A General Epistle Given forth in OBEDIENCE TO THE God of Peace For the Preservation and Increase of CHARITY and UNITY amongst the Professors of Christ Jesus and the Teachings of his Divine Light within By a Servant of Christ a True Lover of Christian-Charity Peace and Unity WILLIAM GIBSON Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God Mat. 5. 9. Put on Charity which is the boâ—d of perfectness Col. 3. 14. He that saith he abideth in Christ ought himself even to walk so as he walked 1 John 2. 6. Let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. LONDON Printed and sold by John Bringhurst at the Sign of the Book in Gracâ—-Church street near Cornhil 1682. REader notwithstanding the Authors great care to prevent Errors in the following matter yet several Errors have escaped the Press which thou art desired to take notice of as the mistake of the Printers Those which are most material to hurt the Sense I have collected in this Errata some other small literal Faults and Errors in pointing and transposing or misplacing of words there are all which may be discerned in reading by such who are skilful and diligent therein and by such corrected so far as may be for the help of those who are less skilful in reading and correcting the two greatest Errors take particular notice of the first is in the Introduction page the 5. line the 16. where speaking of the Spirit of the Creature Man or Woman it is there rendred the Spirit of the Creator the second great error is in p. 107. l. 15. where the word sensually is put instead of the word sensibly ERRATA INtroduction page 3. line 10. for Light read Spirit p. 5. l. 16. f. Creator r. Creature p. 6. l. 17. f. were read was p. 12. l. 14. f. word r. words p. 10. l. 3. blot out some of First PART IN Margin p. 52. r. God commanded the Light to be and appear and separated it from the Darkness in the First days work p. 59. l. the 8. add the word one p. 76. l. 18. add the word same p. 78. l. 12. f. nember r. member p. 95. l. 21. add the word the p. 102. l. 23. f. Chrisi r. Christ p. 105. l. 7. f. Justifying r. Justifie p. 107. l. 15 f. sensually r. sensibly p. 109. l. 10. next after the word you make a full stop p. 126. l. 22 and 23. read O all ye ends of the Earth p. 160. l 19. dele and fear l. 14. dele or Second PART PAge the 2. l. 5. blot out and p. the 6. l. 13 14. r. thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall p. 19. l. 5. r. the verse 9 and 10 c. l. 23. blot out him l. 29 f. careful r. careful p. 20. l. 11. f. fevere r. severe p. 24. l. 7. add spoken of p. 28. l. 20. f. understanding r. understand p. 29. l. 12. r. 1 Cor. 13. p. 45. l. 24. next after and add have p. 56. l. 12. f. soberly r. sober p. 65. l. 31. f. â—oâ— r. to p. 80. l. 25. blot out to p. 93. l. 22. f. sowed r. soweth p. 96. l. 6. f. sealed r. seal p. 99. l. 8. f. comended r. commended Several Scriptures which should have been in the Italick Letter are omitted particularly the First Chapter of Genesis c. in p. 52 53 54 55. Note this Book being printed by several Men occasioneth it to be in two Parts only becaâ—â— of the beginning anew of the Figures upon the top of the pages and that which is called the Second Part begins with the figure 1 at the top of the page or leaf There is also some part of the Book put in Black Letter which had been most properly in the Roman these improprieties of the different form of Letters doth no way hurt the matter as to the sense thereof THE CONTENTS AN Exhortation to the Professors of the Light within to live and walk in the same and the Walker in the Light distâ—nguished from the Talker of it who walk in Darkness Page 1 Concerning good Conscience 21. Concerning evil Conscience 23. Concerning them that are weak in the Faith 28. Concerning days 30. Something concerning Christian Order or Order in the Church of Christ 42. Something more concerning the Order of the Works of God in Heaven and Earth and particularly in his People 52. Something more particularly concerning the Order of Christ in his Church 72. Concerning the Form of the true Apostles Doctrine 95. Concerning the Commands of the Apostles of Christ which they gave not of themselves or by their own power but by and in his Power VVisdom Strength and Authority for they were his Ambassadors over them he reigned in them he spake and gave commands who is the Head of his Church and one in the Male and Female 97 Concerning the Honour that God gives unto his People 130. Concerning Rule and Government in the Church of Christ 133. Concerning the Living Faith with its Fruits and Works 142. Something concerning Self-Separation 155. The Second PART COncerning falling from God 1. Concerning just Judgment amongst Gods People given or committed to them or spoken by or through them in whom God dwells â—ccording to his promise against the Devil and his works sin and wickedness 9. Concerning the Just and Righteous Judgment of God in and by his People under the Dispensation of the Gospel 13. Concerning the Mercy of God and of his People 17. Something concerning true Love or Charity 28. Something concerning the Vnity and Fellowsâ—ip of true Christians 53. Something concerning the Seven â—hurches in Asia who were gathered into the Profession of Christ Jesus 57. Something concerning Marâ—iâ—gâ— 78. Concerning pure Religion 83. A General Epistle TO FRIENDS c. An Exhortation to the Professors of the Light Within to LIVE and WALK in the same and the WALKER in the Light distinguished from the TALKER of it who walks in Darkness ALL you who profess Christ Jesus the Prince of Life and Peace to be your Prince Captain of your Salvation and Bishop of your Souls who profess to be Taught Led and Governed by his Spiritual Light within you See that you all Live and Walk in the same that you may all possess that which you do profess and it is most certain if we walk in the light wherewith God in Christ hath enlightened us then have we fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin But if there be not a Walking in this precious Divine Light which shines from God the Fountain of it then there can be no Fellowship with God the Father nor with his beloved Son nor true Fellowship one with another No cleansing from Sin then but the sin of all such who only Talk of the Light Walking contrary to it remaineth and encreaseth Therefore all be very careful in this great weighty Concern wherein the Glory of the great God
and Light and therein waits upon him in it he will not be Limited by thee but will rebuke and Judge thee for thy presumptuous attempt behold the beautiful Creation the works of God in Heaven and Earth and the Order thereof and these will Teach thee better it is true what the Apostle hath writ The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the Invisible things of the Creation are clearly soon by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead so that they are with out excuse Rom. 1. 18 19 20 see the 21 22 23 24 25 26 to the end of the Chapter Observe here Gods Creation Heaven and Earth and the things therein are as a book wherein man and woman may read the wonderful works of God and the Glorious Order and Beauty of them all People being enlightened by Christ the divine word by whom God the Father made them all they believing in the Light of him in it they may see his wonderful power and wisdom in the bringing forth upholding and beautiful Order thereof God having enlightened all by his Word and Spirit which are one Calls all the Ends of the Earth to Look unto him he saith Look unto me O all ye ends of the Earth and be ye saved for I am God and there is None Else â— Mighty God and a Saviour they who believe in his Light and therein wait they come therein to see and have Unity with his glorious works in Heaven and in Earth and in their own Hearts and Souls and therein come to be made sensible of his bounty and kindness unto mankind in the Creating of them and setting them in their Beautiful Order and upholding them in the same and in the deep sence of these things Mans Heart becomes tender broken and humble within him and in this tender subjected humble frame of heart and mind he returns the Praise Honour Glory Dominion and Thanks unto him the great God and Creator of all things who is worthy of Glory Honour Obedience and Praise over all Heaven and Earth now and forever more Amen Something more particularly concerning the Order of Christ in his Church THE Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth writes thus viz. ye are the body of Christ and Members in particular and God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. see 1 Cor. 12. 27 28 29. Again he writes to the Church at Ephesus thus viz. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the Measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Ephess 4. 10 11 12. Observe here the Apostle shews the order particularly of the several gifts of God to the several Members of his Church which he gave them by the one Spirit in which gifts the several Members were appointed to serve him and eâ—ch other and as they all kept in their proper Gifts they did therein serve him and each other and the weakest Members of the Church also for whose service they received their Gifts The weak had and have the most need of the help and service of these gifts and as they all kept in the Exercise of their several gifts in the motion leading and guidance of Gods holy Spirit the root and fountain of them all they had all Unity therein one with another although their gifts did differ both in the manner of their working and in the measure or greatness of them so that there was an Harmony and Unity amongst them though they were many Members yet were but one body all in Subjection unto Christ the one head Secondly Observe the Apostles question are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers c. He doth not say they are the contrary is manifest neither are all the Members in the Church of Christ in this Age called appointed or ordained In their presant State to be Prophets Apostles or Teachers for these are peculiar or proper gifts given by the Lord God as and when he pleaseth according to the Counsel of his own will Thirdly Observe that by what I have said in this matter I only intend all the Members of the Church of Christ in their present State are not sent forth publickly with a message of Salvation to Preach to the Nations nor to Prophesie or Preach publickly in words the Doctrine of the Truth or Gospel of Christ nor are they all appointed of God to Prophesie and foretel things to come nor are they all made Teachers in a publick Ministry in Doctrine or Exhortation for these are peculiar or proper gifts given according to the Heavenly will and Counsell of God in his own time and season as I said before Fourthly Observe that though all the Members of the Body of Christ have not all or some of the aforesaid places in the body yet evâ—ry Member hath a place in the body and it is a precious and blessed thing for every Member to know its place and keep in it in its proper service whereto it s called of God but when any Member goes out of the Counsel of God and looks at anothers gift and goes out of his own proper place from his gift and service in the body striving in a wrong mind or zeal after others gifts Immitating them in words voice or sound or other visible or â—udabâ—e Motion or Action of the Creature or through a zeal without knowledge or by any other means whatsoever then such a Member hurts it self and grieves or offends the other more discerning Members of the body who sees and feels the out-going of the said Member Fifthly Observe it is the place and duty of the discerning Members of the body who see such out-goings tenderly in the Love and wisdom of God to speak to such in order to bring them to a sence of their out-going and to restore them into their place again if possible and to watch over them in Love for their preservation in it Sixthly Observe it is the duty of such who have been mistaken and gone out of their place as aforesaid to hear and receive Counsell of those who freely tender it to them in the Love of God several such in our day have had Counsell so given to them who have received it in the same Love which have tended greatly to their profit even to their settlement and Establishment with God and Unity with his People praised be the Lord God for the same Seventhly Observe that some who have had a place in the Church of
nor allowes of Oh Consider the sayings of Christ Strait is the Gate and Narrow is the Way that Leads to life c. and broad is the Gate and wide is the Way that Leadeth unto destruction and many there be that go in thereat but Labour ye To Enter in at the strait gate Many Ancient Faithful friends who have kept their habitations in the Light and their first Love therein to God the fountain of it and one to another have not forgotten what Exercisâ— was gone through Twenty Years ago and upward through the unsound Notions Doctrinâ— and Practices of some who not only professed the Light within but Largly talked and Preached in Commendation of it when they were out of it and in their works Enemies to it Oh how were some at unawars beguiled through their fair words fine speeches in their feigned Commendation of and in words Magnifying the Light within they told us in those dayes They were come to a greater Dispensation and Glory then we were in and they told us that we were in the form without the power and told us God would break our form and scatter us but they proved false Prophets for God hath broken them and scattered them but â—reserved and kept his People who have been kept by his Mighty power through Faith in the true form of Godliness while divers of them with their high and vain pretentions have not only been estranged from the Life and Power of Godlyness but also from the very form thereof turning into the Liberty and Lusts of the flesh and so became Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose minds went downward into the Earth and Earthly things from the Heavenly the Latter-end of such we have seen to be worse than their beginning though many that were so subtâ—ly prevailed upon and hurt in those days came through the tender Mercy of God to see the snare in which they were taken and came out of it and as it was then so will it be with respect to divers who through â—uâ—tâ—lty and at unawars for want of watchfulness in the Holy fear of God have been of late years and yet are ensnared and entangled as others were before them tho some whom Satan hath made use of to ensnare them may not return to the Lord by Repentance but be cut off in his displeasure And oh my friends and all you that profess the Light within to be your Teacher Consider doth not some at this time who profess the same Light within to be their Teacher pay Tithes to a Priest or â—riests go to a Pâ—â—â—â—â— to be married or be married by him use the unchristian Customs and fashons of the People of the Nation in their unsound speech and vain Complyments and some in their superfluous and needâ—â—s â—apparâ—â— and some in swearing and some in seeking to and complying with and trusting in the Arm of flesh for their security and do not these Cry we must be left to â—ur Liberty in these things We must havâ— Liberty of Concience and have Not some of them presumptuously said that the spirit or Light of God might allow them to do so and to cover and justifie themselves in this unchristian Liberty have not some of them sought to strain and wrest the afore cited sayings of the Apostles Concerning eating of Herbs Meats and the Observation of days and other parts of the Scripture of Truth Would not some straâ—â— and â—orest these Scriptures in our time to cover themselves in the aforesaid unchristian practices let Gods faithful witness in their own hearts speak in this Matter and let the words that have falen from the Mouthes of some of the professors of the Light within made publick of late Witness against them in this matter The Lord God said by the mouth of his Prophet Wo to the Rebellious Children that take Councell but not of me and that Cover with a Covering but not of my spirit that they may add sin unto sin Isa 30. 1. My tender desires are for all that profess the Light Spirit of God withtin that they may walk in it be covered by it that the woes of God they may Escape but the unruly loose and disorderly professors of it will not Ecape the woes and wrath of God if they do not unfeignedly Repent and amend their doings and Cease from their unchristian deeds which they have done and words which they have spoken against the Lord God Christ and his tender faithful servants who have Anciently and to this day do labour in the Word and Doctrine of the Gospel in turning many from darkness to Light from the power of Satan unto God and for their Preservation Confirmation and Establishment therein Something concerning Christian Order or Order in the Church of Christ THe Apostle writes thus God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace in all the Churches of the Saints Again he exhorts or commands saying Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. The Apostle James writes thus Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter Endyings and Strife in your Hearts glory not and lie not against the Truth This wisdom descendeth not from above but is Earthly Sensual Devilish for where Envy and Strife is there is Confusion and every evil work but the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated full of Mercy and of good Fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie and the fruit of Righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace James 3. 13. to the end Again Paul saith Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you c. and the rest will I set in order when I come 1 Cor. 11. 1 2 3 4. And again writing to Titus he saith For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee Titus 1. 5. read it through Again the Apostle writing to the Church at Corinth saith Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye 1 Cor. 16. 1. Observe here that all things were not set in order at once by the Apostles amongst the Believers and Professors of Christ but as the work of Faith Repentance and Regeneration was wrought in order by degrees even so good outward Order and Government they grew into gradually or by degrees so hath it been and is in our day with those who to the light of Christ are turned who therein wait and more and more follow on to know the Lord such do not build again the things which the Truth in them hath destroyed They
do not pay Tythes maâ—ry by a â—â—â—est or turn back into the sinful customs and vain glory of the world but they stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and hold fast the Truth which is their Crown that no man take it from them or them from it Now all you that are young in Truth and all others whom it concerns take notice that those whom God first turned from darkness to light in this our Age who became lovers and followers of it they thereby were led in the very morning or Infancy of their knowledge of the Light and the teachings of it to deny being Married by a Hriest and to deny paying of Tythes and to deny Swâ—aring to deny Envyings and Strife Wars and Fighting which are the fruits of the Flesh proceeding from the Lusts thereof and to deny the vain customs sinful Luâ—â—s and glory of the world to continue in the denyal of these is well pleasing to God And as it was with the faithful in the beginning or breaking out of the Gospel day amongst us so it is with the faithful now as with respect to their testimony in the denial of these things and God hath given great Increaâ—â— of his spiritual Treasures Riches and Blessings to those that have continued faithful since that time so that they are now nearer to the Lord than they were in the morning of the day and Infancy of their knowledge of him Glory to his Name for the same And thus it was with the Primitive Believers and Walkers in the Light as the Scriptures of Truth declare Now to such as say Things amongst us who profess the Light of Christ to be our Teacher are not as they were in the beginning I say â—ay as with respect to aâ—â— Persons professing the Light as aforesaid they are not nor yet with respect to divers things practised by the professors of the Light for the Faithful have grown from one degree of Grace to another and so from the practice of some good thingâ— to the practice of more good things having walked in the Light they have held what they had and gained more according to Christs promise who said He that is faithful in a little I will make him Ruler over much And there is to be a growing from strength to strength and from Glory to Glory from one degree of Grace to another till there be an appearing in Sion in perfect beauty till there be a coming to the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ to a perfect man in Christ Jesus This is accordiog to the Apostles Doctrine Who thus goes on gradually towards perfection are no Aâ—â—sâ—ates Backsliders or Drawers back to perdition but pressers forward for the complete Redemption of their Souls So these are in a better condition than they were in the beginning of their profession of the Spirit Truth and Light of Christ within As he saith â—very Scribe that is taught or instructed unto the Kingdom of God is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which bringeth out of his Treasure things new and old All that come to this State walking in the light as aforesaid they increase in good Order in the Power of God And again Christ saith Take heed what you hear c. And he said Whereunto shall we liken the Kingdom of God Or with what comparison shall we compare it It is like a Grain of Mustard-seed which when it is sown in the Earth is less than all the seeds that be in the Earth but when it is sown it groweth up and becometh greater than all Herbs and shooteth out great Branches see Mark 4. v. 24. to 32. Oserve here the Parables that Christ spoke concerning the Kingdom of God and the Increase of it Now as the Grain of Mustardseed is small but being sown in the Earth groweth gradually and in due season brings forth great increase of its own Nature and Kind even so the Heavenly spark or seed of life being believed in by man it takes root in his heart and grows gradually and in the Appointed season of the Father brings forth fruit first a little and afterwards more for Christ the living Vine said In this is my Father gloryfied that you bring forth much fruit I am the true vine my father is the husbandman Every branch that bringeth not forth fruit in me he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. And again he said So is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground and the seed should spring and grow up c. for the earth bringeth forth fruit of her self first the blade then the ear then the full corn in the ear Mark 4. v. 26. to 32. Again the Prophet Isaiah Prophesying of Christs Government and Kingdom writes thus For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given the Government shall be on his shoulder and his name shall be called wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace of the increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to Order it and to Establish it with Judgment and with Iustice from henceforth even for ever The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this see Isa 9. 6 7. Observe here the Parable of the Grain of Wheat cast into the Earth it first springs to the Blade secondly to the Ear thirdly to the full or ripe Corn in the Ear. Now it may be truly said that when the Grain of Wheat is sprung up to the Ear it is not as it was in the beginning of its growth into the Blade as with respect to the stature and growth of it for the second is greater than the first Again it may be said when it is grown to full ripe Corn in the Ear it is not as it was in the beginning of its growth into the Blade nor as it was when it was grown to the Ear but not ripe full or perfect Corn for the third degree of its growth was greater than the first or second though they proceeded of one seed and were of one kind and all good and beautiful in the order of their growth Now this Grain of Wheat and the fruit and product of it in the several degrees of the growth thereof to its perfection being made by Christ a Parable of the Heavenly Seed of God in the Hearts of his People and of the several degrees of its work and appearance in them and of thâ—ir several degrees of growth in it from their Infancy therein to their compleatness or ripe Age in Christ All you that profess to be the Generation or Off-spring of this Heavenly Seed Try and prove your selves in this matter be retired in the Spirit of your minds and with the Light you make profession of take a view of your States and Conditions and see whether your
sons and daughters of God is a work that is carried on by Degrees as Christ hath shewed and set it forth in many Parables shewing the smalness of its beginning as to the sence and apprehension of the Creature in whom it is begun The Kingdom of God in the unregenerate is Compared to a grain of Wheat cast into the Earth which first suffers or dyes but in its suffering or dying brings forth the fruit of its own kind first the blade then the ear then the full or â—ipe Corn in the Ear It is also Compared to a grain of Musâ—ard Seed cast into the Earth which being small yet in the Appointed season of him that gives the increase brings forth fruit plentifully Again it is Compared to Leaven put in three measures of Meal till the whole was Levened Again it is Compared to a Net cast into the Sea which gather good and bad to the shore and gathers the good into Vessels but casts the bad away Observe still here is a glorious Order in the work of mans Regeneration and Restoration to God Man who is turned from Darkness to Light from Sathans power to God with the Light he is come to see his sin Now he is to wait to know God who is a Consuming fire to sin and wickedness to appear in him to burn up and Consume his Sins to Slay that Dragon or Serpent in him who has led him into Sin and hath kept him in it and caused him to take pleasure in the same Now he is to wait to know the Mighty Liveing Dreadful God to appear in him as a refiners fire and as Fullers soap Now he is patiently to bear the Indignation of the Lord because he hath sinned untill he hath Mercy on him for he will not Contend forever with the Repenting believing Penitent ones because he delights in Mercy Now he that thus believes waits and submits to the Chastising hand of the Lord doth not always Continue under his rebukes Chastisement or Judgment in the midest of Judgment he remembers Mercy to such under Judgment he supports the Spirits of these Contrite ones he strengthens them in this Winter season and he Leads them through it as a man of God hath written Behold the Winter is over and gone the time of Rejoycing is come and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land Thus they that have set their faces Sion-wards and are travelling with their faces thither-wards go on and grow from glory to glory from strength to strength from one degree in the grace of Christ Jesus unto another untill they appear in Sion in perfect beauty so these are not like a Dwarff that doth not grow for a Dwarff was by the Law of God forbiden to be a Priest and so was a Lepor but such who believe wait and grow as aforesaid are not as the Dwarff or Lepor and Diseased who are all Corrupt from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot and who hath no Health in them as they say but these are come to Christ the Physician of Value yea the saving Health of all Nations as it s written of him though these can do nothing of themselves yet they can do all things through Christ that strengthens them which the Apostle knew and writ of These have put on the Lord Jesus Christ These make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the Lust thereof these are strengthened by Christ who is Gods glorious power and wisdom in their Inward man as it s written these grow strong in the Lord by degrees these put on the whole Armor of God by which they are defended from all the fiery Darts of the Devil these are made Conquerors in Christ who Destroys the Devil and his works in them To these is given the Spirit of Praise instead of that of heaviness these are returned to Sion with songs of diliverance and Everlasting joy amongst these God reigns in and through them he shines to enlighten the dark World which lyes in wickedness Thus it s written Out of Sion the perfection of beauty God hath shined Again the Apostle writing of the Beautiful Order of the work of God in Heaven Earth saith There is one Glory of the Sun and another Glory of the Moon and another Glory of the Stars for one Star differeth from another Star in Glory so also is the Resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 41 42. Observe here what the Apostle hath written concerning the Different Order of the Sun Moon and Stars in Heaven saith so is the Resurrection of the dead shewing that the several States and Conditions of those whom Christ hath Quickened or raised in some degree from death to life do also differ in their several degrees of growth in Life Stature and Strength and accordingly do differ in their gifts and places and glory and beauty in the Resurrection from Death to Life Christ said to them whom he had Quickened I am come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly Againe The Psalmist who was Anointed by God and his appointment both Prophet and King writ thus Praise ye the Lord Praise the Lord from the Heavens Praise him in the heights Praise ye him all ye his Angels Praise ye him all ye his hosts Praise ye him Sun and Moon Praise ye him all ye Stars of Light Praise him ye Heavens of Heavens and ye Waters that be above the Heavens Let them praise the Name of Lord for he commanded and they were Created he hath also Established them forever and ever he hath made a decree which shall not pass Praise the Lord from the Earth ye Dragons and all deeps Fire and Haile Snow and Vapour Stormy Wind fulfilling his word Mountains and all Hills fruitfull trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattle Creeping things and flying Fouls Kings of the Earth and all People Princes and all Judges of the Earth both young Men and Maidens old Men and Children let them Praise the Name of the Lord for his name alone is Excellent his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven c. Pâ—al 148. read it through Here again Observe the great God of Order who in the beginning Created all things in Order and placed them in their Order in Heaven and Earth all which was very good he calls of them in Order by the mouth of his Prophet to praise Magnifie and Glorifie him for whose glory and honour they all were Created good in the beginning Oh vain Man who under the Dark power of Satan has been bred up in thy Transgression as a Wild Asses Colt or as a Wild Bullock unaccustomed to the yoke or thou that hast known the yoke of Christ and cast it off wouldest thou in thy folly limit the Holy one of Israel in the beginning Carrying on and Compleating of his Creating anew in Christ Jesus the fallen degenerated and dead Sons and Daughters of Adam who have believed in his divine Spirit
Fourthly Observe Christ calls those that were to be fed Lambs and Sheep which signifies they were not of a Woolfish or Dogish Nature or Spirit that is Bitter Cruel and Ravenous but as Lambs and Sheep they were meek and â—uâ—et Oh that all the professors of the Light of Christ within were such then would not some of them cause such dishonour to the Lord as they do neither would they cause such grief and travel to the faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Peace as they do Again Paul writ to Timothy thus viz. take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrine continue in them for in doeing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 16. read the Chapter throughout The same Apostle to the Church of the Thessalonians writ thus viz. Now we Command you Bretheren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition which ye received of us c. 2 Thess 3. 6. Again he writ thus viz. We Exhort you Brethren warn them that are unruly or disorderly Comfort the feeble minded support the weak be patient towards all men I Charge you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy Brethren the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen 1 Thess 5. 14 to the end And to the Thessalonians again he saith in his second Epistle viz. for we hear that there are some among you which walk Disorderly working not at all but are busi-bodies Now them that are such we Command and Exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with Quietness they Work and Eat their own Bread but ye Brethren be not Weary in well Doing and if any man obey not our word by this Epistle Note that man and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an Enemy but Admonish him as a Brother Now the Lord of Peace himself give you peace always by all meanes the Lord be with you all 2 Thess 3. 11 to the End Observe here if any of these to whom Paul wrote and to whom he Charges his Epistle to be Read should have called his Epistle his rotten Orders his Edicts mans Prescriptions Imposition upon Conscience Innovations or Apostacy and such like could he or any other of the faithful in Christ Jesus have owned such therein to be Brethren in the Unity and fellowship of the Gospel or could he or they have owned such words and sayings aâ— these to be the fruit of the Divine Light and Spirit of Christ within as applyed tâ— the faithful in Christ Jesus Oh Certainly Nay Concerning the form of the Apostles Doctrine c. The Apostle writ thus to the beleiving Obedient Romans viz. But God be thanked ye have obeyed from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was delivered unto you Note here that it was the Apostles Joy that they obeyed that forme of sound Doctrine which was delivered to them for this he thanked God he was not of the mind of some who formerly as also some of late were and have been who under the profession of the Light within and its teaching have spoken preached or written that the way of Gods People must or ought or may be as the way of a Serpent upon a rock or as the way of a ship on the Sea which leaves noe formâ— or Impression behind them this neither was nor is the way of Gods People either under his Law or Gospel but the way of an Adulterous woman as it is written Prov. 30. 19 20. And further observe Stedfastness of the true Christians in the Apostles Doctrine viz. And they Continued Stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship Acts 2. 42. Moses the man of God and the holy Prophets Christ and his holy Apostles left good forms of Doctrine in sound words behind them under the several Dispensations of God in which they Lived which is contained in the holy Scriptures of Truth which form of sound Words and Doctrines are both Comfortable and Profitable to the man of God in this day and will be to the People of God in Ages to come and it is gross Darkness and Spiritual Blindness that is come upon them who have spoken Preach or believe that the way of Gods People must be as the way of a Serpent on a Rock or as the way of a Ship in the Sea which leaves now Impresion or form behind it It were to be desired ineed that the Devil and Wicked men might leave â—â— form or Impression of their wickedness behind them seeing their wicked formes others are Apt to follow them in to their own hurt and danger of Eternal Ruine God Almighty in his own Appointed time will root out and destroy all the wicked formes of Imaging speaking and Acting wickedly which the Devil in whom there is no Truth hath led men and women into by which he hath led them to destroy themselves and each other Concerning the Commands of the Apostles of Christ whiâ—h they gave not of Themselves or by their own Power but by and in His Power Wisdom Strength and Authority for they were His Ambassadors over them He Reigned in them He spake and gave Commands who is Head of His Church and One in the Male and Female THe Apostle Paul writing to the Church at Corinth concerning the Things that were Not in good Order amongst them writing of many things in his First Epistle to them in the 14 Chapter concludes thus If any Man thinks himself to be a Prophet or Spiritual let him know that the things That I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord. Let all Things be done Honestly Desently and in Order vers â—7 and 40. Again the Apostle writing to the Church of the Thessalonians writ thus viz. We beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as you have Received of us how you ought to walk and please God so you would abound more and more for you know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus for this is the Will of God even your Sanctification That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour Not in the Lusts of Concupiscence as other Gentiles that know not God that No Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter because the Lord is the Avenger of such as we have forewarned and testified for God hath not called us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness He therefore who despiseth despiseth not Man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thess 4. 1. to the 9th Again the Apostle Paul writes thus to the Thessalonians viz. We have Confidence in the Lord touching you that you both do and will do the things which we Command you Now we Command you Brethren that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh Disorderly and not after the Traditions or Ordinances which ye
all such he honours with the honour that is from above which comes from himself and all these do honour each other and prefer each other according to the Order of the Work of God amongst them in their several Gifts and Services in the Body of Christ his Church All keeping to and walking in the Divine Light of Christ all will be kept in Humility and in Unity yea cloathed with it according to the Apostles Exhortation and according to the Command and Example of Christ the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls who said Learn of me I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find rest to your Souls A Remnant hath learned Humility of him in this Age and he hath given us rest to our Souls which to us far excels all the Riches and Glory of this World Praises to the Lord God and the Lamb for the same Blessed are all they that walk in his Light they find the fruit of it in them to be unfeigned Love to Friends and also to Enemies and Meekness Patience Gentleness Justice Equity and Righteousness towards all Men and a good Understanding and holy right Zeal for the honour of the Lord and the good of his People who walks here will not be puffed up with self conceit or self wilfulness or be filled with Wrath Malice Strife nor strive to Honour or Exalt themselves as Lords over Gods People such are not Lords over that Faith which God hath wrought in his People but in the Love of God Meekness and Humility of Christ Jesus these build up one another in their most Holy Faith and are Fellow helpers of one anothers Joy in the Lord as the Apostle hath writ and Exhorted And as the Primitive true Christians practised Concerning Rule and Government in the Church of Christ CHrist Jesus after he arose from the Dead spake unto his Disciples saying All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name for so the Greek renders it of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have comanded you and lo I am with you always c. Matt. 28. 18 19 20. First Observe Christ who was always spiritually present with those whom he sent to preach the Gospel gave them many things in Charge to teach the People to observe those who believed received and obeyed the Gospel preach'd by the Apostles did obey the Commands and Doctrines of Christ given by or through the Apostles who were his Embassadors those who did continue stedfast unto the end were by degrees Taught and inabled by the powerful Spirit and Light of Christ in the Apostles and in their own hearts to observe do all things that Christ commanded them 2. Observe Christ in and by the Apostles did command and teach those who believed and received the Gospel and walked in the Light of it and those who did believe and obey those Commands and Doctrines were not therein subject or obedient to the Traditions Doctrines or Commandments of men who were without the Spiritual Presence and Authority of Christ But they were obedient unto the Commandements and Doctrines of Christ delivered in and by the Faithful Apostles those holy Men of God 3. Observe Here is Order and Rule in the Work of God they that are Novices or young Scholars in the Faith and Doctrine of Christianity are Learners others Elders or Teachers these are to be Taught and watch'd over by those to whom God hath given an oversight of them in his power and wisdom for the Salvation Preservation and everlasting good of their Souls these Stewards of God who labour for and watch over Souls for the good end aforesaid God requires them to be faithful in this great Charge which he hath laid upon them for they must give an account to him of their stewardship and blessed are all those who have believed the Gospel who obey and walk in the Light of the same receiving and obeying the Commands Doctrines and Precepts of the Lord Jesus Christ given unto them by his Light and Spirit in his Stewards and Embassadors which they see and receive in the same Light Spirit of Christ in their own Hearts and Souls An account will be given of them with joy unto Christ the chief Shepherd and great Overseer of Souls 4. Observe They who after they have believed in the Spirit and Light of God and Christ within and have partaken of the vertue and power thereof fall away when Temptations and Tryals come upon them for Christ and the Gospel's sake these become like the stony ground which Christ speaks of in the Parables of the Kingdom that young and tender Blade which appeared in them being withered an account cannot be given of these with joy but with sorrow though they who have laboured faithfully with them for their good are clear of their Fall and Misery 5. Observe Those who have come to a farther growth and knowledg of the Truth than those last mentioned who have come not only to know the Truth but also further to obey it and suffer for it yet they after they have thus done and suffered have fallen away from their first love and obedience to the Cross of Christ by rejecting and slighting the Counsel of God by his Light and Spirit in their own hearts and in the hearts and mouths of his Servants and these having cast off the Yoke of Christ are become as Sons of Belial without Yoke gone into the World into the Cumbersom Cares of it and the Deceitfulness of the Riches Lusts and Glory of it such has made ill use of the grace or favour of God given unto them such in their works whatever their Words be deny the only true God and our Lord Jesus Christ such are the despisers of the Government of Christ in his Church who though they retain yet something of the Christian form of Godliness yet are out of the life and power thereof and Enemies to it as by their Evil Works and Words do and will appear The Stewards and Embassadors of Christ cannot give a joyous account of these though having faithfully laboured with them for their preservation and well being are therefore cleer of their blood or of being in any wise guilty of their Fall and Ruin Observe further what the Apostle saith concerning Rule and Government in the Church of Christ he writing to the believing Hebrews writes thus Remember them which have the Rule over you who hath spoken unto you the Word of God whose Faith follow considering the end of their Conversation obey them that hath the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Salute all them that have the Rule over you and all the Saints they of Italy salute you