THE Strong Man Armed CAST OUT, And His Goods Spoiled, &c.
IN the time of my greatest Pollution and Iniquity, while I fulfilled the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness, for many years before that Change and Reformation was discerned in me at which ye rejoyced, even in the worst of my time; I testifie in the Presence of the Lord, that then I met with real and immediate Reproofs, Rebukes and Convictions from something that did often Awaken, Judge and Condemn me in my own Conscience, but knew not what it was, nor whence it came; and because Iniquity was risen in me to an exceeding masterless height, these Rebukes which I know were from a contrary Principle to Sin, prevailed not, although at some times they were as Powerful and Terrible as the Hand-Writing upon the Wall before Belshazzer, whereby my Countenance hath been changed, my Thoughts troubled, so that the Joynts of my Loins were losed, and my Knees smote one against another; then thought I to redress this Sorrow by going into Merry and Pleasant Company, essaying to divert that inward Perplexity by outward Jollaty, as Drinking, Gameing, Musick, &c. but those Diversions were unable to still and quiet these Tempestuous Surging Waves, and were no more effectual to heal the Wound of my Sin-smitten Conscience, then if a man should endeavour to quench Fire by pouring Oyl thereon; for I found by woful Experience, that these unwarrantable Courses [Page 6] encreased the Flame, and added yet more Weight to the first Burden: Then have I many times solemnly vowed, promised and resolved, To break off and cease from all Ungodly Practices; and in keeping and observing these Covenants I have found some Ease and Quietness for a time; but as soon as new Sins were committed, then arose fresh Occasions of Sorrow, Trouble and Terror; and after this manner I continued many years, until the Lord was pleased of his infinite Wisdom and Faithfulness to hedge up my Way with Remarkable and Extraordinary Providences, blasting all Purposes and Designs, and caused Afflictions, Losses and Disappointments to come upon my outward Estate, Horror and Perplexity upon my Soul, a most Violent and Raging Feaver upon my Body, and at the same time above an Hundred Miles from all Relations, Friends and Kindred; at which time, being in a most Wretched, Deplorable and Succourless Condition, sinn'd my self almost out of all the Comforts of this Life, and any Hope of Interest in a better; being under this great Distress, and cast out to the loathing of my own Person, and had all my Sins set in order before me, whereupon I was forced seriously to consider my Wayes, and found no place to escape the Wrath of the Highly-provoked God; at which time I had no Benefit of any Outward Help, Teaching or Counsel; but he, who before had been my Reprover, was then my only Teacher, who sealed Instruction upon my Soul, whose Voice I heard, which did shake and shake the Heavens, and the Earth also; and caused me to cry out, Lord, What wouldest thou have me to do? And being brought to the Foot of God, could truly say, Speak now Lord, for thy Servant heareth: And abiding in this broken and shattered State, I clearly felt the Judgment of the Lord powerfully at work in my Soul, as an Ax at the Root of the Tree, and as a Refiner's Fire, till the Life and Power of Sin was slain, subdued and mortified perfectly in my Will and Affections; then was the Lord Jesus revealed in me whom I had pierced; the New Birth Discerned, which is created after God in true Holiness; and the Immortal, Pure, Precious Seed, of the Eternal God, which ever before had been pressed down, trodden under and held in Bondage, arose; yea, the Tender Plant of his own Right Hand sprung up in me, panting and vehemently breathing after, and never since could be satisfied but [Page 7] with his Living Presence. Behold! these things worketh the Lord oftentimes with men, looking upon men; And if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which is Right, and it profitted me not, he will deliver his Soul from going into the Pit, and his Life shall see the Light. And this is the Sum of the Confession which I was not ashamed to witness in your publick Assemblies, both at Nottingham and other places, in the year 1668.
Objection. But it is probable some of you will object, saying, After this Change was wrought, thou didst Joyn to our Assemblies, Owned us, Prayed with us, Preached amongst us, and seemed to enjoy Refreshings and Satisfaction in our Assemblies; wherefore then art thou now departed from us, and gone to the Quakers?
Answer 1. Notwithstanding that great and notable Work begun in my Soul, and in some measure effected by the Mighty Power of the Lord, yet was there after some time a certain Deadness, Coldness and Darkness drawn over me again, occasioned through Weakness, Unwatchfulness and Formality, whereby that good Condition was lost; nevertheless I found and felt tender Breathings moving in me, thirsting and seeking for renewed Testimonies of the Love of God, then in the Simplicity and Uprightness of my Heart, not knowing a more likely way to obtain Satisfaction, I joyned to your Society; and can truly affirm (though I now see it was no better then seeking the Living among the Dead) that the Lord was pleased in the Condescensions of his Love, many times to stoop down, and reach forth from the openings of his Bosom Refreshings and Nourishment to that tender Babe of his own begetting, yea, while I frequented your Assemblies.
Answ. 2. And as I continued Faithful and Obedient to that measure of Light and Knowledge, which was revealed in me, it is well known to all, or the most of you, what Censures, Opposition and Contradiction, both I and the plain Scripture-Truths, which I declared in your Assemblies, suffered from many of your Brethren, charging me, That I was leading into Quakerism, [Page 8] long before I understood either by word or Writing what the Quakers held.
Answ. 3. But however, these Censures occasioned a free and impartial Search into the Quakers Principle, Doctrine and Practice; for verily, before I was as much afraid of the Quakers as ye can be: But standing single in the Will and Counsel of the Lord, desirous to prove all things and hold fast that which is good, abandoning all Consultations with Flesh, was resolved to cease from Man, and to cleave unto the Truth, as the Lord should reveal and discover the same to me, waiting in this Unbyassed, Unprejudiced and Dis-engaged Frame, examining carefully the Principle, Foundation, Doctrine and Practice of this Despised Holy People, great Clearness and Satisfaction arose in my Soul; for as Face answered Face in a Glass, so were the Truths delivered by them, owned and embraced by the Witness of God in my own Conscience; and the same Spirit, Light, Life and Power, which is manifest in them, I came to feel in a measure in my own Particular: And yet for all this, before I came to any visible Closure with them, I sate down, and counted the Cost, and am made willing freely to endure the Cross, and undergo the World's Reproach and Shame, knowing, that whoever will be Christ's Disciple must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily and follow him.
And truly Friends, the Day of the Lord's Power is come and felt, whereby I am made willing to forsake Fathers and Mothers, Brethren and Sisters, Parsonages and all kind of Ecclesiastical Promotions, Friends, Honours, Pleasures, Profits, Houses, Lands, Goods, yea, and Life is self, to follow the Lamb, and fall in with his Interest, as it is only witnessed and embraced by and amongst the Children of Light, by the World called Quakers.
Answ. 4. But if it were possible, I desire to make clear to your Satisfaction, that there was sufficient Ground for me; and so there is for you, who have any Tenderness and Breathings in your Souls after the Lord, to separate your selves from the Tents of those Ungodly Men, your Teachers, who are no better then Filthy Dreamers, [Page 9] Blind Guides and Belly Gods, who belch out nothing but Blasphemies, Lyes, Slanders, False Accusations and Evil Speeches against God and Christ, his Wayes, Truth and People; and this I see and declare against them in the Light: For, verily there is, and I witness it, an Honest, Gracious, Tender Principle in many of you, called Independents, which kindles in you perfect Hatred against Sin, and unsatisfied real Breathings and Pantings after the Sensible Living Presence of the Lord; But your Leaders cause you to Err, and ye are scattered upon the dark and barren Mountains: And this I testifie in the Name of the Living God, That it will be so with you while ye follow these Wandring Stars, Clouds without Rain, Seducing Spirits, your Pastors and Teachers, who are Ravening Wolves and Ministers of Antichrist, whom ye ought not to receive into your Houses, nor bid them God speed; For,
(1.) They are altogether Ignorant of the True God; and all the Knowledge that these men pretend to have of the Deity, is attained by Reading and Hear-say; for they will confidently affirm, That Vision and Immediate Revelation is ceased: Judge ye therefore what Knowledge these men have of God, when the Scriptures say, No man knows the Father but they to whom the Son reveals him.
(2.) They Reproach and despise Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, of whom the Scriptures witness and testifie to be the True Light, which enlightens every man that comes into the World: But they are not afraid to say, The Light in every man is but a Natural Light, and at the best not able to save those who believe in it and obey it. And to discover themselves more plainly to be the Ministers of Antichrist, they are not ashamed to deny that Christ is come in the Flesh: indeed both they and their Grandmother, the Church of Rome, are willing to confess that Christ was come; but the Scripture is plain, That every Soul that confesseth not that Christ is come in the Flesh, the same is Antichrist.
(3.) They fear not daily to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God; but call it A Spirit of Delusion, and A Spirit of Error; and most presumptuously say of them that are sanctified, guided, taught and anointed by the Holy Ghost, That they are led by the Spirit of the Devil.
[Page 10](4.) They trample under Foot the Blood of the Covenant, counting it a Weak and Unholy Thing, while they impudently affirm, That the best of God's Saints (yea, if he had no purer Saints then they are) cannot be free from sin whilst they breath upon Earth, when the Scriptures witness, that the Blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin.
(5.) They preach another Gospel: Now the Scripture is plain, That if any man, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto us, then what we have already received, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.9. Now how can ye believe that they are Ministers of the Gospel, when they know not what the true Gospel is; For, saith Paul, I certifie unto you, Brethren, that the Gospel which I preach is not after man; for I neither received it, neither was I taught it of man, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ: But your Teachers deny any such Revelation in these dayes; wherefore it is hereby evident, that they are Thieves, crept in some other wayes, and bring another Gospel, then that whereof Paul was a Minister, as he witnessed to the Collossians, Chap. 1.23. saying. Be not moved from the Hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached IN EVERY CREATURE under Heaven, [...] In universa creatura. whereof I Paul am a Minister. And this is the Word of Faith which we preach, even Christ, the Word, who is in thy Heart and in thy Mouth, saith Paul, Rom. 10. which all have heard, and the Sound thereof is gone through the whole World: But these men labour to pervert the Gospel, and turn men from it, saying, That the Light of Christ in every man's Conscience is not the Substance of the Gospel, nor the Power of God to Salvation.
(6.) They have indeed a Form of Godliness, but want the Power; and well for them if that was the worst: But they magnifie and cry up a Form, and utterly reject, despise, and deny the Power, which is the immortal Seed, Christ Jesus, the Light within; and from such we are commanded to turn away.
Their Prayers and Sermons are made, contrived, studied and composed in their own Time, Wills and Wisdom; but are Strangers to the Life, Power and Spirit of Prayer: and deny that Christ speaks in any; which is evident that he doth not speak in them.
[Page 11]They cry up, and plead earnestly for Water-Baptism, which Christ never Administred, Instituted or Commanded to be Administred; and yet they call it Christ's Ordinance: Some saying, Without this no Salvation; and the rest say, With such as wilfully neglect this, have no Communion; But if they had ever undergone and felt the Powerful, Lively, Purifying and throughly cleansing Efficacy of the Spirit's Baptism, they would know it sufficient, without the Help of their Dead, Cold, Idolized Water-Works.
They are greatly affected with that Bread and Wine, which after breathing upon by the Pastor, is not Common, but Be-sainted, and so comes to be called the Lord's Supper: It is evident hereby, that they never did eat of that Flesh which is Bread indeed, nor drink of that Blood which is Drink indeed.
Now it is certain, that all Pictures, Images, Shadows, Resemblances, Figures and Representations, which any people live in and plead for, do clearly argue, That they are destitute of the Power, Life and Substance, yea, who [...]ely ignorant of his Living Presence, in whom is hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: And as they believe in one at a great Distance from them, out of their View and Knowledge; so is it very convenient, they think, to necessitate these Carnal Ordinances to reduce their unmindful and forgetful Thoughts into more serious Remembrance, till he come: And yet these men will condemn the Papists, though they be far short of their Devotion in this very Thing.
And so are they seen in the Light to be Wolves in Sheep's Cloathing, ravened from the Life and Power of those Saints, whom they are imitating upon the Stage of their Formal Profession.
Wherefore, my dear Frieds, Come out from amongst them, and be ye separate, lest ye be drunk with the Wine of their Fornication; For verily, the Lord is risen to plead his own Cause, and be a swift Witness against these Sorcerers, who are sporting themselves in the day time: And as those Souldiers regarded not a Crucified Jesus so near them, but their Minds were taken up in parting & casting Lots for his Raiment; so these men are so exercised in the Out-sides of Religion, Ordinances (so called) and [Page 12] Worship, that they are not at all concerned with the In-side, which is the Life and Power of Godliness, even Christ within, the Hope of Glory.
Answ. 5. And Lastly; As I have plainly declared the Reasons of my departing from your Assemblies, so shall I witness faithfully to the Truth, as it is known and practised by the Holy People of God, called Quakers, with whom I now walk, and of whom I declare and testifie.
First, That they are built and rooted in & upon the Right Foundation, even Christ Jesus, the Lord; who is their Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, in whom alone they are justified by Faith, and saved.
That Root from whence they receive Life, Nourishment, Power and Growth, is the only Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, the Rock of Ages, the Stone which your Builders and thei [...] Brethren, the Priests, ever rejected, disallowed and set at nought▪ which is, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Whereupon it is evident that we differ in the Root from all the People in the World, though of several Forms and Perswasions: For plainly, the Papists, Prelates, Presbyters, Baptists and Independents, though they all differ in their Forms, Appearances, and Circumstantial Opinions, yet do they all agree and meet in one and the same Faith, Foundation and Root.
The Words, Writings, Declarations and Testimonies of the Saints, recorded in Scripture, are the Foundation and Ground of all the Professing People in the World; and all of them being Strangers to that one Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures, are run into several Sects and Opinions, as they do carnally understand and conceive they have Rule and Teaching in the Bible: But however, they will own no other Light, Law, Gospel, Rule, Revelation and Word of God, but their Bibles. But now this peculiar People, whom the Lord hath gathered from amongst all the Babylonish Confusions and Divisions under Heaven, are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone, in whom all the Building fitly framed together, groweth into an Holy Temple in the Lord.
[Page 13]So that these receive immediate Light, Life, Power, Teaching, Guidance, Rules, Refreshings, Revelation, Peace and Satisfaction from that Word which was before the Worlds were made; even that Life, Power, Foundation, Root, Spring and Fountain, in and by which the Holy Prophets and Apostles were Quickened, Enlightened, Anointed, Inspired, and gave forth the Scriptures, which is Christ Jesus, the Word of God, the Power of God, the Son of God, the Light Within, the only Saviour of the World.
2dly, Their Faith is the Faith of the Son of God; Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of it: It is not a Dead Historical Faith, but the Spirit and Life of Faith, and no less then the Resurrection and Life of the Immortal Seed, Enlightening, Quickening, Reforming and Renewing the whole Man; And this is that Faith by which Sin is subdued, slain and mortified perfectly, the Heart purified, the World conquered, the Soul sanctified, justified and saved perfectly: But the Faith of all others is an Unholy, Dead, Imperfect Faith; it sanctifies but in part (as they say) and so will never save to the uttermost.
3dly, Their Knowledge is Spiritual and Experimental, from the immediate Unction of the Holy Ghost; what is known, proceeds not from Hear-say, but divine Revelation: All that are born of the Spirit are taught of God, and need not that any say, Know the Lord; for they all know him, from the greatest to the least: This is Life Eternal to know God, who is Light, yea, the Father of Lights; and that the Light within is the Son of God, whom he hath sent; so to know as to live and abide in his Light, is Life Eternal: And this is that Mystery which is hid from the Wise and Prudent, and is revealed unto Babes; for the World by all its Wisdom knows not God, neither doth the Carnal Man (though never so great a Schollar) discern the things of God; for they are Spiritually discerned.
And as Christ was Bodily in the World, and the World knew him not, no, not the great Doctors and Leaders of those several Sects and Religions in that day, as the Samaritans, Herodians, Scribes, Pharisees and Sadduces, they knew him not; and therefore the man that was born blind wondred, This is a Marvelous [Page 14] Thing, saith he, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine Eyes: It was never known that any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind.
Even so it is now; Christ is spiritually in the World, and the World knoweth him not; no, not the Popes, Prelates, Presbyters, Priests and Pastors of all the Religions in the World, they know him not, but say, It is the Devil, or at best, but the Light of Nature; and so they know not from whence he is, yet hath he inlightned Thousands: And it was never known that the Devil or Nature converted any to the Lord, that have been Naturalized to Sin.
4thly, Their Humility, which is the emptying of themselves of all their own Righteousness, Wills, Wisdom and Self-Exaltation; and is a real, inward, spiritual Abasement and Subjection to the Life, Power & Kingdom of Christ Jesus, manifested in Spirit, ruling and dwelling in their mortal Bodies: And so this True, Humble, Meek and Low Frame of Spirit proceeds from their experimental Knowledge of Christ's living Presence in them; whereas they that know God and Christ only by Reading and Hear-say, with a Literal and Historical Knowledge, they are blown, swell'd and puffed up with Airy Notions, Vain Boastings and Self-Conceitedness.
5thly, Their Unity, which consists not only in the Oneness of Opinion and Judgment, but proceeds from Unity of Spirit: And their Love one to another is not from a Natural but a Heavenly and Spiritual Principle; It is not the Love of one man to another, but it is the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts, which maketh them all of one Mind, and all speak, write and witness the same thing: For as the Vital Spirits in the Natural Frame have its Operation through every Member, it makes the Eyes, Ears, Tongue, Hands and Feet, to see, hear, speak, work and walk, and yet but one Soul that moves and quickens all through its speedy Entercourse into every Member and Part of the Body; so is it here, the Love, Peace, Concord and Unity amongst these is remarkable; it flows from the Fountain of Love, and influenceth the whole Body, which makes them in all their Wayes, Doctrine and Practice but as One Man: And though but a Poor, Weak, Harmless, [Page 15] Innocent and Inoffensive People, are rendred through their Unity and Love, as Terrible as an Army with Banners.
6thly, Their Patience is invincible: To them is this Grace given, Not only to Believe in the Name of Jesus, but also to Suffer for his sake. And as the Lord hath made them Blessed and Glorious Instruments in his Hand to do his Will, so hath he made them contented to be perfected through Sufferings: For though the Lord hath been especially present with them, yet the World hath been especially against them; not for their own sakes (for they are the only Innocent and Harmless People upon Earth) but for Christ's sake in them; yea, because there is more of God among these men then others, therefore are they hated of all men, and every where amongst all Religions evil spoken of: for the World most hates where there is most of God; therefore the Single-hearted may guess where there is most of God, by observing where the greatest Hatred of the World lies.
7thly, Their Faithfulness to the Truth, Wayes and Interest of Christ; How have they gone up and down in Weariness and Labours, in Hunger and Nakedness, in Dangers and Deaths, to bear a Faithful Testimony against the Sin, Vanity, False Worship and Abomination of the Times? When did they shrink in the least, or turn back from their Duty, when Loss of Estate, Liberty, yea, Danger of Banishment attended it? When did they Deny their Master or his Commands, or Betray his Interest before King or Counsel Table, Judges, Justices or Bishops, by Subscribing, Engaging, Swearing, Bowing or Complying to the Wills and Humors of men? Nay, they have witnessed a Good Confession, and spoken of his Testimonies before all these, and were not ashamed: When did they meet at Night for fear of being seen, or creep in at Back-Doors into Cellars, Holes and secret Places to hide themselves from the Knowledge of the Adversary? But the time would fail me to speak of their Self-denyal, Temperance, Sobriety, Innocency, Doctrine, Order, Worship, their Spirit of Prayer and Watchfulness, Holiness, Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost: The King's Daughter is all Glorious within, and her Rayment is of pure Gold. Therefore in Truth and Sincerity to them I will say, Who is like unto thee, O People, saved by the Lord, [Page 16] the Shield of thy Help & the Sword of thy Excellency? Thine Enemies shall be found Lyars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their High Placet.
Yet to make it appear more plain, that this Light within, which indeed is our Principle, is the Truth, and the Mighty Power of God for Salvation to all that believe in it and obey it, will be further manifested by its Nature and Effects.
The NATURE of this Light.
It is a Living, Immortal, Unchangeable, Undefiled, Righteous and Perfect Principle of pure Holiness, which never fell, comply'd with, or consented to any Evil; But hath ever opposed and stood cross to the whole corrupt Nature, Will and Affections of faln man: For I know that all Adam's Posterity are by Nature faln under Guilt, Pollution, Condemnation and Darkness. So that the Light I speak of is nothing of Man's Nature, but of the pure Divine Nature, even that Seed promised Gen. 3.15. yea, the Son of God, which is sent into the World, that whosoever believe on him should not perish, but have Eternal Life.
The EFFECTS of this Light.
When Christ was upon Earth, John saw and bare record, That he was the Lamb of God, which taketh away the Sins of the World: Yet the Lord said, A greater Testimony have I, then that of John; for the Works that I do in my Father's Name, they testifie of me: So say we of him now; he is spiritually the Light in man, however sleighted, rejected and undervalued by men; yet is he chosen of God, and pretious, the alone Saviour of the World; and the Works he accomplishes daily in the Souls and Consciences of men testifie the same; wherefore, if his Works be not such as none else can do, believe him not.
Effect I. Hereby the Sinner is convinced, judged, reproved and condemned plainly and experimentally, for all the Sins that ever he committeth, of what Kind or Nature soever they be: Come (said the Woman of Samaria) and I will shew ye a Man that hath told me all things that ever I did; John. 4.29. is not this the Christ?
[Page 17] Effect 2. The Fear of the Lord, which is the Beginning of Wisdom, is never truly placed in the Heart, till this Principle be witnessed and owned; for while a Man looks at God and Christ at a great Distance, circumscribed in some Place beyond the Stars, the Sinner rageth & is confident; but when the Mind & Understanding is perswaded that the Pure, Holy, Righteous, Omnipotent and Omnipresent Lord God is not only nigh him, but within him also, he is then brought into awful Apprehension of the most High, & forced to cry out with Job, I have heard of thee before by the Hearing of the Ear, but now mine Eyes have seen him: by this Means the Mind is melted into much Tenderness and Brokenness, and with the Prophet complaineth, Wo is me; for I am undone. Now consider this all ye that despise the Light within,Joh. 9.30 This is a Marvelous Thing (said the Young Man) that ye 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.
Effect 3. Waiting humbly in this pure Dread & Fear of the Lord, Man's Insufficiency to answer the Requirings of the Holy Commandment is discerned; but perfect Power and Strength in Christ the Light, is discovered; for indeed, in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: and standing up to the Manifestation of this Light, the Judgment of the Lord is felt as a Refiner's Fire, which throughly purifies, and as Fullers Soap that leaves no Spot; then the Soul knows that flaming Sword, which kept faln Man out of Paradise; but now discerns the new Birth, which bears the Image of the Heavenly Nature; the strong Man armed, which before held Possession, Bound, casting out, and all his Goods spoiled by the Powerful Entrance of Christ into his Temple.
Effect 4. Waiting and abiding in this Light for Counsel and Teaching, the whole Man being emptyed of his own Will and Wisdom, standing singly and purely in the Will of the Lord, ready to be disposed, ordered and guided universally by the Light, the Soul now thrives in the Fear and Love of God, bringeth forth the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness, and liveth in that Faith which purifies the Heart, and getteth Victory over the World, Sin and Death.
These Things, with many other which might be mentioned, do make it manifest, that whoever deny, despise and reproach the Light [Page 18] within, deny God, the Father of Lights, despise Jesus Christ, the Light & Saviour of the World, and reproach the Holy Spirit which maketh manifest and reproveth the Sins of Men: Wherefore all ye Professors that look out for another Saviour, remember the Answer of our Lord Jesus unto John Baptist, upon the like Account, Art thou he, Luke 7.21. or shall we look for another? Go (saith Christ) and tell him that sent you, what you have heard and seen; the Blind receive their Sight, the Deaf hear, &c. Even the same in a spiritual Sense may be as really affirmed of the Light within; hereby have the Eyes, Ears and Mouthes of the Blind, Deaf and Dumb been opened, the Lame, Lepers and the Dead, cured, cleansed and quickned, and the Poor, whom none of the Proud, Covetous Clergy (so called) regardeth, they by Vertue hereof, have the Everlasting Gospel preached unto them; and forever blessed are they who are not offended in the Light, but love it, believe in it, and obey it in all things.
Object. 1. 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?
Answ. 1. Art thou not already deceived? Consider therefore well thy Condition, if thou art delivered out of the deceived State, in which the greatest Part of the World yet remains; art thou yet in a sinful transgressed Estate? For the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression, 1 Tim. 2.14.
Answ. 2. We that believe and abide in the Light, know that we are not deceived; neither seek we to deceive any, neither fear we any deceiving us: though indeed while we walked in the Imaginations of our own deceitful Hearts, and warmed our selves by 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 we see many yet to stand whom the Lord will undeceive in his own Time; But Evil Men and Seducers will wax worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Answ. 3. Never fear Deceit in such who turn you to the Light, whereby ye may discern betwixt Good and Bad, Truth and Falshood; plainly, I would much fear that he had a Design to cheat me, who leads into the Dark, and denyes the Benefit of the Light.
[Page 19] Answ. 4. Search with Freedom, and examine throughly this Doctrine, condemn it not unheard, speak not Evil of any Thing unknown; for so mayst thou soon condemn the Innocent, and make thy self guilty.
Answ. 5. Understand fully what we hold before thou contend against us, lest if thou want this Patience and Wisdom, thou oppose not so much our Judgment as thy own Conceit; better it is to hear a Man's Mind with Meekness, then hastily to guess at it.
Answ. 6. Be not wedded to thy own Opinion, nor Wise in thy own Conceit, so as to build upon thy own or other Mens Judgments, and rest satisfied therein, because it is strengthned by Multitude, Custom 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 Truths of God alone, then to follow the Doctrines of the most learned and eminent Professors in the World, when they hold not the Truth as it is in Jesus.
Answ. 7. Reproach not this Doctrine, saying, It is New and Strange, or that thou never heardst it so before; for this discovers thy Ignorance rather then my Error: and that which at present seems to thee to be a New Error, being rightly examin'd by the Scripture, will prove an Old Truth: If therefore thou wilt needs reject whatsoever favours of Novelty, how shall the Truths we yet know not be brought in, and the Ignorance which yet remains be purg'd out?
Answ. 8. This is the same Doctrine which was preach'd by our blessed Saviour, and his holy Prophets & Apostles since the World began, and which was believ'd and obey'd by all the faithful Saints and Servants of God since the Creation; the 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, Exod. 23.20. and to bring thee into the Place which I have prepared, Beware of him and obey his Voice; provoak him not, for he will not pardon your Transgressions, for my Name is in him; but if thou shalt indeed obey his Voice, and do all that I speak, then will I be an Enemy to thy Enemies, and an Adversary to thy Adversaries. Numb. 15.30. But the Soul that doth ought presumtuously, reproacheth the Lord, and shall be cut off from his People; because he despised the Word of the Lord. Now what is this Word of the Lord? [Page 20] It is not the Scriptures; for there were no Bibles many Years after that time,Deut. 30.11. to 14. Psal. 119.9.105. but the LIGT WITHIN. It is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off; but the Word is very nigh unto thee, even in thy Heart & in thy Mouth, that thou shouldst hear it and do it: Wherefore David affifirmeth, that if a Young man take heed to this Word, he shall cleanse his Wayes thereby; and calls it a Lamp to his Feet, and a Light to his Paths. This is also testified by the Prophet Isaiah, Thou shalt hear a Word behind thee, Isa. 30.21. saying, This is the Way, walk in it; in which Path the wayfaring Men, though Fools, cannot err. And our blessed Saviour doth confirm this Doctrine,Mat. 6.35. Lu. 17.21. Acts 3.22. vs. 23, 26. saying, Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness; which Kingdom he told the Scribes and Pharisees, was within them. Thus Peter preacht Christ the Light; For Moses truly said unto the Fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, him shall you hear in all things; and it shall come to pass, that every Soul that heareth not that Prophet, shall be cut off, &c. Wherefore unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning every one of you from his Iniquities;Acts 26.18. and thus Pau [...] was sent, To turn men from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God. Now, is not this Darkness within, and the Light within? And is it not an inward Turning,Acts 17.27. To seek the Lord, if happily they might f [...]el after him and find him; though he be not far from every one of us? And doth not James turn men to the Light within, writing to Sinners,Jam. 1.21. Such as were in Filthiness and superfluity of Naughtiness? Doth not he bid them receive with Meekness the ingrafted Word, which was able to save their Souls; which Peter calleth the sure Word of Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1.19. unto which ye do well to give heed as vnto a Light that shineth in a dark Place? But most take the Word for the Scriptures; but we know no Word but Christ Jesus, the Light, and his Name only is call'd the Word of God: Therefore, say not in thy Heart, who shall bring and reveal Christ unto us? for the Word is nigh thee, even in thy Heart and in thy Mouth: Now this Word is Christ, the true Light in every man; Joh. 12.36. wherefore saith our Lord Jesus, While ye have the Light believe in the Light, that ye may be the Children [Page 21] of the Light; As, Abel being guided by this Light, through Faith was enabled to offer up a more acceptable Sacrifice then Cain: In Obedience to this Enoch walked with, and pleased God: By this Noah being warned, moved with Fear, prepared an Ark for the saving of his House: By this was Abraham called to leave his own Country and his Father's House; and in Obedience to this he departed, not knowing whether he went: Joseph being guided by this, withstood the Temptations of his Mrs, though enforced with Importunity, Pleasure, Profit & Secresie: Hereby Moses chose rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, then to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season, esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches then the Treasures of Egypt, and endured, as seeing him that is Invisible. And what shall I say more? for the Time would fail to tell of Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, and of the Prophets, who by Faith, and Obedience to the Light, subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the Mouths of Lyons, quenched the Violence of Fire: Some were tortured, not accepting Deliverance: Others had Tryal of cruel Mockings, Scourgings, Bonds, and Imprisonment, and Death. And is still the same at this Day; for the Light within is the true Shepherd's Voice, which all the Lambs of Christ hear, obey and follow, to the Hazard of all that is dear to them.
Object. 2. But thou denyest the Scriptures to be the Word of God, which is the Only Rule to judge of Doctrines, and a sure Weapon to resist Satan, and confute his Ministers; for it is very observable that Christ made Ʋse of no other Means to overcome the Tempter, but Only the Scriptures, which are the Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God.
Answ. 1 Plainly, I deny the Scriptures are either the Sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God: That the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, I own, and witness that it is sharper then a Two-edg'd Sword, like a Hammer and a Fire, the Ax at the Root of every corrupt Tree, and so are not the Scriptures; yea, the Word of the Lord is Unchangeable, Incorruptible and Eternal, without Beginning of Dayes, or End of Time; and so are not the Scriptures.
Answ. 2. Nevertheless, we prefer the Holy Scriptures as they [Page 22] were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God, and believe them to be a true Declaration of God and of his Word.
Answ. 3. Yet do we prefer Christ Jesus the Light, above the Scriptures; for in all Things he must have the Preheminence; therefore saith John the Baptist, I prefer him before me, for he is before me, though in Appearance John was seemingly before Christ; Before Abraham was, I am, said he: Wherefore know that we build not upon the Holy Prophets and Blessed Apostles, their Words, Works, Writings and Experiences; but we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the Foundation and the chief Corner-Stone; 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, Root and Foundation, and have our Teaching from that Light, whereby Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph walked with and pleased God, long before any Scriptural Rules were manifested.
Answ. 4. Neither are the Scriptures the only Rule to judge of Doctrines; for we know 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 only Judge of Doctrines, because he alone that gave forth knows the Meanings of Scriptures;1 Cor. 2.10. For the Spirit searcheth all Things; yea, the Deep Things of God.
Answ. 5. Nor 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 we observe, Satan pleaded Scripture as well as Christ, till he took indeed the Sword of the Spirit, which is his Divine Power, and commanded him, saying, Get thee behind me Satan; then the Devil left him, but not before he was thus expelled.
Object. 3. But this Doctrine of the Light within is opposed by all the able learned Divines (so call'd) in the Nation; yea, the most eminent Preachers amongst the Presbyters, Independents and Baptists, do condemn it for Erroneous and Divelish Delusion.
Answ. 1. It's true, this Doctrine hath been and is a Stone of [Page 23] Stumbling, & a Rock of Offence unto all Sorts & Forms of Professors in the World; especially, the Priests & Preachers are most inveterately incensed against it, because the Craft by which they have gotten great Gain, is hereby especially impared; nevertheless, the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it: the Truth is strong and will prevail, yea, it doth and will flourish in Despight of all the Scorns, Injuries, Opposition and Villany of the World.
Answ. 2. The Scriptures are plain, that God hath hid these Things from the Wise and Prudent in the World, and hath revealed them unto Babes: Behold therefore ye Despisers and wonder; for this is the Work which God hath wrought in your Day, which ye will not believe, though it be declared unto you.
Answ. 3. And as for those Preachers among the Presbyters, &c. who oppose this Doctrine, this I affirm, and testifie against them, though they come in Sheeps Cloathing (that is) have gotten a more refined Way of Profession then others, and cover themselves with the Words of the Prophets and Apostles, yet inwardly are they Ravening Wolves, they are inwardly Ravened from the Light and Life of those Saints, whose Words they have taken up; yea, it is an easie Thing to prove against the best of them, that they live in Sin and plead for it.
Answ. 4. Whoever deny, reproach and oppose this Doctrine, are none of Christ's Ministers, as will appear from a due Examination of their Call, Doctrine and Practice: Who sent them? God or Man? What do they preach? the Word of God, or the Words of Men? Is their Life and Conversation Humble, Meek, Self-denying and Heavenly? Or is it not Proud, Fierce, Self-seeking and Worldly? Now our Lord Jesus hath left upon Record one Infallible Rule, whereby we may know which are true Gospel-Ministers, and which are not: and as it is granted, that Christ was a true Gospel-Minister; so it is expected, that all Gospel-Ministers be like him in their Measure; for saith Christ to his Father, As thou sent me into the World, so have I sent them into the World, Joh. 17. And when he sent forth his Disciples, to them he saith, As the Father sent me, even so send I you. Hereby then it will easily be discerned, that these Preachers, who so bitterly Rage and Rail against the Light within, are never an one of them Christ's Ministers, but Idol-Shepherds, Lyars and False Prophets.
[Page 24] Qualification 1. Christ was the Son of God, and known to be so before he undertook or exercised in the Ministry, for the Lord foreseing what after came to pass by Peoples running into several Opinions and Doctrines of men, gave this Charge and Testimony from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him: In like manner every true Believer is a Son of God, generated of the immortal Seed, born anew by the Operation of the Spirit, made a real Partaker of the Divine Nature, liveth in and hath Union with God through Faith in Christ; for to as many as receive him he giveth Power to become the Sons of God.
Qualif. 2. He was immeasurably anointed with the Spirit, and was known to be so; for saith John, He that sent me to baptize, the same said unto me, On whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining, the same is he; So may true Gospel-Ministers be known, for they are as really anointed with the Holy Spirit of God, as Christ was, though not so equally; yea every believing Soul is indued with this Spirit; these are the Anointed ones of the Lord; and whoever want this Spirit, they are none of his: And as Christ commanded his Disciples to abide at Jerusalem till they had received this Ʋnction; so whoever undertake to preach before they have receiv'd this Power from the Lord, they Run and he sent them not.
Qualif. 2. He endured and conquered the Assaults and Temptations of Satan in the Wilderness, by virtue of his Sonship and Unction, before he was ever known to preach the Gospel; in like manner all the true Children of God are taken into Fellowship with Christ in his Tryals, Temptations and Sufferings; but especially such as have been call'd unto more eminent & publick Work, have met with greatest Conflicts, Wraftlings and Temptations, that they might be kept humble before the Lord, and also be fitly disposed to speak a Word in due season for the Relief of such as are brought under the same Trouble.
Qualif. 4. In the Power, Virtue and Strength of his Son-ship, Unction and Conquest, he went out and preached the Gospel, that is, proclaimed Glad Tidings of the Grace and Good-will of God to the Poor, and preached Peace to the Broken-hearted, testifying the Love of God to Mankind, in sending his Son to them to open their Blind Eyes, and recover them out of the Snare of the Devil; [Page 25] exhorting Men to believe in the Light, lest Eternal Darkness come upon them: And all that was done in his Ministry, was not from any outward Encouragement or Reward, but moved only hereunto from the Tenderness of his Pitty and Compassion to poor Sinners. So it is at this Day, all that are born of the Spirit are true Ministers of the same Gospel, and publish it freely in the Constrainings of the Love of God, which layes a Necessity upon them to minister freely without Expectation of Gifts and Rewards: But do they deserve the Name of Gospel-Ministers, who preach another Doctrine then what Christ or his Apostles ever did, confidently affirming, That the Doctrine of the Light within, or to say, the Light in every Man's Conscience is the Light of Christ, this is Blasphemy; but tell Men, that Light which doth convince them of Sin is not the Light of Christ, but Natural Conscience, and therefore not able to sanctifie and save such as believe in it and obey it? and yet they say, There be some whom they call Saints and Believers, in whom there is true Saving Light; but as for the greatest Part of the VVorld, they are altogether destitute hereof: and yet though they make a seeming Distinction between Saints and Sinners, yet they themselves confess they are Sinners; yea, and believe that they must be so while they breath upon Earth: And thus are People held in Ignorance, Unbelief and Confusion, their blind Guides having caused them to err from the Truth; for verely this hath been and is the Doctrine of these eminent Men.
Qualif. 5. That Gospel which Jesus Christ had preached, and witnessed to in his holy Life, he confirmed and seal'd by his Death in his Blood: Now this Last is that which crowned and compleated his Ministry; and the same Spirit is in all the Faithful at this day, whereby Christ's Ministers are enabled to declare the Truth in the Life and Power of the Eternal Word, without the Help and Assistance of acquired Parts, Arts and Studies; for to such saith Christ, It is not you that speak, but the Spirit which speaketh in you; and thus declaring what they have seen, tasted and handled of the Word of Life, they are not ashamed of their Work, nor afraid of Men; neither will they conceal their Meetings in Time of greatest Danger, nor slip out at Back-Doors to avoid Sufferings; but are in a continual Readiness and Preparedness to forsake all that is dear to them, rather then to turn their Backs upon the Work of God, or in the least to [Page 26] prove Unfaithful by Denying or Betraying the Truths of Christ: Wherefore now consider these things all ye Admirers of Men, and give place to the Witness of God in your own Consciences, and see if one of your Gifted Brethren, Pastors and Teachers be thus qualified.
Object. 4. But the Scriptures are very plain, that Ʋnbelievers and Reprobates are without Christ, as in Ephes. 2.12. and 2 Cor. 13 5. wherefore though we do believe, that Christ is in every Believer, yet we cannot understand that the Light in every Man is the Light of Christ.
Answ. 1. Indeed one of these Scriptures at first Appearance, seems to contradict all that hath been said before, it will be therefore necessary to speak to them severally. That in Ephes. 2.12. plainly affirms, That before Conversion they were without God, and without Christ in the World: And truly, I can witness this Scripture fulfilled in my own Particular; for I know the Time when I was without Christ, and without God in the World, when I lived in Sinful Pleasures and Delights, fulfilling the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness; I lived then as if there was no God in the World, yea, without any awful Respect to the Eye of God and Christ; And yet I can as truly affirm, that at that Time the Light of Christ was in me testifying against my Iniquity: And this may seem a Mystery that a Measure of his Light should be within a Man, when that Man is without Christ; yet I have experienced the Truth hereof, and therefore testifie, that its 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 thus it is, the Light of Christ may be in a Man, and yet that Man out of the Light of Christ; whereupon I affirm and declare, that the Light of Christ is in every Man; but no Man is in Christ till he be a new Creature.
And as to that other Scripture, 2 Cor. 13.5. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates. This Place doth not at all oppose what before hath been written, if it be seriously considered, but doth greatly confirm the Truth of this Doctrine: If therefore by Reprobates be intended such as have sinned out the Day of Grace, and done Despight to the Strivings of the Spirit of God, as the old World did; yea, and as those eminent Professors whom Stephen reproveth, saying, Ye stiff-necked [Page 27] and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears, ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost; as your Fathers did, so do ye, Acts 7.51.
And as Jerusalem, which remained Impenitent in the Day of Visitation, till the Things of her Peace were hid from her Eyes, Luke 19.42. And as those Guests which had been often invited, and yet refused to come, making light of those many renew'd and reiterated Tenders of Grace, entreating the Messengers spightfully and slew them, wherefore the King was wroth, and protested against them, that none of those Murtherers should taste of his Supper, Mat. 22. Or like that Fig-Tree, which the Master of the Vineyard when he had come three Years expecting Fruit and found none, required the Dresser to cut it down and cast it into the Fire, Luke 13.7. And like those, who had tasted of the Heavenly Gift, and of the Good Word of God, and of the Powers of the World to come; but after to fall away, and crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh, & put him to open Shame; these bringing forth Thorns & Bryars are rejected, and are nigh unto Cursing, whose End is to be burned, Heb. 6.7, 8. And such as the Lord complaineth of by the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, They are all grievous Revolters, walking with Slanders; they are Brass and Iron, they are all Corrupters, the Bellows are burnt, the Lead is consumed of the Fire, the Founder melteth in Vain, for the Wicked are not pluck [...]d away; Reprobate Silver shall Men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them, Jer. 6.29. And the Spirit speaketh expresly, that some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie, having their Conscience seared with an Hot Iron, and so are past feling, 1 Tim 4.2. Now if Reprobates be taken in this Place for such as God hath given up, cast off and rejected, yet doth not this prove but the Light of Christ was once in them, and at Work in their Hearts: And further, by this Scripture it is manifest, that the Light of Christ Jesus is in every Man; And this I know, will suffice in Answer to satisfie the Unprejudiced concerning those Places of Scripture.
Answ. 2. The Love of Christ constraineth us thus to Judge, because if Christ dyed for all, then were all Dead; and as Christ dyed for all, so hath this Grace appeared to all; for he hath enlightned all that come into the World, and we know that he is able and willing to save all that yield Obedience to, and embrace the Tenders of his Boundless, Endless, Unlimited, Universal Love to Mankind [Page 28] without Exception; and this we are verily perswaded of from these and such like Considerations:
1. Because God is no Respecter of Persons, Acts 10.35. He maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and the Good, and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Ʋnjust; he accepteth not the Persons of Princes, nor regardeth the Rich more then the Poor; for they all are the Work of his Hands.
2. Because that Light which shined in our Dark, Ignorant, Unclean and Unbelieving Hearts before Conversion, is the very same in which we live and abide since our Conversion: That which formerly stood by, was an Eye witness to, 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 which caused Trouble, Restlesness and Terror, when we lived in Unbelief, Rebellion and Disobedience, is the same which causeth Calmness, Stilness, Settlement and Satisfaction, and bringeth forth peaceable Fruits of Righteousness in our Souls, since we have believed & continued obedient thereto: That very Light which before convinced, reproved, judged & condemned us for all Unbelief and Unrighteousness both in Heart & Life, is still the same which doth convert, confirm, cleanse, justifie and save; yea, that Light which before shined in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehended it not, is but one and the same, which after it was believed and obeyed, did expel and lead out of Darkness, that the Light which before was ecclipsed, may now so shine before Men, that seeing our Good Works, may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven; in the Day of their Visitation: wherefore the Love of Christ constrains us thus to judge, that the Light of Christ is in every Man and Woman, who is able to save to the uttermost all that believe in him and obey him; because when we were as Vile as the worst of Sinners, we can witness that the same Light, which did then shine in Darkness, doth now, to the Praise of God, shine out 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 to this Light, saying, This is the Condemnation, Light is come into the World, but men love Darkness rather then Light, Jo. 3.
[Page 29] This is (the) the Condemnation that Light is come into the World: That was only, say some, Christ's Bodily Presence upon Earth in that Day; So then it must needs follow, that Condemnation terminated and ended in that Generation, because then that Bodily Presence expired: But we witness according to his own Words, that he is come again in Spirit; for (saith he) They shall say, Lo here, and Lo there; but go not after them, nor follow them; Luke 17.21, 23, 24, 25. look not out, for the Kingdom of God is within you: And as the Lightning shineth from one Part under Heaven to the other Part under Heaven, so shall the Son of Man be in his Day; but first he must suffer many Things of this Generation, and be rejected: We testifie therefore, that these are the Dayes of the Son of Man; and Christ Jesus the Light, is come into the World, into the Souls & Consciences of Earthly, VVorldly-minded and Unbelieving Men and VVomen; and they who love Darkness rather then Light cannot escape Condemnation, because they neglect despise and reject so great Salvation: Therefore as the Brazen Serpent was lift up by Moses in the VVilderness even so Christ Jesus, the Light of the VVorld, hath God exalted with his own Right Hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance and Forgiveness; wherefore he said, When he ascended on high, he led Captivity Captive, and gave Gifts unto Men; now that he ascended, what is it but that he descended first into the lower Parts of the Earth; he that descended is the same also which ascended far above all Heavens, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS. And thus is his Light in every Man's Conscience, that they who feel themselves stung by the fiery Serpents in the Wilderness of Sin, Darkness and Unbelief, and look towards and believe in him, might not perish, but have Eternal Life; but whoever neglect, overlook or under value this only Saviour of the VVorld, Christ Jesus, the Light, the alone Guide to Rest, must necessarily perish in the VVilderness, and dye in their Sins.
For it is most certain, that Man's Damnation must undoubtedly arise from some of these Causes: (1.) Either for want of Light: Or (2.) From the Deficiency of that Light: Or (3.) From man's own Rebellion and Disobedience to this Light.
Now to judge or believe that man's Condemnation is occasion'd through the Want of True Saving Light, is horrid Wickedness, [Page 30] because it chargeth God foolishly with Injustice; and nothing less then to say with the Evil and Unprofitable Servant, Lord, I know thee to be an Austere and Hard Man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; therefore I was afraid, and went and hid thy Talent in the Earth: Yea, what greater Unmercifulness and Injustice can be charged upon God, then to say or think, That he hath designed any Man's Ruin, and hath denyed him the Benefit of this saving Light? When the Lord hath assured Mankind as certainly as he lives, That he desires not the Death of any Sinner; but that this is his Will, and herein he is pleased, That the Wick [...]d might forsake their Wicked Wayes, and live; for he would that all men should be saved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth, which Truth is Christ, the Light.
Neither can it be granted that man's Condemnation is occasioned through the Insufficiency of this Light of Christ; for, as hath been already proved, He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by him, and is the Mighty Power of God unto Salvation; which though in its first Appearance be as small as a Grain of Mustard-seed, a Little Leaven, a Bruised Reed, or as Smoaking Flax, yet is it that Little Stone, cut out of the Mountains without Hands; yea, though it be rejected, disallowed, set at nought, refused and Despised by all Babel's Builders, as a Poor, Inconsiderable Matter: But though these Phrases oppose the Appearance of Christ in Spirit, the Light, & despise him as the Day of small Things, yet is it the only precious Stone, the tryed Stone, the Corner-stone, that sure Foundation and Rock of Ages, that whosoever believe and build hereon, the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them.
Wherefore seeing that Light is come into the World, and that the Light Christ Jesus is sufficient to redeem & save all that believe in and obey him; and that Man's Condemnation proceeds only from Disobedience and Unbelief, in rejecting the Light: It is therefore the earnest Travail of my Soul, That you, my dear and truly beloved Friends and Relations, may turn in, to the Light in your own Consciences; retire thither, and wait in the Silence of your own Wills and Wisdom, for the clear Manifestations thereof, then shall you know him whom all the VVorld talks of, and need no more that any say, Know the Lord; for he will reveal himself in you: Wherefore as ye love your own Souls, love and cherrish that [Page 31] in you, which hath shewn you the Evil of Sin, the Vanity of this Fading World, and hath been at Work many a time in your Hearts and wrought you into Tenderness, panting after Satisfaction from the Living Presence of God: Oh! Love, believe only in him, hearken only to him, wait continually upon Him, obey, follow and live in his Counsels; fall under his Reproofs with Meekness, endure his Judgment with Patience, kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish in the Way; chearfully resign up your Wills, Affections, Souls, Bodies, Pleasures, Profits, Honours, Estates, Liberty and Life it self, to be universally ordered and disposed by him, whose Name is Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This is the Way to True Honour and Durable Riches: Oh therefore be perswaded to stand single in the Teachings, Guidance and Counsels of the Lord Jesus; Despise him not; be not ashamed to own him and his poor Despised Followers.
Now, that your Hearts may be carryed above the Snares that attend your Conditions, and be wholely devoted to the Lord, and become Fellow Citizens with the Saints in Light, is the earnest Breathing and Prayer of him, who is