THat which was from the beginning, even that good Word of Life, which is the Light of Men; that which we have seen, and heard, and tast­ed of, is here declared unto you, that ye also may have Fellow­ship with us: And truly our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; and for this and no other end, write I unto you, but that your joy may be full. This then is [Page 4] the Message that God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all; and if we say that we have Fel­lowship with him, and walk in darkness, we Lie and do not the Truth: But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, we have Fellowship one with ano­ther; and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all Sin: If we say we have no Sin, we deceive our selves, and the Truth is not in us; but if we confess our Sins, he is faith­ful and just to forgive us our Sins, and to cleanse us from all our Unrighteousness, 1 John. 1.1.2.3. to the 9th.

Whoever therefore would at­tain unto the blessed Work of Sanctification, to be cleansed from all Sin by the Blood of Je­sus Christ, and so come to enjoy the comfortable fellowship of [Page 5] the Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father and the Son, Must turn from Darkness to Light, (Acts 26.18.) must Believe in the Light (John 12.36.) And walk in the Light, even as he is in the Light, and will know that this Turning is an Inward Turning from the Darkness which is within, unto the Light within, where the Day dawn­eth his Star ariseth, and the day spring from on high, doth visit us even in our Hearts, 2. Pet. 1.19. Wherefore blessed are they who are not offended in the Light, but turn to it, be­lieve in it, and obey it in all things.

1. Objection, But we are a­fraid of being deceived: This is a new and strange Doctrine, did ever Christ or his Apostles bid Men believe and obey the Light within?

[Page 6]Answer, 1. Are you not al­ready deceived? Consider and faithfully examine your own conditions, if you are delivered out of the deceived State, where­in the greatest part of the World yet remain, are you not in a sinful Trasgressing State? For 'tis said, The Woman being deceived was in the Transgression, 1 Tim. 2.14.

(2.) They who believe and abide in the Light, know that they are not deceived; seek not to deceive any, nor fear any de­ceiving them; tho' whilst we walk in the imaginations of our own Hearts, and warmed our selves with the sparks of our own kindling, that then as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so our Minds were corrupted from the Simplicity that is in Jesus; in which State [Page 7] we see many yet to stand, whom the Lord will undeceive in his own time: But evil Men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being de­ceived: And never fear deceit in those that turn you to the Light; unto which, they that do the Truth bring all their works.

Verily you ought cautiously to be aware of, and suspect all those who pretend safe conduct, but reject and hate the Light.

(3.) Search and Prove this Doctrine freely, without preju­dice or partiality judge, nor con­demn it unheard, speak not evil of any thing unknown; for so we may unhappily condemn the Innocent, and make our selves Guilty: We should rightly un­derstand what another holds, before we contend against him; least for want of this Wisdom [Page 8] and Patience, we oppose not so much his Judgment, as our own Conceit: Better it is to hear a Mans mind with meekness and candor, than hastily to guess at it.

(4.) Be not wedded I be­seech you to any Opinion, nor wise in your own Conceits, so as to build upon your own, or other Mens Judgments; and rest satisfied therein, because it is strengthned by Multitude, Custom, Authority and Anti­quity, for undoubtedly many have erred grosly in those things they have thought themselves infallible.

Better it is to cleave to the clear and naked Truth's of God alone, than to follow the Doc­trines and Examples of the most learned and Eminent Professors in the World, when they hold [Page 9] not the Truth as it is in Jesus

(5.) Reproach not this Doc­trine, saying, it is new and strange, or that ye never heard it so before; for this discovers your ignorance more than my Error, for this which to you may seem to be a new Error, being rightly examined by the Scriptures, will evidently prove an old Truth; and if you will needs reject whatsoever to you savours of Novelty; how shall the Truths we yet know not be brought in, and the Ignorance and Error which yet remain be purged out?

(6.) This is the same Doc­trine which was preached by our blessed Saviour, and his ho­ly Prophets and Apostles, which was believed and obeyed, by all the Faithful Saints and Servants of God since the Creation; the [Page 10] same which the Lord gave in charge to the Israelites by the mouth of Moses, saying, Behold I send my Angel before thee to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee to the place I have prepared: Beware of him and obey his Voice— Exod. 23.20. But the Soul that doeth ought presumptu­ously, reproacheth the Lord, and shall be cut off from his People, be­cause he hath despised the Word of the Lord, Numb. 15.30. what is here meant by the Word of the Lord?

Answer, Nothing less than the Light of Christ in their Hearts: For saith Moses, It is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off, but the Word is very nigh, even in thy Heart, and in thy Mouth, that thou shouldest hear it, and do it, Deut. 30.11. to 14. to which the Apostle gives [Page 11] his Testimony, that this Word (or Light) within, is not Diaboli­cal, nor Natural, nor Legal, but Evangelical; and affirms, that obedience thereunto, is of the Righteousness of Faith, Rom. 10. from the 5th to the 8th. David calls it, a Lamp to his feet, and a Light to his paths, and prays that the Light and the Truth, may be his Leader and Guide: Solomon says, The reproof of in­struction is the way of Life: And the Prophet Isaiah testifies, thou shalt hear a Word behind thee say­ing, this is the Way walk in it, Isa. 30.21. John the Baptist preached Christ the Light, which was the Word which was in the beginning of the World, and He was sent to bear witness of this Light, (which is not a false Light, or a natural Light) but the true Light, which lighteth e­very [Page 12] Man that cometh into the World, John 1.9. and our blessed Lord said, John 8.12. I am the Light of the World, he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness, but shall have the Light of Life: While ye therefore have the Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the Children of the Light, John 12.36. and he bids, seek first the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof; which Kingdom, he told the Scribes and Pharisees, was in them, Luke 17.21. whence it is evi­dent, that every true Convert must inwardly turn from the Power of Satan, and Kingdom of dark­ness within, and inwardly seek and feel after the marvelous Light of God's Kingdom, to seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him and find him, tho' he be not far from every one of us, Acts [Page 13] 17.27. and the Apostle James writing to Sinners, bids them lay aside all filthiness and super­fluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted Word, which is able to save their Souls; which Peter calls the sure Word of Prophesie, unto which (says he) ye do well to give heed as un­to a Light that shines in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day star arise in your Hearts, 2 Pet. 1.19. which said ingrafted Word, and sure Word of Prophe­sie, cannot be intended, or meant by the Holy Ghost to be the Scriptures, because they are not able to Save Mens Souls, or give Eternal Life to such as think to have it thence, John 5.39. but it is the Light of Christ our Lord, in whom is Life Eternal, and the same Life is the Light of Men, and his Name is called the [Page 14] Word of God, Rev. 19.13.

2 Object, But dost thou deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God? Which is the only rule, both for Life, and also to judge of Doctrines, and the only Wea­pon to resist Satan, and confute his Ministers; and Christ over­came the Tempter only by the Scriptures, which are the Sword of the Spirit, and the Word of God.

Answ. 1. In obedience to the command of Christ, John 5.39. I have perused and diligently searched the Scriptures, both in the Originals, and several Tran­slations, it may be as much as any Man, and find that they sufficiently declare, and testi­fy of, and for our blessed Savi­our Jesus Christ to be the Word of God.

[Page 15]But through the whole Vo­lumn of this holy Book, called the Bible, and Scriptures of Truth; I find not therein that they are called by this Name.

(2.) And therefore that the Scriptures are the Sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God, I have no Scripture war­rant to believe, but that the Word of God, is the Sword of the Spirit, I own and wit­ness experimentally, and that it is sharper than a Two edged Sword, like a Hammer and Fire, the Ax at the Root of the Tree, and that 'tis Ʋnchangeable, In­corruptible and Eternal, without beginning of Days or end of Time, and so are not the Scriptures.

(2.) Nevertheless we preferr the Holy Scriptures (above all Books) as they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God, and [Page 16] therefore of Divine Authority, and believe them to be a true Declaration of God, and of his Word, yet we must not fix our hopes of Eternal Life in the Scriptures, as the Jews did, and would not believe in Chirst, nor come to him that they might have Life, John 5.38.39.40. It is not they therefore who have the Scriptures, but only they who have the Son of God that have life, 1 John 5.12.

(4.) Wherefore we preferr Christ Jesus above the Scrip­tures, for in all things he must have the preheminence, therefore said John, he is preferr'd before me, for he is before me, and before Abraham was (saith Christ) I am: Wherefore know that we build not upon the holy Pro­phets and Apostles, their Words, Works, Writings and Experi­ences, [Page 17] but upon Jesus Christ Himself, being the Chief Cor­ner Stone, and the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, so that we have not received our Light, Life, Peace, Comfort, Faith, Hope and Assurance from the Writings of the Saints, but from him that was their Light, Life, Hope, Rest and Foundati­on, and have our teaching from that inward Light, Law, Word, and Ʋnction, whereby Abel, E­noch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ja­cob and Joseph walked with, and pleased God, long before the Scripture or Scriptural Rules were written and manifested.

(5.) Neither are the Scrip­tures the only Rule, for they de­clare and testifie of the Law written in the Heart, and the Rule of a new Creature, Gal. 6.15.16. and as for the only Judge of [Page 18] Doctrines, we know that the Scriptures are hard to be under­stood, and therefore Men in their Carnal Wisdom, are put­ting their several meanings up­on one and the same Scripture, wherefore we say the Spirit of God is the Judge of Doctrines; because he alone, who gave forth the Scriptures, best knows the meaning thereof: For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10.

Answer, (6.) Neither yet do I believe that the Scriptures were the only means which Christ made use of to overcome and repel the Tempter in the Wilderness; for Satan allegd­d and pleaded Scripture, till he indeed took the Sword of the Spirit, even his Divine Power, and commanded him to be [Page 19] gone, and said, Get thee behind me Satan.

Object. 3. Though it is grant­ed, that Christ by his Light and Spirit is in every true Believer; yet we cannot believe him to be so in every Man, for Paul tells the Ephesians, that before their Conversion, they were with­out God, and without Christ in the World, Eph. 2.12. and the same Apostle bids others to exa­mine and prove themselves, and to know that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be Reprobates, 2 Cor. 13.5. whereby it appears, that Ʋnbelievers and Reprobates, are without Christ.

Answ. (1.) As to Ʋnbelie­vers before Conversion, they are alienated from the Life and Light of Christ, and under the Powers of the Prince of Dark­ness, nevertheless the true Light [Page 20] shines in this Darkness, but the Darkness comprehendeth it not, John 1.5. and I can truly wit­ness to the Truth hereof, know­ing the time when I was with­out Christ and without God in the World, i. e. without the true knowledge of them, living as if there was no God, yea, with­out any awful regard to the Eye of God, yet I can as truly af­firm, that at that time the Light of Christ was in me, testifying against all mine Iniquities: And tho' this may seem to be a Miste­ry, that a measure of his Light should be in a Man; when that Man is without Christ, yet hav­ing experienced the truth here­of, do therefore testify, that it is one thing for the Light of Christ to be in a Man, and ano­ther thing for a Man to be in the Light of Christ; and therefore [Page 21] affirm that the Light of Christ is in every Man, but no Man is in Christ Jesus, till he be a new Creature.

Answ. (2.) And as to Repro­bates, such as the Scripture te­stify, who have sinned out the Day of Grace, done despight to the strivings of the Spirit, as the old World did, such as are complained of, Jer. 6.29. and such as Stephen reproves, Acts 7.51. even such as God hath given up, cast off and rejected, yet doth not this prove, but that the Light and Spirit of Christ was once in them, and at work in their Hearts.

Answ. (3.) And yet further, in the next place the Love of Christ constraineth us thus to Judge, because if Christ died for all, then were all dead, 2 Cor. 5.14. and as Christ dyed for all [Page 22] Men, so his grace is free for all Men, For the Grace of God which brings Salvation, hath appeared to all Men, Tit. 2.11. for he is able and willing to save all, that yeild obedience to the tenders of his boundless, endless, unlimi­ted, universal love to Mankind without exception, and this we are verily persuaded of, from these and such like considerati­ons.

(1.) Because the Lord is no respecter of Persons, he maketh his Sun to rise on the just, and on the unjust, and sendeth Rain on the evil and on the good, he accepteth not the Persons of Princes, nor regardeth the Rich more than the Poor, for they all are the work of his Hands.

(2.) Because that Light which shined in our dark, igno­rant, unclean and unbelieving [Page 23] Hearts, before Conversion, is the very same in which we ought to live and abide since our Conversion; that which for­merly stood by, and in us, was an Eye witness too, and bore a faithful Testimony against us, while we walked in Darkness, is the same which since the time of our Believing and abiding in his Light, witnesseth with our Spirits, that we are the Chil­dren of God. That very Light, which before reproved, con­vinced, judged and condemn­ed us, for all unbelief and un­righteousness both in Heart and Life, is still the same which doth convert, confirm, cleanse, justify and save, yea, that Light which before shined in Dark­ness, when we were as vile as the worst of Sinners, doth now to the praise of God shine out [Page 24] of Darkness, whereof we are not Ashamed.

(3.) Because our Lord Jesus who cannot lye, hath said, that Man's Condemnation ariseth only from the contempt of, and disobedience unto this Light, saying, this is The Condemnation that Light is come into the World, but Men love darkness rather than light, John 3.19. Now most certain it is, that Man's Dam­nation is occasioned from, viz. either want of Light, or thro' the deficiency of this Light, or rather from Man's Rebellion and disobedience to this Light.

First, we may not think so hardly of God, that Man's Con­demnation ariseth from the want of saving Light, this is to charge God with Injustice, as the evil and unprofitable Servant, said, Lord I knew thee to be an Austere [Page 25] and hard Man, reaping where thou hast not Sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: And what greater Unmercifulness can be charged upon God? Than that he withholds from any Man the benefit of his saving Light, or withdraws it before Man's Rebellion against it.

And Secondly, 'Tis no less than Blasphemy to say, that the Light of Christ is insufficient, and not able to save all that come to God thereby, for tho' his appearance at first be as the day of small things, as the least of all Seeds, a little Stone, dis­alowed and despised of Men, who stumble and are offended at him, yet chosen of God, and exceeding precious to all that Believe, who know him to be the Almighty Arm and Power of God to Salvation, the alsuf­ficiency [Page 26] whereof, is further de­monstrated by its Divine Nature and Powerful effects.

(1.) The Nature of this Di­vine Light, in which we believe, and Know to be that measure of the immortal, unchangeable, undefiled and perfect Principle of Life, Light and Holiness, which never fell, nor consented to any Evil, but ever opposed and stood against the whole corrupt nature, will and affecti­ons of faln Man, (a Measure, I say hereof, is given to every one to profit withal) 1 Cor. 12.7. so that the Light I speak of, is nothing of Man's Nature, but of the Divine Nature, whereof he hath made us partakers, by revealing his Son in us, even that great Mistery, Christ in you the hope of Glory, the blessed Seed (promised Gen. 3.15.) yea, even [Page 27] the Son of God, who is sent into the World, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have Eternal Life.

(2.) The Effects of the Light, when Christ was upon Earth, John saw and bare Record, say­ing, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the Sins of the World, and yet the Lord said, A Greater Testimony have I, than that of John, for the Works that I do in my Fathers Name, they testifie of me; so we say of his Light, however slighted and de­spised by the World, if his Works be not such as none else can do, believe him not.

Effect (1.) Hereby the Sin­ner is convinced of, and con­demned for all Sins that ever he commiteth, of what kind or na­ture soever they be, John 16.8.9.10.11. Come (said the Wo­man [Page 28] of Samaria) and I will shew you a Man that hath told me all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ? John 4.29.

Effect (2.) Hereby the true fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of Wisdom, is actual­ly planted in the Heart, for while a Man in his Imaginations, sup­poses God and Christ only as circumscribed at a great di­stance, he persists with boldness in his evil ways; but when his mind is turned into the Light, he is thereby made to under­stand, and see his condition and misery; and to see him whom he hath pierced, which forces this, or the like general Cry, Lord, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear: But now mine Eye sees thee, wherefore I abhor my self in Dust and Ashes.

[Page 29] Effect (3.) This causeth not only repentance thorough Faith in Christ the Light; but also worketh in the Heart, Obedi­ence of Faith, Rom. 16.26.

Effect (4.) Hereby Man's in­sufficiency to answer the requi­rings of God is discerned, and the Alsufficient Strength and Power of Christ discovered: The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth, for he shall Glorifie me: For he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you, John 16.13.14.

Effect (5.) They who have believed and do abide in the Light, (and they only) are hereby enabled and made wil­ling, freely to declare and preach their experiences to others, and to confound, and put to silence the weakness, ignorance and folly, of all that reproach and oppose this Doctrine, as the il­literate [Page 30] young Man did to the learned Scribes and Pharisees: Why this is a marvelous thing (said he) that yee know not whence he is, and yet he hath open­ed my Eyes: Since the World be­gan was it not heard, that any Man opened the Eyes of one that was born Blind, J [...]hn, 9.30. wherefore let all who look out for another Saviour, remember the answer of Christ to John Baptist, on the like account, Go (saith Christ) and tell him that sent ye to ask, saying, art thou he, or look we for another? Tell him what ye have heard and seen; the Blind receive their sight, the Deaf hear, the Lame walk, Lepers are cleansed, and to the Poor the Gospel is preached; and blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me: Even so in a spiritual sense, the same may be as truly [Page 31] affirmed now of him the true Light, who is spiritually in the World, and the World knows him not, nor whence he is, tho' he hath enlightned, healed, cleansed and quickned Thou­sands; and the poor and wound­ed [whom none of the Proud Covetous Priests regard] even the Poor [by Virtue of the Light] have the Everlasting Gospel of Salvation freely preach­ed to them.

Object. (4.) But ye are a­gainst all Gospel Ministers, Churches and God's Ordinan­ces (viz.) The Sacraments of Christ instituting, viz, Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Answ. (1.) As concerning Ministers, all that are truly the Ministers of the Gospel, who are Ministers of the Spirit we own, but all they whom the [Page 32] Lord is against we deny, be­hold saith the Lord, I am against the Prophets that steal my words, every one from his Neighbour; and against them that use their Tongues, and say he saith: Who prophesie false Dreams, and do tell them, and cause my People to Err by their lies, and by their light­ness, yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; therefore they shall not profit this People at all, saith the Lord, Jer. 33.30.31.32.

(2.) And we are against all such who oppose, and set them­selves against the Lord, his Truth and People, such as Pe­ter declared against, They that stood up and gathered themselves together against the Lord, and a­gainst his Christ, Acts 4.26. such as blaspheme, falsly accuse, and speak evil of the Spirit and [Page 33] Light of Christ, of which the Lord saith, He that speaketh a­gainst the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this World, nor in the World to come, because they said, He had an Ʋnclean Spirit, Mark 3.30.

(3.) We are against all ig­norant and blind Guides, who know not God, believe not in Jesus Christ, and to whom the Gospel is hid, and such are all they, who believe not in the Light, and denie Immediate Revelation, for saith Christ, No Man knows the Father, but they to whom the Son reveals him: And the Gospel which Paul preached, he saith, It is not after Man, neither received he it of Man, nor was he taught it by Man, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ, Gal. 1.11, 12. but all who abide in Darkness and hate the Light, [Page 34] unto such the Gospel is hid, 2 Cor. 4.3. Wherefore saith Christ, I thank the O Father, Lord of Heaven and Eurth, be­cause thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent, and hast revealed them unto Babes, e­ven so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight: All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no Man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any Man the Father save the Son, and him to whomsoever the Son will reveal him, Mat. 11.26.27.

(4.) We are against all such, who [with Simon Magus, to maintain their Carnal Priest-craft, for filthy Lucres sake] would Merchandize with, and set at sale the free gift of God, and the Misteries of his King­dom, whom Peter sharply re­proves, [Page 35] saying, Thy Mony perish with thee, because thou hast thought the gift of God may be purchased with Mony, thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy Heart is not right in the sight of God, repent therefore of this thy Wickedness, and pray God if per­haps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee, for I per­ceive thou art in the gall of bitter­ness, and in the bond of Iniquity: Now if it be said, this affects not the Ministers you oppose? I answer, They either have the same thought, and so are in the Gall of Bitterness, or they have not; if they have not such a thought, that the Gift of God may be purchased with Mony, then are they the vilest Wretch­es, and greatest self condemned Cheats in the World; to set that at sale for Mony, which [Page 36] they esteem the Gift of God, and which they know cannot be purcha­sed with Mony, and this to de­lude Milions of Souls: But if they have such a thought, then are they excluded with Simon Magus from having any part or lot in the Ministry, Acts 8.20.

(5.) We are against all those Teachers, who with Balaam, loving the Wages of Unrighte­ousness, and Earthly Rewards, have forsaken the right way, and gone astray, and changed the Gospel Ministry, Order and Worship, both as to Matter, Manner and Maintenance, from that which was practised by the Apostles, walking directly con­trary unto, and wholly pervert­ing the Apostles Doctrine, who saith, Feed the Flock of God, ta­king the oversight thereof, not by [Page 37] constraint but willingly; nor for filthy Lucres sake, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God's heritage, but as being ex­amples to the Flock.

(6.) We are against all such Teachers, who with those evil Spies, prejudice the People a­gainst the good Land of Pro­mise, Will neither enter into the Kingdom of God themselves, nor suffer others that would to enter therein, Numb. 13.31. They brought up an evil report of the Land, saying, It is a Land that eateth up the Inhabitants thereof, and all the People that we saw in it, are Men of a great stature, and there we saw the Gyants, the Sons of Anak, which come of the Gy­ants, to whom we in our own sight were as Grashoppers, and so we were in their sight, then all the Congregation murmured Crying, [Page 38] Deut. 1.28. whether shall we go? Our Brethren have discouraged our Hearts, saying, their Cities are great and walled up to Heaven, their Men mighty and stronger than we, even Giants, the Ana­kims, and we have heard say, who can stand against the Sons of A­nak?

Even so this present genera­tion of Priests and Teachers, dis­swade and discourage the Hearts of their People 1st. By their envying and bitter infectives against the good Land of Pro­mise, the Spiritual Canaan, Christ's Kingdom of Light and Righteousnes. 2d. By magni­fying the Power and Domini­on of Sin, and Kingdom of Darkness, and suggesting an impossibility of Conquest.

(1.) They discourage and deter the Hearts of the People, [Page 39] by belying and traducing the holy and blessed Appearance of Christ's Spiritual Kingdom; e­ven as those spies gave a false report of Temporal Canaan, contrary to the Character and Description, the Lord by his Servants have given thereof, as appears in Deut. 8.7. Moses saith, It is a good Land, a Land of Brooks of Water, of Fountains, and depths that spring out of Val­leys and Hills.

Verse 8. A Land of Wheat, and Barly, and Vines, and Fig-trees, and Pomegranates, a Land of Oyl Olive and Hony.

Verse 9. A Land wherein thou shalt eat Bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it, a Land whose Stones are Iron, and out of whose Hills thou may'st dig Brass.

[Page 40]Deut. 11.9. A Land that floweth with Milk and Hony.

Verse 10. It is not as the Land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy Seed, and didst carry Water to it, as to a Garden of Herbs.

Verse 11. But it is a Land of Hills and Valleys, and drinketh Water of the Rain of Heaven, (no need here of Man's Pump­ing, Draining or Forceing.)

Verse 12. A Land which the Lord thy God careth for; the Eyes of the Lord thy God are al­ways upon it, from the begining of the Year, even to the end of the Year.

And observe what a good ac­count Caleb and Joshua gave of the Land, in the presence of these Men who had brought up the aforesaid evil report, to the jeopardy of their Lives.

[Page 41] Numb. 14.7. It is (say they) an exceeding good Land, a Land that floweth with Milk and Hony, (and as for those Gyants and mighty Men of stature, say they) fear not the People of the Land, they are bread for us, (and upon hearing of this) all the Congre­gation bad Stone them with Stones.

Whereby it is very observa­ble, how readily the common People close with, and embrace the evil suggestions of the Ene­my, and also how hard a thing it is, to undeceive such as are prejudiced against the Truth; tho' grounded only upon bare report, and false accusations; and thus the Hearts of People are perverted.

(2.) And yet these Evil Men, do not only discourage the Hearts of the People, by de­spising [Page 42] and Reproaching the good Land, but they also deter, and hinder them; by suggest­ing such difficulties as possibly cannot be overcome, such Ene­mies as never on this side the Grave can be conquered.

Altho' the Lord had gracious­ly promised a total subduing of all Israel's Enemies.

Deut. 11.22. Saying, If ye shall diligently keep all these com­mandments, which I command you to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave to him, then will the Lord drive out all these Nations from before you, and ye shall pos­sess greater Nations and mightier [...]han your selves, and there shall no Man be able to stand before you: All this and much more did the Lord promise to Israel of Old, concerning a perfect dominion [Page 43] and victory over all their Ene­mies.

And in a more especial man­ner, hath he promised an abso­lute Conquest and Deliverance from the Kingdom and Powers of Darkness, to all that are Travelling to the Spiritual Ca­naan, even unto all that receive Jesus Christ, that love him, believe in him, and obey his Voice.

John 1.7.9. They who walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, have fellowship one with another; and the Blood of Jesus cleanseth from all Sin, and if we confess, and forsake our Sins, God is faithful and just to for­give us our Sins, and to cleans [...] us from all Ʋnrighteousness.

John 12.46. I am come (saith Christ) a Light into the World, that whosoever believeth in me, [Page 44] should not abide in Darkness. And indeed for this very end, is our Lord Jesus promised, sent and manifested to put an end to Sin, to finish Transgression, and bring in everlasting Righteous­ness, to destroy the works of the Devil; to bind the strong Man (though never so well ar­med) to cast him out and spoil his Goods, not in part, but to save even to the uttermost, all that come to the Father by him.

But these Men do not only refuse and despise the Land of Promise, and the only way to Life and Salvation, but hinder and shut up the Kingdom, that others who would enter in can­not; yea they deny the only means of eternal Salvation, by their confidently affirming that Revelation is ceased, whereas [Page 45] our Lord Jesus hath declared, and all the Faithful Servants of God in all Ages bear witness, That none know the Father, but he to whom the Son reveals him.

(7.) And we are against all those who are, and have with Judas [through envy and ava­rice] been the betrayers of the Interest, and cause of Christ, and People of God, into the Merci­less Hands of cruel Persecutors, who will not yet see, But [saith the Lord] they shall see and be ashamed for their envy against my People; Of these, therefore I shall only say with Jacob, Sime­on and Levi are Brethren, Instru­ments of cruelty are in their Ha­bitations; O my Soul come not thou into their Secret, unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united, for in their Anger they shed much Blood, and in their [Page 46] self-will they digged down a Wall, Gen. 49.

But the Ministers of Christ, whom he has sent as his Am­bassadors we own, and none else; if you say who are they? I answer, they who have re­ceived their Commission and Embassie from Christ, for saith he to his Father, As thou sent me, so have I sent them into the World, and to his Disciples he said, As the Father sent me into the World, even so send I you into the World, John 17.

1st. Christ was the Son of God, and a Voice from Heaven testified, saying, This is my be­loved Son in whom I am well pleas­ed, hear him, 2ly. he was im­measurably anointed with the Spirit, 3d. by Vertue of his Sonship and Unction, he endu­red and conquered all the As­saults [Page 47] and Temptations of Sa­tan, and 4ly. he went out and preached the Gospel, and 5ly. that Doctrine which he had preached and witnessed to in his Life, he confirmed and sealed by his Death in his Blood. So are all true Ministers in their measure, Children of God, his anointed ones fitted through Sufferings, to preach the Doc­trine of the Gospel in the Life & Power of the Eternal Word, and thereby made ready to Seal there­to with their Blood if required.

Answ. (2.) As concerning Churches, we believe that the Lord had a Church and peculi­er People, whom he hath pre­served through all Ages from the beginning to this present time, in and with whom he will also abide for ever, and this Church we own, which is in [Page 48] The Communion of Saints one with another in the things of God, through their Vnion with Iesus Christ; which differs from the Churches of Men, 1st. In their constitu­tion, not gathered by Force, Fear, Favour or Will of Man, but drawn of the Father, a­dopted through the new Birth, and so become a Spiritual Socie­ty, first united to Christ by the Spirit of Faith, and then knit together by the Bond of Love and Peace, 2ly. in their Disci­pline, not by a Temporal Sword, nor by humane Officers, that act in the strength of natural or acquired parts, but built, beau­tified and governed by Christ himself, Isa. 54.12. Zach. 6.12. and by Instruments helped, so far as the Spirit of Jesus Christ acts in them, 2 Cor. 13.3.

in the Church of Christ all are taught of God, Isaiah 54.13. Tit. 2.11. 1 John 2.27. 4ly. the Churches of Men are of­ten broken to pieces, scatered and confounded, But the Gates (which is the Power) of Hell shall never prevail against the true Church, Mat. 16.18. 5ly. in the Churches of Men are more Wicked than Righteous; nay, all of them being unrigh­teous and unclean, are more or less the Synagogues of Satan, the Habitation of Anti-christ; and have been, yet are, and while in their carnal Sinful State, will be Persecutors of the true Church, Gal. 4.29. but in the true Church they are all Righteous, Isaiah 60. from the 1st. to the 20th. and hereof it may be tru­ [...]y said, Who is like thee, O People saved by the Lord, the Shield of [Page 50] thy help, and the Sword of thine Excellency? Thine Enemies shall be found Liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high-places, yea, this poor, despised, persecuted Flock, are the Tem­ples of the Holy Ghost, 2 Cor. 6.16.

And the Body of Christ, Eph. 4.4. in which Body, 1st. there is but one Head, 2ly. there is not one dead Member, 1 Pet. 2.4.5. 3ly. there is no Law of force, but every Member acteth by the Law of Love, 4ly. all Members united into this, Body sympathize one with another both in Comfort and Afflictions please therefore to see, 1 Cor 12.25. This One Body is unite [...] by one Spirit, into one Hope, [...] one Lord, and hath but one Fai [...] and one Baptism, Eph. 4. [...] which one Baptism, leads me [...] [Page 51] Answer the third Branch of the last Objection.

Answ. (3.) As concerning Ordinances in General, 1st. The Scripture calls nothing Sin, or any thing Practical, but that which is prohibited, or expresly commanded by the great Le­gislator; neither shall any be saved, or are to be judged in Spiritual matters, by any Law, but by the Law of God, or by any Lawgiver, but by Jesus Christ, He that speaketh evil of his Brother, and judgeth his Bro­ther, speaketh evil of the Law, and judgeth the Law, thou art not a doer of the Law, but a judgé, James 4.12. There is one Law­giver, who is able to save and to destroy, and Isa. 33.22. The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, he will save us, Col. 2. [Page 52] 16. let no Man therefore judge you in meat or drink, &c. which were a shadow of things to come, but the Body is of Christ, wherefore if ye be dead with Christ, from the Rudiments of the World, why, as tho' liv­ing in the World, are ye sub­ject to Ordinances? Touch not, Taste not, Handle not, which all perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of Men; Touch not, Taste not, Han­dle not, which things indeed have a shew of wisdom in will-Worship, &c. all which perish in the using, 2ly. the Scriptures reject all Re­ligious performances, that are done without warrant from Heaven, Isa. 1.12. When ye come to appear before me, who hath requir'd this at your hands to tre [...] my Courts? Bring no more va [...] Oblations, Incense is an Abom [...] nation [Page 53] to me, &c. and Micah 6.6, 7, 8, 3ly. the Scriptures de­clare that all outward Ordinan­ces, are Temporary; only till the time of Reformation, and to be abolished by Christ, Heb. 9.1. to 14. Col. 2.6. to the end, Eph. 2.15. 4ly. the Scrip­tures shew us, that the outward abolished Ordinances, and the Traditions of Men, hinder and prevent Obedience to Christ, and Submission to the will and commands of God; This is the will of God even your Sanctifi­cation, 1 Thes. 4.3. this is the work of God, (or the work he requires, saith Christ) that ye believe on him, whom he hath sent, John 6.28. And this is the com­mandment (saith John) that we should believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath given us com­mand: [Page 54] But alas! how is the work of God laid aside, his will and commands neglected, and the beggerly Rudiments and Ele­ments of this World pleaded for, and maintained; and mostly by such, who reject the command of God and Christ, that for secular ends, keep and observe their pretended Ordi­nances, and make the Word of God of none effect, by their Traditions, Mark 7.5. to 13. Mat. 23.23. 5ly. as Man can­not be polluted or defiled, by that which is without him, no more doth any thing, be it what it can, Bread, or Wine, or Water, from without, cleanse or comfort the inward Man, according to Mark 7.14. to 23. 6ly. nor yet in matters of Faith and Worship, are we to receive [Page 55] our Measures or Rules from Councils or Synods, or the best of Men, further than the ex­press command of the Lord for their warrant, Moses had no Authority to institute any Laws or Ordinances, but to teach the People Obedience to those God had prescribed, Exodus 24.12. and Christ's Commission to the Apostles was, go Teach them to observe whatsoever I have com­manded you, and Lo I am with you to the end of the Word, Mat. 28.20.

And now more particularly, concerning the two Sacraments (so called) and first, touching Baptism, or rather Baptisms, for there be many, we read of di­vers sorts of Washings or Bapti­zings, as the Baptizing of Pots and Cups (for so it is in the Greek) Mark 7.8. and we read [Page 56] of the Doctrine of Baptisms, Heb. 6.2. and now concerning John's Baptism, which in its time was not only New, but mighty Fa­mous; insomuch that the Peo­ple mused, and were all in ex­pectation, whether John were not the Christ, but he confessed that he was but a fore-runner, and that his Baptism was weak and imperfect, and temporary, an elementary Figure and Sha­dow of Christ's Powerful Spiri­tual and Saving Baptism; from hence its evident, that the Bap­tism of John, and the Baptism of Christ, are, and ever was, two distinct Baptisms; and as the Heavens are high above the Earth, so vast a difference is be­twixt them.

(1.) They are two in Name, Apollos an Eloqent Man, and mighty in the Scriptures, knew [Page 57] only the Baptism of John, to whom Aquilla and Priscilla ex­pounded the way more perfectly, Acts 18.25.

(2.) They differ in time; He that comes after me shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost, Mat. 3.11. and said Christ, John Baptized with Water, but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.

(3.) They are two in Na­ture; the one a created, visible Element, the other an holy, in­visible quickening Spirit.

(4.) They differ in their Ef­fects; John's reacheth only to the outside, the Spirit's Baptism cleanseth the Soul and Consci­ence.

(5.) John's Baptism was but a Sign, a Shadow, and a Legal Ceremony; but the Baptism of the Spirit, is the Substance and [Page 58] the Truth, of that which Wa­ter typified.

(6.) John's Water Baptism was Temporary, of short dura­tion and continuance, as all Le­gal Signs and Ceremonies had an end, so this being nearer the Truth and Substance, and to the day of Christ than they, was of less continuance, and being a shadow, must fly a­way by the glorious rising and brightness of his Son: And so John's Baptism was of use a lit­tle before Christ's manifestati­on in the Flesh, and was to continue till his Ascension; and then when Christ's Baptism began, the shadow must by de­grees decrease and vanish, and give way to the Substance, the Sign abolished, and the Truth exalted, the Letter resigns to the Spirit, the Servant to the [Page 59] Son: So that Christ's Fire Bap­tism put an end to John's Water Baptism, for as all the Prophets were until John, so John was until Christ; and John must no more exceed his bounds, than the Prophets theirs; for as the Prophets continued and gave way to John, so John resigned up to Christ. John's Tempo­rary Ministry had a Temporary Baptism, but the Everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus, had an Everlasting Baptism, I must de­crease, but he shall increase, saith John, therefore we leave John and his Baptism where we found them, (viz.) Without the bounds and limits of Christ's Kingdom (as to his dispensa­tion) Mat. 11.11. Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of Women, there hath not risen a greater Prophet than John [Page 60] Baptist, nevertheless, he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven, is greater than he; and if ye will receive it, this is the Elias which was for to come.

But now to bring Signs and Ceremonies into Christ's King­dom (the true Church) is act­ing directly against Christ, and him crucified; and surely none are so weak as to rely upon Wa­ter Baptism, as sufficient (which I fear many Thousands do) without the Sactification of the Spirit, or to think that Christ's Spiritual Baptism is not com­pleat with John's; these do worse than to build Tabernacles for Moses, and John the Baptist, equal to one for Christ; and so debase the greatest Glory of the New Testament, the Baptism of the Spirit.

[Page 61] Object. (1.) But have all our Christian fore-Fathers been in the dark about this Thing, that Water Baptism which gives us our Christendome, hath no room now in the Church, and Kingdom of Christ?

Answ. (1.) The Judgments of the Lord are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out, (2.) that Christianity which pro­ceeds from Water Baptism, is but low and mean, it is but Skin deep: However, it is only the Baptism of Christ's Spirit which maketh a true Christi­an. Also our Lord said to Pe­ter, Ʋnless I wash thee, thou hast no part in me, John 13.8. even so it is with us, unless we be sanctified and cleansed by the Spirit of Jesus, we shall perish our Uncleanness.

[Page 62] Object. (2.) But Christ who is Lord of the Kingdom, and Head of the true Church, sub­mitted to this Ordinance, and was baptized with Water.

I Answer, very true; and Jesus was also circumcised, and honoured John's Baptism, (1.) because he was born under the Law, (2.) to fulfiill and finish all legal Righteousness; and so he that knew no Sin, was made Sin for us, That we might be made the Righteousness of God in him, wherefore beware least any spoil you through Philosophy and vain Deceit, after the Traditi­ons of Men, after the Rudiments of this World, and not after Christ, for he is the Substance, and in him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily, And ye are Compleat in Him, in whom also ye are circumcised with the [Page 63] Circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the Sins of the Flesh, by the Circumcision of Christ, Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are Risen with Him, through the Faith of the operation of God, — blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances, which was against us, and contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the Cross, and having spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a shew of them openly, Triumphing over them in it, Col. 2.8. to 15.

Object. (3.) But does not the Lord justifie Water Baptism, in saying, Except a Man be born of Water, John 3.5. and com­mands it, Go teach all Nations Baptizing them, &c.

Answ. Not at all, for the Lord does not say, Except a Man be baptized of Water, but [Page 64] born of Water, whence it plain­ly appears, such Water is here intended, as can give a new Birth, or a new Life; And saith he, if thou hadst known the Gift of God, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee Living Water. And so all that are regenerated, know this Well of Living Water, and witness it to be in them, spring­ing up to Everlasting Life, John 4.14. and I have long observed when Baptism in Scriprure is mentioned, presently it is by some assigned, and confined to Water Baptism; whereas no­thing less can be intended, as Mat. 28.19. there is Christ's Commission to his Apostles, Go teach all Nations baptizing them; how, or wherewith? 'Tis soon answered with Material Water; but we say Material Water is [Page 65] not mentioned, and no more intended in this Baptism, than the material Element of Fire is meant in these Words, He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with Fire, Mat. 3.11. and therefore in full answer to this last Objection, I say, that our Lord Jesus never practised, in­stituted, or commanded the use of Water Baptism in his Church, John, 4.3. Jesus our Lord com­manded to Baptize, (Mat. 28.19.) [...] into the Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Here is the Commission at large, and not a word of Water mentioned, neither doth it appear, that these words, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, was at any time expressed by the Apostles, when they, or any of them con­descended [Page 66] to the use of Water, for they understand the import of their Embassie consisted not in the use of those words, but that by the effectual ministrati­on of the Word of Faith, they might implant such as believe, into the Name, i. e. the Power, Vertue and Life of God the Fa­ther, Son and Spirit: Besides Paul whose Commission was as full as the other Apostles, speak­ing of Water Baptism, saith thus, Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to Preach the Gospel, 1 Cor. 1.17.

Object. (4.) But the Apostles practised Water Baptism, not only before Christ's Spiritual Baptism came in, but afterwards also.

Answ. It is granted, and they used Circumcision also, but nei­ther of these practices were in [Page 67] obedience to any command of Christ, but from the Example of Moses and John Baptist; and in condescention, for certain it is, all, and every outward Sign or Ceremony, having at first Divine Institution, are not easily laid down, by reason of that Honourable Account they have obtained in the Church; as the brazen Serpent, the use where­of was only in the Wilderness; but being appointed of God, and very Serviceable in that time, yet it remained many Generations, though of no use, unless for an Idol, till the Reign of Hezekiah, who broke in pieces the brazen Serpent which Moses had made, for unto those days the Children of Israel did burn Incense unto it: In like manner, Circumcision being en­ded, an Ordinance of God, of [Page 68] great esteem and service a­mongst the Jews, was continu­ed long after it was abolished by Christ; but the Apostle affirms of it to be nothing (even as it's said in another place, an Idol is nothing in the World) so says Paul, Circumcision is nothing, and Ʋncircumcision is nothing; nor is he a Jew that is one out­wardly, neither is that Circumci­sion which is outward in the Flesh, but he is a Jew which is one in­wardly, and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit, and not in the Letter, whose Praise is of God and not of Man, Rom. 2.28. wherefore we affirm, that he is not a Christian, who is one outwardly only, neither is that (the) Baptism, which is with Water; but he is a Christi­an who is one inwardly, and the one Baptism is that of the Heart [Page 69] in the Spirit, for saith the A­postle, 1 Pet. 3.21. The Bap­tism which doth save us, is not an outward washing, or putting away the filth of the Flesh, but the an­swer of a good Conscience towards God, through the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And thus much for Water Baptism, which the Scriptures call John's Baptism, and belong­ed to that middle Ministry, be­tween the Prophets and Christ; but the Baptism of the Spirit, which is Christ's, we own and know, and with evident de­monstrations of Truth, declare and testify the one and only Baptism of the new Testament, and by one Spirit, we are all bap­tized into one Body, (saith the Apostle) whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free, and have been all made to drink into one Spi­rit, 1 Cor. 12.13.

[Page 70]And this Baptism was but one in all Ages and Generations, even the very same before Christ's coming in the Flesh, as since; Believing Jews and Gen­tiles, both of the old and new Te­stament were made partakers of it; though the one more fully than the other; so that altho' many, both before and since, might not have the Baptism of Water, yet not one Member of the true Church hath ever wanted the Baptism of the Spi­rit.

But the more apparent mani­festation of this Spiritual Bap­tism, followed after that of John's Baptism, as appears by the promise of Christ, He that believeth on me, out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Wa­ter, this spake he of the Spirit, which they who believe on him [Page 71] should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified, John 7.38.39. wherefore the Dis­ciples waited at Jerusalem (as the Lord had commanded) un­till the promise was fulfiled, Acts 1.

Now the ground of our true Comfort lies in that we are baptized (not with the same Water, wherewith Christ was, but) with, and into the same Spirit, for as many as are bapti­zed into Christ, have put on Christ, Gal. 3.27. this therefore is the one and only Baptism: For,

(4.) This Baptism makes us partakers of the Divine Nature, John 3.3. the Spirit's Baptism gives a new Birth, and there­with a new Nature, and so the true Foundation of Christianity comes not from Water Baptism, [Page 72] but is that of Faith, and a new Creature

(2.) This Baptism giveth a new Name, I will write upon him the new name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from my God, and I will write upon him my new Name, as the Lord said to Jacob, thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for as a Prince hast thou Power with God, and hast prevailed, and thus saith the Lord, to all that joyn themselves to the Lord, that keep his Sabbaths, and that choose the things that please me, and take hold of my Covenant, even unto them will I give in my House, and within my Walls, a place and a name, better than of Sons, and of Daughters, I will give them an everlasting Name, which shall not [Page 73] be cut off, Isa. 66.4.5. and to him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a White Stone, and in the Stone a new Name written, which no Man knoweth, saving him that receiveth it.

(3.) This is the Baptism which makes all that partake thereof, Members of the true Church of Christ. For by one Spi­rit, we are all baptised into one Body; when the Sons of Zebe­dee desired to sit with Christ in his Kingdom, the one on his right Hand, and the other on his left, Jesus asked if they were able to drink of the Cup that he drank of, and to be baptized with the Baptism that he was baptized with? And they sayd unto him we are able, Jesus answered, ye shall drink indeed of my Cup, and be baptized with the Baptism that I [Page 74] am baptized with, &c. now tho' their request savoured to much of ambition, yet shall they have part in the Kingdom through suf­ferings.

(4.) It is the one Baptism only, which qualifies, fits, and enables to the work of the Mi­nistry, all the sharpest Wits, profoundest Learning, and the most exquisite Accomplish­ments, and curious Polishings, of natures chiefest Perfecting, cannot make a Gospel Mini­ster, it is the pouring out, and work of God's Holy Spirit, which makes a workman that needs not be ashamed, And in those days saith the Lord, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesie, Joel 2.28. which is witnessed, Acts 2.4. to 17. and they were all fil­ed [Page 75] with the Holy Ghost, and be­gan to speak with other Tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance; And Blessings, Glory and ever­lasting Praises to our God, who after a long Night of Darkness and Degeneracy, hath in this our Age and Generation, visi­ted a remnant who are brought forth through the new Birth, to feed upon the sincere Milk of the Word of eternal Life, who find it their strength, in stil­ness and silence to wait upon God, with an intire depen­dance on him; who act not in their own wills, nor speak their own Words, but as the anoint­ing which they have received and abideth in them, teacheth them all things that appertaineth to Life and Godliness; so that their Mi­nistry is of the Spirit and not of the Letter, but done according to [Page 76] the ability which God giveth, and by the movings of his Spirit, and if any thing be revealed to ano­ther, that sits by, the first doth hold his Peace, that all may speak one by one, and that only as the Spirit moves and gives them ut­terance, that all may learn, and all may be comforted, 1 Cor. 14.30. and amongst those, there is no despising of the weak; nor do the weak envy the strong, but they wish with Moses, that all the Lord's People were Pro­phets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them, Numb. 11.29.

(5.) This one Baptism, ma­keth all those One with Christ, who partake of it, John 17.23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and know ye not saith the A­postle, that so many of you as were [Page 77] baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his Death; that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead, by the glory of the Father, even so also we should walk in newness of Life. for if we have been planted in the likeness of his Death, we shall be also in the like­ness of his Resurrection, whence it appears, that by and through this one Baptism, all that are thereby sanctified, are one with Christ in his Life. 2ly. in his Death. and 3ly. in his Resur­rection, Rom. 6.3.4.

(6.) This is that one and on­ly Baptism, which washeth and cleanseth from all Sin, know ye not, saith Paul, that the unrighteous shall not Inherit the Kingdom of God? be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Drunkards, nor Extortio­ners, nor Idolaters, nor Adulte­rers, [Page 78] nor Effeminate, nor Abu­sers of themselves with mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Revilers, shall inherit the King­dom of God. But such were some of you but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are jbstified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. even as Christ loved his Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctifie and cleanse it, with the washing of Water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, nor any such thing, but that it should be Holy and without blemish, Eph. 5.25, 26, 27.

(7.) This Baptism doth not only sanctifie but save, For we our selves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving di­vers [Page 79] lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hat­ing one another; but after that the kindness and love of God ap­peared toward mankind, not by works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the wash­ing of Regeneration, and re­newing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Tit. 3.3, 4, 5. and thus, saith Peter, doth Baptism save us (not the washing away the filth of the Flesh, but) the answer of a good Conscience towards God, through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 3.20. so that Christ's Spirit Baptism, by the Word, is sufficient (to us) without John's Water Baptism, for he that is truly washed from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, and hath [Page 80] the Holy Ghost in him, to wash, cleanse, renew and sanctifie his Nature; to conform his judgement, will and affection to the Image of Christ, and to be in him as a Well of living Wa­ter springing up to everlasting Life, what need hath he of Material Water, under pre­tence of any Sign or Significa­tion whatsoever, either from Moses or John the Baptist, when he is actually possessed of the real Truth and Substance of these Types and Figures in himself already?

And lastly touching the Lord's Supper; which is a great My­stery, above which all the wor­shipers in the Outward Courts, (since the Apostasie from the Spirit of Faith, Power and Pu­rity of the Primitive Church) have been, and are in darkness [Page 81] and confusion; and at best, resting satisfied with the exter­nal Shadow, and Figure of the real Substance, which is the true Spiritual Supper of the Lord, not discerning the Lord's Body, nay, they are faln from the ve­ry outward form hereof, as held forth by Christ, Mat. 26.20. Luke 22.14. as he sate, and the twelve Apostles with him, and after his Resurrecti­on, he shewed himself to two of his Disciples in breaking of Bread as he sate with them, Luke 24.30. which was practi­sed by those Three Thousand converted by Peter's Sermon, They continued stedfast in the A­postles Doctrine and Fellowship, and in breaking of Bread, and in Prayer, Acts 2.42. daily break­ing Bread from House to House, did eat their Meat with gladness [Page 82] and singleness of Heart, praising God, Acts 2.46. they did thus at all seasons, even as often as they eat and drank, they were to do it in remembrance of Christ, to shew his Death till he come, 1 Cor. 11.26. and blessed is that Servant, saith our Saviour, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. But if the evil Servant shall say in his Heart, my Lord delay­eth his coming, and begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the Drunken; the Lord of that Servant shall come in a day that he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and give him his porti­on with Hypocrites, Mat. 24.46. to the end. Wherefore such as live Voluptuously, in Rioting and Excess, in Hatred and En­vy, [Page 83] in Strife and Cruelty (tho' they may be great pretenders to partake of the outward Bread and Wine,) and abide not sted­fast in the Apostle's Doctrine, who saith, whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the Glory of God, 1 Cor. 10.31. but eat and drink to in­dulge the Flesh; whose God is their belly: These, saith he in the 20 verse of this Chapter, Sa­crifice to, and have fellowship with Devils; and ye cannot drink the Cup of the Lord, and the Cup of Devils. Nor can ye partake of the Lord's Table, and the Table of Devils, verse 21. neither can they discern the Lord's Bo­dy, nor shew his Death till he come. And with such he is al­ways to come; nay, when he does come and stand knocking at the door of their Heart, they [Page 84] will not open to him, nor en­tertain him. but if any Man (saith the Lord) hear my voice and open the door, I will come in­to him, and Sup with him and he with me, Rev. 3.20. and this is the effectual Supper of the Lord's Table, which is the Flesh and Blood of Christ in the Mystery; John 6.56. he that eateth my Flesh, and drink­eth my Blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him; and here the redeem­ed of the Lord, have their Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ, by his abide­ing in them, and they as living Branches of the true Vine, a­biding in him, and in this blessed Communion, the Fi­gure of the outward Supper is fulfiled, according to Christ's own Words, Luke 22.16 and 18. I will no more eat hereof, [Page 85] nor drink of the Fruit of the Vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come, and it be fulfiled in the Kingdom of God, so that they only, who are partakers of the new Wine in Christ's Kingdom, can take the Cap of Salvation, and Praise his Name.

But notwithstanding all that can be said, none are greater opposers of the Power of God­liness, than they who have their life only in the outward profession thereof; and are like those Soldiers, very earnest in parting and casting Lots for Christ's Garments; not at all regarding the crucified Jesus, upon the Cross so near them. So, many Thousands Professors, spend most of their precious time about Words, Names, Shadows, vain Shows, and beggarly Elements, till they [Page 86] disputed and thrown away all inward sense of true Christiani­ty. What a noise they make a­bout Water, Bread and Wine, and other bodily exercises; acting in Religion? as if mak­ing, and blessing an Idol; and employed in heartless, overly and outside Performances; but within full of Envy, Pride and Covetousness; as if they thought to clime into Heaven that way by which Lucifer was cast out. Here's enough said, to satisfie the impartial and unprejudiced, but to such as are wedded to the Forms, Customs, and Tradi­tions of Men, this Doctrine will seem New, Strange and Dangerous; nevertheless, tho' many understand not these things at present, yet, I hope they may hereafter; and to such as are otherwise minded, [Page 87] God will reveal these, and greater Mysteries in his due time.

And therefore, to that pure Invisible, Unchangeable and Immortal Seed, and Principle of Life and Light, Which en­lightneth every one that comes into the World; that Word which is nigh in the Heart, that everlasting Gospel which is preached, Col 1.23. In every Creature (for so it is in the Greek Copie) under Heaven, even to that Grace and Spirit of God, which appeareth, and offer­eth Salvation to all Men, which inwardly makes manifest the hidden works of Darkness, re­proves and condemns all un­righteousness in Heart and Life, directs and leads into the way of Life and Peace, accepteth of, and rewardeth for well-doing, [Page 88] let every one who love their own Souls be inwardly turned, to love it, believe in it, and o­bey it, that ye may no longer remain in Darkness, but walk and abide in the Light of the Lord, to whom be Glory, Ho­nour and Obedience for ever, Amen.

God the Father, hath com­mitted all Power in Heaven, and upon Earth to his Son, and made him Supream Head and Governour over his Church; and He in his own Divine Light ma­nifests and reveals himself, his mind and will to Man; and is all-sufficient, and ever present to direct and lead his People in­to all Truth. And being our Lord, our Judge, and Law-giver, re­quires universal Obedience to his Royal Law written in our [Page 89] Hearts, and hath always the Soveraign Power to lay aside, alter, abolish and lead his Peo­ple from the use of outward Observations and Ordinances, that are idolized or abused, as well now as he did formerly, by Temple-Worship, Sacrifi­ces, the Passover and Circum­cision; which at first was com­manded the Jews, and their Seed for an everlasting Cove­nant.

(1.) Even as Swearing un­der the old Testament; an Oath was then taken for confirmati­on, &c. which under the Gos­pel is expresly forbidden by Christ, Mat. 5.34.35. and by the Apostle, James 5.12.

The Primitive Christians kept this Doctrine, against the com­mandments of Heathen Empe­rors, [Page 90] Popes, and persecuting Princes: As,

Policarpus refused to Swear, affirming it a special Character of a true Christian, not to Swear at all; he was burn'd therefore in the 86 Year of his Age, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 55.

Basiliades, another Martyr, affirmed it was not lawful for a Christian to Swear, Euseb. c. 6. p. 98.

In the Plowman's Com­plaint, we have this Expressi­on, ‘Lord thou givest us thy Commandment of Truth, not to Swear, but to say, yea, yea: and nay, nay, and to be Hum­ble and Meek; but he that calls himself thy Vicar on Earth, hath broken both these Commandments, compelling Men to Swear, and teacheth, that to save Life, a Man may [Page 91] forswear himself, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 527.’

Walter Brute affirmeth, that as it was the Perfection of the Ancients in the Old Testament, not to forswear themselves, so the Perfection of a Christian Man, is not to Swear at all, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 653.

And Chrisostome declares it is a Sin to Swear upon any ac­count, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 701.

Yea a great Master in Divi­nity saith, It is not lawful ei­ther to give, or take an Oath upon a Book; for saith he, a Book is nothing else but di­vers Creatures whereof it is made; therefore to Swear up­on a Book, is to Swear by Crea­tures; and this Swearing is ever unlawful, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 701.

[Page 92]So likewise, other Customs which had their Rise and Au­thority of the Romish Church, and Popish Councils, intruded meerly for filthy Lucres sake, ought to be laid aside, viz.

Ignatius Bishop of Rome, was the first who ordained that In­fants should be baptized, and have God-fathers and God mo­thers.

And anno 1500. it was or­dained by the Council, held at Pïsoy in France, that Infant Bap­tism should be received by Tra­dition, because it could not be proved by Scripture.

And Higinus the ninth Bi­shop of Rome, ordained the Communion to be celebrated three times a Year.

(2.) And as for paying Tythes under the Gospel Dispensation 'tis sufficiently manifest to be a Popish imposition.

[Page 93]Pope Pius the 5th, com­manded Tythes to be paid under the penalty of Excommunica­tion.

The Bohemians in their Chri­stian Exhortation to Kings and Princes, to stir them up to Zeal for the Gospel, against the co­vetous practices of the Clergy, say, ‘They receive Tythes of Men, and will have them; and preach that Men are bound to give them Tythes. but therein they say falsly, for they can­not prove by the new Testa­ment, that our Lord Jesus commanded it, neither did his Disciples receive any; and tho' in the old Testament, it was commanded to give Tythes, yet, can it not thereby be proved that Christians are bound thereunto; for this precept of the old Testament, had an end [Page 94] in the first Year of our Lord Jesus Christ, like as the pre­cept of Circumcision. Where­fore consider, and see how your Bishops seduce you with things that have no proof; Christ said in the 11th of Luke, Give Alms of those things that remain, but said not, give the Tenth ye possess, Acts and Mon. vol. 1. fol. 860.’

Finally, The Main and Principal Foundation of the Law of England is the Law of God, so saith the Law-Book, Doctor and Student, c. 2. p. 4. in these Words,

‘There is a Law written in the Heart of Man, which is Man created in the Image of God; and this Law is always Good and Righteous, stiring up the Man to do that which is good, and abhor the evil; [Page 95] and therefore against this Law (saith the Book) Prescrip­tion, Statute, Custom may not prevail, and if any be brought against it, they are void, and against Justice.’

Wherefore it doth necessari­ly follow, that all Popish or Prelatical Prescriptions, Cu­stoms or Penal Statutes, con­cerning Oathes or Tyths, or any other thing, not sounded on the Law of God written in the Heart; are void, and against Justice:

For undoubtedly, they who laid the first Foundation of Government, had Authority to make such a Con­stitution as cannot be altered by Po­sterity, for Foundations cannot be removed, without hazzard of the whole building, but if any do here plead the necessity of times, the ex­pediency or usefulness of some such Statutes or Customs? I Answer, 1st. the greatest necessity and care, is, and should be to secure and maintain [Page 96] the Foundation, and 2ly. however necessity might support, and indulge other Laws: it cannot, such as alter and are pernicious to the Constitution; but every legal advantage should be taken for restoring it, together with our just Rites and Freedoms, from all Arbitrary oppressions, and in­novations, and more particularly from the aforesaid Popish intrusions and impositions, for Oaths and Tythes.

And this is the humble and earnest desire of every good subject, that they who are more especially con­cerned, may so Vote, and so Enact, As those that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty, James 2.12. for by this Law in the Heart, God hath shewed unto them that Govern, as unto us who are under them, what is good, and what he requires of us all, Mic. 6.8.

And that they who sit to Judge us according to the Law; may not com­mand nor suffer us (any longer) to be Smitten contrary to the Law Acts 23.3.

MY Dear Friends, whereas by my sinful Prevarica­tions, and publick Revolt, the Glorious Name of the Lord, and his ever blessed Truth, hath [Page 101] been greatly dishonoured: his holy Spirit, together with yours, exceedingly grieved; be­sides the manifest occasion of Stumbling, Offence, and Per­judice, hereby given to the World.

And now, (through the infi­nite Goodness and Mercy of God in Jesus Christ) being brought into the weighty sence of his righteous Judgments, and just Displeasure for my Trans­gressions and Backslidings; feel­ing also, the operation of his mighty Power, in the fresh Visitations of his Love, renew­ing and reviving his own bles­sed Work upon my Heart; whereby he hath made me (as at first) to look unto him whom I have Pierced, and with shame and contrition, to yeild unto, and fall under those very same Pricks [Page 102] and Divine Reproofs, against which I have too too long kick­ed.

In the living sence hereof, I am constrained to declare unto you, and am not ashamed to Publish unto the World, how abundantly Good, and Gracious, the Lord hath been, and is to me, who after all my Provoca­tions and Ill requitals, hath once more in the way of his Judg­ments, extended Mercy; and as a God that waits to be Gracious hath given me a repenting, bro­ken, and returning frame of Heart, filled with Self-condem­ning and Self-abhorring resent­ments; and (withal) raised in me a living hope, that as he hath seen all my Wanderings, and perversness of my ways, he will also pity and heal me, and restore Comforts to me and [Page 103] to you, my Mourners; accord­ing to that precious Word, Isa. 57.15, 16, 17, 18.

Neither can I here omit, to make my sincere and thankful Acknowledgements for the ma­ny repeated Testimonies of your tender Care and Christian-like Dealing with me; watching over me, administring whol­some and seasonable Admoniti­ons, faithful and compassionate Reproofs; and lastly, righteous and just Censures. All which, (as to me) I own were very necessary; and as from you, the products of Love and Faithful­ness. The savour thereof, hath ever since (by times) affected my Heart with warm Inclinati­ons to love you, and secret Mo­tions to return (with the Dove) into the Ark, back again unto you, Hos. 2.7.

[Page 104]And also, in tender Love and Faithfulness, I cannot but warn and beseech, those, who in any measure or degree have swerved from the pure path of Holiness and Selfdenial; whose Hearts are privy to any secret allow­ance of Sin, or inward declin­ings or decay from your first Love, that ye make haste, and delay not; but immediately look up unto Jesus (as they in the Wilderness to the Brazen Serpent) Oh! linger not, dally not with Sin; nor take liberty to defer from mine or any o­thers evil Example, least hard­ness come, through the deceit­fulness of Sin; who knows how soon the Day of Visitati­on may be over, the strivings of Gods Spirit cease, and the Door of Mercy be shut. And as for my part (tho' I can truly [Page 105] say, the Lord hath preserved me from the Spirit of Envy, and Prejudice, (the usual Compani­ons of Apostacy) yet I must ever pray, that none who have known the Truth, may have the like occasion to feel the bit­ter Pangs, Terrors, and Difficu­ties, which attend a deferred re­turn.

And Ye, who have abode Faithful, and continued in your first Station; knowing that all your Strenth and Sufficiency is of Grace: Put on, as the Elect of God, Bowels of Mercy, and Pitty; sustaine the Weak, and pray for Us, and all that have tasted of the Good Word of Life, and the Powers of the World to come; that we, toge­ther with you, may be Preser­ved, and persevere in that Li­berty wherein the Truth doth [Page 106] set us free; and there abiding, may keep our Dominion, in the Authority of Truth, over the Lusts of the Flesh, the Lusts of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.

And to conclude, with the humble Expression of Nebuchad­nezzar, (in the like case) Dan. 4.37. I Praise, and Extoll, and Honour the God of Heaven, all whose Works are Truth, and his Ways are Judgment, and they that walk in Pride, he is able to Abase.