LET all flesh be silent before the Lord God for ever, who is appeared in the Riches of his love, and is be­come the Teacher of his people himself, who hath gi­ven his Son for a Covenant of Light, and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth, who is the Light of the world, and lighteth every man that cometh into the world, the end is, that all men through him might believe.

And know this of a truth, all that shall read the same, that there is no other way that leads to God, but by taking heed to the Light which Christ hath enlightned ye withall, to be guided by it alone; this is that which Paul testified of, who (speaking of them which held the truth in unrighteousness) said, Rom. 1.18, 29. Tit. 3.11, 12. 2 Pet. 1.18, 19, 20. That which may be knowne of God, is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them; and this is that Grace of God which hath appeared unto all men, which taught the Saints to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live so­berly, righteously, and godly in this present world; and the sure VVord of Prophesie which Peter declared of, is the same, unto which you do well to take heed, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; and by this the sure Foundation may be known, and not by any other way, even the Rock upon which Christ said he would build his Church, against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail; and no other Foundation can any man lay, but that which [Page 3]is laid already; The Lord said, I will lay in Sion for a Fonnda­tion, Isa. 28.16 a tryed Stone, a precious Corner-Stone, a sure Foundation; This is the Stone which is set at naught by you builders, (said the Apostle) which is become the head of the Corner, Christ the Light of the World was set at naught by the builders in the Apostles time, and so is he set at naught by the builders in this age, who stumble at the Light, and say it is not suffi­cient to lead to God, and call it a natural Light, and so shew that they are in the same ignorance, and darkness, and blind­ness, as others were in before, who stumbled at the Light. This is him which the Scriptures declare of, Joh. 1.10, 11, 12. Who came into the World, and the World was made by him, and the World knew him not; he came unto his own, and his own received him not; but to as many as received him, to them he gave Power to become the sons of God. Read and understand, every one, with the Light which Christ hath enlightned you withall, and consider in the fear of the Lord, for it is an earnest thing; Who can say that there is not something in them which calls to purity and holiness, and to walk blame­lesly before the Lord, which never consented to your evil deeds, but always did witness against them, and let you see that you should not do so: Therefore all that shall read this, be satisfied herein, that this is the manifestation of the Spi­rit, which is given to every man to profit withall; and the not taking heed to it, is the cause of condemnation.

Therefore hear this, and know ye assuredly, (all ye that breath after the living God) that the Way which leads ro him is nigh you, and the Way is the same now, as ever was in all generations, and Christ is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, vvho hath inlightned every man that cometh into the World vvith the true Light; this vvas the Rock that followed the children of Israel in the Wilderness; and the Spirit of Christ was in the Prophets, who testified before­hand of the sufferings of Christ, and of the glory that should follow: Moses the Servant of the Lord said to the children of Israel, This Commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off; but (saith he) the [Page 4]Word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou maist do it, Deut. 30.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. And the Apostle said, The Word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the Word of Faith which we preach, Rom. 10.5, 6, 7, 8. Christ said, The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here, or lo there; for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you; and John said, The Anncinting abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you, but as the same Annointing teacheth you, and is truth, and is no lye.

Therefore all people, high and low, of all Degrees, take heed, and hearken diligently to the Light vvhich Christ hath enlightned you withall, that your souls may live; and learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart, that in him your peace may be, though in the World you may have tribula­tion; and be ye Followers of him, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the Cross, and despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Father; and regard not the reproaches that the World may cast upon you for the sake of Christ, but account it greater Riches then the Treasures of Aegypt; Moses chose rather to suffer afflicti­on vvith the people of God, then to be counted the Son of Pharaohs Daughter; he chose rather to suffer with them, then to injoy the pleasures of sin for a season; for he had regard to the recompence of Reward. Therefore fear the Lord God, and come to repentance; forsake that which is evil, and follow that which is good, that the Wisdom which is from above, you may receive, and be guided by it alone, which is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easie to be in­treated, ful of good Fruits, that you may know the Lord God to be your Teacher, & his Law written in your hearts, & his Spirit put in your inward parts; this is the Covenant vvhich the Lord said he vvould make vvith the House of Israel, Heb. 10.8. And cease from following of such as say they are Mini­sters of Christ, but are found to be out of his Doctrine, and in the steps of the false Prophets, who preach for hire, and divine for money, and are called of men Masters, which Christ cryed vvo against; and he is the same for ever, and [Page 5]the vvo is to such now as are found in their stops which Christ cryed wo against, Matt. 23. if you vvould own Christ, then own his Words; but if you deny his Words, do you not deny him? Consider, VVhy do you call him Lord, Lord, and do not the things which he commands? But by the pure Light of Christ which hath shined in our hearts, to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ, do we see them to be out of his Doctrine, and in the steps of the false Prophets, and therefore with the Light we cry vvo against them. Consider; Did ever the Ministers of Christ sue men at the Law for Tythes, and recover trebble damages, as some of these have done, as may easily be pro­ved? VVas ever the Ministry of Christ attended vvith perse­cution, as this is? VVas ever any sent to prison for speaking in their Assemblies, or for asking a sober question? And do you believe that such are Christians that are strikers, and fight­ers, and are ready to murther, vvho hale out of the Syna­gogues, and before Magistrates, such vvhich the Lord doth send amongst them? But Christs Words are fulfilled, vvho said to his Disciples, Ye shall be brought before Rulers for my sake, for a testimony against them, Matth. 10.17, 18. and they shall scourge you in their Synagogues, and ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake, but he that endures to the end, shall be saved; and in this have vve hope, and in him have vve peace, who is the Light of the World, and they who follow him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life: If our hope were in this life onely, we were of all men, most miserable, who have no helper in the Earth, but in the Lord alone is our trust; and the Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I trust in him; but the portion of the Beast, and the portion of the false Prophet, is in the Lake, where the fire is not quenched.

Therefore all people which shall read this, be warned and fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is the God, and changes not, who lives for ever; and take heed to the Light which the Son of God hath enlightned ye withall, that it may guide you in every thing; God, who at sun­dry times, and in divers manners spake to our Fathers by the Pro­phets, [Page 6]hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by Son, who is the brightnuss of his Fathers glory; Therefore hear him; this is that Prophet whom Moses spoke of, whom God would raise up; and it shall come to pass, that every one which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from amongst the people. Now he that receives not the Light which Christ hath en­lightned him withall, he hears not this Prophet; and let such read their portion, which is, To be destroyed from amongst the people.

Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found; call up­on him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his Wayes, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon him; obey the light of Christ in your consciences, and kiss the Son lest he be an­gry, and ye perish from the way when his Wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Wherefore repent and bring forth fruits to God; for the Lord will not be mocked; and know this, That such as you sowe, such shall you reap; he that sowes to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; and he that sows to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting; the Axe is laid to the Root of the Tree, and every Tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is to be hewn down, and cast into the fire.

All who profess Christ, priests and people, may we reason with you, and try you by your fruits whether you do possess him? Have you learned of Christ to be meek and lowly? Have you learned of Christ to love your Enemies? Have you learned of Christ to bless them that curse you, and to pray for them which despitefully use you, and intreat you? If you say you have, Then why doth persecution attend your Ministry? VVhy do your Hearers offer violence to such as the Lord sends amongst you, who offer no violence to them, but are as Lambs amongst VVolves? Are they not through envy haled before Magistrates, and sent to prison, though they come in meekness, and in the fear of the Lord, to warn you of the evil you live in, that you might forsake [Page 7]it and turn to God by repentance, the Scriptures declare that he that hates his Brother is a murderer; Christs com­mand is sweare not at all. Do you & your hearers obey him herein? clear your selves if you can, and because of Oathes the land mourns; but surely the Lord will plead the cause of the Innocent, and save them that trust in him, but it will go ill with them that gain-say the truth.

Search the Scriptures and see whether ever such fruits did attend the Ministers of Christ, Rom. 8 36.37. but for the sake or Christ they suffered as it is written: For thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as Sheep for the slaughter: But said the Apostle; Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ; shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famne, 2 Cor. 6.4 5, 6, &c. or na­kednesse, or peril or sword? Nay in all these things we are more then Gonquerers through him that loved us: They approved them­selves as the Ministers of Christ in much patience, in afflicti­ons, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprison­ments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, &c. And the Apostle said, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: Christ said to his Disciples, If the world hate you, you know it hated me before it hated you, if you were of the world the world would love his own, but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you: The Servant (said He) is not greater then his Lord, if they have persecuted me, they will al­so persecute you, if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also: But in him have we peace who said; Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake, rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your re­ward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the Prophets that were be­fore you: And others had tryals of cruel mockings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment; wherefore as the Apostle said, Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race [Page 8]that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, dispiseing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. Come you Professors Teachers and People, may we reason with you and try you further whe­ther you be Possessors, what do you believe of them who put Christ to death, and yet builded up the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnished the Sepulchers of the righteous, and said if they had been in the dayes of their Fathers they would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets; Mat. 23.29.30, 31, 32, 33. would not you have joyned with them in put­ing Christ to death; had you been in those dayes? If you say you would not, who shall believe you, while envy and ha­tred and persecution attends you, who persecute him in his members, now where he is made manifest; therefore as Christ said, Fill up then the measure of your Fathers, ye Ser­pents, ye generation of Vipers, how can ye escape the Damnati­on of Hell? what ever you professe, though you may talk of the Scriptures, and Christs words, and the Prophets and Apost­les words, yet being found out of his Doctrine, and in the same nature as they were in, who put Christ and the Prophets to death, it is a sure testimony that you doe not possess him.

You that are wise and have an understanding beyond ma­ny, so that by your own naturall wisdom and reason you may dive deeper into the knowledge of things then o­thers, yet stumble at the truth, and stumble at the light, by all your wisdom you cannot find out the things of God, the reason is because you are not turned to that which gives the knowledge thereof, which is the light, which Christ hath eulightned you withall, this is foolishnesse to your wisdom; but indeed this is it which leads to the true Heavenly wisdom, he that hath an eare to hear let him hear it, and he that can receive it let him, all that ever yet knew the Lord ever since the world began, it was by taking heed to that which God had made manifest of himself in them, this is the light which shines in darknesse, and God [Page 9]who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ, while you seek to know the Truth by Books and Authors, who were not come to that of God in them; your labour is in vain, it will profit you nothing; the Prophets and Apostles being come to this; the end of their Writing and Speaking was to bring others to the same, that is, The manifestation of the Spirit, which is given to every man to profit withall; hear what the Apo­stle said, He that will be wise, let him become a fool, that he may be wise; and said he, We are fools for Christ sake. Therefore to the light which Christ hath enlightned you withall, turn your minds, and receive the kingdom of God as a little child, and be willing to learn of him, else you can­not enter therein; therefore to it incline your minds, that you may be made wise indeed: the Wisdom of this World is foolishness with God; and they who are wise therein, their Wisdom will fail them; the understanding of the prudent shall come to nought; the Lord will bring it to pass: There­fore be content to be stript of that, and to part with that knowledge which you have not come rightly by, and wait at Wisdoms Gate, to be instructed there; for whose findeth it, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord; but he that sinneth against the Light, wrongeth his own soul, and all they who hate it, love death.

You Lawyers, take heed of self-ends in all you do and do nothing contrary to the righteous Law of God, which is just and equal; but speak the truth from your hearts, and do to others as you would be done unto; now if you act otherwise, he which searches the heart, and tryes the reins, knows it, who hath a Witness in you, which is pure, which is the light of Christ in your consciences, which will be your condem­nation.

And all you who are in power to judge and determine of causes and controversies between man and man, have no respect to any mans person, but let that which is just take place; and judge as you would be judged of the Lord, the [Page 10]righteous judge of Heaven and Earth, before whom all must appear to receive according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. Therefore take heed to the Light which Christ the Son of God hath enlightned you withall, that you may know the Law of God written in your hearts, and the Lord God to be your Law­giver, you being subject to him alone, in every thing doing that which is just and equal, and as you would be done unto; and herein will be your peace, and the light of Christ in your consciences will justifie you; but if you do otherwise, the light which lets you see it will be your condemnation.

Hear this you Professors, Priests and People, The Fruits of the Spirit is, love, joy, long-suffering, forbearance, meekness, gentleness; and the like; and when I see these fruits proceed from you, I may have some ground to believe that you do possess what you profess; but while I find it otherwise, you being in envy, persecution and strife, it is a sure evidence to me that you are out of the life of him whom you profess, though you may have the Prophets Words, and Christs Words to talk of, yet being found out of their practices, and in the same nature as they were which put the Prophets and Christ to death, it is a sure testimony that you are out of the life which they were in; he that lives in envy, is in the na­ture which Cain was in, who slew his Brother; he that denies the light, is in that nature which Corah was in who gain-said the truth, and was swallowed up of the Earth; and he that receives the VVages of unrighteousness, is in the error which Balaam was in, who erred after it.

Therefore all who desire to know the truth, and live there­in, and the VVorship which God accepts, who is a spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth, look not for any other thing; but take heed to the Light which lets you see your evil deeds, that you may be guided thereby; loving it, this is the way which leads to life; but hating it, it will be your condemnation; and said Christ, who is the same for e­ver, This is the condemnation, That Light is come into the world, & men love darkness rather then the light, because their deeds are [Page 11]evil: Therefore to the Light take heed, and follow the same, and you shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.

And now you who are my Companions in tribulation, who are hated, and reproached, and persecuted for the Truths sake, whether by imprisonment, or otherwise, be faithful to the Lord in your several measures, and clear your consciences to such who live without the fear of God, and are found out of the Saints practices, as by the Lord you are required; and sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread; and fear not the power of the Enemy, but be bold and valiant for the truth upon Earth, and follow Christ, who is our Leader, and the Captain of our Salvation, and lift up your Heads, for the day of your Redemption draweth nigh, and blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsly for the sake of Christ, re­joice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

And to the Lord God be glory, and honor, and thanksgi­ving in the Church of Christ for ever, who is appeared in the riches of his love, and is become the Teacher of his peo­ple himself; and let all Disputers, and all flesh be silent for ever, for he is found who could never be known by worldly wisdom, who hath preserved me in tumults, in bonds and imprisonments, and is become my support and comforter, whose love I cannot express, O that I may never forget the same.