who believe in and faithfully follow him the Lamb of God he taketh away their Sins he being made Perfect is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto ALL them that OBEY him Heb. 5. 9. Daniel the Prophet who prophesied of the coming of the Messiah which is Christ Jesus and of his Sufferings he declared the End or Effects thereof Namely To make an END of SIN to finish Transgression and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness see Dan. 9. 24. to the end Jesus Christ said To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto the Truth every one that is of the Truth heareth MY VOICE John 18. 37. And Jesus said I came to call sinners to Repentance He that COVERETH his Sins shall NOT prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28. 13. These are faithful Sayings of God spoken through his Son and his Prophets and Apostles here is a Cloud of witnesses who in a sweet Unity and Harmony and Clearness speaks forth the Universal Love of God to Mankind in Christ Jesus in sending him to make an end of Sin the Devils Work The Wages of Sin is Death as saith the Apostle which NOT being Repented of and forsaken brings into the Pit of endless Torment a BARE confessing of Sin without repenting and forsaking will NOT bring Men Women to lay down their Heads in PEACE with God Therefore Wo unto those who go on in their sins unto the end of their Dayes upon Earth Raking up and down in the Scriptures of Truth to gather up the Failings MISCARRIAGES of some among God's People who for want of diligent Watchfulness were overcome by their Souls Enemy but Unfeignedly Repented and Ceased from the Evil did learn to do well and so were forgiven as in the cases of David and Peter w hose Miscarriages at a time or some few times is now made as TEXTS on them to preach up IMPERFECTION and SIN for Term of Life Wo to those sort of Preachers if they do not Repent of this Unchristian and Ungodly Preaching and cease there from they will not only Destroy themselves but also those who give up themselves to believe and love their sinful Doctrine who by this Wicked preaching do take courage and GREAT boldness to continue in sin and to love it and to commit it with greediness yea to drink it up abundantly even as an Ox drinks up Water and to pull it and draw it upon them as with Cords and Cart tropes as it s written This sort of Teachers God is against his Soul is grieved by them from day to day Oh! that they would consider it and lay it to Heart and Repent before it be too late The Woes were of Old and now are unto all those Preachers and Hearers who are covered and NOT with the holy pure Spirit of the Lord God in which spirit God is worshipped as Christ saith Wo to the Rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me saith the Lord God who cover with a Covering but NOT of my SPIRIT that they may ADD Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Wo unto them that call Evil Good and Good Evil c. Wo unto them who justifie the Wicked FOR a Reward c. Therefore as the Fire devoureth the Stubble and the Flame consumeth the Chaff so their ROOT shall be Rottenness and their BLOSSOM shall go up as Dust because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hosts and despised the Word of the holy One of Israel Wo to them that are Wise in their own eyes c. Isa 5. 18 to the 25th read the Chapter through Wo to the Wicked it shall be Ill with him for the Reward of his Hands shall be given him What mean ye that ye beat my People c. and grind the Faces of the Poor saith the Lord God of Hosts Moreover the Lord saith Because the Daughters of Zion are Haughty and walk with stretched-out Necks and wanton EYES c. Therefore the Lord will Smite with a SCAB the Crown or Top of the Heed of the Daughter of Zion Jerusalem is Ruined and Judah is Fallen because their TONGUE and their Doings are against the Lord to provoke the Eyes of his Glory They declare their Sin as Sodom Wo unto their SOULS for they have Rewarded EVIL unto THEMSELVES Isa 3. 8 to the 18th read the Chapter through In this Chapter the Proud and Wonton Women of our Age may read their pattern and see whose Ungodly Example they follow and also they may see what Ruin Destruction and Misery they brought upon themselves as the just Reward of their Ungodly Lives and seeing God did thus punish the Proud and Wanton Women under the Profession of the Law certainly he will not justifie such Persons or Practices under the Profession of Christ and his Gospel for though the Law could not make the Comers thereunto Perfect as pertaining unto the Conscience yet then God did not leave himself without a Witness in them he gave them his good Spirit to instruct them as Nehemiah saith but they rebelled against it but Christ and his Gospel can make them that come to him Perfect even as pertaining to the Conscience and that which makes the Conscience good and brings it into a perfect cleanness the same keeps Man and Woman clean in their Conversations outwardly and such who do believe in and obey Christ Jesus he teaches them to be truly Meek and Lowly and Humble according to the blessed Command and Example which he gave in the Dayes of his flesh who said Learn of me I am Meek and LOWLY in Heart and ye shall find REST TO YOUR SOULS The Apostle Peter in the holy Ghost exhorted the Women to be subject unto their own Husbands And said whose Adorning let it not be the outward Adorning of Plating the Hair NOR of WEARING of GOLD c. But let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is NOT Corruptible the Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit which IS in the sight of God of great PRICE For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God Adorned themselves c. 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4 5. Again the Apostle Paul saith I will in like manner also that Women Adorn themselves in MODEST Apparel with SHAMEFACEDNESS and SOBRIETY NOT w th Broidred HAIR or GOLD or PEARLS or Costly Aray But which becometh Women professing Godliness with GOOD WORKS 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. So all Women both Old and Young ought to obey the Command of Christ who commands to be Meek and Lowly and ought to follow the good Example of these holy Christian-Women who were cloathed and beautified with a Meek and Humble Quiet Spirit and with good Works as the holy Apostle Exhorts Depart from Evil and do good and dwell or live for evermore I have seen the Wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay-Bay-Tree
Unfaithfull is called to Repentance yea the Back-sliders is called to Repentance to do their first works to be watchfull to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye c. Now they who do take this heavenly Counsel they do the will of God and in so doing they stand approved in his sight The diligent Watchers who have and do put on and keep on the whole Armour of God as aforesaid they do NOT FALL but do grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ more and more of such the Psalmist speaketh saying Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Way of the Vngodly he shall be like a Tree that is planted by the Rivers of Water c. but upon the Wicked who repent not who forsake not their Wickedness God will rain Fire and Brimstone and an horrible Tempest as the holy Ghost hath said and there is no Peace to the Wicked saith my God but the Righteous hath said in Truth thou Lord wilt ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works IN US And the holy Apostle said We are Gods workmanship CREATED IN Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ORDAINED that we should walk IN THEM Isa 26. 12. Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Turth I perceive that God is NO Respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth HIM and worketh Righteousness is ACCEPTED with HIM the Word that God sent unto the Children of Israel Preaching PEACE by Jesus Christ he is Lord of ALL c. Acts 10. 34 35. Note Reader He by whom all were and are Created and he who according to the flesh DYED for all who enlighteneth the EYES of the UNDERSTANDINGS of ALL in some degree whose will is that all men may be saved he is Lord of all as saith the Apostle he is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation ALL those who fear him work Righteousness they are accepted with HIM Here God shews that he loves and delights in Righteousness but HATES the contrary and therefore he calls ALL Men to Repent EVERY WHERE as saith the holy Apostle God's condiditions of ELECTION and Salvation is Faith in him and unfeigned Repentance and he doth freely tender yea GIVE the true and real CAUSE of Faith and Repentance unto all the Ungodly and Impenitent to wit Visitations by the Spirit Word of Truth which doth convince the World of sin in which the Grace Love or Favour of God is held forth to all mankind in enlightening their Understandings giving them thereby to know Good FROM Evil by which he also MOVES upon the Soul to CHUSE the Good and REFUSE the Evil which spirit or word is of ABILITY to beget faith to work unfeigned Repentance doth IT in all where the stubborn will of man doth not withstand the Day of Gods tender Visitation given thereby but IT IS possible man in his STUBBORN SELF-WILL may so long resist that God will strive NO LONGER with him for his salvation for he hath said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man God said to the Wicked with whom he had long striven to gather them out of their wickedness UNTO himself WO unto them when I DEÌ„PART FROM THEM Hos 9. 12. I HATED them for the WICKEDNESS of their doings saith God V. 15. The Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy Heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But WHAT saith it The WORD is NIGH thee even in thy MOUTH and in thy HEART that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. But I say have they not heard Yes verily their Sound went into all the Earth and their Words to the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed the Gospel But to Israel he saith All day long have I stretched forth my Hands unto a Disobedient and Gain-saying People Ver. 18 16 21. Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14. Moreover God set Adam in a glorious state in Paradise and he willed that he should obey him as he commanded him and he put him in a condition that he might have continued in obedience unto him so it was possible that he might have continued in obedience unto him and so have stood and it was NOT impossible that he should FALL as the event hath proved and his Fall is NOT to be charged or placed upon God but upon himself for want of a due and full improvement of all that God gave him to keep him from falling God is able to keep his Creatures Man and Woman from falling his Name his pure holy Power is a strong Tower and in it IS Everlasting Safety Man and Womans being kept from falling consists in their constant diligent dependence upon him who made them he ONLY is able to keep them from falling Jude 24. God is mercifull slow to Anger and abundant in compassion towards mankind as he hath signified by the holy Ghost in his holy Prophets and Apostles he is full of compassion and tender pity he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Christ Jesus hath commanded his Disciples to be mercifull saying Be ye merciful as your Father is merciful he is KIND unto the UNTHANKFUL to the EVIL and he causeth his Light to shine upon the EVIL upon the Good and sendeth his Rain upon the Just and the UNJUST Luke 36. 37. Mat. 5. 45. The Prophet David saith The Lord is good to ALL and his tender Mercies are over all his WORKS c. Psal 145. ver 8 9 And he said to his Son Solomon If thou seek him he will be FOUND of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off forever take heed c. 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Moreover the holy Ghost saith Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near Isa 55. 6. Again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without MONEY and without Price wherefore do you SPEND Money for that which is NOT Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth NOT hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Encline your Ear and come unto me HEAR and your Soul shall live c. Isa 55. 1 2 3. Moreover the Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever WILL let him take the Water of Life freely Rev. 22. 17 c. Note Reader Here is a general comortable Proclamation of the favour good will of God to all people every one hath a T me or
Repent and turn to the Lord from these abominable things that so they might not be forever shut out of the Kingdom of God! O that the Inhabitants of England and all Nations would believe in God that made them who is spiritual Light who is a holy pure Spirit who is Omnipresent or present every where who said Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Foot-stool c. see Isa 66. 1. read the Chapter through 1 King 8. 27. his pure Spirit lighteth every one that cometh into the World O that the great multitudes in England and all Nations who are in Strife and Contention Hatred and Envying Murthering and Killing one another about Religion and about Earthly things WOULD BELIEVE in this Heavenly Spirit that enlightneth them which giveth them to understand in some measure or degree what is Good and also what is Evil O that they would bow down unto it and become subject unto the leadings and teachings of it then would it teach them to love one another NOT to be like Cain who slew his Brother because his own works were evil and his Brothers righteous but it would teach them to do to all men as they would be done unto as God hath commanded yea it would teach them as it did good Joseph who was kind unto his Brethren who was cruel to him who sold him to the Ishmalites yea it would teach them to overcome the evil with the good as Joseph did and as God commandeth But because Multitudes and Nations believe not in this holy pure peaceable loving and long-suffering Spirit therefore it is that they are as the raging Sea that casts up Mire and Dirt and many are as the cruel merciless Beasts of Prey destroying one another yea many oppressing and seeking to destroy Gods tender People who have true love to all and desire the temporal and eternal good of all who Worship him in his holy Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth the faithful followers of it and because that Vengeance is not executed speedily or suddenly for these crying Abominations therefore are the Hearts of the Sons of men fully set in them to do Evil as it was of Old see Eccles 8. 11. and because it is thus that many have given up themselves to Unbelief and hardness of Heart who have closed their Eyes and stopped their Ears against the Convictions and Reproofs of this pure meek merciful and compassionate Spirit of God and Christ whom he hath sent and have given up themselves to work Wickedness with greediness therefore there is great cause to take up a dolefull Lamentation and Mourning and those whom God hath made skilfull in Mourning who greatly desire the Salvation of the Multitudes Tongues Languages and People these have Mourned and do Mourn to see Multitudes running on swiftly toward the Pit of everlasting Destruction suddenly to be sunk into it Thus as of Old many say in their Hearts unto the Almighty God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Thus they hate the knowledge of God they do not chuse his holy fear which is the beginning of the pure peaceable Wisdom which cometh from above as saith the holy Scriptures see Job 21. 14. read the Chapter through see Prov. 1. 4 7 22 29. read the Chapter through Well said the Apostle Peter Our beloved Brother Paul in all his Epistles writes things which are hard to be understood which they who are Vnlearned Vnstable wrest as they do the other Scriptures unto their own DESTRUCTION Peter was an Illiterate man and so an Unlearned man in Natural or Artificial Learning of Tongues and Languages but he was a man of great Learning in the Heavenly Spiritual School of Christ all who come to learn of Christ Paul and Peters heavenly Master they are taught by to understand their Words and to have unity with them and such are of one mind concerning them But they who are not yet come to learn of Christ as he is the Light of the World they are not come to a right understanding of the holy mens Words which are Recorded in the holy Scriptures and this is the cause that they are not of one mind concerning them but in very many contrary minds and in tumultuous Controversies about the meanings of them Paul doth say as is shewed before that God's Will is that ALL men should know the Truth and be SAVED This have I written in the love of God concerning Election and Reprobation for the Comfort and Encouragement of all those who are weary of and heavy laden with their Sins who hunger and thirst after Righteousness that they may come to Christ Jesus who dyed for them and rose again and ascended as it is written of him in the Scriptures of Truth who hath promised that he will give them Rest see Matth. 11. 28 29 30. This is also written as a Warning unto those who are at ease in their Sins flattering themselves speaking Peace unto themselves in their Unchristian Conversations and pleading for a necessity of continuing in the act of Sin unto the end of their dayes upon Earth and yet vainly imagin that they are the Elect and Chosen of God Jesus said I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life The Pharisees therefore said unto him Thou bearest Record of thy self and thy Record is NOT true But Jesus said unto these Unbelieving Jews If ye believe NOT that I am he ye shall die in your Sins whither I go ye CANNOT come see John 8. 12 24. Note Reader These great professing Pharisees Opposed Christ Jesus and denyed him to be the Light of the World Too like these Pharisees are many Teachers high Professors of Christ in Words in our Age who though they will talk much of Christ as he was born and dyed and rose again according to the Flesh yet can they not endure to hear him preached as he preached himself and as the holy Apostles preached him to wit the Light of the World the true Light which lighteth every one that cometh into the World This is the Stone which all the Builders do reject and set at nought who build up their VAIN Religions Faiths and Worships in the Serpentine Earthly Devilish Wisdom in Murther Cruelty Oppression and Idolatry but when this Stone falls on them in Judgment it will grind them all to Powder see Luke 20. 17. Psal 118. 22. Mat. 21. 24. O Blessed will all they be who come unto and believe in this Living Stone their hard Hearts shall be broken by it and made soft and tender and thereby be made fit to enter into the Kingdom of God into which nothing that is Unclean can enter and their sins that are past though they be many God will freely Pardon Remit and Forgive them in his tender Mercy and forbearance in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself a Ransom for
in their EVIL SELF-WILL chuse the Evil THE SIN the Wages of which is Death as saith the holy Apostle Now for any person to say that though God commands People to chuse the good to chuse Life yet he doth NOT WILL or Intend that they should obey this his command in chusing Life this is horrible Blas phemy or to say that he knows they cannot chuse the good by his help they cannot chuse Life this is also Blasphemy For this would render the pure just holy equal Lord God a Mocker in this great and weighty concern the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ hath said unto HIM Thy Throne O God is forever and ever the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a righteous Scepter thou lovest Righteousness and HATEST WICKEDNESS therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of gladness above thy fellows Psal 45. 6 7. Heb. 1. 8. Thus it plainly appears that God and Christ loves Righteousness and HATES all Sin and Wickedness Therefore the Call of the Lord God WAS AND IS Let the wicked forsake his way and the UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS let him turn unto the Lord and he will have mercy on him unto our God and he will abundantly pardon God said by the Mouth of the holy Apostle Draw near unto God and he will draw near unto you Cleanse your Hands ye sinners purifie your HEARTS ye DOUBLE minded be afflicted and mourn and WEEP let your LAUGHTER be turned into MOURNING and your JOY into HEAVINESS humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up James 4. 8 9 10. Again Thou art NOT a God that hath pleasure in WICKEDNESS neither shall EVIL dwell with thee Psal 5. 4. But know that God hath set APART him that is GODLY for HIMSELF Psal 4. 3. The Apostle Paul said unto the Saints My Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be ABLE to STAND against the wiles of the Devil For WE wrestle NOT against Flesh and Blood but against Principalites of the DARKNESS of this World against spiritual Wickedness in high places Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE Armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil Day and having DONE ALL to stand stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness and your Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of PEACE above all taking the SHIELD of Faith wherewith you shall be able to quench ALL the fiery Darts of the wicked c Praying alwayes with all Prayer and Supplication IN THE SPIRIT and WATCH thereunto with all perseverance c. Ephes 6. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. Again The NIGHT is far spent the DAY is at hand let us therefore cast off the WORKS of Darkness and let us put on the ARMOUR of LIGHT Let us walk honestly as in the day NOT in Rioting Drunkenness NOT in Chambering Wantonness NOT in Strife and Envy but put ye ON the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the Flesh to fulfill the LUST thereof Rom. 13. 12 13 14. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith We ought to give more earnest HEED to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them SLIP In the Greek in the Margin it s rendered thus or let them run out like leeking Vessels Heb. 2 1. Christ Jesus saith to the Believers Take HEED to your selves lâ—st at ANY time your Hearts be over charged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness and the CARES of THIS LIFE Luke 21. 3. Again The Apostle saith WATCH ye STAND FAST in the Faith quit you like men be strong Ephes 6. 10 to 18. Again the Apostle said unto the Saints Ye are all the Children of the Light and the Children of the DAY we are NOT of the NIGHT nor of Darkness Therefore let us not SLEEP as do others but let us watch and be sober For they which SLEEP sleep in the Night and they that be drunken are drunken in the NIGHT But let us who are of the Day be SOBER puting on the Breast plate of Faith and LOVE and for an Helmet the hope of Salvation 1 Thes 5. 5 6 7. Ephes 5. 8. John 3. 36. Again the Apostle Peter saith For this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead that they might be JUDGED according to men in the Flesh but LIVE according to God IN the Spirit Be ye therefore sober and watch unto Prayer 1 Pet. 4. 6 7. Again Christ said by John unto the Angel of the Church in Sardes I know thy works that thou hast a Name that thou LIVEST art DEAD Be watchful strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die For I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore how thou hast RECEIVED and HEARD and hold FAST and Repent If therefore thou shalt NOT watch I will come on thee as a Thief and thoâ— shalt NOT know what Hour I will come upon thee Thou hast a few Names even in Sardes which have not defiled their Garments and they shall walk with me in White for they are worthy Rev. 3. 1 2 3 4. Note Reader Here is sweet harmonious wholsom heavenly Counsel given by many faithfull Witnesses to put on the whole Armour of God and so to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might to put on the Shield of Faith and the Armour of Light and by this Power Light and spiritual Armour to withstand all the wiles of the Devil to quench all the fiery Darts of that Wicked one who goes about like a roaring Lyon ever seeking whom he may devour to stand having our Loyns girt about with Truth that is indeed a blessed Girdle having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace the WAR NOT being against flesh and blood but against spiritual Wickedness and against the Prince of Darkness c. praying alwayes in the SPIRIT and watching thereunto with all perseverance not letting those things slip which we have heard and Received of God not to be like Leekey Vessels which lets that run out which is put into them not to be like the old unsound Bottles which burst c. but to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof to keep out of surfeiting and over-charging our Hearts and Spirits with the cares of this Life not to sleep or slumber away our precious time in the Evil thoughts words and works of the Night which the Devil not God is the Author of and hath PLEASURE IN God's will is that all men should know the Truth and be SAVED so he is willing that they should all put on keep on the Breastplate of faith LOVE for an Helmet the hope of Salvation Here the
of Esau for Stubble c. Obed. 3. 6 10 12 13 14 15 18. This Prophecy of Obediah is but one Chapter read it through Note Reader here God plainly tells Esau in his Seed and Generation of the many acts of Pride and Cruelty which he did which he should not have done and because he did them God was angry with him and therefore rejected him and cut him off and returned a reward upon him according to his evil works So Esau's ruin misery and destruction was of himself the effect and reward of his own rebellious evil Works which the Devil not God was the Original and cause of and God was and is just in his righteous Judgments that he brought upon him and which he brings upon all such Moreover concerning striving to enter into the Kingdom c. Paul in the holy Ghost saith And if a man also strive for mastery yet is he not crowned or gaineth not Victory except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. Now all who strive lawfully to enter the Kingdom of God they must strive ONLY in the divine heavenly Spirit or Word of God whereby every one that cometh into the World are enlightned in some measure or degree to know Good from Evil according to John 1. 9 8 12. 12. 46. Psalm 27. 1. 2 Sam. 22. 29. Isa 60. 20. Luke 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. John 3. 19 20. Ephes 5. 8 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Ephes 1. 18. Christ saith God is a Spirit and they who Worship him must Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for such the Father seeketh to Worship him c. John 4. 23 24. God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but he shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost gave a true Relation of the Voice which he others heard from the excellent Glory concerning Christ Jesus saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. After he had given this true Relation he further said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and the Life was the Light of men and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Take notice Reader God is Light God is a Spirit Christ is the Light of the World as he saith yea the true Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the World There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear witness of the Light that ALL MEN through him might believe he to wit John was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light which was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not he came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God c. which were Born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of man but of God 1 John 1. to vers 14. Note Reader Christ in his Divinity as he is the Word which was in the beginning by whom all things was made he is the true divine Light who lighteth every man that cometh into World He said unto the World whom he enlightneth Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light The Children of the Light are the Children of God for God is Light as is shewed before This holy Apostle John said The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not Therefore was John the Baptist sent from God to bear witness to that Light which shineth in Darkness that all men through him might believe mark all being enlightned by Christ who is given for a Light to the Gentiles and to be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth for so it is written of him by the Holy man therefore Gods will is that all People Male and Female may believe in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them this Light being believed in giveth to see Christ and leads to him the giver of it and to God the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning or changing as saith the holy Apostle Mankind in the fall and alienation from God in their Sin are darkened by the God of the World who hath blinded their minds Man in that state is said to be Darkness The Apostle Paul saith For ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light for the Fruits of the Spirit is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5. 8 9. And so here the Light and Spirit are joyned together by the Apostle whose Fruits are one their Testimony and Work one and they are one as God who is Light and Spirit is one and not divided For God being a Spirit and Light and Christ as he is the divine Word is God is Light is a quickening Spirit so the Light and Spirit floweth from the Father in and through his Son and thereby are all men enlightned to know Good from Evil in some degree or measure this Light is the Condemnation of all them that hate it Christ saith This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds were Evil for every one that doth evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his deed should be reproved but every one that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. To be turned to this Light is the great and weighty concern of the fallen darkened Sons Daughters of Adam and therefore was that great and faithful Prophet John the Baptist sent to bear witness of the Light that all men might believe here is none fore-ordained of God to be Unbelievers here none is Reprobated by him before they were Born Christ according to the Flesh dyed for all yea his Soul was made an Offering for Sin by his
divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
yet he passed away and lo he was not I sought him but he could not be sound Mark the PERFECT MAN and behold the Vpright for the end of that man is PEACE see Psal 37. 27 35 36 37. Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts which WAR against the SOUL Having your Conversation Honest among the Gentiles whereas they speak against you as Evil-doers they may by your GOOD WORKS which they shall behold glorifie God in the Day of Visitation 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. Reader Take notice here David owns Perfection he saith Mark the Perfect Man behold the Vpright for the end of that Man is Peace Thus it plainly appears that God and Christ and the true Prophets and Apostles and holy Men and Women were and are for Perfection Holiness and Uprightness but the Devil Anti-christ False Prophets False Apostles and all Wicked Men and Women are for Imperfection Ungodliness Unholiness Sin and Wickedness who plead for a continuance in Sin until Men and Women go to the Grave This Plea for Sin and Wickedness is not a Plea for God and Christ but for the Devil who is the author of Sin In the Grave there is no Repentance neither is there any Purgatory as some do falsly teach to purge people from their sins after they are dead and put in their Graves No Unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven therefore blessed are they who come to Christ Jesus and follow him who came to take away Sin and bring in Everlasting Righteousness to wash and cleanse from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and to strengthen his to perfect Holiness in the fear of the Lord God unto which the holy Apostle exhorted as is shewed before These things have I written in Testimony to God's Universal Love to all People and of his delight in Holiness and Purity and of his Hatred to all Sin and Wickedness I am a Lover of Truth and Righteousness and a real Lover NOT of only my Friends but also of mine Enemies according to the Command and Example of Christ Jesus my Lord William Gibson THe Author of this Book desires that it may be diligently spread among those People who think that Christ did not dye for all men who think that God would NOT have all People to be saved but vainly imagin that he hath ordained some to be Damned before they were Born that by the Spirit and Light of Truth shining in their Hearts and the plain Scripture Testimony they may be convicted of this their great and destructive Mistake ERRATA PAge 1. Line 2. for 157. read 15. p. 3. l. 5. f. himself r. him p. 5. l. 26. f. 38. r. 3. 36. p. 11. l. 13. put in not p. 12. l. 21. put out Heb. 6. p. 21. l. 26. put in of p. 37. l. 18. put in renew next before purifie p. 43. l. 8. f. profecy r. prosperity l. 17. f. forefooted r. fourfooted p. 60. l. 29. put out the Parentheses p. 171. l. 21. f. Judger r. Judge p. 74. l. 20. put in him p. 78. l. 4. f. is r. his p. 89. l. 31. f. deem r. deny Reader this is a great Error and it wholly alters the sense of the matter it renders me as though I did affirm that which in reality I do deny P. 94 l. 14. r. Gal. 6. 7 8. p 98 l 36 r the Reins p 104 l 9 f Commandment r Commandments THE END Mal. 1 2 3 4. Gal. 3. 16. Gen. 3 15. Heb. 3. 12 13. Gen. 3. 1. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God the Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Rom. 8. 14 16. Note here the Darkness is within in the Heart of man in the Fall and the Light shines to expell the Darkness within the Day is to dawn and the Day-star is to arise in the darkened fallen mans Heart Some who believed not in Christ said unto him What shall we do that we might work the works of God he said unto them This is the work of God to believe in him whom God hath sent see John 6. 28 29. It is said in the holy Scriptures The Curse causless or without cause shall NOT COME But a Rod is for the fools Back see Prov. 26. 2 3. They are cursed Children or the Children of the curse who have forsaken the right way see 2 Pet. 2. 14 15. Christ preached unto his Disciples saying Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your GOOD WORKS and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 14. The Apostle who preached down the shadowy works of the Law said We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which God before ordained that we should walk IN THEM Ephes 2. 10. The Apostle James saith Faith without Works IS DEAD being alone as the Body without the Spirit is dead so Faith without Works is dead also Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by Faith only Abraham believed and it was counted to him for Righteousness and he was called the Friend of God These are not the shadowy Works of the Law by which no Flesh can be justified in the sight of God but these are the substantial Works of the Gospel wrought in through Christ in all his true and real Disciples see Ja. 2. 17. to the end The Apostle prayed for the Hebrews or Jews saying The God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant make you PERFECT in every good Work TO DO HIS WILL working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory forever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. O all ye several sorts of Teachers Writers and Disputers who have been are striving to draw keep people from this swift faithful and true witness which searcheth the Hearts and shews People their Evil Thoughts Words and Actions and Reproves and Condemns them for the same Repent and cease from this your Vngodly Work or else God will take you away from this Cursed Work in his fierce Anger See Gen. 17. Gen. 6. 0. Deut. 18. 13. Psalm 37. 37. Matth. 5. 48. Luke 6. 40. 1 Cor. 2. 6. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Ephes 4. 11 12. 13. Heb. 5. 14. Col. 1. 28. 4 12. 2 Tim. 3. 17. Heb. 12. 22 23 13 21 6. 1. James 1. 4. 1 Pet. 5. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 9. 1 John 3. 9. ☞