Partakers of the divine Nature which is the thing promised And not only to the Jews but to the Christians gathered from among the Gentiles in that Age were the Scriptures greatly useful and so they are also to such as are gathered by the holy Spirit and Power of God in this Age. The Prophesies the Judgments the Promises the Mercies the Experience c. are all useful and profitable to those that read and understand them in the Light of Gods holy Spirit But the first thing needful is to turn a mans mind to the Light that he may have somewhat to guide him somwhat to stay his mind upon in reading the Scriptures somwhat to open and unseal the holy and divine Words and Mysteries to him For no man can truly and rightly understand the Scriptures but as his mind is opened by the Lord and the understanding of words and things given him So that this is exceeding necessary to be known after a man is turned to the Light and Word of Prophesie within and comes to read the outward Oracles and Testmonies of the holy Spirit that all holy men spake not in their own wills not in the will of the Flesh not in the will of man but as the Spirit of God gave them words and moved them to speak And those words spoken by Gods Spirit knoweth none but that Spirit which spake them So that no man ought to venture by his private Spirit to undertake to open and interpret those words but he must first receive the same Word of Life the same Spirit of Prophesie within and wait upon him and learn to know his Voice who openeth what and when he pleaseth to the sons of men either of what he spake formerly or of what he pleaseth to speak now And so when the same Word of Life speaks in a mans heart now shewing things to come either concerning a mans self or others that man must be careful to retire and lie very low before the Lord waiting upon him for the true understanding and right interpreting of his own words else a man may easily mis-understand and mis-apply what was truly and rightly spoken So that this is the right way of understanding the Words of Prophesie from the holy men of God in former Ages and the Instructions of the Word of Life in the heart The secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him In the true fear the Ear is opened and the right Understanding given but in the wisdom of the Flesh and in the confidence thereof it is easie erring at any time from the true sense and right use of that which was opened and given by God either for the souls own good or for the good of others To Conclude this appeal There is one consideration on my heart to propose to the serious and sober minded and Oh that they might rightly consider and understand it David was a man after Gods own heart a wise man an inwardly exercised man an experienced man an holy spiritual heavenly man a man who knew the inward everlasting Kingdom and had the Spirit of God and witnessed his Truth in the inward parts Can ye think that David did not know the Word and Commandment of Life within Did not God write his Law in his heart how else could he become a man after Gods own heart Did not he witness the everlasting Covenant and the Law thereof the new Law the living Law even the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Now when David said The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul What Law did he mean What is the Law which converts the soul to God Can any thing less then an inward Power an inward Light an inward Law an inward Life then the inward drawings and teachings of Gods Spirit convert the soul to God And what testimony is that which makes wise the simple Is it not the inward testimony What made him wiser then the Ancients and then his Teachers who knew and could teach the Law outward were they not the inward teachings and inward precepts of Gods holy Spirit from the Word of Life within which doubtless was very nigh him he being a man so exercised by Gods Spirit and so formed after his heart And what are those right Statutes which rejoyce the heart and the pure Commandment which enlightens the eyes and the clean fear and the righteous Judgments Are not these all things known within and received within Doth not God put his fear within in the heart Doth not God reveal his righteous Judgements within against sin and iniquity O how did David cry out because of Gods dreadful judgements upon him for sin and said his Sore ran in the night and he watered his Couch with his Tears and in another place My Flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy Judgements And when he speaketh so much as in Psal 119. of Gods Word Gods Law his Testimonies Precepts Statutes Judgements c. what doth he speak of Doth he speak of the outward or inward ministration of the word in the heart Doth he not speak of the inward
Lord pleaseth to open that eye in any which can see and read Now to be often Testifying of this Light which the Lord hath visited us with and wherein we experience the knowledg of his Son and Redemption by him to us it is not grievous and it is good and safe for others Therefore it arising in my heart in the springings of Life and lying upon me as in the Sight of the Lord to give forth this further short Testimony for the sakes of such as have any desire to know and experience the Truth as it is in Jesus I am given up in Spirit to serve my God therein and do give it forth in humility in fear in tenderness of spirit in true love with breathings to my God that he would please to open the hearts of those that shall be inclin'd to read it that they may feel somewhat of that in themselves from which the Testimony came so there-from may hear in true sense and understanding the true and good report of the sound of Life and Salvation in this our Age and may learn so to turn inwardly from the darkness to the Light from the power of Satan to Gods Spirit and appearance inwardly that the â—rm of the Lord may be revealed in them and powerfully stretched out for them And this is the precious knowledge of Christ indeed even to know Christ the Power of God Christ the Wisdom of God inwardly revealed and working in the heart destroying sin there and building up the holy building wherein he himself will dwell and reign O that all that truly breath after him might not be with-held from him and his living Testimony inward appearance by the power of darkness deceit which works subtilly in the heart against the appearance power and work of the Lord there but might thus come to know him Amen The Ancient Principle of Truth or the Light Within asserted and held forth according to true Experience and the faithful Testimony of the Scriptures in the Answers to four Questions 1. What this Light is which we Testifie of and what is the nature of it 2. What it doth inwâ—rdly in the heart 3. How it cometh to be lighted set up and and increased there 4. How it cometh to be diminished or exstinguished in any Quest 1. WHat is this Light which we so earnestly testifie of and whereof we affirm that all men are or have been in some measure enlightened by it and what is the nature of it Answ It is that which shineth from God in the heart wherein God is neer to men and wherein and whereby men may seek after God and find him God is a Spirit and his Spirit and Presence is neer to all men Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy Presence Psal 139.7 c. It is impossible for any so to do For God who is a Spirit and the Father of Spirits is nigh to every Spirit Every Spirit depends upon him the Fountain of Spirits and hath its being Life and motion from him and in him after a sence though not after such a sence as they who are quickened by him experience Now God who is Light being so neer every man doth he never shine upon them They are Darkness but doth he never appear in the darkness He who is Light loveth Mankind doth he never visit them with his love He knoweth what and how great inward and spiritual Enemies Man-kind hath doth he never make any discoveries of their Enemies to them Yes The Light is neer all Man-kind to discover to them and help them against the darkness and the love is neer to help them against the enmity which destroyeth and so to save them For whosoever joyneth to the Light of Gods Spirit cannot but witness Salvation thereby for it is of a saving nature and bringeth Salvation with it to all that receive it Christ is in it and is known by it inwardly spiritually livingly known and he is not nor can be known without it He that knoweth the Light of Gods Spirit knoweth Christ and he that believeth in it believeth in him and he that knoweth not nor believeth therein neither knoweth nor believeth in Christ So that as the Jews circumcision outward and their knowledge and thinking to be justified by the righteousness and works of the Law which most of them brake and were Transgressors of though Paul said he was touching the righteousness which is in the Law blameless I say as this was disowned and denyed by Christ and his Apostles and the circumcision and work of God on the hearts of the Gentiles set over it and exalted above it as Rom. 2. So is it now also The knowledge of those and belief of those who own the Light and believe in the Light is owned by God's Spirit in this our day for the true believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and for that knowledge which is life eternal and the knowing and believing on him as men account it according to their apprehensions of the Letter without this is reckoned with God for ignorance and unbelief So that in this is God known in this is Christ believed in Here God draws nigh to every man and is a God not afar off but nigh at hand and his Salvation is nigh and his Righteousness ready to be revealed here and here every man may seek after and obtain the knowledge of him the saving knowledge the knowledge of the Grace of the Gift of Grace which brings Salvation In this is the Son kissed in this is he drawn nigh to and come to by the Soul and not out of it Here are the drawings of the Father felt Let any man feel this he feels that which begets to God he feels that which comes from the Son is of the nature of the Son wherein the Father draws the heart of the Child whom he begets to the Son And in this the Soul comes it comes out of the darkness wherein Christ is not nor dwels into the Light wherein Christ is with the Father and so in this the Soul is ever neer and out of it still afar off In this is the holy root witnessed and the ingrafting thereinto out of this the holy Root is not known nor can men understand what it is to be ingrafted into him and how he is an Olive Tree a Vine a Door a Shepherd a Leader a Captain a Redeemer Nor can men possibly know the voice of the true Shepherd from the voice of a Stranger till they come hither nor how the true Shepherd walks before his Sheep and what it is to follow him out of that which destroys into that which regenerates makes new and living till they come hither Now this inward Light is abundantly testified of in the Scriptures As first by Moses who speaking of the other Covenant the new Covenant the Covenant of Circumcising the Heart turneth or directeth the mind to this Word or Commandment nigh whereby alone it can
The Ancient PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH Or the Light Within Asserted and Held forth according to true Experience and the Faithful Testimony of the Scriptures Also An Appeal to the Witness of God in all Consciences which is the More Sure Word of Prophesie the Testimony of the Scriptures Without or the Voice and Testimony of the Light and Spirit of God Within in the Heart By one once greatly Distressed but now at length in the Tender Mercy of the Lord effectually Visited and Redeemed by the Light and Power of Truth Isaac Pennington Printed in the Year 1672. THE PREFACE THe true Ministers of the Gospel the Ministers of the new Covenant were ordained and appointed by God to be Ministers of Light Ministers of Righteousness Ministers of the Spirit Mat. 5.14 2 Cor. 11.15 and Chap. 3.6 And this was their work and service even to preach the Light to deliver their Message concerning the Light which they heard of Christ and were sent by him 〈◊〉 preach as is recorded 1 John 1.5 〈◊〉 that they were to tell men what the Light was and where it was to be found and to turn men from darkness to Light from sin and unrighteousness to purity and righteousness from the spirit and power of Satan to the Spirit and Power of the living God Dan. 12.3 Act. 26.18 that so they might come from under Satans authority power and kingdom of darkness into the light wherein Christ reigns as King Priest and Prophet unto and over all his who is faithful in all his House as Son and Lord of all distributing Life Righteousness Mercy and Peace to his whole Family as they abide in him and walk in subjection to his Spirit So that there is no condemnation to them that are gathered unto Christ engrafted into him and who abide in him walking not after the Flesh but after the Spirit who is the Quickener Guide and Rule of all the Children of the new Covenant For Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life in and to them all and is made by God all in all unto them He is their Shepherd their King their Captain their Vine their Olive Tree their Leader their Door their Path their Rule their Righteousness their Holiness their Wisdom their Redemption their Altar their Sacrifice their Priest their Prophet their Sabboth their Light their Day-spring their Bright and Morning Star their Son their Shield their Rock and their High Tower What shall I say God hath gathered together all things into one even in him whose Spirit Life and Light Eternal is the one Substance which answers all the Figures and Shadows of the Law and they are all comprehended and fulfilled and end in him So that he is the end of the Law for Righteousness to all that believe in him And he Ministers Righteousness he Ministers Truth he Ministers Life he Ministers Salvation he Ministers Power he Ministers Pure Heavenly Wisdom and no good thing will he with-hold from them that come unto him in the Drawings of his Father and follow him whithersoever he leads and obey his Gospel which is Everlastingly new and living Now this precious Ministry hath been withdrawn and hid from Ages and Generations in the long Night of the great Apostacy and thick Darkness And how could it be otherwise for men being in the Dark and having Erred from the True Spirit and let in a wrong spirit and built up wrong Churches and having not known the True Wilderness nor being willing to flee into it whither the True Church fled and was Nourished by God with the true Food even with the true living vertue and Nourishment all this Dark Night of the Apostacy I say how could they come at the true Light the true Spirit the true Power from which the true Ministry is which did not visibly now appear but was with the true Church in the Wilderness So that there hath been a true Church all this while which the Gates of Hell have not been able to prevail against as to her inward Temple and Altar nor over the Worshippers which have worship'd therein although they have gained the outward Court God having severed it from his inward building and given it to the Gentiles in spirit who are not true Jews who are not Worshippers in the Spirit and in the Truth Rev. 21.1 2. But now at length blessed be the Lord the long Night of Darkness araws towards an end yea is come to an end in many Spirits and the true Light is broken forth again and shineth again inwardly in many and the true Mninstry is revived again and the everlasting Gospel the Everlasting Covenant of Life Mercy and Salvation in and through Christ Jesus the Light and Life of men preached again For now it is not only outwardly read that God is Light But the Message hath been received and persons chosen and sent forth by God to publish it and to turn men from Darkness to Light and from Satans power to God And blessed be the Lord the publishing of this precious Testimony in the power and authority of the Most High hath not been in vain but the Captivity of many hath been broken by the Power of Light and the power and strength of Darkness inwardly overturned by it O how hath the strong man which kept the House before the stronger then he appeared in the name and authority of his Father I sâ—y how hath he Trembled at the inward and Spiritual Appearance of him that was stronger than he and how have the pillars of the old building been shaken How hath the witness of God been reached to in mens spirits how have the dead been raised the blind eye opened the deaf ear unstopped the dumb tongue loosed the Lame caused to leap as an Hart and the tongue of the dumb to sing the inward Spiritual Leprosie cleansed and done away forever the wounded healed the broken-hearted bound up and what hath not the Lord done inwardly and spiritually for his people who have been sensible of his appearance and gathered by his Spirit and Power to the true Shiloh who is the true Shepherd the Land of the living the holy City and Temple the Light of the City the Life of the City the Gates and Wall of the City the King and Kingdom both for his Life his nature his Spirit is all and in all Ah what do we desire to have but Christ the Seed and this Seed sown in our Hearts and abiding in us and his Life righteousness and glory his holy Power Dominion and Kingdom springing up in it And as in the Apostles days there was the Seal to their Testimony in peoples hearts where their Ministry was ordered by the Lord and was received even so it is now O how doth the witness answer in mens hearts and Consciences and they that keep to the witness and its Testimony not hearkening after words to the wisdom of the flesh how do they become living Epistles to be seen and read of all men as the
that comes to witness the true Light ought to do else there is no true fellowship with God nor with his Sanctified Ones who are gathered into and walk in the Light even as God is in the Light 1 John 1.7 And the Angel that opened the Prophesies and Mysteries of that Book to John said that the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Chap. 19.10 So then he that hath this Spirit of Prophesie he that hath this inward Light hath the Testimony of Jesus but he that hath it not hath not the Testimony it self but only words concerning the Testimony For this is the Distinction between the true Believer and the False The true Believer hath the Spirit of Prophesie the Witness in himself 1 John 5.10 the False Believer hath but the Outward Testimony or Relation of things but not the Inward Substance the Covenant and Law of Life within Quest 2. WHat doth this Light do inwardly in the Hearts of those that receive it believe in it and give up to it Ans It doth all that is requisite to be done from the Souls coming out of Spiritual Egypt into the Land of Rest and all that is needful for its Growth and Preservation there First it Enlighteneth It sheweth what is Evil and also what is Good according to the Measure and Proportion of it and according to Gods causing it to Shine in the Heart It Discovers the Mystery of Darkness the Mystery of Ungodliness the Mystery of Iniquity the Mystery of Deceit in all its Mysterious Workings for nothing is hid from the Light of him with whom we have to do And it also discovers the Mystery of Godliness the Mystery of Holiness the Pure Way and Commandment of Life and gives all the Believers the True Believers in Christ this Experience That his Commandment is Life Everlasting There is nothing the heart needs desire to know of God but this makes it manifest in the due season It opens the very Mystery of the Scriptures gives the right Understanding and application of the Promises and fulfils the Prophesies thereof in the heart 2 dly It doth not only manifest the good and evil but likewise inclines the mind to chuse the good and refuse the evil It draws from the evil and towards the good yea and the soul is made willing in the day of him who is light and who appears in the light and reveals his power there There is a way an high way spoken of Jsa 35.8 called the way of holiness which the unclean can neither discern nor pass over to but the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ the measure of Grace and Truth wherewith he enlightens men so manifests and leads into this way that they that are taught and guided by him shall walk therein and not err 3 dly It scatters the darkness breaks the power of the enemy it makes one with him who is all power and giveth â—o partake thereof so that power is given to become sons in the Light to the Children of the Light power given to become Kings and Priests to God power given to reign in the dominion of his Life in the dominion of his Truth over sin over death over deceit and to offer up the holy living sacrifices to God What shall I say It is one with Christ it is of his heavenly Spirit and Nature it makes way for him it leads to him it fills with him it brings into unity and fellowship both with the Father and the Son where the peace which passeth understanding and the joy unspeakable and full of glory abounds This is the Gospel-message that God is Light and they that are gathered into and abide in this Light they are gathered into and abide in unity and fellowship both with the Father and the Son David had great sense and great experience of this Light of Gods holy Spirit of his Truth sent forth manifested and revealed in his inward parts as is signified Psal 51.6 and again in that vehement Prayer of his Psal 43.3 O send out thy Light and thy Truth let them lead me let them bring me unto thy holy Hill and to thy Tabernacles Then will I go unto the Altar of God unto God the gladness of my joy yea upon the harp will I Praise thee O God my God Indeed when the Light shines and the Truth springs up in the heart it leads to him that is true it leads to the Holy Hill and Mountain of the Lord and to the Inward Altar which they have no Right to who serve and and worship at the outward and the Harp is known whereon the Most High is Praised even that Inward Harp whereof Davids outward Harp was but the Figure Therefore they that come to the Holy Hill of God to the Mountain of the Lord's House and to that Holy building which is reared there they invite and incourage others â—o walk in that Light which led them thither wherein Communion with God and one with another and the Blessings of Life and Peace are Enjoyed Isa 2.5 But what should I speak of the Sufficiency of the Light and Grace of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ or of what it is able to do and of what he is pleased to work by it I shall only say this that as the Fulness was enough for Christ and to fit him for the Work which he had to do so the measure of Grace and Truth which he bestows is enough for every man My Grace is Sufficient for thee said God to Paul and so it is for every man There is no Want of Sufficiency in the Grace of God in the Seed of the Kingdom in the Pearl of Price in the Holy Leaven in the Heavenly Salt but the Vertue and Strength of it is Greater then the Enemy is able to withstand and he that keeps 〈◊〉 and departs not from it shall feel Life and Power springing up in it to quicken him and carry him through all that God requires of him For the Water which Christ gives is a Well springing up in him to whom it is Given unto Life Eternal and this Water is able to Wash able to Nourish able to Fill the Soul with Living Vertue which waiteth for it and partaketh of it And all the Nations of them that are saved are to walk in the Light of God's Spirit To this men are to be turned unto this they are to be gathered into this they are to be Translated even from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Sons Marvellous Light and being changed by it into its Nature become Light in the Lord and ought to walk in the Light as God is in the Light 1 John 1.7 Quest 3. HOw doth the Mind come to be Enlighted and the Candle of the Lord come to be set iup in the Soul Answ By God's causing it to shine there and the minds being turned to it and given up to be exercised by it as it pleaseth the Lord to cause it to shine The Power of
the Lord reacheth to the pure Principle of Life and Light in the heart in the seasons of his good Pleasure This being reached to and touched by the Lord answers his touch his visit his call and the mind being turned to it sensible of it and willing to let it into its nature and spirit and to become one with it suffering with it and bearing its Cross the Seed cometh to grow there the Light which was hid and overwhelmed under the Earth under the earthly Wisdom the earthly Will the earthly Knowledge the earthly Desires the Earthly Delights c. cometh to be lighted up there yea the life cometh to be quickened more and more and the holy Leaven to spread more and more there And this sensible Plant of God's Renown being thus entertained and being not afterwards grieved dispised quenched or hurt by the giving way to and letting in of that which is contrary to it it shooteth up into a Kingdom of Righteousness into a Tree of Righteousness within the compass whereof and under the shadow whereof the Soul sitteth down in Peace and Rest and is defended and nourished with that which is pure and living and full of the pure Sap and Vertue and so becomes strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might against the power and strength of darkness Now this all men may experience at first in some low measure and degree and afterwards more and more as they come to feel after and have a sense of that which is of God and good in the heart and come to joyn and give up to it For then it will be working against and purging out that which is of a contrary nature and overspreading the heart with its own Nature insomuch as that which was the least will become the greatest and that which was the lowest of all and indeed trampled under foot will rise up into Dominion and Power over all and bring all under So that the lofty City the lofty building of fleshly Wisdom and of Sin and Iniquity in the heart will be laid low and the feet of the Seed shall tread it down even the feet of that which was once poor and needy until it was anointed and its Horn exalted by the Lord. Quest 4. HOw is the Light or Candle of the Lord diminished and at length extinguished or put out in some or how cometh that about Answ By their neglecting despising quenching it hearkening and giving way to the contrary spirit in its Motions and Temptations For as the Good let in stops and works out the Evil so the Evil let in stops and works out the Good So the Philistine-nature given way to stops the inward Well which Jacob had digged and opened There is a time wherein Life is a Mystery a Fountain sealed and there is a time wherein God unseals the Fountain and opens the Mystery in the heart O then great care is to be had and the Soul is to lie very low in the pure Fear that it may continue in his Goodness and walk worthy of his Love that the Fountain may be kept open and the pure Springs of the holy Land flow and not be sealed and shut up again For there are some that rebel against the Light and they dwell in a dry Land There were some that did alwayes resist and vex God's Spirit and the Lord's Spirit ceased striving with them and gave them up to a reprobate sense and judgement concerning the things of God There are some that do not improve God's good Talent and from them that which was once given is again taken away Yea the Candle of the Wicked shall one time or other be put out and they shall be silent in darkness and their Mouth stopped from having any thing to say against God his Truth and People for evermore And all men had need to take heed how they be wanton with the Grace of God or despise the day of their visitation by the holy Light of God's Spirit for if God take away the Talent if God put out the inward Candle who can light it again O how did poor David the man after God's own Heart suffer by letting the Enemy's temptations in upon him Cast me not away from thy Presence said he and take not thy holy Spirit from me Indeed he did lose his condition at the present and he speaks as a man in danger of being quite undone though afterwards he came to Comfort and Assurance that God would restore to him the Joy of his Salvation and light his Candle and enlighten his Darkness again But I am not insensible of what doubts and disputes there are in mens minds about this Testimony which we give from certain knowledge and true experience concerning the Light wherewith God enlighteneth Souls At first when the Testimony first came forth men would not grant such a thing as a Light from God in men which convinced of and reproved for Sin But now there are many will assent to that who yet cannot believe it to be a Measure of the Grace and Truth which comes by Jesus Christ and that in it the Sufficiency and Power of God is revealed against the strength and power of Satan But let such seriously consider First who they are that have testified and testifie of this Light They are Persons who generally have been deeply exercised in Religion Persons who have read the Scriptures very diligently with much praying and waiting upon God for the true certain and clear understanding of them Persons who several of them have had experience of most if not all other separated Wayes but could never meet with the Answer of the Cry of their Souls nor with Satisfaction to that Birth which breathed in them after the Lord night and day 2dly What their Testimony is which is manifold as first That they were by the Lord even by his holy Spirit and the shinings and springings of his precious Seed in them turned to this light and shewn it to be of God 2dly That in turning to it they still met with the Presence Appearance and Power of the Lord working in their hearts 3dly That it did not only discover Sin to them but also powerfully resist it fight against it and bring it under which no light and power besides the Light and Power of God's Spirit can do 4thly That the Life of the Son is manifested and revealed in it and they come therein truly to see and taste and handle the Word of eternal Life 5thly That in this Light they come to witness cleansing by the Blood of the Lamb and the everlasting Covenant made with them even the sure Mercies of David and the holy and precious Promises fulfilled in them whereby they are made Partakers of the divine Nature and come to witness an enterance into the holy City and drink of the Streams of the pure Chrystal River which refresh and make glad the City of our God and all the Tabernacles wherein he dwels Lastly to mention no more
of the Scriptures it is very clear that God would have none to Perish All Souls are mine saith the Lord Ezek. 18.4 I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dyeth ver 32. and again As I live saith the Lord God I have no Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked Chap. 33.11 I have sent my Light to enlighten all men and turn all men and I would have all men receive it and be turned by it I have shewed every man what is Good and what I the Lord require of him and I would have every man answer the Manifestation of my Light and Spirit in him Do ye not read Gods charge against the whole Earth Isa 24.5 That they had transgressed the Law changed the Ordinance broken the everlasting Covenant Why then they all had the Law had the Ordinance had the everlasting Covenant and for this cause it is that the Curse and Judgement comes upon them ver 6. So that this was the Condemnation from the begining and this is the Condemnation still that Light is come into the World and men love darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are Evil. Men are not condemned for want of Light from Christ Jesus but because they do not believe in and obey that Light which they have from him because they believe in the Darkness believe in the dark spirit believe in the dark power which riseth up against the Ministration of Light in the heart and do not believe in that which is given of God to discover and work it out What should I multiply Scriptures for That common Scripture is absolutely undeniable as the Lord opens the heart unto the Simplicity of Truth and keeps it out of the subtle enchanting wisdom John 3.16 17. For God so Loved the World that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not Perish but have Everlasting Life For God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World But that the World through him might be saved What can be more naked and plain then these Words of Christ who knew the very Heart of God in this particular and plainly declares what it is even not to condemn not to destroy but to save men from Condemnation and Destruction And would Christ have so affectionately Wept over Jerusalem had he known it to have been his Fathers will and Determinate Counsel that they should have perished and not have been gathered and saved by him I shall add but one Place more where the Apostle who knew God's Counsel and understood the Mystery of Election and Reprobation and had the Mind of Christ saith expresly that God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the Knowledge of the Truth 1 Tim. 2.4 What words can be spoken more plain and full And let People mind that these words are far plainer and easier to be understood then those Scriptures which treat of Election and Reprobation which is a deep Mystery and men must come to a growth in the Truth before they can receive that capacity which is necessary towards the understanding of them But to open the thing a little as it is now in my heart There hath been a threefold Dispensation of God to Mankind A Dispensation of the Law to the Jews A Dispensation of the Gospel or promise which was as well before the Law as after it to the called Jews and Gentiles And a secret hidden Dispensation of the Mystery of Grace of the Mystery of Life and Salvation which the Apostle calls the Mystery hid in the Gentiles Coloss 1.27 For somewhat of God somewhat of the Nature and Spirit of Christ the Souls of all Mankind have had neer them to enlighten them and to turn them from Satan's power to God though it hath not been a thing known to them but a Mystery hid in them Now that God did cast off any Jew under the Law or any whom he visits with the Grace and Power of the Gospel from a meer absolute will in himself because he would destroy them and have them perish to shew forth the Praise of his Justice and his absolute Soveraignity this the true sense of Life in me denies But all have a visit of that which saves heartily and in true Good-will from God and he that is turned to that which God hath sent to turn him shall be owned and saved thereby He that believeth in the Truth in the Light in the Word nigh even in the very lowest appearance of it for the lowest appearance is the same thing in nature with the highest and the Grace is saving in its very lowest appearance as well as in its highest shall be saved thereby Now mark God's Grace God's Mercy God's Love Gods Light God's Spirit God's Power c. is his own And he may do with his own what he pleaseth Now it being by this that he strives converts and saves And it being in his own will and good pleasure how long he will strive and contend to save it lieth therefore absolutely in him even in his own will what he will do in this kind He may take advantage against Rebellious Man and cut him off when he will And again he may strive and raise true sense in a mans heart and give Repentance and Pardon his Transgressions as long as he pleaseth Yea he may so change a man's heart and so Create him a new in Christ Jesus and so bring him into Unity with the pure Seed and to that estate in the Seed as that he may have assurance he shall never be utterly cast off But that though he should Sin and Transgress the Holy Law of God's Spirit his Iniquity shall be chastised with Stripes and his Soul recovered and brought back thereby but not utterly rejected by the Lord. Now it being thus hath not God Mercy on whom he will And doth not he Harden as he pleaseth Did not God give up the Jews to hardness after much striving with them Did not God give up the Gentiles to hardness and to vain imaginations concerning the true God after they had rejected a measure of the True Knowledge Rom. 1.21 Have not the Vessels of Wrath who are fitted to destruction a day of much long-suffering first Rom. 9.22 Had not the Old World who were fitted for that Destruction of the Floud a long day of Patience and Forbearance from God his Spirit reproving of them and striving with them To what end did God forbear them and cause his Spirit to strive with them Was it not to lead them to Repentance that thereby they might have Avoided that Destruction which by their Rebellion and Stiffness of Spirit against God's good and Tender Spirit they were fitted for and exposed to See Rom. 2.4 So for Cain How tenderly did God deal with him how uprightly did God seek his good Would not God have had him come to a true sense and repentance Would not God have had him believed and offered in the Faith and been
accepted as his brother was And for Pharaoh God indeed was against that nature and Spirit in him which oppressed Israel but would not the Lord have had him denied and turned from that nature and Spirit and let Israel go God would have no man do evil and bring upon themselves Destruction though in his just Judgement he is many times provoked to give men up to that which leadeth into and hardeneth in Evil. So not onely Pharaoh but Israel also was given up to their own hearts Lusts when they would none of the Lord nor hearken to his counsel Psal 81.12 But saith the Lord O that it had been otherwise O that my People had hearkened unto me c. it should then have been otherwise with them ver 13. c. So that God of himself doth not desire the Destruction of his Creature nor doth he desire to harden them or to give them up to a deluding spirit that they might be damned but men first refuse the Truth and turn from it or let it go not receiving it in the love of it or not liking to retain the knowledge of it which is Death to the man's corrupt nature spirit will and wisdom and such a Cross and Yoke as he is in no wise willing to bear and then the Lord in his just Judgement gives them up to the Deceitfulness of Sin to be hardened by it Now this liveth in God's own Breast when and to whom to do it according to his own Will and according to his own Wisdom and Counsel so that it may be truly and properly said He hath mercy and Compassion on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth But that God hath determined to harden any without giving them a Day of Mercy or that it is Gods Will and determinate Counsel that men should reject the Day of his Mercy and precious Invitation that they might be hardened by him and perish This is not God's Truth but mens Mis-Apprehensions upon true words gathering Meanings therefrom in their own wisdom and not waiting upon God till he cause the true Light to shine in them and thereby give them the True Knowledge and Understanding Therefore since there is such Mercy in God towards all and he hath given all men a Day of Visitation greater or lesser yea since of late he hath caused his Light to shine forth and given this Age such a Visitation as many Ages have not had O let men take heed how they close their Eyes stop their Ears and harden their Hearts against it lest they provoke God to give them up to their own imaginary conceited fleshly comprehensive knowledge of the Letter and so seal them up in that hardness of heart and deafness of Spirit which they first gave themselves up to For the Letter without the Spirit killeth And so doth all litteral knowledge and there needs no greater Curse from God it will sufficiently avenge the Cause of his Reproached Light and holy Covenant of Life in Christ Jesus now abundantly revealed and made manifest then to close mens Eyes and stop their Ears and harden their Hearts in their Litteral Knowledges and Practises from beholding and partaking of the precious Life and Vertue of this holy and Living Ministration in Christ Jesus the Lord wherewith God visiteth and redeemeth his people Indeed the Physitian is come inwardly and spiritually and he inwardly heals and restoreth his People faithfully seeking after the Sick the Distressed the Broken the Wounded pouring Oyl into their Wounds and healing them But there are some who are so sound and whole in their notional Apprehensions and Practises that they have no need of the Physitian and then the Physitian passeth by as unworthy of him and whom he intendeth shall have no share with him Ephraim is joyned to Idols he is well he hath enough he hath no need of me let him alone saith the Lord. I will pour out the choice Vertue of my Spiritual Life and redeeming Power among my gathered Sheep and Lambs who have need thereof and will rejoyce therein These will know my Voice these will justifie the appearance of my spirit and power these love the savour of my Anointing and precious Oyntment which runs down from the Head upon all the Living Body and these shall have it These understand how I have Mercy on whom I will and whom I will I Hearden and it is my will to have Mercy on these my once greatly Distressed Ones and to destroy inwardly to destroy O who knows what that means the fat and the strong and to feed them with judgement O that men did know to whom the Mercy and to whom the Judgement belongs To the wisdom of the Flesh to the wise Comprehenders of the things of God after the Flesh is the judgement to the Poor to the Distressed to the Broken in Spirit not to them that are at ease in their Litteral Knowledge but to the Mourners in Sion after the holy God and his living Power and Righteousness is the Everlasting Gospel the Mercy the Love the Peace the binding-up the Redemption which is by Christ Jesus the living Minister in the holy Sanctuary of our God THE END