their Lamps went out which shews they were once in and they could not enter with the Bride-groom for the Door was shut So will it be with the hardned Apostates who tasted of the heavenly Gift and have been made pertakers of the Power of the World to come who turned from the heavenly Gift delivered to them who made Shipwrack of that Faith which God gave them and put away a good Conscience which they once had who have trampled the Blood of the Covenant under Foot whereby they were sanctified who are grown past feeling whose Conscience is seared with a hot Iron such having sinned out the day of Gods tender Visitation unto them they are as Trees twice dead plucked up by the Roots whose end is to be burned Wells without Water Clouds without Rain carried about of Tempests wandring Stars for whom is reserved the mist or blackness of Darkness forever Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied of these c. the Apostle Peter and Paul and Jude write of these in their several Epistles as may be read at large Though these like Balaam the Enemy of God and of his People should desire to dye the death of the Righteous and have their latter end like his which is to enter into the Kingdom of God and sit down in Peace and Rest in it yet can they not enter therein seeing they have refused rejected done despite unto and what they can trampled upon that blessed Gift which God hath given to lead thereinto Again the Disciples of Jesus said unto him Declare unto us the Parable of the Tares of the Field he answered and said unto them He that soweth the good Seed is the Son of man the Field is the World the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom but the Tares are the Children of the Wicked the Enemy that sowed them is the Devil the Harvest is the end of the World the Reapers are the Angels Again Christ spake a Parable and said Behold a Sower went forth to Sow and when he sowed some Seeds fell by the High-way side and the Fowls came and devoured them up some fell upon Stony places where they had not much Earth and forth-with they sprang up but because they had not deepness of Earth when the Sun was up they were scorched and because they had not Root they withered away and some fell among Thorns and they sprung up and choaked them but others fell in good Ground and brought forth Fruit some an hundred Fold some sixty Fold some thirty Fold And Jesus said Hear ye therefore the Parable of the Sower when any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom and understandeth it not then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which was sown in his Heart this is he which received Seed by the way side but he that received the Seed into Stony places the same is he that heareth the Word and anon with Joy receiveth it yet hath he not Root in himself but dureth for a while for when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth because of the Word by and by he is offended he also that received Seed among the Thorns is he that heareth the Word and the cares of this World and the deceitfulness of Riches choak the Word and he becometh Vnfruitful But he that received the Seed into the good Ground is he that in an honest and good Heart having heard the Word keeps it and brings forth Fruit with patience see Matth. 1. Luke 8. 15. Again The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Net that was cast into the Sea which when it was full they drew to Shore and gathered the good into Vessels but cast the bad away so shall it be at the end of the World the Angels shall come forth and sever the Wicked from among the Just and shall cast them into the Furnace of Fire there shall be Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Again Jesus spake a Parable and said A certain man made a great Supper c. and sent his Servant at Supper-time to say to them that were bidden Come for all things are now ready and they all with one consent began to make excuse the first said unto him I have bought a piece of Ground I must needs go and see it I pray thee have me excused and another said I have bought five Yoke of Oxen I go to prove them I pray thee have me excused and another said I have married a Wife and therefore I cannot come c. And he said that none of those which were bidden shall taste of my Supper see Luke 14. 16. to the 24. verse And Jesus said Whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple Again Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple verse 27. 33. Note Reader the Seed that is sown in ALL these several sorts of Ground is of ONE and the SAME Nature to wit good as it is written The Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thy Heart Who shall ascend up to Heaven that is to fetch Christ from above or who shall descend into the deep to bring Christ up again from the Dead or who shall go beyond the Sea to fetch the Word unto us that we may hear it and do it but what saith it The word is NIGH THEE even in thy Heart and in thy Mouth that thou mayst do it see Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14 15. Rom. 10. 6 7 8. This good Seed is sown on all these several sorts of Grounds for ONE and the same cause or end even that it might take deep Root in all and bring forth Fruit in all and the Lord God in mercy to all Men and Women doth put them in a condition give them a time in which it is possible for this Word the good Seed to take deep Root in their Hearts and to bring forth Fruit INALL some thirty some sixty some an hundred Fold He can as he hath promised take away the Stony Heart and renew a right Spirit and Mind God makes none of these Grounds evil or bad but the Devil doth it but God can change them from evil or bad into the good he can cut them out of the wild Olive and plant them in Christ the true Vine But it is not wholly impossible that men and women through their Self-willfulness Sloathfulness Negligence Presumption and Carelesness may turn away their Hearts and Minds from the Voice of the living powerful Word of God and so give up their Hearts Minds and Ears to the Devil who led Adam and Eve into Sin against God they were placed in the Paradise of God in the likeness of God which is Holiness and Purity it was possible that they might have stood in that glorious state wherein God set them but it was NOT impossible that they could fall from that state God cannot fall or change in God and Christ ONLY is infallibility that which is
Day of Visitation given unto them by their mercifull Creator to turn unto him from their sin to eat that which is good he saith Whosoever WILL let him come and take of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely So it plainly appeareth by this that God would have all people eat of his Bread and drink of his Milk and Wine which he hath mingled and if they do not eat and drink thereof and so live to God by the vertue of the same it is not because God fore-appointed that they should NOT do so but it is because they have given up their Minds and Ears to the Whisperings and Lyes of that old Deceiver which first led Man and Woman from God and so he hath corrupted their Wills so hath led them to love sin and to chuse to abide in it all their Dayes so the Selfish-corrupt-will which the Devil hath begotten in fallen Man this WILL doth not chuse Christ nor the Cross which his true Disciples bear nor the Bread of Life or Water of Life nor Wine nor Milk which they eat and drink of abundantly to their immortal Souls strength joy and comfort and the Glory of the Lord. So it is true which Christ said Ye will not come to me that you may have Life Moreover he wept over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. Mark He did NOT say that they could not but that they would not and this his Testimony is true Gods Spirit which convinceth the World of sin MOVETH upon the hearts of sinners to purifie their Wills that so they may chuse the good and refuse the evil and his Spirit doth EFFECT this in all that do not withstand his tender Visitation therein and thereby till the day of their Visitation be over or ended when God moveth by his Spirit upon the Soul of man in Transgression to lead him out of his Transgression he requireth a YIELDING on the Creatures part according to the saying of the holy Ghost through the holy Apostle who said As ye have yielded your Members Servants to Vncleanness and to Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants unto Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6. 19. Note Reader the merciful God hath made the Creature able so to yield and therefore he doth not require Imposibilities of him who requireth him SO to yield and if man prove so hard and desperate as not to yield to serve God as aforesaid this his Hardy boldness and Self-willfulness and desperate Uugodliness is the cause of his Ruin and Destruction and so man destroyeth himself as God hath said O Israel thou destroyeth thy self but in me is thy help Note Reader the fallen corrupt will of man cannot chuse the good and refuse the evil but the Spirit of Truth doth visit man in this estate to PURIFIE his WILL and so to enable andlead him to chuse the Good and refuse the Evil But Man in this fallen corrupt ungodly bold WILL may yea many do with-stand the tender Visitation of God's Spirit yea grieve and vex it and do despight unto it and so cause God to be their Enemy and to fight against them as saith the Prophet God complained and said Israel would have none of me He did not say I would have none of them but he sent his Prophets to turn them unto him and they evil-intreated them yea slew them for which his Wrath was kindled against them who commanded them saying Touch not mine anointed do my Prophets no harm And he said WO unto the rebellious Children who take Counsel but not of me that COVER with a Covering but NOT of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. And he said concerning such rebellious Ones They have set at naught all my Counsel and would have none of my Reproof c. Such Rebels as these said unto God Depart from us we desire not the Knowledge of thy ways Such did not take the Counsel of the holy Ghost which saith Seek the Lord while he MAY be found call upon him while he is NEAR Isa 55. 6. So as the Apostle Peter said God is NO Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him God doth NOT Partially or IN dis-respect to SOME Persons foreordain that they shall be wicked and so to be damned and cast into the Lake of everlasting Misery NO that is contrary to his tender love who gave his only begotten Son for the Redemption of the World which lieth in Wickedness We have all sinned as saith the Apostle and God hath Mercy upon all as HE saith and wills that all may be saved He sent his Son to seek and save that which was lost and to bring back again to himself that which hath been driven away God saith concerning him Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles A BRUISED Reed shall he NOT break the smoking Flax shall he not QUENCH he shall bring forth Judgment unto Truth he shall not fail c. And the Isles shall wait for his Law Isa 42. 1 3 4. Matth. 12. 18 20. Objection It s written that without Faith it is impossible to please God and that the Just shall live by Faith But it s also written that all men have not Faith therefore those who have not Faith or never have or NEVER had Faith God did ordain to be damned before they were Born Answ This is a great Mistake for God who cannot LYE saith Look unto me and BE YE SAVED ALL the ends of the Earth Isa 45. 22. Gods Will is that all men might be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. Again As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live c. Ezek. 33. 11. and 18. 31 32 33. The Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin By this Visitation and CONVICTION they are brought into a condition that they may believe that which convinteth them of sin leaves them without Excuse justly to be punished for their Sin IN the SAME is the true and effectual means cause and ground of Faith freely tendered to them that thereby they might be led out of the Sin of Unbelief by the Lord God yea it is his free gift unto them given to beget and work Faith in them and if they STILL continue in Unbelief this gift will condemn them and God justly will punish them for their Rebellion Hard-heartedness Unbelief c. and it convinceth them of Righteousness in some degree that thereby they might be led to do that which is just and righteous in the sight of God who is
divine Life and Spirit he enlightneth all He is the Propitiation saith the Apostle John not for our Sins only but for the Sins of the whole World Reader this is the COMMON Salvation that Jude speaketh of in the beginning of his Epistle to believe in the Light as aforesaid is true Belief or true Faith which the Apostle Paul speaketh of to Titus saying Titus My own Son after the COMMON Faith Grace Mercy Peace from God the Father c. Titus 1. 4. Of this Faith Jude speaketh in his Epistle this was and is the common Faith For this Faith the true Christians stood or contended against all the false Faiths among the Jews and Heathens and Apostate Christians for this Faith do the true Christians now stand against them all and in this Faith is the Victory over all false Faiths and evil things see 1 John 5. 4. This is the true and living Faith which is attended with Works of Righteousness a Godly Holy Conversation c. according to the Testimony of the Apostle James This is the Faith which worketh by Love which purisieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience see 1 Tim. 3. 9. In this Faith is the command of God kept who saith Be ye Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy In this is the Doctrine of the holy Apostle fulfilled who exhorted saying As he who hath called you is Holy so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. The Apostle Paul saith by the holy Ghost God hath made of one Blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the Earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the buonds of their Habitation that they should seek the Lord c. because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead It is rendred in the Margin He hath offered faith unto all men see Acts 27. 26 31. Again Paul saith to Timothy Now the end of the Commandment is Charity or Love out of a PURE HEART and of a GOOD Conscience and of Faith UNFEIGNED from which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Jangling 1 Tim 1. 5 6. Again Paul saith to the Galatians For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but FAITH which worketh by LOVE see Gal. 5. 6. The Apostle Peter by the holy Ghost saith That God put NO difference between the Jews and Gentiles but PURIFIED both their Hearts by Faith see Acts 15. 6. Again Paul said to the believing Thessalonians Your Faith GROWETH exceedingly see 2 Thes 1. 3. Again to the Galatians The FRUIT of the Spirit IS Faith c. see Gal. 5. 22. The Apostle James signified by the holy Ghost unto the twelve Tribes of the Jews the UNIVERSAL LOVE of God saying If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to ALL MEN LIBERALLY and obraideth NOT and it shall be given him let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a Wave of the Sea driven with the Wind and tossed c. A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes James 1. 5 6 8. Again the Author to the Hebrews saith Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. Heb. 10. 22. Again the same Author saith Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for the evidence of things NOT seen for by IT the Elders obtained a good report through Faith WE UNDERSTAND that the World was framed by the WORD of God So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear by Faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain c. by Faith Noah being warned of God of things NOT seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his House by the which he condemned the World and became HEIR of Righteousness which is by Faith by Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which after he should receive for an Inheritance obeyed c. for he looked for a City which hath a Foundation whose Builder and MAKER is God through Faith also Sarah received strength to conceive Seed and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age BECAUSE she judged him faithful who had promised therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the Stars of the Skey in multitude c. These ALL dyed IN the FAITH c. by Faith Abraham when he was TRYED offered up Isaac and he that had received the Promises offered up his only begotten Son of whom it was said In Isaac shall the Seed be called accounting that God was ABLE to raise him up even from the DEAD from whence also he in a Figure received him by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come by Faith Jacob when he was dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph by Faith Moses when he was Born was hid c. by Faith Moses when he was come to YEARS refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter CHUSING rather to SUFFER Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the PLEASURES of Sin for a SEASON esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater RICHES than the TREASURES in Aegypt for he had a RESPECT unto the Recompence of REWARD by Faith he forsook Aegypt NOT fearing the Wrath of the King for he endured as SEEING him who is INVISIBLE by Faith Israel passed through the Sea as by dry Land c. by Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down c. by Faith the People of God LIVED unto HIM through ALL Ages in all Afflictions Persecution Tortures and Punishments whatsoever see Heb. 11. read it through Abraham believed in God and it was counted unto him for Righteousness know ye therefore saith the Apostle that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Note Reader God fore-determining to justifie the Heathen through Faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham see Gal. 3. 6 7 8 9. Gen. 12. 3. Again Now to Abraham and his Seed was the Promises made He saith not and to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ see Gal. 3. 16. Which Christ who was of the Seed of David and Abraham according to the Flesh as he is the eternal word he is the true spiritual and divine Light who lighteth every one that cometh into the World according to John 1. 9. 8. 12. 12. 46. as is shewed before The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. and 16. 8 9 10 11 13. which doth Convince the World of
not to come to me for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 14. Concerning doing Good J. B. thou art a great Enemy to the Command of Christ who saith Be ye Perfect c. pag. 26. Thou bringest those words in Psal 14. which say There is none that do Good no not one Answ Those words were spoken of Mankind in the Fall to a Generation of Evil doers In the same Psalm God said Have all the Workers of Iniquity no Knowledge who eat up my People as they eat Bread and call not upon the Lord And in the next Verse he saith God is in the Generations of the Just and Righteous Here thou mayst see that there was a Just and Righteous Generation and those were Hated and Persecuted by the Workers of Iniquity for the Good that appeared in them which though the Lord was the Principal Worker of yet they as Instruments in his hand were acted in what was Righteous and Good Mat. 12. 34 35. And Christ saith The GOOD MAN out of the GOOD Treasure of his Heart bringeth forth GOOD things and the Evil Man out of the Evil Treasure of his Heart bringeth forth Evil Things By this thy Ungodly Plea against Christ's Command thou declarest thy self to be one of the Evil Men who brings out of thy Evil Treasures thy Evil Words against the plain Command of Christ and of God who said Be Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy and against the Doctrine of the holy Man who saith Cleanse your Hands ye Sinners Purifie your Hearts you Double-minded c. And again Let the Wicked for sake his Way and the Vnrighteousman his Thoughts let him Turn unto God and he will have Mercy on him c. Again Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord and Holiness becomes the Lords House forever And the Apostle said unto the Saints The House or Temple of God is Holy which House or Temple ye are And the Apostle Paul said to Christian Romans I am perswaded of you that ye are FULL the of all GOODNESS c. Rom. 15. 14. And again to the Hebrews Chap. 13. 16. the Author saith To do GOOD and to Communicate forget not for with such Sacrifice God is well-pleased Again Gal. 6. 10. Paul Exhorted the Saints To do GOOD unto all men especially to the Houshould of Faith And again to the Thessalonians Ever follow that which is GOOD And again Hold fast that which is GOOD 1 Thess 5. 15 21. Again Paul to Timothy the first Epistle Chap. 6. Vers 18. Charge them that are Rich in this World that they be not High-minded that they do GOOD and be Rich in GOOD WORKS c. Thus it appears from the Testimony of the holy men of God that the People of God both under the Law and Gospel were commanded to do that which was GOOD and by his power they were enabled to do GOOD So this is written in Love to J. B. as a just Rebuke for his Contempt of Christ's Command and encouraging People to continue in that which is Evil. Concerning the Righteousness of God and also of Man's own Righteousness J. B. as a Plea for Evil doing saith All our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and saith the Church confesseth so Isa 64. 6. Answ In this Chapter the Prophet Representeth and Lamenteth the Sinfull Apostatized State of the Jews saying Our Iniquities have carried us away like the Wind all our Righteousness is as filthy Rags In the same Chapter he also saith to the Lord Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness those that remember thee in thy Way Here again thou mayst see that there were two Generations one remembring God in his Way and working Righteousness therein and the other in their Iniquities which carried them away as the Wind. J. B. Though all the Righteousness of the Jews in their Apostacy were and are as filthy Rags yet the Righteousness of the true Christians the Church in God made of Living Stones chosen and precious are not as filthy Rags It were horrible Blasphemy to say so for Christ is the Righteousness of the true Christians as saith the holy Apostle But of him are ye in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption see 1 Cor. 1. 30. J. B. Take notice of this Christ was and is in the true Christians made of God unto them Wisdom which Wisdom did and doth lead them out of sin which the Wisdom of the Serpent hath led into so Christ the Power and Wisdom of God who leads them out of Unrighteousness which is Sin he did and doth become THEIR Righteousness who Redeemeth and Sanctifieth them And this is the Righteousness which we the People of God called Quakers own stand and Plead for and NO OTHER This is the Righteousness which the Apostle Paul desired to be found in and not in his own Righteousness which was of the Law which he did sometime hold up in opposition to Christ the Substance as may be seen at large in his Epistle to the Philippians Chap. 3. The same Apostle said of the Jews in their Apostacy thus For they being Ignorant of God's Righteousness and going about to Establish their own Righteousness have not submitted themselves to the Righteousness of God for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes Rom. 10. 3 4. Christ offered up himself through the Eternal Spirit as a Lamb without Spot and Blemish who by offering up himself once for all put an End to the Jews Offerings of Lambs the Blood of Bulls and Goats and all the rest of their Carnal Shadowy Ordinances which could not take away Sin nor make the Comers thereunto Perfect as appertaining to the Conscience But the Unbelieving Jews continued their Sacrifices in opposition to Christ the Substance who had ended them and so they sought to be justified by the Shadowy Works of the Law which Christ had ended and though it was a Righteous thing in the sight of God that the Iews should observe and practice those Outward Shadowy Works of the Law which he had commanded until Christ had ended them yet when Christ had ended those Works by his one offering they still continued in them this was an Unrighteous thing in Gods sight therefore he rejected them yet they looked upon and judged what they did to be Righteous and this the Apostle esteems their own Righteousness so they did not submit to the Righteousness of God WHICH IS CHRIST but stumbled at the stumbling Stone as it s written And TOO like these are many of the Professors of our Times who hold up those JEWISH Shadows which never were a Command to us Gentiles in Opposition to Christ Jesus who saith I am the Light of the World and he that follows me shall not walk in Darkness but have the Light of Life and saith Believe in the Light that you may be the Children of the Light Now as
Disciples What I say unto one I say unto all Watch WATCH and Pray lest ye enter into Temptation The holy Prophet said I will hear what the Lord will say for he will speak Peace to his Saints but let them not turn again to Folly In pag. 17. J. B. quotes the words which God spake to Moses saying I will have Mercy on whom I will have Mercy these words Paul repeated in Rom. 9. and he added these words viz. whom he will he heardneth To the first I Answer Paul speaking to the Geutiles or Heathens concerning the Jews said God hath concluded them All in Vnbelief that he might have MERCY UPON ALL. Mark that upon ALL Rom. 11. 32. And Vers 26. he saith All Israel shall be saved Vers 27. This is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins To the second I Answer God's Grace hath appeared and is a free Gift of God given unto all men to teach all men to deny Ungodliness and to live Godly in this present World he gives all a time also in which they may turn unto him from their Evil Wayes and if they turn not to him in the Day of their Visitation the Lord doth cease to strive with them for their Salvation who regard not the Day of their Visitation Luke 19. 44. As he did with the People of Jerusalem of old who WEPT over them and said O that thou hadst known in this Day the things which belong to thy Peace But now they are hid from thy Eyes now your House is left unto you desolate c. Mat. 23. 28 29. Luk. 13. 34 35. Thus it plainly appears that there was a time in which they might have known the things which did belong to their Peace but they neglecting that time God ceased to strive with them and shut the Door of Mercy against them So when God ceased to strive with them then they hardned SWIFTLY for then the Devil had them at his pleasure Soit was and is he that doth hearden peoples Hearts against God by leading them into sin and this the Apostle well knew and therefore Exhorted the Saints To Watchfullness and Faithfullness lost said he any of you be hardened through the Deceitfullness of Sin Heb. 3. 13. And though it s said God hardened Pharaoh 's Heart yet I say as the Apostle saith God's Will is that All Men may know the Truth and be saved and I say there was a time when God would have softned his Heart and have made him a good man but he withstanding the Day of God's tender Visitation which was in order to have made him a Tender hearted good Man God ceased to strive with him for his Salvation and th en the Devil That great Hardier of Hearts had his Will of him And though God said to Pharaoh I have raised thee up to make my Power known in thee yet God did not say to him I Created thee on purpose that thou shouldst be a Wicked Cruel and Hard hearted Man NO it were great Blasphemy to say or think so though after he was hardened God suffered him for a time to oppress his People yea to rise higher and higher in his Oppression yet afterwards God's Power was known in his Destruction and in the deliverance of his own People Pharaoh said unto Moses and Aaron I have sinned the Lord is Righteous and I and my People are wicked Exod. 9. 27. Again he said I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you forgive I pray thee my Sin Chap. 10. ver 26 27. Again When Pharaoh saw there was Respite he hardned his Heart Chap. 8. ver 15. Again Pharaoh hardned his Heart this time also ver 32. Thus it plainly appears that Pharaoh justifieth the Lord God in his Righteous Judgments which he brought upon him and his People for their Sins and condemneth himself and his People saying I and my People are wicked It is certain that it was the Devil NOT GOD who led Pharaoh and his People into Sin by which their Hearts were hardned against God and his People The holy Apostle John saith He that committeth Sin is of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with Evil neither tempteth he any man But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lusts and enticed then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth Sin and Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death Jam. 1. 13 14 15. And God's command is unto man kind that they should not harden their Hearts and it s written That he was grieved with those who did harden their Hearts Psalm 95. 8 10. Heb. 3. 10. and God hath promised That he will take away the Stony or hard Heart which the Devil hath made hard and that he will give them a Heart of Flesh or a soft heart c. Ezek. 11. 19. And David saith Psal 51. 17. The Sacrifice of God is a broken Heart And God said by the Prophet to the People Joel 2. 13. Rent your Hearts c. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as are of a contrite Spirit Psalm 34. 18. Christ Jesus said The Men of Nineveh shall rise up in Judgment with this Generation and shall condemn it because they Repented at the preaching of Jonas And behold a greater then Jonas is here Matth. 12. 41. Jesus upbraided yea condemned the Cities wherein most of his mighty works were done because they Repented not see Matth. 11. 20. to the end God commandeth all men to Repent every where Act. 17. 30. Jesus said Suppose ye that those Galileans mentioned Luk. 13. 1 2 3. and those eighteen men on whom the Tower of Siloam fell ver 4. were sinners above all the Gallileans and above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem I tell ye nay but except ye Repent ye shall ALL likewise PERISH And Christ told his Disciples after he was risen from the Dead That Repentance Remission of Sins should be preached in his Name unto all Nations or in all Nations mark that Luk. 24. 47. Many times did Jesus call unto the Rebellious amongst the seven Churches of Asia to Repent as may be seen in the second third Chapters of the Revelations at large Christs Parables concerning the stray Sheep and the prodigal Son in Luk. 15. 7. doth much hold forth the Universal Love of God to man-kind he said I say unto you that Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that Repenteth more than over ninety nine just Persons which need no Repentance Again There is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that Repenteth Luke 15. 10. John the Baptist called the Pharisees and the Sadduces who came unto his Baptism A Generation of Vipers yet these he called to bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Matth. 3. 7. 12. 23. Luk. 3. 7. In Rom. 9. 32. Paul saith
Faith which they once had who have sinned out the Day of Gods tender Visitation to them who are the Trees twice dead pluckt up by the Roots whose end is to be burned it had been better for them that they had not had Faith then after they had it to depart from it Therefore let all People who have not sinned out the day of God's tender Visitation HEAR and Fear the mighty God who is a consuming Fire unto the Wicked as it s written and let all such bow their Hearts and Minds unto God's searching Spirit and Word nigh in their Hearts and that will work true Faith and encrease the same and will preserve them from making Shipwrack of Faith and it will beget a good tender Conscience and it will continue and uphold the same in all those who continue to HEAR and Fear the living God who as the Apostle saith Is the Saviour of all men but especially of those that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. His Sun shines upon the Evil and the Good and his Rain falls upon the Just and the Unjust he is good unto the Unthankful and to the Evil as is shewed before So God sends and gives his Mercies unto the Wicked and Rebellious in some degree not only in things Temporal but also in things Spiritual as is largely shewed in this Book so that in the day of Gods Visitation unto them he is a Saviour unto them and saves and preserves them from Destruction and he doth suffer long to lead the Wicked to Repentance who saith As I live I have no pleasure in the Death or Damnation or Destruction of the Wicked but that the Wicked should turn and live But when they will not turn unto him in the day of his Long-suffering and tender Visitation he casts them out of his favour forever as Christ hath said unto the Goats set on the Left Hand Go ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil his Angels The Counsel of the holy Ghost is Seek ye the Lord while he MAY be found call upon him while he is NEAR Isa 55. 6. Again They hated Knowledge and did NOT CHUSE the fear of the Lord they would NONE of my Counsel they despised all my Reproof therefore shall they eat of the Fruit of their own wayes and be filled with their own Devices For the turning AWAY of the Simple shall SLAY them and the Prophecying of Fools shall DESTROY them But whoso hearkeneth unto ME shall dwell SAFELY and shall be QUIET from FEAR of Evil Prov. 1. 29 30 31 32 33. In Romans the first Chapter the Apostle Paul speaks largely concerning some who When they knew God they did NOT glorisie him AS God neither were THANKFUL but became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkened they changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to corruptible Man and to Birds and Fore-footed Beasts and Creeping things wherefore God gave them up to Vncleaness Who changed the Truth of God into a Lye or rather for a Lye and worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator who is blessed forever Amen And they became HATERS of God and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them up to a Reprobate mind c. Such become like the deaf Adder that stopeth his Ear which will not hearken to the Voice of Charmers Charming never so wisely see Psalm 58. 4 5. The Apostle Paul saith Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of man that doth Evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile for there is NO respect of PERSONS with God Rom. 2. 9 11. but Glory Honour and Peace to every man that WORKETH Good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile ver 10. Christ said concerning the Wicked This Peoples Heart is waxed gross and their Ears are dull of hearing and their Eyes THEY have closed c. Note Reader by what is above written it doth plainly appear that there is a time when man may seek after God and find him and have eternal Salvation given by him yea there is a time when HE is near and then he being call'd upon will hear and answer But if man IN his SELF-WILL carelesness and negligence REFUSE this seasonable time then he may seek and NOT find call and NOT be answered Therefore blessed are all they who prize and imbrace the time and day of Gods tender Visitation who said TO day if ye will hear my Voice HARDEN NOT your Hearts c. Again They that hated Knowledge who did NOT CHUSE his fear these did harden their Hearts contrary to the will and mind of God they set at naught ALL his Counsel and would have NONE of his Reproof Therefore saith God they shall eat the Fruit of their own wayes c. For the turning away of the Simple shall slay or destroy them c. But saith God whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil O blessed happy are all they who INCLINE their Ears diligently hearken unto his Voice and obey the same with such he will make an everlasting Covenant and will give unto them the sure Mercies of David he will give them unfeigned Repentance as he gave unto him and forgiveness of their Sins as he did unto him yea he will remove their Sins as far from them as the East is from the West Psal 103. 12. Isa 55. 3. Object It s written some are sensual not having the Spirit and they who have not the Spirit cannot have Faith for faith is the fruit of the Spirit and those who have not the Spirit they have not faith and those who have not faith cannot be saved Therefore all such God did ordain or fore-appoint to be damned before they were Born Answ I have before largely and clearly proved that Gods will is that all men might be saved he calls to all the ends of the Earth to look unto him saying Look unto me and be ye saved He giveth all a Day and Time of Visitation wherein they may all seek him and find him call upon him and be heard and answered by him and receive in his tender Mercy everlasting Salvation It is true that the holy Man of God hath said that some of Old did I say many now do separate themselves Sensual not having the Spirit but this doth NOT at all prove that such never had the Spirit in any measure but the Scriptures of Truth do clearly prove the contrary For the Lord gave his Spirit unto Saul but because of his Disobedience and Rebellion against the Lord the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil Spirit troubled him c. see 1 Chron. 16. 14. And Saul said The Lord is departed from me Chap. 28. 15. When David had sinned against God in the case of Vriah he greatly lamented and unfeignedly Repented of his Sin and prayed unto the Lord saying Cast me not
is the Devil as Christ said these are the REPROBATES this Birth of the Serpents Seed is the Prophane Esau which God Hates this Birth is Cursed in its first Conception in its Youth and in its Old Age. Jesus said unto the Rebellious Jews The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruit thereof see Mat. 21. 45. And to such Unbelieving Rebellious ones he said Ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and ye your selves thrust out see Luke 13. 28. Again Christ said Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entring to go in see Matth. 23. â—3 read the Chapter through See Luke 11. 52. Take notice of this all ye Loose and Prophane Livers who call your selves Christians your Un-God-like and Un-Christ-like Conversations bring a Scandal and Reproach upon the Name of Christianity you cause the honourable Name of Christ and Christianity to be Blasphemed against by Jews Turks and Indian Heathens O that the deep Sence of this your great Sin might fall upon you and that your Hearts might be truly broke in the Sence thereof O that you would yet Unfeignedly seek Repentance before the Door of Mercy be forever shut against you there is yet Mercy with God for multitudes therefore his holy Will is that they should seek after him Unfeignedly Repent and Turn unto him from all their Abominations but those who will not but go on stubbornly in Rebellion against him he will cut down suddainly in his Righteous Judgments SWIFTLY even as a Mower cuts down Grass therefore Fear Tremble and Bow before him all ye Workers of Iniquity And more particularly consider of these things O all ye several sorts of TEACHERS whose EVIL WORK it hath been and is to draw out and keep out Peoples Minds from the Spirit of God and Christ by which alone their Hearts are SEARCHED and their EVIL Thoughts Words and Actions shewed unto them this is the swift Witness by which the Living God doth Reprove them and Condemn them for the same This is the Faithfull and True Witness which neither BRIBES nor FLATTERY nor THREATNINGS can Corrupt Destroy nor Stop ITS inward Convictions Rebukes or Reproofs from those who Rebel against it and as it is faithfull in witnessing against all the Rebellious so is it faithfull in bearing witness to and with the Spirits of all the Obedient that they are the Children of God And of this the holy Apostles were Living True Witnesses who said Whatsoever is Reproved is made manifest by the Light and also said The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God And also said He that believeth in the Son of God hath a witness within himself and hath set to his seal that God is True As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are Sons of God and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his as saith the holy Apostle Those who believe not in the Spirit of God and Christ they are not governed by it they are NOT the real Possessors and Enjoyers of it and such have it not to save and deliver them out of sin because they believe not in it yet this Spirit of Truth doth convince the whole World which lieth in Wickedness of their sins and doth in secret condemn them for the same every one in the Day of Gods Visitation unto them So the Spirit of Truth which is the Saints Comforter which leads them into all Truth the same is the Reprover Condemner Judger and Tormentor of the Unbelieving Wicked Rebellious World see John 16. 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ephes 5. 13. Jer. 17. 10. Psal 7. 9. Mal. 3. 5. 1 John 5. 10. Isa 55. 4. John 3. 33. Rom. 8. 14 16. Psal 50. 21 22. Amos 4. 13. John 1. 9. and 8. 12. and 3. 19 20. Acts 13. 47. and 26. 17 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. The Apostle saith What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth NO man but the Spirit of God the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God see 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. This was and is the KEY of all heavenly saving knowledge by this is mans Heart opened to understand and know those things which belongs to his Immortal Souls Rest and Peace and he that believeth therein is enabled thereby to do those things which are well-pleasing to the Lord God and keep out of those things which are displeasing to him And of this the holy Apostle was a Living true Witness who prayed for the Believers saying I pray God strengthen you by his Spirit in the INNER MAN see Ephes 3. 16. Col. 1. 11. Christ said unto the Rebellious Jews who made their boast of the Law yet wrested the Sayings thereof and brake it Wo unto ye Lawyers for ye have taken away the Key of Knowledge ye entered NOT in your selves and them that were entering in ye hindered see Luke 11. 52. Nehemiah said Lord thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them c. Nevertheless they were Disobedient and Rebelled against thee and cast thy Law behind their Backs and SLEW thy Prophets which testified against them to turn them unto thee see Nehem. 9. 20. 26. Remember this all YE that hate and Persecute those who Worship God who is a Spirit in the Spirit and in the Truth and Repent and cease from your Ungodly Works if you will not God will cut you off and vex you in his sore displeasure in rewarding you justly according to the Wickedness of your doings We to the Rebellious Children saith the Lord that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with a Covering but NOT OF MY SPIRIT that they may add Sin unto Sin see Isa 30. 1. This Spirit was and is the Covering UNDER which man and woman is blessed is in safety out of the reach of that evil hurtful Spirit which worketh in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience who also goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour as saith the Apostle whom the true Believers did and do resist in the living Faith and by the virtue of the good Spirit of God with which they were ARE covered and in it had have Victory over him such did do experience to their great Comfort the saying of the holy man fulfilled who said Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the WORLD see 1 John 4. 4. O that the Haters of and Mockers at this holy pure Spirit would seriously consider what they are doing O that they would consider their latter end and the account that they must give to God for these things O that it were in their Hearts unfeignedly to