his Kingdom and Glory burning more upon their hearts then others have The Promises shew of this thing frequently Isai 4.3 And it shall come to passe that he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord is about to establish his Church above all Mountains all other Kingdomes and People in the World he will first cause them to separate and come out from the sins and uncleannesses of the World and will make them a People fitted to enjoy the glory of that day to be as Saviours upon Mount Sion and to judge the Mount of Esau The Warrs and changes that have been among us call for this too they have been as fires to purifie us from our sins and Idols though many are since gone back to commit fornication with them again The desolations and troubles that do at this time threaten the Nations all about us seem to be as signes and tokens to all that are wise hearted among us to prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in his Judgements he is above when ye see these things begin to come to passe then lift up your heads and look up This will be better understood by making a more particular enquiry what manner of Work that is wherein God will fit his People and make them ready to follow Jesus Christ in the things he is about First We may look that he will put another spirit upon his People then that is which is generally found at this day among the People of God a chosen People a picked People become those Works God has promised to do in the latter dayes If an Honorable Person had a Negotiation which concerned his Honour and Estate he would employ such Persons about it as would become such a Master and of abilities for such a Service Or if a great Prince were about to shew himself openly to be seen before his Subjects he would choose a Train of such Persons to attend upon him as should set off the glory and splendor of his Royal Person before the people The Works wherein the Lord Jesus will glorifie himself and be more eminently exalted he will choose such choice and precious Saints and Servants to be about him therein as that by the Grace and Blessedness which they shall shew forth his Glory shall shine forth the more there is so much dross and Tin mingled with our Gold so much of worldly spirit in excess pomp designs seeking and receiving honour and promotions so much of a carnal frame in debates envyings stripes backbitings whisperings swellings tumults and so much of an Antichristian spirit is found among us in joyning interests with Babylon confederacies with her Kings building up again her horned power hankering after her customes manners laws worldly splendor and greatness that whilst we are in such a condition as this God will commit no eminent or special service or trust unto us such a people are not in a condition fit to attend upon the Lord Jesus in his great Works he has to do among us Whilst the People of God among us were seeking after some better things in the Spirit of Grace with Faith Singleness and Purity the Lord was among them by a very gracious and wonderful Presence but sith they have left their first Loves and have forgot their first Works and are sat down in the middle way the Lord is seeking a People of another spirit who will follow him fully in the Works he has promised to do in these last days Now we may know such a People a People of another spirit where the following characters are found 1. In dayes of division and distemper of corruption and falling away from their first Love fervency of Spirit the simplicity savour and Spirit of Christ and Gospel-conformity unto security and rest from whence come uncleannesse lasciviousnesse strife wrath and heresies a People that in such dayes are growing in their Light love Purity and Zeal for Christ his Work and Kingdom are a People of another Spirit of such a Spirit as the Lord seeks for for such a Spirit was Paul and some few in his time 2. After a Reformation has begun in the Churches of God when the old leaven the constitutions and customes made in the time of Antichristian blindness and Idolatry are establisht and kept up among them or when a People in a Nation who were coming out of Babylon delivered from the yoaks and by a great deal of conviction through many wonders of Providence called to come out of the corruptions of the World shall return back again to bondage either by confederacies with Babylons friends mingling with their manners or taking the golden wedge if in such dayes as this there be any that continue in their love and zeal to Jesus Christ his Kingdom a thorow Reformation of things until all power be put into his hands and do shew forth the same by following all holy and righteous wayes and means for the promoting thereof in the World such are a people of another spirit such a spirit as this was in Elijah Phineas David Nehemiah and some others in their time and in the worthy Reformers of later times Zech. 12.10 I will pour upon them the spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon me who they have pierced and shall mourn for him The Lord will have such a people as shall be deeply affected with Christ and with a sense of the dishonor and reproach that lies upon him his cause and interest in these last times 3. When the signs of the times are not discerned nor heeded nor the Works and Mind of God pointed at thereby is not closed withall a great security and unbelief and a lazy luke-warm indifferency generally prevailing as to the things which concern the promised Kingdom and Glory of Christ and the overturning of all that which letteth whosoever shall then be found upon their watch in supplications and searchings mourning for the sins of the times refusing to bow to the Kings Image opening their window towards Jerusalem that is praying for the Redemption of the Church of Christ and enquiring out the time such are a people of another spirit such a people the Lord seeks for as a people fit to follow him wait upon him of such an excellent spirit was Daniel and the men of Issachar Noah Jeremiah and others As he is a man of a mean low base spirit that can be content Christ should have a little place in his heart and the old Man a great deal so it is a note of a people of a low and unworthy spirit not fit for any eminent service for Christ that are content with a little of Christs Righteousness and Reformation in a Nation well satisfied so they may live in peace and ease and plenty though Christ have not the swaying over-ruling Power in the publick and highest matters that are done among them
SOME Legible Characters OF FAITH LOVE Towards the Blessed CAUSE KINGDOM OF CHRIST Worthy to be known and read of all men Being Some of the last Meditations of that Faithfull Servant of the Lord Mr. Thomas Higgenson lately deceased a very firm friend both living and dying unto the Interest and Work of the Lord Jesus in these last days Isaiah 42.9 Behold the former things are come to passe and new things do I declare before they spring forth I tell you of them sing unto the Lord a new song Isaiah 43.21 This People have I formed for myself London Printed by G. D. for Tho. Brewster and are to be sould at his Shop at the Sign of the three Bibles in Pauls Church-Yard 1659. THE EPISTLE To the READER THE Breathings of the Spirit of Christ in the Author of the ensuing little Treatise will certainly be very comfortable and refreshing to all those who find any fresh Affections stirring in them to that Glorious Cause which hath been so unworthily and so shamefully entreated of late years by an Apostatizing Generation The mysticall Harmony of their Spirits which the King of Saints is now secretly putting in tune in order to that harping and singing mentioned Revel 14.2 3. and 15.3 will be so melodious in some competent space of time that many will be very desirous to learn to sing and play upon those instruments which David our King the sweet singer of Israel hath invented for his Victorious and Tryumphing Followers and Friends But it was revealed to the Apostle that no man could learn that Song but the hundred fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth That this Servant of Christ lately deceased was much Redeemed from the earth and indeed from among men and so the more capable of singing that new song before mentioned is well known to many in this City and else where A true estimate of the Elevation of this Spirit above the base things of the earth may be easily taken by such Artists as are well skilled in the Celestial or Evangelical Mathematticks If they do diligently peruse a former Treatise of his called Sighs for Righteousnesse penned not long after the Cromwelian Apostacy and usurpation They will find the Spirit that appeareth in those Queries to be a very serious a very savoury a very penetrating * At also in those oother Treatises of his called A Lamenting Word Glory asar off now stepping in The Indwellings of the Spirit A Testimony to the True Jesus Spirit And I could wish for mine owne part that the substance and series of that Discourse were deeply imprinted in my mind and in the minds of all those who do fixedly expect those most marvelous Productions and Mutations which are about to break forth from the deep Counsels of his will who is recapitulating or bringing all things to a Head in his Son both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him I was desired by some of the Authors Friends to perfix a Title and a few words to the Reader for his own good But who or what am I that I should hope to promote any thing of this nature my very Name being offensive to multitudes But the day will declare That the cause wherein I have by a most blessed Conduct imbarked my Name my Liberty my Estate my Life my All will make a mends for all those scandalous slanderous Reproaches wherein it was hoped I might have been buried alive long before this time of the day But I know I am with all I have in the same ship with the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore I can Despise their Despisings who after all their Insolent Language have cause to be ashamed of the mistakes and other pittifull products of their own shallow fluid judgments They must take their aim better the next time if they can As for me I blesse the Lord that I do sometimes meet mine own Spirit touched with the Magnetick vertue of the Spirit of Christ in the Discourses and Writings of others whose Spirits were found faithful in the day of Rebuke and Blasphemy which hath passed over us in the number of whom I reckon this dear disceased Friend to be one And could have wished that the Following Papers might have been perfected and published by himself before his departure In regard that severall advantages and elegancies will be found by judicions Readers to be very much wanting through many mispointings mistakes and errataes which were past cure before they came to my hand Neverthelesse I shall do the best office I can to serve in love both his living Readers and my deceased Friend by rectifying some things which are amisse as in the Errataes following All is commended to the Blessing of him who worketh all things after the Counsell of his own will no more at the present Reader from Thy Friend and Servant for the Lords sake CHR. FEAKE London this 6th of the 4th moneth 1659. Errata PAge 10. line 36. read one of the lorns pag. 11. l. ult r. against Babilon p. 12. l. 19. r. whereof p. 9. l 1. dele as p. 20. l. 14. for as r. and. l. ult for off r. of p. 21. l. 11 dele how p. 22. l. 12. r. with clay l. 21. make a at law l. 33. r. unsuitable p. 23. 2. r. near l. 32. r. when p. 25. l. 32. r. alone p. 32. l. 25. r. losse l. ult dele of SOME LEGIBLE CHARACTERS OF FAITH and LOVE towards The Blessed CAUSE KINGDOM OF CHRIST Worthy to be known and read of all men AS God has in every Age had some special work upon the wheel and as the same has ever been attended with much opposition difficulty and offence so he has alwayes given to some of his Servants an eye to see and be affected with it and to put their helping hand unto it Although the things which have been of late the Travel of many and yet are of some amongst us being of such weight and worth of such blessed and glorious consequence would require men of a more excellent spirit and skilful hand to set them forth in their proper beauty and lustre yet such service as I had love constrained me to offer especially at this time wherein the Exigencies of Truth call for somewhat at our hands If unbelief security and revolt had not choaked that Faith Light and Love unto the Lord and his present Works in the World whereby many among us were led out to undertake and effect great things in pursuance thereof that Truth would by this time have been witness of it self in reall effects to the face of the world and would not have needed a vindication of this nature by word or argument to wit That God is doing new and extraordinary things in this day in the earth To obtain clearness and certainty in which point is of high concernment unto all such as would not be left in the dark concerning the great designations of Providence and
courage through all oppositions difficulties and temptations in that day to the contrary Third Rule Consider which way the Works of Providence looked that were formerly done amongst us and whither they tended though Providence when it is alone is not any certain Rule to go by yet when the Works of God and his Word and Spirit go altogether when a People have his Word and Spirit stirring them up unto a Work and Providences coming in one upon another to carry them out in it then are Providences to be heeded as signs of the times and of the Work God is about Psalm 105.26 He sent Moses his Servant and Aaron whom he had chosen they shewed his signs among them and wonders in the Land of Ham. The Works God wrought for Israel in Egypt and the Wildernesse was as Gods manifestation to the Nations who were his People and what he was about when a People are engaged in a cause upon holy and righteous Principles the Promises Prophecies and Truths of the latter dayes and God is seen going forth before them working glorious Deliverances for them this is a lowd Testimony What is the Work God is determined to do in such a day Psalm 105.14 15. He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying touch not mine Annointed and do my Prophets no harm How like to this the dealing of God with England of late have been may appear whosoever shall remember what an eye of peculiar respect and favour the Lord had upon a People among us what a choice and blessed Spirit a despised People had whereby many wise and honourable among us were confounded What power to bind Kings in chains and Nobles in fetters of iron How no weapon that was formed against them could prosper Moreover how the Lord stretched the line of confusion and the stones of emptinesse over all such constitutions and interests as had been props and pillars for the upholding the old Antichristian and worldly pomp pride and greatnesse if the aim and tendencie of these Providences be considered it is easie to ghesse what the Work of God is at this day Fourth Rule Take notice what things have fallen out upon a People among us since they left the Work of the Lord they were first about to build their own houses since they left their first love and labour and patience and zeal in that Work and are joyned to another Interest As soon as Saul failed in the Work of the Lord 1 Sam. 16.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him That Spirit he had for the Lord and the work of Reformation left him and he was turned to hate the same Spirit when it came upon David It is a true observation where the Spirit of God is seen in the most gracious lively and warmest workings of it there are the choicest Servants of God and there is his Work carrying on What a blessed Spirit was there upon a People among us What zeal did it work what indignation what godly sorrow for miscarriages what purging of themselves from the old leaven what pressing on towards a thorow Reformation and the good things of the latter dayes how is this Spirit I would I could not say it departed from them Object But wherein does it appear that that Spirit has left them Answ It appears by their principles and designs the Spirit of God acts upon holy and gracious Principles and unto holy and noble ends a People led by the Spirit of God do act upon such Principles as are spiritual the Word of God Faith in the Promises Love to Christ to his Saints to the breathings of the Spirit in them to Righteousness and Holiness now where you see these Principles left and slighted and others took up worldly power and pollicy and conjunction with them that either left the Work formerly or were enemies to it and practises tending to pour contempt upon the blessed Cause and Interest of Christ among us and upon all those that would still be faithful to it untill the Kingdomes of this World become the Kingdome of our Lord this is not the Spirit of God you may be assured that does such things The spirits of any thing are known by the breath or savour it yeilds Thou savourest not the things that be of God but the things that be of man where we find a strong scent and savour in our own hearts or others of the flesh-pots and onyons an hankering after the treasures of Egypt the pomp preferments titles and honors the constitutions and interests of those that the Lord cast out before us to be like the Nations in Government State Designs and Manners there we may fear the Spirit of the Lord as to any further work is departed Moreover since many left off following the Lord fully we see not our signs and tokens of Gods wonder working Providence as formerly Exod. 33.16 Wherein shall it be known here that I and thy People have found grace in thy sight is it not in that thou goest with us so shall we be separated I and thy People from all the People that are upon the face of the earth Whilst there was a People among us that were faithful with the Lord and his Saints and had a heart to the glorious things God hath for his Church the Lord Jesus went forth before them as General and put the feir of them upon all that were about them but since then what frowns from Heaven what tokens of displeasure have been upon us both at Sea and Land whereby all things drive heavily at home fears and confusion abroad wasting and consuming upon their Armies now observe in what walk and way we had the Lord present among us and how since then he has withdrawn himself from us and thence we may gather where his Work lies at this day Now then if you judge these Rules to be such as may give any certain light to resolve us in the question The Work the Lord our God is about at this day is a choice Work and a great Work and beyond the ordinary wayes and Dispensations of God in times past First The Lord is forming a People for himself purifying and fitting a People to follow Christ in those special Services wherein his Glory is more eminently concerned if the Works that God has done in the midst of us be in order to some greater things he has yet to do then will he sanctifie and prepare a People that shall understand the Work of the Lord and serve him therein Psal 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies thy People shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness They that shall be of the most ready and willing spirit to serve Christ in the Work of his Kingdom shall be a People of more grace and holiness then others a People that shall have Faith and Love to Christ and Zeal for
When a deep sleep of security in present things has taken hold upon many then to have the eyes open and heart awake pressing forward towards things before is a sign of a people of another spirit 4. A people that follow the Lord fully which way soever he goes that whilst others are taken off by fear of difficulty worldly advantage or some cunning pretences will not be prevailed with to decline or cast off the Lord and the Work he is about such are a people of another spirit whilst Rulers Army and Churches were all as one for the Work of the Lord Jesus among us and many outward successes and incouragements were cast in and the owning thereof was the way to advancement in the World an ordinary and common spirit might follow the Lord in such a day but when all these props and foundations are shaken and the streams of interests affairs is turned into another channel against the Work and Promise of God then to be lovers and followers of the Lord Jesus his glorious Cause and Interest when it lies under such contempt and death as this is the work of a very choice and excellent spirit when the Spies returned Numb 13.27 They told Moses and said we came unto the Land whither thou sentest us and surely it floweth with Milk and Honey and this is the fruit of it neverthelesse the people be strong that dwell in the Land and the Cities are walled and very great and moreover we saw the children of Anak there and all Israel cryed and wept that night and said let us make a Captain and let us return into Egypt but Caleb and Joshua were of another spirit By the tastes we have had of Gospel light and Reformation of the Government of Christ Kingdom of late very many are ready to say that the Land is good and pleasant for Gods People to be under a Government of Gods making under Rulers of Gods annointing is blessed as it is but a reasonable thing but this Kingdom say they being not of this World will not be received nor subjected to by the World nor can it be set up but by a shaking and pulling to pieces the Kingdomes of the World as to the foundation they now stand upon wherefore it being a business of so great trouble difficulty and danger before it can be attained let us make say many among us a Captain and let us return into Egypt or let us sit down on this side Iordan with the enjoyment of our ease and quiet rather then seek or make out after such a Kingdom with the losse of all This is a low unworthy Spirit having little love to the Glory and Excellency of Christ and his Kingdom the Lord will prepare a People of another Spirit that will strengthen one another to go on until all the Enemies of Christ and his People be put under our feet 2. As the Lord will choose among his People such as are of another Spirit so he will have a People of more refined and excellent Principles then are commonly found among us Principles are the springs of Actions no man can act above his Principles a man of gracious noble and refined Principles is appointed for some excellent service and finer work then other men now the excellency of a mans Principles lies in their spirituality in how much they have of Christ and Grace above other men A man that has more communion with God with free-grace in Christ then others is a man of more excellent Principles Mens Principles cannot alwayes be judged by their Profession but their Profession may be judged off by their Principles a man of low and servile Principles may make a great shew and high profession before the World as Israel when brought out of Egypt having received the Oracles having seen great Wonders no Nation like to Israel yet had in them a strong sence and savour of Egypt still in their hearts they went back to Egypt so we of this Nation have been a People of great deliverances under astonishing Dispensations so that it was said of us what Nation like to ours what Mercies like to Englands Mercies Yet we are generally of low servile slavish and fearful Principles savouring much of that state whereunto we were first in Bondage how and who in our Principles are below the Dispensations that have been upon us and the work of God has further to do in the World may appear by considering what Principles they are that do prevail most at this day among us 1. They may be known what they are by our sitting down in an outward state of peace quiet and safety well contented and at ease therein while a full and thorow Reformation and the Mercies promised to the Church in the latter dayes are not sought after David was of far other Principles of a choicer Spirit 2 Sam 7.1 2. And it came to passe when the King sat in his house and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies yet the King said unto Nathan the Prophet See now I dwell in an house of Cedar but the Ark of God dwelleth within Curtains This Principle is wanting where an outward deliverance and peace is so used and sat down in as yet the Work of the Lord is not carried on Though thou hast lain among the pets I will make thee as the wings of a Dove I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean Great goodness is promised to the Church in the latter dayes the Spirit of grace deliverance enlargement dominion and exaltation these things were sought after by the People of God among us of late and in pursuance thereof they went some dayes journeys following the Lord through dark and dangerous paths but are now sat down by the way in a low wearied unbelieving and slavish Spirit having little or no spirit to the things formerly pressed after Gen. 49.14 15. Issachar is a strong Asse couching down between two burthens and he saw that rest was good and the Land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear and he became a seavant unto tribute But Dan shall judge his people as one of the Tribes of Israel In like manner after a little breathing space has been given us from our former troubles finding that rest was good and a condition of quiet and peace was sought so that we might enjoy our ceiled houses lands offices merchandizing c. how are many among us willing to put their necks again under the yoaks and to deliver up and let go the opportunity and power that was in their hands to have redeemed themselves and to have raised up that Work and Building the foundation whereof was laid with the price of so much precious bloud But you will say What is that Work that is to be carried on It is said the Iron was mixt without Clay it should signifie the heathenish worldly Civil
Power and the Ecclesiastick State should mingle together the Church should borrow many corrupt constitutions customs and helps from the wicked and worldly power this mixture is yet found among us the old leaven of Antichristian pollutions manners and proceedings that was begun to be purged out is leavening us again even the whole lump if grace prevent not The Basis upon which God will set up his Kingdome namely the Word of God as the Law and the Spirit of Christ in his Saints as the Counsellor is not admitted Ezra 9.14 Should we again break thy Commandements and joyn in affinity with the people of these abominations Whilst worldly aims and ends run along with the Work of Christ he had many followers but now that the God of this World hath given to many the golden Cup whereby they are overcome in security and ease to make another step in that Work beyond what the present state of things will bear such love and zeal is found but with few amongst us this is a low unworthy Principle If the blessed Reformers of former Ages or more later of our times who alwayes found every new step in Reformation to be attended with difficulty and opposition had been of this low and unsearchable spirit or could have been content for the enjoyment of their lives and liberties ease and pleasures with the losse of the Gospel and Reformation in the greater purity of it we should instead of seeing the things we have seen in our dayes have been inheriting the blindness and bondage of our forefathers It is worthy to be remembred while we were a people as one standing upon an Interest distinct from all Nations about us the Lord was graciously sought of us and that his Presence was nearer his wonderful Works declared but since we have made peace with the Enemies of the Lord this peace has pierced deeper into our sides then ever their swords before could do which puts me in mind of what is said Dan. 8.25 By peace he shall destroy many When Antichrist saw he could not prevail among us by the sword through his policy he prospers and by peace and ease and quiet he destroyes many wherefore the Lord will have a people of such light sincerity and love as will not be contented with the peaceable enjoyment of Wives Children houses Lands Honors or Preferments until the Lord Jesus in his Laws Government Spirit and Saints be exalted over all the Earth and his glory above the Heavens 2. Whilst there is a setting up the Maxims and rules of worldly corrupt States and Kingdoms yea though it were the most prudent and righteous Principles of Civil Interest when this is done to keep down the Work God is about in our day this is a sign we are a People of Principles low and unsuitable to the Promises and Dispensations that we are under as when the Kingdom of God comes into the heart the most rational and refined Principles or Nature that were there before must give place to the powerful convictions of Grace and the light of the Spirit so when the Kingdom of God is come forth visibly in the World the fashion and frame of things in Kingdoms and Nations must passe away before it and when God is about to do such a Work as this for any to insist upon the most righteous and prudent Principles to the hinderance of the Work of God cannot be justified Exod. 1.9 10 11. Behold the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier then we come on let us deal wisely with them lest they multiply and it come to passe that where there fall out any warr they joyn also unto our enemies and fight against us and so get them up out of the Land Therefore they did set over them Task masters to afflict them with their burdens Herein they exercised their wisdom of State against the Work God had in hand and paid dearly for it Judg. 8.22 The men of Israel said unto Gideon rule thou over us both thou and thy son and thy sons son also for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian What a more just and reasonable thing could have been thought upon and more conducing to common settlement and safety But observe what answer was returned verse 23. And Gideon said unto them I will not rule over you neither shall my son rule over you the Lord shall rule over you A noble and choice Spirit he looked upon Israel as under Gods more immediate Government and any other settlement by humane and worldly wisdom however pretending to common good was not by any means to be admitted I shall add only one Instance more Numb 32.5 Reuben and Gad said unto Moses Let this Land be given unto thy servants for a possession and bring us not over Jordan Their desire was just and reasonable for they had many Cattle and it was a place for Cattle But Moses answered Shall your Brethren go to war and shall ye sit here verse 6. behold ye are risen up in your Fathers stead an increase of sinful men Moses having his eye upon the Work the Lord was about would not indure that any Civil Interest how publick or just soever should be taken into any competition with the Lords Work It was Reason of State that set up Ieroboams Calves for the preservation of the Kingdom that erected the Romish Chair for preserving of unity in the Church and the peace of her Kings that formerly imposed uniformity of worship and other laws upon the Conscience and of late new Lords over the Church of God all devised by the Man of Sin thereby to put a check and stop upon the blessed Spirit of Christ and work of Reformation that both these might be kept under and might not grow up to any considerable height for fear of bringing in a change of things into the World During the time of the Churches being in the Wilderness Kingdomes and States and Churches have been left to be ordered by carnal Force and Policy and at the best by the Rules of Morality and Civil Right and these times of ignorance and corruption God winked at But now that the Kingdomes of this World are about to become the Kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ it will be the wisdom of all that fear the Lord to take heed of sitting down in or contending for any wayes or interests how just and prudent soever against the Work and Word of Christ that is about to be fulfilled When the Office and Right of Christ as Prophet and Head of the Church was brought to light in our dayes among us what a blow was there given to that corrupt state that was before so likewise when the Royal Prerogative of Christ as King of Nations began to be owned in the Government and publick Affairs among us how the Lord stood by a despised remnant of his People therein and how he left and laid aside all those that stick to their State Maxims to their