The everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed effects thereof testified to by experience : with a few words to England, my native country / by Isaac Penington.

The everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed effects thereof testified to by experience : with a few words to England, my native country / by Isaac Penington.

Table of contents

Title page

The Everlaſting Goſpel of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and the Bleſſed effects thereof, Teſtified to from Experience.

§

Poſcript.

A few words to England my Native Country.

But how ſhall we find this, may ſome ſay?

BOOKS Lately Printed by the ſame Author for a General Service.

§

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[Page] THE Everlaſting Goſpel OF Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: AND The Bleſſed effects thereof Teſtified to by experience.

WITH A few words To ENGLAND My Native Country.

By ISAAC PENINGTON.

The darkneſs is paſt, and the true light now ſhineth, 1 Joh. 2. 8.

Ariſe, ſhine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee; for behold, the darkneſs ſhall cover the Earth, and groſs darkneſs the people; but the Lord ſhall ariſe upon thee, and his glory ſhall be ſeen upon thee, Iſai. 1. 2.

When the Lord ſhall build up Zion, he ſhall appear in his glory, Pſal. 102. 16. (indeed he doth ſo.)

Printed in the Year, 1678.

The Everlaſting Goſpel of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and the Bleſſed effects thereof, Teſtified to from Experience.

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§

THe bleſſed meſſage, which the Apoſtles (who were ſent by Chriſt to preach the Goſpel,) heard of Chriſt, and were to declare to others, was; That God is Light, and in him is no Darkneſs at all, 1 Joh. 1. 5.

The end of Chriſts ſending them with this Meſſage, was, that thereby (preaching it in the evidence and demonſtration of Gods Spirit) they might Open mens eyes, and turn them from Darkneſs to Light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive Forgiveneſs of Sins, and inheritance among them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in him, Act. 26. 18.

Now the eye of the Mind being opened, and the Mind turned from the Darkneſs within, to the Light within; and from Satans power to the power of God, which is revealed in the Light: The Soul in the Light comes to ſee (over the Darkneſs and Satan who darkned it) the things of God and his Kingdom, as they are revealed in the Light, which makes them manifeſt.

As Firſt, It ſees him who is the Rock, the Holy Foundation of God, the Holy Foundation of Life in the Soul; the living Stone, by which all the other living Stones are made alive, and they are taught of God to come to him as to a living Stone, and ſo are Built upon him, and become Gods Building and new Creation in him, 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 17. And here, in this Light none can miſs of the true coming, hearing the voice of the Father, and being drawn, and taught by him to the Son, Joh. 6. 44, 45.

2ly. Here the true Jews ſtate the ſtate of the inward Jew, and the inward Circumciſion, and the true Worſhip [Page] (even the Worſhip of the Father in Spirit and Truth) is known. For the Jew Inward is a Child of Light, begotten in the Light, redeemed out of Darkneſs, and Dwells and Walks in the Light, as God is in the Light, 1 Joh. 1. 7. And the Circumciſion is not a Fleſhly Act; but the cutting off of that which is Fleſhly from the mind, by the Spirit and Power of Chriſt. And the Goſpel-worſhip, or the Worſhip of the Jew Inward, is the Worſhipping of God in the newneſs of the Life of his Son.

3dly. Here is the true Repentance from the dead Nature and Dead Works, which no man can attain to of himſelf, but is Gods Gift through his Son, whom God hath appointed to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance and Forgiveneſs of Sins, Act. 5. 31. I ſay, here that Repentance is known, waited for and received. For not to men in the Darkneſs, and loving the Darkneſs, is the true Repentance given; but to them that are turned towards the Light, to them is Repentance given unto Life, Act. 11. 18. compared with chap. 26. 17, 18.

4thly. Here the true Faith, the precious Gift of Faith is received, whereby men believe in him who gives Life, and receive Life from him. And this is the Faith which gives acceſs to God, and gives victory over the World; and that which is contrary to God: The Faith which is given in the Light, doth ſo; but the Faith which men have in the Darkneſs, doth not ſo.

5thly. Here the Croſs of Chriſt is known, which is an inward living Spiritual thing, effectually Crucifying that man, that takes it up and dayly bears it, to all that is earthly and ſinful; and then the pure Seed and Life of Chriſt ſprings up in his Earth, over the World and every Worldly thing, Gal. 6. 14.

6thly. Here the pure love ſprings in the Heart, both to him that begets, and to him that is begotten. In the Light there is nothing but Love; but in the Darkneſs there is no [Page] true Love to be found, but the very Love that is found there is of the nature of Enmity. It is the Light or Truth that purifieth the Heart to the Love unfeigned, 1 Pet. 1. 22. Deut. 30. 6.

7thly. Here the Lambs patience and meekneſs is experienced, and the Soul adorned with it. The Lamb is the Light of the World; and they that are made Lambs by him, partake of his ſweet and meek Nature, learning of him to be meek and lowly in heart; and ſo have that patience and meekneſs from him, which no other can attain to, Mat. 11. 29.

8thly. In the Light the precious Promiſes are fulfilled and partook of, which make them who partake of them, and in whom they are fulfilled partakers of the Divine Nature: For the Divine Nature is not partook of in the Darkneſs, but in him who is Light: Man, (who is Darkneſs) cannot partake of the Promiſes which belong to the Children of Light: But, when by the operation of Gods power, his State and Nature is changed, and he is now no more Darkneſs, but light in the Lord; then the Promiſes which were made to the Children of Light, he cometh to have a ſhare in, Eph. 5. 8. 2 Pet. 1. 4.

Laſtly, In the Light the Holy anointing is received, the voice of Chriſt heard, and the new everlaſting Covenant, even the ſure Mercies of David made with the Soul, Iſa. 55. 3. The Law of the new Covenant (even the Law of the Spirit of Life in Chriſt Jeſus) writ in the Mind, and the holy fear of the New Covenant, which cleanſeth and keepeth clean, put in the heart; and the bleſſed Spirit of the Father given and received, which gives to thoſe that receive it, power to become Sons of God, cauſing them to walk in his wayes and to keep his Statutes and Judgments, and do them. O bleſſed Diſpenſation of Life and holy Power, which the Lord hath cauſed to break forth, among a deſpiſed people in theſe latter dayes! O that the Sons of men would hear and underſtand this precious loving kindneſs [Page] of the Lord, and put their truſt under the ſhadow of his wings, and know what it is to be ſatisfied with the fatneſs of his Spiritual-Goſpel-houſe, and to drink of the River of his pleaſures, and in his Light to ſee Light, Pſal. 36, 7, 8. 9.

This opened in me this Morning, in Love and Compaſſion towards the Papiſts. My Bowels have often rowled over them, and been pained concerning them, to ſee how they are cloſed and ſhut up, as to the true ſenſe and underſtanding of things of this Nature. O that they would prize the day of their Viſitation; that they might hear the ſound of Life, both from others, and alſo in their own hearts, and the ſaving Arm of the Lord might be inwardly Revealed to them, and they effectually Redeemed thereby!

I am no diſdainer of Papiſts, or any ſort of Proteſtants; nay not of Turks or Jews, but a Mourner becauſe of their ſeveral Miſtakes, and a breather to God of my Life for tender Mercy towards them all.

Aſtrop 13. of 7 Mon. 1678.

Poſcript.

ANd in this Light, the true Church, the Goſpel-Church, the New Teſtament Church is known, which is a Church of the Children of Light, a building built in the Light, which Church is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Theſſ. 1. 1. In whom they are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. 2. 22. Yea in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord, v. 21. (for the Lord frameth them fitly together into a Spiritual and Holy building.) And all that are here, gathered out of the Darkneſs into the Light, who walk in the Light, and abide in the Light, are built upon the foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the chief Corner, v. 20. And are no more Strangers and Forreigners, but fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God, v. 19.

[Page] The Goſpel-Church is the Spiritual houſe of Jacob, which walk in the Light of the Lord, Iſa. 2. 5. who go up to the mountain of the Lord (to that which is revealed to be the mountain of God, in the laſt dayes, even Spiritual Mount Zion, Heb. 12. 22.) to the houſe of the God of Jacob, where he teacheth his Spiritual people, the inward Jews of his wayes, and they learn to walk in his Paths: For out of this Zion ſhall go forth the Law of the Spirit of Life in Chriſt Jeſus (in the dayes of the Goſpel) and the word of the Lord from this Jeruſalem, v. 2, 3. For Jeruſalem which is above, is free, which is the Mother of all the Children which are born of Gods Spirit, Gal. 4. 26. Joh. 3. 6. And ſhe being the Mother of them all, nouriſheth them all with the word of Life, which goeth forth from her; and all her Children know and juſtify her their Mother, Matt. 11. 19. O that all, both Papiſts and Proteſtants knew this true Mother-Church, this Mother of all the living, of whom none but the living are born; and who nouriſheth all the living, and none elſe, with the Law and word of Eternal life!

And if they knew the true Church, the Church is of the true Jews the Church of the firſt born, whoſe names are written in Heaven, and did live and walk in the Light of the Lamb, and follow the leader, the Shepheard of Iſrael, and faithful Biſhop of the Soul, who overſeeth and taketh care of the Soul, they would learn and come to know and experience theſe things following.

Firſt, The dwelling places of Mount Zion, and her aſſemblies, and Gods creating upon every of them a cloud and ſmoak by day, and the ſhining of a flaming fire by night, which is the defence upon all the Glory that the Lord bringeth forth among his Spiritual Church and people, Iſa. 4. v. 5.

2dly. They would know the Land of the inward Jews, the Spiritual Judah, and the Song ſung therein, becauſe of the ſtrong City which the Lord builds there, and the Salvation which he appoints for Walls and Bulwarks about it: [Page] And would ſee and know how none but the inward Jews, the inwardly Circumciſed and ſanctified, even the righteous Nation that keepeth the Truth, can enter by the Gates into that City, Iſa. 26. 1, 2. And they that dwell in that City, whoſe minds are ſtayed on the Lord, and who truſt in him, the Lord will keep in perfect peace, v. 3. Then Jeruſalem is a quiet habitation indeed, and the reſting and feeding places in it are ſure, Iſa. 32. 18. and ch. 33. v. 15. and v. 20.

3dly. They could know the Feaſt of Fat things, which the Lord of Hoſts makes to all people that are here, to all people that come up to and dwell on his Holy Mountain, and ſerve and Worſhip him in Spirit and Truth. The Lord of Hoſts maketh ſuch a Feaſt, as no eye hath ſeen, nor ear heard, nor can it enter into the heart of man toconceive what it is, but only by the Spirit of God; even a Feaſt of Fat things, even a Feaſt of Spiritual Fat things; a Feaſt of Wines on the Lees, of Fat things full of Marrow, of Wines on the Lees well refined, Iſa. 25. 6. They that are turned to the Light, and follow Chriſt the Light, ſhall not abide in Darkneſs, but have the Light of Life, Job. 8. 12. Shall be tranſlated out of the Kingdom of Darkneſs into the Kingdom of the dear Son, and there ſhall Sup with Chriſt and he with them, and both together Drink of the Fruit of the Vine of Life, new in the Fathers Kingdom.

4thly. They ſhall infallibly know, here in this Light, which ſhines on Gods Holy Mountain, the deſtroying or ſwallowing up of the face of the Covering caſt over all people, and the Vail ſpread over all Nations, Iſa. 25. 7. For the Vail is caſt over and ſpread in the Darkneſs: But is done away and ſwallowed up in Chriſt the Light: for the Vail is done away in him, 2 Cor. 3 14. And all that are in Chriſt, in his Spirit, in the Light and liberty thereof, behold as in a Glaſs the Glory of the Lord, and are changed into the ſame Image, from Glory to Glory, by the Lord the Spirit, v. 17. 18.

Laſtly, Here the King of Righteouſneſs his high way is known, even the way of Holineſs, which the unclean cannot paſs over, but the ſanctified in the Light do walk in, and the wayfaring men here though fools, do not erre in, Iſa. 35. 8. For they that are taught of God in the New Covenant, and follow the leadings of his bleſſed Spirit do not erre.

O that the true Church were known, which is now come and coming out of the Wilderneſs, leaning upon her Beloved, who led and leads her out thence, into her own land of Life and Glory, where her Light ſhines, and ſhe ariſeth and ſtandeth upon her feet before the Lord, and the Glory of the Lord ſhines upon her and covers her! Happy is the eye that ſeeth this, and the Soul that hath a ſhare in it.

A few words to England my Native Country.

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O Land of my Nativity, O my dear Country-men.

THe pure power of the Lord is upon me, and the Springs of Life open in me; And among many other Things, I am melted in Love and Deſires after your welfare: and this is in my Heart to ſay to you. If I now teſtifie to you in Truth, of a Pearl, a heavenly Pearl, an everlaſting Pearl; will ye not hear me? If I tell you, your Heart is the Field, or Earth, wherein it is hid; will ye not conſider of it? If the everlaſting Goſpel be preached again, which contains true Tidings of Redemption from ſin, will ye not liſten after it? If the Kingdom of God, and Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, be to be revealed within; would ye not willingly learn to wait for it there? and beg of God that the Eye may be opened in you, which alone can ſee it, when it doth appear? Indeed God's Viſitation is upon this Nation, in an eſpecial manner; his Light and Power is breaking forth in it againſt the Darkneſs and Power of the Spirit of Satan, which hath captivated, and ſtill captivateth many. Ye deſire outward liberty, and the enjoyment of your outward rights; would ye not be free inwardly? Free from the baſe earthly, ſelfiſh nature and ſpirit, which man fallen from God, and the Glory wherein he created him, is degenerated into? Oh, is not the Power of God, and the Life of Chriſtable to reſtore man to this? He that created man at firſt ſo glorious, in his own Image; is he not able to create him anew? Oh hear, my dear Countrymen; the Power is revealed, which createth anew; and they that [Page] receive it, and are as Clay in the Hands of the great Potter, given up to be formed by it, are dayly created (by the Operation of it) anew, into an Holy, Heavenly, Innocent Living, Tender, Righteous Frame Day by Day; and are made willing, daily more and more to be the Lord's, in this Day of his Power; and do receive Power to become Sons, and ſtrength againſt their Souls Enemies: And the glorious work of Redemption, which God hath begun in them, the Arm of his ſtrength mightily carrieth on in them, to their Comfort, and his everlaſting Praiſe. There is a Spiritual Egypt and Sodom, as well as there was an outward; and there is a ſpiritual Wilderneſs, and Canaan alſo. And the Arm of God's Power Inwardly and Spiritually hath been revealed in this Spiritual Egypt, Wilderneſs and Canaan, as really as ever it was in the outward. Do ye not read of a Jew-inward, and a Circumciſion inward, and the Leaven-inward, and keeping the Feaſt of Unleavened Bread, even of Bread that is not leavened with ſin? And he that eats of this unleavened Bread, it unleavens him of ſin, and leavens him with Life and Holineſs: For it is an Holy Bread, and a Living Bread. This is the Bread which comes down from Heaven, which they that feed upon, Live, and they that Live feed upon it. And though they be many, yet feeding upon this Bread, they become one Bread one living Body. Conſiſting of a living Head, and living Members; for the ſame Life, and pure Heavenly nature, which is in the head, is communicated by him to the members.

But how ſhall we find this, may ſome ſay?

I will tell you how We found it, and how none can miſs of it, that ſweep the Houſe and make a diligent and faithful ſearch after it. That in the heart of man, which turns againſt ſin, diſcovers ſin, draws from ſin, wherein Gods Miniſtry help againſt ſin, That is It. That is the [Page] Pearl hid, that is the Kingdom hid, in that is the Righteouſneſs of God revealed from Faith to Faith, in all that receive and give up to this Holy Leaven. This is of the Nature of God and Chriſt, this is a meaſure of his Light, of his pure Life, this is the Law and Commandment everlaſting, which God writes in the Hearts of the Spiritual Iſrael. For the inward Jew hath inward Tables, where the inward Law is writ, for the inward Eye to read. O how nigh is God inwardly, to the inward people, in this our day! O the pure Glory is broke forth! But, alas, men are in their ſeveral ſorts of Dreams, and take no notice of it. What ſhall the Lord do to awaken this Nation? In what way ſhall his Power appear, to bring down Unrighteouſneſs, and to bring up Righteouſneſs in the Spirits of People? Do ye not think the Lord hath been at work, and is ſtill at work? How could deceit be ſo waſted Inwardly, and Truth ſo grown Inwardly, and overſpread more and more, and gain ground in the Nation, if the hand of the Power of the Lord were not with it, bleſſing it. O take notice of the handy-work of the Lord, ye Children of men, and wait to feel Truth near, and to partake of the living Virtue and power of it; that you may feel your hearts creating anew, and the old Heavens and Earth may inwardly paſs away, wherein dwells Unrighteouſneſs; and the new Heavens and the new Earth may be inwardly witneſſed, wherein dwells Righteouſneſs. O that this Nation might become a Paradiſe of God! O that every one might be ſenſible of his Preſence, and Power, and Kingdom, and Righteous Government inwardly in the Heart, from the King that ſits on the Throne, to the Begger on the Dunghil. Surely man was not made for himſelf! ſurely he was not made ſuch a Creature as now he is! but in the Holy Image of God, with love in his heart to God above all, and to his Neighbour as to himſelf. O what are Religions and Profeſſions of ſeveral ſorts, where this Love is not found! The Lord is reſtoring his Image, [Page] and bringing forth [...] true, pure Religion again. The Pearl, the Truth contains and comprends it. O buy the Pearl, O buy the precious Truth, ſell all that is contrary to it for it; take up the Croſs to all that is evil in thee, as the Light in thee, as the Light in thee maketh it manifeſt, and thou ſhalt have the free Poſſeſſion of it in thy heart, and feel it a root of Life, a Treaſure of Life, a Well of Life, out of which the Living Water will be daily ſpringing up in thee, unto Life everlaſting, Amen.

THE END.

BOOKS Lately Printed by the ſame Author for a General Service.

ISaac Pennington's Naked Truth; or Truth Nakedly manifeſting it ſelf in ſeveral particulars, for the removing hindrances out of the way of the Simple hearted.

—The Fleſh and Blood of Chriſt, both in the Myſtery, and in the Outward, Teſtified to.

—To the Jews Natural, and to the Jews Spiritual, with ſome ſenſible Queries concerning ſome things neceſſary to be experienced in the True Chriſtian State.

The Principles of True Chriſtian Divinity Aſſerted, by Rob. Barcley.

—Univerſal Love Conſidered, and Eſtabliſhed upon its Right Foundation, by R. B.

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Title statement

The everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed effects thereof testified to by experience : with a few words to England, my native country / by Isaac Penington.

Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.

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1678

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2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A54033

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Wing P1165

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ESTC R28790

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— The everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed effects thereof testified to by experience : with a few words to England, my native country / by Isaac Penington., Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679..

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s.n.],. [London? :: 1678.. (Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.)

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