Satisfaction Psal 29.11 the Lord will give strength unto them and plentifully bless them with his Peace which passeth all the Understending of Men and it will rule in their Hearts and keep their Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus in a continual watchfulness against the Adversary of their Souls Peace and also in a continual earnest breathing or praying to the Lord for a daily and constant supply of the Heavenly Bread and Water of Life without which they know their Souls cannot live unto God but the Power of Death and Darkness will again prevail in them and over them And all those that in and by the Light the Word of God's Grace have Authority from Christ in the Movings of his Spirit and in the Constrainings of his Love in their Hearts to preach his Everlasting Gospel such preach not for Gifts visible Rewards Tythes nor outward Benefices neither Covet they any Man's Silver or Gold or Apparels but their labour of Love in the Service of Christ is to bring People from the Teachings of Men which are fallible to the Teachings of their Teacher which is the true Light even the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men which was the Teacher of the Apostles of Christ which Teacher is Infallible that all by receiving his Teachings and believing in the sufficiency of this Grace Light or Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts which is given to every Man to profit withal might so far profit therewith as to become Children of the Light and so Children of God Isa 48.17 18. who are all led of the Spirit of God who reacheth his People to profit And also that being delivered from the Bondage of Corruption and the Corruptible Traditions and Ordinances of Men all such may know and enjoy the glorious Liberty of the Children of God who are not to be subject to such Traditions or Ordinances and this is the Doctrine of the true Ministers of Christ as appeareth by these and many other places of Holy Scripture Rom. 8. Chap. 2 Cor. 3.2 to 18. Gal. 4.1 to 15. Gal. 5.1 to 26. Eph. 2.1 to 22. Col. 1 and 2. Chapters Heb. 8 9 and 10. Chapters Mat. 10.7 8 9 10. 1 Tim. 6.3 to 12. Acts 20.24 to 36. 2 Cor. 12.8 to 20. 1 Cor. 9.16 to 23. 2 Pet. 1.18 19. Heb. 12.22 to 26. Rev. 2.7 17 29. Rev. 3. But they who in their Humane Wisdom or Learning or both for the love of Money Gifts Rewards Tythes Benefices outward Interest or Promotion undertake to Preach and style themselves Ministers of the Gospel of Christ and claim the precious Name of Christianity such mock at the mentioning of the Movings and Leadings and Gindings of the Spirit of Christ whereby it appeareth that they are not moved nor led nor guided by it in their preaching and so it is another Spirit even the Spirit of the Man of Sin by which they are moved to Preach for it must be the one of the two Spirits that moveth them but he that hath not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.8 to 17. 3 Cor. 12.3 is none of his and so is no true Christian and no Man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit so it is plain that he that is not moved led and guided by the Holy Spirit of Christ is none of the Ministers of Christ And such Preachers have only their Authority from Men by which they Preach and not at all from God as all true Ministers of the Gospel have and so their Labour is quite contrary to the Labour of the Ministers of Christ for they preach up Signs Ceremonies Ordinances and Traditions of Men and labour to keep People in dependance upon them which are all to perish with the using that thereby they may keep them in Ignorance to receive admire and depend upon their Teachings that for their Preaching they may pay them Wages Tythes Easter Reckonings Midsummer Dues c. as they call them or give them Gifts Rewards Honours or Esteem and so with their Signs and all their other Endeavours they labour to keep People from believing in the Sufficiency of the Light of Christ Acts 20.32 Tit. 2.11 12. the Word of God's Grace in their own Hearts which is the Teacher of all true Christians and which bringeth Salvation Isa 5.13 John 6.45 Heb. 8.10 11. Jor. 31.34 that so they may keep them in dependance upon Man's Teachings and from the Teachings of God who teacheth all his Children and all true Christians who must all know him from the least even to the greatest of them And if any Pleaders for Signs or Ceremonies think themselves obliged to the use of them by reason of any Command from Christ or his Apostles yet they may certainly know and that is more than think that they make not near so great a matter of the other plain and positive Commands of Christ and his Apostles but generally act quite contrary to many of them as plainly appeareth for Christ commanded his Ministers Mat. 10.8 Mat. 19.27 to 30 Mark 10.28 to 31. Tuke 14.33 saying Freely ye have received freely give but because many such Preachers have paid dear for their Learning therefore perhaps they may not think that Command obliging upon them but they may read that they to whom this Command was given had left all to follow Christ and Christ saith He that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple And whether such Preachers have freely received or not all may see that they are far from freely giving their Preaching or Ministry who Persecute cast into Prison or make Spoil or Havock of the Goods of Innocent People only because they cannot receive their Teaching nor pay them for it nor for their Ceremonies such as Bread and Wine and outward Baptism or others which they make a Trade of to get Money by which is quite contrary to the Command of Christ and of his Apostles and so such are also far from for saking all for the sake of Christ and far from being his Disciples or keeping his Commands And Christ said to his Ministers Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves Mat. 20.1 to 42. be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but they that Persecute or cast into Prison others for not paying them for their Preaching or their Ceremonies they obey not this Command being far from the harmlesness of Doves and indeed they are not so wise as the Serpent who hath deceived them and blinded their Minds with the love of outward things with which they know not how soon they must part so that they cannot see the things which concern Everlasting Peace yet the Serpent hath endued them with much of his Wisdom whereby both they themselves and many others throgh them are deceived but the Children of the Light in the Wisdom that cometh from above see beyond all his and
to Christ Nay do they not rather keep them from him teaching them to kneel down and ask Blessing of them called their Godfathers and Godmothers and teaching them to say that by or in Baptism in their Infancy they are made Members of Christ and Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven and so do they not train them up after the Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ And do not many called Christians and Protestants in their Profession of Religion compel their Children to these things in their Childhood Is it not Blasphemy and Idolatry thus to teach and practise and whether such things be bringing Children to Christ or keeping them from him and from his Light and Grace and the Manifestation of his Spirit wherewith every one ought to profit let the honest single hearted judge And concerning the Saying of Christ that Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein 1 Pet. 1.23 That is no proof of the need of Water for true Christians are Children of the Light and are born of the Incorruptible Word of God which liveth John 3.5 and abideth for ever and such though they be Men in outward Stature yet are as little Children being little and low in their own esteem For Christ said Except a Man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And this some alledge for proof of their Infants Baptism though neither Infant nor outward Water be mentioned for a Man is not an Infant and here Christ speaketh of the Spiritual Water which washeth the inside unto Regeneration or the New Birth Zech. 13. which springeth out of the Fountain opened to the House of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for Sin and for Uncleanness which also purgeth from Idolatry and false Prophecy Isa 55.1 as was prophesied And to these Waters every one that thirsteth may come and buy without Money and without Price So they need not give Money to be sprinkled And Christ saith John 7.37 38. If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he that believeth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water And saith he I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely Rev. 21.6 Joh. 4.14 and he that drinketh of the Water that I shall give him it shall be in him a Well of Water springing up unto Eternal Life So it is this Spiritual Water that inwardly washeth and regenerateth unto Eternal Life without the washing whereof none can enter into the Kingdom of God and they that are born of this Water and of the Spirit they are Children of the Light and of the Kingdom of God and they are truly as little Children in the receiving of his Kingdom though they be outwardly Men of Stature And the Apostle John writing to the Christians calleth them Little Children saying If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light 1 Joh. 1.7 we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin Here is a cleansing beyond the Priest's sprinkling of Infants and saith he 1 Joh. 2.1 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not And again The Darkness is past and the true Light now shineth he that saith he is in the Light and hateth his Brother is in Darkness even until now he that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light 1 John 2.8 9 10 11 12. and there is none occasion of stumbling in him but he that hateth his Brother is in Darkness and walketh in Darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that Darkness hath blinded his Eyes I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Names sake And again he writeth 1 John 2.18 20 28. Little Children it is the last Time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists But saith he ye have an Vnction from the Holy One and ye know all things those were intelligent little Children Again he saith Now little Children abide in him And again Little Children let no man deceive you he that doth Righteousness 1 John 3.7 8 9 10 18. is righteous even as he is righteous he that commiteth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother And again My little Children let us not love in Word neither in Tongue but in Deed and in Truth And again Ye are of God little Children and â—â—ve overcome and saith he Hereby know we that we are in him and he in us 1 John 4.4 12. 1 John 5.21 because he hath given us of his Spirit And again Little Children keep your selves from Idols So it appeareth that the Children of the Light the Children of God who had received and believed in the Word of Faith in the Heart which the Apostles preached the Word of the Kingdom of God and were born of it they were frequently called little Children therefore that saying to wit Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein maketh nothing for the Doctrine of the Priests Infant Baptism neither is it any warrant for the same And let every one that readeth this take diligent notice of what is here before quoted which the Apostle John wrote to them which he called little Children and seriously examine themselves whether they be such little Children and whether their Teachers teach such or the same Doctrine either to Children or others and if they perceive any difference it is good for them weightily to consider it For the single Eye can see plainly that it is because People have neglected the Substance that they have idolized the Shadow and being by their subtil Enemy deceived and drawn from obedience to the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences they are become dark and vain in their Imaginations and walk in Darkness and know not whither they go or else they could not surely for shame talk of Godfathers and Godmothers and of Men making Infants Children of God and Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven and yet profess the Scriptures to be their Rule which mention no such thing And whereas some may say That outward Water Baptism is a Sacrament wherein there is an outward visible Sign of an inward Spiritual Grace and if it do Children no good say they
Ministers of Christ whose Travail and Preaching often is and hath been in the hazard of their Lives and outward Estates And they that receive believe in walk in and continue in the New Covenant of the Everlasting Gospel of God which is the Light Grace Law and Spirit of God in their Hearts there is no need for them to be subject to Ordinances of Men nor to be burdened writh ther Traditions 2 Cor. 3. nor to be in Bondage to weak and beggarly Elements in their true Worship of God John 4.24 Col. 2.20 Rom. 8.21 Gal. 5.1 Gal. 4.9 which is in his Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and such are all led and taught by the Spirit of God and stand fast in the glorious Liberty of the Children of God wherewith Christ hath made them free from the Yoak of Bondage to outward Elements Ordinances and Traditions of Men. And the Children of God who stand in their Liberty are the Babes unto whom the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God are revealed which are hid from the Wise and Prudent of the World Mac. 11.25 and these Babes have believed the Record of the Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these Three are One and this is the Record that God hath given unto them Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son and these Babes believe on the Son of God 1 John 5.1 2 to 12. and have in themselves the Record or Witness being One in signification and this is the Witness of God which is greater than the Witness of Men which Witness the Spirit beareth because the Spirit is Truth and so there are Three that bear witness in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these Three agree in One witnessing with the Spirits of these Babes who are true Christians that they are the Children of God And these are not dead Witnesses as outward Water is dead but are living Witnesses John 6.63 1 Cor. 15.45 for the living Spirit beareth Witness 2 Cor. 3.6 Tit. 3.5 Jer. 4.14 John 4.10 Isa 4.4 1 John 1.7 which Spirit quickeneth and giveth Life and the living Water beareth Witness which Water washeth the Heart from filth and wickedness which Water Christ giveth to them that are athirst and ask and the Blood which is not dead for the Blood is the Life Dent. 12.23 beareth Witness which Blood cleanseth them that walk in the Light as God is in the Light from all sin And so these Three the Spirit and the Water and the Blood agree in One witnessing or bearing Witness in the Earth to wit the Hearts of true Christians of and unto the inward Baptism of Christ And these Babes being Born not of Corruptible Seed 1 Pet. 1.23 24 25. Heb. 4.12 Eph. 6.17 Eph. 6.25 but of Incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever which is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged Sword 1 Pet. 2.2 which is the Sword of the Spirit of God by which the true inward Circumcision is made and the true inward Baptism of Christ in the Heart wrought These as now Born Babes desiring the sincere Milk of this Living Word how should their tender Heavenly Father who knoweth all their Needs and Necessities but afford them Nourishment by the same that they may grow thereby And though these Babes at the first be but as unskilful in the Word of Righteousness Heb. 5.12 13.14 Col. 2.19 and use as it were Milk and not strong Meat yet as they truly hunger after the Divine Milk of this Word they come to be satisfied therewith and nourished thereby and so they grow and increase with the increase of God till they come to have their senses truly exercised by reason of use to discern both good and evil and then the Apostle calleth them perfect or of full Age as some Translate to whom strong Meat belongeth and so then they know an eating of the Bread of God which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World And Christ said If any Man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever and saith he The Bread that I will give is my Flesh John 6.32 33 to 63. which I will give for the Life of the World and he said to the Jews Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eat my Flesh and drink my Blood ye have no Life in you whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the last Day for my Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him as the Living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me This is the Bread that came down from Heaven not as your Fathers did eat Manna and are dead he that eateth this Bread shall live for ever and to them that murmured at these sayings Christ said Doth this offend you What and if you shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before It is the Spirit that quickeneth the Flesh profiteth nothing The words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life And so it is plain Mat. 4.4 that true Christians live by the words that Christ speaketh in their Hearts and Souls and Consciences by his Light and Grace the answering of which in faithful Obedience is as Meat and Drink to their Souls and they know the Law of the Mouth of God to be better unto them John 14.10 Psal 119.72 Mal. 2.7 than Thousands of Gold and Silver And as in Times past under the Law the Priests Lips were to keep Knowledge Col. 2.3 and the People were to seek the Law at his Mouth so the Lips of Christ who is a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedeck they keep Knowledge and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge and all true Christians inwardly seek the Law at his Mouth and their Souls live by the words that proceed out of it Psal 26.8.9 1 Tim. 6.16 Isa 60.19 and these are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of God's House who dwelleth in the Light and these drink of the River of his Pleasures for with him is the Fountain of Life and in his Light they see Light and the Lord will be unto them an Everlasting Light and their God their Glory But they that believe not in the Light of Christ in their Hearts but rebel against it and kick against the Pricks and Reproofs of it how should such be satisfied with the fatness of God's House Or how should such know an eating of the Bread that Christ giveth which is his Flesh and Blood and a dwelling in Christ and Christ in them Or how should such know the words that Christ speaketh unto them by his Light Grace and
about Religious Tenets c. let such consider That he who abideth not in Christ the true Vine which none can do but they that continue in his Love and Doctrine is cast forth as a Branch and is withered not knowing a partaking of his Vertuous Life which is called his Flesh and Blood and the Love and Doctrine of Christ teacheth Mat. 5.39 44. Mat. 7.12 Mat. 7.28 Luke 12.4 not to resist evil but when any smiteth on the Right Cheek to turn the other also and to love Enemies and to pray for Persecutors and despiteful Users and to do as they would be done unto and not to be afraid of them that kill the Body but cannot kill the Soul And which of them of any of the said three Opinions about their Bread and Wine continue in this Love and Doctrine of Christ But such as war sight oppress persecute or cast into Prison Innocent People till Death if they can for Wages for Preaching or make havock and spoil of their Goods or Imprison them for Tythes Easter-Reckonings or Midsummer Dues as they call them or for not paying for their Bread and Wine which they neither had nor would buy knowing therein is no true spiritual Food as the Sellers of it pretend and also knowing true and substantial Food for their Souls daily given of God freely which those Sellers of Bread and Wine are ignorant of for if they knew it they would not persecute those for their Price of their Bread and Wine who will not Buy of it And also they that Persecute or Imprison others for meeting together to Worship God in his holy Fear Spirit and Truth they that do such things are far from doing to others as they would have others to do to them and are far from a state of loving their Enemies and of truly praying for Persecutors and despiteful Users of themselves being themselves Enemies and Persecutors and despiteful Users of others and they are far from turning the one Cheek to the smiter when the other is smitten and so not resisting evil who themselves persecute smite or abuse the Innocent And if such suspect danger how should they but be afraid of them that kill the Body who are such evil Doers themselves to the Bodies and Goods of the Innocent And so live unprepared for Death themselves And let it be considered whether Persecution and Imprisonment of the Innocent for Tythes and Wages for Preaching and about their Worship of God c. be not Persecution of Christ in his Members And whether any of such Enters of Bread and Drinkers of Wine in their Worship of any of the said Three Opinions especially their Teachers when many of them are such Persecutors and despiteful Users of others when they have power And whether such be not guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ and so in their eating and drinking their Sacramental Bread and Wine as they call it eat and drink their own Damnation not discerning the Lord's Body which is a spiritual Body And what Condition are the Followers in when the Leaders are such And as to those who take the Bread and Wine in remembrance of the Death of Christ and affirm That the Flesh and Blood of Christ is Really and Sacramentally received by the Faithful in the use of Bread and Wine and make the Communion or Participation thereof to relate to that outward Body that was Born of the Virgin Mary and suffered without the Gates at Jerusalem in Judea whereas it should relate to the spiritual Body Flesh and Blood of Christ the spiritual Rock which was and is the Souls Food of his Faithful Servants in all Ages And who al 's tye this Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ to the Ceremony of breaking outward Bread used by him with his Disciples as if it were only to be enjoyed in the use of that Ceremony and therefore reckon that Ceremony to be a perpetual standing Ordinance in the Church of Christ and of Necessity to be used Mat. 26.26 27 28. Mark 14.22 Luke 22.17 18 19 20. because the Evangelist Luke only for Matthew and Mark mention only the action Recordeth that Christ took Bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto his Disciples saying This is my Body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me And both before and after taking of the Bread Luke mentioneth that he took the Cup and giving thanks said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood which is shed for you or as Matthew relates This is my Blood of the New Testament Upon this said Sentence to wit this do in remembrance of me lyeth the stress of the Argument that Christ commanded the Continuance of this Ceremony of taking outward Bread and Wine in his Church in remembrance of him perpetually but the words being spoken figuratively as they also grant imply no such thing but rather the Discourse mentioned by Luke Luke 22. maketh plainly to appear that Christ intended only that their so doing which was in a state of their weakness might be a means to instruct them in the Mystery of the spiritual eating of his Flesh and drinking of his Blood in his Kingdom Luke 17.21 which was within them And to this purpose he said With desire I have desired to eat this Passeover with you before I suffer for I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and said he I will not drink of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God shall come and said he Ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations and I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me that ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom Luke 22.15 to 38. And said he I say unto you That this that is written must yet be accomplished in me he was numbred among the Transgressors for the Things concerning me have an end By which words it is plain that Christ appointed to his Disciples that they should eat and drink spiritually at his Spiritual Table in his heavenly Kingdom which was within them which shall never have an end and that the outward things concerning him were to have an end for the inward or spiritual things concerning him have no end And so by the outward Bread and Wine which he gave them he instructed them in the knowledge of their spiritual eating of the daily Bread of Life Mat. 6.5 to 15. John 6.51 without which no Soul can live to God which he bade them to pray in secret for which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life which Bread Christ giveth which is his Flesh And also in the knowledge of their spiritual drinking of the new and spiritual Wine in his Kingdom which is his Blood and is also the Living Water which he freely giveth and inviteth all and every one that is athirst to come unto John 4.10 13
only by his Light in his Faithful People revealeth the Man of Sin but also with the Spirit of his Mouth will consume and with the Brightness of his Coming will destroy the Man of Sin and his Works these having tasted and experienced something of the Goodness of God to their Souls not only of the Revelation but also of the Destruction of the Man of Sin and his Works in themselves and also having sweet and satisfactory Comfort and Consolation in their Hearts in the Love of God given unto them these cannot with the Times turn as Hypocrites do from one Profession of Religion to another for these are fully satisfied concerning the Way of God which is straight and narrow and not like the Ways of the Man of Sin the Devil the Serpent which are crooked like himself and broad and wide and can hold of all sorts of Professors and too many go in thereat But these being Children of the God of Truth who is Light they love to walk in their Fathers way which is the true Light and so they cannot neither dare they go out of it into the Ways of the Man of Sin and so serve him again in the least for they have had too much of his Tyrannical Servitude before and though his Children love his Ways wherein they have their pain bringing Pleasures yet the Children of God love them not but in the fear of God hate them all and love the Light of Christ Jesus in their Hearts the Way of God their Father And so it is in vain for Men to offer to force them out of God's Way into their ways for they dare not for fear of offending their Heavenly Father comply in the least to Worship God after any other Way or Manner but as he manifesteth himself in the Light of his Spirit of Truth in their Hearts and Consciences in which only with acceptance he is to be worshipped Neither can they again embrace or come into the Bondage of Corruptible Elements Ceremonies or Traditions of Men Gal. 4.9 Rom. 8.14 to 22. for which there is no warrant from God their Father lest they forfeit their glorious liberty of the Children of God Gal. 5.1 Tim. 2.12 Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 4.12 to 19. Col. 1.23 to 28. whose Spirit beareth witness with their Spirits that they are the Children of God and if Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-heirs with Christ And they know that if they suffer with him they shall also be glorified together and they account that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in them And such can truly rejoice that unto them it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake and this was the state of the Primitive Christians And as there is a great difference between the outward husk sign or shew of Religion of the Followers of the Man of Sin who are his Children and the pure spiritual undefiled Worship and Religion of the Followers of Christ who are Children of God so there is as great a difference between the Nature of the true Christians and false and between the Children of God and the Children of the Devil and also between the Persecutor for Religion and the Persecuted for true Religion and so doubtless as great a difference will and must be between their Rewards And so every one Male or Female Rich or Poor High or Low as they tender the Eternal Salvation of their precious Souls are to examine themselves in and by the true Light of Christ Jesus which is the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts whether they Worship God in his Light John 4.20 to 25. Mat. 15.7 8 9. Isa 29.13 14. Acts 17 22 to 31. Col. 2.6 to 23. Mat. 15.2 to 15. and Spirit and Truth in which only his pure spiritual undefiled Worship is acceptably performed Or whether their Worship â—e formal and taught and prescribed by the Traditions Precepts and Commandments of Men and so but a sign or shew of Religion being Will-worship and Voluntary Humility which Christ and his Apostles warned People to beware of For all such Worshippers worship God in vain or worship they know not what and the Reward of Hypocrisie shall be their Portion for they be Blind leading of the Blind and if the Blind lead the Blind both shall fall into the Ditch And likewise it concerneth all truly to examine themselves inwardly in the Light of Christ whether they be Baptized truly with the one Baptism of Christ by his spiritual Water and the Fire and Fan of his Spirit with which he will and is able thorowly to purge his Floor Mat. 3.11.12 Heb. 9.14 1 Pet. 1.22 23. even the Hearts Souls and Consciences of true Believers and that only maketh fit to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven And so whether they be Children of the Light and of God who is Light and Born again of the Water and of the Spirit whose witness agreeth in one witnessing with their Spirits that they are the Children of God Born of his Incorruptible Word which liveth and abideth for ever Or whether they have only been Baptized or Sprinkled with Water by a Man and because thereof are taught to believe that then they were made Children of God and Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven And if they have no better Assurance than such Baptizing or Sprinkling with outward Water then the Light and Spirit of Christ will bear witness in their Hearts that they are not Children of Light nor of God and then whose Children are they And likewise all may examine themselves in and by the true Light in their Hearts whether they be in the true Religion or not That is Whether or no they be true Christians John 6.45 who are all taught of God by the Light Grace and Spirit of his Son Christ Jesus in their Hearts Or they be but Pretenders to Christianity having a Profession or Form of Godliness but denying the Life and Power thereof resisting and rebelling against the strivings and movings and teachings of the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ and embracing and complying with the temptations motions and teachings of the Spirit of Antichrist and the Power of Darkness which is the Devil And such can profess that they know God Tit. 1.15 16. but in Works they deny him which is abominable And every one that doth Truth John 3.18.19 20 21. cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God but every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved or discovered and so loving Darkness rather than the Light that is the Condemnation And it is certain that all who love not the Light of Christ Jesus in themselves and believe not in the sufficiency of it are deceived by the deceivableness of
of People The Number of the Slain in the other Three Provinces not being upon Record with the Burning of Hundreds in England in the Reign of the Popish Queen Mary with the dreadful Cruel Spanish Inquisition and several others of Popish Massacres too large here to be inserted And so though the Popes of Rome have pretended to Christianity and have called themselves Vicars of Christ yet they and their Adherents have been as Cruel and as Bloody Persecutors of Christians as the Roman Emperors who hated Christianity were before them and have equalled if not exceeded the said Emperors in their Cruel and Barbarous Murders acted with all manner of Cruelty that possibly could be Invented which stands upon Record that all may see it read Clark's Martyrology and Fox's Acts and Monuments and a Book called Ireland's Tears and the History of the Churches of Piedmont Collected and Compiled by Samuel Morland in the Year 1658. And not only have the Popes been Persecutors where they could prevail by means of the Kings or Governours of the Nations but also they have Lorded it over Emperors and Kings Deposing and setting Up at their Pleasure whom they thought meet for their Purposes as the Apostle Peter never did And thus Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth hath Reigned over the Kings of the Earth who have given their Strength and Power unto the Scarlet-coloured Beast that hath carried her which ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit and goeth into Perdition and this false Church this Woman this Whore this great City that hath made all Nations to drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Forâ—ication which she hath handed forth to them in a Golden Cup she hath been and is drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus and her Sins have reached unto Heaven therefore shall her Plagues come in one day and she shall be utterly Burnt with Fire for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Rev. 17 and 18 Chapters And all that err from rebel against and believe not in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts they will be found in Babylon the City of Confusion and how great or large soever their Professoâ—â— of Christianity may be yet in that great Day of the Lord which hasteth apace such will be found in an Antichristian Estate and Partakers of the Sins of Babylon and consequently must receive of her Plagues Rev. 18.4 And now the Light the Voice of God's mighty Power calleth unto all for Faithfulness and Obedience thereunto and that all that are in Babylon who have not yet quite out lived the Day of their Visitation may come out of her and may be no longer Partakers of her Sins lest they Eternally partake and receive of her Plagues And all that hearken to the Grace of God the Light and Voice of Christ Jesus in their own Hearts and Consciences and believing therein Tit. 2.11 12 13 14. continue in Faithfulness and Obedience thereunto such shall more and more come to know the Effectual Working thereof even to the redeeming of their Souls from all iniquity and the purifying of their Hearts and purging of their Consciences from dead Works to serve the Living God and they shall know the Ancient Prophecy fulfilled in them That the Lord will pour Ezek. 36.25 to 31. Heb. 8 9 10 Chapters or sprinkle clean Water upon them that they may be clean from all their Filthiness and Idolatry which is false Worship that is out of his Spirit and that he will give them a new Heart and put a new Spirit within them And such shall see the Sun Rev. 9.2 and the Air clear again which have been darkned by reason of the Smoak of the Bottomless Pit and shall know the Sun of Righteousness to arise upon them with healing in his Wings Mal. 4.2 Rev. 21.24 Rev. 22.14.17 2 Thes 2.3 to 10. and a walking with them that are saved in the Light of the Lamb and shall know to do his Commandments that they may have Right to the Tree of Life and take of the Water of Life freely and such will witness a growing up into him in all things who is the Head of his Church Christ Jesus from whom the whole Body fitly joined together Eph. 4.15 16. and compacted by that which every Joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh Increase of the Body unto the edifying of it self in Love And the Members of that Body are faithful Stewards of the Grace of God Tit. 2.11 12. Mat. 13.10 11 Mar. 4.10 11 Luk. 8.9 10. John 14.17 to 27. Joh. 7.16 17 Joh. 8.31 32 1 Joh. 2.27 which bringeth Salvation and teacheth them that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts they should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world And it is only they who are truly taught of the Grace of God which hath appeared to all Men that are true Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God for they are the Disciples of Christ unto whom it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto others it is not given but they are as Parables to them Now the Grace of God teacheth none to Persecute about Religion nor to make Merchandize of People through Covetousness with feigned words as the Popes and other sorts of Priests have done and so though the Popes have professed to be Peter's Successors and to sit in Peter's Chair and to have the Stewardship of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven yet they have been and are found not only out of the Faith wherein the Apostle Peter served God but to be such false Prophets as Peter Prophesied of 2 Pet. 2.1 to â—0 and so not faithful Stewards of the Grace of God being not willing to be taught by it in their own Hearts and so for all their Learning and for all their Talk and for all their Splendor of Profession they are ignorant of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven wherein they pretend to be Stewards For the Apostle Peter said to Simon the Sorcerer who offered Money saying Acts 8.18 19 20. Give me also this power c. Thy Money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with Money thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter so Peter was far from selling the Gift of God and Pardon of Sin is the Gift of God though the Popes and Priests for Money have pretended that they could Sell Pardons c. And so all the Offerers or Pretenders to Sell the Spiritual Gifts of God for Money as well as they who desire for any outward thing to Buy the same of any Man they have neither Part nor Lot in the true Stewardship of the Grace of God nor of the Mysteries thereof but all their Worship their Sacrifices Offerings and Prayers in that state are
what and the Worship of God is in Fear and Trembling before him and at his Word in the Heart and such are accepted of God and shall be accepted with him and with such he will dwell as the Scriptures largely testifie read John 4.20 to 25. Mich. 6.8 Isa 66.2 5. Ezra 9.4 and 10.3 Jer. 5.21 22. and 33.9 Psal 2.11 Dan. 6.26 And so I durst not but deny all Worships prescribed by the Wisdom of Men and set-up by Men which were not in the Spirit and Truth of God neither durst I embrace the Pleasures or Preferments of the World for I was sensible both of their danger and Vanity and that the Words of Christ were true who said If any man will come after me Luke 9.23 24 25. Luke 14.27 let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me and whosoever doth not bear his Cross and follow me cannot be my Disciple for whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it for what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole World and lose himself or be cast away And now I am not of their Perswasion who believe that there is no Salvation nor Freedom from Sin on this side the Grave and that the Souls of true Christians cannot be cleansed from Sin while their Bodies live in this World for that is contrary to the Truth and to the Testimony of the Holy Scriptures and where Sin hath a place in the Heart or Soul of any there the Man of Sin hath a place whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the Brightness of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 9. And so much of the Worship of them in whom the Man of Sin ruleth by his Power consisteth in Ceremonies and Signs for he will allow them all Signs of that which is good so that they may be content without the Substance yea even the very Name at least in Profession or Pretence of Christians though he have quite bereaved them of the Nature of true Christians and allow them outward Signs of Baptism also at least whilst uncapable Infants which they may afterwards be told of and taught to believe that they were thereby made Children of God Members of Christ and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 8.10 11. although they know nothing experimentally of the one Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Spirit or Ghost and with Fire nor believe in the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in which all true Christians believe who are really Members of Christ Children of God and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 13.19 being led and taught by his Light and Spirit and obeying the Word of the Kingdom which is one with the Light and is sown in the Hearts of all Men. And Christ said to the unbelieving Pharisees that The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation or outward Shew neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for saith he behold Luke 17.21 the Kingdom of God is within you And why may it not as well be said now to be within those who are ignorantly seeking it without them For their Teachers teach them to believe that they were made Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven when they were Infants by their outward Baptism and yet they have it to seek and know not where it is to be found but seek it as they are taught and expect it to come with their Observations outward Shews and Signs without them and Pray at least in Words to God saying Thy Kingdom come and yet believe not in the Word of his Kingdom which is sown in their Hearts which is the Light Grace and Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ which reproveth them for Sin in their Hearts and Consciences And so whilst they disobey the Word of the Kingdom the Light in themselves they are making themselves Strangers to God and his Kingdom through disobedience and so are unlike to be Inheritors of it though they make never so large a Profession of seeking it in their Observations outward Shews and Signs for there it is not to be found much less inherited And John the Baptist who baptized with Water to Repentance we read not that he baptized Infants for what should Infants repent of but he Preached saying Repene ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand So it seemeth the Kingdom of Heaven was near then and to some who came to his Baptism he said O Generation of Vipees who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance or as some translate answerable to amendment of Life for said he the Ax is laid to the Root of the Tree Mat. 3. therefore every Tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fare But do not Infants sprinkled with Water or Baptized as they call it afterward bring forth Fruits rather to be repented of than meet for Repentance So it seemeth they that came to John's Baptism which was with Water to Repentance if they brought not forth Fruits meet for Repentance they were little or no better being to be hewn down and cast into the Fire And where can any read that John's Baptism being outward could make any true Christians Was it not before Christ that John came Baptizing with Water and before there were any called Christians for we read not of that Name given till after the Ascension of Christ and if John's Baptism could not make Christians how should Sprinkling of Infants now or the outward Baptism of any others either It is not like that they that now take upon them to baptize either Infants or others for Money for which none can buy the Gift of God should exceed John who was sent of God Acts 8.20 and did it freely without Money And John was sent to bear witness of the Light that all Men through him might believe that was the true Light John 1.8 9 10. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World though the World knew it not But the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers in our days are far from bearing witness to the true Light for they cry out against it and give it many ridiculous Names John 3.20 and Titles and this is according to the Words of Christ that Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light And what a strange thing doth it seem that any should believe which some suppose that Sprinkling an Infant with a little Water some after one manner and some after another should make it a true Christian For true Christians are Members of Christ and Children of God and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven but no Man can make them so for it is only by believing in the Light of Christ and obeying it that a
true Christian state is atta ned unto and so true Christians are Children of God Tit. 3.5 6 7. Eph. 4.5 who is Light and Heirs of his Kingdom and these have experience of the one Baptism of Christ by his Spirit even the washing of Regeneration or of the New Birth and are sensible of the renewings of his Spirit also But it is a very poor Evidence concerning so great a matter as Eternal Happiness or true Christianity is only to be told to a Man or Woman or to see it written in a Book that when he was an Infant or a Child of a few days old he was baptized and made a Christian whenas he knoweth nothing of certainty that he is so but rather hath an Evidence in his own Heart plainly and truly witnessing that he is in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity and is not led and guided by the Spirit of Christ as true Christians are and so if he weightily examine himself he may find his estate to be otherwise then some would perswade him to believe of it and see it to be very Miserable John bare Testimony of Christ saying There cometh one after me which is preferred before me for he was before me and I knew him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel John 1.30 31 32 33. John 3.30 therefore am I come baptizing with Water And saith he The same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost or Spirit and said he he must increase but I must decrease So it is plain that the reason why John Baptized with Water was that Christ and his Spiritual Baptism which only can render Men true Christians should be made manifest to Israel but there can be no such Reason given for Infants Baptism for Christ and Baptism hath been long talked of by Sprinklers of Infants and still both Hearers and Preachers strangers to Christ and his Baptism how then should they make him or his Baptism manifest or known to little Infants And Christ said Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 but they who believe in the Light the incorruptible Word of God in their Hearts Look in the Margined Bibles and so become Children of the Light and of God being Born again or from above as the Word implieth they in the Light see and discern the Kingdom of God within them Rom. 14.17 which consisteth in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit or Ghost which are inwardly to be known And this Sign of Baptism wherewith now adays they sign Infants and reckon it a Badge of Christianity they call a Sacrament and some say there are Seven Sacraments and others say but two to be used in the Church of Christ though in all the Holy Scriptures they find no mention of the Word Sacrament and they say It was commanded by Christ because he said to his Disciples Mat. 28.19 Go teach all Nations Baptizing them in or when truly translated into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit or Ghost Observe here he first bad them to teach them so they should let Teaching be before Baptizing But how can they teach Infants And he commanded this to his Disciples who were learners of him and Witnesses of his Resurrection but they are not such who act contrary to his Commands And he bad them to Baptize into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Now this Name of God is called the Word Light Love and Holy Spirit which is placed in his Spiritual Temple where God dwelleth of which Deut. 12.5 1 Kings 8.29 2 Chron. 7.12 2 Cor. 3.16 the Temple that Solomon built was a Type or Figure in which he said he would place his Name which outward Temple was destroyed but true Christians are the holy Spiritual Temple of God and it was prophesied the Glory of the second Temple should exceed that of the first Hag. 2.4 7 8. But they who pretend to baptize Infants with Water Rev 19 13. they do not believe in the Name of God which is his Word and Light in the Heart and so they are not like to baptize either Infants or others in it or into it being out of it themselves And in the Command of Christ there is no mention at all of Water for the Disciples to baptize withal they being to preach Repentance and Remission of Sins in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 49. And behold said he I send the Promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem until ye be endued with Power from on High And so they tarried at Jerusalem until they were endued with Power from on High and then they declared what the Promise of the Father was that Christ had sent upon them even that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour of my Spirit upon all Flesh Acts 2.16 17 18. and your Sons and your Daughters shall prophesie and your Young Men shall see Visions and your Old Men shall dream Dreams and on my Servants and on my Handmaidens I will pour out in these days of my Spirit and they shall prophesie So the Disciples of Christ preached other Doctrine then the Sprinklers of Infants and the pretending Baptizers of this Age preach for they cannot endure to hear of the Spirit of God being poured out upon all Flesh but they mock at the Movings of the Spirit of God in his Servants and Handmaidens as if there were no such thing now which sheweth that they are not endued with Power from on High and so they are short of John the Baptist who was sent of God John 1.6 7. and said A man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven John 3.27 And so they having no Authority from God but only from Men take upon them to sprinkle Infants after the Ordinances of Men and call it Baptism having a ridiculous Custom of using Godfathers and Godmothers as they call them and another of signing Infants in the Forehead with the Sign of the Cross some using Oyl Spittle Salt and other silly Ceremonies having nothing at all in the Holy Scriptures to warrant such things being invented in the Apostasy in the deceitful Wisdom of the Antichristian Spirit that hath prevailed and drawn from the Simplicity of true Christianity into the love of outward Signs which are Antichristian Another Argument for their Custom of Sprinkling Infants is the Words that Christ spake saying Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14,15 and whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein Now they who sprinkle Infants bring them to Water which Christ commanded not but do they bring them
testifie of and now are so darkned by the dark deceitful Antichristian Spirit that they alledge the foresaid 11th and 12th Verses of the second Chapter to the Colossians to be their proof for the Institution of Water Baptism in the room of Circumcision whenas the said Verses themselves and the remainder of the Chapter plainly sheweth otherwise as is before rehearsed even the 20th 21st and 22d Verses of it And the Apostle Peter intimateth that the Salvation of Noah and his Family in the Ark by or in Water was a Type or Figure of Baptism inwardly saying The Antitype whereunto even Baptism doth now save us 1 Pet. 3.20 21. not the putting away of the filth the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ The common Translation hath it thus The like Figure whereunto even Baptism but the Word in the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the thing figured or typified or signified or the Antitype So here is a great difference between the common Translation which saith The like Figure and what it should be that is the thing figured And it is plain that the Baptism here spoken of was more than a Figure being the Substantial Spiritual Baptism of Christ which said Peter saveth us by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Col. 2.12 and Paul writing to the Colossians said of it Wherein also ye are risen with him through the operation of God So it is clear that the Apostles meant the one true inward and spiritual Baptism of Christ which all true Christians are to witness And so according to the Scriptures there is as much Reason for them that use Water Baptism to say that it was instituted instead of the saving by the Water of the Flood in the days of Noah as that it was instituted in the room or stead of Circumcision for the Scriptures mention that to be a Type of Baptism but not Circumcision and we read not that the Apostles preached up one outward Ordinance in the room of any other But the Baptism of John with Water unto Repentance did plainly by a Figure or Sign shew or typifie the Spiritual Baptism of Christ to weak Capacities and to them who were unacquainted with his Spiritual Washing and Cleansing by his Blood 1 John 1.7 which cleanseth them that walk in the Light as he is in the Light from all Sin and the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians and speaking of Thieves Covetous Drunkards 1 Cor. 6.11 Revilers and such others as shall not inherit the Kingdom of God as true Christians do writes thus to wit And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God And said Paul to them 1 Cor 1.14 15 16 17 18. I thank God that I Baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius lest any should say that I had baptized in my own Name and I Baptized also The Houshold of Shephanas besides I know not whether I haptized any other for Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel So the Apostle Paul declared that he was not sent to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel which saith he is the Power of God And if the Apostle Paul was not sent to Baptize how and by whom are the Baptizers Dippers and Sprinklers of this Age sent For he told the said Corinthians 1 Cor. 11. that he supposed himself not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles 2 Cor. 12.11 Rom. 1.16 and said In nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles and he being sent not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel the Power of God to Salvation and that where Christ was not named lest he should build upon another man's Foundation Rom. 15.15 to 24. being a Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles who from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum fully preached the Gospel so that no doubt if the true Apostles of Christ had esteemed outward Baptism of necessity to Salvation then Paul who was in nothing behind the very chiefest of them might have been sent to Baptize as well as to Preach And the Message of Paul was to open the Eyes of People and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they might receive Forgiveness of Sins Acts 26.17 18. and Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith in Christ and it was agreeable to the Message which the other Apostles had to declare 1 John 1.5 That God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all And many received Paul's Message and believed in the Light the Word of Faith nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 1.23 Eph 4.5 Eph. ◠26 which he and the other Apostles preached and so became Children of the Light and were born of the Incorruptible Word and knew the One Baptism which he preached of wherewith Christ sanctifieth and cleansoth his Church by the washing of Water in the Word as it is in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the Word which implieth a Spiritual Washing or Cleansing though some translate it by the Word And Paul said 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be Bond or Free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Gal. 3.26 27 28. and also as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ And again So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death that like as Christ was raised from the Dead by the Glory of the Father Rom. 6.3 4. even so we also should walk in Newness of Life So by all these Sayings it is plain and evident that Paul and the true Apostles preached up the One Spiritual Baptism of Christ which only renders men true Christians Children of God and Members of Christ although they did sometimes comply with the weakness of some concerning outward Baptism to gain them to the Truth and to instruct them in the Mystery of Godliness 1 Cor. 9.20 21 22. Acts 16.3 and in the Knowledge of the Spiritual Baptism of Christ and so Paul declared saying To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the Weak c. and therefore he circumcised Timothy and so if any pretend to follow the Example of the Apostles in baptizing with outward Water they may as well by the same pretence use Circumcision also And Paul also complied to purifie himself according to the Law of Moses for the sake of many of the Jews that beheved but were zealous of the Law Acts 21.20 to 27. And so the pretending Baptizers with as much warrant may imitate the Apostle in Purification according to the Law of Moses as well as in Baptism But although Paul in Christian
liberty did such things in compliance with them that were weak in the Faith in order to bring them out of their many Ceremonies rather than keep them in them yet he could not do so for fear of Perseeution he would not be compelled to such things neither do them for the gain of Money nor the like for writing to the Galatians he saith As many as desire to make a Fair shew in the Flesh they constrain you to be circumcised Gal. 6.12 Gal. 5.11 only lest they should suffer Persecution for the Cross of Christ and saith he I Brethren if I yet preach Circumcision why do I yet suffer Persecution then is the offence of the Cross ceased So it seemeth that some professing Christianity who were not obedient to the Light of Christ in their own Hearts which teacheth to bear his Cross patiently preached up Circumcision lest they should have suffered Persecution and yet such desired to make a fair shew in the Flesh but the true Ministers of Christ did not so for notwithstanding the Threats of Men and the consequence of Persecution in the Faith of the Power of God and in the love and obedience of the Light of Christ in their Hearts they preached Liberty from all such burdensome things and in his Name and Authority preached his Cross Boldly and declared that such as preached otherwise were false and anrichristian And do not many desiring to make a fair Shew of Christianity in the Flesh now preach up Water-Baptism and that of Infants with other such Ceremonies for fear of Persecution or for Money and their own carnal ends not having any authority from Christ or his Apostles for such things Therefore let all beware of such false Prophets and Deceivers as Christ himself forewarned of saying Many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and said he If any man say unto you Mat. 7 1â— to 21. Mat. 24.23 2. Luke 2 8. Lo here is Christ or there believe it not for said he there shall arise false Christs and false Propâ—eâ—s and shall shew great Signs and Wonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elâ—ct And so now there are many come as in the Name of Christ and they all say that he is Christ as he foretold so they profess him in Words and so deceive many saying also Lo here is Christ in this Profession Ceremony or Sign and Lo there is Christ in that Observation Ordinance or Tradition but they that believe in his true Light the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts which he said should reprove the World of Sin John 15 8. c. they do not believe them and though they shew great Signs as of Baptism and the like yet the Children of Light see them and by their Signs and by their Fruits know them to be the Deceivers that Christ foretold of Mat. 7.16 and though they shew great Wonders and the World wonder after them yet true Christians cannot be deceived by them knowing them to be influenced by the Power of the Man of Sin in their Hearts whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signs and Lying Wonders And now it is good for all to beware that they truly examine themselves in the Light of Christ Jesus in their Hearts whether they be really the Children of God yea or nay Rom. 8.16 1 John 5.10 and they may certainly know for he that is of God hath the Witness in himself God giveth to his Children to Know that he is their Father and that they are his Children but the Man of Sin he would not that his Children should know who is their Father for he being deceitful perswadeth them as far as he can that they are the Children of God but the Manifestation of the Spirit of God the Light during the Day of their Visitation in their Hearts reproveth them of their Sins and often sheweth and testifyeth in them unto them the Contrary to wit that they are not Children of God And so let all inwardly examine themselves truly Rom. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.6 whether or no they be Members of Christ being baptized by his One Spirit into his One Body for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and it is his quickning Spirit that giveth Life to all his Members and maketh them sensible in what state and condition they are And so let none be satisfied with being told that in their Infancy or any time else in their Baptism with outward Water they were made Members of Christ and Children of God c. For that will not stand them in any stead when they must give an account to God of their improvement of the Talent which he hath given them to profit withal and let none presâ—me to teach Children or others that they were in outward Baptism made Members of Christ or Children of God lest the Blood of such be required at their Teachers Hand and so both the Teacher and the taught perish For John the Baptist speaking of Christ John 3.30 said He must increase but I must decrease intimating that his Baptism was to give place to the Spiritual Baptism of Christ with his Spirit and Fire and John said His fan is in his Hand and he will thor wly purge his Floor and gather the Wheat into his Garner but he will burn the Chaff with unquenchable Fire and this all ought to take notice of for this Baptism of Christ is of absolute necessity to Salvation of which that all might come to be partakers the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ hath appeared in the Hearts of all and is given to every man to profit withal John 1.8 Luk. 3.6 to which John who was sent to beare witness of the true Light bare Testimony saying All flesh shall see the Salvation of God and also Simeon saying as to the Lord Mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People Luk 2.30 31 32. a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy People Israel And seeing that the Salvation of God prepared before the face of all People is Christ Oh! Let all who would enjoy the Salvation of God come to this Light which reproveth for all Sin in every Heart and Conscience that by believing therein and bringing there Deeds to it into true Examination they may through the judgment thereof know the true Spiritual Baptism of Christ in their Hearts Souls and Consciences where they may come to know him to be in them unto them as a Refiners Fire and as Fullers Soape that will purge away all the Dross and wash away every Spot and Stain as they abide faithful and continue freely given up withal their Hearts to abide the burnign of this Fire and the scowring with this Soape and so they may know the washing with pure Water and come to have
Spirit in their Hearts to be Spirit and Life unto their Souls And if they know not neither witness these things in some measure in themselves how then can they know themselves to be true Christians For true Christians know that they are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness and can truly say 1 John 5.18 19 20. We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal Life Also to them who believed in the Light John 8.12 and learned to deny themselves and follow him that they might enjoy the Light of Life Christ said I am the true Vine my Father is the Husbandman ye are the Branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much Fruit John 15. for without me ye can do nothing if ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much Fruit so shall ye be my Disciples as the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love this is my Commandment that ye love one another even as I have loved you If the World hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you if ye were of the World the World would love his own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you And as Christ said I am the true Vine and my Father is the Husbandman he also said Every Branch IN ME that beareth not Fruit he taketh away and every Branch that beareth Fruit John 15. he purgeth it that it may bring forth more Fruit Now said he to his are ye clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear Fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me for without me ye can do nothing If a Man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered And so they that are true Christians and Children of God and Members of Christ being Taught by his Light and Grace in their Hearts in which they have believed they are Branches of Christ the true Vine and they partake of the Nourishment that through the true Vine is extended unto them the Branches as they abide in the Vine but they that abide not in him the Vine are cast forth as Branches and are withered which answereth to the other saying of Christ to wit Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood John 6.53 ye have no Life in you For this answereth to the eating of the Flesh and drinking of the Blood of Christ And as the Branches in the Vine live by Nourishment of the Life of the Vine in whom they abide so they that eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ saith he they dwell in me and I in them 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 4.16 Eph. 5.29 30. and he that eate home shall live by me saith Christ And so the Branches of the Vine feed upon and drink or suck in of the Sap or Life of the Vine and live by it as also the Members of the Body do by the Nourishment of the Body And also Christ said I am the good Shepherd the good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep And said he I know my Sheep and am known of mine for saith he they know my Voice and they sollow me John 10. and I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand but he said to the Jews who believed not in the Light as he commanded but were Taught by the Doctrines and Traditions of Men ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep as I said unto you my Sheep hear my Voice So Christ is the good Shepherd who feedeth his Sheep with his own Life as well as the true Vine whereof his Sheep are the Branches John 6.48 to 58. and partake of the very Life and Nature of him the Vine who is the Bread of Life of which if any Man eat he shall live for ever and dwell in Christ and Christ in him and so they are as the Vine and the Branches dwelling in each other and such Branches bear Fruit to the Glory of the Vine in which they dwell which Fruit and Branches are precious in the Eye of God the Husbandman to whom Glory belongs and is ascribed for ever And these Branches are the Sheep of Christ their good Shepherd and they hear and diligently hearken unto the Voice or Light or Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts and the words thereof unto them spoken they are SPIRIT and they are LIFE and so they know his quickening Spirit to minister Life to their Souls in which they live and grow and bring forth excellent Isa 4.2 3 4. and comely Fruit whereby God their Heavenly Father is glorified And because many believe not the words of Christ concerning the eating of the Bread of Life and the eating of his Flesh and drinking of his Blood but murmured and went back and walked no more with him therefore he said to the Twelve Disciples Will ye also go away John 6.66 to 70. And one answered saying Lord to whom shall we go Thou hast the words of Eternal Life and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God So they were satisfied and knew him by the words of Eternal Life which he spake unto them And so he will satisfie all who truly hunger and thirst after him by the words of his Spirit if they believe in the Light and obey it But those that are in Unbelief and Disobedience to the Light in their own Hearts they have no such satisfaction for the Light which inwardly reproveth them for sin and disobedience is the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ by which he speaketh unto his Sheep who know his Voice and satisfieth them with the words of Eternal Life and with the Bread of Life and Water of Life unto which Isa 55.1 â—er 22.17 by his Light or spiritual Voice he inviteth all that thirst to come and take and drink freely without Money and without Price But they that Rebel against the Light Prov. 6.23 and will not hearken to its Reprof they err from the Way of Life and Understanding Prov. 21.16 though never so worldly-wise and they remain among the Congregation of the Dead and cannot in that state know a feeding upon the Bread of Life nor a drinking of the Water of Life which Christ giveth to the Faithful
14. and take which Water whosoever drinketh shall never thirst their Souls will not want Refreshment from any outward Bread John 7.37 38. Wine or Water but saith Christ the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into Eternal Life Now observe it was Christ's Disciples who had learned of him to deny themselves and to take up their Cross to their own wills daily and who had left all to follow him with whom he desired to eat and did eat the Passeover and whom he so instructed by the Bread and Wine which shewed forth his Death But there was a great difference between these his Disciples and the Priests of those Times 1 Cor. 5.7 who were very strict in keeping the Passeover which Typified Christ the true Passeover and caused him to be Crucified and so all that will not be instructed by the Light of Christ in their own Hearts nor learn of him that they may truly be his Disciples nor will not deny themselves nor take up their Cross nor follow Christ spiritually such may be strict in their outward Performances wherein they know not what they do Crucifying Christ afresh in their Affections and in their Lusts but God is displeased with all such their Performances And they who disobey the Light of Christ in their own Hearts and Consciences are all ignorant of the true spiritual Food which Christ daily ministreth to the Souls of the Children of the Light and such depend upon the Shadow or Ceremony not enjoying the Substance and as such as they did by Christ formerly so now they number among Transgressors the Children of God who feed upon the Bread of Life the Flesh and Blood of Christ and know the end of the things concerning him Now People may eat Bread and drink Wine in remembrance of Christ and of his Death also and yet not spiritually eat the Flesh nor drink the Blood of Christ for they are two different things and the Apostle Paul reproving the Corinthians for some abuses about their eating and drinking in their Assemblies and of themselves mentioneth the words of Christ to wit this do in remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.20 to 28. and concerning the Cup he renders the Command thus to wit this do as oft as ye do it in remembrance of me and saith Paul As often as ye shall eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come wherefore whosoever shall eat this Bread and drink the Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Where it is to be observed that the Corinthians being newly Convinced and in a weak estate of Faith of which mention is often made in this first Epistle of Paul to them and being in the use of this Ceremony of eating and drinking in their Assemblies they performed it as a Religious Act and so it is to all those that use it as a Religious Act for as much as therein their end is to remember the Lord's Body that was Crucified for them and his Blood that was shed for them and to shew the Lord's Death But to remember the Lord and his Body and Blood and to shew forth his Death is not the same as to partake of the Flesh and Blood of Christ for the Lord and his Death may be remembred by those who do not truly partake of his Flesh and Blood And the words of the Command mentioned by Paul are also to be considered to wit This do as oft as ye do it in remembrance of me which Command doth not imply that they were always to continue in that Ceremony of outward eating and drinking in their Assemblies in remembrance of Christ the continuance of it was not so positively commanded Gen. 17.9 to 14. as the continuance of Circumcision was and also of keeping the Passeover for Circumcision was commanded of God Exod. 12.14 to be in their Flesh for an Everlasting Covenant and the Passeover was commanded of God Phil. 3.2 3. Rom. 2.28 1 Cor. 5.7 Gal. 4.10.11 to be kept a Feast by an Ordinance for ever and yet the true Apostle of Christ under the Gospel Dispensation laboured to bring People out of the outward use of them to witness them inwardly in themselves but that saying in the said Command about the Cup to wit As oft as ye do it implieth that they were not enjoined how oft they should do it nor how long they should continue in that practice and so though the Corinthians Rom. 14. or others were then in such a practice it is not binding upon others to use it no more than was observations of Days or making a difference between Meats And those that do truly partake of the Flesh and Blood of Christ as he himself saith they dwell in him as the Branches do in the Vine and he dwelleth in them John 6.56 John 15.5 as the Life of the Vine extendeth thorow all its living Branches and therefore such cannot but remember him as naturally as a Man remembereth his natural Food when hungry or thirsty and so they need no Ceremonies to put them in remembrance of him or of his Death who always bear about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus 2 Cor. 4.10 that the Life also of Jesus may be made manifest in their Body And so such truly know Christ to be come the Abolisher of Ceremonies and outward Typical Ordinances And so it is good for every one to be a Disciple of Christ which none can be but who learneth of him by his Light the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts which reproveth for sin before they presume to eat Bread and drink Wine thereby to shew forth his Death lest they eat and drink their own Damnation not discerning the Lord's Body And if any believe it is their Duty so to take or use Bread and Wine and make it a matter of Conscience to forbear yet if they do not so prepare and examine themselves as is required of all that appear before the All-seeing Eye of God to perform every Religious Act whatsoever then surely they do it unworthily and instead of feeding upon the precious Flesh and Blood of Christ or of truly remembring him or shewing forth his Death they make themselves guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and so they unworthily eating and drinking the Cup of the Lord as it is to them they eat and drink Damnation to themselves And though such pretend to be sorry for their sins whereby Christ is as in them Crucified and seem to be thankful for what Christ hath done for them who laid down his Life for them yet they are in the same Spirit in which formerly were the Jews Scribes and Pharisees who garnished the Sepulchres of the Prophets and said If we had lived in the Days of our Fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the Blood of the
no necessity for Christians to observe them and also writing to the Colossians concerning the same matter he plainly giveth the Reason further Why no Man ought so to judge which is Christ's blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances Col. 2.14 to 17. that was against us and contrary to us and taking it out of the way nailing it to his Cross And as there was no necessity for them in the Apostles time so now surely there is no occasion for them for their outward Water and outward Bread and Wine have been long used and preached of amongst People and yet People that use them and pay for them are as ignorant of Christ the Spiritual Baptizer and Spiritual Bread of Life as ever they were Isa 55.2 so they spend their Money for that which is not Bread for their Souls as it is pretended and their labour for that which satisfieth not Certainly they that buy of such Merchandize make as bad a Bargain as possibly can be for neither doth it profit them neither have they any occasion to buy it when as Christ saith Rev. 22.17 Let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely And saith by the Prophet Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness But they that sell their Baptism and their Bread and Wine and their Preaching and the like and they that buy of them also are not inclined thereby but in dependance thereof are hindred to come to and believe in the Light the Voice of Christ in their own Hearts whereby Christ inviteth all to come and take of the Water of Life that thirst after it and so such are far from the enjoyment of the Rich Satisfaction which Christ giveth to the Souls of the Children of the Light though they may talk largely of these things Prov. 3.18 Job 28.12 to 28. for Death and Hell have heard of the Fame of Wisdom who is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her and though such may read and use and profess all the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles of Christ yet not being led by the same Spirit that they were and the Children of the Light who are Members of Christ are and have been led in all Ages though they may profess the same yet they are prevailed upon by the contrary Spirit and are as lulled asleep in security by the power of their deceitful Enemy the Man of Sin who with his Signs without the living substance satisfieth them as with a Dream for an hungry Man may Dream that he is eating but when he is awakened out of his sleep Joel 1.5 Eph. 5.14 Rom. 13.11 12 behold nothing but Hunger and Famine and when any such whereof I have been one come to be truly awakened then they may plainly see what substance or service their Signs and Shadows are of and how insignificant they are to the satisfying of their Souls And so the use of those things which formerly might be of benefit for the Instruction of some is now to many a means to keep them in Ignorance for it was ever the endeavour of the Devil the Man of Sin to draw the Minds of People from obedience to the Light Neh. 9.20 Job 24.13 and Spirit of God which God giveth to instruct them though many rebel against it into a satisfaction in outward Performances without the Spirit which were never acceptable unto God for the Lord in all Ages required People to obey his Voice which is the Light the Manifestation of his Spirit in their Hearts as plainly appeareth by these places of holy Scripture Jer. 7.21 to 25. 1 Sam. 15.22 23. Isa 1.11 to 20. and Chap. 66.1 to 4. Jer. 14.12 Hos 5.6 Hos 8.13 Amos 5.21 22. Micah 6.6 to 9. Mat. 15.1 to 9. Mark 7.1 to 23. And so Christ standeth at the Door of Peoples Hearts and by his Voice or Light knocketh and reproveth for sin Rev. 3.20 Luke 22.29.30 Luke 17.21 Rev. 2.17 Rev. 22.14 17 And if any Man hear his Voice and open the Door Christ will come in to him and sup with him and he with him at his heavenly Table in his Kingdom which is within and this is a blessed Supper to eat of the hidden Manna and of the Tree of Life and to drink of the Water of Life freely But this sweet Satisfaction all they are ignorant of who depend upon Signs and Shadows and Mens Traditional Ordinances and neglect the Light the Voice of Christ in their Hearts And they that have builded as it were strong Cities in their own Conceivings as upon Christ the true Foundation 1 Cor. 3.13 13 14. Isa 10.17 18. Isa 17.9.10 11 Isa 51.4 to 9. Isa 30.26 27 28. whether it be as Gold Silver precious Stones Wood Hay or Stubble the Spiritual Day of God the Light whereof to the Children of God revealeth the Man of Sin and his Works shall declare every Man's Work of what sort it is and every Man's Work that will not abide the fiery Tryal thereof shall be burnt and all their strong Cities shall be as a forsaken Bough who forget the God of their Salvation and are not mindful of the Voice and Light of Christ the Rock of their Strength And the Harvest of all their Planting and Sowing and Building shall be a heap in the Day of Grief and of desperate Sorrow But the Times of Ignorance God hath winked at Acts 17.30 and in the woful Night of the Apostacy of the Nations who have generally fallen away from the Spirit and Doctrine of Christ and his Holy Apostles though they had the Holy Scriptures to peruse certainly the God of Mercy hath appeared by the Light of his Son in the Hearts of many in that dark time whose Minds being inclined truly after him he hath comforted them according to the innocency of their Hearts and in some measure satisfied them with his Mercy they answering him according to what was revealed unto them in them though through Education and the Traditions of Men they were kept in the use of outward Ceremonies And many in those dark Times who faithfully minded the Appearance of Christ by his Light in their Hearts they grew strong in the Faith and saw the emptiness of Signs and Ceremonies and Shadows and were enabled by the Light the Word of God's Power in their Hearts to stand in the Controversie of God witnessing for him according to what they knew against all the Gross and Idolatrous Practices and against the Errour and Deceit of the Man-made Priests and Teachers of the Times wherein they lived Mic. 7.1 Isa 17.6 7 8 Although those in Comparison of the multitudes resisting were but as the Grape-gleanings of the Vintage or
which none can obtain the Crown of Life and Salvation and those Crosses that are made of Silver or Wood c. that any Child can carry or those that are made with Water in the Foreheads of Children or others which some Pretenders to be Reformed from Popery yet use And concerning the Invention of their outward Crosses it is Recorded That before the Name of Pope was given or the Bishop of Rome Entituled Universal one Mocarius Bishop of Jerusalem See Socrat. 1 Cap. 6 9. Plat. Polid. Deborus c. was the means with one Helena that the Cross was found in the Year 310. so it seemeth the Apostles and Primitive Christians made no stir about the outward Cross otherwise it would not have been neglected Three Hundred Years And Agapetus Bishop of Rome first commanded People to go a Processioning to follow the Cross in the Year 533. this is contrary to Christ and his Apostles And as the Power of the Man of Sin prevailed those Crosses and other Inventions were more and more esteemed so that in the Year 569. King Conwell had always a Silver Cross carried before him and caused Crosses to be set first upon every Steeple in England And the Days of the Invention and Exaltation of the Cross are to be found in most Almanacks or Kalenders Plat. Pan. Bec. fol. 355. the one being on the Third Day of the Third Month called May which is called Invent. Crucis or holy Cross or Helena's Day because they say she helped to find it and the other is on the Fourteenth Day of the Seventh Month or September which is called Exalt Crucis or holy Cross or holy Rood so they may see not only the Year but the Month and Day of the Invention and Exaltation of their Crosses It were large to write of all the Signs Ceremonies and silly Superstitious Practices which the Apostate Christians upon whom the Power of the Man of Sin prevailed have by degrees as the Apostles Prophesied that they should brought into their Churches so called some instituting one thing and some another in the fallen Wisdom for their outward Gain part of them being derived from the Jews and part from the Heathens and the Inventions or Introductions of them are largely to be found upon Record notwithstanding the strict Inquisitions and Search that hath by the Papists been made for the destruction of such Books where is to be found the Authors Names and the Times when they were first imposed upon and received by and amongst them called Christians witness Eusibius lib. 5. Aug. lib. de Haeres Becon's Works Hospinian de Orig. Temp. Pageon of Popes Acts and Monuments and many others And at the dawning of the Day of God which is breaking forth upon the Nations Cant. 2.17 and the Shadows of the dark Apostacy are flying away many being Convinced by the Light of Christ in their Hearts concerning the Vanity of many of the Superstitious Popish Ceremonies as well as of their destructive Doctrines Tenets and Practices they in following and minding the Light which had Convinced them they upon good ground separated from the Papists and protested against their Abominations and so according to what they knew made a Reformation and were called Protestants And at that time great was the Work of God in bringing many in some measure out of Babylon the City of Confusion wherein many had long been held in Captivity and for bearing the same Testimony that the Protestants then bore against the Invented Idolatrous Ceremonies Signs and Superstitious Practices of the Times had suffered greatly under the Popes Usurped Exalted Power and under his Subjects the Apostatized Christians and many had been Murdered And those that in their Day and Time answered and obeyed the Light that in their Hearts convinced them of their own Sins and also of the Errour and Superstition of Popery and continued to the end in sincerity of Heart answering the Requirings of the Lord according to what he made manifest to them in their Hearts they laid down their Heads in Peace with God who preserved them in their Exercises to their endless Comfort and to his own Praise But many by negligence in not answering the Lord according to what he made known by his Light in them were prevailed upon by the deceit of the Man of Sin to rest as satisfied with the Form of the Protestant Worship and Religion and with the Pleasures Riches and Honours of the World and so rested short of the Possession of the Life and Power of Godliness and Christianity though they held the Profession and Name of Christians and Protestants and such rather went backwards towards Popery again than forward towards a full Reformation from it For though there was a denying and a protesting against many Popish Ceremonies and Superstitious Practices and a denying of the Pope their Head and the Head of the Romish Church which was well so far for Christ is the Head of his Church which is his Body and he ought to rule and sway by his holy Light Power and Spiritual Scepter in the Hearts of People yet many that professed Christ and Reformation from Popery they would not that he should rule over them but they desired to rule over others for when they that reckoned themselves Ministers of the Reformed Churches became setled in their Benefices Tythes and other Incomes then they assumed to themselves great Names and Titles as the Most Reverend and Right Reverend and Reverend the Archbishops and below them the Reverend Lord Bishops now the Title of Reverend implieth that they are to be scared and worshipped and honoured and Archdeacons Deans Doctors c. yea and every Parish Priest can claim or assume to himself the Title of Rector which is Governour or Ruler of his Parish and so they call themselves Governours or Rulers And how the Parish Priests which are but of the Inferiour sort have ruled by Force and Cruelty like the False Prophets and Shepherds of old Ezek. 34.2 to 17. who did eat the Fat and cloathed with the Wooll and killed them that were fed but fed not the Flock and how they have Persecuted Sued at Law and Imprisoned them that could not receive them for Ministers of Christ nor pay them for their Preaching though they heard it not and how Cruel they are and have been for their Tythes and Wages it is very manifest and well-known to many in these Nations But the true Ministers of Christ over and in whom he governeth by his Light and Spirit 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 9.16 to 20. 2 Cor. 4.3 to 18. Mar. 10.42 43 44. Acts 20.35 they do not so but serve Christ their Master Ruler and Governour and are really Servants for his sake as he said to his formerly that they should not be as the Rulers of the Gentiles that exercise Lordship over them but said he Whosoever of you will be the chiesest let him be servant of all And said he Freely ye have
are taught of it to watch in it continually against every Appearance of Evil and of the Author thereof the Devil their Adversary 1 Pet. 5.8 who as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour and so they are to be continually careful according to the Command of Christ and his Apostles that no Man deceive them and to prove all things and hold fast that which is good for it is not a trivial thing but a weighty concern to them and of absolute necessity to the Salvation of their Souls to be always watching against and waiting to be preserved from the beguiling deceit of the Devil and his Instruments who with all his Power and Signs and lying Wonders are continually endeavouring to deceive which deceivableness of unrighteousness is-so apt to prevail upon Mankind that Christ said If it were possible they should deceive the very elect and then surely the careless and rebellious are like to be deceived by them and led to Eternal Misery And although Christ and his Apostles advised and commanded to beware of them which should shew great Signs and Wonders yet some have been and are so far erred from the true Light and Doctrine of Christ that they not only tell and make Books of the great Wonders which they say have been done by and amongst them but also reckon them as certain Marks of the Church of Christ though Christ and his Apostles told of them being the Mark of Antichrist and the false Prophets And so with their Wonders and Powers and Signs they have deceived and do deceive many as Christ and his Apostles foretold And as the Apostle John prophesied concerning the Beast that he beheld coming up out of the Earth that doth great Wonders Rev. 13.11 to 15. so that he maketh Fire to come down from Heaven upon the Earth in the sight of Men and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those Miracles which he had power to do so it is that which comes up out of the Earth not that which cometh down from Heaven that doth their great Wonders and it is that which is learned at their Schools Colledges and Academies of Earthly and Spoiling Philosophy and Vain Deceit Col. 2. â— which the Apostle charged to beware of and not that which is received of Christ Jesus that capacitates the Members of Antichrist and of the Beast to be so prevalent with their Power Signs Wonders and Alluring Enchantments and Poysonous Societies upon People to deceive them Rev. 18.23 Eph. 5.6 Rom. 16.18 by their Enticing Words and Fair Speeches and their making a pretence of Christianity by coming in Christ's Name though he never sent them and their saying that he is Christ covering themselves with a Profession of him But wo saith the Lord to the Rebellious Children that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with in covering but not of my Spirit Isa 30.1 And so the Members of Antichrist the Man of Sin who are learned in the Mysteries of their Craft and are influenced with the beguiling subtilty of their Master the Serpent they imploy all their Wits Arts and Parts in their earthly and sensual Wisdom and for their earthly and quickly perishing Gain to draw Peoples Minds from the Light the Manifestation of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts which is given to them to profit withal that so they may keep them under the power of Darkness and in Admiration of their Teachings Signs Ceremonies Splendor and Wonders with which they infatuate the Ears Eyes and Minds of People that so they may depend upon them and rest under their covering of Profession And those that such Deceivers could not prevail upon to follow them in their Superstitious Practices them they oftentimes Burned or Sentenced to be Burned to Death when they had power in their Hands as woful Experience hath largely declared and for their so doing pretended Authority from Heaven and doth not this their wondrous murdering practice and pretence of having Authority from Heaven to Burn People seem somewhat like the Beast's making Fire to come down from Heaven in the sight of Men And those that are prevailed upon by them and do admire their Signs and Wonders might possibly have as much or more admired the Wonders done by the Magicians of Egypt Exod. 7.11 to 23. in causing their Rods to become Serpents and the Waters to become Blood and in bringing up Frogs upon the Land of Egypt and those that cover with a covering and not of the Spirit of the Lord and ask not at his Mouth but walk to go down as into Egypt a Land of Darkness to strengthen themselves as in the strength of Pharaoh and trust as in the shadow of Egypt Isa 30.1 2 3 the strength of Pharaoh shall be their shame and the trust in the shadow of Egypt their Confusion It may be objected that Christ and his Apostles confirmed his Doctrine by Miracles but then that was at the first when they preached down the outward Law and the Ceremonies thereof which God had commanded them by Moses that they should observe And when they first published the Glad-tydings of the Gospel of the Grace and Peace of Christ Heb. 8.9 10 11. the New Covenant before promised the Law written in the Heart But they who neglect this inward Law who now reckon of their Wonders have and retain many Ceremonies and Superstitious Practices for which they have no Ground nor Warrant from God nor Christ nor his Apostles as the Jews had for theirs and so there is no need of outward Miracles to confirm the preaching down of their modern Superstitious Ceremonies they being plainly repugnant to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles Recorded in the Scriptures of Truth which contain also Prophesies of their Signs and Wonders too to come in the Apostacy which things are exactly come to pass And it is more than they can do by all their Miracles if they can do any to confirm any Honest hearted true seeker after God in their Belief of many of the Wonder pleaders Doctrines as that of Transubstantiation and of Purgatory Prayers to and for the Dead Indulgences for Money Worship of Images c. Stories of Wonders will convince few that their Faith and Practice concerning these things is acceptable with God Now we read of as many or more that vilified the outward Miracles that Christ did as were Converted to him by them And they to whom Christ himself preached Mat. 9.34 Mat. 12.24 Mark 3.22 Luke 11.15 Jo. 12.36.37 Jo. 10.19.21 22. saying While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light Though he had done many Miracles before them yet they believed not on him And the whole multitude of the Country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them for they were taken with a great fear because of a notable Miracle that he had wrought amongst them and so