CH [...]TER I. Concerning the Light of Gods quickening Spirit by Jesus Christ.

THe Light of Christ is the Power of God, by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages, from Abel to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and M [...]ses, [...]n whose day the Lord wrought wonderful great De­liverances, by the Power of his L [...]ght, figured in the Clou [...] by D [...]y, and in the Pillar of Fire by Night, by which was Israel's De [...]iverances from their Enemies, which perished in the midst of Darkness, Exod. 13.21. Now Israel in that [...] comm [...]nd [...]d [...] still in their Minds, and not [...] after their own L [...]st [...]nd Evil wayes; in which state of [...] to the Light they came to witness great Deliver­ance [...]; but when Israel, through their Disobedience, fell [...] in their Minds, from the Light and Power of Gods [...], having their Minds turned by the Power of the Ene­my, to [...]ok back after the Flesh Pots of Aegypt, ther [...] re­mained Death▪ by which they slighted the Lords Mercy, despising his Gut inwardly, as they despised the [...] outward [...]y, and saving, That their Souls [...], Numb 21.6. for which cause of Disobedience, the [...] sent [...]rey Serpents, whereof the People became wound­ed and many dyed in that state; then the Lord in render [...] towards the penitent preserved a number, that had not [...] unto D [...]ath, whose Redemption was wrought [...]hrough [...] Power of God, by lifting up the brazen Serpent [...] the bewild [...]red state, that whosoever, in Obedience to [Page 2] the Light of Gods Power, come to beh [...]ld the Brazen Ser­pent▪ received [...]; which was a true Figure of Gods Po [...] fullfilled in this Gospel Day [...] Christ, [...] of divine Light is to be lifted up above all other [...] in the heart of man▪ even as they were to look to him by Faith, a [...] he was to be outwardly lifted up on the [...] their sins, dye and rise again; for as Moses li [...]ted up th [...] Brazen Serpent in the Wilderness, even so must the Son of [...] lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not [...] but have Eternal Life, John 3.14, 15. And this is that L [...]g [...]t which hath been the Path of the Just in all Ag [...]s▪ [...] which the holy men of God were enlightened to see the Glory of G [...]d to come, [...] sending his Son Jesus Ch [...]ist to be a Light to the whole world, that as many as believed in him might be saved; [...] believe in Christ believe in the Light, as he is L [...]ght which redeems the Soul and keeps it alive unto God; by which the Soul comes to be redeemed from the Stings of the old Serpent, the Power of the Devil, whose Powe [...] the Light makes ma­nifest, and by Obedience to the Light [...]he Soul receives po [...]er from God, which sets up the Light a [...]ove all other [...] in the heart of man which must be ove [...]come by the P [...]wer of Gods Spirit, which is Light and Li [...]e, bef [...]e the Soul can receive any assurance of God in Christ; for he that loveth [...] thing more than Christ is not found worthy to receive him. Ma [...]. [...]0.37, 38, 39. for where the heart is set in [...] thing, more than to love the Light, the Soul of that [...] remains in the broad way, whe [...]e the venomous Serpents [...] which draw the heart and mind f [...]om the Lo [...] of God in [...] state of sinning against the [...]. Light, [...] the Gift of his Spirit, purchased by the death and Resurrect [...] of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ which [...] know [...] of than to call the gift of God [...] div [...]n [...] Lig [...]t in the heart [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 4] Out-goings and Incomings, by which he received the heavenly Riches of Gods Love, to the sa [...]ng [...] Soul, wh [...]ch is the Portion of all the faithful▪ who receive Christ in the love of his Light, which is no less than L [...]fe Et [...]nal to all them that believe in his Name; for his Name is Light, and this Light hath been preached to every Creat [...]re under the Heavens, Col. 1.23. which is that Light which John was sent to preach, Christ the true Light, that lighteth ev [...]ry Man that com [...]th into the World, John 1.9. an [...] [...]his Light opened their Under­standings to know the Scrip [...]ures, Luke 24 15▪ to 29. for Obe­dience to the Light of Christ brings into the Knowledge of God, by which there [...] to be a right understanding of what is contained in the holy Scriptures; for by the Spirit of Go [...] in Christ were the holy men of God enlightned, and ga [...]e forth the holy Scriptures, as they were moved by the holy Ghost.

Now mind, That of this Light hath every man received a measure in his heart, it being the Seed of the Kingdom, and bringeth forth Fruit in good Ground, Mat. 13.4, 5 6▪ 7, 8. but not in all other Grounds, which signifie dark unclean stoney and hard Hearts, in which the Seed hath been sown, but only thrives and brings forth Fruit acceptable to God in the good Ground, that is, the honest faithful Heart, which yeilds Obedience unto that which the gift of Gods divine Light requires, it being the Lords Talent, Mat. 25. wherein we find Christ did declare, concerning the Work of his King­dom, by the Parable of the ten Virgins, and sloathful Servant, both having received the Seed of the Kingdom, the Lord [...] Talent, which is a Gift of his divine Light & Spirit of Truth, which had they been faithful thereunto, Salvation had not been wanting; for when men receive of the Lords heavenly Gift of divine Light, be it more or less, yet through faithful [Page 5] Obedience it is sufficient for their Salvation; for whether more or less, yet the Lord requires his own with profit, and where much is given, much also is required; but he that i [...] not faith [...]ul in that which is little, shall neuer be made Rul [...]r of that which is greater, but that which he ha [...]h not [...]ppr [...]ved shall be taken away, and given to him that hath imp [...]ved the G [...]t of God for the Hon [...]ur of his holy Name▪ and com [...]o [...]t of mans own Sou [...], Mat. 25 28.29. which is [...] of great concern, for all to be [...], an [...] diligent in the Wo [...]k of the Lord; for the diligent gain Heavenl [...] Riches when [...]he sloathful are sent empty away, which will be the Portion of all the [...] are found living in a careless st [...]te, spending their time in that which brings dishonour to the Name of the Lord, and sorrow to the S [...]ul o [...] h [...]m that so liveth; for the Light of the Wicked shall b [...] put out▪ and the Sparks of his Fire shall not sh [...]ne▪ and the Light shall be Dar [...]ness in his Tabernacle, and his Candle shall be put out with him Jo [...] 18.5, 6. but in the faithful shall the Light shine, which beg [...]ts the heart and mind into good Works, that glorifie God their Father which is in Heaven.

Now the Light of Gods [...]pirit in the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ, is that L [...]ght [...]hich the Lords People, called Quakers, profess to be the Rule of their [...] whose Life is the light of men, John 1.4. and this light [...]ath been a Rule to the faithful in all Ages, Psal. 27 1. The Lord is my Light and Salvation, and he shall bring forth thy Righteous [...]ess [...] the light, and thy Judgments as the noon day. In this the Righteous rejoyce, and give Thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness. Here Light is sown for the Righteous, and Gladness for the Ʋpright in Heart, Psal. 97.11, 12. And again, he speaketh of Christ to be the Light, For with thee is the Fountain of Life, i [...] [...] [...]ight shall we see Light, Psal. 36.9. O send out thy Light [...] [Page 6] Truth; let them bring [...] unto thy holy Hill, and thy Tabernacle, Psal 43.3. And the Spirit in the Prophet saith, Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon the [...] ▪ I [...]a. 60.1. And the Gentil [...] shall come to thy Light, and the King [...] to the Brightness of thy Rising, vers 3. And many more in­stances from the holy Prophets Writings may be produced to that effect; but these are su [...]ficient to prove Christ the Ever­lasting Foundation of Life and Light, in whom the faith [...]ul of God in all Ages ha [...]e built their Faith, in the Light of God in Christ, which gave them [...]ull assurance in the same Faith, That God in his [...] time would enlarge his Covenant of Light [...] all Nat [...]ons, by sending h [...] Son Jesus Chri [...], who hath appeared in the liken [...]ss of sinful flesh to take away sin in the fl [...]sh by p [...] ­forming the Will of God the Father, to suff [...]r Death in a Body of F [...]sh, for the Redemption of all m [...]n; and this [...] Jesus [...] shall save his People from their sins, Mat. 1.21. By wh [...]ch it is evident, That the W [...]rk of God by Jesus Christ, is to save People from their sins Then what is the state of such man who profess themselves to be the Ministers of Christ, [...] teach People of an imp [...]rfect state, never to be free from sin in this Life? (concerning which at presen [...] shall omit, l [...]ving it in order for another Head, in which God [...] I shall clear by sufficient Testimony o [...] holy Scripture [...], and at present proceed in Vindication of the Light against the Lyes, by which evil minded men reproach [...] People of God, and dishonour his holy Truth, in which the faithful live (each according to his m [...]asu [...]e of L [...]ght and [...] of Grace, Light & Life by Je [...]us Chr [...]t, which leadeth them to acknowledge God the Father, Word and Spirit, Christ the Word, Life and Light, and the holy Ghost, which [...] the Spirit of God the Father [...] Jesus Ch [...]ist the Son, and Lo [...]d of Life and Light, whic [...] was conceived by the holy Ghos [...] [...] [Page 7] brought forth by the Virgin Mary, betrayed by Jud [...]s, suf­fered under Pontius Pilate, rose again the third day▪ ascended into Heaven, where now he sits in all Righteousness and Ho­liness with God the Father, in full Power, Ma [...]esty and Do­minion, being God over all, and in all for evermore, whom the World hath in great dispute, and many Controversies have risen, to the destroying of many Thousands of Peoples lives, when that it is plain, That Christ came not to d [...]stroy mens l [...]ves, but to save and make alive, leaving this Example, That Wheat and T [...]res should grow together unt [...]l the Harvest lest in gathering the Tares, they root up also the Wheat with th [...]m Mat. 13 28 29 30. from which saving Christ proceeds to another [...] ▪ c [...]mparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a grain of Mustard-s [...]ed, being account [...]d the least of all Grain Seeds, [...]h [...]ch [...] grown up, it becom [...]th the greatest among H [...]rbs, and b [...]cometh a Tre [...] that the B [...]rds of th [...] Air come to lodge in the Branches thereof, Mat. 13.31, 32. and in the 33 vers. Christ [...] the Kingdom unto leven hid in three measures of [...] the whol [...] was leavened. These things were spoke in Parables, that the Saying of the Prophet might be fullfilled, in the uttering things which have been kept secret from the Foun­dation of the World, which now is manifest by the Light, through the Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus, and also le [...]t upon Record in the holy Scriptures of Truth, that in the light of the Lord God, People may learn, and come to un­derstand, that Peoples perishing is not alto [...]ether for want o [...] Knowledge, but for want of Obedience to that measure of L [...]ght which they have received; for he that is faithful in that which is little, is made Ruler over more; for as the Grain of Mustard Seed hath the Light been [...] in the hearts of many, which have received as one Talent, and in o [...]hers who have received more; so that where much is given, much [Page 8] is required; and where more or less, if it light on good ground, it becomes the greatest among Herbs in the Lords Garden, and bringeth forth Fruit abundantly, to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name, also, the little Leaven h [...]d in three measures of Meal, implyes the whole man, till the who [...]e becomes [...]eaven [...]d into a new lump of the heaven­ly Nature of Gods Kingdom in Ch [...]ist Jesus, which as men come into a true Christian state of O [...]edience to the Gift of Gods divine Light, & quickening Word or his Spirit, which hath been handed forth through the Death and Resurrection of the Lo [...]d of Life and Light, they (through Obedience) may come to witness Eternal Life by Jesus Christ. Which things, one would think, are sufficient to incourage all to ye [...]ld their Obedience to the gift of Gods divine L [...]ght; for there is not a Thought of the Heart, nor an In [...]ent of the Mind, but the Light makes it manifest, which to obey is [...], and to disobey is Death; for to be carnally minded is D [...]th, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace; Rom. [...].6. For while men remain in obedience to the L [...]ght, they are spiritually minded, in which state they are Servants to Righ­teousness, but while men are in Disobedience to the Light, it is accounted befo [...]e [...]he [...] as Rebellion, which is as the [...] Witchcraft, for it is the [...] and Obed [...]ent that shall Inh [...]rit the good Land; which [...] the Chr [...]t [...] Obedience to the L [...]ght, who [...] in the [...] as [...] [...]light and in Christ the Li [...]e and L [...]gh [...], hav [...] they [...] ▪ and the Blood of Jesus Chri [...]t [...] from their sins ▪ 1 John 1 7 for [...] the Light [...] the [...] and [...] that followeth Christ shall not [...] shall [...] the Light of Life, Joh. 8.12. Now [...] ▪ the Disobedient, whose Eyes are blinded [...] Cor. 4.4. Awake, thou that sleepest [Page 9] in sin, and Christ will give thee Light; for all things that are reproveable in the he [...]t of man, are reproved by the Light, for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light, Ephe. 5.13, 1 [...]. [...] which it is manifest that mans condemnation is of him­se [...], in that he will not be faithful to the Gift of Gods divine Light, because his deeds are evil; for every man that doth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, le [...]t his Deed [...] should be reproved, Joh. 3.19, 20. but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light, that his [...]e [...]ds may be manifest that they are wrought in God, cap. 3.21. for God in Christ is the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Light, in whom the [...]a [...]ful of God shall for evermore remain, in the holy City of heavenly Jerusalem, where there is no need of Sun, Moon nor Stars to shine in it, for the Glory of God [...]ighteth it, and Christ the Lamb of God, is the Light thereof, and the Nation [...] of them that have been Obedient to the Light of Gods Gift, by Jesus Christ shall be saved and [...]hall walk in the Light of it, Rev. 21.23, 24. So the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God of all Life and Light, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Light, which all men in measure have received, that they may yeild their Obedience to the Requirings of it, that by it their Understandings may come to be more & more enlarged towards the Lord of Life and Light that by him, through the Power of his Spirit of Grace, they may come throughly to see and pe [...]ceive, to hear and understand the things of God, treasured up in [...]hrist for all them that love the appear­ance of his [...]ight in their own hearts, which is the gift of his Spirit of [...]race, which in measure all men have rece [...]ved, and it preaches Life and Salvation to all that are found in faith­ful obedience to it, bu [...] it preaches Condemnation, Wo and Mise [...]y to all that live in a known [...]ife of Disobedience to [...] ▪ which state of so living, is no less than [...] the [Page 10] Lord of Life afresh, and to trample under foot all that ever Christ hath done and suffered for the Redemption of the Soul of that Man or Woman which is found in a known state of Disobedience to the Gift of Gods Spirit of T [...]uth, which is that Gift of his divine Light, which wil [...] not loose its honour, either by the Salvation or Condemnation of all Mankind, even as their Obedience or Disobedience hath been in this Life, accordingly will be their Reward in the Life to come, which is matter for all to consider, before the Spirit of God hath left striving, and the Day of Gods Grace be over with them that perish through a Life of known Disobedience to the Gift of Gods divine Light, which came by Jesus Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of his own Work, in them that believe.

Concerning Christ, the true Seed and everlasting Covenan [...] of God to his People.

TH [...]s is the Christ which the holy men of God in their Day and [...]eneration prophesied to come, and to finish Sin, and to put an end [...] Transgression in all tha [...] truly believe in his Name, which according to Gods appointed time, the Word was made F [...]e [...]h and d [...]elt amo [...]g the Son [...] & Daughters of Men, and they beh [...]ld his Glory▪ the Glory as of the only be­gotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth, Joh. 1.14. and this is Christ unto whom all things, of th [...] Father, are de­livered, both in [...]eaven and Earth, and no man knows him but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the S [...]n, and he to whom the Son will reveal him, Mat. 11.27. By which it is evident that all Revelation is not ceased. [Page 11] [...], all [...]e that are heavy laden, and I will give you [...], vers 2 [...]. Here Christ hath promised Rest unto all [...] will come unto him; But how shall they come unto [...] by Faith in Obedience to that measure of his divine Light of his Spirit of Grace, which he hath placed in th [...]ir [...], it being the Lords Talent given to Man, for this end, [...] he should improve it to the Honour and Glory of God, and Salvation o [...] his own Immortal Soul, by Jesus Christ, the [...] of whose Spirit giveth Life to the Soul of that [...] Heart, Mind and Spirit is faithful to his Gift; [...] S [...]iptures rest [...], That Christ affordeth unto all [...] come unto him; Search the Scriptures, [...] to hav [...] Eternal Lif [...] and they are they that [...], and ye will n [...]t come to me, that you may have Life, [...] 5 3 [...], 40. Here it is evident from Christs own words, [...] the ho [...]y Scriptures without the true saving [...] of God in Christ, and of his Spirit, which [...] the holy Men of God and gave them Utterance [...] his Will and Mind, according as contained in the holy Scripture, without which, in some measure, Men can­not profit or benefit (towards Salvation by Jesus Christ) by their reading the holy Scriptures; for they that will not [...] to the inward Evidence of Gods Gift of his Spirit and [...] they have not the Love of God in them, Joh. 5.42. [...] Christ, the Promise of God, and Seed of the King­d [...], him hath God given to be an Everlasting Covenant of G [...]ce, Light and Life, to them that fear and tremble at the Po [...]er of his Word, and stedfast [...]y remain in the belief of hi [...] [...]oly Name, which is no less than to give up in their who [...]e desire of Heart and Mind to serve him, the Lord of Life, in Truth and Righteousness, with uprightness of Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit; for unto him it doth belong, [Page 12] and unto such belongeth the Promise of God by the s [...]ffe [...] ­ing of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, which doth extend Salvation to their Souls▪ for God in tender Love & Mercy towards all men, falling short of his Glory by the fall of the first Adam, doth tender the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus, by the call of his good Spirit of Grace, Life and [...]ight, which remains not in the oldness of the Letter, but in the newness of the Spirit; which hath no relation to the saving of that Soul which remains in sin term of Life; & having received the inward Evidence of the Spirit, which condemns for every thought, word and action which is not agreeable with the Spirit of T [...]uth, of which every man hath received a measure in his own heart, to justifie or condemn, even as his Works appear before the Lord, so shall be his Reward, if of Faith and Obedience, then Life and Peace will follow; but if it be of Sin and Unbelief, then Death, Hell and De­struction will be the Portion of him or her which dyes in such a state; for the Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life; so they that dye in sin are free from Righteousness, having no part, lot nor share in the Promise of God and Hope of Jesus Christ; for their Hope shall be cut as the Spiders Web, which shall perish for evermore; for Christ came not to save People in their sin, but to save and redeem from sin and Transgression; His Name shall be called Jesus, for he shall save his People from their Sins, Mat. 1. [...]1. for they that dye in their sins cannot enter the King­dom of Heaven, as Christ said, If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall dye in your sins, and where I go ye cannot come, which relates to a state of Perfection in this Life, upon which Head I shall (God willing) treat more at large in a distinct Chapter, by which the Understandings of them that desire after Truth, may receive the benefit of my [Page 13] small measure relating to the same; for man living in sin becomes destitute of any benefit by Christ for the Salvation of his Soul; for he that commits sin, it is of the Devil, and he knows not God the Father; but he that is faithful to the Gift of God in his heart, learns to fear the Lord, and to work his Righteousness which is the fullfilling of what God requires, in obedience to the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ, who spiritually moves in the hearts of all whose day of Visitation is not over; for Christ ruleth over all▪ and will in no way fall short of his Honour, either by the Salva­tion of the one, or Condemnation of the other▪ for Christ by the measure of his Spirit, is in all, except Reprobates▪ and therefore it is matter of great concern for People to ex­amin their own hearts, whether▪ by true Faith, Christ abides in them; for the Body of Man (where Christ, by the gift of his divine Light and Spirit, liveth) is the Temple of the holy Ghost, and if any Man defile the Temple of God, [...] will God destroy; Then he that is not in obedience to the gift of God which he hath received, is a Pollutor of the Temple, and is without true Faith in Christ; Prove your own selves, know you not, that if Christ be not in you, you are Reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.5. Now they whose Minds are wrought towards the Lord, their Affections are set on hea­venly things above, to seek God in Christ; and in them, Christ by the measure of his divine Light, Grace and Spirit▪ liveth, Gal. 2.20. Now Christ being in his People, the Body is dead▪ because of Sin, but the Spirit is Life, because of Righ­teousness, Rom 8.10. for there is nei [...]her Greek nor Jew, Cir­cumcision▪ Barbarian, Sithian, B [...]d nor Free, but Christ is all, and in all, and many more Scripture Prooffs might be produced to the same effect, That Christ lives and moves by the Gift of his divine Light, and Spirit of Grace and Truth▪ in [Page 14] the [...]earts of his People, and that their Bodies are the Temple of God, for Christ, by the gift of his Spirit, Life and Light to dwell in ▪ which if People, both Young and Old, would forsake their Vanity, and apply their Minds to seek the Lord, in his own way of Truth and Righteousness, according to the Gift of his divine Light, and quickening Word of his Spirit▪ as by Record, for their help in learning the holy Scriptures, in which they have the Doctrine, Principles and Practice of the holy Men of God for their Example, to follow them, even as they have been Followers of Christ▪ then they would come into that state in which they would witness the Power of God by Jesus Christ, to crucifie every unruly Affection, which doth lust after sin and evil, and leads the Mind from serving God, into the excess of spending the Creation, to perform their hearts Lusts, by which they dishonour the Name of the Lord, and increase Trouble and Sorrow, to the destroying of their Souls, which is the end of them that remain in an unrighteous Life; for whatsoever People may say, in respect that their Tongues are their own, an [...] that their Thoughts are free to think what they please, and that there is a time to be Merry, and to Sing and Dance, and Recreate themselves, with much more of the like Expressions, yet for all these things there is a time wherein all men must ap­pear before the Lord of Life, to render a just Account of every Thought, Intent and Action, of all the Deeds done in the Body, in which Day it shall go well with the Righ­teous, but the Ungodly and Prophane shall be turned into Hell, with him unto whom their Obedience hath been; for all that have forgot to retain God in all their Thoughts, so living and dying, God will also forget Mercy towards them; for his Regard is only to his own Seed, (and to Men as they are joyned to it) which hath been sown in all sorts of [Page 15] Ground, which is, in the heart of every Man and Woman, for them to yeild their whole Obedience thereunto; for whatsoever ye do, whether ye eat, or whether ye drink, let all [...] to the Praise and Honour of God, who gives Life, H [...]lth and Strength for that end; for whatsoever is in Peoples talk more than of Yea and Nay, it is for Condem­nation, which is great matter of weight for People well to consider, what will become of their Souls, who live in the daily Practice of Words & Actions, wherein the Lord never savingly appears, but as he doth permit their Souls Enemy to rule their Thoughts, Intents, Words and Actions, so of his free Love▪ in Mercy to their Souls, the Lord doth ma­nifest to them the evil of their way, which is by the gift of his divine Light in their own hearts, and by his Spirit in the Instruments of his Truth, which have been sent, and are yet sending to warn the Wicked to turn from their unrigh­teous Wayes, which if they would but give up their minds to come under the Cross of Christ, which is that Cross for them to bear, which remains in Opposition to their corrupt­ed Desires, then they would become able, by the Power of God in Christ, to witness his Yoke to be easie, and his Bur­den to be light; for what he hath said unto one, he hath a [...]so said unto all, that is, Watch and Pray, lest ye e [...]ter into Temptation; for he that remains faithful in his Watch, by the Light of the Lord perceiveth the Devil's Temptation in his first Allurement, which by true Prayer, in faithfulness to his Watch, the Power of God in him doth appear, to the resisting of his Souls Enemy, and causeth him to flee, so that in them, in whom the Mind is stable in seeking after the Lord, for the Knowledge of his Truth, in Jesus Christ, their Understanding will open more and more towards him, by which the reading of the holy Scriptures will also be of [Page 16] great benefit to the Understanding, which will also refresh the inward Man; so that as all are diligently to mind the Gift of Gods Grace which they have received, as a Seed of the Kingdom, through which by Obe [...]ienc [...] it will gr [...]w and bring forth Fruit acceptable to God, who requires his own with increase for the H [...]nour of his [...]ame, and profit o [...] Peoples Souls, that by Obed [...]ence to his holy Seed, they may remain in Covenant with God, and be made Partakers of his Kingdom, in and through the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Further, concerning the Man Christ, which was conceived by the holy Ghost born and brought forth of the Virgin Mary ▪ and suffered Death for the Redemption of all men, and as many shall be saved as believe in his Name.

GOd so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life, John 3.16. Which doth manifest, that God sent his only Son, born of a Woman, to suffer Death in a Body of Flesh, for the Redemption of Peoples Souls, in which Body of Flesh did remain the Fullness of the Spirit, towards the Salvation of all mens Souls, yet they only shall be saved which believe in his Name; for his Name is called Jesus, because he was sent of God to save his People from their sins, Mat. 1.21. Luke 1.31. which is according to the Prophet Isaiah, cap▪ 7.14, 15. A bruised Reed shall he not brea [...], nor smoking Flax shall he not quench, till he send forth Judgment unto Victory; and in his Name shall the Gentiles trust, Mat. 12.15. to v. 21. He came to his own and his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them he gave [Page 17] Power to become the Sons of God, which were born not of Blood, nor [...] the will of Flesh, nor of the will of Man, but of God, Jo [...]. 1 11, 12, 13. Which doth manifest, that where men on [...]y believe in the outward Righteousness of the Man Christ, who as he was in the Body of Flesh, was God and Man, w [...]thout the believing in the Gift of his Spirit, which i [...] the in [...]rd Word of Life, and leads the heart and mind of every sincere Christian into a sanctified state of true Obedience to the Gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit of Grace, without which they canno [...] come to live in that true Faith which justifies the [...]ouls of the Righteous in the sight of God the Father, in which state of true Obedi­ence the evidence of his Spirit doth bear witness with their Spirit, That the Declaration of his Truth recorded in the holy Scriptures, hath proceeded from the Spirit of Life [...]n Christ Jesus, who in that Body of Flesh was both God and M [...]n according as it is written for Peoples learning That the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt on Earth among the Sons and Daughters of Men, and many that believed his Name, be­lieved his Glory▪ as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth, Joh. 1.14. They outwardly believed as Man with a visible Eye, but as to his invisible Glory of Holiness, they believed him the Lord of Life, as he was God and Man, with an invisible Eye, which by the Gift of his Spirit enlightened them to know him to be the Lord of Life, whom to know by true Faith, is Life Eternal, which was mad [...] known unto them by the gift of Gods [...]race, through the effectual Working of the holy Ghost, by which they came to understand the Will and Mind of God the Father, in the Death and Resurrection of his Son, the Lord Jesus, which was expedient that he should depart, that [...] Com­forter might come, Joh 15.26. which Promise was fullfilled [Page 18] by the [...]ilding up that Body of Flesh, which was born of a Woma [...], and b [...]trayed by Judas, condemned by P [...]l [...]te, de [...]ve [...] unto [...] set him at naught, and cruc [...]d the Lord of Life upon their Cross without the Gates of [...] ▪ which Body was buried, and rose again the [...] D [...]y▪ being the first Day of the Week, which Christians attend for [...]he Worship of God, having the holy Apostles for an Example, to follow them, as they were Followers of Chri [...], who met together on the first day of the Week to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth, which is in the Power of his Spirit, by the effectual working of his Gift, through his Death and Resurrection, which appeared unto the Saints, who received of his Fullness, Grace for Grace, which made them able Ministers of the New Covenant of Life & Light in Christ Jesus, which then ascended into Heaven with God the Father, and with him is in a glorified Body, which Flesh and Blood cannot reveal, being glorified with that Glory which he had with the Father before the World began, which is the Christ that the holy men prophecyed should come for a Light to the Gentiles, and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth, Isa 49.6. Acts 13.47. who accordingly is come, and hath done the will of God the Father, in that Body, as aforesaid, and by him, through his Death, Resurre [...]tion & Ascention, have all the Sons and Daughters of Men received a Gift of his heavenly divine Light, as a Talent & Tale [...]ts for them to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling at his Wor [...] ▪ which is able to make [...] thorow seperation betwixt the precious and the vile, that is, between the begettings of [...]is own divine Life, and that Seed which brings forth the [...]ife of the Stranger, which is the Devil and Enemy of mans Soul, whom the faithful will not follow, but are willing to submit under the Cross of Christ, whose Yoke is [Page 19] easie and his burden light, not desiring the Death of any one Sin­ner, but that all might turn at his Reproofs, and live the Life of the Son of God, who hath suffered Death, been buried, and is risen again, and ascended into the Heavens, where he maketh Intercession with God the Father for the Redemption and Salvation of all them that are willing, by true Faith, to receive the tenders of his free Grace, which by the Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit of Truth▪ is largely manifested unto the Sons and Daughters of men; for his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit in his People, that is Christ in them the Hope of Glory, by which not any will be left with­out excuse in the great Day of his Coming to take Vengeance on all the Ungodly of them which have not improved their Talents to the Honour of his Name, and profit of their Im­mo [...]tal Souls, in which Day with the Righteous it shall go well, but with the Wicked, who have slighted the Day of the Lords Visitation, through their idle, careless, loose and vain living in Disobedience to that which the Lord by the gift of his divine Light and Word of his Spirit req [...]ires of them▪ for which cause sorrow and anguish shall overtake them in that Day, in which they shall forever be shut out from having any lot, part or share among the faithful in the Kingdom of Heaven, through the Death and Resurrection of the Son of God, who laid down his Life for the Sins of the whole World, but as many shall be saved as truely believe in his Name▪ for as by one Mans D [...]sobedience many were made Sinners, so by the Obedience of the Man Christ Jesus▪ many shall be made Righ­teo [...]s Rom. 5 19 for Christ is the end of the Law for [...], to every one that believeth▪ so that not any [...] to say, wh [...] shall descend to bring up Christ again from [...] who shall ascend to bring down Christ from Heaven, for the [...] [...]igh, even in the Mouth, and in the Heart, that [Page 20] in the Word of Faith ▪ R [...]m. 10 [...]. by which Word of F [...]h [...] o [...] Faith in the hearts of his People; for he is the Word of Life unto the [...] true Faith believe in him as he outwardly suffered, and in the gift of his Spirit, which is the inward Word of Life in them [...] whom Christ giveth the Shield of Faith, and Hope, the [...] of their Salvation, by which [...] Sim [...]n Peter [...] to know the Lord of [...] to be the Christ, the Son of the living God, which Flesh & [...] d [...]d not reveal, Mat. 16 14, 15 16. but was revealed by God, the Father of the Lord [...]esus Christ, whose me [...] [...] Presence did not give Peter the knowledge of [...] Church [...] that that Rock whose F [...]u [...]dation was so sure▪ that [...]he Gates of Hell could never prevail against its Mem­bers, which by the most sure Word of Prophecy are ingrafted in the Man Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth for evermore; for he is the well-beloved of the Fa­thers own begetting, and hath done the Work of God in that Body of Flesh which suffered on the Cross without the City Gates of Jerusalem, and was buried, and rose again the third Day, and appeared to the Saints, and gave Gifts unto them, and ascended into Heaven, of which things the Father, Word and Spirit beareth witness, and these three are one God, and that no man speaking by the spirit of God, calleth Jesus accursed, and that no man can say, That Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost; and as there is but One God, One Lord Jesus Christ, One Father, One Son, and One holy Ghost, One Word, and One Spirit, all which are One God, who hath given Di­versities of Gifts, but the same Spirit, and Differences of Ad­ministrations, but the same Lord, and Diversities of Operations, [Page 21] [...]ut it is the same God which worketh all in all, for a manifestation [...] the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12.3, 4 5, 6, 7. for as the Body is one, and hath many Mem­bers, and all the Members of that one Body, being many, are one Body, so also is Christ; for by one Spirit are all the [...] baptized into one Body whether they be Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Fr [...]e, they have been made to drink into one Spirit: for the Body is not one Member but many, and are ingrafted by the Power of Gods Spirit, the most sure Word of Prophecy, into the stock, which is Christ, the true Vine, with wh [...]ch every true Branch that is a Member of his Body, doth of his divine Nature par [...]k [...], by which it doth bud, spring and bring forth Fruit abundantly, to the Praise and Honour of Gods holy Name, but every Branch that bringeth not forth Fruit unto God, by true Faith in Christ, the Father taketh away; for its by Disobedience the Lord cuts it [...], and appoints it its Portion in Hell, which is the Portion of all them that let the Day of Gods Grace and Visitation of his Spirit it to pass over; but every Branch that beareth Fruit in Christ the true Vine, the Father purgeth it of its first nature, the old [...]eaven of Degeneration, and by the Power of his Word, Grace and Spirit, leavens the heart, mind and spirit into the new lump and nature of his heavenly Kingdom in Christ Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his own Work in them that truely believe, which by Faith in Christ, bring forth Fruits of Righteousness and Holiness, which are the Works of true Faith, without which, Faith is even dead as the Body is without the Spirit, for by the Gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace, is the Faith of every true Believer w [...] ought into a lively hope, in which stands an assurance of that Crown of Righteousness which is [...] store for all true [...]e­lievers that fear the Lord and [...] his Commandments, such are [Page 22] they that live in the true fear of the Lord, which is the be­ginning of Wisdom, and leads the Mind out of visible delights, and to follow Christ with an easie Yoke and light burden to do his Will, which is that strait and even narrow Way which leadeth unto the Kingdom, in which no unclean thing can enter, neither is there any cleansing but what is here on Earth; for as Death leaves, so Ju [...]gment finds, and there is no Repentance in the Grave.

Which things, in the true Love of God to Peoples Souls, I do exhort them to weigh and consider, that they may turn in their minds from all vain Delights, and obey the Voice of the Son of God in their own hearts, that by the Gift of his Spirit they may come to be turned from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of their Souls Enemy, to serve the Lord in true Holyness of heart, mind and spirit; for there is no other Name given under Heaven for men to be saved, but as they come to believe in Christ as he did out­wardly suffer, and also believe in the Gift o [...] his Spirit and inward Word of Life unto all them that are in true Obedience to the gift of his divine Light, which hath been the Path of the Just in all Ages, and yet appears in the heart of [...] man and Woman, with whom the Day of Gods Grace [...]s not over; for his Love remains stedfast to all that which is of his own Nature, which is of a contrary Nature to that permitted Power unto which too many yeild their obed [...]ence, by which the desire of their Minds is drawn from [...]bedience to the gift of Gods divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit; in which state they serve the the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, and as men void of all spiritual sense and reason, as to the things of God, their Thoughts, Words and Actions are here and there in the love of those things▪ which Work the Lords Soul abhors▪ and [Page 23] such [...] as Trees without Fruit, as to God; for their [...] of a strange Plant and unregenerate Vine, for which [...] the Spirit of the Lord in his Servants is the same as it was in his Servants of Old, who are called of God to bear the [...] faithful Testimony against all Unrighteousness of men, who as evil corrupt Trees bring forth evil corrupt Fruit, for which cause evil minded men are at Enmity with the Lord and his People, whose Fruit is of his own Spirit, which is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gen [...]leness, Good­ness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, against such there is no Law, [...]or they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ, whom now, as in days past, the wise [...]uilders set at naught, wherefore he hath said, The things of the Kingdom are hid from the wise and prudent of the World, and revealed unto Babes, even so hath it pleased God; for the wise and prudent of this World pretend to build upon him at whom they stumble, and is become the Head of the Corner, and will so remain, to the breaking down all that which is contrary to his holy [...] blessed Truth; so that no building shall stand but that which is built by the Power of his own Spirit in them, whom the Wisdom of this World doth despise, even as the Wise did despise in that Day, when they set their Learning in H [...]brew, Greek and Latine over the H [...]ad of Jesus, Joh. 19 20 even so is it with the Wise of this World in this Day, whose Learning is set above the gift of God, which came by Jesus Christ, whose People, begot by him in the true Faith and Oneness of Spirit, do well know that there is No other Name under Heaven given among m [...]n, whereby to be saved, but by that Name [...]esus of Nazareth, that Christ by which is the Righteousness of his People; for he unto them is made of God Wisdom Righteousness, Sanctification and Re­demption, and that in this World, as well as in the World [...] [Page 24] come, and not simply so accounted ▪ as some judge and then made unto us of God Wisdom Righteousness, Sanctification and Re­demption hereafter in the World to come, but really made to us here, and that perfectly too, so far as he is perfectly hoped in, (1 Pet. 1.1 [...].) for Salvation, that is, Salvation from God [...] to the gift of his Spirit in the heart [...] the [...]nward Word o [...] Life to them that hear and [...] which the [...] may be turned from Darkness to Light, and [...] of Satan to the Power of God ▪ by which they [...] Evidence of Gods [...]pirit▪ That they have the [...] of sin▪ and forgiveness of that which is past▪ being [...] the Blood of Sprinkling, which cleanseth the Heart, and [...] the Cons [...]ience from dead Wor [...]s, to serve the living [...] rightness of Soul, Body and Mind; and without [...] of this VVork perfected, through Faith in Jesus Christ▪ the Soul can never be clean to enter his Rest with him in the Kingdom of Heaven which was prepared before the Founda­tion of the Earth was la [...]d, for a People that should serv [...] the Lord in uprightness of Soul▪ Mind and Spirit, [...] cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ whose Death, Resur [...]tion and Ascention will not avail any Man or VVoman [...] Mind remains in the love of any one thing more th [...] to love him and serve him with uprightness of Heart [...] ▪ for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually [...] Life and Peace, and whereby every Man and Woman may know how it stands between God & their own Souls, which is good for all to mind, and make their Peace vvith [...] L [...]d vvhile he hath given them space and time for that end, that their Souls may not [...]aint in the great Day of his Coming to call every Man and Woman to an account for their Deeds done in the Body.

CHAP. IV. Concerning the Scriptures, which are the Writings of the holy Men of God wherein is contained, that Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Word of God, by whom is the Salvation of all Men that are saved by his Power, which leads them to believe in his Name.

THe Holy Scriptures, (contained in the Old and Nevv Testament) signifie Writings in vvhich VVritings are contained the VVords of God, as they vvere received by the living VVord of God, as may be read in the Prophets VVritings, The Word of the Lord came unto them, this vvas not the Letter of the Scripture that came unto them, but it vvas the living VVord of God, vvhich in Scrip­ture is most properly and frequently called The Word of God; I [...] the beginning was the VVord▪ and the Word was God; the same [...] in the beginning with God, all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made, that was made, Joh 1.1, 2 3 And the VVord was made Flesh and dwelt among us, and [...] his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth. Now consider what grounds Peopl [...] have to call the Scripture the only Word of God, without any Distinction, but by way of Information to the understanding of a lanb [...]assed Minds, that my design in the following [...] is not to deprive the holy Scriptures of that honour due unto them, but that Truth and Righteousness may take place; for the holy Scriptures, in their place, are highly to be esteem­ed, with that Honour due unto them; for which end [...] is, that by others they may not be displaced, by [Page 26] attributing that [...]nto the Scriptures, which unto them doth [...], they dishonour the Name of the Lord, [...] sorrow to themselves; for throughout the O [...]d and New-Testament I do not find one word that will warrant any man with safety before the Lord, to call the Scriptures▪ The Word of God, without all Figure, and with­out making a right and true Distinction between Gods Word, or the Word of God, and Gods Words received by the inward Word of his Spirit, and the written or declared Word, which is the Declaration of Christ, the Everlasting Word of God, which endureth forever, to me it seems very dangerous, to see and hear so many hundreds of People at­tribute that in words to the Scriptures, which only belong­eth to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was before the Foundation of the E [...]th was laid he was with the Fa­ther, and the Father delighted in him; he was before any Creature was made, and by Christ the Word of Life were all things made, that were made, and by him all things stand and remain to this day, in which Christ, the Word of God, doth remain forever more; for by him are all things in Hea­ven and Earth brought to pass; His Word is powerful, by His Povver vvere the Prophets, in days past, inspired to give forth his Word, as by their Writings appear; Son of Man, set thy face towards the South and Prophecy▪ and [...] thy Word; Prophecy against the Forrest of the South; hear the Word of the Lord, Ezek. 20.46, 47. [...]y which it is plain, that the Word of God which the Prophet had received was not the Letter of the Scripture; for though God hath by his holy Prophets and Apostles left of his Will and Mind upon Record, it is for this end, that People may come in [...]o Obe­dience to the Gift of his divine Light and good Word of his Spirit, through which obedience they will throughly come [Page 27] to understand a true distinction between the written & declara­tive [...]ord of God, and the VVord of his Spirit of Grace, Life and Light by Jesus Christ, whom to know is Life indeed; for they that come unto him, it must be through Faith, in obe­dience to the gift of his divine Light and quickening Word of his Spirit, which opens the dark Understanding, and quickens the Mind, and works Grace in the Heart, and sanctifies the inward Man of him that yeilds Obedience to the Word of his Spirit▪ without which there can be no true understanding of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ, whom to know is Life Everlasting; concerning which things the wri [...]ten VVord is large in its Declaration, concerning what God requires of the Sons and Daughters of Men, who, for Power to perform what they find to be their Duty, as by holy Record, they are to come unto Christ, the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work in them that believe; for the holy Scriptures of Truth vvere given forth by the Spirit of Truth, and living Word of Truth, vvhich vvas the Word of God in His Servants of old; vvhich Word, according to measure, remains the same to this Day in every sincere true Believer, vvhose vvhole desire is to give up in obedience to the manifestation of Gods good Spirit of Grace, by vvhich they come to a thorovv understanding of vvhat they find of his VVill and Mind, rec [...]rded in the holy Scriptures of Truth, vvithout vvhich Obedience the Letter kills, but by Obedience the Spirit makes alive; for the holy Scriptures are full in relating of [...]ha [...] hath been past, and of what is [...]come; but as to the time when and manner how, the [...] his own due time, by the Word of his Spirit doth [...] it to his Servants and Messengers of his Truth i [...] [...], even as it hath pleased him in days past; for as then in that day, the same is it with many in this day, who [Page 28] the Scriptures, yet it is said of them, That they had not the Wor [...] abiding in them, for whom God had [...]ent, [...] Christ the Word, him they believed not, Joh. 5.3, [...] which by the written Word is evident, that the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace, Life & Light by Jesus Christ, is the saving Word of God to every Soul that by him is saved; for what saith it? the Word is nigh thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith, James 1.21. Rom. 10 7, 8 and this Word is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, Ephes. 6.17. it sanctifies the heart of the faithful by the Word of God and Prayer, 1 Tim. 4.5. for the faithful are [...] that are poor, and of a contrite Spirit, which tremble at the Word of the Lord Isa. 56.2▪5. Hear ye the Word of the Lord, ye that that Tremble at his Word. And again I have written unto you, Fath [...]rs, because ye have known him that is from the beginn [...]ng; I have written unto you, Young Men, be­cause ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked One, John 1.14. Now let all People mind by which they may come to a right understand­ [...]ng of the Scriptures, which were not from the beginning, neither do they of themselves, and without the inward Word, give Power to overcome the wicked [...]ne; for the VVord of God was before Scripture, & promises Life eternal to all that are willing to receive the Word, which is the Promise of God in Christ before the Wo [...]ld began, Ti [...]. 2. [...]. And this Word hath been a Rule of Life to the faithful of God in all Ages▪ shewing unto Man the Thoughts of his Heart, and inten [...]s of his Mind and Ob [...]dience to the Word an acceptable Sacrifice to the Lord and God hath promised [...]o overcome sin in the faithful by the Power of his Word, [...] is as a two edged Sword to cut up and beat down all tha [...] [...]s contrary to his heavenly divine Life in the heart of eve [...]y [Page 29] faithful Man and Woman, that is come to yeild their Obe­di [...]nce according [...] that knowledge which they have recei­ved of God in Christ, whom to know is Life Eternal, in which L [...]fe they have the true sa [...]ing knowledge of God, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, which is One God, and One Lord Lord Jesus Christ, & One holy Spirit, God in all, and through all, and over all, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end the first and the last, blessed are they that do his Command­ments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, Rev. 22.13, [...]. which (as aforesaid) is that which the Lord by the assisting Power of his Spirit hath made known to me con­cerning his Word of Life and Light, by which the holy men of God were assisted in giving f [...]rth a Declaration of his holy Truth, which they received by his holy Spirit, which is the living Word of all Truth, and will remain the same when the Letter of the Scripture shall end and be no more; for the [...]ord of the Lord shall endure forever. And what is left recorded in the written Word of God, is for this end, that People may learn in the Light of the Lord, to perform that which by the Gift of his Spirit of divine Light & Grace he requires of them to do, the Declaration of which is re­corded in the holy Scriptures of Truth, which are profitable for Doctrine, &c. 2 Tim. 3.16 which no man can learn but as he [...]emains faithful to the gift of God, which he hath re­ceived for that end, that by so doing he may come to grow more and more in Grace, to the Honour of God, and ever­lasting Wellfare of his immortal Soul▪ which will never witness Salvation▪ but by true Faith in Christ Jesus, the most sure VVord of P [...]ophecy whereunto they will do w [...]ll to take heed, as into [...] Light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn, and the Da [...] star arise in their hearts, without which there is no Salvation.

CHAP. VI. Concerning Faith, Hope and Obedience, which by the Power of God, through [...]esus Christ, worketh Salvation to the Souls of them that truly believe in the gift of his Grace. Also some­thing concerning Silence.

JEsus Christ in all things became obedient to the Will of God the Father, for the Redemption of all Mankind, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but should receive Life Everlasting, which is the Promise of God by Jesus Christ, unto all the faithful, willing and obedient, that is, in all things for the Salvation of their Souls, by [...]aith in Jesus Christ; for Man, by Obedience to the Gift of God, which is a measure of divine Light by Jesus Christ, by whom the Soul comes to be reconciled unto God; for the Lord in [...] requires no less than perfect Obedience of all Men; [...] all men have received of his Gift of his Spirit of divine Light by Jesus Christ, so he will not have any le [...]t without Excuse in the Day of his Coming to take Vengeance on all the Ʋngodly, which call not upon the Name of the Lord ▪ for Christ is made manifest according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all Nations for the Obedience of their Faith, Rom 16.6. and for that end did the Apostle write, that he might know the proof of them whether they were obedient in all things; 2 Cor. 2 9. for t [...]is is the Day of Gods Visitation, wherein if ye will hear his Voice, harde [...] not your hearts against the Light of his Spirit of Grace: for unto whom ye yeild your Minds Servants to obey, his Servan [...] [Page 31] you are, to whom you obey, whether of Sin unto Death, or Obe­dience unto Righteousness, Rom. 6.16. Now the Gift of Gods divine Light by Jesus Christ, makes manifest to all men, all the thoughts of his Heart and intents of his Mind; for the Righteousness of Faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into Heaven, that is, to bring Ch [...]ist down [...]om above? or who shall descend into the deep, that is, to bring up Christ again f [...]om the Dead? but what saith it? the VVo [...]d is nigh thee, even in thy Mouth & in thy Heart, that is the VVord of Faith. Rom. 10.6▪ 7, 8 By which it is evident, that where men perish▪ it is not altogether for want of Know­ledge, but for want of Obedience to the Gift of God, which he hath placed in the hearts of all the Sons and Daughters of Men, which by obedience would give them Power over their lustful Desires, which by Nature lodgeth in the hearts of sinful Men and Women, whose Minds, for want of Obe­d [...]ence are drawn by the Enemy's Power, to joyn with the Temptations of the Devil, but if they yeilded Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit, they would witness strength to with-stand the Enemy, and cause him to flee; for the [...]ea­pon of every true Believers VVar-fare▪ are not carnal, but spi­ritual, and mighty, through God, to the pulling down strong Holds, casting down every high thing that exalt [...]th its self against the Knowledge of God, and bringeth into Captivity every Thought, to the Obedience of Christ having in readiness to re­venge all Disobedience, when their Obedience is fullfilled. 2 Cor. 10. [...], 5.6. and in this do the faithful come to witness the inward Affections of [...]hrist more & more abundant tow [...]rds them, whilst he remembereth their Obedience how with fear and trembling they receive him, 2 Cor. 7.15 Wh [...]ch things are plain and by Obedience easie to be understood, that▪ they who come to receive the benefit of Chri [...] by the [Page 23] Power of Gods Spirit, in and through him▪ it is by true Faith in Obedience to his Word, at which they fear and tremb [...]e, it being sharper than any two-edged Sword, dividing between the Precious and the Vile; which is an Engagement between the Power of God and the Power of the Souls Enemy, who hath seated himself in the Temple of God, as if he were God▪ which Enemy is the strong Man that hath taken Possession in the hearts of the Sons & Daughte [...]s of Men, (whose Minds are alienated from God, by reason of Sin and Transgression) who keepeth the House, until a stronger than the Devil doth dispossess him of his Power, un [...]o which Povver through the Lust of Peoples unrege­nerate [...] H [...]arts, they are most inclined to serve, vvhich ha [...]h [...] is the state of m [...]n [...] Thousands of Men and Women, vvho are deceived by the Devil, vvhich is [...]or vvant of Obedience to the gi [...]t of God [...] Povver, vvhich by tr [...]e Faith and Obedience, vvould dispossess the Devil of his Povver, and bring the inward Man [...]nto the true sa [...]ing Knowledge of his sanctified Work of Grace in their own [...]earts, vvhich things they are ignorant of, who remain in a blind zeal for God, but not according to the true saving Knowledge of him in Jesus Christ, Rom 10.2. by wh [...]ch their Faith remains in a dead Hope that shall perish▪ for true [...]aith works the whole inward Man of Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit into the true Love of God, and Hope of Sal­vation by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose Spirit gives Evidence of an assurance in those things that by true Faith are hoped for; so that Faith is the substance of thing▪ hoped for, and the Evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11.1, 2. for by Faith the holy Men of God obtained a good Report; for we see and understand, through Faith in God, that the World [...] by Christ, the Word of God; so that things that [...] [Page 33] seen were not made of things which do appear, Heb. 1.3. By [...] mani [...]est, that Christ is the Word by whom all th [...]gs were made long before the Scriptures were given f [...]r: for the La [...] came by M [...]ses, but Grace and Truth came [...] J [...]sus Ch [...]st, in whom remaineth the [...]ope of h [...]s People for [...] of their Souls; and from this Word (Chri [...]t) [...]he Se [...]vant of God received Grace & Apostleshi [...], for their Obedience to the Faith, among all th [...] Nations for his Name ▪ Rom. 1.5. and as many as received this Word, in [...] to the Faith, being grafted in him, in whom there is not [...] thing ava [...]leth the Soul of M [...]n, but by that Faith [...] by the Love of God, Gal. 5 6. Now seeing [...] Fai [...]h worketh by the Love of God, in and through Ch [...]t what Faith is that in them which leads to destroy the Lives and Estates of People, for their Obedience to God, who wo [...]keth by Love in the hearts of his People, for this [...] ▪ that they might believe in the Word of Faith, which [...] the Soul of every true Believer, that by Faith in Jesus Christ, through Grace, they are saved; for true Faith works b [...] Love, through Obedience [...]o the Word of Faith, which is Christ in his People, the Hope of their Glory by whom his [...]eople are begot into a livel [...] Hope, that maketh not ashamed? but that Faith which leads People to believe that [...]hey do good se [...]vice for God▪ by destroying the Lives and E [...]tate of their peaceable Neighbours, for their different Judgment concerning spiritual things, is i [...] not the Faith of D [...]vils, and H [...]pe of [...]ypocrites whose Obedi [...]nce is to the P [...]ince of D [...]kness, the Enemy of Mans Ha [...]piness, and [...] such are in a dangerous [...]? for God worketh by love, and Ch [...]ist came not to d [...]stroy mens Lives, but to save th [...]m; [...] such men being many, that [...]retend to wo [...]k o [...] God, whose Truth is contrary to their Doctrine, Principle and [Page 34] Practice, as doth at large appear by their preaching and writing such things (as in Deut. 13. Numb. 25. also in Ezr [...] and divers other places in the Law) which were only [...] continue t [...]e Lords time of fullfilling the Righteousness thereof, whose R [...]ghteousness in this Gospel [...] will not b [...] r [...]ceiv [...]d by the many Teachers in this Age, who preach an [...] teach to advance their own profit in way of their Trade▪ for in the time of the Law the fa [...]se Worshipper, with all [...] Sub [...]nce, was held accursed before the Lord, and for that end both were to be de [...]troyed; and therefore in this Age, the Anti-christian Teachers do account, that such who are not of their Faith, and as one wi [...]h [...]hem in Doctrine, P [...]inciple and Practice, that [...], as false Worshippers a [...]e to be de [...]troyed. But [...]hrist is come, by whose Com [...]ng the R [...]ghteousness of the Law is fullfilled, in that he came not to destroy m [...]ns Lives, but [...]o save and make alive, by call­i [...]g S [...]nners to Repentance, and to return, by Faith in O [...]e­dience, to serve him the living God with uprightness [...]f H [...]art, Mind and Spirit, doing unto all M [...]n, even a [...] they th [...]ms [...]lves would be done unto, which is the Law and Prop [...]et; out of which state men are not in the true F [...]ith, but [...] ignorant of Gods Righteousness, which is in the New Covenant of Life, Light and Grace, which came by Je [...]s Christ, contrary to whose Righ [...]eousn [...]ss they establish [...] own Righteousness, and not submit themselves to the Righ­teousness which is of God, Rom. 10.13. wherefore their Faith remains dead, and their Hope vain; for Fai [...]h is the gift of Gods Word, which is Christ the true and [...] Priest, who by the gift of his Spirit of divine L [...]fe & [...], preaches Light, Life and Grace, by which the Souls of [...] faithful are saved; and of this nature cometh Faith▪ [...] [...]earing the Word of God, Rom. 10.17. which doth man [...]st, [Page 35] that Faith comes not by that Word, which is not from the Spirit of God; in such faithless men, who for lucre of Gain, make use of other mens lines made ready to their hands, that is, of such who bargain with People to preach unto them for their Money, who if they perceive a greater benefit to present in another place, they account it sufficient En­couragement to leave the lesser, and to hold the greater; but such their Doctrine [...]rinciple and Practice is incon­sistent with Gods holy Truth, which doth live in the hearts of them that are faithful unto what of God by J [...]sus Christ, is made manifest unto them; for unto them doth the Pro­mises of God belong, by whose Spirit of Grace is his Righ­teousness revealed from Faith to Faith, as it is written, The Just shall live by Faith, Rom. 1.17 Then what doth it profit any man to say, that he hath Faith, when that by works of Righteousness he doth not manifest the same; for Faith without Works is dead, even as the Body is dead without the Spirit; such may believe that there is one God, they do dwell, the Devils also believe the same, and fear and tremble; but they fear and tremble because of Gods Wrath in Judgment, even so it is with the Rebellious, who by their vain Life of Disobedience fall short of true Faith ▪ they also fear and tremble, but not in love to God, but for fear of Torment to com [...]; such are they whose Faith is without Works, whose Faith is as dead as the Body is dead without the Spirit, [...]ames 2.17, 18, 19 20. Then seeing, that without that Faith which is by the gift of Gods Grace, that sanctifies eve [...]y true Belie­vers Work of Obedience, by which it is imputed to him for Righteousness, without which [...]t is impossible to p [...]ease God, who will hold all men guilty of Disobed [...]ence tha [...] remain in sin; for sin makes a continual [...]eperation [...] God and [...]he Soul, whereby they that continue in a state of sin [...]ng [Page 36] against the gift of Gods Grace, they by so doing, fall short in the true Hope of Salvation; for by true Faith in Obe­d [...]ence to the gift of Gods Spirit, the Mind is wrought into a [...] frame of Spirit, being made able, through the Power of Gods Gift to wait for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith, Gal 5 5. B [...] wh [...]ch it is manifest, that waiting in Silence o [...] [...], the inward Affections come to be drawn from [...] any desire in that part, which through the Temp­tation o [...] the S [...]uls [...]nemy is natural to lust after evi [...]; for the Body is th [...] Temple of the holy Ghost, and all though [...]s and intents of the heart and mind, that appear contrary to the moving of his own Spirit, they are Thieves and Robbers, that proceed from the Sou [...]s Enemy, which strive to prevent and hinder the prosperity of Gods Gift of divine L [...]ght, which is of the Seed of [...]he Kingdom of God, which [...]eed in measure hath been sown in all sorts of ground, which is the heart in all men, Mat. 13.3, 4, 5 6, 7▪ 8 for the Temple of God is the Body of Man, in which Christ is to rule, for [...]he Salvation of all them that by Faith in obedi­ence to the gift of his Grace, Life and Light, rece [...]ve him. Know ye not that ye are the Temples of God, and that [...]he Spirit of God dw [...]lleth in you? If any man d [...]f [...]le the Temple of God, him will God destroy, for the Temple of God is holy▪ which Temple ye are, 1 Cor. 3.16.1 [...]. [...]t is a worthy subject [...]or every Man and Woman to consider well with themselves, by making a diligent search with the [...]ight of the Lord in their own hearts, how it stands between God and their Soul [...] [...]hich must either live forever, or eternally perish 2with the Devil; and all they that by obedi [...]ce to him [...]n th [...]s Life, have sinned out the Day of Gods Grace, and of h [...]s [...]ich M [...]cies [...] [...]hrist Jesus▪ which hath been tendered unto them, for the Salvation of their Immortal Souls. So [Page 37] to all with whom the Spirit of God doth strive, that they ma [...] bend in the strength of their Minds [...] upon him in a retired state out of all their [...] R [...]nnings from Hill to Mountain, in wh [...]ch state they are out o [...] that Silence wh [...]ch the Lord hath commanded, That the whole Earth, which is all flesh, should keep silence before him, Hab. 2 2 [...]. And again, the [...] of the Lord, by the Mouth o [...] his holy Prophet, saith The Lord who is raised out of his holy Ha­bitation commandeth all flesh to keep Silence before him, Zech. 2.13. By which it appears to all that hear, see and under­stand, That Silence is that which God hath commanded to all Men and Mankind, who are to wait upon him in the Silence of Mind, that they may see and perceive, hear and understand the Lords Will and Mind in ho [...]e things which belong to the Peace and Well-fare of their Immor [...]al Souls, in which state of true faithful Obedience, the inward Man of Heart Mind & Spirit, will be made capable of receiving that benefit which the Lord will improve by his faithful Instruments, and that not only for the benefit of his o [...]n go [...]d, but for the benefit and good of others, that so the Name of the holy One may b [...] honoured thereby. The Lord in his rich Mercy is good unto all them that wait for h [...]m in Silence ▪ Lam. 3.25 28. And in his state did David wait o [...] God, from whom cometh the Salvation of the faithful, who truly [...] Silenc [...] on the Lord, Psal. 37.7 69.1. [...] [...]alvation of [...]eoples Souls cannot be with­ou [...] [...] to the Faith o [...] G [...]d in Christ, of whose [...] men in measure have re [...]eived, which is the Call o [...] God by the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ, who [...] to the Fathers Will in [...]ll [...]hings, for the [...] of mens Souls, which without true Faith and Obedience, according [...]o the Requirings of his good Spirit [Page 38] of Grace, there is no Salvation by him; then, if no Sal­vation by him, to them that remain in Disobedience to the gift of Grace, they are to perish for evermore; for as in the outward, among the Disobedient and Rebellious, which pretend themselves Subjects to some Earthly King he know­ing them so to be, will not protect them with that care and safety from the danger of an outward Enemy, as he will protect them whom he well knows, that the [...] are faithful Subjects, which in true obedience serve him; such Subjects will remain in silence to hear what their King doth relate, as tending to the preservation of their outward Man; then how much more, suppose ye, will the great King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, keep and preserve them that observe his Commands, to remain in silence before him, the L [...]d of Life, to hear what he will speak by the Voice of his Spirit, for the preservation of their Souls, which keep silen [...]e before him; Ʋnto me Men gave ear, and waited, and kept Silence at my Counsel, Job 29.30. Now they that are not in the Faith of these things, they are in a Faith of their own Righteousness, seeking the Lord where he is not to be found, crying, Lo here, and Lo there, in this and the other Form, wandering in their Minds from place to place, from one high Hill to the other barren Mountain, which bring­eth forth barren Fruit by Hebrew Greek and Latine, of which are few that are not in Paul's first state, in which all his unsanctified Learning would not give him the true saving Knowledge of God by Jesus Christ; for in that un­regenerated state, Mans Will and Time is not accepted with [...]od, but [...]ods Will is to be Mans Time, in that which Man offers unto the Lord, othe [...]wise, Who required th [...]se things at your hand? d [...]part f [...]om me, ye that work In [...]qu [...]ty, against me and my People, for I know you not; and forasmuch [Page 39] as you have not received them, you have also denyed me; there­fore the Lord will utterly destroy the Wicked, by bring­ing their Works to nought; but he will preserve the Righteous, which shall shine as Stars in the Firmament of H [...]aven▪ as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them tha [...] bring glad Tidings of good Things, Rom. 10.14, 15. No [...] where are the good things that the Hireling Teachers b [...]ing? as to spiritual, I could never find any thing by or from them, that did proceed from the divine Nature of God, by his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but as to other M [...]ns Lines made ready to their hands, that for Money m [...]n may buy once or twice a week, of which things I [...] only touch i [...] this Chapter, leaving the substance for another place, where, through the assi [...]ting strength of Gods Power, I shall prove, to the satisfaction of them whose Minds are in fa [...]thfulness before the Lord, who can­n [...]t [...] see, hear and understand, that forced Maintenance for Preaching, is not according to the Rule of God, nor pract [...]sed by any of his holy Prophets in days past, neither is the manner and method in Preaching, nor their Order in that they call their Church-Government or Gospel O [...]der in their Church, with divers others of their Principles and P [...]actices, which they account belongs to their Calling, are so inconsistent with Gods holy Truth, as is sufficiently ma­ni [...]ested by his own Spirit, and by his holy Prophets and Apo [...]tles le [...]t on holy Record, as doth appear by the Decla­ration of the ho [...]y Scriptures, and the Spirit of God by which they were given fo [...]th; and my Charity is to write and speak of them that which I am fully perswaded is the Truth of God i [...] my heart, That they either hold the [...] of God [...] Unrighteousness, or that they are ignora [...]t of his saving Knowledge by the Son of his Love, the Lo [...]d [Page 40] Jesus Christ, that is, they know little or nothing as they ought to do, of Gods saving Power, and spiritual appear­ance of Christ in their own [...], but are blind Leaders of the blind, till (without tru [...] R [...]pen [...]ance and Reformation) they shall fall together, which according to Christs own wo [...]ds, all they that con [...]inue in a state of unfaithfulne [...]s, in D [...]obedience to the gi [...]t of his Word, of his good Spirit of [...]race, which is given by measure to heal and make a [...]ive, they shall [...]ade and wither away as fruitless Branches, which when their day is over, they shall be cut off and cast in [...]o the Fire, wh [...]re the Worm dyes not▪ nor the Fire of Gods Wrath goeth out; for Christ c [...]me not in any measure of that nature which hath appeared in the false Teachers of this Age; [...]or he came not to dest [...]oy mens Lives and Estates, but his com­ing was for this end, To save that which he had made alive, by calling Sinners to Repentance, which by Obed [...]ence, through Faith, found Mercy, and entered into that Hope, by which the Righteous have been preserved in all Ages, Heb. 11.2 to 40. for it is the Just that live by Faith, [...]ab. 2.4. and therein is the Righteousness of [...]od revealed from Faith to Faith, as it is written, The Just shall live by Faith, Rom. 1.17. which proves, That the Righteous, by Faith in Christ, are the Just that live by Faith, having yeilded their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace, which gave them the Hope of Christ, through his De [...]h, and rising again to Life, by who [...]e Spirit of Grace, Life and Light, they come to receive an assurance b [...] Faith, of that blessed Hope in Christ, for the Salvation of their Immortal Souls; for through Fa [...]th, by Grace are the Righteous saved, for it is the gift of God, Ephes. 2 8. and the gift of God is Life E [...]ernal unto them that are not found cloathed with any thing of their own Righ [...]eous­ness, but altogether cloathed with that Righteousne [...]s [Page 41] which is by Faith in Ch [...]ist, which is the Righteousness of God, Ephes 3.9. which [...] works [...] love, and is that Faith wh [...]ch [...] into th [...] Ʋnity of the one Spirit, and of the Know­led [...]e of th [...] Son of God, un [...]o the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Ephes. 4 13. in which state the Righ­teous [...] ju [...]tified b [...] Faith, and have peace with God th [...]ough the Lord [...]esus [...]hrist, Rom 5 1. and by him have the [...]aith [...]ul access by F [...]i [...]h, into the Grace wherein th [...]y stand, and [...]ejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of God and not only so, but they glory in T [...]bulation also, knowing that Tribulat [...]on works Patience, and Patience wo [...]ks Experi [...]nce, and Exp [...]rience works Hope, and Hop [...] maketh not ashamed, because the Love of God is [...] abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost, which is given unto them, Rom. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Which things are by the Spirit of God in his faithful Servants & Messengers of Truth, lest upon holy Record, that People may learn to keep low in their Minds, from the love of all Vanity, and things of a perishing nature, that so they may come to give wholly up in their Minds to retain God in their Thoughts, by which, through Faith and Obedience, they may not fall short in the Hope of Gods heavenly Riches, wh [...]ch are treasured up in Jesus Christ, fo [...] all them that by Faith and Obedience live up to his Spirit of Grace, Life and Light, whereby the faithful have been made partakers of Gods durable Riches which is that Crown of [...]igh­teousness laid up in store for all them that by true Faith live in Obedience to the appearance of C [...]ist in their Hearts; such, so living and so dying, shall in no way fall short in the true Hope of Jesus [...]hrist.

Concerning Perfection, and that Warfare which the faithfull are to pass through, before they come to witness free and full Redemption from Sin in this Life, according as will appear by what follows.

GOD is perfect, just and holy in all his Works and gifts towards all the Sons and Daughters of Men; for every good and perfect gift cometh [...]om the Father of all Grace, Life and Light, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of Turning, Jam. 1.17. but in Man, the hea [...]t above all things is deceitful and desperately VVicked; who can know it, save the Lord, that made Man in his own Image, after his own Likeness made he him, and gave him Dominion over the things of the Earth, Jer. 17. [...]. Gen. 1 26. commanding him▪ that he should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, for in that day wherein he did eat thereof, he should surely dye, gen. 2.17. Which Command, through Disobe­dience, Man broke, by which he brought the Sons and Daughters of Men into a state of Lust which through the Temptations of the Enemy to his own seed in the Heart, draws the natural Mind to lust after that evil which bringeth sin, and sin bringeth Death ove [...] the Soul; [...]or the Wages of sin is Death, but the gift o [...] God is eternal Li [...]e, unto them who do not remain in that first sta [...]e of D [...]ge­neration, sinning against the gift of God; for as the Chil­dren of men [...]el [...] short of the glory of God, through the Fall of the first Man Earthly, so the Children from Adam, by Faith and Obedience to the gift of [...]od, shall be [...]av [...]d, through the D [...]ath and Resur [...]ection of the Lord of Life, the second Adam [...]om Heaven, spiritual, who requires per­fect [Page 43] Obedience of all men, to his holy Commands, that their Souls, through [...]aith in him may be saved; for only they are saved which perfectly believe in him, that he is able and willing to give them Power that are willing to keep his Commands; [...]or which end of Mans Salvation, he hath commanded People to be Perfect, even as God is Perfect, Mat. 5.48 which Command by Jesus Christ, seems too straight for many to receive into their Belief of ever attaining such a state in this Life, that they ei [...]her distrust in the Power of God [...]y Jesus Christ, or other­wise they are not willing to part with all their sins to gain Christ; for Sin makes a partition Wall between God and mans Soul, that it cannot come to receive the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Ch [...]ist; for all Sin is of Unrighteousness, and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil, which is the Father of all Sin, whe [...]e work of Darkness▪ hath no relation to the Kingdom of Heaven, nei­ther can any enter Gods holy place before they are free from Sin; but he that serves the Lord, and keeps all the Com­mandments of God, doth witness a perfect state in this Life, Mat. 19.20, 21. & 5.48 and the holy [...]ripture is full and clear, that such as feared God and wrought Righ­teousness, were perfect Men; for Noah ▪ which walked with God was a perfect Man; and God commanded Abraham to be perfect, Gen. [...]7.1. Also, Jo [...] was a perfect M [...]n, being [...]pright, and one that fea [...]ed God and eschewed evil, Job 1.1. & cap. [...].2▪ 3. in [...]hich Tryal of Job's Faith, he said▪ That God would not cast away a perfect Man, J [...]b 8.20. which manifests, that such have been perfect men in this Life, otherways the Spirit of the L [...]rd would not have suffered an account of the same to have been recorded in the [...] [...]y Scriptures of Truth. Also, David was a man after G [...]ds [Page 44] own heart (except in the matter of Ʋriah, of which he repented, which could not have been, had not David been a perfect Man; for he that is not perfect in the Work of the Lord, to keep his Commands, he is not a Man after the Nature of Christ, who perfectly performed the Work of God, for the Redemption of Men, in whom the work of God is to be perfected by Jesus Christ, who came to redeem from sin, and will redeem the Souls of them that faithfully believe in his redeeming Power, by which they shall be freed from sin in this Life, till sin can find no place to lodge in the hearts of them that are saved; and this hath been the state of Noah, Abraham Job and David, with many others of the Lords Servants, who did not distrust in the Power of the Almighty, but believed in God by which they became Men after Gods own heart; and for any to believe, that David, or any other of the Lords Servants, could be Men after Gods own heart, and yet could not be free from all sin, which is the work of the Devil, to me it seems the Anti-christian Faith, which is of the Devils begetting, to perswade People, that God is not willing to give Power to them that truely believe in him, to perform what he requires of his People that is, to keep all his Commandments, according as he hath com­manded▪ that thereby they may fullfill his Command To be perfect as God is perfect and holy as he is holy, that is, to be free from sin, which is to be free from consenting to joyn with the Devils Temptations; for Gods Holyness i [...] Perfection extends beyond what M [...]n in this Life can comprehend; but they that dye from sin, to live in Christ, are made free from sin in this Life, otherwise according to Christs own words, where he is gone they can never come. Then it is sufficient in the Wisdom of God, to be per [...]e [...]t, [Page 45] just and holy, according as the Lord requires, in this Life, and in the Life to come to see him, and to be with him in Glory, and to be, in measure, of his Glory, even like unto him; and as it pleased the holy God, in his own Wisdom, to let the Enemy, by Temptation, to prevail against David, and Peter, with others of his Servants in dayes past, by which their Testimonies for Gods holy Truth came to bear the more force, by the Power of God, through which, by true Repentance, they came to be renewed to a heavenly Life again; by which Fall they throughly came to see and behold, that there was not any one Power, save the Power of God, that was able to preserve and save from the Power of the Devil; for tho' the Wisdom of God, many times doth suffer the righteous to all, yet the cause is imputed unto themselves, through the neglect of their Watch against the Temptations of their Souls Enemy; but by Repentance, through Faith in God, they by his Grace come to be restored again, which is sufficient warning, that their Watch should never be neg­lected more; so that though the Righteous fall yet by their falling it doth not in the least measure weaken the Truth of God's Cause in the work of Perfection; for they which fall rise again, and by Repentance through Faith in Christ, by him they are restored, as his faithful Servants and Children, to God again▪ which state of Falling once or twice in the whole time of a Man or Womans Life, some make an [...]cassion or ma [...]ter for the Devil to work against the Truth of God, as doth evidently appear by them that sin daily in Thought, Word and Deed against God, [...] Commandments, they say, no Man in this Life, can k [...]ep, according to what God requires of them to do; By which they unjustly charge the Lord, as did that unfa [...]th [...]ul [Page 46] Servant, which hid his Lords Talent in the Earth, and charged his Lord of being a hard Master, Mat. 25 2 [...]. [...]. even so is it with them in this day, who do not improve the Gift of God, but live in the daily breach of Gods Com­mandments, in which state they plead for sin all the dayes of their Life, in which they remain in the Fall, which is as much differing from the Life of the Righteous, as Heaven differs from Hell; for the Righteous live not in the Fall; for God is their strength and Power, he maketh their wa [...]es perfect, Psal. 18.32. By which [...] manifest, that if People would but give up in their Minds with this godly Resolution, to follow the Dictates and Motions of Gods Gift, which is the Light of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ, and by measure is bestowed on the Sons and Daugh­ters of men to profit withal, that they would come to witness Gods Power by Jesus Christ, to be sufficient for their preservation against all the Temptations of their Souls Enemy; but while People remain in their Lo here and Lo there, running in their Minds from one high Hill to [...]he other Barren Mountain, where the chiefest of their Food is by a Confession from their Shepherds Mouth, That their best Performances are Sin, and that they draw in Sin as an Ox draweth in Water; which in so doing, they do well to acknowledge the Truth of their state, which by their continuance therein, it doth further enlarge Gods just Judgments against a People which live in sin against the Lord of Life, whose gift of Grace they ought to improve to the profit of their Lords Talent, which he hath bestowed upon them, for the honour of his own Name, and ever­lasting wellfare of their Immortal Souls, which must either live by true Faith and Obedience to God, or eter­nally perish, through their Disobedience to his heavenly [Page 47] Gift of the divine Light of his Spirit; for as they live in sin, they continue Servants unto him whom they obey, and his Children they are whose Works they do; and they that plead for a Body of sin all their dayes, they uphold the Devils Kingdom, in which state they oppress the Seed of God, and quench the gift of the Spirit of God, by which they hinder themselves of the heavenly divine incomes of Gods Love, which refreshes the Heart and quickens the Spirit of the faithful, by which their Souls, through Faith in Christ, are made alive to God, whose people preach, pray and sing in his Time, to the honour of his holy Name, and edification of one another; but the Prayers of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord; for the Lord doth abhor the Prayers of him that prayeth in his own Time and in his own Will; for the Spirit of Prayer leads the faithful to pray in the Lords own due time, by which the Soul comes to be refreshed, by the effectual working of Gods spiritual Appearance, which doth assist the inward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God, without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance, which doth assist the inward Man in the holy Work of Prayer unto God, without which assisting Power of Gods spiritual Appearance Prayer is of no effect to the Soul of Man, who in their own Time go round in their own Wills, in their preaching, praying and singing, even like to a Horse in the Mill, and a Door on the Hinges, and still remain­ing where they were; yet such men in the like Confession will in the same place of their Worship, presume to call the [...]uakers Light a stinking Vapour from Hell

Now, we know, that with God there dwelleth no imperfect thing but with the Devil dwelleth all Unrighteousness, and with him remaineth all they that live and dye in their sins; [Page 48] for all them that remain in sin in this Life, they are never free from the Devils Power, which if it were not for the restraing Power of God, the Devil (by them that serve him) would soon destroy the whole Heritage of God, which as yet remain the Body on this side the Grave; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning, and his Work is to lay [...] Gods Heritage, and to destroy all that which is good. Now fo [...] this purpose was the Son of God made manifest, that he [...]ight destroy the Works of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3. [...]. For whosoever committ [...]th sin, transgresseth the Law; for sin is the Transgression of Gods holy Law and ye know he was made manifest to take away our sin, and in him is no sin, 1 Joh. 3.5. Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not, whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, neither knoweth him, 1 Joh. 3.6. Let no man deceive you, he that doth Righteousness is righteous, 1 Joh. 3.7. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his [...] remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God, 1 Joh. 3.9 Now in this the Children of God are manifest, and the Children of the Devil; whosoever doth not Righteous­ness is not of God, neither he that hateth his Brother, vers 10. Now, we know, that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not▪ but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that Wicked One toucheth him not, 1 Joh. 5.18. And this Declaration of Gods Truth, hath proceeded from the Spirit of God, and is agreeable with Chri [...]s own words, John 8.21 Th [...]y that dye in their sins, where Christ is gone, they can never come; for as Death leaves, so Judgment finds, and there is no Repent­ance in the Grave. And in John 1 [...] ▪ 23. from Christs own words, I in them, and they in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the World may know that thou hast sent me, and h [...]st loved them, [...] thou hast loved me.

By which we may see, that which God hath commanded, [Page 49] he is in no way short in his Power towards the willing and obedient, but unto them, who through Disobedience to the Gift of Gods Spirit, which came by Jesus Christ, they remain in sin, whose Reward will be with that unprofit­able Servant which hid his Lords Talent, by which he lost his portion of Gods heavenly Riches, which the faithful are made partakers of in this Life, and in the Life to come; so that where there is any thing of faithfulness wanting to the gift of Gods Spirit of divine Grace, Life and Light, it hinders from a perfect state, even as with him whom Christ brought to the Touch-stone, If thou wilt be perfect go and sell that which thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven, Mat. 19.20, 21. By which it is manifest, that men through Obe­dience to what the Lord requires of them to do, may by him be made perfect, according to his own Command, in this Life, Mat. 5.48. for Christs words are to be believed before the words of all men that have ever taught the Do­ctrine of Imperfection; for Christs vvords are very plain, and by the Spirit of God easie to be understood, in his saying, Be ye therefore Perfect, as your heavenly Father is Perfect; also, That the Disciple is not above his Master, b [...]t every one that is perfect shall be as his Master, Luke 6.4 [...]. Which also implyes, that some there were that were perfect, otherwise it vvould not have been said, Every one that is perfect; and for this end Christ gave Gifts, for the perfecting of the Saints, Ephes. 4.12. For the gift of God is for the perfecting of his Saints, for vvhich the Lords Servants prayed, That they might present every man Pefect in Christ Jesus, preaching and warning every man, and teaching [...] man in all Wisdom, that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, 1 Col 1.28.

[Page 50]But unto such who Reply, That he that saith he hath no sin, deceiveth himself, and the Truth is not in him, 1 Joh. 1.8. and vers 10. If we say, we have not sinned, we make him a Liar, and the Truth is not in us. By which it is evident, That all men in their first state have sinned, and that there is something of that Nature, so long as the Warfare against sin remaineth; but at the end of the Warfare against sin, sin in the Warfare is overcome, and no longer remains in the Man of God, which is according to the Spirit of God, as by the Apostles writing concerning that state in which men were in the warfare, I write unto you, little Children, because your sins are forgiven you for his Name sake; I write unto you Fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning; I write unto you, Young Men, because ye have over­come the Wicked One; I write unto you, little Children, because ye have known the Father; I have written unto you Fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning: I have written unto you, Young Men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and you have Overcome the Wicked One, 1 John 2.12, 13, 14. So that in the Warfare, the Churches growth, was in their several states of pressing forward to Perfection; in which state of their Warfare, they came to grow from a Childs state, to the state of a strong man in Christ Jesus. So that in their Spiritual Tra­vail against Sin, they still come more and more to the in­crease of Gods holy Truth▪ by their knowledg of his will and mind, through Jesus Christ, by whose Power they re­ceived dayly Strength for their Preservation in his holy Truth, by which they come to grow from one degree of Grace unto another, till at length in the Lords due time they become perfect Men in Christ Jesus, who is the Au­thor and Finisher of his good Work in the hearts of his [Page 51] People; for when they have overcome the wicked One, they have also overcome sin, and the same is a perfect Man, 1 John 2.13, 14. And this is agreeable with the Apostle Pauls writing concerning the same state, which he did ex­perience in his Warfare, including all under sin in the first state; for as Men are found to partake of Adams Disobe­dience, so also are they found Transgressors of Gods holy Command, in which they have sinned, and all that remain in that state, remain in sin, being Servants to sin, which f [...]ees them from the Righteousness of Christ, whose faith­ful Servants war not with carnal Weapons, but with spi­ritual Weapons, which through him are mighty, to the pulling down of strong Holds and Wickedness in high Places. Now least the Apostle should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of Revelations, there was given unto him a Thorn in the Flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet, least he should be exalted above measure. And whereas he said, O wretehed Man that I am! who shall deliver me from this Body of Sin and Death, Rom. 7. [...]4. All which doth not incinde him to be a Transgressor of Gods holy Law, as every man that remains in sin is, which cannot in truth and righteousness say, as the holy Apostle did, I thank God throvgh Jesus Christ our Lord; so then with the Mind I my self serve the Law of God, but with the Flesh the Law of sin, vers. 25. Now by the Law of Sin, the ignorant do conclude, the holy Apostle was not free from sin in this Life, which he clears in Rom 8.1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6. There [...] therefore no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit; for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death; for what the Law could not do, in that it was weak, through the Flesh, God sending his own Son [Page 52] in the Likeness of sinful Flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh, that the Righteousness of the Law might be fullfilled in them who walk not after Flesh, but after the Spirit▪ For they that be after the Flesh, do mind the things of the fl [...]sh, but they that be after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit; for to be carnally minded is Death, but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace, because the carnal mind is at Enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be; so then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God, Rom. 8.1, 2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. By which it is manifest, that the holy Apostle did not all his days continue in a Body of sin, but in his War [...]are was pressing forward towards the Mark of the Calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3.14. forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Phil. 3.13. That the Man of God might be perfect, thorowly furnished unto all good Works, 2 [...]im. 4.17. in which state of pressing forward to Perfection, Patience hath her per [...]ect work, that they might be per [...]ect, wanting nothing, James 1 17. Which state the holy Scriptures bear Record, Paul in the end of his Warfare did attain, which is a state free from sin in this Life according as by the Spirit of God he himself testi­fied, That he had [...]ought a good fight, wherein he had finished his Course, and [...]ept the Faith, or whom there was laid up a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous [...]udge would give him at the last Day, and not to him only, but to all them that love his appearing, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. And these things were done before his Departure from the Body, as appears by his Epistle to Titus, and to Philemon, and also to the Hebrews; so that the Lords People well know▪ by the Spirit of God agreeing with th [...] holy Scriptures, as also by their daily prog [...]ess in the Way of the Lord, all agree­ing [Page 53] with the gift of his divine Light and quickenin [...] ▪ Word of his Spirit, that by true Faith and Obedience thereunto, they shall receive a daily supply of his Power, which will give sufficient strength against the Devil, and all his Temptations; by which he that hath set his hand to the Plow, and doth not look back, shall come to wit­ness a thorow cleansing from sin in this Life, which [...]hey that witness not in this Life, shall not witness a cleansing in the Kingdom of Heaven; for no imperfect thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven, neither is there any Re­penting in the Grave, for as Death leaves, so Judgment finds.

Concerning the true Worship of God in Spirit.

EVen at this day, as in days past, among the Peopl [...] of the World there are many Wayes of Worship▪ but with the People of the Lord, his way of Worship is but one, in which they worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth; for God is a Spirit, and they which are true Worshippers of him, they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth. Then how can any be true Worshippers of God which abide not in his Truth; for Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and they that are not in [...]hrist, are out of his Truth, and so not in the true Worship of God; so as they are not in Christ the [...] are not in the [...]ru [...]h, but out of that spiritual Life in which the true W [...]ship of God remaineth. Now this we know, that all men are in the worship of some one thing or another, all pretend­ing that their Worship is the right and true way of [Page 54] Worship. Then seeing that all are Worshippers, How is the true Worshipper known from the false? Even as the Tree is known by its Fruit, so are Worshippers known one from the other; for the good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit, but the evil Tree bringeth forth corrupt Fruit; for men do not expect to gather Grapes of Thornes, nor Figs of Thistles, neither can any man be a true Worshipper of God in Spirit, that doth not bring forth Fruits of the Spirit, which are Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, against such there is no Law, Gal. 5.22, 23. for they live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit with Christ, such are the true Worshippers of God in Spirit and Truth; but such Worshippers that draw in sin as an Ox draweth in Water, their best Performances in Worship, are sin, unto which the Lord hath no regard; for we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a true Worshipper of God, and he doth his will, him he heareth, John [...].31. Now to think that God will accept any mans Work where­in sin remaineth, that man deceiveth himself; for all Works wherein sin remaineth, it is not of the Spirit of God, but of the Devil; for he is a sinner from the begin­ning, and the Truth abideth not in him; for in the time of the Law, the Peoples Offerings before thê [...]ord were to be perfect, without blemish▪ Lev. 22.21. and their weight and measure were to be perfect before the G [...]d of their Salvation, Deut. 25.15. Which did signifie spiritual Obedience to [...]hrist, the Lamb of God, without blemish, spot or wrinkle, who requires in this Gospel Day, under the Light of his [...]ovenant of Grace, Light and Life, unto which not any thing of mans imperfect Gifts and Offerings can find place, to enter into Covenant with the Lor [...] of [Page 55] Life for the Salvation of their immortal Souls; for as God hath perfected his work of Grace in Jesus Christ, for the Salvation of Peoples Souls, so must their work be also perfect, by the Power of God, in and through Christ, for the Salvation of them that are saved, in and through him the Lord of Life, of whose Spirit there is a gift given to the Sons and Daughters of men, which is for this end, that through perfect Obedience thereunto, they may work out their Salvation by true Faith in Jesus Christ, who is Author and Finisher of his own Work in the hearts of them that in him believe; for he is given a Light to the Gentiles, and a Rule of Life for all to walk by. So here is no occasion of stumbling, as the heart and mind attends its Rule, which Rule directs the heart and mind in to the true and living Way, which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven, where they that worship out of the Spirit and Truth can never come; for though they may not profess to worship a false God, as many do, yet they profess a worship of the true God in a false way, by which their worship is a false Worship, which the [...]ord will destroy; for contrary to the mind and will of God they have set up a false Worship, teaching for Doctrines the Command­ments of Men, Mat. 15.9. For the hour cometh, and now is, when the true Worshipper shall worship the Father in Spirit and in [...]ruth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him, Joh. 4.23. By which its mani [...]est, That all words in De­clarations, Preaching and Praying, with all whatsoever else that men pretend to the Worship of God, being not lead thereunto by the Power of God, it is no more before the Lord, than he that cuts off a Dogs Neck or [...]ffereth [...] Blood. Isa. 66. [...]. For the [...]ord is [...] pure Eyes than to behold Iniquity, or to regard Iniquity; for he [Page 56] will not have regard to that Worship in which Obedience is not yeilded to the gift of his own Spirit of Truth, which calls for Silence in the heart and mind of all such People whose Worship is not in the Spirit and in Truth; for the fleshly part must be subdued, and the natural Thoughts of the heart, and the intents of the natural Mind must be subdued by the Power of God, unto which Obedience is to be yeilded, that every wandering Thought may be brought into subjection by the Power of God, then the Lord will have regard unto the Soul of him that so worshippeth; for such Worshippers are they of the Cir­cumcision, which worship in the Spirit, and reioyce in Christ Jesus, having no Confidence in the Flesh, Phil 3 3. Now this is the main Reason why People do not profit, but in their Worship, as themselves confess, go round in their Duties, even like a Horse in the Mill, and a Door on the Hinges, still remaining where they were, because they offer to God with a false weight and measure, which is of their own Imperfection, in a belief that they shall never be free from Sin in this Life, whereby their Debt is inlarged, and causeth them to fall short of a true Hope by Jesus Christ, who will not accept that imperfect O [...]ering, which would not profit in the Time of the Law; for this is the Day of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ, in which if any man will hear, let him not harden his heart, through a false Belief, begotten by the denyal, that in this day of so large a Dispensation of Light by Jesus Christ, that God will receive the imperfectness of Mans own Work, which indeed is that which the [...]ords Soul abhors; for the Devil, and Enemy of Mans Peace, hath seated himself in the heart and mind of Man, and exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as [Page 57] God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God, Thes. 2.4. and unto him the natural Mind in­clineth to serve, by which the Soul remaineth in Sin and Transgression against God, whose Gift of divine Light is vailed from the Understanding, which also becomes Dark, in which state they walk in the light of their own wayes, which leads in the Paths of Death; which fulfills Christs saying, If the Eye be evil, the whole Body shall be full of Darkness, then how great is that Darkness, Mat. 6.23. which Darkness drowns the Understanding of the inward Man, that it cannot come to perceive the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus, which is the Power of God to Salvation, in them that believe in the Light of it, which if it be hid, it is only to the Disobedient, who yeild their Obedience to their hearts Lusts, which lusteth after Sin and Evil, being also desirous to know God, without Obedience to the gift of his Spirit of Grace, in which state the Devil hath the ruling part in the heart, which lusteth after some outward Work, in pretence of worshipping God, only for the outward Name of Christian amongst Men, such Worshippers the Lords Soul doth abhor; for Mans natural Will is Enmity with God, and in that state mans Time in Worship is not that Time which the Lord doth accept; but the Lords Time, in which he doth accept Mans Offering, is, when by the Power of his own Spirit, the heart is moved to worship him, the only true [...] the only true way of his Worship, which is, in the [...] and Truth. So all are commanded to keep silence befo [...] the Lord, and to hear him for the profit of their own Souls, before they can speak or declare any one thing for the spiritual Edification of another; for he that nameth the Name of the Lord, is first to depart from Iniquity, [Page 58] and to wait for the Teachings of Gods holy Spirit, which hath commanded Silence to all Flesh before him, Hab. 2.20. Ezek. 2.13. also Psal. 3.25, 28 Let all the Earth keep Silence before the Lord: I patiently waited on the Lord: Truely my Soul waiteth on God, from him cometh my Salva­tion. So that God requireth a free and willing Mind, to be free from all Incumberments, and love of visible things, which are below the true Wisdom of God, which unto the wise-learned in the things of this World, is count­ed foolishness, to see the Lords Children sit together in Silence, waiting on God, to hear the Voice of his inward Call, by the gift of his Spirit of divine Grace, Life and Light, in which is the true Worship of God in Spirit and Truth. So here is to be no giving way [...]o any stragling Thought of the Heart, nor Intent of the Mind; for all that is of Self, is (by the Power of God) to be brought into Subjection to his holy Will, which is the true worship­ping of God in Spirit and Truth; for all Thoughts and Intents which proceed not from the Power of Gods Spirit, they are Thieves and Robbers, which keep lurking, through the Devils Power, to deceive the Soul of that benefit, which if they were obedient to the command of the Lord, they might receive; for as the true Wor­shippers in all Ages have been found in the silent waiting, their strength hath been renewed; for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with Wings, as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and th [...]y shall walk, and not be faint, Isa [...]0.31. for they come to witness the Renewings of Gods Grace from day to day, and from time to time, which increases thei [...] Faith in the hope of Gods heavenly Riches in Jesus Christ, who [...]e Spirit of Grace gives Utterance to preach, pray add sing [Page 59] in the Spirit of Holiness, to the praise and honour of God, and to the edification and comfort of one another, which is the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth. And in this Worship have all been in, whose Minds have been turned from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God, through which their Souls were made alive in Jesus Christ, without whose Spirit of Grace, all preaching, praying and singing avails not the Soul in the sight of God; for whatever men practice, as to the worshipping of God, if it do not proceed from the drawings of Life by his own Spirit, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, it is no more but what is by and from their own Works of Righteousness, which will not justifie in the sight of God, to save from his Wrath to come, in which Day it will be said, Who required these things of you? Therefore it is expedient for People which are in their several ways of Worship, to be deeply concerned about these things, and to make a diligent search with the Light of the Lord in their own hearts, which through Obedience they may soon find how it stands between God and their Immortal [...]Souls, which must come to witness the Lords spiritual [...]ppearance in their Worship, which if other ways it is not the true worshipping of God in the Spirit and Truth, but is a false Worship, which differs not from the Worship of them that worship a false God; all which are built without the Spirit of God, stand upon sandy Foundation, which the Lord in his own due time will overthrow; for no Worship shall remain, but that which is in the Spirit and Truth; for that is the true worship of God, and the Father seeks such to worship him; for they are the true Worshippers, and their building remains upon the Rock of Ages and Foundation of many Generations, [Page 60] on which the holy men of God in dayes past built their Faith in him, who gave them an assurance in the Hope of their Salvation, who in their day were perfect Obedient Children to the gift of Gods divine Light, and quicken­ing Word of his Spirit, which made them able Ministers, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit, by which they were lead and guided in a holy fear to perform the Work of God, according as they were moved thereunto by the Power of his own Spirit, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, the gift of whose Light, and movings of whose Spirit in his People, is that which is as much derided and evil spoken of among Professors in this Day, as his holy Servants of Truth were by that professing People, the Re­bellious Jews, in days past, vvho had a zeal for God but not accord [...]ng to true Knowledge, even as it is vvith many vvho profess to vvorship the true God, but vvorship in a false vvay in this Day; but blessed are they vvhose Works are governed by the Spirit of God, in and through Jesus Christ, such are they that vvorship God in the Spirit and Truth; for, as I have said, and that by experience, that God is Worshipped by his ovvn, and not by or from any thing of mans ovvn natural Will, but all are to wait the Lords Time, that his Will in all things may be done to the honour and praise of his own holy Name, and the everlasting comfort of them that continue in the vvell doing, unto them belongs a Revvard, vvhich is that hea­venly Portion of Gods Riches in Christ Jesus, vvho is the Author and Finisher of his ovvn Work, in them that love him, and keep his Commandments. Concerning vvhich things it is good for People to consider, vvhile Time is, before Time be no more; for every Man and Woman have a Soul, which must either live vvith the Lord of Life, [Page 61] or eternally perish, vvhich vvill be the state of all them who at the Lords coming shall by him be found to have been Worshippers of false Gods, or that have been false Worshippers of him who is the true and living God, whom all men are commanded to worship in the true and living way, which is in the Spirit and Truth, which is the desire of my Soul, that all may do, that so they may come to witness true Peace with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God of all, and over all, blessed be his holy Name for evermore▪ for in him is the Riches of God, which belongs to them that worship him in the Spirit and Truth.

CHAP. VIII. Concerning true Prayer, by which the faithful find Acceptance with God, by Faith in the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ.

TRue Prayer is an Ordinance of God, and a Duty which God requires of Man, to be performed by the Power of his own gift, which came by Jesus Christ, who hath commanded all men to watch and pray, in a believing frame of Spirit, which is that that God requires of all men, and all men that are in perfect Obedience to God, they watch and pray by the assisting Power of Gods Spirit, by which they are made able to resist the Devil in the hour of Temptation, but they who are in Unbelief of Gods Power by Jesus Christ, That they shall never be made free from sin in this Life, they cannot pray by the Spirit of God, [Page 62] because of their Unbelief; for all sin is of Unrighteousness, and all Unrighteousness is of the Devil, and the [...] of them that continue in sin, are an Abomination in the sight of God, for the Eyes of the Lord are more purer than to behold Sin, or regard Iniquity; for the Thoughts of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord, but the words of the Poor are pleasant words, Pro. 15.26. By which it is plain, that by Peoples living in Sin, is the cause of their Prayers not being accepted with the Lord, because the Wayes of the Wicked are an Abomination before him, but he loveth him that followeth after Righteousness, Prov. 15.9. for sin being loved and entertained, makes a seperation between God and mans Soul, in which state man is incapable of receiving the incomes of Gods divine Love by Jesus Christ, by whose Spirit of Life, the hearts of them which hunger and thirst after Righteousness, come to be enlightened, through which they come to receive his Will in what they should pray for unto him; for Man in his own Will cannot know when or what to pray for, [...]s he ought to do, for thou, O Lord! hast revealed unto thy Servant, there­fore hath thy Servant found in his heart to pray this Prayer unto thee, 2 Sam. 7.27. By which it is evident, that true spiritual Prayer proceedeth from the Power of Gods Spirit, by which the Righteous come to enjoy the benefit of that which they pray for; but the Unrighteous pray for the deliverance from sin, which living in a state of Un­belief, that God will never in this Life wholly free them from Sin, which Unbelief stops the current of Life, and hinders the Work of God by Christ, whose [...]ork by▪ Faith in him is to destroy Sin, and put an end to Trans­gression, that is in them which belive in the gift of his Grace, by which men are saved; for its the Gift of God, [Page 63] which comes by Jesus Christ, and through Faith in him, is Life Everlasting, that is to them, who through Faith have their whole dependance on him, but where men remain in a state of dayly sining against the manifesta­tion of his spirit, which all have received, to profit with all, it keeps them short of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ; for the Prayers of the Wicked are sin, because they remain in sin, which causeth their Prayars to be sin in the sight of God, for the Prayers of the wicked are an Abomination before the Lord, and the Sacrifice of the wicked are an Abomination to him, but the Prayers of the Ʋpright is his delight, Psal. 119.7. Prov. 15.2. so it is the Prayers of the Upright in heart, which the Lord accepts and delights in, for unto them is the promise of God by Christ, who re­news the Faith of his People, by the power of his spirit, which begets the inward man into a lively hope of that assurance, which by true Faith the soul receives▪ by true Prayer unto the Lord, through which Prayer by Grace, every Dispensation of Gods gifts come to be sanctified, through the Power of his own spirit; for every Dis­pensation is from God, and only sanctified to the Righ­teous, which receive of the Lords free benefits, and rich Mercies of his Love, in the outward Dispensation, which through Prayer and Thanks-giveing, are sanctified to them which live in Uprightness of heart and mind towards God, which the Unrighteous also pretend, but it is with unclean Hearts, for which cause the Lord will not accept their Prayers, for the Lord only dwells with the pure in heart, whose minds are wrought into a true and living sence of Gods heavenly riches in Jesus Christ, which is the inheritance of his faithfull People, which pray unto him, by the power of his own spirit which doth condemn [Page 64] the Prayers of all unrighteous men, who pray in their own time, and in their own wills.

But some may then query, Whether the Unrighteous are not commanded to pray? Ans. The hearts of the righ­teous desire the return of the Wicked, that they may for­sake the evil of their way, and serve the Lord in Truth and Righteousness, and that the Wicked are to pray, which will not discharge any part of their Disobedience to God, until they come to forsake their Unrighteous way of sinning against the gift of his Grace, and divine Light of his Spirit, which remains their Condemnation for sin, Joh. 3.19, 20, 21. By which it is evident, that the Prayer of a wicked man availeth not before the Lord, that is, while he remaineth in the known Life of Sin, which he prays against, but let the wicked forsake their way, and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and unto our God, for he will abundantly pardon, Isa. 55 7. So that where men live in known sins against God, and in a belief of its being impossible to be free from sin in this Life, the Prayer of such doth not proceed from the Spirit of God, who hath Commanded his People, not to touch, taste nor handle with any unclean thing, but to follow the leadings of Gods holy Spirit, as the Apostles have done for Example, and to mark them which walk otherwayes▪ So every man and every woman is to seek God for themselves; for he hath pro­mised to be found of them that seek, him in uprightness of heart; and I do not read that any of the Lords servants in dayes past, were ever lead by the spirit of God, to pray either privatly among People in unbelief of ever attaining that which th [...] Apostles prayed for, which is, that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; [Page 65] then where in remains the profit of any true Beleivers Prayer in publick, though in his own family, (which through their unbelief in the power of God, that they shall never be free from sin in this Life, by which they are not as yet of the true Houshold of Faith) at times and seasons, as the spirit of God moves in the heart of every such master of family, he doth pray, for the return of them, and all other People, which remain in the same state of Unbelief, which until they repent and forsake, their prayers will not be accepted of God.

CHAP. IX. Concerning the Lords Supper, which People call the Sacrament.

AS to the word Sacrament, I find it not contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth; but as to the Lords Supper, according to Christs OWN words, Luke 22.1 [...].20. when he took Bread, and gave Thanks, and broke it, and gave it to his Disciples, saying, This is my Body, which is given you; This do in Remembrance of me; like­wise also, th [...] [...]up after Supper, saying, This is the New Testa­ment in my Blood, which is shed for you. The fore-going words some have Wrested, by which they have gathered in their Comprehension some-what o [...] a Meritorious Work, which they hold most necessary to Salvation; [...]rom which grounds, they have set up a Form, each for them­selves, according to the Apprehension of the natural Mind, being altog [...]ther destitute o [...] experience of the Power of the Blood of [...]hrist, the end of whose Death was not to destroy mens Lives and Esta [...]es about his Bod [...] and [Page 66] Blood; for his Coming was to heal the Sick, to bind up the Broken, and to make alive; but where the Nature of Christ is wanting, they are not come to the true saving Knowledge of God, by the Body and Blood of Christ, through whose Death and Resurrection, there is no hope of Salvation to them that by his Blood are not cleansed from all sin in this Life; for where sin remains, it Rules the Heart, and darkens the Understanding, by which the Power of God is not received, which gives the true know­ledge of the Nature of the [...]ody and Blood of Jesus Christ, which proves their Form dead, and they to remain in a dead Form, having a zeal for God, without his saving Know­ledge by Jesus Christ, about whose Body and Blood, many thousands of Peoples Lives have been destroyed, which makes manifest, that such are not in the true form of God­liness, for neither Christ nor his Apostles have enjoyned any to particular time or place, but in remembrance of his Death, as is furder manifested by the Apostles saying, 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 26, 27. That Christ took the Cup when he had supped, saying, This is the New-Testament in my Blood, this do ye, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. So that here is no command, either to Particular time or Place, but as often as ye eat of this Bread, and drink of this Cup, ye do shew forth the Lord Death, till he come; which according to that spiritual Light of Understanding, which God hath given me, my Faith in Christ, is to believe, that the daily food which every true Believer doth receive, by Prayer and Thanks-giving, that it is to be received in the remembrance of his Death, till he come, as well as when Believers eat together more solemnly, remembring his Death with Prayer and Thanks-giving, whose coming will be, to reward the Wicked and Ungodly, among whom are they that have a [Page 67] form of Godliness, without the true saving Knowledge of God, by the Body and Blood of Christ, whose coming also will be to receive the Souls of them whom, he hath pro­mised to drink of the Vine, new in the Kingdome of God; and as to any command by Christ, or example by his holy Apostles, I find not, for any hired Teachers, to set up a form, for People to eat Bre [...]d, and drink Wine once a month, or more or less, even as they and their followers can agree about the same; for the Apostles were never hired to set up any [...]orm without the Power of God, nei­ther without the Power of God, did they ever maintain any Form; for they did continue with one accord break­ing Bread from House to House, and did eat their bread with gladness and singleness of heart ▪ Acts 2.46. Which doth and will continue among sincere Christians and true Beleivers until the last coming of Christ; which doth manifest the blind Zeal, which People have of their own Righteousness, who have not the true form of Godliness according to the practice of the holy Apostles, for which end I may improve the Prophets saying, Wherefore do ye spend your Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which satisfieth not? Isa. 55.2. Which indeed is so as doth ap­pear by Peoples Lo here, and Lo there, in their differing Forms, which are destitute of the Power of God, who is the Bread of Life, which is tendered by his free Grace, in and through the Son of his Love the Lord Jesus Christ, who standeth at the Door and knocketh, if any man will hear his Voice and open the Door, he will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he shall sup with the Lord of life, R [...]v 3.10. which if any refuse this the Lords Supper, he re­fuses his own Salvation by Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, which if any man eat, and drink of this cup he [Page 68] shall neither hunger, nor thirst, but shall live forever.

And as to the outward Dispensations, which the Lord bestoweth upon the Children of men, among whom they that do not render a due acknowledgment by the spirit of Prayer and Thanks-giving for the Lords Mercies in his gifts bestowed upon them, for the Comfort of the Body, it doth but [...]urder add to their Condemnation; for whe­ther ye eat, or whether ye drink, let all be done to the Honour of God, who hath not called man to live by Bread alone, but by the Power of his Word, Mat. 4.4. Luke. 4.4. for the Power of his Word is in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, that a man may eat thereof, and not dye; for all outward Bread and Wine is of a perishing Nature, but the Bread of Life and Wine of the Kingdom endureth forever; for Christ hath said, that he is the Bread of Life, or Li­ving Bread that cometh down from Heaven, which if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever; that Bread that he giveth is his Flesh, which he hath given for the Life of the World, John. 9.50, 51. for in this is the Power of God made manifest unto the soul of every true Believer, which have their whole Dependance on God by true Faith in the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is become the Mediator of the New Covenant, which speaketh better things then that of Abel, Heb. 12.2 [...], for Christ is come, and spiritually he lives in his People, whose hearts and minds he hath redeemed out of all dead Forms, by which they witness him to be the Lord of Life, unto whom they yeild the strength of their minds to serve him the living God, with uprightness of Soul, Mind and Spirit, by which their inward Life doth not remain in eating Bread and drinking Wine, which is not of it self material for the Salvation of any man [...] Soul that so do; for it comes short of Gods Promise by Jesus Christ, and supping with him [Page 69] at his Table, which affords Bread without, Money, and Wine without Price, which if People had true Faith to believe these things, their dead Form would soon end, for Christ is the Bread of Life, and he that cometh to him shall never hunger, and he that believeth in him shall ne­ver thirst, which is large in a general way to all men, which they that refuse, are left out, from having any lot, part or share with the Guests of the Bride Chamber, where the Lamb of God hath his abode, and remains with them, where they by true Faith feed on his spiritual Food, which is that spiritual Bread and spiritual Wine, which is without Money and Price, and giveth Life unto the World of them which by true Faith receive him, Joh. 6.32, 33. in which state of true Faith, every sincere Believer receiveth of his Dispensation, which by Prayer and Thanks-giving is sanctified unto them, so as every true Christian doth worthily in all his eating and drinking, eat and drink in the holy Faith and Fear, remembring the Lords Death, with Prayer and Thanks-giving So is it to be acknowledged, that the primitive Christians did eat and drink together, solemnly assembled, and were to wait one for another, that they might eat and drink toge­ther, when solemnly assembled, remembring the Lords death, with prayer and Thanks-giving, in token of their being Members together of one Body, whereof Christ is the Head, to signifie their Love, Ʋnity and Fellowship one with another, and the which is worthily practised by sincere and faithfull C [...]ristians at this day, and is to continue to the last com­ing of Christ, when he shall come without us, to Judge the quick and the dead, as well as his more abundant in­ward coming in spirit, to them, who have not yet wit­ness [...]d it, and many as yet are not come into the true Faith of these things, which according to my measure of Faith [Page 70] in God by Jesus Christ, do I faithfully believe, by which thorough Faith I do receive of Gods outward Dispensation for the preservation of outward Life, and in measure of his heavenly divine Riches, by Faith in Christ, which unto me is the Bread and Water of Life, for the preservation of my soul, and not to me only, but unto all them tha [...] by true Faith witness their feeding with the Lord of Life at his his heavenly Table, where all the faithfull of God witness the eating of the Lords Supper.

CHAP. X. Concerning Baptism, and Sprinkling Infants, which People hold most necessary to Salvation.

SPrinkling of Infants, it being set up without any pre­scribed command, or Example commanded by Christ, or his holy Apostles, although many Teachers in this Age have wrested the holy Scriptures, thinking thereby [...] make their own invention to be accounted the Ordinance of God. Now the main Reasons that many teachers hav [...] rendered, they have grounded from Christs word, Ma [...] 22.19. which doth not prove baptizing of [...]nfants to [...] commanded by Christ, Go ye therefore and [...]each all Nation [...] beptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son an [...] of the holy Ghost. Now the command of Christ was to hi [...] Disciples, that they should go and teach, which proves th [...] teaching was commanded before baptizing or dipping, [...] the word may be rendered; by which all may understan [...] that they could not be discipled which were untaugh [...] for this we know, that Infants are uncapable of being taugh [...] [Page 71] which proves, that they are not capable of being Disciples. And in Mark 10.14, 15, 16. where they bring Christs say­ing, Suffer little Children to come unto me, forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven; which saying is explained in the following Verse, that whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein, can never reach by Visible Water, which cleans­eth not the inside of these wise Hebrew, Greek and Latine learned Builders, who ground their unsound Foundation of Sprinkling Infants, in the room of Circumcision, which according to the holy Scriptures of Ttuth, one Tipe did ne­ver tipe out another, but every Tipe typified the substance, for Circumcision was a Tipe or Figure, and cutting off the fore-skin was a Figure of the Circumcision and cut­ting off the Fore-skin of the heart. Now baptism with wa­ter was a Tipe or Figure, as in Peter 3.21. which tiped out the spiritual Washing or regeneration, which is, bap­tizing of Infants come in the room of Circumcision; then how do they agree in a parrellel, seeing that the Males were only circumcised, then why are the Famales now bap­tized, if Baptism come in the room of Circumcision, which as to their form in batpizing, they differ one from the other even as in other things, which they account to be the O [...]dinances of Christ, but are found to be the Or­dinances of men, set up and maintained by the Power of men, who in their several Forms differ each from the o­ther; for some sprinkle, others dip, and some dip over a­gain; others plunge, others sprinkle with mixt Water, and to my knowledge some have had their Children sprink­led with warm water in cold weather, for which form, some of their Priests have said to me, that they have allowance for their differing Forms under this Dispensation, [Page 72] that is, to dip or sprinkle, according to the nature of the Climate where they live; but to prove their assertion by Scripture they cannot do, which without scripture Proof, they are willing to say something for what they hold, but in what form soever any by their Priests are baptized, there is no effect of their work doth appear, but like Priest like People, all pleading for A Body of Sin, while they remain in this Life; which doth manifest, that visible Water is of no effect, notwithstanding these hired Builders, bring Christs words to Nicodemus, John 3.5. that except a man be born again of Water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. From which words some do infer, that Infant Baptism is of absolute Necessity to Salvation. Now Christ did then speak of that heavenly Water which did regenerate and make new; for through the Power of that Water the Heart came to be made clean, according to the Prophets Saying, Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness, Ezek. 36.25 By which it is manifest, that visible Water cleanseth not the inside▪ which is to be cleansed through the washing of Regeneration; for it is not the washing away of the filth of the Flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience towards God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3 21. Now Johns Baptism was to decrease, and the Baptism of Christ to in­crease; for Christ was before John, whose Baptism made way for the Baptism of Christ to take place; for this Testi­mony John did bear of himself, That he should decrease, and that Christ should increase; for John's baptizing was to Re­pentance, but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the holy Ghost, Mat. 3.11. Then if John's Water Baptism was to decrease, which was to Repentance, where is the benefit of Water-Baptism in this day, to any who have [Page 73] repented? And to them which have not repented, their Life of remaining in a Body of Sin all their days doth ma­nifest no benefit in Water-Baptism, towards the Salvation of any man that is baptized with visible Water, in what Form soever, for as Water Baptism was a Tipe or Figure, P [...]t. 3.21. so all Types and F [...]gures made way for the Spirit of Ho [...]iness, in which they are all fulfilled, through the Death and Resurrection o [...] Jesus Chri [...]t, whose Bap­tism is that of the holy Ghost, which except People re­ceive they can never witness the heart cleansed from dead Works; for John baptized with Water, but ye shall be bap­tized with the holy Ghost, having the p [...]omise to receive Power, Acts 1.52 which doth manifest that People cannot re­ceive full power against sin before they have received the Baptism of Christ, which is that of the holy Ghost and Fire, wh [...]ch burns up and purifies the heart of the inward man, by which the thoughts of his own corrupted de­si [...]e, are brought into subjection to the Power of God, by Jesus Christ, which cleanseth the inward man of Heart, Mind and Spirit▪ through which he comes to serve the Lord with Uprightness of his whole Desire, in which state he becomes [...] thorough Witness for Gods holy Truth, that there is but one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, Ephes. 4 5. into which Bap [...]ism all the Righteous o [...] [...]od are bap­tized; for so many as were baptized into Christ, were baptized into his D [...]ath, therefore they are buried with him by Baptism, into [...]he Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in Newness of Life, Rom 3.4. Now what People have g [...]thered in their Comprehension concerning the Apostles words, [...] Cor. [...]4. it avails no for their pro­fit, in the least measure of strength, to prove Water Bap­tism an Ordinance of God in this day; for if so, then [Page 74] is Circumcision because the same Apostle in that day both circumcised and baptized, which was for this end, that he might gain some to Christ, and not that it should con­tinue in practise among Believers for time to come, Then how are they true Beleivers with whom the practise of Wa­ter Baptism doth yet remain? for the very same Apostle laid that practise aside in his day, saying, that least any should say that he baptized in his own Name, he then thanked God, that he had not baptized (as he knew of) any more, save Crispus and Gaius, and the Houshold of Stephanus; plain­ly concluding that Christ sent him not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, 1 Cor. 1.16.17. Now the Apostles saying, that he thanked God, that had not baptized any other, is sufficient proof, that Water Baptism is not that which God doth expect in this day, if other wayes the holy A­postle would never have [...] God, that he had bapti [...]ed no other as he knew [...] [...]h [...]ch is sufficient, that the Almighty God doth neither except nor accept sprinkling or dipping with visible Water in this day; for Jesus Christ hath fulfilled all Tipes and Figures, which were but sha­dows of better things to come, and are come to them which by true Faith in him, and he in them; by which there is no need to lay the Foundation of things past, for Christ crucfied and risen again, as the Mystery o [...] his Death and Resurrection outwardly is inwardly revealed, is the Substance and Foundation of his Peoples Faith, which gives them an assurance in the hope of his heavenly Riches, which they that are not dead with Christ from the Rudi­ments, cannot pertake of, for they are yet living with their affections uncrucifid, as to the Rudiments of the World, being yet subject to Ordinances, of divers forms, in their will Worship, which the righteous have overcome, so [Page 75] that they cannot again be brought into bondage, to touch, taste nor handle those things, wherein their uncrucified Af­fections once did remain, well knowing they are all to perish with the using alter the Commandment of men; which things indeed, have a shew of will Worship and Hu­mility, and neglecting of the Body, not in any honnor to the satisfying of the flesh, Col. 2.20, 21, 22, 23. Now the faithfull of God are risen with Christ, in which state they are seeking those things which are above, where Christ si [...]eth on the right hand of God; so that their Affections are set on things above, and not on things on the Earth, Col. 3.1.2. and they are a blessed People, which are come to witness that state, in which they seek the Lord, and his righteousness, which is the right use of means that God hath appointed, for the honour of his holy Name, and the salvation of them, who in the true use of means lay hold on God, thorough faith in the son of his love, the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose Power the Faithful are baptized into the one spirit by the holy Ghost, which is the true Baptism of Christ, by whom they that a [...]e not baptized thorough the Water of Regeneration, they yet remain with their Affections uncrucified, in which state the Lord hath no regard to their daily Offerings. And yet, if any, for [...] furtherance of the Gospel should find freedom in the Will of the Lord to condescend to the weak­ness of some, to baptize into Water, we should not forbid it; but the bare form and Im [...]ation taken up in [...]he meer Will of men without any inward motion, or call of God, or inward approbation we utterly disown.

CHAP. XI. Concerning the true Sabbath, which signifies Rest, to them who abide in Christ, who is the everlasting Sabbath.

MAny are the Talkers of the Sabbath, and of the first days Rest, but few are they that come so far in the Work of God, by Faith in Jesus Christ, as to witness their first days Work in him, who is the true and everlasting Sabbath, in whom the faithful have their resting place, they are them which are come to witness the end of their Labour, which have their rest in Christ, the true Sabbath. Now where People in their differing forms of Will Wor­ship rest from their outward Labour one day in seven, calling that the Sabbath Day, thinking thereby that the Lord of Sabboth will accept their will Worship, with their rest from outward Labour, for his [...]abbath, they deceive themselves, and the Lord of Sabbath will reward them according to their own Works, by which they pretend to serve him; for the Lord only looks at them who in in uprightness of h [...]art labour against sin, that by so doing they witness the effect of their Labour, through the Power of God, by Faith in Christ against sin; for they that labour not six days against sin, shall never wit­ness the seventh Day Holy to the Lord of Sabbath, which proves such Talkers of the Sabbath to be no keepers of any Time Holy to the Lord of Sabbath; and as to many such Talkers about the Sabbath Day, on which they are more unholy in their Minds, as to the Lord of Sabbath, than on any other of the six days, in which Peoples [Page 77] Minds are exercised on things of Bodily concern, which being freed from outward Bodily Labour on the first day, which they call the Sabbath, their minds are more in the exercise of those things, which are of no profit to the Soul, neither of so much profit to the Body, as their out­ward Labour is on the other six days of the Week; which things are manifested by their Fruits, as appears both in words and actions upon the first day, which they pretend a Sabbath to the Lord, in which state they are Sabbath Breakers, and not Sabbath keepers; for all Time is to be kept holy unto the Lord of Sabbath; which if any observe a Day let him keep it holy unto the Lord, and not to i [...]dge another mans Liberty in matters o [...] Faith con­cerning the keeping or not keeping of a Day; for one man may be prepared, as from the Lord, to keep a F [...]st unto him, when another man may not be called of G [...]d to d [...] the same; for every man is to seek God for him­self; for the L [...]rd hath promised, To be found of them that seek unto him with a pe [...]fect H [...]art, and with a w [...]ling M [...]nd; for the Lord searcheth all Hearts, and understande [...]h all the Imaginat [...]ons of the Thoughts, which if they seek him, he will be found of them; but if they forsake him he will cast them off forever, 1 Chron. 28.9▪ 1 Sam. 16.7. Psal. 7.8, 9. and 139.2, 3, 4. Jer. 17.10. No [...] in what men pretend to God, if in uprightness of heart they do not retain him in all their Thoughts, their W [...]rk is of no effect for the profit of their Soul, but further adds towards their Con­demnation, which is matter of weight for People to con­sider, how th [...]y spend their precious Time, which God hath given them in this Life, to make their Peace with him, through Faith in obedience to the gif [...] of his [...]race, which came by Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life, and Ever­lasting [Page 78] Sabbath of his Peoples Rest, which for People to talk of, without a true believing in his outward Sufferings and in the inward Word of his Li [...]e, their Souls shall never find rest in the Lord of Sabbath, who was buried, and rose again the third day, which is the first Day of the Week, which in honour to that great [...]ork of Redemp­tion by the Son of God and Lord of Sabbath, i [...] worthily regarded and attended for the Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth, having the holy Apostles for Example, to follow them, as they were Followers of Christ and to mark them which walk other wayes; then sure we are to mark them whose D [...]ess appears more like for Stage-Play than for the true Worship of God on the first Day of the Week; for where the heart is, there is the Treasures also; and out of the heart proceedeth all evil Communications, which abundantly appears among People, who rather exceed upon the Day of their Worship, than at other times, when their Minds are exercised in things of Bodily Labour, which by their Fruits they are to be judged, that they live void of the true fear of God, or regard to their Immortal Souls, and so are as a People with­out God in the World, who have no true saving Knowledge of God by J [...]sus Christ; they will talk of God and Christ, and of the Sabbath, without any spiritual sence of his saving Grace by Jesus Christ, the Lord of Sabbath, who is the everlasting [...]abbath of his Peoples Rest, where the Righteous cease from their own Works, as God did from his, Heb. 4▪ 9, 10.

CHAP. XII. Concerning Election and Reprobation, agreeing with the Holy Scriptures.

THis is that which many hold, That God from all Eternity hath unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass; and That God hath decreed one part of the Angels, with Men, Women and their Infants, for everlasting Damnation. Which Doctrine is mostly held by the Pres­byterians, as by their Confession of Faith, cap. 3. which Doctrine I have often considered in the spirit of Meekness, and according to my measure of Gods holy Truth by Jesus Christ, do I declare as followeth, That to know God [...]y Jesus Christ, is Life eternal, and for that end was the Son of God made manifest, that all might come unto God through Faith in Jesus Christ, and through Grace, by him be saved; for God made Man in his own Image, and gave him a being in the Garden of Paradise, from which state he soon fell, which Fall was through Disobedience by eating of the forbidden [...]ruit, which hath brought D [...]rk­ness over the Children of Men, which are in a state of Bondage to that Seed of the Enemies sowing in their first Parents, which more or less comes by Nature in the Chil­dren of Men, in whom that Seed lusteth, which is a do­ing of that in Obedience to the Temptations of the Souls Enemy, which God hath strictly commanded should not be done. And for that end, that the Children after Adam should know the Will and Mind of their Maker, God in all Ages gave unto the Sons and Daughters of Men a gift [Page 80] of his own Spirit of divine Light, by which they might see the right way of the Lord, and wa [...]k therein which is according to his holy Promise, as in Gen. 3.15. And I will put Enmity between thy Seed and her Seed, it sh [...]ll bruise thy H [...]ad, and thou shalt bruise his H [...]el; in which two Seeds i [...] chiefly con [...]ained El [...]ction and Reprobation; for her Seed should bruise the Head of the [...]erpent, and break his Power, that is, through perfect [...]bedience to Ch [...]ist, the Seed of the Woman, and to his Grace, which is that gift of divine [...]ight that makes manifest all the hidden things of Darkness; so that let the Devil appear in what likeness so [...]ver he will, yet as Men and Women stand faithful to the manifestation of Gods gift, the Enemy's Power comes to be broken. So that the Promise of God in the Seed remains only to the faithful; for the Prom [...]se of God was not to Se [...]ds, as of many, but as of One and to thy Seed, which is Christ, Gal. 3.16. for the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law which was four hundred and thirty Years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the Promise of none effect; for the Law was added because of Trans­gression, till the Seed should come, to whom the Promise was made; but the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the Promise by Faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe, Gal 3.17, 18, 19, 20. Now all not believing in Christ the true Seed, doth not include, that God or­dained them to perish, because the Promise of God in the Seed is tendered in Gods own time and way to all the Children of Men, otherwise all that perish would not be left without excuse, concerning which the Spirit of God hath left it plain to be understood, that the Seed of the Kingdom h [...]th been sown in all sorts of Ground; and the Reason is rendered by the Spirit of God, why it did [Page 81] not bring forth fruit in all sorts of Ground, which is, be­cause Obedience hath not been yeilded to the Command of God; for if God had absolutely decreed mens Damna­tion, his Decree being unrevok [...]ble, there would be no need for men to strive for Salvation, for who could resist such an absolu [...]e Decree? But blessed be the Name of God, and Father of Jesus Christ, whose fa [...]thful People well know, that he is a just God which hath not ordained the Souls of any to perish before they were bo [...]n, but for their Sins and final Impenitence, through D [...]sobedience to the [...]ift of his G [...]ace, which is of the [...]eed [...]f [...]he Kingdom, and hath been sown throughout all Ages, in all sorts of ground of what Na [...]ure soever, and hath been the same in this day among all the Children of Men, and if any perish, it is of themselves, for Light is come into the World, and mans Condemnation is of himself, because he loves Darkness rather than Light, Joh. 3.1 [...]. the Reason is, be­cause he hates the Light, which reproves his evil Deeds; in which state the Seed is [...]ppressed, and kept as in Bondage, by which it can take no root in the hard rebellious heart and barren sandy ground, whe [...]e Rocks, Thornes and Thistles grow, and Serpents have their abiding place, which destroy and cause the L [...]fe of the Seed to depart, which i [...] the state of disobedient and rebellious men, whose Damnation neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, but is of them­selves; by which they cannot cha [...]ge the just and holy One of ordaining them to perish. By wh [...]ch it is manifest that mans Damnation is of himself, and tha [...] is by yeild [...]ng [...]s mind to serve in Unrighteousness, which occasions sin that destroys the s [...]ul. [...] whi [...]h it appears, that they un­justly charge [...]od of decreeing men to pe [...]sh which for the bege [...]ing of a further belief of unsound Doctrine, they [Page 82] have wrested the Apostles words, Rom. 9.11, 12, 13 where is is said, The Children being not yet born, neither ha­ving done any good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to Election might stand, not of Works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto h [...]r, the elder shall serve the younger, as it is wr [...]tten, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Also, in another place, where it is said, That Esau sought the bl [...]ssing with Tears, but could not obtain it; All which makes not the least proof that the soul of Esau did perish; for they the [...]selves allow, that if the Parents are Believers, their Children are holy: Then finding that the Parents of Esau were holy Believers, why should any judge of God to be such a severe Master, as to decree [...]he soul of a Child born of holy Parents, to perish, without having done any evil in its own Body▪ And as to Esau [...]s being hated, the Lord never hated the soul of any man, as to decree its Damnation before he was born, but for its sins and final Impenitency; f [...]r hatred is taken in a two-fold sence; for Jacob loved Rachel, and hated Leah: And Christ sa [...]d, He that hateth not Father and Mother, Wife and Children, [...] cannot be my Disciple, Luke 14.26. N [...]w if God had hated Esau with such Hatred as to decree his soul for Damnation, before he was born, or had done either good or evil, then Isaac by Faith would not have blessed Esau; for Isaac did by Faith bless Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. And as to Repentance, which Esau could not find, it was relating to the first blessing, which he could not recover, being before given to Jacob the younger, of whom it is said, Esau the elder should serve. Which no more implyes that Esau did perish, than David the younger Brother, whom God chose before all the rest of his elder Brethren, who were to serve David their younger Brother, whom [Page 83] God saw good to place on the outward Throne, in the outward Kingdom of Israel, that the outward Government might [...] in the Line of D [...]vid, in which line of David's stock, the elde [...] did se [...]ve the younger; for so did the Wis­dom of God order the outward Government of Israel in Church and S [...]te, in which the elder did [...]erve the younger. And in Jacob's Line, the [...]ock of Esau [...]erved the younger, until the [...] of the Gentiles, which then did reach the stock of Esau, and all Na [...]ions that [...]h [...]uld be found to call on his Name, that they may p [...]ss [...]s the Remnant of Edom ▪ and all the H [...]athen wh [...]c [...] are called by my Name, sa [...]h the L [...]rd, [...]mos 9.12 [...] which it is manifest, that the [...]hurch of God remains sca [...]e [...] all Nations, among whom they that [...] God and [...]ork his R [...]ghteous­n [...]ss, the same shall be [...] Jesus; for the gift of Gods Grace b [...] Jesus Christ is large in his love to all Nations, which b [...] h [...]s promise in cal [...]ng the Gentiles, it [...]rees the [...]oke of se [...]vitude from the stock of Esau's Posterity, which is no [...]ess priviledge than to be made partakers of Gods P [...]omise in the [...]ov [...]nant of his Grace by Jesus Christ, which the stock of Jacob have refused, for which cause they have lost their Interest, through their Self-Righteousness in the first Covenant of Works; for which cause of refusing the rich Mercy of Gods Grace by Jesus Christ, they are given up in Unbelief concerning the great Work of Redemption by the Son of God whom they wickedly slew without the City Gates, for which cause the Lord h [...]th given them the Spirit o [...] Slumber, Eyes that they should not see, and Ears that they should not he [...] un­to this day. And David said L [...]t their Table be a Snare, and a Trap, and a stumbling Block and a Recompence unto them; let their Eyes be darkened that they may not see, and [Page 84] bow down their back alway; Then have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid, but rather through their Fall Salva­tion is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousie; for if the fall of them be the Riches of the World, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness? For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World, what shall the receiving of them be, but L [...]fe f [...]om the Dead? for if the first Fruit be holy, the Lump is also Holy; and if the Root be Holy, so are the Branches; for if through Ʋnbelief they were broken off, then it is by true Faith that there is an entrance into the Covenant of Grace, which extends to the stock of Esau, Ishmael, and all the Nations of the World; for the Lord hath said, That he will call them his People which were not his People, and her his beloved which was not his beloved, Rom. 9.25 Hos. 2 23. 1 Pet. 2 10. Hos. 1.10.

Therefore let not any be ignorant, to establish their own Righteousness, but submit to that Righteousness which is of God, by Faith in Jesus Christ, who doth not delight himself in the death of any sinner, but had rather all might turn and live. By which it is evident that God hath not decreed the Destruction of any mans soul, before he hath sinned out the day of Gods Visitation, whose spirit shall not always strive with man whose Condemna­tion is of himself, through the unbelief of his own hard heart, and the decree of God respecteth him only as such, which was the state of Pharaoh, of whom it is said, The Lord hard­ned the heart of Pharaoh, that he might be honoured upon Pha­raoh, and upon all his host; So not only Pharaoh, but his People also had rebelled against the Word of the Lord by his Servants and Messengers of hi [...] T [...]uth, for which cause the Lord gave them up (thorough unbelief) to hardn [...]ss [Page 85] of heart, by which it is said, The Lord hardened Pharaohs heart, for this end, to give honour to his own holy name, tho­rough the overthrow of so great a King as Pharaoh in the Earth then was, who hardened his own heart, through the un­belief which he had to the Word of the Lord, who per­mitted the Devil to draw Pharaoh from Obedience to the Command of the Lord, thorough which his heart came to be hardened, to the Glory of God and honour of his name; for all the Devils work is by permission, and is to the honour of God in the Condemnation of them, which thorough Disobedience yeild their minds in obedience to the Devils Power, by which their hearts come to be har­dened against Gods holy Truth; so that God hardeneth not any mans heart, whose Condemnation is of himself, in that he will not yeild his Obed [...]ence to the gift of God, who desires not, that any should perish, but that all might do his Commandments and live; for which end all men have ever had the way of good and evil set before them; which proves, that man do not perish thorough a decree of Gods making, before they have done either good or evil, hat they shall perish; for tho the Decree or Purpose of God begins not in time, yet it respecteth Man, having h [...]d a time and day of Visitation, and living in Sin, until it be expired; for the holy Scriptures are very full, that God is clear of all mens Blood which perish; for he hath tendered Life to all the Children of men; by which thorough Faith in Obedince to the Gift of his Grace, they may not fall short of the true H [...]e which is by Jesus Christ, who will not with-hold from any man of his Grace, whom he finds in the well doing; for he that doth well shall be accepted, bu [...] he that doth not well, si [...] lyerh at the door, and unto him shall be his desire, and he shall rule over him, [...] [Page 86] proves sin is the cause of mans perishing▪ for the spirit of God saith, Come, and whosoever will let him come, and [...] the Water of Life freely, Rev. 22 7. So that for my [...], ac­co [...]ding to that small measure of Light which God hath [...] me, Concerning the knowledge of his Truth as it is [...] [...]he Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus, thorough Faith in [...], do I believe, with many thousands o [...] the Lords f [...]hfull People, that God who in his infinite Wi [...]dom knows all things long before the World began, and what­ever comes to pass, that it is by his Power o [...] commis­sion or permission; but that he hath unchangeably ordain­ed whatsoever comes to pass, seems to me, a cha [...]ging of God with all the unrighteous Actions, and wicked Wo [...]ks, that ever unrighteous and wicked men have done, or ever shall do for time to come, and to hold that God from all eternnity hath ordained men, women, and their infan [...]s for everlasting perdition, without respect to their final impeni­tency, is that which they can never prove, by or from any things that is left on holy Record by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures of Truth; for he that fears God, and works his righteousness through Faith in Christ, the same shall be accepted, as a faithfull Child of God, and true Servant of Jesus Christ, whom the Father hath made mani­fest by the gift of his divine Light, which through Obedience thereunto, no man need walk in Darkness, but have the Light of Life, which gives the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ, whom to know is Life Everlasting.

CHAP. XIII. Concerning the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation, through Faith in Christ, to the Souls of them that by him are saved.

THe Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ, John 1. vers. 17. Now the Love of God is largely manifested through the gift of his Grace, which came by Jesus Christ, before whom no mans works shall stand, which are not sanctified by Grace, neither can any mans works be sanctified by Grace, further then he comes into Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace, which is that gift of divine Light which God hath bestowed to the Children of men, thorough the Death & Resurrection of his Son, the Lord o [...] Life, in whom the fullness of Grace, remaineth, and it is by the Grace of Gods P [...]wer, in and thorough him, which sanctifieth the soul of every true Believer in him, by whom th [...]i [...] faith is imputed to them for Righteousness, by which they are justified be­fore God in the sight of Jesus Christ, whose Kingdom hath been prepared before the Foundation of the World, for the righ [...]eous to enter, for their works have been in obedience to the gift of Gods Grace; for as there is but one God and one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Spirit, so there i [...] but one saving Grace in the Ground, Seed and Root or Being and Nature, for the [...]race of God is one, and manifold, according as we read in the holy Scrip [...]ures, of the manifold Grace of God, and manifold Wisdom of God, even as the Spirit of God is one, but diversi [...]y of G [...]fts, and there are Diversities of Operations, but one God, and diversity of Administrations, [Page 88] but one Lord; and the Scriptures do declare of the Spirit of Fear, and Bondage, and of Adoption; also the [...] di [...]tinguisheth between the Servants and Sons in the H [...]se of God; for every son is a servant of God, but every Ser­vant is not a son, born of the Free Woman. A [...]d of this mystery Ishmael and Isaac were Figures; men may be Servants and Sons by the Bond Woman, by obedience [...]o the first Min [...]stration of the Spirit, or Light within, a [...] it teacheth common Duties, Piety, Temperance & Justice with­out revea [...]ing the My [...]tery of Christ crucified and raised again, or working [...]he Faith of it but none are the Sons of God, by the Free Woman, or Children of the New Covenant, but they who have the Mystery of Christ cru­cified and raised again Outwardly, revealed in them, and have a living Faith in it, by which they witness a confor­mity to Christ, in his Life, Death and Resurection, and by that Power that raised him from the dead. The sufficiency of Gods Grace within, is not to be understood in opposition, either to the Faith of Christ, as he was outwardly Crucified for us▪ and rose again, and is ascended into Heaven, there making Intercession for us, nor in opposition to the great benefit and help of the holy Scriptures, or sincere preach­ing of faithfull men or any other help, but in unity with all these; and it ought to be acknowledged, that though God hath not left the Heathens, where Christ, is not out­wardly Preached, altogether destitute but hath given them a dispensation of L [...]ght, that is real and divine, and is of great service to them, who improve it, to prepare and call them to receive the [...]aith of Christ, when Preached to them, yet faithful Chr [...]stians are under another Dispensa­tion of Light and Grace, as far exceeding that of the [...] Heathens, however honest or conscientious, as God [Page 89] excelleth Brass, or the Light of the Sun excelleth that of the Moon, but both proceeding from one God, one Christ, and one spirit, and the sufficiency of Grace that any man doth receive, or that any man hath, is only with respect to the present time and state, but not for all times to come; for the best of Saints are to depend, and Pray to God, to receive more and more Grace from him, who is the God of all Grace, and Father of Mercies, and Father of Lights, which lighteth his Sons and Daughters, by the gift of his Grace, and good Spirit of Life, which giveth unto them the Light of Life, to walk in the straight and even way, which he hath layd out by the Son of his Love, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is one with God the Father in all his holy Works of Grace, Life and Light, by which he is Working among the Sons and Daughters of men, among whom is also the spirit of Iniquity working, in and tho­rough the many Teachers which would make the Grace [...] God to be [...] and differing in kind of being and na­ture, when it is evident, that though the [...] diversities of gifts, yet they all pr [...]ceed from the one Spirit of the one God and one Lord Jesus Christ▪ whose Grace is but one, which restrains and saves from sin; for he is the only be­got [...]en of the [...] f [...]ll of Grace and T [...]uth, and of his fulness eve [...]y true Believer in him receives [...] for Grace, John 1.14, 16. and by his Grace they received Apostleship, [...] Obedience to the Faith among all Nations for his Name, Rom. 1.5. that in Ages to come they might shew forth the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his kindness towards them, through Jesus Christ, Ephes. 2.7. and this is the Grace which is of God, and is sufficient for the Salvation of them that truly believe, 2 Cor. 12.9. So that it is not an outward [...]are Profession of what God hath wrou [...] by Jesus Christ [Page 90] for the Salvation of others, but that every man and wo­man live their Life, in true Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace, that by Faith in Christ they may witne [...]s the same Life, through faith, by which men are saved; for the Grace of God bringeth Salvation only to them tha [...] believe in [...] the gift of his [...]race (without which no man can be sa [...]ed) fo [...] it is by Grace that men are saved and [...] by [...] of themselves, but by Grace thro [...]gh Faith in Jesus Christ, Ephes. 2 8. Then seeing it is by G [...]ace that men are [...]aved, and not of themselves, let every man and woman turn in the strength of the Mind to the te [...]ching of Gods gift of Grace, which teacheth to deny all Ʋn [...]odliness, and to live a righteous, sober and godly Life in this present Wo [...], that nothing may appear but what is good▪ to the use of edifying, that it may minister Grace to the Hearers, Eph. 4.29. for where there is Obedie [...]ce to the gi [...] of Gods G [...]ace▪ [...] more of Christ d [...]elleth richly in all Wisdom, teach [...]ng and ad­mon [...]shing one another in Ps [...]lms, and Hymns, and sp [...]ritual Songs, singing with [...]race in their Hearts, Col. 3.16, 17. wh [...]ch [...]s contrary to the practice of [...] [...]housands, who pro [...]ess much in the outward of God and Christ in this day, where­by they gain of one another the [...]ward Name of Christians, but inwardly in the Anti-christian Practice, as their outward fruits manifest; for where Faith is without Works, it is a dead Faith, and in such [...]race works no effect towards their peace with God in Christ, by whom the Righteous are [...]e­conciled to God through Faith, by Grace in him [...] requires perfect Obedience to the gift of his G [...]ace▪ which te [...]ches his [...]eople to pray preach and sing with Grace in their hearts, to the praise and honour of his holy Name, and edification of one another, which they that yeild not their Obedience to the Spirit of Grace, cannot do, for wh [...]ch [Page 91] cause of their unclean Fruits, their Condemnation doth follow, in which state they witness no true peace through Fa [...]h, by Grace▪ in Jesus Christ, whose Sons and Daughters, begotten through Grace in him▪ they continue in the Way of the Lords own saying out, having their words seasoned as with [...], and Grace abounding in their hearts, through which, by grace, they become able Witnesses for the Lord of L [...]fe, that by him, through grace, they are made able to perform his Will, in what of them he requires by his good spirit of Grace, Col. 3 17 in which state the Love of God b [...] Jesus Christ, is his Peoples everlasting Consolation and good Hope, through Grace, 2 Thes. 2.16 Not by Works of Righteousness which they have done, but according to his Grace, by the w [...]shing of Regeneration, and the renewing of the holy Ghost, Tit. 3 5 Which is su [...]ficient encouragement to come with boldness unto th [...] Throne of his Grace by which th [...]y obtain Mercy, and find Grace to h [...]lp in time of need, Heb. 4.16. For the Grace of God hath appeared unto all men, teaching them that they should deny Ʋngodliness and Worldly Last, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present World, Ti [...]. 2.11, 12. By which we see and know, that all men have received of his Grace, sufficient for the p [...]esent time and state; for as the Grace of God, which bringeth Salvation, hath in measure appeared unto all men, so all men that have neglected the day of Gods Visitation, they shall be left without any excuse in that Day of the Lords calling all to an Account for the Deeds done in the Body, when it shall go well with the Righteous, but sorrow and trouble will reach the Wicked on every side for the Lord will not hold them guiltless which take his Name in vain. Then wi [...]l the Wicked▪ which have derided at the movings of Gods good Spirit of Grace in his People▪ come to know [Page 92] a Day of Trouble, when the Lord shall [...] their Distress, for unto them Damnation slumbereth nor sleep­eth not, but will overtake all the Ungodly as a Thie [...] in the Night of their D [...]kness, but it shall go well with the Righteous, which ask in Faith, without doubting, unto them is Salvation through Grace by Jesus Christ, who came to save his People from their sins, for which end he was made a littl [...] lower than the [...]ngels for the su [...]ering of Death, and crowned with Glory and Honour, that he might by the Grace of God taste Death for eve [...]y man H [...] 2 9. that whosoever believeth in him [...], but have Life eter [...]al; for the Promise [...] believe in the gift of his Grace▪ [...] of his Will and Mind, by Faith, [...] Grace [...] in Jesus Christ, by whom the Souls of them tha [...] [...]elieve in him, are justified in the sight of God; for he that sanct [...]fies and they who are sanctified are all of one for which ca [...]se he is not ashamed to call them Brethren ▪ Heb. 2 11. for [...] the Grace of God are they of him, who unto them of God is made Wis­dom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, [...]. 1.30. by which People may see, that the main cause why People perish, is through Disobedience to the gift of Gods Grace, which by Jesus Christ they have received, and it bringeth the Tenders of Salvation to every man in some measure or degree which as improved, leads un [...]o perfect Salvation, through Faith in Chri [...]t Jesus, which they that refuse do unjustly charge God, that is is for wa [...]t of Grace, by which they perish, when that it is not for want of Grace tendered unto them, but for want of their Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace, which is sufficient for the Salvation of them that are faithful thereunto, so as the Righteous, through Faith and Obedience grow from grace to grace, until the [...] [Page 93] become perfect in Christ Jesus; so the Unrighteous, through unfaithfulness, by Disobedience, sin away the Grace of God more and more, until the Day of Gods Grace with them be over, and his Spirit with them hath left striving; which all ought to consider, while they have time to Repent, for there is no repenting in the grave.

CHAP. XIV. Concerning the Resurr [...]ction.

MAny are the People that ar [...] [...]oncerned to know how the dead are raised, and with what Bodies they ap­p [...]ar [...] what Bodies they do come forth? Then seeing their minds are [...]o concerned, to know with what Bodies they shall appear, doth manifest that they are not come to the knowledge of Gods saving Power, through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which to know gives an assurance of Salvation, in which state men may know h [...]w the dead are raised, and with what Bodies they shall appear; for it is certain that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead, b [...]th of the Just and Unjust; for all shall appear before the Lord, the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, before whom the heavenly spirited, and the earthly spirited shall appear, to give an account of all their Deeds done in the Body of this Life, which then will be time sufficient for the unrighteous to know with what Bodies they shall appear, in the mean time the A­postles words are very suitable unto all such whose state of Disobedience is far from the saving knowledge of God, by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and though [Page 94] not simply fools, yet through [...] Disobedience and Un­belief▪ [...] may, as the Apostles [...] be directed to [...]he husband [...]man, [...] he manner of the Resurrection, Thou [...] that which thou so rest, is not [...] and except it dye; and [...] wh [...]h thou [...] thou [...] not that [...], that shall [...]. [...]t may chance of What [...] oth [...]r [...] and withall [...], that God giveth it a [...] as it pleaseth him, and to every Seed his own Body, 1 Cor. 15.35, 36, 37, 38. by which the unrighteous may know with what Bodies they shall come forth; for he that soweth to the Flesh▪ shall of the Flesh reap Corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the spirit reap Life Ever­lasting, Gal, 6.5 for the time is at hand, that he that is Ʋnjust, let him be Ʋnjust still, and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is Righteous, let him be Righteous still, and he that is Holy let him be Holy still, for behold the Lord will quickly come, and his Reward will be with him, to give every m [...]n according as his works shall [...]e Rev 22.11, 12. which doth manifest that according as men have sown so shall they reap, for every seed shall have his own Body, whether of Works of Faith and [...]bedience to Salvation, or Works of Unbelief and Disobedience to Damnation. Then seeing these things are plain, as by holy Record, which agrees with the inward Word of Gods Spirit, and the gift of his divine Light, which came by Jesus Christ, and through Faith, in Obedience to him, through whom Salvation comes, which wo [...]k is most necessary for People to be concerned in; for as the Soul is the most Noble pa [...]t of Man, so ought every man principally to be con­cerned about his Soul, and the well [...]air thereof, yet be­cause th [...] Body is a part of the Man and that Christ is the Saviour both of Soul and Body of every sincere Be­liever [Page 95] in him, therefore every Man may and ought to be concerned about the whole Man, both Soul and Body, and the Faith and Hope of the Resurrection of the Body; & as the [...]pirit of God worketh that Faith and Hope in us, it is of g [...]eat use to sanct [...]fie us, and prepare us for the Re­surrection to come; for Paul doth not call them Fools simply for enquiring concerning the manner of the Resur­rection, but for their Ignorance and Unbelief, that some did not believe the Resurrection, wh [...]ch they that do not believe it, they remain in gross Ignorance and Unbelief, and such are directed to the Husband-man to learn the manner of the Resurrection, by using the Example of the Corn. And it is a great Error for any to hold, That the Saints now living in the mortal Body, have attained the Resur­re [...]ion of the Body, or that they attain it imm [...]diately after Death; for it is most evident from the holy Sc [...]iptures, that the Resurrection of the Dead is reserved to the last coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead▪ and the d [...]d in Christ shall rise first; so where there is the true k [...]w [...]dge o [...] God in Christ, of the Souls well-being, it m [...]t necessarily follow, that the spiritual Understanding [...] be the more capable to know in what state the Body [...], which shall never enter Gods Kingdom with na [...]ural Flesh, Blood a [...]d Bones; for though it be sown a natural Body it is raised a spiritual Body as it is written The first [...] a living Soul, the last [...]dam was mad [...] a quick [...]ning Sp [...]r [...]; so that which was first was not spiritual but natural, and afterwards that which is spiritual S [...] then it must be [...] minded only that have the true knowledge of these things; for the natural minded man is a fool, [...] to the [...] [...]nowledge of God, because he [...]mains in D [...]so­bedience to the gift of his Grace, but is bewitched that he [Page 96] should not obey the Truth made manifest by Jesus Christ, Gal. 3.1. through which unfaithfulness the mind of his Understanding is Darkness, as to the things of God, which chiefly concern his Soul; and such live without God in the World, not knowing that there is a God by his saving Grace, according as by their Works is manifest, which includes them to be one with the fool, which saith in his heart, there is no God, neither indeed is there any Salvation of God to the rebellious Children of Disobedience, who pretend they know God, but in Works deny him. There­fore it is most necessary for all such to bend in their Minds, and by true Repentance seek the Lord while he is to be found, for he is only found of them that truly seek him in true Humility of Spirit, and not o [...] them that remain in a state of serving the Lust of their c [...]rrupted Desires, and yet remain talking about the fashion o [...] the Body, a [...]d in wha [...] likeness they shall ap [...]ear, before they witne [...] [...]ny thing for the Souls wellfair, as [...]hey [...]ght to do; for Christ is r [...]sen▪ otherwise all preaching is in vain, and Faith also is in va [...]n; or if the dea [...] rise not, th [...]n is not Ch [...]ist ra [...]sed▪ and if Christ b [...] not raised, Faith is in vain, and all men are yet in th [...]ir sins: Bu [...] the Lord hath g [...]ven a true knowledge of himself to the Righteous, who wi [...]ness Christ to be raised from the de [...]d, and is become the first Fruits of them that slept, and by true Faith they witness his Resurrection, by what they feel of his heavenly divine Nature, that he is raised from the dead; for since by Man came Death, by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead; for as in Adam all dye, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, 1 Cor. 15.21, 22. So, as People come to witness a dying state from sin, they shall also witness a li [...]ing fate to God, through whose Spirit of Grace they shall [Page 97] partake of his heavenly Riches, through Faith in Jesus Christ; but as to these spiritual things there is no profit by them to any, who come not into Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace, which comes by Jesus Christ, whom no man knoweth but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, und he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him, Mat. 11.2 [...]. Joh. 6.44. Then as the Scrip­tures are left for mens learning, no man can learn to know God aright, without the gift of his Grace, and divine Light of hi [...] Spirit by Jesus Christ; for the Letter k [...]leth, but the Spirit giveth Life, 2 Cor. 3.6. for as the Spirit of God is the Ministration of Condemnation to the Disobedi­ent, so also do they read their Condemna [...]ion in the Scrip­tures of Truth; but to the faithful, who live in Obedi­ence to the Spirit of Truth, to them the Spirit of God by Jesus Christ, is the Ministration of Life and Salvation, and through Faith in Christ Jesus, the Scriptures do minister the knowledge of Life; for through Faith in Christ they are able to make wise to Salvation. Then, whatever men may gather in the outward Comprehension from the holy Scriptures, concerning the great Work of God, by the Death and Resurrection of his Son, the Lord of Life, which will not profit them that remain in a state of daily sinning against the gift of his divine Light, which is their Condem­nation for evil Deeds, [...]oh 3.19, 20, 21. in which state they remain dead as to God, having no ben [...]fit by the Re­surrection in the Life to come; for God is not a God of that which is d [...]ad, but a God of thê Living, Mat. 22 23 So that God is a [...] of the living, who have been buried with the first Man in sin, but through the Resurrection of the second Man, the Lord from Heaven, have they received the earnest of Life Everlasting, 1 Cor. 15.48, 49, 50. [Page 98] having obtained the Promise of God, through the Resur­r [...]ction o [...] Jesus Christ, which the [...], thro [...]gh the [...] Christ o [...] denied and [...]isen again, [...] is that which People ought to witness, through the in [...]a [...]d Word of his teaching which teaches the true knowledge o [...] G [...]d, according as is recorded in the holy [...]c [...]iptures▪ That [...]t is [...] to Salv [...]tion to know God and J [...]sus Chr [...]st [...] L [...]d, which was made of th [...] Seed of David, a [...]cord [...]n [...] to the [...], and d [...]clar [...]d to be the S [...]n of G [...]d with Pow [...]r accord [...]ng to the Spir [...] of Ho [...]iness, by the R [...]s [...]rrection of th [...] deadpunc; Rom 1 4. which the Righteous witness, through [...] the Law of sin, by the Body of Christ, that they should b [...] marri [...]d to another, even to him who is ra [...]sed from the dead that th [...]y should bring forth fruit u [...]to G [...]d R [...]m. [...].4 for them [...] have been planted tog [...]ther in the likeness of his D [...]ath, [...] also in the likeness of his Resurrection ▪ Rom. 6.5 So [...]hat the chiefest desire of true Belie [...]e [...]s, is to know the Lord J [...]sus Chr [...]st and the Power of his Resurrection, and the fellow­ship of his Sufferings▪ being made confo [...]mable unto his Death, Phil. 3 10. for they that shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Kingdom of God, and the Resurrection from the Dead, neither marry nor give in Marriage, n [...]ither can they dye [...]ny more, for they are equal unto Angels, and are the Children of the Resurrection, Luke 20.34, 35, 36. but they whose hearts and minds are joyned to the perishing things of this [...]ife, they are not married to Christ, and so have no hope to be the Children of the Resurrection, but only Children of the World▪ which love gain, delights and plea­sures, in which there is no profit for a man to gain, and lose his soul; for he that loveth any thing more [...]han Christ, is not worthy of the rich benefits which the faithful receive through his Death & Resurrection. Therefore it concerns [Page 99] all that they may so live as to dye from sin, and be m [...]me, alive with Christ, that they may be partakers of his hea­venly Riches in the Kingdom of God, where Flesh and Blood cannot inherit, 1 Cor. 15.50.

CHAP. XV. Concerning the Ministers of Christ, and the Ministers of Antichrist. Also, of Humane Learning, and the Ʋs [...] [...]f it, and how it came in practise among them called the Reformed Churches of this latter Age. And concerning Gospel-Main­tenance, and in what manner, and to whom it belongeth.

JEsus Christ, the Son of God, and Everlasting Cove­nant of Grace, Life and Light, he is Minister of all Truth and Righteousness, which hath appeared for Sal­vation of men, for which end in dayes past, he chose un­to himself Twelve Disciples, which were men that be­lieved in him, and not being brought up in that manner as the many Teachers are in this day, who serve a time in Schools of Learning, by which they gather outward knowledge in H [...]brew, Greek and Latine Phrases, also Arts in other things, which the holy men of God did ne­ver practise; for the twelve Disciples of Christs chusing, were not fitted af [...]er any such manner to preach the Gospel; for they we [...]e illiterate, and Trades-men, &c. and lived not by hire for preaching, but laboured with their hands for their outward subsistance, such were they whom the Lord did call to preach the Gospel, which did minister the glad Tidings of Peace and Salvation unto the Nations, among whom the Word of God was divided [Page 100] [...], and every one their portion, according to their [...]; for they had not [...]heir Wisdom fr [...]m below, is the many Teachers now have▪ n [...]twithstanding, the L [...]ds Servants wanted not Wisdom from above, wh [...]ch ga [...]e them utterance of words, whereby they were enab [...]ed [...]o divide the Word aright, in declaring and demonstra [...]ing the Will and Mind of God, at which time some of the learned Jews and wi [...]e Rabbies opposed them setting them at naught, others resisted them, notw [...]thstanding they [...]id not [...]sire to be approved in that Wisdom that Man t [...]ach­eth, which is never able to prepare and sit for the [...] work and service of the Gospel, as is further manifested by the saying of him who was brought up in great outwa [...]d Learning at the feet of Gamaliel, Acts 22. in which state he was not capable, by all his outward Learning to know Christ, whom he persecuted in his Servants and Messengers of his Truth, thinking that he did good service for God, when he was destroying his People, even as hath been in many places, many of the learned Hebrew, Greek and Latine Men have destroyed the Lives and Estates of many People, because they could not conform to their Anti-Christian Fai [...]h, which the Devil would have had set up in the Disciples of Christ, who came not to destroy mens lives, but to save and make alive; which work is of a con­trary Natur [...] [...] that Wisdom which is from below; for the true Wisdom of God openeth the Understanding in the things of God, which the learned, by all their out­ward wisdom can never do; for they remain in the Wis­dom of Darkness, as to the things of Gods Kingdom, which Paul in all his outward Learning was a stranger unto, but by that Wisdom which is from above he came to receive that spiritual sight which gave him the true saving know­ledge [Page 101] of God by Jesus Christ, whose Minister he became, b [...]ng then a Witness unto all men of both what he had seen and heard, Act [...] 22.13▪ 14, 15. Which doth manifest, that his [...] to the Work of the [...]ospel, was of God; which Work he a [...]ended, according to the Dispensation which he had received, for the opening of blind Eyes in others, by which they we [...]e turned from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God, and received For­giveness of sins, and an Inheritance among them [...] are sanctified, Acts 26.18. in which state he did not [...] to speak any thing which Chr [...]st had not wrought in him; yea, he so strove to preach the Gospel, not where [...]hrist was named, lest that he should build upon another mans Foundation, Rom 15 18▪ 20. which is as much diff [...]ring from the call and practice of many called Gospel M [...]nisters in this day, as the East differs from the West, being con­trary one against the other, and at that distance by wh [...]ch they can never joyn one to the other, even so contrary are they in their own Wisdom, to the Doctrine, Princip [...]e and Pract [...]ce of the holy Apostles, who were called of God by the Power of his own Spirit, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, which made them able Ministers▪ not of the Letter, but of the Spirit, which gave forth the Letter that kills them that are not in Obedience to the gift of the Spirit, [...] the Letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive, 2 Cor. 3.6. for the Ap [...]stles were not made Ministers by the Will of Man, neither were they upheld by the Power of Man, but were made Ministers according the gift of Gods Grace, given unto them by the effectual working of his Power, Ephes. 3.7. neither did they build again the things which they had once destroyed; for in so doing they become Transgressors, Gal. 2.18. Now the hired Teachers [Page 102] of this Age preach against Sin, which on the other hand they build up, by laying a rotten Foundation, That People can never be free from sin in this Life which is inconsistent with Gods holy Truth by Jesus Christ, who came to destroy sin, and put an end to Transgression, that is, in them which believe, as the Apostles have done for example; for they were so far from hire, that they had, as it were, nothing, and yet, through contentment with the Lords providing, wer [...] made possessors of all things, approving themselves as the Ministers of Christ, in much Patience in Distress, by Pureness, by Knowledge, by Long-suff [...]ring by Kindness, by the holy Ghost, by the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left; by Honour and Dishonour, by evil Report and good Report; as Deceivers, yet true, as sorrowful, yet always rejoycing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things, 2 Cor. 6.4, 10 11. which was the state of the true Ministers of Christ in that day, and is, in measure, the same with many in this day. Which doth manifest the wide dif­ference between the Ministers of Christ, and the Ministers of Anti-christ, the one being in a state of Dark [...]e [...]s, through that wisdom which will neither enter, nor suffer others to enter; and the other in a state of Light, through the gift of that Wisdom which is of God by Jesus Christ, which is willing to give entrance, through Faith in him, to his Rest, which the wise of this World, by all their outward Learning can never find; for as the true Ministers of Christ give no offence, so the Ministers of Anti christ offend in all things towards God and his People; and [...] Christs little ones, better were it for h [...]m that a Mill stone were hanged about his Neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea, Mat. 18.6, 7. for the People of the Lord are even [Page 103] to him as the Apple of his Eye, and blessed are they that [...] offended in him, for they shall receive a double Re­ward o [...] Gods heavenl [...] R [...]ches in Je [...]us Christ; but Wo is [...] [...]hem that have taken upon [...]hem the name of his Mi­n [...]te [...]s, and are not found in [...] of his Li [...]e, by [...] Sp [...]ri [...] of Grace his [...]ervants were mise [...]able M [...]ni­sters of h [...]s Truth, according to the Dispensation given th [...], for others to fullfil the Word o [...] God, Col. 1.25. w [...]ich is evident they did not preach th [...]m [...]lves, but Jesus Christ the Lord, and them [...]elves the Peoples S [...]rvan [...]s [...], sake, 2 Cor. 4.5. nei [...]her had any mans Person in a [...] ­miration for advantage sake of outward gain, neither was their preaching with inticing wo [...]ds of mans wisdom, but in the demon [...]tration o [...] the Sp [...]rit, and of Power, that Peoples Faith might not stand in the Wisdom o [...] Man, but in the Power of God, 1 Cor 2.4▪ [...] that so they might continue in the Faith, grounded and sted [...]ast, and not be moved away from the H [...]pe of the Gospel, which they have heard, and which was preached to every Crea [...]ure that is under the Heavens, whereof the Apostles were made the Ministers of Ch [...]ist, Col 1.23.

Now it i [...] evid [...]nt, that they who pretend to be Gospel Ministers, and are not in D [...]ctrine, Princip [...]e and Pra­ct [...]ce, as aforesaid related of Christs Ministers, they are the Worlds Teachers, set up and upheld by the World, and so no true Gospel maintenance belongeth unto them; for their mouthes are t [...] be stopped, because they subvert whole Houses, teaching things they ought not, for filthy Lucre [...]ake; therefore their mouthes are to be m [...]zelled, whom God hath not sent to tred out his Corn; for as God [...]aketh care for Oxen, so he taketh the grea [...]er care [...]or the Ministers of his Truth, that as they plow in hope, [Page 104] they also thresh in hope, and are made partakers of their hope, 1 Cor. 9, 9, 10. in which state the Houshold o [...] Faith do good unto all men, and more in a special manner to them of whom they pertake of their spiritual things; So in the one Faith, do the People of God minister to each other, without any Compulsion by or from the [...]ower of man, Rom. 15.27. 1 Cor. 9 11. So they that wa [...]t a [...] the Altar are made to partake with the Altar, 1. Cor. 9 13. Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.14. So the true Ministers of Christ do not use any outward Power, least that they should hinder the Gospel of Christ, 1 Cor▪ 9.2. which Example is left for all to follow, even as the true Gospel Ministers have followed Chri [...]t, and also to mark them that walk otherways, 1 Cor. 11 1. Phil. 3.17. Then whom should we ma [...]k, but them who have taken upon them the Name of Gospel Ministers, and by their Doctrine Principle & Practice, are not found of the Nature of Christ, and his true Gospel Ministers, which teach People the way to Gods Kingdom, witho [...]t Money by the year for preaching; for the Love of God in Christ, by whom his Servants and Messengers of Truth are c [...]nstrained to preach the Gospel, for whose sake they preach the Gospel without Charge; even so was it with the Apostles in their Day, who used no Compulsion, neither did he write that any such thing should be done unto them, for it were better for him to dye, than that any man should make his glorying void; for though he did preach the Gospel, he had no [...]hing to glory of for a Nec [...]ssi [...]y was laid upon him▪ yea Wo was unto him [...] he did not preach the Gospel. What then was his Reward, that when he did preach the Gospel, that he might make the Gospel of Christ without [Page 105] charge, that he might not abuse his Power in the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.15, 16, 18. for though he was free from all men, yet he made himself a Servant unto all men, that he might gain the more, 1 Cor. 9.19. which doth condemn the Doctrine, Principle and Practice of them which have the name of Gospel M [...]nisters, but not the nature of Gospel Ministers in this our day, in which some have said, That would to God they could but pract [...]se all what their Ministers preach a [...]d teach to them; the reason is, because the great God of Heaven and Earth, by whose Power they are re­strained, otherways they would do even as their fore-Fathers have done, who have persecuted many of the Lords People to Death, and not only among Papists, but among them called Protestants also; but the Lord hath [...] Ages permitted the Power of that Spirit for a tryal of us Peoples Faith, who did never esteem of human Learning as need­ful for Mans Salvation, but of late (among other things) it hath crept in among the Churches, as by the following Account from Christian Authors.

Gaude [...]tius d [...] mor. s [...]c. Justinian saith, We do not read that ever the Antien [...]s did openly in Schools, read or teach Phi­losophy, since they did rather abhor it. And saith another good Author, I would fain see a man that could shew, that Christians either before or in the time of Justinian, did openly teach Philosophy. And Hadrian Saricrial informs us, That the primitive Christians had no Accademical Schools, like those now a days. And we do not read of any University of the Albigenses, Waldenses or Bohemians; for most of their Teachers were Trades-men and Handy-crafts-m [...]n, and did n [...]t spend their Time in reading Tongues or studying Authors. Herald. Animad. in Arnob. The Christians living excluded from all Honours and Magistrates, did neglect the [Page 106] Studies, which were for the discharge of civil Imployments, be­cause Sophesters and Philosophers were the principal Enemies of Christianity; therefore upon this account they condemned all T [...]agadies and Commodies and all other Poetical Wri­tings being the main part of humane Learning, as [...]udging they did not conduce to sol [...]d Knowledge. Tertullian lib. de Idolat pag. 138, 139. judged, that Sc [...]ool-Masters p [...]o­fessing Lea [...]ning, were guilty of great Idolatry, because they did only expound Names, G [...]neologies, and fabulous Arts o [...] Hea­then g [...]dds, and generally in [...]ho [...]e days Believers harbour­ed a very bad esteem of Natural Learning, and generally the Christians we [...]e provoked thereunto, because the Gentiles did upb [...]a [...]d them, that their Teachers were Illiterate Persons, as Wool-Combers, Weavers, or the like. These things being objected against the Christians, the Christians on the other side rejected all humane Learning, as a u [...]eless thing, and no ways advantagious to Salvation, through their Adversaries boasted of it. Origine lib. 3 saith The Christians did declare that Men of any Condition might be saved, Servants, Idiots, Rusticks, and such as the World valued as Fools; and that God did confound the wis [...] in [...] own Wisdom. And Coelsus, as Origine in his B [...]ok [...]ith, That Christians did proclaim it in their Assemblies, Let none that is Wise enter, n [...]ne that is learned, non [...] that is [...]rud [...]nt: for thus it is appointed us in the Gospel; but if there be any th [...] is unwise, unlearned, any foolish, let him approach w [...]th Confi [...]dence, for these are fit to be the Servants of [...]od.

Gazentius in his Annimadversions, pag. [...]5. said ‘That the G [...]ntiles did object against the Christians th [...] [...]ude Stile, their harsh Language, and how they we destitute of all Addresses, calling them Rusticks, Clo [...] &c. [...]o the Christ [...]ans did again term the Gentiles [...] Eloquent and the Learned.’

[Page 107] Clemens Romanus saith in his Writings, lib. 2. cap. 6. ‘Abstain from all the B [...]oks of the Gentiles, for what ha [...] you to do with strange Discourses, or Laws, or false Pro [...]hets, which seduce weak men from the Truth?’

Petrus Belonius saith, ‘That in Greece among the Chri­stians, which were very many, there were few learned me [...] ▪ because they esteemed not of it, as of necessity to Christian [...]ty, though they could speak Greek, and some Latine, few could write or read. In their Libraries were found several Manuscripts of D [...]vinity, but no Hi­story, no Philosophy, for th [...]se were anathamatized, and all Christians not to study Poetry and Philosophy.’ Yet we [...] that th [...] Greek Chu [...]ch is highly owned for a true Christian Church by the Protestants, though neither the Greek Church, the Pikards, Albigenses nor Waldenses in Bohemia did value Learning, so far were they from esteeming of it, as he proper true Religion.

L [...]ther de Inst. puer inter. oper Wittingburg, tom. 7 fol. 444. ‘ Paul exhorteth to beware of Phi [...]osophy and vain deceit, 2 Col. 2. He had been a [...] A [...]h [...]ns, and had acquainted himself with that vain glorious humane Wisdom, and knew the multiplicity of Contradictions which it had procured; what then had Athens to do with Jerusalem? what hath the Epicures and Stoicks to do with the Church or Ch [...]ist?’

Jerom lib. 1. contra. Peleg. ‘What had Aristotle to do with Paul, or Pl [...]to with Peter?’ And a multitude of Testimonies may be brought to the same effect, how that Christians did in former days reject Philosophy and Hea [...]hen Authors, and all such frivolous stories, as of no way lawful for Christians to meddle in, nor good to propagate Christi­anity. And Bishop Ʋsher in Vindication of the Waldenses, [Page 108] by way of Apology, saith, ‘God did chuse Fisher-men, that he might not give his Glory to another; forasmuch as the little Ones had asked Bread, they came to receive it, and the learned being busied about vain Contentions and Disputations, were sent empty away.’ Bishop Ʋsher, des. Eccles. cap 6.28. ‘The Waldenses said, We are not ashamed of our Teachers, because they labour with their hands, procuring thereby a livelihood to themselves, because both the Doctrine and Example of the Apostles doth lead us to such Apprehensions.’

But I would not have any to mis-understand me, or to think that I am against all outward Learning, for that is not my drift, but that Truth and Righteousness may take place, by which outward Learning may remain for the use of that end for which it was intended, the know­ledge of Tongues and Languages having their proper Uses, which are not evil in themselves; and Schools of Learning I acknowledge there ought to be, for Natural Languages are serviceable for Translating the Scriptures, and [...]ther pious Books into the vulgar Tongues, and for natural uses in natural Transactions, in civil Affairs betwixt Man and Man, and Nation and Nat [...]on; for its good to maintain Learning, and to keep it in its right place, other ways it can never be of that service for which it was intended, that is, for the honour of God and service of mens outward Imployments between Man and Man, and Nation and Nation, and not to be upheld for this end that [...] without humane Learning are capable of preaching the Gospel; for Paul without that Learning which was [...] the Wisdom of God, was not capable of preaching Christ to the People, no more are they Gospel Ministers, [...] Ministers of the Gospel which remain in Pauls first sta [...] [Page 109] of outward Learning; but Learning sanctified, through Grace, by Faith in Jesus Christ, is of benefit to his People, which without Grace, outward or [...] Learning can­not be any Honour to God for [...]word [...]ofit of his People; which doth prove, that men without Grace cannot be the true Ministers of Christ, but all without Grace are of the Ministers of Anti-christ, unto whom no Gospel Mainte­nance belongeth; for they remain in the outward know­ledge of the Letter, and by their Fruits they are manifest not to be the Ministers of Christ, but the Ministers of Anti-christ.

CHAP. XVI. Concerning divine Inspiration and Revelation.

MAny are the Teachers which hold, all divine Inspi­ration and Revelation to be ceased ever since the Apostles days, and from that time that God hath wholly committed his Will and Mind to be known by the written Word.

To which I Answer: That God in Christ, before the Wor [...]d began, did determine all things necessary for mans Salvation, whom God did make in his own Image▪ and gave him Dominion over the Works of his own Hand, which Image of Holiness Man l [...]st in the Fall. Now Adam is called the Son of God, and he that is a Son of God is also a Child of God, Luke 3.38. in whom the Spirit of God by measure dwelle [...]h, which is for this end, to direct the mind of Man unto the true and living Knowledge of God; for which end there was a sufficient gi [...]t of God [Page 110] Spirit to save Adam's Soul, which gift in measure is given to all the Children of Men, that [...]hey may know the Mind of God, and do it; for Salvation is not by the Works of the Law, but by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ; for the Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of his own work of in his people, John 1.1 [...]. and for that end they have received a divine gift of his Spirit of Grace, which doth reveal the Mind and Will of God, in and through the Son of his love, the Lord Jesus, which is Christ (by the divine Life and Light of his Spirit in his People the Hope of Glory, in which state they serve the Lord of Life, accor­ding to the Revelation of his Spirit, of which all, in mea­sure have received, or shall receive, for their Obedience to the Faith, through which Obedience of Faith, is the Justi­fication of Life and Salvation, and Condemnation unto them whose Disobedience is to the true Faith, which hath been delivered unto the Saints, unto whom the Lord, in measure, doth reveal himself in this day, as to his faithful Children in days past, it being granted, that God gave extraordi­nary Revelations, &c. to the holy Prophets and Apostles, beside what he gave them in common with all Saints; for he changeth not, but is the same God yesterday, to day and for evermore, who makes known the Mystery of Salvation by the Revelation of his good Spirit of Grace, through their Faith in Jesus Christ.

So now, as the Almighty God hath in all Ages made known of his Will and Mind to the Children of men, by the revealings of his [...]pirit in their hearts, even so is it among his Children in this Day, who behold with their spiritual Eyes the mighty Works of God to their Souls, by the Revelations of his Spirit, in and through Jesus Christ; [Page 111] for he that was to come, is come, in whom the fullness is, and hath brought in the hope of Salvation to all them that believe in the gift of his Spirit, which doth reveal the Mind of God in his People, who witness him to be come, which hath fulfilled all Righteousness, and brought in the Hope of Assurance, which is revealed by the Inspiration of his holy [...]pirit in them, through which they are brought into a further acquaintance with the Lord of Life, whom to know, through the drawings of the Fa [...]her, is Life Eternal, through the Son; fo [...] no man cometh to receive Life by the Son, but as the Father draws him, neither cometh any to the Father, but by the Son, John 6.44. Thes. 65

So here is a drawing by the Spirit, which reveals the Will of God in the Children of his own begetting, thorough which, by Faith, they come into fellowship with the Son more and more, whom no man knoweth but the Father, neither knoweth any the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him, Mat. 11.2 [...]. Therefore the true saving knowledge of God, is by the divine Revelation of his own Spirit, in and through Jesus Christ, whom to know is Life Eternal, of which the Scriptures do declare, that the Power of God remains in the gift of his Grace, which c [...]me by Jesus Christ, through which is the assu­rance of Salvation, to them that by Faith in Christ, through whom by his Grace, they are saved. Now the holy scrip­tures were given forth by the holy Spirit of God; therefore is his Spirit before and above the Scriptures, as the work­man is above the instrument he works with; for the spirit worketh with the Scriptures instrumentally upon the souls of men, both to inform their Understandings, and to move and incline their Wills and Affections; and no man can understand the things of the Spirit but by the Revelation [Page 112] of the Spirit; for they in days past did search the Scriptures, thinking therein to find eternal Life, when tho' they testifie of him, yet there is no Life to them [...] by true Faith, in Obedience to the gift of his Spirit, will no [...] come unto him, Joh. 5.39, 40, Here is Life tendered, but not barely and only by the Scriptures, but by coming to Christ; for they in that day had the outward knowledge of the Letter, which kills without the saving knowledge of God in Christ, which by Faith is revealed thorough the Gift of his own Spirit in his People; for all that either tends to Salvation or Condemnation, it is by the Revelation of Gods Spirit in man, for the Spirit of [...]od keeps striving against the Enemies Power in them whom God hath armed with his spiritual Armor against the Devils Temptations, and in them that disobey God, thorough their Life of Disobedience to the gift of his divine Light, in them it is their condemnation for sin and evil, Joh. 3.19. Rom. 1.18, 19. 2 Cor 3.6. for it is by the Revelation of Gods Spirit, that men come to the knowledge of which thought and intent is for him or against his Truth; for the thoughts and Intents of men, whether good or evil, the Lord shews it unto them in their own heart and conscience, by the Revelation of his spirit, which Justifies the thoughts and intents of the Righ­teous, but condemns the thoughts and intents of the Wick­ed. Now the holy Scripture is short in giving, men the knowledge of their thoughts amd intents, without the searchings of the Spirit of God; for the Lord searcheth the Heart and tryeth the Reigns and declares unto Man what is his Thoughts, Amos 4.13. Also, the Prophet hath said by the Spirit of Truth, That they shall all be taught of God, which is according to Christs saying, John. 6 45. Every [Page 113] [...] that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh to me▪ neither hath Eye seen nor Ear heard, neither hath it en­tered into the hear [...] of man the things which God hath Prepared [...] that love him, but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God; for w [...]at man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man which is in him, even so the things of God, knoweth no man, but the spirit o [...] God, and to whom the Spirit reveals them; for true believers in this day, as well as in dayes past have not received the Spirit of the World, but the spirit which is of God, that they might know the things that are freely given to them of God, 1 Cor. 2 9, 10, 11, 12 By which it is manifest, that divine Revelation, by the inspiration of Gods holy Spirit, is of absolute ne­cessity for Salvation, in and thorough Faith by Jesus Christ, whom no man can know, but by the revealed gift o [...] his Spirit, which through Faith begets the inward man into the saving knowledge of God, and of his Son, the L [...]rd Jesus Christ, through which every true Believer in him▪ comes to receive of the like benefit with the Saints in their day, to see with their spiritual Eyes, and to hear with their spiritual Ears, and with their spiritual hands, they come to handle the Word o [...] Life, 1 John 1.1. Then i [...] all divine Revelation and Inspiration of Gods Spirit to his Children be ceased, must not all spiritual seeing and spiritual hearing be ceased also? which by their Doctrines doth seem to me, as if they conclude Christ also to be ceased; for if the Inspiration of Gods holy Spirit of Revelation be ceased, then how shall God and Christ be heard and [...]ee [...]: spiritually, as [...]elievers in dayes past did spiritually hear and see him? Also if God hath committed his who [...] [Page 114] Will and Mind to Writing, then by what means are the [...] saved, which have not received the knowledge of the Letter of the holy scripture? Will they conclude, they all perish, for want of the Letter, when the Mind and Will of God is, that a Remnant of all Nations, of them that fear him and work Righteousness shall be saved. And though the holy Scriptures do give Infallible Marks of such an estate yet there is no scripture can infallibly assure any man that he hath these marks, but it must be the spirit of God, that gives every true believer such an assurance; for the spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits, that we are the Chil­dren of God, Rom. 8.6. So it is the Spirit of God by which that assurance is revealed to beleivers, or more properly in believers, by which they come to witness, that they have the Son, and he that hath the Son of God, hath Life, 1 Joh, 5.12. Now the holy Scriptures hold forth, that he that hath the Son of God, hath Life, but give no assurnce of Life, but the Spirit of God doth reveal an assuerance; which proves, that all divine Revelation is not ceased.

CHAP. XVII. Concerning the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Anti-Christ.

THe whole state of mans Life is governed in Thoughts, Words and Actions, by the Power of the Spirit, which hath the Commanding part in man, who is either govern­ed by the Spirit of Christ, or the Spirit of Antichrist, which is the Devil; for there are but two Spirits which rule, the [Page 115] Spirit of God, through Jesus Christ, which rules in the Righteous, whose Thoughts Words and Actions are go­verned by the Power of Gods Spirit, which brings the Thoughts of the Faithful to be subject, in Obedience to the Power of his own Spirit, in and through Faith by Jesus Christ. Now the Spirit of the Devil, is that Anti-Christ, which Gods Power permits to rule in the Children of Dis­obedience, who [...]e Thoughts, Words and Actions are governed by the Spirit of the Devil, so that men are Servants unto that Power which they obey; for the Thoughts of mans Mind are in a continual motion, and where God is not retained in the Thoughts, they cannot be of any service to him for the Souls benefit, but are in servitude to him unto whom they yeild their Obedience, which Work altogether tends for Distruction of the soul; therefore People ought to be diligent with that gift of di­vine Light which God hath given, to find out the hidden things of Darkness, in the heart of man, who by Obedience to the gift of Gods Grace, may come to understand the Lords Will to be done in their Thoughts, Words, and Actions, which work will bring honour to the Name of the Lord, and Peac [...] to their own Souls; for he that brings his Deeds to the Light, they are made manifest by the Light, whether they are wrought in God, through faith and Obedience to the gift of his Grace; for the promise of God by Christ, is to the obedient part) for his Children are made a free and Willing People, to serve him with uprightness of Heart, Mind, Thoughts, Word and Actions▪ for the carnal Thoughts of man brings Death over the soul, but the spiritual Thoug [...]ts of man bring Life; for to be car­nally minded▪ is Death, but to be spiritually minded, is Life and Peace with God in Christ. S [...] as there is but two Spi [...]i [...] which [...] rule, the one or the other hath the Command­ing [Page 116] part, in the heart and mind of man; for the Mind cannot serve two Masters, that is, no man can serve God and Mammon; for while the Mind is in obedience to the Spirit of Life, it overcomes the Spirit of Death, but while it remains in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ, it becomes dead, & remains with Death, which state hath no relation to the things of Christs Kingdom; for God is not a God o [...] that which is dead in sin and Tre [...]pass against the heavenly divine gift of his Spirit of Grace, Life and Light which come by Jesus Christ, whose Spi [...]it is not of this World, neither are they of this World, whose Minds are begotten of God, thorough him, to live in Obedience to his holy Truth, but the Spirit of [...]nti-Christ is of this World, and rules the Thoughts Words and Actions of them who are the Children of this World, which by subjecting to his Power, they believe that in the best of men, sin remaineth all the dayes of this Life, which Faith is begotten by the spirit of Anti-christ, which rules in the Children of Disobedience, whose minds are drawn into works of Darkness, which are begotten by their Fa [...]her, the Devil, the Prince & Power of the Air, whose [...]iry Kingdom remains in the Heart and Mind of all Unrighteous men, who are bewitched by the spirit of Anti- [...]hrist, that they should no [...] obey the Truth of God, made manifest by Jesus Christ, Gal. 3.1. by whose Spirit the heart and mind in the righteous are govern [...]d from vain and evil Thoughts; for every Thought, Word and Action that tends not to the honour of God, it proceeds from the lust of the corrupted Desire, which yeilds its Obedience to the Spirit & Power of Anti-ch [...]i [...]t, who is that Devil and Enemy to God and all Mankind, and his they are if they obey; for his Ser­ [...]ants ye are, to whom ye obey, whether of Sin unto Death or of [Page 117] Obedience unto Righteousness, Rom. 6.16. So that Death, Hell and Destruction remains in all Thoughts Words and Actions, which proceed not from the Power of God, in Obedience to the gift of his Spirit by Jesus Christ; for all that is not of Gods Righteousness by the Spir [...]t and Power of Christ, is of Unrighteousness, by the Spirit and Power of Anti Christ. So that all sin is of Unrighteousness, and all unrighteousness, is of the Devil, who sinneth from the be­ginning; and he that committeth sin, it is of the Devil; but who­soever is born of God, doth not commit sin, for his seed remnineth in him, and he cannot Sin, because he is born of God, 1 Joh. 3.8.9. Then let no man be deceived by the Spirit of Anti-Christ, or by any of his Disciples, for he that doth Righ­teousness, is righteous, even as he is Righteous, 1 Joh. 3.7. for whosoever committeth Sin, is a Servant to sin, Joh. 8.34. Then he that is a Servant to sin, is free from Righ­teousness; for the wages of sin is Death, and God is not a God of the Dead, but a God of them that are made alive, by the Power of his Spirit, in and thorough the Lord J [...]sus Christ, whose gift of Righteousness is Life eternal, that is, to them that keep close in their minds with the Lord, by which they may not be drawn into the Anti-Christian Faith of any one thing, with which the Devil seeks to destroy the Soul; for God is not mocked, what­soever men sowe, that they shall also reap, for he that soweth to his fl [...]sh, shall of the flesh reap Corruption, but he that so [...]eth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap L [...]fe everlasting, Gal 6.7.8. Now every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God, and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the fl [...]sh, is not of God. 1 Joh. 4 2 3. Then that which appea [...]s from a spirit in men, which doth not lead from sinning against the [Page 118] gift of Gods holy Spirit, their so living doth manifestu a unrighteous Life is towards God, and that unrighteous Life is in obedience to the Spirit of Anti-Christ, which denyeth that Christ is come in the flesh; of which Spi­rit there are many, which have entered the false Pro­phets, which a [...]e gone out into the World, by which many are deceived; for they are of the World, and speak of the World, and the World heareth them, 1 [...]oh. 4.5. but the Children of God are begotten by the Power of his own Spirit, in and thorough the Lord Jesus Christ, and by Grace, through Faith in him, their works are of Righte­ousness before him, who is the Author and the Finisher of his own Work, in all them whose Works of Righte­ousness manifest Jesus Christ to be come in the flesh, which the works of the Unrighteous do not do.

CHAP. XVIII. Concerning the true Language, and proper Nature of Speech, and the true Names of the Days and Months. And also the Ʋnrighteousness of Peoples vain living.

Through the Unrighteousness of Peoples careless living unto God, they are got into a habitual custom of vain living before the Lord, not regarding to live up in Obedience to the the Spirit of Truth, which leads Gods faithful People into the true Nature of Speech, and to call the Dayes of the Week, and the Months of the Year by their proper Names, according as by that Spirit of God they are recorded for People to learn, in the holy Scrip­tures of Truth, which giv [...] a holy Testimony, of the [Page 119] Righteous in dayes past, who lived in all manner of good Life, and holy Conversation before the Lord, speaking their words in the true Language, which is the proper Na­ture of Speech, and calling the Days of the Week, and and Months of the Year by their proper Names, which holy Practise, doth witness aginst this Generation of evil Doers, who accostom themselves to a vain way of living, both in Words and Actions, by which it doth manifest, that they are Lovers of their own vain Wayes, and not the Lovers of Gods holy Tru [...]h, which leads every up­right hearted man and woman, to keep in the true Lan­guage and proper Nature of Speech unto all men, with­out respect of Person to any; for that which the World terms Re [...]pct, with Hand, Hat, and Knee, and You to the Rich, and Thee and Thou to the Poor is a respcting of Mens Persons, which is a transgressing of Gods holy Law, for they that respect mens persons, commit sin, and are convinced of the Law, as Transgressors, Jam 2.9. for thee and thou is proper to all men, and you to more then one for God said thee and thou to Adam, and Adam, said th [...]e and thou to God again, Gen. 3.12, 13. and the same was maintained between [...]acob and his Sons, Gen. 43.49. which proves, that thee and thou was the true Nature of Speech between God and Man, and Men and then Children, as Jeptha, a Judge in Israel did thee and thou his Daughter, and his Daughter, did thee and thou her Father again, Judg. 11.3, 5, 6. And the three Children did thee and thou to the King, and also Paul to Agrippa. And the same form of thee and thou to a single person, and you or ye to more then one, was prectised by Christ to his D [...]ciples and the same by the Disciples (as thee and thou) to Christ again, which is the true Nature of speech, as [Page 120] contained in holy Record, thoroughout the Scriptures of Truth, though some have wrested divers Scriptures, thinking thereby to prove a lawfullness of saying thee and thou to more then one, which doth not prove that you or ye is proper to a single person; for those scriptures which they have wrested, do manifest, that when the spirit of God in his S [...]rvants and Messengers of his Truth, did speak by the Spirit of Truth, to a Nation, Church or People, it was proper to say either you or ye, or thou, which did include a Nation, Church, or People, as one body in the cause, which was from the Lord, either for or against them, which is not the same between man and man, or between man or men, further then the cause doth concern a Body of People, which in the cause are included, as one Man; for as the Body hath many Members, them many Members make but one Body, even so is it with a Body of People, whether in Church, or state; the many Members of that Church or state, make but one compleat Body of People, which is very proper to say, thee or thou to that Body of People, but not proper to sa [...] thee or thou to a part of them, as they are divided; for though it was proper, according to Truth, to say, thee and thou to Jerusalem, yet we never find that the Spirit, of God did direct any to say you or ye to a single [...]ew, nor thee and thou to more then one, except as aforesaid, to a Body of People, whom the Spirit of God did as many Members includes one Body▪) But then why not you to a single Person, which includes all the Members of that Body? because when the spirit of God did you or ye to a Body of People, it was that all might understand the Lords Cause, which was either for or against them. Now though the [...]ody of a single Person [Page 121] hath many Members, yet the Understanding of that body is but one, which Understanding comprehends the matter or cause, which the other doth relate; for when the Spirit of God speaks by the Messengers of his Truth to a Body of People, they do not speak to all the Members of the Body of each M [...]n [...]nd Woman, bat to the Body, which includes each man and woman a Member of that Body; so that it is very improper, and inconsistent with Truth, for People to plead, that when they say you or ye to a single Person, they speak as including all the Members of that single Persons Body; for which they have no war­rant from the Spirit of God, nor Example from any that we read of in the holy Scriptures of Truth, Mat. 23.37 Luk. 13.34. Isa 43 5. but to keep to the proper true Nature of Speech, which God did set forth in the beginning, and the same by his People hath been in pract [...]e throughout all Ages, the hight of Pride is such in many Pe [...]ple of this Age, that they abhor to receive thee and thou to themselves, in wh [...]ch words they themselves ren­der their Prayers to the Lo [...]d▪ which doth manifest their Disobedience to Gods holy Truth, which leads to pra­ctise every good Work, which doth not appear in them which will not in love receive thee and thou to them­selves, without esteeming of it as ill breeding; then what breeding are such of, who render their Prayers to God, in or by the same words of thee and thou, which they account Ill Breeding in the People of God, whose Com­munication is Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, and Thee and Thou to a single Person, and You and Yee to more then one, but evil Communication corrupts good Manners, and it is evil for People to live in that which is inconsi [...]ent with the Truth of God, who brings forth his Children with [Page 122] the same Breeding, which in dayes past his People did manifest, by their upright living in all manner of good Life and holy Conversation which in this day among them account the Scriptures the Rule of Life, how contrary are they to the Scriptures, in the words and actions [...]f of their Life? for among many, if not the greatest part of them called Christians in this day, who will not in [...]o [...]e receive thee and thou from their Parents, neither will [...]a­rents in love receive thee and thou from their Children, nor the Rich from the Poor; for according to mens out­ward Wealth, or their place in Authority and outward Power, do People r [...]spect them in their words and actions, as with Hat, Hand and Knee, you Sir, and your Servant Sir, and of the like, too tedious to mention, which are so many and ridiculous, that by such Fruits, with many of the like nature, [...]hey may wi [...]h [...]he [...]pirit of God be Judged, that they are far from a L [...]e o [...] the holy Scriptures, and the Spirit of God, which is their Condemation; for there is m [...]t [...]er sufficient con [...]a [...]ned in the Scriptures [...] Peo­ple to learn the proper Nature of speech, and to call the Days & Months as there recorded [...]or every mans learning and not to practice you and ye to a single Person, and [...] or thou to more then one, nei [...]her to call the Dayes an [...] Months by that Name which the Heathens, and the [...] Saxon Pagus have put upon them, according as will [...] low, in their Idolatry, when they worship the Sun, fro [...] which they called the first day of the week Sunday, as the second day of the week they worshipped the [...] from whence came Monday; and the third day of [...] week, they worshipped the Planet called Tuisko, [...] which came Tuesday; and so following, from their [...] Woden came Wednesday; and from their Idol T [...]or [...] Thursday; and from their Idol Friga came Friday; [...] [Page 123] from their Idol S [...]aeter came Saturday. And the Heathens called Mars the godd of Battel, and from thence they called the fi [...]st Month March; and Venus they called the godd of Love and Beauty, and from thence they called the second Month A [...]ril; and Maja ▪ a H [...]athen Goddes, called [...]ora and Flowris, were called the Goddes of Flowers; and unto Maja, the Heathen Idolators used to sacrifice, from thence was the Third Month, called M [...]y, and upon the first day of the same Month, they used to keep Floralia i. e. Feasts to the two Goddesses of Flowers, viz. Flora and Flowris; and Flora was a Strumpet in Rome, that used on the fir [...]t day of the month to set up a May-P [...]e be­fore her Door, to intice her Lovers, from whence [...]ame May Poles to be fi [...]st observed; and from the Heath [...]n Goddes, Juno, is the fourth Month called June; and in honour to Julius Caeser, a Roman Emperor, is the fi [...]h Month called July; and the sixth Month took its Name August, in honour of Agustus Caesar, the Emperor; and September, October November and December are called from the Latines; and Janus, a Ki [...]g in Italy was for his Wis­dom pictured with two faces, whom they honoured as a Godd, from this name Janus was the eleventh Month called January; and Saturnus, Plato, F [...]brus, were called the Godds of Hell, whom the Heathens said had the rule of the evil Spirits there, and from Pluto Februs was the Twelfth Mon [...]h called February. Now as to them who have been, and yet are accounted Gospel Ministers of Christ, how have they neglected the work of God, to let People stray from the outward Letter of the holy Scrip­tures, to follow the p [...]actice of Pagans and Heathens, as before related, whose Fruits are not agreeable with the Truth of God, as by holy Record appears; and for a Tree [Page 124] to be good, that bringeth forth evil Fruit all its days, is a thing impossible; for men do not use to gather Grapes of Thorns, nor Figgs of Thistles; and for T [...]chers with their People to live in a Life of these things, which are so contrary to the holy Scriptures, and the Spirit of God, by which they have been given forth, doth mani­fest that such People are only Christians in the outward Name, but not in the inward Li [...]e and Nature of what God requires, that every true Christian should be.

CHAP. XIX. Concerning Prophecying, & Womens speaking in the Church.

PRophecying signifies Preaching, which is declaring the Word of God, as they receive his Will and Mind, by his Spirit of Grace, in and through the gift of his own Spirit by Jesus Christ, whose gift of good spirit of Grace, is by measure in the Male and in the Female alike, who are made partakers of his blessed Truth, and in this day called of God by Jesus Christ, to declare his Truth, as the holy Men and Women were in days [...]ast; for he hath promised, To pour out of his Spirit upon all fl [...]sh, and among the faithful, their old Men dream D [...]eams, and their Young Men see Visi [...]ns, and their Sons and Daughters Prophecy. But many have wrested the Apostles words, 1 Cor 14 35 L [...]t our Wom [...]n keep silence in the Church, for it i [...] not permitted th [...]m to speak, but are commanded to be under Obedience; and if they will learn any thing, let them ask their Husbands at home, for it is a shame for a Woman to sp [...]ak in the Church. Now the Apostles words do not include all speaking by Women in the Church, [Page 125] which if they did, it would then follow, that every true believing Woman is debarred from improving the gift o [...] Gods holy Spirit among his People, which are the Church of Christ; for by measure is the gift of God, by Jesus Christ, to the Man and Woman alike, wherefore they may pray and prophecy in the Church of Christ; for all may prophecy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted, 1 Cor. 14.31. So that here is no tye nor bar from believing Womens speaking in the Church of Christ, but debarred by them which are not the true Church; for every Woman that prayeth & prophecyeth with her Head uncovered, dishonour­eth her Head, 1 Cor. 11.15. By which it is evident, that their Women did in that day speak in the Church; for its of no Edification for any Woman to prophecy alone by her self, but where two or three are gathered together in the Name of the Lord, there will his Spirit be in the midst o [...] them; which proves, that where two or three (Male or Female) are met together in the Lords Name, that there is his Church; and whether Male or Female, if called of him, they are to speak, which is not that speaking which Women in the Church are not permitted to do. For whereas they are not permitted to speak in the Church, it is to be understood relating to the Government of the Church, in which they are to keep silence, and be under Obedience, as also in the Law; for the outward Govern­ment of the Church God hath committed unto men, of whic [...] [...] the Women will learn, they are to ask their Hus­bands at h [...]me; for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in th [...] Church [...]elating to the Government thereof; for in so [...] she comes to usurp in Government over the man, 1 [...]. 2.12. for Christ is the Head of his Church and the Head of every Man is Christ, and the Head of the Woman is [Page 126] the Man, and the Head of Christ is God, 1 Cor, 11.3. And as to such Women whose Husbands are Unbelievers, or that [...]ave no husband, a believing B [...]other hath liberty to inform them in things relating to the Government of the Church; in which the Women Prophets in days past, did not rule in the Government of the C [...]urch, as may be read of Miriam and Deborah, who were Prophetesses in their day, Exod. 15 20. Judg. 4.4 and H [...]ldah the Prophetess, which prophesied of the evil to come upon Jerusalem 2 Chron. 34.22.23. And we read of Anah that prophesied concerning Redemption; for it is said, she coming in that instant, gave Thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in [...]erusalem; which all that looked for Redemption, did include the whole Church of Christ in Jerusalem; and at that instant of her coming in, and giving Thanks likewise, was, when the Church was gathered together, and Christ himself at that time in the midst of his Church in which, at that time, A [...]ah the Woman Prophetess did speak, Luke 2.27. to v. [...]0. And Phillip had four Daughters which did prophesie, Acts 21.8, 9. And the Lord hath promised, That he will pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh, and their Sons and Daughters shall prophecy; and their old Men shall dream Dreams, and their Young Men shall s [...]e Visions, and upon the Servants and Hand [...]maids will the Lord pour out his Spirit, Act. 2 17, 18. [...]el [...].28, 29. By which it appea [...]s, that prophecying is not altogether ceased among the People of God, whose promise doth con­tinue among the faithful [...] whom he hath called, both Male and Female, to preach the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by his good spirit of Life. Light and Grace are they lead to preach▪ in order as becometh the Gospel so to do, that the Prophets may speak two or three, and the others to judge; [Page 127] and if any thing be ravealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his p [...]ace, that all may prophecy one by one, that all may learn and be comforted; for the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets; for God is not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints; but if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant, 1 Cor. 14, to v. 38. But all covet to pro­phesi [...] and forbid not to speak with Tongues, vers. 39. Now among such Professors, where these things are not in pra­ctise, according to the Record of the holy Scriptures, which are for Peoples learning, that by the Spirit of God they may follow Christ, as the Apostles have done for Example, and to mark them which walk other ways; then who i [...] is it that true Believers should mark, but them who pretend to be Gospel M [...]nisters, and with their Hearers are not in the holy Practice of the faithful in days past, whom they are commanded to follow, as they have followed Christ, which until such time as they reform, in obedience to Gods holy Truth, and are found to worship him in the Spirit & in the Truth, they are to be marked by all true Believers in Christ Jesus, To have a form of Godliness▪ but deny the Power, who are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.

CHAP. XX. Concerning Powers.

ALL Power is of God, either by commission or per­mi [...]sion; Let every Soul be subject to the higher Power, for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God, Rom. 13. [...]. The Apostles words are [Page 128] very weighty, for all to Consider, and not to do as ma­ny say, that if they live where Governours and Rulers are, they must be subject to their Laws, which (they say) are ordained of God, for the benefit of Church and State, otherwaye [...] say they) we cannot be subject to all Powers which are ordained of God. Now this I do believe, that all powers which are to keep down sin and evil, that they are ordained of God, but for any to think that the holy Apostle did include the Pow­ers of Darkness, to be ordained of God, is gross Igno­rance in them that so believe; for all the Powers of Dark­ness are of the [...]evil, who is the Father of all Unrigh­teousness; and God never ordained the Devil, nor any of his Dark Powers, which rule in the Children of Dis­obedience, of whom some have asserted to me, That God made the Devil, as he now is a Devil; but its through Disobedience to God, and Obedience to the Power of the Devil, men come to grow in [...]o such gross Ignorance, that they will venture to the hazard of their souls, to say that which they neither know nor understand; for the Powers of Darkness, which God permits to rule in the Children of Disobedience, are for a tryal of his Peoples Faith, who are not to submit in active obedience to the da [...]k Powers of the Earth, among unrighteous men, which cause the righteous to suffer for the Truth of God, and Testimony of Jesus, which if any refuse Obedience to suffer for the Truth of God, and Name of his Son Jesus Christ, they cannot be his Disciples; for he that is not willing to part with his Life for the sake of Christ, can never be made partaker of his heavenly Riches in the Life to come; for he that denyeth Crhist before men, he will be denyed of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ in the World to come; so that the Righteous are not to be subject, in active Obedi­ence [Page 127] they are to submitt, and that for Conscience sake, well knowing that their reward will follow in heavenly Riches of Gods Kingdom, where the Wicked shall never c [...]me. So all Powers that be, are of God, who permits the Devils Power, in unrighteous men, for a tryal of his Peoples Faith, and that he may gain honour to his ovvn Name, through their damnation, which fullfils the Apo­stles saying▪ Let every soul be subj [...]ct to the higher Power, for th [...]re is no Power but what is of God, either by commission or permission; for the Power of the Devil, God doth per­mit in unrighteous men, whose Power the rightous are not actually to obey; for if they should actually obey any unrighteous Power, in so d [...]ing they resist the ordinance of God, and to themselves r [...]ceive Damnation, Rom. 13.1 [...]. which according to the Apostles words, no man is actually to obey any Power, save the Power of God, which is saving to them, that through Faith live in Obedience to his Truth, according as the holy Apostle did [...]or example, who hinself was accounted one of the grea­test Transgressors of mens Laws, in that he was not in actual Obedience to any of their dark Powers, which were then in his time, for which cause he himself suffered for the Name of Jesus, through whose Power his People come to be redeemed from all actual Obedience to the Devi [...]es Power, which rules in Unrighteous men, which would force People from their Obedience to God, which permits the Disobedient to wrêst the holy Scriptures to their own Distruction, in which state they would bind all others to believe in their Anti-Christian Faith, that [...]t is of God, and that if any man resist their Power, that [...]e resisteth the O [...]dinance of God, and to himself receives Damnation, which is the very way of promoting the [Page 130] Kingdom of Anti-Christ, through whose Power many weak People are seduced from the true Faith, and have distrusted in the Power of God, by their actual Obedience, of conforming to the dark Powers of the Devils setting up in wicked men; but the day will come, which ha [...]tens towards the wicked, whom the Lord by his mighty Pow­er will overthrow▪ for all power is committed unto him, whose power is over the power of the Devil, which the power of God suffers to rule, that he may see who [...] serve him, the God of all Truth, which permits the Devil to set up and pull down, even to the making waste o [...] one another, but they that truly serve the Lord, shall stand forever; for he is God and Lord over all, whose almighty Power suffers one dark Power to pull down one, and to set up another, until his time comes, whose [...]igh [...] it is to rule in Truth and Righteousness in the heart of every man and woman, and in the mean time, they that rule for God, are not a Terror to good works, but to the evil; for they are the Ministers of God for the Peoples good, that they that do evil might be afr [...]d; for he ba [...]eth not the Sword in vain, but is the Minister of God, and a Revenger to execute wrath vpon them that do evil, Rom. 13.3.4. Wherefore y [...] must needs be subject, not only for Wrath, but also for Conscience sake, Vers. 5. and for this cause pay you Tribute also; for they are Gods Ministers, at­tending continually upon this very thing, Vers. 6. Render therfore their due, Tribute to whom Tribute is due, Custom to whom Custom is due, Fear to whom Fear is due, Honour to whom Honour is due; owe no man any thing, but love one another, Rom. 13.7, 8. Now them that are faithfully in Obed [...]ence to the Power of Gods gift of Grace by Jesus Christ, they fear the Lord, and work his Righteousness, [Page 131] through which they live in the love of God towards all men, which is the fullfilling of the Law, Vers. 8. in which state o [...] true love they render to all men (rich and poor) vvhatever the Lord requireth of them to do; for their obedience is to the power of his own spirit, which leads every Just and upright man in Power, to rule for Gods Honour, through which they have Dominion over the evil Doers, and praise unto them that do well, such Rule [...]s bare not the Sword in Vaine; but he that re­spects the Person of any man, in Justice and Judgment, is a Transgressor of Gods holy Law, & is convinced of the Law, as a Transgressor, Jam. 2. [...]. for they that rule for God, do no unrighteousness in Judgment, neither do they respect the Persons of the Poor, nor honour the Persons of the Mighty, but in Righteousness judge they their Neighbour, Lev 19.15. for they hear the small, as well as the great, without respecting the persons of either, thereby they do not fear the face of any man, for the Judgment is the Lords, which if there be any thing too hard for them they are to wait on the Lord, who in his own due time will manifest the truth of the Cause, by which they may come to render true Judgment, according to the mind of God, Deut. 1.1 [...]. but if they respect mens Persons, and wrest Judgment, and receive Gifts, then they are out of Gods way, and rule not for his Honour, but for their own Honour, and self-ends among men; for a Gift blind [...]th the Eyes of the Wise, and causeth them to pervert the words of the Righteous Dan. 6.19. Now that Honour which is of Hand, Ha [...] and Knee, to each other, it is not of God, for the Honour of God dwelleth in the heart of every faithful man, which is faithful to what the Lord hath [...] to his charge; for it is the Lord that searcheth the heart, and tryeth the reigns of the heart, and declareth [Page 132] unto man what is his thoughts; which no man can know by the Hat, Hand, and Knee of another, for which Honour they have no express command from God, nor example from his Servants in dayes past, who in their day did ren­der Tribute, Custom, Fear and Honour in its right place, which at all times doth not belong to one and the same Person, but as he appears for Gods cause, is there Honour due to him, as in the case of Paul before Festus and Agrippa, the one appearing in the truth of Pauls cause, and the other by Paul almost perswaded to be a Christian, which Noble Principle in them, was worthy of Honour from Paul, Act. 26.2.28, 31.32 and divers other instances do the holy Scriptures afford▪ of that noble Spirit appear­ing in man of outward Power, whom they of this Gener­ation esteem as Heathens, but be what they will, or what­soever they were, the Lord and his People well know, that them so esteemed, their works towards the Lords People in their day, do condemn the works of many men towards the People of God in this day, which do give Honour unto them, unto whom it doth belong, and not to honour them which honour not the Lord; for they whose works bring no honour to the Name of the Lord, they are not to be honoured by his People; for Old Age to many is length­ened out by many dayes, that the condemnation, of him that fears not God, and works not his righteousness, may be the greater; for though the Wicked may live to a hundred years, so living and so dying, they are accursed; but the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory, if it be found in the way of Righteousness, Prov. 16.31. By which we see and know, that God hath no respect for them that live not in the way of his Truth, for Old Age is as a Judg­ment to some, which desire to dye, because of outward [Page 133] Troubles in Body, and Horror of Conscience for their evil Deeds, but Death (as an addition to Gods Judgments from such flyeth away, others again, for their unrighteous liv­ing in sin and Rebellion against God, are (by his Just Judgments) cut off in the midst of their days.

And as to such Rulers that trouble the People of God from day to day, and from time to time, they may read their Portion Luke 16.19, to 24. but the People of the Lord cannot be brought into bondage by the Power of unrighteous Laws, made by wicked men, to ensnare and hinder the faithful of their Obedience to God, who doth abhor the dark Works of unrighteous Rulers, whose wicked Works against the Lords People, are done in pretence of some service for God, when that they are altogether for the service of Anti-Christ, and the promot­ing of the Devils Kingdom, which the Lords People, by the Power of God, are kept and preserved from touching, tasting or handling with any unclean thing, well know­ing, that the Wages of Sin is Death, but the gift of God is Life Everlasting; so then Death remains in the unrighteous Powers of Wicked and Ungodly Men, who, Balaam like, love the Wages of Unrighteousness, which the dumb [...] declared against, when he forbid the madness of the wicked Prophet, who had forsaken the right Way of the Lord, to obey the dark Power of an Earthly Ruler; So the por­tion of Balaam will be the Inheritance of them that do not obey the Power of God by Jesus Christ, whose Power is the higher Power, unto which every soul is to be subject; for his Power is ordained of God, and there is no other Power, but the Power of God, which is by Jesus Christ, whom all men are commanded to obey; for by and through his Power are the faithfull supported in all [Page 134] their Sufferrings for his Truth, which is the Condemna­tion of all unrighteous Judges.

CHAP. XXI. Concerning Oathes, which includes all Swearing.

IN the first [...]ovenant the Lords People were commanded to Swear by the Name of God, in which time of the Law Oathes were observed, in that Covenant which was faulty for if that Covenant had been faultless then should no place been sought for the second, Heb. 8.7. Now that Ordi­nance did not ma [...]e perfect, as pertaining to the Conscience, by which there came to be an end to that Covenant, and a better H [...]pe was brought in, which stood upon better Promises; for that Covenant, and the Ordinances thereof were only to continue till the time of Reformation, which stood only in Meats and Drinks, and divers Washings, and carnal Ordinances imposed on them, until the time of Reformation, Heb. 9.10. Now Christ, the everlasting Covenant of God to his People, fullfilled all Righteousness under the Law, by which the Covenant of Grace took place, in which the Oath ended, for Christ is the Oath of God, and the end of all Oathes, Strife and Contention. Mat. 5.33. to 37. It was said of old Time, Thou shalt nor Forswear thy self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes, but I say unto you, Svvear not at all. Plain Doctrine, easie to be understood, commanded by Christ, Not at all to swear, or not to Swear at all; there is not a plainer and more strict Command contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth, than for people Not to Swear at all, which doth exclude from all manner of [Page 135] Oathes, otherwise Christ would not have mentioned Oathes, which were observed in the first Covenant of Works under the Law, in which time they were not to forswear them­selves, but to perform their Oathes unto the Lord, which were to be conscientiously performed, according to Truth, in what they were engaged, or had engaged themselves in Gods Name to do. Now Christ, the Oath of God is come, and in him is fullfilled the Righteousness of the Law; for he is the end of all Oathes, Strife and Contention; and the holy Apostles followed Christs Doctrine, and exhorted People to follow them, as for Ensample they were Fol­lowers of Christ, whose Command they obeyed, and di­rected People to perform the same, and that was, Above all things not to Swear at all, but to let their Yea be Yea▪ and their Nay, Nay, lest they fall into Condemnation, Mat. 5.33, 34, 35, 36, 37. James 5.12. Now the Apostles exhort­ing the Brethren to observe and keep close to the Truth of God▪ according to the Doctrine of Christ, which was, Not to Swear at all; which doth manifest, by his calling them Brethren, that they whom he exhorted not to Swear at all, were Brethren in Covenant with the Apostle in the Church of Christ else why called he them Brethren? then if Brethren with the holy Men of God in the Church of Christ, then why should any presume to say, his Exhorta­tion from Swearing did only include common Swearing, which it so, it must then follow, that there vvere common Svvearers in Covenant vvith the holy Apostle in the Church of Christ, vvhich thing I do not believe, that any common Svvearers vvere in Covenant vvith the Apostle Ja [...]s in the Church; but that as they vvere Observers of the Oath in the Lavv, he exhorted them to believe in Christ, vvho had fulfilled all Righteousness contained in the [Page 136] Law, in which the Oath was contained also. So that by fullfilling the Righteousness of the Law, or that righteous­ness of Works which was required in the Law, he also ful­filled the Righteousness of the Oath and being the end of all Oathes, Strife and Contention, be exhorted the People to believe in him, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life of Light, which lighteth every true Child of God, begotten through faith in him, to speak the Truth each to the other in all cases whatever without Swearing, which [...]s accor­ding to what the Apostle James doth also direct, viz. [...]bove all thing [...], my Brethren, Swear not at all, but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than those, is evil; and we know that all evil is for condemnation, neither do the People of God cause any to Swear, but desire that all may speak Truth, and that they which speak the Truth, and they that swear the Truth, may be received under one Penalty, without transgressing the Kings Law, by which men might live in outward peaee, as to these things of Swearing, or not Swearing.

CHAP. XXII. Concerning Wars and Fightings, being contrary to the Command of God by Jesus Christ, and Example of his holy Apostles.

IF People would but follow Truth and Righteousness, they would do to one another as they would be done unto, which is the Law and the Prophets, Mat. 12. Luke 6.31. then would there be an end of all Wars and Fight­ings, which until men come to the first Ministration of the Law and the Prophets, to do even as they would be [Page 137] done unto, they are far from the Covenant of Life, Light and Grace by Jesus Christ, whose doctrine to his Disci­ples, by many is not minded, as they ought to do, or else they would put up the Sword; for Christ hath said, All they that take the Sword, shall perish with the Sword, Mat. 26.52. whose Doctrine is in general for all men to ob­serve and do, that thereby they may perform the com­mand of God, and live the Life of Obedience unto him, who hath said, all they that take the Sword, shall perish with the Sword; by which People may see and know, (besides what daily experience teacheth) that they which take the Sword, perish with the sword; by which they may see the woful effect of their use of means, as they call it, which is, according to the spirit of God by his Prophet, cursed be the man, that trust th [...]n man, and maketh Flesh his Arm Jer. 17.5. Then is not man departed from the command of the Lord, when he takes the Sword, with which Christ hath said, they that take it, shall perish with it? Can there be a more plainer saying in the holy Scriptures for People to understand, then the saying of Christ to Peter, Put up the Sword, for all they that take the sword, shall Perish with the Sword; which doth manifest he use of the Sword, to destroy the lives of each other, not to be the ordinance of God; for Christ came not to destroy mens lives, but to save and make alive. And his holy Apostle queries, Do not Wars and fightings come even of mens Lusts, that war in their members? Jam. 4.1. which notwithstand­ing Christ, and his holy Apostles their sayings, People run back in their minds, as Israel, when in distress, turned their minds to Egypt for help; even so do People distrust in this day, as if there was no God in Israel to save, but to run back in their minds to what Abraham and Dav [...]d, [Page 138] and divers others of Gods faithfull Servants did against the Enemies of God in the time of the Law, which is no way lawfull for Christians to do in the time of the Gospel; for the holy men of God, in the time of the Law, did destroy People by Cursing them in the Lords Name, and destroyed m [...]n, others by fire from Heaven, which i [...] such things were lawfull in the time of the Gospel, as was lawfull in the time of the Law, then every false Preacher is to be destroyed now in this Gospel day, even as they we [...]e destroyed in the time of the Law; for though they do not preach up a false God, yet they preach the true God in a false way, which no whit differs in sin against God in this Gospel day, no more then the sin of Baa [...]s priests did in the time of the Law; but as the Lords People are to pray, and do pray, that the Lord may turn the hearts of all such to preach the true God in the true way of living unto him in Truth and Righteousness, with up­rightness of heart and mind, according as of God, by Jesus Christ, they are commanded to do, then would they preach against the use of the Sword, and pray for the return of their Enemies, which is according to the command of Christ, who directs not any of his true be­gotten Children, to follow Abraham, David nor any other of the Lords Servants, with the use of the Sword in the time of the Law, which was to cut down, and lay waste their Enemies Country, that it might be an outward holy Land for the Lords People to remain in, and serve him in T [...]uth and sincerity of heart and mind, acco [...]ding to the Commandments of God which they had received so that all what was done in the time of the Law, in respect of wars and fightings, they were all to end in the time of the Gospel; for Christ is the end of all war, [Page 139] strife and contention, for Christs day was before Abraham, who trained up his Servants to fight the Lord Battel against the outward Ennemies of Gods Truth, which is fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who hath commanded us to pray for Enemies; for he suffered Death for all, and doth not desire that any should perish, but that all might turn and live, and for that end, he doth not with-hold the Sword of his Spirit from his Servants and Children, but trains them up to fight the Lords Battel against the spiritual Enemies, which oppose his Truth, and strive to hinder the prosperity of his Peoples peace, towards the holy Land or spiritual abode in heavenly Rest, which Enemies are the World, the Flesh and D [...]vil, and all whatever else doth tend to hinder the soul of true enjoyment (with the Lord) o [...] Rest; so that now in this Gospel day, it is by the Sword of the Spirit, by which the Kindom of God is advanced in the hearts of his People, who pray to the Lord or Life to teach their spiritual hands to fight the Lords Battel against the Enemies of their Peace with him, so as Israel of old were to destroy all Gods outward Enemies with the outward Sword, for the outward advancing the out­ward Kingdom of Israel, in the outward La [...]d of Canaan, so are the People of God in this day, with the inward Sword of his spirit, to maintain now in their inward Tra­vail to the heavenly Canaan, against all the inward Enemies which would hinder the advancing of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Chri [...]t in his People, by whom they receive strength to fight the Lords spiritual Battel against the Enemies of their soul; and as Israel of o [...]d, did not perform the com­mand of the Lord by the mou [...]h of his Prophets, to destroy all them outward Enemies out of their Land, for which cause they remained as Thorns in their sides, so will it be with [Page 140] them, that reserve alive any one inward Enemy to Gods Truth; for every Enemy to his Truth, seeks to draw the heart and mind from serving God in the true and living way, even as in the outward with Israel, in that day of the Lords command, to destroy all them that were out­ward Enemies to his Truth, which Israel, not fulfilling the word of the Lord, them Enemies were as snares and gins to draw their minds from serving the true and living God, by which they not obeying the word of the Lord, they by their enemies were drawn into Idolatry to wor­ship the gods of the Nation, which were no godds to save Israel from the just hand of God, through whose just Judgments they received their reward from [...]he Lord, which suffered them, for their disobedience, to be destroy­ed by the hand of their outward Enemies, so as Israel was to fulfill Gods command to destroy their outward Ene­mies, by, or with the outward Sword of the Lords out­ward Battel, against them that were outward Enemies to the true Worship of God in that day, even so are the in­ward Enemies of mans soul to be destroyed by or wi [...]h the spiritual Sword, which is to fight the Lords spiritual Battel, against the spiritual Enemies, which would hinder the inward man of the true inward Worship of God in the Spirit and in the Truth, so as the Rebellion in dayes past, did not regard the Sword of the Lord, who of long time after did strive with his People in that day of their outward War, against their outward Enemies, and they would not hearken to obey the Word of the [...]ord by the mouth of his Prophets, but beat one and destroyed ano­ther, till at length, through unbelief and hardness of heart, they crucified the Lord of Life, whom they put to open shame without their City gates, for which cause, their [Page 141] day was over, and their House became desolate, even so will it be with the Rebellious in this day, who reserve Gods spiritual Enemies, by keeping them alive whom God hath appoynted to be destroyed, which for not obeying the command of God by his Son, the Lord of Li [...]e, but refuse the tenders of his Grace, by his gifts of divine Light and Word of his Spirit, which keeps stri­ving from day to day, and from time to time, until their day be over, and House be left desolate; for the Spirit of God vvill not alvvays strive vvith man; which is mat­ter of great vveight for all to consider, that they may so live in obedience to the manifestation of Gods Spirit, that they may come to vvitness every evil Lust of the heart, and corrupt desire of the mind, vvhich are the invvard Enemies to God and mans Soul, that they may not re­serve or keep any one alive, but keep all dovvn vvith the spiritual Svvord of Gods Povver, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, vvho vvith-holds not from any that are vvilling to [...]ake up the Cross to their natural will, and follovv him, to gain the Crovvn, vvhich is far from them that lust after [...]ar and Fighting vvith the outvvard Svvord, vvhich hath no relation tovvards the promoting of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ, vvho hath said, all they that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword; vvhich is according to the Apostles Query. From whence come Wars and Fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your Lusts, that war in your Members? ye lust, and have not, ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight war, yet ye have not, because ye ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your Lust, Jam. 4.1, 2, 3. Then they vvhich ask cannot receive, because thay ask that vvhich God hath forbidden; they lust to kill, and ask Victory, that they may spend it [Page 142] on their lust, but their reward is to be according to Christs vvords, all that take the svvord, shall perish vvith the Svvord.

But some vvill say, If the Spirit move the Quaker, he will sell his coat and buy a Sword to fight for his Religion.

To which I Answer,

That Christ sent his Disciples vvithout Purse, and Scrip, and Shoos, yet they lacked nothing, notvvithstand­ing he said unto them, He that hath a Purse, let him take it, and likewise his Scrip and he that hath no Sword, let him sell his Garment and buy one, for I say unto you, that this that is written, must yet be accomplished in me. So he that had no Svvord, vvas to sell his Garment and buy one, that the use of the Sword, acc [...]rding to the Righteous­ness of the Lavv, might be fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ, vvho said unto them that two Swords were enough, Luke 22.35, 36 37, 38. Then seeing that tvvo Svvords vvere enough, for the Disciples of Christ, by vvhom the use of the Svvord vvas fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ, as to the Lavv, then vvhose Unrighteousness is that, vvhich the many Svvords are fulfilling in this day? for the use of the Sword, as to the Righteousness of the Law, is fulfilled by the Righteousness of Christ, which suffered his Body to be pierced for the sins of the People, that all might witness him to be the end of all War, Strife and Contention; for if his Kingdom had been of this World, he could have prayed to the Father, and the Father would have sent him more then twelve Legions of An­gels, and this was in full satisfaction to Peter, which was after Peter had put up the Sword, when Christ said to him, all they that take the Sword, shall Perish with the Sword, which doctrine is true, as by the Spirit of God, and holy scripture, [Page 143] with daily experience, which teaches the same; but Faith and Patience of the Lords People, witness the Kingdom of Christ, not to be of this World, for wh [...]ch cause, they cannot fight for him with the carnal Sword; for the Spirit of God doth not change in his People, to command them from a thing that is evil one time, and another time move them to do it; for the Spirit of God, by Jesus Christ, moves his People in the way of holiness, in which holy Way of Righteousness, they have born their faithful Te­stimonies for Gods holy Tru [...], against Fighting, to de­fend their Faith by or with the carnal Sword, or to take up any such like evil Practice again; for Gods way of bring­ing his People nearer to him, is by Jesus Christ, whose Kingdom he will more and [...]ore exalt in the hearts of the faithful, and not with the using of any carnal Wea­pon, but by the Power of his own Spirit, Ezek. 4.6. in which state they desire the wellfare of all men, both Soul and Body, and not as many do, to kill the Body and say, they desire the wellfare of their Souls, whose Bodies they have destroyed; for the Spirit of God meaneth not any such thing, as to destroy mens Bodies with the carnal Sword, and say they desire the wellfare of their souls; for according to Christs Dostrine, he that destroyes the Body of his Enemy cannot love the Soul of his Enemy, for Christ came to save both Soul and Body, and through the Power of God in him, are many redeemed, which by nature were Enemies unto him; then what more can be said, are not men by [...]ature Enemies to one another? then come to the Law and the Prophets, and do even as ye would be done unto, for if you will be b [...]loved of God in Christ▪ you must love both Soul and [...]ody of your Enemies, even as Christ hath done unto them [...]hich have been Enemies unto him, [Page 144] for Love covers a multitude of faults, and Love leads them that are faithfull to God, to keep the sayings of Christ, who hath commanded to pray for Enemies, and to do good unto all men, by which they may be the Chil­dren of their Father which is in heaven, in which state the Kingdom of this World may become the Kingdoms of Jesus Christ, that the Prophets saying may be fulfilled, that Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation, neither shall they learn War any more, Isa. 2.4. Mich 4.3. untill which time, the saying of Christ is fulfilled, upon them that take the Sword, which must perish with the Sword; then happy are they that are yet living in the Body, and have known the end of all War, Strife and Contention, for unto their Number Will be the gathering of them that shall not lift up the Sword one against the other, neither learn war any more, of which Number are the despised of this day, who strive to maintain Peace, by denying all Wars and Fightings with the carnal Sword, or of the like Nature.

CHAP. XXIII. Concerning Conscience, which justifies the Ways of the Righteous, and condemneth the unrighteous Works of the Wicked.

MAny People talk of Conscience, among vvhom some there are vvhose Hearts are so hardned, that their Consciences are feared, as vvith a hot Iron, such are in the depth of Iniquity against God and his Christ, and many are they that have so little regarded Conscience, that they have sinned out the Day of Gods Grace, and many more [Page 145] are travailing in the broad Way of Destruction, and sevv there be that knovv vvhat Conscience is, or the Nature of a good Conscience tovvards God and all men; for the Righ­teousness of God is held in a pure Conscience, by vvhich the fruits of their righteous Works are manifest in the sight of God, and in the sight of men; but the Righteousness, of the World is Unrighteousness vvith God; for their Righteousness is held in a corrupt Conscience of their own Unrighteousness, vvhich is to themselves for Destruction; but vvhere there is any thing of Life in heart, mind and spirit, as to the things of God, vvhich concern the Well­fair of the Soul, there is Conscience at vvork, either ex­cusing or accusing, accord [...]ng as their vvords, thoughts & actions are before the Lord, vvhich searcheth the heart, and giveth to every man according to the Fruits of his ovvn Works, vvhether of Faith and Obedience, or of Unbelief and [...]isobedience, vvhich the Witness of God vvith every mans Conscience, vvill either justifie or condemn; for all men shall be tryed by their Deeds done in the Body, and accordingly they shall receive from the Lord, the righteous Judge of Heaven & Earth, vvho vvill call all to an Account in the great Day of his Coming to judge the Quick and the Dead, then happy vvill it be vvith them vvho have made good Conscience in all things of this Life, towards God and all men; for the Day is coming, in which Fear and Dread shall come upon all the Ungodly, vvho have not made Conscience of Obedience to the Name of the Lord Jesus, vvho is largely manifested, and many have and do believe and confess, and shevv their Deeds, as many have already done, vvho have brought out their Books of curious Arts, and burnt them in the presence of men, the loss of which to them vvas gain, though the price thereof amounted to [Page 146] fifty thousand pieces of Silver, Acts 19.17, 18, 19. and such vvere they, that by believing made good Conscience before God in the sigh [...] of men, vvhich if all vvould live up in obe­dience to the Witness of God, they vvould come to the improvement of the like Conscience before God.

CHAP. XXIV. Concerning the free Love of God, in and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

THe Love of God, by the gift of his Spirit of Light, Life and Grace, is free for all men by Jesus [...]hrist; for God so loved the World that he sent his only beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, to suffer Death for all men, that whosoever be­lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life, John 3 15, 16. Then they that believe in Christ, are them that abide in the love of God, which leads to keep all his Commandments, which he hath, by the Son of his Love, the Lord of Life, commanded all men to keep; for the great Love of God was manifest, that Jesus who was made a little lower then the Angels, for the suffering of Death, crowned with Glory and Honour, that by the Grace of God should taste Death for every man, Heb. 2.9. by which every man that heareth his Word, and believeth on God, hath Life, and shall not come into Condemnation, but is passed from Death unto Life, John. 5 24. For the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live, Vers 25. which is according to the Apostles saying, that when he was dead in T [...]espasses and Sins against God, the Voice of the Son of God appeared unto him, who [Page 147] became willing to gi [...] up in true love to serve the Lord with uprightness in heart and mind, by which thorough the Love of God in Christ, he came, through Faith and Obedience, to receive that Crown of Righteousness, which was not only in store for him, but for all them, that love the appearance of the Lord Jesus in their own hearts, 2 Tim. 4.8. which is that true believing on [...]hrist, by which the faithfull receive Life everlasting, John 6.7 for he that loveth any thing more th [...]n the appearance of Gods Gift of divine Light of Life by Jesus Christ, he is not in the true Love of God to receive Christ; for he that will not come into obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit in his own heart, he is tree (through Disobedience from the Love of God by Jesus Christ; for it is the Willing and Obedient, that are made partakers of Gods heavenly Riches, by the Son of his Love, and Lord of Life, whose Life remains hid to them that are not willing, in true love, to forsak [...] [...] love of all Visibles, and visible Delights for his sake, but they who in obedience to him, are willing to forsake the love of Houses or Brethren, or Sisters, or Fathers, or Mo­thers, or Wife, or Children, or Lands, for the Name of Christ, they shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting Life, Mat. 19.29. Luke. 8.29, 30. So that Life and Salvation is of no other way, then by that love which is free for God, to serve him in what he hath commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ, who requires no less love from his People, then to serve him in true love of Uprightness in heart, and mind; for he that was to come, is come to redeem his People from spiritual Bon­dage, and they are to serve no other lovers, but the Truth of God made manifest, by the Son of Gods love, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose Commands they are to keep [Page 148] all the dayes of their appointed time, and not to love any thing more then to serve the Lord with a [...] heart and willing mind, out of which state the [...] free from that benefit which the faithfull receive through the love of God by Jesus Christ; for no man can re­main in love to serve two Masters, he will either hate the one, & love the other, or despise the one, and hold with the other; for no man can serve God and mam­mon, Mat. 6 2. Luke 16.13. but many are they that profess love to God in words, but their love is far from him in works, for he that saith his love is to God, and doth not keep the Commandments of God, the same is a Lyer, and the love of God abideth not in him for whosoever keepeth his word, in him is the Love of God perfected, and he is known by his walking, even as he walked, Joh. 2.1, [...], 3, 4, 5, 6. for Christ is the Righte­ousness of Gods Love to his People, and every one that doth Righteousness, is born of h [...]m, 1 [...]oh. 2.2. then Peo­ple who are in a profession of Gods Truth, and of loving one another, and their Neighbours as themselves, which except such Professors are come to witness the saving Love of God, and of his redeeming Power, through Faith and Obedience, to the gift of his divine Light, and quickening Word of his Spirit, their Profession is for Condemnation, because it remains dead, as to the Love of God by Jesus Christ, in which state it is not he that saith Lord, Lord, that shall enter, but he that doth the will of God, in love of obedience to what he hath required, which is to serve him and keep his Commandments; for in that day many shall say, they have done wonderfull Works in his Name, but having not done the will of God, in perfect Love of Obedience, to keep his Commandments, they shall [Page 149] not be found worthy to enter the Lords Rest, Mat. 7. to 23. Luke 13.27. So that Gods Love is not for the rest of mans Soul which remains only in the outward Profession of his Truth, unto such the Lord will say, Depart from me, ye that work Iniquity, I know you not; so that the Love of God, by Jesus Christ, doth not reach to save the soul of any man, only and barely by an outward Profession of his Truth, but if any man love him, and keep his Word, the same is accepted of God, Iohn 14. for the Promise of Gods Love is only to them that fear him, and work Righteousness, they shall receive Life everlasting; for where the heart is, there the Treasure is also, if in the Love of Visibles, then free from the love of God; for all that is of the World, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, all which is not of God, but altogeather of the World and the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof, but he that doth the will of God abideth for­ever, 1 Iohn 10.17. then as the World and Vanities thereof shall perish, the Souls of them whose minds re­main in the things of this World, they shall perish also; therefore let none be deceived, for God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that also shall he reap; for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption, but be that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting, Gal▪ 6.7.8. which is sufficient encourage­ment for all to be faithfull in love to God, by which they will come more and more, to witness of his divine Love to the spiritual strength of their inward man, through which every true Believer in him, comes to witness their holy Life in all manner of good Conversation, in which state the love of God, in and through the Lord of Life, leadeth in true love, to do good unto all men, especially to them [Page 150] of the Houshold of Faith, Gal. 6. [...].10. who are bound in true love to G [...]d, that they d [...] not da [...]e to love that which God ha [...], neither to hate that which God loves, nei [...]her indeed can they, because the Love of G [...]d is to his own begetting, and they that are begot of him, through Faith and Obedience in Christ, they can nei [...]her l [...]ve nor ha [...]e, but as [...]od love [...]h or hateth, that which is for him, or against him, so that the Life of every true believer in Christ, is of the nature of Christ, and is led by his spirit to love that which Christ loveth, and to hate that which he hateth, in which Life of true love to God, by his good Spirit of Grace, are the faithful led to perform his will, in all things of Love and Charity, to the honour of his Name, and the everlasting well-beeing of their own Immortal Souls; so that good Works are in a band of true Love and Charity, which man in his own Will and Time cannot perform, according to what the Lord requires; for the Lords Thoughts, are not as mans Thoughts, neither is the Lords Time, as mans time, whose Love is as unstable as the Mind, which moves here and there, having no constant abiding place, even so is the Love and charity of unstable men, which for [...] of true Love to God, and obedience to his com­mand, they have no abiding in his Truth, but love and hate, even as the natural will stands affected one towards the other, in which state they run on in many words about Love and Charity, even as they do in all other things of the like nature, not knowing a bridle to the Tongue in true love to God and knowledge of his Wayes, which lead the faithful in love to render unto every Man his due, in which work they do justly, love mercy, and hate all iniquity; in which life of true Obedience, there [Page 151] is no room to love that which the Lord hates, nor to hate that which the Lord loves, but to render, in true, love to every man, according to the mind of God in Christ, who doth not allow his Children, to give their holy things to Dogs, nor to cast their Pearls before Swine, but to live in the true love of God, which is above the Wis­dom of the Serpent, whose Wisdom in unregenerated man, is far from the innocent Dove-like nature, in which li [...]e the faithful continue, and remain in the Power of an endless Life, in which they are redeemed from the pollu [...]ions of the World, which the unfaithful remain in; for as they are of the World, the world loves its own, but the Righteous, whom God hath chosen out of the World, such the world hates, John 15.9. Then they which remain in the love of the world, they cannot re­ceive the love of God, because they continue in Disobedi­ence against the known will and mind of their maker, therefore they have no true love to God, nor his People, John 15.18. but this the righteous know, that all things of this world shall perish, even so shall the love of them which are of this world perish also, but unto them which are of the world to come, the love of, God is there received, which shall endure forever; but the love of this World remains in the works of Darkness, in which the minds of them that are the Children of this World, are roving out of one perishing thing into another of the like nature, being unstable in all their wayes, as to the Lord; but the love of God which passeth knowledge, is stable in the hearts of all that are faithful, whose Works are without Dissimulation, adhoring all that is evil, cleaving only to that which is good, and leads to be kindly affectionated in Brotherly Love, and in the holy fear [Page 152] of God, honouring, and prefering one another in the work of his own calling, who hath called his People out of all sloathful­ness, into f [...]rventness of Spirit, seeking the Lord, and re­joycing in H [...]pe, patient in Tribulation, and instant in prayer, in which state love worketh no ill to his Nighbour, but is the fulfilling of the righteous Law, Rom. 12 9 to v. 13. and 13.10. So the works of the Righteous, mani [...]est them to be [...]hrists D [...]sciples, Job. 13.35 for they have not received the Spirit of Fear, but of Power and Love, and good Works 2 Tim. 1. [...]. Heb 10 2▪ 4 which they that witness not these things, they remain in Darkness, as to the things of God, from which the Righteous cannot be seperated, neither by tryal in Affliction, Tribulation, Di­stress, nor Persecution, neither Famine, Nakedness, Pe [...]l, nor Sword, for as it is written, the Righteous are all the day long killed for his sake, and accounted as sheep for the Slaughter, Rom. 8.35, 36. which is the state of Gods Heritage, who are justified by Faith, and have peace with God in Jesus Christ, by whom also, they have access by Faith, into his Grace, wherein they stand, and rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of God; and not only so, but they glory in Tribulation, also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience, and Patience, Experience, and Experience, Hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God, is shed abroad in their Hearts, by the holy Ghost, which is given unto them, Rom. 5.2, 3, 4, 5. so that hight nor depth, nor any other Creature shall be able to seperate from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8. for their Souls are redeemed, and become the first fruits of his Spiri [...], in Truth and Righteousness, and Holiness, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Tem­perance, against such there is no Law, Gal. 5.22, 23. And [Page 153] this is the Love of God in [...]hrist, which passeth know­ledge, that they may be filled with all the fulness of God, Ephes. 3.19. in which state the Work of the Lord is done in them that are brought home to him, through perfect Obedience to his holy Will, in all things which of them he hath required, by the gift of his Spirit of Grace, in and through the Lo [...]d Jesus Christ by whom the Righteous are saved, for they are grounded in the Love of God, which is without blame, forbearing in love, speaking in love, walking in love, dwelling in love, having no fear in love, being knit together in Faith and love, which is in Jesus Christ, 1 Iohn 4.12. Ephes. 1.4. Thes. 3.17. and 4.2.15. and 5.2.16. Col. 2.2. 2 Tim. 1.13. and many more Instances which the holy [...]crip­tures afford to the same effect that the free love of God by Jesus Christ, hath appeared unto all men, but all men have not received the free tenders of his love, through faith and obedience to his holy Will, so that by Disobe­dience to the free gift of Gods Grace, hardness of heart and unbelief hath got the Victory in all that perish, and God is clear of the Blood of all men that perish, be­cause his free love hath been rendered, through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who delights not in the death of them that perish, but had rather all might turn and live.

CHAP. XXV. Concerning the Church of Christ, and Gospel Order to the Go­vernment of the Church of Christ.

IN the World among men of divers Pers [...]asions, each Society pretends to be the Church of Christ, and each have their differing Forms to govern in their Church. Now Christ is but one in God the Father, and so are his Children but one in him, who are begotten by the q [...]cken­ing Word of his Spirit, which governs the Rig [...]ous in Thought▪ Word and Deed, by which they know his g [...]vern­ment in his Church, which are the true People of God, in whom Christ is glorified, John 17.9, 10, 11. for as God is but one in Christ, and Christ is but one in God, so are the Pe [...]ple of God but one in Christ, and Christ is but one in them; for as their Body is the Temple of the living God, he hath said, That he will dwell in them, and walk in them, and will be their God, And th [...]y shall be his People, 2 Cor 6.16. Then Gods People, begotten by him, through their Fai [...]h and Obedience to the gift of his Grace, in and through Christ Jesus, by whom, through Grace, his People are of an upright heart and willing mind, to part with all that is not agreeable to his holy Will, who will not take up his abode in men of corrupt hearts, whose minds are not free to part with every delight to gain Christ, and only to delight in the performing of his holy Will, who knocks at the door of mans heart, for obedience to his holy Truth, which if any man will obey the Word of his Grace, he spiritually will come in and sup with them, and they with him, Rev. [Page 155] 3.20. Then the Table of the Lord is in a clean heart, and with them of a willing mind; for Christ will not enter the Door to remain (for his abode) with them of corrupt hearts and unwilling minds, whose state is alway to confess, but never to forsake all sin against God and his Christ, neither doth the most High dwell in Temples made with hands, Acts 7.4.8. & 17.24. For thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth Eternity, whose Name is holy, I dwell in [...]he High and Holy Place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit, and revive the heart of the contrite Ones, Isa. 57.15, But to this Man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite Spirit, and Trembles at my Word Isa. 66.2. By which it is manifest, that God in Christ, by the Grace of his Spirit of Life and Light, dwelleth not in outward Covenants, made by men in their own time and will, whose hope of Salvation (as they say depends on the Pro­mises of God by Christ, who is not to be found in all their humane Precepts and Ordinances, which from time to time, for many years, People have observed, which to the D [...] ­obedient, the Lords coming to them will be, even as his coming was to a Generation in days past, whom savingly he did not know, because their works and way was not in obedience to his holy Commands, for which cause, though many Works by them were done in the outward Profession of his Name, yet they were commanded to depart from him, as workers of Iniquity, because they had not kept the Commandment of God, Mat. 7.23. Luke 13.22, 27. for the Works of their own establishing were found unclean before the Lord, even as all mens works will be, which are not established by the Power of Gods Spirit, in and through the Lord of Life, whose Life is only witnessed in men of clean hearts and willing minds, who are made willling that [Page 156] Christ should rule every Thought of the Heart and Intent of the Mind, that all their Works may be done to the Honour and Praise of his own Name, and they to receive the Comfort of it to their own Souls; in which state of Obedience they witness the Cords of Gods Love to draw the heart and mind in to a more and more fellow­ship of his divine Nature, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, by which they remain in the true Worship of the Spirit, and in the Truth, and such Worshippers are they whom the Lord seeks to worship him, Joh. 4 22, 23, 24. & 6.44 Then the true Church and People of God wit­ness a drawing by his Spirit, or the Power of his Spirit, in and through the Lord of Life, otheways they cannot rece [...]ve Life; for no man cometh to the Son, except the Father draw him, for all things of the Father are delivered unto the Son, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomso­ever the Son reveals him. Therefore all that will come to the knowledge of God by Jesus Christ, it must be through Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods Spirit of Grace, which comes by Jesus Christ, under whose easie Yoke and light Burthen all may learn of him, who is meek and lowly, whereby they that are heavy laden may come to find rest in him to their Souls, Mat. 11.27, 28, 29▪ 30. for by and through the Power of God in Christ, every obedient Child learns of the will and mind of God in Christ, Joh. 6.45. by which Life and Salvation cometh to them that believe, neither is there any true Believers, but as they are come to witness, in measure, of the like state; for he that hath not received the Son, hath not received the knowledge of God by the Son, through whom every true Believer in him receives Life; for he that hath the Son, hath Life, and he that [Page 157] hath not the Son of God, hath not Life, 1 Joh. 5.12.

Now they that have received this Life, they manifest it by fruits of a holy Life, in all manner of holy Conver­sation, doing no other to another, then as themselves are willing to be done unto; for as the outward Tree is manifested by its fruits, so is every mans works mani­fested by the outward manner of Life; for Grapes of Thorns, nor Figs of Thistles can no man expect to gather, neither is any mans Faith accepted of God without Works of Obedience to his holy Will; for as the Body is dead, without the Spirit, in the sight of men, so is Faith, without Works of Obedience, also dead in the sight of God, Mat. 7.16, 17, 18, 19. James 2. Then where Faith is, without Works of Obedience, they cannot perform the Commands of God by the Power of his own Spirit, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, that Church and People remain in a dead Faith to God, who is not a God to that which is dead, but a God to that which is living, in true Obedience to the mani [...]estation of his Spirit, which they have received to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12.7. for as in the time of the Law, there was means for the Peoples outward cleansing, who were to remain without the Camp, as not fit for the service of Gods Worship, before they were cleansed of their Filth, Lev. 13.46. & 23 42, 43. Neh. 8.14. even so in this Gospel Day, is no m [...]n fit for the service of Gods Worship in Spirit and Truth, before he comes to witness something of an inward cleansing, through the little Leaven, whereby (through Faith and Obedience to his Talent received) he will come to witness more and more of Gods Power by Jesus Christ, until the whole Lump be leavened into the new Nature of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ, which only belongs to them of his Church, who [Page 158] are not in a state of always confessing, and never so saking; but as the true Church acknowledgeth her Weaknesses and Inabil [...]t [...]es, as of themselves not able to do any one work acceptable to God, so through Faith and Obedience to the Word and [...]ower of God, by Jesus Christ (through his Grace) are they made able to do all things, according to what the Lord of his Church and People requires; so that they remain not in a state of always confessing what great Sinners they are, but withal forsake their sins, in Obedience to God, whose Power gives Victory over their sins, in which state they grow from one degree of Grace to ano­ther, till they become perfect Men and Women in Christ Jesus, which is according to the Apostles Doctrine, who were sent of God by Jesus Christ, to [...]urn People from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God, and praying, that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, whose Church and People are not to remain in sin all the days of their appointed [...]ime here in this Life; and therefore many Teachers of this Age with their Hearers, are out of Gods holy Truth, in the Doctrine of Imperfection, and even so is the Life and Practice of many who call themselves by the Name of Christ, to say, that their Church is the Church of Christ, when in neither Doctrine, Principle nor Practice are they according to the Command of Christ, nor Example of his holy Apostles, but in a faith of their own Works, teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of men, Mat. 5.19. But the Church of Christ are they of the Circumcision, which worship God in Spirit, and rejoyce in Christ [...]esus, having no Confidence in the flesh, Phil 3.3. and in all things relating to the Worship of God and Government in his Church, are they led and guided by the Power of Gods Spirit, in and [Page 159] through the Lord Jesus Christ, who ever was, and will remain to be the Head of his Church, whom God hath bu [...]lt upon that Rock of Ages, and Foundation of many Generations, against which the Gates of Hell can never prevail, for he is the first born of God▪ whom the Father hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be Head in all things over his Church; so that in him is the fullness, that filleth all in all, Ephes. 1 22, 23. for he is the Head of the Body, the Church, who is the beginning, the first and the last, the first born [...]rom the Dead, that in all things he may have the Preheminence; for it pleas [...]d the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell, Col 1.18 19. for he is the Head of his Church, from which all the Body, by joynts and bands, have nourishment ministred▪ increaseth with the increase of God, Col. 2.19. which increaseth the knowledge of God in Christ, that not any one Member of the Body may be ignorant in spiritual things; and as every one hath received the true Knowledge and Faith of Christ, the Spirit of Christ will enable and move them to confess with the Mouth, God and Christ, in whom they have believed, and openly to confess and profess, without fear or shame, the Doctrine of Christ; & such have their Minds wholly given up to wait the movings of Christ, the Head, through whose Power the spiritual Understanding in each Member, comes to receive the true knowledge, in things relating to the well-fair of [...]he Body; for no man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 12 3.

Which doth manifest, that there cannot be the perform­ing of any one Work, by any one Member, which will be [...] of God, but as they receive Power from the gift of his Spirit by Jesus Christ, who is the Head, by which the whole Body of true Believers witness his Government, [Page 160] in which Body, as every Member keeps faithful to the H [...]d, it comes to know a true Government in its right place belonging to the Body, of which Christ remains the Head: for as every Member of the Body keeps faithful to the gift of Gods Spirit, he is serviceable, according to the measure of his gift, which is of service to the who [...]e Body, in which Body each Member hath his gift, according to that measure which God hath given him to profit [...]; for there are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit; and there are differences of Administrations, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of Operations, but the same God, which worketh all in all; for the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal; for to one is given by the Spirit, the Word of Wisdom, to another the Word of Knowledge, by the same Spirit; to another the working of Miracles, to another Prophesie, to another the Discern­ing of Spirits, to another divers kinds of Tongues, to ano­ther the Interpretation of Tongues; but all these worketh, that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will; for as the Body is one, and hath many Members, and all the Members of that one Body being many, are one Body, so also is Christ; for by one Spirit are all the faithful baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit; for the Body is not one Member, but many; [...] if the Foot shall say, because I am not the Hand, I am not of the Body, is it not therefore of the Body? And if the Ear shall say, because I am not the Eye, I am not of the Body, is it therefore not of the Body? for if the whole Body were an Eye, where were the hearing? or [...] whole Body were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the Members every one of them in the [Page 161] Body, as it hath pleased him; for if they were all one Member, where were the Body? But now are they many Members, yet one Body, and the Eye cannot say to the [...], I have no need of thee; no [...] again, the Head to the [...], I have no need of thee; nay, much more, those M [...]mbers of the Body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary; and those Members of the Body which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness, for our comely parts have no need, but [...]od hath tempered the Body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked, that there should be no schism in the Body, but that the Members should have the same care one of another, and then where one M [...]mber suffers all the Members suffer with it, and when one Member is honoured, all the Members rejoyce with it.

Now the Church of Christ, which are the chosen People of God, they are the Body of Christ, and Members in par­ticular▪ and God hath set some in the Church, first, Apostles, secondly, Prophets, thirdly Teachers; after that Miracles, th [...]n gifts of H [...]aling▪ H [...]lps, Government, Diversity of Tongues; [...] all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? are all Workers of Miracles, having all the gifts of Healing? Do all speak with Tongues? do all Interpret? but covet earnestly the best Gifts: And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way; though I speak with the Tongues of M [...]n and Angel [...], and have not Charity, I am become as sounding Brass, or a tinckling C [...]mbal, and though I have the gift of Prophecy, and understand all Mysteries, and all Knowledge; and though I have all Faith, so that I could remove Mountains, and have no Charity, I am nothing: And though I bestow all my goods to feed the [Page 162] Poor, and though I give my Body to be burnt, and ha [...] Charity, it profiteth me nothing. So that these th [...]ng left recorded by the Spirit of God, with which eve [...]y faithful Believer, which is a Member of the Body, [...] his Duty, to follow Christ the Head, even as the Men of God in days past have done for Example, 1 cap. 12, 13. in which holy Work the hol [...] Scriptures▪ great help; for through Faith in Christ J [...]sus they are to make the Man of God wise to Salvation; for of the [...] of God and Christ is every true Believer, begotten by and by his Spirit, gifted in measure, and are to mark that live not up in good Works of Faith, to the [...] Gods holy Truth, according as it is manifested by [...] Christ, and left recorded by his Spirit of Truth, [...] hath commanded each Member of the Body, to [...] over one another, no [...] for evil, but for good, and if [...] Member be out of place, the next Members are to seei [...] the way of the Lord, for to restore it into its place [...] but when all diligent care and means hath been use [...] its restoration, and with long waiting cannot be recov [...] but remains in a state of dishonour to the Body, the [...] is to cut off that Member, in obedience to God, by [...] means all the other Members of the Body may receiv [...] [...]nefit in the Work of the Lord, by by casting that [...] fr [...]m the Body, which hath offended the whole Body, by all the other Members of the Body cannot be rest to the Body again; for its better that one Member [...] perish, than that the whole Body should be cast into Hell, 5.29. & 18.8. Mark 9 47. So that of what use [...] that Member hath been, as to the benefit of the [...] whether as the right Eye or the right Hand, yet [...] corrupted, and cannot be recoved by all the other M [...]bers [Page 163] of the Body, it is not to remain whereby to destroy the wh [...]e Body, and to cause it to perish. So that all is to be done by and through the gift of Wisdom, which is from him who is the great Physitian of Value; so that all [...] to stand faithful upon their Watch, and to watch over one another for good, and not for evil, that all may be done to the praise and honour of Gods Name, and for the Prosperity of his Truth, in and among his chosen People, which are the Church of Christ, among whom there can be no real forgiving of each other, further than thy Brother turns to thee, and says, he does Repent; for the Lord for­giveth no man, but as he doth turn by Obedience, and Repent. So that al [...] may live so as to keep out that Canker Worm of Prejudice, which hath eaten up some, till they are become nothing, as to the Life and Power of Gods saving Truth by Jesus Christ, but are turned with the Dog to the Vomit, and with the So [...] to the wallowing in the Mire; such went out from the People of God, because they never were of the Church of Christ, but remain as Land-marks, and not as Way-marks for any of the Lords People to follow; so there is no unbinding that on Earth which is [...] unbound in Heaven, neither binding that on Earth which is not bound in Heaven, but that all may be done to the Honour of God, and Prosperity of his Truth, whose People are to pray, that in all their Undertakings for his Truth, the Will of God by them may be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, through which he will have the Honour of his own Work, and they the Comfort of it to their own Souls, which I desire may be fulfilled.

CHAP. XXVI. Concerneng the State of all men, and of Gods Judgments, and also of Gods calling the Jews, and manner of their Return to the Light of the Gospel.

THe Light of the Gospel is of God by Jesus, who is the Power of God to Salvation, in all them that be­lieve, and the Power of God for Condemnation in them that be [...]ieve not, John 1.11, 12 for the Lord searcheth the heart and tryeth the R [...]ins, even to give every man according to the fruit of h [...]s doings; for the Light of Gods gift of divine Life, by Jesus Christ, makes manifest what fruit God requires of the Sons and Daughters of men, who through Faith and Obedience, do not answer his holy Will, for which cause the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven, against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men, be­cause their Life of Disobedience is knowingly against the gift of Gods divine Light, which is their Condemnation for their evil Deeds, John 3.19, 20. for that which may be known of God is manifested in them, for God hath shewed it unto them, Rom. 1.18, 19 For the Lord sheweth unto Man what is his Thoughts, Amos 4.13. Which if through Faith and Obedience to what the Lord makes manifest, then the Thoughts of the Heart and Intents of the Mind are justified before him; but if their Works are of Unbelief, through Disobedience, then the Thoughts of their Heart and Intents of the Mind are for Condemnation; for every Obedient Child of God bringeth his Deeds to the Light, by which they are manifest to be wrought in God; but they who are Lovers of their [Page 165] own unrighteous Ways, more than they are Lovers of Gods holy Truth, they hate the Gift of Gods divine Light, because by it their evil Deeds are reproved So that the state of all men is either of Obedience or Disobedience to the known Will & Mind of God, made manifest by the Light of his Spirit, in and through the Lord Jesus [...]hrist, whose Light is not hid to them that are faithful, but through Disobedience, the Wicked, that sin away the Day of Grace, their Candle hath been often lighted, and through their Disobedience goeth out again, Job 21.17. & 8.5, 6. Prov. 2.20. So that if the Light of the Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the godd of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not, lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should sh [...]ne unto them, 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. So that it is th [...]ough continued Disobedience by which men perish; for the Light of the Lord is not hid under a Bed, nor under a Bushel; for there is nothing hid that shall not be made manifest, neither was any thing kept secret, but that it shall come abroad, Mat. 5.15. Mark 4.21, 22, 23. Luke 11.33. By which it is clearly manifested, that Gods Wrath and Indignation in his just Judgments upon the Unrighteous, is because of their Unbelief and Rebellious living, which is as the sin of Witch craft before him, and in his sight. Now as the state of the faithful witness Salvation by Grace, through Faith and Obedience, so also do the unfaithful witness Condemnation & Destruction, through Disobedience and Unbelief, begotten by the Father of all Unrighteousness. So that the state of all men are either in Servitude to the Power of Gods gift by Jesus Christ, or in Se [...]vitude to the Power of the Devil, who is the Father of all Unrighteousness, which the Disobedient live in, and [...] that state of Disobedience the Wicked perish for ever­more; [Page 166] but unto the Righteous hath God regard, whose Portion is of his heavenly Riches, which shall for evermore endure with his People in the W [...]rld to come. But the Day shall come, and now is, that the Lord shall suffer his Judgments to make way for the Righteous to inhabit the Earth, in which the Wicked have, of long time been suffered (through the permission of God) by the Enemy of Mans Peace, to lay waste the Lives and Estates of the Righteous, who shall inhabit the Earth with Peace and Quietness, when the Lords Judgments have destroyed all the Thornes and Thistles, with all other the Combustible high and lofty Trees, which have long incumbered the Lords Earth▪ without bringing forth Fruit unto him, through whose Judgments of Famine, Sword and Pestilence, with other Judgments of the like Nature, by which the [...]otshe [...]ds shall dash one against another, till the Earth shall become plain and smothe, from the crooked Nature of unrighteous men; For every Valley shall be exalted, and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all Flesh shall see it together, for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, Isa. 40.4, 5. Luke 3.5. And all Flesh shall see the Salvation of God in that Day, in which all Israel shall be saved; for there shall come out of Zion a Deliverer, and shall turn away Ʋngodliness from Jacob which is his Covenant to them, when he shall take away their sins, Rom. 11.26, 27. for the Lord will finish the Work, and cut it short in Righteousness, be­cause a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth; and for that end hath the Lord begun in his Judgments among the Wicked, that he may make way for his Seed in the Rem­nants of the Nations which shall be saved, of which there [Page 167] is a Number already gathered, unto which small Num­ber of despised People, the Lord [...]s daily adding unto his chosen Heritage and elect Seed, unto whom the Promise doth belong which is to all them that [...]ear the Lord and work Righteousness, unto them is the gathering of the Nations which shall be saved, and for their [...]akes hath the Lord begun his righteous Work against the Adversaries of his Truth, whom he will overthrow and bring to nought, for out of Heaven will the Lord thunder of his Judgments upon them, and w [...]ll judge the ends of the Earth; for God hath given strength to the Righteous, and will exalt the Horn of his anointed, and he shall only and alone rule, unto whom the Government doth belong; for when his Judgments are in the Earth, the Inhabitants thereof will learn Righteousness; for God shall arise in Judgment to save the weak of the Earch, and the Wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of Wrath shall the Lord restrain, Psal. 7.6, 9, 10. And the Lord will return to Jacob, and have Mercy upon the House of Israel, after they have born the Shame of their Trespasses, whereby they have trespassed against the Lord, Ezek. 39. Then will the Lord gather them from among the Heathen, and they shall know him whom their Fathers slew, to be the Lord of Life, then shall they sing Praises acceptable to God, giving Glory due unto his holy Name, and their O [...]ferings unto him shall be in the Beauty of Holiness; for they shall know the Lord, and him the only true God shall they worship in the Spirit and in the Truth; then shall the Earth fear before the Lord, and the World also shall be stable, that it be not moved; then the Heavens will be glad, and the Nations will sing Praises to the holy One of Israel, whom they shall know to rule and reign in the hearts of the Out-casts of Israel; for if the casting away of [Page 168] them have been the reconciling of the World, what shall the receiving of them be, but Life f [...]om the Dead? Rom. 11.15. Then let the S [...]a roar, and the fullness thereof, let the Fields rejoyce, and all that is therein; then shall the Trees of the Wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, for he cometh to judge the Earth, Chron. 16. And unto them that fear his Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings; and they shall grow up in Truth and Righteousness before the Lord, and the Wicked shall be as Ashes under the [...] of their feet, in the Day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts; for the Lord will pour out of his Spirit upon the Fathers and the Children, and the hearts of the one shall be turned towards the other; for Truth and Righ­teousn [...]ss shall reign in all the Earth, and there shall be no more Noise of the Horses rushing into the Battle; for all carnal Weapons of War shall be done away, and all the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and his Christ, and the Lord of Life shall rule and reign in his People for evermore; and happy is it with that small Number of despised Ones among men in this day, who witness the be­ginning of these things in themselves; for having set their hand to the Plow, & not looking back, they shall be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, into which no unclean thing shall ever enter; for it is prepared of God by Jesus Christ, for them that have kept his Commandments in this Life, and not for them that plead for a Body of sin all then days, in which sinning state they know no end of Disobedience against Gods holy Truth; for sin brings Death and Death brings Judgment, which is for Wrath to com [...] upon all the Ungodly, which fear not God, to keep h [...] Commands; for which cause the Wicked live in a [...] upon Earth, which by the Wrath of Gods just Judgmen [...] [Page 169] will be enlarged to all the Wicked after this Life; for for when the Righteous dye, they dye to live in the Lords Rest, where they enjoy Pleasure at the right hand of God for evermore; but the Wicked (who have disregarded the Commands of the Lord in this Life) they dye to live in Everlasting Torment of the fiery Flames or Gods Wrath and Indignation, which is the Reward of all the Wicked and Ungodly of this Life whose Life is far worse than the Life of a Dog or a Toad, for when they [...], all their Misery is ended, but when the Wicked dye their great Misery then beginneth and will encrease forever and ever. Which things are too little regarded by many in this Life; but the Day will come, in which they shall wish, that others might have warning, but if they will not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither have they regarded the Lord from Heaven; for which cause is their Misery, which will come upon all the Ungodly that call not (as they ought to do) upon the Name of the Lord.

CHAP. XXVII. Concerning the b [...]getting, being born and brought forth of the Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom by Jesus Christ.

THe Immortal and Incorruptible Seed of Gods Kingdom in Jesus Christ, is of that Birth which the World by all their Wisdom in outward Learning, are never able to [...], neither can any ever know, to witness the new Birth, [...]rther than by Faith and Obedience to the gift of Gods [...]pirit by Jesus Christ, whose Spirit of Life makes free [Page 170] from the Law of Sin and Death; for the Seed of the Kingdom, is of a heavenly divine Nature, which ha [...]h no fellowship with the Works of Darkness, in which all that disobey the Lord of Life remain, by which their Birth is of the Enemies Seed, which al [...]nates the Heart of Man and Woman from true Obedience to God; [...]n which state they are Strangers to the nature of the New Birth, which is not born of Blood▪ nor of the will of the Fle [...]h, nor of the Will of Man, but of God Iohn. 1.13 for it is born of the Spirit of God, and brought forth by G [...]ace, through Faith in Christ Jesus, by whom the Children of men have received a measure, which though, but as a grain of the smallest of all grain, it is of the little leavens Nature, to purge out, and leaven the whole Lump into the nature of Gods Kingdom in Christ Jesus, whom the World by all their Wisdom can never know; for the things of Gods Kingdom are hi [...] from the Wise and Prudent of this World, and revealed to the Children of God, whose Life remains in the Babe-like Nature of God in Christ, whose Babes they are, begotten of God by the word of his Spirit, through Faith and Obedience to the Lord of Life, in whose Life and Nature, every true Child of God, in their measure, live, move and have their being, in the nature of him; for as his nature is the New Birth, and all that are born of him [...]hey bring Fruits acceptible to him; for they are the Children of the Day, which live in the Light, and walk in the Light, which the Children of the Night cannot do; for the Day of Gods Visitation, by the gift of his divine Light, is unto them a dark thing, at which the wise stumble, and the prudent cannot receive; for by their own Wisd [...]m in their own prudent way, is their Understanding dark­da [...]kened▪ [Page 171] as to the things of God, and Nature of his Kingdom neither can any grow to understand the things of [...] b [...] Jesus Christ, bu [...] as they grow in Grace, through the affectual working of his divine Life and Light, by the q [...]ckening Word [...] Spirit, which opens the under­stand [...]ng, and enlarges▪ the gift of his divine Nature, th [...]ough which the holy Seed incre [...]seth mo [...]e and more, and in the increase bringeth for [...]h fruit, more and more abundant, to the praise of God, and honour of his Name, and well-being of the Soul in Christ Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of his own [...]ork of Righteousness in his true begotten People, who are be­got by the gift of Gods good Spirit of Grace, Life and Light, in which the faithful see Light, Psalm 36.9. for by Light is all and every Deed of Darkness manifested, so that Faith in Christ Jesus, and Faithfulness & Obedience to the gift of Gods divine Light, is the first beginning of an acquintance with the divine Nature of Christ, who draws the heart of every faithful man and woman, in­to the assurance of Faith, having their hearts sprinkled from [...]n evil Conscience, and their Bodies washed with pure Wa­ter, Heb. 10.22. and of this Nature is the Seed of Gods Kingdom in the hearts of them that belong unto him, the nature of whose Kingdom, the wise prudent part in man cannot comprehend; for the wise unregenerated part, is that which ramains in the Fall, and is alienated from the true Seed of the Kingdom, wh [...]ch will not take root in any other ground, but in that honest heart, which is made willing to bear the Cross, in all things to the self will, in wh [...]ch state of subjection to the will of God the Seed takes root down-ward, and brings forth Fruit upward, to the honour of Gods holy Truth; so [Page 172] than all reasoning with Flesh and Blood is shut out by the Power of Gods Spirit in every upright honest heart towards God, in which life of Obedience, there is no giving way to the Earthly part, which ramains in the Disobedient, through which they oppress the Seed of God, and cause his Life, in the measure of the Seed, to depart, which if they were but faithful to the measure of Seed re­ceived, the Life of Gods Spirit of Grace would increase, to the withstanding of all the Enemies Power, which through the willingness of the obedient part being yeilded to him, the true Seed of God will take no root of abidance in any sort of ground whatever, where People live in a state of sinning against God and his Christ, Mat. 13. So they that are new born of the incorruptible Seed, they first come to dye, through the Cross of Christ, which crucifies the self will prudent part; for Knowledge, without Obedience, brings Death over the Soul, in which state the Kingdom of God is hid; For that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, John 3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. So they that are truely begotten of God in Christ, they witness the New-Birth, which is not born of Flesh and Blood, nor of the Will of Man, but of the incorruptible Seed, the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever, 1 Pet. 1.23. Now the Word of God which abideth forever, is of his Spirit of Life, Light and Grace, which floweth into the hearts of true Believers, through Faith in Christ Jesus, who draws the willing mind to partake of Gods heavenly Riches, i [...] and through him who is the Lord of all Grace, Life and Light, which by measure lives, moves and abides in the heart of every sincere Believer in him, through whose Power they witness a daily decaying of the first Nature and a daily increase of Newness in a holy Life unto God [Page 173] who gives power to the weak & feeble, through which there is no distrust in the Power of God, which they daily ex­perience to give them Victory over every Thought which would exalt it self above the Witness of God, and hinder the growth of the Seed of the Kingdom of Heaven, in which no man can enter, without being born again, the benefit of which no man is denyed of God by Jesus Christ, who hath said by his Spirit of Truth, Whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely, Rev. 22. [...]7. Isa. 55.1, 2, 3. By which it is clear, that the Spirit of God hinders no man of any benefit by Jesus Christ, for the Salvation of his Soul, that is, as Man keeps faithful to God, according to what he hath commanded by the Son of his Love, the Lord of Life.

CHAP. XXVIII. The Substance of my Letter to the Committee of the Militia in Salem, in answer to what they did desire of me.

I Received yours, by one of the Committee, relating to my joyning with your laying out Disbursments for a Town stock of Ammunition and Provision, against a time of Invasion. Now you your selves well know, that I never did with-hold the promotion of any Work among you, or any other of Power in this place, so far as it hath not been inconsistent with the Truth of God, according to my Faith, which leadeth me to assist and help, according to my measure, when and where God shall direct, until which time, if I should conform to your desire, where then will follow my Reward? And as to your War, both Temporal and Spiritual, where doth the benefit of it ap­pear to a People whose unrighteous cruel Bloody Laws yet remain, only wanting Power against the Lives and Estates of their honest Neighbours, whom your Priests [Page 176] esteemed, as those of your Church Members, whom your selves do now put to Death as Witches, which possibly some of them may be so; and if that God should further permit the Devils Power against the Rulers, Priests and Hearers, it would follow to be the greatest of all other of Gods just Judgments that ever have befallen New-England, since they began to stock, whip, cut off Bars, banish, order for Bonds men and women, long and cruel Impr [...]sonment, and taking away to the value of twenty hundred Pounds, besides the Lives of them four Righteous Pe [...]sons put to Death at Boston; all which hath been the afflicted state of the Lords People, which in Derision have been known by the Name of Quakers. And if the Chil­dren of them that destroyed the Lives and Estates of the Lords People in that day, will say, That they had no hand in the same I say that their assertion is utterly false (so long as they condemn not their Predecessors actions) and I prove it by the rebellious Jews, many thousands of whom had no actual hand in destroying the Righteous in those days▪ and they could say even as these in this day, That they had no hand in the same; but forasmuch as they did not bear a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth, against the Unrighteousness of their Priests and Rulers, the just Judgments of God hath reacht their Posterity to follow­ing Generations; even so is it with New-England, while the Land remains defiled with the Blood of the Lords Ser­vants slain at Bo [...]ton, which New-England former Priests and Rulers have done, in the Name of God, and the Kings Name, without any warrant or example from either▪ but in their blind persecuting Spirit have maintained their persecuting way, from a command in the Law, which relates to false Worshippers in that day, which in this [Page 177] Gospel Day they have charged upon the Lords People, which worship the only true God in the Spirit and in the Truth; wh [...]ch if God should permit the Power of the Devil, by the spirit of Persecution, then might more than three parts of the People of the World lose their Lives, among whom it is evident the Lord ha [...]h a Number belonging unto him, though at present st [...]angers to the outward Sufferings of Christ; for he is the Light of the Gentiles, and Salvation to the ends of the Earth, and by him the Remnant of the Na­tions which fear God and work Righteousness are saved; and he hath commanded, That Wheat and Tears should grow together until the Harvest, of which things I only hint to you, for your understanding my Mind concerning the Pro­ceedings in New-England ▪ whose former Priests and Rulers have not manifested the like Repentance as that of Judas, who repenting himself of betraying innocent Blood, and withal returned the Money which he had unrighteously taken, which Doctrine ought not to find itching [...]ars among any the Children of them who have pe [...]secuted the Lords Servants to Death at Boston; but as the Lords Se [...] ­vants and Messengers of his Truth have born the merciless Rod of that persecuting Generation, so ought every man concerned, either actually, or by consent, to bear the Charity of the Lords People, which is great Charity in­deed to inform them of their unrighteous ways against the Lord and his People.

The fore-going Letter some of them called Railing, but the Day will come, in which they shall know, and that from the just God of Heaven and [...]arth, that it is no railing to info [...]m People of the Truth, which in the time of my Letter was both lawful and expedient for me so to do, [Page 178] neither are they to have forgiveness of God, further than they turn and repent, neither are the Lords People to for­give that on Earth which is not forgiven in Heaven, but to pray that his Will may be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven.

CHAP. XXVIII. Concerning the Covering and Ʋncovering of the Head., in Honour to Man or Men.

WHere there is liberty by the Law of God for one man to remain with his Head covered before an­other, it can be no transgression of any Righteous Law among men; and as to Customs of that nature, it i [...] better to obey God than Man▪ fo [...] all things which a man is per­swaded of God in his own heart, to be comely, decent and of good report, that men ought, in obedience to God, to follow; but that which hath no Scripture Example from any command of Christ, nor Practice of any of h [...]s Apostles, for one man to stand bear-headed in honour to another, is that which cannot proceed from the Life and Power of God, because it is nor found in the holy Scriptures to be commanded of God, neither in practice by any of Ch [...]ists Disciples, nor his holy Apostles but only a bear Cu [...]tom got up among some of the Nations, which inde [...]d by many of them are so accustomed to the Hat, Hand and Knee, by or with which they bestow so much Honour one to­wards the other, that by that practice, with other of their Works among men, they have not due regard to the Works of Righteousness and Holiness, for the honour o [...] [Page 179] God, before whom, in the time of praying & prophecying, the Head is to be uncovered, for the Head of every man is, Christ▪ and the Head of Christ is God; which proves a dis­h [...]nour to the Name of the Lord, to honour men whose hearts they know, not as to God, but honour them in the sa [...]e form as they do the Lord, when their Prayers are made to him, who is the searcher of all hearts, and giver to every man according to the fruits of his doings, which to the faithful will be a Crown of Righteousness to the hoary Head, but to the Sinner, though a hundred yea [...]s old he is accursed, wh [...]ch also doth of Hat-Honour, by which men hon [...]ur that which is accursed of God.

CHAP. XXIX. Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of New-England by Witch-craft.

WItch-craft is altogether wrought, through the Spi­rit and Power of the Devil, which rules in the Children of Disobedience, who ramain in the Works of the flesh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 3. and 5 20 for which cause the just Judgments of God, are the Reward of all Wicked and Ungodly men, but to all that repent, their Sins and Blasphemies, where­withsoever they shall blaspheme, shall be forgiven, but he that blasphemeth against the holy Ghost, shall not be forgiven in this World, nor the world to come, Joh. 5.6, 17. Mat. 21.10. Now as to divers Authors, their apprehensions are various, in differing one from the other about Witches and Witch-craft, which to prevent error, [Page 180] that Truth and Righteousness may take place I have taken in hand, to set forth, in order, a Declaratiom, which is according to the holy scriptures, which do hold forth the nature and cause of People having familarity with the Devil, who is the Father of all Unrighteou [...]ness, through which Unrighteousness he begets the heart and mind to serve him, in which state more or less are most men, through which Life of Disobedience, the Under­standing of man is darkened, that it cannot see what is for God, according to his will, nei [...]her do they com­prehend divers works which are against him, which is a [...]so as a Judgment from God for Disobedience, which indeed is of the nature of Rebellion, which is as the sin of Witch craft; then where men are in the like state, they are blind, as to the knowledge of God, concerning such whom he commanded to be destroyed in the time of the Law, Deut. [...].10▪ 11.12. Exod. 22 18. for they that are not come to the Law and the Prophets, do not know the will and Mind of God, relating to the new Law of Light, Life and Grace by Jesus Christ; for they that serve sin, are servants to sin, and of him they are, whose works they do, Rom. 6.16. Iohn 8.44. Mat. [...].24. Luke. 6.13. Then in what state are they that are alwayes confessing, but never forsaking? for if through Obedi­ence they did forsake sin, then there would be no such need of confessing that which they have forsaken, be­cause where men so sake their sins, and live in all good order of Gods holy Truth, as they are command [...]d to do then the Lord will remember their Transgressions no more, Isa. 45 7. and 44.25. for where men keep Judg­ment, and do Righteousness at all times, they are not in a state of alwayes confessing, and of not forsaking, [Page 181] Psal. 106.3 for where men confess and not forsake, their works manifest a dead Faith, James 2.26. in which [...]ate of [...]obedience they draw near with their Lip and Mouth, to honour the Lord, when it is manifest by Works, that the heart is far from him, and their fear is taught by the precepts of men; therefore doth the Lord do a marvelous work, and a wonder; for the Wisdom of their Wise Men shall perish, and the Ʋnderstanding of their Prudent men shall be h [...]d, Isa. 29.13. Mat. 15.8. Mark. 7.6. which scriptures are fulfilled, as a Judgment of God for innocent Blood shed in New-England, whose Priests and Rulers, with the consenting Inhabitants have been be­witched, that that should not obey the Truth of God, made manifest by Jesus Christ, whose Servants they have put to Death at Boston, for which cause (as a Judgment) they are deliverd up through Unbelief) to hardness of heart, to commit other sins, which with the sin of Blood, hath [...]urder stored up the Lords Wrath, to add to their Troubles, through the increase of his Judgments against them, for rebelling against his holy Truth, for which cause, as Judgment increaseth against sin, so sin in New-England increaseth against Judgment, until the Light of sin at this time is of that hight and nature, that there is no less of the Priests and their Church Members, with others of their hearers, then five hundred accused of Witch craft; but some of them called Witches, w [...]h some of the afflicted Evidences as the say) do give an account of seven hundred, all being by them accused for Witch­es, of which Number there is now this present year 1692. one hundred and twenty, which are apprehended for Witch-craft, of which there are 20 put to Death, and about twenty more condemned to dye; but by reason that the [Page 182] Spertre or apparition hath accused some Priest, and others accounted eminent, the Rulers have abated in their speedy work; and as at first they with speed, did con­demn and put to death, so now with as much speed they have cleared many [...]rom their Prison, though as giulty of Witch-craft, by the accusation of the Spe [...]er, as they alredy put to Death, all which left this life in de­nial of what was laid to their charge though they had be­fore confessed, yet when they come to dye, before▪ the multitude, they said, that their confession was by reason of divers fair pretences, That if they did confess, they should find m [...]rcy with God and Man▪ and one the other side, if not confess, as they said [...] divers did threaten what would b [...] done unto them; So what with the Prie [...]ts on the one fi [...]e, and Relations on the other side, any indefferent man may judge of the work But as to the Work of the Devil to the afflicted Evidences, it is sufficient, in short, to say, that I never heard nor read of the like work from any Author; and not to omit L [...]nn Priest, who was one of the forwardest to have all that by the Specter were accused, to be put to Death, which in some short time, was also by the Specter (or Devil) accused him­self; by which People may see and know, their emi­nent Teachers, (they so term) are no more freed from the Power of the Devil, then others so accused; for Geo. Burroughs, in denial of all laid to his charge (though a learned Preacher of the Gospel (as People called him) and a Teacher for them called the Church of Christ, was one whom now is put to Death) the other priests, do now render him as odious as may or [...] be; but let him be what he is, for my part, I know not to the contrary, but that in his Doctrine they do not him exceed, [Page 183] and as to their Principles and Practice, let the faithful judge how far they fall shor [...] of bewitching People, that they should not obey the Truth of God, made manifest by Jesus Christ, who came to destroy all the Devils Power, which (to me) many Teachers in this Age seem to uphold, through their imperfect Preaching, That a Body of sin remains with all men to the end of this Life; then where the Body of Sin remains, it must needs follow, that there remains the Devils Power, which doth bewitch People to commit sin, because all Unrighteousness is of the Devil, and all sin is of Unrighteousness; then they that commit sin are Servants to sin, even as we daily see, to the grief & trouble of the upright in heart, to see such a known Life of Diso­bedience among the Inhabitants of New England, among whom the Devils Power rules in their body of sin, and be­witches the Mind to obey him, in which state People are instrumental, through the Devils Power, in bewitching one another, either to believe pernicious false Doctrines, or to swear, lye and be drunk, which is common with all other sins, which attend them, that by false Perswasions men are seduced from the true Faith; so that in whomsever the Devils Power bears rule, they are Instruments for his Service to bewitch others into the same manner of Life, even as we daily see one Drunkard; Swearer & L [...]ar begets another into the same sin, and of the like nature doth one evil minded Person beget another; for as the Righteous are Instruments in the hand of the Lord, to beget others into the Works of Righteousness, so are the Wicked Instru­ments in the hand of the Devil to bewitch others into the Works of Unrighteousness; and of this Nature is the be­witching of one another to serve the Devil in the Works of the Flesh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 5.20. [Page 184] Then if they that despised Moses's Law were to be cut off without mercy under two or three Witnesses, how much greater Punishment, suppose ye, are they found worthy of, who live in Rebellion against the Lord of Life in this Gospel day? are they not to be cut off without Mercy, by the just hand of Gods Judgments, under three Witnesses, viz. the Father, Son and Spirit, Heb 10 28, 29. which if otherways, that the command in the Law remain, of not suffering a Witch to live in this Gospel Day, then the false Worshipper, the Adulterer and the Adultress, with the rebellious Son, are also▪ according to that Command, to be cut off from the Land of the Living, in which more than two thirds of the People are guilty of the one or the other; but Christ hath said, Love your Enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them wh [...]ch despightfully use you, and persecute you, that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven; for he maketh the Son to rise on the evil and on the good, and on the just and on the unjust; for if ye love them which love y [...]u, what Reward have you, do not even the Publicans the same? And if ye salute your Brethren only, what do you more than others, do not the Publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect, Mat 5.44, 45, 46. which if People, through Obedience to the Command of God would fulfil his Will, according to his Command, it would soon put an end to all mens various Apprehensions, and these busling Noises about the Devil and Witches, and indeed the very Name of a Devil and a Witch is to be abhorred among men; also shall the Name of the Wicked perish, which are no such manner of Witches as these are accused for, though through Gods goodness I have no Relation among them, neither am I any Advocate for the [Page 185] Devil, Witches, nor Wicked Men, but desire that Truth and Righteousness may take place in the Earth; for it were better that one hundred Witches should live, than that one person be put to death for a Witch, which is not a Witch; but God Almighty best knows what the Priests and Rulers have done towards these People, who have not lived unto God as they ought to have done, for which cause these things are, (as a Judgment for Sin and Trans­gression) fallen upon them. But with the Righteous it is not so, because they abide in Obedience to the holy Com­mands of God, through whose Power they witness a sure d [...]e [...]ing place, having their settlement upon that sure R [...]k of an everlasting Foundation, against which there is no In [...]hantm [...]nt nor Divination for the Gates of Hell against it [...]hall ne [...]er prevail; for the Love of God in Christ Jesus is to the faithful, and through him are they kept in perfect peace, out of which state the Wo [...]ld remains unstable, having the mind tossed to and fro in the [...] and cla­mourous Noises about the Devil and Witch craft, which [...] man need to fear, as he keeps faithful upon his watch, in Obedience to Gods holy Truth made manifest by Jesus Christ; for while Israel kept faithful, the Devil could not get entrance; for it is said, Surely there is no Inchantment against Jacob, nor Divination against Israel, Numb. 23.23. Which doth certainly prove, that if there were not first a falling from Obedience to the Command of the Lord, that he would not depart from them; for God hath command­ed all men to watch and pray, that they may witness deliver­ance in the hour of Temptation; and if this Command had been kept by the afflicted Evidences, they could not have been possessed or bewitched by the Devil, nor any of his Instruments; for the cause of their being possessed o [...] [Page 186] bewitched, hath been through a Life of Disobedience to God, who (as a Judgment for not obeying his Truth) hath suffered further affliction to come upon them, wh [...]ch is also as a warning to all others, that they may live (as they ought) to Gods Truth, which the Devils Power cannot touch; for though the Devils Power was permitted to touch the outward Man of Job, for a tryal of his inwa [...]d Faith, but not to touch the inward Man, for whatsoever the Lord may suffer the Devil, for the outward tryal of his Peoples inward Faith, yet he never suffers the Dev [...]ls Power to la [...]ch in such a manner, as in these bewitched or possessed Evidences, which is almost beyond the credit of man to receive, what manner of strange actions they had, which I do believe the true Prophets of God were [...]ever acted by any such Spirit, which gives them (as they say) the true knowledge who are Witches, and who are not, the divers of the Persons they never knew, nor never heard of their Names, before the Spectre (or Devil turned informer) made their Names known to them, and where they live; and they have presumed to affirm, That P. F. a Merchant of Salem, murthered J. R's Son of Salem, by drowning him at the Island of Barbadoes, with many more things of the like nature, which are too tedious to relate of these afflicted Evidences; and I desire of God to be preserved from such a Spirit of Sights. And yet some (who [...] Names I shall not here mention) have said, That th [...]se afflicted, bewitched or possessed Evidences, are the true Martyrs of Jesus Christ, and that they are killed all the Day long, and as his Sheep accounted for the Slaughter. From which [...] the Lord deliver me; for the chosen of God, which [...] read of ( Psal. 4.22. Rom. 8.35, 36, 37, 38, 39.) we [...] not sighted by any such Spirit as these are sighted wit [...] [Page 189] [...] they were Christs Sheep, and knew his Voice, who is [...]he true Shepherd of Israel, which neither slumbereth [...] sleepeth, but watcheth over his Flock by day and by [...]ight, and his Voice they know, but the Voice of a Stranger they will not follow, John 10.5. For they follow [...] Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World, Joh. [...].29. for by his Blood are the Righteous made clean from [...] corrupt part, which is the cause in them who are af­ [...]cted and tormented, even as we see these Evidences be, whose whooping and hollowing, with all their other [...] Actions, is far from singing the new Song, as they [...] who were redeemed, not by the power of Man, but by the Power of God, Rev. 5 9, 10, 11, 12. for by the Power of God, without the help of Man, were they made more than Conquerors, through him that loved them, Rom. 8.37.

So that the Love of God savingly, is to them that [...]ear and obey, and not to the disobedient state, through which Unbelief and hardness of heart, brings People [...] trouble of Spirit; and it may be, that some of these People called Witches have been in trouble, which with other Circumstances, may have occasioned them to [...]eclare that against themselves, which (it may be they [...] not giulty of; for to them that are in trouble of mind, by reason of unfaithfull living to God, the Devil [...]ay be permitted to work the frame of their Spirits into [...] Delusions, that thereby the wh [...]le natural sences [...] the [...]nderstanding, may be drawn to believe a thing, which is but only in shew, and not in substance, as for man to believe that the Devil hath a visible Book of natu­ [...] Paper, and with the natural Blood of mens natural Bo­ [...]es, they subscribe to this natural Book, and that the Devil [Page 188] taketh their natural Bodies of natural men and women, and baptizeth them with natural Water, and that he setteth th [...]m upon a natural pole, and carrieth them far above the highest Trees, to a natural House, where the Priests and the Devil give them natural Bread, and natural Wine, which they say they eat and drink, and he promises them to pull down the Kingdom of Christ, and himself to sit upon the Throne of Christ; with much more of the like nature, which some of there called Witches have confessed but most of them that have so confessed I think are at liberty, and those that have not confessed put to Death, for what they have confessed of the like nature most of them (i [...] not all have denyed again, which as to their denyal, I do believe would not have been of much benefit, had not the Devil been so hasty to inform against such whom some may think impossible to be Witches, but as to that God and their own Consciences know best; but the faith­ful may Judge, according to mens fruit, even as the A­postle did, when he said, 0 foolish Galations! who hath bewitched you, that [...]ou should not obey the Truth, before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been eviden [...]ly set forth, crucified among you, Gal. 3.1. So that Witch-craft is maintain­ed through the Devils Power in divers manners, which to be sure, one part of Witch-craft properly belongeth to them that bewitch People, that they should not obey the Truth of Gods holy commands by Jesus Christ; for which cause of Disobedience (as before related) is it that some (as a Judgment upon them) are given up through unbelief, to hardness of heart, in which state some live in such horror of Conscience▪ that their Lives are of such burden, that they willfully murder themselves, others in the same state, are as willing to dye as the other▪ [Page 178] but desiring to dye, and not being permitted to destroy themselves, because Death (as an addition to Judgment [...] flee [...]h away, Rev. [...].6. then in that state of horror, may they not accuse themselves of such sins which they have not commited, for this very end, to be destroyed by others? for a wounded Spirit, who can bare? Prov. 14.1 [...]. and how common is it in Barbadoes for black People to destroy themselves, meerly upon a false belief, of their being at more ease when out of this body, than in the body; then what changeth the nature between black People, and white People? the colour of the skin doth not change the Nature. But some may say, The Ne­groes in Barbadoes do not go to Church. Indeed is it so, and what better are many for going to Church in New-England, where they that have been nearest related to the Church, have manifested themselves to be the furd­e [...] from God, as witness their puting four of the Lords Servants to death at Boston, which Church they then accounted the purest Church in the World; and if the sheding of innocent Blood be the mark of a pure Church, the Church of Rome is more pure then the church of Boston, of which I may hereafter more relate; so that it is not the going to Church in New-England, that causeth white People to differ in nature, from black peo­ple, which go not to Church in Barbadoes. And there­fore Judges had need to consider all things aright, because they are expresly commanded, To do no Ʋnrigh­teousness in Judgment, Lev. 9 15. Now some of these People have said to me, that they were in trouble of mind, and then hearing of themselves accused by the Specter, (or Devil turned Informer▪ that it made them even as it were besides themselves, or out of their na­tu [...] [Page 190] Understanding; and then hearing that all without c [...]ession were suddainly put to Death, and large pro­mises of mercy from God and Man, and with the Priest and his Fallowers on the one side, and their nearest and dearest Relations on the other side, all urging to a Con­fession, which is so (as I beleive it was) let all rational men judge what state and condition these confessors were in; for we read, That over much Oppression will make a wise Man mad; and its easie to conceive that lesser Oppres­sion will make them mad who are not in their right Understandings, by reason of some trouble in mind.

But the thing then is, how or which way, or by what means shall men come to know one that is a Witch, from one that is not a Witch?

To which I say, it must be by that Wisdom by which the Damsel, E [...]mus and Simon came to be known, Acts 10.16. & 13.8, 9, 10. & 8.23. and notwithstanding they were known to be Witches, the Apostle did not direct to the command in the Law, of not suffering a Witch to live, bu [...] directed or exhor [...]ed him to repent, and pray; which ought to be noted, that first to repent, then pray, which may afford this use, that Prayer before Repentance is not accepted of the Lord, neither is Repentance, without the Fruits of Repentance, and without Fruits the Faith of Man is d [...]ad, even as the Body is dead without the Spirit, James 2.26.

But then say the Professors of this Age, Is there no other way and means to know Witches, but as the Apostle did in his day? Then there is no knowing a Witch in this day, because ( [...]ay they [...] all such means by the Spirit of God is ceased; for [...] working of Miracles is past.

[...]. Past indeed to them that know no other state, [Page 191] but to bear a Body of Sin all their days; but to them who are redeemed from sin, they know, in measure, as the Apostle did in his day; for if one Spirit cannot discern another, then Christ is not in his People; but the faithful witness Ch [...]ist is spiritually in them, and in whom he is not, are they not Reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.5. and to them is no Prophsie, no Revelation, no Miracle, for they are spiritually dead, deaf, dumb and blind, as to all the spiri­tual things of God by Jesus Christ, and to such the Truth of God (by any of his Servants) is as Pearl before Swine; and if a faithful man should say, That he hath an infallible assurance that some of these twenty People put to Death in N. E. for Witches, were not such Witches, as accused, con­demned and put to Death for; then what follows, but the prosecution of Law, because he hath but one Evidence, and that's in himself by the Spirit of God; so though all are lawful, yet all things are not expedient, without the call of God thereunto. But Witches there be of divers sorts, as before related, and if any be convicted of Murder, they ought to dye; but if m [...]n once maintain it lawful to put all to Death for Witches▪ in whose likeness the [...]evil may appear, and work the like Wickedness, as is laid to the charge of these put to Death, they may, I believe) put to Death for Witches, the greatest part of People now in the World, because its but a few in comparison that shall be saved; which greatest Number that perish, when the Spirit of God leaves striving, and the day of Grace is over, then their House becomes desolate, and they become the Children of him whose Work they have do [...]e, and he takes mo [...]e full possession of his own House and Goods, which is the heart, mind and Spirit of them that are wholly departed from the Lord, and the Lord from them, ( Gen. [Page 192] [...] 12.43, 44, 45. Luke 11.24.25) And then [...] not the Devil [...] Power over his own, that is, without their consent, to act and do, so far as he is per­mitted, any manner of Wickedness in their likeness, or in the [...]rm and shape of their Bodies? But to act and do such Wickedness in the form, shape and likeness of Gods faithful Children, is that which I cannot believe, therefore I leave it, waiting the Lords time for the further manifesting of that, with other Mysteries unto me, and doubt no [...], but as I remain faithful, the Lord will manifest unto me, in his own due time, what he sees convenient for me. And his I am well satisfied in, that if men maintain that command of not suffering a Witch to live, as in the time of the Law, that they are not Ministers in all things according to the Law, except they put to Death as the Law in that day did require, that is, the Witch and the Wizard, the false Worshipper, the rebellious Child, the Adulterer and Adultress, all which were under one sentence of Death in the time of the Law; then why only a Witch, not guilty of Murder, to be put to D [...]ath in this Gospel Day, when Christ hath said Let the Tare [...] and Wheat grow till the Harvest, and to let the blind alone, for if one lead the other, both shall fall into the Ditch. And though the holy man of God destroyed twice fi [...]ty, with their Captains, by fire from Heaven, and forty more by cursing them in the Name of the Lord, these things, according to Christs own words, are not lawful to be done in this Gospel Day, 1 King. 1.10. Thes 2.24. Luke 9.5. Mat 15.14. Luke 6.39. Mat. 13.30. Mat. 5. Then as to the Command in the Law relating to false Worshippers, as they were accursed, so was their whole Substance accursed also; therefore if these put to Death be Witches, it must needs follow, that they are [Page 193] false Worshippers, then why they put to Death, according to that Command in the Law, and their Sub [...]tance taken away to defray publick Charge, contrary to the express Command of God in the time of the Law, Exod. 22 18. Deut. 28.16 & 13.1 [...], 1 [...]. But when men come [...]o bu [...]n their Books of curious Arts, then the o [...]ness of the Law will dye, and newness in Spirit will appear, through the growth of Gods Word, which in that day shall prevail, Acts 19.17, 18, 19, 20. until which time, let Christs sa [...] ­ing to the Reb [...]ious Jews be sufficient, that is, when they brought the Woman taken in the act o [...] Adultry, saying. Moses in the Law commanded that such should b [...] stoned to Death, Christ bids, Let him that is without sin cast [...] first stone; but no man among them being without sin▪ the woman escaped, even so may [...]itches, not guilty of Mur­der, e [...]cape in this day; for he that [...]s wholly clear of every degree of Witch-craft, may cast a stone at Witches, that is, when as evidently proved as the Womans act was in Adultry, John 8.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. for where the [...]a [...]ure of Witchtraft remaineth, it evidently appears by Peoples Threats one to the other, and their living in Malice, Hatr [...]d and Envy one again [...]t the other, watching and waiting for the opportunity of advantage one against the other, and if no advantage present of damnifying one the other, yet the sin of Witch-craft in one degree, is as deeply rooted in them, as the sin of Adultry is rooted in him that looketh on a Woman, to lust after her, hath committed Adultry with her already in his heart, Mat. 5 28. for the intent of Wickedness is of greater abomination in the sight of God, than the act of sin is in the sight of sinful men.

Of which number I am now concerned to give an ac­count of New England's first Inhabitants, and of them [Page 194] which yet remain without Power, but in the very nature of their fore Fathers, justifying the Laws by which the Lords Servants were persecuted to Death at Boston, for which Judgment after Judgment hath fallen upon this place ever si [...]ce, and the Lords just Judgments were to bring them to a sight of that sin of Blood, but instead of re [...]enting, their hearts have waxed harder and harder against the Truth of God, delivered by his Servants, in that day, in which Day of Gods Truth to them, their requital was by destroying [...]he Lives of the Lords People, with whose innocent Blood, New-England remains defiled; for the very first stept of the first Inhabitants towards this land, it may be questioned whether or not they fled beyond the command of the Lord; for finding the Bishops Yoke uneasie, under which if they had remained faithful, the Yoke of the Lord would have been easie, and his Bur­den light, but instead of manifesting the Lords cause in the other City, they fled this Land, which fleeing was it not beyond what the Lord hath commanded when persecuted in one City to flee to the other, that each place or each People may hear the Truth, which all that are called of God; are to deliver, according to their measure, which if any say that it was sufficient warrant from God, for them to flee the Land, and as Paul did, preach the Gospel where Christ was not named, then why [...]ollowed they not Paul, as for example he followed Christ, who came not to destroy mens lives, but to save, and [...] by turning People from Darkness to Light, and [...] to the Power of God; but how [...] they turned the Native Indians, where Christ was not named, did they not in their first settlement, [...] in to the Grave, where there is no Repen­tance? [Page 195] a strang turning in [...]eed, by a People that pretend­ed so much to Gods Truth, as they did, and not come so far as the Law and the Prophets, but to do unto the poor Natives, otherwayes then they themselves would be done unto, well might such a work not be ex­pected, to promote a People for the Service of God, & Honour of his Name, who hath well rewarded the In­habi [...]ants of New-England, for their unrighteous dealings towards the Native Indians, whom now the Lord hath suffered to reward the Inhabitants with a double measure of Blood, by Fire and Sword, which had they follow­ed the command of the Lord, to have p [...]ayed for their Enemies, and done to others, even as themselves would have been done unto, the [...]nhabitants might have been free from these great and terrible Judgments of God, which for sin and evil, is their Reward in this Day. So its evident that through their unfaithfulness to God, in their first settlement of this Land, and since hath been the leading cause of their being further left to do these unrighteous things, which have increased the Lords Wrath against them, and their following Generation, who remain guilty, for not repenting of sin and evil against God, for whose Truth they ought to have born a faithful Testimony in their publick [...]ssemblies, against all the unrighteous Ways of their fore-Fatcers, which have been against the Lord and his People, of which I may relate something, that others thereby may receive warning, not to follow Unrighteousness, but to remain faithful to their measure, lest the Lord deliver them up, through Unbelief, to hard­ness of heart, and they do as New-England's Priests and Rulers have done, which hath caused the hand of the Lord to be against them, and all that actually, or by silence, [Page 196] have consented to their unrighteous ways, which have been maintained by the Sword of the Magistrate, which the Priests, in the day of their Power, whitted sharp through their false pernicious Doctrines, which did encourage the Rulers of that day to destroy all the Lords Servants that were found within their Government, under the Name Quaker, to whom they allotted the Valley of Achor for a door of Hope, Josh. 7 24.25. perverting the Truth of God, through their preaching up things in the Law, which Christians are not to do in the time of the Gospel, Deut. 13. 1 King. 1.10. & 2.24. Luke 9.54. which not­withstanding they would preach and pray, That all were accursed that did their Work negligently against the Quakers, whose living among the People the Priests did impute to be the caus [...] of Gods Judgments, which they said, was the Peoples just Reward, for suffering any one Quaker to live among them; whereupon the Rulers, with the silent consent of the greatest part of the Inhabitants, did make sharp and bloody Laws against the Quakers, whereby they were long imprisoned, under many Hardships, as in respect of the hard cold Clymate, without fire, and for days together without food having their Friends denyed of visiting them in any kind▪ but as the Lord was daily with them, their strength in love did increase towards him, who did up­hold and suppo [...]t them in their great Sufferings, which were of that Nature, that one would e [...]en wonder that a People of so much preaching and praying, should be so blind, and of so unbelieving hard hearts, to work in such a hight of Wickedness against the Lord and his People, whom they have imprisoned, whipt, stockt, cut their [...]ars, [...]rdering them to be sold for Bonds Men and Bonds Women, banishing them upon pain of Death, if ever they [Page 197] return, to be offered up at their bloody Altar; and to the value of twenty hundred Pounds taken from them for Fines; and made a Law, that every Matter of a Vessel that landed any one Quaker within their Power of Govern­ment, should pay one hundred Pounds, and five pounds for any one that gave entertainment to any one of their Bo [...]ks, with much more of the like nature, acted and done by them to the aforesaid honest harmeless People, whom in their Law they have stiled with the [...]ame of Rogues and Vagabonds▪ Blasphemous Hereticks, and Seducer [...] of the People from the Faith; but if they have called the Master a Devil, they of the same Spirit have called his People after the like manner, and after the same nature have they perse­cuted his Servants to Death at Boston, which Wickedness they would cover with a Lye, even as their fore-Fathers did, by giving la [...]ge Money to the ignorant, to say his Di­sciples stole him away by Night; which large Money will not hide their Lying, no more will the twenty hundred Pounds taken from the Quakers, hide the Lyes of them in this day, who say, The Quakers hanged themselves; for the Law by which they were put to Death, was made after that they had been a time in the Country, which after their Return, according to that Law of Banishment, were they in a most barbarous inhumane way put to Death, being drove to their bloody Altar with Drums, Guns and Swords, and cut down, even to the breaking of their skulls, and in a barbarous manner dragged their naked Bodies in a Roap, with the gnashing of Teeth; in which inhumane manner they threw their naked Bodies into a stinking Pit▪ near to their Bloody Altar, not suffering their Friends to secure the place with Fence, by which their Bodies might be pre­served from Swine, and other ravenous Creatures. By [Page 198] which it is evident they hanged not themselves, but as they were persecuted in one place, they kept the Command of the Lord by fleeing to the other, until they delivered up their Lives, as for [...]xample the Lords Servants in days past have done, for the Truth of God and Testimony of Jesus, whom they have followed, even as the D [...]sciples and Apostles of Christ have done. Then seeing that it is high Rebellion against God and the King, to put his People to Death without any warrant, precept, command or example from either, of how much lower nature is the Work of Witch-craft if really it so be [...] in and about the Town of S [...]l [...]m? for the Lords People are to him as the apple of his Eye, and he that toucheth them, toucheth the Apple of his Eye, Z [...]ch 2.8. Deut 32 10. Psal. 17.8▪ for whosoever offendeth one of them, b [...]tter were it for him that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea, Mat 1 86. Mark 9.42. Luke 17.1, 2. Therefore People ought well to consider whom they establish to rule for their outward Peace among themselves; for where men of Persecuting Principles are appointed by the People to rule, where they once gain Power by the consent of the People, to persecute, their unrighteous Work draws the judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of the whole place where they rule; for had the Body of the Jews withstood their unrighteous Pries [...]s and Rulers, by bearing a faithful Testimony for Gods holy Truth, they had been freed from that Judgment which now remains upon their Generation; even so [...]s it with t [...]e Inhabitants of New-England, though many of them had no actual hand in shedding of innocent Blood, which hath defiled the Land, because they did not bear a faithfull Testimony against the unrighteousness of their Pr [...]ests and Rulers of that Day, for which cause every Judgment [Page 199] upon this place, reaches the whole Body of People in the general Cal [...]m [...]ty; for Christ charges the Spirit of Perse­cution with all the righteous Blood that hath ever been shed, M [...]. 23.35.

Then seeing that this Spirit of Persecution is charged with more Unrighteousness towards God and his Peo­ple, then all them of that nature which they call [...]itches who have not that influence upon People to bewitch them, that they should not obey the Truth, even as the persecuting Priests and Rulers have done, which proves Persecutors to be the greatest Witches in the World, because the one, as the Devil was on­ly permitted to touch the outward Body, for the inwa [...]d tryal of Faith, but the other are permittnd to bewitch People to persecute one the other to Death, and through the Power of the Devil, cause People to b [...]lieve, that they are doing good Service for God, when they are persecuting his People to Death, Acts. 26.10, 11. and 8. [...]. and 9▪ 1, 2. which time hath been, and yet remains, where the Priests bear rule, Joh. 16.2.3. for as Troopes of Robbers have waited for a man, so have the company of Priests murdered in the way, by consent, Hos. 6.9. So that these things are in all places, where the persecuting Priests bare rule among the People, who are like their Priests, Hos. 4 6▪ 7, 8, [...].10. & it is by the consent of the People, that persecuting Magistrates rule, and by consent of their Unrighteous Laws, do the persecuting Priests destroy the outward Lives and Liberties of the Lords People, for which cause the Lords Wrath and Indignation is against the whole People, so far as they are either ac­t [...]ally (or by silence) consenting to these things, through which the righteous suffer for the cause of Gods holy [Page 200] Truth, who are not to give their Bread to Dogs, nor to cast their Pearls before Swine, neither are they to forgive further then men turn, and say, they repent, Mat. 6.10. Luke. 17.4 for no [...]urther then men repent of their Evil Deeds, will the Lord forgive; so that his will may be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, men are not to seek to unbind that on E [...]rth▪ wh [...]ch [...]s not unbound in Heaven, neither to seek to bind that on Earth which is not bound in Heave [...], but to pray that the sin of Murder may not be laid [...] charge of them that know not what they do, Mat. 5.44. A [...]ts 7. [...]0. for in this Day of great Trouble upon them that have not done even as they would be done unto, the Lord is daily adding unto their Afflictions▪ because they Repent not of their evil Deeds towards him and his People, whom Pharaoh-like they have opprest, but the L [...]rd hath in a great measure with-held the roaring of the Lyon, and the fierce Lyon and the Teeth of the young Lyon the Lord hath broken, and the strength of their power against Gods Heritage, is become of no force; for their striving against the holy One of Israel is brought to nought; for he is a consuming fire, to burn up and lay waste the Works of the Wicked, whose unrighteous ways have been in Disobe­dience against hi [...] holy Truth, in which the Righ [...]eous are preserved; for the Lord is the Hope of his People, against whom there is no Inchantment, neither against them can any Divination take place; for the Lord exalteth Judgment for the Oppressed, and giveth food to the hungry, the Lord is his Name, by whose Power Miracles are wrought, and Wonders done; for the Lord openeth the Eyes of the blind, and unstoppeth the Ears of the deaf, and causeth the Lame to walk in pleasant places, the Lord raiseth them [Page 201] that are bowed down, and preserveth the strangers, he is God, and Lord over all, he relieveth the Fatherless, and pleadeth the Widdows Cause, but he turneth the way of Wicked upside down, which they that are not deaf, dumb and blind, may hear, see and understand, [...]o the praise of God and honour of his Name, who preserves the Righteous from falling into the many Snares of the Worlds Ways and Customs, who are accustomed to serve in those things which the Lords soul abhors, in which state the blind lead the blind to Death, Hell and Destruction; wherefore the Day of Gods Wrath increaseth against the Wickedness of men, who, without Repentance, shall certainly perish; for the Day of Gods Vengeance hath overtaken many, and is hastening towards all that preach for hire▪ and all that divine for Money, and to all them that pervert the Truth, and turn the cause of the Fatherless and Widdow, and he that putteth the Cup to his Neighbours mouth for outward gain, by which excess is made in the use of the Creature; and to him that oppresseth in time of Sickness, and wrong­eth the weak and feeble in time of Trouble; and the Thief, with the Swearer, Lyar and Drunkard, and the Adulterer, with the Adultress, and he that oppresseth the Poor, and he that is opprest in buying, which seeks his loss by Op­pression in [...] which causeth Oppression among the poor, even like a sweeping rain; and he that spends of the Creation beyond what is meet for his present state, and of all others, of what nature soever, as the Charmer, or Observer of Times, or Inchanter, or Witch, or Con­sulter with familiar Spirits, or a Wizard, or a Nicro­mancer, for all these are an Abomination unto the Lord, which with these sins, and the destroying of the Lords Servants, let the Priests, Rulers, and rest of the Inhabitants [Page 202] consider what Work there is for them to do, before the Lord will with-draw his Wrath, which burneth against New-England, for their rebellious stiff-neckedness in Un­belief and hardness of Heart against the Lord of Life, who hath given a measure of the same Light, Life and Grace to the faithful in this day, as to the Righteous in days past, through which they receive Wisdom from above, which leads them not to spend their whole time to study out of other mens Lines, made ready to their hands, but rece [...]ve the mind of God in Christ, through the gift of that Wisdom which gave the Lords Servants to know the sta [...]e of Annanias and Saphira, and the Damsel, Simon and Elymus, A [...]ts 8.23, 2 [...]. cap. 5.9. & 14.9. 10, 11. & 16.17, 18. But to them that live in known Disobedience against the known Commands of the Lord, they deny all infallible means by the Spirit of God, for which cause of Disobedience, the Light of the Lord is their Condemna­tion for evil Deeds, John 3.19, 20, 21. for the Lord doth call to remembrance the Disobedience of them that are be­witched that they should not obey his Truth, and agai [...]st them will the Lord draw up Judgment after Judgment, until he hath destroyed the Disobedient, even as he hath done to the Rebellious in days past; for he will cut off the Wicked▪ even as we see, in the midst of their days, in which day the sinner e [...]capes not though a hundred years old, Isa. 56.20 Deut. 18.6. Heb. 10.28. Psal. 37.16. & 21.37. 38 Gen. 6.3.

Therefore let not People be any longer deceived by such idle Shepherds as we read of in days past, which live upon the Peoples Labour, and not profit their Souls, Isa. 56.10.11. Ezek. 34. Mic. 21.2.3.4. Isa. 5.2.9.10. Jer. 14.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16. Joh. 10.12.13. but [Page 203] insteed of Peoples searching the holy Scriptures, which through faith in Christ Jesus, are able to make wise to Salvation they are roving in their minds after this and t [...]e other Teacher, as learned and brave Orthodox men, whom they esteem to be Preachers of the Gospel, not at all considering, that the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation, to them that beleive, and [...]ondemnation to them that do not believe, which must needs follow, that such savingly believe not in the Power of God, which gives Power to them that savingly believe in his Power, which redeems the mind of every true believer out of every dead form, and from all dead formal Teachers, whose Teachings is altogether from the Let­ter, without the assisting Power of divine Grace and Spirit, which in words they will seem to own, but in works they deny; for their preaching is where outward profit gives the greatest encouragment, and if there be one place of more outward benefit then another, that is for the accutest Work [...]man, and the lesser benefit for the weaker capacity in their way; but as Unrighteous­ness is of mans Enemys, and they are they of his own House, and unto them is their Obedience yeiled through which they are Servants unto him whom they obey, and Children unto him whose Work they do, Rom. 6.16. Ioh. 8.4 [...]. Mat. 6.24. Luke 16.13. 1 Joh 3.8. so that if they say, they have no sin, they are Lyars, and deceive themselves, for they remain in the [...]egeneration, having their minds alienated from God, and from serving him in the true and living way, Rom. 3.11.12 13. Psal. 59. & 140.7. Prov. 1.16 Isa 59.7.8. But that nature which maketh a true believer is by Faith in God, through Je­sus Christ, and they that are true Believers believe in [Page 204] him▪ of whose nature they be, which sinneth not, 1 Joh. 3.2. to 11. Isa. 5.3.6. bu [...] they whose minds are exercised in the love of that which is below the love of God in Christ, are not worthy to receive him, Mat. 19.20. to 25. and 10.37.38.39. But through Disobedience the wise are blind from receiving the Truth of these things, Mat. 11.25. Luke 10.21. but the faithful press forward, having the assurnace, through Grace, by faith in Christ, that the Lord will perfect his Work of Grace, according to his faithful Promise, even as he hath done to his faithful Children in dayes past, Gen. 17.1. Job 1.1. and 8.3. Psal. 18, [...]2. Mat. 19.20.21. Ephes. 4.12. Luke 6.40 Col. 1.28. for nothing less, then of what Obedience God required of man in the time of the Law, will be of God accepted in this Gospel Day, Levit 22.21. Deut. 25.5 Therefore not any one man nor woman, but shall be left without excuse in the Day of Account, because all have in measure, received to pro­fit withal, Joh. 3.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Mat 25. 1 Cor. 12.3. to 9. Ephes. 5.13.14. So that if People would but give up in their minds to spend that time in reading the holy Scriptures, which they spend in that which on­ly satisfies the Lust of the natural Will, which begets from a furder and furder obedience of retaining God in their thoughts by which the mind is fitly framed, through Disobedience, to yeild it self a seravnt to the Devils Pow­er, through which they become Witches, and in one degree or another, are Instruments of bewitching others; in which state of Disobedience the World remains in Wickedness, bewitching one the other that they should not obey the Truth of God made manifest by Jesus Christ; so that the greatest sort of Witch-craft by the Devil, is to make men Instruments for his service, and to bewitch into [Page 205] that which is of the most service to promote his Kingdom of Unrighteousness, which cannot be higher promoted, by any that serve him, then when they are by him be­witcht, to bewitch others into the like state, that when they are destroying the lives of the Lords Children, think it is of the greatest Service for God, and benefit to their Souls, which is the greatest sort of Witch-craft that ever was, for People, of the Devil, so to believe.

Now for all other sort of Witches, they only touch the outward, but cannot touch the Spirit of one true Believer in Christ Jesus, which, according to that command of God, for the destroying of Witches and false Worshippers in the time of the Law, if it remain the same in this Gospel Day, it reaches the Life of every Persecutor, which doth bewitch that they should not obey the Truth; in which state, though they worship not a false God, as in the time of the Law, yet they worship the true God in a false way, which comes under the same Condemnation of not suffering a Witch and the false Worshipper to live, in the time of the Law. So that Persecutors are no more the true Worshippers of God in this Gospel Day, than Witches, and other false Worshippers were in the time of the Law; for Publicans and Harlots shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven before them that are of that Persecuting Spirit, by which so many Thousands of People are bewitched, that they should not obey the Truth, but remain in the works of the flesh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 5.20. for which cause the Devil is permitted to imi­tate the very form of the way and manner of their former proceedings against the People of God, at their general Court in Boston; for some of the afflicted, bewitched or possessed Evidences say, That the bl [...]k Man, (i. e. the [Page 206] Devil) in [...] high crowned Hat, with his Priests▪ have divers times call [...]d together about four or five h [...]dred of their Number, at Sa [...]em they use to assembl [...] [...]h [...]m [...]elves together, br [...]aking Bread and drin [...]ing Wine▪ which they call the Devils Sa [...]ament▪ which practise (as the Evidences, with some of the con [...]ssed, say) is before they set upon the hight of their inten [...]ed Work, to a [...] and torment others, thereby to force them to conform to the same practice of the Devils way; and some have confessed, they have been freed from the Torment of their afflicted state, upon conforming to the Devils Will, who then b [...]ptizeth them into Covenant, to do what he and the Priests with him command to be done. Which work of the Devils general Court, is as like in imitation to the work of the former Priests and Rulers against the People called Quakers, as the moving shadow of a wicked man, is like to the moving of hir corrupted Body; for all that would not conform to the Faith of the Priests and Rulers, to do as they did in that day, were by them and their followers esteemed no better than Dogs; for I never heard of any Dog but received more Mercy than that Servant of the Lord William Breand, received at the hands of the Priests, Rulers and their Followers in that day, who tyed the said W. B neck and heels sixteen hours, and laid upon his naked back thirty stripes with a three cord knotted whip, and then no more of their Church Members (with a pitcht Roap) received one hundred and seventeen stripes, only his Shirt to defend the same; having his body thus beaten into a Jelly of flesh and blood, he fainted away; some thinking that he would not have recovered life again, and the Doctor said, if he did recover it would be a Miracle; which through the goodness of God he did recover to [...] and strength again, whose Testimony was of great [Page 207] courage, through the Power of God, for the service of his Truth among them that did believe, and for the fur­ther Condemnation of them that did not believe; in which day the work of Unbelievers was of that nature against the said People called Quakers, that to read the History of all their Sufferings in that day, in and about Bo [...]on, may in Ages to come, make men to wonder, that such a professing People in New-England should manifest themselves so mad against an innocent people; nay, in that day did they not appoint their Women Church Members to search the Bodies of the Lords Hand maids for Witches, whose Testimony will remain to the end on Record, That one of them so searched, in the bearing and bringing forth fi [...]e Children, did not undergo the like trouble, as the in­humane cruelty of these Church Women put her to in the searching of her Body for a Witch, which she was clear of, but now among their own Church Members, they have, as is supposed, Witch-craft upon Wi [...]ch-craft, the which whether true or not, is a Judgment of God upon them, for their not repenting of their evil Deeds against the Lord and his People, who daily desire of God that they may manifest Repentance by the fruits thereof, until which time of Reformation, that men may come to do, even as they would that all men should do unto them, the Lords Anger against the Inhabitants of New-England will not be removed; for they may expect, that as they increase in Unrighteousness against God, that as he draws off the lesser Judgment, a greater, for sin and evil against him, will upon the Unrighteous be poured forth; for God is not mocked, such as men sow, such they shall also reap; and if the Inhabi­tants of New-England do not amend and repent, the Lo [...]d hath yet a Work to do by Pestilence and Famine, which [Page 208] will be more terrible than all the Lords former Judgments have been, ever since they began to persecute the honest People called Quakers.

Of which work, under Boston Government, in that day, I have before mentioned, proving it to be the moving cause that the Lord hath, as with Israel of old, left the Inhabi­tants of New-England to further evils, which with the shedding of the Blood of the innocent, and their other sins, these horrid Accusations of Witch-craft have increased among the Inhabitants and Churches, so called, in New-England (but whether true or not, I do not affirm.) And to conclude, I shall give an account of the Quakers suffer­ings in one small Town in New-England, by which the whole may the better be comprehended, which is as followeth.

The other part of their Sufferings, in this small Town of Sandwich, was with whipping, and long Im­prisonment, and though the sufferings of the Inhabitant Quakers of Sandwich were great, yet under Boston Go­vernment the sufferings of this People, did abound in Cruelty above the other Collonies adjoyning to Boston Government, from which the other united colonies adjoyn­ing took their example, to persecute the Quakers, as in short I have before related; but the Lord open the dark Understanding of their Mind, and give them a heart Suitable to Repent, that they may live to God, as they ought to do, which Repentance, must appear by the fruits of Repentance, otherwise there can be no Salva­tion to them that leave this Life without Repentance, because that there is no repenting in the Grave, which if men did without Repentance, then they dye in their sins, and cannot share with the faithfull, in the things of Gods heavenly Riches, which are in store for all them, that love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

CHAP. XXX. Concerning the Lords Harvest, and of the Labour in his Vineyard.

EVen now, as in dayes past, the Lords Harvest is Great, but the Labourers are few, because many have received of the Lord to work in the Vineyard, but are not faithful to that of him which they have received; for which cause their part of labour in the Vineyard re­mains not done, and they remain clothed with the works of their own Labour, which is not of the Spirit of God, therefore do they labour in Vain; for it is the d [...]ligent hand (through the gift of God) which enriches the Soul of him, that is a faithfull Labourer in the Lords Vine­yard, when the negligent and sloathful ones are sent empty away; for all have in measure received the seed of the Harvest; but through unfaithfulness the harvest of Truth and Righteousness is not perfe [...]ed in them, because through their unfaithfulness to the gift of God, the Seed taketh not root, for the ground proves barren, which is the cause of the seeds not taking root, to bring forth fruit acceptable to God; for as the seed, in mea­sure, hath been sown in all sorts of ground, it only takes root to bring forth good fruit i [...] the honest heart, which is faithfull to God in the work of the Vineyard; for many are called to labour in the Vineyard, that through unfaithfulness to their call, are never chosen among the faithful Labou [...]ers in the work of the Lords Vineyard, therefore pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that he would send [Page 211] forth more faithfull Labourers, or the Harvest is great, & many unfaithfull Labourers there be, which hinder others from receiving the Truth, for they have sown divers strange seeds in the Lords Vineyard, where the many Pastors have trodden the Lords portion under foot, and have made his pleasant Portion a desolate Wilderness, which being desolate, it mourneth unto the Lord, for which cause the Lord hath sent his Servants, as in dayes past, to warn the learned wise rebellious Ones from the evil of their way, that People may find ease from under these heavy burdens, wi [...]h which their Teachers have yoked them, and encouraged them to beat one, destroy the other, perswading them it was good service for God in so doing, in which state many have itching ears, that will not endure to hear sound Doctrine, but heap up Teachers, which [...]u [...]n them from the Truth into Fables, through which the Vinyard is encumbered with a multitude of fruitless Trees, Bryars, Thornes and Thistles, among which the Lyon waits for his prey, and the Subtil Foxes have their hiding places, where the Wolf also seeketh to devour, which things are left for Preachers to consider, and not to teach People, to dash one against the other, but to love one another, and to pray for their Enemies, and do no other thing to another, then they themselves are willing to be done unto, un­til which time the Just Judgment of God is their Re­ward, for all their evil wayes towards him and his People, for whom the Lord is making way, through his righteous Judgments, which take pleace upon all them that obey not his Word, to keep his commands, they like potsherds, shall even dash one against the other, until all be consumed, which is not fitly framed and temper­ed [Page 212] according to the Lords own mind, but the Lord is making way for the growth of his own Seed, which shall bring forth abundant of increase, to the praise of God, and honour of his Name▪ for the harvest is Great, and the Labourers are few, but the Lord will daily add more and more, that by the strength of his own Power, he will make his Vineyard fit, according to his own de­sire, where every one shall remaine in peace under his own Vine, unto which many are gathered, and unto them will be the gathering.

CHAP. XXXI. Something of an Account concerning Gods Judgments upon divers of the chief persecuting Priests and Rulers in New-England, as also relating to some of their Laws, Acts and Orders, for the further Reformation of them called their Churches, with some what relating to their form and manner of Habit in that day.

IT hath been found lawful and expedient in all Ages, (as appears by the holy Scriptures) to record the Works of the Righteous, that as Land-Marks they might remain for all to follow them in the way of Righteousness, and also to record the Works of the Unrighteous, that as Way-Marks all might take warning to hate evil and do good; for had the first Inhabitants of New-England remained faithful under the Bishops Yoke, in fleeing from one City and Town to the other, the Yoke and Burden of Christ would have become easie and light, but not bearing the Cross of Christ▪ in opposition to their natural Wills, they [Page 213] fled beyond the Command of God, in fleeing the Land, though seemingly under a fair pretence of gathering Churches, and planting them where Christ had not been once named. But their preaching their Gospel and planting their Churches, seemeth to me of the nature of the Spa­niards among the Indians in New Spain, who destroyed the Natives by Fire and Sword, even so was it with them that at first came to preach the Gospel and plant Churches in New-England, the effect of which Work is recorded in their Book of Gods Providences towards them, in suffering them to destroy the Natives, not considering how to love their Enemies, and to pray for them, unto whom the King of Heaven and Earth had given this Land to possess; but as in that day, by reason of the Native not understanding the nature of Guns and Powder, one English Man with his Gun, would put ten Indians to flight, so in fifty or sixty years time of being acquainted with the Unrighteousness of the English, they are now become so unrighteous in the s [...]me-way, that as a Judgment upon the English, their Fire and Sword is so terrible, that at the sight of ten Indians do one hundred well armed English men take their flight; for the Natives now understanding Trade, do say, the English cheated them of their Land, and also of the many ten Thousand Pounds worth of Furs, with which they have traded with the English, who were bounded by a Law, that only a few of them, which were mostly in the Priests and Rulers favour, could trade, without paying five pounds in Money for every pint of strong Drink they sold to any Indian, without lisence from the Rulers, who did lisence such as aforesaid, to fell what they thought good, insomuch that some of the Traders have boasted, that their profit was one thousand pound in Furs, for one hundred [Page 214] pounds in Rum, Gun powder, and other Goods with which they traded; but of all their trading goods, they [...]aid Rum was the chie [...]; for the Indians nature did so require and desire after strong Drink, that all would be drunk in some short time, for which cause the [...]nglish Traders might then buy at any rate, and also to lengthen out out thei [...] stock by mixing Rum and Brandy with two th [...]ds Water; but ill gotten goods do not long remain with the Wicked; for the Indian Traders, with their great Estates, have the Indians destroyed most of them and their Estates with Fire and Sword; and if New-England hath been purchased of the Natives, as they say, after the like nature it hath been, how can the English have peace with the Indians, until they have repented of their sin, and made full restitution to them for their wrong received from the English, especially about their Land, which all know God gave unto them; and before the English came here, its generally acknowledged, the Indians were a moral People in way of Trade with each oth [...]r; but since the English undertook the work of reducing them into the knowledge of their D [...]ctrine, Principles and Practices, they are be­come the worst of men in stupidity, to work [...]ickedness; so that it is concluded, that those Indians which have com­plyed with the former Government, by which they have gained the Name of Praying Indians, have been the greatest Enemies to the English in the late Wars; and this I know, that some of them called praying Indians, have far exceeded them called cursing Indians, in Mischief against the English, and in general, the praying Indians are no more to be credited than they that never prayed in their life; so that the great sums of Money or Goods sent from England, to promote the Priests and Rulers Work of converting the Indians in [Page 215] New England, hath no more answered the end, than all the Money and Goods, which in the time the Priests have received of their people for preaching; for in that day, the nearer people were drawn, by their Priests, to joyn with [...] Church, the further they were drawn from serving God in the true and living way, as is sufficiently manifest by their persecuting of People to death; so that the more the Indians complyed, in [...]oyning with the Church, the more subtiler they grew, and now in subtilty exceed the Foxes, Bears, Lyons and Wolves, which if a true man were [...]i [...] by the one, he could have no true recompence by complaint to the other; [...]n which day they accounted their Devotion so holy, that if one that was a Member was was reading in his Psalm Book, and another that was no Member did but cast his eye, to behold what he was reading, the prerson that was reading would clo [...]e his Book, as a thing unfit for them, accounted as Dogs, to partake with with them in their holy things; and at that day, in the Church of Salem, the Women in time of service had their faces covered with a Vail, which practice did not many years continue, and when this practice was laid aside, they had (for the more order in their Church) to keep people from sleeping, a man that wholly tended with a short clubbed stick, having at the one end a knop, and at the other end a Fox Tayl, with which he would stroke the W [...]mens faces that were drousie to sleep, and with the other end would kn [...]ck unruly Dogs, and Men that were a [...]; in which time the Persecutors were not only known by [...]heir persecuting, but also by their habit of high crown­ed Hats, and two inch broad Bands, with short hair above or even with their Ears, and peaked B [...]ards, for their manner was to cut their hair by the brims of a dish [...] upon [Page 216] their heads. They had also a Law about Men and Wo­mens Apparel, by which in wearing of black silk Hoods and Scar [...]s, the Priests and Rulers Wives might be known from others, and them accounted rich might be known by their fine Cloth, and Gold and Silver Bottons, and there­upon came they to receive Honour of the poorer sort, which were yearly rated to maintain their Priests, &c. And in that day a man or woman, tho' never so base and wicked, yet should they find acceptance of favour with the Priests and Rulers, by informing against the Quakers, who were recorded as Lyars, Blasphemers, Seducers, Hereticks, Rogues and Vagabonds, with much more of the like nature.

Now having related in several places of this Book some­what of the unrighteous Laws, Acts, Orders and Practices of New-England, I shall now relate a little concering their last insnaring Law against the same people called Quakers, through their pretended zeal for Conformity, by chusing Tyding Men in each Town under their Government, which were year after year sworn to give true Information vvhere they found the Quakers to meet, or any other professing people vvhich vvere not lisenced to meet by the Priests and Rulers, vvho for so meeting, according to that Lavv, did forfeit House and Land to the Country, and then the Priests and Rulerrs vvere called the Country; and the persons, of vvhat quality soever, that vvere taken at any of the the aforesaid Meetings, were forth-vvith to be vvell vvhipt in the house of Correction, the penalty of which Law several honest rich Merchants in Boston received, vvhich Law vvell pleased the Priests, not knovving hovv little time they had to ride the Rulers at their pleasure; but soon after this King Charles the second, vvith his Council or Parliament, called them to an account, and found that [Page 217] they had forfeited their Charter, and which was condemn­ed, and for their misdemeanour towards him and his Subjects justly taken away. And in that Day their pre­tended Holyness was such, that none but them of their own Profession were admitted to bear Office, or fight against their Enemies; but now they will accept the Mahoque Indians, or Pyrats, or them highly accused of Witch-craft, to be their chief Commanders; and instead of differing Apparel, all that can get it may wear what they please, most striving who sha [...]l come nearest the newest French fashion; and instead of Womens Vails in the [...]r Worship, strive who can spy out the newest fashioned Apparel, and the richest and highest Top-knots, &c. and too much let their minds out to discourse of these things, till their next Worship day I write not these things to reflect upon the People of New-England, but that they may repent of their evils, which provoke the Lords Judgments against a People that profess him in words, but deny him in Works; for which cause it was, that divers of the former Priests and Rulers were suddainly removed by the just hand of the Lord, which reached them by suddain Death▪ according as I have read in a printed Paper given to King Charles the second, and to his Council, that upon the day of putting to Death them four Persons called Quakers, many people to see them put to death▪ run over the Draw-bridge in Boston, which broke down, and several people hurt but only one Woman big with Child killed▪ and that was her who had said, That rather than those four Quakers should not be put to Death▪ for want of some one to hang them, that her Husband should perform the Work ▪

The next in order was their Major General, whose [Page 218] Horse threw him in all his Pomp, at the head of the Trai [...]-bands, and he dyed immediately in the same place.

The third was the Captain of th [...]ir Castle, who was suddainly killed with Thunder, at which time the blades of his Souldiers Swords melted in their sheathes by their sides, yet all preserved alive.

The fourth and fifth were their two Captains which drove those innocent persons to their bloody Altar; the one was deprived of his natural Reason, and for filthiness degraded of his Church Brethren, and became eaten of Lice, and a reproach to them that met him. The other was given up to strong D [...]ink, and suddainly dyed.

The sixth of their Rulers, was one Webb, who was accused of Uncleanness with his near Kins-woman, he was strangely drowned, when all others in the same Boat, were out of danger.

The seventh was their Jaylor, a devout Member of their Church, who departed this Life in great horror of Conscience, confessing, it was for his great Cruelty to the poor Quakers.

The eight is said to have rotted alive, and was he that condemned the innocent to dye

The nineth bled to Death, not known to have any Wound.

The tenth was one Ʋnderwood, a rich Baker, which wasted his Estate, and became a Servant in Virginia And another, which I well knew, did the like▪

The twelfth (a great Persecutor) was a rich Collonol, he ended miserably, being killed by the Indians in his own House, in a taunting way of reproach. And at the same time his Riches consumed by fire, and his Daughter taken Captive.

[Page 219]The thirteenth was John Norton, their high Priest in Boston, who preached in the fore-part of the day, and in the latter part of the day, its said, he confessed, the hand of God was upon him, and so dyed.

And as the Word of the Lord was by the Mouth of his Servants to John Indicot Governour, even so is it, for his fair Dwellings in Boston are become a Barn, and Stable for Cows and Horses; and one can hardly find where his fair Dwelling in Salem stood. And of all his other great Estate in Lands and Livings, its well known, that on four pence a day for labour, many honest men in Old England have and do live far more better than any of his Posterity upon the aforesaid great Estate, and yet I know not any of them extravagant, but things do not prosper with them.

CHAP. I. Concerning the wonderful and mysterious Trees in the Garden of Eden, unknown ever since Man was driven out of Paradise, until admitted to return again, viz. the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil▪ and the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God.

NOw some will have the Tree of Kowledge of good and evil, to be a natural Tree, planted by God in Paradise; with whom I will not much contend, but of such a nature it was, that whosoever did eat thereof should have their Eyes opened against themselves, and so to be as Gods, to know both good and evil; then might it be, that God would admonish Adam both in­wardly and outwardly, of what he did inwardly and [Page 221] in his heart, either forbid or teach him, that he would l [...]kew [...]se, for the greater Evidence set before his Eyes, but withal this may be granted, that what was out­wardly done, the same happ [...]ned inwardly in the heart of Adam, that he was there temped by the Seed of the Serpent, viz. to make some account and reckoning of his own Wisdom, Will and Nature, and not submit him­self unto God, as void of all name, knowledge or work, but to be something of himself; and there are two causes for it, first, because the promise is, that the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent. Now I do not read of any natu [...]a [...] o [...] living Serpent, whose head was so bruised by the Seed of the Woman; therefore it may be said, as the spiritual Seed of the Woman (or Christ) was in the heart of Adam, so likewise was the serpents Seed; for man was made good, and not of the substance of God, therefore is it that man turns himself always from God, and inclineth to his own vanity; for what is the Devil Sin, Death and Hell, but nothing, even as many of the ancient Fathers have writ, especially Tha [...]lern [...] that God never created them, for they are a Non-entity, a not being, which is contrary and perfectly opposit to En­tity and being; and this might be the Devil that dwelt in Adam which seduced him, as also in Lucifer; The other cause is this, that the Scriptures likewise witness, that the City of God, and the heavenly Jerusalam, and the King­dom of God, is a Paradise within his People; and furder, that God and his Almighty Word is their Paradise, the Tree of Life the Temple where they dwell, walk, sa­crifice and pray, as likewise are his People and Paradise; and that the Beast spoken of in the Revelations, which the whole World, both great and small do at this day [Page 222] worship in their hearts, as likewise the Tree of know­ledge of good and Evil, is within men, for the whole exterior World, or whatsoever either is or is done outwardly▪ are but only an accident and figure, signifying the Truth of the thing, and the internal nature; and therefore, there is nothing true, of whatsoever is seen with the Eyes of man, for the figure and fashion of this World must pass away and perish, as being nothing else but a certain imaginary World, and the figure that is true, right, eternal and subsisting of it self, consequently, all things which in the Bible we [...]e done externally and sig­nifyingly, must again be done, and again be brought to t [...] pass, after their manner, and all the History of the Bible, and all Moses and the Prophets; for the whole Scriptures to this day stand in force, and are continually accomplished and fulfilled internally and spiritually; for all things are by Christ translated into the Truth, there­fore it must needs be, that all the Prophesies which God s [...]ke, from the beginning of the World by the mouth of his holy Ones, must still be called back, reiterated, or done over again, therefore that shadow or that Tree, was and is nothing else in the Truth but the nature, will, knowledge and life of Adam, of this he should not have eaten, this he should not have ascribed or arroga [...] ­ed to himself, but should a been free, and freely subject to God▪ and not to have known any thing, but what God knew in him, nor to have done any thing, but what God did in him, nor to have spoken any thing, but what God spake in him, &c. And upon this account every man is as much forbidden this Tree as Adam was, to the end that God, without any impedi­ment, might have exercised his Almighty Kingdom, [Page 223] Will, Nature & Power in him, but himself should have been utterly void of all knowledge, will or nature, and not to have arrogated any of these, as proper to him­self; this pleaseth God, this was that which he com­manded, and what he would have had done, to this interpretation agreeth true Divinity, that this Tree in the substance thereof is nothing else but mans own Will & Knowledge, of which alone in all the earthly Paradise of this wide World of mens hearts, they ought not to eat, but to account it forbidden, except they will eat of Death and Distruction; for as soon as Adam fell, by eat­ing of this Tree, the Tree was immediately planted in his mind, and afterwards derived into all the branches and fruit thereof, so that as the same Word, precept and forbidding was commanded to all, so is the same Fall, all men which are in Adam have novv eaten of Death, and received from the Serpent this undigested Poyson; so that it is easily perceived hovv man is his ovvn greatest Enemy, and vvhat he ought to think of himself, of his ovvn Will Understanding, Wisdom and Knovv­ledge, seeing it is the Counsel, Seed, Wisdom Know­ledge and Head of the Serpent, vvhich must by Christ, be bruised in the Children of men; for it must needs be, that as in the old Testament was signified by Circumci­sion, that in the new one by Baptism, which is that of the Spirit, through Regeneration, and being new born of the incorruptible Seed of the Kingdom of God; therefore, he that will be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, must part with, and put off all things by nature and Inheritance by Adam, even as he would do the Devil, and Death it self, viz. his own Will, Prudence, Wis­dom, and Righteousness, where-with (as fig-leaves) their [Page 224] Adam doth vainly seek to [...] himself, for that is Sin, and the [...] Death, namely, to eat of this Tree, to [...] self, his own Wisdom, Prudence, [...]; but, alas! who knows this, [...], who is it that is displeased with his own [...] U [...]de [...]standing, o [...] Wisdom? when will men for­sake them? [...]here are the men, that do not delight t [...]emselves in their own will, and recreate their minds svveetly and contentedly therein, reposing upon their own knowledge, understanding, and the [...]ike? The Tree is fair to be looked upon, and sweet to be tasted, and there­fore do the Sons of Men so greedily swallow and devour Death, as Adam did; and this is the misery, that men know it not, neither think they of it, but judge it to be good, and think assuredly that this is the Tree of Life, even to follow their own Wills and their own Conceits and Opinion of good, which indeed is false, to know much, to discern many sciences, and so to grow great in their own Thoughts, assume to become Gods, and in the mean time they are not aware, that this is Adams fall, his biting of the Apple, yea, his bitter Death it self, yet are continually speaking [...]f the miserable state of Man by Adams fall, but not take notice the same is done in themselves; and many are they that talk of his eating, and pretend to detest it, and him for it, yet themselves eat of it, even as he hath done, which doth manifest the miserable state of men, who prepare a Rod for themselves, by giving sentence against their own life, by condemning their f [...]rst Father Adam, and perceive not themselves fast in the same Trap. Here then, consider diligently, what mans Will, Knowledge and Understand­ing is, where with they think they may come into the presence of God; whereas indeed it is nothing but the [Page 225] bitterness of Death, and the fruit of the forbidden Tree; how few is there among men that perceive this, or will learn to put off, deny, fear, mortifie or kill his own Will and Wisdom? nay, rather do they not hold it fast, extol and value it as pure Gold? whenas indeed it is eternal Death; and truly in this Misery the whole World, lieth sick, and few is the number of them blessed Ones, who are delivered from themselves, and their own wills, power and wisdom, but are a small remnant, and few in number, as one of a City, and two of a Tribe, that find this strait gate, and enter in at it.

CHAP. II. Concerning the Tree of Life, what it is, and why Adam was shut out, forbidden and with-holden from it, and not suffered to eat thereof.

I Can also allow that there is the Tree of Life likewise in Paradise, as we find recorded in the holy Scripture, whose fruit might have been so seasoned, and endued by God, and how it had that nature that he who should eat of it, should live forever, and never dye; and when Adam had eaten of the forbidden Tree, and had fallen, as God fore­told, into Death, it might not now be that he should be permitted to eat of the Tree of Life, otherwise he might have lived forever, and the Word of God, if thou eat thereof thou shalt dye the Death, had been false. Moreover, God [...] is meer Love, and cannot forever be angry, did well provide, that Man in his misery, and in enmity to God, might not forever lead a wretched and calamitous Life, [Page 226] for which cause he drove him out of Paradise, from the Tree of [...] into his House of Penance, as if it were, the World, and shewed him way, whereby he might ag [...]in come out of Death into Paradise, to the Tree of [...]ternal Life; but in the mean time he fenced the Tree of Life, with a flying Cherub and glittering Sword, lest Adam in his banishment would eat Life; for it seemed better to God, that Man should dye, and so by Death put off this miserable Life, and change it to be translated to a better; for he knew, that Life, after this Death, cold calam [...]y and banish­ment, would be so much the more wellcome, and he the more dear unto God, after Victory▪ therefore God, who cannot hate the Sons of men, ever deals mercifully with them, howsoever he handleth them, if they would take it in good part, and not suspect him to be their Enemy; for such indeed is the nature and suspicion of mans heart.

Now may it not thus be, that for a greater Evidence or Testimony, that the same thing did likewise happen in the Tree Paradise, i. e. Adams heart, as there is the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which is the Seed, Speech, Council, Knowledge, Wisdom and Will of the Serpent; so there is also the Tree of Life, the Seed, Speech and Counsel of God, or of the Woman; and as God and the Devil are, even so are these two Seeds, or two Trees, so contrary the one to the other, that one brings Life, the other Death; and therefore it is impossible that whoso eats of the one, should at the same time eat of the other, or come unto it, as being seperated by a flying Chrub and a glittering Sword. Thus do I, and also other faithful Writers, interpret whinged Sin and obstinate Disobedience, which is else-where called in Scripture, a seperation or wall of partition; for whoso eats of the Tree of Knowledge of [Page 227] good and evil, that is he that greedily swallows down and devoureth humane and diabolical Wisdom, he is already seperated from the Tree of Life, that is, from the Wisdom, Speech and Knowledge of God; and neither of these Wis­doms Speeches, Wills or Knowledges can endure the other, neither can the one come from the other, so great is the Gulf between them, being as far divided asunder as Heaven and Hell. He that eats of the Tree of Life, that is, of the Word of God, he is born of God, and cannot dye nor sin, for his Fruit doth eat the Eaten, and trans­late him into his own Nature, that is▪ into Life, as else-where the Scripture speaketh of eating Christs flesh; for in­deed it is the same thing to eat Christ, and to drink his Blood, to live in his Word, to believe, to know God and the like; as likewise it is all one to believe in Adam, to live in Adam, to dye to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, to obey the Seed and Word of the Serpent, and to become Gods; therefore he that eats of the deadly Tree, and cleaves to the Word and Wisdom of the Serpent, being born of Satan, and afflicted, he lives in flesh and blood, and therefore cannot do well, or please God; as contrary wise, the other cannot sin, do evil, or displease God; Therefore he that will have the one, must needs part with the other, they must of necessity go out of the Wisdom of Adam and the Serpent, and from the forbidden Tree, that so the Wisdom of the Tree of Life may enter, to abide in them; Adam, and the Wisdom of the flesh must dye in them, that Christ may live in them, and the Spirit may have the government; the Life of the one is the Death of the other, and the weakness of one is the strength of the other; for no man can serve two Masters, and in vain shall men strive to reconcile God and Adam, or Christ and [Page 228] the Serpent, Light and Darkness, the Old Man and the New God and Beliel, or the Temple of God, and the Temple of Idols.

CHAP. III. Concerning the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil planted in the heart of Adam, that is, the Seed▪ Speech and Sp [...]rit of the Serpent, and that great Idol Anti christ, Sin, Death and the Devil, and the Beast spoken of in Daniel and the Revelations, which is the greatest and most ordinary wor­shipping of Angels.

WHat is it that men think, is the Beast, of which Daniel writeth, that resisteth and blasphemeth the the most High, and killeth the Saints? is it not that old Serpent that overthrew Adam and Eve? And what is the Tree of knowledge of good and evil? what is the shame­less King and Anti-Christ, of which Daniel writ, and Paul to the Thessalonians? And what is that many headed Beast which the whole World adoreth, which is spoken of in the Revelations? And what is Sin? what is Death? what is the Devil himself, but every mans own Will, Wisdom, Reason, Religion, Righteousness, Skill, Delight, for which cause, Paul calleth it, Death itself, Enmity against God, and Folly before him; and the Apostle James, calls it Earthly, humane, Devilish Wisdom, because these three are one and the same, and that is devilish which is meerly humane, and contrary wise, Man, the Devil, Adam, and the Serpent, are the same, and do agree; for the Serpent did so instill this Wisdom and feinged good­ness [Page 229] into the nature of Adam, that the Serpents seed and word was in Adam, made a corporal man; so that now the same thing may be said of them both, and as they are, that are born of God, and in whom the Word of God is made man, or flesh, are called Gods, and one Spi­rit with God, so all men being sprung of flesh and blood before they be planted into Christ, and are born of the Spirit, they are justly called Devils, and the De­vils Children and Off-spring of the Devil, whose work they do, therefore that which is only humane, is evil, and that which is devilish, is humane. And again, what is the fall of Adam but the wisdom of the Flesh, and the fruit of the forbidden Tree? What is that old Dragon that came out of Hell, and drew down from Heaven with his Tail, a great part of the Stars of Heaven, but only the Wisdom of this Tree, which extolls it self against God, and places his seat with the higest? And what else are the Thoughts of the Flesh? What is sin? what is Arrogance, but the Fruits and Wisdom of this Tree? And what are the Decrees of Men, and the bent of their Reason against God, their devices and light Books, but the cunning of the Devil, from this Tree eaten? What is all the Worship of Idols, the false Religion of all the wicked Jews, Turks, Gentiles, Mamalucks, and all false Christians? And what are all the Leagues, Conventicles, Ceremonies and Covenants, but the Apples of this Tree eaten, which counterfeiting the Tree of Life, seemeth to the Sons and Children of men, to be pleasant fruit, which indeed are but such as are Death it self? for I do believe, that no man can such sufficiently express the general worship­ping of Idols, where withal the corners of the World and hearts of men are stuffed. How common is it for men to [Page 230] worship Idols? and what is an Idol, but to worship the true God in a false way? and who is it that saith not to his own reason, knowledge, honesty, art and wisdom thou art my God? They do not thus say with their Mouthes, but their whole life, and their idolatrizing Mind saith as much, by their deeds, for they continually sacrifice to their own Drag? and here it is that mortal men deny God, and testifie it by their works, which are without faith, being dead, even as a body is without the spirit; for if by true faith they were alive to God, they would leave vengeance to him, and not so much seek to revenge themselves, which doth manifest they dare not trust God with their cause to avenge for them; if otherwise, why are they anctiously careful? why do they so exercise mischief and fraud, and so deceive one another? why do they make war and strife, right or wrong, for mine and thine? why do they so lye, deceive and flatter one another? why do they forget God and his saying, making no account of his Commandments? wherefore are they so covetously minded, to labour night and day, and to take every opportunity to improve every unrighteous advantage against their Neighbour, to get and heap up the perishing things of this Worlds Riches; truly all this is, because they retain not God in their Thoughts, to believe that he hath any care of them, or that he can provide or will revenge for them, therefore is it as their works do manifest, for them to believe, they must not be wanting in this and the other thing, but that it is most necessary to help and revenge for themselves, otherwise, say they, we might by our Enemies be all killed, or become Slaves and Bond men, and beg our Bread. And thus it is with them who will not have ought to do with good, and Truth in good earnest; no, they must not be wanting to themselves, [Page 231] but make their own Markets by [...]ying, deceiving, cozening, usury, and the like; these things they think will enrich them good; and thus by them are the Commandments of God and his Word slighted, until, with many, they cause his Spirit to leave striving; for they oppress the seed, and crucifie the just Principle of God in themselves, and account the Word of God an insufficient help in time of adversity, therefore it well pleaseth them to adore themselves, and to kiss their own Works, and to sacrifice to their own Net, to speak big words, and to admire themselves; for who else is our God, saith the whole World, by their works.

CHAP. IV. Concerning that great Idol of Mans Wisdom and Knowledge, how men kiss their own hands, and the whole World doth diligently worship only self, and the Works of their own hands, that is, the Inventions, Arts, and Counsels of their own Reason and Wisdom.

WHAT other thing is it, that is the Worship of Idols, Superst [...]tion, Witch caft, evil Doctrine and the Ordinance of Men, which is no other, but the Wisdom, Reason, Inventions, Crafts, Actions, Instincts and Prudence of men, therefore the worshipping of Idols, is but to fa­shion such or such a form, like unto God, but not accord­ing to his Word, as he teacheth, figureth and formeth himself in man, but according to their own Opinion and Judgment of him? Moreover, what is sin? any other then mans own Will, Wisdom and Counsel, sown in the mind of Adam, and in his Posterity by the serpent? Then [Page 232] consider the purpose, cause and life of Man, where and how thou wilt, and it is nothing but humane Wisdom; here will man be his own God, to lead, teach, govern, revenge, defend, excuse, enrich him self, and the like; and so mans own Head, Will and Reason is instead of God to him, though the sin and fall of Adam, be nothing but the cunning Reason and Wisdom of the flesh, which in Scripture is called Fo [...]y and Devilish Wisdom, yet how do men generally prize and magnifie it, as if they were endowed from above; all men therefore ought with Christ, to bring man to nothing, and that by daily les­sening and depressing him, to make him become as a Child and a Fool, but instead of performing what God hath commanded, it is with man clear contrary there­unto, for men build up the man, that so he may come to prove wise, glorious and famous, and for that end they have many Arts that wreched and unprofitable man may become great, eminent, praised and excellent, and may obtain Places, Titles and Names; so that thereby young men are purposely inflamed with a desire of Glory, for which cause many are they, that are not content to abide with the teachings of Gods gift of divine Light, by the Word of his Spirit, but by their humane Wisdom and cunning reason of the flesh, they come to domineer in Pulpits and teaching places, where they are upheld to lord it over Gods Heritage, and to this very end, there are artificers imployed to make their Schollars accute, witty and knowing in all kinds of Crafts, and in all ex­ercises, arts and litteral deceits, whereby it appeareth more clearer then the light, that the World is contrary, and an enemy to God. Now here the wise and prudent of this World perish in their own way, because they live [Page 233] without the true knowledge of God, and kiss their own hands, and adore the wisdom of their own wit, which i [...]to the World and its Teachers insted of God, his way and word, and indeed of all things, it is the greatest and only sin, and the very fall of Adam, and the very foun­tain whence all other sins do flow, as Job confesseth, for this only to be obedient, addicted to serve himself, to admire and adore himself, to follow his own will, briefly, to be his own, and to serve only self, being of a free will, and glad to be some-what in and of himself, and to do, to omit, and to know some what in himself, and not to be utterly void of all name▪ will, work, and subject only to God, this is the only and most deadly sin, yea, rather the sinck and mother of all sins; for the delight, will and wisdom of the flesh, is Death it self, and a man is thereby no more profitable, better nor re­ligious, then a dog, toad or swine in his Death; for when they dye all their misery endeth with them, but in this state, with man, as death leaves, so Judgment finds, and he cannot repent in the grave, but his t [...]rmem doth increase, and with him will abide forever, without end; which to remove all horror, which to the wicked is disquiet­ness of Mind, trouble of Conscience, in this life, and en­creaseth torment in the life to come, is while time is, & the spirit of God keeps striving, to live to his Word, to do his will, that is to yeild their obedience to the Word of his Spirit, that the Will of God may be done in their ea [...]thly Tabernacle, agreeble to the desire of his Will which is in Heaven; this is the way of them, that to God abide faithful, to keep the path of him that is Just, in which their is neither variation nor shadow of turning, but keeping the way of Life, which leadeth to enter the [Page 234] strait Gate, that is to that man that doth nothing know-nothing, and willeth nothing of himself, but bears and suffers and sees God making holy day in h [...]m, this man keeps the Sabbath holy, being void of all skill and will, is subject only to God in him, to do out, will know, both how, what, when, and why he pleaseth God. Now the whole World lieth in this Death and Sin, for that it doth nothing else but kiss its own hand, and Sa­crifice to its own Net, that is, adore the purpose, coun­sel, invention, and wisdom of it self, and to this pur­pose are all things drawn and bent, even the holy Scriptures and words of God, namely, to be consonant to the Reason of men, and not to cross their own wisdom, course and way, but all these things must be overthrown & unlearned again, if they will see God; therefore doth the Spirit of God, and the holy Scriptures so vehemently urge the Chil­dren of Men, to become Children and Fools, and to vo­mit up again all the art and knowledge of this forbidden Tree, to be purged by the strength of the Tree of Life, consequently let men in this state, look and observe in themselves narrowly what they do, either in their wor­ship to God, or serving their Neighbour, and they shall find, that all this is true in their own brest, that them­selves is the mark they aim at in all they do.

CHAP. V. Concerning the Sin of Covetousness.

THe nature of which Lust or Devil, lusteth to covet after that Which God hath expresly forbidden, namely, the Tree of Knowledg of good and evil, which causeth men to become as Gods, whose Eyes are opened against themselves, to perceive the Tree good for Food, and pleasent to the eyes, and a Tree to make one wise, therefore do they covet after the fruit of the Tree, and greedily eat of it, not considering how they eat Death, and dye to God, as Adam did, even so is it with every man that is not planted into the Tree of Life, and new born of Christ, regenerated, and brought forth by the immor­tal Seed, the Word of God, the Spirit of Truth, and Seed of his Kingdom, but on the contrary, covet after the perishing things of this World, thereby to enrich themselves there-with, contrary to what God hath com­manded, first to seek the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righ­teousness thereof, unto which is the promise, of adding all other things; for as the Promise was on condition to Adam, To do and live, so hath it been the same, to all men in every age, and is the same in this day, therefore let none deceive themselves, for the doers of the Law were only them that kept the Word of the Lord, who accounted them worthy of receiving Life, to live with God forever; for to the Disobedient, who are only hearers of the Word, and not doers of the Word, there is no true peace, neither in this Life, nor in the Life to come; for there is no peace to [Page 236] the Wicked, saith my God; so that the doers of the Law were they, and only them that kept the Commandments of God, and by faith in him were the works of the Law imputed to them for Righteousness. So, no [...] in this Gospel Day, Christ is given for a Light to ligh [...]n the Gentiles and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth, that whosoever will believe in him, might not perish, but have the Light of Life; Therefore as Christ hath dyed for the sins of the whole World, that every man in the World may be left without excuse, God hath given unto them a gift of divine Light, which is to th [...]m a Talent and Seed of the Tree of Life, as is else-where called the [...]ord of Faith, be­ing a manifestation of the Sp [...]rit given to every man to profit withal, which as they hear, to obey and do it, they also profit by it, to perform the Commandments of God, and of this nature is their strength in the Tree of Life re­newed, which causeth the Seed to grow, and makes rich the berren land, thr [...]ugh purging out the old Lea­ven, that the new Lump may take place, which bringeth forth holy Fruit abundantly to God; so that the Children of her that was barren, now bringe [...]h forth, and become many; and thus do the faithful grow, who covet after the better part, namely, to fear God and work Righteousness, to [...]o Justly, love Mercy, and walk humbly, doing no other thing to any, then as themselves would be done unto; This is the Law and the Prophets, and also what God hath commanded for all men to do in this day, that they may come to per­take of his Promise, to grow in the Tree of Life, from Grace to Grace, until by Grace the work of God in them is wholly perfected: but these things, are to a Coveteous man, even as the wise Charmeer, is to the deaf Adder; for having ears to hear they hear not, to receive the [Page 237] Truth, in the love of it, because the love of Money is their pride, in which they delight to become wise, rich, and what not, in the perishing things or this life. Here cove [...]ous men grow from one covetous desire to ano­ther, until, through pride and covetousness, they come to [...]all as Angels have done, and yet may remain, as many covetous Usurers do, who have cloathed themselves with the Prophets and Apostles words, that thereby they may appear in the sight of men to be knowing, prudent and wise, and accounted men of good Reason, yea, and withal religious and righteous, whenas indeed, it is but their own work, and the Righteousness thereof, which is as filththy Rags and fig-leave Garments of Unrighte­ousness, where-with they vainly seek to hide themselves, from the presence of God, whose all seeing eye beholdeth the wayes of every covetous mans setting up for him­self to walk in; for which cause, God that searcheth the heart and knoweth the intents of the mind, and checks, reproves, and condemns for every vain thought, evil intent and idle word, and Unrighteous work, for which cause often times covetous and proud unrighteous men and woman fall into such condemnation by the Power of God, that they even despair of Mercy, yea, the hor­ror of their condemnation is such, that Preist nor Levit, nor the dark Watch-men of the night, can afford no help to the wound of a troubled Conscience, in which state of a wounded Spirit who can bear, which for remedy, the physitian of no value is set to work, who in his own will, wisdom, knowledge and reason of Disobedience in its own time, & with his own words, doth apply such means, of which himself did never experience, imputing the cause to proceed from Witch-craft or a Melancholly humor, and [Page 238] withal giveth direction, not to give way to comply with the Light within, which (he saith) are the checks of a natural Con­science, and reliques of old Adam. Thus, and of [...]he like nature, are the directions, counsels & advice of such proud covetous men, who follow the ways of Balaam, that for­sook the right way of the Lord▪ to gain the Wages of Un­righteousness; f [...]r Light is sown for the Righteous, and glad­ness for the Ʋpright in heart, and to them that will not obey, it is their Condemnation, Joh. 3.19. for it is the gift of God which came by Jesus Christ, by whom all that are saved come through the Cross, which mortifies and kills every Lust, which is mans deadly Enemy, by which every covetous and unrighteous man is deceived, and of his own lust drawn into this and the other form of Religion, which is their cloak, to cover, hide and shelter all their pride and unrighteous Works of Covetousness. And here it is that poor mortal men are become Servants and Slaves to their own Lusts, which are Devils, Thieves and Robbers, the deadly Enemies of mans own House, that have drawn a way his mind into the love of carnal things that perish; and of this like Nature are they bewitched that they should not obey the Truth; for in their own wisdom, will and time they can neither see, hear nor obey, to do those things which are of faith in Christ, to make their peace with God, because their own wisdom, knowledge, will and reason is the Righteousness of their works, which make a Wall of Partition between Man and his Creator, who hath created him to wait upon his Maker, to hear and obey God in all things, according to his will and time, that he may have the honour and praise of his own work done by and of himself, on man; the omitting of which Duty keeps the Children of men from the true saving Knowledge of God; [Page 239] for Man, in his own wisdom, will and time, hath always the eye of Knowledge and Reason open against himself, in which state he cannot receive the will and mind of God from above, because he giveth way to serve his own Lusts, which are his Enemies, that ensnare his Soul and keep his Mind in Bondage, to serve this and the other thing of his own [...]nvention, in which abideth Death and Destruction; and indeed, of this nature is every mans God, that liveth not to the true God, in thought, word and work, according to his Word, which he teacheth and formeth in all them that abide faithful, which without faithfulness to what God hath commanded, no man can come unto him; there­fore it is that every covetous, proud and unrighteous man is shut out [...]rom having any entrance into the true saving knowledge of God, because to him is not the true God retained in any of his Thoughts, which of his own lust are moved here and there, and indeed every where into this and the other thing, which abideth but for a time, and then leaveth the Mind, or the Mind leaveth it, and so in its motion; which is swift indeed for another thing of the like nature, in which abideth Death. So that every proud vain covetous man in the world, to him there are Gods many, all being of one nature, which in his own wisdom, will, knowledge, reason and righteousness, to him make but one God, which is their own lusts, the Prince and Power of Darkness, which rules in the Children of Disobedi­ence, and is called, The God of this World, because he is a God to them that are of the World, who have yeilded their mines to serve their own lusts, therefore is this lust to them, the God of this World, the Prince and Power of Darkness, that rules the mind of every covetous, proud and unrighteous man and woman, that retain not [Page 240] the true and living [...] thoughts, the mo­ving cause of which yet [...], their own Enemies, the Devil and Devils [...] draw away the mind in the swiftness of motion, the world over into the many things thereof, in which, and with which the mind is be [...]ettered, and intang [...]ed with the love and delight there­in, that there is not the least measure of freedom in the will, for the mind to abide in retiredness to wait upon God, to see his Salvation wrought in his own time, according to the will and mind of himself. Now to them that abide faithful unto God, they keep in a true state of watchfulness, waiting upon God, and watching against the appearance of every lust, which is such an Enemy against God, and mans true peace, with his maker, that lust is ever ready to draw away the mind from God, that it may not retain him in its thoughts, but to be thinking of this and the other thing, in which re­maineth death, that draws the soul into perdition, which as they abide in faithfullness, upon their watch, their strength, by the povver of God will be renevved, that they shall not only perceive their Enemies motion, but also receive povver to vvith-stand their lusts, and cause Gods enemies to scatter.

And of this nature, in the hour of temptation, he recei­veth strength, in and through the Power of God, which resisteth such Devils, and causeth them to flee; and of this natu [...]e it is with them that are not carnally minded, to live after the flesh, but spiritually minded, to live after the spirit, through which, by the spirit, they mortifie the deeds of the flesh, which vvork of God is only known to them who retain him in all their thoughts, that with a holy Re­solution and godly zeal for his Cause, they are made wil­ling [Page 241] to give up and forsake all for the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, him to hear, and in all things to obey, as becometh his Truth; this is it which God would have all men to do, that he only may rule in them, and the spirit have the government, that thereby Man may come to live and abide in peace with his Maker, who is willing to be at peace with them, that are willing he shall rule, whose right it is to have the government; for he that will be Christs Disciple, must first take up the Cross, and follow him in all things, according to his wisdom, will and time, who best knows when, where and how to cleanse the house of Thieves and Robbers, which rob God of his honour, by living to their ovvn lust, their own thoughts, vvords and vvorks, according to the reason of their own vvill and vvisdom of the flesh, which desires the Temple of God and makes it become an unfit habitation for the Lord of Life to abide in; therefore if any covetous man, any unjust man, or he that is unrighteous and unholy, vvill knovv himself to be purged from his unjustness, his cove­tousness and unholiness, he must forsake the love of all things vvhich are his ovvn, and vvholly [...] to the Tree of Life, to live to Gods Word, that the Life of it may grovv in him, othervvise he vvill remain in that state vvhich fulfils vvhat is vvritten, That he which is unjust, unrighteous, unholy and filthy, let him be so still; for the Lord will quickly come as a swift Witness, and his Reward will be with him, to give to every man according as his Works shall appear to be, and a day of terror, horror and misery vvill be to every vain, proud, covetous and unrighteous man and vvoman, vvho have defiled the Temple of God, through a life of obedience to the love of any one thing vvhatever, more than to love the appearance of Gods holy Truth, his [Page 242] divine Light and Word of his Spirit, vvhich is the appearance of Christ, the Tree of Life, and seed of the Kingdom of Heaven, which all unrighteous and covetous men have, and do in this day burden, oppress and keep under, as a Cart loaden with Sheaves, until, with many, the Spirit of God leaves striving, and their house becomes desolate, being left in hardness of heart with a seared Conscience, having eyes and ears with which they can never more see the tenders of Gods free Love, and the riches of his free Grace and large Mercy towards them that hunger and thirst after his Righteousness, which only them that abide faithful are made to partake of; for although the seed of the Tree of Life hath been sown in all sorts of ground, yet for as much as through pride, covetousness, usury, oppression, and the like of other sins, which fruit it hath brought forth to unrighteousness, the seed of their own lust, which hath refused to cleave to the Tree of Life, and lived on the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, [...] hath caused their ground to be accursed, and their [...] ▪ with the fruit thereof to vvither, vvaste and perish away; for every branch which bringeth not forth fruit in the Tree of Life, the sa [...]e is taken off, and cast into the fire of Gods Wrath, which is burn­ing against all the unrighteousness of men; but as any repent, they find mercy with God, with whom all power in Hea­ven and Hell doth remain; for as Love is a Heaven to them that live to him, so likewise is his Wrath a flame of holy zeal and fire from Heaven, which is Hell both in this World, and also Hell in the World to come, which will burn forever against every wicked Spirit of every wicked Man and Woman, who have yeilded themselves Servants, to serve their own lusts, which hath brought forth all manner of evil fruit, which is accursed in the sight [Page 243] of God, who hath commanded all men against Pride and Covetousness, which are the two great inlets or doors of Unrighteousness, which mans Enemies, the Devils, his own lusts keep open, through which, the greatest of all sins enter, namely, Pride, Blasphemy Covetousness, Ʋsury, Oppression, Murders, all manner of Prophaneness, Lying, Swearing, Drunkenness, Theft, Whoredoms, both spiritual and temporal, Back-bitings, Whisperings, Witch-crafts, Ha­treds, Strifs, Emulations, and what not of other sins, is it, that Pride and Covetousness make not way for them to take place; for Pride and Covetousness are not willing to live and abide alone, without the whole company of Enemies, which find room enough to abide and live together, as Brethren of one House or Family, in the heart and mind of every covetous man and woman, whose lust is natural to give way to any appearance of outward profit or gain in the things of this [...] Lust is such a subtil Devil, that it teaches and [...] a covetous man and woman to cloath the outside with a form of Religion▪ which is but a Child of their own lusts begetting, whose Servants they are to whom they obey, and a Child of their own Lusts, whose work they do. And thus is the Scripture fulfilled by men in a form of godliness, without the power of God therein, being outwardly cloathed with Scripture words, which to them is such cloathing, that causeth such men and women outwardly to appear as Sheep of the true Fold, when in­deed, (as the Scripture speaketh) they are inwardly ravening Wolves; for when they speak most fair, there is seven abomina­tions in their heart. So that all men and women, under what Name soever, few are they that cleave to the Tree of Life, to live to God in thought, word and work, as they ought to do, because the love of some one thing or another [Page 244] blocks up the way of Truth, that no part of the Cross can be taken up, by them that love any thing more than the appearance of Gods holy Truth, for which cause many are them that cannot enter the strait Gate, which will not open to any but to them that keep in the path of the just, wh [...]ch leadeth to the Tree of Life, from which the faithful receive their daily nourishment, who are made fit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but of such their Number is small, and in this life the tryal of their Faith is great; but this is their strength, through faith in the Promise of God, that nothing shall befall them, more than what he will enable them to bear; for they have an assurance of his Grace, that it is able to save from the nethermost pit of Hell, and will keep and preserve all them that abide faithful to him, who, in the stillness of mind and retiredness of thoughts, witness his saving power, whose Salvation is to the ends of the Earth.

So that nothing more shall befall [...] chosen ones, then vvhat hath happened to the Houshold of Faith in dayes past; There is no nevv thing under the sun, for as in all ages, even so novv, he that vvas a Jew in the out­vvard, vvas only a hearer of the Lavv, and not a doer of vvhat vvas contained in the Lavv, and so no true Heir of the Promise, vvhich vvas to faithfull Abraham and to his seed, not after the flesh, but after the spirit, for that which is born after the flesh, lives to the things of the flesh, which to the wisdom of the flesh are sweet and delightfull, but the end thereof is the bitterness of Death, for Death and Destruction is the portion and inheritance of every covetous man born after the flesh, whose love to covet, is that Enemy, the Lust and Devil of his own house that persecutes the Just Principle of [Page 245] Truth, both in themselves and others, which fulfilleth the scripture, he that that is born after the flesh persecutes him that is born of the spirit; which consequently follows, that every man which is in disobedience to the spirit of God, is a persecutor of the just and holy One; but who is it that considers this, or thinks of it? nay, rather do not men hide and cover themselves with this and the other form of Religion, which if they do but barely come up to the outward form, and in common honesty, answer the extream Righteousness of the Law of men, they pass among men for Christians not at all considering, that no man can be a true Christian, but as he is born of the Spirit▪ and through the Spirit to mortifie the deeds of the flesh, such are not only Christians in name, but in na­ture also they witness the work of God, by Jesus Christ, whose Leaven is the seed of the Kingdom, the Tree of Life, unto which every true Christian cleaveth, to know himself purged, cleansed and purified, regenerated, new born and planted into Chirst, being of one spirit with him, to know, do, omit, go forth and work for God, when, and at what time soever his spirit movet [...] here the Anoint­ing teacheth them in all things, and the Evidence of the s [...]irit gives an infallible assurance, of their having the mind of God in Christ, and to thêm that have not made some good beginnings in this work, however their outside Cup may seem clean, as to men, yet their minds are in the world, and the world in all its wayes, is at enmity with God, who will shut out every covetous man & woman, from having any lot or inheritance in the Tree of Life, except they turn to God by true Repentance, which will manifest it self by holy fruit of the Spirit, which bringeth forth no unclean thing in thought, word nor work, but is altogether obedient [Page 246] and submitting to its own nature, to work Righteousness, do justly love mercy, and in lovvliness of mind, and meek­ness of heart, keeps the even path, and enters the strait Gate, which will not open to any, that do not in all things follow the teachings of Gods Word, and leadings of his Spirit, which begetteth true faith, of which is good works viz. to fear God, to work Righteousness, to do justly, love mercy, walk humbly, and doing no other thing to any, whatever, than as themselves would be done unto; this is the Law and Pro­phets, and what God require [...] of all men to do, otherwise they are not accepted of God by Jesus Christ, to enter into his rest. So that, if any man say, he hath faith, and trusteth in God, to believe in his promise, and doth not manifest his faith, by holy works, which according to the Light of the Gospel, so shine, that others may glo­ryfie God by the same, that man whomsoever he be, is a Lyar, and the saving knowledge of Gods holy Truth abideth not in him; for faith without works is dead, and such a faith and hope will fade away and perish.

And again, in whom Faith is not, Grace worketh no effect, which is altogether through mans own neglect of Obedience to the spirit of Truth, which leadeth into all Truth; for the Truth is no other than the Tree of Life, which is Christ, in whom no mans faith can abide, without works of Holiness; for where men have a Faith, without works of Righteousness, their building is founded upon a rotten foundation, against which the Gates of Hell do ever prevail, that is, of their own Lusts they are led, and kept in bondage, not having any right to the promise, which only belongeth to the free born, who are redeemed by the power of an endless Life, and made heirs of the promised Land, and heavenly Jerusalem, which is from [Page 247] above, and is the Mother of all them that abide in faithful­ness to the end. Now here every unrighteous and covetous minded man is shut our from entring the Kingdom of Hea­ven; nay, though he may be outwardly righteous, as was one in Christs day, when he said, It was easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom Heaven, which is for this cause of a coveting desire, to which their love is joyned, that their love abounds more to delight therein, than to part with all, to take up the Cross, in true love, to follow Christ, who hath said, He that loveth any thing more than me, is not worthy of me. Now for what end, do people think, were these things [...]? do they think that God is such another as them­selves, or that he will be mocked? No verily, God will not be mocked, such as every man soweth, of the same he shall reap, whether to the flesh or to the spirit, the one be­ing life, the other death; for, to be carnally minded is Death, but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace; which things ought by all men to be duely considered, before Time be no more, for as Death leaves, so Judgment finds, and in the Grave they cannot repent; but these things are not regarded nor minded among many, therefore is it written, The fool hath said in his heart there is no God; which though in words he acknowledge God, yet the bent of his covetous mind draws the heart from retaining God in its thoughts, that such men live without God in the World, for by their deeds they manifest the same; therefore is it that there is no true saving knowledge of God to them; and in this state are all covetous men, among whom many are they that have taken upon them the Name of God and Christ, whose words they have stollen, who through cove­tousness make it their Trade to gain Money by; this is also [Page 248] contrary to the Word of God, and not at all according to the example of his holy Ones▪ who coveted no mans Silver nor Gold, but freely received the gift of G [...]d, and as good Stewards of his manifold Grace, they freely broke their Bread from House to House, with singleness and gladness of heart, rejoycing in the Work of the Lord, whose Word they divided to every one his portion, without Money or Price, labouring with their hands for their maintenance, that they might not make the Gospel chargeable to any, and wo was to him that did not preach the Gospel without reward from men, because the promise of him that taketh care for birds of the air, and beasts of the field, is large, in that he taketh the greater for his Servants and Messengers of his Truth, who have said, That Godliness, with content, is great gain; but alas! who is it among men, that regard or mind these things? is not the love of Money, which is the root of all evil, that which is most beloved among men? And again, Covetousness is of Lust, such a Devil, that contrives and joyns so close and fast to the mind of men, that some have lost their lives by sorrow for worldly goods; for a covetous man can meet with no greater sorrow than to part with that in which his love doth most abide; for above all other things, that which a man doth most love to delight his mind in, that is to him his Godd; therefore is it that bear outside Christians are so entangled with the things of this Life; for where the Trea­sure is, there is the heart also, and yet extream righteous, as towards the Law of men, which often is extream wrong in the sight of God, because a covetous man takes the oppor­tunity to enrich himself by another mans necessity, whereby the borrower rather becomes a slave than a servant to the lender, wh [...], through covetousness, can in no wise simpa­thize nor participate with his friend or neighbour in loss or [Page 249] cross whatever, because the affectionate part is only to self, so as covetousness can do no good work to it self, neither can it do that which is properly good to another, therefore is it not safe to be too far concerned with the god of any covetous Usurer, for as it wholly tends to the destruction of the soul of him that binds, so it also tends to impoverish him that is bound; for the lust of a covetous man, namely, the Devil, his idol and god, will never suffer the rust and canker to feed upon his Money, nor the mote to devour his goods, more than to supply the necessity of any man with­out interest; so that the mercy and pity of a covetous man is plain Cruelty, not only to his own soul, but also to the body of others, who are concerned with the idol or god of a covetous man, whose mind is always bent towards the enlarging of his idol; therefore he taketh the opportunity of every advantage, by bill, bond, mortgage, and the like, to enrich himself with those things which will perish with him, except he repent; and of this natu [...], by opportu­nity, through advantage of another mans necessiy, do men enrich and impoverish one another; so that Oppression among men is like to a sweeping rain, which drives all from one man into the bounds and possession of another, through which many men are enlarged with Mountains, Hills and Vallies, when many have not whereon to set their foot; and of this nature is it that Covetousness leads to Usury, Oppression, and the like which hath divided the things of this World, and is the only portion of every covetous, proud and vain man, which does not forsake and repent of all his evil deeds, and covet after the better part, unto which is the promise, of adding all things needful; there­fore is it written, The Righteous are never forsaken, nor their seed begging Bread. Say unto the righteous, it shall go well with [Page 250] them, but with the wicked it shall go ill. Therefore study after Righteousness, and covet after the better part, against which, lust to covetousness, cannot prevail; for lust to covet after the Riches of this World, is as natural to the Children of men, as the ground is natural to bring forth Weeds; therefore is it, that men by nature, of their own wills, wisdoms, knowledges, reasons, righteousnesses, and the like, will not come under the cross, to hear and obey Moses and the Prophets, to fulfil what the Law required of him to do; so also are they accursed which refuse to bear and obey the Voice of the Son of God, whose gift of divine light is the condemnation of every covetous mans thoughts, words and works; [...]o that Covetousness is of no profit to any man that gains the riches of this world, with the loss of his soul; but godl [...]ness, with content, is great gain, to them that fear God, work righteousness, do justly, love mercy, walk humbly, and do no other thing to others, than as themselves would be done unto. Yet notwithstanding this, and whatever else is written in the holy Scriptures against Covetousness, how do men daily nourish and cherish it, as if it were a godd of such a nature and life, as to abide with them forever; therefore are they so choice of this lust of unrighteousness, that for its sin they provide the largest cloak; for of all other sins, Covetousness is most in credit among the Sons of men, therefore they will not let this Devil go naked, but cloath it with credible Names, not as sin or vile, but as thrift, provident good care of a mans own, and care of the main chance, and not only so, but will protect and defend it with Scripture words, viz. He that provideth not for his own house is worse than an Idfidel, and hath denyed the Faith. Therefore as God directeth, is my labour to uncloak and lay open this Lust, Devil and Sin of Covetousness, which abideth in the [Page 251] wise and prudent of this World, who, through coveting after Money, the love of which is the root of all evil, in them that will neither enter the Kingdom of Heaven, nor suffer others which are entering, to go therein; which doth manifest their Covetousness to exclude all love and fear to God, and all love and pity to their Neighbours good. Nay, what sin is it, that Covetousness leads men not to commit? it leadeth them that are covetous to oppress, cozen, deceive, lye, and sell their Conscience for every trifle; also, it leads men to turn from the Faith, betray the Truth, sell it for Money, and to hold the Truth in Unrighteousness; it leads men to forsake all good Religion, to turn Persecutors, which is the greatest Oppression that can be, for it sweeps away the Life and Estate of many men; it leads men to wait as Troops of Robbers, to kill and destroy by the consent of unrigh­teous Laws, which have been made by covetous Usurers. And I may say, Covetousness not only leads men to kill and steal by the high-way, but to rob God of his honour, by stealing his words which he spake by the mouth of his holy Ones, whose words they sell for Money, each looking for his gain from his Quarter, which if any man refuse to pay, open war is prepared against him; and of this, and the like nature doth Covetousness lead men to sin against God, even to the destroying of their peace with him; for to the Wicked there is no true peace in this life, nor in the Life to come. Covetousness is one of the chief gates and Inlets to the broad way of Death, Hell and Destruction, and is so delightful and well-pleasing, that many are led thereby into all manner of Abominations, even to rebel against God and King, and to change the form of Worship at every change in Government. In short, it leadeth Parents to destroy their Children, and Children to destroy their [Page 252] Parents; also, it leadeth men to lye and swear, and to hold the the Truth in unrighteousness, and to pervert the truth, thereby to turn the cause of the Fatherless and Widdow. Therefore let all men beware of coveting after that which God hath forbidden; for while some have beên coveting after Riches, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows, because it is such a sin, that it draws the soul of him that is over much righ­teous, into perdition; for over much righteous before men, is over much wicked in the sight of God, because its only mans own works, which is plain hypocrisie and deceit, and indeed so are all things which are not done by man in truth and sincerity, with uprightness of heart and mind to God, whose all-seeing eye beholdeth the evil and the good in all men whatever, among whom the heart of some that labour to be rich, is pierced through with many sorrows; for it is written, They that will be rich, fall into many Temptations, and a Snare, and many foolish and hurtful Lusts, which draw men into perdition; for lust to Covetousness, is such a subtil Enemy, and the Devils snare is so cunningly contrived, and so full of fair pretences, that let a man be once in love with Money, he knows not which way to wind himself out; for it doth so bewilder, fetter and entangle his mind, even to the destruction of his soul, and loss of body also, yet how vehemently with care and diligence, will men vindi­cate Covetousness, because that care and diligence there may be, and ought to be, but the truth is, every covetous man makes care and diligence a cloak for Covetousness, whereby he is sheltered against all reproof; in which state mans life among his Neighbours is not much desireable, neither by the Poor lamented at his Death, but rather re­joyce at the dividing of his Idol, to whom God hath not [Page 253] given the priviledge of a beggar, who hath a Child to inherit his old Apparel. And again, an Inheritance hastily gotten by covetous men, soon wasteth among their Children, for all that is gained not agreeable to truth and righteous­ness, it is under the curse; for the promise of blessing is only to that which is gained according to Gods Word, which is, That men should first seek the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteousness thereof, unto which is the promise, of adding all other things needful; for God that taketh care to provide for the birds of the air, and the b [...]sts of the field, tak [...]th the greater care for them that fear him and work righteousness. So that in whomsoever God is not retained in their thoughts, words and works, cannot be agreeable with his Truth; therefore are they of the World, the ways of which are Covetousness, through which they op­press one another, evèn like to the sweeping rain.

CHAP. VI. Concernig that Life, the Nature of it, which God requireth of all Men.

GOd in the counsel of his own Wisdom and Time, hath set before all men, the way of Life and the way of Death, which Death is the Tree of Knewledge of good and evil, that is, mans own will, wisdom, know­ledge, reason, righteousness, and the like, of which he ought not to eat, because in it is death; for it opens their eyes against themselves, and that in evrey thing, in which to them abideth death. Now the Tree of Life is Christ, which calleth to all men to feed upon him, to [Page 254] eat his Flesh, to drink his Blood, to do his Will, to follow his gift of divine Light, to hear and obey his Word, to improve his Talant, and measure of his Spirit of Truth, which leads into all truth, which is Bread and Wine in­deed, without Money, without Price, the Bread of the Kingdom, the Water of Life, of which if a man eat and drink, he can neither hunger nor thirst, for it giv­eth life to all that hunger and thirst after Righteousness. These things are not hid from man, unto whom the spirit saith, Come, take of the Water of Life freely; come, take the yo [...]e, it is easie, and the burden is light; come, take up the Cross, and follow him, that in all things hath done the Fathers will, for the Redemption and Salvation of all them that hear him, and obey him, to do his will, which is meat and drink indeed. Here the heavy are made light, and the mourner is comforted, yea, he of a sad Countenance hath his heart made better; here the flying Cherub and the glittering Sword turns every way to destroy, lay waste, and dis­possess the strong man of all his goods, the Tree of Know­ledge of good and evil, mans own wisdom, will, know­ledge reason, righteousness, and the like, that all lust may dye, and Devils be cast out, and that through the work of the spirit, which hath the Government, to mortifie all the deeds of the flesh, that man may be brought to no­thing, to will nothing, do know nothing, omit nothing, but as God willeth in him, doth in him, knoweth in him, and omiteth in him; this man doth rest from his Labour, and keepeth the Sabbath holy, he cleaves to the Tree of Life, he is regenerated, new born, and brought forth of the immortal Seed, he is cleansed and purified, through the Baptism of the Spirit, he is planted into Christ, and is in whole obedience to the rule and gover­ment [Page 255] of his Spirit, both in though, word and work, his meat and drink is to do the will of God on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, he willeth nothing, but what God will­eth in him, he doth nothing, but what God doth do in▪ him; he omitteth nothing, but what God omitteth in him; he knoweth nothing, but what God knoweth in him; his only food is of the Tree of Life, which is Bread and Wine of Life indeed, which he that knoweth nothing of this work wrought in him self, he yet is in a miserable, and undone estate, reposing upon his own knowledge, wisdom and reason, in which abideth death it self; there­fore saith the Spirit, arise, take up the cross to that which is of self, and Christ will give thee Life; his yoke is ease, his burden is light, that is, to them whom he is of God, made Wisdom, Righteousness, Senctification and Redemption, they also renew their strength in the Tree of Life, which is the beginning of grace by the work of the Spipit, which mortifies the deeds of the flesh, that the house may be cleansed of Gods Enemies, which destroy means peace with his maker, and defile the Temple of God, whose Enemies is mans lust, and every Devil which hath sprung from the seed of the Serpent sown in man, which lusteth to be wise and knowing, having its eyes alwayes open against it self, which must be destroyed by the Spi­rit of Truth, the strength of the Tree of Life, that the man of God may grow from one degree of Grace to another, till they become perfect men and women in Christ Jesus, in whom there is no condemnation, to them, to whom Christ of God is made wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemtion, they are born of the Spirit, and baptized of the Spirit, and made free by the Law of the Spirit of Life, from the Law of Sin and Death, in [Page 256] which work of the Spirit of Life, there is nothing of mans own Wisdom, Knowledge, Will or Reason, for the work is wholly wrought of God, through faith and obe­dience, to hear, believe and obey Gods gift of Grace, his Spirit of Truth by Jesus Christ, who for his works sake imputeth it to them for Righteousness; for faithful Abra­ham beleived God to trust in his promise, but his faith was not without Works of Obedience, nor according to his own knowledge, wisdom, will and reason, but in Gods time, according to his own knowledge and wisdom, through which the work done by Abraham, was done in Faith and Obedience to God, whose will was done on Earth, as it was done in Heaven; therfore is it writen, that as the body is dead without the spirit, so is also Faith dead without Works, that by whomsoever works are not ma­nifested, agreeable to Gods holy Truth, and example of his holy People in days past, they are only Christians in name, and not in nature of that life, which God re­quireth of all men to live and abide in; therefore it is, that people profit not by what they hear or read, because they are spiritually dead having blinded Eyes and deaf Ears, with which they can neither see, hear, nor receive to understand the Spirit of Truth, of which a manifestation is given to every man to profit withal, and is the gift of his Spirit, the Word of Faith to them that will hear, to obey the Light of the Spirit of Truth, which is the condemnation of the Disobedient, who are here and there, in this and the other Form of Religion, serving God with mouth and lip, in their own wisdom, wills, and with their own words, being only called by the Name of Christ, without the Nature of his Life, which being destitute of, no man can be a true Christian, yet how contentedly do men live and abide in [Page 257] this and the other form, but do not witness the strength of the power of God to redeem from sin and transgression, and to make alive to God, who is only a God them that through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh, and through the Spirit are brought in again, by the flying Cherub and glittering Sword of Gods power, in and by Christ the Tree of everlasting Life, on which as any eats he cannot dye to God, but hath an infallible assurance of life in the Son of God, without which assurance no man can truly say, that he pleaseth God in thought, word and deed; for it is the anointing, which is by the Tree of Life, that teacheth all things, & which leadeth into all Truth, the evi­dence of which Spirit doth assure the Son, in whom there is life, and the nature of his life dwelleth and abideth in them, that by true faith in him, and obedience to the word of his Spirit, they are made alive unto God; and of this nature is Christ in his people, and in whom he is not, they are Reprobates, and in whom he abideth not, they are cursed Children, abiding under the curse in their own wisdom, knowledge, will, reason, righteousness, and the like, which causeth them to lust more and more after the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, for which cause they rebel against the Spirit of God in themselves, and deny his appear­ance in his People; for which cause of Rebellion, which is as the sin of Witch-craft, the Truth of God abideth not in them; therefore are they without God in the world, living to their own God, of which, in the world there are many that delight, and sweetly recreate their minds in, by living a life of obedience to their own ways of righteousness, which only proceeds from lust, that gives way for men to live according as their own will and reason directeth them, in all they do for God, and to one another, all which is [Page 258] under the Curse, as it is written, Cursed is he that putteth his Trust in man, and maketh flesh his Arm. So all men that live in flesh and blood, and are obedient to their own wisdom, will and reason, they are servants to their own lu [...]t, being in bondage, as slaves, & servants to that and those things which they do, as it is written, Men are Servants to him to whom they obey, and Children of him whose work they do; therefore he that will be free from the curse of condemnation, must take up the cross, and deny himself of all things which are not of God and his Spirit of Truth, otherwise he cannot come to the Tree of Life, but will fall short of that Crown of Righ­teousness which is in store for all them that abide faithful to God, as by his divine Light he doth lead, and teach by the spirit of Truth, which leadeth into all Truth, by whic [...] men are made fit to enter in at the strait gate of Chri [...] Kingdom.

CHAP. VII. Concerning Judgment begun at the House of God, and in his House to judge down every appearance of evil.

THe House of God in general, where Judgment first be­ginneth, is his people, but Judgment cometh to every Transgressor of his holy Truth, and that to judge down every appearance of evil; therefore said one in his day, Who shall deliver me from this Body of sin & death? Now the Body of this man was the House of God, and Temple of the holy Ghost, in which God by his Judgment was at work, to judge down, cast out and destroy every lust that would evalt it self above the Witness of God, that the House of God [Page 259] might be throughly cleansed, and only become a house of [...]oly Habitation for the Spirit of Truth to abide in; for as [...]is written, The high & holy one who inhabits Eternity, dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, but taketh up his abode with men of clean hearts & contrite spirits, that fear him and work righteous­ness, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, such bear the image of God and nature of Christ, with whom, and in whom both Father and Son do take up their abode; therefore where men give not up to come under the cross, and follow the light and word of Gods Spirit, in obedience to his call, they resist the holy one, & crucifie him afresh to themselves, such defile the house and temple of God, and them will God destroy; & indeed, how many such people (with a fair Israel [...] of Religion) are crept into a profession of Gods Truth, [...] [...]hrough deceit, have, under the like profession, entered [...]selves as Christians among the People of God; but he that caused the Net to be cast into the Sea, which brought forth good and bad to the shore, the same doth permit the net of profession to gather all sorts of People into the out­ward name Christian, therefore doth Judgment also begin at the House of God, which are his people, to make a seper­ation between the precious and the vile, not only to purge and cleanse from lusts, but also, to cut off the stubborn and stiff-necked ones, which will not submit to the cross, whose Judgment will also reach to the old Age of them that live in disobedience to the Spirit of Truth; for Judgment from God hath spread it self to the ends of the Earth, and hath begun its work at the house of God. If the righteous scarcely are saved, where shall the ungodly and sinners appear? Judgment is not come to bring peace to any unrighteous person, but is gone forth to do the work of God among the People, and [...], both inwardly and outwardly lay waste and destroy all [Page 260] that is not of himself; for that which only is of himself shall stand, and that which is not of himself shall come to [...]ought, and therefore Judgment from God is gone forth to the ends of Earth, that all that will be gathered may be preserved, and that which will not hear the Spirit of Truth, to be obe­dient thereto, the same shall be scattered abroad, till Judg­ment gather it, as Fuel for the fire of Gods Wrath, which forever burneth against the unrighteousness of wicked and ungodly men; and for this very end is judgment at work for God, that he may gather a People pure in heart, and of uprightness in mind, which in all things shall be of one spirit and mind towards him, in thought, word & work, therefore let none in this day, which make a profession of G [...]ds holy Truth, deceive themselves, for God will not be [...]cked, such as every man soweth, of the same he shall [...] reap, whether to the flesh, or to the Spirit; for all that is of the Spirit, the spirit giveth evidence in every faithful man and woman, that it is of God; & though the Spirit [...]leth not in every unrighteous man, yet the appearance [...] is often to their condemnation, and so doth continue, [...] it hath left striving, and the day of Gods Grace be over, having sinned out the day of Gods Visitation. Let all therefore consider in what state they abide, as to God, whose promise to the Righteous is, That it shall go well with them, but it shall go ill with the Wicked; Therefore let not these Truths which have been received by the Spirit of Truth, find itching Ears among any, but as every man turn in his mind to the Spirit of Truth, he will witness the truth of these Things.