of iniquity under a Pretence of Religion in these latter Ages and Generations of the World yet it 's not that which must stand in the Earth being polluted and defiled neither are such polluted Worshippers who are bound with the Chain of Sin accepted of God who are placed in the Habitations of Cruelty And so the wicked One hath been possessing the Minds and Hearts of those who wander from God in their Imaginations that Revelation is ceased but though this Doctrine be preached as though God would work no more in the Children of Men I say it is not consistent with Truth but is of the false Part in man that wanders from God and therefore shall not hinder the Lord from breaking forth in this his Day to redeem a People to himself for his own Glory neither doth it hinder or stop the Blessings of God unto his People and redeemed ones who wait to be sustained by him with the Bread of Life but the Lord is at work in this his blessed Day wherein he hath sent forth a Saviour even jesus who is revealed from Heaven and your preaching against the Work of the Spirit of Christ within will not be sufficient in the great Day of Account to stop but rather to hasten the Eternal Judgment from being executed upon you who are in the Deceivableness of Unrigteousness with them that perish 2 Thes 2.10 Oh that you would lay to Heart these things repent and live while your Day lasteth that you may come forth from all your Abominations and believe the true Witness in your Consciences that records your Deeds for which if ye repent not you will suffer in time to come and such as deny the Work of the Spirit within are one with them that went out from the Apostles Fellowship that stood in a regenerated State 1 John 1.7 who walkt in the Light and had Fellowship with God 1 John 1.3 And since the first turning from God out of the Heavenly Light how hath the Devil deceitfully wrought in the Kingdoms of this World but blessed for ever be the Name of our God the true Light is come that lets us see through the gross Darkness of this Night of Apostacy wherein the Stars that have fallen from Heaven have been wandering in the Night of Darkness having lost their Habitations for whom the Blackness of Darkness is reserved forever Jude 13. And therefore you that have lost the Truth and are yet in the Death that came by Adams Transgression you that have gotten the Name Christian and lost the Power and Life of Christianity unto you this opens in my Heart to write if ever you be saved you must come to that which was in the Beginning before the Apostacy entered and before they denyed the work of the Spirit even to the Word that God hath given of his only Son which is the living Witness in you testifying against your Evil Deeds and so your Eyes will be opened to see the Death that hath reigned over Mankind since the Working of the Spirit of Christ hath been denyed and also you will see the Work that God hath begun and is doing in this his Day who hath shewed forth his Strength in the Redemption of a little Remnant who are true Worshipers who worship the Father in the Spirit in the Truth John 4.23 24. but if you hold to the Traditions of your Fathers who deny Revelation and so have set up your Resolutions not expecting the Spirit to be revealed in you then I say you cannot be saved for without the Spirit man is dead to God and Righteousness and Holiness and so without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 and this is the Gross Darkness that is over many this Day who are setled upon their Lees as Moab of old not being emptied from Vessel to Vessel Jer. 48.11 not knowing the Lord's Power in them to change their Hearts and such have set themselves against the Spirit of Truth within and cry out to People that Revelation is ceast in such a Day as this wherein the Iniquity of many is even come to the full and wherein God hath afforded to Mankind a Day of Visitation that they may be saved So in a general Sense the Wise and Learned amongst men in the Apostacy in their several Professions are resting in something besides the Spirit and so esteem the Profession without the Spirit that first in the days of old the true Christiâ—ns received and obeyed by which they were brought to profess Christ Jesus and so their Profession and Worship was not only in a Form but in the Power and Spirit of God until the Deceiver entred and then they retained the Form and lost the Power 2 Tim. 3 5. and now through the Disobedience of Mankind and rebelling against the Power they have undertook to gainsay and resist the Holy Ghost even the Holy Spirit which iâ— the true Leader to God's Kingdom as did their Fore-Fathers Acts 7.51 52. Oh that you would return to God! Ye professing People while you have a Day for now is a time wherein you may find the Lord if you seek him early for he hath said They that seek him early shall find him Isa 55.6 7. And now all such as deny the Revelation of Jesus Christ they are seen to be in the Deceit and in the old corruptible Way as in the Days of old in the broad Way that leads to Destruction Mat. 7.13 where no true Peace is but men out of God's Counsel running not being sent of God and so profit not the People at all Jer. 23.32 And now as one whom God hath raised up to proclaim his ancient Truth against all the Deceit that hath entered into the World in the Night of Darkness for the Sakes of such as have Desires after the Lord this is written for there are many I do believe that are amongst you whose Hearts the invisible God hath touched by his word which is Eternal and from the Beginning that is nigh in your Hearts Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Rom. 10.6 7 8. at certain Seasons being quick and powerful sharper then a two-edged Sword Heb. 4.12 which doth open the Secrets of your Hearts and declares unto you your Thoughts so that you need not go far away to seck a Saviour but wait for him from Heaven to be revealed within you as the Apostle directed 1 Thes 1.10 and then you will find him who is the true Beloved for if ever you come to the true Enjoyment of him you must wait for him in his own Way who is Heavenly and comes from his Holy Habitation and you must turn from the blind Watch-men who are in the Night who have loft the Way of his Appearance and are turned against him even fighting against his Appearance with their filthy Weapons pleading for sin for which Cause the Earth mourns and the Inhabitants thereof who are redeemed take up a Lamentation in the Consideration of these things And
reproving you in your hearts for your Prophaneness and Idolatry therefore while you have Time put into your Hands Repent and obey the Good Spirit of the Lord God lest God cease striving with you and so you be overthrown by his Almighty Power who is a terrible God against all Unrighteousness but all the holy People of God before the Flood were guided by his holy Spirit which was a true Guide and a sure Leader from the Beginning and the Spirit of Truth was the Guide of all the chosen People of God after the Flood even Abraham Isaac and Jacob and that sustained them in all their Travails and was with them as you may read at large in Gen. 12 48. And this was the Foundation of all the Holy Men in all Ages and Generations And when Israel at any time rebelled against the Spirit of God which he gave them to instruct them read Neh. 9. throughout then the Lord turned against them and afflicted them and caused them to be carryed away out of their own Land Therefore the Spirit was and is the true Guide and the true Fountain of Life of Living Refreshment and Heavenly Virtue which gives true Wisdom and a heavenly Mind which when people forsook and rebelled against it then Ignorance abounded And so you that rebel against God who is a Spirit are you not one with Israel in the Apostacy notwithstanding your Profession against whom the Prophet testified saying My People have committed two horrible Evils the one they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters and have hewen out to themselves broken Cisterns that will hold no Water Jer. 2.13 And is not this your State and Condition this day Are you not digging Wells of your own and hewing out to your selves Cisterns and when all is done it retains nothing pure nothing holy nothing clean no living Water nothing from Heaven but all is corruptible all filthy all sinful Oh that your Eyes were opened to see these things how ye are erred from the Life and Power from the Living Fountain with the old backsliding Jews and dark bewildered Christians who in old time lost the Light of the Sun of Righteousness but these things have happened through gross Mistakes as for instance The general Belief hath been and is amongst the outside Professors of Jesus Christ confessing only and believing that Christ dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem though it is true and so in a general sense saying We believe in God and in Christ Jesus and so come no farther to any inward Belief and Knowledge of him as did the true Christians Rom. 8. from Vers 1. to 17. now here lies the Mistake and here many comfort themselves because they confess to his Appearance in the World sixteen hundred Years since but this a man or woman may do and yet they may perish for to profess Christ and live in the Lust of Uncleanness is but to augment their Sorrow because there is a living Witness in them which they rebel against and pierce and so cause his Wounds to bleed afresh and put him to an open Shame Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 And notwithstanding they may use Meats and Drinks and have respect to Days and Times Moneths and Years yet all will pass away and perish with the using and the ground of the Separation from God may remain and so you may eat and drink Damnation to your selves at unawares for he that eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27 therefore be warned whilest you have time and consider these things whilest your Day lasteth that you may come to God out of Sin and Death by Christ Jesus who is come to destroy Sin in the Flesh mark that in the Flesh this is a nearer Knowledge of him then to confess him only as he dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem who is glorified with the Glory he had with the Father before the World was and fills Heaven and Earth neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eye of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Therefore take beed to your Way and mind that pure Eye even the heavenly Light within you which is a sure Word of Prophecy to which ye do well if ye take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark Place till the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 And this is the true saving Faith and saving Knowledge to believe in your Hearts the Lord Jesus Acts 16.30 31. Rom. 10.8 And whatsoever Way or Worship there is or may be this Day or whatsoever Profession or Confession otherwise then that which the ancient Apostles declared of who were Eye-Witnesses of his Majesty is contrany to Truth and will not make the comers thereunto Perfect who preacht from a certain Divine yet Intelligible Principle revealed within them which was the Seed Immortal Incorruptible promised of God to destroy Sin bruise the Head of the Serpent and this Seed or Spirit of Life you must all come to know within you to destroy Sin in Flesh in your Mortal Bodies and to quicken you from dead Works to serve the Living God Rom. 8.11 And this is the plain Truth unto you from the Spirit of the Lord witnessed by the Scriptures as John well said when the spirit of Antichrist began to work and some were seduced by the Wicked One said he Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God every spirit that confesseth that Christ is come in the Flesh is of God mark every spirit that confesseth Christ come in the Flesh Rom. 8.3 who came to save his People from their Sin and to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 4.2 for the Devil had wrought in the Flesh of Mankind the Works of Darkness Corruption Uncleanness and all manner of Filthiness in which he rules and Reigns over the Children of Disobedience in that State and Nature which he hath begotten them into and such were those sometimes that the Scripture mentions who were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others but God who is rich in Mercy and abundant in Loving-kindness caused his Love to break forth in Christ Jesus the Brightness of his Glory Hebr. 1.1 2 3 and visited those that were dead in Sins and Trespasses and quickened them by the Spirit of his Son and so they were made Witnesses of the Life of Jesus who begat them again and Redeemed them from the Bonds of Death by his Blood So here is the Way of Life and Path of Eternal Rest Christ Jesus the Power of God which destroyes the Devil and his Works 1 John 3.8 Hebr. 2.14 and this is the true Spirit this day we know it to our Souls Satisfaction that confess Christ come in the Flesh and this was the Advice of the Apostle John to such as did retain Christ the Power Wisdom of
the Heavenly Light I was made more and more sensible of the Operation of his blessed Spirit which gave me Dominion over one Sin and here was the Beginning of the Work of God in my Soul and then I had a little Hope of overcoming and a little Faith to believe I should be saved So this is the Seed of God's Kingdom which is immortal compared to a little Leaven â—â—…d in three Measures of Meal until the whole be leavened which Seed is the Foundation which God hath laid 1 Cor. 3.11 for Man and Woman to build upon And when all my Hope was lost of getting out of that fallen State and when I could not believe that I should be saved if I died in Sin so that this Cry was within me My Bones are dryed my Hope is lost I am cut off for my Part Ezek. 37.11 then did the Lord remember me and manifested a Saviour in an acceptable Time and as my Mind was inclined towards the invisible Power that opened my Understanding Ephes 5.13 14. so the Sins of Youth I overcame and this is the Light of the Glory of God that shined in my dark Heart before I knew what it was and so it is certain the Light shineth in Darkness but the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1.5 and then I came to know God's Salvation near me according to his Promise Isa 51.5 and so I saw the Days I had spent in Vanity and began to redeem the Time Ephes 5.15 16. and also how youthful Lusts and Pleasures came over me in the Beginning and how I was betrayed from my Innocent State in the Days of my Childhood so now I know this is the Spirit of Promise that brings all Things to my Remembrance Joh. 14.26 and so my Soul by the Spirit of Jesus Christ was redeemed from dead Works and out of the dark Ways of sin and Ignorance into the Light of Righteousness to serve the living and true God and this I affirm is the Spirit of Truth that first convinceth the Conscience of sin and then as it is obeyed it leadâ— out of sin and roots out the Worker of Iniquity and sets up Righteousness and Holiness in the Heart and this is the true Teacher that comes to do the works that none other can do and such as declare that which he hath done for their Souls they are the true Messengers as it is written How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of them that bring Glad-tidings and publish Peace bringing Glad-ridings of good Things Rom. 10.15 and such as are come unto this true Teacher and abide with him are happy forever and as my Soul lamented in Days past for a Saviour and languished for lack of Spiritual Comfort now I am satisfied fully in that I feel a VVitness in my self 1 John 5.10 which bears witness that my Soul is redeemed and this was before me for some Years to give a Testimony of these Things which God hath done for me in restoring me to my Habitation Everlasting Praises be given to his Name forevermore And as Man that is lost in the first Adam as he obeys the Heavenly and Spiritual Adam Christ Jesus who never fell so he comes to God again and is restored into Life and a holy Liberty vvith the Sons of God And novv my Soul is made a VVitness for Jesus Christ that God haâ—h raised him from the Dead vvho hath quickned me that was dead in Sins and Trespasses 1 Cor 15.45 And this is the Mystery of Godliness hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto Babes and Sucklings Mat. 11.25 Luke 10.21 And this Everlasting Power that is now revealed is that which will overcome even unto the End Rev. 3.21 and his Government is everlasting and shall root out and destroy the Government of the Wicked One for he shall reign whose Right it a Rev. 11.15 And now all you that have Desires after the Lord and are not come to the Knowledge of him consider these Things and singly read these Line that the saving Knowledge of God you may come unto and then the Burden of Sin an the heavy Weight will be taken away from your Souls and then Life and Immortal Glory will be your Portion forever for great yea unspeakable is God's Love to his People who are saved by him and Infinite are his Mercies to he Souls of his Children and though there be many miserable Comforters that say Revelation is ceast so much as to say The Way of God's Heavenly Mercies to the Souls of Men is shuâ— up but blessed be the Lord there are many Witnesses this Day unto whose mourning Souls God hath opened the Way of his Tender Mercies and they are come to the Faithful and True VVitness even Jesus the Mediator and he openeth and none can shut and shuts and none can open And my Soul is made willing to invite all to come for the Spirit saith come and the Bride saith come and let him that is a thirst come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 that all may be saved from the VVrath to come which will be heavy upon those of this Generation who sleight the Day of their Visitation and therefore you that are come to seel your Sins to be your Burden look not out for a Saviour but wait for the Appearance of Christ within and you will find him to your great Satisfaction and Everlasting Comfort and in your Age and Generation you will come to be VVitnesses for God and his Presence you will come to know in which is Life and at his Right Hand are Pleasures for evermore And this is the Joy of my Soul now God hath made me sensible of his VVay even to do his VVill and I know that such as do not his VVill will be found on the left Hand amongst the Hypocrites and such as are without God unto whom it will be said depart ye cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 7.23 Mat. 24.41 And then I well remember when this VVay of Life first I came to knovv and when I was separated from my former Acquaintances could not go with them into the same kind of Riot as before they then turned against me and I became a By woâ—d unto my Neighbours and as the Apostle said They think it strange because you go not with them to the same kind of Riot speaking evil of you 1 pet 4.4 and so our Lord foretold of theâ—e things who said They shall cast you out of their Company and your Names shall be cast out as evil for the Kingdom of God Sake and when men shall persecute you and speak all manner of Evil fasly for my Name Sake rejoyce in that Day for great is your Reward list up your Heads and be glad for your Redemption draweth night Luke 21.28 And this was that which did uphold me in that Day even my Redeemer drawing nigh And now I have written concerning my Coming forth
out of my Sins and from the Wayes and Worships of the VVorld who are not in the Spirit and in the Truth and therefore will come to an End and the true VVorship which is in the Spirit and in the Truth will be established for God who is strong in Judgment will raise up his own Tabernacle Amos 9.11 Acts 15.16 and the Time is come wherein the Lord will work and wo unto such as endeavour to hinder his VVork which is a righteous VVork and will stand when the Pleasure of Sin shall end with Everlasting Punishment for it is Righteousness that will remain when God shall judge the VVorld and search out every secret VVork that hath been wrought in Darkness yea when Inquisition shall be made for the Thoughts of the Vngodly And so all that read understand and turn unto the Lord for he is certainly risen in great Power yea he hath taken unto him his great Power and is come to reign 1 Cor. 15.25 for he hath seen the great Backslidings of the Sons of Men and the Darkness that hath vailed the Creation and the Death that hath reigned over Mankind and he is come to take away the Vail that the Enemy of Mankind hath spread over the Nations and to destroy the Face of the Covering cast over all People that Death may be swallowed up in Victory 1 Cor. 15.54 55 And the Holy Pure God whole Dominion is an Ancient Dominion and his Heavenly Glorious Kingdom is from Everlasting to Everlasting before the Devil and Death's Kingdom Rule and Government was he hath beheld the Sad Estate of the Sons of Men hath sent forth a Saviour who is mighty the same that in Dayes past was mighty in word and Deed before God and all the People Luke 24.19 and the same Saviour even Jesus which is Christ the Lord hath redeemed and saved a People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 who is able to bring forth all the distressed amongst the People whose inward Cry is to the unknown God as mine was who hath delivered my Soul from Death who is my Shepherd Bishop and Teacher in whom dwelleth all Fullness who laid down his Life for his Sheep whose precious Blood hath redeemed us whom my Soul hath Cause to extol and praise Night and Day who is my Strength and Defence against all the Assaults of my Soul's Enemy to whom saith my Soul be Glory Everlasting and Praises for ever rendered who is over all Blessed forever Amen After this Work was begun in my Soul and my Understanding opened to see the sad and woful State of Mankind being fallen into the State of the first Adam in the Separation from God and Christ Jesus my Heart was filled with Sorrow and a Zeal for the Name of the Lord God did livingly spring in my Heart and a Necessity was laid upon me to warn my Neighbours to turn unto the Lord and the Lord shewed me the sad and woful State of many whose Iniquities are even come to the full and I warned them in the Name of the Lord in their publick Assembliâ—s to turn from the Evil of their wayes and now it lives in my Heart afresh to warn them by writing also in the Holy Fear and Awe of the God of Heaven and Earth in the deep Consideration of their sad Estate And now my Neighbours this is unto you in Bowels of tender Love whose oâ—l desireth your Everlasting Good that you may consider your Wayes and turn unto the Lord for he is merciful slow to anger and of great Kindness that Inwardly you may be sensible of the Power of Jesus Christ whose Heavenly Light shews you your Sins for great are your Abominations which grieves the Lord God and the abounding thereof from Day to Day How doth Drunkenness abound amongst you and Pride and Vain Glory and Swearing and Lying from Day to Day abound within the Borders of the Place of my Nativity for whose Sakes my Heart hath often been bowed down before the Lord that the Dayes of Sin and Iniquity may come to an End Now Friends and Neighbours there is no Way for you to escape the Indigration of the Lord but by Repentance and therefore repent speedily and forsake your Sins in this Day wherein the Lord hath visited you with his Day Spring from on high and that is the true Light that sheweth unto you your Thoughts and reproves you in Secret for Lying Swearing and Drunkenness and all manner of Uncleanness and that is the Day Spring from on high revealed from God to lead out of Sin and to save from Transgression and this is the Grace of God which the Apostle spake of which hath appeared unto all men which is the true Teacher and Leader out of Sin Tit. 2.11 into Holines and this will search your Hearts as you wait for it for how have you been saying from Time to Time At what Time soever a Sinner doth repent him from the Bottom of his Heart God will blot out all his Transgressions out of his Remembrance and do not many take Liberty to sin because of this but as the Promise of Forgiveness upon Repentance Ezek. 18.21 22. commends the Mercy of God that none might despair yet the Lord will surely plead with all that are presumptuous and Continuers in Sin read your Portion Ezek. 18.20 therefore all both old and young remember Repentance from the Bottom of the Heart for that you must all come to witness if you be made clean so that God may receive you And indeed that is a Thing of great Concernment but that is the Thing most wanting amongst men for there are Professions enough but I see but few that are come to the Cleansing of the inside or inward Washing but as the Pharisees who made clean the outside of the Cup or Platter but the inside was unclean Luke 11.39 So there are many outside Professors of God and Christ that â—râ— confessing their Sins and Repentance as they say from the Bottom of the Heart but the Cause remains the Bottom is still corrupt and therefore that you may come to the Bottom that is the Desire of my Soul and the End of writing unto you for you can never come to the Bottom till you come to the Spirit of Truth the Heavenly Light that lets you see the Bottom of your Hearts and searcheth out the most hidden Things for the Heart of Man is deceitful and none can search it but the Lord Jer. 17.10 and the Lord knows it and tries the Heart aâ—d searcheth the innermost Parts And this is the Substance that is come that searcheth the Heart and declares unto man his Thoughts Ames 4.13 and as you obey him who is near you even the Spirit of Truth â—o you will come to witness the Work you are a talking of a Death to Sin and a New Birth unto Righteousness for Christ Jesus is manifest to take away Sin renew Man and Woman again to God And such as come to witness Repentance from
A TESTIMONY Unto the TRUTH AND A Warning unto the World IN GENERAL But more particularly to the Inhabitants of Enoder parish in Cornwall By one whom God hath called out to bear witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus called by the Name of RICHARD SAMBLE Printed in the Year 1676. TO THE READER READER THou art desired to be considerate when thou readest this following Book and to be very ponderous in thy Mind as touching the things therein contained that thy Understanding may be opened by the invisible God who giveth unto us Life Breath and Being and also that thou wouldst lay to Heart this very Thing How that Almighty God hath risen in many Ages of the World in his Judgments and Fury to stain the Glory of all Flesh and to set up Righteousness in the Earth and hath caused his Truth to spring and flourish amongst his People under every Dispensation until they departed from the Lord and served other Gods and followed their own Inventions and then Darkness came over them and so their Hearts were hardened from his Fear Prov. 1.29 30. And this thou art also to consider That Sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Destruction from Generation to Generation and therefore if thou dye in thy Sins thou art like to have no part amongst the Living in the Kingdom of Christ but the same will be thy Portion that hath been the portion of the Wicked in all Ages which is perpetual Sorrow Distress and Anguish for evermore And this consider also That whatever thou dost profess or what Shew of Religion soever thou mayest make whilst thy sins remain I am to tell thee and that in the Name of Christ Jesus Thou art not accepted of God but all thy Prayers are an Abomination to the Lord Ezek. 8.17 18. Isa 1.15 because thou art in the Transgression in that which the pure God of Glory hateth and upon which he will pour out his Fury and Indignation for evermore and if thou art one that lives in Pleasure thy daily Satisfaction is in following these Evil Devices that are very common amongst men in this Generation to wit Drunkenness Swearing Lying or other Prophane Practices and that which is called Pastime or sporting thy self amongst such as count it Pleasure to Riot in the day time Jam. 5.5 6. know this that all these things will be a Hindrance to thy eternal Well-fare for such as do such things cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. And also thou art to consider That there hath been a Night of gross Darkness over the Hearts of the Children of men since the Apostles dayes and that Saving Grace which was common in that Generation people have lost in the Night and are become dry and barren as a Desert or Wilderness as relating to Matters of Spiritual Concerns wherein consists the Stability of their Souls Peace with God And this also I am to tell thee That God who is unchangeable and immortal hath revealed his blessed Truth again and the Gospel of his blessed Kingdom is now preached to the Nations and if ever thou comest to God's Kingdom thou must come to know him that is the Everlasting Teacher to wit Christ Jesus and him to know in thy own Particular who is the Man of God's Right Hand a quickening Spirit the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.45 and so thou wilt come out of thy lost Condition wherein thou art in the Fall in the first Man Adam into the Life of Holiness and Righteousness into the Restoration by Christ Jesus the second Adam the Heavenly Man And this know also That thou canst not come to him by any other way but as thou comest into Self denyal and believest in thy Heart the Record that God hath given of his Son which is the true Light that shines within thee and lets thee see thy Sins And farther That as sin hath been the very Cause of Man's Separation from the Lord yet when thou shalt return again and come to know a Godly Sorrow in the Secret of thy Heart and when thou shalt feel in thy self a Tenderness and a Broken-heartedness before the invisible God who sees in secret Mat. 6.6 he will grant thee Repentance unto Life and he will return unto thee in his Everlasting Mercies and blot out thy sins out of his Remembrance And this also I am to tell thee in the Fear of God and in his Name That as the Lord hath appeared in dayes past and in Generations that are gone in his Indignation and hath smitten many Nations and Peoples in his Wrath sometimes overturning the World by Water and sometimes destroying Cities and Peoples by Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Luke 17.29 Gen. 19.24 25. and again by Plagues Pestilence and at certain Seasons the Lord God because of the Abominations of the Children of Men hath visited them in his Wrath and hot Displeasure and greatly afflicted them and the End of the Lord hath been that such as remain upon the Earth might fear before him and dread his great Name who is Mighty and none can escape him And people in these last dayes and times have greatly grieved the Lord and therefore except they Repent his Fury will he pour forth upon them until that which is in his Heart be accomplished and they shall not escape his heavy Hand And so Reader whoever thou art that reads these following Lines the Desire of my Soul is that thou mayest be impartial concerning me and conclude in thy Mind that it s written in tender Love to thy Soul and so thou wilt see my honest Intent who am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness desiring thy Eternal Well-fare when this Time and Day of thine is at an End I rest Thy Friend and Well-Wisher RICHARD SAMBLE A TESTIMONY UNTO THE TRUTH c. IN the deep Consideration of the States and Conditions of the Sons and Daughters of men in the Fall and seeing how the World lies in the Extremity of Wickedness being overcome by the Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan who hath tyed and bound them with his Chains of Sin who is the Author of all Sin I am drawn in Spirit to warn them to Repentance and to declare to the World the Way that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath ordained which is Christ Jesus who is Everlasting and was with the Father before the World began John 17.5 who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 by whom my Soul hath been redeemed and who raised me up out of Sin and therefore having obtained Mercy through the Love of God in Christ Jesus whom he hath sent a Light into the World and I having known in measure the Judgments of the Lord and the Terrors of the Almighty because of my Transgressions therefore cannot but perswade men to turn from Ungodliness even all people that lie in Wickedness knowing assuredly that all People shall be called to an Account before the Tribunal Seat of Christ
Primitive Câ—ristians who were true Believers their Faith did arise from this living Word which came down from Heaven And Wo be to such as turn away from him that speaks from Heaven Heb. 12.25 which is sent forth from God to destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Christ Jesus the Seed Immortal and Incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.23 that bruiseth the Head of the Serpent and by this Seed they were redeemed in the Days of the Apostles and brought forth and born of it not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible and this Seed must be witnessed within as in the Days of Old to raise up Mankind out of the Fall inwardly and to quicken to God by his Spirit that dwelleth in you said the Apostle Rom. 8.11 And this is the true Shepherd that laid down his Life for the Sheep John 10.11 that gathers his Sheep from the Barren Mountains where they have been scattered in the cloudy dark Day Ezek. 34.12 and brings out of the Wilderness and Solitary Ways into a sure Dwelling and a quiet Resting Place Isa 32.18 And this true Bishop of the Soul was known savingly in the primitive times by all those that did return unto him as the Apostle said Ye were as Sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls 1 Pet. 2.25 And so by the Operation of his Spirit inwardly People came to the Knowledge of God and Christ Jesus whom God sent forth to save the World and this is Life Eternal as our Lord said in the Days of his Flesh to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17 3. And there is not another Way to Salvation but as People come to know Christ revealed in them as the Apostle said Examine your selves prove you own selves what know you not how that Christ Jesus is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. but in those Days this pure Way of Life was hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to Babes and Sucklings mark such as were born again regenerated and walked in the Way of Regeneration those only knew the Mysteries of God's Kingdom for it was revealed unto them by the Spirit Rom. 2.10 But the wise Men who were outside Professors yet Rebellious and Stiff necked and a Gainsaying People unto whom God stretched forth his Hand all the Day long but they would not obey him nor hearken to his Voice Rom. 10.21 Acts 7.51 These knew not Christ in the Mystery but crucified him though they were I rofessors and had a Zeal for the Traditions of their Fore-Fathers yet I say the Workings of God's Spirit was a strange Thing unto them for said the Apostle We preach Christ in a Mystery which none of the Princes of this World knew for if they had known him they would not have crucified the Lord of Life 1 Cor. 2.7 8. And those holy Apostles and Servants of Christ who preacht by the Spirit even by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.12 they were hated and persecuted and set at nought and esteemed as a Foolish and Ignorant People as the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 And said the Apostle God hath made foolish the Wisdom of this World When the World by Wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 20.21 So those that were Enemies to God and to the Appearance of his Son they cast him that is the true Heir out of the Vin yard and slew him that the Inheritance might be theirs Mat. 21.38 39. So read this ye professing Christians who are in the Rebellion against Christ's Appearance who is now appeared in Spirit in these last Days Glory to the Name of the Lord forever And is not this it that you rebel against even his Appearance in your Hearts that breaks your Peace in the Transgression and brings forth your Deeds which you have wickedly wrought in secret to your Remembrance And do you not love Darkness rather then Light because your Deeds are evil John 3.19 And are you not in the same Transgression with those Jews who hated his Appearance in the Flesh and are turned from Jesus Christ in your Hearts and consulting together against him who is the Light Life of Men how you may betray and overcome this true Principle of Eternal Life in your selves others that you may set up your selves and live in your Pride and Lostiness and all manner of Wickedness and so in much Wantonness you pass and spend away your precious time in Rioting and Drunkenness in Chambering and Wantonness which is forbidden and will be eternally punished James 5.5 6. And so you live above the Cross of Christ Jesus the Power of God in your own Hearts which Cross said the Apostle Crucisies the World unto me and me unto the World And so you are found Enemies to God resisting the holy Ghost as they that cast him out in Days past and would not believe that it was he And said Christ Jesus If ye believe not that I am he you shall dye in your Sins John 8.24 Acts 7.51 Ye shall seek me but shall not find me and whither I go thither ye cannot come So all People believe that it is he that reproves you in secret and obey him in your Hearts lest you dye in your Sins c. for it is surely the same true Witness that in old time testified of the World that the Works thereof are Evil John 7.7 which is a sure Witness that doth not alter but is Unchangeable with whom there is no Variableness James 1.17 but if you rebel against him who is the great Power of God Christ Jesus WO will be unto you for evermore Therefore I warn you in God's holy Fear and in the Authority of his Spirit That you rebel no longer against God for if ye continue in the Rebellion against him Time will not bring End to your Misery but you will go into Everlasting Punishment and so take heed to your wayes lest ye be found with Judas betraying his Master for Judas was a Professor of Christ and yet apostatized So ye professing Christians take heed lest ye be found in the Treachery dealing deceitfully against the Light of Christ Jesus in your Hearts professing him with your Mouthes and denying him in your Hearts who is the Spirit of Truth that reproves the World of Sin Righteousness and of Judgment Joh. 16.8 And therefore examine your selves and try whether ye be in the true Faith for there is but One Lord One Faith and One Baptism Ephes 4.5 which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost the pure Spirit of Life which baptizeth into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 And so all other Faiths and Baptisms will come to an End and this brings into true Love and Unity one with another And this true Faith works by Love Gal. 5.6 But in this dark Night of Apostacy the World that hath retained a
Form of Godliness in the outside Profession of Christ hath been setting up Faiths and Forms of Worship from the true Faith and true Worship of God which is in the Spirit John 4.23 and out of the Power and Life in the dark out of the Light wherein the Fellowship of the Saints stood in the dayes of old 1 Joh. 1.7 And this Faith that 's of man's making and setting forth works not by Love neither brings people into Unity and a holy Fellowship one with another but people are brought under by Constraint and by outward Force and such as are in their Way zealous for their Worship run into Persecution and so the Ground is not good the Heart is not changed but the old Man of Sin remains and this is far from the true Faith that works by Love and many times people whose Hearts God hath touched are compelled to go to such Worships against that which hath in some measure given them to see the Insufficiency of those Worships and Faiths that stand not in God's Power And so people you that are in any measure made tender in your Consciences and are breathing inwardly for Deliverance that you may witness Redemption to your Souls and know not the true Way and are many times afflicted inwardly and accept not Faith to believe in yout Hearts on the Lord Jesus Wait you in the Sense of that which begets the Breathings and pens your Hearts for the Desire to spring forth that desires after the Lord and that will let you see the Way more and more yea the invisible Way of God Christ Jesus who is the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 and then you will have Faith to believe that God will bring you forth out of the False Wayes of this World into Peace with himself and into Covenant with him and so your Hearts will be changed and you will come to witness inwardly the Law of the Spirit of Life written in your Hearts and so then you will have no need to wander abroad to seek Christ Jesus in the dark wayes of this World but you will all know the VVay of his Appearance in your selves and so you will be his People and he will be your God Hebr. 8.10 And this is the same Truth that was in the dayes of the Apostles Christ the true Foundation that upheld all the true Christians in the former dayes who were the true Church in Covenant with God joyned unto the Lord and so were Heirs of God's Kingdom yea joynt Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Ephes 2.20 and this was a true Church that was in God and in Christ Jesus 1 Thes 1.1 not an outside Profession only but an inward Possession a people that were risen with Christ seeking the things that are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God Colloss 3.1 So they had Heavenly Riches and Treasure laid up in Heaven that faileth not And this true Church was the House of God not an Outward House builded with men's Hands but a Spiritual House a People made alive to God by Christ Jesus and so they were the Workmanship of God Ephes 2.10 1 Pet. 2.5 But since the Apostacy came in and people having gone a whoring from the Lord they have not known this Mystery but have been building High Places and calling them Churches and God's House contrary to the Scriptures and so People have lost the true Sense and saving Knowledge of Christ Jesus though they have the Letter of the â—criptures which tells us plainly that the Bodies of the true Christians are God's Temples and his House 1 Cor. 6.15 19. And his Church is of his building and of his raising up who is the sure VVorkman even Jesus Christ that makes alive and brings up Mankind unto God out of the Fall and of this Church he was and is the Head who is worthy of more Honour then the House which is his Church the Ground and Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 So Christ Jesus was in his House in his Church over which he ruled and was the Head and he is in his Church to this day and is the true Head the true Guide and Leader of his People that are quickned by him and brought forth to Praise him with one â—ongue and one Morth even as one Body And so all people come to know Christ in you as they that we read of in the Scriptures Coll 26.27 for this is a Time wherein he is to be sound if you seek to him berimes and not sleight the Day of your Visitation for the Visitation of the Almighty is come and he hath caused the Day pring from on Pigh to visit us Luke 1.78 79. in which the Lord will bring to pass that which hath been of old in his Determination viz to set up Righteousness in the Earth and this Day shall never have an End it the lasting Dispensation that shall never more be vailed Prov. 14.6 and blessed are all that come to the Knowledge of it and in the first Breakin gs forth of it in the dayes of the Apostles many Thousands were gathered to God and that which was the Cause of its being vailed from man's Understanding was because of the Unfaithfulness of such as did profess the Truth whose Candlestick at last was removed out of its place Rev. 2.5 and Darkness came over them who retained a Form of Godliness and lost the Power thereof and these were the first that rebelled against the Spirit of Christ in the dayes of the Apostles Acts 7.51 and so the Devil got the Possession of their Hearts and sate in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thess 2.4 Therefore oh ye professing Christians search your selves let not the Devil rule in your Hearts for all Unrighteousness is begotten in the Heart by the Devil who is the Author of all Sin in the Heart before it be committed but turn to the Light of Christ within that convinceth your Consciences and shews you the Begettings of that false spirit and so you will know Deliverance from the subtil Serpent the Enemy of all Mankind for it is high time to look about you and consider whose Servants you are and to whom you yield your selves Servants to obey and whose Work you are doing whether ye are obeying Christ Jesus in the Spirit of Truth that leads out of the World's Wayes Fashions and Customs into all Truth John 14 16 17 20 and Righteousnes that ye may know ye are his Sheep for My Sheep saith he hear my Voice John 10.11 14. and I lead them out and they follow me and ill give unto them Eternal Life John 10.28 Or whether you are obeying the Devil which is the Spirit of Error which leads your Minds into the Wickedness which is in the World out from God and Christ Jesus the true Light into Darkness and Death and so you are under the Bondage of Corruption polluted with all manner of Uncleanness and so in the Way to Everlasting
have the Spirit they are the Children of God but if any man have not the â—pirit of Christ he is none of is Rom. 8.9 and these that are obedient to the Spirit of Christ within them they are a Living People and are spiritually minded waiting for the Promise of God to be sealed up in Covenant with the Lord Ephes 2.22 And so they come to be a Habitation for God through the Spirit that first cleanseth and prepareth the Heart for God and so it comes to be sanctified through the Spirit by believing in the Truth 2 Thes 2.13 And all other People that are gathered outwardly without the Spirit and Life and Power of God that destroyes the Devill and his Works are dead to God and are yet in the Grave of Transgression and are in danger of falling into the deep pit of Misery where their Worm dieth not neither is their Fire quenched Isa 66.24 and such are Hypocrites deceiving themselves and others and painted with an outside having the Sheeps clothing but Inwardly are ravening Wolves And such as have not the Spirit for their Guide run when God sends them not and prophesie when the Lord speaks not to them Jer. 29.8 9. as they in old Time that rebelled against the Spirit and cast the Word of God behind their Backs Isa 5.24 and such are blind Watchmen who are in the dark Profession over whom the Sun is gone down Mic. 3.6 and Darkness is to them who have not a Vision Michah 3.5 6 7. but deny any such Thing as Vision and Revelation and so are Night-Workers not knowing whether their Work will stand in God's Day or not and such were the blind Watchmen in the Dayes of old when God did arise and by his Word and Power in the Hearts of a People moved the Inner man and raised Desires after himself but the Watchmen of the Night said the Church they found me and wounded me Cant. 5.7 and here is the Time of trying the false Prophets then sayes the travailing Soul I am troubled inwardly and cannot be satisfied with all my outside Profession nothing will satisfie me till I come to enjoy the Beloved of my Soul who is heavenly and was sent to save me from my Sins Watchman canst thou tell me where I may find him But saith the blind Watchman Revelation is ceast no inward immediate Working of the Spirit now And here many have been and are wounded to this Day and this is a certain Testimony whereby you may know the true Prophet from the false for the true Prophet comes in the Name of the Lord standing in God's Counsel turning People to God saying Turn from Transgression and obey Christ Jesus the true Light that you may be made free and saith the true Messenger wait for the Son from Heaven 1 Thes 1.9 10. And so many have obeyed this Glorious Gospel the Light whereof shines inwardly and the Beloved is found that we sought for amongst the blind Watchmen where we found him not but it was but a little whilâ— I was gone from the Night Watchmen and I found him whom my Soul loveth Cant. 3.4 This also consider the false Prophet he comes with a Lye preaching no Freedom from Sin no Revelation the Light within not the Way not directing to the Heavenly Witness which is able to save Eternally from Death and Misery but daubs up with untempered Morter Ezek. 13.10 11. and sows Pillows under the Arm holes of People crying Peace Peace when there is none healing the wound deceitfully Jer. 6.14 And so are Pastors that destroy and scatter the Sheep of God's Pasture Jer. 23.1 but God will require his Flock at their Hands Ezek. 34.10 and We will be unto them forever who are found in the Way of the old rebellious amongst the Jews and profest Christians who transgress against the God of Jacob whose Portion was with the Unbelievers and Hypocrites where is Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth And in the Rise of the false Church who went a whoring from Jesus Christ it was signified by the Spirit concerning her Punishment I will cast her into a Bed of Torment and they that commit Adultery with her into great Tribulation Rev. 2.22 And so all People consider these Things and come to the Revelation of the Son of God which gives Life and Dominion over Hell and Death Isa 25.8 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56 which is the Good Old Way the Path of the Righteous and Obedient Children of the Light of Jesus Christ and so all will know the Lord and be saved for without this Man is beneath the Beast of the Field for when he was made Ruler over the Creation he knew Dominion and Power and Wisdom from on high and was in the Image of God over the Creation of Beasts Fowls Fishes and the Earth Gen. 1.26 but when he transgrest against God he lost his Righteous Life and Innocent Dominion and fell under the Creation and so the Ox knows his Owner and the Ass his Master's Crib but Israel knows not his God Isa 1.3 Jer. 8.7 now until this lost Estate be restored to man again and the Cause removed which is Sin Man remains in the Loss without God in the World and there is no Way to come to that State again but by Christ Jesus who is the Door the true Entrance who saith No Man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any Man the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 and this is the standing Rule which is unchangeable and is from Everlasting to Eve lasting though it 's vilified and lightly esteemed of amongst many yet unto us he is the chiefest of Ten Thousands Cant. 5.10 who hath redeemed us unto God out of our Sins and washed us from our Filthiness in his own Blood to him be Glory forevermore Rev. 1.5 And this is the sure Rock upon which God is building his Spiritual House his Church against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail Mat. 16.18 And all that think of an Inheritance in Heaven though they dye in their Sins are in a great Mistake for no unclean thing shall enter Ephes 5.3 4 5 6. And if any think of being cleansed after this Life and so made fit hereafter this also will fail and come to an End for after Death there is no Redemption mortifie therefore your members whilest you are upon the Earth Col. 3.5 for consider the Rich Man who dyed and lift up his Eyes in Hell Luke 16.23 and cryed for Help from poor Lazarus ver 24. but all was in vain there was no Remedy nor Redemption for him who had spent his Days in Pleasure and Vanâ—ty upon the Earth not so much as a little Water to cool his Tongue when he was tormented in the Flame And also you may read concerning his five Brethren that he had left behind in his Father's House who were in the same Danger to be tormented with him and therefore desired they might be warned
by poor Lazarus lest said he they also come to this Place of Torment Luke 16.28 So all you that are lofty and wanton upon the Earth consider your latter End who spend your precions Time to the Flesh in the Lust of Uncleanness and nourish your Hearts as in a Day of Slaughter James 5.5 O remember the Day wherein the Holy Pure God will plead with you for all your Abominations and for your Secret Sins that you have committed against the God of Heaven and how you make merry over the VVitness that brings Condemnation upon you because of your Sins and even torments the VVorker of Iniquity in secret this is the Faithful and True VVitness even Jesus the True Messenger who brings Gâ—adtidings to the imprisoned Soul that 's like to perish in Iniquity and this is he that was crucified in the Flesh but quickned again in the Spirit by which Spirit he preached to the Spirits in prison 1 Pet. 3.18 19. And it may be thus men may rebel agaiâ—st him and not turn at his Reproofs but spiritually may crucifie him to themselves as some did in Days past Heb. 6.6 Rev. 11.8 but it would have been much better that they had never had a Being for when God shall call them to an Account for the Deeds done in the Body then shall they cry to the Mountains fall upon us and to the Hills cover or hide us from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6.15 16 17. for the Hour of his Judgment is come and who shall be able to stand Therefore return unto him betimes before it be too late that you may be reconciled to the Father and so the Lord will return unto you in his Love and in his Tender Mercy will he visit you as you yield unto him in your Hearts for such as obey him this Day do certainly injoy his Peace and in his Name is their Safety which is his Power by which their Souls are kept from the spiritual Enemy and therefore O Land of my Nativity hear the Word of the Lord God of Heaven which VVord is near unto all the Inhabitants thereof from one End unto another that the Land may be cleansed and enjoy hâ—r Sabbaths lest Afflictions and great â—orrow come in like a flood upon the inhabitants from the Great God whose Righteous Soul is grieved because of the Abominations that are within thy Borders who by his searching living Power that is Eternal over all Death and Hell is searching from one End to the other to bring Mankind into his Light and Life to worship him in his Spirit and Truth who is the blessed Creator of all the Beginning and the End to whom be Glory forever Amen THE Righteous God whose Power is great and who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in working Isaiah 28.29 hath in these last Days appeared invisibly in the inward Parts of Mankind to place his Name and his pure Fear in the Hearts of his People according to his ancient Promise Heb. 10.16 Jer. 31.33 and to write his Law in the Hearts of his Children who are truly turned unto him and amongst the many Witnesses the Lord who is rich in his Love unto Mankind not willing that any should perish he visited me who was a Wanderer in Desolation from Year to Year seeking the Way of the Redeemed of the Lord and a Cry in secret was begotten in my Heart after God who in his own time did hear and Answer my Earnest Desire and I well remember the Days of my tender Years when I was very young there was an Innocent Breathing within me after the Thing that is Good and I saw Sin in its Conception but knew not that which gave me the Knowledge of it and Swearing I saw to be a great Evil in them that were addicted thereunto and unto the Nineth and Tenth Year of my Age I was in a good Measure restrained from Evil according to the Knowledge I then had but afterwards when Years did encrease I well remember my great Loss for evil Desires did spring up within me and by the subtil one I was betrayed and led into divers Pleasures and Vanities of this Wicked World and into many Evils which did displease the Lord and so the Tender Desires which were after Righteousness were slain and then great Darkness and Sorrow did overtake me and so into a spiritual Captivity from the Light that did shine within me in my tender Years and so for many Years walkt in the Crooked By-paths of Darkness and Ignorance in Disobedience without the Knowledge of the true God in which time I was a Servant to the Wicked One and so are all that obey him be they high or low rich or poor and after some Years I began to consider my Condition and something within me bringing to Remembrance what I had done and laying before me the Danger that attends the wicked and in this time a Travail was begotten within me to seek the Lord and repent of my Sins and from Day to Day under the Indignation of the Lord which was revealed against me because of Sin and here was a Travail through much Fear and Doubtfulness what would become of my Soul if God should cut off my Life and indeed I could read Adam's Condition when he was afraid of the Lord and hid himself because he was naked and in the first Adam I then was and so lost in the Fall and as God behold me in that woful State Heb. 2.15 subject to Bondage for Fear of Death at last he opened unto my Soul the way of Life howbeit Sorrow overtook me and much Bowed-downness did compass me about and then the Enemy of my Soul woâ—â—d have taken away my Life but the secret invisible Arm of God's Power did uphold me though I knew it not so I say God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 1.10 And as Tenderness was begotten in my Heart so my Sins became a Burden too heavy for me to bear And this Testimony I give in the Name of the Lord that whosoever feels the Weight of their Sins it 's by the working of God's Heavenly Power begetting Tenderness in their Hearts though they know it not And so none can come to God but by this Way as our Lord said None can come unto me except the Father that has sent me draw him John 6.44 And so my Heart was bowed before the Lord and an Inward Desire begotten that none could satisfie but him alone And I saw the Ways of Man in his corrupt Nature were not those which lead to God's Kingdom and from Professor to Prophane all were gone astray then my Cry was the more earnest to the unknown God and none amongst my Worldly Relations and Neighbours could tell me the Way of my Soul 's Beloved till at last the Power of the Lord opened my Understanding and as I retired my mind inwardly in