the Minister of sin God forbid For if I build again the things that I have destroyed I make my self a transgressor Gal. 2. 17 18 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformable to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born of many brethren Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 29 30. So then there is no Predestination where there is not first a Foreknowledge and this Predestination is to be conformed to the Image of his Son and his Image is Righteousness and true Holiness and where Righteousness and true Holiness are not there is not the Image of his Son and where the Image of his Son is not there is no Conformity to the Image of his Son and where there is no conformity to the Image of his Son there is no Predestination And where sin is there is no Conformity to the Image of his Son And so no Predestination no Calling that abides no Justification no Glorification no Foreknowledge to Life Eternal Whom he did Predestinate them he also Called and whom he also called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also Glorified and whom he foreknew he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many Brethren Rom. 8. 27. And here is the sum of the whole matter No fore-knowledge to life Eternal no predestination no calling that abides no justification no glorification but in conformity and to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he may be the first born of many brethren The Brethren of whom he is the first born are such as are conformed to his Image which is Righteousness and true Holiness and he hath predestinated none but to this nor fore-known any to predestination but to this and where this is not there is no fore-knowledge no predestination to life Eternal none of the Brother-hood of which he is the first born for whom he did fore-know he also did predestinate to what to be conformed unto what to the Image of his Son So where conformity is not to the Image of his Son there is no predestination there is no calling that abides as I have said and the Scripture speaks it plain For the Gifts and calling of God are without Repentance saith the Apostle as to Election and that of the Jews who saith he as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11. 28 29. And the gifts and calling of God that are without Repentance are unto Eternal Life and Eternal Life is in his Son John 5. 11. and he that is in Christ Jesus is a new Creature Old things are passed away behold all things are made new 2 Cor. 5. 17. And saith he have put on the new man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision Barbarian Scythian bond nor free but Christ is all and in all Put on therefore as the Elect of God bowels of Mercy kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man hath a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 10 11 12 13. And where there is no calling which is unto Holiness there is no justification For God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto Holiness 1 Thes 4. 7. and Holiness becomes thy House O Lord for ever Psal 93. 5. And who hath saved us and called us with an Holy calling not according to our Works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Chriâ—t who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light thorough the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. And the eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his Power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his Mighty Power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 18. to the end And there is one Body and one Spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling One Lord one Faith one Baptism One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Ephes 4. 4 5 6. And we pray alwayes for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of Faith with Power that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 11 12. And you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought the things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption That according as it is written He that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 26. to the end And I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14 15. And Holy brethren partakers of the Heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithful in all his house For this man was counted worthy of more glory then Moses inasmuch as he that hath builded the house hath more honour then the house For every house is builded by some man but he that built all
open their eyes that they may see and be saved and come unto the Knowledge of the Truth For the Lord hath not pleasure in their death but would have them turn and live For which cause I have written because the time is nere wherein the Door will be shut and then it will be too late and the place of Repentance will not be found When Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels shall be said to the Goats on the left hand by the King when he shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him and shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory and all Nations shall be gathered before him and he shall divide between them as a Shepherd doth his Sheep And so I have done with this Particular and am clear of their blood in this day of the Lord wherein he is coming to render unto every man according to his deeds But to proceed Neither hath the Lord so chosen man since the fall as that he can never be removed from the state unto which he is chosen That were to render the Blood of Christ of none effect and to make void the Everlasting Covenant the Law writ in the heart and the fear put in the inward parts the Word of Life the Power of God by which we are kept Who are kept said Peter writing to the Saints by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. And this is the Doctrine of them who hold Free Grace or that are called by the name of Antinomians that is to say those who hold that he that is once chosen cannot fall from that state Having loved his own which were in the World he loved them to the end John 13. 1. Say they and though they are sinners yet they are justified by Christ and have Redemption by his Blood even the Remission of sins and this is imputed to them though not inherent in them as they speak and they hope to be saved by him because they are sinners and yet are justified by him though they are sinners And with such thin Garments as these they seek to cover themselves and to rest satisfied whilst they are ignorant of and know not him who saveth from their sins all they who put their trust in him Who having loved his own but they are his own which he loved and none else he loved them to the end he went thorough the work which was appointed him for them to do and flinched not which was to lay down his life for them For this was spoken of his suffering John 13. 1. As the Scriptures testifie and that of John in Particular and the Scripture cannot be broken which thus speaks Now before the feast of the Passeover when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this World unto the Father Having loved his own said John which were in the World he loved them unto the end And supper being ended the Devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot Simons son to betray him Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God He riseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and took a Towel and girded himself after that he poureth Water into a Bason and began to wash his Disciples feet and to wipe them with the Towel with which he was girded Then cometh he to Simon Peter and Simon saith unto him Lord doest thou wash my feet Jesus answered and said unto him what I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt hereafter Peter answereth and saith unto him Thou shalt never wash my feet Jesus answered if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me v. 2. to the 9. Simon Peter saith unto him not my feet only but my hands and my head Jesus saith unto him he that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit and ye are clean but not all for he knew who should betray him Therefore said he ye are not all clean v. 9 10 11. This said Christ Jesus So it is his own that he having once loved he loved them to the end And they were such whom he washed If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me So not to be washed is to have no part with Christ and this was said to Peter a Disciple And said he unto the Disciples them whom he had chosen ye are clean but not all for he knew who should betray him and yet he was chosen Have not I chosen you Twelve and yet one of you is a Devil John 6. 70. The plain English or summe of the Matter is this Men must be born again of Water and of the Spirit or they cannot enter into the Kingdom of God as he said to Nicodemus Verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. 5. They must be regenerated Old things must passe away all things must become New if they are in Christ Jesus the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness and they that are not so in vain do they talk of Christ they have no part with him for he is Holy and every one that is in him is as he is As he is so are we in this world 1 John 4. 17. And be ye holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1. 16. And Holiness becomes thy House for ever Psal 93. 5. And an high way shall be there and a way and it shall be called the way of Holiness the unclean shall not passe over it Isa 35. 8. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh Abomination or maketh a lie but they that are written in the Lambs book of Life Rev. 21. last Otherwise to say is to dishoner Christ and to blasphem him to make him such a one as such are as live in Transgression and sin who came to redeem from sin and to deliver from Iniquity and to purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works that we might be to his Praise and Honour Now sin is a reproach to any people Righteousness it is that exalteth a Nation Prov. 14. 34. And for any to say they are in him and yet are found sinners they reproach and blasphem him as if he were so that Iniquity had fellowship with him or that Iniquity would be in him or have part with him Can the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee which frameth mischief by a Law Psal 49. 20. Thou art of purer Eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on Iniquity Hab. 1. 13. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee Psal 5. 4. But if while we seek to be justified by Christ we our selves also are found sinners is therefore Christ
waited long it hath striven long be gathered to him ere darkness come over you and the night cover you which shall never have end If ye shall never be gathered which I hope will not be as to some of you at least for the Lord hath a Seed among you which he will gather and lead into his rest And therefore am I moved of the Lord to write and these my Travails shall have an end and I shall see of the Travel of my soul in this particular and the time is neer the Lord hath spoken it and therefore speak I unto you because the time is neer think you what ye will yet my reward shall be with the Lord and my Prayer shall return into mine own bosome and he will testifie for me that I have sought you this his Testimony I am that you he hath sought And as sometime the Prophet said so say I in the same Spirit Though Israel be not gathered yet I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Isa 49. 5. And this shall be my peace in the day of your trouble who shall not hear who shall not be gathered to that which convinces the World of sin that which reproves that which makes manifest the Comforter that I have stood in the will of God and in his Counsel have done whatsoever he hath required at my hands as to you whether you will hear or whether you will forbear and whether you will hear or whether you will forbear you shall know that a Prophet hath been amongst ye Or one that hath spoken to you from the Lord. So be not stiff-necked nor uncircumcised in heart and ear for I am pressed in spirit to speak unto you because the hour is neer Yea very neer wherein this you shall witness For the Master of the house is neer rising up and will shut to the Door and then it will be too late when ye shall begin to stand without without your hour without your day your day your hour being passed over wherein he will shew he will tender mercy wherein he will strive with you wherein he will wait on you to be gracious wherein he will stretch out his Arms to gather you wherein he will open his bosome to you I say your hour and day being over The day and hour of your Visitation wherein ye may know the things that concern your Peace and they are not hid from your eyes when ye shall begin to stand without and to knock at the door and to say Lord Lord open unto us He will answer and say unto you as I have said I know you not whence ye are Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity So be not deceived nor mistaken for this hour is neer and this you shall see in the day when the Son of Man shall come in hts Glory and all the holy Angels with him and shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall seperate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats and he shall set the Sheep on his right hand and the Goats on his left and the King shall say unto them on his right hand come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World And to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the Righteous into life Eternal So I am clear of your blood and the Lord God Eternal laid this upon me to speak unto you because the time is very neer wherein this will be wherein you will see this to be therefore I say again unto you In this your day know the things that belong unto your peace There is somewhat in all this that I am thus moved to Ingiminate to Press upon you the Lord is coming behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them and this will be a sore convictment indeed when he shall rise in them as Lord and King and kindle in them the fire that shall never go out and raise in them the Worm that shall never die whom they have refused whom they have rejected whom they have dispised whom they have spoken against whom they have done against Of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him As Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these and this time is neer So consider and bethink your selves whilst you have a very little time whilst the door is yet open and 't is open yet I testifie it to you in the Name of the Lord whilst he waites to be gracious that so an entrance may be administred unto you into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom be glory and power and dominion everlasting who cometh in Clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him and all Kindreds of the Earth shall wait because of him even so Amen And so the Lord open your understandings in all things and give you to see these things and what I have spoken that it may never rise up in Judgement against you which certainly it will if you heed it not and the day is neer It is the Word of the Lord and so I have finished what I have to say unto you in the Name of the Lord. Thus far as to those who hold Free Grace or a Justification in Christ though they are found sinners and being once chosen such as are so can never be removed from that state who are called Antenomians Have not I chosen you Twelve and one of you is a Devil He spake of Judas Iscariot the Son of Simon for he it was that should betray him being one of the Twelve John 6. 70 71. And whilst I was with them in the World I kept them in thy Name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled John 17. 12. And they went out from us for they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2. 19. And there must be heresies that they which are approved may be made manifest among you 1 Cor. 11. 19. And so much for this particular Now as to those who hold General Redemption or are so understood I have something also to say unto you in the Name of the Lord. As the Lord hath not made man to destroy him neither concluded any man from all Eternity to Destruction as he hath not so made man as that it is impossible for him
A TREATISE CONCERNING Election Reprobation AND The things appertaining thereunto Am I moved of the Lord to Write for the Satisfaction of all who desire to know the Truth as it is in Jesus and the Confusion of that abominable Principle viz. That God hath Reprobated some Men from all Eternity and therefore it is that they cannot be otherwise Written in the fear and at the Movings of the Lord By his Servant Geo. Bishop For whom he did fore know he also did Predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many Brethren Moreover whom he did Predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also Justified and whom he Justified them he also Glorified Rom. 8. 29 30. Say unto them As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and Live Turn ye Turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die O house of Israel Therefore thou Son of Man Say unto the children of thy People The Righteousness of the Righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his Transgression as for the wickedness of the Wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness neither shall the Righteous be able to live for his Righteousness in the day that he sinneth Ezek. 33. 11 12 13. O Israel Thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thy help Hos 13. 9. Printed in the Year 1663. A TREATISE Concerning Election Reprobation c. COncerning those two great Points viz. Election and Reprobation for the confusion of that abominable Principle viz. That God hath Reprobated some men from all Eternity and therefore it is that they cannot be otherwise And the satisfaction of all such as desire to know the Truth as it is Jesus this I have to say from the Lord and as moved of him and in his fear do I write The Lord made not Man to destory him neither hath he concluded any man from all Eternity to Destruction That were to think most abominable of God who hath no pleasure in the death of a Sinner but that the Wicked turn from his way and Live and to overthrow the end of his Coming into the World whom the Father hath sent to redeem Man and to bring him back again unto God Ezek. 33. 11. Hos 13. 14. Tit. 2. 14. As is the Opinion of those who hold Reprobation from all Eternity Whether they be called by the Name of Presbyters or Calvinists or Fathers of the Church or Doctors or Ministers of the Gospel or Lay Elders or People or Offieers whether in England Scotland or Ireland or any other parts of the World to all such I am moved of the Lord to write even to all those whosoever they be or wheresoever they are and this I have to say unto you from the Lord. You are mistaken in this whole Matter not knowing the Lord nor the Power of his working who doth unto every man according to the pleasure of his Will and who hath resisted his Will and this is his Will yea he hath sworn it that he hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that the Wicked turn from his way and Live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will ye die O house of Israel So said the Lord by the Prophet Say unto them as I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will ye die O house of Israel And saith he further and t is to be minded what he saith Therefore thou Son of Man Say unto the children of thy People The Righteousness of the Righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his Transgression as for the wickedness of the wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness neither shall the Righteous be able to live for his Righteousness in the day that he sinneth When I shall say to the Righteous that he shall surely live if he trust to his own Righteousness and commit iniquity all his Righteousness shall not be remembred but for his iniquity which he hath committed he shall die for it Again when I say unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die If he turn from his sin and do that which is lawful and right if the wicked restore the Pledge give again that that he hath robbed walk in the statutes of life without committing iniquity he shall surely live he shall not die none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him he hath done that which is lawful and right he shall surely live Yet the children of thy people say The way of the Lord is not equal but as for them their way is not equal When the Righteous turneth from his Righteousness and committeth iniquity he shall even die thereby but if the wicked turn from his wickedness and do that which is lawful and right he shall live thereby Yet ye say The way of the Lord is not equal O ye house of Israel I will judge you every one after his wayes And the ground of what the Lord so speaketh is in the words before and it is the very same with you in this matter which they had then to say against the Lord as you have now upon which account the Lord pleaded with them then who said The way of the Lord is not equal as he doth with you now for so your conclusion speaks as I shall shew by and by though you will not speak so openly in words Therefore saith he O thou Son of Man speak unto the house of Israel thus ye speak saying If our transgressions and our sins be upon us and we pine away in them how should we then live Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked man turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will ye die O house of Israel Therefore thou Son of Man Say unto the children of thy People c. as aforesaid Ezek. 33. 10. and so forwards Read the Chapter Now if the Lord hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil wayes for why will ye die O house of Israel and you see he hath Sworn it and if the Righteousness of the Righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression and if as for the wickedness of the Wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness and if the Righteous shall not be able to live for his Righteousness in the day that he sinneth and you see the Lord hath spoken it and that if the Lord say to the
with man in his long-suffering to man in his seeking man who is lost in his gathering man who is scatered he is far otherwise he woes intreats prayes beseeches as I have said he waits to be gracious The Gospel the Power of God Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God that seeketh man that calleth man is as I have said the Gospel of Reconciliation His Ministers are the Ministers of Reconciliation God was in Christ Reconciling the world unto himself not rending from himself and hath committed to us the Ministry of Reconciliation Now then we are Ambassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you We pray you in Christ stead be reconciled unto God as aforesaid And here 's the Will and here 's the Power and here 's that which can be resisted and this is that which man resisteth which waiteth upon man which seeketh man and here the Lord and his Will and his Power is to be understood and no otherwise So all are to be silent and every mouth is to be stop't before the Lord for who can complain of him who hath placed something of himself in man Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God a measure of him in every man to gather him to the Lord and to bring him again to him who is gone from him which is that which witnesses which shews which judges which reproves which makes manifest and this waits on man after that man hath turned from him the Seed of the woman which he promised man after he was fallen should bruise the Serpents Head which bruises the Serpents head in all who are gathered to it believe in it and are guided by it Now they who are gathered unto this receive mercy become vessels of Honour fit for the Masters use vessels of mercy afore prepared unto Glory from him who hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and compassion on whom he will have compassion as he said to Moses who hath concluded all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all and holds forth this unto all and hath placed this in all For as in Adam all die so in Christ all are made alive the Plaister is as broad as the Sore the Medicine as comprehensive as the Disease Those who are not gathered to it reject the Counsel of God against themselves as it was said of the Pharisees and Lawyers who came not to the Baptism of John being not baptized of him Luk. 7 30. and so become vessels of dishonor vessels in whom there is no pleasure unfit for the Masters use by reason of sin and that which defiles which he can have no fellowship with nor can it come near him vessels of wrath fitted to destruction And so all men are left without excuse and will be found so in the day of the Lord wherein he will render unto every man according to his Deeds for this of him which he hath placed in every man which calls upon every man which seeks every man that in every man which witnesses doth it which reproves which judges which shews man what he should do which makes manifest will then witness for God in every man and how the Lord hath sought every man and waited for him and all its sufferings and being rejected and its sighings and oppressions and afflictions and heavy loadings and groanings whilst the long-suffering of God waited will it bring up fresh in man which shall judge man and leave him without excuse You will not be able then to battail it against the Lord your reasonings will be stopt your great Arguments will be at an end No trifling it then as now wherein man is bold by reason of the Instigation of the Devil and the Ignorance that is in him and reasons with the Lord as if he were stronger then the Lord as if the Lord needed man as if he alwayes would wait on man No no before your Judge you will be silent and you shall confess to the Lord that his judgement is just So Friends ye all who are here heed whilst ye have time take heed of pleading with your Maker and reasoning it out with him Hath not the Potter power over the Clay of the same lump to make one vessel to honour and another to dishonour and yet he made not you so nor no man so he made all Nations on the earth of one blood and appointed the bounds of their habitations if happily they might seek after God So he hath concluded no Nation under reprobation from all eternity He Created man after his own Image In the Image of God created he them Male and Female and so he made none to Dishonour none to Reprobation He might have made man otherwise and who could have said to him what dost thou for he hath Power as the Potter over the Clay and yet when he hath made no man so why doth man complain for who hath resisted his Will why doth he find fault It is sufficient and riches of mercy that he hath had compassion on man and visited him again with the day spring from on high who sat in darkness and in the Region of the shadow of death which is the light which shews him whatsoever he doth Is not this the Christ if Man will not be gathered to this if he will neglect so great Salvation if he will trifle out his precious time and do despight unto the Spirit of Truth and trample under foot the blood of the Everlasting Covenant and reject mercy and loving kindness and that which waits upon him and hath compassion on him and his day have an end and so he be hardned and that which called withdraws and that which strove ceases and so he errs from his wayes and his heart is hardned from his fear and the Lord shew his Power in him that which he refused and did reject which is the Power of God unto Salvation and declare his Name throughout all the earth in his destruction Man hath nothing then to reason with the Lord and all men will find it so it is the Word of the Lord. And whereas the Apostle saith What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his Power known endured with much long-suffering the Vessels of Wrath fitted to Destruction that he might make known the riches of his Glory on the Vessels of Mercy which he had afore prepared unto Glory He doth but put the Question If he were willing to do so and if he had done so what hath man to do to complain Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God Shall the thing formed say unto him that formed it why hast thou made me thus If the matter were only there it stood well against man but the Lord hath done otherwise as I have shewed he made man otherwise and the Lord hath otherwise done by man since he marr'd himself as hath been declared so the Lord is true and every man here a liar Rom. 3. 4.
manifest to Christ the light and all must believe in him who is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World and abide in him who is light or they shall never see life they can never be delivered and this is truth Now this is the state in the which man is in the fall in the transgression he sees not God nor hath seen him nor can see him in that state nor know him The state is without a proof a witnesse a feeling of God and being without a proof a witnesse a feeling of God in him How can he come to him whom he neither sees nor feels nor knows nor of him hath a proof or witness For Ignoti nulla Cupido as the Axiome is A man hath no desire to that which he knows not And a man knows not that which he doth not feel and a man feels not that which he doth not witness and a man cannot witness that which he hath not and a man hath not that which he doth not witness that is to say in his sence in his understanding though it may be in him And the reason is this because he being in a state which is void of that which gives the feeling the sence the witnesse the proof of God in him He in that state can have no proof of God nor witness nor sence nor feeling more then of wrath and eternal condemnation none of life nor of Salvation or that leads to it for Wrath and Eternal condemnation is the portion of that state and of all that are in it whilst they are in it And though the light be in man that which reproves that which makes manifest and God hath plac't it there a measure of himself in every man to bring him back again to God which calls on him to turn unto the Lord from whom he is gone that it may be well with him and man knows it and it often appears and shews and makes manifest and reproves and judges which is the love of God and his kindness unto man who seeks to gather him and therefore hath he placed this of himself in him to bring him to God yet the Spirit of Reprobation the Spirit which is without the living sence and feeling of God or proof or witness of him or the state of Reprobation or the Reprobated state or condition being that which hath man and holds him being that in which man is it keeps him from believing in that which reproves which makes manifest which shews which judges which witnesses to God and answers to him and so as this hath power over him he obeys it not Now being made perfect he became the Authour of Eternal Salvation to as many as obey him Heb. 5. 9. And man obeying it not he doth not receive it he doth not retain it Iniquity comes which he obeys and blots it out and so it is to him as if he had it not it is made of none effect to him he becomes not the Athoâ—r of Eternal Salvation to such Iniquity races it out as it were comes over it covers it and so man feels not the Power and Vertue of that which calls upon him so as to deliver him because he receives it not he doth not obey it and therefore it is that he is not delivered that to him he becomes not the Authour of Eternal Salvation who is it though it is Vertue and Power above the strength of darkness that shews it else it should never shew darkness and make manifest what darkness is Nor hath that man any other advantage by it then to know his Condemnation which is the state of the Devil the state of Reprobation the state of the Reprobates the Reprobated state who though they know God yea and though they also believe and tremble yet it is in a sence of Wrath and Judgement For he is over them and they know him to be Lord over all Principalities and Powers who is Head of the body the Church yet they obey him not nor receive him nor can they the state they are in and he is contradistinct and so their knowledge to him is but to Judgement What have I to do with thee Jesus and yet the Pharises would not confeâ—s him so to be thou Son of the most high God I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not cried the unclean spirit whose name was Legion when Jesus said unto him come out of the man thou unclean spirit Mark 5 8. And thou believest there is one God thou doest well the Devils also believe and tremble said James to the vain man concerning the Faith which was without works which he said was dead which obeyed not which received not his Vertue therefore it wrought not For as many as received him to them gave he power to be called the Sons of God even to them which believe in his Name which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Who was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not who came unto his own but his own received him not Was not Abraham our Father said James justified by works when he had offered Isaac his Son upon the Altar Seest thou how Faith wrought with his works and by works was Faith made perfect And the Scripture was fulfiled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for Righteousness and he was called the Friend of God You see then saith he how that by works a man is justified and not by Faith only Likewise also was not Rahab the Harlot justified by works when she had received the Messengers and had sent them out another way For as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith without works is dead also This testified James and John also Jam. 2. 19. to the end John 1. 10 11 12 13. And the reason is this because as hath been hinted that spirit having man and possessing him man comes to be as that spirit is and that spirit being so man comes to be like it and man being like it or coming to be formed into the image of the Devil who was made after the Image of God he comes to be concluded with him and this is the state of the fall the state of Reprobation the state of him who is reprobated from God of the Reprobates they are such as are in him in the Devil he is their Root their Ground their Source and their Spring who is reprobated from God who feels him not who is without any thing of him in him that is the principle of him who doth not know him and therefore it is that they are called Reprobates And here I must end as to this Particular having spoken that which I have received of the Lord to communicate that all may see and understand this great mistery viz. how the Lord made not man to destroy him and that he hath concluded no man
chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he may give it you If ye were of the world the world would love its own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen ye out of the World therefore the World hateth you v. 11 12. 13 14 15 16 19. So here 's the Election as I have said Christ the Seed which God hath blessed but the seed of evil doers shall never be renowned and as every man is found in him as he is accepted of the Lord in that which witnesses to God which shews which makes manifest which judges which reproves in man Every man as he is found in him in this is accepted of the Lord This is my well beloved Son in whom I am well pleased saith the Lord Who hath accepted us in the beloved saith the Apostle This is he by whom we have accesse unto the Throne of Grace Who is the Propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world The Mediator if any man would know who he is and what that is that witnesses that searches the heart that tries the Reines the Candle of the Lord that searches all the inwards parts of the belly that reproves that makes manifest that shews a man what he should do between God and man that comes between to stop his wrath that it break not forth as a floud then who can quench it and wooes man to turn unto the Lord whilst his wrath is not broke forth and the fire of his wrath is not kindled which will burn to the lowest Hell It s ever and anone between the Enemy and man shewing man his enemy and what man should do near with his power to help man and deliver him It s always between the Fathers wrath and man for the movings of this is the Visitation of the Lord and his long-suffering for he waits whilst this is whilst this strives with man whilst this tries if I may so say and I speak after the manner of men what it can do So this stops all whilst its time of working is whilst its a Trying a seeing whether man will be reconciled to God This will not let God alone let me alone that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under Heaven as the Lord said to Moses Deut. 9. 14. Whilst its day of working is to spare his people but steps between and shews and makes manifest and tries and judges and speaks to the Lord and saith Lord let it alone this year also till I shall dig about it and dung it and if it bear fruit well and if not then after thou shalt cut it down when the Lord saith behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this Fig tree and find none cut it down why cumbreth it the ground As the Parable of the Man and his Vinyard and his Vinedresser hath it which was spoken by the Lord by him who is it That which digs about and dungs that waites that speaks that calls that 's ready to remove iniquity to open the heart to God-wards to visit the Plant of the Lord that lies in death that it may spring and bring forth fruit that man may not be cut down in whom it is and made to cease to cumber the ground That is ready with every good Motion with every good Thought with every good Opportunity to incline man to the Lord to bring him to rest to bring him to God that watches all approaches of evil that shews the appearance of it encounters with it is ready to assist man against it and to overcome it which hath turned man from God and the Lord from man if man would let God arise that his enemies might be scattered and thus follows after man from year to year and interceeds and mediates and comes between whilest as I have said the day of long-suffering is of mans visitation which is the day of mans visitation Therefore to day whilst it is called to day harden not your hearts as in the Provocation in the day of Temptation in the Wilderness as the Apostle expresseth it Heb. 3. 7 8. Me thinks every man should hear what I have I said in himself and turning his eye within should see this and inclining his ear should hear all this and all the wooing and entreatings and the seekings of him to turn man unto the Lord and waitings and bearings and sufferings for that purpose every man that doth but this must needs hear it and see it and be sensible of it and this as he lets it work will affect his heart and break him to pieces that ever he hath resisted it that he hath been an enemy to his own peace Me thinks I hear such bemoaning themselves I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoak turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Surely after that I was turned I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea even confunded because I did bear the reproach of my youth and see what follows hereupon and how the bowels of the Lord turn to that which thus turns to him and see how ready the Lord is to receive such and his tenderness unto such and bow as it were if I may so speak after the manner of men I have too the Scripture for it which will bear me out in what I say the Lord is in an Agony for such and in a distress of love Is Ephraim my dear Son what can be more breaking and near Is he a pleasant Child for since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy on him saith the Lord Jer. 31. 20. See the Heart of the Father to the Prodigal that returns whom he goes forth to meet and runs and even while he is yet a great way off sees and hath compassion on him and falls upon his neck kisseth him and puteth on him the best robe the covering of his Son and a Ring on his Hand the band of Love and Shoes on his Feet the preparation of the Gospel of Peace for this is the way to it coming to that which witnesseth in him that gives him to see his state and where he is that brings to himself and when he came to himself see what it is that brings a man to himself that which shews him his state that gives him a sence of his condition that is it and how a man is from himself in an extasie as it were out of his wits in a sown from the sence of his understanding as a man from that which should guide him as one in another world as they use
to fall from the state in the which he was made And as he hath not so chosen man since the fall as that he can never be removed from the state unto which he was chosen so neither doth he so will the salvation of all as that all are saved This were to put by the work of Redemption for if he so willed them all should be saved for who hath resisted his Will And what need is there of such a work of Redemption if all by such a willing as this and such of such a willing as this mâ—st be the consequence are effectually saved For as I have said in his will there is Power and who hath resisted his Will And if his Will be not to be resisted what need is there of a work of such a work as Redemption is which cost the Blood of the Son of God and the Travail of his Soul and which cost the sufferings of the Seed the Seed which is Christ Christ in you the hope of Glory My little children of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you Galath 4. 13. And I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh is by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 19. and the Travail thereof ere it be accomplished Now what saith Christ Jesus All things are delivered me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 25. And All things that the Father hath are mine John 16. 15. And as the Father raiseth up the Dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will Joh. 5. 21. And this is the Fathers will that hath sent me that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day And this is the will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting Life and I will raise him up at the last day John 6. 39 40. Where then is that thing of Salvation to all or that all are saved or that God willeth the Salvation of all This God willeth that all men come to the Son that which reproves that which makes manifest in them that they may have life that all men honor the Son as they honour the Father that they and no others that see the Son and believe on him should have everlasting life and that he should raise up such at the last day and that he should loose nothing of all that the Father hath given him but should raise it up again at the last day that he should quicken whom he will unto whom all things are delivered him of his Father whose are all things that are the Fathers whom no man knoweth but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will Reveal him Now here stands the case of all men in this particular they must come to the Son as I have said if they will be saved Ye will not come to me said he to the Pharisees that ye might have life John 5. 39. All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and he that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out John 6. 37. And he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. So to him must all come that are saved to that in men which shewes them where they are the thoughts and intents of their hearts and judges them Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ John 4. 29. This is the way to God and no other neither is their salvation in any other for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. 11. And they that are in him are new creatures Old things are passed away behold all things are become new as afore 2 Cor. 5. 17. And he is the Saviour of the body the Church Ephes 5. 23. Who loved the Church the Church which is in God 1 Thes 1. 1. and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word the Word which endures for ever 1 Pet. 1. 25. that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Vers 25. 26 27. So as through sin and transgression and by reason thereof all men come to be defiled for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3. 23. And all we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all Isa 53. 6. so must all men come to Christ Jesus that which reproves sin that makes manifest transgression in them the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel Heb. 12. 24. to have their Conscience purged from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 14. I say to have their Conscience purged from dead works works that are not from the living Root that are not from Faith for she that lives in pleasure is dead whilst she lives 1 Tim. 5. 6. And sin is pleasure Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgement because he wilâ—ngly walked after the commandement Hos 5. 11 and he that sinneth is carried away from that which manifests it And you hath he quickened who were dead in Trespases and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of Wrath even as others but God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by grace ye are saved and hath raised us up togather and made us sit togather in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus For by grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of works least any man should boast for we are his workman-ship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Wherefore remember that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh who are called uncircumcisiion by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh
made by hands that at that time ye were without Christ being Aliens from the Common wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of Promise having no hope and without God in the World But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of Partition between us having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the law of Commandements conteined in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new man so making peace and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby and came and proached peace unto you which were a far off and to them which were nigh for through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Now therefore ye are no more strangers and Forreyners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed togather groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded togather for an habitation of God through the Spirit Ephesians 2. So then here 's the Matter all must come to that in them which witnesseth to God to the Son to be Purged to be Purified to be Washed to be cleansed that they may be joyned to God again from whom they are are gone through transgression and through transgression are defiled and this is the Will of God and none are saved but who come here neither willeth God the Salvation of any but of such as come here who come to the Son to that which reproves to that which makes manifest in them the measure of him in every one that which cleanseth that which purifies that they may be fit vessels for the Masters use and be found to praise and honour and be Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in Know ye not that ye are the Temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy whose Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. And what agremeent hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of God as God hath saith I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. So a coming out there must be a being separate or a separation a Not touching of the unclean thing that which defiles there must be a seperation from a coming out of it must not be touch't and all sin defiles it must be come out of seperated from not touch't the unclean thing sin must not be touck't ere the Lord saith I will receive you and be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters A coming out from among them there must be a seperation from such a Not touching of that which defiles that which is unclean sin the unclean thing ere any becomes the Temple of God for the Temple of God is Holy saith he to the Saints who were washed who were cleansed who once were as others and such were some of you saith he but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of Our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of Our God 1 Cor. 6. 11. whose Temple are ye and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for ye are the Temple of God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols as aforesaid So no Temple of God that is to say No walking of God in any no dwelling of God in any no being the People of God No being of God unto a People no agreement Shall the Throne of Iniquity have fellowship with thee which imagines mischief by a Law For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee And thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on Iniquity with Idols It s the Word of the Lord. And this is the Will of God That every one come to the Son to that in them which shews them evil and obey it and believe in it that they may be purified that they may feel the Power that sanctifies which is the Power of God to Salvation Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God the Gospel I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek for therein the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith as it is Written The Just shall live by Faith Rom. 1. 16. And of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption that according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. So to the Power every one must come in them to that which purifies to that which cleanses to that which Sanctifies the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things then that of Abel Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God who of God is made unto Vs Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption saith the Apostle as aforesaid that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. So he to whom Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God is made Wisdom and Righteousness and Redemption he is made Sanctification and they who of God are in him he is made so unto them and they that are not so that are not made so of him are not in him it is the Word of the Lord For they that are in him are new Creatures as I have often said and do now again speak by the Spirit of the Lord Old things are passed away behold all things are become New Now behold all things are made new And this is the state of Regeneration of a man in Christ Jesus And this is the Work of Christ in the World to make all things new Renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him him that is the New man that maketh new Created in him unto good works as he hath before ordained that we should walk in them said the Apostle as aforesaid and so we are his Workmanship And this is his work to make all things new And so it was with the Collossians they
from all eternity to destruction but man comes to be destroyed and to suffer as he is found in the state of Reprobation the state of Destruction the state of which he is chief who is the Devil who as I have shewed is Reprobated from God for ever and ever and so shall be all those who are found in him when their day is over who shall partake of his plagues as they are found in him and he in them working as their Head and King And so I have finished what I have to say in this Particular Now in this state the Lord finding man whom he had made after his Image even in Righteousness and True Holiness thus lost thus degenerated thus formed into the Image of the Devil whom he had planted a Noble Vine wholy a Right Seed and Created in his Image the Lord finding man in this state of Reprobation in this state of Destruction in this state of Alienation from God without Christ and God in the World and having no hope The Bowels of his compassion yearned towards him whom he had so made and in a capacity to know him who is true and to be in him who is True this is true God and Eternal Life and to have fellowship with him and to live in him for ever and ever whom now another thing had taken up and possessed whom the Lord at first had taken up and possessed as he said Thou art he that took me out of the Womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts by thee have I been holden up from the Womb Thou art he that took me out of my Mothers bowels Thou hast possessed my Reins Thou hast covered me in my Mothers Womb I am fearfully and Wonderfully made Marvelous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lower part of the earth Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book all my Members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there were none of them Psal 139. 13 14 15. I say the Lord finding man in this state and the bowels of his compassion yearning towards him whom be had made as aforesaid and seeing it impossible that ever he should he recovered again to the state in the which he was made without being delivered from the state in the which now he was and that he could not be delivered from the state in the which now he was unless he were delivered from the hands of him who had him in this state and that he could not be delivered from the hands of him who had him in this state and possessed him unless the eyes of man came to be opened to see the state in the which now he was and him who thus had man in possession and that he could never come to have his eyes opened to see the state in the which now he was and who it was that had him in possession but by a power which was greater then that which had now possessed man and taken him up which it was not in the power of that which had taken up man and possessed him to hinder that power which was greater from shewing unto man the state in the which now he was and who had possessed him he placed something of this power of himself in man to open the eyes of mans understanding and to shew him all this to the end that every man having something a measure of this power in him Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God which is greater then that which is of this World which had now possessed man and taken him up every man might have in himself though not of himself or of flesh and blood or of the will of man or this world a direction or something in him which might shew him in the Particular where he was and who it was that had him in possession and taken him up and so might be delivered And this Power is Christ Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God and the Power of God The Gospel of the Power of God unto Salvation The stronger â—â—en the strong man armed that held the Possession The Prince of Peace the Redeemer The Captain of our Salvation The Head of Principalities and Powers and of the body of the Church and of every man The Name then the which there is no other Name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved The Seed The Seed of the Kingdom The Son of God The Prince of Life who onely hath immortality and Eternal Life to whom be Honour and Power everlasting Amen And here 's the Election Christ the Seed the Seed which the Lord hath blessed but the Seed of evil doers shall never be renewed in whom or in the which as man is found Christ the Election the Seed and as it grows up in him and he in it so is he accounted of by the Lord and is acceptable in his sight Let the words of my Mouth and the Meditation of my Heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my Redeemer Psalm 19. 14. I say here is the acceptance here 's the welbeloved the wel beloved Son in whom he is wel pleased and with every one as they are found in him as they are found answering to that of him in them the measure of him that which shews thae which makes manifest that which reproves that which judges and abiding in it Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me John 15. 4. I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing if a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned If ye abide in me and my word s abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you v. 5 6 7. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love if ye keep my Commandements ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers Commandements and abide in his love v. 9 10. These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full This is my Commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you greater love hath no man then this that a man lay down his life for his friends Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Henceforth I call you not Servants for the Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you Friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you You have not