to please God Furthermore it is written That faith is the gift of God 30 In these Records and many more such like you see the Scritures takes no notice of the word pure reason by which men could know any thing of the true God or of his heavenly secrets at all 31 Therefore I would fain know whether those men that call pure reason the Divine Nature are fit to interpret Scriptures or to bear the name of Gospel-Ministers but I will leave them at present to him that will discover them soon enough to their costs CHAP. II. 1 What the substances of Earth and Water were from eternity 2 A great secret revealed concerning Death and Hell 3 Concerning the Heavens above 4 Earth and Water not eternally glorious 5 The residence of the Creator 6 Earth and Water uncreated substances A Gain in the next place by inspiration from the unerring Spirit I positively affirm that the substances of Earth and Water were from all eternity in the Creators presence uncreated sensless dark dead matter like unto water and dust that have no kinde of life or light or vertue in them at all 2 Also I declare from the Holy Spirit that darkness death or devil and hell lay secretly hid in that earth above this perishing Globe and in the sight of the Creator were eternally naked and bare both in their root and in their fruit 3 Again I declare from the true Light of Life Eternal that that world or kingdom where the Creators glorious person is visible is a place or throne infinite in length bâ—eadth or height answerable unto an infinite Majesty 4 Moreover for your information that are spiritual from the true God I declare that in this heavenly City there is no Firmament Sun Moon nor Stars so that you may understand that is an infinite open place for Divine personal ascending or descending at pleasure onely under foot is fixed a spiritual earth and a chrystal sea 5 Furthermore you that are spiritual may know that it stands to very good sense that an infinite Majesty cannot be confined to a finite world or kingdom as this is I mean when he possesseth the throne of immortality as at this time or before he became a body of unspotted flesh 6 Again concerning that glorious earth and chrystal sea aforesaid I would not have you to think that I mean it was eternally so but after or in the finishing of the creation of Angels and variety of other creatures the infinite vertue of the Creators word produced that chrystal spirituality in them that both visible as well as invisible every thing or creature appointed to abide in the presence of the Divine Majesty might be all glory in their kinde and measure answerablâ— to the unmeasurable variety of unspeakable glory in the Creator himself 7 My spiritual brethren you know that it is an opinion of the Learned that those substances Earth and Water aforesaid were not eternal but they have long imagined that the Creator spake the word and so they came to be and after he had given them their being he formed all things that were made out of them 8 My beloved brethren you may know that this must needs be an error because you know that the word Create is to make formless dead matter into sensible living forms 9 Besides this you know as for creating of those elements of water or dust there is no Scripture maketh mention of any such thing therefore a meer imagination but more of this in the 6. Chapter 10 Again you know that from eternity the divine nature of the Creators spirit was nothing but immortal fiery glory of life and light It is written God is light and in him there is no darkness at all and it is written in Gen. 1. And darkness was upon the deep 11 My Brethren if the Creator be all life and light as you know he is then without controversie the dead earth and dark deep water never proceeded out of his glorious mouth but if that Scripture should be objected where it is said I create light and I create darkness to that I answer The mind of the holy Spirit in those words was this that he created those souls that were naturally dark and he created these mortal spirits that were full of immortal light but on the contrary there was not the least meaning in those words or any other throughout the Scriptures that God created or gave any being or beginning unto dead dark sensless earth and water as aforesaid 12 Whatever men vainly imagine the Creator to be if they shall conclude there was nothing eternal but God onely if they acknowledge the Creator to be some glorious thing which is incomprehensibly infinite then I would fain leâ—rn of those wise men where the glorious Creator was resident when he gave a being to earth and water If they shall say unto me that he was uncapable to be in any one place because he was every where As to that I cannot understand which way the Creator should be every where or any where at all if he had no place or habitation to abide in neither finite nor infinite 13 God being all light life joy and glory in himself from eternity is it not against all divine or humane light that is not unreasonable that ever those daâ—k dead elements of earth and water should have their original from his glorious spirits because their natures are so contrary that it was impossible that they should proceed from one another for alas what is death or darkness Is it not through the absence of life or light And is not life being overcome by death absolutely become death and darkness or utter silence for a moment 14 Again if light and darkness or life and death meet together is there any peace or agreement between them untill life be swallowed up by death or death be swallowed up into life 15 If th s be so the which no sober man can gainsay then without controversie earth and water were uncreated substances eternally distinct from the God of glory because the Scripture saith and darkness covered the face of the deep CHAP. III. 1 Of the Angels 2 Their Form and Nature 3 Out of what they were made 4 The Serpent which tempted Eve 5 The Cause why any creature was formed 6 Who are partakers of the Divine Nature 7 No created being capable of the essence of God to dwell in it A Gain from the true light of life I affirm that the Angels were the first sensible living beings formed by the Creator 2 I declare also that the angelical host were all produced by his word speaking into that dust without or above this visible heavens 3 Moreover I positively affirm from the same light that all the Angels in the heavenly throne aforesaid are persons in forms like men and not bodiless spirits as the Learned have long declared and the nature of their angelical spirits are pure reason onely 4 From the God of all
Moon and Stars 8 The Sun and Moon of contrary natures SEeing a right understanding of the mysteries of the true Creation or Redemption or any spiritual truth whatsoever consists onely in the knowledge of him which gave them their beings therefore by divine assistance in the next place I shall treat again of that glorious Being concerning whom there is and hath been in this world such innumerable dark disputes 2 My beloved brethren in the truth you may remember that unto any sober mans understanding it is cleared already that earth and water were an eternal chaos of confused matter essentially distinct from the Creator 3 Also you may remember that out of those elements I have told you by inspiration from an unerring spirit that the Divine Majesty hath created all things that were made into that heavenly order they appear to be whether for a time or for eternity 4 Moreover it is clear also that without those eternal materials was nothing made that was made neither possibly could be onely that serpentine devil in the learned men of this world have long imagined a confused creation of more seeming wisdom power and glory then that of the Creator as abundantly beforesaid 5 Again concerning the word Create make or form I shall write a little of the sense of it 6 My beloved brethren the very true meaning of that word Create is to compose confused dead matter into compleat living forms or that word Create is light and life producing dark dead dâ—st or water into sensible living beings or it is a powerful word proceeding from a glorious form of sensible light and life into a chaos of confused formless matter of sensless darkness and death and from thence producing variety of sensible living bodies according to their kinde for the demonstration of the Creators infinite wisdom power and glory in creation unto some of these living forms 7 Again seeing unlearned spiritual men wrest the Scripture to their own destruction therefore for our more cleerer understanding of the true Creator in order thereunto I shall speak somewhat of the visible heavens and the lights formed in them for mans natural comfort next unto the Creators glory 8 My beloved spiritual brethren you know concerning the deep waters throughout the Scripture Records no man can finde one word or tittle in reference to its beginning therefore of necessity it must be eternal 9 Likewise you know that the waters covered the earth before the creation wherefore the earth being as it is in the deep waters of necessity must needs be one essence eternally with those deep waters aforesaid 10 Therefore though it be said In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the deep and the spirit of God moved upon the waters 11 My spiritual brethren you cannot be deceived by literal interpretations as to think that the deep waters might be eternal but that lump of hid earth within those waters had a beginning by the word of the Lord 12 No you know that is against all sober sense or reason it self for if that earth which was within the water proceeded from the word of the Lord then the dark deep water must of necessity have its beginning also at that time the earth received its being because in the lump they were essentially one 13 Wherefore what ever man in darkness have dreamed as to say that God created all things of nothing or that God created that confused chaos of water and earth it is so far from having any truth in it that it is all one as if they should say there is no Creator at all but eaâ—th and water and such like stuff as they are 14 Again by inspiration from an unerring spirit I positively affirm against men or angels that the earth and the deep water were eternally one chaos of confused matter distinct from the ever-living God 15 And whereas it is said In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth that is out of that matter of water and earth that were formless and void God did by a word speaking create a formable world as a place of convenient residence for mortals to inhabit in 16 I also declare from the holy Spirit that God created no light nor darkness at all without bodies 17 Wherefore concerning those words Then God said Let there be light and there was light that is the spirit of God being all light moving or speaking into the deep dark waters his word caused a light to appear throughout those waters to make a distinction between light and that utter darkness that was both in the deep water and the earth inclosed as a prisoner in the womb of darkness 18 So that the Lord called this created light Day not onely because it was all darkness before or that he did not purpose to form a more eminent natural light then that was but as aforesaid an ordinary created light is worthy to be called Day as well as ordinary darkness is called Night 20 Or you may know that the very word Light signifieth Day as the word Darkness signifieth Night 21 Likewise you know that darkness was not darkness without its body therefore you may know that light can be no light unless it be in a body also 22 It is not the word Light nor the word Darkness is or possibly can be any thing at all unless they be in distinct bodies that they might become absolute beings of light or beings of darkness 23 It is written Agaâ—n God said Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the waters and let it separate the waters from the waters 24 My spiritual brethren I declare from the holy Spirit that this visible Firmament called Heaven was formed by the powerful word of the Creator out of those very waters in which it is now fixed to keep them asunder 25 Moreover it is written And God said Let there be Lights in the Firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth and it was so God then made two great Lights the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night He made also the Stars and God set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth 26 My spiritual brethren whatsoever hath been written formerly from mens imaginations concerning the vastness of the bodies of the Sun Moon and Stars it arose in them from their utter darkness of that glorious Creator from whence all true light proceeds 27 Wherefore from that Light by whom no man ever was deceived in some measure I shall demonstrate why the Lord called the Sun and Moon two great Lights and of that matter of which they were made 28 My spiritual brethren though the Sun Moon and Stars transcend each other in glory yet you may know that they were all created of that element of water and are distinct bodies of light fixed in the heavenly firmament 29 I do not
earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood will pour clean water upon them and they shall be clean he died in the flesh and quickned in the spirit 8 Thus you that are truly enlightned from on high may see a little into that wonderful mystery of the onely wise God imanifesting it self in earth answerable unto his threefold Record in the Heavens beforesaid 9 Three glorious words names titles or distinctions in reference unto one divine person onely in a threefold manifestation of his spiritual glory unto elect men and Angels CHAP. XXII 1 Of the three Witnesses on earth 2 Of Spirit Water and Blood 3 The three Records on earth are the three Commissions 4 What the Commissions are SEeing all spiritual power and wisdom in Heaven above or in Earth beneath is no where to be found nor never was but onely within the divine Ark or spiritual person of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 In the next place by his own light in some measure I shall remonstrate unto you that are capable what is the meaning of those three witnesses of Water Blood and Spirit in Earth which agree in one unto which the foregoing words have relation of Father Son and Spirit which are but one 3 My spiritual brethren are not those three witnesses in earth the commissionated messengers which by voice or words through the glorious mouth of God himself were sent forth unto an unbelieving bloody worldly minded people for a witness unto them to this purpose at the unexpected dreadful day of the Lord Jesus Christ 4 Doth not that water witness in earth signifie Moses and the true Prophets under the Law in reference unto the holy name of God the everlasting Father 5 Doth not the witness of the blood in earth signifie Jesus and the chosen Apostles in relation of that heavenly name of God the eternal Son 6 Doth not that witness of Holy Ghost in earth signifie those two witnesses in the 11. of the Revelations 7 As Water Blood and Spirit mixt together are in a sweet harmony in the body of a man in perfect health and through a defect of either of them the body could not subsist 8 So likewise it is with those witnesses of God in earth called Spirit Water and Blood for these three sweetly unite bearing witness unto but one onely wise distinct personal God glorified 9 Therefore they agree in one heavenly harmony and cannot possibly be one without the other not onely because they proceeded from one glorious spirit but also because they three onely by the secret wisdom of the Eternal Majesty were chosen to bear witness in earth before men and Angels unto that threefold Record in Heaven of Father Son and Holy Ghost aforesaid 10 But some men may say unto me the Law and Gospel being witnessed unto by the Prophets and Apostles already what need is there of this third witness of the spirit in earth or what doth it bear Record unto 11 From a divine gift to this I answer In many respects there is as much use of the witness of the spirit in this Atheistical age as of the two former witnesses of Water and Blood 12 To fulfil the Scriptures which saith heaven and earth shall pass away but his word shall not pass away or not one title of his word shall be unfulfilled 13 How should Christ Jesus the Lord of Glory be known to be the onely God of truth if there were not at one time or another a third witness in earth to fulfil the Scripture for there are three that bear witness in earth 14 Another necessity of this third witness of the spirit is this because you may know that there hath not been above these thousand years a commissionated messenger sent forth by the eternal Spirit to bear witness unto that truth which the two former witnesses sealed too with their bloods 15 Another necessity of the witness of the spirit is this because of late and at present so many several Antichristian spirits are come forth into the world in their own names and from the power of their own strong imaginations and cunning cursed observations have acted many visible lying signs and wonders upon their own bodies and other ways to the ruining of many a poor deceived soul in body minde and personal estate all of them pretending when those fleshly fits comes upon them that it is the power of the eternal Spirit immediately moving them CHAP XXIII 1 Of several empty opinions concerning the Two Witnesses in the eleventh of the Revelation 2 What they are 3 No true witness without a voice from Heaven 4 Who are the two last Spiritual Witnesses IN the next place I shall write somewhat of mens empty opinions concerning the two witnesses in the Revelation for your better understanding of the insuing truth some men have imagined them to be the spirit of Christ and the flesh of Christ 2 Now you may know that cannot be because the spirit and body of Christ were both glorified together in the highest Heavens long before John prophesied of the two Witnesses standing before the God of the whole earth amongst the sons of men 3 Others there are that would have them to be the literal Law and Gospel now you that are spiritual may also know that cannot be the Witnesses here spoken of because without a true Interpreter the Scripture in it self is but a killing letter 4 You know that the invisible truth of the Scriptures proceed onely from a true light received from the spiritual person of Christ Jesus our Lord in the throne of immortal glory 5 You know that from the bare records it is impossible to attain to the knowledge of the onely very true God or the spiritual mysteries of his everlasting kingdom and that was the very cause of these and such like Scripture sayings I thank thee Father that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to babes Make the heart of this people fat which have eyes and see not cars and hear not hearts and understand not and why so to fulfil the word of the Lord spoken through the mouthes of his Prophets in the time of the Law 6 If the two Witnesses here spoken of were the Letter of the Scripture what need then would there be of the invisible teachings of the Spirit 7 For the most part doth not the Ministers and people set up the letter of the Scriptures and offer divine worship unto them as the children of Israel worshipped their golden Calves 8 The two Witnesses cannot be meant the literal Scriptures because it is said If any man will hurt them fire proceeds out of their mouthes and devoureth their enemies and if any hurt them in this maner they must be killed 9 Now you may know that at this very present there are many thousands in these three Nations that do not onely count the Scriptures meer inventions of wise men to keep the
the God of Heaven and Earth without a voice of distinct words to the hearing of the ear from the everliving God 11 Or can he possess any true joy or peace of conscience in his prophetical declarations without such an immediate commission from the true God as beforesaid 12 Again though Spirit Blood and Water by the wisdom of God sweetly agree within the body of a healthful man yet you know that they are of contrary natures to one another 13 For the soul or spirit of man is an absolute mortal fire within the blood and the water which by vertue of its fiery nature qualifieth the blood and the water according to their capacities 14 Through which they are so sweetly composed that unanimously they give natural life and strength through the whole man in so much that the one cannot live without the other though they are of contrary natures 15 Thus through the secret decree of the divine Majesty there is a marvelous trinitary mystery within the natural body of man 16 But very few men understand it for want of the prophetical spirit of David in them who cryed out with exceeding admiration of the Creators wisdom saying I am fearfully and wonderfully made 17 So likewise you may know it is with these three commissionated witnesses of the divine Majesty in earth 18 For though all three proceeded from one and the same spirit of truth and all bear Record unto onely one distinct personal God-man glorified yet in the maner of their declarations concerning the worshipping of the Holy One of Israel they differ and are as contrary as fire blood and water which are without the body of men 19 But in the spirituality of their administrations concerning invisible worshipping of the Lord Jesus Christ they harmoniously agree as one soul like unto spirit blood and water within mans body as aforesaid 20 If any man should ask why the Holy One of Israel hath put such a vast difference between the administrations of his three witnesses in earth To this from the Holy Spirit I answer by way of Quere Is it not to blinde the eyes of the wise and prudent men of this world that from their strength of reason in Scripture records they may war against the pure light of life within the witnesses of the God of all saving truth 21 That they may remain in their rational darkness of unbelief wherein they were born and so everlastingly perish for want of that â—ew and true birth of the fiery glorious Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ 22 Is it not also that God alone may receive all the honor power praise and glory from his redeemed ones in the revealing his true witnesses or Prophets unto them by his eternal spirit through which they attain to the right understanding of the very true God and the glorious things of eternity declared by his own chosen messengers 23 And so are made to receive those divine truths in the purity of them by loving of them above the gain or glory of this conceited periâ—hing world 24 Moreover do they not thereby enjoy an invisible seal of an assurance of the eternal immortality of their persons at the visible appearing of the divine Majesty of the Son of man 25 That most infinite glorious God with all his mighty Angels Moses and Elias at that dreadful day when all time shall vanish immediately and eternity onely seize upon all mankinde in their several persons 26 Again if water blood and fire without the body of man be mixt together being of contrary conditions or natures you know they cease not contending until they have conquered one another 27 Also you know blood is too strong for water and fire too powerful for blood so likewise you may know it is with the three commissionated witnesses of God in earth Moses the Apostles and two last Witnesses 28 Though they unanimously agree in bearing record unto onely one distinct personal God of all saving truth as spirit water and blood sweetly accord within the healthful body of a mortal man as aforesaid 29 Yet you may know that in their visible worship they are at warfare with each other until they have obtained victory one over another 30 That the present immediate spiritual wisdom of the divine Majesty might bear rule in the consciences of the chosen Jewels of immortal crowns and not that which is past 31 Wherefore when that Gospel administration of blood appeared you know that the Apostolical Commissioners thereof did with all their power preach against all Mosaicall observations of Jewish circumcision new Moons or abstinence from meat drinks or any kinde of Sabbattical Ceremonies whatsoever to be vain and of none effect and contrary to the Spirit of Christ 32 Thus you that are enlightned from on high may see that that spiritual wine of the everlasting Gospel in the chosen of God transmuted all watery Ceremonies into its own spiritual substance even as water being mingled with blood is converted into its own nature 33 Moreover since the appearing of the two last Witnesses of the eternal spirit you may know that all Apostolical ordinances imitated by men called Ministers of the Gospel are counterfeit Apostles which take upon them to Preach Pray Baptize with water break bread lay on hands or any such like without a commission from on high 34 Whether for silver or honor or a name amongst men under pretence of conscience unto a God which they truly understand not nor desire to know 35 From the true God I say again you that are spiritual may know that these idol Shepherds and their imaginary formalities are now become vain and contrary to the heavenly breathings or incomes of the glorious Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ God-man glorified 36 Thus in what soul soever this divine worship of the true God powerfully appeareth it immediately transmutes all Apostolical formalities into invisible spiritualities of glorious joys 37 By vertue of an heavenly intercourse between the divine spirit and the poor soul that is acquainted with his heavenly voice or still motions 38 Again if divers men appear as Witnesses or Prophets immediately sent forth by a powerful commission from the everliving God are there not certain divine seals to distinguish between those Embasladors which are infallible and them that are but fallible 39 My elect brethren is it not the property of a commissionated Witness of Christ Jesus at the first appearance of God unto him to desire the Most High that he would passe him by and make choice of any other to be his Embassador unto his people 40 Furthermore in the maner of his spiritual declarations unto the most wisest natural men doth he not appear not onely seemingly quite contrary unto the Lords former witnesses but also as the most blasphemous simple base fellows that ever appeared in the name of the Lord 41 But of the contrary for the most part in men that are deceived is there not a strong desire in their fleshly spirits
glorious truth that shall burn like fire and brimstone in them that despise it the words are these But the heavens and earth which are now are kept by the same word in store and reserved unto fire against the day of condemnation and of the destruction of ungodly men but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the heavens shall pass away with a noise and the Elements shall melt with heat and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt up looking for and hasting unto the coming of that day of God by the which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with heat a threefold cord is not easily broken 8 If any Hypocrite shall go about by his Serpentine Sophistry to tell you that are spiritually weak those sayings of Peter had relation to the burning up of the carnal heavens and earth in men through the glorious appearing of the eternal spirit you may with ease confute those notional cheats if you look back upon the ground of Peters sayings the words are these knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation for this they willingly are ignorant of that by the Word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water whereby the world then was overflowed with water perished 9 Thus you that have never so little truth of the true Jesus in you may clearly see that the Apostle Peter in this threefold language had not the least thought in him concerning heavens and earth being burnt up within men but the burning up of the heavens and earth and the beauty vertue or glory thereof without man which were the fruits of mans handy-works why because you see the Apostle grounds his matter upon the drowning of an outward earthly world 10 Moreover you may also know that it was a burning up of a visible heaven and earth and the glory thereof meant by Peter why because the Apostle tells you that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming 11 Furthermore if it had been an invisible burning up the fleshly heavens in men onely what lustful man in the world would have scoffed at such a doctrine which did encourage him in his lusts rather then discourage him in the least 12 If you ask me the reason my ground is this because by lustful Serpents like himself he was perswaded that Christ will burn up mens lusts and save all their souls at the last and who can finde fault with such a burning doctrine or whaâ— bloody-minded man or woman in the world would not embrace a messenger of such tidings as this is 13 Again you may know I have written the truth by this token why because men that are guilty of almost all maner of lusts can go into Lumber street to hear men speak much concerning the glorious incoming of a spiritual Christ to burn up all their fleshly or heavenly conceitedness that they may see nothing in them but God onely triumphing on his Throne I say these or such like expressions the most filthiest of men can hear with delight 14 Moreover if you that speak in Lumber-street or else where should once attain to the foundation of all spiritual speaking and should be able knowingly to tell men of the sudden appearing of the Son of Man in Glory with his Angels to burn this visible world to ashes and to cause the spirits and bodies of men that glory in filthiness to burn as fire and brimstone together to eternity in utter darkness I am confident very few filthy persons would be able to hear you speak twice together and then you would soon have a thin Congregation and be as much affected as men are with us for what we speak in the name of the Lord. 15 What is the ground think you of so many dreadful fires this year in this City and other parts above the memory of man I know with Astrologian Sophisters you may impute it to Planets plot or peoples want of care but of the contrary I believe you Serpent sign-mongers will finde these fires came not meerly by natural causes but by a divine power as a forerunner of the eternal burning this world and all the natural glory therein to dust powder or dry sand as aforesaid 16 Moreover you know it is written Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power 17 Also it is written But our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Savior even the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself 18 Further it is written When Christ which is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory 19 My beloved friends who are possessed with a pure light language and life I am undoubtably perswaded in my soul that for a little season I have both tasted and seen within my spirit a greater measure of the eternal glory and shame to come then any creature now living in this world 20 Yet for all this and the continual supply which I receive from that fountain of glories I know that the most eminent appearances in these bodies of clay are but meer shadows in comparison of that glory and shame which many men shall possess when the Son of Man shall appear in his glory with his mighty Angels 21 If a man lie under the power of any lust how can that man be thought to have his part in the first resurrection because he that hath part in this first resurrection is both blessed and holy 22 Moreover doth not a first resurrection include a second resurrection how then can that man be thought to have part in this first resurrection which vainly boasts that he is possessed with the second resurrection of glory with a Christ already 23 Furthermore you see that the Apostle never boasted that he was glorified with Christ already neither did he expect any glory but rather continual shame until Christ did personally appear to change his vile body into the likeness of his glorious body Again you know it is written if we suffer with him then shall we also reign with him 24 Moreover did Christ reign on the Throne of his Glory with his Angels Moses and Elias till he had suffered under a thorny Crown of unutterable cruelties unto death it self and was risen from the dead 25 And art thou so bewicht as to think scorn to drink of thy Lord and Masters cup but Lucifer-like to
or glory at all and hell or misery must be essentially distinct from heaven or glory or else there can be no certain hell or misery at all 40 Moreover the glorious person of the divine Majesty himself must of necessity be essentially distinct from men angels heaven earth and all in them or elâ—e it were impossible that there should be any God or angels men or devils heaven or hell or any thing else besides but accidental things proceeding from those four elements of earth air water and fire as all filthy Atheists vainly and blindly imagine 41 But my beloved spiritual brethren you have not so learned Christ or received the truth of the ever-living Jesus into your innocent souls to abide in any such foolish darkness 42 Wherefore for your confirmation chiefly is this Epistle written that you may be enabled to discern the lying notions and fleshly voluntary wilâ—-worship in man contending against the secret decrees of the Holy One of Israel 43 Furthermoâ—e because many of the elect of God are as yet in bonds by the exceeding subtilty of many silver-roule merchants of this perishing world therefore I shall endeavor to confirm what is written from a cloâ—d of un-erring Witnesses my spiritual Brethren the foâ—mer true Prophets and Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ wherefore it was saiâ— by our God which is Christ Jesus the Lord that heaven and eaâ—th shall pass away but his words shall not pass away 44 Again it is written That he made all things for his own glory and the wicked for the day of wrath Also it is written That Jacob was loved and Esau was hated before they had done good or evil that the purpose of God might remain according to election For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and will have compassion on whom I will have compassion So then it is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy Further it is written But O man who art thou which pleadest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it whâ— hast thou made me thus hath not the Potter power over the clay to make of the same lamp one vessel to honour and another to dishonour what if God would to shew his wrath and to make his power known suffer with long paâ—ience the vessels of wrath prepared to destruction and that he might declare the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercy which he hath pâ—epared unto glory Rom 9. And in Rom. 8. it is thus written Also we know that all things work togeâ—her for the bâ—st unto them that love God even to them that are called of his purpose for those which he knew before he also predestinated to be made lâ—ke to the image of his Son moreovâ—r whom he predestinated thâ—m also he called and whom he called them also he justified and whom he justified them also he glorified Again in the first Epistle of Peter it is thus written Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone elect and precious and he that believeth therein shall not be ashamed unto you therefore which believe it is precious but unto them that be disobedient the stone which the builders dâ—salowed the same is made the head of the corner and a stone to stumble at and a rock of offence even to them which stumble at the word being disobedient unto the which thing they were even ordained But ye are a chosen Generation a royal Friesthood an holy Nation a People set at liberty that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous lâ—ght Moreover in the Epistle of Jude are these word For there are certain men crept in whâ—ch were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men they are whiâ—h turn the grace of God into wantoness and deny God the onely Lord and our Lâ—rd Jesus Christ they are the raging waves of the sea foaming out their own shame they are wandring stars â—o whâ—m is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever Again For if God spared not the angels that had sinned but cast them down to hell and delâ—vered them into chains of darkness to be kept unto dâ—mâ—ation what will become of all those angâ—lical fleshly hypocrâ—tes which bless themselves in their unrighteousness and cursedly contend for it even against the holy God elect men and angels and their own consciences which will become their eternal chief Accomptant in the great day 45 Again as a conclusion unto what is written aforesaid I shall write something concerning the Scriptures themselves 46 My spiritual brethren can you possibly think that those men as yet have received the spiritual truth of the true God which idolize the visible Records and worship them in stead of that holy Spirit in our Lord Jesus Christ which spake them 47 Again did ever any man attain to a true understanding of that Holy One of Israel by any endeavor whatsoever from the bare letter of the Scripture 48 It is written The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life Again it is written That the Scriptures are sufficient to make the man of God wise unto salvation 49 My brethren can any man be a godly man or a man of God unless he hath the spiritual light of life eternal to enable him to understand the minde of God in the Records and so believe unto immortality CHAP. VI. 1 Of the Scripture Records 2 Of the ignorance of men that deifie or villifie them 3 The Prophets Prayer in the conâ—lusion IS there any testimony in Scâ—iptures that ever any man of God received the true faith of the spiritual Jesus in him from the letter of the Scripture or could possibly know whether those literal Records proceeded from the wisdom of God or from the wisdom of prudent men onely unless he were inspired from that spirit which spake them In the third of the Galatians it is thus written O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth This onely would I learn of you Received ye the spirit by the workes of the Law or by the hearing of faith preached Are ye so foolish that after ye have begun in the spirit ye would now be made perfect by the flesh 2 My spiritual brethren is it not a work of the flesh in man which studies day and night in the letter of the Scripture to finde out the spirit of God in the letter 3 Is it not a work of the flesh in man which labours to reconcile Scriptures of seeming contradiction without a divine gift of the spirit 4 Is not that man in the depth of spiritual darkness which perswadeth his hearers that the Scriptures are easie and plain in the very letter of them unto that mans reason that is laborious to know them 5 Are not the Scriptures all matters of faith and very misterious for
the most part how then can any man comprehend spiritual misteries which are eternal by his natural perishing reason 6 Is not the most piercingst reason in man onely natural And can that which is natural comprehend that which is spiritual 7 Are they not as contrary as fire and water or as light and darkness How then can any man by his natural reason understand any thing that is spiritual It is written But the natural man perceiveth not the things of God because they are spiritually discerned but he that is spiritual discerneth all things yet he himself is judged of no man Again is is written Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are given to us of God which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual 8 My beloved brethren you may see that the Apostles came not to understand spiritual things by their study in the writings of Moses and the Prophets but by a gift from the Holy Ghost they were enabled in a great measure to comprehend the invisible things of God which they should enjoy in the resurrection of the just 9 Moreover you know that the Apostle Paul before his conversion was a very able man in the letter of Moses and the Prophets yea and according to the letter blameless in his conversation yet for all that in zeal towards an unknown God he persecuted the spirit of that letter through ignorance of that second man which was the Lord from heaven 10 T is truth that when the Apostles preached the spiritual things of eternity they alluded unto Moses and the true Prophets because some of those mysteries were fore-prophesied of by them but yet you may see that they were not instructed in those heavenly things by vertue of their prophetical letter but as beforesaid by inspiration from the holy spirit onely 11 Thus you that are spiritual may clearly see that no man by his natural reason and study in the letter of the Scripture can ever be established in the truth of those glorious things unto which the letter beareth record unless he hath received a spiritual gift from that glorious God that moved holy men of old to speak and write those Records of Truth 12 Therefore you may be confident that those men which ignorantly call the Letter Spirit as yet they are not acquainted with those spiritual teachings of the things of God which many of his elect do enjoy that cannot read one letter in the Bible his divine Secrets are treasured up for the simple and the subtile learned Rationists are sent empty away 13 My beloved spiritual brethren in the glorious things of eternity though men seemingly appear never so innocent in their way is it probable think you that those men are immediately moved to speak unto the people by the spirit of God that slight all the Scripture Records as a thing of nought 14 I humbly beseech you that are sober can any man of what tongue or language soever speak or write a better or as good a language as the Scriptures are and not speak Scripture words or prove it was not the glorious God that moved the holy men of old to speak or write these Scripture records 15 Again if the most desperatest man living which saith in his heart there is no God shall commit murder or the like and should scape the vengeance of mans Laws for a season yet he cannot possibly prevent the voice of that spiritual Law within crying for vengeance from that Law without him answerable to that within him 16 Moreover though natural wise men as a nose of wax produce those Records to bear testimony unto all error whatsoever yet you that are spiritual may know that the Scriptures themselves are words of pure truth not having the least error in them but error proceeds onely from that serpentine devil in men which take upon them to interpret the Scriptures without a spiritual gift 17 Can any man that hath the spiritual power of the Scriptures in him be offended with those Records which are witnesses of his innocent life in the faces of those carnal hypocrites which for love of silver or honor prate of them onely but secretly hâ—te all obedience to them 18 Are not the literal Records a demonstration of the minde of the holy spirit unto the chosen of God which have the light of life in some measure to comprehend them 19 Moreover are not the teâ—chings of the blessed spirit more abundantly consolate to him if those heavenly breathings in him be harmonious with the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ without him 20 Can any man therefore which expects that eternal glory unto which these Scriptures above all the writings in the world bear record possibly despise the letter and yet love that Spirit from whence it came 21 Again give me leave to make one comparison in reference to this matter Suppose two friends that loved each other as their own souls had their personal residence in several kingdoms and one of them as a testimony of his real love before he passed away left behinde him a Book containing variety of sweet expressions of friendship unto the other until he come again if that man in the absence of his friend should burn that Book to ashes in stead of embracing it is that any sign of love in him to his friend afar off 22 Wherefore can any sober man imagine or think from any ground of truth that the eternal spirit of the true Jesus upon any account did ever command any man to burn those Records which are a Remonstrance of the wonderful spiritual transactions of the most high and holy God since the world began yea before this world was 23 O Lord God of heavenly order and not of earthly confusion even for the glory of thy dreadful names sake deliver thy redeemed ones not onely from exalting the literal Scriptures above the holy Spirit which spake them but also from disputing against the mysteriousness of them 24 Then no kinde of natural witchcrafts which bear the name of spiritual power shall have dominion over them for ever but they shall patiently wait for their change by a peaceable death or being swallowed up of life through the appearing of our onely God and Savior in the air with his mighty Angels to reward every man according to his works 25 Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly and make it manifest in the sight of men and angels whether thou hast sent us as we have declared or no. CHAP. VII 1 Of the creation of the Firmament Sun Moon and Stars 2 Of the Earth in the deep waters 3 The meaning of the word Create 4 Why the deep waters are eternal 5 By what the Firmament was formed 6 How the Sun Moon and Stars came 7 Of the distinct and fixed bodies of the Sun
a signification of the divine nature and form of a something that is infinite 10 It is as clear as the purest light it self unto you that are experimentally spiritual that it is not names words or titles proves God or Man to be any living beings at all except they be distinct persons to manifest their honorable names as proceeding from comprehensible somethings and not from incomprehensible nothings 11 If the God of Glory in Scripture Records should be called not onely by three divine titles but by threescore thousand holy names also yet all the men in this world or Angels in that world to come can never prove him to be an infinite spirit without a body or prove him to be any more then onely one distinct glorious person also 12 You heavenly ones may also know that the divine Majesty is called in Scripture Records by three divine titles that as beforesaid that the most learned prudent men in this world might never attain to a right understanding of the very true God and the spiritual mysteries of his everlasting kingdom by all their rational study in the Scripture Records or any other ways and that was the very cause that the Lord Jesus Christ said unto his own spiritual power represented by Angelical Moses and Elias I thank thee Father that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to babes and sucklings 13. Concerning that threefold title of Father Son and Holy Ghost in stead of three persons as of long time by blinde guides have been imagined doth it not rather stand to better sence that the word Father hath reference unto the Godhead Spirit eternally united unto Christ Jesus our Lord. 14 And that the word Son hath relation unto the glorious body of the everliving Emanuel which is visibly seen by elect Angels Moses and Elias 15 And that word Holy Ghost hath reference unto a divine word of light life or power proceeding from the invisible Father through the glorious mouth of the visible Son into the invisible spirits of elect mankind to the inlightning of their dark understandings and purifying of their fleshly mindes 16 Thus you which are truly enlightned from above may clearly see what that threefold heavenly Record signifieth of that onely distinct personal Majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ God alone blessed for ever and ever Amen 17 It is also as clear to you that are spiritual as the light it self that the holy one of Israel could not possibly be three distinct persons or spirits in one Godhead being or any such like confused deities 18 You know that wheresoever the Scriptures exactly make mention of the Holy One of Israel it attributes all honor praise and glory unto him always in the fingular number as unto one distinct personal Majesty or glorious being and not in the plural number of three distinct persons or spirits in one body as hath been long imagined by deceivers of the whole Christian world so called which are in bondage to their confused God and invented formalities 19 You know that in the conclusion of many several things the Scriptures run in such a line as this to the onely wise God or unto God onely wise or though there be that are called many Gods or many Lords yet unto us there is but one God or the holy one of Israel and such like 20 You know because there is none above a King or head Magistrate in his own kingdom or equal with him upon an extraordinary occasion he will swear by himself or by the faith or word of a King 21 Thus it was with that Holy One of Israel because there was none above him or beside him or equal with him in Heaven or Earth he swore by himself concerning the transmutation of his uncreated glory and everlasting spiritual Priesthood into a pure body of flesh blood and bone 22 Before the God of Glory was descended into the Virgins Womb you know he had many holy names attributed unto him wherefore you may also know from all eternity he was a distinct divine person and not an infinite formless spirit as most men blindly imagine 23 You spiritual ones may also know before he was clothed with flesh it is not the holy names of Creator infinite Spirit Jehovah Ancient of dayes mighty God Lord of Hosts Redeemer Holy One of Israel King of Glory or everlasting Father or any glorious expressions that can be uttered by the tongues of men or Angels that can prove any God at all except he was a divine person distinct from Heavens Earth Waters Angels Men and all things else 24 That the one personal infinite Majesty may remain in the heavenly center of his own uncreated glory and all beings that he hath formed to live in his sight may continue in their own creaturely stations for an everlasting distinction between the glorious Creator and poor changeable creatures 25 Thus by a free gift received from the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Throne of Glory in simplicity of spirit and plainness of speech in a small measure I have declared the minde of the Holy One of Israel in those literal expressions for there are three which bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one CHAP. XXI Of a threefold Record of natural witnesses proceeding from the blessed person of Christ at his death I Shall write a little of a threefold Record in that most pure natural body of Christ when he was on this earth in relation unto the threefold record of his spiritual body in the invisible heavens before said in the 53. of Isaiah it is written He poured forth or out his soul unto death and in the 19 Chap. by S. John you may finde it thus written but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there blood and water here you that are spiritually discerning may clearly see a threefold Record of natural witnesses proceeding from that blessed person of our onely God and Savior at his voluntary death 2 As namely blood water and spirit wherefore his most precious soul pouring forth it self unto death that was the witness of the death of the everlasting Father in flesh 3 The issuing forth of the unvaluable blood that was the witness of the death of the eternal Son in flesh 4 The flowing forth of the water that was the witness of the death of the erernal spirit in flesh on earth 5 These sayings are not onely hard but intollerable to be born by cursed Oanaanites which understand nothing truly of the power of an infinite Majesty 6 Nevertheless unto you which are made to understand the deep and hidden mysteries of the most wise and powerful Creator doth not this answer these Scriptures sayings 7 I and the Father are one and from Jesus Christ which is that faithful witness and that first begotten of the dead and that Prince of the Kings of the
to be a spiritual witness of the Lord 42 And upon that account will not the least appearance within them or without them stir up their spirits to go or run before they were sent 43 Moreover for want of a true commission by voice of words from the God of heavens and earth do they not declare marvellous natural things that shall suddenly come to pass or spiritual voices of power within them with many lying signs and wonders suitable unto the nature of man 44 Through which the most wisest rational men are not onely out-witted by them but subject to become one with them 45 Furthermore for want of spiritual declaration to witness in the consciences of the people of pure light language and life that they are from the unerring spirit do they not deceive their own tosticatd spirits by taking upon them to act over anew the former actions of the true Prophets or Witnesses or high Priests of the Holy One of Israel 46 Doth not this demonstrate those to be the commissionated Witnesses of the unerring spirit that are indued with a divine gift to write a volume as large as the Bible and as pure a language as that is with as much variety of matter without looking in any writing whatsoever or having any real contradiction in it 47 Again if men are endued with a divine gift to remonstrate the real grounds of the invisible things of eternal glory and shame appointed for two worlds of people when time is no more is not this a clear manifestation unto the elect Israelites that those men are the immediate Witnesses or Prophets of the eternal spirit 48 But on the contrary if men pretend to be Prophets high Priests or Kings of Israel by an immediate power from the eternal Jehovah and yet are ignorant of the invisible things of eternity 49 Is not this a clear manifestation unto all that have any divine light in them that such men are but spiritual counterfeits 50 If men by a divine gift unto those that have any light of life eternal shall make an undeniable discovery of all sorts of spiritual counterfeits in the world is not that a real evidence of the infalibility of their commission from the Holy One of Israel 51 On the contrary if men are so far from a true discovery of all spiritual counterfeits that they can shew no sensible divine grounds of their own commission from above is not that a clear manifestation unto all that are truly enlightned that they are persons under spiritual deceits 52 If all sober men in general upon the perusal of this epistle shall in their consciences be convinced that concerning the invisible things of eternity this is the clearest discovery that ever their eyes beheld and yet but very few of them shall dare to own the penmen thereof for fear of loosing their present enjoyments of fleshly honor profit or pleasure amongst men 53 Is not this a clear demonstration unto the chosen of God that this book was penned by the infallible witness of the eternal spirit in the glorified person of our Lord Jesus Christ 54 Whom men durst not own when he was on this earth for fear of being excommunicated of their vain glorious Synagogues or because of many hard sayings unto mans reason spoken through his gracious and unerring mouth 55 So much at present concerning the chosen Witnesses Prophets and Apostles sent forth by the eternal spirit unto the sons of men to bear record unto the man Christ Jesus the Lord from Heaven the onely wise God and alone everlasting Father against all gain-sayers that ever were are or shal be from these Scripture words And there are three which bear witness in the earth the spirit the water and the blood and these three agree in one 56 Crowns of eternal glory are prepared for those men and women which are not onely preserved from despising things that seem strange unto them but are also made with patience to wait upon the Holy Spirit for his discovery of them CHAP. XXVIII 1 No reason in Angel or men can be satisfied in it self without revelation from the Creator 2 God created reason 3 Yet it was not of his own nature 4 Infiniteness is to create persons and things differing from his own nature 5 Though all Creatures werâ— made by God yet they came not out of him but by the word of his power 6 No creature spiritual or natural can be said to be the image of God but man onely 7 It is the property of reason to promise obedience to God by his Prophets but perform none 8 Why the Angels are called mighty AGain because of the endlesness of that Serpentine reason in man continually warring against the innocent Dove of plain truth proceeding from the eternal spirit of a glorified Christ 2 Therefore I shall write again concerning the vast difference between the nature of angelical reason and the nature of divine satisfaction in it self utterly unknown to men or Angels until it be his pleasure to impart the inshining glimpses thereof into their shallow comprehensions 3 Though the spirits of the mighty Angels are pure reason yet you that are spiritually quick may know that their undefiled reason would immediately become all rebellious imagination against the Creators glory if it were not continually supplied with inspirations from his eternal spirit 4 Is the nature of the most piercing reason that is any thing else but meer desire 5 Where any desire abideth is there not a want of something desired and where any thing is wanting can that spirit be fully satisfied in it self 6 Again seeing the pure spirits of the mighty Angels are but rational and the most excellentest reason that is but meer desire and desire a want of inward satisfaction and where such satisfaction is wanting in it self there can be no true peace enjoyed or continuance one moment in its present purity 7 What spiritual power is there in the most piercing reason that can be 8 Is it any thing else but a meer desire that it might be partakers with the glorious purity of that spirit that gave its sensible being 9 Hath it any power at all to desire after wisdom love or any kinde of divine excellency in the least from its own rational nature If this be truth which no spiritual or sober rational man can deny are not those men under deep darkness which say the divine nature of God himself is pure reason onely 10 If the most purest reason in its own nature be nothing els but unsatisfactory desire is it possible think you that spirit should have one thought or motion of reason inherent in his nature whose divine vertues are all transcendent satisfaction in it self 11 Some men may say unto me Could the divine Majesty create a rational living spirit and yet have none of that life or rational nature living in himself 12 You may remember I have written upon this point already in the creation of Angels yet for a
truth I declare that that Serpent which tempted Eve unto evil was one of those Angels of light 5 Moreover that Serpent Angel was more wise or God-like in his creation then all the elect angels of glory for the most wise God in this may be likened to a wise earthly prince that for the manifestation of his royal pleasure exâ—lteth that â—ubject to the highest dignity which he hath secretly decreed to the highest disgrace 6 Thus it was with the glorious Creator who foreknowing that his prerogative Royal would compell him to create this angelical reprobate in reference to his divine Justice therefore for the manifestation of his most glorious power unto his elect men and angels his wisdom saw it most fit to endue him with more piercing rational wisdom and brightness of person then all his angelical companions because he was decreed to the greatest shame and pain as aforesaid 7 And not onely so but also because the elect Angels should admire their Creators wisdom and power when they should see the outcast condition of the highest created glory and be filled with new declarations of honor praise and glory unto the divine Majesty for his free electing love towards them through which they were ensured eternally to reign in their created purity 8 Again from the true light of life I positively affirm that there was but onely one reprobate Angel created at the first which is fully cleared in this Book 9 Moreover you spiritual ones may understand that if the most merciful Creator could possible have known any other way for the manifestation of his divine excell 〈◊〉 unto men and angels I say you may be confident he would never have created any thing on purpose for eternal suffering 10 Furthermore can you possibly imagine or think that the most gracious and wise Creator would ever have suffered the nature of any creature to become rebellious against himself for the occasioning of such marvellous transactions in this world and suffering both of God Angel and man if he could have possessed his inâ—â—nite glory in the creating of every thing unto eternal pleasures 11 Again if dust and water were eternâ—l â—ubstances distinct from the Creaâ—or it being dark and dead matter it could not produce any kind of life at all of it self but was brought forth into life by another 12 Wherefore it may be queried by some what was that which entered into dust and brought forth angelical bodies to live in the Creators presence was it any thing else but that spiritual life or divine nature of God himself 13 Unto this curious Quere from the true light of life I answer that neither the spirit of angels nor any other creatures were formed of the divine nature but the souls of Adam and Eve onely 14 But they were created of variety of spirits to one another and to the Creator also yet they were all purely created and in a sweet harmony with each other and their Creator also even so long and no longer then they abode in their created purity 15 Again by inspiration from our Lord Jesus Christ I affirm that the unsearchable wisdom of the most high God was secretly hid in the infinite power of his word speaking onely 16 So that it was the fore-knowledge of his own mighty power which was one of the principal grounds that moved him to produce and living creature in his presence 17 Wherefore before any creature was formed by him if he had not perfectly known that of those aforesaid elements of dust or water by his word speaking onely he could create as many several spirits with bodies sutable to their natures as he saw good and yet wholly retain the divine nature of his spirit to himself he would never have formed any creature to have lived in his sight 18 Because then you know there would have been no distinction of natures or names between the creatures themselves and the Creator nor none of the variety of his infinite wisdom power and glory ever seen or known by the creatures 19 For you that are spiritual may understand that the Creators Royal will or pleasure was that glorious wheel that moved him to form any creature at all 20 Therefore you may also know that it was impossible for him to create the spirits of Angels and man to be both of the nature of his own spirit or neither of them to be of his divine nature because as aforesaid the variety of his wisdom power and glory would have been all lost for want of distinction 21 Moreover if angels and man had been both of Gods divine nature in their creation then in stead of their being capable to be transmuted into a higher or lower condition at the divine pleasure of the Creator would they not rather have been unchangeable Creators then changeable creatures 22 Therefore the most wise and holy Creator that he might prevent all that might impede his divine purpose he created the bodies of angels spiritual and their natures rational and he made the body of the man Adam natural and his soul spiritual 23 For if their spirits and bodies had been both of the divine nature then it would have been impossible for them to be capable of any change of sin or evil or consent to evil in them no more than the Creator himself 24 Where then had been all the wonderful transactions of his glorious Majesty or what would have been formed but Creators onely in stead of creatures as aforesaid 25 Again because of our weak comprehension in the deep things of God I shall speak something by way of imagination onely which is as followeth 26 Suppose the most high God should have created both angels and men all glorious like himself and eternally so to remain yet those created beings could not possibly be the divine essence of his God-head spirit but onely a created light of sensible life of divine joys proceeding from the eternal spirit by vertue of words speaking through his heavenly mouth into those elements beforesaid 27 Because you may know that the uncreated Essence or Godhead spirit of an infinite Majesty was utterly uncapable to be conveyed into a finite created being for infiniteness is onely capable of its own glorious centre 28 So that you that are truly spiritual may understand that after the Angels were formed into living bodies the divine Majesty and those created beings were become distinct in their essences for everlasting 29 That the angels by apparent sight of their Creators face might know themselves to be but creatures and subject to the divine pleasure of him that made them 30 Moreover from the true light of the Holy One of Israel I affirm that the elect Angels of eternal glory had no certain knowledge of continuing in their created purities until the Lord had discovered the reprobate angel unto them 31 It is written that he made all things for his own glory and the wicked for the day of wrath 32 My beloved spiritual
Lord Jesus Christ to this I answer All the angels were equally created under one Law the which moral Law was written in their angelical natures motioning in them that all obedience was properly due unto their Creator which had made them such marvellous creatures 19 Again you that are spiritual may know that no created being was capable to be formed in a lawless condition 20 Why because there is nothing uncapable of being made under a law from another but that divine being onely which was eternally in or from it self You may also know that those very words of creation or creatures includes a Creator and a command of all obedience due unto him 21 Also you know that no creature could acknowledge any kinde of obedience to be due unto a God unless he were guided thereunto by 〈◊〉 light or law from him that formed him 22 My spiritual brethren from the divine voyce of God himself I affirm that the uncreated Godhead it self is unto the created beings of angels or men either a law of perfect faith and pure burning love in them towards God and man unto life eternal 23 Or else a fiery Law of unbeleeving burning envy them against God elect men and angels unto death eternal 24 Not that any sin or evil could possibly proceed from the holy spirit of the Creator into the nature of the crâ—atures either in his creating of them or after they were formed by him 25 You know that was impossible because his divine nature in it self is nothing else but all variety of ravishing purities to himself or elect men or angels 26 Moreover you spiritual ones may know that though the spirits of angels were created perfectly pure in their kinde and measure yet if they were not continually â—â—pplied with inspirations from that divine glory which gave them their beings in stead of continuing in their angelical brightness their spirits would become nothing else but a bottomless pit of imaginary confused darkness of aspiring wisdom above the Creator 27 For the elect angels spirits being onely pure reason the very nature of them is to desire after the knowledge of that incomprehensible glory which gave them their beings and it is the variety of his divine excellencies flowing into their desiring natures which is that heavenly food that is prepared for their eternal preservation 28 My beloved brethren if you look into the first Epistle of St. Peter you may see that the elect angels are of a desiring or prying nature into the secret mysteries of our God when he manifested himself on this earth in a body of flesh the words are these Searching when or what time the spirit which testified before of Châ—ist which was in them should declare the sufferings that should come unto Christ and the glory that should follow the which things the angels desire to behold 29 Furthermore I am perswaded in my spirit the the forming of angels was not very long before the creating of Adam and Eve 30 Because you know that the elect angels were not onely made for the personal society of the Creator in his heavenly throne or kingdom of Glory but they were appointed also for ministring spirits unto the heires of salvation in this world according to that in the first of the Hebrews 31 Moreover you that are spiritual may undoubtedly know that it was utterly unpossible for man or angels to be void of all Law in their creation 32 Because the Creator himself became subject to his own law when his divine Godhead was transumted into pure man-hood 33 T is truth that the uncreated eternal God was above all Law and so uncapable of any kiâ—â— of Law before he descended from his infinite glory into the womb of a woman 34 But that he might be capable of the condition of a servant for the manifestation of this his infinite wisdom power and glory in a body of flesh unto elect men and angels therefore he transmuted his unchangeable Godhead into the likeness of sinful mortals for a season that he might become the heavenly pattern of perfect obedience to his own Law in the visible sight of elect men and angels 35 And that from thence by vertue of his sufferings at the hands of cursed Canaanites he might also become a purchaser from himself of a twofold infinite ravishing glory to himself and elect men and angels the which his spiritual body was uncapable of untill it became suffering flesh blood and bone 36 Therefore whosoever saith that any other body ascended into glory but that very same body of flesh and bone that suffered death upon the Cross he is an Antichrist in utter spiritual darkness let him be the perfectest literalist or naturalist in the whole world 37 Moreover you that are truly spiritual do know that it was utterly impossible that heaven and earth with all the wonderful works in them should be from eternity as godless Atheists would vainly imagine becausâ— they cannot attain to know what the holy One of Israel is by their own natural reason 38 For alas if no mortal man can give a being to one hair of his head though he be Lord of all other creatures under the Sun how should he possibly be from eternity 39 I hope these overwise men will not say that men were brought forth by Earth Air Water Fiâ—e Sun Moon Stars or any such like weak means as those are because the spirit of man far exceeds all such creatures 40 You may know that though those creatures have life in them according to their kind yet man being a sensible living soul to it self and being capable in some measure to comprehend the nature of those creatures aforesaid must of necessity be a more eminent living being then they all 41 For alas you know though the Sun Fire Water Wind or Air are powerful in their natures oft times destroying mankind yet when they have done it they are no way capable in themselves of any sensible joy or sorrow for what was done by them no more then the stones in the street 42 Therefore seeing all these creatuâ—â—s were formed for mans use and are in measure known by man and yet are all uncapable of any sensible knowledge of themselves or of man either and seeing no man by his natural reason can perceive how any spirit bring forth its own body unto matuâ—ity neither how it by degrees passeth away into its dust or non-being again nor no creatures worth naming were ever seen by men to have a beginning in any other way but that of generation onely 43 How can any ration I wise man possibly imagine or think that man or any other living formes â—hould ever appear to be without a glorious Creator to give them their beâ—ngs at the first 44 Furthermore my spiritual Brethren can any of you be so weak after a sober consideration to imagine or think that a formless God gave being to all these marvellous living forms 45 How is it possible for that which hath
God or a Christ living in mens consciences only and cannot endure to hear of a distinct personal God upon the throne of his glory in the Heavens above the Stars 32 What ever God-like shape they appear in as yet they are but freewill redemptionists or refined naturalists at the best and all their speakings though mixed with many words of truth tend to nothing else but meritorious popery from themselves and tyrannical Prelacy over one another CHAP. XVIII 1 A discourse that the divine being is clothed with flesh and bone 2 How God knows all things in the world 3 Of the manner of Gods taking upon him humane nature 4 What the form of God was before he became flesh 5 No spirit can enjoy happiness or misery without a body IS not Heaven Earth Angels and Men as they are created beings subâ—ect to change or to be changed 2 Doth not all men that acknowledge a Creator conclude that his spirit is infinite unchangeable immortall and eternal as beforesaid 3 Wherefore if this infinite or boundless Spirit of the Eternal Majesty were dwelling within the spirits of men or Angels could it possibly be avoided but every thing then would become infinite unchangeable immortal and eternal in it self as he is 4 Doth not the Scriptures call the glorious Spirit of the everliving God by titles a consuming fire and everlasting burnings 5 O all ye lucepherian despisers of a glorious God in the person of a man wonder and perish at a miracle of all miracles that shall be declared unto the general view of men in this place 6 Wherefore behold ye elect and precious Jewels of divine glory though the eternal spirit of your Creator and Redeemer be of so fiery glorious a nature that neither Fire Air Earth Water Sun Moon Stars Heavens Earth Angels Men nor any thing else is capable of the indwelling of it one moment without being consumed to Ashes Dust Sand or Powder yet this infinite bright burning spirit is contained within a single person of flesh and bone glorified 7 Yea and is so united unto it that all its divine pleasures naturally floweth from its essential owness to all eteâ—nity 8 Insomuch that from that unerring spirit I positively declare against men or Angels that this fiery glorious spirit cannot possibly possess any sensible living being out of that blessed body of flesh and bone in glory no more then the mortal soul of a man can live without its natural body of flesh blood and bone in shame 9 Though the heavenly body of the eternal Majesty be very flesh and bone it self yet I would gladly have you that are spiritual to understand that through the indwelling of its Godhead spirit it is so fiery glorious that neither men nor Angels can behold his faâ—â— and live unless their spirits be strengthned by vertue of its inshining excellency 10 Though the glorious body of the everliving God be very flesh and bone yet you may understand that its clearer then Cristal brighter then the Sun swifter then thought yea and infinitely more softer then Doun and sweeter then Roses 11 You may also know that the visible sight of so glorious a face is that which will eternally ravish the spirits of men and Angels 12 You may also understand that though the body of Christ glorified be very flesh and bone of a burning bright swift soft sweet nature beyond all expression of men or Angels yet it is of an immortal fiery glorious softness or sweetness and not of a mortal fiery nature mixt together as the most softest or sweetest of pleasures in this world are 13 Though the infinite Spirit of the unchangeable God is clothed with his eternal Son beforesaid which was too pure to be subjected by sin wrath death hell or the grave yet you that are truly enlightned from on high may know that by vertue of his wisdom or transcendent glory he perfectly seeth through Heavens Earth Angels and Men at once and knoweth all motions thoughts desires words or actions in all things whatsoever without charging his spiritual memory in the least 14 Therefore it is written that the eyes of the Lord pass to and fro through the earth beholding the just and the unjust and the Lord knoweth that the heart of man is vain and his imaginations are evil and onely evil and continually evil and all evil things that are done now in secret with delight shall be revealed upon the house top or head of mens understandings soon enough and with sorrow pain and shame enough what ever is thought or said to the contrary 15 If the Spirit of the divine Majesty be so infinitely glorious that no created being is capable of the indwelling of its divine Godhead some men may say unto me had not that man Christ called the Son of God his being on the womans part from the loins of Mary his mother as well as other children If this be truth which the Scriptures clearly demonstrated how then could that childe Jesus be capable of the indwelling of an infinite spirit any more then any other childe whatsoever 16 Unto this curious query from the unerring spirit I answer though that childe Christ Jesus had beginning of the seed of his Virgin Mother as all children have yet he was that Holy One of Israel which from eternity was a spiritual body in form like a man therefore when he entred into the Virgins Womb he laid down his infinite spiritual glory by vertue of his Godhead power that he might be capable to transmute create or conceive himself of the Virgins seed into a condition of pure flesh blood and bone in a new and wonderful way for an everlasting astonishment unto elect men and Angels 17 Wherefore the Virgin Mary his Mother was forewarned by the Angel of his glorious and gracious purpose that her soul might be prepared for that marvelous incoming of her onely God and Savior to become the Redeemer of his elect people from the power of sin and fear of eternal death 18 It is written great is the mystery of godliness which is God was manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up to glory Again it is written who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God but he made himself of no reputation and took on him the form of a servant 19 Is there any more then one God and was not Christ the form of this invisible God before he became the person of a man and did not that spiritual form of Christ Jesus enter into the Virgins Womb and became a pure natural form 20 Moreover was not Christ and his Father onely one uncreated heavenly person from all eternity 21 Though I undoubtably affirm that Christ Jesus eternally was the divine form of the invisible God yet I would not have any man imagine or think that I go about to prove the Creator to be a body
of flesh blood and bone from eternity 22 Neither would I willingly have any of the blessed of the Lord to be so grosly ignorant as to think that the glorious Creator could possibly be a spiritual living substance without a body or person 23 If Christ Jesus and the Father from all eternity were but one distinct person some men may say unto me What might the form of his uncreated Majesty be before he became flesh from the light of life eternal 24 To this I answer His divine form did not consist of natural Earth Air Water or Fire in the least but is was a bright burning fiery glory of uncompounded purities continually satisfying it self with variety of divine excellencies 25 Though the spiritual person of the Holy One of Israel was from eternity so transcendently glorious that no Elements could possibly contain him without being immediately consumed to ashes yet he was absolutely from the crown of his glorious head to the soles of his divine feet in form like unto the first man Adam 26 You that possess the heavenly truth in you may know the divine form of Jesus Christ the everlasting Father was of so pure thin or light nature that as beforesaid it was swifter then thought clearer then Cristal infinitely more glorious then the Sun purer then the purest gold or any thing more precious 27 So that when the eternal spirit moved him to enter into the Virgins Womb it being swifter then thought and its body being of its own nature he was in her womb before she was aware of it onely by a wonderful change in her soul she felt him converting his Godhead glory into flesh blood and bone according to his promise by the Angel Gabriel this was that wonderful mystery of God the everlasting Father which manifested himself in a body of flesh at which most men and women stumble and perish 28 Is any thing impossible for God to do when his divine glory moves him to it 29 Moreover is not the infinite power wisdom or glory of the everliving God most of all seen by men or Angels in the lowest abasing himself 30 Do not all men which confess a Creator conclude that his holy spirit is infinitely full of all divine qualifications whatsoever and is the incomprehensible Spirit of the Holy One of Israel any thing at all without its glorious vertues 31 Is it possible think you that this eternal spirit could be sensible of its heavenly glories without a distinct body of its own to enjoy them in If this be truth the which none can gainsay but senceless sots or simple saints then with controversie Christ Jesus and the Father was eternally but onely one spiritual body in form like a man 32 Is there any created being whether sensible or insensible either in Heaven or in Earth that possesseth any kind of spiritual or natural motion heat light life joy or glory in the least without a distinct body of its own suitable to its present condition 33 Hath the most wise Creator so ordered every living being that all the joy they possess is in their own bodies chiefly distinct from one another and that each others joy is nothing at all to one another unless they be both sensible of the same 34 Can any sober man be so sensless as to imagine or think that the glorious Creator of all spiritual and natural order can possibly be any thing at all without a distinct body of its own as abundantly beforesaid 35 Are not all infinite creatures a meer Chaos of sensless matter until they are formed into distinct beings of themselves and have names given them by God and man according to their natures and are they any thing at all until they become living spirits in compleat bodies of their own as aforesaid 36 This being known to be as true as truth it self can it possibly be that he that gave beings to all things should not be something that is infinite also or a distinct glorious body having variety of holy Names attributed to him according to his divine nature for the exaltation of his infinite Majestical Person above all Heavens Angels and men CHAP. XIX 1 Of the true spiritual Trinity in Vnity 2 Of the one personal divine Majesty 3 No Scripture mentioneth God to be three persons onely one God and one person 4 Why God called himself by a three-fold name IN the next place I shall treat of that divine Trinity in Unity of the Holy One of Israel 2 You may remember I have already elsewhere in this Epistle clearly demonstrated the horrible fallacy and absurdity of that old error of three distinct persons or spirits and but one God from these words For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father Son and Holy Ghost and these three are one 3 My spiritual and literal brethren also that have any desire in you to know the truth take special notice of this thing there is not one positive record in Scripture that affirmeth the God of Heaven and Earth to consist of three persons 4 Was not the eternal Jehovah called the Holy One of Israel in the Law 5 Was not the eternal Jesus called the Holy One in the Saints time of the Gospel 6 Is not Jesus called a consuming fire in the Gospel as well as Jehovah in the Law 7 Hath not Jesus attributed unto him the Titles of a Creator Ancient of Days Everlasting Father Mighty God or Redeemer and such like as well as Jehovah 8 Was not all divine honor glory praise might or dominion by men and angels in as full a maner ascribed unto Jesus as Jehevah 9 Doth not the Scripture say that the Holy One of Israel will not give his glory to another and yet you know Christ Jesus had all glory from men and Angels given unto him who then is that eternal Jehovah but the everlasting Jesus and what is that eternal Jesus but the everlasting Jehovah 10 Before the eternal Jehovah became Jesus in flesh was not his invisible Spirit the everlasting Father 11 Was not that fiery glorious body wherein God the Father had his heavenly habitation that eternal Son of God 12 Was not the Holy Ghost that Almighty Word that proceeded through his heavenly mouth when his holy Spirit mov'd him to speak 13 Is not this Trinity in Unity or Unity in Trinity more agreeable to the Holy One of Israel then any other Trinity whatsoever unto all men which acknowledge but one eternal Being 14 What difference is there between the holy Names of Father Son and Spirit and Lord Jesus Christ was it any thing else but one and the same Godhead person in a three-fold condition appearing unto men 15 Again if need be will not the Names of Father and Lord bear one sense The names of Son and Jesus signifie one thing and may not the Titles of Christ and Spirit be of one signification also 16 Doth not the word Lord signifie divine protection and doth not the
word Father bear the same sense 17 Doth not the word Jesus signifie a Savior and doth not the word Son bear the same sense and doth not the word Christ signifie Chrystal clearness or anointing and doth not the word Holy Ghost bear the same sense 18 If this be truth which none can gainsay but men as yet under spiritual darkness what difference is there then between the word Father Son and Holy Spirit and Lord Jesus Christ Are they not onely names words or titles in relation to the onely wise immortal invisible distinct glorious God-man blessed for ever and ever in himself and honored onely of men and angels unto whom he is made manifest 19 Though the eternal Jehovah had variety of divine Titles for the exaltation of his infinite Majesty under the legal or ceremonial worship of Moses and the Prophets was he ever own'd by any more then one name of glorious God or Holy One of Israel 20 If he had contained of three divine Persons or Spirits in coequal Godhead glory can any man be so sensless to think that he would have hid it from Moses and Aaron Abraham David and all those Prophets with whom he was so familiar in divine appearances or wonderful miracles 21 If the Most High and Mighty Jehovah was but onely one spitual person in the times of Moses and the Prophets which none can gainsay but men in Egyptian darkness are not those men at present utterly ignorant of the onely wise God which endeavor by literal violence to perswade themselves and others that the Holy One of Israel is three persons because he is called by a three-fold name in the New Testament 22 You know in Scripture a man is called soul body and spirit though he be but one person 23 Also you may know that men in highest places are called by a three-fold Title as namely Kings excellent Majesty or the like 24 Though they attribute to themselves never so many honorable Titles to manifest their earthly greatness that they might be dreadful in the spirits of earthly minded people yet you know they are but one person onely 25 So likewise though the eternal Jehovah be called by a three-fold name of Father Son Spirit or Lord Jesus Christ or though he hath never so many divine Titles attributed to him for exaltation of his infinite Majesty within the spirits of his redeemed ones yet you may know that he can be no more then one glorious being onely 26 You that are truly spiritual may know why the God of glory called himself by a three-fold name because no man by humane learning should by the letter of the Scripture truly know what the Holy One of Israel is or was that God alone might have all the praise or glory in revealing himself unto mankinde 27 Christ Jesus the Holy One of Israel called himself by a threefold name in reference to a threefold maner of appearance to his elect Israelites 28 In his first appearance unto Moses and the Prophets he was pleased to manifest himself by the Divine Titles of Jehovah the mighty God of Jacob the Holy One of Israel and such like 29 When the God of Glory abased himself in flesh in the form of a servant answerable unto that second appearance unto his chosen ones you know he called himself Jesus the Son of God the son of man the Savior and such like 30 Jesus Christ the Holy One of Israel being ascended into the throne of his former glory now in his third and last appearance he is pleased to call himself by the names of holy Ghost or Spirit because of his immediate spiritual teaching of his redeemed ones 31 Or thus the onely God may be understood a spiritual Lion in the days of Moses and the Prophets a divine Lamb in the days of Christ and the Apostles a heavenly Dove in these our days of confused darkness 32 Or thus the Holy One of Israel may be described the eternal Jehovah in the Law the eternal Jesus in the Gospel the eternal Spirit in this age 33 And yet but one onely distinct personal Majesty even from eternity to eternity 34 Though the Lord of Life and Glory commanded his Apostles to Baptize those of the Faith in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost yet you know their miracles were done by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 35 Whatever any literal monger shall object you that are spiritual may know that the Lord Jesus Christ and Father Son and Spirit beareth but one sence 36 Jesus Christ the Holy One of Israel called himself by a threefold name of Father Son and Spirit in relation unto his threefold witness on earth in the words following which are these and there are three which bear witness in the earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one CHAP. XX. 1 No title of honor ever attributed but to a Person 2 Who it was that Christ prayed unto in the days of his flesh 3 The Creator distinct from all his Creatures 4 Of Gods Oath concerning his Transmutation into pure flesh and bone MY spiritual brethren because all true and lasting peace wholly depends upon a right understanding of the onely wise God and because most of the heirs of glory are not clear in their understandings concerning his personal Majesty though much hath been declared to that purpose in this Epistle already I shall write distinctly concerning the Creator and his immediate commissionate Messengers or Embassadors from these two threefold Scripture Records 2 You know that in Scripture Records as beforesaid a man is called by a threefold name of Soul Body and Spirit as if he contained of three distinct essences yet you know that in the originality of nature he is but one distinct personal being 3 So likewise though the onely wise God in Scripture Records be called by a threefold name of Father Son and Spirit or Lord Jesus Christ as if he contained of three distinct essences yet you which are spiritual may know that he is but onely one distinct glorious person in form like a man 4 If an earthly Monarch did not possess a distinct body could there be ascribed any honorable titles of Emperor King or such like unto him at all 5 If the eternal Majesty were not a distinct person what holy names could be attributed unto him in the least 6 Is it names words or titles makes a King to be or gives being to an Emperor without a natural person 7 Is it divine words names or titles makes a God to be or gives being to a Divine Majesty without a spiritual person 8 Yow know that all the honorable titles in this world to be vain and of none effect if there were not the person of a man to ascribe them unto 9 You may know that all honorable titles concerning a divine Majesty would also be of none effect if there were not a spiritual person to attribute them unto or unless they were
unclean reason or lying imagination within him is it possible think you that any man should be so tormented as some men are with an inward burning through a secret fear of eternal sufferings rising in them from the guilt of former evils committed against the light of conscience 21 Furthermore seeing all men which live after the flesh must die or perish and that mans own lust is that imaginary Devil from whence proceeds all sin or evil without controversie though men or Angels should gain-say it there are now no other evil Spirits Angels or Devils but unmerciful men and women onely 22 Again if envy pride covetousness hypocrisie lust and such like be the Devil in man are not men and women those Devils that are under the power of those evils I would fain know from the learned men of this world whether there are any other evil Angels or Devils besides mankinde that lust after women or silver or honor or revenge or any kinde of evil whatsoever 23 Truly if those supposed wise men which talk so much 〈◊〉 subtilty of the Prince of the air that rules in the children of disobedience could possibly know that their own imaginary reason was that evil spirit or Prince of all their airy disputes concerning God Angels Devils Heaven Hell eternal glory or shame to come which they know not of according to truth 24 Then in stead of their rejoycing in the approbation of many men in relation unto their natural gifts their own spirits would immediately become the principle of all those howling groaning Serpent Devils spoken of in holy Writ even in the sight of elect men and Angels in this mortal life 25 Again is it not against all spiritual or rational sence that any Man Angel or Devil should suffer eternal damnation for the sins of another or for anothers tempting him to sin or evil 26 Moreover doth it not stand to very good sence that that creature that is left to himself to be tempted unto sin or evil and overcome thereby and remains under the power of it to his lives end should eternally suffer at the great day for his own sins and not for anothers iniquity 27 Wherefore is it not now one of the vainest things in the world for any man to think that there is any other evil Spirit Angel or Devil that tempts him to any motion imagination thought desire word or action of rebellion against God or man but that lying proud envious Devil living in his whole man as beforesaid 28 Therefore let no man that professeth spiritual light or life in him for very shame say that God can be tempted or tempt any man unto sin or evil neither let him say that any evil Spirit Angel or Devil in the air or earth or in the water or in the fire tempts him to commit any sin or evil but that air watery fiery fleshly Devil dwelling onely in his own body 29 I say let him know that that is the Prince of the air which through the abscenting vertue of the Holy Spirit begets those legions of Devils or lusts in the soul of man 30 And it is the true light of the Lord Jesus Christ in all his new born ones that crushes those Cockatrice Egs before they become Serpent Devils to sting the whole man with fears of eternal death 31 Those Devils which by the powerful word of the Lord Jesus were cast out of Mary Magdelen or any other creature spoken of in holy Writ were onely all maner of filthy diseases or fiery distempers in man that hurried him about any desperate wickedness whatsoever oftentimes increasing so powerfully that it did not onely occasion him to rend his own body and break iron chains 32 But also he is ready to tear any one in pieces until the Lord of glory shine into his distempered soul with that golden grace of true faith through which that imaginary Devil is chained up whereby all his fleshly goods were spoiled of ever having power in him as formerly and being now in his right minde at the glorious feet of the true Jesus through his own pure light leading him into heavenly raptures in reference unto his eternal glory at his visible appearing in the Clouds with all his mighty Angels CHAP. XXXVII 1 The prerogative power of God is above all Law 2 Why God cursed the fallen Angel in the womb of Eve 3 The Angels nature after his offence was not satisfied without being ruler SOme men may say unto me if it should be granted that that Serpent by whom Eve was beguiled was none of the trees of this Creation nor an evil spirit in the body of a natural Serpent as hath been long imagined by the learned Ministers of men but was an absolute Serpent Devil as is abundantly declared by you and that it entred into Eve and in her womb was pronounced cursed by the Creator and so naturally brought forth himself a cursed Cain of her seed what was this unto Eve or why should she suffer any kinde of punishment for being overcome by an enemy that was too mighty for her 2 From the light of life eternal to this I answer Concerning the enemy being too potent for her that was hid from her eyes by the unsearchable wisdom of the Creator 3 For you that are spiritual may know that the soul of Eve was not onely purely created in its kinde like unto Angels or other creatures but it was also of the very same nature of his most glorious spirit that formed it so that she could not be ignorant in the least that all obedience was most due unto her Creators command 4 Moreover you may know also that the Creator by the vertue of his Royal will for manifesting of his glorious power might give his creature a spiritual law of light and life in it self and yet reserve to himself the prerogative power of it 5 Furthermore you know the glorious Creator might present unto the view of his image a Serpent Devil for the trial of his workmanship and might upon pain of death forbid his creature of having to do with that tree or of hearkening unto it in the least 6 Also you know the Creator might leave his divine image unto its own present strength through which it might by a subtile enemy be tempted and overcome to commit evil with it against its Creators law and yet its sin be upon his own head 7 Why not onely because it rebelled against its own divine light but principally because there was no law to binde an infinite Majesty to protect it in its created purity 8 My beloved moderate brethren if men could forbear reasoning against the Creators prerogative power wonderful wisdom or ways which are past finding out then would they enjoy true and lasting peace in their own souls through deliverance from that conscience condemning evil of rash judging things they know not but this grace of patience is prepared onely for the blessed Israelites and not for scoffing
mean that they are so fixed as to be uncapable of motion but of the contrary from the Lord I affirm that the Firmament it self is not capable of motion but by the word of the Lord that formed it it is made unmoveable until the day of its dissolution and those bodies of Sun Moon and Stars motions in that firmamental heaven in their seasons to fulfil that word of Government in them 30 For you that are spiritual may know that the firmament of heaven and those Rulers of Sun Moon and Stars set in them as to govern both the day and the night may be compared to a Prince with his Nobles Throne and other inferior Rulers 31 For you know that his kingdom whereon they have their living being is unmoveable but the Governours do the work unto which they are appointed 32 My brethren you may understand also that the firmamental body above us or below us if you think it so for its appointed season is as firmly fixed as the earth we tread on and as things in power are motional on this earth so likewise those created lights are onely motional in that heavenly body aforesaid 33 Again it is said That God set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth 34 My brethren hearken no more unto vain Astronomers or Star-gazers concerning the bulk of the Sun Moon and Stars for I positively affirm from that God that made them that the compass of their bodies are not much bigger then they appear to our natural sight 35 O empty vain liars how long have you been suffered to deceive the people with your monstrous imaginary bodies of Sun Moon and Stars which are not and of your great knowledge concerning them your things are too big to be good or true and the time of your serpentine Sophistry is almost finished 36 Again I declare from the holy Spirit that the bodies of the Sun Moon and Stars are all distinct beings from each other and possess their own created light alone neither borrowing nor lending their light to one another what ever hath been imagined to the contrary concerning New Moons or Eclipses 37 Again you know the Scriptures do not say that the Sun and Moon are two great bodies but two great lights onely Neither doth the Scripture say that the bodies of the Global Earth and Heavenly Firmament are covered with the vastness of the Sun Moon or Stars or that they inclose any other bodies within their own bodies or that any other bodies are fixed in them 38 But on the contrary the Scripture saith That the Sun and Moon were set in the firmament of Heaven to shine upon the earth wherefore it is as clear as the light that that which is fixed is of a less bulk than that wherein it is inclosed 39 Yet you know that the greater bulk may receive its principal light from that lesser body within its circumference as a rich diamond in a Ring or a Candle or Torch in the night in a wide room or the like 40 My spiritual brethren you may understand that the glory of the most high God consists not in bulk of things but in the exceeding brightness of them 41 Nay moreover you cannot but know that the infinite wisdom of the Divine Majesty doth the more abundantly appear in an extraordinary light shining from a very little body 42 My brethren it is not the bulk of the Sun or Moon which causeth so great a light but as aforesaid it is the transcendent brightness of their created purities which displayeth those beams of light through the visible heaven and earth 43 What ever hath or shall be said to the contrary from the Lord I positively affirm that the bodies of the Sun Moon and Stars are all fixed beings onely in one firmament 44 Moreover from the Lord of glory I declare that this visible Heaven is all the Firmaments that ever was formed by the Creator 45 Furthermore though the bodies of the Sun and Moon were both formed out of that element of water yet they were made as contrary in their natures as fire and water 46 Because you know their government were over contrary beings the one to rule the day and the other to rule the night so that as the Sun is a fiery glorious light for consolation unto the natural things of the day so likewise the Moon is a qualifying cold watry light answerable to the watry things of the night 47 Wherefore though the body of the Sun is of a more eminent brightness than that of the Moon yet they being of contrary natures it is against all sober reason that the one should receive any light from the other in the least 48 Again you know that when the bodies of the Sun and Moon seem close together in stead of any agreement between them there is such a fiery contest as if they would absolutely destroy each other And what think you is the just occasion of it is it not the difference of their natures 49 Can fire and water or light and darkness agree if they be united together is there any rest unto either of them until one of them is dissolved 50 My beloved friends in the pure truth what ever men have long declared concerning the Eclipse of the Sun through the near appearance of the Moon you may understand that the true occasion of the Sun eclipsed whether in part or whole is according to their appearing at a further or nearer distance unto each other 51 For as beforesaid the nature of the one being fiery hot and dry and the nature of the other being watry cold and moist if the most high God had not decreed the time of their contest when they are nearly conjoyned there would be no communion between them until one of them were utterly dissolved 52 Again is it not as clear as the light it self unto us that the true occasion of all variance between created beings whether sensible or insensible ariseth onely from a difference of natures or spirits in them 53 Moreover when any kind of natures are sutable to each other is there not a sweet harmony between them 54 Wherefore if the Moon received her light from the Sun as natural wise men have long imagined is it not against all sense or reason that there should be no union between them but at a distance 55 Doth it not rather agree with all true sense that if the one received her light from the other that the more nearer they are in bodily appearance the more greater harmony would ensue and occasion the lesser light rather to shine more clearly than darken each others brightness 56 I think that William Lilly and his learned brethren in Astrologian figures dare not say that either the Sun or the Moon were ever at variance with their own selves or that the Eclipses of the Sun or Moon proceedeth from any harmony between that which occasioneth the Eclipse and the thing so eclipsed 57 Well then