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
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
writing of the Law in the heart of the Commandment in the heart of the testimony of Life there For he had the Testimony within the Spirit within the Law within the Light within the inward and spiritual Kingdom wherein the holy dominion of God is revealed he knew within and so believing could speak of the power and glory thereof and of Gods wonderous works Psal 145. And when he said Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet and a Light unto my Path What Word did he mean Did he mean the Letter or Law outward or the Word nigh in the mouth and heart which Moses had testified of and directed the Jews to and he himself had been very well acquainted with When again he saith Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way and immediately giveth the answer By taking heed according to thy word Doth he mean the Letter without or the Word within What is it that cleanseth the heart that cleanseth the way Is it any less then the Water of Life then the Blood of the everlasting Covenant then the Word and Life of Truth within Sanctifie them by thy Truth thy Word is Truth In the sense of that inwardly and obedience to it is the renewing and Sanctification felt And so this brings to be undefiled in the way and to keep the testimonies of Life and preserves from doing iniquity Blessed are the undefiled in the way saith he who walk in the Law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his Testimonies that seek him with the whole heart They also do no iniquity c. Had he no experience of these things himself Yea surely He knew the holy heart the pure heart the new and heavenly Image the heart after Gods own heart and he knew what it was to walk in innocency and to be kept out of Sin Hear what he himself saith Psal 18.21 c. For I have kept the Wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God For all his Judgements were before me and I did not put away his Statutes from me I was also upright before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity What was that Was not that it which had most power over him and was most apt to entangle and ensnare him Now he that arrives here he that doth this that keeps himself from his iniquity doubtless witnesseth great power and victory over lesser and smaller Sins Was not David strong in the Lord and in the Power of his might did not the Word of God abide in him did not he overcome the wicked one by the Power thereof How else could he walk thus in the Wayes of the Lord as he expresseth and keep himself from his iniquity Now this Word of Life these living Testimonies and Precepts yea the everlasting Ordinances and Statutes of the new Covenant with the sure mercies of David which Word Moses had testified of and directed to and David had experienced it being the Pearl he had treasured up and hid in his heart and which was the Word of Faith which Paul and the other Apostles preached and testified of turning men from darkness to this inward Light I say this Word this living Word and the inward Ministration thereof God hath revealed and made manifest in this our day and hath turned the minds of many to it and is daily inviting men to Shiloh's Streams to the living Waters to the Light and Habitation of the Living Blessed are they that hear the joyful sound and come to the holy Mount and City of our God where Life lives and reigns and is fed on by all the living who are Gods elect Gods Heritage Gods Vineyard of Red Wine Gods enclosed Garden whom he watcheth over night and day and watereth every moment and in whom he dwelleth and walketh and is to them a God and Father and maketh them daily sensible that they are his Servants Children and Spouse in whom is his great delight and on whose hearts and fore-heads is written Holiness to the Lord. Yea and the Lord will bless thee forever O Habitation of Justice and Mountain of Holiness and every tongue that riseth up in judgement against thee will the Lord God condemn for evermore This is the Heritage of the Servants of the Lord whom the Lord hath gathered by the Arm of his mighty Power inwardly revealed and stretched forth in them and for them and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. Postscript There is a Scripture now openeth in me as it hath often done and it hath been very sweet to my Taste but I have not had freedom to give it forth to others as at this time it is with me to do It is that Scripture Rom. 9.18 Therefore hath he Mercy on whom he will have Mercy and whom he will he Hardeneth NOw many apprehend from this Scripture as I also formerly did That God hath Chosen out a certain Number of Persons on whom he will have Mercy and Save by Christ Jesus the Lord and that he hath passed over the rest so that they were never intended to have any Benefit by Christ's death as to their Eternal Salvation This the wisdom of man from the Letter of this Scripture and many other places may easily apprehend and strongly reason for But as the Lord openeth the mind and men come to a sense of his Nature and Spirit and his Intent in sending his Son and receive the Key which opens the Truth as it is in Jesus they will easily see that this is contrary to Gods Nature and his Intent in sending his Son and the universall Covenant of Light and Life and the manifest Testimony of the Scriptures First As touching the Nature of God His Nature is Love Love to all his Creatures He would not have it go ill with any of them He needeth not their Misery to make himself Happy His Nature is to love to Bless to Save not to Destroy or Cut off not to Afflict or Grieve the Children of men not to Hurt either the Body or Soul of any He preserveth man and Beast Psal 36.6 Secondly As touching his sending his Son He sent him in his Love to Mankind to save Mankind His Love was not to a few only but he loved all his Creatures he loved all lost Souls and he sent his Son to save them all He gave him Light to enlighten them all and he gave him Life to quicken them all only he dispenceth this in various wayes according to the Infinite Wisdom and Good Pleasure of his Father So that Thirdly the Covenant of Light and Life is universal and nigh all Mankind by which the darkest parts and corners of the Earth are at sometimes enlightened and feel somewhat of the Quickning Life For the life is the light of men and the light comes from the life and is a quick piercing quickning Light conveying Warmth and Life yea living Vertue into the darkest hearts as it moves and finds entertainment in them Lastly As for the Testimony
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
blessed Apostles was a Vision given of the glory of Christ and of Moses and Elias with him not in the mind or head as Daniels Visions were Dan. 7.1 but the excellent glory did appear and Christ Moses and Elias were really there together on the mount which is more then a prophetick Vision of a thing and Christ was cloathed with and swallowed up in the glory For God the Father did set himself to honour and glorifie him so as never man was glorified before and the Voice came the certain Voice What Voice could be more certain from the excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased 2 Pet. 1.17 And this pure Vision of Glory even of Gods thus appearing and Christs thus transfiguring they saw and heard the Voice which came from Heaven when they were with him in the holy Mount Now were â—he Prophesies of the Prophets that Christ should be born in Bethlehem and â—hat he should be thus and thus c. equal to this in evidence and demonstration Why was John greater then the rest of the Prophets Was it not in that he was chosen to be the immediate Fore-runner and Preparer of the Way and could point with his finger to the Messiah And yet is not this immediate testimony from the excellent Glory greater then the testimony of John 4thly Consider Whether Christs own Words in the Flesh to his Disciples were surer then this Voice from the excellent Glory If I should extol the Words of Christ in the Flesh above the words of the Prophets which testified of him should I therein do the words and testimonies of the Prophets any wrong He was the Son he had the fulness of Life the fulness of the Spirit the great authority and vertue of God his Father God saith the Apostle who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son Hebr. 1.1 2. seeming to exalt and magnifie Gods speaking by his Son and the Way of this Ministration above the Ministraon of the Prophets which Ministration was first by him in flesh afterwards in Spirit which is properly called the Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 Now consider whether this sure word of Prophesie from the excellent Glory so immediately from the Majesty on High was not intended by him as a seal to the Faith of the Disciples as a seal to Christ's appearance in Flesh and to what he had taught them which was sometimes in Parables and not so fully understood by them and whether this was not more bright more ravishing more certain more establishing then his common Presence and Appearance among them and then the words which he from the Father not the Father so immediately himself spake to them For that which is given to confirm a thing is in order of nature and for evidence sake more certain and clear then that which it is given to confirm 5thly Consider Whether the Voice of Gods Spirit and Light within in the heart be not more clear and certain to him that hears it then any Word or Testimony from without Is it not a surer Word of Prophesie then this Relation or Testimony of the Apostles of what they heard from the excellent Glory yea is it not surer then any Testimony of the Scriptures or then all outward Testimonies put together 6thly Consider Whether they who are turned from Darkness to the Light even to the inward Manifestation of Gods holy Spirit ought not to give diligent heed unto it until the day dawn and the Day-Star arise in their hearts Lastly Consider What is the difference between this Light shining as a Word of Prophesie in the dark place and the day dawning and the Day-Star arising in the heart Is it not the same Light only further revealed and shining in it's glory in the holy and pure place The Apostle Paul excellently openeth the thing Coloss 1.25.20 27. First he speaketh of the Word in general which he was to fulfil or fully to preach Then he sheweth how this Word is a Mystery hid in the Gentiles for so the Greek vers 27. is even in them that believe not the Word is nigh there the Instruction and Commandment of Life nigh there But in those that receive the Grace and believe in the Light and so become children of the Light and walk in the Light as God is in the Light in them Christ is risen and they are risen together with him and he is in them the hope of glory So that the day hath dawned there the Day-Star hath arisen and they know not only a Measure of Grace from Christ but Christ himself arisen dwelling living acting walking in them and they in him Let these things be duly considered of and equally weighed in the holy Ballance and then I dare appeal to every serious and sober heart and mind Whether the inward Light the inward Word the word nigh in the mouth and heart and the holy living testimony thereof the voice of the Witness within of the Prophesie within be not surer to that man that hath it and hears and knows the voice of it then any outward voice or testimony whatsoever Object But some may object thus or after this manner I am satisfied that there is a Word nigh in the mouth and heart to which Moses did direct the Jews and the Apostles the Christians and that this Word doth enlighten the mind and doth separate in the mouth between words and words and is a swift Witness against the bad words and a Justifier of the good words which come from the truth and uprightness of the heart and are seasoned with grace I also believe that this Word is quick and powerful in the heart separating and dividing between the thoughts and intents there and that the testimony thereof is surer and clearer as to the hearts in which it shines and to them whose spiritual ears are opened to hear its voice then any words and testimonies from without And I am satisfied also that they who are the Sheep of Christ do thus hear the Shepherds Voice and do know both the Voice behind them when it comes after them to reprove their wandrings and direct their minds into the true Way and also the voice before them when the Shepherd who is the Leader putteth forth his Sheep and goeth before them and they follow him for they knew his Voice John 10.4 Yea I have had the experience hereof in my own heart for I have felt that work within and that living sweet testimony of Gods Spirit in my own heart which hath been more to me then all that ever I heard or read from without so that I can truly say with the Samaritans John 4.42 Now I believe not because of the testimonies or words I have heard from without but from the evidence and demonstration of Life and of Gods holy Spirit in my own heart Nor can I see how the
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
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