precious Blood and so he not only reads hears and professes the Benefits and Priviledges which the primitive Christians partook of and enjoyed by believing in receiving of Christ but experimentally partaketh of and possesseth and enjoyeth the same Rom. 8 16. And the Spirit of God beareth Witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of God and a Joynt Heir with Christ Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh and that he hath the Mind of Christ and that Christ lives in him and is greater in him then he that is in the World And as the old Adversary the Devil is strong and powerful to tempt and ready on the one Hand and on the other to draw and allure into Evil so he knoweth his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as near and as ready and more powerful to deliver save and preserve him from falling into Evil and Temptation and he is not only enabled to resist the Divel but to make him flee also Thus in Truth can the True Christian call Christ the Captain of his Salvation who being armed with his Power fights as he did followeth him sits down in Heavenly Places with him triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave So the True Christian proveth himself so by denying himself and taking up his Cross daily and following of Christ and that he believeth in him because he enjoyeth Everlasting Life and abides not in Death and Darkness but hath overcome the Wicked one and that he is his Lord because he doth the thing he saith or commandeth and that he loveth him because he keepeth his Commandments and hath received Power to become the Son of God and further hath a Name better then the Name of Sons and Daughters The Titular Christian saith he believeth in one Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier by his precious Blood c. and professeth him as King Priest and Prophet and in all his Attributes and Offices But how doth he demonstrate and shew forth his Belief and Profession How is he his Lord Doth he do the Thing he saith How is he his Saviour Is he saved by him from the committing of Sin and redeemed from a vain Conversation How doth he believe in him as Christ or the Anointing Is he taught by him How is he his King Priest and Prophet Doth he rule in his Heart as King Are all his Services Sacrifices and Offerings offer'd up by and through his Hand as Priest Doth he hear him in all Things as the Prophet whom God hath raised like unto Moses No the Titular Christian hath no Knowledge of him after this Manner neither doth he believe 't is attainable on this side the Grave nor possible to obey him as Lord nor to be saved by him from Sin as Jesus nor taught by him as Christ or the Anointing nor that he can be washed cleansed and sanctified by his precious Blood from the Stains Spots and Defilements of the World Flesh and the Devil while he bears about this Body of Clay he contents himself with a corrupt traditional Faith which hath sprung up in the dark Night of Apostacy which is certainly a very venemous pernicious Weed of the Devil's Kingdom which hath poysoned and destroyed the Souls of many and is now grown to such Maturity and cloathed with such Beauty to the Eye of the Titular Christian that he calls it the Christian Faith though thereby he is taught to believe that 't is not possible to cease from Sin nor to have his Heart purified nor to overcome the Devil and gain Victory over the World and further that notwithstanding he committeth Sin daily and liveth in the Act of it Term of Life in this World he is hereby taught to believe that Christ will save him from the Guilt and Punishment of it in the World to come It may be said of this Titular Christian's Faith as it was once said of Saul and David Looseness and A theism hath slain its Thousands but this its Ten Thousands So although he hears and reads what Christ did in and for those that belived in him and of the powerful Virtue and Operation of that Ancient Christian Faith which was once delivered to the Saints and born witness to by the Holy Scriptures yet he neither hopes believes nor expects to witness the same wrought in him and for him they bear witness of some in whom Christ wrought (a) In whom Christ works all the Devil works nothing all their Works and that through him they were able to do all Things And many glorious Things were spoaken of and were enjoyed by the true Believers in Christ while upon Earth But the Titular Christian puts off all till he is dead and pleads for the Continuation of the Devil and his Works Term of Life and saith the Devil works strongly in him and prevails over him and causeth him to sin in his Holy Duties and that he is so captivated by him that he cannot live one Day nor Hour without Sin so notwithstanding his Profession of Christ he knows him not greater in him then he that is in the World so the strong Man keeps House and it s furnished with his Goods and though he cryes Lord Lord he is a Worker of Iniquity and is bound in Chains of Darkness and his Feet stick fast in the Mire and in the Clay even while he talks of Lord and Saviour he is led Captive at the Devils Will and is a Stranger to that Power which is able to resist him and make him flee and to that Faith which gives Victory So he cannot in Truth call Christ the Captain of his Salvation nor approve himself one of his Souldiers who is armed with the same Power with it fights against the same Enemy and gains the Victory and followeth him who rides on Conquering and to Conquer so never comes to sit down with him in his Father's Kingdom triumphing over Sin Death Hell and the Grave but remains under the Power thereof through the Fear of which he is all his Life Time subject to Bondage 2 Heb. 15. let his Profession of Liberty and Redemption by Christ be what it will his fair Talk will avail him nothing though he saith he believeth in Christ and loveth him yet if he keepeth not his Commandments he is a Lyar and deceiveth himself and hath not Eternal Life abiding in him Profession and Name of Christ without Possession and Nature is of no worth III. The true Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Spirit THE True Christian believeth in the Holy Spirit being one of the Three which bears Record in Heaven which Three are one and he sheweth forth his Faith by his Obedience thereto he hath received the Spirit of Adoption whereby he can call God Father not as the Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites did but in Truth and Righteousness and he witnesseth
Old Serpent in the Hearts of Men. THe True Christian is endued with a Heavenly Spirit of Discerning by which he seeth to the Beginning before Sin enter'd the World and by it perceiveth how it entered and how it hath grown and encreased and filled the Earth with Violence and how that Old Serpent which at first was fain to use great Subtilty and Lyes and make great Promises before he could prevail against Eve is now grown so Power ful a Prince in his Kingdom of Darkness in the Hearts of the Children of Men in whom he rules that he no sooner moves in their Hearts ☞ but they follow him no sooner commands but they obey he needs not use his Subtilty and Cunning to betray allure and perswade nor make great Promises before he can win to his Obedience many being grown such Natural Children of him and such born Slaves in his Kingdom that now in these dayes his Commands are sufficient to Thousands and Ten Thousands and his very Motions to Evil have gain'd such a Powerful Name in the World even among the Titular Christians that they count them too Mighty to be withstood too Powerful to vanquish too Strong to war with overcome and conquer in all his Motions Commands and Temptations while on this side the Grave hereby People are become Home-bred Slaves and have sold themselves for nought having let in that accursed Faith that hath sprung up in the Apostacy from the True Faith that they can never resist all the Motions of the Devil nor disobey all his Commands ☞ nor be delivered from all his Temptations till the Death of their Natural Bodies which is then too late for As the Tree falls so it lies c. Now the Titular Christian will readily acknowledge and confess that the Motions of the Devil are strong powerful and present with him and in him and that thereby he is stirred up to Evil But he doth not believe that the Spirit of God is so nigh him and present with him moving in him against the Motions of the Evil One nor that there is sufficient Power from God given to him to preserve him from obeying the Motions and Temptations of the World Flesh and the Devil and to move him to that which is Good and enable him to do it Also he hath no Faith in this Gift of God but rather counts it Delusion and the Property of a Phanatick to profess the Knowledge of the Spirit of God moving in them to speak and write good Words and do good Works this Professors and Prophane Learned and Unlearned make a Mock at concluding this Operation of the Spirit is not in use nor to be known in these dayes nor to be expected in these latter Ages of the World as if God had left the World of Mankind to be guided wholely by the Motions of the Devil as if there was no Law or Power in the Mind able and sufficient to war against the Law and Power that is in the Members and overcome it Thus to believe is the Faith of Devils and not the Faith of God's Elect For the True Christian in this Age as in former Ages is a living Witness of the Moving of the Spirit of God to every good Word and Work as the Holy Men and Christians in former Ages did who speak as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and as they were led and guided by the Spirit as is testified in the Holy Scriptures though made a Mock of in this Day And this Spirit of God accompanied the Righteous in all Ages and always moved led and guided them into the Way of Peace and as they obeyed it and abode with it Acts 7.9 they were preserved by it therein though in the midst of their Enemies This preserved Joseph when the Patriarchs moved with Envy sold him into Aegypt and out of the Temptations he met with there and the same Spirit of Envy that moved the Patriarchs to sell Joseph moved Cain to kill Abel and moved Esau to hate his Brother and the Israelites to envy Moses and Aaron and the Jews to persecute the Prophets Christ and the Apostles And the Unbelieving Vagabond Jews were moved by this Spirit of Envy Acts 17.5 to make a Tumult against Paul and Silas and to assault the House of Jason and to draw him and the Brethren to the Rulers with false Accusations the Spirit of Envy is the same at this Day and his Motions are the same and all that obey them are found in the same Work And the Motions of the Holy Spirit are also the same and all that obey them bring forth the Fruits thereof and they are both manifested by their Fruits the one moves to Good the other to Evil the one to Love and Good-will the other to Envy and Hatred ☞ the one to Patience and Long-suffering the other to Anger Rage and Persecution the one moves to Meekness Gentleness Lowly-mindedness the other to Hardness Roughness Exaltedness and High-mindedness So by the Fruits and Effects are the Motions of the Spirit of God known and distinguished from the Motions of the Devil the Prince in Darkness And whosoever do or shall profess to speak or write Words or do Works Many whom the old Serpent could not move nor draw into Carnal Wickednesses have been captivated with Spiritual Wiskednesses in High Places and have been deceived so far as to call High Thoughts and Imaginations Motions of the Spirit of God and these have been exalted above all that is called God being joyned to the Son of Perdition who usurps the Throne of God and hath been and is worshipped as God or do Works in and by the Motion of the Spirit of God if they tend not to Good if they are not accompanied with the Fruits of the same if they will not endure the Tryal of the Spirit of God in others and abide by the Testimony thereof and also agree with the Testimonies of the Holy Men of old left upon Record in the holy Scriptures For the Spirit of the Prophets was subject to the Prophets and The Christians were of One Mind I say except this their Motion is to be judged by the Spirit of God and them also that obey it as a Delusion of an Exalted Spirit and as a High Imagination which must be brought down and whoever glories therein or boasts thereof will fade and wither as a Flower and fall and corrupt as Untimely Fruit the Mouth of the Lord hath spoaken it XV. The True Christian 's Faith and Experience concerning Revelation THE Cry in the World is even among many called Christians No Revelation in these dayes Revelation is ceased No Spiritual Vision to be known now No Sight of God now as Abraham Moses and the Prophets and Primitive Christians had c. Now the Faith Experience and Testimony of the True Christian is that Where there is no Vision Prov. 29.18 no Heavenly Sight that 's the Perishing State Where there
follows as the Faith and Experience of a True Christian which iâ— written in True Love and Good-Wiâ—â— to all that have the Vail over their Hearts and the Scales before their Eyes when they are reading the holy Scriptures and professing God Christ Christianity and the Doctrines thereof which are but briefly hinted at or spoaken to in few words in what follows And whether thou art a bare Professor or a real Possessor thou mayest reap Profit hereby if the one thou art in vited to inherit Substance if the other thou art exhorted and Warned to beware lest thou lose thy Inheritance again So to the Light Grace and holy Spirit of God in thee 〈◊〉 thou Professor Prophane or Believerâ— I do commend thee with it to read and with it to judge by it to be taught gâ—â—ded into a good Understanding and into the true Knowledge of the two great Mysteries of Godliness and Iniquity And that thou mayest truly understand and receive the one and discover and avoid the other is the Desire of him who is a Lover of the Christian-Religion and of all that walk therein and hath Good-will to all men William Shewen Reader THese Scriptures following having a good Esteem in my Mind as Sayings worthy greatly to be noted and weightily considered I have committed them to the Press wishing thou mayest enjoy the End wherefore And this I will assure thee If thou canst understand believe and receive these Divine and Heavenly Sayings Precepts Exhortations Promises and Testimonies in these and other Scriptures mentioned in this brief Declaration of a True Christian's Faith c. thou wilt not stumble at nor reject his Testimony c. but imbrace and have Unity therewith But if thou understandest not nor believest the one neither wilt thou the other for the True Christian bears Testimony to the holy Scriptures and the Scriptures to him and the Titular Christian's Testimony is against them and they are against him because he doth not obey them nor live the Life they call for Eccl. 12.1 2. Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth while the Evil Dayes come not nor the Years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no Pleasure in them while the Sun or the Light or the Moon or the Stars be not darkened nor the Clouds return after the Rain Dearly Beloved Believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God for many False Prophets are gone out into this World 1 John 4. 1 c. Little Children You are of God and have overcome them for greater is he that is in you then he that is in the World Vers 4. Whosoever transgressâ—th and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God He that continueth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son 2 John 9th vers If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your House neither bid him God speed Vers 10. To be Carnally-minded is Death but to be Spiritually-minded is Life Peace because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God But ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of God he is none of his And if Christ be in you the Body is dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8.6 7 8 9 10 11. Vnto the Pure all things are pure but unto them that are Defiled and Vnbelieving is nething pure but even their Minds and Consciences are defiled They profess that they know God but by Works they deny him and are abominable and to every good Work Reprobate Tit. 1.15 16. If ye abide in me and my Words abide in you ask what you will and it shall be done unto you John 15.7 And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin John 8.32 34. Verely verely I say unto you If a man keep my Saying he shall never see Death Vers 51. Father I will That they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them John 17.24 26. The Disciple is not above his Master but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master Luke 6.40 But love ye your Enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again and your Reward shall be great and ye shall be the Children of the Highest for he is Kind to the Vnthankful and to the Evil Be ye therefore Merciful as your Father also is Merciful Luke 6.35 36. Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you But the Anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you And ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is Truth and is no Lye And even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 1 John 2.27 Read the 8th Chapter to the Romans and the Lord give thee Understanding Rom. 10.8 The Word is nigh thee in thy Mouth in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith he knoweth him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him But whosoever keepeth his Word in him verely is the Love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him He that saith He abideth in Him â—ught himself also so to walk even as he walked 1 John 2.3 4 5 6. read to the end of the Chapter Little Children Let no man deceive you He that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning For this Purpose was the Son of God manifest that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil Whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loves not his Brother We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren He that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death 1 John Chap. 3. Vers 2. to the 10th and 14th No man hath seen God at any time If we love one another
Glory and Power which is Terrible to the Worker of Iniquity is pleasant and desirable by those that witness Sion's Redemption by the Spirit of Judgment and Burning from Iniquity these things are known now as in former Ages The same Ark whose Presence troubled and plagued the Philistians was the Glory of Israel the same Hand and Power that smites and destroyeth the Egyptian saves and delivers the Israelite the same Spirit of Truth that reproveth the World of Sin is the Comforter of those that are made free by it from Sin the same Breath that breathed Life in the beginning before Sin entred kind'eth the Fire that tormenteth the Wicked He that can understand let him â—mnipresent in Beâ—â—g incomprehensiâ—â—e and Almighty in Power And he demonstrateth his Faith and Experience after this manner He has received a Manifestation of him in his own Heart Mind and Spirit and so is come to know him pore Omni-present by his Work and Operation therein he can say that God is pure of a Truth because he findeth his Appearance so pure and holy in his Heart that it will not allow nor suffer so much as a vain Thought to lodge there nor no unclean thing to be touched And this True Christian is a true witness of the Truth of those Scriptures Hab. 1.13 Jer. 17.10 15.19 which saith that God is of purer Eyes then to behold Iniquity and that He searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reins and divideth betwixt the Precious and the Vile betwixt Thought Thought Word and Word Work and Work And further He is a True Witness that God is Almighty in Power because he hath by his mighty Power broaken down those Strong Holds formerly builded in his Heart by the Enemy of his Soul Cast down Imaginations and every High Thing that exalted 〈◊〉 self against the Knowledge of God â—inging into Captivity very Thought into the â—bedience of Christ And he knoweth the â—rk Mountains at â—â—ich his Feet stumbled removed the Rocks rended the Raging Waves stilled and that Tongue and Nature bridled which no Man could tame But before this be witnessed he hath known him to sit as a Refiners Fire Mal. 3.3 and as Fullers Sope and as a Spirit of Judgment and Burning and so became a living Witness of what he hath seen felt heard understood by the mighty Working of his Holy Spirit in his Mortal Body The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in one God who is pure omnipresent and Almighty take his Word and there is no Difference But how doth he demonstrate his Faith that to him there is but one God why he hath heard a Relation of him his Oneness his Purity and Almightiness in the Holy Scriptures and he hath been educated and trained up in the Traditions of his Fore-fathers and so his Knowledge of God he professeth is acquired therefrom he hath read in some Book or some Body hath told him that God is One Pure Omnipresent and Almighty and he grounds his Faith and Knowledge upon this Tradition and History and sorofesseth God and his Attributes in Words but is not a living Witness of the same within himself And so notwithstanding he professeth one God he liveth in the World which hath many Gods and worships and falls down before them every beloved Lust obeyed is a God Let the Titular Christian profess what he will he that committeth Sin is the Servant of it and therein is no Believer Worshipper nor Knower of the True God his Purity nor Almightiness because his Heart remaineth Corrupt and Rocky and the Mountains of Darkness Ignorance remain unremoved and the strong Holds of Satan unbroaken down his Thoughts and Imaginations unsubjected to the Obedience of Christ his Will Tongue and Nature unbridled the Dross Tin and Rubbage remains and is as a Grave to the pure Mettal this Titular Christian contents himself to hear or read of God as a Refiner's Fire and as Fuller's Sope and as a Spirit of Judgment and Burning and of his cleansing and purifying some in former Generations but loves not nor cares not to know him so in himself but rather despiseth and hateth his pure Appearance in him whose first Work is to convince him of Sin Righteousnes Judgment which is compared to a little Silver amongst much Dross a little Seed amongst many great ones to a little Leaven hid in three Measures of Meal which Silver can't be parted separated enjoy'd but by the Appearance of God within as a Refiners Fire to purge away the Dross take away the Tin also which is somewhat like the Silver whereby indeed the Titular Christian is deceived neither can the little Seed grow up till the Rubbish be taken away and the Ground that is Cursed removed and the Heart made honest which is the good Ground wherein the Seed of the Kingdom grows to Perfection neither can the little Leaven work through and leaven the three Measures of Meal till that be taken away which lets and hinders viz. Unbelief and Hardness of Heart Now this Day of small Things this Day of Jacob's Troubles wherein he goes through the Refiners Fire this little Seed this little Leaven is overlook'd despised and flighted by the Titular Christian who in his own Conceit is exalted and puffed up above the pure Appearance of God in his Heart which to know and obey is the Gate of all true Wisdom and Knowledge and is grown so tall great and Wise in his own Thoughts and Imaginations that he cannot walk in the straight Way nor go in at the Door of the Sheepfold but would climb up some other Way and so contents himself with a Traditional Historical Profession of God in Words and deny him in Works And all the Knowledge and Experience he hath of God his Purity Oneness and Almightiness is but as some Body hath told him or as he hath in an Unsanctified and Unprepared Heart read in the Holy Scriptures which Knowledge avails nothing except accompanied with a living Expeâ—ience of the same Power working after the same Manner as it did in others in Times past who have left their Testimonies thereof upon Record II. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Lord Jesus Christ THE True Christian believes in one Lord Jesus Christ who came from the Bosom of the Father who is the Son of the true God by whom he made the World and that this Lord Jesus Christ is his Saviour Redeemer Sanctifier and Cleanser by his precious Blood and is to him as a King Priest and Prophet c. And he demonstrateth his Faith in this Manner in being Obedient to him as he is Lord in being saved by him from Sin as he is Jesus and by his learning of him and being taught by him as he is Christ or the Anointing So he can call him Lord Jesus Christ in Truth and Righteousness having truly learned his Name and Nature through Obedience to his Cross and a Cleansing by his
a being led by the Spirit in the Way of Holiness and so cannot fulfil the Lust of the Flesh but by the same doth mortifie them and gain Victory over them and is sanctified and cleansed from them and is taught by the Spirit the true Knowledge of God how to worship him aright in Spirit Truth and so prayes in the Spirit and with the Understanding and sings in the Spirit and praiseth God in the Spirit and the Law of the Spirit is in his Heart and this Law of the Spirit of Life makes him free from the Law of Sin and Death and the Spirit of God which raised up Jesus from the Dead dwelleth in him and quickneth his Mortal Body And this True Christian is the Spiritual Man which discerneth all Things but is not discerned by another out of the same Spirit which searcheth all Things yea the deep Things of God and he is led by the Spirit from under the Law and through the Law to him which was before the Law and so is under Grace and brings forth the Fruits thereof which is Love Peace Joy Long-Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against this Christian there is no Law The Titular Christian he saith he believeth in the Holy Spirit c. But how doth he demonstrate his Faith and Belief he is ready to make a Mock of receiving the Spirit and being led by the Spirit mov'd taught by the Spirit this seems strange Doctrine to him that he should know his Lusts mortified by the Spirit and that he should walk in the Spirit and be sanctified by the Spirit from all Sin and Uncleaness and that he should attend the Motion and Guidance of the Spirit and in all his Conversation to do nothing but what will stand justified by this Holy Spirit and that he should pray in the Spirit and sing with the Spirit and worship in the Spirit c. These are new Doctrines to the Titular Christian he knows not what to make of them except it be to brand them with despicable Names And the Law of the Spirit of Life which should free him from the Law of Sin and Death he is a Stranger to and wholy ignorant of the Indwelling of that Spirit which raised Jesus from the Dead to quicken his mortal Body this he counts Fanatick Doctrine c. And instead of being a spiritual Man which discerneth all Things he is Carnal and seeth not far off the Vail being over his Heart cannot see nor regard the Glory of God when it appeareth in the Inward Temple but opposeth slighteth the Appearance of that Holy Spirit which searcheth his Heart and all Things and so is not led by it from under the Law which Law was added because of Transgression and this Titular Christian which liveth in the Nature and Act of Transgression and that knows not the Cursed Ground removed which bringeth forth Bryars and Thorns from whence all Evil Thoughts Words and Works proceed and is a Stranger to the Mortification of them by the Spirit he is under the Law and liable to the Punishment thereof and not under Grace let him profess what he will if he brings not forth the Fruit of the Spirit in his Life and Conversation he clearly sheweth he doth not believe in it nor walk in it neither hath received it nor come to any true Knowledge of it by its Work and Operation in his Heart he only talks of it with his Tongue as some Book or Body hath told him this is the Property and State of a Titular Christian IIII. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Holy Scriptures THE True Christian truly honoureth the Holy Scriptures in their Places and believeth and receiveth their Testimony and is a living Witness of the Truth thereof and he domonstrateth it as followeth By believing receiving and obeying him viz. Christ Jesus of whom they testifie whereby he receives Power to order his Conversation according to them and the True Christian believeth that they were spoaken and written by the Motion and inspiration of the Spirit of God in Holy Men Prophets and Apostles and that it is his Duty to Wait upon God to receive the Spirit of Grace and Glory and the Gifts thereof of whom they testifie that thereby be may be enabled to read them with Understanding and to receive the Comfort of them and to be made wise through Faith in Christ unto Salvation by them And this Christian knows rightwell That all the Vniversity or Acad miâ—al Learning in the World is not able to give the true Knowledge of the Mind of the Spirit in the holy Scriptures they are as a seal'd Book to all the Wit Reason Comprehension and Acquired Parts of all Mankind in the Fall Learned and Unlearned And until man comes to receive regard and improve the Manifestation of the Spirit which is given to every man to profit withal as the Scriptures witness he is wholy ignorant and a Stranger to the Key of true Knowledge and the Treasures of Life and Wisdom are hid from him and secured as with seven Seals and the Cherubimâ— with a Flaming Sword that turns every Way and guards the Tree of Life with the Fruits thereof from the faln Wisdom of Man And this the True Christian knows by Experience having tryed what the Wisdom of this World in all its Perfection can do and hath seen it confounded and brought to nought in himself being discovered to be no part of the Key of true everlasting Knowledge but rather that which hides it makes the Vail the thicker and shuts the Door of the Kingdom the faster and those that abound in it neither enter themselves nor suffer those that would and this the Holy Scriptures testifie The Titular Christian he saith He honoureth the Scriptures and believeth the Testimony of them c. But how doth he demonstrate his Honour to them and Belief of them Doth he order his Conversation according to them They exhort To abstain from every Appearance of Evil and from every fleshly Lust which wars against the Soul and to put on the whole Armour of God and thereby resist the Devil and make him flee The Titular Christian doth not obey this Exhortation neither doth he believe that it 's possible that any should obey it on this side the Grave So while he pretends to honour them he gives them the Lye for what 's more ridiculous and unreasonablethen to profess a Belief that the Spirit of God in Holy Men hath left Holy Precepts and Exhortations upon Record in the Scriptures which are unpossible to be obeyed Yet this is the Language of the Titular Christian who honoureth them with his Lips and cryes them up with his Tongue but in Works denyes them Sometimes he will give them more Titles of Honour then to them is due as when he calls them The Word of God The Touch-stone and Tryer of all Spirits The Everlasting Rule of Faith and Practice so in his
short Time and that his Dispossession grows nigh and the spoiling of his Goods are at Hand Except he could by any Means prevent it but all his Endeavours were and are in vaâ—n against this true Repentant who trusting in the Goodness of the Lord which at first led him to Repentance and relying upon the Arm of his Power which had opened the Eye that was blind and unstopped the Ear that was deaf and enlightned the Understanding that was darkened he in the same is made able to stand and to resist him in all his Assaults and to escape all his Baits and Snares and to quench all his fiery Darts and to overcome him in all his Temptations and to go right on his Way pressing forward towards the Mark of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 where all the Treasures of Wisdom of Knowledge and of Glory are hid Col. 2.3 and laid up for these that love his Appearance and obey his low Calling which is to Repentance and none other are in the Way to know what the High-Calling of God in Christ Jesus is let their Notions Professions and Confessions be never so high The Titular Christian he professeth he believeth the Doctrine and Teachings of Christ and his Apostles and first this of Repentance but how doth he demonstrate his Faith Is his Mind turned from the Darkness and the Way of it to the Light and the Way of it from the Power of Satan and the Works of it to the Power of God and the Works of it Is he quickned and made alive by the hearing of the Voice of the Son of God Is he come forth of the Grave of Sin and Sea of Corruption Doth he feel the Weight and Burthen of it Is Sin become exceeding sinful unto him Is a Cry raised in his Soul unto the Lord for a full Deliverance and Redemption from the Servitude of Sin and Satan Hath he a true Sence and Sight of the Nature and Tendency of Sin Is his Mind truly turned to the Appearance of God in Christ within which is to destroy and make an End of Sin and finish Transgression and the Authors of it and bring in Everlasting Righteousness instead thereof Doth he bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance And doth he shew by them that he is turned from the Service of Sin and Satan into the Service of God and Righteousness Is he turned out of the broad Way Doth he walk in the straight and narrow and make strait Steps to his Feet and are they pulled out of the Mire and Clay and are they set upon the Rock and are all his Goings guided by the Line of Righteousness is he enabled by the powerful Voice Arm of the Son of God to stand upright on his Feet in the midst of all his Enemies and by the same to travail on in the Way of Holiness towards the Holy City and Heavenly Jerusalem the City of the Saints Solemnity These Things accompany True Repentance therefore let the Titular Christian turn the Eye of his Mind Inward and commune with his own Heart and be still and consult with God's Witness therein and examine and answer these Things and see and try whether he hath not deceived himself with a false Profession and a feigned Repentance wherein he confesseth daily but doth not forsake and so finds not Mercy deceiving his own Soul by daily sinning and an Imaginary Repentance being subject to call and account a changing and turning from one Sort of the Devil's Service to another from Self-Sinning and Debauchery to Self-Righteousness from one Opinion to another and from one Sort and Fashion of invented Worship to another a Repentance though in all the old Man with his Deeds appears prevalent and the Earthly Image is born and the Nature and Ground of Sin and Transgression remains unshaken by the Voice and Power of the Son of God which calls and leads all that hear and obey it to true Repentance And till this Voice be heard and this Power felt and witnessed to work and operate in the inward Man the Beast receives no deadly Wound nor the Strength of Sin is not abated and the strong Holds of Imagination continues unbroaken down and so Repentance in this State is only talked of in vain by all the Nominal Christians upon the Face of the Eatth who experience not these Things wrought and effected in them and for them and are wholely ignorant of that Repentance which is never to be repented of and of that Joy that is in Heaven over one Sinner that Repenteth more then over ninety nine Just Perfons who need no Repentance VI. The True Christian 's Faith Experience concerning Mortification Warfare Self-denyal and a Dying daily THe True Christian next unto Repentance believes the Doctrine of Mortification Warfare Self-Denyal and a Dying daily and he sheweth forth his Faith by his Works having heard obey'd the Call of God being thereby turn'd or repented he comes to receive the Spirit of Adoption where by he can call God Father and so comes to receive Power against the World the Flesh and the Devil which though he hath turned his back upon them and set his Face Sion-wards yet they will follow him and pursue him and attend him with divers Allurements and Temptations in order to turn him back again and thus will continue laying Baits and Snares in Hopes to prevail until a Death be witnessed to the Carnal Mind and Transgressing Nature which is prone to receive the Temptation therefore the True Christian being come to a true Sight and Sense of the Strength and Subtility of the Enemy watches and wars in the Spirit against him and obeyes the Apostle's Exhortation Mortifie therefore your Members Col. 3.5 Rom. 8.13 which are upon the Earth c. And if ye through the Spirit mortifie the Deeds of the Body ye shall live So he witnesseth a Dying or Mortifying daily of that Nature and Mind which has had a Life in Sin until it be mortified or Killed and till he cometh to witness that Saying fulfilled Death is Swallowed up in Victory the Strength of it being taken away till which is effected he remaineth in the Warfare like a good Souldier sollowing his Captain conquering and to conquer until a perfect Victory be obtain'd And that he may not fail nor come short in this Warfare and Work of Mortification he keeps his Eye alwayes upon his Captain and his Ears open to that Voice that at first quickened him and called him to Repentance and his Mind stay'd upon that Holy Spirit of Grace that hath wrought hitherto for him which makes Self of no Reputation and which burieth self in all his Acquirements and Perfection in the Death of the Cross as not being fit nor worthy to be concerned in the Work of Regeneration And the True Christian well knows that there is no Possibility to be a Disciple and Follower of Christ further then the daily Cross to Self
is taken up he meets with no greater Enemy in his Journey then Self-Thoughts and Imaginatons Self-willing and Running Self-consultation and Self-working which * This made Paul careful to keep his Body under lest while he preached to others he himsolf became a Cast-away if he watch not against rule over and keep under by that Hand and Power that hath appeared for his Deliverance and hath wrought it in a measure he again may be entangled and enshared and driven back into that Pit wherein is no Water therefore he stands in the Doctrine of Self-Denyal till Self be denyed and in the putting off the Old Man with his Deeds till they are wholy put off and when he hath done all to stand still and abide with the same powerful Hand that hath wrought all these things in him and for him and to it he attributes the Glory and gives the Praise forever Now the Titular Christian professeth the Doctrine of Mortification and talks of a Dying to Sin and a Warring against it and of Self-Denyal and putting off the Old Man and taking up the Daily Cross c. But how doth he answer his Profession What Course doth he take to mortifie Sin while he believes not in the Light which shines in his Heart that discovers it nor in the Manifestation of the Spirit given him to mortifie and destroy Sin nor in the Power of God within which gives Strength to War against it and to overcome Sin within neither hath he received the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 whereby he is enabled to call God Father but is unacquainted and ignorant of him in that Relation yet hath learned by Tradition as the impenitent and unconverted Jews did John 8.41 to call God Father whose Knowledge of him was taught by the Precepts of Men And though they accounted themselves Children of God by virtue of this Traditional Knowledge received from their Fore-Fathers Isa 29.3 John 8.44 c Rabbies and Doctors of the Law yet Christ Jesus the Great Doctor and Righteous Judge and True Teacher told them they were quite the Contrary even of their Father the Devil So the Titular Christian while unbegotten to God in his impenitent unregenerate State having read the holy Scriptures and the Traditions of his Fathers furnisheth himself with the Profession of the Doctrines of the Gospel as the Jews did of the Law even while Sin reigns in his mortal Body while the Old Man with his Deeds are un put off and while Self Will Self-Wisdom and Self in all its Properties is undenyed and while he is a Stranger to the Cross of Christ and so takes it not up and follows him but wants Power to mortifie Sin and to war against the World Flesh and the Devil So while he talks of Mortification and Dying to Sin Sin lives in him encreases as his Days encrease and instead of overcoming it is overcome daily by it And while he professes Self-Denyal nothing but Self is owned Self wills and runs Self worships and offers the Offerings of Cain Self seeks and knocks and strives to enter but is not able And â—â—ll this Willing and Running and Power of Self is denyed judged and brought down and made of no Reputation by the Powerful Working and Operation of the Spirit of God within none can witness a being dead to Sin nor have Victory over it nor be a Disciple of Christ Jesus nor follow him in the Work of Regeneration let them profess what they will except this be known their Profession is a Lye and they deceive their own Souls This is the Word of Truth to all the Titular Christians upon the Face of the Earth of what Name or Sect soever VII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption THe True Christian owns and believes the Doctrine of Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin and Corruption and he manifests his Faith by the Virtue and Operation of the Spirit of God working in him having been led by the same through the Work of Repentance Mortification and Self-Denyal he is now not only turned from Sin and come to the Mortifying of it but also to the Sanctifying Washing and Cleansing from it so he comes to witness a being delivered from the dead Body and the Dead to be buried out of his Sight ☞ and as he abides and dwells with this Sanctifying and Cleansing Power he is preserved from corrupting himself or so much as touching the Dead again This is the Anti-Type and Substance of all the divers Washings Purifications and Sanctifications used under the Law where the Temple and all the Furniture thereof were sanctified 1 Cor. 6.19 Now he knoweth himself to be the Temple of the Holy Ghost and this Knowledge keepeth him from defiling of it being bought with a Price not with Gold nor Silver nor Corruptible Things but with the Precious Blood of Christ which cleanseth and keepeth clean the True Christian who trampleth it not again under his Feet And herein also he witnesseth the Anti-Type and Substance signified by the laying of the People's Sins upon a Scape-Goat once a year and letting him go into the Wilderness c. so that the People were as free and clean from Sins committed the year past Levit. 16. from vers 8. to 26. as if they had committed none at all their Sins confessed and Sacrifices being offered and Attonement made ☞ These were the Shadows of Good Things to come the Substance of which the True Christian now enjoyeth and is come to the One Everlasting Offering Christ Jesus which perfects forever those that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 and both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one Hebr. 2.11 And he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit And the True Christian abiding in this Sanctification and Unity with the Lord Sins no more so needs no farther Confession of Sin nor further Sacrifice for it being drawn near unto the Lord with a true Heart Heb. 10.22 in full Assurance of Faith having his Heart sprinkled from an Evil Conscience and his Body washed with pure Water Here is no more a Remembrance again of Sin once a Year Yet there is a Possibility after this Estate is witnessed and enjoyed Heb. 10.26 that there may be a Falling-away or a Wilful Sinning again which the Apostle knew well and therefore warned People to beware of it that they tread not the Son of God under Foot Heb. 10.29 30. nor count the Blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an Vnholy Thing nor do Desâ—ight unto the Spirit of Grace Therefore the True Christian after he is washed cleansed and sanctified watcheth against all that would defile him again and in the Spirit and Power which hath wrought his Sanctification abiding he rules and reigns over Sin and Satan and is no more entangled with the Yoak of Bondage but keeps in his Inheritance
enter into the Temptation No man was ever condemned because tempted or because Evil Motions Temptations did arise in him and present themselves if he entered not into them nor gave no place to them nor joyned with them in his Mind nor suffered his Members to obey them but kept in the Light Grace and Spirit of God by which he resisted them and the Author of them and made him flee This is the Blessed Man that endureth Temptations So though Temptations are Evil and Sinful in themselves and did at some times attend the Righteous in all Ages and do at this day yet if they give no place nor Consent to them ☞ nor obey them but by the Light and Spirit of God judge them and walk in the Light which discovers them and the Evil Tendency of them and are preserved from joyning to them they are no Sinners because tempted as for instance to speak but to a low State if any are troubled with unclean and vain Thoughts and tempted with Dark Unlawful Imaginations which in themselves are Evil and * These will lodge in that Flesh in which dwells no good thing till it and its Habitation be Mortified and removed which is to be known even while the Earthen Vessel remaineth that holds the Heavenly Treasure Sinful yet if they by the Light and Spirit of God judge them and give no Place or Obedience to them but wait to see the ground thereof remov'd they do that which is right in the Sight of the Lord and are no Sinners so if tempted to use any Member of the Body to speak or do any Evil as the Tongue to lye flatter or dissemble or speak perverse things or the Hand to do Violence to any man or the Feet to run to do Mischief ☞ if these Members are not yielded up to serve and obey these Temptations those so tempted are no Transgressors but are Witnesses of that Prayer and the Effect of it which Christ taught his Disciples Lead us not or let us not be led into Temptation but deliver us from Evil. Christ Jesus was attended with divers great Temptations and the Old Serpent that deceived the first Adam was very bold with him and carried him from * Let him that readeth understand Place to Place from the Wilderness to the holy City from thence to the Pinacle of the Temple and then to an exceeding high Mountain and shewed him all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them with a Promise He would give them all to him if he would fall down and worship him But he standing in the Power of his Father gave no place to him but rebuked him and resisted him in all his Temptations and overcame him Now it s said While the Time of Temptation lasted he eat nothing and when they were ended Luke 4. Mat. 4. he afterwards hungred and when the Devil departed Angels ministred unto him this is the Glory of the Second Adam that never fell though tempted to fall eat no forbidden Fruit though tempted to ea◠neither did he hunger in the time of Temptation after it nor gave no place to the Lyes of the Old Serpent that allured and deceived the First Adam thereby and subjected him under Hope of enjoying a better Estate then that wherein God had placed him and so fell into the Depth of Misery first by letting out a Desire after the Pleasantness of the Forbidden Fruit and Hungering after it in the Time of Temptation and then putting forth the Hand and joyning to it obeyes and eats and fulfils the Lusts of the Serpent And thus and in this manner Temptation prevails over all the Sons of the First Adam who bear the Earthly Image and are not born again of the promised Seed that breaks the Head of the Serpent and redeems from under his Power and brings to grow up in the Second Adam who could not be prevail'd upon with his Lyes and Subtilty And this Second Adam Christ Jesus is the Captain of the True Christian's Salvation who is gone before leaving him an Ensample to follow his Steps And he hath endued him with Heavenly Power and armed him with Spiritual Armour and furnished him with Strength so to do So the True Christian is compared to a good Souldier that follows his Captain ☞ and fights with him and doth not desert him and leave him to fight by himself but makes Good Use of the Power Armour of Light and Sword of the Spirit that 's given him to war withal and to overcome his Enemy withal and he keeps on his Breast-Plate of Righteousness and the Helmet of Salvation which are able to quench all the Fiery Darts of the Devil and so follows his Captain not only Conquering but also to Conquer for when he hath overcome him not only in the Field but hath also pursued him to his †The Devil 's Strong Holds are built in the Wills Thoughts and Imaginations of Men. Strong Holds and beaten him out there and pulled them down and cast down Imaginations and every high thing that exalts it self against the Knowledge of God in which he built them When this is effected by virtue of the Weapons which are Mighty and by the Power of him which enables the True Christian to do all things he still keeps on his Watch-Tower which is the Light of Christ wherewith he is enlightened that he may not be surprized with another Part of his Forces and as he keepeth watching there in vain are all his Stratagems Wiles and subtil Devices in vain are all his Snares Ambushments laid in vain are all his Temptations and Allurements as the True Christian keeps in that and dwells in that in which the Devil hath no Part nor Fellowship in ☞ viz. the Light whereby he is discovered and all his Baits and Snares seen and avoided It is in the Darkness and over all that dwell in it that he prevalls his Power stands there and is exercised over all that walk in it he need not go about with Wiles and Devices to deceive such who already dwell and are Subjects in his Kingdom nor he need not go about like a roaring Lyon seeking to devour them being already under his Dominion and obedient Children Vasals and Slaves to him ☞ he need not use Subtilty to tempt such but Power to command and they obey But it s against the Children of Light that are turned from the Darkness and from under his Power that he improves all his cunning Subtilty and Devices and it s against them he rageth if by any Means he can beguile them as he beguiled Eve 2 Cor. 11.3 and corrupt their Minds from the Simplicity that is in Christ even after they are presented as a chast Virgin to Christ and are come to a dwelling Place in Paradice and to appear before God in Heaven he will not cease to tempt and accuse there as he hath done he is still ready to do he tempted
and beguiled Eve in Paradice Gen. 3. Job 1. Rev. 12.4 And on a Day when the Sons of God appear'd before the Lord Satan came also among them and accused Job And John in his Day saw the great red Dragon appear in Heaven ☞ waiting to devour the Man-Child he that reads let him understand This made Paul fear the Serpent might beguile them he wrote to 1 Cor. 11.3 as he beguiled Eve through his Subtilty tempt allure them out of Innocency out of a Virgin sinless and harmless Estate after they were in it * It 's possible to be tempted and allured out of Innocency and to loose a good Estate this he once did and may do again if he be not watched against and resisted in the Power of the second Adam which enables to endure Temptation and so to receive the Blessing and after Tryal to enjoy the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1.12 XIII The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning a Holy Life THE True Christian believeth that it is his Duty to live a holy Life and to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanity of the World which lyes in Wickedness and to keep God's holy Will and Commandments Jer. 31.33 and they are not grievous unto him for he loves the Law of God in his Heart and sees it written there with his own Finger enjoying that precious Promise I will write my Law in their Hearts Isa 51.7 and put my Fear into their inward Parts and he can say as David once did Oh how I love thy Law it is my Meditation all the Day Psal 119. how sweet are thy Words unto my Tast yea sweeter then the Hony to my Mouth thy Law is my Delight the Law of thy Mouth is better to me then Thousands of Gold and Silver The True Christian being in this Estate and persevering in this Love of God and his Law it becomes his Meat and Drink to do the Will of his Heavenly Father And so by walking in this Law and meditating in it and by feeding on this Word which is sweeter then Hony he becomes so united with it and so natural a Subject and Child of it that he comes to be able to say ☞ as some of old did We can do nothing against the Truth this is the true forsaking the Devil and all his Works c. and the keeping God's Holy Will and Commandments And as the True Christian grows up in this he doth alwayes that which pleaseth him like unto his elder Brother the Captain of his Salvation who is gone before being Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh sitting in Heavenly Places with him beholding the Glory of their Heavenly Father even the same Glory which was before the World began before the Devil and his Works entered before his Holy Will and Commandments were broaken or before the forbidden Fruit was eaten Those that have their Eyes anointed with Eye-Salve and are cloathed with fine Linnen and have their Garments washed in the Blood of the Lamb and follow him whethersoever he goeth and have no Guile in their Mouthes but stand before the Throne of God without Spot or Wrinckle those are they that are redeem'd from the Earth and have their Conversation in Heaven and enjoy those Things and give the Glory to him who is God blessed forever The Titular Christian he saith and professeth that it is his Duty to live a holy Life to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of the World and to keep God's Holy Will and Commandments but never cometh to witness that Estate it 's very grievous to him to make streight Steps to his Feet he enjoys not that precious Promise the Law writ in his Heart and the Fear which keeps the Heart clean in the inward Parts neither is the Law of God his Meditation all the Day nor his Delight therein neither are his Words to him sweeter then Hony or better then Thousands of Gold and Silver he cannot say that he doth nothing against the Truth nor that he doth alwayes that which pleaseth God nor that he follows Christ the Captain of Salvation neither is he a Member of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones nor sits in Heavenly Places with him beholding the Glory of God c. though he will sometimes talk of these Things as they are written in the Holy Scriptures but in his Heart he is a Stranger to them and God's Holy Witness in his own Conscience makes him confess that his Heart is desperately wicked and that his Thoughts and Meditations are defiled and full of Sin and that his best Performances or Doings are accompanied with Sin and Corruption and that in all he doth he doth something against the Truth ☞ And further he is so far from living a Holy Life and forsaking the Devil and all his Works and keeping God's Holy Will and Commandments that he is begotten into such a Belief and Perswasion that it is not possible to do it while he breathes in the Air of this World but must alwayes be sinning and doing that which he ought not to do and leaving undone that which he ought to do alwayes confessing alwayes sinning and never forsaking so alwayes reaping the Wages of Sin which is Death and so alwayes wanting the Mercy and Forgiveness which he that forsakes the DEVIL and all his WORKS partaketh of So in short this is one of the last Lessons the Devil can teach his Children viz. to †Those that preach this Belief and Perswasion in the world aredirect Ministers of Satan perswade them and make them believe that they cannot cease from Sin but must be Committers of it and Servants to it and that they cannot forsake him and all his Works nor keep God's Holy Will and Commandments so long as they live in these Houses of Clay such Titular Christians as these he hath them in Chains and Fetters strong enough nothing less then the Mighty Arm and Power of God is able to break them and to release those poor Captives and to redeem them out of this deep Pit of Misery wherein is no Water wherein their Souls or inward Man lyes as among the Pots soiled with the Smoak and Soot of the Bottomless Pit Oh God hasten and bring Deliverance to these poor Bend-slaves of Sin and Satan is the Cry of the Souls of the Righteous who have the Mind of their Heavenly Father who desires not the Death of him that dyes but that they should come to the Knowledge of his Truth and be saved and be Partakers with them of the exceeding Riches and Glory that is laid up for all that love his Appearance ☞ and is ready to be reveal'd to all that truly wait for it XIV The True Christian 's Faith and Experience concerning the Motion or Moving of the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the