REMARKS upon some Passages in a late Book, Entituled, Anti-christ's Transformations Within, &c.
THe first thing that I shall observe, is, That he doth deny, that Man hath any Rule, Power, Dominion, Government, or Authority,
either given or committed to him from the Lord; as pertaining to the Conscience,
in things relating to the Worship of God.
Remark, God sent Christ into the World, and he gave him Power and Authority in his Name
to do whatever he required of him. And Christ sends his Servants and Ministers into
the World, as Sheep among Wolves, and he gives them Power and Authority to do what
ever he requires of them, and which he expects from them, and would have done by them.
And their work relates to the Conscience and to the Worship of God; and their Power
and Authority extends thither, where their work lies. They are Embassadours of Christ,
and they have Power and Authority in Christs stead to beseech men to be reconciled
to God. For as Christ came in his Fathers name, to fulfil the work which the Father
gave him to do: so they come in Christs name, to fulfil the work which he gives them
to do. They have Power to feed the Flock, they have Power to watch over them, they
have power to build up in that which is good, and they have Power and Authority to
testify against and hammer down that which is evil; they have power to reprove, they
have Power and Authority to visit with a Spirit of Meekness, and Power to come with
Gods Rod, yea with his Sword, and to smite that with it which riseth up against the
Truth, against the Life, against the Spirit, against the holy way and work of the
Lord, and holy Order and Government of his Truth and Spirit.
That Christ hath sent forth his Servants, his Ministers, his Embassadours, about things
relating to the Conscience, is so manifest, that it cannot be denied, but that he
hath sent them forth with Power and Authority in things pertaining to the Conscience,
relating to the worship of God; That this man denies; but all that have received the
Truth, hold the Truth, and keep the Truth, cannot but acknowledge it.
Now the reason he gives, why he denies Man any Rule, Power, Dominion, Government or Authority, either given or Committed
to him from the Lord, as pertaining to the conscience, in things relating to the Worship
of God, is because it belongeth to Christ the Light, the invisible Power which dwells in men
and Women, &c.
Rem. All Power in Heaven and earth was given to Christ, and belongs to him: that is freely
granted. But the question is, whether he hath not given of this Power to his Children,
and his Servants and Ministers, as his Father gave of it unto him? Doth not he give
Power to as many as believe in his Name, to become Sons of God? Did not he make his
Apostles able Ministers of the New Covenant, in the Spirit and Power which he gave
them? All Power is given me in Heaven and in Earth, said Christ, Matth. 28. 18. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, &c. v. 19. But wait at Jerusalem for the Power first, Act. 1. 8. So when the Power came upon them, it led them forth in their work, and they
had Power to gather, and Power to build up, and Power to govern and watch over the
Flock of God, over which the Holy-Ghost had made them Overseers, Act. 20. 28. And Paul speaks of the Power the Lord had given him to use sharpness, even against those in
that Church of Corinth, who would not be subject to him in that which he had received from the Lord, 2 Cor. 13. 10. But this Power was to Edification, but not to Destruction. For though he
had Power from Christ the Lord, and did by that Spirit and in that Power deliver Hymeneus and Alexander unto Satan; yet it was not that they [Page 5] should be destroyed by the Devil, but by feeling themselves out of the Truth, and under the Dominion of a wrong Spirit,
they might come to true sense and understanding, and learn not to blaspheme the Truth,
nor the dignities whom God hath made honourable in the Truth, 1 Tim. 1. 20. And not the Apostle only, but the Church of Corinth had a share in the same Power; and therefore the Apostle, knowing what was given
and committed to them, exhorts them, that in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when
they were gathered together, and his Spirit with the Power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to deliver such an one to Satan. But this was not for Destruction, to destroy the Soul; but to bring it back into
a state of Edification and Salvation, which now, by departing from the Truth, it was
gone from. It was indeed for the Destruction of the Flesh, but not of the Spirit;
but that the Spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5.
Secondly, The next thing I shall observe is this, he saith, There is no Glory to be given to man, although he be born of the Light.
Rem. That Glory and Honour is to be given to Man, which God gives to Man, who hath said,
Them that Honour me, I will Honour; and they that Despise me, shall be lightly esteemed, 1 Sam. 2. 30. He that brings his Deeds to the Light, they being Justified and approved
there, he hath Honour in the Light. His deeds being made manifest that they are wrought
in God, that is Honour enough for him, John 3. 21. The Children of Light seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality, and Eternal
Life; and that Glory and Honour they have, and Eternal Life from God, Rom. 2. 7. They seek not the Honour that is from Men, but the Honour that cometh from
God only, John 5. 44. the Honour in the Truth, in the Life, in the Power, which God gives them in
the hearts of all that are truly sensible and living. For Honouring the Lord and
his Truth, how can I but Honour those that are Honourable in his eye, and who are
Glorious in his Truth? For indeed the Children of Light, the tender, the humble, the
contrite and broken-hearted ones are Glorious in his eye; and the Lord doth exalt
them in due time: for after the true Humility, and in the true Humility, they come
to partake of the true Honour, 1 Pet. 5. 5, 6. And so every true Jew, every true Servant, every Faithful Steward, every true Minister, that is faithful
in the use of his Gift and Talent, hath praise of God, Rom. 2. 29. & they that are of God, honour those whom God honours, glorifying the Lord
for them and honouring them in the Lord, 2 Cor. 8. 18. O how could this man say, there is no Glory to be given to man, though he
be born of the Light, when as the Kings Daughter is all glorious within, and man in that Birth is nothing but Glorious in the eye of the Lord. Man, having
sinned, fell short of the Glory of God: but coming out of sin, cometh into the Glory
again, and is daily more and more changed into the Glorious Image of the Son, from
Glory to Glory, &c. 2 Cor. 3. 18. The aim of God is to bring many Sons to Glory, Heb. 2. 10. and as they come out of Darkness and Sin, into Light and Holiness, they come
into the Glory, and are in the Glory. Is it not their Glory, in the Lord and in his
Light, to be owned and acknowledged by them that are one with them in the same light?
They who love God and Honour God, cannot but love them and honour them who are begotten
by him and who are in an especial manner made use of by him in his service, for the
Good of souls, and for the preservation and building up of the Church. The Apostle
speaks of double Honour to be given to the Elders that Rule well, especially they
who labour in the Word and Doctrine, and would (from the Spirit of God) have them
counted worthy of it, 1 Tim. 5. 17. How far is this man from the Apostles mind, who would have no glory given
to any man, no not to the Children of Light, nor Ministers in the Light, who in the
Apostles daies were the Glory of Christ? 2 Cor. 8. 23. Yea the just that live by Faith in Christ, and are gathered by him out of
Satans Kingdom, into his spiritual Kingdom, and walk in the Light, as God is in the Light;
there Light doth shine in them, and they do shine as the Sun in the Firmament, and
they that are honoured by the Lord to turn many to Righteousness, [Page 6] do shine as Stars: and though one Star differs from another in glory; yet all that
come into the true Nature and Heavenly Image of the Son, do come into a measure of
the true glory; and have some of the glory given them, which God gave Christ; and
in that are glorious, partaking of his Spirit, Kingdom, Power and Holy Dominion over
Sin and Satan, all which is truly glorious, Joh. 17. 22.
Thirdly, The third thing I shall observe is this, he saith, All is to be given to Christ the light in man, unto whom alone it doth belong, who
is the true Minister, and hath power in himself to teach all the Sons and Daughters
of Men, &c.
Rem. That Christ is the true Minister, that is not denied: but doth not Christ, who is
the true Minister in the Power of the endless life, send forth Disciples and Embassadours
in the same power, and make them through his Spirit and Powerable Ministers of the
New Testament? and they that hear them, do they not hear Christ? and they that despise
or deny them, do they not despise or deny Christ? And doth not Christ say to the seventy
Disciples, He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me: and he that
despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me? Luk. 10. 16. It is Antichrist that so vainly pretends to set up Christ, or this Light,
or Spirit or Power; as to deny those that are sent to him, and Minister in his name.
As man is in the fall, he is corrupt, and his works are out of God, and he is there
to be denied, ceased from and not accounted of: but in the restoration, in union and
fellowship with the Lord he is a worker together with God, and is there to be owned, and hath a share in Ministring out of the heavenly treasure
that dwells in him. So Christ was the great Minister, who had the fulness; and they
that have gifts from him for the Work of the Ministry, and who Minister in and from
the gift, and in that are able and faithful, are esteemed and accounted as Ministers
by him. So saith the Apostle, As every man hath received the gift, even so Minister the same one to another, as
good stewards of the manifold graces of God. If any Man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God; If any Man Minister, let him
do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom be Praise and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen; 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11. And Paul saith he was made a Minister of the Gospel, according to the gift of the grace of
God given unto him, by the effectual working of his Power, Ephes. 3. 7. Now the gift is given, not to those that are wise after the flesh (unless that
wisdom be first broken:) but to such as are Mean, Poor, Weak, Low, or some way or
other contemptible in the eye of mans Wisdom, and easy to be disregarded and despised
by men. Yet it is hard to despise the man whom God sends, without despising his gift
in them; and the gift cannot be despised or rejected, without despising or rejecting
him that gave it, as the Apostle told the Church of the Thessalonians, he that despised or rejected, despised or rejected not man, but God (who gives his
holy Spirit to them whom he sends forth to Minister in his Name) 1 Thes. 4. 8. He had been beseeching and exhorting the Brethren, by the Lord Jesus Christ,
that as they had received of them, how they ought to walk, and to please God; so they
would abound more and more. For ye know, said he, what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark, the Apostle did not only turn them to the word of Life and Power in themselves;
but did give them Commandments from the word of life in him, and they received of
them whom Christ set forth, how they ought to walk, &c. v. 1, 2. And life hath not lost any of its Authority; but the power may teach and command
others, through any vessel when it pleaseth: and they that are the true sheep, know
the voice of the true Shepherd, speaking either in their own hearts, or through any
other Instrument unto them. And the voice of Wisdom in any, is in every age still
heard and justified of her Children; and he that is of God, heareth his voice, in
those whom he sends in this age, as well as in former ages: and he that is not of
God, heareth not his voice: and hereby the Spirit of Truth and Spirit of Errour is
known in this, as well as in former ages, 1 Joh. 4. 6.
Fourthly, The Fourth Passage I shall take notice of, are these words, Wherefore, [Page 7] saith he, whosoever doth Exalt, Christ the Light, who is the true Minister, before themselves,
by Christ the Light within shall those be Exalted.
Rem. This is very different from what went before: for before he denied all Glory and
Exaltation at all to man, although he be born of the Light. Here he speaks of Exalting
Christ, the true Minister, before themselves, which doubtless every true Minister
and every Child of Light cannot but do: and herein he confesseth they shall be Exalted
by Christ the Light. Then Glory is given to them, and he that sees them thus Exalted
by the Light, cannot but esteem as so Honoured and Exalted by Christ, and give them
that Glory which Christ hath given them. And happy would it be with this man, could
he see the true Church, which God hath brought out of the Wilderness, and beautified,
and Gloriously built up to a great height; and the Elders and Ministers whom he preserveth,
and is with, and makes use of in his service, and give them in his heart the Honour
and Glory which God hath Glorified them with. But that he cannot do, till he come
out of Babylon, and out of that dark and confused Spirit, wherein he wrote these things, into that
Light and Holy Spirit of truth, which discovers what they are, (to those that are
in the Truth) and condemns the Ground and Root out of which they sprang.
Fifthly, The next thing to be observed by me is this, He layeth it down, as his Judgment, Faith and Belief, that whatever is written to the Churches, ought to be written from God's infallible Spirit, and the word of
Eternal Life; wherein I am one with him: for what good can any thing do the Living,
but what comes from Life, and from God's infallible Spirit, which alone is able rightly to exhort, advise, admonish, warn
and build up the Spiritual? But his inference thereupon, is that which is before
me to take notice of. Wherefore, saith he, your paper to the Churches, is not to be owned by the Churches, in as much as it
was written from a sight, or a sense, and from the sensible part, and not in and from
the Spirit of Revelation.
Rem. God hath, in his holy Church and Living People, opened the eye that was once blind,
and daily anointeth that eye, giving a true sight, and in the springings of Life
giveth a true sense; and that which giveth this, is the Spirit of Revelation: and
what is writ in this Sight and Sense, is writ from the Spirit of Revelation. And
the called People of the Lord wait upon the Lord, that they may be kept in this Sight,
Sense, and Spirit, in what they do not at all times; but more especially, when they
consider of things relating to the Churches, even to the welfare, holy order and peace
thereof; that God's Spirit may have its scope every where, and nothing else have place
in the Churches of Christ. And though every one be not an eye and ear-witness, of
what is to be considered of for the good of the Churches; yet every one waits to feel
things in the openings, springing Life, and in that to speak, consider or write.
I have often seen the carriage of things after this manner, to the joy of my heart,
and causing of my soul Livingly to bless the Lord for it; and therefore may I, yea ought I now thus to speak; this testimony, which
the Lord hath livingly given me, being at this time required of me. O that men knew
the seriousness and solemnity of our Spirits, before the Lord, in our considering
things relating to his Church; and how we retire out of mans wisdom (affectionate
part and comprehending part, as he speaks) to feel the springing Life, and God's holy
guidance there? and how the Lord doth satisfy and bless us with it: so that we can
say, in truth and uprightness of heart, not we (as men) of our selves do things on
truths account; but he on whose shoulders God hath laid the Government, rules and
reigns among us; and things are ordered by his Councel and wisdom, to his praise.
And the peace and comfort of God's Spirit, remaines with us, in the midst of all the
reproaches and oppositions we met with, from that Evil Spirit which envieth and opposeth
us many wayes. This one word more is with me, as to this particular, God hath given
believers, his Church, senses exercised to discern both good and evil: and [Page 8] those senses are not without the true Life and Spirit, and every motion and action
of them is in that Life, and in that Spirit.
And whereas he further saith, Whatsoever is written, declared, or given forth in the sight, or in the sense or from
the sensible part, it is not to be owned: for the sensible part is that which hath
been in the transgression with the Woman, &c.
Rem. Herein he is greatly mistaken: for friends in truth do not speak, or write, or admonish,
or reprove, or give warning from that part; but from the Sight and Sense which God
gives to his own Birth: and it is the Spirit of God that gives both the Sight and
Sense, and speaks through them; and those whose ears are Circumcised and opened, know
the voice, and give Glory to God, and are obedient to his Spirit, when it gives advice
and warning through any; which those that are in the comprehending part, and consider
and judg in that, cannot have the sense of.
Sixthly, He saith, Antichrist will bring a Vail over the understanding of Men and Women, and yet they
for the present cannot perceive it.
Rem. This is very true, I would he and others, who are Vailed by Antichrist, did see it;
for then he would not esteem those Vailed, whom the Lord hath unvailed, nor attribute
these sayings of his, and this his book, to the Light within, which those whom the
Lord hath unvailed and keepeth unvailed, in his pure Spirit and quickening Life, know
to have come from the darkness within, and not from the true Light: but the true eye,
in the truly Living, sees through it, and hath no union with it; but returns it back
thither, from whence it came. O how deeply doth Antichrist blind and deceive men;
that that which is their own state, they cannot see to be so! but apply it to others,
whose state it is not, and so Justify themselves in that wherein God Condemns them,
and condemn others in that wherein God Justifieth them! This is sad work, and will
have a sad Issue!
Seventhly, He saith, There is an invisible Woman in every visible man, and there is an invisible man in
every visible Woman, and the man Christ Jesus, who is the Light of the World, he is
in them both, &c.
Rem. Is not he now in the Notional and comprehending part, mudling himself and others
(whose ears are open to him) about a Woman in a man, and a man in a woman, and Christ
in both? Whereas Truth is a plain thing; Which they that come to feel and abide in,
feel and witness redemtpion, and preservation out of the comprehending part, and
the dead notional knowledg thereof.
Eightly, He saith, He doth not own the Judgment and Opinion of those ministers, nor yet their superiority,
who say, He that is not justified by the witness of God in friends, is condemned by it in himself.
Rem. I shall not now argue that there are true Ministers, and that there is a true superiority
(some being greater and some less in the Covenant and Life of Truth) which every one
that heareth and learneth of the Father, and so is taught of God, will own: but to
the thing it self. The witness of God is but one in all, and it condemns nothing,
but what is not of God: and what his witness in another condemns in me, his witness
in me (when ever it ariseth and speaketh in me, concerning that thing) cannot but
condemn also.
It is true, as he saith, that Justification is by Christ alone, who is the head in every member, &c.
Rem. But Christ is in other members also, as well as in one: and his Life hath Power to
judg and condemn: and it judgeth and condemneth no where, but that [Page 9] which is to be judged and condemned. So that wherever Christ's Life in any judgeth
& condemneth any thing, that is judged & condemned by Christ. And the Saints have
Power and Authority in Christ, not only to judg and condemn the World, but also to
judg and condemn fallen Angels and Spirits. To what end are they bid to try the Spirits,
if after they have tryed them, they may not judg and condemn, what they find Life
and Truth judging and condemning?
Ninethly, He excepts against that passage in friends Paper (as he recites it) that none are to Minister, but those that are reconciled to the Church, and have the
Approbation of the Elders.
Rem. What is the end of Ministring, but to gather out of the World into the Church, or
to build up the Church? and are they fit to do either, who are not reconciled to the
Church? or whom the Spirit, Life and Power in the Church and Elders hath not unity
with?
He further saith, that God was in Christ, Reconciling the World unto himself, and not to the Church (saith he)
he remembers no such Scripture.
Rem. God added to the Church such as should be saved, and were they not reconciled to
it, before they were added? And Christ said, concerning that Brother that would not
hear the Church, that he should be looked upon as an Heathen or a Publican: and are
such as will not be reconciled to the Church, nor hear it, allowed by God to Minister,
either to gather into the Church, or to build up in it? and surely it cannot be. There
can be no true Ministring out of the Life and Spirit of the Body, or Church that is
in God. And all such as have thus gone out from God in whom the Church is, have Ministred
against the Life, Spirit and Power, but not in it: but in Antichrists Spirit and Power,
and against the Truth.
Tenthly. He saith, Christ the Light within, will not give his Power and Authority out of his own hand
to any man or men: for unto him alone is all judgment in Heaven and in Earth committed
in matters of Conscience.
Rem. Is Christs Power given out of his hands, when his Life and spirit in one judgeth concerning that which is evil and out of the Truth in another? Doth
not the spiritual man judg all things? Doth not Christ teach and enable him so to do? Is there not
such a gift of his to discern soirits? Cannot the ear that is Circumcised and kept open by the Lord, cast speeches and actions,
and discern when they are out of the Life, and when in the Life? and doth he give
the Power and Authority out of his own hands, in enabling them so to do? What dark
expressions are these, and dead too; not so much as litterally true.
Eleventhly, He saith, Christ the Light within is able to break, and he is also able to bind up that which
he hath broken, and to heal that which he hath wounded, &c.
Rem. And hath not Christ put a spiritual rod and sword into the hands of his Church and Ministry, with which to smite and
wound, as his spirit guides and leads them? Have they not Power both to bind and loose as Christ saith?
And is not this a wounding and healing virtue and Power; After Christ had said, Tell the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an
Heathen man or a Publican; doth he not immediately add, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven:
and whatsoever shall be loosed on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven? Mat. 18. 17, 18. Is not this Power and Authority necessary to the true Church? what,
a Church, and not have Power over her own members; but every one left, to the dictates
of what they shall call the Light within, and not be subject to the judgment of the
true Light, spirit and Power of Christ the head in the Living Body? What a Church were this? [Page 10] a meer Babel, an heap of confusion, a Body that would never be at unity in it self. But God is
the God of the order of his own Spirit, Life and Power; and not of such confusion.
This Doctrine may go for truth in Babylon, but can never be owned in Gods Jerusalem, where his Spirit did build up and defends the Buildings and judgeth out all such
sandy and windy Doctrines, which are loose and airy, and have not a ground or bottom
in the Truth.
Twelfthly, He saith, There is fallibility attends all those, who are Regenerated, and born of the Spirit
of God, who is Light, and that it is possible for them to err from the Light again, &c.
Rem. He doth herein lay the state of the truly regenerate and born of God, lower than
the Scripture layes it. The Scripture saith, whosoever is born of God, doth not commit Sin; for his seed remanieth in him, and he cannot sin, because he
is born of God, 1 John. 3. 9. And again, We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is be gotten of God keepeth himself, & that wicked one toucheth him not, c. 5. 18.
There is a gathering into the Seed, and an abiding in the Seed: and there the Soul
is in the strong Tower, and munition of Rocks, where the Enemy cannot reach. Adam in the fall was in a Fallible State: Is the renewed, the redeemed State as fallible?
What State is that wherein Truth is so natural, and the Soul so one with it, that
it can do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth, as Paul speaks? What State is that, wherein Men overcoming, shall become Pillars in the House
of God, and shall go no more out? Rev. 3. 12. But, let Men be never so fallible; the infallible Spirit and Power is given
to the Church of God, to guide them in true Understanding and Judgment; especially
in all things that relate to, and concern them, as a Body: and they that are of the
Truth, and in the Truth, love the Judgment of Christ the Head in her; but they that
are of another Spirit, and would have liberty out of the Truth, to the transforming
Nature and Spirit, cannot abide it. What were my Life in me, if it did not Judg in
me? And, What were the Churches Life, if it did not Judg in her, and Condemn all that
riseth up from a contrary Spirit and Nature? What means that Promise, Isa. 54. 17. No Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every Tongue that riseth
against thee in Judgment, shalt thou Condemn?
Yet he Confesseth, That God is infallible, and that no fallibility attends him; but denies The very Regenerate and Born of the Spirit to be infallible, and that it is possible
for them to err from the Light; again, the Enemy which is the Power of Darkness, presenting
to them the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, &c.
Rem. If God be infallible, as he confesseth (though it is to be questioned, whether from
any true Knowledge of Nature, or only from the Comprehension) and God beget Children:
into what doth he beget them? whether into a fallible Nature and Spirit, or into his
own Nature and Spirit, the least Degree whereof is infallible? When Men are truly
turned to God, there are great and precious Promises made to them, which through Faith,
Obedience, and Diligence, they come to Enjoy, whereby they are made Partakers of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4. And when they partake of the Divine Nature, Do they partake of a Nature that is fallible, or infallible? He that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. and, Is that one Spirit a fallible, or infallible Spirit? There is
one Baptism, wherewith the truly Living are Baptized: and, Doth that Baptism wash
away that which is fallible, or no? The Church of Christ, the Body of Christ, the
Spouse of Christ, the chast Virgin that is Married to Christ, is one with Christ:
Is it one with him in fallibility or in infallibility? Bear with me, for I am constrained
to speak these things for Truths sake, for the Churches sake; yea, for Christ's sake,
and for the sakes of them who cry up the Light within, in words, and yet are deceived
about it, and know it not; but are erred from it, and have set up the darkness of
Anti-Christ in their Minds, instead of it, which with them goes for the true Light:
and in this they Judg that which is true, as if it were false, and [Page 11] Justify that which is false, as if it were true, both in themselves and others; both
which is an abomination to the Lord.
He saith, There is a Fallibility attends all those that are Regenerate, and Born of the Spirit
of God.
Rem. What all? Those that come to the highest pitch, and greatest growth, Can they not
pass fallibility, and arrive at infallibitily in a measure, and abide in it? To be
Regenerated and Born of God, is an high State: it is not for every Notionist, and
Comprehender to be talking what is Experienced there. There is a Regenerating, and
a being Regenerated. There is a following Christ in the Regeneration, and there is
a conformity to him in his Death, and in his Life too. It is not good for him to be
speaking much concerning that State, but rather to wait, to be led into it, and to
arrive at it in the true Travel. But how, he that is Regenerated is one with Christ
(and is in measure as he is) is hard to be known, and harder to be uttered. But he
that is in this State, hath Witnessed the holy Calling, and Faithfulness to him that
Called, and the Election, and is one of the Chosen, or Elect of God; and Christ saith,
such are beyond fallibility; for speaking of false Christs, he saith, If it were possible, they should deceive the very Elect, Mat. 24. 24. plainly signifying, that it is impossible.
Now their possibility of erring he lays upon the Enemies, presenting to them the Fruit
of the Tree of Knowledge, whilst they are in Eden, p. 6.
Rem. The Enemies presenting Temptations, doth not imply a possibility of letting in the
Temptation, and so of Erring in all, to whom he doth present things. For he presented
things to Christ, and yet it was impossible for that Spirit and Nature, that Christ
was of, to let in his Temptations.
But then, immediately in the next Words, he sheweth, How this possibility of falling is upon the Enemies, presenting to them the Fruit
of the Tree of Knowledge, namely thus, Their Minds taking delight in it, and they feeding upon it, the Enemy hath power
to draw their Minds out of Eden again.
Rem. The Regenerate and Born of God, are partakers of the Divine Nature, and wait on God
for Living Food, and receive it of him, and live by it, and cannot abide dead, dry,
notional food, nor feed upon it. Blessed be the Lord, there is that Birth known, which
can feed on nothing but Life it self. And let the power of Darkness present the Fruit
of the dead Tree never so often; the living Babe will not meddle with it, but Hungers,
and Thirsts after Righteousness, and desires the sincere Milk of the pure living Word,
that it may grow thereby. And if this holy Nature be put into the Babe; How much stronger
is it in those that are grown in Truth, and who come to be Naturalized into it, the
contrary Nature being Crucified, and Slain in them by the Cross of Christ, and the
New and Holy Nature Ruling in them?
Thirteenthly, He saith, Wherefore, I do believe that I ought not to subject my self to what the Church imposeth.
Rem. The Church of God under the Law, walking in that outward Covenant, was a glorious
Camp or Body; and had outward Power, according to the outward Law, appertaining to
it. And the Church of God under the Gospel, walking with God according to the Covenant
of the Gospel, is a Glorious, Spiritual Body; and hath inward Power belonging to it:
and though not the Church meerly as Men; yet that Spirit and Power in the Church,
ought to be obeyed by every Member thereof, in things pertaining to God. So it was
it the Apostles days; they that were not disorderly and unruly; were obedient to the
Spirit and Power of God in the Apostles, and Churches then, 2 Cor. 7. 15. and ch. 29. who had [Page 12] Power to Judg those that were within, 1 Cor. 5. 12. And those that are indeed of God, will be obedient and subject to his Spirit
and Power in his Church now: And there is nothing else desired, but obedience to the
Lord, as he moves, guides, leads, and orders, both in the particular, and in the general.
His Reasons why he doth not believe, That he ought to subject himself to what the
Church imposeth, are these: For then, saith he, I must believe that it is God in them, which doth impose those Yokes of Bondage upon
their Brethren.
Rem. The Church is called into the liberty of the Gospel, and her Children are Born of
the word Immortal, and of the Truth which makes free: and it is not the Church its
Nature, either to receive or impose Yokes of Bondage; but to stand fast, and to exhort
all her Members to stand fast, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free.
But where there is any thing unruly, and contrary to the Power, that is to be Yoked
down by the Power.
And the particular waiting upon God in his holy Spirit, Light, and Power; the Spirit,
Light, and Power, will discover what is disorderly, and unruly, and not of God in
the particular, and lay a Yoke upon it. The Church also waiting upon God, in their
Meetings together in his Name; the Lord will discover what is hurtful to the Body,
and contrary to the Life of the Body, and lay Yokes upon it: and he that refuseth
this Yoke, keeps alive that which is impure and fleshly, and keeps down the Just
in himself.
But indeed, he that doth not believe God in his Church, and that his Spirit, Life,
and Power, sits as King there; he is not in a capacity to obey aright, because he
doth not discern nor acknowledge that in the Church, which alone is to be Obeyed.
Another Reason he gives is, Because (he saith) he must also then believe that the Church is Infallible, and cannot Err.
Rem. The Spirit of God is infallible, the Power whereby the Church was gathered and built
up, is infallible. Christ is infallible, and hath given to his Church of his Infallible
Spirit; without which, they cannot be preserved or act aright; And, Is the Church
in God fallible? And this Spirit will not fail them in their waiting upon him: and
the Church which is one with Christ, Married to Christ, Joyned to Christ, partaketh
of his holy, living, and infallible Nature.
Judge in the Truth, how it would suit: an holy Head, an unholy Body; a living Head,
a dead Body; an infallible Head, an elect and chosen Head; but a body very lyable
to be deceived and err. Hath not the Church that Spirit, that Life, that Power of
the Lord Jesus Christ her Head with her, that is able to keep her from erring? And
Is it not her earnest travel, and desire to keep to it her self, and to have all her
Members kept to it? And, Will not that Power keep, and preserve all that keep to it?
He addeth further to the foregoing Words, Which thing I cannot believe, for then I must believe these particulars following.
First, I must believe that they are as infallible, as God is; and that it is as impossible
for them to err, as it is for God to err.
Answ. No, A Man may believe, That God hath given to his Church a glorious proportion of
his Spirit, to dwell in them, and guide them, as his Sons, Spouse, and Wife; and that
they are Married to him that is infallible, and partake of a blessed proportion of
his Nature; and yet not believe, that they are as infallible, as God is. The Lord
is absolutely infallible of himself: what infallibility the Church hath, is by Gift,
by Union, and Communion with the Lord her Husband and Maker.
But, Doth he believe, or will he go about to maintain, that the Church hath nothing
of the Infallible Spirit of her Husband? Or that she is to act in a Fallible Spirit?
Or that she is to act nothing at all? But only direct Men to the [Page 13] Light and Spirit within, and let her Members alone, though she infallibly (by the
Infallible Spirit and Power) know that they are deceived and err, and see (with the
Anointed Eye) that they are going from, and acting contrary to the Light in their
own particulars? If she should do so, she would shew little Care over her Children,
and small Regard or Faithfulness to him, who hath entrusted her with his own Spirit
and Power, for Edification and Salvation, and not for Destruction.
Secondly, That no Man or Woman shall ever attain to any higher measure of the grace of God then
they, and that they are come to the highest revelation that can be attainable by the
Spirit of God.
Answ. The highest measure of Life and of the Spirit, is not necessary for the Government
of the Church: but a true measure. And a true measure the Lord hath ordained for his
Church; and Christ the Head is not absent from his Church, but present with it, to
supply with what Wisdom and Power he seeth needful. And where is the attainment and
growth in grace? Is it in the Church, or out of the Church? Doth not the Lord add
to the Church such as shall be saved? and is not their growth there? And if any member
be blessed, and grow ne [...]er so abundantly in grace, it is the growth of the Church, and the Church is glad
of it. Now if it be a true growth, they would have Unity with the Church, and mind
the Peace of the Church, and be subject to the Spirit and pure Power of Life in the
Church: else their growth is in another Spirit, which the true Church can never own.
Thirdly, And that there is no more to be made known by the Spirit of God, in the Sons and Daughters
of Men, but what airedy is made known to them.
Answ. The particulars owning a measure of Life, of Truth, of the Spirit and Power doth
not argue there is no more to be made known, or revealed in the particular. And the
Churches owning a fuller measure dwelling in the body, than in any one particular
(for the greatest fulness in any particular doth but go to make up the largness or
fulness in the body) doth not argue that the Church shall not grow, or be enlnrged
and filled, as it grows. But if he intend the growth of any, departing from the Church,
or out of the Spirit of Life of the Church, who hath her Life from the head, and is
in unity with the Head: that growth we cannot but deny, finding it, by constant tryal
and experience, to be a growth in Notion and Comprehension, out of the feeling life
and power.
Now this kind of growth, I do not desire ever to know; the Lord also preserve others
out of it, and open their Ears to hear the voice of Christ▪ an [...] of his Church, that they may be preserved out of it. For had this been hearkened
and kept to, things had been better with many, as to their inward State, true Peace
with the Lord, than they have been.
Fourthly, Or if there be any thing more to be revealed by the Spirit of God, that God will make
it known to them, and to none else.
Answ. The true Church doth not limit God, where he shall reveal, or not reveal, but owneth
God in what ever it reveales in any man upon the Face of the Earth. For being in Unity
with and Gods Spirit, and born of the smmortal Life, they are in the fealing sense
and knowledge of what came from the Life in ages past, or in this present age; and
are in Unity with it: yet they know, the Lord revealeth the Mystery of his Truth
and Kingdom in the Churches, and the growth is in the Churches.
Now if any in Lucifers Nature, will hearken to that Spirit which despiseth Gods Church, and rend from it,
and think to grow above it; and expect this Growth in their high notions and comprehensions
about things, in that exalted mind, should be owned by the Church; they will be mistaken:
for the true Spirit, which knows all things, and guides the Church, will not guide
the Church to own any such Spirit or Growth; but to judge and condemn it in its greatest
spreading and exaltation.
There were those in the Apostles dayes, who would seem to be grown high▪ and to be
spiritual, far above the Apostles, and such as lay low in the Truth, and obeyed [Page 14] the holy Commandments; and yet were far short of their Life; as may be seen Abundantly
in his Epistles to the Church of Corinth. But what saith the Apostle concerning such? If any man think himself a Phrophet or Spiritual, let him acknowledge the things
that I write unto you, are the Commandments of the Lord, 1 Cor. 12. 37. And did not he give Commandments about those that were unruly, and
would not be subject to the Order, Power and Government of Gods Spirit in the Church?
And did not the Apostle say of unruly Persons, and vain Talkers and Deceivers, that
their mouths must be stopped? Tit. 1. 10. 11. What, had the Church or Ministers, in the first promulgation of the Gospel
Power to stop mouths? Yea, in the Spirit that was in them and with them, they knew
which was the vain talkers, the unruly and deceivers, and what mouths were to be stopped,
and what Power would stop them?
Fifthly, He saith, Friends, I would have you seriously take into your consideration some of your Doctrines
and Principles which are commonly preached among us, how they can stand with Gods
Soveraignty, Dominion and Glory, that either the Seed or God should arise in Man.
Rem. Christ preached a Seed, even the Kingdom like a grain of mustard-seed, and this Seed
sown in man. Now if it was sown in man, in his earthly heart, Nature and Spirit, then
the earth was over it, and did cover it, and it was to spring up or arise over and
above the Earth; and the pure Power, Wisdom, and Glory of the Father to appear to
be manifested in it.
Is this such a strange Doctrine to him? where are his Spiritual senses? How was he
convinced? was it without the feeling of the seed? If he truly felt it, where did
he feel it? did he not feel it in the earth? was there not much over it?
I am sure, we who were truly convinced, felt it so; felt the pure seed under, suffering
the pure Life under, the pure measure of truth under, and much of the Earth over it,
the Lamb slain inwardly by sin and transgression, and blessed be the Lord, we felt
also the Earth Judged, and removed out of its place; the Earth ploughed up, and the
seed springing over all thats Earthly, and growing up in that which God made New,
over that which was Old.
And did not God arise outwardly, in the manifestation of his Power outwardly, among
the outward Jews? And, Doth not he arise inwardly, in the manifestation of his Power inwardly, among
the inward Jews? Are the Enemies ever scattered inwardly, till Gods arising inwardly? What kind of
Convincement or Growth, hath that Man been acquainted with, who never Experienced
these things?
Now having proposed this, he asketh some Questions, which as the Lord shall open my
Heart, I may return Answers to: not after a Notional way, but as the Lord hath given
me the Knowledge, Feeling, and Experience of the thing.
His First Question is, Whether the Light or Spirit, Seed, and God, be not all one and the same thing?
Answ. God is the Fulness, the Seed is a measure, and manifestation of him, the infinite
Fulness. And as he is Light, and Spirit: so the Seed that comes from him, or that
the good Husband-man Sows, is Light and Spirit also.
His Second Question is, How came this Seed of God to be under, or beneath in Man?
Answ. Any Man that knows the Truth in the holy Experience, and hath been Tempted, and let
in Sin upon him, may know what comes then under, and how it comes under. The Spirit
by Sin is Grieved; yea, the holy Spirit may be quenched, and Man may Crucify to himself
the Lord of Glory.
His Third and Fourth Questions are, What shall raise it up? And, By what?
Answ. to both, The Power of God, the Spirit of God, the Life of God, entring into its own in Man,
entring into the Witness, raiseth it up, brings that under, which resisted, oppressed,
and kept it down. The Power of the Almighty, by his out-stretched-Arm, crusheth Pharaoh inward, and brings his Spiritual Seed out of Spiritual Egypt, Sodom, and Babylon, in all which the Lord, in all Ages, hath Inwardly, and Spiritually been Crucified,
by them that have resisted his holy Spirit, in the pure Manifestations thereof: for
what is done to it, is done to him. Saul, Saul, Why Persecutest thou me?
Lastly, Whether the Appearance of God in Man, to Man by his Spirit, be not for the quickening and raising of Man, both Soul
and Body, out of a State of Bondage and Captivity?
Answ. Yes, it is: But how doth God raise up Man? Is it not by joyning him to his Seed,
and causing him to bow to his Seed; and suffer with his Seed, and deny that which
is contrary to his Seed; so that the Seed, which hath been grieved, and burden'd
with Sin and Iniquity, may rise up over it, and crush the Head of the Serpent in the
Authority, Power, Dominion of the Fathers Life? Who of the Redeemed Ones, that have
Witnessed true Redemption, have not Witnessed God, bringing that up which was down,
low, deep in the Heart; and bringing that down which was high, and exalted over it?
But for the raising of God, that is but his misrepresentation of this sound Docttrine,
and holy experience: for Christ himself, who was God, and the Resurrection and the
Life; yet the God-head was not raised in him, but the Resurrection, and the Life
raised that Body. And that of him, which he soweth in us, and which differeth in the
Soul, through the souls sin; he raiseth up in his own holy Dominion, in them that
come to suffer with it, and to bear the Cross with that which Crucifieth sin.
This is sound Doctrine and sound Experience, Universally experienced by all that know
the inward truth, and have subjected to it. They have felt what truth was, and where
it was; and what it is, and where it is; and what they are in it, and by it; blessings
and praises over all unto him, who by the working of his most Glorious Power, hath
brought this about in a remnant, whom the Lord hath visited and shewn Mercy to.
Let him wait for true understanding, from him who is able to give it, and answer
me this one question then, Doth not the Devil, the Enemy of Man-Kind, hunt after the Precious Life, even in those
that come to witness Redemption in measure from him? and if at any time they hearken
to his temptations, and let him in, doth not the Life receive a wound? is not the
spirit grieved? is not the tender, righteous, living Plant hurt?
O the tender Mercy of God to permit his truth, his seed, his son; not only to suffer
for man, without the Gates of Jerusalem, but also to suffer in Man, even in the streets of Sodom, where our Lord was in Ages past Crucified, and is spiritually Crucified to this
day! Rev. 11. 8.
He saith, The Kingdom of Heaven is within all men and women, and Heaven is above Hell, and the
Light is above Darkness, p. 7.
Rem. If he mean that their Nature is so, I grant it: but if he mean that Heaven, or the
Light which is Heavenly, is uppermost in men who are under the Kingdom and Power
of Darkness, he is utterly mistaken: for in the Kingdom where Satan and Antichrist Reign, Antichrist is there exalted (in that heart) above all that is called God;
even above the Light, Spirit and Power, which ought to be Worshiped and Obeyed there,
but is not: and there is need of the Arm and Power of God to be awakened, and to put
on strength there, to cut Rahab, wound the Dragon, and bring him under, and to bring up the Seed into its heavenly
Authority, Dominion and Power (which is due unto it) in that heart.
He saith, The Seed is to redeem, and not to be redeemed.
Rem. This is true, relating to the Seed, as it is in it self: But as God hath bestowed
it on man, given it as a Gift in man, and it condescends to his Condition, descending
into the lower parts of the Earth, and suffering with man, that it might bring man
into its Death and sufferings, and so raise it in and with it self: so the mighty
power of Life, from whence it came, is to be revealed in it, and bring it out of Egypt, and the darkness wherein it finds man, and in the tender Love of God to man, bears
a share with him. It is not the Jew outwardly that pierced Christ, but the Soul inwardly by Transgression pierceth his
Life and Spirit: and as it comes to true sense and Faith, looks upon him whom it hath
pierced by Sin, and mourns bitterly over him, and turns from and hates that Sin, whereby
it pierced him.
He saith, The Seed in both Man and Woman, it is both God and Christ, and it is above the Seed of the Serpent in all, and he is in himself, &c. p. 7.
Rem. Who denies that God and Christ, and the Holy Seed, which are one in Nature, though
not in Measure and Fulness, as he is in himself is above the Seed of the Serpent?
He addeth further, Neither hath mans mind been so blinded, that he could not see his Sins by the Light, P. 8. L. 38. (as corrected by the Errata.)
Rem. There is an eye that the God of this World blinds, that it may not see the Glorious
shinings of the Light, 2 Cor. 4, 3, 4. And the eye that is blind, cannot see, till God opens it. The outward eye
cannot see the shining of the outward Sun, but as it is opened: nor can the inward
Eye see inward things, but as the Lord opens it. Paul was sent to the Gentiles, to open their Eyes, and to turn them from Darkness to Light, Act 26 18. So that Mans Eye is blinded, that though the Light shine in the Darkness,
yet he cannot see, nor walk in the way of the Light, but as God anoints, and opens
his Eye; Anoint thine Eyes with Eye-salve, that thou mayest See, Rev. 3. 18.
But I beseech him, in the tender Bowels of Love, to consider where his Standing is,
and what it is in him that brings forth these Things: For, I am sure, it is not the
true Light, where-with God hath shined in the Hearts of his People, and doth shine
at this Day. He mistakes the true Light in others, and calls it Darkness; and also
mistakes the Darkness in himself, and calls it Light: And, Whither, after this rate,
may he wander in his uncertain Notions and Comprehensions; and while he is thus talking
of God, and Heaven, and the Light within, he be sound among them who blaspheme God,
and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven?
What I have hitherto took notice of, may sufficiently manifest, even to himself, could
he retire low enough, where the true Understanding and Knowledge is given) how he
hath erred from the true Light, and but pretended to it, and not been led by it, in
what he hath now writ.
As for the other Part of his Book, though I could say much to it, if the Lord did require me; yet finding it chiefly
to be Matter of Notion and Criticism, my Heart is not engaged to meddle with it: For
it is not in me to bring People into such Critical Disputes, about an Invisible Man,
or Invisible Woman, or who was the first Invisible Man; which one while he seems to
call God, or Christ; another while the Son of Perdition, or Power of Darkness he calls the first Invisible
Man; as pag 21. for which I am satisfied, he can produce no Scripture; which he requires of Friends, for what they assert
I must confess, I see no Profit in his medling with such things; but rather drawing
the Minds of the People into forbidden Knowledge, and airy Comprehension about the
Heavenly Things, and feeding that Part in themselves▪ which should not thus be suffered
to fly aloft, but be kept under.
And happy were it for him, if he could feel the Truth, Seed, and Life, (which is grieved
in him) rise above them, trample them down, and reign over them: But he must experience
great Humility, and a long Travel, before he can come to witness this.
As for his denying himself to be of us; indeed he hath sufficiently manifested by
this Book, and by his strange Notions and Comprehensions therein, that he is not of Us; but
a Stranger to that Life, Spirit and Power, which hath gathered, guideth, and preserveth
Us out of such Paths as these.
And, O that he did not hug so many Notions, (and those very strange ones too, contrary
to the Truth and Holy Experience, in the Hearts of God's Redeemed Ones, and the Holy Scriptures, as hath been already shewed) and get such
Comprehensions into his Brain, concerning the saving Power; but wait to descend,
and come down thither, where he may feel it in his Heart; and that will preserve
him, for the future, from such Contradictions and Confusions, which the other [Page 17] Part of his Book is also too full of; which, if the Lord please, he may draw forth some other to lay
open, for the Vindication of Truth, and its true Testimony, from his Spirit, and
false Testimony, uttered in very strange and extravagant Expressions; not at all suitable
to the Nature of Truth, but rather to the Nature of that dark Spirit, from whence
it came; which the Lord of his tender Mercy manifest to him, and Redeem him from,
into a tender, living, humble Sense of the meek and lowly Principle of Life, in the
Heart.
THE POST-SCRIPT.
SInce the Writing of the Former, and my not intending to meddle with the Rest, there
hath something lain upon me, as to some few Passages therein also, to write a few
Words, by way of Testimony, to One or Two Particulars therein: But that which mainly lay upon me, was somewhat in Relation
to his Post-script; he looking upon it as so Unanswerable, and yet so plain, and clear an Answer arising to it in my Heart.
First, As to his main Controversy with Friends, about the Christ that Dyed at Jerusalem, (he affirming, That neither Justification nor Condemnation is by Him; and reproaching Friends, as having gone back to the Professour's Christ, and Saviour, who Dyed without
the Gates of Jerusalem, as pag. 17. p. 21. & p. 26.) this is in my Heart to say:
Rem. Is Christ divided? Is there One Christ that Dyed without the Gates of Jerusalem, and Another that did not Dye? Or, Is it not the same Lord Jesus Christ, who Died without the Gates of Jerusalem, according to the Flesh, and yet was then alive in the Spirit? Do we affirm▪ that
the God-head died? (no, we do not so much as affirm, That his Soul dyed, as he doth, p. 19.) but according to the Flesh he dyed; that is, he who was the Resurrection, and
the Life, laid down his Life, and took it up again, according to the Commandment of
his Father.
Thus we have been taught of God to believe, and thus to hold it forth. And we have
no other Justifier, Condemner, Saviour, or Intercessor, than he that laid down the
Life of the Body, offering it up a Sacrifice to his Father, without the Gates of Jerusalem. Who is he that Justifyeth? Is it not God, in and through him? And. Who is he that Condemneth? Is it not Christ that dyed? (And, Where did he dye? Was it not without the Gates of Jerusalem?) yea rather, that is Risen again, &c. Rom. 8. 33, 34.
Secondly, The next thing that lyes upon me to take Notice of, is writing against Sense, and
disowning the Exhortation to come to a Sense, and to wait in a Sense, and abide in
a Sense, &c. as p. 25.
Rem. Though I have given a touch at this already, in the fore-going Part; yet there is
some-what more lies upon me. The Inward Man, the New Man, the Spiritual Man hath
Inward and Spiritual Senses. Christ's Sheep have Spiritual Ears to hear his Voice with, and a Spiritual Eye is given
to the Spiritual Man, to see Him who otherwise is Invisible.
There is also a Spiritual Tast, to savour and distinguish between that which is Living,
and that which is Dead; between that which is Corrupt and Unwholsom, and that which
is Wholsom Food: and by the Exercise of these Senses, the Children of God become
more and more skilful in discerning between Good and Evil. [Page 18] Heb. 5. 14. And in this Living Sense, the Elect cry unto God against their Enemies, and
are heard and preserved by him, and shall in due time be fully delivered, Luk. 18. 7, 8.
The truly living, are truly sensible. Indeed, if he could take away the Sense of Life,
and the Judgment of Life from God's People, it were an easy Matter to deceive them
with such kind of Notions and Comprehensions, as he hath brought forth in this his
Book. But the Lord hath given a living Sense, or Senses to his, and pure Living Judgment
therein: which their Minds being kept to, it is impossible for this Spirit, or any
such like, with all its Inchantments, to prevail upon them; because the Sheeps Ear
knows the Sound and Voice of Life, from the Sound and Voice of Death, let Anti-christ transform in any of his Ministers never so mysteriously.
He saith, God is not a Sense, nor is his Spirit a Sense.
Rem. It is not for him, in his Notional Way, to say what God is: He that made the Eye, shall not he see? He that made the Ear, shall not he hear?
Doth he beget his Children into a living Sense, and bestow living Senses upon them?
and, Hath not he the Thing in himself much more?
But let me ask him this Question: Did God, the Holy Begetter of Life, ever beget him into a living Sense? If not, he was never
of Us: If the Lord did, let him wait to be begotten so again, and he shall soon be one of Us again,
and judge in the true Spirit, Life, and Power, what he hath here Writ and Published
abroad in the wrong; and he shall no longer believe, that this his Writing was written
from the Testimony of Jesus in him, (as he expresseth, pag. 21.) but shall experience the Life of Jesus, condemning it in his own Heart; as I am sure, it hath done, and doth in mine, and
cannot but do in all that have been gathered to, and abide in that which keepeth livingly
sensible.
Thirdly, The Third Thing, and that which most lies upon me, is that Charge of his upon Friends, That they do shew more Homage, Reverence, and Obedience to the Form outwardly, than
to the Power of God inwardly; and that they Worship the Form beyond the Power, because they keep their
Hats on when they Wait and Worship in Silence; but in publick Prayer, both Men and
Women either Stand up, or else Kneel down; and the Men all put off their Hats: Herein (he saith) they Worship, Reverence, and Adore the Form outwardly; and the Words, more than the
Word of Life in their Hearts, &c. This Practise he would have them vindicate, if they can: Indeed, he hath sufficiently
Condemned it, and more than God hath allowed him to do, or will Justify him in.
Rem. The Thing is nakedly and plainly thus: The Great God, by the Arm of his Power, hath gathered a People to Himself, and taught them to Worship
Him in his own Spirit and Truth: Yea, he hath taught us to be continually Retired,
and upon our Watch, and in his Fear; eying, and regarding Him in all we do.
Besides this, He hath appointed us solemn Times of Meeting together, to Worship Him;
in which Times, we do, in a more solemn, and after a more especial manner, retire
to feel his Presence with us, and holy Spirit and Power working in our Hearts, and
ministring to us. And, blessed be the Lord, he is still found, according to his Promise, in the Midst of us; and doth give us
pure Breathings after Him, and pure Sense of Him, and pure Praises to him; even Praises
from, and in that which is pure.
Yet, while we are sitting thus waiting, or when Breathings or Praises arise, we are
not taught or required of the Lord, to pull off our Hats, or kneel on our Knees.
But, when the Lord moveth and calleth any forth (for the Assembly, or in the Name, and on the Behalf
of the Assembly) to offer Prayer or Praises to God; then, to signify our Unity in the Spirit, and our joint Reverence to our God, we are moved either to Kneel, or Stand, as the Lord shall incline our Hearts, and to uncover our Heads before Him. And in this we do
not adore the Form, as our [Page 19] God knoweth, and beareth witness; but Him who hath taught us the Form, and who teacheth
us to continue therein, and justifyeth us in the Use and Practice thereof.
And, What Spirit is this that Condemneth us, after this vaunting manner, as if if
he had brought forth such a manifest Evidence of our Adoring the Form, as could not
be Answered?
The last thing, which lies on me to take Notice of, is those Words about the Close
of his Post-script: I have yet another Book, that is written in and from the Spirit of God; the Tendency of which Book, is for the Overthrowing of all Anti-christ's Ministers
in this Nation, &c.
Rem. This Testimony lyes on my Heart concerning him, that he is not in a Condition, or
Capacity, to write or speak in or from God's Spirit. He may pretend to have Written
this, or to Write another Book from God's Spirit, but he doth but take the Name of
the Lord in vain, in so doing; and the Spirit of the Lord will without doubt through
some of those that are in him that is true, give a sure and certain Sound, and Testimony
against his false Pretences.
O! That he could indeed think, or write, or speak against Anti-christs Ministers,
and against the Spirit of Anti-christ: which if ever he be able from God to do, he
must first see how Anti-christ hath prevailed over him, and darkened him; and how
he dwelleth and reigneth in his Heart, as if he were God; yea, he must deny his present
Light and Spirit, and call it no more Christ; but feel that which is now little and low in him rise (through his Sense of it, and
Subjection to it) over that which is now so high, and so exalted above the Measure
of Truth in his own Heart: Which, if it were so, or might once be so, How glad would
my Soul be for his sake, which is now grieved to see him so lifted up, and so mistaken,
and so deeply to err, both concerning himself, and God's People, Church, and Ministers,
and concerning God's Light and Spirit, denying, debasing, and casting down that, to exalt himself; that so he might set up the Wrong, instead of the Right, and be justifyed and owned
by the one, seeing he cannot by the other!
The Lord, if it be his Will, in tender Mercy to him, bring him down from his high Seat, and
exalt that Holy Blood of the Covenant, which is now trampled under foot by him, that
his Soul may be saved, and not perish for ever, (in the Day that never shall have
end) from the Presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power.
Amen.
THE END.
SOME Mis-representations Of Me concerning Church-Government CLEARED. AND The Power and Authority of GOD's Spirit, in Governing His CHURCH, Testifyed to.
By One, whom it hath pleased the Lord to make a Member of the Church, which he hath
Gathered, and Preserveth by his own Almighty Arm; who accounteth it his Duty and Honour
in the Lord, to be Subject to the Government and Ordering of his Spirit and Power in his Church,
Isaac Penington.
‘That ye submit your selves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth,’1 Cor. 16. 16.‘Obey them that have the Rule over you, and submit your selves; for they watch for
your Souls, as they that must give Account, that they may do it with Joy, and not
with Grief; for that is unprofitable for you,’Heb. 13. 17.‘Likewise, ye Younger, submit your selves unto the Elder; yea, all of you be subject
one to another, and be clothed with Humility: For God resisteth the Proud, and giveth
Grace to the Humble,’1 Pet. 5. 5.‘And be not drunk with Wine, wherein is Excess: But be filled with the Spirit, and
submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God,’Ephes. 5. 18, 21.
THE PREFACE.
UPon occasion of the Suffering of our dear Friends and Brethren in New-England, cruel Imprisonments, many hard Ʋsages, and at last (some of them) Death it self,
for their Obedience and Faithful Testimony to the Lord, and his precious Truth; and
because of the undue Covering thereof, by the Grounds and Causes produc'd to justify
their Proceedings; I was engaged to shew the Nakedness, and Ʋnreasonableness thereof,
in a Book, Entituled, An Examination of the Grounds or Causes, which are said to induce the Court of Boston in New-England, to make that Order, or [Page 21] Law of Banishment upon pain of Death against the Quakers, &c. Whereunto somewhat was added (being very proper to the subject in hand) about the
Authority and Government which Christ excluded out of his Church, which also occasioned
somewhat concerning the true Church-Government..
Now this latter part (about Church-Government) hath been so Misrepresented, as if, because the wrong Church-Government was Excluded, the Exclusion of all Church-Government was intended by Me, there being no notice taken of my owning the true Church-Government, but only some passages of my disowning the false produced, as if they intended to
overturn and deny all Church-Government, which never was intended by Me: for in that very Book which is thus made use of,
I did positively affirm the necessity and use of the true Church-Government, which may more fully appear in that which hereafter follows.
Some Misrepresentations of Me, concerning Church-Government.
FOr the Manifesting that I am Mis-represented, and the clearing of my Innocency from
those Misrepresentations, this is on my heart;
First, to set down those words which John Pennyman hath cited out of that part of my Book which speaks of the Authority and Government
which Christ excluded out of his Church.
Secondly, To add somewhat, in way of Confirmation of that Truth and Tender sence, which was
then upon my Heart.
Thirdly, To propose some Questions, as I shall find them arise in my Heart, further to open
and manifest the intent of my Heart in this thing.
Fourthly, To annex somewhat, which is mentioned and immediately added in the very same part
of the Book, concerning true Church-Government, which plainly manifesteth that I was
not against the true Church-Government, nor did mention or intend any of those things
to hinder, deny or oppose the true Church-Government, of which I do there infer an
absolute necessity.
Fifthly, It is on my heart to add a few Considerations further concerning the necessity,
usefulness and benefit of the true Church-Government.
The first words John Pennyman cites out of this part of my Book, concerning the Authority and Government which
Christ excluded out of his Church, from Mat 20. ver. 25, to 29. are these.
Here Christ cuts off that Power and Authority, which grows up in the corrupt nature
of man, which was ever and anon springing up even in the Disciples; here he wholly
excludes it out of his Church, and saith expressly, He would have no such thing amongst
them, no such kind of Greatness, no such kind of Authority.
Confirm. It is the full belief of my Heart, that Christ hath cut off that Power and Authority,
which grows up in the corrupt Nature of Man, and wholly excluded it out of his Church,
even very expresly in this forecited Scripture; plainly signifying therein, that
he would have no such kind of Greatness, no such kind of Authority among his gathered
and chosen People.
Quest. But doth this signifie or imply, that he would have no authority at all? Doth this
exclude the Authority and Government of his Spirit and Power in his Church? Doth not
he notwithstanding this say, Go tell the Church? And enjoyn the members of the Church, to hear the Church, upon the penalty of being
accounted Heathens and Publicans? And did not the Holy Ghost make and appoint [Page 22] Overseers over the Church? Act. 20. 28. And what is an Overseer? Or in what were they to oversee? Were they not to
oversee in the true Light, to which every Child of Light is to be subject? And they
that did resist the Light, Spirit and Power of the Holy Ghost in any of the Overseers;
were they not unruly, and departers from the Light in themselves; though they might
pretend they were still for the Light, and that it was the Overseers that were departed
and erred from it?
The next words he Cites are these.
TWo things are here excluded by Christ, from whence all the mischief ariseth in the
Church (all the Tyranny and Oppression of men's Consciences, and of their Persons,
Estates and Liberties for Conscience-sake) First, Greatness; Secondly, the Exercising
Dominion and Authority by those that would be great therein.
Confirm. It is my Belief, that all the Mischief in the Church, Tyranny, and Oppression of
Mens Consciences, and of their Persons, Estates, and Liberties for Conscience-sake,
doth arise from a wrong Greatness, and from the Exercising of a wrong Dominion and
Authority, by those that would be great therein: and that these two things are here
Excluded by Christ, in the forementioned Scripture.
Quest. But is there not a true Greatness? Those that lye low before the Lord, and have humbled
themselves under his mighty Hand; Doth not the Lord Exalt them in due time, filling
them with his Spirit, Life, Vertue, and Power? And, is not that great in them; and
are they not highly Favoured, and Exalted in the Eye of the Lord therein? (Oh, none
knows how great those are in the Eye of the Lord, who are poor and low, and nothing
in their own Eyes!) And, is there not a true Authority, and Dominion of Gods Spirit
in the Church in general, as well as in the particular, over the Spirit and Power
of Darkness? Because of which Spirit, because of which Power, because of which holy
Authority and Dominion, the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail against it.
His next Citation is this (which though somewhat long, I am willing to Recite punctually,
that my Innocency may the more appear.)
This Spirit must be kept out from amongst you, this aspiring Spirit, this lofty, ruling
Spirit, which Loves to be Great, which Loves to have Dominion, which would Exalt it
self because of the Gifts it hath Received, and would bring others into Subjection;
this Spirit must be Subdued amongst Christ's Disciples, or it will Ruin all. The Lord
gives Grace and Knowledge for another end, than for Men to take upon them to be Great,
and Rule over others because of it. And he, that because of this, thinks himself fit
to Rule over other Mens Consciences, and to make them bow to what he knows, or takes
to be Truth, he loseth his own Life thereby; and so far as he prevails upon others,
he doth but Destroy their Life too. Therefore the Disciples, or Church of Christ,
are to Watch over every such Spirit; to beat it down, to testify against it, to turn
from it, to lay it flat, to put it in its proper Place, that is, beneath all, and
so not to suffer it to arise.
Before I come to the Confirmation of this, I judge it meet to set down the foregoing
Clause or Paragraph omitted by him, which will very much help to clear the naked drift,
and true intent of these Words. The foregoing Paragraph runs thus;
Such a kind of greatness as is in the World, its the destruction of the Life of Christ;
and such a kind of Dominion and Authority as is among the Nations, is a direct overturning
of the Kingdom of Christ. It sets up another Power than Christs, another [Page 23] Greatness than Christs, another kind of Authority than Christs; and so eats out the
Vertue and Life of his Kingdom, and makes it just like one of the Kingdoms of this
World.
This (which immediately went before) being thus added, may sufficiently open the thing
of it self. Yet for further Satisfaction, I shall add a Confirmation to the Truth
of that which he hath cited; and that in several particulars, because of the length
of the Citation.
Confirm. First, An aspiring Spirit, a lofty, ruling Spirit, which Loves to be Great, which Loves
to have Dominion, which would Exalt it self, &c. must be kept out from among the Disciples, and Church of Christ. There must not be
such a Spirit, or loving to be great, or such a ruling among them, as is in the World.
No, Life alone, the Spirit alone, the humble Seed alone, the Truth alone, the Grace
alone must Rule among them: and God forbid the Authority and Government thereof,
should be stopt in any. It cannot be well with the Church, that it should be so; that
God's Spirit should be grieved or quenched, or stopped in its Holy Way of Governing,
and Ordering the Church of its own Building.
Secondly, That which would Exalt it self because of the Gifts it hath Received, and would bring
others into Subjection; this Spirit must be Subdued among Christ's Disciples, or it
will ruin all. God alone, Christ alone, the Spirit alone, the Truth alone, the Seed
alone is to be Exalted in the Church; not Flesh, not Self, not the Aspiring, Lofty,
Ruling Spirit.
Thirdly, The Lord gives Grace and Knowledge for another end, than for Men to take upon them
to be Great, and Rule over others, because of it. Man, without Grace, and True Knowledge,
is High and Exalted, and would be Ruling over, and Subjecting others: But True Grace
and Knowledge brings Man down, and keeps him low, even out of every desire of Aspiring,
and Ruling over others, in earnest Breathings and Endeavours, that both the Grace
and Spirit may Teach, and Rule both over himself, and others.
Fourthly, Because God hath given a Man Knowledge; he must not take upon to Rule over others
with his Knowledge. Christ did not Rule over his Disciples with his Knowledge, nor
require them to believe what he knew to be Truth. Nor may any Man at this Day, though
never so full of Gods holy Spirit and Power, take upon him (above what his Lord and
Master did) to Rule over other Mens Consciences. If he do, he will do it out of the
leadings of Life, and of Gods holy Spirit; and so will wound, and hurt his own Life
thereby: and so far as herein he prevails on others, he will hurt their Life too.
Fifthly, Therefore this Spirit (which Christ never was of himself, nor encouraged in his
Disciples) the Church is to watch over, beat down, testify against, turn from, lay
flat, and keep beneath all, and so not suffer it to arise.
Quest. But doth all this hinder, deny, or oppose Christ's Spirit, Christ's Power, Christ's
Truth, and Grace from arising in the Church, in a way of Spiritual, and Holy Government?
Because Man is not to Aspire, nor take upon him to Reign or Rule, because of Grace,
Gifts, or Knowledge Received; Shall not therefore the Head Govern the Body? Shall
not Life, and Truth, and the Wisdom of God Spring in the Church, to Order, and Govern
the Church? But must every Man be left to the Dictates of what he calls Light in him,
and not be Reproved or Testified against, though the Spirit of God Manifest it (to
them that are indeed in the Light, Life, Spirit, and Power) that it is not Light,
as persons may pretend and imagine, but real Darkness, gross Darkness, Darkness that
may be felt, even by the least Babes that are in the true, living Sense?
The Next Citation.
IF this Rule of Christ had been kept to, Anti-christs power could never have got up,
nor the poor innocent Lambs so often have been Worried by the Wolves.
Confirm. It is most certainly true, if the wrong Authority and Government had been kept down;
if the Aspiring, lofty Spirit, which exalts it self, and loves to have the Preheminence,
over that which it should be subject to both in it self and others, had been judged,
beat down, denied, turned from, &c. how could the spirit of Antichrist, which is the spirit that would be Exalting it
self above all that is indeed of God, have got up? This is the Wolf that worries the
Lambs: and if this Power and Spirit be kept out of the Church, how can there be any
Wolf found there, to Worry the innocent Lambs, and sheep of Christ?
Quest. But did ever Anti-Christ's Power get up by the excercise of the Power of Christ in
his Church? Doth not that Power turn against Anti-Christ, and keep out Anti-Christ?
Did that Power ever Worry the Lambs? Nay, rather, doth it not cherish, feed, build
up and preserve the Lambs? And is it possible but Anti-Christs Power should get up,
unless this Power be watched to, and observed in its Ordering, and Governing the Church,
and discovering the subtle working of the Wolvish Spirit of Anti-Christ; which appears
in the Sheeps Cloathing, and may pretend to the Light within, that it might draw Men
from that which is indeed the Light within, into that which is indeed Darkness in
the Sight of the Lord, and in the Sight of all that are kept truly Living, and Sensible
by Him?
The Next Citation.
THe great Work of the Minister of Christ, is to keep the Conscience open to Christ,
and to preserve Men from Receiving any Truths as from them, further than the Spirit
opens; or to imitate any of their Practices; further than the Spirit leads, guides,
and perswades them; for Persons are exceeding prone to receive things as Truths, from
those they have an high Opinion of, and to imitate their Practices, and so hurt their
own Growth, and endanger their Souls.
Confirm. When the Minister of Christ comes with the Gospel of Christ, he finds men in darkness,
with their Consciences defiled, with the Door of the Heart shut against Christ. Now his great work is to turn them to the Light, Spirit and Power, whereby their
Hearts may be opened, their Consciences washed, and there may be a ready entrance
for Christ's Spirit and Power into them. Then the Conscience being opened to Christ,
their great Endeavour, Labour and Work is to keep it open, and that that may not be
let in again by them, which will shut it against Christ. For as there is one Spirit
opens to Christ: so their is another will shut, even after the Heart and Conscience
is opened, if a man hearken to it.
And the way of receiving Truth, is in the Evidence and Demonstration of God's Spirit in ones own particular: and this is for ever the aim and care of the Ministers
of Christ to keep men to, and not to allure men to receive Truths as from them, but
from Christ; or to Imitate any of their practices, further than the Spirit leads,
guides and perswades them. For the Ministers of Christ are sensible, how exceeding
prone Persons are to receive things as Truths, from those they have an high Opinion
of; and to imitate their practices, and so hurt their own growth, and endanger their
Souls. Now it lies on my heart to testify, upon this Occasion, that I have sound the
Ministers of Christ, whom I have conversed with, in this Age, walk so towards me and
others, still turning me to that Light, Spirit and Truth in my own particular, wherein
the knowledg of Truth was to be [Page 25] given me by the Lord, and not imposing upon me that which they knew to be Truth,
before the Lord had prepared and fitted my Heart for the Knowledg thereof. And this
is still the Course and Practice of the Ministers of Christ to his Day.
Quest. But must not the Minister of Christ, who is ordained of God to watch for the Soul,
watch against that, which (if hearkened to by any particular) will shut the Conscience
against Christ, and open it to another Spirit, who is often working in a Mystery to
deceive it? And if they see the workings of this other Spirit in any, ought they not,
in Faithfulness to Christ, and to the Souls of such, to warn them of it? And if any,
having let in the wrong Spirit, turn from, and deny, the practices which the Lord
once taught them (and wherein the testimony of Truth stands) into practices which
are of the World, and answer the worlds Spirit, and tend to weaken the faithful Testimonies
of others in the true Light and Spirit; ought the Minister of Christ to leave this
Person to its openness to a wrong Spirit, and wrong practices, wherein they deny the
Lord that bought them and enlightened them, and are shut up against the Visitations
and Testimonies of God's true Spirit and Power in his Children, who keep their Habitations in that Light, which these are departed
from, though they make never so great pretences to it?
The Next Citation.
AH poor Hearts! how simply do they come thither where they once tasted refreshment,
to find wholsome advice, not suspecting what is got up there since; and so give Dominion
to a wrong thing, and take directions from a wrong Spirit, and betray their own simplicity?
Therefore the main thing is to keep the Conscience pure to the Lord, and not to take
things for Truths because others see them to be Truths, but to wait till the Spirit
makes them manifest to me; nor to run into Worships, Duties, Performances, or Practices,
because others are led thither, but to wait till the Spirit lead me thither; he that
makes haste to be Rich (even in Religion, running into knowledg, and into Worships
and Performances before he feel a true and clear evidence) shall not be innocent,
nor the Lord will not hold him Guiltless, when he comes to visit for Spiritual Adultery
and Idolatry.
Confirm. This hath been experienced in this our day, more than once; when some, having departed
from the Power whereby the innocent Lambs had tasted sweet Nourishment and Ref [...]eshment through them, and have come afterwards for that which is wholsome, not suspecting
what was got up in them since, and so gave Dominion to a wrong thing, and took directions
from a wrong Spirit, and betrayed their own simplicity.
Quest. But had these resorted to the Church, and waited for judgment from the Church, to
whom God has given eyes to see, in such cases as may pass the Eye-Sight of the Particular,
and a mouth to speak; might not the Church have been Instrumental to have opened the
true eye in them also, and so have preserved them from being insnared, by any that
ran out from the Truth in their own Particulars, and lost their Habitation therein?
And mark, when the Church was in its great Glory, cloathed with the Sun, and the Moon
under its feet, and Crowned with a Crown of twelve Stars; yet the Dragon, even then,
might prevail upon some Stars, and with his tail sweep them down from their place:
but the Church he could not prevail upon. The gates of Hell, the Power of the Dragon,
the mouth of the Dragon, nay the tail of the Dragon (which what if I should say is
the false prophet within) cannot.
Further Confirm. Indeed, the main thing is to keep the Conscience pure to the Lord. To bring men to
that which Purifies the Conscience, and to keep them to it, this is the great work.
Men must not take things for Truths, because others see them to be Truths (that is
not God's way, nor did his Ministers ever so teach) but to wait till God's Spirit makes them manifest to the Particular. [Page 26] Nor must men run into Worships, Duties, Performances or Practice, because others
are led thither, but wait till the spirit lead every one in his own Particular thither.
Quest. Where is the Faithfull Minister that teacheth otherwise, or practiseth otherwise
at this day? I am sure I never met with any thing of this Nature from any of them,
but only one that ran out in his own Particular, who first endeavoured to draw me
from esteeming or taking directions from others, and then would have given me directions
himself, and would speak and undertake to prophesy great things of me, that he might
have raised up that part in me, which could have answered him. And though he himself
be dead, yet his spirit is alive in others at this day, which the Lord discover and preserve his People
from.
Further Confirm. It is not good to make hast to be Rich (no not in Religion) He that rightly believeth,
and abideth in the true and living Faith, makes not haste to run into knowledge, worships
and performances, before he feel his guide! but rather chuseth to be as a weaned Child,
lying low before the Lord, in brokenness of Spirit, and not medling with things too
high for him; and so he is kept in Innocency, Poverty and Humility before the Lord,
and preserved out of the bed of the stranger (the strange Spirit and Power) and so
not judged or condemned by the Lord, for either spiritual Adultery or Idolatry.
Quest. But he that lets in a wrong Spirit, that mistakes about the Light in him and judgeth
that which is indeed darkness to be it, and errs from the true Church, and denies
the Authority of God's Spirit and Power in it, and is not preserved thereby, but entangled
and bewitched with this wrong Spirit, and in it testifies against the true Church
and true Spirit, and the Ministry and Ministers of Christ; is not he joyned to the
Spirit of whoredom in his own Particular? and hath not he set up an Idol in his own
heart, instead of the true Light there? and doth not he worship and obey that Idol,
that wrong Spirit, that wrong Power? and will not the Lord visit and judg him for
his Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry from the true?
The next Citation.
IN the Apostles dayes, Christians were too apt to strive after a wrong Ʋnity and Ʋniformity
in outward Practices and Observations, and to Judg one another unrighteously in these
things. And Mark, it is not the different Practice from one another that breaks the
Peace and Ʋnity, but the judging one another because of differing Practices He that
keeps not a day, may Ʋnite in the same spirit, in the same Life, in the same Love
with him that keeps a day; and he who keeps a day, may Ʋnite in Heart and Soul with
the same Spirit and Life in him who keeps not a day; but he that judgeth the other
because of either of these, errs from the Spirit, from the Love, from the Life, and
so breaks the bond of Ʋnity. And he that draws another to any practice, before the
Life in his own Particular lead him, doth as much as in him lies to destroy the Soul
of that Person. This was the Apostles Rule, for every one to perform singly to the
Lord what he did, and not for one to meddle with the Light or Conscience of another, &c. but every one to keep close to their own measure, &c. and here is the true Ʋnity in the Spirit, in the inward Life,, and not in an outward
Ʋniformity; that was not necessary in the Apostles dayes, nor is it necessary now:
and that eye, which so dotes upon it, overlooks the one thing which is necessary.
Confirm. This is so manifest from that Scripture quoted by me, which is here omitted, that
he that shall read that Scripture, which is Rom. 14. may easily observe the Apostle affirming and teaching these things.
That even in the Apostles dayes, Christians were too apt to strive after a wrong Unity
and Uniformity, in outward practices and observations, and to judg one another unrighteously
in these things, is manifest from the several instructions and exhortations given
to this Church, in this ch. as ver. 2, 3, 4. One believeth that [Page 27] he may eat all things: another who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth,
despise him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not, Judg him that eateth:
for God hath received him. Who art thou that Judgest another mans servant? to his own Master
he standeth or falleth: yea he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.
Yea in matters of Worship, (as keeping and observing a day to God or not keeping it)
it is not the different practice from one another that breaks the peace, but the judging
of one another, because of differing practices. So the Apostle plainly holds forth,
ver. 5, 6. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day. Let every man
be fully perswaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto
the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
And he that draws another to any practice, before the Life in his own particular
lead him, doth as much as in him lies to destroy the Soul of that Person. So the Apostle
signifies ver. 5. (which was quoted in my book) in that he saith, Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ Dyed. So that not an outward Uniformity in all things, but an Unity
in the one Spirit and Life is the necessary thing. And there may be Unity, and Love,
and Life, and Peace without an Uniformity in practice, further than the Spirit of
God teacheth and leadeth His unto.
Quest. But if the Lord hath taught a man, opened the same eye in him that he opened in others,
and brought him into Unity and Uniformity with the Church in the practices which the
Lord hath taught it; and he afterwards let in another Spirit, and fall from these
practices, and Judg the very Church it self for continuing in them; may not the Church
testifiy to this Person, that he is erred from his guide, hath lost the right Judg
in himself, and so Judgeth amiss, both concerning himself and concerning the Church
of God? This hath been the State of some, who went out from among us formerly; and
may also be the state of some who go out from us now. For as there is one that gathers
to the true Church; so there is another that endeavours to draw and scatter from it,
and then to cause men to turn head against it, as if it were not of God, but Apostatized
from the Spirit and Principle of Truth, which indeed is their own state and condition
in God's sight; but not the Churches which was gathered and is preserved by him, Glory
to the Lord, over all the accusations of the accuser, through what mouth soever he
utter them forth.
The next Citation.
O How sweet and pleasant is it to the truly Spiritual eye, to see several sorts of believers,
several forms of Christians in the School of Christ, every one learning their own
Lesson, performing their own peculiar service, and knowing, owning, and loving one
another in their several places, and different performances to their Master, to whom
they are to give an account, and not to quarrel one with another about their different
practices? This is the true ground of Love, and Ʋnity, not that such a man walks and
does just as I do, but because I feel the same Spirit of Life in him, and that he
walks in his rank, in his own order, in his proper way and place of subjection to
that. And this is far more pleasing to me, than if he walked just in the track wherein
I walk; (nay so far as I am spiritual) I cannot so much as desire that he should do
so, untill he be particularly led thereto, by the same spirit that led me.
Confirm. The spiritual eye beholdeth things aright, beholdeth things in the Lord, and tasteth
sweetness in, and is pleased with that which is Spiritual. If every one did eye the
Lord, subject to the Lord, answer the Light and Spirit of the Lord-in their own hearts?
though the forms in the school of Christ be higher or low, or, the lessons different,
and the practices answerable; yet every one minding [Page 28] his own place and Lesson, and performing his own peculiar service, the Spiritual
eye would be delighted therewith. And those that are of the true Seed and Birth do
know, own, and love one another in their several places, and different performances
to their Master to whom they are to give an account; and do not quarrel with one another
about their different performances. O how sweetly is this practised and experienced
among us at this day!
And Unity in the Life, is the ground of true Brotherly love, and fellowship. Not that
another man walks just as I do: but though he be weaker or stronger, yet he walks
by the same Principle of Light, and is felt in the [...]ame spirit of Life, which guideth both the weak and the strong, in their several ranks,
order, proper way and place of subjection, to that one Spirit of Life and Truth,
which all are to be subject to.
Nay, he that is truly Spiritual and strong in the Light and Spirit of the Lord, cannot
desire that the weak should walk just as he does; but only as they are strengthened,
taught and led thereunto, by the same Spirit that strengthened, taught and led him.
Quest. This is true concerning every one that is in the Faith, that is in the true Light,
that is in the true Spirit; and keeps his rank, order, place and subjection, though
in a weak and low degree: but will this hold good concerning any that have erred from
the Faith, have made shipwrack thereof, and have turned from the true Light and Spirit
in themselves, and left their rank, order and testimony against the World, and are
again become one with the World, even in those very practices which the Spirit of
the World delights in, and which the Spirit of the Lord hath testified, and still
testifieth against, in all that are Faithful, and keep to their first Love and Light?
Is the Church to bear with these in their practices, or own such Spirits, or believe
that they now walk according to the Light which first convinced them? Is not the Spirit
of Judgment with the Church? Hath not God given her discerning? Hath she not Power
and Authority from God to try Spirits? yea and to judg false Spirits, that have lost
their habitation in the Light, though they may still pretend to dwell there; Can she
not try those which say they are Jews and are not, but have lost the Light, Spirit and Power which Circumciseth, and keepeth
Circumcised, and are run back into the uncircumcised paths of the World again, which
came from, and answer the uncircumcised Spirit and Nature, both in themselves and
others?
The next Citation.
ANd he, that knows what it is to receive any Truths from the Spirit, and to be led
into the practices by the spirit, and how prone the Fleshly part is to make hast,
and how dangerous that hast is, will not be forward to press his Knowledg or Practices
upon others, but rather wait patiently till the Lord fit them for the receiveing
thereof, and fear lest they should receive and practice too soon, even in that part
which cannot serve the Lord
Confirm. I will send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, saith Christ to his Disciples, and
he shall lead you into all Truth. Now the Disciple of Christ is led into Truth, in
the Cross to that part, wherein others may receive the Notions of things, yea perhaps
of Truth it self. And the Disciple must also abide in the Cross, after that the Lord
hath given him the true Knowledg, or he cannot be rightly led into the practice of
what he knows. So that the Disciple comes very hardly, both by his Knowledg, and by
his Ability to practise, what the Spirit of God teacheth him and requireth of him.
There is a fleshly part, indeed Prone to make hast: but that hast is dangerous, and
that fleshly part, in all its hasty Desires and Motions, is to be denyed, and kept
down. And he that is diligent in denying, and keeping down that Fleshly part in himself
(with the forwardness and hastiness thereof) cannot easily be forward to press his
knowledg and practices upon others; but will be patiently waiting on the Lord, for
their [Page 29] kindly and seasonable understanding of the Truth, and growth in it; and fear left
they should run before their guide, and be practising too soon even in that Part which
cannot serve the Lord: for the Lord must be served and worshiped in his Spirit and
Truth, and thither are all to be directed and brought, and there is every mind to
be stayed and kept, or it cannot worship and serve aright.
Quest. But what if a man entertain a wrong Spirit, and let go the Truths he ☜ had received, and turn from the Practices which Gods Spirit taught him, into the
Spirit and Practices of the world, which Gods Spirit hath testified and will for ever
testify against? Is not the Church to deny this spirit, and these practices, and the person that hath hearkened to this spirit, and is found in these Practices? that he may turn from this spirit and practices, to the true spirit, and to the true testimony and practices which it once taught him, and still teacheth
all that hearken to its voice and holy motions, and listen not to the voice and instigations
of a stranger.
The next Citation.
THe great Error of the state of the Apostacy, hath been to set up an outward order
and uniformity, and to make men's Consciences bend thereto, either by Arguments of
wisdom, or by force; but the property of the true Church-Government is, to leave the
Conscience to its full liberty in the Lord, to preserve it single and entire for the
Lord to exercise, and to seek Ʋnity in the Light, and in the Spirit, walking sweetly
and harmoniously together in the midst of differing Practices.
Confirm. That there have been Ages of Apostacy, from the true Spirit and Power of the Apostles,
is very manifest, both by the Doctrines, Discipline and cruel Practices of those,
that would have themselves accounted the true Church, and true Believers and Christians.
And that they have set up an outward Order and Conformity, and have used both Arguments
of Wisdom and also Force, to make men's Consciences to bend thereto; this is as manifest
as the former. Now that this hath been an Errour, and a great Errour, is very manifest
also: because it is contrary to the Nature of Conscience, which is to be led by God's
Spirit, not bent by mans wisdom and constraint; and contrary to Christ and his Apostles
Doctrine and Practice, who would have every man fully perswaded of what he performs
to God, from whom he must receive the reward and approbation, or the dislike and punishment,
for his answering or disobeying the Light which God sets up, or causeth to shine in
his own Conscience.
And the property of the true Church-Government, and the Practice and Path of the true-Church
in these our dayes, is to leave the Conscience to its full liberty in the Lord: to
preserve it single and entire for the Lord, and to seek Unity in the Light, and in
the Spirit, walking sweetly and harmoniously together in the midst of differing practices.
Nay, it is not the desire of the Church at this day, that any should come up into
the Practice, or holy Order of the Gospel, according to what the Lord hath taught
others; but only as the Lord teacheth and leadeth them.
Quest. Concerning what Conscience is this to be understood? is It to be understood of the
tender and weak Conscience? or of the hard and feared Conscience. ☜ For the Conscience which God once made tender, may afterwards come to be feared
and hardened: and is the Church of Christ, which is guided by the Spirit and Wisdom
of God, taught and required by him so to act towards the hard and feared Conscience,
as it is towards the tender and weak Conscience? Is the hard and feared Conscience,
which hath forsaken the true Light, Spirit and Power, and turned against the Truth,
and is in a wrong, stiff, wilful, hardened liberty and subtilty, to be left to its
liberty, and to that spirit which draweth it out and hardeneth it in a wrong liberty?
Can there be any Unity in the Light and in the Spirit had, with those who are erred
from the Light and from the Spirit [Page 30] and are deceived in their own hearts concerning it, and do but only pretend to it?
Can they walk sweetly and harmoniously together in differing practices, who differ
also in the Ground, and are not one in the Foundation, even in the true Light and
Spirit of the Lord? Ought not the Church to Judge this Spirit, with its liberty and
evil conscience (for that Spirit will make the consciences of all that let it in,
evil) as well as, to the utmost, to cherish the Liberty of the tender Consciences
in and to the Lord? Read and Consider these Scriptures following, Tit. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 19. and chap. 4. 2.
The next Citation.
ANd this I can truly say concerning my self, I never found my Spirit forward to draw
any, either to any thing I believed to be true, or to any practice or way of Worship
I observ'd or walked in; but desired that the Power and leadings of Life might go
before them, and I was afraid lest Men should receive things from my hand, and not
from the Lord's. He hath written in the Margent of the Book he sent me, Oh, what a tender Spirit was here! intimating as if it were not so with me now.
Confirm. Blessed be the Lord, it was so with me formerly, and is so with me daily more and
more: For as I wait on the Lord in his Truth, which makes tender; so upon this occasion,
being forced to it, I cannot but confess, that I Witness the Lord daily more and more
Uniting my Spirit to him in his Truth; and as Truth increaseth, so the Tenderness
which comes from it, still increaseth in me; and I do not (nay, I may say cannot,
the contrary is so written on my Heart) so much as desire, to drive any to what practice
or way of Worship I believe to be true, and am taught of God to observe; but this
is the longing of my Soul, that the Power and Leadings of Life may go before them,
and I daily behave my self as one that is afraid, lest men should receive things from
my Hand, and not from the Lords.
Quest. Yet, where I find Persons manifestly Warp and turn aside from the Truth, and let
in a wrong thing, and Testify against the Truth and Way of the Lord, and their Hearts
hardened by the subtilty of him, who hath deceived them; may I not singly and faithfuly
testify it to them, & breath to the Lord for them that they may return to the true
Spirit, and to the Holy Testimony and Practices thereof, and not Condemn such, as
Departers from the Light and Truth, who abide in it; nor justify themselves as abiding
in it, when they are really departed from it?
His last Citation of Words of mine, is out of another Book, Entituled, An Answer to the Common Objection, &c. p. 8.
The Words are these.
THat Power therefore in the Church which spares the Hypocrites, (who can easily comply
with an outward Conformity in Worship without feeling an inward Life and Vertue) but
lights heavy on that which was tender and shie in matters of Worship, that is not
the true Church-Power; but at best, but a Counterfeit of the True.
Confirm. The Power which Christ hath given his Church is not to spare Hypocrites, who may
easily comply with an outward Uniformity in Worship, without feeling an inward Life
and Vertue. And such are not spared, but smote at by the Spirit and Power of God
among us very often: And O that there were no Hypocrites and formal Spirits among
us; but that all that profess the Truth were in the Truth, and subject to it, and
did live the Life of it! Nor doth the true Church-Power light heavy on that which
is tender and shy in matters of Worship; but [Page 31] the Ministry of the true Church is to the Conscience, as in Gods Sight, and is very
tender of it, as before him, to whom it is to give an Account of the spiritual Power
it hath received from him, and of the exercise of it. That Power therefore which spares
the Hypocrites, and lights heavy on that which is tender and shie in matters of Worship,
to be sure is not the true Church-Power, but at best but a Counterfeit of the True.
Quest. But that Power in the Church which doth not spare Hypocrites, but is very gentle
and tender to all tender Consciences, is not that the true Church-Power? And who is
the Hypocrite? Is it not he that pretendeth to the Light, when he is departed from
it, an Hipocrite? And he which setteth up that which he calls Light in himself, and
denieth that which is indeed true Light, and which issueth forth from Gods Holy Spirit
in his Church, is not he an Hypocrite? And hath not the Church Power to judg all his
false pretences, and to try his Spirit, by the true Light and Spirit of the Lord Jesus,
which is still present with the true Church? If the Spirit of Christ be indeed present
with his Church; surely it cannot but have Power and Authority, to try, judg, and
condemn every thing that is of a contrary Spirit and Nature, in all false Pretenders
whatsoever; who by their pretences to the true Light, cannot shelter that which is
indeed contrary to it, from the Holy and Righteous judgment of the Spirit, and Power
of God in his Church.
Thus I have gone over these several Citations of John Pennymans, and punctually set them down as he hath Cited them, and spoken more words to the
Confirmation of them, to Manifest to others, as I find it plainly with me before
the Lord, that I am fully the same at this day, in the sense and belief of my Heart,
as I was then, believing the same Truth, and as ready to hold it forth, if the Lord,
at any time, shall call me unto it, as I was then. But I was not then against true
Church-Government, nor did intend this to encourage any Man to shelter himself, by
a pretence to the Light in himsef, against true Church-Government assuredly knowing,
that the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets, and that he that is truly
subject to the Light and Spirit of God in his own Heart, will be taught thereby to
subject to it also in others. For the Life, Spirit and Power of God doth not rise
in vain in any; and he that hath the true Ear open, will hear its Voice in whom soever
it speaks, and he that doth not hear its Voice, when it speaks through any to him,
doth not hear with the Circumcised Ear, nor understand with the Curcumcised Heart.
So that John Pennyman, in Citing these my Words, as if in so writing, I was against true Church-Covernment,
or for setting up the Judgment of any particular Man (upon any pretence whatsoever)
above the Sense, Understanding, and Judgment of the true Church, doth me great wrong,
even before the Lord, who knoweth that it was otherwise with me in that Day; and he
greatly wrongeth my Words, which did not signify any such thing: For in the very same
Book, and in some of the pages which he Quotes, there is expressed a Sense of, and a Testimony to the true Church-Government,
which I am assured the Spirit of the Lord will give forth and lead His into, as the
Necessities and Occasions of the Church require. For as the Lord is not wanting to
the particular, so will he not be wanting to the general: But he is faithful, who
hath promised to be with his Church and People, who wait upon him, and look up to
him for the Light and Judgment of his Spirit in things, wherein he Engageth them,
and which require their single discerning and judgment in.
To Manifest therefore, from this very Book what my Belief was, and how hearty I was
to Church-Government, and sensible of the necessity and usefulness of it, I shall
Recite some Passages out of it.
First, I shall mention the Title of that part of my Book, which had John Pennyman expressed fully, as it is in the Title-page, he had done me some Right, and manifested somewhat of my Sense concerning true Church-Government.
The Title, in the Title Page, is thus, Whereunto somewhat is added about the Authority ☜ and Government, which Christ excluded out of his Church, which occasioneth somewhat
concerning the true Church-Government.
This might have poised Peoples Spirits, in the Reading of his Citations, from judging me to direct men to the setting up of any thing in their Minds and Consciences,
which they may call Light in opposition to the Light and Spirit of God in his Church,
or to set up a private judgment in themselves, above the Light and judgment of Gods
Spirit in the Church. For as the Church is to be tender of every Member, so every
Member is to be tender and regardful towards the Church, and of the Power and Authority
which God hath given it.
The next Passage that is on me to mention is p. 76.
There is nothing to hurt in the Mountain of Gods Holiness; but there is a Righteous Scepter, a sweet Scepter, a spiritual Scepter, which reacheth the Spirit in the
Power of Life, but toucheth not the outward Man. To which I may add, The Power of the Church, is not to hurt the outward Man, Nay,
nor the Soul neither: But is for
☞
the destruction of the Flesh, that the Soul may be saved. And when the Church hath
testified against their Practices, or, denied their Spirit, it leaves them to the
Lord; yet still praying to him, that Repentance may be given them, and Mercy shewed
them by him, whose Mercy endures for ever.
Another Passage in p. 77.
Let the Life in every one Rise over it, (speaking of the Proud, Aspiring Spirit) and trample upon it: And afterwards, that in thee may arise which is fit to Teach,
yea, and to Rule in the Lord, &c.
p. 78. The Example of Christ is urged, who did not exercise a wrong Authority over
his Disciples, though he was their Lord and Master, which signified both Greatness
above them, and Authority over them, see lin. 15. Yet Christ took not upon him this kind of Greatness, nor did Exercise this kind of
Authority; But he was a Servant, &c. and did Minister.
So that there was one kind of Greatness and Authority which Christ did not exercise,
and which his Church also is not to meddle with: But there was another kind of Authority
which he had, and which he, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, giveth to his
Church to partake with him in, and to Act in his Name.
But what should I mention any such small touches at the thing, when it is directly
spoken to in a Question propounded, and the Answer thereto p. 79, 80. &c? I shall therefore set down the Question, and part of the Answer thereto; the Whole being too long to be here Inserted.
Quest. But, is there to be no Greatness, no Authority among the Disciples of Jesus, or in the Church of Christ? Is every one to do what he will, to be subject to his
own Fancies, and Imaginations, to the Inventions of his own corrupt Heart? What a
confused Building will this be? surely this will not long remain a Zion, but soon become a Babylon, even a Heap of Disorder and Confusion.
Answ. There is to be no such kind of Greatness, no such kind of Authority. Yet there is
both a Greatness and Authority suitable to the State of Disciples, suitable to that
kind of Kingdom whereof they are. There are Laws, there are Governments, there are
Governours, there is Ruling and there is Subjection; but all in the Spirit, all suitable
to that which is to be Governed: but no Government of, or according to the ☞ Flesh. As Christs Kingdom is not of this World, so the Government of His Church and
People is not according to the World, but as that which gathers is his Spirit, and
that which is gathered is Spiritual: so that which is governed is the Spirits of his
People, and they are to be governed by his Spirit and spiritually, and not after a
fleshly manner. Thus Christ himself, though he Ministred to his Disciples, yet he
also was their Lord and Master, and in the Spirit and Life of the Father Ruled over
them; and ☞ thus the Apostles, and other Ministers of Christ had likewise in the Spirit, the
Care of the Churches and Authority in the Lord, by his spirit to govern the spirits
of his People: [Page 33] not to govern after a fleshly manner, by their own VVills, nor to prescribe them
in a Lordly way, either what they should believe or practise, but in the Light, and
in Power of the Spirit, to make their way into every ones Conscience in the sight
of God, Ministring to every one in the spirit according to their capacity and growth, and
waiting patiently for God to convey the Food and Nourishment, and to build their spirits up in the Faith thereby.
The Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets. Here is the Government? here
is the Law of Rule, and Subjection in the Life. Every one feeling a Measure of the
Spirit in himself, is thereby Taught to own, and subject to a greater Measure of the
same Spirit in another. He that hath no Measure of the Spirit of God, he is not of
God, he is none of Christs: and he that hath received a Measure of the Spirit in the
same Spirit feeleth anothers Measure, and owneth it in its place and service, and
knoweth its moving, and cannot quench it, but giveth way to it with joy and delight.
When the Spirit moves in any one to speak, the same Spirit moves in the other, to
be subject and give way: and so every one keeping to his own Measure in the Spirit,
here can be no disorder, but true Subjection of every Spirit: and where this is wanting,
it cannot be supplied by any outward Rule, or Order set up in the Church by common
Consent; for that is Fleshly, and lets in the Flesh, and destroys the true Order,
Rule, and Subjection.
And then to limit the Government aright, these two precious Cautions or Directions
are added, pag. 85. which I am sure will answer the Truth, and Witness of God in every Conscience.
First, Care must be had, that nothing Govern in the Church of Christ, but the Spirit of
Christ.
Secondly, That the Conscience be kept Tender, that nothing be received but according to the
Light in the Conscience.
There is likewise an Objection answered about Ʋniformity, pag. 87, 88. which not being very large, and tending further to open the Sense of my Heart in this
thing, I shall also here annex.
Object. But is not Ʋniformity lovely, and doth not the Apostle exhort Christians to be of
one Mind, and were it not a sweet thing if we were all of one Heart, and one Way?
Answ. Yea, Ʋniformity is very lovely, and to be desired, and waited for, as the Spirit
of the Lord which is one, leads and draws into one. But for the Fleshly part (the
Wise reasoning part of Man) by Fleshly wayes and means, to strive to bring about
a Fleshly Ʋniformity, which insnares, and overbears, the tender Conscience; this is
not Lovely, nor Spiritual, nor Christian. And the Apostle who exhorts Christians
to one Mind, yet doth not bid them force one another into one Mind, but walk together
sweetly so far as they had attained, and wherein they were otherwise minded, God in
his due time would reveal more to them, Phil. 3. 15, 16. He that hath, to him shall be given. And the Intent, and Work of the Ministry
(with the several Ministrations of it) is to bring into the Ʋnity (Ephes. 4. 13.) as persons are able to follow, and not to force all Men into one Practice
or Way; that's the way to Destroy the Faith, and the True Ʋnity, and at best can introduce
but a Fleshly appearance of Ʋnity in such a form of Worship and Godliness, as eats
out the Power. And for being of one, Heart, and one Way, Blessed be the Lord, this
is in Measure Known, and Witnessed. The Way is one, Christ the Truth of God, and
He that is in the Faith, and in the Obedience to that Light which shines from his
Spirit into the Heart of every Believer, hath a Tast of the one Heart, and of the
one Way; and knoweth, that no variety of Practices (which is of God) can make a breach
in the True Ʋnity. This is the one Way, for every one to be subject to that Light
of Christ's Spirit, which he hath Received from Christ, and every one keeping here,
there is also one Heart kept in themidst of all the variety, and doversity of Practices.
And the Ʋnity being thus kept, all will come into one Outwardly also at length, as
the Light grows in every [Page 34] one, and as every one grows into the Light: but this must be patiently waited for,
from the Hand of God (who hath the right way of effecting it, and who alone can do
it) and not harshly, and cruelly Attempted by the rough Hand of Man.
Now I desire all that would not Injure, and Wrong another (in taking part of ones
Sence and Mind, and Concealing the other) to observe, how serious my Heart is in the
Sight of the Lord, concerning Church-Government, and Unity, and Uniformity among the
People of the Lord, in the Spirit and Power of the Lord, as the Lord shall please
Rightly, and Orderly to bring it forth, and not otherwise. And my Words so plainly
signifying, and holding forth this, O how will J. Pennyman Answer it to the Great God, for thus Mis-representing me, and striving to make my
Words fignify that which they never did, and as a Proof how contrary our Doctrine
was then, to what it hath been of late Years; whereas in that very Book he cites,
my Words are full concerning Church-Government, the Authority of the Church, and
the Duty of Subjection to it in the Life, as was before recited.
I have been in a great Travel of Spirit for J. Pennyman, the Lord having shewed me his Spirit and State (as he hath also done to many others,
who abide in that pure, holy Light, which he hath forsaken, and is departed from)
and this hath been the Cry of my Heart to the God, and Father of my Life for him,
in great Brokenness, and Tears many times, Father forgive him, for he knows not what he does. He knows not what Spirit and Power
he acts against, nor what Spirit and Power it is that leads him. O that he might see
it, and turn from it, and Live! And O that all that Err, and are mistaken in Judgment,
might have a Sense of that which is Truth indeed, and of that which is Darkness indeed
in their own Hearts; and might not put Darkness for Light, and Light for Darkness,
as too many now do, to the great hurt of their own Souls, and the hardening of others
against God's precious Way and Truth, which will be Bitterness in the Latter End, unto all such.
THREE or FOUR CONSIDERATIONS Added, Concerning Church-Government.
First, THat it is the Holy Will, and Pleasure of the Great God, that his Church should be
Governed by his Holy Spirit and Power Revealed in it. God is the God of Order, and
not of Confusion, and he would have every thing in the Right, and Holy Order every
where, especially in his Church. He hath given a Measure of his Good Spirit to every
Man, and he would have every Man Governed thereby: And he hath given more of his Good
Spirit, and Holy Power to his Church, than to any particular: and he would have his
Church Governed thereby. Read the Epistles of Christ to the Churches in the Second and Third Chapters of the Revelations, and see how Government, and Care over their Members is expected from them. A Church
is a gathering in the Name, Power, and Authority of the most High; and Christ, to
whom God gave all Power in Heaven and Earth, is in them, and with them. God knows
they can do nothing without his Power: and he is Faithful, who hath Appointed them
to Meet together in his Name, and will not Fail them. How hath [Page 35] this been Experienced in former Dayes! And, How is this Experienced in this our Day,
Blessed be the Name of our God! The Life that Springs in the Church, the Light that
Shines in the Church, the Power and Presence of the Lord that is Revealed in his Church,
O how Glorious is it! God hath not Gathered, nor Preserved a People through so many
Tryals, nor so Exercised, and Built them up in his Pure Fear, Holy Spirit, and Living
Truth, to leave them so suddenly, and cast them off, as some Men vainly imagine; but
as the Lord hath thrown down that, which shall never be Built up more; so the Lord
hath Built up that, which shall never be thrown down more, and brought many of his
People to a settled State, in the unchangeable Truth and Power.
Secondly, It is the great work of Satan, and the great Interest of Satan to oppose the Holy
Order and Government of the Spirit of Christ in his Church. It is that Power which
threw down his Kingdom, and that Power will keep his Kingdom down; yea, the more that
Authority and Power is established in the Church, the more he is seen through, and
his strength and subtilty avail nothing before the Wisdom and Power of God, Revealed
in his Church. And this we have observed and may observe in this our day, the judgment
of the Church, the Life in the Church, the Light that hath stayed with the Church
and Holy Gathering, while particulars sometimes have been mistaken, and Erred about
the Light in themselves, hath been a stay to those that have hearkened to her Voice,
and a means to hep to recover those, who through the strength of the Temptation, and
their too confident leaning to that which they took for the Light within, and not
consulting with those whom God had Ordained to be an help to the Weak, and had a clearer
Eye-sight, and Understanding in the Truth, than themselves; I say, the Light that
stayed hath with the Church, hath been a help to recover such, who have mistaken in
judgment, and Erred from the Light in their own particulars.
Thirdly, There is great benefit and safety to every particular, in the Holy Order and Government,
which God hath ordained in his Church. God knoweth it is not fit for Believers, or
his gathered Ones to be alone; and therefore he hath appointed, that by the same Power
and Spirit which gathered them, they should be added to the Church which he hath already
gathered. And then they are in the place where God takes care of them; where the Lord
God appears, where the Lord God dwells: For as he dwelt outwardly in the National
Church of the Jews; so he dwells inwardly in the Spiritual Church, and gathering of Believers. There
Life is in its Unity and Strength, there Light Shines as in its proper Place. There
the Shepherd is, who keeps the Sheep from Erring. There the Leading Power, the Preserving
Power, the Ordering Power, is dayly Waited for, and Experienced in its Brightness
and Clearness Wo is to him that is alone: but Blessings are upon him who is in Unity with God's holy gathered People, and
is in the Sense of, and under the Guidance of that Spirit, which is continually present
with them. And as we have Witnessed Blessings in our First Gathering, as we were gathered,
and joyned to the Light, Spirit, and Power of the Holy God in our own Particulars:
so we have Witnessed Blessings in our Unity with the Life in the Body. O how every
Motion of Life is felt there! How the Wisdom and Power of God is Revealed there! What
help is Administred to every Member there! How the knitting in the Life, and the flowing
of the Life, and holy Power from Vessel to Vessel is dayly Experienced there! So that
every one is quickened with the pure Life, every one seasoned with the pure Salt,
every Virgin anointed with the holy Oyntment, every one leavened with the Leaven
which unleavens to Sin and Satan, and Leavens to God. Indeed my Soul dayly Blesseth
the Lord, not only that he hath Visited me, but brought me into the holy living Society,
and that dayly the Lord vouchsafeth to give me to partake of their Life and Spirit,
in which Life and Spirit, I have Unity with them, and Love them, and Honour them,
and not out of it. O Praises and Everlasting Honour, and Renown to the Lord my God,
who hath Remembred me with the Favour he bears [Page 36] to his People, and hath so Visited me with his Salvation, that he hath given me to
see the Good of his Chosen, and caused my poor, desolate, mourning Soul to Rejoyce
in the Gladness of his Nation, and to Glory in him with his Inheritance. Glorious
things were spoken of the Church under the Law, a Glorious Power and Presence was
with that outward People, under that outward Covenant: but this was but a Shadow of
the Glory, that was to be Revealed in the Church of the New-Covenant, and of the Presence
and Power of the Living God, that was to be Manifested, and Dwell there. And indeed it is Manifested, indeed it
doth Dwell there, and those that are the Begotten, and Born, and Preserved by God's Holy Spirit and Power, of the immortal Word of Life, dayly Witness it.
Fourthly, The Glory and Beauty of the New-Testament-Church, doth in no small degree consist
in the holy Order and Government of them as a spiritual living Body, by the blessed
Spirit and Power of the Lord.
There were four things wherein the Glory of the Church of the Jews, under the first Covenant, did much consist.
The first was in the Salvation, wherewith God visited them, and which he bestowed
upon them. Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, O People! saved by the Lord, the Shield of thy help, and who
is the Sword of thine Excellency: and thine Enemies shall be found liars unto thee,
and thou shalt tread upon their High Places, Deut. 33. 29.
Secondly, In the gifts God bestowed upon them; for God did adorn and beautify that People,
with the good things which he bestowed upon them, Ezek. 16. 14.
Thirdly, In the presence of the Lord their God in the midst of them, the Ark of whose presence
was with them, and whose dwelling place was among them, and who was nigh unto them
to enquired of by them, and to answer and supply them, with all that they wanted and
called upon him for, Deut. 4. 7.
Fourthly, In the Holy Statutes and Righteous Judgments, which God gave them to be Ordered and
Governed by, as his chosen People, ver. 5, 6, and 8.
Now all these are much more fulfilled in the New-Testament-Church; for first, There
is the Salvation witnessed, which this outward Salvation, of this outward People,
was but a figure of. There the everlasting Arm of Gods Power is revealed, in an Inward
and Spiritual Way and Manner, to destroy the Enemies of a Mans own House; to redeem
from Satan, to cut Rahab, to wound the Dragon inwardly, and to defend his gathered People from the Inroads
of his strength, and from the Subtilty of his Temptations.
Secondly, The Lord doth give great Gifts to his Churches, he blesseth them with all Spiritual
blessings in heavenly things in Christ. Mark the Diversity of gifts, and Diversity
of Manifestations, which God gave to his Churches in the Apostles Daies, 1 Cor. 12. 4, &c.
Thirdly, There was Gods presence revealed, there Christ was in the midst, when ever they were
gathered together in his name. Every Church (as well as that of the Ephesians) was built up together an Habitation of God through the Spirit, Ephes. 2. 22. Yea Christ was Head over all things to the Church, which is his Body, the
fulness of him that filleth all in all, Chap. 1. 22, 23. Yea, they were and are the Temple of the living God, in which God would
dwell and walk, and be their God, and they his People, 2 Cor. 6. 16.
Fourthly, The holy Order of his own Spirit and Life, God will not fail to reveal unto them,
that they may walk in the Spirit of the Gospel, in the Power of the Gospel, in the
Order of the Gospel, and the Holy Government of Gods Spirit and Power may shine in
the midst of them, and that God may bless them as an Habitation of Justice and Mountain
of Holiness, Jer. 21. 23.
The Church is a Body, every particular soul that is renewed, quickened and kept alive
is a member. Now every member needs the Presence and Power of that Spirit which quickned
it, to nourish, keep alive, and order it. And the Church hath much more need of the
Spirit to be present with it, to guide and order it, and keep it in the holy Order,
Power and Government of Life. And this Order and holy Government in the Spirit and
Power of the Lord, was brought forth in the Apoststles [Page 37] daies: for the Apostles did rejoyce in it concerning that Church of Colosse, who joyed beholding their Order, and the stedfastness of their Faith in Christ, Colos. 2. 5. For the Apostles and Ministers of Christ did set things in order in that day,
Tit. 1. 5. 1 Cor. 11. 34. and it was their Joy to see that Order observed, and their Grief when any
were unruly, and would not be subject to the Holy Order and Government of the Church,
1 Thes. 5. 14. Tit. 1. 10. And the Church of Corinth, though it fell short in no gift, yet falling short in order, it did not arrive at
the Glory of some other Churches.
The spiritual Solomon, who is full of the Wisdom of God; O the blessed Order and holy Government that he
brings forth among his Church and People! How doth God establish Jerusalom, and make her a praise in the Earth; but by the holy Order and blessed Government
of his Spirit, governing her as a Church, as a spiritual Body, by his own pure wisdom,
which no other Government or Order can come near? And truly my heart hath been often
affected, and filled with ravishing Joy, when I have beheld the Heavenly and Blessed
Order and Government, which the Lord God of Wisdom hath already brought forth among
us, and guideth us in, to the comfort and refreshment of many, and to the injury and
hurt of none, neither without, nor within. And indeed, we do not desire any Greatness
or Authority of man; but only of the Lord our God in the midst of us, and that all
men may be but his Servants and Ministers in the Church, and to the Church, for the
good of the Church. No, no; this is the day of the Lord, of the setting up, and of
exalting his Power in the Church, which the Church waiteth for, and knoweth the appearance
of, and cannot bear the Exaltation of Man (of Mans Spirit, Wisdom, Power and Authority)
instead of the Lords. Yet, nothing that cometh from the Lord, from his pure Life
and Spirit in any, must be rejected: and if the Lord please to make use of those,
whom he did make use of to gather home to himself; I say if he hath given them gifts,
and please to make use of them also in building up, and manifesting the holy Order
of his holy Spirit and Power; the Lord must not be resisted or withstood therein:
but whatever comes from him, must be received with thankfulness, through what instrument
soever he please to convey it.
Object. But have I not been taught to be subject to the Light in my own heart, and to make
that my Judge; and is not this another, or new or different Doctrine from that, now
to tell me I must subject to the Light of Gods Spirit in his Church? Suppose that
which the Church requires or orders or holds forth, be different from my Light, or
be not yet revealed to me, by the Light wherewith God hath Enlightned me: must I deny
the Light wherewith God hath Enlightned me, and subject to the Churches Light? Or
must I Practise as the Church Orders, before I have Light and Faith in my own particular?
Answ. I shall Answer this Question, according to the naked and plain sense of Truth in
my Heart.
First, God gives Power to his Church, to perform all that he requires of her as a Church.
Now the Church is a spiritual Body, and is to take care of her members to look after
them that they mind the Truth, and walk according to Truth, and to admonish and reprove
them, when they do otherwise. And every member of the Church, ought to hear the Church,
in whatever she speaks unto it from God.
Secondly, Every member hath need of the Light, Spirit and Power which God gives his Church,
and reveals in his Church for the good of the Body, and the benefit and advantage
of each Member therein.
Thirdly, The Light, Spirit and Power in the Church, is never contrary to the Light, Spirit
and Power in any Member; but alwaies one with it, and a Cherisher and Preserver of
what God begets, and which answers his Witness in any. The new Jerusalem, the Church of Gods building in his own Spirit and Power, is a City at Unity within
it self. The greatest degree of Light owns, and is at Unity with the least: and the
least degree of Light, hath a sense of that which is in degree and measure above it.
Fourthly, The Light in the weakest, which they are at first to be turned, and afterwards [Page 38] to be kept to, though there is a sufficiency in it for the particular, yet they are
not so understanding and sensible of it, as those whose senses have been long exercised
in the living Truth, and are grown in the holy Experience. Therefore as the Elders
are to be tender of the Younger: so the Younger are to reverence the Elders in the
Lord, and not to slight their Testimony, Experience or Judgment in the Truth. When
we were first convinced of the Truth, were we not in a great degree ignorant and doubtful
concerning the risings and motions of it in the heart? Which the eye being yet weak,
could not clearly distinguish; and O how helpful to us was the tender care and advice
of such, whom God had made acquainted with those things, and were able to give us
true Judgment from him, in such cases as our weak minds were apt to be entangled about,
and could not see through?
Fifthly, Great Sobriety is needful in such cases, wherein men are too prone to be Judging
others, especially the Church of God. Every man is to take heed of thinking of himself
more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt
to every man the measure of Faith, Rom. 12. 3. And the young men (who have not the experience of the aged, and are most apt
to confidence, and excursions) are in a special manner to be Exhorted to be sober-minded,
Tit. 2. 6. Men may easily judge that others err; and that they themselves keep to the
Light and measure of Truth in their own particulars: but it is hard to do it. But
they that indeed do it, abide in the Humility and Innocency, and Lamb-like Spirit,
which would give no offence in any thing, neither to Jew nor Gentile, nor to the Church of God. If it will go so hard with him that offends one of Christ's
Little Ones; how will it go with him that offends his Church, wherein his Glory and
Power riseth and is established? The Church is not apt to be such an erring Body from
the Light, Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus, as many (who mistake concerning the
Light in their own Particulars) are too apt to suppose.
Lastly, Ever since the fall of Man, Man hath been secretly or more manifestly directed by
a Light, or the Principle within, to direct or guide his wayes. To Adam the Holy Seed was promised, which was not only to appear outwardly in a body of Flesh,
but also within in Mans Heart, to bruise the Serpents Head thre. And the Holy Patriarchs
had not the letter outwardly, but Gods Spirit inwardly to be their Guide and Teacher,
which did also strive with the wicked Old World before the Flood. The Jews also were directed to the Word nigh in the Mouth and Heart; And by this Word God
shewed also to the Gentiles what was Good, and what the Lord required of them: and by this Word such of the Gentiles as hearkened to it, felt somewhat of the new Creation and of the new Nature, by which
Nature they did in measure Answer the Holy Law of God, and do the things contained
in the Law, which by the old, corrupt Nature no Man can do. Also Christ Preached the
Kingdom, or Seed of the Kingdom within. And the Apostles Preached the same word of
Faith within, which Moses had testified of.
Yet in none of these Dispensations, was any Testimony from God to be despised; but
his Voice to be heard in the Prophets, in Christ and in the Apostles. And though Men
are blessed and gloriously turned, and to be turned to the Light within, in these
ou [...] Days; yet they are not thereby taught to neglect or despise the Voice of God, in
any whom he sends and speaks by, and pretend it is contrary to their Light; but to
lye low before the Lord, that in the true Humility and Holy Fear, they may know the
Voice of the Shepherd, both in their own Hearts, and in whomsoever he pleaseth to
speak. For the great, Almighty God is not limited, but he may speak in and through
whom he pleaseth. He may speak to me from the Anointing in my own Heart, and the holy
Anointing may please to speak to me through others: and so far as I am God, and sensible
of his Appearance, I cannot despise the Voice of the Anointing in my own Heart, or
through others. Yea, truth teacheth that modesty, temperance, humility, tenderness
and sobriety, that I dare not despise the Voice that pretends to the Anointing in
any, until I have made tryal of it. Yea, John Pennymans Voice and Testimony, I durst not Codemn until the Lord my God, in the un-erring Light
and pure springing Life, manifested unto me, that it was not of him, but of the transforming
Enemy, who had bewitched and deceived him by his strong Delusions (he forsaking the
Rock, [Page 39] which would have been his strength) to receive and believe a Lie, instead of the
Truth.
O Blessed be the Lord for the building up such a Church, and speaking to us through
his Church! And happy are they that hear her Voice, that so keep to their own, as
to know the Voice of their own in the Church, and are not through Temptation prejudiced
against it. For it is the Lords gathering, and the Lord is with it; and the People
who have been gathered by the Lord, and are daily taught by him keep with him. And
though some may depart from us, and through Errour of judgment testify against us,
yet Truth abides, and the Lords People abide with the Truth, and his building goeth
on, and the holy Government of his Son encreaseth in it, and the Lord appears more
and more inwardly in his Glory, as the hearts of his People are made capable to receive
it from him. And in all the goings out of any, and Apostacies that have been in any,
through hearkening to a wrong Spirit, they that have heard and reverenced the Voice
and Testimony of the Church, and Gods Chosen and blessed Ministry, which he hath
raised among us, have still been preserved; and they that have gone therefrom, been
betrayed. And it is my Faith, this Church of Gods gathering shall still be preserved,
and grow in the holy Dominion and Authority of Gods Blessed Spirit; and that all her
Enemies shall be found Liars unto her, and she shall tread upon their high Places,
and shall grow and prosper the more, by all Opposition; the Everlasting Arm, and
Wisdom of the Almighty being with Her to preserve, prosper, and bless Her; so be it.
Amen.
THE END.