THE Doctrine of Perfection VINDICATED:  
By way of Answer to some objecting Reasons, frequently used by them that plead for Sin in this life: And that Freedom from Sin is to be attained in this life, or never, plainly showed herein; and how they that deny it, are one with the false Prophets and Antichristian Seducers, spoken of in the Scriptures.  
With some Wholesome EXHORTATION given forth as the Spirit gave utterance; tending to provoke all that make a profession of God, to press on after the same.  
Showing plainly, how it is agreeable with what is signified in the Scripture, and the Light within; both of which bears witness for the said Doctrine, and against all Sin.  
Something likeways expressed concerning BREAD and WINE.  
Also, some wholesome DIRECTIONS to stir up young People to seek after their Creator in the days of their youth.  
Written by one who breathes to God for the Redemption of the Seed, that lies yet in the house of bondage, bound by the Cords of Iniquity,  
J. Whitehouse.  
LONDON, Printed for R. Wilson, 1663.   

TO THE READERS.  
FRIENDS,  
THe eternal invisible Fountain of Wisdom, Life, Love, and everlasting Mercy, who is the Creator and Upholder of all things by the Word of his powerful Spirit, who is God over all, blessed for ever; who when I was young and tender in years, did beget a sincere desire in my soul, which hath caused me, even to this day, secretly to seek after the knowledge of, and acquaintance with him, that I might know his Will, and receive Power from him to do the sames the which desires, he in his endless Love to my poor breathing soul (which hath no true peace nor satisfaction, but in doing his Will, and enjoying his Presence, which is of more value to me than any outward thing, yea, than Life itself in this world) hath far more abundantly satisfied, than many now can, or than I myself once could believe, when I was in the darkness, which comprehends not the Light of his Son, which shines in the hearts of the sons and daughters of men, letting them see the evil of their ways, which I testify, as one who hath made proof of the same, is sufficient to give them the knowledge of God, and to lead them into all Truth, if they would but give up to follow the leadings of it; by the leadings of which, in my seeking estate, have I been drawn from one sort of People to another, still to associate myself with those who did most sincerely press on after God in a holy life, being willing to run with the foremost, that I might obtain with them the prize; which is to say, in this life (only) a perfect freedom from all sin, even to put off the old man, with all his deeds, which is sin, and a putting on the new, which is created after God in perfect and true Holiness, which the Lord God hath given me by his Spirit, to believe and see a possibility of attaining to; in which only stands the certain assurance of the full Prize, and the eternal Weight and Crown of Glory, which in the Life to come is to be fully enjoyed; the which this first is but as an Earnest of, without which the true certainty of the second cannot be obtained: And since I have received this Faith, power thereby hath been given me far more than before, when I rejected the Light of his Son, by which only I witness it is received: And now this Faith, which is from above, even the perfect gift of God, I find to be the chiefest thing, for the effecting and completing of an holy life in man, through the power of God, (in them which believe, being received into the heart) of obtaining a perfect life, becomes as a root therein which is pure, that causeth the branches to be holy, and keeps the creature circumspect and sincere to God, still minding what a holy Calling and Mark is set before it; and so the Faith being sound and clean, the fruits thereof are Holiness, which becomes the House of the Lord God: And verily whosoever comes to sup with him, without this comely pure covering of Holiness, they shall in no ways enter with the Lamb into the Marriage-Chamber, but be shut out, (the which I see this day, to the burdening of my soul and grief of my spirit, is abundantly wanting amongst most People professing God and Christ) for they having not this purifying Faith, count it Blasphemy and Error, and so rest and believe in the contrary; (which is to say) they must live, in sin whilst in this life, being taught so by their blind guides, who could not themselves cease therefrom; and so Profaneness is gone forth from the Priests, over all the Land, as in the ancient days; which giveth way to much looseness and sin; the which, if any in the Spirit of meekness and fear of God reprove them for, then presently they flee to the Scripture, and with the same spirit that leads them to sin, rake together all the Saints failings, to plead for sin, term of life, the which those things were never written for; so that in stead of resisting the Devil, in the pure Faith which stands in the Power of God, rather gives place to him, and pleads for their so doing; so that the Devil hath not his Kingdom by force only, but by consent, they having granted him a place in them, while they have a place in this life; which grieves the Spirit of God their Creator, who alone should have the Rule and Government of their bodies, souls, and spirits, which are his; in the sense of which I am moved to write these following lines by way of Answer to some Questions, or objecting Reasons, which are frequently used by them that plead for sin, and against the Doctrine of Perfection; that if possible, it may be a help to stir them up to the Witness of God in them, that their Understandings by it may be opened who are not wilfully blind, but rather through ignorance stand against the thing, being beguiled by the subtlety of the Serpent, as Eve in her innocency was, who told her, though she did eat of the forbidden fruit, she should not surely die; and that is his lying voice at this day, whether in Teachers or others, that tells people though they live in some sin, they shall be saved from the condemning power thereof. So I shall proceed in order, as , as the Lord shall assist me by his Spirit, with what else may be given me in thereby, even as the Spirit shall give to express, in what signification God shall please, for the good of all that desire after him, to whom this may come; the which I commit to the Light in all Consciences to answer to the truth hereof, desiring all that know me in the outward, not to slight it, because of the meanness of the outward vessel that wrote it, but with care to weigh it over, that God's Witness in you may answer; for God hath made the poor in this world, rich in Faith; and in times past, and doubtless now also, hath raised, as it were, things that are not, to bring to nought those things which are contrary to him, that he may have the Glory to Himself alone. But however it may be received or rejected, I shall rest in patience; being content in that I feel am Acceptance with God in this my Obedience to him, which is a sufficient Reward unto me; who am known to the World by the name of  
John Whithouse,   

The Doctrine of Perfection vindicated, etc.  
The World's Question;  
Whether is Perfection, or freedom from all sin, Quest. to be attained in this life, or no?  
Yea; Answ. or else to no purpose was Christ made manifest in the flesh, as may hereafter appear: for in the lowest distance or alienation, in the fall from God, we are but the servants of sin; and if by him we are not set free from the service thereof, then what are we saved from? or, what are we the better by him? for without him we are but so; and if he leave us where he finds us (which is to say) in sin, what then is he a Saviour from? or, how doth he effect that which is said of him? For Sin and Imperfection is of the Devil; 
1 John 3.8.  for the destroying of which, he the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of all that believe in his Light and Son of the world, was manifested; and if this work be not effected by him, then may we say he is insufficient, and comes short of the end for which he was given for a Light to the Gentiles, 
Isa. 42.6, 7.  and to be God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth; who is the second Covenant, which is not sound faulty, as was the first, which made nothing perfect; Therefore was it taken away, that the second, 
Heb. 7.19.  which is the better hope, by which we draw nearer to God, might be established: so then, shall I conclude with the world, that the first made none of the comers thereto perfect, nor the second neither? God forbidden.  
For they who do believe and receive him who is the new and second Covenant, Christ Jesus the true Light, who enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; to them, as the Scripture saith, he gives power to become the sons of God, who are not born of flesh and blood, neither of the will of man, 
Joh. 1.12, 13.  but of God: and who is so born, sinneth not, because God's Seed, Christ Jesus abideth in him, 
1 John, 3.9. Mal. 1.21.  who is a Saviour that saves his People from their sin, and not in it: they who know this, know the Scripture to be true, because it is fulfilled in them; and can truly call Christ, Lord, because they do his Will, and not their own, but are dead thereto, and are only alive to God, bringing forth fruits of Righteousness, the end of which is Life and Peace: 
Rom. 8.3, 13.  All which is fulfilled in them, who walk not after the flesh, but through the Spirit of Life in Christ, which makes free from sin and death, and doth mortify the deeds of the same: These are they, who through the washing of Regeneration in the work of mortification, come to know and witness a cleansing from all sin, and to have their Robes made white in the blood of the Lamb, 
Heb. 9.26.  who was made manifest to put away and make an end of all sin, and to perfect for ever those that through the Spirit are thus sanctified.  
Yea, Object but. (saith the world) Our Teachers 
* Rich. Baxter for one.  who are learned and wise, tell us, this Doctrine of Perfection is a dangerous tenant, and the Doctrine of the Devil, and not of Christ nor his Apostles; but is a blasphemous Principle, contrary to the Scriptures.  
Now to this, Answ. I say, You are not to believe all that your Teachers tell you, but come down to the Light of Christ, and hear these things tried by it, and the Scriptures also, and hold fast that which is good. Now this is the Record that God gave of his Son, by his Servant Moses, who prophesied, saying, 
Acts 3.22.  A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me, Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he saith: And it shall come to pass, That whosoever will not hear and obey him, shall be cut off from the Land of the Living. And in like manner, 
Mal. 3.3.  to Him gave all the Prophet's witness, saying, He shall come as a Refiners fire, and as Fuller's soap, and shall thoroughly purge the sons of Levi, that they might offer an Offering to the Lord in Righteousness. 
Mat. 3.12.  Also John Baptist bare witness of him, saying, His Fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his Floor, (Mark that) not in part, he doth not say, but thoroughly. And now he, the Eternal and Everlasting true Light, the chief and Highpriest over the Household of God, the pure Purger, Perfecter, Cleanser and Fulfiller of all the Law and the Prophets: Behold, this is his Doctrine, preached by him in the days of his flesh, Be ye perfect, 
Matth. 9.48.  as your heavenly Father is perfect: And now, behold, he is arisen in many sons and daughters by his quickening Spirit, which hath raised them out of Sin and Death, and through them is he preaching by Life and Doctrine, the same as he lived in, who is the same, yesterday, to day, and for ever; who is the perfect Pattern, and finished his course in Perfection, leaving it an Example, for all that believe in him to follow. So this is none of the Devil's Doctrine, neither his Command; but the Doctrine and Command of the Son of God, who is not a hard nor an unjust master, requiring that of his servants which he gives them not power to do, but it is the slothful servant that makes not use of his talon, but buries it in the Earth, and then complains for want of power; but they who receive the gift of God, God giveth them power to do whatsoever he commandeth, whose Commandments, 
1 Joh. 2, 3.1.7.  to them that follow him in faithfulness, were not grievous, but joyful; who were washed and cleansed, but not by themselves, but by walking in the Light, as God was in the Light; so came they to witness the Blood of his Son to cleanse them, not from some sin, but all; and so were made Ministers, not of the Letter, which killeth, but of the Spirit, which giveth Life, and quickeneth unto Perfection, and laboured to bring men thereto, that they might present every man perfect in Christ, in whom there is no sin; for he was not sent to be a cloak to cover sin under his righteous garment, but to destroy it, and take it away, slaying the carnal or fleshly mind which warreth against the soul, working sin in the members, upon the Cross which is spiritual, or all spirit; which Cross worketh inwardly, bringing into subjection every vain thought and imagination, taking every motion of evil in the conception, and so destroys it there before it be acted or consented to; which every one that receives him in his Light, which maketh all things manifest, shall come to witness, even a dying with him to the flesh, from whence comes sin, and then quickening by the Spirit with Christ unto Righteousness. This is the first Resurrection, to arise out of Sin into Perfection with Christ, the which except a man be made a partaker of in this life, the second death will have power over him.  
So by all this it appears, that Christ is the Minister of Perfection, who preached it more clear and exacter than it was in the Law; 
Matth. 5.28.  who said, if a man lust to do any thing, he is guilty as if he did it; which the Law without was too weak to find out; and so became a strengthner of the Law, which requireth Perfection: and also for the effecting of this he gave gifts to his Apostles and Ministers, some he made Prophets, some Teachers and Evangelists, others Pastors, and the like, for the finishing of the work which he had begun, which was, to perfect all the Members of his Body, the Church, that they might all come to the measure, and stature, and fullness of him who was perfect, and is the perfecter of all that believe in him, who is the Light that shines in darkness; and these Apostles brought some, 
Rom. 6.18.  by turning them from darkness to this Light, to witness freedom from sin, and had their fruits unto holiness, and the end everlasting life: and also, those who had not attained to this estate, 
1 Pet. 1.15.  they did not tell them they never should in this life, but exhorted them to go on to Perfection, giving them many Commands to that end, warning and teaching every man in all wisdom, that they might present themselves perfect in Christ, in whom there is no sin nor sinners: for they that are in him, are new created in Righteousness and true Holiness, which is without sin, and all things in them are of God, being all made new by the Son of God who sits upon the Throne as a Refiners fire, which consumes all the dross and takes away the tin, and then sin must needs be done away, for that's of the Devil. Now for this end did Paul strive and labour mightily, 
Heb. 13.21. Jam. 1.4.  both praying and desiring God to make them perfect in every good work. And likewise James, in the trial of their Faith, exhorted them to keep in the patience, and let it have its perfect work, that they might be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Peter also in his exhortation, wherein he stirs them up by way of remembrance, to go on unto the end, and not faint by the way; neither to live in the fashions of the world, nor lusts of the flesh; but commands them to be holy in all manner of conversation, as he that hath called them is holy; 
1 Pet. 1.16.  (The reason why? saith he) because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy; (Mark that) He doth not say this Command is taken away, neither too hard to be fulfilled. To the same effect John, the blessed Disciple, to the little Children, warned them not to deceive themselves, by saying they had no sin before they were cleansed therefrom, but that they should confess it to God, than he would forgive it them; and not only so, 
1 John 1.7, 8, 9  but if they walked in the Light, as he is in the Light, than their fellowship should be with him, and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son should cleanse them from ALL Sin. 
1 Joh. 3.8, 9, 10.  He than exhorts them not to be deceived by any man, telling them, he that doth Righteousness, is righteous, even as Christ is righteous; and that he that hath the living true Faith in him, purifies himself, even as he is pure; saying, he that commits sin, is of the Devil, for he sinned from the beginning: but he that is born of God, sinneth not, neither indeed can he, because God's Seed remains in him, which is Christ the Light, which saves from sin. And then he gives a mark to know the Children of God from the children of the Devil, saying, Whosoever doth not Righteousness, is not of God, but of the Devil, as his words before signify; and also, if a man says, he knows Christ, 
Mat. 5. last.  and keeps not his Commandments (one of which is to be perfect) he is a liar, and the truth is not in him; for he that saith he abideth in him, ought himself so to walk, even as he walked: For he that sinneth, and abideth not in his Doctrine, 
2 Joh. 9  hath not God, but denies, and is denied of both the Father and the Son, let him say and profess what he will. Also, the Spirit speaking to one of the Churches, found fault, because their works were not perfect before God, 
Rev. 3.4.  who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; bidding them therefore to repent and be watchful, because there was something wanting.  
Wherefore the Spirit cryeth this day through me, Awake, awake ye sluggards, arise, arise ye careless ones, who are at ease in sin, and have taken up your rest in iniquity; for the Son of Righteousness is risen, and the Day of Holiness is dawned, therefore God requireth all men to repentance, and to bring forth fruits meet thereto; for the night of ignorance, whereat he winked, is passed, and he is arisen in his mighty Power who will no longer be silent, but will cry like a travelling woman, who will not cease till the Birth is brought forth, which is to establish Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth, that he alone over all may be exalted; therefore will he search the whole Earth with his pure candle of Light, and will make the sinners in Zion afraid, and fearfulness shall surprise the hypocrites, and none shall abide before him who is a consuming fire, nor dwell with everlasting burn; but he that walketh in Righteousness and speaketh uprightly, 
Psa. 15.1, 2, 3.  and despiseth the gain of oppression, and holdeth his hands from bribes, his eyes from seeing of evil, and his ears from hearing of blood; it is he that shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the Name of the Lord, which is the Refuge of the Righteous, his eyes shall see the King of Zion in his beauty: and therefore let all people fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgement is come, wherein he will be avenged upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth, who are made drunk with the Wine of Fornication, in Babylon the Mystory of Iniquity, which the Lord God in his Almightiness is arisen to destroy; and therefore if any man follow the Beast, which is that unclean nature which polluteth man, or receives and keeps his Mark, which is Sin, the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God, which is poured forth without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and of the Lamb of God; who would have taken away their sin by his Light of Life, but they would not believe therein, 
Joh. 3.19.  but loved the darkness rather, because their deeds were evil: but blessed are they that believe therein, and follow it, for it's they only that die in the Lord, and rest from their labour, and their works do follow them, saith the Spirit, Revel. 14.13.  
But now to the thing . It's plainly manifest, that the Doctrine of Perfection is of God; commanded by him, and preached by his Son, whom the Prophets prophesied should come to that end, and witnessed by his Apostles and Ministers, who have left in the Scriptures of Truth their Testimony concerning the same, which as a Cloud of Witnesses, doth testify for and to the same, far exceeding more than I have here mentioned.  
By all which it appears, that your Ministers are not of Christ, notwithstanding all their wisdom and learning, but contrary to him and his Ministers, 
Isa. 40.3.  and the true Prophets who foretold of Him, and the glory of his Day: Therefore the conclusion must needs be, They are of the false Prophet's spirit, and consequently of Antichrist; wherefore I shall mention a little, according to Scripture, how they are one in this very thing, with the false Prophets and Antichristian Seducers which were in the world in the Apostles days, and which they prophesied should come in the latter days, after their decease. Now in the first place, in the days of old, God by the mouth of his Servants, cried against false Prophets and Priests, who were from the greatest to the least all given to covetousness, every one dealing falsely, 
Jer. 23.14, 17. Micah 3.5, 13. Ezek. 10.11, 12, 13 14, 15, 16  in healing the hurt of the danghter of his People slightly, crying peace to those that put into their mouth, when there was no peace: So they strengthened the hands of the wicked, that they should not turn from their evil ways, but promised them life therein; and so seduced the people, and caused them to err, by their lies, and by their lightness; one building a wall, and another daubed it with untempered mortar, which would not stand in the overflowing shower of the Wrath of God.  
So in like manner, your Teachers through covetousness and self-ends have spoken smoothly to you, telling you of the Mercy of God, 
2 Pet. 2●.  through which your sins should be forgiven you, though you lived in them, and with the Serpent's voice have said, though you eat of the forbidden fruit which is sin, yet ye shall not die; so here in your unsound conditions, even like a rotten wall, they have daubed you with untempered mortar, which will not stand you in any stead when the Lord by his pure Light in your Consciences, comes to search you with Judgement, than your daubing will not hid you from the Wrath of the Lamb; no, no, than all their smooth words, and untempered doctrine, which they have invented to please you for self-ends, telling you of Heaven & what a happy glorious place it is, will all fly away from you, and them also, who have led you in blindness, and have caused you to err from the Voice of God, to follow the voice of the Serpent, who led man into sin, and so blinded his mind that he might cause him never to find the way to God again, which is a way of Holiness in which the unclean cannot walk: So I say, if you will not come out from amongst them, and be separated from the unclean thing, which is sin, and own and receive the Light of Christ, that it may search all your wounds and putrifying sores, from the crown of your heads to the sols of your feet, that so he may wash you thoroughly, and baptise you with fire, and burn up all that is contrary to his pure Life in you: I say, except this you come to and witness, with you blind guides you must fall into the ditch.  
Now I shall come to speak a little of the Deceivers which Christ and the Apostles spoke of in their days. First, Christ said, 
1 Joh. 3.8.  Beware of false Prophets, which come unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves: ye shall know them by their fruits. Now we know that sin is a mark of the Devil, or a fruit of an evil tree; likewise Perfection is a mark of God, for he is perfect, and it's the fruit of a good tree; so they who are in sin, and plead it for doctrine, that they can never be out of it whilst in this life, are the evil trees, because they bring forth such fruit as this, which a good tree cannot bring forth. Also Paul said, that the Spirit spoke expressly, that in the latter times some should departed from the Faith, 
1 Tim. 4.1.  giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of Devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron. Now mark, Is not this the doctrine of the Devil, that though men live in sin they shall not be damned, but shall escape the condemning power thereof? did not the Devil himself preach this first, 
Gen. 3.4.  when he said, Ye shall not surely die, though you eat of the forbidden tree? and are not they who maintain this for truth, those, whose consciences are seared and hardened against the Voice of God, even to speak lies in hypocrisy against his Spirit, which condemns sin in the flesh? And also, he further saith this; 
2 Tim. 3.1, 2, etc.  Know that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, false accusers, without natural affection, truce-breakers, fierce, despisers of those that are good; heady, traitorous, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now of this sort are they that creep into houses, leading captive silly women, laden with sin, led away with divers lusts; ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  
Now it seems, that these proud, covetous, highminded men, who were fierce, despisers of those that are good, had a form of Godliness, like many now, who deny the power thereof, even as those did; for the power of God, or of Godliness, makes all those that have it, free from the power of the Devil, whose power leads man captive at his will, doing his work, which is sin, which all who have the form, and not the power, are servants to; for he that commits sin, is the servant of sin, 
Joh. 8.34  and he that serves it, the Devil is his master: 
Rom. 6.16.  for his servants ye are to whom ye obey; and he that serves him, cannot serve Christ, nor is a Child of God; for ye cannot serve God and mammon, neither two masters, saith Christ. So it's certain we must be of the one, for we cannot be of both. And now also, who is it that be ever learning, and never comes to know the Truth, but those that never knew a freedom from sin, neither do believe they ever shall in this life? for Christ said, if you continue in my Doctrine, then shall you know the Truth, 
Joh. 8.31, 32, 33, 34.  and the Truth shall make you free. But the Jews replied, saying, We were never in bondage to any man. But said Christ, He that commits sin, is the servant of sin. So it appears, that they who are overcome with sin, and led away with divers lusts, are not come to know Christ the Truth, who sets free from sin; and they are the creepers into houses, who lead silly people in blindness, laden with sin, and tells them they can never be eased of the burden thereof in this life; yet promises them liberty and freedom in the life to come, whilst they are the servants of corruption in this life: Are not these the filthy dreamers that defile the flesh, who are sensual and devilish, 
Judas, 10, 11.  knowing nothing but what they know naturally, in which they corrupt themselves? (which is to say) in their outward learning, which though it be Hebrew, Greek and Latin, yet it is all but natural, even as English is, which a child may learn of its parents; so likewise all other tongues are learned of men: but the true knowledge of God is only learned in and by the Spirit. Are not these also those, who with fair words and smooth speeches deceive the hearts of the simple by their great swelling words of vanity, which they invent to please such who have itching ears, that cannot away with sound Doctrine, but love to be daubed up slightly; who cannot endure to hear of coming out of sin in this life, and yet would have Heaven in that which is to come: I say, such Teachers as these are of Antichrist, whom Judas saith were clouds without water, 
Judas 12.  which is, to have a show of Godliness, but have not his Life abiding in them, but their hearts are exercised with covetous practices, and for self-ends admire some men's persons for their own advantage, who themselves could not cease from sin: these are the murmurers and complainers, 
Phil. 3.19.  who walk after their own ungodly lusts, minding earthly things, whose god is their belly.  
This was the fruit of the spirit of Antichrist that the Apostles said should come, and was come in their days, by which we know that those who bring forth such fruits are of the same spirit in these our days; the consideration of which I shall leave to the Witness of God in all people, that they thereby might come to see whether those that deny the Doctrine of Perfection, and plead for sin term of life, do not in all, or many of these things, agree with the Antichrists and false Prophets that are mentioned in Scriptures? and so the conclusion unavoidably will be this, They are not of God, but of the world, which lieth in wickedness, and therefore the world heareth and followeth them.  
Yea, Object but. (saith the world) though we do not believe, we can be perfectly freed from all sin in this life; yet we do not believe that we must or may live in sin wilfully, neither do our Teachers tell us we shall be saved if we do; but they tell us we must strive against it what we can, and then we shall be accepted through Christ, for he hath tasted death for us, and so hath made a way for all that can believe he died for their sin, and risen again for their Justification, to be accepted through his Righteousness, which shall be imputed for ours; and though we live in some sin which is condemned by the Law, yet hath he by his Death delivered us from the condemning power of sin and the Law, the force of which he hath taken away; for we are not under the Law, but under Grace.  
To this I answer. Answ. Although they teach you to abstain from wilful sinning, yet in teaching that you can never be free from all, causeth many to give up to temptations, and to give place to the Devil; and than if the Witness of God reprove them for so doing, they fly back in their minds from it, and strengthen themselves in their unclean faith against it, and so reject the Light and Power of God, which is it only that saves from sin; and so though you strive against it what you can in this state, all your striving is in vain, being only in your own wills, and altogether of yourselves, having rejected, through disobedience, the Power of God, which in his mercy is freely offered unto all, in the Light of his Son, to redeem them from that wherein they are held in bondage, which is sin; I say, denying it, and counting it an uncertain and insufficient thing, you are never able to overcome the Enemy in your own striving; for if you could, than you had no need of a Saviour to destroy the works of the Devil for you, which is sin, and to save you therefrom, which was and is the end of his coming in the flesh, even in the hearts of all people, to condemn sin there; and also for this end he died to the flesh once, and was made an Offering, to put an end to all the Types, 
Rom. 3.25.  Sacrifices and Shadows of the first Law and Priesthood, and so took away all the hand writing of Ordinances, making an Atonement for sins past, that forgiveness might be preached to and in all that receive him, and walk in his Light; which was not to be found in, nor by the outward Law, for it being once transgressed, there remains nothing but condemnation: So mercy and forgiveness came by Jesus the Saviour, (and not by the Law) without whom none could be saved; because all had and have transgressed, and come short of fulfilling the Law; therefore all your striving, whilst you reject Christ the Light, which makes sin manifest, in whom the Law of the Spirit of Life is witnessed, which sets free the soul through the administering of death unto, and condemning that in man which warreth against it, by bringing it into captivity unto sin, through which comes death; I say, though you may strive with all your might, which indeed is but weakness, you will never get dominion over sin, because you in denying the Light, miss of the Power which only redeems out of the bondage thereof; which Power doth accompany that which reproves for, and condemns sin in the flesh; to which, except you become subjects unto, neither freedom from sin, nor the righteousness of the Law (which is Perfection) you will never come to witness; and so though you believe he died for your sin, yet unless you come to know him to arise in you, to destroy it and take it away inwardly, and thereby to fulfil the Law of Righteousness in you, and so to mortify the deeds of the flesh, which breaks the Law by his powerful Spirit, that you may follow it, and your fruits may be unto Righteousness, and you dead to the fruits of the flesh, which is sin, all your belief will avail you no more than the Jews unbelief did them, which rather added to their condemnation than otherwise.  
Therefore all come down to that of God made manifest in you, and receive it with a willing mind, and then you will feel it giving you that power, which by all your own willing and striving out of it, you could never obtain, even to become the Sons of God, and to know his Seed brought forth in dominion, in you to abide, and then you will come to know what that state was in which they were that could not sin, 
1 John, 3.9.  because they were born of God, and his Seed remains in them, by which they were kept, so that the wicked one toucheth them not; because greater was he that was in them, than he that was in the world: So unless you feel this wrought in you by him, all your talk of him and his Righteousness will do you no good: for as long as you commit sin, the filth will follow it, and the condemning of that which condemns sin in the flesh will follow you to the end of your race, by which a fire will be kindled where the worm will never die, neither goes it out; and the Law against sin you will find to have its full force then, because you rejected the Light through disobedience, which would have destroyed for you that which transgressed the Law in you, and as you had yielded in obedience to it, it would have fulfilled the Law in you, by bringing forth fruits of holiness which the Law requireth; and all your thoughts of being from under the Law, will prove vain; for it is said to be a Schoolmaster to bring unto Christ the Light and Lamb of God, who takes away sin; the which, 
Gal. 3.24.  except you are brought to, and by him cleansed, you will find the Law to stand in full force over you, you being out of him who ends that which transgresseth it, 
Jam. 2.10.  even by slaying it upon the Cross, which is the Power of God, which over-comes, or rather comes over, and so brings under the power of the Devil, which keeps man in bondage in sin: so when you come to know this, you will cease remembering his death at Jerusalem, and will come to see how he hath been crucified in you, and what it is that hath crucified him; 
Rom. 6.10.  and not only so, but will know a dying with him to the flesh and the fruits thereof; and then shall you be quickened with him in the Spirit of Life, in which you will live unto God, which you will truly know when he comes to arise from the dead in you, and to lead that captive which hath held him in captivity, and oppressed him as a cart with sheaves, who while you go astray bears the iniquity of you all, and is crucified in that place which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt; (read within and feel what I say) then will you come to mourn over him whom you have pierced: 
Rev. 1.7.  And this verily I say unto you, except you know his Crucifixion and Resurrection nearer you than Jerusalem, even in you, and arising with him out of the grave of sin and death, and a living to God in the Spirit of Holiness, which sets free from sin; all your talking of his dying for your sin, and arising for your justification, while you have lived in sinning against his Light in your Consciences, will never profit you any thing: 
Ephes. 5.14.  Therefore arise thou that sleepest in sin, and stand up to Judgement, and hearken to that which calls out of sin, which is the Spirit of Truth, and it will give thee life, if through death thou wilt follow it; for no other way is there to come to life, but thorough death to that which leads thee from God; 
Gal. 3.19.  therefore take up the Cross, and kiss the Rod, and it will whip thee out of sin, and a new work in thee will begin: Those that know this death, are not under the Law, but under Grace; for the Law was added because of transgression, in which if a man live, and it live in him, then is he under the Law: for it takes hold on a man so long as he lives in sin, which is the transgression thereof; 
Tit. 2.11.  but he that is dead to sin, is not under it, but is come to the Grace of God, which leads him out of sin, and teacheth him to live godly and righteously in this present evil world: so then by Grace sin is done away, and the Law fulfilled, which requires a holy life, which is brought forth in and through all that receive the Power of God, which in Christ the Light is offered freely to all, that he might be all in all both to will and to do that which man of himself could in no ways do; he having lost his first estate in which he had power over all things, being fain into the bondage of the Devil, and captivated by him at his will: therefore God in his endless Love to lost man, 
Rom. 8.3, 4.  sent his Son a Light into the world, who for sin condemneth sin in the flesh, which the Law without was too weak to do, that the Righteousness of it might be fulfilled in all that obey and follow him: Now such can truly witness he comes not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it in and for them, which Law requires Perfection and Holiness, without which a man shall never see God.  
But saith the World, Object. Yea, perfect in part, so are accepted a● wholly perfect through Christ.  
Nay, Answ. not in part say I, but wholly, even entire, wanting nothing; for the Law requires not a part, but the whole; and it is not a Perfection inferior to what the Law requires, but even the same, if not a better, that we are to be brought to by the power of the Lamb of God, who takes away the imperfection of all that walk in his Light; or else it cannot be said he fulfils it, but leaves it unfulfilled, and hath made a way by which man shall escape the condemnation of it, though he live in transgression thereof, which was not the end of his coming in the flesh, that man should be accepted perfect, because he lived in perfection; but that the same perfect, innocent, harmless life, might be brought forth by the operation of his Life, which is the Light of men, in our mortal bodies; herein lies the acceptance, if he come thus to live in us, to make our sinful bodies conformable to that Body of his, 
2 Cor. 5.17.  which was the perfect pattern; then are we in him, according as it is said, He that is in Christ, is a non creature; old things are passed away, and all is become new, and all things are of God, then that which is of the Devil is done away. So here perfection in part will not stand nor agree with this Doctrine; for it is manifest, if we are in Christ, 
Jam. 1.4.  than the entireness is known, where nothing is wanting, because all things are of God who is perfect; but this work is not by self, neither by man's own willing ●or running, but of God that shows mercy; 
Col. 1.27. 1 Cor. 1.30. 2 Cor. 4.7.  which mercy is Christ the Light, in all that receive him the hope of Glory, who is made unto them wisdom and power, to mortify and justify, to kill and to make alive, even to work all their works in them and for them, which was the treasure that the Apostles had in their earthen vessels; that the excellency of the Power might be of God, and not of them; the which work must be witnessed in this life, for after the departure hence, 
Heb. 3.7, 8.  there is no putting off the old man with his deeds: Therefore, while it is called to day, harden not your hearts, but arise, and awake to Righteousness, and hearken to that which knocks at the door of your hearts, calling to repentance; 
Rev. 3.20.21.27.  for nothing that defiles, or is defiled, must enter with the Lamb into the Kingdom of Glory; And if your heads lie down in sin, and in it you end your race, even so will your rest be; in your old garments you will be found, which the Lord, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, hath no pleasure in, neither will receive you, unless your garments are made white in the blood of the Lamb, which cleanseth all, who walk in his Light, from sin; which was witnessed by the Apostles, who walked therein in this world, which made them bold against the day of Judgement; because, as he was, even so were they, which is agreeable to Christ's own words, who said, He that is perfect, shall be as his Master; the which if you witness not before you go hence, all your hopes of it hereafter will be as a dream, wherein a man thinks he is drinking, but when he awakens, lo he is dry; Even so all your dreams of entering into Holiness with Christ, or having his Righteousness imputed for yours, whilst you have lived in unrighteousness, will all pass away as a vision of the night, or as a dream which cometh to nothing.  
And for the further proof of this point in hand, the Doctrine of Perfection, 
Joh. 1.1  give ear a little to the Light of Christ, the faithful and true Witness, even the Word that was in the beginning, before sin was brought forth, 
Rom. 10 8.  which in the Scripture is called the Word nigh in the heart, and in the mouth, which Paul preached; 
Joh. 15.26.  and the Spirit of Truth, which convinceth the world of sin, which is infallible, and cannot change, nor err, but keeps its unity with God, of whose nature it is: Behold, I bear a Testimony against all sin, saith the Light, whatever is reproved is made manifest by me, and in righteous Judgement I seal the Condemnation upon every soul of man that doth evil; for I never consented to any sin since the day that man transgressed against me in the beginning, but have kept my Unity with my Father in purity; though man fell, yet not me, I spare no sin great nor small, but by me it is condemned all, neither speak I peace to any therein, telling them they shall be saved from the Wrath to come, though they live in some sin; though man's ear which should have heard my Voice, hath been stopped by the Devil, and his eye kept blind by the god of the world, so that he hath not known my Voice nor seen my Shape; and though I have knocked at the door of his heart, yet he would not open to me, but loved the voice of the Serpent better, who hath taught many to teach this for Truth, That he must have some part in their hearts as long as they live on the earth, and yet notwithstanding they shall be saved; but behold they shall find it a lie, and I will make them to know, it was never spoken by me, in the day when I shall judge the secrets of all hearts, when none shall be able to stop my Mouth, nor hinder my Voice; Then will I kindle a Fire that shall never go out, and quicken a Worm which shall gnaw eternally; then shall they remember how I shown them the evil of their ways, and set their sins in order before them, but they would not hearken unto me, neither regard reproof, but stopped their hairs at my Voice, and closed their eyelids at the shining of my Light, 
John 3.19, 20.  loving the darkness rather, because their deeds are evil; therefore the wages of sin shall be their portion in the pit of death for ever.  
Wherefore, thus saith the Light that shines in darkness, Come all ye workers of iniquity, and stand in your ranks together, and let me reason with you a little; O ye Murderers and envious ones, ye Thiefs and covetous of other men's goods; ye Swearers, Liars, and false-witness-bearers, Cozeners, Cheaters, and users of any dissimulation whatsoever, with all you proud lustful ones; and all you Gamesters, and vain boasters, Singers and rejoicers in that which your own vain minds have invented; and all foolish jesters and speakers of idle words whatsoever, even all, from the greatest sinners to the least, Do not I, the Light in all your Consciences, reprove and condemn you for all these things, as well the least as the greatest? Did I ever give you leave to live in any of these things? but contrariwise, have I often wooed and entreated you to come out of them, telling and showing you plainly, if you lived in any of these things, you should never inherit the Kingdom of God.  
And also, O you Professors, who have had a form of Godliness, but not the holy power thereof, who in an outward show have made many Prayers, with other outside shows of Holiness, while your hearts were full of Iniquity and the inside all Deceit? have not I [the Light] often smitten you for these things, 
Mat. 7.20, 21, 22, 23.  showing you that the Lord looked not at the outward appearance, but only requireth the heart? and though you may say, you have prophesied in my Name, yea, and cast out Devils, with many wonderful works, yet will I profess I never knew you, unless you receive me, that I may cleanse you from all iniquity: Wherefore cleanse your hands ye Publicans, and purify your hearts ye Pharisees; for so long as you are in sin, neither of you are justified by me. Deny me in any of these things  if you can, for which if I condemn you, think you to find mercy with my Father? Nay, 
Joh. 5.22.  nay, my Father and I are both one, and he hath committed all Judgement unto me, and that you will find one day, to your utter condemnation for ever, except you turn at my reproof, that I may pour out myself upon you, to cleanse you from all pollutions of flesh and spirit, and so bring you into a godly life, in perfectness and true holiness, before you go hence and be no more seen; for as Death leaves you, so will Judgement find you; 
Isa. 38.18.  for in the grave there is no cleansing: So whilst you have time, take this for a warning, for you will find no mercy with God after death, if you reject me, the Light, whom my Father hath in his mercy sent into the dark world, that all that receive me should be led out of sin and darkness, into the Light of Everlasting Life. If any ask for a proof of these words, let them turn within, and search the Book of Conscience, and look truly therein, and there they shall find it.  
We hope we shall find mercy hereafter, World. for God is a merciful God.  
The mercy of God is not as many think it is, Answ. nor to be found where many hope for it, which is to say, in the life to come, after death of the outward man; but it is to be found in this life, whilst thou hast a being in this earthly tabernacle; or else all thy hope in thy dead mind will be in vain; for, except thou know a cleansing by the Light, which is the mercy of God, from sin, when you shall come to receive a just recompense of reward for all your deeds done in the body, 
Rev. 20 13.  then shall your dead minds be awakened, and the mercy which you have dreamt of therein, be turned into fear, wrath and anger, wherein the Lord will reveal himself, to take Vengeance upon all that knew him not, to live in them, and they to live in him, whose Life raiseth out of Death and all dead works, 
Revel. 20.6.  into the Life of Righteousness, which is free from sin, which is the first Resurrection, of which whosoever partakes not, the second Death will have power over.  
Therefore more plainly to all understandings, this I say, is the mercy of the compassion at God to all mankind, who have lost their spiritual life, through falling into sin, by which came death over all, insomuch that man became more senseless than the Ox, 
Isa. 1.3  which knew his owner, or the Ass, which knew his Master's crib; I say, his mercy is to offer him Life freely, in the Light of his Son, which he had fully lost, and of himself could in no ways gain it again, 
John 1.3.  therefore God so loved the world, that he sent his Son a Light into it, in whom was and is Life, whose Life is the Light of men, shining in dark hearts, to which they in taking heed, and obeying it in its movings, leadings and workings, will thereby be led out of sin, which it bears Testimony against, to take up a Cross to the carnal mind and lusts of the flesh, which in them is all enmity against God, on which Cross the evil seed will be crucified, and the enmity slain, and so comes of twain, one new man to be made, in whom the Image and Life of God is restored again by the second Adam, in whom all are made alive, 
1 Cor. 15.22.  who receives him who is the quickening Spirit, from that death which entered them by the first Adam, who was an earthly man; and so all that receive Christ the Light, receive the Mercy of God, and come to know the Seed of the Kingdom, which is like a little leaven, which as it comes to have its way to work and operate in the heart, it makes all things new, by working out the evil seed, and killing the old man with his deeds, and so makes a new lump; 
Joh. 3.3, 5.  this is the work of Restoration in the washing of Regeneration, through which the new birth is brought forth, of which, except a man be born, he must not inherit the Kingdom of God: So this is the Mercy of God, 
Joh. 15.24.  to give every one a measure of the Light of his Son, to work this Work in and for them, which they of themselves could not work, which must be wrought in this life or never.  
But yet I feel there are some in the world who are ready to say thus: Oh this perfect life that we could attain it! Object. Oh how willing could we be to be rid of all sin, if it be possible! for we feel something in us, crying as it were for deliverance, which is grieved and burdened with the heavy load of sin; and indeed, notwithstanding all our Observations, wherein we have been seeking life and peace, yet are we unsatisfied, and which way to be we know not.  
Well, my Friends, Answ. in the remembrance of you is my soul refreshed; and what if I say I have been striving all this while that I might make a way to come plainly to your understandings, to speak a little in the Bowels of Love, that these good desires in you may be strengthened, and the eye of your understandings opened, to see the good day that is broken forth unto many, who sat in darkness and under the shadow of death, hoping for life, and breathing for power, to come up out of the pit where there is no water, where their tongues clavae to the roof of their mouths, in which their hearts were ready to faint, and were almost giving up to conclude that there we must remain, notwithstanding something breathed to come forth, but being in bondage in the Prisonhouse, the keeper thereof said its impossible; and while we harkened unto him, we saw no hope of attaining our desires, but turning away from him, and standing a little still, we heard a Voice that spoke unto us comfortably, 
Joh. 13.  and with it was a Light that shone out of darkness, by the which we saw marvellous things, wherein our souls were greatly revived; and as we harkened diligently, and gave up to the call of the same, it brought us by a way that we thought not of, out of the depth of the dungeon of death, where we were held in bondage and slavery, by the King of the bottomless pit, who seemed so strong, as if he could never be overcome; but he that spoke unto us in the Light, 
Matth. 12.29.  hath proved too strong for him, for he hath broken the bars of brass, by the might of his power, and unlocked the doors of steel, and by the Sword of his Spirit hath he cut our bands asunder, even the chains wherewith we were held.  
And therefore I, as one that have been in the deep, even in bondage under the prince of that world which lies in wickedness, do hold forth and testify unto you, that a stronger than he is come, 
Matth. 12.29.  who is able to bind the strong-man, and spoil all his goods; and behold he is nigh unto you, who breathes from deliverance from sin, for it is he that hath begotten that desire in you, and not only so, but his purpose is to satisfy it, if you would join with him with whom all things are possible, in that which shows you your conditions in that state where you are, and makes it loathsome unto you, that you might consent unto him, and be willing to come forth; who is calling in the freeness of his Love this day, to all that are weary and heavy laden with sin, 
Matth. 11.28, 29, 30.  and have no delight in it, that they might come to him, who is meek and lowly, in their hearts, and take his yoke upon them, which I testify is easy to all the honest-hearted, and his burden is very light; wherefore, O ye sincere breathers after God, who hunger truly after him and his Righteousness, lift up your heads, for the Blessing of God is unto you; therefore doubt you not, but turn to the Light that tells you all that ever you did, and look ye only at him, and not at your own weakness, then will you find him to be a Saviour, who will open your eyes, and enlighten your hearts, and will bring you to the Fountain of Life, where you shall draw Water out of the Well of Salvation, 
Joh. 4.14.  whereof you shall drink and be satisfied, which shall spring in you up to everlasting Life: Oh therefore come away, for the Day of all days is dawned, and the black clouds of the dark night which were over the Sun of the morning are fleeing away, and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the Sepulchre, and the Lamb is arisen from thence; therefore arise, come away my Beloved, why seek ye the living amongst the dead? For lo, the fullness of him is not at all to be found in the observation of any outward things; as Bread and Wine, or the like, 
Col. 2.20, 21, 22, 23.  which perish with the using: therefore is leanness of soul upon all who stick in outward shadows, and a complaint heard in all their habitations, mourning in all their streets; Wherefore arise, arise, this is not your Rest, for it is polluted, and the Lord is departed from thence, and is turning away the backside of his Glory, that you may behold him in the perfection of beauty, even face to face: therefore his bowels yearn towards you, that he might come in and sup with you; that he may make his abode with and in you; knowing right well that your souls satisfaction depends only of the enjoyment of his pure living presence, which only quickens and raises them out of death to life, which no external thing can do; 
Rev. 3.20. Jer. 23.29. Rom. 10.8.  therefore is he come home to the door of your hearts; Oh then come down and feel to the knocks of the hammer of his Word, which is nigh you, even in your hearts and mouths, that your rocky and stony hearts may be softened and broken thereby; then shall you feel the Water of Life which will spring from the Light therein; the which when you have felt and tasted of, you will never go more to the muddy waters which are fouled by the feet of the beasts of the field, which satisfieth not the appetite of that which hungers after God; for the sake whereof my soul breathes after you, and to the Lord also in your behalf, and in the yearning bowels of endless and unutterable Love am I drawn forth thus to write unto you in this day, wherein the Lord hath showed me, how he is seeking you to himself, who by the right-hand of his outstretched Arm will bring you into the Fold of true Rest, if you resist him not in the way of his own workings, wherein he is drawing near unto you, even to reveal himself in your hearts, that he might guide you with the Light of his Eye, and be unto you an Everlasting Teacher: Therefore, this must I signify unto you, that it is in his Love to you for good, to suffer your Teachers to be removed into corners this day, and to premit such in their places wherein your souls have no delight, that so he may draw you home to his own house, wherein there is bread enough; that so you may come to wait to receive at his hand, and not at the hands and lips of men, who have fed you with that which died of itself, and quickened not unto God, neither will stand you in any stead in this day, which is come as a trial to show you the emptiness of all outward things, whereof you have been feeding, in them thinking to have life, and have denied the Light within, in which the Life is (only) and have been idolising men, who spoke unto you in the wisdom of words, and not in the power of God, by setting them up in your hearts, and running in your minds upon them more than you should have done; and while you enjoyed their presence, you made slight of the little appearance of Christ's Light in your Consciences, the which many of them taught you to do, telling you it was a natural thing, which grieved the Lord; therefore did he often warn the Teachers and Professors by his Servants and Prophets, both by words and signs, what a day he would bring upon them for these things, except they repent and turned from the evil of their ways to his Light; but they would not hear nor regard: therefore in righteous Judgements is it now come and coming to be fulfilled; but yet in mercy, that so he might bring you down to himself, whose Love is yet to many of you freely held forth in the Light of his Son; whom I exhort you all to bow unto, 
Psal. 2.12.  and kiss him, lest he be angry, and in his Wrath withdraw from you, shutting the door of mercy; because when he called, you would not answer: but O my spirit yet breathes towards you, saying, Oh that you would cease hunting without, like Esau, for so you miss of the blessing; but turn in home to the Light of Christ, and, like Jacob, keep at home, and there you will meet with the Blessing, which will satisfy your souls; 
Col. 2.16, 17.  where you will feel the engrafted Word of Life to be the full sum and substance of all outward shadows, and far exceeding all Types or Representations that can ever be made of it; the which when you come indeed to know and find, your hearts will be overjoyed, insomuch that you will be ready to call to your neighbours and friends to rejoice with you; even like the woman who had lost her groat in her own house, 
Luk. 15 8, 9  and went abroad to seek it, but at last turned home, and in sweeping and making clean her own house, found it there: This is your state; therefore be still, and see the Salvation of God, which is nigh unto you, and believe not those who draw you without, saying, Lo here, or there; for the Kingdom of God is within you, which your souls breathe after: 
Luk. 17 21, 23.  Therefore hue no more broken cisterns that can hold no water to satisfy your thirsty souls, but to the Fountain of living Waters all come and drink freely, then shall you never thirst again; then shall you know what it is to drink new Wine with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven, and to sup with him; then will you never go more to seek him in the dead letter, and other dead creatures, but will come to know him and his Life made manifest in you: this is the sum and substance of all, even to know the Bread of Life in your own houses, and your own Figtree, that you may sit under it, where none can make you afraid; then will you know the Mystery of Godliness, which is very great, even God manifest in the flesh.  
But now I feel some weak understandings will be ready to say, You seem here to deny the Ordinances of the Lord's Supper, Object. which we believe are to stand for ever; and other outward means; and speak as if we must come to live above Ordinances.  
To which I have these words to signify:  
Although Christ took the Cup, saying, This is my Blood; Answ. and likewise the Bread, saying, This is my Body; this do in remembrance of me, etc.  
I say, this being all the Command you have for it, is not sufficient to prove it to remain an Ordinance for ever: for he did not say, 
1 Cor. 11.26.  you shall always do this, (but, Do this) which signifieth only at that time; to keep them in remembrance of him till he came to them again: And if after he was come, they did use it, because of the weakness of some, yet that is not sufficient for you to rely upon, and so to rest only in the shadows, denying the substance, as ye do, (which is to say) the Power of God which sets free from sin in this life, which indeed is the sum of all, 
John 6.33, 35, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56.  even the Life and Blood of the Lamb of God, except which a man partakes of, he hath no life in him; to which I testify a man may attain to, and not use those things; and then, what need is there of them, the substance being enjoyed?  
And now to speak more plainer to the matter, this I say; Even as Paul by the Spirit of God, cried down that which God himself commanded, 
Gal. 6.15.  (which is to say) Circumcision, saying, it availed nothing, but only the new creature, which was not wrought in any measure by that outward act, but by the Circumcision of the heart, in and by the Spirit, which was the substance of that outward type; for the attaining of which he did not preach the outward, 
Gal. 5.6  to be used for the means to bring to the inward, but saw plainly that the use of the outward, drawed their minds therein to rest, 
Rom. 2.29. Gal. 5.2  short of the thing itself: therefore he said, If they were circumcised, Christ (the true Circumcision) should profit them nothing. And had he any proof for this, but only the Spirit in himself: and therefore by the Spirit, in the Fear and Authority of God, this I say unto you all (Bread and Wine, 
Joh. 6.53, 54, 55.  or no Bread and Wine) availeth nothing, but only the Body and Blood of the Lamb, which is spiritual (or all spirit) is the main thing, even the very substance itself, which only is felt and enjoyed by staying the mind inwardly in the Light and Spirit of God, and not by eating and drinking in the remembrance thereof, and never coming to witness the thing remembered, which (if you say, Yea, we do by Faith) I tell ye, Nay; not by the true Faith, while you witness not freedom from all sin in this life, 
1 Joh. 3.3. & 5.18.  neither believe you shall do; for they who had the living Faith, it purifies them, even as Christ was pure, who came not to this pure cleansing by such outward things and means as you plead for; but they said it was by walking in the Light, 
1 John 1.7.  as God was in the Light, that they had their fellowship with him, and the Blood of his Son, to cleanse them from all sin; 
Jam. 2.20.  so there your Faith, without these fruits, is but a dead faith: And now let me appeal to the Witness of God in those, who have done it in the most sincerest abundance to God; and in so doing it, have felt something, as ye have thought, of the Love of God; Yet, I say, it hath been because your minds were at such times in consideration of the weight of the matter, circumspectly stayed upon God in the Spirit, and not because you eaten the Bread and Wine: So then cease making an Idol of it, as thinking you cannot enjoy God without it; or that the dead creature conveys any thing of him into you; and come down into the Spirit, and in it dwell continually, which is that, that only can and doth do it; and so when you come truly in this condition, and in it do abide, 
Joh. 14.23.  (which is to say) not only to sup with Christ sometimes, but always in the Spirit to make your abode with him, and he with you, you will then say with me that all these outward things are nothing, but the Spirit is all in this matter; which whosoever denies, 
Col. 2.21, 22.  resisteth the everlasting Ordinance of God: wherefore, touch not, taste not, handle not, any thing that perisheth with the using, after the doctrine and commandments of men; nor make to yourselves the likeness of any earthly thing of the invisible Body and Blood of the heavenly Son of God; for if ye do, may I not say, Oh! miserable is your condition! and little are your hearts affected with him, who cannot keep in the living remembrance of him, without eating and drinking in remembrance of his Death. Wherefore, O come down to that which crosseth the carnal mind, to take up the Cross, that it may be crucified thereon; then shall you know a dying with him, and be made partakers of his Resurrection, wherein the sting of Death, and the victory of the Grave will be remembered no more.  
And yet, further; May I not say unto you, that the Papists, whom you condemn as Idolaters, may plead for their using of Images in like manner, as you do for your Bread and Wine; for they say they worship them not as gods, but look upon them in their worshipping of God, that so thereby their minds may be fervently fixed upon him, having conceived in their hearts that they cannot be so fervent with him without them, as with them.  
But, Object. you say, they are deceived; for they may draw nearer to God without them.  
Even so say I: Answ. But mind a little how you in condemning them herein, condemn yourselves also; who have conceived in yourselves that you cannot so well keep in the remembrance of Christ, and have such communion with the invisible God, without the exercise of some visible outward things in the likeness of him (as with them;) Wherefore I say unto you, Come up higher out of these things, and you shall see greater than these, (as saith the Spirit.) Oh then, rest not in the lesser, lest by so doing you miss of the greater; for the Glory of all Glories is appearing, and that which you think to be the greatest light unto you, shall become but mere darkness, in comparison of the marvellous Light that shall yet appear in the day that is already dawned: Oh therefore, prepare, prepare to meet the Bridegroom, for the Marriage of the Lamb draws nigh; yet none but those who have on the pure Wedding-Garment shall enter with him into the Bride-Chamber, neither taste of the Supper of the Lamb.  

Having had some experience of the Lovingkindness of God, and of his deal with me, from my Childhood to this day; it is moved in my soul to give forth a Testimony of the same, for the good of all who in the days of their youth seek and desire after him.  
IN the days of my Childhood, I was brought up with my Parents after the manner as other Children were; but not in much strictness or restraint from evil vanities that Children are prone to (by them) they being after the manner of other worldly people, given to the fashions and vanities thereof, and such like things themselves, but had my liberty in many things even as I would; but yet notwithstanding, God in his endless love to my soul shown me the evil of my ways, words and actions, and begot a desire in me after himself, and opened my understanding, and shown me much of the vanity and ignorance of the Teachers and Professors of the world, insomuch that I was fully satisfied, that the Teachers of the world were not the Ministers of Christ, and that they did people little good, which caused me that I never followed them, so as to expect benefit from them; and I marvelled that those who could read the Scriptures, and seemed to be wise, would ever follow them: Such things as these were stirring and working in me, from eight or nine years of age until eleven or twelve; about which time the People called Baptists, appeared in this my native place and Country, which is Tipton in Staffordshire; whose Doctrine and outward Form, which I only looked at, I found to be more in imitation according to the Scriptures, than the other Teachers, and therefore did I go amongst them, and owned them more than any; and after some years' time my understanding was very much opened, so that I became wiser than all my acquainted Playfellows in Religious matters, and could not freely act such things as others did, though I was many times overcome with them; but the Lord followed me with his Witness, so that I had no peace in any evil words or actions; insomuch that many times in the very acting of vain foolish things, something would smite me into heaviness and grief; though I was never given to that which the world calls gross sin, but only childish vanities, as playing with lads, foolish jesting and idle talk, singing of songs, and such like things, as other untoward lads are given to, which scarce any one would reprove me for; for the best sort of people about me were guilty of many such things, who seemed to be wise men; yet notwithstanding, I could have no peace in them, though something would tell me I was young, and need not matter such things so early, but might let them alone till I was a man, and then I should have more knowledge in godly matters, and it would be well enough to grow civil and circumspect then: yet for all this, I could not get over the Witness of God, but it shown me, that this was the Serpent's voice, that would draw me from remembering my Creator in the days of my youth: And so in the exercise of these things my soul was often revived with true desires after God, who I little thought was so nigh me as he was: and many times I made Vows in spirit, that if he would pass by my sins past, I would never do as I had before: But alas, in my own power I could not perform them, and I was ignorant of the Power and Spirit of God; and though we in these days had nothing but he Scriptures to help our minds in such things; for the Teachers concluded, that all Revelations and immediate Teachings by the Spirit of God, as in the days of old, [were ceased;] the which made me many times sorrowful, saying, Oh that I had been alive in those days, when the Lord taught his People by his Spirit! And when my spirit was exercised in such things, I was many times drawn to go into some secret place to be alone, and there could I freely make my moan to God, according to the meaning of my mind, with strong desires and tears, sometimes praying in words as God gave me utterance, which I knew he would not despise, but was more accepted with him than all the fine words, or forms of men's inventions; and this I can truly say, I never in all my days prayed in hypocrisy, to be seen of men, neither ever did learn any form of prayer to rest in it, for I knew that was deceit; but from the smcerity of my heart I ever did it; and in these things I many times felt, even a sweet communion with God; and many times in my waiting upon God, and pondering of things concerning him, some things would open in me, signifying that a glorious day was nigh at hand, which I should live to see, and that I should bear a Testimony for God therein; but when I went to reason in myself how it should be fulfilled, I being unlearned, neither should be brought up to learning outwardly but little, my Parents being but mean in the outward; then I darkened myself by these reasonings, and could not see how it should be; but when I remembered, that all things were possible with God, then was I made to see that those reasonings came from flesh and blood, and were to be denied; but many times the enemy of my soul overcame me, and brought me to much vanity, which I knew to be evil; yet though I knew it, and had a desire against it, yet was I carried away into it: then when I retired in my mind to God, something would tell me that I had sinned against my own knowledge, and God would not accept me, and so would have cast me into despair, as if I should never be forgiven: Then this thing would be brought into my remembrance by the Spirit 〈◊〉 God, That his Blessing was to those that hungered and thirsted after Righteousness, and they should be satisfied; which greatly revived my soul; for I could truly say, notwithstanding all my sins, that I was one of those hungerers; and for all the doubting desperations that the Devil could cast into me, yet I felt something in me, that (as it were) could rely upon God, as being of his nature, and still cried after him; in which I felt some acceptance with God, and of his mercy to my soul, and I saw it was the evil one which led me into sin, that would have me to believe I should not be accepted with God, because of my transgressions which I had not gotten power over; for to will it was then present with me, but how to perform I had not found: for though the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ the Light, was nigh unto me, which now I know makes me free from the Law of sin and death; yet I knew it not then, but now I know that the Lord was then at work in me, begetting desires in my heart after him, that so I might be made willing to receive the manifestation of his Son in me with joy; which when he had prepared my soul, he then revealed in me, by which my heart was made glad, and even overcome with the love of God, and his great Mercies towards me. But yet, to go back a little, while I was ignorant of the glorious Manifestation of God, and went to the Baptists Meetings, until there was some of the People called Quakers came into this Country, who preached up the Light within, and the like, by whom some of the Baptists were convinced; and then the rest of them who were Speakers, made it their great business to preach down, and against the Light within; and so I was thereby hindered with evil Reports of them, (which then were many) very much cast against that People, though I had never heard them at all; but as concerning those who preached so much against that inward Light (woe and alas for them!) for they are greatly fallen into the Darkness, and are become even as sottish as other people, and have lost their Zeal which they had for that, which they then thought to be Truth, for whose sakes I have many times been grieved; for I can testify that there was a good desire once in them, which drawed them in some measure, as I may say, towards Canaan; but alas, the way proved straight, and the mind being alive which lusted after the fleshpots, they are again turned into the darkness of Egypt: And notwithstanding all that these men could say for their own way, or against others; yet I saw plainly, neither they nor I were as we should be, but I was still unsatisfied, because I had a Law in my members that warred against the Law of my mind, which led me captive into sin, which I could not overcome, neither could I believe I ever should, though I had a desire against it.  
And so after all these things, it was ordered that I must go down to Bristol upon some outward occasion; about which time I was seventeen or eighteen years old, and it happened that I was to stay there some time, in which I did abide at a place where there was a Woman, who owned the People called Quakers, and she shown me some of their Books; and though I could read but badly, yet I perceived that they were not such a People as I thought they had; and so my mind was turned out of enmity against them into love, insomuch that I had a desire to hear them; so I went to their Meetings several times, but could hear no words; but in beholding of them, I was convinced that they were a People to whom God had manifested more than any People that ever I had seen, but how, I knew not; but at last, on a Firstday, I was much moved in my spirit, above other times, to go to their Meeting; and, unknown to me, before I came, there was a man, whose name in the flesh is John Story, in whom God had raised his Witness, and opened his Understanding to bear a Testimony for him, who when I heard speak, the Spirit of Life opened my understanding to receive his words, which were made serviceable to me at that time, for the informing of my mind in the true Way of God, which I had been long seeking after, the which I gladly received, and willingly turned from the Darkness, joining to the Light; which I found to be as a man that told me all that ever I had done; and not only so, but condemned all sin in me, showing what was good, and what was evil, condemning me for joining with the evil. And so the ministration of Condemnation I came to witness, which was very glorious in its time, wherein the just Judgements of the Lord took hold of that which drew me into sin, in which Judgements the true Seed greatly rejoiced, because its Redemption drew nigh, and the Lord was arisen to plead with its Enemy by Fire and Sword, which had held it in bondage, which I was daily led to take up a Cross to; by which the carnal mind, which warreth against the spiritual, was crucified in me daily, and I daily died to the world and the vanities thereof, and so my mind came to be redeemed unto God, who with the finger of his Spirit wrote his Law in my heart, which as I became obedient to, it made me free from the Law of sin, and gave me victory over it daily; so was that in me quickened which delighted only to do the Will of God, and to walk in his Way; which I testify is a pleasant path and very delightsom, surpassing all the delights and vanities of the world, which satisfies not the soul, but burdens the pure Seed of God, which I witness is set free through Judgements, and that there is no way to Life but through Death, for fallen man; no way to true Joy, but through Trouble; no way to Canaan, but through the Red Sea, and the Wilderness; no way to enter the Kingdom, but through many Tribulations. So the Lord by the Spirit of burning, hath made that in me, which was as a fruitful field, to become as a Forest; and that which was as a Forest, to be as a fruitful field: Yea, the Lord hath made the parched, to be as a pool, and the dry-land, springs of water; and hath visited poor Lazarus with mercy and love, but the rich Glutton hath he fed with Judgement; and Esau the wild hunter, the first birth, hath he brought down, to serve Jacob the younger, who hath obtained the Blessing; and hardhearted Pharaoh hath he plagued, but Israel the Seed hath he blessed, whom he hath led by the pillar of fire, which was a light unto him, by which he walked out of the darkness of Egypt, from under the bondage of Pharaoh, whom he hath destroyed in the bottom of the Sea: Therefore doth the Seed rejoice and sing, with high praises to its King, who by the power of his strong hand hath broken the snare and band, and set its feet at liberty, that it might walk in the way to Canaan, the blessed Land, in this God's glorious day, wherein the Sun is risen in glory bright, which hath expelled the darkness of the cloudy night, and hath melted the frost and snow away, which covered the tender plant in the gloomy day.  

Wherefore now being come unto the day of God,  
And having felt his Love by kissing of his Rod,  
I will make mention of his Name, and tell of his Salvation;  
For he hath showed me the same, which saves out of Transgression:  
Therefore with joy unto the Lord with th'Spirit I will sing,  
Who hath broken the snare and cord of Death, which was a sting;  
And hath quickened by his Power a life in me to live,  
Which when it feels his pleasant showers, doth Praises to him give.  
I, when I feel the pure Fountain in me to open and spring,  
Which issues from Zions Mountain, the Life of her sweet King.  
Then is my spirit o'ercome even with the issues of that Life,  
Which cometh from the glorious Sun, who leadeth out of strife,  
Into the perfect pure Love, which never thinketh ill,  
Where nothing at all doth him move to any, but pure goodwill.  
O in this Life, that's free from strife, my soul hath its delight;  
For O it is my married Wife, to whom my very life,  
(In that same holy Marriage, which is both clean and pure,  
Which neither Death nor Hell can break, but ever will endure)  
Is even wedded, yet not by any Imagination,  
But by the Spirit undefiled, which saves out of transgression.  
Yet in much fear unto the Lord I cry,  
O without thy Presence what am I!  
If thou forsake me, I shall surely fall;  
For, of myself, I have no strength at all;  
O therefore by thy Power, me deliver  
And save, to glorify thy Name for ever.  
Yet now come hearken unto me, all that desire to know,  
And my Beloved long to see, the way to you I'll show.  
It is by walking in the Light, which doth convince of sin,  
Which is committed in the night, by all that walk therein:  
Therefore out of the Darkness come, and hearken to the Light,  
Even the Glory of the Son, and it will free you quite.  
So my dear Beloved, you will then come to see  
By whom my soul is moved, who's so dear to me:  
O than you'll come to see his shape, and hear his glorious Voice,  
The which will make the Seed to leap, and your souls to rejoice.  
Therefore come now, follow the Light, and do not from it turn;  
So shall you have a pure sight, and mysteries deep shall learn:  
Even that great and glorious Work of happy Restoration,  
The which is wrought by him that makes the blessed new creation:  
Who sitting on the Throne alone, shines like a precious stone,  
Who doth enlighten every one, that in the world doth come.  
Therefore let all that fear the Lord, now harken to his Voice,  
And obey it, that better is than any Sacrifice.  
Wherefore now come and look within, and there incline your ear;  
For 'tis the Spirit of the Lord which only speaketh there.  
For though man's heart's deceitful, and imaginations nought;  
Yet God's Spirit it is which shows him every idle thought:  
Therefore within let every one unto the Light return,  
And hearken to its Voice, that's pure, and then you'll come to learn  
What that is called that doth redeem, and save the soul from sin,  
And then you'll come to know the Law that written is within,  
Even by the finger and direction of the living God  
In all the hearts of them, who understand and kiss his Rod,  
Which smiteth and chastiseth them, when ere they go astray,  
That it might turn them (that are out) into the good old Way,  
Wherein they will find peace that's pure, unto their souls, and then  
Shall rest with God, which will endure for evermore, Amen.   
And so the Lord God of eternal Holiness having lighted a Candle in my heart, and given me a measure of his good Spirit, by which he hath preached Righteousness thorough me, if I had never opened my mouth, nor set pen to paper; I say, I am not now to put it under a bushel and hid it, but to set it up, that it may give light unto all; neither must I hid my Talon in the earth, lest it be taken from me, and given to another who will improve it better; but my chiefest care must be to stand in all things approved to God in faithfulness; and when he draws me, or calls me forth, if I leave the old man to mend his Net himself, as Peter and John did, let none that knows me marvel at it, for I must go about my Father's business, who hath redeemed my mind out of the love of earthly things and worldly delights, that I should set my whole delight in him, who hath also brought me to see of the travel of my soul, and to be satisfied concerning the knowledge of his Truth; so that I look not for another Truth, Way, Leader nor Guide, to lead me up to a higher glory in this Truth which is yet to be attained, for the revealing of which, am I waiting in the Light, not expecting any thing any other way, but only a growing from strength to strength, and a pressing on from glory to glory, even as God in his Son Christ the Light, shall make known himself unto me; but I expect not another Saviour than Him (the Light) for by Him the Lepers are cleansed, the blind made to see, and the lame man to leap like an Hart, the dumb to speak; and to the poor is the Gospel preached by Him, whom he filleth with good things, but the rich and the full he sends empty away: all which, whosoever receives and follows, the Lamb, the Light, the Way, the Truth and the Life, shall come to witness, and read with a clear understanding what I have written; but from those that rebel against the Light, these things are sealed by the hand of the Wisdom of God.   
I. W.   

Some wholesome DIRECTIONS to stir up young People to seek after their Creator in the days of their youth.  
ANd now, O all you Young men and Maids, with all that are of a capacity to understand my words, who are young and tender in years, for my bowels yearn towards you; therefore come hearken to my voice, and be attentive to the words of my mouth, and I will instruct you in the Fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of true Wisdom; Now this is the Counsel of God unto you, which he hath put into my heart to write, that you all hearken to that which shows you the evil of the world and the vanity of your own ways; which condemns you for every evil word and action; for that I testify unto you all, is the Spirit of God which he hath given you to profit withal, which, as you receive it, will open your understandings, and if you join therewith, it will give you dominion over sin, and cleanse you from iniquity; O therefore come down to it, and put your necks under the yoke, and let that which crosseth the vain mind be your delight; and still join with that in you which breatheth after God, so shall you come to an acquaintance with him; for to that doth he make known himself, and to them, and none but them who wait therein upon him; wherefore let not your minds run after vain things, but above all mind the Fear of the Lord, and seek after your Creator in your youthful days, before the evil seed hath gotten too deep a root in your hearts; for than it will be hard to get it out; yea, ever the longer you put the day of the Lord off, so much the harder will it be for you to return, and become conformable to his Will; even as it is hard to make an old crooked tree straight and fit it for the building, which is not done without much hewing; so will it be with you, if you go on till old age in the crooked perverseness of sin; but if you take up the Cross while you are young, then shall you grow up as the pleasant plants of a Garden, in whom the Husbandman is well-pleased, who will make it the delight of his soul to water you with the distilling Dews of his Love, which is better than Wine or Oil, or any earthly thing: O then, after Him seek ye with your whole hearts, then shall you find Him, and be satisfied in the fullness of his Love; whose Life will rest upon you and make you like unto himself, whose Image of Love you are to bear forth to all men; who causeth his Sun to shine upon his Enemies aswel as his Friends: but yet you are to bear a faithful Testimony against all Unrighteousness; hating the evil of all, but the persons of none; and in all conditions, watch over your own spirits with diligence; for the greatest enemy you have to deal with, is in your own house, which will be drawing your minds into something or other in the Creation below, that so he might cause you to forget God your Creator; which, if you be crossed in, and cannot have your wills satisfied, nor accomplish the desire of your minds, murmur not, for God seethe what will be best for your good and his glory; O therefore, let not your minds run after Gold nor Silver, Houses nor Lands, Wives nor Husbands, neither the Friendship of the World, nor the Fashions thereof, which will all pass away and come to nothing; but, above all these, seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof, and in it be content with what shall be of God added unto you; who will not suffer those that fear him to want any good thing; who have chosen the one thing needful above all other things, even the good part, and have refused the evil, and the many things, whereby comes the offence; such have made a good choice, for the Lord is their Inheritance and Portion, and their Lot is fallen in a good ground; Wherefore all, come, turn in, and cleave to the one good thing, even that which never consented to any evil; for that is the Seed of the Kingdom, which is likened to a little Leaven which the woman hid in the Meal, and it leavened the whole Lump, even so is that Seed, the Righteous Leaven, hid in your hearts, to leaven you into its nature, which is of the Nature of God: O then, let all your hearts be united thereunto, and in obedience give up to the workings of it, and then it will work out all that is contrary to God in you, and make you like unto itself, which is, meek and lowly, harmless, pure and undefiled; and therefore it condemns you while you are in the lofty, hurtful, filthy nature, which leads you into sin; Which if it follow you with Torment & Condemnation, giving you no peace in your evil ways, than this I testify, as one who have had experience thereof, That it is the Love of God unto you; for than is he seeking after you, and striving with you by his Spirit, that he might draw you to Himself, who would not that you should perish in your sin, but turn to him, and receive the reproof of his Instruction, which is the Way of Life: O therefore, turn ye, turn ye, and kiss the Rod that smites you, and it will be a staff of strength unto you, with which you shall walk and not be weary; and with it shall you smite down your Enemy who would stop you in the way; and when you are faint, you shall lean thereon and be strengthened; and than that which was your Condemner, will become your Justifier; and that which spoke trouble, will speak peace unto you: Wherefore let the time passed be sufficient which you have spent in vanity, and for time to come see that you harken to that which calls to Repentance, even the Light of Jesus, which is the more sure Word of Prophecy, nigh, in your hearts, and in your mouths; which is the Word of Faith which the Apostle preached; which will purify your hearts from sin, and cleanse your spirits from iniquity. So while the Lord calls, see that you answer, for his Spirit will not always strive with men.  
And now, my Friends, you who are in any measure turned to this, or hereafter may turn, and by it come to see many vanities of the World, and foolish customs of men, (which you must forsake, or you cannot have peace with God) which will be a cross unto you; this is my Counsel unto you, That you reason not with flesh and blood, which must not God's Kingdom inherit, but give up freely, and look not at your own weakness, neither flee the Cross; for if you do, than you save alive the Enemy of your own peace, which is the carnal mind, which must be crucified upon the Cross which is spiritual: So stay your minds only in the Light, and there you will find the Power of God to crucify your carnal minds, in which the weakness stands, and will give you power over all within and without; for this I can truly say for your encouragement; Are you weak and fearful? so was I; but the Lord hah made me in many things strong and bold for that which is good, glory to his Name for ever, in whom I will make my boast, for he it is who worketh all my works in me and for me; so that I am nothing, but He is all; who, if He should forsake me, I should surely fall: So whatever he may show you, or do for you, or with you; yet still keep you in the sense of your own nothingness, lest the boasting mind get up in you to rob Him of his Glory. So be not highminded, but fear, and make it your greatest care to be diligent, and hearken to his Voice, that you may be prepared for the glorious Manifestation which is to be revealed in you by the Son of God, who is arisen higher in his Beauty than in the days past, wherein the cloud of Ezer, and thick darkness was over many, by which they were vailed; but the day is at hand wherein the light of the Moon shall become as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun as the light of seven days, and the eyes of many shall be opened to see marvellous things: Therefore trim your Lamps, that you may be ready against the Bridegroom cometh, who will come, and will not long tarry, but hasteneth, and the time draweth nigh wherein ye that are waiting for his appearance shall be promoted higher than Kings or Princes of this World, and shall triumph with the Lamb upon the holy Mountain of God, where no venomous beast shall come.  
So let none run with the world into the evil thereof; although they that do so, are even set up; and he that departs from iniquity is for them a prey: but yet it is not as the Wicked thinks it is; for the Lord beholds all their do; he winketh not, as in the night of ignorance, neither will he long forbear, nor suffer them to proceed much longer; for his purpose is, to destroy the Devil and all his works, with all the workers of iniquity: And behold, he is now like a man who hath laid his bait and set his snare, and hideth himself in a secret place, who will arise when they think not of him, and his hand shall not spare, neither his eyelids pity, but will be avenged of all his Enemies; and then they that feared him, and thought upon his Name, shall be honourable in the eyes of many people; and many shall be joined unto them, and to the Lord in that day; and the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.  
Oh the sense of this God's glorious Day, wherein the Lamb, the Sceptre over all must sway, it transports my soul into a heavenly joy, and sets my spirit above the world full high: Wherefore I say unto you all that love and fear the Lord, Rejoice and be glad, and in the strength of his powerful Spirit tread upon all the vanities of the World, and cast its glory behind you, and lift up your heads in the Faith and Power of God, which will give you Victory over the World, and the Devil, the god of it; and cast away all the weights and burdens, with all the encumbrances thereof, wherein sin is apt to beset you, that you may have liberty with joy to run the Race which is set before you, that so the glorious Crown of Immortality you may obtain, and with the Lamb upon his Throne may reign, which is promised to him that overcometh, even as he overcame; who was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin: So to that which is able to deliver you out of temptation, as it did him, I leave you all, (to wit) the Life that was in him, which is the Light of men, in which the Prince of this World hath no part; which as every one comes to be stayed in, they are hid with God in Christ the Light, from the temptations of the Serpent, who can enter no where but in the earthly carnal mind, which is his throne, whereon he sits, deceiving the Nations; but the day of his downfall is at hand, and therefore let the Hosts of Heaven rejoice and sing, for over him shall reign our King, and upon the Throne on high shall sit, and the Devil with all his works shall be cast into the pit: Wherefore trumph ye Sons of Zion, and be glad ye Daughters of Jerusalem, for he that makes the New-Creation is already come, who was the first, and will be the last; to whom be honour, glory and dominion now and for evermore.  
Delivered from my hand the third of the first Month, (called March) 1663. J. W.  
THE END.