Nor truth, nor error, nor day, nor night, but in the evening there shall be light, Zach. 14. 6, 7 being the relation of a publike discourse in Maries Church at Oxford between Mr. Cheynel and Mr. Erbery January 11, 1646. Erbery, William, 1604-1654. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A38580 of text R26470 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing E3234). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 54 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A38580 Wing E3234 ESTC R26470 09475518 ocm 09475518 43228 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A38580) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 43228) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1308:31) Nor truth, nor error, nor day, nor night, but in the evening there shall be light, Zach. 14. 6, 7 being the relation of a publike discourse in Maries Church at Oxford between Mr. Cheynel and Mr. Erbery January 11, 1646. Erbery, William, 1604-1654. Cheynell, Francis, 1608-1665. [4], 22 p. s.n.], [London : l647. Contains only Erbery's arguments. Reproduction of original in the British Library. eng Theology, Doctrinal. Salvation. A38580 R26470 (Wing E3234). civilwar no Nor truth, nor error, nor day, nor night; but in the evening there shall be light. Zach. 14. 6, 7. Being the relation of a publike discourse Erbery, William 1647 11363 7 0 0 0 0 0 6 B The rate of 6 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2004-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-04 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-11 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2004-11 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Nor Truth , nor Error , Nor Day , nor Night ; But in the Evening There shall be Light . ZACH. 14. 6 , 7. BEING The Relation of a PUBLIKE DISCOURSE IN Maries Church at OXFORD , BETWEEN Mr. Cheynel , and Mr. Erbery . January 11. 1646. Printed in the Yeer . 1647. TO THE READER . WHen the little Book was open in the hand of the Angel , the Angel cryed , as when a Lion roareth , and seven thunders uttered their voices , &c. That is , when there was a powerful appearance of the Mystery of Christ ; when the Mystery of God ( which before was sealed , Revel. 5. but afterwards to be finished and fully manifested ) began to be opened , and that so powerfully , even to the terror of the Christian world , and of the Churches also ( for the seven thunders respect the seven Churches ; that 's all the Christian Churches under Antichristian Apostacy ) I say , when the little Book began to be open , John began to write , &c. that 's our weakness ; when any light breaks forth in us , any new discovery of Truth be made out to us by the teachings of God in us , we begin presently to be Teachers of men , to write , to publish it in Pulpit and Print , or in our private Teachings . This was Johns weakness also ; who was therefore commanded to seal those sayings , and write them not , till he had eaten the Book , and better digested that heavenly secret , The Mystery of God , and of Christ ; afterward , he was to Preach it , and Prophesie to Nations , Tongues , People , and Kings . This is another Mystery in the next Chapter , where that prophesying begins . Those two witnesses who prophesie in sackcloth , signifie a few Saints , who yet make a full witness , witnessing Christ in Spirit , and against the spirit of Antichrist : These are the two Olive trees as having their teachings immediately from God , Zach. 4. 11 , 12. And these are the two Candlesticks , the true Church in Spirit ; for the seven Candlesticks were faln , and removed out of their place through the Apostacy ; but these two witnesses have the Testimony of Jesus , which is the Spirit of prophecy , Revel. 19. 10. Which Spirit is that fire going out of their mouth , devouring their adversaries , and that spirit of Antichrist , appearing in several forms , the Dragon , the first beast , second beast , Babylon , the great whore , all is but the various appearances of that one spirit of Antichrist in the Christian Church , for there Antichrists seat ever was , and is , set up this day , though in a more glorious form , which is but the flesh of the whore , whose flesh is now fairer , and her forms , her array more fine in scarlet , &c. Revel. 16. 4. Yet these two witnesses in sackcloth ( who were also in former ages ) these few poor persecuted Saints still stand up , burning her flesh with fire , and by their prophesying , though in silence , plague men by shutting Heaven , that the rain ( or waters from above ) the Teachings of God , fall not on their fellowships , and turning their waters into blood , their formal worships , and teachings of men from below , into the blood of a dead man , Revel. 16. 3 , 4. And all this those two witnesses do , as oft as they will , which needs must be none else , but Christ in them , God in their flesh , coming forth in power and Spirit from them , plaguing and tormenting them which dwell on earth , ( i. e. ) earthly Christians and Churches also . For this , the two witnesses suffer ( their sufferings being shadowed forth by that sackcloth , and bitterness of the Book in their belly ) yet all this is but the sufferings of their flesh , and filth of it ( as 't were in the belly ) but yet they suffer with Christ , and Christ suffers in them ; for they are slain where our Lord was crucified , that 's ( spiritually ) fleshly Jerusalem , Christian carnal Churches , where spiritual Saints , and Christ in Spirit is still slain and crucified : but after three dayes and a half , ( that 's a little longer then Christ in flesh lay buried ) the spirit of life enters into those dead and unburied witnesses , who rise with Christ , and Christ riseth in them ; yea , they ascend in glory , a greater glory ( at least in the Letter ) then Christ ascended ; for none but Disciples and friends , were witnesses of his Resurrection , and saw him ascend ; but the ascension of the Saints , their very enemies shall behold . The sum of all is this , That which this man writes , he writes not as a clear Truth to publish to the world , not to put off his Earth , that heap of Heresie and Blasphemy cast upon him by enemies , to bury his name and make it rot ; nay , he is content to lie unburied yet , to the loathing of his person ; that the people who dwell on earth , may look on , rejoyce , and glory over his dead C●●cass , lying in the streets of the great City . 'T is well , if Truth shall rise in them that Read . Farewell . The Relation of a publike Discourse and Dispute at OXFORD , January 11. between Mr. Cheynel and Mr. Erbery , who spake thus : CHristian friends and fellow Souldiers , and worthy Schollars also ; I am your servant : I am called this day to come here in publike , from my private walkings ; not by my desire or seeking , but as sought out and drawn forth by a twofold cord , a publike charge ; and a private challenge : The charge was publikely given out in a Pulpit , of Heresie and Blasphemy against me ; the challenge was privately sent unto me , by word , and writing also , in a Letter from Master Cheynel , that I should give him a meeting in the Schools , or some meeting place in the University ; the place appointed is Maries Church , where I now present my self to wait on you all , and to answer what shall be objected , or to desire a satisfactory Answer to this my Quere I am questioned for . That which I have in private , I also profess in publike ; whatever I spake was not spoken as a Minister by outward call , though twice I was made one ; nor as a guifted man , knowing Christ , though once I was accounted some body by others , and by my self also : but now I am nothing ; know nothing ; and let all men know so of me : that I can neither see nor speak ( as Ministers , or gifted men should ) with any clearness in my self , or conviction to others ; but inquiring onely , and seeking the Lord our God , and David our King . This is that condition the Church shall be brought unto , into a Wilderness , where no path nor company shall be to walk with ; but being left alone , the Saints shall be all set in a seeking way , as the Prophets have foretold , That about Babylons destructions , and their deliverance from thence , Judah and Israel , those who were a divided Kingdom in Church-fellowships , shall come together in one , to seek the Lord their God , and the way to Zion ; that i● , not the way to Church , as the Churches this day are divided about , by a confused preposterous way ; seeking that first which should be last , ( as if they had found the knowledge of the Lord God already ) but first seek the Lord their God , and then the way to Zion ; that is , to know God dwelling in us , and our selves the habitation of God ; for this is Zion . Another Prophet points at a time , that all the Saints shall be left for many dayes without a King , and without a Prince , and without a Sacrifice , and without an Image , and without an Ephod , and without a Teraphim : that is , without all publike Worship or Ministery , true or false ; false they will not , and true they cannot have , [ not a King , or Prince ] that is not meant of crowned men or Civil Magistrates , but as I conceive , an Ecclesiastike , or Church Ruler , Officer , or Minister of Christ , to go before them ; nor yet a Sacrifice or Ephod , or any Church Ordinance among them , no not the least means of knowledge or enquiry left ; for an Ephod was the least Ordinance under the Law ( as all Ordinances under the Gospel , are legal also : ) by an Ephod men that were not Ministers or Priests might enquire of the Lord in doubtful cases , or in a distress as David did , and as men do now a dayes seek by fasting and prayer ; but this also at last shall be taken from the Saints , and they shall fit still in submission and silence , waiting for the Lord himself to come and reveal himself to them ; then they shall return and seek the Lord their God , and David their King , and fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter dayes : that is , every Saint is yet running about , changing their wayes , and gadding abroad after one of these three , Men , Means , and Self . But the Saints after they are wearied out with their whoredoms , shall return to their first husband , to God their Maker ; of whom they first proceeded and came forth , and shall see God in their flesh ; that is , David their King . This I have been seeking , and by seeking I finde in the Scriptures , these seven things taught by the Spirit . First , That Christ is a mystery , Col. 4. 3. Secondly , That the mystery is Christ in us the hope of glory , Col. 1. 27. Thirdly , That the riches of the glory of this mystery was kept secret , since the world began , hid from ages and generations , and not made known to the sons of men , Rom. 16. 25. Fourthly , That this mystery of Christ in us the hope of glory , was manifested by revelation to the Apostles , and Prophets , and primitive Saints by the Spirit , Ephes 3. 3 , 4. Col. 1. 26. Fifthly , That what was manifested to them of the mystery of Christ , was onely made known in part then to the Saints , yea , to the Apostles themselves ; who as they knew but in part , and had the knowledge onely as of children , so they knew Christ , but as the childe Jesus ; that is , they were not come to the knowledge of the Son of God , to a perfect man , to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ , or full age of Christ ; that is , in the mystery to know the Son of God so in them , and themselves in the Son , as tall and high in stature as he , and taken up in the glory of the Son , and with him into God himself : For that which was manifested visibly to men in the dayes of his flesh , that Christ was made of a woman , formed and conceived in a Virgin , brought forth and born into the world , living in Judea , dying in Jerusalem , rising and ascending into Heaven ; all this was the manifestation of the mystery of Christ in us the hope of glory , which was a truth from the beginning of the world , though not manifested to the Saints , before Christ came visibly in flesh : yet then , even before Christ was in the flesh of the Saints , he was all in all , Christ the same to day , yesterday , and for ever ; formed in them , brought forth in them , living in them , and suffering in their flesh , as well as in the Saints afterwards . Christ in David , was the knowledge and faith of David ; and Davids faith and knowledge , was the knowledge of the Son of God , and faith of the Son of God , who lived also in David , as well as in Paul , in whom as Christ was speaking so in David also ; yea , as Christ was all in all , Christ onely acting in them , doing all their works in them , so Christ suffered in them as the Lamb really slain from the foundation of the world . In Abel , the first beleeving Saint , Christ was slain ; and as Paul said of himself , I fill up what is behinde of the sufferings of Christ in my flesh : So the Saints who were also from the beginning , suffered what was before of the afflictions of Christ in their flesh . Thus Christ hath been the onely man of sorrows , and is still suffering , till he shall rise in us . This neither Peter nor Paul had attained to , to know Christ risen in them : Paul knew in part Christ , and him crucified , and desired to know also more fully the fellowship of his sufferings ( yet he knew not this so as those , Revel. 12 11. Who overcame by the blood of the Lamb , who saw their sufferings to be the sufferings onely of the Son ) But as for Christ risen in him , the resurrection of the dead , Paul knew not , nor was yet perfect , knowing not himself and the Son , one perfect man : Neither did Peter ( though he suffered for Christ , and Christ in him ) see the day of Christ , or Christ as the day star risen in his heart ; no , this was not to be revealed till the last times : When Christ should be so conceived and brought forth of a woman ( the weakest Saint ) that the weakest Saint should see , not onely Christ in them the hope of glory , Christ formed in them , brought forth in them , living in them , dying in them ; but Christ rising in them , and revealing himself so gloriously , as if he should say , I am the root , and the off-spring of David , the bright and morning Star . I am he , who was , and is , and is to come ; I was all in all in David before ; I was his root , from whom alone sprang up all that he did , said , or suffered ; all Davids fruit and glory rose up from Christ in him , and returned to the root , to Christ in Davids lowest and most dead estate ; so Christ is the off-spring also , and is also that to the Saints to day , as he was to David yesterday , their substance , strength , and song : But Christ in the Saints will be as the morning Star , and rise in more glory yet , when the new heaven and new earth shall be , and new Jerusalem shall come down out of heaven , that is , when God shall dwell with men on earth . Sixthly , This mystery of Christ in us the hope of glory , of God manifest in man● flesh , which was manifest , and in part made known to the Apostles and primitive Saints before , hath been hid again from ages and generations , ever since the apostacy and spirit of Antichrist came into the world with power , and so hath been kept secret since the ( Antichrstian ) world begun , and not made known to the sons of men . This is plainly foretold in the old Prophets , and in that last Prophet of the New Testament , who speaking of things to come in the apostacy and dayes of Antichrist , saith , That he saw a book written within , and on the backside sealed with seven seals ; and no man in heaven or earth , nor under the earth , was able to open the book , nor to look thereon , Revel. 5. 1 , 3. This Book is the mystery of Christ , the Word of God , and the Book of God , in whom both the will and good Will of God , are written , and by whom all the counsels , decrees , and deep things of God are declared ; the mysteries of heaven , and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge , are hid in him , yet manifested , as I said , to the Apostles and Prophets , and primitive Saints : But the Book was since sealed , and that with seven seals ; that is , perfectly sealed , and sealed from the seven Churches ; that is , from all the Churches comprised under the number of seven ( for the seven seals hath reference to those seven Churches ) now no Church ; yea , no man in heaven or earth , or under the earth , none in Church-fellowship , or not in fellowship ; no man of never so high apprehension , or deep discoveries of spiritual things could open or read the Book , or look thereon , that 's more ; not look thereon , that is since the apostacy ; no man hath had scarce an outward knowledge , not a knowledge of the mystery of Christ in the Letter , much less in the Spirit ; not seen what was written without , much less within . This the old Prophets spake by the Spirit also , Isai. 8 16 , 17 Binde up the Testimony , seal the Law among my Disciples : The Testimony is the Book , the Word in the Letter , the Law is the Spirit , the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ ; the mystery of Christ both in the Letter and Spirit of life , were bound and sealed , and that from the Disciples of Christ ; and therefore as John wept , so Isaiah waits for him who hides his face from the house of Jacob , and looks for him ; that is , for Christ , in whose face the glory of God shines , that was hid from the whole Church , the house of Jacob . So Isaiah 29. 10 , 11. The vision of all is become as a Book that is sealed , that neither learned , nor unlearned could read it : Neither Prophet , nor Ruler , nor Seer , no Prophet in the Church , no Ruling Elder , nor the most seeing spiritual Member of the Church could see it to the Mystery , nor look thereon ; yea , the v●sion of all , nothing was seen , not in the Spirit , scarce in the Letter , the Reason is given , Verse 13. Because the fear of me is taught by the precepts of men ; that is , the knowledge and worship of Christ was taught by mens traditions , forms framed , by old Creeds and Councels , new Catechisms and Confessions of Churches ( as if the Scriptures and Spirit , were not sufficient to teach men all the knowledge of God and Christ clear enough ) therefore God proceeds to do a marvellous work and wonder , The wisdome of their wise men shall perish , and the understanding of the prudent shall be hid ; that both Fathers , Doctors , and Divines could not read the Book , nor look thereon ; yet there is a promise , Verse 18. That in that day the ears of the deaf shall hear the words of the Book : They that erred in spirit shall come to understanding , and they that murmured , shall loarn doctrine , Verse 24. Seventhly , That Book which was sealed before , shall be open again , and so it is , Revel. 10. 1 , 2. There the little Book is open . The mystery of Christ in us , is called a little Book , in opposition to those huge Tomes and mighty Volumes of Fathers , Councels , and Commentators , Treatises , &c. which have been all the dayes of Antichrist ; But in the day of Christ , when Christ shall appear in the Saints , then shall the Mystery be but a little Book ; ' ti● no more then God manifest in mans flesh ; if a man could manifest this Mystery to the World , as the Apostles could , there would be an end of the Church controversie this day ; for without controversie , great is the mystery of godlinesse , God manifest in flesh , &c. But this is that I would say , That the mystery of God shall be more gloriously revealed in the last times , after Antichrists destruction and deliverance of the Saints from the apostacy , then ever it was by the Apostles themselves at first . This I have shewn more fully in our private speakings , and shall , if called to , give a publike account . But now it is enough , that when the seventh Angel begins to sound , the mystery of God shall be finished , as he hath declared by his servants the Prophets , Revel. 10. 7. What is the mystery of God , but the man Christ Jesus ? — how that man is God ; how God is manifest in mans flesh ; this hath been declared by the Prophets more fully , then in the writings of the Apostles , excepting John ; and he gives but some hints of that high and heavenly Mystery , which the Scriptures of the Prophets do more gloriously speak out , by whom the Mystery is revealed , though not to them , Rom. 16. 27. 1 Pet. 1. 13. compared . And as the Prophets did minister not to themselves , but to the Apostles ; so the Apostles do minister many things of the mystery of Christ , not to themselves , but to us in these last times , to whom the mystery of God shall be fulfilled , which was to them revealed but in part , Revel. 10. 7. I date not say , that any thing of this Mystery is revealed to me , nor yet dare I deny the teachings of God : But what I have taught , as I would no man to trust me ; so I wish all men to try me , and to hold fast that which is good : This is all that I know of this yet , if yet I know any thing : First , That the Son and the Saints make one perfect man , and that the fulness of the Godhead dwells in both , in the same measure , though not in manifestation . Secondly , That the fulness of the Godhead shall be manifested in the flesh of the Saints , as in the flesh of the Son . These two things , which others see as Heresie and Blasphemy , seems to me as Truths , both in Scriptures , and by that Spirit which speaks in me : If any man can convince me by proofs or power of Argument , I shall submit and be silent . But because I am forcibly commanded and called forth to speak in publike , I shall according to the power of God in me , do these two things : First , Prove the Doctrines by plain Scriptures . Secondly , Then propound my Arguments from thence . My proofs for the first are from Christ and his Apostles , both to me teach this one thing , viz. That the fulness of the Godhead dwells in the Saints , as in the Son , in the same measure , though not in the same manifestation , he being in this last sense Anointed above his fellows , and God manifest in flesh ; But seeing we are his Brethren , we have the same divine Nature , our Fathers Nature as full in us as he : and we being his body and fulness also , though the Oil first appear powred forth on the head , yet it runing down to his hem , all his Members are anointed with him ; yea , though the crown be onely put on the head , yet every member is crowned also with it ; and though there shall be but one King in all the Earth , yet all the Saints shall raign on earth also : How could this be , that so many shall raign at once , and yet but one King , if the Saints and the Son were not one perfect man ? And that the fulness of the Godhead is in both , in the same measure ; Christ himself witnesseth in those words , John 14. 1. Let not your hearts be troubled : ye beleeve in God , beleeve also in me . The Saints before Christs beleeved on God in Covenant , but not on God in Christ ; that was the mystery which Moses himself saw not , nor should see the glory of God in the face of Christ ; for all that doctrine of Free-grace and Mercies , &c. was but Gods back parts : but now saith Christ , Ye beleeve in God , beleeve also in me ; that is , beleeve on God by me ; for as Christ is onely the Way to the Father , Verse 6. so the Father onely is the end and ultimate object of all our Christian knowledge , faith , and worship : therefore Christ addes this Verse 2. In my fathers house are many mansions ; what is the Fathers house ? but the Father himself , God himself , the fulness of the Godhead : there are mansions in it ; there is not onely a mansion for me saith Christ , in God , but mansions for you also in him , I go to prepare a place for you : But how doth he prepare a place for them in the Godhead with himself ? Why , 't was by going to God , going to the Father to receive the promise of the holy Spirit . Why ? Christ received the Spirit before in the fullest measure ; yea , but not in that full manifestation : he was the Son before , but not declared so to be the Son of God , but by the resurrection ; God was in his flesh at his first conception , but God was not so manifest in flesh , till he was received up to glory , and received the promise of the Spirit , to shed it forth also on every beleever to bring them to God also : For if I go , I will come again , and receive you to my self , that where I am ye may be also . 'T is not meant of his coming to judgement in the end of the world , nor of our receiving to himself in the end of our lives after death , as men conceive and comment : but when he should come in Spirit , he would receive them to himself , take them up to his own glory , to be in the Godhead with him ; that where I am ye may be also : Therefore it follows , Verily , verily , he that beleeveth on me , the works that I do shall he do also , and greater works then these shall he do , because I go to the Father : that is , he that beleeveth on me , as saith the Scriptures ; that beleeveth so on the Son , that he seeth himself with the Son in God , and God in him , as in the Son ; he shall do greater works then the Son did in the dayes of his flesh : as we see Peter did convert more at one Sermon , then Christ did all his life long ; and the Apostles gave the Spirit by the laying on of hands , which Christ did not whilest he lived in flesh : Again saith he , John 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortless , I will come to you , I will not leave you Orphanes , or fatherless , you shall have a father as well as I , when I come to you in spirit , ( not his coming at the last day , that was a long time , the Apostles should not live to that , but ) yet a little while and the world seeth me no more , but ye see me : The world a carnal Christian can see no further then Christ in flesh , when that is gone the world sees him no more , but ye see me . How ? Because I live , ye shall live also ; that is , ye see me in God , and living in God onely ; and because I live , ye shall live in God also ; For our life is hid with Christ in God , as Paul saith : 'T is in God our life is , and as the Son lives , for 't is with Christ , though this be yet hid : But in that day ye shall know that I am in the Father , and you in me , and I in you , John 14. 20. That is , in the day of Christs coming , and appearing in us , we shall know that as he is in the Father , and hath his being in God onely , so we also shall see , that we are in him , and he in us ; and that we have the same being in God : We shall appear with him in glory , 1 Joh. 3. 2. This is plainer expressed , John 17. 21. In Christ his last prayer to his Father for those given him ; Neither pray I for these alone ; but for them also that shall beleeve on me through their word , ( beleeve in the sense before said ) That they all may be one , as thou Father art in me , and I in thee ; that they also may be one in us : One in Glory , one in the Godhead ; so it follows , John 17. 22. The glory which thou gavest me , have I given them . What 's the glory which the Father gave him ? God himself , the Father gave himself , as 't is Verse 5. And now Father , glorifie me , with thine own self , the glory which I had with thee before the world was : That glory was then given , and that glory which God gave the Son , the same is given the Saints : The glory is given already to them , though they enjoy it not , nor that glory revealed in them , nor the Godhead yet manifest in their flesh : Therefore Christ prayes there , not for the matter of glory , as if that were not yet ; but for the manifestation of that glory . What 's the glory ? First , Perfect union ; That they may be one , as we are one ; as perfectly and fully one . Verse 23. I in them and thou in me , that they may be perfect in one , that the world also ( as well as they ) may know that thou hast sent me , and hast loved them , as thou hast loved me . That 's the second part of glory ; The same love God bears to the Saints , as to his beloved Son , as hearty and as high a love , as intense , and eternal for extension also , as full expressions of love go forth from God to the Saints , as to the Son ; yea , more in the Letter is said of them , though it be the same love in Spirit with the Son also . How do the Prophets powre forth all the tender heartedness , and truest love of God on the Saints saying , besides many other woing words , that he their Maker , is their Husband , and they his Hephzibah and Beula : that there land shall be married also to him ; that is , that he will manifest himself in their flesh , ( that 's their land ) and make it one with himself , then love them as his Son : as a Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride , so shall thy God rejoyce over thee , yea , joy over thee with singing too , as another Prophet addes , resting in his love . Why ? Because the Lord thy God is in the midst of thee , God in our flesh : This again is a third story of that glory the Saints are taken up with the Son , not onely perfect union with the Father , and sulness of love , but living for ever also with the Son in God ; for that 's the meaning of that Verse 24. Father , I will that they also whom thou hast given me , may be with me where I am ; in the same mansion , in the same place ; that is , ( as I said ) in the fulness of the Godhead ; in all the fulness of God , that they may behold this , he sayes , That this may be manifest to them , and the world also ; for the Saints sit with the Son already in heavenly places , yea , are with him at the right hand of God , and therefore are said to dwell in Heaven ; whom therefore the Dragon doth blaspheme , even God and his Tabernacle , and them that dwell in Heaven ; that is , the Saints who are the Tabernacle of God , in whom God dwells ; and so they blaspheme God in them , calling them for this blasphemers . But let us hear what the Apostles of Christ can say for this . Paul prayes for the Ephesians , That they may comprehend with all Saints , what is the bredth , and length , and depth , and height ; and to know the love of Christ , which passeth all knowledge , that they may be filled with all the fulness of God , Ephes. 3. 18 , 19. Here 's a great word and wonderful Glory , a Mystery that hath all dimensions in it ; such a height , that no carnal man can reach unto ; a depth that none can dive into ; a length that none can compass the end thereof ; and such a bredth , that none can comprehend with all their vast understandings ; yet he prayes , that they with all Saints of the lowest size , the least capacity may comprehend and know the love of Christ that passeth all knowledge ; that is , the love of God in Christ , ( as the Geneva notes well ) that we may be filled with all the fulness of God ; that is , that all the fulness of the Godhead , may be manifest to them and others also : That he prayes for , For they were already filled with all the fulness of God . Again , the Apostle is plainer in his proof , Col. 2. 2 , 9 , 10. where he speaking of the mystery of God , and of the Father , and of Christ , so we read , but falsly as in other places of this nature ; as if there were first God , the divine Nature , then the Father , then Christ ; whereas 't is in Greek , The mystery of that God and Father , there 's the first , and then of Christ , as also 1 Thes. 3. 11. Now God himself , and the Father ; 't is , now that God himself and Father , or as the Geneva reads in both places , the mystery of God even the Father , that 's the first part of the mystery ; then the mystery of Christ is the second , what 's that ? In him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily . And ye are compleat in him ; compleat , 't is in the Greek , ye are filled ; with what ? with all fulness of the Godhead , as we shewed before , Ephes. 3. For as it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in the Son , so it s his pleasure the same fulness and measure should dwell in the Saints ; though the Son hath in all things the preeminence in manifestation , yet the fulness of the Godhead shall be also manifested in the Saints ; which is my second to prove , That the fulness of the Godhead shall be also manifest in the flesh of the Saints , as in the Son . This , John , as he did in his Gospel , so in his Epistles makes plain to me at least . Beloved , now are we the sons of God , but it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that when he shall appear , we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is : When he shall appear , that is , in us , when that glory shall be revealed in us : Then we shall be like him , that is , appear with him in glory , in the same glory of the Son , we shall be like him : For we shall see him as he is ; the Saints under the Gospel saw Christ in Spirit , and the glory of God shining forth in his face , yet onely in a glass darkly ; but after the apostacy , no man at all could see the least glimsp of that glory , or look into the Book , The Mystery of Christ , or look thereon , but after the apostacy ; and falling away being full , the day of Christ follows immediately , and then we shall see him as he is ; how is that ? we shall see him in God , even the Father , and in us also , and our selves in him , and with him living in God , as I said , The Saints shall be seen in the Son : this is called by Paul , The manifestation of the sons of God : the glorious liberty of the sons of God ; For if the Son ( that is in us ) make us free , we shall be free indeed , John 8. 36. Therefore , as the first falling away , and apostacy of Churches , was in doctrine , not in worship ; so the first doctrine which was darkned with the smoke of the bottomless pit , with the spirit of Antichrist , it was the Sun : The Son was darkned , and so the Father also ; for he that denieth the Son , the same hath not the Father . Now here 's the first deceit of Antichrist in denying the Father and the Son , 1 John 2. 22. No Protestant or Papist denies this , say they : But Antichrist is a liar ; though in a form of words father , and son is confessed ; yet in truth , in power , and spirit , they deny both . They deny the Father in the Son , and deny the Son in the Saints ; denying God in Christ , and the Father all in all in his flesh : For God , even the Father , the everlasting Father , was born and brought forth in that flesh ; God in flesh lived with men , and in flesh God gave his life for men , purchasing the Church with his own blood ; 't was God rose , and God ascended in flesh ; yea , the Son was nothing , but as he was in God ; the Son could do nothing of himself , but the Father in him did all the works ; and as God was in Christ , and God all in all in his flesh , so Christ in us all in all in our flesh ; Christ the man-childe is brought forth in us , liveth in our flesh , suffers in us , and shall rise in us , and we shall ascend also with him ; for as the two witnesses ( those few Saints who yet are a full witness for Christ , and against Antichrist ) were killed in the City where our Lord was crucified , Revel. 11. 8. That 's spiritually in the Mystery , being crucified with Christ in their flesh ; so those Saints are said to rise , Verse 11. and to ascend , Verse 12. Secondly , Antichrist denies Christ to be come in flesh , 1 John 4. 3. Not to come in flesh of the Virgin made of a woman ; this all carnal Christians confess in their Creed : But Antichrist denies Christ to be come in our flesh , and our flesh to be anointed of God , and with God ; for that 's Christ the anointed of God , God manifest in flesh : Now God was ever manifest in the flesh of the Saints , though they knew it not before ; and the flesh of the Saints is the anointed of God , anointed with all the fulness of God ; for so it follows . 1 John 2. 20. Ye have an unction from the holy One , whereby ye know all things ; that is , as he that is born of God sinneth not at all , because the seed remaineth in him , there is a principle , the Son , the Word , the immortal Seed is in them : so he that is born of God , in whom God is brought forth , knoweth all things ; because there is a power in him , God in his flesh teaching him all things , that 's the unction . Therefore 1 John 2. 27. the anointing abiding in the Saints , teacheth them all things , and they need not that any man teach them , &c. that is , while they abide in the anointing , and attend on God in them , and hearken to the Father as the Son did , As I hear , I judge , and I speak to the world the things I have heard of him : I can do nothing of my self , but as my Father hath taught me , I speak these things . Thus the Son had no Tutor or Teacher , but the Father , God in his flesh ; if the Saints saw this fulness in themselves , the fulness of God anointing their flesh , this would free them from that bondage to Men , Means , and Ministers . This is Babylons destruction ; first by mutual divisions , Isaiah 10. 26. as the Churches divided : secondly , by the manifestation of the anointing , the discovery of Christ in the midst of the Church , God in their flesh : In that day ( the day of Christ ) his burden shall be taken from of thy shoulder , and the yoke from of thy neck , and the yoke shall be destroyed , because of the anointing , Isaiah 10. 27. This is the glorious liberty of the sons of God , the manifestation of the sons of God , which we hope for , God to be manifest in our flesh , then Christ comes in flesh : and thus , if the Son shall make ye free , ye shall be free indeed ; but ye are of God , little children ( the least Saint is of God , as the Son is of the Father ) and ye have overcome them ; that is , ( the wisest and most powerful Impostors of Antichrist ) for greater is he in you ; then he that is in the world ; that is , Christ in you , God in your flesh ; who is greater then all ; whose very foolishness and weakness is wiser and stronger , then all the strength and wisdom of men , and whose wisdom and strength shall be manifest also in the most foolish and feeblest Saints . This John in the Revelation more cleerly yet reveals ; for as he saw the Son in the midst of the Saints , Christ in the midst of the Church ; so he shows that all the power of the Son , the glory and honor of the Son , shall be manifested in the Saints . Not to speak of the old Prophets , who are aboundant in holding forth this glory , The sons of them that afflicted thee , shall come bowing unto thee ; and all they that despised thee , shall bow themselves , down at the soles . of thy feet , and call thee the City of the Lord ; that is , the Saint in whom God dwells : And therefore , as at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow ; that is , to God in him , for that 's his name ; so saith God , to me shall every knee bow , to me in the Saints ; and therefore , Revel. 3. 9. The Lord God saith , I will make them of the Synagogues of Satan , that say they are Jews , and are not , but do lie : behold , I will make them to come and worship before thy feet , and know that I have loved thee ; that is , as the world shall know that the Father loves the Saints as the Son , Joh. 17. 23. So the apostatized Churches ; that is , the Synagogues of Satan ; for Peter himself was called so , when he savored the flesh , the things of man , more then of God : So the Jews , that is , legal Church members , who have belied themselves into a liberty they have not , boasting because of their fleshly forms , and fellowships , that they are above other Saints ; these false Churches shall come down and worship at the feet of scattered Saints , who are gathered up into Christ , and with Christ into God ; they shall worship not them , but God in them , and confess that God is in them of a truth . The Spirits power , and honor , and glory , as I said , shall be manifested in the Saints . First , His power , Revel. 2. 26 , 27. He that overcometh , to him will I give power over the nations , and he shall rule them with a rod of iron ; and as the vessels of a Potter shall they be broken in peeces , even as I have received of my Father . See here the power of the Son , manifested in the Saints ; for so the second Psalm speaks of the Son , The Kings of the earth , and the rulers , stand up against the Lord , and against his Christ ; who is Christ the anointed of God ? But the Saints with the Son , Verse 3. Who would think that poor Saints should have such power , yea , such honor have all the Saints , as to binde Kings in chains , and Nobles with links of iron ; and to execute the judgement written of the Son , Psal. 149. 8 , 9. Who beleeves that all the blood shed , and slaughters this day in the world ; the dashings of Kings and Kingdoms one against another , is done by the Saints , though they stir not , but are quiet in the land ; yet the Lord goes forth of them , working all , and wasting all by them , by the weakest Saints . Thou worm Jacob , thou shalt thresh mountains , and beat the hills to chaff : that is , as another Prophet phraseth it , O Jacob , that is , the weakest Saints ; for Israel is the name of power , but Jacob , thou art my battle-ax and weapons of war , with thee will I destroy Nations , and dash Kingdoms in pieces like a Potters vessel : This the Saints have done , and do still , God in them doing all in all : Though this be not yet manifest in them , nor to the world , yet it shall be , saith the Scripture , The Saints shall have the same power manifest in them as in the Son . Secondly , The honor also of the Son shall be manifest in the Saints ; He that overcomes , shall sit with me in my throne ; as I overcame , and am set down with my Father in his throne . Revel. 3. 21. What 's the throne of Christ , but the honor given him of God , to raign and to judge also ? The Saints shall have both , not onely a rod or scepter of Iron to break Nations , but a scepter of Gold , of Righteousness to rule Nations ; and that Nation which will not serve thee , shall perish , and be utterly wasted : Who will not serve God in the Saints ? But then again , The Saints shall judge also with Christ ( not by approbation onely , as Gentlemen who sit on the bench with the Judge ) but the Saints as the Son shall sit in the same judicial throne : The Saints shall judge the world , yea , Angels ; not onely the world , common Churches , with all their worships , but the Angels of Churches also the Saints shall judge ; as Christ judged none more hardly then the Priests , and Elders of the people . Thirdly , He that overcometh shall inherit all things , and I will be his God , and he shall be my Son . Here 's the glory of the Son ; that he is appointed heir of all things , Heb. 1. This glory is given to the Saints also , though the Saints know it not , no more then a crowned Childe in the cradle knows he is a King . Here 's the mystery of Christ , and of a beleeving Christian also : Who is he that overcometh the world ? but he that beleeveth that Jesus is the Son of God , beleeveth in that sense I said before . 'T is strange , that the Saints who dare not judge any man , yet are said to judge all things , and to be judged of no man ; that they who hurt no man , should be said to destroy all men ; that those who have nothing , should be said to be heirs of all , and inherit all things ; how could this be ? but that the Son is in them , God in their flesh ; and so he is their God , and they are not onely his sons , but his Son . This seems to be a truth in it self , though not manifest to them till they overcome . This overcoming is seven times repeated , Revel. 2. and 3. and once more here , Revel. 21. 7. There 's a mystery in that also , in this overcoming , what is it , and what is the thing to be overcome ? In a word , 't is the number and name of the Beast that the Saints must get victory of , Revel. 15. 2. But what 's the Beast , his name , and number ? 't is the number of a man , that 's more mysterious yet : But sure 't is cleer , That every man is brutish in his knowledge ; and though vain man would be wise , yet man is born but a wilde Asses colt ; yea , Man in honor understandeth not , but is like a beast that perisheth : So that man is the Beast , who counts himself wise , or to have the knowledge of a man , which the wisest man , even Agur the Prophet would not own , when he was to speak of Ithiel , and Ucal ; that is , of Christ , and God in Christ ; for Ithiel is the same with Immanuel , God with us ; and Ucal is a name , signifying power , as Christ is the wisdom of God , and power of God : So then , when man sees onely of the humanity in himself , the wisdom of man or power of man , and sees not God all in all , and the Godhead in him ; This is the Beast , this the number of his name , the number of a man ; when we shall overcome this , this manhood , this self , and submit to the Godhead in us ; when we shall see God onely manifest in our flesh , and the flesh nothing , profiting nothing , having no power , nor wisdom ; when thus we deny our selves , follow me , saith Christ ; follow him who is our forerunner , and gone before into the holiest , into the fulness of the Godhead with him ; then we are said to overcome and inherit all things . God is our God , and we are his Son , then this shall be manifest ; for Revel. 22. 3. we shall see his face , and his name shall be in our foreheads , as the Fathers name with Christ , Rev. 14 1. so the name of Christ also shall be read in our foreheads . Men shall see the Saints as the Son , That 's his new name , which he will write on us ; and we shall be called by another name , by a new name , which the mouth of the Lord shall name . Mens mouthes have still formed new names on the Saints , as from the beginning so of late : In Queen Maries dayes , the Saints suffered as Protestants ; in Queen Elizabeths as Professors ; in King James's as Puritans ; in King Charli's as Separatists ; in our days as Sectaries , Heretikes , and Blasphemers : But the Lord God will give us a new name shortly himself , when ye shall leave your name as a curse to my chosen ; for the Lord God shall slay thee , and call his servants by another name , Isaiah 65. 15. So far concerning the proof of those Truths , so far as I conceive them to be . Now I shall come to the Arguments , which are three ; the first from the Old Testament , the second from the New , the third from both : The first Argument is from Isaiah 61. thus , Those who are the anointed of God with Christ , to preach the Gospel to the world , whom the world shall own as the onely Ministers of God , and honor as the Son , they have all the fulness of the Godhead as the Son : But the Saints are the anointed of God with Christ , to preach the Gospel to the world , and the world shall own them as the onely Ministers of God , and honor them as the Son . Therefore the Saints have all the fulness of the Godhead with the Son . There are four parts in the Argument to prove in this Chapter . First , The Saints are the anointed of God with Christ , that 's plain , Isaiah 61. 1 , 3. The same spirit or oyl powred forth on the Son , is powred forth on the Saints , and that in the same fulness : For secondly , They are anointed with him to preach the Gospel to the world ; the Spirit was on him , that he might preach to the world , and they shall preach to the world also ; for they shall build the old wastes , and shall raise up the former desolations , they shall repair the waste cities , the desolations of many generations , Verse 4. What wastings hath war made , not onely in the visible world , but the invisible ? in the inward man are more wastes ; and for many generations , men have been desolated of that glory once given them . Now to repair all things in the world visible and invisible , to build up the ruines made , not by Rome , but even by the most reformed Churches ; to raise up a new building , a city for God to dwell in , this is the work of the Son onely , yet the Saints shall do it also ; but I beleeve the world shall be a little more wasted first . Thirdly , The world shall then own the Saints as the onely Ministers of God . Verse 6. Ye shall be called the Priests of the Lord , and men shall call you the Ministers of our God . Fourthly , All that see them shall acknowledge , that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed , Verse 9. Now the blessed Seed is Christ , Gal. 3. 16. He speaketh not of Seeds , as of many , but of One , the Seed , which is Christ . All the Saints being many ( in fl●sh ) make up but one Christ ( in Spirit ) ; yea , God even the Father that eternal Spirit , shall be manifest in their fl●sh , as in his : That not onely themselves shall see it ; but all men shall say , that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed . This full Discourse , and first Argument of Mr. Erbery is set forth , not that any man should approve , but prove it ; not to justifie himself , but to be judged of all . He will not mention any thing in the Dispute at present , being content to suffer in silence , and fit still in his own abhorrency , while others walk in their honor , and applause , which he doth not envy them ; for they have their reward , and he his wages , That all men speak evil of him ; yet could he with a few words wipe of all his personal wrongs , but then he should be sprinkle others with some spots and shame , which he is loth to do . Let the true God who judgeth righteously , cleer up all mens falshoods ( and truth also ) in his due time . This is all he hath now to say , That as he first professed , he knew nothing , nor maintained any thing as Dogmatical , but onely delivering his minde , drawn out to speak , because he should not be silent ; so he confesseth himself not yet carried out of the way of further inquiry , and seeking the Truth , that God shall teach him , and not men ; wishing all the Saints were in that way , to cease from man , whose breath is in his nostrils ; for wherein is he to be accounted of ? especially now , when the number of the Beast may be read ( in mens foreheads ) to be the number of a man : And the Lord alone to be exalted in that day . Well , when wise men erre , and the Princes of Zoan are become fools , that is , the chief leaders in ( spiritual ) Egypt are causing to erre , and wander ; there is a way , a high-way , that wayfaring men , though fools , shall not erre therein . If any man would be wise still , he dares not call him fool ; but as for him who hath found himself a fool already , and sees himself be-wildernessed as a wayfaring man , seeing no way of man on earth , nor beaten path to lead him , let him look upward and within at once , and a high-way , the way is found , Christ in us , God in our flesh : Waite here a while for that Spirit and Power from on high to appear in us , walking in the Spirit of holiness , love and peace ; and at last , yea , within a little , we shall be led forth out of this confusion , and Babylon , wherein we yet are not cleerly knowing , Truth nor Error , Day nor Night ; but in the Evening there shall be Light . Cant. 1. 7. Tell me ( O thou whom my soul loveth ) where thou feedest , where thou makest to rest at noon . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A38580e-190 Revel. 10. 1. Verse 2. Verse 3. Verse 7. Verse 4. Verse 4. Vers. 10. Vers. 11. Reve. 11. Verse 3. Verse 4. Verse 5. Verse 6. Verse 8. Vers. 11. Vers. 12. Acts 10. 43. Notes for div A38580e-590 Jere. 50. 2 , 4. Vers. 5. Hosea 3 4 , 5. 1 Sam. 23. 9. Zach. 8. 19. Hos. 3. 5. Jere. 2. 36. Hosea 2. 6 , 7. 1 Cor. 13 11. Acts 4. 27 , 30. Eph. 4. 13. Psal. 22. 22. Heb. 2. 12 , 13. Gal. 1. 16 and 2. 20. and 3. 1. crucified in you . Gal 4 19 and 5. 27. and 6. 15. 2 Cor 13. 3. Heb. 2. 11 , 12 , 13. Rev 13. 8 Col. 1. 24. Isai. 63. 9 1 Cor. 2 2. Phil. 3. 11 , 12 , 14 2 Pet 1. 19. 1 Pet. 1. 13. Isa. 66 7. Jere. 31. 22. Rev 12. 5 compared Isai. 26. 19. and 60 , 1 , 2. Rev. 22. 16. Revel. 21. 3. Isai. 29. 14. Heb. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 3 , 4. Zach. 14. 9. Revel. 5. 10. Exod. 33. 18. Acts 2. 33. John 14. 3. John 14. 12. Joh. 7. 38 and 17. 20 , 21. Act. 2. 41 and 3. 19. Col. 3. 3. Isa. 54. 5. Isai. 62. 4 , 5. Zeph. 3. 17. Revel. 13. 6 , 7. Col. 2. 9 , 10. 1 John 3. 2. Col. 3 4. John 14. 19 , 20. Rom. 8. 18 , 19 : 1 Tim. 4. 1. Revel. 9. 2. Joh. 2. 22. Isai. 9. 6. Matth. 1. 23. Acts 20. 28. 1 John 3. 16. Psal. 68. 1 , 17 , 18. John 14. 10 , 20. 1 John 4. 4. John 5. 30. John 8. 28. 1 John 4. 4. Zach. 12. 3 , 8. Rev. 1. 13 Isai. 60. 14. Mich. 7. 16 , 17. Zach. 8. 23. Isai. 41. 14 , 15. Jere. 51. 20 , 21. Isai. 60. 12. 1 Cor. 2. 3. Rev. 21. 7. 1 John 5. 5. Revel. 13 18. Psal. 49. 20. Prov. 30. 2 , 3. Revel. 3. 12. Revel. 22. 4. Isa 62. 2. Isai 65. 15. Isai. 2. 11 , 22. Reve. 13. 18. Isai. 19. 2 , 13 , 14. Isai. 35. 8.