they that believed not in the Light Luke 8.37 the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts they did not believe his Miracles nor in him for his Works sake But they who believed in the Light the Name of Christ in their Hearts they believed both him and his Works who said He that believeth on me John 14.12 or in me the works that I do he shall do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go to my Father And likewise he said The hour is coming John 5.25 and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live And so such as have been dead in Trespasses and Sins against God and his Light when their Minds have been truly turned to the true Light of Christ Col. 3.1 2. to 17. which is the Voice of the Son of God and reproveth for Sin in the Heart as they have believed in it and taken diligent heed to the reproofs of its Instruction which is the Way of Life Prov. 6.23 they have known a being made alive to God and a being dead unto Sin in which formerly they lived And so many have been and are made living Witnesses of the wonderful Operation of the quickening and healing Power and Spirit of Christ in their Hearts Souls and Consciences and have certainly and sensibly known and do know Luke 7.22 that the Blind have been restored to sight the Lame have been made sound the Lepers have been cleansed the Deaf have heard and the Dead are raised up and live to the Praise and Glory of God in that which is out of the sight and reach of the World Col. 3.3 that lyeth in wickedness for their Life is hid with Christ in God who hath raised from Death and with the daily Bread of Eternal Life preserveth their depending Souls alive in his Love and this is far more satisfaction than the seeing hearing of or doing of any outward Miracles that can be done by Man to know the Lord's wonderful doings in themselves Psal 118.22 to 28. and that the Stone which the builders refused is become the head Stone of the corner the true Light which Babel's Builders have refused the Lord hath made to become such a Day that those which he hath quickned can with trembling in his presence rejoice and be glad in it These are Built upon the sure Foundation the tryed Stone the precious Corner Stone that God hath laid in Sion for a Foundation Isa 28.16 1 Cor. 10.3 Deut. 32.4 according to his Promise of old this Foundation is the Rock of Ages and the Spiritual Rock of Spiritual Israel which is the Satisfactory Nourishment of all that are true Israelices indeed The Pope of Rome is not this Rock nor a Succession of their Popes nor the Apostle Peter is not this Rock though the word Peter signifieth a Stone or a Rock but the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God is this Heavenly Rock against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail For when Jesus Christ asked his Disciples saying Mat. 16.15 16 17 18. Whom say ye that I am Peter answered and said Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God Jesus answered and said Blessed art thou Simon the Son of Jonas for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven and I say also unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it By which words it is plain that Peter was not the Rock upon which Christ would Build his Church neither was Flesh and Blood that Rock but the Revelation of his Father which is in Heaven and that is by the Son for Christ had told them before saying Mat. 11.27 No man knoweth the Son buy the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son Luke 10.22 and he so whomsoever the Son will reveal him And not only did the Apostle Paul testifie That another foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 1 Cor. 3.11 Eph. 2.20 the Rock and Corner Stone but also the Apostle Peter himself testified that Christ was as a Living Stone disallowed indeed of Men but chosen of God and precious and the Chief Corner Stone laid in Sion Isa 28.16 according to Isaiah's Prophecy and that he was a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offence to them which stumble at the Word which is nigh in the mouth and in the heart being disobedient And also he said 1 Pet. 2.1 to 10. That true Believers coming unto this Rock as unto a Living Stone are also as lively Stones Built up a Spiritual House then out of the sight of the Carnal-minded an Holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ the Popes Mass is no such Spiritual Sacrifice and that they are a Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy Nation then no * Witness Pageon of Popes and the Papists Order to allow Whore-houses proclaimed and published Jan. 24th 1509. Whore-houses allowed amongst them as have been at Rome a Peculiar People to shew forth the Praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light of which Light he wrote thus speaking of the Voice which came to Christ from the Excellent Glory he said We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed 2 Pet. 1.10 to 20. as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts And so according to the Testimony of Christ and of his Apostles Peter and Paul Christ is the Rock upon which his Church is Built against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail and not Peter for did not the Gates of Hell prevail against Peter In so much that we read in the very same Chapter some Verses after mention is made of Christ's Building his Church upon the Rock Mat. 16.23 that in answer to other words of Peter Christ said to him Get thee behind me Satan thou art an Offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God and was not he prevailed against by the Gates of Hell Mark 14.66 10 72. Luke 22.54 to 62. John 18.25 26 27. after that even so far as to deny his Lord and Master and to Curse and Swear And did not Peter err and so was not Infallible Though the Popes that pretend to be Peter's Successors reckon themselves Infallible and that they cannot err And so it plainly appeareth that Peter was not that Rock upon which Christ Buildeth his Church and that the Popes who call themselves Peter's Successors Bellar. de Poot lib. â— Câ—â— 1. Ibid. lib. 4. C. 6. Bellar. Conâ—ov Tom. 2 the Head of the Church and the Vicars of
270 to the end Antichrist Unvailed c. THE large Love of God in his Son Christ Jesus being freely tendered unto all Mankind it hath been and is the endeavour of the Devil the great Enemy of Man's Happiness by his Subtilty and Devilish Wisdom and oft by insinuating into them hopes of better Attainments to draw out the Minds of Mankind from the pure Obedience to what God hath made known in them and unto them of his Will and Mind and their Duty towards him and so by affecting their Minds with outward things to bring them into disobedience to the Will of God thereby to make them unworthy of the Goodness of God to their Souls and of his Bounteous Love in which he gives to every Man and Woman a measure of his Divine Light in their Hearts and Souls which is the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 12 7â— which is given to every man to profit withal which Christ said should comfort and lead them that follow it into all truth or into truth in every thing but should reprove the World of sin and of righteousness and of judgment John 16.8 13. Now the God of Mercy in the tender Bowels of his Love having for the Redemption of fallen Mankind sent his Son into the World in the Body that was prepared him who came a Light into the World which is the true Light that enlightens every Man and Woman that cometh into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not perish John 1.9 but have everlasting life Joh. 3.15 16 Man's grand Enemy at that time endeavoured as much as in him lay to keep Peoples Minds in a Love of the Ceremonies and Ordinances given to their Forefathers and in an outward shew and form of Worship in which they that were erred from and rebelled against God's good Spirit Neh. 9.20 which he had given them to instruct them Isa 1.13 were not accepted of him thereby to keep People from coming to the light or manifestation of the Spirit whereby they might have come to have believed in him the Messiah or Christ Prophesied of by the Prophets who spake by his Spirit whose Writings they had and believed them to be true according to which they expected him about that time Yet by erring from and rebelling against his Light and Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences many of the Jews who esteemed themselves the peculiar People of God were so darkned that they did not believe in him but they that walked in Obedience to the Light of his Spirit they believed in him and they received him as the only Messiah the Christ the Son of the Living God as Simeon did who took him up in his Arms and said Lord Luke 2.2 â— to 35. now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel The great Enemy of Mankind had then so far prevailed upon the Learned Rabbies and Doctors among the Jews that though they had the Scriptures which testified of him in their own Language yet being erred from the light of his Spirit in themselves they were so far from receiving Christ and believing in him that they agreed that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue John 9.22 And although he did many Miracles among them yet they believed not but contended with him maliciously and falsly accused him and said He cast out Devils through Beelzebub the Prince of Devils and said that he brake the Sabbath with much more of the like kind of words as may be read in the Scriptures of Truth and at length were so desperately hardned in their wickedness that seeking opportunity to kill him when the Chief Priests had hired the false pretender Judas to betray him and deliver him unto them they put him to the Death of the Cross yet some of them said they found no fault in him And yet still his Love was towards them even upon the Cross and he prayed for them saying Father forgive them Luke 23.34 for they know not what they do So the Devil their great Enemy by his deceit had drawn them so far into darkness and from the light of Christ in themselves that they knew not what they did And indeed it may well be supposed that they knew not what they did when in the Service of the Enemy of their Souls they Crucified and put to Death him that came to save them from their Sins from Wrath and from the Devil their Enemy And so now all that oppose and contend against the Light which is the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in the Heart or envy them that profess it and walk according to it or any other People whosoever upon the account of Religion are certainly deceived by their great Enemy Satan whose Service they are in being erred from the Light and Spirit of Christ which teacheth them who walk in it good will towards all Men and love to their Neighbours though Enemies But when the Chief Priests and Pharisees and People of the Jews had with a general consent Crucified the Lord of Glory after they had mocked him and scourged him yet they and their Enemy whom they served missed of their expectation and desire for they were still in fear lest he should rise again as he had told before and therefore they watched him sealing the stone Mat. 27.62 to 66. Mat. 28.2 to 2. and making as they thought the Sepulchre sure but in the Lord 's appointed time there was a great Earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sate upon it his countenance was like Lightning and his raiment white as snow and for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead men but the Angel said to the Women who were Friends of Jesus Fear not ye for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified he is not here he is risen So the Grave could not contain him Death had not dominion over him Hâ—b 2. â—â— but through death he destroyed and will destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil So the Devil and his deceived Servants had not their desire nor the power to destroy Christ but they came to destruction themselves And so now all that err from and disobey the Light and Spirit of Christ and follow the leadings and movings of their deceitful Enemy the Prince of Darkness if he shall prevail in them so far as to cause them to kill the Bodies of the People of God who walk in his Light and answer the manifestation of his Spirit of Love and in it are kept in true good will towards all Men because of their Religion on purpose thereby to root out and destroy
Hours or two Months or two Years before Death for that Power is the same for ever and the Righteousness and Praise thereof endureth for ever And they that think themselves to be true Christians and Members of Christ and yet believe that they and every other Member of his Body while in this World must be as the pleaders for Sin commonly confess themselves full of Bruises and Wounds and putrifying Sores which daily and continually renewed Sin makes in them from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot 1 Cor. 6.15 16. Chap. 12.12 to 27. Eph. 4.15 16. Chap. 5.26 27. 1 John 4.17 such surely suppose that Christ hath a very corrupt putrid imperfect Body which is his Church contrary to what the Apostle Paul speaks of it being holy and without blemish spot or wrinkle or any such thing and contrary to what the Apostle John wrote saying Herein is our Love made perfect that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment because as he is so are we in this World speaking of God which he truly could not have said if they had not been free from Sin but full of Bruises Wounds and putrifying Sores which Sin makes in the Soul but contrary to that he saith plainly This is the Love of God 1 John 5.3 that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous And although there be some three places in the Scriptures which are translated as if they implied that all men sin to wit Eccles 7.20 There is not a just Man upon the Earth that doth good and sinneth not And 1 Kings 8.46 and 2 Chron. 6.36 If they sin against thee for there is no Man that sinneth not Yet in all the said places the Latin Translations as Iunius Tremellius and Vatablus render it instead of that sinneth not that may not sin or cannot sin it being the very same Word that is used in Psalm 119.11 to wit I have hid thy Word in my Heart that I may not sin against thee And any sensible one may see that it is imperfect Sence to say If they sin against thee for there is no Man that sinneth not for if all Men sin continually there would be no occasion here to say if they sin but it is good sence to say if they sin against thee for there is no Man that may not sin or that cannot sin which only implieth a possibility and not a continuation of Sin as likewise the next Verse but one after the last mentioned places doth where it is said If they turn unto thee that is to God with all their Heart and with all their Soul which Words plainly intimate a possibility to leave Sin for such a turning is certainly no Sin But there is no Man but he may sin if he be not continually watchful in the Light against the Man of Sin the Devil who is continually endeavouring to tempt Mankind to sin but as Man waits in the true Light of Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Jam. 4.7 which is the Word of Faith and the Word of God's Power in his Heart and Soul as he is truly faithful in the obedience of it and walketh in it he cometh to feel Power in the Faith of it to resist the Devil in all his Temptations and the Devil will flee from such a one and hath not power to take him captive at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 as he hath over his own whom he perswades that it is impossible for them to recover themselves from under his sinful power Heb. 11.6 Rom. 14.23 while they live in this World and so they confess that their best Daties are intermix'd with Sin and so they are for whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and it is plain that such are not turned to God with all their Heart and with all their Soul whatsoever they profess For the Holy Scriptures say plainly That as many as received Christ and believed on his Name John 1.1 to 14. Rev. 19.13 Rom. 10.8 1 John 3.1 to the end which is called the Word of God which is nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God which were born not of Blood nor of the Will of the Flesh nor of the Will of Man but of God and such do not commit Sin But admit that the common English Translation of the aforesaid Words of Solomon were true Heb. 7.19 Heb. 9.9 Heb. 10.1 to 24. yet that was under the time of the Law which could not make perfect as pertaining to the Conscience and that which was not attainable under that Law may by the Grace of God be attained in a Gospel state Rom. 8.1 to 5. And although the Apostle Paul writing to the Romans saith The Good that I would I do not but the Evil that I would not Rom. 7.9 to 25. that I do Yet it is plain by what he wrote before and after that in the same Epistle that he wrote not of his own then present condition but of himself as well as others passing thro' that Condition for in that continued kind of Speech he likewise there saith I am carnal sold under Sin but a little before he had told them Rom. 8.7 the Carnal Mind is enmity against God and is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be And saith he The Natural or Carnal Man cannot receive the Things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 for they are fool shness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned And in the beginning of his Epistle to the Romans aforesaid he expresseth himself to be able to impart unto them Spiritual Gifts Rom. 1.11 which a Carnal Man could not do By which it is plain that when he wrote that Epistle he was not Carnal sold under Sin neither a Servant of Sin and therefore he was in another condition than he had been in of which he wrote the said objectible Words And that which renders it more plain is that in the same Epistle before the said Words Rom. 6.16 to 24. he gave testimony of the Romans to whom he wrote that they were made free from Sin and become Servants of Righteousness and Servants to God But they that are carnal sold under Sin are not so for how can they be free from Sin who remain carnal sold under Sin And the Apostle immediately after that kind of Speech which intimated his former condition declared plainly that he had when he wrote that Epistle attained to a better state for in the conclusion of that kind of speech he writes thus I see another Law in my Members warring against the Law of my Mind and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin which is in my Members O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Now for what doth he give thanks
over and to exercise Lordship over others their fellow Creatures with much Pride and Austerity expecting and desiring to receive and receiving Honour from them and one from another and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only and this sheweth according to the Words of Christ that they are out of the true living John 5.44 1 John 5.4 Eph. 6.16 1 John 2.13 14 15. Christian Faith and so in the false dead Antichristian Faith which giveth no Victory as the true Faith doth for such are overcome and captivated by the love of the Honours Pleasures Preferments and Vanities of the World which if any man love said the Apostle the love of the Father is not in him And so though the dark Power of the Man of Sin more and more prevail upon and captivate them yet the Light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences often sheweth them their Sins and for Sin checks and reproves them and sheweth them the dangerous dismal consequences of Sin but they not believing in the Light of Christ the Word of Faith Rom. 10.8 Heb 5.13 and the Word of Righteousness do not submit themselves unto the Righteousness of God nor unto Christ who is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth no more then old Israel did Rom. 10.1 2 3 4. And so though they may be zealous for their several Professions and as the Jews were for their Traditions Ordinances and Ceremonies which they use some after one manner and some after another according to their particular Apprehensions and Imaginations seeking to find Souls-satisfaction by using outward typical shadowy things which they cannot find whilst they neglect the Light the Substance the Word of God's Grace in their Hearts the Word of Faith Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 1 Joh. 1.11 Col. 1.5 Mat. 13.19 John 3.36 the Word of Salvation the Word of Wisdom the Word of Truth the Word of Christ the Word of Life the Word of Reconciliation the Word of the Kingdom of God which is in the Heart and so they being in unbelief the Wrath of God abideth on them in all their doings For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 And so their best Performances their Prayers their Preaching and whatsoever they can do in that state is sinful as they generally confess But they who seek the Lord while he may be found with all their Hearts and Souls and cannot rest satisfied till he manifest himself in his Love but patiently in true brokenness and contrition of Heart wait under his Judgments till his Indignation for Sin be overpast as they continue faithful in true self-denyal bearing patiently the daily Cross to their own Wills the Lord will in his own time satisfie such with his Mercy and with his everlasting Kindness But if any flatter themselves that they shall have Peace although they walk in the stubbornness of their own Hearts they shut the Door of Mercy against themselves and when they have sinned out and slighted the Day of their Visitation wherein the love of God in and by his Light in their Hearts visiteth them and striveth with them then the Spirit of God ceaseth to strive any longer with them and they are wholly given up to be rul'd by the Man of Sin who is exalted in them above all that is called God or that is worshipped Psal 14.1 2 3 4. and although some of them may be wickeder then others yet none of them are righteous at all there is none of them that doth good no not one but many of them do badly with eagerness eating up the People of the Lord as they eat Bread And they do not only prey upon those who depart from Iniquity who make themselves a Prey but they often prey upon one another Isa â— 15 and sometimes war about their Ceremonies and Ordinances and many thousands have been killed upon that account and many they have put to Death for their Testimony for God who have by his Spirit been raised up even in the darkest times of Apostasy to testifie against the Abominations set up by the ruling power of the Man of Sin the Devil and his Instruments And many call the Popes or Pope of Rome the Man of Sin which the Apostle said should be revealed who may by the Light of Christ in their own Hearts be sensible of the Man of Sin and his power and works in themselves unto them revealed and therefore it were good for such first by the Power of God to be cleansed from him and his power and works inwardly in themselves lest they become more and more like unto him But indeed the Popes of Rome have been the chief visible Rulers of the false Church drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.5 6. and the Mother of Harlots and the many Abominations of the Earth and the Inventers and setters up of the pestilent Traditions and idolatrous Ceremonies still used in the Apostasy from the Truth and many who look upon themselves as reformed from Popery are yet in a great measure found in many of their pernicious Practices and Inventions to get Money by For the Popes having been in a great degree influenced by the power and spirit of the Man of Sin the Devil and having had the highest outward Exaltation over the Nations and Kings of the Earth or at least having claimed or challenged it may fitly be said to have been or to be the highest Representatives of the Man of Sin And amongst the many Popish Cheats none seemeth greater then their Purgatory or their telling of a purging Place from Sin after this Life whereby many are cheated of Eternal Happiness by living in hopes thereof securely in Sin while they live and many cheated of their Money also for Pardon and Indulgences from the Pope to redeem the Souls of their deceased Friends out of Purgatory Which is contrary to the Truth and to the Record of the Holy Scriptures which say where the Tree falleth there shall it be and every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Ecc'e 11.3 Mat. 3.10 and Christ said Enter ye in at the straight Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be that go in thereat because straight is the Gate and narrow is the Way that leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it And beware said he of false Prophets in Sheeps cloathing which are inwardly ravening Wolves ye shall know them by their Fruits A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Matth. 10.7 to 20. Now if a good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit how is it then that all good men are continually sinning for Sin is Evil Fruit And if every such a one as bringeth not forth good
Spirit in their Hearts to be Spirit and Life unto their Souls And if they know not neither witness these things in some measure in themselves how then can they know themselves to be true Christians For true Christians know that they are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness and can truly say 1 John 5.18 19 20. We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal Life Also to them who believed in the Light John 8.12 and learned to deny themselves and follow him that they might enjoy the Light of Life Christ said I am the true Vine my Father is the Husbandman ye are the Branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much Fruit John 15. for without me ye can do nothing if ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much Fruit so shall ye be my Disciples as the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love this is my Commandment that ye love one another even as I have loved you If the World hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you if ye were of the World the World would love his own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you And as Christ said I am the true Vine and my Father is the Husbandman he also said Every Branch IN ME that beareth not Fruit he taketh away and every Branch that beareth Fruit John 15. he purgeth it that it may bring forth more Fruit Now said he to his are ye clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear Fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me for without me ye can do nothing If a Man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered And so they that are true Christians and Children of God and Members of Christ being Taught by his Light and Grace in their Hearts in which they have believed they are Branches of Christ the true Vine and they partake of the Nourishment that through the true Vine is extended unto them the Branches as they abide in the Vine but they that abide not in him the Vine are cast forth as Branches and are withered which answereth to the other saying of Christ to wit Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood John 6.53 ye have no Life in you For this answereth to the eating of the Flesh and drinking of the Blood of Christ And as the Branches in the Vine live by Nourishment of the Life of the Vine in whom they abide so they that eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ saith he they dwell in me and I in them 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 4.16 Eph. 5.29 30. and he that eate home shall live by me saith Christ And so the Branches of the Vine feed upon and drink or suck in of the Sap or Life of the Vine and live by it as also the Members of the Body do by the Nourishment of the Body And also Christ said I am the good Shepherd the good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep And said he I know my Sheep and am known of mine for saith he they know my Voice and they sollow me John 10. and I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand but he said to the Jews who believed not in the Light as he commanded but were Taught by the Doctrines and Traditions of Men ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep as I said unto you my Sheep hear my Voice So Christ is the good Shepherd who feedeth his Sheep with his own Life as well as the true Vine whereof his Sheep are the Branches John 6.48 to 58. and partake of the very Life and Nature of him the Vine who is the Bread of Life of which if any Man eat he shall live for ever and dwell in Christ and Christ in him and so they are as the Vine and the Branches dwelling in each other and such Branches bear Fruit to the Glory of the Vine in which they dwell which Fruit and Branches are precious in the Eye of God the Husbandman to whom Glory belongs and is ascribed for ever And these Branches are the Sheep of Christ their good Shepherd and they hear and diligently hearken unto the Voice or Light or Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts and the words thereof unto them spoken they are SPIRIT and they are LIFE and so they know his quickening Spirit to minister Life to their Souls in which they live and grow and bring forth excellent Isa 4.2 3 4. and comely Fruit whereby God their Heavenly Father is glorified And because many believe not the words of Christ concerning the eating of the Bread of Life and the eating of his Flesh and drinking of his Blood but murmured and went back and walked no more with him therefore he said to the Twelve Disciples Will ye also go away John 6.66 to 70. And one answered saying Lord to whom shall we go Thou hast the words of Eternal Life and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God So they were satisfied and knew him by the words of Eternal Life which he spake unto them And so he will satisfie all who truly hunger and thirst after him by the words of his Spirit if they believe in the Light and obey it But those that are in Unbelief and Disobedience to the Light in their own Hearts they have no such satisfaction for the Light which inwardly reproveth them for sin and disobedience is the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ by which he speaketh unto his Sheep who know his Voice and satisfieth them with the words of Eternal Life and with the Bread of Life and Water of Life unto which Isa 55.1 â—er 22.17 by his Light or spiritual Voice he inviteth all that thirst to come and take and drink freely without Money and without Price But they that Rebel against the Light Prov. 6.23 and will not hearken to its Reprof they err from the Way of Life and Understanding Prov. 21.16 though never so worldly-wise and they remain among the Congregation of the Dead and cannot in that state know a feeding upon the Bread of Life nor a drinking of the Water of Life which Christ giveth to the Faithful
Satisfaction Psal 29.11 the Lord will give strength unto them and plentifully bless them with his Peace which passeth all the Understending of Men and it will rule in their Hearts and keep their Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus in a continual watchfulness against the Adversary of their Souls Peace and also in a continual earnest breathing or praying to the Lord for a daily and constant supply of the Heavenly Bread and Water of Life without which they know their Souls cannot live unto God but the Power of Death and Darkness will again prevail in them and over them And all those that in and by the Light the Word of God's Grace have Authority from Christ in the Movings of his Spirit and in the Constrainings of his Love in their Hearts to preach his Everlasting Gospel such preach not for Gifts visible Rewards Tythes nor outward Benefices neither Covet they any Man's Silver or Gold or Apparels but their labour of Love in the Service of Christ is to bring People from the Teachings of Men which are fallible to the Teachings of their Teacher which is the true Light even the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men which was the Teacher of the Apostles of Christ which Teacher is Infallible that all by receiving his Teachings and believing in the sufficiency of this Grace Light or Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts which is given to every Man to profit withal might so far profit therewith as to become Children of the Light and so Children of God Isa 48.17 18. who are all led of the Spirit of God who reacheth his People to profit And also that being delivered from the Bondage of Corruption and the Corruptible Traditions and Ordinances of Men all such may know and enjoy the glorious Liberty of the Children of God who are not to be subject to such Traditions or Ordinances and this is the Doctrine of the true Ministers of Christ as appeareth by these and many other places of Holy Scripture Rom. 8. Chap. 2 Cor. 3.2 to 18. Gal. 4.1 to 15. Gal. 5.1 to 26. Eph. 2.1 to 22. Col. 1 and 2. Chapters Heb. 8 9 and 10. Chapters Mat. 10.7 8 9 10. 1 Tim. 6.3 to 12. Acts 20.24 to 36. 2 Cor. 12.8 to 20. 1 Cor. 9.16 to 23. 2 Pet. 1.18 19. Heb. 12.22 to 26. Rev. 2.7 17 29. Rev. 3. But they who in their Humane Wisdom or Learning or both for the love of Money Gifts Rewards Tythes Benefices outward Interest or Promotion undertake to Preach and style themselves Ministers of the Gospel of Christ and claim the precious Name of Christianity such mock at the mentioning of the Movings and Leadings and Gindings of the Spirit of Christ whereby it appeareth that they are not moved nor led nor guided by it in their preaching and so it is another Spirit even the Spirit of the Man of Sin by which they are moved to Preach for it must be the one of the two Spirits that moveth them but he that hath not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.8 to 17. 3 Cor. 12.3 is none of his and so is no true Christian and no Man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit so it is plain that he that is not moved led and guided by the Holy Spirit of Christ is none of the Ministers of Christ And such Preachers have only their Authority from Men by which they Preach and not at all from God as all true Ministers of the Gospel have and so their Labour is quite contrary to the Labour of the Ministers of Christ for they preach up Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Traditions of Men and labour to keep People in dependance upon them which are all to perish with the using that thereby they may keep them in Ignorance to receive admire and depend upon their Teachings that for their Preaching they may pay them Wages Tythes Easter Reckonings Midsummer Dues c. as they call them or give them Gifts Rewards Honours or Esteem and so with their Signs and all their other Endeavours they labour to keep People from believing in the Sufficiency of the Light of Christ Acts 20.32 Tit. 2.11 12. the Word of God's Grace in their own Hearts which is the Teacher of all true Christians and which bringeth Salvation Isa 5.13 John 6.45 Heb. 8.10 11. Jor. 31.34 that so they may keep them in dependance upon Man's Teachings and from the Teachings of God who teacheth all his Children and all true Christians who must all know him from the least even to the greatest of them And if any Pleaders for Signs or Ceremonies think themselves obliged to the use of them by reason of any Command from Christ or his Apostles yet they may certainly know and that is more than think that they make not near so great a matter of the other plain and positive Commands of Christ and his Apostles but generally act quite contrary to many of them as plainly appeareth for Christ commanded his Ministers Mat. 10.8 Mat. 19.27 to 30 Mark 10.28 to 31. Tuke 14.33 saying Freely ye have received freely give but because many such Preachers have paid dear for their Learning therefore perhaps they may not think that Command obliging upon them but they may read that they to whom this Command was given had left all to follow Christ and Christ saith He that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple And whether such Preachers have freely received or not all may see that they are far from freely giving their Preaching or Ministry who Persecute cast into Prison or make Spoil or Havock of the Goods of Innocent People only because they cannot receive their Teaching nor pay them for it nor for their Ceremonies such as Bread and Wine and outward Baptism or others which they make a Trade of to get Money by which is quite contrary to the Command of Christ and of his Apostles and so such are also far from for saking all for the sake of Christ and far from being his Disciples or keeping his Commands And Christ said to his Ministers Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves Mat. 20.1 to 42. be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but they that Persecute or cast into Prison others for not paying them for their Preaching or their Ceremonies they obey not this Command being far from the harmlesness of Doves and indeed they are not so wise as the Serpent who hath deceived them and blinded their Minds with the love of outward things with which they know not how soon they must part so that they cannot see the things which concern Everlasting Peace yet the Serpent hath endued them with much of his Wisdom whereby both they themselves and many others throgh them are deceived but the Children of the Light in the Wisdom that cometh from above see beyond all his and
their deceit and they often with much exercise experience that such as claim Tythes c. for their Preaching and Ceremonies though in the Serpents Wisdom they may cover as with Sheeps cloathing they are inwardly and often manifest it outwardly as ravening Wolves amongst Sheep and not as Sheep amongst Wolves and so they observe not Christ's Command of being harmless as Doves And likewise Christ and his Apostle commanded saying Mat. 5.33 to 38. Jam. 5.12 Swear not at all neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay lest ye fall into Condemnation and this the Apostle commanded above all things And Christ said Whatsoever is more than yea yea and nay nay cometh of evil but the Pleaders for Ceremonies Signs and Shadows they make light of this great Command and plead generally for Swearing and at their very entrance into their Office or Calling to get their Tythes or Wages c. they must Swear and so break the Commandment of Christ at the beginning of their pretended Ministry of his Gospel in which they Preach up Signs and Ceremonies for which they can find no such plain nor positive Command from Christ or from his Apostles as they may find against any Swearing at all And of what success to the good of any can their Ministry be the beginning of which is indisobedience to the strict and positive Command of Christ And it is evident by many undoubted Histories and Records of the Transactions of former Times that true Christians as well under Apostatized Titular Christians as under Heathens have deeply suffered for their Obedience to Christ's Command in denying to Swear upon any account and it is also evident that the Preachers up of Signs and Ceremonies who plead for Swearing get more Tythes and Money for their Preaching than they could get by denying of Swearing but if according to the Apostles intimation by Swearing they are fallen into Condemnation who can get them out again though they should give him all their Tythes and Money to get them out So it is very plain that they who pretend by Command from Christ to preach up Ceremonies Signs or what they call Sacraments do practice disobedience to several of the plain and positive Commands of Christ but above all that weighty and positive Command of Christ concerning Faith Heb. 11.6 without which it is impossible to please God which Command is this John 12.36 While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be children of light this they cannot endure to hear of they are far surely from keeping it and what a Faith have they who believe not as Christ commandeth to believe Now every one that doth evil hateth the light John 3.16 to 21. neither cometh to the light lest his Deeds should be reproved and so such are far from believing in the light neither would they have others to believe in it who hate and speak evil of the light as the Ceremony-Preachers generally appear to do but they who have come to the light and brought their Deeds to the light Mat. 24.24 Mat. 7.15 to 20. and thro' Faith in it are become Children of light these know False Prophets by their Fruits and their Signs as Christ foretold and many of their own Followers also are convinced by the light of Christ in their own Hearts though but as strangers to it of much Deceit and Hypocrifie amongst them and they that take heed to this light that inwardly reproveth for sin and give up their Hearts in the love of it to answer the requirings of it to them it will discover daily more and more but they that resist it and go from it the God of this World even the Spirit of the Man of Sin who prevaileth upon such with his Power and Signs blindeth their Minds and so the Blind leading Mat. 15.14 and following the Blind both fall into the Ditch And if any reckon their Ceremonies as necessary to distinguish them from others as Turks Mahometans and Jews c. who do not at all believe that Christ the Messiah is come in the Flesh yet there is no ground for such an Assertion for they are more distinct from them who use no such Ceremonies Ordinances nor Traditional Observations at all for the Turks Mahometans Jews and Heathens all of them have many such things though not the same yet as ridiculous as any of theirs that profess Christianity and they are not like to change their own Ceremonies and Observations for others with them or by the Perswasions of them who can shew no better ground for their own than can be shown for sprinkling of Infants and having to them Godfathers and God mothers so called c. And so that which maketh the People of God to be best distinguished from Turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens is to take heed unto believe in and obey the true light of Christ in their Hearts and Consciences wherewith he lighteth all without exception which is the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation â—â—t 2.11 12. and hath appeared to all Men teaching those that are willing to be taught of it to deny all ungodliness and worldly Lusts to wit Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Gal. 5.14.20 21. Wrath Strife Covetousness Emulations Seditions Heresies Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revelling and such like things in which Turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens are generally too apt to be sound and all that are in these or any of these things though they profess Christianity are yet but as in the same ground with them and so little distinction but in Name can be made betwixt them But they that are faithfully given up in their Hearts and Minds to obey the light the saving Grace of God it teacheth them to live soberly Gal. 5.22 23 24. righteously and godly in this present World and so to live in peace love long-suffering gentleness goodness meekness and temperance and so here is a clear distinction between these who are true Christians and these called turks Mahometans outward Jews and Heathens who generally live in ungodliness and worldly Lusts though some of them for Temperance and Moderation have far exceeded many Professors of Christianity who unworthily claimed the Name of Christians But they seem to imitate the Jews who have and plead for Typical Ceremonies Heb. 9.9 10.11 12. and Ordinances for Meats and Drinks and divers Washings and Observations of certain Days Gal. 2. and Times wherein they command to abstain from some sorts of Meats or from labour but they seem to exceed the Jews concerning Times of Marriage Col. 2. who forbid Marriage at some particular Days Rom. 14.6 or Months or Times or to their Priests some forbid Marriage at any time But such were Prophesied of by the Apostle of Christ who accounted forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2