HOW should we all admire the workings of the Holy Ghost! You may know from your own experi­ence, that all the operations of the Holy Spirit, from the beginning, have been in order to the cleansing, and pu­rifying, and preparing you for the kingdom of God. This experience is given to a little remnant, to know that the man­ner of his working, that the end, aim and design, of all the operations of his power, is for our good, and in order to our eternal happiness.

Now, this is a great engagement upon the minds of the people of God, diligently to wait upon him, that they may be opened more and more into the mystery of life and salva­tion, that hath been hid from ages and generations, and is now revealed by his spirit.

And they that are thus exercised with the measure of grace given unto them, they do grow and encrease in holiness and righteousness, by the working thereof; and they encrease in knowledge in the great things of the law, and the mysteries of the kingdom of grace: By the eye which God hath opened, they discern, that the working of his power in all ages, has been for the extirpating, rooting out and destroying of that root of iniquity, that hath brought forth such a crop of sin and wickedness, which was not of his planting, nor of his creating.

For, from the beginning of the creation of God, unto this day, God hath had a singular love and favour to the sons and daughters of men, as being (as I may say) the master-piece, or greatest piece of the creation, most nearly related to himself, created in his own image, in righte­ousness [Page 4] and holiness; and in that they now are not so, but marred, and spoiled from bearing the heavenly image, is not the Lord's doing, but hath been wrought by the enemy both to God and man; yet the Lord continuing his love unto the work of his hands, hath from age to age re­vealed and made known his power, for the restoring and bringing back again lost man, fallen man, sinful man, to be reconciled unto him; that he may, as was intended, enjoy and possess the love and favour of his Maker; but there was no possibility found for his reconciliation with the holy God, but by making him holy: For as the making him unholy, seperated him from his Maker; so the making of him holy again, would unite him again unto his Maker: So that there must be a way and means for the reducing of him to his primitive state, before he could enjoy and obtain his primitive enjoyments; that is, the love and favour of God: And there hath been a ge­neral universal sense, upon the sons and daughters of men, of this alienation, and estrangedness from God; and they have put themselves upon divers ways and methods to ob­tain reconciliation, and to try if they could restore them­selves; and they have found out ways, and tried and proved the inventions and imaginations of their own minds, in their fallen wisdom, what they might do to please God, and be reconciled to him.

We are sinners, and we will sacrifice, we will bring a sacri­fice for our sins; and when men have brought a sacrifice, it hath not been accepted, because there hath not been a Medi­ator known, that might mediate for them with the Lord; so that all the sacrifices they have offered, have never been ac­cepted with him, in order to an atonement and reconcili­ation. Now only those that have relation to the Mediator by faith in him, doth he intercede for, that he might present them again to God; and this hath been the difference between sacrificer and sacrifice, from the days of Cain and Abel, unto this day. Some have had relation to the Mediator in all their services and sacrifices, and some have had relation only to the thing offered, and the service performed; but they have not in all ages sped alike: They whose service and worship was performed to God, with a relation to the Mediator, they [Page 5] have found acceptance; and they whose worship and service was performed only with a relation to the thing offered or done, that was but their own act, that was but their will-worship, and that was always turned back again upon them; for there is no name given under Heaven, by which any can be saved, but only the name of Jesus Christ; that is the Mediator of the new covenant, for the old one was broken: And when Aaron was set up to be an high-priest to God, he was appointed to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, and he that committed a sin, was appointed by the law to bring an he-goat of the flock unto the door of the tabernacle, and to deliver it to the priest, and he was to make an offering for the sin committed after such and such a manner, and it was to be an atonement with God for him: So here was seeming­ly, a reconciliation by a sacrifice; and some saw no further than the bringing of a goat, and a ram, and the performance of the priest's office, and they counted all was well: And others saw farther, long before the apostle spake or wrote it, it was not the blood of bulls or goats, nor the blood of a ram, that could purge away sin from their consciences. And after the apostle had opened the mystery of Divinity, who had a divine and spiritual skill, in unfolding the restoration of mankind, he declared plainly, that when the offering was made by Aaron for sinners, even then there remained still a conscience of sin; for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats, should take away sin: So that their outward performances, and their outward services, they did but point out the Mediator; they had a pointing finger, as it were, to the real, true and ever­lasting Mediator, Christ Jesus; who is made a Mediator betwixt God and man; that by and through him, man might be again reconciled to God.

So that now in these gospel-days, wherein God is opening the mysteries of life and salvation, to the intent and pur­pose, that the sons and daughters of men might be restored again into their primitive enjoyment of the favour of God; now in these days, it is the duty of all Christians, and of all that are seeking the welfare of their immortal souls, to have their eyes and hearts unto Jesus, as unto one that is able to reconcile them unto God; to him it is committed, to him wisdom and power is committed, and to him authority is [Page 6] committed, that he should be an everlasting high-priest; and that all the services, and all the worship and religious per­formances that people offer up to God, should be in his name, that so by him they might be recommended to God: For none will find acceptance with the Father, unless in all their performances they have an eye unto him.

So that it comes plainly to pass, according to that short and confident assertion of the author to the Hebrews, that without faith, it is impossible to please God: But it is possible to offer sacrifices without faith, and possible for people to perform religious services without faith, as woful experience hath taught us in our days, that many have been exercised in a kind of religious service, that never in their lives had faith enough to believe the things that they pray for, and they are without faith. When people pray to God to send his Holy Spirit into their hearts, that they may keep his com­mandments to their lives end, and have not faith to believe it, and when they pray, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven, it is a religious performance; but if it be not done in faith, it is but an encreasing in sin, and an addition to sin. Where is the man that is exercised in praying to God, that believeth that ever such a thing is like to come to pass? Go where you will in this or the other nation, and enquire of people about their faith; they believe there is no possibili­ty of extirpating and rooting out of sin, while they live upon the earth; therefore all their prayers for it are vain, and their faith a vain faith: And it is high time in such a day as this, when men are faithless and unbelieving, to preach up the object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. People are of di­vers faiths, and of divers beliefs; but we have found by ex­perience, that they do them no good, they do not bring a thing to pass, that of necessity must be brought to pass, before they can be reconciled to God; their faith doth not cleanse the heart, nor extend so far as to believe that ever they shall be cleansed; in all the worship and religion that they per­form, they come not to this faith, that they shall be made clean: All that is done is but in sin and uncleanness; they cannot bring a clean sacrifice out of an unclean vessel: And our Lord Jesus Christ saith concerning this subject, an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit; but there must be good [Page 7] fruit brought sorth; how must we do it? Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good. When mens vain janglings about religion and religious fancies come to an end, then all this religion will appear to be in vain, and will not answer the end for which it is performed, till men believe that it will make the tree good, and cleanse the heart, and transform men by renewing the spirit of their minds. So that religion must begin within; and it is not our changing of forms of wor­ship, from one form to another, and taking up this and the other opinion, that doth change our hearts. Sad experience doth teach us, that men may carry over their old lusts into a new religion; we can carry over our old inclinations into our new opinions: For though the form of worship be changed, the heart remaining unchanged, and the lusts un­mortified, their religion is in vain, let them be of what persuasion they will.

Now the remedy of this great calamity, that hath over­spread all sorts of people; for there is no sort of people, but there are those among them that are under this great calamity, of holding the profession of godliness with an ungodly mind, and the profession of truth with a false and treacherous spirit.

And for the remedying of this, there is but one way that all men be brought off from having their eye unto their performances, and to the doctrines and tenets that they hold, and do, as the apostle saith, six their eye upon Christ, and look upon Jesus. This is the first thing that must begin our re­ligion; for Christ must be the Alpha of our religion, as well as the Omega of it. If I begin not there, let me begin where I will, I begin wrong; let me begin at the most serious and sound doctrine, and at the most apostolical religion; if Christ and his apostles were here upon the earth; if I walked among them; if I believed all they said and did, I should begin wrong, if I did not fix mine eye upon Jesus Christ, that is the taker away of sin, and is the sanctifier of the soul by his Spirit. There must be the beginning, and there must be the conclusion; he is the author, and the finisher of all true faith. There are authors of other faiths: Men have their different faiths, and creeds, and articles, and they have expos­ed and imposed them too; but this is the worst of it, none of [Page 8] them are right; let them be exposed and imposed with ever so much force and violence, none of these will cleanse the heart; but that faith which is delivered over by Christ Jesus, that hath the quality of cleansing and purifying; that is the faith when all is done, that will do the work; that is it that will save and sanctify, and do the business that all the world is about. Every one would have a reconciler with God, and sin rooted out, and be as God would have them be; this is the public profession of Christendom; at least they would find out something by which it might be done: Altho' many are willing enough to continue in sin and drunk­enness, whoredom, lying and hypocrisy; these are a sort of fools, that make a mock of sin, and that swim in the stream of pleasure; and what care they, so long as they make a profession of christianity?

But I am speaking of a people that are struggling under their corruptions; that would mortify sin, and serve God in holiness and righteousness, and do God's will on earth as it is done in Heaven; and do it not inform, but would have power to do it; and they have tried several ways to do it, and it is not done; and many have been at this work till grey hairs are upon their heads, and it is not done. Now God hath given Christ to make reconciliation; now how can we, that have the love of God extended to us, but extend our good-will to our friends, and signify to them, that all the travel and pains they are at, and all the prayers they make, will do nothing till they have their faith fixed upon Jesus, that is able to save and deliver them, and save to the uttermost all that come to God by him.

But here some will object and say, it is true what you say, but is it needful to preach such doctrines to us? for we all believe in Christ, that is, the only Mediator and Saviour. We know that Christ Jesus is the only Mediator, and that unless he commends us to God, we cannot be accepted of him. This is our general doctrine, therefore what need it be urged and pressed upon us, that are come into the faith already.

Let me search into the matter; it is of greater importance than to search into a bargain of worldly things. Men would fain have others open and discover to them wherein [Page 9] they may be cheated, to prevent their being imposed on in a worldly bargain. I hope then they will hearken to know how, and wherein they may be deceived by themselves, and deceived by others in matters of eternal concernment. There are no Protestants, but the reject any Mediator but Jesus Christ, and believe that no Mediator can reconcile them to God, but Christ alone, and they say he is the object of their faith. I would ask them this question, whether they believe in Christ at a distance, or as present, really present with them? If their faith be historical and at a distance, that they believe in Christ, as one born of the Virgin Mary, and was crucified and dead before they were born, and arose again, and ascended into Heaven, and is set at the right hand of God, if the reason of my belief be, that I have heard of this relation of Christ, or whether the reason be, because by his Spirit, he hath visited me in this age; the one is, I believe, because good men have told me so; but the other is, I be­lieve, because, by this Spirit he hath promised to send, to lead me into all truth, he hath visited me. Now let me examine whether I am aware of such a spiritual visitation, by this quickening Spirit, which is the Lord from Heaven, and not only the Lord in Heaven. Whether I am aware of such a quickening power and virtue, which I have received upon my spirit, that he is not only at the right hand of God on high in Heaven, but is now come to knock at the door of my heart, and hath raised in me a life, as opposite to sin, as his was. Let me consider if I be aware of a secret touch of his quickening virtue upon my soul, whereby he hath begotten me into a life opposite to sin; so that if sin remains, it remains as a burthen, and oppression upon me, so that I am a sufferer; for as much as I am quickened, and made sen­sible of a better life, of a godly life, I would fain be at it, and live in it, but iniquity, lust and corruption lie in the way. He that hath quickened me so far, as to bring me to a sense of the burthen of sin, my faith tells me, he will take the burthen off, else my faith will do me no good, if cor­ruption still prevail upon me, if my faith tells me this, it will tell the wickedest man in the world as much; but if my faith tells me I am a sinner, and my sins consist of this and the other evil thing I do, and am inclined to do, it tells [Page 10] me again, that he that hath quickened me, and brought me to a sense of sin, he can take the burthen off from me.

Here now is a true faith, that begins in conviction, and ends in true conversion; this is the word of faith, delivered to the saints, and which we are to preach. They said of old, that the word of faith, they had to preach, was that which was nigh in their mouth, that they might receive it, and do it. I have something nigh that reproves me for sin; if I be obedient to it, then faith gives me victory over that which is sinful, for which the world reproveth me; and as I see faith gives me victory over any corruption, which I have been struggling under, I am encouraged to fix my faith upon him that hath thus quick­ened me: So that this is the difference between faith in Christ at a distance, and faith that quickeneth me by God's Spirit; that Spirit that hath been so much slighted in our days, by the highest notionists in our age; they supposed it to be a meer fiction; some have mocked and derided, and others have been discouraged to speak of the Spirit of Christ, and his operation upon the soul; some have declared both in the press and pulpit, that they have had no experience of the touches of God's Spirit upon their souls. But our expe­rience hath brought us to another degree of knowledge. We know, and you may know if you please, and that before you sleep, that there is a way opened, God has made way for his Spirit to reach the spirits of men, to signify immediately to their spirits without means, herein thou doest wrong, and herein thou mayest have life, and seek after it. Now the Spirit that thus worketh, is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit that proceeds from the Father and the Son, that voice in men that tells them they might believe and be saved. When he comes, saith Christ, he will lead you into all truth. How shall the world know this is he? He shall convince them of sin. If there be any convincement that ariseth in man of this and the other sin, it must be from the way the Holy Spirit hath upon their spirits; he hath a way to speak to men, and every one that is a lover of his own soul, is bound to hearken to that voice.

In the latter days, saith the Lord, when I shall raise a prophet in the midst of you, whosoever will not hear that pro­phet, shall it cut off. All commentators agree on this text, [Page 11] that that prophet was no other than Christ Jesus; it was not John the Baptist, nor Paul, nor Peter; but Christ that was promised to be raised. There was such an absolute com­mand went along with that prophecy, that all should hear him, and it had a threatening at the end of it, that all that will not hear him, shall be cut off. Are they not whore­mongers, and drunkards, and liars, that will not hear this prophet? They will not hear him, because they love their sins. What becomes of them? They are cut off from the enjoyment of the love and favour of God, and when they draw nigh to God in prayer, and other religious exercises, it is with them, as it was with Cain, sin lies at the door. When they come into a storm at sea, or are arrested with sickness, and death looks them in the face, they would have peace, but there is distress, and trouble in the room of it. What is the matter? Wast thou not baptised in the Chris­tian faith? Did not the minister tell thee, that thou art a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven? Alas! my sin lies at my door; O! that I had time to live a better life! What ails thy life, man? My life hath been a life of deceit, lust, and vanity, corruption and hypocrisy. Did not thy teacher teach thee, that a believer hath no guilt upon him, but that all his sins are pardoned from the day he be­came a believer? This doctrine will not hold in a storm, tho' it will do in fair weather; when men are swimming in their pleasures, it will serve them; but when they come to deal with their Maker, no faith will serve them, but that which purifies the heart, and that which makes a change from the earthly image to the heavenly.

It were better for you and I, and every one of us, to take these things into consideration, while we have health and strength, and while some sand (as I may so speak) is in our glasses, to consider what is my faith? What is the object of it? Have I a dependency upon my duties, and alms, and good deeds? They will fail me. But if my dependency be upon Christ as a Saviour, and a Sanctifier, and my sanctifica­tion is carried on gradually, he that hath begun a good work in me will perfect it. And if the reason of my going to meet­ings, and going into my closet, and bowing myself before the Lord, is to keep close to him that carries on the work of [Page 12] sanctification, he will work all my work in me and for me. I cannot expect to live in the world, but I shall meet with temptations; the Devil will tempt me, but my Saviour will be nigh me, as nigh to me as the Devil can be; if I will keep close to him, he will keep close to me. My Father, saith Christ, is greater than I, and none is able to pluck you out of your Father's hands. I must expect to be tempted; for the adversary the Devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Alas! saith one, though I have made some progress in the work of sanctification, yet for all that, he may one day betray me. Am I grown strong enough to resist his temptations? and wise enough to foresee all his gins and traps, which he lays to ensnare me? But I know who can see them, and defeat them. I have my faith fixed upon one that can bind the strong man, and cast him out. The life that I now live, is not in my own parts, and by my own understanding and sense: But the life that I now live, in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. This is that faith that gives me victory. The apostle had a battle for it; I have fought the good fight; and henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, and not for me only, but for all them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that come to have familiarity with Christ, with his Spirit and truth, with his grace and word, in their hearts: Though these are several ex­pressions, they all signify one immortal seed of life, by which men are united to God: It is a leaven there, to leaven them into the Divine Nature.

Whenever such a one is tempted, he resists not the tempter in his own power, but he waits to feel the arisings of that life, and power, and virtue that was in Christ Jesus, and is in him still: He waits for that power, that in the name of Christ he may say, get thee behind me Satan. Being forti­fied by Christ's name, and armed with his power, what is it that a Christian cannot do? What valiant, noble and wonderful things have they done, that have been shielded with this faith? See the eleventh chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews. All the repetitions of that chapter, from one end to the other; in all of them the apostle ascribes all the valiantness and courageousness of those noble acts, to the power of faith. They looked to Jesus, before ever the [Page 13] Virgin Mary brought him forth out of her body. The prophets did earnestly seek to know those things, which the Spirit of Christ that was in them, did signify unto them, that there was to be this great Prophet, before ever the Virgin Mary was born: So that Christ was always the object of a true believer's faith. Though under the law they had an high-priest, and he was placed at the altar, and they had offerings burnt upon it, yet they had an eye unto Christ, they had an undervaluing of all that their sacrifices could do for them. If thou wouldest have had burnt offerings, saith David, I would have given them; I would not have with­held them from thine altar; thou shouldest have had enough of them. He was bold to say, in respect of acceptance and reconciliation, burnt offerings and sacrifices thou wouldest not; a body hast thou prepared me; for it is written in the volume of the book, I come to do thy will, O God. He had an eye unto Jesus that was to come, upon whom help was laid: There was a Redeemer, that should come from Zion, and a law-giver from Jerusalem. They had an eye beyond sacri­fices, unto Christ. In all ages the people of God have had the answer of their souls, which is reconciliation, and the favour of God: They that had this answer, never had it but by Christ. No man can be accepted with God, can ever have the desire of his soul answered in peace and recon­ciliation with God, until his faith be placed on Christ Jesus: Neither can any man have faith in Christ at a distance, and thereby be reconciled unto God, but must know his Spirit. I must have an experimental knowledge of his power and wisdom, and this I cannot have without his Spirit: Let me believe ever so othordoxly, except I have the Spirit of Christ, it will do me no good, it will be no advantage to me.

This is the word, that was in my heart as a well-wisher to the souls of all men: As God hath done good to my soul, so I cannot but wish well to the souls of others; that as he hath found out a way for my redemption and salvation, so likewise I wish the same for others that are bond-men and bond-women, and under the power of their corruption. God's work hath been to destroy the bondage and the op­pression, and to destroy the tyrant that reigns over the souls of people; God having made them for his glory, and the Devil has stolen them away: That they do not that which [Page 14] pleaseth God: But God's good pleasure is, that all may be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth: And God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life: And he is called, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world. He can take away sin; if my sin do not obstruct my faith and confidence in him, he will take it away; and if he takes that away, then he makes the tree good. Nothing hinders us from the enjoyment of God, but sin; and if Christ will take it away by the blood of his cross, no matter for all the scorn, contempt, hardship, reproach and persecution of this world; no matter, for he hath not de­ceived us, but told us before hand, if we will be followers of him, and be led by him; we must expect these things; sufferings, reproaches, persecutions, disdain and envy. These things come not uncertainly upon us; the world loves its own, and cannot love them that are not of it; but they that are not of the world, may be brought to the terms of God, and they may not be any longer in the world. Christ pray­eth not that his disciples may be taken out of the world, but kept from the evil: So that Christ is a Mediator, and a propitiation for all men; and he is working by his Spirit for the redemption of all men, that to as many as believe in him, to them he gives power to become the Sons of God.

The sum of all this is, that we have an opportunity put into our hands; we cannot deny it; you must all upon search, confess, that the grace of God doth often work in your hearts against any corruption, against any evil: Let not this price be put into your hands in vain, as into the hands of fools. If I knew that this and that was a sin, I would leave it; let us be of that mind, and we shall soon know it; and then say, if I knew such a thing to be a sin, and could get a thousand pounds by it, I would not do it, Why should'st thou love sin for profit or pleasure? I am sure it is an ill bargain when it is done. Whatsoever I am convinced is a sin, I will not do it.

Resolve upon this, and then the grace of God will be at work; we shall soon see that we must leave off sinning. There is such a thing I must leave; God hath set up a judg­ment in my mind against it; though it bring profit and pleasure, away it must go. Here is a step, a following step, [Page 15] to follow Christ. He that will deny himself, will follow Christ: My Redeemer shews me this to be an evil, I will not do it, but follow him, and imitate him. Here the soul is led step by step, even by Christ, the Captain of our Salva­tion, till it is gradually cleansed from sin, and reconciled unto God; and this can be done by no other means; for prayers and alms will not do it; all that can be done by us will not do it; none can do it but Christ alone, that God hath laid help upon, that you may all wait for the Divine operation of his grace in your hearts. That is it which we labour and travel for, as knowing that God hath wrought wonderfully by it, for the redemption of all those that love him more than they love their pleasures, more than they love their sins. It must be concluded, that following of him, and leav­ing father and mother, husband and wife, children, brethren, and sisters; all these things as they stand in competition with him, and the obedience of his Spirit, must be looked upon as nothing to him: Then above all things, I must not displease him: He can speak peace, and none can take it away; and if he take it away, none can give it. If we follow Christ, when this is done, then all is done according to the will of God; then the blessing descends upon the whole creation; then every man will speak truth to his neighbour, and every man will govern his family with discretion; so God is glorified, and his name comes to be exalted; who is worthy to be beloved, adored, and exalted above all blessings and praises. To him be glory, who is God over all, blessed forever and ever. Amen.

IT is in my heart at this time, to desire that every one's heart were prepared to be made a partaker of the bles­sings of the gospel; for there is a certain preparation that every one must witness in themselves, before they are capable of receiving divine blessings; for in all ages of the world, the blessings of the Lord have been manifold, and his arm hath been always stretched out in all ages, to the sons and daughters of men, that are sensible of the love he hath unto them; and where these tenders of the love of God have met with prepared hearts, they have received it to their eter­nal welfare: But this hath been the lamentation that hath been taken up upon the greatest part of mankind, that they have not been prepared to receive the love of God; their hearts and minds have been so filled with the love of visible things, and carnal objects, that they have not been truly sen­sible of the riches of the grace, mercy, and love of God unto them.

[Page 18]Now, it was said of old by the prophet, that the prepa­ration of the heart is of the Lord; and there is something that belongs to us on our part, that we may attain this prepara­tion, that we may be brought into this spiritual frame of mind; and that is, by returning to the Lord, for people to think upon his name, and have regard to his appearance: And although this is not the work of nature, for by nature the minds of people are abroad, and they are crying out as the Psalmist speaks, who will shew us any good? Yet to help that defect, the Lord hath been pleased to send forth his grace and his truth, and to call unto the sons and daughters of men, that they might seek after him, that they might seek the Lord while he is to be found; and they that hearken to his voice, they will readily confess, that there is nothing doth so well satisfy an immortal soul, as to be gathered into fellowship with its Maker; and that one time or other, it is the desire of all men and women, that they might attain peace with the Lord; and they know there is no peace to the wicked; they know wickedness will remain until it is abolished and de­stroyed; and they know it is not in their power to destroy it; and therefore of necessity there must be a waiting upon the Lord, who is Almighty, that he may reveal his power in our weakness.

And they that are thus prepared in their minds, meet reli­giously together, with expectation from God; that he, accor­ding to his promise, will appear, and reveal his arm, and do in them, and for them, that which they cannot do for themselves; this is a fit occasion for people to meet together, and to have their expectation from God, and say, Lord, thou knowest my weakness, and thou knowest the enemies I have to deal withal; thou knowest I am not able to overcome them: Therefore we are now met together, in the presence of the Lord, to wait to receive at his hands, that power, that life, that virtue, by which we may be made more than con­querors. Such a religious meeting thus gathered together, hath a promise; I will be in the midst of them, saith the Lord; and therefore, having a promise, we may reasonably expect that we shall be made partakers of the living virtue and pow­er, by which we may do that, which of ourselves we cannot do.

[Page 19]And, friends, it is my soul's desire, that you were all thus qualified, that every one had an evidence in himself of this right preparedness; for where the eye is abroad upon any visible thing, that it seeks satisfaction in any thing below the Lord himself, it will wear away and wax old. All those objects that people fix their mind upon, they will wax old; but they whose desires, and the breathings of whose souls are, that they may grow into acquaintance with their Maker, this will never wax old. When peoples minds are fixed, as the people of the Lord of old were, when they made a compa­rison between the state of their minds, and the minds of others, and signified it in these words, they are saying; they are crying (that is, they that are of the world) who will shew us any good? But for our parts, our cry is, Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and we will be more glad of that, than they can be with all the increase of corn, and wine, and oil.

Now they that feel in themselves that the reason of their meeting together is to enjoy the light of God's countenance, and to partake of the blessings of God, they have their ex­pectation from God, their minds are retired into God; know­ing right well, that if the tongues of men and angels are mov­ed to declare the heavenly and divine mysteries of the king­dom of God, they cannot be edified or benefited by them with­out the divine help and assistance of God's Spirit; for there is a seal upon them, and none can open that seal, but the Lyon of the tribe of Judah; he only is found worthy to unseal the mystery, and unseal the divine blessings that are with the Lord: So that people must come to that retiredness of spirit, to that resignation of soul, to be as a little child waiting upon the Lord, crying out unto the Lord, that he will prepare them, that he will make them hungry, and then feed them, that he will raise a thirst in them, and then satisfy them with those divine springs of life, which through the Lord Jesus Christ are opened to every one that believeth. So far as your minds are stayed and settled in waiting for the Lord, so far you will feel in yourselves an openness and readiness, that if the Lord speaks, you are ready to hear him, ready to submit to his word, ready to obey him; there will be such an openness in the mind, not to the words of any man, but unto the word of [Page 20] God, to receive that; for where the words of men are receiv­ed, though never so excellent, they convert not the soul, but the word of the Lord is pure, converting the soul. And this word is that which is able to quicken those that are dead in sins and trespasses, and bring them to be made partakers of life. For it is not an increase of knowledge that will do the turn, but it is the increase of life and virtue, the increase of godliness, and submitting our wills unto him that made us: It is this that will do our turn, this will bring peace to the soul, and bring us into the favour of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, that you may all feel that which pre­pares the heart for this resignation, and quietness, and sub­jection, you must wait upon the Lord, that you may be made partakers of the blessings of his everlasting gospel, and of his divine presence: This is that which is most profitable, most advantageous: And then the Lord will open to you the windows of Heaven, and rain down these blessings upon you, whereby you will be comforted and refreshed, far beyond all the works that we can do; for it is an inward work that must be done upon the soul, to convert people that have been alienated and estranged from God, and bring them to a reconciled state, through the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby they may partake of the divine virtues, which sanctify and justify the soul in the sight of God.

WHEN God gave forth his Law on Mount Sinai, which Israel was to hear and obey, the first and great commandment was, thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Here is the sum and substance of all true reli­gion that ever was upon earth to this day. All the command­ments, all the precepts, prophecies, and all the dealings of God with his people, from that day to this, have all been contained in this short precept, thou shalt have no other Gods [Page 23] but me. And as long as Israel stood in obedience to this command, their blessings were multiplied upon them, their good things were increased from day to day; the Lord was with them, as long as they were willing to be his people; he appeared as their God, and as their defender wrought their deliverances, fought all their battles for them, gave them dominion and strength, courage and wisdom; ministered out of his treasury all good things unto them; for the great care of God Almighty was with all his people, he had regard to them, and visited them at all times, to keep them from idolatry; I am, saith he, a jealous God, take notice of me to be so; I am jealous of my name; if thou wilt be mine, thou shalt have no other Gods but me.

And all the precepts about offerings and sacrifices, and making atonement for sinners, and the divers services and worship, the various offices in the temple and sanctuary, they were all outward means appointed of God, to keep this outward church in an inward conformity to the command of God. This command was written in tables of stone, and these tables were laid up in the ark of God, and all this appertained to the first covenant, and typed and figured out the dispensation of the new and everlasting covenant that God would make with his people, not like unto the old: How not like it? Not like it in the outward shadows, the types and shadows of things, but he would bring forth the substance of all those shadows and types, and would alter the form and outward appearance of things; for as God is unchangeable, so is his law unchangeable.

Moses saith, the first and great commandment is, Thou shalt have no other Gods but me. This was put into the stone tables. Christ Jesus saith, the first and great commandment is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, Matt. xxii, 27. This is put into the tables of the heart. So here is a difference between the first command­ment by Moses, and the first commandment by Christ; they both acknowledge the first and great command to be the sub­jecting of the creature to him that made him, as his God, that he may only serve him, and that he may love him with his whole heart: The Jew could prove this by his stone tables, and Christ proves this by the fleshly tables of the heart, for [Page 24] there he is bound to love the Lord with his whole heart, and to serve him only; him only shalt thou serve.

Now, here the Jews law is brought over to the Christians, in the greatest point of religion that ever was preached; shuts out all idolatry, all superstition, all variety of religions; all is shut out by this commandment, and the Christian that hath the law written in his heart, according to the new covenant, he can go as readily to it and read it, as ever the Jew could go to his stone table, and read the law there; you cannot de­ny, that if there be a thing written and engraven in my heart, I can go at readily to it as I can go to any book or table, tho' I have the keeping of it: But the Jews had not the keeping of it, for generally it was laid up iij the ark of God.

Now, friends, that which lies upon my mind to speak to you at this time, and that out of the great love that I have to all your precious and immortal souls, as God hath had love to mine, is, that you would all consider and weigh in the fear of the Lord, whose presence is among us, which of you, and how many of you are come to the obedience of this com­mandment: I do not doubt but the most of you can say them all, but a happy people are you if you can do one: I dare pronounce that soul a blessed soul, that can perform this one commandment, that can or dare stand before his Maker, and say, O Lord! I love thee with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my might; my love is withdrawn from all other things in comparison of thee; there is nothing in this whole world hath a place in my mind, but as it is in subjection to the love of thee.

Here is the first and great commandment, the unchangeable law, the law that was good in Moses' days, and good in Christ's days, and it holds good in our days; and indeed it is such a definitive law, that the breakers of it can neither be good Jews, nor good Christians. There is an absolute neces­sity lies upon us, of abstracting and drawing away our minds and souls from all other gods, from all images and other de­pendencies and trusts that people are naturally liable to trust to, and to have their whole confidence set upon the Lord; but alas! with grief of heart I speak it, there are but very few that as yet have known the right giving forth of the law, and there are fewer that are subject to it. This law was not [Page 25] given forth at first without thunder and lightening, and a terrible noise, and the mountain smoking (he that hath an car to hear, let him hear) insomuch as Moses himself said, he feared greatly, and he quaked exceedingly, because of the thunder of the Almighty, and the mountain that smoked and burnt with fire, so that Israel could not draw nigh.

Now I say, there are but a few that have come to the knowledge of the giving forth of this law, that have certainly known those thunders, and that terrible work that the Lord of the whole earth makes, when he comes to set up his law; for a great many that have come nigh to it, and might have heard and received the words of the law of God, they have gone backward, they have done like unto the Jews of old, though they had suffered much, and gone through much, and had seen the wonders of the Lord; how he had led them and delivered them; yet when it came to this, that they must hear the voice of God, they said we cannot bear it; we can­not endure it: We have devised for ourselves an easier way; for the voice of thunder and dreadful noises, put them into ter­ror and quaking, and trembling, and great dread came upon them; but we have found an easier way, say they; what is that? Go thou, said they to Moses, and hear thou what the Lord saith, and come thou and tell us, thou shalt be a Mediator between us; let God speak unto thee, and do thou speak the same to us, and we will hear thee.

Thus the Jews that were not come beyond the law of God written in tables of stone, they would not come to receive it in their hearts, as the Christian must; so Moses received the law from the mouth of God, and he was faithful as a servant in the house of God, and he ministered forth the law of God, his precepts, statutes and judgments, and testimonies; and he made them a book of laws for all of them to walk by, from the highest to the lowest; how they should act in criminal matters, and to do justice between man and man, and what they should do in the worship of God, and what they should do towards the priest, whose lips should preserve knowledge for them; and so he brought up a form of religion; but his work was accor­ding to the precepts of God; and he brought them into the form of national religion, and government, and national laws. And so Moses and the priest ruled over them; and [Page 26] the priest offered sacrifice for them, and made atonement for them, and Moses enquired of the Lord, and asked council for them, and taught and instructed them; and what became of all this at last? When this was done, the priest made atone­ment for sin, but he could not pluck away the guilt of one sin; there remained the conscience of sin after he had made his of­fering; and Moses taught them the counsels of God, and the commands of God, but he could not bind their hearts to the obedience of them; for he declared openly against them, that they were a rebellious and stiff-necked people, notwith­standing they had a law without them. Indeed, time would fail me to run through the manifold miscarriages of the church of the Jews, in respect of their idolatry, in respect of their contempt and rebellion, both to God and his servant Moses, who was to teach and to guide them: I say, the time would fail me to mention the manifold miscarriages that happened among this people, that had a law and religion with­out them, and a teacher without them.

Now in the fulness of time it pleased God in sending his Son, Christ Jesus, to raise up a prophet like unto Moses, in respect of faithfulness, though higher in respect of dignity; for Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant, but this man was faithful as a son in his own house, in the house that he was heir of, that house wherein he was as King, even a priest, a prophet, and a ruler in. When the Lord signified by the spirit of prophecy, the coming of the Just One, he signified to the people that his ministry should not be as that of Aaron; the people should not have their religion without them, and their laws and precepts with­out them, and their priests without them, and their wor­ship and church without them; but that they should have it all within them. I will write my law in their hearts, I will put it into their inward parts, then they shall be my people, and I will be their God, and they shall not forsake me. Your fathers brake my old covenant, but I will make a new cove­nant in the latter days, a new covenant, not like that your fathers broke; they brake the law without them, but I will write my law in their hearts; this prophet that is like to Mo­ses, he shall teach my people, he shall be a leader to them, and guide them in the way they are to go, and shall be a captain for [Page 27] them, to lead them to salvation; and it shall come to pass, in the day that I do this, if there be any that will not hear him, he shall be cut off from among the people. That is, the judgment that comes upon the contemners of the gospel, upon them that will not hear Christ Jesus, they shall be cut off from the peo­ple; from what people? From the people of God; they shall have no part of the privileges that are enjoyed thro' Christ; they shall be cut off from the benefits that others reap by their faith in Christ.

So that now we are to expect the operation and work­ing of a ministry, that leads a people to an inward re­ligion, a heart religion, where the heart is fixed entirely upon the true and living God, as the object of their de­pendence and trust; and they have no other. This is a strange word to flesh and blood; what, no other depen­dence than on the invisible God? Flesh and blood, and sensuality, can never come to this; this is a religion that hath been hid from ages and generations, and will be hid to all ages that ever shall be in the world, where sensuality prevails. What, will you have me to have my whole depen­dence for the comfort of my life here, and of the life that is to come, the other life, to have my dependence upon an in­visible God, that invisible power that made me, and cre­ated the world? How is it possible for me to sequester myself, and draw myself off from all visible objects? I must trust to this, and trust to that: Flesh and blood can never attain to this, with all the wit and reason it hath; it can never separate itself from idols; they are little chil­dren; they are children of another birth, born of another seed, that keep themselves from idols.

Friends, idolatry is a great deal more common, I find, than most are aware of. Am I commanded to love the Lord with all my heart, and soul, and mind, and might? What is left when the whole is taken away? If God hath my whole heart, what have I to bestow upon the world? What love, what affection, what eagerness, what fervency can I bestow upon the world, or any object in the world, when my whole heart, and soul, and mind, is gone be­fore, is gone toward the Lord?

This is the first and great commandment; and the se­cond [Page 28] is like unto it, that is, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Here it is that the law and the prophets, saith, creeds, prayer, religion and worship, all that ever was in the world, all are comprehended in this, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and strength, and thy neighbour as thyself. So what need is there for us to be disputing about religion; about this tenet, and the other tenet; this text, and the other text? For my part, I should only desire you to understand this text, and I should not doubt your going to Heaven. Here is the sum; here is all at once; here is the quintessence of all religion, of all types, shadows, figures, ceremonies and priest-hood, and all that ever was or could be named and practised in the world; all brought to this, the heart giv­en up to God; our love set upon him.

What, is this sufficient, will some say? This will make you a good moral man; but what is this to the Christian religion? You may be led into error, and become a he­retic for all this.

How can this be, that I should not be of a sound faith, but led into error and heresy for all this? When people let in error, and heresy, and unsoundness of faith, where do they let it in? Do they not let in the principles of error and heresy into their hearts? I believe this, and that, and the other error, that it comes into the heart, and hath a seat in the heart; but how can we let it into the heart, when the heart is given up to God? Cannot I keep out error and heresy, if I give up my heart and soul to him? Cannot I trust him with all?

This kind of talk of error and heresy hath come among men that have had the keeping of their own souls: They have taken their own souls into their own hands, and have ordered their religion themselves, or have had some­body to order it for them; and a great many of them have met together to make creeds, and catechisms, and confessions, and orthodox doctrines, that might certainly be professed and subscribed. So afterwards some have come and found fault with them; then they must have a coun­cil to try them; then these go off and are laid aside, and others are given in the room of them; so that these men [Page 29] have set up for themselves. These would not be under the government and prescription of God, as children un­der the government of a father; but they will set up re­ligions themselves, and say to the rest of the world, if you own any thing contrary to our principles, you are a heretic; and being a heretic, you are to be rooted out and cut off. Do not you read in the scripture, that whover hears not the Prophet that was to come into the world, should be cut off? What, will not you hear Christ speak in the church? Will not you hear Christ speak? The church cannot speak without a head; if you will not hear the church, you must be cut off. Then they have fallen to hanging, and burning, and killing, and destroying people, and nations not a few: And this comes from their mak­ing faiths, and creeds, and ordering religion themselves: All their barbarous and inhuman cruelties, martyring and dungeoning people, comes from their making faiths them­selves; and of all things nothing is more desperately wicked, and they did not know it. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? Men know not how proud and arrogant they themselves are, and yet they would be ordering the hearts, and minds, and con­sciences of others; and out of this hath sprung all su­perstition and idolatry, because men would not give up their hearts to God; thou shalt have no other Gods but me. This commandment is great in itself; strict in the terms; thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself. Their neighbours could not see with their eyes; therefore they would be hanging, and burning, and destroying one another.

But, blessed be God, who is now bringing forth true Chris­tianity upon its old basis and foundation, whereon it was placed at first, for Christianity hath been justled off from its first foundation; for instead of loving God with all their hearts, and loving their neighbours as themselves, they hated them: Now this is the day, O friends! the weight of it is great; this I say is the day wherein God is bringing Chris­tianity upon its old foundation.

I would not have you think that I am here judging our fore-fathers, that are fallen asleep, that, therefore, they are [Page 30] gone to Hell, because they saw not this day, and lived not to see that benefit of it that we enjoy; I am far from it: This was the thing that they believed and prayed to God for; they did not see this day outwardly, but they saw it by faith. When I was a child, I remember the people of God, when they met three or four together, they would rejoice in the hopes of what they foresaw; they gave thanks to God for the blessed days that he would bring forth, though they could not tell when; they did say, and believe, that God would scatter the fogs, and mists, and bring forth a happy day, wherein his people should have the gift of his Spirit: When they saw the impositions and persecutions of those times, when they that did not conform, and comply, were cast into prisons, dun­geons and gaols; well, it will not always be thus, say they, there is a day coming, wherein the Lord will set his people free from all the yokes of oppression, and from the oppressor.

Indeed, my soul did rejoice in hearing the prophetical sayings of those good men, and I thought I might live to see that day. Blessed be God that hath preserved my life to this day, and to this hour, to enjoy what they prayed for: They prayed to God to scatter the mists and fogs, that they might no longer cloud and darken men's minds, and hinder them from enjoying God's teaching. Blessed be God, that we are now in the enjoyment of the prayers of the faithful, that left the world before we were in it. Now the day is come that they prayed for, and enquired after.

How strangely doth the man talk, will some say, concern­ing the Christian religion; the Christian religion is all Eng­land over; go to any meeting in London, except one, and they will tell you they are Christians; I would to God they were; that is the worst I wish them all. But what should we talk of the Christian religion without the Christian life? except we find that amongst them, what signifies the name and profession of it? And the Christian doctrine is wanting in many places too. There is many in this city, urging this very command, of loving God with all their hearts, and their neighbours as themselves, as fervently as I can do, or any body else; and yet they will tell you in the next breath, that no man in London, nor in the world, can do this; no man can possibly love God with all his heart; never a man can be found that can [Page 31] perform such an act, as to love his neighbour as himself: Not every neighbour, it may be, but some one choice associate he may pick out, that he can love, and bear with his infirmi­ties and affronts, and love him as himself; love thy neighbour, that is every body, that there may be a good-will for all peo­ple throughout the whole race of mankind, peace on earth, good-will towards men: This is the fruit of the gospel. Chris­tian words will not make the Christian religion, there must be a Christian life; but where shall we find that, or seek it?

I know not, I have nothing to do to judge any body, but there is one that judgeth who it is that liveth the Christian life, and who doth not? Who is this? what one is this? The HEAD of the Christian church: Why, is he here? Yes, the head of the Christian church is here, and he speaks and gives sentence; if you have an ear you may hear him, and if you will turn your mind inward, for he is an inward minister, every one of you, if you will turn your minds inward, he will tell you whether you live a Christian life, and what life it is you live: If there be a drunkard here, let him ask whether his life be a Christian life; will a man go away ignorant from this place, and have no answer? If there be a drunkard here, let him ask inwardly in his own bosom, Lord is my life a Christian life? I dare affirm, on God's behalf, he will have an answer, no, thy life is not a Christian life, but a shameful, beastly life, a brutish one.

Who told you that the Head of Christians, Christ Jesus, is present? Christ Jesus, is he present? How came he here? He is ascended up into Heaven such a day, say they, how came he here? Let him be ascended up into Heaven, yet he is not so ascended into Heaven as not to be here also; how should he fulfil his promise, if he be circumscribed in Heaven or earth? How should he make good his promise, if when two or three are met together in his name, he is not in the midst of them? Here now are many more than two or three met together in the name of Christ, and that hope for acceptance with God, through the Mediator, Christ Jesus; if you think that here are two or three met together in the name of Christ, it follows that Christ is in the midst of them.

I know not what you may enjoy, some may possibly say, I do not find any such presence of Christ; I hear of the pre­sence [Page 32] of Christ in the sacrament, and I have heard talk of the presence of Christ at a meeting, but I have been at many a meeting, and I never found such a presence of Christ.

Can you read the scriptures? Yes, I can read the scriptures as well at you but that cannot give me a sense of it; I do read the scriptures and believe them; but what signifies my read­ing the scriptures concerning the presence of Christ, if I have not a sense of it? I have been at many a meeting, but never had the sense of such a Divine Presence as you talk of, nor it may be at the sacrament neither: What is the reason thou hast no sense of it? If thou wilt take my counsel, and turn thy mind inward, and enquire whether the thing I speak of be true, whether there be such a voice as I speak of, that will tell thee what thy state is: If thou wilt be true to thy­self, thou mayest know the Divine Presence, and thou mayest hear Christ speak.

The soul hath eyes, and ears, as well as the body. What eyes doth the apostle mean when he saith, the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them? If the soul hath eyes, and ears, as well as the body, it can hear, and see as the body; as the bodily eye can see visible things, so the eye of the soul can see things that are invisible, and heavenly; you can hear my voice outwardly, and you may hear the voice of Christ in­wardly. I have known some that have been so afraid to hear ill of themselves, that they would not enquire; some have been so guilty in their own consciences, that they have been afraid of hearing ill, and would not enquire about them­selves: So it is inwardly; some have been so conscious that their life and conversation is naught, that their life is a sin­ful life, that they dare not put it to the question: It would certainly have been told them, thy life is not a Christian life; thou must mend thy life, before ever thou comest to have peace with God: If this should be thy portion and mine, that upon search we should find our condition bad, what harm is it?

I would put one question to thee, be serious in considering of it: We are all children of wrath by nature, none of us differ about that, and that unless we be born again, we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The question is, whether I [Page 33] am one of those or not? Suppose upon enquiry it be disco­vered to me that I am not, that is bad enough; this is hard, but not so hard as it is true; this is the thing which I would have you consider: Am not I in a better case to know that I am in a natural state, than to go on and perish to eternity? As long as there is life, there is hope; as long as a man is up­on the earth, and taking care for his soul, and enquiring about the state of his immortal soul, if his soul is not in a good con­dition, is it not better for him to know it, and to seek for a cure? For there is no greater infirmity and infelicity can be upon man, than to have some occult and hidden disease, that he cannot be made sensible of; for this wastes and spoils him, and he cannot be persuaded to look out for a remedy: So it is inwardly; if a man be ignorant of his condition, and go on to his dying day, and hour, and does not seek after a re­medy, this men perisheth without all peradventure. When you are in this enquiry, be content to be controlled, be willing to have the truth spoken, though it be against yourselves. I might instance in divers things that I have spoken of: If a man be satisfied that his life is not a Christian life; I say, if the swearer or liar, if the proud person, or the effeminate, as soon as they come to be satisfied that their life is not a Chris­tian life that they now live, what can this man expect? What counsel should we give him, and what counsel should he take? I will go on in the way that I am in: What, after thou know­est thy life is not a Christian life? God forbid: Wilt thou go on and perpetrate sin upon sin, and heap up wrath against the day of wrath; I am a sinner, my life is unchristian, I make account to live in sin, and die in sin; is this good policy? Consider another text which our Lord spake, if ye die in your sins, whither I go, ye cannot come.

O friends, lay these things to your hearts; what have I to do but to tell you that the love I have in my soul for you all, makes me desire in my heart that you might be saved? This is the will of God, that you might all be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth: Blessed are they that know the truth; the truth as it is in Jesus. Truth in the inward parts, hath a speaking voice; and if thou hearken to it, it will tell thee that thy state is naught. Canst thou believe the truth when he tells thee so, that [Page 34] thy state is naught, and that thou art like to go to eter­nal destruction, unless there be repentance and regeneration to prevent it? Canst thou believe this doctrine, when it sounds in thy own heart? If thou canst not believe it, unbelief will be thy ruin. The spirit of truth is come to convince the world of sin, because they believe not in Christ: He tells them their condition, and they will not believe him. The Spirit of Christ convinceth men of sin, and they believe him not. The spirit of truth convinceth thee of thy sin, but thou believest him not. If thou lovest thy pleasure, and thy profit, and thine honour, then thou lov­est not God with all thine heart; and then thou art not a Christian, but out of covenant with God. Art thou sen­sible that thy condition is bad, were it not best to get it mended? After we are convinced of our own sinful state, is it not our best, course to seek to have it mend­ed? Who shall mend it? saith one; I have done all I can to mend my life, and I cannot mend it.

I have concluded so in my younger years; I have fasted, and prayed, and spent time in hearing, reading, and me­ditation, and did all in my own power, and all to mend my state, but I could not mend it; and as I grew up in years, sin and corruption more prevailed, and there was no help; and I came so far as to believe there was no help, and that if God did not help me, I was undone to all eternity. I many times wished that I had never been born: I went to ministers and meetings, and to all sorts of separate people, and to all manner of ordinances, and to all manner of means, to mend this bad heart of mine, to see if I could get a power that would give me vic­tory over my corruptions; but my arm was never so long as to reach thereunto; it was far out of my power and reach.

Many have sought to get this power of reforming their hearts and lives; to attain it by their own hands, by their own endeavours, but they could never do it; they could never better their condition, nor bring forth fruit worthy of amendment of life. I wish that every one was come to that pass, that they knew not which way to turn them; that they were come at last to their wits end: They [Page 35] will come to it sooner or later; the sooner the better. I have done all I can; I can do no more; I am at my wits end, and I know not what to think, concerning my eter­nal state; I know not what to judge of it; I strive against my lusts and corruptions, but for all that they prevail against me: Temptations come before me, but I cannot conquer them. O I am glad when people come to that pass, that they know not what to do, but despair of their own arms, of their own strength, and their own wit, and despair of all other help in the world; I am glad of that.

I am not preaching up despair of God's grace and mercy; but let me tell you, when men despair of their own do­ings, and of all outward means, and helps, then they are fit objects for the mercy of God; and not till then: When the Lord looked, and saw that there was none to save and deliver, then his own arm brought salvation. God will not save till then; God will not reveal his power, till men have done with their own power; they will never trust God, while they think they can do something for themselves. All the forms of religion of the several peo­ple of this nation, will do them little good without the power. What is the meaning of that principle, to have such masses, and prayers, and performances? What is the meaning of it? Let us search to the bottom. They say we are sinners; when we pray to God for his blessing, and for salvation by Christ, there is this at the bottom, they think these duties and performances will be very help­ful to their state; helpful towards the knowledge of it: To speak plain English, these are their Gods. If I speak of prophane and wicked people, I would say their lusts are their Gods: But when I speak of righteous people, that are meer formalists, then I say their duties, as they call them, are their Gods. When they have done all, they can do nothing for them, and then they have no Gods at all; then they are godless: And if God doth not help them, then they are undone to all eternity.

When poor creatures are cast out, as it were, into the open field, to the loathing of their persons, not salted at all, nor swaddled at all, but lying in the guilt of their blood: When [Page 36] I passed by thee, saith the Lord, and saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, yea, when thou wast in thy blood, I said unto thee, live. When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was a time of love, and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy naked­ness; yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine. What, was it a time of love, when I was such an object in mine own eyes, that I thought I was the most mise­rable creature in the world; one that could not make a good prayer, nor dispute for religion, nor perform any duty; a poor creature cast out into the open field, to the loathing of my person; lost all that I gained; my name was from among the living; my days were passed over in sorrow, and I said there is nothing but darkness, and death, and misery for me: I used all means, and tried all things, saving only a living trust in God alone, and that flesh and blood cannot do. Flesh and blood can­not know him, therefore flesh and blood cannot trust in him. Alas! said I, I cannot trust in the Lord, I cannot cast my soul and all my concerns, my fame and reputation in the world, I cannot cast all upon the care of the Al­mighty; I cannot know him, nor trust in him; how can I do it? nobody can do it. They that know my name, saith the Lord, they will put their trust in me: Never a truer word was spoken; but how they should know God, and trust in him, I know not.

When thou comest once to this pass, to be at thy wits end, and not know which way to turn thee, nor to whom to run for help, or to ask counsel for thy soul's welfare, when thou art come to the end of all, and without hope, then God reveals himself by his Son Jesus Christ; Christ the Son of God, is known by our coming to him; but none can come unto Christ, except the Father which hath sent him, draw him: When thou hast done with thy Gods, and thrown away thy idols to the bats and moles, then thou wilt find the Lord; and thou wilt cry out, O! that God would have mercy upon me, and lift up the light of his countenance upon me; I am a poor, miserable creature. There are many that make such a whining and complaining, that they take a pride in their very com­plaints, [Page 37] their hypocrisy is so great. I have known some that have prided themselves in wording their condition, and ex­pressing their miserable case before the Lord; but suppose thou canst not speak at all, but feelest thyself miserable, thou canst not express thy condition; at such a time as this, God was drawing thy soul to Christ Jesus, the Mediator of it: I have heard of a Mediator, and that there is Balm in Gilead for me; that there is a physician there; that there is one physi­cian, even Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant; thou hast sinned against him, and grieved him, yet he stands with open arms for thee, ready to receive thee and embrace thee; where stands he? He stands as the door and knocks; it is a small matter, one would think, to let him in: Rev. iii, 20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; and if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me. Here is good news for an hun­gry soul, if any such be here; Christ the Mediator, stands at the door and knocks, he will come in and sup with thee, if thou open to him; then we shall meet with the Lord's supper: This is the Lord, I will wait for him; he will bring his bread with him, the bread of life, and the wine of his kingdom, and the Lord's supper will be celebrated without cavilling and jangling.

Now, because we will not pervert the scripture, I would have you that understand books, read what commentators of this and former ages say upon this text; whether they do not deliver in their opinions, that this knocking at the door, is Christ calling the soul by his grace; and this door is the door of the heart, and Christ's calling the soul by his grace and Spirit, to let him in by faith: This is their judgment and sense, and their sense is mine; and I believe the genuine sense of this text, that Christ would have people think he is near to them, and would have them open their hearts, and receive him by faith, to be a Saviour to them.

No; that, saith flesh and blood, I cannot bear, I cannot consent to have him for my Saviour, I will not let him in, for he is like Micaiah to Ahab, he never spake good concerning me: For if I have him for my Saviour, I must part with my lusts and pleasures; if there be any other Saviour, I will try, and not meddle with him; he will spoil all our mirth and [Page 38] good society; he will tell me that every idle word that I shall speak, I must give an account thereof in the day of judg­ment: What, do you think that I can like such a Saviour? That I can live with such a one as will call me to an account for every word I speak; and that if I speak one idle word, judgment will come upon me? No, I will try one and ano­ther, rather than accept of him on such terms; I am one that am joined to such a church, and enjoy such and such ordi­nances, and such helps: I am in covenant with God, and under the seals of that covenant; I am baptized, and do par­take of the Lord's supper, which is another seal of the cove­nant; I hope it will go well with me. I will go something farther: Another saith, he must have a Mediator; I will go to the Virgin Mary, and offer something to her, and pray to her: Saith another, I will go to Saint James, and Saint John, and other Saints to intercede with God for me. They must have some Mediator: This is the twisting and twining of the sons and daughters of men, to keep out Christ, the great Mediator, who came into the world for this purpose, to destroy the works of the Devil. Alas! I have nothing left but my bare life and living in this world; I have nothing left me but some little desire I had to please God, and that he will never judge and condemn me for; but my false dealing, and buying and selling with deceit, he will judge this, and condemn me; and my discoursing of things without me; all my carnal friendship of the world, and my vain fashions, all this is corrupt and defiled; these he came on purpose to de­stroy; he came to destroy both the Devil and his works. What, can a man live in the world, and never join with the Devil? never sin at all? never do any thing that the Devil would have him to do? There is no perfection in this world; no living without sin here; then I am sure there is no unity with Christ here; and if there be no unity with Christ, then there is none with God the Father. What will become of thee now? What will all the pleaders for that opinion say now? There is something stands between God and me, and I shall never have peace; and what is that? It is sin; I would have my sin taken away, else I had better ne­ver been born. Canst thou remove sin out of thy heart? I have tried, but I cannot do it; I have heard of Christ the [Page 39] Mediator of the new covenant, he saith, he came into the world, and that for this purpose he was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. Now sin in my heart is the Devil's work, I will see if he will destroy that for me; I will trust and rely upon him, and see if his great power can destroy it in me.

Here people come rightly to believe in him that God hath sent, and trust in him, and he will take them in; and, like a Chirurgeon, he will rip their hearts, and let out their corruptions, though there hath been ever so much rottenness; and he will heal them, and purify them, and pardon them, though they have been ever so wicked, if they come to him; when thy sins are set in order before thee, then thou criest out, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death? Is it God that hath thought on me, and waited to be gracious, hath born my sins long? how won­derful is his patience towards me! All these things working in the soul, tends to beget a love of God, and fervent desires after being cleansed and purified from sin, and earnest prayer to the Lord, to make the holy fire to kindle that would burn it up: The more the soul trusteth in Christ, the more doth this heavenly fire burn up our lusts, and then a man feels a great change in his mind: The things, saith he, that I delight­ed in, are now grievous to me; I hope I shall never be found in those things again; my mind is now taken off them; who took it off? Didst thou not strive before to take it off? I did, but I could not do it. There are many, I believe, in this assembly, before the Lord, that are my witnesses in this matter, that when they came to Christ the Mediator, he changed their minds, and he untied the Devil's fetters; they were tied to their sins and lusts, but he hath unloosed them; they are ashamed of those things that they formerly took pleasure in. What fruit (saith the apostle) had you in those things, whereof you are now ashamed? So I say, what plea­sure have you in sporting, and gaming, and drinking, and company-keeping? What pleasure have you to think on your wanton discourses? What pleasure in pride and vanity? What pleasure in wrath and bitterness of mind? And what pleasure in malice and envy? What pleasure have you in these things whereof you are now ashamed? So far as you [Page 40] are convinced, you are ashamed to think of them; I am ashamed to think that the Devil at such a time, by such a temptation, should prevail over me.

I would to God you were all come to this, to be ashamed that you might remember your past evil ways and actions, with sorrow and shame: There is a secret joy in this. Sure it is better to be ashamed, than to con­tinue in impudence. God hath wrought this change at last; and who shall have the glory of it? God shall have the glory of it; for his own works will praise him. What men do, many times they do for their own praise; but when they are at their wits end, and know not what to do, they cast themselves upon their Maker, to see if he will have mercy upon them; if not, they must perish: Then for what he doth, he gets the glory and the praise of it.

There are some here, that are bound to praise God while they have a day to live, for what he hath done for them. They could never have loved God with all their hearts; but they would have continued strangers to God, and the Devil would have led them captive at his will. They would not have loved God with all their hearts, had not God first shed abroad his love upon their hearts, and constrained them to love him: It is he that hath first loved them, and wrought in them, both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure. Whatsoever we are, we are by the grace of God; this grace is magnified in them that believe and obey the gospel.

My friends, we know there is so much peace and plea­sure in the ways of God; so much soul-satisfaction in walking with God, and loving of him with all our hearts, I should be glad if every one of you were of the same mind, and had experience of it. We labour diligently for this purpose; and we would set before you these two things:

First, how we may come to know our miserable stand by nature.

And what a blessed and happy state they are in, that have been converted and changed; that have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

[Page 41]Consider your state by nature is evil; we hope that many of you believe the report's of the gospel, concerning the good­ness of the Lord, his great love in sending his Son into the world, to seek and to save you that were lost, and that you believe in him. And we are persuaded, that by the foolish­ness of preaching God will save some of you, that you may be his redeemed ones, and trust to no other Saviour: For there is not any other name under Heaven, but the name of Jesus, by which we can be saved. He only can take away the sins of the world; his spirit searcheth the heart, and trieth the reins, which he promised to send into the world when he was about leaving of it. Now I dare pro­claim that Holy Spirit to be the Spirit of the God of Heaven, that now sees what resolution thou art of, and what thou art now proposing to do; whether to go on in sin, or to return to God. This I can speak without blasphemy, it is God's Spirit that searcheth the heart, and knoweth thy thoughts and purposes, and convinceth thee of thy sin: God hath sent his Son Christ Jesus into the world to enlighten you, that by his light you may see him; and that by his grace you might receive him; and that by his grace you might be saved.

To him I commit you all, and these words that we have spoken in the evidence and demonstration of the spi­rit, according as he hath wrought in us.

I must tell you we were never called of God to study Sermons for you, nor to preach things that are made ready to our hands; but as the Lord our God hath wrought in us, and as God hath been pleased to make known his mind to us, and by his Spirit given us utterance, so we speak, and so we preach. You that are come to believe and re­ceive the things of the Spirit, you will judge what I say. I speak unto you that are spiritual; judge ye what I say, saith the apostle. So when I speak of divine and hea­venly things, you that are spiritual, judge what I say? And as you come to judge and determine in yourselves that these things are true, you will feel the power of them in your own spirits, and we shall all be of the same mind; and as we have one God, we shall serve him in sincerity, and worship him with reverence. Then his name [Page 42] shall be exalted in the midst of us, and we shall edify one another in love, and we shall instruct one another, and call upon one another; come, let us go to the house of the God of Jacob, he will teach us, and preserve us in his way, and do us good, and keep us from all evil.

Turn your minds inward, and consider that God is a God at hand, ready to help you; and he requires no more of you than of other people in former times, to love the Lord with all your hearts, and to abstract and withdraw your mind from all other things that do come in com­petition with him; and be sure to have no trust or de­pendence but upon him; then see what God will do for you: No tongue can express, nor pen write; nei­ther hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, the things that God hath prepared for those that love him. That wisdom and knowledge, that joy and peace, and consola­tion, that passeth all understanding, he will reveal and com­municate by his spirit to them that love him, and trust in him, and rely upon him, and receive teaching from him; he will feed them with food in due season; he will bring the former and the latter rain, and they shall be as trees planted by the rivers of water, and bring forth fruit in due season; and their leaf shall not fade or wither.

This hath been London's wonder, and England's won­der, how it comes to pass, that such a people's leaf hath not withered, nor faded, as many have done: Our root was by a river; if we had stood in ourselves; if our dependence and support had been upon doctrines, tenets, and commandments of men, then our leaf would have been upon the ground as well as others; but because we have been upon our root, Christ Jesus, that is always green, both in summer and winter, therefore our leaf hath not withered; to the praise of God, and to the honour of his name, be it spoken: He hath preserved us, for we have no power of ourselves, no more than others; but we trust in God, and have received power from God, to stand as witnesses for him; we have trusted in the Lord, and he hath stood by us, and delivered us, when we were compassed about with dangers and distresses; if we con­tinue to trust in him still, he will bring us through all [Page 43] our trials and troubles, and he will be with us, and ne­ver leave us nor forsake us; if we take him for our God, we shall never need any other.

We read that Senacherib, king of Assyria, sent Rabshekah to Jerusalem to Hezekiah, with a great army, saying, what confidence is this wherein thou trustest? And he spake also to the people, and cried with a loud voice, hear you the word of the great king of Assyria; let not Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you; neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, the Lord will deliver us. Hezekiah went and prayed to the Lord, saying, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the Cherubims, thou art the God, the God alone of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made Heaven and earth; incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, O Lord, and see and hear all the words of Senache­rib, which he hath sent to reproach the living God, &c. And we read, that after he had presented his supplication be­fore the Lord, the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians, one hundred four score and five thou­sand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corps.

Thus you see what came of it at last; and thus it hath been in our day; they that trust in the Lord, he will deliver them, and they shall never be ashamed nor confounded; but as for all other Gods, they that trust in them, shall be confounded and covered with shame, and they and their Gods will perish to­gether.

And now, my friends, I beseech you all to have respect to this great duty of putting your whole trust in the Lord, who is the living God, and he will be always present with you, and work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure; he will support and preserve you in all your trials and sufferings, that you may be vessels of honor, to bear his name in the earth, and so sound forth his praise to the following generations.

THERE is a universal standard of truth, that God hath set up over all the sons and daughters of men; he hath given the knowledge of it in, and through Jesus Christ; he hath dealt it out to them, that they may be capable of joining and adhering to the truth, and to be delivered from eternal condemnation. This standard and measuring-rule is revealed and manifested in every man and woman, by the light that shines in their hearts, by which they are able to discern, and to give a sound and true judgment, (if they are but willing) upon all their own ways. A man or woman may know in every word they speak, in every ac­tion they do, whether they speak, and do, according to the truth, or whether they are justified by the truth, in what they speak and do.

I tell you, my friends, this is no small mercy, that man­kind hath obtained at the hand of his Maker, that he is brought into a capacity of not acting blind-fold, but that he may see his way, and his own inclinations, and pass judg­ment upon them, whether they are good or evil? Whether they will stand justified in the sight of his Maker, or whether they will be condemned.

I confess, the veil of ignorance, that is come over the sons and daughters of men, through sin, transgression and rebellion, is very great. And I may say, as the apostle said, sometime you were darkness: And what can darkness see? what can dark­ness discover? The Lord our God, that made us, hath not left us in that state of darkness, blindness and ignorance; but through the riches of his mercy and goodness, hath found out a way, to command that light should shine out of darkness, into people's hearts, for all that the Devil did to darken man, to alienate and estrange him from his Maker.

The same Almighty Power, that said in the creation, let there be light, and it was so; he hath shined into our hearts; [Page 46] and the way by which he hath done so, is through the Media­tor, through Jesus Christ the Redeemer, in whom the fulness of the God-Head dwells. He hath received power from his Father, not only to by a light and salvation, but to impart and communicate of that divine light unto them, even unto every one that cometh into the world; that so by means thereof, they may be delivered from their darkness, and ignorance of the mind of God, that they were liable to in the fall, and might be restored, through the Mediator, to a capacity of judging of their own actions, and of their own words, and ways, and inclinations.

This is the standard which God hath pitched in every one of our bosoms, for the trial of ourselves, either for our justi­fication, or condemnation, of every word and action.

Now, to make every one sensible of the greatness of this blessing, consider, it is not only given to augment and encrease knowledge, but it is given on purpose to allure and persuade men into a liking of truth, into a love of truth: The apostle esteemed it a wonderful mercy that came by Christ; he hath sent him to bless us, in turning every one of us from the evil of his ways: So that here is a capacity that the sons and daughters of men have, through the Mediator, of being turned from the evil of their ways and doings, to that which is well-pleasing to God.

The next work, after God hath wrought thus mercifully for the sons and daughters of men, is, that they would be good to themselves, and merciful to themselves, and take pity of them­selves, by a due improvement of the grace, and mercy, and kindness of God, that he hath bestowed freely upon them; and in bringing all their deeds to that standard, all their words and actions to that rule; that so whatsoever they may be, or how many soever, if they do not answer that standard and rule, they may deny, withstand and resist them, that so they may keep out of condemnation: For the apostle declares it plainly without scruple, there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus: If he had said to them that profess Christ Jesus, there had been a large latitude, especially for those na­tions; but the words are limited, and you will find them so; that is, to them that are in Christ Jesus; and (as if he should say) that you may know rightly what I mean; I mean, such [Page 47] as walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. They that are in Christ, walk after his Spirit; for, they that walk not after the Spirit of Christ, are none of his; but they that are his, walk after the spirit the spirit of truth, and there is no con­demnation to them.

It is not only the scriptures that ratify and confirm this doctrine, but you yourselves are all living witnesses of the truth of this, that so far as you do act and speak in obedience to the principle of truth, that God hath planted in you, you feel no condemnation upon you: Such a thing I did at such a time, and I had no condemnation: Why so? because I did it in obedience, and subjection to that measure of grace that God set up in me; and such a thing I did, for which I was condemned: Why so? because I did it according to the inclinations of my own corrupt mind, and in contradiction to the truth that opened in me.

My friends, I would have you in point of the doc­trine of christianity, to be the better for what you read and hear: It is possible for me to preach the truth, and you may believe what I say, and you may read the Ho­ly Scriptures, and have the belief of what you read; but if you come to a sensible feeling of the fulfilling of things you hear, you will give a greater seal to the truth of the doctrine, than by all you have read and heard; and you will grow wise to salvation, by trying and experiencing the effect of every thing you understand; and not like the carnal men of this world, that have not faith, that mind only their worldly profits and pleasures, such are earth­ly, sensual and devilish; but I would judge of actions and words, according to truth, and according to the effect I find in me. I did such a thing, and I had peace in the doing of it; I feel no reproach, no condemnation upon me. Here is a way for people to grow up in the life of christianity; to keep to the standard of truth; for whe­ther men will or no, they must do it at last, and may now, if they please, make a trial of their words and ac­tions.

As for the most part of you, you are got past Pilate: Pilate could make that enquiry; what is truth? saith he: And I confess, it is not long ago, it is within the me­mory [Page 48] of man, that a more serious and better sort of peo­ple were so confounded with the darkness and ignorance of those times, that they were ready to cry out, what is truth? and where is truth? Their eyes were so blinded, and things were so jumbled and confused by the dispu­tations that men raised, that made things so dark people could not see their way: But God who hath commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath brought a glorious day; hath dissipated, and scattered, and driven away a great deal of that fog and mist, that did overspread men's minds. As many as have sincerely sought the truth in the inward parts, they have found a divine principle of truth, that hath a self-evidencing quality in itself, to convince the minds and consciences of the sons and daughters of men, that it is the truth: And to this the Lord hath brought most of you, to be sensible of something that is truth in itself. There are many things that are true in the words of them; many true expressions; but there is truth in it­self, the essential truth of God, which, as it is in God, is everlasting and eternal, and will stand over all error, and falshood, and deceit: The truth, as it is in Christ Je­sus, is a standard and rule for men to act by; he hath given it to the sons and daughters of men; and as it ap­pears in them, it is either a Judge to condemn them, or a Saviour to save them from their sins, and to justify them.

Now, that which concerns us, is to find out the measure of truth, or manifestation, or principle of truth, which it hath pleased God to reveal in ourselves: And whosoever will turn their minds a little while inward, into the serious search and consideration, how the Lord hath dealt with them, they will find they are not quite destitute of truth. One that makes it his practice to lye, cheat and cozen, is not utterly destitute of truth; for there is a principle of truth in him, that doth check and reprove him for his theft, lying and falshood, and he lives under condemnation himself. He cannot draw near to the God of truth upon any occasion, but his lying and falshood stand in his way. Now, if so be, that this liar be made sensible of a principle of truth in him, and do but bring his words and actions to the truth, so much of it as he [Page 49] knows will make him leave lying and deceiving, and to practise truth to escape condemnation; if he will but leave lying and falshood, and live in the truth, and speak the truth to his neighbour, he will find another state, condition and frame in his soul, than there was before: He is now more at peace, And hath a clear and serene way, to come to God by prayer, and for pouring out his supplication, which he had not be­fore; for he had barred up his own way by his sin, which lay continually at his door; if thou dost not well, sin lies at thy door, saith God to Cain: So, when you do evil, you cannot but know it; when you are drunk, or swear or tell a lie, and deceive your neighbour, and carry on the design of sinful profit, thou knowest it, whether men know it or no, and God that made thee knoweth it; and there thy sin lies at the door, and blocks and bars thee out, that thou canst not offer thy prayers to God with that clearness, as if thou hadst spoken the truth: So that it highly concerns every one of us, to be waiting upon God, for the discovery of his truth to us; and then we must embrace, adhere and join to the truth, as our chiefest good.

But some will say, this adhering and joining to the truth, is a hard lesson: It is pretty easy to find out a principle of truth, that standeth against, and opposeth all manner of evil: Very few, now a-days, will deny a settled principle of truth in all men, that judgeth falshood, and condemneth deceit, and witnesseth against it in others, and in themselves: But this same joining, and adhering to it, that cannot be done, with­out a cross to a carnal mind.

Now, if the cross of Christ be not taken up, there is no good Christianity among us; where this is neglected, it spots and stains the profession of Christianity, because it is so di­rectly opposite to the doctrine of Christ; he that will be my disciple, must; it is not, he may if he will; but, he must take up the cross of Christ, and follow HIM. There were a sort of people, that were never like to be made Christians, that would be exempt from taking up a daily cross; therefore he presseth it upon them to deny themselves, and take up his cross and follow him. No man is like to live a Christian life, without taking up a daily cross.

This I cannot do, says one; I know how to carry myself [Page 50] among Christians with seriousness, sobriety and watchfulness, without shaming any profession; but I cannot deny myself, I cannot contradict my own will: This is that which keeps a man from leading a Christian life, when he cannot deny himself, and take up his daily cross.

Now, it is come to this now a-days, when a light is broken forth, and men have a principle of truth in their own hearts, it comes to this; saith one, I ought to be holy in all manner of conversation, and to be watchful over my words, and have my conversation honest and just without deceit: See what a deal I know, yet I can never live this life, for all I know it so well; I cannot take up a daily cross, which is so much against the contrary inclinations working in me; then the question I put to myself is, shall I take up a cross or no?

Here it comes to the point with every man▪ or woman, after they come to the knowledge of this standard of truth: If the world would but come to this rule and standard, there would be no more cheating nor cozening, no more fraud, deceit nor dissimulation, nor war and bloodshed; but if men would, in every thing they doy answer the principle of truth in themselves, they would put the question to them­selves, shall I take up my daily cross, or no? Shall I deny myself those pleasures that my conscience doth condemn; and those ungodly gains that I seek after by falshood, by ly­ing, prevaricating and departing from the truth? Shall I do this, that I may be rich and great in the world, or shall I not?

You know what I say, many of you, and have put this question to yourselves, and some have made a good answer to it: I will take up my daily cross, by the grace of God; this standard of truth shall be the rule of my words and actions, to my dying-day.

They that have learned this lesson, and obtained peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that have not only made a resolution, but performed it in act and deed, by the power of Christ's cross, they are purified, and sanctified, and wash­ed from their old conversations, and have their conversation in Heaven; that is, live after a heavenly manner, live a godly life here upon earth, when they have come to this resolution, and also the practice of it.

I would desire, and it is my labour, that you that hear me [Page 51] this day, who are aware of what I am speaking, viz. The STANDARD of TRUTH, the principle of Truth, that unerring Guide, which is placed in the conscience of every man, and justifieth, or condemneth, his actions and words. You who are come to be aware of this, that you may all come to this godly resolution in yourselves, I would have this dispute carried on in every one's bosom. When the question is stated, I would have you really answer it; shall I guide my actions and words according to this unerring rule, or no? I cannot tell what to say, say some, there is danger in it: What danger can there be to answer that which a man knows to be truth? I will tell you what danger: The world is perverse, and most men live out of truth, and the Devil is a cunning adversary, and he would have none live in it: He abode not in the truth; and he would not have us live in it, nor regulate our words and actions by the truth in our own souls: What if most men in the world pervert the truth? What if so few walk in the narrow way, and so few come to life eternal; is that an argument that I must not come there? Should it not stir me up to greater diligence, that by any means I may be of the number of that few that shall obtain salvation, and not go with a great company in the way that leads to destruction? If we improve our times, and seasons, and opportunities, and mercies, and blessings, that are vouchsafed to us, we at last may obtain life eternal.

But some may say, I must sit down in despair, for I can­not come thither of myself, though I do what I can to work out my own salvation. There is a decree against me; what, tho' I should pray ever so much, and spend my nights in grief and sorrow? If I be decreed to eternal damnation, there is no help for me, no hope that I should escape. And if I be decreed to salvation, though I take my liberty to sin, and be loose and wanton, as others, it cannot hinder me from attaining salvation at last.

For this reason, many have laid aside the spiritual war­fare against corruption, and their spiritual travel, that they will do nothing in order to their everlasting happiness; therefore they think they had as good take their pleasure: But, my friends, the case is not now so with us; let every soul among us praise the Lord for his mercy, in expelling that [Page 52] thick cloud of darkness, which is vanished and gone: This I know, and I hope you do all believe, that God doth every where, and in every nation, call sinners to repentance, and that he delighteth not in the death of him that dieth, but rather that they would turn and live; and in order thereunto, he hath given his Son, Jesus Christ, to be a Saviour and a Medi­ator; and he hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, to give direction to us in our way: Now our duty is, to make improvement of those visitations of mercy, that God hath bestowed upon us, in order to our salvation, and not live in rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, strife and envying, and following the fashions of the world: But we must work out our own salvation with fear and trem­bling.

But some will say, is not this done already? Is it not already wrought by our Saviour and Mediator? Christ hath tasted death for every man, and laid down a price for the soul of every man.

But yet there must be a change wrought in us; there must be a translation of our souls, from one state to ano­ther. This is called in the scripture, regeneration, and be­ing born again; this is called a being baptized into Christ, and described also by other expressions: But the matter is, to change thy life; for there is a sinful source of wick­edness, that is stirred up by the motions of the powers of darkness, and our own concupiscence; but God is al­ways ready to bring us under the government of his Holy Spirit, that will lead us into all truth; and this cannot be done without a Cross. But the question lies here, shall I take up this Cross or no? If I do, it will crucify me to the world. Let me see; how much do I love the world? A great deal: But do I love the world better than my own soul? What will it profit me, to gain the whole world, and lose my own soul? Or what shall I give in exchange for my soul? I cannot get to Heaven without denying myself; let me take care of my immortal soul: I am a poor creature; I will serve the Lord my Maker, and make it my business to glorify and please him. He can snatch me away by death when he pleaseth; therefore will I labour, that my thoughts, words, actions and conversa­tion, [Page 53] may answer to that rule that he hath set before me, as a standard of truth, to square and regulate my actions by. I will not live any longer in vanity, as many do; I do not know but my breath may be stopt to-day, be­fore to-morrow; therefore to-day, while it is called to-day, I will hear God's voice, and not harden my heart, but re­ceive that counsel, that is offered to me, for the benefit of my soul. I am bought with a price, I am none of my own; I will live to him that died for me: I have more reason to live to Christ, and serve him, that shed his precious blood for the redemption of my soul, and to be subject to him, than to be subject to Christ's enemy, to the prince of the power of the air, who rules in the chil­dren of disobedience. I will take up a resolution to serve God, but I can do nothing of myself; but the grace of God which brings salvation, will teach me to deny ungod­liness, and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, soberly and godly, in this present world. Take heed of being de­ceived and beguiled, for there is no way will bring you to Heaven, but a holy and undefiled way.

Therefore, come and take this, standard of truth in your hands, to guide you in your way, that you may neither turn to the right hand, nor to the left: This will shew you the way you should walk in, and be like the cloud and pillar of fire to the Israelites, in their journey to Ca­naan, which was a type of Heaven; the cloud they could see by day, and the pillar of fire by night; so this stand­ard of truth will direct you in your travel to the hea­venly Canaan. Let this be the rule and measure of your thoughts, words and actions.

If a workman, that is a builder, hath a rule to work by; if he goes on, and never examines his work by his rule, but makes his eye his rule; if he doth not bring his rule to his work every little while, to see whether his Work be right; if he worketh on, and never minds his rule, what sad work will he make. But a prudent skil­ful workman will say, I will not trust mine eye too much, but I will look to my rule, my rule will not fail me; if there be bad work, it will discover it to me, that I may mend it before I go any further. Thus a discreet [Page 54] workman will often bring his rule to his work, and use his line and plummet, that he may make it workman­like. He will say, if I let my rule alone, and not make use of it, but work as I please, and trust to mine eye, no wonder if I make bad work, and what I build fall down again, and tumble about mine ears.

You to whom God hath given the standard of truth, as a rule and measure to govern your thoughts, words and actions by, let every thing be tried with it, before you die, and leave this world: If you do so, and make this your daily practice, then ask yourselves, and you will be able to tell yourselves, and tell me, and say, I have now obtained more hopes of God's favour, and a greater sense of his love and goodness to me, than ever I had before. The apostle doth exhort us, to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time. We have spent a great deal of time in vain, let us now be wise, and im­prove our time, for our eternal advantage; let us walk circumspectly, that is, look round about us, consider our ways, and try all our thoughts, words and actions, by the standard of truth. To-day (my friends) while it is called to-day, hear the voice of God, and harden not your hearts, and receive that heavenly counsel, that is tendered to you, that you may be partakers of the inheritance, among the saints in light.

THERE is only one living and true God, Creator of Heaven and earth, whom we are obliged to serve and worship: I have so much charity as to believe, there are none among us, but will own and acknowledge this: And my soul wisheth, that this obligation did always rest upon every one's mind, that they might remember their Creator, that hath given us all life and breath, and continued all our blessings to us; that so every one might apply their hearts unto that universal duty, that we are all convinced of.

And they that are thus employed and exercised, they are considering how, and after what manner, they may quit and discharge their duty, and perform the obligation that lies upon them, so that it may be accepted at the hands of God; I speak now of those that are considerate, not of those that go on in a form of religion, and matter not, nor regard whe­ther they are accepted of God or no; but all that are consci­entious towards God, they are desirous to serve God, and worship him, so as they may be acceptable to him, so to perform duties that they may receive their reward, and that encouragement that God in all ages hath discovered, and made manifest to be in his purpose towards them that truly serve him.

When people come to this consideration, how they may serve God aright, and worship him acceptably, the Lord is high unto them, to instruct them, to teach them, and guide them in that way that is everlasting: And, blessed be his holy [Page 57] name! a great many in our days, have met with this divine teaching and instruction; and are taught in this age, as in former ages, to understand the worship of God that he re­quires; that is, in spirit and truth; and do find, that the Father doth seek such worshippers, and where he finds them, rewards them, and they have an answer of peace in their bosoms, and they are encouraged to go on in the worship and service of God, to the end of their days.

And it is a great mercy and benefit; a great blessing that God hath bestowed upon a remnant, to open their under­standings, to let them see and know the way of being near to God, that so they may know whom they worship; for you have read, there have been worshippers, that do worship they know not what: As our Saviour said to the woman of Samaria, you worship you know not what; we know what we worship: So all that are taught of God, do know which is the first lesson of Christianity, as the apostle saith; he that cometh to God, must first know and believe, that he is; that is, people must first be sensible, that there is a God, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, before they can rightly worship him.

Now, for want of this knowledge, the world is scattered, and people are divided into a great many sorts of worships, and fashions, and ways of religions, for want of the knowledge of the true worship, of the true and living God; so that though men are universally convinced, that there is a God, and that a worship is due to him from every one of us; yet people are confounded, scattered, and divided about the performance of their great duty; and in the day that the Lord hath visited his people, he hath come to answer this doubt, and question for them; it hath been the great question of the world, and is still of many thousands; I know we should worship God, but I know not the way and manner wherein to find acceptance: The Lord hath answer­ed that question in abundance; they that have ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit saith; there is a short answer to it in all.

Let people profess what religion they will, there is no acceptance with God, but through Christ: So that if people come to be of this, and that, and the other profession, and [Page 58] change their religion ever so often, and go from one religion to another, if they come not to Christ, they come not to him in whom they may find acceptance; in him God is pleased with every one; but out of him he is pleased with no one. The great mystery of religion lies in Christ; people must come to God, by faith in him; for without faith, it is impossible to please God. Let people perform ever so much service and duties, all must pass through the hand of the Mediator, before ever their performance will reach unto God, or before peace and comfort will reach to any man's soul. Therefore, it is the wisest way for every one, that would have acceptance with God, to come to him, in the name of the great Mediator. People would be glad to have acceptance with God, and not to have their services turned back upon them, as Cain's was: Now, every one that will have accep­tance with God, must come this way; there is but one way, it is not the way that men have invented; some by their works and merits, some by their made-faiths, and made-beliefs, and by divers articles and principles, holding this principle, and the other principle; but our Lord and Cre­ator, he hath sound out one way, in his infinite wisdom, and unspeakable mercy to mankind, that was forever lost, and could never return to God, by all his sacrifices, offerings and performances; he was never able to return into unity with his Maker, if God had not sound out a way; and the way that God hath found out, is by his beloved Son Christ Jesus: God spared not: He spared not what? He spared not his only begotten Son: Why, what did he do with him? He gave him for the life of the world; in him that God gave, there is life. It pleased the Lord that his Son should have life in him, as the Father had life in himself; for Christ was with the Father before the world began; in him was life, and the life was the light of men; John i. 4. It was no created life; that life that is in his Son, is not a created life, but is an eternal life, and it was given for the life of the world, and that life is the light of men: This is the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. So that here is the dignity of that life which God hath bestowed upon us; we are endued with that life, which was with the Father through Jesus Christ, before the world was. Let us consider the dignity of that light, that we are lighted with.

[Page 59]The question is, whether we should obey this light, or no: It is the question of every one; I am enlightened, saith a man, shall I obey it, or no? If I obey, I must take up a cross, and part with my beloved lust and cor­ruption. No doubt of that; we must persuade people to do that, before we can bring them to Heaven and hap­piness, and fellowship with God; it must not be by that way they lost it, but by the contrary way, by which God will bring men to happiness again. They lost it by trans­gression, and sinning against God; by this way and means men came out of the presence and favour of God; but what way shall they obtain it again? Shall it be by com­mitting iniquity, and breaking God's law? No; here is the way that God hath found out, to bring poor man back again to himself, by the sufferings and obedience of his Son, Jesus Christ: He hath given to him all power in Heaven and Earth, that all should be subject to him; here is a dignity which Christ hath obtained.

It comes to the question with us, whether we are en­lightened? now we know we are enlightened; God hath bestowed something upon us, that wars and fights against sin and iniquity. How came we by it? Is it any fa­culty in nature? No; nature is corrupted and defiled, be­cause the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; yet there is something in me that answers the pure law of God, which makes me to hate things that are reprovable; that is, light: How came I by it? It is not natural; for then it would run parallel with the natural inclination that is in my soul, to lead me further and further from God. These are set in opposition one against another, the flesh and the spirit; the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. Here is part of an inward war, that you may all be sensible of. Now, these two warri­ors, the flesh and the spirit, make war one against ano­ther, and one of them is overcome. It is true, there is such a principle in me, that strives against sin and cor­ruption: How came you by it? If you believe the scrip­tures, I say, it is the life of the Son of God, that light­eth every man that cometh into the world. Now, many that [Page 60] have rejected and despised the light, I believe they did not think, at the same time, to mock and make a scorn of the life of Jesus, tho' it was really so: But if people come to a true esteem and value of that light that God hath planted in the soul, they will give more reverence and respect to it. It is this that brings those that preach Christ, to preach him in those terms, and under those de­nominations,that he is nigh them.

We do not doubt of Christ's being born of a Virgin, in the land of Canaan, and that he wrought miracles, and preached many godly sermons, and that he was crucified, dead and buried, and rose again from the dead, for these things are certainly true: But we would have him our Sa­viour in this age, we would have a nearer knowledge of him, and a sense and feeling of the virtue of that power, by which he saved them that lived in former ages: He is not a Christ and a Saviour of one age only, but of all ages to this day; from Adam, to the last man that shall live upon the earth. That age and generation that knoweth not Christ, will not be saved by him, if there be any age wherein he is not known: There is no other name under Heaven by which you can be saved. If you ask where is this Saviour? Say not in thy heart, who shall ascend into Heaven? that is, to bring down Christ from above; or, who shall descend into the deep, that is to bring up Christ again from the dead? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the word of faith, which we preach. He is nigh thy soul, he is the Lord of life, and a quickening Spirit, if I know that quickening Spirit, after this I know the Lord Christ; when he comes to work in me by his power, changing my heart, and translating me from death to life, then I know the true Christ: God hath mani­fested, in all ages, that it is the duty of people to come to the knowledge of the Son of God; for he hath sent forth his Spirit to teach us, and to lead us into all truth.

For when Christ was with, his disciples, he told them that he would pray the Father, and he should send the Spirit, the comforter; and when he came, he would be known by his divine and inward teachings and operations, guiding and leading them into all truth; that was his work to them: But what shall other folks do? He will be made known to others [Page 61] too: When he comes, he shall convince the world of sin: So that his work to his disciples was, to lead them into all truth; and his work to the world is, to convince the world of sin: Who will deny, but that there is a Spirit in our age, as well as in other ages, that will convince men of sin? Is this the Spirit of God, that convinceth the world of sin, or is it the spirit of the QUAKERS only? When peo­ple come to consider really and truly, how they may serve God aright, they will find there is no serving God aright, unless they come to Christ the Mediator, that in and by him they may put up supplications to God; and through him, they may expect at the hand of God, peace and comfort; and there is no other way, nor ever will be.

The Jews, they had another way, they had an outward way of serving God; this stood in divers offerings, sacrifices, washings and observations; this was a way of worship of God's own institution to that people; but what came of it? When the apostle came to grasp it, he said, the comers there­unto, were not made perfect: What were the transgressors of it then? They that would sin on, and continue in sin, and not bring a goat, or a ram, or other oblation; they that did observe it, and came up to the point of the law, they did bring their offering when they were convinced of their sin: If a man sinned, he was to bring an he-goat, and to bring it to the door of the tabernacle; but when he sin­ned, the conscience of sin, the guilt of sin remained upon him. For it was impossible, saith the apostle, that the blood of bulls and goats should take away the sin: For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth, to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ (who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God) purge your consciences from dead works, to serve the living God.

When there is no hope of atonement and reconciliation with God, by all those offerings under the law, he tells you of one offering of the Son of God himself, through the eternal Spirit, by which he became a propitiation; for this will do [...] if I believe that Christ offered an holy offering to the Father for my sins, I believe he offered his body, and that through the eternal Spirit, that he might be a propitiation for sin, and [Page 62] take away sin, and have power over sin and death, and con­quer death and darkness: The apostle drives the matter fur­ther; you must come to the inward work of this outward offering, this eternal offering, that was in due time offered to God; you must come to know the operations of it, by the sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience: So that there was to be an applicatory faith for the offering of that. The way to a Saviour was not made by man, no more than the way of salvation by Christ was found out by man; no more than the application of the benefit is effected by man.

When it pleaseth God to call a people by his grace, he calleth them by his Son; not by this and the other form: No man cometh to me, saith Christ, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him. The first thing that a man or woman comes to be aware of, is the secret sense and feel­ing of the Lord's Divine Power upon the heart, to feel Christ Jesus; as soon as they feel this, and embrace it, this is a token of the love or God. I hope all this con­gregation will acknowledge, that they have sometimes felt his drawings, and that they have not embraced and closed with them so well as they ought.

When people are aware of these drawings inwardly to holiness and righteousness, and are sensible that they should, with care and attention, close with them, for the good of their poor souls; and that it concerns them to be hap­py in the other world that is to come, and therefore re­solve to be led by these drawings of the Spirit of God, these are not weeds that grow in the fields naturally; these are Sparks of Divine Fire, kindled in the hearts of men by God himself: No man comes unto God, till God comes to him, and touches him, and gives him sense and motion: These are the motions and stirrings of God's Holy Power, in the hearts of many that are wicked and abominable; yet the Lord doth not despise the work of his own hand, but reacheth to such.

When the Lord meets with those that despise not, but highly prize this wonderful grace, and close with it, and are glad of it, such a one faith, I feared that the Lord had forgotten me, and had passed by me, and had done with me; but I see he visits me again, and he hath vi­sited [Page 63] my soul this day, inclining me to walk more answer­ably to his love; he hath doubled his power upon me, and hath kindled a holy fire in my heart, and caused me to seek after him; he hath touched my heart, and I will pour out my soul in supplication; seeing he hath touched me, he will take hold of me by his power, and he will keep me from being any more drawn away: I will live in the sense of his power and mercy, that keeps me night and day, that I may encrease in it, and grow in grace. When the Lord meets with such a one, he will draw him into the way that he hath appointed: None can come un­to me, saith Christ, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him. If I am drawn, into what form shall I go now? and what ordinance shall I take up now? This is all under feet; this is none of my work; I will come to Christ the Mediator, and he will take the government and rule of me: It is not my best way to study a form, and an outside religion; I will wait upon that power that hath thus touched my heart, that he may by degrees bring me to the obedience of Christ.

But some are ready to say, who, and what is this Christ Jesus that you are speaking of; that immediate Christ Jesus that is extant and present, that I am to have to be the object of my faith; that I may believe in him, and come to an ac­quaintance with him, that I may partake of the life of Jesus Christ, and have it communicated to my soul?

We have not a thought, or a word to speak, that may derogate from the wonderful grace of Christ, who died in his person on earth for the salvation of our souls: Yet we must know, that the Lord Jesus Christ may be spiritually present with us, and take the government of us, and we are to be subject to him: How shall this be? I am speaking of one that hath felt the Father's drawings, when he draws them to his Son, and draws them to something that is holy and pure: This God the Father hath begotten: We read in scripture, that God hath begotten Christ, who is the only begotten of the Father. It is strange, you will say, to speak of begetting Christ again, God begets Christ again, that is, spiritually; he being the first born in many brethren, in every true believ­er, and there is a travel of soul that Christ may be formed [Page 64] in him. See what travel of soul the apostle Paul falls into the second time, for the Galatians. They were a brave people, they worshiped God in Spirit, and believed in Christ Jesus, and afterwards they came to be seduced by false prophets, and false teachers, that set them about their works, and told them they could not be justified and saved without their own works: These false teachers that came among them, were as bad as Popish priests and friars. It is not your obe­dience to Christ, and the Spirit, that will save you, you must be doing: So these poor people were deluded and bewitched; and to give you the apostle's own words, they were infa­tuated, and drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel, and they thought by the works of the law to obtain salvation: The apostle writes a letter to them, and tells them that he travelled in birth again, till Christ was formed in them. If this was not scripture, it would look like a strange work; there must be a forming of Christ, a birth there must be, and a begetting: Who must beget in this and that moment, but the same that begat from the beginning? the same is the Father, he begets Christ in all that believe and obey the gos­pel. He is begetting something in me that is holy, though I be unholy; the Father, by the operation of his divine hand, begets something in me that is holy. This I find, though I am not so good as I should be; I have that given me, that will tell me, that the more I adhere and join myself in my desires and affections to this good principle, the more I shall partake of the quality of it; this good principle, though it be like a little grain of mustard-seed, I cannot tell what to compare it to for littleness, in comparison of the great lump and mass of sin, corruption and filthiness, that wars against it; yet this will overspread all that is bad, and make me holy, as that is holy; pure as that is pure, and to have a love for him, from whom it came, even to Christ and God; it will gather the affections from corruptible things, and place them upon things above.

This faith tells people that it is the substance of things hope for, and the evidence of things not seen; such a one live by faith, such a one that comes to be joined to that, that is begotten of the father, he lives by the faith of the Son of God, and can do nothing of himself, but through Christ that [Page 65] strengthens him; he says unto God, I perceive I can do nothing without thee; I cannot pray unto thee, nor serve thee; of myself I can do nothing acceptably, but through Christ the Mediator; such a one becomes like a little child, and he must be led; and who must lead him, but the Spirit of Christ?

You cannot preach, says one to him, unless you be moved by the Spirit: You cannot pray until you be moved by the Spirit: How should I? No, without him I can do nothing, I cannot preach, nor pray, nor do any thing acceptable to God the Father, but by Christ; and he hath revealed him in me.

This is no new doctrine, we see the new and living way; it was an old way to old Christians, and a new way to the new; and so a thousand years hence, if the world lasts so long, men will see that they cannot do any thing pleasing to God, but as they are gathered into Christ; they will see their own righteousness, works and doings, will avail them nothing at all. This is all laid at the feet of Jesus, whom God hath exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to be Lord and King.

Now, my friends, we are engaged in this age, abundantly engaged, to offer thanks to God, through Jesus Christ, that he hath provided and opened a way for the sending forth the Spirit of his Son: And that God hath gathered a people, and hath made known to them the way of life, that they might walk in it; but there is no walking in it, but through a daily cross, and self-denial. It is not likely that a man should be brought back to God the same way that he went out from God; and the prophets and apostles do allude to this turning to God; when thou turnest aside to the right hand or to the left, thou shalt hear a voice behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk in it. There is a voice, that calls to people in our days, to look behind them, for they are out of the way. This pro­phecy is fulfilled in our day; we cannot turn away from the good ways of God, but we may hear a voice behind us, say­ing, thou art sinning against God, and breaking the holy law of God, Now, if people return, it must be by the cross: I will not return to God, saith one; I have pleasure, profit, and honour, and whatsoever my heart can desire, in this evil way that I am walking in; if I return, I shall have nothing but shame and reproach; I shall be undone and ruined, and [Page 66] I shall lose the favour and friendship of my friends and rela­tions; I cannot return to God, but through a daily cross, and self-denial: What then? It is likelier to be the right way, by this bearing the cross. Christ tells us, if any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. This voice of Christ calls me to repent and turn from sin, and giveth me a strong argument, that it is true; that it is the same way that will bring me back to God, by the Mediator. It brings its own evi­dence with it; we need no argument to prove that it is a right way; it is a right way, because it is the narrow way; it is the right gate, because it is the strait gate. Every body can walk in the broad way with ease, with out any cross.

When people are come thus far, that they are convinced of their duty, when they are called to amend their lives and conversations, to forsake their lives and turn to the Lord, this is the great question, have I power to do this? This question hath stumbled a great many, when they have some beginning thoughts of turning to the Lord; and at last they have settled themselves in a belief that they can­not do it; it is true, and nothing truer, that men, con­vinced of their sins, have not power to leave their sins of themselves; this is true, but not all the truth; to men that God convinceth of sin, he gives them power to be made willing to forsake their sins. He hath given power to all that are in Christ Jesus, to believe and become the sons of God; then they have denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, if they be the sons of God, and live righteously, soberly and godly, in the world.

But what shall they do that are sensible they have not power to forsake their sin, till God is pleased to give them power? Such have nothing to do but to wait upon the Lord, for the giving of this power; and there is a duty incumbent on them then to answer this power. The apostle, upon this subject, tells us what people are to do for their own conversion. He ascribes the power of conversion to Christ Jesus: The prophets and apostles, they tell us, there is something for man to do, that is, if he hath not power, he is to be willing to receive it. The apostle hath a no­table [Page 67] expression to this purpose; he puts them in mind, how they used to do by the devil, when they were the devil's servants; they did obey his commands, and yield­ed their members servants to unrighteousness: How did they yield? They did it heartily, with pleasure and delight. Thus you did when you did not know the power of God; but now you are come to the knowledge of the power of God, yield not your members as instruments of unrigh­teousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instru­ments of righteousness unto God: Rom. vi. 13. Let your minds, and wills, and affections, be joined to that power which God visited you with; in love to God, give up your members as servants unto righteousness.

Here is something for man to do in the day of God's visitation; thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power; when they come to that, and experience that, this shews that they are the people of God: But they that are not a willing people, are none of God's people, God's people are so; and I pray God make you all so, to be a people willing to be God's people, when he gives you power, and it will not be long before he gives you power to forsake your sins, to for­sake this, and the other foolish, proud and vain action and fashion; he hath made Christ Jesus to be Lord and King, and he shall reign over death; he hath made all things by Christ, and he is become the Saviour of all men, but espe­cially of them that believe; so that I would have a special salvation, and thou wouldest have it too: Christ hath made a way, and opened a door for us to be saved, that we might have an abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom: But I would have a special salvation, that would invest me with the love of God in my heart, before I die; it is to be had through Christ, therefore to him will I come, to him must every one come, and every knee bow to his name, and every one must wait for his appearing in the Spirit. When Christ appears, truth stirs. Now, if a holy, divine life is in thee, it is he; if a principle of truth stir in thee, it is he: The same Jesus, only in a smaller manifestation: He that is faithful in a little, he will make him ruler over much: This is he that God hath ordained to be the Captain of our Sal­vation; [Page 68] this is that which we preach in his name, and tes­tify and declare to all people, that there is no other salvation, no deliverance from death and hell, but by and through him; in him there is a reconciliation, and that peace which passeth all understanding, and power over all those things which have captivated us, and made us disobey our great Lord and Maker: Let us wait for the coming of Christ; he is our King, our Lord and Law-giver, and he will save us: This was the cry of his people of old, for the glorious and great salvation he hath given, and the work he hath wrought. Let the prayers and supplications of all people, that desire salvation, be put up more and more, that he will visit the earth, and give power from above, and bring us into that new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; to whom be glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

IT is a great privilege to the sons and daughters of men, that it has pleased God Almighty to open a way, how they may come to the true knowledge of him­self. And O that there was a heart in every one of us, that could rightly prize this privilege as we ought to do! for in the knowledge of the true God consists our true happiness; and without this, the mind of no man or wo­man can be good. There is nothing seasons the mind and soul of man, and prepares and fits it for an everlasting well-being, but the divine knowledge of the living God that made him. And there is a propensity in the soul of man, even since the fall, to return again to God, and to have that acquaintance and communion with the Lord that man had before he fell: And they that have regard to that inward spark of divine love, that they find in their own souls towards God, they will experience that the Lord is merciful and gracious, and propitious to that which is of himself

[Page 71]For tho' the soul is lost, and man is lost through trans­gression, and a great alienation has happened between him and his Maker, yet the mercy of the Lord endureth for­ever; and his kindness and favour to lost man is such, that he stretcheth out his hand all the day long, and pre­sents and offers to the children of men a friendship and acquaintance, and a communion again with him. And tho' by sin and transgression, there is a rebellious nature grown up in the sons and daughters of men, yet the soul of man is not wholly so; there is something that strives and labours in a contrary way, and persuades the soul to turn again unto the Lord, and to wait for the knowledge of God; and whosoever hearkens with care and diligence, to that divine Monitor, that is daily drawing and per­suading people to seek after God, they come to under­stand, that the Lord is not so angry with mankind, but his love, and mercy, and good will, reaches towards all the sons and daughters of men; and the bar that hinders their communion▪ with God, and peace with God, it is not in the Lord, but it is in themselves; and therefore the remedy must be wrought in themselves.

This is evident to every eye, that there is something gotten into mankind, which the Holy God cannot own, and can never have fellowship with; that is, another con­trary spirit hath wrought upon the souls of people, and hath seduced and drawn them out to that which is unholy and contrary to God, and the terms of God's covenant to mankind, which is, that he should forsake that which the contrary spirit hath wrought. Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Why should he forsake his ways? Because the Lord never led him in­to those ways. He that made him, never led him into them; but the devil, the enemy of mankind, seduced him into those ways; therefore the Creator cries out to him, let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; I cannot have union with him, as long as he walks in his evil ways; I cannot dwell in his mind, so long as evil thoughts are in it: So may the Lord com­plain of the works which the devil hath wrought, that man is carried away from God, by his evil thoughts, and the works of the devil.

[Page 72]Why doth not God destroy those works, when he is Almighty, and able to do it? Very true, God is so; but he hath offered to mankind, through the son of his love, a way and means, how man may come to be purged, and cleansed from the evil that the devil hath wrought in him, and how he may come to be reconciled to God: God hath not chosen the way of coercion and force, and to work altogether by irresistible power, that man shall go to Heaven whether he will or no: There was no force used for his going to hell and darkness, but it was the choice of his will: The devil could not have forced him, and led him away out of covenant with God, he could not compel him to break the holy command of God; but the devil tempted him, and he yielded to the temptation, and now man is driven out of the presence of God; yet God hath found out a way for the sons and daughters of men, to turn again to him: What by force and coercion, and irresistable power? No, but the scripture saith, He hath offered life and salvation to all men: He hath freely given the Son of his love, out of his own bosom, who making himself an offering for sin, hath presented a way and meant for man's returning again to God.

How doth God present Christ to us? He presents him to the view of every one's mind, to the understanding of every soul; he offers and presents him for salvation to the ends of the earth. There is a damnation come in by man's being subject to Satan, but salvation comes in by his being subject to Christ; as damnation came in by his being defiled, so salvation came in by his being cleansed: As the devil is the defiler, so Christ is the cleanser, and man is the object upon which both do work; and they that have been defiled and corrupted (as we all have) by the unclean Spirit, can any of us give a reason they should not be cleansed by the holy Spirit? We have lost our right to Heaven by sin and transgression, in the first Adam; and can any give a reason, why we should not be restored, and redeemed, by Jesus Christ, the second Adam? No reason can be given of our redemption, but that God is free in his love, and Christ in his offering: He hath offered himself a sacrifice for sin: Every priest hath something to offer; this man, the man [Page 73] Christ Jesus, offered himself, through the eternal Spirit, a sacrifice for sin; and now the sacrifice is offered, and a door is opened, and a new and living way consecrated through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.

Now, who can be wise enough to find out a reason, why all men enter not in at this door? For all men enter in at the other door, which the devil and Adam opened, to run from God; all could run in at that door. What is the reason, that all go not in at that door which Christ hath opened, and God hath revealed, and which cost Christ so dear to work our way back again, for mankind to return to God? If we go about to enquire into the reason, we shall find it very little, for there is all the reason in the world we should serve God, and seek our own happiness; there is all the reason in the world we should part with sin and iniquity, and with the devil's work, which he wrought, if we knew but how: Now this, I say, is a great privilege, that God hath afforded to the sons and daughters of men, that they may know; for here the terms of the gospel and of salva­tion, are brought into a narrow compass, to a short sum, there need no catalogue of them; they that will be ruled by the wicked one, must have their part with him; and they that will be ruled and governed by the Holy One, shall have their part with him, that where he is, there they may be also.

Is this in the power of man's will? No, there lies the mischief in the will of man; for you cannot but know by experience, if a man may have his own will, he will always run headlong to destruction, and run in the way of wicked­ness: And if ever he comes to turn out of that way, into the way of righteousness, he must do it in a way that is a cross to his own will. Some have said, because we have spoken of the free grace of God, in a way that is universal, of his kindness to mankind, through Jesus Christ, they have said, that we hold free-will, that men might be saved if they would; but alas, we have tried it, and we have an universal knowledge, that is able to convince us, and all the world, that it is far enough from our own will. Man is far enough from being able to save himself, from being saved by his own will: He can run on to damnation, there is a current goes [Page 74] with his affections, and with his corrupt desires, they go with the current and stream; as long as a man goes on in sin, he swims down the stream.

Now many, after they have long gone on in sin, and their evil ways, they think or returning to God; for they think there is a better way, a surer and safer way for their souls, than to go on in wickedness: So there is; if there be so, saith the sincere soul, O that I might walk in it: Why dost thou not? I am convinced that I see a more excellent way than my way is, a better walking and conversation than my life is; but alas! it is too hard for me to walk in it: Why? what is the matter, what makes it hard? because of my own will; I cannot walk in it and have my will, I cannot walk in it, and enjoy my affections and desires, and my interest in the world: This is no wonder that thou tellest me; now thou art convinced of a better way, and wouldest walk in it, and thou canst not walk in it, but thou must take up a daily cross; we might all of us tell that, and read it before; I pray God you may come to read it within, what a cross it is you are to take up, and what way it is you are re­quired to walk in; that is the way of God, the way that leads to Heaven, it is a narrow way; but the way that the devil would have you to walk in, is a broad way, there is no rub in it.

O would you but once come to experience how hard it is to walk in that way that leads to life, you would find that you cannot do it without self-denial: It comes to this point; I have read of it before, but now I find it so. Such a man, or such a woman, will seriously apply themselves to live blameless, harmless, and inoffensive towards God and men; they will set a bridle, and a watch before their mouths, that they may not speak a vain word; they will take care of the frame and temper of their minds, that they sin not in their thoughts, that they sin not with their lips, nor with their hands. This is not as I was wont to do; I was used to have my liberty; now I find myself yoked, I dare not sin against God: Now I find, by ex­perience, what I heard before, that no man can follow Christ, without denying himself, and taking up a daily cross.

[Page 75]I would have you experienced in this work; wicked men think it a pleasant life, to follow the devil's work, and to walk in the broad way; but the way of self-denial is uneasy, there is much strife and opposition in that way; If I have a mind to speak a vain word, I am limited; if I have a desire to wrong my neighbour, and cheat and defraud him, I am limited, I am not to do it, that belongs to the broad way: If a man will seek after the Lord, and walk in the way of holiness and righteousness, the end whereof is peace, he will find it is a narrow way, wherein he can­not enjoy his own will; such a one must be a David, who said, I behaved myself as a weaned child; that is, as one that is afraid to be beaten.

But thou wilt be ready to say, I am a man, and not a child; I am come now to be a man, a man of parts; I have seen much, and read much, and would you have me become a child? How great a man was David: If you speak of a man, he was a man of dignity and ho­nour, a man of valour and experience; yet when he speaks with respect to the frame of his mind before the Lord, he saith, he behaved himself as a weaned child, as one that feared to be beaten, feared to commit an offence; he feared the rod of his God upon him; he feared something of judgment upon his conscience. David was an old tes­tament man, but he had regard to that which never wax­eth old, which is the same in all times, new and old, Alpha and Omega. Christ Jesus was his leader, before he was born of the Virgin Mary; his word was a light to his feet, and a lanthorn to his paths: David had acquain­tance with God, who did lift up the light of his coun­tenance upon him.

And when Christ himself came to preach upon earth, he saith himself, every one that comes into the kingdom of God, must become as a little child. He must become as a little child in simplicity and subjection; he must be un­der government; he must become as a little child, or he must in no wise enter the kingdom of Heaven; they must not think to enter into Christ's kingdom because they are men; men of parts, men of courage, men of understand­ing, learned doctors, masters of liberal arts and sciences: [Page 76] These may help to make them men, but they must be children; all their wits, and parts, and manhood, courage and valour, will do them no good; for little children, babes and sucklings, may understand more than they of Divine Mysteries, and have greater communion and intercourse be­tween God and their souls than they; so that all who enter into Christ's kingdom, must become like little chil­dren.

So that here is a way provided by Jesus Christ, for man to come again into the favour of God, which is by Christ alone, not by any thing that a man can do; Christ must be their leader and their counsellor, he alone can give them the true knowledge of God. No man can know the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him. Men can never attain to the saving knowledge of God by study, and by disputation and reading books, and commentators, and observators of matters of religion, Time would fail me to speak of the multitude of books that have been written about the knowledge of God. You must come to Christ for divine knowledge; theology, the know­ledge of God, and divine and heavenly things, are from Christ: He shall have this divine knowledge, be he ever so simple, that comes unto Christ for it; he cannot have it any other way, for God hath ordained this way: Saith God, he shall have it of my Son, who is the Reconciles▪ the Mediator between God and man, he shall be beholden to Christ for all. All men's own works and labours will not justify and save them, for God hath committed the whole work of salvation to Christ. One would think it should be no great matter for men to lay aside their own works and duties, and submit to Christ; but I tell you it is very hard, and I found it hard myself.

Men think by reading and learning, and hearing this and the other man's notions and opinions, they may be edified and profited, and come to the true knowledge of God; but while they are waiting upon God, in the way he hath appointed, they may receive knowledge from Christ, and be more certain and infallible in what they do know, than by consulting all the wise men and learned doctors in the world. For no man knows all at once; and no man [Page 77] knows all things neither: It is not a thing necessary that man should know all things in relation to God; for as he is in himself, he is incomprehensible: For no man knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall re­veal him; yet that which he knows of God, he may know it is certain and infallible.

Suppose a man know nothing of God, but that he is the searcher of the heart, and trier of the reins. There are many that have tried this, and say they know it, that yet doubt whether there be a God or no. But when God comes within them, and convinces them of sin, and search­es them, and brings judgment upon them for what they have done, then they know infallibly, that God is the searcher of hearts. This is not a man's work, this is the work of God; if I find God doth approach my spirit, I know it is God's work; I have now got some knowledge of God, how came I by it? Who gave it me? No one but he that hath all knowledge; he that was with the Fa­ther from the beginning, and was glorified with the Fa­ther before the world began, he gave me this know­ledge; and now did he give it thee? By his Spirit; for he hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into my heart; and that Spirit of Christ searches the hearts, and tries the reins. He tells me this is evil that thou hast done, this is that which God that made thee hath against thee; this thou must forsake, and this thou must repent of; here I have an in­fallibility of what I know, but I cannot get rid of my evil.

Now if I can believe in the power by which my heart is searched, and trust in him that hath begun to deal with me, then his work is not only to reveal his light to convince me, but to put forth his power to convert me; so that by the power of that truth by which my heart is searched, I come to be converted, and turned from my sin, and break off from it; and when I am broken off from it, I am sure, and have a certainty that it is so, that I am broken off from such a sin, and that my heart is turned against it; I am sure that now I hate it, and detest it, and that God hath turned my inclinations another way: I am sure this is God's work, I can witness this infallibly, that something is now done in [Page 78] order to my redemption: But there is something yet re­maining to be done: What then? I will go step by step, by following my guide, I shall be sure to be making some progress every day, to that state to which the Spirit of Christ will lead me: These persons come to a certainty of knowledge by their own experience.

Some will say, take heed of being deluded and deceived by the Quakers; so say I too: Take heed of being deluded by any body; if any go about to persuade thee, to believe that which thou knowest to be a lye, I am sure they are about to delude thee; I would have every one to have an evidence in themselves of what they believe.

Doth a man believe that such a one is a drunkard, be­cause the scriptures declare judgment against the drunkards? the scripture saith, wo to the drunkards of Ephraim: There are judgments denounced against the drunkards in the old testament; consider the scripture doth not tell such and such by name, that they are drunkards; but the Spirit of God, by a work and operation upon a man's conscience, singles him out, and charges him with the guilt of drunken­ness.

There is a great condemnation pronounced against whore­mongers in scripture, but it doth not tell us who they are by name; but their consciences tell them so, and gives in­fallible judgment against them, and say, thou art the man, thou art a person that God doth judge and condemn; whoremongers and adulterers, God will judge; but that doth not concern thee, and affect thee, except thou be one; I may read this an hundred times in the scripture, and not have a reflection in my own conscience, except I be guilty: But when God meets with a guilty person, and judgeth and condemneth him, there will be an infallibility in what such a one knows. If a whoremonger is reflected upon by his own conscience, if his conscience tell him he is the man, if all the world should flatter him, and say he is not guilty, he would certainly know that they tell him a lye.

So that here is no dependence upon any man's judgment, but upon an invisible judge in a man's own heart: Who shall delude and deceive this man, that hath this experimental knowledge? those persons will not deceive a man, that [Page 79] would turn him from the evil of his ways; these do not go about to deceive him, that will tell him he must hearken to that principle of truth and holiness in his own heart; they would deceive him that tell him he is converted when he is not, and leave him there: But when he is really convert­ed and turned from sin to God, some will tell him he is deluded and deceived; I pray God every one of us may be so deceived: Saith the apostle, we are deceivers, yet true: All that are truly converted, though men cry out they are deceivers, though they are deceivers, yet true; they are come to the savour of the knowledge of God, through Christ; and so shall certainly come to be partakers of the inheritance that is undefiled, and that fadeth not away.

Friends, you know that this hath been the proposition of all the prophets, and apostles, from the beginning to this day; the thing that they have proposed to the sons and daughters of men, hath been to enquire after the know­ledge of the true God: It hath been wonderful to con­sider, what the devil hath done to present divers doctrines that he hath found out, and stirred up others to invent a company of Gods, that other people have adored and wor­shipped. It is hard to find any nation that do not worship some God; it is natural for man to desire to come to some God, he thinks he must come to some God, and cannot be happy if he come not to GOD: But the devil hath invented many Gods, and set the people a worshipping of idols, the work of men's hands, such Gods that are so far from help­ing their worshippers, that they cannot help themselves, they cannot wipe off the dust from their own faces; and if they fall down, they cannot rise again.

But this is not our case, we have but one God preached among us, and but one Lord Jesus Christ, the Mediator be­tween God and man: Our condition is happy, in having but one God, in comparison of theirs that have many Gods.

If the true God, that you worship, were but trusted in, you would be the happiest people in the world: If you do but search, you will find that the devil hath in this nation, and in this age, stirred up people to worship as many Gods, as he did in other nations in ancient times, among the Sido­nians, and Amorites, and others.

[Page 80]But you will say, we worship one God, and trust only in one God, and one Christ, and one Holy Ghost, the only living and true God.

Do not tell me what God a man professeth to worship▪ but what God he trusteth in, that gives it the name: What­soever a man trusteth in, that he makes his God, whether it be gold or silver, or the honours and pleasures of this world, if he trusteth in these things, he makes them his God. Let a man but search and try himself, and he will find some­thing hath got a place in his heart, that he cannot part with for Christ's sake. He will be ready to say, I cannot part with my house and land, with my wife and children, and my goods and possessions, because I have a confidence in them, and believe they will do me good, and be a defence for me; I trust that in times of peril those things may do me good. Here is a divine adoration, here is that trust, that confidence, that all true Christians ought to have in the true God, and this is placed in these earthly things. Now, wheresoever the trust and confidence is placed in transitory and earthly perishing things, these men trust in transitory Gods.

Nothing so shews that a man makes the Lord his God, as when he casts all care on him, and puts his whole trust in him, when he makes a profession and acknowledgment of his dominion and greatness, and of all his other perfections, that by his wisdom he can procure for them all that is good, and by his power, keep off from them, and secure them from evil. When I make the Lord my trust and refuge, and trust him for my God, I choose him before all the Gods of the Heathen, and trust in him above all things under Heaven, upon the account of the profundity of his wisdom, and the almightiness of his power: When a man hath this sense upon him, he will walk before the Lord with resignation of mind, and be willing to be at God's disposal, and he will not only give up himself to God, but he will hearken to him, and hear his voice when he speaks to him.

God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners spake in time past, unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son: But, where is his Son, you will say? He is in Heaven; but though he is the high [Page 81] and lofty one that inhabits eternity, yet he dwells with meek, humble and contrite hearts, that tremble at his word. If I be one of the number of those that tremble at God's word, I have that promise that he will come home to me, and dwell with me. It is well for thee, if the over-ruling power of God hath prevailed upon thee, that thou canst be willing to be at God's disposal, and say, Lord, what wouldest thou have me to do?

Therefore, friends, I would advise you all to love your own souls, that when God desires your hearts, you would give them up to him, that there he might delight to dwell, and have his habitation. Hearken to God's voice, and have regard to his word, which is a more sure word than any man's in the world. There is a more sure word of prophecy, saith the apostle, unto which you will do well to take heed. This will check you, and reprove you, when you do evil, and shew you wherein you have transgressed; and will encourage you, and be a comfort to you, when you do that which is good. This will make you wise to salvation, and thoroughly furnish you, and give you under­standing for every good work. This word will tell you, this you must not do, lest you offend God, and wound your conscience, and grieve the Holy Spirit; this word will help you so to speak, as to administer grace to the hearers; such a one as hath regard to this word, hath a chaplain in his own bosom, that will direct and teach him how to steer his course, and order his conversation among men, and how to serve God acceptably. This High Priest's lips will preserve knowledge, even Jesus Christ the righte­ous, who speaks to us in his word; we can do nothing but by his direction: If you come to him to lead you into all truth, he will bring you to the Father, and recon­cile you to him, that so you may obtain his favour and everlasting life. When one of Christ's disciples said, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us, Jesus saith unto him, he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, shew us the Father? If you subject yourselves to Christ, and to the government of his Spirit, he will bring you to that life and immortality, that fadeth not away.

This hath been our labour and travel from time to time, [Page 82] to preach Christ among you, and not to preach ourselves, and gather a church for ourselves, but to gather a people unto Christ, who is Lord of Heaven and Earth. We would preach Christ Jesus the Lord; we would not have you admire men's words and sayings, and charge your memory with them; but we would have you remember the words and sayings of Christ, who is the great Mediator, to re­concile man again to God, that you may know him by his power, working effectually in your hearts; we labour for nothing else, and we want nothing else. We are am­bassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God: That you may so live, that whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, you may do it all to the glory of God, your great Creator, that hath given his Son to die for you, and redeem you from all iniquity, that you might be a pe­culiar people, zealous of good works.

Let God have all the honour and glory, for all his mer­cies and blessings; let us render unto him hearty praises, and thanksgiving, for his wonderful love, and acknowledge that it is a great privilege that we may obtain by Jesus Christ, even to be brought again to have the knowledge of the living God, which we lost by our transgression.

MANY have been sent among you, that from living experience have declared their testimony for the truth, that you might all be brought to wait for the testimony of truth in yourselves. This is that which [Page 85] will stand you in stead, to know the testimony of truth in your own hearts to be for you; therefore you are to wait, especially at such times as these, to hear the voice of truth in your own souls: For whatsoever the preacher preacheth, if the truth in thine own heart doth not speak peace, it is not well with thee. Whatsoever testimonies are born of the truth itself; it is the truth that must bear testimony of thee, that unerring word, that gives to every one an infal­lible evidence of their peace with God, or against that which hinders them.

You know our labour hath been to persuade all people to hearken to the truth in themselves, and to make it their business, and travel, and endeavour, that they might have unity with the truth in their own hearts, that their con­sciences may not condemn them.

For such as you, in whom God hath raised his witness, and hath exalted the truth for a judge, you are not igno­rant, nor covered over with darkness, as many others are; you do not remain in doubt, but you know the truth, and have an answer of peace in well-doing, and a condemnation in evil-doing; not administered to you only by preachers without, but by the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit of God in your own hearts. This is that standing mystery which God hath raised, which can never be put down again, but as each one may put it down in themselves.

I grant that men may put it down: You have read, and had it plainly witnessed to you, even killing the just, and crucifying the Lord of Glory; and of spiritual Sodom, and Egypt. These things you have read of, and you that are turned to the light, know the meaning of those sayings, by woful experience; for when ever you have turned aside, from a due subjection to the grace of God, by which we are convinced, then there hath been a piercing, and cru­cifying of the Son of God afresh, and vexing and griev­ing the Holy Spirit, by which you should be sealed to the day of redemption: Then there hath been anguish and tri­bulation upon your souls; and if this be minded, it will plant a fear upon your minds, and make you afraid to do the like again; but where this tribulation and anguish is neglected and put off, there a custom of sin takes away [Page 86] the sense of sin. You know many have had more judg­ment at some time upon them for a vain word, or a vain thought, than afterwards they have come to have for the most abominable wicked action. How came this to pass? Was sin ever the better? Or hath it changed its nature? No; but they are further off from the sense of the evil of it. This is the word of truth, to which you must stand or fall; this is the stone, that whosoever falls upon it, shall be broken and tendered; but if they stay till the weight of truth fall upon them, it will grind them to powder.

They will have a life of liberty, let the truth say what it will: I will have my liberty, and use my tongue as I list, I will be wanton and proud, and envious and mali­cious, tho' I know these things be naught, and the witness in my conscience testifies that these things are wicked, and contrary to the will of God, yet I will have them: Who­soever comes to this mind, the stone is near falling upon them, and they will be ground to powder; they are like to barren earth, which beareth thorns and briers, and is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.

Therefore, friends, I entreat you to hearken to the word of the Lord, it is a holy word, and an old word; many have professed it: There are many preachers that will cry, hearken to the word of the Lord in such a chapter, and such a verse. My testimony this day is, hearken to the word of the Lord: But where shall we find it, some will say? I tell you, it is written with the finger of God in your own consciences; and it is either for you, or against you. Let your profession among men be what it will, this Minister of the Covenant hath no respect of persons, or regard to profession; he will not excuse this or that man, because he makes a greater profession of his name than others; this rather is his judgment, and his condem­nation shall be more swift and sharp upon him that makes a profession of Christ's name. If judgment begin at the house of God, what will the end of them be that obey not the gospel of God. Those that take upon them a strict profession, they do greater dishonour to God, than those that cry out there is no reforming; there can be no liv­ing [Page 87] without sin: These profess what they do, and they do as they profess. But when people come to profess ho­liness and righteousness, and profess a power also by which righteousness is obtained, but live not strictly according to their profession; these are they that cause the name of God to be blasphemed among the Heathen, more than they that say there can be no living without sin.

Now this witness of God hath no respect to profession, but hath respect to the state and frame of the mind of a man or woman, that they serve God with, whether it be with sincerity and uprightness of mind, and with breathing desires, that they may know the good and acceptable will of God, and what is well-pleasing in his sight; and that they might perform that which is according to his hea­venly will. Where this sincerity is, where this cry of the soul is, the Lord hath regard to it; but where people's religion is only to bear up a profession, and hold up an ex­ternal fellowship and communion one with another; when this sincerity is wanting, the Lord abhors their worship, it is an abomination to God, and no benefit or advantage to themselves: It is not for the glory of God, that they make a profession, but for some design to themselves, and so they become abominable.

This was the state of Israel of old, and it is the state of a great many now, that think they do great matters, if they conform so far to the truth, as that outwardly they may not be charged with a lye, and that they are of such a society. It is well if some would come so far as to main­tain their society with God's people, and their external profession; but if they have not regard to the truth in their own consciences, what is their profession worth? What will all thy unity with them signify? If there be a breach be­tween God and thine own soul, who can heal that breach? What will the profession signify and amount to at last? But, go ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And all the reason to be rendered for it, is this; depart from me, ye are workers of iniquity: He did not say in that sentence, ye are lyars, you never prophesied in my name, and I never preached in your streets; but allowing what they said to be truth, that they had made a profession, and [Page 88] held communion with other Christians, allowing these things, yet notwithstanding it is, go ye cursed; and the reason of the sentence is, you are workers of iniquity.

Let the dread of the God of Heaven rest upon you. My friends, it is another thing to make a profession of the Lord God of Heaven and earth, than most are aware of; let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from ini­quity. What is iniquity? It is all things that men or women do to gratify their own wills contrary to the will of God; that is iniquity: Where had all men liberty? Where had Adam and his sons their liberty to fulfil their own wills, and to contradict the will of God? Yet nothing is more common in nations, countries and families, than for people to assume a liberty to perform and fulfil their own wills, and to bring about their own interest, designs and contrivances, though at the same time they are convinced that it is contrary to the will of God. Where this liberty is taken, there iniquity is wrought; that is iniquity that is unjust, that which is committed against him upon whom we have all our dependence every moment for life and breath, for food and raiment, and every thing we enjoy; we have a dependence upon that God that made us, yet vain men and women assume a liberty of gratifying their own wills, and setting up for the flesh.

You may remember that passage of the good apostle, when he saw some libertine professors of Christianity, grow loose and careless; they thought it was well they did acknowledge God in their meetings and worship, but as to the affairs of the world, they had forgotten that God was concerned in those things; tne apostle takes notice of such libertine loosness, go to now, you that say, to-day or to-mor­row we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain; whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away: For that you ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that. You ought to live in subjection to him that made you, you ought to have regard to God's honour in whatsoever you do: Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Is [Page 89] not this scripture? Is not this found amongst the apostle's writings? Do not we hold the name of Christians which was given to them at Antioch? Yea, we are called Christians, and these writings of the apostle are holy writings, and what then is the matter that we take so little notice of them? That men do not apply these wholesome exhortations to the particularities of their conversation, but that they go from country to country, and from one place to another, and do what they please, without having any regard to give their subjection to the great God: This looseness hath brought into the minds of some, such a liberty, that they live without God in the world; when they go sometimes to religious meetings, and when they hear the name of God mentioned, it may be there is a little awe upon their minds, and they have some regard to that God that gave them breath and being, for the present: But if there be not re­ligion, if there be not a tie (religion signifies a tie, a being bound to God) if men be not bound and tied to God, by that which is made known to them, every one will desire that which is good in their own eyes.

Therefore it is necessary for you, my friends, above all people, you that are come to a measure of the mini­stration of the Spirit, to know and to mind what it doth speak. Such a thing I did this morning, and I am re­proved for it; such a thing I did well, and I am justified and warranted in the doing of it: Thus it is when a thing is well or ill done. Sometimes some men act two or three days together, and never bring their actions to the rule; that is, like a man that is building and never minds his rule, so what he builds up, tumbles down again upon his head. You know there is something in you that hath a speaking voice, an infallible voice, and gives judgment on your actions, and passeth a sentence, either of justification or condemnation upon you. If you would live so as to answer God in what you do, you need not fear answering men. I do not fear answering men in all I do or speak; if I do but answer mine own conscience, I fear no man, tho' he be of another persuasion and judgment opposite to me; if I keep peace in mine own conscience, I shall an­swer the principle of truth in my adversaries consciences, [Page 90] tho' they hate me, and despise me, and seek occasion against me; if my actions answer the truth of God in mine own heart, they will answer the truth in any man's heart: This makes a man as bold as a lion.

When the people of God obtain a reputation, to be true and just, and holy and righteous, all men will expect ho­liness and righteousness at their hands. What if I pro­fess to be one of these people? If I have not the truth in my own heart, tho' I put on this reputation as a cloak to hide my insincerity, the want of that truth takes away my courage. It is truth that hath a power in all men in the world, and it is the power of holiness and righteousness that makes wicked men afraid; and therefore the apostle argues upon that subject, the magistrate is cloathed with power. What power hath he? The power of jus­tice, and the power of the sword. What sword hath he? A sword of justice; and he is a terror to evil-doers, but a praise to them that do well. It is true, if I have done evil, if I meet with a man that is but my equal; if in buying, and selling, and commerce, I have wronged him, and deceived him, tho' he knows not of it, yet I am afraid of him, I am fearful that he will discover me and find me out: But if I speak the truth, and do that which is honest in the sight of all men, I shall not fear any man: There is no nation under Heaven, but there is a principle of truth to be found among them in the hearts of men. If I act according to the principle of truth in mine own heart, there is the same principle of truth in all men. If I walk up to the principle of truth in myself, I shall like­wise walk up to the principle of truth in all men's hearts; if mine own heart doth not condemn me, all the world cannot condemn me.

If professors were resolved to answer the principles of truth in their own hearts, and go thorough-stitch in their profession, they might live courageously: Truth will crown them with victory. But if they do not live according to the rule and standard of truth, they are like salt that hath lost its savour, which is trodden under the feet of men. But where all are one in truth, they are gathered into the truth, and they will live according to it, so far as they [Page 91] are convinced of it. If you would give them a world, they will not give away a hair's breadth of the truth which they have professed. When truth thus comes to have dominion, then truth shall overspread the earth, and the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ, and righteousness shall rule, and the sceptre of it be swayed over the nations, and they that rebel against it, shall be broken by it, and they that are found in it, shall have dominion, and they shall condemn hypocrites and dissemblers. Now if you would grow up in this do­minion, you have an opportunity for it, because the truth is revealed in your own hearts.

They who undertake to walk in the truth, meerly from what they hear the ministers of truth preach, laying up in their minds a company of doctrines, notions and tenets, they will stumble and fall; but they that will hearken to the truth in their own hearts, and regard the voice of it in all their ways and undertakings; these have a minister at home with them, they have a chaplain in their own houses; if there be any thing they know not, and if they know not what to do, they ask the minister of the sanctuary; others will ask their ministers, but your minister is at home with you: Where hath God appointed any man to rule over your conscience? No, God hath appointed Christ only to rule and govern your conscience, to be the author of faith, and the finisher of it too: You that are come to the dispensa­tion of the Spirit of Christ, keep to the testimony in your own hearts; then you have fellowship with one another in the truth; and you have cause to bless God for it, that God hath so opened the hearts of one toward another, that the suffering of one, is the suffering of all; and the consolation of one, the comfort and rejoicing of all: But alas! who is in this fellowship? Only those that are in fellowship with the truth, in their own hearts, and really so: If a man shall break fellowship with truth in his own heart, he will make no bones of breaking fellowship with his brethren: As soon as men break fellowship with truth, they are unruly, heady, troublesome, and make no matter of splitting and tearing, and rending of fellowship with others. How comes it to pass that thou hast done this? Thou didst not thus while [Page 92] thou fearedst sinning against the witness of God in thine own heart. But when men have once made light of the great minister of the gospel in their own hearts, it is an easy mat­ter to make light of the rest; if, as Christ saith, they have done so to the green tree, no wonder that they do so to the dry tree: If they despise me (saith Christ) do you think they will love you?

It is most evident in a great many at this day, they dispute against truth, they have taken a liberty to speak contrary to the truth in their own hearts, and then they cry down the ministers of it: Do you think they do so that keep their first tenderness? When they were convinced, the power of the Lord rested upon them; when the power of the Lord first wrought upon you, and brought you to yea and nay, and to plain simple language and habit, this was with joy and delight for Christ's sake. They that keep up this tenderness and simplicity of mind, there is no scattering, nor rending, or tearing among them, they keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and they are kept together in one.

Friends, you have an opportunity in your hands, see that you make use of it; you may bear up, and not be de­ceived by men, or devils, if you keep faithful to the prin­ciple of truth in your own hearts. Let what reproach and persecution soever come, here is a standard, a foundation and a rule, for you to be governed by, every hour of the day; search your hearts, and try your consciences by it. As ye do this, and keep to the rule of the new creature, of the regeneration, being changed from a carnal birth to an incor­ruptible birth. If you be born of the incorruptible feed, the devil cannot corrupt you, evil passions cannot corrupt you; if you keep up that foundation that is incorruptible in itself, then nothing will corrupt you, nor your ways and manners: If you will live according to the simplicity of the gospel, you will serve God, and be examples to others in the life of holiness and righteousness, and hereby God shall be glorified. This is that which will shine forth to the whole nation, and give a good report to truth: But if any that profess the truth, be found false to their profession, and be found unholy, and deceive and over-reach their neigh­bour, they lose by it, and the devil rejoiceth at it.

[Page 93]Thus we know the life of righteousness is brought forth through the Spirit of truth, and out-shines all, and will reach God's witness in them that are afar off, and bring them near; and happy and blessed are they that are found in this divine work, conforming their lives and conversations according to the new creature, peace be upon them, and upon the whole Israel of God. There is a minister that abides with you, that goes home with you, it is his testi­mony that you must stand or fall by: If any one should be a false professor, and be cried up, it he be not sincere, he hath not peace; though he flutter awhile, and make a shew, the worm of guilt gnaws and torments him; such as these have not peace with God, nor fellowship with the church: Though they seem to be alive, yet they are dead; as it was with the churches in Asia, they had a name to live, yet they were dead; though they have an empty name, such a one is a living man or woman, they are esteemed friends to the church; but though they are commended and cried up, and have a name to live, yet they are dead; there is a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, they shall walk with me in white, saith Christ, for they are worthy. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. See what Christ, the bright Morning-Star, could do: He could look into a meeting, and see whether few or many had only a name to live, or were really alive; if they were dead as to sincerity and truth, though they had been among the church, they would help to break it down, but not to build it up.

You that have this divine life still stirring in you, and feel the operation that first quickened you to God, prize this principle of the divine life above all: What is there can rob you of it? Value not the friendship of the world: Alas! what can it amount to? Count it as dung in comparison of Christ Jesus; look upon all things with a sound eye: Peace with God is of that concernment, that you cannot be happy here or hereafter, without it; the friendship of the world I can be without, and the customs and fashions of the world I can be without, I can spare these things; but the favour of God I cannot be without, and growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and [Page 94] a sincere profession of the gospel; I cannot be without these things.

My friends, though you do not make a shew and flutter in the world, as some others do, yet your glory is within; they that are living members of this divine body, the glory, and beauty and brightness of such, appears in the sight of God. If you grow in grace, you will be a comfort to one another; and as the apostle speaks, you are our epistle writ­ten in our hearts, known and read of all men. The Lord preserve and keep you simple, keep you in all sincerity, in that truth that hath wrought in your own hearts, that you may have acquaintance with your teacher, that he may not be driven into corners; for you may do it, and stop his mouth, and silence him too. If you let your per­verse will rule, you may slay the just; but there will come a day of his rising, then down you go. Whatsoever men may get by it at present, when truth riseth, when the Just One that was slain hath a resurrection in them, then most certain down they go. While you have an oppor­tunity in your hands, and an interest in the covenant of life, walk with God according to the counsel and dic­tates of his Holy Spirit, that you may be brought to a heavenly fellowship, and to partake of the good things that God hath prepared for his children.

My friends, pray prize your seasons, let no day slip, for fear you miss a day at last; wait upon the Lord, and let his fear and a holy awe be always upon your hearts: Then peace will be upon you, and there will be accep­tance of all that you do. Mark the perfect man, and be­hold the upright, for the end of that man is peace; when he can reflect upon his past life, and say, I have walked before the Lord with a perfect heart, and done that which is good and well pleasing in his sight, and have not turned aside to the right hand or to the left, but the Standard of Truth hath been the guide of all my spiritual and tempo­ral actions. If truth hath been thy guide here, then truth shall be thy portion hereafter. If truth guide thee in thy way, then thou shalt rejoice with the saints, and receive an inheritance with the people of God, and enjoy that glory and felicity which God hath prepared for them that love him.

YOU that are made partakers of that precious faith, which hath brought you to an expectation of that redemption and deliverance that comes alone by Christ Jesus, your minds should be continually exercised in that faith which God hath given you, for it is a great gift, a blessed gift that he hath given to us to believe. This never came of ourselves, never was there a true believer in Christ Jesus, but he received his faith of God, it was the gift of God, it was given to him to believe. Other sorts of believ­ers there are in the world, that can communicate their faith one to another; but they are true believers that have their faith communicated to them by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, it is given to them that believe; and because it is so excellent and so heavenly a gift, and hath such large privileges be­longing to it, it is necessary that every one that receives it, should have a continual exercise in it; that you may know what it is, and what it doth for you, and so come to be experienced Christians. Now all that are partakers of it, they do believe, and know in whom they have believed, and for what they have believed, even for the saving of their souls.

The true faith, that is the gift of God, it is not at all [Page 97] short of a complete saving of their souls; they that truly believe, their faith stands in one that they know is able to save to the utmost; and so a true believer hath a great com­fort in his faith above all other believers in the world; for he knows that his faith reaches to a complete redemption, unto a complete sanctification, unto a complete fitting of him for the kingdom of God.

Now there is no such faith that ever was made by men, there is no such faith that all the wise and learned men upon the face of the earth, have either preached or given forth to be received; for if you come to consider the divers forms of faith that men have ministered, they will fall short of saving their souls, they fall short of redemption, they fall short of fitting and preparing them for the kingdom of God, and so they have not that comfort, that satisfaction, and that inward refreshment that belongs to the others, or that ac­crues to their souls, that have the faith of God's elect.

And herein hath been the privilege of the people of God in all ages, as well as in our age; their faith hath had a farther extent, it hath reached farther in order to the good of their souls, than the faith of all others hath done: What comfort can a serious Christian take in a faith that falls short of righteousness and redemption? Would it not make a man or woman's heart ach, to think I am a believer, but yet I have no faith that reacheth to sanctification, and holy living, and redemption from sin? All my faith leaves me a sinner all my days; to my dy­ing hour there is no mastery to be had, no getting vic­tory over sin, it will prevail over me as long as I live.

This is not that precious faith that God's elect have been made partakers of, that works effectually in their souls; this is not that faith that can minister real comfort to the poor soul that is laden with iniquity, and weary of sin; the faith that falls short of sanctification, and redemption from sin, is such a faith as God never gave his people; it came some other way into the world, and it hath cap­tivated most of the sons and daughters of men, and they have expelled the true faith (as much as in them lies) that saving faith that purifies and cleanses men from sin, and gives them victory over the world, and have got another [Page 98] faith in the room of it; and they live in their sins, and in their lusts and concupiscence, and still remain in cap­tivity.

But God was pleased to hear and answer the cry of the souls of a remnant (for which many of us have cause to magnify the name of our God) when we had travelled from mountain to hill, to seek where true comfort might be found, where one should say to us that we should over­come. We know there is no eating of the tree of life until we do overcome; nor entering into God's kingdom till we be cleansed. Some laid an impossibility in our way, which made many a one to mourn. What, must we never be cleansed? Must this crooked heart, and perverse will, always remain? Must I be a sinner and a believer? A sinner, and call myself a child of God? How can these things hang together? These have made many to faint in their minds, and to say as David did in his distress, one day I shall perish by the hand of Saul. One day this corruption will be my ruin; for all my prayers, and hear­ing, and other duties and performances, this sin will be my utter ruin at last.

After many have mourned, and been afflicted, by rea­son of the burden that was upon them, it hath pleased the Lord to visit a remnant, and to open their hearts to make known the precious faith, the faith of God's elect, the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Is this the faith that is worthy of an earnest contending for, and preaching for, and suffering for? Who was ever so mad, as to suffer for such a faith as will leave a man under the power of sa­tan, and his own lusts? No wonder that such have a faith that is not worth contending and suffering for. Who will expose themselves for such a faith that will never do them a kindness? Now that faith which belongs to a purified soul, to one that is sanctified, that faith delivered to the saints, it is called a shield; when once a Christian comes to make use of this faith as a shield, he will find the power of it. A shield is that which is worn by persons that are among enemies; it is for the defence and safe­guard of one that is beset with enemies; and a good Christian is so situated.

[Page 99]There is a sort of blind Christians, friends to the world, their christianity is worldly, and their faith worldly; but all true Christians are in the midst of their enemies, in­ward and outward; and if they had not the shield of faith to defend them, they would certainly be wounded every day, they would be slain and lose their lives: The faith that is called a shield, it is that by which a Christian is to be defended and saved from harm designed against him every hour; for the devil goes about like a roaring lion, continually seeking whom he may devour. The apostle speaks more particularly to believers; the devil, your adver­sary, he is an adversary in himself, but more especially your adversary that are believers; that have believed to the saving of your souls. You that believe that Christ is sent of God, endued with power sufficient to break his head, and power to redeem you out of his service and bondage, the devil will be your adversary: Let him be so, if I have but my shield. This is that which if a man use, he will quench all the fiery darts of the devil.

If a man come once to receive the faith, the true faith, faith in the power of God, this faith will remain victo­rious over temptation; but if thou dost not keep thy faith in a continual exercise, thou dost not deserve the name of a true believer: If a man receive the true faith, and grow careless in his christian exercise, will not this adversary, the devil, be about his ears? Will not he send forth his fiery darts at him; his temptations, and snares, and gins, to entangle him, tho' he be a believer, if he doth not keep in the continual exercise of his faith? But a true Christian, that feels the power of the grace of God, and is in the continual exercise of true faith, he is like a watch­man or sentinel, that hath his armour on, and his shield ready, he knows he is on the borders of his enemies quar­ters, and he keeps himself in perpetual watchfulness, in daily expectation of the devil's fiery darts; he keeps his shield in readiness; I see a temptation lies in such a thing, but I see the Lord's power is able to keep me out of it. I see there is profit or pleasure in the snare; it is a hook that is baited, but I see the hook through the bait, blessed be God; and I have a confidence in his [Page 100] power, and that he is able to keep me from that thing, for all the baits of profit, pleasure, or the friendship of the world.

A believer keeps in the exercise of his faith, and con­siders that his salvation is nearer than when he first believed; the people that believe, are not presently saved, the work of salvation is to be wrought after they believe; for without faith, it is impossible to please God, nevertheless the foun­dation of God standeth sure, it is founded upon the power of God; when a man believeth, the work is begun; tho' some foolish professors tell us, that the work is done when the act is only in the mind; they will tell you what day of the month, and such a day of the year their conversion was wrought; but they know not what they say. A man may possibly know when it was brought about: A man may know about the time when God communicated faith to him; but he must know after he is a believer, then begins the work of salvation, the believer is to be saved from this or the other enemy; he is not presently saved from all, there must be a warfare, a fighting the good fight of faith, before these enemies of his salvation are overcome; the devil will not give over because I am a believer, and because Christ promised to break his head; the seed of the woman shall break the serpent's head. I am now but put­ting on my armour; the battle is not fought; I have not yet gone through the peril of the fight; I am now buckling on my armour; when the fight comes, if I have not my shield and my armour ready, I may be slain for all this; some have made shipwreck of faith, they have not held it, nor kept the faith, but given it away: But saith the apos­tle, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have gotten the victory.

So people, after they are believers, they must wait to have their faith strengthened by renewed manifestations of the same power in which it first stood: They must wait upon the Lord, and he will renew the strength of their faith, zeal and courage; and as temptations are renewed, they have new courage, and new strength and new ability, and all by this divine, spiritual and Christian exercise; they every day come to see the work they believed, that which their faith tended to, see the work in some measure wrought, they [Page 101] see some enemy of their souls brought down and slain, and they see their souls come up to a little more dominion than they had before; they see the devil's power is weakened more than before, and that he hath not so much power as he hath had over them. These things are some encourage­ment to raise up in a true Christian, living praises to God; seeing, by believing, he hath found thus much encourage­ment by the working of the word, why should he not wait on the Lord for the accomplishment of this work, that he may believe to the saving of his soul, that he may come to receive the end of his hope and faith, the salvation of his soul? Now, by thus keeping their faith in exercise, they know that their salvation is nearer now, than when they first believed. It is not so with every one, for many that have believed, their salvation is farthest off, because of their negligence, professing one thing with their mouths, and doing another thing in their practice; there are some things which they believe and profess, and yet do the contrary; that puts their salvation further off, and draws them se­cretly into desponding, and into a losing their courage and zeal for God; the custom of sinning hath at last taken away the sense of sinning. It is so with a man when he first transgresseth the rule, he is somewhat tender, and doth it with some regret; but after he is come to a custom of doing it, he is pretty well at ease, and so by degrees he goes on towards the state of being past feeling. At last such sinners come to dying; they were dead once before, and were quickened through the operation of the Spirit of Christ Jesus; they were quickened, and if they shall die again, if you die a second time, pray remember it is a second time; you that are careless and ready to die, remember it is the second death that you are going to; and consider that if you die the second death, you shall have no part of the first resurrection: Better such had never been born at all, than after they have lived in hope, to lose it again. This is that which was upon my heart to commend unto you, that you may partake of this precious faith, that hath a tendency to the saving of the soul, and fitting you for the kingdom of God. Hath God given you to believe? And will you not believe that you shall live without sin? [Page 102] If you come to obtain this precious faith, you will be­lieve that you shall come to live without sinning against God, and have the light of his countenance shining upon you. He that truly believeth, his faith reacheth to this, and he will say to himself, I am saved a little from the liberty of my tongue, and from many sins of an evil prac­tice: God hath redeemed me from my vanity, pride and passion, and other things that were troublesome, the Lord hath redeemed me from them; I see the work is going on, and I am nearer to the kingdom of God than when I first believed; I have gotten victory over many of my spiritual enemies, and I hope the Lord will carry me on, and keep me by his power through faith unto salvation: Hitherto the Lord hath helped me, I have not fought in vain, I have not been beating the air, but God hath given me victory over the tempter inwardly and outwardly, so that he could not prevail, whilst I kept the shield of faith over my head; but when I have been careless, and not exercised my faith as a shield, I have been weak as other men.

You are not called to weakness and feebleness, but to the power of God, that you may be exercised in it, and by it be kept from the evil of the world: There is a possibility of being kept, if you be faithful to him that hath called you, that is, Christ Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, if you follow him step by step, and do not run headlong all at once; when you see a great deal of sin and corruption before you, and seek to master it in your own strength, you will lose the victory: The same word that sheweth us our sin, sheweth us our own ina­bility to overcome it, and that we can do nothing with­out divine assistance; tho' we lie long struggling under the weight and burden of sin, we cannot of ourselves get vic­tory over it, we cannot bring judgment into victory, God must have the glory of it. If you keep to Jesus, he will carry on the work; you did believe in him, for he did work this faith in you, and he will carry on his own work, and his own work shall praise him. All others that talk of faith, and make an empty profession, they disho­nour God; they talk of perfection, and living without sin, [Page 103] but never experience it, and so bring dishonour to God: If you wait to see this work carried on; if you believe and exercise your faith for the overcoming of your sins, and perfecting holiness in the fear of God, you will hereby bring glory to God, who alone is worthy of all praise; who is God over all, blessed for ever more. Amen.

GOD hath made you witnesses of the great work of this day; the Lord I say hath given you eyes to see, and ears to hear, and hearts to understand the great work of the day; he hath called you forth, that you may be faithful witnesses every one in your measure of that which he hath brought to pass in your sight, for he hath revealed his power, the eternal power by which the world was made, he hath revealed and manifested that power for the raising up of life, for the subjecting and bringing under death, and the power of it; for a great while a testimony that hath been born in the nation hath been unto death; he that hath the power of death, [Page 105] that is, the devil, he hath had a great many to sound out his power, to declare the continuance of it, that death must reign, and darkness must continue, and that the kingdom of the man of sin will never be brought down.

But now in our day, glory to God on high, here is another sound come forth, the Lord Jehovah hath uttered his voice, and who can but prophecy! The word of pro­phecy is given of God, and many are raised up to pub­lish it, and to sound forth the name of the Lord in the extirpation, the ruin and destruction, that is and shall be brought upon the kingdom of iniquity, upon the kingdom of the man of sin, and to prophecy and declare in the name of the Lord, that righteousness shall run down like a stream; this is the gospel, the glad tidings that we receive from God, and minister unto you, that you might believe, and that be­lieving you might come to wait upon the Lord, and behold the accomplishment of it.

For, my friends, herein hath consisted all the labour, travel and exercise, of the servants of the Lord; and for this cause have we suffered many things, and gone through many trials, because we have stedfastly believed, and therefore have we spoken it; that the Lord will, by his Almighty power, lay waste, destroy and bring to an end, that power, that the wicked one, the devil, hath had upon the minds and spirits of the sons and daughters of men, and that he will set up and establish, in the very same soul, a law of righteousness, and a law of truth, and will cause the beauty of holiness to shine forth through them, where iniquity hath lodged, where the wicked one hath ruled.

Now you that have believed this testimony, you have received it, as glad tidings unto you, for you are weary of that old service, you are oppressed under the power of that strange prince. There was a kind of spirit and power that had ruled over you, that neither gave you life nor breath, nor had done any good thing, and yet you were subject; and many there were, who through the grace of God, came to see that a state and condition of sin and iniquity was not a happy state; and by a secret kindling of the spark of God's love in your souls ere you knew him, there was a cry raised to be delivered, if it be possible. If [Page 106] there be any deliverance, O why may not I be delivered! If there be any redemption, why may not I be redeemed! If there be a power that can set me free from the service of this wicked one, why may not I be set free?

Ah, friends! remember the days and nights in which these living cries run through you, then you were poor in­deed; then you were humble and broken, and the Lord beheld you in those days, he saw your state and condition, he saw how helpless you were, and did not he arise to help you? Did not a power spring forth in the day of your humility, in the day of tenderness, by which you became able to make war against the lusts of your own hearts, and did not you overcome and prevail in your war? Did not you make a progress by the power and by the grace that first raised desires in you? And as you made this progress and gained ground, as I may say, of your own corruptions, your faith came to be strengthened, and you were confirmed in the belief and in the obedience of the truth; and the more you trusted and relied upon him, the more did he manifest his power in you; he made known his ability and his strength in your weakness, so that you did become living witnesses, every one in your measure, that there was such a power; and that that power was able not only to save from a little, or from a few, but was able to save to the uttermost, to save out of all that was polluted and defiled, and to cleanse and purify the conscience from all dead works, and to enable you to serve the living God.

Now the Lord having thus established you, and confirmed you by his power, that you were found in the faith, and firm in the believing of the truth, my friends, all the labour, and travel and doctrine, and exercise of the preachers of the gospel, to those who were converted and confirmed, be­came very acceptable. So we preach, and so you believed; here was a unity in our faith, here grew up a fellowship, a communion in the faith, and the Lord became glorified in the assemblies not only of those that preached, but of those that heard, because each one had a place in the body, and each one had a savour of the word of life by which the body was nourished.

Now, my friends, that which lies particularly upon me [Page 107] to leave with you for my testimony (and I pray God that it may be placed in the hearts of all you that have believed) is, that you may all wait upon the Lord, to see all that brought to pass which you have believed: For I take notice by the eye that God hath opened in me, by which he hath made me to take care of his flock, and sometimes put his word in my mouth, that I may speak a word in due season: I say, by this eye, I take notice of many that have received this precious faith, and thereby have believed the great and high state; their faith reached so far, they knew that power to be able to bring them into a perfect dominion over their lusts, and passions, and corruptions, and over the spirit of the world, over pride, over anger, over all things that are op­posite to the divine life; their faith is as sound as we can preach it in respect of the extent of it, but their faith hath not reached thus far in its operation upon their hearts; they have not had the power going on, to accomplish and fulfil that which remains.

Are there not some here and there that are settled in the be­lief of the truth, but are got into an ease from the labour of the truth? But if I be sound in the faith, my under­standing is opened; I do not only believe this matter, but have inward evidence and demonstration, that I am certain, past all doubt and question of it, that the Lord reveals his power in them that believe, that purifies them, and makes them every whit clean; and here I have a fel­lowship and communion with them that preach, and them that believe.

But, my friends, all this will not give you communion with God; though there is communion with the church of God, with respect to men, who are come into one faith and doctrine, yet for fellowship with God, it stands in a life beyond all doctrines, and beyond all words and expressions; therefore your business and mine, and every one's, is what we undertook when our faces were first turned to God, that we may be followers of Christ in the regeneration. For many may be firm in point of doctrine, and yet may not follow Christ Jesus: Many hold the truth, but do not hold it in righteousness, but unrighteousness.

Now, my friends, have a care, your religion and your [Page 108] souls eternal welfare are concerned. This doctrine I leave you in charge in the name of the Lord God: Flatter not yourselves any one of you, because of the soundness of your belief, but look for soundness of heart, and for a right spirit to be created in you, a spirit that can no way endure any thing that the light of Christ hath made manifest to be evil; if it be truth you own, then exercise faith upon it, and whatsoever sin or temptation assaults you, say, I shall overcome in the name of the Lord Jehovah; I shall bring thee under, be what lust, passion, or corruption soever thou wilt, in the name of the Lord, I shall overcome thee, and bring thee under.

Travel on in the faith committed to you, and you will be more than conquerors; you will not only grow into external fellowship with the people of God in the sight of men, but into fellowship with the church of the first-born, whose names are written in Heaven; and your communion will not be in words and doctrines, and principles of faith; but your communion will be with God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ; and so in all your meetings together, the joy of the Lord will be your strength, and the joy of his great salvation your covering, and he will manifest his gracious presence with you; and that power which hath kept you to this day from your childhood, and preserved you in all your battles and conflicts with the world, and strength­ened and encouraged you when you went sometimes sor­rowing and mourning night and day, and fearing lest you should not overcome your adversaries; that power that hath kept you hitherto, will do greater things for you than you have yet been witnesses of.

Therefore, dear friends, this I would leave with you, there is nothing will keep you and me in that little time that remains to us here to spend on earth, but that which will keep us in the exercise of faith towards God, and his Son Jesus Christ, who is able to save us to the uttermost: Let us wait to see the power of God for sanctification and holiness; that will reach as far as saving us from our sins.

This hath been the greatest reproach that ever our ad­versaries have thrown upon us, that there are some amongst [Page 109] us that talk of believing in the power of God, and talk of an ability to overcome their sins, and living a holy life, and living without sin, while they themselves live in it. This is the greatest reproach that ever our adversaries have thrown upon us: Whosoever have been the cause of this reproach, God will require it of them, for the Lord is jealous of his name and glory; and he will have the praise and honour that is due to his great name, for work­ing in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure, saith the apostle; tho' I know nothing of myself, yet am I not hereby justified. When you come to that, that you can­not charge yourselves, then the Lord will not charge you; but take heed that therein you place not your justification, hereby you are not justified.

Therefore have an eye to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He begins the work of faith, and he will carry it on until he be the finisher of it, and the justifier of it; he is the Mediator of the New Covenant, that alone justifies the children of God. Depend not upon your own holiness and righteousness for justification; keep your eyes to Jesus the author of your faith, who will be also the finisher of it; keep your hearts with all diligence, and walk humbly with God, watching lest your adversary that you have overcome, prevail against you. By going from the power, there is no safety for the flock, but only while they keep in the shepherd's fold; be faithful and keep yourselves in the love of God, and he will be present with you, and keep you to be his witnesses to the end of your days, and will raise up another generation to be wit­nesses to his power, when he hath taken you to himself.

To that mighty power of God I commit you, for pre­serving you in humility of mind and soul; and my prayer for you shall be, that you may go on, and make a pro­gress in the good ways of the Lord, until his work be finished in you.

HE that knoweth the day of the Lord, and the stretch­ing forth of his arm, is quickened to feel the power that is in Christ Jesus, the Head of the Church; that so he may be enabled, through his power, to bring forth fruit unto God. The eye of the Lord is upon you all, and he expects at the hand of every one, that they bring forth fruit unto God, that according to the aboundings of his mer­cy towards you, and of his patience and long-suffering con­cerning you, there might at last be an answer in the soul of every one, unto the mercy and goodness of God. They that do not know and experience this, that the long-suffering and patience of God leadeth unto repentance, they know no part of Christianity; let them make their profession ever so high, and proclaim their notions ever so loud, they that know not the work of repentance in their hearts, as yet, need to learn the first principle of the Christian religion. You know it hath been the custom of people to learn their children principles, and they that have learned their prin­ciples, they go for Christians, whether they repent or no; though they go on in sin and iniquity all their days, yet they go under the reputation of Christians; and it is high time to examine and find out (if you can) a reason for this, that a man shall be accounted a Christian upon any other terms [Page 112] now in this age, than the Lord Christ did preach and publish in the days of his flesh; for he did absolutely deny that any man could be his disciple, without taking up a daily cross, and without self-denial: Now how should a man at this day be a Christian, or a disciple of Christ, without taking up a daily cross, and without self-denial?

It may be some will tell you, that they are baptized into the Christian faith, and have been taught, and have made a profession of Christian principles, and associated themselves among those that make profession of Christ; but here is not a word of a daily cross in all this, nor of self-denial; so that they would have you to understand in this, that the terms of Christianity are changed, and that men may be Christians without the terms of Christ, or at least reputed so.

And this hath been occasioned by the great apostacy that hath been brought into the church by a long night of darkness, and the revealing of Antichrist. Antichrist hath been discovered and revealed, and hath set up, in despite of Christianity, a false Christianity; and there came in the terms of a man's being accepted, and being reputed a Christian upon Antichrist's terms: And if you will con­form to do thus, and say so, you shall be admitted into the Christian Society. Now all these terms of Antichrist, have been such things as an unregenerate man could con­form to and comply with.

And the opening of this door, hath let into the church abundance of hypocrites and evil-doers, who were in too unregenerate a state to conform to those things that were required; for in the public society of Christians, it was not said, you must be regenerate, and take up a daily cross, and deny yourselves, and walk as becometh saints, and so behave yourselves that God may be glorified, and the profession of Christianity honoured by you. Those were the terms of old; but there are other terms of being Christians, which are of a later date.

Now this apostacy hath prevailed and spread over whole nations and countries, not a sew, so that whole kingdoms have become Christians upon these latter terms, and God is greatly dishonoured among us, and Christ the Holy One most horribly prophaned. It is not so common among [Page 113] Heathens and infidels, to find people wronging and deceiv­ing one another, and killing and destroying one another; and yet it is the practice of many that are called Christi­ans: These are the fruits and effects of those latter times of Christianity. Now seeing it is thus, which no mortal man can deny, I have this question to ask, and I desire that you would seriously weigh it in your hearts and souls, both while you are together, and when you are separate one from another, whether it is not high time for all of us to return again to the first terms of Christianity, and to reckon no man a Christian, let him profess what he will, saving such a one as doth know and witness, that the long-suffering, and patience, and goodness of God, doth lead him to repentance; and saving such a one as hath so much faith towards God, that for love to God he will deny himself, and take up his cross, and be a follower of Jesus in that way and life he lived in.

It is high time for all of us to return again to the terms of Christianity, that were set up by a higher authority than ever Antichrist had, and before Antichrist was re­vealed; for tho' it is true that Antichrist hath obtained power on earth, to establish his sort of Christianity, that is, without the cross, and a sort of religion whereby they indulge themselves in whatsoever pleaseth their car­nal hearts, and corrupt minds; yet Antichrist hath not all power, he is not Almighty; I hope neither Antichrist, nor the beast, nor the dragon, nor the false prophet, nor the whore, have all power on earth, though they have a great deal, and by that power they have established laws, decrees, ca­nons, and innumerable things about religion; and some cry, this is the way you must walk in; others cry, the way to Heaven lies here, and here you must travel if you will come thither: Some cry, this is truth; others say, it is error: So that the world is divided; Antichrist's go­vernment in the world is divided; and when the house is divided against itself, there is hopes that it will fall at last.

But there is one, to whom all power in Heaven and Earth is given and committed; and his Christians are not divided among themselves, but they are of one heart, and [Page 114] of one mind; and he that hath all power in Heaven and Earth committed to him, can crush and bruise that power that others have. Herod had some, and Pilate had some▪ but saith Christ, your power is limited, this is your hour, and the power of darkness; and thou hadst not had pow­er, saith Christ to Pilate, were it not given thee from above; here is power given to the dragon, to the false prophet▪ and the beast, to speak great things; but this power of Antichrist is going away; Christ Jesus was sent into the world in his day, to bring people back again to God, and to primitive Christianity and obedience, and to the [...] terms of society and communion, and to a fellowship in Christ Jesus through the Holy Ghost.

Now if we had set up a way of religion, as other [...] have done, which is contained in some canons, articles, doctrines, and such and such commandments of men; and if men will confess these articles, and observe these ca­nons, they shall be of our society; then we should have done like the rest of the fallen Christians; but we have de­clared from the beginning, that professing our doctrine, and the principles of religion, doth not give any man fel­lowship and communion with us; but our communion is in the self-denying life, and a daily cross, in opposition to sensual lust, vanity, pride and bitterness of spirit, cor­ruption, enmity and wrath; this hath brought us to a holy fellowship and communion in the Holy Ghost, and to [...] in unity from one head, which is Jesus Christ; so that there is not this man's church, and the other man's church among the people of God.

Do you read in the primitive times, that Paul had his church, and Peter his church, and James his church, and Jude his church? Indeed they had their meetings as we have now, in many cities and countries among the Jews and Gentiles; but these holy apostles that were the first publishers of the everlasting gospel, after their great Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, they never did appropriate any church to themselves, that was not their business; but our work and business, saith the apostle, is to gather you to Christ, and present you as a chaste virgin to Christ; our work is, to turn you from darkness to light, that you may [Page 115] walk in it, and be the children of it; our work is, to build you up as a spiritual house, to be presented to Christ the Mediator.

This is primitive Christianity that hath its foundation in holiness and righteousness, sincerity and truth, not in words, and terms, and articles, and canons, and decrees, and other observances; this is not the foundation of true Christianity, nor will it ever be, the devil's kingdom must be destroyed, it is shaking, for he in whom we believe, hath power from his Father to break the devil's head, Antichrist and the dragon's head. Christ Jesus is signified by divers names, the second Adam, Lord from Heaven, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but he is the same Christ; so Antichrist is expressed by several terms and names, but he is the same power of darkness, he hath made the nations drunk, to stag­ger and destroy, and devour one another.

This hath been done in the fallen state of Christians, and the design which the Lord Christ hath in sending his ministers and workmen to labour among you, is to restore men to the first Christianity, and to bring men to God; that religion is not made up of doctrines, articles, canons and decrees of men, but it hath the word of God for its foundation; he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear: There is some spirit, and power, and visible work in a true Christian, which the false Christian never had. The false Christians have taken the name and profession of Christ, and their fruits have been dishonourable to him; they might as well make profession of Antichrist and satan, they have a form of godliness, they have some of the word, but they deny the power. What is their religion and outward profession, when they want the internal life, and the motions of the Holy Spirit; if they bring forth the cursed fruits of the flesh, enmity, wrath, lust and corruption, which belong to the fallen nature and unre­generate state?

The apostle takes notice of this deceit and hypocrisy in religion, which was growing up before he died; men having a form of godliness, and denying the power thereof, from such turn away. If there be any brethren that walk dis­orderly, have no company or fellowship with them, if you would have the holy name of Jesus free from scandal.

[Page 116]This hath been the design of all the faithful ministers of Christ, to keep their holy profession of the name of Christ free from reproach; that the holiness of God's ways might be seen in the holy lives of the professors of them. Till men come to know this, and take up their daily cross, and exercise self-denial, their Christianity is good for nothing; I would not have you trust in it; neither in articles, tenets, or observations; but see how with your lives you answer your profession: Christ was holy, harmless, undefiled, sepa­rate from sinners. And why should not Christians be so too? How can Christians be followers of Christ, and not separate from sinners? Christ was so. He went one way, and sinners went another; they followed their sins and lusts, but he followed the work his heavenly father sent him [...]. If thou art a follower of Christ, thou art worthy of the name of a Christian. Do drunkards and swearers follow Christ? Do the wanton and proud follow him? Do the un­clean and hypocrites follow him? you know they do not▪ why do you call them Christians? This is a reproach and shame to the holy name of Jesus, and to true Christianity, that any of these folks should be called Christians, but such as are followers of Christ, who are holy, harmless and unde­filed, and separate from sinners.

This seems a strange kind of doctrine, yet if it had been preached in the primitive time, there were people that would have received it as apostolical doctrine, that a man should crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts: For saith the apostle, mortify your members which are on earth; if [...] through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shalt live; but if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die. And to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This was sound doctrine then.

Now come and tell a man he shall certainly perish and come to damnation for all his profession, if he does not mor­tify the deeds of the flesh; if he lives in sin and dies in it, he is like to perish: How many have been hauled to gaols and dungeons, only for preaching this doctrine, and when we were first sent to preach, we durst not do otherwise? And God did not send us to preach till he had washed us, and sanctified us, and fitted us for the work of the ministry. [Page 117] Now when we saw in the holy scriptures, that God did work upon others by his Spirit, before he sent them to preach the gospel, was not here sufficient authority given to preach the downfal of sin, and destruction of it? One would think that such a one, thus called and sent of God, had as good authority to preach the everlasting gospel, as the laws enacted by all the princes of the world could give him; a man sure that hath an authority for preaching the gospel, would not need to wait for orders and approbation; he would not stay for an induction. The apostle Paul took it for a commission that was creditable, when he tells you of his mission, it was not by man, but by the will of God, that he was called to preach the gospel. If we should say we were made preachers, if you ask by whom, not any man in the world can tell you; but we were made preachers many years ago: Not by man, or by the authority of man, but by the will of God. What was your commission? to turn men from darkness (that darkness we had formerly lived in) to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. The apostle sums up his commission in a few words; the Lord told me I must turn men from darkness to light. This is our commission that we have received from God in this age, to turn men from darkness.

But some will say, that we have not human learning and qualifications for the work of the ministry: To this I an­swer, if I heard a man swear or tell a lie, I could tell him that this was not of God, I have learning enough to know, and tell men that, and say, whoring, drunkenness, and swearing, and lying, were works of the flesh, and fruits of the devil's power; I would have you turn from these works to the power of God. What is that power of God? I will tell you, it is a manifestation of grace in your hearts, that will draw you away from the love of all these things; the grace of God, is the power of God to salvation to them that believe: To as many as received Christ, to them he gave power to become the sons of God; to such as believed in his name. Such Christians will shew forth the power and life of religion in their conversations: So that here is a suf­ficient authority, no want of authority.

I have been sometimes examined by what authority do [Page 118] you preach? By the highest authority in Heaven and earth▪ by the authority of God that came by Christ, the Redeemer. What do you preach? Truth in the inward parts, [...] and truth, and against all filthiness of flesh and spirit.

As long as Antichrist hath a rule, you must not preach down sin without authority; you must have power, you must be ordained, and have an induction before you under­take to preach the gospel, and preach down sin and wicked­ness: The devil hath got such power and rule, that some tell us, that no man can live without sin; if it please God here and there to raise a man and bring him to a holy and righteous life, this man wants a patent, a commission, an induction, an ordinance to preach and cry down sin in other folks; what commission had the Psalmist when he said, Come, all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul.

Is it not high time for people that have evidences of the love of God shed abroad upon their hearts by the Holy Ghost, to bear their testimony against sin and wickedness? Is it not high time for every one's mouth to be open, to testify against such a horrible mist of darkness that is [...] over men; to testify against hypocrisy, uncleanness, and unrighteousness?

It was the great design of the primitive preachers of the gospel, to cry down that which some ministers cry up, so that Christianity is not like what it was, for then they told them that there was no happiness but by breaking off from sin by repentance. No possibility of salvation without con­fessing and forsaking sin, and trusting in the mercy of God through Christ for the pardon of it. Tell them of the mer­cy of God, and the blood of Christ, they will tell you that they cannot be cleansed from all sin, they cannot live with­out sin. How comes it to pass that there are ministers that preach an impossibility of living without sin, when we [...] assured in the holy scriptures, that without holiness no man shall ever see the Lord? And that there shall in no wise [...] into the kingdom of God, any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie? Rev. xx [...] 27. How comes this, that ministers preach an impossibility of living without sin? Will any of you, saith he, be so pre­sumptuous [Page 119] as to say a man may live without sin? I will prove it from good authority, both from scripture and the fathers, that no man in the world can do it.

If any set themselves to it in their own strength, the de­vil will make fools of them; some indeed have gone about it in their own power and will, and have cloistered themselves up in monasteries, and shut themselves up be­tween two walls, that they might be separated from all so­ciety, and live without sin; they would do it in their own power, and the devil is stronger than they.

Let me tell you, men of the greatest wisdom, courage and strength, of the most excellent natural parts that any man can have, are not able to grapple with their enemy the devil by their own power; there are seeds of sin, and lust, and concupiscence sown in all their hearts; so far this is right and sound doctrine, that no man can do any thing in his own power and strength. But here is the mistake; a man hath been a long time wrestling with his sins and lusts, to get the victory over them; but by woful expe­rience he finds his weakness and insufficiency; he is sunk in his harness, and so hath given over the battle, saying, I shall never overcome the devil and his temptations, my sins and lusts are too hard for me, I despair of ever over­coming them in my own strength, by all that I can do; that is true enough, but must thou needs perish because thou canst never overcome thy corruptions? If ever I be saved, it must be the free grace of God, that must save me. How canst thou come to lay hold of the free grace of God? I am told I must lay hold on Christ by faith, who is the Mediator between God and man, and is my only Redeemer; there is no salvation in any other: This is very well; now thou art a believer, what dost thou ex­pect, what dost thou hope that Christ will give thee? He will not give me power over my corruptions, so as to live without sin, that is more than I hope for; but I ex­pect that Christ will reveal his power in me, and give me so much strength and power against my lusts and corrup­tions, that they may not have dominion over me: Now if you tell me that you hope for strength and power from Christ against sin, satan and corruption, do you now tell [Page 120] me that it is still impossible? It was impossible before in­deed to live without sin, when thou didst trust in thine own strength; but now, when thou comest to have grace and assistance from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Saviour of the world, that giveth thee ability to with­stand temptation, and overcome thy corruptions, and the lusts of thy own heart, is it impossible still to live with­out sin? Then thou mayest say, the devil's slave I am and must be; for there is no other power in Heaven or earth for thee to lay hold of, if thine own power, nor Christ's power neither can do; then thou dost say, that the devil is Almighty. Thus they tell us, when Christ hath revealed his power, it is impossible still.

If I should call this antichristian doctrine, I could make it out. Blessed be God, I do believe that Christ is able to preserve me from the devil's temptations, and all his instru­ments, if I believe; though I could not do it in mine own power, yet by Christ's power I may be preserved an hour without sin: If so, then a day, and if one day, then a thou­sand days, if I live so long; Christ hath promised that he will bruise Satan, and tread him under feet, and destroy his works, and judge you whether sin be not the devil's work; shall I despond, or despair to have the devil's work de­stroyed in me?

Here is ground for you all to believe, he that hath faith may lay hold of this power which is offered of God; there­fore lay hold of it, else your religion will be good for no­thing. This is the enjoyment of a true believer, that he receives power from Christ to deny himself; therefore all their pretended Christianity and professions at the day of judgment, will melt away like snow. These canons, arti­cles, forms, liturgies, these will melt away when the day of the Lord comes to burn upon them; none but they that feel the redeeming virtues of the blood of Christ, that have their souls filled with the love of God; and they that will part with whatsoever they love in the world, for Christ's sake, shall be accepted.

I am not for setting up this and the other sect or opinion; if it be among those of my own profession, if they profess holiness, and bring forth unrighteousness, it is all one; I [Page 121] shall not value their profession. There are many in this city and nation, that have sheltered themselves under the profession of truth, and talk of perfection, and have brought their lusts and imperfections with them: Here Antichrist is trying another game to bring them under a profession that will serve his turn; the devil will allow men profession, if they will live according to their own hearts lusts, so that they may save his head from the blow that God's power will bring upon it, so that they may dishonor the holy name and religion they make profession of; thus faith the apostle, I have told you often, and now tell you weeping; they were Christians, so called, to whom he spake, but they were enemies to the cross of Christ, not to the profession of Christ; he did not say they were strangers to the cross of Christ, but enemies to it; they let it fall, they kept the name, word and doctrine up, but they let the cross fall; how much were these Christians worth? sure but a little.

Nay, Antichrist hath been so silly, that because the words are so put upon the cross, no being disciples of Christ without the cross; the words of scripture are so put upon it. Thinks Antichrist, I shall never persuade the people to be at ease, unless I give them a cross; therefore he sets them a making crosses. They must be baptized with the cross; they say we deny not the cross of Christ, we hang it about our necks, we set it up in our meetings and acade­mies, and many princes, and wise men, and learned men, have been so bewitched and drunk with delusions, that they have called this the Christ which they have made with their own hands; they have made Christs, and prayed to them; and all their religion hath been putting together crosses, crucifixes, forms and liturgies, which they have made with their own hands.

Here is Christianity in an empty profession, but where is the soul of it? I would enquire for the life of it, I would see Christianity living in love to God above all, and loving our neighbours as ourselves. When this Chris­tianity comes, there will be no killing one another, nor persecuting one another, nor fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, nor pleading for it neither.

Blessed be God, that our eyes have seen the witnesses [Page 122] raised, and life from Heaven come into them; and now religion begins to have a life and soul, and shews itself in a little remnant: There is a people raised by God that feel life in their worship, in their families, in their con­versations, and in their behaviour towards relations, they do what they do as to God. Many lads and lasses, men-servants and women-servants, they do their work and ser­vice, not barely to please their master and mistress, but to please God. The life they live is by the faith of the Son of God; they live as becomes the members of his body. Husbands love their wives, not simply because they are their wives, as the men of the world do, but they do it upon the account of inward religion, and of the divine fellowship and communion they have in Christ Jesus. Hus­bands should love their wives as Christ loved his church, and laid down his life for it; so a man should love his wife, and be tender over her, and minister to her.

The life of Christianity hath taught us to behave our­selves so as God may have glory, and Christianity be re­stored to its ancient lustre and beauty that it had in for­mer times.

But some will say, do as well as you can, men will ne­ver love you; if you have the soul of Christianity, you shall be reviled and scandalized. Men will make works against you, and strow papers against you, and set the ma­gistrates against you; live as well as you can, they will follow you and disturb you.

This is more than you know. If a man once comes to feel the life of Christianity working in him, and the pow­er of it keeping him from doing evil, and wishing evil to his enemies, and disposing his mind to a frame of praying for them, inclining him to pity them; if a man comes to this state, he is at peace in himself, and enjoys tran­quillity of mind; he looks up to the Mediator, Christ Jesus, and feels an answer of peace in his own soul, and is come to rest in himself.

Now concerning persecution, hatred and enmity, between the woman's seed and the serpentine seed, and how long it will last. God whom we serve, did say to the devil in Paradise, I will put enmity between thee and the wo­man, [Page 123] and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. So that it is not to be expected, that the seed of the serpent (those that are born of that seed) can love those that are born of the woman's seed. It is possible, that those that are born of the seed of the serpent, should be translated and brought out of that corrupt state; but it is impossible that those that are born of the flesh, should love those that are born of the spirit, while they continue in their unregenerate state, but persecute them. It is like a natural instinct, as for water to run downward, and fire to fly upward. Were not all men and women born children of wrath, and na­turally enemies in their minds to Christ Jesus? And did he not die and suffer for them all? So that the very na­ture of the thing is the very reason why Christ died to redeem those that were his enemies to be his friends.

Suppose I, or any other to be a member of Christ, and men do persecute me, and revile me, and hate me, should I not love them, and do good unto them, when I see one infinitely better than either you or I, do it for us? when we were enemies, Christ hath sent his Spirit into our hearts, that we might become friends of him, and of him that sent him: This is the effect of the righteousness of Christ, and of his innocence, that enemies may become friends; thus have many been brought to a friendship of truth, that were ene­mies to it; if we could not suffer for the testimony we have received of God, what were it worth? But seeing God hath not only given us to believe, but to suffer for his name, many have been turned by this means from darkness to light, and many more will; the light breaks forth apace, notwithstanding there hath been so much ado to stop it.

It hath been the design of many learned men of this nation, how shall we stop these men's mouths that preach the doc­trine of truth in the inward parts, the light within, and Christ within them? I will not repeat the many laws that have been made against them that will not preach lies, but the power of Christ and his truth; now what will you do? You cannot lay hand on them as you used to do; no, but we will reproach them with the tongue, we will render them odious to the government, as persons that wil over­turn [Page 124] turn church and state, and that preach false doctrine; and when all is done, and they have said their worst, people will still believe that sin and wickedness is hateful to God, that God takes no delight in sin, and that the devil will lead us to sin; he that keeps most from sin, keeps most out of the devil's clutches; and he that lives most holy, is most like to God.

These things we will preach, and we will go on in this testimony, that the best way that man can take, is to break off their sin by repentance, and turn to God, their Maker, with their whole hearts, and they will look to their ways, and search, and try and examine their hearts, and if they see evil, to keep out of it; this is such a thing, as there is no withstanding of it, it will go through this nation, and all the nations of the earth.

What if a company of people should combine together, and say, we will not have the sun to shine upon the city of London; what course must we take? When the sun is down, we will build a bank or high wall to intercept its light; but notwithstanding all their endeavours, when the sun riseth, it will get over their high banks and wall; so all their designs, and all the contrivances against the light of the gospel, and against Christ the Son of righteousness, and against the Spirit of Christ, the light will ascend and get over the heads of them all, and it will confound them, and break through all opposition.

I exhort you all, my friends, that laying aside all doc­trines, and tenets, and contrivances among Christians, as come to this simple thesis and position; it is no matter what I profess of religion, if my life is not answerable to it, if there be not a love to God, and my neighbour, and to mine own soul; there is no life nor power in my profession of religion. I will rest satisfied in the measure of knowledge that God hath given me; I must not do to my neighbour what I would not have my neighbour do to me; I must be upright and sincere towards God; God will not accept of any worship from me, when I am unclean in body and in mind too; we must see that we be purified, for God will not accept of an offering from an unclean heart; you cannot bring a clean thing out of an unclean, saith our Lord Jesus [Page 125] Christ, the great preacher of truth and righteousness; I must first make the tree good, before the fruit will be so; you and I are these trees; till we have something good in ourselves, we cannot bring forth good fruit.

Therefore you must have respect to the principle of sanc­tification in your own hearts, and turn to what you may feel an experience of in yourselves, some principle of grace and light in your hearts, that can distinguish between good thoughts and evil thoughts. Is this good for me to do? I will go on in it with faith and courage; but if it be evil, I will not touch it, though there be profit and pleasure to allure and draw me to it; I will not touch it, though I might gain the world by it.

Here is Christianity with life and soul in it; we have been scandalized as if we preached up error for justification: We say there is no justification without sanctification; so you that know the power, live in it; and you that desire to know, turn your minds to the light and grace of God, and you will feel the power that will oppose sin in its motion, and it will never trouble you in its act and workings. If I would not do ill to my neighbour, and I judge such a motion when it is suggested, it will never trouble my con­science, because when the devil moved me to it, I rejected it, I would not follow him. It is no sin to be tempted; for our Saviour, that was perfectly holy, and free from all sin, was yet tempted; he had motions in his mind, but he withstood them, and resisted the devil in all his temptations; Christ was tempted that he might be able to succour us when we are tempted; and he will do it for all those that wait for him.

Therefore, friends, trust in the name of the Lord, and you shall feel the stirrings of that power, that hath called you out of darkness into the marvellous light of the sun of righteousness wherein you live, and which will shine to his immortal glory and praise, and the everlasting comfort of your immortal souls.

YOU that are met together in the name of the Lord, and have your expectation from God, and are re­ally waiting to receive a blessing from his boun­tiful hand; you are they to whom the Lord will com­municate the good things of his kingdom, and instruct you in the divine knowledge which the wisdom of this world cannot find out; you shall have your portion in the blessings prepared for you, and laid up in Christ for you, to be handed forth to you from day to day for your sup­port. And hereby you have been preserved and kept alive unto this day. You have received your nourishment, and divine and spiritual refreshment, always in the presence of God; when you have been out of his presence you have met with troubles, and darkness hath gendered upon your minds, and veiled and clouded your understandings, that you have been sometimes in danger to lose your way, un­til you have returned again unto the great shepherd [...] overseer of your souls, by whom you have had access [...] God. You that have had these experiences, O let your hearts and souls be engaged to continue together in one heart and one mind, serving the Lord and waiting upon him for something that may do you good; that may strength­en and confirm you in the blessed truth.

For there are a great many that are convinced, that do yet want establishment: There are a great many that know the truth, yet cannot be brought to abide in it, but are sometimes drawn out of it, and then they meet with trou­ble in their minds, and distress and anguish lay hold upon them, and they do not enjoy that tranquillity and peace, and that inward joy which they believe others do enjoy at the same time; and which they might have enjoyed if they had abode stedfast in the truth. Now what is it that will establish such a one, but their waiting upon God [Page 127] to receive power from him to resist the temptations, and the manifold wiles and snares of their soul's enemy, where­by they are daily in danger to be drawn away from God; drawn out of the way?

You know, friends, how the Lord brought us into this exercise of waiting upon him, by making us sensible that there was none could help us but him. Teachers we have always had, and men that have spoken of God, spoken of his power, and spoken of his wisdom; but how to dwell in that power, and stand established in it, so as at all times to resist the power of the wicked one, is what no man can help us to; and upon this account it was, that the Lord's people were fain to cleave close to him, and by faith to have their dependence upon him; and cry in their souls, Lord, unless thou establish me, I shall never be established.

The confirming power that stays and settles their minds upon the Lord, it comes from him, it is handed to us through the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we have believed in; they that kept their faith in him have had longings and breathings of soul, that they might receive some divine blessings by him, and through him. So that they that meet together in this mind, they find a settlement in the truth, as it is manifested and revealed in them, and goes down into the deep where unity is known, where they are of one mind, and the soul is made capable of putting forth strong cries to God, and living breathings and prayers to God, that he will teach them how they shall profit, how they shall grow, how they shall serve him, and honour him in their day; that he will reveal his power in them, to expel any darkness or veil that hath been gathered upon their minds, that doth hinder them from beholding so much glory and excellency in the truth, and in the ways of God, as some they have beheld. And so these are travellers that are tra­velling with the Lord in faith, to receive a blessing at his hands. Their minds are not left to this, or that, or the other man, or to meer words or visible things; but they feel the word of truth answering the truth in them­selves; and they receive a comfort and benefit, because they find a blessing to arise in them. These words reach my [Page 128] soul; these administer help to me, and I am comforted in them, because I find those works working in me, or wrought in me.

For, alas! my friends, many of you know, that there are some who hear the word, and the declarations in the word are but sounds unto those who have no experience of the work that is signified by the word; many such peo­ple do hear the lovely sound, and they are affected ma­ny times to hear talk of the work of regeneration, and of the enjoyments of God's people, and how they are borne up in all their trials by an inward and divine power, and how they are always kept alive to God, and preserved in his living presence; but this doth not bear them up in a time of trial; but if a trial or an affliction comes, they sink under it, and they are filled with anguish and per­plexity; so that the word barely heard spoken, and not rooted in the mind, doth not minister to the work; the words spoken do not carry that kind of operation upon them as to witness an inward work wrought upon them.

But where there is an effectual work and operation in the soul, it continues in its labour and travel from death to life. And as those heavenly things, those divine operations of God's power are spoken of, there is an amen in your souls, saying as far as you have travelled, thus hath God dealt with me, he hath indeed by his power carried some beyond my state and condition, and my faith is hereby strengthened, and my hope is confirmed. He that hath begun a good work so gloriously in my soul, will carry on his own work, and bring me to higher attainments, and further experiences that some of his servants bear witness of.

So that now being exercised, the work goes on, and the pleasure of the Lord prospereth in Christians, that when they meet together in the name of the Lord, they know for themselves that the Lord is present with them, they know what the word of the Lord is unto them; if they hear the word preached to another state and condition, yet they abide in and keep that which makes manifest to them in their own state: And this suffers not the soul to be carried away with the word, and sight and vision of a higher state than their faith can witness to; and they keep low, and hum­ble [Page 129] and tender, and have a care of their own souls; as the apostle when he was come to glorious and high attainments in the work of the Lord, yet he would not glory of any thing, but what the grace of God wrought in him: We do not boast of things that are not wrought in us.

It is possible for the creature to gather in, and comprehend the form of things, that they have not the work of in them; and a great many have done so to their great damage, and some, it is to be feared, to their utter ruin. They have comprehended high things, and the notions of great attain­ments; they have heard them declared and spoken of thus, and so some have in their speculations declared to others their conceptions about those things, yet those things were never wrought in them; they could preach of humili­ation, when the root of pride was not removed; they could preach of regeneration, and the old man not put off, and the new man created in righteousness not put on. All this kind of preaching hath been in the world, and is still too much in the world, but it hath not produced and brought forth any profit and advantage to the soul, either to preach­er or hearer; for it hath not been accompanied with a divine and heavenly blessing; but the true ministry ordained of God brings forth a work of holiness and righteousness in the soul.

And therefore every one that God hath thus reached, and hath opened your understandings, and hath made you ca­pable of comprehending and understanding divine things, take heed lest by the subtlety of Satan, and the wiles of your great enemy, you be at any time lifted up, and exalted in your minds, in the notion of the things that you have not attained; not that you should not so understand the things of God that God openeth to you, as they are many times opened to the creature, before the work of them is in the heart of the creature: And why so? why are they opened to me? It is for thy encouragement, that if thou dost hold on, and be stedfast in waiting upon the Lord, these things God hath in store for thee.

Now the creature waits, and saith, though I have not at­tained such things as I have seen, yet the very sight of them encourageth me to wait upon the Lord, that I may expe­rience [Page 130] the witness of them in myself: There are many that have some taste of great joy, and apprehensions of heavenly things, which they have not attained, but they know what they are waiting upon God for; not that they may have a little joy, which passeth through them, but come to have that joy and tranquillity which will accompany them in all their doings, and their whole conversation. God hath open­ed many things to you, and you have seen the way of righ­teousness which he hath cast up for you; and many have taken strait steps to themselves, till they have attained to say, now my salvation is nearer than when I at first believed. Let such go on and follow that guide by which they have been directed, and they shall at last attain to a further state, not only to know that their salvation is now nearer than when they at first believed, but that they may come through the Divine Spirit of grace that they followed, and so closely cleaved to, as their blessed guide in their way, to have an en­trance administered to them abundantly into the salvation of God, whereby they may sit down, in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and have a wall about them, which is the salvation of God.

Here is a great encouragement for sinners, and upright ones, to follow on to know the Lord, and then they are sure they shall know him, for they shall behold his glo­ry, and their souls shall be satisfied, for nothing else will satisfy them.

People may have great openings, and great discoveries of things, and may have delight and joy in the opening of things, as it was with the disciples, when Christ our Lord conversed with them in the flesh; he opened many things to them, and they had great joy and comfort in those things which he opened to them, yet there was some­thing wanting to suffice them. Philip said unto Christ, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us: John xiv, 8. There was something further to be discovered and reveal­ed, so that they could not find their souls to be satisfi­ed and sufficed, till they had it. Christ gave them such an answer as relates to that ministration that we are now under; he that hath seen the Son, hath seen the Father. Now they had seen Christ daily, and conversed with him, [Page 131] and had eat and drank with him in that fleshly and bodily appearance wherein he conversed with them; but they had not a sight of the Eternal Son of God in a spiritual man­ner, as he was the Son of God, and their Saviour; they had not seen him so. And he that hath seen Christ in a spiritual manner, hath seen the Father also.

So it is with us in our day. We have, in our profes­sion, the teaching of this and that man. We have con­versed with Christ, as it were, to his fleshly appearance. We have read the history of his birth, and of his life and great miracles, and of the great love he had to mankind, by which he laid down his life for them. We have been conversing with Christ as to his fleshly manifestation; but consider whether there doth not, till now, remain an empty place in our souls, something that is not sufficed and sa­tisfied?

What would you have? Have you not scripture? Read you not there of the birth, life, death, resurrection and as­cension of Christ? I would still have something more, for that will not suffice me; I would have pardon of sin, and my peace with God, and the light of his countenance lifted up upon me, and further manifestations of Christ to my soul. We can never see the glory of God, but in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the discovery that Christ makes to the soul that believeth in him; this is that which gives satisfaction.

A Christian's work is to be conversing with him, and exercising his mind under the gathering and teaching of him, that can lead him to the Father. None but Christ can do that, lead them to the Father, and shew them the Father; and he hath in our day revealed himself, and made himself manifest by his spirit, that spirit, by which we come to know his holy teaching, reproof and instruction, daily discovered in our souls. The spirit is our guide; that spirit we are led by, and are to walk in. Let men go under what form and denomination they will, they that have not the spirit of Christ, are none of his, until they come to be guided by his spirit.

People are not led into sin by the spirit of Christ; they will tell you these are the devil's temptations, and [Page 132] the frailty of our nature, and the corruption of our hearts, by which we are led into sin; it is not the spirit of Christ. It would be a horrid thing for men to say that the spirit of Christ led them into sin; there are few or none so wicked as to say so. The business we are to do in the world is, to obey the will of God: And where the un­derstandings of men are so illuminated, that they are sa­tisfied in their minds, that God hath been pleased to give them a manifestation of the spirit to profit withal; all those that have this spirit of Christ, are directed by it to do the will of God, and to deny their own wills, and the will of others, that would draw them from their du­ty that they owe to God in their generation.

It is an excellent state and condition for a man to be guided by the spirit, and to be brought under the govern­ment of Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. So that they that come under this government▪ are directed and pointed out every day to do the will of God. This thou must do, and God will be pleased with thee; and this thou mayest not do, for if thou doest it, the Lord will be angry with thee; it is sin against God. So that we have a heavenly advantage of being taught of God by his spirit, to have the divine and heavenly teaching of the spirit of God revealed in us; if we are at a loss, or make a question, or dispute about a matter, the spirit will look us into all truth, if we give up ourselves to his guidance and teaching.

This hath been our desire and labour many years, not to draw people to observe what we say; for who can direct another man in all things relating to the service of God? If we were ever so certain ourselves, we could not convey certainty and infallibility upon all occasions to another, if we should speak ever so much, and be ever so conversant with them. Therefore our work is, that all people, in all things relating to their souls, might have re­course continually to the infallible teacher and guide, which God, through Jesus Christ, hath made known to them. If people be ruled by this, they cannot but live in unity, and love one another; they will not fall into malice, con­tention, and hatred one against another. It is impossible [Page 133] for nations to make war, and destroy one another, if they would be guided by the unerring spirit of Christ; for how should it contradict itself? For how can any thing agree with the standard of truth, which Christ hath set up, that acts in contradiction to it? For nothing is truth but what concurs with it; therefore it must needs agree with itself. If we be directed by the spirit, we shall call that good which is really good; and that evil which is so. If there be thousands directed by the spirit of Christ, which leads into all truth, that which is good to one, is so to all; and that which is evil to one, is so to all. We must first know what is good, and then receive power to do it. If we come to be instructed by the unerring spirit, to know what is the good and acceptable will of God, we shall re­ceive daily power from him to do the will of God; we shall all speak the same thing, and be of the same mind, and live in love and unity. There is no evil wilfully done against God, where the spirit of Christ, the gospel spirit, comes to prevail upon us; it will bring us to a peaceableness of spirit, to live in love and unity. And the great work we have in the world, will be to do the good and acceptable will of God, both with respect to our solemn worship of God, and our duties towards our neighbours. Then there will be tranquillity, peace and joy, and comfort to all the churches of Christ that are under his government. And it is given to the sons and daugh­ters of men every where, when they come under the yoke of Christ, and take up a daily cross, and live in self-denial; this will bring peace and concord among them.

Many will come to our meetings, and spend a little time to hear what we say. We exhort them to give up themselves to the peaceable government of the spirit of Christ, that will finish transgression, and make an end of sin, and bring into the soul (where sin reigned) everlasting righteousness. Where there is a great deal of pride, ma­lice and envy, the spirit of Christ will root it up; and all that evil that the enemy hath planted in men, he will pluck it up, and bring in everlasting righteousness, and plant love in the same soul, and establish and settle it. Such a one will have more joy, pleasure and delight, un­der [Page 134] the government of the spirit of Christ in one day, than any one can have that is governed by the evil spi­rit in a thousand days.

You say the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal; what profit shall we get? How doth it appear, that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to pro­fit withal? Because there is that life and grace stirring in the heart that makes it profitable, and truth doth so prevail, that it makes us do those things that are good and pro­fitable, and to avoid those things that are reprovable. If thou wouldest hearken to the spirit, that is the reprover, that convinceth of sin, thou must turn away thy mind from that which will lead into those things that are reproveable, otherwise thou wilt be under condemnation in thine own bosom.

When the Spirit of God illuminates men to see sin, the evil of sin, he will give them power against it; but when they come to receive power against it, and stedfastness in the ways of God, what will be the effect of that? If I become righteous, and live a holy life, and my companions be wicked, they will mock me, and reproach me, what benefit shall I have by being righteous? I see evidently I shall lose many advantages which I might otherwise reap, and reach with mine own hand. I must forsake my profits and pleasure, and other delights of this world.

The disciples said to Christ, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have? People before they would forsake all would have something in the room of it. Christ tells them, that he that hath forsaken all, father and mother, brother and sister, and house and land, for his name sake, shall have in this life an hundred fold, and in the world to come, eternal life. What is the mean­ing of that, they shall have in this life an hundred fold? Christ that is truth itself, that cannot lie, hath promised, that they that forsake all, shall receive an hundred fold: Now people are ready to grasp at it; they think it is some­thing that will answer the loss of what they part withal; what thou receivest in this promise, must not be of the same sort and kind with those things thou didst part withal; but when thou hast parted with all for Christ's sake, and the gospel, [Page 135] thou shalt receive that which thou shalt acknowledge is an hundred fold better, and will make thee an hundred fold richer and happier, and it will give thee an hundred fold more than all that thou hast parted with could give thee.

If we part with sin, we part with that which brings bon­dage and fear of death; having parted with that, then thy fear and bondage is gone, and thou livest then the rest of thy life-time at liberty: But this is not all, thou livest in the enjoyment of the favour of God, thou shalt have the sense of his love, and the comfort of his Holy Spirit, and you shall live in peace and righteousness, and treasure up to yourselves glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life; whereas before you did treasure up only wrath against the day of wrath, and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God; thou shalt receive an hundred fold, that which is an hundred fold better. Those that part with the things that are reprovable, and do what Christ in his day performed, the good and acceptable will of God, the enjoyments that he hath in Christ, and the comfort, peace and tranquillity he enjoys, is an hundred fold better and more delightful than all the pleasures of sin, and the pleasures and delights of shows, and sights and plays, and comedies, which vain men entertain themselves with in their carnal state. A carnal man cannot understand and discern the things of God, and the pleasures that are to be had in his holy ways; he only looks at the things that are seen, which are temporal, and not at the things that are not seen, which are eternal.

But, my friends, those things which are unseen, are not so unseen, but that when a man hath an eye opened within him of the same nature with those things, he can see them: Blessed be God that we have an eye opened to see spiritual things, to see the heavenly treasure, and enjoy it in these earthen vessels.

For all that have an ear to hear, it would be a profitable change to part with all that is evil in the sight of God, and put themselves under the yoke of Christ, and receive a prin­ciple of grace which he will communicate to them, that they may do the good and acceptable will of God, and so may enjoy an hundred fold, and have comfort, peace, and joy before they go hence, and are no more seen.

[Page 136]You to whom God hath so graciously and mercifully ap­peared, that have an understanding, and a taste and feeling of those things which are divine and spiritual, and which pertain to life and godliness; of all the people in the world, you are an engaged people to serve the Lord; great obligations lie upon you, that you should abide and continue in that which God hath revealed and discovered to you; I mean grace: For you will never grow, till you be under the government of the grace of God, that grace that ap­peared to you before you came to the knowledge of God and his ways, that hath been with you in your travel from death to life, and from darkness to light. Prize it as a heavenly jewel, as that which contains in itself all those things that your soul stands in need of. If you have any strength to resist temptation, it is from the grace of God that you receive power to withstand temptations; if you have any living openings in your hearts, it comes to you from that grace that is in Christ. When this, and that, and the other prophecy of the prophets of old is opened to you, prophecying and foretelling that state and condition which you are travelling towards, how the Lord will sub­due your enemies under you, you are encouraged hereby to go on cheerfully in your way, to that rest which you are travelling to.

There are many of those that believe the truth, who are not come to establishment; and they will find the reason and cause in themselves. Do but ask and enquire how it comes to pass, that such and such are established, and not subject to fear, and horror, and perplexity, as I am? a little thing will turn me over, and shake and unsettle my mind; this hath been the cause, want of keeping close to the grace of God in your conversation in the world. When you, and your children, and servants are governed by the grace of God in all you undertake, then the devil will endeavour to bring you into darkness, and bring discomposure upon your spirits; for the purpose of Christ Jesus, our Savi­our, is to settle you; and the purpose of the destroyer is, to discompose and unsettle you, and to marry you to this and the other changing thing; if he can fix your hearts upon this and that object, then there is instability [Page 137] upon the soul; take away that thing, and it brings dis­turbance upon you. If thou hast any object that thy mind is set upon, thou wilt be much disturbed at the parting with it; but whose fault is that? The truth manifested unto thee from the beginning of thy conversion, did en­gage thee to separate thyself from all visible, sensible things, that God might have thy heart and chief love. If he had been thy God, nothing could disquiet thee, when sepa­rated from thee. If ye will have other Gods besides him, you will lose your Gods; and when they are taken from you, you will be like Micah, and say, ye have taken away my Gods, and what have I more? Judg. viii, 24. The reason of your discomposure, and anguish, and sorrow, was this; when you had some other Gods besides the Lord, and your hearts did cleave to some temporary thing, and the trial came that you had to part with it, you could not bear it.

If you would live a serene life, a life of tranquillity, set your minds upon nothing but upon the Lord, let him be the object of your souls love; live in the light of his coun­tenance, and you may always rejoice: Consider, as for tem­porals, you hold them of the Lord; God gives you this husband, that wife, that child, that estate, God hath entrust­ed you with it? but not so, but he that hath it must part with it, and be bereaved of it when God pleaseth. Now, if you give up your hearts to God, here will be your esta­blishment and settlement, and you will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And would we seek to know and feel wherein the communion of the saints stands; doth it not stand in partaking together of the bread of life, which our father giveth us from Heaven? The father spreads a table for us in the sight of our enemies, and we are satisfied. They that come to partake of this table of the Lord, find strength and refreshment; so do I, and also my brethren and sisters that sit at the same table. We are daily confirmed and strengthened by what we receive from God, and enjoy there; here is our heavenly fellowship and society; and where there is this root of love, love cannot be wanting in the branches: There must be a departing from the bread of [Page 138] life, before there can be any jarring and contention among the members of the same body, for we receive life from the same head, from which all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, are knit together, and encrease with the encrease of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone, in whom all the building fitly framed to­gether, groweth unto a Holy Temple in the Lord.

Now that you may be all preserved in Christ, this is the end of our labour, that so every one that hath begun in the spirit, may go on in the spirit, and never look for perfection in the flesh: That you that have begun in humility, tender­ness, and brokenness of heart, may in that meet together at times and seasons, and have daily the presence of God among you, and have the bread of life, which will nourish you to life everlasting, and that you may shew forth to the world, the glory, brightness, and excellency of that holy life, which in Christ Jesus is manifested to you.

THE worship of God, of the Great God, is pure; he is a holy God, of purer eyes than to behold ini­quity; and all they who will worship God, whose souls are breathing to have a return of a testimony in his sight, must offer up pure worship, and it must come from that which is pure: For that purpose, the greatness of the love of God is made manifest in Christ Jesus; and there is a diffusing of his grace and virtue in the hearts of the sons and daughters of men, whereby he hath laid a foundation for his own worship; because his worship must be pure. Therefore he hath freely given unto us, through his son, the knowledge of that pure principle of life and grace, from whence, and out of which, all true worship doth spring, and all true honour to God ariseth; and real obedience to his [Page 139] holy will springs forth out of that which is from himself.

And therefore all that will be worshippers of God aright, must first know and be sensible wherein the ability and capa­city stands, that may enable them to do so great and so good a work. Some have conceived it to stand in their own will, and according to the working of their own will, they have framed worships, religions, and observations, thinking there­by to please God: But you know the apostle in a few short words, lays down a positive Christian doctrine, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Now this doth declare and signify, that there must be something upon which this faith must work, that must be the object and foundation of it: Faith as it worketh in the creature, worketh upon something; it lays hold on something in which there is a capacity of pleasing God. Now if we are all by nature children of wrath, and that no one of himself can please God, then there must be something that is supernatural, that must be the object of that faith by which men alone can please God; and this must be made manifest to the creature for its help, to be its director and supporter in that work that is too mighty for himself, too great a work for a man or woman, too deep, too profound for any man's abilities, power, wisdom, and acquirements, that he can attain to in this world, to wor­ship God aright. To worship God, that is to perform a pure worship to a pure God; who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Now if we are all obliged to bring a clean wor­ship, a pure worship to a pure and holy God, who hath created us and all things, where shall we have it? Not out of an unclean heart, not out of a defiled mind; there is no bringing it forth from thence, for that is the state and con­dition that men are fallen into by sin, in which their minds and consciences are defiled, their hearts are polluted, and their affections depraved and set upon wrong objects; and in this state none can serve God aright: That which is pure and holy must be first made known, revealed, discovered, and believed, before people can perform a right worship to God.

And therefore in vain is it, to go and drive people to this and that worship, and force people to this and that service [Page 140] and conformity, upon the account of the worship of God. This is vain worship; when they have done all, it is not acceptable to God; the poor creature hath no return from the Lord, for God accepts no service or worship, but only through his Son. And if so be, men cannot pray and preach in the spirit of his son, and cannot present their complaints and supplication to God, but by the assistance and help of his blessed Spirit, there is no reason in religion why people should expect a return and answer from God of the prayers they make. For it is the general doctrine of Christendom, that Christ Jesus is appointed of God for a Mediator be­tween God and man, and all the acceptance we have, or desire to have, must be through him: And therefore if we pray without him, and perform this and the other duty without him, it is contrary to the doctrine of Christianity, to think that ever we should have acceptance in God's sight.

Therefore there is a necessity for every man and woman that desires to be religious, that hath a religious mind, and is willing to worship God, and serve God aright, there is a necessity that they come to the knowledge of Christ, who tells us that he is the way to the Father. They that go any other way, go a wrong way; but they that go unto God by Christ, they do receive from him power to draw near to God; and through him they receive from God all those blessings that their souls stand in need of.

So here would be an end of all religions the world is full of; of all the several worships that men have made. They have invented and found out several ways for peo­ple to worship and serve God. This and the other ce­remony; this and the other observation and method of preaching and praying. If all this be without the assistance and divine help of the Mediator, through whom alone we can justly expect acceptance at God's hands, it is all good for nothing. Therefore the first lesson of a Christian in point of worship, is, that he come to the knowledge of Christ, by whom, and through whom, he may expect favour with God.

Now some people say, we are already come to the knowledge of Christ; we have read the relation in the gospel of his conception, birth, life and death, resurrec­tion [Page 141] and ascension. Now where this belief doth give a man this kind of Christian knowledge, it doth open a door and way for him into the presence of God. This is a question that ought seriously to be considered; for if we err in this question, we err in all: This is like stumbling at the threshold, and never coming into the house. If we mistake in laying hold of Christ, we mistake in our worship, and in all matters that relate to life and salvation.

For if we must have another sort of knowledge of Christ, than we can have from the reports of others; if I must have Christ revealed in me before I can have the hope of glory; if I must have the spirit of Christ in me, to help me to put up my requests and supplications, before he can present them to the Father, then all literal knowledge and faith cannot stand men in any stead; this is evident by the testimony of all the writers of the New Testa­ment. Christ and his apostles did concurrently signify, that the hope of a Christian, the power and strength of a Christian, all lies in this, that they had known the reve­lation of Christ, and the powerful operation of the spirit working in them; this was that which was well pleasing to God. Many scriptures might be spoken of, but you know the scriptures, and can read them, and see in them the concurrent testimony of all holy men to this day, that the knowledge they had of Christ was a divine knowledge, a spiritual knowledge; it was a knowing him after the spirit; it was a revelation of Christ in them, that sepa­rated and distinguished them from reprobates; even the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ their Lord. Why should not we come to this knowledge as well as they? The Lord is the same, and his power is the same, and his arm is not shortened. We may see as much need of divine assistance, and divine love, as ever men did; we can perform no duty, either of prayer or preaching, with­out divine assistance; not so much as a sigh or groan, that may have acceptance with God, without the help of his Spirit. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered: Rom. viii, 26. If we go about the duty of [Page 142] prayer without divine assistance, we see what sad work we make of it; if we pray not in the spirit, and with the understanding, how can we receive the thing we pray for? But if we pray in the spirit, and with the understanding also, then the spirit helps our infirmities; the spirit that came from God brings us the things we stand in need of.

So that a Christian hath a foundation for his worship and Christian performance; what is that foundation? Nothing that is corrupt, if it be, it is good for nothing; for nothing that is corrupted and that defiles, can be ac­ceptable and pleasing to God; we are all polluted and defiled by nature; how can carnal men worship a Spiri­tual God? Carnal men that are in death and darkness, cannot worship that God that is light, and dwells in light, that is inaccessible, that is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Carnal men want a foundation for their wor­ship, and will until they come to that foundation that God hath laid.

Now, that I may speak intelligibly what the Lord hath laid upon my heart, I would say thus: There is an u­niversal benefit and privilege distributed and given free­ly of God, unto the sons and daughters of men, in their natural state, through his Son, Jesus Christ, in that he hath caused his light to shine, and his grace to be extend­ed to every man; for the grace of God, which bringeth salvation (for it is not by works) hath appeared unto all men, and bringeth light, by which every man may see how to worship God; God hath enlightened every man, and this light comes by Christ the Mediator; this Medi­ator is the way that men must walk in, if they will come back again to God; for men are run out and de­parted from God; if men will draw near to God, and take some foot-steps towads the kingdom of God, from the kingdom of sin and satan, they must mind the way, the way must be their director, they must not go which way they list.

This is that which was prophesied of Christ; saith God, by the prophet Isaiah, I will give him for a leader. I would fain return to God, and go out of the kingdom of sin and satan, to the kingdom of God: God hath given Christ to lead me; if [Page 143] knew what way he would lead me in, I would go that way. As soon as a man takes hold of Christ, his grace, and spi­rit, and life, he will be ready to say, I am corrupt; my senses are corrupt, my mind is depraved, my conscience defiled and polluted; but I have found out something that God hath bestowed upon me, that is essential, holy and pure, that did never consent to my corruption, but is a witness for God against it: Here now a Christian lays hold on Christ, the leader; which way will he lead me? If thou layest hold of this guide, he will lead thee out of evil, he will teach thee to cease to do evil, and speak evil: This light will lead thee to nothing that will dishonour God, or defile thine own soul: But this is not all, we must not only cease to do evil, but we must be doing something; there must be a breaking off from pride, foolish jesting, evil communication; but this is not all that he will lead me to; let us learn that lesson, cease to do evil. This doctrine was preached before Christianity was preached, as it is now preached; the prophets of old preathed this doctrine to the Jews that were under an outward administration, cease to do evil, and learn to do well, then I will plead with you, and discourse with you, saith the Lord: Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scar­let, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

This is the first lesson that a true Christian learns in his turning to God, in his change and translation, to cease from that which is evil: Here is a cessation of rebellion, and here is some hopes of being reconciled to God; a man hath been a rebel against his Maker, but he hath now received help to resist those temptations that prevail over him: But there is no worshipping yet, there is a forward mind in men to do something that is pleasing to God; but there are some that are not troubled at all for their evil ways, and dread not God's anger, but make a mock at sin, that draw others to it, and make themselves merry in it: And there is a sort so far touched with a divine sense of God's love to them, that they have also a sense of his anger and indigna­tion, because of their sin; and they would be fain out of his anger; and who can blame them? When a man feels the [Page 144] anger of God burning like a fire in his bosom, who can blame that man if he desire peace with God? If he be under a sense of the displeasure and indignation of the Almighty, he must not haste too soon out of that condition he is brought into; for this is God's purpose, and this is the fruit of all his troubles and afflictions, to take away sin: God hath no other end or design in the affliction that is upon him, than to take away sin; when God hath brought a people into a distressed and dejected state for their sin, the fruit that God expects, is the taking away of their sin, and he will hide pride from them, and humble them before him; if this be the purpose of God, that he intends to purge and purify his people; then saith the poor creature, it God design to pu­rify me from sin, then I will pray to God to support me, and bear me up under his indignation: That is the cry of the soul that he may not be brought too soon from under the judgment of God, but may be supported and hid in the hollow of God's hand, until the time of remission and refreshing comes, that he may behold the light of God's countenance.

Here is encouragement for every one that is acquainted with this divine principle of grace, that will be led by it, and follow it so far as to be led out of evil; then they will be fitted to do something in the work of God; every sigh and groan that thou hast the assistance of the spirit of God to help thee in, is a part of worship: All thy broken­ness of heart is part of worship; hereby thou acknowledg­est the great God, that he is able to help thee on in thy way, and to pardon thy iniquity, and blot out thy trans­gression, and give thee all those heavenly blessings that thy soul doth stand in need of. Then thy soul will how down to God in acts of holy worship, and say, with a humble confidence and expectation, God will do all those things in me, and for me, that will promote my salvati­on. It is nothing in religion for people to go from pray­ing and preaching to sinning; but God must have a holy sacrifice, and that must come out of a pure heart. Now when a man is brought by the help of God, and by the divine assistance of the Mediator. Jesus Christ, to break off from his sin, then he stands fair to become a child of God, [Page 145] and to be a servant of God, and to do something for God in his generation, and to offer to God praise and thanks­giving, and to perform all other duties that God shall lead him into.

But some will say, what, must not we do any thing? I have deeply weighed that question, what a poor man or woman must do, that is come out of bondage. There is a propensity in people to be doing, they would fain do something, they would be doing; they say, what shall I do? If I do some­thing that pleases not God, I had better let it alone; and I can do nothing acceptable to God without divine as­sistance: Such a one that sees his own impotency and inability, will cast his care upon God, and will say, the Lord is able to lead me and guide me: I am ready to do thy will, O God! Make it clear to me that this is thy will, and that this is that which thou requirest; I am ready to do it, though it be a cross to mine own will: He is ready to go on in God's way, in the way of Christianity; such a one that hath the true knowledge of Christ, if he speaks, the Spirit of Christ speaks in him; if he prays, it is through the assistance of the Spirit of Christ, through whom God alone is appeased and reconciled, and through whom they may re­ceive a blessing from God's hands: But for men to run on in their own wills, and to do a thing because they will do it, they had better sit still; this doing in their own wills, hath filled the world with a sort of Christians that want accep­tance with God, which is to be had alone through the Lord Jesus Christ; and the want of the guidance of God's Holy Spirit, is the misery and downfal of Christianity in our days.

Therefore it is our work and business to build upon that foundation which God hath laid; no worship is pleasing to God, but that which ariseth from that spring that is pure and holy: If I cannot find that which will keep me from all pollution and defilement, if I cannot find that, I must stay till I can; to begin a worship and a religion without I know that it is acceptable to God, is but lost labour, and time spent in vain.

Therefore, friends, let every one that desires to be reli­gious, turn their mind inward, wait for the gift of God, which is essentially pure, that never did consent to evil, [Page 146] that never mixed with the corruption of nature, but bears witness to the light, that will guide you and lead you, and conduct you first out of sin; then it will lead you into that worship and religion, and the performance of those things that are pleasing to God. They that are come thus to worship, they do not only know what the Lord requires of them, and when he requires it of them, but they are given up into the hands of God; they pray, preach, exhort, and live according to the will of God.

It is hard for people in a carnal state to believe this; but you that are believers, that are come to know the gift of God in yourselves, and the necessity of being ruled by him, you will believe us, for none else will believe us; let us preach to as many people and nations as we will, none will receive us as true ministers, but those that have the truth in their own hearts; if there be any that despiseth the grace of God in his own heart, he hates that which chides and re­proves him; if there be such a man, he will hate me because I am a minister and a witness of the grace of God, and of that truth in the inward parts, which is the ground and foundation that man hath of acceptance with God. A wicked, carnal wretch will say, I hate such a one, I hate the light, that which checks me, and witnesseth against me; thou art such a one as bearest witness against me, therefore I hate thee: It is very true, it cannot be otherwise. Now our desire and labour is, that men may come to the love of the truth in themselves.

You know there are a great many other ministers, whose labour is to persuade people to believe what they say; to lay down a doctrine, and prove it by scripture and rea­son, and set it home upon their minds by such testimony as the scripture affords, and hereupon they prevail on the minds and judgments of people, to believe what they lay down.

It is easy to lay down a position, and prove it, and convince people that it must be according to scripture; but when a person is convinced of a principle of truth, he is not regenerated thereby, and come to God; therefore, though he cannot deny the doctrine of truth in words, yet he can deny it in works, and doth not rightly come [Page 147] to love it. If people would believe what we say, and observe what argument we bring to prove a position, they may be convinced of the doctrine of truth, and come to a profession of it, and yet be strangers to it, till they come to love it in themselves: If it were not for this, we would leave preaching, if God had not given a measure and manifestation of the spirit to every man to profit withal. You have it in yourselves, we are but as monitors to you, to put you in mind of it; you have so much business in the world, that you have not had leisure to take notice of it.

A man may have a rich jewel, and be poor notwith­standing, till he come to know the value of it.

A man hath a rich and precious jewel; a pearl bestowed upon him, that would make him rich in faith and love to God, and qualify him for the kingdom of God, and make him an heir of it; but he knows not, nor under­stands the value of it, and esteems it not; therefore God hath raised up ministers to put you in mind of it, that you may be happy forever, and live in blessedness to all eternity; whosoever hath an ear to hear, let him hear; and when they hear what we say, let them take the benefit of it to their own souls. We bring not truth to you, but God hath bestowed it upon you; you will be rich indeed, if you do as a man that bought a field where the precious pearl was, and digged till he found it. Come to the foun­dation upon which you should build all your hopes of happiness, and depend not upon your own works, or re­ligious performances, for acceptance with God; for there is no acceptance with God, but only through Christ, we are only accepted of God through him. Those that will become Christians indeed, and worship God as he hath or­dained and appointed himself to be worshipped, they must come to the principle of light and grace in their own hearts, which they have in, and through Christ, and they will find acceptance with God.

THE blessed life of Christ is not of this world; and it ought to be your care in all your religious as­semblies, that you be gathered into the inward, feeling sense, of this divine life; that you may feel your fellowship and communion in that life of Christ that is not of this world. And may all of you lay hold upon it; for this is the nourishment and the heavenly bread, with which the children of the kingdom are fed and nourished from day to day; there are many that feed upon words, that are not the children of the kingdom of God; but the begot­ten of God are come to know the virtue of the divine life, Christ Jesus; their feeding and their nourishment is by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, and they grow up to life eternal by that divine and hea­venly gift, that God the Father hath bestowed upon them, through his Son Jesus Christ; and they enjoy the com­munion of saints, through this divine Head of the Church, that communicates of his life and virtue through every mem­ber, by which they are sanctified, and every day more and more prepared for that living and eternal inheritance laid up for the children of God.

And when there are a people that are thus gathered in­to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, they are able to draw nigh to God; they feel the power of entrance, because their sin is removed that did formerly lie at the door; and the way is opened and consecrated for them to draw nigh and partake of the table of the Lord, by which they grow stronger and stronger in his might and power, and are thereby enabled to perform the whole will of God, and that divine worship and religious service, which God requireth at their hands in their day.

For it is very certain, and we have found it by expe­rience, that the words of our Lord to his disciples of old [Page 149] are true; without me (saith he) ye can do nothing. For though people may meet together, and may pretend and set up a form of worship, and of religion in their own wills, yet it all amounts to nothing, with respect to ac­ceptance with the Lord; there is no return in their souls, no addition of life, nor encrease and growth of life; they are not nearer the kingdom than when they first believed, but many times further off; by leaning upon a formality, and not really entering into the work of God, nor tra­velling out of death into life; for there must be a path, and a travelling in it; the soul must have an exercise thro' the power and life of Jesus, for the overcoming of death, that did separate from God, and a preparing for life, that life that unites us to God again: And when people are in earnest in this travel, they are resigned up to the go­vernment, direction and leading of him that is gone before, that hath made a way for us, and will further our progress towards the kingdom of God.

And, therefore, my friends, you know the way, and know how the power hath reached to you, and hath opened your understandings that you may be faithful to that power in your own souls, and may have the use and true im­provement of this, and all other such meetings as this, for the gathering of your minds out of all visible and change­able objects, unto that life which God hath revealed, that so in the exercise of it, you may hold your fellowship with God, and with one another; here is the bond of perfection, here is that in which God hath created peace and rest, and joy for his people; so far as every one is partaker of this innocent life, and feels himself changed into it, they are gathered into the church, and they are gathered into fellow­ship with the head of it, and are comforted in their member­ship, in their partaking together.

Though I be but a little one, yet I partake of the same virtue which the Lord administered to the greatest saints, while I am a waiting upon him, and of the same divine consolation, and operation, and power that weaneth more and more from the world, and that which is corruptible, and raiseth up in me daily more and more fervent desires after that bread that perisheth not.

[Page 150]Now herein men and women have an evidence of that Christianity in themselves, the Spirit of God bearing re­cord and witness with their Spirits, which all the loose professors of Christianity in the world are strangers to, their evidence in themselves, being against them; they seek to have evidence without them, and to gather up some kind of marks and tokens, and sayings, and sentenccs, from without them, to make them believe that they are in cove­nant with God, and that they are in a state of salvation by Christ; but he that truly believeth, hath an evidence of his Christianity, and of his reconciliation with God; and he hath this evidence in himself, a divine, spiritual testimony that answereth to his own spirit, that witnesseth to him, that he is one of the children of God.

And my friends, to this you are called, whether you are come to it or no; it is this you are called to with a heavenly call, that you might no longer live in the rudiments of the world, to be seeking and looking here and there, for a ground of peace and of rest; a ground of hope, but may know and feel the same thing, the same ground of eternal hope that the saints of old had; what is that? what reason did they give and render of their hopes of eternal glory? The apos­tle tells you plainly the ground or reason of their hope of being glorified in the world to come, was Christ in them the hope of glory. They witnessed that Christ gave his life for the world. Take the glorious testimony that the apos­tle did bear in one of his epistles; saith he, the life was manifested in me; it was not covered up or hidden, that people could not find it; God was pleased to bring it to light by the gospel; when a thing is brought to light, you may see it. This he affirmed in his day, and the same is affirmed in our day. The life is manifested; what life? Not the life of this world, but a life not defiled, not pol­luted, but the life that is of God, a heavenly life that is holy and pure; that life is manifested; we have seen it, and we exhort all to lay hold of it, to lay hold of eternal life: Some had a sight of it, that had not laid hold of it; they saw it in a vision, and they might say possibly, oh that I could live such a life, that there were no sin in me, in my words, or thoughts, or actions, what a gracious life would [Page 151] that be! They had seen that life, they had tasted of it, but they did not lay hold of it, but let it go by them: Take heed of that, when you have seen it with open eyes. Blessed are your eyes, for they have seen, and your ears, for they have heard, saith Christ to his disciples: They saw that life that was holy, harmless and undefiled. Lay hold on this life, especially when you are thus assembled together, in a solemn manner in the presence of the Lord, waiting to behold it, and see it more and more discovered to you, and labour to have that gathering power that will bring you to it, that you may know the strength that comes by it to the soul.

There is none of you, but what will meet with tempta­tions in this world, that will draw you into death and dark­ness, to things that are carnal, and sensual, and devilish sometimes. How shall I stand if I be not centered in that life that was before the world began, and before the devil was? If I labour to feel the influence of that divine power, that is able to keep me, my faith tells me so: I know that power is able to keep me, if I keep in the exer­cise of it. The trust of a true believer is, that whatsoever temptations and trials they are exercised with, they know one already come, in whom they have trusted, who is both able and willing to deliver them. So by this means he is kept harmless, and innocent, and blameless in his life and conver­sation. Thus you might be kept, if you would regard, and have respect to the life that is manifested in you.

Whosover comes to know, and feel and witness in their souls the discovery and revelation of the life of Jesus, they know there is in it a certain dominion over that which is contrary to it; and you have many of you had expe­rience of the exercise of the power of God in your own hearts, that hath enabled you to reign over those things, that have formerly ruled over you: That you can now sub­due vain thoughts, and evil desires, that you can with­stand temptations that come from without, and from with­in. Now if you could do this, and if ever you have done it, you did it by that power that God discovered and reveal­ed in you from Jesus Christ: You had not such hold of this once, before you believed, but by believing, the word of God sent it unto you; it being fixed by faith in the heart, [Page 152] that faith which is of the operation of God: You could then do that which you could not do before, and forbear that which you was led away by. These experiences which God hath given you, should encourage you to hold on in your labour and travel, and engage you to grow in the grace of God, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatsoever is propounded by men in the profession of re­ligion, this ought to be our design and end, in the discovery that is made to us of the life of Christ; that we may grow in it, and live in it; (indeed there is great talking of it) but we should labour to shew forth the resurrection of that life in us.

They that come to be baptized for the dead, are baptized into the death of Christ; the apostle tells you, in that he died, he died unto sin. There are none baptized for the dead, and made partakers of the death of Christ, but those that died unto sin, as he died. Though Christ had no sin, yet he died unto sin: What use did he make of this, that Christ knew no sin, but yet did take our sin upon him? He died unto sin, that they which did partake of his death, might be partakers of his resurrection: He liveth again, and after death riseth again.

Those that partake of this death unto sin, are crucified unto this world, and have taken up Christ's cross, and are dead to all the pleasures and delights of this world, which are withered away and come to nothing. What do they live to now? To righteousness, holiness, chastity, tempe­rance; these are pleasant to them; these come to live to righteousness, through the power of him that loved them. This shews the glory and the power of the grace of God. It is the grace of God that worketh such a change in a man or woman. They that delight in sin and wicked­ness, in that which is corrupt and ungodly, they have no delight in this, no delight in sobriety, chastity, holiness, and purity of mind. In whom hath it wrought such a change? In all that are freely given up to it. Where any one is given up to that life, the grace of God hath the praise of it. This is the exaltation and praise of the power of God; so that others may find by this, that they may by it come to believe, and by beliving, to be saved.

[Page 153]Thus the gospel hath gone forth, from one to many, and from these to many more, and is encreasing more and more; for [...], mercy and peace, are multiplied, by which the heritage of God, and so every man and woman that partake of this life, are gathered into fellowship.

So that your end in coming to these meetings, is not so much to hear what this, and that, and the other friend faith; but what you have in yourselves to witness to: The divine operations of the power of God in your souls, bringing down something that is to be brought down, and raising up something that is to be raised. Temptation to sin hath more prevalency upon me, than it hath upon this, and that, and the other man. I am not come to their degree, yet it is better with me than it was at my first convincement. If thou dost say this and deceive others, cry to God, and pray earnestly that all may be brought down which is contrary to his grace. If thou sayest and professest this, to strengthen that, which is known, by the light of Christ, to be against the truth of God, if at the same time there is a deceitful heart, how will this appear at the great day of God? The eye of God is upon thy hypocrisy; he that never slumbers nor sleeps, he beholds thee, if there be any sin that thou wouldest keep and save alive. If thou makest a profession, and notwithstanding sayest, this sin I will keep, the Lord pardon me in this thing; like Naaman, the servant of the king of Assyria, who said to the pro­phet, thy servant henceforth will neither offer burnt offer­ing, nor sacrifice to other Gods, but unto the Lord. In this the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goes in­to the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon; when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. He knew if he bowed not, the king would take notice of the alteration of his gesture, there­fore he would bow in the house of Rimmon: That sin he would save alive under a profession: That hypocrisy the Lord did abominate.

Be upright in the sight of God, and be faithful to your own souls; if it be so, then every sin will be a burthen, and you will long to be rid of it; if it be so, you know [Page 154] whose hand it is that hath brought you so far; if you be really cordial, and give up yourselves to Jesus, that work which he hath begun in you, he will finish for you. He will finish it for you, stand out with him in nothing; give up yourselves to him, and join not with his enemies; take heed of hearkening to them; take heed of every sin that will at last be a burthen and oppression to your souls.

But if you live this heavenly life of Jesus, you will be set at liberty, to have dominion over sin, and to stand without guilt before the throne of God. Friends, let your hearts be deeply affected with the great mercies that God hath bestowed upon you, and for his gift to you of that divine life that is acceptable in his sight.

Many things have been done upon the account of reli­gion, and we could never be satisfied whether they were acceptable to God; we could not be satisfied whether we did any thing pleasing to God: We may say of them as the apostle Paul did of the Jewish sacrifices, there remains a conscience of sin, an accusing conscience, that tells us, that guilt is not removed, nor the sin taken away, till the Lord opens this divine mystery to us, that our justifica­tion must be by faith in Jesus; that nothing could recon­cile us to God but the life of Jesus, and the merit of his death.

This life of Jesus was a holy, blameless, harmless, and innocent life, which life he gave for the world; which life is the light of men; and our souls being turned to this life, we see the glory and the excellency of it, and de­sires are kindled in our hearts after it. Many have pur­sued, and laboured, and travelled, that they might come to the enjoyment of it. The very discovery of this life ought to be highly prized, and your souls affected with it; and when you have obtained it, you will say, O! what a blessed condition am I come into! that Christ hath manifested his divine power in me, not only in reconciling me to God, but taking away the conscience of sin; by that alone the accuser is cast out, and I may now sing to God, songs of deliverance. Now you taste of the mercies that God hath bestowed upon you; this will affect your souls with a child-like [Page 155] submission and subjection to him, that hath begun to save and deliver you, that so you may resign up your­selves to his will, and forsake the world, and the things of it.

Now when these come to such a meeting as this, their minds may be retired, and they may be sensible of the power of truth upon their hearts; but for want of keeping their subjection to the divine power, that hath opened their understandings, when they come into the world again, they are ensnared and entangled, and many times, for want of watchfulness, through a looseness of mind, and unru­liness of tongue, they run into anger and passion, and this grieves the Holy Spirit of God. And how should you come to God through the Mediator, when you grieve his Spirit, and quench the motions of it.

These things have been hurtful to many, that in their time might have been pillars in the house of God. Take heed of this, and let the goodness of God dwell upon your minds, that you may feel and experience the inward admini­strations of it; there are many that are much affected with the outward ministry, and are very desirous to hear the servants of God declare the things that God hath wrought for them, and in them, and the wonderful things that God hath opened to them; yet when you have heard all that man can say about it, if the divine ministry of the word of God doth not make powerful impressions upon you, and sanctify and renew your souls, the outward ministry of the word will do you no good.

Now that you may be established in the truth that you have been taught, this testimony ariseth in me, to desire every one to heed and attend to the manifestation of this life of Jesus in yourselves. Whatsoever God hath bestow­ed upon me or another, you may perish for all that, and I am not the better for what God hath bestowed upon you, but may perish notwithstanding; but that God hath manifested eternal life to my soul, let that be every ones centre: This will make you holy and blameless, and pre­serve you in every state, and in the hour of temptation, and in the midst of snares; this will be a bulwark to you; this will be as the walls of Zion, which is the salvation of the Lord. That so you may be preserved sensible of [Page 156] the goodness of the Lord: That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied in your bosoms; this will make you dear and affectionate one to another.

Though there may be an external fellowship among those that preach and profess the same doctrine, yet when they come off from that, when once men depart from the power of truth, they grow stubborn and rebellious; but when men come to be gathered into the inward fellowship that stands not in terms and words, but in the revelation of Christ, and in the participation of his virtue and goodness; the more you are united in this, the more you are knit one to another, and become useful and helpful one to another.

The Lord vouchsafe to every one of you a taste of his goodness, and you will prefer it above all that the devil has, and his instruments can present; and if you re­tire more into this heavenly and divine life of Jesus, you will feel and enjoy more peace and satisfaction, and true consolation in your souls, than I, or any man in the world can tell you of.

YOU have read and heard much concerning the day of the Lord, as a great and notable day; many of you are now living witnesses that the great and not­able day of the Lord is coming, in which the accomplish­ment of great and notable things, the mighty works of God, which have been prophesied of, may be lawfully expected. It is the work of every Christian to wait upon the Lord in the light of this day, and to be acquainted with the works of the Lord, both inwardly and outwardly; for the day of the Lord is a day of power, and that power of God work­eth wonderful things; and if we are not kept in the light of that day, the Lord may work great things, and we not [Page 157] know it; we shall be looked upon as careless and negligent witnesses of the works of the Lord, as those that do not regard them. If you would be faithful witnesses, you must have regard to the works of the Lord, and the operations of his hands. One that is minded to be a faithful witness, he will take notice of what is said and done; you are called to be witnesses of the works of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of his doings; you must stand where you may hear, and see, and understand what the Lord is about to do at this time.

In testimony and witness bearing, the greatest thing we have to expect in this day of the Lord, is, that God will set up the kingdom of his Son Christ Jesus; and unto this all the prophets did bear witness in their time, and now it is our turn to bear witness of it, by sensible and living experiences of the accomplishment of those things that they prophesied of, that the Lord will set up the kingdom of Christ, and bring down and lay waste the kingdom of Anti­christ. This our Saviour taught his disciples to pray for▪ more than sixteen hundred years ago, that the kingdom of God might come; and all the true disciples of Christ ever since have prayed for the coming of this kingdom, and many of them have seen the coming of it, and rejoiced; and others have died in the faith of it, and have been gathered into the kingdom of Heaven.

But, my friends, that which chiefly concerns us at this day, is to behold the kingdom of Christ, the eternal Son of God, within us, to go forward and prosper; and the kingdom of Antichrist suppressed and destroyed, and utterly laid waste; and this is wrought two ways, first, inwardly; second, outwardly.

First, inwardly; there is a great inclination in the minds of people, to look more at the operation of God's power in this great work outwardly, than to look at it inwardly, but unto that there must be a daily cross taken up, and it is my business at this time to tell you in the name of the Lord, that your duty and mine is to turn our minds to the working of the power of God in ourselves, and to see that other kingdom of the man of sin weakened and brought down within us; then there is no fear but he will carry on his work outwardly, and we shall see as much [Page 158] of that work as belongs to our generation; but the great matter and chief government of you and me, is to see the kingdom of God set up within us, which stands in holiness and righteousness: Our business is to walk till we see the righteousness of this kingdom set up within us, in our hearts and souls, and to have a real change made.

We all know, and we must confess, that we have been subject to the man of sin, whatsoever we are now. We have seen the reign and government, the rage and tyranny of the wicked one, that hath led us into rebellion and dis­obedience to the Lord our Maker. How do we like that government, to be ruled by the devil, and to be led cap­tive, and to be made to do his will, and to rebel against God that gave us our life, and breath, and being? How do we like the government of satan? I hope we do none of us like it. It was so with me; and they that are un­der the tyrannical government of satan, have many cries and wishes in their souls, that they were freed and deli­vered from it, and brought under the government and obedience of Christ Jesus; and that they were able to serve God as they ought to do, that they might be trans­lated from the kingdom of sin and satan, into the king­dom of the blessed and dearly beloved Son of God.

This hath been the cry of some ever since they have known the word; and I am persuaded it is the cry of many at this day. I have good news to bring you; not that the day of your redemption draws nigh, but that it is come; the day of redemption is now come, and there are a great many blessing and glorifying the name of God that they are redeemed, and delivered from the bondage of corruption; and have more joy and delight in the ser­vice of God, that made them, than ever they had in the service of the God of this world.

But may not some say, how shall this great work be wrought? For it is a great work, and we verily think that nothing but an Almighty Power can effect it. For there are many in this assembly have been trying to no purpose, and done what they could in their own strength, to deliver their own souls from death, and yet they find themselves in bondage still; nay, they have called in the [Page 159] help and assistance of those that they thought to be stronger than themselves, and all have failed, and they are yet weak and entangled, and they cannot find themselves at liberty to serve the Lord as they ought to do.

I am of this mind, that nothing but the Almighty Power of God can do it; and when you have come to my ex­perience, to know this as I have done, then I hope you will seek after that, and you will see good reason for it; and you will then come to this profession, if the Lord puts not forth his Almighty Power, I must then perish, for there is no other power can deliver me. When you come to know this, what must you do? Why you must wait for the revelation of that power that will take you off from all trust and confidence that you have ever had in any thing else: A man that hath nothing to trust to but the Almighty Power, and mercy, and goodness of God, he puts his whole trust and confidenee therein, or else he knows he must perish.

When a man or woman comes to this pass, that they have nothing to rely upon but the Lord, then they will meet together to wait upon the Lord: And this was the first ground or motive of our setting up meet­ings; and I would to God that this was the use that every one would make of them that come to them, then they would be justly and properly used, according to the end of the institution of them at first; we should use them as poor desolate helpless people that are brok­en off from all their own confidence and trust, and have nothing to rely upon but the mercy and goodness of God; and if he pleaseth to reveal his power among us, we know that he is able to save us. And when we have met with the revelation of God's power, and we have met to­gether in simplicity of mind, the Lord was pleased to com­municate his Spirit to us, and open a door for us, and discover and reveal to us that it was the day of his power: And when we came to examine ourselves whether we were willing in this day of God's power (for the prophet gives us a note of distinction between the people of God, and other people; thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power; which is as much as to say, when God discovers and [Page 160] reveals his power to them, such a people are willing to give themselves over to the government of it; when we found we were subject to it, we had joy in believing, before we attained the end of our hope; it was gladness to us we found ourselves willing; and I am persuaded that every one of you would be glad to find yourselves willing to part with that which you cry out against.

What a cry is there of our bondage and corruption, and of our being led captive by our lusts. We may hear such a cry from one end of the kindgom to the other: People cry out of the bondage of corruption, and of their subjection to sin and satan: I would they were in earnest; there is not that earnestness and reality in men and women that God looks for, and so there comes nothing of it. There is no redemption, and no deliverance; the Lord doth not hear them, though they come now a-days into his presence, to offer up their prayers. I would have you to be in good earnest, I wish well to you all; and it would be hard to say that you do not wish well to your­selves. Here lies your welfare, that you find yourselves willing to be subject to the power that made you; you have been subject doubtless to the power that destroyed you; that power that never gave you life and breath, and would be instrumental of your destruction: The power of the God of this world never did men good, but destroyed them, deceived them, and deprived them of their lives.

Now if there was but a willingness in every one of us, freely to give up ourselves to that power that created us, to obey his will, I am sure there is never a man or wo­man among us should long be without the knowledge of it. If I am but willing to be subject to the law of him that made me, it will not be long before he discover it to me, and reveal his power in me in the glory and excellency of it; that power which is more able to preserve me, than all the power of men on earth, or all the power of the devils in hell is able to destroy me. When the Lord shall discover and reveal his power in you, you will be willing to be subject to it.

But methinks the sound and noise of flesh and blood grows loud here: I would be subject to God, but I would [Page 161] not have him cross mine interest, and deprive me of that I love and thirst after; I would not have him imbitter my carnal delights and pleasures, and undo me as to my reputation in the world.

You may see whence this comes, that you would make a bargain, and draw a contract with the God of your lives about these things; this is a nonsensical thing; because of all people in the world, you are a people that have had a veneration for the holy scriptures, the scriptures of truth, and have been acquainted with them as familiarly as with any book in the world, wherein you find articles drawn, long ago fixed and sealed; and no new ones are to be drawn. If any one will be my disciple, John or Thomas, James or Peter, or whosoever he be, he must take up his daily cross, and deny himself, and follow me. Now here is a con­tract made, therefore turn aside from all kind of reason­ing and consulting with flesh and blood.

If you will become spiritual, and partake of spiritual blessings and benefits, I would advise you to turn from all kind of reasonings that come from the pit of dark­ness, that hath thus far deceived you, and will ruin you forever, if you hearken to them. For assure yourselves, new gospel-terms no man can make; and if any come to preach new gospel-terms, count him a deceiver; for there is no possibility of being a disciple of Christ, but by tak­ing up a daily cross, and denying ourselves, and follow­ing him as our leader and guide. To him I must go, and go in no other way, speaking nothing, and doing nothing but what is holy and pure; he must conduct me in my walking, guide me in my way, and justify me in it. This is to be a true disciple of Christ.

As soon as he comes to adhere, and join to the power of God revealed in his soul, he sees the coming of the kingdom of God; he sees it at a distance; he saith within himself, and makes this conclusion, I will follow my cap­tain; I will become subject to the kingdom of Christ. If I obey this divine principle of the grace of God, and the gospel of Christ, I shall be his disciple. I read in his blessed book, that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the children of God. I am not to propose new [Page 162] terms, but to accept of the old terms of the gospel of Christ. I see that the kingdom of God is to be set up, and the kingdom of the devil to be brought down in me; if I follow this divine principle, I shall never follow the devil more; if he would have me lye, I shall refuse, and say I cannot; if he would have me run into vain and corrupt communication, and foolish jesting, that will be a bridle to me, that I cannot do it.

I speak now to persons that live under the light of the gospel of Christ, and that are subdued by his grace; I would speak that which all the logic in the world cannot overthrow; that which the most cunning logician, with all his wit and quirks, cannot refute and prove erroneous. If a man be led by the Spirit of God, he cannot lye; this is a common cure for all men; if I be led by the Spirit of Truth, and hearken to the principle of truth in my own soul, this will cure and heal me of the wounds and maladies of my corrupt nature, and set me at liberty from my old master; I do not like his service.

I hope if any of you like the servitude and bondage of sin and satan, you will desire liberty before you die: Why do not you desire it now? It may be thou thinkest to enjoy a little liberty, and reputation, and pleasure in sin for many years, for six or seven, nine or ten years, and then break off from it, and repent and turn to God: How dost thou know that thou hast ten days to live? It is of high concernment to every one of us to wait for a discovery of gospel liberty, and an ability and power in his soul, to enable him to break off from the servitude and bondage of sin and satan, that he hath so long lived under; and to wait upon God with patience, for the setting his soul at liberty, and setting up the kingdom of Christ within him, and pulling down the kingdom of satan, that he may be brought into the kingdom of Christ, that consists in peace and righteousness, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are the things that follow one another; when righteousness is set up in me, I shall not be disturbed, I shall have peace; and if I have peace I shall have joy, and this joy is in the Holy Ghost; the apostle saith the kingdom of God consists in these things.

[Page 163]Now that every one might be persuaded that God hath given a measure of his grace to them, as well as to other folks, let them consider and say within themselves, God hath not shut me out of the number of his people: He hath knocked at the door of my heart, to bring me to re­pentance; he hath waited upon me so long, surely he hath a mind to save me: Would he call upon me, had he not intended I should repent and turn to him?

But where is the power? you will say; knocking at the door of the heart, and checks of conscience, we understand them; but we understand not where the power is, to be conformable to the will of God.

People will never understand it while they are in the kingdom of satan, and under the power of the prince of darkness; the apostle tells us, that the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them. If men saw the beauty of the gospel, they would run after it, and embrace it; therefore the devil blinds their minds, that they should not see the beauty and amiableness of the gospel, and like the terms of it: He hath the rule and government of the children of disobe­dience. So long as I live in subjection to that devilish, hel­lish power, which leads me forth into sin, I shall be a stranger to God's power, that would enable me to break off from it.

You never read in scripture of any that ever came to be saved by the power of God, but there was faith mixed with it, that came to join with that power of God. Our Saviour said to the impotent man, thy faith hath made thee whole; thy faith joining with that power of God: We shall be made strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and be able to withstand temptations.

As soon as the soul of man joins with the grace of God, he doth forsake the service of his old master and governor: Sin shall no longer have dominion over him; though he may meet with the same temptation, it shall not have the same power over him, but he will be enabled by the grace of God to withstand it, and overcome it. If you ask such a man, how it is that he overcomes that temptation that formerly [Page 164] prevailed over him, he will tell you, I have now an helper, I am now joined to the grace of God in my soul, therefore do I withstand temptations, and have power over them. Thus comes the kingdom of Christ to be set up in the soul, and this is that which will sit and prepare us for the everlast­ing kingdom of God. They that do wait upon God, shall see this work wrought inwardly in them, they know more by faith than they can see by sense.

I know, and am certain, that the power the devil hath in the world, shall be broken down, and righteousness shall be exalted, and justice and equity shall prevail in the nations. I shall not perhaps live to see it, but I may see it by faith; I have seen enough for my generation, and they that live in the next generation, shall see it also; for the church of God is the same from one generation to another. Now unto us it is given to see the things that in former generations were prophesied of, God having (saith the apostle) provided some better thing for us, that they without us shall not be made perfect.

The church of God from one generation to another, have their measure and degree of service, and bear their proper testimony, and leave the rest to succeeding generations: It concerns us in our generation to see a change made inwardly in our souls, and the kingdom of Christ set up within us, and the kingdom of satan brought down in ourselves. This doth not concern my son or grandson only, but it concerns me, and when they grow up to mature age, in their time it will concern them: Therefore that which is most profitable to us, is, that we have such a station, and stand in such a place in our time, where we may see the work of God car­ried on.

I have considered, many a time, that there are many brave men and women in this age, that might have been eminent witnesses of God in this world, and borne their tes­timony to his truth, but their faith hath been weak and in­effectual: They have discovered their unbelieving hearts, and have joined with the common herd of the world, be­cause they thought such great things could never be done, that the kingdom of satan could never be pulled down and destroyed, and the kingdom of Christ set up within us, [Page 165] but I would hope better things of you, things that accom­pany salvation; and that he that hath begun a good work in you, will carry it on to perfection, that living praises, and joyful thanksgivings, may be rendered to him who alone is worthy, who is God over all, blessed forever; to whom be glory and dominion forever, and ever. Amen.

THE Lord will be with all his people, that are unde­filed in the way, that are spiritual travellers walk­ing in that undefiled way, that leads to an undefiled rest. There are some that by this way are entered into rest, that rest which God hath prepared for them. We cannot apply to ourselves that promise that is made to us of enter­ing into rest, unless we be real and true travellers in the way that leads to it, for if we do, we deceive our own souls.

Therefore you that have had a sight and vision of the way everlasting, that leads unto a holy rest, you are an engag­ed people to make strait steps therein, and to have it your daily care, and make it your continual business, to look that your goings and foot-steps are of the same nature and kind that the rest is that you desire to enter into: For it is an undefiled rest, that we all are, or ought to be travelling after; therefore every one of us must be undefiled in the way, and every foot-step must be of the same kind and nature, and separate from all that which defileth it and pol­luteth it; that so it may have a tendency to the bringing of the soul nearer to its rest.

This holy rest many travellers have attained by this holy travel, and many are still in hope to attain it.

But now they that are full of hope of attaining this rest, their foot-steps and goings are not of the same nature and [Page 166] kind; they are not holy and pure, they are not undefiled; These have not their faces truly Zion-ward, though the face of their profession may stand that way; but the Lord looks at the heart of every one, and he knows which way the heart stands, they who have their hearts truly turned to the Lord, they have the mark of holiness in their eye, and the mark of purity and righteousness in all their undertakings, because they know there is no attaining to that divine rest, but by a holy way and travel; therefore their trust and re­liance is alone on the Lord, that is to keep them in all their way; for if they be ever so clearly convinced that holiness and righteousness is their duty, and is the way whereby they may attain to the kingdom of God, though they are ever so fully convinced of it, yet there lies an impossibility of any walking therein without the divine assistance of the grace of God; for though they have been convinced by the appear­ance of his grace, and have had a light that openeth to them a sight of these things, it is not this sight and vision that will enable them to run the race that is set before them.

For the manifold impurities and hindrances which are in our way, between our coming out of Egypt's land, the bondage of corruption, and our entering into the kingdom of God, are too mighty and too great for any man with his knowledge and strength to overcome. The children of Israel might as well have gone through the Red Sea, without the help of God, as the Christian traveller can go through the many difficulties, and the many impediments that he is to meet with in his way, without the assistance of God's Holy Spirit.

My friends, it hath been a labour and travel at this time upon my mind, that all whom God hath so signally blessed with the knowledge of the truth, that you may see your way, and most clearly know and understand, that your way leads to life eternal; that all and every one of you in your par­ticular meetings, are to have a dependence upon that which can help you in your way.

For I have seen too many that have had a wrong de­pendence, after they were rightly convinced, and after they have had a true knowledge of their way wherein they should walk; they have too much trusted to openings and sights [Page 167] which they have received; they have thought their moun­tain so sure, and that their feet have been past sliding, that there hath grown up a state of presumption, that they have thought they should never turn aside, and have not had due regard to the renewing of the Divine Power of God in their souls, that God's children always must have. They have (as I may so say) forgotten what our Lord said, with­out me ye can do nothing: They have passed a sentence up­on that doctrine in their minds, and they have thought they could do something; that they could withstand temptation; that they could do some work for God, and service to God, without the Divine Assistance of that power that did beget them; and alas! the least they have sustained hath been, that they have run into evil, and they have defiled their way, and run into temptations, though it hath pleased the Lord, whose mercy is infinite, to pull them many times back again out of the snare which they were fallen into, and to take them again, and to wash them, and cleanse them, and purify them, and set their feet on a sure place. This was more than they deserved; but his mercy, and goodness, and tenderness, is over all his works.

This he hath wrought for many a one; and not only once, but many times; it is hard venturing; it had been better if such a one had never fallen, or that their foot­steps had never slid from the ways of the Lord, than after they are fallen, to be renewed again by repentance. It hath caused sore judgment, and condemnation, and anxi­ety of spirit; and they have given their old enemy an ad­vantage to whisper in their ears; thou hast lost thy ground; thy sins are gone over thy head, and thou shalt never find repentance. These are the words of the wicked one, who seeks occasion against us; and through our carelesness, and not being watchful, we put an advantage into his hands. Now seeing you know he is vigilant, and seeks occasion that he may turn you out of your way, before you attain to the end of it, you ought to be vigilant to keep occa­sions from him.

But some may say, how may I keep occasions and ad­vantages from the enemy? I answer, the way hath been often told you, and I dare say most of you have tried it, [Page 168] and found it to be true, that so long as you have re­mained in a watchful state and posture, and have had your minds exercised by the grace of God, by which you were convinced of your sin, and by which your duty was ma­nifested to you, so long you gave the enemy of your souls no occasion; but the truth preserved you wherein you trusted, and wherein you hoped and waited for the vir­tue and power of it. Did you find want of ability then? Did the enemy prevail then? He did not cease to tempt when you was in the most watchful state of a Christian; the devil did not then cease to tempt you, but you found in you a power that resisted him, and said, get thee be­hind me, satan.

So long as you are upon your watch; so far as you keep your mind fixed upon the Divine Power, so long you are in a sure place; and whosoever turns aside from this, they suffer great harm and prejudice; and if ever they be restored again, it is with loss and damage, and sore exer­cise; and if they be not restored, they are lost to all eter­nity: Then it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. And then they said within themselves, this must be the way.

Sirs, these things pertain to your everlasting welfare; I speak to you as a people that God hath abundantly loved; and it hath been far beyond any thing of desert. He hath made known his ways to you; the Lord may say, con­cerning you of this city, as of old, what could I have done more for my vineyard, that I have not done? So he may say concerning you, what could I have done more to make them a grown people, a holy people, an entire people, that they may bear my name, and walk before me in holi­ness and righteousness, all the days of their lives? What should have been done more for them?

But this is an exercise to us, whom God hath blessed, and set as watchmen, to behold and see the state of his people, and to feel and bear the burdens that are to be borne; and this is a great burden, that after all that God hath done, and that we do in the hands of God, all that is necessary for the welfare of the people, there are some [Page 169] that turn aside, and defile their way; and we testify in the name of the Lord, that whosoever walks in a de­filed way, shall never come to an undefiled rest; therefore that you do not attain to that undefiled rest, it is because ye have been defiled: Seeing the holy conversation of the people of God is the effect of the working of his own power and Spirit.

Here comes the rest, by and through a Mediator, even Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the Mediator between God and man, and the leader of all his people in the way of holiness and righteousness, which he hath made manifest to them that believe and obey the power: And he hath purchased eternal salvation for all that believe and obey the gospel: But the transgressors do not obey the gospel; the Spirit of Christ doth not lead you to transgression; and the power and light that comes from Christ, doth not lead you to pride, vanity, envy and bitterness: Wherever these things are led into, there is another spirit, and that other spirit hath another tendency, it leads into the wrath of God.

And my friends, this is that which my soul desireth at your hands, and it is for your good and advantage; it is my duty to discharge my conscience, and to speak plainly as the Lord shall give me utterance, to warn you that you abide in the truth; for if so be you be not saved, but will turn aside after your own hearts lusts, after your pride and the vanity of the world, and the lusts thereof, you may blame yourselves, and your iniquity will be your ruin. We that have given up ourselves to God for your sakes, and the churches sake, we speak these things which we have learned of God, and we earnestly press you that are con­vinced, that you walk in the truth which you have believed: There is no great need of more knowledge, and of the vision of heavenly and divine things; for abundance of you have seen more of the things of God, than ever you have travelled and come up into. I would to God, that every one of you that are convinced, would come up to the mea­sure of the knowledge you have received. O! that you would answer the Lord's power, in opening and discovering his mind and will concerning your travel, and the things that belong to his everlasting peace, that your foot-steps [Page 170] may be directed thereby. If you will walk in this unde­filed way, you may lay down at night, and rise in the morning with peace, and in the favour of the Lord, and have the answer of a good conscience in his sight.

The means that must help and conduct us in this way, must be that familiar converse that the soul must have with something greater than itself; the familiar converse that the soul must have with the Divine Power, with that manifestation of Divine Light and Grace, which, through Jesus Christ, God hath given unto you. For if a man prize and esteem the truth ever so much, and suffer ever so much for it, and love the minister ever so much, if he keep not a familiar converse with the truth, notwith­standing all his profession of love to the truths of the gospel, and the preachers of it, he will reproach it: Though he professes and says, I love thee, I love thee; though he hath suffered much in the way, yet if he love not the truth in his own heart, and desire not to feel the excellency and virtue of it, that man will certainly dishonour the truth, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

We warn you to take heed of your way, and to your feet in your Christian walk, that you may come to have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God. Pray to God that the work of regeneration may be wrought upon you, that you may be born into another seed, and partake of the divine nature: Then, though the devil assault you, he cannot overcome you; he will find nothing in you whereby to betray you into his hands, when that change is wrought, and when God hath made an alteration, and hath brought you out of the love of the world, and the love of earthly things, and set your affections above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Now you can say, here comes a temptation with this instrument, and the other instrument, and the devil lays things before me that he would have me to do, but I have no inclination to it, I have no mind to be sucking at the world's breasts; but my mind is set upon this, that I may reach acquaintance with God, who will be a present help to me, and tread down satan under my feet.

There is need of your continual care and vigilancy, and [Page 171] that you watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. It is not so easy a thing for a man or wo­man while they are in this world to do any thing with­out sin; but God hath called you to a holy profession; which is, that you should do all you can do, to do every thing you do without sin: For whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, you should do all to the glory of God. This spirit we would have in you, and we would have all you that have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, to walk in him as you have received him: Then you shall be kept undefiled in the way, and delivered from temptation.

To this end you must be still, waiting upon the Lord, that you may have acquaintance with him from day to day; you are in the world, but you should not be of the world: The prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, to his heavenly Father for his disciples, was not that he should take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil.

Merchants, tradesmen, and shop-keepers, have always something to do in the world, but they should pray ear­nestly that they may be kept from the evil of the world. There is nothing can be done in the world, but there is evil in it, which we shall be overcome by, if we do not keep our watch. In the government of a family, there are occasions and provocations given to be passionate and furious; many occasions are given to men and women; but we should not be transported and overcome: Our pro­fession obliges us, that when a child or a servant gives a provocation, we are not to behave ourselves unseemly, and unbecoming our holy profession; for it is not in their power, nor in the devil's power either, to kindle your wrath and anger into a flame: If you are upon your watch, and wait upon the Lord, he will give you wisdom and strength to stand against all temptations whatsoever, and to order your conversation according to the will of God, and as becomes the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In merchandize, buying and selling, there are snares, and there is evil we may run into; but this is our comfort and joy, there is no coercion, we cannot be forced to sin, the devil can only lay a temptation before me; if thou wilt tell a lye, equivocate, dissemble, here is an advantage [Page 172] for thee; but the devil with all his subtilty, power and allurements, cannot say, thou shalt run into this sin, and be overcome by this temptation; for though of ourselves we can do nothing, yet in the name and strength of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can do all things; we can do that which is just, and stand over the temptation, and tram­ple upon it, and not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. When we have bought and sold, we may look back upon what we have done with pure minds, and clean consciences in the sight of God, and we may come off victors, and more than conquerors (over temptations) through Jesus Christ that hath loved us.

The more a Christian keeps himself unspotted, and the more watchful he is in his walking, he may go on from day to day, and see the snares of the devil, that lies in this vanity, and this and the other vanity and temptation, and yet escape it.

I would I could say of some of you, that when the devil laid a snare for you, you did not run into it when you saw it. I have known some that have had under­standing enough, that they need not be told where the snare of the devil lies; yet so hath it been, the devil and their own hearts lusts have agreed together, and they have run into the snare. This is from the old confede­racy that men have had with God's enemies; you are my friends, saith Christ, if you do whatsoever I command you. If you are the friends of Christ, you will be his subjects, and yield obedience to him; when he shews them a snare they will keep out of it: This is the proof of a true Christian, that he will be true in a time of trial, and will trust in that divine power that keeps him out of the snare.

One thing more I would say, that divine fellowship that you have with Christ Jesus, it consists in holiness of life and conversation, and the exercise of a good conscience towards God, and towards man. It is in vain to tell me that you will walk in unity with the truth, unless you have unity with the truth in your own hearts; you cannot de­ceive the Lord, nor long deceive his people either. Here is the fellowship that you are to live in all your days, to live [Page 173] in fellowship with the people of God, and communion of saints; can the saints have communion in any thing but holiness? and holiness is a blessed, sacred thing, it becomes the house of God forever; they that are saints, are sanctified and made holy; and he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause, he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Heb. ii. 11. They that are sanctified are become saints, they bring forth the fruits of holiness and sanctification, and they are come into fellowship with God and one other. Every branch in me, saith Christ, that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; but every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. That branch which beareth not fruit, is cast into the fire and burned.

There are some that bring forth fruit, but it is fruit to the flesh, and the wicked one, but I hope you are not of that number: These separate themselves from the life of the true vine; these have no fellowship nor true membership with the church of Christ, while they walk as captives to the devil, and sin; these are of the world, and not of the church. If you would have fellowship with the church, do not think to have it by outward conformity: Do not think that this will maintain your fellowship with Christ, without a life of inward holiness and righteousness; for that day you break with the truth in yourselves, you break off your fellowship with the church of God, and break your peace with God, and can no way be restored again to the favour of God, but by an unfeigned repentance; for the mystery of faith is to be kept in a pure conscience: How is my con­science defiled, if I wrong not this, or the other man or woman? Some can hold the mystery of faith; so far as it consists in a profession, they can profess it, and they preach it; but they have not held the mystery of faith in Christ, so as to receive life, and virtue, and comfort from him. You have got the history of words and doctrines; but as soon as you defile your conscience, by doing evil things, and depart from the principle of grace, you make shipwreck of faith.

But, my friends, as you have a mind to continue and abide in the faith, and in this travel and heavenly journey, [Page 174] I would give you this as a certainty, it may do you good when my head lies low: The way to continue in the church of God, and communion of saints, and to retain your peace with God, is to keep a familiar converse with the truth in your own souls, and it will keep you from falling, and lead and guide you in your way, in your travel and journey to Heaven. As the mother, when the child cries after her, but cannot go, takes it by the hand and leads it, so if you keep close to the truth, it can lead you through all difficulties, through great business as well as little, and deliver you from snares and temptations, and when you are assaulted, it can bring you off clear. As for communion with God, and communion with the saints and people of God, it stands in that peace, and purity, and keeping a holy frame of mind in your heavenly travel, in the undefiled way, that will at last bring you to the unde­filed everlasting rest that remains to the people of God.

YOU cannot but know and be sensible, that a gos­pel-day, a day of grace and salvation, hath dawned upon you, and that the light of it hath broken through many clouds of darkness, which sometimes you could not see through. This is an inestimable and un­speakable mercy of God unto us, that the light of the gos­pel of salvation shineth upon a people, that without it must be miserable.

There hath been a very dark and cloudy day upon our fore-fathers, and also upon us, in the days of our igno­rance. We are apt to wander hither and thither, and to [Page 175] be turned aside with the wind of mens' doctrine, that we could not find a rest, a home or a settlement for our souls, in order to eternal life. And there are many that have cried unto God, that he would please to reveal his way, and to make it known unto them; and they have been apt to covenant with the Lord, that if once they come to a certainty, they would walk in it. Unto such as these the Lord hath bowed his ear, and hath answered them; and in his answering the cry of the soul, he hath brought sal­vation near, and hath revealed the power by which he would bring it to pass, in every particular soul that re­ceiveth the gospel of his Son.

But now friends, you that are sensible of this blessed and glorious visitation of his gospel-day, in which salva­tion is brought near, it is needful for every one to exa­mine their own hearts, whether they have really received the gospel; whether they have received and embraced the great bounty, and unspeakable blessings of the gospel, with which the Lord God of life hath visited us, or whether they have rejected it. For though it is our happiness to know the visitation of life, yet it doth not follow that every one that is visited will be made an heir of it; for there are many that fall short through their unbelief. There are many that have received the gospel, who do disobey the gospel of Christ, and so have not eternal life by it.

When people come to this serious examination of them­selves herein, then the light and grace, that comes from Christ unto every one of us, both to him that rejects it, as well as to him that receiveth it, that will make known to them their state and condition, with respect to the gospel of Christ. For there are a great many, that by an alienation of their minds from the light of Christ Je­sus, are apt to be mistaken in their state, and to make a better judgment of themselves, and of their state inwardly, than really it will amount to in the day that the Lord searcheth and trieth them. But they that make a judgment of themselves, by the openings and discoveries that they have through the light of Chist Jesus (for so we are to do in this weighty matter) they make a judgment of their state and condition, according to the evidence that the Spirit [Page 176] of God bears to their spirits; and this I hope you will all say is a most certain way. For if we go to compare ourselves one with another, and say, I am better than thee, and that man is better than I, here we are liable and subject to a great many errors, where there ought to be none. But if we come to measure and determine our pre­sent state and condition, by the evidence of the Spirit of God, bearing witness with our spirits, here we have a foun­dation to place an infallible and certain judgment upon. And they that are obedient to the gospel of Christ, are capable of giving a sound judgment of their state, because they are made partakers, through Christ, of that grace, and light, and truth, which they should be obedient to; and they are brought into a kind of knowledge and un­derstanding of their duty, whether they do it or no. And this knowledge, and this understanding that God hath given them, makes them capable to pass a right judgment upon their own state. They will not call it a good state, if it be an evil state; and they will not call it an evil state, if it be a good one. They know it is good by the princi­ple of truth in their judgment.

Therefore since there are so many uncertainties in the world, and that men are so apt to take hold of an uncer­tain way of judging and determining, even in matters relat­ing to their souls: There is a greater aptness in people to take hold of uncertainties, in judging about the matters of their souls, than in those things that relates to their bodies. Seeing people are so liable to it, it can do none of us harm to exhort one another, and move and stir up one another, to make a calculation of our states, by something that will not deceive. There are abundance deceived in this coun­try, as well as other countries; we shall not need to go in­to foreign parts to find people deceived and deluded. It will not be amiss to say, the drunkard, the swearer, he liar, the oppressor, the proud, and the malicious, are de­ceived: If they were not so, they would never be over­come by the wicked one; the author of all evil, he hath de­ceived them, in that they should think to go on in these things, and cry peace, peace, to one another, and in their own souls: This is a great delusion; and the devil is the [Page 177] great deluder that they are deluded by: And it would be worth the while to find out that which would make a man think himself in a happy state, and hope to enjoy eternal life, with God and Christ; and when he goes on in sin and iniquity, it would be worth the while to find out the delusion.

There is nothing so proper to turn every one to the grace of God, as to search their own hearts, and try their ways. This is that which will discover their thoughts, and make them known to themselves: This is God's grace and gift to men while they are yet sinners and disobedient; he doth not withhold his grace, but gives his grace, and light and truth, even to the rebellious: He gives gifts to men, even to the rebellious, that he might have a place and dwelling among them, that they might know there is a God that searches the heart, and tries the reins, and judges all unrighteousness. If God hath given thee so much grace, that he might have a dwelling in thy heart, should not that restrain thee from sin, that the devil, by his temptations, might not defile thee, and unfit thee for the kingdom of God? When the Lord comes to search the heart, it is in order to the purging of it, and the taking away of iniquity and sin, that would unfit thee for his kingdom. This is a better way, and more excellent than living to the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts thereof. Let people live ever so much to their own corrupt wills, in pride, wantonness, loosness, and the vanity of their minds, they will not find so much true satisfaction and delight, as in living a holy life, living in the fear of God, and avoiding sin, and keeping themselves from the temptations and snares of the devil.

This is a more excellent way; and it is our work and business to declare to people this more excellent way, which all, one time or other, will confess. This is irksome, some will say; this will abate my pleasure and delights in the world, and spoil my secular interest. If it were not for this reason, they would grant it were better to live a holy life, and to live in the fear of God, than live in the ser­vice of the devil; and their carnal interest lies in the way, and weighs down the scale, but it is because thou joinest with it, otherwise the devil, and all the powers of hell, [Page 178] could not weigh it down. If people would consider these things seriously, they would say, it is better to serve God, that made them, and gave them life, and breath, and be­ing, than him that would destroy them; and then when they meet with the pleasures and delights of the world, that the devil lays before them, they would never weigh down the scale against a Divine Reason: If thou wilt give thy heart to it, and seriously consider it, it will weigh down the scale against all temptations to live in sin, and pleasure, and jollity. If thou wilt but join with this Di­vine Reason, that tells thee these carnal pleasures and en­joyments are not necessary for thy soul, but it is neces­sary to live a holy, heavenly life, and to serve the Lord that gave thee life, and breath, and all things; that hath vouchsafed thee manifold preservations. If thou wilt but join with the Divine Reason, and hearken to that which opens the truth in thine own heart, all the devil can do, cannot make thee serve him; for the devil hath no coer­cion, no power to force thee to commit sin; he cannot make a man work wickedness against his will; he must cloud the understanding, and work upon the will, and al­lure and entice the affections by earthly things. So thou canst not be forced by the devil against thy will, to yield to his temptations, to commit any sin; but thou must say, I will do it.

I confess, when the understanding is bribed, and the will allured and seduced by the devil's temptations, there is no withstanding them. But on the other hand, if men would give up themselves to the power of God, they would have Divine Assistance; and joining with that power, they would be more than conquerors. Therefore we cannot but be en­couraged to keep in the way of the Lord, and have ac­quaintance with the power of God, which will preserve you, and give you victory over all the temptations and assaults of the devil; and without this power you cannot overcome; but if you have the assistance of this power, nothing will be too hard for you. When you are in straits, and in a helpless condition, you sometimes are ready to cry out, I shall not overcome my spiritual enemies; I shall never get victory over sin and the world, [Page 179] the flesh and the devil; and I shall never be able to with­stand his temptations, but they will prevail over me all my days. No wonder you make this conclusion, when you have parted with your trust and dependence on that power that is able to overcome the devil, and baffle him in your thoughts, words and deeds.

You may be ready to say, alas! of myself I can do no­thing; I am not able of myself so much as to think a good thought; yet by Divine Assistance, I do many times think good thoughts. In me, that is, in my flesh, there dwells nothing that is good. Not in my flesh abstractly; separate from the power of God, and the Divine Assistance vouch­safed unto me. In my flesh dwells nothing that is good. But if you take me as one that hath faith in Christ the Mediator, this faith embraceth the tender of the love of God in the Redeemer. And when I have this faith, there dwells a good thing in me; and from this good thing that dwells in me, there flows forth good words and good ac­tions; then you come to be acquainted with a power greater than your own; and if you trust in it, you will be able to withstand temptations. When you are tempted to any sin, you will not only be able to withstand the tempta­tion, but to overcome it too, and to be more than con­querors in your spiritual warfare. This relying upon, and trusting in the power of God, is that which we call faith; and this faith is the operation of God.

To speak in plain words, God will operate upon thy mind, and make thee know, that this is his power, light, truth and grace, by which he would save thee. And af­ter God hath wrought and opened unto thee in this man­ner, it is thy duty then to belive in it, to put thy trust and confidence in it, to be delivered. But though faith be offered unto me, yet it is not forced upon me; God hath offered faith to all men, but he doth not force it upon any. All have an opportunity offered to them; if they will but join with it, they may have saith wrought in them, and be fitted and prepared for the kingdom of God.

There are many that are convinced of the truth of the doctrine that we preach to them, but they do not get into [Page 180] the power of the truth; they will hear us preach of the power of truth, and will hear what this man saith, and what the other man saith; and this will serve their turn, that they may talk of religion, and make a profession: But they do not seek after that power that should enable them to work out their own salvation. These persons grow in knowledge, but they do not grow in grace; they will embrace truth as far as doctrine and words will go; they have professed it, and they have suffered reproach for it, and yet they have not received the truth in the love of it; they cannot reach to the power of it; they glory in their knowledge and in their understanding, but they come not to that which sanctifies them; they are not able to resist the devil, and to stand against his temptations; when a temptation comes, they join with it, but they cannot with­stand it: They come to the knowledge of truth in words, but they come not to the knowledge of the power of it in their hearts and minds, so as to make them prepared ves­sels for God's honour; God is more dishonoured by them than by those that never professed his name: They fall into the temptation of the devil, and never discern the ope­ration of God's power in their own hearts.

Secondly, There is another error as great as this; there are a great many that when the Lord's power hath wrought in their hearts, and they have truth opened to them in the power of it, yet they have not believed in it, they have not had faith wrought in their hearts, they have not trus­ted in it, nor relied upon the power; so they are weak and feeble, they have little faith, which is next to none at all. If they have ever so much knowledge, how easy can the devil tempt them to sin, if they have no faith; this is the victory, saith the apostle, that overcomes the world, even your faith. This is not my victory, that I see the subtilty and wiles of Satan, and know much; but that which is my victory is my faith: My trust is in the power of God, and my reliance upon him who is God, migh­tier than all the strength of men and devils; that God who knows my heart. If I be faithful to him, and rely upon him by faith, I shall resist the devil, and withstanding his temptations, obtain victory over them.

[Page 181]This power you may have by the gospel; but then you must be true to the power of it in yourselves; for I do dis­tinguish between the gospel, as it is a doctrine and word preached, and an invisible, divine power working upon men by the preaching of the gospel; you will all hear the gospel preached, though you be ever so proud and high-mind­ed, and you will say it is true; but you can never come to the saving knowledge of the gospel itself, till you find it work­ing inwardly upon yourselves.

We do not pretend to any power of opening mens hearts, as God opened the heart of Lydia; but when people come to wait upon God with a serious and religious mind, you will find the power of the word working effectually upon you, and so the gospel will become the power of God to your salvation. This is, and shall be my prayer, for all religious assemblies, that the Lord will be pleased to teach them, by his invisible word, and beget living desires in them towards himself, and bring them to an esteem of holiness and righteousness, that they may adorn the gospel of Christ, by living gospel-lives; for want of this, what dishonour have men brought to God, and what reproach upon the gospel. O! that people would come to hear the word preached, with desire to profit by it, and say, Lord, do me some good this day, give me a powerful refreshing visitation at this time; give me some living experience of thy Almighty Power working upon my heart, that I may nor be led by this man's word, or that man's opinion; for if they mistake, I shall be mistaken: But if I build my faith upon what God in his word reveals to me, I shall infallibly know what I am to believe and practise, and I shall receive from God some good thing, and I shall know what is the good and acceptable will of God; I shall find that there is power in the gospel for building me up in the most holy faith, and that it is mighty, through God, for the pulling down of the strong holds of sin and Satan, and I shall see the salvation of God brought near to me.

When the gospel becomes the power of God, and work­eth upon the hearts of men by the operation of the Divine Power, they may distinguish between that faith that is built upon the declarations of men, and that which is [Page 182] wrought by the revelation and discovery of the mind of God in their souls; this is that which we may bottom up­on, and have an anchor sure and stedfast in our own souls; when I depend upon Christ, the rock of ages, both of this age, and all other ages, my faith must be placed upon him; and when I hear the word of a man, I must have an eye to God, that he will reveal his power in my heart; this will make me believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and re­ceive that ingrafted word which is able to save my soul: I shall not only hear the word, but live in obedience to it. What signifies it to make a profession that I have the light within, if I do not give obedience to it? For without that, it is all hypocrisy; all pretence to holiness, or righ­teousness, all mortification, is but hypocrisy, any further than we find the power of truth making an impression upon our hearts and minds, bringing us to the obedience of faith.

Let them therefore that profess righteousness, live righ­teously, and they that hear the gospel, live in obedience to it; and those that profess to be Christians, let them live like Christians indeed: When every one comes to know within himself, so far as the gospel hath shined upon him, that they have received the truth in the love of it, and love the truth as it is in Jesus, and are obedient to the gospel, they shall know the salvation of it. There is a discovery of God's power in the gospel, and there is a believing of it, and trusting in it; this is that which belongs to a Chris­tian, this is the beginning and the first step to a Christian life; we must believe in Christ; for without faith it is im­possible to please God. He that believeth, should be careful to walk in the truth that he hath received, and then he shall have a testimony of the power and virtue of it in his own soul. This virtue and power, if he joins with it, hath the government of his heart and life, and gives him victory over the world, and the temptations of Satan.

You know in the primitive times there were believers that not only held the faith, but loved by faith; and by that faith they got victory over all the allurements, and plea­sures and vanities of the world. I have fought a good fight, saith the apostle, 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a crown [Page 183] of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love its appearing. I have got the victory and there remains an eternal weight of glory for me.

My friends, this is our ambition, and all our labour among you, that you may be built up in the most holy faith; that you may be brought home to Christ, in all your meetings and gatherings together: You should de­sire to be enriched with faith, and to have your own store-house filled with all the fruits of the Spirit, and not only seek for the knowledge of the truth, but be subject and obedient to what you know, otherwise by your religion you will but hurt yourselves. And the apostle Peter, 2 Peter, i, 12, speaks of knowing the truth, and of being established in it, and of some that after they had escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, and the latter end with them is worse than the beginning; for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. There is a power goes along with the preaching of the gospel, that will enable you to do what you know; the gospel is a powerful doctrine, whether you know it or not, or whether you submit to it or not, yet pray remember that God's people are a willing people in the day of his power, they are a certain sort of people that are devoted to God, and submit all their worldly honours, interests, profits and pleasures, to the pleasure of God, and desire no other plea­sure or happiness, but to enjoy his presence and favour; they are satisfied with this, and they are a happy people, being made a willing people in the day of God's power; they are willing to deny themselves, to take up a daily cross and follow Christ, and have salvation upon his terms.

There are a great many professors that have notions, and out-side appearances, but they want that virtue, and life, and power, that should settle them in religion, and a love of the truth. The Lord that knows our hearts, knows that our labour and travel among you hath been designed for your good, and that our hearts desire is, that you may be [Page 184] saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. We would have peo­ple consider, and attend and hear what God speaks, and [...] what he hath taught you by the ministers of the gospel: We have all ears to hear, let us thank God for that; blessed be God that there is a power and an abili­ty of hearing with an outward ear; but there are many that will not so much as give the hearing to what might be spoken to them from the Lord: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; and what he saith to his own soul; hear what the Spirit saith of your own state and condition; if it be good, bless God for it; are you in so good a condition, that you have no trouble, no distress to lament, no wants to supply, blessed are you that have none; but if you find that you have done amiss, and if the Lord should call you this night to give up your account, the Lord hath a great deal against you, I am sure; and I tell you it is your duty to turn to the Lord with unfeigned repentance, that through Christ Jesus, you may receive pardon and remission of all your sins, and hear what the Spirit saith to yourselves, and in yourselves.

Pray come and make it your work and business the rest of the time you have to live, to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, that when Christ comes, you may say, come Lord Jesus, come quickly, purify me and sanctify me, and prepare me to be presented to the Father without spot, and blameless; the day is coming that this will be the desire of every one of you.

And it is the earnest breathing and desire of my soul, that every one of you may have an eye unto the Lord, and he will look down from Heaven, and have regard to the cry and the sighing of the needy soul. God will arise, and find out the people that breathe after him, and that desire to be reconciled to him, through the Mediator Jesus Christ; the Lord loveth to find out such a people, and I am glad to preach to such a people the glad tidings of the gospel, and to teach as God hath taught me; good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach and guide you in the way which you should go. Walk humbly with God; he will resist the proud, but he will give grace unto the humble. Walk uprightly [Page 185] before the Lord in this gospel-day that shines upon you; love the appearance of God, and prize it, though it hath not been so glorious to you, as to some others, yet despise not the day of small things: live in subjection to that grace that the Lord hath given you, and the Lord will give you more grace, and pour out his Spirit, and mul­tiply his blessings upon you; the Lord hath begun a good work in you, and he will carry it on to the day of Christ, and will vouchsafe to bring the glorious day of his visitation upon you.

To the Lord I leave you, to his favour and protection I commit you; remember that there is no salvation but by Jesus Christ, and none to be had by Christ, till you come to believe in him; to him that searcheth the heart, and tries the reins, that pardoneth iniquity, transgression and sin, for the sake of Christ Jesus, the Mediator, to him I do commit you, not doubting but that he that hath begun a good work in you, will at last complete and finish it to his own praise and your salvation.

IT is man's great happiness in this world to have ac­quaintance with God, with the Lord that made him, from whom he hath life and breath here, and his eternal welfare hereafter; this doubtless every one will acknow­ledge one time or other, that peace with God is a great jewel, and the best estate and riches. It is the great desire of every one that they may attain to this one time or other; and there is a great neglect of happiness among the sons and daughters of men, in not seeking of it, and not labouring [Page 186] to attain it while it is to be had; Oh! how many trifle away their time about sliding and perishing objects, and they know at the same instant that they are yet destitute of the favour of God, and peace with him. Oh, friends! the very thoughts and consideration of the worth of this jewel, and of the misery of being without it, and the un­certainty of our time while it is to be attained, might put every one upon a serious, diligent enquiry after the way and means whereby they might attain it, that so they might have a resting-place for their souls, and satisfaction to their in­ward man, that it shall go well with them, when time shall be no more.

And they that come to this consideration, and are resolved in their hearts and minds, that they will labour after this, and set their whole endeavour after it, they will in the first place seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof: These do need a daily encouragement in their way to Hea­ven, and there is nothing on the Lord's part wanting to such souls, but that they may attain their desire.

But alas! this hath been, and is still the misery of thou­sands, they are seeking after peace with God, but they err in the way to it, they do not seek in that way, nor take hold of those methods, by and through which God hath promised peace; you shall scarce meet with any body, but they would have eternal life and peace with God; we shall not need to persuade people to with for, and to desire to have peace with God when they shall come to die, and lay down their heads in the dust. There is not a Balaam, but he desires to die the death of the righteous, and that his last and way be like his: There is not a Scribe, or a Pharisee, or any that profess religion, but they are seeking eternal life. The Lord Jesus did witness concerning them, that they were an envious, proud, persecuting people, yet that they did seek after eternal life, and they pitched upon some methods and ways whereby they thought to get and enjoy it; but all this was error still, they where out of the way of attaining it, and so are a great many people at this very day; they are in a state and condition wherein they are never like to enjoy it; the methods and the ways that they have chosen to themselves, to find eternal life by, and [Page 187] to obtain peace with God, will never answer the end.

And God hath been pleased to discover to us the many by-ways that people have chosen, and seek peace with God by; therefore we are willing at all times, to shew people their error in these great matters of highest concernment to them. If they did err in their way of seeking to obtain some earthly good, and missed their end, they know the price of it, it is but a loss of so much, which if they had taken a right course, they might have attained; but it is an unspeakable loss, an inestimable loss, if they lose peace with God, and all the pains and labour they are at to obtain it.

I beseech you, friends, consider these things, they are of great weight, and you will say so one day or other; for, saith our Saviour, what will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? O! How sad is it to consider, that a man hath not made provision for his soul, that he hath not a place of rest for his immortal soul, and that the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ are not open to receive his soul, when his body can retain it no longer! If this be a man's state when he comes to die, it had been better for him that he had never been born: Men may live and gather riches, and enjoy a plentiful estate; but if they be destitute of the favour of God, and peace with him, what will they do with these perishing enjoyments? They cannot possibly sa­tisfy themselves with these transitory, visible things; but if these persons only mind their bodies, and neglect their souls, do they not live like the beasts that perish? The beast seeks after his meat, and when he finds it, he eats it with delight and pleasure, and in a little while he lies down and dies, and there is an end; so it is with careless souls, that have no regard to their future state; but they say, let us eat, and drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we shall die.

Oh! that every one of us did apply our hearts seri­ously to the consideration of the weight of these things that concern our eternal state; if persons did this, then they might come to an enquiry into their own souls, what method and way is most safe for the attaining of so bles­sed an end. For you know there are abundance of people, if you look up and down in the world, you will see [Page 188] every body almost hunting up and down in some way of religion or other, and are engaged in religious performances: What is the matter? what would you have? We would have peace with God here, and everlasting rest hereafter in the kingdom of Heaven; that we would have. Thus have the nations been scattered and driven up and down in the pursuit of happiness and satisfaction.

There is a general belief amongst people, that there is a Heaven, and a Hell, and that they must have their part in one of them; there are none that desire a portion in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Those prophane wretches that cry to God to damn them, they do not mean what they speak, they would be saved for all that; every one will cry at last, Lord have mercy upon me, if he hath but time to say so: Let us cry, Lord have mercy upon me now; Lord bestow thy savour upon me; Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me; Lord touch my hard heart, and soften it and break it, by the power of thy Spirit; open mine eyes, that I may see the wonderful things of thy law; open mine ears, that I may hear thy voice. It is good for people to make use of time while they have it; whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, and God will pour out his wrath upon those that call not upon his name. He that calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved; and God gives great encouragement to people to seek after him.

What mean you by seeking after God? I have gone to church, and said my prayers; I have gone in the way which my fathers have led me, and directed me, I hope I shall find mercy at last; I am a believer, I believe in Jesus Christ that died for my sins, and rose again for my justification; I hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, I shall be saved. What mean you by seeking after the Lord? Do not we all hear of him, and pray to him every day?

Is there any thing more common than this, that peo­ple speak to one another generally about? as for the ge­neral knowledge of God, you and I may see to our sor­row, that a great many [...] Lord, Lord, that are never like to enter into the kingdom of God. If all that take the name of God in their mouths, should enter into the [Page 189] kingdom of Heaven, it would be a very foul kingdom: If all the drunkards and whoremongers of England, and all prophane ungodly persons, that will take the name of God in their mouths, should enter into the kingdom of Heaven, it would be a very unclean and impure king­dom; there is nothing enters there that is unclean, that is abominable, that loveth to make a lie. So that there must be some more peculiar people that shall have an abun­dant entrance into the kingdom of God; and there must be something that will entitle them to it. For you may remember our Saviour saith, no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal him. So much as may be known of God by works, you and I may know, without the revelation of Christ; we need not wait for this knowledge, we can have it by books; we can have it by Christ's revelation. Nothing would serve some in our Saviour's time, but eternal life; and our Lord Jesus bids them search the scriptures, for in them (saith he) you think to have eternal life, and they are they which tes­tify of me. Yet for all the profession they made, he tells them, no man hath seen God at any time, neither seen his shape, nor heard his voice; they were strangers to God, though they had a general knowledge of God.

So it is at this day; there is a general knowledge of God, and people hope to obtain peace with God, and eter­nal life. Their parents and their tutors have instructed them in the principles of Christianity, and about the at­tributes of God; but all this will not bring a man to a saving knowledge of God, and reconciliation with him: For a man that is as wicked as the devil can make him, knows these things, and yet may be a servant of the de­vil, and do his work; he is not born again, and become a child, In all his external knowledge. Now he that de­sires to come to the true, saving knowledge of God, our Saviour hath told us, that none knows the Father but the Son, and him to whom the Son will reveal him; this is a sure way to come to the true knowledge of God, by Jesus Christ; he hath the key that openeth the heart, and he will bring us to the true knowledge of God the Fa­ther. Christ hath the key of David, which openeth, and [Page 190] no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. He can bring us to behold the glory of God in his own face; without him we are never like to come to the saving know­ledge of God.

Poor man is in a lapsed, fallen state, he is fallen into sin, and is in a state of alienation from God, and therefore he cannot come to him but by a Mediator; there is one Medi­ator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, and he must make peace for him, else he will never have it: How then shall we come to Christ, if he is the only means, and there is no other by which we may come to the knowledge of God, as the scripture speaks? Hearken to it, how may we come to Christ? I answer, you will never come to him; if he first come not to you, you will never be able to do it. It is not coming to Christ, when you say, you do believe that Christ died and rose again, and ascended up into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, and lives forever to make intercession for his people, and to read those words and doctrines which he preached up and down at meetings, and solemn assemblies; but if you believe that he is the eternal Son of God, and the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him, you must come to him, and entirely give up your­selves to his glory and service; without this, you cannot come to him, nor will he bring you to the Father: Christ is come near to us, he stands at the door of our hearts, and he stands and knocks: Behold! that is a word that calls for attention, for people to take notice of. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; what dost thou knock for? saith Christ, that thou mayest open the door of thy heart; for if any man open, I will come and sup with him, and he with me, and my Father will come to him, and we will make our abode with him.

Now people are loth to be at this pains and trouble, to open the door of their hearts to Christ, for they will not believe it is Christ that knocks, and that rebukes and checks them, when they refused to open to him; when they find something within that reproves them for their sin, and doth condemn them that they cannot be at quiet, they will never believe that this is Christ: How can this be Christ? they say, He is ascended up to Heaven, and he is at the right hand of [Page 191] God the Father: Will you make me believe that this is Christ knocking at the door of my heart? I cannot believe it: But what saith our Saviour, unless you believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins: For there is nobody else can help you out of them

There is a two-fold consideration that we are to have of Christ; one is, as he was made of a woman, made under the law; and another consideration of Christ is, as he is the eternal Son of God. Men have very gross thoughts of Christ, to think, that because he is in Heaven, therefore he cannot be here too: They measure him by themselves; they know because a man is at London, therefore he cannot be at York at the same time. Thus these men object, if Christ is in Heaven, how can he be here? His doctrine and precepts are here, let us make use of them all; he will come again at the day of judgment; but this is a day of judg­ment: Doth not he judge you now? He is the judge both of quick and dead, and he is the searcher of hearts, and the trier of the reins; so that thou canst not think an ill thought, but he will tell thee of it; he is nearer to thee than the wife of thy bosom, or thy husband that is near to thee: Husband and wife may think an ill thought, but they cannot tell one another of it; but Christ is one that comes so near thee, that thou canst not conceive an ill thought against thy neigh­bour, but he will tell thee of it.

This is the Lord Christ, as a Spirit, a quickening Spirit, who is made manifest in the flesh: He hath given to every man a measure of the Spirit to profit withal: The grace of God which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men. Notwithstanding the distinction of learned men between common grace and spiritual grace, this grace that brings sal­vation, hath appeared unto all men. This manifestation of the Spirit and light within, we have from Christ. These are the ways and methods that the Lord Christ hath taken to approach near to us. Now your own reason will tell you, if this be the way and means that Christ takes to approach near to us, we cannot take another way to approach to him: If Christ hath taken, I say, this way to approach to us, by the light and manifestation of his own Spirit, which con­vinceth us of sin: If this be Christ's way of coming to us, [Page 192] there can be no other way of our coming to him, but by the same method of his grace. He saith, if you have the light, believe in the light. I have the light, I am enlighten­ed, there is something that discovereth my evil thoughts: Why must I believe in the light? That you may be children of the light, as our Saviour speaks; they that are the chil­dren of the light shall have it for their inheritance; and they that are children of darkness, must have darkness for their inheritance: While we have the light, we must believe in it, and we shall be made children of the light: God hath sent his Son, and the Son hath sent his Spirit and his heavenly grace into our hearts, that we may draw near to him, and be directed how to attain acquaintance with him, and to do that which pleaseth God, and come to be in union with him, and do the works of God. This is that which God requires of us, that we will believe on him whom he hath sent; that we may embrace the light, and believe in the light, in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray what do you mean by believing? There is something within me checks and reproves me for sin, and calls me off from it, and bids me turn over a new leaf: Must I hearken to this? Is this that which you mean by believing? As to this degree of believing, they that reject it now, shall believe it heareafter; for all the world at last, and the damned in hell shall certainly confess that there was grace, and light, and means afforded to them, and they might have gone farther, and escaped that misery that they are fallen into.

But there is a more precious faith that I would have you partake of, a faith that worketh by love. Since the Lord hath been so gracious as to extend his mercy and love to me, I am so taken with the love of God, that I will be obedient to him; this faith that worketh by love, is the saith of God's elect; that by which we may obtain victory over our pas­sions and lusts, and over satan and the snares of the world; when we are come to close with the grace of God, and to believe in Christ, this is well: But we must also yield obedience and subjection. Yet when faith hath brought forth obedience, you cannot be justified by it, you cannot be saved by your obedience, but Christ alone: He is the [Page 193] author and finisher of our faith, and a Mediator from first to last.

Now all that come to close with the appearance of Christ in their own heart, they have laid hold of the method ap­pointed for their coming to him. It is Christ they must hear; he is come so near to men that they may hear his voice, and hear him tell us our very thoughts. Why should not I hear him when he checks me and reproves me for sin? He comes near and tells me that I have done amiss; Lord, I have done iniquity, I will do so no more. Thus Christ converseth with his people, and doth not only check and reprove them, when they do that which is evil, but per­suades them and enables them to do good. He is a Medi­ator, he is a middle person, and hath taken flesh upon him, that he might reconcile them to God, that do believe in him.

Now, when we come to have acquaintance with God, and have chosen him to be our God, he teaches us to do what is good, and reproves us for what evil we have done. Who can choose a better guide, to lead him into acquaintance with God, than Christ that is conversant with us, piercing into our thoughts, and speaking to us? I may hear him with the inward ear of my heart; when I do evil he checks me for it, and tells me the thing I should seek is of inestimable value; and if through my unbelief and carelesness I miss of it, it had been better for me that I had never been born; now we are in the way of coming to receive the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls, let us not neglect so great salvation. No man can save himself, nor save the soul of his brother, nor find a ransom, nor procure an offering for the expiating of his sin; therefore let every one that would have his sin expiated and pardoned, and cannot be satisfied and quieted, till he hath peace with God; let him come to Christ, the Mediator, and come with faith and truth in the inward parts, and submit to him, and be willing to be ruled by him, then Christ will save him, and present him without spot and blemish to his father.

Consider that those that are the people of God, are led by the Spirit of God. They miss their way to reconciliation with God, that love any other way, or think to come to God any other way than by Jesus, the Mediator, their la­bour [Page 194] will be lost: Therefore I must exhort and persuade you that are out of the way, that you would take God's me­thod, and come into God's way. The terms, I have told you, are made already; the bargain is not to make now; I will give so much to be at peace with God, or I will part with this or the other thing that is dear to me. No, the agreement is made between God and Christ, and his covenant is ordered in all things, and sure; and his covenant stands sure with none, but those that are in Christ Jesus. There was a covenant made with Abraham; in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. The promise is made to the seed, that is, to those that are in Christ; the faithful are counted the seed; now the faithful are those that are obedient to Christ, who is the seed of the promise, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed. They must come to Christ the seed, they must not rebel against him; they must come to him, and believe in him; be there never so many nations and families in the world, the promise is not to them, but to as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Here is the way for people to lay hold of, for their coming into acquaintance with God, which is of so great necessity before they die; they must come to Christ him­self by his Spirit in their own hearts. We need not go to this and the other learned man, and enquire of this and the other sort of people; but we must cry to God for help and direction, and come unto him, and give up all the powers and faculties of our souls to him, to be governed by him: God will have servants that will be obedient to him; if ever we come to obtain salvation, we must have another master, one is your master, even Christ; I must come under the government of Christ, and he must lead me, and rule me, if I will be a child of God.

When people come to see there is no effectual way, but submitting to the grace of God in their own hearts, and yielding themselves up to the dictates of the Spirit of Christ in their souls; when they come to this, there are many hazards and difficulties to be encountered with; there is the appearance of the cross of Christ, and we [Page 195] must take up this cross if we will follow Christ, and be obedient in all things unto him. This is that which will kill all my pleasure, lay waste all my religion, and de­stroy my hopes; I must be like a man that built a house without a good foundation; I must pull it all down again, and I must come to build up again upon a new foundation.

Here many have turned aside, the cross of Christ hath seemed to them so sharp, and hard and intolerable, that they could not bear it; they would not be at the charge of such a religion; what, must I part with all my delights, and my beloved lusts and pleasures, and all my inter­ests in the world for Christ? I cannot part with these, these things lie in my way, I must rather lose my soul than part with what is so grateful to me, and join with the light of mine own conscience, and the truth in my inward parts; what, must not I have so much as liberty of thought? What, must my thoughts be regulated by that which is so cross and repugnant to my mind? Must I throw out all evil thoughts out of my heart, and suffer none but good thoughts to remain there? Who can stand here? Who can bear such strictness as this? Rather than endure this, I will choose to lose my soul; many have lost the truth on this account, and many are in danger to lose their souls.

If there be in you any desire of peace with God, that you may not go hence before you have attained it, take hold of the present opportunity; hardness of heart is a des­perate plague, it comes from a long obstinate continuance in sin; when we have withstood the day of God's patience and long-suffering, and grieved the Holy Spirit of God; then God giveth us up to our own hearts lusts, because we will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely; when we stop our ears, and will not attend to the calls of God; when men will go on, and nothing can stop them, in the career of their lusts and pleasures, but they will retain their carnal delight and friendship with the world; this hard­ness of heart is a desperate plague; take heed of it, that it doth not overtake you, and bring ruin and destruction upon you: Consider the patience and long-suffering of God, and [Page 196] let his goodness lead you to repentance: Consider God hath waited to be gracious to you, he hath exercised much long-suffering and patience towards you; whereas he might have cut you off long ago, and given you your portion with the damned in hell; but he hath hearkened to the Mediator that hath pleaded for you; he hath extended his patience and long-suffering to the wicked and rebellious also; and for this reason, the apostle tells us, that Christ is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe.

Now the patience and long-suffering of God hath been lengthened out to all, and we have not improved it. Con­science hath been sensible of the inward strokes and rebukes of God for sin, and of the inward calls of his grace to bring us to repentance; but we have not regarded these calls, nor hearkened to the voice of God, so as to hear, that our souls might live; O! let us not put off our repentance any longer; but to-day, while it is called to-day, let us hear his voice, and harden not our hearts, but be of a tender heart; let our hearts be softened, and tendered under the word of God, and under the strokes of his judgment. If ever the Lord bring you under a tender frame, you will receive the word of God with meekness, and mix it with faith; then it will work effectually to the amendment of your lives; it will work faith in those that are unbelievers, and strengthen the faith of those that believe. Then we shall have cause to bless the Lord, and praise and magnify his great name for his patience, long-suffering and mercy, which at this day he hath lengthened out, and graciously extended to us.

THE institution of the Christian religion was for this purpose, that holiness and righteousness might be brought forth in the earth; that God, through his Son Jesus Christ, might take delight in the sons and daughters [Page 197] of men, that they might be reconciled to him; for that which the law could not do, by reason of its weakness, God hath had a purpose to do by his Son, and to him he gave all power in Heaven and Earth, that thereby he might be enabled to perform the great work of God, in establishing righteousness, and in bringing forth a holy people, to serve a holy God. This is the great blessing that is come to us, and to all man­kind, through our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, that came to turn every one from the evil of their ways. That is the way and method by which our Lord Jesus accomplish­ed the end of his coming, and the will of his Heavenly Fa­ther; Moses and all his washings, offerings, and sacrifices, could not make clean and purge the conscience; and by all his offerings and sacrifices, he could not reconcile us to God: But Jesus, by his once offering himself did forever perfect them that are sanctified; and by one offering, reconciled us to the Father, and so brings forth a holy generation unto God, through regeneration and the sanctification of the Spirit.

And seeing the Lord hath been pleased in the riches of his grace to open this new and living way, for man's return­ing again into unity and fellowship with his Maker, the question, my friends, that I would put to you on the behalf of God, is, for all of you to consider, whether it is not best for every one of us to lay hold of salvation, to lay hold of that blessing wherewith the Lord hath blessed us, that so the principal institution of Christianity might not only be named and spoken of, but might come to be enjoyed and witnessed in every one of our own souls; and that all might wait with expectation on the Lord Jesus Christ, for fulfilling of this great work in themselves.

There is a general notion among people, that Heaven is a holy place, and that nothing that is unclean can enter into it, to have a habitation there, when time in this world shall be no more with us; and that time which we have given us, I am sure is given us of God, as an opportunity of fitting and preparing us for his dwelling-place; and every day and hour of it ought to be employed in that great work, that so we might draw nearer and nearer to that state and condition that suits and befits that holy dwelling where saints and angels, for evermore, praise the great and glorious God: So that I [Page 198] am persuaded you believe, that you and all of us, are to be accountable to God for all the time he hath bestowed upon us, whether we use it to the purposes for which he hath given it, or whether we mispend our time upon those things that are not profitable to us; and upon these considerations, we had need all of us to take heed to our present state that we are come to, and are arrived at in the present time; as for the future time, that we all know we are not sure of; and the future state that we may hope to come to, there is no certainty of it, unless there be an improvement of the present time, and the opportunities of our present state: Therefore every one should apply their hearts unto the seeking of wisdom and understanding, and unto God, that he may give us to understand our state, and our present fitness or unfitness for the kingdom of glory and hap­piness, and of that holy dwelling we hope to enjoy forever.

If I will but turn my mind inward, to the serious consi­deration of my present state and condition, I can tell whe­ther I am fit or unfit to approach God's presence; and if I find I am unfit, I must have recourse to the divine working of that great power, which God hath ordained and appointed for this purpose; I must come to him to work all my works in me, and for me, according to his good pleasure; and that he will never do, unless it be by crossing me in my carnal pleasures and corrupt inclina­tions; for that which pleaseth man, doth not please God: And God will not revoke the holy scriptures, that tell us, that they which live in pleasure, are dead while they live; they that are indulgent to their own affections, and their own delights, and their own humours, they are not at all ready to please and glorify God; they are not fitted for it, therefore he never sanctifies, nor brings any into a true Christian state, but through a daily cross; so that if I am not already fitted and prepared to do that which is pleas­ing to God, I may be fitted by taking up a daily cross, to glorify God here, and enjoy him forever.

What those things are that you are to do, I need not tell you, nor what you have done. I judge no man: There is one that judgeth, he will tell you if you ask him, what your state and condition is; he will tell the [Page 199] drunkard, if he ask him, whether he is fit for Heaven; and also the proud and haughty persons whether they are fit for Heaven: Let such as are guilty of these or any other sins, enquire of the oracle in their own bosoms, am not I fit for Heaven, notwithstanding all this? He will tell thee no, there is no unclean thing shall enter there, nothing that defiles, nothing that hurts or oppresses; the proud, peevish, malicious person, that is hurtful to others, that hurts his neighbour, is shut out. There shall in no wise enter into Heaven any thing that defileth, Rev. xxi, 27. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and mak­eth a lie, Rev. xxii, 15. None shall enter into the holy city of God, but those that are purified and purged from all iniquity: Therefore God hath sent his son Jesus, see­ing none else could do it: Moses and the Prophets could not do it, therefore he sent Jesus to bless us, in turning every one of us from our iniquities, and from our evil ways; one man hath this evil way, another that evil way: It is all one to him; his work is to turn every one of us from our evil ways.

But why then (you may say) are so few turned from their evil ways throughout Christendom, where Christ is believed in, professed, read and heard; that yet so few are converted and turned? for we see great numbers of liars, swearers, drunkards, and unclean persons among us, where Christ is cried up at a mighty rate, and yet peo­ple are not turned from the evil of their ways; there is something sure that is the reason of it.

I would have all of you consider what the reason of it is, that those that profess to be Christians, are not turned from the evil of their ways; for Christ hath all power in Heaven and Earth committed to him, and he is able to do it, and he was sent from God on purpose to do it; but this is a certain truth, it is not done; and what is the reason of it? He came to his own, and his own received him not; what is the reason? He hath caused his grace to appear to every man in the world, and yet they are not taught by it. Here is an object of faith for all, and God hath offered faith to all men, since he hath raised [Page 200] up Jesus from the dead, yet men have it not: What is the reason that this nation, as well as other nations, have been puzzled about it, to find out things that are so plain in scripture, in relation to the love of God to mankind, and in relation to Christ Jesus the Saviour, and so lit­tle of this work is wrought among us?

Some say there is never a man in the world turned from the evil of their ways; they live in sin, and they are un­der a fixed necessity of continuing in it, and lying under it all the days of their lives, for all this belief of the love of God, and the power of Christ, and the profession of it: Some say there is never a Christian in the world can live one day without sin, but will defile himself with one thing or another; that the devil will prevail over men, and sin mix itself with our prayers and alms, and all our holy duties; so that there is nothing clean; nothing pure that We can perform to God. There are others that are not so rash in their judgment, and not so inconsiderate, but they will believe some men and women may come to a power and ability to withstand satan, and resist him in his temptations; and that there are those that have been turned from the evil of their ways, but they are not; What is the matter? You have spent time about this, what is the reason you are not turned from the evil of your ways? The devil hath told the people in former days, that the reason why men live in sin, is, because God hath appointed it so to be: And that hath stopt the mouth of many a plain-hearted tender Christian; they have cried un­to God under the weight of their sin, and they see no deliverance after all their prayers and tears, because they have been told they cannot do it, and that God hath ap­pointed it should be so, and required them to do what they cannot do; and with some the custom of sin hath taken away the sense of sin, and they go on to perdition in their security.

I hope, my friends, that God hath opened your eyes, and that you have better thoughts of God, than that he hath set you a work and a labour to do, and by his eternal power and decree, hath ordained that you should never do it, but damn you after all. Consider, there are men and women in [Page 201] bondage and captivity, and God hath sent his Son into the world to redeem them from all iniquity, and turn them from their evil ways; we are nor turned, what is the reason of it? I beseech you in the love of God, be serious in this matter; serious you must be, one time or other; when you come to the tribunal of God, there must be a reason given, or if not, you must be speechless; therefore find it out here. What is the reason that I am not turned from my evil ways, since God hath sent his Son Jesus to do it, and given him power to do it; why then is it not done?

Some persons upon enquiry, and after their search, have brought forth this reason: They have alleged the great power the devil hath: The devil is so strong, and hath such a power to darken their minds, and enchant their affec­tions; he injects and brings things into their minds before they are aware of it. I confess this, and I will say a little to it, I will confess as much as the argument will bear, that the devil hath great power, and a way of injecting things into the spirits and affections of people: He is God's enemy and ours too, and he lies in wait, and will do as much as he can against us, that no one shall get to Heaven; if we come thither, it shall be against his will: I have heard some magnify the devil's power to such a degree, that he hath such power over a man or woman, that he is able to keep them in sin all their life, though God hath put forth the exceeding greatness of his power for their redemption: This is hard to believe, that the devil is stronger than Christ Jesus: Well, as great as his power is, we are in a capacity of knowing a greater power; the apostle did comfort the Christians, not­withstanding all the power the devil used with them to de­file them, and keep them from inheriting the kingdom of God, 1. John i. 4. You are of God, little children, and have overcome, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. I would have you believe this; I do believe it heartily, the devil only rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience; and he that hath the Holy Ghost in him, hath one greater than he that is in the world: If you believe this, then the question is thus far answered, that we have a Sa­viour, a Deliverer, that is more able to redeem us, than the devil is to keep us in bondage: I hope we are pretty well, [Page 202] now we know we have a keeper: We are assaulted with the devil's temptations, and they are powerful; how powerful? He hath so much power, as he finds in us an inclimation to yield and join with his temptations: If he comes with a temptation to a man or woman that hath no inclination to that thing he tempts them to; if they hate that thing, then there is an end of it: The devil's power lies in this, when he brings a temptation that I have an inclination to, then he hath a party within me; if that be rooted out, what signifies his power, let him bring ever so many temptations?

There are many of you that understand what I say; if a temptation comes to a man to commit an act of uncleanness, if he be a chaste man, there is no inclination in him to yield to it, or join to it, he hates it, it is an abomination in itself, and grievous and provoking to God, if he doth it; a man abhors it, then what powerful temptation is it? If it light upon a man of an unclean mind, that is defiled in his heart, he hath not only the devil, but his own lust and corrupt in­clination to contend with; but if a man believeth in Christ, he relies upon him, and he will say, Lord, thou seest I am under temptation; here is a great and powerful temp­tation, I can never withstand it, but I trust in thy name and power, do thou arise and deliver me from it: Thus when God doth arise, his enemies will be scattered; tho' the devil's power be great, yet there is a deliverer that is stronger than he: The reason of mens being overcome, doth not lie in the greateness of the devil's power, but in the frailty of our nature.

Some will say, that our natures are so frail, weak and depraved, that we can do nothing as as we ought to do; this is given for another reason, and there is truth in it, but that truth is but a delusion; they would excuse themselves when they have yielded to a temptation, I am weak and frail, I cannot resist the devil; though the devil is not stronger than Christ, yet he is stronger than I, he worketh with all his might, power, and subtilty to deceive me, and ensnare me, and overcome me; I am a poor, frail creature, therefore I must yield to him: This is a carnal reason; as tho' I were to grapple with the devil in mine own strength, and to deliver my soul, as if God hath lest me to myself: If thou say, [Page 203] Lord, thou hast set me to grapple with the devil, and to withstand his temptations, Lord I am not able to do it my­self; God will answer thee, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, that is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto me by him; so that thou art not to overcome the devil by thine own power and ability: If any man reason thus, his reason is out of doors; for we are saved by Christ, therefore I cannot plead my own frailty, seeing God hath provided a rock for my defence that is stronger and higher than I, that I may trust and rely upon.

So that you see the frailties of our nature is not a suf­ficient reason, we must seek further for it yet; and when we come to search narrowly, and to the bottom of our hearts, I will tell you here it rests; it hath its centre in the perverseness of the will that is in man, that is con­trary to the will of God; it is the opposition of our will to the will of God; we may talk what we will of salva­tion and Christianity, that we have a mind to be saved, and go unto God when we die, and to enjoy the happiness of Heaven to eternity: We may talk thus; but as long as the perverseness of the will continues, I am the cause of my own ruin; if I grow in a profession, this perverse will, will grow up with me under that profession, and un­der any profession; change your judgment and opinion as often as you list, this will go along with you; the rea­son and the bottom of things will come to this, none can overcome the devil, nor be a disciple of Christ, without a daily cross. When people come to this, to see a ne­cessity of taking up the cross of Christ, and denying them­selves; when it comes to this, there are such shifts and evasions, and arts that men have to cover themselves, to make themselves and others believe, that such and such a thing is consistent with the will of God, and that they may do it, and save their own souls; but they boast of their own deceit, and are glad that they can make a shift to deceive their own souls; so that there is no hopes of their ever being purged and cleansed, and of having any holy work brought forth by them; but when a man comes to be sensible of his spiritual condition, and is sin­cere and honest, he will be ready to say unto God, if I [Page 204] be deceived in any thing, open mine eyes. Lord; if I in­dulge myself in any thing that hath a contrariety to thy holy will, Lord, I beseech thee discover it to me; such a man will lay aside his own will, if it be contrary to God's will: Now here is one that is a very fit object for Christ to work upon; he will not be long before he be savingly convinced. When a man comes to the word, he is convinced of such an evil in his conscience, where nobody but God and himself were privy to it, or had any knowledge of it. It is discovered that he liveth in such a practice as is contrary to the mind of God. God hath convinced thee, that thou lovest it, and livest in it, and if thou wilt but break off that evil practice, that he hath sent his Son Jesus Christ to turn thee from every evil way, and to redeem thee from all iniquity.

This truth hath a savour in it; and if thou art sincere and upright, there is nothing for thee to say or do, but to set thyself against every thing that is contrary to the mind of God, and thou wilt have light from Heaven sent to guide thee and direct thee in thy way thither; if thou wilt but receive that grace that is freely given of God unto thee through Jesus Christ, he will certainly purge thee and cleanse thee from thy sin, and turn thee from every evil way, notwithstanding the perverseness of thine own will and the power of satan; and he will work in thy heart by his grace, till it hath brought thee off from thine ini­quity, and wrought iniquity out of thee, and so bring forth a holy work to God.

Without faith it is impossible to please God: We cannot please God without faith, nor with it neither, unless it be the gift of God. There is a great deal of faith in this nation, and in this city; but do you believe all their ways are pleasing to God? We must distinguish of faith here; [...] the apostle would give a description of saving faith, he tells you, that it is the operation of God; if I have not that operation, and a regard to it, how can I have that working? But since it is the dispensation of the gos­pel of Christ, and design of Christ, to turn people to the operation of God in their own hearts, we would have them believe it.

[Page 205]If there be a drunkard or a prophane person, if God work faith in his heart, he will be convinced and say, what a stroke hath the Lord given upon my conscience, and he will see it is the Lord's work: Then believe, whoever thou art, and lay hold of this, for this is the operation of God upon a believing soul, the stroke of God's hand and the power of God, and then thou hast the work of faith, by which faith thou art enabled to keep thyself from that thing that God smote thee for, and before he gives thee over, the same hour thou wilt find the same hand smiting thee for another sin; this will be like fire in thy bones, kindling up thy zeal and hatred against thy sin, and will kindle in thee a high fire of love to God, that hath not let thee lie in thy misery, but minded thy condition, and had compassion on thee: This love God will shed abroad, which will run over thy heart, he hath shed abroad his love, saith the apostle, Rom. v. upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost, to constrain us to yield obedience; when thou fallest into the way of saith, which is the operation of God, the de­vil comes and knocks and bounces on this side and that, but God will not fail to give thee power to withstand temp­tation.

The Lord Jesus Christ worketh in people's hearts, to turn them from the evil of their ways, that so he may bring forth holiness and righteousness, and redeem a people from under the bondage of sin, and fit them for the kingdom of his Father, and to use the apostle's words, present them before the throne of God, without spot and blameless; he will purify them, and sprinkle them from an evil conscience; their bodies being washed with pure water, he will sanctify the creature; his word is nigh them, and in their hearts, he begins a work in many, and will carry it on in one, and in another.

Here lies the chief work, it is the good hand of God must work all our works in us, and for us, according to the good pleasure of his will: Work in you a willingness to bear the cross of Christ, and to deny yourselves; he will operate for you for this purpose, therefore you must commit your­selves to him.

It is not our preaching which will convert men to God, but it is the work of God that is pure, which converts the [Page 206] soul to God, and that cleanses, fits and prepares it for the kingdom of Heaven, Psalm xix. 7. We must come to the word of God, that will convince us, reprove us, strength­en, encourage and illuminate us, and do in us and for us all that we stand in need of: To him be all the praise that worketh all in you, and prepares you to be a peculiar people to himself. The word of his grace I commit to you all, take heed of doing any thing contrary to it; if you do, that which would be your comfort, will be your condemnation.

IF I should say no more, there is that in every one's conscience that will make application; if he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his, you may say, whose is he then? If they be none of Christ's that have not his Spirit, whose are they? They are all his whose Spirit rules them, every one of us doth belong to him whose Spirit ruleth over us, unto whose power we are subjected. You know this distinguisheth people in the world, one king knoweth his subjects from another king's subjects; they are under the obedience of this, that, and the other king or prince, his law is over them, they are subject to it; so here is a decision of all the people in the world, whom they belong to.

We, all of us, I hope, do expect there will be a de­cision at the day of judgment, and believe the things we read concerning it, that there will be a decision, and some will be placed on the right hand, and some on the left; some will have the sentence of, come ye blessed, and others the sentence of, go ye cursed; but now there is a way of finding out the decision of the matter before we go out of the world, before the day of judgment, when there will be no remedy, what then is, must be and abide so; now there is no need it should continue so; if it be amiss, it may be mended; if I do not belong to the right prince, if I be not under the right power and spirit, I may be, for now it is a day of grace, a day of mercy; I have been a rebel to the right prince, I may be par­doned and taken into favour; it is far better for people [Page 251] to know their state now, than to know it then, because then there will be no remedy.

The apostle, in laying down fundamental, apostolical doctrines, that were to be believed and taken notice of, and are in our age, so that we may say, things written of old time, were written for our learning; he makes this affirmation and position of doctrine, he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his, he doth not belong to him; tho' he be called a Christian, he is not a Christian, if he hath not the Spirit of Christ; it is but a name he hath got, he hath not that which makes him essentially so, for nothing can make a Christian, but having the Spi­rit of Christ; therefore when they would vindicate their being Christians, they prove it thus; for he (speaking of God) hath sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, and we know the mind of Christ; we know him that is true, or we are in him that is true; these things, if they were right, if they were true, were evident demonstrations that they were a sort of men who depended more upon the Spirit and spiritual teachings, and spiritual guidance, than upon all the rules and methods of teaching that were in the world.

I speak of this, friends, because you know as well as I, how averse this age of ours hath been, to have any thing spoken of spiritual dispensations, or about spiritual teach­ings; though a man hath been counted formerly a wise man, a learned man, or a man of parts, if once he come to smatter out a little about inward teaching, it is enough to spot him, and make him ridiculed of his acquaintance, as if there were no such thing in the world: We have a book, called the bible, it is from one end to the other full of such expressions, of being led by the Spirit; you have an anointing which teacheth you all things: The whole tenor of the New Testament is about spiritual teachings and divine operations, and of faith being the operation of God; and the Old Testament hath abundance of expressions by way of prophecy, that in the New Testament days, if people would look for the law of God, they must look for it in their hearts; and if they would know God, they must look to the Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ: The [Page 252] New Testament also directs us that way; Christians should be the most spiritual people in the world, that is the guide, the rule.

But, say they, the scripture is the foundation of faith and manners, belief and practice; this is too often but dissimulation, and I am afraid it is to be found in some; what, is the scripture the rule of faith? and may people believe what they find in scripture? Yes, but say some, it is best be aware for fear of error. What is in the scripture is serious, sound and ortho­dox, and did Quakers, think you, never find in scripture that people were to wait for the Spirit, and pray in the Spirit, and serve God in the Spirit, and that all religion that is not in power, is not available, did they not find it in scrip­ture? And you that are not Quakers, did you ever read the New Testament? How came it to pass that ye never found these texts? But some people read and read the New Tes­tament twenty times over, and mock and deride, and perse­cute a man that shall speak of the Spirit's teaching.

I have admired at it, how intelligent men, to whom God hath given a competent understanding, should be so blinded; they have learned to read English, and they have read the New Testament over several times, and the Old Testament too, and they have read those sentences of Christ's doctrine, that do so currently and unanimously speak of divine teach­ings and spiritual operations, spiritual worship and spiritual religion, that must have some motion and stirring of the Holy Ghost to be the original of it, and that all others are not ac­ceptable to God; doubtless they have read these things, but I have often desired and do still desire that they would read it again once more, and try and see what God will do; he hath oftentimes made use of the holy scripture as a means to awaken people and to open their understandings, and let them see the mind of the spirit by which the scripture is written, and the next time if they can find scripture text and apostolical doctrine, to teach people to wait upon the Spirit, I hope they will leave scoffing and mocking.

It hath been hitherto looked upon as an invention, to speak of the teaching of the Spirit, and waiting upon the Spirit, and being moved by the Spirit. This apostolical doctrine, prayer and worship, hath been looked upon as an invention [Page 253] that we have brought in: To look for the Holy Ghost in that way that was never known to our fathers, is a fantastical conceit of the Quakers, say they: To tell people they must be led by the Spirit in divine things, as in prayer and wor­ship, and the like, that in these things they must wait for the Spirit, was there ever any man that was counted good for any thing that ever preached so, before they came? Do we read any such kind of thing in scripture?

O! the blindness that hath happened to this nation! I have considered, not without admiration, how the devil (he is a Spirit too, and a wicked one) how he should have pow­er to prevent our acknowledging the belief, sense and feeling of the Spirit of God now-a-days; there are thousands in this nation that have formerly believed that it was as impossible for a man to believe the divine motions and strugglings of the Spirit of God in this life, as to raise their fathers and mothers out of their graves; some of their learned teachers have told us it is a whimsy and fancy, and that there was [...]o inspiration of the Spirit now-a-days, but that it was a foolish fancy in us to wait for such a thing, it is needless, say they; there was an immediate teaching in the apostles days, and they had the sense of the Spirit of Christ working in them, to teach them to write letters and epistles to the church, which letters and epistles were written by the moving of the Holy Ghost, but we have no need of it now, the Holy Ghost hath brought order and government into the church, we have it now in black and white printed in our books, therefore say they, there is no need of the Spirit, and peo­ple need not be acquainted with the operation of the Spirit now-a-days, in regard they have it in their books what man­ner of worship they must perform.

I grant them their due, that they have the direction of the scripture; I am able to understand that people are to wor­ship God, and pray to him, and are to meet together and to observe this and the other doctrinal precepts there laid down; I confess I can make shift herewith to frame out a form of religion, and if I do not mistake in the opening and expli­cation of the doctrine, I could make a right form too, but I am liable to mistake, another man that understands Greek better than I, saith that the Greek word ought to be translat­ed [Page 254] so, and the form ought to differ in such a respect; some say the only way of government is by bishops, and the word bears it in the original, and another saith he hath stretched the word, for the word means presbyter; another saith presbyter signifies no more than choice of church elders and deacons, and such like, and this is all out of one book, the settlement of bishops, presbyters, and elders.

Here a number of form-makers all fall out about the mean­ing of the word; what remedy can any mortal man provide for this? We must not be killing and slaying one another about words; if I be an episcopal man and say the word signifies bishops, I may be a wicked man still; and if another say it must be presbyter, he may be a wicked man too, and if another say it should be pastor, elders, and deacons, he may be a wicked man notwithstanding.

Thus they have rent and torn one another about church government; what remedy shall we have for this, that these quarrellings and contentions about terms and words may come to an end? Could a man prescribe a more certain remedy for all these mistakes than this, if they had a measure of this Spirit which did work in the apostles when they wrote down these words, which the apostles had in writing them, then I say they could tell you what the Spirit meant, for the Spirit is the same and not changed, and the words are the same to a small matter, so that if a man had that, he might end all the controversy; but where shall we have a man that hath this Spirit to end the controversy? There is none now-a-days say the Protestants, and say the Papists there is none but one that hath this infallibility; and many will not suppose that neither, for some of them say, that one man is as infallible as another man; there is a great dispute whether any one man be infallible, or a great many men to­gether are infallible about doctrine and worship: This might be cured all at once if we could come to this conclusion. Papists, Protestants and Quakers, here is an end of all out-side worship, he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his: If there be not Spirit in it, it is not Christ's religion and worship.

So that they that jangle and bark and bite, are without, among dogs and sorcerers, that are strangers to the Spirit of [Page 255] Christ; there is a spirit in them that denies the Spirit of Christ, there is a Spirit that rules in them that are without the Spirit, for nobody that I know of, acts things without a spirit, and without being moved. What, are good and bad all moved by the Spirit, and yet are there no motions? I have sometimes turned the question upon people, and asked them if there were no motions of the evil spirit, hath it no such kind of influence that it can move upon our spirits, that we can sensibly feel ourselves thrust forth to such an action? I never met any man that would deny it, they are so generally favourable to the wicked spirit; no man will deny but the devil hath a way of moving and stirring upon the spirit of a man, and to suggest to him such an evil thing, and as I have sometimes said, it is so received an opinion, that when the malefactor comes to be arraigned at the bar for some grievous crime, they lay the foundation of the indict­ment, such a day he was moved and instigated by the devil to do such a thing; here is a settled motion for the devil, for him to influence peoples spirits, but no way for the good Spirit of God to influence mens spirits; here is nothing left us but a bad instigation; but to know inward motions to good things, it is not to be expected now-a-days.

How should ever the cunning serpent, that would have power over the best of us all, be said to winnow us? Christ signified to Peter, a bold and resolute disciple, sa­tan desires to have thee, and winnow thee as wheat; if the devil had power over every one, to make them his ser­vants and slaves, what remedy have we but we must all perish and go headlong to hell with him, unless there be some way of resisting him? That is true, say people, the devil must be resisted; we find it in the New Testament, resist the devil; this is a good exercise; but tell me one thing, when I go about to resist the devil, must I resist him in my own power? If I was to say you might do so, you would say I was an erroneous preacher, and well you might: This is an old free-will doctrine, that a man may resist the devil by his own power, and escape his snares, and do the will of God: This hath been cried down by the doctors of the Church of England, and by most of all sorts of Christians; and for our parts, since the [Page 256] Lord hath opened our mouths, we did never speak a word in favour of it, as if we went about to resist the devil in our own strength; if we did, the devil would make fools of us: He that goes about to resist the devil in his own strength, will be entrapped and ensnared by him, in that men have a propensity to sin, and by his cunning and subtilty, may be led into a snare before they are aware.

Thus it is agreed on all hands, that our power, as men, is too weak to resist satan's temptation, so that you see we must have the assistance of the divine power, or all go to hell; there is no medium between those two extremes, some extraordinary power must assist me, or else the devil will have me. If you will not admit of a supernatural power to come in to help me and you, we must all go to hell, there is no remedy: I will say my prayers, saith one; do so, yet in the best of your prayers there will be sin; and if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: I will go and hear sermons, say you; the very man that preacheth will tell you, that hearing of sermons will do you no good at all, unless there be mo­tions of the Spirit of God, so that you will be wrapt from one thing to another, and have diversity of doctrines, and come to no fixedness; and while you concern yourselves about doctrines, all the while the devil prevails upon you; as for the tongue, he hath the rule of that, and as for the hands, he hath the rule of them, and makes you do those things that by his perpetual suggestions he moves you to; so that your going to church and saying your prayers signify nothing to bring you from under the wrath of God, and from the captivity of the devil: Hath not the devil those in captivity that go to church, and say their prayers, and give alms? These are things that you can do by your own power, the saying of your prayers, and fasting, and giving of alms, these things thou mayest do, the devil will not hinder thee, for he knows that these will not bring thee out of his clutches, nor out of his chains and fetters.

There is but one way and means by which the devil may be effectually resisted, that is by taking to our help [...] stronger than he; I have gone for help to many stronger than I, in my young days, that I thought to be stronger [Page 257] Christians, and many of them did afford their help in the work, by counsel, by persuasion, by exhortation and by doctrine, but all this did not do; and the reason was this, because the devil was too strong for me, and so he was for them. As long as you go for help to this and the other place, until you find one stronger than the devil, expect no deliverance or help from any thing in the world, but lay aside all confidence in the flesh, in any many man on earth, or in all the doctors words and best preaching you shall hear, lay aside your confidence in them, they will never do you any good in this respect, for they will never break your chains off; many are loaded with them, but some, I hope, are weary and heavy laden, and feel the weight of sin, I pray God increase the number; though it be a state of sorrow, it is better than the state of fools, that make a mock of sin; I would have you weary and heavy laden with your sins, and brought into this state, to see yourselves captivated by the strong power of darkness, and to see you are unable to deliver yourselves out of it by your own power.

For me to fall into the hands of a tyrant that is stronger than I, and no man to deliver me, how sad would it be. If I could find a man stronger than this tyrant, and that would kill him, I should be his servant, and have a better master: No man can kill this tyrant, that hath led me captive and made me a slave; if he say, be drunk, I must be drunk; if he bid me swear, I must swear: This is the slavery that the devil hath got his servants into, that whatsoever he saith, that they must do, if he bids them do it: O! wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? I cannot deliver myself, and no man can deliver me; I would be acquainted with all Christians, if they could help me; I would try all religions that are this day in the world, to see if there be help for me: Many are oppressed with sin, and they go to and fro, to see what help can be given them, to free them from the bondage that the devil hath them in: This sort of people are to be pitied, and the souls of all good people will pity them, for such as these seek the living among the dead; they seek that to redeem them that cannot redeem them: We have sought, say they, for power and strength from them that had [Page 258] not enough for themselves, they were captivated as well as we, and all this because we came not to him that is stronger than the devil. You will take the same course, and stay till grey hairs come, and you go down to the grave with sorrow, unless you come to one stronger than the devil, and then trust in him, believe in him, and expect deliverance by him. The reason why people do not expect deliverance is, because these two things are shut out of their belief.

I. They believe not that a sinful life will carry them to destruction.

II. They think there is not any possibility in this world to live any other than a sinful life.

The devil hath brought men to this pass, that they live as easily in a sinful life, as a fish in the stream: We are in the way, say they; when we were baptized, we were initi­ated into the Christian church, we were baptized with the sign of the cross, that shews we are soldiers of Christ and bear his badge and banner upon us; and the man said at that time, I was made a child of God and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven; if this be not true, then I am cheated and deceived, for I am to believe this to be true; the church hath affirmed that these things are to be be­lieved; and to question the veracity of the church, is to question all.

I would question whether thousands find the truth of it. When thou wert baptized, there was a kind of co­venant and bargain made for this child of God and heir of eternal life, that he should forsake the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh: And there is se­curity given that this child shall never serve the devil and sinful lusts, and never be proud, but serve God and keep his commandments: Now this security being taken, then they suppose that this child will certainly be an heir of the kingdom of God. It is very true, stand to thy church; if this security that is taken for a child be but effectual, then there is no doubt of being a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven. But if this security fail, is the church to blame if men's hopes to eternal life fail? Was it not my condition, that thou shouldest [Page 259] forsake the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh, and if thou break the bargain, and thy part of the covenant, and miss of eternal life, who is to blame? Look to the security, see that thou forsake the devil and all his works, and the pomps and vanities of the world. But thou mayest rather say, I have enjoyed as many of them as I could; and for the lusts of the flesh, I have enjoyed as much of them as I can; and what, dost thou believe thyself to be a child of God and an heir of the kingdom of Heaven, notwithstanding?

If I promise to deliver a man any particular kind of goods, upon the payment of so much money, if I fail in delivering the goods, he will not deliver the money; a man must forsake the devil and all his works, and never lust after the pomps and vanities of this world; that is a child of God, let us see him grow up, and if he goes on to be faith­ful in this covenant till he die, I do not at all question but he will be an heir of eternal life; but when all this is broken, and the security signifies nothing, and the man is given up to serve the devil, breaks all God's holy laws, erreth and strayeth from the way of God's commandments like a lost sheep, and grasps at the pomps and vanities of the world, as much as he can, and thinks he gets no more than comes to his share; and when he shall indulge the lusts of his flesh, this is a child of the devil; he is a child of that Spirit that was a liar from ths beginning. Never talk of being a child and an heir of God's kingdom, such a man is in fetters, he is to go along with the devil and his angels, and there is a king­dom prepared for them, and a kingdom of darkness, and he must have his portion with them in everlasting misery: Tophet is prepared of old for all the workers of iniquity.

What for those that are baptized? Yes, but do not you deny baptism?

No, not I, I would have men and women baptized with a baptism that will do them some good. Some have seen the vanity and weakness of this kind of baptism, and called it baby baptism; and therefore would go and be baptized and plunged in the water over head and ears, but they came up again with the same heart and mind, and the same polluted soul. John baptized in Jordan, and all Jerusalem and Judea [Page 260] came to be baptized of him: There were a sort of baptized persons then that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, that never did them harm in his life, but much good.

This baptism had never an apostolical patron, but there is another baptism that is so infallible a baptism, that if a man were surely baptized withal, he was sure of Heaven, he would never need any other assurance of Heaven than to be bap­tized with the baptism of Jesus Christ: The lip of truth speaks of him, he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: He shall be saved in spite of the devil and all his temptations, in spite of persecutions and the stumbling-blocks laid before him. Here is a baptism worth a man's while, worth all his labour, if he could obtain it; he that cometh after me, saith John the Baptist, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; here is a baptism belongs to Christians, an ordi­nance ordained. Far be it from us to deny baptism; but we would light of the right, since there are so many sorts: This baptism is so right and certain, that it ascertains a man of his salvation, but it is done by the Holy Ghost and with fire: If it be by the Holy Ghost, then it is far enough off from us; for there is no Holy Ghost in our days, say some, so this baptism is ceased, and inspiration is ceased. If the Holy Ghost and fire be the matter of baptism, the thing being failed and ceased, the consequence cannot follow; thou and I cannot be baptized because there is no working of the Holy Ghost in our days; say some, this baptism is with the Holy Ghost and with fire; with fire for burning up our corruptions, and purifying our hearts. But the Holy Ghost hath done working upon men, say they; why then there is an end of baptism: A man is hungry, and when his time comes to eat, he hath no victuals, yet he sits him down as if he did eat; will this feed and nourish him? So men now-a-days, they have a baptism wherewith they are baptized; but baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire, is the right bap­tism, therefore do not baptize until you find the Holy Ghost, this will be far better; this is the baptism that they which come to know it, are sure of salvation by it; for by this baptism, they are borne up and tinctured in their souls with the Divine Spirit of Christ Jesus, proceeding from the Father and the Son, till they receive his likeness, and so die unto [Page 261] sin: As many as were baptized, were baptized into Christ's death. The apostle openeth it, in that he died he died unto sin once, but in that he liveth he liveth unto God; so that they that were baptized, were baptized into Christ's death; and you that are dead unto sin, how should you live any longer therein?

These that were baptized lived without sin; can that be true, that no one lived without sin but Christ only? Yes, saith the apostle, you that were free from sin, are alive to righteousness; their life stood before in sin, and now that life is taken away by baptism, and they are alive to Christ, and he that liveth he liveth to God. He that comes to be partaker of the first resurrection, if he live ten, twenty, forty, or a hundred years, he liveth to God, he liveth no more in the pomps and vanities of the world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh, but he liveth unto God. This bap­tism, whoever comes to be baptized with it, shall be sav­ed; so that we do not deny baptism.

But we hear say, that you deny the Lord's supper. We have never had such a thought, God knows; there is nothing that our souls long after more; but people have been making a kind of work of their own, they have lost a reality, and make shadows, as children do, who when they see things made in the house for service, they will make the like in sand and clay. People do not not see what a great thing it is to attain to the supper of the Lord; as things come into an evangelical opening, we spake then more lively and freshly of things. Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man open to me, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me. For the understanding of this text, go and examine, and search all the commentators you can find, and see what the learn­ed men say of it; see if they do not apply this to the inward call of the Spirit and grace of Christ, to let him into our hearts; and would one think that those that wrote these things should be against the spiritual dispensation of things? They say that this knocking at the door of the heart signifies the call of God's Spirit at the door of the heart. There are two sorts of sinners that God knock­eth at the door of their hearts; one is, a man that is [Page 262] weary of his sin: For his part, he wisheth that he might never sin more. As soon as he perceives the knock, and is called upon to let in the grace of God, to help him against temptation, he freely opens his heart to receive it, and saith, with all my heart I will entertain and welcome the grace of God; glad I am that God hath had so much patience towards me; and since God offers his grace, I will embrace this grace of God above all pleasures, and I will take it into my heart; the grace of Christ is the greatest jewel that I know. Honest Paul, he took this course, and prayed, Lord take away this tempter; here is a temptation that troubleth me, and I am not willing to yield, for all the devil follows me with it; he cried unto the Lord, and besought him three times, earnestly, to take away the temptation; and the Lord answers him, my grace is sufficient for thee. What matter if the tempter buffet thee, and trouble thee, hast thou not received my grace into thy heart? Thou art a believer, and thy trust is in me, and my grace is sufficient for thee. Let the tempter do his worst, keep thou to the grace of God, and thou wilt withstand and overcome the temptation when it comes.

If a man openeth his heart and receiveth Christ when he comes, then you shall find such an alteration in that man, that go and try him with the same temptation which prevailed over him the last week, it will not do so now; though he be as weak as water, and as prone to corruption and iniquity as before, yet now having a faith begotten in him, that the grace of God will defend him, he keeps out of the devil's snares. Now this man trusting in this grace till his sin and iniquity be purged out, now is the time to spread the table; there is a clean heart, and the heavenly guest is now come, and the dainties of the kingdom are brought to him for his nourishment. Now, saith Christ, I will come in and sup with him, and my Father a so will come, and we will sup with him, and he with us. This never happens to any body so long as the table and heart is soul; for the ta­ble must be clean, and the devil and sin thrown out, and then will the Lord confirm and ratify, and seal the co­venant; so that here is a seal with a witness. When a man hath this testimony of the love of God, that God is [Page 263] reconciled to him in Christ, then Christ will come in, and he will bring his Father, and they will sup with him; and this is that which will give complete satisfaction to such a soul.

All the tongues of men and angels are too short to speak of these things, as they are in themselves, but they are all manifested by the Spirit. All the mysteries of the kingdom of God, are manifested by the Spirit of God; now to say there is no Spirit to be regarded now-a-days, that is as much as to say, we must never regard the kingdom of God, for no man can discern the things of God but the Spirit of God, no man can tell what they be; as no man can know the things of a man but the spirit of a man.

But I must look to this and the other form, and mark, and methodize them, for we can know nothing of the things of God themselves.

I hope you are all of another judgment, and believe that this is a trick and cheat of the wicked one; people do find the Spirit and will feel it if they will wait upon the motions of it. I do not only mean when you are here together, but when you are separated one from ano­ther; when you feel the motions of this good Spirit, em­brace them, and make them yours. This Spirit is a gift that is given; so may a shilling or a piece of bread be held forth to a poor creature, but if he receive it not, he may perish for all that; it is not his, tho' I have ap­pointed it to be his, and have seperated it from my other substance to be his. If he receive not what I offer and would give him, he may perish for all that.

Here is grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ, and God hath offered it to all men, in that he hath raised up Christ from the dead; the grace of God which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men; but all men have not received it, therefore all men have it not; and they that have not the grace of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, are none of his; but it doth not follow that they never will be none of his. When they have received the gift by Christ, and say, I will be his sheep or lamb, they will come into his favour by that gift, and shall partake of the good things of his Father's kingdom; but till they have received this [Page 264] gift, they are not the better for it, they have not any benefit by the death of Christ; they have no help, no benefit by it, except it be the patience and long-suffering of God, who for Christ's sake bears with their weakness, and waits to be gracious, and for Christ's sake offers them favour; but they are not come to the possession of it, till they open their hearts, and receive the grace of Christ; then they are convinced of Christ's end, and that there is a possibility of enjoying the Spirit of God, and of being taught and led by it.

Take this along with you, that it is your absolute and indispensable duty to wait from day to day upon the great God of Heaven, the giver of every good and perfect gift, that you may have that blessed gift, that you may have the assistance of a greater power than your own to lead you out of sin into righteousness, that through Jesus Chirst you may be acceptable to God.

I Fear the high places are not taken away; it hath been so in all ages, and it is manifestly so in this day; where the heart is not rightly prepared for the Lord, there the high places are not taken away: For all the high places in the time of Israel's idolatry, they were ever set up when they departed from the Lord, and all the high places now they are up in a time of ignorance of God; when people have forgotten the Lord, then they ex­alt themselves, then pride, and arrogance, and every evil way prevails upon us; but when men come to seek the Lord with uprightness, that brings down their high con­ceits, that brings every one into humility; for every one comes to be convinced in themselves that none can find [Page 265] the Lord, but as they are brought to be humble; nay, indeed, none seek after him aright but such, none have the promise of finding him but the humble.

Therefore it is the duty of every one that is a real en­quirer and seeker after God, to know the right prepara­tion of mind, to know themselves in such a frame of spirit, that they may seek in hope, that they may have a right and just expectation of finding him whom they are seeking after; for this hath been the reason that a great many have been frustrated in their endeavours, and in their purposes of seeking after the Lord, they have not been rightly prepared for him to manifest himself unto them, they have not known the preparation of his sanc­tuary; there was a peculiar preparation that was requisite to those that drew near unto the sanctuary of God, they were hallowed, that is, made holy, ere they drew near to the holy place; but alas! this hath been greatly neglected in our days, unholy people with unholy minds have been seeking after the Holy God, they have been enquiring after a holy way, and were not prepared to walk in it, there was nothing raised in their minds, that was fit to walk in that way.

For so long as men or women stand in unity with their lusts and concupiscence, with the spirit of this world, and the way of it, they are not capable of receiving that which should lead them into the way of holiness; nay, if it appears to them, they cannot receive it, for it is with them as with other guests, there be other lovers already let in, which employ the powers and faculties of their souls, so that if the most beloved of all, the most excellent, if the chiefest of ten thousand do appear, they cannot see a comeliness in him. The prophet speaking of this state and condition of men, did prophesy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, when we shall see him there is no comeliness in him why we should desire him, and so it hath happened to a great many now-a-days, though the truth hath appeared to them, yet they have not looked upon it as a pleasant way, as a way de­sirable, but a way to be shunned if possible. What shifts have a great many people made to keep themselves, if possi­ble, out of the way of truth, arguing for this and that, [Page 266] and disputing for one way and another that was out of truth's way, out of the way of holiness. What was the meaning of all their arguments, but to tell us they might be happy, they might be saved, though they did not come into truth's way, and walk in truth's way? And though they did abide in those things, that were contrary to the testimony of truth in their own hearts, yet it might go well with them.

This is the strength of the arguments of all sorts, of all persuasions in the world, that have been arguing themselves out of the truth, and would argue us out of the truth too, and would take the liberty to do those things which are not agreeable therewith; but now the reason of this is because the preparation is wanting, they are those that have no need of truth, and that have no need of God, and of a Saviour; but think they can make shift without them; he is not be­come the chiefest to them, they can abide in the high places, they can call upon the name of the Lord, and they can wor­ship in the groves, and in the high places both together, like those nations that were brought to inhabit the king­dom of Israel when the ten tribes were carried away, they sent for priests to teach them, they sent back to the king of Assyria to send them some priests, to teach them to worship the God of their country, and when the priest came to teach them, he taught them the ceremonies of the law, and the divers observations that the Jews used to practise in that country, and so they grew into a formality of serving the God of Israel, they called upon the name of the Lord, and every nation worshipped their own Gods.

How is this nation, and the nations of Europe, now in­habited with such a people that are called by the name of the Lord, but every one worshipping their own Gods; one makes gold and silver his God, another makes his pleasure his God, another his honour, another this, that, and the other lust, and they bow down to them, that is, they yield them­selves to their lusts, concupiscence and corruptions, that they stand in unity with, but they call upon the name of the Lord too; they do apply themselves to some kind of form of worship, which they say is unto the immor­tal and invisible God; but alas! they come not to the know­ledge [Page 267] of God by this. All that the priests could do that the king of Assyria sent back, could not bring the Samaritans to the knowledge of the God of Israel, they only brought them to a report of such a God, that had set up such a law: They had the report of it, and for fear that the lions should tear them in pieces, they would enter into that form, but they worshipped their own Gods still.

So it is now, people do not come to the knowledge of the true God, the living God, by entering into any form of religion; for instance, prayer, hearing of any ordinance or church-fellowship, these give not men the knowledge of God, there is but one way to come to that, but one only. Men have found a great many, it is past your skill and mine to reckon up the many ways that men have found out upon the face of the earth, how they might come to the knowledge of God, and to peace and reconciliation with him; but they have only played the fool, and spent their time in vain, especially they that own the scriptures of truth to be a true and faithful record of the mind and will of God, they play the fool abominably; for the scripture that they give so much reputation to in their profession doth testify the way is but one, and there is no other way for people to be reconciled to God, than by coming into Christ; to be found in him, to be regenerated and born into his nature, and have his qualities put upon them, that as he was pure, they may be pure; that he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified by him, may become both one, and so be reconciled to the Father through him. This you know is the common profession of Christendom, or at least of our nation. And in other nations, the common profession is, there is no Me­diator but one, no Reconciler but one. Indeed some others hold there may be other Mediators, and that there are others that may contribute to them by their mediation, and by their prayers and merits, but the generality of the nations are otherwise.

Now for people to fall out, and say, my way is best, and thy way is not best, and to fall into contests about many ways, when the scripture concludes there is but one way, is not well; we had better all agree about this doctrine, that there is no possibility of reconciliation with God, since we are [Page 268] fallen out with him, and since sin hath made a separation, there is no way of being reconciled again to God, but by and through our Lord Jesus Christ; nor by him neither, unless we receive of his Spirit to quicken us; nothing can quicken us, enliven us, or recommend us to God, but the Spirit of Christ operating and working in our hearts, that he may prepare us for the Father's kingdom.

If people would agree upon this, there would be an end of all labour, and toil, and jangling about the right way, for the consequence and conclusion would be this: That the man who doth not know himself the sanctifying power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus, he is out of the way to reconciliation with God, let his form and profession be what it will: If therefore he be reconciled to God, it must be by and through the Mediator, and he will never recom­mend him to the Father till he hath made him a temple to let in the Spirit of Christ, to work in his heart, to fit him for the kingdom of God: And men have no other way to come to it; for though they be zealous in every prayer and form, it signifies nothing to any great purpose, their hope will be frustrated; there is no other way, saith Christ, of coming to the Father, but by me; I am the way, the truth and the life. If I am out of the truth, I am out of the way; and if I am out of the way, then I cannot come to the end of the way. This is plain reasoning among men: If I tell a lie, that is out of the truth: If I have vain communication, or deceive or wrong my neighbour, that is out of the truth; if I am in that which is manifested in my conscience to be con­trary to the truth, I am out of the way; though I be strict in that way, as to profession, yet I am out of the way to God, I am out of the truth; there is no way to God but by Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life; whoever is out of him, is out of the way; which made the apostle say, that his labour, endeavour and desire was, that he might be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness, but having on the righteousness of Christ Jesus.

Many men think to recommend themselves to God by their righteous, just and honest dealings, and doing wrong to nobody. This is good in itself, but doth not recom­mend us to God, unless it be done by the righteous and [Page 269] holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, unless it be of his working; he must have the working of righteousness and truth in us; he must plant it, and it must grow by his working, if it be acceptable to the Father; for without me, saith Christ, you can do nothing. A man out of Christ, a stran­ger to his Spirit, may do something, but nothing avail­able to the well-being of his soul, 'till he have reconciliation by Christ Jesus: If he be reconciled to God, this Mediator must be the Reconciler, and he must fit and prepare him for reconciliation with the Father.

All the divisions, sorts and sects of religion, must all come to an end; if this measuring line be laid to them, they all appear too short; and there is nothing will do a man good, but that religion that obligeth and ties him to the good pleasure of God, through the Spirit of the Mediator, which he feels working in him, by which he is raised from death to some degree of life: When he is sensible what a burthen sin is to his life, that godly life which he hath, he is bur­thened with every sin, and oppressed with every vain thought, and every vain word, if he be not in some measure quickened, he is not sensible of this burthen; but being quickened, he is sensible of the burthen that lies upon his life, by reason of his sin; and then, being under the weight of his sin, he calls to God for his assistance; he cries to God to help him; he now knows that he hath striven and labour­ed in vain. O God of all grace, if thou vouchsafest not help to my soul, if thou dost not interpose by the assistance of thy grace, I cannot overcome this sin. There is a con­tinual cry to God for divine assistance, and as they cry to God for assistance, he ministers assistance to them, by which they are able to overcome the enemy of their souls, and all temptations when they come: And when a man finds such divine assistance, his faith is strengthened and con­firmed, and so he fights the good fight of faith, and at last gets the victory; victory over his sin, and his own lusts, and concupiscence, and victory over the assaults and tem­tations of the adversary, and at last he comes, through the grace of God, to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, soberly and godly in this present world.

[Page 270]Now when people do thus, it is by the grace of God. This life of righteousness, sobriety and godliness, is not the effect of their labour and exercise, and of their endea­vours herein, but it is the effect of the holy Spirit that hath been the teacher. When you see a man has become a good scholar, eminent in all sorts of learning, you will conclude he did not attain to all this of himself, he did not learn this and the other language, this and the other art and science of himself; no, he had some judicious and able master and teacher, who communicated of his learn­ing and knowledge to his disciple and scholar: This is the efficient cause of his improvement. Now if a man, by the grace and the Spirit of God, and the teachings of it, live a holy, godly life, this is the effect of something; he did not always live such a life, how comes he to live such a life now? Is it by his own industry, labour and exercise? No, it is by being exercised, taught and led by the Spirit of God; so that it is the effect of the grace of God that he should live such a holy life, this is the meritorious cause of it, as he is a creature, and by this only acceptable to God in Christ the Mediator.

Thus a man comes to be justified and accepted, not because he is a godly man, but is made so by the Spirit of God: You are not under the law, saith the apostle, but under grace: You are under the teachings of it, under the directions of it: Grace can reprove people; for that grace and that truth that comes by Christ, and manifests itself as a light in the hearts of transgressors, reproves their sin, and calls them out of it; it reproves them for it, and exhorts them to leave it, both at one time; so that we must acknowledge all our righteousness, holiness and obedience to be of God, and all that we do in order thereunto, as it is done by the teaching, by the influence and operation of the grace of God given us in Christ Jesus; it is the effect of him who is our Mediator, he worketh it in us, and for us, of his good pleasure.

If we be justified, we are not justified for a righteous, holy life, and for our obedience; but we are justified through Christ, who worketh a godly life in them that believe, so that a man is not justified by any other way or means; and all [Page 271] other ways a man takes of being reconciled to God, are vain and fruitless, and have been spoken against by all that were moved by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament. Saith the prophet, what, shall I come before the Lord withal? I am fallen under death and sin, and in a separation from God, I would fain be reconciled to him; what shall I do to be reconciled to God? He goes about to reckon without Christ, and without faith and holiness. Shall I take a thousand rams, and ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I come nearer still? Shall I make an offering of the fruit of my body, for the sin of my soul? Shall I offer my first-born to God, that I may not be rejected and brought to a sepa­ration from him? Thus men when they come to be sen­sible, do feel in themselves that all this is to no purpose: The answer comes, thou mayest live, but all thy contri­vances about making an offering are vain: He hath shewed thee O man! what to do. It is not thy finding this way and that way, viz. thy rams, and thy oil, and thy first-born; it is no way of thy devising and imagining that can recon­cile thee to me, I have shewed thee, O man, what is good. What is this that is shewed? It is comprised in a short compass, it is to love mercy, to do justice, and to walk humbly with thy God. Will this serve without offering rams and oil, and offering my first born? This will do if thou canst but love mercy when it is shewn thee; that is, embrace mercy, and love it. He hath shewed mercy to all men; then love it and receive it; do justly, leave every thing that is unrighteous, and do that which is just in the sight of God, but do not boast of thy justice and righ­teousness, but walk humbly with thy God; here is the whole duty of man. Here is no dependence on dead works, or my own exertions, in order to my justification.

Indeed the consideration of these kind of lessons do corrupt some men, and put them upon doing this or that, and upon forbearing this or that, and hath brought many to confession and great abstinence, and put them upon great doings, thinking this would answer the justice of God; I have loved mercy, and given all I had to the poor. If I do justly, and abstain from this and the other liberty, if I walk humbly, that is, if I humble myself by [Page 272] this and the other manner of pennance and contrition, then I do what God requires, and then I have pleased God.

Now all that have gone this way to work, to do justly, and love mercy, and to make themselves humble, and hum­bled themselves in such a low manner, they have missed the mark. He hath shewed thee, O man! what is good; that it is impossible for fallen man to answer this himself; he may be convinced of his duty to do justice, but by his own power and strength he cannot do it; there are so many temp­tations from without, and so many from within, such a propensity in nature, that will prevail against all the bonds of charity that he can make.

Therefore is help laid upon one that is mighty; without the grace of God that comes by Christ Jesus, a man can never do right, though convinced: Tho' the Lord hath shewed him what is good, he shews us that we are unable of ourselves; he hath taken care to send his Son: God hath so loved the world, that he hath sent his Son into the world, that he might help those that have need of help, that every one that is in distress might have an eye to Christ, the author and finisher of their faith; when men have a reference to their faith in Christ, this makes their duty acceptable; I cannot do it except the Lord strengthen me; therefore I will have respect to the Mediator, Christ Jesus, who was sent for a light into the world. God sends forth his grace for every one to lay hold on, who generally believe, that tho' they are unable to do what God requires, yet he will enable them to do it; for as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of God, tho' they were the devil's children before; he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. He abides always the same in his grace to men, he is in his operation to them the same; he offers grace to them that are in a frame of mind to receive it; they may know that his power will give them ability, and that whatsoever they do of themselves will prove fruitless, because it is not done in Christ's name and power, and so not acceptable to God.

The greatest thing that we are to be concerned about, if we will be religious, and concern ourselves about divine matters, about the kingdom of God and the world to come, [Page 273] is, to see what frame of mind we are in at present, whe­ther the high places are taken away, whether we are not exalted in our own conceits of knowledge and wisdom, and reckon not to be beholden to him for his grace. If we be highly conceited, and think we can stand upon our own legs, the high places are not taken away: Men are not in this state prepared to seek the God of their fa­thers; therefore, let every one turn to God, and see how it is with you; see whether there be a mind brought low enough to be subject to Christ, and to the gracious teach­ings of his Spirit.

A man may say, I can make a sermon, I can make a prayer and exhortation, and I can make a book, and send it abroad, I can do all this by my own parts and abilities; so thou mayest, and mayest make it all full of good words, but thou canst never make it acceptable to God; for without me, saith Christ, you can do nothing. Thou must have the assistance of the Spirit of Christ, else thou canst not make a good prayer, nor a good book, nor any thing good; God esteems the very plowing of the wicked to be an abomination to him. Where the mind is not exercised by the Spirit of God, if he should pray from morning to night, and spend all his days in pen­nance, it will do him no good. If I, saith David, re­gard iniquity; you may think I am a man in favour with God, a man after God's own heart; yet if I regard ini­quity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer. What signifies prayers and sermons, made of good words, if they come not from a heart separate from iniquity? If it be not so, it will do no good at all, in point of accep­tance with God.

O let the fear of the Lord enter upon every heart! wait all to feel the Divine Power of the Lord, that brings down every high thought, that so you may look to the preparation of your hearts, that is a right preparati­on; when the people are so low, so broken and so tender, that they are nothing in their own eyes, but what the Lord will make them to be; then they are as clay in the hands of the potter, they are fashioned by his hands, and made the workmanship of God in Christ Jesus, the [Page 274] one Mediator between God and man. They must bear the likeness of Christ Jesus, bear his Heavenly image, they must have his qualities, and have the same mind in them that was in him: I do always that which pleaseth my Father, saith the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed he hath the doing of things in the hearts of men, and God is pleas­ed with him, and where men have the doing of them themselves, they are thrown back as dung in their faces; where any rightly desire justification, where men have a right preparation of heart, so to seek the God of their fathers, as to find him and be accepted of him, it is through Jesus Christ, in whom he is well pleased.

In all your assemblies, prayers, exercises and meditati­ons, you must be separated and drawn off from your for­mer lovers, and you must be joined to him that God hath sent to be a leader and a guide unto you, then you will find daily his assistance; and as you have assistance from him, you will find acceptance with God, and he will shew you the Father, and that, and nothing else, will satisfy the soul hungering and thirsting after God. Shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. So when Christ, the Media­tor, comes to have wrought so far as the purifying of the soul, and the sanctifying thereof, and thereby fitted it for his glory, such holy souls shall behold his glory; for the Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

That you may be brought to this state, and kept and preserved in it; that the Heavens may rain down fatness upon you, and that you may feel the living virtues that flow from Christ to every member, is the labour and tra­vel of the servants of God, for their own souls, and the souls of others that are in unity and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

THERE is nothing will make people live to God, but that which they receive from God. For as all men are by nature in a state of death, so there must be something beyond nature to make them alive again; and this is what every one ought to wait upon God for, that you may feel something that is supernatural, and that you may be acquainted with God's gift; the gift of God, saith the scripture, is eternal life. Many find a life in this world, that is not the gift of God. The life that people have in sin, it is not the gift of God; the delights and pleasures of this world are become a life unto them. The world is that to which every one must die; they that are not dead to that, they all live to themselves, they do not live to God, for none can live to God, but by the life that comes from him. That which people re­ceive of man, gathers them unto man; that which they receive of God, carries them to God.

So men have made gatherings, and have communicated of what they have to one another, and by virtue there­of, have made them a people: Many men have gathered many people, many churches, and they live to them that gathered them; they do not live to God, for want of re­ceiving something from God, but all they that come to re­ceive the gift of God, they die to the world, and they come to live such a life as the world doth not love, doth not care for, and hath no pleasure in: If you were of the world, saith Christ, the world would love you; but because you are not of the world, they hate you. How should this be understood, were not they some of the men of that generation? How doth he mean they were not of the world? Why, I have taken you out of it, saith he; and yet they were there still, and they were named by certain names, the sons of such and such men; yet for all that, [Page 276] they were not of the world; and that which differed in them was, being made partakers of that life which the world knew not.

And so there will be an enmity in the world against the life of holiness; they will hate any body that lives in it; and as it was then, so it is at this day, they that are of the world, they hear and receive those things that are of the world, from the men of this world; but they that are of God, they hear them that are of God, and they receive the things of God, and their greatest comfort and joy that they have is in their communion with God in Christ Jesus, through whom, as through a conduit, the blessings of the father are ministered to them, and through whom, as from the fountain of life, their life is renewed from day to day.

But these things are hid from the world, from the wise and prudent of it; they cannot dig into the depth, nor ascend to this height; they cannot comprehend the length and the breadth of the things of God, which are in Christ Jesus; they may reach unto something of the love of God, that is in the creation; they can tell when the sun shines upon them, and when the rain falls upon their fields; and when it falls in due season they call it a blessing; and while the covenant with winter and summer remains, they look upon it as comfortable, and perhaps sometimes will bestow a say­ing, I thank God for it. All these things are beneath us, and there is neither love nor hatred known by them all. I saw the wicked, saith one, I beheld his dwelling place, and he flourished like unto a green bay-tree, and was wicked still, notwithstanding all this.

But now, they that see where they live, that live to God, they can say, that their leaf never withers, but they bring forth their fruit in due season; but he did not so. But the wicked man that flourished like a green bay-tree, behold I looked, and he was removed, and his place was no more to be found: There came a blasting upon all his blessing and his flourishing came to an end; his riches perished, and his good things passed away from him. But the man whose delight is in the law of God, and makes it his pleasure both night and day, he is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whose leaf never fades, and brings forth his fruit in due season.

[Page 277]But this is hid; there is no body in the world but would have something of this life too; they would be sure of eternal life, but they would not die to the other life, they would not be crucified to the world, they would not be separated from their lovers; if they could get into the state of a righ­teous man, an hour or two before they die, when they are sure they shall die, it would please them; but to live that life that is to God, is to die to the world, and to part with that they have, their comfort, their joy, their peace and honour, and all their worldly enjoyments in it, before they can come to receive the gift of God, they think is hard: But they that look after it, and have a mind to find it out, without parting with the world's life, they deceive themselves.

Do not you see how men have deceived themselves in these days? They have sought after the kingdom of God till they are scattered in their own way; they are quar­relling about their own way, as if they never had any scrip­ture to be their rule: They cry the scripture is their rule; this is the way to eternal life, saith one; and this is the way, saith another; and the one and the other say all these ways are false saving their own; and all these contenders about the way to eternal life, they all say the scripture is the rule.

And yet the scriptures speak of the way too, and tell us the way plainly, the way to rest, peace and life eternal. If the scriptures had been silent in it, and had said nothing but of genealogies and histories of armies and wars, it had been something; but the scriptures of the Old and New Testa­ment speak of a certain way to eternal life, and say it is the way of holiness, a way shall be cast up for the redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, and the way­faring man, though a fool, shall not mistake in it. Though he never took a degree at the university, he shall not err in it; though he be a fool in the account of the world, and never understood Greek or Latin, yet he shall not err in this way.

The way that leads to the kingdom of God, is called the way of holiness; but while many have been reading in their books, they have been contending for a way of unho­liness; no wonder then they have been quarrelling about [Page 278] it, and have all missed it, and that in the main point of all: Let them make a way, which way they will, and frame it ever so wisely, according to the best wit they have, be it a way that hath all material qualifications that should make it a way of holiness, these men may walk in it, but they will never find the way to the kingdom of God, though they have sought it out: Go to one place and another place, and ask them what is your way? Our way, say they, is the right way, the most sure and certain way that can be found for people to walk in: But whither will it lead me? It will lead thee to the kingdom of God: That is it I would have; but will it lead me to holiness? No, never in this world, thou must never come to holiness; do the best thou canst do here, it is but sin; the best day's work thou makest is but sin; the best child of God on earth cannot live a day without sin: Do you hold out that in your way? Yes; then I have done with that, and must go to another people.

So many have gone many ways to the kingdom of God, and when the upshot is come, they have found every way a polluted way, a sinful way; I know this way will never lead me to God; sin first led me from God; I had been well enough as I was created at first, if I had never sinned against God; a sinful way will lead me from God. It is against common sense, and against rationality, to say we did first go from God by sin, and must go to God again by a sinful way. Who will believe that such a way will lead men to God's kingdom? and that any way will lead men to God, that will not lead them to holiness?

The Psalmist saith, if I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me; though a man keeps close to meet­ing, and ordinances, and duties, and performances, iniquity it seems remains still; there is no rooting it out in this world. This continuing and remaining with a man, makes all his performances, and duties, and prayers unacceptable to God; they are all turned back again upon him, and cast as dung upon his face, and true enough too; so that here is no coming unto God in this way; the comers thereunto know well enough they are not reconciled to God, if they are men that are conscientious.

[Page 279]There are a sort of people so stupid and sordid in their judgment, that if a man tells them they are reconciled to God, they will believe him though conscience reproves them a [...] hundred times a day. If the parson of the parish say, that he hath made this child an heir of the kingdom of God and an inheritor of eternal life; I know some have believ­ed it forty years after, and have born themselves up upon this man's word all their life: Do you think there is any danger of me, that in baptism was made an inheritor of eternal life, and an heir of the kingdom of God? God hath not appointed ordinances in his church for nothing.

I speak not of such sordid hard-hearted people, that never entered into themselves to know how it was with them, whether they are converted; but I speak of sober consci­entious people, that do not desire to be cheated in a point of salvation, though they have been deceived a great while, they may be undeceived: Then they must take this for certain doctrine, that nothing can reconcile them to their Maker but that which takes away sin. God hears not sinners, he will never be reconciled to a man in this world, as a sin­ner; but there are many thousands (blessed be God) in this age, as well as in other ages, that were sinners, and reconciled to God through Christ, and had remission of sin; but never any man in his sin was reconciled to God, though he did believe the truth, if he did not come to the sanctification of the spirit, he could never be recon­ciled to God.

So that there hath been, in all ages, a way of the work­ing of the Spirit of God in the hearts of them that be­lieve, to prepare them for the sinless kingdom, for that glorious kingdom, into which nothing that hurteth, de­fileth or corrupteth, can enter. And because we cannot enter with corruption and defilement, he hath appointed the ministration of his Spirit to work out that which might hinder the cleansing of us from sin, that we might have an abundant entrance into his glorious kingdom; so that whilst they say there is an impossibility of living without sin, I had as lief they had said, there is an impossibility of entering into the kingdom of God; for never any shall come into the kingdom of God, but those that are with­out sin; for there is no purgatory after death.

[Page 280]The Papists have a better conceit than the Protestants in that respect: The Protestants conceive sin to be ex­pelled at the point of death; and they say, all the sins of believers, all the guilt of sin, after we are believers, is par­doned, forgiven and done away, by the death of Christ upon the cross; we will have it, if we can get it. If men can imagine a way into the kingdom of God, they will have one. They believe that a man may sin and con­tract no guilt; and that he may sin till his dying day, and then all sin shall pass away, and he shall enter into God's kingdom. The Papists say none can come to Heaven till they be purged from sin; and they say God hath appointed a place for that purpose, and persons must go into pur­gatory, and they must lie there till they are purged, and purified, and fitted for Heaven. Now, say the Protestants, truly; there is no such thing, we find no such thing men­tioned in the scripture, therefore such a thing as this can­not be; for the apostle said, we have declared to you the whole counsel of God, and he speaks not a word of purgatory in all the New Testament. The Protestants have got a way to help themselves, and the Papists, also, to help themselves, and both lie under danger: As for the Papists, if their priests mistake, and there be no such place as purgatory, then they must be brought back to the doctrine of the scrip­ture, which declares, that as death leaves us, so judg­ment shall find us; and as we sow so we must reap; if we sow to the flesh, then of the flesh we shall reap corruption. Then the Protestants, likewise, if they mistake in saying, a man may act sin and yet contract no guilt, then they must be brought back to the doctrine of the scriptures, that tell us, the soul that sinneth must die: If a righteous man for­sake his righteousness, and doth that which is evil, his righteousness shall be remembered no more, but in the sin that he hath committed he shall die.

This is sound doctrine: I had rather trust the doctrine of the prophets and apostles than the doctrine of all others, either Protestants or Papists; and had rather depend up­on their doctrine for salvation, that were inspired by the Holy Ghost, than upon those doctrines that say, there is no inspiration now-a-days. Some conceive this scripture [Page 281] may be interpreted thus and thus; and others conceive it means so and so, but we must, say they, submit to better judgment: I am a fallible man, I submit it to better judgments. Now when people are concerned for immortality and eternity, to have such things dished out in such a manner, what souls are so dull but they would bestir themselves, and consider and look about them be­fore they go hence, and how it shall go with them when they are gone?

We are now to work out our own salvation, that is on our part: None ever have wrought out this salvation, it is wrought out on God's part already, and it is to be made ours; he that is our Saviour, he hath suffered for our sins, and rose again for our justification; he was made to us, of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemp­tion. Now wisdom signifies the opening of the counsel of God; righteousness signifies the subjection of our wills to the will of God; sanctification signifies obedience to the Spirit of Christ. Sanctification signifies obedience to something; to what? what shall we be obedient unto? what is our rule? He that is led by the Spirit of Christ, he is his; but he that is not led by the Spirit of Christ is none of his; so that it is plain, sanctification signifies obe­dience to the Spirit of Christ, and redemption signifies buying again, or setting free from bondage.

We know when our friends are in captivity, as in Tur­key, or elsewhere, we pay down our money for their re­demption; but we will not pay our money if they be kept in their fetters still. Would not any one think himself cheated, to pay so much money for their redemption, and the bargain be made so that he shall be said to be redeemed, and be called a redeemed captive, but he must wear his fetters still? How long? as long as he hath a day to live.

This is for bodies; but now I am speaking of souls, Christ must be made to me redemption, and rescue me from captivity. Am I prisoner any where? Yes; verily, verily, he that committeth sin, saith Christ, he is a servant of sin, he is a slave to sin: If thou hast sinned, thou art a slave, a captive, that must be redeemed out of captivity; who will pay a price for me? I am poor, I have nothing, [Page 282] I cannot redeem myself, who will pay a price for me? There is one come, who hath paid a price for me; that is well, that is good news, then I hope I shall come out of my captivity. What is his name, is he called a Redeemer? So then I do expect the benefit of my redemption, and that I shall go out of my captivity. No, say they, you must abide in sin, as long as you live: What benefit then have I by my redemption? I could have been in captivity no longer; if I had not been redeemed, I must wear my shackles and fetters still, and be subject to my old master and patron, and when he will have me be drunk, I must be drunk; and when he will have me be unclean, I must be unclean.

Thus many profest Christians there be (you see it with your eyes) that will tell you they believe all the articles of the creed, and they have been baptized into the Christian faith, and can rehearse all the principles of the Christian re­ligion, and perform the duty of Christians in going to church, saying their prayers, and giving alms too it may be; they are such as would be called Christians, they would be called so, yet they are not redeemed from their vain conversations; for what makes their shackles and fetters about them? When their old master bids them be drunk, they will be drunk; and when he bids them commit whoredom, or lie, or cheat their neighbour, they will do it: You do believe the devil leads you to this; you will not say the Spirit of God led you to it. If one demand, how did you do it? You say, the devil prevailed upon me: What, hath the devil power over men after they are redeemed? What sort of re­demption is this? Then comes in the old shift again, we are redeemed from the punishment of our sin, but not from the act of it.

Now if those that are called ranters had told me this tale, it had been like them; but when doctors of divinity tell us this tale, it is so unlike divinity, that it is carnal, sensual and devilish. To tell believers they are redeemed from the punishment of sin, but not from the act of sin; that this is the benefit which we receive from Christ's sufferings; that we may sin on, free cost; that there is no guilt contracted by it; will any man or woman, that understand they have a soul, venture their immortal souls on this divinity? I [Page 283] hope not. They will not venture their soul on this founda­tion-doctrine: I hope God will awaken the consciencies of people, that they will not hazard their souls upon such a carnal, devilish foundation; that if the devil should preach, he could not preach a worse doctrine than this, to persuade Christians they may live in sin, and sin will not hurt them, nor impair or break their peace with God, and recon­ciliation with him.

I will tell you how it hath been with me; in my child­hood, if I had spoken a vain word, or a false word, I had contracted such a guilt thereby, that I was ashamed to draw near to God, to pray to him; I knew he would not hear liars, I knew there was no way to be accepted without repentance and amendment of life. I believe others have met with the same dealing from God, by the secret strokes of conviction that have come upon their hearts, when they have sinned against God.

So that I am still of the mind, that the persons that depend upon this kind of doctrine, do at sometimes, espe­cially when sickness comes, and death looks them in the face, or in times of common contagion or pestilence, at such a time they have a weight of guilt upon their con­sciences; for this doctrine will not support them at death, but that then they believe they have contracted guilt, or committed sin.

I have wished many times that the Lord would open the eyes and hearts of the people of this city and of this na­tion, to see how miserably they have ventured their souls. Will merchants in this city ever venture their goods at such a rate as men commonly venture their souls? What, will they venture their goods in a ship without a bottom, before she goes to sea? Now this doctrine hath not a foundation; shall I believe a person that tells me I do not contract guilt, when I feel it upon my heart; when I commit whoredom and drunkenness, and cheat my neighbours, shall any one persuade me that I do not contract guilt?

O friends! we are speaking of great matters; it is about eternity, that we are speaking, it is about the hazard of eternal happiness; therefore I pray, let every one be serious, and consider what I say, for I speak in God's name, and on [Page 284] your behalf: Men are to come to a true search in them­selves, what a life it is that they live. Many support them­selves by the doctrines and precepts of men, and they buoy themselves into conceits of salvation; let them examine whether it be a life that hath its support from the Spirit of God; this is material for every one to consider. There are none can live to God, but by the life they receive from God; the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men. Now here is an universal doc­trine.

There are a sort of men in this city and nation that tell us, that saving grace is given only to the elect. Saving grace is given to all men; but you must construe those words, all the elect, where they are somewhat injurious, and would cast off the condition of the text, if they make a distinction in the latter part of the sentence, for it will not be good sense: The grace of God that bringeth sal­vation, hath appeared to all the elect, teaching us to deny all ungodliness, &c. Here is us taken out of the all. The same grace, that is our teacher, appears to be the teacher of others, though they turn it into lasciviousness. The grace is the same, though they make many school-distinc­tions between common and saving grace. The apostle ex­plains it, by telling what grace he means; the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, appeareth to all men, and that is by teaching us; what doth it teach? I pray consider it; it teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and all worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Where is sin now, if a man be taught by this grace, and the dictates of it. Can a man live in sin, and yet live righteously, soberly and godly too? Can a man live in sin, and yet deny all ungodliness at the same time? Where have men's understanding been, that cannot under­stand their mother tongue, and consider sense? Where are men's understandings that will say, I may deny all ungod­liness and worldly lusts, and yet follow the lusts of my own heart? You would think I speak nonsense if I should speak thus; and yet we have been put off with such nonsen­sical stuff as this. We must pray to God to send his holy Spirit into our hearts, to enable us to live godly, righteous [Page 285] and sober lives, and at the same time believe that we shall never do it, but that it is a business of impossibility.

Now when men come to lay these things together, and when they consider between God and their own souls, how it is with them, many are amazed to think they should ever be put off with such incongruous, disagreeing, and dissonant things, that are not consistent with one another.

But do you think it is possible for any man to live without sin? Yes, or else I would say it is impossible for any to be reconciled to God; for God will never be re­conciled to sinners, as such; for his bargain and covenant is made of such kind of articles. Wash ye, make ye clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes. Cease to do evil; learn to do well, &c. Then come and let us reason together, saith the Lord; tho' your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho' they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool, Isaiah i, 16, 17; still these are the terms, put away the evil of your doings, then patience, mercy and long-suffering, shall be extended to you; God will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold; what, from those that say their prayers, or go to the church or meeting? No, but but no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly; Psal. lxxxiv, 11. These are the men.

And when the Lord distinguishes by his prophet whom he would have among them, he speaks of a sort of people that called upon the name of the Lord; those that feared the Lord, and spake often one to another; that is, of the goodness of God; they were a sort of people that trem­bled at the word of God; a sort of people that did not do as others did, hunt after pleasures, riches, and the ho­nours of the world, but to be acquainted with the inward word that wrought upon their hearts; in that day that I make up my jewels, they shall be mine, saith the Lord. Whose shall the others be? Thou wilt own these for thine, but whose shall the others be, that think not upon thy name, and tremble not at thy word? There is a place for them too: Tophet is prepared of old, made both wide and large; the fuel thereof is fire and brimstone, and much [Page 286] wood, and the breath of the Lord kindleth it. This is for all that are wicked, and that work iniquity.

This is in the Old Testament; then comes the New Testament, in John's Revelations; there is a separation again: There are a sort of people which are called the true worship­pers, and the angel was commanded to go and measure the temple, and those that worshipped therein: The outward temple was not measured, but left for the Gentiles to tread in, and left without the measure; for without are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. And then the Lord speaks to his prophets in the Old Testament again; if thou put a difference between the precious and the vile, then thou shalt be as my mouth unto them; but if thou huddle them altogether, and sew pillows under elbows, then thou shalt not be as my mouth.

So that in all ages God aimed at a separation of the state and condition of his people; and one sort of people were purified, through the sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth; and another sort were unsanctified and unpurified, and remained in their sin; and the end of Christ's coming into the world, it was to call people to repen­tance; he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to re­pentance, and to leave off their sin. To as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, to as many as believed on his name. Whose sons were the other? They made as high a rattle of profession as the other: He tells them who is their father, you are of your father the devil; and he did orderly prove it, and that was thus; that they did the devil's works, ergo, they were the devil's children. It was Christ himself, the greatest doctor of divinity that ever was in the world, that spake these words: And this is the manner of logic whereby he argues with the Pharisees, to make them believe that they were the devil's children; they that do the devil's works are the devil's children; but you do his works, therefore you are his children; so they sought to kill him, they could not bear such arguments.

If one should go and search out a people in this city and nation, and see one man of this religion, another of [Page 287] that religion, and pick them out, and use this argument with them: There is a man professeth high, he professeth a light within; if you look upon his deeds they are dead and dark, why then he is one of the devil's children: If you put me to prove this, I say he doth the devil's works, he is an extortioner, a deceiver, and a drunkard and unclean person, and doth the devil's works, and so is none of God's children. And so go to another sort and use this argu­ment, it is safe enough, you can never fail in this kind of argument which Christ used; and if people would use it with themselves, and think themselves no better, then we should have people confess themselves the devil's children.

None come to be God's children, till they come to ac­knowledge their lost estate, their deplorable condition; that they are fallen from God, and through sin and ini­quity are got into a nature that is at enmity with God; then they will cry out, who shall deliver me from this bo­dy of death, and childship of satan, this heirship of wrath? I am an heir of an inheritance; I am an heir of wrath, and I would fain part with this inheritance and heirship, and have an inheritance with the saints in light: We shall never know this, till we come to divinity without sophi­stry, and without tricks and quirks, and come to Christ's reasoning. He that doth the devil's work is the devil's child; then they will confess this is of the devil, and the other is of the devil. This is an evil work; and I see that I have need to be brought into another condition.

When people come to an acknowledgment of the truth, and of their own condemnation, then they are one step towards redemption and salvation. No one ever took a step towards their salvation, till they acknowledged their own condemnation. He that sanctifies, and they that are sanc­tified, are all of one; and they that are joined to the Lord, are one Spirit. An evil tree, saith Christ, cannot bring forth good fruit. When Christ spake this, he spake it to men and women, and he spake it of men and wo­men, and not of trees: And when he said, no man can gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles, he speaks of a generation of men: As if he had said, this thorn must be translated and changed into another nature before it can [Page 288] bring forth grapes; and this thistle must be changed into another nature before it can bring forth figs.

There must be a change in the nature of man before there can be a change of the fruit and effect of his do­ings; whatsoever he sows, that he shall also reap; what­soever a man doth in the body, he must give an account thereof at the day of judgment; for the books will be open­ed, and men judged according to the things written in those books. If there be a book for thee and me, I will war­rant thee there is a great deal in it; there is a recorder and a clerk for the book, which God hath opened in every man's conscience; and there is set down every man's transgressions and his sins: Saith one, thou hast written my transgressions as with the point of a diamond; thou hast engraven it so deep, that it seems impossible that it should ever be blotted out again: Some have had their sins so deeply engraven in their conscience, that they have thought they would never be blotted out, they were writ­ten as with the pen of a diamond.

When people see and consider that they have ventured their souls upon such slight grounds, I hope they will be awakened to seek after righteousness; when they see there is nothing good in them: Where there is any thing good, it is God that hath given it to them. Some will say, if I be perverse, corrupt and wicked, I cannot help it, there­fore I must be beholden to my Maker to help me, else I must never be helped. Now, because God knows that we are helpless, he hath laid help upon one that is mighty, that is, our Lord Jesus Christ; and Christ hath sent forth his Spirit into the world to convince the world of sin, and to lead his people into all truth: And this grace that comes by Jesus Christ hath been so universally shewed, and so universally extended to all men, that I never met with a man yet that had none of it: But let them be as bad and as dark as they could, yet the light of Christ shined in that darkness, into the darkest heart, that ever I met with in all my life: He sheweth men, that his light shineth in dark­ness, and the darkness cannot comprehend it.

Therefore the work that God hath set us about, and the service which he requires at the hands of many of [Page 289] us, is to turn men from their own darkness unto the light of Christ their Saviour, and from the devil's power, that hath enslaved them, to the power of God that can redeem them; and yet we are far enough from that which they call free will; it is God's will that every one should be saved: But some will not be saved, they will keep their own wills and not resign them up to God; they have a free will to go to destruction. As for salvation, if they will obtain it, they must part with their own wills, and they must take a yoke and burthen upon them, before they can be saved: If people can have their wills, they will not take Christ's yoke upon them: He that will be Christ's disciple must deny his own will and take up his daily cross; these are the terms of the gospel.

But you will say, no man, by all the power he hath, can redeem himself, and no man can live without sin.

We will say amen to it: But if men tell us, that when Gods power comes to help us, and to redeem us out of sin, that it cannot be effected, then this doctrine we can­not away with, nor I hope you neither. Would you ap­prove of it if I should tell you, that God puts forth his pow­er to do such a thing, but the devil hinders him? That it is impossible for God to do it, because the devil doth not like it? That it is impossible that any one should be free from sin, because the devil hath got such a power in them, that God cannot cast him out?

This is lamentable doctrine: Hath not this been preached, this doctrine of impossibility of living without sin? It doth in plain terms say, though God doth interpose his power it is impossible, because the devil hath so rooted sin in the nature of man. Is not man God's creature, and can­not he new-make him, and cast sin out of him? If you say sin is rooted deeply in man, I say so too; yet not so deeply rooted but Christ Jesus is entered so deeply in­to the root of the nature of man, that he hath received power to destroy the devil and his works, and to recover and redeem man into his primitive nature of righteous­ness and holiness; or else it is false, that he is able to save, to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him. We must throw away the bible, if we say that it is impossi­ble [Page 290] for God to deliver man out of sin. Is not Christ entered into the root of our nature? And hath he not taken upon him the seed of Abraham, after the flesh? Hath he not entered into the root of all men's natures, and tasted death for every man, that he might quicken every one that is dead in sins and trespasses? All these things speak the love of God to mankind, in order to their salvation.

Much might be said to these things, these clouds of error and darkness that have overspread the nation; yet, this I say, if one were to speak of it ever so long, it must be by the eye that God gives you, that you must see it; it is he that opens the hearts of men as he did Lydia's: If there had not been the power of God that reached her heart, Paul could not have opened it.

When all is said that can be said, the counsel of God which hath sounded in your ears, is recommended to you, that every one may retire in quietness and stilness of mind to wait for the feeling of that quickening power of the Spirit of Christ that is sent into the hearts of men; that it may open your eyes to see your present state; then you will see a better state, a further state, and when you see with your inward eye that your state is not so good as you would have it to be, then trust and rely upon the all-sufficient and powerful operation of God's Holy Spirit to mend your state, and give you power over your corrup­tions, and to go on from one step to another, towards the cleansing and sanctification of your souls, so that you may receive something from God to enable you to live to God; for all that you receive from men will only make you live to men, but that which you receive from God, will help you to live to God; that will purify you and sanctify you, and make you clean through the word: So through the word you will come to cleanness, purity and holiness: And when you are come to the way of holi­ness, you may believe you have got into the way of God's kingdom, and never till then.

It is not enough to make a profession, but we must live up to the profession of that religion that we make; it is not holding this tenet and the other tenet, and saying, this minister, I am sure, preacheth the truth; thou mayest be [Page 291] a child of the devil for all that. I now speak indifferently to all people, without respect to any sort: They that be­lieve they are walking towards the kingdom of God, and yet their way is not a holy way, they have cheated them­selves, and deceived their own souls, and they had need look about them and take heed what they do; the glass is run­ning, and time is hasting away, and our life may end we know not how soon. It is good to prize and improve time, while you have it, and bring your deeds to the light; see what reproofs, instructions, counsels and openings you have met with from the Lord, and see how you have answered and been obedient to them, and so you will come to take a sound and infallible account of your condition; and if it be not so good as it should be, wait upon the Lord to mend it; he that made you can mend you, he that made your ears, must unstop your ears to hear the word of God.

To that power that carries on the works of sanctification and redemption by his word, to that word I must leave you, and to his spirit I commit you. This word will be with you, and if you part not with it, it will not part with you; it will go with you to your houses, and to your shops, and to your beds; it will lie down with you at night, and rise with you in the morning: To that end, Christ is a leader and governor, and the captain of our salvation, to lead the van, and carry you on in the way of salvation; and as ma­ny as follow Christ, and are led by the spirit of God, they are the children of God.

THE sheep of the true fold hear the voice of Christ, the good shepherd, and know the voice of strangers too: But, saith he, the stranger they will not follow. This scripture hath been a mark of distinction in all ages, that [Page 292] hath been peculiarly bestowed upon the people of God, that they have had a discerning knowledge to make a certain distinction between them that were of God, and those that were of the world: Now they that are of God hear us, saith the apostle.

Now, that you may all find in yourselves this peculiar gift of God, to be able to understand and discern between the precious and the vile, that you might know the ministration of life from the ministration of death, you must all be gathered inwardly into that which you have received of God; for they that are only exercised with gifts and parts, and ac­quirements that appertain to this world, they have been always subject to delusions, apt to be led away into a by-path and crooked way, that leads to destruction: But they that are under the government and direction of the gift of God, they have been able thereby to make such a dis­tinction of voices, and of sounds, that they have been pre­served from the delusions of the age.

This was the difference of old between the prophets of God and the false prophets, between the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the false apostles; the difference was not so much in their words, for they had in a great measure the same words; if the true prophets used to say, thus saith the Lord, the false prophets would say so too; if the true prophets declared against sin, the false prophets likewise would do so; for the false prophet stole his word from his neighbour: But the greater matter by which the people of the Lord were preserved, was, that hidden and divine wisdom they received of God, by which they dis­cerned the voice of the spirit from the voice of strangers, from the voice of them that were of the flesh; and that was the cause that the Christians in the primitive days did not adhere to, and follow those false apostles that came to them in their own names, and held a form of godliness, but denied the power of it.

But they among them in whom their witch-crafts did enter, they went away from the spirit, and sought to be made perfect in the flesh; they went to the outward ob­servation, and to the beggarly rudiments of things that pe­rish with the using, and from the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

[Page 293]And as it hath been in those ages of which we have read, so it comes to pass in this our age, in which a dispensation of the spirit of truth is manifested and revealed unto the children of men; there is a remnant that have received the testimony of eternal life, and have believed the testimony, and waited on him of whom the testimony is born, not to have life by the testimony, but to have life in him; so they receive their life by the ministration of the Spirit of Christ, and they live to God, and others who have received no life from him, but have a life in the words, and sounds, and noises and terms, and distinguishing phrases of things, their life lies there, they live not to God but to themselves, their glorying is not in the cross of Christ, but in the words and outside of things; so that every one had need, at such a time as this, to approve their hearts unto the Lord; who knows the inside of people's profession, the inside of their religion, that knows how the heart is concerned towards God, and what they say and do upon the account of his service, so that all that are met together might come to re­ceive more and more of the life and virtue that sanctifies the soul of him that receiveth it.

For, alas! my friends, it is not the gathering together of the most excellent words about religion, and about worship and service, which will approve any man in the sight of God; that is but the painting of a sepulchre, and covering the rottenness that is in many; but the Lord sees into the inside of every professor, and whosoever names the name of Christ and departeth not from iniquity, they do but take his name in vain, and contract a guilt upon their own souls; so that every one that seemeth to be religious, ought to enquire whence their profession springs; if it springs from a real posession of a measure of that which sanctifies the life, and shews itself forth, in its working and operation, many times abundantly more, than it doth in word and profession; it manifesteth itself in holiness and righteousness, to the honour of God; it is the aim and de­sign of all such to exalt the name of him whom they pro­fess, by holiness and righteousness shining forth in their works, for it will never shine through words alone; many good words may be spoken, yet God not glorified, but his [Page 294] name may be dishonoured by them; but whosoever comes to feel that which is life in themselves, they know what will honour God, they feel the birth immortal that is of God, of his own begetting by the word of truth.

This living birth is that which brings forth living praises; the other is but flesh, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and it glorifies the flesh, and when the flesh is most of all glorified, most of all exalted, it is then but as the flower of the field, it is then cut down and withereth; the sun of righteousness shines with the beams of the ever­lasting glory of God, and causeth it to wither and come to naught,

So friends, let your minds be gathered inward, that you may be able in your own selves, by virtue of the divine gift of God, to distinguish between the voice of the true shepherd, and the voice of a stranger, so that your minds may not follow a strange voice, that you may follow the Lord with your whole heart, with a full purpose of heart; for there is a real word of prophesy discovered in the inward parts, which doth distinguish between the precious and the vile in every one's particular; and that which is precious in one, it answereth to that which is precious in another; and that which is vile in one, it answereth to that which is vile in another.

For there is an inward and secret mystery of iniquity, as well as a mystery of godliness. The mystery of godliness is when God is manifested in the flesh; the mystery of ini­quity is, when the wicked one is making himself manifest, and appears and discovers himself in the flesh, that he may rise up and glory in the flesh.

Now the eternal truth, which never changeth, this is that which giveth a discerning, this hath always put a difference between the true and false prophets, the true and false apostles, and between the true and false ministers; the dif­ference hath not been so much in words as in power, as the apostle speaks concerning some in his days, that had endeavoured to deceive, and to draw men aside from the simplicity of the gospel; when I come, saith he, I will know. Now, he does not assert, that he will pay particular at­tention to their words, whether they were judicious or no; [Page 295] for he says, I will not know their words, but their pow­er. How should he know their power if he were not in the power himself? Now this divine power, as every one acquaints himself with it, it worketh unto the sanctification of them, when they have fellowship with the stirrings and movings of all others that are partakers of it: This is that which will establish and confirm your minds in the true faith and simplicity of the truth, that you turn not aside to the right hand or to the left. If you have regard to the principle of divine truth that you have received from God, then you can receive confirmation from any one that hath a measure according to it. There is a measuring line, and the reed of the sanctuary, that measureth the temple and all that dwell therein, that measures them with one reed and one measure, and every one answereth to that measure, according to the stature and degree of growth of the grace of God they arrive to; and now they are come to a fixed foundation.

Others there are in the world, that have laid their foun­dation upon this creaturely help, and the other creaturely help, upon this man, and the other man; but now true Christians come to have their foundation, their rooting and building upon Christ Jesus, upon that word of life that first of all gathered their minds into a desire after holi­ness, into a desire after acquaintance with God that made them.

You that are true Christians can remember, how you were begotten, and that which did beget you; that word of God that is incorruptible, that is immortal, that was not of a dying quality, that need not be supported by this, and that, and tne other means, but it hath its support in itself, it hath its nourishment in itself, and it grows up in itself, and every one that receiveth it they grow up in it, until they come more and more to partake of the life and qualities of it; that as he is, so they may be in the present world.

But this is never known, but where the word of God hath its free passage: Many have tasted of this word of God, and by tasting of it, have been acquainted with the power of the world to come; they knew well enough the power that would bring forth another world, a new Hea­ven, [Page 296] and a new earth, and righteousness in it; many have felt the power that have never continued to see the work­ing of it, never continued to see and witness what this power would work; going aside from the power of the world that was to come, they have never seen the com­ing of it, but their foolish hearts have been darkened again, and their imaginations have grown vain, and they have con­ceived to themselves a false liberty to the flesh, and their wills have been strong, and have prevailed over them; that though they had tasted of the powers that did belong to the world to come, they never saw the working and ope­ration of that power to bring to pass that which by sight and vision they did behold.

Therefore it is needful for every one of you, in every state and condition the Lord hath brought you into, to keep yourselves in a deep humility; to know the afflicti­ons, temptations and trials you are under, and to exercise your minds, not only on account of what you have got over, but let every one know the sta [...] and condition in which at pre­sent they are labouring; for when some come to look at what sufferings and difficulties they have got over, they are apt to be exalted above measure, and lifted up in their minds; let every one consider what is their present state and work; their help lies in that condition. Some have always a foundation of their faith present with them, that they may feel the object of their faith where they hope for help, where they hope for comfort and strength to be present with them.

Now every one that believeth in the word of God, their care is, that they may know this word of God, that they may hear it, feel it, and behold the beauty of it under the exercises of it; how it conducts and leads, how it coun­selleth and adviseth, that so, in all things they are to pass through, they may not be as those that have run into it; as those that do this and that of their own wills, but may be properly followers of something.

I go into this, or that, or the other thing, not to do mine own will; I do not run into it, but I am led into it; my leader goes before me, the word of God, that hath conducted me and led me: I am a follower of God [Page 297] in all his dispensations, and in all his leadings and guid­ings; I am to follow him, for he teacheth me his way, he instructeth me in the true way: The best of all his scholars and disciples, they are to be led and guided into that work and service they are to do, that they may run into no irregularily or absurdity, for he will lead you into holiness, righteousness and humility, where all become the servants of God in Christ Jesus, and servants to one another: There is a mutual concord and harmony in the work of this spirit, in the service of this power, where every one finds what they are appointed and directed to, and all the members of the body of Christ know they ought not to be disjointed and rent, and separated one from another, but tied together in joints and bands, to edify one another in the love of God; so that here is one spirit that hath been the guide of this one people in all ages.

Many people have been guided by many guides, and they have been scattered, divided and separated one from another, and have been under this, that and the other name; but all God's people have been guided by the Spirit of Christ, that universal Spirit that is one with God. In the Old Testament times, and the New Testament times, they were all led by the universal Spirit of Christ, and they were of one heart, and of one mind, serving the Lord; there was a concord and unity among them; and if at any time any discord or division happened, it was because the roaring lion that goes about continually seeking whom he may devour, had found some or other that he might de­vour, and draw into his snares and gins; for there are some that he may, and some that he may not. Who are they that this roaring lion may destroy? The devil knows who those are that he may prevail upon; he knows that those which are in the hands of God are out of his reach: My Father, saith Christ, is greater than all, and none shall pluck them out of my Father's hands; yet doubtless those that are in the Father's hands are tempted and tried, the roaring lion goes about seeking to devour them if he might; a man that he devours, he swallows up with prejudice, enmity, covetousness and pride, and he will lead him into any evil thing; he hath many gulphs to swallow men up [Page 298] in, but if he meet with one that is kept in God's hands, he knows such a one is out of his reach, and he is not able to catch him.

If he meet with a man that he can prevail over, as he did over our father Adam and mother Eve, such as are in their own hands, that stand upon their wit and parts, and knowledge and eloquence; those that stand upon these things as their foundation, they are in their own keeping; these are they whom he may devour and catch, and ensnare in one or other of his gins, and swallow them up in one of his gulphs and temptations: But seeing God hath opened and manifested these things by his Spirit, and seeing the secret wiles of satan are discovered and made known by the shining of his light, how ought every one that is a be­liever of the truth, to depend upon God for his protection, and be careful that he goes not out of his Father's hands, that he never trust himself to his own keeping for his se­curity and preservation, lest he meet with a temptation that may swallow him and devour him.

I remember our Lord Jesus Christ when he was upon earth, he put his disciples in mind of what happened long before, remember Lot's wife: You may take notice of her, the power of God took hold of her and brought her out of Sodom, and was leading her to a place of safety, but she had something of Adam's apostacy in her nature, she looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. Our Saviour was pleased to make use of this passage that happened some hundreds of years before, to shew how she failed of coming to the place of safety, though she was led out of Sodom by the hands of one of the angels of God. O! remember her, she was turned into a pillar of salt, and this remains in­structive to this day.

If we remember where our safety is, and from whose hands we must expect it, we need not go to look at Lot's wife. We have seen many in our days that have stood fair for redemption, they have had a power revealed to them, that is able to redeem them, and save them to the uttermost; but afterward by exalting themselves above this power, and taking the government of themselves into their own hands, they have robbed God of his glory, and he [Page 299] hath withdrawn himself from them, and then it was with them as with Soul, when the Lord departed from him, the evil spirit entred into him.

We have before our eyes from day to day, those that have known the beginning of the redemption of God's pow­er, and have been in a great measure brought out of So­dom, and out of the way of Egypt, and they have had opened to them the mystery of the kingdom of God for their encouragement, but at last they have taken and arrogated those gifts to themselves, and looking upon themselves as far excelling others, magnifying their parts as if they were their own, when they were the gifts of God. Then the Lord hath left them, to let them see whether they could stand of themselves, and they have fallen, and been taken in the gins and snares of the devil, who, like a roaring lion, is going about continually, seeking whom he may devour.

Now, my friends, it greatly concerns us all to know what refuge we have to fly to, in a time of trial; we have a time of trial now, tho' not a time of external suffer­ing and persecution, and enduring hardship yet upon us, to try our faith and trust in God; yet we have no reason to be secure, carless nor remiss in our present duty, nor to put the evil day far from us, but to be in the exercise of humility and watchfulness as becomes Christians; for there is now as much danger and peril in this time of liberty and tranquillity, as there was before.

If any one in the time of persecution and suffering hath said within himself, I had better give over and part with the truth, and forsake the ways of the Lord, and give over my testimony for his name, for I shall be undone and ruined in the world; this man by his carnal fears hath lost his testimony.

So likewise if a man in this time of liberty and freedom of serving the Lord, and bearing testimony to his name, if he shall not entirely trust in the Lord, to carry him on in his work and service, and continue his dependence upon him, and wait for the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God to work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure, this man shall lose his testimony, as well as the other: There­fore, let every one of you keep up a dependence upon God's [Page 300] Holy Spirit for carrying on the work which he hath begun in your souls; consider what work it is that Christ is now at in every one of you; I know what his work was when I was first convinced, he was burning up and hewing down every thing that hindered his carrying on the work of sanctifi­cation and redemption, and firmness and stability in the covenant of life and peace.

And now our meeting together ought to be in the name of Christ; I hope it is so with most of you: I hope it is not to see and hear what this or that man saith, but to know within yourselves what part of the work of redemp­tion the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying on, that you may join with him, and be a willing people in the day of his power, and say as Paul, Lord, what will thou have me do? If thou wilt have me part with my all, Lord here it is, I offer it up; and if thou wilt have any service done, Lord here I am, speak, for thy servant heareth; let there be in every one of you an attentiveness, and an humble waiting upon the Lord, and say as the Psalmist, behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hands of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until he have mercy upon us.

Whenever a Christian hath his dependence upon God's wisdom and power, such a one shall never want wisdom, the Lord will give him wisdom to preserve him against all the wiles of satan; and he shall never want power, for the Lord will enable him to fulfil and perform what he re­quireth of him; he shall be replenished with judgment and understanding, ability and power, to direct him into the good ways of God, and to enable him to walk in them.

It is the earnest desire of my soul, that every one of you may be exercised in those things which are profitable for you, and which may be comfortable to your friends and brethren; that you may all grow up into a stability and stedfastness in the good ways of the Lord, that you may not be shaken and tossed with every storm and tempest; that when there comes a time for the trial of your patience, and fortitude and courage, you may not be tossed to and fro like children, but be stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, that so living in all holy [Page 301] obedience and patience, and continuing in well-doing, you may have a constant supply of strength and power from God ministered unto you by his Holy Spirit.

THERE is no man can truly worship God, till he comes to a measure of certain knowledge of him; for all the worship in the world where the veil of igno­rance still prevails upon the mind, is all abominable; there is no acceptance with God: There must be a knowledge of God before there can be a true worshipping of him; for they that worship before they know God, they wor­ship they no not what; they worship a God they have heard of, but do not know; so every one that would be a true Worshipper, must first come to that which giveth a true knowledge, that raiseth up a certainty in the mind, this is the Lord, we will trust in him; this is our God, and we will serve him.

And that all people might come to this certainty of knowledge, therefore it is that God hath sent forth his Spirit, that the things of God might be communicated by the Spirit of God, for without the assistance of this Spirit, men seek after the knowledge of God in vain; if they seek after the knowledge of God, they cannot find it, and if they seek after the worship of God, and after acceptance with God, they cannot find it; so that all religion, and religi­ous performances, that people are exercised in, where the spirit of truth hath not the beginning, they will all prove fruitless in the end.

There are wise men in the world, who have employed [Page 302] their wisdom to find out the true God; but God in wis­dom hath ordained, that the world by all their wisdom shall not know him; so there is an end of all their labour: How shall they know him then? As none can know the things of a man, save the spirit of man that is in him, so none can know the things of God, but the Spirit of God; so that they that resist the guidance, direction and coun­sel of the Spirit of God, are like unto those that would enter into a house or palace, and remember not the door that leads into it.

People would fain come into the divine knowledge and into the understanding of divine mysteries, but they would come by it another way; they would study for it, they would learn it by arts and sciences, they would attain it by their own industry; and herein they labour to excel one another. If there comes a man among them that tells them, friends you are all out of the way, then they are angry, and instead of enquiring what is the way, they are angry that their way must be rejected. Friends, you will never come to the knowledge of God but by the Spirit of God; then they mock, and then they scoff and scorn the doctrine of the Spirit, for the teaching of the Spirit hath been the common scorn and derision of our age.

It is so in our day with many; if they cannot come to the knowledge of God any other way but by the Spirit, they would deny to make use of that, to be subject to that, and these put their trust in their own power and industry, to find out the mystery of the knowledge of God; so they are ever learning, but are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth: How should they? How can a people come to a knowledge of the truth, without the spirit of truth that reveals it? Can any come to the knowledge of Christ unless he that sent him reveals him? Where are people's books? where are their bibles? where is their rule (they call it so) that all their endeavours for many ages have proved fruitless in respect to the knowledge of God?

This is but your say so, some may say; how doth it appear that we have not attained to the true knowledge of God? and to the true worship, and to the true religion?

I will tell you how it appears; for all, in all ages, that [Page 303] have attained to the knowledge of God, they have been made partakers of his divine nature and his divine qualities; they have brought forth a sort of fruit in their lives and conversations, that hath been of the same nature, it hath been holy and divine. They have known the sanctifier, and they have been a sanctified people, so they have become one with him, and have shewn forth the beauty of holiness in their lives, that is a demonstration that may shew the knowledge of God, for without it they live another life, an unholy one, a corrupt one, a life of self-love, a life of pride, vanity and enmity, and that they never had from God, but from another root; a life of iniquity and sin, it came from another seed; so that they are still without the knowledge of God.

And again, all that have come to the knowledge of God, they have trusted in him; that people cannot do now-a-days, except here and there a few that do know him; the generality of the age they cannot trust God; they must have something else to rely upon, and trust to, for in him they cannot trust. Now the Lord said by the prophet of old, they that know my name will trust in me; that is enough if people know God, whom to know is eternal life, even to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent: This is life eternal; if people were come to this divine knowledge, they would never take care or study for any refuge, or set up this, or that, or the other thing to lean upon. A rich man he trusteth in his riches, one trusteth to one thing and another to another, but they would trust in the living God, and he should be their God and their rock, and they would venture their con­cerns upon him, both in this world and that which is to come, if they did but know him. People may talk as much as they will, but he can never, properly, be said to be my God, and thy God, till we cast our care upon him, and can venture our concerns upon him, both in this world and that which is to come; and can say, he is our God, and our reliance and dependence is upon him.

Now this is the effect and consequence of this know­ledge of God; such as come to partake of it, they shall have no need to be bid to worship him. You shall have [Page 304] no need to make a law, that this people shall worship the God that they know; there needs no law to command the people of God to worship him; his law is written in their hearts; and they that know him, will worship him. There was never any man on earth, that had the knowledge of the true and living God, that needed be put upon worship­ping him, that needed a law to oblige him to it; for the very knowledge that is given of God through Christ, this brings forth naturally an adoration of the invisible power which men put their trust in; it produceth an adoration that is true worship; it causeth an humble reverence of that power; it brings the soul upon its knees, as it were; it brings the soul to stoop and bend, and bow upon all occasi­ons to God, as his God: It raiseth his expectations to receive counsel, and judgment, and understanding, from him, as the fountain of wisdom; and hereby people are taught to worship in the right divine knowledge.

But to tell men of the worship of God before they know him; though you make as many laws as you will to force them to worship that God they do not know, yet you can never do them any good, nor make their worship accep­table, nor make them devout; you can never bring devo­tion, nor divine adoration into their hearts, by all the laws that you can make.

But there is a spirit of life that sets the soul at liberty from its former bondage to sin and satan; and when this law comes to be revealed in my heart, what saith this law? Worship God, give honour and glory to him. This law saith, submit thyself to him that redeemed thee, thou art his, thou art no more thine own; this law being written in the heart obligeth a man to a true worship, and to worship God in spirit and truth, for this man hath done imagining among the Heathen, that there are Gods many, and Lords many: He hath done imagining what God is, and where he is, for he is now come to know him; he is instructed beyond the best scholar in Athens, let him be ever so mean and despicable in the world; if it be ever so poor a lad or lass, they are beyond the best scholar in Athens; for the best scholar there came only so far as to contra­dict their fellow scholars: Some of them were for Mars, [Page 305] and some for Jupiter, some for one God and some for ano­ther: These scholars, by some beam of divine light shin­ing in them, had come to perceive that the influences that were in Mars, Jupiter and Venus, and the Sun and Moon, and other planets, they received them from an high­er power, that is, God. They denied not that these pla­ets had power and influences given to them; sometimes they are called heavenly bodies; the sky, or canopy of Heaven; and sun, moon and stars are called heavenly bodies, they have power and influences; but this was given them, and that power must be greater than theirs from whom they receive their power, virtue and influence, even that God who is the maker of all things. The scholars at Athens understood so much, as to see there was a God greater than the planets which the nations worshipped; they thought that God was to have an altar as well as Jupiter and Mars, and those other Gods, and therefore they built an altar to the unknown God, whom they igno­rantly worshipped.

If thou and I are come to the knowledge of the true God, then we must know more than these scholars of Athens, who erected an altar to the unknown God: When the apostle came to preach divinity among these scholars of Athens, who were masters of arts and sciences, he preached to them, saying, that unknown God, whom ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you; we do not need to declare to you the Gods of the nations, for you worship them, but to declare to you the unknown God whom ye ignorantly worship; these were the great scholars of Athens that the apostle spake to: What dost thou declare of God? He is the God that made the world and all things therein, see­ing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with mens hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life and breath, and all things, and hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations, that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us; for in him we live, move and [Page 306] have our being; for as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring; for as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone graven by art and man's device.

Here is a way of learning, you need not turn over books any more; if I would know the true God, I must know who gave me life and motion, and who created me, he is not far from me; and how should I find the knowledge of him? feel after him, if haply you may find him; for he is not far from any of us; in him we live, and move, and have our being; we cannot live without him one mo­ment; he giveth life, essence and power, to all creatures in Heaven and Earth; we must have him with us, or we cannot live; I die as soon as my life departs from me, so do you; if my breath and life continue with me, it is by the power of him that giveth it, in whom I live, and move, and have my being; still it is in him that first gave it.

Here all the great scholars and philosophers were coun­selled to feel after him; so are all people now-a-days: This is our business, when we go to preach the know­ledge of God to them that want it; our commission runs not, that we must read such a book, such an author, and turn over such a leaf, and there you shall have a disco­very, and a fair demonstration of the attributes of God, of his wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, omnipotence and omniscience; our commission runs not that way, but our commission runs thus; that we turn people from darkness to light; and from the power of satan to God; to turn their minds from that which may hinder the knowledge of Christ, from darkness, blindness and ignorance; God is not far from them; perhaps they might find him, if they did seek after him.

There are a sort of men now-a-days (such as were in former times) that say unto God, depart from us, we de­sire not the knowledge of thy ways; such a sort of people are dark, and blind and ignorant, and are like to conti­nue so, that say to God, depart from us; God is come to them, but they bid him depart from them: We are [Page 307] sent to these people that are dark and ignorant, and have not the true knowledge of God, though they have abun­dance of notions, hear-say knowledge, learning and specu­lation; our business is to convince them of their igno­rance, and to turn them from darkness to light.

There are a people that have mocked and scoffed at us ma­ny years; what, say they, is there a light within? Must we go to the light within? Hath every body a light within?

Yes, I believe so; and you must believe so too, if you will believe the scriptures. Christ is the true light, and he hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world. If he did light them, how did he do it? I will tell you, say they; he spake a great many gracious words, and some­body hath writ them down. What, will this prove the light within? Because we have got a New Testament, and Christ hath spoken a great many gracious words, and they are written down and recorded, doth this prove the light within? No, people might have been in darkness still, for all the books of the New Testament, and the Old Testament too, and for all the books in the world; for they would never have conveyed light into the hearts and consciences of men, if God had not placed it there.

Indeed these books may be instrumental, and God doth make use of them as a means for the conveying of light and grace, and working of true conversion; but the holy scriptures cannot do it of themselves, unless there be a co-acting and co-operation of the Spirit of Christ with them; without this spirit they cannot convey saving light to us; how prove you then a light within? The apostle tells you, if you will believe him, 2 Cor. iv, 6; God, who commandeth the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ; so that every one that retireth into himself, will know quickly, and under­stand his error, and confess that there is a light within, and that by this rule, because there is something in the heart, that makes manifest that which is reprovable; if they do or say a thing reprovable, that which manifesteth a thing is light; that which manifesteth dark words or works, is light.

[Page 308]Now when they have found this light within, the next question in controversy is, whether this will give men suf­ficient light for the true knowledge of God; whether this be sufficient to bring a man to life and salvation?

I am of that judgment, that it is sufficient; and I be­lieve it heartily, and preach it boldly in the name of the Lord, that the light that shines in your hearts, shines there to give you the true knowledge of God, in the face of the Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot be­lieve this, you will say, for you have had this ever since you was a child, and you know not the least good it hath done you; all our learned men and ministers, go to what sort you will, they speak very slightly of it; this light within is nothing but natural conscience, a poor light, it is but an ignis fatuus, that will mislead us. But let me tell thee, the reason why it doth thee no more good, is, because thou hast been loose and wanton, and vain, and wouldest not receive the reproofs of it; reckon up the time, and call to mind, when thou didst receive the reproofs of it, then it did thee some good, and brought thee to remorse, and brought anguish and sorrow, and trou­ble into thy mind, and brought thee to a right sense of what evil thou hadst done; but if thou didst not regard it, no wonder it did thee no good; its reproofs and coun­sels were like the seed sown by the high way, the fowls of the air gathered it up, and it did not grow; that is, the devil plucked it up, and then the soul lay as seed that brought forth no fruit to God, and the devil might have what advantage he would.

I will tell you the reason why so many learned men, men of great abilities, speak so slightly and meanly of it, because it hath done them no good, inward nor outward, that they know of: How should it do you good when it hath done them none? The reason why it doth them no good, is because they do not believe in it; and did Christ ever do any body good that did not believe in him? He gave men power indeed to become the sons of God, the greatest good that they are capable of; but it was to those that believed on his name: Were all they the sons of God that heard Christ preach? No, some were [Page 309] the devil's sons; our Saviour tells them, that they were of their father the devil, and they did his works; they came to meetings and heard Christ preach; he discoursed to them, but it did them no good, for they did not be­lieve on his name.

And then it appears in the next place, that if this light be taken heed to, and if men come to be taught by it and receive instructions, they would then have it all for nothing, they would have it all for God's sake; all the counsels and understanding of divine mysteries, all the open­ings of God, and all their knowledge of God would be ob­tained without charge: What then would become of the trade of preaching Christ, and the attributes of God; then their silver-shrine-trade will be spoiled, and then their Diana is gone; and this light hath done them no good inwardly because of their unbelief; and it doth them no good out­wardly, because it spoils their preaching trade, because it teacheth men for nothing, but teacheth them, for God's sake, the light of the knowledge of God, that shines in the face of Jesus Christ, wherein are the openings of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

So that if any come to know the virtue and the power that turneth men from darkness to light, they are come to another state, and turned from the power of satan to the pow­er of God; and when the power of God is revealed in them, then they say, this is my God; now I know the true God; they speak as those that are acquainted with him; this is life eternal to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent: It is not to know him at a distance, but as always present: The soul comes to be acquainted with God, as familiarly as a man is ac­quainted with his friend, and better too: A man that is acquainted with his friend, only knows some things per­taining to him; but those that are acquainted with their Maker they know the whole counsel of God, so far as be­longs to their peace; therefore it was not in vain said of old, acquaint thou thyself with him, and be at peace: Be but acquainted with that inward power that knows thy thoughts, and then nobody need to preach a sermon to thee of the omnipresence of God; nobody need make [Page 310] thee a doctrine of it, and offer reasons and motives for thee to believe it; it is all foolish labour; I know that God is with me, and near me; I feel him in me, and with me, at my down-lying and up-rising; when I am in my shop and about my business, he is with me in all places; and such a man is also well instructed about the omniscience of God; God's knowing every thing; I have learned that since I came to know him, all the doctors in Europe can tell me no more than I know in that point; the Lord ob­serveth all my goings, and numbereth all my steps; Lord, thou makest manifest the thoughts of my heart, thou searchest my heart, and tryest my reins. Here is God's omniscience and knowing all things. Here is divinity growing out of the life.

Then the wisdom of God is infinite; so are all God's attributes infinite, incomprehensible and unspeakable, they are all so in him, but he makes manifest a measure of his wisdom; he brings a man from being such a fool as he was before, to become a wise man; he was such a sot and fool as to become drunk and tumble in the dirt; he could not stand upon his legs, but now he is become wise and sober: Another was so foolish as to defile himself and wallow in his uncleanness; now such a man comes to true wisdom, it begins in the fear of God, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: What doth his wisdom do? It keeps him out of the dirt; it makes him live, first as a man then as a Christian, to live righteously, soberly and godly, in this present world: It leads him into the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God; to know and comprehend with all saints, what is the heighth, and length, and breadth, and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge: This is more than bare sobriety and moderate living; such are taught to live soberly, righ­teously and godly, to live by faith, and to be led into the knowledge of the mystery of the kingdom of God; to know the Lord Jesus Christ to their justification. This is the learned and the wise man; he hath got the substance as well as the shadow; he hath the marrow as well as the bone; he is reconciled to God, through Christ; he hath re­mission of sins through Christ Jesus, that died for him and rose again.

[Page 311]When you come to be partakers of this, it will do you good; notions will not do it; when you come to know God for yourselves, and understand him for yourselves, to know him as your Saviour and Redeemer, that hath res­cued you from the snares of the wicked one; whoever doth this, they will worship God; when they have this know­ledge of him, they will bow to him, they will be like those of old that said, he is our judge, he is our law-giver, he is our king, and he will save us: There arose a testimony in the hearts of good people of that age, that God was their judge that judged them, their law-giver that directed them, how they should make their way to him; that he was their king, and ought to rule them, for he must save them.

So when people come to know God for themselves, to be inwardly acquainted with God for themselves; when a company of these souls meet together, when they have been at this school, and learned this lesson of divinity, they then sit down and wait upon the Lord, that God that searcheth the heart and trieth the reins, and observeth how they do service for the honour of his name, and they receive spiritual gifts from him to their edification and comfort, and they receive judgment from him when they do any thing contrary to his mind.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Minister of the Sanctuary which the Lord hath pitched: If men have a church, as they call it, they must have John or Thomas for their mini­ster: We know who is the minister of such a place; but here is a minister set up in God's sanctuary, this priest's lips shall preserve knowledge. All that come to God's church are taught of this priest, he is a high one, the high priest of our profession, we have not such another; he is not set up by a carnal commandment; his induction came not from any priest in this world, but his induction came from the God of Heaven and Earth; his Father set him up for a priest; he comes by a Heavenly induction and commission, he is a priest forever, after the order of Mel­chisedeck, not after the order of Aaron: If you come to God's church, you may hear this minister.

Some have called a house of stone, or wood, a church, [Page 312] but that will not do now, therefore there are people that know better than they, who see churches gathered of liv­ing stones; men and women are gathered to these churches. Now the apostle saith, the church is in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: If you will come to church you must come to Jesus Christ, the church is in God, the Fa­ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, the general assembly, the congregation of his faithful people. What do you mean by a church? Ask a learned man, that understands Greek and Hebrew, what is the meaning of the word? A church, saith he, is the congregation of the faithful, it is an assem­bly of the faithful people congregated together. Where must they meet? they must meet in the general assembly of the first-born, whose names are written in Heaven. The Hebrews were come to that church, though they lived many hundred miles asunder, in Asia, Cappadocia and Bythinia: You are come to the general assembly of the first-born; there is a priest, there is the high-priest of our pro­fession, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is a priest after the order of Melchisedeck, not after the order of Aaron. How long is this priest like to stay in his priesthood? Forever; he is a priest forever, not after a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

The priests that were after Aaron's order, they could not continue: Death snatched one away, then they must have another priest; but here is one that hath a priesthood higher than the Heavens, by the power of an endless life: Here is the priest of God's church, and the teacher of God's people; so that when God's people come to church, that is, to God the Father, there Christ teacheth them, according to the old prophesy, I will teach my people myself.

We have laboured to bring people to this teaching, that they might come to the knowledge of the living God. Now there needs none to teach them, for they are taught of God; blessed be God, our labour hath not been in vain, we see the fruit of our labours, and are satisfied. We have been labouring to bring men to know the Lord; now all shall know the Lord, from the greatest to the least, and bow before him, and worship him; they hear that their [Page 313] high priest's lips shall preserve knowledge. If they do amiss, he chastiseth them for it; if they do well, then he comfort­eth them by his Spirit: Now our labour is, that all may be brought to this, and that every one may know the Lord, and may fear him and serve him, and worship him in his temple: Our bodies are a temple for that use, to worship God in; know you not that your bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost? you must worship in yourselves, you must go into yourselves, you must know the exercise of the grace of God in yourselves, and the workings of the spirit of truth in yourselves, and that your souls in your bo­dies may be bowed to the power of the spirit, and that your worship must be in the spirit; you must pray in the spirit, and give thanks in the spirit.

Though those that set up worship in the church, talk of divinity and religion in every part of it, yet the substance of all the shadows of the law are fulfilled in the gospel; the substance of all the modes, and rites, and forms of reli­gion, are fulfilled in the gospel-way: So then let every one compare and examine their state, and consider how the case stands between them and their Maker, what knowledge they have of God, and what trust they have put in him, that so they may be persuaded and prepared to come within the pale of this church. But you must first come out of the world, else you can never come into that church that is in God; if you be in the world, you must go to the world's church, and be the members of the world's church; and you shall have this for your pains, the world will love you; but if you come out of the world's church into God's church, the world cannot love you.

Be as good as thou wilt, thou canst never be so good as Christ Jesus, and they loved him not, because he was not of the world; if you were of this world, saith Christ, the world would love its own; but since you are not of the world, I have taken you out of it, therefore the world hates you; if they do so to the green-tree, what will they do to the branches? are you better than I? saith our Saviour; the servant is not greater than his Lord: Those that are the disciples of Christ must be content to be persecuted, reviled and hated for his name's sake; for thus they treated him [Page 314] who was holy, and harmless, and undefiled, who gave them a good example, and who did them no hurt, but did them good; yet the world hated him, and it is but reasonable to expect that you should suffer from the world in the same manner, and bear it at their hands.

If you come to this church that is in God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator, the church of the first-born that are written in Heaven, and come out of the world's church, then the world will be about your ears; all the world will set themselves against this church, against the woman that shall bring forth a birth, that shall rule over the na­tions: There appeared a great wonder in Heaven, a woman cloathed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and up­on her head a crown of twelve stars, and she being with child cried, travelling in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there also appeared another wonder in heaven (a terrible thing) and behold a great read dragon, having seven heads and ten horns; and the dragon stood before the woman that was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born: And she brought forth a man child, that was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. When the dra­gon was ready to devour this birth, God took it into his own care, in spite of the devil and all his instruments, and he will save the child and preserve the woman; he that sits in Heaven will laugh at his enemies and defeat them. There is a place appointed for the woman in the wilderness, where she is preserved by the Almighty Pow­er; where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent; but she must come out again after some time, in spite of the devil and all his instruments, of all his dragons and serpents: The woman must come out of the wilderness, and the man-child must come down with great power, to rule the nation.

This hath been accomplished, say some, above fourteen hundred years ago; and if you will take their word, the church hath been come so long out of the wilderness. But the church that they speak of, hath it not wanted holiness and righteousness? Hath it given glory to God on high, with peace on earth and good will to men? No, [Page 315] their church hath lived in tyranny and barbarous cruelty, and shedding of blood. They say the church was in the wilderness in Dioclesian's time, and when Constantine came to the empire then she came out of the wilderness.

If it had been a holy church, we should have seen the man-child come down from God, and holiness and righ­teousness would have run down like a mighty stream, and truth would have filled the whole earth. All these things have not yet been fulfilled, for we have seen the pro­fessors of truth fallen in the streets; they have been per­secuted and troubled, and thrown into prisons and dunge­ons; but there is a better church somewhere to be found.

I read of the holy church, the lamb's wife, the spouse of Christ that hath been hid somewhere, a great while, in some corner or other in the wilderness; but she will come forth again out of the wilderness, leaning upon her well-beloved: She doth not come leaning on this prince and the other potentate: She comes not out of the wilderness leaning on captains, generals and armies, but leaning on Christ her well-beloved, the immortal, invisible power of the Son of God; she trusteth in it.

All the other churches, I have read of, they have leaned upon one prince or potentate, or one emperor or another, and they have relied on these great men as on their bul­wark; but this church that comes out of the wilderness, will come leaning only upon her well-beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of her faith; she will put her trust in him, for he will deliver his church from all her enemies: And though the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood, after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood, yet the Lord will cause the earth to help the woman, and the earth shall open her mouth and swallow up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Let the dragon do what he can to destroy the woman and her seed, she knows what her beloved can do, he will command the earth to open and swallow up the flood, and she shall go dry through it.

How happy are they that lean upon Christ their well-beloved! The church of Christ in all ages hath leaned up­on him, and he hath founded his church upon a rock, so [Page 316] that the devil and all his instruments, and the very gates of hell shall not prevail against her. The members of this church have Christ Jesus for their teacher, and they receive counsel and direction from him: He is their priest and teacher, and he teacheth them by his spirit and his word, which he hath placed in their hearts, and given them an un­derstanding to know him that is true: Christ's word you must keep to, if you will be true scholars. This is true divinity; if you will have the mysteries of the kingdom of God communicated and opened to you, give heed to his word, and that truth that is in your inward parts: Attend to that light and that grace that is manifested in your hearts, and the Lord will shew you more of the power and efficacy thereof; and if you be faithful in a little, he will make you rulers over much; live answerable to the understanding and knowledge that God hath given you, and if you be faithful in a little, he will communicate more and more of his mind and will to you; and if you be led by the spirit of truth, you will trust in it, and hearken to it, and understand the language of it in your own hearts; and if you be a willing people in the day of God's power, God will work all things in you and for you, and work in you both to will, and to do, of his good pleasure.

IT is our great concern, while we are in this world, to promote the glory of God, and to work out our own salvation, to endeavour, as much as in us lies, to be sen­sible, and to help one another to be sensible of the love of God to us: This is the only thing that can give us true comfort, to have a sense of the love of God to us in Christ [Page 317] Jesus: There is nothing more certain than that all of us are partakers of the love of God, which is imparted to us daily, and we live not a day without it; but we may, if we have not a care, live many days without it, and without the comfortable sense of it; and that is the reason, that a great many of the sons and daughters of men, do shew forth in their lives, so little love to God, because they have so little sense of his love to them; for the apostle John, that had attained to a great knowledge and experience in Chris­tianity, plainly declareth, that the reason of that love that we have to God is, because he first loved us; and I do not believe that any man can have any true love to God, that is not sensible of the love of God to him.

And as for those temporal blessings that we enjoy in this life, as health and strength, and our very breath and being, and well-being, that every day and hour are con­tinued, they are from the love of God to us, and the lengthening out of our lives and vouchsafing us opportuni­ties for the good of our souls, are evident tokens of God's love and good-will to us. Where these things are not con­sidered and regarded, men live like the beasts that perish, and regard not him that made them, but go on in disobe­dience to him, and dishonouring of his great name, and heaping up wrath upon their own souls: And thus doth every man, while he remains in his natural state and con­dition; for there is in every man by nature the seed and root of all sin and rebellion against God, which makes him return evil to God for the good he doth to us.

And I believe we are all of us sensible, in some mea­sure, of the depravity that is fallen upon all mankind, and of that enmity to God, and that aversion that is in men to the doing the will of God, and that impoten­cy and inability that is in every man to the reforming of his ways, and the changing of his heart, and leaving off his corrupt and vicious inclinations, without the di­vine help and assistance of the grace and Spirit of God.

Now they that are thus far sensible of their alienation, by nature, from the Lord, and are also sensible, that the time they have here, is the only time they have for their preparation and being fitted for that everlasting kingdom, [Page 318] which we all would enjoy; how ought this to affect the mind of every one, that while they have time, they might prize it and improve it, and come to an inward sense of the love of God, that so they might have a love raised in their hearts again to God? For people will never be obe­dient unto God, till they love him, nor ever love him, till they are sensible of his love to them.

Therefore, that which is the means and way of God's making himself known to the sons and daughters of men, that means, and that way, every one ought to embrace; every one ought to be acquainted with it, and have the exercise of their minds in it, that so we might come to the knowledge of God, and might know, by an experi­mental and sensible feeling, the kindness of God to us.

And truly friends, they that are minded to spend their time, and exercise themselves, in the consideration of the mercy and kindness of God, they have work enough for their whole life-time, to consider and contemplate the ma­nifold mercies of God bestowed upon them; for we have our life and breath from him, whom the whole world obeys, and serves; God, that made all living creatures, hath created us, and preserved us; he hath had long-suf­fering and patience towards us until now, and he is yet mindful to do us good, which is evidently manifest by the invitations and promises he hath made us, and the work­ings of his Holy Spirit that he hath made us acquainted withal.

For who is there in this assembly, that God hath not made sensible of the tenders of his grace, and invitations to repentance and reformation, that they that live loosely and vainly in the world, might turn to the Lord with all their hearts, and consider their ways and doings? God hath waited to be gracious to the sons and daughters of men, and his mercy and patience hath been beyond all human patience, beyond the patience that ever you did bestow upon any, this the Lord hath bestowed upon you; therefore I entreat you, in the love of God, let this consideration sink deeply into your spirits, that you may be affected with the kind­ness of God, and his patience towards you, and his long-suffering, while you have been sinning against him.

[Page 319]But some will say, how shall I know this? After what manner may I experience this love of God to me? How may I be sure that the Lord hath a love for me?

My friends, it is not only temporal kindness that we enjoy from God; it is not only the lengthening out of our days, that is an evident token of the love of God to us; but there is a demonstration and manifestation of it, that is universally extended to the sons and daughters of men, in that he hath sown his word in them, and hath sown his truth and his grace in their hearts, that every man, tho' he may be ever so wicked, ever so foolish and vain, yet he hath many times checks and reproofs in his own heart: I know it, and I doubt not but you do.

Pray whence comes that principle which doth stop you in a course of sin, and check and reprove you for sinning against the Lord? If you attend to it, and consider it, you will find it proceeds from God; it comes from him, from him comes our life and breath; then people should be incited to receive the grace of God; the favour and mercy of God which he hath bestowed upon them, in order to their salvation. The scripture tells us, that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. If thou hast any good, it came by Jesus Christ; and if thou hast any truth, it came by Jesus Christ, who is the fountain of truth, and the foun­tain of the grace of God; it is he by whom God hath made himself known to the sons and daughters of men; it is Christ alone, that God hath ordained to be a Medi­ator between God and man, that so he might be the minister of an everlasting covenant, which we are brought into with God; so that now people should come to the conside­ration of the way and means that God hath ordained for their redemption, namely, that he hath given Jesus, that great and unspeakable gift of his love and kindness, to the sons and daughters of men; here is grace and truth, that came by Jesus Christ: How is it come? It is come into my heart. Tho' sin, and lusts and corruptions, per­haps, have a place in many, yet Christ hath a place too▪ he hath made his grave with the wicked, and was numbered with the transgressors; he was like the seed that lies un­der the clods, and is the least of all seeds, yet when it [Page 320] comes out of the ground, it riseth high, and spreads abroad its branches, and brings forth fruit; this love of God, this unchangeable holy truth, is in every one; why then should not every man be ruled and governed by it?

But some men will say, is truth better than falshood, and grace better than lust and corruption?

You may see that, by the light that is discovered in the inward parts: Let every man turn inward to the grace of God, turn to that light that shews itself in the crea­ture, and see what it will do for us: This is the doctrine that the apostle was sent withal; he was sent with a com­mission to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God: Why did he do it? It was for this end, that men might have remission of sin, and that they might come to an inheritance among them that are sanc­tified by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord; so that this gospel is the same that it ever was, though men have divers ways of preaching, and several methods and ways of declaring the truths of the gospel; blessed be God the apostolical doctrine is preached again, and the blessed gospel hath the same power attending it that was in former days, and may have the same effect; and that this may be the portion of every one of you, is the end of our labour. And we have in our eye but two things.

First, to discharge a good conscience in the sight of God, who hath given us his word to preach, and to turn men from darkness to lights and from the power of satan to God; that we might keep ourselves free from the blood of all men.

Secondly, another end is, the desire that God hath plac­ed in our hearts, that all men every where might be saved; this is God's will; if any be damned it is their own will, and the devil's will; this is God's will, that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance and be eter­nally saved. Now in this work of your salvation, we would have regard to him that sent us to preach the ever­lasting gospel, and we would discharge ourselves faith­fully, and be made manifest in your consciences, that the benefits of the gospel might come to be yours; that you might answer the purpose of God, in sending Christ to be [Page 321] the Saviour of mankind; you must turn from sin to God, and then you will find the blessing that comes by Jesus, which is to turn every one from his evil ways.

You may read this in a book, and you may also plain­ly read it in your hearts: The Lord Jesus Christ hath given you light to distinguish between good and evil; if you do good, you may make a comfortable reflection up­on yourselves, and this will be your rejoicing, the testi­mony of your conscience on that account; but if you do evil, though all men do justify you and commend you, yet you will be condemned in yourselves; so that you have that in yourselves which distinguisheth between things that differ in their nature and kind, and you have a little enlightening by the knowledge and understanding you have received concerning the things that are pleasing and dis­pleasing to God; if after you know this, you will go on in a way displeasing to God, he will at length be too hard for you, and plunge you down into the abyss of his wrath to all eternity.

After persons are satisfied and enlightened with the light of Christ, and come to the experience of things in them­selves, they will love the light and walk in the light; but there are many in this age that have read the scrip­tures plentifully, and yet still go on in a way of sin, they cannot love the light that reproves them; he that doth evil he hates the light, and the dawning of the day is as the shadow of death to him, and it brings nothing but con­demnation upon such persons, so that they do not love the light, though it is evident they have it and enjoy it; and it shall be their condemnation whether they will or no; if they do not love the light and embrace it, it will never be to their salvation.

God hath given Christ to be a light to the Gentiles, and his salvation to the ends of the earth. He is the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world; the apostle John tells you the genealogy of the word of God; in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God; and the same was in the beginning with God; all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made; in him was life, [Page 322] and the life was the light of men; the life of the eternal word was the light of men; what men do you mean? I answer, he is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He extendeth his light to every man, but it is condemnation to every man so long as he continues to be a sinner against God: This is the condem­nation, that light is come into the world, and men love dark­ness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.

Now all men are by nature dead in sins and trespasses; after our first parents fell into sin they were dead to God; in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die; when they had eaten the forbidden fruit, they did not die as to outward appearance, but they died as to that communion they had with their Maker; in this dead state lie all the sons and daughters of Adam; but, as our Saviour speaks, though they be dead, they shall live again; Christ is the Lord from Heaven, a quickening Spirit; this is the ob­ject of our faith that hath been extended and offered to mankind ever since the fall; there is no name under Heaven, no other power or spirit by which a man can be saved; this great Mediator, the eternal Son of God, is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world: Faith in Christ is the same that ever it was, notwithstanding the many forms of worship among the sons of men; some of God's setting up, and some of men's setting up; yet among all these, the object of faith is the same, and saith the same.

In the 11th chapter of the Hebrews, that little book of martyrs, the apostle there gives you a catalogue of the mighty things that have been done by the faith of God's people; he begins with Abel; by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it, he being dead, yet speaketh; by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God translated him, for before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God; and so the apostle there goes to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses: And what shall I say more, saith he, for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and Jeptha, of David, Samuel, and of the prophets, who [Page 323] through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. All these great and noble things were done by faith; it was the aspect their souls had upon Christ the Mediator between God and man; it was their trust and reliance upon God through Christ the Mediator that did support and uphold them in all they did and suffered. This faith is still the same.

There are many faiths in the world beside, but they will prove but the faith of hypocrites. Some have a faith, that if they do this and the other work, they say you may trust your souls upon these good works; but this is not the faith of Abraham, the father of the faithful. But some called Christians are gone so far in the doctrine of me­rits, that they think they can do enough for their own salvation, and for their friends and relations too; that there may be more merit still over and above, that others may have benefit by the merit of their works of supereroga­tion: But this is not the faith of Abraham, and other saints, by which they wrought such wonders in the world. I would not have men trust at all in their own works for salvation, but trust in Christ alone, who is able to save, to the uttermost, all that come to God by him.

But some will object that we are taught the doctrine of faith in Christ, and justification by him.

Well, for my part, my tongue shall as soon drop out of my mouth, as oppose the doctrine of being justified by faith in Christ. But, let me tell you, this may be mis­applied: If a man believe that he is justified by faith in Christ, and yet knows, in his own conscience, that he is condemned, he believeth a lie; he is seduced and de­ceived. A man cannot be justified by Christ, when the Spirit of Christ condemneth him: Such a one, when he comes to lay down his head upon his dying pillow, all his faith will fly away. I have met with some instances, lamentable instances, of those that were called Christians, that have made a profession of religion, and at last have laid down their heads in sorrow. If this be your mis­take, [Page 324] consider, while you have time, that you may die in peace.

Now the proposition and tender of the love of God to mankind, hath always carried that limitation with it, that every one in the world ought to observe; if a man hope to be saved by Christ, he must be ruled by him: It is contrary to all manner of reason, that the devil should rule a man, and Christ be his Saviour: The whole tenor of the New Testament is against it (pray read it as oft as you please, for it is a good exercise) you will find the true Christian's faith to be this, that he that hath faith in Christ hath an operation upon him for the clean­sing his heart, and purifying and purging his conscience from dead works, that he may serve the living God; though he hath been a servant of the devil, it will make him leave his former servitude, and bring him under the influence of another law, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which will make him free from the law of sin and death. The apostle sets down the several conditions he had passed through; I was alive without the law once; he thought him­self a man, a brave man, a man of understanding, that had profited among the Jews; I was alive, having respect to that law which should have been my governor; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. He had read the law, the commandment, many times, and had been at the reading of it in the synagogue; but there was a comming of the commandment which he had not been acquainted with; there was a writing of the law of God in his heart; when he came to this inward work upon him, where was then the life he lived? When the command­ment came sin revived, and I died: There was a profes­sing life he formerly lived, but he was slain by the power of the commandment, it laid him in the dust as a slain man; when he was in a slain condition he found out that law in him that was the law of sin and death, and this caused a combat and a war in him; I find a law, saith he, that when I would do good, evil is present with me; for I de­light in the law of God in the inner man; but I see an­other law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, [Page 325] which is in my members: Now this brought him to a pover­ty of spirit, into a sense of his miserable condition, and then he cries out, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death!

Now some people in this day, they are like the apostle, they have a law in their members warring against the law of their minds; the good that they would do they do not, and they can go no further: But the apostle Paul did reach further, though he did not in that state know deliverance, yet he had a faith that he should be delivered, and that he should not be miserable all his days. Thus having led the Romans into the several states through which he passed, he brings them to a further state, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death: And now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. How shall we know this? They walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Now Paul was come to that sanctified state, that state of free­dom and liberty which Christ Jesus will bring all those unto that believe in him.

Holy men, in former days, did experience and find a great strife and warfare in their own hearts, they would all do well, and exercise a conscience, void of offence, to­wards God and towards man; but there is a law of sin that wars in their members; if we yield to it it leads to sin and death; but if we yield ourselves to the law of the spirit of life, there is a power that is derived from the Mediator, that will translate the soul out of the king­dom of darkness and sin, which the devil is the prince of, and bring it into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

There must be a real change wrought in us before we can come to God, and to fellowship and communion with God, which alone can make the soul happy. Let this be the exercise of every one of us to adore and magnify the great mercy and the kindness of God, that he hath not withdrawn his spirit from you, but hath placed a monitor in your bosoms that calls upon you to cease to do evil, and learn to do well, and to consider that the wages of sin is death: Here is a sin, I may commit it; there is a temptation before me, but I know there is a bait and [Page 326] a hook; I may swallow it if I will, but if I do, it will be my ruin: Would I come to eternal death, and have my portion with liars and wicked persons in the kingdom of darkness, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched? Or would I have my portion with saints and angels? If I would have my portion with the blessed in the kingdom of God when I die, I must walk in the way that leads to it; but the gate is strait and the way nar­row, and few there be that find it; labour then to be one of those few.

But what signifies our labour (some may say) if we can do nothing that is good, not so much as think a good thought? What signifies our labour? All the labours and endeavours in the whole world cannot make a man happy.

I now speak to a people to whom God doth vouch­safe the help and assistance of his grace and Spirit, and the visitations of his love and power; you must now endea­vour to do something; if a man endeavour, with the help of God he may do a great deal of good, and shun a great deal of evil: Though all our endeavours, in our own power and strength can signify nothing, yet they are required by God, and by joining them with his grace, and laying hold of opportunities, by divine assistance, we may do what God will accept. But if a man do any thing in his own power and strength, whether prayer, hear­ing, reading, meditation, or any other duty, he had as good let it alone.

I would consider you as those that God hath followed with his grace and the manifestation of his spirit; this is given to every man to profit withal, and every man hath opportunity to work with it; but he must work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.

Let every one of us that are now met together, labour to be sensible of the love of God to us, and love him above all, and express our love by a willing and persevering obedience, that we may have the love of God shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and offer up living praises to him through Jesus Christ, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

IT is a general doctrine in the world, that no man by any means can ever be set free from sin in this life: This is universally received among almost all Christians, in all churches; and though they differ ever so much in other things, yet they agree in this; so that this doctrine hath got a sway in the world, and it is accounted a great delusion and a heresy, and a grand error for any to question the truth of it.

Now while a man is of that belief, that there is an im­possibility of living without sin, and of breaking down the kingdom of satan in any one soul in the world, how can men hope or believe that righteousness should prevail in the heart of one man? There is neither king nor beggar, nor bishop nor a gospel minister, but the devil must have a rule and government in him, so long as he lives in the world. As long as this is believed, it is not possible that the other belief should take place; it is madness to think that I must be under the rule and government of satan if I am under the government of the Son of God. And it is still greater madness to say, that Christ and the devil are both my governors and rulers: It is prodigious folly and madness to speak after this manner.

This belief prevails over all men; over the wise, and mighty, and noble, and learned, that they can never be freed from the power of sin in this world, but that the devil will lead them into sin every day; let men be ever so sober, ever so abstemious in their lives; let them spend ever so many hours in prayer every day; let them come to meetings and hear sermons, and write them, and re­peat them, and do what they will, here is a bar of un­belief that lies in the way, that makes men depart from the living God, and his power, and lose the benefit they shall receive from Christ: And therefore they go to ob­tain [Page 328] it another way, that is, to have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and they shall be pure and holy in the sight of God, when they are polluted in their own eyes; and when they see their daily failings, infirmities and corruptions, yet God may not see them; but that he sees them holy, just and righteous in his Son.

What strange kind of doctrine is this? I must presume that God will see me in his Son, Jesus Christ, when I never was in Christ: How can this be? He that is in Christ, is a new creature; old things are done away, and all things are become new: But if there be old things re­maining still, and I am not become new, shall I presume that I am in Christ, and that God will see me in his Son? When people come to use the understanding that God hath given them, they will look upon themselves as barred out by their unbelief, that the nations have drunk in; and it is as sweet to them as the honey and the ho­ney-comb.

But, blessed be God, many have vomited it up already; If they would have placed this doctrine upon man's na­tural ability, I would have said Amen to it. I know there is none of us all have a natural ability and power to de­liver his own soul from sin and satan; but when they come to place it upon God, that though the Lord make bare his arm, and reveal his power; though they come to have the grace of God, that still they could not be de­livered from sin, this hath blasphemy at the bottom of it. The other reflected upon man's power; this reflects upon the power of God Almighty: That the devil hath got such a power over us, that God hath not power over us, nor can have power and dominion over us, so that of a whole nation he cannot have one man to serve him.

Much might be said in answer to this: When men are once willing to serve God, they will be willing to leave the service of the devil. There is no way to answer that good wish, but by wating upon God for the revealing of his power: I pray God that when you come to a meeting, you may say, Lord, let thy power go forth upon my heart; let thy arm be made bare, and deliver me from the power and dominion of sin. Some will say they feel God's [Page 329] power in a meeting; I feel the power of God working upon my heart, in order to the taking away sin and trans­gression, and giving me victory over it, through the Lord Jesus Christ. If they feel this power of God upon them, it is their duty to believe it and depend upon it: If I be­lieve it, I must wait for the dictates of it, and believe that I shall be able to do all things through Christ that strength­ens me: Then faith will come forth into works, and ap­pear to be a living faith.

You may remember what the apostle James saith, as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. As soon as a man comes to join with the mighty power of God, he will be able to withstand temptation: If he comes into evil company, he will deny them and not comply with them; he will find then something of a power and ability to serve God; though he is not come to per­fection, yet he is walking in the way of holiness, and pres­sing forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus: He will say, I have got a little nearer than I was towards the place where I would be, towards that life which I would live and die; then let death come when it pleaseth God, it shall be welcome.

This is the wickedness of many in the world, they will not live such a life as they would be willing to die in. They cannot come at it unless it be given them to believe, for it is the gift of God; they must come to their governor and leader, which goes before, to the gift of God, which is eternal life; then let death come when it will, if I have the gift of eternal life.

It is a miserable thing to think that there are many that have not laid hold of eternal life: It is manifested, that we may lay hold of it, there is a hand of faith joining with it. When a man comes to lay hold of eternal life, this life will purify him and sanctify him, at least by degrees, till he be wholly sanctified in body, soul and spirit: This is that which the apostle writes in one of his epistles, your salvation is nearer than when you at first believed. When they first believed, their salvation was a pretty way off. He de­scribes salvation to be the end of their faith and hope.

When a man comes to be delivered from his sins, he shall serve God without fear; but when a man comes to [Page 330] live by faith, he shall overcome; he is a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and he must fight valiantly under his banner, till he gets a victory over all his enemies, and then his sal­vation is much nearer than when he at first believed.

I would I could say so of some of you; for I fear your salvation is farther off: Some go straggling here and there, as sheep not having a shepherd; this is that which my spirit is exercised with. You that are travellers to­wards the kingdom of God, it is the wonderful grace and mercy of God, that ever it should come into your minds to seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness there­of. They that have obtained this mercy from God, shall receive and enjoy other mercies, better mercies; blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: That is one mercy; but there is another mercy, they shall be fil­led; they shall be satisfied: When a man comes to this, he must take up a daily cross, and exercise self-denial; but if he follow Christ, he shall be satisfied; he shall then have nothing but peace and joy; he shall then sing praises and glory to God in the highest, and to the Lamb for­ever.

There is none can understand the glory that is laid up for those that take up their cross and follow Christ, and love his appearing. This is the greatest blessing that God doth give unto his people, he hath sent his Son Jesus to bless us, and turn us from our iniquities. This is a bles­sing indeed. Take heed that you do not admit of any new terms: Do not think to bring God Almighty to new arti­cles, the terms are declared and concluded on already: If you will obtain the blessing, you must be turned every one of you from your iniquities: The terms are already made, the law of God must be written in the heart and inward thoughts, and you must close with that power that will write the law in your hearts, and by travelling towards the king­dom of God, you will see the coming of that kingdom in you.

It was the joy of my soul, that I saw the kingdom of Christ would be set up in my heart, before it was set up there; then I saw the Lord's wonderful work, and there was a great alteration in me, when the Lord was pleased to wean me [Page 331] from the world's breast, and take off my heart, and wean it from worldly lusts, from the world's joys, and pleasures, and fashions, and the world's honour and reputation: I say the Lord was pleased to wean me from these things, and brought me to a holy resignation, to give up my heart to him: If I have joy, it must be from the Holy Spirit; if I have pleasure it must be in the presence of God, who in the multitude of my thoughts within me made his comforts de­light my soul; and if he bring not comfort to you, you will never have it; you cannot expect it till you do believe; and when you have faith, you can feel the kingdom of God within you: There must be the new birth, the work of regeneration, for except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; there must be a translation from death to life, there must be a turning out of the old bottom and a fixing upon a new bottom, upon Christ Jesus the rock of ages; there must be a subjection to his holy power and government, else you cannot see the kingdom of God.

Many have gone on in a profession many years, and never saw the beauty of it; and every little trifle in the world hath diverted them, and drawn them away. This and the other pleasure hath drawn away their hearts, they have seen the glory of the world, which hath captivated them: But those that make a profession of the truth, and have seen the beauty and glory of the kingdom of Christ, they should, be shy of returning to the world again, for the apostle saith, it happened to them according to the true pro­verb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire; it had been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness, than af­ter they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them: They made a profession, and were mem­bers of a visible church, and had a name to live, but they were inwardly dead, the sight of the kingdom of God is not given to such, but unto babes, that have a divine birth, and that desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. God hath hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes.

I speak to those who are here this day, that would receive some kindness from God, and that desire the know­ledge [Page 332] of his ways, and that the mysteries of his kingdom may be revealed to you, let your minds be retired and you shall find the great things belonging to your peace made known to you. We have spoken much of this, but I would not have you know it only by our sayings, I would have you go into yourselves, to see whether God hath not bestowed this grace and blessing upon you: If God hath given you grace, do not turn it into wanton­ness; do not abuse the grace of God. What is it that you do when the grace of God hath convinced you, that such and such a thing is sin, and if you do it, it will turn to your ruin? Dare you venture to commit sin af­ter you are convinced of it? O take heed of doing des­pite to the spirit of grace, and of grieving the Holy Spi­rit, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption.

I wish that the weight of this consideration might lie upon you, and that a holy dread and awe of God might be wrought in your hearts, that you might be kept from sinning against God. You know there is a general out­cry against presumptuous sinning, sinning against light: Why should not we all cry out against it? It is a most dread­ful thing for any man to sin against his knowledge and conviction; if any of us have been guilty of sinning aganst light, let such a one say, I have done iniquity, I will do so no more, but enter into covenant with the Lord, and say, O Lord, so far as thou hast revealed thy will unto me, I will obey it; I will delight to do thy will, O God, tho' I cross mine own will. Whatever I cross I will not cross God's Holy Spirit, by which I may be sealed to the day of redemption; I will never do this though I hazard my chief interest in the world: This is the tem­per of a true Christian, and I pray God make you all of this mind.

And now my friends, you that desire to see this great work wrought in yourselves, commit the whole work to God, and trouble not yourselves about it. I am sure God will carry on his own work, and bring down the devil's kingdom, and rebuke that unclean spirit that is gone forth over the whole nation, and pour out abundantly of his Holy Spirit to carry on a glorious reformation. This I [Page 333] believe God will certainly do, from what he hath wrought in my own soul. I know not what instruments are to be employed in the work, I leave that to the Lord; but the kingdom of Christ shall be advanced, and it shall be out­wardly, and a besom of destruction shall sweep away all his enemies from the earth, and the wrath of God shall burn against them; but there is an obduration hath been upon the nations of the world, and something hath stood in the way in all generations.

But, however, I am sure we all may well say, that Christ is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that believe. He hath saved this city and nation from the plagues and vengeance that hang over us. Many years the Lord hath spared us, and waited to be gracious for a long time, to see if we will at last turn to him. How long the Mediator will intercede on our behalf, we can­not tell; there is a time when the long-suffering of God will come to an end, God hath brought a scourge up­on the nations round about us, and the flames of his wrath hath kindled upon them, and destruction hath over­taken them; how soon it may be our lot, we know not; all our money, our silver and gold, and valour and cou­rage, will not be able to ward it off, if the Lord but blow upon us. It is even at the door; there is but one way to save us, and that is turning to the Lord, and crying to the Lord for the continuance of his mercies and long-suffering, and patience towards us. In this cry to the Lord, let us all unite, that are lovers of the nation, and let us join our earnest supplications in this work, seeing the Lord hath made us the monuments of his mercy and preserving goodness.

We have been continually surrounded with war and blood, and flames and destruction; and the cry of the or­phans hath been heard from other nations. And while they have been consumed with flames, and deluged in streams of blood, we have sat under our own vines and fig-trees; but judgments hang over the nation, and whether they will fall or not, the Lord knows: But what shall we do for the good of our nation, and cities and families, but labour every one, in the fear of God, to reform our lives, [Page 334] and to take heed that we sin not against the light, left we die, and perish in the middle of those terrible judg­ments that hang over us.

Let us turn from our evil ways, and depart from all iniquity, that the kingdom of Christ may be set up in ourselves. It is the righteous in the nation that the Lord looks at, and for their sakes he will spare a nation. If there be a people among us that walk in humility, and lament and mourn for the abominations committed in the midst of us, God will have regard to them, and he will hear the cries and the supplications of a praying people.

Friends, you that cannot make use of sword and spear for the saving of a nation, you may do good by your prayers, and turning to the Lord with an unfeigned heart, and let your sincerity appear before him. If I would take a common prayer-book in my hands, and pray ever so devoutly and solemnly, if I be not sincere, what will that do? Or, if I pray without a book, or if I pray without a form, or reject the form that others have made for me, what will this avail? But the cry of the poor, and the sighing of the needy, and the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, hath availed much for the saving of this nation many years.

Therefore, I exhort you all, as you love the nation, and as you love yourselves, and your families and relations, sin not against the Lord; for he is now setting up righte­ousness, equity, and justice, and it shall prevail in the na­tion. God hath been pleased to gather in many, that have been enemies, that are now turned from sin to God, and led by the truth: And it is their greatest joy, that now they are no longer servants of sin, but are now become the servants of God.

Now truth will prevail, and righteousness go forth as the morning sun, and we hope the Lord will shew mercy to us for the glory of his own name, though we are an un­worthy people: It will be matter of joy and gladness to us, if the kingdom of God be come; then we may say our prayer is answered. We have often prayed, thy kingdom come, and thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. If the will of God be done, then I can do mine own will no longer, then I can be led away by satan no longer; the devil will [Page 335] have little power, if I do God's will on earth, as it is done in Heaven; then praises will arise in the hearts of every one that delights to do the will of God, and God will carry on his work for the glory of his own name, and for the redemption of his people, that Christ may be preached for salvation to the ends of the earth.

ALL people that would worship God and meet together for that purpose, they had need have a great reverence upon their minds, and a holy fear upon their spirits, that when they enter into the house of the Lord, and draw nigh to the living God, they might not offer the sacrifice of fools, but may of­fer to God that which may be acceptable to him. For all worship, and all religion, and all offerings and oblati­ons that ever were offered to God by any people, they have had a return unto the offerers and worshippers, either of acceptance or rejection. Many you know have been rejected tho' they have offered, and many have been ac­cepted of God, and their offerings have been a sweet smel­ling savour in his nostrils; and, I hope, we are all of that mind, that we would be glad to have our worship, and service and offerings to God, accepted in his sight, and that our present assembling together might be for the better, and that every one might have an answer of peace, and of acceptance in their bosoms; but that can never be unless men be qualified and prepared in their drawing nigh to God, and in all our offerings and worship that we perform, our hearts be prepared according to the preparation of the sanctuary, the preparation of God's dwelling and holy place.

The worshippers must be holy; there must be the fear of God, and a reverence of the great God upon their minds, [Page 336] before people can offer an acceptable sacrifice unto him, as the holy apostle saith, Heb. xi. 6: He that cometh to God, must believe that he is; which signifies, that a pre­paration ought to be in the minds and hearts of people that would draw nigh to God; or perform any service or worship to God, they must have the knowledge of the God whom they worship, they must first know that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Here is a qualification for worshippers, for religious persons; as they expect when they meet together to find the Lord in the midst of them, they must be qualified accordingly, there must be an awe upon their minds.

I am in the presence of God, I have an expectation from God, that he will open his abounding treasury, and mi­nister some good unto me, or else to what purpose do people draw nigh to God? It is because they would have something of him; but they must come in an humble pe­titioning frame; he giveth grace to the humble. It is the lofty, the proud, those that exalt themselves, the fat and the full, that want nothing. These, saith the prophet, the Lord beholdeth afar off. A proud man or woman cannot draw nigh to God, the Lord looks upon them afar off; nor do they partake of those divine and heavenly com­forts and blessings, and counsels and instructions that the humble mind hath the promise of and will certainly enjoy, the humble, God will teach, he will instruct the meek in his way; but what is this to the lofty mind? What is this to one that is exalted, and conceited and puffed up, and reckons himself full and wanting nothing, while he is swimming in the streams of pleasures of this world, and savours only the things of the earth, the pleasures of a sensual mind? These persons are not hungry, and so they are not fed; they are not thirsty, and so they never ob­tain that which can satisfy the soul. Our Lord Jesus Christ pronounced a blessing upon them that hunger and thirst; but what is that to them that are full and lack nothing?

So my friends, in this and all other religious assemblies, a great care ought to be upon every one, that their com­ing together to wait upon the Lord may be in that reve­rence and fear, and that hope and expectation at the hands [Page 337] of God, that they might be bettered by it, or else they all lose their labour, as Cain did; he would be an offer­er, he offered sacrifice, but was not accepted; because his mind and heart was not right before the Lord, his sacrifice was rejected. It was before he had killed his brother; he had great guilt upon him, before he had killed his brother; he wanted the qualification of well-doing; if thou dost well, shalt thou not be accepted? But if thou dost not well, sin lies at thy door. He was got into evil doing, and an evil mind hindered his acceptance with God; so it doth with all men and women in the world that meddle with religious worship, and sacrifice to God, if they meddle with evil doing. There must be a taking off the mind from the evil of sin and corruption, and the mind must be brought over to something that they have received from God be­fore ever they can be accepted.

You know the general doctrine of all Protestants is, that we have no acceptance with God but through Jesus Christ; we have no way to please God, nor can do any thing that shall be acceptable in his sight, but thro' one only Mediator. Now if I should go to worship God, or per­form any religious duty without respect and deference to the sense and participation of the virtue and power of that only Mediator, how can I be accepted? And it hath plea­sed God out of his infinite love to mankind, to send this great Mediator into the world, that every man that comes into the world is made a participant of something of the life and virtue of that Mediator. So you read, John i. 4. in him was life, and the life was the light of men, the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; and that with respect to men whether they are good or no, both good and bad, though all men are bad by nature: So that tho' they are children of wrath, and heirs of eternal damnation in their natural state, by rea­son of sin, yet for all that this one Mediator, in whom this light hath shined, hath sent forth his light among the sons and daughters of men, that is, the light of men, that enlightens every one. So there is an offer made of some­thing that presents itself to the view of every man that is good; if he apply his mind to it, he may have that good [Page 338] that comes by Jesus Christ; he may draw nigh to God; as bad as he is, he hath some good, that God hath bestowed upon men good and bad. There is no man such a liar, but he hath some truth in him; there is no man so ungodly, but he knows that which is pure and holy, that which hath reproved him, checked and convinced him of his ungodliness. This presents itself to the view of every man and wo­man, and calls them to repentance.

Now for men to make a shew and pretence to worship, and not have regard to the glory of God, how can they draw nigh to God, or God draw nigh to them? Our Lord Jesus Christ saith, that where two or three are gathered to­gether in my name, I will be in the midst of them; but if people meet together in their sin and wickedness, if they have a loose and vain mind, and intend to go on in wick­edness and sin, if they meet, they meet not in Christ's name, but in the devil's name, and he is in the midst of them, and he works and rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience. So that this hath been the ground and rea­son why abundance of meetings upon this account have been fruitless as to the benefit of their souls, and the ex­pectations of people have been frustrated as to their salva­tion; they have not met with that in which the blessing is, and to which the promise is made. The promise is not made to people that the devil rules; there is no promise to such but the promise of eternal wrath to be executed upon them, with the devil and his angels to all eternity; if you can make that a promise.

The promise of life and salvation which is recorded by the prophets and apostles, it hath always relation to the seed that are in covenant with God. In this the covenant stands, saith God to Abraham, Gen. xvii. 7. I will estab­lish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. The cove­nant is made to Abraham and his seed, that is, with Christ Jesus the Mediator. It is he that brings to God, those that trust in him and come to him, he that cometh to him, he will in no wise cast out; they that do not come to Christ, are cast off already. All men, by nature, are cast [Page 339] away already; if any of them will be saved, it is by com­ing to Christ, who is able to save, to the uttermost, and to make peace for them, and of twain to make one new man; and to make peace between God and the soul.

There is a necessity for all people, that have any sense of their natural state and condition, that according to na­ture have no title to the kingdom of God, to be recon­ciled to God. By nature they cannot make a claim to righteousness and life; they connot reconcile themselves to God by all their works; saith the prophet Micah, will the Lord be pleased with a thousand rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man! what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mer­cy, and walk humbly with thy God? They that will be saved, must lay hold of salvation in that way and method that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath prescrib­ed. He hath prescribed a way for every body to be sav­ed; he would not have any one to perish, but that all should come to repentance, and obtain everlasting life. God hath made a way that will serve every body alike; thou­sands as well as ten; and all the world as well as one man. Now the way that God hath made, is turning out of the state into which they are fallen, and forsaking that governor that rules in the hearts of the children of dis­obedience, and closing with Christ, whom God hath ap­pointed to reign in every ones heart. People in Chris­tendom will say, they have closed with Christ. Do not you hope to be saved by Christ, on the terms of the co­venant? It is not crying, Lord, Lord, but doing the will of God; the terms are, all men must believe in Christ, the eternal Son of God; and through the power of that faith they have in him, he comes to rule over them, and they become subject to him. And if a beliver be not subject to Christ, he is all one as if he was an unbeliever; cir­cumcision, or uncircumcision, avails not any things but a new creature; and faith which worketh by love.

The covenant doth not stand in meer words; if I con­form to such articles, then I am a Christian; if I be­lieve [Page 340] all the articles of the creed, then I am a Christian, and a child of God. If a man will say, I believe, his say so is not sufficient. The condition of the covenant that God hath made, is, that Christ shall rule and have the government of those souls that he presents to God: How should it be otherwise, seeing he is not to present any to God that are unclean? Christ hath no commissi­on to present any to God in their uncleanness and wick­edness. He that believeth, must be cleansed and purified by him: If so, then that cannot be done, but by ruling over them. If they had the rule of themselves, they would be polluted, and be like water, whose current is stopped with dirt and mud, not running in its own proper stream. People will commit sin, when they have the rule of them­selves; but when Christ presents people to God, and when they come to be led by him, they are cleansed and pu­rified.

When the apostle describes true faith, he doth it by this quality and property of it, it purifies the heart. All other faith is but the hope of the hypocrite; but real faith is the ope­ration of God, faith the apostle; and that faith worketh in an unclean heart to the cleansing of it, and in an impure heart to the purifying of it: If the heart comes to be puri­fied, then it must needs follow that the conversation must be pure also. No one doth an ill work, or speaks an ill word, but it is from an evil heart. Now if the axe come to be laid to the root of the tree, and the word of the Lord operate in the heart powerfully, if ever so much evil be in it, the axe when laid to the root of the tree will cut it down; the power of God will execute judgment upon every thing that is contrary to him; Christ is holy, harm­less, and undefiled, and separare from sin and sinners; and though he extend his life and virtue to the life and soul of the most wicked man in the world, it never joins with their uncleanness, but keeps immaculate and undefiled in the heart of the worst of men.

Now this immaculate power that comes from Christ, it will purify the hearts of men, and preserve them from evil thoughts, words and actions. This is the manifestation of the one Mediator that they must be governed by, else they [Page 341] cannot be presented spotless to God the Father. There is a necessity of coming to a Saviour otherwise than by words and profession; we must come to him and heartily join with him; we have all joined with the devil, he hath suggested, moved, and instigated, and people have followed his instigations and motions; there is no man but is sen­sible of a devilish motion, why not then of a divine mo­tion? Though now it is become a bugbear to say, we are moved by the Spirit of Christ, why not by that Spirit, as well as by the spirit of the wicked one? No man doubts but that there are motions of the devil which they are sen­sible of, that sometimes they have joined with him, and sometimes they withstand him. What is the reason that men should join with evil motions? There is no just rea­son for it. The reason why you and I withstand the motions of the devil, is because we find another motion conveyed into our hearts by the Spirit of God; if a man hath one motion to commit uncleanness, he hath another motion to keep himself pure; if he hath a motion to speak a lie, he hath another motion to speak truth; there are two movers at the same time, in the same heart, which shall we join with? Shall I join with the devil's motion? If I find any thing of the love of God in my heart, it will constrain me to mind the good motion, and make me with­stand the evil motion; so that the moving of the Spirit of God is not such a wonder.

There are none who have not had bad motions in them, and they have also motions of the Spirit of truth; they have met with evil motions, and they have admired them too much, then it is time to repent; if there be a distinc­tion between a motion of the Spirit of truth, and a mo­tion of the spirit of error, then I may boldly say, it is our duty to join with the Spirit of truth, and not with the spirit of error; if there be a desire in us to be saved from the wrath to come, then the way to be saved from God's wrath is to be saved from the cause of it; take away the cause and the effect ceaseth. The cause of God's wrath being kindled against man is sin, for God had no wrath against man when he first made him; for he made him after his own image, and gave him power to continue in [Page 342] that holiness and righteousness, wherein he created him▪ but he fell, and was cast out of paradise, and an angel was sent with a flaming sword that turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Thus man fell under the wrath of God by his sin; but how shall I have the wrath of God allayed? By breaking off from sin, and returning to God again.

This looks like a covenant of works, say some; do you say I must break off from sin, and so escape the wrath of God?

Yes, I do; but no mortal man can break off from sin but by joining with the Mediator, he is the author of eter­nal salvation, he worketh in us to will and to do, and en­ableth us to work out our own salvation; it was sin that drove man out of paradise, and brought upon him the wrath of God. Sin is the devil's work; now that Christ might be a Saviour to us, he will destroy the devil's work; for this purpose, saith the apostle, the Son of God was ma­nifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. Now the devil was not the destruction of man simply in him­self, but by tempting him to sin, which is the devil's work; and Christ was manifested, to destroy the devil's work; that propensity to sin that is in the nature of man, which makes him rebel against the mind and will of God. Christ the eternal Son of God became man; he took the nature of man, that he might bring man again to his primitive state, wherein he was created after the image of God.

Now how doth the devil perform his works? doth he do his works coercively? No, he useth no irresistible force. But doth Christ the Mediator work coercively, with an irresistible power and force, to bring a man again to God? No, no more than the devil did to beguile man from God. Man might have stood and continued in his state of in­nocency if he would; he might join with evil, and yield to the temptation of the devil, if he had a mind; he knew if he gave over his mind to evil, he should be ruined; and it proved so. Man was resolved to try what it was to yield to the devil, and obey him. He told them that if they did eat of the forbidden fruit they should be as Gods, but they became more like the devil; this they got by be­ing [Page 343] obedient unto him, not that the devil laid an irresistible force upon them, you shall eat of the fruit of this tree; but there was only a presentation of it to them, and with that he prevailed, and so came to the destruction of mankind.

Christ the Mediator, in order that he may present us to God, comes himself and presents his commands to us, and his command is, that we must break off from that ser­vitude and subjection that the devil hath brought man into, and there must be a subjection unto Christ; we must be­lieve in Christ, and hearken to the word of God, and break off from sin; but where is the power? If God would have me holy, let him make me holy; if he would have me pure, let him make me so, and give me ability to do that which of myself I cannot do; when it pleaseth God to give me grace and captivate my will, I shall become a good Christian. Now here is a great mistake, that people should think they must wait for an irresistible power to bring them back to God; there is a presentation of love and mercy, and earnest invitations, and the long-suffering and patience and goodness of God's long waiting upon sinners. God, who commanded light to shine out of dark­ness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 6. What shall I do with the light that shines into my heart? I will shut mine eyes against it; I love darkness rather than light, and evil more than good; this light will lead me to holiness and righteousness, I will quarrel with it, it comes to bereave me of my comforts in this world, of my merry companions, and of all my bra­very, I will not hearken to it. Alas! for these; this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, saith our Saviour. If I had not come and spoken to them, they had no sin, but now they have no cloak for their sin.

Here is the gospel preached by Christ himself; here is the presentation of an opportunity for every man and wo­man to return again; but I must be in the way of return­ing, that is, by joining with that which presents to me holiness, righteousness, chastity and humility, that presents [Page 344] and offers to the soul all the virtues and graces that are in Christ, and shews it the light and grace that comes from Christ. Now this light and grace shewing itself to my soul, I have a view of. Hast thou a view of it? Hast thou seen purity, humility, sobriety, meekness, and self-denial, and an heavenly frame of spirit in thyself or some­body else? How dost thou like it? I like it not at all; I love to have honour and dignity, power and dominion, and my elbow-room in the world; I love not this meek­ness, humility and strictness of life, that a man must have a care what he speaks, and set a watch upon his lips, and upon his heart, tongue, and hands, I do not like this kind of life.

If thou dost not like a good life, somebody will like it, and live in it; and notwithstanding all thy vapouring, thy hating, and despising it, when people come to live this kind of ife, they will outlive thee; thy proud life, they reign­ing life, and thy having elbow-room in the world, will at last come to be limited; the hand of God is against it, and it will bring down the pride of man. When thou comest to lie upon thy dying pillow, expecting every mo­ment to expire, and breathe thy last, then thou wilt say, O that I had been more serious, and lived more like a Christian; lived a godly life, and given up my heart to God, and been more watchful over my thoughts, words and actions! There is such a friend of mine, that hath lived better than I; if I had lived such a life as he hath lived, I should have had more comfort; and they that are despisers of the godly, tho' they do not like such a life now, they will like it then.

Friends, you that are lovers of your souls, and meet to­gether that you may become better, and have expectation and hope, that you shall receive comfort and benefit by your meeting together, I tell you, as a servant of God, and a lover of yours, it is but a little while, and you will wish that you had chosen the most holy, harmless, innocent life, that ever you saw yourselves, or heard of from any body else; and you will wish that you had been more watchful over your thoughts, words and actions. There is a day, a day approaching, when we must give [Page 345] an account for every thing that we have done, whether good or evil; you must give an account for your cursed debauchery; for your swearing, lying, and inordinate pas­sions; you must give an account for every vain thought, and every idle word.

If this will certainly come to pass, how shall I prevent these idle words and evil actions? Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way, saith the Psalmist? By taking heed thereto, according to thy word. I am not as those that say lo here and lo there: I do not say, you must come and learn truth of me, but if you find it, you must find it in yourselves: What if I live in the truth? That will not serve thee; and if I be a holy man, that will not sanctify thee; thou must hearken to truth's speaking in thyself; thou mayest hear it speaking in thine own heart; you may hear it call you to righteousness and holiness; and if you hear it, you may do it too, if you please; for there is a power that goes along with it.

I know enough, thou wilt say, but I cannot do what I know; I have not power. What ails thee that thou hast not power? If I had power, then would I abstain from all sin, and break off from my evil ways; but the devil throws this object and the other object in my way, and by his temptations he doth ensnare me, I have not power to resist: Would you have me do more than I can do? and as long as I have not power I am to be excused.

Now here is a device of the devil to keep people in his net still. If men would be true to themselves, they would not be long without power: If thou art convinced of the evil of thy ways, and that it is thy duty to break off from sin, there is a power offered to thee, that, if thou joinest with, thou mayest overcome all temptations, and for­sake thy sin: I would have you all prove, and search, and see whether I speak truth or no; I am persuaded there is not a man or woman here but they have sometime ab­stained from an evil work, which they were tempted to. How were you restrained; because you knew it was an evil work, you durst not do it; the devil had not a coer­cive power to force you to do it; I knew it was an evil thing, and I joined with that in my mind which dissuaded [Page 346] me from it; and I prayed to God to give me power to abstain from it. The devil tempted thee on still, who helped thee against the temptation? God restrained thee by his grace. Will not he be a present help unto thee? he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; depend upon him still, and he will be always ready to help thee, and support thee, and strengthen thee, and thou shalt be kept from sin in an hour of temptation: Consider that all power in Heaven and Earth is given to Christ, and if he be able to keep thee thou shalt not fall into it; those that come unto me, saith Christ, none shall pluck them out of my hands, and my Father is greater than all. If thou comest unto Christ, he will in no wise cast thee out, and if thou depend upon him, he will preserve thee, and none shall be able to pluck thee out of his hand. If thou join with the truth, and with that which is holy, thou shalt have strength and ability to withstand temptation and over­come it; and (I may speak with reverence) Christ hath bound himself to those that trust in him; those that keep the word of my patience, I will keep them in the hour of temptation. If I keep waiting upon his power, that is ready to help me, and have a mind to be purified and sanctified, and to have righteousness brought into my soul, and have mine eyes unto God, and my expectations from him, he will work in me to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Now here people have a fixed foundation for their faith; but there is no working at this rate without bearing a daily cross. There are a great many can receive the truth in words, and receive doctrines, and tenets, and that with delight; but there is no practising holiness and righteous­ness without a daily cross and self-denial. There are a great many who have come to truth, as far as it stands in words, but when it comes to something that they must do, to speak the truth, and live in the truth, they meet with so much of the temptation of the devil, so much lust and corruption, and ungodliness in themselves; they meet with such evil things that their souls join with and yield to, that they cannot go on in the ways of holiness, unless they look up to Jesus, and have an eye to their Saviour, [Page 347] and take up his cross and follow him. Whatsoever re­proaches, sufferings, and persecutions they endure, they must have a godly resolution to follow the Lord Christ, and say, I will obey his commands, he shall have the rule and government of my life, and be the guide of my way; whatsoever stands in my way, I will take up my cross and deny myself; without this there is no good Chris­tianity in the world.

There are a great many that seem to be religious and are professors of the truth: We all know there are many professors of the truth in notion, and with some zeal will talk of it; but they do not know how to live and walk in the truth, they do not live uprightly and honestly in it; they do not keep their words; they do not live justly and honestly with all men, nor do unto others as they would have others do to them: They can tell how to speak and act; then why do they not do it? They have got a no­tion that they are above the cross of Christ, and self-denial is far below them. People will not live in the truth.

This is wanting in the whole world: If we look around we shall find a great many are illuminated; there is abundance of knowledge and understanding among professors, abun­dance of learning, and great numbers of learned men: What is the reason that oaths, and curses, and all manner of wickedness run down the streets like a river; there is pride, and wrath, and envy, and revenge, and violence to be found among us, as if it would draw down vengeance up­on us. They have heard preached in pulpits much of holiness, humility, patience and meekness, that a meek and quiet spirit is an ornament of great price: Men have heard much preaching against pride, prophaneness, and drunk­enness, and uncleanness, but they have heard it like a tale that is told, not much concerned about it, and have giv­en little credit or regard to what they have heard of these things. Why are people so wicked? The reason at last results in this, men are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, they are not the servants of Christ, but serve di­vers lusts, and pleasures, and are led captive by the devil, at his will; and so they go on in iniquity. No laws can [Page 348] restrain and curb them, when the law of Christ is not written in their hearts; but when men come to see a ne­cessity of self-denial and taking up the cross, this will pro­duce a reformation.

This is what I labour for, and all good men and women will do it: It is time to try for reformation. Vain fashions, and garbs, and pride have been cried up, why should not we cry for reformation before the wrath of a provoked God is kindled against us, and his vengeance poured down upon the nation? We must reform our lives. How shall men reform, you will say? By getting the law of God within their hearts, that is pure, and holy, and heavenly, that will be as a light to mens feet, and a lan­thorn to their paths: Now till people come to this they will go on in sin and iniquity, till they be swept away with some overflowing and dreadful judgment.

So that, my friends, in the fear of God, and out of love to you, I seek that you may be brought to God, through Christ; that you may live in the love and fear of the Lord, and, when you come to die, you may have rest and peace for your souls. There is no rest for those that are evil-doers; there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. The ungodly cry, peace, peace, and talk of peace, but there is no peace for them, but they shall have for their portion tribulation, and wrath, and anguish; this shall certainly come upon every one that doth evil. It is no matter what religion you are of, if you do not obey the truth, but live in unrighteousness.

Now, friends, my exhortation to you all is, that you will return to the truth in your own hearts, and do it while you have time. I am not persuading people to love my opinion, but to love God's truth in their own hearts, to love it and obey it, and you cannot do this unless you resolve to take up a daily cross, and be followers of Christ, who is gone before to prepare a place for them that are his true disciples; and then he will present them to God, as holy, harmless, and undesiled, for these are heirs of that everlasting kingdom, which God hath prepared for them that love him.

THE desire of all nations is come; that which all people desire in their own way, is come in God's way; for all nations and all people on the earth desire eternal life; they would all be happy in the other world, and in order thereunto, they have fitted themselves with divers ways and methods, in which they have pro­posed to themselves the enjoyment of eternal life; but by reason of the darkness that is in them, they have erred in their ways, they have been scattered, they have been driven and tossed hither and thither, and can never agree about the way that leads to eternal life.

This comes by reason of the great darkness that is over the sons and daughters of men in general, in which they have lost their way, and are endeavouring to find it again: But the subtle adversary led them out of the way, and as long as he leads and they follow, they will never find the right way: The great calamity that is come upon the world in this respect, is very greatly to be lamented; for when the eye of the mind is opened, to behold the universal state of mankind, and to see how they are scattered hi­ther and thither, and often left in confusion, by the craft and delusion of the wicked one, and that none of the ways that they have found, are like to bring them to the proposed end, because they are defiled, because they are, unholy; this hath bowed down the spirit of the Lord's servants many times, and a great cry hath arisen in the hearts of those that have seen the fruition and enjoyment of life eternal; O, that the sons of men might hear! and O that they might consider their ways before they come to their latter end! for mark friends, this you may take for a certain doctrine, and a sure rule in judgment, con­cerning all the ways that the sons and daughters of men walk in; if they be unholy, they will be unprofitable; the [Page 350] way of the Lord was, and is, and ever will be the way of holiness, and the people that walk therein, they were, and are, and they will always be a holy people; now the sons and daughters of men have not gone to measure their way by this rule, but the greatest endeavours that ever have been in the world, from the beginning (the greatest en­deavours that men did undertake) were to see how near they could approve their doctrine and practice with the scriptures of truth, and that hath been the bone of con­tention, that they have stumbled about from one generation to another, one crying my way is right; and here they have been contending, disputing, and jangling and deba­ting one with another, and could never agree, and could never come to that understanding, which is given by the Holy Spirit, that moved holy men to write the Holy Scriptures of truth; if they had, it is manifest they would have agreed, for this one spirit must agree with itself, and will give judgment according to its own righteous judgment: Men being alienated from the life of God, by evil works, and by the suggestions of satan, they have not known the way of peace, and have not come to that which is the desire of all nations, as now in the fulness of time, the Lord God eternal, who created the Heavens and the Earth, the sea and the fountains of water, he hath looked down and beheld the miserable calamitous state of the sons and daughters of men, and he hath seen how they have been scattered and driven to and fro by idle shep­herds, and how every one hath indulged himself in his own way, though unholy and impure; and it is because of the darkness of the night of ignorance that hath been over the people; and therefore in his infinite love and mercy, he is risen, and hath brought forth his light and his truth, that the nations might be enlightened, that they might come and see with a divine eye that the truth is but one, and the way but one, and all that do really desire to be inheritors of eternal life, must come to walk in that way. So that people are never brought back again out of that way wherein they have been scattered and driven about, till they come to see the way they practise to bring forth iniquity; they see there is no light to be had in [Page 351] them, they see the anger of God kindled, and the indig­nation of God poured out by reason of sin and unholiness.

Now when they come to be convinced by the light of Christ Jesus of their disobedience, then they come to feel and find a principle, a seed and root that gives them a law which they should obey, and hear the right law-giver, and have respect unto him: Here is the revelation of Christ Jesus by his Spirit, and this extends itself in its operation and working to the sons of men, to them that are afar off, as well as to those that are nigh; therefore our continual exhortation, from time to time, according as the spirit hath given us utterance, is not so much to make profession of this and the other doctrine of Christi­anity, as to persuade all men every where, that they be­lieve in the light, and hearken to the voice of the light in their own consciences, that they hearken to that which is purely of God in themselves, as we know, whosoever comes to love the light of Christ Jesus, wherewith they are enlightened, it would discover doctrine to them, and make known faith and practice too; it will lead them in the way everlasting, it will open their understanding far above all preaching this and the other doctrine and tenet.

What signifies it to shew colours to the blind, or to speak words to the dead; till men come to have their senses opened, that they may discern things belonging to the spirit of truth, the carnal man cannot understand the things of the gospel of Christ, the carnal man is not sub­ject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; there must be something done in the soul, to bring it out of its car­nality, and bring it to something that is spiritual, before it is capable of understanding the things of the spirit: Therefore when our minds can witness what we came hither for, when we meet to serve and worship God, we shall have a hope to receive some illumination, some refreshment, some comfort, or some knowledge of things divine; it is in vain to attend religious doctrines with an irreligious mind. It is my judgment of charity, that every one that comes hither, hath some expectation of illumination in their un­derstandings, some gift, or some instruction; this they may receive from the God of Heaven, by the ministry of those [Page 352] who must be the mouth of God, to speak to them in his name: When people are thus prepared, and their minds fixed to hear the truth; if they do not find it in them­selves, if they come not to a sense of the word of life in their own hearts, their hearing cannot give them life. We are commending ourselves to every man's conscience; let your minds be turned inward, search and consider, is there a light that enlightens every man that comes into the world? Is there a desire of eternal life manifested in me? Is there that in me that puts me upon obedience to God, to mend my life and conversation, that I might be recommended to God? Is there something in me that checks me when I speak amiss, and do amiss? I do appeal to the witness of God in you; if that be so, then believe me for the word's sake, the testimony of God in your hearts.

Let us next consider, whether we had best agree on this conclusion, that God hath enlightened us, and whether we had not best obey that light; this is the best way, let us put the question, and wait for an answer from ourselves. There is much indeed to be said on the other side: If I should hear and obey that by which I am enlightened, if I should hearken to the reproof of my own conscience, I should lose a great deal of the pleasure and of the com­fort of the world, I should lose a great deal of the profit which I gain in my trade and calling, and of the delight and pleasure I have with my neighbour.

This is not to be denied; I would have things put in the balance; I grant you will lose some pleasure, and un­godly gain, and the friendship of the world; but pray consider, and let us go through the account: If thou obeyest this light of Christ Jesus, this is God's way of drawing thee nearer to himself, to make thee an heir of his eternal kingdom; whereas by thy indulging thy car­nal parts, thou wilt lose thy immortal soul; if thou shouldest gain the whole world, and lose thy own soul, what will it profit thee? Thou shouldest consider, why I am en­lightened; how comes it to pass that my nature is evil, and I am fallen from my primitive state, from the know­ledge of God, and from the enjoyment of his presence, and communion with him? How comes God to take no­tice [Page 353] of me, and to enlighten me and kindle in me a de­sire of returing to him? why should he do this for me? Thou wilt never find a reason in thyself of this extraor­dinary kindness, of this singular mercy of God to thee; it is because his mercy moved him, and it was his compas­sion that stirred him up: He hath sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world, that men might have light in and through him, and have it abundantly. The mercy of God is a fountain from whence all this flows to us; if this prevail not upon thee, no argument will: What, was it meer mer­cy, meer grace, that God was not willing to see me pe­rish, and run headlong to destruction? He was loath to execute his wrath upon me, therefore he found out a way by which I might return to him. This made a good man cry out, behold! what manner of love is this, wherewith the Father hath loved us? Here is the grace of God; here is the good will of God; here is the way; a way, what way? A way of coming to God; a way of being again reconciled unto God, whom we had provoked by our sins; a way of enjoying eternal life again, after we had lost all pretence to it.

The next question is, who will walk in the way that leads to eternal life? We would all have eternal life; it is the universal consent of all nations; all would have eternal life; but the question is, who will walk in the way that leads to it? Some of the nations round about, and many in this nation, they will walk in their own way, and yet they would have eternal life; but their way must be of the same nature and quality with the life they would have; if the way they walk in be not of the same nature and quality, it will not lead to it. Let every one exa­mine their way; let every one examine their progress, and their lives and footsteps in this world; if they sow to the flesh, they shall of the flesh reap corruption; and if they sow to the spirit, they shall of the spirit reap life ever­lasting; a suitable fruit to that life they live, and the way they walk in. If we conclude with reason; with pure, found reason, we must conclude it is better for us all to walk in the way of holiness; and we shall have more reason to believe that we shall have life eternal, than in [Page 354] walking in an unholy way, therefore we should be resolved to walk in the way of holiness; and if people are brought to this, it is an easy thing to draw them to confession: You say true, it is better to walk in a holy way than an un­holy way; but alas! we have not power so to do; we are feeble, weak, dark and ignorant; and we have many lusts, temptations and impediments, lying in our way, that it is not possible for any to walk in that way; we know the way, we understand the way well enough; you would have us walk by the sight of Christ, and the dictates of our own consciencies, then we should never be condemned for any thing we do, but we should stand in an openness of access to God; when a man sinneth against God, sin lies at the door; but they that sin not, have an access to God. Alas, these things cannot be done! What can a poor creature do that wants power?

My friends, this excuse must go no further; let us try and consider in the presence of God this day, the pow­erful God that is the assister of his people; let us try how far this will go, I have no power of myself; all good men grant it to be true, you have not power to walk in the way of holiness: But let us ask another question; doth God require of thee and me to walk in the way of holiness, and doth he deny power to us to walk in it? We can­not walk in the way of holiness, but by the operation of his power working in us, unto the extinguishing of the life of sin and corruption, that hath hindered us all this while; God knows we cannot do it ourselves. Christ tells his disciples, without me ye can do nothing, nothing good, nothing that is right. This being concluded on, all power comes from God; the next question is, how, and which way must we receive power from God greater than our own power? Which is the way of people's receiving pow­er from God? You have read how people came to have power; to as many as believed, to them he gave power to become the sons of God. What signifies this to them that do not believe? If believing be the way to obtain pow­er, it is nothing to those that do not believe; there faith is necessary, in the first place, for obtaining of this pow­er: This is a great mystery, such an odd saying, that the [Page 355] world knows not what to make of it: Believers, we are all believers; I believe the truth of the principles of the Christian religion, and I believe all the articles of the creed: To talk of believing at this time of the day, we have believed this twenty, or thirty, or forty years, but the first act of faith is yet to be done after your sense: It is true, with the greatest part of the nation; the first act of faith is not yet begun, for their faith is men's faith: We are for the faith that was delivered to the saints; it is the gift of God, it comes from the operation of God; so that I may conclude, whosoever remains a stranger to the operation of God, he is a stranger to the true faith; and they who estrange themselves from that which God worketh, are strangers to the operation of God. There­fore, till people's minds are turned to Christ, whom God hath sent, who is appointed to be for salvation to the ends of the earth; till men come to reduce the govern­ment both of the soul and body to him, as the captain of their salvation; till they come to be thus resigned, they cannot come to the true faith.

Now when God worketh this resignation in us, a man will reflect upon himself and say, alas I have been mine own keeper too long, I see I have gone off from God, now I will return to him, and resign up myself to the Lord, that he may work in me what he pleaseth to work: When men come to this resignation of soul, they have faith given them, they must believe God will never leave them nor forsake them, but he will magnify his power in their weakness; I will rest my soul upon him, and cast my care upon him that careth for me; it is not faith bare­ly in words, and in the articles of the creed, but it is a faith in the Son of God, to whom all power in Heaven and Earth is given; I may expect a share of it, he will give me a little, if I come to him for it; and if I be faith­ful in a little, he will give me more; the reason why you want power, is, because you want faith; and the reason of your want of faith, is, because you want a resignation to the will of God; you will be your own carvers, and your own keepers and guides. When you come to this resignation to the will of God, God will give you power, [Page 356] and then you will find him the God of all grace; you are what you are by the grace of God, and by his power, and by that power you will obey his will: Here is faith that giveth glory to God, to that God that takes an un­holy man and makes him holy; how doth he this? By his holy spirit, which is as fire that burneth up that which is corruptible; then the man is well (I speak ac­cording to the dictates of the spirit) when he is recon­ciled to God by Christ Jesus, the Mediator between God and man, the Mediator of the new covenant, who maketh our peace. That you may come to the knowledge of the day of the Lord's visitation, is what our souls labour and travel for, that you may be in the unity of the same spirit after the desire of all nations is come; he is come to you, that you may all say within yourselves, salvation this day is come to our houses, and into our hearts.

THE Lord Jesus Christ is the light, life and virtue that can only satisfy. Christ is all in all.

There is nothing can satisfy the souls of the up­right, unless they feel life and virtue to flow from Christ Jesus; and this, whether it flow instrumentally or im­mediately, always comforteth; it always refresheth the up­right in heart.

Therefore all they that desire satisfaction to their souls, that meet together upon that account, they ought to have their eyes turned to the Lord, that they may be capa­ble to understand the ministration of the spirit, whether in themselves, or through any other. For while they are exercised outwardly, and the dependence of their souls is upon that which is outward, there remains a veil upon the mind, that they many times hear excellent things spo­ken of the kingdom of God, but they understand them [Page 357] not, because they are alienated and estranged in their minds from that of God in themselves, that should give them an understanding. We never pretend to give people an un­derstanding, we have always said, that is the work of God. We have spoken many things of the kingdom of God, ex­cellent things have been revealed to us by his holy spirit, and the same spirit hath given us utterance, to speak of the great things of the law of God; yet many, that have been constant hearers of these things, remain ignorant, and are insensible, because they are not exercised in their own measure of the grace and light of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which they should receive and understand them.

This hath made me often lament the case of many of the people of this city and nation, who are daily hear­ers of the word of God preached, and retain it not in their hearts: The sowers are gone out to sow, but ma­ny receive it in the high-way-ground; the way that every thing can pass in, there they receive the word sown, and the devil catcheth it away; and though they have heard excellent things, of the strength, ability and power of God, that he ministreth to his people, they remain so weak and so feeble, that they are blown away with every blast of the adversary, with every temptation, and with every snare and gin that is laid for them, they are catched, and ensnared, and taken; and so these come to meetings again and again, one year after another: I might say unto you, wherefore do you come? It may be you may say, we desire to be satisfied; we desire satisfaction for our souls. Do you so? Then I tell you, you may come all the days of your life, and want it, and lay down your heads in sorrow at last for all that. For all the words in the world will never communicate that heavenly life and vir­tue which brings true satisfaction to the soul, unto any, except to those that have an exercise in their own mind and spirits, in that which they have of God; they must first be brought to know the way they should walk in, and to believe that is the way: When people believe this is my way, the light within is my way, the grace of God is my way; that searches and tries my heart, that is my way I must walk in, speak in, and think in, and do all [Page 358] that I have to do in; when I believe this is that way, then this belief obligeth men to take heed to their ways, to their footsteps. And here they that are thus exercised, are in a tender care every step they take in their way; and so perhaps they may receive great benefits by hearing the reports they do daily hear from those that were in the way before them, and have travelled further in it, than they ever yet have done. The experiences of the servants of the Lord, are daily helpful to them, and they are daily comforted, strengthened, and confirmed, to hear how they have sped, that have travelled through their condition, and through their present state; the helps and advantages they have met with, will do thee good, and comfort thee: But what is this to those that are not in the way, that have not faith in the way? Tho' they have a clear belief of the doctrine and way itself, yet they are not exercising them­selves to walk therein; for they do but as the rest of the world, saying, this good man, and the other good man, made a good sermon. Why was it good? Not for any good they found by it, but because he raised his doctrine well, and proved it from the scripture, therefore we are obliged to believe it.

But now this good doctrine, if it be ever so good, and ever so firmly proved, it brings forth no fruit to the amend­ment of life, saving in them that believe, saving in them where there is an exercise in the fear of God, where peo­ple are concerned for their soul's satisfaction. For they that look for true satisfaction by this, or that, or the other way of the world, they spend their days without satisfac­tion, and so at last they die in sorrow; and so it will be to the end of this, and all succeeding generations.

And therefore, my friends, though I confess it is not a grief to me, but a joy, to see people willing to hear the truth, and to come together in great assemblies; tho I say, this is not a grief, but a joy, for I am not about to discou­rage them that do so: Yet I must be plain with you; I know what I say, and you will know it too one day, that all this meeting together, and gathering in great as­semblies, and hearing what is preached to you, with ever so great delight to your minds, it will do you no good, [Page 359] unless you believe in the grace of God, that hath been ministered to you through Jesus Christ.

And when people come to this foundation, and build on it, and grow every day more and more diligent in the exercise of their minds towards God, and examine their way, and examine their footsteps, how they have walked yesterday, how they have walked this day, and how their minds are exercised at this present time, whether they have answered the grace of God; when they come to be thus exercised, they will look upon themselves as bound in duty to give account to God every moment, for their thoughts, words and actions. When they are thus exercised, then let them come to meetings in the name of God, and hear the experiences of them that have gone before them, and treasured up sayings in their hearts for their encourage­ment, and they will find this will be a help to them: But if people go and build a religion upon the say­ings of this and that man; nay, were it upon the sayings of Christ himself and his apostles, if they were here to preach to them, and build a religion upon their words, and say­ings, and doctrines, without the operations of the Spirit of God upon their hearts, inclining them to holiness and righteousness, this religion will do them no good: By this, to make the best of it, they might make a shift to reach to a form of godliness; people conforming themselves out­wardly, to the outward precept or command from with­out, it might amount to a form of godliness; yet it might be supposed and granted, that the power of God, the pow­er of divine life and virtue, where it comes, it doth sanc­tify and season the mind, and bring men into an awful reverence of the living God, their Maker, that they might stand in awe, and not sin against him; for here is the life of religion.

This hath a great difference from the manner of building men in religion, that many have been acquainted withal. They tell us, our fathers before us were built up in these forms, and modes, and methods of religion; they received so many doctrines, ordinances, sacraments and articles; and when these are received, believed and professed, there's a saint for you, there's a child of God, and a member of [Page 360] the church. How came he to be so? He was instructed in all the principles of the Christian religion, and subject to all the ordinances of the church, saith one; and saith another, he could speak excellently concerning the doctrine of our religion; therefore he is certainly a child of God, and a member of Christ; but all this acceptation of the principles of the Christian religion, of doctrines, and ordi­nances, and sacraments; all this will not amount to the purifying of the heart, and cleansing and purging of the conscience; nay, it would not come to a far less matter, to the bridling of the tongue; but they would be in a passion upon the least provocation, and upon the least dis­gust and distaste given them, their tongues would run over into wrath, and into wantonness, and prophaneness; and upon any occasion and provocation given, their corrupted words would prevail, and lead them into deceit and co­vetous practices; and though the fruits and works of the old man remain, yet they will follow the principle of the regenerate, as far as they consist in words.

If our Lord Jesus Christ say, except a man be born again he cannot enter into the kingdom of God, then this old corrupt birth will preach a sermon upon this text, and profess it. How many have taken upon them to preach a sermon, upon some excellent sayings of Christ, that never knew what regeneration was; for the new birth al­ways hath a new life; but they have lived the life of car­nal corrupt fallen man, and yet preach a sermon upon regeneration: Thus the minister hath done, and the peo­ple have believed him, and have been gathered into such and such a church; for most put themselves into one church or other; they have been covenanted Christians, members of a church; but they have wanted that which makes a Christian, a religious man, viz. the answer of a good conscience.

A true Christian, he is bound to be an obedient child unto God, that begat him of his own will, by the word of truth; and such a one may be in expectation of an an­swer of peace from God, through Jesus Christ, in whom he hath believed, and by whom he is reconciled to God. If you take away this new birth, and this new nature, [Page 361] and an answer of peace, from God to the soul, then tell me what the Christian religion is, more than the religion of Heathens and Pagans, that worship stocks and stones? All the rest is but talk, and men are never a whit the better for it: One man may excel another in talk and dis­course: A debauched man many times hath been able to talk at a great rate, and to speak notable things; and some have been ready to say, it is a pity a man of such ex­cellent parts should lead a wicked life: But alas! if such a one can talk of the power of God still, and the devil hath power over him; or if he speak highly of the wis­dom of God, yet he himself plays the fool abominably; so that by such a kind of life, and such a kind of reli­gion, people never attain to satisfaction; after forty, or fifty, or sixty years spent therein, they must after all, lay down their heads in sorrow, when they have been con­stant keepers to the church, and sayers of their prayers, and receivers of the sacrament, and stedfastly believe the articles of the creed, and make profession of all the parts of the Christian religion; yet after all, they must lay down their heads in sorrow: Why, what is the matter? what did they want? They wanted faith in the power of God, that should enable them to overcome their sin, and live in obedience to God; and they wanted to their outward profession, the answer of a good conscience, and justification through Christ the Mediator.

They talked of redemption through Jesus Christ, but were never redeemed from their sins: This is so evident and plain, that there is no speaking to the contrary: If you see a drunkard, or a swearer, or an unclean person, and if he shall preach, and make an excellent sermon of the redemption that there is in Christ, and therein tell you, what great benefits they receive by Christ, that are true believers; and that Christ is a Redeemer, and redeemeth them from the curse of the law, and from the guilt of sin, and reconcileth them to God; so that he that was under the curse of the law, and an heir of wrath, is now a child of God: Now if you come to examine this man, and ask him, whether he is redeemed, and delivered from sin, so that sin hath no more dominion over him, he will [Page 362] tell you, no: What not redeemed, when thou hast been a be­liever thus long? Art thou still under the bondage and cap­tivity of sin? Then thou art under the government of some other master than Christ; some other master hath rule over thee, if thou art not redeemed from thy swearing, lying, drun­kenness, and uncleanness; if thou art led to these things, thou are under the power and government of some other master than Christ. Now this hath startled people, when they have been thinking, that they have been baptized persons, and professing Christians, and they have flattered themselves with a groundless confidence, let me die when I will, this night, or to morrow, I shall be saved by Christ; I am an heir of the kingdom of God: Let me tell thee, thou dishonourest the name of God by thy presumption.

When people come to examine matters, and read over the book of their consciences, and see what servants they have been to the devil, how the devil hath led them up and down at his will, those that were covenanted Christians, followers of Christ; when the devil hath said to them, follow me, then sayest thou I will; when the devil saith, follow me to this and the other evil thing, I see I cannot resist; I cannot withstand the temptation; I was overtaken, and surprised, and led away by such an allurement, and en­snared by it: I pray thee leave off professing, for thou dis­gracest the Lord Jesus Christ; he and his disciples did not so: He was tempted as thou art, and his disciples were tempted as thou art; so were Christians of old time; and Christians that live in the present time do meet with many temptations, but they are not at the devil's beck and call, as thou art.

The apostle Paul, in one passage of his life, we find came to be awakened and startled: There was a light from Heaven shone about him, he heard the voice of Christ speaking to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? and he said, who art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am JESUS whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks; and he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts, ix. 4. He was brought to this pass after his convincement, but before that he was overcome and led captive; and when he would do good, [Page 363] evil was present with him: To will, saith he, is present, but how to perform I know not; but he did not call this a happy state. He did not say then, I am in a good condition, When I am led captive by the devil at his will: The good that I would do, I do not, and I am carnal, and sold under sin: He doth not say, this is a good con­dition, I am satisfied with it; see what he calls that con­dition; he gives it a more right name than many do now-a-days, that say, this is the state of God's children; that the best of all God's children have not power to live with­out sin, and overcome all their corruptions, that they sin in their best duties, and can do nothing but sin, and that sin mixeth itself in all their holy duties and performances: Many of their ministers tell them, that if they think they can perform any duty without sin, they deceive themselves, and run the hazard of being accursed. But they learned not this of Christ, but of some other matter. Paul gave this state another name; I would you were as wise when you are in this state and condition. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? I see a wretchedness in this con­dition; I see, if I be not delivered out of it, I must perish to all eternity. This is not a state to live in; who can live at ease in such a condition as this? Who can but cry out, who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death? Alas! we hear no such cry now among priests or people, and separate congregations: I fear this cry is al­most lost among us, unless it be some few that hear the voice of God, and feel such a stroke of the divine power as Paul did, and answer to the heavenly voice. I confess that I myself have heard such a cry, and have been sensible of my woful captivity and bondage, by reason of sin. And though I had a mind to do good, I could not do it; it was my desire that I might sin no more, I would not sin against the Lord, if I could avoid it; and when I would do good, I found that evil was present with me; but I was far from sitting down there, and saying, this is the state and condition of God's people; it is as well with me as it was with the apostle Paul, therefore I will sit down in this state: The people of God cannot find satisfaction in such a state as this; though I confess, that God's peculiar [Page 364] people at first: came to this state, for their conviction; and the opening of their minds, and enlightening their under­standings, to see the evil of their ways; but they do not come to this state, as to their rest, and then persuade them­selves that they are in the condition of the children of God; but they give their state a right name, and cry out, O wretched wan that I am! what a miserable condition am I fallen into! I did not see it before: Now my eyes are opened, now my understanding is illuminated, now I see that the corruption of my nature prevails against the grace of God; and when I would join with the grace of God, and the motions of his Holy Spirit, the enemy is present to lead me away; I am not now in a happy state, but I am so far advanced that I am convinced of my miserable and wretched state and condition; if some way or other be not found for my deliverance, I shall never see the face of God with comfort. Then arises that cry, who shall deliver me? Thus the apostle Paul (Rom. vii.) sets forth the state of his convincement, and how miserable a condition he was in: Then he goes further, and tells you how it was with him: I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. O! I have cause enough to thank God, I am not a wretched man now, I am not carnal, sold under sin; I am not led cap­tive by the devil at his will now. Why how so? the apostle saith, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath set me free from the law of sin and death. Here is something to glory, and to comfort the soul in: The law of the Spirit of life triumphed in his soul, and delivered him from the law of sin and death, and redeemed him from the power of sin, and made him serve God with freedom and liberty. I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord: I would have all come to this, to thank God; not only in words, but in reality, in deed and truth. For one may teach a parrot to talk over these words; but it is the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, that will make you free from the law of sin and death.

This is a hard lesson, therefore you must go home into your own consciences, before you can make a right judg­ment of things, and give a right answer to yourselves. The law of the spirit of life will set thee free from the [Page 365] law of thy passion, and of thy pride and covetousness, and sensuality, and the law of thy carnal inclinations. Art thou set free from these?

Now when people come to examine themselves, they have no way to flee to, but they must take up a daily cross, and trust to the Lord Jesus for their deliverance; who hath enlightened them, to see their wretched and woful state; and illuminated their understandings, that they might come to him, in order to their being delivered from the dominion of sin.

The greatest part of the world think this is a thing im­possible, and therefore do not hope to be set free from the bondage of their sins. Which of these ways is it that thou takest? I am afraid many of you have taken the wrong way: I judge no one in particular, but I speak this in faithfulness and love to your souls.

If there be any [...], that are sensible of their sins, and in a captivated state under sin and satan, who have despair­ed of ever being for at liberty, and have said, it is a vain thing to expect it; for some learned men have told them, that there is no deliverance from sin in this world, there­fore it is in vain for me to strive, in vain for me to en­gage myself in a continual care and conflict, in a con­tinual warring and watching against sin; for this deliver­ance can never be obtained in this life: It is in vain to seek for a thing that can never be found, and to strive for that which can never be obtained. If there be any such here present, I have this to say to them, that the Lord, in his infinite mercy, hath done two great things for you, to help you out of this despair, of obtaining a full deliver­ance from the bondage of your sins.

First, God hath placed a witness for himself in your bo­soms, in your consciences. Let me ask you, have ye not got victory over many sins and temptations, that you have been assaulted with, from your childhood to this day? I might challenge any person in this assembly, when a temptati­on hath been presented before you, hath there not been something within you, to tell you of the danger of com­plying with it? Hath not thy conscience warned thee, and called upon thee, O take heed, do not this evil thing, do [Page 366] not cheat thy neighbour, do not commit this sin; whe­ther drunkenness, or uncleanness, or whatsoever sin thou wast tempted to: Now, didst thou join to that voice in thine own conscience? And did it not help thee over the temptation? And when thou didst escape the sin, wast thou not glad of it? and didst thou not rejoice that thou obtainedst victory over it? Satan laid a snare, and an opportunity before me, to commit such a sin; but I did not join with it, and now I am glad of it. It was not only the devil's fault, for he came to his own, but there was an evil inclination in my heart to it: How came it to pass thou didst not do it? I knew it was a sin against the Lord. How didst thou know that? I knew in my conscience, that if I did it, I must sin against light, and against conviction, and against grace received; and that was the reason I did not do it. Thus thou acknowledgest thine own conscience help­ed thee against the temptation.

Now I appeal to all your consciences, that hear me this day, whether God hath not done this kindness for you; and there is none here but hath been some time helped out of temptation? I do not believe that ill of any, that they comply with all the temptations they meet with, but the light in their consciences hath shewn them the evil of sin, and they have been kept out of it, and they have been glad of it afterwards.

Now this is one great kindness, which God hath done for every one of you, in order to help you out of this despair of being delivered from your sins.

Despair in the common notion of it, is that which makes a man doubt of his eternal salvation: I shall go to hell when I die; there is no mercy for me. This despair hath so wrought upon people, that many have lost their wits, and common sense, and at last made away with themselves; many have been distracted and undone in this world, while they lived in it, and at last have dispatched themselves out of it. And there is another despair; a despair of getting vic­tory over their corruptions, and obtaining a freedom from sin: This latter despair, this nation is generally fallen into; though the effects of the other despair is lamentable to be­hold, the effects of this will be as bad one day, if not [Page 367] prevented by rectifying that mistake men lie under. Why shouldest thou despair of the power of God to help thee, and of the grace of God, and of the good will of God for thy de­liverance? if thou wilt not join with the grace of God, and the power of God that is ready to help thee, and give deliverance from thy sins, the consequence will be dreadful at the last. Therefore believe in that grace of God, which hath helped thee against some temptations, and given thee victory over some sins, that it will, if thou faithfully join with it, give thee victory over all.

Secondly, Consider God hath done another kindness for thee, he hath sent his light and truth into thy heart, to en­gage thee in a war against sin: There are a great many faithful soldiers of Christ, that have fought this battle be­fore you, and have obtained the victory, and they will tell you, they never went out to war in their own names, but in the name of the Lord JEHOVAH: When they relied upon him, and in meekness and fear waited upon him, he gave them power to overcome; and they were made con­querors, and more than conquerors; for they have overcome those enemies, that sometimes overcame them; and Christ hath fixed and settled them in this conquest, never to be over­come more. Here is both an outward and an inward evi­dence: The outward evidence will do you no good, till you come to lay hold of the inward evidence in your own hearts; then the outward evidence that God sends, will be serviceable to you.

Therefore, my friends, I tell you (as I said before) no­thing will satisfy the soul, but the virtue and life that flows into it from the fountain of life; here is the way to it. If you should hear of a treasury, and store of bread laid up for all that are willing to come to it; if you knew not the way to come to it, and were ready to perish with hunger, what a cry would there be among you! If a man should come and tell you where there is such a treasury of bread, when you are ready to perish with hunger, and tell you the way to it is intricate and narrow, but that he himself hath been there, and that he can tell you the ready way to it, and that he himself had relief and sup­ply, and great plenty bestowed upon him, and that he [Page 368] would bring you thither, O how welcome would such a one be to you! O that you were as wise in spiritual things, and as much concerned for your souls, as you are for your bodies, and would take the advice of Gods ministers! They would turn you to the light within; the grace of God in your own hearts, which you are partakers of; and speak­ing to you in the name of God, desire you to follow the duties of your own consciences, and you will come quickly where there is bread enough. By that light within, you will see your state is not so good as you imagined it was. This oracle within, is that which you must live with, and dwell with; you must go home with it, and lie down with it, and you must rise with it, and follow the dictates of it; if you do so, before the week be out, you will have ex­perience to tell me, if I should come and ask you, I have got more victory over my sins, by following the dictates of the light of the grace of God within my own bosom, than by all my reading, hearing and praying, and per­forming other duties.

Make a trial of this, and you will find the presence of God with you, and that he is a God at hand, and not afar off; and if you buckle on your spiritual armour, the cap­tain of your salvation will not be far off, but be present before you.

Therefore keep your eye unto Jesus, the author and fi­nisher of your faith, and you will be able to do all things through Christ that strengthens you; and you will be able to conquer those sins and temptations that have conquered you.

May the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, break down the body of sin and death, and bring you into the glorious liberty which God hath prepared for his chil­dren.

THE people of God in former ages, did often think upon the name of the Lord: I would it might be the daily practice of all that make profession to be the people of God in our days, to think often upon the name of the Lord. This you know is an inward exercise, in­visible and known to none but God; he only knows when you are met together, whether you are thinking up­on his name, whether the exercise of your minds is up­on his power, or upon whatsoever else your minds are en­gaged. They whose exercise and desire is, to feel God's power, and to be acquainted with his name, the Lord is nigh to them, to reveal his mighty power, and his name to them, and they are a people that partake of his goodness and of his virtue, and have an experimental knowledge of the divers administrations of both his judgments and mer­cies to their own souls, and so they can proceed from thinking to speaking of the goodness of God from the ex­perience that they have in themselves, that the Lord is good to them.

For all that some do in their manner of speaking of God and his goodness, and crying up the name of the Lord, it is all worth nothing, it is but noise: But every one that partakes in his own soul of something of the divine virtue and goodness that flows from God invisibly to him through Jesus Christ, he hath assurance in himself that he speaks the truth: It is not meer words, made ready to his hand, but it is his own knowledge and experience of that which God hath wrought in him by his own Spirit; there are none that think upon the name of the Lord, and his power, and the working of it, but they are able to speak of it effectually and truly.

[Page 370]I know it hath been, and is the practice among many, that they are able to speak of God's goodness from what they find in the writings and sayings of some that lived before them, that did bear an honourable testimony of God's goodness in their religion; and they learn to say it over again in their particular age: But what hath this tale that they have told, wrought? This report they have made, how God was with the Christians of old, the primitive Christians and martyrs; they have told a tale of these things, and what hath it effected? It hath either brought forth Christians, or it hath not.

The way for people to be grounded and settled in divine knowledge, is for every one to speak what they know: And if they know nothing of these things, to say nothing of them. And the way for them to come to receive divine knowledge, is, by thinking, by meditat­ing, by considering of that converse that God hath with their own souls; for there is a way provided for all men to converse with God that made them: Every man and woman may ask questions of him, and may have answers from him, if they have patience enough to wait for them; every soul here present, that with seriousness of mind shall ask of God what their state and condition is, if they were to die presently, God will tell them, he will an­swer them; he will shine unto them by the light of his Son Jesus Christ, and let them know whether they are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of their iniquity still, or whether they are redeemed out of it, and brought into covenant with himself: But will you believe his answer? I would have no man go about to ask such a question of God unless he hath a mind to believe the answer that God giveth him. To what purpose should men ask, if they ask amiss? If they ask without faith, they do not believe except the answer please them.

Many, in our days, have put up their petitions and pray­ers to God, that he would discover to them the state and condition of their souls: The Lord hath answered them, and notwithstanding all the profession that they have made of his name, and of their faith in his Son Jesus Christ, and of the work of redemption, yet he hath often declared [Page 371] thou art still unredeemed, thou art still in thy sin, and lusts, and concupiscence prevail over thee; thou art still in bondage. This is God's answer to many; but there is something ariseth in their minds, that they are not wil­ling to believe this; I would think better of myself than this: What if thou dost think better of thyself? Thou art never the better, for the word of the Lord stands sure. There is no removing of it; there is no denial of the truth. If this truth condemn thee, all the world cannot justify thee; and this truth by which God condemns the sinner is in the sinner's own heart: What will he do with it? It is in the sinner's conscience; it doth not only con­demn him by book, out of this chapter and that verse, out of this author and the other author, but he is con­demned by God's true and faithful witness, in his own conscience. Thou wilt not believe it; but if thou be­lievest not this, then thou remainest in thy unbelief of the truth; and nothing else but believing it can save thee; no counsel else can deliver or redeem thee.

So that the best advice and counsel that I can give a people in this case, is this; that when they come to such a religious meeting as this is, they would come with a mind prepared and fitted to think upon the Lord; to think up­on his name, and the way by which he brings people to himself; for no man can be called a child of God, that doth not partake of his nature. If a man be ever so wise, and rich, and great in the world; if he be a prince or an emperor, without this he is a child of wrath. Now if these children of wrath meet with something that convinceth them; if they are touched and become a sensible people, then crowns and diadems are nothing to them. Such a one will say, if I be a child of wrath, a captive to sin and my own lusts and concupiscence, yet for all that I will go to a religious meeting, where I hope the word of God will be preached; I hope to meet with something there that will do me good; and I have a desire that I may be trans­lated out of a natural state, from being a child of wrath, to be brought into the kingdom of God. If I have this de­sire in me, God that made me, wrought it in me; for by nature we cannot so much as think a good thought. When [Page 372] men think of being better, and of amending their ways, and doing their souls good, these are very good thoughts in themselves. When such thoughts are begotten in any men's hearts, I would have them to ascribe them to the grace of God, and nothing else. Preachers may do much where these desires are begotten; but it is not in their power to beget these desires.

Many have come to a meeting with loose, prophane and wandering minds; and though many good things have been spoken to them, it hath not reached so far as to beget good desires, their hearts have been so alienated from the grace of God in themselves, which is the great superior worker, to which we are but servants and ministers; there is none can beget any thing, but he in whom all power is. They that are under the power of darkness, the de­vil begets in them wantonness and vanity, prophaneness and hardness of heart. Some go away from a meeting without being touched and persuaded, and they have no good hope of being better: But where people are really touched in their spirits, with a desire after something that will do them good, they must come to the fountain of good, the God that made them, and they must think upon him; if they cannot see his glory, and hear his voice, yet they can think upon him. This is the least duty of a Christian, to think upon the name of the Lord, when their minds are exercised about divine matters, about the state and con­dition of their poor souls. If I die this night, what will become of me? This and that sin I have committed; how shall I be able to answer to God for one of a thousand of all my loose thoughts, words and actions? They that come to a consideration of this, and a due sense of their state and condition, though it is such a state that they do not like; though it is not such as it ought to be, yet notwithstanding it may be better; they may be brought out of it into a better condition.

Now this is the duty of all, to wait upon God, the foun­tain of all good, that they may receive something from God, for every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, the Father of thy light and my light, that light comes to us from the Father of lights: If [Page 373] we have any perfect gift bestowed upon us, it is bestowed by God; therefore you will grant that we are all obliged, from the greatest to the least, to wait upon him, if we have the least expectation from God, by meeting, otherwise we had better keep away.

But I am apt to judge that the most here are come with some desire, that if it please God they may receive benefit by their meeting: Where shall they have it? They say, if such a man preacheth, then I can edify much by him: This is a great mistake; for, let who will preach, there is nobody can receive any benefit, but it must be from the Lord, as the fountain of good; for the best preachers in the world are but instruments in the hands of God; if God doth not bless his labours, the preacher can do nothing to the souls of people; he can sound the truth in their ears out­wardly, but he can reach no further, God only speaks to the heart. If thou mind the preacher and not God that made thee, all his preaching will do thee no good; it may indeed help thee to a notion or speculation, but that comes not to the inside, that will be no better, the inside wants mending.

There are great deformities, scars, spots, stains, wounds and lameness upon the souls of men, by reason of their sins, lusts and corruptions; and there wants a remedy, and there is no physician of value but God that made us after his own image. The devil hath brought in deformity, he hath made one proud, another cruel, another wanton, another an oppressor, another malicious; this is all the devil's work: And for this end Christ Jesus came into the world, that he might destroy the works of the devil. He came to destroy pride, malice and lust; these are the devil's works, that Christ came to destroy: Why doth he not do it? He will destroy all the devil hath wrought in every man that will be subject to him: Can a chirurgeon set a bone, if the patient be not subject to his hand?

But this is far beyond all comparison; Christ hath re­ceived all power in Heaven and Earth, yet he always looks for a willing people; he sends the day of his power up­on a people, and he worketh upon their hearts by an invin­cible power; he makes them willing to be helped, and [Page 374] and healed, and cured, and then he cures them. I dare say, there is not one here that is willing to be re­formed, and to submit to Christ to be saved and redeemed by him, but he will do it; he that is willing and obedient, shall eat of the good of the land, and shall know the good of redemption. See whether it be come to a state of re­demption; here is universal grace offered; for the light of Christ Jesus enlighteneth every one of you; it shews you your lost state and condition: When we see our condition bad, that it is not as it ought to be, who would not have it better?

What means prayer, that Christian duty? What shall we pray for? Must not people be sensible in themselves what they should pray for, before they come to pray? And what is it that will make them sensible but the light and grace of God? They see their own wants when God worketh faith in their hearts, and they believe that God can supply those wants. Why should I go to a beggar, to pray him to give me an hundred pounds? I believe he cannot do it, therefore I will not pray to him for it: Now necessity brings people to prayer, but there must be faith in him to whom we pray, that he is able to supply our wants, and relieve our necessities. Upon this account the apostle saith, he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He must first know that there is a God to come unto, and then that he is a rewarder.

Here is the foundation of all true religion and true wor­ship; they that go to God and say their prayers, and join with others in saying their prayers, if they have no sense of God, they had as good hold their tongues, for their pray­ing is to no purpose: They that pretend to believe in God, without an experimental power of God working upon their hearts, their belief is not worth a straw; without their re­spect to the power of God, all their belief is nothing; but if they know that God hath such an operation upon them, that no man or woman in the world can discover that to them, that God discovereth, then they know that God is the searcher of hearts and the trier of the reins, Jere­miah, xvii. 10.

[Page 375]Suppose I know that there is a God, and at the same time I believe that he will never hear me; that I am a re­probate creature, and that he hath cast me off forever, and that he hath sealed condemnation upon me, to all eternity. What reason hath such a one to pray? This is a desperate condition. But while we believe there is a God, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, it is not in vain to pray; yet there is something antecedent too to prayer; there is knowledge, and faith by reason of that know­ledge, that God is a rewarder: He that hath this, let him pray in God's name. But what must he pray for? He must not offer the sacrifice of fools; he must have regard to his lips; if it be mental prayer, he must pray for that he stands in need of; it is for something he prays, that God hath revealed by his Holy Spirit; this he stands in need of; it is something that he needs; it is power to over­come corruption, and power overcome temptation, that he stands in need of; he stands in need of a Mediator to procure for him the pardon of his sins: These things he stands in need of, then let him pray; he that is afflicted, let him pray.

So that if a man or woman go to prayer, they must pray to God, in the belief of his goodness and mercy, that he will bestow some blessing upon them, that may be for the better, that may be for their good. When they come to a meeting, to worship God, and hear the word spoken outwardly, they must pray for something that may be for their good; Lord give me something that may support my soul, and something that may enable me to withstand temptation. People should have their minds thus exercised, and they should think upon the name of the Lord according to their particular necessity; they should pour out their supplication to the Lord: This is such worship as God looks for, and such as he is pleased with; he will deliver those that thus pray to him out of temptati­ons, so that they shall not prevail over them: One man's temptation is of one sort, and another's of another sort; but they are all delivered by the grace of God, and help­ed over them, upon their prayer to God; for they find by experience that he is a God hearing prayers.

[Page 376]Now, when we have prayed, what is the next work? It is to wait for an answer of our prayer. I prayed the other day to God for power to withstand such a tempta­tion; when that temptation comes again I do expect that God will answer my prayer. Dost thou so? Then I pray thee have an eye to the same grace of God that convinc­ed thee, and shewed thee the temptation; and have thy faith exercised upon that grace of God, and thou wilt find it sufficient for thee, I will warrant thee: Let the devil come with a temptation ever so suitable and subtil, keep thine eye upon the grace of God, and it will deliver thee. This was the case of Paul; when a messenger of satan was sent to buffet him, he besought the Lord thrice: The temp­tation did attend him, and God gave him an answer of his prayer; my grace is sufficient for thee. As if he had said, let the devil come with ever so much power he shall never overcome thee.

I speak to those that are well skilled in this kind of work, and have met with sharp temptations, and sometimes per­haps they have been overcome by them, and at other times they have withstood them: What is the difference; why, one while they are loose and careless, and did not pray for the assistance of divine grace; another while they kept close to it, and were delivered.

Therefore when you come to meeting, with a desire to receive benefit from God, with your expectations God­ward, to receive comfort from the hands of the Lord, let your eye be upon him, and the working of his grace in your own hearts, and hearken to that voice that is within you, and it will be more effectual than mine. If you find the work of grace in you to be the same thing that I speak of, then believe me for the truth's-sake; believe me because you find the same work and testimony within your­selves. And I am persuaded there is no one here, but sometime or other have withstood that temptation which they have met withal. Pray tell me how they did it? Why, the temptation came unto me, and it pleased God to shew me the evil of it, that it was a bad thing if I yielded to it. How didst thou resist it? had not the devil a coercive power over thee, to force thee to it, whether [Page 377] thou wouldest or not? That God that shewed me the evil of it, delivered me from the evil; I was not judged and condemned in myself, because I found myself delivered from it; there are none of you, if you would not be lazy and idle, but you might be delivered every day, and have experience in your own souls, that when the devil comes and tempts, the Lord is at hand to deliver you by his grace and power.

So that the only way for people to be preserved from sin and iniquity, is to have a reverent respect to that grace of God which they have already received. I would have that vain conceit, that hath long reigned in the world, taken out of your head. When you see a wicked husband, wife, or child, you say, if they had grace they would be bet­ter; I say they have some degree of grace already; God hath sent forth his grace and truth, to teach men to deny ungodliness, so that I would not pray that God would give my husband, wife, or child, or friend grace, but that he would break their hard hearts, that they may submit to the grace of God that is already bestowed upon them. I be­lieve there is not a person here that is utterly void of all grace; but they walk not according to it, they trample upon it: For every one being endued with a measure of grace, through Christ, our duty therefore is to have a re­verential regard to the grace of God, that we have received.

What grace have I received from God, may some say? I have received so much grace from God (thou mayest truly say) that I can tell when the devil brings a tempta­tion to me; when he tempts me to uncleanness, theft, wrath, malice, or to deceive my neighbour, I have so much grace that I can tell I am tempted in such a respect; the grace of God shews me this is a temptation of the devil: But the question is, whether I am subject to the grace of God, and love his grace better than the profit or pleasure of a temptation? It comes as a bait, but the devil cannot make me do that which he tempts me to; it is not in the power of all the devils in hell, or of his servants on earth, to make me do this evil thing: The light of my own con­science shews it to be a temptation. Now I am free and at my choice, whether I will love the profit and pleasure [Page 378] that comes with the temptation more than the grace of God: I believe there is no one that hath been tried by a temptation, but they can say so: I leave it to him that searches and tries all your hearts, and knows your thoughts, to judge whether you joined with the temptation, that you might have the profit and pleasure of it, or joined with his grace, that thereby you might have resisted the temptation: You that have done the one and the other, tell me which is the best bargain; when you have joined with the temptation, that you might have the profit and pleasure that came along with it; or when you joined with the grace of God, that shewed you the evil and danger of the temptation. The same God speaks to you that spake to Cain, if thou doest well, shalt not thou be accepted? and if thou dost not well, sin lies at the door. If thou hast yield­ed to a temptation, sin lies at the door, there is a breach made between God and thy soul.

The same man at another time, having smarted so deeply for it, being judged by his own conscience, when he meets the temptation again, he saith, let the profit or pleasure go where it will, if I yield to this temptation I cannot go to God but as a criminal to a judge; let the profit or pleasure be what it will, I will not join with this temp­tation. Can the devil force thee to comply with this temptation? No, if thou be true to the grace of God in thy own heart, it will make thee able to resist the strongest devil in hell. Christ hath purchased for the sons and daugh­ters of men a power to withstand the devil's power, and all his devices and temptations, and you shall obtain vic­tory, and have dominion over them. If you have a mind to grow in this dominion, when the devil comes to tempt you, resist him, and you shall, through the power of Christ, be enabled to overcome.

If satan tell thee of the profits and pleasures of this world, remember that the world passeth away, and the lust of it, but peace with God endures forever: By the grace of God you will be able to overcome the devil and all his angels. This power is given to all that believe and obey the gospel: If you would have benefit by it, you must be exercised in resisting of temptation, and have regard to the [Page 379] grace of God, and the workings of it in your own hearts; and then you will be able to say, when a temptation comes, promising profit and pleasure, how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Turn your eye to God's favour, which is better than life, and you will be more than conquerors; you will say the fear of God seized upon my soul, and the grace of God came to my assistance, and was as a bulwark against temptation. Here praises will go up to God; here will be occasion for thee to speak good of his name. Remember what David said; my soul, praise the Lord, that hath delivered me from the horrible pit. Thus David and the saints of old praised God in their day, and why should not we? They breathed forth living praises and thanksgivings for the deliverances wrought for them; and shall not we do it?

Now this cannot be done without thinking upon his name, the name of that God that made us: Here I live in the world, I live and breathe still, I have health, and strength, and an estate, how came I by all this? Did I make myself? No, there is a God that gave me life, and breath, and being; he holds forth the hand of mer­cy to gather me to himself, and to redeem me from all in­iquity, that I might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of my life: If I believe this, I shall rejoice in him, and love and praise him, and dai­ly wait upon him for the accomplishment of his work. He desireth not the death of sinners: If you believe the Almighty, it is impossible for him to lie, all things are possible to him except that; he saith, he would not the death of him that dies: What would he have then? He would have you turn and live: What means doth he use? What I would have done I would use means to accomplish it. You would say, what means hath he not used? What is it that God doth more wish for than that men would repent, return and live, and be happy forever? He hath created them, and given them life and breath, and continued his grace to them, that they might have time to prepare for eter­nity; and he hath given his good spirit to instruct them, but they have rebelled against him. He hath sent forth his word, the gospel of salvation, which hath been preach­ed [Page 380] to them; and he hath waited to be gracious, and exer­cised much patience and long-suffering towards them; so that I may say, what means hath he omitted? He hath planted them as a vineyard, in a very fruitful hill; and he hath fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and made a wine-press therein, and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought wild grapes. Judge, I pray you saith the Lord, between me and my vine­yard: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?

But notwithstanding all your unfruitfulness, the day of your visitation is continued, the Lord is willing to shew mercy to your souls. This is all the Lord your God re­quires of you, that you would think upon his name, be­lieve in him and trust in him, and wait upon him for the operations of his grace in the use of his ordinances, and your attendance upon them, and hearkening to his voice, and obeying it, and so to hear that your souls may live.

I will affirm, that there is none of you here present, whether you be Quakers or no, but you may meet with The divine operations of the power of God in your own hearts, if you will regard it, and when you meet with these operations and regard them not, I cannot help it; if you will resist the good things of the Spirit of God, I cannot help it; if you will be of that mind, always to resist the Holy Ghost; if as your fathers did so do ye, then you must all perish, both you and your fathers; there is no escaping but by be­ing subject to Christ Jesus, and his quickening Spirit; if there be any divine operations that you meet with in your own hearts, let me persuade you to submit and have re­gard to them; for I know the devil is near at hand; and when people meet with divine operations in their souls, that humble them and bring down their pride, and convince them of the danger of their condition, he lies in the way and suggests some poisonous thing that takes off the edge of these operations, that, they may dislike them: It is true, they meet with the convictions of sin; but they reckon they have that faith and belief in Christ, that doth in the sight of God obliterate all their sins that can be laid to [Page 381] their charge, both past and to come. If I would look, say they, to the divine operation, or any thing wrought in me, it were enough to make me mad; I look wholly to the merits of Christ; my mind is wholly fixed upon him who is the author of eternal salvation; his meritorious sufferings and obedience can obliterate and blot out all my sins.

My friends, I tell you, many a poor soul hath split upon this rock by undervaluing the divine operations of the Spirit upon their hearts; they make a false and wrong applica­tion of the merits of Christ, which indeed are so great that nobody can overvalue them; but we must not make a false application of them, for this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil; he takes away the guilt of sin, not that you might live in it still: Whosoever believeth in Christ, shall have power over their sins and not be under the dominion and power of sin; sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace. But God be thanked, you were the servants of sin; tho' you have obeyed from the heart, the form of doctrine which was delivered you: Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness, Rom. vi, 14, 18.

But thou wilt say, I am guilty of a great deal of sin already, what shall become of me for the guilt I have contracted?

If we confess and forsake our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un­righteousness; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son clean­seth us from all sin; 1 John, ix, 9. Here is a true appli­cation of Christ, his merits and righteousness; when there is a confessing of sin to God, and a forsaking of it, here is an offering and a sacrifice made to God by our Lord Jesus Christ for the expiation of sin; he hath by his pre­cious blood purchased the pardon of all my sins, that he might present me to God without spot or blemish; here is a true application of the righteousness of Christ; but how can I apply it to myself while I live in sin?

Here God's witness in the conscience of a sinner pleads against the sinner; when he endeavours to believe that his guilt is taken away, and all his sins, past, present and to come, are pardoned, while he continues to live in sin, and sin hath yet dominion over him.

[Page 382]Take heed you split not upon this rock; if you be humble Christians, you will think upon the name of the Lord; and when ye find the operation of God's power begetting good desires in you to hate sin and love righ­teousness, you will then believe; you will then pray to the God of all grace; for the prayer of the faithful is acceptable to him: The effectual fervent prayer of a righte­ous man avails much, James v, 16.

Let your supplication therefore be poured forth unto God, to endow you with power and wisdom to subdue all your spiritual enemies, and to conquer your concupi­scence, and the inordinate desires and affections of your own hearts, that you may take up the cross of Christ and fol­low him as your great pattern, and in his name, and by the help and assistance of his Holy Spirit, you may know how to overcome all temptations.