CHAP. I. What the Garden of Eden is.

THE whole Creation of fire▪ water, Earth and Aire; and all the varieties of bo­dies made up thereof, is the cloathing of God: so that all things, that is A substantiall being, looked upon in the lump, is the fullnesse of him, that fills all with him­selfe, he is in all things, and by him all things con­sist.

[Page 2]And this God, or almighty Ruler, is universall Love strength and life,; And as he begets and brings forth every thing, in their degree and kinde: so he is the Restorer of all things, from that defilement, death and sorrow, which they fall into, and the alone deliverer from the oppressing power, preser­ving every one in peace; Therefore he is called the Lord God, Almighty; for he is the onely, and alone living spirit, which dwells every where, and can doe, what he will.

And of all those bodies, that are called Crea­tures; or the clothing of God, Mankinde is the chief. And because the Father or spirit of all things, manifests himselfe in mankinde, in life strength, and wisdome more then in any other creature, therefore mankinde is made the Lord of all; And the whole Earth is this: The Lords.

For when all things were produced, and appeared very good in the liking, and content of the creating spirit: The word of Command, was to whole mankinde (not [...]o one or a few single branches of mankinde) doe thou take possession, over the fish, fowle, Beast; and doe thou till the Earth; and doe thou multiplie and fill the Earth: And no part or branch of mankind is shut out by him from this im­ployment.

For as the great Earth, and the inferiour creatures therein are as the Commons Forrests, and delights of God in the out Coasts of the Creation; Even so Mankind, The living Earth is the very Garden of Eden, wherein that spirit of Love, did walke, and [Page 3] delight himselfe principally, as being the Head and Lord of all the rest.

In this Garden are five Rivers. Hearing, Seeing, Tasting, Smelling, Feeling; which we in our age of the world, call five Senses; And these five water springs, doe refresh and preserve the whole Crea­tion, both of the out coasts, and of the Garden.

In this Garden▪ Mankind, and in every branch of him, there is a Tree of knowledge, of good and evill, called Imagination; and the Tree of Life, called universall Love, or pure knowledge in the power.

When Mankinde, or the living soule feeds up­on, or delights himselfe in the fruit of that tree of good and evill, which is selfish, unwarranted, and unexperienced Imagination, which is his weak­nesse and disease: then he looses his honour and strength, and falls from his dominion▪ Lordship, and becomes like the Beasts of the field, void of under­standing; For the Lord of so great and vast a body as the Creation is, must know all things cleerely, as they be, and not by blinde Imagination, that leads mankind sometimes astray, as well as some­times in the right way.

When mankind is guided by Imagination, he runs a great hazard upon life and death; This power is he, that calls good evill, and evill good. This knowes not the crea [...]rg Spirit in inward feeling; but does fancie him to be sometimes one thing sometimes an­other; and still dwells in the dark Chamber of un­certainty.

[Page 4]And while Mankinde eates of this Tree, and de­lights himselfe here, he is driven out of the Ga [...] ­den, that is, out of himselfe, he enjoyes not him­selfe he knowes not himselfe; he lives without the true God, or ruler, and is like the Beasts of the field, who live upon objects without them; And does not enjoy the Kingdome within himselfe; but seekes after a Kingdome and peace without him: as the Beasts doe.

This Imagination is he that fills you with feares, doubts, troubles, evill surmisings and grudges, he it is that stirs up warres and divisions; he makes you lust after every thing you see, or heare of, and promises delight to you, in the enjoyment; as in riches, places of Government, pleasures, societie of strange women: and when you have all these, which you thinke or imagine to have content in, presently troubles follow the heeles thereof; and you see your selfe naked and are ashamed.

So that the selfish imaginary power within you, is the power of darknesse; The father of lies, the deceiver, the destroyer, and the Serpent that twists about every thing within your selfe, and so leads you astray from the right way of life and peace. And the whole world of mankinde, generally at this day, through all the nations of the world, is eating of this Tree of knowledge, of good and evill, and are cast out of themselves, and knowe not the pow­e [...] that rules in them; and so are ignorant of their God; This is the fulnesse of the Beasts time, it is his last period; all places, persons, and things stinke [Page 5] with his imaginary power of darknesse in teaching, and ruling: therefore it is that fulnesse of time, in which the Restorer of all things will come, to deliver, the Creation from that bondage and curse, and draw up all things to live in him, who is the true life, rest, and Light of all things.

For in the midst of this Garden likewise, there is the Tree of Life, who is this blessing, or resto­ring power, called universall Love, or pure know­ledge, which when mankinde by experience begins to eat thereof, or to delight himselfe herein, prefer­ring this Kingdome and Law within, which is Christ, before the Kingdome and Law, that lies in objects without, which is the devill:

Then man is drawne up into himselfe againe; or new Ierusalem, which is the spirit of truth, comes downe to Earth, to fetch Earth up to live in that life, that is a life above objects; even to live in the enjoyment of Christ, the righteous spirit within himselfe, and to tread the earthly life, that lies in objects without, under foot; This is the life, that will bring in true community; and destroy murder­ing propriety. Now mankinde enters into the gar­den of Gods rest, and lives for ever, he enjoyes his Kingdome, and the word within himselfe he knowes sinne and sorrow no more; for all teares now, which blind Imagination brought upon him, are wiped away; And man is in peace.

This Tree of Life I say, is universall Love, which our age calls righteous Conscience, or pure Reason; or the Seed of life that lies under the clods [Page 6] of Earth, which in his time is now rising up to bruise the Serpents head, and to cast that imagina­ry murderer out of the Creation.

This Seed is he, that leads mankinde into Truth, making every one to seeke the preservation and peace of others, as of themselves; This teaches man inwardly to know the nature and necessity of every body, and to administer to every body ac­cordingly. This was the Father in Jesus Christ, who let him see what was in man; This was that God-head that dwelt bodily in Christ, reconciling the world to himselfe, and so making peace: when this almighty power of Life rules King of righ­teousnesse within; then Satan, or outward objects, shall finde nothing in you to close with him, when he temp [...]s. This is the Kingdome of Heaven with­in, and the white stone, with the new name writ­ten therein, which no man knowes the glory, beau­ty, life, peace, and largenesse of, but they which have it.

This power is not a selfe-Lover; But the univer­sall Lover; This will have all saved, that is, will have all live in peace and rest. This Tree of life is full of humility, sincerity, patience▪ tendernesse, mode­ration. Reason, Wisdome, Truth, Righteousnesse, Chastit [...]e Joy, Peace, Liberty, yea full of the well springs of sweet life.

This is the blessing of Abraham, the promised Seed, that remaines within, as a servant for a time, times, and dividing of time; then he is to arise and cast out the Dragon, and to purge out that dros­sie, [Page 7] imaginary power, that is crept in to defile the Creation; And so properly he is called the restorer, Saviour, Redeemer, yea and the true and faithfull Leveller.

And when this tree of Life is fed upon and de­lighted in, (by the five Sences, which is the Creation, Mankind, or the living Soule.) Then these five Rivers are called pure Rivers of the waters of life; for the life of truth and peace is in them, and they are the sweet conveyers of the waters, or breathings of life, from one to another through the whole body: and so bringing all into a onenes, to be of one heart and one minde; And there is but one God and King in all, and among all, who is Michael our Prince of peace.

And the whole Creation now, will laugh in righteousnesse, for there will be no murmuring or complaining heard in all the mountaine of the Lord.

For this I can say, when this tree of Life begins to rule within a particular heart; he casts out sorrow, feares, inward presssures; he subdues muttering, surmising, heart rising; he kills Envie, pride, vaine-glory, uncleane lust; in one word, he casts the wicked man out, and takes possession of his owne house and Temple himselfe. (The heart.) and sets it downe in peace, so that the h [...]art shall sit singing, where are all my enemies become? they are sunk, they are gone, as if I never had any. All bondage within is gone, sighing and sorrowing is done away; my heart now indeed is a Land of Righteousnesse, full of life, light, and fruit of peace and truth: Hal­lelujah: [Page 8] praise, honour and glory to him that s [...]ts upon the throne, and to the Lambe for ever­more.

And as there is this change and alteration wrought within a particular body; and all the power, Au­thority and government of Imagination is plucked up, and cast out, and a New Kingdome wherein dwels righteousnesse is set up:

Even so, as this restoring spirit spreads himselfe in variety of bodies, and he will spread; for he is the vine, teach [...]ng, and ruling every one, till at le [...]g [...]e whole creation is brought into the unity of him [...]f [...]; so that That saying is fulfilled, you sh [...]ll be a [...]l taught of God, and I will be your God, I t [...]e one spirit of Love; and you, the whole body of mankinde shall be my people.

Then that great reformation, and restauration spoken of▪ shall be made manifest in the Nations of the world; then those pluckings up, shakings downe, tearing to pieces of all rule, power and Authority, shal be known what it is; that so Christ alone may be exalted in that day of his power.

For now Mankinde every where, shall be made to speake and act purely according to the life and necessity of every body, and every businesse; and keep his dominion and Lordship; And all inferi­our creatures shall stand in awe of, and reverence and love man. And t [...]e wisdome and Love in man, shall preserve all others in safety and peace.

CAAP. II. What the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evill is.

BVt when Imagination is fed upon, and delighted in, as it is at this day amongst most people; This is he that puts all out of order, he corrupts the five Senses, and makes mankinde walke disor­derly, and to teare and devoure members of his owne kinde, just like the Beast of the field, and to differ nothing from them: the Beasts, they prey and devoure one another; so does imaginary man, fights, makes wars, kills, robs, destroyes, and wasts one another. This is the reigne of the Beast, and yet he would be called a God, though he be the murderer; well, thou art and still shalt be called a God; But thou art the God of the world, that runs round, and when thou art brought to where thou beganst, then thy dayes are done, thou must dye, And the voyce is pronounced, it is done, time shall be to thee no more; And thou shalt be de­stroyed without hand, that is, without sword or weapons; which is the rocke of d [...]fence; for Christ will consume thee, by the word of his mouth, and by the brightnesse of his commi [...]g.

Well, this Imaginary power is the darke side of the cloude; This is the Sonne of the mother Earth mankinde, which causes shame; This is the curse▪ the Serpent, the Devill, and his power hath filled [Page 10] the Creation, and is the burden it grones under; This is the power of darknes.

And he would be as God, knowing good and evill, therefore the Almighty power of Life, af­fords him a time, times, and dividing of time to rule in mankinde. And while he rules he fills all creatures with sorrow and slavery, and so in the end of his appointed time he is proved a Devill, and not the true God, the destroyer and murderer, and not the Saviour. The curse and not the blessing of the Creation, the power of darknesse, and not the pow­er of Light,

This is the darknesse, that hath covered the Earth, and the curse that destroyes all things, this is he that calls light darknesse, and darknesse light, good evill, and evill good; and while this power rules in mankinde, mankinde is in prison and bon­dage within himselfe, and sees no Light.

And under this power of Imagination the whole government of the world amongst the sonnes of men is built; all Nations are under this Kingdome of darknesse; the frame of this worldly govern­ment, is the Devills proper Kingdome; And the power of the sword fighting and killing, cannot throw downe his Kingdome, but set it up in more power; B [...]t that power that must destroy the dark Kingdome, is a power contrary to him; And that is, Love and patience. Live in this life; and thou killst the Devill, and shakest his Kingdome a­bout his eares. This power of Love and patience, acted with a cheerefull life, kills Imagination.

[Page 11]Indeed Imagination is that God, which generally every one worships and ownes; and in the matter▪ they worship a lye, the Devill and meere nothing; This is he that makes everie one wise in his owne conceit; that makes men, Envie, censure, and de­st [...]oy one another; and to take pleasure in none but what pleases selfe. This Imagination feares where no feare is: he rises up to destroy others, for feare, least others destroy him: he will oppresse others, least others oppresse him; and feares he shall be in want hereafter; therefore he takes by violence, that which others have laboured for. And, so he beates the even ground before him, like a blinde man, that imagines that hill or block lies in his way.

And though this dark power be a God, or mighty ruler in mankinde; yet assoone as he appeared to rule, the true Light appeares to breake his peace; assoone as Imagination began to sit upon the throne▪ (Mans heart▪) The seed of Life began to cast him out, and to take his Kingdome from him; So that this is the great battaile of God Alm [...]ghty; Light fights against darknesse, univer­sall Love fights against selfish power; Life against death; True knowledge against imaginary thoughts.

These two powers are Michaell and the Dra­gon, and this battaile is fought in Heaven, (that is, in mankinde, in the garden of Eden) where God principally resolves to set up his throne of righteous governement, it is not sought in the spirit of Beasts; but in Heaven in the spirit of Mankinde, [Page 12] who is the Lord. And this battaile in our age of the world, growes hotter and sharper then for­merly; for we are under the dividing of time, which is the last period of the Beasts raigne; And he will strive hardest now.

But it will be in vaine, he must loose his King­dome; for the Lambe will cast the Dragon out, and bring all into Peace; then every thing shall appe [...]re naked, and bare before the Lord of the whole Earth, and all Imaginary coverings shall be taken off every where.

Now the end of all societies of Churches, preach­ing, praying, Ordinances, should be to finde out this darknesse, and to cast it out; And to worship the Father in Spirit and truth; And so to advance the Blessing, or the Sonne in whom the Father is well pleased. That so mankinde might cease speaking and acting from thoughts and Imagina­tion, and may come to speake and act purely, as the truth was in Jesus, he being the supreame Lord of the Earth.

This, you Preachers, and Professors, is, or at least should be the end of your profession; And if you come short of this, you loose all your paines, and will be ranked among imaginary Hypocrites, that worship they know not what, but as their fan­cie [...]ells them; And that is neither better nor worse, but the Devill which you worship.

Therefore if man would live purely, to the ho­nour of that spirit in him, which is called the Seed; he is then to know, what spirit is it, that rules in [Page 13] him, and to act from it, for that spirit that rules is the God, whether it be Imagination, or whether it be the light of life, which is vniversall Love.

This is the shame and misery of our age, That e­very one professes Christ and the spirit, and they will preach of and pray to the Spirit; And yet they know not inwardly, by what spirit or inward power they are ruled; Every one lookes upon a God and a ruler without him, as the Beast of the field does, few sees their Ruler within; These have lost their dominion and Lordship, and they live un­der the curse, and are blinde in their Imagination, and are ignorant of the wayes of truth.

These are cast out of the Garden, they live out of themselves upon the Earth; they live upon riches, ho­nors-pleasures, Ministe [...]s Lawyers, Armies wife, chil­dren, Ordinances, customes, and all outward formes of worship, or in that beastly community with wo­men; now adayes cryed up by the lust of the flesh; yea upon any thing without them, which they imagine good: take away these and they dye, they know not how to governe themselves, nor others; these have lost their Dominion and Lordship; their Kingdome is without, and their peace is placed upon perish­ing things, and as they vanish, so doth their peace and their Kingdome.

For they have no peace nor Kingdome within; God and they have no sweet Communion together; the living soule and the creating Spirit are not one, but divided; the one looking after a Kingdome without him; the other drawing him to looke and [Page 14] waite for a Kingdome within him, which moth and rust doth not corrupt▪ and theeves cannot breake through and steale; this is a Kingdome that will a­bide; the outward Kingdome must be taken from you.

They that live upon outward object [...] are filled with inward trouble, and pierced through with ma­ny sorrowes; slauish feare within them keepes the way of the tree of life; they dare not live in the life of free community, or universall Love; least o­thers jeare, hate, and trouble them; or least they come to want food and rayment; for Imagination thinks, if they love and succour others, ye [...] others will not love them againe; These know not the Spi­rit, they live without upon the Earth, upon objects, under that darke power, called unbeliefe.

But when man lives in the life of universall Love, then God walkes and delights himselfe in his gar­den mankinde; and man who is the living soule, consisting of he [...]ring, seeing, t [...]sting, smelling, feeling, hath sweet content and communion, with that ruling spirit of love▪ righteousnesse and peace within, and this is Christs Kingdome, or the day of the Lord within.

While m [...]nkinde lives out of himselfe, feeding his imaginary fancie upon outward perishing objects; then the creating Spirit, and the living soule are at variance, and opposition; the Spirit would have man live within himselfe, and take delight in Love, humility, patience, chastity, wisdome Justice▪ and all such sweet smelling spices that rules in the heart, [Page 15] leading forth the body to act accordingly; for this is the Anoynting in him, that teaches man all things, and leads him into all truth.

But imaginary man, he cannot live within him­selfe; this is madnesse and foolishnesse to him, he must run abroad for delight and content his seness al­together in outward objects and strives with greedi­nesse after outward contents: And jeeres, laughes, hates, and persecutes the Spirit, calling him mad­nesse, blasphemys confusion, and that will destroy all government and order; which Imagination hath set up in the world. And this now is the hot time of the day: God, or the creating Spirit takes no de­light, to walke in his garden while it is so hot an op­position, betweene him and darke flesh.

But when Mankinde begins to look within himself, and sees his pride, Envie, Couetousnesse, Lust of the flesh, anger, hypocrisie, and nothing but dark­nesse and discontent; and begins to say with him­selfe; oh what have I done, how am I falne? all outward content in objects flies away, and I am left naked, and wants Light, life, and rest with­in.

Oh that I could see and feele Love, humility, cha­stity, sincerity, truth, wisdome, contentednesse, and peace live and rule in power in me: Then I should rejoyce abundantly, in the enjoyment of my my selfe, within my selfe; though all other outward contentments in objects were taken away; though I were poore without, yet if I were rich within, I could rejoyce: if I were in prison, without, If I [Page 16] were in freedome within, I could rejoyce; if all my outward friends and objects forsooke me; yet if I had familiar friendship, w [...]th that sweet Spirit with­in I should have peace enough: No life like to the life within; This Kingdome wi [...]hin is excellent, and full of glory; the outward Kingdome and peace is a deceiver, it forsakes a man in his misery; but the inward Kingdome never failes a man, in life nor death: Oh that I did enjoy this Kingdome with­in.

This now is the coole of the day; And the heate of opposition betweene flesh and Spirit begins to de­cline; fl [...]sh sees his folly, and growes very weary thereof; the patience of the spirit is honoured by the flesh. And that righteous Ruler, (God▪) The Seed and tree of Life, begins to walke in this coole of the day, with delight, in t [...]e middle of t [...]e garden; (Mans heart) the sweet breathings of that pure spi­rit is now entertained, and falne Earth begins to see himselfe naked, and to acknowledge his naked­nesse before the spirit, and is ashamed.

And declares how he came by his nakednesse; Euen by embracing objects, and seeking a King­dome without himselfe; his covetous heart closing with that imaginary conceit, promised him much delight; but like a subtill Serpent, he hath deceived him: And now the Seed begins to worke, to bruise the Serpents head, and man begins to looke up­ward, towards the life of the Spirit within, which he sees now is a life above the life of Earthly ob­jects.

[Page 17]Well, saith the Spirit, to this shattered Earth: Thou seest thy selfe naked, and thou seest the Ser­pent that deceived thee; and thou art now separated from me; thou lockdest for peace and rest without, and thou art deceived; Thou art afraid to look within, because thy conscience, the Light, that is within thee, which is my selfe, condemns thee; And this feare is the fruit of thy Imagination; thou fearst where there is no cause of feare; Thou lookedst for good to come from objects without; but behold sorrow, thou thoughtst, Oh that if thou hadst lost outward objects, thou couldst have had no in­ward joy; But thou seest now, how Imagination, that Serpent hath deceived thee, oh thou living foule; how art thou falne?

But the seed of all things, which is my selfe, will bruise that Serpents head, and I will restore thee a­gaine; I am thy Redeemer, and besides me there is none.

But yet the Battell between Michaell, that Seed, and the Dragon, that Imaginary power is not ended, it begins againe to be fought in heaven, that is, within the garden mankinde; and the day growes hot againe, flesh and spirit does begin a fresh to oppose each other sharply.

For Imagination begins to tell the soule; If thou enjoyst not fulnes of all objects, thou wilt want and starve for food, and so presently feare of poverty takes the throne and reignes; and feare bids thee goe; get what thou canst, by hooke or by crooke, least thou want, and perish, and die miserably.

[Page 18]Thou seest how full of hardnesse of heart and de­ceit every man is; each one seeking to save himselfe; And if thou want food and rayment, Love and Life within, will not preserve thy body from misery,

Then thou seest the treachery of men beset thee, poverty threatning thee, thy body weake, thy mind distempered with feare and care what to doe, and how to live; Some laughs at thee, others cheats thee, yea, such as seeme to professe the same spirit, thou strivest for, are most bitter against thee; and they looke after objects more then the inward life, for who more covetous, and hard then they; And wilt thou be alone? yea, thou art alone, where is any one that ownes, or tenders thee.

Well, saith the soule, this is an evill time; and then saith Imaginary feare, filling the soule with sorrow, oh that this body had never been borne, I would I had dyed in the wombe; If this be the happinesse of a man, I would I had been a Bird, a Beast, or some other creature. While I had no care of do­ing rightly, I could live, I had friends, I had peace; But since I began to doe as▪ I would be done by: friends now stands a farre off; every body hates me, and I am open to all misrey; does righteousnesse bring thee to this, oh miserable wretch?

This now is a battell of another nature, then the former was; for in the first battell, the Imaginary flesh was lofty and stout, and full of presumption, selfe-conceit, scoffes, jeeres Envie, vaporing, and secret subtilty, laughing in his sleave as we say, at the wayes of the Spirit of Life.

[Page 19]But now he is in another temper, he is furnished with the weapons of slavish feare, evill surmising, sense of misery, sometimes angry, sometimes ready to dispaire, and to curse the day of his birth, his soule takes pleasure in nothing without, and yet hath no peace within.

And in this battell likewise, God and man▪ flesh and spirit are separated, there is no sweet agreement; The selfish Imagination would be a God still, and fight strongly to keep the tottering kingdome, and will not leave off till the Spirit of burning [...] who is consuming fire, Even God himselfe; come and fire Imagination out of all his strong holds, and with a strong power redeeme the imprisoned Earth from his presumptuous and dispairing bondage.

Though there was a parley before, between flesh and spirit; the man and his righteous God; In the coole of the day, while the living Earth saw him­selfe a little naked, and was under a little sence of trouble, and feare, yet the Serpent (Im [...]) is not conquered by a sle [...]ght parley; but by a stronger contest; for after this parley within himselfe, man is cast out of himselfe, that is, out of the garden, to seeke content in outward objects; as in riches friends, wife, children, and the like; and then the battell grows hot againe.

For if our true peace and rest, lie in objects and in a Law without, as Imagination would have it, then the Spirit is not within the Creation, but with­out; And if so, then there may be places found, where the Spirit is not, and then God is not every [Page 20] where, and so, the words of Jesus Christ were not true, when he said, the Kingdome of Heaven is within you; and the word is nigh you, even in your mouth and in your heart; and as the Apostle said, God the Father is above all, and through all, and in you all, Eph. 4.6.

But the Spirit is within; for the Creation is his clothing; God was in Christ, reconciling the world (or falne Earth to himselfe, he was not without him in objects, offering peace; but he was within, drawing him from the deceitfulnesse of objects that fades away, to looke for rest and peace only within, therefore it is said, Christ is our rest, that is, the A­nointing within is our rest, who teacheth us all things, and le [...]ds us into all truth.

And by this Relation; you see here is the living soule, mankind; then here is the fall of mankinde; Then here is the rising or restoring of Mankinde.

And that which hath by Imagination, or Judas Ministry been held sorth to us, to be without us, as Adam; the Serpent, the Garden, the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and evill; and the Tree of Life; and the fall of Man, and promise of redempti­on, all to be without; yet all these are within the heart of man clearly.

And whether there was any such outward things or no, it matters not much, if thou seest all within, this will be thy life.

Therefore in this which followes, I shall write of these three particulars.

The Living Soule, which is pure nature, that was called very good.

[Page 21]Then the Serpent, or curse, which is the Imagi­nary power of darknesse, or mans fall.

Then the Seed of life▪ the blessing, called the resto­ring power, delivering mankinde from that bondage, and setting him downe in rest and peace within him­selfe.

CHAP. III. What the Tree of Life is.

ANd when Mankinde begins to enter into him­selfe againe, and to enjoy rest, and peace, and Life within, which is the resurrection of Christ; then woe, woe woe, to the imaginary power▪ that rules the world, he shall be shaken with terror, and fall, and burst a sunder, for this is Iudas and the Pharisees that have killed Christ all along.

But now Christ, or the Anoynting▪ is, arising up in sonnes and daughters, they must dye: Therefore, whatsoever government is set up by Imagination, shall be throwne downe; For every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted out.

Surely then there is a foure-fold power, much Idolized, and doted upon by covetous flesh, which must be shaken to pieces; And woe, woe, woe, to the Inhabitants of the Earth, to those that live in, or are the upholders of those powers.

The first is the Imaginary, teaching power, called [Page 22] hear-say, booke, studying, Vniversity, Divinity, which indeed is Iudas Ministry, for this cries hayle Master, to the Spirit, and seemes to kisse him in Love, in outward shew, by preaching of him, and by long prayers to him; But betrayes him into the hand of the selfish power.

This power or ministrie, must destroy himselfe, as Iudas did; and so he doth, for the divisions with­in the publick Ministry makes him burst asunder; and all his inward bowells, of Covetousnesse, Pride, selfe-seeking, evill surmisings, gruding, hypocrisie, seeking to please men more then the righteous pow­er▪ and all their close envy; is discovered.

Then secondly, The Imaginary Kingly power, who by the power of the sword, and successive con­ [...]uests [...] one part of Mankinde, to rule [...]; p [...]e [...]ending to keep the Creation in [...] yet proves a selfe-upholder; By murder and [...] others under foo [...] this pow­er takes ease▪ honour, falnesse of the Earth to himselfe by [...]he sword, and rules over the labours and bodies of others at his will and preroga­tive.

Thus power m [...]st be shaken to pieces.

Therefore you K [...]ngs and Monarchs, and State rulers, that upholds kingly Authority in your hands come in, and kisse the Sonne betimes; it is not long, before he will more gloriously appeare, to shake terribly the Nations, not England only, but all Nations; for the dominion of Christ is to reach from East to West, from North to South; and of [Page 23] his Kingdome there shall be no end.

Thirdly, the imaginary Judicature, called the Law of Justice; which indeed is but the declara­tive will of Conquerours, how they will have their Subjects be ruled; And this pretends to keep all in peace, and yet it is the very support of Envie, hard­nesse of heart, and unrighteous covetousnesse; Therefore woe to you Lawyers, that bindes heavie burdens upon mens shoulders, which you your selves will not touch with the least of your fingers.

Fourthly, buying and selling of the Earth, with the fruits of the Earth; This is an Imaginary Art, to fetch in content from without, and breeds dis­content, and divides the creation, and makes man­kinde, to imprison, enslave, and destroy one ano­ther.

These foure imaginary selfish powers, are to be shaken to pieces at the resurrection of Christ; For these are they, that all the time, times, and dividing of time of the Beasts Raigne; put Christ to death; And these are they which Christ will destroy, by the brightnesse of his comming, and by the word of his mouth.

Therefore woe, woe, woe, to the Inhabitants of the Earth whose delight, peace, and life lies in, and upon objects without them; and are strangers to the spirit within them.

These foure powers are the foure Beasts, which Daniel saw rise up out of the Sea. Dan. 7.3. &c. And this Sea is the bulke and body of mankinde, which is that Sea, and waters, upon which the Spi­rit [Page 24] of God is said sometimes to move; for out of Mankinde arises all that darknesse and Tyranny that oppresses it selfe; And though these Beasts appeare divers, one from another, yet they are all one in their power; for Imaginary-selfe ruling in mans heart, is the Father that created and bred them all.

The first Beast which Daniell saw rise up out of the deceived heart of mankinde, was like a Lion; and had Eagles wings: And this is Kingly power, which takes the Sword, and makes way to rule over others thereby, dividing the Creation, one part from another; setting up the Conqueror to rule, making the conquered a slave; giving the Earth to some, denying the Earth to others; And his Eagles wings betokens his swiftnesse, to ride on horse back, or march on foot quick, from place to place, conquering and to conquer.

The Imaginary selfishnesse, created this power, to burden and oppresse the Creation, which was the worke of the righteous Spirit.

Yet Daniell saw this Beast lifted up from the Earth, and made to stand upon the feet like a man, and a mans heart was given to it, that is, This Power should be the Image of true Magistracie, and while the Beastly power of selfe-Love rules in the hearts of mankinde; this Kingly power should be the preserver of the meeke in spirit, and so help the woman.

And when the time comes for Christ to reigne, this Beast shall deliver up his Crowne, Scepter, Autho­rity, [Page 25] and government unto Christ, and lay all downe at his feet, Rev. 4.9. &c.

The second Beast was like a Beare; And this is the power of the selfish Lawes, which is full of co­vetousnesse, and of a Beare-like tearing and devour­ing nature; and he had three ribs in the mouth, which are these,

First, the power of Prisons, whereby he kills and devoures.

Secondly, the power of whiping, banishment, and confiscation of goods, whereby he kills.

Thirdly, the power of hanging, pressing, bur­ning, martering; whereby he kills, and devoures much flesh, for take these three ribs out of the mouth of the Law, or Innes of Court trade, and that Beast hath no power, but dies.

The third Beast was like a Leopard, spotty; and this is the thieving Art of buying and selling, the Earth with her fruits one to another. Imaginary selfish Covetousnesse created this Beast likewise; And this Beast had foure wings; Policy, Hypocrisie, Self-Love, and hardnesse of Heart; for this Beast is a true self-Lover, to get the Earth to himselfe, to lock it up in Chests and barnes, though others starve for want.

And this Beast had foure heads, that guides him, and upholds him in his wayes.

The first is the power of the sword fighting for it.

Secondly, the power of the Law, enslaving others to it.

Thirdly, the power of the covetous Imaginary [Page 26] Clergie, preaching it up, and drawing the people to wander after him.

Fourthly, the power of a blinde deceived Heart, over-awed with feare of men, and a conceit that it is a righteous Art; And this Beast had dominion to rule.

The fourth Beast is the Imaginary Clergy-Power, which indeed is Iudas; and this is more terrible and dreadfull then the rest; and though he come last, yet indeed he is the Father▪ that begot the other; All these Beasts, they differ in shape, and yet they agree all in one oppressing power, supporting one another; one cannot live without another; and yet they seeme to persecute one another; and if one truly die, all dies.

What is the reason? only this; they shew here­by, that either alone, or altogether, they are the curse and plague upon the Creation, and is the cause of all sorrowes and teares, amongst mankinde; for they devoure abundantly, and yet they rise out of the Sea, even from the body of deceived, covetous, darke, powered mankinde, in the night time of that world.

These foure Beasts are all very fruitfull; for from them, as from foure Fountaines or Monarchs, springs up divers heads and hornes; that is, severall spread­ings forth, of selfish tyrannicall Power, whereby the Creation is opprest and burdened; and these reigne in power, while propriety rules as King; but when righteous community rises, which is the [Page 27] blessing, then they all fall, and are shaken to peeces.

The Creation, will never be in quiet, peace, till these foure Beasts, with all their heads and hornes, the variety of their branching powers doe run into the Sea againe, and be swallowed up in those wa­ters; that is, into Mankinde, who shall be abun­dantly inlightned; and Light-Life, and truth shall mightily overflow, as the waters of the Seas over the Earth; and all those Beasts with their selfe-will powers, shall sinke like mudd, to the bottome, and their place shall be seene no more.

These are the heards of swine, that must perish in the waters.

This worke Christ will bring to passe, at his more glorious appearance, he will consume the mysterie of iniquity, by the brightnesse of his comming. You Angells of the Lord, who are the Lights of the Earth, speake aloud, roare out, and spare not, power out the appointed plagues upon the Beast, in this her hypocriticall, dividing of time.

These are the foure Beasts, or selfish Beastly pow­ers, that rise up out of the Sea, to oppresse, burden, and destroy universall Love, and there returne back into the Sea, will be the rising up of Love, who is the Sonne of righteousnesse, causing day-light.

The kingly Power, he tooke the sword to kill and conquer; and to lift up selfe, to be the Ruler; for all Lawes of the Nations are Lawes made by the will of this murderer, kingly power.

And this Beast shall be throwne downe by his [Page 28] owne power; for out of the Serpents root shall come forth a Cocatrise, that shall devoure the body. I wonder not to see the Midianites destroy one ano­ther; He that takes the sword shall perish with the sword. This kingly power fighting, is the Army of the Midianites.

Therefore, where you see Army against Army; It is but the kingly power divided, tearing, and de­vouring it selfe; for as he riseth by his owne sword, so he shall fall by his owne sword, as the Midia­nites did; they sheathed their swords one in ano­thers bowells, while Israell looked on, and at last tooke the spoyle:

So shall kingly power doe in his severall govern­ments by the sword; they shall dash one against another; Time shall dash against times, and times shall dash against the dividing of time; and the di­visions in the dividing of time shall destroy him; till the Creation be cleansed of these plagues; and that curse which hath destroyed the Earth, shall now in the period of time, destroy himselfe.

And this makes way for Christ, the universal Love, to take the Kingdome, and the dominion of the whole Earth.

Therefore you souldiers, you may see the end o [...] your trade, it is a destroyer▪ and shall be destroye [...] by it selfe, and surely you shall finde no true peace herein; No, no; there is no peace and rest but i [...] Christ the Saviour; your trade upholds the murder­er, or the Devill.

Now the other three Beasts; who, are Clergy [Page 29] Law, and Buying and Selling; these rise up by craft; supported by the kingly power; And the chiefe Beast is the Clergy, he bred all the other; He is a King, understanding darke sayings, and he shall by craft deceive many; the other Beasts are this Beasts sons, he bred them.

For this teaching Art, first bids mankinde, to looke abroad, for a teacher and a ruler▪ and to look abroad for Justice and content; and when he had deceived them, so to doe: then he put mankinde upon buying and selling, of the Earth and her fruits, and so by that meanes the Creation is divided, and Mankinde is put upon an Art to cheat, and burden himselfe; for the Earth ought to remaine a standing portion to them, and their children successively, by the righteous Law of Creation.

Then this teaching Art found out the Law; cal­ling it the Law of Justice; a very good name, to cover his knavery; for he is a mighty Beast with great teeth, and is a mighty devourer of men; he eates up all, that comes within his power; for this Proverb is true, goe to Law, and none shall get but the Lawyer. The Law is the Fox, poore men are the geesse; he pulls of their feathers, and feeds up­on them.

These foure Beasts are the Fountaines of Tyran­ny to the Creation, they are of a fruitfull genera­tion; one begetting divers Beasts; that are of mighty devouring natures; But the most dreadfull and terrible Beast, is the Clergy Power; for though the other three raised him up by action; yet this Ima­ginary [Page 30] learned Beast raised them up by policie; for selfe ends.

For this stamped the other under foot, saith Da­niell; And is not this true? hath not the Clergy ruled over kingly Power, Law, and buying and sel­ling, and brought all under his Command? for at the first, he was onely a teaching Power, and then it was a Beast, differing from the rest, yet he stamp­ed them under foot, and all the other had their strength and succour from him, by his teaching and imaginary instruction.

Out of this teaching Beast rise up ten hornes; or the branching forth of his strength in ten particu­lars; Five fighting against the powers of the Crea­tion, Hearing, Seeing, Tasting, Smelling, Feeling, which is called the body of the living soule, that is, very good.

And five fighting against the powers of righteous­nesse, which is Vnderstanding, Will, Affection, Joy, and Peace; which is called the Seed, and ma­king war against him; and so darking Heaven and Earth.

This is he, that restraines the liberty of the outward man, not suffering him to have a free enjoyment of his portion in the Earth; making such actions to be sinne, which the righteous creating Spirit made not a sinne.

And he restraines thereby the liberty of the In­ward man; not suffering him to act in the liberty of himselfe; for he makes a man a sinner for a word, and so he sweeps the Stars of Heaven downe with [Page 31] his tayle, he darkens Heaven and Earth, and de­files body and mind.

For so long as I must not act, according to the free­dome of my owne spirit and power within me; but must be guided by others without me, and pu­nished for such actions, which others in the ruling Chare doe, in a higher nature then I doe; I am then in bondage, and my eyes are put out.

And this is the Covenant, that the outward teach­ing power, makes with the branches of Mankinde, to put out their owne eyes, to see by others; tel­ling them none can see, but schollars: so that this fourth Beast, is more dreadfull then the other three; for it stamps the other three under foot, and rules over all.

And out of the ten hornes of this Beast, rise up another little horne; and this is the dominion and rule, which the teaching power takes up, called Ecclesiasticall▪ power; and this little horne was rais­ed, by a power that was not his owne; for the kingly power puts that dominion and rule into his hands; While he remained onely a teaching pow­er, he stamped the other under him, and overawed others by his deceitfull words.

But now he hath got a power to rule, called Ec­clesiasticall power, which is the extract of selfish righteousnesse, from the seeming righteousnesse of the foure Beasts into one ruling power, and by this, which was little in the beginning; There were three of the first hornes plucked up; that is:

Kingly Power, Law, and buying and selling; for [Page 32] the Little horne, or ruling Clergie lifted up himselfe above all these, and made these uncover and fall to him; he had dominion and power over all these, and these were in subjection, and afraid, and bowed to him; He by his teaching lifted up these, and these by their acting, lifted up him to rule; and he by his ruling treads these under his proud covetous feet.

And this is he▪ who is said to be a King of a fierce countenance; understanding, darke saying, that is mighty, but not by his owne power, and he shall by craft and power destroy many; his rising was in the latter dayes, when transgressions were come to the full; when people were most blinde, by his out­ward teaching; then they easily receive him to be the outward ruler over their soules; for now the Sea being bemuddied, that is, mankinde being mightily deceived, he by his learned policy, riseth up out of that deceived Sea, for all the peeple wan­dered after him, though he sore oppressed them▪ Dan. 8.23. Rev. 13.3.

And as the sword, which is not his power, lifted him up and supports him, by forcing the people to pay him tithes; for the Law of the Magistrate forces the people to pay them.

And he being lifted up, he made war with the Saints, and overcame them, for a time, times, and dividing of time; But as he was lifted up by others power, through his owne craft; Even so he shall be destroyed againe, without hand; the Sword shall not destroy him, he shall be discovered in all his op­pressing, hypocriticall, bewitching knavery, by the [Page 33] light and wisdome of the Spirit of Truth, that shall rise up out of the Sea of mankinde likewise, appearing in sonnes and daughters of righteous­nesse, in the latter dayes.

As Paul said, Christ shall destroy him by the word of his mouth, and by the brightnesse of his comming, Dan. 7.26. &c. 2. Thess. 2.8.

When Christ the Anoynting spirit rises up, and inlightens mankind, then in his light, they shall see the deceit and falshood of this Beast, that hath deceived all the world; and shall fall off from him, and leave him naked and bare; and if he will teach and rule, let him shew his power over the Beasts; for the people will all looke up to God, to be taught and governed by him.

The discovery of the fulnesse, and foulnesse of this Beast, throwes downe all the rest likewise; for when mankinde begins to fall off from one part of the beastly power, he will fall from all, for they all depend one upon another,

Kingly power depends upon the Law, and up­on buying and selling; and these three depend upon the Clergy, to bewitch the people to con­forme; and all of them depend upon Kingly power by his force, to compell subjection from those that will not be bewitched.

But when mankinde once sees, that his teacher and ruler is within him; then what need is there of a teacher and ruler without; they will easily cast off their burden.

Therefore woe, woe, woe, to the Inhabitants [Page 34] of the Earth; when Christ rises in power, and b [...]gins to come in glory with his aints. This dis­covery is coming on apace.

Therefore you Souldiers, and you great Pow [...]rs of the Earth, you need not feare, that the Level­lers will conquer you by the sword; I doe not meane the fighting Levellers, for they be your selves; but I meane Christ levelling; who fights aga [...]nst you, by the sword of Love, patience and truth; for whosoever takes the Iron sword to fight against you, are your owne sonnes, that fights against you; [...]o [...] Christ came not to destroy, but to save; But Antichrist, whose power you are, came not to save, but to destroy.

Therefore, if there be any amongst you, that count truth and peace precious, take the Spirits advice, and come out of Babylon, dwell no longer in the Courts and wayes of Imaginarie confusion; come into truth, Light, and Liberty, and be at p [...]ace.

When Christ comes, and is glorified with thousand thousands attending upon him, they shall not be cloathed with devouring instruments, like Dragons, b [...]t be cloathed with Love, Righteous­nesse and Peace, like Lambs; And at his appear­ing said Daniell, the Beast was slaine; and his bo­dy given to the burning flame; that is, all the Imaginary selfish Power, that made people run abroad for a Teacher, and a Ruler, was all cast into the fire of pure Light, and was consumed in that unquenchable flame; Even destroyed by [Page 35] the brightnesse of Christs comming, as darknesse vanisheth when Light comes in. Dan. 7.11.

He that hath Eares to heare, Let him heare what the Spirit speaks.

CHAP. IV. What the Serpent is.

IF this be true, It will destroy all government, and all our Ministry and religion?

I answer, it is very true; for all government and Ministry, that is lifted up by Imagination, is to be throwne downe, and plucked up: That Christ alone may be exalted in the day of his power. And you have Scripture for it;

Looke back into Ages past, and see, what over­turnings, and pluckings up there hath been of the Authority, power, and government of Na­tions; Every government standing his period; for when it was universally proved a Devill, a destroyer, and waster: then it was throne downe.

And this casting downe, plucking up, and wars [Page 36] in the Nations shall be till Christ, The Law of universall Love comes to reigne; and then he shall settle all in peace, and be the true restorer.

You oppressing powers of the world, who think God hath blessed you, because you sit downe in that Chaire of Gov [...]rnment, out of which the former Tyrants are gone: Doe you remember this? your overturning, overturning, overturning, is come on to you, as well as to your fellow break-promises, that are gone before; You that pretend to be saviours of the people, and to seeke the peace of the whole Nation; and yet serve your selves upon the peoples ruines, not regarding the crie of the poore, sur [...]ly you must have your overturnings too.

For such a Government, as preserves part, and destroyes another part of the Creation, is not the power of Christ, but of Antichrist; That Government that gives liberty to the Gentry to have all the Earth, and shuts out the poore Com­moners from enjoying any part: ruling by the tyrannicall Law of Conquest over brethren; this is the Government of imaginarie, selfe-seeking Antichrist; And every plant which my heaven­ly Fath [...]r hath not planted, shall be rooted out.

This man will have n [...] government some will say.

I answer, you run too fast; True Government is that I long for to see, I waite till the power, Authority, and government of the King of righ­teousnesse [Page 37] rule over all, for as yet the power and dominion of the Prince of darknesse rules eve­ry where, and that is the government, which must be throwne down.

But government is called Magistracy, and all Magistracie is of God.

I Answer, Magistracie is a good name, and the mystery of iniquity, hath not only got this name, but many other excellent names: to be set upon the head of his blacknes of darknesse, that under a good name he may goe undiscovered, and he puts bad names upon things that are excellent.

Therefore let us see, whether Imaginary go­vernment, that divides part of mankinde to en­joy the Earth, and the other part not to enjoy the Earth, is worthy of the name, Magistracie; No, no; such a dividing, selfe loving power is an enemie to Magistracie.

For Magistracie hath two excellent principles in his nature, which the darke selfish government is an enemy to.

First Magistracie signifies a great Light, as much as to say, greater Light of Love, greater Light of Humility, greater Light of Reason, greater Light of Truth, keeping promise and covenant; great­er Light of Peace, and tendernesse of heart, great­er Light of boldnesse, in a cause that is universally righteous.

And where this power, Authority and govern­ment rules, this is pure Magistracie, and it is the Life and power of Christ.

[Page 38]Secondly, Magistracie signifies the greatest Band, [...]hat ties the Creation together in p [...]ace, and this band is universall Love; for this Love streames out to preserve all, and de [...]pis [...]s none; This is the unitie of the Spirit, and the band of p [...]ac [...]; this is pur [...] Maj [...]stie indeed, that [...]ies peo­pl [...] t [...]gether in Love; And this is the power Authoritie, and government of Christ; The love of Christ in us, constraines all men to doe his will.

Now l [...]oke and see, is the Magistracie of the Nations lik [...] this? Is it a light of pure excellency and universall Love above others? doth it tie the Creation together, in the unity of s [...]i [...]it, and band of peace? we cannot say it doth, or if any say it doth, then I'le answer.

What meanes then the lowing of the Oxen, and bleating of the Sheep? what meanes such com­plaints, that those that sit in the Chaire of Magi­stracie, are covenant, promise, and oathes-break­ers, and are self [...]-Lovers; Lovers of honour, mo [...]eys and ease, and regard not the c [...]ies of the oppressed? T [...]ey favour the rich for reward, and despise and sleight the poore. They give the Earth to some, and denie the Earth others, by reason whereof murmurings, and divisions multiplie, and so uphold the slavish Law of conquests.

Now judge: Is such a Magistracie as this the greatest Light? doth this tye the Creation toge­ther in the unity of spirit and band of peace? surely as yet, the mysterie of iniquitie sports him­selfe, [Page 39] uncontrouled under this excellent name or covering, called Magistracie; but the babes and sucklings will draw off his vaile, and shew all his nakednesse and shame him.

If you would finde true Majestie indeed, goe among the poore despised ones of the Earth; for there Christ dwells, and there you shall see, Light and Love shine in Majestie indeed, rising up to unite the Creation indeed, into the unitie of spi­rit, and band of peace; the blessing of the Lord is am [...]ngst the poore, and the covetous, scoffing, covenant-b [...]eaking, thieves and murderers, that croud themselves under the name Magistracie, shall be sent emptie away.

These great ones are too stately houses for Christ to dwell in; he takes up his abode in a manger, Inne, and amongst the poore in spirit, and despised ones of the Earth.

Secondly, Imaginarie Ministrie and Religion is to be plucked up, as unsavorie salt; and this is the learned publick Ministrie of the world; for this Ministrie is set up by craft and covetous­nesse, how to draw the Earth, and the labours of men into the Clergies hands; These men make themselves ministers, as a man teaches birds to speake; But they doe not stay till Christ make them, for that will be too long for them to wait, the rich Benefices will be all taken up.

This Ministrie having learned other mens words, by their long education in their Vniver­sitie Schooles, takes upon them to interpret [Page 40] other mens words and writings, and this imagi­nary studie of theirs, they call pure Doctrine, and tells the people it is pure Religion to come and heare their Sermon, and to give them Tithes, or a la [...]ge maintenance for so doing.

But this is a false Prophet, he runs before he be sent; Study and Imagination was never appoint­ed, and sent of Christ to be a Minister for him, this is Antichrists Ministrie.

For when Christ sent out his Disciples to preach, he saith, that which you have heard and seen, goe preach; and saith Paul, we cannot but speake the things which we have heard and seen from the Father; But the Vniversitie publick Ministrie runs before he be sent; they take up an­other mans message, and carries abroad other mens words, or studies or imagines a meaning; and this is their ministrie; This is not to preach the truth, as it was in Jesus, purely and experi­mentally, as they received it of the Father, but as they receive it from man, and by man.

The Scriptures of the Bible were written by the experimentall hand of Shepherds, Husband­men, Fishermen, and such inferiour men of the world; And the Vniversitie learned ones have got these mens writings; and flourish [...]s their plaine language over with their darke interpreta­tion, and glosses, as if it were too hard for or­dinary men now to understand them; and there­by th [...]y deceive the simple, and makes a prey of the poore, and cosens them of the Earth, and of the tenth of their labors.

[Page 41]And because those mens writings are taking with the world, therefore thes [...] learned ones shuts out the true Penmen in whom the Spirit dwells, and saith now, such Mecanicks must not meddle with spirituall things; And so by co­vetous policie, in opposition to the [...]ig [...]teous spi­rit, they engrosse other mens ex [...]erimentall spi­rituall teachings to themselves; as if it were their ow [...]e by Vniversity or Schoole learning successi­on. Pope l [...]ke Nay just the Pope.

And by their [...]lacknesse of darknesse, in their Schoole-learning, they have d [...]awne a vayle over the truth; And Light by them is hid from the world; for the plaine t [...]u [...]h is, this Imaginary ministrie is neither better nor worse, but plaine unmasked Iudas. And the snappish bitter pro­fession, that cries it up, is the unmasked mur­dering Scribes, and Pharisees.

The one betrayes Christ, the spirit of righteous­nesse with a kisse, pretending a great deale of Love to the Spirit, by preaching and praying, to a God without, they know not where, nor what he is.

The other kills him, and will not suffer him to appeare in the world; for these snappish pro­fessors calls every thing blasphemie, unlesse they approve of it, still tying the Spir [...]t to themselves; saying, Loe, here is Christ in this man, and loe, there is Christ in that man.

But Christ is the Light of Life, spread abroad, and he is now rising in Husbandmen, Shepherds▪ [Page 42] Fishermen; And by these he first takes off the black interpretation, hat the imaginary learned Scholars by their studies have defiled the Scrip­tures of old with, and restores them to their owne genuine, and pure Light.

And then to discover his appearance in sonnes and daughters, in a fuller measure, the poore de­spised ones shall be honoured first in the worke; and from this [...]ust, the blessing shall arise to co­ver the whole Earth with peace, and with the knowledge of the Lord.

For this is the vine that shall overspread the Earth, and shall be confi [...]d no longer within a Colledge, or private Vniversity Cha [...]ber, or under a covetous, proud, black gowne, that would alwayes be speaking words: but fall off when people begins to act their words.

When Jesus Christ the Sonne of man was up­on Earth, in that one p [...]rson, he could very sel­dome speake but the hypocriticall snappish Pha­risees were either si [...]n [...], and watched to trap him in his speech, [...]ob [...]i [...]g him into bondage; or else with open mouth they cryed out, he is a blasphe­mer, a Devill, and a friend of Publicans and sin­ners, condemning him, b [...]cause he was no scho­lar, How knowes this man l [...]ters seeing he ne­ver learned.

And have not the Pharisees of our age, who are the imaginary bi [...]t [...]r professors, the same subtlety a [...]d language? And as they of old sought to kill Christ; so these end [...]avour to suppresse him, and [Page 43] will not suffer him to arise in sonnes and daugh­ters; though the Scripture declare it, w [...]ich they make such a strict professio [...] of, as if they would not loose one letter.

These professors will st [...]ll [...]onfi [...]e Christ to a private chamber, and to p [...]icular [...]odies, [...]nd re­straine him, who is the [...]iversall power of Love and peace. They owne a [...]m in w [...]rds, but they denie him in power; they worship God at a di­stance, not knowing where he is, nor what they worship; And they call this [...]lasphem [...]e, to s [...] Christ is in you, thoug [...] the Scriptures which they professe say the same. ‘Know you not that Christ is in you; And the Kingdom of Heaven is in you; And they that worship the Father, must worship him in spirit within, and in truth of a­ction without, and fulfilling the Law and the Pro­phets.’ Love your enemies, and doe as you would be done by, in actions and not in words only.

CHAP. V. What the living Soule (Man) is, that is called very g [...]d.

IN the body of mankinde, and indeed, in every single body, there are three particulars necessa­ry to be knowne, without which no man can know himselfe, let him say what he will.

The first is the Creature, or the living Soule▪ [Page 44] which before the curse defil [...]s it, is very good, and this was the Image of God, (or of the righ­teous spirit) in flesh, or first Adam; And this living soule is the heaven, in which the [...]attell is fought between the curse and th [...] blessing: Mica­ell and the Dragon; And this living soule is the wax fi [...]ted to receive, either the impression of the curse, and so prove disobedient to righteousnesse, or the impression of the blessing, and so prove obedient to righteousnesse.

Secondly, there is the mysterie of iniquitie, or the power of deceit, and this is the God of the world, or Prince of darknesse; that deceives the liv [...]ng [...]oule fi [...]st, and takes possession, and this in one man is the Image, or rather nature of that one power of darknesse, or Devill that is spread abroad through the Creation, to cover over, or keep downe the blessing, or Seed of Life from rising.

Thirdly, the Life of God, or of the righteous spirit rising up in the living soule, and casting the curse or power of darknesse out, and bringing Mankinde into peace; and this is the second A­dam, or the Lord from Heaven.

Now this living soule Mankinde is a Beast, and the King of Beasts; for the life of the five Sences onely is the life of the Beast; And this Beast in every one, as well as in the whole, is to raigne for a time, times, and dividing of time, before mankinde ca [...] b [...] united to the life of the righte­ous God, and made one with that one spirit of [Page 45] universall Love. As Jesus Christ prayd, Father, I pray that they may be one in us, as thou oh Fa­ther art one in me, and I in thee, they were not united yet.

The Image of God in flesh dyed, and was put out by darknesse; But the Seed, or spirit of true life rising up from under that darknesse, dies no more, but lives for ever; This spirit is the tree of Life.

Therefore, you that say you know but one power, be not deceived; for if this one power of righteousnesse, which is the tree of Life rule in you, then you are new creatures indeed, you are one with the Father and the Sonne; And th [...]n you shall know death no more: that is, you shall not live [...] opposition to the spirit of righteous­nesse no more, neither in thought, word, nor deed; And then all sorrow and teares shall flie away likewise, and you shall be at rest, which is the day of the Lord, or the Light or day time of Mankinde. Darknesse is now swallowed up and gone.

But if selfish actions, and selfish Principles live in their strength in you still; if Imagination be Ruler, truly then, that one power is but the power of darknesse, to whom you are in bondage, and you are not yet past the combate, the Dragon is not yet cast out, and you must know a fuller re­surrection, before you can sit downe in peace.

Some of you have g [...]t a speech; That those that see two powers within themselves, of dark­nesse [Page 46] and Light, Love and Envy, sorrow and comfort striving together, sees with two eyes: [...] you may say, you see every thing and power [...] a single eye, and nothing you see evill, but [...] [...]gs and actions are good, and as they must [...].

Surely this is well, if you become all of you tha [...] sp [...]k [...] these words, to eat of that Tree of [...]; for my part Ile not condemne you, I can r [...]jo [...]ce to see the Resurrection of Christ in any, but I must watch some of you, to see if your conversations be so universally filled with Love, as shall make the darke world startle; and then I ca [...] say of a truth, Christ is risen indeed in you.

If your owne eye be darke, that is, if darknesse rule your whole body; then all the actions of your body towards others are in darknesse, and builders up of selfishnesse, which is the one pow­er you yet live in.

But if your eye be truly single, and full of Light, then the Light power wholly rules in you, and the actions of your outward man will be full of Light, and Life, and Love, towards every sin­gle branch of the whole Creation.

‘But some may say, explaine these three par­ticulars in mankinde, that we may know them distinctly, one from another. I Answer, I shall readily doe it.’

The first particular is the living Soule, or that estate of simple plaine heartednesse, which hath the Life of the five Sences only only, and by that [Page 47] Life preserves that single body, or proprie­ties.

But the Life of the Spirit, in sound reason lives not yet in the Sences; for pure Reason lives llke a corne or wheate, under the clods of Earth, or Beast, and is not yet risen up to rule as King.

This plaine hearted state is set in the midst of many objects, tempting him like the Serpent; and it is open [...]o many crosses, and teares, like the tender grasse, that is soone bruised by the foot of the oxe; it hath not the true rest of Christ in it, though there be much rest and peace in it; for it is changeable.

This is such a state, that though there be selfe-Love, yet there is no hatred towards others in it, but a quiet content to let others live too. As a childe, though he love himselfe (the propriety of a Beast so to doe) yet he envies not others; for Envie, Pride, Covetousnesse, Hypocrisie, rash murdering, anger, hath not yet defiled the Earth. The man is plaine, honest hearted, even Innocent Aam.

Like Nathanaell in whom there was no guile, and yet Nathana [...]ll knew not Christ, that Anoyn [...] ­ing spirit as yet ruled not as King in him; for he was open to temptation, and change, and many teares.

Like Peter, a man of the same plaine hearted temper, full of Love to Christ and others; yet selfish, he was without guile, and was loving, without knowledge, therefore open to tempta­tion, and cha [...]ge, and teares.

[Page 48]Now, though Christ Commended Nathanael, and prayed for Peter, that his faith or strength might not fayle him, yet they were both stran­gers to the Spirit, which was given them after­wards.

And as Christ told his Disciples, I have cho­sen you twelve, and one of you is a Devill; that is, eleven of you are plaine, honest, simpl [...] hearts, in whom there is no guile; you have sincerely in love to me, forsaken all your [...]riends, and riches to follow me: so that Covetousnesse doth not reigne, Imagination doth not fright you, with what shall we eate, and what shall we drinke, and wherewith shall be cloathed hereafter? As they they themselves said, M [...]ster, we have for­saken all to follow thee, and what shall wee have &c?

So that here is no subtlety, but downe right simplicity without guile, and these are like wax, prepared for any stamp.

But now Judas the twelfth man was a Devill, he was defiled and falne by temptation, that is, he was one that followed Christ for selfe ends; not simply, like most preachers, and covetous, bitter hearted Professors, that will covenant be­fore hand, what they must have before they fol­l [...]w Christ; And when they heare they must part with all to follow Christ, then they are sorrow­full. This is Iudas, a Devill, the power of co­vetousnesse, the curse that hath defiled mankind, and he strives to spread himselfe, that he may [Page 49] defile all. But Christ who is the blessing appeares to destroy this curse.

And when plaine hearted Peter told Christ, that though all forsooke him; yet he would not; a­las, saith Christ, Peter, thou art plaine hearted, and thou know'st not the wiles of the tempter; thou wilt be overcome and made to denie me, I know thy strength; for I that am the light and life of the world, doe not yet live in thee; Thou art a downe right living Soule, a plaine innocent harmelesse man; but thou art not yet Anoynted, nor cannot be, till I be gone from you; And then Ile send you the comfort­er, that shall lead you into all truth, and abide with you for ever.

Therefore, when I am taken from you, stay you quiet at Ierusalem, till you receive power from on high, which is the Fathers promise to you, and that power ruling in you, shall keep you from being overcome by temptation.

And you see Peters strength proved weaknesse, though there was simple hearted innocencie in Pe­ter's love to Christ's body; yet his love was change­able; for when the tryall came, Peter denyed Christ.

And this plaine heartednesse is the first time of the Beast, or selfe, which is full of peace, while a man is in it; but it is a state like wax, flexible and easie to take any impression.

Therefore the two powers of Light and Dark­nesse, Christ and the Devill; strives who shall rule in this living soule first; And these two powers are [Page 50] Iacob and Esau, flesh and spirit, strugling within the wombe of the living Earth, who shall rule first; And darknesse first prevailes, and rules within, en­slaves▪ and causes sorrow, and through his deceit, drawes the man to seeke content in objects with­out. But then followes Christ the restoring power, and delivers the living soule againe from that bon­dage, and sets him downe in himselfe, which is the rest and strength of Love unchangeable, who doth cast out all feare.

Now while the darke power rules; the man is as Iudas, a Devill, a betrayer of Christ, therefore when Christ begins to redeeme; he kills that dark­nesse, and brings mankinde back, to that plaine hearted estate of simplicitie, in which the Devill found the man when he deceived him; and makes him meeke, humble, flexible▪ loving▪ plaine hearted, without guile, free from Envie, like the state of a little child; Except a man be borne againe, and become as a little child, he cannot enter into hea­ven; that is, into peace; The power of the Devill must first be cast out, before Christ will appeare to sit downe in rest.

This plaine hearted estate is that which Paul spake of; A man must first become a foole, that he he may be wise; that is, voide of guile, or hypocri­ticall deceit, which the power of darknesse is full of; and these are the foolish things of the world, where­by God will destroy the imaginary wise.

This plaine heartednesse without envie or guile, is the Virgine-state of Mankinde; And this Virgine [Page 51] is she that must beare a sonne, and call his name Emanuell, God with us.

This chaste Virgine-state, that hath no outward Lover, and that is not defiled, but cleansed from deformity, is this Virgine chaste state, in whom the Sonne of righteousnesse will arise, and take the man into union with himselfe; he rules as King, and Mankinde, the living soule is freely subject with de­light.

So that this Innocencie, or plaine heartednesse in man, was not an estate 6000. yeare agoe onely; But every branch of mankinde passes through it, &c. first is defiled by imaginary covetousnesse, and there­by is made a Devill; and then he is delivered from that darknesse, by Christ the restorer, and by him made one with the Father and the Son.

In one word▪ then, the innocencie of mankinde, which is the Image of God, is plaine heartednesse without guile, quiet, patient, chast, loving, without envy: yet through weaknesse is flexible, and open to temptation and change; This is the living soule, which God breathed the breath of life into; This is the Garden of Eden, it is the spirits house or man­sion, and in the body of Mankinde the spirit hath many mansions or dwelling places; this is the field or heaven, wherein Michaell and the Dragon fights the great battell of God Almighty.

Many men live in their innocencie longer then o­thers▪ some are tempted sooner then others, but all must be tempted, and tried by the evill one; that so way may be made for Christ to shew his power; for [Page 52] the Office of Christ, the blessing, is to restore and deliver from death and bondage, and to set man downe in life and unchangeable rest.

Therefore temptations and falling from innocency must be, that so man may be drawne up into the life and strength of the righteous God, or ruler▪ from whom he shall never fall again; this is the mysterie of God, God manifest in the flesh, or righteousnesse ruling King in man.

So that this innocent estate is the Image of God, but not the strength and life of God; It is wise, but not wisdome it selfe; it is just but not justice; it is loving, but not Love it selfe. It rejoyces, but it is not Joy it selfe; It is patient, but not Patience it selfe; It is chaste, yet not Chastity; It is plaine heart­ed without guile, yet not sincerity it selfe; It is fil­led with rest and peace, while he injoyes himselfe within, and doth not make a league with Satan, or outward objects; for then he falls and meets with sorrow.

Therefore he is said to be made in the Image of God, because this Innocencie is an estate very good, and there is no evill in it; yet it is changeable, sub­ject to be overcome by temptation.

But now God, or the righteous spirit is unchange­able; for he is Wisdome, Justice, Love, Patience, Sincerity, Chastity, Joy, and Peace it selfe, nor can­not be overcome, by any temptation.

And this is the mysterie and wisdome of God, to let that innocent nature of man fall, and be defiled by his owne invention; that so, he may declare his [Page 53] power, in redeeming him from that defilement, and in taking him up into unity of the God-head, to re­maine in that fountaine of Life and rest, and never to be deceived againe; and this is a redemption in­deed; not only to deliver from bondage, but like­wise to destroy the tempter; that he shall never ap­peare to draw man into bondage againe; this is the worke of the Lamb, and the mysterie of God. This worke is that which makes us to have fellowship with the Father, and his Sonne Jesus Christ; This worke puts those so [...]g [...] of prayse and halalujahs in­to our mouths and hearts, to him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for evermore.

This is the fi [...]st est [...]te of mankinde, or the living soule in his innocenc [...]e, and you need not looke back six thousand yeare [...] to finde it; for every sing [...]e man and wom [...]n passes through it; and when the re­storer rises up, they shall be able to say, this is truth.

The second est [...]te of mankinde, is the time of the curse, while he re [...]g [...]es, which is the power of dark­nesse, or Dragon, that deceives the plaine hearted, simple man; making him to covet after content in objects without him, and to looke for a God with­out, and so fills him with anger, envie, hypocrisie, vexation, griefe; and brings him into bondage with­in himselfe. Now this curse reignes in these three particulats.

In the lust of the Eye; In the lust of the Flesh, and in pride of Life.

The lust of the eye is covetousnesse, after any ob­ject [Page 54] the man sees thinking within himselfe, that if he can obtaine such and such objects, he shall be at rest and filled with delight; And this is an unsatis­fied roving Lust, and is a selfe-lover, hurting o­thers; for this Lust of the eye, would draw all to it selfe; and leave all others naked; and when he cannot enjoy those objects; Then Envie and anger arises▪ vexes, frets and torments the man mightily; But if he obtains, he rejoyces; but his joy is the joy of envie, which doth perish againe, and ends in vexation.

The second is the Lust of the flesh; And this is an excessive, or immoderate degree of covetous­nesse, which doth waste and consume the objects that his eye lusted after, not to preserve mankinde, or his body, but to satisfie excessive Beastly desire; he eates and drinks excessively; cloathes himselfe vaine gloriously, or runnes into the immoderate use of women; And so those objects which are for the preservation and delight of Mankinde, he im­moderately uses, and by his excesse, destroyes him­selfe and them too.

The third is the pride of Life, and this is the very height of covetousnesse, called vaine glory, or secret pride of heart, lifting up himselfe above o­thers, making others bow to him; looking upon himselfe as a God above others, who indeed are his equalls, vexing and fretting, and ready to kill them if any refuse to give him that honour he would have. Hamons proud heart is mightily troubled, if Mordecay will not bow, This is the pride of Life.

[Page 55]As Nebuchadnezar said, is not this great Babell which I have built for the glory of my Majesty? so lifting up himselfe above others; this is the power of pride; But now humility stayes, and lets others lift him up.

Looke through the whole body of darknesse and every branch of him may be applyed to one of these heads.

And while these Lusts rule; the whole body of darknesse reignes as King in the man; As Envy, Pride, Covetousnesse, evill surmisings, hypocrisie, uncleane lust of the flesh, Gluttony, Drunkennesse; And the man hath lost his Innocencie, and is become a Devill; he is a prisoner to his lusts, and is in bon­dage within himselfe; he enjoys nothing with sweet content.

For let him have what he would have, still he is unsatisfied▪ and discontent dwells in his heart upon every crosse; he lives without God in the world, and feeds upon husks like the swyne: that is, his delight reaches to outward things only; to riches, honours, pleasures, and women, they are the husks he feeds on, which dies and rots; take these away, and he hath lost his Kingdome; And in this deceived estate, mankinde is a compleat Devill, and is become a very decree of himselfe and others, as experience makes it appeare.

The third estate of Mankinde, is the day of Christ, or the rising up, and reigne of the blessing, which is the restoring power, delivering mankinde from this bondage of Lust, and subduing this power of dark­nesse, [Page 56] and drawing mankinde into union with the Father, making all things new, and so making peace.

And this he doth, first, by bringing mankinde back againe, to his estate of Innocencie and plaine heartednesse, and so in the eye of the world is a foole, before he be made wise.

Then secondly he rises up in power and glory, and makes man one with himselfe, and sets him downe in rest never to fall againe.

CHAP. VI. What the Curse is, that doth defile the Man.

EVery branch of Mankinde, is under one of these three estates, First, either in his Innocency; or secondly, under the power of the Curse; or thirdly, under Grace; or the power of the blessing. Now, no man hath, or can have true peace, till he be able to see this cleare distinction within himselfe; he that sees nothing but one power, nor never saw any o­ther but one power in him, that man as yet is a slave to the Devill, But he that hath seene the two pow­ers, to oppose each other within him, and then at last the blessing prevailes, and casts the other murder­er out, and sits downe▪ and rules King of righteous­nesse, and Prince of Peace. This is Heaven, and he that sees this one power of righteousnesse and peace [Page 57] rule, and sees the other quite falne; this man now is come to eate of the Tree of Life, and shall live for ever; and is truly entered into the one power, or new Ierusalem.

Whosoever lives in this life, his actions will be actions of peace, preservation▪ Love and life to all. But if there appeare actions of darknesse in any, whereby any part of the Creation is capable of de­struction by those actions; truly then, that one pow­er in that man is but t [...]e curse▪ which may be called the Power likewise; but it is but the one power of darknesse.

When a man sees the darknesse rule in others, and in himselfe; he sees himselfe in bondage, and is troubled; Now the Seed begins to arise, to bruise the Serpents head.

Lots righteous soule, or the pure Creation; man, as he is more or lesse restored from bondage, he is grieved to see the bad conversation of the wicked power, as he rules in himselfe and others; And there are many Lots at this day, whose righteous soule is grieved, to see how the Devill and curse rules and destroyes the Earth. The Devill rules the world; Imaginary selfe-loving Covetousnesse rules the King in the Earth; It is seen plaine, and he goes on boldly without feare; hardnesse of heart riseth apace, proud murdering flesh growes secure, though his Judgement be near at hand.

Stand still, and you shall see the downefall of Pharaoh and his company. As there are time, times, and dividing of times alloted to the reigne [Page 58] of the Beast, in outward Government; which is first the power of Magistracie, medling with mat­ters of Conscience, in restraining or punishing, be­fore the universall Bishop was raised; this is the first time.

Then the time of universall Bishop, till reformed Episcopacy came in, this is the second time; Then the time of reformed Episcopacie, till the variety of Independant and Presbyterian Churches, or State-Government came in; is the third time, and these two latter are called times.

And now England is under the dividing of time, and it is a fore-runner to the rest of the Nations, and this is the Image of the Beast; and this is the vari­ety of Churches, and differences in Rel [...]gion, that is amongst men; every one pleading his priviledge, or else it is called the dividing of time, in regard the Government of the Land is taken out of the hands of one man, and put into the hands of many; this is the dividing of time, or the halfe day of the Beast, in respect of outward government.

Even so there are time, times▪ and dividing of time within the heart of man, which is the occasion of that outward division of times.

The first time is the state of simple plaine heart­ednesse, or Innocencie; when the five Sences acts in their owne light, which is the pure light of a Beast, but knowes not the power of the Seed, or of the creating spirit; but is a stranger to the spirit, and yet this state is the Image of the spirit; for this is wise, and loving, and just,; but not Wisdome Love, [Page 59] and Justice it selfe; and being tempted, it breaks out into folly, envie, and unjustice, and this is the first time of the Beasts reigne within a man.

Then the pleasure of sinne enters, or a league is made betweene that living Earth and outward ob­jects, and the man being deceived, lookes altogether without him for good, for pleasure and for content, and followes all the pleasures of his five Sences with greedinesse; and here he would be a ruler, and some body over others; and in this estate man doth what he will, and his heart never smites him for it; he can lie, and cheat, and whore, and oppresse others, and thinks all is good, for nothing troubles him; this is the state of prodigality or presumption. And this is Esau, the hairy mans Kingdome; And this is the first step of his fall, eating the Aple.

Then there followes a time of trouble of minde, arising for that pleasure of selfe-seeking delight, and this is called trouble for mispent time, whereby he meets with many rubs in his good name, in his health of body, and in his outward livelihood amongst fellow-creatures, and now he begins to rebate of his wildnesse and follow; and the Beast or sensitive power begins to be a little tamer, and more mode­rate; yet Covetousnesse (that Beast) reignes still, and that with more force within, yet this is a cooler time of the day then the former was, for he begins to consider what he doth; yet here is no rest, and this is the third time, and so these two latter degrees makes times; this is the second step of his fall.

Then comes in the dividing of time, within a man▪ [Page 60] and this is, when the Law in the members fights a­gainst the Law of the minde; when a man sees his folly and the bondage of his nature, he sees himselfe a prisoner to his Lusts, and this light in him strives against darknesse in him; he sees Pride striveing a­gainst Humility, Envy against Love, contentednesse against anger, uncleannesse of flesh against chasti­ty, sorrow against comfort, and so cries out, Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death, or bondage to which I am [...] slave? this is the third step of mans dark­nesse.

Well, this is the dividing of time within thee; this [...] the time of the battell within thee, between Michaell the Prince of Peace, and the red Dragon, the selfish, imaginary, covetous, murdering pow­er, there is no quiet rest in this estate neither; nay, this dividing of time is the sharpest and hottest time.

And now one step further in the first degree of time, and then the man enters into rest; And this is, when the Seed, or blessing in thee kills that Ser­pent, and casts him out, and takes possession of thee, and rules in righteousnesse in thee; for now all enemies are subdued under the Anoyntings feet, and he now delivers up the Kingdome to his Father, who is the one spirit of righteousnesse and peace, in whom there is no sorrow; And this God, or Al­mighty ruler, becomes all in all, the alone King in that living Soule, or Earth; or the five living Sences.

[Page 61]Now this spirit of freedome being rising up in some already, in part, assures the Creation, and gives those bodies as pledges, that he will rise up in th [...] whole▪ and restore all mankinde to himselfe.

And thus those three particulars in mankinde is considered; first, the pure creation of the Living soule; the single life of the five Sences, which is cal­led the Earth. Oh Earth, Earth, Earth, &c.

Secondly, the curse that hath taken mankinde, or this living Earth prisoner; and this is the power of darknesse, called sinne or bondage, and this is called likewise flesh, or carnall man; If you by the Spirit mortisie the deeds of the flesh you shall live.

Now the created flesh is not to be mortified, or killed by us, but preserved; therefore the curse therein is called flesh, and deeds of the flesh, be­cause it is a meere selfish power, that would have ease, and honour, and would be counted a God, and would rule over all, to the enslaving of all to himselfe; this is the reprobate, that shall have no peace, for all peace shall be taken from this flesh.

Thirdly, the blessing, who is the seed of Life, or Christ, the righteous and rationall spirit; arising up to rule, and treading unreasonablenesse under his feet, this is the restorer, or Saviour of the captived, or the imprisoned Earth, which sets mankinde free from bondage within himselfe.

And when this power riseth up to rule, he doth not rule to enslave others to him by the murthering sword, but he drawes all men in Love to him; and [Page 62] the union and communion of Love by him is esta­blished, in, and among the Creation.

And thus you see there are time, times, and di­viding of time within the heart; and though you become to the dividing of time, yet you are not come to the Mount of God, to true rest, till dividing of time run his course likewise.

But yet here is great comfort to burdened soules, that lies groning under the darknesse of this divide­ing of time within them, and that are mightily op­prest by men that rules in darknesse, and oppression over them; To you I say rejoyce, your Redeemer is come, he rides upon the clouds, and he will speedily appeare for your deliverance, as he hath done for some of your brethren already, who are witnesses, that he is rising and spreading himselfe in the Earth, casting out death, hell, and bondage, and establishing life, peace, and liberty in mankinde, and in the whole creation.

Therefore whatsoever your condition is, murmur not at it, but waite, he that is come to others will come to you, and not tarrie; His power and name is Love, and he will conquer all by Love and pati­ence; And the sonnes of strangers and enemies shall come and fall downe to him, and say, thou art the alone, righteous power; take thee our Crownes, Scepters, Swords, doe thou rule, for thou art wor­thie.

This is the day of Sions glorie; This is the ever­lasting fire, that is unquenchable; this is the pow­erfull day of the Lord; this is the Lambe that was [Page 63] slave, and is now risen againe; This is the well be­loved sonne of the Father, in whom he delights; This is the promised Seed, the blessing of the whole Earth, who hath been hinted at, and pointed at by Prophecie, but never fully manifested in the whole creation.

But now he begins to appeare, to draw all men after him, to cast out the curse, and to set the Cre­ation in peace; therefore thou weeping soule, cast off this sackcloth, and mourning weeds, thy redeemer is come, and he calls thee to follow him, acting love and patience.

This power of Christ takes away all peace from the flesh, and will not suffer any part of the crea­tion to lie under a false peace any longer; And we see that while he appeares but weakly, how the peace of covetous flesh is disturbed, and filled with much murmuring against the Light.

Oh say men, if this power of universall love be advanced; this will destroy all propriety, and all trading, and bring every thing into confusion. It is true, he shall be advanced for that end, to confound the wisdome and power, and peace of the flesh, that the Creation may be [...]o longer deceived, but now at length may come into him, and rest quiet for ever.

Oh saith Imaginary, covetous, proud, selfe-seek­ing flesh; If I take not the sword, to restraine the unrulinesse of mankinde; we shall not live one by another; But his intent is not in Love to peace, but that he may rule over all himselfe, and beat downe [Page 64] others under him; And indeed this power is the cause of all warres; for if this murdering selfe-ho­nouring power were once cast out; Love would live in peace, and know warre, division and sorrow no more.

CHAP. VII. What the blessing is that restores him againe.

BVt how came mans fall in at the first? I An­swer. The outward objects of riches, honors, being set before the living soule, Imaginary cove­tousesse, which is the absence of the true Light, moves the man to close with those objects, and to seeke content without him; and through this darke night power, warres, divisions, and discontent a­rises in mankinde, to teare and devoure it selfe; and so it is said to mankinde, that his destruction is of himselfe; And the misery of mankinde came in by these degrees.

First, when whole mankinde walked in singlenesse and simplicity each to other; Some bodies were more strong then others, as the elder brother was stronger then the younger, and the stronger did work for the weaker, and the whole Earth was common to all without exception; But this singlenesse and simplicity was subject to corruption and change; And the change came in thus.

[Page 65]The stronger, or elder brother seeing the out­ward objects before him, thereupon imagines, and saith, why should I that doe all the worke, be such a servant to these that doe least worke, and be equall with them? It is fit I should have some larger part of the Earth then they, and be in some more esteeme then others, and that they should ac­knowledge me in some degree above them.

This Imagination is the Serpent that deceives the man; and as lust is thus conceived within, and the heart, or the living Soule consenting to these imaginary inventions, presently death is brought forth, and Mankinde falls from single simplicity to be full of divisions, and one member of Mankinde is separated from another, which before were all one, and looked upon each other as all one.

This is the first step of the fall, consent within being moved by outward objects of pleasure, riches, and honour for one to be above another; whereas it was the honour of the elder to help the younger, and not to tread him downe.

Secondly, it breaks forth into outward action; for this imaginary invention, in the elder brother moves him to set about, to inclose parcells of the Earth into severall divisions, and calls those inclo­sures proper or peculiar to himselfe, and that the younger, or weaker brother should lay no claime to it, and the younger brother lets it goe so; and presently their nakednesse appeares, that is, the imaginary covetousnesse of the heart is uncovered, and said open to the view hereby.

[Page 66]This dividing of the Earth into parcells, was long before it grew a strong setled custome; for plaine heartednesse did much oppose the growth of this imaginary covetousnesse, or Serpent; for when contention began to arise amongst Abrahams ser­vants and Lots, about the Earth; one side would have so much, and the other side so much; Well, said single hearted Abraham, let there be no strife betweene us, for we are brethren; Let us spread farther; and so the one went East, and the other West, and gave more roome in the Earth each to other, and then they were quiet; this is the first breaking forth into action, to make division.

Then next to this▪ mankinde began to buy and sell these inclosures of Land, one of another, which the creating spirit of righteousnesse gave them no command to doe; for by reason of this bargaining, the younger, or weaker brother is more forcibly shut out of the Earth, and so here is a founda­tion laid▪ to steale the Earth by craft, and to mur­der one another by the sword.

For now saith the Buyer, this parcell of Land is mine, I have paid the fruit of my labours for it, to be properly my owne. But the younger brother comes in▪ and saith, the land is our portion by creation as well as yours, and we give no consent to be shut out; therefore what authority had you to buy, or the other to sell; by thus doing you [...]hea [...] us, and cast us out of the Earth; And from hence now divisions and wars begins to arise be­ [...]weene the brothers.

[Page 67]And so the elder brother Cain kills the younger brother Abel; Cain was subtle and covetous, and Abel single hearted, and molested Cain, and opposed him in his selfe-seeking Principle, or imaginary invention, to raise himselfe to be above others; thereupon anger ariseth in Cain, and he kills his brother, and removes him out of the way, though Conscience tormented him afterwards for it.

And by this murdering power, over-awing one another, the cheating Art of buying and selling, and of dividing the Land into parcells, prevailes amongst mankinde; till at last Moses was raised, who was the perfectest man in his time, and he seeing man­kinde was run into this division.

He endeavors to keep peace, and to prevent war and bloodshed, he makes a Law, wherein there was much equity betweene man and man, called ten Commandements, wherein every man is limited in his owne propriety; so that if another coveted his Neighbours wife, Land, house, or servant, it was his sinne, and was to be accursed or punished, by a generall consent of all the people; And they all said Amen to this Law; and said they would ob­serve it, and doe it.

Yet saith Moses, though this be a Law, setling peace for the present; yet I am not he that shall re­store you to your first singlenesse and Innocencie; for a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up like me, that shall doe that restoring worke; and him [Page 68] shall you heare; and he shall deliver Jacob from his sinne, and Israell from his transgression.

And here he points out Christ▪ who is the power of universall Love; and tells them that whosoever will not heare the voyce of that restoring Prophet▪ shall be cut off from amongst the people.

And yet this buying and selling, and Moses Law of equity to preserve peace, was part of the fall, for it could not keep them in peace together, but still mankinde did molest one another, and rise higher in divisions, and sell to further contention, Covetousnesse, and Pride amongst themselves.

The stronger brother goes further in his imagi­nary ambitious invention, and makes warre against the younger, or weaker brother, and takes their inclosures by force from them; and either kills them or turnes them out of the Land, which they had bestowed labour upon; and so did break Mo­ses Law, which said, thou shall not kill, thou shalt not steale.

And now divisions, and enmity is risen to the height, and the power of the Sword is the very strength of the curse, and is the murderer▪ for this takes not away propriety from others, by labour, or by buying and selling; but by cruell violence and force, casting downe one, setting up another by force, and now Mankinde is in the extremity of di­vision.

And they that enjoy the land▪ they or their fa­thers got it by the Sword, and they keep possession [Page 69] by the Sword, and no man regards the Law of righ­teous Creation, or of Moses Law of Equity; for every man seeks himselfe, and thinks it equity for others to regard him, and is offended at those that doe not regard him; and the whole Earth is filled with this devouring self-righteousnes.

Therefore high time for the great Prophet, which Moses spake of to arise, to restore falne man, or else no flesh shall be saved; for one is bent to de­stroy another; And all is for t [...]e Earth who shall enjoy it.

And doth not the nakednesse of man appeare ve­ry manif [...]st, that some parties are truly like Dives, that fares deliciously every day, goes in rich appa­rell, silke, and gold upon their clothes; Chests full of silver, houses full of corne▪ and other fruits of the Earth; And yet sees others starve for want before their faces; And these very rich men notwitstanding makes a profession of Christ, as though they were his servants; Oh doth not these men openly de­clare their hypocrisie, and discovers their owne na­kednesse, that all the world may see, that they are proud, covetous, envious, and the power of darknesse it selfe, and so op [...]n enemies and traytors to Christ; All the title they have to their Land is by the power of the sword. Did Jesus Christ doe so? Oh no, No; he was universall Love; and bids eve­ry one doe as they would be done by.

This power of the sword doth not only kill and rob, but by his Lawes made and upheld by his [Page 70] power; he hedges the weake out of the Earth, and either starves them, or else forces them through poverty to take from others, and then hangs them for so doing.

They that have the greatest power of the sword in their hands, doe kill, and take away the labours of others, and say it is righteous; but if a weaker hand doth but take from others to supplie necessa­ries, the other calls this unrighteous, and hangs them for it; surely the King of righteousnesse is not so partiall a God, as to call one and the same action good in his hand, that is the stronger and bad, in his hand that is the weaker brother.

No, no; This is the righteousnesse of the man of sinne; this is the righteousnesse of the Scribes, Pha­risees, and Iudas, that counts every thing righte­ous that pleases them, and every thing unrighte­ous that displeases them; This is the extremity of the curse, and yet this is the Law that every one, now adayes dotes upon; when the plaine truth is, the Law of propriety is the shamefull nakednesse of Mankinde, and as farre from the Law of Christ, as light from darknesse.

And yet Souldiers and Lawyers, and all that crie up this power of propriety, which is both brought in, and upheld by the murdering sword, would be called Saints and members of Christ.

Truly you are all deceived, you are members and actors of the curse, which is the destruction and bondage of the Creation; you are that power [Page 71] that hedges some into the Earth, and hedges others out, and takes to your selves by the power of the killing sword; A liberty to rule over the labours and persons of your fellow-creatures, who are flesh of your flesh, and bone of your bone; And you doe the very same things, in a higher degree and nature, for which you hang other men for, punish­ing others for such actions as you call sinne, and yet you live in the daily action your selves; taking the Earth from the weaker brother, and so killing him by poverty or prison all day long.

Now this enmity that bro [...]ght in this division; first of inclosing; then of buying and selling, then of killing one another for the Earth, is the curse within of imaginary covetousnesse, and it was bred by the presentment of outward objects, tempting the five Senses, or the living Soule.

And all the strivings that is in Mankinde, is for the Earth, who shall have it; whether some parti­cular persons shall have it, and the rest have none, or whether the Earth shall be a common treasury to all without respect of persons.

And this is the battell, that is fought between the two powers, which is propriety on the one hand, called the Devill, or covetousnesse, or community on the other hand, called Christ, or universall Love. And as Christ doth cast covetousnesse out of the heart, so propriety is cast out from amongst men, and mankinde will not only become single hearted againe, but will walke in the light of pure Reason [Page 72] and Love, and never fall againe into divisions, but shall be so acquainted with the wyles of Satan, that he shall utterly reject, and abhor his imagina­ry inticement; As Jesus Christ rejected the tempta­tion of objects; And that Satan, or tempter with­out prevailed not, because the Anoynting was in him, that was stronger then flesh.

Now this same power in man, that causes divi­sions and war is called by some men the state of na­ture, which every man brings into the world with him.

But this Law of darknesse in the members is not the state of Nature; for nature, or the living soule is in bondage to it, and grones under it, waiting to be delivered from it, and is glad to heare of a Sa­viour.

Looke upon a childe that is new borne, or till he growes up to some few yeares, he is innocent, harme­lesse, humble, patient, gentle, easie to be entreated, not envious; And this is Adam, or mankinde in his Innocency; and this continues till outward ob­jects intice him to pleasure or seeke content without him; And when he consents, or suffers the imagi­nary Covetousnesse within to close with the ob­jects. Th [...]n he falls, and is taken captive, and falls lower and lower.

First, into the slavery of that power of lusts with­in, leading him forth to act all manner of selfish­nesse, with greedinesse to the destruction of o­thers.

[Page 73]And then falls from this delight into trouble of minde, and touch of Conscience, and inward tor­ment, and so falls deeper and deeper into Hell, till the Seed or blessing rise up in him to worke de­liverance, and then carrie him back againe, and lead him into the wayes of truth.

And thus we see how mankinde came to fall from his innocencie; and that was by closing to outward objects for content, with inward imaginary Co­vetousnesse, to finde life in those objects without him.

And mans recovery will be to reject outward ob­jects; and to close with the spirit of truth, life, and peace within, preferring this Kingdome within, before the outward Kingdome.

It is said that Christ was tempted in all things, like as we are tempted. Now how are we tempted? but by presentment of outward objects before us, and when the life of the five Sences closes therewith, thinking to finde content therefrom, we are deceiv­ed, and so fall from innocencie.

As for example, if objects of riches be laid be­fore me, and my inward covetousnesse close there­with, I fall; or if the beauty of the female sex be set before me, If my inward lust close therewith excessively, running after variety of strange flesh, I fall.

But if covetousnesse and lust be killed, or doth not breath in me, then, though those objects be ten­dered to me, I reject them; and so I fall not; And [Page 74] now Satan or the tempter, which are the outward objects finds nothing in me.

And thus it was said of Jesus Christ, that when the Tempter came to him he found nothing in him, that is, Jesus Christ had not an imaginary cove­tous power in him, to seeke a Kingdome, or happi­nesse without himselfe, in those objects of pleasure, riches, and honours of the world, but preferred the Kingdome within him before that without him.

And so he was said to have no sinne, because there was nothing in him that consented to the temp­tation without; he made use of outward objects in moderation, for the safety and peace of his body, but desired nothing in excesse, or immoderately.

The power of darknesse which is Covetousnesse, and Imagination which is the devouring Dragon, had no place in Heaven, that is, in him; for the Dragon was cast out, and the Godhead did dwell bodily in him, in the fulnesse of righteousnesse and peace.

Now I desire any man to shew by experience, any other Devill, or darke power, then these two, that is▪ The objects without, and the powers of the curse within, joyning in consent together, to enslave the Earth, or the living Soule, which is the innocencie of the five Sences.

While these two joyne together, and meet in con­sent, Mankinde enters into sorrow, and hath true rest.

But when the power of Lust is killed within, by [Page 75] the blessing, or the seed rising up, then outward objects troubles not, nor enslaves the man. For then a man is content with his present condition, and seeks for a Kingdome within, which moth and rust cannot corrupt, nor theeves breake through and steale; If he have riches, he dotes not upon them, he knowes not how to use them; If he be poore, he is quiet and content; If he be at liberty he is content, if in prison he is content.

So then kill Covetousnesse, or that imaginary darknesse within; And the Devill is kill'd when the Tempter comes, he shall finde nothing in you; he that is free within, is moved to excesse, or unrati­onall action by no outward object; but he that is nor free within, is moved by every object.

And this is the Reason why many people are so angry, and bitter, and flies upon their neighbours with reviling, and reproachfull words, or envious actions, because they are slaves to their flesh; they are in bondage within, they know not liberty; It is the night time with them, the sonne of Love, righ­teousnesse, and peace is not yet risen up in them.

Therefore they that are at liberty within, in whom the Seed is risen ro rule, doe conquer all enemies by Love and patience, and make use of any outward object with moderation, and knows no excesse.

The powers of the curse, he subdues others by the murdering sword, and thereby enslaves others to him; as we see the government of all Nations [Page 76] is this, and the darke power in every mans heart is this; which indeed is the Devills Kingdome that yet rules.

But now the blessing, he subdues his enemies by Love, and saves, and gives life and freedome to his enemies; he first brings mankinde back to pure cre­ation, and then rises up, and rules King of righte­ousnesse within, and so keeps the man, that the curse never enslaves him againe, and so he puts the man into a better condition then he was in be­fore.

This Seed or Christ then is to be seen within, to save you from the curse within, to free you from bondage within; he is no Saviour that stands at a distance; therefore your publick Ministers be­witches you, by telling you of a Saviour at a di­stance.

The enmity which bu [...]dens you is within, Even the Law of your members that wars against the law of your minde; so that the members are the creature; And that curse wars within them, and so troubles and enslaves the members.

Therefore your Saviour must be a power within you, to deliver you from that bondage within; the outward Christ, or the outward God, are but men Saviours, such as Moses, Ioshua, and Judges were, and such as Kings are, and these Gods sometimes proves Devills. Surely such Preachers as tells you your God and Saviour is without, they know not the spirit, they are servants to the curse, their [Page 77] Kingdome is all without, and therefore would have you to seeke for a Kingdome without that lies in objects; for that Kingdome of Christ within they know not.

And here I shall end with this question. What are the greatest sinnes in the world? I answer. These two; First for a man to lock up the treasu­ries of the Earth in Chests and houses; and suffer it to rust or moulder, while others starve for want to whom it belongs, and it belongs to all; This is the greatest sinne against universall Love; this is the destroying sinne, this is Achans sinne; this is the action of Covetousnesse.

The second sinne is like to this, and is the same in nature with the other; And this is for any man, or men, first to take the Earth by the power of the murdering sword from others; and then by the Lawes of their owne making, doe hang, or put to death any who takes the fruits of the Earth to supply his necessaries, from places or persons▪ where there is more then can be made use of by that particular family, where it is hoorded up.