THE Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, & man became a living soul. So man was formed of that which was earthly, and into that which was earthly, that which was living was breathed, and that which is living comes from God, which is to keep and lead men unto God; but man going from that which is living, into that which is earthly, is thereby led from God, and being led from that which is living, he is also pleading for another thing then that which is the life to be his Rule and Guide, and so comes not to be guided by that which is manifest of God in him, Gen. 2. 7. Rom. 1. 19. Now the letter without is not living, but the breath of life within is, the which living breath man not knowing, goeth forth from it to be guided by the letter which killeth, 2 Cor. 3. 6.

But the holy men of God, who walked with God, and were obedient to his will, and spake forth and writ scriptures from that which was holy in them, and were perfect in their genera­tion, they were such who came to be guided by that which was living in them; and from that men in the dayes of old called upon the Name of the Lord, Gen. 6. 28. and they had not a scripture without them to guide them thereunto. And Enoch walked with God, and so he walked with that which is living, and not with that which is earthly, neither had he a Scrip­ture (without him) to be his Rule, and so he walking with him who is the life, came to be translated that he should not see death, Gen. 5. 24 Heb. 11. 5.

And Noah who was perfect in his generation, found grace in the sight of the Lord [consider this] he found that by which man comes to be saved; for by grace man is saved, which grace to all men hath appeared; and so Noah found that which bring­eth [Page 2] salvation, which is the Grace of God in the heart, & there­by hee came to do Gods will, and not by any thing that was earthly, nor from a scripture without, Ge [...]. 6 8, [...]. Eph. 2. 5. & 8. Col. 3. 15, 16. And Noah who found that by which man is saved, him God blessed, and his Seed, and said, the fear of you, and the dread of you shal be upon every beast of the field; and they were to multiply, and bring forth abundantly from the living that was within the earth; for by that comes the increase of God, and with them God established his Covenant, & so Gods Covenant came to be established with him who found that in the heart by which man is saved, Gen. 9. 1, 2. & 7, 8, 9.

And the Lord who is the one spirit, was Abrahams Leader from his Kindred and Fathers house, and so Abraham heard that which was living, & obeyed that which was spiritual, who had not a scripture to be his Rule; and unto him the Lord ap­peared, and blessed, and in the time of grievous Famines he and his Seed was fed, Gen. 1 [...]. 1, 2. and 7, 1, 9, 1 [...]. and he that is led by the spirit, comes thereby to receive feed­ings when the Famine comes upon them who are led by an­other thing; and Abraham who followed the Lord, was cal­led the Friend of God, and he (through believing) be­came the Father of many Nations, and he saw the day of Christ the light, and obeyed the Word which liveth and a­bideth for ever, 1 Pe [...]. 1. 23. and being led by that which is living from his Fathers House, and out of his Countrey, so by that which is living was he preserved, and him God loved, and to him afterward the Word of the Lord did come, saying, Fear not Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great re­ward. And Abraham answered the Lord, and the seed which God blessed came forth of his Loins, who was led by the spi­rit, Gen. 15. 1. Heb. 11. 8, 9.

And on the contrary, Nimrod who began to be a mighty one in the earth, he went hunting before the Lord who is the one spirit; and now there is that first which is earthly, and much earthly wisdom whereby man goeth hunting before the spirit comes, the which should not be, but man should stand stil (and not hunt) and see the salvation of God, and so receive the spi­rit to lead (or go before) him, and not to run or hunt before [Page 3] the spirit, but let it lead man, as it is written, As many as are led by the spirit of God, are the Sons of God, [...]om. 8. 14. but Nimrod hunted before God, who is a spirit, & he was one of the seed of Ham, who was the Father of [...]ana [...]r, whom Noah cursed. And the beginning of this m [...]ghty hunters Kingdom was Ba­bel, where the Lord (whom he hunted before) followed after, and confounded the language of all the that belonged to this mighty Hunter, who was a mighty one in the earth; and out of this land of Babel went forth them that built many cities, & afterwards there was a people whose gods were according to the number of their cities; and so see what followeth when man is not led by the spirit of God, (as Noah was, and so pre­served) but hunts mightily before him, being mighty in that which is earthly; first he is mighty in the earth, then a migh­ty Hunter, then builds a mighty Tower, whereby he that is earthly would climb up to heaven (this a figure) & then God confounded the Language; and afterwards those that were in the many Languages professed God (who confounded the Language) before whom their father Nimrod hunted; and they being found in that which God confounded, though they professed God, yet in works denied him, & crucified his Son the Lord of glory, & writ over his head of the many Langua­ges, Latin, Greek, & Hebrew; & this was written above him that was the light; and so them now who are of this stock of Babel, are yet exalted above the light, and count the light, a weak and low contemptible thing, not able to save it self, much less to save them that beleeve in it, and so therein manifest them­selves to be of their fathers, who crucified him that said, I am the light, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God save thy self, and so despised him who came to save them And this is some of the effect of mans hunting mightily in the earth as Nimrod did before they come to receive the spirit, Gen, 9. 18. and 25. Gen. 1 [...]. 8, 9, 10, 11. Gen. 11. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. John 19. 19, 2.

But Jacob followed, obeyed, and believed the Lord who is a spirit and the presence of God was with him, and the blessing of the Most High was upon him, and the Lord promised to be with him (who was as a Worm) in six troubles, and in seven; [Page 4] and when he passed through the fire and the water, and God gave him a new Name, and afterwards promised to give his seed a Name better then of Sons and of Daughters; and Jacob was a plain man, and dwelt in Tents, and him God loved, and he prevailed with God, Isa. 41. 14. Isa. 43. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ger. 2 [...]. 28. Isa. 56. 5.

And so Nimrod (with his followers) who was mighty in the earth, came to be confounded, and Jacob who was (little in the earth) as a worm, and dwelt in Tents, he and his Seed came to be blessed.

And Moses the servant of the Lord, whom God Almighty honored in his everlasting love, & made him a deliverer unto, and a Judge and Ruler over the people, Acts 7. 35. he being in Aegypt, the Land of darkness & bondage, and all the seed and Israel of God in cruel oppression, and I do not read that he had any direction from man or scripture, or any thing else without him, to guide him at first to refuse to be called the Son of Pha­raohs daughter, and the glory of Aegypt, and to chuse to suf­fer affliction with the people of God; neither do I read that he saw the Angel or glory of the Lord, until after he was, and had been obedient unto that which God had given into him, (for that which may be known of God is manifest within, Rom. 1. 19.) for it is said in the scriptures of truth, that it was by faith, He [...]. 11. 24. that he refused the evil, and chused the good; and faith is that which is in the heart, Acts 15. 9. as it is written, If thou believe in thy heart, Rom. 10. 9, Acts 18. 37. and of that faith in the heart God hath given to every man a proportion, Rom. 12. 6. and as that (which is but little) in man is loved and o­beyed, so man comes to know more of God, and hear his word of Faith which is in the heart, Rom. 10. 8. and it came into Mo­ses heart to visit the Brethren, and by hearing & obedience of Faith (then not Scripture) man receiveth the spirit, Ga. 3. [...]. which is an undeniable truth, which I might prove by a Cloud of Witnesses from the scriptures which were given forth from the inspiration of God by his holy servants; and so there be­ing something of God in man, wherby man may (as Moses did) first refuse the evil, and then chuse a suffering state, & so learn [Page 5] to do well, the sin then comes to be done away, Isa. 1. 16. 17. 18. and afterwards more of Gods endless love and powerful pre­sence is made manifest, and so being faithful in the little re­ceived from God in the heart, man comes to rule over much, as Moses did, who first learned the obedience of faith in the heart, though in Aegyp [...], and in the time of great persecution, where he was also despised of his Brethren, yet he obeyed the Word of faith in the heart, and so afterwards to him God ap­peared, and the Word of the Lord came unto him, and he tal­ked with God afterwards face to face, as a man talketh with his friend; and the many wonders and mighty power of God wrought in, and by him, are recorded at large in the holy Scriptures for a testimony thereof to last throughout all gene­rations. And by this faith also afterwards the Members of Christ did walk, 2 Cor. 5. 7.

And Joshua who succeeded Moses, was full of the spirit of wisdom, (consider that) he was first full of the spirit, and so thereby he came to be a Leader & Ruler over others, and the dread of the Lord fell, and his judgements came upon them who rose up, or stood against him, and those whom he by the power of the spirit in him came to rule over; and great, many, and mighty were the victories that God gave unto this man, who was bold and couragious by reason of the fulnesse of the spirit that was in him; and the people hearkened unto him as they did unto Moses, and he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses, Deut. 34. 9. Josh 11. 15.

But the Lords people in these days who are led by the spirit of God in them, are accounted both by Priests, Rulers & peo­ple to be drunk or mad, as it was before when the Son of God (who is the light) was revealed in Paul, Gal. 1. 15, 16. he was ac­counted by the ruler of the people to be mad, Act. 26, 24. and when the disciples of Christ had waited, and afterwards recei­ved the spirit of truth within, from which they spake as with new tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance; at them then many were amazed, others mocked, supposing thē to be drunk, Acts 2. 12, 13, 14, 15. and when Hannah prayed in heart, being grieved in spirit, was esteemed to be drunk, even by Ely the priest, yet she by her prayers in her heart, obtained her desire [Page 6] of the Lord, who gave her a Son that knew the Lord, and ministred before him, being yet a child, but the Sons of Ely the priest (who was in the outward sacrifices) were sons of Belial, and knew not God, (l [...]ke the sons of the Priest of En­gland,) 1 Sam. 1. 14. & [...]. [...]8.

And David, a man after Gods own heart, was as a deaf man and heard not, & as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth being dumb with silence, & held his peace even from good, until his heart was hot within him, and the fire burned, then he spake with his tongue, Ps. 38. 13, 14. Ps. 39. 1, 2, 3. & 9 & after­wards he said, Thy word have I hid in my hear, (which word is as a fire) That I might not sin against thee; and so that which keep­eth from sin is hid in the heart, and that word David said was a lamp to his feet, and a light unto his pathe [...]; Which word he kept, and loved the Law of the Lord which is written in the heart and so was made wiser then his Enemies, and had more un­derstanding then the ancient, and all his Teachers, Ps. 19. [...]0 11. v 4 [...], 43. [...]. 5 [...]. v 67. v. 81. v. 97, 98, 99, 10 [...], 101, 102, 1 [...]3, 104, 105.

And all the Prophets of the Lord were led, guided, & dire­cted by the Spirit of Christ which was in them both in their actions, which sometimes were as foolishness and madness in the eyes of the professing Jewes, & also in their words, which sometimes were as thunder against the ungodly, though they were the Rulers of the people; and their words were so ter­rible against them that professed godliness, and lived in un­righteousness, that Amaziah the High Priest said of one of the Prophers, (who speak in the dread of the Lord) That the whole land was not able to bear his-words, Amos 7. 1 [...].

And Amaziah the Priest of Bethuel, being not able to bear the Word of the Lord, therefore he falsly accused Amos of conspiring against the King, Amos 7. & from the spirit in them did the Prophets with boldness declare against the wickednes of the Rulers of the people, saying to the poluted City, Thy Princes are rebelli us, and companions of thieves, they love gi [...]s and rewards, and judge not the fatherlesse nor the cause of the widow; and such as these are the adversaries and enemies of the Lord, upon whom he will be avenged, and all them that trouble his servants. Isa. 1. 23, [Page 7] 24. 2 Thess. 1. 6. and it is just and right for the Friends of Christ to declare against the enemies of the Lord, and those that decree unrighteous Decrees, and write grievous­ness which they have prescribed, and turn aside the nee­dy from judgement, and take away the the right of the peo­ple, that they may rob the fatherles, against these is the hand of the Lord stretched out, and they are to bow down under the prisoners, and fall under the slain, Isa. 10. 1 2, 3. 4 and saith the Prophet, Wo to the filthy and polluted City, her Princes are roar­ing Lions her Judges are evening wolves, her Prophets are light and treacherous her priests have polluted the Sanctuary, Zeph. 3 1, 2 3 4. and many more such expressions they used, which was not rayling, but sound words in the fear and dread of the Lord; Read Amos the first and second Chapters.

And from the spirit of truth in them did they also declare even against such as were the teachers & leaders of the peo­ple, and were made Ministers by a law of God, which law was then in force, & those Ministers departing out of the way, and corrupting the Covenant (like the Priests of England) there­fore the Lord made them (as he will these who deny the way the light) base and contemptible in the eyes of all the people, because they also have been partial in the Law, Mal 2 8 9. and against such did (& do) the servants of the Lord declare, they being such shepherds that cannot understand, but are blind, ignorant, dumb, greedy dogs (these are the worst of dogs) Isa. 56. 10, 11. and by such is the horrible thing committed, Jer. 5. 30, 31. and the Pastors are become bruitish, Jer. 10. 21. therefore hear­ken not unto them, Jer. 27. 13, 15, 16. also read Jer. 23. and Ezek. 34. for as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of Priests murther in the way by consent, Hos. 6. 9. and one of the chief of that number is John Hodder Priest of the Parish called Ha [...] ­church in the county of Dorset, for he said, if the Protector would raise an Army to cut off all the Quakers, he would be the first MAN in it; and there was a people, the heads there­of judged for reward, & the priests teached for hire, and the prophets divined for money (is it not so in England?) Mich. 3. 11. and saith the prophet, O ye Priests, this commandment is for you, I will send a curse upon you, and corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn Feasts [hearken [Page 8] ye Priests of England] Mal. 2. 1, 2, 3. And this was and is sound doctrine, which the itching eares of the false teachers of your daies cannot endure to heare, being found them­selves such cursed children that cannot cease from sin, that were to come in the latter daies; 2. Pet. 2, 14. And those words and many more to the same effect, were they guided by the spirit of Christ (the light) in them to speake; and from that spirit they declared against the Rulers, Priests and people, who had the law or letter, and Moses writings with out them, yet were enemies to the Spirit of truth within-But the prophets searched diligently to see what, and what, manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie, 1, Pet. 1. 11. so that the spirit of Christ was in the Prophets which testified unto them, and was their rule and guide.

And when Christ came who is the end of the pro­phets, and the Law, he also declared against the same gene­ration, as the Prophets did, (and wee do) and he said, They were of their father the Devil, who did his works; notwithstand­ing they had the Scriptures and the Oracles of God, and were of the place of the holy worship, and were zealous and strict therein, even against them did Christ proclaim many Woes, Matth. 23. For the word of God had no place in them, neither could they heare it, Job. 8. 37. 43. but in Christ the light did all the fulnesse of God dwell, Co [...]. [...] ▪ 19. and 2. 9. and so he that had the fulnesse of God within him, was counted a deceiver, a blasphemer, denyed and crucified by them that had the Oracles of God without them, and read the Prophets every sabbath-day, (yet knew not their voices, Acts. 13. 27.) which prophesied of him whom they knew not when he was come (who is the light.) And now we do bare Witnesse that the light is come, as did Isaiah 6 [...]. 1, 2, 3. though darknesse covereth the earth, and grosse darknesse the people; yet in him that is the light, doth the fulnesse of God abide, and no man cometh to the Father, (or fulnesse of God) but by the Son, who is light. And now those that have the Scriptures, (and call that their rule) in the which they read of Christ the light, yet the light they deny, and so deny him of whom the Scripture speakes, and [Page 9] him unto whom all power in heaven and earth is commit­ted; and so long as they deny him who is the light, unto whom all power is committed, they cannot receive power from him to become the Sons of God, but they who do receive and believe in him who is the light, to them he gives power to become the sons of God, Ioh. 1. 12.

And now the zealous professing Iewes Scribes and Pharisees, have the Scriptures, but they deny him that is the light, and so they are blind; and all those must needs be blind who hate the light, and deny it; and so the Iewes had the Oracles of God without them, and the Law without them, and Christ the Son of God without them, and among them, preaching to them, and yet they were deaf and blind, and of the Devil, for they did his works.

And moreover the disciples of Christ might read the scrip­tures without them, and they had him in whom was the ful­ness of God, among them, with them, or without them, and yet in many things they understood not, Joh. 12. 16. but were often asking questions, as in Matth. 23. 10, 36. Mat. 16. 22. Matth. 17. 10. 13. 19. Matth. 18. 1. 21. Matth. 19. 10, Matth. 24. 3. Iohn 13. 7. and sometime they knew not what spirit they were of, Luke 9. 55. and though he had been a long time with them, yet it was hard for them to know him, Ioh. 1 [...]. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. and though he had been so long time with them, [consider] (he was with them) (for with, may be one thing, and in, an other (untill he had finished the work (without them) which the Father gave him to do, Ioh. 17. 4. [Consider] (the outward work of Christ without, or among the Disciples, may be finished) and he was at the passover with them, and at the supper with them, and gave his life for them, and they saw his body broken, and his blood shed without them, and yet notwithstanding all this, after­wards he that is, the light) upbraided them of unbelief and hardnesse of heart, Mark 16. 14. Who for a long time had the fulnesse of God amongst, and with them, who being with them, said, He that is with you, shall be in you, John 14. 17. and so they were to wait to receive him within, and that within was to abide forever, but that without departed away; but that within was and is to lead into all truth, and be with [Page 10] his to the end of the world; for that which is in man, is al­waies with him; but that which is with man, and not in him, may not be alwaies with him. And now the light is in man, and so he that is with his to the end of the world, is the light of the World, Who is the Resurrection and the life; who was dead, and is alive, and I say he liveth for evermore; Who hath finished his worke in the outward things, to wit, Cir­cumcision, Baptisme, the supper, and death on the Crosse without the gate, and is now revealed within, and worketh all our works in us, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Isa. 26, 12. Heb. 7. 25. in whose hearts he is now crying Abba Father, and he that hath the Son, hath also the Father: To whom be eternall dominion, glory, honour, and humble obedience for evermore.

And so Christ Jesus being also guided by that of God, or rather the Fulnesse of God in him, whereby he finished his Work, and departed away from among them, and bid them wait for that which should abide with them for ever, & said, These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you, but the comforter whom the Father will send in my Name, he shall teach you all things, John 14. 16. 25. 26. and that which teacheth all things was to be revealed within, & untill that was come and revealed in them, they did not know all things; so that that which teacheth all things, and sheweth plainly of the Father, and abideth for ever, is to be received within; and they in obedience to his command did wait, and their wait­ing was not in vaine; for when the time was fully come, they did receive the promise of the Father which they had waited for, and so were filled with the Holy Ghost, Acts 2. 1, 2, 3, 4. as Joshua was full of the spirit; and in Christ was the fulnesse of God; and Stephen was a man full of the holy Ghost; and the desires of such was, That others might be filled with all the fulnesse of God, Eph, 3. 19. (it's not filled with the scriptures) and so they being filled with that which was holy, were by that led into the way of holinesse, and with that which was holy in them, were they to build up one an other, Jude 20. and then they spake the word of God with boldnesse; and after the Son of God was revealed in Paul, three years after he went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, Gal. 1. 16, 17, 18. [Page 11] and fourteen years after he went up again to Jerusalem by revelation, Gal. [...]. 1, [...]. and so he did not say he went by the scriptures, or any comand without him, but by revelati­on, and a Revelation is within; and that all the Ministers and Disciples of Christ did come to be led and guided by his Spirit that was in them, might easily be proved by many un­deniable truths of plain Scripture, whereby it might more largely appeare that they were all led, guided and directed by the one spirit in them, though the gifts, leadings, and o­perations of that one spirit in them was various, as might be read, 1 Cor. 12.

And now most people will grant this before written to be true, That all the people of God formerly were led by the spirit that was in them; but that men should now in these days be led by the spirit of Christ in them, is by many de­nied, the which thing chiefly is that which I would a little search into, or rather open to thee from that which hath searched me, Psal. 139. 23. and that according to the scrip­tures of truth, if that will be by thee regarded, that so it might appear unto all that are not wilfully rebellious against the light of Christ in their own consciences, and also deniers of plain scriptures, by the which I am ready to prove, That the people of the Lord and Ministes of Christ were not onely led by the spirit of God themselves, but also in their words and Writings did direct others thereunto, saying, Walke in the spirit; be ye filled with the spirit; and worship God in the spi­rit; Gal. 5. 16. Eph. 5. 18. Phil. 3. 3. Joh. 4. 24.

But say the people, Though they did walke and direct others to walke by the spirit, yet are not we now to walke by the Scriptures? and is not the scriptures now to be our Rule? and are we not to be led by that? To which I answer, That God changeth not; and where doth the Scriptures say, That the Scripture is to be a Rule to walke, or to be led by? and the Ministers of Christ did not say, As every man hath received t [...]e s [...]i [...]ures, so walke; But as every man hath received Christ (and he is the light) so walk Col. 2. 6. Consider, there is first something to be received, and then there is to be a walking in the power and strength of that received for a babe [Page 12] is not able to walk by all the words that may be spoken unto him, untill he receive power and strength within him; and the new borne babes are to receive the sincere milke of the word, (and the word is in the heart) & then to grow up by that received 1. Pet. [...]. 2, and every man is to walke as he hath received of Christ the light, which comes from the word, which lighteth every man, John 1. 9. but every man doth not receive that into the good understanding which he is lighted with, but rather strives against, and hates it; for every one that doth evill hateth (not the Scriptures, but) the light Joh. 3. 20. and so they hate that in which the power standeth; but as many as receives him who is the light, to them, (and to none but them) he that is the light gives power; and he hath gifts for the rebellious, but they hating the light, and his own whom he lighteth, receive not him which is the light, and to them he committeth no more, and so they have not power, (yet they may have the Scriptures.) And so man walks by the strength that is in him, which strength comes from the Word by which all things were made; and man receiving the ingrafted word, (which is not the Scriptures) it is able to save the soul; for Christ the light, whose name is called the Word of God, Rev. 19. 13. is able to save to the utmost all them that come to God through the light of the World, Christ Jesus; and in him neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth any thing, but a new creature; and as many as walke according to this Rule, (I do not say my wri­tings) peace be unto them, Gal. 6. 15, 16. and so here was the Rule, which whoso walketh by, the peace belongeth to; but many cals the Scriptures their rule, and have not peace; but they to whom the spirit is a Rule, from it to them peace comes; and man being led by the spirit in him, hath that to be his rule from whence the scripture was given forth: And now that which man is directed, guided, and led by, and by which he tries, measures, or searches things, that somtimes he cales Rule; and now it is not said the Scriptures searcheth all things, but the scriptures is to be searched into, Joh. 5. 39. and it is said, The spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God, 2 Cor. 2. 20. Prov. 20. 27 & that spirit which sear­cheth all things comes from him who hath measured the waters [Page 13] in the hallow of his hand, and meted out Heaven with a span, and com­prehended the dust of the Earth in a measure, and weighed the mount­ains in scales, and the hils in a Ballance, Isa. 40. 12. and draws a line through the midst of his people, and layeth judgement to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, and sweepeth away the refuge of lies Isa. 28. 17. and telleth the number of the Stars, and calleth them all by their Names, psal. 147. 4.

And they to whom the spirit is a rule, and are led by it, they are the Sons of God, Rom. 8. 14 and it is not said, as ma­ny as are led by the scriptures are the sons of God, and man is to walk by the same rule of that he hath attained, Phil. 3. 16. & mark them that walk so, and it is said, if ye are led of the spirit, ye are not under the Law, Gal. 5. 18. but many have the scriptures and yet are under the Law, but the spirit which is the word, Eph. 6. 17. cometh (and hath power) to redeem from under the law, which the scriptures doth not; For through the spirit (not scrip­ture) the deeds of the flesh comes to be mortified, Rom. 8. 13. And while Paul profited much in that religion which he learned from the scriptures, he was an enemy unto Christ the light; but when Christ was revealed in him, and he obedient to the heavenly vision, then was he led by the spirit in him to do Gods will, and he did not say, that the mystery of Christ wch in other ages was not made known, was then manifest to him by the scriptures; but he said that it was by revelation made known unto him, and revealed to the holy Apostles and Pro­phets by the spirit, Eph. 3, 3, 4, 5. and he did not say, without scriptures it was impossible to please God, but it is said, With­out Faith is is impossible to please God, Heb 1 [...]. 6 and faith is in the heart, and purifies the heart; and so without that in the heart (which purifies it) men cannot please God, and so man cannot please God without being guided by that (in the heart) which respects no mans person, Jame [...] 2 and so every one is to walk according to that which he himself in particu­lar hath attained unto, and to minde the same thing accord­ing to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed, 2 Cor. 10. 13. and that rule which God hath distributed, is the Rule, and no man ought to go beyond it, or boast of things without, or beyond that measure, or of other mens labors, or things made ready to their hands, but to give all glory to the [Page 14] Lord, 2 Cor 10, 15, 16, 17. And this was the rule received from God, which his Ministers walked by, and exhorted o­thers unto; and so I doe not bid people walke by my wri­tings, but by their measures in them, received from God, and that is living as God is, and of his owne nature, and enables man to doe his will, and so fulfills that which is written without, and that which was given forth from the measure of God within:

What then? do I hereby in the least make void, contemn, slight, vilifie or deny the Scriptures? God forbid; nay, I had rather my pen might fal out of my hand or my arme, from my shoulder, or my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth for ever, then I should goe about to make void the scriptures of Truth, (and is a true declaration, Luke 1. 1.) which was given forth from that which is my life, which is hid not in the scriptures but with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3. and the Word was God, and that which was God, is God John 1. 1. but if I should say the Scripture is God, I should be a blas­phemer like unto others: Do I herein deny the Scriptures? Nay, rather I establish the scriptures in its place, and make use of it as a Cloud of Witnesses by me, in directing all people unto that which the scriptures testifie of, and was given forth from John, 5. 39. that by it in them they might be enabled to doe Gods Will, and witnesse the scriptures fulfilled, as it is written, I will walke in them, and dwell in them. 2 Cor. 6. 16. and he is the God of them in whom he dwels, and they are his people in whom he walks, from whose inspiration the Scriptures came, in the which it is written, Prove all things, 1 Thess. 5. 21. and try the spirit; and that which proveth all things, and tries the spirits, comes from the God of the spi­rits of all flesh, and from the word of his power, by which all things were made; which Word in the heart is as fire, which proves, tries, and refineth things, and is quick and power­full, dividing asunder soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and man feeling that, and coming to be guided by that which searches the heart, and tryes the reins, with that may he try all things; and so the Rule which man may try all things by, is to be known within; for there is one thing in man which will try [Page 15] the many things; from the which one thing within, the false spirits are gone forth into the world; and those spirits of the World, and all the world by its wisdome, and that spi­rit which is without, knowes not God, nor the measure of his spirit within; and so those are the false spirits that are gone forth, which are to be tryed by that which is not gone forth, but abides within, and discerns the heart; and those that are gone forth from being guided by that within, (as the holy men were) they are like unto Angels who kept not their first estate; for man at first was (and Holy men were) guided by that within, which is the word, which word is truth and he that abode not in truth, (which is in the inward parts) was a Devil and a murtherer, who is called the God of the world that blindeth the mindes, and worketh in all the children of disobedience; and so the Devils works are in his children and they are talking of the Works of God without them; but they that are led by the word of truth, that sanctifyeth, cleanseth, and maketh free; by it they come to know the works of the devil destroyed which was in them, 1 Iohn chap, 3. ver. 8 and so he that destroyeth the works of the Devill, and maketh an end of sin, and bringeth in everlasting righteousnesse, is known in all them that are not reprobates; and so when sin is made an end of, everlast­ing righteousnesse is brought in; and so it's within and not without; and so he being received within who brings that in which is everlasting, to that man he is within the hope of glory, and shewes plainly of the Father, and saith, Without me yee can doe nothing; (it's not said, without scripture ye can doe nothing) and they that are without him, who teaches all things, are without God in the world; & all they are with­out him, that are not in him, nor he in them, but he that hath the son, hath the Father also; and he that hath the Fa­ther and the Son abiding in him, needs not to goe out from that, to be taught or led by any other thing or rule without him, as it is written of him that overcometh, that he shall no more goe out, and upon him that goeth not out, the new Name comes to be written, and he comes to be a pillar in the Temple of God who goeth not out, Rev. 3. 12. and the Name which is better then of Sons and Daughters, even [Page 16] the everlasting Name that shall never be cut off, is given to them within the house, and within the walls, even to such as take hold of the Covenant, Esa. 59. 4. 5, and the Sanstuary is set in the midst of them for evermore, Ezek. 37. 26, 27, 28. and in the midst of them will the Lord spread forth his hands as one that swimmeth, Isa. 25. 11. and though Ephrain com­passed the Lord about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, yet saith the Lord unto Ephraim, I am God and not man the holy one in the midst of thee, Hos. 11. v. 9. 12. And so Ephraim com­passed him about with lies, who was in the midst, and he that was in the midst was holy, though compassed about with lies, and the just Lord was in the midst o [...] the filthy polluted and opressing City, Zeph, [...]3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Consider this all you polluted ones, that oppresse the just in the midst of you; for the just Lord in the midst will arise as a Lyon out of a Thicket and a young Lyon out of the forrest; he shall roar like a Lyon, and utter his voice like a man of War, Isa. 42. 13. 14, 15. and then shall his enemies be scattered, Psa 68 1▪ and he will sweep away the refuge of lies; therefore the daughter of Zion, and the daughter of Jerusalem, and Israel shall be glad; for unto them it is said, The Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt not see evill any more: In that day shall it he said to Jerusalem, Feare thou not; and to Zion, Let not thy hands be slack, the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save, Zeph. 3. 14, 15, 16, 17. and he that is mighty to save is known in the midst; and so he that justifieth is near, Esa. 50. 8. even he who hath said, I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy Name shall the house of Israel no more defile, Ezek. 34. 7.

For the Lord hath chosen Zion, he hath desired it for his habitation, this is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it; I will abundantly blesse her provision, I will satisfy her poor with bread; I will also cloath her Priests (not the Priests of England) with Salvation and her Saints shall shoute a loud for joy; there will I make the horne of David to bud; I have ordained a Lamp for mine annointed, his em [...]mies will I clothe with shame, but upon himselfe shall his crown florish. Psal. 1 [...]2, 13 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

And every man that hath his hope in him, purifieth himselfe even as he is pure; 1 Ioh. 3. 3.

NOw Christ Jesus being come, who sheweth plainly of the the father, and came out from him who is the God of Order, he saith no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him, Ma [...]. 11. 27. and no man cometh to the Father, but by him, & its not said no man cometh to the Father but by the Scriptures, nor none knows the Father, but they to whom the scriptures reveale him, and many have the Scriptures but know not God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who doth not say come unto the Scriptures, but saith search the scriptures and come unto me, and he is meek and low in the heart, even the light within, which came from him, who said, I am the light, come unto me, and that his should not goe out from him within, when wars, dasolation, and destructions cometh, therefore saith he to them, in patience possesse ye your soules, and patience is in man, and the soule is within, and he foreseeing the many deceivers and anti-christs that would come, one crying Loe here, and another Loe there, and that many would follow their pernitions waies, by reason whereof the way of truth (which makes free) would be evill spoken of, and that if po­sible such would deceive the very Elect, therefore saith Christ, if they shall say behold he is in the desart, goe not forth, Mat 24 26. and this is a command of Christ which all that talke of his Ordinances and commands should cheifly observe, and then they would not follow them who are pleading for sin, and so in the Serpents nature, creeping into houses, with his wisdome, leading them captive, who are laden with sin, neither would they believe them that say he is in the secret Chambers, (where the most subtilest ser­pents are creeping together) and confined to their privates [Page 18] meetings, for the light shineth in and over all, as the light­ning shining from the East unto the West, so is the com­ing of Christ, Gods power suddenly, as a thief to all them that are in the darknesse, but waited for by all them that are in the light, & there is nothing done in secret chambers among the serpents, that shall not be made manifest, but those that obey the command of Christ, who saith goe not forth, will not follow them that preach him (or an other) in another place, as a private chamber, or a far off, or with­out, or in the desart, for the true ministers preached Christ within the hope of glory, that all men who are not repro­bates, might come to know Christ the light in them.

For the Kingdome of God was in the wise zealous Pharises & yet by their wisdome and knowledge, and learning in the Scriptures without them, they knew not the kingdome of God which was in them, but denyed him who was the light of the world, that came to preach it, & shew it unto them, and preacht the kingdome of God at hand, not afar off, in another Region, nor in the desart or another place, or coun­trey, not another time, but he who was in the Church in the wildernesse, saith to day if ye will heare his voice, har­den not your hearts in sin untill many years hence, for the Kingdome is nigh at hand, salvation being come to the house, which house are they whom God dwels in, who heares his word in the heart, from the which whosoever goes forth, to be led by any other thing (or man) whatsoever to seek him in whom is the fulnesse and power of God are deceived, & receives not the power, nor him in whom is the fulnesse of God, and so they are still seeking and never sa­tisfied, neither receive that which they seek for, and all that thus goe forth, hunting, (like Esau) after that without, they breake the command of Christ, who said goe not forth.

And many there are who let their minds goe forth, busy­ing themselves about the body of Christ without, and earnest­ly disputing about his body (flesh and bones) in the dark­nesse of their minds like the Devil about the body of Moses and those are they that have broke his command, who said [Page 19] goe not forth, and believe in the light, which light is with­in, and the command is in it, and they going forth from it, are out of the light, and so out of the command, & are concei­ving somthing in the wrong ground, from what is written without them, and these keep out the Law which is written in the heart, and so look more at the things without, then at the light within, whereby to see that which may be known of God in them, and such are still like the men of Ga­lile, who stood ga [...]ing after him that was gone up into heaven (and taken out of the sight of all them that gazed abroad) and knew not that which was neare, but stood gazing after one that was gone, not minding the two that was with them, neither saw them that were by them, who at last reproved these gazers, Acts 1. 1 [...], 11. and after they were reproved by that which was near, for gazing after that body which ascended up afar off, then they returned from gazing & wan­dring abroad, unto Jerusalem and there continued, untill they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and so then that which was holy was revealed in them, and by that in them which was holy, did they after build up one another, and we know that as he ascended (out of their sight who gazed after that afar off, & knew not that which was near) even so doth he come againe, out of the sight of all such, and so they see him not, but are still gazing and seeking after him, and will not receive reproof, neither turne in, where the power is to be received,

And there were many young men, who had not received a double portion of Elijah spirit, that were very earnest to send and seek after the body of Elijah. but Elisha who had re­ceived adouble portion of the spirit, looked no longer after the body of Elijah or that which departed out of his sight, or the sight of the carnall eye, and also forbad the other young men for looking after it, but they would not forbear seeking abroad, untill many men had sought severall dayes and then they returned, after they had sought in vaine, and found not him with the carnall [Page 20] eye, would see (which eye must be blind) 2 Kings [...]. 1 [...], 16, 17. but many there are now, who have not received the spirit of Elijah, who have looked many years for the body, and have not found it, neither yet return from going forth, and wandring in their dark mindes to seeke that which I know they shall never finde; for if any might have found it, why not I, (who was once wise, though now a foole) who sought long with carfulnesse, therefore let such wandring stars understand, that it was not he which had received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah that sought after his bo­dy without, but them that had not received that spirit, and though they sought that body which was taken up into hea­ven, yet they never found it, neither shall ever such see that body of Christ they look so much after, who break his com­mand in going forth, from the guidance of his light in them, for they that sought the body of Jesus in the grave found it not, but had one nearer them, that they knew not, who re­proved them for seeking the living among the dead, and said he is not here, but is risen, so he was risen out of the sight of that eye which he came to blind, Iohn 9, 39, & the eye being yet dark which he came to open, they were much perplexed & afraid, and bowed their faces to the earth when they saw two men stand by them in shining raiment, and this was that which the other eye was to see, and these were they who were much perplexed, who sought after the one that was dead but now alive, and a cended out of their sight, who were a­fraid of them, [...]. Who were near and manifest in their sight, as they expected not, Luke 24. 4, 5, 6.

And they that had not received the comforter, the spirit of truth within, were reasoning as they went along about the man Christ Jesus, and these who thus reasoned about him without, had not received him within, and they who had the strong reasons were in the emnity to God who is light, Isay [...]. 1. and the disciples that reasoned their eyes were holden that they knew not him which caused their hearts to burne within them, and was with them, and preached to them, and opened to them the scriptures, preaching the re­surrection to them whose eyes were opened, when he break bread unto them, and they shall never dye who eate that [Page 21] bread which is given by him who came and stood in the midst of them that had followed him, and said peace be unto you, and he that stood in the midst, is the light, (and the light shineth in darknesse) even the son of him, that will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever.

And this is he that opens the understanding, and appear­eth unto his Lambs, in the power of the fathers love saying, Children have you any meat? but they answered him no, who had Christ without, Iohn 21. [...]. but with them who have meat he feedeth, and they with him, at the table of the Lord [not of Devils] who comes in unto them, and sup and dine with them, and they with him, who feeds them with the bread of God which gives life unto the world, of which he is the light, he that can receive and understand these things, let him.

And Mary who went while it was yet darke to seek the body (of him that was crucified) in the grave [as many are now in the dark (before the light is received) seeking him in the earthly] yet she found not the body, but she had left him behind, who was the light and the life, and sh [...] turned her selfe back, before she saw her Lord, and then she knew him not, but when he said Mary, selfe was turned, and she called him master who is the light, John 20. 1 [...]. and many that looked after that body and bones that was crucified were troubled, much perplexed and terrified at him that abode not in the earth, and were troubled and much afraid of him who did appear again unto them according to his words, and how hard was it for them to know him, that had been but ve­ry few daies from them, and how hard is it for them to know him now that never saw him, and how hard it is for them to receive him who deny and hats that which terrifies and troubles them, for Christ was neare Dost thou k [...]w that which troubles thee & is thy life now in it, or hast thou tryed that thing, and whether it will lead thee out of all sin, and trouble or not? those disciples that were terrified and troubled, but they knew him not, but when he that troubled them (& caused them to tremble, and their hearts to burne within them) had opened their eyes and [Page 22] understandings, then they knew him, and loved him at whose presence before they were troubled, and then they turned back (marke that, they turned back) & waited to receive him within, whom they had seen without, and when they were turned back and were within, Jesus stood in the midst and when the doors were shut, he came and stood in the midst, [therefore I say enter thou into thy closet and shut the door, for there is a door to be shut] and when they that were within had received him within, by whom they had been ter­rified and troubled then (and not before, they preached him unto the world who troubled and terrified them, and them who troubled and terrified the world, and caused many to tremble, and be pricked to the heart, and then some who were troubled gnashed with their teeth at those who preach­ed him, that troubled them, and whole cities were troubled, and against one of those harmlesse Lambes of Christ who preached him, that perplexed his disciples, did the pro­fessors cry out, saying, men of Israel help, Act 21. 28. [many professors cry out for more help against one professor] and all the City was in an uproar against one of them that preached him by which people are cut to the heart.

And so the preaching of him now that did trouble and terrifie us, who is now our life, doth trouble perplex and terrifie both Priests, Baptists, Independants, yea all profes­sors and people of the world, and whole Towns, Cities, Countries and Nations.

Oh the blindnesse of the professors, and the ignorance of of the prudent are they not all to keep silence in this day of light, where is the wise, let the disputer come forth, let the deviners joine together, my heart is even broken for them all, & my bowels are turned within me, Oh that I might enter with [...]n their wals, and be received with that in which the wisdome of man doth not stand, why will the disputers stand to reason about that they know not, and why do they let the vaile be thickned over their hearts, when can they understand the things of God, or perceive the hidden tre­sures of the mysteries of his will.

Oh that the hearts of the simple among the wisest of them might be opened to receive instruction, and that in meeknes [Page 23] they come to wait and turne to receive him, that is near unto them all (and that they might let the tender principle now arise in them, to bring them into meeknesse that they might come to receive him (that sometimes troubles them) upon whom the spirit of wisdom, of understanding, of coun­sel and of the feare of the Lord doth rest forevermore, that of him they might learne, and so no more to go forth, nor to err not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God; but that they might receive power to overcome the world and their sins, and to become the Sons of God, and to have the Scriptures opened in them, by him who is the light that som­times causeth their hearts within them to burne.

And this in the tenders of my Fathers love, would I have all professors consider, that this command, where Christ saith go not forth, is a chief command of great concernment to every one that professe his Name; for he saith he that is with you shall be in you, and untill they had received him with­in, they were to be quiet and stay waiting together, and not run up and downe, preaching the body of Christ without, before they had received his life within: And his life is that which saveth from sin & wrath to come.

Therefore now the light of Christ being in man, from it he is not to go forth, but wait in the light which discovers sin, untill by it he come to receive power to overcome the sin, for there is none to goe forth to seek him in the desart or the private chambers, nor to follow any of them that say loe here or [...]o there, for all they are not to be believed, nei­ther let any man or woman be so mistaken, as to think that we (in scorne called Quakers) are any of that number which cries loe here and loe there, for I doe not bid any man goe forth from that which is manifest of God in him, to any place, or outward forme, or image or invention of man, or command without, or any thing done in private, neither indeed do I somuch as bid them come forth from the light of Christ in them to follow my writings, and take that to be their rule, guid, or Leader, but that by my writings, words, example and suffe­rings they might be informed (even by this without them) of that which God hath freely given into them, by that to [Page 24] be guided and that to be to them a Rule of life, and by it to be led into all truth, for its the spirit received within, which leads into all truth, even into the truth it selfe, of which I declare, and so people being come to be guided by that which is of God in them, this will abide with them for ever, and that in them may be with them, when they have neither my writings, words nor person without them, as at that present by them, therefore I say unto all, as Christ did, go not forth.

And to this very end were the scriptures written, that men might come to receive and attain to the knowledge of the Son of God and his mighty power manifest in them, to destroy sin and reconcile unto God, and to be led by him as a shepherd, who sheweth unto his all things plainly of the Father, and so to be taught of the Lord, and come to be guided by him, and need not any man teach them.

ANd now seeing man is gone so far forth from the life of God that was first breathed into him, and that by his rebellion against the light, and transgression of the command of that power whereof man was made & by his degeneration from the holy life of that breathing spirit, which at the first in him gave an eternal life unto the soul, and that by the continuall receiving in, & following of that which at first led man forth from the life of God, which was breathed into him and that by mans continuall grieving of that spirit which gi­veth life and being to all things living, and also by reason of the multiplyings and increasing o [...] that mistery of iniqui­ty in fallen man, which hath ever since the fall ruled over, and guided him in that which is contrary to the upright in­nocent life of God, whereby man is become brutish in his knowledge, Jer 10. 14. and the minds wholly darkned, and the understanding shut up in the womb of obscurity, from receiving that which comes from God, and is freely tendred [Page 25] unto man to Rule, lead, guid and direct man in the way of uprightnesse, and in the plaine simplicity and fool [...]shnesse of God, into which the wisdome of the World can never enter.

And seeing that by reason of these things, there are many things which have gotten enterance into the heart & minde of man, so that man being in the many things cannot but all offend, and seeing those many things in men doth draw forth their minds whereby they are exercised in many and various things, proceeding from the power of darknesse, whereby even the simplicity in many have been betrayed and deceived, sometimes by following of that which in them hath appeared, as an Angel of light, the which some receiving and becoming subject unto it in them hath wrought in all manner of deceiveablenesse; and lying wonders, the fruits whereof hath been, even brought forth in open view, not onely in former ages, but also in this your daies, even in this nation, among them called Ranters, and divers others that might be named, and such who once professed the li­ving truth, but abode not in it, who also have gone forth, from the meek thing, in which Gods wisdome and feare is placed to follow the evill motions of the Prince of the ayr, who worketh in the vain ayry light minds.

And that none may believe a Lye, and so foll [...]w some­thing in them, which moves in the darke minde, and take that to be the ture guid, or rule, and that none may be deceived, through a mistake, of what I have here intended, neither yet through ignorance by reason of the want of the true knowledge of that which is of God in man, which [in him] is perfect, and there is placed not onely to be his Rule, guid and leader in the way of life, but also with it to rule and have dominion over all other creatures of God, and to rule and order them to the glory and praise of him, who at first made man honourable in dominion over all these things, by that which was the breath of the God of life in him,

Therefore first let all people take heed of following their owne spirits, for their owne spirits are also in them, the which I doe not bid them follow, for they were false pro­phets, [Page 26] who followed their own spirits, and had seen no­thing, Ezek 13. 3. and these that followed their own spirits, though they spoke never so great and many words, and as in the name of the Lord, as some doe at this day, by whom the living truth of God doth suffer, yet against such as these did and doe the prophets declare, who were and truly are guided by the eternall spirit of truth, which was and is in them, and guideth them in faithfulnesse to testifie a­gainst those who say, thus saith the Lord, and the Lord had not spoken unto them, but they had seen a false vi­sion.

Secondly, I doe not bid any man follow the thoughts of his own heart, for there is a heart which is hard, even hard­ned in sin, the workes of darknesse and receives not the light, neither yet loves it, which is the old heart, that remaineth in all them in whom the old man is yet alive, and not put off, and the thoughts of that heart is vaine, and out of the abun­dance of that heart the mouth speaketh folly, and the lips uttereth perversnes, and all manner of fruits of disobedi­ence is brought forth, and that is the heart, which yet re­maineth in all them, who have not received the spirit of of God, to become his sons and obey his Will, Jer. 23. 16, 17.

Thirdly, I doe not bid any man follow his own imagina­tions, though they also arise from within him, for I have found by experience, that the imaginations of the thoughts of the hearts of the Sons of men are evill continually Gen. 6. 5. and much most desperate wickednesse, blasphemy, here­sie, and the like, have been brought forth by many in these Nations, who have followed their own imaginations, speak­ing great swelling words, pretending great ayry things, which indeed are without substance, which that transsform­ing prince of the ayre hath suggested into their darke minds, who then follow their owne devices, Jer. 18. 12.

Fourthly, I do not bid any man follow the spirit of the world, for we who have believed, and obeyed him, who said I am the light and follow me, for we have not the spi­rit of the world, but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given unto us of God, [Page 27] 1 Cor. 2. 12. and so that spirit of the world, which in words seemeth to professe God, but in works deny him, having a large cloak of religion, but continue in sin, and unrighte­ousnesse, making long prayers like the Pharisees, & having sin lye at their door like Cair, talking much of God and Christ and the scriptures, and yet have mens persons in ad­miration because of advantage, whose faith is vaine, having a forme of Godlinesse, but denying that power which saveth from sin, and so deny Christ, yet intruding into those things he hath not seen, being vainely puft up with the flesh­ly mind, that spirit in man which so guideth him I deny for ever.

And that man may the better understand, what that is which he is to love and wait to receive, by it after received to be his rule guide and leader and leading him in the nar­row good old way of life, unity, peace and love, which all the holy men of God walked in, which is a pure way of holinesse [then not of hypocricy and sin] where the ransomed of the Lord doth walk, and where the waifairing men, though fools shall not ere, therefore I declare that man is to be si­lent and quiet and wait to receive the spirit of meekenesse, patience, gentilnesse and long suffering, and so come to know somthing borne of the water and of that spirit, which truly calls God Father, and in which no evill standeth, and out of which doth not arise any perversnesse impatience, di­strust, envy nor prejudice towards the person of any man but is pure, lamb like, harmlesse, undefiled and thinketh no e­vil, the which being received obeyed and abode in, it guideth unto & keepeth man in perfect peace, out of the reach of the devouring nature of the wild beast [...] of the field, so that unity, peace passing understanding eternall felicity, joy in the holy Ghost, and love unchangable is injoyed for ever, and there is no boasting nor exaiting above or beyond the measure re­ceived from God.

And they that have received this measure and dwell in the spirit of the Lamb which cometh from God, who is love, it thinketh no evill, neither is it easily provoked, and this is that which was in Esaiah, and so ruled him, and in him [Page 28] Ruled over all his natural passion that he could give his back to the smiters, and his cheek to them that plucked off the hare, and hid not his face from shame and spitting, and this is that which comes from the God of love, which can bear all things, hope all things, endure all things.

And that man may come to receive this spirit, and have it alwaies in him to the end of the world, ruling him in the feare of God, and leading him to the eternall dominion of the God of order, and that man may know the true and in­falable thing, which is most assuredly given into man, to lead him to the injoyment of the God, of the spirits of all flesh

Therefore let all people (in what formes or state soever) have their minds turned to that in them, which lets them see their sins, and every evill thought and evill motions of the enemy in the darke minde, before it be brought forth into the act of sin by word or action, & that in them, which lets them see this, which is evill before it be acted, as they love it, believe in it and obey it, it will keep them from the acting of that which they are tempted to, and that in them which letteth them see the evill, and that they should not sin is the onely thing which God hath pla­sed in man, to keep him from acting the evill, and from sin, and by it may all mankind receive power to withstand sin, and stay the first appearance of that which is evill, and the nature and property of it (being loved) is to destroy sin where it is, and to keep out of it, and kill that from whence the motions to sin would arise, & this is that which led me out of sin, when no other waies, helps or meanes could be found, and that which sheweth man his sin, and leadeth out of sin and gives power over it, is a certain rule to follow and walke by, for it doth never lead into sin, and that which letteth see the motions of sin, and leadeth out of all sin, is absolutely that which commeth from him in which there is no sin, and certainly as true as the Lord God liveth, this is that which leadeth up, even to the Lord God of life, and this is his free love who gave his son to them that asked not for him, and his Son is the light which is the gift of the Fathers Love: given to the Rebellious, that he might be manifest to them that asked no [Page 29] for him, and that he might be found of them who sought him not, that he might dwell in them who did rebell, and gather them nere who were afar off, this is Gods eternall love, and the gift of his grace unto all mankind, who willeth not that they should dye in their sins, and these are the true and faithfull sayings of God, and that which will stand for ever, and in the presence of the Lord God of life and of his holy Angels I doe declare, that this is that which God hath placed in man to rule him in his feare that by it he may come to rest eternall, and in the face of men and devils (who op­pose the truth of God) I doe affirme that there is no other Rule, waies, meanes, or name by which man shall ever come to walke with God, but by that which is manifest of God in him, even the light of Christ Jesus the Son of the living God, according to the Scriptures.

But we boast not of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath distributed to us, A measure to reach even unto you (who have not known the Rule) according to 2 Cor. 10. 13.

THe true Prophet is come of whom Moses the servant of the Lord did write, who is raised up in the midst, and hath rent the vaile, and from under death is risen in his un­limited power, Dominion and authority, even him that death nor the grave can not hold, who through death hath conquered death for ever and though death had pow­er over him, before the way into the holyest of all was made manifest, yet death now hath no more dominion over him, but he is risen through death, who was made a curse, and [Page 30] hath borne away the curse, and removed the cursed ground upon which fallen man stood, and hath borne away the sin of the world, and was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousnesse of God through, in, and by him who hath opened the understanding, whereby the unsearchable riches of unspeakable love comes to be made manifest even unto us who were going astray, and were children of wrath as well as others, and aliens and strangers to the covenant of Grace, and long were without God, and in the World, tossed to and fro with every winde of doctrin, after the cun­ning craftinesse of man, whereby we were long deceived, e­ven by such who still bewitch the minds of the simple; out of which wicthcraft I can say the Lord hath delivered, and obe­dience to the truth (that makes free) is yeilding, and love, mercy, and judgement is come and brought forth, and vi­ctory is witnessed, the Messenger of the everlasting covenant is come, even he that we long waited for, and we doe not look for any other, but he that is the same yesterday, to day and for ever, who was to come, and is come, (he that readeth let him understand) who is without beginning of time, or end of daies; who is made under the Law, and became as a servant, being obedient to the death, through which the life is risen up into the understanding, and hath borne away that which the Law hath power over, and hath brought in that by which the Law is fulfilled; and so he that is the end of the Law, for righteousnesse is felt and received, who taketh away the sin and reconcileth the world up unto the Father, where the sin is taken away by him, who though he was made sin, yet knew not sin; who appeares now the second time without sin, to the saving of that which was lost, which is now brought againe, and plentious redemption is known; for the desire of all Nations is come, and the second house is filled with glory; the wine-presse is full, the Fats overflow, for the winter is past, and the Summer is come, and the Lillies appeare in the field where the Pearl was hid; the fig-tree puts forth her buds, and the vine yeelds her in­crease; the olive doth blossom, and the apple-tree in the midst of the wood doth flourish, and the good ground yeilds her increase & is fruitfull in its season to the good husband­man; and there is seed to the sower, and bread to be eater; [Page 31] the Barns are filled with abundance, and the store-houses with plenty, and treasure is laid up for many yeares in the heavenly places, which are purified with the living sacrifices, so that the earthen vessells are fitted to keep the heavenly Manna that shall dure throughout many genera­tions; and so against the famine comes upon the earth, (and all them that feed at Jesabels Table) oyl is laid up in saf­ty & the finest of the flower in a place where it is sure, where it will last and never faile untill the Heathen are scorched with heat, and they that have forsaken the Lord are become as a parched Heath, and all the gods of the heathen famished, and the tongue of the Aegyptian Sea dryed up, and all the false prophets overturned who belong to Jezable, whose bo­dy the dogs must tear, though she yet sits as a Queen in opposition to the true prophet Christ the light; and untill them who are drunk with the wine of the fornication of the Whore and are the merchants of Mystery Babylon the great the mother of all the painted Harlots be all condemned in one day with an utter overthrow, & the seate of the Whore removed, & all them that commit fornication with her made as the valley of Hamon Gog, and as the dung upon the face of the Earth; and all the brats of the whore dashed against the stones: untill then I say shall that in store remain, and a hiding place be found for the prophet of the Lord who is also hid near thee in thy own Land, though thou art see­king him afar off.

Wherefore hear O▪ ye kindreds of the earth; for as the dwe spread upon the mountaines, so doth the streames of my beloved arise, overspreading the earth with the comli­nesse of his love, and filling it with the beauty of his Grace; the banner of his love is spreading forth as a curtain and un­der the shadow of his wings is a certaine hiding-place, both from the storme and from the heat; and though the Sea rages, and all kindreds and tongues swell up in wrath, pride and arrogancy, yet he is come, known, witnessed and re­ceived, who commands both the winds and the Sea, who is the former of all things, by whom they all were made, and at his command all are subdued; and the lightenings of his light enlightens the whole world, Psal. 97. [...]. & the glory of his power is spreading over the nations, & the excellency of his beauty is reaching to his lambes; and because of his comelinesse [Page 32] the virgines love him, and to him the daughters of Jerusalem bring their gifts, and before him the princes of the people lay down their crowns; and because of him the wildernesse doth rejoyce and the desolate is made glad; for the fruitfull Land was become a barren wildernesse, and the barren wildernesse is turned into a fruitfull field, & now the plant sprung out of a dry ground, and the seed is born of the baren womb, and there is a way made in the Wil­dernesse, and streames are given in the desart, and the eare of the deaf is opened, the lame doth walk, and the Leaper is clensed, & the stammering tongue speaks plainly; the Go­spell is received, and the everlasting power is come, even the Immanuel, God with us, and in us; and we confesse Christ come in the flesh, and doe not look for an other, but do know that this is the great Prophet who is come into the World, that is set in the heart, Eccles. 3. 11. which is in the midst, out of which Moses saith the Lord would raise up a Pro­phet Leut. 18. 15. the which prophet being come which all are to hear, he saith, I am come a light into the world, Ioh 8. 12. Ioh▪ 12 35, 36, and 46. The world being set in the heart, there is the light of him who saith, I am the light, and he that is the light, is the true Prophet; and the true prophet is in the midst, who is the light, whose day Abrabam saw, unto whom the Gospell was preached, which Gospell is Gods power, whereby Ahraham rejoyced, because he came to see the day of him who is the light of the world, unto whom all the pro­phets gave Testimony.

Isaiah, who witnessed the Son borne, and the child given, Isa, 9. 6. by whose stripes he came to be healed, he preached the light, and said the light was come, and the Gentiles should come to his light, and Kings to the brightnesse of his rising; and he also preached the light to be everlasting, Isa. 60. [...], 2, 3, and 19, 20. so that Kings and Gentiles shall come unto him that is the light, who is Gods wisdome that is from everlasting, Prov. 8. 2 3. who is given a for light to the Gentiles, and in him they trust: And Isaiah said, Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord, Isa. 2. 5. And the Disciples called him Lord who is the light. And David's servants were carefull that the light of Israel might not be quenched by his going forth to war; [marke] That which leads forth to war quenches the light, 2 Sam, 21. 17. And [Page 33] Job did not deny but the light was given to him that was in misery, and to the man whose way was hid, Job 3. 20. & 23. And David preached him who is given for a light to the Gentiles to be salvation to the ends of the earth; and saith, The Lord is my light and my salvation, Psal. 27. 1. And in thy light we shall see light, Psal. 36. 9. And light is sown for the righteous, Psal. 97. 11. And he that came of David said, Truely light is sweet, Eccles. 11. 7. And when he came, of whom the Prophets prophesied, who is the onely prophet and High-priest, and the end of the prophets and the law, and that Priesthood which was made by a Law; he being come, preached himself to be the light of the World, and said, while you have the light, believe in the light, Ioh. 8 Ioh. [...]2. And Iohn who was a Minister of Christ, preached the light, and said it was the light of man, Ioh 1, and life is come into the world Ioh. 3. 10. and Peter preached the light shining in a dark place. And the Ministers of Christ who were eye witnesses of his glory, said, the light shined in darknesse, and God commanded the light to shine out of darknesse; and some witnessed that they were made partakers of the inheritance with the Saints in light.

And many more proofs might be brought from the scrip­tures of truth, as a cloud of witnesses to prove, that we who preach, declare, and beare witnesse to the light, do not therein preach a new doctrine, nor another Gospell, but the same with all the holy men of God, and that which we have heard and seen, which was from the beginning, which Message is this, even the light; which light in the world, in the heart is the corner stone, which is the sure foundation; and other foundation can no man lay then he that is the light, that is already laid: And this is the true Prophet which all are to heare, and the children of the light doe hear, know, and obey his voice; and a stranger they will not hear, but him by whom God speaks; for God in times past spake unto our Fathers at sundry times, and in divers man­ners, but in these last daies he hath spoken unto us by his Son, who is the light, whose Name is called the word of God, [...]e [...]. 19 13. which word was hid in Davids heart, of whom Christ came, who is the light and the word, which was a light unto Davids feet, and a lanthorn to his steps; and so David [Page 34] called him Lord who is the Light, and the word nigh, who is in the midst, and preacheth peace to them that believe in, follow, and obey him that is the light, and the light is the condemnation of all them that hate it; and every one that doth evill hateth the light: but the light is the condemnat­on of all whose deeds are evill; and every one that loves, the light wherewith he is enlightned, brings his deeds to it, and by it the hidden things of darknesse are made mani­fest; and waiting in that which it doth make manifest to be evill; so Christ the light comes to destroy the works of the Devill, and makes an end of sin, and reconciles up unto God, who hath given him a light of the Gentiles, and a co­venant to be salvation to the ends of the earth; and this is he that lighteth every man that comes into the world; which World God so loved, that he gave his Son a light into it, that all men through him might believe, and be saved from the wrath to come; and so its the will of him that sent him, who is the light, that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth; which truth brings freedome to the seed whereby it comes to have peace with God, being redeemed from the bondage of corruption and set at liberty from under the shadow of death, wherein many long have walked, whose feet now comes to be guided into the way of everlasting peace, where the children of the light doth rest together.

And this is he who hath wrought redemption with his own power, and redeemed out of captivity, and opened the prison door, and preached peace to the spirit that was in pri­son in the days of Noah, when the old world was destroyed and brought the Flood upon the ungodly, yet saved the seed in the midst of the storme and raging waves; and by him, e­ven he that is the light, is captivity led captive, and that which ruled over, is brought to be a servant under; when the Word of the Lord came to the Rock, it opened, and much of living water issued forth abundantly, whereby the thirsty comes to be satisfied, and clothing from him who is the light doth dayly come, & the rayment that never waxeth old; he clothes with the armor of light, and is as a Son and a shield; from him the spirituall weapons comes, and he teacheth the hands to war, and the fingers to fight; so that [Page 35] the strong holds are broken down, and every thought come to be subjected, and when he leads through the sufferings like a Lamb, so is he followed; and when he arises up to speake with authority, and not as the Scribes, then is he obeyed, who then utters his voice like a man of war, and lifts up his voice like a Trumpet, crying aloud unto all them that are thirsty, & proclaiming the woes to all them who wear the false coverings, and by him are his enemies comfounded, and Judges led away fools, and Princes laid in the dust. And at him do the Kings of the Earth shut their mouthes, and before him shall they all bow; for with the sword of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips doth he slay the wic­ked, and his slaine are many, and shall be more, for no flesh shall stand before him who is now come to plead and make war in righteousnesse; and now are his enemies flying un­to their strong holds and fenced Cities, but his salvation is stronger then Walls or Bulwarks, and that all them that follow him (their captain) knowes right well; and before him all the mighty of the earth▪ are as a tottering Wall, and as a broken hedge, and he it is that rideth upon the wings of the wind, whose power is unlimited, whose waies are past finding out, who descended into the lower parts of the earth, from whence the wicked never knew him to arise.

But I with the rest do witnesse he is risen through the earth, and his feet stands upon it, and is become the first fruites of them that slept, and is ascended up on high, and hath dominion over all, and is crowned with glory and ho­nour eternally in the heavens, and hath given gifts un­to men, and from him the gift of eternall life is come.

And this is my beloved, O ye daughters of Jerusalem; and this is my Friend and Redeemer, O ye sons of men, even he who hath redeemed my soul from Hell, & brought me back from the power of the Grave; this is the prophet of whom Moses did write should come, and is come, and and there is not another then he that is risen up in the midst, which is Christ the light of the world in the heart; this is he that hath done wondrous works for, in, an [...] by me, and many more who are thereby made living with [...]es unto his Name, whose Name is a strong Tower, and a rock of defence, he is a sure dwelling-place, he is the rest of the soule, and the joy of the living.

And since he hath put the sword of his spirit into my hand, and his word of life into my mouth, the wicked thereby hath been cut down like the grasse, and the mighty have been trampled upon as the dust in the streets; the tall Gedars have been as the Brambles, and the strong Oaks have been rooted up; the Prophet became a fool, the Past­ors became brutish, and the spirituall man was mad, but the seed hath been refreshed, and the weake nursed up, the tender plant preserved, and the hungry fed.

And for his name sake will I not keep silence untill my testimony be finished, and untill Jerusalem be made a praise over all the Earth, and her righteousnesse break forth as the morning, and her comlinesse as the brightnesse of the Son, and till I see the destruction of her enemies, and her Ad­versaries overturned for ever; for powerfull is our King, who is come to raign.

Oh! Who can with-hold the pen from writing, and the tongue from declaring? When the Lyon hath roared, who will not hear? When the Lord hath spoken, who can but prophesie? How can I but declare his wondrous works, and proclaime his Name where ever I come, and confesse him before men, though I should suffer much more impri­soning, dungeon, and whipping then I have done? Surely his name I will declare in the world, who is the light, and give my testimony of him that saves from sin, whose Name is called Jesus, the light of the world, which is the elect, pre­cious, and corner (but stumbling) stone, even to both the houses of Israel; but it is he that is come to rule the Nati­ons with his Iron rod, and dash his enemies in pieces like a potters vessell, and judge the Earth in righteousnesse, and the people with his living truth; and now the sinner shall not stand in judgement, nor the wicked in the congregation of the righteous; for he utters his voice like thunder, against the wicked, and is dreadfull against the double-minded; he condemns the unjust with an utter over-throw, and pulls downe the unrighteous from their seats: Oh! Who of the wicked can stand when he Thunders from heaven, and pier­ceth through the secret parts of the heart?

And though I doe speak an allegory, yet I doe not speak contrary to the scriptures, but according thereunto, from [Page 37] the spirit of truth, and though I speak of the operation of Christ in his members, yet I doe not deney the works which were wrought by him in his own person; and though I preach Christ within the hope of glory, yet I doe not preach an other; and though Paul travelled in birth again untill Christ was formed in the Galathians, yet he did not desire an other Christ should be formed in them, And though Paul said God had revealed his Son in him, yet it was not an other Son; and though I say the Son of God is come, and hath given me an understanding, yet it is not another Son, but the same that ever was who worketh all our works in us; And though I preach him the maker, an end of sin, yet I doe not preach another; but they who preach a Christ that doth not make an end of sin, nor save them (who preach him) from their sins, do preach another Christ, seeing the true Christ maketh an end of sin: And though I say the prophet is come who is mighty in word and worke, and raised up in the midst, or in the heart, yet it is not another but the same, whose wonders appeared out­wardly whilst he was in the forme of a servant upon the earth.

And though I preach him to the world, the light of the World, yet it's not an other, but the same who said, I am come a light into the world, and I am the light of the world, Ioh. 8. 12. and so he being come a light into the world, he is to be preached as he is, [the Light] that all men through him might believe, and mens minds turned from darknesse to him who is the light, (in the darknesse) and it is most right and proper to preach him the light who is now come, and is the end of the Law to all them that believe in the Light, and the end of the Prophets who preached him that is the light under various Names or Terms, as King, P [...]iest, Pro­phet, a [...]on, a Child, the Mighty God: and Davi [...] calls him Lord; and he is called a Saviour, a Redemer, a Mediatour, &c who being come saith, I am the light; and so it's right and sound Doctrine to preach him as he is, The light of the World, and lightneth every man that cometh into the World which is the true light; and we that preach this, doe not preach another, but him who said, I am the light.

By me who refused the glory, treasure, and prefermen [Page 38] of the world, and did choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God; and though I profited much in that Religion where the carnall Ordinances are, yet that profit­ing came to be accounted as drosse and dung, that he might be received who makes an end of sin, who being now come, his love constraineth me his Name to publish, who is the true Prophet, whose Name is called Jesus, who hath, and doth save from sin, for whose name-sake I have often been brought before Rulers, haled and beat out of the Synagogues, num­bred among the transgressors, tryed at an Assizes as an offen­der, yet there denyed the liberty of a murtherer, being six times imprisoned, twice stript naked and whipt with Rods, and since put into Bridewell, once put into, and kept long in a dungeon for praying; often abused in prison; sometimes near death; in tryals often, in perills often, in losse of goods in dayly reproaches.

And in that which hath been greater then all these things, and yet have I been preserved unto this day by the power of him who is the light, and the onely Son of God, to whom be e­ternall glory from his own seed in his servant, who is one of the least among many brethren, being a prisoner at Win­chester for the truth of Christ by the will of men, unto whom I am known by the Name of.

COME unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, come unto me and find rest; I, even I am he who com­forteth Sion, I am he who preacheth liberty to the captives: Oh come unto me, stay not, I am the way, the truth, and the life; I am he, and there is none other, I came out from the Father into the world, that it might be reconciled up unto God through me, I am the good shepherd that am now come to gather the outcasts of Israel, and to bring home unto God the lost sheep, that the dispersed of Judah might now return, and the seed of Abraham may be brought in to me, in whom the redemption is, even plentious redemption for all that will hear and turne in hither.

Oh all ye scattered of the flock! my voice is to you that have not found rest to your soules, now hearken diligently to heare my voice, and feel my words of life, for now the time is come that the seed that hath long lain in the death shall heare my voice and they that heare shall live and rise out of the death, and I will give them life.

Oh! come unto me my own, my beloved before the foundati­on of the world; come, and stay not; I have long waited for you; my locks are wet with the drops of the night, and you have even wearied me with waiting for you; long have I knocked at the door of your hearts, calling to repentance, and no man regarded; nor the slothfull would not arise that I might come in, and take up my abode with, and in my own, and refresh them with waters of life; but now am I come who am the bride­groom and the bishop of the soul, with my alluring termes.

Come, Oh my friends, [...] hearken my beloved, let me not be denyed; open the door of thy hard heart, and let me not stand waiting any longer; behold I have honour for all them that fol­low me, & crowns of life for all wil receive me, come unto me, my lambs, I have prepared my supper, I have made in this Mountain a feast of wines of the Lees, of fat things full of marrow; all things are now ready; Come in unto me, I am the bread of life, I am the hidden Manna, I come to save mens lives:

Come all ye that are weary with the burthen of your sins, I am the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; I come to take away the sins of the world; I am the root of Jesse, and the off-spring of David; I am he that opens and none can shut, and shuts, and no man opens; I have power to forgive sins on earth. Come, cease from the evill of your doings, learn of me to do well, & then we will reason together, & though thy sins have been as scarlet, they shall then be as white as Snow; for I come to finish transgression and make an end of sin, and bring in the everlasting righteousnesse of God. Therefore hear, oh ye scate­red of the flock, that are yet in the miery clay covered over with the thick clouds of your sins; oh! remain not in filth nor conti­nue no longer with the flesh-pots in the house of bondage, for I am come to condemn sin in the flesh, & destroy the works of the Devill, that you may find redemption in me, and be washed from your filthinesse, and cleansed from your sin.

Wherefore hear all ye that are far from righteousness, behold I have gifts for the rebellious, my hand is streched forth; oh [Page 40] ye simple ones! come unto me, and learn pure wisdom; & ye fools be of an understanding heart. O why will ye dye, oh ye house of Israel! have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye? turn you, turn you, now I do cal, oh ye hard-harted! where fore do you hide your selves from me? & dig deep to hide your councels from me? why do you run alwais astray? Oh what shall I do unto you that I have not don? & yet do you stil go on in the evil of your wais? when wil you once return? Oh Jerus. I wilt thou not be made clean? When shal it once be? Oh! I have seen your abominations, & am wearied with your fins, & yet you have not regarded; oh! now it is high time to consider thy ways, & return from the evill of thy doings, lest thou be shut out for ever.

And all ye my dear ones that have long waited for me, behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, saith Christ the Son of God, and I will open to you the hidden Treasures of my fa­ther, and make known his will to you; and I will remove off the burden, and circumcise your hearts; behold I come, saith Christ, and I will open the prison-door, & raise the prisoner out of the pit, and bring deliverance to the captive, and refresh the plant of my Fathers planting, and nourish the tender grape which the subtilty hath hurt; and I will bind up the broken, and re­store unto the mourners the years of joy and comfort, and I will be unto you a sure foundation, and a present help in time of need; and I will bring back the scattered, and they shall now return, and fear the Lord God of their Fathers in my moun­tain of holiness, and they shall walk in the way of peace, and in the pathes of righteousness, where the unclean shall not passe over, nor the wild beasts of the field shall not come, but the ran­somed of my Father, saith Christ the Son of God.

Therefore hear all ye my brethren, and consider all yee my friends, for I am come who am the sure foundation, & the cor­ner-stone, the Light, the true light of the world, and the life of man, and the everlasting covenant of the father, and power of God, and the wisdome of the Father; by me Kings reigne, and the princes of Israel shall now rule in equity; for behold I am come, even he that you have long waited for, and there is not another; come learn of me, I am meek, I am lowly, I am the light, low in the heart, I am the living Minister, saith Christ the Son of the Fathers love, and the light of the World; I change not but remain a Priest for ever, a living Minister, a Minister of life within the vail, ministring life unto the spirit in prison.

THat which went forth from the life of God, professed the name of God to cover it selfe with that, without the life the which profession through the secret subtilty, did more and more increase, which led further off from the sense, of the fee­ling of the life of God, and when its stirred, to judge that which went out from it, then presently would that which went out, lead forth further to seek after, and comprehend in the know­ledge and profession of his name, treasuring up that, in that which went out from his life, and therewith to cover that with­out the life, and then for a time that was quiet, being got so far out from the sence of the feeling of the strivings of the life, which strivings being got out from, ceased for a time to strive being resisted with that which abode not in it, whereby it be­came vailed and covered with a thick cloud by that which sin­ned against it, the which thereby came to be exalted above it, even above all that is called God, and is of his nature, and increasing, getting strength, and covering it selfe in the earthly wisdome through the carnall conceivings and profession of God out of the life and the power by which that was grieved, and under that oppressed, which under the profession, sometimes would stir againe, and in secret judge that which did oppresse, and wounding that which grieved it, even striking through it with the dreadfull darts of it's power, making the other sensi­ble, that it's judgement was to passe over and cut down the head of that which was above it exalted, the which judgement, being loved and turned to, so there is a coming againe to the sense of the feeling of the operation of the power which judgeth and striveth against that which was got above the power, professing his name, who is the power, but not bearing nor feeling his na­ture, who being with the power judged, and condemned with the light that comes from the power, yet being not kept to the Crosse, and his head alwaies under the sword of the power, in the judgement, his head gets forth againe, the twining head of that which got the profession, but abode not in the power, which head being, not bruised in it's first motion, the body growes up, even the man of sin, with spirituall wickednesse in high places, shewing it selfe as the power, being exalted above [Page 42] the power, & there stands in opposition against the power, which being judged, confounded, scattered, and overturned, with the powerful breakings forth of that, which by it suffered under; so the true thing presents it selfe to be the leader; which being received and obeyed, it draws the mind in, where is stilnesse and quietness, out of that which labours for vanity, into that where the labour ceaseth, and the rest is received, and the day come which God hath blessed for evermore, where the Lamb is the light, and the small still voyce is heard, and the power of the Word received; the which some coming to see, through the openings in the light, and yet not in it waiting, through the judgment to be led into the thing it self, so that that which stood not in the power, soon leadeth out the mind in a joy be­cause of the sight, to cover it self again therewith.

And so as that is still followed, which leadeth forth from the power in the sight, conceiving, or professing of it without it, having not the substance; So the substance and the power is more and more degenerated from, in what image or form soe­ver it be, and as the form is continued in, the power is denyed; but as the power is minded, and waited for, standing out of the form or image: so the other which abode not, but leadeth out of the power of the truth, cometh to be crost, judged and deni­ed, and so not followed, but kept out of, in the light to watch and war against it by the light, out of it to be led into that, and it to receive, in which immortality abideth for ever.

And so as there is a continuall watching with the light that may be seeen, which abides not in it, but is got up above it, working in all deceiveableness in the mystery of iniquity, to cover it self with the profession of truth, but still keep out of it, and also that may be seen, which suffers under all this, and lieth under it, so that it cannot be come to, nor come at, by that which is out of it, and stands above it, and its vailed and cove­red, and the narrow entrance to it, is hard to be found, and being found, is soon turned out of, and hard to be kept in, by reason of the many turnings of the deceivableness of that, which is, and is rightly named, the mystery of iniquity, which worketh in them that obey not the light, which cometh from the truth, in which the power standeth, out of which that went forth which hath not the power, which is to be confounded with the power, that the power without hands may break in [Page 43] pieces that made with hands, or the greatest, tallest, or most glorious image that hath been conceived in the dark mind, and set up on high above the humble suffering seed to be worship­ped, which in the power of the light is resisted, with all his wiles, though therein he bringeth Scripture to uphold his king­dome and dominion over the other, which is to reign, to have it bow down to him, and worship him, who abode not in the power, which by the power is resisted and denyed for ever, and he commanded to serve it, and bound and chain'd down with it.

And so that which denies & overcomes the other, and is the younger, which is to reign, whom the other is to serve, and is humble, low, meek, sober, wise and gentle, harmless and inno­cent, is it that all are to wait to receive and joyn unto; from it power to know, in it to stand against the other which did it op­press, and by secret subtlety being exalted, doth always endea­vour to sit in the Temple of God, shewing it selfe as God, be­ing covered with a profession of the truth, which in the truth doth not abide, yet to the truth in words may confesse and ac­knowledg that w^ch saveth from sin, to be the begotten of God, and may believe and tremble because of it, and be tormented and troubled by it, & yet remain an enemy to the Son, tempt­ing him by many glorious presentations and gifts, rewards and promises, to bow to that, and serve that, and be led by that which abideth not in the power, that so thereby over the pow­er it might always rule, in the deceivablenesse of unrighteous­nesse, still presenting that which is fair, pleasant, and desirea­ble, and seeming to make one wise; which being received, opens that eye which looks at the things which are seen, and darkens that which is to give the knowledg of the power, by which the things that are seen were made, wherein many are ensnared, o­thers tempted, and some overcome, who are to sink down to that then overcom, and feel it again in them to rise to overcom the other, lest their latter end be worse then their beginning.

Oh how can the depth of the ground of this mystery of ini­quity be declared; or who can utter forth the innumerable transformings and changings of that which still seeketh by all subtilty to keep from the obedience, to the life of that power, by which man was made, & from which through disobedience he was led, by that which said, Ye shall be as gods, which against God [Page 44] doth stand, in that ground which by him is cursed.

And how can the unsearchable love of the father be uttered with words! who so loved the world (and his seed in it) that he gave his Son to them that asked not for him; that by his light may be seen the deceiveableness of the many workings of the powers of dark­ness in the mind that is darkned; which from the darkness to the light is to be turned with the light, in the fear, to watch a­gainst every appearance and first motion of the changeable pow­ers of darknesse, which sometimes appeareth as an Angell of light, against whose appearance all are to stand armed, with the power of him who is the light, and to feel the power of the word, which is as fire, and yet to resist that which the Devil dar­teth in, which is also like unto fire.

And that the tender simplicity, after which my soul breaths, may not be betrayed by that which still seeketh to devour, and keep from the power of the Cross, and turne aside from the narrow way of life, in which that all the innocent friends of Christ may be kept to follow the leadings of that, which from the God of truth, and love, and peace to them have come, by it to be led out of, and from all that, which in the truth doth not abide, and in the power doth not stand.

Therefore is this given forth, even from the breathings of my life to the pure witness in you all, which the changeableness of iniquity doth always stand against; the which in Gods living power, let all that feel it keep against the other to stand, and out of all Satans wiles to be preserved, to the end of all that which hath an end, that then when time shall be no more, you may rest, and abide with, and in him that is the truth, whom the Devil hath nothing in, to receive the blessings of the father, and the tender mercies of the most high, to refresh you, and o­vercome you with the power of his love, that it to you all may be the bond of everlasting peace, in which with all the humble and faithfull am I bound up, and in it with them for evermore do rest.

JAcob is the second birth, whom God loveth, the noble seed, who like a Prince wrestles for the everlasting blessing, he pre­vaileth, and hath power with God and with men, who was and is beloved for ever; he was of God beloved and blessed, & cal­led by another name after he wrestled and prevailed, and had power with God, and with men [mark] he had a new name gi­ven after he prevailed, and had power, as it is written, He that overcometh shall eat of the hidden Manna, and have a white stone; and in it a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that recei­veth it, Rev. 2. 17. [Mark] a new name in a white stone, Christ the light, the corner-stone, a new name in the light of life, in the white stone, pure and precious, the elect, the sure founda­tion, the foundation laid in Sion, the Law shall go forth of Sion, the Law is written in the fleshly tables of the heart. I will write my Law in their hearts saith God, from whence it shall go forth; The law is light, and the commandement. The law shall go forth of Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone, a tryed stone, a precious corner-stone, he that belie­veth on him shall not be confounded. He that believeth makes not hast, but he that believeth not, is to be confounded, he makes hast, he wils, he runs; not he that wills, nor runs, but he that waits upon God for mercy, he believeth, he makes not hast, he waits, he wrestles with God for the blessing, he prevaileth. Jacob the plain simple man, the seed of Abraham, that dwelt in his tent, he gets the blessing of God that waits upon him, that wrestles with him like a Prince; he prevaileth and hath power with God, and with men; he hath a new name in a white stone, who overcometh, whose light is like a stone most precious, clear as chrystal. He that overcomes shall be cloathed with white ray­ment, white as the light, Jac [...]b the second birth, he knoweth the dreadful place, the house of God, and the gate of heaven, he passeth over Jordan, and after become two bands; his seed is blessed of God, who prevaileth and overcometh; the second birth, born of the spirit, him God loveth; but Esa [...] have I ha­ted, the first birth born of the flesh, the cunning hunter, a man [Page 46] of the field, wandering in the field, in the wildernesse, in the darknesse abroad, hunting for venison (mark) for food, for meat that perisheth, the wild man abroad hunting, he loseth the blessing. Hearken all professors of the Scriptures, who know not the wilde Asses colt tyed to the vine, the Covenant of God, the life of God, and the power of God you are out of, and strangers to; Here is the state of the foolish virgins, the foolish woman is clamourous, her feet abide not in her house; but she that tarryeth at home divideth the spoyl, she sweepeth the house, and seeketh diligently for the piece of money which was lost. The Lords money was hid in the darkness, which hath his image, which is found in the house, by the light, he light­eth the candle, and diligently searcheth: The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord (which in the house is lighted) search­ing all the inward parts of the belly, Prov 20. 27. The Lord will search Jerusalem with candles; I the Lord search the heart and try the reynes; how are the hidden things of Esau searched out? (mark) of Esau the first birth, of the flesh, the cunning hunter, a man of the field, in the darknes; the dark places of the earth are full of cruelty; he is born there, the first birth Esau, Cain the first birth, the murtherer, the envious one, in the darkness concei­ved, after the flesh born, the persecuter and murtherer of the second birth born after the spirit, beloved of God, whose offe­ring of him is accepted; but the offering of the first birth is not accepted (sin lyeth at the door) which separateth, he is to be banished and driven from the presence of God, before whose door sin lyeth, and is the vagabond and fugitive on the Earth. Hear this ye blinde persecutors and professors; your envy, de­ceit, and your hunting in the subtilty, in the ravening and de­vouring nature, shutteth you out: And except ye be born a­gain, you shall never inherit the kingdom of the Lord God of eternal life and love, wherein dwelleth righteousness and peace for ever and ever.