is the estate of many at this day though some there be whose Consciences are feared and feel not this witness living in them though their damnation slumbereth not though they have lost their Calling and Election also And this have I learned in Christ that there is a great difference both in effect and nature betwixt that Faith which is the gift of God and that faith which men make to themselves for that which is the gift of God is of his own nature clean pure and perfect are all his gifts and so it works naturally the work and will of God in all who receive it freely and mix nothing with it to darken it or stop his working and by this Faith I am saved from sin and condemnation and begotten to the Father thereof in Christ Jesus which faith is not of my self but is the gift of God to perfect holiness in the sight of God and whatever is done in this faith is not sin and whatsoever is against this Faith or not of this Faith is sin and brings Condemnation and this Faith approves not of it and if I act nothing doubtingly nor against this holy Faith in this Faith I am justified in my own heart and my own Conscience kept clean and I approved in Gods sight and I have boldness through the obedience of Faith in the day of Judgement that it is not my own work but the righteousness of Faith which is in Christ Jesus and this effect hath saving working Faith and this is its Nature and Grace But another Faith I have found which is not so in nature or effect being not freely received from above but is feigned and hath its ground here below and its ends also The earthly man in his wisdom from the letter or reason or comprehensions sets up an Opinion or Image in his minde touching God or Christ or Religion Worship Doctrine or Manners or any other thing and then looking upon the likeness of it in the reasoning part gathers strength to believe it must needs be so and so forms a faith in himself And though this faith be not perfect when he hath formed it and made it with all his strength but many things in Scriptures and the practise of the Saints but especially that of God in his own Conscience will not sure with it yet the strong man being above in the strength of his Comprehension forceth a Faith against all these and causes all to bow under it so this Faith brings not forth the Birth of Christ nor his pure Image and Life neither in Matter or Worship nor Manners but what he may imitate Christ and the Saints in worship and keep the world and escape the Cross and save his life and credit and glory there that he will conform to and glory in and for the rest he believes it concerns not him now in all things at this day so to walk as they did And as this Faith is not perfect in Worship so in Practise also for that evil he is not addicted to he condemns in all but that which is in his own heart and eye and brings him profit and pleasure that he will cover and believes it may stand with true belief at this day though formerly it could not And this is the Faith made after man and not after God and so serves in respect of Persons Times and Things but bows not all these for ever to worship in Spirit nor brings them under the foot of Jesus that Spirit but being earthly by nature hath earthly effects and God doth not own that with his Power nor goes forth with that which man makes but with his own Gift which is good and perfect in every measure thereof And this also I have learned in Christ Jesus and declare to all that seek Faith in him That I never received any measure of this Faith of Christ in vain but whatever I acted or suffered therein from the least measure till this day in it I prevailed against what ever the light of the Spirit led me out therein and a shield I have found it and a growth in it towards Christ Jesus in every work of it wherein I have stood single to the end however tempted or tryed before the end appeared yet in the end of that Faith I was ever a Conqueror through the Spirit and whoever proves it to the end in singlenesse of heart shall be witness with me herein with a Cloud of witnesses that have gone before who by this holy Faith have prevailed over the powers of sin and entred into the holy Rest who have not sought their own Kingdom but the Kingdom of Christ And only this pure Faith which works towards the appearance of Christ in all actions and sufferings is that which orders all things in their place and time and fits all Relations for his appearance therein to glorifie God for God is not glorified in any thing upon Earth but in which the Son appears who is the expresse Image and Glory of God and in whom alone he Reveals himself and the glory of his Judgements and Mercy the Grace and Truth of God is in his face in whom ever he appears And so every measure of the heavenly Faith works towards the heavenly appearance and the earthly faith to the earthly appearance And so Faith in God is that which works effectually by love to the Image and Life of God in this world which is seen onely in his spiritual begettings which being believed in and set above shines forth in every measure shewing the vertue and glory of the Spirit of God but the famed earthly faith admits of some earthly thing in the heart for its end in love to which it works disobedience to the Spirit and so comes short of the glory of God for it cannot hold forth the fruits of the Spirit to glorifie God with an earthly lover in the heart nor can one faith serve God and Mammon so he that loves the things of this world is Gods enemy whose faith withstands the appearance of Christ in his actions or sufferings and so withstands the glory of God which therein should be manifest to all men and this is that faith which ever of old hath put him afar off yet gets the form and words to withstand the life and vertue And of this sort they are of whom the Apostle speaks having a form of godliness but deny the power of godliness who ever was the greatest enemies to the coming of Christ being not of the Faith of Christ nor of the Spirit of Christ but being from below withstands his coming from above to be brought forth in his vertue or worshipped in his Spirit this is Antichrist And this spirit and this faith it is that wrests the Scriptures to seduce from Christ and destroy the way of his coming and to that end what Christ really Commands to be brought forth of his life and vertue in real appearance this spirit serves himself with a meaning instead of
WHAT THE POSSESSION OF THE Living Faith IS And the fruits thereof And wherein it hath been found to differ from the dead Faith of the World in the learning and following of Christ in the Regeneration With an opening of Light to all sorts of People that waits for the Kingdom of God And a Candle Lighted to give the sight of the good Old Way of God from the wayes that now ensnares the simple Also a Message from the Spirit of Truth unto the Holy Seed who are chosen out of the World and are lovers and followers of the Light Written by J. N. in the time of his Imprisonment and now the second time published by a Friend LONDON Printed in the Year 1664. DEAR Friends and People to whom this following Treatise may come I saw and felt it meet that something might be declared of the Author thereof who was Censured Judged Condemned and cruelly persecuted by them that knew him not yet they that had the knowledge of him and were conversant with him for some years before in the time of his sufferings can with me bear witness and that not a few that he came amongst us in the spirit and power of Elias and mighty works were wrought by him and an effectual dore was opened and many were turned unto God and gathered into the feeling of that power in which he was and of which he testified and it abides for ever the fountain and giver of every good and perfect gift of whom he had received liberally grace for grace and of his fulness did he manifest not onely in words and writings in and of the truth but in his conversation which was holy harmless and undefiled as one Redeemed out of the earth in the heavenly was his dwelling and no other Inheritance did he seek And though spirits of all sorts did beset him and temptations and snares of all were laid for him yet the Covetous and Wanton found nothing in him for over the world he kept in the holy faith which gained the victory and a Conqueror he died and lives for ever in that life which is everlasting of which he testified and called many to and those that received his testimony and abide therein are come to the Church of the first-born where we have fellowship with him in that spirit that quickens the dead and brought to life our Lord Jesus Christ in whose suffering and Resurrection he had fellowship and in him was he found therefore the world hated him and that they might fill up their measure of unrighteousness by him were they tried who being tempted out of the body become a sign unto them that had and did resist the substance and in the dark they acted and brought forth a cruel Decree without Law Reason or Witness that he had said or done any thing contrary to Justice Law Scripture or Decree of God or Men But those that had rejected the Light brought forth this dark Conclusion that because he did not condemn what some others whom they supposed had spoke blasphemy therefore he was a Blasphemer Truly I never could in my own disposition rejoyce to trample on any fallen though an enemy but being come to see the fulfilling of the many Prophesies spoke by the Servants of the Lord of the woes wrath and just overturnings that would unavoidably come on such who resisted the Light I cannot but confess to his righteous judgments that hath given them of their own doings and covered them with darkness who loved darkness better than light though my soul desireth that those of them that yet have abiding in the Earth might come to repentance now the just punishment of their doings being brought upon them who were themselves in the Blasphemy who said they were Christians and were not said they would give liberty of conscience but did not cried out against persecution and yet persecuted It is the Hypocrite that did and doth blaspheme that seems to be and is not For these was and is reserved the blackness of darkness and it encreased upon them who loved it better than light and over-turned and over-whelmed are they by it and shallnever come from under it nor have dominion over it but by the rising of that light to which and in which he testified whom they thought not worthy to live and therefore found out and invented punishment much worse then an outward death But Light springs for the righteous And in those years of his cruel and close confinement as he saw felt and learned he gave forth for the raising and strengthning of the immortal Seed that many do and Nations to come shall bless God for and by the everlasting Power which his Persecutors resisted he overcame and was gathered into the communion of the body which the unworthy neither did nor do discern and so drank into the one Cup of new Wine in the Kingdom of the Father though in those years of his cruel close imprisonment as he hath declared he combaâ—â—d with all spirits and was under the waters and beheld the foundations of the Earth and passed by the gates of Hell and spirits of darkness in the night-season surrounded him and under the earth he passed and deaths he knew many and when the weight of the Mountains was upon him his Friends and Acquaintance stood afar of him and it was to be so and he declared wâ—â— felt the weight thereof whaâ— it was to be sepaâ—â—â—ed from his Brethren and that if any one who 〈◊〉 life in God retain sin on Earth it is retained in Heaven So that Power that led him through â—he many temptations and trials made him a living example of lowliness and subjection not onely confessing wherein he had grieved any in the day he was tempted but in the spirit of forgiveness he sought to be forgiven even of those that had been bgotten by him so he were a father To Babes he did and could stoop that the Spirit of love and forgiveness might rise over all for he loved Justice and Righteousness and bore testimony thereunto that that was and would be the strength of those that abode therein being delivered from that which had pressed him down in the liberty and power of the free Spirit he often spake of the subtilty and wickedness of that spirit that works in the Air with which he had been beset ond what it led to and the end thereof to be perdition So he visited after his enlargement many of that sort and often prophesied as of many things which we have seen come to pass that they would turn into the earth or to liberty and ranting which his Soul abhorred and therefare often spoke and writ against the workings of those spirits in what appearance soever and to holiness in soul body and spirit called he and for the removal of that which hindred was his travel to the last day of his visible being among men And as at first he appeared in this great City in the power of an endless
and lusts who are enemies to the faith of Christ which presents perfect to God by working out such evils All which I came to see not by man but in the revelation of Christ as in his Faith I learned him growing into his Faith into him and his life therein made manifest in my body So I see what is his in truth as the truth is in Jesus and what is the worlds and but called his to oppose him And I see that which loves the things of this world to be none of his love nor that his joy that takes pleasure in visible things nor that his liberty which is in the works of the flesh nor that his peace that is in sin nor that his patience that seeks its own revenge nor that his glory that 's in pride nor that his worship which stands in carnal things nor that his honour that 's sought of men nor that his knowledge that 's after the flesh nor that his fear that is taught by his precepts of men these are in the world and not in him but have onely got the name to be his but are enemies to his life and were never begat of his Father nor learned in the Son all which and much like stuff I came to see the deceit of by that truth and simplicity I found in Christ contrary to the will of man And so in the life of Christ I have learned to know the growth of the Faith of Christ and the riches of it and the end of it which is Christ Jesus in all its working and I also know the worlds faith its uncleanness whose end is not to attain the holiness of Christ in life but would live in the worlds delights and have Christ for a cover and be saved by the righteousness of another which they have no minde to walk in themselves and so that faith works not by love which loves not the life of Christ but are enemies to his Crosse minding earthly things and this is the earthly faith but the living Faith works by love to holiness of life and therefore purifies the heart and the mystery of it stands in a pure conscience within themselves that have it and not in telling and comprehending what was in another for the Devils believes the holinesse that was in Christ and can preach it but cannot inherit it because they love not to live the life of it and by this I know them both for ever and all that prove them in the life of Christ shall witnesse with me the end of the one is the life of Christ in which himself walked and the same obedience of the same Spirit to the same Father by the same power according to the proportion of Faith received from God which Faith is from above and so layes hold on heavenly things for its strength and so brings forth heavenly fruits The other professeth and promiseth great things but ends in the world and mindes earthly things and doth not purifie the heart nor believes ever to attain the life of Christ his stature or fulness but counts it an error in such as presse after such attainments and so the end of the conversation of one is Christ Jesus to hold forth in Life and Power the same yesterday and to day and for ever The end of the other is a liberty to sin here while they can take any pleasure in it and sanctification and salvation when they are dead and according to the end of each faith so it works for its impossible for him that cannot believe holiness to work holiness but according to each mans faith so must he inherit in this world and that which is to come And in the workings and attainments of this living powerful faith I have found several measures according to my growth therein from the Word of the beginning of Christ or the first Principle of Christ and the fulness age and stature of Christ as betwixt a Babe a man grown in strength much working in spirit I found betwixt faith received of Christ Jesus and Christ learned in me for though I received the faith of his fulness in what he was at Jerusalem in his flesh there at once yet had not I so learned him in Spirit life in my mortal flesh nor put him on at once but in the light of Faith I saw I was so to run as to win him before I could put him on wherein I came to see and know my self begotten again in him by faith towards God who is the way to God in which way I came to see the begotten of the Father manifeâ—â— in measure in me in the pure image of a Holy Child separate from the fleshly sinful seed or Christ formed in me as the Scriptures witness and when I did behold his pure image and his pure mind and nature so far contrary to my own yet then was not he in his Kingdom nor all things put under his feet nor could I say that Jesus was then Lord in me but by the Spirits working by this Faith I had received and in hope thereof was I made to endure the loss of all things and to deny all things that ever this holy Spirit did War against in me which might any way oppresse this holy plant or hinder its growth owning his judgment in the light upon what ever was in my heart or affections but him alone though never so much gain in my account in the world which judgment being owned consented to against my self and all my self lovers therein was I parted from them in judgment and so then was they subdued by the powerful workings of that Spirit and put under his feet and I set free from them to arise with him above them being brought from under them and this was not done all at once but in order as he appeared in the light to manifest every particular evil And as that Faith I had received wrought by love to him a consent in my spirit to his just judgement upon them and I made willing to give them up to the fire and to come out of them and joyn to him in the execution least he should consume me with them as it must have been had I stayed in them and here I found the benefit of the light which goes before his face to prepare his way and the salvation of Faith which saved me through hope of him that I was not destroyed in my sins which Faith and hope gave me an entrance within the vail or a hiding place in him while the indignation was over which was to pass upon the man of sin And so a voice was heard in the wilderness calling out of sin into a way I knew not but as the light of his Covenant led me in the spirit of Elias turning my heart towards him that he might not smite the earth with a curse at his coming in which wâ—y ere I came into the Kingdom of Christ my pure rest I met with many hardships
the outward appearance as man looks but by the heart by the direction of the Spirit he was the Shepherd of Israel and his seed of the same Election hath the everlasting Kingdom of promise to all generations Elisha a Plowman yet by that Spirit was he the Chariots of Israel and horsmen thereof Deborah a woman yet a Judge deliverer to Israel And too long would it be to instance in all ages how he hath set up his throne and saved his people in this Election not of wisdom riches or worldly glory but the poor of this world rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom of promise which you say you look for but cannot see nor receive while you chuse after the flesh as the world hath ever done who still have bent all their wisdom and Religion to keep the Heir out of his Kingdom whom they have been looking for after the flesh but not believing in the light to give them a sight through the vail to him that is born of the â—pirit have resisted the Holy One and chosen the murtherer as did your Fathers so do you alwayes resist the Holy Ghost and as it was so it is that which is born of the flesh is flesh chuses after the flesh and worships after the flesh for it can see no further it cannot see the Kingdom of God and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit and chuses after the spirit and worships in spirit and these are contrary Kingdoms and he that 's born after the flesh persecutes him that 's born after the spirit ever did and ever will do for the Scripture cannot be broken which hath so said and is now fulfilled And now you that are called Christians you read and Preach of this King Christ Jesus and his Kingdom what a One he ever hath been in his appearance upon Earth by whom he hath been received and by whom rejected and after what manner he hath ever suffered and by what power he hath reigned in all ages and this you will confesse in words but will you now receive him to reign in you Or can you own his appearance where it is set up in others and not be offended therewith is that eye open that knows him or can you delight in him who was never like the world in his walkings was not he ever poor as to this world and therefore rejected of the rich and learned lowly and rejected of Princes and them that was high was not his work ever to change shadows and forms and Religious traditions set up in mens minds above the life of Truth and leadings of the spirit and to set up spiritual worship and obedience in its place And therefore by the builders ever rejected and condemned and his new work was ever foolishness to the wise wherefore he bare the reproach thereof with patience was he not ever meek and innocent and harmless in his conversation towards all men as a Lamb indeed separate from sinners in life yet seeking them to save out of sin with the daily giving up his life c So he was and so he hath ever appeared on earth now can you receive him King as he was you that wait for him Or do you think he is changed Is he now become proud and lofty in flesh after the world cruel coverous and hard-hearted subtle and crafty to deceive the simple strong and violent to trample on the helpless doth the glory of his Scepter now stand in meats and drinks and fine apparel or great earthly possessions doth he now come to take up his abode and delight in these things who ever hath come to take the minds of his people out of these things up into the heavenly treasure doth he now delight in earthly glory strife and exaltation Is the weapons of his warfare now become carnal wherewith he over comes his enemies doth he now come with haling and beating whips and prisons and cruel tortures to take the Kingdom of peace who hath suffered such things formerly from the world himself will he now turn oppressor of that which is tender in Conscience and grind the face of the poor or pervert the Judgment of the needy Should he now be seen in works of this nature were this to appear the second time without sin unto salvation as he is promised Sure the vail is thick over that heart who sees not that this is not his Kingdom Power nor Glory nor his image who is the same yesterday to day and for ever Yet is this nature above in many and chosen to Rule over many who say they wait for his Kingdom that eye being darkned with the love of the world which should give the true sight of his coming the carnal mind thinks God to be like himself But did you but honestly look into your own hearts with that eye which puts a difference between things that differ in your selves to know each motion of each Spirit and each power and the end and nature of its working the earthly and the heavenly you would soon be able to Judge of these two which so far differ in their fruits and are so contrary in all things and to own the right heir in his Kingdom But while you suffer the god of this world to keep his Throne in your hearts by letting him captivate your minds and affections into earthly delighrs it is not like he will suffer you to chuse aright nor receive another to reign in you or over you the eye of the mind being blinded therewith the light of the Gospel cannot shine into the heart by which you should chuse and which gives the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus nor that treasure be seen or received in the earthen vessel as King either in your selves or others but the wise in heart knows what they wait for and when they see him they rejoyce with the joy of his Kingdom which consists not in carnal things nor comes with outward observations but whose coming is within and whose Kingdom consists in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost blessed be our King for ever and blessed are they who put not his Kingdom afar off .. And therefore you Rulers and People of all sorts high and low this word is to you and this day is to you the day of the Lord arise and receive your King into his Kingdom that he may receive you and establish you therein the Lord it at hand he is near to all that call up on him in truth and righteonsness To you Princes Judges Justices Mayors and Constables all sorts of Rulers who are in the place to Govern the Lord is at hand he is near you all the Kingdom of God is within you the Principle of God is within you with which if you mind it he will break the yoak of the oppressor within you and without you by the sword of Justice that 's his Kingdom upon earth put it not afar off let it arise
hath many of the Lords servants for thee whom thou hast cast in holes and prisons for their obedience to God and testimony of their conscience towards God in them whose patient sufferings and unparaleld cruelties are no more valued with thee then if they were dogs and this hath gone throughout thee from the least to the greatest till there be very few left which are not wholly hardned so that to hear of these evil dealings exercised upon the innocent doth no more enter your hearts then the rain enters a rock wherefore our souls are troubled for you and our hopes concerning your healing grows daily less and our sufferings in the Lord Jesus daily greater hasting to the full and what will you do in the end thereof Or whom shall we take to witness for you or may you be compared with any that ever hardned themselves in these wayes and escaped destruction that our hopes might revive and our prayers not cease did ever any thus deny the life of what you Preach in words your selves and which some of you have measure felt and suffered for and have been answered in by the Lord and your eyes have seen the vengeance of the Almighty and how dreadful it hath been both upon Kings Priests and Rulers for resisting Ah how much better had it been for you never to have known these things which you have seen read and Preached then now that they should be fulfilled upon you to the uttermost how well had it been for you had you been as those you call heathen rather then to Profess Christ and thus act against him at his coming even in the same way your selves Preach him Alas alas what hath the innocent done why he thus is used among you doth he cry against sin against pride against false worships against corrupt Rulers corrupt Teachers corrupt Lawyers c. And with much meekness bears his witness against these evils in you for a testimony of light to your words whom he hath lifted up in wrath and zeal and judgement against the same things in the persons of others and will not this arise against you of which you are witnesses all in one generation But sayst thou he breaks the peace and breaks our Law and is unmannerly c. But was he not ever so accounted and is he not now in the same way he ever walked what could that peace do for you could you keep it whole which is broken by reproving sin and deceit Is there any peace to the wicked from God and will he keep that Law which will not give him liberty to Reign in his Temples and to lead his people by his Spirit or will you plead that Law against him in judgement when he comes to deal with you who should know his Law written in your hearts to limit you and not your Laws to limit him not your manners must not bind the conscience where he is known to be King and this you know is truth and have pleaded it against others and now cannot own it will not the Laws of Christ and the manners of Christ of which you read in Scripture agree with your Government and peace who calls for his Kingdom to come amongst you and profess to rule according to Scriptures how will this stand at that day when you must not be your own Judges nor by your own Laws And why is he counted your enemy seeing his appearance now is in love to give you light out of this for your Eternal salvation against which he will certainly come in Judgement to condemnation Have you not heard of the love of the Father to the world who sends his Son to lay down his Life therein for a light to the world that whosoever believeth therein might not be condemned can you read and confess this life laid down in the Prophets in Câ—râ—st in the Apostles in the Martyrs and in all in whom this righteâ—uâ— blood hath been shed from Abel to your time and can you not say they were blind Priest and People who could not see this innocent suffer in his seveâ—al appearances And what will you say of your selves seeing the same testimony is before your eyes but not received was ever his sufferings so increased in so little a time and for such little foolish things as your selves calls them which though they seem little yet much innocent blood hath been shed and this life is laid down daily in many And why should you count that so little which your brethren count dearer then their precious life Is there any thing makes it so but the tenderness of the one and hardness of the other But say you they are guilty of their own blood to suffer for such foolish things but who is their executioners do not you suffer fools daily they shall witness against you that there is something in it more then folly have you not read that God chuseth the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and base despised things to bring to nought things that are and weak things to confound the mighty and can you read and Preach this and not see it fulfilled nor understand without a meaning then take heed how you call that foolish which God hath chosen to lay down his life in for a witness against the murtherer in the wise men of the world will you call that foolishness whereby the mysteries of God comes to be manifest that which he hath chosen to declare himself in openly in his Temples and his worship his service and his suffering long in meekness and the Devil in his Temples with his servants his pride his rashâ—ess and cruelty and to lay each open to the simplest heart by their fruits which have been long covered withwords but now every one that knows a Wolfe from a Lamb may see and cannot be deceived will you call this little which discovers so great a depth of deceit so closely hid and opens the painted Sepulchres and searches the heart of the deceitful laying it open to your selves and others which else you could not have known nor believed if you were told it could many of you have believed the Prince of pride had ruled in you till you see him act you in cruelty on your Brethren because they cannot worship you or could you have believed that the murtherer had been there till you proceed to cast into prisons your brethren and keep them there till death for these little things And these things some suffer under you for a witness and the rest are spared though that spirit would have none to live that the Scriptures may be fulfilled Satan shall cast some of you into prison c. And are not these things manifestly laid open to your selves and all that are not willingly blind and also the contrary Spirit of Christ Jesus where these things are patiently endured And will you call this foolishness which thus leaves all the world without excuse and prepares all for righteous Judgement many
in the begettings of God from above to see in patience that formed born and brought forth but mixing with their reasonings and wisdom from below have not attained his appearance but have turned the truth of God into a lye his glory into shame wherefore God hath given them up to believe their own conceivings And you hath he called into that glorious hope and powerful faith wherein you now stand and them he hath left to be heirs of the corruptions of this world which they have minded more than himself where now many of them are the great opposers of his appearance who were once called to bear a measure of his testimony in spiritual life and power And now dear friends the called of God you are unto the day of his coming whose light hath shined out of darkness giving you a knowledge in this great mystery and hope and a power you have received from above whereby you are come nearer the day than those before you and many have denied the world and their Inheritance that you might stand single in hope thereof Now the day is yours if you be watchful and faithful thereto that you mix not with the earthly seed nor bring forth a false birth but that your hearts be single and open to receive him from above the heavenly seed in the will of God and not of your selves the Son of righteousness the Fathers glory who hath the living Image and power of God to make all Sons and Daughters of the most High conformable to himself and heirs with him of the same Kingdome glory and power even as many of you as so receive him as to put him on as he is and so walk in him as the begotten of God Children of the most Holy whom he hath counted worthy of so high a calling as to receive his name power and glory and to bear testimony what he is before all men and to hold forth the power that you have in his name and Image above all names and forms in heaven or in earth and this with all diligence meekness and fear lest Satan deceive you of that simplicity that is in him and so you come short of his glory and others be called Now quit your selves as the beloved of God cast off every weight which would hinder your attaining him that in the light is set before you crucifie every affection after the earthly and put away all the cares and pleasures that would choak this seed and whatever would mix in your minds or plead for a place in your hearts let it be to you as an accursed thing that the blessing of Abraham may come upon you and through you to manifest to all the world and that the holy name of Christ may be glorified in you which hath long been polluted through such as have professed it in a contrary nature For this is he to whose appearance in the World every tongue shall be made to confesse and the Angels of God shall worship him for he is the glory of God and power of righteousnesse in Heaven and in Earth Gods love and good will amongst men and in him is the Father revealed whom no eye hath seen You that have received him and hold him forth are the light of the world let him shine to the glory of your Father It 's you that hold forth the foundation of faith he being lifted up will draw all men to him hold him forth clearly as you receive him from above and there is that in every Conscience that will answer to his appearance for God hath not left him without witness So that he that believes not is condemned already in himself because he believes not in that only begotten of God whom the Father hath sent into the world If he do not that work in you which none other can do then how should any believe or confess that it is he But at his appearance his works shall declare him and leave all without excuse His Righteousness his meekness his patient sufferings his lowly mindedness his faith and obedience to the Father his love and tender compassions towards all men being richly furnished with all manner of godliness shall declare him whose Image he bears and whose Sonne he is and from whence he comes for the earth hath not those fruits power and glory Thus shall he be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe and receive his testimony And in this birth you shall not only save your selves but hold forth Salvation to all that hear thereof Wherefore as you profess that holy calling above others so in the fear of God take heed what you bring forth be sober and watch diligently in that which is from above least the enemy prevaile to mix somewhat of your own to hold forth in his name that hath not the nature power nor purity of the Son of God and that being above spoil you of his appearance and mar the true Image which you will find the envious one seeks to devour upon all occasions that alone having power over the head of the Serpent wherefore see that you be covered with him alone as he is from heaven But above all things I beseech you put him on as he is the Son of Gods love and so hold him forth towards all men but especially towards the brethren so much the more as this being that which the enemy hath cast long apon the children of light to wit want of love taking his advantage while the way hath been preparing thereto and the Spirit of Judgment and burning hath passed on the old building a time of sorrow and pulling down dressing the house where love should dwell so that though the root of the matter was in it yet could not in that time spring forth towards others nor indeed be fully shed abroad in the heart while that is there which God hates which love many have now received and it is full time to bring forth him so begotten in you lest any selfishness appear in his stead and so prevent you of that which is most excellent But that you all may put him on as he is manifest from the Fathers bosome and that you be cloathed therewith from heaven so plentifully that you may have to cast over a Brothers nakedness a garment of the same love who came from above to lay down his life for his enemies and of the same power who can forgive sins and offences above seven times a day beholding each others with that good eye which waits for the soul and not for the sin which covers and overcomes the evil with the good â—hat with him you may be perfect in love judging and receiving one another in the increase of God and not in that which is for destruction giving more abundant honour to him that lacketh that in the body be no schisme nor defile one another nor keep alive a Brothers iniquity nor blot out the name and appearing of the holy seed in the least
but keep the Lord in your eye and the evils shall dye and vanish away from amongst you and the appearance shall be the Lords and to him shall the gathering of the Nations be hungry souls shall see and be satisfied with his likenesse and all that behold his beauty shall confesse unto him and in him shall the upright heart delight for at his coming shall he establish the Throne of Righteousnesse and measure every appearance and correct every false judgement and that which ensnares the simple will he cast out for by the power of his appearance shall every thing be tryed and peace proclaimed in the name of righteousnesse alone for that which is not like him will not be able to stand before his appearance But we know that when he appeares we shall be like him he that hath this hope purifies himself even as he is pure that he may be seen in him at his coming Now dear friends is your sound gone to the ends of the earth and God hath made you famous amongst your enemies in that you have begun to confess his name and nature and that he is in you whom many are looking for here and there and now the eyes of people and Nations are upon you to see your end and now your glory is in putting him on and covering you with him a Lamb without blemish before God and man that in him you may obtain good report unreproveable and holy so shall you stop the way of the destroyer and put an end to all false conceptions and revive the hope of Israel Let his innocency be your armour and put your trust in his truth for your Salvation The time is full come for you to declare what he is to you ' with boldness with a confession beyond words for this appearance of him in love is that which shall judge all likenesses and try all spirits actions judgments and appearances and by this shall you all be measured what spirits you are of and all spirits in the world for he shall bring every hidden formed fained thing to light at his coming and what ever hath not this love in it is not his nor begotten of God but he that hath this love is begotten of God and hath him the Father and the Son the end of the Law and the Prophets the substance and life of all knowledge faith and works the root and ground of every good gift for herein are we made perfect in love that we may have boldness in the day of judgment because we have put him on dwell in him who is love and as he is so are we in this world But he that loveth not is not made perfect in faith in knowledge in judgment having not learned Christ herein therefore by this he must be judged himself So blessed is he that judges nothing before the time who condemns not himself wherein he judges another all judgment being committed to him that can lay down his life for his enemies Therefore happy are you if you have him on first for when he appears his judgment is true and shall stand when all that hath come before him shall pass away for him alone hath the Father sealed So dearly beloved ones my soul breaths towards you herein that in all your several gifts and administrations this Son of God be your eye and end the beauty and Glory of the Father that the hope thereof to attain may stay you in all tryals and temptations knowing that in him alone is your lasting peace and that which doth now befall you in all your afflictions is to shake all other appearances that way may be made for him alone whose Image and life none can judge nor condemn And the day is come that happy is that man who hath nothing else to glory in and this know that the appearance of God in his own begotten is your glory and if any man boast himself and not herein when he is weighed therewith he will be found wanting the sound thereof will not save him As the same spirit from whence this comes moves in any one so let them send it abroad amongst the called of God to be read and known COme forth you children of light come forth depart out of the world touch not the unclean thing that the holy one may make his appearance amongst you make hast to the day of your God If he shine forth Salvation is with you but he cannot appear in that heart where the world is retained If you be like the world it will own you but that image which it receives not is your everlasting glory and beauty So mind what works in the vessel for now must every Child appear like his Father and must bring to light of what spirit he is begotten and only blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord with power and great glory that which the world is ashamed of is that with which the Son of God is glorified and again must be glorified he that bears the iniquities of men and is fill'd with reproach and yet appears without sin is our Saviour And a Lamb without spot must take away the sin of the world his manifestation destroyes the work of the Devil in a body prepared he delights to perform the councill of God and to bring hidden things to light that he may speak mysteries to the wise therein and hold forth a way to the simple leading out of the snares of subtilty Wherefore all that love his appearance and seek the face of redemption love that which prepares his way to his appearance in his Temple that which breaks down the will of man and as a fire goes before him which is that baptisme with which all that will receive him must be baptised into death So when sorrow anguish and tribulation comes upon you rejoyce and fly not This comes to destroy nothing but destruction and to kill that which keeps you from eternal life and to prepare a way for your peace and a place for everlasting righteousness to dwell in you For truly friends in the threshing floor must the Altar be set up and where God answers by fire there must his house be built and as many as look to the end of this may not despise correction nor faint under the hand of reproof That is good which brings down into the depth where the wonders of God are learned for he that will labour in Gods Vineyard must know every seed and its root what feeds it and what famisheth it and the ground of every weed and cause of every curse This many may see when it 's come to a Tree brancheth and brings forth fruit but then its strong and powerful and not easily pluckt up seldom got down without fire and much sorrow therefore blessed is that eye that 's lowly and diligent which sees every several appearance that he may slay the seed of wickedness ere it bud and not suffer the enmity to take root for he
that suffers divers seeds shall have sorrow therein and he that sowes amongst thornes and bryars must reap trouble and where this kind is suffered to grow there is torment to themselves and trouble to others for how should the thistle change its nature So all that desire peace prepare a place that the seed thereof may grow alone and the Sun thereof may arise and shine clearly that nothing may grieve his holy spirit for Jacob must dwell alone and not be numbred among the rest of the Nations neither hath the Lamb fellowship with the beasts of the field Now as you have seen the Image of the earthly and felt his power and inclination to earthly things captivating your minds downward to things below even so must you bear the Image of the Heavenly if he reign that comes from above Till then think not you are perfect nor have attained to the resurrection of the dead For this I know of him in whom your life is hid that as he ariseth he shall as strongly lead your mindes into the Heavenly as ever you were captivated with the earthly So he that can read the figure rejoyce in hope concerning him that is to come yet let none glory in the fight of this knowledge but press into the life thereof that God may be seen and glorified in you For as he that hath gone much out with his mind and hath drunk in abundance of the earthly is become the most subtle selfish and hard and filled with all unrighteousness till he become incurable even so he that returns in and drinks abundantly of the heavenly doth become simple innocent and harmless separate from all ungodliness till he become incorruptible and receive power to attain the Son of God whose image declares the Father from whence he is for he that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father and he that hath the Son hath the Father also So dear friends behold the end of your calling and glory of your profession your life in this world and eternal inheritance for the which to attain we endure all things for which sufferings and patience we have a cloud of witnesses So we follow not fables and fancies as some suppose but every one as he is proved herein is able to set to his seal even to the day of the Lord with them that are gone before whose spirits herein are perfected Wherefore dearly beloved of God for his name sake I beseech you be zealous for his appearance and with meekness and fear instruct the ignorant who oppose themselves comfort the weak in all things leading with a life that cannot be blamed knowing how manifold your labour of love is doubled in everlasting glory as he comes to be made manifest to the world And the Lord God of power strengthen all your hands by the appearance of his love that by the shedding of it abroad in your hearts you may be made able to overcome the world and willing to give your necks to the yoak of Christ and to bear the burthens of the weak till the brotherhood arise and the body of Christ be perfected in one that none of you suffer an evil eye or ear which delights to behold the weakness of others but that your whole delight be to wait for the appearance of God in all and to behold his face in them rather than their failings And as this arises in every particular it shall be a sure token to you for good and that you are passed from the love of evil unto the love of God the Father and the Son And what you delight in shall be your inheritance And as you grow herein so shall he whom you love to see delight to make his appearance amongst you and to walk in you and you shall not seek his face in vain but with his likeness shall be satisfied and shall praise the beauty of his appearance Thus in honour preferring one another you shall know that the power of love is a ministration of life to that which is to be â—eloved Who will be on the Lords part now in this day of darkness when iniquity is growing to the full and the manchild is to be born above it And who will give up the vessel to bear his name against the enmity that is now arising And who will be glorified with the Lamb Blessed and happy is he that is found worthy to follow him out of the world bearing his reproach To as many as receive him he gives power to become the sons of God But he that will bear his name must receive his nature and himself also so walk even as he walked his name is power over sin and the world So the servants of sin and the world cannot bear it he that bears his name must bear it in his life and power lest he blaspheme Of flesh and blood it is not born nor by the will of man is it manifest it is he that is born again who hath his witness in himself that must bear his name before the world for a witnesse against them who hath that life in him which testifies against the deeds thereof but who bows thereto betrays him and proves false in his testimony Moses in his house made all things in likenesse of the pattern so it became a Tabernacle of witnesse to all the Nations of the true God therein and against all their false Gods and false worships and herein was he faithful to him that called him and to all that beheld the pattern he preached Gods presence dwelling in the Tabernacle made with hands How much more must he that bears the name of Christ follow the pattern and suit his example holding forth a Tabernacle of witnesse and preaching the presence of the true God therein and against all the world their false births false ways and worships herein proving faithful to him that hath called thereto and to all that beholds holding forth that holinesse is his habitation here on earth as it is in heaven bearing a lively testimony thereof by the Tabernacle of witnesse conformable to the heavenly example in all things And to this end Christ descended walked and suffered on earth leaving an example to all that follow his steps wherein as in a lively Oracle God is found in all that 's builded after his image and â—eek in his name and nature for the immortality that dwelleth therein Now God was not to be found in the Tabernacle of Molech though sought never so earnestly but in the Tabernacle of witnesse built according to the pattern neither is he now to be found in the image of the world nor is hiâ— name born in that nature though professed never so zealously Therefore let every one that nameth the nâ—me of the Lord depart from iniquity The seed of evil doers bears not the testimony of Christ but against him Did they blaspheme who said they were Jews and were not How much more do they who professe the name of Christ and are out of
the vine in a contrary nature Wherefore all who aime to hold forth in life to his appearance and to attain his coming in purity and glory must be diligent in the heavenly light ever minding the way and moving of the holy Spirit him that is from above that his form you may see who hath the heavenly image and the holy power that so beholding him with open face as in a glass you may be changed into the same image and formed thereafter from glory to glory by the powerful working of the same Spirit until the Tabernacle be built conformable to the heavenly exâ—mple and holy pattern in body and Spirit that as he is so may you be in this world that God may appear in his Temple that as the image of the earthly appeares in the world so the image of the heavenly you may bear a witnesse against them And by drinking in the communion of that holy Spirit and power from above you may become as able zealous and willing to hold forth the heavenly in holiness meekness purity patience love long-suffering faith and obedience to God and all the fruits of the Spirit as the Sonnes of the world are to hold forth the earthly in lusts and pleasures strife and envy cruelty and oppression and all manner the works of the flesh that you may as truly and really give up your bodies minds and strength to suffer with Christ that he may be manifest and magnified therein in your mortal bodies as others who are without God in the world do give themselves to act according to the principles and power of the God of this world his unrighteous wayes worships and fashions and all his cursed courses and the whole body of sin and mystery of iniquity born in them And where the Tabernacle is thus edified and the Temple thus cleansed there is a vessel of honour fit for the Masters use that being filled with the holy Ghost God may dwell on the earth and take up his rest therein his Tabernacle being with men the appearance of the blessed day so many souls hunger for and Abrahams Seed longs to see which the God of this world strongly opposes in all whose minds he hath blinded and whole spirits he possesseth in disobedience to the heavenly light for which the wrath of God remains upon that generation till this day and for ever Wherefore all you who wait for the Kingdom of God and love his appearance whose coming again is without sin abide within and wait in that Temple where the witnesse ariseth against the world that in faith and patience you may be counted worthy to receive that witnesse that it may arise and cover you and that in bearing it you may come out of the world being conformable to him who suffered without the gates bear his reproach and you bear his name touch not the unclean thing and he will receive you for himself in you to appear and be glorified lifted up against the powers of darknesse You that have received the earnest of this Spirit hath he not said I will dwell in you and walk in you wherefore come out from among them and be you separate This is the joy that is set before you to wit his appearance and that glory for the attaining whereof we endure the present sufferings and reproach not to be compared therewith for glory immortality eternal life O friends who shall be found worthy at his coming and in whom may he appear and not consume them for our God is a consuming fire even in his holy Temple is he known and with clean hands will he take up his rest and in the pure heart shall he be seen else who may dwell with everlasting burnings and who may abide that baptisme wherein every one shall be salted with fire at his coming THere is a Spirit that I feel that delights to do no Evil nor to revenge any Wrong but delights to endure all things in Hope to enjoy its own in the End Its hope is to outlive all Wrath and Contention and to weary out all exaltation and Cruelty or whatsoever is of Nature contrary to its self it sees to the end of all temptations as it bears no evil in it selfe so is conceives none in thoughts to any other For its ground and Spring is the Mercies and Forgivenesse of God its Crown is Meekness its Life is Everlasting Love unfeigned and takes its Kingdom with Intreaty and not with Contention and keeps it by Lowlinesse of mind in God alone it can rejoyce though none else regard it or can own its Life It s conceived in Sorrow and brought forth without any to pitty it nor doth it murmur at Grief and Oppression it never rejoyceth but through Sufferings for with the Worlds joy it is murthered I found it alone being forsaken I have fellowship therein with them who lived in Dens and Desolate places in the Earth who through Death Obtained this Resurrection and Eternal Holy Life J. N. Through the negligence of the Printer and the diligence of that spirit that would not have truth and righteousness to Reign some faults have escaped which the friendly Reader is desired to correct and not impute the blame to the Author for herein he was blameless In pag 1. line 1. for profession r. possession p. 11. l. 21. for wherein r. where p. 13. and last line for the bodies r. his bodies p. 15. l. 10. for here r. there l. 38. for Estate r. state p. 17 l. 1. for or r. of p. 19. l. 21. for him r. them p. 20. l. 27. for towards righteousness r. towards Gods righteousness p. 26 l 20. for mind r. wind p. l. 32. for oorn r. born p. 42. l. 3. for innocent pass r. innocent cannot passe p. 46. l. 7. this sentence is left out these resisted the spirit that spake in him p. 48. l. 35. for our r. your p. 49. l. 22. for the r. their p. 53 last l. for measure r. in measure p. 57. l. 6. r. to come and l. 25. for rooted r. blotted p. 65. l. 9. for she r. the. p. 72. l. 7. for you souls r. your souls THE END