The Second false Rest.

THe second Rest most commonly of Souls, after a common restraining the Creature from grosse e­vils, is a work seeming to the Creature something high­er: and that is in obedience unto what the Law of God requires.

The first is, A negative Obedience from something. The second, is an affirmative Obedience to something; and this seems to the Creature to go beyond the other and so become a surer foundation of Rest: when indeed it is all one with the other, and still short of the true Rest: And here comes it to passe, that in this dispen­sation man hath no longer peace, then he acts sutable to the Law; break the Law, and it breaks the neck of the Souls peace: Keep it, & it keeps the Soul in peace.

And secondly, in this condition it comes to passe, that the Creature is wholly cast down, and begins to question all he hath, yea, the very foundation of all: when in the least manner he doth transgresse. But still the soul is in a very low and empty dispensation: but mans obedience to the Law (wherein he intends by his obedience to it, to get happinesse and life from it) flowes from these particulars following.

1. From a convincement of his misery our of God, in which he sees a want of God; upon which he runnes unto the Law, being convinced by it, to see what is re­quired of it. He now resolves, makes Covenants, Vowes, renewes them often, and purposeth to do what he [Page 5] Law requires: To this end he fals aboard of praying reading, keeping Sabbaths, and spends nights and daie, in labouring to attaine to what the Law requires And.

1. The Law requiring, as the principall part of it, Love. Now this is the daily complant of such a soule in this dispensation: Oh that I could love God, then I could believe God loved me: then it being the prin­cipal part of the Law, I could believe it were fullfilled either in me or for mee; then should I enjoy peace, and Rest in my spirit; not knowing that our love to God nowes from the manifestations of Gods love in us; not considering that the law is fullfilled by another; not knowing that peace and rest flowes from the enjoy­ments of God; and not from sutable Quallifications to the Law of God: but now, when the soul hath, as he conceives, got so much love to God, as partly the Law of God requires; it Rests, concluding this, That love to God is an infallible Token of Love from God: Yet not knowing that the way to judge aright of my love to God, is from the enjoyments of Love from God: And here lies the great deceit of many spirits Again, The Law requires Sabbath keeping, and many such like comands are required: The soul cries, Oh that I could keepe the Sabbath. Oh that my heart could keep close with God upon that day: and here the soul labours to bring his heart into that frame, not to think his own thoughts or speak his owne words; whereupon he sets a pray­ing in the morning, and exercises himselfe in all du­ties agreable to the day: now if he keep the day so exact, as he thinkes the Law requires, he Rests with much peace: but if he be dead, and cold, and unprofi­table in these Dispensations he imployes himselfe in then he can have no peace all the week, but is mourn­ing and grieving he hath broke the Law: and here is partly the frame of such a spirit.

And the second cause of his thus acting is, from an apprehension of wrath, and a condemning consci­ence, and hell within, it would doe any thing to assawg [...] the wrath and fire of hell in his owne conscience: Wha [...] would not a soule doe or attempt, to remove the same, being at present too heavy for the soul to bear: now it would do any thing to stoppe the mouth of a con­demning conscience, though it will pretend what it doth is for no such matter: but the flatterings of the heart, and the glosse it puts upon the actions of the Creature in this Dispention.

Now the soul not discerning satisfaction given to God by another: it labours therefore to satisfie God for the breach it hath made betwixt it and God; though I say the heart here will glosse its actions, and say to the contray. But now it seeing a breach, this breach must be made up before there can be peace: Now the soule not seeing the breach made up by Christ, he la­bours to make up the breach by his actuall obedience to the Law of God: And therefore is it that men teach this Principle: The way to attain grace and fa­vour with God is, by such a humiliation or sorrow as they call God: And here they prove Aegyptian Task-masters, to set the Creature upon doing, when he hath no straw to work withall, Exod. 5. 13. 14. And this is usuall with Creatures in this Dispensation, when they see themselves in bondage, to get freedome by doing.

And so comes it to passe many breake prison before they be set free by the Spirit: As for instance, when the soule can finde such a Qualification in him, or such a frame of Spirit in him, as the Law requires, having a long time laboured for it, he judgeth himself to be set free by Christ, when it is but a conceited freedome, as an effect of his obedience: and not as an effect of the obedience of Christ revealed to him in the Spirit. And [Page 7] in this particular the Creature is like a horse that is fal­len into a bogmire, he labours to plunge himselfe out lest he perish there, and indeed plunges himselfe faster in, and brings himselfe into a nigher way of perishing: Thus the Creature seeing himselfe falne into misery and bondage, he labours and plunges to free himselfe, untill he plunges himself into higher bondage: and as the horse will not give over, and lye still until he hath wearied himselfe, no more will the soul cease acting to free himself, untill he be wearied and worne out of breath: And then he shall be forced to wait until He who delivers Saints out of the pit where no water is, come and deliver his Spirit out of its slavery and bondage. And also in an estate of darknesse the like, the Creature labours for light, and being incompassed about with pits on every side, and being in darknesse he will not stay until the Light come, or the day dawn; but at last for want of a Guide, which is the Spirit, he fals into the pit, where he lies more sadder then ever. John 16. 15.

These are the common, though sad effects of those who run before God leades them, and either the Crea­ture Rests after he hath attained qualifications sutable to the Law, or else brought up into a higher obedience to the Law: or he remaines sensibly miserable of the greater misery in it then before: which though it be more sadder to the apprehension, yet it is the way of God in the Creature, thus to frustate the expectation of the Creature in its labouring to work happinesse for it self, until happinesse be revealed within it.

The Third cause is, from the principle of Nature and here the Covenant of works is most sutable to the principles of Nature: Nature would alwaies be doing, though in its doing, it instead of acting to God, is acting from God: For it is impossible that man can truly act to God, before there be an acting of God in him. So [Page 8] that man cannot ascend up to God, before there be descending of God into the soul; which Descendings I call a reall manifestation of life within man, which is God; being a Fountaine breaking forth againe from man unto God: And before that, though soules act never so gloriously, yet they are but Adams running away from God, and from the principles of Nature, clothing themselves, Gen. 3. 8. Which in time, though man Rest upon it, proves selfe righteousnesse, or a righteousnesse according to the Law, and not the righ­teousnesse of God by faith; and so his Rest and peace shall be taken from him, and destroyed in him.

4. The cause from which his thus acting flowes, is from self-love; and this will go beyond any thing formerly mentioned. Self-love in the gaining of its own ends, will thinke nothing too difficult to at­tempt, nothing too deare to part withall, unlesse the things we are now speaking of, which is mans selfe. When a man is swallowed up with selfe, instead of be­ing swallowed up with God: whatsoever the creature is put upon, when swallowed up with God: this creature thus led forth out of self-love, will resemble the same, if not goe beyond it: nothing that stands in the way of the Creature thus possessed, is too deare to it, or too hard to attempt it. Put Jehu upon pulling down Idols, it made him very zealous, it made the Scribes and Pha­risees give almes, and spend themselves, and suffer theirs to be spent, to attain their ends: It will put a man upon fasting much, praying often; yea if it be to hazard life or liberty, it is free, if it may but accom­plish its owne ends: which is most commonly from a convicted happinesse or glory, either inward from God, or outward from man: Self sees a promise of life and happinesse handed out in the Law to those that keep it: as namely, Doe this and live: it never considers what it could doe, and now can doe: but now it la­bours to try what may be done that an undone soule [Page 9] may be made happy: Oh the consideration of happi­nesse doth so affect a soule tonvinced of the want of it; that as the love of God enjoyed, doth draw out that soule that enjoyes it too make for God: so this soule possessed with the love of selfe, doth draw out the Creature; not out of himselfe, yet to do or act any thing, that may procure happinesse to it selfe: Also self-love in this particular, would not freely have all from God, nor would it be beholding to God for all: then it should have nothing to glory in but God: Wit­nesse those cryings out: Must the Creature do nothing; must he not take paines with his own heart to prepare it for God? Must not the creature seek, and knock, and pray, and be prepared for Christ? Not considering it must be a meer passive; Goe through the sufferings of Christ, or rather to have fellowship with him in his sufferings: that is, to be subject to the will of God, and to suffer God to dispose, order, or burne up in the Creatures spirits as he pleaseth; onely the soul to be a patient in the workings out of life, untill he can act from the enjoyments of it: The Lords way is to de­stroy, or burne up all the creatures preparations for God, and all that stuffe the creature hath within him, or attained by him; and strips the Creature naked of all, either in him or done by him, and brings him as an empty soul to him who is the Fountain of life; and to be revealed in him. Now to take away an objecti­on, which is, that the Creature must labour, though not for life, yet for a manifestation of life. To this I an­swer; that the life whereby man acts to God, is by the power of life revealed from God; for before it be re­vealed, man is dead; it is the revealing of life into man, which gives life to man: So that man can neither truly act for life, or the manifestation of it, before man be made alive by it, which is not before the manifesta­tion of Christ, which is life to the soul. Secondly, That [Page 10] as mercy and love was prepared freely of God in Christ without the Creature, so it is to be revealed freely by Christ in the Creature, and after it be revealed in man, It is that grace which is in man, acts out from man un­to God. That occasioned these words from Paul, Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with mee, 1 Cor. 15. 10. Then let these following particulars be considered of.

1. That man who doth obey God, though his obe­dience be never so seemingly glorious; yet if he Rest upon, and be satisfied with it, he Rests below the true Rest, which is God. For though the Creature yields obedience to the Law, or any other Truth, as the Truth requires: yet he is not to Rest upon it, though it be of, and from the Lord it being flown from that which is to be the souls Rest.

2. That soul who being convinced of the want of, and its misery without God; and from this labours to get God, by acting to God, though his action be ne­ver so glorious, it being to get his person acceptable, from the glory of his action, and Rests here conceiving the acceptation of his person from the glory of his a­ction, that mans Rest and Conceptation is false.

This was the reason why Abels Sacrifice was accep­table, and Cains was not, because Abels person was ac­ceptable, and Cains was not; for Cains action was as seemingly glorious as Abels was. But the acceptation of an action must flow from the acceptation of a person. It is not, nor cannot be, that any mans person can be accepted with God, from the glory of any of the Crea­tures actings to God. Then it should be of works, and man hath some thing to boast of. Neither is my obedi­ence to God a true evidence of my enjoyment of God, and acceptance with God. For the young man in the Gospel, who was nigh to the Kingdome of God, did yeeld obedience to the commands of God; and yet he [Page 11] wanted that one thing necessary, which was to be the Rest of his foul.

3. That the Resting upon any obedience to God performed in the exactest manner by the Creature, will bring nothing but death and sorrow to the creature in due time: When a man kindles a fire, and Warmes him­self in the sparkes thereof: God upbraids the creature thus by telling him, his end should be to lye downe in sorrow. That is, When God comes to appeare upon any soul in love, he burns up all these false Rests the creature hath been making for it self. That is, What the creature drawes comfort from to himself, if it be from the glory of any action: that is, for a man to kin­dle a fire, and warme himself in the sparkes or fire he himself hath kindled Isai. 50. 10, 11.

Now God at last brings the creature to see the vani­ty of all his own actions; and upon this there is no­thing but death to what he hath been living upon, and sorrow annexed for his thus living upon it, and Resting in it.

Therefore consider; No acting forth of the creature to God, before the creature receive a divine power from God, is acceptable with God; for God accepts of no obedience, but either that which he did by Christ for us, or by Christ in us.

Now a man may doe great things by a power of Nature, Which I call a power of God in its dispensati­on: Which power or from which power, a man acts in a way to God: that is, seemingly to God and for God; but in conclusion proves not so; now God ap­proving of no action by us, unlesse it be from the foun­taine of himselfe in us.

And seeing our actings to God are changable, and may seem to perish though never so rare: It is no sure Rest for any soul: onely he who is unchangable in us, must be revealed to us, before any true Rest can be re­ceived by us.

Now the condition of a Soul in these low dispensations is like unto a man affrighted by an enemy, and being so he labours to preserve himselfe from death by him; he runs to secure himself; at last he findes to his appre­hension a place of Rest and safety, he being almost weary; afterwards it appears not so to be, but his adver­sary pursues him, so that he is not safe; and so from place to place he runs to get shelter, he finding none, he is forced to yield himself up to the mercy of his ad­versary, So it is with a Soul seeing God to be his ene­my, he flyes as Adam did, thinking to secure himselfe and cover himself; but God pursues the Soul and findes him out, where the Soule not finding any safe Rest, yields himself freely with trembling and feare up unto God, to be at the mercy of God.

God (as I may say) pursues a Soule; and when it would be Resting upon any thing below himselfe, he drives it from its station, and so man runs from Rest to Rest, and every Rest he makes is more glorious then another: But God speaks unto the Soule, as he did to the Apostles, Arise, let us go hence, John 14. 31. as if he should say, You would be Resting in this condition, but it is nor a condition of Rest and safety, I will bring you higher, and that shall be when I will discover my self in the Spirit, that you shall not Rest upon my flesh as I am in a shape; but upon me as I will be transfigu­red before you, or rather in you in the Spirit: So as now Arise, and go up, that is, higher. So also is God most commonly saying to such Soules, Arise, this is not Yours Rest, Mic 2. 10. if thou stay here it shall de­stroy thee with an utter destruction. Therefore to con­clude, This man runs from mountain to hill, and for­gets his Resting place, untill God hedgeth up his waies, and makes the soul at length Rest in himself.

The third false Rest.

THe next Rest of a Soul below the true Rest is, The excellency of Gifts. which do so mightily adorne the Creature, as thereby the Creature is led into high conceits of the glory and excellency of its condition. The first part or Gift we shall speak of is Knowledge.

Multiplicity of Knowledge, is such a rare Part, as makes a man seem much like a Saint: not carnall in the matters of the world, but spirituall, conceived in the matters of God: and this doth mightily puffe up the Creature. And indeed much knowledge attained in the notion, unlesse it be experimentall, there is an im­possibility to keep the soul from Resting in it, or be­ing puft up with it, And.

First of all I shall discover, how most commonly the Soul attains this. The first is, from a quick appre­hension in the understanding of things, which is a com­mon gift in nature; which is a ready way to attaine much knowledge, together with an enlaged capacity that he can receive and keep what he apprehends, so as he comes to gather in knowledge a pace into the notion; so as the Soule glorieth the most in the im­provement of that gift or part in which he doth the most excel. This Creature he is very fluent in discour­sing of the best things, and will be alwaies delighting most, in arguing of those things that he hath the most knowledge in: and he being very gallant in discourse, gathers knowledge in every thing he undertakes; and here he glories to overcome any with argument. Or.

Secondly, To be adored, or had in high estimation for this his knowledge. And this applauding of him, makes his estimation of the glory of his own condition to be heightened; & here he looks upon himselfe to be a Saint in glory, he having these parts of knowledge, makes him as often argue against truth as for it, that [Page 14] others may see the wit and knowledge he hath; & by strength of wit be able to speak of higher things, then those who sweetly enjoy God: Yea, for parts of know­ledge goes beyond, & by all is preferred before them: Now having thus attained knowledge in the head though he doe not experience the same, he Rests sa­tisfied in his condition.

Secondly, Knowledge which man Rests upon, is a knowledge got by paines & diligence of things with­out him. That which is got by much paines, the Crea­ture is more apt to Rest upon: so as for the noti­onary knowledge of the Scripture he exceeds. He is mightily fluent in the letter, and is able to speak much from the same; and this doth furnish him so, as now he makes it his glory to speak of, and know much of the letter, though it is without him, and not experienced in him. But alas, what is it for any man to know much in this nature, and there Rest. This is but the shell of Truth; the Substance is, Truth in us, experienced by us.

To reade Truth in the letter without me and to know it there, is a dispensation; but to know it by the Spirit within me, must be a higher dispensation, and the Dispensation of Rest. For what is it for any man to get all the Scriptures into memory to furnish him with knowledge, able to dispute or preach; yet unlesse he know the same within himself, it's but a poor Rest: yet thus it is, men by a bundance of paines and diligence in the Scriptures and in books, doe get abundance of knowledge, and after it is gotten, they Rest upon the same; as though it were to enjoy the manifestation of God, to enjoy much knowledge: here they abuse a dis­pensation of God, and transform it into another use then ever God ordained it for: So that though a man have never so much knowledge, yea though his know­ledge be according to, or attained in the Scriptures, if [Page 15] he Rest there, before he hath got it in the heart by ex­persence; as he hath got it in the head for discourse, his Rest is much below the substance of Truth. For no man is to Rest in any thing without him so known, untill it be within him; and then he Rests not in God because declared in Scripture; but upon God because revealed and experienced in him, and so is fully known by him.

The third way whereby this Knowledge comes to be attained is, from the declarings of the experiences of others; he by the same stores himself with points of experience, as well as points of Judgement: and here he can speak all manner of Languages, as well as those that enjoy truth in them; so that he can speak of points of judgement with those that are for that discourse, and points of experience, with those that are for that, having a form of both in his understanding, and from that is able to make out himself, as those who sweetly in the power of Truth enjoy God: But for this latter, he hath but stolne the word from his Neighbour; hee hath got his experience to discourse of. And this is the great deceit of mens spirits in our daies: for when they hear of a precious high Truth of God which they never heard of before, they either oppose it, or else they get the form of it into their notion or understanding, and the next upportunity they have, they declare it as their own: whereas though they were convinced of the truth of it, yet they were to waite for the enjoyment of the power of it in themselves; and that it might be sealed by the Spirit in them (1 Cor. 4. 19, 20.) But ma­ny conceive, if they can but remember a truth, though they have it not in the power of it in themselves, that the very believing of it and assenting to it, is the expe­rience of it: Bud these are those who have a form of God, or the truth in their understandings, and want the power of that truth in their Spirits. And so many [Page 16] a soul rests in this very part of knowledge. Now the Reasons of a souls resting here, are partly these follow­ing.

First, From a comparison made in his own spirit with others that are in lower dispens [...]tions, or weaker in knowledge or discourse then himself: but especially Professors, who live in high thoughts of their estates: and he thus comparing his condition with theirs, and seeing it so far excell theirs; makes his conclusion, if their condition be happy, then mine is much more, in respect of what I have enjoyed more then they: I am not any way inferiour to any almost: surely I am in a happy estate, if any.

The second Reason followes, from the high estima­tion others have of him; especially men of the rarest a­bilities and solidest judgements; and this addes fuel to his fire of conceipt, and makes his rest the more glori­ous. And this is the reason that if at any time the ap­probation of those—cease to be what it was—that it occasions much distraction and want of peace with­in himselfe: for when part of a mans cause of rest and peace is taken away, no marvel then if part of his rest and peace go along with it. Whereas he that rests in God, is freed in the Spirit, and is as Mount Zion which can not be moved: Psalm 125. 2. Let mans apprehensi­ons cease, or encrease, he is not lifted up by the one, or cast down by the other; but he hath a continuall te­stimony within himself, which abides for ever.

The third Cause or reason of his resting upon the gifts of knowledge, is from want of a right inf [...]rmation of judgement, in the difference betwixt a form of truth in the understanding, and the power of truth in the heart, not opposite to the other: for though mans knowing God in generall or from heresay, be a dispen­ [...]tion of God, and good in its place, yet it is not to be rested upon, as though the soul had in this a reall [Page 17] enjoyment of God. Now a man may know a thing in generall, and may believe in it, assent to it and obey it, and make a large profession of it: yet if he enjoy not God in that very thing, it is but a dispensation below the power of Truth. So that we see here, that men may get things into the head, before they be in the life and power of them in the heart, which if rested upon, brings with it a dangerous consequence. As

1. It is the way to high security, and such a security, being but carnall, as being without ground. It is the way in the second place, to a self-glorying and creature exalting, and to the displeasing of God.

Thirdly, It is the way to fall into all manner of loosnesse, under pretence of freedome and knowledge of truth; and that is no sinne, though [...]t do this or that: For no marvel when a man hath no more then a form of God in the head, and wants the power of God in the heart, then that soul fals into a carnal loosnesse, whereby truth is evil spoken of; and the party thus do­ing justifying his action by his hardnesse of spirit, which by it he is brought into. And this is the reason why many when they have received high notiōs and do hold them forth, do walk very unlike truth, is because they have it but in the head, and want the power of it in the heart. They have it from others, or some other way and not from God; and so they cannot stand in the day of temptation, and so return like a Sowe to the wallow­ing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. 22.

Again a Soul is further established in this condition from his dayly growth and encrease in knowledge; he dayly growing in knowledge, daily more established on his own bottomes, though not so thought by him­self. This dayly encrease of knowldge in himself, the benefit that sometimes is redounded to others, by that doth increase the flame, and ads fuel to the fire of this false rest.

The second excellent Part or Gift upon which men Rest is, Prayer: and this is made an Idol of by such par­ties who Rest upon it. But first of all when a man sets his face towards God, it would gladly pray, but want­ing this proper Gift, it useth formes; but after it sees the vanity of that dispensation and the emptines of it, it now would gladly pray in the spirit; and continual­ly is complaining for want of matter to expresse; In conclusion it attains matter to expresse, and in the attaining matter doth much abuse the same: but the meanes most commonly wherein it doth attaine it is, first, by often freequenting private and publike meet­ings where it steales away the expressions of others; and when it sees one man enlarged, it is made to ad­mire that part in them and cry out, O if I could pray as such a one can, then I should be at rest, and enjoy much peace. It presses forwards and by pains and di­ligence, it attains that enlargement, as that now it ex­cels others, and is now admired by them, who before was admired by it; so as now the poor Creature can speake three or four hours in prayer; and can hardly comprehend himselfe within the space of one houre; and here lys the deceipt of the heart, that here the Soul makes his rest; and this to be a sure evidence of his interest in God. But alas, how blinde and unsound this present evidence is, let Scripture and experience testify: for alas, a hypocrite, or one who at all knows not God, may excell in the seeming glory of this part, yea, excell those that live in the highest enjoyments of God: and here many souls maks this dispensation a meer Idol, they draw all their peace and comfort from it: for if in this part the Creature excell, he will be the ofner using of it, living most upon it: draw most comfort from it, and glory the most in it: for if e­ver the creature be straitned in this particular, he be­gins to droop and be sad, and full of trouble: but if [Page 19] either in publique or private he be enlarged much a­gain, he is mightilly refreshed and lifted up.

And secondly, If at any time he cannot have those cōmon opportunities or set times, then all his peace is gone; and it is because his peace is grounded upon his often praying and his great enlargement in so doing, and indeed the souls blindnesse lies here: for the Crea­ture takes his inlargement to be a manifestation, or e­vidence of the presence of God. Now a man may pray long and often, and excell all in externall form, and yet have none of the presence of God manifested at all in the same: neither is a straightning of the Creature in expression, to be any cause of sorrow or trouble, if God be manisest: neither is it an evidence of his not being manifested within. So here party [...] the ground of a souls thus Resting, or taking satisfaction of peace to his spirit, in this dispensation.

Now I would not be mistaken, that I am speaking against this form or dispensation; when a man is not commanded by the form, but he is commanded from a power within, so as he commands it, and useth the same according to the end for which it was appointed. For I look upon the same as to be a dispensation of God: But I looke upon the resting in it, or having peace by it, to be a corruption of a mans own heart, and a deceit thereof.

First. Therefore I commend these things following to be considered of all.

That though a man should be never so glorious, or admirable in this particular dispensation, so as in the same he may be able to speake a whole day together, yet his heart in this may deceive him, and if it doe not, yet it is no safe Rest, or cause of peace, or satisfaction; for there is no safety in the excellents Part, that can be received, but they take their wings and flie away; and there is not that in them, which men conceive.

Secondly, Man may have these parts in the glory of them, and yet have no fellowship or communion with God in them: and so they may be rather snares then s [...]re rests: Nay, if it were so, as many souls doth enjoy God in them, or rather communion with God in the same, yet it is neither the duty, or enlargement which is or ought to be the rest: but God made manifest in the same.

The third part of Gift is, Humility. And this some­times comes some of these waies following.

• 1. Either from an instinct or property in nature. Or
• 2. From a self-reasoning. Or
• 3. From resembling the truth of Humility, that is in another. Or
• 4. From, or as an effect of the enjoyment of God.

First, it is in many, who in the least have no di­vine workings of God in them, any way made mani­fest: yet they are excellent in this very particular; which makes them very lovely in the eyes of all men; so that a little of God will be seen in such a creature; but meerly without the manifestation of grace: such a Soule doth appear to be gracious; such a spirit as this is can hardly be given to passion; but full of meeknesse, and love, and moderation: and yet this parties gifts are common or naturall to him. He cannot be almost otherwise, this disposition is so naturall. But others by nature are of a turbulent spirit and full of pride and choller, which makes him to become odious to all: and hereupon when he becomes odious to himselfe; he fals in the second place to reason thus. O how love­ly doe others appear to me! how humble and lowly are they! What a proud spirit am I of! How am I hated and become almost odious to all! I will go see if I can help this carriage of mine. Now this Soul onely looks to take away the effects, though the cause abide: [Page 21] and here he labours to frame his speeches, and his je­sture and actions and so by much pains gets a form of humility; and now carries himself very sweetly towards all, so that now there is a strong change wrought in this person, so that he is admired by all, and chiefly by himself; who was of such a high carriage, and of a proud and turbulent spirit, and now he is of a calm and qui­et spirit; this appears to be a great change, and so judging of it, he is highly exalted in his opinion of himself, and conceives he hath enjoyed abundance of grace from God, that hath thus humbled him: when indeed he hath it but in the forme of it, not in the power: having the branches and effects taken a way for the present in the outward expression of it, but trans­formed into another shape, and that is more inwarde, making of him more spiritually proud, and so have high conceits of the happinesse of his condition, and so Rests.

Secondly, It reasons thus, God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5. 5. Now in his highnesse of carriage, or turbulency of spirit, he looks upon his condition as to be resisted of God; whereupon he prayes and useth what meanes he can to restraine him­self; saith he, It may be I may come to get­a better temper of spirit, whereby I many not become both odious to God and man, Now I say at last, he at­taines a form or shape of what he doth desire, and Rests satisfied in the receiving of it. Though I say, he is out­wardly but transformed into another likenesse, the cause yet remaining, which of the two consider the ef­fects that follow, as namely, Security, or luke warmnes; or fulnesse and self conceitednesse; and so false Restings are of as dangerous a consequence as the other.

Thirdly, Humility is by resembling of such proper­ty of words and actions in an other, as is most lovely in the eyes of himself and others, and here lies a sad de­ceit, [Page 22] when men doe only resemble the words or carri­ages of another, which it may be in that party flowes from a principle or power of God in him; and by a re­sembling of him, and getting into his form, think their condition is the happier, and so glory in it more then before: so that though his Humility flow from a divine work in him; yet the others is but shaped out of what is expressed, by or from him: and here lies much dan­ger, especially if man Rest in the same.

The forth way whereby humility comes most com­monly to be attained. And the way indeed, is from the enjoyment of God, thereby man comes not only to have the effects or branches cut off, but the cause or root of the same taken away. So as now man hath it not in the form or shape, but in power and substance: and now man is truly what he seems to be, but not be­fore: whereby as the Creature is humbled, so God is exalted: and this is the Creatures joy, though not his Rest wholly: This humility now is the effect of God enjoyed, whereby man is made to partake of Gods na­true; and this nature breaks out into these particular effects: but now this very effects of humility, though it be from the enjoyment of God, yet it is not the Rest of a Saint; but the cause, which is God.

The next part is the gift of Utterance, which is that many have that knows not God; and many have not, which sweetly enjoy him. So that man who is freely carried forth to utter or make known any thing he conceives is truth; yet there is neither cause of trust­ing to it, or Resting in it; neither is there cause why a Soul should the more glory in the enjoyment of it, or be troubled in the want of it.

The last part or Gift we shall speak of is, Memory, This part of Memory, is that which doth most sweetly adorn man in the visible making of it forth; and it makes man much adored for it, it is.

1. Away to grow very profitable in respect of him that hath it; and beneficiall to them for whom he im­ployes it: as namely, In that dispensation of hearing, after which the party which enjoyes this Part, is able to repeat or declare almost verbatim what he hath heard; this makes him very profitable in what he hears, in respect of gathering knowledge: and benificiall to others from the improvement of the same. This is the reason why two Ministers so professing of themselves, studying their matter, the one brings it in a peece of paper, and the other in the same method or forme, though in his understanding; becaus the one excels the otther in this Part of Memory; and this makes the one more esteemed then the other, and the one to appear more weake then the other. But alas, though all these were in one man, in a higher strain then I have declared; yet they all were but a poor Rest, or cause of joy or contentment to any heart: and truly when God appears so as to manifest himself, the Soul shall see the weaknesse and foolly of his spirit, to be satisfied in the whole: not to be any cause of Rest, though they were dispensations of God, and were freely given by God. For all these may be in a very hipocrite, or in a meer naturall man.

First of all to conclude this Rest.

1. It is an abuse of a Gift, and an affornt put upon the Giver, to make it either cause of Rest, or an evi­dence of a true enjoyment of God.

2. That soul most commonly, who is not led in the Spirit, either to behold God or enjoy him, to be the Rests of spirits, is most usuall—& it can hardly be prevented, to Rest upon such Rests as we have decla­red: but consider that must be the Rest of any who sees or enjoys not one manifested to him to be above it. Man must have some Rest, either true or false: But that must be the safe Rest, the which no hipocrite doth at [Page 24] tain, nor can enjoy, which is God manifested in the Spirit, further why should any man place his Rest up­on any thing, which will come to nothing, or is given to change? Or why should we make that the ground of our happinesse, which is but a tallent given to be im­proved; which may be taken away at the Owners pleasure; being given onely to bee improved, and then mans Rest and peace ceaseth: and in this par­ticular doth [...]he folly of mans heart appear, in abusing the end of every dispensation, as of this of Parts; As.

First, The abuse of Parts lyes in the boasting and glorying in the gift, and not in him that gives it; And also in this, to make them his Rest.

2. For a man so to glory in them, as to make again of them, & improve in them for to get honour and preferment, and glory in the World. This I fear was partly the end of Simon Magus, in desiring the gifts of God. Alas all gifts are empty without God be Manifest­ed in them; and poore contentment do they afford, to him that Rests in them. And here men are setting them in Gods place, and labouring to dispossesse God, who is or ought to be the satisfaction of the heart; And this is another abuse of Parts; A world of deceit lyes in mans heart about gifts or parts if abused.

First, They will not make forth themselves, unlesse it be where they be honoured, or else they labour for the same by the improvement of them, being the most free where it's the most applauded; and the most straitned and wary of that place where it is not ado­red and exalted, and set up above the proper station of the creature; being much cheered when exalted, and much cast downe when rejected, or at least not so ap­plauded as he requires or expect; here is man much a­busing Parts and setting them in Gods stead; in the which man shall be brought to a losse when. God doth [...]ifest himself in that heart.

The fourth false Rest.

THe next Rest in order to this, is Zeal for the truth. Zeal in the matters of God is that which the most go through, before the manifestations of God: yet though it be good in its place, and a dispensation to be owned, yet it is but a deceitfull Rest. We know the cry of him in the Scripture, who was Resting and glorying in his Zeal for God; when he cryed, come see my Zeal for the Lord of hosts. So we know many mens Zeal goes be­fore their knowledge of God in the spirit. We hear of a zealous Saul who was mad of Zeal in persecuting the Church, Act. 22. 3 and out of conceit he did God good service, Rested satisfied.

We know the Scribes and Pharisees who were the most zealous for Sabbaths, and prayer, and other points of Worship; yet they make it their Rest: but come to our daies, and see if we swarme not of the same, only seeming professors of God, who are very zealous for the same things; and from their very zeal, are made to Rest with high thoughts of their condition. But how far this zeal (which is most commonly led with more af­fection then Judgement) will bring man into a form of Truth.

First, It will leade man into a whole conformity to what it doth conceive to be truth; that it shall, accor­ding to what it hath, serve God in all good conscience; Acts. 23. 1. and according to the Law, to be unblamable and untaxable: Then his conversation shall bee very strict in the observation of what the Law requires, and he shall act the same with much vehemency of spirit, taking all oppertunities for the doing of the same.

Secondly, It will carry the soule on to suffer cheerfully what he may meet withall in this very par­ticular

Thirdly he may by zeal afflict his body sore, 1. Cor. 13. 3. with fasting and mourning, under pretence, the one to honour and obey God; the other for dishonou [...] brought to God: So as he may be almost spent in bo­dy, and spirit, and estate in prosecuting the things o [...] God according to his light. Farther, hee may out o [...] Zeal come to Gospel precepts, and may be Zealous for that light in externall formes which is there required to be obeyed; so as he may gather Churches, and may suffer much, in the conforming to, and practising with so much vehemency, the Ordinances cōmonly practised by the Churches, in the Apostles and our daies: so as his Zeal may lead him out to teaching and helping for­ward that work, studying night and day to finde out matter to furnish himself for edification: so as for paines in the Churches, and for Zeal to observe the se­verity of those formes, and any thing required to bee practised in the said Churches; so as now it will have communion in Ordinances, with none but those of his own stamp & judgement; being mightily carried forth to judge and pitty those, who are opposers of that light: Now this soul through Zeal may goe thus farre, yea, to act the very highest things the Scriptures doe require in matters of visible practise, and yet be not at all taught in the Spirit, neither got into the life and pow­er of what he doth professe; but meerly zealous for sha­dowes and wants the power; so as he is commanded by the form, and not the forme by the power dwelling within him. Now grant farther, That such a soul did act in truth according to this dispensation, yet notwith­standing in this particular, there were no cause of Rest, for nothing visibly seen, flowing from the Creature, ought to be its Rest; but some visible flowings into the Creature, which is being and substance from which and unto which, a Soule through Zeal for God acts; Also a Creature thus Zealous, Rests not at home; but [Page 27] reformes abroad also, beginning with his own family, and so goes abroad to others. and labours for refor­mation, and practises the same with much Zeal, so as he can not endure the visible appearance of any sinne in himself or others. He may help with much Zeal the purging of Cities and Nations, or drunkennesse or swea­ring, or any open prophanesse: he may be for punish­ing of evil doers in this particular with much severity, and seeming to be much troubled at the neglect of it; he may rejoyce much in this practise, and may help forward this work in a Nation very much. and yet this no Rest at all: also he may be zealous, yea, mad of Zeale for the worship of his God in reference unto o­thers, not only taking all opportunities to inform them in the same, but using all Coercive powers for confi­ring them thereunto; so as he may be an instrument to bring families and most part of Cities into this outward conformity to the matters of worship; and here hee lookes upon an action done of great moment and weight, and partly makes this an evidence of this true enjoyment of God, by Reason of his Zeale for God, and the effect thereby produced, which is the good of many. Now the cause of a Souls thus Resting, partly flowes from want of the information in judgement, of the great deceite of the heart, in putting man by zeal upon such publique actions, and then to cause it to Rest: and further, it conceiving it's Zeale for God, and from a principle of God; not being acquainted with a Pharisaicall Zeale, to be seen of men, or to get a name amongst men; or that Zeal which men have but not ac­cording to knowledge; or the Zeale Paul had before conversion, which excels both: for vehemency and downrightnesse, is the Zeal of many a professor, who are at Rest in our daies.

Now a poor Creature because he is made to suffer freely, and to hazard life and liberty in the prosecuti­on [Page 28] of this Zeal, he is much puffed up under these con­siderations.

1. That now this is a suffering with and for Christ, and therefore he shall reign with him, and enjoy much from him.

2 That this is a parting with all for Christ, and a great point of self denial, and so an evidence of a dis­ciple of Christ; when indeed the Soule is in himself, and hath not at all attained that estate to forsake him­selfe. Therefore let every heart, though never so Zea­lous for God, take notice, that his heart may deceive him in his Zeal, and his affection may blinde his judge­ment, and so it proves blinde zeal. Or

Secondly, Consider, that though it be such Zeale as is good and to be approved of in its dispensation, yet not at all to be Rested upon, nor to be an evidence of any true enjoyment of God, though he pretend God in the fore-front as Jehu did.

The fifth false Rest.

THe next Rest of a Soule, though I might not have spoken of it, because I have partly given it forth; yet that things may be the more opened its the Crea­tures Righteousnesse or sanctification, and outward ho­linesse, wherein both in carriage and words, he doth most sweetly in probability, savour of high enjoyments of God. This is to be a testimony of the same to others though not to himself; yet notwithstanding his Rest is to him a high evidence of the true and reall posses­sings of God, when alas, it is continually a vanishing Rest and evidence; and when the Creature stands in need of it, it is taking its wings and flying away, and proves a miserable comforter in the saddest straits of a Soul

But first, let us consider, that true holinesse of a person, made manifest in actions, flowes from the ju­stification of a Soule made manifest in the Spirit; so that the truest holinesse, or outward sanctification, doth wholly flow as an effect of Justification made ma­nifest: As for instance, The fountain and the streames: The streames are an effect of the Fountain, flowing from the abundance contained in the same; so it is with God made manifest in the heart, he being the Ocean or Fountain comprehending all streames within himself; doth issue out of himselfe those streames of Sanctification or holinesse in conversation from him­self thus abiding in the Creature. So that a man may have the latter in as high manner, though not in truth, as he that hath God truly manifest; and no way to be discerned but by the light of truth dwelling within, which makes the truth or falshood of such things in this nature manifest; and before the same en­joyed, the Creature is in darknesse, and it is as possible for a man to see twenty miles in a very darke night, as for a man really to judge of the truth or falshood of his own condition before this light come in from God, which expels those clouds, as the shining of the Sun doth the clouds; and here lies the darknesse of a heart when it is made to see the want of God, it looks into the frame and disposition of mens spirits abroad, who are under a name of profession, and being much affect­ed with them, and drawn out in love to them, it gets into such relations or society; and it sees abundance of holinesse flow from their conversations; now it being away to reprove that party, not having the same con­versation in holinesse of walking, or power against cor­ruption, it cries out, O that I were so holy in conver­sation as such a one is! O that I had such and such a power against corruption as they have! And could be alwaies discovering of good things as they are; or could [Page 30] have my minde fixed upon heavenly things as they have. O how heavenly doth such a one walke: and this is his construction or application; O if I could be but so, I should then be at peace and Rest; then I should think my condition happy; but alas here is such abun­dance of carnall mindednesse, and of corruption in my conversation; and a wearinesse in things that are good; here the creature takes up a daily complaint, and to every Saint is making his condition known, and can­not rest quiet, untill he have resembled or attained such a measure of knowledge to discourse of God, and so much power against corruption, as to walke in con­versation like those, whose conversation did convict him and shame him.

Now having attained so much in shew, and that now his affections seem to be bent upon good things; that now God is his meditation and his continuall ponder: that now when its thus, the creature hath much peace, sometimes upon the view of the same: and when it cannot walke thus, it hath neither Peace not rest. Now here the creatures heart deceives him, and makes him rest upon that which may be in truth, and not in truth, or upon that which is given to change, and a­bides not one and the same for ever. Now all this a man may have, and yet have nothing manifest in truth: and though it might be said, thar these are true in there place, yet not appointed for rests: but for effects of that which was in truth within: for he that saith, he dwels in him, ought even so to walk as he hath walked.

Now holinesse in the highest degree as it flowes out from man, is but an especial effect of the dwelling of the spirit of God, or an effect of his rest in him; not to be a rest, but to manifest to others, that he dwels and rests in God. For to me, that Soule who rests and dwels in God, must have his conversation, but especially, his inward walking like God; for to others [Page 31] that look upon a Saint thus pretending to dwell, must judge of the same by that fruit that flowes from him in one kinde or another: though it is not to be a testi­mony to himself, who thus liveth; he having another testimony which speaks, or evidences peace (1 John 5. 10.) upon more sure grounds; yea and lets the crea­ture see a ground or place of rest, going as farre be­yond this, as the streames are short of the Fountaine, and the body of the Sun beyond the least glimpse or shining thereof. Man I may say, who is resting in peace and quietnesse of spirit from these visible branches, if they be true, is one who still hangeth upon the outside of the Arke; and like the Pharisees, resting with glo­rious outsides, and washing of the outsides of Cups, more to be seen of men, or justified before men, then to be as an effect of that truth within, made forth for the glory of God. The one of these ends did Cain act for, and the other end did the Scribes and Pharisees act for; so that a house built upon such a foundation as this, seems to be as glorious as that which was build­ed upon the Rock, but it was not so safe; for with every blast and storm that cōes against such a spirit it fals into its former state it was in before thus builded; so were the devout Women, and golden Sepulchers, and whited walls, builded upon such considerations as these, they were outwardly holy, and seemingly pure; but were within full of deadly poyson, and were put for outward glory, not adorned with the Spirit; so it is very likely that the said spirit, that Rests upon this seeming, though thought by himself true holinesse; is a soul al­together full of deadly poyson and deceite, which in time may be discovered, and then the Creature shall see another rest more sure and safe then this, and shall lose by it, yet Love shall save him, though it be a fire for to burn up what of this rest was of himself: so that I say such a soules foundation of rest, shall fade as So­lomon in all his glory.

First, Then this Spirit thus resting, is away to keep it below true assurance; for in this rest there can flow no true cause or ground to the Creatu [...]e to be assured thereby.

Secondly, For a man to rest here, it will be but to make a house, which ere long it may be God will bat­ter about his ears; and so prove labour in vaine, as ma­ny can speak by sad experience.

Thirdly, Whatsoever flowes from a man pretended to God, before there be an inward revelation in that man of God, and makes the same a true evidence of his enjoying this God thus revealed, and so rests: his thus doing is but his own righteousnesse, and not the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ revealed by faith.

Fourthly, That the party thus acting, doth go no farther then a point of bodily exercise; for what a man doth in point of holynesse, pretending for God, and after doth own it as a true evidence, or any cause of rest, as God. To me it appears, and in the judge­ment of Scriptures; that mans action is but bodily ex­ercise: for nothing is, or ought to be, either rest, or evidence of the true enjoyment of God in me; which is any way done by, or acted from me; but something in the which I am a passive, and no active; in which must be something of God, coming in from God, which doth give a testimony of truth to me, and reveales the true rest in me: And if I rest otherwise, my rest is not that which I take it to be. So that it's alone the power or glory of something coming to me, and not the actings of that to God from me; which is all the hearts rest of a Saint.

But there lies so much deceit in the heart, Jer. 17. 9, 10. that the truth most be known, by undeniable testimony in man, before the makings of it forth, can in truth be discerned: but as I said before, man lies in darknesse until there be something in the soule which [Page 33] is a cleare light, giving the creature to know truth from truths Testimony: for any action of deceit from the heart to God, as so pretended, will not be without reason and ground, yea, and Evidence proved to be true by the heart: but still this Light, which is God within, is that which discovers man to himself; yea, the winding deceits in the heart, though never so cun­ningly acted by the heart.

The Sixt false Rest.

THe next Rest is deep Humiliations, and strange castings down of Spirit; wherein the creature is made to goe through sad torments of spirit, and hath gone through a hell in his own conscience; he having passed through many sad dangers, and having bin ready to destroy himself, or lay violent hands upō himself; and daily mourning under the apprehension of these parti­culars following.

First, Under the apprehension of an angry and re­venging God, looking upon him as one ready to de­stroy him, and altogether unsatisfied concerning him, but expects the speedy execution of vengeance and wrath to be powred down upon him without measure: here the soul lies tortured continually ready to de­spaire of any hopes of recovery; yet trying if he can get such a measure of humiliation, as will answer the greatnesse of the evils committed against God, which did procure it.

Secondly, He lies mourning under the apprehen­sion of a condemning Conscience: Looking upon himselfe thus, That if his heart condemne him, how much more will God who knoweth all things.

Thirdly, under the view of those grosse evils com­mitted [Page 34] against God; wherein sin flowes in apace in the view of it; and they are laid in order before the soul [...] eyes, Psalm 50. 21. which are so loathsome to him, un­der this consideration, that they have brought him in­to a condition of misery, damnation, wrath and slave­ry for ever; unlesse he can get so much deep afflictings of spirit, he looks upon himself as altogether uncapable of enjoying mercy. Whereupon he fals a mou [...]ning and greeving, fearing continually destruction, until it be got into such an estate of breakings of spirit, as it thinks an­swers the greatnes of its evils: and whē it hath done thus it makes a rest upon it, and counts it an evidence of its acceptance with God; not knowing that its heart may deceive it; and though it pretends thus to do, yet it may be out of fear, and for false ends, to get salvati­on and not from love, or salvation revealed to it; but only it is broken because it hath brought misery upon it selfe.

Secondly, If it be of God, then it is made to see the vanity of its rest here; and to wait for the enjoy­ment of him alone, who can apply a remedy to its wounded spirit; but if false, it looks upon such deepe humiliation to be a cure to it; or an assured Testimony of the love of God towards it: here it's put upon fast­ing and starving the body, taking revenge upon it self; Who bath been a cause of bringing it into this ex­treame misery, untill it hath almost destroyed it's bo­dy with pining, and afflicting of it? When indeed this is not Sacrifice which God much delights in, if man rest in it: For to afflict a mans soul, and to houl upon his Bed, and to fast; yet may all this be Hypocritical, and forced from the creature under the notion of de­struction without it, or a way to attaine grace and fa­vour by it.

Now true Soul breakings, flowes from Love melt­ings; The Love, Majesty and Glory of God, being dis­covered [Page 35] to man, do truly break man so, that he doth not Rest upon his brokennesse, but upon him who by love brake it.

The proud Pharisees did exceed in this, and many others who made it their Rest, and blessed themselves in so doing; and said, they fasted so often, and wept so much, and were so and so afflicted; when indeed they lived upon it, and gloryed and Rested in the same.

I know though it might be confessed, this is the way of God; yet it is not to be a Rest to any man: For man is not able to judge of any Truth until the Light break in upon him; which makes all things manifest: and then shall man judge righteous judgement.

The heart will perswade man he acts from love, when he doth not so; and he humbles not himself to be seen of man, or to get salvation; or the removall of a condemning conscience; or to stop the mouth of conscience; or to get a frame of spirit, that God might manifest mercy; when indeed the heart is altogether, it may be, deceived of it, and yet not able to judge of the same, by reason of that night of darknesse that lyes upon it, wherein it is kept in the clouds.

Now the cause of the creatures Rest in this particular lyes here.

First, In those many deliverances wrought out of him in this condition; as if the Children of Israel should have been satisfied and Rested, after God had brought them out of the Land of Egypt; or that after they were brought through the Red Sea, they should have made that their Rest; evidencing thereby that God would bring them into the Land of Canaan: when though God had delivered them, yet afterwards he did destroy them. So with many which God hath wrought strange­ly with in this particular, in delivering them from strong temptations, and making them to see much of power, yet afterwards they do not wait for th [...] [...] ­ment [Page 36] of the promise; but murmer against God, and fall at last upon making a God to themselves, of the glory of their wisdome, and strength, and naturall parts and light; and they fall down and worship the same, as though this was that God who did deliver them: and so Rest satisfied, believing they were worshipping and enjoying the true God.

Secondly, The creature reasons thus, Surely it is God who doth discover sin unto me; for if Satan should discover it, it were the way to destroy his owne king­dome; therefore my sight of sin, and my sorrow and mourning for it, and those deepe afflictions which I have had for sin, must needs be of God: and surely it is both love from God, and love to God, and doth thus break my heart. I may be so, and not so; but though it be God discovering, yet it is no ground for any soul to Rest satisfied with, or to be any evidence at all of en­joying of God; because that it is a dispensation which passeth away, when a higher dispensation of God ap­peares, then would mans Rest be disolved, and not be an everlasting Rest: But Saints Rest is that which can­not be dissolved, but it is an everlasting Rest to him that that is Centred in it.

The Seventh false Rest.

THe next Rest is that which many live upon; is the Notion of Free-grace, though they have no ma­nifestation of it in particular to their own spirits; and here the very apprehensions of it, being formerly op­posed by it, now being convinced of the truth of the same, not from any enjoyment or powring sorth of the Spirit, only he hath his understanding en­light ned, and his judgement convinced; either by see­ing [Page 37] it to be a truth in Scripture, or from hearing it preached by others; or from the undeniablenesse of the truth of it in it self; he is made to assent unto it as a truth: and never matters, nor understands it must bee particularly witnessed to be his truth, from the same Revealed within him: But he not understanding this, he sees not only, the emptinesse of mans doing, and the vanity of putting the creature to act to get Love or Life from God: And so that only, now all the creatures acting to God, must be from Gods acting in the crea­ture: so that now he is an enemy to that before he was a speciall friend of, viz. his own righteousnesse: and that he is now gon as far in an extreame on the other hand, to Rest satisfied only with a Notionary knowledge of this said truth: Also he sees in this that nothing but a Christ can, or will do good to spirits, and yet knows not this Christ within himself.

Now some times man only getting a Nation of this Truth in the head, comes in the end to much loosness and fleshly walking, 2. Gal. 17. and can put it off with a very fair slight.

First, God is free in his dispensation, man can doe nothing unlesse power be given unto him: I did such, and such a particular, because of the Woman; this is by reason of such weaknesse I am yoked withall: or if God did intend I should not have committed these sins he would have given me power against them, and I shal admire free grace the more; and I shall love the more the more is forgiven me. So though he hath no mani­festation of God at all for the pardon of sin, yet he lives continually in this stream, believing free grace is a Truth: this is to have it manifest; when the creature sinnes to believe it is freely pardoned upon the Cross; when indeed now it sleeps in security and loosnesse: And the reason partly of its loosnesse, and yet of its security is.

First, he hath got but the light of it, that is to say, such a light as doth discover a truth in this to him; yet he wants the life & being of the thing made manifest. So it comes to passe he professes this particular, yet he doth not possesse the same in the nature of it: so he hath a name that he liveth, and yet is dead: so that he hath it in the head, but wants it in the heart; he hath got a form of it in his understanding, whereby he can discourse of it and declare it to others, yet he wants the power of this said truth in the heart within him: and when a man hath the forme, figure, or likenesse of a thing, and wants the dower, glory, or being of the thing, no marvell then if a soul in a time of straits, come to fall short of what he doth professe in his par­ctise; he not being able to stand, wanting the founda­tion that he should be formed upon, and the power of the same which should keepe him upon that being or foundation.

Also it may be he hath this truth taught him by man, and not from the teachings of God within: Now grace in the heart appearing, doth Teach man to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world.

But there is a cunning deceit in the heart, that in some doth (if possible can be) prevent the same; and it reasons thus, I see this Truth is spoken against by most, and that those that are for Free-grace are such men as walk very loosly; and as soon as ever they believe this that they are no more like the men they were before, but walke they care not how: but saith the soule that would make it a peaceable and honourble Rest, least they should say so of me, I will walke a little more wise­ly then they doe: And here before men he walks very like Truth, though there be a heart within him not up­right in what he doth; and partly it is to get a good name amongst men; for such as walk loosly that profess [Page 39] God, they are hardly esteemed of any: the world hates them for their judgement; the other cannot favour them for their loose practise: Here they will labour to apply a remedy to this disease, in reference to one par­ty, and that is the Saints: They will amongst Saints I say, carry themselves like them, and resemble them in their practise; as the Magicians did Moses: Yet this is not from a divine principle of love, but for some o­ther end, or from another principle. Againe, Some walk like Truth, because they make it a Testimony of Gods dwelling in them; for, saith the Scriptures, He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked: 1 John 2 6. Now saith the creature, if I should walk loosly it would appear to my selfe and all, That God dwelt not in me: but now [...]y my out­ward (and he thinks inward, though he be deceived) conformity to Truth I may make it an evidence of my dwelling in truth: and such a man as this must needs curb himself of those things tha [...] another swallows; be­cause it is his ground of peace and Rest.

Again, A man may shun loosnesse, that hath but the notions of free grace; because it is the way to make Disciples, and get the affections of men to applaude and admire what flowes from him, so as he is mightily esteemed, yea, instrumental to dispense those truths that dwell not in him; so as it may be hee is an instru­ment of begetting sons like unto himselfe; that is, to believe Free grace is a truth, and to be convinced of it, and dispise working, which is opposite to it; and here they both sit down and Rest: Not knowing the man­ner of Gods dealings with the creature, which is most commonly to enlighten or convince man of a truth, and set the heart a waiting for it, before hee gives him an enjoyment of it. As for instance, He first convinces man of a Divine fulnesse in God, and a supply given from God to bee dispensed by Christ to the sonnes of [Page 40] men; wherupon the creatures spirit is set a waiting for it, and at last comes to enjoy it: So in Free grace when God represents this truth, to let man see he is Free in all his dispensations; man being thereby convinced of it, his heart is set a waiting for the enjoyment of the same within him, which he sees in God above him; that is above his reach of enjoying; and so he doth not let him Rest though he see a truth, until he comes to have the manifestation of it within him, and in the power and life of it, enjoyed by him.

So as the generall knowledge of Free grace, before it be known particularly in the Creature, by the mani­festation of it from God, will be no secure Rest or sa­tisfaction for any soul.

First, The creature in this condition may receive it with much joy, as witnesse them, Mat. 13. 20. yet be short of having the power.

This truth is very pleasant to many, especially to those that have been the greatest workers for Grace; whereupon their delight is much taken up either in hearing, reading, or discourse that tendeth to the de­claring of this truth; and it is a dispensation of God in some men, but not a Rest unto them.

Now men who are made to Rest here, may have high notions of this truth; and may be more able to speak of it, then those who have enjoyed it, in a gene­ral manner: but come to the particular workings of it in the soul, and many prove shallow there; only they declare it as they see it, to be a Scripture truth; But he that Enjoyes, sees it to be an Experimentall and a Scripture Truth. Now some men have learned what he beleeves, and Rests upon it only from report; or men declaring their experiences, or what the Scripture doth relate of others; but have not any Teachings of God, what it saith (according to the Scriptures) in them by Experience: And here sometimes, man is [Page 41] not compleatly furnished to declare this Truth: But one who doth enjoy truth within, doth a little discerne where such a soul is; to wit, have heard, and from hear­ing do declare; and yet not brought into the Kingdome of Truth, to see and experience it within himself. Fur­ther, Man may daily increase in the Notionary know­ledge of this Truth, wherein he may appear a Tall Cedar in his own eies and in the eyes of others; and grow up into high Notions and Light, and is able to speak of very high and glorious light; yet if he here Rest, it may prove in conclusion but a feeding upon winde and husks.

Furthermore, In this knowledge of Truth may man solace and refresh his spirits continually, in the appre­hension of the same: and yet it is but seeming, not re­all satisfaction or refreshment; if he there Rest trust­ing to it, to be God himself, for want of information of the difference betwixt what is a Truth in it self, seen so by me, and a Truth mine, manifested within me; not knowing the foot-steps of truth without man, from the foot-steps of truth within man: not knowing a difference betwixt the deceipt of the heart in its de­ceivable workings, making glorious Rests of that which is none; and Truth nakedly discovered from, or by God in the heart, with its End, and Testimony: so as the creature is not satisfied with any thing, though it be a truth, without him; until he finde the very being of that Truth within him.

Therefore whosoever he bee that reads these few lines, Let him beware of these things following.

First, that he judge not that to be a place of Rest to his spirits, which is but in shew, not enjoyed in sub­stance; nor absolutely passe sentence of any thing, untill there be a Divine light within which makes it mani­fest: Yea, though they may come so far as to be con­vinced of truth of Free grace, and for the transcen­dent [Page 42] Excellency of Christ in God; yet Rest not until thou finde it in thy soul manifest from God; then shalt thou seal it to be a truth: yea, thou shalt have it seal­ed up for Truths, by the Spirit of GOD within thee: Also to take notice, I do not despise, nor condemne this dispensation not to be of God, first to see by Scrip­tures these to be Truths: But There labour to unbot­tom, and to un center any soul, who meerly rests in the notion of them

Thirdly, To beware of condemning these things, because they have no experience of them; or because they come nigh them; or because if they be Truths, they have nothing left them; but wait untill they see a Light within, to discover the truth or fallacy of them to them; Jer. 17. 9. and if so be they see not the de­ceite of their hearts, or those false Rests in them, we are speaking of; yet do not condemn them, who have both seen and known them, as though they sought to destroy the foundation of God in Saints; but look up­on me as one owning any dispensation of God, in its place proper to it.

The Eight false Rest.

THE Next Rest we desire to speake of, in order to this, is the Knowledge of Christ in the flesh; Ei­thar considered, as he is declared in Types and Figures under the Law, or as he assumed nature upon him, and so consequently dyed at Jerusalem.

Now for the first, In reference to Types and Fi­gures, which at this time are the dispensation of Or­dinances, either practised before or since his Coming: How many in our daies are they that meerly rests up­on such shadows, some practising of such Types as held [Page 43] forth Christ to come; some in those that were pra­ctised after his Coming; and here they satisfie them­selves. As instance the cry of most, Wee enjoy the pure Ordinances of Christ; wee are members of the Church of Christ; we are partakers of those outward priviledges purchased by Christ: Instance the peace and comfort they enjoy in them, the glorying and the high conceite they have of themselves above others that do not practise with, or enjoy them; witnesse their deadnesse, flatnesse when they want them, and their life and peace in the enjoying of them: witnesse their binding up in them; and their whole Experience contained in this particular: When I was imployed in such an Ordinance, I was fil'd with joy, or I was made to be satisfied with the seeing of God in it; when the poor Creatuer it may be, knowes not what God in all or any thing is; but if it be enlarged, or have some particular flashes of comfort, it makes that to bee the presence of God; and meerly under these fleshly par­ctises or carnall relations do many Rest satified.

But Secondly, To Rest upon Christ come in the flesh, is to Rest upon the beleeving the report the Scripture gives concerning him; as being born of a Ʋirgin, and suffering, and being buried, and the like; and if they beleeve this, and can but heare enough of the Letter preached to this purpose, they Rest; as be­leeving such a particular to be true: and that is all that is required of them to salvation: and indeed so it is, and something more.

But thirdly, To Rest upon Christ come in the flesh, is to beleeve from the Letter of the Scripture, without any powerfull manifestation of the spirit: that this Christ who did according to Scripture dye at Ierusalem, dyed for them: And here many satisfie themselves, with ve­ry high conceits of their condition; and here alone men Rest upon the bare Figure. As if men under the [Page 44] Law should have made Circumcision, and the enjoying of Sacrifices (in that common manner they were per­formed) to be a ground of Rest; and so contented themselves in the use thereof, as conceiving themselves to be made happy, by the Type and Figure; and not by that which was Typified out in the same. So concerning Christs dying at Jerusalem, it is a Figure of the spiri­tuall death of the creature with Christ; and also of this resurrection.

Now when we come to be buried with him, into his death, Rom. 6. 4. 5 and also come to be with him raised up from death, that is, into the clear enjoyments of God, where we are made to live in the God-hrad, from it living in us (Iohn 14. 17.) then do we fully under­stand and know this Christ, and this eternal Life, and not meerly for a man to conceive, because the Scrip­tures d [...]e declare, that this Christ is come, and the Creature assenting to the whole history, and believing of it, that this is the knowledge of Christ, which is eternal life; for unlesse the Creature know him so to be to him, that this eternal life to him. Col 3. 3. 4. that as the Scriptures do declare him so to be in the know­ledge of him; so the creature findes it true within him­self, from the experience of him in his own soul: his knowledge is but carnall, not living, spirituall know­ledg; for that man that Rests upon him, as he is declared in Scripture; before he be revealed within his soul: both that mans Rest and knowledge is but carnall and flesh­ly; for we see that all men almost in England, or in any place where the Gospel is but published, doe believe that he is crucified and is risen; and this they know from the testimony of Scripture: but doth every man know the minde and mystery of truth? Doth God re­veal it to every one? Can any know the minde of God in these particulars, either by the History or any other way; but by the Spirit of God? then it must he, that [Page 45] before this Christ come to be spiritually known, hee must be spiritually revealed within mans hearts (1 Cor. 2. 10. Gal. 1. 16.) So that to hear of Christ, and not to enjoy him, from being revealed within, is but very unsafe and unsound knowledge to Rest upon, and that which brings not along with it eternal Life, as witnesse, 1 Iohn 1. 1, 21 He clearly expresses, that this Christ which is eternall life, was made manifest unto them, and as their knowledge of, from which know­ledge, they had fellowship and communion with him: 1 Iohn 1. 3.

This knowledge is spirituall, and according to Scrip­ture spiritually revealed, before it be truly and expe­rimentally known, now the Scriptures do not reveale Christ within any man, neither doe they say to any particular soule, thou such a one, Christ died for thee: but it is the same spirit which did declare the Scriptures, which must reveal what this Christ is.

Secondly, what the mistery of God in his so com­ing; or what mystery God did hold out, in the figure which was his fleshly coming too and for thee in par­ticular.

And lastly, Thou must doe as he did, passe from death to life; and from being buried with him, before thou live in the Kingdome of heaven with him, or indeed know what the Kingdome or place is, which men car­nally conceive to be above the Skyes, though the spi­rituall knower of him knowes it in another place: Now what is it for a man to fill his head full of the history, concerning the birth and death of Christ. unlesse this Jesus a Saviour, or this Christ which is the light and glory of God, be discovered and revealed within him, suitable to that precious Testimony, of Pauls know­ledge of this Christ. Gal. 1. 16. where he speaks of this Christ to be revealed within him: for Christ as he was in the flesh, cannot be revealed; but Christ as he [Page 46] is in the Spirit; or Christ as he is the great design of God, typified out in the flesh, and revealed in the spi­rit; either as a light, or as a life; or as he is the breath of God, or as he is the clear manifestation of God, where­in man comes to know him to be his Jesus, that is, his Saviour, or inward deliverer; or wherein man cleatly beholds, the Father in him, and he in the Father, John 24. 11. Which cannot be discerned as he was in the flesh; but as he is in the spirit; 1 Pet. 3. 8. that being a figure thereof: we see this knowledge the Apostles wanted, when they said, Lord shew us the Father: John 14. 8. they having no more knowledge of Christ, but as he was in the flesh: they knew not that the Father was in him, and he in the Father: John 14. 11. upon this knowledge were they resting, when they said, Lord it is good for us to be here: Mat. 17. 4. when they would have been making Tabernacles of Rest, before Christ did transfigure himself within; but Christ bids them, Arise let us goe hence, as if he should say, This is not a proper rest for you; John 14. 31. It is a very low dispensation; goe, I will discover my glory to you by transfiguring my self within you; then shall you see partly the mystery of my selfe; then shall you more spi­ritually understand and know me.

And also sometimes the carnall and fleshly know­ledge; the Apostles had then, put them upon carnal conceptions, as in these phrases expressed, when wilt thou restore the Kingdome to Israel? And many more expressions; as desiring fire might come from above; where Christ tels them, they knew not of what spirit they were: the one place tels them they looked upon him as to be one who was to have a great power in the World, namely, To be an earthly King, to live in out­ward pomp and glory; the other doth signifie, they un­derstood not the great design of God in his coming: so as they in this dispensation were very low, as ma­ny [Page 47] are in our daies; and would gladly have been rest­ing in the knowledge they had, which was Christ in the flesh, that was known by them, and declared and preached by them also; but still they remaining under the clouds, and ignorant of the mystery of Christ, in reverence to his coming in the Spirit: yet God was daily leading them to behold their ignorance; and more into the mystery of Jesus.

So that though men pretend to escape the common pollutions of the world, by such a knowledge of Christ in the flesh, yet it is not a secure estate; but a low dis­pensation, which will dissolve in a higher appearance of God. Therefore though men both know and beleeve that there was a Christ crucified in the flesh, yet let them not rest, untill they know it in the Spirit: Then shall a man see Christ daily crucified before his eyes.

First, In him.

Secondly, By him.

Thirdly, For him.

And fourthly, Crucifying of him: That he shall say with Paul, from experience, I am crucifyed with Christ; neverthelesse I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Gal. 2. 20. Then shall the soul know both what it is to be crucified, by or with Christ, and also what this Christ is, that lives within him, which is become life unto him; then he shall know it is not flesh, but Spirit and life that lives in him: neither shall he be satisfied with hearing of his death at Jerusalem; but with expe­riencing partly the mystery now made manifest in him, and so comes to be known by him; then shall he say, Though I have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth, know I him no more 2 Cor. 5. 16. Being he knowes him in the new Creation, being made to see and discern in the Spirit; and so behold Christ in the vision of God Hab 2. 3. Which is so far from being be­held before, as a true crucified estate as indeed [Page 48] there is nothing but darknesse and rebellion in the heart to such an estate; only the soul living and re­joycing in some carnall conception of God and Christ, and yet the heart is empty of his light and giory, and indeed running from the Fountaine to the streames, and from the substance to the shadow or figure: as I might plainly lay open how all the actions of Christ in the flesh attributed to him are but reall Types and fi­gues, and shadowes of either good things to come, or to be revealed in souls: I cleerly see that sometimes he speaks in Parables; sometimes he speaks in Mystery: and sometimes, yea, altogether he acted in Mystery; as holding forth what he did in his coming in the soul, being a more glorious dispensation then that under the Law, as the coming of him in the Spirit, is from his comming in the flesh: so that what miracles and acts transcendently acted by him above all that was made and is experienced by those in the Spirit, who enjoy him, who discovers all, as namely, his raising Lazarus; and at the marriage, turning water into wine; and his healing sick, and opening eyes; and so all passages flowing from him of this nature, were but figures still of what he did and would do in and for soules: and so not only in matters of doing; but also in matters of sufferings, they are reall figures of the same truth sub­stantially experienced in Saints; both place, persons, condemnation, Grosse, death, buriall; his agony, or withdrawing before; his grave and resurrection; his not ascending immediately after his death to his Father, but afterwards ascended in the fulnesse of time: All these in every particular, are known in the true and spiritu­all sense of them, by those that have had fellowship with ham in his death and Resurrection, and so hath passed from death to life, and now is risen within, and dwels with him in heaven, and so is swallowed up in the God-head, and is rose in the Fathers glory, and [Page 49] now is filled with the Spirit; this time is the time of knowledge, and this is wisdomes time, wherein he comes to be satisfaction to them, and also is justified by them: this is the time, when they sing nothing but praise and glory to the Lamb, who doth not onely deserve to open the Book (Rev. 5. 9.) and the Seales thereof, but hath opened the Book and dis­covered to the soul the Cabinet and storehouse of the glorious Mystery of the Father and Christ; into which City of glory and light the soul is made to en­ter, and Rest, and live for ever; that now all things are become new Rev. 21. 5. to, and with such a soul the very Kingdome of God and the mystery thereof is o­pened (Rev. 10. 7.) and now the Tabernacle of God is with man: Rev. 21. 3. and now this glorious mystery Christ, is manifested in life and power, and become the hope of the compleat glory and fulnesse thereof, (Col. 1. 27.) to be made manifest, when it is made capable to comprehend it, from being comprehended by it, and swallowed up in it; then shall this heart do [...]e no more upon shadowes or broken Cisterns, or figures of good things to come; but he shall be gathered up into God and Christ, and shall possesse them in the fulnesse of them.

The ninth false Rest.

THe next Rest in order to this is, visible Church communion; or the relations under this notion: O this I may say, is one of the Idols of Israel, and I may say, as God was a saying once; Come and see, yea. behold what the Children of Israel are doing in the dark, O the darknesse of such soul [...], who Rest in and under such dispensations; truly if I should speak the naked truth, and nakedly discover every false Rest: I never in my own experience did finde more grosse darke­nesse [Page 50] sease upon my spirit, then did sease upon my spi­rit under this dispensation.

Secondly, Never more false Laodicean security.

Thirdly, Never more pride and self conceitednesse then at that present; ready to judge every one that were not in relation, in reference to Church-communi­on, to be no Saints.

2. Looking more at the practise of Ordinances, and being members of Churches, then at the reall experi­ence of such a soul.

3. More longing after the encrease of members, then of their living in the Spirit which were members.

4. Judging every one, if they were but in and un­der such Relations, to be Saints, though they had lit­tle, yea, indeed no experience of God at all; refusing communion with such, being not of my judgement, though they knew what communion in the Spirit was: and closed, yea, joyned with those who are ignorant of it; because they were Church-members. This having been mine, and still are many more at this present; what Church are they of? Are they Baptized? What judgement are they of? Which doth argue, both an Idolizing of, and Resting upon, these poor dispensa­tions of babes and Children.

It hath been with me, and I fear hath been and is still with many more, a coldnesse of love to those, yea, a condemning also, because they have or doe not close with us in every particular, in matters of Judgement, or formes of worship; though the parties live in very high enjoyments of God, and are passed these chil­drens and babes dispensations: and all this testifies, a Besting upon our formes and manner of worship: as for instance, An Independent, so called, and an Ana­baptist, and so many more: as the godly presbyterian and others under divers distinctions of fo [...]mes; how bitter they are one against another; what a distance [Page 51] they stand one from another; witnesse their preaching and printing, and in the same their bitternesse; Instance their refusal to hear or joyn one with another; wit­nesse their crosnesse of spirit, what a smell of false prin­ciples this of Rests appears withall; and truly argues much deceit, and unpossessed like with God.

If one either hath attained higher; or live in the use of Ordinances, waiting for the reall enjoyment of God, being lower; why should that heart who hath ei­ther enjoyed more or lesse of God, have such an un­likenesse of any thing of God in him: seeing God is love, and he that dwels in the lowest enjoyment of God, dwels in Love: but truly the being bound to formes, or bound up in formes, and the using of them before we be led unto them by God, occasions all this Resting in, and condemning of all that do not in all things walk up into, and in the use of these formes and Church-relations, which the letter of the Scriptures owns to be a dispensation of God.

But Secondly, As this is the cause of, and doth much savour to be occasioned, either by our being bound up in them, or falsly led out to them: so also it is occasion­ed by the want of a divine principle within; whereby that principle of God might command our formes and Church-relations; and not formes and Church-relati­ons command the soul; so as the Soule onely seeing something in the letter, wanting a divine light with­in, to discover unto him, either the time, place, man­ner or end; by this it comes to passe why he is darke in and Rests upon, and is commanded by, and so bound up in the form required in the letter; being ignorant of truth in the Spirit: but to come more fully to the thing in hand: This, in my judgement was the Rest of the Church of Laodicea, (Rev. 3. 17.) in her conclu­ded riches; yea, in her insensible poverty: and thus it prevailes with many a heart.

First, when especially the Soul hath been much under the Law, and hampred by the Law, and so kept in a cloud from the view of Gospel-truthes; and now come to see a clear truth in that which he so much opposed, he is so taken up with it, as he hath no peace untill he fals in obeying of it, & so gathers peace, com­fort and Rest in the same; thinking he is now got into a very high estate, and the very name of a member of a Church, together with the greatnesse of the love of God in bringing this Creature to beleeve and obey, who was darke, opposite, yea a despiser of the same: this doth help forward his Rest in this particular.

Secondly, It considers and reasons with it selfe, now I am got into the communion of Saints, and enjoy now their society; which before it wanted fellowship with; and also from consideration of the purity of the Ordinances it now enjoyes.

It before was alive in the use of corrupted Ordinan­ces, now it enjoyes them in the purity of them; before in and amongst a mixed people; he had fellowship with divels (1 Cor. 10. 20.) now with Saints: but truly though this be a Laodicean condition, yet it is a false Rest, for there is no true Rest, either in the purest Or­dinances, or visible relations, for these a man may en­joy, and be ignorant of the enjoyment of God in them; as the wofull experience of many will seal unto, and testifle the truth of what we are speaking of.

Thirdly, Another cause of Rest in these relations, flowes from his continuall growth in Gospel light, and his encrease and growth of knowledge; and most com­monly the whole bent of such a spirit, is taken up with labouring after the knowledge of points of judgement, and with matters nice and curious, things which most commonly please the fancy and understanding? and to know such things it is his continually study, and end of all his labour: when still he wants the life and power [Page 53] of Christ in his heart; neither doth he know him, but either by his profession or by hear saies; not in any true way of experience.

Fourthly, Another cause flowes from his conceived peace and comfort he enjoyes in the same: and thus he reasons, before I had no peace, either in conscience within me, or from O [...]dinances practised by me; but now I enjoy much peace in my condition; when indeed he may have stopt the mouth of conscience, & his peace come in from a false ground not spoken from God; but drawn forth or smagined in his particular practise. Ma­ny a soul feeds upon an imaginary peace, when it is ignorant of peace truly manifested in the heart: and in this most commonly doe the affections blinde and bribe the judgement, and so peace remaines onely in the imagination, and not enjoyed by any powerfull manifestation. But if mens hearts in Church-relations may so utterly be deceived, then it stands in need of these ensuing cautions. 1. Beware of making thy being a member of any Church; to be either evidence to thee, or ground of peace in thee: nei­ther let any conceive better of their conditions be­cause they are in visible fellowships: and neither let their joy or peace be the more; unlesse they do up­rightly enjoy more of the discoveries of God to them then they did before.

2. Beware that thou thinke not thy outward uni­ting in a visible manner with Saints, is an uniting thy spirit more unto God, or God uniting himselfe more to thee: or that for or in thy present practise, thou art got higher to God; lest thou Rest more se­cure in thy present condition then before: for carnall security doth most commonly follow the most of men in those dispensations.

3. Beware thou go no [...] before God leade thee: for most commonly when God leads man into formes, [Page 54] when he forsakes them, he leades them out of them in­to that dispensation God will appear in: therefore be­ware that thou be not led by thy own imaginations; then thou shalt not be left in and bound up in formes, but shalt continue in them so long as God continues in the same.

But many who live and make a God of their formes; they neither know when God leads or not leads; when God is present or not present, its all one if they can enjoy the desire of their hearts, and that which speaks peace to them, namely, Their formes and Churchre-la­tions: It is to them, yea, its life and happinesse in them. But in the next place observe,

Though God do own all or the most formes and ad­ministrations, yet it is but for a time, untill a higher dispensation appear, or the substance of that forme be enjoyed, and then God departs from it, and seldome or never appears in that forme any more; especially if the soul be caught up into God: for as the old Testa­ment-formes, which were of Gods own appointment, and God was in them for the time they were to be u­sed, so also they were to cease.

1. When the substance thereof was come. Heb. 7. 18.

2. When a more glorious administration was and did appear; then did God both depart from them, and dis-own them; an I they nowhere to be practised after these two did appear: So it is with new Testament formes, they have and had their time, and yet have when God will and doth appear in them; yet it is but untill God appear in a higher dispensation, and bring the soul into a higher administration; then do all sha­dowes and whatsoever is Gospel-administration cease to that particular soul, in the use of them what they were before, I would not be mistaken, I doe not say they cease to all and every person whatsoever; but to [Page 55] such a soul as is in this dispensation, namely, he who is caught up with God, and carried by God out of the forme; God ceasing to appear to that particular soule in that forme: the Lamb leading the soul gently out of one dispensation into another, untill he be wholly swallowed up with God.

Secondly, Such a soule as can truly say, the sub­stance of such a forme is come in the Spirit, and en­joyes the same within him; for there are some formes and administrations, which hold forth Christ in the Spirit to come: now such cease to be in the use of them at his coming: as those old Testament formes did hold forth as we say, Christs coming in the flesh; which was both the substance of those formes, and a more glorious administration of God: so it was in the decrease of John, and the encrease of this more higher and glorious administration: so it shall be in Christ his coming in the Spirit into every soules heart: then these formes that Christ appeared in, in the flesh, shall cease in his coming in the Spirit.

Now some Gospel-formes doe cease to none, but to such as have enjoyed the enjoyment of Christ in the Spirit. For as Christ led the Apostles from the Taber­nacle-condition in his transfiguration; so he will when he appears transfiguring himself in every heart; as the Apostles, so every heart shall cease to make any forme, yea, the New Testament-formes, Tabernacles to dwell in for ever; as many makes them now in our daies: also there are administrations which hold out Christ al­ready come. Which

1. Is not to be practised before.

2. It is to be practised after his coming. As I shall name one especially. It is the administration of Praise, which is alone the work of those that are Redeem'd, & have the Seals of the vision of God opened, and are caught up with God into Heaven, to sing songs to Zions [Page 56] God in Zions language, by Zions spirit, in that holiest of holies, which is the place of Zion, and those brought into the God-head to sing Praise: but now God in this condition is departed from them, to this heart, not to every own; being seen and enjoyed in these formes which do hold forth his thus coming into the heart: now none but those who do enjoy God in a more glo­rious dispensation, are to cease acting in those dispen­sations or formes he yet continues his presence to them in: for as God did cease; and did not appeare in the forms of the old Testament, and they were no more to be used after the substance thereof was come, & God ap­peared in a more glorious administration: so will God depart and cease to be seen in new Testament-formes or administrations; when both the substance of them is come, and a higher dispensation doth appear, leading the heart out of them to a more glorious and immedi­ate enjoyment of himself: This is to follow the Lambe whithersoever he goeth: This is to hear a voice behinde man saying, This is the way walk in it: Isaiah 30. 21. And to be led by a pillar of fire (Num. 9. 16, 17, 18.) and sometimes by a Cloud to mans spirituall Rest: and not to stand in and under one administration all ones daies, and to be in one place for ever: But to finde God leading dayly from one forme into another, until he bring the soul into the perfect enjoyment of him, who is the glory and substance of all formes: this, for the want whereof, makes many to make them their Ta­bernacles and Rest, yea, their home; yea, their God, peace and happinesse; which if they be taken away, their God is gone, and their peace hath taken its wings and flown away this is the reason why many in Church relations have a name they live, and yet are dead; that is, they have a name of Saints and Christians, but they want the nature of them; they have a profession, but want a possession: This is the reason why many come [Page 57] to have a burning up in their spirits, and are brought to a daily losse, they run faster into formes and Church relations then God did lead them; therefore in them God leaves them; for this reason the expectations of many are frustrated, which causeth nothing but death and sorrow, when they have longed and press'd out after formes; and being members of Congregations, and the enjoyment of pure Ordinances, thinking to find so much in them, and to conceive so much from them; and when they come there behold nothing but d [...]i [...]es and emptinesse, and the want of God; and so have suf­fered losse. This is partly the reason of all the rents and breaches in all Churches Congregated; and why they cannot stand, is because they were not lead by God into these forms; neither did they see God clearly go before them; but some by affection, some by mis-infor­mation, and some out of zeale; so that now very little of God appears, either in their coming in, continuing with, or parting from; thus being bound up in forms and living in them, and doting too much upon them, and rejoycing too much in them; and judging all that speake not for them, or joyne not with them: yea, this is the reason why we are devouring one another, because we all doe not look for, and expect that the glorious appearance of God will lead each man out of his dispensation and form, though never so low to drink into one Spirit.

Let him that is so much either bent for formes, or wholly against them; beware that he do not so dote upon them, as to neglect the Summum bonum, the chiefest good: and let every heart that is against forms, beware of these ensuing things.

1. That his living above formes, be not a pre [...]ence of his own, and no true and reall thing; for many are mightily deceived in this very particular thing; they live so high, as they live above all formes and Ordinan­ces [Page 58] in the Spirit, when alas they are yet living in a form of knowledge, scraped up either from their own industry, or else got from hearing others report their experiences or apprehensions; and he presently con­ceiving it to be a truth, conceives it to be his truth, and so fals off, crying out and judging all those, that live yet out of conscience in the use of formes; not en­joying higher makings forth of God, and yet he hath but got a notion of this into his understanding, and yet is ignorant of living or injoying God in the Spirit.

2. Let them beware of as great an evill on the right hand as on the left, and that is, That they be not li­ving upon an imaginary God, and not the true: for it is the way of the Creature to give so much way to his fan­cy and imagination; that whatevet it proposeth to be God, it lives upon and rejoyceth in, and brings the Soul into deep and carnall security, with high imagina­tions of himself, being able to apprehend and discourse of deep and high things; and yet want the life and power of any one of them.

3 Beware of Judging (if thou be broke off from formes) those that thou hast left behind thee in the use thereof Considering that God is in all formes of his own appointment, and that their dispensations may be of God; and that they shall there abide but their ap­pointed season. And therefore let thy carriage to them and thy judgement of them, be as much as possible may be without offence unto them, and for the win­ning of them; and that when God sees a higher dispen­sation fit for them, he will lead them into it: onely my soul desires they may not be so glued to them as to live in them; and not to waite for a higher dispensation from God, onely in the want thereof, they are in the use thereof, God owning and appearing unto them in them; so that I could wish, the wisdome of God may appear so in the hearts of those, who do pretend [Page 59] thus high to live in God; that it may truly appear to themselves and to others; God led them into the same & not themselves. I have experienced both the contrary evils, and therefore I speak; so that if God be love as in his dispensation God is so to him that knowes it not, then it must break forth from us, if it be living in us: to look upon Children and babes with a tender eye and respect; so as judgement may passe away; and the spi­rit of burning, which is Love, may appear amongst us.

Thirdly, As others are under mens Teachings, so look thou be under the Teachings of the Vision of God (Hab. 2. 3.) and that thou speak or pretend to enioy no more then is taught within thee by the Visi­on of God; for in the want thereof; sad experiences te­stifies we Peecing and patching Religion and high no­tions together, [...]nd make it their delight and joy. Oh the teachings of God do open the very heart and the secrets of the sealed Book, and beleeve it, to live wholly above all in God: It is to live such a transcen­dent life, as is better and sooner spoken then enjoyed and known in truth: for there must be such a death within men, and a passing from death to life by man, that indeed men may hear of the thing, and get it in­to their imaginations; but to enjoy it in the true and reall manifestations thereof, many in this shall in their conceits be brought to losse: for to have the Seales of the Eternall brightnesse and glory of God opened in the appearance of the Vision in a mans heart; to have the very splendor and glory of the divine Being revealed within man; and to be wholly caught up in the whole ou [...] of all things; so as the soul is wholly swallowed up with God in all things; so that now neither eye hath seen, nor eare hath heard, neither by mans heart can be imagined, the depths of the life, glory and enjoy­ment of such a heart; yet it i [...] his common meate; and teaching of the Spirit within him; so that no ma [...]s [Page 60] teaching can reveal the life and center of such a heart, but it is better experienced then can be declared, it is so transcendent a life and being. Yea, further, for any man to live so in God, as he enjoyes God in all, and seeth God the life and being of all; yea, it is not his judgement, but he findes all these things effectually within him. For a man may be of the judgement con­cerning living wholly in God to be the only Life; and yet not to know this from the experience of the Visi­ons teaching within himself. Now it is no benefit for any to be of this and that judgement, unlesse he live in the clear enjoyment of the truth he is convinced of in his judgement and understanding: here is the glory of a Saint indeed, not to know a truth because it is the judgement of any, neither because it is his own judg­ment; but that he hath within him the truth teaching of it to him, from the life and power of it in him. So he knowes the Sun to be the Sun, not from hear says; but he seeth the life and glory of it, having his eyes o­pened to behold it, and finde [...] by experience the he [...]t and powerfull operation of the same upon him, as well as upon the earth. So with Saints, they do not receive their life, light or experienco of God living in a Saint, from hearing of it, but God breakes forth in their spirit, and so gives them the sight of the glory, light and splendor of God within themselves: So soul, beware thou be not overcome so with hear-saies as to rest satisfied with the meer notion of God and truths, and yet be at this time but a blazing starre, who shall fall and cease to be, what thou art present bo [...]h to thy selfe and others seemest to be; onely for a time thou may by this notionary light in thy understanding and judgement be a blazing star to discover what thou hast for the deceit of thy self and others: and yet it is not the light of the being of truth in thee; but a borrowed light got from others, or in thy imagination, or con­ception, [Page 61] which shall suddenly perish; and then thou shalt be left in the dark, as a man in the Clouds, reser­ved for the great day. Oh, to be Taught of God is a Jewel; it will teach Truth, and not lye.

Therefore in the last place, It is worth waiting for, though thou waite in silence and in death, untill thou do enjoy it; lest thou pretend to have that thou hast not, and to enjoy that thou enjoyest not; for in so do­ing thou shalt go with a ly in thy Right hand; and shel­ter thy self under vanities and lies.

Yet I would not be mistaken, that either I am a­gainst formes in their time and place, and m [...]nner; nei­ther that I deny that a soul may attain to su [...]h a glori­ous enjoyment of God as must, yea all formes and sha­cowes may fly a way and be dissolved, though not de­stroyed; and the person, forme, and use thereof, shall be swallowed up with glory.

But I desire to compose the great difference that lyes in mens attainments, when they all cannot speake one thing, or enjoy God in one dispensation; then they fall one condemning another, so as they cannot make ou [...] for good of each other, that which the [...] en­joy of God in their pre [...]ent dispensations.

Secondly, to unbottom the one of Resting in, and living upon; or making his everlasting Tabernacle in those shadowes: and the other, to be th [...]t in an especi­all manner, which both in word and action, he seemes to be: and that he do not pretend to live in God above all formes, when indeed he neither live, in God, nor knowes what it [...]s to be led by God, out of the same into that which is truly sweet, if the soul were led into that he pretends to enjoy.

The tenth false Rest.

THe next Rest which in order we shall speake of, is, a Sutability to the externall letter, or some qua­lified [Page 62] frame wherein this Creature takes his joyfull Rest in the view thereof.

Indeed when a man is wounded, yea, deadly unlesse there be speedy helpe, in this condition, the Creature will be willing to enjoy any Chiru [...]geon for the Cure thereof: yea him that but pretends faire, and by his skill doth give some ease therein at present, and hopes for the future, though this party do it but to serve his owne ends, not from any principle of good to the party who is the patient; yet he being ignorant of his faire pretences, he heals up his wounds, though fals­ly, and af [...]erward the wound breaks forth again, to the greater damage to the party. Thus it is with a poor, distressed, wounded, helplesse heart; whom it may be, God is a preparing for mercy; he lying in such a despe­rate condition, would gladly have his wound cu [...]ed by God; but there coming a pretended Physitian into the heart, speaks like God; appearing to the Creature to be God; and to heal in the same way God heales Soules; yet the soul being ignorant, accepts of it and freely en­tertaines it; whereby it comes to have a time of peace and Rest: onely because he apprehends his despe [...]ate wound to be cured. And thus souls do in a time of straights, accept of those proffers, when in another condition he would not; but at present, necessity put­ting the soul upon it: Now soules that live under the sight of the want of God, would in the sight thereof, be in a way to attaine God; seeks and presses to know in this case what to do: at last it looks upon the Scri­ptures (in this case) to be the only Teacher; whereupon he gives himsel [...]e to a diligent searching of the same; where he meets withall some places how the Saints were formerly qualified, and these preparations they [...]ad within them; whereupon he sets a labouring with his own heart to bring it into such an estate of mourn­ing, humiliation, or repentance, with hungring after [Page 63] God, as also loathing sin, and having a wearinesse and burthen under it; and when he hath thus done, he runs to Scriptures, and seeing his condition sutable to that, he makes Scriptures, the ground of his faith, and so cures his wounds by it, and so drawes peace and comfort from it.

Now the creature being ignorant of any other work, he wrests from this Scripture influence, as is pretend­ed, and from thence concludes his enjoyment of God; and that now from some perswasions of spirit, con­cludes it to be the witnesse of the Spirit, when indeed the creatures heart in this case is not upright, and he being in darknesse is not able otherwise to judge of himselfe, or his condition; neither of his heart which doth tell him, that this his sutability is upright: but the foul wanting the manifestation of light, he is not able to passe true sentence upon the same, but Rests and man makes his habitation here: and though he pre­tends to make Scripture the ground of his thus belee­ving, yet it is his qualifications and sutability to Scri­ptures which is the ground of his thus Rest and be­leeving.

Or Secondly, That which in this case the soul is most establisht in, is, when it may be a Creature is in some sad condition, a Scripture is cast in immediately upon the soul, un-sought-out, or laboured for; and this sutable to the soules condition; from which there is joy and peace: yea, sometimes the heart is so ravisht with it, and so overcome by, it, as indeed it's hardly able to expresse its joy and peace; yea, sometimes the heart is so overcome, as it cannot expresse it, or hardly knows for the present where it is: But here lies the Angel-like designe sometimes of Satan, to come in the same manner, and with the same effect to deceive, that God comes in with to save, and so transformes himself into Gods shape: And one of the cheefest waies he hath, is [Page 64] to apply himselfe in such a way of working like God, as he may the most prevail with the soul and resem­ble God, and so keep the soul much below God. Now Scripture-way Satan thinking is most like Gods way, of any other; especially when he brings in Scriptures su­table to the condition of the party: and so that he may cause the soul to beleeve, that at such a time God was pleased to manifest himself; by casting in such a Scri­pture so sutable; so as now his transformed work is the more surer, seeing it hath such a [...]oundation as this: yet this he doth of purpose to deceive.

Thirdly, Mans own Memory or fancy being upon some serious meditation, may in the same manner and way bring, and represent before the soul such a Scri­pture: and here lies most of the deceit of the fancy and imagination thus to work: this way, there com­ing in a Scripture into the thoughts of such a soules fancy and imagination to drive on his own Designe, makes it as it were a nose of wax to apply it to what use or way he please; yet he will make it the ground of his imagination and fancy: and so man this way, comes to Rest upon a deceit and fiction, and not upon any ground in the glorious manifestation of God.

Now Scriptures it is true, do display in a Mystery, most Precious things; which if a soul did enjoy them, their thus enjoying of the Truth there displayed, would be a Rest unto them: but so long as a man reads Truth in the letter without him, untill he can read it in the Spirit within him, there is little cause of rest to such a heart. A [...] Instance for a man to be overwhelmed in grosse darknesse, and in this darknesse, the soul not a­ble to behold the glory of God: Now from his reading in Scriptures, he sees God there expressed to be a Light, and to be full of Glory; yet notwithstanding from the sight of this in Scripture, though he want this light within him, and his darknesse to be expelled out [Page 65] of him; yet he rests with the sight of this in the Scri­ptures satisfied, as though God were become light and glory in him, and had expelled all darknes out of him; and he carried up to behold it truly and live in it: so that that I drive at is to unbottom any Soule of ma­king a nose of wax upon the letter: and because Christ saith in an upbraiding way, Search the Scriptures, for in them ye thinke to have Eternal life; so many now think to have this Eternal life in the Scriptures, or in searching of them; when indeed they are but a Testi­mony or a Record to set forth in a mystery what Eter­nall life is: And because the Scriptures say, that weary soules are to come to Christ for ease and Rest, therefore every soul who in his own fancy and imagi­nations, doth judge himself to be weary, may come to Christ; and so by his being weary, there is way opened for his coming to him.

• For First, It may be the heart may be weary of sin, because it brings judgement or condemnation.
• Or Secondly, It may be weary because of his long travel to, and waiting for Christ.
• Thirdly, It may be weary because it can no longer abide in these dispensations of Gods leading.
• Fourthly, It may be wear [...] because God comes not in his time, and rewards it for its breathing after, and working to attaine God or Christ.

Now the soul being falsly led out by his own heart, he instead of coming to Christ, onely Rests upon his bare apprehension of this in the letter, from his suta­bility to it in his own spirit; and here he feeds and re­maines with ease, comfort and peace in his own spirit; and this he makes his Tabernacle: Though it be true that Scriptures were given to be a visible testimo­ny or declaration of God or Christ, according to which God workes in man, yet they were never given to be an inward Testimony, or a Rest unto man; but the [Page 66] Truth of the letter must be both revealed, known and Judged of by the Spirit; and not the Spirit, especially in Internalls, by the Externall letter; neither qualifications in man sutable to the letter in mans ap­prehension, is a ground of faith or rest, without an in­ward Testimony and Manifestation by the Spirit of the Truth of these qualifications.

The eleventh false Rest.

THE Next Rest in order to this, upon which men Center their spirits, and make their Tabernacles, is the use and application of the conceived and imagi­ned extent of Christs death; which being so fully de­clared in the letter without any more, they believe it upon this Testimony; and here is the ground of their joy, peace, assurance and rest.

Now I shall not go about to speake evil of any point of judgement, in reference to any particular sactions, but to come to lay open my own experience, and false Rests; which in so doing I may come to lay open a way, whereby more that are led by the same deceite, may come to see it in themselves, and so may from sad experience, seale to the Truth of what we are saying: for many who have gone through this dispensation and have beleeved this to be a Truth, when now alas they see, that they were both ignorant of what this Christ was, or what was meant by his death; wanting the knowledge of it in themselves; now the terrors of death have, or do seise upon them; and instead of being joy and peace unto them, it hath produced death and sor­row in them.

But first of all, This soul who is thus resting upon Christs dying for all, he sees the Scripture saith, He [Page 67] gave himself a ransome for all, The conclusion is this, of such a spirit, if for all, then for me; and this he be­leeves: and this saith he, is the ground of true faith; when he is altogether deceived. For the ground of faith is something out of the Creature in God, before time, revealed and made manifest from God to the soule in time; upon which the soule builds his faith, rests upon it, and is kept unto all time in the glory and splendor of it: but the soul wanting this in a parti­cular way of discovery, he makes the other the ground of his confidence for refreshment, peace, safety and happinesse: and he concludes,

• First, That no true faith can be but this.
• Secondly, that none have any gtound to believe but upon this ground.

When the poor heart is altogether ignorant in his own breast, of the manner of Gods coming to reveal truth; yea, himself in his Son by his Spirit: whereas now mans ground of his happinesse lyes not in a mis­understood Scripture without him, but in a right dis­cerned, revealed, and known God within him.

Thirdly, This soul daily encreaseth in the assurance of this his rest, by his daily study, pains and diligence wherein he fils his head with so much of the Scriptures, as indeed he makes it so glorious, as it Conquers his spirits, and many more; into a solacing himself in this very particular, when indeed he is missing the chiefest good, which is the life of him, who puts an end of all controversie to all such disputes, when he comes to ap­pear in the Spirit; But alas, before no marvell though the poore Soule be running from mountaine to hill, though he forgets him who is the Resting place of Zion.

Therefore soul, thou that makest thy habitation amongst the briers and thorns, and barren mountains, Arise, these are not thy Rest, they are from a corrupt­ed [Page 68] judgement, and therefore are corrupted, and if thou stay here they shall destroy thee with an utter de­struction: all are not proper Rests which are dispensati­ons and manners of Gods leadings; but the pure pro­mise of rest is neither in any thing, before in Death and Resurrection, but in the ascendings of the heart and spirit of a Creature into God, by the descendings of God into the Creature; which did raise him from death and the grave, and now have opened the heavens to him by receiving of him into glory: for as Christ did not make his rest and abode in any carnall or fleshly dispensation, though in the same he did enjoy the Fa­ther; so no heart is to make that his rest which Christ did not make.

Every heart so long as it lives below the glory of God, so as it is not glorified with God; is a heart centring himself in a dispensation which shall be dissolved: For both man in he dispensation of Christ in the flesh, or in a crucified, buried, or raised Soule, is not to abide but in a glorified ascended Soule into God; where the life is the unchangeable glory and splendor of God, dwelling in man, glorifying of man, in which is the life and center of man, truly and un­changeably centred.

The Twelfth false Rest.

THe next Rest in order to this is, a closing with and drawing comfort from the promises expressed in the letter of the Scriptures: This closing thus with, and applying the benefit of promises; the whole life, center, comfort, cause of joy, peace, duties, diligence, what not, to many a soul (and from hence when ma­ny come to declare their manifestation of God, all [Page 69] they have to say is,) at such a time a promise was made forth unto them, or cast into their thoughts, by which they apprehended God, and closed with it, and from thence did draw comfort and peace from it; and this is all the experience of God that is manifested to them, or that they have: This causes abundance of rest and security to many a heart, and luls them a sleep which is most commonly Satans way to apply himselfe to such a cu [...]e; for to cause a soul to Rest below God; as is sutable to a Soules condition; so he brought in a promise to Christ: He hath given his Angels charge over thee, &c. Mat. 4. 6. Here he came to apply himself su­table to the condition of Christ. O when once a soul is brought into a Pinacle-condition; wherein he is brought to see the glory of much, then Satan labours to cause the heart to fall down and worship him; he coming smoothly, and bringing he promises of God a­long with him, to back the truth of what he doth: and here after the soul is betrayed by represented glory in a promise meerly cast in from Satan; wherein the soul falls down, and worships the very cunning work­ing, and the high exalting of Satan: and in this condi­tion he is brought to see and apprehend high things, and is brought into a Pinacle to behold almost the glo­ry of every thing, made over by Satan to the Creature in a promise upon the Soules submitting to him; and upon this Pinacle he sets him, that is, he causes him to Rest: and so the poor heart being not wise in the Spi­rit, is deceived and betrayed; though the actions, knowledge, light, joy, Rest of this soul be glorious and for God in his own eyes; yet it is but Satans transform­ing himself into an Angel of light, resembling or com­ing in and working in the Creatures heart, in the glo­riousest manner and shape God works in.

But Secondly, Others being wounded in Spirit, and weary in soule, for the want of any glimpse of God; [Page 70] leaving no means un-attained, to get his soul cured and unburthened; and having rested upon many false props before, and being unbottomed of them; he tries this particular, it being of a higher nature, and more likely to speak peace unto him, viz. a running to Scripture, to finde out some particular promises sutable to his condition; and having found out some sutable Promises either presently seems to speak to him from a sutable­nesse in him; so it may be, being a conditionall Pro­mise, or else the soul meditates a while upon it, and it runs much in his thoughts, and at last he closes with it, strikes this load and burthen at his spirit, here he drawes comfort and peace from it; yea, it may be so much as indeed the soul is mightily overcome in his spirits with joy, and can do nothing but rejoyce; up­on which he Rests, builds his faith as he cals it, and so concludes it to be a mani [...]estation of God.

I will nor deny but God may make these waies if in truth, cause of support unto a soul in his travelling to­wards his Rest: But for a Soul to strike sail, cast An­chor, and have all the waves in his heart stayed, and his very wearinesse of spirit, at this present put to a period, is as if the children of Israel had stayed either beyond the red Sea, or when God gave them Manna, before they came to enjoy a reall possession of the land of promise: though God did this either to refresh their spirits and so to under-prop them; or else to give them it at the desire and repining of their spirits, to see how they would use it, or abuse it. Now this be­ing a description of a Saints spirituall travell, though God should cause a glimps of glory or heavenly Man­na to refresh a heart, to be given to a soul in the view of a promise, yet for a soul to Rest in this, and make it his habitation, it smels too much of mans de­ceite and abuse of every dispensation, and a daubing up his spirit with untempered morter, and so hatches [Page 71] Cockatrice Egs, and weaves the Spiders Webbe; so that it is but a kindling of a fire, and manwarming him­self in his own sparks; whose conclusion shall be death and sortow; and before ever the creature knows what true rest is, by sweet experience, he must be brought to a death in all these.

But from my own experience of the fallacy of my own heart, and the contrariety of the false Rests that I have gone thorow; I make bold to propose these ensu­ing particulars to such a heart: not intending to weaken the workings of God in any poor heart, though under low Administration; but only to discover the nakednes of man in the way of his own heart.

And First of all, When did the Lord manifest him­self to thy soul, and give thee a particular right unto, and interest in this promise; the application of which thou makest thy Rest?

Secondly, How was God revealed to thy heart in this promise? Or whether is it not the great necessity thou hast of it, that makes thee fly to the promise; and suck sweetnesse, life; comfort, and Rest from it? Or is it God in Christ clearly Revealed unto thee in the same? For it was necessity, that made many run to the Ark, and hang upon the outsides thereof, though none but those that were within were saved. Scribes and Pharisees did challenge a propriety in God, and all ex­ternall priviledges; but it was but from a sutablenesse of holinesse, they had to the promise; and not Revelation of God in them, discovering the truth of God in them.

Thirdly, What inward Testimony of God hast thou for thy great joy, peace, rest? And what is thy inward evidence, that witnesseth the truth of what thou enjoyest? For every one that beleeveth, hath a Testimony within himself, 1 John 5. 10. And every heart that hath ever seen the appearance of God with­in [Page 72] him, hath found a lively Testimony coming along with that Manifestation of God; which is the only proofe of the truth of what he enjoyeth, and not any Qualification, nor outward Testimony either of man, or from man, 1 Joh. 3. 24.

Fourthly, How was peace in this particular enjoyed by thee? Was it from some inward voyce of God, or discovery of the same? Or was it from such a sutable form of words to thy condition; either cast in, or found out in searching? Or was it from a clear Manifestation of the glory of God in thee, sutable to those forms of words in the Scriptures without thee; whereby the forme of words came to be made good to thee: so that thy comfort, peace, satisfaction, or rest, do not flow from the forme of words, as thou seest them in Scri­pture without thee; but from the enjoyments of God within thee, sutable to that without thee?

Fiftly, What glorious power of God was made out in thy spirit; in thy thus closing with promises? Thy thus closing may seem to be done in power, but the spirituall Coming of Christ in the manifestation of his glory, is so great, as indeed it is not ordinary, but ex­traordinary, in the heart of him that knows his com­ing.

A promise Closed with before Christ come in the Spirit, may seem to be done in glory and power; by reason it may be, he could not before beleeve, nor live in that freedome or joy he now lives in; but the coming of Christ in the spirit, doth so farre surmount that, as indeed the other appears nothing, when this is come, Eph. 1. 19. Mat. 24. 30.

Sixtly, Whether is it the Manifesting of God to thee, that gives thee a right to the Promise, and from this thou closest with God? Or is it that sutablenesse in thee to the words of the promise, that gives thee a being whereby thou closest with it? If it be the latter, [Page 73] it is not right: For all Promises are in Christ Yea, and Amen. And He is the ALL in them; and if he be re­vealed, he gives a being to them: yea, to the creature to live in that being, as He is the ALL in them. So that the substance of every promise must come into the soule, and be revealed in it, before the form of words can truly pronounce comfort, peace, life, happinesse or rest to it: So as his Rest is not upon the form of words, as in Letter expressed, but upon the being of it; which is God manifest.

Now many a heart doth feed upon hu [...]ks, out-sides, and externall formes of words; and fals short of being caught up into his glory, and so resting in the being of all Truth. Here it comes to passe, that the Creature makes every thing a God; and will shape and form out God according to its imaginations; and so labours to dispossesse God; and to set up its own shape in Gods stead.

Now promises, whether they be sought, or cast in, they are to be no rest unto any heart: for the words of the promise are like unto a figure or type, it testifies something to be given to the Sons of men; but when a soule is in the possession of those things, then it doth not rejoyce upon the words holding out the thing; but upon the substance of the thing possessed in the heart: but many on the contrary hand, for the want of this, run after conpitionall promises; and when it seeth not the condition of the promises performed in it, he la­bours after a sutablenesse to them; before not daring to apply them: but when he hath got his heart into such a frame, as he imagineth to be sutable to the con­dition thereof, he Resteth there; applying life and comfort from it; concluding he hath a right unto it from this particular: But if at any time he bre [...] the condition, his peace is gone; because the cause of his peace, was his exact performance of the condition of the promise.

Secondly, But some are higher then this, and they see a vanity in this; and they lock upon Christ as the per­former of the condition; and if he can but beleeve, Christ hath done it, and then he hath a right unto the same; whereupon he useth meanes to get his judge­ment convinced of this, that Christ died for him; and in Conclusion, he gets himself convinced of the same; and here rests, concluding the promises are his, because Christ is his: when indeed both the ground of his con­clusion and confidence is false: and so he comes to be deceived.

Thirdly, Another, that Rests upon promises before Christs spirituall Coming, is when a man hath laine in sad darknesse and bondage, and hath a long time waited for a discovery of God, and at last some apprehensions of Christ come into his understanding; whereupon he stands convinced in his own judgement that Christ is his: Whereupon he for the greater increase of his Rest, Comfort, and peace, runnes to promises and ap­plyes them, as having a right to them in his own ap­prehensions by Jesus Christ: Here is that which begets the strongest confidence, that Christ is come in the Spirit; which works that joy and peace, the soule thinks shall never be taken from him; whereas after a while man is not so quick-sighted, nor so clear enlightned, but it suddainly lyes in the grave, as that which must vanish in the spirituall appearance of Christ in the heart.

Now this is the great design of Satan, to keep the poor creature on the out-sides, the husks; and would have the Creature wholly to live below the glory of Truth; which is the coming of Christ in the Spirit of glory: But hearts truly principled before Gods appear­ance, [...]e made to waite for him, from a great power of himself; not in any of these things to rest, before they in the glory of the spirit come to enjoy him, Mat. 25 10.

The thirteenth false Rest.

THe next Rest in order to this, is great, strange, and excellent flashes of God (so I tearm them) and a they the most appear; yet they may be true, or false, re­sembled, or reall.

First, We shall speak of flashes of light in the under­standing: And neither touch them as they are true, or false.

1. If they be but flashes, they are no reall mani­festations of Christ in the Spirit: and therefore in the first place, They are not of a witnessing nature, they bring no reall Testimony of God along with them; but leave the creature dark and empty, in and of this par­ticular; but Christs coming in the Spirit is not without a Witnesse, which is both unresistible and satisfactory: but flashes whether they are of God, distinct, or op­posite; they have no Testimony of the Spirit, to wit­nesse the truth of God to man, by the Spirit within man: as man is below under the dispensation of a flash; whether true or false.

So secondly, They are not of a powerfull Nature; they are very weake in comparison of the power of Christ coming in the Spirit.

For first, They do not dispossesse Satan of his habita­tion; whereas the coming of Christ in the spirit doth, Mat. 12. 28, 29.

Secondly, They do not dispossesse the Creature of living in himself; or they do not carry up the Creature into the glory of God in the Spirit; they being of too low a nature, no more then flashes in a dark night, can bring the Creature into the beholdings of, and living in the glory of the Sun: so that they are not compleat Revelations of glory; neither powerful in effecting the same worke, which is accomplished in the coming of Christ in glory.

3. They do not satisfie the heart of any; they may seemingly give contentment for the present; yet the spirit not altogether satisfied: whereas the coming of Christ in the glory of the Spirit, doth fill and satisfie the heart of any in whom he appears: Mal. 3. 10. Mat. 5. 6 yea, his coming causeth a running over of the souls Cup: yea, it is uncontainable, mans capacity not be­ing able to receive or comprehend the same: for the want of this satisfaction, power or witnesse of the Truth of Christs coming, he being but under a flash, he runnes to Ministers and men of experience, to hear their judgement, being not satisfied in himself; and ac­cording to their approbation and judgement, he most commonly receives the more or lesse satisfaction; and so [...]ests: whereas if it be Christs coming in the spirit, a soul need not run to any Creature in the World to be satisfied in the Truth of what is discovered; for HE comes with a Satisfactory witnesse, which doth answer all objections and satisfy all doubts in the heart, which may arise: yea, if men instead of approving do deny it to be truth; yet the souls Testimony within it selfe doth bear up his spirit, that he is able to say, all men belye the truth, Rom 8. 16. he not in the least being daunted in his assurance thereof; though it be opposed by man or devil: neither can such a heart be shaken, if all the men of the world should arise against the same, coming to disprove it, Prov. 10. 25. 30. Also he that runs to any visible externall witnesse, pretending Christ is come in the spirit, is a creature altogether ig­norant of his said coming; and lives much below such a coming: for to me this is an infallible Truth, that if any man pretend Christ is come into him in the Spirit, and yet wants an inward Testimony or witnesse for it, and so is forced to make use of visible Testators, he is a man plainly wanting the enjoyment of the same; for God in such a case never leaves himself without a sure, [Page 77] satisfactory, unresistible and undeniable Testimony; which indeed [...]he Creature who wants the same, may well make use of others. But flashes if they be deceive­able, pretend to come in with a witnesse; and there­fore many call this a witne [...]se; they being perswaded of the truth of what it enjoyes: But this is as much below the witnesse of the spirituall coming of Christ as the light of the stars, is below the light of the Sun. How many under a state o [...] flashes (which I may say is al­most the last Carde Satan can play in a soule to de­ceive him in his transformings) do live in most great joy, light, notions, or pretended liberty; thinking from a meer perswasion they have within them, they live in very high enjoyments, and doe beleeve they have a witnesse of the Spirit within them, for the truth of what they beleeve; when indeed it is but a formed imagination, and a Carde plaid gallantly by Satan, to keep the creature below the enjoyment of God in [...]he Spirit, and to live in freedome and rest, when not in truth and in the Lord Further this is the reason part­ly of many ups and downs in the heart, whereby the creature is one day a believing and another day doubt­ing, because it is not living in the enjoyment of Christ in the spirit; but may be is under some flashes, and so it comes to pass that it is unsetled and unfixed in God.

Fourthly, Flashes are of no long continuance, they are not of an enduring nature; for they presently ap­pear, are presently gone, and so though the Creature had a great deale of light and joy; yet when the flash comes to be taken away, away gos all the Creatures joy and light, and he is left in the cloudes of darknesse and sorrow again; Whereas when Christ comes in the Spirit it is not so, then all sorrow and mourning shall flie away, (Isa. 60. 19, 20.) and the darknesse of the Creature shall be expelled, and God shall become un­to the soul an everlasting light, Rev. 21. 3. 24. so that [Page 78] God and the Lamb shall live in his heart; and be light and glory to him; so as his Sun shall never go down, but he shall live in the light of God, and the Lamb for ever and ever.

For his coming in the Spirit, is after the Resurrecti­on of a soul out of the grave, whereby he is carried up in the light and glory of God, from the descendings of that light and glory from God; so as there is a living in the light God lives in; and a swallowing up in the same glory God is swallowed up withall: but a flash leaves in its withdrawing the Creature in the same it found him in, if not worse: for a flash of light or joy, is like a flash of light in the Skye; upon the darkest night it appears to be the greater, the greater the dark­nesse is. So upon a darke soul, when its possessed with much darknesse, the lest flash that can appear in that is very great and admirable; so that the heart being no otherwise able to judge, lookes upon it as a manifesta­tion of God, yea, may be a very glorious one: yet it is not so, and at last is taken away, and the creatures hopes and expectations are frustrated. Whereas to such a soul as lives in the day naturall or spirituall, hardly can dis­cerne or take notice of such a flash or light, because it is so much inferiour to the light and glory of the Sun, and day; which now is appeared and shines either within him or without him.

These flashes in the first place, if they be of Satan, the very end thereof is to lull the creature asleep in the bed of security, and there is no resting of the same by any poor creature: For

First, It workes and comes in sutable to the Crea­tures necessities, pretending redresse for the same.

Secondly, It comes with a glorious resembled form or shape God workes in: and so it becomes a trans­formed Satan, and not a transfigured Christ.

Thirdly, It is not able to discern the same by reason [Page 79] of the absence of the true light which makes all things manifest, Ephes. 5. 13, yea, the very transforming of Satan.

Fourthly, Flashes in this nature do come with furniture to back the truth of what it doth declare or speak; if there be any jealousies arise in the heart, as sometimes there is, yet it doth furnish him with strength to mannage the entertainment of it, and his joy and peace from it: and here Satan plaies his part: for if the heart be of an opinion, that it is possible for a soul to doubt after he hath enjoyed a manifestation of God, then he will put a creature upon doubting, to make good that false, un-sound, and un-experienced principle of men; that the truest faith is accompanied with the greatest doubtings; and here the heart is stil deluded, and kept in strong perswasions of the truth of his flash.

2. If the heart be of that judgement, that it is im­possible that a soul can doubt again after he hath en­joyed a manifestation of God; Then Satan will trans­form himself into a capacity of confirming the crea­ture, in labouring in all transformed actions, to con­firme the creature in his assurance of the truth of what he enjoyes; and so upon all occasions addes to what he hath done; and so the poor creature Rests satisfied in and upon what the Creature calls his manifestations of God: now flashes that usually attend a creature that is truly enlightned by God, though not fully possessed with God, yet he being waiting for the coming of Christ in the spirit, is sometimes attended with flashes or light of joy: but they if from God, most common­ly have these ensuing effects.

1. They do underprop and support a weary faint­ing spirit, in his spirituall travell to his land of Rest, so as he is made to wait with free submission to God untill it enjoy an appearance of God in the Spirit.

2. Instead of causing a man to rest, they declare a­gainst it; and do discover the vanity to it of many o­ther Rests it hath been resting upon below the enjoy­ment of God in the spirit; so that it is so farre from it, as it is an Angell appearing, unto whom man would gladly fall down and worship (Rev. 19. 10. & 22. 8.) yet it saith to the Creature, as the Angel said to John, Worship me not: so saith the flash, rest not upon me; I am but as a messenger from God; I am not the dispensa­tion of God appearing in the Spirit; I am in the form of an Angell, I am not the God upon whom thou must rest and worship.

3. Flashes from God, beget a higher breathing in the soul, and a greater dis-satisfaction in the soul untill it come to enjoy an appearance of God in the Spi­rit of glory: it is so farre from causing a soule to rest, as indeed it workes a contrary frame of spirit, which is, a restlesnesse in the heart, untill it come to enjoy that which in the flash is represented to it: also if so be that there have been any with-drawings back of the heart from seeking after God; this Flash doth mightily stir up the heart of that Creature from that principle of the contrary nature, namely, a breathing after, and a restlesse satisfaction, untill it come to possesse God in the Spirit of glory.

The fourteenth false Rest.

THe next Rest in order to this which partly the creature passeth through, is the appearance of God in formes and administrations, under which the Crea­ture is mightily elevated in his Spirit; as Jonah was with his Gourd which God gave him; which workes a great displeasure in the heart; when God would have [Page 81] the Creature brought into a higher dispensation of God. Administrations I must confesse are appointed by God, and in the same he usually appeareth in a low manner; so as he sometimes doth give the Creature much refreshment in the use thereof; but not to be the Soules Rest, as though this were a full manifestati­on of God in the Spirit; but to set the heart in a frame to see by this, the great glory that shall be revealed un­to him, in the Coming of Christ in the Spirit: for thus it workes, If God be so glorious in a glimpse of him­self, in a forme, how much greater will be the appear­ance of himself in the spirit; which instead of rest, thus working, it is made to have a higher breathing in its spirits after the Rest, which he sees afterwards to be enjoyed from God: So that the heart is led by God through those many dispensations of God, to see be­yond them, Rest to be enjoyed from God, which can­not be enjoyed in these low Administrations, under which he breaths and lives: but others, they instead of this, rest highly satisfied in their spirits, making i [...] their glory and Rest of spirit to be an enjoyer of those Administrations, and appearances of flashes in the same: making it the ground of all their Rest: yea, ma­king it their God of Rest. As though the Children of Israel should have said, Here will we Rest, as be­leeving we are in the Land of Canaan; when God led them under, and through those many Administrations by appearing in the form of a Cloud of Fire; for I look upon this to be the very symptome of this man­ner of Rest, we are a speaking of. I do not condemn the Children of Israel, for their following the leadings of God in those Administrations: neither do I con­demne any man who is in the use of formes; seeing God led them in: and unto the same; and that it is that which supports their spirits; namely, their seeing and apprehending God in such a forme as the soule is em­ployed [Page 82] in; with these provisoes: Namely,

First, The not resting here.

Secondly, The not conceiving this to be the enjoy­ment of a Saints rest, but his way to go, or to be led in his travelling towards the Land.

Thirdly, His expecting of, and waiting for the Com­ing of Christ in the Spirit; which shall swallow up, and go beyond his present sight of God in formes; whereby he shall come to possesse the fame in that manner as is more glorious then his sight, which shall never be more taken away, or changed into another forme: But when a Saint who pretends to see the appearance of GOD, doth rest here; concluding this is the true Rest, and the appearance of God in the Spir [...]t; and so doth not only cease waiting for another Coming, but opposeth and speakes against it; This is a false Rest, and not to be owned as of God: for the many dispensations Christ went through; before and after his death, yet his Rest was not in the same; but as a waiting after be was to have passed through these Administrations and Dispensations of God, to enjoy a higher then all these; which was his Ascending into the glory of God in the Spirit, and to make this his habitation and Rest: and to be as a stranger and pilgrim in all the other Ad­ministrations in the flesh; in which he did enjoy many appearances of God: yet he passed through them all, and at last was made to enjoy his Rest; which was the glorious enjoyment of God, after his ascension into God farre beyond all formes and Administrations: yea, beyond the Manifestations of God in the measure thereof: And so Rest in the same glory which is to be every believers Rest: for the Rest of Christ, is the same Rest of every Beleever: and the same glory he Rests and breathes in, is to be the Rest and breathing-place of every Beleever. And as Christ cannot, nor shall ne­ver be changed into any other form, then now He [Page 83] lives, Rests and breaths in; so shall it be with every heart, who shall be truly centred upon God: He shall never be changed into any other forme, Rest, or glory then he is in, when he comes to be truly stated in his living everlasting Rest, below which he is not to be looked upon either by himselfe or others to be in any true substantiall Rest: yea, though this do worke much peace and joy in the heart of such a party, to see the appearance of God in formes and administrations: yet though a soule may delight here under some conside­rations; yet to make this his Rest and habitation, is to live in and upon Jonahs Gou [...]d: or as if the Children of Israel should have rested in the wildernesse, when God did refresh them with Manna; and so in the same have made their habitation short of the Land of Cana­an: for God appearing in the forme of a Cloude, or Pillar of fire, was not for this end, that they might make their habitation there. No more is the appear­ance of God in any Gospel-forme, but to be as that spi­rituall leading into a place where God shall appear in more fuller glory; and shall no more change his forme, but shall appear alwaies in the same glory in and to the spirit of such a Creature: So that what changeable forme God is pleased to appear in to us, is to be no Rest or habitation of us, but to be led into higher en­joyments, or after higher enjoyments of God, by the sight and appearance of him, though in a low or very meane manner in the forme discovered. For the end partly why Christ appeared in divers formes to his Apostles, and so to many now; is, because he would not have any [...]est in or upon his forme, or appearance: but that they might be, as he was, dying to all these and waiting for his ascending into God; where be might be for ever swallowed up with the light and glory of God, and there to make his and all Saints habitation and Rest.

The fifteenth false Rest

THe next Rest which I shall speak of i [...], The Gospel Faith of Jesus Christ (as men call it) which in­deed hath some ground of Rest, both from Scripture and reason, as they think.

Men in our daies have given distinctions of Faith, as namely, Historicall, Temporall, and Saving. But leaving the two former, I come to the latter, and shall un-bosome my sad experience of deceit in the same.

1. Concerning this Saving Gospell-Faith. I owne there is a Faith, which in Scriptures is termed Saving: yet that which men call both beleeving and saving, I find not to be so.

And first of all, man cals true Faith, A dependence upon Christ, or beleeving Christ dyed for them accord­ing to the Scripture. Now Faith is neither a depen­dancy upon Christ, or beleeving according to our com­mon exposition, that Christ dyed for us; these, if they be so in the heart, as a Creature doth conceive, yet they are but the effects and fruits of Faith, in its spiri­tuall act, upon or towards God; but this many make their Rest and shelter; that if they can but beleeve, Christ dyed for them at Jerusalem; and that thus be­leeving they can go out of themselves, that is, onely deny their own righteousnesse, and beleeve that Christ is theirs, and that he dyed for them, this is a Rest suf­ficient: when indeed the poor heart, is both ignorant what Faith is, and what going out of himselfe is. For never can a Creature go out of himself to Christ or God, before there be a cleere [...]a [...]ifestation of God in the heart. Now the Creature who is thus Resting upon his beleeving in Christ; is altogether ignorant of any ma­nifestation of God to him or [...]n him. For Faith is a su­pernaturall and divine light of God communicated to [Page 85] the soul, by the Spirit of God; which after this ma­nifestation of light, the creature comes to see and be­hold the glory of God; by which Faith he is made to beleeve; yea, which beleeving is an effect or act of the said Faith, upon or towards the same God which is re­vealed.

Now in the first place, Beleeving is not Faith; but an effect thereof.

Secondly, Beleeving is an act of God in us to him­selfe, and so no Rest.

Thirdly, Nothing which flowes forth from man to God, is to be a Rest: No act whatsoever is to be a Rest as it is purely exercised in man though of God: but mans Rest; is to be one who acts all in man, who is God. Many men are thinking highly of themselves: because the Scriptures declare a Christ crucified for man; and they are made to beleeve he was so for them and so are made to deny their own works or doings: and to depend onely upon this Christ; which indeed the poor hearts be ignorant of, and know him not, nei­ther have any manifestation of Jesus Christ in them, in any particular way; but only from their own imagina­tions and fancies; they stil confidently beleeve that this Christ is theirs, and he dyed for them; and here they Rest, and make their habitation; concluding this to be Faith, and the knowledge of Christ; which indeed if such a Spirit knew what Faith were, or the knowledge of Christ were; this would be dissolved, if not destroy­ed; and it would finde it's faith and knowledge, to be an un sound and un safe Rest to be centred upon. So that I say, that that is not Faith, or beleeving which men so call: and if so, it were no ground to Rest upon.

For, in the first place, A man must truly know within himselfe what is Faith is, before aman can truely beleeve.

Secondly, He must also know what this Christ is he beleeves in, before he can depend upon him and be­leeve truly in him,

Thirdly, There must be a clear manifestation of God or Christ in man, before there can be any true knowledge particularly of him by man.

Fourthly, Christs dying at Jerusalem shall then be known to the heart in a more spirituall manner then e­ver: And the workings of that death, shall be found in that heart, to be such as formerly it did not con­ceive of.

Fiftly, He shall know that dependency upon Christ and his former beleeving in Christ, the truth of which he hath formerly tryed by visible signes and marks, is now made to be a fancy, not Faith; and an effect of darknesse, not of light. And now he findes another de­pendency, and beleeving in him, flowing from another ground then before he knew; and that the matter he Rested upon in hes own imagination, which he before called a Christ dying for him, is now changed; being it was but his carnall conceptions, and fleshly teachings and actings: and now he is made to see the spirituall sense; and so to judge of the truth of an ever-dying, yet ever living, transfigured, glorified Christ; so as now he is making his habitation, not amongst the beasts of the field in his former fancies and fleshly teachings; but in the spirituall heavens, where live all Just men, made perfect; and all perfect men, made to live by, or in the life of God or Christ; so as he is changed into glory, and his Rest is made glorious.

Sixtly, When this is come to passe, men shall know really the Mystery of Faith; and why it is called a My­stery: and that same spirit shall know a difference be­twixt the Mystery of Faith discovered to the Consci­ence, coming as it were from God, and the keeping and exercising of the Mystery of that Faith in a pure [Page 87] Conscience to God: and that beleeving is not Faith, as it purely comes from God, discovering it self, and the Mystery thereof to the Conscience: but it is the ex­ercise of that said Mystery of Faith by God, in Consci­ence to God. So that the Mystery of faith in it self is one thing, and beleeving and dependency upon Christ (if true) is another thing. But the effect or exercise of the Mysteriousnesse of faith in a conscience which is pure; to or upon a God that is pure.

Seventhly, Men may beleeve Christ died for them, and from this beleeving may practise such things as are required by him: yea, may have such peace & joy in the same: And in this his own works, he may abhorre and detest, not setting them up with Christ: and this he may do from a Scripture notionary knowledge, onely got in the head, where he is swallowed up with his conception of his enjoyment of Christ and God by be­leeving, and so may live in a way of Dependency upon Christ, as he is declared and set forth to dye for man at Jerusalem; from which knowledge, beleeving, and dependency, there is begotten much deadnesse and se­curity, in which he may suffer and rejoyce, he may dye and live in it; exalting God much in word, and seem­ing actions: and yet all this time ignorant of the ground and Mystery of faith; yea, ignorant of the knowledge of Christ, which begets the true exercise, and living by faith: Yet if this which I now say were true, yet it were too low an Element for any spirituall heart to make his habition or Rest; but in this same they are to be as men of hope, 2 Thes. 3. 5. waiting for, and hasting unto the Coming of Christ in the Clouds, 1 Thes 4. 17. where they shall enjoy and have a Dispensation of Glory; and so shall be for ever with the Lord: for the Mystery of faith is the pure fight of an un-known, un-seen God, Isa. 33. 17. and the pure sight of God in this great Mystery is from the pure en­joyment [Page 88] of God, is the Kingdome of heaven and glory, and this must be within, and enjoyed by every spiritu­all heart.

This is the place of safety, where Saints Treasure lyeth, and where they are to make their Rest, habitati­on and abode, Col. 3. 1. This safe Rest is not procured by, neither is it a dependency upon one, a heard of Christ; but it is a carrying up a spiritual, crucified Spirit, into a glorious God; who was, and now is made manifest, to live with, to Rest upon, and to have a ha­bitation in, for Ever and for Ever: And here the spirit remaines in safety and in glory, triumphing in him, and being swallowed up with him, is carried up into the light and life of God; knowing him in all things, enjoying him in all things; seeing him to be the light and life of all things; being now gathered up into his will, is wholly disposed by him, and therein with God is satisfied, and so Rests: whereas mens beleeving is very unsound, and if it were not, yet its very unsafe, be­ing given to change: And being it is but some exercise of something in man, yet it being but an effect, it is not to be a Rest; but man is rather to be carried above it, after the pessession of him who can give Rest, and ease all heavy loades and burthens of the creature, Mat. 11, 28. 29.

The sixteenth false Rest.

THe next Rest we in order shall speak of, Is the great Experiences many have of deliverances gi­ven them by God, from inward and outward straits; making them evidences of his love, and matter enough to conclude safety, Rest and happinesse; and in this par­ticular [Page 89] there is some glosse, and seeming cause; as after­wards shall be produced.

And first of all, we will come to spirituall deliver­ances, as,

First, Inward conflicts of spirit; occasioned either by a discovery of the want of God, or of a souls misery without God; which occasioneth condemnation and apprehensions of wrath, and so sorrow, mourning and griefe of spirit; in which condition the soul lyeth as in hell, being filled with horror and fear: and looking upon God as nothing but a revenging and tormenting God: in which torments of spirit he lies groaning and mourning before God; being swallowed up in darkness and bondage, attempting all means to get freedome and liberty, from this his sad, wofull and miserable e­state: wherein soules sometimes get deliverance one of there three waies.

1. Ei [...]her from extraordinary paines and diligence wherein he thinks if he could but do this or that; or attain so much humiliation or mourning or repentance, then he should be happy and in freedome: whereup­on in conclusion he attaines (in his own apprehensi [...]n) that which before he desired: which stopping of the mouth of conscience, and breaking prison before God deliver, together with a conceite of a Cure applyed by God; when indeed it is a curing the wound of such a soul falsly; which in time will break forth to the great­er damage of the party.

Or secondly, It is freed by some cunning Sophister of Satan, either immediately by himselfe, wherein he lobours to apply a false remedy, thinking to put the soul thereby into a state of security: or else mediately, by his instruments in the Ministery; wherein they come to daub with untempered morter, and so speak [...]eace to man, before God speak peace within man; and so do as the Lord saith, Heal up the wound of the Daugh­ter [Page 90] of his people fasly; and from this have many poor hearts been mistaken, when at any time they have been in and under such torments of spirit, they have not rested untill they have run unto Ministers, to see what they will say; some of them putting them upon doing, some of them applying cures to them: and here a poore heart thinks to be satisfied; where he never Rests, but runnes from one to another, from creature to creature, seeing if he can get any thing from them, sometimes coming away with much peace, other times coming away with a Lesson of doing; and by these means come souls sometimes to have their deliver­ances, and for a space Rests untill it break forth a­gain.

The third way wherein many others atta [...] [...]eran­ces, is from God: As the Children of Israel from their land of bondage, tyranny and task-masters; which though God himself did free them, yet notwithstanding was not to be their Rest, but to be their first step toward their Rest: So though God do sweetly deliver a Soul from, and out of this trouble and perplexity of spirit, yet it is not to be a Rest unto him, or to be a habita­tion for him to dwell in; but to be as it were the first step to his Rest.

Now some mens deliverances are of God, and some of themselves, and some of Satan; but none of these are to be rested upon as they are deliverances, seeing they may be true or false: which untill a higher dispen­sation of God cannot infallibly be discerned.

Secondly, A Soul may be delivered from a resolved self-Murther or Destruction, when temptation doth violently attend that way; yet notwithstanding though he be abundantly preserved by God in his inward straight; wherein Satan would have him become his own executioner; but it is not any sufficient Center for any spirit,

Or thirdly, If it be a deliverance of the creature from the wrath to come, presently lying in the appre­hension of the creature; yet not to be a Rest, or any cause thereof.

Fourthly, If it be a deliverance of the creature from some violent corruption or lust within him; so as now God hath as it were freed his spirit from that Lordly power of inward corruption, so as now he is freed from sin, which formerly hath both dishonoured God disho­noured Truth, and taken away his peace. Now some­times when this comes to be subdued, and the soul de­livered from the same, he Rests upon it; and concludes from it great cause of safety and security; and as an in­fallible Testimony of Gods love; and here he makes his center, when indeed the heart cannot have true Rest in any deliverances wrought for it by God, but must be carried up above the same into the Deliverer, who is God; so as in inwards, so in outwards, be it of what nature or quality soever: yet many after the receipt hereof wax the more secure, make a God of their deli­verances, & so Rest upon them: with which though they were in love, yet they are not given for that end; no more then God delivering the Children of Israel at the Red Sea, should afterwards be a stop unto them; and a center for them, before they came into the land of Promise: Or that deliverance of Daniel, or of the Three Children, or of Ionah, none of these were to be a cause, either of Security or Center: but to be rather accompanied by God, to put their spirits out of them­selves after him, who was to be a Rest unto them, and a Deliverer of them: so that the common, or speciall de­liverances of God, in these cases are abused, and the end thereof dealt deceitfully with; and they are made that which God did not appoint them to be, viz. Rests; and that which satisfies the creature with the receipt thereof.

yet in the second place, I doe not deny this to be one of Gods dispensations; and the way he deales with spirits both to discover themselves, with the vanity and misery attending the same; where man [...] heart is made a heart of misery, preparing for mercy; this being the way to Rest and peace, happinesse and glory; when God comes in the first place to free the soule from this his deliverance, though it be of God still: as the o­ther is the way to happinesse, so his deliverance the way to rest; that is the way to make the heart enter into it, and be centred in it: For though the Rest in this deliverance be discovered; yet it may be long, be­fore such a heart do enter into it: as David saith plain­ly, return unto thy Rest, O my soule, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. Now though God may have dealt bountifully with a soule, yet that soule may not be returned, not centred in his true and proper Rest, though it be in a further work then deliverance inward or outward.

So that in the first place, many hearts it may be, have been in deep distresse of spirit, in the pit where no water is, and now are it may be in such a conditi­on as they are at great freedome and live in much joy; yet such a heart it may be freed in his own sense, and yet intended by God, to be brought into his for­mer bondage and misery; because his woun [...] is falsly cured; and having not been willing to waite Gods time, is faln thereby into carnall and unsafe security. Therefore soules had need beware of false deliveran­ces.

2. Satan that spirit of deceit, may drive on his design in this particular; to have a soul delivered by de­ceit; seeing before he could not prevent the cause of the sense of his misery; & seeing he could not prevent that, he labours to deceive the Creature by proposing, and working deliverance for it, before God deliver it: the [Page 93] [...]art being willing to imbrace and to have deliverance before his time.

3. If this be not, but that God goes forwards, to make such a heart a heart of misery, and so prepare it for mercy, and worke admirable deliverances for it, both within and without; yet notwithstanding it is not sufficient the soul Rest here; but such a heart is to wait for a higher dispensation of God, this being Gods lead­ing way thereto.

The seventeenth and last false Rest.

THE next and last Rest which wee shall speak of, is by some waited for, and by others pretend­ed to be received: to wit, The extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, whereby both worship without and God within, is confirmed, and in their apprehension sealed up for truth.

Now for my own part, I look upon both either in the condition of waiting for it; or in the pretence of the receiving of it, to be un-sound, or an un-safe principle.

1. In a waiting way, there are, who are waiting to have the spirit powred down, in such a manner as they shall be able to do miracles, and visible to cast out devils. But I think this is a meer mistake; for those casting out of devils and visible powers given to the Apostles and Saints, was given only as a dispensati­on of God, in that administration the Apostles lived in; and not to be any dispensation intended to be gi­ven to any other, after that administration was con­firmed and settled.

2. Those visible powers were given them for the confirmation of the Gospel in a visible forme, to seale [Page 94] the truth of that forme of words, which was to be lef [...] unto all ages. Now if we had new Scriptures to write and a new Go [...]pel to declare; then I confesse for the establishment of the same, it would be necessary to have the same confirmed by visible miracles and pow­ers. But

3. It was given to be a figure of the glorious manner of the workings of God in the Soul; and the casting out of devils and curing sick, opening eyes, and the like (Isa. 26. 12. Phil. 2. 13.) these were to demon­strate unto us, that as the coming of Christ in the form of flesh, was attended with these signes and miracles: so the coming of him in the Spirit; should be attended with inward signes and miracles, to wit, internall and divine powers, the casting out of the many devils with­in; the opening of the eyes of the understanding and the curing the wounds of the soule (Luke 24. 45. Ephes. 1 18. Isa. 60. 1. John 5. 25.) the opening mans e [...]res to hear the voice of Christ within; to have a dead Lazarus soul raised up in the spirit.

Now the Rest was but as figures, though reall, of what God did hold forth should accompany the second coming of Christ in the heart, Mal. 3. [...]. Mat 25. 12, 13. And if soules did waite for this, their expectations should not be so much frustrated as it is in the other; and shall be. And as for the great miracles that shall be wrought, must be within, and felt by soules, when Christ appears in the heart: So that these external powers, shall be turned into these savings, The coming of Christ shall be with power and great glory: Mat. 24. 30. Now men are deceived I fea [...]e, who seeke for his com­ing in any carnall or fleshly way; or that he will make that to be the powrings down of the Spirit, to wit, the casting out of devils, &c.

But it shall be more spirituall and heavenly; even the power of the Spirit within, to consume mens lusts [Page 95] and self, and to cast out all those spirits of deceite, [...]hich internally do lodge within the Creature: [...]o that the letter which was confirmed by outward signes after Christ appeared in the form of flesh; shall in the mystery thereof be confirmed to and in us, by the in­ternall workings & miracles, which shall attend Christs spiritual coming in the Soul, and that in the Spirit. Now I say, that neither do mens waitings, appear to be that which men conceive them to be; nor if they did enjoy that at the last which they waite for, it would not prove that to them, nor give that content, peace, joy, and cause of Rest in them, nor assurance to them, which they expect from it, and think to attain when they come to attain it. I wish that men would turne the wheele, into the waiting for the inward com­ing of these things in a more spiritual manner. For my own part, I thinke they would enjoy more quietnesse in their spirits for the present, and more settlement and rest, peace and safety in them for the future, when it comes to be experienced: But I think I may say thus much to such spirits; that I think when they enjoy that they waite for, viz. the powrings out of the spi­rit, from which to enjoy power to worke outward mi­racles; it will be in the enjoyment thereof. But I should be sorry, to live without the enjoyment of God to that day; and I am confident all such souls shall be weary before they see the same enjoyed by them.

But second [...]y. To all such as have the same in pre­tence; I do not see how they can make them any safe Rests; seeing that Saul and many others did goe as far in the gifts of prophesie, or any other gift of the Spi­rit, as any almost who did sweetly enjoy God, and that was the cause why these words were spoken, They shall say in that day have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, &c. Mat. 7. 22, 23. Yet see the reply of Christ, he did not own them in the same; [Page 96] though they did make it their Rest before, and their plea then; yet it was nothing, but that which proved both un sound and un-safe for them.

Secondly, The workings of Antichrist and the my­stery of iniquity doth worke with all deceivablenesse, doing great wonders in the eyes of the world; yet alas, it is both for the deceiving of the party who hath it, and for the deceiving of the parties who beleeve it; witness the worke of the Magicians, who when they acted the same things Moses did, yet the parties who acted, & the parties who beleeved the same, were both deceived so though there were any in our daies, who could doe the [...]ame work, that they or Judas did, yea, greater then they did yet the parties might [...]e repro­bates and cast-awaies: and however, they may be [...]ud­dainly taken away, and herefore un-safe for any soul to Rest thereon: It must be the power of God with­in, and th [...]se inward miracles, which God works as the effect of his coming; viz The casting out of he devils within; and bringing down mountaines of pride and selfe; and exalting of his Christ in the soul, so as the soul is un bottomed of all his false [...]rops; and carried wholly out of himselfe above himselfe into the power and majesty of that Christ exalted, to live by and in that same power and glory; by which God lives in the heart: So that I say, to look for outward powers in this case, as I and many more have done: or if they were enjoyed, to make them their Rests, both are to me un-sound; and every party as well as my selfe, shall finde the evill, and un-soundnesse thereof.

Now having discovered as many false Rests as at pre­sent I am free to discover, I shall in the next place shew how difficult it is, and how hard it goes with the creature, to part with these his false Rests; which are false but in reference to his Resting and abusing the end for which such a dispensation was given.

The Soul being in the first place, as I may say, esta­blisht upon them, making them his God, be they formes or what they will, when it seemes to be taken away, he being brought to a non-plus in his spirit: He cries, They have taken a way my God, What must I do? So that there ariseth as it were a storme within this creature, which begets a spirit of discontent in the creature; Witnesse the same in Ionahs Gourd which God had given him, yet being abused in the end for which it was given; in the taking of it away, there was a spirit of murmuring and discontent. And thus it is al­waies, when creatures would be Resting upon any thing below God; when God seems to take it away from the creature; The more the soul was glued to it, and Rested upon it, and made a God of it; the more difficult and hard it goes with the creature to part with the same; yea, the more discontent doth arise in that heart.

First then, It ariseth from the abuse of our being glued to any Administration, so as not to use it to that end for which it was appointed.

Secondly, The cause partly of this ariseth sometimes from the greatnesse of the losse it works in the crea­ture, in being to part with the same; as many soules it may be have spent the glory of their age and strength; to patch up a Religion of their owne, and have taken much paines to accomplish the same. It may be hath been twenty years a professor, and hath all this time been labouring to patch up a Rest, and having got one, in one moment God raises the foundation thereof; this works such a losse in the soule, as indeed to have many a glorious gift burned up; yea, many a glorious day of joy, twenty yeares profession in one moment laid in the dust: and now to deny it self in all his paines, and parts of wisdome and knowledge; This must needs go hard and be very difficult with a poor heart, to part [Page 98] with all: And the Creature will have many shifts and puttings off before he will be made freely to part with all, and to deny himself in all.

The condition of such a soul, is like a man that all his daies hath been taking pains night and day, to com­prehend some estate; and when he hath got such an e­state, he fals a building, and makes great buildings; and when he hath furnished the same, takes delight in it, and sets his heart upon it; and behold, when he is solacing himself in what he hath got and done: In a moment there is a fire consumes the same to the dust; which being beheld by the party, he is amazed, and much perplexed in his spirit; upon which occasion in some it begets death, in others discontentednesse and murmurings; yea, repinings of spirit, so as it is not on­ly a day of sorrow, but it continnues so: And this par­ties losse being exceeding great, and his expectation frustrated, he is now at a non-plus, not knowing what to do: So it is with a heart after God either hath given gifts, or something below himself, or for the which the Creature hath been labouring all his dayes; and at last, having attained so much, as now he Rests with the Church of Laodicea, in a conceited happinesse: When God comes to butn down this house, the soule hath been all his dayes building, though upon (it may be) a false foundation, he layes the Creature and his worke in the dust; so as now the soul is stripr naked of all his conceited holinesse, or righteousnesse and happinesse, upon which sight the creature is wrought into an amaz­ment and astonishment of spirit, wondring what God is a doing with him in this sad condition, which works death, and sorrow, and the grave, and nothing but dis­contentednesse before; and a labouring to stand, and not to part with the same, untill he be forced to it by an unresistible power: the soule before is crying, What must I be stript naked of all? What is all my praying, [Page 99] fasting, mourning and the like, all taken from me; so as now I have nothing to Rest upon: Must I part with all? Oh, especially this creatures riches is hard to part with, as it was with the young man who wanted all things, in the want of one thing; who notwithstanding had e­nough of the World, and I feare, too much of this wee are speaking of; for he was nigh the Kingdome of hea­ven, yet to part with all for a Christ, Oh how loth he was: Oh this parting with all goes hard, makes many sorrowfull either in respect of outward or inward rich­es: It is most commonly this inward riches which is the life of most professors in our dayes, untill God un­bottome them of their professions, and forms, and self­doings and fulnesse: and the most that are de­stroyed in our Land, I feare are in this particular: when poor creatures are so glued to themselves, or formes, or their own righteousnesse and self-riches: that indeed they live upon the same; and make a life out of it, and a God upon it: and so dwell, as though they were in heaven; when indeed they are neither in the way to it, nor possessed with it: But if ever God appear either to them or in them, God will unveile them so, as in­deed though they have bin professors never so long, and in the same are become rich in their own eyes, and in the eyes of others, yet I beleeve God will burne it up, and bring them to a losse; and make their high and lofty spirits lye in the dust; as he hath done with ma­ny in their condition.

I look that the greatest losers in our dayes, shall be the longest and tallest professors; though their losing it may for the future tend to their greatest gaine: yea, Englands professors shall ere long, cry out of their in­ward losses, more then their outward losses: and they shall be stript more naked in matter of spirituals, then ever they were of temporals; though in the losse of both it may be accompained with little freedome, but [Page 100] rather unwillingnes at present, and repinings of spirit, though at the last they may be delivered from their straits, and be cloathed with the Sun, and then shall trample the Moon under their feet; I doe not speak of professors in reference to any particular faction; but I speak of all under what denomination or title soever, that are professing God, before they be possessed with him; who are storing up inward riches, but not of the Spirit, and Rest upon it, as though it were of God; which when God makes it manifest by the day, accord­ing to that Scripture, 1 Cor. 3. 3. &c. it burns and is consumed, either because it was not of God, or else because it was Rested upon below God: So that now to be brought out of the Creature and all its own ful­nesse, or self actings, are so contrary to it, and so for the annihilating of it; so that indeed man in and of himselfe will oppose God, & stand out against this work of annihilation: to have a Creature who before was rich in and of himselfe, or from some administration of God, below the enjoyment of God in the same, and according to which, and for the want of which, the Creature makes his habitation below Heaven; though he lives as an Angell, yet as miserable as any devil, in reference to his want of God in a way of enjoyment; it being thus with a poor heart, that to part with his false Rest is so hard and difficult; How then comes the soul to see them to be false, in reference to his Resting upon them, though they may be true as they are an administration of God, I say how comes the soule to see them to be false, and so either willing to have them either dissolved, if they be administrations of God, or burned and consumed, if they be of the Creature? In answer to this, we will say both waies in Scripture and experience. And

First, God makes them known to the Creature, and him willing at last, to part with them, by discovering [Page 101] unto him, the emptinesse of these dispensations, wher­in he is made to see the non-satisfaction and un-safe­nesse thereof, if continued in by the Creature; as thus, either by discovering unto a soule, the want of his pre­sence in it, wherein it appears to be truly empty; or else by frustrating the Creatures expectation, in the not enjoying that from these things but in conceit; which it did expect to finde in them, and receive from them; and herein God hedges up the souls waies with thornes; so that now it cannot find that comfort and refreshment in those things which formerly it rested upon and drew comfort from, now God making them empty and vain to the heart, it is forced to cry out as Solomon of the vanity thereof; and to say with them in the 24. of Isa. 16. verse, Our leannesse, our lean­nesse; so as now he is made willing to submit to the burnings up of his expectation, by seeing the vanity of his conceptions in them.

Secondly, By representing to the understanding a more excellent Rest and center for his spirit, both sure and safe; this begets a breathing after the enjoyment of that Rest which it is made to see without it, not as yet enjoyed by it (Isa. 11. 10. & 13. 16. & 28. 8.) this same makes the soule willing to forgoe the one, that he may enjoy the other: For as Canaan was discovered to the Children of Israel to be more excellent and glo­rious then that place of Aegypt was, wherein they were in bondage; which made them at their departure from it, to be willing to part with the Garlick and flesh-pots: so it is with a soule in this case, the more the glorious Rest of Christ is represented to any soule, the more it doth discover false Rests, and the more it doth unbottome every Creature thereof.

Thirdly, They are discovered too and unbottomed off these Rests, by the departure of God from any ad­ministration; so as the soule desires not to Rest, where [Page 102] God is departed: for if it hath been thus with the Crea­ture, that the cause of its Rest hath been the appear­ance of God, in such an administration or dispensati­on; yet if now he see clearly that God is departed from it; he Rests no longer; being the ground why he Rest­ed was and is taken away or removed: for as God pro­mised to be in, and appear to his People, in the Tem­ple, and in the Administrations under the Law; yet not for everlasting continuance; but that afterwards he did intend to withdraw his presence from them, and so to disanull the use thereof; so in any dispensation of God below his spirituall appearance in the soul, he in­tends to appeare at such a time as himselfe hath ap­pointed, in the use of the same; but afterwards to withdraw himself from it, for some end best known to himselfe.

Now this is that I say, Gods departing and ceasing to appear in a Dispensation or an Administration, Is that which both discovers the Resting therein to be false, and is a further meanes to un-bottome the spirit of a man for making of it his Rest any longer: for that Soul that is led into any Administration by God, in the which God appeares; when God withdraws from it, and ceaseth to appear any more in it, the Soule doth the like also.

And in this he follows the Lambe where ever he goes, Rev. 14. 4. So that I say, It is the departure of God from any condition (which if the creature hath been made sensible of it) doth represent the making a habitation in it, and the resting upon it, is both below God, and contrary to him; so as in the same he is made willing to part with, and to see when God is known to be de [...]ar [...]ed from, the vanity of making any thing his rest though given of God, untill God do everlastingly appear within man, carrying up the soule and spirit of man into himself.

Fourthly, The next way God discovers these to be false rests, and makes the creature willing to part with the same, Is by appearing in a more glorious Admini­stration to the Creature; and this is the reason why Christ comforteh his Disciples, when the forme of the flesh was to be taken away, by telling of them He, must go away, or else the Comforter would not come, Joh. 167. As if he should say, unlesse I depart in the forme of flesh; or in this outward Dispensation, you cannot en­joy me in a more glorious Dispensation of the Spirit within you; which should for ever abide with you: It is the Substance of what God intends to make manifest in your spirits.

I am but in this fleshly dispensation a figure, and therefore I must depart, that I may more gloriously appeare within you; and lead you into all Truth, more glorious then yet you see or understand. It was so with John and Christ in the flesh; as John did decrease, so Christ did encrease, Ioh. 3. 30. It was indeed the en­creasing of Christ in the fleshly Administration, that made John in his Administration decrease: for the dis­pensation of God in the flesh of Christ, was more glo­rious then the dispensation of John; so that in spiriuals there is a giving way to a superiour or more glorious Administration; by an inferiour or lesse glorious dis­pensation: for the more of God appeares in any forme, the more glorious is that forme: now God did more appeare in Christs forme then in Johns; which made, John decrease and give way unto the dispensation of Christ: from whence I observe, That no man is to for­sake any dispensation, so long as God appeares in it, and makes it a living dispensation: for the Apostles were not to cease walking with, or to depart from Christ in the flesh untill God was departed from it, and ceased according to it or by it; but all the Apostles were to continue in that dispensation; so long as it was a living dispensation.

So it was with the dispensations under the Law; they were to continue in them so long as God appear­ed in them and continued with them. So shall soules follow as God leads; As the Children of Israel were to abide in any place, so long as God abode in it: So we; And as they did move, when God moved from it, so are we until we are in our perfect Rest, Num. 9. 17, 18. Heb 4. 9. For it is the presence of God in a particular thing, which is both to be a soules Leader, Exo. 34. 14, 15 and his cause of stay in the use of any dispensati­on: So it was with Moses, Unlesse thy presence go a­long with us, carry us not hence.

It hath been, and still ought to be, That Saints re­moving out of one condition into another, or from one Administration or Dispensation into another, hath been by the presence of God; either going, or remo­ved from such a Dispensation: So that there may be a folly in this particular; for any man to cease acting in formes, or in such an Administration as God hath brought him into, and truly appeared in, untill there be a clear departure of GOD in the same, leading it into a more glorious Administration.

Secondly, God seldome doth depart from one Ad­ministration, until he appears in a more glorious man­ner in another: As God did not depart from the Ad­ministration of the Law, untill he appeared more glori­ous in the administration of the Gospel.

So it is now, That there can be no expelling clouds but by light, so there can be no other way to take off a soule truly from the use of any forme, until God ap­peare in a more higher dispensation. For as the appear­ance of Christ in the flesh was the summe and substance of the formes of the Law, and was not to be disanul­led before the substance came, Heb. 8. 1. Col. 2. 17. so i [...] is now; The summe and substance of all Formes and administrations, is Christ in the Spirit; and untill [Page 105] the Substance of them be come perfectly into every heart, there can be no true cessation of that heart in Formes or Administrations. which are Gospel-Formes or Administrations.

So that God departing sometimes from an Admini­stration, and appearing more glorious in another, either within or without; is that which both unbottoms the soul of Resting in it, and that which makes the creature willing to part with it. For the want of this the Jewes not beholding Christ, the summe and substance of the Law, Come in a more glorious Administration, they were unwilling to cease acting in their former Admini­strations; the Veile being not taken away, 2 Cor. 3. 14. whereby they had been made to see the Substance of those Formes, establish'd compleatly in a Christ, Col. 2. 10.

But lastly, the chiefest and onlyest way, why the creature comes to be willing to be most free to part with and to have a discovery of all dispensations below the appearance of God in the Spirit to be no Rest, Is by the glorious manifestation of God in the Soule; whereby,

First of all, He appears as a glorious Light within man. And this Light

1. Expells all the Clouds from off, or out of the Creature; which kept the creature from beholding a reall difference betwixt a true Rest and a false: So long as man is without this, no marvel then, though he be not able to discern whether his Rests be true or false: But now when God speaks in a Soul, Arise, soul, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is Risen upon thee, Isa. 60. 1, 2. Then this true light shining into the soule, it makes manifest all things; whereas the Soule before had a veile upon him, and a Cloud over him; but now the glory of God is Risen in such a creatures heart, whereby he is made able [Page 106] to judge by the light of God dwelling in him.

Secondly, As it doth discover what is fallacy; so it reveals what is truth: it advanceth truth in the soule, though the soul before was ignorant, what difference there was betwixt the appearance of God in formes without him, and the appearance of God in the Spirit within him: of the difference betwixt a transform'd rest resembled, and a true Rest in the Spirit manifested: of the end of all forms and administrations, with God ap­pearing in them, without the creature, before the sub­stance of the same be come in the glory of the Spirit within. Now this true light makes all manifest (John 3. 21.) and is a clear evidencing light within man; discovering Him who only must be the center and Rest of the soule; which before it heard of, but now comes to see and experience the same. This light removes all obstructions out of the Creature; and makes his judgement act according to this light within him; so that it is a light not onely expelling clouds; but clear­ly demonstrates a reall difference betwixt truth and falshood; so as now he is made to see, the place God hath set every administration or dispensation in, with the time, place and end.

Thirdly, This light makes not onely manifest things is they are John 3. 21. and so takes the soul off from them: But it doth dissolve all those administrations the Creature hath had without him, by the glory of God in the Spirit within him: so as the breakings of the day do dissolve the dispensation of the night; so doth the dawning of the day in the heart of a Saint, dissolve not destroy, any of those administrations or dispensations of God, in which God did in some measure appear to the Creature: for as the night is of God as well as the day; yet the day doth dissolve the dispensation of the night: So though many mens dispensations were of God; yet notwithstanding when God appears, they [Page 107] are dissolved and do not now appear; because a more gloriouser manifestation of God within man hath ap­peared.

Fourthly, Yea, this manifestation of God in the Spirit doth swallow up all other dispensations; so as now they are gathered up into the substance thereof, who before did send them forth; as the light of the Starres and the light of the Moone, are bor­rowed lights, or lights inferiour to, and sent out from the Sunne; and when the glory of the Sunne appears, they all appear bodily and substantially in the Sunne: and as it is that the light dwels in the fulnesse of it in the Sunne, and all lights are borrowed from or occasioned by it; and that light is that which swallowes up all other, when it comes to appear; So it is with God appearing in the Spirit; he appears as the fulnesse and the substance, or body of all other lights, (Col. 2. 17.) which are true, though sent by God, in their dispensation, to accomplish his own de­signe: yet when God breakes into any soule in the glo­ry of the Spirit, this shining of God into the soule (2 Cor. 3. 8. & 4 6. & 3. 10.) doth swallow up all his former appearances in any dispensation below this; and gives way and submits, and so gathers up and meets compleatly in the body and substance of them (Col. 2. 10. 17. Tit. 2. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 14.) which is God truly ap­pearing in the spirit of fulnesse and glory, this makes the heart free to part with any thing, though never so dear to it, which is obstructive to, and keeps the soule from any enjoyment of this glorious dispensation; yea, this is that dispensation, which doth destroy all admi­nistrations, or formes, or dispensations that are not of God; what is of God before, shall be swallowed up in it; what is of man, selfe or Satan shall be destroyed by it, 2 Thess. 2. 8) This is that which truly discovers to the [...]oul all his false Rests, though never so seemingly glo­rious; [Page 108] yea, though they be of Satans transformings, or of self-resemblings; yet it laies them all in the dust, and unvailes them to the Creature; so as they appear in their colours and place; which sometimes workes a mighty indignation in the heart, against the waies of his own heart (1 Cor. 7. 11.) when his lewdnesse is disco­vered unto him so as he is not onely made free to part with the same: but he is brought out of love with him­self, for Resting upon the same, so much below God or Christ. Again, in the manifestation of God, there is satis­faction; peace and Rest possesseth the creature in stead of the other; this peace dispossesseth the other peace; this satisfaction maketh nothing the other, whatsoever objection or dis-satisfaction was before, or doth arise since; now they are all fully answered, and the soule compleatly satisfied; so as now he is brought out of a dunghill, into a pallace; from a mean condition into a glorious, to wit, even to live by the breathings of Di­vine Truth in him; so as now he lives, because God lives and is satisfied with the flowings in of God, and eates of that which God eates of, viz. Love, Glory, and happinesse. Nay further there is fulnesse in this satisfaction; he fils the soul with himselfe, and how can then this soule doe any other, but be free and wil­ling to part with any other seeming fulnesse or good, when now he is filled with him that fills all in all, in all things, Eph. 1. 23. So as the waters cover the Sea, Isa. 11. 9. so is the soul truly (pro tempors) filled with God untill he asswage it, or seem to be departed from it; or else enlarge the capacity of the Creature with more of himself: now seeing that God comes in with such a fulnesse into the heart in this dispensation; it must needs discover the emptinesse and vanity of his other Rests, and cause a sweet willingnesse to part with the one, and embrace the other.

And lastly, it comes in power: which day of [Page 109] Gods power (Ps. 110. 3.) makes the Creature willing to part with any darling, though never so dear and neer to him, both freely, cordially, and with much simpli­city of spirit; whatsoever the day of God in it is light and glory doth discover to the soule not to be of him­selfe, this the day of his Power doth accomplish the same to the full in the soule; yea, though it be the life of a soul; yea; though it were its God and happinesse in it, yet they all are nothing, when God and it stands in competition in the soule, whether of them should be advanced.

3. Christ made manifest in a heart, and his spiritu­all coming into the same, is like unto a fire which burns up & consumes all things that are in the soul of his own, which keep the Creature below God, therfore saith the Scripture, Who may abide the day of his coming, or stand when he appeareth? And he shews the reason thereof, for he is like a refiners fire and like fullers sope: to refiners fire he is compared: the appearance of Christ in the love of the spirit, is like refiners fire, to refine & puri­fie, yea, to burn up and consume in soules, what is not of the Spirit, and so to bring the creature to losse, though in the same salvation shall be made manifest, as according to the 1 Cor. 3 13, 14 where saith he, if any mans worke abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward: but if it burn, [...]he creature shall lose thereby, yet h [...] must be saved, yet it must be by this fire, which did consume and burn up his hay and stubble: now as mans work shall be revealed by fire; so if it be not of God it shall be destroyed by the same: which fire is love, which is God: & thus when he brings a soul, by his appearing, into the greatest losse, then is he bringing a soul into the greatest gain: so that that which proves destruction of his false Rests; is that which brings him to the true Rest; and so though it be a losing for the present, yet his greatest losse becomes his greatest gain.

Now I know there are many Rests that are destroy­ed or dissolved, before this day of his coming; and as there is one taken away, the soule findes and seeks after another; and runs from mountain to hill, to get ease of a tormenting spirit; so as man passeth through many Rests, most commonly before this day; but now it may be the Creature hath such glorious resembled Rests, that it cannot be found out before the day of God thus appearing, then these seeming Rests are they which are discovered, upon the apear­ance of himselfe in the soule: But some soules passe through more then we have spoken of; some through fewer; according as God keeps the soule, and alone becomes the leader of him: yet many soules that are come thus high, have found them by sad experience, and others have found some of them, and others more; yet it is sometimes Gods way to permit the Creature to run out after the waies of his own heart; and at last to hedge up his waies (Hos. 2. 6.) where many soules lie at this day in the wildernesse, not knowing what to doe; being non-plust in their own spirits; not knowing what God is a doing, nor what he will doe; what they must do; sit still they cannot, act they can­not, but in their old Road.

Having shewed the many Rests Soules passe thorow and the difficulty of parting with them; together with the waies and means God makes the heart willing, that now he may enjoy that true and unchangeable Rest of soules, which shall be the next we shall speak of, and that is, What this true Rest is; in which the spirit of a spirituall man must be centred.

The first description of true Rest.

AND first of all, that Rest of Saints, or the de­scription thereof, It is something lying naturally [Page 111] out of the Creature or above it, not of it selfe attained by it; But revealed and made manifest in it, who is the Rest; whicb alone is God or Christ.

First, Christ it is clear, he lives out of the Creature: for he lay in the heart of God (John 1. 18.) before we had a being, and is discovered and revealed by God within us, when we have a being, which was purposed by God to be revealed from God; and therein to be a center and Rest to that heart who doth enjoy it.

Secondly, It cannot be attained by the Creature; his abilities falling short of the doing of any such worke: but he was the purpose of Love, freely intend­ed by God before time; and as freely without the Crea­ture comes to be made manifest by God in the Crea­ture in time; For it is nothing which the Creature of himself can attain; which as a sure Rest in the Crea­ture will remaine, but it will faile the soule and prove a broken Reed.

The second description of true Rest.

Secondly, It is an unchangeable and unalterable Be­ing, seen by the soule after it is revealed to him, which cannot be shaken after the Creature is centred in it; wherein the Creature is carried out of himselfe, a-above himself, to Rest securely above all feares.

First, Christ the eternall Being of Spirits, God in God, only God, he it is that is an unchangeable Being, Isa. 9. 6. Heb. 13. 8. Mal. 3. 6.) which alters not neither is given to change; for, he was yesterday, that is before time; he is to day, that is in time; the same he is for ever, that is unto all time: Heb. 13. 8. Now if we looke upon Christ as Saints Rest, wee must not consider him as he was in any forme or shape, for so [Page 112] he altered and changed into divers formes and shapes: But we are to consider him as he is God, Eternal, Bles­sed: yea, as he is the power of all powers; and so he is the foundation and Rest of Saints: For as he was in the flesh, he was not to be a Rest, but as he was in the Spirit, so he is Rest, both unchangeable and unalterable, In whom there is no variablenesse, neither shadow of turning, James 1. 17. So that now Saints knowledge of him, and their Rest in him, is sure and abides: And this is that which heightens their assurance, to see and know that the Rest of their souls is an unalterable Rest: that though dispensations change, and he in those dis­spensations, yet the Center of his soul abides for ever, and he kept unshaken in it; because he Rests and lives in and upon an unshaken, unchangeable Center.

Now shall the disquieted and molested soul live in peace, safety, and quietnesse, and none now can make it in this case afraid; but it lives above all feares and torments; being kept safe in this Divine Spirit and po­wer, where there is neither cause of jealousie or fear; but being they are removed, and the creature firmly establish'd, so that all storms do not molest him, and all temptations do not un-rest him; but he lives Triumphant above them, Triumphing upon them, by that power in which he is centred

The Third description of true Rest.

THirdly, It is an unexpressible glorious Center or Being, wholly taking up the Creature with it, and giving the soul full contentment in it.

First, It is an unexpressible glorious center; the Lord promising in Isaiah, that he would accomplish a glorious worke, in filling the hearts of his People with [Page 113] the knowledge of himselfe, he Centers all in this, To him shall the Gentiles seek, and his Rest shall be glorious, Isa. 11. 10. Yea, the Rest of Saints is the very Sub­stance of his glory; which glory is Christ, when he comes to be manifested in his Saints, and to be ad­mired by them, 2 Thes. 1. 9, 10.

Secondly, It wholly takes up the Creature who is Centred in it; so as now the soule or spirit is wholly swallowed up of God; and unexpressibly overcome is such a soul: The glory of God, which is Christ, is that which swallows up mens spirits; and the more it ap­peares in them, the more it overcomes them; so as now they are taken up in their spirits, being gathered up in­to it; with nothing else but it: So as now the souls delight, joy, solace, is now alone in nothing but in him, who is become a glorious Center to him.

Thirdly, The Rest of Saints gives Saints full con­tentment: the full satisfaction of Saints lyes in living and Resting compleatly in this glory, which truly is Christ; so as man sometimes is lost in the greatnesse of it: The least manifestation of this glory doth fill the creatures capacity; so that untill the capacity be enlar­ged with more of God, it can desire no farther enjoy­ment or discovery of it: so as now his spirit is filled with glory. And that which makes it the more satis­factory, is the Centering of the spirit up in it. Now Christ in the Spirit becoming a Saints Rest, all other seeming glories (which before the soul was sheltred under and lived upon) are now vanished and decayed; and the greatnesse of this glory, which is the Vision of God; yea, the manifestation of his glory in man, takes up man into it, to live wholly in it; and so to remaine in compleat satisfaction and contentment of spirit; for a great part of a soules Rest consists in this very parti­cular, to wit, the gloriousnesse thereof together with the swallowing up of the creature with it, and the giv­ving [Page 114] the spirit a compleat contentment in it: for it would be in time a place of wearinesse, unlesse it were a place giving the creature full contentment.

Secondly, It would be no place for Saints to delight and solace themselves in, unlesse they could be wholly taken up, and swallowed up with that which of necessi­ty must be enjoyed from it and unlesse it did exceed all glory that could be imagined, it could be no rest for the spirit of a spirituall man: So that it must be an unexpressible glory swallowing up of men spirits with it; and giving that spirit compleat satisfaction and con­tentment in it.

The fourth description of true Rest.

IN the fourth place, This Rest is a carrying forth of the Creature, out of the creature, into the place, where he had his first being, to live for every in him who is now become his manifested being.

First, before we speak of the Rest it self we will ob­serve,

That there is no true Rest for the creature in him­self; for if man either rest in his pure naturals, or up­on any refined property in himself, he rests out of his proper Element: I mean, as he is a spirituall man: yea, it is both unsafe and unsound so to doe: neither can man with any solid delight, or true contentment, rest in or upon any, either pure naturals, or refined proper­ties or parts within himself, though man could attain to his first principles and purity, yet if he rested upon them, he would live below the true Center of Spirits: for indeed the rest and proper being of all spirits, e­specially those that are renewed, is the Eternal Word of God: which Word is Christ, who made all things in [Page 115] the World of nothing, into which nothing they are to return: But the spirits of men or especially that re­newed spirit of Saints, that came downe from the Father of spirits, who begot this spirit in them, not by flesh, but by himself in his spirituall breathings and actings in the Creature; which spirit of man cannot live in any true element, neither can it live satisfied untill it come into its proper and originall being, from whence it came: for every thing is in its right place when it is returned into its originall, and place from whence it was derived; so that the spirit returnes to God that gave it, Eccl. 12. 7, and the flesh of the man into the dust from whence it was derived: so that man as he is carnall and flesh, it cannot be possible that the spirit of any should take much delight in the same, so as to make it the satisfying Center: But yet after it is renewed, it may be compared to Noahs Dove, it sees the Deluge, and looks abroad in the flesh: to the Mountain of former self-actings, and pure naturals, yet it cannot rest in the same, neither can it take any delight therein; but is made to return to the Arke Jesus Christ; who though he is in the soul, yet above it; as the Arke above the water, so Christ above the Creature, though within it, as the deluge in the world; so that the Creature as man, is no fit place for a renewed spirit to be centred up in; but he must by divine power be brought out of himselfe, into that e­ternall being of spirits, who is said to be above man though in man, Eph. 4. 6. as the Arke above the de­luge, though in the world.

Now man cannot Rest truly in himself. But

Secondly, The place into which the Soule is carried, is and was the first being of his spirit, and now mani­fested so to be to the creature; which being was Christ: this Christ was Gods eternall thoughts of Love, in which man had a being, and now comes in time as a [Page 116] Being to be manifested in the Saints; so the one was the unknown Being of Saints before time, where they lay in the Love and heart of God, which nothing could remove them out of it: the other Rest, is the known Rest and Being of Saints made manifest unto them in time; which knowledge begets a returning of spirit, who with much wearinesse of spirit have been waiting for such a day of redemption (Luke 21. 28.) that it might return into its first originall and being, and to be fully secured in its God, which before it neither knew nor did experience; So that after the heart hath a discovery of this Being, it is like a Load-stone touching the Needle; the Needle can stand no way but towards the North and South; so with the Spi­rit of man, after it is touched with his Being, and cen­ter manifested, it is not able to Rest in all the glories or excellencies that can possibly be imagined, until it be returned into its being: he is like a wicked man or man of this world, who cannot act but in his e­lement: and like a Fish whose element is in the water: so with the spirit of man, he cannot act in his right sphere, untill he come into his first originall Being, which is Christ in God, 2 Cor. 5. 19. so as now it acts in God, and lives by God, and is iaken up with God: and cannot live in any thing else, not as a Saint.

So that the truest comparison that can be made of such a spirit, is the Needle, and the Dove, which truly holds out this to us.

First, That Christ, the Arke is the center, and the sure being of the spirits of Saints.

Secondly, There is no safety or true Rest for the beleeving spirit, but in this Christ.

Thirdly, That it is impossible for any spirit who knowes Christ truly to be his Rest; being once touch­ed by the divine and holy being of Saints, to Rest be­low the same; though many things may transform them­selves [Page 117] within the Creature like unto it, yet upon them he cannot Rest, no more then can the Needle towards the East and West; but it is truly known by such a spi­rit not to be his first being and originall; and so dis­claims it, as Christ did Satan in his temptation; but is carried forth the more in vehe [...]ency of spirit, fly­ing continually without Rest, untill he be got into the Arke, which was the place from whence it came; and in truth it is of usch a latitude, as all the world is not able either to give Rest unto it, or produce true or full contentment in it.

The fifth description of true Rest.

FIftly, It is the centering up of a spirituall man in a spirituall place, not made, nor created, but a being of himselfe, stands by himselfe, having his dependency upon none else.

1. Here is the subject matter of Rest, and that is the spirituall part of man, which is created again and born of the Spirit, Iohn 3 3 for fi [...]st of all, no uncleane spirit or thing shall come there; Rev. 21. 27. nothing shall en­ter into it, but that which is become sutable to it; That which is borne of the Spirit is, that which must enter into this Kingdome of Rest and peace.

Secondly, This spirituality which is made in the Creature, is produced by God possessed in the Crea­ure; for as a carnall heart cannot live in God; no more can God manifest himselfe in any unpure spirit; so as God before he manifest himselfe to a Spirit, he makes it sutable to that glory, which shall in measure be re­vealed unto it; So also before God give man rest in himselfe, he sets man of himself to live in himselfe; for no carnall minde or will can attain God, before by God it be attained; and before God manifest to the heart the Creature is attained by him, he workes a glo­rious [Page 118] worke of the New Birth in him; so that if man were carried up into God which is impossible before he be born of God, there is such a disproportion be­twixt the purity and holynesse of God, and the corrup­tion and carnalnesse of mens spirits, that the Rest of the soul could be no Rest; for there would be nothing but war and enmity: so that God alwaies puls down mountains of flesh, pride, and self; and makes the crooked waies of the heart plain, Luke 3. 5, 6. and brings down those false Rests and Christs in the Crea­ture; and so after makes known a glorious Center to the creature.

Now the spirit being made spirituall, by being born again, it is made spiritually to judge, receive, and discern the Truth of this glorious and spirituall Place, 1 Cor. 2. 15. which no man in the flesh, or by the flesh can attain to, 1 Tim. 6. 16. whom never any man in the carnall mind hath seen, nor can see: So that mans Resting place, together with the subject Resting in it, must be spirituall and out of himself.

Now secondly, This place of Rest is spirituall, so that man if he be in any true Rest, it is not carnall formes or ordinances, which shall cease: Neither is it the rarest Qualifications, or expressions of creatures; neither is it glorious apprehensions or puffings up of flesh, no, our Rest is beyond these, as far as the light of the Sun is from the Candle: He is an unexpressible spiritual being, One who makes all things spirituall that are spirituall, by that spirituality in the fulnesse of it that dwels in him: He is the expresse Image of God, Heb. 1. 3. yea, he is God equall in Nature, though inferiour in place, operation or expression: He is One in all things; He is above all things, and in him all things confist, Col. 1. 17. So he being the fulnesse and the cause of spirituality, he himselfe must needs be spi [...]ituall. So that any soul centred up in him, lives [Page 119] above all carnall Formes, Ordinances, Qualifications, common holinesse or fleshly puffings up, either in false apprehensions, or in inward delusions; He is none of these, but is above these, which is the spirituall mans Rest: And this spirituall Rest is nothing but God, who is all and none besides him; who enjoyes all in himself, and we in him; and by virtue of our being made, born and begotten of him; we become one with him, and of him: So that now being borne of him, it is impossible that the Nature of God in us, can Best or be fatisfied but alone in him and by him, it being of an everlasting and infinite nature: but now as it is infinite, and of God in us, so it throws off all below God; and wholly and alone returnes to him and Rests in him.

Now thirdly, This Rest is not any thing Created, or depending upon any other power but its own. Christ as he was in the flesh, is none of the Rest of Saints: He is a Rest of them, as he becomes one with them in the Spirit; so as he is one with God, and we with him; One in God and we in him, 1 Cor. 6. 17. Joh. 17. 21, 22, 23. Yea, very God, and we by him, 1 Cor. 8. 6. 15. 45. So that he is a Spirit not made nor created, but ma­king and creating all things for and of himselfe, Col. 1. 16. Rom. 11. 36. And all by him was created, not as he was in any form or shape in the flesh without us, not so to be a Rest; but as he is God made manifest in the Spirit within us: However men deem of him, yet he is the Eternal Spirit, and the Father of all spirits, Heb. 9. 14. Though distinguished from the Father in divers acts, shapes or formes, yet he dwels substantially in the God-head, and in whom dwels all the power and ful­nesse thereof, Col. 1. 19. 2. 9. And though he might be in the form of flesh as man, yet then he was in the power and fulnesse of God as God: So that he is in, and of Himself; and he that knows him aright, knows that saying.

And he that is experienced in that spirituall union and conjunction, will say, That his Motion, Glory, De­pendency, and all others that can be spoke of, dwels substantially in him; and that by him now all things are both preserved and kept, Heb. 1. 3. So as all other rests below this, are none at all; but only for them that know not this same Eternall Being.

But now this Christ, He being such a Mystery, and there being in the Earth such dissention about him, To give true Definitions of him, I will in the next place set forth what this Christ is, who is the rest of Saints. We have in short set forth Christ the Eternall Spirit to be the Rest of Saints: [...] [...]s considered in any forme of flesh, but as considered in the fulnesse of the Spirit.

But what Christ is, in the fulnesse of the Spirit, that is the thing we are to explaine and clearly to distinguish.