Fruit must be cast into the Fire and there must lie how can the Pope or any Man else recover such out of the Fire And if it be the wide Gate and broad Way that leadeth to Destruction how can they that walk therein escape Destruction or the Pope deliver them from it when they come to the end of their Journey But yet this Antichristian Doctrine of a Purgatory after this Life is upheld by the Popes and by their Cardinals Bishops and Councils to their great gain of Money to themselves and their Clergy so called and upon this groundless point of their Faith hangs many of their Antichristian Ceremonies to get Money by as their Trentals Masses Diriges Requiems Indulgences Pardons Jubilees and their pretended power of Binding and Loosing and their Prayers for the Dead And though many pretending Reformation from Popery deny their Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead yet they claim Popish Wages for Praying for the Dead which they call Mortuaries and annex it to their Tythes for which they cast them that cannot for Conscience sake pay them into Prison and so they deny the Work but claim the Wages which is more unreasonable then to work for Wages And it is a general Tenet of pretended Reformists that none can be fully cleansed from Sin on this side the Grave and yet confess they that no unclean thing shall enter into Heaven and then where must they be cleansed or how will they escape the Popes Purgatory which they also deny And the Popes and their Abettors on the other hand say Council of Trent Can. 10. Ellar lib. 2 de justific chap. 2. pag. 129. That they can do more good Works than God hath commanded which they call Works of Supererogation which they hold not only meritorious of Eternal Life and of singular Glory in Heaven but also that they may communicate of the abundance of these their Merits unto others but this Doctrine is also false and also Antichristian For the Apostle of Christ said I laboured more abundantly then they all speaking of the Apostles and yet not I 1 Cor. 15.10 but the Grace of God which was with me and by the Grace of God said he I am what I am and said he the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us so it was his Teacher or Commander that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.11 12. we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present world So the Grace of God teacheth to live Godly or like God who worketh all in all in his Servants and by his Spirit the Manifestation whereof is given to every Man to profit withal giveth the Word of Wisdom and Faith 1 Cor. 12.6 7 to 12. and Gists of Healing and working of Miracles and discerning of Spirits c. dividing to every Man severally as he will and so it is God that worketh in his People both to will and to do Phil. 2.13 Isa 64.6 of his own good pleasure and all Man 's own Righteousness is as filthy Rags Therefore they who say 1 John 4.17 1 John 3.3 7. that they can out-live the Teachings or Commands of the Grace of God which teacheth to live Godly or like God as true Christians do it is plain that such are not as true Christians are the workmanship of God by his Grace created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath ordained and prepared for his Servants to walk in Eph. 2.10 but it is certain that such are exalted in their Imaginations by the working of the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above the Word of God's Power in their Hearts and so he as God sitteth in the Temple of God the Heart shewing himself that he is their God Acts 20.28 Heb. 9.12 who with his wicked deceivableness hath deceived them in a high degree or else they durst not speak such Words or teach such Doctrine And so no Men can communicate any of their Merits towards the saving of others that Pretence being an abominable Cheat to get Money by for true Christians are what they are by the Grace of God and the working thereof in their Hearts and never pretend to any of their own Merits for their Salvation is only by Christ who bath obtained Eternal Redemption for them and purchased them with his own Blood And as the Man of Sin is yielded unto obeyed and worshipped by them upon whom he prevaiss with his Temptations he becomes exalted in their minds and proud ambitious and imperious like himself and then they are offended when others do not bow or submit unto them and as by his deceit he prevaileth in them he makes them like himself Deceivers Lyars and Hypocrites and yet they would be called true Christians and Children of God like the Jews formerly who were in the same Nature though not Profession to whom Christ said Ye are of your Father the Devil and the Lusts of your Father ye will do John 8.44 he was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth because there is no Truth in him And so the Devil being a Murtherer and a Lyar makes his Children and Servants as like himself as he can of a murthering lying Spirit and apt to persecute and murther those over whom they have the power that cannot comply with their Doctrines Worships Traditions Inventions Customs and Practices by them in the dark and woful Apostasy from the Truth invented ordained set up and practised And all false Churches or gatherings of People what Name soever they go under are all one in the ground for being erred from the Light and Spirit of Christ who is the Way of God the Truth it self and the Life of Righteousness they are all wandred into Confusion and that is the ground in which all who are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves remain let them profess what they will And so as Babel's Builders of Old would build themselves a Tower whose top might reach to Heaven but were defeated by being all confounded in their Languages who before were all of one Speech and of one Language so all that are erred from the Light of Christ in themselves being gone into Confusion inwardly they would have a Tower or a Way of their own making or building to get to Heaven by and they can but build it where they are that is in Confusion And so all who are erred and strayed from the Way of God the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and depend upon Men of Languages to teach them or guide them to Heaven are in Confusion and may fitly be called Children of Babylon and Mystery Babylon the Great is their Mother who is the Mother of Harlots Rev. 17. and Abominations of the Earth whom the Servant of Christ saw drunken with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus and this Woman is the great Whore that sitteth upon many Waters which
of People The Number of the Slain in the other Three Provinces not being upon Record with the Burning of Hundreds in England in the Reign of the Popish Queen Mary with the dreadful Cruel Spanish Inquisition and several others of Popish Massacres too large here to be inserted And so though the Popes of Rome have pretended to Christianity and have called themselves Vicars of Christ yet they and their Adherents have been as Cruel and as Bloody Persecutors of Christians as the Roman Emperors who hated Christianity were before them and have equalled if not exceeded the said Emperors in their Cruel and Barbarous Murders acted with all manner of Cruelty that possibly could be Invented which stands upon Record that all may see it read Clark's Martyrology and Fox's Acts and Monuments and a Book called Ireland's Tears and the History of the Churches of Piedmont Collected and Compiled by Samuel Morland in the Year 1658. And not only have the Popes been Persecutors where they could prevail by means of the Kings or Governours of the Nations but also they have Lorded it over Emperors and Kings Deposing and setting Up at their Pleasure whom they thought meet for their Purposes as the Apostle Peter never did And thus Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth hath Reigned over the Kings of the Earth who have given their Strength and Power unto the Scarlet-coloured Beast that hath carried her which ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit and goeth into Perdition and this false Church this Woman this Whore this great City that hath made all Nations to drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Forâ—ication which she hath handed forth to them in a Golden Cup she hath been and is drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus and her Sins have reached unto Heaven therefore shall her Plagues come in one day and she shall be utterly Burnt with Fire for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Rev. 17 and 18 Chapters And all that err from rebel against and believe not in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts they will be found in Babylon the City of Confusion and how great or large soever their Professoâ—â— of Christianity may be yet in that great Day of the Lord which hasteth apace such will be found in an Antichristian Estate and Partakers of the Sins of Babylon and consequently must receive of her Plagues Rev. 18.4 And now the Light the Voice of God's mighty Power calleth unto all for Faithfulness and Obedience thereunto and that all that are in Babylon who have not yet quite out lived the Day of their Visitation may come out of her and may be no longer Partakers of her Sins lest they Eternally partake and receive of her Plagues And all that hearken to the Grace of God the Light and Voice of Christ Jesus in their own Hearts and Consciences and believing therein Tit. 2.11 12 13 14. continue in Faithfulness and Obedience thereunto such shall more and more come to know the Effectual Working thereof even to the redeeming of their Souls from all iniquity and the purifying of their Hearts and purging of their Consciences from dead Works to serve the Living God and they shall know the Ancient Prophecy fulfilled in them That the Lord will pour Ezek. 36.25 to 31. Heb. 8 9 10 Chapters or sprinkle clean Water upon them that they may be clean from all their Filthiness and Idolatry which is false Worship that is out of his Spirit and that he will give them a new Heart and put a new Spirit within them And such shall see the Sun Rev. 9.2 and the Air clear again which have been darkned by reason of the Smoak of the Bottomless Pit and shall know the Sun of Righteousness to arise upon them with healing in his Wings Mal. 4.2 Rev. 21.24 Rev. 22.14.17 2 Thes 2.3 to 10. and a walking with them that are saved in the Light of the Lamb and shall know to do his Commandments that they may have Right to the Tree of Life and take of the Water of Life freely and such will witness a growing up into him in all things who is the Head of his Church Christ Jesus from whom the whole Body fitly joined together Eph. 4.15 16. and compacted by that which every Joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh Increase of the Body unto the edifying of it self in Love And the Members of that Body are faithful Stewards of the Grace of God Tit. 2.11 12. Mat. 13.10 11 Mar. 4.10 11 Luk. 8.9 10. John 14.17 to 27. Joh. 7.16 17 Joh. 8.31 32 1 Joh. 2.27 which bringeth Salvation and teacheth them that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts they should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world And it is only they who are truly taught of the Grace of God which hath appeared to all Men that are true Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God for they are the Disciples of Christ unto whom it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto others it is not given but they are as Parables to them Now the Grace of God teacheth none to Persecute about Religion nor to make Merchandize of People through Covetousness with feigned words as the Popes and other sorts of Priests have done and so though the Popes have professed to be Peter's Successors and to sit in Peter's Chair and to have the Stewardship of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven yet they have been and are found not only out of the Faith wherein the Apostle Peter served God but to be such false Prophets as Peter Prophesied of 2 Pet. 2.1 to â—0 and so not faithful Stewards of the Grace of God being not willing to be taught by it in their own Hearts and so for all their Learning and for all their Talk and for all their Splendor of Profession they are ignorant of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven wherein they pretend to be Stewards For the Apostle Peter said to Simon the Sorcerer who offered Money saying Acts 8.18 19 20. Give me also this power c. Thy Money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with Money thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter so Peter was far from selling the Gift of God and Pardon of Sin is the Gift of God though the Popes and Priests for Money have pretended that they could Sell Pardons c. And so all the Offerers or Pretenders to Sell the Spiritual Gifts of God for Money as well as they who desire for any outward thing to Buy the same of any Man they have neither Part nor Lot in the true Stewardship of the Grace of God nor of the Mysteries thereof but all their Worship their Sacrifices Offerings and Prayers in that state are
their deceit and they often with much exercise experience that such as claim Tythes c. for their Preaching and Ceremonies though in the Serpents Wisdom they may cover as with Sheeps cloathing they are inwardly and often manifest it outwardly as ravening Wolves amongst Sheep and not as Sheep amongst Wolves and so they observe not Christ's Command of being harmless as Doves And likewise Christ and his Apostle commanded saying Mat. 5.33 to 38. Jam. 5.12 Swear not at all neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay lest ye fall into Condemnation and this the Apostle commanded above all things And Christ said Whatsoever is more than yea yea and nay nay cometh of evil but the Pleaders for Ceremonies Signs and Shadows they make light of this great Command and plead generally for Swearing and at their very entrance into their Office or Calling to get their Tythes or Wages c. they must Swear and so break the Commandment of Christ at the beginning of their pretended Ministry of his Gospel in which they Preach up Signs and Ceremonies for which they can find no such plain nor positive Command from Christ or from his Apostles as they may find against any Swearing at all And of what success to the good of any can their Ministry be the beginning of which is indisobedience to the strict and positive Command of Christ And it is evident by many undoubted Histories and Records of the Transactions of former Times that true Christians as well under Apostatized Titular Christians as under Heathens have deeply suffered for their Obedience to Christ's Command in denying to Swear upon any account and it is also evident that the Preachers up of Signs and Ceremonies who plead for Swearing get more Tythes and Money for their Preaching than they could get by denying of Swearing but if according to the Apostles intimation by Swearing they are fallen into Condemnation who can get them out again though they should give him all their Tythes and Money to get them out So it is very plain that they who pretend by Command from Christ to preach up Ceremonies Signs or what they call Sacraments do practice disobedience to several of the plain and positive Commands of Christ but above all that weighty and positive Command of Christ concerning Faith Heb. 11.6 without which it is impossible to please God which Command is this John 12.36 While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be children of light this they cannot endure to hear of they are far surely from keeping it and what a Faith have they who believe not as Christ commandeth to believe Now every one that doth evil hateth the light John 3.16 to 21. neither cometh to the light lest his Deeds should be reproved and so such are far from believing in the light neither would they have others to believe in it who hate and speak evil of the light as the Ceremony-Preachers generally appear to do but they who have come to the light and brought their Deeds to the light Mat. 24.24 Mat. 7.15 to 20. and thro' Faith in it are become Children of light these know False Prophets by their Fruits and their Signs as Christ foretold and many of their own Followers also are convinced by the light of Christ in their own Hearts though but as strangers to it of much Deceit and Hypocrifie amongst them and they that take heed to this light that inwardly reproveth for sin and give up their Hearts in the love of it to answer the requirings of it to them it will discover daily more and more but they that resist it and go from it the God of this World even the Spirit of the Man of Sin who prevaileth upon such with his Power and Signs blindeth their Minds and so the Blind leading Mat. 15.14 and following the Blind both fall into the Ditch And if any reckon their Ceremonies as necessary to distinguish them from others as Turks Mahometans and Jews c. who do not at all believe that Christ the Messiah is come in the Flesh yet there is no ground for such an Assertion for they are more distinct from them who use no such Ceremonies Ordinances nor Traditional Observations at all for the Turks Mahometans Jews and Heathens all of them have many such things though not the same yet as ridiculous as any of theirs that profess Christianity and they are not like to change their own Ceremonies and Observations for others with them or by the Perswasions of them who can shew no better ground for their own than can be shown for sprinkling of Infants and having to them Godfathers and God mothers so called c. And so that which maketh the People of God to be best distinguished from Turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens is to take heed unto believe in and obey the true light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences wherewith he lighteth all without exception which is the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation â—â—t 2.11 12. and hath appeared to all Men teaching those that are willing to be taught of it to deny all ungodliness and worldly Lusts to wit Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Gal. 5.14.20 21. Wrath Strife Covetousness Emulations Seditions Heresies Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revelling and such like things in which Turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens are generally too apt to be sound and all that are in these or any of these things though they profess Christianity are yet but as in the same ground with them and so little distinction but in Name can be made betwixt them But they that are faithfully given up in their Hearts and Minds to obey the light the saving Grace of God it teacheth them to live soberly Gal. 5.22 23 24. righteously and godly in this present World and so to live in peace love long-suffering gentleness goodness meekness and temperance and so here is a clear distinction between these who are true Christians and these called turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens who generally live in ungodliness and worldly Lusts though some of them for Temperance and Moderation have far exceeded many Professors of Christianity who unworthily claimed the Name of Christians But they seem to imitate the Jews who have and plead for Typical Ceremonies Heb. 9.9 10.11 12. and Ordinances for Meats and Drinks and divers Washings and Observations of certain Days Gal. 2. and Times wherein they command to abstain from some sorts of Meats or from labour but they seem to exceed the Jews concerning Times of Marriage Col. 2. who forbid Marriage at some particular Days Rom. 14.6 or Months or Times or to their Priests some forbid Marriage at any time But such were Prophesied of by the Apostle of Christ who accounted forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2
what and the Worship of God is in Fear and Trembling before him and at his Word in the Heart and such are accepted of God and shall be accepted with him and with such he will dwell as the Scriptures largely testifie read John 4.20 to 25. Mich. 6.8 Isa 66.2 5. Ezra 9.4 and 10.3 Jer. 5.21 22. and 33.9 Psal 2.11 Dan. 6.26 And so I durst not but deny all Worships prescribed by the Wisdom of Men and set-up by Men which were not in the Spirit and Truth of God neither durst I embrace the Pleasures or Preferments of the World for I was sensible both of their danger and Vanity and that the Words of Christ were true who said If any man will come after me Luke 9.23 24 25. Luke 14.27 let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me and whosoever doth not bear his Cross and follow me cannot be my Disciple for whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it for what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole World and lose himself or be cast away And now I am not of their Perswasion who believe that there is no Salvation nor Freedom from Sin on this side the Grave and that the Souls of true Christians cannot be cleansed from Sin while their Bodies live in this World for that is contrary to the Truth and to the Testimony of the Holy Scriptures and where Sin hath a place in the Heart or Soul of any there the Man of Sin hath a place whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 9. And so much of the Worship of them in whom the Man of Sin ruleth by his Power consisteth in Ceremonies and Signs for he will allow them all Signs of that which is good so that they may be content without the Substance yea even the very Name at least in Profession or Pretence of Christians though he have quite bereaved them of the Nature of true Christians and allow them outward Signs of Baptism also at least whilst uncapable Infants which they may afterwards be told of and taught to believe that they were thereby made Children of God Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 8.10 11. although they know nothing experimentally of the one Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Spirit or Ghost and with Fire nor believe in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in which all true Christians believe who are really Members of Christ Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 13.19 being led and taught by his Light and Spirit and obeying the Word of the Kingdom which is one with the Light and is sown in the Hearts of all Men. And Christ said to the unbelieving Pharisees that The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation or outward Shew neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for saith he behold Luke 17.21 the Kingdom of God is within you And why may it not as well be said now to be within those who are ignorantly seeking it without them For their Teachers teach them to believe that they were made Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven when they were Infants by their outward Baptism and yet they have it to seek and know not where it is to be found but seek it as they are taught and expect it to come with their Observations outward Shews and Signs without them and Pray at least in Words to God saying Thy Kingdom come and yet believe not in the Word of his Kingdom which is sown in their Hearts which is the Light Grace and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which reproveth them for Sin in their Hearts and Consciences And so whilst they disobey the Word of the Kingdom the Light in themselves they are making themselves Strangers to God and his Kingdom through disobedience and so are unlike to be Inheritors of it though they make never so large a Profession of seeking it in their Observations outward Shews and Signs for there it is not to be found much less inherited And John the Baptist who baptized with Water to Repentance we read not that he baptized Infants for what should Infants repent of but he Preached saying Repene ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand So it seemeth the Kingdom of Heaven was near then and to some who came to his Baptism he said O Generation of Vipees who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance or as some translate answerable to amendment of Life for said he the Ax is laid to the Root of the Tree Mat. 3. therefore every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fare But do not Infants sprinkled with Water or Baptized as they call it afterward bring forth Fruits rather to be repented of than meet for Repentance So it seemeth they that came to John's Baptism which was with Water to Repentance if they brought not forth Fruits meet for Repentance they were little or no better being to be hewn down and cast into the Fire And where can any read that John's Baptism being outward could make any true Christians Was it not before Christ that John came Baptizing with Water and before there were any called Christians for we read not of that Name given till after the Ascension of Christ and if John's Baptism could not make Christians how should Sprinkling of Infants now or the outward Baptism of any others either It is not like that they that now take upon them to baptize either Infants or others for Money for which none can buy the Gift of God should exceed John who was sent of God Acts 8.20 and did it freely without Money And John was sent to bear witness of the Light that all Men through him might believe that was the true Light John 1.8 9 10. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World though the World knew it not But the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers in our days are far from bearing witness to the true Light for they cry out against it and give it many ridiculous Names John 3.20 and Titles and this is according to the Words of Christ that Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light And what a strange thing doth it seem that any should believe which some suppose that Sprinkling an Infant with a little Water some after one manner and some after another should make it a true Christian For true Christians are Members of Christ and Children of God and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven but no Man can make them so for it is only by believing in the Light of Christ and obeying it that a
Church the Whore that is adulterated from God And if any that readeth this by the Light of Christ in their Consciences see their sinful Condition and that they are in any part of Babylon or its Suburbs let them hearken to the Voice of his Light and Grace in their Hearts and Consciences which saith Come out of Babylon my People that ye be not Partakers of her Sins and that ye receive not of their Plagues and as they truly and inwardly are retired to the Light they will see the Wounds and Bruises and Sores which Sin hath made in their Souls and they dare not let them be slightly healed by the Fair Speeches and Perswasions of Men neither can all that Babylon's Merchants say satisfie that any such Salve as they have to sell can make their Souls sound But as they freely give up with all their Hearts to seek him who is the desire of all Nations and the Beloved of the Souls of the Righteous who Cureth all manner of Diseases he will give Eye-salve that they may more and more see and he will wash and bind up their Wounds and pour in Oyl as he seeth meet in his own time And as the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt by his Servant Moses so will he lead them out of Spiritual Babylon by the Hand and Power of his Son Ghrist Jesus the Spiritual Prophet whom Moses Prophesied of Acts 3.22 that God would raise up in the midst of his People like unto me said he him shall ye hear in all things and every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed and so as the Israelites were led through the Red Sea which the Lord divided for them to pass thorow Exod. 14. so the Lord will make way through Difficulties and Exercises for all them to pass thorow who are freely willing to be led by the Light and hearken to the Voice of Christ in their Hearts and as the Enemies of the Israelites pursued them even into the divided Sea and made them afraid even so their spiritual Enemies may pursue them in their Exercises but as they abide still and quiet in their Minds and trust in the Lord they shall see the salvation of God and their Enemies that they then see they shall never see them again for as the Egyptians were overthrown in their pursuit of Israel in the Red Sea so the Lord will overwhelm and destroy the spiritual Enemies of such as truly Follow and Believe in him And so as the Israelites were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10.2 and in the Sea so they must be Baptized into Christ Jesus in bitter Tryals and Exercises and as Moses and the Children of Israel Exod. 15. â— sung of the salvation of God when they had passed thorow the Sea and saw their Enemies destroyed even so they will have great cause to rejoice whose spiritual Enemies God hath destroyed and they may sing of God's salvation And as Israel was led through the Wilderness Hos 2.14 so will the Lord allure his People as into the Wilderness spiritually and there he will speak to their Hearts and as they are faithful and obedient to follow him in the Wilderness without murmuring they will come to know a passing thorow the spiritual Jordan Jesh 3.17 or River of Judgment as on dry Ground into the Promised Land And so they may know an entring into the Rest of God Heb. 4.9 or the true spiritual keeping of the Christian Sabbath which remaineth to the People of God Isa 58.13 Joh. 6.28 29. Phil. 2.13 in which they â—â—e not to do their own Ways nor find theâ—â—â—â—wn pleasure nor speak their own words and so they may know a working of the Works of God and know God to work in them both to will and to do of his own good pleasure and know a ceasing from their own Works as God did from his And such as these it is who know aright the true inward and spiritual Baptism of Christ with his Holy Spirit and Fire who know him to be unto them inwardly like a Refiners Fire and as Fullers Soap Mal. 3.2 Zech. 13.9 Mal. 3.17 18. who refineth them as Silver is refined and tryeth them as Gold is tryed and the Lord maketh them his Jewels and these can discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not And these are such as were sometimes Darkness whilst the Power of Darkness prevailed in them over them but now they are light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 9 10.11 John 12.36 1 Thes 5.5 and they walk as Children of the light and have no fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness but rather reprove them these according to Christ's Command having believed in the light are become Children of the light and they walking in the light 1 John 1. as God is in the light have Unity and Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth them from all Sin And so in the light Knowledge is given to them of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God Col. 2.2 Mat. 13.28 they being also Children of it and though they know nothing of divers Languages yet in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ they can try the Spirits whether they are of God and hereby know they the Spirit of God 1 John 4.1 2 3. and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God and this is the Spirit of Antichrist Mat. 4.25 1 John 4.1 2 3. Now mark All Antichrists as Men say that Christ is Christ as Christ foretold that they should but their Spirits deny him to be come in the Flesh to wit denying the end of his coming in the Flesh And so they who being under the Dominion of the Man of Sin teach that there is no freedom from sin at tainable on this side the Grave they say that Christ is Christ and in words own that he came in the Flesh as the Holy Scriptures declare But doth not their Spirit deny the very end of his coming in the Flesh Dan. 9.24 which is to finish Transgression and to make an end of sins and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness and to sanctifie and cleanse true Believers who are his Church Eph. 5.26 27. that he may present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing And likewise many of them that Fight and Kill one another and the Servants of Christ also about Religion such say that Christ is Christ and in words own his coming in the Flesh but doth not their Spirit deny the very end of his coming which was not to destroy Mens Lives but to save them Luke 9.56 And he said My Kingdom is not of this World else would my Servants Fight and said All that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword
Ceremonies and Traditions look upon these Two Ceremonies which they call Sacraments to wit outward Baptism and eating Bread and drinking Wine which they call the Lord's Supper to be now practiced and of necessity to be used because of a Command of Christ or his Apostles therefore what is here before-written though much might be added is that all concerned may see and examine and know that without the substance in some measure enjoyed the Types and Ceremonies never profited at all and that by believing in and obeying and walking according to the Teachings of the Grace or Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences they may in the Fellowship and Unity of all the Children of God John 6.51 to 58. Luke 22.15 to 31. Luke 17.20 21. enjoy true satisfaction by the Bread of Life which Christ freely giveth to all true Christians which Bread is his Flesh and likewise may drink freely of the Wine of the Kingdom of God which Christ termed as the Blood of the Grape which is his Blood which he giveth to true Christians to drink at his Table in his Kingdom which is within And so in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ they may know and enjoy the liberty of true Christianity from the Bondage of and unto any sort of weak and beggarly Ements Types Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Traditions of Men which after Mens Doctrines and Commandments are all to perish with the using and into the use of which the Man of Sin is apt to lead People and the Devil himself may creep into the use of them And the Man of Sin likewise alloweth or rather teacheth to his Followers in whom he ruleth by his Power in a Profession of Christianity to use more Signs than those of Baptism and of Bread and Wine for which there is no ground at all from Christ or his Apostles nor is there any mention of any Command for such things in the Scriptures of Truth all which are too many to be mentioned here but some of them may be noted As the white Linnen or Surplice which their Priest or Minister must wear when he readeth Prayers c. which is reckoned to be a Sign of or else taken for the true fine Linnen Rev. 19.7 8. clean and white which is the Righteousness of the Saints which is given to the Lamb's Wife the Church and Spouse of Christ to be arrayed with Jer. 23.6 Jer. 33.15 16 Mâ—â— 4.2 3. Now the Righteousness of the Saints is Christ of whom it was Prophesied that he should be called The Lord our Righteousness and he is called the Branch of Righteousness and the Sun of Righteousness and in him is the true light that enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World and unto them that fear the Name of the Lord Luke 1.78 79. Zech. 3.8 will he arise with healing in his Wings and they shall go forth and grow up as Calves of the Stall and shall tread down the wicked that shall be as Ashes under the Soles of their Feet And this Sun of Righteousnes which is Christ arrayeth those that believe in 2 Cor. 4.6 and love and obey and walk in his light which shineth in their Hearts with his glorious Beams and puts on them the white Robe of Righteousness for these walk in the light of the Lamb that takes away the Unrighteousness Rev. 7.13 14. Rev. 12.11 Rev. 14.4 5. and they follow him though it be thorow great Tribulation whithersoever he goeth or leadeth and these are they that overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony who love not their Lives unto Death and coming out of great Tribulation wash their Robes and make them white in the Blood of the Lamb. But the Priest's Surplice is not washed after that manner but rather in the spoil of other Peoples Goods gotten by Deceit or Violence and when it is washed and made as white as he can get it made yet the Leprofie of Gehazi 2 King â— 27 which cleaveth to his Seed for ever which was and is as white as Snow is as plain to be seen upon the Priest's Mind by the single Eye as his white Surplice is to be seen upon his Back by the natural Eye for all that covet Gifts or Rewards for Preaching or the like are of the Seed of Gehazi and much more Persecutors for Wages for their Preaching are plain to be seen so to be being worse than Gehazi And another Sign which the Man of Sin teacheth and alloweth to his Followers is the Sign of the Cross of Christ as they call it which they make of Gold Silver Wood or Stone c. which in the Wisdom of the Man of Sin is highly exalted in the Popes Territories but the Exalters of this Sign of the Cross refuse to take up the daily Cross of Christ who is the Power and Wisdom of God and the preaching of the Cross of Christ is to them that perish foolishness but to them that are saved it is the Power of God whereby the World is Crucified to them and they unto the World and the Apostles preaching of the Cross of Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 to 30. was a stumbling-block to them that required a Sign and so it is now and it was foolishness to them that sought after Wisdom and so it is now Luke 9.23 and Christ saith If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Now this true self-denial and taking up daily of the Cross of Christ that Crucifieth to the World and Crucifieth the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts thereof it is not so light a matter as is the taking up of a little Golden or Silver or Wooden Cross and the carrying of it which pleaseth the Carnal Mind that is Enmity against God and would have the Mind satisfied with the Sign Eph. 2.16 though it be far from the Substance Rom. 8.6 7. for the Cross of Christ Crucifyeth the Carnal Mind and Slayeth the Enmity in those that daily bear it and all that know the state of true Christianity they inwardly know a daily taking up and bearing of the Spiritual Cross of Christ Gal. 5.24 which in them Crucifieth the Carnal Mind and the Flesh with its Affections and Lusts and thereby their Souls come to witness liberty in the Service of Christ and to answer his Requirings by his light in their Hearts and such need not to make or carry outward Crosses to put them in mind of the Crucifixion of Christ For the Admirers and Carriers of outward Crosses pretend that they are helpful to put them in Mind that Christ was Crucified for them when as they may carry as many of them as they can bear on their Backs and yet be Crucifying Christ inwardly and so there is a great difference between the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God without the taking up and bearing of
the Man of Sin the Power of Darkness whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and lying Wonders And as he first by his deceit prevailed upon Mankind so thereby he still endeavoureth to keep all in subjection to him who is the Father of Lies through his Allurements and Bewitching Perswasions that all is well and that though they do yet more and more continue to practice such and such things which he tempteth to but the Light reproveth for yet he perswadeth that it may be well with them and they may repent afterwards time enough And thus he draweth People on in his Service from time to time till the Day of their Visitation be over and the things that concern Everlasting Peace be hid from their Eyes and then there remaineth no place of Repentance to be found though they seek it carefully with Tears as Esau did but was rejected Heb. 12. â—7 And so though People do not answer nor obey the Light that in their Hearts convinceth them of their evil Deeds yet the Man of Sin perswadeth as far as he can that it is impossible so to do whilst on this side the Grave and so he laboureth continually to keep People satisfied in the woful Condition into which he hath drawn them And to this end he hath his Ministers preaching his Doctrine that none ought to believe that it is possible that they can be freed from sin by the Power of God whilst they live upon the Earth and some of them Preach of a Purgatory to cleanse from sin after Death though the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles before-treated of largely testifieth the contrary as it is declared in the Holy Scriptures which the said Preachers profess b t for all their Learning cannot understand whilst they resist the Light and Spirit of God by which the Scriptures were given forth And therefore every one upon necessity of Salvation is to take heed to the Advice and Warning of Christ Mat. 24. 1 John 3.7 2 Thes 2.3 Col. 2.18 Phil. 3.2 Gal. 3.1 2. and his Apostles that no Man deceive them for according to Christ's forewarning many have come and are come in his Name saying That he is Christ so they profess Christianity and by their shewing of great Signs and Wonders have deceived and do deceive many who look upon them to be what they are not but they who believing in the Light are become Children of the Light they see them plainly and know them by their Fruits to be what they are and therefore they can neither receive them nor pay them Wages for their preaching that they may any longer deceive others in drawing the Minds of People from the true Light in their Hearts after their deceitful Signs and Wonders and so to Eternal Destruction Though it is not like that any should be deceived by such false Prophets or Instruments of the Man of Sin but such as disobey the Light of Christ and are also prevailed upon by the power of Darkness in themselves which alienateth them from the Light and Life of God the quickening Spirit of Christ the Second Adam the Manifestation or Light whereof reproveth and convinceth inwardly all who have not quite out-lived the Day of their Visitation that are in the fallen Estate of the First Adam of their Sins and Transgressions even in their best Performances which John 3.16 to 22. Prov. 6.22 23. 8 〈◊〉 Prov. 10.17 according to the Knowledge by the Light inwardly given to them they generally confess to be sinful or mixt with sin not knowing nor believing that it is what it is that reproveth them nor that the Reproofs of its Instruction are the Way of Life as the Scriptures of Truth witness And so such who Rebel against the true Light in their Hearts are in great danger of being Eternally deceived by the Power of Darkness in the false Christs and false Prophets which Christ Jesus the Truth foretold of that they should shew great Signs and Wonders insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect but said he to his Disciples Mat. 24. I have told you before wherefore if they shall say unto you behold he is in the desart go not forth behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not for as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be And said he If any man shall say unto you lo here is Christ or there believe it not And said he Verily I say unto you this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled And accordingly his Beloved Disciple John witnessed that in his time there were many Antichrists 1 John 2.18 19 20. or false Christs and Prophets but to them who believed in and walked in the true Light he said Ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things so they knew better things than to be deceived by the false Christs and false Prophets By which it is plain that Christ who said of himself John 8.12 to 25. I am the light of the world and to the Pharisees who accused him of bearing false Record in so saying of himself he said John 12.35 36. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins and whither I go ye cannot come And also commanded saying While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be children of light He commanded his Disciples not to go forth after nor to believe those that say Christ is here or there or in the Desart or in the secret Chambers nor those that shew great Signs and Wonders though such come in his Name and say that he is Christ and so make a Profession of him And so they who in the Obedience of Christ believe in his Light and thereby become Children of the Light which the true Primitive Christians witnessed of and left upon Record that it shined in their Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ they dare not go forth nor can they believe them that say that a piece of Bread or a Wafer after Consecration as they call it is the very Christ or the very Body of Christ neither can they any whit the more believe them that say Lo here is Christ in this Ceremony or in this Ordinance or in this Profession or the other Fellowship or Form of Faith or Directory or Communion whatsoever of them who shew never so great Signs Ceremonies and Wonders or make never so great a Professoâ—â— of Christianity either in praying or preaching or the like John 1.1 to 10. 1 Cor. 12.7 who deny the true Light of Christ or walk not in it which is the Manifestation of his Spirit and enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World and is given to every Man to profit withal For the Children of the Light