THE Strong Man Armed CASTANNA OUT, And his GOODS SPOILT: Or, the Poor Man sitting at Jesus' Feet clothed, and in his Right Mind. Being a True Convert's Testimony of the Power of the Lord, in turning the Soul from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God. Wherein is clearly manifested, that there is Light in every Man and Woman, which discovers their Conditions, bears a faithful Testimony against Sin, is the Reprover of all Unbelief and Unrighteousness both in Heart and Life, and is the Mighty Power of God for Salvation to all that believe in it and obey it. And herein it is evidently proved, That they are none of the Ministers of Christ that Oppose this Doctrine; with one infallible Character of the Real Gospel-Ministers; and most of the weighty Objections answered. Formerly given forth in Writing unto my Relations and Acquaintance, the Professors, called Independents, in Notingham-shire; declaring the just Cause of my leaving their Assemblies. Together with a tender Invitation to all the Honest-hearted, to come out of their dead Forms, and walk in the Light of the Lord. By James Jackson, formerly a Parish Priest, and a Teacher amongst the Independents; and now through the exceeding Riches of God's Love, am made willing to take up the Daily Cross, and walk with the despised Followers of the Lamb, in Scorn called Quakers. This is a Marvellous Thing, O ye Priests, and Professors, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine Eyes. Was it ever known, that ever any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind? Printed in the Year, 1674. TO My Loving Friends, Kindred, AND ACQUAINTANCE; The Tender, Sober and Conscientious Professors amongst the People called Independents, in the County of NOTTINGHAM. THe Scriptures declare of a Man which had an Spirit, who had his dwelling among the Tombs, and no man could bind him, no not with Chains; because he had been often bound with Chains and Fetters, and the Chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the Fetters broken in pieces; And being driven of the Devil into the Wilderness, he was so unruly and fierce, tearing his , and cutting his Flesh, that no man could tame him: But after the Lord Jesus had healed this poor Creature, and effected such an extraordinary Change, as caused Astonishment and Admiration in the Beholders; for it is said, That when they who had known him before, now saw such a palpable Alteration, he that was called Legion Sitting, and Clothed, and in his Right Mind, they were afraid: and Jesus said unto him, Go home to thy Friends, and tell them how Great Things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had Compassion on thee. And truly Friends, this day in my Particular is this Scripture fulfilled in your Eyes; my , Dissolute, Debauched and Extravagant Course of Life hath been known to most of you, when I sinned after strong Convictions, serious Admonitions and Reproofs, Vows, Promises and Resolutions, against known Scripture-Rules, Inward Light and Religious Education, breaking and violating all these Bonds and Obligations (which as so many Chains and Fetters one would think might be sufficient to tame and restrain the unruly Lusts of Youth) whereby the Souls of some of the tenderest and chiefest of you have been grieved, exceedingly wounded and exercised, endeavouring and earnestly travelling with Prayers and Tears for my Recovery. Wherefore seeing the Lord hath passed by me when I was in my Blood, and pitied me, and said unto me, Live; For it was the Lord only who saw my Way, and healed me, and restored Comforts to me and my Mourners by the effectual Calling of his Grace, REVEALING HIS SON IN ME, and hath spared me as a Living Monument of his Patience, Endless Mercy and Compassion: I therefore in the powerful Constraining of this Love, am unwilling to eat my Morsel alone, or to hid my Talon in the Earth; but with Samson, having tasted some Sweetness and Strength from the Lord, do commend my Experiences unto you my Friends and Relations, declaring unto you how great Things the Lord hath done for me, and had Compassion on me, in turning me from Darkness into his Marvellous Light, and from the power of Satan into the Kingdom of his dear Son; To whom be Glory, Praise and Obedience for evermore. James Jackson. THE Strong Man Armed CASTANNA OUT, And His Goods Spoilt, etc. IN the time of my greatest Pollution and Iniquity, while I fulfilled the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness, for many years before that Change and Reformation was discerned in me at which ye rejoiced, even in the worst of my time; I testify in the Presence of the Lord, that then I met with real and immediate Reproofs, Rebukes and Convictions from something that did often Awaken, Judge and Condemn me in my own Conscience, but knew not what it was, nor whence it came; and because Iniquity was risen in me to an exceeding masterless height, these Rebukes which I know were from a contrary Principle to Sin, prevailed not, although at some times they were as Powerful and Terrible as the Handwriting upon the Wall before Belshazzer, whereby my Countenance hath been changed, my Thoughts troubled, so that the Joints of my Loins were loosed, and my Knees smote one against another; then thought I to redress this Sorrow by going into Merry and Pleasant Company, essaying to divert that inward Perplexity by outward Jollaty, as Drinking, Gaming, Music, etc. but those Diversions were unable to still and quiet these Tempestuous Surging Waves, and were no more effectual to heal the Wound of my Sin-smitten Conscience, then if a man should endeavour to quench Fire by pouring Oil thereon; for I found by woeful Experience, that these unwarrantable Courses increased the Flame, and added yet more Weight to the first Burden: Then have I many times solemnly vowed, promised and resolved, To break off and cease from all Ungodly Practices; and in keeping and observing these Covenants I have found some Ease and Quietness for a time; but as soon as new Sins were committed, then arose fresh Occasions of Sorrow, Trouble and Terror; and after this manner I continued many years, until the Lord was pleased of his infinite Wisdom and Faithfulness to hedge up my Way with Remarkable and Extraordinary Providences, blasting all Purposes and Designs, and caused Afflictions, Losses and Disappointments to come upon my outward Estate, Horror and Perplexity upon my Soul, a most Violent and Raging Fever upon my Body, and at the same time above an Hundred Miles from all Relations, Friends and Kindred; at which time, being in a most Wretched, Deplorable and Succourless Condition, sinned myself almost out of all the Comforts of this Life, and any Hope of Interest in a better; being under this great Distress, and cast out to the loathing of my own Person, and had all my Sins set in order before me, whereupon I was forced seriously to consider my Ways, and found no place to escape the Wrath of the Highly-provoked God; at which time I had no Benefit of any Outward Help, Teaching or Counsel; but he, who before had been my Reprover, was then my only Teacher, who sealed Instruction upon my Soul, whose Voice I heard, which did shake and shake the Heavens, and the Earth also; and caused me to cry out, Lord, What wouldst thou have me to do? And being brought to the Foot of God, could truly say, Speak now Lord, for thy Servant heareth: And abiding in this broken and shattered State, I clearly felt the Judgement of the Lord powerfully at work in my Soul, as an Axe at the Root of the Tree, and as a Refiner's Fire, till the Life and Power of Sin was slain, subdued and mortified perfectly in my Will and Affections; then was the Lord Jesus revealed in me whom I had pierced; the New Birth Discerned, which is created after God in true Holiness; and the Immortal, Pure, Precious Seed, of the Eternal God, which ever before had been pressed down, trodden under and held in Bondage, arose; yea, the Tender Plant of his own Right Hand sprung up in me, panting and vehemently breathing after, and never since could be satisfied but with his Living Presence. Behold! these things worketh the Lord oftentimes with men, looking upon men; And if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which is Right, and it profitted me not, he will deliver his Soul from going into the Pit, and his Life shall see the Light. And this is the Sum of the Confession which I was not ashamed to witness in your public Assemblies, both at Nottingham and other places, in the year 1668. Objection. But it is probable some of you will object, saying, After this Change was wrought, thou didst Join to our Assemblies, Owned us, Prayed with us, Preached amongst us, and seemed to enjoy Refresh and Satisfaction in our Assemblies; wherefore then art thou now departed from us, and gone to the Quakers? Answer 1. Notwithstanding that great and notable Work begun in my Soul, and in some measure effected by the Mighty Power of the Lord, yet was there after some time a certain Deadness, Coldness and Darkness drawn over me again, occasioned through Weakness, Unwatchfulness and Formality, whereby that good Condition was lost; nevertheless I found and felt tender Breathe moving in me, thirsting and seeking for renewed Testimonies of the Love of God, then in the Simplicity and Uprightness of my Heart, not knowing a more likely way to obtain Satisfaction, I joined to your Society; and can truly affirm (though I now see it was no better than seeking the Living among the Dead) that the Lord was pleased in the Condescensions of his Love, many times to stoop down, and reach forth from the openings of his Bosom Refresh and Nourishment to that tender Babe of his own begetting, yea, while I frequented your Assemblies. Answ. 2. And as I continued Faithful and Obedient to that measure of Light and Knowledge, which was revealed in me, it is well known to all, or the most of you, what Censures, Opposition and Contradiction, both I and the plain Scripture-truths', which I declared in your Assemblies, suffered from many of your Brethren, charging me, That I was leading into Quakerism, long before I understood either by word or Writing what the Quakers held. Answ. 3. But however, these Censures occasioned a free and impartial Search into the Quakers Principle, Doctrine and Practice; for verily, before I was as much afraid of the Quakers as ye can be: But standing single in the Will and Counsel of the Lord, desirous to prove all things and hold fast that which is good, abandoning all Consultations with Flesh, was resolved to cease from Man, and to cleave unto the Truth, as the Lord should reveal and discover the same to me, waiting in this , Unprejudiced and Dis-engaged Frame, examining carefully the Principle, Foundation, Doctrine and Practice of this Despised Holy People, great Clearness and Satisfaction arose in my Soul; for as Face answered Face in a Glass, so were the Truths delivered by them, owned and embraced by the Witness of God in my own Conscience; and the same Spirit, Light, Life and Power, which is manifest in them, I came to feel in a measure in my own Particular: And yet for all this, before I came to any visible Closure with them, I sat down, and counted the Cost, and am made willing freely to endure the Cross, and undergo the World's Reproach and Shame, knowing, that whoever will be Christ's Disciple must deny himself, and take up his Cross daily and follow him. And truly Friends, the Day of the Lord's Power is come and felt, whereby I am made willing to forsake Fathers and Mothers, Brethren and Sisters, Parsonages and all kind of Ecclesiastical Promotions, Friends, Honours, Pleasures, Profits, Houses, Lands, Goods, yea, and Life is self, to follow the Lamb, and fall in with his Interest, as it is only witnessed and embraced by and amongst the Children of Light, by the World called Quakers. Answ. 4. But if it were possible, I desire to make clear to your Satisfaction, that there was sufficient Ground for me; and so there is for you, who have any Tenderness and Breathe in your Souls after the Lord, to separate yourselves from the Tents of those Ungodly Men, your Teachers, who are no better than Filthy Dreamers, Blind Guides and Belly Gods, who belch out nothing but Blasphemies, Lies, Slanders, False Accusations and Evil Speeches against God and Christ, his Ways, Truth and People; and this I see and declare against them in the Light: For, verily there is, and I witness it, an Honest, Gracious, Tender Principle in many of you, called Independents, which kindles in you perfect Hatred against Sin, and unsatisfied real Breathe and Pant after the Sensible Living Presence of the Lord; But your Leaders cause you to Err, and ye are scattered upon the dark and barren Mountains: And this I testify in the Name of the Living God, That it will be so with you while ye follow these Wand'ring Stars, Clouds without Rain, Seducing Spirits, your Pastors and Teachers, who are Ravening Wolves and Ministers of Antichrist, whom ye ought not to receive into your Houses, nor bid them God speed; For, (1.) They are altogether Ignorant of the True God; and all the Knowledge that these men pretend to have of the Deity, is attained by Reading and Hear-say; for they will confidently affirm, That Vision and Immediate Revelation is ceased: Judge ye therefore what Knowledge these men have of God, when the Scriptures say, No man knows the Father but they to whom the Son reveals him. (2.) They Reproach and despise Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, of whom the Scriptures witness and testify to be the True Light, which enlightens every man that comes into the World: But they are not afraid to say, The Light in every man is but a Natural Light, and at the best not able to save those who believe in it and obey it. And to discover themselves more plainly to be the Ministers of Antichrist, they are not ashamed to deny that Christ is come in the Flesh: indeed both they and their Grandmother, the Church of Rome, are willing to confess that Christ was come; but the Scripture is plain, That every Soul that confesseth not that Christ is come in the Flesh, the same is Antichrist. (3.) They fear not daily to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God; but call it A Spirit of Delusion, and A Spirit of Error; and most presumptuously say of them that are sanctified, guided, taught and anointed by the Holy Ghost, That they are led by the Spirit of the Devil. (4.) They trample under Foot the Blood of the Covenant, counting it a Weak and Unholy Thing, while they impudently affirm, That the best of God's Saints (yea, if he had no purer Saints than they are) cannot be free from sin whilst they breathe upon Earth, when the Scriptures witness, that the Blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. (5.) They preach another Gospel: Now the Scripture is plain, That if any man, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto us, than what we have already received, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.9. Now how can ye believe that they are Ministers of the Gospel, when they know not what the true Gospel is; For, saith Paul, I certify unto you, Brethren, that the Gospel which I preach is not after man; for I neither received it, neither was I taught it of man, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ: But your Teachers deny any such Revelation in these days; wherefore it is hereby evident, that they are Thiefs, crept in some other ways, and bring another Gospel, then that whereof Paul was a Minister, as he witnessed to the Collossians, Chap. 1.23. saying. Be not moved from the Hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached IN EVERY CREATURE under Heaven, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In universa creatura. whereof I Paul am a Minister. And this is the Word of Faith which we preach, even Christ, the Word, who is in thy Heart and in thy Mouth, saith Paul, Rom. 10. which all have heard, and the Sound thereof is gone through the whole World: But these men labour to pervert the Gospel, and turn men from it, saying, That the Light of Christ in every man's Conscience is not the Substance of the Gospel, nor the Power of God to Salvation. (6.) They have indeed a Form of Godliness, but want the Power; and well for them if that was the worst: But they magnify and cry up a Form, and utterly reject, despise, and deny the Power, which is the immortal Seed, Christ Jesus, the Light within; and from such we are commanded to turn away. Their Prayers and Sermons are made, contrived, studied and composed in their own Time, Wills and Wisdom; but are Strangers to the Life, Power and Spirit of Prayer: and deny that Christ speaks in any; which is evident that he doth not speak in them. They cry up, and plead earnestly for Water-Baptism, which Christ never Administered, Instituted or Commanded to be Administered; and yet they call it Christ's Ordinance: Some saying, Without this no Salvation; and the rest say, With such as wilfully neglect this, have no Communion; But if they had ever undergone and felt the Powerful, Lively, Purifying and throughly cleansing Efficacy of the Spirit's Baptism, they would know it sufficient, without the Help of their Dead, Cold, Idolised Waterworks. They are greatly affected with that Bread and Wine, which after breathing upon by the Pastor, is not Common, but Be-sainted, and so comes to be called the Lord's Supper: It is evident hereby, that they never did eat of that Flesh which is Bread indeed, nor drink of that Blood which is Drink indeed. Now it is certain, that all Pictures, Images, Shadows, Resemblances, Figures and Representations, which any people live in and plead for, do clearly argue, That they are destitute of the Power, Life and Substance, yea, wholly ignorant of his Living Presence, in whom is hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: And as they believe in one at a great Distance from them, out of their View and Knowledge; so is it very convenient, they think, to necessitate these Carnal Ordinances to reduce their unmindful and forgetful Thoughts into more serious Remembrance, till he come: And yet these men will condemn the Papists, though they be far short of their Devotion in this very Thing. And so are they seen in the Light to be Wolves in Sheep's Clothing, ravened from the Life and Power of those Saints, whom they are imitating upon the Stage of their Formal Profession. Wherefore, my dear Frieds, Come out from amongst them, and be ye separate, lest ye be drunk with the Wine of their Fornication; For verily, the Lord is risen to plead his own Cause, and be a swift Witness against these Sorcerers, who are sporting themselves in the day time: And as those Soldiers regarded not a Crucified Jesus so near them, but their Minds were taken up in parting & casting Lots for his Raiment; so these men are so exercised in the Outsides of Religion, Ordinances (so called) and Worship, that they are not at all concerned with the Inside, which is the Life and Power of Godliness, even Christ within, the Hope of Glory. Answ. 5. And Lastly; As I have plainly declared the Reasons of my departing from your Assemblies, so shall I witness faithfully to the Truth, as it is known and practised by the Holy People of God, called Quakers, with whom I now walk, and of whom I declare and testify. First, That they are built and rooted in & upon the Right Foundation, even Christ Jesus, the Lord; who is their Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, in whom alone they are justified by Faith, and saved. That Root from whence they receive Life, Nourishment, Power and Growth, is the only Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, the Rock of Ages, the Stone which your Builders and thei● Brethren, the Priests, ever rejected, disallowed and set at nought▪ which is, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Whereupon it is evident that we differ in the Root from all the People in the World, though of several Forms and Persuasions: For plainly, the Papists, Prelates, Presbyters, Baptists and Independents, though they all differ in their Forms, Appearances, and Circumstantial Opinions, yet do they all agree and meet in one and the same Faith, Foundation and Root. The Words, Writings, Declarations and Testimonies of the Saints, recorded in Scripture, are the Foundation and Ground of all the Professing People in the World; and all of them being Strangers to that one Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures, are run into several Sects and Opinions, as they do carnally understand and conceive they have Rule and Teaching in the Bible: But however, they will own no other Light, Law, Gospel, Rule, Revelation and Word of God, but their Bibles. But now this peculiar People, whom the Lord hath gathered from amongst all the Babylonish Confusions and Divisions under Heaven, are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone, in whom all the Building fitly framed together, groweth into an Holy Temple in the Lord. So that these receive immediate Light, Life, Power, Teaching, Guidance, Rules, Refresh, Revelation, Peace and Satisfaction from that Word which was before the Worlds were made; even that Life, Power, Foundation, Root, Spring and Fountain, in and by which the Holy Prophets and Apostles were Quickened, Enlightened, Anointed, Inspired, and gave forth the Scriptures, which is Christ Jesus, the Word of God, the Power of God, the Son of God, the Light Within, the only Saviour of the World. 2dly, Their Faith is the Faith of the Son of God; Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of it: It is not a Dead Historical Faith, but the Spirit and Life of Faith, and no less than the Resurrection and Life of the Immortal Seed, Enlightening, Quickening, Reforming and Renewing the whole Man; And this is that Faith by which Sin is subdued, slain and mortified perfectly, the Heart purified, the World conquered, the Soul sanctified, justified and saved perfectly: But the Faith of all others is an Unholy, Dead, Imperfect Faith; it sanctifies but in part (as they say) and so will never save to the uttermost. 3dly, Their Knowledge is Spiritual and Experimental, from the immediate Unction of the Holy Ghost; what is known, proceeds not from Hear-say, but divine Revelation: All that are born of the Spirit are taught of God, and need not that any say, Know the Lord; for they all know him, from the greatest to the least: This is Life Eternal to know God, who is Light, yea, the Father of Lights; and that the Light within is the Son of God, whom he hath sent; so to know as to live and abide in his Light, is Life Eternal: And this is that Mystery which is hid from the Wise and Prudent, and is revealed unto Babes; for the World by all its Wisdom knows not God, neither doth the Carnal Man (though never so great a Scholar) discern the things of God; for they are Spiritually discerned. And as Christ was Bodily in the World, and the World knew him not, no, not the great Doctors and Leaders of those several Sects and Religions in that day, as the Samaritans, Herodians, Scribes, Pharisees and Sadduces, they knew him not; and therefore the man that was born blind wondered, This is a Marvellous Thing, saith he, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine Eyes: It was never known that any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind. Even so it is now; Christ is spiritually in the World, and the World knoweth him not; no, not the Popes, Prelates, Presbyters, Priests and Pastors of all the Religions in the World, they know him not, but say, It is the Devil, or at best, but the Light of Nature; and so they know not from whence he is, yet hath he enlightened Thousands: And it was never known that the Devil or Nature converted any to the Lord, that have been Naturalised to Sin. 4thly, Their Humility, which is the emptying of themselves of all their own Righteousness, Wills, Wisdom and Self-Exaltation; and is a real, inward, spiritual Abasement and Subjection to the Life, Power & Kingdom of Christ Jesus, manifested in Spirit, ruling and dwelling in their mortal Bodies: And so this True, Humble, Meek and Low Frame of Spirit proceeds from their experimental Knowledge of Christ's living Presence in them; whereas they that know God and Christ only by Reading and Hear-say, with a Literal and Historical Knowledge, they are blown, swelled and puffed up with Airy Notions, Vain Boastings and Self-Conceitedness. 5thly, Their Unity, which consists not only in the Oneness of Opinion and Judgement, but proceeds from Unity of Spirit: And their Love one to another is not from a Natural but a Heavenly and Spiritual Principle; It is not the Love of one man to another, but it is the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts, which maketh them all of one Mind, and all speak, writ and witness the same thing: For as the Vital Spirits in the Natural Frame have its Operation through every Member, it makes the Eyes, Ears, Tongue, Hands and Feet, to see, hear, speak, work and walk, and yet but one Soul that moves and quickens all through its speedy Intercourse into every Member and Part of the Body; so is it here, the Love, Peace, Concord and Unity amongst these is remarkable; it flows from the Fountain of Love, and influenceth the whole Body, which makes them in all their Ways, Doctrine and Practice but as One Man: And though but a Poor, Weak, Harmless, Innocent and Inoffensive People, are rendered through their Unity and Love, as Terrible as an Army with Banners. 6thly, Their Patience is invincible: To them is this Grace given, Not only to Believe in the Name of Jesus, but also to Suffer for his sake. And as the Lord hath made them Blessed and Glorious Instruments in his Hand to do his Will, so hath he made them contented to be perfected through Sufferings: For though the Lord hath been especially present with them, yet the World hath been especially against them; not for their own sakes (for they are the only Innocent and Harmless People upon Earth) but for Christ's sake in them; yea, because there is more of God among these men than others, therefore are they hated of all men, and every where amongst all Religion's evil spoken of: for the World most hates where there is most of God; therefore the Single-hearted may guests where there is most of God, by observing where the greatest Hatred of the World lies. 7thly, Their Faithfulness to the Truth, Ways and Interest of Christ; How have they gone up and down in Weariness and Labours, in Hunger and Nakedness, in Dangers and Deaths, to bear a Faithful Testimony against the Sin, Vanity, False Worship and Abomination of the Times? When did they shrink in the least, or turn back from their Duty, when Loss of Estate, Liberty, yea, Danger of Banishment attended it? When did they Deny their Master or his Commands, or Betray his Interest before King or Counsel Table, Judges, Justices or Bishops, by Subscribing, Engaging, Swearing, Bowing or Complying to the Wills and Humours of men? Nay, they have witnessed a Good Confession, and spoken of his Testimonies before all these, and were not ashamed: When did they meet at Night for fear of being seen, or creep in at Back-Doors into Cellars, Holes and secret Places to hid themselves from the Knowledge of the Adversary? But the time would fail me to speak of their Self-denial, Temperance, Sobriety, Innocency, Doctrine, Order, Worship, their Spirit of Prayer and Watchfulness, Holiness, Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost: The King's Daughter is all Glorious within, and her Raiment is of pure Gold. Therefore in Truth and Sincerity to them I will say, Who is like unto thee, O People, saved by the Lord, the Shield of thy Help & the Sword of thy Excellency? Thine Enemies shall be found Liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their High Placet. Yet to make it appear more plain, that this Light within, which indeed is our Principle, is the Truth, and the Mighty Power of God for Salvation to all that believe in it and obey it, will be further manifested by its Nature and Effects. The NATURE of this Light. It is a Living, Immortal, Unchangeable, Undefiled, Righteous and Perfect Principle of pure Holiness, which never fell, complied with, or consented to any Evil; But hath ever opposed and stood cross to the whole corrupt Nature, Will and Affections of fallen man: For I know that all Adam's Posterity are by Nature fallen under Gild, Pollution, Condemnation and Darkness. So that the Light I speak of is nothing of Man's Nature, but of the pure Divine Nature, even that Seed promised Gen. 3.15. yea, the Son of God, which is sent into the World, that whosoever believe on him should not perish, but have Eternal Life. The EFFECTS of this Light. When Christ was upon Earth, John saw and bare record, That he was the Lamb of God, which taketh away the Sins of the World: Yet the Lord said, A greater Testimony have I, then that of John; for the Works that I do in my Father's Name, they testify of me: So say we of him now; he is spiritually the Light in man, however slighted, rejected and undervalved by men; yet is he chosen of God, and precious, the alone Saviour of the World; and the Works he accomplishes daily in the Souls and Consciences of men testify the same; wherefore, if his Works be not such as none else can do, believe him not. Effect I. Hereby the Sinner is convinced, judged, reproved and condemned plainly and experimentally, for all the Sins that ever he committeth, of what Kind or Nature soever they be: Come (said the Woman of Samaria) and I will show ye a Man that hath told me all things that ever I did; John. 4.29. is not this the Christ? Effect 2. The Fear of the Lord, which is the Beginning of Wisdom, is never truly placed in the Heart, till this Principle be witnessed and owned; for while a Man looks at God and Christ at a great Distance, circumscribed in some Place beyond the Stars, the Sinner rageth & is confident; but when the Mind & Understanding is persuaded that the Pure, Holy, Righteous, Omnipotent and Omnipresent Lord God is not only nigh him, but within him also, he is then brought into awful Apprehension of the most High, & forced to cry out with Job, I have heard of thee before by the Hearing of the Ear, but now mine Eyes have seen him: by this Means the Mind is melted into much Tenderness and Brokenness, and with the Prophet complaineth, Woe is me; for I am undone. Now consider this all ye that despise the Light within, Joh. 9.30 This is a Marvellous Thing (said the Young Man) that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath opened my Eyes; since the World began was it not heard that any Man opened the Eyes of one that was born Blind. Effect 3. Waiting humbly in this pure Dread & Fear of the Lord, Man's Insufficiency to answer the Requirings of the Holy Commandment is discerned; but perfect Power and Strength in Christ the Light, is discovered; for indeed, in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: and standing up to the Manifestation of this Light, the Judgement of the Lord is felt as a Refiner's Fire, which throughly purifies, and as Fuller's Soap that leaves no Spot; then the Soul knows that flaming Sword, which kept fallen Man out of Paradise; but now discerns the new Birth, which bears the Image of the Heavenly Nature; the strong Man armed, which before held Possession, Bound, casting out, and all his Goods spoiled by the Powerful Entrance of Christ into his Temple. Effect 4. Waiting and abiding in this Light for Counsel and Teaching, the whole Man being emptied of his own Will and Wisdom, standing singly and purely in the Will of the Lord, ready to be disposed, ordered and guided universally by the Light, the Soul now thrives in the Fear and Love of God, bringeth forth the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness, and liveth in that Faith which purifies the Heart, and getteth Victory over the World, Sin and Death. These Things, with many other which might be mentioned, do make it manifest, that whoever deny, despise and reproach the Light within, deny God, the Father of Lights, despise Jesus Christ, the Light & Saviour of the World, and reproach the Holy Spirit which maketh manifest and reproveth the Sins of Men: Wherefore all ye Professors that look out for another Saviour, remember the Answer of our Lord Jesus unto John Baptist, upon the like Account, Art thou he, Luke 7.21. or shall we look for another? Go (saith Christ) and tell him that sent you, what you have heard and seen; the Blind receive their Sight, the Deaf hear, etc. Even the same in a spiritual Sense may be as really affirmed of the Light within; hereby have the Eyes, Ears and Mouths of the Blind, Deaf and Dumb been opened, the Lame, Lepers and the Dead, cured, cleansed and quickened, and the Poor, whom none of the Proud, Covetous Clergy (so called) regardeth, they by Virtue hereof, have the Everlasting Gospel preached unto them; and forever blessed are they who are not offended in the Light, but love it, believe in it, and obey it in all things. Object. 1. But we are afraid of being deceived; this is a new and strange Doctrine; did ever Christ or his Apostles bid Men believe and obey the Light within? Answ. 1. Art thou not already deceived? Consider therefore well thy Condition, if thou art delivered out of the deceived State, in which the greatest Part of the World yet remains; art thou yet in a sinful transgressed Estate? For the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression, 1 Tim. 2.14. Answ. 2. We that believe and abide in the Light, know that we are not deceived; neither seek we to deceive any, neither fear we any deceiving us: though indeed while we walked in the Imaginations of our own deceitful Hearts, and warmed ourselves by the Sparks of our own kindling, that then as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his Subtlety, so our Minds were corrupted from the Simplicity that is in Jesus; in which State we see many yet to stand whom the Lord will undeceive in his own Time; But Evil Men and Seducers will wax worse, deceiving and being deceived. Answ. 3. Never fear Deceit in such who turn you to the Light, whereby ye may discern betwixt Good and Bad, Truth and Falsehood; plainly, I would much fear that he had a Design to cheat me, who leads into the Dark, and denies the Benefit of the Light. Answ. 4. Search with Freedom, and examine throughly this Doctrine, condemn it not unheard, speak not Evil of any Thing unknown; for so mayst thou soon condemn the Innocent, and make thyself guilty. Answ. 5. Understand fully what we hold before thou contend against us, lest if thou want this Patience and Wisdom, thou oppose not so much our Judgement as thy own Conceit; better it is to hear a Man's Mind with Meekness, then hastily to guests at it. Answ. 6. Be not wedded to thy own Opinion, nor Wise in thy own Conceit, so as to build upon thy own or other men's Judgements, and rest satisfied therein, because it is strengthened by Multitude, Custom and Antiquity; for undoubtedly many have erred grossly in those Things they have thought themselves Infallible; better it is to cleave to the clear and naked Truths of God alone, then to follow the Doctrines of the most learned and eminent Professors in the World, when they hold not the Truth as it is in Jesus. Answ. 7. Reproach not this Doctrine, saying, It is New and Strange, or that thou never heardst it so before; for this discovers thy Ignorance rather than my Error: and that which at present seems to thee to be a New Error, being rightly examined by the Scripture, will prove an Old Truth: If therefore thou wilt needs reject whatsoever favours of Novelty, how shall the Truths we yet know not be brought in, and the Ignorance which yet remains be purged out? Answ. 8. This is the same Doctrine which was preached by our blessed Saviour, and his holy Prophets & Apostles since the World began, and which was believed and obeyed by all the faithful Saints and Servants of God since the Creation; the same which the Lord gave in Charge to the Israelites by the Mouth of Moses, saying, Behold, I send my Angel before thee to keep thee in the Way, Exod. 23.20. and to bring thee into the Place which I have prepared, Beware of him and obey his Voice; provoak him not, for he will not pardon your Transgressions, for my Name is in him; but if thou shalt indeed obey his Voice, and do all that I speak, then will I be an Enemy to thy Enemies, and an Adversary to thy Adversaries. Numb. 15.30. But the Soul that doth aught presumtuously, reproacheth the Lord, and shall be cut off from his People; because he despised the Word of the Lord. Now what is this Word of the Lord? It is not the Scriptures; for there were no Bible's many Years after that time, Deut. 30.11. to 14. Psal. 119.9.105. but the LIGT WITHIN. It is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off; but the Word is very nigh unto thee, even in thy Heart & in thy Mouth, that thou shouldst hear it and do it: Wherefore David affifirmeth, that if a Young man take heed to this Word, he shall cleanse his Ways thereby; and calls it a Lamp to his Feet, and a Light to his Paths. This is also testified by the Prophet Isaiah, Thou shalt hear a Word behind thee, Isa. 30.21. saying, This is the Way, walk in it; in which Path the wayfaring Men, though Fools, cannot err. And our blessed Saviour doth confirm this Doctrine, Mat. 6.35. Lu. 17.21. Acts 3.22. us. 23, 26. saying, Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness; which Kingdom he told the Scribes and Pharisees, was within them. Thus Peter preached Christ the Light; For Moses truly said unto the Fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, him shall you hear in all things; and it shall come to pass, that every Soul that heareth not that Prophet, shall be cut off, etc. Wherefore unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning every one of you from his Iniquities; Acts 26.18. and thus Pau● was sent, To turn men from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God. Now, is not this Darkness within, and the Light within? And is it not an inward Turning, Acts 17.27. To seek the Lord, if happily they might f●el after him and find him; though he be not far from every one of us? And doth not James turn men to the Light within, writing to Sinners, Jam. 1.21. Such as were in Filthiness and superfluity of Naughtiness? Doth not he bid them receive with Meekness the engrafted Word, which was able to save their Souls; which Peter calleth the sure Word of Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1.19. unto which ye do well to give heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark Place? But most take the Word for the Scriptures; but we know no Word but Christ Jesus, the Light, and his Name only is called the Word of God: Therefore, say not in thy Heart, who shall bring and reveal Christ unto us? for the Word is nigh thee, even in thy Heart and in thy Mouth: Now this Word is Christ, the true Light in every man; Joh. 12.36. wherefore saith our Lord Jesus, While ye have the Light believe in the Light, that ye may be the Children of the Light; As, Abel being guided by this Light, through Faith was enabled to offer up a more acceptable Sacrifice than Cain: In Obedience to this Enoch walked with, and pleased God: By this Noah being warned, moved with Fear, prepared an Ark for the saving of his House: By this was Abraham called to leave his own Country and his Father's House; and in Obedience to this he departed, not knowing whether he went: Joseph being guided by this, withstood the Temptations of his Mrs, though enforced with Importunity, Pleasure, Profit & Secrecy: Hereby Moses chose rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, then to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season, esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt, and endured, as seeing him that is Invisible. And what shall I say more? for the Time would fail to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, and of the Prophets, who by Faith, and Obedience to the Light, subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the Mouths of Lions, quenched the Violence of Fire: Some were tortured, not accepting Deliverance: Others had Trial of cruel Mockings, Scourge, Bonds, and Imprisonment, and Death. And is still the same at this Day; for the Light within is the true Shepherd's Voice, which all the Lambs of Christ hear, obey and follow, to the Hazard of all that is dear to them. Object. 2. But thou deniest the Scriptures to be the Word of God, which is the Only Rule to judge of Doctrines, and a sure Weapon to resist Satan, and confute his Ministers; for it is very observable that Christ made Use of no other Means to overcome the Tempter, but Only the Scriptures, which are the Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God. Answ. 1 Plainly, I deny the Scriptures are either the Sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God: That the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, I own, and witness that it is sharper than a Two-edged Sword, like a Hammer and a Fire, the Axe at the Root of every corrupt Tree, and so are not the Scriptures; yea, the Word of the Lord is Unchangeable, Incorruptible and Eternal, without Beginning of Days, or End of Time; and so are not the Scriptures. Answ. 2. Nevertheless, we prefer the Holy Scriptures as they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God, and believe them to be a true Declaration of God and of his Word. Answ. 3. Yet do we prefer Christ Jesus the Light, above the Scriptures; for in all Things he must have the Pre-eminence; therefore saith John the Baptist, I prefer him before me, for he is before me, though in Appearance John was seemingly before Christ; Before Abraham was, I am, said he: Wherefore know that we build not upon the Holy Prophets and Blessed Apostles, their Words, Works, Writings and Experiences; but we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the Foundation and the chief Cornerstone; so that we have not received our Light, Life, Peace, Comfort, Faith, Hope and Assurance from the Writings of the Saints, but from him that was their Light, Life, Hope, Root and Foundation, and have our Teaching from that Light, whereby Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph walked with and pleased God, long before any Scriptural Rules were manifested. Answ. 4. Neither are the Scriptures the only Rule to judge of Doctrines; for we know the Scriptures are hard to be understood; and therefore Men in their carnal Wisdom are putting their several Meanings upon one and the same Scripture; wherefore we say, the Spirit of God is the only Judge of Doctrines, because he alone that gave forth knows the Meanings of Scriptures; 1 Cor. 2.10. For the Spirit searcheth all Things; yea, the Deep Things of God. Answ. 5. Nor yet do I believe that the Scriptures were the only Means which Christ made Use of to overcome and repel the Tempter in the Wilderness; for we observe, Satan pleaded Scripture as well as Christ, till he took indeed the Sword of the Spirit, which is his Divine Power, and commanded him, saying, Get thee behind me Satan; then the Devil left him, but not before he was thus expelled. Object. 3. But this Doctrine of the Light within is opposed by all the able learned Divines (so called) in the Nation; yea, the most eminent Preachers amongst the Presbyters, Independents and Baptists, do condemn it for Erroneous and Devilish Delusion. Answ. 1. It's true, this Doctrine hath been and is a Stone of Stumbling, & a Rock of Offence unto all Sorts & Forms of Professors in the World; especially, the Priests & Preachers are most inveterately incensed against it, because the Craft by which they have gotten great Gain, is hereby especially impaired; nevertheless, the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it: the Truth is strong and will prevail, yea, it doth and will flourish in Despite of all the Scorns, Injuries, Opposition and Villainy of the World. Answ. 2. The Scriptures are plain, that God hath hid these Things from the Wise and Prudent in the World, and hath revealed them unto Babes: Behold therefore ye Despisers and wonder; for this is the Work which God hath wrought in your Day, which ye will not believe, though it be declared unto you. Answ. 3. And as for those Preachers among the Presbyters, etc. who oppose this Doctrine, this I affirm, and testify against them, though they come in Sheep's Clothing (that is) have gotten a more refined Way of Profession than others, and cover themselves with the Words of the Prophets and Apostles, yet inwardly are they Ravening Wolves, they are inwardly Ravened from the Light and Life of those Saints, whose Words they have taken up; yea, it is an easy Thing to prove against the best of them, that they live in Sin and plead for it. Answ. 4. Whoever deny, reproach and oppose this Doctrine, are none of Christ's Ministers, as will appear from a due Examination of their Call, Doctrine and Practice: Who sent them? God or Man? What do they preach? the Word of God, or the Words of Men? Is their Life and Conversation Humble, Meek, Selfdenying and Heavenly? Or is it not Proud, Fierce, Self-seeking and Worldly? Now our Lord Jesus hath left upon Record one Infallible Rule, whereby we may know which are true Gospel-Ministers, and which are not: and as it is granted, that Christ was a true Gospel-Minister; so it is expected, that all Gospel-Ministers be like him in their Measure; for saith Christ to his Father, As thou sent me into the World, so have I sent them into the World, Joh. 17. And when he sent forth his Disciples, to them he saith, As the Father sent me, even so send I you. Hereby than it will easily be discerned, that these Preachers, who so bitterly Rage and Rail against the Light within, are never an one of them Christ's Ministers, but Idol-Shepherds, Liars and False Prophets. Qualification 1. Christ was the Son of God, and known to be so before he undertook or exercised in the Ministry, for the Lord foreseeing what after came to pass by People's running into several Opinions and Doctrines of men, gave this Charge and Testimony from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him: In like manner every true Believer is a Son of God, generated of the immortal Seed, born anew by the Operation of the Spirit, made a real Partaker of the Divine Nature, liveth in and hath Union with God through Faith in Christ; for to as many as receive him he giveth Power to become the Sons of God. Qualif. 2. He was immeasurably anointed with the Spirit, and was known to be so; for saith John, He that sent me to baptise, the same said unto me, On whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining, the same is he; So may true Gospel-Ministers be known, for they are as really anointed with the Holy Spirit of God, as Christ was, though not so equally; yea every believing Soul is endued with this Spirit; these are the Anointed one's of the Lord; and whoever want this Spirit, they are none of his: And as Christ commanded his Disciples to abide at Jerusalem till they had received this Unction; so whoever undertake to preach before they have received this Power from the Lord, they Run and he sent them not. Qualif. 2. He endured and conquered the Assaults and Temptations of Satan in the Wilderness, by virtue of his Sonship and Unction, before he was ever known to preach the Gospel; in like manner all the true Children of God are taken into Fellowship with Christ in his Trials, Temptations and Sufferings; but especially such as have been called unto more eminent & public Work, have met with greatest Conflicts, Wraftlings and Temptations, that they might be kept humble before the Lord, and also be fitly disposed to speak a Word in due season for the Relief of such as are brought under the same Trouble. Qualif. 4. In the Power, Virtue and Strength of his Sonship, Unction and Conquest, he went out and preached the Gospel, that is, proclaimed Glad Tidings of the Grace and of God to the Poor, and preached Peace to the , testifying the Love of God to Mankind, in sending his Son to them to open their Blind Eyes, and recover them out of the Snare of the Devil; exhorting Men to believe in the Light, lest Eternal Darkness come upon them: And all that was done in his Ministry, was not from any outward Encouragement or Reward, but moved only hereunto from the Tenderness of his Pity and Compassion to poor Sinners. So it is at this Day, all that are born of the Spirit are true Ministers of the same Gospel, and publish it freely in the Constraining of the Love of God, which lays a Necessity upon them to minister freely without Expectation of Gifts and Rewards: But do they deserve the Name of Gospel-Ministers, who preach another Doctrine then what Christ or his Apostles ever did, confidently affirming, That the Doctrine of the Light within, or to say, the Light in every Man's Conscience is the Light of Christ, this is Blasphemy; but tell Men, that Light which doth convince them of Sin is not the Light of Christ, but Natural Conscience, and therefore not able to sanctify and save such as believe in it and obey it? and yet they say, There be some whom they call Saints and Believers, in whom there is true Saving Light; but as for the greatest Part of the World, they are altogether destitute hereof: and yet though they make a seeming Distinction between Saints and Sinners, yet they themselves confess they are Sinners; yea, and believe that they must be so while they breath upon Earth: And thus are People held in Ignorance, Unbelief and Confusion, their blind Guides having caused them to err from the Truth; for verily this hath been and is the Doctrine of these eminent Men. Qualif. 5. That Gospel which Jesus Christ had preached, and witnessed to in his holy Life, he confirmed and sealed by his Death in his Blood: Now this Last is that which crowned and completed his Ministry; and the same Spirit is in all the Faithful at this day, whereby Christ's Ministers are enabled to declare the Truth in the Life and Power of the Eternal Word, without the Help and Assistance of acquired Parts, Arts and Studies; for to such saith Christ, It is not you that speak, but the Spirit which speaketh in you; and thus declaring what they have seen, tasted and handled of the Word of Life, they are not ashamed of their Work, nor afraid of Men; neither will they conceal their Meetings in Time of greatest Danger, nor slip out at Back-Doors to avoid Sufferings; but are in a continual Readiness and Preparedness to forsake all that is dear to them, rather than to turn their Backs upon the Work of God, or in the least to prove Unfaithful by Denying or Betraying the Truths of Christ: Wherefore now consider these things all ye Admirers of Men, and give place to the Witness of God in your own Consciences, and see if one of your Gifted Brethren, Pastors and Teachers be thus qualified. Object. 4. But the Scriptures are very plain, that unbelievers and Reprobates are without Christ, as in Ephes. 2.12. and 2 Cor. 13 5. wherefore though we do believe, that Christ is in every Believer, yet we cannot understand that the Light in every Man is the Light of Christ. Answ. 1. Indeed one of these Scriptures at first Appearance, seems to contradict all that hath been said before, it will be therefore necessary to speak to them severally. That in Ephes. 2.12. plainly affirms, That before Conversion they were without God, and without Christ in the World: And truly, I can witness this Scripture fulfilled in my own Particular; for I know the Time when I was without Christ, and without God in the World, when I lived in Sinful Pleasures and Delights, fulfilling the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness; I lived then as if there was no God in the World, yea, without any awful Respect to the Eye of God and Christ; And yet I can as truly affirm, that at that Time the Light of Christ was in me testifying against my Iniquity: And this may seem a Mystery that a Measure of his Light should be within a Man, when that Man is without Christ; yet I have experienced the Truth hereof, and therefore testify, that its one Thing for the Light of Christ to be in a Man, and another Thing for a Man to be in the Light of Christ; and thus it is, the Light of Christ may be in a Man, and yet that Man out of the Light of Christ; whereupon I affirm and declare, that the Light of Christ is in every Man; but no Man is in Christ till he be a new Creature. And as to that other Scripture, 2 Cor. 13.5. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates. This Place doth not at all oppose what before hath been written, if it be seriously considered, but doth greatly confirm the Truth of this Doctrine: If therefore by Reprobates be intended such as have sinned out the Day of Grace, and done Despite to the Strive of the Spirit of God, as the old World did; yea, and as those eminent Professors whom Stephen reproveth, saying, Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your Fathers did, so do ye, Acts 7.51. And as Jerusalem, which remained Impenitent in the Day of Visitation, till the Things of her Peace were hid from her Eyes, Luke 19.42. And as those Guests which had been often invited, and yet refused to come, making light of those many renewed and reiterated Tenders of Grace, entreating the Messengers spitefully and slew them, wherefore the King was wroth, and protested against them, that none of those Murderers should taste of his Supper, Mat. 22. Or like that Figtree, which the Master of the Vineyard when he had come three Years expecting Fruit and found none, required the Dresser to cut it down and cast it into the Fire, Luke 13.7. And like those, who had tasted of the Heavenly Gift, and of the Good Word of God, and of the Powers of the World to come; but after to fall away, and crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, & put him to open Shame; these bringing forth Thorns & Briars are rejected, and are nigh unto Cursing, whose End is to be burned, Heb. 6.7, 8. And such as the Lord complaineth of by the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, They are all grievous Revolters, walking with Slanders; they are Brass and Iron, they are all Corrupters, the Bellows are burnt, the Lead is consumed of the Fire, the Founder melteth in Vain, for the Wicked are not plucked away; Reprobate Silver shall Men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them, Jer. 6.29. And the Spirit speaketh expressly, that some shall departed from the Faith, giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, speaking Lies in Hypocrisy, having their Conscience seared with an Hot Iron, and so are past feeling, 1 Tim 4.2. Now if Reprobates be taken in this Place for such as God hath given up, cast off and rejected, yet doth not this prove but the Light of Christ was once in them, and at Work in their Hearts: And further, by this Scripture it is manifest, that the Light of Christ Jesus is in every Man; And this I know, will suffice in Answer to satisfy the Unprejudiced concerning those Places of Scripture. Answ. 2. The Love of Christ constraineth us thus to Judge, because if Christ died for all, then were all Dead; and as Christ died for all, so hath this Grace appeared to all; for he hath enlightened all that come into the World, and we know that he is able and willing to save all that yield Obedience to, and embrace the Tenders of his Boundless, Endless, Unlimited, Universal Love to Mankind without Exception; and this we are verily persuaded of from these and such like Considerations: 1. Because God is no Respecter of Persons, Acts 10.35. He maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and the Good, and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the ; he accepteth not the Persons of Princes, nor regardeth the Rich more than the Poor; for they all are the Work of his Hands. 2. Because that Light which shined in our Dark, Ignorant, Unclean and Unbelieving Hearts before Conversion, is the very same in which we live and abide since our Conversion: That which formerly stood by, was an Eye witness to, and bore a faithful Testimony against us while we walked in Darkness, is the same which since the time of our believing and abiding in his Light witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Children of God: That which caused Trouble, Restlessness and Terror, when we lived in Unbelief, Rebellion and Disobedience, is the same which causeth Calmness, Stillness, Settlement and Satisfaction, and bringeth forth peaceable Fruits of Righteousness in our Souls, since we have believed & continued obedient thereto: That very Light which before convinced, reproved, judged & condemned us for all Unbelief and Unrighteousness both in Heart & Life, is still the same which doth convert, confirm, cleanse, justify and save; yea, that Light which before shined in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehended it not, is but one and the same, which after it was believed and obeyed, did expel and lead out of Darkness, that the Light which before was eclipsed, may now so shine before Men, that seeing our Good Works, may glorify our Father which is in Heaven; in the Day of their Visitation: wherefore the Love of Christ constrains us thus to judge, that the Light of Christ is in every Man and Woman, who is able to save to the uttermost all that believe in him and obey him; because when we were as Vile as the worst of Sinners, we can witness that the same Light, which did then shine in Darkness, doth now, to the Praise of God, shine out of Darkness, whereof we are not ashamed. 3. Because our Lord Jesus, who cannot Lie, hath said, that man's Condemnation ariseth only from the Contempt of and Disobedience to this Light, saying, This is the Condemnation, Light is come into the World, but men love Darkness rather than Light, Jo. 3. This is (the) the Condemnation that Light is come into the World: That was only, say some, Christ's Bodily Presence upon Earth in that Day; So than it must needs follow, that Condemnation terminated and ended in that Generation, because then that Bodily Presence expired: But we witness according to his own Words, that he is come again in Spirit; for (saith he) They shall say, Lo here, and Lo there; but go not after them, nor follow them; Luke 17.21, 23, 24, 25. look not out, for the Kingdom of God is within you: And as the Lightning shineth from one Part under Heaven to the other Part under Heaven, so shall the Son of Man be in his Day; but first he must suffer many Things of this Generation, and be rejected: We testify therefore, that these are the Days of the Son of Man; and Christ Jesus the Light, is come into the World, into the Souls & Consciences of Earthly, Worldly-minded and Unbelieving Men and Women; and they who love Darkness rather than Light cannot escape Condemnation, because they neglect despise and reject so great Salvation: Therefore as the Brazen Serpent was lift up by Moses in the Wilderness even so Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, hath God exalted with his own Right Hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance and Forgiveness; wherefore he said, When he ascended on high, he led Captivity Captive, and gave Gifts unto Men; now that he ascended, what is it but that he descended first into the lower Parts of the Earth; he that descended is the same also which ascended far above all Heavens, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS. And thus is his Light in every Man's Conscience, that they who feel themselves stung by the fiery Serpents in the Wilderness of Sin, Darkness and Unbelief, and look towards and believe in him, might not perish, but have Eternal Life; but whoever neglect, overlook or under value this only Saviour of the World, Christ Jesus, the Light, the alone Guide to Rest, must necessarily perish in the Wilderness, and die in their Sins. For it is most certain, that Man's Damnation must undoubtedly arise from some of these Causes: (1.) Either for want of Light: Or (2.) From the Deficiency of that Light: Or (3.) From man's own Rebellion and Disobedience to this Light. Now to judge or believe that man's Condemnation is occasioned through the Want of True Saving Light, is horrid Wickedness, because it chargeth God foolishly with Injustice; and nothing less than to say with the Evil and Unprofitable Servant, Lord, I know thee to be an Austere and Hard Man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; therefore I was afraid, and went and hid thy Talon in the Earth: Yea, what greater Unmercifulness and Injustice can be charged upon God, then to say or think, That he hath designed any Man's Ruin, and hath denied him the Benefit of this saving Light? When the Lord hath assured Mankind as certainly as he lives, That he desires not the Death of any Sinner; but that this is his Will, and herein he is pleased, That the Wick●d might forsake their Wicked Ways, and live; for he would that all men should be saved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth, which Truth is Christ, the Light. Neither can it be granted that man's Condemnation is occasioned through the Insufficiency of this Light of Christ; for, as hath been already proved, He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by him, and is the Mighty Power of God unto Salvation; which though in its first Appearance be as small as a Grain of Mustardseed, a Little Leaven, a Bruised Reed, or as Smoking Flax, yet is it that Little Stone, cut out of the Mountains without Hands; yea, though it be rejected, disallowed, set at nought, refused and Despised by all Babel's Builders, as a Poor, Inconsiderable Matter: But though these Phrases oppose the Appearance of Christ in Spirit, the Light, & despise him as the Day of small Things, yet is it the only precious Stone, the tried Stone, the Cornerstone, that sure Foundation and Rock of Ages, that whosoever believe and build hereon, the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them. Wherefore seeing that Light is come into the World, and that the Light Christ Jesus is sufficient to redeem & save all that believe in and obey him; and that Man's Condemnation proceeds only from Disobedience and Unbelief, in rejecting the Light: It is therefore the earnest Travail of my Soul, That you, my dear and truly beloved Friends and Relations, may turn in, to the Light in your own Consciences; retire thither, and wait in the Silence of your own Wills and Wisdom, for the clear Manifestations thereof, then shall you know him whom all the World talks of, and need no more that any say, Know the Lord; for he will reveal himself in you: Wherefore as ye love your own Souls, love and cherish that in you, which hath shown you the Evil of Sin, the Vanity of this Fading World, and hath been at Work many a time in your Hearts and wrought you into Tenderness, panting after Satisfaction from the Living Presence of God: Oh! Love, believe only in him, harken only to him, wait continually upon Him, obey, follow and live in his Counsels; fall under his Reproofs with Meekness, endure his Judgement with Patience, kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish in the Way; cheerfully resign up your Wills, Affections, Souls, Bodies, Pleasures, Profits, Honours, Estates, Liberty and Life itself, to be universally ordered and disposed by him, whose Name is Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. This is the Way to True Honour and Durable Riches: Oh therefore be persuaded to stand single in the Teachings, Guidance and Counsels of the Lord Jesus; Despise him not; be not ashamed to own him and his poor Despised Followers. Now, that your Hearts may be carried above the Snares that attend your Conditions, and be wholly devoted to the Lord, and become Fellow Citizens with the Saints in Light, is the earnest Breathing and Prayer of him, who is Your Faithful Friend, James Jackson. Postscript. Reader, HAving mentioned some things before in general, of the Just Cause of my leaving the Independent People, I think it not unseasonable to give this particular Account of an Offence received from the Uneven Walking of John James, Pastor of the Independents in Nottinghamshire, which I signified to him before my Forsaking that Way, a Copy whereof followeth, which to this Day stands over his Head; for he never returned me an Answer to my Letter, but stirred up and incensed my Relations and others against me, telling them how greatly I had Injured, Abused and Slandered him: But Wisdom is justified of her Children. John James, THe Lord knows, and thou art not wholly Ignorant, That some years lately past my Soul was plunged into a most Dreadful State; yea, and I certainly know, that unless the most precious Sons of Zion be kept by the Mighty Power of God, and in themselves carefully observe the first Declinings of their Hearts from the Lord, they will be ensnared through the Deceitfulness of Sin, and become weak as other Men: And consider, as thou art in great Danger to be ruined, through the Indulgence and Flatteries of thy Brethren (some of them styling thee, The Head of the Church, next and immediately under Christ) and lest thou shouldst receive Harm for want of Faithfulness in Friends watching over thee in Love, I have in Love to thy Soul, and Discharge of my Duty, presented to thy serious Consideration some of the things I hear of thee, and partly believe them. Whereas heretofore thou usedst to preach against National Churches, Antichrist's Clergy, their Covetousness, Pride, Forced Maintenance, etc. and reprovedst thy Brethren for hearing those Parish Priests, with whom now thou art joined in Combination, to augment thy Ecclesiastical Promotions, which before was more Considerable than many Parsonages in the County; and so thou art leading back again, licking up thy old Vomit; and of late hast begun in several Places to Sprinkle Infants. That many of thy Poor Brethren, at whose Houses formerly thou keptest Meetings, have now been neglected for above Six Years; but hast been ever careful to visit thy kind Benefactors at Marnham, Skegby, etc. and very punctual to keep thy Day with the Presbyterians at Nottingham and Chesterfield, where thou knewest thy Pay would be sweet and certain. It was thee only, that after that great Assembly was gathered at Gamston by the Labours of some private Men, who confined the Work there to a Pack of Clergymen, viz. Thyself, Rosse, Bosworth and Clark; And by the same Spirit, and Prelatical Pre-eminence suspended old Allen (a more Righteous Man then thyself) from Exercising in thy Diocese. It was the Letter writ with thy own Hand, that obstructed the intended Marriage betwixt John Atkinson and Mary Smith; for although seemingly thou pretendedst Kindness to the said John, who indeed at the same time was in Fellowship with thee, yet having Respect to a more peculiar Interest, secretly writ to Northampton, and frustratedst the Hopes of the poor Man, which he never Recovered, but Languished and Dyed. And when a Letter was written to be sent to London, to the Professors there, on the behalf of Robert Johnson, a Member of thy Church, to procure his Relief, he being there and Unknown, was exceedingly Distressed for want of Bread; thou didst refuse to subscribe the Letter, and he was Famished and Dyed before that Money got to him which was collected at Nottingham. By which it doth appear, that thou hast lost that Honest Conscientious Tenderness which once thou didst seem to have, and that the Spirit of God is not thy Guide and Helper; for it hath been seriously observed by thy most Judicious Hearers, that thou dost not bear in thine Assemblies a Faithful Testimony against the Formality, Earthliness, Pride, Bitterness and Sinful Compliances of thine Auditors; but daubest with Vntempered Mortar, and preachest smooth things, Flourishes, Latin and Greek Sentences, and Eloquent Phrases, to set off and beautify thy Wares. Remember whence thou art fallen, and Repent; else know for certain, thou hast done thy Work, and the Lord will make no more Use of thee; If Salt hath lost his Savour, it is henceforth good for nothing. I am thine Offended Friend, James Jackson. THE END.