NOw Chriſt Jeſus being come, who ſheweth plainly of the the father, and came out from him who is the God of Order, he ſaith no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him, Ma • . 11. 27. and no man cometh to the Father, but by him, & its not ſaid no man cometh to the Father but by the Scriptures, nor none knows the Father, but they to whom the ſcriptures reveale him, and many have the Scriptures but know not God the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who doth not ſay come unto the Scriptures, but ſaith ſearch the ſcriptures and come unto me, and he is meek and low in the heart, even the light within, which came from him, who ſaid, I am the light, come unto me, and that his ſhould not goe out from him within, when wars, daſolation, and deſtructions cometh, therefore ſaith he to them, in patience poſſeſſe ye your ſoules, and patience is in man, and the ſoule is within, and he foreſeeing the many deceivers and anti-chriſts that would come, one crying Loe here, and another Loe there, and that many would follow their pernitions waies, by reaſon whereof the way of truth (which makes free) would be evill ſpoken of, and that if poſible ſuch would deceive the very Elect, therefore ſaith Chriſt, if they ſhall ſay behold he is in the deſart, goe not forth, Mat 24 26. and this is a command of Chriſt which all that talke of his Ordinances and commands ſhould cheifly obſerve, and then they would not follow them who are pleading for ſin, and ſo in the Serpents nature, creeping into houſes, with his wiſdome, leading them captive, who are laden with ſin, neither would they believe them that ſay he is in the ſecret Chambers, (where the moſt ſubtileſt ſerpents are creeping together) and confined to their privates meetings, for the light ſhineth in and over all, as the lightning ſhining from the Eaſt unto the Weſt, ſo is the coming of Chriſt, Gods power ſuddenly, as a thief to all them that are in the darkneſſe, but waited for by all them that are in the light, & there is nothing done in ſecret chambers among the ſerpents, that ſhall not be made manifeſt, but thoſe that obey the command of Chriſt, who ſaith goe not forth, will not follow them that preach him (or an other) in another place, as a private chamber, or a far off, or without, or in the deſart, for the true miniſters preached Chriſt within the hope of glory, that all men who are not reprobates, might come to know Chriſt the light in them.

For the Kingdome of God was in the wiſe zealous Phariſes & yet by their wiſdome and knowledge, and learning in the Scriptures without them, they knew not the kingdome of God which was in them, but denyed him who was the light of the world, that came to preach it, & ſhew it unto them, and preacht the kingdome of God at hand, not afar off, in another Region, nor in the deſart or another place, or countrey, not another time, but he who was in the Church in the wilderneſſe, ſaith to day if ye will heare his voice, harden not your hearts in ſin untill many years hence, for the Kingdome is nigh at hand, ſalvation being come to the houſe, which houſe are they whom God dwels in, who heares his word in the heart, from the which whoſoever goes forth, to be led by any other thing (or man) whatſoever to ſeek him in whom is the fulneſſe and power of God are deceived, & receives not the power, nor him in whom is the fulneſſe of God, and ſo they are ſtill ſeeking and never ſatisfied, neither receive that which they ſeek for, and all that thus goe forth, hunting, (like Eſau) after that without, they breake the command of Chriſt, who ſaid goe not forth.

And many there are who let their minds goe forth, buſying themſelves about the body of Chriſt without, and earneſtly diſputing about his body (fleſh and bones) in the darkneſſe of their minds like the Devil about the body of Moſes and thoſe are they that have broke his command, who ſaid goe not forth, and believe in the light, which light is within, and the command is in it, and they going forth from it, are out of the light, and ſo out of the command, & are conceiving ſomthing in the wrong ground, from what is written without them, and theſe keep out the Law which is written in the heart, and ſo look more at the things without, then at the light within, whereby to ſee that which may be known of God in them, and ſuch are ſtill like the men of Galile, who ſtood ga • ing after him that was gone up into heaven (and taken out of the ſight of all them that gazed abroad) and knew not that which was neare, but ſtood gazing after one that was gone, not minding the two that was with them, neither ſaw them that were by them, who at laſt reproved theſe gazers, Acts 1. 1 • , 11. and after they were reproved by that which was near, for gazing after that body which aſcended up afar off, then they returned from gazing & wandring abroad, unto Jeruſalem and there continued, untill they were filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and ſo then that which was holy was revealed in them, and by that in them which was holy, did they after build up one another, and we know that as he aſcended (out of their ſight who gazed after that afar off, & knew not that which was near) even ſo doth he come againe, out of the ſight of all ſuch, and ſo they ſee him not, but are ſtill gazing and ſeeking after him, and will not receive reproof, neither turne in, where the power is to be received,

And there were many young men, who had not received a double portion of Elijah ſpirit, that were very earneſt to ſend and ſeek after the body of Elijah. but Eliſha who had received adouble portion of the ſpirit, looked no longer after the body of Elijah or that which departed out of his ſight, or the ſight of the carnall eye, and alſo forbad the other young men for looking after it, but they would not forbear ſeeking abroad, untill many men had ſought ſeverall dayes and then they returned, after they had ſought in vaine, and found not him with the carnall eye, would ſee (which eye muſt be blind) 2 Kings • . 1 • , 16, 17. but many there are now, who have not received the ſpirit of Elijah, who have looked many years for the body, and have not found it, neither yet return from going forth, and wandring in their dark mindes to ſeeke that which I know they ſhall never finde; for if any might have found it, why not I, (who was once wiſe, though now a foole) who ſought long with carfulneſſe, therefore let ſuch wandring ſtars underſtand, that it was not he which had received a double portion of the ſpirit of Elijah that ſought after his body without, but them that had not received that ſpirit, and though they ſought that body which was taken up into heaven, yet they never found it, neither ſhall ever ſuch ſee that body of Chriſt they look ſo much after, who break his command in going forth, from the guidance of his light in them, for they that ſought the body of Jeſus in the grave found it not, but had one nearer them, that they knew not, who reproved them for ſeeking the living among the dead, and ſaid he is not here, but is riſen, ſo he was riſen out of the ſight of that eye which he came to blind, Iohn 9, 39, & the eye being yet dark which he came to open, they were much perplexed & afraid, and bowed their faces to the earth when they ſaw two men ſtand by them in ſhining raiment, and this was that which the other eye was to ſee, and theſe were they who were much perplexed, who ſought after the one that was dead but now alive, and a cended out of their ſight, who were afraid of them, • . Who were near and manifeſt in their ſight, as they expected not, Luke 24. 4, 5, 6.

And they that had not received the comforter, the ſpirit of truth within, were reaſoning as they went along about the man Chriſt Jeſus, and theſe who thus reaſoned about him without, had not received him within, and they who had the ſtrong reaſons were in the emnity to God who is light, Iſay •• . 1. and the diſciples that reaſoned their eyes were holden that they knew not him which cauſed their hearts to burne within them, and was with them, and preached to them, and opened to them the ſcriptures, preaching the reſurrection to them whoſe eyes were opened, when he break bread unto them, and they ſhall never dye who eate that bread which is given by him who came and ſtood in the midſt of them that had followed him, and ſaid peace be unto you, and he that ſtood in the midſt, is the light, (and the light ſhineth in darkneſſe) even the ſon of him, that will dwell in the midſt of the children of Iſrael for ever.

And this is he that opens the underſtanding, and appeareth unto his Lambs, in the power of the fathers love ſaying, Children have you any meat? but they anſwered him no, who had Chriſt without, Iohn 21. • . but with them who have meat he feedeth, and they with him, at the table of the Lord [not of Devils] who comes in unto them, and ſup and dine with them, and they with him, who feeds them with the bread of God which gives life unto the world, of which he is the light, he that can receive and underſtand theſe things, let him.

And Mary who went while it was yet darke to ſeek the body (of him that was crucified) in the grave [as many are now in the dark (before the light is received) ſeeking him in the earthly] yet ſhe found not the body, but ſhe had left him behind, who was the light and the life, and ſh • turned her ſelfe back, before ſhe ſaw her Lord, and then ſhe knew him not, but when he ſaid Mary, ſelfe was turned, and ſhe called him maſter who is the light, John 20. 1 • . and many that looked after that body and bones that was crucified were troubled, much perplexed and terrified at him that abode not in the earth, and were troubled and much afraid of him who did appear again unto them according to his words, and how hard was it for them to know him, that had been but very few daies from them, and how hard is it for them to know him now that never ſaw him, and how hard it is for them to receive him who deny and hats that which terrifies and troubles them, for Chriſt was neare Dost thou k •• w that which troubles thee & is thy life now in it, or haſt thou tryed that thing, and whether it will lead thee out of all ſin, and trouble or not? thoſe diſciples that were terrified and troubled, but they knew him not, but when he that troubled them (& cauſed them to tremble, and their hearts to burne within them) had opened their eyes and underſtandings, then they knew him, and loved him at whoſe preſence before they were troubled, and then they turned back (marke that, they turned back) & waited to receive him within, whom they had ſeen without, and when they were turned back and were within, Jeſus ſtood in the midſt and when the doors were ſhut, he came and ſtood in the midſt, [therefore I ſay enter thou into thy cloſet and ſhut the door, for there is a door to be ſhut] and when they that were within had received him within, by whom they had been terrified and troubled then (and not before, they preached him unto the world who troubled and terrified them, and them who troubled and terrified the world, and cauſed many to tremble, and be pricked to the heart, and then ſome who were troubled gnaſhed with their teeth at thoſe who preached him, that troubled them, and whole cities were troubled, and againſt one of thoſe harmleſſe Lambes of Chriſt who preached him, that perplexed his diſciples, did the profeſſors cry out, ſaying, men of Iſrael help, Act 21. 28. [many profeſſors cry out for more help againſt one profeſſor] and all the City was in an uproar againſt one of them that preached him by which people are cut to the heart.

And ſo the preaching of him now that did trouble and terrifie us, who is now our life, doth trouble perplex and terrifie both Prieſts, Baptiſts, Independants, yea all profeſſors and people of the world, and whole Towns, Cities, Countries and Nations.

Oh the blindneſſe of the profeſſors, and the ignorance of of the prudent are they not all to keep ſilence in this day of light, where is the wiſe, let the diſputer come forth, let the deviners joine together, my heart is even broken for them all, & my bowels are turned within me, Oh that I might enter with • n their wals, and be received with that in which the wiſdome of man doth not ſtand, why will the diſputers ſtand to reaſon about that they know not, and why do they let the vaile be thickned over their hearts, when can they underſtand the things of God, or perceive the hidden treſures of the myſteries of his will.

Oh that the hearts of the ſimple among the wiſeſt of them might be opened to receive inſtruction, and that in meeknes they come to wait and turne to receive him, that is near unto them all (and that they might let the tender principle now ariſe in them, to bring them into meekneſſe that they might come to receive him (that ſometimes troubles them) upon whom the ſpirit of wiſdom, of underſtanding, of counſel and of the feare of the Lord doth reſt forevermore, that of him they might learne, and ſo no more to go forth, nor to err not knowing the ſcriptures, nor the power of God; but that they might receive power to overcome the world and their ſins, and to become the Sons of God, and to have the Scriptures opened in them, by him who is the light that ſomtimes cauſeth their hearts within them to burne.

And this in the tenders of my Fathers love, would I have all profeſſors conſider, that this command, where Chriſt ſaith go not forth, is a chief command of great concernment to every one that profeſſe his Name; for he ſaith he that is with you ſhall be in you, and untill they had received him within, they were to be quiet and ſtay waiting together, and not run up and downe, preaching the body of Chriſt without, before they had received his life within: And his life is that which ſaveth from ſin & wrath to come.

Therefore now the light of Chriſt being in man, from it he is not to go forth, but wait in the light which diſcovers ſin, untill by it he come to receive power to overcome the ſin, for there is none to goe forth to ſeek him in the deſart or the private chambers, nor to follow any of them that ſay loe here or • o there, for all they are not to be believed, neither let any man or woman be ſo miſtaken, as to think that we (in ſcorne called Quakers) are any of that number which cries loe here and loe there, for I doe not bid any man goe forth from that which is manifeſt of God in him, to any place, or outward forme, or image or invention of man, or command without, or any thing done in private, neither indeed do I ſomuch as bid them come forth from the light of Chriſt in them to follow my writings, and take that to be their rule, guid, or Leader, but that by my writings, words, example and ſufferings they might be informed (even by this without them) of that which God hath freely given into them, by that to be guided and that to be to them a Rule of life, and by it to be led into all truth, for its the ſpirit received within, which leads into all truth, even into the truth it ſelfe, of which I declare, and ſo people being come to be guided by that which is of God in them, this will abide with them for ever, and that in them may be with them, when they have neither my writings, words nor perſon without them, as at that preſent by them, therefore I ſay unto all, as Chriſt did, go not forth.

And to this very end were the ſcriptures written, that men might come to receive and attain to the knowledge of the Son of God and his mighty power manifeſt in them, to deſtroy ſin and reconcile unto God, and to be led by him as a ſhepherd, who ſheweth unto his all things plainly of the Father, and ſo to be taught of the Lord, and come to be guided by him, and need not any man teach them.

And ſince he hath put the ſword of his ſpirit into my hand, and his word of life into my mouth, the wicked thereby hath been cut down like the graſſe, and the mighty have been trampled upon as the duſt in the ſtreets; the tall Gedars have been as the Brambles, and the ſtrong Oaks have been rooted up; the Prophet became a fool, the Paſtors became brutiſh, and the ſpirituall man was mad, but the ſeed hath been refreſhed, and the weake nurſed up, the tender plant preſerved, and the hungry fed.

And for his name ſake will I not keep ſilence untill my teſtimony be finiſhed, and untill Jeruſalem be made a praiſe over all the Earth, and her righteouſneſſe break forth as the morning, and her comlineſſe as the brightneſſe of the Son, and till I ſee the deſtruction of her enemies, and her Adverſaries overturned for ever; for powerfull is our King, who is come to raign.

Oh! Who can with-hold the pen from writing, and the tongue from declaring? When the Lyon hath roared, who will not hear? When the Lord hath ſpoken, who can but propheſie? How can I but declare his wondrous works, and proclaime his Name where ever I come, and confeſſe him before men, though I ſhould ſuffer much more impriſoning, dungeon, and whipping then I have done? Surely his name I will declare in the world, who is the light, and give my teſtimony of him that ſaves from ſin, whoſe Name is called Jeſus, the light of the world, which is the elect, precious, and corner (but ſtumbling) ſtone, even to both the houſes of Iſrael; but it is he that is come to rule the Nations with his Iron rod, and daſh his enemies in pieces like a potters veſſell, and judge the Earth in righteouſneſſe, and the people with his living truth; and now the ſinner ſhall not ſtand in judgement, nor the wicked in the congregation of the righteous; for he utters his voice like thunder, againſt the wicked, and is dreadfull againſt the double-minded; he condemns the unjuſt with an utter over-throw, and pulls downe the unrighteous from their ſeats: Oh! Who of the wicked can ſtand when he Thunders from heaven, and pierceth through the ſecret parts of the heart?

And though I doe ſpeak an allegory, yet I doe not ſpeak contrary to the ſcriptures, but according thereunto, from the ſpirit of truth, and though I ſpeak of the operation of Chriſt in his members, yet I doe not deney the works which were wrought by him in his own perſon; and though I preach Chriſt within the hope of glory, yet I doe not preach an other; and though Paul travelled in birth again untill Chriſt was formed in the Galathians, yet he did not deſire an other Chriſt ſhould be formed in them, And though Paul ſaid God had revealed his Son in him, yet it was not an other Son; and though I ſay the Son of God is come, and hath given me an underſtanding, yet it is not another Son, but the ſame that ever was who worketh all our works in us; And though I preach him the maker, an end of ſin, yet I doe not preach another; but they who preach a Chriſt that doth not make an end of ſin, nor ſave them (who preach him) from their ſins, do preach another Chriſt, ſeeing the true Chriſt maketh an end of ſin: And though I ſay the prophet is come who is mighty in word and worke, and raiſed up in the midſt, or in the heart, yet it is not another but the ſame, whoſe wonders appeared outwardly whilſt he was in the forme of a ſervant upon the earth.

And though I preach him to the world, the light of the World, yet it's not an other, but the ſame who ſaid, I am come a light into the world, and I am the light of the world, Ioh. 8. 12. and ſo he being come a light into the world, he is to be preached as he is, [the Light] that all men through him might believe, and mens minds turned from darkneſſe to him who is the light, (in the darkneſſe) and it is moſt right and proper to preach him the light who is now come, and is the end of the Law to all them that believe in the Light, and the end of the Prophets who preached him that is the light under various Names or Terms, as King, P • ieſt, Prophet, a • on, a Child, the Mighty God: and Davi • calls him Lord; and he is called a Saviour, a Redemer, a Mediatour, &c who being come ſaith, I am the light; and ſo it's right and ſound Doctrine to preach him as he is, The light of the World, and lightneth every man that cometh into the World which is the true light; and we that preach this, doe not preach another, but him who ſaid, I am the light.

By me who refuſed the glory, treaſure, and prefermen of the world, and did chooſe rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God; and though I profited much in that Religion where the carnall Ordinances are, yet that profiting came to be accounted as droſſe and dung, that he might be received who makes an end of ſin, who being now come, his love conſtraineth me his Name to publiſh, who is the true Prophet, whoſe Name is called Jeſus, who hath, and doth ſave from ſin, for whoſe name-ſake I have often been brought before Rulers, haled and beat out of the Synagogues, numbred among the tranſgreſſors, tryed at an Aſſizes as an offender, yet there denyed the liberty of a murtherer, being ſix times impriſoned, twice ſtript naked and whipt with Rods, and ſince put into Bridewell, once put into, and kept long in a dungeon for praying; often abuſed in priſon; ſometimes near death; in tryals often, in perills often, in loſſe of goods in dayly reproaches.

And in that which hath been greater then all theſe things, and yet have I been preſerved unto this day by the power of him who is the light, and the onely Son of God, to whom be eternall glory from his own ſeed in his ſervant, who is one of the leaſt among many brethren, being a priſoner at Wincheſter for the truth of Chriſt by the will of men, unto whom I am known by the Name of.

Oh all ye ſcattered of the flock! my voice is to you that have not found reſt to your ſoules, now hearken diligently to heare my voice, and feel my words of life, for now the time is come that the ſeed that hath long lain in the death ſhall heare my voice and they that heare ſhall live and riſe out of the death, and I will give them life.

Oh! come unto me my own, my beloved before the foundation of the world; come, and ſtay not; I have long waited for you; my locks are wet with the drops of the night, and you have even wearied me with waiting for you; long have I knocked at the door of your hearts, calling to repentance, and no man regarded; nor the ſlothfull would not ariſe that I might come in, and take up my abode with, and in my own, and refreſh them with waters of life; but now am I come who am the bridegroom and the biſhop of the ſoul, with my alluring termes.

Come, Oh my friends, • hearken my beloved, let me not be denyed; open the door of thy hard heart, and let me not ſtand waiting any longer; behold I have honour for all them that follow me, & crowns of life for all wil receive me, come unto me, my lambs, I have prepared my ſupper, I have made in this Mountain a feaſt of wines of the Lees, of fat things full of marrow; all things are now ready; Come in unto me, I am the bread of life, I am the hidden Manna, I come to ſave mens lives:

Come all ye that are weary with the burthen of your ſins, I am the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world; I come to take away the ſins of the world; I am the root of Jeſſe, and the off-ſpring of David; I am he that opens and none can ſhut, and ſhuts, and no man opens; I have power to forgive ſins on earth. Come, ceaſe from the evill of your doings, learn of me to do well, & then we will reaſon together, & though thy ſins have been as ſcarlet, they ſhall then be as white as Snow; for I come to finiſh tranſgreſſion and make an end of ſin, and bring in the everlaſting righteouſneſſe of God. Therefore hear, oh ye ſcatered of the flock, that are yet in the miery clay covered over with the thick clouds of your ſins; oh! remain not in filth nor continue no longer with the fleſh-pots in the houſe of bondage, for I am come to condemn ſin in the fleſh, & deſtroy the works of the Devill, that you may find redemption in me, and be waſhed from your filthineſſe, and cleanſed from your ſin.

Wherefore hear all ye that are far from righteouſneſs, behold I have gifts for the rebellious, my hand is ſtreched forth; oh ye ſimple ones! come unto me, and learn pure wiſdom; & ye fools be of an underſtanding heart. O why will ye dye, oh ye houſe of Iſrael! have I any pleaſure at all that the wicked ſhould dye? turn you, turn you, now I do cal, oh ye hard-harted! where fore do you hide your ſelves from me? & dig deep to hide your councels from me? why do you run alwais aſtray? Oh what ſhall I do unto you that I have not don? & yet do you ſtil go on in the evil of your wais? when wil you once return? Oh Jeruſ. I wilt thou not be made clean? When ſhal it once be? Oh! I have ſeen your abominations, & am wearied with your fins, & yet you have not regarded; oh! now it is high time to conſider thy ways, & return from the evill of thy doings, leſt thou be ſhut out for ever.

And all ye my dear ones that have long waited for me, behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, ſaith Chriſt the Son of God, and I will open to you the hidden Treaſures of my father, and make known his will to you; and I will remove off the burden, and circumciſe your hearts; behold I come, ſaith Chriſt, and I will open the priſon-door, & raiſe the priſoner out of the pit, and bring deliverance to the captive, and refreſh the plant of my Fathers planting, and nouriſh the tender grape which the ſubtilty hath hurt; and I will bind up the broken, and reſtore unto the mourners the years of joy and comfort, and I will be unto you a ſure foundation, and a preſent help in time of need; and I will bring back the ſcattered, and they ſhall now return, and fear the Lord God of their Fathers in my mountain of holineſs, and they ſhall walk in the way of peace, and in the pathes of righteouſneſs, where the unclean ſhall not paſſe over, nor the wild beaſts of the field ſhall not come, but the ranſomed of my Father, ſaith Chriſt the Son of God.

Therefore hear all ye my brethren, and conſider all yee my friends, for I am come who am the ſure foundation, & the corner-ſtone, the Light, the true light of the world, and the life of man, and the everlaſting covenant of the father, and power of God, and the wiſdome of the Father; by me Kings reigne, and the princes of Iſrael ſhall now rule in equity; for behold I am come, even he that you have long waited for, and there is not another; come learn of me, I am meek, I am lowly, I am the light, low in the heart, I am the living Miniſter, ſaith Chriſt the Son of the Fathers love, and the light of the World; I change not but remain a Prieſt for ever, a living Miniſter, a Miniſter of life within the vail, miniſtring life unto the ſpirit in priſon.

THat which went forth from the life of God, profeſſed the name of God to cover it ſelfe with that, without the life the which profeſſion through the ſecret ſubtilty, did more and more increaſe, which led further off from the ſenſe, of the feeling of the life of God, and when its ſtirred, to judge that which went out from it, then preſently would that which went out, lead forth further to ſeek after, and comprehend in the knowledge and profeſſion of his name, treaſuring up that, in that which went out from his life, and therewith to cover that without the life, and then for a time that was quiet, being got ſo far out from the ſence of the feeling of the ſtrivings of the life, which ſtrivings being got out from, ceaſed for a time to ſtrive being reſiſted with that which abode not in it, whereby it became vailed and covered with a thick cloud by that which ſinned againſt it, the which thereby came to be exalted above it, even above all that is called God, and is of his nature, and increaſing, getting ſtrength, and covering it ſelfe in the earthly wiſdome through the carnall conceivings and profeſſion of God out of the life and the power by which that was grieved, and under that oppreſſed, which under the profeſſion, ſometimes would ſtir againe, and in ſecret judge that which did oppreſſe, and wounding that which grieved it, even ſtriking through it with the dreadfull darts of it's power, making the other ſenſible, that it's judgement was to paſſe over and cut down the head of that which was above it exalted, the which judgement, being loved and turned to, ſo there is a coming againe to the ſenſe of the feeling of the operation of the power which judgeth and ſtriveth againſt that which was got above the power, profeſſing his name, who is the power, but not bearing nor feeling his nature, who being with the power judged, and condemned with the light that comes from the power, yet being not kept to the Croſſe, and his head alwaies under the ſword of the power, in the judgement, his head gets forth againe, the twining head of that which got the profeſſion, but abode not in the power, which head being, not bruiſed in it's firſt motion, the body growes up, even the man of ſin, with ſpirituall wickedneſſe in high places, ſhewing it ſelfe as the power, being exalted above the power, & there ſtands in oppoſition againſt the power, which being judged, confounded, ſcattered, and overturned, with the powerful breakings forth of that, which by it ſuffered under; ſo the true thing preſents it ſelfe to be the leader; which being received and obeyed, it draws the mind in, where is ſtilneſſe and quietneſs, out of that which labours for vanity, into that where the labour ceaſeth, and the reſt is received, and the day come which God hath bleſſed for evermore, where the Lamb is the light, and the ſmall ſtill voyce is heard, and the power of the Word received; the which ſome coming to ſee, through the openings in the light, and yet not in it waiting, through the judgment to be led into the thing it ſelf, ſo that that which ſtood not in the power, ſoon leadeth out the mind in a joy becauſe of the ſight, to cover it ſelf again therewith.

And ſo as that is ſtill followed, which leadeth forth from the power in the ſight, conceiving, or profeſsing of it without it, having not the ſubſtance; So the ſubſtance and the power is more and more degenerated from, in what image or form ſoever it be, and as the form is continued in, the power is denyed; but as the power is minded, and waited for, ſtanding out of the form or image: ſo the other which abode not, but leadeth out of the power of the truth, cometh to be croſt, judged and denied, and ſo not followed, but kept out of, in the light to watch and war againſt it by the light, out of it to be led into that, and it to receive, in which immortality abideth for ever.

And ſo as there is a continuall watching with the light that may be ſeeen, which abides not in it, but is got up above it, working in all deceiveableneſs in the myſtery of iniquity, to cover it ſelf with the profeſsion of truth, but ſtill keep out of it, and alſo that may be ſeen, which ſuffers under all this, and lieth under it, ſo that it cannot be come to, nor come at, by that which is out of it, and ſtands above it, and its vailed and covered, and the narrow entrance to it, is hard to be found, and being found, is ſoon turned out of, and hard to be kept in, by reaſon of the many turnings of the deceivableneſs of that, which is, and is rightly named, the myſtery of iniquity, which worketh in them that obey not the light, which cometh from the truth, in which the power ſtandeth, out of which that went forth which hath not the power, which is to be confounded with the power, that the power without hands may break in pieces that made with hands, or the greateſt, talleſt, or moſt glorious image that hath been conceived in the dark mind, and ſet up on high above the humble ſuffering ſeed to be worſhipped, which in the power of the light is reſiſted, with all his wiles, though therein he bringeth Scripture to uphold his kingdome and dominion over the other, which is to reign, to have it bow down to him, and worſhip him, who abode not in the power, which by the power is reſiſted and denyed for ever, and he commanded to ſerve it, and bound and chain'd down with it.

And ſo that which denies & overcomes the other, and is the younger, which is to reign, whom the other is to ſerve, and is humble, low, meek, ſober, wiſe and gentle, harmleſs and innocent, is it that all are to wait to receive and joyn unto; from it power to know, in it to ſtand againſt the other which did it oppreſs, and by ſecret ſubtlety being exalted, doth always endeavour to ſit in the Temple of God, ſhewing it ſelfe as God, being covered with a profeſsion of the truth, which in the truth doth not abide, yet to the truth in words may confeſſe and acknowledg that wch ſaveth from ſin, to be the begotten of God, and may believe and tremble becauſe of it, and be tormented and troubled by it, & yet remain an enemy to the Son, tempting him by many glorious preſentations and gifts, rewards and promiſes, to bow to that, and ſerve that, and be led by that which abideth not in the power, that ſo thereby over the power it might always rule, in the deceivableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe, ſtill preſenting that which is fair, pleaſant, and deſireable, and ſeeming to make one wiſe; which being received, opens that eye which looks at the things which are ſeen, and darkens that which is to give the knowledg of the power, by which the things that are ſeen were made, wherein many are enſnared, others tempted, and ſome overcome, who are to ſink down to that then overcom, and feel it again in them to riſe to overcom the other, leſt their latter end be worſe then their beginning.

Oh how can the depth of the ground of this myſtery of iniquity be declared; or who can utter forth the innumerable transformings and changings of that which ſtill ſeeketh by all ſubtilty to keep from the obedience, to the life of that power, by which man was made, & from which through diſobedience he was led, by that which ſaid, Ye ſhall be as gods, which againſt God doth ſtand, in that ground which by him is curſed.

And how can the unſearchable love of the father be uttered with words! who ſo loved the world (and his ſeed in it) that he gave his Son to them that asked not for him; that by his light may be ſeen the deceiveableneſs of the many workings of the powers of darkneſs in the mind that is darkned; which from the darkneſs to the light is to be turned with the light, in the fear, to watch againſt every appearance and firſt motion of the changeable powers of darkneſſe, which ſometimes appeareth as an Angell of light, againſt whoſe appearance all are to ſtand armed, with the power of him who is the light, and to feel the power of the word, which is as fire, and yet to reſiſt that which the Devil darteth in, which is alſo like unto fire.

And that the tender ſimplicity, after which my ſoul breaths, may not be betrayed by that which ſtill ſeeketh to devour, and keep from the power of the Croſs, and turne aſide from the narrow way of life, in which that all the innocent friends of Chriſt may be kept to follow the leadings of that, which from the God of truth, and love, and peace to them have come, by it to be led out of, and from all that, which in the truth doth not abide, and in the power doth not ſtand.

Therefore is this given forth, even from the breathings of my life to the pure witneſs in you all, which the changeableneſs of iniquity doth always ſtand againſt; the which in Gods living power, let all that feel it keep againſt the other to ſtand, and out of all Satans wiles to be preſerved, to the end of all that which hath an end, that then when time ſhall be no more, you may reſt, and abide with, and in him that is the truth, whom the Devil hath nothing in, to receive the bleſſings of the father, and the tender mercies of the moſt high, to refreſh you, and overcome you with the power of his love, that it to you all may be the bond of everlaſting peace, in which with all the humble and faithfull am I bound up, and in it with them for evermore do reſt.

JAcob is the ſecond birth, whom God loveth, the noble ſeed, who like a Prince wreſtles for the everlaſting bleſsing, he prevaileth, and hath power with God and with men, who was and is beloved for ever; he was of God beloved and bleſſed, & called by another name after he wreſtled and prevailed, and had power with God, and with men [mark] he had a new name given after he prevailed, and had power, as it is written, He that overcometh ſhall eat of the hidden Manna, and have a white ſtone; and in it a new name written, which no man knoweth ſaving he that receiveth it, Rev. 2. 17. [Mark] a new name in a white ſtone, Chriſt the light, the corner-ſtone, a new name in the light of life, in the white ſtone, pure and precious, the elect, the ſure foundation, the foundation laid in Sion, the Law ſhall go forth of Sion, the Law is written in the fleſhly tables of the heart. I will write my Law in their hearts ſaith God, from whence it ſhall go forth; The law is light, and the commandement. The law ſhall go forth of Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jeruſalem Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a ſtone, a tryed ſtone, a precious corner-ſtone, he that believeth on him ſhall not be confounded. He that believeth makes not haſt, but he that believeth not, is to be confounded, he makes haſt, he wils, he runs; not he that wills, nor runs, but he that waits upon God for mercy, he believeth, he makes not haſt, he waits, he wreſtles with God for the bleſsing, he prevaileth. Jacob the plain ſimple man, the ſeed of Abraham, that dwelt in his tent, he gets the bleſsing of God that waits upon him, that wreſtles with him like a Prince; he prevaileth and hath power with God, and with men; he hath a new name in a white ſtone, who overcometh, whoſe light is like a ſtone moſt precious, clear as chryſtal. He that overcomes ſhall be cloathed with white rayment, white as the light, Jac • b the ſecond birth, he knoweth the dreadful place, the houſe of God, and the gate of heaven, he paſſeth over Jordan, and after become two bands; his ſeed is bleſſed of God, who prevaileth and overcometh; the ſecond birth, born of the ſpirit, him God loveth; but Eſa • have I hated, the firſt birth born of the fleſh, the cunning hunter, a man of the field, wandering in the field, in the wilderneſſe, in the darkneſſe abroad, hunting for veniſon (mark) for food, for meat that periſheth, the wild man abroad hunting, he loſeth the bleſſing. Hearken all profeſſors of the Scriptures, who know not the wilde Aſſes colt tyed to the vine, the Covenant of God, the life of God, and the power of God you are out of, and ſtrangers to; Here is the ſtate of the fooliſh virgins, the fooliſh woman is clamourous, her feet abide not in her houſe; but ſhe that tarryeth at home divideth the ſpoyl, ſhe ſweepeth the houſe, and ſeeketh diligently for the piece of money which was loſt. The Lords money was hid in the darkneſs, which hath his image, which is found in the houſe, by the light, he lighteth the candle, and diligently ſearcheth: The ſpirit of man is the candle of the Lord (which in the houſe is lighted) ſearching all the inward parts of the belly, Prov 20. 27. The Lord will ſearch Jeruſalem with candles; I the Lord ſearch the heart and try the reynes; how are the hidden things of Eſau ſearched out? (mark) of Eſau the firſt birth, of the fleſh, the cunning hunter, a man of the field, in the darknes; the dark places of the earth are full of cruelty; he is born there, the firſt birth Eſau, Cain the firſt birth, the murtherer, the envious one, in the darkneſs conceived, after the fleſh born, the perſecuter and murtherer of the ſecond birth born after the ſpirit, beloved of God, whoſe offering of him is accepted; but the offering of the firſt birth is not accepted (ſin lyeth at the door) which ſeparateth, he is to be baniſhed and driven from the preſence of God, before whoſe door ſin lyeth, and is the vagabond and fugitive on the Earth. Hear this ye blinde perſecutors and profeſſors; your envy, deceit, and your hunting in the ſubtilty, in the ravening and devouring nature, ſhutteth you out: And except ye be born again, you ſhall never inherit the kingdom of the Lord God of eternal life and love, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſs and peace for ever and ever.