A TESTIMONY Of the TRUE LIGHT Of the WORLD. Which is given to every man that comes into the world, and of the true measure of the gift of God, given to every one to profit withal. And a True Witness, and Faithful: Witnessed of Christ Jesus unto this generation, that every one may believe in the Light of the World, and receive eternal Life; or that every one may be left without excuse, by the Light, which is the condemnation of all that believe not in it, but hates it: Wherein all may learn the way of Life, or know the condemnation from Life, into the pit of Darkness. Given forth for the good of all people, in pity to all souls, by him who is not known to the world, but a stranger in it, Geo. F●x. John 3. He that loves the Light, his deeds are wrought in God, but he that hates the Light his deeds are evil. LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert, and sold in his Shop at the black Spread-Eagle, at the West end of Paul's, 1657. The Preface. O Earth, the Testimony is true and everlasting, which God hath given of the Son, and which the Son hath given of the Father, and it abides for ever; the Testimony of Life in all that doth believe, and the Testimony of Death to all that believe not, even the light of the world, which lighteth every man that comes into the world; the entrance unto eternal life, or the condemnation into destruction: and who ever turn from the light of the Son of God within them, and walks not in it, goes into the Error, and into the way of Perdition; bu● who walks in the light, stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world, Christ Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of the Faith, and there is no other Saviour than he which was, is, and is to come, the light of the world; and preaches a Christ to believe in for salvation, who hath not lighted every man with the true light, preaches a false Christ, and not that Christ which the Prophets and John bore witness of, and which the Apostles witnessed: So that this is truth from the Lord God, there is no o●her name given for salvation, but the name of Jesus: nor there is no other Christ Jesus, but he which lighteth every man that comes into the world with the true light; and except this Christ jesus be revealed by the spirit of the Father within, salvation is not received by him: Therefore, all friends who have received the testimony of the light of the Son of God within you, and have believed the report of the Father, and of the Son, hold f●st the word of that Testimony, and dwell in it, and walk in it up to the Father of light and life: and this is the power of God, in which you will be kept unto the day of salvation; and this is the power of God which will keep you from all unrighteousness, and so from condemnation: and if any turn from the light, they run into the evil, and backslides from the Truth: and such shall bear their own shame and condemnation, in the sight of God, and all his children: For this is the message which was, and is, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. All that dwells in the light, their habitation is in God, and they know a hiding place in the day of storm; and they that dwell in the light, are built upon the rock, and cannot be moved, for who are moved or shaken, goes from the light, and so goes from their strength, and from the power of God, and loses the peace and the enjoyment of the presence of God; for the light is the eye by which Gods presence is seen and felt: and all that ever com●s to the knowledge of God, must own the light which Christ hath lighted them withal, for there is no other way to the Father of life: And this is the testimony which in the power of the Lord hath been born and given through Nations by his servants, and the day of your visitation is upon you Nations, and Peoples: and hitherto the Father hath wrought, and the Son hath wrought, and the voice of Wisdom hath been heard, but the night cometh when no man can work, and all that have not received the witness which God hath given concerning this Son, and all that goes from the testimony of the light within, and continues not therein unto the end, they shall be given up to fulfil the measure of Iniquity, and to run their race in the way to perdition, till they be sealed in the pit of darkness and condemnation, where there is no repentance: and the Lord God Almighty is clear from all their blood, and their blood be upon their own head for ever, because they hate the light, and believes not in it, nor continues not unto the end, to walk therein. And this is the testimony which is given to me, to testify, who is not of this wrrld, but a servant to him, whose Testimony never changeth, which is light. London, 1st of the 11. mon. 1656. E. B. Concerning the Light. HEre you may perceive that be in the light, a distinguish between them that walk in the light, the converted, and them that shines in darkness, that be unconverted; which are the state of darkness, and the state of the Apostles preaching to the world, and the Jews in the unconverted estate, and the estate of the Apostles writing to them that were converted, the Believers; and the state of them that opposed Truth, who was out of the light, as you see the Jews which professed the Scriptures of Truth, declared forth from the Spirit of Truth, and themselves out of it out of the Spirit; they knew not Christ the light, the end of all the holy men of God speakings and writings, and the end of all the types, and shadows, and figures; Him whom all the holy men of God gave testimony of, and the Prophets of the Lord God. To all you that now be called Christians, and believeth not in the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh, and yet profess Scripture, you are in the same nature the jews were in, for they professed Scripture, but did not believe in the light which did enlighten every o●e that cometh into the world, Christ Jesus: So you and the Jews being one in professing the Scriptures in words, but not believing in the light, you be both out of Covenant, so you cannot convert the Jews, for the conver●ing of them, is to bring them into Covenant with God, who brings them into Covenant with God, must be in the light, and believe in the light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe: for saith God, I'll give him for a Covenant of light: God speaks by his Prophet before Christ is come, to put an end to the types and shadows; I'll give him for a Covenant of light to the Gentiles, to enlighten them, and I'll make a new Covenant with the house of Israel, and the house of Judah: Mark, a new covenant with the House of Israel and Judah, was Ch●ist the light: So they that hold up the first covenant, and come not to the new, they was unconverted, for those was out of the light; so out of the light, out of conversion: and I'll give him for a covenant of light to the Gentiles, to enlighten them, so the Gentiles being in the light in the covenant, the Jews in the light in the covenant, they are both one with the Father; and this throws down the partition wall betwixt Jew and Gentile, and brings them to be both one in the covenant, in the light, and both one out of the covenant, out of the light, and to measure the Jew and the Gentile out of the light, out of the covenant, the Gentile shall judge the Jew, and make his circumcision uncircumcision, for the Jews having the Law of God, and was commanded to do such things according to the Law, and did not do them, the Gentiles doing by nature the things contained in the Law, showing the Law of God written in their hearts, without an outward command, so it was by Nature, for that which may be known of God, was manifest in them, for God shown it unto them, which when they acted contrary to it, they knew the judgements of the Lord did come upon them▪ so the Jews here having the Law in the letter, and was transgressors of the law of the outward, he who acts contrary to that of God within him, and the Gentiles who acted according to that of God in him, fulfilled the Law, this judged the Jew: so the one was a command as in time, and the other was not as a command, but he did it by nature, so according to the Apostles natural son. So you that stumble, and say Christ Jesus doth not enlighten every one that cometh into the world, that all men might believe; Mark, God said, he would give him for a light, for a covenant to enlighten the Gentiles, and those was called Heathen: and God said, I'll make a new covenant with the House of Israel. These were called the people of God, and Christ was this covenant of light to the Jews, and to the Gentiles; and the Jews not believing in this covenant, nor the Gentiles, they were both in the unconversion, and John a man sent from God to bear witness to the true light, he said, he was not the light, but said, This was the true light that did enlighten every one that cometh into the world, and in Christ was life, and the life was the light of men. Ma●k, the light of men, and the light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not: This was he that was in the world, and the world knew him not, though all things was made by him; and this was he that John came a witness of, that all men through him might believe; and this the true light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which light shineth in darkness, and da●kness comprehendeth it not. Now mark, it is there. What? Doth it shine in darkness, and darkness comprehendeth it not? Is not this the state that the world knew h●m not, nor the Pharisees knew him not, though the Kingdom of heaven was with●n them, Luk● 17. and light shined in darkness, and darkness comprehended it not. Her●'s the unconverted estate; so he came to his own, and his own received him not; light shines in darkness, and darkness comprehends it not: You were d●rkness saith the Apostle, Eph. 5. but now are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light. Now mark, Here's sometimes: here is times of darkness, but now they were light in the lord Now here was the converted and the unconverted, and these were to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; t●e light shines in darkness, though darkness doth not comprehend it, and ye are sometimes darkness, and light shines in d●rkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it; there is the unconverted estate, and the converted esta e: an● God hath commanded light to shine out of da●kness, and hath shined in our hear●s, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now mark, here's light shines out of darkness, God had commanded it to shine out of darkness: What? Was it not there then? Now it is come forth; before it was in darkness, light shined in darkness, and God hath commanded it to shine out of darkness, and sometimes ye were darkness, but are the light of the Lord, which light that shines in the heart, gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, here's the conver●ed estate. Now while light shineth in darkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it, there's the unconverted estate; 2 Cor. 4. John 1. and the Apostle was sent to turn people from the darkness to the light, from the power of Satan to God. Now this was the estate of preaching to them while they were in darkness, whom the God of the world ha●h blinded their eyes, left the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine in them. Mark, shine in them, therefore the god of the world hath blinded the eye of the mind, and to such the Gospel is hid; for the light darkness cannot comprehend, while the god of the world hath blinded your minds; therefore the Apostle was sent to turn them from darkness to the light, light shineth in darkness, so the god of the world hath blinded them, lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine in them. Now wh●re it shines in the heart, it gives the knowledge of the glory of God, where it comes fo●th, now where it shines in darkness, and darkness comprehends it not, there's the god of the world that hath blinded the mind, and to such the Gospel is hid, which is the power of God, and the light of the glorious Gospel is not comprehended, which is the Image of God, and it doth not shine in them, to give them the light of the knowledge of God. Now such as are turned to the light, the eye comes to be opened, and from the darkness these comes, and from the power of Satan, the god of the world, that hath blinded their eye, that the light of the glorious Gospel shines in them, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, and to such the Gospel is not hid: So by the manifestation of the Truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Now here's the state not turned from the darkness to the light, and their eye is not opened; then the god of the world hath blinded them. Such be in the unconverted estate, to such the Gospel is hid, though light shines in darkness, and the god of the world blinds their minds: so this is the time they are darkness not turned from the da●kness, and the darkness doth not comprehend the light. Now where God hath commanded the light to shine out of darkness; Mark, out of darkness, such are come to be turned from the darkness to the light, such witnesseth conversion, and the Image of God shines in them. But the other, the darkness cannot comprehend it, Acts 26. that Christ should suffer and rise again, and show light to the people, and to the Gentiles, and this was the Apostles confession before the heathen, when that they thought he had been mad, when he confessed the light the Heathenish Rulers did; and said, that he was sent to turn people from the darkness to the light; Now light shines in darkness, saith john: and you were sometimes darkness saith the Apostle to the converted, and these that were to be turned from the darkness to the light, was the unconverted. But where God hath commanded the light to shine out of darkness, to give the light of the knowledge of God, these be the converted: here's light comes out of darkness. So all you that doth not see the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, which shines in darkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it, and where light shines out of the darkness, it gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God: you that do not see this, are the darkness yet, which do not comprehend the light; and the god of the world hath blinded their minds, and their eyes are not yet opened, and from darkness you are not yet turned, and in the unconverted state you yet be, that the god of the world hath yet blinded your minds, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine in you, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; so what communion hath light with darkness, it is an unequal yoke, 1 Cor. 6. for light brings to have fellowship with God, communion with God, but darkness cannot comprehend it: and thus the Apostle who was sent to turn people from the darkness to the light, warning both small and great, which made the heathenish Rulers to think that he was mad: To turn people now from the darkness to the light, and to profess the light is the same as it was then, and them that are wondering, and thinks them besides themselves, that speaks of the light to them, their eyes are not yet opened; so your eyes must be opened before you see the light: so he that believes the light, shall not abide in darkness, but he shall have the light of life. Mark, the light shines in darkness there, but he that believes in the light, shall not abide there; but he shall have the light of l fe: so if any man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him, in him that walks in the night. Mark, he walks in darkness, and it is his time of darkness, and these are them that sees not Christ the light, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, yet light shines in darkness, but he that walks in the light, there's no occasion of stumbling in him; but he that walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him, for he is from the light, for light shines in darkness, and darkness compreh●nds it not. Here you may see him who ab●des not in the truth, but walks in the night, endures not light, he that w●lks in the night goes from the light, and hates the li●ht, because his deeds are evil, and will not come to the l●ght, because the light will reprove him, john 11. so while you have the light, walk in the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in the darkness, knows not whither he goes; and while you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of the light, so believing in the light, you become a child of the l●ght: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me, should not abide in darkness. Mark, he is to come out of darkness, he is not to abide there, he that believes in Christ the light of the world. Now whosoever saith he believeth in Christ, and abides in darkness his belief is false, John 12. but whosoever believeth in the light, should not abide in darkness, he comes to have death abol shed, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, that's the power of God, 2 Tim. 1. and who sees this, knows him who hath immortality dwelling in the light, here's the converted estate: And Brethren, ye are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief, but ye are all the children of the light, and of the day; and not of the night, nor of darkness. Mark, the Apostle saith, they was not in da kn●ss, and so the day should not come upon them as a thie●; and mark, how the day will come upon them who be in the darkness that comprehends not the light; that be in the time of light shining in darkness, and d●rkness doth not comprehend it, upon such the day will c●me as a thief. Mark, ●he day will come as a thief. What a wo●d is this upon them that are not the children of light, but upon them that be darkness, where light is not comprehended? 1 Thes. 5. A light to the Gentil s, a glory to Israel. Mark, a light to them that are called heathen, and a glory to the people of God, Luke 2. And here one saw the fulfilling of the prophets, he that saw his salvation, saw the glory of Israel, and the light of the Gentiles: so doth every one that seethe their salvation, they see the light that lighteneth every one that cometh into the world, the glory of Israel, and the glory of the Gentiles. Now saith Christ to his Disciples, what I tell you in the darkness, that speak you in light; and what I tell you in the ear, that preach you on the house top, and be not afraid of him that kills the body. Mark what condition these was in when this was spoken to them, when he told them there was nothing covered that should not be revealed, and hide that shall not be known, Matth. 10. and saith Christ, the light of the body is the eye, if therefore thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Mark, if thy eye be single, make search, and see if it be so, Matth. 6 but if thy eye be evil, thy whole body is full of darkness: Mark, there's place for it, if therefore the light that be in thee be da knees, how great is that darkness? such are serving Mammon, and the contrary master, to such here's the distinction, and laying up for themselves treasure upon earth, where the eye is not single; and such puts light for darkness, and darkness for light: So Christ was called with the Jews a Prince of Devils: So the light that was in you was darkness, yet Christ told them the Kingdom of Heaven was within them, and the Kingdom of Heaven is light; and John saith, Light shines in darkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it; and the Apostle saith, God hath commanded light to shine out of darkness; so the light comprehendeth darkness, and gives the light of the knowledge of God, and the people of God that sat in darkness, saw a light, and to them that sat in the shadow of death, light is sprung up. Here was the unconverted estate, and the converted estate, when they sat in darkness, and the shadow of death, there's the unconverted, but them that was converted, light was sprung up, but darkness could not comprehend it, Matth. 4. but who is come to witness the day Zachary speaks of, that the light would not be clear nor dark, but at the evening it shall be light: This was the day when the living water was to go out from Jerusalem, Zach. 14. who sees that which Habakuk saw, Hab. 3. the glory of the Lord covered the earth, whose glory was his praise, whose brightness was as the light, and the judgements of the Lord God and his Son, are as the light that goeth forth; for who acts contrary to the light, God who is light, his judgements are according to the light, and are one with the l●ght, and answers the light in every one, Hosea 5. Lam. 3. he saw when he was brought out of the darkness into the light, so there's a time in darkness, and a time out of darkness, but he saw each condition, who come under that which was transgressed, such as provokes the Lord to anger, to such the Lord said he would take away their light of the candle, such as transgress the ways of the Lord, jer. 25. but such as hears the word of the Lord, they come to witness the state, where they shall not need the light of the Sun, nor the light of the Moon, nor the light of a candle: but who transgress the word of the Lord, shall want the light of a candle; so to the Law and the Testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Mark, how should they when they have transgressed it, and loves darkness more than light, and are gone from it, so gone from the testimony; which is the Spirit of Prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, and speaks not according to the word, which is light in them; so who are gone from the word, are gone from the light, and where the word is transgressed, the light condems them, for the light comes from the word; Christ whose name is called the word of God, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; and the law is light, and here's the state of darkness, where there's no light in them which comprehended not the light, which be in the transgression, and there's the place for the familiar spirit to enter. Now if ye say the Letter be the Testimony, and the Letter be the Law, Isa. 7. the Pharisees they had the Letter, which stood against Christ the light, and they had ●he Law, if that be the Law, and if that be the word, and they stood against Christ the light, which had the words of the Law: for mark, them that have transgressed the light, which is the Law, they are from the testimony, and they are from the light, and then there's no light in them, and such was the Pharisees, which professed the Scriptures, and doth not believe in the light when it was come, yet light shines in darkness, but darkness doth not comprehend it, and there's that which is dead in sins and trespasses, which before conversion must be quickened; so the people that have walked in darkness, have seen a great light, and they that have dwelled in a land of the shadow of death, hath light shined. I say, and they who transgressed, who were from the Law and the Testimony, called darkness light, and and put light for darkness, this was the darkness which could not comprehend it in the Transgression, now with the light these were comprehended. The Prophet comprehended these who was not in the light, and spoke not according to the Word, th●y spoke not according to Christ, which the Prophet said that God would give him for a covenant of light to the Gentiles, and to op●n the blind eyes, and to bring out the prisoner from the prison, and them that sat in darkness from the Prisonhouse, Ma●k, what is, the Prisoner must come out here, that must come into covenant with God, doth not the light come to shine out of darkness here, where the Prisoner comes out, and is he not in darkness till that? I have long held my peace, and have been still, I w ll bring the blind by a way they know not, and will lead them into paths that they have not known, I will make their darkness light; now you that a e bl●nd cannot comprehend the light, such stands against the covenant of God, and sees it not that be blind, but such now ●he Lord God is come to lead, to make darkness light, and to lead them the way they have not known, Isa. 42. Moreover, saith the Lord, the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun as the light of se●en days, Isa. 30. and saith the Lord, is it a light thing that thou shouldest be as my servant, to ra●se up the seed of I cob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. Mark, to restore them, here's Covenant with God, I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation to the ends of the earth: Mark, Now you that say h● doth not enlighten every man that cometh into the wo●ld, you see not the salvation of the ends of the earth; Isa. 49. who is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and hath no light. Mark, that walks in darkness, hath no light, while he walks in darkness, what l ght hath he there, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God; then he stays upon the light, but if he walks in darkness, he goes from the light; and whoso feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of his servant, that will lead him out of darkness into the l●ght, Isa. 50. and such comes to find the help of God: But such as walks in darkness, goes from the light and fear of God, and stays not upon the Lord, and such comes to have no light, for darkness cannot comprehend it, though light shines in darkness, yet darkness cannot comprehend it, so they will put light for darkness, and darkness for light, which is comprehended with the light, which reacheth to the light which shines in darkness: Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: Mark, cover: and light shines in darkness, but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen in thee, and the Gen isles shall come to thy light: Arise, shine, for the light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen; then shall thy l ght break forth as the morning, and thy light speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee, and the Sun shall be no more thy light by day, nor the Moon give light to thee, but the Lord God sh●ll be thy everlasting light: here's conversion, thy light riseth in obscurity, and thy darkness shall be as the Noonday: read that condition, here's conversion again, Isa. 58. and 60. such as came out of bondage, out of captivity, out of transgression, the Lord had enlightened them, and given them a nail in his holy Place. Mark, a nail, a fastening. Mark, and read what a nail doth, but such as be in the captivity, transgression, and bondage, darkness, covering, therefore light shineth, and darkness comprehendeth it not, thou wilt save the afflicted, and b●ing down the proud. Look, thou wilt lighten my candle, oh Lord! and enlighten my darkness. Mark, as the afflicted is saved, proud looks is brought down, the candle is lighted, and there's enlightening of darkness. Mark, the enlightening of darkness, that l ght sees over it, Psal. 10. and they looked to the Lord, and unto him, and were enlightened. Mark, as there's a looking to the Lord, there's an enlightening, yea which makes the face to shine, Psal. 34. but looking from the Lord, and going from the light, and ●ates it, he goes into darkness, and there he stumbles, if it be at Noonday, they were stumbling when Christ was among them, the Pharisees, the Scribes, the Jews, which had Scriptures, but were darkness, and in darkness, and the light shined in them, but they could not comprehend it, and the kingdom of heaven was within them, but they were observing it to come, Lo here, and lo there: and of David according to the flesh Christ came, said his lightning enlightened the world, and the earth saw and trembled. Mark, enlightened the world; you will say he enlightens Saints, but his light enlightens the world, and the earth saw and trembled, Psalm 97. He spread the cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night. Mark, who be in the night, there was fire to give th●m light in the night to stay upon, whereby they m●ght stay upon the Lord, which was to the children of Israel, which had the figures of the everlasting substance Christ Je us, the entrance of thy words giveth light. Ma k, the entrance of the words of God giveth light, it is a true word, but you see the Pharisees had the words, and the mind that transgressed; so they hated the light Christ, they that had received the words from others: but the entrance of the words received from God, giveth light; if I say surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me, yea the darkness hideth not from thee, take notice of this, but the night shineth as the day, the darkness and the light are both alike to thee, for the Lord sees over it, who is one with the light that shines in darkness, Psal. 139. ye are the light of the world, saith Christ, who saith he was the light of the world, said his Disciples was the light of the world, Mark, the light of it, a City set on a hill that cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and is giveth light to all that be in the house; let the light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven: here they answer the light which every man is enlightened withal, that are the light of the woe l, which makes them to glorify their father which is in heaven: and think not saith Christ, that I come to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it, Matth. 6. the paths of the just are as the shining light, which shineth more and more to the perfect day: the way of the wicked is as darkness, and they know not at what they stumble at, Prov. 4. the light of the righteous rejoiced, but the lamp of the wicked sha●l be put out: Mark, he goes from it who hates light, and transgresseth and abideth not in it, and so hath not God, Prov. 13. the poor and the deceitful man meets together, and the Lord lightens both their eyes: Now mark, here is the poor and the deceitful man ●oth enlightened, but he that doth eull, leaves the light, and doth not come to it, because his deeds are evil, and that is his condemnation: And you that say the wicked man is not enlightened, the deceitful man is not enlightened, you deny the Scripture; read Prov. 29. and I say, that wisdom did excel folly, as light darkness, Eccles. 2. Mark, and know this light, and know this wisdom, that excels folly and darkness, and com●rehends it, which gives to see the salvation Christ Jesus, the light of the world, that doth enlighten every man that cometh in●o the world, the Covenant of God to the Jews and Gentiles, and salvation to the ends of the earth; so he that believes in the light, shall not abide in darkness, but shall have the light of life, and he that believeth in the light, shall become a child of light, and Christ the Saviour of the world doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and this light from him will let every man see his salvation, which believing in the light, receives power to become the Son of God, but hating the light, it is his condemnation, and he doth enlighten all men that comes into the world, that all might believe this is his end, but he that doth not believe, is condemned, and this is his condemnation, the light, that light is come into the world: mark, into ●he world, he doth not say altogether in his Saints, and men love darkness rather than the light: mark, men that darkness are in the world, and hates the light, and doth evil, and will not come to the light, left his deeds should be reproved, but he that doth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God: Now he loveth darkness, because his deeds are evil, and every one that doth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved: mark, th●se be of the world, and hath these the light, yea, how should they know their evil deeds else? and will not come to the light, because the light will reprove them, therefore men love darkness rather than the light; for every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and this is his condemnation, the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, saith John, he doth not say every Saint that cometh into the world, but every man; and light shineth in darkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it. Now the Apostle writes to the Corinth's, and told them, God had commanded light to shine out of darkness, which shined in their hearts, which did give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, these were them that were troubled on every side, and had the treasure in earthen vessels, and the excellency of the power of God in them, which was, which was not of the world, and these were not of the world that told the Corinth's the end of the world was come, so this was a converted state; so he hath enlightened every one that cometh into the world, that all might believe, and he that doth not believe, is condemned already, but so many as receives him, he gives power to become the sons of God, John was a burning and a shining light, and many did rejoice in that for a season, but Christ had a greater witness than John, and they received honour of men, but Chri●t received not honour of men, which enlighteneth every m●n that cometh into the world; neither doth the light which they are enlightened withal receive honour of men; and saith Jesus Christ, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the Prophets had prophesied that God would give him for a Covenant of light to the G ntiles, and a new covenant to the house of Israel, and salvation to the ends of the earth; a●d John was s●nt to bear witness to the light, and said, he was the true light that did enlighten every one that cometh into the woe l, when Christ Jesus the covenant of light to the Gentiles, and glory of Israel was come into the world, saith he, I am c●me a light into the world, he that follows me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, john 8. Now he that follows not the l●ght, abides in darkness, and they that were searching the Scriptures, and thought to have life there, and would not come to Christ the life, they had not the word of God abiding in them, neither heard they the voice of the Father at any time▪ nor see his shape. These were them that professed the Scriptures, but in the transgression of the life that gave them forth; and John writ to the converted, and told them the darkness was past, and the true light shined. Mark, here's a time they were in darkness, and a t me when light shined in darkness, in the unconv●rted state, and a time when light shined out of darkness in the converted estate: He that saith he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now: He that hates the light, is in darkness; out of the light, out of covenant; in the enmity he that loves his brother, abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him; but he that walks in darkness, is he that hates his brother, and knows not whither he goes, because darkness hat● blinded his eyes, 1 John 2. and this was the message the Sain●s declared, that God was light, and in him was no darkness at all. Now whosoever saith he hath fellowship with God, and walks in darkness, is a liar, and doth not the truth, for the truth is in the l ght, out of darkness, 1 John 1. and the Apostle tells them that was of the Royal Priesthood, that was the chosen generation, an holy Nation, a peculiar people, that they was called out of darkness into his marvellous light: mark, out of darkness, there was a time they was in it, that light shined in darkness, which while they was in darkness, they could not show forth their fruits to the praise and glory of God, but being called out of darkness into the light, which comprehends darkness, 1 Pet, 2. and so such as are stumbling at the light which enlighteneth every ma● that cometh into the world, are stumbling at every good and perfect gift, which cometh down from above from the Father of light, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of changing, Jam. 1. the night is far spent, and the day at hand, l●t us therefore put off the works of darkness, and put on the true light, which witness the night far spent, and the day at hand, that was to put off the works of darkness, and put on the Armour of light; the light is the Armour, that which manifests the works of darkness and the night, is the light, and that is the Armour, Rom. 13. The I we stood against the light when the Apostles preached Christ Jesus, therefore saith he to them that had the Scriptures, showing to them what the Prophets had said; I have sent thee a light to the Gentiles, and salvation to the ends of the earth, Acts 13. when the Gentiles heard this, th●y were glad, Now the Professors of this age which are wrangling against the light, they are wrangling against the salvation, for the same which is a light to the heathen, is salvation, yea to the ends of the earth; and Christ saith to the Pharisees, Take heed that the light that be in thee be not darkness: Now the Pharisees did not own Christ the light, so they was in the state Isaiah speaks of, that put light for darkness, and darkness for light; and which John speaks of which light shined in darkness, which darkness could not comprehend; yet no man when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they may come to see the light; they was to light the lamp, Exod. 25. Numb. 8. Aaron was to light the Lamp, the seven lamps shall give light o●er against the Candlestick, and Christ saith, let your lights be girded about, and your lights burning. Mark the substance, Luke 12. The Philistims sought to quench the light of Israel, so them that be in the same nature, now do: and war against it, 2 Sam. 21. the Lord had promised to his people a light, 2 Kings 8. which the wicked hates, and wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, saith Job? Now he that is in misery, hath light given to him, you may see Job. 3. and why is light given to him whose way is hid, to bring him into the ways of God; it is the way, and therefore it is given to him, and therefore his way is hid: a land of darkness, and the shadow of death, without order, wh●re the light is as darkness in that land, as it is in this, which is stumbling at it, Job 10. they grope in the darkness without light, which are hating it, but God discovereth the deep things out of darkness, and bringeth to light the shadow of death, Job 12. and Bildad said, the light of the wicked shall be put out, the light shall be dark in his Tabeanacle, and his candle sh●ll be put out with him, and he shall be driven from the light into darkness, and chased out of the world: of whom Job said, How long will ye vex my soul? and told them they had reproached him; the light going from it, condemns out of the everlasting world, and he goes into the world of wickedness, and upon whom doth not the light arise, saith Bildad, Job 25. and saith Job, the Lord bringeth the thing that is hid, forth to light: Now all come to know the thing that hath been hid come forth to light; you will all know what hath been in prison, and by his light saith he, when I walked through darkness. Mark, by his light he walked through darkness, through it. So here is light shining in darkness, and light shining out of darkness, and leading through it, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living, Job 29. and h●s lightning is to the ends of the earth; from the wicked their light is with-helden, and the high arm shall be broken, The Lord (saith David) is my light and my salvation, and my God lighteneth my eyes; now he that is the salvation, is the light, Psal. 27. for with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light we see light, Psal. 36. He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the Noon day. Mark, Righteousness, Judgement, Light. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart, but is condemnation to the wicked, Psal. 97. unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness, and so it shines forth, and this is the light which gives the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God; here's a time out of darkness, joined to the light, and they who are joined to it, are one with it, so they that are joined to the Lord, are one Spirit; and God hath showed us light, said David, who said in the light he should see more light; He said, God had showed him light, Psal. 118. O house of Jacob, come let us walk in the light of the Lord. Mark, who come to walk in the light of the Lord, they come to walk in covenant with God, Isa. 2. for the Lord h●th sent his word to Jacob, and hath enlightened Israel, and the people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light, and they that dwelled in the land of the shadow of death, hath light shined; this is in the Covenant with God, this do many hundreds witness, praises be the Lord. The light of Israel shall be for a fire, and it shall burn and devour the B yars and Thorns in one day: Now Thorns and Briars that which Thorns and Briars comes out of, stands against the light, their feet are swift to run to do evil, and to shed innocent blood; and because of these actions, they grope like blind men, they waited for light, but obscurity was found there in that path and way, Isa. 59 and God will make dark the bright light of heaven, I will cover the Sun with a cloud, and the Moon shall not give her light, Ezek. 32. and there shall be no night there, no need of a candle, nor of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth light, Christ Jesus is the light which the L●rd God hath given, Rev. 22. Are not you such that be Teachers, and be stumbling at the light, and guide the blind that be in darkness; such as need to be taught yourselves, which cause the name of God to be blasphemed among you, Rom. 2. and Christ saith, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world, and this the condemnation, the light, saith Ch●ist, he is the light of the world, john 9 and light of the world, him by whom all things was form, the lights was form, the lesser and the greater, the Sun shall be darkened, and the Moon shall cease her shining, and I beheld the earth, and lo it was without form, and void, and the heavens they had no light, Isa. 13. Jer. 4. and saith, after the tribulation the Sun shall be darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light, the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken; for as the lightning that shineth from one part of heaven to the other part of heaven, so shall the coming of the Son of man be: So the Son of man comes in the clouds with great glory, but many shall say, Lo here is Christ, and lo there is Christ, but saith the true Christ, go not forth, who hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world; so every man having a light being turned to it, you'll see him, and here is salvation to the ends of the earth; but who hate the light, it is their condemnation, the light of the King's countenance is life, Prov. 16. have you light that be out of the King's countenance, God is light, and he covers himself with light, majesty, and honour, Psalm 104. beware lest you come to that end that stumble at the light, that shall go to the Fathers, that shall never see light, and shall perish like the Beast, such hates light, which is their condemnation, Psal. 49. the Arm of the Lord, and the light of h●s countenance did save, but who are from the light of the countenance, and out of his Arm, they be out of the way of salvation, Psalm 44. in thy light we shall see more light, saith David, O send out thy light, for it is truth, Psalm 45. Christ is the light, Christ is truth, who is come, and take heed you that stumble at the light, lest it be with-helden from you, as it is from the wicked, for they a●e with-helden from it, for it is their condemnation, from the wicked light is with-helden, for they hate it, Psalm 38. Consider me O Lord, and lighten mine eyes, lest I sle●p the sleep of death, the light leadeth from the sleep to the day from the night, for such as be in the night, in the darkness, though in it the light shines, Christ comes upon them as a thief, the day is the Lords, and the night is the Lords, he prepareth the Moon and the Sun, and these were made by Christ the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, Psalm 49. God spreadeth forth light, and all the lights that were made, were made by Christ, by what way is light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth, and when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. Mark, when he sits in darkness, therefore heed the light, you may feel the light, than you may feel it bringing out of darkness, Mic. 7. and the brightness of God is as the light, which made persecuting Saul fall to the earth, which did not believe in the light which did enlighten every man that cometh into the world, when the light shined about him, at last he came to find the light shining within him, and told others, that the light shined in their hearts, and them that were turned to the light, they come to be made partakers with the Saints in light, such as were translated into the kingdom of the Son of God: and the Apostle told the Saints they had a more sure word of prophecy, to which they did well to take heed, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in their hearts: Now you that are stumbling at the light, how far short are you of this sure word of Prophecy, as a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawning, and the daystar arising in the heart, 2 Pet. 1. and are not you judging before the time, and the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsel of the heart, you that are judging and stumbling at the light, are you not found in this condition, 1 Cor. 4. and the Sun and the Moon praiseth the Lord, and the Stars of light which was made by Christ, and you that are standing against salvation, Christ Jesus that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that calls this light, this salvation, a natural light, you have not yet seen yourselves to be that woman that lighteth a candle to sweep the house, and hath found the piece of silver, Luke 15. so the Teachers that doth deny the light Christ, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, you are the Ministers of Satan, that transforms themselves into an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11. and so you that do deny the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, you lightly esteem the Rock of your salvation, which doth enlightlighten every man that cometh into the world, Deut. 31. but you are them that lay the heavy burdens upon the people, which makes them haavier, not lighter than your fathers, as you may read 2 Chron. 10. 1 Kings 12. and see what burdens they laid upon the just, they that did transgress, but when you come to see the Angel come down from heaven, that lightens the earth with his glory, then shall you know the fall of Babylon, then may you come to see the light that lightness every one that cometh into the world, Rev. 18. but all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light; awake thou that sleepeth, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light; so they that sleep, sleep in the night; he th●t comes to the day, he comes to Christ, he is awakened and risen from the dead, and witnesseth Christ light he hath enlightened him withal: he is arisen from the dead, and he is awakened, and he sleeps not: he is out of sleep, and among whom you shine as lights in the world, the children of the light, that are in the light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, they are in Christ, these shines as lights in the world, these are converted, answering the light in every one, Phil. 2. That which doth make manifest is light, and that which doth reprove is light, and all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatsoever doth make manifest, is light; for every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and will not come to the light, because it will reprove him; this is the true light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world: What is the drunkard enlightened, and the swearer, and the adulterer, and the Heathen: yea drunkenness is an evil deed, and theft is an evil deed, and adultery, and the murderer, and these doth evil, and these comes not to the light, lest the light should reprove them; and these with the light knows they should not do so: and this is their condemation saith Christ the light, and their works are wrought out of God, and these are the children of disobedience; now he that loveth the light, he cometh to the light, and bringeth his works to the light that they may be manifest that they are wrought in God, and he is not condemned, so times of darkness, the light not comprehended with the darkness, and the light shines in darkness, and a time of putting light for darkness, and this the time when the word hath no place in them, and this is the time of the children of disobedienc●, the Prince of the power of the Air rules i● them; this is the time of the unconverted under the power of Satan, in the darkness not turned to the light; for this is the time that the god of the world blinding the eyes, that the light of the glorious Gospel should not shine into them: for God having commanded light to shine out of darkness, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God: Here the salvation is known, the everlasting Covenant is known, and and all who denies the light, denies the salvation of God to the ends of the earth, and him the Prophet Moses wrote, which God would raise up which the people should hear; which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge, which light being turned to it, which comes from Christ, which shines in the heart, it gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ: Now the first Priesthood and his lips was to preserve th' knowledge of the people; and they was to hear Moses, the Jews was, which there was a separation between them and the Gentiles; the second Priesthood Christ, is a light to the Gentiles; the Gentiles shall hear him, and the Jews shall hear him; and this is the Prophet Christ Jesus that Moses wrote of, which God would raise up, that people should hear, and doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all men might through him believe, so they were to hear Moses, and he that doth not hear him is to be cut off, he goes from the light; they that walk in the light have unity one with another. G. F. TO all you Professors, Priests, and Teachers who are in the darkness, and knows not the spirit in prison, and knows not the light that shines in darkness, and darkness doth not comprehend it, but are the Infidels, whom the god of the wo●ld hath blinded, to whom the Gospel is hid, though they have the four Books, yet the Gospel is hid, who are now stranging at the work of God, and do not believe that Christ hath enlightened every one that cometh into the world; so I shall give you some Scriptures to read, which will prove the Spirits and try them how contrary they be unto the Apostles spirit, Christ and the Saints; Christ went ministering to the spirit in prison; he that readeth, let him understand whether this be a measure of the spirit yea or nay, or the spirit without measure which he ministered to, for he whom God hath sent, speaketh the word of God, John 3.34. for God gives not the spirit by measure unto him; Here Christ had not the Spirit by measure given unto him; and the Apostle Paul said 2 Cor. 10. they would not boast themselves above their measure: now here was measure, and not by measure, and Christ saith, who retained not the spirit by measure to his Disciples, that he would send them the Comforter, the spirit of Truth, that he should guide them into all Truth, for he shall not sp●ak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak, and show things to come, he shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, saith Christ, and show it unto you who believe the measure, receive of mine, whose is not by measure, and the Comforter when he comes, he is to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, of judgement, and unbelief; of sin, because they do not believe. Now mind all the large Book of God, the spirit of Truth, which leads the Saints into all Truth, which receives of Christ, and shows it unto his Disciples, who be in their measure, he shall reprove the world because they do not believe, and of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. Now the Comforter whom Christ will send, take of his, and show it to the Disciples who reprove the world: Now mind this, and read this, whether this be a measure yea or nay, which c●mes from him who received not the Spirit by measure, john 16. He that leads the believers into all Truth, reprove the unbelievers in the world of sin, of judgmen, and righteousness, so he that is led into all Truth sees that which is reproved with the spirit of Truth that leads, and when Christ saith he shall take of mine and show it unto you, whether this be a measure yea or nay, from him whom God gave the spirit not by measure too: And saith the Lord by his Prophets and Apostles, It shall come to pass in the last days, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and my sons and my daughters shall prophesy, young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams, and on my handmaids will I pour out my spirit in those days, a●d they shall prophesy; Acts 2.17, 18. Look you Deceivers, Here the Lord saith he will pour out of his spirit: mark the word, out of it upon all flesh: What? young men, and old men, and sons, and daughters, and maids? All these to have the spirit of the Lord upon all flesh poured! Here say they, these deny the means: then here mark the word out of the Lords spirit, and the notable day of the Lord is coming, and whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved, Numb. 16.22, the God of the spirits of all flesh is known: and saith the Apostle Paul, who would not boast himself above his own measure, that which may be known of God is manifest in them, God hath showed it unto them, with this which was of God manifest in them, they knew covetousness, malice, murder, deceit, and ungodliness, who knows the judgement of God was upon such things; Rom. 1. and that they were worthy of death that not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them, therefore is the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and unrighteous of men; so whether this of God manifest in them, which God shown unto them, with which they knew unrighteousness and God's judgement upon them that do it, and they are worthy of death, whether this be a measure yea of nay which is of God which he hath showed to them, and what was that in them that did by nature the things contained in the Law, which shown the works of the Law written in their hearts: M●rk, written: But shall not this judge them that have the outward Law, but are out of the life of it, and saith the Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 12. the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal: Now mark here the spirits manifestation is given to every one to profit withal; there are diversities of gifts but by the same spirit, and so the manifestation of it is given to every man to profit withal: Mark, to one is given the spirit of Wisdom, to another the spirit of knowledge, to another the gifts of healing, to another the spirit of discerning, to another tongues, but all these worketh the one and the self same spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will; now to every man severally as he will: And saith the same Apostle, Tit, 2.11, 12. the grace of God that brings salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and to live soberly and righteously: Now you that turn this grace that brings salvation into wantonness, may deny it, and say it hath not appeared to ●ll men, which teacheth the Saints which by grace are saved; and saith Judas, behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute Judgement upon all, to convince all that are ungodly amongst them, of their ungodly deeds they have ungodly committed, & of all their speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Here mark against him, that cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, to convince all of ungodly deeds, and their hard speeches▪ now is here all of their hard speeches & all of their ungodly deeds, none left out but all? Look you blind what is that which convinceth all of their ungodly deeds and hard speeches, is not that the spirit of the Lord which is now come and coming to reign, and to reprove the world, who will reign, and be king and Judge, and have not you all something in you that doth reprove you for your hard speeches and your ungodly deeds, the ungod liest of you all, and who live in your hard speeches, and the Apostle writing to the Gentiles, he saith: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, now mark: here is the measure of the gift of Christ, who lighteth every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe; he that believeth is saved and he that doth not, is condemned, and this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds be evil: now every man being enlightened that cometh into the world, one he loves the light, and brings his deeds to the light that with the light he may see whether they be wrought in God, & the other he hates the light, because that his deeds be evil, and he will not bring his deeds to the light because he knows that the light will reprove him, that hates light whose deeds are evil, whom Christ enlightened knows that the light will reprove him: therefore the will not come to the light because his deeds are evil; and I will give him for a light to the Gentiles, salvation to the ends of th● earth and what is that which the children that wlaketh according to the course of this world, the Prince of the power of the Air that works in the children of disobedience: what is that which they are disobedient to? a consider, mark, and read yourselves which being disobedient, they walked according to the course of the world and the Prince of the power of the air which now worketh in the children of disobedience; now mark what disobedience is too: and him that hath an ear let him read and hea●: and saith the Apostle to the Colossians, the wrath of God cometh upon the ch ldrens of disobedience Come you professors let us see? is not this something of God that is disobeyed is it not that is of God manifest in them, which God hath showed, which lets them see God's Judgement is upon such things, when they act unrighteously? is not this the measure of God? mark: and the Spirit that is in prison and the Spirit of God, that is grieved; and ye professors come let us read the Talents, and reckon with you, and see who it is that hath hid the Lord's money in the earth, come you that have gained, enter you into your Master's joy; go thou that hath hid the Lord's money in the earth, into utter darkness; take it from him; and give it to him that hath, and every man shall have his reward according to his works, and so the Lord hath given to every man severally according to his ability here, mark: every man severally according to his ability read if you it can hear and now is the Lord coming to, call every man severally to accounted to which he hath given severally, according to his ability, and now the wicked and slothful servant which hide the Lor●s money in the earth will be found out, and the Lords money will be taken from him, although he hath hidden it to, him the Lords commands hath been grevous; bu● to us th●y are not who love G d; because we keep his commandments, and God who gave his Son for a covenant of light to lighten every man that cometh into the wo●ld and saith the Apostle I say through the grace given unto me to every man that is amongst you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man a measure of faith read and mark h●re is a measure of faith, and saith the Apostle, as every man hath received the gift, even so let him minister, as a good steward of the manifold graces of God, for the grace of God hath appeared to all men, now you good stewards, now you bad stewards which turn the grace of God into lasciviousness you will be reckoned withal, you shall have your reward: but saith the world, must every man minister as he hath received the gift, yea but let him speak as the Oracle of God, and let him do it of the ability which God hath given him, and saith John in the Revelation, every man shall be Judged, according to his works, read and understand I; say unto you for every idle word that men shall sp●ak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgement, so you that name the name of Christ, depart from iniquity, the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his Angels, then shall he reward every man according to his works, Mat. 16.21. him who is g●ne into a far country, and hath given the Talents, and to every of you severally according to your abilities, and will render to every man according to his deeds, for every man having a light from Christ who lighteth every man that cometh into the world with the light, he shall see his evil deeds, which comes from Christ, who will render to every man according to his deeds, the revelation of the righteous Judgement of God Ro. 2.6. and further I say unto you, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his, and life Christ be in you, the body is dead, but the spirit is life, because of righteousness, so let the light that from Christ cometh, now examine, for the Lord is appearing; you that have according to your abilities, smite not your fellow servants, and think you not that the Lord delayeth the time of his coming be, not as them which saith let us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die, and as the Apostle saith to the Ephesians. 3.9. and to make all men see what is the fellowsh p of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. read and understand every one with the light that cometh from Christ the mystery, which will be your condemnation, else if you believe not in it, and this is to all that stumble at the work of the spirit of God, the manifestation of it which is given to every man to Profit with all: and come you professors, let us read the parable who stumble at it, a sour went forth to sow, and some seed fell on the high way ground, and some on stony ground, and some on thorny ground; and the seed is the word, and the son of m●n is the seedsman: he that hath an ear let him hear: and Look now all you professors which ground you are, and what you have brought forth, and whether the wicked seedsman have not gotten his seed into your ground: he that hath an ear let him hear it: come read another parable of the labourers going into the vineyard, and agreeing with every man for a penny. Mat. 20 every man is to have his penny, the last that went in as well as the first, so the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called but few chosen: he that hath an ear let him hear: There is a Promise spoken to Cain, it he did well he should be accepted, and Esau had a birthright and despised it, now here you may say: we hold for free will, nay it is not in him that willeth, but by grace that you are saved, and stand still and see your salvation, and you that be children of light, put on the armour of light, that you may come into the unity of the faith of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure ●f the stature of the fullness of Christ that hence forth you be no more children tossed to and fro Eph. 4. and saith the Lord, I will make a new Covenant, the covenant which the Lord will write in their hearts, and put his spirit into their inward parts; by which they should all come to know the Lord, him by whom the world was made, now every one of you mind this Law written in your hearts, and this spirit put in your inward pa●ts, that you need not say know the Lord, that you may witness the promise of God before the world begun, but saith the world and professors, if every one must come to witness the Law of God written in their hearts, and the spirit put in their inward parts, what must we do with our Teachers, we come to witness that we need not any man to teach us to know the Lord, having the Law written in our hearts, and the spirit put in our inward parts. This is the covenant of life, the everlasting covenant, which decayeth not, nor changeth not, and here is the way to the Father, without which no man comes to the Father, and here is the everlasting Priesthood, the end of the first priesthood, whose lips were to preserve knowledge, but now saith Christ, learn of me the second priesthood, and saith the Apostle, that you grow up in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whom are hid the treasure of wisdom and knowledge, so you are brought of the first p iesthood, that doth change to Christ the second Priesthood that doth not change, and of the first covenant that doth decay, to the everlasting covenant that doth not decay, Christ Jesus, the covenant of light, from whence every one of you have a light, that you might believe in the covenant of light, if you do not believe in the covenant of light, you are condemned, for light is come into the world, and men loves darkness rather than light, because their deeds be evil, and I am come a light into the world (saith Christ) that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness, but should have the light of life, and believe in the light, that you may be children of light, and you that do not believe in the light, whose deeds are evil, but hate it, you are that one who with the light is condemned, therefore now you have time, prise it, seek the Lord whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is nigh, lest you say time is past, for the rich glutton's time was, therefore whilst time is not past, consider, and search yourselves, and see if you be not them that hate the light, and so are the bvilders that stumble at the corner stone, for them that hated the light, and did not believe in the light, did so in ages past; I am the light of the world, and doth enlighten every one that comes into the world, saith Christ, who saith learn of me, this is my beloved Son, hear you him, saith G●d, here is your Teacher, bu● you that hate the light, do not learn of Christ, and will not have him to be your king to reign over you, him to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, who bears his government upon his shoulders, who now is come to reign, who lighteth every man that cometh into the world, when will give to every man a reward according to his deeds, whether they be good or evil, so every man with the light that comes from Christ will see his deeds, him th●t hates it, and him that loves it, and him that will not bring his deeds to the light, because the light will reprove him that is his condemnation, and he shall have a reward according to his deeds, and the Lord is come to reckon with you, and to look for fruit, and now is the Axe laid to your root, and every tree of you that beareth not good fruit, must be hewn down, and cast into the fire, from them who are the seed of Abraham, which the promise is to, when he was in the uncircumcision, such as know the God of Abraham. An establishing Note to all friends upon the Earth. WIth the wise upon earth in their own wisdom, and the greatest knowers upon earth in their own knowledge, and the greatest understanding men in their understanding, and the greatest learned Doctor r in their languages upon earth was Christ, among them who was born not by the will of man, was the Son of God among them, these before mentioned, was he judged a●d c●lled the son of joseph; and they said his B eth en and his mother they knew, so looked upon the Son of God to be natural, and so saying his father and mother and Brothers were with him whom they knew: Is not this the Son of joseph? and questioned from whence had this man this wisd m? So with all these was him by whom the world was made looked upon as natural, a natural birth by the will of man: Him that was glorified with the Father before the world began, who enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, him by which it was made and all things created, that all men through him might believe: Therefore he enlighteneth every man, and saith, Believe in the light, that you may become children of the light, which the wise of the earth said they believed in the Scripture declared forth from the light, but not in the light itself. And now in this age, the wise in the earth in their own wisdom, and the greatest understandings in their Politician, and the greatest knowers that be in their own knowledge of the Scriptures, and the large Doctors in their learning, the greatest Students and Disputers, and the great Writers, judgeth and calleth the light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the world, an natural light; this is so called by them, and among them. The light the Son of God which doth enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, which all these S udents beforementioned call a natural light; nay some of them calls it a natural conscience, the light which the Son of God doth e●lightan every one that cometh into the world withal, him by whom it was made, that all men through him might believe; and he saith, Believe in the light, that you may become children of the light. But these witty wise ones in their wisdom, knowledge, understanding say, they believe the Scriptures, Prophets words, Christ's words, Apostles words; But the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, by whom it was made, which was glorified with the Father before the world began, is the checks of a natural conscience, and this light is a natural light, say they, and is the light say we which is given to all men to believe in the light, which who do not believe in the light, is condemned already, is with the light condemned, that they who believe in the l ght shall never be condemned, nor never come into condemnation, nor never be confounded; for he believeth in that which makes manifest that which is to be confounded. Now the Pharisees which search the Scriptures, Doctors, Rabbis, great learned men which search the Scriptures, in them think to have eternal life, they did believe the Scriptures, they had Moses and the Prophets, But they did not believe in the light, being out of Moses light, and the Prophet's light, so saw not Christ the light, with which Moses and the Prophets saw him when he came, they having the words, but out of the light; these were them which were blind guides to the people, which lea● people, and believed not in the light which enlightened every man that comes into the w●rld; but looked at him as a carnal man, a natural man, and knew him not the Son of God, who lighteth every man that cometh into the woe l, the Son of God by whom it was made; and these wise upon earth now in their own wisdom, and the great und●rst nding and knowers in their own knowledge which they now profess Moses and the Prophets, Christ's and the Apostles words, declared from the light, and they themselves being from the light, and out of it, and not believing in it, the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, him by whom it was made, these knew not the Scriptures, that believe not in the light, though they have them read among them every first day, as the Jews had them read among th●m every Sabbath day, yet knew not the voice of the Prophets, nor of God, nor of his Son, so now all these in this age that have the Scriptures read among them every first day, and believeth not in the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, seethe not Christ Jesus the same to day, yesterday, and for ever, him by whom the world was made, who was glorified with the Father before the world began, which the children of the light which believe in the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, whose food is the bread of life that cometh from above, whose water is the water of life, which knows the living springs, these comes to know the Scriptures, the Prophet's words declared from the light, the fulfilling of them; C●rists words declared from the light, and the fulfilling of them, and the Apostles words declared forth from the life, and the fulfilling of them; and these that be in the light, believe in the light, have unity in the light, from which declared forth the Word was, and unity with the words which declared forth from the light was, and to them are reconciled; but they that believe not in the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, they be all on heaps and strife about the Prophet's words, Christ's words, and the Apostles words, which was declared forth from the light, they that believe not in the light, the greatest students upon the earth, disputers, understandings, and knowers in their own knowledge, knoweth not he Scrip ures, nor are not reconciled to them, which believe not in the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world; these are the blind guides in these our days, was and is in all ages, such as believeth not in the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, and they are in the dispute, and strife, and contention, being in the contention about the words declared from the light, the Scriptures, the words of Christ, the Prophets, and the Apostles, so being in the dark, not believing in the light which enlighteneth every one that cometh inro the world; there's the stumbling, and there's the persecuter which was ever blind, which stumbles at the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, which is the way, & every man that have light from the way, and the light is the truth which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe: And here is the truth in the inward parts; so all you stumbling at the l●ght, you stumble at the way, and you stumble at the truth, and you stumble at the life; in him was light, that lighteth every one that cometh into the world, and the light is the life of m●n: now is it not appearing, and doth it not appear among all the wise of the earth in their own wisdom, such as profess the Scriptures declared from the light, and believeth not in the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; how they confound one another: Yea the Doctors and great learned Rabbis, the great knowing men, the great understanders, such as believe not in the light, how they confound one another, and one another's meanings they do get, that are blind to the Scriptures, Is it not apparent among you all beholders? Now such as believe in the light, shall not be condemned. Mark, and these become children of the light, and Christ gives them an understanding, who is the wisdom of God, and they grow up in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, who hath the Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge, these comprehend the world, and their knowledge, wisdom, and understanding which believe not in the light, with which light is all condensed and confounded, in which light the children of light believing, which was glorified with the Father before the world began, which is not natural, but spiritual, not created, but that by which all things was created, and these that are here reigns over the world, and witnesseth him by whom it was made, and treads all the other which believes not in the light, which is out of the light, under foot, as unsavoury, under foot of man, these are the light of the world, these are the salt of the earth. Them that hold up Synagogues, Temple, changeable Priesthood, that took Tithes, did not believe in the second Priest, the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, the unchangeable Priest, after the order of Melchisedech; this was in the days of the Pharisees, chief Priests, in the days of Christ in the flesh then, and these withstood the light that did enlighten every men that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe. Now in our days and age, such as holds up the priests which take Tithes, and hath Temple, and Synagogue, and the chief place in the Assembly, as the pharisees had, which was in the transgression out of the life of the Scriptures, which Christ cried woe against these now in this age doth not believe in the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world as the Pharisees and chief Priests did not: these I say that takes tithes, and holds up the Priests with tithes that hath the Synagogue & Temple & the chiefest place in the assembly, which woe Christ cried against these, believe not in him, in that Christ which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe, who are to believe in the light according to Christ command, and are to learn of him according to God's command, of Christ the light which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, every man is to hear him, every man is to learn of him, hear him saith God, this is my beloved Son hear ye him, every man who heareth the light which Christ Jesus hath enlightened him withal, he heareth Christ, who saith, learn of me, I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man cometh to the way but by me, who was glorified with the Father before the world began, now all the students in the world which stand against the light, such as hold up Synagogue, Temple and carnal worship, and observes days and times, calls the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, an natural light, or the checks of an natural conscience, or a created light; the light that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, by whom it was made, and all things created, nothing that was created; but was created by him▪ Mark, by him: and was before it was created, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe; so these which are holding up Temple, Synagogues, Tithes, and Priest that takes them which are professing the Scriptures, declared forth from the light, not believing in it, but making a trade of the words, disputing contending and are in strife about them the light, in the dark, about the words that came from the light, the holy Scriptures that were given forth, to be read. Mark, to be believed in, to be practised, for Moses and the Prophets they was in the light, & they spoke forth the Scriptures from the light, and they spoke them forth to be fulfilled; and what they wrote they wrote to be fulfilled, and Christ Jesus the light came to fulfil what was wrote of him, and they saw; Moses and the Prophets saw what must come to fulfil their words; Christ Jesus which did come to fulfil their words, and the Jews that were out of the light, saw not Christ when he was come to fulfil Moses and the Prophet's words, the Jews professed, and the Apostles who witnessed Christ, and the Disciples, who was come to fulfil what was written of him; they shown to the Jews, Pharisees, and to the great wise Professors, great knowing men who professed Moses and the Prophets that a Mes jan was to come, they being out of the light, they shown unto them that Jesus was the Christ out of M●s●s and the Prophets, which they professed but did not believe in the light; so they shown the fulfilling of the Prophets, and the fulfilling of Moses words and preached to them him that was come, which did fulfil them, which they that did believe in the light come to see the second Priesthood, who turned were from the first Priesthood, Temple, Synagogue, Priesthood that took Tithes. But them that did not believe in the light, stumbled at the Apostles words, and stumbled at the light, which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world; these Builders rejected the cornerstone, and counted themselves unworthy of eternal life, and though they professed Moses and the Prophet's words, but believed not in the light, as all our Professors and Priests of the world in our days, which believeth not in the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, judging themselves unworthy of eternal life, yet professing Moses, Christ, and the Apostles words; but seethe not the fulfilling of Moses and the Prophets, nor Christ's words and Apostles words, such as be out of the light, that believes not in it, these are now haling out of the Synagogue, prisoning, and beating, and persecuting that believe not in the light, that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, as the Jews did out of their Temple, which prisoned and persecuted as those do, and haled before Magistrates, which fulfil choice words, they that did so believed not in the light, but were out of the light, and so they know not the Son nor the Father: take notice of this, all priests and people, who are haling now out of the Synagogues, who are the generation that are fulfilling Christ's words, that the righteous blood may come upon you all. But the Lamb hath gotten the victory, and the Saints sings over you all, them that be out of the light be out of truth, which answers light and truth in every man, which is the condemnation of all that are out of the light, and hate it, and this is the word of the Lord God to you, and all that sees the light sees their salvation, they that believe in the light and in that do dwell which condemn all the world, and none cometh to everlasting life, but who cometh to the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who is the life and as every man cometh to the light which he is enlightened withal, he cometh to the life of man, and he cometh to the way to the Father, which no man cometh to the way to the Father, but who cometh to the light, which enlighteneth him and every one that cometh into the world, by which light all things were made, and none cometh to truth but who cometh to the light, which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, him by whom the world was made, glorified with the Father before the world began, and no man cometh to the glorious Gospel, which is the Image of God, but who cometh to the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world and no man receiveth the power to become the Sons of God, but who receiveth the light which cometh from Christ, which is the power of God, who doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, him by whom it was made, nor no man cometh to the truth in the inward parts, but such as cometh to the light, which doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, him by whom it was made, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; who is the truth in the inward parts, there is it to be heard, found, seen, and received, with that is Christ the mystery the light seen, with the light which comes from him, which is the truth in the inward parts; with this is the Kingdom of God seen, which hath no end, and here is the light of the Gospel known, which is the Image of God, with this is the God of this World seen with the light which comes from him, which was glorified with the Father before the world began. Take notice of this all ye children of light, and all they that do withstand the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, him by whom it was made, glorified with the Father before the world began, they do withstand the way; for every one coming into the world, having a light that comes from the way, let's him see the way, and a light from the life lets him see the life, and a light from the truth lets him see the truth, and a light from the word lets him see the words, and lets him see the word that was in the beginning before the world was: this light from the way to the Father, with which they know the way to the Father into the Kingdom of God, where there is no shadow, a light from him which was glorified with the Father before the World began, which light shining in the heart, gives them the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and this is the treasure in earthen vessels; now every man having a light from the truth which is the Christ, which is the way to the Father the God of all truth, here you need not go forth to ask where you shall find truth, for it is in your inward parts, and as that teacheth you, and you abide in it, you continue in the Son, and in the Father, from whence it comes, and every man having a light from Christ, who is the light, with which light he will see him that comes from him, which light leads to him that he may believe in him, he shall not come into condemnation; he need not to say, lo here is Christ, lo there's Christ, he that believeth in the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world: now every man believing in the light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, with which they be lighted withal, here's the true belief, than they believe in Christ, who is the light. Mark, in him, for the Pharisees believed, had the letter, who did not believe in the light, so was blind; so are all now who do not believe in the light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, therefore they that do not believe in the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the World, that they might believe through him: But talks of a belief, because the Scriptures declares, and believes not in the light, they believe not in the truth, the devils, which be out of the light, which is the truth, can talk of the Scriptures as well as all the World, which is out of the light, out of truth, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe, they that withstand the light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world withstands the way, and they that stumble at it, stumble at the way, and they that stumble at the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, they stumble at truth, and they know not Christ, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world; and Priest and people knows not John the messenger of Christ, sent from God to bear witness to this true light, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, who suffered death by the powers of the earth for bearing his righteous testimony against the unrighteous, and the powers of the earth, and the great Rabbis standeth against them now, and doth cast them into prison, that are the witnesses of this light, this true light, that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world, that all men through him might believe, who is the Son of God, and against this light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, the powers of the earth, and the rulers of the earth, and the chief Priests gathered Counsels together against, who lighted every man that cometh into the world, him by whom it was made, and so all they that are stumbling at the light, which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, which is the Covenant of God, the Covenant of light, they are stumbling at the Covenant, and all them; And those that keep people from the light, that doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, keep people from the Covenant of God, the Covenant of light, the Covenant of life, the Covenant of peace; and to you this is the word of the Lord God, and every man coming into the world, being enlightened with the Covenant of light, he loving the light, and receiving the light, he receives the Covenant; but hating the light he goes into the evil deeds, and this is the light doth make them manifest, and this his condemnation that hates it▪ the light and not believing in it, and this the lig●● 〈◊〉 torments the evil doer, and reproves him and m●●e● manifest his ways and deeds, and this is the light that makes manifest him that abode not in truth, that speaks a lie, that's from the truth, from the light, with the light condemned, which answers the light in every man's conscience; so this is the word of the Lord God. Given forth in Lanson Castle. G. F.