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CONTENTS.

Page.
Some things of great Weight and Concernment to all . .1
A Question to the Professors of Christianity . . 21
Some Queries concerning Christ and his Appearances . 41
Some Propositions and Considerations concerning Church Worship 59
The sounding of Bowels towards thee, O England . 64
A Faithful Guidance to the Principle and Path of Truth . 66
Some Questions and Answers from the Tenth Chapter of John 72
To Such as are not satisfied with a Profession, without the true Life 78
Concerning applying the Promises . . 83
A Postscript concerning Deceit and being Deceived . 87
A Brief Account of my soul's travel towards the Holy Land 89
Some Things relating to Eeligion, proposed to the Eoyal Society . 97
Concerning the Ground of Certainty and Assurance in Eeligion 100
Of Tenderness of Spirit, and Persecution . .104
A Query concerning Separation . . 104
Concerning the Washing away of Sin from the Conscience . 106
Questions and Answers concerning the Church of the New Covenant 109
Some Queries to Professors who speak of high Attainments . 116
Ofthe Church in its pure, declining, and declined state, and recovery 119
The Way of Salvation in the Covenant of Life Opened . 142
Some Queries concerning the New Covenant . 155
An Exhortation to all People, especially the desolate and distressed 157
A visit of tender and upright Love to Professors who are sincere 161
A Brief Account of the ground of Certainty and Satisfaction, &c. . 174
A Question answered about the way of knowing the Motions, &c. 177
Somewhat touching the Gospel Eest, or Sabbath . . 185
Some Queries to such as Complain of want of Power to become, &c. 188
Postscript containing more Queries concerning the New Covenant 195
An Inquiry after Truth and Eighteousness, and after the People, &c. 199
Some Queries on the Fifty-fourth Chapter of Isaiah . 202
The Holy Truth and People Defended, in answer to a letter, &c. 207
The Ancient principle of Truth, or the Light within, asserted . 257
An appeal to God's witness in all Consciences . 280
Naked Truth, or truth nakedly Manifesting itself . . 297
Some Experiences added . . . 328
A Few Words concerning the true Christ, how certainly known . 362
A Few Words in Love and good-will to my native Country 364
The Flesh and Blood of Christ in the Mystery, and in the Outward 367
A Brief Account concerning the People called Quakers . 383

CONTENTS.
A Few Words concerning the Way of Peace
Postscript concerning the Sufferings of the People called Quakers
An Exhortation to true Christianity .
To the Jews Natural, and to the Jews Spiritual
A Few Words to England, my native Country _
Three Queries upon three ver.qes ofthe Forty- sixth Psalm
Concerning the true Church and Ministry under the Gospel
Some Questions Answered concerning the Lamb's War
Some Sensible, weighty Queries concerning some things very sweet,
Postscript containing some Queries on Isaiah 1. 10. 11
The Everlasting Gospel and its blessed Effects Testified to

Page. 389
393397401 423426
428 432
&c 441 450
453

LETTEES.To Nathaniel Stonar
" Catharine Pordage
" Catharine Pordage and another

471 484

459
464 492 468
536 553 554 556 557
474 483 491
477 479
487 493
495 498
500 522
502

" Widow Hemmings
" Thomas and Ann Mudd
" Colonel Kenrick
" Elizabeth Stonar
" My dear, suffering Friends in Scotland
" His Brother Arthur
" Sir William Armorer (so styled)
" Lady Conway .
" James Eeles
" Dulcibella Laiton . . .504
" Thomas Walmsley . . • .506
" George Winkfield . . 507
" Sir William Drake (so styled) . . .509
" The Women's Meeting of Friends in the Truth at J. Mannock's 512
" those Persons that drink of the waters at Astrop Wells . 514
" One who sent a Message to him from Astrop Wells . 517
" The Women Friends that meet at Armscot in Worcestershire . 519
" 8, W. . . . 521 524
" M. Hiorns . . . .528
" Sarah Blgar . . . .530
" William Eolls . . . .531
" the Poor among Friends who are relieved by Charity, &c. 532
" Sarah Bond . . . .533
" My dear Friends in the Truth at Lewes . . 535
" E. Terry . . . .539
" A near Eelative . . . 541
" Eichard Eoberts . . . .543
" the Independents at Canterbury . . 544
" Francis Pordage .... 546
In reply to an Answer of J. H. to somewhat written on behalf of Truth 548
To Bridget Atley . . . .550
" Abraham Grimsden . . . 552
" Euth Palmer . . . .561
" Jo.seph Wright . . .566

SOME

THINGS

OF

GREAT WEIGHT ANI) CONCERNMENT TO ALL,
BRIEFLY OPENED AND HELD FORTH FROM A TRUE SEKSE
AND UNDERSTANDING,
FOR THE HEALING OF THE Kl¦I^"S AKD BREACHES, WHICH THE
ENEMY or MANKIND HATH MADE IN MEN's SOULS.

AS I. -
Some Assertions concermng the Principle and
Way of Life.
II.
Some further Directions to Christ, the Principle and
Fountain ofiiFB.
III.
The End of Christ's Manifestation, his Salvation and
whom he saves.
IV.
Three Questions answered, concerning Justification.
V.
Of the pure, constant, eternal, unchangeable
Nature of God's Truth.
Written in thc time of my confinement in Aylesbury, when Love was
working in me, and the Life of God in me travailing and wrestling with
the Lord for the solvation of others.
Bt ISAAC PENINGTON. Vol. m.— 1

SOME THINGS OF GREAT WEIGHT &C.

I. Some assertions concerning the pkincu'le and way
OF LIFE.
That it is a great and hard matter to come into a capacity
of knowing and receiving the truth. It is no hard matter
to take up any religion that a man finds in the world. To
read scriptures, to believe what a man finds related there,
according to his understanding of them ; yea, to believe that
he hath the light and help of the Spirit in his reading and
understanding; to apply himself also to practise and ob
serve what he finds therein ref[uired; and to' aim at holi
ness, &c. ; this is no hard matter; every man that is serious,
and seeks religion of any kind but in the weight of a man'.s
spirit, may go thus far. But all tlii.-* administers not the
true capacity, but he that meets with it, must go further
than thus.
2. That which gives the true capacity is a principle oi'
life from God, and there alone and nowhere olse, can man
meet with it and receive it. This principle i.^ tJie -seed of
the kingdom, or heavenly leaven, with wliicli the mind
]uust be in some measure leavened, ere it can come into a
true capacity of understanding and receiving the truth.
And in this leaven must it abide and grow up, if it alnde
and grow in the true knowledge, &c.
^'i. That from this principle, and in this princi[ilc, not only
the true light aud knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and
all spiritual things is given and received ; but also the true
faith, the true love, the truc sanctification, the true .justifi
cation, the true peace, the true joy, &c. And what of these
is not received and held here, is not ofthe truth, but a gar
ment of men's own forming, and not the covering of tl>e
spirit.

4 THE WOBlvS OP
4. That the Spirit himself sows this principle, and is re
ceived in this principle. And he that receives this princi
ple, and is born of this principle, receives and is born ofthe
Spirit; and he that receives it not, nor is born ofit, neither
hath received nor is born of the Spirit; but is but in the
imagination and self-conceit about the things of God, but is
not in the truth as it is in Jesus.
.'). That in this prhiciple the new covenant is made with
the soul and entered into ; and he that receives this princi
ple from the hand of God, receives life, and enters into the
covenant of life, and Ixiels the pure fear, wherein God cleans
eth the heart, and whereby he keeps the heart clean, and
feels the laws of God daily writing there by the finger of
God's Spirit, aud feels the power and sense of the Spirit to
teach and cause obedience ; so that the yoke, which is hard
to thc transgressing nature (alienated from the life and
power), is easy (and as I may say natural) to him that is
born ofthis nature. For boi)ig dead with Christ, and risen
with Chri-st, and changed into the nature of Christ, by tlie
principle which is of him, through the power and Spirit of
Christ, which worketh therein ; he cau say as Christ did,
when the Lord calls him to any thing; Lo, I come; it is my
meat and drink, yea, ray great delight, to do thy will, O
God ! yea, thy law is written in the midst of my bowels !
6. Among those who are gathered into this principle,
and abide in the sense, light, and life of this principle, there
is great love and unity. They are of one mind, of one
heart, of one soul, of one spirit, of one life, gathered into
one demonstration of truth; and there is no jarring, no
doubting, no dissenting, &c. All this is out, in the world,
in the earthly wisdom, in the earthly professions and walk
ings; but it is excluded the principle of truth, and them
that are gathered into and abide therein.
7. That all that are not gathered into, nor walk nor live
in this principle, they are yet in the darkness and error
from the pure power of God, and stand and walk in slippery
places ; and though their way may seem very right, and their
estate and condition sure (as to God-wards) iu their own eyes

ISAAC PENINGTON. ,r,
and judgment, yet it is not really so; but they are but in a
dream concerning the truth, not in the truth itself; which
(how strange soever it may seem to them at present to be
afiarmed coucerning them) yet they shall certainly feel it
to be so, when the Lord by his powerful voice and bright
appearance of his Spirit awakoth them. For many things
go for truth now with men iu the dark, which will vanish
like smoke before the light of the day; and then that only
which is truth indeed shall have the glory and praise of be
ing accounted so; and then what will become of those who
have mistook about truth, and are not clothed with the
purp wedding-garment (the spotless life and righteousness
of the Son), but only wnth that which they have accounted
so? 8. That to those that see in the light of this principle,
the mountain of the Lord's house is discovered; and those
that abide and grow up therein, they know and experience
it established above all mountains, and exalted above all
hills; all earthly knowledge, earthly religions, earthly ways,
earthly worships, earthly spirits and minds, &c., in their
greatest exaltations and glory, being far beneath it. And
here the feast of fit things, and wines on the lees well re
fined, even the fruit ofthe vine whicli gladdeth and refresh-
eth the very heart of God, is fed on and partaken of by
those that dwell here. For the Father, and the Son, and
the Spirit is here revealed, in the holy house and taberna
cles which are built here; and here they make their feast,
bringing forth the riches of their nature, spirit, aud pre
cious life, on which they feed with the soul, and give unto
the soul favor and ability to feed with them ; in which food
there is the life, strength, righteousness, aud joy of the
kingdom given forth and received.
9. That in the heart which discovers iniquity, reproveth
it, witnesseth against it, and striveth with the mind to turn
it from it, and to wait for life and power from on high, that
is this very principle. In that is the divine nature, even
the nature of God's Spirit, which was always against sin,
and ever will so be, and in all its appearances testifieth
1*

j; THE WOEKS OF
against it, and in love to the creature striveth with the
creature to convince it of that in it which is contrary to
God, and to draw it to that strength and divine virtu.:
which stoppeth it, beateth it back, and worketh it out ot
the mind and nature of the creature, as it can get entrance,
and is hearkened aud subjected to. For there is no salva
tion, but by the cross and yoke of our Lord Jesus Christ ;
for in that is the power to crucify the affections and lusts,
which lead into sin and death, and will not cease to tempt
and lead aside, till the soul be gathered into unity with
that, aud becoiue subject to that which is contrary to them.
So that this is the main thing iu religion, even to know
Christ revealed iu the soul as a standard against corruption,
aud to be gathered under his banner, which is the cross,
or that living principle in the heart which resisteth the cor
rupt principle ; and he that is gathered liither, and cou-
tiuuetii faithfully fighting here, shall receive mercy, he1[i,
and strength from on high, in every time of need.
10. That the true and certain way of knowledge of the
things of God, is iu the faith and obedience of this princi
ple. It is not by reasoning and considering things iii thc
mind (after the manner of men) that a man comes to know
spiritual things; but they are spiritually revealed by God,
after a spiritual mannei', to the believer, to the obeyer; and
they are revealed to him in his believing, in his obeying,
in his waiting, in his holy fearing, in his distrusting of him
self, and feeling his own insufiiciency, either to attain them
or retain them, but as the Lord God makes them manifest
in him and preserves him inthe sense of them. "He that
doth my will, shall kuow of my doctrine," saith Christ.
This is the way. Wouldst thou know what God requires
of thee, what this or that is which appears in this or that
sort as truth, whether it be so, or no? Mind this principle
in thee, mind the pure, the holy light, inward touches and
loadings of this pure, divine principle; that will mako
manifest to thee whatever is fit for thee in thy present state
to know; and thou art not to desire more, but as a child to
rest contented with that portion of knowledge and strength,

ISAAC PENINGTON. ^
which the wise and tender Father judgeth fit for thee; and
as thy state groweth capable of more, he will not ftxil to ad
minister to thee. And what he giveth thee is good, sea
sonable, and proper for thee, which thou mayest safely feed
upon and enjoy in the sense and fear of him. But if thou
press after what he w-ould not as yet have thee know, thou
enterest into the will and wisdom of the flesh ; and there
are the disputes, discontents, murmurings, and ill tempers
and dispositions of the mind, which there will increase and
gro\v upon thee to thy hurt.
11. That the mind that is gathered here will find great
opposition, both within and without; insomuch as he shall
not easily pass from out of the kingdom of darkness, into
the kingdom of the dear Son, but through many trials,
temptations, oppositions, and dangers many M^ays, for turn
ing the back on the kingdom of darkness, by joining to the
principle of life, in hearkeniug and subjecting to the light
thereof; hereupon the powers of darkness both within and
without bestir themselves to hinder the soul's progress, and
to bring it back again into subjection under the will and
wi-dom ofthe fle^h.
t)h, how dotii the will and wisdom strive within a man's
own bosom! What risings of the impure are felt against
the pure! What secret and subtle reasonings to ensnare
and entangle the mind! and if they cannot draw the soul
back from the Lord and the living path, then they strive to
vox, afiiict, aud torment it! There is none knows what is
felt inwardly by the followers of the Lamb, but those that
travel with him in the living path; they are often sensible
of that they meet with in their travels, and how hard it is
to abide in the path of salvation, insomuch as they under
stand the truth of that saying: "If the righteous scarcely
be saved." It is scarcely iiideed! so subtle, so strong, such
a manj' holds, so many stratagems hath the subtle, twining,
crooked, piercing leviathan, to ensnare, perplex, over-run,
and entangle them with. And then outwardly, the same
flesh, the same earthly spirit and wisdom, the same crooked,
hellish will, is striving in men without also, to bear down

8 THE WOEKS or
and subject th« pure principle in them who are born of
God, to their devices and institutions, decrees, ways, cus
toms, &c., which are of the will and wisdom of the flesh.
So that, as the apostle said, through much tribulation is the n,-
trance of the soul into the heavenly kingdom; and there is no
avoiding the many tribulations, but by turning aside oiit of
the Avay (which though thereby the flesh get ease for a time,
it will be to the greater loss and sorrow in the end). For
the spirit of the world, thc Avisdom of the world, the nature,
religion, worship, and whole course ofthe world, is contrary
to the way ofthe pure wisdom and Spirit of God, and useth
it as its enemy, wherever it findeth it; and they that will
not bow to the spirit, wisdom, and way of the world, must
feel the force of its beastly claws. For is it not a beastly
thing (even far beneath the nature of a man) to persecute
that which is good; to hurt, reproach, and pursue the inno
cent life ofthe Lamb? And yet this is that which the spir
it of the world (which is not of God, but wise, aud seemingly
just and righteous in another wisdom, nature, and principle j
always hath done, still doth, and will do to the end.
12. That there is a glorious crown prepared for all those,
who are gathered to the Lamb in this principle, and abide
with him faithful therein to the end, hearins: his voice, bi'-
lieving the detuonstration of his Spirit, obeying him in all
his motions and I'equirings, undergoing every yoke, which
is appointed by him to yoke down the fleshly nature and
mind, and taking up every cross of every kind in meekness,
patience, and fear. And there is not oidy a crown laid up
for them at last, but the power of the Lord God is nigh un
to them to work all in them, to bear them up through and
over all, and to keep them to and in that principle, wherebv
andwhereinto his tender mercy aud powerful arm gathered
them. For as the power ofthe Lord began the work, — for
there could never any heart be gathered from under tho
power of darkness to the light which leads out of it, but by
the power of the Lord; for the powers of darkness stand
between, and would hold and keep their own, did not a
greater power appear, and put forth itself for the soul

ISAAC PENINGTON. q
against them; — I say, as the power of the Lord began the
work, so the same power alone is able to go on with it and
perfect it; aud it will go on with it and perfect it upon the
same terms it began, and no other. How were the terms
at first, but on a giving up of the soul in the faith to the
Lord, in the sense of his love and goodness and merey,
touching, aud drawing, and making willing? And how
is the standing, but in the same giving up still; in abidino-
with the Lord, in hearkening to the voice of the Lord, in
waiting for the wisdom and counsel of the Lord? But if
any man draw back from this, if he despise the Spirit and
his motions and counsels, and hearken to the voice of a
contrary spirit, believing and following it, like the angels
that fell, he departeth fijpm his place aud habitation, which
he had in the drawings, life, and power of God, and is not
to God what he was before, nor is God to him what he was
before, but the Lord, who loved him before, and delighted
in him to do him good, hath now no pleasure in him, he
being turnetl from that which the Lord loveth, and in
which he hath determined and appointed to choose, love,
and own the children of men ; who, aS they are gathered
thither, are his children ; as they that are gathered from
thence, into a contrary principle, are the children of the
wicked one.
And now what is of man iu all this ? Where is the man
that can boast before the Lord, who is thus saved? He
hath all from a principle ; yea, he is gathered into, preserved
in, and abideth in this principle by the power, goodness,
and mercy of the Lord. The power begins the work in
him, the power accompanies him ; the power carries him
through, or he falls and miscarries. There is no man can
stand any longer here, than he submits to and is upheld
by the power, nor act nor suffer, but as the power acts in
him and helps him to suffer. Let the man ,that boasteth,
bring forth somewhat of his own, if he can, here. Is the
will at anytime his own? Doth not he that is spiritual,
and in the true sense, always find God to work in him to
will, whenever he willeth rightly and holily? And if he

10 THE WOEKS OF
caunot will of himself, can he do any thing of himself?
Can he believe of himself, pray of himself, wait of himself,
resist enemies and temptations of himself; nay, so much as
give a look to the Lord at any time of himself? Indeed,
in the grace of the Lord, and the principle of his life, there
is sufficiency: and therein he that is joiued to the Lord,
and become one Spirit with him, what cau he not do here?
but that is, as he is new-made iu Christ, and as Christ aris
eth, lives, and acts iu him: which he that is in the true
sense and feeling will still acknowledge, not only in his
words to men, but in his heart and spii'it before the Lord.

II. Some further directions t® Christ, the principle
and fountain of life, by way of
question and answer.
Quest. 1. What is Christ?
Ans. He is the word of eternal life, who is appointed of
the Father to give life, and who giveth life to them that re
ceive him, and obey his go.spej. He is the Son of God, the
wisdom of God, the power of God, thc righteousness of
(xod, the Saviour and salvation of (Jod. The peace, the
rest, the joy, the life of the soul. The King, the Priest,
the Prophet, the Shepherd of the shoop. Tiie wav, the
truth, the door, the vine, thc olive-tree, into which the liv
ing are gathered and ingrafted. And he is also a hamniei-,
au axe, a sword, a fire to the corrupt tree and fruit.
Quest. 2. IIow is Christ known, received, aud obeved?
Ans. As a seed; as the secd\)f life, as the soed''of tlic
kingdom, as a. leaven, as salt; as a little small thing, ris
ing up in the heart against all that is great and mi<Hitv.
As a branch out of the diy ground; as a little child to lead
which all the wisdom of man and fiosh cannot but despise ;
and therefore tiiat must first be brought down in some
measure in the heart, before Christ can be owned in the
heart, aud subjected to.
Quest. 3. IIow is tho seed received?

ISA AC PENINGTON. i-i
_ Aus. By feeling its virtues, manifestations, and opera
tions iu the heart, aud subjecting thereto.
Quest. 4. What are its virtues, manifestations, and op
erations? Ans. Thoy are all living, aud have all living and power
ful oft'eets upon the heart, as they are let in. ^They are all
against darkness, sin, aud death; tending to discover it, to
turn the mind from it, to lead out of the captivity, power,
aud reach of it; aud they are also all for God, tending to
prepare the heart for him, and to bring it into union and
covenant with him.
Quest. 5. What is the first operation of the seed, to tho
soul, wherein it is to be waited for, and closed with, that
the soul may come into the further sense and feeling of it?
Alls. It is according to the state of the soul ; which be
ing in darkness, sin, aud death, it appears as a light to dis
cover the darkness, sin, and death, and to lead out of it to
the redeeming power. And then, to them that thus receive
it, and wait upon it iu the fear and humility which it gives
and begets, it appears as life, quickening the soul, and as
power, enabling it in some measure to live to God, and to
walk with him in the way to the kingdom.
Quest. 6. How comes this way to be hid from soiue that
desire after the Lord, and to know his truth as it is in Jesus?
Aus. From the subtlety of the enemy, Avho blinds the
eye which alone can see, and stops the ear which alone cau
hear, and hardens the heart which alone can understand;
and hath devices, snares, and baits, aud false reasonings
from scriptures, and from experiences, which any one that
hearkens unto, and is entangled and ensnared in, is his cap
tive, and cannot be at liberty to see. Or know, or embrace
the truth as it is; but his heart is deceived about it, and
filled with prejudices against it. (Therefore ^such should
wait for the true circumcision, that they might hearken to
the Lord, come out of the enemy's snares and subtle de
vices, and live) as Isa. Iv. 1, 2, 3.
Quest 7. But may not these be saved notwithstanding?
Ans. There is no salvation but in and by Christ Jesus ;

12 THE WORKS OF
and the salvation is not to them that received a bare notion
ofhim under the law, or another empty notion under tho
profession of the gospel; but only to them that receive him
as he was promis^jd, as the holy .seed: for in that alone is
the redemption, freedom from sin, and power of life felt,
and no where else. So that he that hath not this knowl
edge ofhim, hath not the true knowledge ; nor he that doth
not so believe in him, doth not rightly believe ; nor he that
doth not so hope in him, doth not rightly hope: and with
out the true knowledge, the right faith and hope, how cau
any man be saved?
Therefore awake! awake! O weary, thirsty souls! come
to the spring of life; come to the living waters. Become
little, that ye may learn of Christ; wait to have your eyes
anointed, that ye may see him, and your hearts opened,
that ye may know and receive him. Oh! wait for the
manifestation ofthis seed in you, be abased before him, join
to him, receive his checks, receive mourning and repent
ance from him; wait for the light and faith that he gives,
and the power that issues from his throne, and ye shall find
him the bruiser of the serpent's head (which none else is
able to do), and the breaker ofthe bond of iniquity, which
keeps down the just, and sets the unjust at liberty, till he
dissolve it. And this is sufficient to manifest against all the
disputes of the mind, that this is he, and no other, by his
doing that which none else can do. This demonstration
he gave to the Jews in the flesh, in his appearance in flesh ;
and this demonstration he giveth now to the Jews in spirit, in
his appearance in Spirit, whereby he satisfieth their hearts,
aud putteth them out of doubt that it is he. And we must
profess to the world (as our hearts are drawn and guided
by the Lord, to give forth tho testimony we have received
of him) that we look not, yea, we cannot look, for another.
Whom should we look for besides the Lamb, besides thc
Word which was in the beginning, besides him who is one
with the Father, and hath the eternal life, wisdom, right
eousness, and power of the Father, and manifesteth it in
us ? We look indeed for more of the same, and the morc

ISAAC PENINGTON. 13
universal and powerful breaking of it forth; but another
thing, another Christ, another life. Spirit, power, &c., we
cannot look for. And this we further testify, that whoever
receives this testimony in the truth and uprightness of his
heart, waiting on that which discovers sin to him, and in
simplicity joining and giving up thereto, and walking with
him in forsaking the evil and cleaving to the good, in the
faith of him and of his power, he shall witness the same
thing with us; and all the reasonings, imaginations, and
strong-holds of his mind shall be battered down, and come
to nothing, before the virtue, power, and life of him who
thus is pleased to appear and manifest himself after the
apostasy, even as he. did before, even in an inward princi
ple, an inward seed, au inward light, an inward life, an in
ward word, au inward power. Aud friends and people,
mark iu your minds, and learn to put a right dift'erence be
tween that which stumbles you, and that which draws aud
convinces you. What makes any of you own truth at any
time? Is it not an inward, lively, powerful touch and dem
onstration of God's Spirit? What makes you afterwards
doubt aud question ? Is it not another thing, of a different
nature from this? Is it not a subtle reasoning, whereby
the euemy twines into your spirits, and begets first a doubt
concerning, then a prejudice, and at last a gi-eat strength
again.st that, which befbre ye had some sense of, and some
unity with, in the teachings and quickenings of the Spirit
of the Lord? And what spirit is it iu you, that thus work
eth iu your minds? Aud whither doth he lead you by
these workings aud subtle reasonings? Oh that ye might
see, oh that ye might feel, the snare, aud know with us the
preserver therefrom I for we have met with much of this ;
and had we not been l^elped by the Lord, and given up to
him, we had been entangled to this very day, as ye are.
And he that hath helped us, waits to be gracious to you;
aud oh, that you would not reject his help, that he might
deliver you also! that ye also might bless his name, in
feeling the benefit and joy of his preservation. And this is
written in true bowels and tender, yearning love, that ye
Vol. III.— 2

-,^4 THE WOEKS OF
mi-ht be a little stirred up to wait to know the Father's
house, and might feed on the bread Avhich abounds therein,
and drink of the water Avhich makes fresh and living to
God, and be clothed with the raiment which the master ot
the family gives to his spouse, children, and servants.
IIL The end of Christ's manifestation, his salvation,
AND WHOM HE SAVES.
Christ came (and is manifest in the hearts of those that
receive him) to destroy the works of the devil, and to set
the soul free from sin; and whom he maketh free, are tree
indeed. Is the liberty which the Son giveth inferior m this
life, iu its kind, to the captivity and bondage ofthe enemy
in its kind? Which of them is stronger; the enemy to
inthrall, or the Lord Jesus Christ to set free from his thral
dom? Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salva
tion, the mighty Saviour (who is more able to .save than
the enemy to destroy) delivereth his Israel out of the hands
of their enemies, and so mightily and powerfully delivereth
them, that they are able (in the poAVcr of his might) to servo
him, without fear of them any more, in holiness and right
eousness before him all thc days of their life.
It is true, there is a state of darkness, sin, and death.
wherein Satan reigns; and there is a state of weakness,
wherein Satan much prevails, if the watch be not strictly
kept to him who is the everlasting strength; and there is
a state of sighing and groaning under thc b(5dy of sin and
death, and crying out, Avho shall deliver irom it! But thoio
is also a state of growth in the life, and of victory (through
the life) ovcr that which captived aud caused to cry out.
There is a treading tlown of Satan under the feet by the
God of peace, insomuch as not only the elders, but the very
young raen in Christ, overcome and triumjih over him, fool
ing the entrance ministered to tliem abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom, into Avhich no unclean thing can enter.
Oh ! Avonderful is the travel to the holy rest of the pure

ISAAC PENINGTON. 15
life! Happy are they that meet with thc true leader, and
faithfully folloAV him, till they have travelled through and
overcome tdl that stands in their Avay ! For to them, and to
them alone, is thc promise ofthe possession ofthe everlast
ing inheritance; aud such find and feel the Lord to be their
God inoleed, aud themselves to be his children (brought
forth in his holy life and nature), Avhich to feel in truth and
certain kuoAvledge is morc than tongue cau ntter.
Christ saves onl}- those that come unto him, and believe
iu him, and so are born of his Spirit; and by the faith, and
through the strength and A'irtue ofhis Spirit, overcome the
AA'icked one, his AA'orks, snares, and temptations in their
hearts. And these feel in themselves the root of his life,
the holy seed of his kingdom springing up in them, into
AA'hich they are ingrafted, and become one Avith him, and so
bringing forth the holv fruit, the living grapes, the ncAV and
righteous conversation wherein the life of God shines, and
is glorified. Noav it is not knoAving, or believing, or receiv
ing any thing into the old understanding that avails Avith
God, or the reformation which is there wrought; but the
ncAV creature alone, created of God in Jesus Christ. This
is born of God, this lives iu him, this is clothed Avith him.
This puts oft" the old man, Avith his deeds, and puts on tho
newness of the nature and Spirit ofthe Lord Jesus Christ;
so that this man is as really in Christ, in the Spirit, in the
new Adam, found in him, formed in him, covered Avith
him, as the first man, or nature, is in the old Adam. There
fore this is the main thing in religion, to mind the seed of
the kingdom, the leaven of the kingdom, its growth in the
mind, soul, and spirit, and the mind's, soul's, and spirit's
gathering into, and growth in it. Aud here is faith, the true
faith, the true love, the true hope, the true meekness and pa
tience, the true justification and sanctification felt, and not
elsewhere; but those that are out of this, out of Christ the
seed, out of Christ the Word, out of Christ the wisdom, right
eousness, and power of the Father, are only in a dream
concerning these things, but knoAv not the truth and real

IC THE WORKS OF
nature of them, as they are felt in Jesus, by those wdio are
truly ingrafted in him, and livingly grow up iu him.
IV. Three Questions answered concerning .Justification.
Quest. 1. What is justifying, or justification with God?
Ans. It is God's owning the state, AVorks, or actions of a
creature, either inAvardly in his oavu mind, or manifestly to
them. This is God's justifying of them, or his justification ;
his disowning or disallowing them is his condemnation.
As for instance: God's owning Adam in the upright estate
of his innocency, wherein God created him, and any thing
be did in that .state and spirit, Avas his justifying ofhim and
his works. God's disowning and disallowing his hearken
ing to his AA'ife and tho serpent, and bis eating the forbidden
fruit upon their temptation, Avas his condemnation thereof.
Quest. 2. What is it God justifies, and AA'hat is it he con
demns ?
Ans. That which God justifieth is the Spirit of his Son,
the life of his Son, the nature of his Son, brought forth in
any creature, the faith which is in him ; aud so the creature,
as it is in the obedience Avbich is of him, and the works that
are Avrousrht iu him. But the fallen estate of man from
him, aud all that is doBe by man out of him, God condemns.
Quest. 3. IIoAv is justification received, kept, and grown
up in? aud what is the preseiwatiou out of condemnation?
Ans. Justification is only received by receiving him, Avho
is the righteousness and justification, and only kept by
abiding in him, and only increas.ed by groAving up iu him.
For as every one that is found iu him is justified, so he that
hath more of him, more of his life, more of his faith, more
of his nature, more of his Spirit, more of the pure obedi
ence, more of the garment of righteousness and salvation
drawn over him, — he is more justified. For there are de
grees of justification, as the soul that is really in the thing,
aud is acquainted Avith the true nature and dispensation of
it from God, feels and knoAvs. A father is more or less

ISAAC PENINGTON. 17
pleased with his children, yea, with the same child some
times; which is a true figure to man who is come under
God's teachings. And the preservation out of condemna
tion is by being preserved out of that which God condemns;
for no man upon the earth, that hath the true sense and
feeling, shall CA^er find the Holy and Just One justifying
him in his sins; but as the heart is turned from them, anil
by the poAver of life kept out of them. He that will be kept
in the justification must be kept out of that Avhich the jus
tification is not to: for there he is not justified; but in his
being draAvn again out of it, and turning again from it, his
justification, in the tender mercy of the Lord, is renoAved.
Justification under the laAv AA'as according to that cove
nant. He that walks with God in that covenant, he that
Avalks iu and after the Spirit of Christ,— he is therein justi
fied; but he that Avalks after the flesh, and doth ajiy thing
that is fleshly, — that is not justified Avith God, nor he in
that; but in the faith, AA'hich cleanseth and giveth victovy
over it: in that is the justification from it, aud the pure,
heavenly peace with the Lord God of lite witnessed.
He that is in Christ, aud receiveth his knowledge from
Christ, aud is kept in the pure fear and sense of him, — ho
understandeth the truth of these things; but he that is erred
in spirit, and holds up but a literal knoAAdedge (though
from, or at least accompanied Avith, some remembrance oi'
former feelings and experiences), — he errs about these
things also; and deceit and a lie hath prcA'ailed over him,
as he Avill find, when the Lord confounds his wisdom and
present aj^prehensions of things, by awakening his Avitness
in him. For religion, the true religion, is a mystery; life
is a mystery; Christ is a mystery; the Spirit is a mystei'y ;
faith is a mystery; obedience (the pure obedience) is a mye-
tery; worship (the spiritual worship in and according to thc
iiCAV coA'enaut) is a mystery ; hid from the e^-es of all the
Avise searchers of the Avorld, but revealed to the least babe
that is of God, and abideth in the quickened life ofhis Son.
But many that are out of the mystery of truth are in the
mystery of deceit, and have a knoAvledge or profession con-
2*

18 THE WORKS OP
cerning Christ, his Spirit, faith, obedience, the spiritual
worship, &c., in that mystery of deceit, which they, for the
present, account the true, aud by it venture to judge, disal
low, and condemn the truth itself; but that is not all to the
hurt of the truth, or such as are in it; but rather to their
own hurt and great danger. For the sparks which man
kindles Avill never light him to God; the garments of man's
righteousness (either according to his apprehensions of the
letter of the laAA^, or letter of the gospel) Avill never clothe
him ; but for all that, he must lie down iu shame aud sor
row, Avhen the truth of God appears iu his conscience, aud
all his shadoAVs and deceits flee away.
Therefore hearken to the testimony from these, whom
the Lord hath awakened, Avhom the Lord hath quickened,
whom the Lord hath led out of the darkness of the uight,
into the light and brightness of the day; Avho have seen
Jesus, and testify Avliat thoy haA'C seen, heard, felt, and
handled of that eternal Word, Avhicli Avas from the begin
ning, Avhich appeared iu flesh, and aftorAvards iu Spirit, be
fore the apostasy, and hath again appeared, since the apos
tasy, as a shepherd, as a gatherer, as a seeker-out and pre
server of his Avauderiug slioop, Avho Avere driven from him
,in the cloudy and dark day. And if ye Avould hearken
aright, breathe to the Lord in that Avhich desires aud longs
after him, that he Avould cireumci.se the heart, and open the
right ear iu you, that the ear may hoar his AA'ituess in you,
that so ye may indeed knoAv the voice of the shepherd, and
in true understanding, sense, aud constant experience, bear
Avitness to that true testimony AA-hich Christ spake in the
days of his flesh: "My sheep hear my voice, and folloAV
me; but a stranger they will not follow; for they know not
the voice of strangers."

ISAAC PENINGTON. 19

V. Of the pure, constant, eternal, unchangeable nature
OF God's truth.
Truth is of God, and Avas with God, aud in God, before
any thing else had a being. Truth Avas before error or de
ceit: for it Avas from the truth that the error Avas, and it
AA'as about truth that the deceit was. There Avas somewhat
Avhich erred frora truth, aud brought iu deceit into the
Avorld ; but truth remains the same that it Avas, keeping its.
pure, eternal, unchangeable nature; and is not, nor ever
Avas, nor e\'er can be, defiled or tainted Avith any error or
deceit; but testifieth against it, reproveth it, and condem-
neth for it, draAveth out of it, and delivereth from its bands
and captivity, all those that hearken and cleave to it, in tho
faith AA'hich is of its nature and begetting.
The Father, the fountain of truth, is the same. The
Sou, his express image (Avhom he fills Avith himself, aud in
Avhom he appears), is the same. The Spirit, the anointing
(Avho is truth, and no lie), is still the same. The principle
or seed of truth is still the same. The doctrine and way of
truth is still the same; for it Avas the same truth which Avas
preached in shadoAvs under the hiAA', the substance whereof
appears, aud is Avitnessed in the gospel : and it Avas the
same before the great apostasy, in the latter days from it,
and all the time of the apostasy, and again after the apos
tasy. It hath the same nature still, the same properties,
the same operations and effects, aud gives forth the same
testimony in the ears and hearts of all that are open to it.
Indeed the minds of men, and the states of men, may often
change in relation to truth; but truth itself changeth not,
but is equal, fair, aud just to all men upon the earth, in all
ao-es and generations, always condemning that which is un
just, erroneous, and deceitful, aud always justifying, Avhat
is pure, holy, and righteous.
Now is not this a pearl; Nay, is not this the pearl in
deed, the precious pearl of price? Who would not buy it?

¦20 THE WORKS OP &c.
Who AA'Ouldjiot sell all for it? Who AA'^ould not dig in tho
field, Avhere this treasure is hid, until he find it? The field
is near thee, 0 man ! which thou art to purchase and dig in,
and must feel torn up by the plow of God in some measure,
before this pearl or treasure appear to thee; and thou must
take up and bear the yoke and cross of Christ, until all be
bowed tloAvn and crucified in thee which is contrary to its
nature, before it be polished in thee, and thou come to be
hold and enjoy its riches and everlasting fulness. Oh,
happy are they that are begotten and boru of it ! happy are
. they that know its voice, aud give up to it, to be gathered
and redeemed by it, out of all deceits, out of all errors, out
of all that entangles and ensnares the soul in sin, misery,
and utter perdition ; for destruction and misery everlasting
is out of it, aud life and salvation is alone to be found in it.
There is a Avitness in every heart, Avhich kuoAvs these
things, and aa'IU testify it to their faces, Avheu the light of
(7od is opened iu them, and its tongue speaks therein to
them. Oh, happy they that Avait for, know, hear, aud sub
ject to the heavenly voice, AAdiile the day of their visitation
and reclaiming lasteth, whergin they may travel from sin to
holiness, from death to life, by its help and guidance! Oh !
Avhy should man perish? Why should man hearken to
that Avhich . hates him, aud seeks his destruction, aud stoi>
his ear against that which loves him, and Avarns him of his
danger iu the dearness of love, aud in tenderness of boAvels
towards him ?

QUESTION TO THE
PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY,
avhether
THEV HAVE THE TRUE, LIVING. POWERFUL, SAVING
KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST, OR NO.

SO.AIE QUERIES CONCERNING CllRIST, AND HIS APPEARANCT.S ;
HIS TAKING UPO.N HIM OUR FLESH; AS ALSO CONCEUXING
HIS FLESH AND BLOOD, AND OUR BEING FORMED
THEREOF, AND FEEDING THEREON.
AND
AX IXCITATIOX TO PROFESSORS SERIOX'SLT TO C0N.S1DER, AVIIETHKR THUV
OR AVE FAIL IX THE TKITE ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND OAVXINQ
OF THE Christ avhich died at Jerusalem.
LikcAvise
some propositions and considerations
concerning the nature of church-Avorships and or
dinances since the death ofthe apostles, for the sake of tho
simplicity, Avhichhath been long held
captive therein.
With the sounding of bowels toAA-ards thee, O England!
Also a faithful guidance to the principle aud path of Truth.
With some sensible,
experimental Questions and Answers from
the Tenth Chapter of John.
Bt ISAAC PENINGTON,
Prisoner in Aylesbury, who, by tlie counsel of the Lord, hath
chosen rather to suffer affliction with the despised people
of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of
sin for a season.

2.3

P E E r A C E.
"This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ Avhom thou hast sent." Whom
did the Father send? Did he not send the Son of his love?
From AA'hence did he send him? Did he not send him out
of his OAA'U bosom? Whither did he send him? Did he
not send him into the Avorld, to take upon him a body, aud
glorify the name ofthe Father, doing his Avill therein? He
laid doAvn his glory, stripping himself of the form of God,
and appearing in habit as a man, in their raiment, Avith
their garment upon him; in Avhich, as a seiwant, the seed
(the heir of all) served the Father. Aud now his AVork be
ing as good as done, he looks back at the glory Avhich he
had laid doAvn for the Father's sake, looking up to the
Father for the restoring of it to him again. "I have glori
fied thee on the earth," saith be, "I have finished the Avork
Avhich thou gaA'cst me to do. Aud noAV, O Father, glorify
thou mo with thine OAvn self, Avith the glory Avhich I had
A\ith thee before thee world AA'as." John xvii. 4, 5.
XoAV having sought and travelled (from my childhood)
alter the true kiioAvledge of God, and of his Christ; and
haviuii- boon satisfied Avith nothing else that ever I could
meet with, and having at length (through thc tender mercy
of the Lord, and guidance of his Spirit) met Avith this, and
been satisfied thercAvith, finding it to be the eternal life,
the truc food, the living poAver, the pure rest, thc joy and
salvation of my soul, I caunot but testify it to those that
lay out their money for that AA'hich is not bread, and their
1 ibor for that Avliich satisfieth not.

24 THE WOBKS OP
We (some of us at least) laid out as much of our money as
others, AA'ho noAV despise us, have done; and as much of
our labor; aud (I may speak it iu the fear of the Lord, and
iu true sense, Av'ithout boasting) some of us had as much of
that Avhich they feed ou, and call bread, as they have uoav.
Yet Avheu the Lord brought us to the true balance, we
fouud it not to be bread, uor able to giA'e the soul true sat
isfaction. The bread Avas not that Avhich Ave then called
bread, but that AA'hich we overlooked, and Avist not what it
Avas. But the eternal life which was hid with the Father,
and is manifested in the Sou, and made known to the soul
(as the Sou is manifested to it, and revealed in it), — that is
bread indeed, that is meat Avhich perisheth not, but Avill en
dure AA'hcn all literal aud outAvard kuoAvledge of God and
Christ fiiils, and Avill fall short of satisfying that hunger of
the soul, Avhich is after the substance itself.
XoAV to draAV men's minds to a sense of truth, to a sense
of that Avhich is the thing, that they might kuoAV the bread
indeed, that they might kuow the Uving AA'aters, come to
them, and drink thereof, and find Christ in them a Avell of
water springing up to eternal life ; therefore Avas it iu my
heart to give forth this question, aud the ensuing queries ;
Avhich he that rightly ansAvers, must kuoAV the thing; aud
he that doth not rightly knoAV the thing, by his inability to
ausAver, may find that he doth not, and so may Avait upon
God that he may receive the knoAvledge of it, aud come to
it for the eternal life which it freely giveth.
The JeAA's Avere puzzled Avith a literal kuoAvledge of the
law aud prophets, and about the Messiah to come, according
to their understandiug of the prophecies concerning him,
aud so Avere kept from the true knoAvledge thereby. Most
sorts of those that uoav profess Christ, are puzzled about a
knowledge coucerniug the outward body, flesh, and blood
of Christ, according as they apprehend the Scriptures to
speak; aud so the veil is over their hearts likewise, and
they caunot see tbe eternal life and substance, no more than
the Jews, but by an outward and literal kuoAvledge

are

kept back from the thing, as tho Jcavs Avere. Xoav the

ISAAC PENINGTON.

or.

breathing of my heart to the Lord is : To take away the veil
oft all hearts that sincerely desire after truth, and to open
the true eye in them, that they may see the desire and be-
oved of their souls, aud may be led by him into the true
ravel, out of self, towards the kingdom; yea, into the verv
laud ofthe liA'ing, where the foQd of life is fed upon, where
thc lu-mg springs flow, AA'here are A'ineyards which we
planted not, aud dwelling-places Avhich we built not, where
the fruit of tho Adne of God's planting (the Avine of the
kingdom) is drunk of, even uoav in the kingdom, Avith the
Father and Son iu the Spirit, Avho are One aud All there.
The Lord give a sense and understandiug, that the ear of
the needy, the afilicted in spirit, the mourners, the captives,
the bowed-doAvn may hear, and may be drawn to touch
that which hath the virtue in it, and Avhich effectually re-
dcemeth those that wait upon it, from all that boAveth
down and oppresseth.

A QIJESTIOiT TO THE
PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY.
The question is not, Avhether they knoAV what is said of
Christ iu the Scriptures ; but whether they know it savingly,
truly, livingly, powerfully. Yea, they may know what is said
of him, and A'ct not kuoAv him of AA'hom those things are
said. As it Avas Avith the Scribes and Pharisees; they knew
Avhat Avas said of Christ in the law and prophets ; but thej'
kucAv not himself, Avhen he appeared in that body of flesh.
So men may uoav Icuoav what the apostles and the evangelists
have said concerning his appearance iu a body of flesh (cou
cerning his. birth, circumcision, baptism, preaching, doc
trine, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession.
Vol. IIL— 3

2(3 THE WOKKS OP
&c.), and yet not knoAV him of Avhom these things are said.
Yea, they may know what is said coucerniug the Word
AA'hich AA"^as from the beginning, and yet not knoAV the
Word, the poAver, the life itself
Since the prevailing of the apostles' testimony, the Avay
of the enemy hath not been directly to deny Christ, but to
bring men into such a knowledge of Christ, as saves not.
Aud as the enemy did oavu Christ, AA-heu he appeared iu
that body of flesh, saying: "I knoAV thee Avho thou art, the
Iloly One of God;" so he hath fouud it for his advantage,
almost ever since, to oavu that appearance of his. So that
this he doth not oppose, nor men's knoAA'ledge and under
standing of scriptures, so as to confirm them iu this. But
the saving knoAvlodge, the true kuoAvledgo, the living knoAA'l-
edge, the poAvorful kuoAAdedge of truth, — that he ahvays op-
poseth ; for that alone overturns and destroys his kingdom
in man, anti brings man from out of his reach.
XoAv there is a A'ast diflerence botAveon knoAviug the rela
tions concerning a thing, aud knowing the thing related of.
And there is also a groat deal of ditforeuce betAveen belieA'-
iug the relations concerning a thing, aud believing in the
thing AA'hieh is related of.
Spiritual things caunot be savingly knoAvn, but in union
Avith them, iu the receiving of them. A man cau never
really know the Spirit of God, by all that cau be said eon-
cerniug it, but he must first feel somcAA'hat of it, AA'hereby
he maj' truly kuoAV it. So the peace, the joy, the life, the
poAver, — they pass the understanding; aud a man can never
rightly kuoAv them by reading, or comprehending ever so
much concerning them; but by coming out of himself, and
travelling thither Avhere they are given and made manifest,
he may come into acquaiutauce Avith them. Aud if the
peace Avhich Christ gives, the joy, the life, the poAver, cau
not be thus knoAvn by literal descriptions; how cau he,
AA'ho is the fulness of all, the fountain of them all, the
treasury of all i)erfectiou, iu AA'hom are hid all thc riches
and treasures of Avisdom aud kuoAvledge, — ^hoAv can he be
knoAvn by outAvard and literal descriptions?

ISAAC PENINGTON, 27
^ XoAv AVC have travelled through these thinos. We knew
formerly what yc kuow now; aud we also kuow now, AA'hat
God hath giA-on us further; and Avhat our former knowledge
was, aud Avhat our present kuoAvledge is. Aud this is'^it
Avhich gives us satisfaction.
Our knoAvlcdge is in a principle, Avheroin avc receive our
capacity of knoAving, and Avherein tho Father (from Avhom
the priuciple came) teacheth us. Aud this is his Avay of
teaching us; by making us one with tho thing he teaeh'oth.
Thus we learn Christ, by being born of him, by putting
him on. Thus Ave kuOAv his righteousness, his lifo, his Avis
dom, his poAvor, by receiving a proportion of them, Avhioh
giveth au ability to di.soeru aud ackuoAvledgo thc fulness.
And in this Ave receive the understanding ofthe Scriptures,
aud knoAV the sood of the Avoman (AA'hich bruisoth thc sor-
liout's head), by roceiviug thc seed, l>y fooling its groAvth
iu us, aud its poAver OA'or thc onomy. Then avo knoAV the
thing; likoAvise Ave kuoAV tho woman that brings forth thi.s
seed after the Spirit, AA-hich is tlio Jerusalem above; and, avo
know also, and singly ackuoAvledgo, the bringing forth of
it outAvardly after the flesh. This seed avc kumv to bo the
seed of Abraham, tho seed of David after thc flesh, and the
sood of God after tho poAver of the endless life; and avc arc
t.iught of God to giA-e tlu due honor to each; to the sood
of God iu the first place, to the seed of David iu the second
place. There Avas the seed that wrought the thing, Avhich
seed AA'as the life ; and the sood in Avhich he Avrought it,
Avhieh Avas formed into a vessel liko ours, but Avithout sin,
iu which the pure Lamb appeared in the pure poAver of lifo,
Avhich kept the vessel pure; aud so he (Avho AA-as to be the
¦first fruits) had the honor above all his brethren, being
anointed Avith tho oil of gladness above his felloAvs.
But Ave also are boru of the same seed. Ho is formed iu
us; AVC arc formed of him; avc are as Avell of his flesh and
Idood, as he was of ours. Aud by being thus formed, and
feeling him groAv up in us, and receiving au understanding
from iiim, and iu him, thus Ave con>e to kuoAv him, and to
uudcrstaud thc words of scripture concerning him. By

28 THE WOEKS OP
feeling and knoAving the Lamb in our vessels, we know
also what was the Lamb in his A^essel.
Thus we knoAV things in the certainty and demonstration
of God's Spirit, even in the light AA'hich shines from him,
and in the life AA'hich he begets ; aud we speak of things as
they are, and as Ave feel them to be iu the true life, which.
the Spirit of Christ hath begotten in us. And avo can trul}- .
say concerning the Scriptures: that now avc believe, not so
much because of the relation of things concerning Christ,
AA'hich AA'e liaA'O found in them; but because avc have seen
aud received fhe thing AA'hich the Scriptureie speak of, and
find it to be the very thing indeed, the very Christ of God,
the spotless one, the liA'ing garment of righteousness and
salvation, AA'herein God findeth no fiiult, aud in Avhich the
soul appears Avithout blame before him. And concerning
this, can avo speak AVords of its nature, Avords of its A'irtue,
Avords of its life, poAver, aud righteousness; which that
Avhich is of the flesh cannot hoar, but that AA'hich is born of
God naturally OAvneth and understandeth. Why so? Be
cause it knoAveth the nature of the thing, and receiveth
them in the saA'our thereof Can life deny lifo? Cau the
birth of life deny that Avhich springs ont of the same Avomb ?
Xo, no. The children AA'hich are born of Avisdom, do jus
tify Avisdom in its several sprouting.s-forth aud appearances;
but that AA-hich denies it is a birth after the letter, a birth
atler the literal and outAvard knoAvledge of thingAS, a birth
of the comprehending Avisdora; that indeed reproaoheth and
blasphemeth the incomprehensible AA'isdora, iu its incom
prehensible Avay.s, and Avonld restrain lifo to AA'hat thoy ap
prehend, or can comprehend by the letter oonoerning it.
And this may bo a groat evidence to professore, that they
kuoAv not indeed Christ in his nature. Spirit, life, and
poAver; because they speak not of him as poi>sons Avho fw]
the thing, and speak from the present sense of it, and ac
quaintance Avith it, but only as persons that bring forth a
notion they have rooeivod into their understandings. Aud
yet they fail therein also; for tlK>y speak not of Christ ac
cording as the Scriptures hold him forth, cou»parod oua

ISAAC PENINGTON. 29
Avith another, but as thoy havc grossly apprehended con
cerning him from some scriptures, as the Joavs outAvard did.
For the Scriptures speak not only of a body, but also of
him that appeared in the body; nor only of bodily flesh,
blood, aud bones, but also of such flesh aud bones, Avheroof
Christ and his church consist. He is Christ (say the script
ures) Avho is one Avith the Father, AA'ho came from tho
Father, in AA'hom the Father Avas, and Avho Avas in tho
Father; so said Jesus of himself (lifting up his eyes to
heaven, and praying to the Father for his disciples, aud the
children Avhom the Father had given him) more than once
iu that seventeenth chapter of John. Yea, he is Christ,
Avhom a man caunot see, but he must see the Father also;
aud Avhom, AAdiosoever seeth the Father, seeth; avIio Avas
before Abraham Avas ; AA'hom no man could knoAV AA'hence
he Avas, ca'cu as no man can knoAv Avhence the Father is.
Christ granted the Jcavs that they knew him, and AA'hence
he Avas as to his body; and j'ct for all that, he AA'as the
Christ Avho Avas to come, Avhom no man knew from Avhenco
he AA'a.s. What Avas that, Christ called me, speaking to
Philip? "Hast thou not kuoAvu me, Philip? Hast thou
not seen mo?" What! dost thou know me after the flesh,
after the body? Dost thou take that for me? IlaA'C I
been so long Avith you, and do you kuoAv me no bettor
than so? The body is from beloAV, the body is like one of
yours (onl3- .sanctified by the Father, aud presen'cd Avithout
sin); but I am the .same Spirit, life, and being Avith the
Father. We are one substance, one pure poAver of life,
aud Ave cannot be divided; but he that sees one, must needs
see both; and he that knoA\'s one, must needs knoAv both.
This is the Lamb of God AA'hich John bare AA'ituess of, Avhich
he said Avas before him, John i. 15. Avhich the body Avas not.
Xow friends, if you have this living spiritual knoAvledge,
if ye hold it iu him that is true; then oavu and acknoAvledge
it (as it is expressed in thc Scriptures, aud as God hath uoav
brought it forth in his people), that ye may manifest your
selves to that Avhich is of God, that ye are of him. There
is au understanding and wisdom of man, and there is a

30 THE WORKS OF
AAdtuess of God, Avhich Avituess giA'cs true judgment. Man
(at best) judgeth but according as things appear to him
from the Scriptures; but the Avitness judgeth of the things
of God in the demonstration of the Spirit, according as
they are felt and knoAvn to be in him.
But if ye have not this knoAA'ledge, but have long laid
out your money and labor for that Avhich is not bread, nor
can yield the true satisfaction ; oh, come to the Avaters, and
receive that Avhich is given freely, Avithout mouey aud with
out price ! Oh, sell all for the pearl, for the knowledge
AA'hich is of life, for the knoAA'ledge Avhich is life! "I am
the AA'ay, the truth, aud the life," saith Christ; this is life
otorual to knoAV. And Avait to fool the rock laid as a
foundation in you, even the seed of God, the life of Christ,
the Spirit of Christ revealed in you, and your souls boru of
it, aud built upon it. Oh that ye could come out of your
OAVU understandings, that ye might feel aud receive the
lovo of my heart, and knoAv the travail of my boAvels for
you; that ye might be born of the truth, and knoAv and re
ceive it as it is in Jesus, aud as it is felt in the Spirit, aud
its OAVU pure poAvor!
jSToav a little further, to remove the scruples and preju
dices out of the minds of such as sometimes have been
touched Avith the poAver of trath, and have had the Avituess of
God reached to in their hearts; but afterwards the enemy
hath raised mists, and cast blocks iu their Avay, stirring up
in them hard thoughts against us, as if Ave denied Avhat the
Scriptures affirm in this thing, aud indeed (iu effect) that
Christ AAdiich died at Jerusalem, aud set up a natural prin
ciple AA'ithin, instead thereof:
To remove this out of the minds of the honest-hearted
(AA'ho iu the guidance of God might light ou this paper\ I
shall open my heart nakedly herein.
1. We do OAAm that the Word of God (the only begotten
of the Father) did take up a body of the flesh of the virgin
Mary, AA'ho Avas of the seed of DaAid, according to the
Scriptures, and did the Avill of the Father therein, in holv
obedieuce unto him, both in life and death.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 31
2. That he did ofter up the flesh and blood of that body
(though not only so ; for he poured out his soul, he poured
out his life) a sacrifice or offering for sin (do not, oh ! do
not stumble at it; but rather wait ou the Lord to under
stand it: for Ave speak in this matter AA'hat avo knoAA'), a
sacrifice uuto the Father, and iu it tasted death for every
man; and that it is upon consideration (and through God's
acceptance ofthis sacrifice for sin) that the sins of bolicA'crs
are pardoned, that God might be just, and the justifier of
him Avhich belioA'cth in Jesus, or Avho is of the faith of Jesus.
3. What is attributed to that body, avc acknoAvledge and
giA'e to that body iu its place, according as the Scripture
attributeth it, AA'hich is through and because of that Avhicb
dAvelt aud acted in it. But that Avhich sanctified and kept
the body pure (and made all acceptable in him) Avas the
life, holiness, and righteousness of the Spirit. And the
same thing that kept his vessel pure, it is the same thiug
that cleanseth us. The A'alue Avhich the uatural flesh and
blood had, was from that; in its coming from that, iu its
acting iu that, in its suffering through that : yea, indeed,
that hath the virtue; that is it AA'hich is of an uuehaugoablo
nature, AA'hich abideth for ever; AA'hich is pure, and maketh
pure for ever; and it is impossible for a man to touch it,
but he must feel cleansing by it. Xoav this living virtue
and poAver man Avas shut out from by the fall ; but througli
the true knoAvledge of the death of Christ, the Avay is
made open for it agaiu, aud man brought to it to be bap
tized, Avashed, cleansed, sanctified, fitted for, aud filled Avith
life. So that this it is that doth the thing; this is it from
Avhence Christ had his own flesh and blood (for Ave are
taught, both by the Spirit, aud by the Scriptures, to distin
guish between Christ's oavu flesh, and that of ours Avhich
he took up aud made his); Avhich flesh and blood avo feed
of in- the Spirit; AA'hich they cannot feed ou Avhich serve at
the outward tabernacle; nor they neither Avhicli knoAv only
the outAA'ard body; but they only that feed iu the Spirit.
XoAV of this thing Ave might speak yet more eloariy aud
plainly, could men hear our A\^ords. But if we havo spoken

§2 THE WORKS OP
to you earthly things (iu parables and figures), suitable to
A'oiu" unde i-stau ding, aud ye believe not, hoAv shall yc be
lieve, if AVC speak to you heavenly things; if we should tell
you plainly of thc Father, iu Avhom is all the life of thc
Son, aud all tlie virtue and sah'atiou that CA'er the Sou had
from him? The Jcavs Avorc to loarn in tj'pos, figures, and
shadoAA's, till Christ came. Aud after Christ came, he also
taught them in roseudjlauces and sihiilitudes of things: aud
the apostlcs Avruto and spake much to persons, as just com
ing out of that state, iu a language suited to that state.
I>ut he that eomos into the thing itself, and is taught there
by tliO Spirit, after he i.s groAvu up and made capable, he is
taught plainly the nature of the heaA'onh' things, and the
words of the apo-stlos (coucerning the deep things of God),
whicli arc niA'steriou.s to others, are manifest and plain to him.
Yea^ the Lord so teacketh hira things, as Avords cannot ut
ter; tliat i.s, he so knoweth the peace of God, the joy ofhis
Spirit, the life and poAA'cr of the Lord Jesus Christ, his Avis
dom, rightooiisuoss, and pure, precious AA'ays of sanctifying
the heart, tho tender morcj-, faithfulness, aud rich love of
the Father, &c. a.-* he eanuot utter to au\- man; nay, so as
Le never l^aruod (nor could Icaru) from AA'ords about the
things; but by thc sense and cvporience of the thing itself,
tho Lord (iu Avhoui arc the depths of lifo, aud who giA-eth the
i^oii.sc and under,-jtai!diiig of the deep things of the Spirit)
opening them in him, aud mauifesting them to him. And
indeed this is the right and excolleut ivay of knoAvledge,
to come into the union, to como into the tiling itself; "to
learn in the union, to see aud kiiOAV iu the thing. This is
the Avay that the Lord teacheth all his children in the iicav
coA^ouant, by the iuAvard life, by the pure light within, bv
the iiiAvard donion.stnition of his Spirit, by the poAver and
virtue ofthe truth itself, which it hath in him that is true.
And he that is in the Son, hath some mea.sure of this life;
and he that hath not some measure of this life, is not in
tho Sou; but iu a talk aud wise kuoAvledge of things after
the flesh, Avhieh Avill perish, and he Avith it, Avho abideth
there. For no man can be saved, bat by coming into the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 3,3
kuoAAdedge AAdiich is of a pure, eternal, living, saving nat
ure. Cau an opinion AA'hich a man takes up concerning
Christ from the Scriptures (and casting himself thoroupon)
save him? For it is no more than au opinion or judgment
unto a man, uuloss he be in the life and poAver of the thing
itself. Then indeed it is truth to him, knoAvIedge in him,
right knowledge ; otherAvise it is but knoAvlodgc falsely so
called; knoAA'ledge AA-hich Avill not subdue his heart to truth,
uor hath its seat there; but iu his head, making him Avise
and able there to oppose truth, aud so bringing him into
a stale of condemnation, Avrath, aud misery, beyond the
heathen, and making him harder to be Avrought upon by
the light aud poAver of the truth, than the vcry heathen.
Therefore consider your Avays, 0 professors of Christianity !
aud do not despise tho hand AA'hich is stretched forth to you
iu tho love of God, and iu the motion aud guidance of his
Spirit, AA'ho condoseeuds to you exceedingly, that ho might
roach to his oavu iu you, and scatter your approhoiisjoiis,
imaginations, and conceivings about tho meanings of script
ures (AAdiich arc as so many chains of do.ith and darkness
upon you), that ye might come to him iu AA'hom is life, and
Avho gives life freely to fdl avIio como to him. Oh, observe
Avhatbara Avere in the Avay of tho Scribes and Pharisoos 1
They Avoidd not come to hira that thoy might have life ;
nay, indeed, they could not, as tlioA- stood. There are
greater bars iu your Ava}-; yea, it is harder for many of yon
to come to hiin, than it Avas for them. My upright desire
to the Lord for you is, that hoAA-ould remove the stumbling-
blocks out of your Ava.A-, that he AA'Ould batter and knock
doAvn the flesh "in you, that he Avould strip you of all your
knoAvledgo of scriptures according to the flesh, that ye
might be made by him capable of knoAving and receiving
things aceordiiig to the Spirit, and then ye Avill knoAV hoAv
to understand, honor, and make use of the letter also; but
till then yo cannot but make use of it both ag-aiust your
OAVU souls, and against Christ and his truth.
And then for sotting up a natural principle, avo arc fur
ther frora that than yo are aware. For wo were as shy of

.34 THE WORKS OP
this, aud jealous that it Avas a natural principle, as ye cau
bo; and started from it, divers of us, till the Lord, by his
eternal poAver, aud demonstration ofhis Spirit, reached our
hearts, and shoAved us that it AA'as tho seed of thc kingdom
(even the root of all the spiritual life, that either we our-
solvcs formerlj', or ever any else received at any time), and
gave us the sight of the things ofthe kingdom iu it, and at
length Avrought that iu us, and for us, by it, Avhich never
Avas Avrought in us before, and Avhich cau be Avrought by
nothing else but tho poAver ofthe Spirit. Xoav having cer
tainly felt aud kuoAvu the thing iu our oaa'u hearts, aud
haA'lug also seen the snares aud nets Avhich the oiiemy laj's
f(U' A'ou, Avhereby he keeps you from the true bread, aud
from the Avatcr and Aviue of the kingdom (even as he kept
us formerly), hoAv cau v/e liold our peace, but Avitness to
you (iu the love and draAvings of the Spirit of thc Lord) of
the truth, lifo, aud power Avhieh avo haA'c felt in Jesus,
though yc become our enemies therefore? Xor do avc this
to bring you to another opinion, or outAvard Avay (that is not
our cud); but that ye might feel the thiug itself, aud kuoAV
assuredly AA'hat is thc truth, iu that Avhich never Avas de
ceived itself; nor ovcr deeoivod any ; nor Avill sufter any to
bo docoiA'cd Avho are joined to it, aud abide in it. Oh ! Avliy
^should ye Avaudor iu the daric opinions aud uncertainties of
the night? Avhy should yo not rather come to that AA'herein
the light of thc day springs, and out of which it sliinos?
Aud cau tho natural man (Avho hath his oyos) be deceived
tibout the light of the natural day? Doth he not knoAv the
light of the day, both from the lights, aud also from the
darkness of the night? Ten thousand times more certain
and imvardly satisfied is ho, Avho is boru of the spiritual
day, brought forth iu tho light thereof, and AA'ho spirituallv
^;oo^l, lives, and Avalks therein. So that there is no doubt iii
liiui Avho is grown up into thc thiug; but he hath tho assur
ance of faith (which is far above the assurance of outAvard
.souse or roasou), aud tho assurauee of understanding. Oh !
blessed is he who hath au eye to «oo, an oar to hear, a heart
to under.staml, the thing.s Avhich God hath revealed bv his

ISAAC PENINGTON. 35
Spirit in this our day, the living Avay Avhich he hath uoav
made manifest, the principle of life that he hath raised out
of the grave of death. But he that reproachetli and speak
eth evil ofthis (that Avill neither enter in.himself, nor sufter
othei-s), he is tar from receiving the blessing or blessedness
ofthis seed; but groAveth up iu the Avrong nature and spirit,
tho end AA'hereof is to be burned, Avith all that is in union
Avith it, aud groAveth up from it. Therefore come out from
that spirit; come out of that dark mind and nature, AA'hich
never saAv, nor can see the trnth, but setteth up opinions
and appearances of things instead of it; aud receive the
anointing Avhicli is given Avith and in the seed, Avliich is
I'aised in some, and A'isited iu many, iu this day of tho
Lord's love aud tender mercv: to AA'hom the livinsr, tho
sensible, the redeemed sing praises, aud ou Avhom they
Avait, for the further mauifesting of his poAvor and glory iu
them daih' more aud more.
XoAA', friends, if ye Avill kuow aright, or believe aright,
ye must kuoAvand believe iu him, aa'Iio Avas Avith thc Father
before the Avorld AA'as; AAdio Avas the Saviour, the Jcsus, the
Christ, from everlasting. For Avhat makes him so? Is it
not his nature? Is it not thc poAver of sah-ation in him?
His taking up a body made no alteration in him, added noth
ing to him; only it AA'as uocossary that he should take it u[i,
to fulfill the Avill in it, and to ofter it up a sacrifice in his
OAVU life aud Spirit to tho Father. This Ave firmly believe;
aud this also aa'o cannot but say further, that the A'irtue, tho
value, the Avorth, the excellency of Avhat Avas done by him
iu the body, Avas not of the bod^', but it Avas in him before
time, iu time, aud Avill be after time, and for ever: yea, it
is ho to Avhom the name Jesus and Christ did of right be
long before he took up the body : and he only put forth in
the body the saving virtue Avliich he had before, Avhich be
longed to the nature, to the anointing in him, whether ever
he had saved any with it or no. And this virtue, this lifo,
this Spirit, this nature ofhis, is the food, the righteousness,
the garment of life and salvation, Avhich he (through the
death ofthe body) made aud prepared a living Avay for tho

3(3 THE WORKS OP
soul to come to, to feed on, and be clothed Avith. I can
hardly stop speaking of those things for your sakes, that
through my Avords (or the AVords of AA'hom the Lord shall
please) ye might come to feel that AAdiich is able to give you
the holy understanding, aud might come to the true seuse
aud experience of the truth itself, aud might see Avho hath
blinded 3'ou, aud how he hath blinded you, and fed 3'ou
Avith husks and dry food, instead of that Avhich hath the true
living sap iu it. But Avhile ye see and judge iu that Avhich
is Avroug, ye must needs judge amiss both of yourseh'es aud
others, aud also ofthe truth itself, aud ofthe Avords spoken,
either formerly or uoav, coucerning it, Avhereby ye expose
and bring yourselves under the righteous judgment of the
truth itself, even ofthe Sou, aud tho light ofhis day, Avhich
hath power from the Father to judge all false appearaucos,
deceits, aud deceivers.

POSTSCRIPT.
It hath pleased tho Lord, as he manifested his Christ
gloriously before the apostasy, so to manifest him so again.
For he Avas uot only born (iu tho flesh) of the virgin Mary ;
but he Avas also born in the Spirit of the Avoman clothed
Avith the Suu, AAdiich had the moou under her feet, and on
her head a croAA'u of tAvolvo stars. She also brought forth
the man-child, AAdio Avas to rule all nations Avith a rod of
iron. Eev. xii.
XoAv of this appearance and return of the Lord Jesus
Christ, aud his fresh bringing forth of his life aud poAver
iu his body, the church, there are many Avitnesses, who
have seen, felt, and tasted thereof, with the eyes aud senses
AA'hich are of God, aud of the uoav birth. Aud of this, in
the love aud good-Avill of God, aud from the draAvings aud
requirings of his Spirit, they bear Avitness to others, that
they also might come to see the glory and brightness of
his day, aud rejoice therein. For indeed it is a glorious
day iuAvardly in Spirit, to those that are quickened aud

ISAAC PENINGTON. 37
gathered to the living Shepherd and Bishop of the soul, by
the eternal arm of his poAver. Aud happy is the eye that
sees the things that they see, and the ear that hears Avhat
they hear, and the heart Avhich understands the things
Avhich God hath revealed in and uuto them by his Spirit."
Glorious was the appearance of Christ in the flesh ; but
there were blocks in the AA'ay of the Jews, that they could
not knoAV, own, believe, and receive him. Aud glorious is
the administration of his life iu Spirit, iu this day of his
poAvor; but there are also blocks lying iu the Avay of them
to Avhom it is sent, AA'hich cause them to stumble at it, and
keep them both from letting it into them, and also from
giving up to it. But blessed was he Avho AA'a, not offended
in Christ then, aud blessed is 'ho AA'ho is not offended at
him uoAA'. For he that is oft'ended at him, Avho is life, and
gives life, stumbling at the present Avay of dispensation
AA'hich God hath chosen to give it out by, hoAv shall he live ?
This is the cause that so many poor hearts lie mourning
aud grovelling on the earth, groaning because of their sins,
feariug because of the strength of tho enemy, and the cor
ruptions of their oaa'u hearts, AA'hich are continually ready to
betray them into his hands; because they kuoAv uot him
AA'ho ha'th stretched out hia arm, aud is come iu his power
to doliA'er; but are prejudiced against the Avay Avherein he
hath and doth deliver. Yea, they kuoAv uot his voice Avho
calls, come unto me; I am the resurrectio7i and (he life. He thaf
believeth in me, shall receive viy .strength; and thougli he ivcre
ever so loeak, shall become as David: and though ever .so unclean,
shall find the v:aiers thai spring from my well io cleanse him,
and nourish him io life everlasting.
Hoav tenderly did Christ visit the Jews in the days ofhis
flesh ! IIow powerfully, and in the true authority of God,
did he preach among them ! What mighty works did he
shoAV ! Aud yet they could not believe. Why so ? The
enemy had entered them with his temptations, had got
somewhat into their minds of a contrary nature, to keep
out thereby the sense, knowledge, aud acknowledgment of
him. So that Avhen their hearts were even overcome with
Vol. ni.— 4

38 THE WORKS OP
his power, and sweet, precious doctrine, and ready to yield
that this Avas he, this Avas the Christ indeed, then the eue
my raised up some argument or other to prejudice them
against him, that he might thereby beat them oft", and drive
them back again from owning or receiving him.
"This man is not of God," say some; "for he keepeth
not the sabbath." He cannot be a prophet, say others,
because "he is of Galilee, out of AA'hich no prophet aris
eth." He "cannot" be Christ, saith a third sort, be
cause "avc knoAVAvhence he is; but AA'lien Christ cometh,
no man knoweth AAdience he is." He is not holy, strict,
aud zealous according to the law, say others; but a loose
person, "a man gluttonous, aud a Avine-bibber; a friend of
publicans and sinners;" one who teacheth not his disciples
to fast aud pray, as the Pharisees did theirs, and John, avIio
Avas generally looked upon as a prophet, did his, but justi
fieth them iu plucking the ears of corn ou the sabbath-day,
and so thereby rather encouraging them to break. it, than
strictly to observe and keep it according to God's law. He
is a "blasphemer," say some (speaks most horrid blasphe
my), "making himself equal Avith God." lie reproaoheth
the most strict and zealous men that Ave haA^o, oa'ou our
teachers, aud interpreters of the laAv and prophets, calling
them "hypocrites, painted sepulchres, blind guides," &c.,
and pronounceth avoc upon Avoe against them. Aud those
that are the children of Abraham he calls the children of
the devil ; and saith: "He that committeth sin, is the serA'aut
of sin; but if the Sou (moaning hiraself) make you free, ye
shall be free indeed." And if avc avIU have life in us, avo
must believe in hira, and eat his flesh, aud drink his blood.
(Did ever Moses, or any of the prophets teach such doc
trine?) Again he saith: "If a mau keep my saying, he
shall never see death;" whereas Abraham aud the proph
ets, who believed God, and kept his sayings, are all dead.
This made them even conclude, he had a devil. John viii.
52. So how could they understand him Avhoji he said, he
was "the good Shepherd, and the door," &c., aud "that all
that ever came before him Avere thieves and robbers-"

ISAAC PPNINGTON. 39
would they not look upon this as Avitnessing of himself,
and endeavoring to set up himself? Aud Avhen he said:
"Verily, verily, before Abraham was, I am;" were they not
ready to stone him, for speaking a false and impossible
thing, as it seemed to them; he'manifestly being not yet
fifty years old? But suppose it to be true, that he was be-
fore Abraham, how then could he bo the Messiah, who was
to come of Abraham, and out ofthe loins of DaAud, accord
ing to the Scriptures? And then for his miracles, having
beforehand concluded that he Avas a -bad man, a sinner, a
breaker of the sabbath, a blasphemer, a deceiver of the
people, &c., hoAv easy Avas it for them to harden themselves
against them, and to infer that he wrought not those things
by fhe power of God, but by the aid and assistance of tho
doA'il, to overthroAv the laAvs and ordinances of Moses, aud
to set up himself aud his ucav doctrine by? Indeed many
(and some seemingly strong and unausAverable) Avere the
exceptions AAdiich the Avisdom aud understanding iu them
(Avhich AA'as out of the life and poAver of truth) formed
against Christ, Avhereby they justified themselves in their
refusal ofhim, Avho Avas sealed aud sent of the Father, and
so excluded themseh'es the kingdom, and the righteousness
thereof. This is past, and they can condemn them uoav, who
themselves are acting over agaiu the same thing in spirit.
It pleaseth thc Lord thus to sufter things to be, still so to
give forth the dispensations of his life, as they alono that
are in some measure ofhis life can discern them. Aud the
same spirit, under a new guise, still opposeth truth in its
present appearance and dispensation, and stirreth men up
to slight aud blaspheme that holy name and power, Avhich
they that believe in arc saved aud sanctified by. Well,
Avhat shall I say to you ? Oh that ye could discern spirits !
Oh that ye could see Avhat spirit ye are of, and AA'hom ye
serve, iu opposing the present dispensation of life ! Oh that
ye could sec hoAv ye read scriptures out of that Avhich wrote
them, and bend them against that AA'hich wrote them, mak
ing yourseh^es wise and strong in a wrong A\'isdom and

40 THE WOEKS OP
knowledge against the Lord, and against his Christ, whom
he hath set upon his holy hill of 2ion, and who appeareth
there, though you see it not. For Zion is not now literal,
or after the flesh (the day is come, the shadoAvs are gone) ;
but Zion is the holy hill of God iu Spirit, upon which the
heavenly Jerusalem was built, which is revealed, come
down, and coming dowu from heaven, and many of the
heavenly citizens dwell there already, and more are coming
thither to dwell; for even from the east, west, north, and
south, shall the gathering be, to sit AAdth Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, in the kingdom Avhich cannot be shaken ; Avhich
kingdom Avas received by the Christians formerly before
the apostasy, and is uoav received again, blessed be his
uame who lives and reigns in poAver over all the spirits of
darkness and deceit, maintaining his jmre life aud truth in
the hearts ofhis children, in despite of them all.
But why should you thus err iu heart from the pure
truth ? Why should you not open to him that knocks iu
his holy power, aud in the demonstrations of his Spirit to
your conscience? Why should a subtle device of the de
ceiver be let in and hugged by you, to cause you to thrust
him back from your hearts Avho is the Word of eternal life,
and with whom are the Avords of eternal life? The Lord
God discover the deep deceits of the enemy to you, AA'here
he captivateth your hearts and understandings, that it may
not be ahvays said of you, as it was of the Jcavs: " He came
uuto his own, aud his oavu received him not"! But to as
many as received him, he gave power in the day of his
flesh; and he giveth much more poAver to them that receive
hira^ in spirit (in the day of his Spirit) to become the sous
of God. And because they are sons, he poureth out abun
dantly ofhis Spirit upon them; aud he that hath the Spirit
hath the Son; and he that hath the Sou hath life: but he
that hath not the Sou (but blasphemeth the appearance and
hght of his Spirit) hath not life, but is yet iu that wisdom
and knowledge Avhich is death, and Avhieh keeps him dead.
XoAV the Lord of his tender mercy make you sensible of^
and pardon your opposing and resisting his truth; and also

ISAAC PENINGTON. 41
cause the light of life to shine in your hearts, quickening
and guiding you thereby out ofthe laud of death and dark
ness, into the holy land of life; that all that sincerely
breathe after truth may (through the faithful travel) come
to sit doAvu, dAvell, and feed together iu it, in the one
poAver, iu the one life, in the one Holy Spirit, Avhere is
pure rest aud peace, perfect joy and satisfaction for ever
more. Amen.

SOME QUERIES
concerning
Christ, and his appearances; his taking upon iiim our
f lesh : as also concerning llis elesii and blood, and
our being formed thereof, and feeding thereon.
Query 1. Whether there Avas uot a necessity of Christ's
taking upon him our flesli, for the redemption of those that
had sinned, aud the satisfaction of the justice oft'ended?
Query 2. Whether the Father did not accordingly prepare
a body for him, to do his aa'III in all things in; and particu
larly to offer up to him the acceptable sacrifice for the sins
ofthe Avhole Avorld?
Query '3. Whether it Avas not necessary, in this respect
also, that Christ should take upon him our flesh, that he
might have experience of our temptations and infirmities,
and become a merciful and faithful high-priest and inter
cessor for us.
Query 4. Wherein lay the A'alue and worth of his sacri
fice, and of all he did? Did it lie chiefly in the thing done,
or iu the life Avherein he did it, iu that he did it in the pure
fiiith and obedience to the Father? He became obedient
uuto death, even' the death of the cross; and he, through
the eternal Spirit, oft'ered himself Avithout spot to God.
Query 5. What Avas he, for Avhom the Father prepared a

42 THEWOEKSOP
body, aud Avho took it up to do the will, and did the Avill
iu it? Was he not the arm of God, the power of God, the
Saviour and salvation of God, the Jesus and Christ of God?
Query 6. To AA'hom do the names aud titles Jesus and
Christ chiefly and in the first place belong? Do they be
long to the body Avhich AA^as taken by him, or to him who
took the body ? The body hath its nature and properties,
and the eternal Word, or Sou of God (the pure, spotless
Lamb, the fountain of innocency), its nature and properties.
XoAV the query is, Avhich Avas the appointed Saviour of the
Father? Which was tho anointed of the Father, chiefly,
and in the first place? Whether the body prepared, or he
for Avhom the body was prepared, to do the Avill, and offer
up the acceptable sacrifice iu ?
Query 7. Which is Christ's flesh aud blood which Ave are
to partake of, whereof Ave are to be formed, Avhich Ave are
to eat and drink, and which is meat and drink indeed, nour
ishing to life everlasting? Is it the flesh and blood of the
body, Avhich was prepared for, and taken by him, AA'herein
he tabernacled and appeared? Or is it the flesh aud blood
of him AA'ho took, tabernacled, and appeared in the body?
For that Avhich he took upon him was our garment, even
the flesh aud blood of our nature, which is of an earthly,
perishing nature; but he is of au eternal nature, aud his
flesh aud blood aud bones are of his nature. Xoav as the
life aud nature AA'hich is begotten iu his is spiritual, so that
AA'hich feeds, and is the nourishment of it, must needs be of
a spiritual and eternal nature.
Query 8. What is the bread which came doAvii from
heaven? Is not the bread and the flesh all one ? Outwardly-
visible flesh and blood Avas not in heaven, nor came doAvn
from heaA^en; but the bread of life did come doAA'u froni
heaven, which the heavenly birth feeds on and lives by.
For that Avhich redeems, that AA'hich is Jesus (the Saviour),
came doAvn from heaven, aud took upon him a body of flesh
here ou earth, iu Avhich he manifested himself as King,
Priest, aud Prophet, and did the Avork appointed him by
the Father. John xA'ii. 1, &c.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 43
Query 9. What was that -which saved people outAvardly
frora their outAvard infirmities and diseases, Avhile Christ
was ou earth iu that body? Was it the body, or the life,
poAver, and Spirit ofthe Father Avithin the body, and mani
fest through the body? And can anything less save in
Avardly? Xoav that Avhich saves, that Avhich hath the virtue
and poAver of salA'ation in it, — that the eye of faith is to fix
upon, aud not to stick or stop in that through Avhich the
life works it.
Query 10. Who Avas he that humbled himself, that made
himself of no reputation, that took upon him the form of a
servant, and Avas made in the likeness of men, and found iu
fashion, or habit, as a man ? Was it the body of flesh, or
was it he that Avas glorified of the Father before the Avorld
was? And Avho is to have the honor and oxaltatiou? At
AA'hose name is every knee to bow? Is not the reAvard to
him Avho laid doAvu his glory to take upon him the body of
flesh, aud appear in it, that he might honor, glorify, aud
fulfil the Avill ofhis Father?
Query 11. Are not the children aud he of one? Arc not
he aud they of the same stock? ("Both he that sauctifioth,
aud they Avho are sanctified, are all of one." Hob. ii. 11.)
Is it not from thence that he is not ashamed to call them
brethren, even because he finds the nature. Spirit, and life
of his Father in them? What makes a child to God? Is
it not the being begotten of the Father, and born of the
Spirit? Aud that Avhich is born ofthe Spirit is Spirit. Xoav
mark: haA'e avo the denomination and relation Avith Christ
from that Avhich is spiritual, and hath Christ himself tho
name from or because of the body of flesh ? Xay, nay ; the
name Christ Avas from the anointing Avhich Avas in the body,
Avhich ran into aud filled the vessel. It is true, fhe body,
in and by the union, partakes AA'ith him of his name; but
the name belongs chiefly aud most properly to the treasure
in the vessel.
Query 12. What is it to put on Christ, or Avhat is the put
ting ou of Christ? Is it tho putting ou of that body of flesh?
Or°the putting ou a belief concerning him, according to

44 THE WORKS OF
Avhat is said of him iu scripture ? Or is it not rather a put
ting ou ofhis nature, his seed, his Spirit, his life., AvhercAvith
the'^souls of those that are born from above are clothed, as
thc body is Avith a garment?
Query 13. Who Avas it that said, I am the resurrection
aud the life? Was it not Christ? Aud Avhat did he say it
concerning? Did he say it coucoruing the body, or did ho
say it concoriiiiig the power aud virtue of the Father Avhich
Avas iu tho body'? Did he not say it concerning that Avhich
had the poAver of lifo iu it before it took up the body, aud
had also the poAver of life AA-hile it Avas iu the body? yea,
and could raise up not only other bodies, but that also after
it had laid it doAvu? For after it Avas laid in the graA'O, he
could raise it u[>, aud take it on agaiu, as avoU as he did at
first, AA'hen it Avas first prepared. John x. 17, 18.
Query 14. If I, or any one else, have felt the saA'ing arm
of the Lord revealed iu us; if avo have felt a measure of the
eanie life, poAA^er, and anointing revealed iu our a'OSscIs as
Avas rcA'calod iu his, is it uot of the same nature? Is it uot
the same thing? Is uot Christ the seed? Aud is uot this
sood soAVii iu the heart? Xoav if this seed spring and groAV
up iu me into a .spiritual shape aud form (though it bo but
of a babe), is not Christ then formed iu mo? If I be iu-
grafted into, and groAV up iu it, am I not ingrafted into
Christ (the true olive-tree, the true vine), aud do I not grow
up iu him? And is not this the same Christ that took upon
him the body of flesh, aud oft'ered it Avithout the gates of
Jerusalem? Is there auA' more than cue, or is there any
other than he? Is Christ divided? Is there one Christ Avith
in, and another Avithout? He that knoAveth the least meas
ure ofthe thing, doth he not kuoAv the thiug iu some meas
ure? Aud he that is iu the least measure of the thing, is
he not iu the thing? Ho that knoweth the Son, doth henot
kuow the Father? And he that kuoAvcth the Spirit, doth
he not also knoAv tho Son? Aud ho that is in the Spirit, is
he not in the Sou? For they are one nature and being. A
man may Iuia'C nolious ofthe one, and not ofthe other; but
their nature, their being, their life, their virtue, is insepar-

ISAAC PENIN.,GTON. 45
able.^ And as Christ said concerning the Father, — that he
was in the Father, and the Father in him ; and that he that
saw him saw the Father; so may it not be as truly affirmed
(in .the true sense and understanding of life) concerning
Christ, that he is iu the Spirit, and the Spirit in hira; and
that he that seeth the Spirit seeth hira; and he that seeth
him seeth the Spirit? For he is the Spirit, according to that
scripture, 2 Cor. iii. 17. "Xow the Lord is that Spirit; and
where the Spirit ofthe Lord is, there is liberty." What to
do? Why, to see and read Avithin the A-eil, and to behold
the glory of the Lord, Avhich is revealed there ; Avhich they
whom the veil Avas over formerly, or whom the veil is over
uoAA^, have not liberty to do. Here is confusion and impos
sibility to man's wisdom; that Christ should be all one
AA'ith the Spirit; that Christ should send the Spirit in his
uame, and also himself be the Spirit Avhom he sends. (This
is a hard saying, AAdio can bear it?) And yet this confusion
to mau is God's Avisdom, and precious in their eye Avho are
taught of him.
For it is one and the sarao Christ that Avas signified in
types and shadows under the laAv, revealed in the fulness of
time iu that prepared body, aud afterAvards in Spirit. Xoav
after he Avas ascended, he received the Spirit so as he had
not received him before; and so liaviug received the prom
ise ofthe Father, he so dispouseth the Spirit to his brethren
aud disciples, as it had' not been dispensed before. Indeed
he comforted and refreshed his people under the law hy his
Holy Spirit, AA'hich Avas their in.structor then, Keh. ix. 20.
and taught thera the things of God under types, shadoAVs,
and resemblances. ¦ When he came iu the bod}', he chose
out disciples, Avhom he taught the things of the kingdom,
and AA'as a refresher and comforter of thera therein. And
Avas not this another comforter than those had under the
laAV? Had the Jcavs before ever any such comforter, as
Christ was to his disciples in his bodily presence ? Xoav
AA'hen he ascends, he receives the Spirit from the Father, as
the Father had promised him ; and having so received hira,
he scuds hira to them for their comforter. And may uot

46 THE WOEKS OF
this justly be .termed another comforter than Christ was iu
his bodily presence? And yet is it not also the same Spirit
of life, that had been with them in that body ? So that it is
another in the Avay of administration, but the same in sub
stance; CA'cn the Word which Avas from the beginning, the
Spirit which Avas from everlasting; aud to everlasting there
is no other.
Xow as the Father sent the Son, and yet was Avith and iu
the Sou, so the Son sending the Spirit, he also is with and
in the Spirit. And as it is the Father's will, that the same
honor be given to the Son as is giA^en to him ; so it is the
Son's pleasure, that the same honor be given to his Spirit
as is given to him. Yea, as he that Avill worship the Father,
must Avorship the Son, must come to him iu the Sou, must
appear before him in the Son, must reverence and kiss the
Son; so he that Avill come to Christ, Avill worship hira, must
corae to hira in the Spirit,, must boAV to him iu the Spirit.
Yea, he that will knoAV and AA'orship Christ iu his fulness
(in tho majesty of his glory, dominion, and power), must
learn to bow at tho loAvest appearance of his light aud Spirit,
even at the very feet of Jesus ; for that is the loAvest part of
thc body.
Query 1.5. Did uot the bridegroom go away, as to his ap
pearance in fiosh, that he might come agaiu iu Spirit? Did
uot the apostlcs, aa'Iio knoAv his appearance in flesh, aud his
tabernacling among them, knoAV also afterwards his appear
ance iu Spirit, and his tabernacling in thera? Aud AA'ere
not their hearts filled AA'ith joy unspeakable, and full of
glory, because of the presence of the bridegroom? Did they
uot knoAv the man-child born and brought forth iu Spirit,
as really as ever he Avas boru and brought forth in flesh?
Yea, did thoy uot travail and help to bring him forth?
Were there not many iu that day, aa'Iio could say concern
ing the spiritual and iuAA'ard appearance of the bridegroom :
We know that the Sou of God, the eternal life, the pure
poAvor and Avisdom of the Father is corae? Did they not
receive from him the understanding AA'hich he gives iu and
by his coming? Yea, Avere they not in him that is true

ISAAC PENINGTON. 47
even in Jcsus Christ the Son, AA-ho is the true God, and life
eternal? 1 John v. 20. Had thoy not received the kingdom
AAdiich could uot be shaken? And did they never see and
converse Avith the King in the kingdom? Xaj-, did not he
walk in them, and they iu him, aud he sup Avith them, and
they Avith hira, iu the kingdom? Oh that yo could read in
Spirit! Oh that ye did receive that measure of life from
Christ, AA'hich the Father hath allotted you, that ye might
road therein! but the letter, read out of the Spirit, darken-
eth aud killeth.
Query 16. What is the laA'cr of rogenoratiou, or the Avator
AA'horCAvith the sotil is Avashod, and Avhereof a man is boru
.ao-ain? Is it outAvard or iuAA'ard? Is it tho Avator Avhich
ran out of the side of the uatural body, AA'hen it Avas pierced
Avith a spear? Or the AA-ater AA'hich springs from the foun
tain of life, the AA-ater AA'hich floAvethfrom the Spirit? What
are the Avaters AAdiich corrupt, mud, aud defile the mind?
Are they outAvard Avaters ? And Avhat are the Avaters AA'hioh
purify aud cleanse it? Cau they be of a loAver nature than
spiritual? What are thc Avators AA'hich ausAver the thirst of
tho soul after life, after purity, after salvation; that refresh
and o-lad the heart ofhim that drinketh thereof? Are they
uot from the pure river, clear as crystal, AA'hich runs from
the throne? Aud if the Avater Avhich cleanseth aud uour-
isheth the soul be spiritual; cau thc fiesh aud blood (AAduch
falleth uot short of the Avater in its virtues, properties, aud
operations) be inferior to it iu nature aud kind?
Query 17. CauoutAvard blood cleanse the conscience?
Ye that are spiritual consider. Can outAvard Avater Avash
the sold clean? Ye that have ever felt the blood of spriuk-
lino- from the Lord upon your consciences, and your con
sciences cleansed thereby; did ye ever feel it to be outAvard?
It is one thing Avhat a man apprehends (iu the Avay of no
tion) from the letter coucerniug the things of God, and
another thing Avhat a man feels in Spirit.
Quei-j' 18. Seeing the apostle speaks of purifying the
heavenly things themselves, Heb. ix. 23. it would seriously
be inquired into, and the Lord Avaited on, to kuow what

48 THE WOEKS OF
nature these sacrifices must be of, Avhich cleanse the heav
enly things? Whether they must not of necessity be
heavenly ? If so, then Avhether Avas it the flesh and blood
of the veil, or thc flesh and blood Avithin the veil ? Whether
Avas it the flesh aud blood of the outAvard, earthly nature,
or the fiesh aud blood of the inward, spiritual nature?
Whether Avas it the flesh aud blood Avhich Christ took of
the first Adam's nature, or the fiesh aud blood of the sccond,
Adam's nature?
Query 19. What is that, AA'herein they that are iu the
Spirit, behold as in a glass, Avith open face, the glory of
the Lord? Is it not Christ? And hoAv is Christ so? Is
it not as hois made manifest in Spirit? Doth he knoAV ^
Christ aright, or believe in him aright, that kuoAveth him
according to his bodily appearance (that cau relate, and
firmly believe, Avhat he did therein), or ho that kuoAveth and
believeth iu his Spirit aud poAA^er? Henceforth knoAV avo
no mau after the flesh; no, not Christ, saith the apostle,
thouo-h AVO have knoAvu him so. What meaneth that?
The same thiug may be knoAvn several AA'ays : outAvardly,
iuAvardly; according to the fle.sh, according to the Spirit.
XoAA^, if ye arc ofthe Spirit, live in the Spirit; if yo live iu
the Spirit, knoAV iu the Spirit the things of God after the
Spirit, as tho Spirit reveals, as that AAdiich is born of God
receives; aud uot as the wisdom, understanding, reason,
aud flesh of man cau receive ; aud then ye Avill come into
felloAvship Avith Christ, both iu his death aud resurrection,
aud know indeed the resurrection both of the lifo aud of
the body: AA'hich to knoAv, aud be able to acknoAAdedge iu
Jesus, is very precious.
Query 20. Hath uot Christ made us kings aud priests to
God, even his Father? What is "it that is the kins aud
priest in us? And if we be priests, must we not have
somewhat to oft'er? Wliat have Ave to ofter? And Avhat
makes our sacriflces savory and acceptable? Is it uot
that of his Spirit, that of his life, which ia in them? Is it
uot the faith, the loA'e, the obedience, AA'hich are all of him,
Avherein they are offered? If Ave should give our bodies to

ISAAC PENINGTON. 49
be burned (in the way of testifying to truth), Avithout this
would they be accepted? If Ave give but a cup of cold wa
ter iu this, is it not accepted?
Xow, is the life, the faith, the obedience of the Son, the
thing AA'hich is of value iu us? And was it not the same
which was of A^alue in him? What did the Father require
ofthe Sou, for satisfaction for Adam's disobedience? Was
it not the obedieuce of the second Adam, Avhich Aveighed
doAvn the transgression and disobedience of the first? Doth
not this make all righteous (aa'Iio are of him, and found in
his nature), as the transgressiou of the first made all un
righteous? Rom. V. 19. Sacrifice aud oft'ering thou Avouldst
not. Lo, I come to do thy Avill, 0 God ! (He taketh aAvay
the first, that he may establish the second.) By the Avhich
will Ave are sanctified, through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ ouce for all. Heb. x. 9. 10. What eaii h&
plainer to that AA'hich hath truth's ear? So by truth mani
fested in the heart, there is uothiug denied of what is said
concerning Christ in scripture, but every thing OAvned, be
lieved, and received in its proper place.
Query 21. Who is the Captain of our salvation? Who
is it that girdeth himself with might, riding on conquering
and to conquer all the enemies of the soul? Is it iiot the
Lamb? Is it not Christ? Is it not he Avhose name is
called the Word of God? And yet Iioav can it be he? Is
not he to sit at God's right baud, until his enemies be made
his footstool?
Query 22. What is the Avater and Spirit, Avhereof a man
must be born again, or he caunot see the kingdom of God?
Is it Christ's flesh aud blood, or no ? His flesh saAv no cor
ruption; aud incorruptible flesh aud blood may enter the
kingdom, though corruptible cannot.
Query 23. What did all the types, veils, aud shadows
under the law signify? Did they signify another veil ? Did
they signify or shadow out that which AA'as outAvard? Or
did they shadoAV out and signify that inward life, virtue,
and saA'ing poAver, Avhich was the substance of all ?
Query 24. Is not the substauce, the life, the anointing.
Vol. HI.— 5

50 THE WOEKS OF
called Christ, AvherCA-er it is found? Doth not the name
belong to the whole body (and every member in the body)
as Avell as to the head? Are they not all of one; yea, all
one in the anointing? Was not this the great desire of his
heart to the Father, that they all might be one, even as the
Father and Christ were one. John xvii. 21, 23. And so
being one in the same Spirit (one in the same life, one in
the same divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4. even partakers of God's
holiness. Heb. xii. 10.), Christ is not ashamed to call them
brethren, Heb. ii. 11. nor is the apo.stle ashamed to giA'o
them the name Christ together Avith him. 1 Cor. xii. 12.
The body is the same with the head; one and the same in
nature; aud doth not the uame belong to the nature iu the
AA'hole ? So that the name is not given to the A'cssel, but to
the nature, to the heavenly treasure, to that which is of
him in the vessel, to that Avhich the Lord from heaven be
gets in his own image and likeness, of his own substance,
of his OAVU seed, of his oavu Spirit and pure life.
Query 25. What Avas that live coal from the altar, AA'here
by the prophet Isaiah's iniquity Avas taken aAvay, and his
sin purged? Isa, vi. 6, 7. Cau any thing purge aAvay sin,
but the blood ofChrist?
Query 26. What are the leaves of the tree of life, which
are for the healing of the nations? Is not Christ the tree
of life ? Is there any other tree of life besides hira ? Is
there any other healer ? Aud what do those leaves of the
tree of life heal the nations of? Do they uot heal thera of
their sins, and of the sicknesses and distempers of their
souls because of their sins? And have these leaves any of
the blood of Christ in them, or no ?
Query 27. Is not Christ the true vine, the true oliA-e-tree ;
the living vine, the living olive-tree; the spiritual A'ine, the
spiritual olive-tree; into Avhicli all the spiritually-living are
ingrafted? As the Father is the husbandman; so is° not
the Son the vine? And hath not this spiritual, this eternal
A'ine in it juice and sap of an eternal nature? And is not
this sap its blood?
Query 28. Is there not a choice vine, to Avhieh the foal

ISAAC PENINGTON. 51
aud ass's colt of the seed of Judah is tied? And are not
the garments aud clothes of the true Jews washed in the
Mune, and in the blood of the grapes of this vine? Gen.
xlix. 11.
Query 29. What is that Avhich tho earthly nature slays?
And Avhat is the blood which the earthly nature shall dis
close, aud the slain which it shall no more cover?
Query 30. Yfhat are the robes Avhich are washed and
made AAdnte iu the blood of the Lamb? And hoAV are they
AA'ashed and made AA'hite therein ? Aud AA'hat is the blood
(of what nature, earthly or spiritual?) Avherein they are
AA'ashed and made white?
Query 31. What is it to haA'e, or hoAv come aa'c to have,
felloAvship Avith Christ in his death, and to suft'er and be
crucified with him? Is it by having our natural bodies
crucified ou the same Cross of Avood (or some such like one)
as his body AA^as crucified on, or by having the fleshly nat
ure crucified, subdued, and Avorn out of our souls, minds,
spirits, &c., by the power of the Spirit? Rom. viii. 13.
Xoav if the flesh Ave are to put oft' be of such a nature and
kind; to wit, inwardly and spiritually corrupt; must not
the flesh of Christ, which avo are to put on instead thereof,
be of as deep, inward, and spiritual a nature ? What is the
flesh whereof avc are to be uuGlothed, before avo can be
clothed Avith Christ? is it outAvard or bodily? Aud Avhat
is Christ's flesh we are to put on ? is that any more outward
or bodily than that Avhich we are to put off?
Query 32. Is uot the flesh and blood, Avhich they that
have eternal life feed ou, and which nourisheth them up to
life eternal (they continuing to feed thereou, aud not feed-
ing afterAvards on strange flesh, aud strange blood),— I say,
is uot this flesh and blood Spirit aud life? For that is it
which profiteth. John vi. 63. Is it not the flesh and blood
of the Word? Was not the Word made flesh? And did
not the Word, who was made flesh, dwell and appear in a
tabernacle of flesh, and cause the glory of his oavu divine
flesh to shine through that earthly flesh? Oh! read and
consider, that ye who have stumbled and murmured against

52 . THE WOEKS OF
the truth may stumble or murmur no more, but noAV at
length receive the pure and precious doctrine thereof (aud
so come to witness the fulfilling of that promise, Isa. xxix.
18. — 24.) and praise him Avho giveth understanding.
Query 38. Is not the true church flesh of Christ's flesh,
aud bone of his bone? Is uot the false, or antichristian
church, flesh of antichrist's flesh, and bone of antichrist's
bone ? What is the flesh of the spiritual whore, Avhich is
to be stripped naked and burnt with fire ? Shall ever the
church which is of Christ's fle.sh be stripped naked and
burnt with fire? Xay, doth not his fiesh make able to
abide the devouring fire, aud to dwell AA'ith the everlastiug
burnings ?
Query 34. What is the pure milk of the word, which is
milked out to the babes from the pure breast ? Aud what
is the breast frora which it is milked out? Is it ofthe flesh
of Christ, or no ?
Query 35. Are not the wicked of the seed aud flesh of
the serpent? Is not that the body of flesh, of sin, of death,
Avhich is to be put oft'? And are not thoy Avho are rencAved
in spirit, of the seed and flesh of Christ ? Is not that the
body or garment of holiness, of righteousness, of life, AA'hich
is to be put ou ?
Query 36. Is it uot as necessary that the eternal word be
made flesh iuAvardly, that so the children may feed on him,
as it Avas for him to take ou hira au outAvard body of flesh,
to suff'er and die for them, aud to fulfil all righteousness,
both of the law of the letter, aud of the laAv of the Spirit
in? Query 37. Is there not that Avhich spiritually is called
Sodom aud Egypt ? Aud do not they Avhich dAvell there, in
stead of eating Christ's flesh, and drinking his blood, put
his flesh to pain, crucifying it in and to themselves, tram
pling under foot the Son of God, and counting the blood of
the covenaut an unholy thiug? Read the figure. Did not
outAvard Israel suft'er in outward Egypt? Did not just Lot
suft'er iu Sodom ? Doth uot the spiritual seed sufter in and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 53
by spiritual Egypt? Doth not the flesh ofthe holy and just
One suft'er in and by spiritual Sodom? '
Query 38. What is that Avhich the Gentile-Christians,
Avho are not Jcavs iuAvard, circumcised in heart and spirit,
Avho knoAV uot the iuAvard temple (the place of the true
Jcavs' Avorship, Avhere they worship the Father in Spirit
aud truth), but ouly Avorship iu the outAvard court, Avhich
God hath cast oft", and left out ofhis measure, Rev. xi. 2. —
I say, Avhat is that holy city which these Gentiles tread un
der foot forty -tAvo months? Is it the church Avhich is of the
flesh and bones ofChrist, or no?
He that knoAveth the substance, the seed ofthe kingdom,
tho birth of the Spirit, knoweth the flesh aud blood Avhich
is of the seed. And this flesh is flesh indeed, this blood is
blood indeed, ca'cii the flesh and blood ofthe seed's nature;
but the other Avas but the flesh and blood of our nature,
AA'hich he honored iu takiug upon him, in which he did the
Avill, in AA'hich be offered up the acceptable sacrifice; but
j'ct did uot give the honor from his oavu flesh and blood to
it. For the flesh and blood of our nature Avas uot his oavu
naturally, but ouly as he pleased to take it upon hira and
make it his. But that whereof he formeth us, and which
he giveth us to eat aud drink, is the flesh and blood of his
OAVU nature ; aud this AA'as it Avherein was the virtue, aud
Avherein is the virtue, life, and power for ever. Happy, oh
happy is he AA'ho is of it, who is taken out of and formed of
him (as Eve was of Adam), aud so becomes flesh of his
flesh, and bone of his bone ! Then Avill he knoAv the mys
tery of life, feed on the thing itself, and not stumble about
appearances aud expressions, as those that are out of and
from the thing itself do, through the darkness of their
mind, and because of their ignorance of the thiug spoken
of iu the Scriptures.

54 THE WOEKS OF

An Incitation to Professors seriously to
CONSIDER, WHETHER THEY OR AVE FAIL IN THE TRUE ACKNOAVL-
EDGMENT and OWNING OF THE CHRIST AVHICH
DIED AT Jerusalem.
We Avho are commonly called Quakers, being a people
Avhom the Lord hath gathered (out of the wanderings, out
of the many professions, out of the several scattered estates
and conditions, wherein his eye pitied us, and his love found
us out) into a measure of the eternal rest; Avhere aa'C have
found that life, that power, that manifestation of the eternal
Spirit, and that redeeming virtue, which we never were be
fore distinctly acquainted with ; — I say, having tasted of this,
having known this, having felt this, and come to a real en
joyment ofit, in some degree, in our several measures, we
could not possibly conceal this treasure, but in bowels of
love (and in the movings of the life and power of the Spirit)
have been drawn to testify of it to them who are left be
hind, grovelling under the burden of corruption, and crying
out because of the sin and bondage from the powers of
darkness, Avho have in a mist withheld their eyes tvom he-
holding that living virtue, which is able to save (aud doth
save, blessed be his uame !) therefrom.
Xow this we have often found : That this our testimony
hath not been received in the same Spirit and love wherein
it hath gone forth; but the enemy, by his subtlety, hath
raised up jealousies concerning us, and prejudices against
us, as if we denied the Scriptures aud ordinances of God,
aud that Christ that died at Jerusalem; professing him
ouly in Avords (to win upon others by), but denying him in
reality and substance.
To clear this latter (for my heart is ouly at this present
drawn out eou cerning that), we have solemnly professed, in
the sight of the Lord God (AA'ho hath given us the kuoAvl-
edge ofhis Son iu life and power), these tAvo things.
First, That Ave do really in our hearts oavu that Christ,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 55
who came in the fulness of time, in that prepared body, to
do the Father's will (his coming into the world, doctrine,
miracles, sufferings, death, resurrection, &c.) in plainness
and simplicity of heart, according as it is expressed iu the
letter of the Scriptures.
Secondly, That we own no other Christ than that, uor
hold forth no other thing for Christ, but him Avho then ap
peared, and was made manifest in flesh,
Xow it AA'ould be nakedly inquired into by professors,
what is the reason that their jealousies still remain concern
ing us, and why they are still so ready to cast this upon us.
Certainly if they did know and oavu, the same thing Avith us
(iu the Spirit, and in the power, iu the life, and in the love,
which is of the truth), this prejudice and these hard
thoughts could not remain. But if they themselves do not
know Christ in the Spirit (but only according to a relation
of the letter), no marvel though they miss both of the Spir
it, and of the true intent aud meaning of the letter; aud
likewise be liable to clash against the truth, as it is made
manifest iu others.
And indeed the Lord hath shown me in Spirit several
times, that they themselves are guilty of that very charge
(and that he will so implead them at his judgment-seat)
Avhich they cast upon us, even of denying that Christ which
died at Jerusalem to be the Christ. For he that OAvneth
the Avords of scripture, as he apprehends or conceives them
in the reasonings of his mind, and doth not wait to have
them revealed in the Spirit, keeping out of his own reason
ings and conceivings, and waiting patiently till the Lord
open the thing in the Spirit, he setteth up hisown conceiv
ings, or an image iu his mind, ofthe mind ofthe Spirit, but
misseth of the thing itself, Avhich alone is knoAvu in the
Spirit, by them who wait upon the Spirit, there to receive
it, and are not hasty to set up their own reasonings aud im
aginations coucerning the thing in the mean time,
Xo man can in truth call Jesus the Lord, but by the
Spirit. But any man that is any thing serious, and weighs
the Scriptures iu the natural part, may so learn to acknowl-

5g THEWOEKSOP
edge his coming into the AA'orld, and that he is Lord and
King, &c., and may thus call him Lord, yea, and kindle a
great heat in his affections towards him ; but all this (out
of the life, out of the Spirit) is but man's image, AAdiich he
forms iu his mind, iu his reading the Scriptures, and ob
serving things therefrom. But the true calling Jesus Lord
is from the feeling^of his eternal virtue in the Spirit, aud
finding the Scriptures opened to hira by the Spirit, iu a
principle Avhieh is above the reason, coniprehends the rea
son, aud confounds aud brings it to nothing.
Again; there is no true knoAvledge of Christ, no liA'ing
knowledge, no saving kuoAvledge, no knoAA'ledge Avhich
hath the eternal A'irtue in it, but that Avhieh is received and
retained in a measure of light given by God to the creature,
iu the faith Avhich is the gift, iu the grace Avliich is super
natural and spiritual; Avhereas the reasoning part is but
natural. And such as have receiA'cd the spiritual under
standing kuoAV it to be distinct from the natural; aud avo
experimentally find a very clear distinction, betAveen script
ures searched out by the reasonings of the mind (aud so
practices draAvii therefrom), aud scriptures opened by the
Spirit, and felt iu the life.
Xoav that professors generally haA'e uot recoiA'od their
kuoAvledge of Christ from tho Spirit, or from scriptures
opened iu the Spirit (and so kuoAV uot the thing, but oulj'
such a relation of tho thing as man's reasoning part may
drink in from the letter of the Scriptures), is manifest by
this, in that they are not able in spirit and understanding
to distinguhsh the thing itself from the garment AvhoreAvith
it AViis clothed, though the Scriptures be very express therein.
Speak of Christ according to a relation of the letter, there
they cau say somewhat; but come to the substance, come
to the spirit of tho thing, come to the thiug itself, there
tlioy stutter aud stammer, aud shoAv plainly that thej- knoAv
not Avhat it is.
Xoav the Scriptures do expressly distinguish botAvoeu
Christ aud the garment AA'hieh he wore; between him that
came, and the body in AA'hich he came; betAveen thc sub-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 57
stance which A;^'as veiled, and the veil which veiled it. "Lo !
I come; a body hast thou prepared me." There is plainly
he, aud the body in which he came. There was tho outward
vessel, aud the inward life. This we certainly knoAv, and
can never call the bodily garment Christ, but that which ap
peared and dAvelt in the body. Xoav if ye indeed knoAv the
Christ of God, tell us plainly what that is which appeared
in the body, — whether' that Avas not the Christ before it
took up the body, after it took up the body, aud for ever.
And then their confining of Christ to that bod}', plainly
manifesteth that they want the kuoAAdedge of him iu Spirit.
For Christ is the Son ofthe Father; he is the infinite eter
nal Being, one Avith the Father, aud with the Spirit, and
cannot be divided from either; cannot be auyAvhere Avhere
they are not, nor cau be excluded from any place Avhero
they are. He may take up a body, and appear in it; but
cannot be confined to be noAA'here else but there; no not at
the vei-y time AA'hile he is there. Christ, aa-IuIo ho Avas here
on earth, yet Avas not excluded from being in heaven Avith
the Father at the A'ery same time ; as he himself said concern
ing himself, "The Sou of mau which is in heaven." John iii.
13. Xor Avas the Father excluded from being Avith him iu
the body; but the Father Avas in him, aud he in the Father:
AA'hereupon he said to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath
seen the Father." What! did every one that saAv that body,
see the Father also? Xay, not so; but he that saAV Christ,
the Son of the living God, whom flesh and blood revealed
not, but the Father only (Mat. xvi. 16, 17.), he saAv tho Fa
ther also.
O friends ! look to your knoAvledge of Christ, and to your
faith and knowledge of the Scriptures, aud to your prayers
also; for it is easy missing ofthe living substauce in all
these, and meeting AAuth a shadoAv; vi'hich may please, aud
make a great shoAV in the earthly part, in the natural under
standing and affections, but satisfieth not the soul, or that
Avhich is born after the Spirit, but still the cry goes out
(AA'here the soul is awakened) after truth, substauce, life,

58 THE WOEKS OP
virtue from God's Spirit in the spirit which it alone can feed
upon. These four things foUoAving I am certain of; which he
that cometh into the true light, shall infallibly experience
them there.
First, That nothing can save but the knowledge of Christ,
even of that very Clirist, and no other, Avho took upon him
the prepared body, and offered it up at Jerusalem .
Secondly, That uo knoAvledge of Christ can save but fhe
living knoAvledge. Xot a kuoAvledge of him after the letter
(Avhich the carnal part may got much of, aud value itself
much by), but a knowledge of him in the Spirit; AA'hich is
oi\]y giA'en to that Avliich is begotten and born of the Spirit,
aud oulj' retained by that Avhich abides and remains in the
Spirit, and runs uot out into the fleshly reasonings, imag
inings, and conceivings, about the things mentioned iu the
Scriptures. Thirdly, That that mau Avho kuoAveth not Christ in Spir
it, nor keepeth close to him in spirit; but (through dark
ness aud misguidance of the spirit of deceit) calleth the
shinings of his light (his reproofs, his checks for that which
is eA'il, and his secret motions to that Avhich is good) natu
ral; this man, though he seem to oavu Christ CA^er so much
according to the letter, yet iu truth denies him.
Fourthlj^, He that denies Christ, in his knockings aud
A'isitations of him in his oavu heart, aud before men iu the
truths Avhieh he holds forth bj^ his serA'-ants aud ministers
of his Spirit, him Avill he deny before his Father in heaven.
Oh! I beseech you do not trifle about these things (for
they are exceeding Aveighty), lest ye perish from the Avay !
For missing of the Saviour, ye must ueeds also miss of the
salvation. Oh that ye kucAv your state, as God knoAvs it to
be, aud as it is certainly knoAvu and felt, in the measure of
his life and Holy Spirit, by those Avhich God hath gathered
thither, and Avhose eyes he hath opened, aud preserveth
open there ! glory be to his uame therefor : yea, glory, glory,
glory, and everlastiug praises be sung to him throughout
all the holy laud; yea, in the very heights of Zion, by the

ISAAC PENIN6T0N. gg
souls of the redeemed, from henceforth and for evermore,
amen : whose mercy, love, grace, wisdom, power, and rich
goodness remaineth aud endureth for ever; by and in which
the redeemed lived to his praise, who have overcome by the
blood of the Lamb, whose blood they knoAv what it is, aud
none else knoweth it, but they who feel the sprinkling and
virtue of it. Lo ! this is our God, we have waited for him,
and hoAv cau Ave but be glad, and rejoice in his salvation !
Oh ! let all that live by the breath of thy poAver, and drink
of thy streams, sing praise unto thee, and exalt thy great
aud Avonderful name for ever and ever!

Some Propositions and Considerations
CONCERNING THE XaTURE OF ClIURCH WORSHIPS AND ORDI
NANCES SINCE THE DAYS OF THE ApOSTLES, FOR THE SAKE
OF THE SIMPLICITY AVHICH HATH BEEN LONG
HELD CAPTIVE THEREIN.
He that would knoAv the true state of "the church, and
ordinances thereof, must Avait upon God in fear and humil
ity of heart, aa'Iio alone is able to give the true knoAvledge
aud understanding of these things. Aud he that cometh to
the Si^irit, AA^aiteth in the Spirit, and receiveth the true light
from the Spirit, he shall be able to measure ages and gen
erations past as with a span, and see clearly, iu that light,
hoAV things were before the apostasy, how Avhile the church
Avas in the Avilderness, and hoAv things shall be again after
the apostasy, when the church cometh out of the Avilder
ness. She herself is the same iu all ; but her state is dift'er-
eut, according to the Avisdom aud good pleasure of him Avho
variously disposeth of her. One Avhile she is clothed, ap
pearing iu the beauty and glorious dress which the Lord
had put upon her. Another Avhile she is stripped of her
outward garments, and the harlot dressed thercAvith, and
appearing therein. After which season she is adorned
again as gloriously (if not more gloriously) than before;
but Avhether ever she appears more in those garments

eO THE WORKS OP
wherein the harlot had been dressed, and wherein she had
long appeared (even all the time of the apostasy), the Lord
would be inquired of, aud AA'aited on to kuow. Xoav to
help the tender and upright hearts toAvards the true sense
of these things, the Propositions and Considerations follow
ing are given forth, which he that sincerely Avaiteth on the
Lord, from him may receive the true understanding and
right acknoAvledgmeut of.
1. That upon the coming of Christ, and the change of
that outAvard covenant, the distinction betAveen the outward
tTew and Gentile fell, they becoming all one, as in relation
to Christ; aud then another distinction arose in relation to
the faith, belicA'crs becoming Jews now, and unbelievers
Gentiles. 2. That those true and inward Jews had uot onfy the in
Avard faith, the life, the power, the Spirit; but also a minis
try, ordinances, and gifts of the Spirit relating to their
present state.
3. That there Avas a time, after a long and sharp fight be
tAveen the true ministers, Avho appeared in the true light
and power of the true Spirit, and the false ministers, AA'ho also
appeared as ministers of righteousness, and as in the poAver of
the Spirit, but Avere uot such indeed, but instructed by Satan
to transform themselves into a resemblance and likeness of
ministers of righteousness : for though they said they were
apostles, aud seemed so in appearance; yet their spirit, be
ing tried, Avas found not to be the Spirit of the apostles : —
I say, there Avas a time, when there Avas a division (or sepa
ration) made, between the inward temple aud the outward
court. 4. That Avhen this division was made, the outward court
was given to the Gentiles; not any longer reserved by God
for the true worshippers, who worship in Spirit aud truth ;
but given to the unbelievers, the worshippers out of the true
faith, the Avorshippers out ofthe Spirit, and out of the life.
5. That honceforAA'ard, since this separation, the believers,
or true Jews, are not to be expected in the outward court,
in the worship thereof, wherein theywere found before this

ISAAC PENINGTON. 61
separation, but the unbelievers, the Gentiles, Avho have not
the true nature, but at best but thc appearance of the Jew,
are to be expected there, aud the true Joav is to be looked
for and found more inward.
6. That, therefore, Avhich allureth to look for God there,
and to wait for him iu the ways and worships of this time
of the separatioti, is not the true Spirit (which rightly guid
eth the simple heart to the place Avhere God appears, and
where he is to be AA'aited for), but the AA'rong spirit, AA'ho,
AA'hen he cannot stifle the simplicity, and hinder it from
breathing and seeking after God, waits to draw aside and
mislead it.
7. That the great Avay of that spirit's misguiding and
misleading the honest heart, in its breathing and longing
state, is uot by a direct takiug it oft' from seeking after God ;
but rather by pointing it to a Avay to seek him in, AAdierein
he once appeared and Avas cnjoj'ed, but is uoav AvithdraAvn
from. 8. He that will keep close to God, and not be withdraAvu
from him, must Avatch to his Spirit, and knoAv the leadings
of it, else he will not folloAV the Lamb AAduthersoever he
goes; but stay behind iu some observation or practice
AA'hich the Lamb is gone out of; and so miss of his loader,
and raeet, instead thereof, with another leader, oven the
spirit of antichrist, AA'ho enters into the outAA'ard court, aud
outAvard practices, so soon as CA'cr the Spirit of God hath
left them.
9. That God's people, since his AA'ithdrawing iuAA-ard, and
o-iving the outAvard court to the Gentiles, have been much
deceived by the antichristian spirit, and led captive into
Babylon; insomuch as God, Avheu he cometh to overthroAv
antichrist, with the Babylon of his building, finds them
there, and calls them out from thence. For the light groAv-
ing Ioav, and the deceit great, and the spirit subtle; hoAv
can the poor, Aveak, innocent babe espy that spirit, aud es
cape his snares, AA^hen he tempts to those very paths and
wavs of Avorship Avherein the saints had walked, and met
Vol. ni.— 6

(i2 THE WORKS OF
Avith God, before the Spirit of the Lord departed out of
them, aud gave them up to the Gentiles?
10. That there is danger to the people of God of uot un
derstanding his call out of Babylon, but abiding there,
through the subtle eiitauglemeuts of tho false spirit, A\-ho
l>ewitolieth Avith tho cup of fornication, to make Babylon
appear as Zion, her doctrines as the truths of the gospel,
liof ordinances and Avays of Avorship as tho true ordinances
and Avays of Avorship. For the deceit is exceeding deep,
and tho mystery of iniquity very great, folloAving the heart
iluso Avhioh tho Lord is draAviiig to depart therefrom; and
it tho Lord God is not sti'ong and A-igilaut, Avho judgeth
tlio whoro, she Avould still keep her hold of the heart; and
if tlio heart bo uot kept A'ory close to tho Lord in the judg-
iriont, it caiiuot como out of Babylon, but aa'IU still be on-
tauglod aud hold iu some part or other ofthe mystery of its
dci'oit. 11. Such of tho people of God as do not Avait to undor-
stiind aud rooeivo tho full call, and so do lurt foUoAV tho
Lord }iorf'octly out of that city of abominations; but by hor
subtleties, and iuAvard and outward Avitchcrafts, are hold
captive tl.oroiii, and fouud iu any part thereof, aa-Iiou the
L'.rd ouuioth to judge her; such must partake ofthe plagues
ffota tho hand of the Lord^ Avho Avill not spare hor, nor tho
s[iirits ofhis doare.st people Avho are found there, iu the day
of llis A'isitatiou aud rigliteons judgments.
Tliercforo como out of hor, como out of hor, 0 a'O that
love your souls, and the x>urc preseiu-o and fresh light of
God's couiitouaucol Yo that kuoAv Avhat it is to provoke
him to jealousy, and fear tho iveight ofhis hand upon your
spirits; yo that lovo tho holy land, the holy city, and tem
ple of tho living God, oh! como out of that impure build
ing, that fleshly building, those fioshly Avays and AA'orships,
Avhi.-li that spirit adornoth, to mako them appear as if thoy
ere spiritual. Oh! depart yc, depart ye, out of your uoav
removes; for they are also polluted, and not your rest; but
short of that Avhoroiu the rest, the peace, the presence, of
the Lord of life is felt by others, and to bo fouud by vou.

\\

ISAAC PENINGTON. 63
And consider this, if ever ye Avill come to tho holy city,
AA'hich Avas once built iu the days of the apostles, but, since
tho division of it from the outAvard court, hath been trod
den doAvn, and trampled under the feet of the unbelievers,
even Avhile thoy have been Avorshipping in thc outAvard
court (which God ouce built and chose, but afterAvards
AvithdrcAv his Spirit from, and gave up to the unbelievers), —
I say, if ever you Avill come to this holy city, tho holy land
Avherein it is built, and tho holy hill Avhereou it Avas
founded, yo must pass through the Avilderness, be exercised
iu the Avildcruoss, even till a'c are fitted for it; and uot
strive to raise up a building yourselves iu the likeness of
it; but Avait till God hath hoAvu and prepared tho stones by
his Spirit, and then, by the skill of the Spirit, build up his
Zion again.
Therefore, in tho fear of the Lord, consider seriously,
meekly, humbly, and brokenly, that the Lord may manifest
your present state aud condition uuto j'ou, AA'hether ye havc
not erred iu these things as Avell as others, and have not
cause to repent of your forvA'ardness herein, aud to ackuoAvl-
edge that your buildings have been raised iu the foi-AA'ard-
ness of your oavu spirits, and iu tho confidence of your rea
soning upon scripture Avords, without feeling the presence
(guidance and hofy poAver) of God's Spirit raising up the
foundation of mauj- generations, aud rearing his oaa'u pure
house upon his oavu holy mountain.
In the Lord's hand is the time aud season of building his
OAVU house. David, though his desire was approved, yet
might not build the outAvard temple in the time of his
choice ; but God's time aud season was to be Avaited for,
both for the first building, and for the rebuilding of it.
There is likewise a season for the rebuikling of spiritual
Zion, after the long captivity of it in mystery Babylon.
Xoav he that is forward, building before the time and sea
son ofthe Spirit, buildeth Avithout the Spirit, aud his build-
ing is not ofthe Spirit, but ofthe nature of Babylon, Avliich
is Avholly to be departed from, and left behind, in the soul's
travel and progress towards Zion: and AA'hatever is of tho

64 THE WORKS OP
nature of Babylon must at length fall with Babylon, in the
day of her terrible judgment, if the Lord in meroy do not
shake it, and cause it to fall before.
Therefore, O all professors ! awake out of the flesh, and
all fleshly reasonings, into the Spirit of life; and examine
there both your iuAvard and outward buildings, that your
loss be not groat, and your anguish unutterable, iu the day
ofthe Lord, Avheu all those buildings, AA'hich are raised aud
preserved iu the pure life and poAvei-, shall shine iu the
beauty and glory of God's Spirit, and the greatest glor}' of
flesh aud fleshly buildings fade aud Avither.

The Sounding of Bowels toavards thee, 0 England!
Early in the morning, on the 26th day of the Sixth
month, 1660, this, in the freshness aud quick seuse of life,
sprang up in my heart agaiu and again : O England, Eng
land, England! hoAv good had it been for thee, that thou
hadst knoAvu and Avalkod in the Avay of peace !
There is a AA'ay of peace for persons and. nations to knoAV
aud Avalk iu ; but CA'ory person aud nation doth not knoAV
aud walk in this wa^', but rather iu the Avay of trouble.
Quest. What is the Ava}- of peace?
Ans. It is the Avay of the pure Avisdora, the Avay of the
light aud guidance of God's Spirit, from Avhora the creature
came, aud by Avliora alone it cau be rightly ordered. Ho
that Avaiteth ou him for counsel, he that subjeeteth to, aud
Avalketh in, his counsel, he Avalketh iu the Avay of peace.
Quest. What is the Avay of trouble?
Aus. The AA'ay of man's oavu Avisdom and counsel. For
a man or nation to do that Avhich is right iu their OAvn eyes.
This is the Avay of man, Avhereby he thinks to establish
himself, and put au end to his troubles; but ho eiTS therein,
as in the end he still finds to his Avoe.
Xoav, 0 England! consider; hast thou the guidance of
God? Hath the light AA'hich hath guided thy steps been
lighted by hira, or by his and thy soul's enemy? For there

ISAAC PENINGTON. C.,.-
is a spirit, of a contrary nature to God, near man, Avhloh lio
suddenly taketh counsel of, Avhcn his heart is not acquaintc.j
^Avith, nor recoivoth counsel of, the Lord. And this coun
sellor is the destroyer both of persons aud nations, leading'
them in Avays of ruin and subversion, under au a[ipGaraiir(i
of being the proper Avays of peace and settlement.
It is true of nations as avoU as persons, that Avhat thoy
soAv, that shall thoy also reap. God measureth out tlioir
time unto them, and Avhen that is over, his time of judging
aud ploaduig Avith thom comes. Aud Avoe is thou unto
them Avho have acted in their oavu Avills aud Avisdoms, out
of the pure counsel and fear of the Lord, Avhoreiu thoy
should have stood and beou guided.
It is a day of trouble aud distress. The Avoight of tho in
iquity ofthis nation begins to be felt upon it. Oh, let ovor\
one search and boAv before the Lord, under his rightooii.-
judgments! that there may be uo going ou iu that Avhich
bringeth and will increase the judgmeiTt; but a turning
toAvards that Avhich intoreodos, aud opens the springs of
mercy. Taa'O things lie heavy ou this nation; to Avit, a running
on iu transgressions of soA'oral kinds against the Lord (for
getting his tender mercies, Avith the days of former distress),
and an afilictiug others Avhoui he loA'os, and hath led, and
is leading out of trauso-rcssion. Oh that thesc thino-s mii:-ht
come to au end ! that the anger of the Lord might coast',
and the Avays of his judgments aud pleading Avith this na
tion be stopped; for avIio cau stand before him AAdiou he
riseth up in eontrovcr.sy against thera?
There is but one eye Avliich can rightly see the hand and
judgments ofthe Lord; yea, it pleaseth the Lord so to man
age them, that only the eye Avhich is of him may see them.
?»Ian must be taken in his Avisdom, aud caught iu thc snare
of his own understanding. Ho that Avill see the things of
God, the AA'ays of God, the counsels of God, tho lovo and
sweetness of God (yea, the very judgments of God), must
receive from him the eye that seeth them. Oh that men
might feel after, aud come into, that Avherein they might be

66 THE WOEKS OF
pitied, and spared by their Maker. Man must bow; that
Avhich is of God in raau (Avhich hath long lain under oppres
sion) must be exalted. It is the day of his power, and he will
reign in it. Oh ! happy they that bow to his sceptre, and
kiss the shinings of his light (even the sharpest rebukes of
it iu their hearts), that they may turn from, and travel out
of, the darkness (where is death, destruction, and misery,
even in all the counsels and ways of it), and come iuto unity
Avith that Avhich is pure, and live.
Written in Aylesbury prison,
27th of Gth month, 1666.

A FAITHFUL Guidance to the principle and path of Truth,
WHEREIN eternal LiFE IS WITNESSED, BY THOSE WHO
ARE BORN THEREOF, AND WALK THEREIN.
There must be someAvhat let down from God into a
man's heart, to change his heart, and redeem it to God, or
he cannot be saved. He must receive a seed, be born of a
new aud incorruptible seed, or he cannot be rencAved from
his corrupt nature and state. He must be born of Avater
and God's Spirit, or he cannot enter into God's kingdom.
Xoav this is the true religion ; namely, to experience and
be subject to that poAver which redeems to God; AA'hich
breaks the poAver of the Avicked one in the heart, first east
ing him out, aud then takiug possession of the vessel, and
filling it Avith the holy treasure.
Quest. But how may a man meet Avith such a thin a- as
this? Ans. The scripture, Avhich gives a faithful testimony
concerning the truth, saith, Christ, the Word of faith,
which the apostles preached, is uigh. Insomuch as a man
need not say: Who shall go up or doAvn to fetch it? But
Avhat saith it? "The Avord is nigh thee, iu thy mouth, and
in thy heart." This is that Avhieh reconciles to God, cutting
down aud slaying the enmity by the power ofthe cross, and
bringing up the seed. This is the adversary in the way of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 67
the sinner, which he that maketh peace with shall be re
mitted all his trespasses past, and fiud power and strength
agaiust sin for the time to come, as he is gathered into, and
brought forth in, his pure life and nature.
Quest. But hoAV shall I knoAV and receive this?
Ans. That in the lieart AA'hich is contrary to sin, AA'hich
discoA'ereth sin, which witnesseth against sin, and is draw
ing the mind from it, furnishiiig those with a uoav and holy
ability, Avho Avait upon the Lord in it, — ^that, that is the
thing, though iu ever so little a seed or low measure. Xoav
he that minds this, hearkens to this, turns from what this,
in its pure, unerring light, shoAvs to be evil, follows, in the
Avill, strength, and ability Avhich is of this, Avhat this shoAvs
to be good, he receives it; and waiting upon it, and becom
ing daily subject to it, shall grow up in it, increase in the
knowdedge of it, and acquaintance Avith it, and receiA'e of
it daily more and more. And thus the man AA'hose Avay
Avas vile, whose heart was naught, formed in wickedness,
filled Avith corruption, daily bringing forth sin and fruits
uuto death, shall find these (by the pure light, and holy in
structions of life) daily purged out of him, and Christ
formed iu him, aud the holy fruits of righteousness brought
forth through his vessel, by the power and Spirit of Christ,
to the glory of God the Father.
Aud then being iu Christ, being in the principle of his
life, and acting therein, here is peace in the soul, rest to it
from its enemies and God's judgments, aud acceptance with
the Father iu Avhat the soul thus is aud Avorks.
But then the AA'orld AA'ill persecute and hate exceedingly;
because this soul, aa'Iio thus submits to God, aud is thus
changed by him, is not of the Avorid, but of the Father,
AA'hieh begat it iu Christ, and formed it iu his imago aud
likeness. LikcAvise in this light the eyes are opened to read the
Scriptures, and to understand therein the conditions of tho
people and saints of the Most High in former generations,
aud how the wicked spirit wrought then, to oppose tho
truth aud people of God, and to draw men into deceit.

68 The ¦\V0Eii:s op
Yea, aud many other Avays the Scriptures are exceedlug
sAvcet aud useful, being read in that AA'hich gives the true
sense and uuderstauding of them.
But let him that ouce putteth his hand to the ploAV (be
ginning to feel somcAvhat of God, aud to subject unto it,
and so to taste of the peace and purcnoss of it) never look
back to the AA'orld, uor mind the temptations and opposi
tions ho Avill meet Avith from that nature and spirit, either
iu himself or others; for if he do, he Avill never be able to
traA'cl on, but rather consult Avith flesh and blood, and so
return back iuto Eg^'pt, aud lose the croAvn Avliich is laid
up for those Avho pass ou through the Aviideruoss, through
tho trials, through the tomptatious, through the AA'auts,
through the various exorcises, to their journey's end.
This is the path of life iu brief: happy is he aa'Iio feels
the guider into it, aud faithfully folloAvs him thoroiu to tho
end. There is another question springs up iu my heart, wliich
is this;
Quest. IIoAv may a mau come to have his sins AA'ashed
away by tho blood of Christ?
Ans. By coming iuto the light, and Avalkiug iu the light,
Avhich. discovor.s tho blood, aud Avhoreiu alone it is .sprinkled
by God, aud folt by tho soul, he may receive the cleansing
Avhich is by it. This i.s according to the testiiiiouA' of script
ure; as, 1 John i. 7. "If avo Avalk iu tho light, as he is iu
the light, AVO have folloAA-ship one with auothor, and the
blood of Jesus Christ, his Sou, eleauscth us from all sin."
By the light the darkness is disi>cllod, aud in the light tho
corru[)tiou and filth is Avashod aAvay by the blood, aud tho
soul (mind aud cousoienee) cleansed from it.
"This then is tho message that avo haA'o hoard of him,
aud declare uuto you, that God is light, and iu him is no
darkuoH.s at all." ver. 5. What thou? Why thou thoy that
Avill kuoAV God, and walk Avith God, must by the virtue of
his truth be turued from darkness to light, and from the
poAvor of Satan unto God; as, Acts xxvi. 18. and in that
light he shall meet Avith the Father, aud Avith his Sou Jesus

ISAAC PENINGTON. 69
Christ and haA-e fellowship AA'ith thera, ver. 3. and shall bo
washed (both with the water aud Avith the blood) and kept
clean aud pure thereby in the sight of God.
Quest. But how shall I come into the light, aud how may
I AA-alk therein ? -^
Ans. Christ is tho light. He is the light of the world,
the light of mon, the light of life. And thou needst uot sav
lu thine heart: Who shall go up to heaven, or down into
tho deep, for him? For he is near, iu thy raou^h, and iu
thy heart. This is the Avord of fiiith, which thou art to 1)0-
lievo in, love, and obey; that iu tho love, fiiith, and obedi
euce thereof', thine heart may be circumcised, and thou
mayest live. This is the gospel of our salvation, even this
Christ, this Avord, this light, this life, Avhich redeems from
sin, Avhich destroyeth the destroyer, aud setteth the soul
free to serve aud live to the Lord. This was tho message
the apostles had to deliA^er iu their day: as, Rom. x.'s.
And this Avas iloses' message too, when ho spake conceru-
ing the uoav covenaut. For Moses did uot only deliver tho
old covenaut, but he also spake ooncorning the noAv, even
another covenant tlian that of ^Mouut Ilorob. Deut. xxix. 1.
And the Avord of this other ooA-enant Avas not the laAv Avrit
ten in tables of stone; but the Avord nigh in the mouth aud
heart, chap. xxx. 14.
Obj. But that place speaks of doing (AA-hich is the voioo
of the old covenant, do this aud live); but tho ucav covo-
uant stands iu belieA-inor.
Ans. The end of faith is obedience. Why do I belioA'e
Christ, but that I may receiA'e tho hiAv of his Spirit, and
AA-alk before him iu the noAvness of the obedience thereof?
And ho that obeys is of the faith, and in the truth; and ho
that obeys uot is out of it, is not in the poAver, not in the
life, Avhioh brings forth the obedience, so out of the thing
AA'hich redeems, and iu which the redemption is AAutnessed;
but he that obeys, he that doth the avIII, — ^lie is iu tho
righteousness, in the poAVor, iu tho lifo, from Avhioh the obe
dience springs.
And here the AA-ashiug and purifying of the soul is truly

70 THE WOEKS OP
knoAvn aud witnessed. OutAA-ard sacrifices under the laAv
Avere A'aiu as to cleansing tho soul; and an outward belief
of AA'hat Christ did aud suft'ered effects not the thiug uoav.
What then? The ucav creature dothj the pure faith doth ;
the pure obedience doth. It did it formerly', it doth it still,
aud nothing else cau do it. "Bring uo more vain oblations ;
but AA'ash ye, make you clean; put aAvay the evil of j-our
doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do
well," &c. But hoAv should this be? Could they ever at
tain this by the old coA'enant? Xay; but Moses had not
only delivered them the old covenant, but also had directed
them to the uoav, to the Word of faith, to the Word of life
and poAver in the heart and mouth, through the obedience
Avhereof they might Avash themselves (as Peter, even in the
gospel times, speaketh. 1 Pot. i. 22.), put aAvay the evil of
their doings; cease to" do evil, learn to do Avell, &c. And
Avliat then? Wh}-, then they .should receive the cleansing
through the blood ofthe Lamb; for then, though their sins
Avero as scarlet, they should be as Avhitc as suoav; though
they Avere red like crimson, thoy should be as avooI. Isa. i.
16, 17, 18.
So Micah tells thom (aa-Iicu they asked Iioav they might
come before God to please him): "He hath shoAA'ed thee,
O man, Avhat is good; and AAdiat doth the Lord require of
tlioo, but to do justly, and to lovo mercj', and to Avalk hum
bly Avith God." ^lic. vi. 8, Where or hoAv doth God shoAV
this to man? Had not Moses told that before; to Avit, by
the Word uigh iu the mouth aud heart? There is somc
AA'hat near man, even iu his mouth, Avhich divides his Avords
one from another, shoAving hira (at some times, and aa'ouUI
do it oftener if he heeded it) Avhich are bad Avords, aud
which are good Avords. What is that that doth this? Tho
game thing also is iu his heart, as a discerner of tho thoughts
and intents thereof, shoAving him Avhen there is a good
thought, desire, or intention iu his mind, and Avhen there
is a bad or Avicked one. What is this ? Oh that men kneAv
Avhat it is ! Oh that they could fear the Lord, and become
subject to it, and they should know whflt it ia!

ISAAC PENINGTON. 7I
"Every man that Avill be sanctified, and inherit God's
kingdom, must bo born of the Avill of God. He must denv
his OAA'U Avill (as Christ did ; not my Avill, said he. Father,
but thine be done), that must be crucified. He must suft'er
iu the flesh, die to the flesh, and live iu and to the holy nat
ure aud Spirit of God.
Xoav thus a man comes to be born of the pure Avill ; to
Avit, by hearing the Avord uigh in tho mouth and heart, aud
becoming subject to it. This cuts doAvu his oavu avUI day
by day, and brings up the Avill and nature of God iu him,
through Avhicli he is changed and sanctified, and becomes a
UOAV creature. For the old creature is made up of the old
uuderstauding and Avill; but the ucav creature is made up of
tho UOAV.
"WhcroAvithal shall a young man cleanse his Avay? By
takiug hoodaccordiugto thy Avord," said David. AVhat Avord
Avas that ? AVas it the Avord of thc old covenant, or the Avord
uigh iu the raouth and heart? Aud "thy AA'ord," .saith ho,
"is a lantern to my foot, aud a light to my i)ath." AAHiat Avord
AA'as that, thoAvord of tho first covenant, or the Avord ofthe
second? "ThelaAV ofthe Lord is perfect, couA'ortiugtho soul."'
AVhat laAV is that? "The testimony ofthe Lord is sure, mak-
king Aviso the simple." AVhat testimony is that ? "The stat
utes ofthe Lord are right, rejoicing tho heart." AA'hat stat
utes are thoy ? (AA^ero not the statutes of the old covenant
lieaA'y and burdeusorae?) "The commandment of the Lord
is pure, oulightening the eyes." AVhat commandment is
that? Yea, what is that Avhich is "sAA'cotor than the honey,
aud the honey-comb," AA'hich OA'orcomos Avith SAVootnoss ? Oh
that men could read I Oh that men could see thothing Avliich
is pure, aud maketh pure; Avliich is rigliteons, aud maketh
righteous! After mon have seen the thing, there is a great
Avaj- to travel to it; but hoAV far are they oft", AA'ho do not so
much as see it, but are in the darkness and projudices of
that nature and spirit Avhich is contrary to it.
Xoav if the Lord in his tender mercy and love to thy soul,
bring thee to a sense of this thing, and thou begiuuest to
fool this precious, searching AA'ord discovering any evil to

72 THE WOEKS OP
thee, either in thy heart or ways, oh ! do not dispute, do not
reason against it; but bless the discoverer, boAv to the Son,
become obedient immediately, faithfully foUoAving the Lamb
therein, lest he remoA-e his light frora thee, and suffer dark
ness and the disputing Avisdora to OA'crtake thee.
Christ is not of tho Avorld, and he leads out of the Avorld ;
out of its A-anities, Avays, customs, fashions, &c. A man can
not serve Christ and the Avorld. Can any man be born of
the Father, be begotten by him out of the spirit of the world,
and yet live in that, Avalk in that, Avhich is not of the Fa
ther, but of the world ; Avhich came from the worldly part, is
of the Avorldly part, nourisheth aud pleaseth the Avorldly
part in man, but pleaseth not the Father? Cau that man
Avho is uot of the Avorld, but of the Father, do any thing
that upholdeth the lust of the flesh, the lust of tlie eyes,
or the pride of life, either iu himself or others? Doth not
the Spirit of the Lord, AA'here it is hearkened to, draw out
of these, aud out of all things Avliich are of these? There
fore consider avoU Avhat it Avill cost, and hoAV hard it is to
folloAv Christ; that thou, who desirest to be the Lord's, may- .
est receive help aud strength from him to be faithful, that
in his strength thou raayest overcorao all that stands bo-
tAveen thee and lifo, that so thou raayest receive the croAA'n,
and inherit the kingdom Avhich is prepared for, aud given
to, the faithful, Avho labor and fight not in A'aiu; but gain
grouud and conquer (yea, at length become more than con
querors) through the mercy, love, might, and poAver of the
Lord.

Some sensible experimental Questions and Answers from
THE Tenth Chapter of John.
Quest. 1. AVho is the good Shepherd of the sheep?
Ans. The Avisdom, life, aud poAver of the Father (Avhich
dwelleth in, aud is manifest through the Son) is the Shep
herd. He that is the truth, the AA-ay, and the life, he also is
the Shepherd and Bishop of the soul.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 7g
Quest. 2. Who are the sheep ?
Ans. They that are born of this wisdom, gathered by this
life, turned to this poAver, they are the sheep. They who
are changed by him into his nature, they are of hira ; sheep
ofhim, the Shepherd; lambs ofhim, the Lamb ; dovesof him,
the Dove.
Quest. 3. AVhat is the fold ofthe sheep?
Ans. The Avisdom, life, and poAver of the Father, even the
same that is the Shepherd. The Father's hand Avherewitk
he covers them, AA'herein he encloseth thera, that is the fold.
For it is the poAA'or, AA'isdom, and life of the Father, which
gathereth the sheep; and he gathereth tlkem into his wis-
dom, into his life ; and that is a Avail or fold about them.
Obj. Is not the church the fold?
Ans. This in the church, or the church iu this, is the fold ;
but uot out of this. For there is uo safety or preservation
among auy sort or gathering of people, but as they stand
and abide iu this. And standing and abiding in this, they
have authority aud poAver from the chief Bishop of the soul ,'
but none out ofthis.
Quest. 4. AVho is the door ?
Aus. The Shepherd is the door also, Avho lets into the fold,
and shuts out, at his pleasure; aud uoue can rightly enter
but by him.
Quest. 5. AA'hat are they that run before the poAver, or
further than the poAver leads and guides thom?
Ans. They are thieves and robbers, and they may destroy
the life aud freshness in those that are not watchful ; but they
eanuot help to save or build up, because they themselves are
out of that, come out of that, and act out of that, Avhich
alone can do it.
Quest. 6. Hoav may the sheep be diseeriied from the goats,.
and from such also as put ou the slieep's clotMug, hut are
uot sheep in nature and spirit?'
Aus. By their lambdike nature, by the raeekness aud in
nocency in thera Avhich is of the Lamb, Avhich none can have
but they that are of him ; for it is not to be fouud in raan's'
uature, nor to be attained by his art. They also knoAV and
Vol. m.— 7

74 THE WORKS OF
hear the voice of tho Word nigh iu tho raouth aud heart,
and folloAV the law of his Spirit, received from his mouth,
Avhich none else but his sheep do, or can do; fortius is given
by him, and it is given by hira only to his sheep.
Quest. 7. AVhat doth Christ, the Shepherd (the eternal
AVord, the wisdom, life, aud poAver of the Father), do for
his sheep?
Aus. He doth great things for them, Avliich Avho cau
utter? But happy is he that feels aud knoA\'s thera. He
gives them a new nature, a new spirit, a new heart, a ucav
name, AA'hich none knoAveth but he that hath it; for it is
Avritt&B on the Avhite stone, Avhich none else receives, nor
none else ean read, but he that hath the eye Avhicli is of him,
Avhat is written thereon. He giveth them eternal life ; he
leadeth them into the pastures of life; he giA'cth them to
drink of the waters of life. He putteth them forth out of
the prison-house, out of the chains and fetters, out of the
darkness, out of the bonds, and from under the burdens of
the soul, into the pure light aud Uberty ofthe Spirit, AA'here
tbey taste, kuoAA-, and enjoy of his freedom, aud dAvell with
him, and rest Avith him, aud lie doAvn Avith him, and rise up
Avith him, even in the same eternal life, spirit, and poAver,
Avhereiu his dAvelling-place is. Aud all this they enjoy
safely, hearkening to the voice of the Shepherd, aud turn
ing from the voice of the stranger, Avhioh it is uatural to
them to do. For being turned from man, bora of that Avhich
is immortal, and keeping to that, that ear AAdiich is there re
ceived Avill alone hearken to the A'oice of him who is im
mortal! ; and tho voice of the stranger (avIio speaketh of hira
self) is presently discerueoli aud turued from, hy hira that
heareth AA'ith the true ear. The Lord God, Avho iss the spring
and fountain of all good, inflame people Avith desires after
the pure life, and hoily nature, Avhich is of and frora Christ
the seed, his Son, and satisfy those desires Avhich are singly
aud uprightly after him.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

TIIE COXCLUSIOX.

Glorious Avas the estate ofthe church before the apostasy,
for purity of doctriue, for holy order and discipliue, for love
to God, one to another, and to all men (even of enemies),
for faith iu God, for the presence aud poAA'er of his Spirit
among them (insomuch as the unbeliever coming among
them, might fiud his heart and state reached to, and be
forced to confess aud report that God Avas in them of a
truth), for singleness aud uprightness of heart, meekness
aud innocency of spirit aud conversation, for zeal for God
aud his truth, suft'ering the spoiling of their goods, impris-
oumeuts, stripes, and many other Avaj's, both from the
heathen, and also from the professing Joavs, Avho had been
the church once. Oh! what shall I say concerning the
beaut}' aud loveliness of that state? Ye that Avould knoAv
it, oh ! Avait to feel it in that which gives the true sense of it.
But over this glorious state came a dark, thick, corrupt
uight, Avherein the kernel Avas lost, aud the shell defaced;
AA'herein the house, Avhieh had been sAvept and garnished,
became agaiu recovered and possessed by the Avicked spirit.
And how great hath this darkness been ! Oh, Avlmt a kind
of church hath appeared in the world, Avherein the spirit of
enmity hath dAA-elt and acted in men, under the uame of
Christianity I So that instead of loving and seeking the
good of enemies, they are ready to i-end aud tear one an
other for every little dift'erence, and Avill be lords over
meu's faith, requiring meu to practise things iu religion
befbre the Spirit ofthe Lord teacheth them so to do, Avhich
the apostles did not. For though they had from God the
express knowledge of what Avas truth, aud could certainly
instruct and build up men therein, yet they were uot lords
over men's faith; but if meu were otherwise minded than
according to w-hat they knew and taught, they could wait
aud bear with them, biddiug them A\-alk so far as they had
attaiued, aud God, in his due time, Avould reveal the rest

76 THE WOEKS OP
also. Oh that men were come to this spirit again ! then
they would be Christians indeed, and then they might be
known to be Christ's disciples, by their loving the brethren
and felloAV-disciples. But without this love, men's religion
is but a tinkling cymbal, making a noise and sound of
somcAvhat, but not having the true nature or virtue of re
ligion in it.
"Xow will it not be a glorious day, Avheu the Spirit of the
Lord cleanseth away this thick darkness, and causeth the
light of his pure truth to arise and appear agaiu ? AAHiy,
there is such a day to be, wherein tho true church, AA-hich
Avas reproached and driven iuto the Avilderness, is to come
out of the wilderness again, and her Avitnesses stand ou
their feet agaiu, and her seed to spring up iu the pow-er of
life, following the Lamb, who marcheth on fighting with
the SAvord ofthe Spirit (the word ofhis mouth), conquering
and to conquer thereby the corrupted antichristian -vA-orld,
even as he did at first the corrupt heathenish Avorld.
The Lord Avill purify his temple, aud cleanse the world
by the plagues of his angels which he hath prepared, mak
ing way for the beauty of his truth, aud the church of his
gathering; wherein he will bring forth his righteousness,
Avhereiu his poAver shall appear, AA-hereiu his presence shall
be made manifest', wherein that Avhich shined before in tho
pi'imitive church shall shine again in this new-reared build
ing of his, insoraueh as raen shall be forced to say : This is
the church of Christ indeed, God is here of a truth ; this is
tho Gospel-.Jerusalem indeed, AA-hich is built upon the holy
hill of Zion ; in Avhieh innocency, righteousness, truth, love,
SAveetness, peaceableness, aud the gentle nature and Spirit
of the Lamb lives and reigns; and the Lord bless thee, O
habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
Xow, of a truth this work is begun. The times of re
freshment are come from the presence of the Lord. The
Lord hath heard from heaven, pitying the cries ofhis seed,
aud hath visited their souls, causing the light of Ufe (even
the pure light of the everlasting covenant) to shin© upon
their tabernacles. But Avhoever Avould kuoAv these thing's,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 77
and partake of them, must come in at the door, by the
guidance ofthe Spirit, through the light Avhich is Avithhim.
Aud he that Avould enjoy the full Ught (even the shinings
forth of the sun at n 0011-day) must begin with its glimraer-
ings, even that in the heart Avhich discovereth and draAveth
out of the corrupt state of the world towards the Father.
Oh ! hear aud live. Do not dispute about it, but Avait to
feel it; upon the feeling of it, despising the shame, aud
taking up aud enduring the cross, and so bearing the re
proach and suft'erings of Christ in thy age and generation.
And as thou obeyest, thou shalt knoAV of its doctriue ; but
out ofthe pure faith aud obedience, there is no true, sound,
deep, rooted knoAvledge; but all of that kind must be
parted Avith, for the knoAAdedge which is of the faith, and
AA'hich is made manifest aud increased in the obedience;
AA'hich knowledge is of a far more excellent kind aud nat
ure, than that which thou art to part Avith for it. The Lord
guide thy mind, aud stretch forth his hand to help thee,
Avho, from the least touch of a pure nature and spirit, de
sirest after the pure truth and Avay of eternal life. Amen.
This testimony, here held forth, is faithful and true, and
(I know) the witness of God in manj^ hearts Avill ausAver to
it; and happy is he that maketh a right use of it. For, so
doing, his soul Avill not fall short of the pure, liA'ing truth,
nor set up auy thin^ else for truth Aidiich is not.

78 THE WOEKS OF

to such as are not satisfied with a profession,
avithout the true Life and Power, but have sincere De
sires IN THEIR Hearts after the Lord himself, and a
Willingness to be acquainted with his pure
living Truth, and avith the Soul's
TRUE Guide and Leader ;
This Experience is in my Heart to express unto
TOU, avhich we have all along witnessed in our Travels
OUT OF THE DARK, CORRUPT LaND, INTO THE
Land of Life and Purity.

We have still found the wilier, the runner, the self-striver,
the wise, co'mprehending part, &c., left behind; and the
grace of God alone able to lead towards him, and the birth
which is of and by grace still to obtain the mercy. And
Christ is our life, aud in the union with his Spirit lies all
our ability aud strength; and that knowledge of Christ,
Avhich we witness to be life eternal, Ave did uot meet Avith
Avhilst Ave thought to have it in the Scriptures, but it hath
been all along revealed to us by God's Spirit; so that wo
can truly say, flesh and blood did not reveal the Son to
us, but the Father. Yet that which the Scriptures testify
concerning Christ is exactly true according as it is there re
lated, aud is so ackuoAvledged and really OAvned by us;
though we obtain not our knoAAdedge of Christ by the let
ter, but by receiving a principle of life from God ; and com
ing into union Avith his Spirit, we came to the true knoAvl-
edge aud OAA'-ning ofthe letter; Avhieh as it came from the
life, so can it only be rightly read and understood in the
life frora Avhieh it carae: so that he that is out of that, cau
not but err concerning the letter, and raisjudge concerning
the things of God; AA'hereas he that is guided bj-, and lives
iu God's Spirit (receiving his knowledge there), cannot err
concerning the Spirit, or concerning "the letter; but hath

ISAAC PENINGTON. 79
that within him, which gives to him, and preserves him in,
the true sense and understanding of both.
Xow, friends, this is an excellent thing indeed, to come
to, and be acquainted with, and receive that, which the
Scriptures testify of; to Avit, to receive Christ, to feel union
Avith him in his Spirit, to enter into the new and holy agree
ment with God, into the everlasting covenant of life and
peace, to feel the partition wall broken down, and the wall
of salvation reared np, and the] defence which is thereby ;
to find the law of God, the law of life, the law of the
new creation, Avritten in the heart; the pure fear planted
there by God, Avhich keepeth the mind and spirit from de
parting from him; to have his Spirit put within, causing to
walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes and judgments,
and do them; and so to have union and fellowship with the
Lord in that which is pure and living of him, in Christ the
new and living way, which was before the fall, and leads
the obedient out ofthe fall, even beyond Adam's state, into
himself who never fell, in whom is no sin, nor erring, no,
not for the wayfaring man, though a fool, Avho often erred
and wandered before he came thither; but there the Fa
ther's hand, even the hand of eternal power, is felt, which
none ean pluck out of Oh ! that ye knew the infalUble
Leader, and were turned from darkness to light (and did
believe therein), and from the poAver of Satan unto God,
that ye, through his Spirit, might undeniably Avitness the
mysteries of his kingdom, and partake of and enjoy that
which his love, grace, and mercy, plentifully distributes
among his children that wait upon him in one Avay, under
the holy ordering ofhis Spirit; which was long harped at
andlongedafter by many of us; but avo eould never meet
Avith it, till tho Loi^ in his mercy caused the Ught of his
day to shine into our hearts, which chased away the darkness
of the night, and made the things of the day manifest.
Are ye of the house of Jacob ? Are ye of the right seed ?
Are ye of the true breathers after God's holiness, after the life
and righteousness of his Zion? Oh! then come ye, knoAv,
acknoAvledge, receive, and wait to walk in the light of the

80 THE WOEKS OF
Lord; aud do not join to that in you which is separated
from, aud knoAveth not, the light of the Lord, but opposeth
it. And, friends, I beseech you, take heed iu this point ;
for he that denieth, refuseth, opposeth, speaketh evil, or
thinketh hardly of any thing that is indeed of Christ, doth
it to Christ himself, iu Christ's account (that is, Christ
looketh upon it as if he had denied him, refused him, op
posed him, spoke evil of him, &c.), and it Avill be so laid to
his charge in the day of the Lord. And indeed such is my
loA'e to you, aud such ray desire after 3'our eternal good aud
Avelfare, that I Avould not have you stumble at the light and
poAver of life, Avhich the Lord hath revealed aud stretched
out (in this daj' of his mercy) to gather and saA^e Avith ; but
feel the gathering bj' it from all that scattereth from the
Lord, Avith the preservation Avhich is thereby, and the effect
ing of that in j^our spirits Avhich it is able to eftect, as it
comes to manifest itself unto you, and to put forth his
strength in you. So Avait for the gathering unto the light
(the Ught of the everlasting day of God), and into the power
Avliich is able to redeem and defend the soul from all that is
contrary to God. Aud Avhen ye are there, be diligent and
faithful to the Lord: and feel (oh! daily AA-ait to feel from
him) the unclothing of j'our spirits frora all their oavu un
righteousness; yea, from all their oavu righteousness also
(Avhich is but as filthy rags before the Lord, CA^en of the
same nature Avith the unrighteousness), that ye may be
clothed upon Avith the ucav and living garment, AAdierein
there is neither spot nor wrinkle, nor auy such thing. For
thoy that are of Christ, aud in Christ, do as really put ou
the nature, the Spirit, the garment of the second Adam, as
ever they did put oft" the old garment, nature, aud spirit.
This is from one AAdio uprightly and singh- desireth your
union Avith the Lord in his pure truth and holy anointing,
and your disunion frora all that is contrary to him.
Isaac Penington.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 81
A Query added, with its Ansicer.
^ AVhat is the true confession of Christ, even that confes
sion AAdiich ariseth from the knoAvledge Avhich is life eternal?
Ans. Friends, I Avitness it to be this: A confession ofhis
nature, a confession of his Spirit, a confession of his lifo, a
confession of his poAver. To confess the present U\'ing ap
pearance of Christ, that is to confess Christ. "Behold,"
saith he, "I stand at the door and knock." lie that heareth
his voice, acknowdedgeth him, letteth him in, subjeeteth to
his truth aud Holy Spirit, — he confesseth hira. But though
a raau should acknoAvledge aud confess all that is recorded
iu the Scriptures concerning hira ; yet if he knoAv not his
knocks, so as to let hiin in, and become subject to his
poAver, he doth not confess Christ as he ought to do, and as
God requireth of hira. Oh that ye could learn thus to
know Christ, and thus to confess him ! For until ye thus
know him, ye cannot thus confess hira. And your knees
must first boAv at his name, before your tongues cau rightly
confess him, to the glory of God the Father ! For if ye aa'UI
indeed glorify the Father, ye must boAv to the Sou, Avho is
the Ught Avherein God dAvells, in the shinings Avhereof he
appears to, and visits tho sons of men. And as the Son him
self is spiritual ; so is the light wherewith he visits dark
man. His law is spiritual, able to convert the soul of auy
man in whose heart it is AA-ritten, aud to make Aviso (the most
simple among men) uuto salvation. For the law of God,
Avrit in the heart, is frora the covenant of life ; and delivers
and preserves frora the laAv of sin and death, having tho
light, poAver, and Spirit of Christ iu aud Avith it, from Avbom
it comes.Xoav if ye Avill knoAV these things clearly, certainly, and
infallibly ;"Avait to feel some touches, some draAvings, some
convictions of God's Spirit upon your hearts. And then
dispute not against them ; but immediately beoome subject,
so far as the Ught and drawings of the Father incline and
lead tbe mind ; and then ye shaU see Avhat he is that draws.

82 THE AVOKKS OP
and of AA'hat nature his draAvings are. And if once ye come
to feel the preciousness of his ointment; and to partake of
it, receiving it and following it, it AA'ill bring you iuto the
pure vii-ginity, Avhich loves and longs after the name that
anoints Avith the pure living oil.
Friends, I Avas ouce where ye uoav are; and in that day, I
also (through error and mistake) called the light Avherewith
Christ hath enlightened man, natural, as ye uoav do. But
the Lord hath since shoAved me, that it Avas not the true
birth of life in me Avhich so called it; and it is also mani
fested to me in his Spirit of truth (Avhich deceives not), that
it is not the true birth in you, AA-hich so judges of it. Oh
that ye were boru of the Spirit, aud in it knew the names
of the things from their .nature, and might be tanght of the
Father to Avorship the Sou ! Avhich ye can never do, till ye
come iuto the Son's light; aud that is the Son's light, even
that AvhercAvith he hath enlightened raen, that they might
believe iu the Father through him. The Scriptures (or auy
Avords spoken or Avritten) are not the light itself, but testi
monies concerning the Ught. Xow that AA-hich ye are to
come into, and to dAvell and abide in, is the light itself;
Avhich light Avas beftire any Avords that testify of it, aud is
the substance of all the shadows, aud the end" of all the tes
timonies concerning it. He is Alpha aud Omega, the Be
ginning aud the End of the new creation of God. Oh that
yo so knoAv him !
That from AA-hich the Scriptures carae, is the thing, the
life, the Spirit, the poAvor itself; Avhich is able to Avrite in
wardly, as Avell as outAvardly. And he that knoAvs the thiug,
aud is led to the thiug by the inward writing (Avhich is the
testimony of Jesus, the Spirit of prophecy) he by the testi
mony of Jesus, by the Spirit of prophecy, is led to the Holy
Power; Avhich he believing in, it prevails to save him out of
the contrary spirit aud poAver. And this the Gentiles with
out the laAV, the .Jcaa-s under the hnv, and the beUevers un
der grace, had spiritually all one aud the same Avay and path
cf life unto sab^atiou ; and God will be clear and just in judg-
i-Hg thom all according thereunto, Avbo had all' some mani^

ISAAC PENINGTON. gg
festation ofthe gospel aud power which saves, accordino- to
the dispensation of the good pleasure of the free o-iver
And men's perishing in the time of every dispensation, is
not for Avant of light and power from God, but from men's
withdrawing and apostatizing from the light and power
which in every dispensation of life stretched forth its hand
aud arm sufiiciently to gather and save.

There is one thing more in my Heart unto You, at this Time,
ivhich is
Concerning applying the ProxMises.
The promises of God are great aud precious, and give to
partake of the divine nature those that Avait upon the Lord
iu the faith aud obedieuce of his truth. Xoav there are es
tates and conditions to Avhich they do belong; and there are
estates aud conditions to AA-hich they do not belong ; aud if
auy one apply any promise to himself, he uot being in that
estate aud condition to AAdiich that promise belongs, he de
ceives his soul, and sucks not iu the true SAA-eotness and
comfort of the promise, but of his own imaginary appro-
hensions coucerning the promise.
There is a state of Avounding, of judging, of God's plead
ing Avith the soul, because of sm and transgression. Xoav
he that breaks audi Avound.^, he atone can bind up and heal;
aud the Lord is to be Avaited upon in the Avay of his judg
ments, until he see meet to bind up aud heal. Xoav tho
Lord heals by the same Spirit and poAver AvhercAvith he
AA-ouuds; but it is hard to lie under the judgment, to bear
the indignation of the Lord, and so keep the Avouud (Avhich
he makes) open, till he pour in the oil, and heal. For there
is that near, Avhich AA-ill be oft'ering to heal before the season,
and will be bringing in promises,, ansl applying promises, oth
erAvise than the Spirit ofthe Lord iutendeth or appUeth them.
Xoav this is diligently to be Avatched agaiust, that the hurt
ofthe soul (judged and wounded by the Spirit ofthe Lord)
be not healed slightly, and peace spoken to it (and au ex-

84 THE WOEKS OP
pectation aud hope raised in it) AA-hich is not of the Lord.
But this is the right way, even to give up to feel that which
AA'ounds, and to receive the Avoundings of thy soul's friend,
and lie low before him iu the Avouuded state, Avaiting upon
him in the A\'ay of his judgments and righteous iudignation ;
till the same that Avounded, speak peace. For the same is
to speak peace, aud not auother; "I the Lord wound, and I
heal; I kill, and I make alive." Judgment is mine, aud
mercy is mine; and they both issue frora my lips. (See
Isa. xii. 1.) So every one, that would uot be deceived about,
nor misapply the promises, AA-ait to feel that iu you, Avliich
loads iuto the condition to Avhich the promise belongs, aud
to be led iuto aud kept iu the condition by it. And then,
the same that leads into the condition, Avill apply the prom
ise to him Avho is in the condition, the ear being open to
him, hearkening to the Lord, Avaiting Avhat he Avill speak,
Avho speaks peace to his people in his seasons; aud having
the ear shut against the voice of the unrighteous troubler of
the souls of God's heritage. Yea, he that applieth the
promises to the soul (haA-iug brought it into the state to
Avhich they belong), he also avUI lead aud bring unto the ful
filling of the promises, even to the receiviug of the good
things promised and Avaited for; so that the soul shall Avit
ness the gospel to be a glorious state indeed; a state of lifo,
a state of liberty, a state of poAver, a state of dominion, a
state of holiness, a kingdom of righteousness aud peace,
AA'hereiu there are everlasting mansions and dAvelUng-places
iu Christ Jesus, for the seed ofthe righteous for evermore.
The Lord God of everlasting mercy, life, pOAver, and rich
goodness, cause thc light of his oavu Holy Spirit to shine
iuto your hearts, guide you thereby into and iu the true
Avay, even in the pure, living path (AA'hich Avas and is but
one for ever) that ye may corae iuto the true possession, aud
full enjoyment, aud infallible Avitnossing of these thing's.
23d of the Second mo.ith, 1608.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 85
There is another Query of great Concernment, which springeth
up in my Heart -towards you.
Query. Is uot the Spirit, or anointing, the great gospel
promise, and the great gospel ordinance ? Is uot he truth,
and no lie, and the leader out of all lies and deceits into the
truth, and the preserver of the mind and spirit therein?
"Little children," said the same apostle, AA'ho had du-ected
to the anointing, "keep yourselves from idols," Is there
any possibility of being kept frora images and idols but by
him ? Can any understand the things of the Spirit, or the
Avords spoken by the Spirit concerning spiritual things, but
by him ? Aud then, is not eveiy apprehension, that ye take
up from the Scriptures concerning spiritual things, Avhich
ye haA'C not from him, but comprehend and gather of your
selves, au image, or conceiA-ing of your OAvn, concerning
that thing, aud uot that true kuoAAdedge and understand
ing of the thing which he alone can give? Oh that all the
chambers of imagery Avere throAvn doAvn in you, and every
idol of the heart and mind discovered to you, and broken
down by the light and power of the Lord! that ye raight
come to that Avhicli is pure and liA'ing, and by its purifying
know the pure heart, the pure mind, the pure conscience,
and offer up the pure, perfect ofteriug; not the lame, bUnd,
imperfect, &c., which Avere not accepted, in the figure, un
der the law, nor acceptable under the gospel. Mai. i. 11. 13.
and chap. iii. 3.
Friends, ye must know that which is pure from God, and
ye must come into it (out of that Avhich is impure, iuto that
Avhich is pure). Xow that ye may do so, ye must know the
purifying; for nothing that is impure can enter into that
AA-hich is pure. Yea, ye must become priests to God, and
Avear the priest's garment, the pure garment, the liA-ing
o-arment, the fine linen, without mixture of the wooUen.
Ye must be born of the innocency, be clothed with the in
nocency. The stony, hard, desperately wicked heart must
be taken aAA'av, and the tender heart of flesh received, the
Vol. IIL— 8

86 THE WOEKS OF
mind renewed to God, the fear put within (AA'hich cleanseth
and keepeth clean), the laAv Avritten Avithin, the Spirit ofthe
Lord put in the iuAA'ard parts, and felt powerfully operating
and changing there. Yea, and the inside must not only be
clean, but the outside also ; for ye must be clothed AA'ith the
Spirit, clothed Avith the Lamb's righteousness and holiness ;
aud thus ye must appear before the Lord in his temple,
AA'hich is the beauty of holiness, Avhose house holiness be
comes for ever; where ye are ncA'cr to appear in your own
filthy rags, but in the nature. Spirit, righteousness, and life
of Christ. And thus ye are Avell pleasing to God, oa'cu iu
that Avhich is of God; being born of that, formed of that,
fouud iu that, appearing in that. But in his oavu, uo mau
can be accepted; for it is determined of God, aud stands
irreversible for ever, that iu his oavu (iu his oavu knoAvledge,
in his OAVU faith, in his oavu obedieuco, iu his oavu right-
oousuess, iu his oavu Avilling aud running, (fee.) shall no flesh
for ever be justified in his sight; but only and alone in the
nature. Spirit, life, righteousness, faith, obedience, and ho
Uness ofhis Son. Therefore Avait for the seed, that ye may
kuoAv the seed, feel the seed, the pure seed of life (the leaven
of the heavenly kingdom), and may witness it arising and
come iu you to do the Avill, aud you in it quickened and
enabled to live to and serve the liAdug God. Aud when ye
know this seed, ye kuow Christ; and when ye receive this
seed, ye receive Christ; and if it Uve in you, Christ lives iu
you ; and in it (beiug in it, aud abiding in it) are ye heirs
of the Ufe, kingdom, and poAver, Avhich hath uo end; and
shall daily feel the promises and blessings belonging to the
seed, fioAving iu upon your spirits. But if ye content your
selves with the kuoAvledge of Christ Avhich the errina: and
apostatized spirit of man frora the life and power may
gather out of the letter of the Scriptures, and feed thereon ;
that wUl not nourish you up to eternal Ufe, but death aud
sin, and the gates of hell Avill have poAver over you notAvith
standing that; but if ye, through the Spirit, receive power
over that Avhich is contrary to God, aud through him mor
tify the deeds of the body, ye shall Uve. Therefore wait

ISAAC PENINGTON. 87
for the manifestation of the pure power of the endless Ufe,
Avdiich ia now dispensed from ou high (blessed be the uame
ofthe living one! ), aud Avait to know and be joiued to that
seed of life, wherein aud whereby it is dispensed, that ye
may Avitness Christ's kingdom come to you, aud the reign
of your spirits Avith him therein, over all that captivate'th
from him, loadeth the soul, boAveth doAvu and oppresseth.
A POSTSCRIPT
Concerning Deceit and being Deceived.
There is that Avliich deceives (Avhere it is hearkened to),
and there is that Avhich is liable to be deceived by it. There
is likcAvise that Avhieh deceiveth not; aud there is also that
Avhich cannot be deceived. So likewise there is a pure fear
and Avatchiug in the truth agaiust the deceit, lest by auy
means it should enter and betray. As also there is a fear
that is a snare (avIucIi the true faith preserves out of) where
by mauy are entangled in the A-ery boAvels of deceit, even
concerning those very things about Avhich they are afraid
they should be deceived. This hath been experienced by
those, AA'ho have been acquainted Avith the Lord's precious
truth, and thereby are come to know and discern the Aviles
and devices of Satan ; Avho often hath quenched Avhat the
Lord hath kindled, by his stirring up a fear, lest it should
not be of the Lord, but frora the spirit of deceit.
It is true, that iu the apostasy from the Ufe aud Spirit of
truth, deceit did generally prevail and overwhelm the
minds of people. Aud so far as people are yet in the apos
tasy (not being gathered and redeemed out of it, by the
Spirit and power of the Lord), they are yet under deceit;
though perhaps they little think so. Little did Ave think
formerly (and little do they think now-, Avho are uoav in that
state we Avere then in), that AA-hile avo so much feared being
deceived, Ave were already deceived, being short of the life
and povA-er of truth, whicli alone is able to make free and
preserA-e from deceit. AVhen the Lord cometh to bring to

88 THE WOEKS OF
the primitive light and principle, that he might perfectly
deUver out of deceit ; what can the enemy do more advan
tageously towards keeping his hold in the mind, and toAA'-
ards keeping the mind in the deceits wherein he hath already
entangled it, than to stir up and heighten a fear in it, lest
the precious truth, which God maketh manifest to deliver
the soul by,- should be deceit? And they that hearken to,
and let in, the voice ofthe deceiver, must needs believe it
to be so. And thus with them light 'coraeth to be called
darkness, and darkness Ught. Yea, Avho is it, at this day,
AA-ho escapeth this snare, of calling evil good, and good
evil ? Surely none but he, Avhose soul is led into and Uves
in the light and power of truth.
For most men take up principles, according to their oaa-u
or other men's understanding of the Scriptures, and judge
according to those principles; aud so the. Spirit and light of
the Lord judgeth not in them, but they themselA-es judge
accordiug to an assumed knowledge. So that flesh is not
silent, the man is not dead iu them and brought to nothing,
but only lives in a higher region than he did before. Be
fore, he lived in an apparent unrighteousness; uoav he lives
in au imagined rightoousness aud faith; but not in the
Son's righteousness, not in the Son's faith, not in the Sou's
power, uot in the Son's dominion; but at best only in that
which he apprehendeth and strongly imagiueth to be so.
Oh ! happy is he, Avho is come through all his oavu imag
inings aud conceivings about the things of God, and his own
apprehensions about scriptures aud promises, and is come
iuto the thing itself, into the Spirit of life (iuto the truth
and into the power), and who Avalks with God therein, daily
witnessing the redemption Avhich is of him, through his Son
Jesus Christ, who is kuoAA-n and partook of in the pure,
quickening Spirit, aud not otherwise. And he that is truly
begotteu of God, and dAvells Avith him in the light Avhich is
eternal, knoAvs that he is of God ; AA-hich others may strongly
imagine they are, but none else can truly knoAv it, but may
. easily err and be entangled in the deceits of the enemy
about the new birth, and other weighty things, while they

ISAAC PENINGTON.

89

are greatly afraid of being deceived by him, and so, through
that fear, fly the pure truth, which frees from deceits, lest
it should deceive them.

A Brief Account of my Soul's Travel towards the Holy
Land, aud hoAv at length it pleased the Lord to join my
Heart to his pure, holy, living Truth; Avherein I have
Avitnessed fhe Xoav Covenant, and Peace Avith the Lord
therein. AVith a few AVords concerning the Avay of
Knowing and Receiving the Truth : Avhich is uot done by
Disputes aud Reasonings of the Mind about it; but iu
Avaiting aright for the Demonstration aud Power of God's
Spirit to open the Heart and Understanding, and by sub
missive Obedieuce to it, even in its loAvest Appearances
in the iiiAvard Parts.
Aly heart from my childhood Avas pointed toAvards the
Lord, AA'hom I feared and longed after from ray tender years ;
Avhereiu I felt, that I could not be satisfied with (uor indeed
seek after) the things of this perishing world, AA-hich natu
rally pass away; but I desired true sense of, aud unity Avith,
that AA'hich abideth for ever. There Avas somewhat indeed
then still Avithin me (even the seed of eternity) which leaA'-
ened and balanced my spirit almost continually ; but I kneAA-
it not distinctly, so as to turn to it, and to give up to it,
entirely and understandingly. In this temper of mind I ear
nestly sought after the Lord, applying myself to hear ser
mons, and read the best books I could meet Avith, but espe
cially the Scriptures, which Avere very SAveet aud savory to
me; yea, I very earnestly desired and pressed after the
knowledge ofthe Scriptures, but was muchafraid of receiviug
meu's interpretations of them, or of fastening any interpre
tation upon them myself; but Avaited much, and prayed
much, that from the Spirit of the Lord I might receive the
true understanding of thera, and that he Avould chiefly en
due me with that knoAvledge, Avhich I might feel sanctifying

90 THE WOEKS OF
and saving. And indeed I did sensibly receive of his love,
of his mercy, and of his grace, Avhich I felt still freely to
move towards me, and at seasons when I was most filled
with the sense of my own unworthiness, and had least ex
pectations of the manifestation of them. But I was exceed
ingly entangled about election and reprobation (having
drunk in that doctrine, according as it was then held forth
by the strictest of those that were termed Puritans, aud as
then seemed to be very manifest and positive from Rom.
ix. &c.), feariug lest, notwithstanding all my desires and
seekings after the Lord, he might in his decree have passed
me by; and I felt it would be bitter to me to bear his Avrath,
and be separated frora his love for evermore; yet, if he had
so decreed, it would be, and I should (notwithstanding these
fair beginnings and hopes) fall away and perish at the last.
In this great trouble and grief (which was much added to
by not finding the Spirit of God so in me and with rae, as I
had read and believed the former Christians had it), and in
mourning over and grappling Avith secret corruptions aud
temptations, I spent many years, and fell into great weak
ness of body; aud often casting myself upon my bed,' did
wring my hands and Aveep bitterly, begging earnestly ofthe
Lord, daily, that I might be pitied by him, aud helped
against my enemies, and be made comformable to the image
of his Sou, by his oaa'ii reneAving power. And indeed at
last (Avhen my nature Avas almost spent, aud the pit of de
spair Avas even closing its mouth upon me) mercy sprang,
and deliverance came, and the Lord my GodoAvned me, aud
sealed his love unto me, and light sprang Avithin me, Avhich
made not only the Scriptures, but the very outAvard creat-
tures glorious in my eye, so that every thing was SAveet aud
pleasant and lightsome round about me. But I soon felt,
that this estate was too high and glorious for me, aud I Avas
not able to abide in it, it so overcame my natural spirits;
wherefore, blessing the name of the Lord for his great good
ness to me, I prayed uuto him to take that from" me Avhich
I was not able to bear, and to give me such a proportion of
his light and presence, as Avas suitable to my present state,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 91
and might fit me for his service. AVhereupou this Avas pres
ently removed from rae ; yet a savor remained Avith me,
wherein I had sweetness, and comfort, and refreshment for
a long season. But my mind did not then knoAv hoAv to
turn to and dAvell with that Avhich gave me the saA'or, nor
rightly to read Avhat God did daily Avrite iu ray heart, which
sufficiently manifested itself to be of him, by its living vir
tue and- pure operation upon me; but I looked upon the
Scriptures to be my rule, and so Avould Aveigh the iuAvard ap
pearances of God to me by Avhat Avas outwardly Avritten, and
durst uot receive any thing from God iramodiatelj-, as it
sprang from the fountain, but ouly iu that mediate way.
Herein did I limit the Holy One of Israel, aud exceedingly
hurt my oavu soul, as I afterwards felt and came to under
stand. Yet the Lord Avas tender to rae, and coudescended
exceedingly, opening scriptures to me, freshly every day,
teaching and instructing, warming and comforting my heart
thereby; aud truly he did help me to pray, and to believe,
aud to love him and his appearances in auy; yea, to love all
the sous of men, and all his creatures, Avith a true love. But
that in me which knew not the appearances of the Lord in
my spirit, but Avould limit him to Avords of scriptures for
merly Avritten, that proceeded yet further, and Avould be
raising a fabric of knoAvlodge out of the scriptures, and gath
ering a perfect rule (as I thought) oonoerning my heart, my
words, my ways, my Avorship ; and according to Avhat I thus
drank in (after this manner, from the Scriptures) I practised,
and Avith much seriousness of spirit aud prayer to God fell^ a
helping to buUd up an Independent congregation, Avhereiu
the savor of life and thepresenoo of God was fresh AA'ith me,
as I believe there are yet some alivo of that congregation
can testify.
This was my state, when I was smitten, broken, and dis
tressed by the Lord, ooufonnded in my Avorship, confounded
iu my knoAvledge, stripped of all in one day (which it is hard
to utter) and Avas matter of amazement to all that beheld
me. I lay open and naked to all that would inquire of me,
and strive to search out what might be the cause the Lord

92 THE AVOEKS OF
should deal so with me. They would at first be jealous that
I had sinned and proA-oked him so to do; but AA-heu they
had scanned things thoroughlj^ and I had opened my heart
nakedly to them, I do not remember auy one that ever re
tained that sense concerning me. My soul remerabereth
the Avorraw-ood and gall, the exceeding bitterness of that
state, and is still humbled iu me iu the remembrance ofit
before the Lord. Oh, hoAV did I wish Avith Job, that I might
come before him, and boAviugly plead AA'ith him; for indeed I
had no sense of any guilt upon me, but Avas sick of love
toAvards him, aud as one A'iolently rent from the bosom of his
beloved! Oh, how gladly Avould I have met AA-ith death!
For I Avas weary all the day long, aud afraid of the uight,
aud Aveary also ofthe night-season, and afraid of the ensu
ing da}-. I remember my grioA-ous and bitter mournings to
the Lord ; how often did I say, 0 Lord, why hast thou for
saken me? AVhy hast thou broken me to pieces? I had
uo deUght but thee, uo desire after any but thee. My heart
Avas bent Avholly to serve thee, and thou hast even fitted me
(as appeared to mj^ sense) by many deep exercises and ex
periences for th}' serA'ice ; Avhy dost thou make me thus
miserable ? Sometimes I Avould cast mine eye upon a scrip
ture, and my heart Avould even melt Avithin me ; at other
times I would desire to pray to my God, as I had formerly
done; but I found I kueAV him not, and I could not tell Uoav
to pray, or iu auy wise to come near him, as I had formerly
done. In this condition I Avandered up and doAvn from
mountain to hill, from one sort to another, Avith a cry iu my
spirit, Can ye tell ucavs of my beloved? AA^here doth he
dwell? AVhere doth he appear? But their A^oices were still
strange to me, aud I Avould retire sad aud oppressed, aud
boAved doAvn iu spirit, frora them.
Xoav surely, all serious, sober, seusible people, Avill be
ready to inquire, how I came satisfyiugly to knoAv the Lord
at length; or Avhether I do j'et certainly knoAv him, and am
yet truly satisfied?
Yes indeed, I am satisfied at my A-ei-y heart. Truly my

ISAAC PENINGTON. 93
heart is united to him Avhom I longed after, in an everlast
ing covenant of pure life and peace.
AVell then, hoAv came this about? aviU some say.
AVhy thus. The Lord opened my spirit, the Lord gaA-e
me the certain aud sensible feeling of the pure seed, which
had been with me from the beginning; the Loi-d caused his
holy poAver to fall upon me, and gave me such an iuAvard
demonstration and feeling of the seed of life, that I cried out
iu my spirit: This is he, this is he; there is not another, there
never was another. He ivas ahvays near me, though I knew him
not (not so sensibly, not so distinctly, as uoav he Avas re
vealed in me and to me by the Father); oh that I might now
be joined to him, and he alone might live in me. And so in the
Avilliugness Avhich God had wrought in me (in this day of
his poAver to^^my soul), I gave up to be instructed, exercised,
and led by him, in the waiting for and feeliug of his holj-
seed, that all might be wrought out of me which could not
live AA'ith the seed, but would be hindering the dAvelling
and reigning of the seed in me, Avhile it remained and had
poAver. And so I have gone through a sore travail, and
fight of afflictions aud temptations, of many kinds; Avhere
in the Lord hath been merciful to me in helping me, and
preseiwiug the spark of life in rae, in the midst of many
things which had befallen me, whose nature tended to
quench and extinguish it.
Xoav thus having met with the true Avay, and Avalked
with the Lord therein, wherein daily certainty, yea, and
full assurance of faith and of understanding is at length ob
tained; I cannot be silent (true love and pure life stirring
in me aud moving me) but am necessitated to testify of it
to others; and this is it, to retire inwardly, aud Avait to feel
somewhat of the Lord, somewhat of his Holy Spirit aud
power, discovering and drawing from that AA'hich is contrary
to him, aud iuto his holy nature aud heavenly image. And
then, as the mind is joined to this, somoAvhat is received,
some true life, some true light, some true discerning; which
the creature not exceeding (but abiding iu the measure of)
is safe ; but it is easy erring frora this, but hard abiding

94 THEWOEKSOP
with it, and not going before its leadings. But he that feels
life, and begins in life, doth ho not begin safely? And he
that Avaits, aud fears, and goes on no further than his Cap
tain goes before him, doth he not proceed safely? Yea, very
safely, even till he cometh to be so settled and estab
lished in the virtue, demonstration, and poAver of truth, as
nothing can prevail to shake him. Xow, blessed be the
Lord, there are many at this day, who can truly aud faith
fully Avitness, that they have been brought by thc Lord to
this state. Aud thus have avc learned of the Lord ; to Avit,
not by the high, striving, aspiring mind, but by lying Ioav,
and being contented with a little. If but a crumb of bread
(yot if bread), if but a drop of Avater (yet if water), we have
been contented Avith it, aud also thankful to the Lord for
it; nor by thoughtfulness, and aviso searching tijid deep cou-
rtidering with our oavu Avisdom and reason haA'e Ave obtained
it; but iu the still, meek, aud humble Avaiting, have avo
fouud that brought iuto the death, AA'hich is uot to know
the mysteries of God's kingdom, aud that Avhieh is to live,
made alive and increase in life.
Therefore he that Avould truly Icuoav the Lord, let him
take heed of his oavu reason and understanding. I tried
this way A'ery far; for I considered most seriously aud up
rightly; I prayed, I read the Scriptures, I earnestly desired
to understand and find out whether that, which this people,
called Quakers, testified of, Avas the only Avay aud truth of
God (as they seemed to me but to x:iretend) ; but for all this
prejudices multiplied upon me, aud strong reasonings against
them, AA'hich appeared to me as uuansAA'erable. But when
the Lord revealed his seed in me, and touched my heart
therewith, Avhich admiuistered true life aud virtue to me, I
presently felt them there the children of the Most High, and
HO groAvn up iu his Ufe, power, and holy dominion (as the
iuAvard eye, being opened by the Lord, sees) as droAV forth
from me great reverence of lieart, and praises to the Lord,
AA'ho had so appeared among meu in these latter days. And
as God draAveth, iu any respect, oh, give up iu faithfulness to
him! despise thc shame, take up the cross; for indeed it is

ISAAC PENINGTON. 95
a Avay Avhicli is very cross to man, and which his Avisdom
Avill exceedingly be ashamed of; but that must be denied
and turued from, and the secret, sensible drawings of God's
Spirit AA'aited for and given up to. Alind, people : He that
Avill come into the ucav covenant, must come into the obe
dience of it. The light of life, Avhicli God hath hid in the
heart, is the coA'enant ; and from this covenant God doth
not give knoAvledge to satisfy the vast, aspiring, compre
hending wisdom of man ; but living kiioAvledge, to feed that
AA'hich is quickened by him ; which knowledge is given in
the obedience, and is very sweet and precious to the state
of him that knoAA-s how to feed upon it. Yea truly, this is
of a A'cry excellent, pure, precious nature, and a little of it
AA-eighs down that great A'ast knoAvledge iu the comprehend
ing part, Avhich the man's spirit and nature so much prizeth
and presseth after. And truly, friends, I Avitness at this day
a great dift'erence betAveen the sweetness of comprehending
the knoAvledge of things, as expressed iu the Scriptures (this
I fed much on formerly), and tasting the hidden life, the
hidden Manna in the heart (which is my food uoav, blessed
for ever be the Lord my God and Saviour). Oh that others
had a true, certain, and sensible taste of the life, virtue, and
goodness of the Lord, as it is revealed there ! Surely, it
could not but kindle the true hunger, and infiame the true
thirst; which can never be satisfied but by the true bread,
and by water from the Uving fountain. This the Lord (in
the tenderness ofhis love, and iu the riches ofhis grace aud
mercy) hath brought us to ; and this Ave earnestly aud up
rightly desire and endeavor, that others may be brought to
also; that they may rightly (in the true sUence of the flesh,
and in the pure stiUness of spirit) wait for, and in the Lord's
due time receive, that which answers the desire ofthe awa
kened mind and soul, and satisfies it with the true precious
substance for evermore, amen.

SOME THIXGS
RELATING TO RELIGION,
PROPOSED TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY, SO TERMED;
TO A7IT,
Concerning the right ground of certainty therein.
Concerning tenderness of spirit, and persecution.
A <juery concerning separation.
Concerning washing aavay sin from the conscience ;
and the garment of salvation, and avhat it
is tiiat is covered therewith.
Likewise, some Questions and Answers,
concerning the Church of the Xew Covenant, the
Rock or Foundation Avhereon it is built, and its preservation
by and uijou the Rock.
AVith some Queries concerning the scattered and hiddeu
Estate of the Church; and concerning that Church AAdiich
got up in the vioAV ofthe World, instead thereof; and
Avas acknowledged by the World as if she had
been the true Church ; though in Deed
and Truth she Avas not so.

ATHEREUH"T0 AUE ADDED SO^rE QUERIES TO PBOFESSORS, AVHO
SPEAK or HIGH ATTAIKMENTS, &C.
AVritten bv one, Avhom ft hath pleased the Lord, ofhis great goodiien*,
and tender raerc.A', to lead out of the darkness, into his mar
vellous light; knoAvn among men by the name of
ISAAC PENINGTON. Vol. m.— 9

99

TO THE
EOYAL SOCIETY,
So Termed.
Friends, I have heard that ye are seeking after the excellency of
nature and learning. I am not for discouraging any man, in
endeavoring after that Avhich is good, useful, aud excellent
in its kind and place ; but it is the advantage of every thing,
to knoAv and abide in its place; aud to honor and serve Hira,
from AA-hom all good gifts aud endowments come. Man hath
but a moment iu this Avorld, and he is here uo more; aud
then the spirit return eth to God that gave it, to give an ac
count of the talent Avhich he gave it, aud its improA-ement
thereof, to the glory of hira that gave it, aud to the salvation
of its OAVU soul. XovA', this talent is of au higher kind than
nature, and will lead higher than nature; giving a man to
partake of that wisdom from Avhich nature came ; aud teach
ing him to order all that is natural to its right end. For
God is uot an enemy to nature, but to the corruption and
disorder of nature. I desire ye might knoAv and partake of
the true wisdom, aud feel union Avitli God in the principle
ofhis own life; and the incorruptible and heavenly seed of
God receive dominion over the earthly and corruptible. For
this end singly, in the love springing up iu my heart tOAvards
you (as it often doth, both towards particular persons and
societies ; for I am a friend to all, and a lover of all ; sin
cerely desiring the good of all, and the right guidance of
their souls to happiness), have I proposed these things fol
lowing more particularly to your view, though they concern
others also, that ye thereby might be aAvakened to search
after that which is most excellent in you, and be acquainted

100 THE WOEKS OP
with the virtue and precious effects thereof, to the full satis
faction and complete joy of your souls, in that which alone is
able fully to satisfy, and give them grouud of durable joy
and rejoicing, in that Avhich is not of a perishing nature;
but which was, and is, and will be, the same for ever.
From a friend to the everlasting peace of your souls, and
a desirer of your Avelfare aud prosperity in this world,
Isaac Penington.

Some Things relating to religion, &c.
Of Certainty, and rightly-grounded Assurance, in Matters
of Religion.
There is a witness of aud from God in evei'j' conscience;
which, in his light, poAver, and authority, witnesseth for
him, and against that which is contrary to him, as he pleas
eth to move upon it, visiting and draAving tho hearts of the
sons of meu by it.
From this Avitness proceeds the true and well-grounded
religion in the mind' towards God: for this Avitness both
testifieth and demonstrateth that there is a God, and also
incUneth the mind to desire and seek after the right knoAvl-
edge and true Avorship ofhim.
And such AAdio keep to this witness, aud wait upon God
therein, are taught by it the true spiritual Avorship ; the
true and pure fear of the Alost High ; the faith Avhich he
giveth to his saints ; the Ioa'O Avhich is chaste and unfeigned ;
the hope which x^urifieth the mind, and anchors it on the
eternal rock; the meekness, patience, gentleness, humility,
&c., which is not of man's nature, but the gift of God, aud
the nature of the heavenly Giver.
And then for exercises of religion, as praj-ing to the Fa
ther of spirits, hearing the heavenly voice, reading in the
Spirit, and with the reneAved understanding, singing and
making melody in the heart (and also Avith the voice) to
the Lord, as his life is felt, and the spiritual blessings and

ISAAC PENINGTON. IQl
treasure received; aU these, and Avhatever else is judged
necessary for the soul, are taught by this witness of God in
the conscience, as the soul groAveth up in the light, Spirit,
nature, and holy poAver thereof
But now, AA'hen the Lord reacheth to his witness in men,
aud is teaching their hearts by it, then the enemy, the other
spirit, Avhose seat is in the other part, keepeth a noise there,
to overbear the voice of the AA'ituess, and to make meu take
up religion iu another part, which is shalloAv, aud reacheth
not to the depth and Aveight of truth, which is in the wit
ness of God, and AA'hich the AvitnSss of God gives to them
that come thither.
Thus the euemy stirreth up reasonings, imaginations,
and consultations about God, and his worship ; wherein he
raiseth up the vain, shallow mind, forging and bringing
forth somcAvhat pleasing and suitable to the earthly under
standing; taking up the mind therewith, and engaging the
heart in some such practices therefrom as may quiet and
satisfy that part in meu. For the Avays that men take up
in their reasonings and understandings, satisfy their reason
ings aud understandings ; aud so they walk iu the light of
the sparks, aud Avarm themselves by the fire of -their own
kiudling; but all this answers not the Avituess of God in
them, nor will be approved by his Ught in their own con
sciences, AA'hen it comes again to be revealed aud made man
ifest in them.
This Avas the ground of the error both of the Joaa-s and
Gentiles. The G entiles Avere enlightened by God Avith his true light ;
Avhat might be known of God (suitable to their state audca-
pacitA') being manifested in them ; insomuch as it is Avitnessed
coucerning them in the Scriptures (Avhieh are a true record
aud testimony), that they knew God. But Avhen they knew
hira, they glorified him not as God, but became vain iu their
imagiuatious, and so their fooUsh heart Avas darkened con
cerning him : and they worshipped him not as the witness
taught them he Avas to be Avorsbipped, not accordiug to the
manifestation ofhis Ught in them; but according to their

102 THE WOEKS OP
OAvn foolish imaginations and reasonings, which taught them
to make images ofhim, and so to worship him in and through
creatures, according to their own luventiona ; which is not
the true worship. Rom. i. 21, 22, 23.
So likewise the Joavs, not keeping to the manifestation
of his light within them (to the word or commandraent nigh
in the mouth and heart, to which Moses directed them),
Avhich would have taught and enabled them to have kept to
the law of the letter without them, — they also ran into the
nature and spirit of the heathen, and fell into imaginings
and reasonings, Avhich led them to worship like them ; in
somuch that they also changed their glory into the image
of an ox, that eateth grass. Ps. evi. 20.
Xow from this part in man ariseth all the uncertainty,
and doubts, and dissatisfaction about religion. And hence
arise the opinions, and judgments, and reasonings, in the
minds of men : yea, indeed, the best of men's religion -here
is but an opinion or judgment, which the breath of God's
Spirit will shake and dissolve evei-ywhere, sooner or later.
All flesh is grass ; and all the beauty of men's knowledge,
religion, and worship here, wUl wither like grass. All the
buildings aud churches that are raised here (how beautiful
soever) are but Babylon, built by man's understanding, by
man's knowledge, by man's comprehension, by man's Avis
dom, by man's skiU, and indeed in man's will and time, and
their standing, beauty, strength, and glory, is but from man,
and iu man's day, and Avill fade away like a floAver.
But the true certainty is in the day of God, from the light
of his Spirit shining into man's spirit, from God's iuAvard
reaching to his heart by his power, aud testifying his trnth
there. And this all the powers of darkness .cannot prevail
agaiust in itself; no, nor against that man that is kept to it.
For it is the rock (the only rock) upon which the AA'hole
church is built, and which cannot fail to preserve every
member of the church which is built upon it.
Ye then which would come to certainty in religion, ob
serve the way AA'hich is made manifest from God in this
our day, blessed be his name, which is this: mind the wit-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 10.3
ness of God in thy heart, and come to, aud build upon, the
light thereof DavcU not iu reasonings ; take not up thy re
ligion in reasonings of the mind ; but pass through them,
pass beyond thera, into a Ught of an higher nature. Wait
to know the birth which is from God, and the light Avhicli
he gives to that birth. What is the birth ? Is not the birth
of and from the second Adam? Aud what is the heavenly
birth's Ught? Is it not the Ught of the second Adam?
Is it not in nature aud kind above the light of the first
Adam? AVhere is the seat of reasonings ? Is it not the
earthly mind, the fallen mind? Here lies raan's strength ;
here is raan's wisdom; here is man's life. It is so indeed;
but the wisdom of Christ, the light of Christ, the life of
Christ, the power of Christ, is a cross to this ; finds it in
the enmity against God, crucifies it, slays it, brings it to
nothing; and he that will become wise as to God, must be
come a fool unto all this, a child, a babe, entering the king
dom without this, and must there remain naked as to this,
and never put it on more.
Xow obser\-e (ye that have understanding aud true sense)
the difl'erence betAveen the religion Avhich God hath taught
us, and led us into, aud the religions of all men upon the
earth besides.
Our religion stands wholly out of that Avhich all their re
ligion stands iu. Their religion stands in the comprehen
sion, in a belief of a literal relation or description. Our
reUgion stands in a principle which changeth th'e mind,
wherein the Spirit of life appeareth to, and AAdtnesseth in
the conscience to and concerning .the things of the kingdom ;
Avhere Ave hear the voice, and see the express image of the
Invisible One, and knoAv things, not from an outAvard rela
tion, but frora their iuAvard nature, virtue, and poAver.
Yea, here (we must profess) avc so know things, that Ave
are fully satisfied about them, and could not doubt eoneeru-
ing them, though there never had been word or letter Avrit
ten of them; though indeed it is also a great comfort, and
sweet refreshment to us, to read that testified of outwardly,
which (through the tender mercy of our God) Ave feel and

104 THE WOEKS OP
enjoy iuAvardly. Aud in this our whole religion con
sists ; to Avit, in the silence and death of the flesh, and in the
quickeuiug aud flow-ing Ufe of the Spirit. For he who is of
the UCAV birth, of the new creation, of the second Adam
(tho Lord from heaven), is as really alive to God, and as
really Uves to him iu his Spirit, as ever he Avas really dead
iu tresspasses and sins in the time of his alienation and es-
tranffomeut from God.

'&^

Of Tenderncs.s of Spirit, and Persecution.
He Avhich is boru of God, he Avho is of the love, and in
the love, cannot butbe teuder. He Avho is born ofthe earthly
Avisdom, AA-ho taketh up aud holdeth' forth a religion there,
cannot but persecute. AAHiy so ? Because he cannot but
judge that any mau may take up religion as he hath done,
and so, by reasonings, may come to acknowledge and take
up Avhat he hath taken up, aud holdeth forth, or else he is
Avilful aud stubborn, as he judgeth. But uoav he that is
boru of God, aud hath receiA-ed his light, kuoAA-ledge, relig
ion, and Avay of Avorship from him, he kuoAveth that uo
mau cau riglitl}- receive them but the same Avay ; to Avit,
from God, by the light Avhicli he causeth to shine iuto the
heart at its pleasure, and iu the faith Avhich he giA-es. So
that God's free and poAvcrful Spirit is to be Avaited upon, for
tho Avorkiug of all iu his people, and not auy forced to act
beyond, or contrary to, the priuciple of his life and light in
them.

A Query concendng Separation.
Query. AVuether, after the apostasy from the Spirit, Ufe,
aud poAA-er of the apostles, aud thc getting up of the anti
christian state, church, and Avorship, there must not of ue-
cessity be a separation from all these, before there can be a
recoA-ery of the lifo aud poAver again, and of the true church-
state, Avliich Avas brought forth iu the days of the apostles ?

ISAAC PENINGTON. IO5
Must there not be a perfect coming out of the corrupt state
(in the whole nature, several parts and degrees of it) before
• there can be a restoration to and Avitnessing of the true aud
pure state ? Must not the Christians uoav come out of all the
antichristian inventions aud churches, as w-ell as the Chris
tians of old came out of all the heathenish worship, yea, out
of the Jewish w-orship and church (Avhich once was of God)
before they can become an holy buUding, au habitation to
God in the Spirit? Yea, doth not the same Spirit Avhich
cried to the people of God then: "Come out from among
them, aud be ye separate," &e., caU and cry uoav: Come
out of her, my j)eople, out of Babylon, out of the false
church, out of all the antichristian buUdings, AA-hich are
reared up after the several forms aud Avays of men's iuveut-
ing, being out ofthe Spirit, Ufe, aud poAver, AA'hich alone is
able to build up in and unto the Lord? And Avhat is that
Avhich cries out agaiust separation, in the day of the Lord's
diA'iding and separating, but that spirit Avliich AA-ould hold
back the soul from being gathered to the Lord, inthe chains
of darkness, and in the laud of death aud coufusion ?
Oh that men knoAv that AA'hich divides aud separates, aud
AA'hich is appointed by God to divide and separate both in
wardly and outwardly, aud might feel the full Avork and ef
fect ofit, even perfect separation from all that is not of God,
that so they might be joined to him, aud built up in him,
who is the life, rest, peace, joy, aud pure breath of the soul
for ever ! The AA^'ord of God is quick aud poAverful, sharper
than any two-edged sword; and Avhat doth it do? AVhy it
separates betAAreen nation aud nation, betAveen church and
church, betAveen people and people, betAveeu cattle aud cat
tle, betAveen soul and soul, yea, betAveen the thoughts aud
intents ofthe same heart; OAvningand cherishing all that is
of the pure, aud condemning and destroying all that is of
the impure. And happy, oh ! for OA'-er happy is he, AA'ho can
Avitness the work of this Word perfected in his soul, even
the axe of the Lord poAverfuUy laid to, and having eut doAvn,
all that is corrupt in him, that the pure plant of God may
flourish, aud bring forth fruit in hira in peace, without an-

106 THE WOEKS OP
noyance or interruption of the impure. Then the river of
life, as the streams of everlasting righteousness, shall flow
into the vessel, and Jerusalem become in and to him a quiet .
habitation, aud nothing be able to hurt or destroy any thing
of life in him, who dwells in and abides on the mountain
of God's hoUness. Oh, blessed is the race of traveUers,
Avhich in the pure light of the everlasting day are travelling
thitherwards, even Avith their hearts and faces faithfully bent
tOAvards Zion, which is the holy, spiritual, heavenly hill of
God ! And blessed, oh blessed for ever is the Lord God of
life and poAver, AA'ho is the faithful guider, leader, and con
ductor of all that follow the footsteps of the flock, in the
way which is pure, true, liA'ing, aud everlasting !

Concerning the washing away of Sin from the CouBcience,
and the Garment of Salvation, and AA'hat it is that is cov
ered therewith.
There is somewhat appointed by God to Avash aAvay sin,
AA'hich is the water of regeneration, the Avater of life, the
Spirit's AA'ater, and the blood of the Lamb, AA'hich are known,
received, aud felt by faith in the light of the Spirit, AA'herein
alone his Avork is Avrought.
Thus noAv, upou belicA-ing, the soul is Avashed; the faith
brings iu, or lets iu, the water and blood, which cleanse aud
purge the conscience from the sin, Avhich before stained aud
defiled it : and according to the faith, so is the Avater and blood
let in, aud accordingly is the washing. And he that isbap-
tized, he that is Avashed by the Spirit, comes out of the AA'^a-
ter clean ; aud Avatehing to the light Avhereiu he Avas puri
fied, witnesseth the poAverful Avord of life as able to preserve
in cleanness, as it Avas to cleanse.
But if there be uof a Avatch to, aud faith in, aud single-
hearted obedience to, that Avhich purified, and keepeth pure,
there is that near Avhich will defile, Avhere it is hearkened
to and let in ; there is that AA'hich Avill tempt to lust aud sin,
and so draAV into darkness and death agaiu. And if any

ISAAC PENINGTON. IO7
man sin afterwards, sin defiles again, and the stain thereof
Avill lie upon the conscience, tiU, by repentance and faith,
the AA-ater and blood be let in again, and the cleansing virtue
from it received and restored agaiu. So that if any man
sin, there is an advocate,* an intercessor, a divine helper,
one AA'ho hath the Avater of life, and the blood of life to Avash
AA-ith. There is a fountain set open for sin, and for unclcau-
ness, for Judah and Jerusalem to wa.sh therefrom ; but oa--
cry defilement and poUution sticks untU it be Avashed oft'.
Xoav, there are sins of several kinds. Some are easily
remitted aud washed oft", insomuch as the stain is hardly
felt by the soul, the teuder mercy and pure life doth so
readily and naturally floAv over them. Some, agaiu, are
long held and bound by the Spirit upon the conscience,
and often remembered to the heart, Avhich is apt to back
slide: yea, there is, in some cases, a severe judgment, and
a long Avaiting on the Lord for his mercy, and for his re-
ncAviug and enlivening of faith, before the Avater and blood
which washeth can be agaiu felt. For faith is uot iu a
man's power, nor repentance neither; but thoy are given
of God, to Avhora aud Avhen he pleaseth. Aud a man that
is in part converted may giA-e ear to the enemy, and let iu
sin and death upon the soul; but he cannot repent again
presently, nor believe again preseutlj^; but as God breathes
upon hira, and reviA-es the Avork of faith and repentance in
hira. There were sins under the old coveuaut, aud there are
sins under the new. The sins of the old covenant did lie
upon him that committed them, until they Avere expiated
according to the law of the old covenant; and sins under
the new covenant lie also upon the soul and conscience,
until they be expiated accordiug to the law of the uoav cove
nant; which is untU the Advocate interpose and plead Avith
the Father, and give faith and repentance to the soul, and
sprinkle upon the heart and conscience that water and blood
Avhich hath virtue in it to wash. And if it Avere not for this
*But this is not the state of them that sin wilfully after they have re
ceived the knowledge of truth.

108 THE WOEKS OF
after-AA-ashing (as I may so say) no man could be saved : but
though he were once washed, yet sinning again afterwards,
he would die in his sins (and so fall under condemnation),
unless he were again washed. Oh ! blessed be the name of
the Lord, for the Avater and blood of the covenant, and for
his continual pouring them out upon the souls of his, iu
the light that is eternal !
Xow, as meu come to the truth as it is in Jesus, they will
fiud their owu apprehensions about these things to have
been but dreams, whereAvith the enemy hath fed and pleased
them, while he hath lulled them asleep in the night of dark
ness, that he might the better steal away the true, Aveighty
knowledge of the things of the kingdom from them. Thus
men have dreamed about justification, about sanctification,
about regeneration, about redemption, about faith, hope,
love, righteousness, peace, joy, &c. : and have been mis
taken about them, missing of that power and light whereby
and Avherein they are revealed and made manifest. Xoav,
he that will rightly know these things must know thera iu
the feeling and true experience; aud therein he shall find
all these are wrought iu a mysterious AA-ay of pure life's op
eration, out of the reach of- man's comprehension; and no
man can understand them, but as the ucav and holy under
standiug is given him; nor retain the sense and knowledge
of them, but as he abides in the new nature, and retains
the ncAv understanding.
So for the garment of sah-ation ; that is Christ, the right
eousness of Christ, the nature of Christ, the Spirit of Christ.
This is the holy covering. He that puts on Christ, puts on
this: he that wears Christ, Avears this: he that appears be
fore God in Christ, appears in this ; and the soul puts on
this, as it puts off' the other. It is the purified soul that
only puts on him that is pure: and as a man is cleansed
frora the impure, so only hath he in him a capacity of re-
ceiA-ing and being clothed with Christ. And- this now- is
the w-ork ofthe true ministry; to Avit, to preach the Word,
to reveal the Word, and bring the mind to the AVord (which
changeth it, and begets the new capacity), and so to begin

ISAAC PENINGTON. 109
the work of life and reconciliation, wherein and whereby
there is some unclothing of the old, and some clothing with
the new; and so to carry on this work in the Spirit aud
power of the Father until it be perfected. And is this a
blessed work, and blessed is the ministry Avhich is called to,
and entrusted with, this work, being faithful in it: and
blessed are they that witness the truth of, and receive the
eff'ect of, this ministry, and are subject to it in the Lord.
For through and under this ministry there is a receiving of
a perfect gift in some measure at first (Avherein some true
union and little acquaintance with the Lord of life is at first
witnessed, and some operation ofthe light and poAver of his
Holy Spirit) : and a growing up in it unto perfection, as the
soul is exercised by it, and faithful to the Lord iu the ex
ercise, under the daily cross, which daily worketh against
and crucifieth in the heart, mind, Ufe, and conversation
whatever is contrary to God, as it is singly waited for, taken
up, and subjected to.
Some Questions and Ansavers Concerning
The Church of the Xoav Covenant, the Rock or Foundation
whereon it is built, and its PreserA-ation by and upon the
Rock. With some Queries concerning the scattered Es
tate ofthe true Church, and concerning that Church which
got up in its Stead, and made a great Show with her
golden Cup, for the Time Avhile the true Church Avas
scattered. ,
Quest. 1. What is the church of God under the new
agreement or covenant?
Ans. It is a company of living stones, quickened by God,
and knit together in the unity and fellowship of his Spirit,
to worship God together in his Spirit, and offer up unto
him spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
What Avas the church of the old covenant? Was it not the
seed of Abraham, the outAvard Jcavs, the chUdren ofthe old
Vol. HL— 10

no THE WOEKS OF
covenant? Aud what is the church ofthe new- coA'cnant?
Is it not the seed of God, the Jews inward, the children of
the new covenaut?
Quest. 2. How are these stones joined together?
Ans. By the Spirit of life, which begets thera all in one
nature, and knits them together in that nature. By the in
Avard circumcision, cutting off" that which causeth enmity
and disunion, and so fitting them to be made one uoav lump
iu Christ. By Christ's baptisra, which is the baptism of
fire and of his Spirit, which burns up the old, earthly nature,
and so baptizes them into one new, living body, suitable
and fitting to their head, which is the fountain of life, and
distributes life through all the body, according to its capac
ity, need, and service.
Quest. 3. Upon what is this church built ?
Aus. Upon the rock or foundation of God, which God
hath laid in his spiritual Zion; which rock is Christ. For
"other foundation can no mau lay, than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ;" nor other rock did the Lord ever
choose for his church to be built upon; nor hath any other
rock sufficient strength to bear up the building agaiust the
storms. aud stress of the powers of darkness, AA-hich it often
meeteth with, even every member, in its travels; after it is
ouce built ou the rock, the gates of hell press hard upon
it; but abiding on the rock, it feels the strength and preser-
A'ation ofthe rock. Foras they caunot prevail against Christ,
so neither can they prevail against that which is built upon
him. But if there be a going forth from the strength and
preservation, there is a liableness to be made a prey. And
the promise is not absolutely and perpetually to that person
or congregation Avhich is received or let into the truth ; but
to that person or church which abideth and continueth in
the truth unto the end. The Jcavs were safe in the faith
aud obedience of their covenant; and the Christians, or
Christian churches, are not safe but in the faith and obedi
ence of theirs. For if they walked not humbly with the
Lord, and in his fear, Avhich keeps the heart frora departing
from him, and iu the faith whereby they stand, they were

ISAAC PENINGTON. Hj
to be cut oft" from their church-state, as Avell as the Jews
were from theirs, as the apostle Paul expressly tells the
church at Rome. Rom. xi. 21, 22.
Quest. 4. What was Paul?
Ans. The apostle of the Gentiles, A\'ho labored abun
dantly, even more abundantly than all the other apostles;
and hath left more instructions relating to the Gentiles than
all the apostles besides ; and was teuder of them, in stand
ing for and defending their liberty iu Christ, Avheu Peter a
little Avarped, and AA-as to be blamed. Gal. ii. 11. For indeed
man cannot be certain aud infallible, further than he keep
eth to, aud is exercised by, the certain aud infallible Spirit;
Avhich he is subject to be tempted to err from, further than
he stands upou the watch, aud cannot but err from, unless
he feel a continual preservation in the fear, aud by thepoAver
of the Lord. Aud the certainty of truth doth not depend
so much upon the person from Avhom it is reeeiA'ed, as upon .
the demonstration and evidence to the conscience Avherein
it is received. The apostles Avere not lords over the true
Christians' faith; but helpers of their joy. Aud Christ did
not require his disciples to believe whatever he knew to be
true; but prepared their capacities, aud dropped in accord
ing to their capacities. And this is the way of true minis
ters, to Avait ou God to beget, aud ou him again to Avaterthe
begotteu soul, and carry on his Avork in it; to make them
knoAV Christ their Master, from whom they are to receive
light, life, instruction, and direction; aud to feel the Head,
aud be joined to the Head, and receive from the Head their
knowledge, as avcU the least as the greatest. Heb. vUi.
What is Paul? What is ApoUos? AVhat is Cephas? Were
not they carnal that cried up these one above another? Yet
the younger ought to be subject to the elder, and all to bo
subject one to another in the truth. 1 Pet. a'. 5.
Quest. 5. What was Peter?
Ans. One of the disciples of Christ, a precious stone in
the building (John i. 43.), one ofthe most eminent apostles,
even the chosen minister to them of the circumcision, as
Paul was to the Gentiles. But he kncAV that Christ was

112 THE WOEKS OF
the only rock or foundation, as well as Paul, and that Christ
alone was able to bear the weight of that building, and to
defend it against the gates of hell ; and he never had com
mission, nor can it be proved that he ever preached himself
the rock, but he preached Christ the foundation-stone, the
rock of offence, the rock of defence, &c. see 1 Pet. ii. 4.
and ver. 6, 7, 8. And if an angel from heaven, or any man
or church on earth, so interpret any scripture, as to hold
forth auy such thing, that any else besides Christ is the
rock, they plainly show that they are erred frora the truth,
and that their interpretation is of their oavu private spirit,
and not that public Spirit which all the prophets of God,
and apostles, and truly holy raen were guided by.
Quest. 6. Was the church always to be a gathered com
pany ? Or was there a possibility of their being scattered ?
Ans. There was a possibility of their being scattered;
yea, a certainty, if they grcAv corrupt in doctrine and prac
tice, and kept not the faith. Rom. xi. For the Lord God
intended a pure building, a spiritual building, fit to off'er
the spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet. ii. 5. A holy people, separ
ated from the Avorld, 2 Cor. vi. 17. in which he raight dwell
and walk. ver. 16. If therefore any church depart from the
Spirit aud life and power of the apostles, and mix again
with the world, losing their owu proper pale which fenced
from the world, they soon lose that which maketh them a
church of God, and so become a synagogue of Satan.
Xow, it is in my heart also to propound a few queries
concerning the scattered and hidden estate and condition
of the church, aud concerning that church Avhich got up in
the view of the Avorld, and AA-as acknowledged by the Avorld
instead thereof afterwards.
Quest. 1 . Whether the true church did retain her ministry
outwardly, and her outward ordinances, and Avay of worship
ofthe outward court, after her scattering? Or whether the
false church, which appeared in her room as if she had been
the true, caught up ^nd appeared in the outwardness of
these? The grounds ofthis query are these foUoAA-ing:
1. Because, upon God's measuring of his temple and

ISAAC PENINGTON. -^^^
worshippers, the outward court (consider well Avhat that is
and how fiir it extends) was left out of God's measure; so
that he intended to reckon it no longer as his, but given bv
him to the GentUe Christians; such as were Christians or
Jews in name, but Gentiles in spirit aud nature. Rev xi
2 Because in the last days, when that strange generation
of Christians was to spring up, who should be lovers of
their owu selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, Avithout natural affection,
truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers
of pleasure more than lovers of God; yet these should have
a forra of godliness, but deny the poAver thereof 2 Tim. iii.
1 to 6. ISlow mind: the temple Avherein was the poAver,
God had removed with the true worshippers; but the out
ward court (wherein was the appearance of some kind of a
form of a church, ministry, and ordinances) those had got,
and were found worshipping in it, in the midst of all this
great Avickedness and abomination of spirit.
3. Because the Jews (who were the type), Avhile they
Avere in captivity in Babylon, could uot sing the songs of
Zion, nor had the worship of the outward Jerusalem there.
And can the spiritual Jews sing the spiritual songs of
spiritual Zion, iu Alystery-Babylon ? Xo; there they are
but witnesses to that Ufe and poAver which the true church
enjoyed and fiourished Avith, in her built estate.
Quest. 2. Whether this is uot an infallible mark, aud
most certain demonstration ofthe false church, — her sitting
upon many waters ; which AA'aters are peoples, multitudes,
nations, and tougues ? Did not the Spirit of the Lord thus
mark her out to John? Rev. xvii. 15. Did the true church
CA-er sit upon many waters ? AVas not the church a gather
ing out of the nations, into the power and life which the
nations persecuted? But the false church sits over the na
tions with a form of godliness, but without the true power
thereof. Then if this be a mark that God hath set upon
her, let every one wait to read it aright, that he may knoAv

114 THE WOEKS OP
thereby which is she, and praise the name of the Lord for
discovering her to him.
Quest. 3. Whether this false church be not rightly called
Babylon, even a heap of confusion (in a mystery) as to
God's eye, though to man's eye her appearance may be or
derly and decent? Aud Avhether she be not justly termed,
by the Spirit of the Lord, the great whore, both for large
ness in bulk, and for the greatness of her fornications, hav
ing whored from the bed of the husband, and entered into
the bed of a stranger; aud having taught and compelled
others to acknowledge and worship iu her forms ; which,
thus held forth and maintained by her, are not only without,
but also against, the true power?
Quest. 4. Whether antichrist be not entered into, and be
come the head of, this false church ? And whether he doth
not sit there ruling in it, even as Christ was head of the
true, and sat ruling in the true ? And whether antichrist
doth not keep his hold of this church, and possess his seat
in it, for many ages and generations, even from the time he
got in after the days of the apostles, till the very coming of
Christ in his power and brightness? 2 Thess. ii.
Quest. 5. Whether the great plagues, Avoes, terrible thun
ders, and cups of God's indignation, spoken of in the book
of the Revelations, are uot to be poured, in their several
orders and degrees, upon this false church, and upon anti
christ, her beloved head and king, even till she be stripped
naked, made desolate, and her fiesh burnt with fire, and her
head bruised and destroyed by Christ, the true Head and
King of the true church?
Quest. 6. Whether the people of God, such as feel some
what of the poAver, and bow to the Lord in Spirit and truth
in some measure ; yet these, if they mind not his call out
of this Babylon, aud come uot fully out of her, but abide
in any part of her, observing any of her ways or worships,
till the time of God's controversy Avith her, and judging of
her, Avhether they also shall not partake of her plagues?
Rev. xviii. 4,
Quest. 7. AVhether all people have not great reason to

ISAAC PENINGTON. II5
fear before the Lord, and to look to their ways and wor
ships, lest they be found in any thing therein which is not
of him, but contrary to him, and so bring upon their souls
and bodies that wrath aud sore judgment from God which
they are not able to bear? Rev. xiv. 9, 10, 11.
Quest. 8. AVhether it was not the great love and mercy
of God to warn the churches of these things in the book of
the Revelations? And whether he cau be safe in these re
spects, who either doth not understand, or not observe, the
warnings given by the Spirit of the Lord therein? Hoav
often is it therein said: "He that hath an ear, let hira hear
what the Spirit of God saith to the churches." It is also
said: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the
Avords of this prophecy, and keep those things Avhich are
written therein: for the tirae is at hand." He, then, that
readeth not, that hath not an ear to hear the words of this
prophecy, how can he keep what is written therein ? How
can he beware and avoid the seeming beauty and glory of
the false church, or suft'er with the faithful witnesses of God
in their testimony against her? And if he do not thus, but
is entangled by the false church with her golden cup of for
nications, (Rev. xvU. 4.) he misseth of the blessing; and
ah ! Avhat is he to meet with instead thereof! My heart hath
often melted within me, and my bowels rolled at the con
sideration and deep sense which the Lord hath given me of
these things; and this I say therein, to those that desire Ufe
and peace from God, Oh ! wait on him for the eye which sees
in his light, for the ear which hears his voice, and for the
heart which understands the words and messages of his
Spirit, that ye may feel his gathering, guidance, and preser
vation out of that, to which his wrath is for ever, and against
which his wrath is to be made more manifest, and poured
out more fully aud abundantly than ever it yet was. For
the Lord will empty his love and his life into Zion, and
empty the very dregs and thick mixtures of the cups of his
indignation into the very heart and bowels of Babylon; aud
her sickness, misery, avoo, death, and destruction AviU be
exceeding dreadful and unutterable. Therefore wait on tho

llg THE WOEKS OP
Lord in fear and singleness of spirit, crying and mourning
uuto him to discover to you the extent and limits of this
false church, this false building, this building in a form and
outward order, Avithout the life and power of the Spirit ; and
then fly as fast out of her, and from her (and as far), as the
Spirit of the Lord leads, even tiU ye come to the holy buUd
ing, which is of him, and the heavenly places which are pre
pared there by him, for every one ofhis (according to their
growth and stature in his Son), that ye may sit doAvn in him.
Some Queries to Professors, who speak of high AttaUi-
ments aud Experiences iu ReUgion, and yet do not Avit
ness, nor can acknoAvledge, the Truth, as the Lord hath
now revealed it (and done great Things by it iu the
Spirits of his People), but look upon it as a poor, mean
aud low Thing.
Query 1. Have ye known the great and terrible day of
the Lord, wherein he ariseth to shake terribly the earth ?
And have ye known that shaken doAvn in you AA'hich must
be shaken doAvn and removed as a cottage, before the ever
lasting kingdom can be established in you?
Query 2. Do ye knoAV the livnig, powerful, eternal word,
Avhich is quick aud piercing, sharper than auA' tAvo-edged
SAvord, dividing between thought aud thought, grace and
grace, (as I may so speak) light and light, life and life, spirit
and spirit, poAver and poAver? &e. HaA^e ye knoAvu it a
hammer, a fire, an axe laid to tho root of the corrupt tree ?
Aud do ye knoAv the corrupt tree (root, branches, leaves, and
fruit) so cut doAvn by it as to cumber the ground uo more?
Query 3. Do j-e kuow the paradise of God, aud the tree
of life there? Do ye indeed feed thereon? Have ye passed
through the flaming sAvord to the tree of Ufe? And is the
flaming sword (Avhich ouce fenced from life, and the power
thereof) set uoav to fence up the Avay to the tree of knoAvl-
edge, that ye may feed no more thereon, and die, but feed

ISAAC PENINGTON.

117

only on that which is life, and gives life, and so live for
ever ?
Query 4. Have ye witnessed the effects of the great aud
terrible day of the Lord in your spirits? Is antichrist
destroyed, the whore burnt, flesh consuraed, raau ceased
from, both within and without? Is the loftiness of man
bowed doAvn iu you, the mighty removed out of his seat,
and the meek, holy, humble seed raised up to rule in right
eousness in your hearts ? Is every high tower battered doAvn,
aud every fenced Avail laid flat? Are all your imaginations,
aud conceivings, and fleshy apprehendings upon scriptures,
yea, every pleasant picture and image ofthe things iu heaven
(formed in your minds) brought to au end, and the pure
living truth of the Father waited for, received from him,
and lived in? Yea, is the Lord alone exalted in your spirits,
and all other dominion, authority, rule, and lordship put
under? Query 5. Do ye knoAv the raountain of the Lord's house,
and the Lord's hous« built and established by his oavu Holy
Spirit aud poAver upon his own holy mountain ? And do ye
Avorship the Lord alone therein ? Do ye come up to the Xew
Jerusalem, to off'er your sacrifices there, according to the in
stitution ofthe gospel? And do ye Avorship the Lord there,
on his own day, AA-hich he hath spiritually made ? Aud do
ye bear no burden, kindle no fire, do no Avork on that his
day ? Do ye never warm yourselves at any fire, or by auy
sparks of your own kindling? Or are ye yet Avorshipping
upon some of the many mountains aud hills Avhich the Lord
hath not formed uor established; but have been forraedand
set up by man in the night of darkness, before the everlast
ing light of the day break forth ?
Query 6. Do ye know the wilderness through Avhich the
passage is from Egypt to Canaan? And have ye faithfuUy
travelled in the leadings of God's Spirit there through ? And
are yo entered iuto the pure rest thereof? Are ye not under
the laAA% but under grace; not under the enemy's poAver, but
under the Spirit's power, out of the other's reach, so that the
wicked one cannot touch you? Have ye gone through the

118 THE WOEKS OP &c.
exercises and trials of the wilderness? HaA-e ye fed on the
manna dropt dowu from heaven upon your spirits therein ?
Have ye drunk of the AA-ater of the rock? Have ye seen the
serpent lifted up, and felt the healing thereby ? Have ye wit
nessed the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by
night, to be your defence and leader? And have j-e uoav at
length received the kingdom of life, and set under the
shadoAv of it, drinking Avater out of your oavu cistern, aud
eating under your oavu vine aud fig-tree the fruits of the
good land, after the shaking; of that Avliich Avas to be sha-
ken; uoav being come to, aud enjoying the kingdom Avhich
cannot be shaken ? HaA^e ye really felt these things, or have
ye been in the dreams and imaginings about them ?
Query 7. Do ye Avalk in the light of the Lord, as the spir
itual house of Jacob is to do? Have ye received the Spirit?
Do ye Uve iu the Spirit? Are ye truly united, so as to be
come one Spirit Avith the Lord ? Are all the Avails of parti
tion broken down ? And is there nothing uoav between you,
but of two ye are made one in that Avhich uniteth ?
If it be thus with you, then hold forth the right hand of
fellowship to those whom the Lord hath brought hither;
aud know and ackuoAvledge that Avhereby the Lord hath
wrought in them. But if ye be not really in the thing it
self, but only in the apprehensions and conceivings about it,
ye can never so be witnesses concerning these things, nor
concerning the truth whereby God Avorks these things: and
ye Avill find there is a great gulf between you aud us, AA-hich
ye cannot possibly pass over, till ye meet Avith our principle
and guide, and faithfully travel Avith him in the footsteps of
the flock, that ye may come to the Shepherd's tents (even
the tents AA-hich the Shepherd pitcheth, and AAdiich no man
ean pitch), aud may know the true tabernacle, sanctuary,
and teraple, AAdiereof he is the Minister.

OF
THE CHURCH.

IN
ITS FIRST. AND PURE STATE,
IN
ITS DECLINING STATE, IN ITS DECLINED STATE, AND
IN ITS EECOVEEY.
WITH THE WAT OP SALVATION IN THE COVENANT OF LIFE
OPENED, AND SOME STUMBLING-BLOCKS REMOVED
OUT OF THE WAY OF THE SIMPLE-HEARTED.
LIKEATISE SOME QX7EKIES CONCEKNING THE NEW COVENANT.
WITH AN EXHORTATION TO
ALL PEOPLE; BL'T MOEE ESPECIALLY TO SUCH AS
AKE DESOLATE AND DISTRESSED.
AVhereunto is added
A Visit of tender and upright Love to such as retain
any Sincerity towards the Lord.
Also a brief Account of the ground of Certainty and
Satisfaction, which it hath pleased the Lord to establish in
my heart, concerning Religion, and the
things of his Kingdom.
And a Question answered about the way of knowing the
Motions, Doctrines, and Teachings
of Christ's Spirit.
With somewhat relating to the Gospel Rest, or Sabbath.
And some Queries to such as complain of want
of Power to become the Lord's,
and serve Him.
By one who testifieth what he hath seen and heard and tasted
and handled of the Word, and Life eternal,
ISAAC PENINGTON.

121

THE PREFACE.
The true church is a mystery, and so is the false also;
neither of Avhich the outAvard eye of man's understanding is
able to discern ; but he alone who is enlightened and taught
of God. AVho cau see hoAv the Spirit of God works, chang
ing men's hearts, gatheriug thera into his truth, and build
ing thera up into an holy teraple iu his Son? Aud AA-ho cau
discern hoAv 'the spirit of deceit Avorks Avith an outward
knoAAdedge, doctrine, and form of reUgion, persuading or
compelling meu thereunto, and so builds up a false church?
Yea, Avho cau tell AA'hen the Spirit ofthe Lord AA'ith draAveth
from the church, Avhich Avas once his, leaving it to the other
spirit to re-enter and possess; from Avhich time it becometh
a syuagogue of Satan ? There Avas need of the anointing of
God's wisdom and Spirit to try Joavs and apostles (for there
were such, CA-en in the apostles' days, as said they Avere so,
but Avere not); and there is also need of the same Avisdom
aud spirit to try churches, Avhether they be indeed the
churches of Christ (in and of his Spirit and poAver) or ouly
in the uame and outAvard profession of the thiug, Avithout
the nature. Spirit, life, aud poAver thereof
The apostle Paul (who Avas the apostle of the Gentiles,
and knew Avhat was likely to be their future state), Avritiug
to the Romans, tells them, that the Gentiles were cut out of
the oliA'c-tree, which was wild by nature; aud Avere, con
trary to nature, ingrafted into the true Olive-tree, and so came
to partake of the root and fatness thereof. But withal he
tells them', that unless they did continue in the faith, and in
the goodness of God, keeping out of the highiniudedne.ss
and conceitedness of their own estate and condition, in the
fear (Avhich makes the heart clean, and preserves it in the
cleanness from that Avhich Avould defile, and cause it to de-
Vol. IIL— 11

122 THE WOEKS OP
part from the Lord) they likewise should be cut off. Rora.
xi. 17, and 20, &c.
Xow it would be seriously considered, w-hether the Gen
tile churches did abide in the faith, and in the goodness and
poAver ofthe Lord, Avhicli gathered thera? Or whether they
grew high-ininded, holding their estate in a presuraption (as
if the promise AA-as so to thera, that they must needs be the
church for ever) out of the fear, and so were cast off by God,
and cut off (according to the apostle's AVords) from God's
Spirit, and so have not partook of the root and fatness of the
Olive-tree, for mauy generations? It Avould also further be
inquired (if it prove thus upon true search and examination,
that they have been cut off*), Avhether they can partake of
the root and fatness of the true OliA-e-tree any more, till he
that cast them off, gather aud build them up again ?
It is true, there have been witnesses against the corrupt
state, even a seed Avho have been persecuted by it; aud
these have, in some measure, partook of the root and fat
ness of the Olive-tree, all this time of the degeneration.
But hath the church-state of the Gentiles, which provoked
God, aud Avas cast oft", and persecuted the Avitness of the
Lamb, his holy seed, Avho could uot but, in his nature and
Spirit, testify against their corruption, — have they partook
of the root and fatness of the OliA-e-tree, or have they not
rather groAvn up from, aud drunk iu of, the sap and juice
of another stock ?
The same apostle speaks of the man of sin, that Avicked
one, the son of perdition; Avho should get iuto the teraple
of God, sit there, and shoAv himself as God; and yet op
pose and exalt himself above all that is truly called God,
aud that of right ought to be Avorsbipped. 2 Thes. ii. 4.
Xoav Avhen he gets iuto the temple, doth not he leaven it
Avith his wicked spirit, making it become wicked, Uke him
that sits and reigns in it, and is the head of it? And doth
the church or temple, all the while he sits in it, partake of
the root and fatness ofthe Olive-tree? (Of Christ its former
Vine, of Christ its former Head ?) Or doth it not rather suck
in, and partake of, the A-enom and poison of this new head ?

ISAAC PENINGTON. 123
And how long is this new head, this false head ofthe church,
to sit in the temple? Is it not from the very time of his get
ting in, till Christ, by the Spirit of his mouth, consume and
scatter him; and by the brightness of his appearance and
coming, utterly destroy him ? ver. 8.
This ia certain (as certain as ever there was a true church
in the days of the aposties), that after the apostles' days there
got up a false church, Avhich the Spirit of the Lord calls the
great AA'hore (indeed she was far bigger, by multitudes of
degrees, than ever the true church Avas). This great Avhore
had a golden cup in her hand, AvheroAvith she made the
kings and inhabitants of thc earth drunk. And she sat
upon many AA'aters; which Avaters are peoples, nations, mul
titudes, aud tougues. Did CA-er the true church do thus?
That Avas a little flock, gathered out of peoples, nations,
multitudes, aud tongues, reigning iu the Spirit and poAver
of the Lord, over them ouly Avho AA'ere thus gathered; but
never sat upou Avhole peoples, nations, multitudes, and
tongues, as this great Avhore hath done. Rev. xvii. 1 — 15.
Xow it would be worth the inquiry Avhat this cup is (this
golden cup, Avhicli appears like gold). Aud Avhat this Avine
is, AA'hereAvith she made the kings and inhabitants of the
earth drunk. Ask her, aud she avUI tell you: It is the cup
of salvation, aud her wine the Avine of the kingdom, even
the doctriue and discipline of holy mother-church; out of
Avliich, and Avithout which, no man can be saA-ed. But ask
the Spirit of the Lord (or hear what the Spirit of the Lord
said to the churches coneeruing it), and he Avill tell you, it
is the wine of fornication, the cup of destruction, full of
abominations, and filthiuess of her fornication ; and that she
shall be so far from saving others, that she shall be de
stroyed and perish herself; and whoever drinks of her wine
shall perish, unless he vomit it up agaiu, and drink of the
pure blood of the Lamb after it. See Rev. xvii. and also
chap- xviii. and chap. xiv. 9, 10, 11.
Xow one word, in the love aud truth of God, to all that
have separated from this church. Havc ye separated
fully? Have ye separated wholly? Have ye separated

124 THE WOEKS OP
from her in nature and spirit ? Have ye waited for the
building which God alone can rear ; for the church which
he alone can frame ? Or have ye built up another church,
in the resemblance and likeness of that ye separated frora ?
This is a weighty thing : ye must answer it to God, and
stand by his judgment therein. I beseech you consider
it. "What will it profit a man," saith Christ, "if he gain
the whole world, and lose his own soul?" So say I in this
case: What would it profit you, if ye could make your
church stand, and be approved in the sight of the whole
world, if the Lord disown and disallow it, and they that
are gathered into it perish by it? If it be not of God's
building, if it have not his presence, virtue. Spirit, and
power in it, it caunot save. Oh, hear, hear ! for the Lord
will strip Babylon, and fill her with dreadful plagues aud
judgments; and she shall appear naked as she is, and be
come the scorn of every eye, and the reproach of every be
holder: and that which hath been reproached, scorned,
hated, and persecuted by her, the Lord avUI honor.
Xow consider, aud wait on the Lord, to know the extent
of Babylon; that ye may not be found by the Spirit of the
Lord (nor by his angels, Avhieh pour out his plagues upon
her) within her limits. For the great whore is not Baby
lon only, or alone; but she is the Mother of harlots, aud all
her daughters are harlots also ; even all that have built up
churches, like her (in her spirit, Avith her materials) out of
the leading, guidance, and power ofthe Spirit of truth,

ISAAC PENINGTON. ^9,-

OF THE CHURCH.

I. Of the Church in its First and Pure State, when it was
clothed with the Sun, had the Moon under its Feet,
and Avas croAvned Avith a Crown of Twelve Stars, travail
ing to bring forth, aud brought forth the Man Child, Avhich
Avas to Rule all Xations Avith the Rod of L-on.

It pleased the Father to send his Son into the world (iu
his name, poAver, and authority), to gather out ofthe Avorld;
and to manifest his name to the men Avhom he should gather
out of the world. The Jews, for all their great profession,
and high esteem of themselves, Avere but a worldly polity,
having but AA^orldly, elementary shadoAvs ofthe good things
to come, and to be set up in the kingdom of the Messiah.
John preached that, the kingdom loas at hand; Christ said,
it ivas come: John prepared for it; Christ brought it. He
came in the Spirit, in the life, in the virtue, in the dominion
of the Alost High; aud he gathered disciples unto him, by
the word and power of the Father. And those that contin
ued iu his word, were his disciples indeed; ofhis gathering;
such as the Father had sent the Son out to seek; even the
iiCAv sort of worshippers, who should Avorship neither at Sa^
maria, nor Jerusalem ; nor with reference to any other out
ward place ; but in Spirit and in truth. They should meet
together in that name, Avherein Christ had gathered them ;
aud meeting so, he would be in the midst of them, and
they should feef the presence, power, and authoritj^, which
belonged to his church.
Xow, if any would know what kind of persons these
disciples are, Christ giveth many descriptions of them.

126 THE WOEKS OF
They are such as are born from above, such as are changed
by the name and power which gathers them. They are
Jews iuAvard, circumcised inwardly; such as are baptized
Avith the Holy Ghost, and with fire ; squared stones, hoAvn
by the Spirit, for the spiritual building; not old, rough,
fierce, cruel, implacable, unregenerate, unholy spirits; but
meek, gentle, loAvly, teuder, poor in spirit, merciful, peace
able in themselves, and making peace among men, rencAved,
aud sanctified in spirit ; holy in conversation, suff'ering (both
from the heathenish, and from the worldly-professing spirit)
for that poAver of truth and righteousness, Avhich they pro
fess aud bear witness to. They are the salt of the earth,
having that iu them Avhich seasoneth their own hearts, and
which hath virtue iu it to season others. They are the light
of the world, having that in them which casts rays of light,
conviction, and demonstration, wherever they go. They
beiug changed into the leaven of the kingdom, become a
leaven, and so a Aveight upon iniquity; testifying against,
yea, boAving down and afiiictiug,that spirit, as the power of
life springs in them and breaks forth through them.
Xow, if the church be thus; if it be a gathering by the
poAver into the power; by Christ, who came in the name,
into the name in which he came; must not the ministry
needs be much more thus? Must not they be grown in the
name, be grown in the power, who are to minister to those
who are gathered into the name, who are gathered into the
power? Must not they be well grown in the Spirit, if they
be able ministers of the Spirit? Did not Christ, AA-hen he
sent out his disciples to preach in his name, give them of
his Spirit and power? And afterAvards, Avhen he was to go
away, and they to succeed him, what were they to succeed
him in? Were they uot to succeed him in his Spirit aud
power? And did not he bid them Avait for it, and receive
it, before they went forth to preach aud set up his kingdom ?
And was it not by this the church was gathered? And ean
the church be preserved by any thing beneath this? Yea,
falling short of this, is it not in a degenerated aud fallen
estate?

ISAAC PENINGTON.

127

After that those who had been gathered in the name, had
waited as Christ directed them, for the holy Spirit and
power, and after it had fallen upon them, then the glory
began, then the ministry shined, then the church (or people
gathered in the Spirit and power) shined; then great Ufe
was in them all, then great grace and holiness was upon
them all; then faith (which springs from the Spirit and
power) Avas fresh, then love abounded; then they minded
not earthly things, but the kingdom, the life, the glory,
which Avas come upon them in power; then Satan's king
dom fell down Uke lightning, and they went on (in and
with the Spirit which led them) conquering the JcAA'ish
professors, and the heathenish worshippers also ; none be
ing able to resist the power and Spirit Avherein they spake
aud ministered. Read the scriptures of the Xew Testament,
and Avait on God for the opening of the true eye iu you, and
these things will be manifest and plain to you therein ; for
the sweetness, freshness, preciousness, and beauty of that
state, may abundantly be read there, by those AA'hose eyes
the Lord opens. To instance in some places.
Peter writes tAVO general epistles, iu one whereof he
speaks of their having received like precious faith Avith
thera, 2 Pet. i. 1. and in the other, that they did rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Pet. i. 8. Yea,
he speaks also of their being as lively stones, buUt up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood (mark; all God's people
Avho are gathered iuto the name, Avha are of the faith, Avho
are iu the life and power, are priests uuto him), to off'er up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Pet.
ii. 5. Xow, was it a small thing to be a priest under the
law, to offer up the outward sacrifices thereof? What is it
then to be a priest in the Holy Spirit aud power of Ufe?
John- also writes a general epistle, wherein he divides
Christians into three estates,— chUdren, young men, fa-
thers.—speaking great things aud glorious of them all. He
said, "The darkness ia past, and the true light now shin
eth." Paul had said, The night is far spent, and the day is
at hand; but be said, thc uight is past, and the day is come.

128 THE WOEKS OP
1 John ii. 8. And he writes to all, — children, young men,
fathers, — as being passed from the darkness, and in the
Ught of the day. The little children had had their sins for
given them for his name's sake, and had known the Father.
ver. 12, 13. The young men were strong, and the word of
God did abide in them, and they had overcome the wicked
one. ver. 14. The fathers knoAv him that Avas from the be
ginning, A'er. 13, 14. and knoAving that, they knew enough;
for that AA-as it which appeared to save, and that was it
Avhich Avas to be preached, even that which was from the
beginning, the light which AA'as AA-ith God, the light which
Avas in God, the light Avhich was God, in which is no dark
ness at all. chap. i. 1. 5. Yea, the little children had an
unction frora the Holy One, and they knew all things ; aud
John Avrote not uuto thera as not knowing the truth, but
because they kuew it. chap. ii. 18. 20, 21. Yea, they had
received the anointing, and it did abide in them, and they
needed not that any man should teach them, but as the
same anointing taught them of all things; and it so taught
them, as that no seducer uor antichristian deceiver could
impose or preA-ail upou them, they keeping to it. ver. 18.
26, 27. AA'hat a glorious state AA'as here, AA'hen the little
children Avere thus adA'anced in the strength and pOAver of
life! Sure that promise Avas noAv made good indeed, "Ye
shall be all taught of God," when the little children were
thus taught. Yea, and they Avere taught to abide in him,
so as they might uot sin ; for hoAv could they, the anointing
abiding iu them, and teaching them of aU things, and they
being iu subjection thereto; for that preserA-e"s out of sin
the A-essel in AA-hom it dweUs and reigns. Sin is a trans
gressiou of the laAv; but they that are iu the anointing,
taught by the anointing, subject to the anointing, are far
above the righteousness of the laAv, even iu the rtghteous-
ness of the Sou; the righteousness of AA-hose nature is far
above the righteousness AA-hich the laAv reqiUres of man's
nature. And let men talk and imagine Avhat they aa-UI, the
sinner is uot iu the redemption aud poAver of righteousness
which is by Jesus Christ. For that Avhich is born of God

ISAAC PENINGTON. 129
doth not commit sin, but the seed remaineth in him which
IS born of God, preserving him from the nature and spirit
of the devil, and from the works which flow from that nat
ure and spirit, chap. ui. 4, &c. Yea, they might so walk
as that their hearts should not condemn them; but that
they might have confidence towards God. ver. 20, 21. And
as Christ said to the Father, "Father, thou always hearest
me;" so could they say, " Whatsoever avo ask, avo receive
of him, because avo keep his commandments, and do those
things that are pleasing in his sight," ver. 22. even as Christ
had said, "He that sent rae is Avith rae," &c., "for I do al-
Avays those things that please him." John viii. 29. Yea,
these little children, having received the anointing, Avere
able to try spirits, and had tried and overcome them (not
Avithstanding the subtlety and strength of all their deceits),
because that light, life. Spirit, aud poAver Avhich dAvelt Avith
in them, Avas greater than that which Avas in the world.
chap. iv. 1. 4. And can the less overcome the greater, tho
greater keeping to its strength ? Xay, nay : these that arc
of the love, and dwell in the love, are, by the poAA-er and
A'irtue of the lo\-e, kept out of all the snares and devices of
the enmity; for the enmity cannot enter the love, nor the
soul that abides in the love ; but only him that departs out
of it. Here is a munition of rocks, here is safety indeed ;
let him that hath an ear hear, and let him that hath a spir
itual eye read and consider. AVhat should be said more of
them? They were in the love Avhich keeps the command
ments, ofthe birth to which the victory is given, and in the
faith which gives the victory, chap. v. 8, 4. Yea, did they
not so keep themselves, as that the wicked one could not
touch them? ver. 18. Hoav could he, when they had over
come him, and abode in that Avhich overcame him? Satan
falls Uke a flash of lightning before the power of truth, be
fore the liA'ing faith; the faith which is froni and stands in
the power. And if the devil would fly from those that rC'
sisted him, how much more would he fly from those that
had overcome him, and stood armed Avith that armor which
is painful and dreadful to hira !

130 THE WOEKS OP
Again, the apostle that writeth to the Hebrews, speaketh
of their work and labor of love (which advanceth the soul
apace towards the kingdom), and of their patient enduring
the trials, persecutions, afflictions, and crosses, through
which perfection is attained. James i. 4. Heb. vi. 10. and
chap. X. 32, 33. Yea, he speaketh expressly eoncerning
them, that theywere come to Mount Zion, and to the city
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innu
merable company of angels; to the general assembly and
church of the first-boTra which are Avritten in heaven, and to
God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made
perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator ofthe hoav covenant, and
to the blood of sprinkling, chap. xii. 22, 23, 24. and that
they had received, or were receiving, a kingdom Avhich
could not be moA-ed. ver 28.
There is another place in my heart to mention, Avhich
speaks great glory and a high state, in the sense of my spir
it, attributing glory and dominion to Christ for his loving
them, and washing them frora their sins in his own blood,
and making them khigs aud priests unto God and his Fa
ther. Rev. i. 5, 6. What is he who is both a king and priest
to God? Surely he is Avashed, surely he is clothed with
the priest's raiment, surely he is iu the dominion and purity
of life, who reigns and offers up therein holy sacrifices to
the Father.
Thus far have instances been given iu reference to the
general state. Xoav it is also in my heart to give some in
stances in particular churches, wherein testimony is given
to the freshness of life iu them, and of their precious state
therein. First, I shall instance iu that church at Jerusalem: in
what a beauteous glory and lustre did they spring forth !
Acts U. 41, to the end. Consider the place well, "and tell
me, if this was not the beginning of the spiritual and heav
enly Jerusalem ; if the glory of it did not descend upon this
new-gathered people and converts? So likewise see chap.
iv. 31, &e.
The church at Rome, the apostle Paul says, were beloved

ISAAC PENINGTON. 131
of God; and that their faith was spoken of throughout the
the AA-hole world. Rom. i. 7, 8. Xoav what a glorious pre
cious state was this ! For by faith is water drawn out of the
Avells of salvation : and hoAV much might they draw, w-ho
abounded in faith ! True faith springs from the power of
life, and it brings the poAver of life iuto the soul in Avhich it
springs, according to the degree aud growth of it. He that
is beloved of God, and abounds in faith tOAvards hira, what
glory, what life, AA-hat A-irtue, what poAver can he want?
The same apostle, Avriting to the church atPhilippi, saith,
he did thank God, upon every remembrance of them : maldng re
quest for them with joy always, in every prayer of his for them
all, for their fellowship in the gospel (vAdiich is poAver and life
to them that have fellowship therein) /rom the first day until
now. Phil. i. 3, 4, 5. Aud he calls them dearly beloved and
longed for, his joy and crown, chap, iv, 1.
So AA-riting to the saints and faithful brethren at Colossus,
he gives thanks for their faith, and their love io all the saints,
chap. i. 3, 4. And saith further concerning them, thai the
word of the truth of the gospel had brought forth fruit in them,
since the day they heard and knew the grace of God, in truth, ver.
5. 6. To AA-hat then Avere they groAvn? Surely very far into
the mystery of life iu Christ; in Avhom they had been cir
cumcised and baptized, and Avero complete, abiding in him,
and drinking in ofthe life, virtue, andpoAver Avhich floAveth
from him.
Likewise he Avrites to the church of the Thessalonians,
as being in God the Father, aud in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thess. i. 1. Ah ! hoAV excellent and glorious was the
state and condition of Christ, to be in the Father! How
glorious is the state of that church, which is both in Chnst
and in the Father ! He speaks also of their work of faith,
and labor of love, and patience of hope. ver. 3. Yea, he
writes to them again as such. Ephes. i. 1. Surely they did
abide in the vine; they did dwell in the name and power
into which they were gathered; and so did .feel the dews
from above, and the springs from beneath; so that their
faith did grow exceedingly, and their love abound; and the

132 THE WOEKS OP
apostles did find cause of glorying in them, in the churches
of God, for their patience and faith in all their persecutions
aud tribulations that they endured, ver. 3, 4.
AVriting also to the Ephesians, he giveth a high expres
sion ofthe goodness of God to his people in those days, and
of the blessedness of their estate, in that God had blessed
them with all spiritual blessings, in heavcjily places in Christ,
chap. i. 3. That is hard to be understood; yet this maybe
sensibly said : in the heavenly places in Christ, the spiritual
blessings are received; and they that are raised together
with him, and live in and Avith him, do also sit with him iu
the heavenly places in hira, even in the raansions which he
hath prepared, and is preparing; for he raiseth the soul
higher and higher, from glory "to glory, at his pleasure.
The apostle also saith that they were fellow-citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God ; and Avere built together in
Christ, for a habitation of God, through ihe Spirit, chap. ii. 19. 22.
So the church of Smj'rna; Christ OAvneth her AA-orks, and
tribulations, and poverty, and pronounceth her rich. Rev.
ii. 8. Christ knoweth how to value things.
And the church of Philadelphia Avas in a very precious
state indeed; Christ OAvniug her works, and having set be
fore her an open door, which no man could shut; and
promising to make those Avho made a profession of the
truth (of being Joaa-s) but Avere not in it, to come and Avor
ship before her feet, aud to knoAv that he had loved her; as
also that he would keep her in the hour of temptation, be
cause she had kept the Avord ofhis patience. Rev. iii. 8. &c.
Thus it is manifest that the church in general, and many
churches iu particular, Avas once iu a pure, fresh, living,
poAverful, glorious state.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

133

II. Of the Church in its declining and falling Estate.
But all the churches were n^ot thus; nor did those AA'ho
were thus ahvays continue thus: but there Avas a declining
and falling from this glorious estate by degrees, even from
the light, brightuess, purity, and poAver of the day, into the
darkness and corruption ofthe night again.
And thus the apostasy came in ; to Avit, by not keeping to
the anointing, by uot abiding in that Spirit, life, and power
Avhereiuto they Avere gathered ; by not keeping singly to the
A'oice of the Shepherd. For then auother ear got up in
them, and that itched after new aud strange things; not
being contented Avitli the simplicity of truth Avhich is in
Christ, Avith the plain heavenly bread. For truth is a na
ked simple thing to look at; not ausAveriug man's Avisdom
at first, uor ever afterwards: but iu the cross to that, its
poAver is felt, and its beauty seen. But if the AA'isdom of
man get up from under the cross, if it be not still kept doAvn
bj- that, it Avill presently be judging the Avisdom of God,
aud the plain Avay of truth, foolishness, aud be listening af
ter somewhat else.
Thus the church of Corinth, AA'ho did abound iu spiritual
gifts, yet Avere apt to run out, aud be lifted up above their
measures, and think they reigned as kings, without (if uot
beyond) the apostles; and so came into danger of hearken-
ino- to false spirits and ministers of unrighteousness. 1 Cor.
iv.^S, &c. 2 Cor. x. 11.
And the churches of Galatia, AA'hich began weU, and very
zealously, even so as they cotUd have plucked out their eyes
for Paul's sake ; yet Avere afterAvards so far bewitched and
prevailed upou, that the apostle professed he stood in doubt
of them, and Avas afraid lest he had bestoAved upon them
labor in vain. Gal. iv. 11. 20.
When the euemy could not prevail in open battle, by
manifest afflictions, oppositions, persecutions, &c., then he
tries bv deceit, getting into the form, to see Avhat he can do
Vol. HI.— 12

13-t THE WOEKS OP
there, how he can please and satisfy men thercAvith, and so
Avork them from that power which redeems. And those
that do not eye the poAver, keep to the power, Avalk in the
power, and judge by the power, to be sure he catcheth this
Avay. "The false prophets," saith Christ, "Avhich come in
sheep's clothing," (Avith the good words, as ministers of
righteousness; but not Avith the living, powerful fruits of
righteousness) come Avith so subtle an appearance, as, if it
Avere possible, they would deceive the very elect : but God
keepeth that eye in his elect open, Avhich cannot be de
ceived; but all else are. They that depart from the poAver,
they that err from the faith, they that are in the highmind-
edness and conceitedness, out ofthe fear, — they easily hear
ken to seducing spirits, and drink of their poison. And
Peter plainly foresaAv that these would be many. 2 Pet. ii.
1,2. See also what complaint Paul makes to Timothy, about
the declining of many from the truth; he exhorts him to
"keep faith and a good couscience; which some having put
aAvay, concerning faith have made shipAA'reck; of Avhora is
Iljmieneus aud Alexander." 1 Tira. i. 19, 20.
Again, he speaks of some that Avere " already turued aside
after Satan." chap. v. 15. Aud of some that had "erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through Avith mauy
sorroAvs." chap. vi. 10. Agaiu: "All they which are in
Asia be turued aAvay from me." 2 Tim. i. 15. LikoAvise he
speaks of some, who "Avould increase uuto more ungodli
ness," and whose Avord "avUI eat as doth a canker," chap.
ii. 16, 17. and that "evil meu and seducers shall wax Avorse
aud Avorse, deceiving aud beiug deceived." chap. iii. 13.
Yea, "the time Avill corae," saith he, "when they will not
endure sound doctrine." chap. iv. 3. "Demas hath forsa
ken me, having loved the present world." ver. 10. "Alex
ander the coppersmith did me much evil : the Lord reward
him according to his Avorks." ver. 14. "At my first answer,
uo man stood with me, but all raen forsook me." ver. 16.
Surely love was groAvn very cold, iniquity likely to abound,
aud the apostasy frora the truth to increase.

ISAAC PENINGTON. I35
And araong the churches of Asia, how many of them
were warping! Ephesus, though she had much good re
maining in her, yet she had left her first love, aud was faUen
from her first state and Avorks. Rev. ii. 4, 5. Pergamos also
had thera which held the doctriue of the ISlicolaitans, which
thing Christ hated, ver. 15. Thyatira, she likoAA-ise suffered
the Avoniau Jezebel, Avhich called herself a prophetess, to
teach and seduce God's servants, ver. 2fO. (Xoav, this she
ought not to have done, the churches haAang the Spirit, the
holy anointing, to try spirits and prophets by ; yea, to try
apostles; Avhich avUI faithfully discover AAdiich are truly
such, and AA-hich are not, as ver. 2.) Sardis had a name that
she lived, but was generally dead; there being but a few
names left iu Sardis AA'hich had uot defiled their garments.
chap. Ui. 1. 4. Laodicea Avas lukoAvarm; neither cold nor
hot; in the profession, in the form and appearance of truth;
but AA-ithout zeal, Avithout life, Avithout poAver. ver. 15. Xoav
being iu this state (having the form aud appearance of all),
she judged herself rich, and increased with goods, and to
have need of nothing, ver. 17. This indeed is a pleasant
state in man's eye, but very loathsome to God. ver. 16.
This church seemed to have aU, but indeed had lost aU,
and wanted the gold, the raiment, and the eye-salve; and
so was wretched, miserable, poor, bUud, and naked, ver,
17, 18.
In this, decliuiug state some fell from the doctrine of
truth, giving heed to seducing spirits, aud doctrines of doA--
ils. 1 Tim. iv. 1. Some from the felloAA-ship aud AVorship ;
it beino- the manner of some to forsake the assembling
themselves together, Heb. x. 25. Avhich the church, Avhen
first gathered, AA^as very dUigent in. Acts U. 42. 46. Some
held the form of knoAvledge and profession, but fell from
the Ufe aud poAver. 2 Tim. iU. 5. Yea, mauy Avays did the
wolfish, false spirits drive aud ^scatter from the flock, as
they eould get entrance into men's minds.
Obj. But how could-the church decline thus in the apos
tles' days; the Spirit of God being so powerful iu the apos-

136 THE WOEKS OP
ties, and being also so generally then bestowed upon believ
ers? as Gal. iv. 6.
Ans. It is true, they had great advantages of standing, by
reason of the presence and power of the Spirit with them.
But yet withal, the Spirit of the Lord is tender, jealous, and
might be grieved and provoked by neglects (his warnings
being slighted, and his motions quenched), and so might
draw back from such, as either received not fhe truth in the
love of it, or grew cold and careless afterwards; and then
the spirit of darkness and deceit thereby had advantage to
blind them, gain upou them, and enter into that part of
them, which the Spirit of the Lord had before recovered
aud possessed. Xow, the enemy, having got entrance, pre
vails and captivates more and more, unless the Lord, in
tender love and mercy, visit it again, lifting up a standard
for the soul, and so drawing it back by degrees into his
light and power again.
Besides, it is easy to decline (easy for any soul, easy for
any church); but there is need of much care, fear, faith,
obedience, watchfulness to the Lord, and against the eue
my, &c., to preserve and keep the estate of a heart, or the
estate of a church, chaste and pure, "Ye are kept by the
power of God, through faith unto salvation," Can any thing
preserve a soul or church, but God's power? And doth
God preserve any soul or church, but iu the waj- he hath
appointed? A church is Uke a garden, needs digging,
dressing, watering, sun-shine, to cause it to thrive and
flourish. Do not Aveeds easily spring up in a garden ? yea,
ranker weeds than iu common grouud; which spread apace
and over-run it faster, if it be not looked to and kept by the
gardener? Read the figure, and understand. Are not spir
itual weeds as corrupt and spreading as the outward? Are
they not Uke leaven ; have they not a poisonous, infecting
nature in them? "Know ye uot," saith the apostle, "that
a Uttle leaven leaveneth the whole lump? " 1 Cor. v. 6. If
but one root of bitterness spring up in a church, it may de
file many, and trouble the AA-hole, Heb. xii, 15, Aud as one
corrupted person, so also one corrupted church, may infect

ISAAC PENINGTON. I37
and poison many more. Yea, Avas it not thus iu the apos
tasy? When it once got head, did it not break in and over-
floAV apace?

in. Of the decUned and faUen State of the Church.
AVhen antichrist (or that spirit Avhich Avrought against
that spiritual appearance of Christ, and power of his truth)
was revealed, and got into the temple, .appearing and being
acknowledged there as God, then, without controversy, was
the declined state.* He had been a long while working un
der-ground by his agents and ministers, appearing as min
isters of righteousness, in a form thereof, out of and
against the power; but tho power (in the true apostles
and ministers) stood in his Avay, and wrought against him,
so as he could uot for a long tirae get up. Yet he pre
vailed more and more iu the corrupt part iu men, till at
length he drcAV many ofthe very stars from heaven after him ;
and then fighting an open battle, gets rid of the true church,
vomits out a flood after her, as if she were an harlot, and
not worthy the name of Christ's spouse, and so gets iuto
the temple, aud is owned there (as Christ) in the stead of
Christ. Object. Will auy man own antichrist, worship antichrist,
and acknoAvledge antichrist (instead of Christ) to be God.
Ans. Read 2 Thess. ii. 4. and see if it be not so. See if
he do not get into the temple, and sit ruling and governing
in the temple (that Avhich Avas once so, and ought still to
be so), till the very coming and appearing of Christ in his
Spirit and brightness, ver. 8.
Quest. But how could this possibly ever be, or how can
it be? Aus, He doth not directly get up, nor show himself di
rectly as he is; but in a mystery of deceit. He doth not ap
pear as antichrist, crying up all manner of filthiuess, abomi
nation, and contrariety to Christ, in direct words, but as
Ohristj preaehiiig righteousness, crying up scriptures, ordi-

138 THE WOEKS OP
nances, church-ministry, holiness, kc. Yet, for all these
words, and fair pretences, he is not the true spirit, but the
false, the antichristian; and those that receive him, or bow
to him in auy of these, they boAv not to Christ, but to him-
He hath a mark, he hath a name, he hath a worship, he
hath a church, he hath a ministry, he hath laws and ordi
nances of worship ; which whosoever receives, AVorships not
the Lord Jesus Christ, but that spirit which, under a dis
guise, thus appeareth, Avhich hath horns as it were of a
lamb, or like a lamb; but not the Lamb's horns, nor the
Lamb's nature, uor the Lamb's Spirit, nor the Lamb's
meekness; but the old nature ofthe dragon, who gives him
both subtlety and power,
Xow mark: Avhen Christ brought forth his church, it was
a pure, holy, spiritual building, built up of renoAved spirits;
such as Avere new-born, such as were washed, such as were
sanctified, such as were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, Christ's church was
Zion, even the holy seed, built upon the holy hill of God,
iuto a holy city or temple. But antichrist's church is Baby
lon, which hath the AA'isdom aud order of man in it, such as
man's eye judgeth right, but is foolishness and confusion in
the eye of God, Xow, the Lord hath most terrible plagues
to pour out upon this antichrist, and upon his Babylon;
yea, upon every one that hath his mark or name, or that
which amounts to his name, though it be not directly so
called. Therefore, oh, fear the Lord God! and ye that
love the peace of your souls, pray to be deUvered from that
which his wrath is to ; for the dregs of the cup of trembling
are to be poured out on antichrist inward and outAvard, and
on Babylon inward and outward. Let him that readeth
understand the tender warnings, which are given forth in
the tender nature and Spirit of the Lord ; for the day of
mercy spreads apace, aud the night of anguish and tribula
tion hastens.
The true church of Christ was gathered by his Spirit into
his name and power, and was a spiritual building, or build
ing of spirits therein ; wherein the Spirit of the Lord was

ISAAC PENINGTON. I39
as present spirituaUy, as ever he appeared in the outAvard
temple or ark outAvardly. And the ministers of the Xcav
Testament were made by the Spirit, and sent forth Jby the
Spirit, and in the poAver. "Stephen," though but a deacon,
"was fuU of faith, aud ofthe Holy Ghost;" and if any man
taught in the church, he Avas to " speak as an oracle of God."
Flesh is to be silent there, and only the Spirit's voice to be
heacd in the spiritual building. But uoav, in the apostasy,
the ministers there, are as avoUs Avithout Avater, clouds Avith
out rain, who have ouly the sIioav of the thing after the
flesh, but not the truth ofthe thing after the Spirit; aud so
being not in the thing, nor in the Spirit, they despise the
dominion, aud speak evil of the dignities Avhich are of the
Spirit, and for advantage' sake cry up the dominions aud
dignities which are of the earth.
In the apostles' days, the ministers of the church Avere not
of man, nor set over the flock by raau ; but raade by God,
and set over the flock as overseers by him. Acts xx. 28.
For the same Lord AA-ho gave apostles, prophets, and evan
gelists, gave also pastors and teachers. Ephes. iv. 11. Aud
though the bauds of the presbytery Avere laid on those that
Avere made ministers ; yet that was not done suddenly', or
lightly, but by the guidance of God's Spirit; and there
went a gift and poAver of the Spirit along with it, according
as Paul said to Timothy: "Xeglect not the gift that is in
thee, which Avas gi\-en thee by prophecy, Avith the laying
on ofthe hands ofthe presbytery." 1 Tim. iv. 14. But noAv,
in the declined, fallen estate, there is no such thing; but an
empty form, a form of worship, a form of godliness, a form
of ministry, a form of doctrine, a form of discipline ; with
out the life, without the Spirit, without the poAver, from
Avhich the true form came, and Avhereby alone it could be
preserved. This declined state hath been a A-ery sink of iniquity,
Avherein the Christian love hath not only groAvn cold, but
hath been quite dead, and plucked up by the A-ery roots ;
yea, Avherein all that filthiuess Avhich Avas sprouting forth
and getting up in the declining state hath reigned in poAvor,

140 THE WOEKS OP
defiling the very name of Christianity, oppressing the good
seed, aud corruptiug the earth. Read 2 Tim. iii. 2, &c., and
see Avhat a generation »f Christian professors Avere to groAV
up (aud did grow up) in the time of the apostasy.

IV. Of the State of the Church in its Recovery ; or what
State the Church shall be in after it is recovered out of
the Apostasy.
The state of the church after the apostasy, is to be like
the state it Avas in before the apostasj', for purity, poAver,
brightness, aud glory, &c. ; yea, shall it not be more glori
ous, after its coming through all this darkness, and shining
ovcr it, than it Avas before? The Xew Jerusalem is to come
down from God out of heaven ; the bride is to be clothed
and adorned as the Lamb's wife, meet for the delight other
husband. The poAver and Spirit of the Lord, which cleans
eth aAvay all this rubbish, Avill make his truth shine, his
church shine, his sufi'ering lambs, that come out of the great
tribulation, shine more than ever before. The Lord God
Omnipotent Avill take his great poAver uuto him to reign,
and Avill reign according to his power in the hearts of his
children, and over the earth. He Avill break that which
stands in his way Avith a rod of iron ; aud he Avill embrace
aud exalt that Avhich boweth to and kisseth the sceptre of
his Son, who is to appear upou the holy hill of Zion : and
the laAV is 'to go forth out of Zion, and the Avord of the
Lord from Jerusalem ; the poAver whereof shall break doAvn
the power of iniquity, and bring up the suffering seed iuto
the dominion aud glory of life.
In this restored state antichrist shall be Avorsbipped no
more, uor the beast, nor the dragon, aa'Iio gave his power to
the beast; but the Lord God shall be Avorsbipped and mag
nified ovcr all. It shall be said lio more, AAlio cau make
warAvith the beast? after the Lamb hath overcorao him;
but, AA^ho is like to thee, 0 Lord, O King of saints ! Avho
hast taken to thee thy great poAver, and hast reigned, and

ISAAC PENINGTON.

141

dost reign ; who hast brought down this lofty city, and trod
it under the feet of the poor, and made the steps of the
needy to pass over it; who hast made it an heap, (the city
fenced by all the might, wisdom, and power of man), a ru
inous heap, a place no more for thy dear children to be cap
tived in and oppressed; but a habitation of dragons, and a
cage of OA-ery unclean aud noisome bird for ever ? — Who
shall not fear thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou
only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before
thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. ReA^ xv. 4.
Thou hast judged doAvn Babylon, which Avas exalted ; thou
hast pitied Zion, AA-hich lay in the dust for many ages and
generations, and hast raised up thine holy building again,
and Avilt give to thy children to be clothed, and to Avalk be
fore thee in pure Avhite linen (Avhich is the righteous nature
and Spirit of thy Son) for evermore; aud the darkness shall
never come over them again, but the beast, dragon, and false
prophet shall be cast into, and bound doAVu in, the lake ; and
the springs of Ufe shall open, and Avhosoever wUl may come
freely, and drink of the water of life. And the people in
heaven shall say, "HaUolujah! sah-ation, and glory, and
honor, and power unto the Lord our God."
And the voice of great multitudes, aud the voice of many
waters, aud the voice of mighty thunders, shaUsay, "HaUo
lujah!" and shall be glad, and rejoice.^and shall give honor
to the Lord, for the bride's marriage Avith the Lamb, and
for her rich adorning for her bridegroom. Yea, the earth
shaU rejoice, and the multitudes of the isles be glad. Why
so? Because the Lord reigns, Avho is tender even of the
earth, and hates the oppressing uot only of his seed,^ but
also of his creatures: for he wUl reign and judge iu right
eousness, and tenderness, and much mercy to all that is of
him; and none shaU feel his judgment and severity, but
that which is contrary to him, and joineth to his enemy.
For the Lord w-ill make Avar Avith that spirit, which is con
trary to his Ufe and nature, for ever and ever. And he that
joineth to that spirit, shaU find AVoe, misery, and tribulation
(tribulation and anguish shaU Ught upon every soul that

142 THE WOEKS OP
continues in the CA-il doing) ; but he that comes from under
that spirit by the leadings of God's Spirit, bowing to and
kissing the Son, shall taste of the Father's love to the Son,
and partake of the mercy, peace, and reconciliation Avhich
is treasured up in him. Amen.

The avay of sala-ation in the covenant of
Life opened:
And some stumbling-blocks removed out of the Avay of the
Simple-hearted.
There are many Avhora the Lord hath raised up, in this
day ofthe manifestation ofhis poAA-er, and ofhis everlasting
love, to bear witness to his truth ; among whom I also (AA'ho
AA-as an outcast, aud miserable beyond expression) have ob
tained mercy to partake of the virtue, life, and poAver of his
precious truth, which- redeems from the bondage of sin and
iniquity; and am also raauy tiraes moved by the Lord to
testify of that Avhich he hath made knoAvn unto me, and
given me to experience.
This brief touch sprang in me by Ava^- of preface. Xoav
to the thing itself
The Father, in Avhom is the whole virtue aud poAver of
redemption, sent his Sou to gather the scattered aud lost
sheep of the house of Israel ; and uot ouly so, but he gaA-e
him also for a light to the Gentiles, that he might be his
sah'atiou to the ends of the earth ; and sending hira, he sent
his Spirit aud poAver Avith him : for that which is begotten
by the Father is not able to do the work, unless anointed
and assisted by the Father : therefore the Father, who sent
him to preach the gospel, anointed hira, and filled him with
his Spirit, that he might preach the gospel accordiug to
that scripture, Isai. Ixi. 1, 2, 3: "The Spirit of the Lord
God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to
preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind
up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening the prison to them that are bound; to pro-

ISAAC PENINGTON.

143

claim the acceptable year of our Lord, and to comfort all
that mourn," &c.
Quest. But how came these meek, these broken-hearted,
these captives, these bound in prison, these mourners, to
meet with the redemption and blessings Avhich he is anointed
to preach to them? Or which way do they corae to receive
and partake of them from him ? •»
Ans. In faith, This all his outAvard healings did signify,
being thus dispensed. ("If thou wilt believe, thou shalt see
the glory of God. Thy faith hath made thee whole, 0 wo
man ! great is thy faith ! be it unto thee according to thy
faith,") And thus all his inAvard healings are bestowed up
on and received by the soul; to Avit, in the faith.
Quest, But how came they to have faith? Or hoAv com
eth auy man to have faith in the redeeming power?
Aus, It is bestoAved upon thera by God, iu the sense
Avhich is from him. His Word goeth forth from his mouth ;
there is a Avitness of him in the heart, towards which it
reacheth. Xoav, it reaching to the Avitness, iraraediately it
brings into a seuse, aud in that sense begets faith; and be
ing mixed with this faith (which is of its own begetting) in
them that hear it, begins the work of life and redemption
in that heart AA'here it is not yet begun, or carries it on in
that heart Avherein it is already begun. Thus faith hath a
work, a work frora the beginning of the heart's turning to
God even to the end; which he that abides in the faith till
the end, finds accomplished.
Obj. But this faith is bestoAved on some foAv whom God
hath elected, not on all men.
Ans. God hath sent his gospel to be preached to every
creature, and his Word is able to reach the Avitness, and
work sense in every creature; and in whomsoever there is
a sense wrought, they listening to God in that sense, he
works faith in them; and waiting on the Word, hearken
ing to the Word, and staying their minds there through on
the Lord, he will speak peace to them, and keep them in
peace, daily rehiOAdng them more and more out of the
reach and power of that which troubleth them.

144 THE WOEKS OP
Quest, Doth the uoav covenant lay all upon God, and re
quire nothing of the creature ? Or is there something re
quired by God of the creature, in and by virtue of the new
covenaut? Ans. Consider well; Doth not God require of the creat
ure iu the UCAV coA-enant AA'hat he gives in the new cove
nant? Doth he uot require the faith, aud the exercising of
that faith, AA'hich he himself works aud gives in the sense,
from the poAver and demonstration ofhis truth, to the soul?
The UCAV covenant requires more of the creature than ever
the old did; but it requires thera not of the creatures as
Aveak iu the fall, but as taught (strengthened and enabled)
to Avalk Avith God in aud b}' virtue of the covenant. Yea,
all mauuer of holiness, aud righteousness of heart, life, and
conversation is required in and by the ucav covenant: for
as the Lord works out of all therein in the creature, so the
creature AVorks out all thereby in the Lord, according to
that knoAvn scripture, " Avork out your oavu salvation with
fear and trembUng: for it is God which worketh in you,
both to will and to do of his good pleasure," Aud as the
creature is able to do nothing that is good of itself; so be
ing groAvu up into the life and ability, AAdiich is of God, it is
able to do all things through Christ that strengtheneth it.
Quest, But Avhy is it said that Christ Avas anointed to
preach the gospel to the poor, the meek, the broken-hearted,
the captives, the bound in prison, the mourners (for Avant of
righteousness, life, and peace)? Did not God give his Sou
in love to all ? AVas he not made a ransom and propitiation
for all? Yea, AA'as he not anointed to preach the gospel to
all? How then comes it here to be thus limited and re
strained to some?
Ans, It is true, God had a general respect to mankind,
in the gift and anointing of his Son : but yet there are some
in a better capacity to receive ; already in the sense of the
Avant of him, and panting and longing after him. Yea,
there are sorae, who are grievously sick in soul, and deeply
Avounded in spirit; the sadness and raisery of whose condi
tion cries aloud for the help of the physician. Now the eye

ISAAC PENINGTON. 145
and heart of the Lord is more especially toAvards these; and
so he bids his prophets be instructing aud comforting these,
concerning the salvation, the healing, the oil of gladness,
the Messiah to come; aud aa'Iiou ho comes, he sends him up
and doAvn to seek out these, to keep company Avith these,
to help and relieve these; having giA-eu him the tongue of
the learned, to speak a word in season to these Aveary, dis
tressed ones. These are not like the common, rough, uu-
hcAvn, knotty, rugged earth; but Uke earth prepared for the
seed, aud so easily and naturally receive it. The gospel is
preached to others at a distance ; which, it is true, they may
have, if they Avill hearken to it, and Avait for it, and part
Avith what must first be parted Avith ; but they haA'o a great
Avay to traA'ol thither. But these are near the kingdom;
these are near that Avhieh opens, aud lets in life ; these are
quickly reached to, melted, and brought into the sense, iu
Avhich Avith joy they receive the faith ; and. with the faith
the power; Avhich brings righteousness aud salvation to
their souls. Though also the enemy is exceediug busy, to
darken, disturb, aud boAV doAvn these; that he might still
keep them iu the doubts, iu the fears, iu the chains, iu tho
fetters, iu the prison-house, from the liberty and healing
Avhich the Avord ofthe auointing brings.
XoAA- mind. God is real towards all ; he desires the life
and sah-ation of all; not the destruction of any one soul
that ever he created : it is unnatural to hira. And the AA'ay
that he holcls forth, he stands ready to raeet auy man iu.
AVhom is it that he doth not draAv? And aa'Iio is it that may
not come in the draAving? Is not his Avord a hammer? And
Avhom can it not break? Is it not fire? And AA'hose corrup
tion can it not burn up? Is it not Avater, Avine, and blood?
And AA'hom cannot it Avash and nourish? Therefore, let uo
man think to Jay the blame upon God, because of his per
ishing; for he will be deceived therein: aud God Avill prove
true, Avho .saith, Man's destruction is of himself; and every
man a liar, aa-Uo layeth any blame on him, for not giving
him further assistance with his i>OAver. Xeither let him
blame God for hardening him ; for God hardeneth no man,
A^ol. IIL— 13

146 THEWOEKSOP
but him who first refuseth and grieveth the poAver and love
which would melt aud soften him. It is true ; avc are the clay,
and God the potter: and may not the potter make what ves
sels he will of his clay? This parable carae from the Spirit
of the Lord to Israel of old: but what use did the Lord
make ofit? Did he say to thera: Do what ye avUI; sorae of
you I Avill cast off, and others of you I will show mercy to;
for I haA'C determined so? Xay, not so: but I have this
poAver over you; therefore do not provoke me. [Read Jer.
xviii.] AVas not God exceeding teuder to the outward peo
ple, iu that outAA'ard covenant? Did he ever give them up
to pain and suff'erings, Avithout great provocations ou their
parts? "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the chil
dren of men. AVherefore doth a liA'ing man complain ; a
man for the punishment ofhis sins? Let us search aud try
our Avays, and turn again to the Lord." Aud the Spirit of
the Lord never failed to do Avhat Avas his part, towards the
turning thera from iniquity, toAvards the Lord, in that cov
enant. And Avhen they did believe, consent, and obey, and did
eat the good of the laud, was it uot pleasant and delightful
to hira ? And Avheu they provoked hira to jealousy, and
dreAV doAvn judgments upon their heads, was it uot irksome
and painful to him? [Read Deut. v. 29. Isa. v. Ezek.'xx.
Jer. xliv. 4. and chap. xxxi. 20. Isa. Ixiii. 7. to ver. 15.]
And Avill God fail to do his part towards auy man for the
salvation of his soul, Avhich is so precious, of So great con-
carn, and the loss Avhereof he kuoAveth to be so iuA'aluable?
Xo, uo; the Spirit of God suft'ers, iu every raau upon the
face of the earth, that sins against him ; and is grieved and
Avounded by their unjust and unrighteous conversations,
from day to day, against tho testimony of somoAvhat ofhim
in thera, Avhich is contrary thereto. Xoav this is of a precious
nature; and being so despised and rejected by men, can it
be woudered that, God doth not proceed to make it more
manifest, and to Avork more in men by it ? Xay, may it uot
rather be Avoudered that God doth continue to manifest it
so much? What raau could endure to behold a thin e so

ISAAC PENINGTON. 147
precious in his eyes (as this is in God's) so continually abused
by, aud to suffer so much from, that which is so far beneath
it, as God dailj' doth? Therefore, if there corae a day of
reckoning for this, Avith all men upon the face of the earth
(for who hath not had a talent from God ; even of the pure
eternal light in him, Avitnessing in his heart and conscience
agaiust the darkness?), there Avill be no cause of Avondering
at it. And is not this light aud Spirit (which shines in all
meu's darkness iu some measure, stirring and Avitnessing
against it, aud endeavoring to persuade and draAv the mind
from it) the very same, in nature and kind, Avith the light
aud Spirit of the Father, Avhich appeared iu that person of
Christ? And, if hearkened unto, and followed, aa-ouM it not
bring into union aud felloAvship Avith him, and into a par
taking of the benefit of all he did in that body ? Yea, would
not the Spirit reveal Avhatever is necessary to be known, to
that soul Avhich receives and foUoAvs it? Oh, Avhat hath God
done (in his rich and tender mercy towards all) for man
kind ! And hoAV clear will he be, Avhen he opens and mani
fests the righteousness of his judgment! He Avill not clear
himself after this manner; that he hath disposed of them fo
destruction, according to the poAver and prerogative of his
will ; but that they have run headlong into destruction,
agaiust the light aud leadings of his Avill and power; to
AA-hich it is natural to save, but not to destroy. That is the
act Avhich is proper to another nature aud spirit, but strange
to his.
Object. But could not God saA-e any if he AA'ould? Who
cau resist his AAil I orhispoAver? AVho can stop or resist
him in the Avork of redemption, or destruction ?
Aus. God can so put forth his Avill and poAver, as none
can resist. Yea, the Avill aud poAver of God, AA-hich oft'ereth
to saA-e, and standeth ready to save, will bring destruction
upon all that so dally Avith it, as to neglect and let pass
the day of their visitation: and thus none can resist his
will, or his poAA-er. But in the Av-ay Avhereiu he appeareth,
aud hath chosen to Avork out life and salvation, Satan, and
man's corrupt heart and mind, may and do often resist the

148 THE WOEKS OP
will and power of the Lord. Xow, that which resisteth is
not of God, but against him ; yet it is the patience of the
Lord, to suffer it. I fiud drawings in my heart from God,
or I durst not open these things. For I dare uot hold out
to men what the Lord hath given me to know and experi
ence, but only Avhat he giveth aud chooseth for rae to hold
out: and that will be life to them that receive it. But if I
should hold out any thing of myself, that would not reach
to life, but only feed the AA'rong part iu men; and so
help to build up that, which God Avill again throw doAvn,
before he saves that soul w-hich is built up Avith the knowl
edge of things after this manner.
There is somewhat springs up iu my heart, Avhich may
perhaps open this thing further to the minds of some.
Cain was the first wicked man that Ave read of; aud how
tender was God towards him ! even him that sacrificed not
after the Spirit, but after the flesh, and slew his brother
Abel. Xow, can any mau lay Cain's wickedness either up
ou the will, or upon the decree and counsel of God ? Might
he not have done well? Might he not have sacriflced to
God in the faith, as Avell as his brother Abel ? And if he
had done well, and offered in the faith, had he not found
forgiveness and acceptance with the Lord? God accepteth
no raan's person : God rejecteth no man's person ; but there
is a seed he hath chosen ; and to gather man into this
seed, is his delight aud work; as it is the delight, nature,
and work of another spirit to scatter from this seed.
Xow, in this seed he doth accept, and not out ofit. Yea,
in this seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed, as
they are gathered into and abide in it. And this seed is a
word nigh in the mouth and heart, both of Joav and Gen
tile; which, as it is hearkened to, writes the law ofthe spir
it of life in the heart, either of Jew or Geutile, And as
they become sons, so the Spirit of the Father is poured out
upon them ; ca-cu the Spirit of adoption, Avhich erieth Ahba,
Fathe>\ either in Jew or Gentile, Aud this is the gospel of
the kingdora, which is preached raore sparingly, or abun
dantly, by the mouth of the seed, as the Lord pleaseth.

ISAAC PENINGTON. I49
For God's power, wisdom, merey, love, goodness, pa
tience, long-suffering, &c. is his oavu ; and he may soav of
it, or exercise it, more sparingly or abuudantly, as he pleas
eth. Yea, he doth exercise it raore abundantly toAvards the
vessels of mercy; so that the cause of their salvatiou doth
not so much arise from their embracing of mercy, as from
God's exercising of it. He visiteth nations as he pleaseth,
and pei-sons iu nations as he pleaseth; and Avho may say
unto him, What dost ihou? Why art thou so good and kind
here? or. Why art ihou so sharp and seva-e there? But still
iu the waj', and according to the path, of the covenant, doth
the Lord walk, in and towards all: and his mercj- endureth
for ever towards the seed of the righteous, aud his justice
and iudignation for ever towards the seed of the evil-doer :
and man (simply considered) is not either of these; but as
he is gathered into, and brought forth iu, the root and spir
it of either of these. Xow, eveiy man hath a day for the
life of his soul; and poAver aud merey is near him, to help
him to travel from death to life. Happy is he Avho is taught
of God to make use of it.
And let not men puzzle themselves about the mystery of
election aud reprobation; Avhich cannot be understood bj- such
as are out of the thing wherein it is made manifest. Ouly
thus at present: Pharaoh and Israel, Esau and Jacob, Ish-
mael aud Isaac, &c, were parables, signifying somewhat in-
AA-ard, What was Pharaoh ? AVas he not the oppressor of
God's Israel ? What was Esau ? Was he uot the first birth,
which sold the birth-right and inheritance? AVhat was Isli-
mael ? Was he not the birth after the flesh ? These are
rejected, and cast off by God for ever; and the spiritual Is
rael, the spiritual Jacob, the spiritual Isaac, are accepted.
Shall I speak out this thing yet more plaiu? Why thus
then: it is not the creature which is rejected, by its Maker;
but soraoAvhat in the creature, and the creature in that,
Xor is it the creature (simply) which is elected; but some
Avhat in the creature, and the creature in that. And as any
man comes into that, the election is begun in him: and as
any man abides in that, he abides in the election: and as

150 • THE WOEKS OF
that is made sure to auy man, his calling and election are
made sure to him. But as any raau departs from that, he
departs from the election iuto the reprobation: and going
ou in that into the full impenitency aud hardness, he Avill
for ever miss ofthe election; and the reprobation, and seal
ing up to condemnation, aa'UI be made sure to hiirf. For
God is no respecter of persons; but everywhere, he that re
ceiveth his holy seed, aud therein Avorketh righteousness, is
accepted of him. Aud he that receiveth the Avicked seed,
and therein Avorketh Avickeduess aud unrighteousness, is
with it rejected,
Obj. But (may the honest heart say) this may be truth
for aught I know ; but indeed I did not apprehend things
to be so : for I thought man and his works had been wholly
excluded by the covenant of grace ; but this seems to take
both him and them in upon a consideration,
Ans. Man is wholly excluded the covenant of grace, as
in himself; as he stands in himself, and in his own ability,
out of the newness of life and ability which is of the uoav
covenaut. But he is not excluded as he is renoAved, and re
ceiveth a ueAV being, life, A'irtue, and ability, iu the ucav
covenant. But here much is required of him; and A\-hat-
ever he thus doth is owned, acknowledged, aud accepted
by God. Here the true Joav hath praise of God. He is
commended for his faith, and for his obedience in the faith :
for his loving the Lord his God with all his heart, and his
neighbor as himself: for his washing his garments iu the
blood of the Lamb, and keeping them clean in the same
blood, AA-hile others defile theirs: for his merciful nature
aud actions to Christ in his members, while others are
rough and cruel: for his watching against snares and
temptations, Avhile others are running iuto them : for his
crucifying that in himself, AA'hich others fe^d in themseh-es:
yea, for his denying and turning from all ungodliness and
Avorldly lusts, even of the fiesh, eyes, and pride of Ufe; all
Avhich are not of the Father (Avhom he is born of and seeks
after), but of the spirit of the Avorld, Avhieh the earthly-
minded man is born of, and seeks to please. So that (mark)

ISAAC PENINGTON, 151
though man is excluded in his corrupt nature and state, yet
not the UOAV raau, uot man in the regeneration. But mau
must be regenerated; and thus man must enter into the
covenant of life; and thus raau must abide and be found iu
the covenant of life, in the nature, iu the righteousness, in
the hoUness, in the poAA-er thereof, if ever God oavu him.
Obj. But this seems to lay difference on man's act, aud
uot Avholly on the grace of God. For the grace, iu itself, is
equally powerful towards all ; but it is my receiving of it,
Avhich maketh it effectual uuto me; Avhich others not re
ceiving, it is not so to them.
Aus. The grace, in itself, is of its own nature everywhere.
This is true. And that it hath poAver in it ev-erywhere, and
that this power is over and above sin; this is true also.
But yet there is a greater or lesser proportion of it giA'en,
according to the pleasure and good- will of the giver : and
according to the measure of it (which is freely given), and
the soul's growth therein, so is the poAver of it manifested
iu the heart.
Xow, the difference in every man is by the grace: not of
himself; for he can do nothing that is good, as of himself;
but only by the grace, which is alone able to Avork that
Avhich is good in him, and to cause hira to Avork in it. Yet
thus it is: as the grace reacheth to him, draAveth him,
quickening and causing him, in the virtue, life, and obcdi-
• euce of the grace, to ansAver the grace; so doth the Avork
thereof go ou in him. And there is matter of condemnation
to him who doth not answer the grace; and there is matter
of justification aud praise to him Avho doth ansAver the grace.
Yet this Avhole ability arising not from himself, but from
the grace, the acknowledgment of Avhat is eff'ected thereby
doth of right and due belong to the grace. And therefore
they Avho are justified, sanctified, and croAvned b}' the grace,
do of right and due cast their croAvus at the feet of the
Lamb, at the throne of grace ; giving honor aud glory to
him who is Avorthy, and to his grace Avhich hath wrought
all in them,
Xow, if any mau would know this thiug groundedly and

152 THE WOEKS OP
certainly, let him not run into disputes of the mind aud
brain, but corae to heart experience. Hast thou CA'or found
the AA'ork of God's grace in thy heart? Hast thou found
thy heart, at any time, believe and obey, in and through
the strength of the grace? Hast thou found thy heart, at
another tirae, negligent of or rebellious against the grace?
AVhen thou Avert rebellious. Avert not thou condemned, and
that justly too? AVhen thou didst believe aud obey, to
Avhora did the honor thereof beloug? to thee, or to the
grace? Canst thou ansAver this? AVhy, as it is iu thyself,
betAveen thee AA'hen obeying and disobeying, the same is the
state of the case betAveen godly and Avicked men. There
Avas a diff'erence betAveen thee Avhen thou obeyedst the
grace, and when thou disobeyedst it: so is there betAveeu
the unregenerate and regenerate, AVhen thou' obeyedst
not, that which called for obedience condemned thee; so it
doth them. When thou obeyedst, thou didst sensibly feel
the praise AA-as not thine, but belonged to the grace which
Avrought in thee ; so is it also in the regenerate, in AA-hom
the Lord works by his grace, and Avho work out their sal
vatiou through him, aud make their calling aud election
sure in him. Leave brain kuoAvledge, and come to true
sense (Avhere the mysteries of God are made manifest), aud
this Avill soou be easy aud clear to thee. But these things
Avere never intended by God to be found out by man's dis
puting Avisdora; for God, avIio giveth the knoAvledge, hideth
them from that part, aud giveth them to the innocent, sim
ple birth of his OAvn Spirit.
Obj, But Avhen the Father draweth, can auy man resist
or hold off"? Doth not the power of the Lord make auy
mau AvilUng, Avhom he exerciseth his poAver toAvards ? And
is it not thereupon said, "Thy people shall be wilUng in
the day of thy poAver"?
Ans, The poAver of the Lord is great, and hath dominion
over all evil spirits that can tempt, and over all the corrup
tions, backslidings, and withdrawings of the heart. But the
Father doth not save mau by such an absolute act of his
poAver (for then there would need no more to be done, but

ISAAC PENINGTON. 153
an immediate translating of a mau from death to life ; which
if the Lord please to do, nothing could come betAveen to
hinder); but the power ofthe Lord works in and according
to the way that he hath appointed. And in this way the
devil hath liberty and poAver to tempt from, oppose, and
resist the work of God: and they that hearken to him, and
enter into the temptation and snare which he lays, let his
power in upon thera, aud AvithdraAv from the virtue, opera
tion, and strength of the poAver of God. Yet for all this,
the Lord not ouly begins his Avork, but also carries it on in
the day of his poAver; giving not only to will, but also to
do, what is right and pleasing in his eyes; but still in and
accordiug to his own Avay and covenaut.
Object. And so whereas some men say : If God put forth
his power to save, and the devil interrupt and stop his Avork;
then it seems that the dcA-'il is ¦ stronger than God. Is the
devil stronger than God, say they? If he be not, how can
he resist aud Avithstand him in the Avork ofhis power?
Ans. Xay; the devil is not stronger than God; though
he is very strong. But if the heart let iu the enemy, grieve
the Spirit, beat back his power in the Avay wherein it hath
appointed to work, the devil may be more prevalent Avith
him than the power of God. But in those that believe, and
become obedient and subject to the poAver of God, hispoAver
is far stronger in them to defend aud carry ou his work,
than the poAver ofthe devil istoAvork against and hinder it.
There are objections also relating to free-will, aud falling
frora grace, Avhich stick much in the spirits of many, and
they cannot get over them; but it hath pleased the Lord to
clear up these things to us, and to satisfy our hearts con
cerning them, so that with us there is no difficulty nor doubt
about thera.
As touching free-will: AVe know, frora God, that man in
his fallen state is spiritually dead, and hath no free-Avill to
good; but his understanding and Avill are both darkened
and captivated by the enemy. But in Christ there is free
dom, and in his word there is poAver and Ufe: and that
reaching to the heart, looseneth the bands of the enemy.

154 THE WOEKS OP
and begetteth not only a freedom of mind toAvards good,
but an inclination, desires, and breathings after it. Thus
the Father draAvs, aud thus the soul (feeUng the draAving)
answers in sorae measure ; and the soul, thus coming, is
welcomed by Christ, aud accepted of the Father. But for
all this, the enemy avUI tempt this soul; and the soul may
hearken to, let in, and enter into the temptation, and so
draw back from the'plough to AA-hich it put its hand. "Xow,
if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure iu
hira," saith the Lord. "And he that putteth his hand to
the plough, aud looketh back, is not fit for the kingdora of
heaA'cn." So concerning falling aAvay ; The Lord shows us what it
is that is apt to fall, and Avhat cannot fall, Christ cannot
fall ; aud that AA-hich is gathered iuto hira, stands and abides
iu hira (aud so partakes of his preseiwation), cannot fall.
There is no breaking iu upon that power, Avhich presei'A-es
in the Avay that it hath appointed: but there is a running
and perishing out of the Ava}-. Out of the limits of the cove
naut, the preservation aud poAver of the covenant is not Avit
nessed. But in coming to Christ in the draAvingS of the
Father, iu the sense and faith which he begets, and abidins;
with him that drcAV, in the sense aud faith which he daily and
freshly begets ancAV (for he reneweth coveuaut and mercy
daily, and keepeth covenant aud mercy for ever) iu this is the
poAver felt, the preservation felt ; in this the Father's hand
encompasseth the soul, Avhich none cau plucky it out of.
Xoav he that feels and experiences these things every day,
that sees and feels daily Iioav he can fall, and hoAv he can
not fall; how he meets with the preservation, and how he
misses of the preserA'ation ; how he abides in the pure
power (which is the limits of this holy covenant), and hoAV
be wanders out of this poAver, into the limits of auother
coveuaut, spirit, and poAver ; he knoAvs these things, Iioav
they are indeed; AAdiereas other men (who are not exercised
iu the thing) do but guess at them; striving to comprehend
them in that part Avhich God hath shut out of them,
Xoav mind a parable, Avith Avhich I shall conclude this.

ISAAC PENINGTON. I55
Though the natural and outwardly-visible suu be risen
ever so high upon the earth, yet he that is naturally blind
cannot see it, nor partake of the light thereof So also,
though the spiritual Sun, the Sun of righteousness, the Sun
of the iuAvard world, be risen ever so high, and appear
brightly iu ever so many clouds ; yet they that are spiritu
ally blind cannot discern it, uor reap the benefits of his
light, nor partake of the healing Avhich is under his wings.

Some Queries Concerning the Xbav Covenant.
Query 1. AVhat is the covenant of hell and death, which
must of necessity be broken, before a soul can be gathered
into the covenant of life?
Query 2. What is the covenant of life and peace, into
which God gathers the soul ?
Query 3. Hoav doth God gather? By a mere act of power,
which none cau resist? Or in a way wherein his poAver
(though much resisted) shall prevail for the salvation of
those, who are faithful in the covenant; Avho corae to
Christ, abide in Christ, resist and fight (in Christ) against
all that is contrary to his nature aud Spirit, and overcome
through him ?
Query 4. Are there any terms in this covenaut? Or can
there be any terras iu this covenant, suitable to the nature
of the covenant? Is believing in the power, as absolutely
required in this covenant, as obedience to the laAV was un
der the covenant ofthe law?
Query 5. If faith in the po-wer, and obedience to the
power that redeems, be required as terms in the new cove
nant; yet if they be not required ofthe creature in its own
capacity and ability, but as strengthened and enabled by
the virtue, life, aud poAver of the covenant, are they uot
free terms^ noble terras, worthy and becoming a free cove
nant ?
Query 6. Is not this the gospel, or ucav covenant: That
whosoever believeth, and receiveth the baptism of the Holy

156 THE WOEKS OP
Ghost and fire,— suffering in the flesh, and having his sins
aud corruptions purged aAvay by the spirit of judgraent, and
by the spirit of burning, aud so walketh no longer after the
flesh, but after the Spirit,— I say, is not this the gospel, or
UOAV covenant, that he that thus believeth, and is thus bap
tized, shall not be condeinned AAuth the world, but justified
aud saved by that Spirit and power Avhich cleanseth hira ?
Query 7. Doth God write his laws iu men's hearts, or put
his fear therein, or his Spirit within thera, causing them to
walk in his Avays aud statutes, aud to keep his judgments,
&c. — I say, doth God do this to meu out of the faith ? Is
not the Avork of salvation begun in the faith, and carried ou
and perfected in the faith? And he that maketh shipwreck
of faith, and of a good conscience, can he groundedly hope
to have the Avork of salvatiou carried ou in him ?
Query 8. Doth not God beget, increase, and perfect the
faith, which is available unto salvation ? Is any man accept
ed iu the faith, Avhich is of his oavu nature ? Or is the ac
ceptation in and through the faith Avhich is of the Son's na
ture ?
Query 9. Alay the temptations ofthe deA-il, Avith a man's
hearkening thereto, hinder God's begetting faith in him, or
no? Or if it be begotten, can they hinder the groAvth and
increase ofit?
Query 10. When God draAvs, must a man necessarily
come to the Sou? Or may the doA-il so tempt, aud he so
hearken thereto, as that his coming to the Son may be hin
dered, notAvithstanding the Father's draAving?
Query 11. Is there uot justification to them that receive
the seed, to them that obey the light? And is there not
condemnation to them that refuse the seed, and obey not
the gospel of its sah-ation ?
Query 12. Do men perish for Avant of poAver from God?
Or through their cleaAung to another poAver, aud refusing
the strength of that Avhich is over that other poAver ; Avhose
hand Avould help their sotds, aud bring thera through aud
over it, did they receive it, and cleave to it in the Avay the
Lord hath appointed?

ISAAC PENINGTON. I57
Query 13. They that receive the poAver, beUeve in it, and
Un-e, — do they do it by their owu strength? Or in the
strength and virtue AA-hich floAA-s from the poAver, which en
livens, draws, and makes able to follow?
Query 14. Those that are Aveak as to the poAver, and in
AA'hom the enemy and corruptions are strong, — is the defect
on God's part? or ou his covenant's part? Or in the Avay of
life, Avhich he hath pitched upou as sufficient to redeem and
deliA^er fallen man by? Oris God (and his covenant and
Avay of Ufe) whoU}- clear of the defect, aud rests it AvhoUy
on them?

An Exhortation to All People, but more especially
TO SUCH AS are DeSOLATE AND DISTRESSED.
Xoav is the acceptable time, uoav is the day of sah-ation.
Xoav is the life arisen, aud uoav the light shines, to guide
out of the darkness and death, into the laud of the living.
Oh aAAake! ye that sleep in the dust of the earth; arise uj)
from among the dead, aud Christ shall give you Ught, to
Avalk along in the path of the living. Come to him whom
the Father hath sealed; who is Ufe, and Avho giveth life
freely to all that come ; yea, abundantly, to those that Avait
upon him, and Avalk faithfully in his covenant. Oh! there
fore come into covenant Avith him ; mind the AVords of his
lips, Avhich beget sense, and in that sense his life stirs, and
in the stirrina-s of his Ufe the draAvinffs of the Father are
folt. And Avhcn thc Father draAvs, he Avhomever he draAvs
may come; and him who comes, Christ avUI in no wise cast
out; but receive into his arms, and defend by his power,
against that Avhich Avould draw or force back from hira iuto
perdition. Therefore hearken to the little raovings and
stirrings in you, after that AAdiich is eternal; for any desire
which is ill truth after hira, he Avill not quench (it is his nat
ure to cheri.sh it); but he Avill be a strength and relief to
the soul, against that which Avould quench and put out the
breathings and pantings after hira, that it might still hold
A^ol. IIL— 14

158 THE WOEKS OP
the soul iu bondage aud captivity. Aud, people, mind this
(it is a true testiraony). The door of life is uoav so opened,
by hira who hath the key and poAver, that Avhoever Avill
raay enter. For the power of life is arisen, against the
poAver of death and the destroyer ofthe soul : so that great,
yea, very great advantage is there in this day, to all that
are willing to folloAV the Leader and Captain of salvation,
out of the land of captivity. Mind but his visits, aud be
faithful in the strength Avliich floAvs from hira ; aud uothing
shall hinder thy soul from overcoming Avhat stands in thy
Avay, to stop thee from attaining the eternal crown aud in
heritance of life.
Aud as for you afflicted mourners, AA'ho are seeking the
Avay to Zion, bcAvailing the absence of your beloved, in
whose presence ia life aud redemption, resurrection from
the dead, and victory OA'er sin; yea, all that your hearts
have desired, or can desire: Avhat shall I say to you? O my
friends, aud dear brethren ! Alay I speak a little freely to
you concerning the Lord Jesus ? Hoav that he was born of
the virgin Alary, according to the flesh, fulfilled his minis
try and service in the fiesh, and was taken up to God; and
hoAV that the tame Lord Jesus AA'as afterAvards boru iu Spirit,
ofthe spiritual Avoman, the church; even so boru as to rule
all nations Avith au iron rod; aud yet did not come forth to
rule the nations, but was taken up to God again, and hath
not since appeared in that Spirit, poAver, aud dominion; but
only in such a strength of life, as might euable his Avitnesses
to bear witness to him all along the apostasy, until the
church should come out of the Avilderness, and the man-
child appear again.
Aud now hear the joyful ucavs. The apostasy is ended.
Alark; I do not say the apostasy' is generally ended. Xo,
no; there are many Avoea, plagues, judgments, and terrible
thunders to come upou persons, aud nations, before thev
feel it ended. But it is ended in some vessels, Avliich arc
upon the earth. The man of sin, that Avicked one, the son
of perdition, hath been discoA'cred by the Spirit of tho
Lord; chased, consumed, and destroyed by the breath of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 150
his mouth, and by the brightness ofhis appearance iu some.
Yea, the church is come out of the Avilderness, and the
man-child is come along Avith her; for she is not come
Avithout her beloved, but leaning upou her beloved ; and he
is kuoAvn ruling Avith his golden sceptre, and Avith his iron
rod battering, down the corrupt, selfish, stubborn, earthly
spirit, and raising up that which is meek, tender, loAvly, and
lay boAved doAvn aud oppressed.
Xow, as Christ said, preaching iu the days of his flesh,
-'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Luke iv.
21. AVas it uot then fulfilled outAvardly among the outAvard
Jcavs? AVere there any sick, or weak, or blind, or lame, or
lepers, or possessed Avith deA-ils, whom he Avas not ready to
cure? Aud did he not go about doing good, aud seeking
them out to cure them ? So may it not now be said in the
Spirit and poAver of the Lord, among the spiritual Jcavs,
This day is this scripture fulfilled spirituaUy in your ears?
Yea, Avhat he did then outwardly is knoAvn iu spirit to be
done among you iuAvardly aud spiritually. Hoav mauy that
Avere before blind do now see ? that were before deaf do
noAV hear? that were formerly lame do uoav Avalk? that
Avere A-erj- leprous are uoav cleansed? that were very dead
are now raised? that were quite dumb do uoav speak? And
the poor, the empty, the naked, are now clothed, aud filled
Avith the riches and treasures of the everlasting kingdom.
May it not be truly said, by many poor, distressed hearts,
that the Avilderness and solitary place is uoav glad, because
that which once was parched with drought and barrenness
now feels the living springs, and the breaking forth of the
pure, clear riA-er of life, the streams whereof make glad the
city of God, and cause. melody in the heart to the Lord?
Where is the envious, cruel, dragonish nature? may some
say. Yea, where is the place where dragons lay? Is there
not a new creation? — a new heaven, a new earth; and are
not all thing-s become new therein ? Are not the old things
of the night, and of the darkness, passed aAvay, and all
things become ncAV in this day, which the Lord hath made.

160 THE WOEKS OP
in the hearts Avhich have received and been subject to his
light? And UOAV Avhat hinders, but that ye also should lift up
your heads, and see the coming of the Son of man iu the
clouds wherein he comes, and partake of the redemptiou,
virtue, aud poAver ofhis appearance? What are the clouds
Avherein he comes? Is his coming outward? Or are the
clouds outAvard? Or is his coming inward and spiritual in
ten thousands of his saints ? Did not Enoch see that he Avas
to come so to judge thoAvorld? Doth he not come to be
glorified iu his saints? Are not they to judge the world? —
they in him, he in them? Oh! read aright; read with the
Spirit, and Avith the understanding which is thereof; and
then the truth of the letter will be manifest and shine in
you. There is nothing stands in your way, but want of a
spiritual eye to see his spiritual appearance in others (and
so to wait for it in yourselves), even the eye of faith, which
sees the invisible power and glory, as the Lord openeth it,
and maketh manifest to it.
Xow, this I have to say to you, in true sense and under
standing: Come doAvn to the Gentile's Ught, corae down to
that which God hath dispensed to the Gentile, as avoU as to
the JeAv; Avhich is tlie word [or commandment) jixV/ A. in the
mouth and heart. This hath been the loAvest of all, despised
by all; and this is in the heart of God to exalt over all ; for
it is above all. The lowest in its descent from the Father;
the highest in its ascent to the Father. This is the thing
which man ran from, when the veil came over him ; Avhich
all the shadoAvs of the hnv were to point out and signify.
And as man is brought again to this, life springs in him,
and the powerful redemption of the eternal word is Avit
nessed by him. Yea, he that hears the voice of this, though
he were ever so dead in trespasses and sins, shall feel life
spring in him, aud the covenant of life iuAvardly revealed,
Avhich, by the pure faith and obedience, is the entrance
into, and the abiding iu. Aud this is the one truth, the one
pure, eternal word and way to the Father, Avhieh Avas from
the beginning, and remains the same unto the end. ¦ This

ISAAC PENINGTON. 161
is the door, at Avhich all hitherto have entered into life, at
Avhich all do still enter, and there is no other. Blessed for
ever is he, Avho hath made it so manifest and plaiu in this
our day ; and blessed are they that see it, and enter into
life at it !

Of tendei* ancL upriglit love
To such as, among the many Professions and Ways of Re
ligion, RETAIN ANY MEASURE OF SINCERITY OF HeART,
AND TRUE Desires after the Lord.
The main thing iu religion is to receive a principle of
life from God, Avhereby the mind may bo changed, and the
heart made able to understand the mysteries of ^his king
dom, aud to see and Avalk in the way of life; aud this is the
travail of the souls of the righteous, that the}^ ™ay abide,
groAV up, and Avalk with the Lord in this principle ; aud that
others also, who breathe after him, raay be gathered into,
and feel the virtue of, the same principle.
But there is one that stands in the way to hinder this
Avork of the Lord, who, with great subtlety, strives to keep
souls in captivity, and to prejudice them against the pre
cious living appearances of the redeeming poAA-er of the
Lord. One great Avaj- Avhereby he doth this is by raising up in
them a fear lost they should be deceived aud betra3-ed, and
instead of obtaining more, lose that Uttle of God AAdiich they
have. AVith this I AA'as exercised long; and still, AA'hen life
stirred in my heart, then this fear was raised in me ; so that
I durst not in judgment close with what, secretly in spirit,
I felt to be of God, it having a true touch of his quickeuiug,
Avarming, couA'iucing, enlivening virtue in it,
XoAA% that this snare raay bo escaped by such as breathe
after the Lord, oh! let them Avait, mourn, and cry to him,
that he Avould Avrite his pure fear iu their hearts, and teach

162 THE WOEKS OP
them Avhen to fear, and how to fear, and AA'hat to fear; and
in that (or as that is brought forth iu thera) they shall see
that they have more cause to fear their present state, than
to fear that Avhich, iu the quickening Avarmth and virtue of
God, comes to make a change in their present state ; yea,
they shall then see hoAv the enemy now causeth them to
fear, where no fear is; and keepeth them from fearing,
where the fear is. For Avhat is the grouud of fear now?
This is the great thing that they should fear, lest they
should not hear the call of the Spirit of the Lord out of
Babylon ; out of that part of Babylon out of which they
have not yet travelled ; and lest they should not hear and
mind the call of his Spirit unto Zion, the holy mount of
God, towards and unto which he leadeth his people, in this
day ofthe revelation and manifestation ofhis glorious love
and power.
Oh ! therefore, my friends, ye that long after the Lord,
ye that desire to feel the power of his truth, wait for the
priuciple of Ufe from him to be revealed in you, and the
pure fear which is therefrora, that ye may feel the Lord
thereby and therein (even in and through that principle)
Avriting his fear, his pure fear, his holy fear, his powerfully-
preserving fear, in your hearts; that ye may know the way
to him, the seed (which is the "waj-), may come and join to
him therein, aud never depart from him. The fear of the
Lord, from the principle ofhis life, will, Avithout fail, effect
this iu you as ye receive it frora the Lord; but th6 other
fear, the fear which the enemy begets, will not do it; but
will be a bar and sore stop in your way, till the Lord, by
his holy power, through his tender mercy, remove it from
you. And UOAV answer me one question uprightly, as iu God's
sight, from whom it is in my heart to propound it to you.
Are you come to Zion, or are ye travelling thitherAvard
rightly aud truly? Have ye ever kuoAvn any of the travel
lers that ye have been acquainted Avitb, that could in truth
say, that they Avere come to Zion ? The Christians, in the
primitive times, Avere come to Zion, and they were ac-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 163
quainted and dAvelt with God aud Christ there ; and kucAv
Jerusalem, the heavenly building, the city of the living
God. Oh! where are ye? Xay, are ye yet corae out oi
Babylon? Do ye yet know the wilderness, the intricate
passages therein, AA-herethrough God alone can lead the
soul? Oh! depart ye, depart ye frora j'our present stations
(iu the leadings of God's Spirit), unless ye can say, iu the
true, unerring light, that they are your rest, your soul's
true rest, even the everlasting kingdora, which the prinii-
tive Christians received, and into AA-hich they found en
trance, which could not be shaken.
And, friends, let me tell you oue thing further {for my
heart is at this present opened to you by the Lord), that as
the soul, in its travels, comes to Zion, the laAv of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus is witnessed, Avhich makes free from
the law of sin and death. Aud then there is no more such
a crying out of the body of sin as there Avas before: but a
blessing of him Avho hath delivered, and daily doth deliver,
from it: yea, the body of sin is knoAvn and felt to be put oft",
and Christ put ou in the stead thereof For, my friends,
there are several states Avitnessed by the soul, iu its true aud
sensible travels toAvards the holy land. As for instance:
1. There is a state of Egyptian darkness and boudage, in
which the poAver of death reigns and rules in the heart,
subjecting it to sin and death. And here the soul is in the
graA-e, and under death, captivity, and bondage, in the
midst of all its professions of religion, and talk of God aud
Christ, and reading scriptures, aud obserA'ing ordinances
aud duties, &c.
2. There is a AA'ilderness state, Avherein the strength of
captivity is somoAA'hat broken, and the heart draAvu to mind
the leadings of life, and to folloAv after the Lord through the
trials, through the preparations, through the several exer
cises, AA-hich the Lord seeth good to exercise it Avith.
And here tho mercy and goodness of the Lord is experi
enced, and the deceitfulness aud treachery of the heart.
This is the place of humiliation and breaking, Avhereiu the
soul daily feels Iioav uutoAvard and unaccustomed it is to the

164 THE WOEKS OP
yoke, Avliich should break the spirit, aud subdue it to God,
Here the Lord shoAvs the soul what its heart is, that he
might humble it, and do it good in the latter end. Here
the very laAV of God appears Aveak, through the strength of
the flesh, Avhich is not yot subdued, Xoav, here is mourn
ing, aud groaning, aud crying to the Lord night and day,
both because of the A'ioleuce and multitude of the enemies,
and because of the naughtiness, distrust, and unbelief of
thc heart,
3, There is a state of rest, a state of peace, a state of life,
a state of poAver, a state of grace, a state of dominion, in the
Ufe, and through the poAver ofthe Lord, AA-hereiu the law of
life is manifested iu dominion in the heart over the laAV of
vsin aud dea,th. There is an OA'erlastina: kinjydom, Avhereiu
God aud Christ reign, iu which God treads Satan doAvn un
der the feet of the soul, and makes the soul a king and a
priest iu the Son of his love; and the soul feels it is one
Avith, and accepted iu, the beloA'ed.
Xoav, friends, that ye may kuoAV this kingdom, traA'el
faithfully toAvards it; feel aud come into the reign of Christ
iu it; sit dowu iu the heavenly places iu Christ Jesus, aud
inherit Rubstance; kuoAV the gathering to Christ in the
name, aud sit doAvn in the name, Avhere the enemy cannot
touch you; but feel tho presei-A'atiou and poAverful life and
dominion of that seed Avliicb is ovcr the eneiu}', and where
in aud A\'horeby the Lord scatters the euoiny, bruising the
ser}ieiit's head, and anointing the soul Avith the oil of glad
ness, aud clothing it Avith the beautiful garments of his
righteousness and salvation ; and that yc may knoAV the
precious and glorious building of life iu the Spirit, OA'en of
the holy house and city of God, Avhere the Avails are sah-a^
tion, aud the gates praise. For this end it is in my heart
from the Lord to Avrite these things unto you; aud the
Lord God of his mercy open the door of entrance to you
iuto these things; for there is but one door of life, aud
there is uot another; Avhich door is Christ, the seed; which
seed is revealed Avithin, there to break the Avisdom, strength,
and head of the serpent; aud so far as ho breaks it there

ISAAC PENINGTON.

16.3

redemption and freedom is Avitnessed from it, and no further.
Oh that ye might receive an understanding from the
Lord, and be taught by hira to deny and part with the un
derstanding which is not of hira, that ye raight see things
(from him, and iu his Ught) which ye have not yet seen ;
and consider aright of that, Avhich the enemy hitherto, by
his subtlety, hath prejudiced you against.
And noAV as for us, Avho experience the truth as it is iu
Jesus, and with the Lord our God iu his Ught, and by vir
tue of his life and love shed abroad in our hearts, — I say,
what is it to us to be judged by you in your day as persons
that deny Christ, deny scriptures, deny ordinances, deny
duties, &c. ? We are satisfied iu our hearts as touching your
judgment, knowing from the Lord Avhat it is in you that
thus judgeth of us, even the same thing that judged amiss
of Christ (in the Scribes, Pharisees, and professing Jews)
in the days ofhis flesh. And indeed, that iu you cau never
judge aright; but is to be judged, condemned, and de
stroyed by the Ufe and poAver ofthe Lord.
And oh that ye knew (sensibly knew) Avhat is to live, and
what is to die in you, that ye might feel the rising of your
souls out of the grave, through the immortal seed of God,
and the bringing of all your Avisdom and knoAAdedge of the
things of God (Avhich ye hold, aud make use of, out of the
compass and limits ofhis holy life aud covenant) into death !
For, friends, let me tell you, that which hath been parted
with (for the kingdom's sake, and the righteousness thereof)
in some, was more precious than what ye hold so stiffly,
and so magnify in your own thoughts and reasonings against
the truth. Yea, that which Avas once of high esteem, aud
very glorious in our eyes, is uoav become as dross and dung,
for the excellency of the pure, living knowledge of, and fel
lowship Avith, Jesus Christ, our Lord ; and if ye had the
true measure and balance to "5v-eigli things in, ye Avould ac
knoAvledge it : but the letter, aud little ordinances and du
ties, and apprehensions of things out of the life, kills you,
and keeps you under the veil, and from the sight of the
things Avhich are Avithin the veil.

l(j(j THE WOEKS OF
Oh that God Avould rend the veil iu you ! Oh that God
Avould give you the feeling of, and union Avith, that w-here-
by he rends the veil! Oh that he aa-ouUI humble you, and
bring doAvu the mighty from his seat of judgment iu you,
to be judged and abased, aud exalt the meek and loAvly
into that which is his proper place !
Oh that ye might feel the Avork of God, even the redemp
tion of the soul, begun and carried on by him Avith poAver
in your hearts ! . Then Avould ye Icuoav Christ indeed, tho
scriptures indeed, the ordinances indeed, the duties indeed,
the everlasting sabbath, the everlasting Avorship ; even the
substauce of all that AA-as shadoAved out under tho laAv, and
sit doAvn under the Aving ofthe Almighty, from Avhenco the
poAver, the life, the virtue, the healing, drops iuto the soul,
Aud UOAV, to give a touch at those things before men
tioned, which ye so stumble at, a little to help to remove
them from your spirits, if it please the Lord,
1, AVe do not deny that Christ Avhich died at Jerusalem;
but OAVU him, aud no other: aud oavu what he did, his obe
dience to the Father ahvays, aud in all things ; his suffer
ings iu the virtue aud poAver of the Father, and the A-alue-
of them Avith the Father, This the Lord our God teacheth
us to owu, and to bless the uame of the Lord, for hira AA-ho
is the Captain, and worker out of our salvation; a measure
of Avhose life and poAver we have received, and embrace in
our hearts; and in this is He, the fulness, made manifest to
us ; aud wo, through this, and by this, aud in this, ingrafted
into him; and so come to partake of the sweetness and fat
ness of the olive-tree. Yea, this we certainly knoAv, that
Christ Avas not only made manifest in that body of flesh,
but is also made manifest iu our mortal flesh, as Ave are
gathered iuto his life, and his life brought forth in us. And
he is not ouly antichrist, that denieth Christ's appearance
in that body of flesh; but he that denieth him (the hope of
glory) in his saints, his spiritual body. Yea, I beseech you
consider, Avhether it hath been the work of antichrist all
along the apostasy to deny the appearance of Christ in that
body of flesh, or to deny the appearance of his Ufe and

ISAAC PENINGTON.

167

Spirit in the flesh ofhis saints? "AA^e knoAv (saith the apos
tle John) that the Son of God is come, aud hath given ua
an understandiug to Icuoav hira that is true." Hoav was he
come? AVas not he that Avas Avith them come in them? Did
he not Uve in them, act in them, speak in them? And did
not they that Avere of God hear the voice of Christ, the voice
of the Shepherd, in them ? But they which Avere not of God,
Avhich Avere not the sheep, could not hear the voice of Clirist
in his apostles and believers; could not own hira come in
their flesh, though they could preach the same Christ iu
Avords, and own his coming iu that body of flesh AA'hich he
had appeared iu. 1 John iv. 6.
2. AVe do indeed really,, heartilj', singly, as in God's
sight, OAVU the scriptures ; the scriptures Avritten by the
prophets and hoi}' meu of God under the laAv; the scrip
tures Avritten by the evangelists and apostles in the time of
the gospel; aud we read them Avith delight and joy, and
Avould draAV no man frora a right reading of thera to the
benefit of his soul; but ouly from giving their oavu judg
ments ou thom Avithout the Spirit of God; lest iu so doing,
they Avrest thera to their own destuctiou.
This is that Avhich the Lord hath draAA'u us from, and
Avliieh Ave Icuoav it Avould also be profitable to others to be
(IraAvn from too; to Avit, from imagiuiug and guessing at
the meaning of scriptures, and interpreting them Avithout
the opening of that Spirit from Avliich they Avere given
forth ; for they Avho so do, feed that part (with a gathered
kuoAAdedge) Avhich should be famished, die, and perish, that
another thiug might come to Uve in them, and they in it.
Xow to us, being taught of God, and led by him into the
things aud through the conditions the scriptures speak of,
the scriptures are very precious, the relation of things un
der the laAV precious, the instructions, promises, and com
forts precious, yea, the very reproofs aud denunciations of
judgment to that part, nature aud spirit Avhich the judg
ments are to, precious; audit is impossible for any heart
to conceive (Avho hath not the experience of the thing) hoAv
life springs in us; and hoAV SAveet, pleasant, and profitable

168 THE WOEKS OP
the Avords of Ufe in the writings of the holy men of God are
to our spirits; aud in reading them we often meet Avith re
freshment, comfort, hope, and joy, from the AVorking of the
same Spirit iu us, Avhich gave forth the good AVords through
them. 3. As touching ordinances, Ave oavu all the ordinances
and appointments of God to the Jews under the laAV, and
God's presence with them, Avalkiug Avith the Lord, aud Avor
shipping him in the faith according thereto. Yea, Avhat if
I should say, that Ave knoAV aud are exercised iu the same
Avorship iu Spirit toAvards the Lord our God, Avho hath
called and taught us to Avorship him in spirit and truth, so
as he taught them, accordiug to the shadow and letter?
What if I should say, that Ave Avorship the Lord in spirit ou
the Lord's day (AAdiich is iuAvard and spiritual, the true rest,
the substantial sabbath), aud that avc offer up to him the
living sacrifices, Avhich the High Priest of our profession
prepares in us for the m.ost excellent majesty aud glory of
our God therein? AVere not the sacrifices under the laAv,
Avhieh they oft'ered up accordiug to the letter, types and
shado-ivs of what the Lord teacheth us, and giveth us to of
fer up to him iu spirit, Avheu Ave appear before him iu his
house built on his holy mountain? For, friends, the house
Avhereiu Ave appear is spiritual (au house of God's oavu
budding); the Avorship spiritual, the sacrifices spiritual, the
day of Avorship spiritual, even the day Avhich the Lord hath
made. And here avc kuoAv and enjoy the things shadoAve<l
out under the law spiritually, eating that Avhich is meat in
deed, and drinking that Avhich is drink indeed, ca'Cu the
flesh and blood of the Son of man; iu Avhich Ave feel and
partake of his nature, his virtue, his life, his substance, and
both take it into us, aud put it upou us ; so that Ave have
Christ both to be our food aud clothing; and in the birth,
nature, and Spirit which is of him, caunot be deceived con
cerning him.
But the great matter ye seem to have against us as to or
dinances, is about the baptism of Avater, and breaking out
Avard bread, aud drinking outward Avine; concernino- which

ISAAC PENINGTON. 169
I have two or three weighty queries to propound to be seri
ously considered of.
Query 1. Were these things themselves the things of the
kingdom, or significations of somewhat relating to the king
dom, as the shadows under the law were ? And so, though
they might have a use and service in the passage from the
law, yet could they have an absolute place in the day ? For
as the day dawns and breaks, the shadows fly away. AVhat
should the shadow do, Avhen that which the shadow signi
fied is come ? What place is there for shadows iu the sub
stance, in the everlasting kingdom ?
Xoav though the apostle condescended so as to circum
cise for the sake of the Jews, yet circumcision Avas not to
abide. So he condescended also as to John's baptisra; to
wit, the baptism of water (for that was not Christ's baptism,
but his baptisra was that of the Holy Ghost and fire); yet
he blessed God he did not raake use of it, and said, he was
not sent to baptize. AVhat was he not sent to baptize with?
Why, not with water, not with John's baptism; but he was
sent to baptize with Christ's baptism ; to baptize into the
name, into the Spirit, into the power (and so were all the
apostles), as well as to preach the gospel. Gal. Ui. 5, Mat.
xxviii. 19.
Then for the outAA^ard supper: was not that a shadoAV of
the true, substantial supper of the Lord, of the breaking of
the true bread, and drinking of the true AA'ine (the fruit of
the vine of life) in the kingdora of God? Which kingdom
AA'as at hand m John's time, and the disciples of Christ were
to pray it might come ; and the apostles, and they after
Avards (that were in the power, in the life, in the righteous
ness, in the joy eternal) did Avitness it come. For mark:
the promise was uot only of a kingdom of glory hereafter,
AA'hen the body is laid down ; but they w-ere to receive the
kingdom, and feel an entrance (yea, an abundant entrance^
iuto the everlasting kingdom ministered to them even then :
and they were to eat bread in the kingdom, and drink AA-ine
in the kingdom, ca-cu uoav bread, aud ucav wine, fresh from
the table of the Lord, yea, and Avith the Lord, in his pres-
Vol. HL— 15

170 THE WOEKS OP
ence, according to the promise, he would come and, dwell in
them, and walk in them, and sup with them, and ihey with him.
And thus they in their day, and we in our day (blessed be
the name of the Lord our God !) eat and drink of the heav
enly bread aud wine of the kingdom with Christ therein ;
every one sitting in the heavenly place, and mansion of
rest, Avhich the Lord hath built up and prepared for him.
Query 2. Have not these outward things been much
abused, and the antichristian spirit (even the whorish spirit,
which hath adulterated frora the life and power of God) ap
peared iu them, and cried thera up? And surely, as so cried
up by that spirit, they are neither of nor for Christ.
And consider well AA'hat that outward court Avas Avhicli
God gave to the Gentiles, aud what the Avorship and ordi
nances of the outward court Avere; and AA'hether they were
not given to the Gentiles also, aud Avhether these are any
part of thera ; for if so, then they belong not to, nor are re
quired by, the Lord, ofthe inward Jcavs, aa'Iio are ofthe cir
cumcision in the heart, and are come to inherit the sub
stance. Query 3. Whether there be auy virtue in these things in
themselves, without God's requiring of them ? Can out
Avard Avater wash the soul? Cau outward bread and wine
feed or refresh it? Indeed if God require a man to wash his
body Avith water, he ought to be subject, and there will be
profit to him in his subjection ; but of itself it is but a bod
ily exercise, and without God's requiring it, it Avould be but
Avill-Avorship, and profit him nothing at all.
Xoav truly the Lord did never require this of us; but hath
shown us the water which -our souls and bodies had need of
to be washed with, and the bread and wine which they are
to be fed aud refi-esbed with: and iu following the Lord ac
cordiug as he hath led us, and required of us, we have
fouud reconciliation, life, rest, peace, and joy Avith our Fa
ther, aud pure refreshment from him.
Query 4. As touching duties: These are the tAvo great
duties Ave are taught. To love the Lord our God with all our
heart, soul, and spirit; ami our neighbor as ourselves. And

ISAAC PENINGTON. 171
these we learn by believing in hirn whom God sent,' and re
ceiving the seed of life frora him; in the growth whereof in
us we live, and are made one with him, and partakere of the
ability which is of him. For not by working of ourselves
do we attain to this; but by the Avorking of his powerful
life in us, through his mercy to us. He circumciseth us,
he cuts off the enmity, he brings under the old nature and
spirit in us, aud then the neAV springs up, and we are re
newed iu it. And in this we learn and are made able to
love the Lord, and his children, and his creatures, yea, all
that is of him. And this love constrains us to obey the
Lord, and deny all for him; so that we can suffer anything
(through his strength) but sin, but corruption, but unbelief,
but disobedience to him. Yea, this makes us so tender tow
ards him, that we can rather part Avith all of this Avorld,
than the integrity and subjection of our spirits to him in the
least thing that he requires of us ; his truth (and our testi
mony ther^o) in every respect being far dearer to us than
our liA^es, and all the enjoyments aud pleasures of this pres
ent Avorld.
From these two great duties flow many others as towards
God; to fear him with the fear which is not taught by the
precepts of men, but which he writes in our hearts; to wait
upon him night and day in his temple, even in the holy
place of his building ; to call upon him iu the motion, guid
ance, Avill, and help of his Spirit (for indeed when once Ave
learn of God, we are taught to pray no more after the flesh,
no more after the will, Avisdom, or way of man) ; as also to
be sensible of his goodness, and give thanks to him in every
condition. And in this we feel his presence and acceptance, as the
Lord is not forgotten 'by us; but when we eat and drink,
walk abroad, or stay at home, we feel him near, and our
hearts aeknoAvledge him, bow to hira, wait upon him, bless
him, praise his name, and speak -words concerning him, or
to him, with the outward voi<;e, when he gives them, and
requires them of us ; but of a truth we dare bring no sacri
fices of our own, nor kindle any fire or sparks of our own;

172 THE WOBKS OP
but wait for the holy breath, Spirit, and power of our God,
to perform all in us, and by us.
But now, because we do not pray at certain set times (as
we formerly were wont to do), nor speak words before and af
ter meat as formerly, and the like, ye are offended with us,
and say we deny this duty. Xo, no ; we do not deny to
God the prayer which is from the birth immortal ; but this
we say, and sensibly feel, prayer is a gift, and the abUity
thereof is in God's Spirit; for we know uot what to pray
for as we ought, nor have we a power in us to pray when or
as we will ; but in the Holy Spirit, in his breathing in us, is
our ability ; and we are to wait on him for the moving and
breathing of his Spirit, and not to pray of ourselves, or in our
own wills or times, but in the Father's. And it is a mighty
thing to speak to God aright in prayer. Flesh must be si
lent before him, and laid still and low in his presence, that
the pure spring may open, the pure breath breathe, and the
pure voice issue forth; for God heareth not sinners, but the
born of him that doth his will. This must every soul wit
ness in his measure, as Christ witnessed it in the fulness;
and there is no serving God aright, or performing any duty
or ordinance of worship to him aright, but in a measure of
the same life and Spirit wherewith Christ served him.
Xow, I do not only own the state of the Jews in their in
tegrity, and of the primitive Christians in theirs, and of
what the Lord hath caused to break forth in this our day,
but I also own all the appearances of God all along the
night of the apostasy in the holy martyrs and witnesses,
which he raised up, and enabled to bear testimony to his
truth, and against the antichristian practices of many in
that dark night of the apostasy. And thus also I own all
the work of God in my own heart, and in the hearts of oth
ers (whom he pleased to work upon) in former times; yea,
the breathings and desires which are yet in the hearts of
any after the Lord, so far as they are in the trnth, and of
and from the Lord, I cannot but own. But the Lord hath
shown me that there is a great mixture in men's desires and
endeavors after him; and that the evU spirit, by his sub-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 173
tlety, doth often get the managing of them, and turn the
very zeal and earnestness of the mind (through prejudices
aud misapprehensions) against the Lord and his truth.
Xow, this is a \-ery dangerous state, and there are some
(who little think so) in this state, doing that against the
Lord, and against his Christ, his truth, his people, which, if
ever their eyes be opened, they will mourn bitterly OA-er;
and if their eyes be not opened, but they walk on by a
Avrong light (even by a light of their own gathering, imag
ining, and conceiving), Avhither will it lead them, and what
will their end be ? Oh that ye could hear ! Oh that ye could
fear aright ! Oh that ye could rightly consider ! Oh that ye
could feel the life aud poAver of the Lord near you, the
Word of life near you, even as near as ye have felt the ene-
miy and his temptations, that ye might partake of, and wit
ness Avith joj^, the virtue and redemption of it ! Oh that ye
could once aright look upon him w-hom ye have pierced,
and yet daily pierce, and cannot but pierce, until the right
eous judgments of the Lord be poured out on the head of
the transgressor in you, and the Lord waited upon, feared,
and subjected to, in the w-ay of his judgments, that ye may
feel the refining Avork finished, the dross burned up, the
temple prepared, the vessel brought out of the furnace!
What then ? AVhy, when the Lord hath built up Zion, pre
pared his temple, cleansed his house, will he not appear
there in his glory ? Shall it not become a house of prayer?
of pure prayer, and of pure praises? Shall there be any
lame or blind sacrifices oft'ered up there ? Shall it not be
the beauty of holiness indeed? Shall not the appearance of
the Lord be more glorious than ever it was in the temple
and ordinances under the law? Shall not every living
stone in this building feel the God of life and power pres
ent of a truth, and feel not only the earth, but the very
heavens melt before him and pass away, and nothing re
main but the pure Ught and Ufe of the Lamb ?.
AVords and promises spoken concerning things to be
brought forth in the gospel state do not go beyond the
things spoken; but the things brought forth excel and go

1J4 THE WOEKS OP
beyond thc words, beiug so felt and enjoyed by that Avhich
is fitted and prepared by the Lord, as words cannot utter.
The Lord God lead all that rightly desire after him into the
right way (and preserve them therein) of meeting Avilh and
enjoying what their hearts rightly desire, and beat back
the eneray in all his devices of entangUng, perplexing, and
drawing thera aside; that they may receive the covenant,
the new covenant, walk with God in the light thereof, live
in the life thereof, obey through the power thereof; and
may know what kind of raeat and drink, what joy, delight,
and pleasure it is to the soul to do the will, in the principle,
and by the power, of the new life. So the Lord God Al
mighty, the Creator, Guider, and Preserver of his Israel,
lead you out ofthe darkness, bring you through the wilder
ness, reveal the hope in you, and stay your minds thereon,
and give you to feel the true travel and faithful walking
with hira in the footsteps of the flock, which he hath led
and is leading his in, and unto some of whom (in the tender
mercy which from on high hath visited them) he hath given
full rest and satisfaction in his truth.

A BRIEF Account of the ground of Certainty and Satis
faction, avhich it hath pleased the Lord to establish
in MY heart, concerning Religion, and the
Things of his Kingdom.
I HAVE been afflicted from ray childhood, mourning and
seeking after the Lord, and feeling vei-y much grief and
pain of spirit, through my sense of the want of him. I have
not been contented with tbe way of religion I Avas educated
in, but (through that of God which stirred in me) found
great defects in it, and Avas drawn and led by his Spirit to
travel through it, and seek further. That which I still
sought after was the resting-place, the life of my soul, and
power and presence of the Lord, that demonstration of his
Spirit (as touching trnth and the way of God) which was
witnessed in the days of the apostles. Xow, breathing af-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 175
ter this, but not meeting Avith it, caused unutterable an
guish, misery, and distress in my heart, so that my condi
tion could not be hid within raine own breast, but my sor
row also brake forth in the sight of others.
But at length the eternal boAvels have pitied me, and
have showed me the place of the soul's rest, and I have felt
the eternal arm gathering me into, and giving me some
possession of, a measure thereof; so that my heart is satis
fied about religion and the things of God's kingdom, being
taught of God how to know the Pearl, and the way also
how to corae to inherit and enjoy it; and in that AA-ay I have
had great experience ofthe love, raercy, Avisdom, goodness,
power, and righteousness of the Lord; and notwithstand
ing all my soul's enemies, I still feel his presence, life, and
power, to his praise, which doth the work in me, and which
giveth me to hope in him, and wait upon him. And now
in love and tenderness of boAvels to others, it is iu my heart
to answer a question or two about the ground of the assur
ance and satisfaction which God hath given my soul ; it be
ing in my heart not to grieve or trouble any, but only to be
helpful in holding forth what the Lord hath demonstrated
to and written in ray heart, as he shall draw, move, and en
able my spirit thereunto; to whom my soul boAveth, and
giveth the praise of all that he hath done iu me, aud pleas
eth by his Spirit and power to work through me.
Quest. 1. It may be inquired by some, how I corae to
know^the Spirit of God, and his church, and the scriptures of
the_.holy men to be written by the inspiration aud leading of
his Holy Spirit; and howl know the motions and drawings
of his Spirit in me, from the motions, suggestions, and temp
tations of the evil spirit; and hoAV I am satisfied that I am
in the way of truth and life eternal, and do not wander out
of it, and err from it.
Ans. Thus I know: By receiving, joining to, abiding and
growing up in, that holy seed, which the Father of spirits
hath sown in me. There is an elect seed which cannot pos
sibly be deceived, which seed the Father soweth, and caus
eth to grow in the hearts of them that receive it; Avhose

176 THE WOEKS OP
earth is bj' hira digged and prepared for it, XpAv, I have
felt this seed frora God, this holj-, pure thing, which there
is nothing like for A'irtue and excellency. Xothing hath its
nature besides it, nothing manifests the Father but it; the
heart is changed, rencAved, restored iuto the holy image by
this alone.
In this seed there is no deceit; no deceit ever came from
it, no deceit ever entered iuto it, nor can ; aud frora the day
that I have knoAvn it, I have always felt preserA'^ation by it,
AA-hile ray heart hath been kept to it. Mine eye never mis-
saw in it, mine ear never misheard in it, my heart never
misunderstood iu it; but here I haA-e felt given to me, and
maintained iu me by God, the eye which sees, the ear
Avhich hears, the heart which understands the things of his
kingdom; aud here the entrance hath been ministered into
the everlastiug kingdora, AAdiere God reveals by his Spirit
the mysteries of his kingdom, Avhich all else are shut out of,
but this seed aud the birth AA-hich is of it. And when the
enemy hath at auy time iu my travels, by any temptation
or device, got iu any degree between my soul and this seed ;
then a darkness, a loss, doubts, fears, troubles, &c. have so
far corae over iua' soul.
Quest. 2. But hoAv Icuoav I this seed? maj' sorae inquire.
Ans. By its nature, by its properties, by its manifesting
of itself in my heart. It hath that light, that life, that poAver
in it, Avhich I never met Avith anywhere else. It bruiseth
the head of the serpent at its pleasure, Avhereby I knoAv it
to be the seed of the AA'oman, It dasheth in pieces (through
subjection to it) whatever is contrary to God, and bringeth
up his holy nature in me. It so bringeth rae into the very
image of his Sou, that what I read in the Scriptures con
cerning the nature, righteousness, and Avork of salvation by
Christ, I fiud formed and springing up in mine oAA-n heart,
as I am gathered into, aud brought forth in, this seed.
Yea, I really feel that I am bom of God's Spirit, so far as I
am born of this. Here I feel, kuow, understand, and am
acquainted with, the substance, the thing itself, that which
all the types and figures of the law shadowed out. Here I

ISAAC PENINGTON. 177
meet with the circumcision which is without outward hands ;
the baptism which is without outward water ; the supper of
the Lord which is without outward bread or wine; and
here I know the true JeAv, whose nature, spirit, works, and
ways are all of God, in and through his Son, Jesus Christ.
and here I must profess, I cannot doubt concerning the
things of God: but in the light and anointing of this seed,
see both the mystery of iniquity, and the mystery of godli
ness, and the ways and Avorkings of each spirit, both in
wardly and outwardly; and my unity with the one (through
the tender mercy, goodness, love, and power of the Lord,
all which are herein revealed), and my separation from the
other. And this is the true way of certainty and satisfaction,
which is of God, and will stand, when all the several ways
of men's inventions avUI fail of what they promise to men,
and fall in the sight of men. For this seed and birth of God
are to be acknowledged, and reign in the day of his power,
and not another. And it is the day of his power in some,
and shall be the day of his poAver in others ; for darkness
or death shall not prevail to bring the life of the risen Son
into the sepulchre or grave again ^ but he shall ride on con
quering and to conquer, subduing and to subdue, reigning
and to reign, until he hath brought all things under the do
minion of the Father's power.

A Question answered about the way of knowing the
motions, doctrines, and teachings
OF Christ's Spirit.
Quest. How may a man know the motions, doctrines,
and teachings of Christ's Spirit inwardly, from the deceiv
able movings, appearings, and workings of a contrary
spirit? And how may a man know eoncerning the doctrines
that others teach, whether they speak from Christ, or
whether they speak of themselves ?
Ans. This is a great matter indeed, and he must first re-

176 THE WOEKS or
ceive somewhat froni God, who is able to do this. He must
be born of the wisdom that is frora above, he must receive
a spirit of discerning from God, he must receive somewhat
ofthe sheep's ear, someAA-hat of the holj- understanding,
w-hereby he may be able to distinguish spirituals, and put a
difference between the pure and impure ; between the pre
tender to the things of God, and him which is indeed of
'God. There is a balance of the sanctuary appointed to
weigh spiritual things and appearances in ; and by this bal
ance alone are they truly and rightly discerned and distin
guished; aud this balance is in the sanctuary, in the holy,
heavenly place in Christ Jesus, Avhere the true Aveight of
spiritual things (or things that pretend to be truly spiritual
aud living, but are not) is given and discerned. But he that
Aveighs without this, he that Aveighs by his oavu judgment
and understanding, by his oavu comprehension and conceiv
ings ; he weighs by that Avhich is uncertain, changeable, and
fallible, aud turns up and doAvn according to the appear
ance of things to him, but judgeth not the righteous judg
ment, which is from the sense, and in the light of, truth.
Therefore, oh! that men Avere humble, tender, meek, and
sensible of their inability to judge as of themselves, that
they might see the need of this gift of God, and Avait upon
him for it; being in the mean time as the weauedchild, not
meddling Avith things too high for them, but keeping aud
abiding Ioav, in fear and subjection to that Avhich the Lord
hath already made manifest to them. For Avhat man is
there, to Avhom the Lord hath not already, iu his tender
mercy and goodness, made someAvhat of himself manifest ?
AVho is there, Avho, by the light ofthe Spirit of God in his
conscience, knoweth uot some CA-il which he ought to leave
undone, and some good w-hich he ought to do? Xoav this
is the way of God, and the work Av-hich man should be ex
ercised in, to feel his mind gathered into that Avhieh teach
eth this, that he might receive poAver from the Lord to
cease to do the evil which he is thus warned by hira of, and
to do the good which is thus required of hira. For thus
the Spirit ofthe Lord teacheth aud requireth of men, even

ISAAC PENINGTON. I79
inwardly in their secret parts, secretly quickening and en
livening thera in some raeasure, and giving thera a sense of
their sin, death, separation from hira, raisery and danger
thereby; for Avhere there is auy sight of sin, aud any sense
of the burden thereof, there is sorae life, some light, some
little stirrings of the life, and some quickenings thereby,
without AA'hich this seuse could not be. Xoav mark:
Are not here the draAvings of the Father? Are not here
the teachings of the Father, though but in a little measure ;
yet true, yet living ? Is uot here some little discerning
given between the precious and the vile; between some
Avhat that is of God, and somcAvhat that is against him?
AVell then, here is the gift of discerning, though in a poor,
low, little, Aveak measure; and that man who receiveth this,
receiveth the beginnings of the gift, someAvhat ofthe gift,
Avhereby he raay be able to discern and distinguish a Uttle
about spiritual things, so far as the light and ability of the
gift in hira extendeth.
Xoav, this is man's Avork (and in this lies his safety), to
come hither, abide here, and groAv here. Xot to judge out
of this; to judge no further concerning the things of God,
than this judgeth in hira; to keep the judgment he hath
from this ; not hearkening to the subtle devices of the ene
my, Avhich Avill strive afterAvard to cloud his mind, delude
and deceive hira, Avith a false appearance of wise reasonings
aud disputings of his oavu, or from other men, to raake hira
beUeve otherAvise. Aud so keeping what ground he hath
gained, he is to wait for raore of this Ught, more of this life,
more of this virtue, that his soul may grow up and increase
therein, that his eye may be strengthened to see further,
and his ear to hear further, and his heart to embrace more
ofthe instructions and directions of the Spirit ofthe Lord,
unto and iu the Avay of the kingdom.
Therefore the man that Avould meet with, and receive
from God, the gift of discerning, let him mind the present
manifestation of God's light frora his Spirit in his heart;
erabrace that, fall iu Avith that, take heed of the reasonings
of the mind against the convictions and demonstrations of

180 THE WOEKS OP
God's Spirit, but receive the truth in the love of it, even the
loAvest appearance of truth, about the least and most despis-
able things, and give up faithfully to the Lord therein, with
out murmuring, without disputing, without consulting with
flesh and blood. And he that is faithful to the' light ofthe
Spirit (and to the discerning that is thereby) in the little,
he shall receive more, he shall have his light and discerning
thereby increased, as his need requireth. But he that
stands disputing, and would have all his Avay made clear to
him, before he sets one step in it; he is far from becoming
that child, which the Father teacheth, aud adraiuLstereth an
entrance into the kingdom to.
This, iu eft'ect, AA'as the A'cry ansAA-er Avhich Christ gaA-e to
this thing in the days of his flesh, Avhen there were great
disputes concerning his doctrine, how to Icuoav Avhether it
was of God, or no. AVhat Avas the resolution he gaA-e of
this ; "If any man," saith he, "will do his Avill, he shall knoAv
ofthe doctrine Avhether it be of God, or whether I speak of
myself" John vii. 17. AVouldst thou Icuoav of the Son's
doctrine? AVouldst thou knoAv Avhether it be the doctriue
of the Sou indeed, the doctriue of him Avho comes frora the
Father? Yes, very fain, will the upright heart say; oh that
I raight know concerning what rises aud opens in ray heart,
Avhether it be frora the Spirit of God, or frora the root of
deceit iu me! AVhy, this is the Avay; do the Father's will.
Obj. Do the Father's avUI ; Avhy AA-hat au ansAA-er is this !
The dispute is about the Father's Avill. Is uot the doctrine
of the Son the Father's AviU? Hoav cau I do the Father's
Avill, which the Son is to teach me, untU I first know of the
Son's doctrine?
Ans. It is true, the Son's doctrine is the Father's w-ill,
and thou canst not do the Father's aa-UI, but as thou receiv
est the Son's doctrine. But mark: There are disputes iu
thy mind about somewhat of the Son's doctrine, whether it
be his doctrine, or no ; somewhat also about inward motions,
Avorkings, and stirrings in thee, AA-hich thou wouldst fain
knoAV whence they are. Xoav, the question is concerning
the way hoAv thou mayest attain to this; how thou mayes't

ISAAC PENINGTON. 181
come to a certain and satisfactory kuoAvledge herein ?
AA'^hich is, not by entering into reasonings aud disputes
about these things Avhereof thou doubtest, but by coming
iuto that wherein aud whereby they are made manifest ;
and that is by coming into obedience to the Father in that
Avhich he hath already made manifest; for in that light (to
them that beUeve iu it), aud in obedience thereto (be it
ever so little, or the manifestation ever so small), the Father
will reveal more, and give to that heart and mind to be sen
sible of AAdiat is of hirp, aud Avhat is of the enemy, so far as
it is needful for it as yet to knoAv. For Avise aud absolute
judgment iu all things is not necessary for a babe; but
sense to kuoAv the breast, and to receive from it the milk,
by Avhich it is to be fed that it may grow. This is enough
iu its present state; yet if there be need of strength at any
time to still the enemy aud the avenger, the Lord Avill re-
A-eal it in the heart, aud briug it forth out of the mouths of
the babes aud sucklings, to the perfecting of his praise.
So mind and learn the Avay, 0 ye that are simple-hearted
(aud truly desire after the Lord, aud the purity aud poAver
of his kingdom)! aud take heed of the Avrong Avay ; take
heed of man's Avaj-, Avliich is by consulting with his owu
Avisdom, aud Aveighing things in the balance ofhis own rea
son and understanding; aud thus he may AA-eigh scriptures
Avritten in former ages, aud the appearances of God in this
age, and err iu heart, mind, and judgment concerning them
both, all his days. But he that Avaits ou the Lord iu fear,
and iu obedieuce to that Avhich is already made manifest,
not desiring knoAvledge from God in his own will, time, or
Avay, but in the Lord's, Avho perfectly knoAvs every one's
state, and Avhat is fit for him, — lie shall kuow coucerning
every doctrine his heart desireth to be instructed iu, in the
Lord's season; and iu the mean time the Lord Avill feed
hira Avith food convenient, aud clothe him Avith clothing
convenient; and there shall be uo Avaut to him, Avho boAveth
before the Lord in what is already made manifest, and Avait
eth for his further manifestations aud appearances. But
the Avise hunter after knowledge, before the Lord leads, and
Vol. IIL— 16

182 THE WOEKS OP
further than he leads and teaches,— this is the first birth,
which is excluded the kingdora and the raysteries thereof:
this is he Avho always despised and would still kill the heir,
that the inheritance raight be his; but the inheritance is
appointed for and given to another; even to the Lamb's
nature, the Lamb's Spirit, the Lamb's innocency, the birth
of another wisdom, which is a foolish, weak birth in his
eye, and not Avorthy at all to inherit; but it is the Father's
pleasure to give the kingdom and inheritance of life ever
lasting to these.
To speak yet a Uttle more plainly, and bring it yet a little
closer to the heart, if it may be. It hath pleased the Father,
iu this day of his love and power, to gather a little flock out
of the world (aud all Avoridly professions of worship and re
ligion) to himself. This flock he hath gathered by a poor,
little, low thing in their, hearts, exercising them thereby in
poor, mean, and contemptible ways to the eye of the world,
and to all the professions of man's wisdom ; and by this,
and concerning this, he testifieth, through those whom he
he hath gathered, to others. Aud the testimony doth evi
dence itself, through the power of the Spirit, to all that AA'ait
upon God for an ear, and hear in the simplicity thereof.
Xow, Avhen we tell raen of a divine principle, of a seed of
God, wherein their religion is to begin, and frora which it
is to groAV, and whereof they are to be born ; this will enter
iuto many, yea, many will assent to be drawn so far as to
Avait iuAvardly for and upon this. But now when this be
gins to stir and move in thera, it is in such a way, and mauy
times about such low, mean, contemptible things in their
eyes, that they are very apt to despise.it, and enter into dis
putes agaiust it, aud so miss ofthe entrance, aud can never
thus enter into it ; but instead thereof are filled with doubts
about the leader and his motions, and puzzled and entangled
in their minds, and stopped at the very beginning. And so
though they desire much, aud hope much, yet all comes to
little, because the euemy hath possessed their minds Avith
a device of his subtlety, as if these were small things, and
of little concernment. That which they want is the poAver.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 183
ful life, the clear light, &c., and so their rainds are taken up
with thoughts about these great things, and desires after
these great things, and they overlook the way Avherein and
whereby these are to be witnessed and obtained.
For the Lord God, in his infinite Avisdora, picked out
these conteraptible things to exercise his flock by, and to
lead thera in, Aud AA-hatever men may think of thera, yet
none knoAvs, but they Avho experience it, how hard it is to
foUoAv and subject to the Lord in these, and hoAv ranch they
bow down and break the earthly and uucircumcised spirit
in a mau. Xow, friend, thou Avho desirest Ufe from God,
oh ! take heed thou dost uot beat back the beginnings of
his life, and the redemptiou of thy soul, by des})ising aud
overlooking the day of small things, AVhy may not God
choose to lead thee in the Avay that he hath led the rest of
his flock? Why shouldst not thou also come to deny the
customs and vanities of this Avorld (aud come iuto that
Avhich is simple and plaiu), and stand iu the will aud life of
God out of them? Are not the ways, customs, aud A^auities
of the AVO rid, of the spirit of the Avorld, and not of the Fa
ther? Did they not come frora the corrupt part? Are they
not of the corrupt part? Do they not please the corrupt
part? Must they not be left behind by hira that travels into
the seed, is one AA-ith the seed, aud lives in the seed? Why
Avilt thou stick in these things? Why Aviit thou dispute
about these things? Oh! feel the Father's drawings, flrst
out of the AA-orld, first out of that which is not of the Father,
but of the world; that he may draAV thee further and fur
ther, CA-en into the kingdom and poAver everlasting, which
are many days' jouruej- beyond that w-hich thou stickest at,
Xow mind and remember this Avhich foUoweth : In the
daj's of Christ and his apostles, God chose the foolish
things, and the weak things, and things that Avere not, to
hide the path of life, and the mysteries of his kingdom,
from the Avise, searching eye of man in those daj's, AAHiy
may he not choose the Uke things now ? Why maj^ he not
iiOAv reveal things to the babes, and not to the Avise of this
age and generation? Why may it not be to his glory, to

184 THE WOEKS OP
have it now said also: "Where is the wise? Where is the
scribe (where is the learned man) ? Where is the disputer
of this world? " Can any of them find out that, or any of
them discern that, which God re-vealeth to his little ones ?
Xo, no; they are generally got too high above that little,
low, tender, meek, sensible principle, in the faith whereof,
and in obedience whereto, the teachings of God are received,
and his life and power witnessed. And because of their
riches, wisdom, and knowledge out of this, therefore is the
entrance into the pure, Uving truth (Avhich cleanseth the
mind, and keepeth it clean, which quickeneth it, and keep
eth it li-ving) to them so exceeding difflcult.
And as the principle is little, the seed of the kingdom
little (Uke a grain of mustard seed), the least of all seeds ;
so, why may not its appearance also be little, even in low,
weak things, despisable to raan's eye and wisdom; which
man sees nothing in, and may account of no value? And
yet, the power of the cross (which brings down and slays
the corruptible), and the resurrection of the life may be wit
nessed and felt in them, " The foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men : "
and he knoweth what he doth in leading his children in
this contemptible path, and by these contemptible exercises,
which all that is wise, high, lofty, and aspiring, according
to the flesh, may easUy overlook and slight, but can hardly
stoop doAvn and subject to.
God is the same that ever he was ; and he still appears in
the way of his own wisdom, and out of man's; and he that
will partake of God's wisdom must deny and keep out of
his own. His touches, his drawings, his teachings, his bless
ings, his love, his peace, his joy, his sweetness, &c. are let
forth upon, felt, and enjoyed by the soul, in the ucav crea
tion, in the new sense, in the denial and passing out of the
old.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 185
SoMEAVHAT TOUCHING THE GoSPEL-ReST, OR SaBBATH,
What is the gospel-rest? AVhat is the gospel-sabbath? Is
it a shadow, as that of the laAv Avas ? Or is it the substance
of that Avhich the law shadoAved out?
"The laAV was giA-en by Moses." Moses, by the com
mand of God, gave forth the shadows of the heavenly
things under the laAv; "But grace and truth cam§ by Jesus
Christ," The true sabbath, the true rest, the law of the
Spirit of life, in and to the true Jews, comes by him. The
law of Moses had the shadow of the good things to come ;
Avhich good things themselves the gospel contains, bring
ing life and iramortalitj- to light, aud the soul into the en
joyment and possession of the heavenly things themselves.
The apostle disputes the case about both these, Heb. iv.
both about the seventh day of rest, and about the land of
rest; showing that they were neither of them the substance ;
they Avere but the rests which were to pass away. But be
sides them, there was a rest remaining, a day of rest re
maining, a land of rest remaining; whereof they both (both
the outward sabbath of rest, and the laud of rest under the
law) were flgures.
Xow for whom did this rest remain ? Why, it remained
for the" true Jews, for believers, for the spiritual circumci
sion in the times of the gospel. "And we (saith he) who
have beUeved, do enter into rest." The faith gives en
trance, the Son's faith ; the faith Avhich stands in the power,
the faith Avhich is victory, and gives victory over sin and
the world, removes the mountains and difficulties Avhich
stand in the way, and gives entrance into the gospel-rest.
Faith, which is from and of the power of the endless Ufe,
puts sin under, brings down self, gathers man into a new
principle, brings man forth in a new principle, causeth him
to live and act in a new principle, &c. And as man comes
thither, and that life riseth and hath power in him, it caus
eth him to rest from his own works^ and to wait for and ex
perience God, in and through Christ, to work all, and be
all in him.

186 THEWOEKSOP
The apostle Peter also speaks of this rest, and declares
how it is attained, even by suff'ering in the flesh, "He that
hath suffered (saith he) in the flesh hath ceased from siu."
1 Pet. iv. 1. It is the fleshly part., the motions in the flesh,
from whence sin ariseth.
"Lust, when it is conceived, bringeth forth sin." Xoav
Christ hath prepared and appointed a cross, a spiritual
yoke, to bring down the flesh, which causeth gi'eat suff'er
ing in the flesh to him that taketh it upon him. To deny
all ungodliness, and every Avorldly lust, motion, desire, and
delight of the fleshly mind and nature, there is a sore suf
fering to the earthly part; but yet this bringeth down the
earthly part in all that take it up, and helpeth and causeth
to cease from sin. And he that hath taken up the cross
wholly, and felt the thorough work of it, and suffered in the
flesh the parting with and crucifying all that is of the flesh,
that which would cause him to sin is slain in him, and he
ceaseth frora sin. Then he is in the rest; then he keeps
the rest fully ; then he knows the yoke aud cross, which
was once burdensome to him, to become easy and delight
ful, that being Avorn out in him to which it was painful.
Xoav he that is in measure delivered, that hath in meas
ure suffered, findeth some rest, and may in some measure
keep the sabbath; yea, in the faith, the iveakest babe (abid
ing there) cannot but keep the sabbath, and offer up the
sacrifices, and perform the services thereof to the Lord.
For the Avorship of the Xew Testament relates not to out
Avard times or days; but is in the Spirit, in the truth, in the
name, in the poAver, in the substance, on the day, and in
the times and seasons which the Lord hath made, and
makes, iu the spirits of his people.
And here that scripture is witnessed to those that are
born ofthe Spirit, and live in the Spirit, and walk after the
Spirit: " Sin shall not have dominion over you ; for you are
not under the law, but under grace." Who are not under
the laAV, but under grace? Why, they that are gathered by
the grace, that hear the voice of God in the grace, drawing
and enabUng them to foUoAv; they whom the grace over-

ISAAC PENINGTON, 187
shadows from the power and dominion of sin ; they are un
der it, they are sheltered, saved, and preserved by it.
He that is born of God sinneth not, but obeyeth ihe grace; but
he that coramitteth sin, is the servant of sin, and not yet
made free by the grace and power of the Son, from it. Yea,
the Son gives that freedom in his day frora sin, and the
power of Satan, as they that are out of the light of his day
cannot so ranch as believe ; but they that are gathered into,
ahd walk in the light thereof, they witness the laAv of the
Spirit of life iu Christ Jesus, making them free fi'ora the
laAV of sin and death. What! is the stronger thau the
strong raau come, with his law aud power of the endless
Ufe, and shall not he manifest his dominion in the heart,
over the law of siu and death? Yea, as it is received, aud
let in, it works out, overcomes, bears doAvn, over-runs the
law of sin and death; and that promise is witnessed, ful
filled, 0 death ! I will be thy death.
And if God, by the power and breath of his Holy Spirit,
with the living, poAverful laAvs thereof, kill sin and death iu
the heart, what shall make them alive again? Xo, no; then
they are dead indeed, and the kingdom and reign of Christ
is witnessed in that soul.
Then the birth of life is witnessed; then the man-child is
witnessed, ruling with a rod of iron, dashing iu pieces all
motions and temptations to corruption, and all that Avould
defile, so that they caunot enter the mind; and guarding it
in the pure peace, unspeakable joy, aud rest of the Son con-
tiuually, Aud there it is as truly witnessed inwardly (as
ever it Avas at any tirae enjoyed or hoped for by the Jews
outwardly) that this horn of salvation, Avhich God hath
raised up iu the house of his servant David, breaks all the
horns of the oppressors, aud gives rest to the soul from them
round about, that, without fear of them any more, it may
serve him iu holiness -and righteousness before him all the
days of its life.
There are sorae good desires iu many people, for Avhich,
blessed be the narae of the Lord; but there is great error
of judgraent, and AA^audering up and doAvn from the truth,

188 THE WOEKS OP
for want of that which is able to stay the mind upon the
Lord, and to guide it in the right way. Some run to this
mountain, and sacrifice there; others to that hill, and offer
there; but few knoAv the true resting place, or the place of
the true worship. Xoav iu these their errors, they can wit
ness no acceptance with the Lord, Oh that they kncAv the
acceptable thing, the acceptable way of Avorship, and might
appear before, and be found of, the Lord therein ! Then
might they begin in that which is substantial, (in the gospel
Spirit, Ufe, and power) and come to inherit aud sit down in
that Avhich is substantial aud everlasting.

SOME QUERIES
To SUCH AS complain of avant of power to become the
Lord's, and serve him ; and avho are not yet so acquainted
avith the truth as to witness the cleansing
by it, and ceasing from sin.
Query 1. AVas uot Christ made a king and priest after
the poAver of an endless life? And doth he not communi
cate of the poAver of that endless Ufe to all that rightly be
Ueve in him, receive the truth as it is in him, and obey his
gospel ?
Querjr 2, Was it not the end of Christ's coming, to de
stroy sin iu the heart, aud to set the soul free therefrom,
that it might serve the Lord in the Uberty, life, and power
ofhis Spirit?
Query 3, To them that believe in and receive hira, doth
not Christ give poAver to become sons to God? And to
them that are sons, doth not the Father give the Spirit of
the Sou ? And hath not the Spirit of the Son poAver over
the contrary spirit?
Query 4, Were not the deliverances of the Jews under
the. law real deliverances from their outward enemies? Aud
aj.-e not Christ's deliverances as real from the inward ene
mies? AVhom the Son raaketh free, are they not free indeed?
Free frora sin, free frora Satan, being under the shadow of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 189
the wing of the Almighty, which preserveth out of the dark
ness, and guardeth the mind from the evil and danger
thereof? Query 5. Is not Christ stronger than the strong man,
whom he cometh to dispossess? Are not his weapons stronger
than the weapons ofthe enemy? Is not he able to dispos
sess him, to cast him out, to spoil him of his goods and
strength ? And Avhen he hath gained the house, is not he
able to cleanse it, and garnish, and keep it clean and pure
in the Avay ofhis covenant, against all the eneray can do?
Query 6. Doth not Christ dwell in the heart by faith?
And is not Christ's nature and Spirit pure? and will he
dwell in any thing that is impure? Is not the spiritual tem
ple under the gospel to be ^as pure inwardly, as ever the
outward temple under the law was to be pure outwardly, or
by way of representation ? Must not they be cleansed from
all filthiuess of fiesh and spirit, who witness the Father
dwelling in them, and Avalking in them ?
Query 7. Who offer up the incense and the pure offering
in the times of the gospel ? Can any do it but the sons of
Levi, whom the Lord hath purified? Who can bring a
clean thing out of an unclean? AVho can compass the altar
of the Lord, or off'er up an acceptable offering there, Avhose
hearts and hands are not washed in innocency?
Query 8. Is not the Avorship of the Xoav Testamefit to be
in spirit and truth ? Is not the Spirit pure, the truth pure ?
Can any thing unclean enter into it? Can any be in it, can
any Avorship in it, but they which be cleansed, purified, and
changed by it ?
Query 9. How did the apostle express the right manner
of drawing nigh to God in the spiritual, gospel worship?
Was it not to be thus, with the heart cleansed from an evil
conscience, and the body Avashed Avith cleau water? And is
not the presence, power, and acceptance of God witnessed
by them that appear before him and worship him thus ?
Query 10. Had not other lords dominion over their heart,
to subdue it to sin, and defile it, before Christ was known
and received in his Spirit and power ? But AA'hen Christ is

190 THE WOEKS OP
known and received in his Spirit and power, have the other
lords power to do so still? Is not Christ's law, the law o
his Spirit of life, able to bring under, and make the soul
free from the law of sin and death? Insomuch as now it
raay be said in truth, by the souls whom he hath set free :
"0 Lord, our God ! other lords besides thee have had do
minion over us; but (now henceforward) by thee only will
we make mention of thy uame."
Query 11. Was it not a brand of ignominy on those Avho
had got the good Avords and high notions about Christ, but
were not iu the authority and power of his Spirit, that they
had eyes full of adultery, aud could uot cease from sin?
Can any cease from sin, but he that receiA'cth the poAver;
And he that receiveth the poAver of the ucav life, is it not
natural to him to cease from sin, and unnatural to him to
commit it?
Query 12. Is not the Lord the teacher of his people under
the new coA'cnant? Was it not promised of old concerning
the gospel times, aud is it not fulfilled in the gospel times,
that "all thy children shall be taught of the Lord"? And
Avhat doth the Lord teach? Doth he not teach to eea.se from
doing evil, and to learn to do well? And shall his children
never learn this lesson of him?
Query 13. Whose servants are they that obey unright
eousness? Are they clothed Avith the strength of God? Do
they stand in the poAver of his might against the power of
the enemy? Are they overcomers of the Avicked one? Or
are they not rather daily overcome by hira?
Query 14. What is the AA'hole armor of God provided
and appointed for? Is it not to keep out the eneray wholly?
aud is it able to do it, or no?
Query 15. WUl not Christ say to all raen upon the earth,
profess they what they Avill, hope in Christ, and cast thera-
selves upon him for salvation ever so much, and ever so of-
teu ; yea, though they have received such poAver from him
as to preach in his name, and to cast out devUs in his narae ;
yet if they have not so received the poAver as to overcome
sin iu their own hearts, and to cause them to cease from

ISAAC PENINGTON. 191
working iniquity, though they call him Lord, and cry to
him Avith confidence, "Lord, Lord, open to us," yet will he
not say to thera, "Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity,
I know ye not;" ye are not of the birth of my power; ye
are not those which have done my Avill ; ye were never by
me redeemed out of the evil doing; but have still all your
days (notAvithstanding your profession, notwithstanding
your knowledge, notwithstanding your owning me as your
Lord, and preaching in my name) been workers of in
iquity ?
Query 16. He that receiveth the spiritual circumcision
and baptism of Christ, doth it not cause him to cease from
sin? And doth not the new life spring up in him, which
causeth hira to live holily to God ? He that hath the offend
ing eye plucked out, the off'ending hand cut off, is not that
takeu away from hira which caused him to sin ? Aud he
who is created a new creature in Christ, doth he not natu
rally do that which is holy aud righteous? 1 John iii. 7, 8.
Query 17. Doth not the true faith, the faith of the Son of
God, give victory over sin ? Can any believer be conquered
by the enemy, he standing in the faith, abiding in the cove
nant? Doth not the power stretched out by the Father of
life defend the soul in the Avay of the covenant against all
the assaults of the enemies, so that the gates of hell cannot
prevail against any here, but the name of the Lord is felt a
strong tower against them; and though they encompass
like bees, yet in the narae of the Lord victory is witnessed
over them, and against all that they can do? And doth not
the Lord teach and enable his to keep covenant?,
Query 18. Was not such a thing witnessed by Paul (and
may not such a thing be witnessed by the believing and
obedient travellers now): "I can do all things through
Christ that strengthens rae. I know how to want, I know
how to abound; everywhere, and in all things I am in
structed," &e. ? I am armed with the whole armor of God,
and taught to stand so upon my guard in the power of his
life, that the enemy cannot come at me; but the pow-er of
the endless life so preserveth me, as that the evil one can-

192 THE WOEKS OF
not touch me, cannot enter me AA-ith auy of his temptations
in auy condition.
Query 19. Was there uot such a condition once witnessed,
and may it not be witnessed again, of being more than con
querors through the love and poAver of Christ? When the
life doth arise in its power and dominion in the heart, doth
it not soon scatter the enemies ? Do they not fiy aAvay, and
are chased at the blast of God's Spirit? When the soul is
filled Avith the love and with the poAver, is not the land
cleansed of what annoyed it? Aud this, AA-hich is sometimes
felt by many of the travellers, may it not be an abiding
state? Are there not dAvelling-places ou Mount Zion (on
the mount of God's holiuess in the gosp'el tirae), and is not
there security from sin, Satan, the soul's enemies, and dan
gers? "They shall not hurt nor destroj- in all my holy
mountain, saith the Lord; " and Avill he not fulfil it to those
that Avait upon him in the way ofhis coveuaut?

THE COXCLUSIOX.
There is a principle of darkness iu the hearts aud minds
of men, Avhich is as a seed or root of corruption iu them,
bringing forth in them fruits of sin and unrighteousness
unto death.
And there is also a priuciple of the pure, heavenly light,
as a free gift from God, to discover the darkness, turn man's
heart agaiust it, and lead him iuto the Avay aud path of life.
Xoav as Satan rules iu the principle of darkuess, and
there is the power of death therein ; so God rules in the
priuciple of light, and there is the power of life aud redemp
tion manifested by God therein.
For this principle is of the Father, of the Son, of the
Spirit ; yea, the Father, Son, and Spirit are in this principle ;
and here the soul meets Avith them, aud is brought iuto
union and felloAVship with them, aud feels the everlasting
arm revealed and stretched forth for its delivery from cor-

ISAAC PENINGTON. I93
ruption, and the captivity thereof, into the liberty of the
sons of God.
Aud he that is here meets Avith the substance of things,
and that which all the types of the law shadoAved out;
meets with the one offering, the cleansing Avhich is thereby,
the imputation of righteousness, or of faith unto righteous-
uess; yea, aud with somewhat more, even Avith the everlast
ing righteousness itself brought into the heart, and dAvell-
ing there ; insomuch as his nature is chauged (trulj- changed)
his spirit changed, his mind, heart, soul, aud conscience
changed, his conversation changed, the leopard's spots aud
the Ethiopian's skin washed aAvay, the deceitfulness of the
heart removed, and the uoav garments of righteousness, life,
and salvation put on in the stead thereof; so that he is un
clothed of the evil, unholy nature and spirit, and clothed
Avitli the Spirit of the Lord.
For Christ is really made unto him Avisdom, righteous
ness, sanctification, aud redemption. Hoav is that? Why
he that ouce Avas a fool, is now made Avise unto God, and
the things of his kingdom, by the mystery of his Son's life
aud poAver revealed in him. He is a child of Avisdom, and
he hath heard the Avisdom of his mother, and learned Avis
dom of her. So putting on Christ, Avho is the righteous
ness, beiug ingrafted iuto him, being brought forth in him,
he partakes of the sweetness aud fatness of the olive-tree,
and is renewed into the image of the true righteousness
and holiuess, and drinks iu the virtue aud life of the pre
cious promises, AA'herein and whereby he is made partaker
of the divine nature, and so cannot but AAutness redemption
from the earthly, corrupt nature.
Xoav, it is not any striving, believing, or obedience of
man's own spirit, Avhich can eft'ect this; he may aa-UI strongly,
he may run hard, aud yet never obtain; he may so cast
himself upon the mercy of God, aisd hope concerning his
raercy in Christ, as to raiss of it.
But the principle of life Avhich is from God, aud faith in
God from that principle, Avithout fail effects this, and uo
other faith doth. But out of this are the mysterious im-
Vol. ni.— 17

194 THE WOEKS OP
ages and idols, and subtle Avorkings and devices ofthe euu-
nino- one, to take up the mind Avith somcAA-hat Avhich appears
as substantial aud truly excellent, but is not so indeed. His
birth hath desires after the kingdora (and raakes no ques
tion but it shall be his), avUIs, runs, strives, believes, hopes,
prays, reads scriptures, observes duties and ordinances ; aud
in these they meet Avith a Avrong knoAvledge, a Avrong sacti-
ficatiou, a AA'rong joy, a wrong confidence and assurance, a
Avrong rest and peace; in Avhich there may be a great
AA'armth, aud seeming Ufe and pleasure, frora the fire aud
sparks of their oavu kindling and blowing up, AA'hich the
mind that is blinded by him can hardly suspect that it is
uot true; yea, may be taken Avith it, and strongly justify it
in its OAvn thoughts for the true, aud set it above that that
is indeed the true. This, this is the great mystery of iniq-
uitv, AA'hich hath great subtlety of deceiA'ableuess in it, to
pick up and steal aAvay the good seed out of the heart, aud
to steal in a false image and likeness thereof, AA-hich may
have a more glorious appearance to raan's eye than the true
seed itself (for that is the least of all seeds, makes the least
shoAV of auy), but ha.th uot the same nature, virtue, and
power. Ah ! the Lord God of tender mercy help all the poor
souls that breathe after him, that they may not be thus de
ceived. And those that are thus deceived, and in the snare
ofthe euemy (aud do-not Avituess the faith which hath the
Son's dominion iu it, aud gives victory over sin, Satan, aud
the Avorld, and Avhereiu the blood of sprinkling, Avhich Ua'-
ingly Avasheth, is felt, in the Ught of Ufe, AA-hereiu the re
deemed Avallc to the praise of their Redeemer) ; the Lord
guide them also to that wherein all deceits are made mani
fest, and Avhere the truth which is of the Son, is made to
shine iu such Avho Avere once in the barren places, and in
the thick darkuess, but uoav are Ught in the Lord, and Avho
have a dwelling-place Avitli the Lord in his Ught, Avhich is
the pure aud everlasting habitation. Araen.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 195

A POSTSCRIPT,
Containing some further Queries concerning
THE Xew Covenant.
Query 1. What is the uoav coveuaut? Is it not an agree
ment betAveeu God aud the soul iu Christ, according to the
laAV of faith, as the old covenant AA-as au agreement betAveen
God and the people of the Joaa-s, according to the laAV of
Avorks ?
Query 2. Who is the Alediator of this coA^enant? Is it
not the Lord Jesus Christ ? Doth uot he prepare the heart
for the covenant, briug into the coveuaut, keep iu thc cove
nant, preserve peace between God and the soul, aud keep
the soul in the AA^ay of truth aud peace?
Query 3, Who is the Shepherd, King, aud Prophet in
this covenaut? Is it any other than Christ, the Mediator?
Is not he the King aud Prophet raised up to rule in right
eousness, and to instruct iu the path of life? And is uot his
Spirit able to teach aud instruct in all things, and able to
govern and rule in righteousness all that are subject to his
breathings, quickenings, ami holy moAuugs, aud instructions
in their hearts, Avho Avrites his laAV there, and guides and
governs by the laAV which he Avrites ?
Query 4, Hoav come men iuto this coveuaut or holy
agreement with God? Is it not by repentance and faith?
Is it not by turning from the darkness, which is not of him,
to the light which is ofhim ? Is it not by turning from the
Spirit of Satan to his Spirit, — frora the standard and power
of the wicked one, to the standard and poAver of the Holy
One ? What is it that God lifts up agaiust the darkuess of
the enemy, but the light ofhis Spirit, Avhicli discovers where
a man has been, and what he hath done, and gives him to
repent thereof, and forsake all his dead Avorks, and turn
to the life aud power which instructs aud quickens him, iu
and by the Holy Spirit? -And this is true conversion; and

196 THEWOEKSOP
thus a man feels the coA'-enant of sin, death, and hell broken,
aud enters into a new cOA^enant, a pure covenant, a living
covenaut, a poAA-erful coA^enaut, and coraes to feel those
things Avhich the covenant contains, as his condition re
quires, and as his capacity is made able to receive.
Query 5, How do men come to abide in this covenant?
Is there auv abidino- but according to the entrance? Is
there any staying iu the covenant, but in and by the faith
that lets iu ? Doth not unbelief aud disobedience keep out
from it at first? Aud doth not unbelief aud disobedience
cut off from it afterAvards? For there are sins against this
covenant, as Avell as against the old? and the sins against
this are more dangerous to the soul than the sins against the
old, " Take heed (said the apostle) lest there be in any of
you au heart of unbelief, to depart from the liAung God,"
Aud saith Alosea, speaking of the prophet, or angel ofthis
covenant, "BcAvare of him, and obey his A-oice; for he will
not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in him, aud
whosoever hearkeueth not to this prophet, he shall be cut
off," How can it be otherAvise? For he speaks life, and he
speaks it iu the coA'euaut to the circumcised ear, to the soul
in the faith, in the obedience. Hear, and your souls shall live.
So then he that hears uot must needs abide in death; and
he that departs from hearing him, must needs return to
death. Query 6. AVhether there be any purifying ofthe heart, or
any justification, or keeping the vessel clean, out ofthe obe
dience of the truth? "If a man keep my sayings," saith
Christ, "he shall never see death." "If ye," saith the apos
tle, "through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, ye
shall live." But if the deeds of the body be not mortified
by the Spirit, if a man do not keep the sayings of Christ,
doth he, or cau he, Uve then? Is not this then the main
thing in religion, that a man receive the truth in the faith,
and that he feel the poAver ofthe Spirit of life- bringing him
into and keeping him in tbe obedience thereof? "Por it is
the truth that saves; the living truth, the liA'iug kuoAvledge,
the living faith ; the laAv of the Spirit of life that makes free

ISAAC PENINGTON. 197
from the law of sin and death; and it maices free by its poAv-
erfiil Avorkiug in the mind, Avorkiug out, aud preserving
from, that AAdiich defiles, captiA'ates, and destroys. For
Christ comes Avith his power to save, Avith his poAver to
break the bonds of darkness, and to set the captiA^e free:
Avith his power to dislodge and dispossess all the enemies,
and sanctify the A-essel to himself; and the effects of his
power in aud upou the heart are his salvation ; aud he that
falleth short of the manifestation of the poAver of Ufe to his
soul, and of the eff'ects thereof in his soul, is so far defective
in point of salvation; for no man is sa^-ed further than he
is redeemed aud deliv^ered from that Avhich Christ comes to
save him from.
Query 7. Whether the first thing of all to be witnessed
in religion is not the Spirit of Christ? Is uot the Avliole
work to be done by him? And how cau a mau be certain
coucerning auy work Avrought iu hira, unless he be certain
that it is he that Avorks? Hoav can I be certain concerning
the kuoAvledge given me, unless I be sure it be he that giA-es
it? How can I be certain coucerniug any prayers or breath
ings arising iu my heart, unless I be sure they be from him?
Hoav cau I understand auy scripture concerning Christ, or
the kuoAvledge of any spiritual thing, unless I be sure he
open it to me ? And how cau I be sure of any thiug that
he giveth or openeth to me, further thau I Icuoav him, and
liaA-e the true seuse of him iu his nature aud operations?
So then, if the Spirit be my leader, guide, teacher, instructor
ill the way of Ufe, iu the covenant of Ufe, in the things of
the kingdom, iu the kuoAvledge of scriptures, &c., it is of
great concernment to me to receive that ear aud heart from
God, Avhich knows and understands his A-oice; for, for want
of this, are all the defects, mistakes, miscarriages, aud er
rors, iu aud about religion. But as raen come to this, they
come out of error into certainty, aud kuoAV the oue Christ,
the oue faith, the oue baptism, the one body, the oue
church, and assembly ofthe first-born, the pure loA-e, Avhich
is of and iu the truth, the pure path of the kingdom, the
Ava}- of hoUness, which the ransomed and redeemed Avalk

198 THEWOEKSOP
in ; yea, the Lord is Oue, aud his narae One araong all tha
are here, and the pure oue language, which is of the Spirii
Avisdom, and teaching, is here received, and the one voic^
of the Shepherd heard, &c. But out of this are the jan
glings, strifes, contentions, debates, disputes; subtle, Avise
entangling reasonings ofthe earthly, one Avith another, am
all as one against the heavenly and spiritual.
Query 8. Did uot the message Avhich Christ sent his apos
ties to preach, "He that believeth and is baptized shall b(
saved," contain the sum of the covenaut? What doth Goc
require of the soul, but beUeving in his Son (which includei
repentance from the dead spirit and works), and receiAdn^
his baptism ? To be baptized into him, into his death, intc
his life, into his nature, iuto his Spirit; to take up his cross
to bear his yoke, to be circumcised in hira and by hira, tha
he raay love the Lord his God AA-ith all his heart, that th(
power, virtue, and Ufe of love raay constrain him to livt
Avholly in and to God. Aud then doth not the promise o
sah-ation to him that believeth and is baptized into Chris
contain Avriting the laAv in the heart, putting the fear intc
the heart; putting the Spirit Avithin to become the teacher
guide, strength, and comforter, and whatsoever else is nee
essary to the soul in the way to the kingdom?
Query 9. How is God merciful to men's iniquities, auc
remembers their sins no more ? Is it not in the covenant
ahd according to the covenant? Is there not a warfare tc
be accompUshed, before the soul come to Avitness the per
feet blotting out of sin? Is not Christ the Mediator, thc
Judge to whom all judgment is committed? Aud doth no1
he judge his people for their transgressions against the laAA
ofhis Spirit and life? And must not the soul, who avUI wit
ness the days of refreshment, and the perfect blotting oul
of sin therein, wait upon the Lord in the way of his judg
ments, even tiU sin be judged and brought under, and God's
righteousness perfectly revealed? Under Aloses' law everj
transgression received a just recompense of reward, and
shall he escape iu the gospel who grieves the Spirit, AA-hc
despises the Son, and gives ear to the eneray? Xay, nay:

ISAAC PENINGTON. I99
the same covenant that holds forth mercy to the tender bro
ken-hearted, to the believing, to the obedient, contains also
nghteous judgraent against the transgressor of this cove
nant. Yea, judgment begins at the house of God, aud ceas
eth not till that cease which judgment is to. The Lord shaU
judge his people; shaU not Christ judge his own family?
Yes, yes; they that are ofthe family, and in the true sense,
feel the Lord pleading Avith Avhatever is coiitr.ary to him in
them, and they can rejoice therein, aud sing of mercy and
judgraent, after the Lord hath done his work in them, and
brought forth the quiet fruit of righteousness iu their hearts
thereby. Blessed is he that experieuceth these thiugs, witnessing
that from the Lord AA-hich preserveth out of all mistakes
and deceits about them.

AN INQUIRY
After Truth and Righteousness, and after the People
avhom the lord establisheth, and avill establish
therein ;
In some Queries on Isaiah Iviii, and also on Chap, liv.
Query 1. Are there auy people to be found Avho exceed
the state spoken of in ver. 2. of seeking God daily, and de
lighting to knoAV his ways, as a nation that did righteous
ness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God? They ask
of rae, said the Lord, the ordinances of justice; they take
deUght iu approaching to God. Are there not many pro
fessions and sorts of professors at this day, who in God's
sight fall short of this state, and yet think highly of them
selves? Yet these the prophet ofthe Lord was not to spare;
but to lift up his voice like a trurapet against thera, because
of their trasgression and sin which they committed, not
withstanding their thus daily seeking the Lord.
Query 2. What was the transgression and the sins which
the prophet was not to spare thera in, but lift up his voice

200 THE WOilKS OP
Uke a trurapet against them fji? Was it not (among other
things) for their Avrong fasting, their wrong afflicting their
souls, their Avrong seeking of (lod, out of the meek, tender,
merciful spirit? Doth God rcqui'-e such fasting or praying
of any man? Or aa'UI the Lord ac^^ept such fasting or pray
ing at auj- man's hand? Ah! liow many fast aud pray at
this day, who never rightly cou.-idered, uor truly under
stood, Avhat the fastiiiga, aud ^xh-.it the prayers are Avhich
God requireth, and Avliieli alone he vrill accept!
Query 3. AAHiat is the fast Aviiieli Ood requireth, and Avill
accept in all ages? Is uot tliis it, "To loose the bands of
Avickedness, to undo the heavy burden:-, to let the oppressed
go free, to break every yoke"? kc. vei 6, 7. AVho can uu-
understand or learn this fast, but In .lat is taught of God?
Query 4. Are there auy Avhose li-it breaks forth as the
morning, and whose health spriiin> forth speedilj', aud
Avhose righteouaues.s goeth before them, and Avhom the
glory of the Lord gathereth up, or is a rearAvard to (as is
promi.sed to tlioso Avho o'lserve this fast), and Avhom the
Lord is ready to hear ami ausAvcr in all that they call upon
him for? as ver. 8, 9. Doth not God teach his children iu
the ncAv coA'euant to observe thi.s fast? Aud they AA-ho are
taiiglit by hira to keep it (aud do faithfully keep it), do they
uot inherit this promise ?
Query i>. Arc there any uoav among the sous of meu,
Avhose light hath risen in obscurity, and Avhose darkness
hath liecome as noon-day? AVhoin the Lord guideth con
tinually, aud Avhose soul he satisfieth in droughts, and
makes fat their bones; aud makes thera like a" Avatered
garden, and like a spring of Avater, Avhose Avaters tail not?
Surely if there be auy, Avho are truly taught of the Lord to
observe that Avhich leads hereto, they cannot miss of enjoy
ing these precious promises: for he is faithful aud true avIiq
hath promised, A'er. 10, 11.
Query 6. Are there any at this day, Avhom God honoreth
in building the old Avaste places, in raising up the founda
tions of many generatious; iu repairing the breach, and re
storing the paths to dwell in? AVhat a^ro the paths that are

ISAAC PENINGTON. 201
to be dAvelt in ? Are they not the same AA-hich the soul is to
Avalk in? Is not the just man's path and his dwelling-place
all one, even the Ught of the living, Avhieh he is both to
AA-alk and abide in? See 1 John i. 7. and Prov. iv. 18.
It is said concerning Christ, "He that saith he abideth in
hira, ought hiraself also so to Avallc, even as he Avalked." 1
John ii. 6. How did Christ Avalk ? Did he uot walk in the
light of God's Spirit? in subjection to God's Spirit? AVas
not the fulness given hira? AVas not the Father ahvays Avith
hira? Aud did not he act in the Father, and the Father in
and through him? Xoaa^, doth not he give forth a measure
of the same Spirit, of the same anointing, of the same poAvcr
to become sons, unto all his? And are not they to Avalk ac
cording to the measure of light aud life they receive from
him? And he that Avallcs according to this rule, can he err
in so Avalking? Is not this the pure path, the living path,
the path for the ransomed in the days of the gospel, aa'Iio
Avalk not after the fiesh, but after the Spirit; not iu the old
ness ofthe letter, but in the noAvuess ofthe Spirit? Oh that
men could consider this Avith the true understanding, and
knoAV the Avay of life in tho true sense and experience
thereof! That which enlightens aud gives life to my soul,
is someAA-hat frora Christ, even a measure or appearance of
his pure Spirit; it is no less : aud the law of life written in
wardly is niore to the soul than Avords Avritten outAvardly,
though all the words that ever come from God's Holy Spirit
are very precious, and greatly useful, to those to Avhom he
vouchsafeth to give the understandiug of thera.
Query 7. AVhat is the sabbath spoken of, ver. 13. ? Is it
the laAV sabbath, or the gospel sabbath? Is it inferior iu
nature to the fast before raentioned? What is God's holy
day, AA-hich is the soul's delight, the holy of the Lord, hon
orable, Avherein the souls that enter into the true rest (by
faith in hira Avho is life) honor the Lord, in ceasing from
their oaa-u ways, pleasures, and AVords? See also Heb. iv. 3.
aud 10.
Query 8. They that keep God's holy sabbath, do they uot
delight themselves iu the Lord ? Do they not feel the pleas-

202 THE WOEKS OP
lire of his day, and of his appearance in his day? Are uot
these of the true seed of Jacob (who prevail with the Lord
for the blessing)? And doth not the Lord feed them with
the heritage of Jacob, their father, even with the blessing
of the covenant of life and peace for evermore ?

SOME QUERIES ON ISAIAH, LIY.
Query 1. Is there such a state to be witnessed, either in
the particular, or in the general, wherein the Avorab that
was barren shall travail and bear, and sing for joy of heart
and spirit before the Lord? See ver. 1.
Query 2. Is there such a state to be Avitnessed, as ofthe Ma
ker to become the husband ? Is not this a glorious state in-
deed, and a narae better than of sons and daughters, signi
fying nearer intimacy and union thau any other relation
AA'ith the Holy One, the Redeemer of Israel? And do not
such as come to this state, even to be married to the Lamb,
partake raore abundantly of his redeeming poAver and holy
presence? See Ver. 6.
Query 3. Are there some so visited and redeemed by the
Lord, as that they shall never be cast off more, as that the
fioods of AA'rath shall never OA'crtake them more, nor the
covenant of their peace be removed? Ah, precious state !
Blessed are they doubtless, Avho have been so visited aud
redeemed by God's mercy, as to be made partakers of it.
Quer}- 4. Who is this that hath been afflicted, tossed with
tempests, and not comforted? Have there been auy such in
our daj-s, Avho have been deeply afflicted for want of the
presence of the Lord God of their Ufe, who have been
tossed up aud doAvuAvith tempest after tempest, and eould
meet AA-'ith no comforter to speak a Avord in season to their
Aveary souls ? And hath the Lord appeared to these, visited
these, built upon these, comforted these? Surely then, the
poor whora he hath raised out of the dust, and the needy
whora he hath lifted off frora the dunghiU, cannot but
praise his narae.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 203
Query 5. AVho is this, whose stones God lays with fair
colors, aud her foundation with sapphires? Whose Avin-
doAvs God raakes of agates, aud her gates of carbuncles,
aud all her borders of pleasant stones? Was not the cove
naut of Ufe so adorned iu the apostle's days? And is she uot
so adorned uoav again ?
Query 6. AVhose children are they, who shaU be all
taught of the Lord, and Avhose peace shall be great, Avho
shall be established in righteousness, Avho shall be far from
oppression, so that they shall not fear; and frora terror, so
that it shall not corae near them ? Is there such a gener
ation of the heavenly birth, ofthe covenaut of life, brought
forth in this our day, who sanctify the Lord of hosts him
self, aud make him their fear aud their dread, but are not
terrified Avitli the Avicked one, nor Avith the snares and en
gines ofthe ungodly? Surely they Avho are taught of God,
haA-e peace from him aud in him, aud are established in the
righteous Spirit aud life of his Son ; they are like Mount
Zion, Avhich cannot be shaken or removed, by all the terrors
aud oppressing devices of the ungodly.
Query 7. By Avhom do they gather together, Avho gather
together against such a people? Certainly it is not by the
Lord, nor by auy advice or counsel from him; but by the
advice of that spirit Avhich opposeth himself against the
poAver and AA'ork of the Lord: and that spirit must fall for
the sakes of those Avhom God hath raised up by his power,
and undertaketh to defend. Hoav teuder was God of Israel
after the , flesh in the day of his delivering them ! See 1
Chron. xvi. 19, &c. And will he not be as teuder of his
spiritual Israel, in the day of his redeeming and delivering
them? Indeed, the opposition Avill be very great, but con
sider who shall have the victory, see Rev. xa'U. 14. Cer
tainly it is true, and sealed by the Spirit of the Lord, that
patience, meekness, innocency, love, righteousness, &c.,
shall at length overcome all unrighteousness, enmity, op
pression, cruelty, wrath, &c., and that spirit from which
they proceed; and as they are overcome, and when they are
overcome, the Lamb's Spirit shall reign, and shine in the

204

THE WOEKS OP

glory of the Father. Oh ! the sAveet sense of this day, and
further hope thereof; how doth it bear up the suff'ering
lambs, in the midst of all their trials and tribulations!
Query 8. Hath not God created the waster to destroy?
And hath not he power over him ? Aud doth not he limit hira
in the midst of his destroying work ? But did God create
him to destroy his heritage? or wiU God suffer him so to
do? They may indeed destroy the buildings which are uot
of God? but God is the wise, great AIa.ater-buUder, who
counted his cost before he began, and kuew he Avas able to
maintain his building, against all the oppositions and op
posers, Avhich could rise up against it.
Query 9. Can auy weapon formed agaiust the covenant
of life, aud the chUdren thereof, AAdio are taught of God,
and have peace from him, and Avho are established by him
in righteousness, — I say, can any Aveapon formed agaiust
these prosper? Every tongue that riseth up in judgment
against them, doth not the holy tongue condemn? Is not
this the heritage of the servants of the Lord, in this our
day? And doth not the Lord say (whatever men saj' to the
contrary) that their righteousness is of him? Indeed, AA'ho-
ever receiveth the true righteousness, receiveth it from the
hand of the Lord, and knoAveth it to be of him.
Aud this testimony we have, even from the Spirit of the
Lord, who taketh aAvay our uurighteousuess and filthy gar
ments, and giveth us righteousness from and in his Son's
righteousness, even the very same Avherewith the Son him
self Avas clothed. For as the seed is but ouCj and of one,
Heb. ii. 11. so the righteousness is but one also. Be uot
hasty iu spirit, but Avait to understand in the light aud Spirit
of the Lord, Avhich is Avisdom's place of giA'iug true under
standing to her disciples.
It is true, there hath been great darkuess, and the true
church hath been iu the wilderness, and the remnant of her
seed hunted and persecuted up aud down the earth by the
fidse church, Avhich hath been cried up for the true. But,
blessed be the Lord, the darkness is passing away, aud the
true light shining again ; Avhich Ught discovers and redeems

ISAACPENINGTON. 205
out of all that is false, into that which is true; so that he
that is truth, and uo lie, is agaiu Icuoaa-u, and he speaketh
truth and no lie, aud he anointeth Avith the true and holy
oil of life aud salvatiou, all that are truly Uving. Aud uoaa-
the kingdom of darkness is going doAvn, and the kiugdom
of our Lord Jesus Christ raising up aud exalting; which is
an inward kingdom, a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom of life,
a kiugdom of peace, a kingdom . of righteousness, a kiug
dom of holy power aud dominion OA'er siu aud death in thc
heart. And this Avill spread aud increase, to the blessing
of persons, families, and nations (as they come to be sensi
ble of and subject to the holy Ught aud poAver thereof),
Avith the blessings of A^braham, AA'herewith all families aud
nations are to be blessed, as they come to be unleavened
from the serpentine spirit and Avisdom, aud leavened with
the iunocency aud righteousness of the Lamb's uature aud
Spirit. The mighty God carry ou his Avork, by the same mighty
arm of strength whereAvith he began it; and open the eyes
of this nation, that they may see their p-roper hope and in
terest; for indeed the Lord hath great Ioa'C to this natiou,
aud blessing iu store for it (for the seed's sake Avhich he
hath soAvn and caused to spring up iu it); though mauy
trials aud tribulations must first be passed through, and the
spirit of enmity aud opposition against the appearance of
God's Holy Spirit aud power AVorn out. Oh that meu could
come to that AA-hich gives the eye-sight, that therel)y they
might see aright, and uo longer take the rise of their seeing
from that spirit and Avisdom, which misrepresents thiugs.
Written in Reading jail, in thc teuder love, true inno
cency, and uprightness of my heart ; Avhich the Lord hath
given me to suffer AA-ith for his truth's sake; about the lat
ter end ofthe 4th month, 1671. Isaac Penington.

Vol. IIL— 18

THE
HOLY TRUTH AND PEOPLE
DEFEXDED: AND SOME OP THE
WEAPONS ANI) STRENGTH
OF T II E
POWEE OP DAEKNESS, BEOKEN AND SCATTEEED
BY THE
LIGHT AXD POAVER OF TRUTH,
IN
j^ js[ A.:isrs"WEii TO THE
Chief Passages in a Letter, written to me, aud replied
to by me, before ray Imprisonment in this Place.
Where I have been a Prisoner above a Year and a Half, without
any Law broken, or Cause given on my Part, who only came
Innocently and Peaceably to Visit my Priends in Prison.
By me ISAAC PENINGTON,
Prisoner for the Testimony ov Truth (for could I have denied
Truth, I might have avoided the Snare), at Eeading Jail.
The Bows of the Mighty are broken ; and they that
stumbled are girt with Strengtli. 1 Sam. ii. 4.

209

THE PREFACE.
A Letter was sent me from a dear friend of mine (bear
ing date the fifth of the elcA-enth month, 1671), who had
loug been greatly distressed, and could not find relief in
the way of her former profession and church-fellowship;
tor whom I greatly travailed Avith the Lord, and towards
Avhom my spirit Avas made very tender by him. I still felt
the seal of God's love and mercy toAvards her, even in her
loAvest condition, deepest despair, and sorest captivity,
through her great and manifold temptations ; and my testi
mony to her at times, from the Lord, on this behalf, was
sometimes of use to her, to bear up her spirit, till the day
of God's visiting and redeeming her, with the virtue aud
healing poAver of his salvation ; which, blessed be his name,
she hath since had sweet experience of, and true peace and
joy in knowing the true Head, holding him in the faith,
and being held by him.
Xow, this letter of an ancient accj^uaintance of mine, which
I had answered long ago, one that belonged to Sir Henry
Vane (as she signified in her letter to me) desired she should
see ; which is said to be an answer to a letter of mine. If
my answer had gone along with it, I should have took no
further notice ofit; but it going without my answer, lest it
should do hurt to those to whom the Lord hath done or is
doing good, I am engaged in spirit to reply somewhat to it,
aud to giA-e forth to others Avhat the Lord giveth iu to me,
upon this new occasion. How greatly, truly, and purely I
have loved the mau, I will not boast (the Lord knoweth,
with AA'hose knowledge herein I am content) : but, oh that
this his paper might not be laid to his charge at the great
day! which (I am afraid) it will, unless he repent ofit; for
indeed, it is not a fruit of life firom God's Holy Spirit; but
of the growth of Egypt and Babylon.

210 THE WOEKS OP
It was sent me in the form of a book, as if it had been
sent abroad for special service. There was no name at it,
as if it Avere an arroAV to fiy in the dark, and wound se
cretly: but no Aveapon formed against the Israel of God
shall prosper, either frora this hand, or any other; aud
every tongue that riseth tip agaiust them to judgment will
God condemn. This is the heritage of the despised people
and servants ofthe living God in this our day; Avhose right
eousness is the righteousness of his Son bestowed upon
them, Avherewith he himself hath clothed them, as the
anointed eye noAV seeth, and all eyes shall one day see, and
tongues confess, to the glory of God the Father.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 211

THE HOLY TRUTH AND PEOPLE DEFENDED.
He excepteth against those Avords of mine to him in a
former letter (of Jan. 24. Avhich I have not here by me).
That Avhen his eyes are opened by the Lord, he shall then
acknowledge that avc oppose no truths of the Lord, but
hold forth Avhat Ave have received from hira.
To which he thus replieth: Is redemption by Christ's
blood uo truth of the Lord's? Which he chargeth one of
us iu particular, and many others in general, Avith denying.
Aus. We are gathered into that, and abide in that, in
which uo truth can be denied; and are in him that leadeth
into all truth, and teacheth to deny no truth, that ever Avas
held forth by the Spirit of the Lord. Some of us may not
3-et be groAvn up in uuderstauding iuto the mysteries of the
kingdom, which God hath revealed and made manifest to
others; but yet avo do not deny, but oavu oue another iu
our scA-eral measures of knoAA-ledgc aud seuse of things, aud
in our several OTOAvths. And aa-c oavu aud ackuoAvleds-e, in
God's sight, the scA-eral dispensations he hath brought forth,
both before the laAA^, and under tho laAV and p'ropheis, and
iu the time of Christ's appearance in the flesh; and after,
when he sent his Spirit, aud all the time the churcli Avas in
the Avilderness, and now she is coming forth again, in the
brightuess aud glory of the Father, looking fair as the
morning, clear as the suu, terrible as au array Avith banners.
Xor do Ave disown auy thing that is of God in the profess
ors of this age; but only that AA-hich we knoAV, and are re
quired by hira to testify against, as being not of him. Oh
that they could Aveigh our words and testimony iu a right
spirit! for they would not then be so ofi'ended at, and speak
so against us, as now they do. And the Lord kuoAveth avc
would do anything that lieth iu us to remove the stumbling-
blocks that lie before them; but it cannot be done to that
spirit in them, before which God Almighty hath laid the

212 THE WOEKS OP
stumbliug-block, that it might stumble, and fall, and be
snared, aud broken, and taken. But if they could come
into another Spirit, and feel unity Avith, and the birth of,
another Spirit, the birth of that pure wisdom should find no
stumbliug-block or oft'ence in this precious dispensation of
truth, Avherewith God from on high hath visited us.
Aud as for denying redemption by tlie blood of Christ, oh !
how will he ansAverthis charge to God, AA-hen none upon
the earth (as the Lord God kuoAveth) arc so taught, aud do
so rightly and fully owu redemption by the blood of Christ,
as the Lord hath taught us to do ! for w-e oavu the blood of
tho Lord Jesus Christ, both outwardly aud iuAvardly; both
as it Avas shed on the cross, and as it is sprinkled in our con
sciences; and know the cleansing virtue thereof in the ev
erlasting covenant, and iu the light Avhich is eternal; out
of Avhich light meu have but a notion thereof, but do not
truly know nor oavu it. And let him consider, before the
time of antichrist, it was a great matter to know and own
Christ outAvardlj-, as he appeared iu that body; but since
the antichristian spirit had got that, the distinguishing
knowledge aud OAvning of Christ is, to know and oavu him
inAvardly. The outAA'ard knoAvledge and confession now (as
it is generally separated from, and held forth iu way of dis
tinction from the iuAvard) is but the knoAvledge aud confes
sion of Babylon, aud not the true, liA-iug knowledge and
confession of Christ, in and by the Spirit of tho Father,
AAdiich is the knoAvledge and confession of all the true and
heavenly mother, Avhich is the mother of all that are born
of the Spirit.
He repeateth those Avords of mine. That Ave do not make
auy finite thing our righteousness; but Christ of God is
made unto us righteousness. This, he saith, is well spo
ken, aud Avisheth Ave raay ahvays abide in this confession.
Ans. These Avords arose in rae from an iuAA^ard feelino' of
O
him Avho giA-eth righteousness, and of the righteousness
given ; aud the Lord preserving me in that life, I shall feel
so for ever, and confess so for ever. And trulj^ I can tes
tify of no other righteousness ; for, blessed be the name of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 213
my God, I feel the righteousness of his Son revealed in me
daily, from faith to faith. In his name I have been gath
ered, in his name I live, and in him I feel righteousness;
and indeed there is nothing but righteousness, holiness,
truth, Ufe, and salvation (and the like) in hira.
And he that is truly in hira, is righteous and holy in him ;
there being in him a uoav creating of all that are there, and
a renewing into the holy and heavenly image, which con
sists in the righteousness and holiness of truth.
He desireth me to give a plain answer to this question :
Is Christ of God made our righteousness by faith in his
blood, or in his Spirit ?
Ans. A pretended faith in Christ's blood, without faith
in his Spirit, is but dead and notional. "Except ye eat my
flesh, and drink ray blood (saith Christ) ye have no life in
you. It is the Spirit that quickeneth : the flesh (saith he)
jirofiteth nothing." Xow the faith must be in that which
quickeneth, and the faith in that AA-hich quickeneth is holy
and righteous, and the man who is found in it is justified,
through that faith in the quickening poAver, in the sight of
God. Thus Abraham was justified in the sight of God ;
and thus are the children of Abraham to be justified, even
through believing in that holy power and Spirit Avhich re
quireth obedience, and justifieth the obedient, and con-
demneth the disobedient for ever. Rom. iv. 24.
He saith, He fears a snake in this green grass, when I
say. From his life, virtue, aud power revealed in us, is our
conformity to him.
Ans. It Avere better and safer for him to fear at home;
for the snake is. in his OAvn grass, and many notional, high,
soaring expressions, without true knoAvledge. But can
there be any conformity to Christ Avithout his life, virtue,
aud poAver inwardly revealed? AVhat else can conform
unto, and bring forth in, the image and likeness of Christ?
He saith. He feareth lest I make this Ufe and virtue our
righteousness, which is indeed the fruits of it.
Ans. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by Avords Avith
out knoAvledge, and runneth out from the truth into his

214 THE WOEKS OP
own imaginations? What Avas Christ's righteousness? Was
it not the life, the virtue, the Spirit of the Father in him, he
beiug one with it, in the faith of it, aud in the obedience to
it? And is not the righteousness of the head and the body
the same, communicated from the head to the body? Are
they not all of one, and the righteousness one and the same
in both? So much of Christ's SpirU, so much of his right-
eousuess; aud out ofhis Spirit, out of his righteousness for
evermore. For the righteousness of the Sou is revealed,
aud communicated from faith to faith, iu his Spirit; and so
Christ is indeed made righteousness to them that are fouud iu
his Spirit; aud they are covered with the garment of right
eousness aud sah-ation, who are covered Avith his Spirit.
He saith. Our righteousiiess is before this.
Aus. AVhat! is our righteousness before auj^ of the life,
virtue, andpoAver of Christ revealed iuus? Is God a respec
ter of persons? Doth he justify any out of the holy cove
naut before he hath made a change iu him? Hoaa- doth this
man, with his vain imaginations, turn the whole way aud
counsel of God upside doAvn.
He brings a scripture to proA^e this. The spirit is life for
righteousness' sake.
Aus. That scripture (Avhich is Rom. viii. 10.) speaks of
those in Avliom Christ is aud chvells; and there indeed "the
body is dead because of sin, aud the spirit is Ufe because of
righteousness." This is plainly spoken, and plainly felt
aud known as it is spoken. Oh that he had the true sense
and understauding ofit as it is iu Jesus!
He saith. Righteousness is in order of nature before sanc
tification. Aus. That AA-hich is holy is righteous; there is nothing
righteous in the eyes of thc pure God but that Avliich is
holy. The head Avas really holy aud righteous, aud they
that are in hira partake of his hoUness and righteousness,
and are really holy and righteous in hira ; aud faith, Avhich
purifies the heart, and through Avhich sanctification is, raust
needs be iu order of uature before the justification which is
by it; for God justifieth no unbelievers, but believers only.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 215
Yea, the wicked must forsake his Avay, and the unrighteous
man his thoughts, and turn uuto the Lord; which cannot
possibly be without sorae degree of sanctification, before
the Lord will have mercy, and pardon the soul its sins. Isa.
Iv. 7. and chap. i. 16, 17, 18.
He saith. Justification is an act of grace passed upon us
by God freely, without respect to us as godly; nay, properly
reflecting on us iu that moment as ungodly.
Ans. I charge this in the sight of God for absolutel}- false
doctrine, and contrary to the gospel. For God justifleth no
man as ungodly; but calleth upon raen to repent, and turn
from their ungodliness, and he will have mercy upon thera,
justify and save them. Xoav men are not ungodly in turn
ing from their ungodliness, but changed; and so their state
is in some measure chauged before justified. If Abraham
was ungodly Avhen God called upon him; yet in forsaking
his OAVU country, and foUoAving the Lord, aud offering up
his son, he was obedient, and not ungodly, aud in that obe
dience he was justified. A mau may have notious of justi
fication in his mind, and accordingly take hiraself to be
justified, Avhen he is not; but there is no man justified by
the Lord till he be changed, translated into him in whom
God justifieth, out of the place of condemnation into the
place of justification. For 'till men are changed by the
Spirit and power ofthe Lord, they are but darkness, and in
the darkness, Avhere no justification is. It is the believing,
the obedient, the children of light, that are justified by the
Lord. He saith. Were we godly before or at that time, it were
no act of grace to pronounce us righteous.
Ans. He that Avitnesseth salvation in Christ Jesus, wit
nesseth it to be a continued act of grace. Grace appears to
the soul, grace teacheth, grace enableth, grace maketh a
change from the ungraciousness of the heart and state ; aud
then grace (or God by his grace in and through Jesus Christ)
forgiveth the sins that Avere comraitted before. For though
the Lord visit me Avith life, quicken me thereby, make a
change in my heart and state; yet it is his mercy to accept

216 THE WOEKS OP
me, and to pass by for his name's sake ray former debts aud
trespasses against him. Alas ! the ucav covenant is Avholly
a covenant of grace and mercy ; aud the giving of Christ,
drawing the mind to him, accepting aud justifying in him,
are works of grace and mercy towards his. So the spiritual
Israel may well sing this song in the land of holiuess aud
redemption, "0 praise the Lord! for he is good, and his
raercy endureth for ever." I can truly set ray seal to this
thing ; that the more holy and righteous the Lord maketh
me in his Son, the more seusible am I of his love, grace,
and mercy, in justifying of rae; and it is precious to me to
Avitness justification aud acceptance with him in aud through
his Sou.
He saith further. But this is the bounty, the freeness, the
munificence, the riches of the grace of God, to call thiugs
that are not as though they were.
Ans. Take heed of abusing that scripture. God seut
Christ to renew, to redeem, to change, to make holy and
righteous, to make people such as the Father might be
pleased Avith, accept, aud justify; and as Christ maketh
them so, the Father receiveth and accepteth them as such.
But God doth distinguish and call thiugs as they are. He
doth uot call au ungodly mau a holy man, a justified man;
but Avhen he hath chauged him, ucav created him in Christ
Jesus, took him out of his old stock, aud planted him into
the ucav; then he accouuteth and calleth him so, and not be
fore. It Avere better for men to Avait upon God to under
stand AA-hat his Spirit meant iu Avhat he spake, thau to put
formed meanings of their oavu upon his Avords.
He Avrests my words, charging and reproving me, as if I
said. The love of God was a bare thing.
Aus. Those were uot my Avords, nor did my Avords so sig
nify ; but my words w-ere. That it is not by bare loving (or
mere loving, or only loving) that God makes a man right
eous ; Avhich is very true and manifest : for there is, besides
his love (iu aud through that love) the sending of his Son,
and reveaUug of his Sou, drawing to and transplanting into
his Son, to make holy and righteous in him. For holiness.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 217
though it may be distinguished, yet it cannot be divided
from righteousness; nor can a man possibly be righteous iu
God's sight, unless he be also holy in some raeasure. His
reflecting words hereupon I pass by, though very unjustly
and unchristianly cast upon me (without auy just occasion
given him by words), which I desire the Lord may make
him seusible of, that he raay be forgiven it.
He blameth me for saying, AVe raake no finite thing our
righteousness, and yet he saith. We raake the measure of
the Spirit (which each raeraber of Christ receives) our
righteousness. Ans. A raeasure hath the sarae nature Avith the fulness.
A measure of the Spirit and life, of the grace and truth
which comes from Jesus Christ, hath the same nature that
the fulness hath. All the Ufe, all the new creation that
coraes frora hira, and dwells in him, is righteous, and found
righteous wherever it is fouud. Yet I do not remember
that we haA'e thus expressed it, that that measure is our
righteousness; but it is he who is the fulness, who is re-
A'ealed in that measure; and it is he who is our righteous
ness, our wisdom, our sanctification, our redemption; but
it is in the holy, pure measure of the heavenly gift that he is
made thus of God to us, not out of it.
He saith. The Lord our righteousness redeems us, not
properly by the Ufe and Spirit of his Godhead; though that
Avas in the work, supporting, euabliug him, and cai-rying
hira up, in that great undertaking; but by the death and
sufl'erings of his manhood.
Ans. This is strange doctrine, to raake the manhood the
main Redeemer, and the Ufe and Spirit of the Godhead but
the supporter aud carrier up of the man in the Avork of re
demption; whereas it was the Word Avhich created all,
which also redeemed; he that left his glory, and made him
self of no reputation, but carae in the form 'of a sei-A-ant, to
do the Avill. It was the Spirit and life of the Father (even
the eternal Son) Avhich took up that body, appeared iu that
body, ofi"ered it up a pure and acceptable sacrifice to the
Vol. HL— 19

218 THE WOEKS OP
Father, finishing the AVork therein which the Father gave
him to do. John xvii. 4, 5.
He saith. Shall we think to ansAver the law by our obe
dience ?
Ans. We do not look upon the laAv of Moses, which was
given to the Jew outward, to be the dispensation ofthe new
covenant, or to be the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Je
sus; but those AA'ho are iu the new covenant, and have God's
law Avritten iu their hearts, and his fear put there, which
preserveth frora departing from him, and his Spirit put
within them, to cause them to walk in his ways, and to
keep his statutes and judgments, aud do them; aud who
live in the Spirit, and walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit, — ^the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in these. Yet
they do not magnify and cry up their own obedience (nor
call it their righteousness), but him from Avhom their obe
dience coraes. For iu the measure of his grace and living
truth the soul is one Avith him; and all that he is, and all
that he hath done, is theirs; and it is he himself that is the
righteousness of all that are in him: and they that abide in
him partake of his righteousness from day to day, Avhich
floweth in like a stream upon them.
I Avish he could consider in what spirit it is that he calls
the Asdiite stone a ticket for the righteousness. Doth he
knoAV tbe white stone AA'ith the ucav name? It is no less than
the foundation-stone, than the righteousness itself; and
what doth he talk of bringing that as a ticket for the right
eousness? He seemeth to pass by some things (which I speak in ten
der loA-e and weightiuess of spirit to him) as the judgment
of man in his day; but let hira take heed, Avhen he conies
to appear before God, he then [avUI] find it was the judgment
of God's Spirit in the light of his day; w-hich day is inward
and spiritual, Avhich believers are to hasten to, and which
approacheth in every heart, as the night spendeth and pass
eth away. And all true Christians and believers ought to
Avait for the passing away of the night, and the dawning of
this day, and the arising of the day-star in their hearts.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 219
He saith, Christ is now ready to be revealed. '
Ans. I believe he is to be revealed further, and iu fuller
glory; but he is truly already revealed as thc Saviour, Shep
herd, aud Bishop ofthe soul; aud mauy are gathered home
to their resting-place in him, Avhich, Avhile they Avere scat
tered up and doAvn upon the barren mountains (before the
Shepherd appeared aud made himself manifest) they could
not fiud.
He seems to strike at the peace aud joy Avhich is of God,
aud to give it a dash. Because minds estranged from the
eulightenings and convictions of God have much peace iu
their ways, and such are under delusions.
Ans. We do uot tell men of the peace aud joy Ave have
iu our God boastingly ; but iu a faithful way of testimouy
concerning, and iuA-itatiou to, AAdiat avc once Avanted, but
noAv have fouud, under the leadings of the true Shepherd.
And the peace and joy which he gives, is an evidence aud
assurance in the hearts of those to Avhora it is given by hira.
And they that have been greatly distressed for Avant of the
Lord, and his poAverful arm of salvation, having met with
it, it riseth up from life iu them to testify aud say to others,
Lo! this is our God, we have waited for him, and we will be glad
and rejoice in his salvation. And oh that ye also Avere stripped
of this dead, notional, comprehensive kuoAvledge concern
ing the Saviour! That ye might meet Avith the SaAdour him
self, aud receive that knowledge from him Avhich is life
eternal. And this, with the true peace and joy thereof from
him, ye would find uo delusion.
He speaketh. Of suft'ering loss, and of phrases and ex
pressions: Better (said he) to suft'er loss iu these, thau them
selves to be destroyed.
Ans. Let him apply this home. Oh that he saAv how
those phrases and expressions, aud imaginary knoAvledge,
Avhich he hath brought forth iu this letter, stand iu his way
to hinder the true kuoAvledge ; aud that he caunot possibly
receive the true knoAA'ledge without being emptied of these,
and parting with them for the excellency of the knoAvledge
of the truth as it is in Jesus; and without the true knoAvl-

220 THE WOEKS OP
edge of Jesus, men cannot but perish, and be overtaken
with destruction.
Then for being helpful to estabUsh persons in grace.
Ans. Such kind of doctrines as these do not tend thereto.
They may estabUsh raen in such a notion of grace as he
hath formed; but they neither tend to lead to, nor establish
in, the grace itself, but keep raen frora it. Xay, lean traly
say it frora hira that is true, that he himself cannot receive
the grace, the thing itself, till he part with these notions.
And oh that he raight know the stone cut out of the moun
tain without hands to dash his image ! that the Living One
(who gives life) raight be received by hira, in that raeasure
of grace and truth which he inwardly dispenses to all that
travel out of the darkness of their own imaginations and
conceivings upon the Scriptures into his pure light.
The main reason he giveth why he is not satisfied with
that Avhich I sent him, concerning the sum and substance
of the true religion, is ; because it fights with his notions,
even a stating of our righteousness with God, according to
his imagination ; which is absolutely a mere dream, which
he hath dreamed of in the night, and not seen in the light
of the day. For the cry of the Spirit of the Lord is in the
gospel-day; " Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation,
which keepeth the truth, raay enter in." This is the truth,
as God hath revealed by his oavu Spirit, in this our day; but
to say this speaks of our state in hira, without Avitnessing it
in ourselves, is but a mere dreara ; and men cannot bring
forth fruit to God, nor be lovely and pleasing in his eyes,
but as their fallow ground is ploughed up, the thorus, this
tles, briars, and that which is unclean and unholy, removed.
Christ, he saith, is the beaA-enly man, and mansion in
whom we are thus blessed, and in whom we sit down in a
state of rest and reconciliation, heavenly and diA'ine, before
and without the consideration of any works of righteous
ness which we have wrought, &c.
Ans. If he means this concerning the full sitting down in
rest, it is directly contrary to scripture. For none sit down
in that full rest, before and without consideration of works

ISAAC PENINGTON. 221
of righteousness Avrought by them. For that great judg
ment is a time of rendering to every man according to his
works. Rest is the reward of the traveller, and his travels
are not despised, but considered in his reward. Mark ; ev
ery one that improved the talent, had a rcAvard from his
lord. "And come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kiugdom prepared for you : for I Avas au hungered, and ye
gave me meat," &c. Mat. xxv. And the apostle is of the
sarae mind A\'ith Christ, Avhen he saith, '• It is a righteous
thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that
trouble you, and to you rest," &c. 2 Thes. i. 6, 7. So that
persons do not sit down iu eternal blessedness in Christ,
before or without consideration of any Avorks Avrought by
them. And then for sitting cIoavu iu an heavenly, divine state of
righteousness, rest, and peace in him here; it is a glorious
state to be travelled to. There must be a translating out of
the kingdom of darkuess, into the kingdom of the dear Son
first. The kingdom must first be come, aud the soul pre
pared to enter into it, at the gate AA-hich the Spirit opens to
him in the Avay of the gospel. For it is oue thing to know
somoAvhat of Christ, and to begin to become a disciple;
and auother thing to learn of him so to deny a man's own
wisdom and will, as to come to receive and be born of that
AA'hich is true and living ofhim; and to learn to Avait aright
for the opening of the gate, and entering iuto the kingdom
and land of Ufe, and to be prepared to sit doAvn Avith him.
For there is a state of discipleship, Avhereiu a man hardly
knoweth a'settlement, so much as how to AA'atch Avith Christ
rightly and constantly; but it is a great matter to be able
to dAvell and abide Avith hira. Xone can do this, but he that
can divell with devouring fire ami everlasting burnings: for the
pure word of Ufe is a fire, aud he that sits doAvn in the
heavenly place in hira, must sit down in that fire.
This he reckons the firm, stable state, Avhich indeed is no
state at all. There is not a state iu Christ without being in
Christ; and then the state is according to the soul's being
in Christ: for then the work of regeneration, the work of

222 THE WOEKS OP
sanctification, the work of justifying, &c., goeth on; and a
man is Avith God, according as he is framed and new cre
ated in Christ, and not otherAvise. So that the life and power
ofthe Lord Jesus Christ is found judging and condemning
whatever is not of God ; and justifying only what is of God
in him. For the soul then coraes into the ucav covenant,
Avhich requireth and justifieth that which is new, all that is
wrought iu God; aud condemueth all that is Avrought out
of him. And so here is the true sense and knowledge of
sin, by the uoav and pure law ofthe new covenant; and the
Advocate Icuoavu, and repentance given by hira upon all oc
casions, to those that Avait upou him, and the sprinkling of
the blood, aud the remission upon repentance. This is the
noAv, living way of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he hath
consecrated for all his (made known in the demonstration
of his Spirit) Avhich Avill stand for ever; whereas men's ap
prehensions about those things, which they have gathered
and comprehended of themselves out of the Scriptures (in
the supposed light of their natural reason aud understand
ing), are but dreams, and will A'anish even in their own
hearts, if ever the true light arise there.
He saith, This state cau never fall, nor be finally fallen
from. Ans. There is a way of coming to Christ, and there is a
way of preserA-ation in Christ. For there is a power that
redeems; and men are preserved by that power in subjec
tion to it. And so every one, that thinketh he standeth, is to
fear, and to take heed lest he fall; aud uot to boast and say, I
am in a state of justification, ivhich is firm and cannot be moved;
and it cannot fall, nor be finally- fallen from. "For ye are
kept by the power of God, through faith uuto salvation."
Keep to the power \A-hich preserves, "hold .that fast which
thou hast, let uo man take thy crown." Keep the faith,
raake not shipwreck of it, and of a good conscience. Oh
that raen knew the right doctrine and Avay of coming to
Christ ! which they caunot do, till they are taught of the
Father, John vi. 45. and the right doctrine and way of
standing and abiding in him. For truly meu's professed

ISAAC PENINGTON. 223
coming to Christ, beUeving and standing at this day, is gen
erally notional, outward, without; but not in the iuAvard
life and power itself, Avithout which no man cau come to
him, nor stand nor abide in him.
He chargeth us. With setting up a covenant of works; al
ways doing and never done; a covenant to be performed by us,
for ourselves, not by Christ for us.
Aus. I Avould he saw in the true light hoAv unjust aud
untrue this charge is. For the Lord God of life knoweth
that he himself hath taught us the uoav covenaut, and
thereby taught us to wait upon himself iu his Sou, to Avorlc
all our Avorks in us aud for us ; and this avc daily experi
ence, that Ave cau Avork nothing, but as he Avorks in us.
Therefore our AA'hole course is a waiting on him in stillness,
to witness him appearing and doing all in us; and blessed
be his name, we do not wait iu vain. But if he think all
Avorks are excluded out of the new covenant, he greatly err-
eth; for the works of God's Spirit are required and have a
place therein ; and God aud Christ (the King and Shepherd)
is the Judge of his people iu the iieAv covenaut, and justifi
eth or coudemneth according to the laAV thereof. In tho
faith and obedience he justifieth; in the unbelief and diso
bedience he condemns, without respect of persons.
And it is a jj^'ccious thing iu the gospel ministration to
corae to God, the Judge of all, and to witness true judgment
set up by God in a man's own heart; that by the ministra
tion ofthe pure judgment there, the soul may come to learn
righteousness, of the holy Teacher and Shepherd, even the
Lord Jesus Christ, who is just aud faithful under his Fa
ther, in the impartial ministration ofthe new coA-enant.
Hereupon several charges he brings against us, through
his own mistakes and misapphreheusions of us.
As, First, That our doctrine implies free-will and poAver
in the creature.
Ans. We have never experienced free-Avill nor power, as
of ourselves, but as Ave have been turned to God's power,
and received it frora hira ; nor did Ave ever testify to others,
that they could receive and erabrace truth in their own will,

224 THE WOEKS OF
and by their own power. Oh that this person had true dis
cerning of, and were severed frora, that spirit which thus
chargeth us ! For whoever receives this testimony concern
ing the inward light of our Lord Jesus Christ, shall never
find himself able to do anything therein by his own will
and power; but there Avituesseth God's begetting hira out
of his owu Avill, by the life and power of truth.
Secondly, He chargeth it. That it maketh the election
of God altogether frustraneous.
Ans. Election of the seed, iu the seed, it doth not at all
make frustraneous; but men's Avrong apprehensions con
cerning election out of the seed, the true doctrine of election
doth not consist with. He hath chosen us in him. So that
in him, to Avit, iu Christ, the choice is ; and he that will nmke
his election sure, must make the seed sure to him; growing in
the nature thereof, Avherein the election is to the truly obe
dient. He saith. Our righteousness with God is the foundation.
Ans. But is there uot somewhat, which is the foundation
of our righteousness Avitli God? And can Ave be righteous
Avith God, till we come to that foundation, and be made
righteous by it? Must we uot first believe iu him? And is
not faith a gift which coraes frora the holy root, and maketh
a change in them iu AA'hom this gift is fo^md? Doth uot
faith make a difference betAveen thera that believe, and them
that believe not? So that, so soon as ever there is true faith,
and it thus works, the state is changed; aud there is uo justi
fication before faith. For iu the unbelief is the condemna
tion for ever. "He that believeth not, is condeinned al
ready." And what! is he justified there too, at the same
tirae? Was Abraham, our father, justified iu the unbeUef
and disobedience, or iu belieAdug and obeying God? For
what saith the scripture? "Abraham believed God, and it
Avas counted to hira for righteousness."
That which I spoke of, he saith. Is but the fruit and
superstructure. Ans. AVhen Christ directs men to the seed of the king
dom, doth he direct unto the fruit and superstructure? I

ISAAC PENINGTON. 225
spoke there of the seed, of the light, of the holy Spirit, of
the quickening virtue ; is that the the superstructure ? Or is
that the fruit of men's being made righteous? Xay; must
they uot turn to that, receive that, believe iu that, even in the
light of God's Spirit (for they are the true and right beUev
ers), before a man can come to be made righteous, or ac
counted righteous in the eyes of the Lord? For none are
righteous, but iu him ; aud all are out of him, till they be
gathered into him.
He instanceth iu one passage of mine (in a book entitled,
"The Sum or Substance of our Religion, Avho are called
Quakers") — the words are these: This is the sum of all,
CA-en to know and experience what is to be brought down
into death, aud kept in death ; what to be brought up out
of the grave, to Uve to God, and reign in his dominion ; and
AA-hat to be kept in subjection aud obedieuce to him, AA-ho is
to reign. Xow to experience it thus done in the heart, the
flesh brought doAA-n, the seed of life raised, and the soul
subject to the pure, heavenly power, Avhose right it is to
reign in the heart, in and by the seed, — this is a blessed state
indeed; for here the work is done, &c. These Avere ray
words. Xow raind: God is the teacher in the ucav covenaut.
Xow he that hath learned this of him, hath he not learned
the true religion ? Aud is not this a full sum and substance
of religion? AVhen the apostle saith, "Pure religion, and
undefiled before God, is to visit the fatherless," &e. Alas!
might this spirit have said against the blessed apostle, that
is not the pure religion (not the sum or substance of pure
and undefiled reUgion), that is but a fruiter superstructure!
Oh that raen had true sense and understanding! That they
might savor the AA'ords that come from God's Spirit, and
the words that corae frora their oavu spirit ; and raight not
be ofi'ended at that which is true, pure, and living of hira.
But having disUked this sura, he giveth one of his OAvn,
in these words following: I say, the sum, and that Avhich
first and mainly imports us to know, as the Lord hath
taught me, is; That the old raan is crucified with Christ,

226 THE WO.EKS OP
and brought doAvn iuto his grave, and that Ave are risen to
gether Avitli him, by the faith of the operation of God ; and
from this faith to be Avorkiug Avith God; to mortify our
merabers that are on the earth.
Aus. Doth uot Christ send his apostles to preach the gos
pel, and give thera this message, "That God is light;" and
to turn their minds to the true light, that they might be
enlightened by it? Doth it riot import men first to know
that Avhereby they might be crucified, before they cau
knoAV themselves crucified thereby? So that Christ did
judge this as the first thing necessary to be Icuoavu in the
preaching of the gospel ; and bid men preach the Ught, and
turn men to the light, aud to the inward appearance aud
A-oice of God's Avord in their hearts. And what! are men
risen together with him, by the faith of the operation of
God, Avhile they are yet in their sins, in their ungodly state?
And hoAV can any witness the faith of the operation of God
in this state? Xoav it had been better he had forborne af
firming, that the Lord taught him thus ; for truly the Lord
never taught auy thus. This is not truth from God, uor
Avill it be OAvned by the Lord as his truth, AA-hen he comes
to appear before him ; aud he should have took it to him
self, aud not have put the name ofthe Lord to it.
But against this his oavu doctriue, he raiseth au objection
in these AA'^ords ; Shall avc mortify that Avliich is mortified
already ?
His answer is ; The old man Avhich is crucified together
Avith Christ, is the state of the flesh, aud of enmity. This
is past aAvay, and in this is the concern of our righteous
ness, and justification properly.
That AA'hich remains to be mortified, are our members
upou earth, Avhich are the fruits of that evil state; and in
the mortifying of these, is the concern of our sanctification.
The Avill of God is done iu heaven, &c.
Ans. Paul speaks of the laAv of sin in his members; and
he also speaks of the body of death, and cries out agaiust
that; "OhAvretched mau that I am," saith he, "Avho shall
deliver me from the body ofthis death?" He felt somewhat

ISAAC PENINGTON. 227
that nourished and gave strength to the laAV of sin in his
members, and looked upon himself as wretched, till he
could meet with deliverance therefrom. Xoav sorae are of
opinion that there is no beiug delivered from the body of
sin, while in this life. Dost thou look upon it to be done
in Christ, for us, Avithout us; but never to be done by
Christ in us? Let me tell thee, if ever thou corae to witness
the pure, eternal light of the Lord Jesus Christ revealed iu
thee ; that Avill not fiud out sorae merabers on earth onlj-,
but the A-ery body thereof; and .shoAv thee the necessity of
the putting off that body from thee, and that circumcision
whereby it is to be done, Avhich is the circumcision of
Christ. Alark the promise ofthe ucav coA-euant: "I Avill
circumcise thine heart, and the -heart of thy seed, to love
the Lord thy God with all thine heart, that thou mayest
live." Is not this the circumcision of Christ? Doth uot this
cut oft" the body of the sins of the fiesh, iu the particular
Avhere this is Avitnessed ? This is the truth, as it is in Jesus,
even "to put off the old raau Avith his deeds." It doth not
say. The body is put ofi-' in Christ without us, and raen must
only put off the members or deeds; but, they must 2nd ofi' the
body, aud come to Avitness in themselves the very nature,
spirit, root, aud principle from Avhence they proceed, cut
doAvn and destroyed in thera. They raust feel the axe laid
to ihe root of the corrupt tree, aud it cut down in thera (not
think it enough to say, it is done in Christ for thera); yea,
they must also witness ihe Lord arising to shake terribly the
earth, in which the tree greAV ; that so the place of dragons
and serpents (where each lay in times past) raay hencefor
ward become the place of hoUness ; Avhere grass may grow,
and the new plants and fiowers ofthe paradise of God.
And how is the wiU of God done in heaven ? Is it done in
heaven after this raanner ? Have mercy and righteousness
the preeminence, the leading of the van? (they are his
OAvn words) and said to go before, and look dowu from
heaven after this, manner (the body of sin being put oft" iu
Christ there) ? Are there not those here on earth, who dwell
in heaven? whose conversation is in heaven; even the wit-

228 THE WOEKS OP
nesses to God's holy truth, who are ascended up above the
spirit of this world, and dAveU in God''s holy Spirit; and
who walk in the light, as God is in the light? Hell is not
far frora the wicked; nor is heaven far from them who are
renewed in the spirits of their minds, and who witness the
passing away of the old thiugs, and the new creation in
Christ. Oh that he could look back (in a true sense) and
see hoAV he hath Avrested those scriptures ! Psal. Ixxxv. 9,
10, 11. Isa. iv. 2. and Ephes. ii. 6. after his own imagina
tions : and, indeed, iu this spirit, men cannot but turn the
precious truth of God into a lie ; that is, as to themselves,
as to their OAvn knoAvledge of it. It is known how the
branch of the Lord is beautiful and glorious, aud the fruit
of the earth excellent aud comely, and iu Avhat day it is so ;
which day is. When the Lord shall have Avashed aAvay the
filth of the daughter of Zion, and shall have purged the
blood, &c., by the spirit of judgraent, and by the spirit of
burning. Isa. iv. 4. Then every one that is left shall be
called Imly, and the branch of the Lord shall be glorious in
the midst of thera, aud the fruits of the earth excellent and
comely for them. And then they that are thus purged,
shall sit with Christ in the heavenly places; there being au
abundant entrance ministered to them into the eA-erlasting
kingdom. 2 Pet. i. 11.
Thirdly, He chargeth it with making the obedience and
suft'erings of Christ superfluous, except ouly as a pattern.
Ans. Christ carae to do the Father's will; to obey, to suf
fer, to taste death for every man; to fight Avith and overcome
the devil ; to oflfer a holy, spotless sacrifice for all man
kind, that through him they might witness atonement and
acceptance. And the Lord saAV the use ofthis, and Ave Avit
ness the use of this, and fiud every thing in its proper place
and service in him, who is God's covenant of life and peace
iu us, and to us. But the AVork of this day is not to preach
up a notional knoAvledge of these things (the Christian
Avorld, so called, hath been drowned and dead iu thera long
enough), but to bring to that raeasure of the Spirit, to that
sense oi grace and truth, which is come by Jesus Christ; where-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 229
in the benefit of these things is truly reaped and enjoyed;
and, indeed, that is the work committed unto us from the
Lord, who gave us this testimony to bear, Avhatever men
may think or speak of us.
And whereas he speaks of our laying hold of passages, iu
his printed sermons, to favor our cause :
Ans. That is his mistake as to me ; it Avas for his sake I
mentioned it. There was, indeed, at that time, somcAA-hat
stirring in him, which Avould have gathered hira, had he
known and obeyed its A'-oice, and not run out into lofty no
tions concerning it. He had sorae sense then of a glory
approaching, Avhich he might have from the true Prophet;
though even then he ran out in his imaginations concern
ing it, and did not rightly apprehend, nor Icuoav Iioav and
Avhen it appeared.
He hath further charges agaiust us; Of crying up works
against the Avork-man; man's grace aud righteousness
against God's; conformity to Clnist against Christ; yea, to
make a Christ of our righteousness, a Saviour of our con
formity. Ans. Oh, what avUI this man do, Avhen the Lord shall
show unto hira that he hath charged not so much us, as the
Spirit and power, and precious appearance of the Lord Je
sus Christ, with these things ! AVe cry up works no other
wise than we are taught of God, and as the apostles and
prophets ha\'e cried them up. Faith is necessary, aud
AA'orks are necessary in their places; and the justification of
each follows them. And he that receiveth the Spirit of the
Son, and therein doth righteousness, is therein esteemed of
God righteous, as the Son is righteous. 1 John iii. 7. God
justifieth us in his Son, and loveth his holy seed too there
in, and the faith that comes frora hira, and all the works
that are wrought iu hira; and out of this holy root of life
and power, is^no man, nor his faith, nor his works justified.
Then for man's grace and righteousness. Where doth
he hear us speak of man's grace ? Oh ! what doth he mean ?
Will he misrepresent the cause of his neighbor or brother,
to make it bad? And for raan's righteousness, we do not
Vol. HL— 20

230 THE WOEKS OF
cry it up or put it on, but testify men must be unclothed of
it; aud we ourselves were fain to part \A-ith it, and put it
oft" before we could be clothed with God's righteousness.
But the Avorks of life, the works of God's Spirit, the Avorlcs
of the new creature, the AVorks of the uoav covenant; these
are not raan's works, nor unrighteous works, conderaned by
God; but justified in and through him that AA-orks them.
The Avorks Avrought iu us are truly acceptable, and Ave in
him who Avorlcs them, who is our righteousness. And con
cerning this people (these children of the ucav coA'cnant)
Avhich the Lord hath begotten and brought forth in this our
day, that scripture is fufiUed in them, aud upon them :
"Their righteousness is of rae, saith the Lord." Isa. Ua-. 17.
WeW ! as long as the Lord saith so, we matter not though
other.s say, that our righteousness is of ourselves, and that
it is our OAVU righteousness; being assured that God's testi
mony in our hearts (as to this thing) Avill stand.
He aggravateth this charge thus : Aud this to be done by
those that have been so far enUghtened, and that account
all the religion aud profession iu the Avorld beloAV them as
carnal. Ans. Indeed w-e magnify truth, life, the anointing, the
spiritual, the iuAvard appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to Avhieli we have been turned, and in it made spiritual;
and all other kuoAvledge, faith, profession, religion (AA-hich
hath not its rise here) Ave cannot but call carnal. For the
enlightening Spirit of the Lord hath given us this testimony
to bear, against all the dead, notional professors of this age,
Avho build frora the letter (or rather their apprehensions of
the letter) out of the Ufe; all Avhich cry up names of the
foundation aud corner-stone; but refuse, reject, deny, and
turn from the corner-stone himself; and have neither skill
nor patience to try Avhat he is, in this his pure, precious,
Uving, poAverful, and glorious appearance in the spiritual
light ofhis iuAvard day, after the long thick darkness ofthe
foregoing uight. Aud avoo would be unto us, if Ave did not
thus testify ! For, for this cause Ave were boru and brought
into the world, to testify to the present appearance of our

ISAAC PENINGTON. 231
God, and of his Christ, in this our day. Glory to hira who
hath called and chosen us to, and (in a true and precious
measure aud degree of his own pure life) made us faithful
therein. This (saith he) is so far frora giving us a lift nearer heaven,
that I cannot more properly resemble it thau to the coming
forth of Araalek, Avho met Israel by the way Avhen they
Avere corae forth out of Egypt, and smote the hindmost of
them, &c.
Ans. Do not talk of having a lift nearer heaven. Oh!
learn the Avay, the holy Avay, the Uving Avay, wherein no
dead, unclean thing can Avalk. Learn to kuoAv God's Spirit
in yourselves, from that Avhich opposeth his Spirit. Ye
have been loug learning, after -your old conceiA-ings and
apprehensions of the letter; oh! at length come to learn
the truth as it is in Jesus, Avhich discovers sin and death,
and the body of it, and crucifies and puts it off, and makes
room in the heart for hira that is true and pure.
And then for Araalek's smiting Israel, oh, how greatly
are ye mistaken ! Ye take yourselves for Israel, aud us for
Amalek; AA-hereas, if your eyes Avere anointed, ye Avould
see that we have been begotten and born of God's Spirit,
through the Word of life, AA-hich was from the beginning,
AA'herein Ave have been circumcised Avith the circumcision
made without hands, that we might Avorship God in his own
pure Spirit, aud iu his living truth; aud that our God hath>
iuAvardly appeared to us, and led us out of Egypt's laud,
and out o£ Babylon also, and all the lands Avhereinto we
liav-e been scattered in the cloudy and dark day: and that
this is Amalek's spirit in j'our scA-eral sorts of professors
(through your dark imaginations aud conceivings about the
letter) which riseth up agaiust us; and this spirit in you
feareth not that God who hath appeared, and by his own
holy arm of power hath led, and is leading us. So that we
may take up the complaint ofthe prophet in this day, "Who
hath believed our report ? And to Avhom is the arm of the
Lord revealed?" For though Ave speak what we have
heard, seen, and felt of the Ufe which is eternal, and of the

232 THE WOEKS OP
"Word which was in the beginning; " yet ye are so far from
the witness of God in your own hearts, that ye cannot re
ceive our testimony, but oppose it with your dead, dry, no
tional, conceited, imaginary knowledge, which will stand
you in no stead at all when ye come to appear before God.
Then he proceedeth, complaining against us thus: Ah,
Sir! instead of clapping us on the back, aud ministering to
us in our journey, you clog our march, aud fall upon our
rear. Instead of serving the kingdom of Christ, which the
church is now in travail of, you deny the first principles of
the gospel, and Avholly disown, the hope of Christ's second
appearing and kingdom; knoAving or ackuoAvl edging, as no
other Saviour, so no other kingdom, but a principle or a
light in yourseh'-es.
Ans. " God is Ught, and in hira is no darkness at all;"
and this is the message of the gospel. 1 John i. 5.
And Christ, who is one AA-ith the Father, he is one and
the same light with him ; and Ave confess we look not
for another besides him, nor for auother kingdom, besides
the kingdom which is revealed in him ; for the Idngdom
Avhich is revealed and manifested iu and by him, is the
spiritual, eternal, everlasting kingdom, aud there is not an
other. We do not say the fulness, or that the full glory of
the kingdom, is uoav revealed or enjoyed (nay, we confess
we have but the earnest, in comparison, but a raeasure, a
proportion); but this is the same in nature and kind with
the fulness itself. Aud all that is of Christ, ofhis Spirit, of
his nature, is saving; the least measure ofhis grfipe that ap
peareth in any heart bringeth salvation with it; the least
touch of his finger hath pure life and saA'ing A-irtue in it;
yet this is not distinct nor separate from the fulness, and
so it is not another, though it be not the fulness.
But Avhereas thou complainest of our not ministering to
you in your journey, but clogging it. Oh that ye knew
what your journey is, and Avhither ye are marching and
traA'clUng in that present spirit wherein ye act ! We ac
knowledge it God's great love and merey to us, to deliA-er
us frora that spirit, aud from that Avay of knowledge, relig-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 233
ion, and worship wherein ye stUl abide. Aud Avhat avo have
seen and known from the Lord, that are Ave required of him
to testify to you ; and if your eyes were opened (by the
principle of light from him) iu the holy anointing, ye would
boAvto the testimony; but judging of it in a contrary wis
dom and spirit, ye not only turn from it, but fight against
it; and reproach and slander us for our faithfulness to the
Lord, and good-will to you; AA-hich the Lord make you seu
sible of, and forgiA^e you, that at length ye may knoAV and
receive him (aa-Iio is the desire of all nations) in his pure,
living, iuAvard, and spiritual appearance.
And as for denying the first principles ; that belongs to
yourselves ; for do ye not deny that light which is the foun
dation of all, and Avherein and Avhereby all the mysteries of
God's kiugdom are seen ; and instead thereof, set up a no
tional, comprehensiA-e knowledge of your owu conceiving,
comprehending, and gatheriug'from the letter; whereas no
mau can understand the letter but as he comes into aud
abides in the light? This we have experienced in ourselves
formerly; for we Avere but guessing at and imagining con
cerning the letter, until we were turned to, and our minds
gathered into, and comprehended iu, the light of God's
Spirit. And as for disowning the hope of Christ's kingdom, the
Lord knoweth that is far from us; for we ourselves bless
hira for Avhat of his kingdom is already appeared, and wait
and hope for the further and fuller appperance thereof
But this we confess, another Spirit, another Christ, another
light, another life, another power, another kingdom, besides
him Avho hath already appeared, we do not expect: for he is
our King and kingdom both ; and the least proportion of his
life and Spirit received (bought with the loss of all, and so
purchased and possessed) is no less than a pearl of great
price, and a heavenly kingdom to hira that enjoyeth it.
He addeth further: If Christ be but a priuciple, then we
are no other; and only principles shall be saved, and no
persons : Is this your gospel?
Ans. Christ is the promised seed, to Avhich all the promises

234 THE WOEKS OP
are, in which seed all the farailies ofthe earth are blessed, as
they are gathered unto, and grafted into, hira. But he is
not only the seed, but the seedsraan also ; who soweth of his
life, of his nature, of his Spirit, of his heavenly iraage, in the
hearts of the children of raen. He giveth a measure of the
grace and truth unto them, the fulness Avhereof he hath re
ceived ofhis Father. Xoav this measure ofthe light eternal
is very precious, and is that wherein he appears and mani
fests himself Yea, indeed, glorious things are both spoken
and witnessed ofthe seed of life, ofthe seed ofthe kingdom,
ofthe grace and truth which comes by Jesus Christ; but we
never said that this seed or measure of life is the fulness it
self, but that Avhich the fulness imparts to us, and brings sal
vation home to our doors by. And if any man will receive
Christ, he must receive that from Christ wherein he mani
fests himself. There is a difference between the light which
enlighteneth (the fulness of light, which giveth the measure
of light, the measure of anointing to us), and the measure or
proportion which is given , the one is Christ himself, the
other is his gift ; yet his gift is of the same nature Avith him
self, and leavens those that receive it, and abide in it, into
the same nature: so that not only the gift is one with him,
but we also are oue Avith him iu the gift. Come, be not
thus wise after the flesh, nor do not strive so (in thy wis
dom and knowledge out of the truth) to triumph over the
truth, and truth's testimony, in this the day of God's great
love, aud glorious arm of salA-ation, revealecl iu tlie midst of
his people, Avhich he hath gathered out of Babylon, and the
dark knowledge thereof, into the light aud kingdora of his
owu dear Son; where he giveth thera eternal life, and of
the fruits ofthe good and heavenly land.
He addeth: I firmly beUeve, and so have all the saints
that have gone before, that Christ is a person, and his Spirit
is a living principle in the hearts of all the faithful ; but it
is not the Spirit or principle in us that did redeem us, but
the man Christ Jesus.
Ans. If he mean by the man Christ Jesus, the second
Adam, the quickening Spirit, the heavenly raan, the Lord

ISAAC PENINGTON. 285
from heaven, he who is One with the Father, the Word
which was in the beginning, which created all thiugs, I
grant him to be the Redeemer; for it was he who laid dowu
his glory, Avherewith he was glorified before the world Avas,
and made himself of no reputation, but took upon him the
form of a servant, and carae as a servant, in the fashion of
a man, to do the will. But if he distinguish Christ from
this Word and Spirit, and make the man's nature the Sa
viour, and the Godhead only assistant to him (as he seemed
to word it before, and as these his words seem to imply),
that I utterly deny. For so testifieth the scripture, "I am
the Lord, and besides me there is no Saviour. I am a just
God, and a Saviour," &c. So that Christ is the Saviour, as
he is one with God. It was God's arm and power (revealed
in him) that eff'ects salvation. Yea, if I may so speak, his
obedience was of value, as it came from the Spirit, and it
was the oft'ering it up through the eternal Spirit that made
it so acceptable to God. So that we raust not attribute re
demption originally to him as a man, but as he carae from
God; and bring the honor all back to the spring and foun
tain from whence he had all, that God may be all in all, and
the very kingdora of Christ may endure and abide for CA^er,
iu the root of life from- whence it came.
Aud so he is not a foundation or the corner-stone distinct
from God. He, as the foundation, was and is the rock of
ages, the spiritual rock, both before and since he took up
on him the body prepared for him. It is the Spirit, the
Ufe which Avas revealed in that man (by Avhich he did his
Father's will) Avhich was and is the foundation Avhereupon
all the living stones are built. There is a foundation of
death, and that is the wicked spirit; there is a foundation
of life, and that is the Holy Spirit, by which Christ himself
was led and guided (in that his appearance in the flesh),
which descended upon him, and he was anointed with, aud
all his are to be anointed with, and live in, the same Spirit.
And he that knows Christ in this Spirit, he hath the true
aud abiding knoAvledge of hira, and no otherwise. And
though the names Messiah, Jesus, Christ, Saviour, Anointed,

236 THE WOEKS OP
&c. Avere given to him as iu the flesh, or as man, they most
properly and originally belong to hira with respect to the
divine life and birth in hira, as the sent-one, and only-be
gotten, proceeding from the Father, the brightness of his
glory, &c. For he, as the eternal Son of God, Avas the spir
itual rock before he took upon him that body Avhich was
prepared for him, Avhich expressly AA-as called "the body of
Jesus," and AA'hich he called "this temple;" and distinctly,
he beiug called Jesus Christ come iu the flesh, which every
spirit that confesseth not, is not of God, but is that spirit of
antichrist. 1 John iv. 3.
He speaketh of sitting on the throne of David.
Ans. It is a great matter to know that throne which Da
vid's throne signified, and Chrisfsitting thereon. His king
dom, his throne, are not of this outward, AVorldly uature,
but iuAvard aud spiritual ; and his throne is in his kingdom
and temple, where he reigns, aud is worshipped. He that
knoAveth Satan dishonored and cast out, knoweth also
Christ come iu, and sitting on his throne. Oh that men
did give over their dreamiug about the beaA'cnly glory, and
couie thither iu the leadings of God's Spirit Avhere it is re
vealed !
AVas the scripture Avritten in vain concerning the glorious
state ofthe gospel? "But Ave all with open face beholding,
as iu a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the
Lord." 2 Cor. Ui. 18.
He putteth up a prayer for us, That the Lord Avould
aAvakeu us, and make us do our first works, and return to
our first love.
Ans. Ah ! poor raau, how is he blinded ! not disceruiug
how the Lord hath done this for us, and ranch more. But
it is he hiraself that hath lost his first love, and doth not do
his first works ; but is found short of that tenderness, quick
ness, and savor that once Avas in him. Oh that he might
see it, aud return to him whose quickening virtue restores
aud heals ?
He concludeth with the Avords of the prophet Jeremiah,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 237
chap. xiii. ver. 15, 16, 17. "Hear ye, and give ear; be not
proud, for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord
your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet
stumble upon the dark mountains; and while ye look for
light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross
darkness. But if ye Avill not hear it, ray soul shall Aveep in
secret places for your pride, and mine eyes shall Aveep sore,
aud run doAA-n AA-ith tears, because the Lord's fiock is car
ried aAA-ay captive."
Ans. Hoav doth this man mistake in his sight and appU
cation of scriptures, seeing and applying iu a Avrong spirit?
It is true, the Lord hath spoken ; but he himself, and mauy
such as he is, have not given ear. And A\-hat is the reason,
but because they are exalted above the pure principle of
life in their own hearts? And are not such proud? Hath
not he brought forth these weapons, these false charges and
reasonings, in this paper, agaiust the heritage of God in the
pride of his heart? As for us, the Lord God hath humbled
us, and taught us, who have learned, and daily learn of him,
in the humility, and in humility aud fear do we give forth
our testimouy, though also in the authority and majesty of
our Master's name, whose name stands over and is exalted
above every name, and his raountain and gathering is (in
the pure authority and power of his Spirit) above all other
mountains aud gatherings whatsoever. And as for God's
causing darkness, let him, and such as he is, look for it;
for God doth not, nor Avill, cause darkuess to them whom
he hath gathered into the light of his Spirit ; but saith to
them. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of
the Lord is risen upon thee, O city and dweUing-place of
the liA-iug God ! But those that knoAv not, or turn agaiust
his appearance, and cry up former dispensations of the sarae
life and power, but reproach and blaspherae the present, on
thera doth he cause the gross darkness to fall and cover
thera. And this Avhich he threateneth us with, is already
fallen upon hiraself, when his feet are fallen upon the dark
mountains; and whilst he looks for Ught, he hath lost that
AA'hioh once he had ; and his very Ught (as he esteems it) is

238 THE WOEKS OP
become obscurity and gross darkness, and this dark paper
of his (from the dark spirit and principle) makes manifest
to all that shall read it in any raeasure of true sense or dis
cerning. And truly my soul doth weep in secret for his
pride and height of spirit, in opposing the Lord, his truth,
and people. And for this cause shall those, Avho have
looked upon themselves as the children of the kingdom
find flock of God, be laid AA-aste; aud Icuoav, that as it Avas
a dreadful thing to oppose Christ Jesus, the Lord, in his
appearance iu flesh, so is it also dreadful to oppose his ap
pearance in his Spirit aud power, Avhereiu he is arisen to
set up his kingdom, and to throw down Babylon, Avhich is
built iu the likeness of Zion, but by and iu auother spirit.
Those iu Avhom there is auj' tenderness toAvards God (and
true breathings after him left) the Lord give thera the sense
and true understanding ofthis iuAvard, spiritual appearance
of his Son, aud of Avhat they have been doing, aud are do
ing, against it; that they raay not continue to fight against
the Lord, and kick against that which is able to Avouud aud
prick, to their owu hurt, aud eternal ruin. For there is not
sah'ation in any other narae thau in that Avhich is now re-
A'caled; blessed are all they that trust therein, it being uot
another, but the sarae that ever Avas.

TO HIS POSTSCRIPT.
He beginneth it Avith the justification of that passage of
his in a foregoing letter of his to me, wherein he saith,
Christ is heaven, and I am hell.
Ans. When God visiteth raan, he finds him in union
with hell, death, and darkness; and the man is dead, is
dark, is of a hellish nature and spirit in that state : but when
the Lord hath converted him, cut him off" from that root,
leavened hira with the Spirit and nature of his Son, is he
heU still ? "Ye were darkness," saith the apostle, "but now
are ye light in the Lord. And such were some of you; but
ye are Avashed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in

ISAAC PENINGTON. 239
the name ofthe Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
A man can be but hell before he is washed, before his
filth be purged away by the Spirit of judgment and burning,
before the old leaven is purged out, and he sanctified and
made a new lump ; but after the Lord hath thus changed
him, and new-created him in Christ, is he still hell ?
He saith : He doth not call the new creature hell ; but
there is an old man, an outward man, as well as the neAv
man, and the iuAvard mau; fiesh as Avell as Spirit in the re
generate. Ans. What doth he mean by the outward man? The sin
ful body, the body of flesh is within. The outward body,
that is not hell; that is the teraple of God, where the heart
is sanctifled : and the pure Word of life sanctifies through
out, eA-eu in soul, in body, in Spirit, those that are subject
to it. " KuoAV ye not that your bodies are the teraples of the
living God " ? And your spirits much more, for God is a
Spirit, and he dwells in a spiritual teraple, and his tempel
is holy.
He addeth: And unless your attainment be beyond
Paul's, he found that in him, that is his flesh, dwelt no good
thing; aud the flesh lusting against the spirit, so that he
could not do the thing that he would.
Aus. Paul did once experience such a state ; that he felt
himself carnal, sold under sin ; Avhen he did not find how
to perform that which was good, but did what he hated, the
laAV of sin beiug strong (in his members) against the law of
life in his mind; which state he calleth a state of captivity
t.o the law of sin in his merabers, and calleth it a wretched
state. Rom. Aui. 23, 24. But did Paul never experience an
other state? Did he never Avitness the virtue aud power of
the new covenant, even the law ofthe Spirit of life, and the
power thereof, freeing hira from the strength and cap
tivity of the law of sin in his members? There were young
men, John speaks of, who Avere strong, and had overcome
the wicked one. Did Paul hiraself never attain to that
state? Pie bid others be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might, and showed them how to resist in it, so

240 THE WOEKS OP
as to overcome. Did he never experience and witness it
himself? He said. He had fought a good fight, and was
more than a conqueror. What ! was he then a captive to the
law of sin in his members, and did he then cry out. Who
shall deliver me frora the body of this death? He said, He
could do all things through Christ that strengthened him.
AVas not that a state different from that other wherein he
found ouly to will, and could not do the good he desired,
but did the evil he allowed not, but hated? And blessed be
the Lord, there are mauy at this day Avho witness a further
state of redemption and deliverance from sin, and the laAV
thereof in the members, than that state of captivity was,
Avhich Paul there expresseth his former groanings and com-
jilaiuings under. For he Avas not in that state of captivity
AA'hen he Avrote that epistle, but kucAV the dominion of
grace OA'cr'sin, and bid that church. Be subject to the grace,
and not give way to sin, but yield their merabers servants
to righteousness uuto holiuess, chap. 6. For that other
place, of the flesh lusting agaiust the spirit, and the spirit
against the flesh. Gal. v. 17. he doth not there speak of
himself, but ofthe Galatians, who Avere in a weak, Ioav, and
(indeed) fallen state, from the Spirit and power of the gos
pel, haAung let in that which was contrary thereto. And
so he stiives to gather thera into the Spirit again, and bids
thera live in the Spirit, and Avalk in the Spirit, and so they
should not fulfill the lusts ofthe flesh: for iu the new cove
naut man is taught of God the holy lesson of ceasing from
evil, and doing good ; and taught in the virtue and power of
the covenant; so that he learns daily, and grows daily out
of deceit into truth, until he corae to be a true Israelite, in
whom there is no guile. And so in the spiritual war, the
house of Saul groAvs weaker and weaker, and the house of
David stronger and stronger, until Saul's kingdom be at
length overturned and wholly destroyed, and the kingdora
of David established in righteousness for ever and ever.
Then Jerusalera, the holy building, the city of the living
people, the city of righteousness (the habitation of right
eousness, and mountain of holiness), is Icuoavu, and Jerusa-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 241 in

salem is witnessed a quiet habitation, there being peace
all her borders. Then the mind is fully staid upon the
Lord in all conditions, and he keeps it in perfect peace.
Then the soul is careful for nothing; but in everything
makes its requests known to God by prayer and supplica
tion, with thanksgiving ; and the peace of God, which pass
eth all understanding, keeps the heart and mind through
Christ Jesus. Surely the apostle had learned himself (when
he taught others this) in every state to be content. He knew
how to be abased, and how to abound, ^c. Oh glorious state ! Oh
pure state of pure life in the heart ! And what if I should add.
Oh perfect state! The apostle James saith, "Let patience
have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing," or in nothing. James i. 4. When Paul
had so learned Christ that abundance could not lift him up,
nor Avant deject him, or cause him to repine or distrust,
what did he want of this perfect state ?
His next words are, If you have no sense of this, your
state is never the better to be liked.
Aus. Christ led captiA-ity captive; and the same power
is revealed to lead captivity captive in us. And truly when
God leads our souls out of captivity, putting his fear with
in us, writing his living, poAverful law of life in our hearts,
and putting his Spirit into us, leading us in the way of holi
ness, and causing us to walk therein, we find this a better
state than when we were groaning under deep captivity.
Further he saith. If your peace aud joy stand in seeing no
sin yourself (in yourself I suppose it should be), I shall more
than suspect it not to be the peace and joy of Paul and all
the saints, but a delusion.
Ans. Our peace and joy is in him AA'ho is without sin ; and
it abounds in us, in his cleansing and delivering us from sin ;
and we have found him remove sin as far from us as the
east is from the Avest; and as he removeth transgression
from us, and bringeth sin aud the power of Satan to an end
in us, he giveth us ofhis peace and joy. And truly we do
not only witness hira destroying sin and the works of the
devil, but breaking the very head of the serpent, casting
Vol. IIL— 21

242 THE WOEKS OP
him out, and piercing Leviathan, that crooked serpent, and
slaying the dragon that is in the sea. Aud though such as
he may suspect our peace and joy; yet, Avhile Christ gives
it us, and maintains it in us, it is A-ery SAveet aud pleasant to
us; aud the time may corae, that he may Avish from his
heart that he might partake with us therein.
He concludes the matter thus: We are Avithout sin in
him, but in ourselves nothing but sin.
Ans. He spake of delusion just before; a greater than
this I do not knoAV. For Christ doth raake a real change;
if any mau be in Christ, there is a new creation, there is a
real change. The raau is uot Avhat he AA-as before; but he
puts off that Avbich is old, aud puts on that AA-hich is ucav ;
aud so is really changed in bis state, aud iu the sight of
God, aud is not Avbat be Avas before. The heart, Avhen it is
really reuOAved, and Avashed by the Avater, blood, and Spirit,
is not the old, aljouiiuable. Avicked, deceitful heart that it
Avas before. If this be his knoAAdedge and experience, let
him keep it to himself: for my part I desire not to partake
Avithhim therein; but to be like Christ, mj- Lord and Alas-
ter, even sanctified throughout iu soul, body, and spirit,
that I may become AA'hoUy his, and the eneray of my soul
have no part iu me.
He saith, Christ shall appear Avithout sin to sah'ation.
Ans. I grant it; but AAdien, aud Iioav? Doth he not in
wardly appear Avithout sin to sah-ation to those Avho have
AA'aited for, hastened, aud come to, the iuAA'ard day? Doth
not Christ appear Avithout sin to salvation iuAvardly in the
day of his oavu Spirit ? Is not salvation then Avitnessed for
AvaUs and bulwarks? Is uot the glorious sah'ation ofthe
gospel brought forth in the gospel-day? And is uot there
in the Ufe aud dominion of grace a pure defence about all
the glory? Is there any sin in the grace and Spirit of the
gospel which appears and shines iu the day of the Lord?
And doth not this grace bring salvation to thera that wait
for the revealing ofit?
He seemeth to clear himself of watching for our haltino-s.
Ans. Had he not watched for our baitings, and received

ISAAC PENINGTON. 243
things into, and considered thera in, the prejudiced part,
he could uot have written such a paper against truth and
us, so far from true understanding and judgment as this is.
But he saith. He hath watched for our repentings.
Ans. If Ave should repent of having our eyes opened by
the Lord, and turning to his truth, and receiving his Holy
Spirit, and of having the precious promises of the Scripture
made good to us, and fulfilled iu us, avc raight justly lose
our portion and inheritance of life for ever. We have re
pented frora deadAvorks; but Ave cannot repent of God's
pure truth, and the living way, spirit, and power thereof.
But this I cau tell him, aud that frora the Lord, whose
name I reverence and AA-orship in, that the Lord watcheth
for his repentiugs, and turnings from that spirit in him
which darkeneth him concerning, and prejudiceth him
against, the trulh.
He beseecheth me in Ioa'c, &c., and requireth me to clear
myself of free-Avill, falling from grace, denying election of
persons, and imputed righteousness.
Ans. What the Lord requireth of me, that I must mind;
and I have divers times expressed my heart nakedly in
these things.
The principle of life Avhich the Lord hath raised in me, in
that is the freedom to do good, and in that am I made free
by Jesus Christ, my Lord. And I had rather Avitness him
upholding me by his power, than contend about a notion of
falling or not falling aAvay. And my care hath been about
making my calUng and election sure in him, who is sure to
those that are of him for ever. And I have witnessed the
righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ revealed in me, and
imputed to me, and my soul clothed theroAvith in his sight;
blessed be his narae.
Oh that the professors of this age might come to the
anointing, and see those things in the anointing ! then would
they know the truth aud harmony ofthe Scriptures therein.
But men, by the letter Avithout the Spirit, can never discern
or find out the mystery of life; but only gather into their
minds and retain a literal knowledge, that killeth.

244 THE WOEKS OP
He bids rae. Love the truth better than a party.
Ans. The Lord knoweth he hath taught rae so to do: for
had it not been for the CA'idence and demonstration of God's
Spirit in his people, I could ueA-er have owned them. (For
oh, how low was the knowledge they held forth, in my eye,
before the power of the Lord reached to my heart, raising
up his OAVU seed in me, wherein I Icuoav them !) And the
Lord also knoweth, that it is in him that I love, and dis
cern, and honor them to this very day: yea, I see his name
Avritten on their foreheads, aud them brought forth iu the
glorious image and heavenly life ofhis Son (though it be hid
from the AA'ise eye of the professors of this age), aud iu the
true light, with the true eye (Avhich God hath opened iu
me) have I seen it.
He speaks of Clinging together, aud keeping up a party
against all right.
Ans. Xay, nay; this is the gatheriug of the Lord Jesus
Christ by his Spirit and power, after the long night of dark
ness; and we are kept up by the same Spirit, aud poAver,
and life of truth, which gathered us.
He saith. It is uot a calling for a Avork Avithiu, Avhich A\'ill
give you authority to lay Avaste Christ and the gospel, iu
the most fundamental and coucerniug truths thereof, and
those above raentioned, &c. And aliove all the rest, deny
ing the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, and making him
but a light, or notion, or principle iu the heart of man.
Ans. This is but his own mistake, not a true and just
charge against us, as he Avill one day see. The Lord hath
not taught us to lay waste, nor do avc lay waste auy truth of
the gospel; but OAvn every thing in its place. And tliough
our reUgion do not lie in notions concerning him, but in
the principle of life itself, even in the grace and truth,
which is by Jesus Christ (AA'hich is a measure of Ught from
him, the full light) ; yet Ave do uot learn thereby to deny
the full light, but the more to acknoAA'ledge it. And Ave
OAvn him to be the true and full Ught, and his ontAvard ap
pearance in that body, in the fulness of time, to fulfil the
Father's Avill therein; and his apparance in Spirit and poAver

ISAAC PENINGTON.

245

in the hearts ofhis people in the day ofthe gospel; and his
setting up his spiritual and glorious kiugdom there, where
he reigns as king ou the throne of David over the spiritual
Israel of God.
Come, consider seriously: Do not ye yourselves fall short
of not only the principle aud poAver of life, but also of the
true knoAvledge of things according to the letter?
He confesseth. There is too little power; and without it
profession is little worth.
Ans. Oh! that the professors ofthis age knoAv the Script
ures aud the poAver of God, aud had that knowledge which
comes from, aud stands in, the poAver ! For then that evi
dence aud demonstration of truth would be Avitnessed Avhich
puts an end to the disputes and reasonings of the mind;
aud then the great care aa^ouIcI be to Uve the life of that
which God makes manifest and requires iu the ucav coA'e
nant. Ho saith. To pull doAvn the pillars and principles of the
gospel, is the Avork the devil employs his poAver in.
Ans. I graut Avhat he saith is true (aud Avi.sh he IcucAV
hoAv rightly to apply it) ; but there is a great error aud mis
take in his judgment about it. For the Lord is pulling
doAvu that Avhich men liaA-e built up, which they may, in
their mistaken judgments, call principles and fundamentals,
aud is building up that Avhich men have trarapled on,
even the tabernacle of DaA'id, Avhich hath long been fal
len doAvu; and the city ofthe liAdug God, Avhich hatli long
been trodden underfoot of the false Christians; and the
pOAver of the devil is-greatly at AVorlc to oppose this appeai--
auce and mighty Avork of the Lord in this day. Let him take
heed of blaspheming the Lord's poiver, calUng it the deAul's,
and owning the deA'il's poAver for God's.
He concludeth thus: Come to the point. AVhat singular
thiug do you more than moding and wording it, save
only that out of you have risen men, that have move auda-
cioush' lifted up a standard against the sealed and experi
enced truths of the gospel, than ever I have heard or read
of any before you ? You talk of AA-ords, and boast of per-

246 THE WOEKS OP
fection: I tell you a humble sense of a man's nothingness,
driAdng him out of himself to live and glory in Christ alone,
is better than all such boasted perfections a thousand times.
Sir, accept my zeal for your soul.
Ans. We are a people (many of us) who have gone
through great distress for want of the Lord our God, and
exceedingly waited and longed for his living and poAverful
appearance. Aud for my own part, this I can say, that had
not this appearance been in power, and in the evidence and
demonstration ofhis Spirit to my soul, reaching to, and an
swering that which was of him in me, I could never have
owned it; so deeply Avas I jealous of it, and prejudiced
against it. And since my mind hath been turned to the
pure Word of life, even the Word which was in the beginning
(I speak as in the Lord's presence), it hath had singular ef
fects on my heart. The light hath so searched me as I never
was searched before, under all ray forraer professions ; and
the Lord hath given me a true and pure discerning of the
things of his kingdom, in the light which is true and pure ;
and singular quickenings have I met with from his Spirit,
and the faith Avhich stands in his lieaA-enly poAver, and giv
eth victory and dominion in him; blessed be his name.
And the love which he hath giAren me is not notional, but
ariseth from his circumcising my heart, and answereth his
nature; springing forth purely and naturally towards him,
and those of his image, and all his creatures ; yea, towards
those who are enemies to me for his name's sake.
I might mention the patience also, and faithfulness to his
truth, with the long-suffering spirit, which cannot be worn
out; which his Spirit testifieth iu me to be of a singular
nature; with many other things. Xor am I alone, or the
chiefest; but have many equals; yea, there are such as far
exceed me in the heavenly and divine image of my Father.
And the fruits are according to the root of life in us; and
so acknowledged by all who look upon us with the true
eye, with the eye of God's giving and opening.
Xow, the same that hath wrought thus inwardly in us,
the same hath required sorae outward behavior and expres-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 247
sions from us, which are foolish and weak to the eye of
man's w-isdom, but chosen ^f God to hide the glory of this
life frora that eye which discerns it not, but despises the
day of sraall things. And though this be the least part of
our religion (yet subjected to, because it is of God, whom
we dare not disobey iu the least), yet the spirit which is
contrary to God casteth this upon us, as if this Avere all, or
at least the main, wherein we diff'er frora others. Sorae call
the living words of truth from us (Avhen God, according to
his good promise, giveth thera us) but canting; and thou
callest all that is singular in us but moding and wording ofit.
Alas 1 it is in the raain we differ frora you ; we holding our
reUgion as we receive it frora God, in the light aud life of
his Spirit : you, as you apprehend it from the letter. Christ
is our rock and foundation, as inwardly revealed; yours
but as outwardly conceived of. We believe Avith the faith
which is of the nature of him Avhom Ave believe iu, which
faith is raighty through God, and works through all the
powers of darkness, giving victory over thera all, in God's
way and tirae ; ye beUeve with a faith which esteeras vic
tory, and a perfect and entire state (wanting nothing), as ira-
possible while in this world. And as our root diff'ers, so all
that grows up in us differs frora yours : so that indeed all is
singular that is in us, and all also is singular that is brought
forth by us, as the Spirit of the Lord, who knoAveth the dif
ference of things, witnesseth.
Have we so long walked in the narae and Spirit of our
God araongstyou, shoAving the singular virtues ofhis Spirit
daily in our faithful testimony, suft'erings, patience, aud
conversation? And do ye still cry, What singular thing do
ye? Just like the Jews, who, after all Christ's mighty
works, and demonstrations ofhis Father's virtue and power
outwardly, asked for a sign. Oh that your eyes and hearts
were opened by the Spirit and power of the Lord ! for then
ye would soou see otherwise in this respect than now ye do.
And then as for that expression. Of audaciously lifting
up a standard against the sealed and experienced truths of
the gospel, that is but an over-confident expression, through

248 THE WOEKS OP
prejudice and mistake of judgment at least: for I can truly
testify I have never learned, sinc»p the pure, heavenly light
of the Lord Jesus Christ hath shined on my spirit, to deny
any one truth that ever was sealed to me, or experienced by
rae, in the days of my forraer profession; for Avhatsoever
Avas then of God hath been restored to me, and that only
which Avas of the flesh pared off". And I have ground also
to believe, that it is so Avith others in this respect as it hath
been with me.
He speaks. As if our difference or talk Avere about words.
Xay, it is about thiugs: for though Ave oavu the same
Lord Jesus Christ to be the foundation of life; yet after a
diff'erent manner. Ye, as ye notionally apprehend con
cerning him ; we, as Ave experience him to be the precious
stone and foundation of life in us. And we testify of justi
fication and sanctification, as we Avitness him bestowing it
upou us, aud Avorking it iu us.
But for boasting of perfection, I wonder how he dares
speak thus ! AVhat! is there no fear of God before his eyes,
or iu his heart, that he dares charge us with that Avhich is
so utterly false? AVhere is any of us that did ever boast of
perfection ? But that God's poAver aud covenant is able to
make perfect, aud that God's Avill is our perfect sanctifica
tion in soul, body, and spirit; even that Ave be AvlioUy leaA'-
ened AA'ith the salt of the kingdom, aud become a fit temple
for him. This avo humbly aud reverently testif}' of, aud
press towards, in his holy uame and fear.
Aud as for that humble sense. Of a man's oavu nothing
ness, draAviug him out of himself, to live aud glory in Christ
alone, this avc meet with, aud Avitness iu that lio-ht AA-hich
this generation of professore despiseth. But others, though
they raay talk of it, can uever come truly to Avituess it, but
iu that light Avherein God bestoAveth aud preserveth it.
AVell, the professors of this age, Avho despise the light,
shall one day find, that what they take themselves to be,
they are not, in God's sight; nor are Ave, before him, Avhat
we are reproachfully represented by tiiem; but "avc are his
workmanship iu Christ Jesus, created by hira unto good

ISAAC PENINGTON. 249
works; " and that it is natural to us to bring forth the fruits
of righteousness aud holiness to our God, hoAvever raen re
proach us.
As for his zeal for my soul, Avhich he desired me to ac
cept, it is strange zeal, aud Avould tend to my utter destruc
tion, had it poAver over me; but blessed be ray God, AA'ho
hath called rae into the Ught of his Son, and I ara satisfied
that he AviU preserve me therein, even iu that holy Spirit of
life AA'hich he hath gathered me into, from all Receivable
spirits of darkness Avhatsoever, iu that holy coA'enant Avhere
iu his strength appears to me, and is revealed iu me. And
oh, that he might Icuoav what that spirit is Avhereiu he hath
thus appeared agaiust the Lord (though under a pretence as
if it Avere for hira), and bring forth no more the fruits of it !
For a close, I shall add a fcAA- words ou that scripture,
Phil. iii. 3. "For Ave are the circumcision, AA'hich worship
God in the Spirit, aud rejoice iu Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the fiesh." It is a precious thing to Avitness
this scripture fulfilled in the heart; to experience that there,
which iuAvarcUy circumciseth, AA-hich cutteth off the foreskin
ofthe heart, AA-hich lieth over it aud A-eileth, till it be cut oft"
by the iuAvard appearance ofthe life and power ofthe Lord
Jesus Christ imvardly revealed. Then when this is done, I
can truly and sensibly saj-, I am a Jew inward. How so?
How cau that be proved? AVhy, I am inwardly circumcised.
I liaA'o felt that Avithin Avhich circumciseth the heart, aud
haA-e borne the iuAvard pain aud cutting thereof, and am cir
cumcised by it. That which stood betAveen rae and tbe Lord
is cut off, the A-eil is taken aAvay, the stift-neckedness and
unsubjection to God removed, the Avall of separation is in
Avardly broken cIoavu, and iioav I am in true unity of Spirit
and comraunion Avith my God, even with the Father, and
the Son, in that One Holy Spirit wherein they are One.
Xoav I can bow before the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, aud Avorship him in his oavu Spirit, even in tbe ucav
and fresh life thereof day by day. Xoav my rejoicing is in
Christ Jesus, Avhora the Father hath sent, both outAvardly
in a body of flesh to fulfil the holy AviU, and do AA-hat therein

250 THE WOEKS OP
the Father had for him to do, and also inwardly in his Spirit
and power unto my heart, to destroy the Avorks of the devil
there, and so to Avork rae out of the enmity and unrecon
ciled state, into the love and reconciliation. And I cannot
but rejoice both iu what he did in his body of flesh for rae,
and in Avhat he doth by his Spirit and power in rae. Aud,
blessed be the Lord, I feel hira near, his Spirit near, his life
near, his poAver near, his pure A'irtue near, his holy Avisdom
near, his righteousness near, his redemption near; for he is
my rock, and my .strength, and my salvation, day by day. And
I haA-e no confidence iu the flesh, in what I am, in AA-hat I
can do after the flesh; but ray confidence is in hira, Avho
hath Aveakened me, AA-ho hath stripped rae, who hath impov
erished me, who hath brought me to nothing in myself", that
I might be all iu him, and that I might find him all unto
me. He is my peace, he is my life, he is my righteousness,
he is my holiness, he is the image wherein I ara renewed ;
in him is my acceptance with the Father; he is my Advo
cate, he is my hope and joy for CA-er. He hath destroyed
that iu rae Avhieh Avas contrary to God, and keepeth it dowu
for CA-er. He is ray Shepherd, his arra hath gathered rae,
and his arm encompasseth me day by day. I rest under tbe
shadow ofhis Avings, from whence the healing virtue ofhis
saving health droppeth upon my spirit day by day. Oh ! I
cannot tell any man what he is unto me ; but, blessed be the
Lord, I feel him near, his righteousness near, his salvation
daily revealed before that eye which he hath opened in me,
iu that true, liAung sense Avherewith he hath quickened me.
And UOAV, ye that have high notions, aud rich, comprehen-
siA-e knoAvledge concerning these things, but not the thing
itself, the life itself, the Spirit itself, the new and living cove
nant, aud law of life itself, wherein alone Christ is livingly
revealed, — ah, hoAV poor, miserable, blind, aud naked are
you, in the midst of all your traditional knowledge and pre
tended experiences concerning these things!
Come, be quiet a while, aud cease from bitterness of
spirit, and reviling the Avork and people of the Lord; for
the Lord knoAveth, and avUI make manifest, both who are

ISAAC PENINGTON. 251
his, and Avho are not his. All the living stones are his; but
the great professors of the words of scripture, without the
Spirit and life of the Scriptures, are not his, nor ever Avere,
nor ever avUI be OAvned by him.
Come, learn to distinguish from God by his life, by his
anointing, by the everlastiug, infallible rule, and not by
Avords Avithout life, where the great error and mistake hath
been in all ages and generations. The great AA-ay of deceit
hath long been (aud still is) by a form of godliness, Avithout
pOAver: be sure ye be not thus deceived; for if ye miss of
the poAver AAdiich saves, ye cannot but perish for ever. And
Avhat if the appearance of the Spirit and poAver of our Lord
Jesus Christ inwardly, Avhich is that Avhich saves, be as
strange to your sense, understanding, and judgment, as his
outAvard appearance Avas unto the people of the Jews?
Take heed of their spirit, take heed of their judgraent, who
judged according to the appearance of things to them,
Avhich they imagined and conceived frora the Scriptures,
but judged not the true and righteous judgment, whicli
only the children ofthe truc Avisdom can.

POSTSCRIPT.
There are four or fiA'e things very precious, which were
generally witnessed in the days of the apostles araong the
true Christians, Avhich are all mentioned together. Heb.
vi. 4, 5.
First, They were truly enlightened.
The ministers of the gospel were sent by Christ, to turn
men from darkness to Ught, aud from the power of Satan to
God. Acts xxvi. 18. 1 John i. 5. And they Avere faithful in
their ministry, and did turn men from the darkuess and
power of Satan to the light of God's Holy Spirit; and they
were enlightened by it, and received power through it, and
so came to be children of the light, and to walk in the light,
as God is in the light.
Secondly, They tasted of the heavenly gift.

252 THE WOEKS OP
What is the heavenly gift which Christ gives to those
who come unto him, and become his sheep ? He gives them
life, eternal life. John x. 27, 28. He brings them out of
death, and gives them a savor and taste of the life which is
eternal. This was it which the apostles testified of, even of
the life AA-hich was manifested iu that body of fiesh of our
Lord Jesus Christ (1 John i. 2.) ; and they that turn from
the darkness to his Ught, he gives them a taste of the sarae
life. Thirdly, They were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.
The gospel is a day of bringing forth the spiritual seed,
and of pouring out the Holy Spirit upon them. The law
state is a state of servants ; the g'ospel, of sons ! aud because
true believers in Christ are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of
his Son into their hearts to cry, Abba, Father. And God can
not deny his own Spirit to his children that ask it of him ;
he knoAveth how absolutely necessary it is to the state of a
son ; aud whosoever truly receiveth Christ, Christ doth give
himjwwer to become a son; which power is in, and with, aud
caunot be separated from, his Spirit. Yea, the Spirit of
Christ is so necessary and inseparable from him that is
Christ's, that the apostle expressly afiirms, that "if any man
haA'e not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. viii. 9.
Fourthly, They tasted ofthe good Word of God.
Of that Word from Avhich the gift comes ; of that Word
which was in the beginning of the world, which is ingrafted
iuto the hearts of those that truly believe; which Word
is able to save the soul.
Fifthly, They tasted of the powers of the world to come.
Of the power of the endless Ufe, whereof Christ is the
Minister, and according to which he ministers Ufe, in that
holy, true, Uving, inward, spiritual temple, which he pitch
eth and reareth up for an habitation to God in his own
Spirit. Xow, in the apostasy and night of darkness Avhich hath
come over-the Christian state, these things have been greatly
lost. For there have been none that have been found able
to turn people to that light which the apostle directed to.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 253
Xone could tell men where the light is to shine, and where
men were to expect it, and wait for it. Xone were able to
direct men to the seed of the kingdom within, to the Word
of faith, the Word of the kingdom, nigh in the heart and
mouth; much legs were they able to instruct men how they
raight know and distinguish it from all other seeds, and the
voice of the Shepherd from all other voices. Here it came
to pass, that though at times God visited and opened men's
hearts, a little warming them by the breath which came
from himself; yet they not knowing how to turn to the
Lord, and wait upon him for preservation in the gift and
measure of his own grace, the good hath soon been stolen
away from them, and the building which hath been raised
up in them hath not been a building of life according to the
Spirit, but a building of -wisdom or knowledge concerning
the things of God according to the flesh ; and so the build
ing that hath been raised up in men's spirits hath been
Babylon, instead of Zion.
But the Lord hath had a remnant all along the apostasy,
who felt some begettings of life, and had in measure some
sense and taste of the heavenly things. These mourned af
ter that state which was once enjoyed, and felt their want of
it, travelling from mountain to hill, seeking their resting-
place, which none could rightly inforra thera of. Xow, for
the sakes of these, God hath at length appeared.
How appeared ? raay some say.
AVliy thus: he who is light hath appeared inwardly, caus
ing his light to shine iuAvardly, causing his life to spring in-
AA-ardly ; so that he who is light, who is life, who is truth, is
felt and known in his own inward visits, breakings-forth,
and appearances. For Go^, who is a Spirit, his appearance
is spiritual, his day is spiritual, his kingdom is spiritual, his
light is spiritual, his life is spiritual, his day-star is spiritual ;
and his day dawneth, and his day-star ariseth in the heart.
Thus the day-spring from on high did visit us, who sat in dark
ness, and in the region of the shadow of death. And here Ave
have met with Avhat the apostles met with, the very same
lio-ht of life, the very same enlightening Spirit and power.
Vol. in.— 22

254 THE WOEKS OP
and have been enUghtened by it, and tasted of the same gift.
The very same grace that appeared to them, aud taught
them, hath appeared to us, and taught us ; and of it we have
learned the sarae lessons, in the sarae coA-enant of life where
in they learned; and uoav cau we seal to their testimony in
the same Spirit Avherein they gave it forth, and witness to
the same eternal life, and the same holy oil and anointing,
our eyes having been opened and kept open by it. And
though there be great disputes about our testiraony in this
our day (and the present professors rise up agaiust us, as the
former professors did against them); yet let but any man
come rightly to distinguish in himself betAveen that AA-hich
God begets iu the heart, and all other births, and let that
speak and judge in them, — that avIU soon confess that our
testimonj- is of God, aud given forth in the authority and
by the commission ofhis oavu Spirit. True Avisdom is jus
tified by the children that are born of her; it is the other
birth that doth not, nor can, oavu her. The other birth can
owu former dispensations (accordiug to the letter of them);
but not the Ufe and poAver of the present.
I have known the breaking doAvn of much iu me l»y the
powerful hand of the Lord, aud a parting Avitli much
(though uot too much) for Christ's sake. The Lord hath
brought the day of distress aud iuAA'ard judgment OA-er my
heart; he hath arisen to shake terribly the earthly part iu
me (yea, Avhat if I should say that the powers of heaven
have been shaken also), that he might make me capable to
receive, and bring me iuto, that kingdom Avhich cannot be
shaken. Aud uoav that Avhich Gocl hath shaken, and re
moved iu me, I see others build upon, aud they think it
shall never be shaken in them; Jjut such knoAv not the day
ofthe Lord, nor the terrible searching ofhis pure light, uor
the operation of his power, Avhiclf Avill uot spare in one,
Avhat be hath reproved, condemned, shaken, and overturned
in another. He that Icuoaa-s the living stone Avithin, and
comes to him as to a living stone, aud is built upou the
revelation of his Spirit, Ufe, aud poAver (revealed iuAvardly
against the poAver of darkness), is uot deceived. All that

ISAAC PENINGTON. 255
otherwise build (I mean upon an outward knowledge con
cerning Christ, and not upon his inward life), their building
will not be able to stand in the day of the Lord. I wish they
might have a sense of it in time, that they might not perish
forever; but experience that life and power of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which redeemeth and preserveth out of the
perishing state for ever and ever. Amen,

THE

AXCIEXT

PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH:

OR

THE LIGHT WITHIN ASSERTED

HELD FORTH ACCORDING TO TRUE EXPERIENCE, AND THE
FAITHEUE TESTIMONY OP THE SCRIPTURES :
IX THE AXSWERS TO FOUR QIJESTIOXS.
I. What this Light is Avhich we testify of, and
what is the nature of it ?
n. What it doth inwardly iu the heart?
ITT. How it coraeth to be lighted, set up, and
increased there?
IV. How it cometh to be diminished or
extinguished in any ?
ALSO
AN APPEAL TO
THE WITNESS OF GOD IN ALL CONSCIENCES,
AV-HICH IS THE MOBE STTKE WOKD OF PkOPHKCT ; THE TESTIMONY
OF THE SCRIPTTJKES AVITHOUT, OR THE VOICE AND TESTI-
MONX OF THE LiGHT AND SPIRIT OF GOD
AVITHIN, IN THE HEART?
By one once greatly distressed, but now at length, in the tender
mercy of the Lord, etfectually visited and redeemed
hy the Light and PoAver of Truth,
ISAAC PENINGTON.

259

PREFACE.
The true ministers ofthe gospel, the ministers of the new
covenant, were ordained and appointed by God to be min
isters of light, ministers of righteousness, ministers of the
Spirit. Matt. v. 14. 2 Cor. xi. 15. chap.- iii. 6. And this
was their work and service, even to preach the light, to de
liver their message coucerning the light, which they heard
of Christ, and were sent by him to preach, as is recorded 1
John i. 5. So that they were to tell men what the light was,
and where it was to be found ; and to turn men from dark
ness to light, from sin and unrighteousness to purity and
righteouness, from the spirit and power of Satan to the
Spirit and power of the living God, (Dan. xii. 3. Acts xxvi.
18.) that so they might come from under Satan's authority,
power, and kingdom of darkness, into the light, wherein
Christ reigns as King, Priest, and Prophet, unto and over
all his ; who is faithful in all his house, and Son and Lord
of all, distributing life, righteousness, mercy, and peace to
his whole family, as they abide in hira, and walk in subjec
tion to his Spirit. So that there is no condemnation to
them that are gathered unto Christ, ingrafted into him, and
who abide in him (walking not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit) who is the quickener, guide, and rule of all the chil
dren of the new covenant. For Christ is the way, the truth,
and the Ufe, in and to them all, and is made by God all in
all unto them. He is their Shepherd, their King, their Cap
tain, their vine, their olive-tree, their leader, their door,
their path, their rule, their righteousness, their holiness,
their wisdom, their redemption, their altar, their sacrifice,
their priest, their prophet, their sabbath, their light, their
day-spring, their bright and morning-star, their sun, their
shield, their rock, and their high tower.

260 THE WOEKS OP
AVhat shall I say? God hath gathered together all things
into One, even in him, whose Spirit, Ufe, and light eternal
is the One substance, which answers all the figures and
shadows of the law, and they are all comprehended, and
fulfilled, aud end in hira. So that he is the end of the law
for righteousness, to all that believe in him. And he min
isters righteousness, he ministers truth, he ministers life,
he ministers sah-ation, he ministers power, he ministers
pure, heavenly Avisdom ; and no good thing will he withhold
from them that come unto him iu the drawings of his Fa
ther, and foUoAv him Avhithersoever he leads, aud obey his
gospel, which is everlastingly uoav and liA-ing.
Xoav, this precious ministry hath been withdrawn, and
hid frora ages and generations, in the long night of the
great apostasj^ and thick darkness. And how could it be
otherAvise ? For men being in the dark, and having erred
frora the true Spirit, aud let in a wrong spirit, and built up
Avroug churches; aud haA-ing not kuoAvn the true wilder
ness (nor beiug AvilUng to flee iuto it) Avhither the true
church fled, aud Avas nourished by God Avith the true food,
even Avith the true, liA-iug virtue aud nourishment, all this
dark night of the apostasy, — I say, hoAv could they come at
the true Ught, the true Spirit, the true poAver (from which
the true miuistry is), Avhich did not visibly noAV appear, but
Avas AA-ith the true church iu the Avilderness? So that there
hath been a true church all this Avliile, Avhich the gates of
hell have not been able to prevail agaiust, as to her inward
temple aud altar (nor over the Avorshippers Avhich have wor
shipped therein), although they have gained the outAvard
court; God having severed it from his iuAA-ard building,
and given it to the Gentiles in spirit; aa'Iio are not true
Jews, Avho are not Avorshippers in the Spirit, and in the
truth. Rev. xxi. 1, 2.
But UOAV, at length, blessed be the Lord, the long night
of darkness draAvs toAvards au end; yea, is come to an end
in many spirits ; and the true light is broken forth again
(and shineth again iuAvardly in many), and the true minis
try is revived again, and the everlastiug gospel (the ever-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 261
lasting covenant of life, mercy, and salvation, in and
through Christ Jesus, the light and Ufe of men) preached
again. For now it is not only outwardly read, that " God
is light;" but the message hath been received, and iDersons
chosen, and sent forth by God to publish it; and to turn
men from darkness to light, and from Satan's power to
God. And, blessed be the Lord, the publishing of this pre
cious testimony (in the power and authority of the Most
High) hath not been in vain. But the captivity of many
hath been broken by the power of light, and the power and
strength of darkness (inwardly) overturned by it. Oh, how
hath the strong man, which kept the house, befbre the
stronger than he appeared in the narae aud authority of his
Father, — I say, how hath he trembled at the inward and
spiritual appearance of him that Avas strongei: than he ! And
how have the pillars of the old building been shaken ! Hoav
hath the witness of God been reached to in men's sxairits !
How have the dead been raised, the blind eye opened, the
deaf ear unstopped, the dumb tongue loosed, the lame
caused to leap as a hart, aud the tongue of the dumb to
sing, the inward, spiritual leprosy cleansed, and done away
for ever, the Avounded healed, the broken-hearted bound
up ! And what hath not the Lord done inwardly and spirit
ually for his people, who have been sensible of his appear
ance, and gathered by his Spirit and power to the true Shi-
loh, who is the true Shepherd, the laud of the living, the
holy city and temple, the light of the city, the life of the
city, the gates and wall of the city, the king and kingdora
both ! For his life, his nature, his Spirit is all, and in all.
Ah! what do we desire to have, but Christ the seed, and
this seed sown in our hearts and abiding in us, and his life,
righteousness and glory, his holy power, dorainion, and
kingdom springing up in it? And as, in the apostles' daj's
there was the seal to their testimouy in people's hearts,
where their ministry was ordered by the Lord, and was re
ceived; even so it is now. Oh, how doth the witness an
swer in men's hearts and consciences! And they that keep
to the witness, and its testimony, not hearkeniug after Avords

262 THE WOEKS OP
to the wisdom of the flesh ; how do they become living
epistles, to be seen and read of all men, as the Lord pleas
eth to open that eye in any, which can see and read.
Xoav, to be often testifying of this light (which the Lor€
hath visited us Avith, and wherein we experience the knowl
edge of his Son, and redemption by him), to us it is not
grievous; and it is good and safe for others. Therefore, it
arising in my heart, in the springings of life, and lying up
on rae (as in the sight of the Lord) to give forth this further
short testiraony, for the sakes of such as have any desire
to know and experience the truth, as it is in Jesus; I am
given up in spirit to serve my God therein; and do give it
forth in humility, in fear, in tenderness of spirit, in true
love, with breathings to my God, that he would please to
open the hearts of those that shall be inclined to read it,
that they may feel somewhat of that in themselves, from
which the testimony carae; and so therefrom may hear, in
true sense and understanding, the true and good report of
the sound of life and salvation in this our age, and may
learn so to turn inwardly from the darkness to the light,
from the power of Satan to God's Spirit and appearance in
wardly, that the arm of the Lord may be revealed in them,
and powerfully stretched out for them.
And this is the precious knowledge of Christ indeed, even
to know Christ the power of God, Christ the wisdom of
God, inwardly revealed and working in the heart, destroy
ing sin there, and building up the holy building, where he
himself will dwell and reign. Oh that all that truly breathe
after hira, raight not be withheld from him (and his living
testimony, and inward appearance) by the power of dark
ness and deceit, which works subtly in the heart against
the appearance, power, and work of the Lord there, but
might thus come to know him ! Amen.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

263

THE
ANCIENT PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH, &C.
QUESTIOX L
What is this light Avhich Ave so earnestly testify of, and
Avhereof we afiirra. That all men are, or have been, in some
measure, enlightened by it? And what is the nature ofit?
A X S W E R.
It is that Avhich shineth frora God in the heart, wherein
Godis near to men; and Avherein aud whereby men may
seek after God, aud find him.
God is a spirit; and. his'Spirit and presence is near to all
raen. "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither
shall I flee frora thy presence?" Psal. cxxxix. 7. &c. It is
impossible for auy so to do. For God, who is a Spirit (and
the Father of spirits), is nigh to CA-ery spirit. Every spirit
depends upou him, the fountain of spirits ; an4 hath its be
ing, Ufe, aud motion from him, and iu him, after a sense;
though not after such a seuse, as they aa-Iio are quickened
by him experience.
Xow God, AA'ho is light, being so near every man, doth he
never shine upon them? They are darkness; but doth he
never appear in the darkness? He Avho is light, loveth man
kind; doth he never visit them with his love? He knoweth
Avhat and how great inward and spiritual enemies mankind
have; doth he never make any discoveries of their enemies
to them? Yes; the light is near all mankind, to discover to
them, aud help them agaiust the darkness; and the love is
near to help them against the enmity AA'hich destroyeth, and
so to save them. For whosoever joineth to the light of
God's Spirit, cannot but witness salvation thereby; for it is
of a saving nature, and bringeth salvation with it to all that

264 THE WOBKS OF
receive it. Christ is in it, and is known by it (inwardly,
spiritually, livingly known), and he is not, nor can be,
known without it. He that knoweth the light of God's
Spirit knoweth Christ ; and he that believeth in it believeth
in him; and he that knoweth not, nor believeth therein,
neither knoweth nor believeth in Christ. So that as the
Jews' circumcision outward, and their knowledge and think
ing to be justified by the righteousness and works of the
law (which most of them brake, and were transgressors of;
though Paul said, he was, "touching the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless"), — I say, as this was dis-
OAvned, and denied by Christ and his apostles ; and the cir
cumcision, and work of God on the hearts of the Gentiles
set over it, and exalted above it, as Rom. ii. so is it now al
so. The knowledge of those, and belief of those, who own
the light, and believe in the light, is owned by God's Spirit
(in this our day) for the true beUeving in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and for that knowledge which is life eternal; and
the knowing and believing on him, as men account it, ac
cordiug to their apprehensions ofthe letter, Avithout this, is
reckoned with God for ignorance and unbelief.
So that in this is God known, in this is Christ beUeved
in. Here God dr-aws nigh to every man, and is a God not
afar oft', but nigh at hand ; and his salvatiou is nigh, and
his righteousness ready to be revealed here ; and here every
man may seek after and obtain the knoAvledge of him, fhe
saving knowledge, the knoAvledge of the grace, of the gift
of grace vA-hich brings salvation. In this is the Son kissed,
in this is he draAvn nigh to, and come to by the soul, and
not out of it. Here are the draAvings of the Father felt.
Let any raan feel this, he feels that which begets to God;
he feels that which comes frora the Sou, is of the nature of
the Son, wherein the Father draws the heart of the child
whom he begets, to the Son. And in this as the soul comes,
it comes out of the darkness wherein Christ is not nor
dwells, into the light wherein Christ is Avith the Father;
and so in this the soul is ever near, and out of it still afar
off. In this is the holy root Avitnessed, and the ingrafting

ISAAC PENINGTON. 265
thereinto; out of this the holy root is not known, nor can
men understand what it is to be ingrafted into him, and
how he is an Olive-tree, a Vine, a Door, a Shepherd, a
Leader, a Captain, a Redeemer. Xor can men possibly
know the voice of the true Shepherd from the voice of a
stranger, till they come hither; nor hoAV the true Shepherd
walks before his sheep, and what it is to follow him out of
that wbich destroys, into that which regenerates, makes
new and living, till they come hither.
Xow this inward light is abundantly testified of in the
Scriptures. As first by Moses, who speaking of the other covenant,
the new covenant, the covenant of circumcising the heart,
turneth or directeth the mind to this Avord or commandraent
nigh, whereby alone it can be done, as Deut. xxx. And
this Avas the reason why God so often commanded the Jews
to circumcise their hearts, and to wash them and make them
clean from their wicked ways and vain thoughts; because
Moses had directed their minds to that, and that was near
to them, Avherein and whereby it might be done. In an
other place, he bids them make them a new heart. Ezek.
xviii. 31. Hoav could that be done ? AVhy, by turning to
God's Spirit which strove with them, his power would ef
fect it in thera; and men are said to purify their hearts,
through the Spirit, in loving and obeying the truth which
doth it. 1 Peter i. 22. John xvU. 17.
Secondly, By Job, who speaks of God's candle shining
upon his head, and of walking through darkness by his
Ught, chap. xxix. 30. He speaks likcAvise of those that re
bel against the light, that know not the ways thereof, nor
abide in the paths thereof, chap. xxiv. 13.
Thirdly, By David, Avho by it saw through the types and
shadoAvs to the substance, aud grew wiser than his teachers,
he knowing the word AA-ithin, aud having his candle lighted
by it, so that he kncAv the inward law which converts the
soul, and was led by God's light and truth shining in his
inward parts. Psal. xliii. 3.
Fourthly, By Solomon, " The comraandment is a lamp.
Vol. HI.— 23

266 THE WOEKS OF
and the law light, and the reproofs of instruction the way
of life." Prov. A'i. 23. Every one that experienceth the
light, the laAV, the commandment within, knoAveth it to be
thus. Again, saith he, "The path of the just is a shiuing
light, that shineth raore and more uuto the perfect day,"
chap. iv. 18. Just as a light, Avhich shines outAvardly, is to
the outward m-an; such is the inward light to the iuAA'ard
man ; yea more : for iuAvardly the light aud the Avay is all
oue. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, Avhich are
three names of one and the same thing. And he that
AA'allcs in the light, walks- in the AA'ay of life and holiness;
Avhicb he that Avalks in the darkness walks out of. I shall
mention but oue place more-, which is very ditierently ren
dered, it is chap. xx. 27. The new translation rendez-s it
thus: "The spirit of man is tlxe candle ofthe Lord, search
ing all the iuAvard pai'ts of the bellj'." The old thus, "The
light of the Lord is the breath of mau, and searcheth all
the boAvels of the belly." The heart of man (the unregener
ate mind, the unregenerate spirit) is deceitful above all
things, and desperately AA'icked ; that Avhereby God search
eth it, is his light, his candle, his own Holy Spirit.
Fifthly, By the prophets, as Isaiah,. Jeremy, Ezekiel,
Alicah, &;c-. Avho said, "He hath, slioAved thee, 0 man, Avhat
is good. And Avhat dotli the Lord require of thee, but to
do justly, and to love niercy ; and to humble thyself to Avallc
with thy God?" chap. vi. 8. How doth God show this to
mankind, but by th.e iuAvarcl light ofhis Spirit?
Sixthly, By John Baptist, who Avas: the forerunner, aud
testified of Christ as of the inward aud spiritual baptizer,
AA'ho had his fau iu his hand. AVlxat is that? AVhat doth
Christ fan AA'ith? AVhat doth he fau, aud AA-ith AA'hat? The
light Avithiu is a fan, the Spirit Avithin. is a spirit of judg
ment and burning; it scatters the darkness; yea, it con
sumes aud burns up the dross and stubble there.
Seventhly, By Christ himself, AA'ho said, "This is the
condemnation, that Ught is come iuto the vA-orld, and men
loved darkness rather than Ught, because their deeds Avere
CA-U." John iU. 19. Alark hoAv Christ preached the light

ISAAC PENINGTON. 267
(the seed, the kingdom, the leaven), and bid mon bring
their deeds to it, and blamed them that did not, ver. 20, 21.
IIow can there be an inward Jew, an inward circumcision,
without an inward law, inward light, and inward testi
mony? And to this inward law and testimony, must the in
ward JcAV daily have recourse, and bring his deeds thither,
to be judged and scanned there.
Again, Christ saith, "I am the Ught of the world: hb
that foUoweth me shall not Avalk in darkness, but shall have
the light of life," chap. viu. 12. How is Christ the light of
the AA-orld? Or how was Christ the light ofthe world? Was
he only so, as he appeared in that body of flesh ? Is he not
so in his inward aud spiritual appearance? Is he not the
universal light, the Sun of righteousness, which enlighten
eth the whole dark world ? Yet again he saith : "Yet a little
while is the light Avith you; walk while ye have the light, lest
darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness,
knoAveth not Avhither he goeth. WhUe ye have the light
believe in the Ught, that ye raay be the children of light,"
chap. xii. 35, 36. This is Christ's direction to raen hoAV they
may become true. believers; to wit, by believing in the light.
The light shines in the darkness ("ye Avere darkness"), and
by believing iu it, men become children of it.
Eighthly, By the apostles and evangelists. They were
sent to turn men from darkness to light, Acts xxvi. 18. and
they testified of the light they Avere to turn men to ; deliv
ered their message that God was light, and that iu him was
no darkness at all. They preached Christ, the light, the
life, the way, the truth: they turned men from Satan's
spirit, which is darkness, to God's Spirit, which is light.
John the evangelist testified of "the Word which was in
the beginning," and said, "In him was life, and the life was
the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and
the darkness comprehended it not," chap. i. 4, 5. And
again saith, speaking ofhim, "That was the true light,
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,"
ver. 9.
Paul saith, "Whatsoever doth make manifest is Ught,"

268 THE WOEKS OP
Ephes. V. 3. Wherefore "awake thou that sleepest, and
arise from the dead," ver. 14. for Gocl hath sent forth the
light ofhis Son to rouse thee. Agaiu, he professedly aver-
reth, that the Word nigh iu the raouth and heart Avas that
Word of faith which he preached. Rom. x. 8. If so, then
that is the Word of faith which is to be believed in, if raen
would believe in Christ, and be saved by hira.
Jaraes speaketh of God as the Father of lights, frora
whom every good and perfect gift proceedeth, chap. i. 17.
Then surely from hira is the grace, and the gift (the free
gift) by grace, which ia upon all to justification of life, that
receive it, and follow the teachings of it.
Peter speaks ofthe raore sure Avord of prophecy, to Avhich
men should take heed; and wait (in taking heed to that)
for the dawning of the day, and the arising of the daj'-star
in the heart. 2 Peter i. 19. Indeed all meu ought to wait
for, and give heed to, the light of God's Holy Spirit, and the
holy prophecies, Avarnings, and directions thereof in their
hearts. And John, at last, as I may saj-, in that book of the Reve
lation (closing up the testiraony of that age and generation)
speaks of walking in the light of the Lamb, chap. xxi. 23,
24. (which every one that comes to AA'ituess the true light
ought to do, else there is no true fellowship with God, uor
with his sanctified ones, Avho are gathered into and walk in
the light, even as God is in the light. 1 John i. 7.) And the
angel that opened the prophecies and mysteries of that
book to John, said, that "the testimony of Jesus is the
Spirit of prophecy," chap. xix. 10. So then, he that hath
this Spirit of prophecy, he that hath this inward Ught, hath
the testimony of Jesus ; but he that hath it not, hath not
the testimony itself, but only words concerning the testi
mony. For this is the distinction between the true be
liever and the false : the true believer hath the spirit of
prophecy, the witness in hiraself, 1 John v. 10. the false be
liever hath but the outward testirnony or relation of things ;
but not the inward substance, the oov-enant and laAv of life
within.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 269

QUESTIOX IL
AVhat doth this light do inwardly in the hearts of those
that receiA'e it, believe in it, and give up to it?
A X S AV E R.
It doth all that is requisite to be done, from the soul's
coming out of spiritual Egypt into the land of rest; and all
that is needful for its groAvth and preservation there.
First, It enlighteneth. It showeth AA'hat is evil, and also
AA'hat is good, accordiug to the measure and proportion of
it, and according to God's causing it to shine in the heart.
It discovers the mystery of darkness, the mystery of ungod
liness, the mystery of iniquity, the mystery of deceit in all
its mysterious workings; for nothing is hid from the light
of him Avith Avhora avc have to do. And it also discovers
the mystery of godliness, the mystery of holiuess, the pure
way and commandment of life ; and gives a;ll the believers
(the true believers in Christ) this experience, that "his com
mandment is Ufe everlasting." There is uothing the heart
needs desire to know of QoA, but this makes it manifest in
the due season. It opens the very mystery of the Scriptures,
gives the right understanding and application of the prom
ises, and fulfils the prophecies thereof in the heart.
Secondly, It '(koih wot only manifest the good and evil,
but likcAvise inclines the mind to choose the good, and re
fuse the evil. It draws frora the evil, and towards the good;
yea, and the soul is made wilUng in the day of him Avho is
light, and AA^ho appears in the light, and reveals his power
there. There is a way, a high-way, spoken of, Isa. xxxv. 8.
called the Avay of holiness, which the unclean can neither
discern uor pass over to; but the light of the Lord Jesus
Christ, the measure of grace and truth wherewith he en
lightens raen, so manifests and leads into this way, that they
that are taught and guided by him, shall walk therein, and
not err.

270 THE WOEKS OF
Thirdly, It scatters the darkness, breaks the power ofthe
enemy ; it makes one with him who is all power, and giveth
to partake thereof; so that power is given to become sons
in the light, to the children of the Ught; power given to be
come kings and priests to God; power given to reign in the
dominion of his life, in the dominion of his truth, over sin,
over death, over deceit; and to off'er up the holy, living sac
rifices to God.
What shall I say? It is one with Christ, it is ofhis heav
enly Spirit and nature, it makes way for him, it leads to
him, it fills with hira, it brings into unity and fellowship
both with the Father and the Son, where the peace which
passeth understanding, and the joy unspeakable and full of
glory, abounds. This is the gospel message, that God is
light; and they that are gathered into and abide in this
light, they are gathered into and abide in unity and fellow
ship, both with the Father and the Son.
David had great sense and great experience of this light
of God's Holy Spirit, and ofhis truth seut forth, manifested,
and revealed in his inward parts, as is signified, Psa. li. 6.
and again, in that vehement prayer of his: Psa. xliii. 3.
"Oh! send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me,
let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy taberna
cles. Then will I go uuto the altar of God, unto God the
gladness of my joy; yea, upon the harp will I praise thee,
O God, my God." Indeed when the light shines, and the
truth springs up in the heart, it leads to him that is true, it
leads to the holy hill aud mountain of the Lord, and to the
inward altar; which they have no right to, who serve and
worship at the outward; and the harp is known whereon
the Most High is praised, even that inward harp, Avhereof
David's outward harp was but the figure. Therefore they
that corae to the holy hill of God, to the raountain of the
Lord's house, and to that holy buUding which was reared
there, they invite and encourage others to walk in that light
which led them thither, wherein communion with God, and
one with another, and the blessings of life and peace are
enjoyed. Isa. ii. 5.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 271
But what should I speak of the sufficiency of the light
and grace ofthe Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, or of what
it is able to do, and of what he is pleased to work by it ? I
shall only say this, that as the fulness Avas enough for Christ,
and ]to fit him for the work which he had to do ; so the
measure of grace and truth which he bestows, is enough for
every man. "My grace is sufficient for thee," said God to
Paul, and so it is for every man. There is no want of suf
ficiency in the grace of God, in the seed of the kingdcmi, in
the pearl of price, in the holy leaven, in the heavenly salt ;
but the A'irtue aud strength ofit is greater than the eneray
is able to withstand; and he that keeps to it, and departs
not Trora it, shall feel life and power springing up in it, to
quicken him, and carry him through all that God requires
of him. For the water which Christ gives is a Avell, spring
ing up (in him to whom it is given) uuto life eternal; and
this water is able to wash, able to nourish, able to fill the
soul with living virtue, which waiteth for it and partaketh
of it. And all the nations of thera that are saved, are to
Avalk in the light of God's Spirit. To this raen are to be
turned, uuto this they are to be gathered, into this they are
to be translated (even from the kingdom of darkness, into
the Son's marvellous light) : and being changed by it (into
its nature) become light in the Lord, and ought to Avalk in
the light, as God is in the light. 1 John i. 7.

QUESTIOX IIL
Hoav doth the mind corae to be enUghtened, and the can
dle of the Lord corae to be set up in the soul?
AXSWER.
By God's causing it to shine there, and the mind's being
turned to it, and given up to be exercised by it, as it pleas
eth the Lord to cause it to shine.
The poAver of the Lord reacheth to the pure principle of
life and light in the heart, in the seasons of his good pleas-

272 THE WOEKS OP
ure. This being reached to and touched by the Lord, an
swers his touch, his visit, his call; and the mind being
turned to it, sensible of it, and willing to let it into its uat
ure aud spirit, and to become one Avith it (suffering with it,
aud bearing its cross); the seed cometh to groAv there, the
light Avliich Avas hid aud overAvhelmed under the earth (un
der the earthly Avisdom, the earthly Avill, the earthly knoAvl-
edge, the earthly desires, the earthly delights, &c.) cometh
to be lighted up there; yea, the life coraeth to be c[uickened
more and more, aud the holy leaven to spread more aud
more there. Aud this seusible plant of God's renoAA'u being
thus eutertaiued, and being uot afterwards grieved, de
spised, cpienched, or hurt, by the giving Avay to, and letting
iu of that which is contrary to it, it shooteth up iuto a king
dom of righteousness, into a tree of righteousness, within
the compass Avhereof, and under the shadoAV Avhereof, the
soul sitteth doAvu iu peace and rest, and is defended and
nourished Avith that Avhich is pure and living, and full of
the pure sap and virtue, and so becomes strong in the Lord,
and iu the poAver of his might, agaiust the poAver and
strength of darkuess. Xoav, this all meu may experience
(at first in sorae Ioav raeasure and degree, and afterwards
more aud raore) as they corae to feel after, aud have a sense
of that which is of God, and good in the heart, and come to
join aud give up to it. For then it will be AA'orking against,
and purging out, that which is of a contrary nature, and
overspreading the heart AA-ith its oavu nature; insomuch as
that which Avas the least Avill become the greatest; aud that
Avhich Avas the loAvest of all (and indeed trarapled under
foot) Avill rise up into domiuion and power over all, aud
briug all uuder. So that the lofty city, the lofty building
of fioshly Avisdora, aud of sin aud iniquity in the heart, Avill
be laid Ioav, aud the feet of the seed shall tread it cIoavu ;
even the feet of that Avhich was ouce poor and needy,, until
it Avas anointed, and its horn exalted by the Lord.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 273

QUESTIOX IV.
Hoav is the light or candle of the Lord diminished, and
at length extinguished or put out in some ? Or hoAv cometh
that about ? AXSAVER.
By their neglecting, despising, quenching it; hearkening
aud giving way to the contrary spirit in its motions and
temptations. For as the good let in, stops aud works out
the CA-il; so the evil let in, stops and works out the good :
so the Philistine nature given way to, stops the iuAvard
Avell Avhich Jacob had digged and opened. There is a time
Avhen life is a inj'stery, a fountain sealed ; and there is a
tirae Avhereiu Gocl unseals the fountain, and opens the mys
tery in the heart. Qh ! then great care is to be had, and
the soul is to lie very Ioav in the,, pure "fear, that it may con
tinue in his goodness, and walk worthy of his love, that the
fountain may be kept open, and the pure springs of the holy
land fioAA-, and not be sealed aud shut up again. For there
are some that rebel against the light, and they dAvell in a
dry land. There were some that clid ahvays resist and vex
God's Spirit, and the Lord's Spirit ceased striving Avith
them, and gave thera up to a reprobate sense and judgraent
concerning the things of God. There are sorae that do not
irajDrove God's good talent, and from thera that w-hich Avas
once giA-eu is again taken away. Yea, the candle of the
wicked shall onetime or other be put out, and they shall be
silent in darkness, and their mouth stopped from having
any thing to say against God, his truth and people for ever
more. And all men had need to take heed Iioav they be wan
ton with the grace of God, or despise the day of their visita
tion by the holy light of God's Spirit; for if God take aAvay
the talent, if God put out the inAvard candle, AA-ho can Ught
it again? Oh! how'did poor Davidj the man after God's

274 THE WOEKS OP
own heart, suff'er by letting the enemy's temptations in up
on him ! "Cast me not away from thy presence," said he,
"and take not thy Holy Spirit from rae." Indeed he did
lose his condition at the present, and he speaks as a man
in danger of being quite undone ; though afterwards he
carae to corafort and assurance that God would restore to
him the joy of his salvation, and light his caudle, and eu-
lighteu his darkness again.
But I ara not insensible of Avhat doubts and disputes there
are in men's minds about this testiraony which Ave give
(frora certain knowledge and true experience) concerning
the light wherewith God enlighteneth souls. At first, when
the testiraony first carae forth, raen Avould not grant such a
thing as a light from God in raen, which convinced of and
reproved for sin; but now there are raauy will assent to
that, who yet cannot believe it to \)e a raeasure of the grace
and truth Avhich comes by Jesus Christ, aud that in it the
sufficiency and power of God is rcA-ealed, against the
strength and power of Satan. But let such seriously con
sider. First, Who they are that have testified, and testify of
this light. They are persons AA-ho generally have been deeply
exercised in religion : persons who have read the Script
ures very diligently, with much praying and waiting upon
God, for the true, certain, and clear understanding of thera:
persons Avho (several of thera) have had experience of most
(if not all other) separated ways, but could never raeet with
the answer of the cry of their souls, nor with satisfaction to
that birth which breathed in them after the Lord night and
day. Secondly, AVliat their testimony is; which is manifold.
As first, that they were by the Lord (even by his Holy
Spirit, and the shinings and springings ofhis precious seed
in them) turned to this light, and shown it to be of God.
Secondly, That in turning to it, they still meet with the
presence, appearance, and power of the Lord working in
their hearts. Thirdly, That it did not only discover sin to
thera, but also powerfully resist it, fight against it, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 275
bring it under; AA-hich no light and power besides the Ught
and power of God's Spirit can do. Fourthly, That the life
of the Sou is manifested and rcA'-ealed '^in it, and they come
therein truly to see, and taste, and handle the Word of eter
nal life. Fifthly, That in this light they corae to Avitness
cleansing by the blood of the Lamb, aud the everlastiug
covenant made Avith them (even the sure mercies of David),
and the holy, precious promises fulfiUed in thera, whereby
they are made partakers of the divine nature, and come to
AA'ituess an entmnce into the holy city, and drink of the
streams of the pure crystal river, which refresh and make
glad the city of our God, and all the tabernacles wherein he
dwells. Lastly, to mention no raore. The Lord hath shoAvn
thera hoAV this had been formerly Avith them, even in the
days of their former profession; and hoAV God had Avrought
by this in thera in former times, though they then knew it
not; and that all their ability then to understand any thing
of God aright, or to pray unto him, or reap auy true benefit
from the Scriptures, Avas through the stirring of this iu
thera, Avhereby God even then, in sorae raeasure, enlight
ened and quickened their minds. For there beiug such a
principle in man, it Avorlcs A-ariously, and many times when
he is not aware of it: and he hath benefit thereby, if he re
sist it not, but receive its influence and operation, though
he hath uot the distinct knowledge and discerning of it.
Thirdly, Again consider whether the light of Christ's
Spirit, or the grace and truth AA'hich is come by Jesus Christ,
hath not this property of discovering, convincing, and re
proving for sin. Doubtless the laAv of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus, in the lowest ministration of it, is of that uat
ure, that it discovereth and flghteth agaiust the laAv of sin
aud death, AA'herever it finds it. And Avhether the Com
forter, the Holy Spirit of truth, who leads out of all error
and falsehood, and into all truth, is not as well to be knoAvu
by this, even by his coiwiucing the AA'orld of sin, and in
Avardly reproving for sin, as by his comforting of the saints,
in their holy travels out of sin, aud battles against sin.
Consider, Fourthly, Avhether anj' thing can couvince of

276 THE WOEKS OP
sin but the light of God's Holy Spirit shining in the heart ?
There may be an outward declaration of sin by the law out
ward ; but it never reacheth the heart and conscience but
by the shining of the light i uAvard. Xay, it cannot so much
as reach to the understauding, but as God opens the heart,
and brings home the couviction by his light and power.
This Ave have experience of in the Jews; Avho though the
prophets carae Avith certain CA-idence and demonstration
from God's Spirit, yet they Avere not convinced thereby, but
stood it out agaiust the prophets, and justified themseh-es
against the voice and Word of the Lord; their eyes being
closed, their ears shut, and hearts hardened against that of
God in them, as may be read in Jeremiah, chap. ii. and di-
\-ers other places, even to admiration. And Avhat wicked
ness is so great which the hardened raan will not plead for,
and be defending and justifying himself in ! Yea, if God
do open meu's understandings in some measure, so that
they caunot but confess such and such thiugs to be evil in
general (as pride, covetousness, drunkenness, riotousness,
excess in apparel, lying, swearing, &c.), yet they are not able
to see the evil and danger of these things in and to them
selves, but have covers and excuses to hide thera, unless
the iuAvard light and Spirit of the Lord search their hearts,
and make them manifest to them.
Fifthly, Consider the weight and proper tendency of these
two scriptures, and do not form another meaning, and so
put off the drift and intenf of God's Holy Spirit in them.
The first is that ofthe apostle. Ephes. v. 13, 14. "But all
things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light:
for whatsoever doth make manifest, is light. AVherefore he
saith, AAvake, thou that sleepest," &c. Every man is bid to
awake, because every man hath some proportion of that iu
him wliich (if hearkened to) avUI reprove, rouse up, aud
awaken hira, and lead |_hira frora araong the dead, to hira
who gives the Ught, and causeth it to shine in hira, even in
the midst of his darkness and corruption, that it might
awaken hira out of it. The other scripture is that of Gal.
V. 27. where the apostle speaks of the flesh lusting against

ISAAC PENINGTON. 277
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these two
are contrary. Did not God's Spirit strive with the old Avorld ;
not only with the sons of God, who had corrupted them
selves, but with the rest also? And Avhat is it that hath
striven with wicked men since, and that doth strive with
wicked men still? Is it not the same good Spirit? What
is it also that inwardly resists and lusts against the will and
strivings of God's Spirit? Is it not the flesh? So here are
the two seeds, the two principles (Avhich are contrary one to
the other) near raan. For there is the creature raau (which
of right is the Lord's), into AA'hora the destroyer hath gained
entrance, and in Avhora he rules by the law of sin and death.
Xow he who made man, seeketh after him, and findeth out
his euemy iu man, and giveth forth a law against him in-
AA'ardly in the heart ; which, so far as any mau gives ear to,
believes, and receives, there ariseth presently a fight and
striving between these two contrary principles in him, so
that this man cannot do the things that he would. Xoav
that which thus strives against sin in any man, and troubles
him because of sin, reproving and condemning him for it,
that is of another nature thau the fiesh (Avhich harbors siu),
and contrary to it.
Lastly, Consider the great love of God to mankind, and
the great care he hath of them. First, as touching their
bodies; hoAv doth he provide for the bodies of all mankind!
He would have none hurt, uoue destroj^ed; but feedeth all,
nourisheth all, making plentiful provision, aud giving fruit
ful seasons ; causing his sun to shine, and his rain to de^
sceiid on all. Theu as to their souls, he knoweth the pre
ciousness thereof, and Avhat the loss of a soul is; yea, he
knoweth hoAv eager the devourer is to destroy, and setteth
himself against hira. He is the Father of spirits, and his
Son the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, Avhose nature it is to
gather and save ; aud it is said expressly of God, by the tes
timony of the Spirit of truth, that he would ha\'e all to be
saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. And
whereas it was said to the Jews, that God AA'as as the potter,
and they as the day, and he could raake them vessels either
Vol. IIL— 24

278 THE WOEKS OP
of honor or dishonor at his pleasure, Jer. xviii. 6. ^yet it
Avas to this end, even to invite and encourage them to be
subject to hira, that they might be made vessels of honor
by him, as appears ver. 11.
Xow consider, if God be as tender of souls as of the bod
ies of men, doth he not raake provision for the soul as well
as for the body ? Would he not have the soul live, and would
he not have the soul fed as Avell as the body? If so, then
needs must the light of his Holy Spirit shine inwardly
throughout all nations, and the saving grace and power be
manifest everywhere, even in every heart, in some measure,
and the fiesh and blood of the Son of God (which is the
soul's food) be distributed to all. And truly, the Lord is
not a hard master to any, as the unprofitable servant, iu ev
ery dispensation, is ready to account ofhim; for the times
of ignorance aud darkness God Avinketh at, or passeth over,
being very tender towards raen in that estate ; yea, a little
that is of hira turned to and heeded, accordiug to the meas
ure of understanding that God gives, Avill be OAvned aud ac
cepted, even in the midst of a great deal of darkness and
CA-il working agaiust it.
There was a tirae before the law (for the law was given
by Aloses): AA'h-at saved then? AVas it anything but the
saving grace, the saving light, the saA'ing Spirit, the holy
anointing, could any be saved but thereby ?
What saved under the law? Did the shadows then save,
or the substance of life veiled under thera? Did not the
Spirit then work inwardly, redeem iuAvardly, save iuAvardly?
Did not the word or commandment nigh in the mouth aud
heart (to Avhich Moses, by God's cUrection, had turned their
minds) enlighten and saA-e iuAvardly ?
And any ofthe GentUes, as the Word or Spirit of life did
work iu thera, did it not cii-curacise inwardly, and save
them also ? So that though they had not the laAV or minis
tration of Moses outward, yet they had the iuAvard Avritiuo-
from God on their hearts, and shoAved the work aud effi
cacy ofit there, aud shall at last be justified by, and accord
ing to, the everiasting gospel, which justifieth all AA'hatso-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 279
ever, so far as in any measure they receive and are subject
to the light and laAv of God's pure Spirit, which the carnal
mind cannot receive, nor be subject to.
Oh that men eould die to themselves, even to their own
wisdom and prudence, and not lean to their oavu under
standings, nor idolize their OAAm apprehensions and con
ceivings', but wait to receive understanding from God, who
g'lA-eth liberally of the true Avisdora to those that ask and
wait aright! Aud hoAV doth God give true wisdora and un
derstanding? Is it not by the shining of his light in the
heart? Oh that men Avere turned iuAvardly thither, and in
wardly dead to that wisdom aud prudence from which God
CA-er hid things, and ever will ! He that Avill be truly Avise,
must first become a fool, that he may be wise ; that is, he
mitst not strive to learn in the comprehensive way of man's
wisdora and prudence the things of God's kingdora; but
feel the begettings of life iu his heart, and in that receive
soraewhat of the ucav and heavenly understandiug, and so
die to the other, and Icuoav no raore the things of God after
the fiesh; that is, as a wise mau, as a learned scribe, as a
great disputant (for where is the Avise? Where is the scribe ?
Where is the disputer ofthis world? Can they find out the
mystery of life, the mystery of God's kingdom in this age,
any more than they could in forraer ages?), but become a
babe, a fool, and so receive and bow to that which his own
wisdora will call foolishness, and account weakness; but
the other birth, which is begotten and born of God, will
know, and daily experience, to be the wisdom aud poAver of
God unto salvation.

280 THE WOEKS OP
AN
A.P I^E A.L
To THE Witness of God in all Consciences, avhich is the
MORE SURE Word of Prophecy, the testimony of the
Scriptures avithout, or the voice and testi
mony OF THE Light and Spirit of God
WITHIN, IN THE HeART ?
The apostle Peter speaks of a more sure word of ]3rophecy
(or a more sure prophetical word, as the Greek hath it) than
that voice which came from heaven, which they heard when
they were with Christ in the holy mount. 2 Pet. i. 18, 19.
Xow, what this more sure word is, which ought to be given
heed to in the raost especial manner, more than to such an
eminent voice and testimony from heaven, even from the
excellent glory, is a very great and weighty question. Xoav,
some affirm, that it is the word and testimony ofthe Script
ures without; others affirm, that it is the voice, sound, and
testimony of the Word of Life within.
I do not know a scripture that my heart hath been more
tenderly solicitous about, desiring to give due honor both
to the Spirit of God, and to the holy Scriptures, and also to
understand Avhat the Lord would have me in the most es-
jiecial manner give heed to, until the season came from him,
in which he should cause the day to dawn, and the day-star
to arise in my heart. And now, that others might come to
the same understanding and satisfaction also, are these fol
lowing considerations proposed in the weight of ray spirit
to thera.
First, Consider hoAv sure the word of prophecy was, how
sure the voice and testiraony frora heaven Avas; than Avhich,
the apostle directs them to soraewhat as more sure. This I
•may clearly say of it, it was undoubtedly frora God, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 281
that iu a very extraordinary manner, even in Christ's pres
ence, when Moses and Elias were Avith him, and God be-
stoAving upon hira honor aud glory, transfiguring liim before
his disciples, causing his face to shine as the sun, aud mak
ing his raiment Avhite as the Ught. Matt. xvii. 2. And the
intent ofit was to give the disciples full evidence aud satis-
.faction (for the voice Avas not for his sake, but for theirs),
or rather that thej^ might have a full grouud, after his death
aud resurrection, to testify for the satisfaction and confirma
tion of others ; for till then they Avere to keep it secret, ver.
9. Xoav that AA-hich was provided for this end, doubtless
Avas A-ery sure, and testified by them who were chosen to be
faithful Avitnesses in this respect.
Secondly, Consider whether the testimouy of the proph
ets coucerning Christ was surer thau the immediate voice
from God hiraself? Were they surer to those that lived iu
those days, or to those that should come after, thau this tes
timony Avas to the apostles, and to those that did communi
cate it iu the Avill and counsel of the Lord? The prophets
did testify from God's holy, unerring Spirit; but they that
Uved in those days did not always beUeve aud receiA^e their
prophecies, but sometimes doubted of them aud c[uestioned
tiiem; yea, their prophecies were not always evident, and
clearly understood by those who desired to understand ; but
their A-isions Avere many times a book sealed, both to the
learned and unlearned. But this testimony, this Avord of
prophecy, this voice from the excellent glory ("This is my
beloved Son, hear him"), is a very plain, evident, full testi
mouy, easy to be understood by any iu that present, or in
after ages. And I must confess, as to myself, the read
ing ofit did always deeply aft'ect and satisfy my heart.
Thirdly, Consider the manner of God's appearing to the
prophets, and compare it with the manner of this appear
ance. God appeared to them sometimes in A'isions, some-
tiraes in drearas. Moses saw a bush burning, and heard a
voice. "The vision of Isaiah the son of Araos." Isa. i. 1.
And Ezekiel saw visions, chap. i. 1. And Daniel had a
dream and visions on his bed. Dan. vii. 1. And Jeremiah

282 THE WOEKS OF
had that sweet prophecy (of God's satiating the weary soul,
and replenishing every sorrowful soul) in his sleep. Jer.
xxxi. 26. Xow here to these blessed apostles was a vision
given of the glory of Christ, and of Moses and Elias with
him; not in the mind or head, as Daniel's visions were,
Dan. vii. 1. but the excellent glory did appear, and Christ,
Moses, and Elias were really there together on the mount
(Avhich is raore than a prophetic -vision of a thing), and
Christ was clothed with and swallowed up in the glory.
For God, the Father, did set hiraself to honor and glorify
him, so as never man was glorified before ; and the voice
came (the certain voice ; what voice eould be more certain ?)
from the excellent glory, " This is my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleased." 2 Pet. i. 17. And this pure Arision of
glory (even of God's thus appearing, and Christ's thus trans
figuring) they saw, and heard the voice which came from
heaven, when they were with him in the holy mount. Xow
were the prophecies of the prophets that Christ should be
born in Bethlehem, and that he should be thus and thus,
&c., equal to this in evidence and demonstration? AVhy Avas
John greater than the rest of the prophets? Was it not in
that he was chosen to be the imraediate forerunner and pre
parer of the way, and eould point Avith his finger to the
Messiah ? And yet, is not this immediate testimony from
the excellent glory greater than the testimony of John ?
Fourthly, Consider whether Christ's own words in the
fiesh to his disciples were surer than the voice from the ex
cellent glory. If I should extol the words of Christ in the
flesh above the words ofthe prophets which testified ofhim,
should I therein do the words and testimonies ofthe proph
ets any wrong? He was tbe Son ; he had the fulness of life,
the fulness of the Spirit, the great authority and virtue of
God, his Father. "God" saith the apostle, "who at sundry
times, and in divers manners, spoke in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son," Heb. i. 1, 2. seeming to exalt and magnify
God's speaking by his Son, and the way ofthis ministration
above the ministration of the prophets (which ministration

ISAAC PENINGTON. 283
was first by him in the flesh, afterwards in Spirit, which is
properly called the ministration of the Spirit. 2 Cor. iii. 8.)
Xow consider whether this sure word of prophecy frora the
excellent glory, so iraraediately frora the raajesty on high,
was not intended by him as a seal to the faith of the disci
ples, as a seal to Christ's appearance in the flesh, and to
what he had taught them (which was sometimes in para
bles, and not so ^fuUy understood by thera); and whether
this was not raore bright, more ravishing, more certain,
more establishing, than his common presence and appear
ance among them, and than the words which he from the
Father, not the Father so iraraediately himself, spake to
them? For that Avhich is given to confirm a thing, is (in
order of nature, and for evidence' sake) more certain and
clear than that which it is given to confirm.
Fifthly, Consider whether the voice of God's Spirit and
light within in the heart be not more clear and certain to
hira that hears it, than any word or testiraony from with
out ? Is it not a surer word of prophecy thau this relation
or testimony of the apostles, of what they heard frora the
excellent glory? Yea, is it not surer thau any testimony of
the Scriptures, or than all outward testimonies put to
gether? Sixthly, Consider whether they who are turned from
darkness to the light, even to the inward manifestation of
God's Holy Spirit, ought not to give diligent heed unto it,
until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in their hearts?
Lastly, Consider, what is the difference between this Ught
shining (as a word of prophecy) in the dark place, and the
day dawning, and the day-star arising iu the heart? Is it
not the same light, only further revealed and shining in its
glory, in the holy and pure place?
The apostle Paul excellently openeth the thing. Coloss. i.
25, 26, 27. First, he speaketh of the Word in general,
which he was to fulfil, or fully to preach. Then he showeth
hoAV this Word is a mystery, hid in the Gentiles (for so the
Greek, ver. 27. is) even in them that believe not ; the Word
is nigh there, the instruction and commandment of life

284 THE WOEKS OP
nigh there. But iu those that receive the grace, aud be
Ueve in the light, and so become children of the light, and
walk in the light, as God is in the light: in them Christ is
risen, and they are risen together Avith hirn, and he is in
them the hope of glory. So that the day hath daAvned
there; the day-star hath risen, and they know not ouly a
measure of Grace from Christ, but Christ himself arisen,
dAvelling, liAdng, acting, AA'alkiug iu them, and they in him.
Let these things be duly considered of, and equally
Aveighed in the holy balance, aud theu I dare appeal to ev
ery serious and sober heart aud mind, whether the iuAvard
light, the inward AVord, the Word nigh in the mouth aud
heart, aud the holy, living testimouy thereof, the A-oice of
the witness within, of the prophecy within, be not surer to
that mau that hath it, aud hears and knows the voice of it,
thau anj- outward voice or testimony whatsoever?
Obj. But some may object thus, or after this manner: I
am satisfied that there is a Word nigh in the mouth and
heart (to Avhich Moses did direct the Jbavs, and the apos
tles the Christians), and that this AVord doth enlighten the
mind, and doth separate in the mouth between Avords and
Avords, aud is a sAvift Avitness against the bad Avords, aud a
justifier of the good AA'ords, which come from the truth and
uprightness of the heart, aud are seasoned with grace. I
also beUeve that this AVord is quick and poAA-erful in the
heart, separating and dividing between the thoughts aud
intents there; and that the testimony thereof is surer aud
clearer (as to the hearts iu which it shiues, aud to them
whose spiritual ears are opened to hear its voice) than any
words and testimonies from without. And I am satisfied
also, that they who are the sheep of Christ, do thus hear
the Shepherd's voice, aud do kuow both the voice behind
them, when it comes after them to reprove their Avander-
ings, and direct their minds into the true Avay; aud also the
A-oice before them, when the Shepherd (Avho is the leader)
putteth forth his sheep, aud goeth before them, and they
foUoAv him; for they know his voice. John x. 4. Yea, I
have had the experience hereof in my oavu heart: for I

ISAAC PENINGTON. 285
have felt that work within, and that living, sweet testimony
of God's Spirit in my own heart, which hath been more to
me than all that ever I heard or read from without; so that
I can truly say (with the Samaritans, John iv. 22.) Xow
I believe, not because of the testimonies or words I have
heard from without, but from the evidence and demon
stration of Ufe, and of God's Holy Spirit in my oavu
heart. Xor can I see how the apostle Peter, in this place,
can prefer the testimonies of the prophets (for that which
is called the Xew Testament was not yet written and added
to the old) before this glorious, immediate testimony from
God Almighty, which Christ was honored with, and they
were greatly honored in being admitted to be beholders
and Avitnesses of Yet soraewhat sticks Avith me ; namely,
those words of the apostle, ver. 20, 21. wherein he plainly
seems to me to speak of the scriptures or writings of the
prophets, as if they had been the more sure Avord of proph
ecy, which in this place he had directed to. For Avhy should
he say thus, "Knowing this first," &c., unless he had
intended the sarae Word of prophecy which he had been
speaking of before, and directing their minds how they
might make use of that Word of prophecy ?
Ans. Peter was the minister ofthe circumcision, and he
Avas to dealAvith people who Avere great admirers aud studi-
ers of the letter; therefore, though he as Avell as Paul and
John, and the other apostles (Rora. x. aud Acts xxvi. 18.
and 1 John i.), Avas to direct raen to the AVord within, and
light Avithin, yet he knew it was of great concernraent to
them rightly to read and be able to understand the letter
without. Therefore, having first directed them to the
Word of prophecy, to the path of the just, which is the in
ward, shiuiug light, to the light which shines more and
more in the dark place to them ^that give heed to it; in the
next place it was very proper, useful, and necessary to di
rect thera how to read the Scriptures aright. For indeed the
oracles of God Avere given to them, Rom. iii. 2. and they
ought to be diligent in the reading of thera, that they might
understand the holy prophecies, and precious promises, &c..

286 THEWOEKSOP
and reap the hope and corafort of thera, and be made par
takers of the divine nature, which is the thiug promised.
And not only to the Jews, but to the Christians gathered
from among the Gentiles in that age, were the Scriptures
greatly useful: and^o they are also to such as are gathered
by the Holy Spirit aud poAver of God in this age.
The prophecies, the judgments, the promises, the raer-
cies, the experience, &c. are all useful, and profitable to
those that read and understand them in the light of God's
Holy Spirit. But the first thiug needful is, to turn a man's
mind to the light, that he may have soraewhat to guide
hira, somewhat to staj- his mind upou in reading the Script
ures, somewhat to open anduuseal the holy and divine words
and mysteries to him. For no man cau truly and rightly
understand the Scriptures, but as his mind is opened by
the Lord, and the understanding of the Avords and things
given hira. So that this is exceeding necessary to be Icuoavu
(after a raau is turned to the light and Word of prophecy
Avithiu, and comes to read the outward oracles and testimo
nies of the Holy Spirit) that all the holy men spake not in
their own Avills, uor iu the avUI of the flesh, nor in the will of
man, but as the Spirit of God gave them words, and moved
them to speak. And those words spoken by God's Spirit
knoweth none, but that Spirit which spake them. So that
no raau ought to venture by his private spirit to undertake
to open and interpret those words; but he must flrst receive
the same Word of life, the same Spirit of prophecy within,
and wait upon him, and learn to know his voice, who open
eth what and when he pleaseth to the sons of men. And
BO Avhen the same Word of Ufe speaks in a man's heart now,
showing thiugs to corae, either concerning a man's self or
others, that man raust be careful to retire, and lie very low
before the Lord, waiting upou hira for the true uuderstaud
ing and right interpreting of his own words, else a raan may
easily misunderstand and misapply what was truly and
rightly spoken. So that this is the right way of understand
ing the Avords of prophecy from the holy men of God in for
mer ages, and the instructions of the Word of life in the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 287
heart. "The secrets of the Lord are with them that fear
him." In the true fear the ear is opened, and the right un
derstanding giA-en; but in the wisdom of the flesh, and in
the confidence thereof, it is easy erring at any tirae from
the true sense and right use of that Avliich Avas opened and
given by God, either for the soul's own good, or for the
good of others.
To conclude this appeal: there is one consideration on
my heart to propose to the serious and sober-minded ; and
oh that they might rightly consider and understand it!
DaA'id was a raan after God's own heart, a wise man, au in
wardly-exercised mau, an experienced raan, a holy, spiritual,
heavenly man; a raan who knew the inward, everlasting
kiugdom, and had the Spirit of God, and witnessed his
truth iu the inward parts: can ye think that David did not
knoAV the AVord and comraandment of life within ? Did not
God Avrite his law in his heart? How else could he become
a man after God's own heart? Did not he witness the ever
lasting covenant, aud the law thereof, the ncAv law, the Ua--
ing law, even the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus?
Xow Avhen David said, "the law ofthe Lord is perfect, con
verting the soul," Avhat laAv-did he mean? What is the law
Avhich converts the soul to God? Can any thing less than
an inAvard poAver, an inward light, an inward law, an iuAvard
Ufe, than the iiiAvard draAvings aud teachings of God's Spirit,
convert the soul to God? And what testimony is that Avhich
makes Avise the simple? Is it not the iuAvard testimony?
AVhat made him wiser than the ancients, and his teachers,
who knew and could teach the law outward ? Were they
not the inward teachings and inward precepts of God's Holy
Spirit frora the Word of life within, which doubtless was
very nigh him, he being a man so exercised by God's Spirit,
and so formed after his heart? And what are those right
statutes which rejoice the heart, and the pure commandment
Avhich enlightens the eyes, and the clean fear and righteous
judgments? Are not all these things known within, and
received Avithin? Doth not God put his fear within, in the
heart? Doth not God reveal his righteous judgments with-

288 THE WOEKS OP
in against sin and iniquity ? Oh, how did DaAdd cry out be
cause of God's dreadful judgments upon him for sin, and
said his sore ran in the night, and he watered his couch with
his tears! And iu another place, " My flesh trerableth for
fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments."
And Avhen he speaketh so much (as in Psal. cxix.) of
God's Avord, God's law, his testimonies, precepts, statutes,
judgraents, &c., what doth he speak of? Doth he speak of
the outward or inward rainistration of the Word in the
heart? Doth he not speak of the inward writing, of the
law in the heart, of the commandment in the heart, of the
testimony of Ufe there ? For he had the testimony within,
the Spirit within, the law within, the light within, the in
Avard and spiritual kingdora (wherein the holy dorainion of
Godis revealed) he knew within; and so believing, could
speak of the power and glory thereof, and of God's won
drous works. Psal. cxlv.
And when he said, " Tbj' Word is a larap unto ray feet,
and a light unto my path," Avhat Word did he mean ? Did
he mean the letter or law outward, or the AVord nigh iu the
mouth and heart, Avhich Moses had testified of, aud directed
the Jcavs to, and he himself had been very well acquainted
AA'ith? When again he saith, " WhercAvithal shall a young
man cleanse his way?" And iraraediately giveth the answer,
"By taking heed according to thy Word." Doth he mean
the letter without, or the Word within ? What is it that
cleasneth the heart, that cleanseth the way? Is it any thing
less than the water of life, than the blood of .the everlasting
covenant, than the Word and life of truth within? "Sanc
tify them by thy truth ; thy Word is truth." In the sense of
that iuAvardly, and obedience to it, is the renewing and
sanctification felt. And so this brings to be undefiled in
the way, and to keep the testimonies of life, and preserves
from doing iniquity. "Blessed are the undefiled in the
Avay," saith he, "who walk in the law ofthe Lord. Blessed
are they that keep his testimonies, that seek him with the
whole heart. They also do no iniquity," &c. Had he no
experience of these things himself? Yea, suiiely. He knew

ISAAC PENINGTON. 289
the holy heart, the pure heart, the ucav aud heaveuly iraage,
the heart after God's own heart; and he Icuoav Avhat it Avas
to AA-alk iu iunocency, aud to be kept out of sin. Hear Avhat
he himself saith. Psal. XA-Ui. 21, &e. "For I have kept the
Avays ofthe Lord, and have uot w-ickedly departed from my
Gocl. For all his judgraents Avere before rae, aud I did not
put aAva^- bis statutes from me. I Avas also upright before
him, aud I kept myself from mine iniquity." What Avas
that? AVas uot that it Avhieh had most poAver o\-er him, and
Avas most apt to eutaugleand ensnare him? Xoav he that
arrives here, he that doth this, that keeps himself from hi.s
iniquity, doubtless AA-itnesseth great poAver and victory over
lesser and [greater] sins. AVas not David strong iu the Lord,
aud iu the power of his might? Did uot the AVord of Gocl
abide iu him? Did not he overcome the Avicked one bj- the
poAver thereof? How else could he Avalk thus iu the Avay.s
of the Lord, as he expresseth, aud keep himself from his
iniquity? Xoav this Word of life, these liA-iug testimonies aud pre
cepts, yea, the CA-erlastiug ordinances aud statutes of the
UCAV covenaut, Avith the sure mercies of DaA'id, Avhich AVord
Aloses had testified of, aud directed to, and DaA'id had ex
perienced (it being the pearl he had treasured up and hid
in his heart), aud AA'hich Avas the AA^ord of faith Avhich Paul
aud the other apostles preached and testified of, turuiug meu
from darkness to this iinvard Ught, — I say, this AVord, this
living AVord (and the iuAvard miuistratiou thereof) God hath
revealed and made manifest iu this our day, aud hath
turned the minds of mauy to it, and is daily inviting meu
to Shiloh's streams, to the Uving Avaters, to the light and
habitation ofthe living. Blessed are they that hear the
joyful sound, and come to the holy mount and city of our
God, where Ufe Uves aud reigns, aud is fed on by all the liA'
ing; Avho are God's elect, God's heritage, God's vineyard
of red Aviue, God's enclosed garden, AA-hom he Avatcheth over
night and day, and Avatereth every moment; and in whom
he dwelleth and Avalketh, and is to them a God and Father,
and maketh them daily sensible that they are his servants.
Vol. IIL— 25

290 THE WOEKS OF
chUdren, and spouse, iu AA-hom is his great deUght, and on
whose hearts and foreheads is Avritten "Holiness to the
Lord." Yea, and the Lord Avill bless thee for ever, " O
habitation of justice, and mountain of holiuess!" And ca--
ery tongue that riseth up iu judgment against thee Avill the
Lord God condemn for evermore. This is the heritage of
the servants ofthe Lord, AA-hom the Lord hath gathered In
the arra of his raighty power (inwardly revealed aud
stretched forth in thera, aud for thera), "and their right
eousness is of rae, saith the Lord."

POSTSCRIPT.
There is a Scripture- uoav openeth in me, as it hath often
done, aud it hath been very SAveet to my taste ; but I
have not had freedom to give it forth to others, as at
this time it is Avith me to do : it is that scripture Rom.
ix. 18. "Therefore hath he mercy on Avhom he Avill
have mercy, aud AA'hom he Avill he hardeneth."
Xoav many apprehend from this scripture, as I also for
merly did, that God hath chosen out a certain number of
persons on Avhom he aa-UI have mercy, -and saA'C by Jesus
Christ the Lord ; and that he hath passed over the rest, so
that they Avere never intended to have auy benefit by
Christ's death as to their eternal salvation. This the Avis
dom of man, frora the letter ofthe scripture and many other
places, may easily apprehend and strongly reason for. But
as the Lord openeth the mind, and raen conic to a sense of
his nature and Spirit, and his intent iu sending his Sou,
and receive the key Avhich openeth the truth as it is in Je
sus, they Avill easily see that this is contrary to God's nat
ure, and his intent in sending his Sou, aud the universal
covenant of light and life, and the manifest testimony of
the Scriptures.
First, As touching the nature of God. His nature is
love; love to all his creatures. He Avould not have it go Ul

ISAAC PENINGTON. 291
with any of them. He needeth not their raisery to make
himself happy. His nature is to love, to bless, to save ;
not to destroy or cut off, nor to affiict or grieve the chil
dren of men; not to hurt either the body or soul of any:
he preserveth man and beast. Psal. xxxvi. 6,
Secondly, As touching his sending his Son. He sent him
in his love to mankind, to save mankind. His love was
not to a few only; but he loved all his creatures, he loved
all lost souls, aud he seut his Son to save them all. He
gave him Ught to enlighten them aU, and he gave him life
to quicken them all ; only he dispeuseth this in different
ways, accordiug to the infinite Avisdom aud good pleasure
of his Father.
So that. Thirdly, The covenant of Ught aud Ufe is uni
versal, and nigh all mankind, by which the darkest parts
and corners of the earth are at some times enlightened, and
feel somewhat of the . quickeuiug Ufe. For the life is the
light of raen, and the light coraes from the Ufe, and is a
quick, piercing, quickening light, conveying Avarmth and
life, yea, living virtue into the darkest hearts, as it moves
and finds entertainment in them.
Lastly, As for the testimony of th<e Scriptures, it is very
clear that God would have uoue to perish. "All souls are
mine," saith the Lord. Ezek. xviii. 4. "I have no pleas
ure in the death of him that dieth," ver. 82. And again, "As
I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure iu the death of
the wicked," chap, xxxiii. 11. I have sent my Ught to en
lighten all men, and turn all men, aud I would haA-e all
men receive it, and be turned by it. I have shoAved everj'-
man what is good, and what -I the Lord require ofhim ; and
I would have every man answer the manifestation of ray
light and Spirit iu hira. Do ye not read God's charge
against the Avhole earth, Isai. xxiv. 5. that they had trans
gressed the law, changed the ordinance, broken the ever
lasting covenaut? Why, theij they all had the law, had the
ordinance, had the everlasting covenant; and for this cause
it is that the curse and judgraent comes upon them, ver.
6. So that this was the condemnation frora the beginning.

292 THE WOEKS OP
and this is the condemnation still, " that light is corae into
the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because
their deeds are evil." Men are not condemned for want of
light from Christ Jesus ; but because they do not beUeve
iu and obey that light which they have from hira ; because
they believe in the darkness, belicA-e in the dark spirit, be
lieve in the dark power, which riseth up against the min
istration of light in the heart, and do not believe in that
which is given of God to discover aud work it out. What
should I multiply scriptures for ? That comraon scripture is
absolutely undeuiable (as the Lord opens the heart unto the
siraplicity of truth, and keeps it out of the subtle, enchant
ing Avisdom), John iii. 16, 17. "For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotteu Son, that whosoever believ
eth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For
God sent not his Sou into the Avorlcl, to condemn the Avorld ;
but that the Avorld, through him, might be saved." What
can be raore naked aud plain than these words of Christ,
who knew the very heart of God iii this particular, and
plainly declares what it is, even not to condemn, not to de
stroy, but to saA-e raen frora conderanatiou and destruction ?
And would Christ have so aff'ectionately Avept OA-er Jerusa
lem, had he known it to be his Father's Avill and determi
nate counsel that they should haA-e perished, and not have
been gathered and saved by hira? I shall add but one place
more, Avhere the apostle (aa-Iio kueAV God's counsel, and un
derstood the mystery of election and reprobation, and had
the raind of Christ) saith expressly, that " God will have
all raen to be saved, and to corae uuto the kuoAA-ledge ofthe
truth." 1 Tim. ii. 4. What Avords can be spoken more
plain aud full? And let people mind that these Avords are
far plainer and easier to be understood than those script
ures Avhich treat of election aud reprobation ; AA-hich is a
deep mystery; and men raust corae to a groAvtii in the truth,
before they can receive that capacity Avhich is necessary
towards the understanding of them. But to open the thing
a little, as it is now in ray heart.
There hath been a three-fold dispensation of God to man-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 293
kind. A dispensation of the laAv to the Jews; a dispensa
tion of the gospel (or promise, which Avas as avcU before the
laAV as after it) to the called Jcavs and Gentiles; aud a se
cret, hidden dispensation of the mystery of grace, of the
mystery of life and sah-ation, Avhich the apostle calls the
mystery hid iu the Gentiles. Coloss. i. 27. For soracAvhat
of God, soracAAdiat of the uature and Spirit of Christ, the
souls of all mankind have had near them, to enlighten them,
and to turn them from Satan's poAver to God; though it
hath not been a thing Icuoavu to them, but a mystery hid iu
them. Xoav that God did cast off" any Jcav under the hiAv, or any
Avliom he visits Avith the grace and poAver of the gospel, from
a mere absolute Avill in himself, because he would destroy
thera aud liaA'O them perish, to show forth the praise of his
justice, aud his absolute soA-ereignty, this the true sense of
life iu me denies; but all haA-e a A-isit of that Avhich saves
heartily aud in true good-Avill from God; and he that is
turned to that Avhicli God hath sent to turn him, shall be
OAvned aud saA-ed thereby. He that believeth iu the truth,
iu the light, in the AV^ord nigh, even iu the verj- loAvest ap
pearance of it (for the loAvest appearance is the same thing
in uature Avith the highest, and the grace is saving iu its
very loAvest appearance, as well as iu its highest), shall be
saved thereb}-.
Xoav mark: God's gracc, God's raercy, God's love, God's
light, God's Spirit, God's poAver, &c. is his oavu, and he may
do with his owu Avhat he pleaseth. Xoav it being by this
that lie strives, converts, and saves; and it being iu his oavu
Avill aud good pleasure hoAV loug he will strive aud contend
to save; it lieth therefore absolutely iu him, even in his
OAVU Avill, Avhat he will do iu this kind. He may take acl-
vantao'c ao-aiust rebellious mau, aud cut him oft' Avhen he
Avill; aud agaiu, he may strive and raise true sense iua
man's heart, and give repentance, aud pardon hit? transgres
sions, as long as he pleaseth ; yea, he may so change a man's
heart, and so create him ancAV iu Christ Jesus, and so bring
him into nnity Avith the pure seed, aud to that estate in the

294 THE WOEKS OF
seed, as that he may have assurance he shall never be ut
terly cast off; but that though he should siu, aud transgress
the holy laAv of God's Spirit, his iniquity shall be chastised
Avith stripes, aud his soul recoA-ered aud brought back there
by, but not utterly rejected by the Lord. Xow it being
thus, hath not God mercy on Avliom he will? And doth not
he harden as he pleaseth? Did not God give up the Jews
to hardness, after much striving Avith them? Did not God
give up the Gentiles to hardness, and to vain imaginations
concerning the true God, after they had rejected a measure
of the true knowledge? Rom. i. 21. Plave not the vessels
of Avrath, AAdio are fitted to destruction, a day of much long-
suft'ering first? Rom. ix. 22. Had not the old world, who
were fitted for that destru.etiou of the flood, a long day of
patience and forbearance from God, his Spirit reproving of
them, and striving Avith them ? To wh'at end did God for-.
bear them, and cause his Spirit to striA^e with them? Was
it not to lead them to repentance, that thereby they might
have avoided that destruction, AA'hich, by their rebellion aud
stift'ness of spirit against God's good and tender Spirit, they
Avere fitted for, and exposed to? See Rom. ii. 4. So for
Cain, how tenderly did God deal with hira ! how uprightly
did God seek his good! Would not God haA'e had him
come to a true sense and repentance? Would not God
have had him believed and ofl'ered in tbe faith, and been
accepted as his brother Avas? And for Pharaoh, God indeed
Avas against that nature and spirit in him Avhieh oppressed
Israel; but Avould not the Lord have had hira denied^ and
turued frora that nature and spirit, and let Israel go? God
would have no man do evil, and briug upon himself destruc
tion; though in his just judgment he is many times pro
voked to give meu up to that Avhich leadeth into aud hard
eneth in evil. So not only Pharaoh, but Israel also, was
given up to their oavu hearts' lusts, Avhen they would none
of the Loi'd, nor hearken to his counsel. Psa. Ixxxi. 12.
But saith the Lord, oh that it had been othenAuse! "Oh!
that my people had hearkened unto me!" &c. it should
then have been otherAvise Avith them, ver. 13. &c.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 295
So that God of himself doth not desire the destruction of
his creature; nor doth he desire to harden them, or to give
thera up to a deluding spirit, that they raight be damned;
but meu first refuse the truth, and turn from it, or let it go ;
not receiving it in the love of it, or not liking to retain the
knoAvledge of it (Avhich is death to the m'an's.corrupt nature,
spirit, will, and wisdom, and such a cross and yoke as he is
iu uo AA'ise -willing to bear); and then the Lord, iu his just
judgraent, gives them up to the deceitfulness of siu, to be
hardened by it. Xow this liveth in God's oavu breast Avhen
and to whom to do it, according to his oavu will, and accord
ing to his own Avisdom and counsel; so that it may be truly
and properly said, "he hath mercy and compassion on
AA'hom he will, and Avhom he will he hardeneth." But that
Gocl hath determined to harden any, Avithout giving them
a day of mercy; or that it is God's avUI and determinate
counsel that men should reject the day of his mercy and
precious invitation, that they might be hardened by him
and perish; this is not God's truth, but men's misapprehen
sions upon true words, gatheriug meanings therefrom iu
their oavu Avisdom, and not Avaiting upon God till he cause
the true light to shine iu them, and thereby give them the
true knoAvledge and understanding.
Therefore, since there is such mercy in God toAvarcls all,
and he hath given all men a day of visitation, greater or
lesser; yea, since of late be hath caused his light to shine
forth, and given this age such a visitation as mauy ages
have not had, oh! let men take heed hoAV they close their
eyes, stop their ears, and harden their hearts against it, lest
they provoke God to give them up to their own imaginary,
conceited, fieshly compreheusive knoAAdedge of the letter,
and so seal them up in that hardness of heart and deadness
of spirit which they first gave themselves up to. For tiie
letter, Avithout the Spirit, kUl eth; and so doth all literal
knowledge: and there needs no greater curse from God (it
will sufficiently avenge the cause of his reproached light,
and holy covenant of life in Christ Jesus, now abundantly
revealed and niade manifest) than to close men's eyes, and

296 THE WOEKS OF &c.
stop their ears, and harden their hearts (in their literal
knowledge and practices) from beholding and partaking of
the precious life and virtue ofthe hoi}' and living rainistra
tion iu Christ Jesus the Lord, AvhercAvith God visiteth aud
redeenieth his people.
Indeed the physician is come iuAA'ardly and spiritually,
aud he imvardly heals and restoreth his people, faithfully
seeking after the sick, the distressed, the broken, the
Avounded ; pouring oil into their Avouuds, aud healing them.
But there are some Avho arc so sound and whole in their no
tional apprehensions and practices, that they have no need
ofthe physician, aud them the physician passeth by, as uu-
Avorthy ofhim, audAvhom he inteudeth shall have no share
Avith him. "Ephraim is joined to idols" (he is Avell, he hath
enough, he hath no need of me) "let him alone," saith the
Lord. I Avill pour out the choice A'irtue of my spiritual life
audredeemiug poAver among my gathered sheep and lambs,
Avho have need thereof, and Avill rejoice therein. These AAill
know my A'oiec ; these Avill justify the appearance of my
Spirit aud poAver; these Ioa'C the savor of 1113- auoiutiug aud
precious ointment, Avhich runs doAvn from the head upon all
the living body, aud these shall have it. These understand
lioAV I have mercy ou Avhom I Avill, aud Avhom I Avill I
harden; aud it is my avUI to have mercy on these my ouce
greatly distressed ones, and to destroy (iuAvardly to destroy,
oh, Avho knows Avhat tiiat means!) the fat aucl the strong,
and to feed them Avith judgment. Oh tiiat meu cUd know
to AA-hom the mercy aud to Avhom the judgraent belongs!
To the Avisdom of tho flesh, to the Avise compreheuders'of
the things of God after the fiesh, is tiie judgraent: to the
poor, to tiie distressed, to the broken in spirit (uot to tiiem
that are at ease iu tiie literal kuoAvledge, but to the mourn
ers in Zion after the holy God, aud his living poAver and
righteousness), is the everlasting gospel, tiie mercy, the love,
the peace, the binding up, the redemption AA'inch is by
Christ Jesus, thc living Aliuister iu the holv sauctuarv of
our God.

NAKED TRUTH

OR

TRUTH NAKEDLY MANIFESTING ITSELF,
IN SEYERAL PARTICULARS,
POE THE EEMOYING OP HINDEANCES OUT OF THE WAT
OF THE SIMPLE-HEAETED,
THAT THEY MAY COMB TO TRUE KNOAVLEDGE, LIFE, LIBERTY,
PEACE, AND JOY IN THE LORD, THROUGH THE VIRTUE
AND POAVER OF HIS PRECIOUS TRUTH REVEALED
AND AVORKING IN THEM.
GIVEN' FORTH
BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER.
Whereunto are added. Some Experiences,
with some Scriptures, A-ery sweet, and necessary to be
experienced in the gospel-state.
As also, A few words concerning the true Christ;
And a fcAV AVords in the Bowels of teuder Love and
Good-will to my Xative Country.
By a long Mourner and Traveller after, but at length a happy
Experiencer of, the Truth, as it is in Jesus,
ISAAC PENINGTON.
"Blessed are the eves whieh see the things that ye see." Luke x. 23.

299

PREFACE.
True knoAA-ledge and true experience, especially concern
ing things of necessity-, and great concern to the soul, is
A-ei-}' precious. As ; to Icuoav the true foundation, the corner
stone, Avhieb God lays in his spiritual Zion ; aud the lieaA'-
enly Jerusalem, Avhich is the mother of all that are born of
God; and the gathering out of the spirit ofthis Avorld (with
the vauitA' aucl falsehood thereof) into God's Spirit, Avliich
is truth aud uo lie ; and the building up of the holy temple,
in Avhich God appears, and is Avorsbipped; and the heaveuly
conimunion Avith the Father and Son, iu the one pure light
Avhich shines frora thera iuto the heart; and the one faith,
the oue circiiraeision, the oue baptism, the one holy niouu-
tain, the oue feast of fat things made thereon; the oue Ava
tor of life, the oue bread, the oue cup of salvation, &c.
XoAA' the things of the kingdora are all at the disposal of
the king thereof. To him all poAver is given, in him are
hid all the treasures of Avisdora and knoAvledge; he hath life
in himself, and he hath life to dispose of, and dispense to
his. lie gives the true knoAA'ledge, Avhich is life eternal; he
gives repentance, and remission of sins. He teacheth to
believe in the Father, aud he giveth faith also. He is the
Shepherd of the sheep, Avho by his voice cj[uickeneth and
maketh alivcaud leadeth aud preserveth and nourisheth up
to life eternal. Therefore, AAdioever Avill understand aright,
must receive uuderstauding from him; and Avhoever Avill
repent aright, must receive repentance from hira ; and Avho
ever Avill believe aright, raust receive faith from hira ; aud
Avhoever Avill hear aucl see aright, raust receive au ear aud
eye frora hira; and AA'hoever Avill corae uuto hira, and re
ceive him, must AA'ituess that ucav heart forming or formed
in hira, AvhercAvith and Avhereby he is received. Men greatly

300 THEWOEKSOP
mistake aud err about the gospel kuoAAdedge and religion,
by beginning therein Avithout the gospel spirit aud power.
Therefore that man that Avould not be deceived, aud lose
his soul for ever, let him take heed hoAv he begins, how he
stands, aud hoAV he proceeds in his religion. The Jews
stood in the revelation of God's Spirit and power outwardly;
aud the state of the Christians, the new covenant state,
stands iu the revelation of God's Spirit and power iiiAvardly ;
for uoue can beget a new birth to God inwardly, but his
OAVU Spirit and power Avorking inwardly in the heart.
Therefore, thou that Avouldst live Avith God for ever, and
not perish from the presence and glory of his poAver, mind
these three thiugs :
First, God's iiiAvard visitiug thee, and making a real
change iu thee. I do not mean a change in thy mind from
one notion to another; but a change iu thy heart from one
nature aud spirit to auother. This is the great work, which
uothing but the mighty poAver of God, Avhich raised Jesus
from the dead, cau eft'ect iu the hearts of the children of
men. Xow, that this may be wrought out iu thee, wait for
the appearing aud AArorking of that poAver, wliich (by its ap
pearing and Avorking) doth eftect it daily more and raore iu
those that unite to it, aud give up to its operations. Oh!
Avait to feel the power begetting somewhat of its oavu uat
ure iu thee, leaveniug thee iuto its uature by the pure,
heaveuly leaven whereAvith God Avaits to leaven thy heart.
Thus feel thy beginning from the true root, frora the holy
principle, from the seed of the kingdom; aud then Avait to
feel that grow up iu thee, and to grow up therefrora, that
as the beginning is pure, so the growth raay be pure also.
For after God hath A'isited thee, and begotteu somcAA-hat in
thee, aud leavened thee in some measure, so that there is
true Ufe, true seuse, true huugerings, true breathings, after
the Lord aud his righteousness, after the fountain of Uving
AA'aters, then (in the next place) mind and wait to learn of
the true teacher how to corae to the true Avaters, that thou
raayest drink thereof, and of no dirty puddle, of thy oavu or
auy other's forming. Where are these waters dispensed.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 301
and where are they to be fouud? Why, iu the neiv cove
uaut, AA-hich God makes Avith the hungry and thirsty souls,
as they come to the Shepherd, and hear his voice, aud learn
of him, aud foUoAV him. Therefore thou must Avait to dis
tinguish spirits, aud the knocks of spirits iu thy oavu heart.
Thou must kuoAv Avhen the Shepherd knocks, and Avhen the
stranger knocks; aud let iu the Shepherd A\dieu he knocks,
aud uot let iu the stranger Avheu he knocks. Thus, bv
knoAA-ing him, inclining thine ear to him, and hearing his
voice, thou comest to have the everlastiug covenaut made
Avith thy soul, even the sure mercies of David, AA-hereiu the
union Avith God is sure, the teacher sure, never more to be
removed from thee; the fear AA'hich God puts iuto the heart
sure; the laAv of the new Ufe sure, beiug so Avritten in tbv
heart by the finger of God's Spirit, as none cau blot out ;
the love of God sure, his preservation sure, the inheritance
of life sure. O sweet coA-enant! 0 holy covenant! 0 blessed
coA-euant! and blessed are all those souls Avith AA-hom God
makes this coveuaut, aud Avho are kept by him in the sense
aud enjoyment ofit!
Xoav, lastly, after God hath made this covenant Avitli thee,
and spoken peace to thee, aud given thee of the power,
righteousness, aud joj' of the kiugdom, aud set the holy
hedge of his power aud Avail of salvation about thee, thou
must take heed of going forth after any lust, after any de
sire of the flesh, after auj' temptation of the euemy; thou
must keep Avithiu the holy limits, aud uot touch any dead
or unclean thing, lest thou be defiled, aud so iu degree sep
arated from him who is pure.
The occasion of Avhat folloAvs Avas briefly thus :
There Avas a controversy between rae and another about
many of these things, toAvards Avhoni my love Avas in a trav
ail ; and haA'ing a sense ou my heart that the enemy makes
use of the Avroug apprehensions and mistakes he begets in
meu's minds about these things, contrary to the true Icuoaa-I-
edge aud experience Avhich God giveth to the children
Avhich are born of the heavenly Avonib, Avho indeed alone
can rightly plead for and justify their mother, in this day of
Vol. IIL— 26

302 THE WOEKS OF
great strife and contention about the kiugdom, and the
right heir thereof, — I say, having this sense on my heart,
and these things naturally springing up and opening in me
upon this occasion, I Avas drawn in Ioa'C, and in the motion
of life, thus to give them forth to others, hoping that the
Lord may thereby open the minds of sorae toAvards, and con
firm the minds of others in, the sense and belief of the truth,
and tbe inward manifestation of his Spirit, which discoA'crs
and strives agaiust the darkness, lusts, and corruptions in
them. The Lord give people the sense ofthe strivings and
reproofs of his Holy Spirit inwardly in their hearts, and join
their spirits thereto, that they maj' receive light, life, virtue,
and strength from his Holy Spirit, and thereby witness the
overcoming and keeping under the enemj' of their souls,
that they may know Avhat it is to have the seed of the wo
man bruise the serpent's head in their oavu particulars, that
so the holy child Jcsus may be exalted (his horn exalted in
them), aud he may reign, and exercise his government in
them, aud they may become Icings and priests to God, and
reign in him over all that his poAver is ordained to break
and keep under, yea, utterly consume and destroy, in the
hearts of those that submit themselves Avillingly to hira, aud
Avallc in the light and leadings of his Holy Spirit. Amen.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 303

IsT^KED TUTJTH.
I. Concerning understanding the Holy Scriptures truly
and aright.
Quest. Whether the Scriptures cau be understood aright,
•Avithout the light of God's Holy Spirit shining iuAvardl}' in
the heart, and giving the true understandiug of them'?
Ans. Xo; not possibly. For as the outward eye cannot
possibly see Avithout the shining- of some outAvard light,
no more can the iuAvarcl eye see Avithout the shining of the
inward light. God, Avho commanded light to shine out of
darkness, causeth the Ught of his Spirit to shine iu the
hearts of people according to his holy pleasure, and thereby
they come to see. God seeth all thiugs lu his owu light, iu
the light of his pure, eternal Spirit; and iu his Ught do. the
children of Ught see light. The things of God's kingdom
are holy raysteries, aud the words which he speaks concern
ing those holy raysteries none cau understand, but as he
pleaseth to open and reveal them. He hath given us an
understanding to Icuoav him that is true. 1 John v. 20.
" The inspiration ofthe Almighty giveth understanding,"
(Job xxxii. 8) without Avhicli, man is dead, aud cau neither
hear, nor see, nor understand any of the things of God's
kingdora.
n. Concerning the iUuminating Spirit, aud sanctifying
Spirit.
Quest. Whether the illurainating and sanctifying Spirit
be one aud the sarae Spirit or uo ? because it is affirmed by
some (and Avritten by oue to rae as a sound distinction of
divines, AA'hich distinction he saith he hath a raiud I should
learn) that there is a Spirit of sanctification, and that is
peculiar to the godly; and there isa Spirit illurainating.

304 THE WOEKS OP
and that is oft vouchsafed to the wicked, as it was to Balaam.
Aus. The Spirit which illuminateth, and the Spirit AA'hich
sanctifieth, is one and the sarae Spirit; and the illumination
ofthe Spirit is in order unto sanctification. The same light
which discovereth the darkness, also chaseth aAvay the dark
ness, as it is received and subjected to, and purifieth the
mind; for the light hath not only a property of enlightening,
but also of cleansing and sanctifying. Aud the reason why
meu are uot changed, justified, aud sanctified, in and by the
light, is because they love it not, and bring not their hearts
and deeds to it; and so it is their reprover and condemner,
and not their justifier aud sanctifier. But the same Spirit
light and life Avhich enlighteneth, also sanctifieth, and there
is not another.
HI. Concerning the Holy Spirit of God, and the Holy
Scriptures.
Quest. Whether they be ahvays joined ; or sorae may
have the Spirit, who have not the Scriptures; and some
may have the Scriptures, who have not the Spirit?
Ans. The Holy Spirit of Gbd, and the holy Scriptures,
are not always joined together; for some in the dark cor
ners of the earth raay be visited by the Spirit, becorae sen
sible of the Spirit, and receive the Spirit, Avho never heard
of the Scriptures ; and many raay have the Scriptures, and
yet be very ignorant of, and strangers to, God's Holy Spirit;
as the Jews were, who had them read in their synagogues
every sabbath day, and yet Christ told them, "Ye neither
know the Scriptures, nor the power of God."
IV. Concerning the Law of the Lord, which is perfect,
and which converts the soul.
Quest. What is the law ofthe Lord, which is perfect, and
converts the soul? Is it the outAvard law or writing in the
letter, or the iuAvard law aud Avriting in the Spirit ?
Ans. Xo man is, or ever was, or ever can be, converted
to God from the inward law of sin and death, but by the in
ward laAV of life and rigteousness Avritten in the heart; aud

ISAAC PENINGTON. 305
I am sure that laAv is perfect, the ucav covenant is perfect,
and the laAv thereof perfect; the laAV of the Spirit of Ufe in
Christ Jesus perfect, Avhich couA'crts the raind to Christ, the
righteousness of God, and sets it free frora the law of sin
and death. And David was a spiritual man, aud kucAV the
iuAA'ard covenaut, and the iuAvard creating ofthe heart ancAv,
aud God's hoify and free Spirit, and the law and testimony
thereof. I Avill grant a great deal to the letter and ministra
tion outAvard ; but I raust attribute raore to the iuAvard ; or
else God's light, and the holy experience AA'hich he hath
given me, Avill condemn me. Aud as the Jew outAA'ard had
the laAV, and testimony, and statutes outAvard; so I ara sure
the true Jcav, the Jcav iuAvard, hath the law, and testimony,
and statutes inward, Avritten iu his heart by the finger of
God's Spirit; yea, and the same Spirit put Avithin hira, to
cause hira to keep this law, aud the holy testimouy, statutes,
aud judgraents ofthe Lord; and the spiritual Jacob, and
Israel of God, iu this the day of their redemption and salva
tiou frora on high, do foUoAV the Lamb Avhithersoever he
goes, aud Avalk iu the light ofthe Lord.
V. Concerning David's longings, expressed iu Psa. xiii.
xliii. cxix. aud other places.
Quest. Were DaA-id's longings more after the laAV out
ward, or after the laAV and light of God's Spirit iuAvard?
Aus. David was a man after God's oavu heart; a man
that kuew an inward aud clean heart of God's creating, and
kucAV the free Spirit of the Lord, and the fresh springiug
Ufe thereof, and the leadings of the pure, living truth in-
AA-ardly in his heart, and this AA-as it he most especially prized
and longed after. "Create in me a cleau heart, 0 God, and
rencAV a right spirit Avithin rae', and take uot thy Holy Spirit
from me," &c., saith he, Psa. li. 10, 11. after his fall, shoAv-
iiig Avhat he had been acquainted with before, and what he
now (God haA-ing touched his spirit afresh) began to loug
after again. And saith he, in another place, "Oh! send out
thy light and thy truth ; let them lead me, let them bring
me uuto thy hill, and to thj- tabernacles." Psa. xliii. 3. Oh,

306 THE WOEKS OP
the SAveetness of light within, truth within! Oh, the pre
cious leadings and drawings thereof, Avhich Avere once felt,
upon a fresh aud teuder reniembrauce thereof, caunot but
be longed after again !
VI. Concerning the Sun, or Fountain of spiritual Light.
Quest. Whether the holy Scriptures, or Avriften testimo
nies, be the sun or fountain, aud the light Avithin but a ray
or stream from thera? (as is aftirmed by my antagonist.)
Ans. It is just quite contrary: for the holy raen spake
the holj' Avords from tbe iuAvard light and quickening life
of God's Spirit Avithin them ; so that that Avas the fountain
in them, and is so still. "AVith thee is the fountain of life;
aud he that believeth, as the Scriptures have said, out of
his belly shall Aoav rivers of Uving AA-ater. This spake he of
the Spirit," (John a'U. 39.) that is the fountain. "The Ava
ter that I shall give him, shall be in him a Avell of Avater
springing up iuto everlasting life." John iv. 14. Who es
teems aud honors the Scriptures aright? He that believes
their testimony, comes to Christ, and makes his Spirit, light,
and Ufe all; or he that sets the Scriptures in the stead of
that Word of life which they came from, testify of, aud
point men to, as the fountain aud foundation of life and sal
A'ation to all mankind?
vn. Coucerniug the Word's being a fire and a hammer to
burn up the chaft^ aud break the rocks iu pieces.
Quest. Is tbe AVord, Avliich is a fire and hammer, the tes
timonies and declarations ofthe holy Scriptures without, or
the A7ord nigh in the mouth and heart?
Aus. That Avhich I have felt hammering iuAvardly, that
AA'hich I have felt burning inwardly (uiicpieuchably, as the
raiud has been kept to it), has been the AA'ord of life itself,
from Avhich the good Avords and holy testimonies proceed.
That Avhich does the Avorlc in the inward Jcav is the iinvard
ministration ofthe inAvard covenant, the appearance of God
there. He is the consuming fire; he is the Spirit of judg
ment and burning, Avho, by his holy flamings inwardly,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 307
burns up the filth ofthe daughter of Zion. A raan may be
exercised in the letter all his clays, and yet Avitness nothing
of this iuAvardly in truth and righteousness; but he Avhom
the Spirit of judgment and burning inwardly coraes nigh,
and Avhose flesh is kept iu that holy furnace, it Avill be con
sumed there day by day, until it be quite Avasted aud de
stroyed, and so he come to be judged according to the flesh,
aud to live to God iu the Spirit.
Vin. Concerning -God's writing his laAV in the heart.
Quest. Hoav doth God Avrite his law in the heart?
Ans. By his Spirit and power working there, Avhereby he
both creates a ucav heart, and writes the ncAv laAA-, even the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, in the ucav heart.
"The isles shall Avait for his law." AVhose law? The laAV
of the Alessiah, the laAV of grace, whicli gives dominion ;
the laAV of the anointing, the laAV of the new birth, the laAv
ofthe holy seed. "His seed remaineth in him." 1 John iii.
9. In that seed is the new nature, and the ucav law both.
AVhat is the law of sin ? AVliat is the laAV of death ? Hoav is
it AA'ritten in the heart? How doth the enemy Avrite it there,
but by his corrupt spirit and nature? And doth uot Gpd,
by his holy Spirit and uature, Avrite the new law, the law of
life, in the hearts of those that are renewed aucl made teu
der to the impressions of his holy, quickening poAver? Ev
ery motion aud draAving Avhereof is a law to them Avho are
born ofthe Spirit, and taught of God to eye and Avallc after
the quickening Spirit.
IX. Concerning the inAvard Ught of God's Spirit.
Quest. AVhat is it Avliich the mind is to be turned to, to
eulighten it, and to work the darkness and corruption out
of it ?
Ans. It is no less than thejight of God's Spirit ; nothing
else can do it. The day-spring must arise from on high in
the heart, or there Avill be night for ever there. All notions
or apprelieusions concerning the light Avill not do it; it is
the shining of the light aloue iuAvardly Avhich is able to ex-

308 THE WOEKS OF
pel the darkness there. It Avas not for nothing that Christ
came a light to enUghten men, and directed raen to follo-v
hira, the light, that they raight not abide in darkness, and
that he sent his apostles with this message, that " God is
light, aud in him is no darkness at all;" and so gave his
apostles Avisdora, authority, and poAver to turn men from
the darkuess to the light. And if the darkness was Avitiiiu,
AA-hich they Avere to be tururd frora, surely the light must
shine Avithin, to discover the darkness, and to that light
must they be turued. And iu this light the Holy Spirit is
received, and chvells there; but out of this light, and the
limits thereof, iu CA'cry heart, dAvells the unclean and dark
spirit, and hath poAver and rule there; for nothing but the
light and strength of God's Spirit is able to break his king
dom and dominion iuAvardly iu the heart.
X. Concerning the ministers aud miuistry of the gospel.
Quest. AVho are the ministers, and AA'hat is the ministry
of the gospel ?
Aus. They are the ministers of the gospel Avho ha\'e re
ceived the Spirit and power AA-hereiu the ministry of the
gospel stands. For Christ came in the Spirit aud poAver of
the Father, aud he sends his apostles aud ministers in the
same Spirit aud poAver, that they might be able to beget,
and reach to that birth which is to be begotteu and minis
tered to. It is one thing to be a minister ofthe hiAV, and to
minister letter; aud another thing to be a minister of the
gospel, aud to minister Spirit. Tlie apostles Avere able min
isters of the XcAv Testament; uot of the letter, but of the
Spirit; aucl so are all iu a degree, Avho succeed them in any
raeasure or proportion of their ministry. For the ministry
ofthe gospel is iu the Ught, Spirit, and poAver of the Alost
High, to turn people's minds to a proportion of the same
light. Spirit, and poAver in themselves, and so to come to
the manifestation and cj^uickeuing ofthe same life in them
selves, that so they raay AvaUc in the same light. For the
life is the light ; and he can uever haA'e light, or see light,
Avho comes not first to feel some virtue from the quickening

ISAAC PENINGTON. 3O9
poAver. Oh ! hoAV precious is this ministry ! Blessed be the
Lord for his renewing' of it in these our days ! And this
ministry is not to be confined to an outward order of men,
as the ministry of the law was; but whoever hath received
the gift, so he is to minister, as the Lord guides, leads, and
orders him in tiie use of that gift which he hath bestowed
upon hira for that end. And Avhat if he be au herdsraan,
a fisherman, a tentmaker, or the like? Yet if God hath
poured outMiis Spirit upon hira, aud openeth his mouth,
he hath not ouly liberty, but more, ca'Cu authority, from the
Lord God Almighty to speak in his narae, either for turning
men unto Christ, the light and life of meu, or for building
men up iu their holy faith iu him, Avhose Spirit aud poAver
was aud is the resurrection in the life for evermore.
XI. Concerning trying of spirits, and searching the heart.
Quest. AVhat is it which searcheth the heart, and infalli
bly tries spirits ?
Ans. God's Spirit, God's Avord nigh iu the heart and
mouth, separateth and giveth true discerning and judgment
there, to all whose ears are circumcised and inclined to it.
God's Spirit is the spirit of judgraent ; and Avhere he is given,
the Spirit of judgraent is giA-en, and he judgeth in his chil
dren by the quickening life and sense he bestoweth on
thera, which distinguisheth between life and death, betAveen
truth and deceit; yea, between the sarae AVords, AA'hen they
corae from the dead spirit, and Avheu they are spoken iu his
liA'ing power: Christ gives his Spirit to his sheep, which
gives them to know his A-oice, to Icuoav Avhen life speaks,
and Avhen Avords are liA'ing, and food for the living; and in
what mouth they are dead, and caunot yield living nourish
ment. XII. Concerning things necessary to Salvation.
Quest. Whether all things necessary to sah'ation be con
tained in the Scriptures ?
Aus. The Scriptures give testimony concerning the oue
thing necessary to salvation; but the thing itself, Christ

310 THE WOEKS OF
hiraself, the seed itself, is not contained iu the Scriptures,
but revealed in the shinings of the true li2;ht, and so re-
ceived or rejected iuAvardly in the heart. "Behold I stand
at the door aud knock." Blessed are they that hear his
voice, aud beUeve hira- knocking, aud open to hira, and re
ceive him, Avho gives eternal life and poAver to become sons
of God to as many as receive hira, and believe iu, and give
up to, the iuAvard revealiugs of his redeeniing arra and
poAver therein. "To whom is the arra of the Lord re
vealed?" To thera iu Avhom, aud to Avhom, this arm is re
vealed, Christ is revealed; and they iu AA-hom, and to whom,
Christ is revealed, Icuoav the one thiug necessary, even him
who is Ufe eternal, iu whom all other necessary things are
Avrapped up, aud by Avhom they are couA'cj-ed to the soul,
accordiug to its need, by him aa-1io is faithful iu all his
house, and takes care of every sheep AA-hich the Father com
mitteth to him.
XIII. Coucerniug the true Gospel Church, or Societj-.
Quest. What is the true gospel church, or society?
Ans. A company of true believers in the Spirit aud poAver
of the Lord Jesus Christ. A compaaiy of true Jews, in
ward Joaa-s, Jcavs iu Spirit, of the true circumcision, Avhoni
the Father had sought out, and made true iuAvard worship
pers ; such as are gathered to the name, and gathered to
gether in the name of the Lord Jesus, to ofter up spiritual
sacrifices to God through him. A company of living stones,
AA-ho have received life frora hira, the foundation stone ; and
meet together to wait upon and Avorship the Father, in the
light and Spirit Avhich they have receiA-ed from him. This
is the holy church, or liAung assembly of the Xoav Testa
ment; blessed are they that are ofit! For about this church
is the Avail of salvation; and they that are added by God's
Spirit and poAver to this church, and abide iu it, shall cer
tainly be saved.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 312
XIV. Concerning the Way to Salvation.
Quest. Which is the certain and infallible Avay to salva
tion. Aus. It is a UCAV aud living way; it is such a way as none
but the living can Avalk in. It is a holy way, Avhich none
but the cleansed, the ransomed, the redeemed of the Lord,
can set one step in. The Avay, the life, and the truth are all
one ; blessed are they that fiud it, and Avalk in it! In plain
aud express terms, it is the Lord Jesus, the light of the Lord
Jesus, the life of the Lord Jesus, the Spirit of the Lord Je
sus, the truth as it is in hira, his wisdom, his power, he him
self, the covenant or holy limit between Gocl and the soul.
He that coraes into hira, comes iuto the Avay ; he that abides
in him, abides in the Avay ; he that AA'alks iu him, Avalks in
the Avay. He that coraes to his light, his Ufe, his Spirit, his
truth in the iuAvard parts, comes to him; he that abides
therein, abides iu him; he that Avallcs therein, Avalks in him :
aud he that walks out of the light and leadings ofhis Spirit,
let him Avalk in what form he avUI, j'Ot he Avallcs not in him,
'the Avay. XV. Concerning Christ's saving the Soul.
Quest. Hoav doth Christ save the soul?
Ans. By visiting iuAvardly, knocking inAvardly, appear
ing iiiAvardly, causing the light of life to shine iiiAA'arcUy,
and so enlightening and quickening inwardly, breaking the
strength ofthe eneray iuAA-ardly, and bringing out ofthe re
gion and shadoAv of darkness inwardly, into the region and
path of light. By the light and power of his Spirit he be
gets a child of light; which child of Ught he brings out of
Egypt, the dark laud ; out of Sodora, the filthy, unclean
land; out of Babylon, the land and city of coufusicm (Avhere
the Spirit of the living God, aud the holy order of life, and
his precious government iu the heart, is not so much as
known), and brings him into the Ught, Avhere he and his
Father dwells. And this child of light is not ofthe nature
of darkuess, but light in the Lord, and AA'alks in the light.

312 THE WOEKS OP
as he is in the light; and by the further shining and Avork-.
ing of the Ught and life in him, he preserves and saves him
dail}' more aud more.
XA"I. Concerning Regeneration, or the Xew Birth.
Quest. AVhat is regeneration, or the ucav birth ?
Aus. It is au iuAA-ard change, by the Spirit and poAver of
the living God, into his oavu nature. It is a being begot
ten ofhis Spirit, born of his Spirit; begotten into aud born
of the very uature of his Spirit. ("That Avhich is born of
the Spirit, is Spirit," Johu iii.) It is uot every change of
mind Avhich is the right change; but only that which God,
by the very same power whereAvith he raised our Lord Je
sus Christ frora the grave, makes in the hearts of thosc
Avhoni he visits; aa-Iio are sensible of, receive, aud are sub
ject to his iuAvard life, light, aud poAver.
XVII. Coucerniug true Holiuess.
Quest. AAniat is true holiness?
Alls. That holy uature, aud those holy actions, which arise
from the holy root; all else are but imitations- of holiuess,
not the true holiness. The tree must be made good first,
and then the fruit Avill be good also. There are many like
nesses of the true holiuess up aud doAvu in several profes
sions; but there is no real holiness to be found, nor right
eousness either, but iu the trees of God's planting, in the
branches Avhich are by him ingrafted into the true vine and
olive-tree, Avhose strength of virtue aud holiuess Ues in the
sap, Avhich they daily receive from him.
XA^IL Coucerniug Christ's AVorks outAvardly in the days
of his flesh, and inwardly in the day aud inward
shining of the light of his Spirit iu the heart.
Quest. Which are greater, the works Avhich Christ did
outwardly ou the bodies of meu in the days of his flesh, or
Avhich he doth iuAA^ardly iu meu's minds and spirits by the
pOAverful appearance and operation of his Spirit? Because
Christ said, the Avorks that he did, those that beUeved ou

ISAAC PENINGTON. 3I3
him should do, and greater also, because he went to the
Father. John xiv. 12.
Ans. Doubtless to reach to the soul, and quicken the
soul,- and raise the soul out of the grave of death, and cure
the blindness, deafness, hardness, and diseases of the soul,
is greater than the outAvard, and Avas signified by the out
Avard. XIX. Coucerning the yoke, or cross of Christ.
Quest. AVhat is the yoke or cross of Christ?
Ans. It is iuAA-ard, as that which is to be crucified is
chiefly iuAvard. It is that gift of God, that light of his Spir
it Avliich is contrary to the darkness, contrary to all that is
corrupt; which Avills and AA-ars agaiust it; aud being re
ceived, subjected to, aud borne patiently, takes away the life
of the flesh, thc Avill and Avisdora of the flesh, and all the
subtle reasonings and dcA-ices of the fleshly part; and so
that languishes and dies, aud God's plant is eased of it; and
the soul abiding under this cross, comes into the true,
pure, aucl perfect libertj'', Avhere it hath scope uuto holiness,
freedom uuto righteousness, aud is in strait bonds and holy
chains frora all liberty to the flesh, and frora all unholiness
aud unrighteousness of every kind.
XX. Concerning making our calling and election sure.
Quest. IIow may a man make his calling and election
sure? Ans. By making the gift of God sure to hira; by making
that sure to him Avherein his calling and election is. For
the choice is ofthe seed, the holy seed, the imvard seed, the
seed of God's Spirit, aud of the creature as joined to the
seed. God AA-ould have none to perish; but AA-ould have all
come to the knoAvledge of Christ, the truth, Avho is the seed,
in Avhom the election stands ; and his holy advice to men is,
Avhom he begins to call and to lead towards the election,
" to raake their caUing and election sure." So that the Avay
of making the caUing and election sure is, to make the gift
sure, the seed sure, the leaven sure, the pearl sure, which
Vol. in.— 27

314 THE WOEKS OP
God will never reject, nor any that are found in true union
AA-ith it, and in the love and obedience of it. Oh ! therefore,
as God visits Avith power (with his poAverful gift), and as thou
receivest poAver, dominion, and authority over sin (for in
this gift is God's dominion and authority revealed), be faith
ful to the gift, be faithful to the poAver, give up to the truth
iu the iuAvard parts, come into it, dAvell iu it, that thou may
est feel its virtue and delivering nature from every enslav
ing and cmbondaging thing, and theu stand fast in the lib
erty AvhercAvith Christ the Lord (by the life, virtue, and
power of his truth) sets thee free. And so here thou wilt
read thy calling, aud read thy election day by day; and find
them sealed, and sure to thee, in that truth, in that gift, iu
that heavenly Ught, in that holy seed, which came from
God, aucl is of him, and which he delights to own, and will
neA'er reject. XXI. Concerning Prayer.
Quest. What is the true prayer?
Ans. The breathings AA-hich arise from the true birth,
from the liA'ing sense AA'hich God giA-es to the true birth ;
these are the true prayer. There is a Spirit of prayer and
supplication given by God to his children to wrestle aud
prevail Avith him by. All prayer that arises from, and is
given hy, that Spirit, is true prayer; all other prayer is not
right and true, but at best au imitation of the true. "AVe
kuoAv not Avhat to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit mak
eth intercession for us with groanings AA-hich cannot be ut
tered." Mark: the very groanings that come from God's
Spirit, from his breathing and Avork upou the heart, are right
prayers iu God's sight; but other sighs and groans are not
so. XXII. Coucerniug Repentance.
Quest. AVhich is the true repentance?
Aus. That Avhich Christ gives, whom God hath exalted
to be the prince and Saviour, to give repentance and for
giveness of sins. Acts. v. 31. It is uot in man's poAver to

ISAAC PENINGTON. 315
repent; his heart is hard and impenitent. It is God's poAver
Avhich melteth, tendereth, and changeth the heart. So that
there is a great dift'erence between the sense aud sorroAv of
man's nature, and the sense and sorroAv which God gives to
the heart Avhich he renews and changes. *rhe one is of an
earthly, the other of a heaA'cnly, nature. The one is like
the early clew, or morning cloud, it soon passeth aAvay; the
other is Avritten in the uoav heart, and abideth. So that in
it there is a real sorroAv and mourning over the corrupt nat
ure, and all the dead works of the flesh, and a turning frora
thera, and meddling no more with them. This is the re
pentance ofthe reneAved ones, Avhich is the gift of the Lord
Jesus Christ uuto them, and is a godly sorrow for sin not
to be repented of. XXIII. Concerning Faith.
Quest. What is the true faith ?
Ans. It is a belief in the power Avhich saves, from a true
sense and experience of it in the heart. For the power
Avhich saves must first manifest itself, before it cau be be
lieved in ; and hoAv doth it manifest itself, but by shining
in the heart, AA'hich hath been darkened by transgression, to
open the eye of the understanding, AA-hich the god of the
AA-orld hath blinded, and to unstop the deaf ear, and so it
begets and creates soraewhat capable to receive its further
raanifestation. The Scripture speaks of a new creation in
Christ. Indeed all true beUevers are so: aud they have the
ability, the faculty, the power of believing from him who
creates them ancAV. There is that which is called faith in
unregenerate men ; but that is uot the faith I am now speak
ing of, but that w-hich is the gift of God to his own birth, to
his OAVU begotten. " To you it is given uot only to believe,"
&c. PhU. i. 29. Mark: It is given to believe. Oh, this holy
gift ! this faith of the ucav birth is the faith which pleaseth
God, prevaileth with him, purifieth the heart to which it is
given, giveth access to God, interest in his poAA-er and prom
ises, and victory over the worldly nature, and over all the

316 THE WOEKS OP
soul's enemies. Blessed be the Lord for bestowing and in
creasing it in the hearts of his children.
XXIV. Concerning Obedience.
Quest. What is obedience ?
Ans. The obedience which flows from the true under
standiug of God's will, aud from the holy nature which he
begets in the heart. It is the obedience which flows from
true sense, true understauding, and true faith. There is no
birth can believe aright but one; nor is there any birth can
obey aright, but that birth which believes aright. The true
believing is from the quickening virtue of God's Spirit (all
other faith is but dead faith); and the true obedience is in
the newness of the Spirit. Rom. vi. 4, and vii. 6. Man
may strive to understand and obey all' his days; but he can
do neither, but as he is c|uiclceued, taught, and enabled of the
Lord. "Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes." Psah
cxix. 33. There is a mystical path of life. The way of
wisdom, the Avay of holiness, the holy skill of obeying the
truth, is hid frora all living, from all mankind, but such as
are begotten aud brought up by him in the holy skill and
mystery of subjection to the Lord. "Thy people shall be a
willing people iu the day of thy power." It is the power
of God that works the will in the heart, and the same power
works to do also ; and none can learn either to will or to do
aright, but as they corae to be acquainted Avith that power,
joined to that power, and feel that power working iu them.
And here, in this power, to this uoav birth, faith and the
holy obedience are as natural, as unbelief and disobedience
are to the birth of the flesh. It is frequently and abun
dantly experienced by his holy birth, by the child of his be
getting. Blessed be the uame of the Lord.
XXV. Coucerning Justification.
Quest. What is justification, or how is a man justified in
the sight of God?
Ans. By a true sense of, and faith in, that Avhich justifies;
which is the Spirit, the life, the water, the blood, the vir-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 317
tue, the power of the Lord Jesus. All these are one iu nat
ure, and they go together. Man is sinful naturally, fallen
from God, found a transgressor agaiust him. Xoav he needs
justification from his sins, aud he needs justification in re
spect of Avhat God hath entrusted hira Avith, and requires of
hira; and in the new birth, and joining to the Spirit of the
Lord Jesus Christ, he meets with both. Being quickened
by his Holy Spirit, turned from the darkness, coming into
the light, aud walking in the light; there his sins are done
aAvaA-, blotted out,' as if they had never been, for his name's
sake; and there he receiveth a ucav ability, a ucav heart, a
UCAV Spirit, j-ea, the Spirit of the living God, to quicken
him, and work in him; and whatever he doth in this Spirit
(or rather Avhat God doth by him, in and through this Spirit)
is justified, owned, and accepted. God finds no fault iu
any of the fruits of his oavu Spirit (in auy of the children of
men), but only in the fruits of the flesh. And if, for Avant
of watchfulness, the enemy should prevail, and draAV into a
snare; yet upon turning to the light of God's Holy Spirit,
which discovers and reproves for it, in the holy light the Ava
ter flows, the blood is sprinkled, the conscience is cleansed,
aucl so becomes clean even in God's sight. Oh ! blessed is
he Avho is not deceived with dead notions of justification,
but feels the justification wliich comes from God, and is ac-
corapauied Avith a living sense, and with the testimony of
his Holy Spirit. XXVI. Concerning good Works.
Quest. What are good works ?
Ans. The works that flow from God's good Spirit, the
works that are wrought in God, they are good Avorks. The
works ofthe ucav birth, ofthe new creature, are good works ;
whereas all the works of the flesh are bad, though never so
finely painted. All its thoughts, imaginations, reasonings,
willings, runnings, hunting to find out God and heaveuly
things, with all its sacrifices, are corrupt and evil, having
of the bad leaven, of the bad nature in them. Make the
tree good, or its fruit can never be good : so that they are

318 ¦ THE WOEKS OP
only the good works that flow from the good tree, from the
good root. And here all the works of the flesh, though
never so glorious and taking in man's eye, are shut out by
God's measure, by God's line and pluraraet of righteousness
and true judgraent; and every work of God's Spirit, the
raeanest work of faith, the least labor of true love, the least
shining of Ufe in the heart, aud the giving up thereto, is
OAVued by God as coming from him, and wrought in him,
who worketh both to will and to do, of his OAvn good pleas
ure. He that is gathered to the light Avhich God hath en
lightened him with, hath received the light, dwelleth iu the
light, aud Avalketh in the light; the Spirit of the living God
is near him, and dwelleth with hira, and worketh iu him ;
and he bringeth his deeds to the light, where it is manifest
that they are wrought in God. But he that is out of the in
ward Ught of God's Holy Spirit, his works are not AATought
in God, and so can but make a fair show in the flesh (to the
fleshly eye) but are not good in God's sight. The erring
man's Avay and works are often right in his own eyes; ah!
but blessed is he whose way and works are good and right
iu the eye of the Lord, in the judgment of his searching,
unerring light and Spirit.
XXVn. Concerning Love.
Quest. Which is the true love?
Ans. The love Avhich ariseth from the nature which God
begets, aud from this circumcising the heart from the other
nature. Love is the beautiful thing. What can be higher
expressed concerning God hiraself, than to say he is love?
LoA'e is greatly comraended and admired, aud there are
many pretenders to it; but none have the true love, but
only those that are born of God, and circumcised by him.
"The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the
heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine
heart., and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." Deut.
xxx. 6. Mark: the true love ariseth from the true circum
cision; and the more a man comes to have his heart circum
cised from the fleshly nature, and to grow up in the pure

ISAAC PENINGTON. 319
and heavenly nature, the more he loves. God is love; aud,
the uigher any one coraes to him, and the more he partakes
of him, the more he becomes love in the Lord, aud the raore
he is taught of God to love the Lord his God, and his breth
ren in the Spirit, and all mankind, Avho are ofhis blood (for
of one blood God made all raankind) according to the flesh,
or according to a natural consideration.
XXAmi. Concerning Meekness aud Patience.
Quest. What is the true meekness and patience?
Aus. The meekness aud patience Avhich ariseth from the
Lamb's nature. Deceit avUI put on an appearance of love,
and deceit will put on also an appearance of meekness and
patience; but it cannot put ou the true love, the true meek
ness and patiences that is only learned of the Lamb, and
received of him by receiving of his Spirit and nature from
him. And oh, how precious is this ! hoAV sweet is it felt iu
the heart ! To feel a meek, a quiet, a patient spirit iu the
midst of all trials, all troubles, all fears, all doubts, all temp
tations of every kind. Indeed this is of much price in tho
sight of the Lord, and also in the eye of him avIio hath re
ceived it frora the Lord, aud enjoyeth it iu hira, and pos
sesseth his soul in hira.
XXIX. Concerning the knoAvledge ofthe new covenant.
Quest. What is the knowledge ofthe new covenant?
Ans. The knowledge Avhich is given by God to the new
birth: for to it the new covenant belongs, and the knoAvl-
edge thereof. The truly begotten of God, the true disciples
of Christ, to thera it is given to know the kingdom of God ;
but to others it is not given. The Jew outAvard, the first
birth, the birth after the flesh, for them the priest's Ups
Avere to preserve knowledge, and they were to seek the laAv
at his mouth; and to them God sent prophets to speak to
them, and taught thera by his prophets: but concerning the
inward Jews, the children ofthe new covenant, the children
of the Jerusalem which is above, concerning her seed it
was prophesied, that they all should be taught of the Lord ;

320 THE WOEKS OP
they all should hear and knoAV the voice of the Shepherd
himself; they should all be gathered to the Shepherd and
Bishop ofthe soul, aud taught by him. So that in this new,
holy, living covenant, God himself is the Shepherd, God
himself is the Teacher, uot only of the greatest, but of the
very least. Heb. viii. For he teacheth them all to know the
Lord, aud to knoAv his Son, aud to come to his Sou, and to
love him their Father, aud one auother. So that he that is
taught of God, he hath the true knowledge, the living
kuoAvledgo, the substantial knoAvledge, the knoAAdedge of
the thing itself, of the Ufe eternal itself. All that are not
thus taught (but learn only from a literal description and
relation of thiugs) liave uot the kuoAvledge of the ucav cove
naut, the knoAvledge of the thing itself; but ouly au out
ward kuoAvledge, such as the first birth may catch at, lay
hold on, aud comprehend.
XXX. Conceruhig the fear ofthe uoaa- covenant.
Qucot. AAniat is the fear ofthe new covenant?
Aus. It is the fear Avliich God puts iu the hearts of his
children; Avhich fear cleanseth their hearts, aud keepeth
them from departing from their God. There is a great deal
of dift'erence betAveeu the fear Avhich may be learned from
precepts from without, and the fear Avhich Gocl puts in the
hearts of his children from a root of life within ; which fear
is of a heavenly nature, and is the free gift of God to'his
OAVU heavenly birtli, aud none else; Avhich no man cau pos
sibly attain by auy thoughts or reasonings of his OAvn, but_
ouly by the springings of life from God. And he that Avoiild
have this fear, must Icuoav the place of Avisdom, and wait
there for it; and Avhen he hath it, this fear Avill soon begin
to make him Avise toAvards sah-ation, and teach hira to de
part from evil, AA'hich is the cause of destruction. Job xxvUi.
28. XXXI. Concerning Hope.
Quest. AVhat is the true hope?
Aus. The stay ofthe mind upou the Lord, the stay ofthe

ISAAC PENINGTON. 321
heavenly birth upon its Father: for Ave must distinguish
between hope and hope. There is the hope of the hypo
crite, or false birth, AA-hich shall perish; and the hope ofthe
true birth, which will never fail it, nor raake it ashamed; be
cause that birth is taught of God to hope aright. Xoav, in
hope, there is both the ground of it, and the hope itself. The
ground of the hope is God's love, God's truth, God's faith
fulness, God's grace, his seed, his Christ felt AA-ithin; being
ofhim, united to him, in him, he in me: here is the ground
of my assurance of the everlastiug glory and inheritance,
which is sure to the seed, aud to all that are of and in the
seed. So knowing Christ within me, feeling Christ Avithin
me, living in him, and he in me, I have an anchor sure and
steadfast Avithin the veil, Avhich no storms, no tempests, no
trials, uo temptations, present or to corae, have poAver over.
And then there is the hope, or hoping itself; that is, the
staying of the raind upon the Lord, the leaning upon the
Lord, the retiring beyond all thoughts or reasonings or
lookings out, to the inward life; to feel somewhat spring
frora it, for the soul to hope or trust in, beyond all outward
appearance. Aucl this hope never deceiA-es nor makes
ashamed those Avho are taught of God thus to stay their
minds upon hira. Xay, though the state be darkness, aud
no light seen; yet beneath the darkness there is somcAvhat
to stay the mind ofthe child and servant ofthe Lord tUl he
appear, and cause Ught to break out of obscurity; for light
is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright, even in
their darkest, saddest, and most distressed conditions ; in
all which the Lord is near them, and there is still ground
for them to hope in him.
XXXn. Concerning Peace.
Quest. Which is the true peace?
Ans. The peace which God speaks to the soul; the peace
which Christ gives to his own disciples. The Avay of truth,
the way of life leads to peace; and the peace which is found
therein is of God's giving, and is the true peace. First,
God breathes upon the heart, begets a right birth, a true

322 THE WOEKS OF
child; then he leads him into the holy way, the righteous
way; from that which loads and burdens, to that wherein is
the ease and rest. Thus in the believing and following hira
there is joy and peace. This is experienced by all the true
travellers, and by none else. Xo raan, with all his Avisdom,
knowledge, aud understandiug, can so much as guess at
Avhat this peace is. The peace of God, the peace which he
speaks to his children, the nature of it, the sweetness of it,
the beavenUness of it, passeth man's understauding; but he
Avho is born from above, Avho hath a new and heaA-enly under
standing, he knoAveth the nature, excellency, and precious
ness ofit; and would not for all this world, for any fear, or
danger, or expectation of any thing from Avithout, hazard
the breaknig oft" this precious peace and rest of his soul in
his God. XXXni. Concerning Joy.
Quest. Which is the true J03-?
Ans. .The joy which floAvs from God's presence, and the
Avorlc ofhis poAver iu the heart, aud the assured expectation
Avhicli he gives of the full inheritance and glory of life ever
lasting. When the bridegroom is present, Avhen the soul is
gathered home to him, married to him, in union with him,
iu the holy, living fellowship; when he appears against the
enemies of the soul, rising up agaiust thera, breaking, scat
tering them, and giving ofhis good thiugs, filling with life,
filling Avitli love, filling Avith virtue, feasting the soul in the
presence of the Father; oh, what sweet joy! oh, what ful
ness of joy is there then in the heart! "In thy presence is
fulness of joy, and at thy right baud are pleasures for CA-er-
more," said the psalmist. Ps. xA-i. 11. Surely he had had a
taste of the thing, he had been in God's presence, and that
made him ery out, "Cast me not away from thy presence,"
Psal. li. 11. ; and he had drunk of the river of God's pleas
ure, Avhich is at his right hand, Avhich made hira speak so
sensibly of it. Psa. xxxvi. 8. and xlvi. 4. Christ said to his
disciples, that because of his going away they should have
sorroAv; but he would see thera again, and their heart

ISAAC PENINGTON. 323
should rejoice, and their joy no raan should take frora them.
John xvi. 22. Hoav or when Avas this fulfilled? AVhat Avere
they sorry for? AA^as it not the loss of his outward presence,
Avhich had been so SAveet and comfortable to them? Hoav
would he come to thera again ? Was it not by the Com
forter? AVas it uot by his iuAA-ard and spiritual presence?
So that he that was Avith them should be iu them? Before
they kuew Christ Avith them ; iioav they should knoAV Christ
iu thera; the Father in thera, and they in hira; Immanuel,
the gospel state, God Avith us, dwelling with us, taberna-
cliug in us, Uving in us, walking in us, and Ave living aud
walking iu him. AVhen the apostles came to this state, theu
they came to witness the joy in the Holy Ghost, ca^cu the
joy unspeakable, and full of glory. And hence it is that the
gospel state is a state of joy and rejoicing in the Lord, even
in his glorious, living presence, and in the glory of his
poAver. For in the gospel state the true light shines iu
Avardly in the heart, the life is manifested; and being mani
fested, they that come iuto the manifestation ofit, come iu
to the holy union, and iuto the holy felloAVship Avith the
Father aucl Sou, AA-here the joy is, aucl where the joy is full;
where the power is revealed which does away that Avhich is
contrary to the holy felloAvship, and hinders the holy joy
and rejoicing in the Lord. See 1 John i. 3, 4.
XXXIV. Concerning poverty of spirit aud humUity.
Quest. Which is the right poverty of spirit, and the true
humility ?
Ans. That poverty and humUity of spirit which springeth
from the same root from which the faith, the love, the
peace, the joy, aud the other heavenly things arise ; and is
of the sarae nature. There is a voluntary humility, and a
voluntary poverty, even of spirit, which raan casts hiraself
into, and forras in himself, by his oaa-u Avorkings and rea-
sonino-s. This is not the true, but the false image, or coun
terfeit ofthe true; but then there is a poverty Avhich ariseth
from God's emptying the creature, from God's stripping the
creature; and a humiUty Avhich ariseth frora a ucav heart

324 THE WOEKS OF
and nature. This is of the right kind, and is lasting, and
abides in the midst ofthe riches and glory of the kingdom.
For as Christ was poor iu spirit before his Father, and lowly
in heart iu the midst of all the fulness which he received
from him ; so it is Avith those Avho are of the same birth and
nature AA'ith Christ. They are filled Avith humility, and
clothed Avith humiUty, in the midst of all the graces and
heavenly riches Avhich God fills thera and adorns thera with.
Keep in the faith, keep in the truth, keep iu the light, keep
iu the power; it excludes boasting in or after the flesh, and
keeps the mind in that humility and poverty of spirit which
God hath brought, and daily further aud further brings it
into ; and so the humility aud poverty remain (poor in spirit
for ever, humble in spirit for CA-er, nothing before the Lord
for ever) even as that remains which brought into that
frame, and keeps in that frame for ever. And so the Lord
of life is only exalted, and the creature kept abased before
him, aud Ioav for ever; and is nothing but as the Lord
pleaseth to flU, aud make it to be Avhat it is. So what I am,
I am by God's love, by his grace, by his mercy, by his good
ness, by his poAver, by his Avisdoin, by his righteousness, by
his holiness, AA-hich he of his oaa-h good pleasure corarauni-
cateth, and causeth to spring ih rae, and fiUeth and clotheth
me Avith, as seemeth good iu his sight.

THE COXCLUSIOX.
There is mention made iu the book of the RcA-elations,
iu the epistles from Christ to the 'seven churches of Asia, of
a tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
(the fruit AA-hereof is good for food, and the leaves thereof
for the healing ofthe nations); aud of hiddeu manna, and a
AA-liite stone, and in the stone a ucav narae Avritten, AA'hich
none knoweth but he that receiA-eth it; and of a morning
star to be given, aud poAver over the nations, to rule their
spirit, even as Christ hath received of his Father; and of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 325
being clothed in Avhite, and his name confessed before the
Father (this is the sheep of my fold, the child of ray Fa
ther's begetting, Avho is named by me among the living, I
know him by his narae, Johu x. 3.); as also of his beiug a
pillar in the temple of God, and of going no raore out, but
bearing the narae of God, and the name of the city of God,
the new Jerusalem Avhich cometh down from God out of
heaven ; and of Christ's new name (oh ! Avliat is that ! ) and
of sitting Avith Christ in his throne.
This is the generation of spiritual kings, who haA'e a spir
itual kiugdom, and a spiritual throue, even Christ's king
dora, aucl Christ's throue, the royal priesthood of God. Oh,
precious things ! Oh, rich glory! Surely eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of raen to
conceive Avhat these things are.
Xoav he that Avould Avitness these thiugs ; he that would
knoAV, experience, and enjoy these things, must mind that
seed in Avhich they are wrapped up, as in a seed, aud out of
Avhich they spring, and shoot forth. The kingdom is in the
seed, the throne in the seed, the poAver in the seed. He
that is united to the seed, and abideth in the seed, receiveth
power from the seed, and overcometh, he shall inherit all
things ; and I will be his T3rod, and he shall be my son. Rca-.
xxi. 7. But he that Av'ill be so, must not be fearful or uu-
belicA'ing of overcoming sin, or his soul's enemies ; but
must depend upon the almighty and all-sufficient poAver of
God, which avUI give him victory over sin, and keep him
that he touch no- unclean thing; that he may be holy, as
the Lord his God is holy; and righteous, even as the Lord
his God is righteous. Indeed it becometh the heavenly
children to partake of the divine life, of the heavenly nat
ure of their Father, aud be like hira. And he that partak
eth ofhis nature, ofhis holiness, Heb. xU. 10, is holy, as he
is holy; and he that frora the holy root of purity aud right
eousness, doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is
righteous. 1 John iii. 7. So it is Avritten without, aud so it
is testified within, by hira that is born of God in whom the
seed remaineth, which overcometh the Avicked one, bruiseth
Vol. HL— 28

326 THE WOEKS OP
him and keepeth him under: and the just live by the faith
which giveth victory over him.

A PREFACE TO THE EXPERIEXCES.
It hath pleased the Lord, to unseal and open the Foun
tain of Ufe, in the midst of his heritage ; so that in his light
do they see light, and in his life do tbey reap and enjoy life.
Aud the precious promises are fulfilled in the midst of them,
of sending the Comforter, aud pouring out of the Holy Spir
it; so that he that believeth, out of his belly do floAV rivers.
of living Avater. Yea, the Lord hath a vineyard of his oavu
planting, Avhich he keepeth night and day (lest any hurt it),
and watereth every moraeut. Oh, the strearas of life, the
strearas of lo\'e, the strearas of grace, the strearas of raercy,
the streams of peace, the streams of joy aud consolation,
Avhich floAv from hira into the bosoms of his children ! In
deed grace and mercy aud peace are multiplied frora God
our Father, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, daily;
iusorauch as that saying of Christ to his disciples (John xvi.
26, 27.) is now fulfilled: "I say not uuto you, that I will
pray the Father for you; for the Father hiraself loveth you,"
&c. The Father iu his love hath brought us to the Son, aud
the Son in the sarae love hath brought us back to the Fa
ther; and now the love floAvs frora the Father, in aud
through the Son, most naturally and abuudantiy. And
Avhere the heart is circumcised, and much forgiven, there
also love returns back raost truly and naturally ; so that the
Lord our God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, is loved with all
the heart, and Avith all the soul, aud nothing is thought too
good to sacriflce to hira, nor auy thing too much to suffer
for hira. Oh, the pure love that springs and flows betAveen
the heavenly Father and the spiritual child ! The best love
that is to be found in this Avorld (iu the raen ofthis AA'orld)
is not worthy to be a shadow of it. God is love: and his
children are of him, and partake of aud dAveU in the same

ISAAC PENINGTON. 327
love, though the enmity and highest wisdom of this world
know thera not, nor can Icuoav thera ; even as it never could
know the children of the true wisdora formerly.
Xow, from' this Fountain, do not only issue springs and
streams of life to refresh our owu hearts; but testimonies
concerning the life Avhich Ave feel and partake of, and con
cerning our travels from the dark land, through the valley
of tears (where he who gaA-e us lifo Avas our Avell), toAvards
our resting-place. These, many times, spring up in us for
the sakes of others: of Avhich nature are the thins's which
folloAV. For not for my own sake did they spring up in rae
at this tirae; but to signify to others the raercy the Lord
hath shoAvn rae, and the way wherein he hath led rae, and
what he hath given ine to taste of and experience in the
way; which will answer CA^ery true palate, every palate that
is seasoned with life, and Avith the true experience. And
having received them from the Lord for this very end, to
hold them forth to others in love and tenderness of spirit,
my heart is freely given up to him therein; uot aiming at
any thing thereby, but his glory singly, and the good of
such souls to whom he shall please to extend faA-or and
show mercy, in opening the heaA-enly mystery of life and
salvation to thera.
I have often said in ray heart. Who hath begotten rae
these? Who would have said that Sarah should have given
children suck ! My wound was deep, and seemed incurable.
But blessed be the Lord, who hath made known to ine the
physician of value, for Avhom no disease is too hard; but he
is able to cure every sickness, and to relieve and rescue all
that are captived and oppressed by the devil, that come
unto him and wait upon hira, in the way of his righteous
judgments and most teuder mercies. For after all my re
ligion and deep exercises, and iuAvard experiences and
knoAvledge, I came to such a loss of what I once had, that I
sensibly felt I knew not the Lord, and lay continually
groaning and mourning after him, and deeply afilicted for
want of him. Oh, the pure light, and precious life, and
sweet presence of my God, that my soul wanted, insomuch

328 THE WOEKS OF
that ray moisture Avas turned into the drought of summer,
and ray bones groAvn dry aud withered! But at length, the
Lord, in his goodness (Oh, blessed for ever be his narae!),
breathed upon the dry bones, and I felt Ufe enter frora hira
into rae, and the days of deep sorrow and distress were at
length forgotten, because a man-child was at length con
ceived aud brought forth. And uoav Avhere is the sack
cloth? Where is the ashes? Oh, there is beauty in life, in
stead ofthe ashes in the state Avithout life; and the garment
of praise, instead of the spirit of heaA'iuess ! Oh glory, glory
to the binder up of the bruised aud broken-hearted, to the
Redeemer of the captives, to the repairer of the breaches,
to the builder up of the Avasted and desolate ones ! Glory
to his teuder mercy, glory to his grace, glory to his love,
glory to his Avisdom, glory to his power, for ever and ever,
amen !

SOME EXPERIENCES ADDED.
I. Concerning the seed of the kingdom.
Concerning the seed of the kingdom, this I have experi
enced; that it consists not in words or notious ofthe mind,
but is .an iuAvard thing, an inward, spiritual substance in
the heart, as real inwardly in its kind, as other seeds are
outwardly in their kind: and that being received by faith,
and taking root in man (his heart, his earth, being plowed
up and prepared for it), it groweth up inwardly, and bring
eth forth fruit inwardly, as truly and really as any outward
seed doth outwardly. This seed is kuoAvu by its contrariety
and enmity against the seed of the serpent; against aU the
seeds of evil in the hearts of men ; it discoA-ering thera,
turning the mind frora them, and warring against them,
aud bruising and overcoming them in all that receive it,
and let in its holy nature ; Avhich, as a holy leaven or salt,
worketh out that which is unholy and unrighteous, dark

ISAAC PENINGTON.

329

and dead, and seasoneth Avith light, with life, with grace,
Avith the holiness and righteousness of truth.

¦fe'

II. Concerning the soul's food.
The soul's food is that Avhich nourisheth it, which is the
same Avith that which giveth it life. Every word proceeding
out of the raouth of God, CA'cry motion, every quickening,
CA-ery operatiou of his Spirit, is living, and nourisheth the
soul with Ufe, which recei\-eth it and feedeth on it. The
spiritual manna, the spiritual water, from the holy well or
fountain, the milk of the word, the flesh and blood of the
Son of the living God, his Avords, whicli are spirit and life,
nourish up the living birth unto life everlasting. How
comes raan to Uve at first, but by hearing the voice of hira
that giveth life? And how comes man to live afterwards,
aud to increase in life, but by hearing the same voice still?
"Incline your ear, aud come unto me: hear, and your soul
shall Ua-c," &c. Isa. Iv. 3. This I have also experienced
to giA-e me life, to nourish up and strengthen me in life;
even fresh Ufe communicated from the living Fountain;
and so my life is uot in myself, uot in any thiug I can com
prehend concerning Christ; but in being joined to him, in
being ingrafted into him the holy root, into him the true
olive-tree, into his Spirit; and so by the sap that springs up
iuto me from hira, my life is maintained and increased in
me daily. Glory to his name for ever.
ni. Concerning God's poAver.
Concerning God's poAver, this I have experienced ; that
that is it Avhich doth the work in the soul. It begets to
God, it brings out of the land of darkness, it leads through
all entanglements, and preserves in the midst of them all.
It breaks down the old building of sin aud iniquitj- (both
inAvardly aud outAvardly, both in heart, and also in life and
conversation), and raiseth the uoav and holy building. It
maices Avilling, it makes obedient, it gives to believe, it
gives to suft'er. Oh, blessed be the Lord for the day of his
poAver, Avhich is inwardly broken forth! Oh, what would

330 THE WOEKS OF
the poor child do (the poor lambs in the midst of the wolves
inwardly and outwardly), were it not for the Father's hand,
the Father's arm, the Father's power, which is stiU Avith
them, and compasseth them about! Oh, blessed are they
that know the ministration of the life inwardly, the power
of life inwardly! For iu life, iu the seed of life, is the holy
poAver; which is manifest, appears, and works, as it gains
ground on the creature, to put forth and exercise in it the
virtue and strength Avhich it daily receiveth from its Father.
IV. Concerning Temptations.
Concerning temptations, this I have experienced; that
the strength and hurt of them, as to the soul, lies in the
soul's looking at thera. For the strength of God is revealed
in his children against the terapter; which being patiently
waited for, and trusted in, will uever fail them. The least
babe, the Lord would not have let in temptation and siu;
but watch to that, aud keep joiued to that, which wUl pre
serve out of temptation and out of sin. God is faithful, who
hath care of all his, and whose promise is to all his; and as
he would have none sin, so none that diligently wait shall
Avant his power to stand by thera, to preserve out of sin.
"Look uuto me, and be saved, all ye ends ofthe earth." It
is universally true. Look unto me, trust in me; look not
at yourselves, trust not in yourselves; look not at the ene
my, fear not the euemy; I will save you from every snare,
every temptation, as your eye is steadfast upon me. What
if the enemy corae in like a fiood ? If the Spirit of the Lord
lift up a standard against him, can he prevail? AVhat
though he cast fiery darts ? AVhat though he beset round
about? WUl not the shield of faith quench them all? Will
not the whole armor of God defend aud keep safe from
them all? If the eneray be resisted lawfully (that is, in true
faith in that power which is engaged for the soul agaiust
him), doth not the power of the Lord arise and scatter him,
and strengthen aud establish the soul in the gracc, and in
the truth? Oh ! the holy mystery of the heavenly warfare,
and ofthe working of the pure power against the enemy;

ISAAC PENINGTON. 331
which overcomes all his impurities, and keeps clean from
them! Look not at the enemy; let not in the reasonings
of the mind ; keep in the patience, keep in the pure fear,
in the holy, living sense: be only what thou art in the
soed, iu the new birth, in the life which God hath begot
ten in thee; then art thou safe, then art thou in thc name
ofthe Lord, which is the strong toAver. The euemy indeed
may make a noise about thee Avith his lusts, with his temp
tations, Avith his floods, Avith his storms, Avith his fiery darts ;
but he caunot enter thy habitation. The Spirit of darkness,
the prince of darkness, is shut out ofthe land ofthe living.
Abide thou there: dwell in the light, and walk in the light,
as God is in the light, and he shall never have power over
thee. V. Concerning Prayer.
I have experienced prayer to be the breathing of that
birth which God begets, to the Father of life which l^gat
it; who by his Spirit makes knoAvn to it its condition aud
Avants, aud gives a suitable sense-^of heart, and cries to it.
For as it is not iu man to beget himself to God; no more
can he pray to God in his OAvn avUI or time, but as God
pours out the Spirit of prayer and supplication upon him,
and by his Spirit teacheth and helpeth him to pray as he
ought. "Because ye are sous, God hath sent forth the Spirit
ofhis Sou into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." I have
had a sense of the natural man, and of the spiritual man ;
and of the cries and prayers of each: and this I have
been taught and learned of God, that the gospel prayer is
the prayer of that birth which is begotten by the Spirit and
poAver ofthe gospel ; aud which prays iu the Spirit, and iu
the springing of the holy life and poAver ; Avhereby it rightly
Avrestles, and prevails Avith God, obtaining the mercies aud
blessings Avhicli it Avrestles with him for. For to this child
there is access to God in the faith, through that holy Spir
it of life Avhich makes way for it, to obtain grace and
mercy in the time of need. And through this Spirit it
prays to God, and prevails with him on the behalf of others

332 THE WOEKS OF
also. For the prayers ofthe righteous avail much, as it is
written.
VI. Concerning Justification and Sanctification, some things
Avhich it hath pleased the Lord, in his tender mercy, ,
to give me to experience.
First, That it is the same Christ, the same Spirit, the
same life, the same wisdom, the same power, the same good
ness, loA'c, and raercy, the same AA-ater, the same blood,
which both justifies and sanctifies.
Secondl}', That justification and sanctification go hand
iu baud together. There is none justified, but he that is in
measure sanctified: and there is none sanctified, but he
that is in some measure justified. For God justifieth by a
rule (by the ucav covenant, and according to the laAv there
of); and men receive and partake of justification, according
as they are brought iuto, and keep Avithin, the compass of
thatvi'ule. For God acted of old toAvard and justified the
children of the old covenant according to the law thereof;
aud the children ofthe new covenant are justified, and par
take of justification, according to the law thereof.
Thirdly, That justification and sauctificatiou are both of
and through the grace. It is so in the beginuiug, aud it is
so all along. "By grace ye are saA-ed," saith the apostle.
The Avhole Avorlc of salvation is begun and carried on
through grace. It is through that, God visits and reaches
to the soul, Avitli his c^uickeuing virtue and poAver. He re
generates also thereby. Through that he justifies; through
that he sauetifies, &c. So that as the Avork goes on, grace,
grace, is to be cried to him that does the Avork, frora his very
laying the foundation, and fastening the soul thereupon, to
his very laying on of the top stone.
Fourthly, Though justification and sanctification be of
God's grace aud mercy iu Christ; yet this,d(5thnot exclude
faith : but they are also through faith, aud not Avithout it.
God doth uot justify man in the unbelieving state, in the
dead state, in his abiding there ; but in the coming out of
it, in the repenting and turuiug frora the dead works to the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 333
Uving God, and in. beUeving in him : and so he also sancti
fies him.
Fifthly, Faith and obedience are ofthe same uature, and
ahvays go together. So that Avherever there is faith, there is
obedience likeAvise; and AA'herever there is obedieuce, there
is faith. Obedience floAvs from faith, and cannot be Avith
out it; for the very nature aud virtue of faith is iu it. Aud
faith is obedience. For this is the command of God, that
the soul believe on him (and in his appearances) Avhom he
hath sent to saA-e ; and this believing is obedieuce uuto him
that commands it. And this faith, and this obedieuce, is
holy and just in God's sight; and through it (but uot with
out it) the soul is both justified aucl sanctified.
Sixthly, That the Avorks of faith, the Avorlcs of the new
life, are not the works of the laAV, the works of the old cove
nant; nor are excluded justification, as the works of the
old covenant are. For I have found the Lord, Avho hath
condemned and excluded all my doings, which ever I have
been able to do of myself, still justify and accept what his
Spirit and holy poAver hath done in me. They are not of
the same uature in themseh-es; nor are they so accounted
of iu the eye of the Lord. For the Lord distinguisheth be
tAveen root and root: aud Avhat springeth from the holy
root, he justifieth as holy; aud what ariseth from the un
holy root, he condemueth as unholy.
Seventhly, That by the laAV of faith all boasting is ex-
eluded, iu the whole Avork both of justification and sanctifi
cation. What is the law of faith? Is not this its laAV, to
fetch all frora the Son, to do all in the Son ? to quit self,
and its own abiUty, and to perform all in the noAvness of
the Spirit, in the abUity which is of God, given and contin
ued, in and through his grace aud mercy, to the soul in the
Lord Jesus Christ? All the veins of life, all the strearas of
the new covenant run here. Here is no boasting of the
creature; here can be no boasting: for all its ability and
strength is shut out ; and that which is given of God to it,
is all and doth all. Yet every Jew here hath praise of God.
His faith is comraended, his love is coramended, his faith-

334 THEWOEKSOP
fulness is commended, his zeal for the Lord, his obedience
to the Lord, his patience in suffering, is comraended, &c.
But the praise and honour of all redounds not to his fiesh,
but to the Spirit and grace of God in hira. So that here
flesli is laid Ioav, and kept in the dust for ever, and God aloue
exalted in this day of his pure po-Aver iu the heart. He that
truly believeth, entereth into rest. Hoav into rest? From
Avhat doth he rest ? Why, from his own AVorks, from the
Avorks of the fiesh; yea, frora the works of the old cove
naut; frora the works that arise from his own ability, from
the works wherein he can never be justified AA-ith the gospel
justification. But doth he cease from the works of faith?
Doth he cease from the labor of love? Doth he cease from
obedieuce to auy thing that God requires? Xay: then surely
he rather beginneth to work and labor in the vineyard; aucl
his labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Am. Concerning Faith.
Several things I have experienced, both concerning the
nature, virtue, aud operations ofit; sorae Avhereof (as I feel
them spring up livingly in ray* heart) I may mention at this
time. First, This I. have often experienced; that it is a hard
thing truly and rightly to believe. It is an easy matter to
beUeve notions concerning God, and concerning Christ:
but to believe in God, to believe in Christ, to believe in him
that raised up Jesus, to believe in the light, life, and power,
Avhich fiows from Jesus; this indeed is hard, by reason of
the great darkuess and ignorance which raan is fallen into
through transgression.
Secondly, I have experienced this also ; that faith is God's
gift, and that it flows from the power of his life. There is
first a quickening, first a touching ofthe heart, by the holy,
pure poAv^er of the Lord; and when a raan is touched and
quickened, then in and by and through that virtue which
flows iuto him, he can believe in that which toucheth aud
cpiickeneth him.
Thirdly, That faith never stands in a raan's own power,

ISAAC PENINGTON.

335

but ahvays iu the virtue and poAver of the life of the Son.
So that he that avUI believe aright, raust Avait to feel the life
of the Son revealed in hira, aud faith flowing therefrora.
For the true belief springs from the life of the holy root;
aud frora the floAviug up aud springing up of that life, faith
receives its nourishinent aud daily virtue.
Fourthly, I have observed this iu ray travels; that the
earthly Avisdom, aud notious therefrora got into the mind,
and held in the raiud out of the sense of life, are a great let
to faith. For these strengthen aucl nourish that in raan,
which is to be Aveakened and die; that Ufe, and the birth of
life, may be all in the heart. Mau is to die ; man is to be
ceased from; his understandiug, his Avisdora, is to be
brought to nought. But after it hath had a stroke and
wound frora God's Holy Spirit aud power (even the A-ery
Avound Avhich tends to death), yet it avUI be getting life
again (getting its deadly Avound healed), and nourishing its
life by those A'ery notions, Avliich came from that Ufe and
power, Avhich in raeasure sIcav it. Aud thus the -Joav out
Avard hath his life in the outAvardness of knowledge, in the
outAvarduess of the laAv, in the letter which killeth: for the
relation and outAvard knowledge of things killeth and dead-
eneth raore and raore, unless man come into the iuAvard
Ufe aud virtue, aud daily feel them quickened there. "If
ye live in the Spirit, Avalk in the Spirit," said the apostle.
A man cannot Ua'c in an outwardness of knoAvledge con
cerning the Spirit and poAver of the endless life; but he
that AA'ould truly live, must live in the Spirit itself; and he
that Avould rightly walk on in his Avay, raust Avalk in that
Spirit wherein he receiA-ed life, aud Avherein he that abideth
lives before the Lord.
Fifthly, This I have also obsei-A-ed; that all notional faith,
AA'herein is not the living virtue (as concerning Christ, his
suff'erings, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession ; and
concerning justification by him, &c.) the enemy avUI let the
soul alone with, and let him enjoy peace in; but his A\'ar is
desperately against the true faith, against faith in the true
poAver, against faith in the light of life. Oh, hoAV many

336 THE WOEKS OP
sore and sharp assaults doth he make against the faith
Avhich receives its virtue frora God, and causeth the .soul to
live to God ! And hoAV sore is it Avith the soul, when faith
is Aveak, and the eneray conies on against it with the strength
ofhis assaults and teraptations. "Lord increase our faith,"
said the sensible disciples.
Sixthly, It is a precious thing to feel faith ciuickeued
by God, aud helped by God, against the eneray. For
then the enemy cannot prcA-ail against the soul; but the
soul, through the A-irtue aud poAver of life, prevails over the
euemy in the faith. And this is the great work of a Chris
tian, uot ouly to Avrestle aud fight, but to learn so to Avrestle,
aucl so to fight, as to overcome.
SeA-enthlj-, That in the pure fear (not that AA'hich is taught
by the precepts of raen, butAvhich God puts iuto the heart)
faith hath its strength, and exercises its strength. Oh ! Avho
kiiOAvs the preciousness of this fear! The power of faith,
the poAver of life, the poAver of salvation, and everlasting
preservation is revealed in it. Therefore, saith the Lord,
Avhen he speaketh of providing for his children in the neAV
covenant, that they shall abide with him for CA-er, and uot
depart anj- more frora hira, as the children of the old cove
nant did ; "I AA-ill put my fear in their hearts, aud they shall
not depart from me. " And when the angel preached the
everlasting gospel, how did he preach it? "Fear God, and
give glory to him, for the hour of his judgments is come,"
&c. Rev. xiv. When the pure fear is felt, when that Avhich
is contrary to God is judged; theu the gospel is knoAvn,
aud the Avork thereof experienced in the heart. And how.
easy is it, when the pure fear is felt, to distrust and deny
one's self, and trust iu the Lord! Oh, hoAv Aveak are the
reasonings and imaginations then, and hoAV strong is the
poAver Avhicli scatters thera, and lifts up the head over
thera !
Xoav it concerns every one deeply to consider, of AA-hat
nature his faith is, and Avhat A-irtue is in it, and what it can
do in and through the poAver of the Lord for hira ; hoAv it
fetcheth in the true, liA'ing nourishraeut every day, how it

ISAAC PENINGTON. 337
delivers the soul, and gives it victory over that which faith
was appointed to deliver from. For he, who through the
faith overcometh that Avhich is contrary to God, shall in
herit; and he that fights the good fight of faith, shaU over
come : but he that overcomes not his enemies, which stand
in his way, shall be sure to be hindered by them frora at
taining to his journey's end.
ATJIL Coucerning Obedience, sorae experiences also.
First, True obedieuce, gospel obedience, floAvs frora life,
floAvs from the living faith. If I could obey in all things
that God requires of me, yet that Avould not satisfy rae, un
less I felt ray obedience flow frora the birth of his life in
me. "My Father doth all in rae," saith Christ This was
Christ's comfort. And to feel Christ do all in the soul, is
the comfort of every one that truly believes iu him.
Secondly, True obedience, gospel obedience, is natural to
the birth which is born of God. It is unnatural to the flesh,
to man's Avisdora, to deny hiraself, and take up the cross ;
but it is natural to the birth Avhich is born of God's Spirit.
"That AA'hich is born ofthe Spirit, is Spirit;" and it is natu
ral to it to be conversant in, aud exercised about, that Avliich
is spiritual.
Thirdlj^, That honoring and pleasing, and answering the
will of the Lord, is the proper aim of the truly obedient.
Oh, how do they delight to do the avUI of God! "I have
meat," saith Christ, "that ye kuoAv not of." To do the
will was his meat and drink : and it is meat and drink to all
that are of his nature and Spirit. If I should never have
any other rcAvard, but the pleasure of obedience; yet I
could not but say and testify, that in ansAvering the laAv of
the pure life, in keeping the holy statutes and command
ments of God's Spirit, there is a great roAvard. But yet
there is a croAvn also, and a reaping after this life of every
thinof that is sown to the Spirit: and the croAvn is Aveighty
and everlastingly glorious.
Fourthly, Gospel obedience is exceeding necessary in and
to the gospel state. .Mark: The Ixanb is the leader: and can
A^ol. in.— 29

338 THE WOEKS OF
any be saved by him, but they that follow hira ? When
Christ calls out of the Avorld, raust uot the soul come to him,
who is the Shepherd? And must not the sheep daily learn
to know his voice, and follow him; even till they corae to
be acquainted with every moving, drawing, and leading of
his Spirit; and so come to follow the Lamb Avhithersoev-er
he goes? Mark: what a weight Christ layeth upou doing.
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
Why then the disciple cannot corae to happiness, but in the
doing, in the obeying of the Avill of Christ, his Lord aud
Master. And "he that heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I Avill liken him to a Avise man, that built his
house upon a rock." But the believer, without doing the
Avill, is the foolish builder, AA-hose building Avill not stand.
Again, saith Christ, "As the Father hath loved me, so have
I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my com
mandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." The
disciples, Avhora he raost dearly loved, must keep his com
mandments, if they Avill continue iu his Ioa'C. And his
apostles taught the same, even the working out of the sal
vation, and the purifying of the heart, through the obedi
euce of the truth. For mark: there is a coA'cnant of life,
a Avay of life; and how can Ufe be reaped, how cau the Avorlc
of life go ou, but iu subjection and obedience thereto?
Oh ! blessed is he, Avho meets Avith the poAver of life,
which enables to obey; and who is obedient and subject to
that poAver. For he that truly believes in Christ, is turned
by him to his light, and to the poAver of his Father; and
the peace, groAvth, joy, blessedness, &c. is Avitnessed in sub
jection thereto. IX. Concerning the cross of Christ.
'This I have experienced eoncerning the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ; that it is an inward and spiritual thing, pro
ducing inward and spiritual eft'ects in the raind; and tiiat
this is it, even that which slays the enmity in the mind, aud
crucifies to the Avorld, and the affections thereof. "God

ISAAC PENINGTON. 339
forbid," said the apostle, "that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Avhereb}' the world is cruci
fied unto me, aud I unto the Avorld." Xoav mark: that
AA-hich is contra rj' to the world, and crucifies to the Avorld,
that is the cross. The cross hath this poAver, and nothing
else; and so there is nothing else to glory iu. "The fiesh
lusteth against the Spirit, aud the Spirit agaiust the flesh;
aud these are contrary one to the other." Mind, here is
the cross: the Spirit Avhich is contrary to the flesh, Avhich
mortifies the flesh, through the obedience Avhereof the flesh
is crucifled. "If ye, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds
of the body, yc shall live." AVhatsoever is of aud in the
Spirit, is contrary to the flesh. The light of the Spirit is
contrary to the darkness of the flesh. The holiness of the
Spirit is contrary to the unholiness of the corrupt heart.
The life ofthe Spirit is contrary to the life (or rather death)
that is in sin. The poAver of the Spirit is contrary to the
power that is in Satan, aucl his kingdom. The wisdom of
God is contrary, and a foolish thing, to the Avisdom of man.
Yea, the new creature, Avhich springs from God's Holy
Spirit, is contrary and death to the old. Xoav he that comes
hither, out of his own wisdora, out of his oavu avUI, out of
his own thoughts, out of his own reasonings; and coraes to
a disceruing of God's Spirit, and to the feeling of his be
getting of life in the heart, and his stirrings and movings
in the life which he hath begotten ; aud waits here, and re
ceives counsel here ; he is taught to deny himself, and to
join to and take up that, by Avhich Christ daily crosseth and
subdueth in hira that which is contrary to God.
And here is the fight of faith, aud the good travel under
the cross, whereby the holy journey is gone, and the ene
mies (which rise up to oppose in the Avay) vanquished and
overcome. For here is the power revealed; the preserving
power, the leading power, the conquering poAver of him
who rideth on conquering and to conquer his spiritual ene
mies in the hearts of his children, who knoAV his voice, and
are subject to him; who daily denying themseh-es, and tak
ing up his cross, follow him. Woe is to them that are at

340 THE WOEKS OF
ease in Zion, under any thing that is contrary to God ; but
blessings are upon them whose dAvelling is under the cross,
and who know no ease but what it allows. It will make
truth, life, holiness, righteousness, faith, obedience, meek
ness, patience, love, separation from sin, communion Avith
the Lord, and all the fruits of the Spirit, as natural to them
in the renewed state, as ever sin was in the corrupt state.
And in that state they shall be able to say Avitli Paul; who
once complained of his captivity, aucl that he clid Avhat he
hated; yet after he had Icuoavu the power of the cross, and
was crucified with Christ, he could then do nothing against
the truth, but for the truth; yea, then being a conqueror,
having overcome the enemies Avhich stood in his way, he
could do all thiugs through Christ that strengthened hira.
The cause of so many complaints and bowings dowu of the
head, and going mourning because of the prevailings of the
enemy, through temptations, sin, and corruption, is because
the cross of Christ which is the poAver of God (Avhich is his
ordinance agaiust the strength of the eneray) is either not
known, or not taken up. And this is the reason that raany
that raake a fair shoAv for a Avhile, yet afterward corae to
nothing (but are like uutiraely figs, or like corn upon the
house-tops, which hastily springeth up, but soon withereth)
because they either never rightly learn, or keep not to the
cross. For that alone hath poAver from God to bring dowu
and keep down that which is coutraiy to hira. So that frora
under the cross of Christ, there is no witnessing sah-ation or
preservation from the Lord; but out of the limits of the
cross, the eneray hath power to recover and bring back un
der his dorainion agaiu. And whosoever in his travels
leaves the cross behind hira, does draAV back unto perdition,
and not travel on, in the living faith, aud newness of obe
dience, towards the salvation of the soul.
X. Concerning the Mystery of Life, and the ^Mystei-y of the
FelloAvship Avhich is therein.
God is hid frora raan, as he lies iu his sinful and fallen
state; and no man can find or know him, but as he pleaseth

ISAAC PENINGTON. 341
to reveal hiraself by his own blessed Spirit. Aud Christ,
being God's iraage, there is no knowing or confessing hira,
or right calling hira Lord, but iu and by the sarae Spirit. 1
Cor. xii. 3. When he appeared in the days of his flesh,
flesh and blood could not reveal hira, but only the Father.
And he is the sarae to-day as he was yesterday. He is not
to be known uoav, but in the same Spirit; in his own grace
and truth, in a measure of his own life. The dead cannot
know him ; they only know him, who are his sheep, who
are quickened and made alive by hira. And this life is a
mystery: none can understand it, but they that partake of
it. Can a man that is naturally dead know Avhat the Ufe of
nature means? Xo more can a mau that is spiritually dead
know what the life of the Spirit means. The natural mau
raay get the Avords that carae from life, aud cry them up, aud
speak great words of the fame of Avisdom and of her chil
dren ; but the thing itself is hid from them all. Oh ! it is a
strait gate at Avhich the birth enters, at Avhich none else can
enter. The wise and prudent knoAvers and searchers after
the flesh (and of the Scriptures, as they can put meanings
upon them and comprehend them) are shut out in every
age; but there is a babe born of naked truth (boru of the
pure simplicity) admitted by God, while men disdain and
despise it.
And the fellowship of the saints is in the life, and in the
Ught, which is this mystery. The fellowship is not out
ward, but iuAvard. All they that meet together in the out
Avard place, are not iu the felloAvship, or worship; but only
they that meet together in the inward life and Spirit.
" They that worship the Father, must worship him in Spirit
and truth." Look, there is the worship, there are the wor
shippers; they that are in the Spirit, iu the truth; they that
meet in the Spirit, in the truth, they meet together in the
one spiritual place, as I may call it. And so we own no
man after the flesh, no man according to the appearance ;
but in the righteous judgment of the Spirit, those only who
are of the Spirit. Indeed we are tender Avhere there is the
least beginning of the work of God in any heart; yea,

342 THE WOEKS OF
where there is but so much as a conviction of the under- -
standing; but men are not presently of us, who own our
principle iu words or outward appearance, but only such as
are inwardly changed thereby in the heart. It is true, per
sons may walk among us, and afterwards go out frora us,
who were never of us (as it was in the apostles' days), that
were never in the fellowship of life with us, whora we could
never own in the sight of the Lord, as being born of hira;
though we Avere Avilling to wait and watch for their good,
that they raight corae to witness the true birth. Xow from
such come the offences, even from the falling off of such as
never were truly ingrafted, and also frora the slips of such
who are not watchful to that which preserves. And woe is
to the world, because ofthe offences which cannot but come.
For they which are to be approved in the sight of the Lord,
must not somewhat or other happen to make them mani
fest? And when they are made manifest, the world's eye is
off'ended, and is apt to think hardly of and reproach the
truth itself, because of them. Blessed is the eye which sees
into the mystery, into the life itself, Avhere there is no of
fence. Truth is oue and the same for ever.
XI. Concerning judging according to the appearance, and
judging righteous judgraent. Judge not according to
the appearance, said Christ, but judge righteous
judgraent. John vii. 24.
AVhat is it to judge according to the appearance? and
what is it to judge righteous judgraent ? I shall speak what
I have experienced, having been deeply exercised about this
thing. Mark then :
The holy Spirit of life breatheth upon the heart; and, by
his breathing and working there, he quickens aud begets
life. Johu iii. 8. And that AA-hich is begotten and born of
him is begotten and born in his nature, and so is of the
sarae nature with him, as verse 6. of that chapter.
Xow, to that which is born of the Spirit, the Spirit is the
leader, the presei-ver, the supporter, the comforter, the daily
quickener. He can do nothing without the Spirit, without

ISAAC PENINGTON.

343

the present Ufe and power of hira that begat hira ; so that
all the judgraent which the birth of life hath is from and of
aud in the holy Spirit of the Father.
Aud here is true judgment, both concerning righteous
ness, and against all unrighteousness; so that keep to the
life, keep to the Spirit, keep to the birth, keep to the poAver,
then is the Avisdom and righteous judgraent of God revealed :
but any that go out of this, and measure without this, they
measure in the unrighteousness; and though they search
the Scriptures, and think in themselves they measure from
the Scriptures, yet they are mistaken, and raeasure but
frcun their own knowledge and apprehensions upon the
Scriptures, as the Scribes and Pharisees did, when they
seemed to conclude, upon searching the Scriptures, that
Christ could not be the Messiah. John vii. 52. "Search
and look, (said they) for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
How then can this Galilean be he? See by the Scriptures
if this can be the Christ.
It is said of Christ, "He shall not judge after the sight of
his eyes, nor reprove after the hearing of his ears, but with
righteousness shall he judge," &c. Isa. xi. 3, 4. Christ
judged righteous judgment. How came he to judge so?
Why, he judged in and with the Spirit. He kept to the
Spirit's judgment. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon
him, and made hira quick of understanding in the fear of
the Lord, ver. 2, 3. And uo man can judge aright concern
ing the things of God, but in and by the same Spirit. Hoav
shall I know whether my duties be right, my prayers right,
my ways right, my worship right, my faith right, my hope
of the right kind, my knowledge and understanding of the
Scriptures right, &e. ? Why, there is none but one can de
termine. He who begetteth life knows Avhether that which
is in thee be from his life; and Avhether that which thou
offerest to him be truly living or no : and when the Lord
separates the living from the dead, what will remain in
many that make great professions at this day?
I would have no man mistaken about these things; I
know many are deeply mistaken, as their own hearts will

344 THE WOEKS OF
one day acknowledge, Avhen the Lord shall make manifest
to them, hoAv they have called evil good, and good evil;
and put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Indeed
it is just as it Avas in the days of Christ's appearing out-
Avardlj' iu a body of flesh. The same life, the sarae Spirit,
is denied uoav as Avas theu. Then the Jews cried up Christ
to come ; but they then spiritually saAV him not. They saAA-
the flesh, or outward form, but they saw uot him Avho dwelt
in that flesh. Aud though the Avorld of Chiistiaus now ac
knoAvledge Christ is come, aucl did appear, yet neither do
they kuoAV him Avho did appear, but deny his life, his Spirit,
his virtue, his poAver, AA-hich is revealed in this clay of his
love and goodness to the eye of the children of t^e true
Avisdom. Oh! let not flesh judge: be silent, 0 all flesh, be
fore the Lord, and cease judging, for he is arisen to judge.
He is Judge in the midst of his people, and he will judge
the heathen also.
Aud every oue briug this near. Wait to feel flesh judged
iu thee, aud brought doAvn iu thee, that it mayjiot judge
iu thee; but Spirit aud life may be exalted, and sit upon
the throue in thy heart. And AA-hen life is exalted, and doth
begin to judge, oh, take heed of hearkeniug to the flesh, of
letting in the judgment of flesh afterwards, lest the Spirit
be grieved aud quenched! For the Avisdora of the flesh is
near, aud Avill be striving to get in aud recoA-er its seat
agaiu; and if the Avatch be not singly kept to God's Holy
Spirit, soracAA-hat else avUI be judging in thee, which Avill
judge according to the appearance of things to thy raiud,
and so thou Avilt raiss of the true and righteous judgraent
of God's Spirit.
XII. A question answered about knoAAung God's Spirit.
Quest How shall I know God's Spirit? How- shall I
kuoAv the motions thereof? Hoav may I know Avhether the
faith and hope in my heart be from him? whether my praj--
ers and desires arise thence, &c. ?
Ans. Xo man of himself, or by any AA-ay he of himself
can take, can know God's Spirit There must first be a

ISAAC PENINGTON. 345
capacity given be"fore any man can know the Spirit of the
Lord ; his life, his power, must first be felt, and somewhat
quickened, someAvhat formed by hira, soraoAA'hat begotten
of hira, which is Spirit, aud this can know hira. Xow, raan
in this may know him, but out ofthis can never knoAV him.
Therefore this is the great skill and diligence and Avisdom
of a Christian, to keep to this, to Avait for this, to have his
eye toward the pure spring of wisdom, that when it springs,
he may discern aud receive it; aud when that Avhich is of a
contrary nature springs, he may discern it uuder all its de
ceitful appearances, and turn from it. For'out ofthe heart
are the issues both of life and death. There is all manner
of deceivableness of unrighteousness in the unrighteo'us
nature, in the unrighteous spirit ; and if the watch be not
diligently kept, it is easy to be deceived at any time ; but
the true seed, the holy seed, the living seed, the elect seed,
the immortal seed, is never deceived. Oh ! blessed are they
who have their eyes opened and kept open in it, to discern
the mystery of godUness and the mystery of iniquity, that
they may be preserved safe in the one, out of the reach of
the other!
Xni. Some queries concerning the seed of the kingdom,
in AA'hich the kingdom itself is contained (as the nature
and substauce of things are contained in the seed
thereof), and out of Avhich it springeth up
and ariseth iu the heart.
Query 1. AVhat is that seed which is spoken of, 1 John
iU. 9. which remaineth in those that are born of God, and
preserveth out of sin those that are led by it aud compre
hended in it ? Is it not the seed of the kingdom ?
Query 2. Do not the natural herbs and flowers, the natu
ral plants and trees, grow frora a natural seed? Do not the
spiritual plants, the Spiritual trees, the trees of righteous
ness, groAV from the seed of righteousness?
Query 3. Was it not the great doctrine of Christ to preach
the kingdom? And how did he preach it? Did he not
preach it as a seed, as a grain of mustard-seed? and did he

346 THE WOEKS OP
not liken this spiritual seed to leaven, to a precious pearl,
to treasure hid in a field, to a piece of silver lost, &c. ? Oh,
hoAv happy is he who knoAA-s and enjoys the thing itself
Avhich Christ preached! All the prophets propliesied con
cerning hira ; and when he came, this Avas his doctrine, that
men should mind this, look after this, purchase this, possess
this, feel this plauted and groAV up iu them, and themselves
ingrafted into and groAving up iu it.
Query 4. Can auy man be boru of God, and not born of
this seed? Can any mau be born ofthis seed, aud not born
of God?
Query 5. How doth grace aud truth corae by Jesus
Christ? Doth it not groAV up frora this seed? Cau it grow
up any other way in any heart?
Query 6. Is uot salvatiou felt and Avitnessed iu every
heart (of those that are iu any raeasure redeemed) as this
seed grows up aud overshadoAvs them? Was not this the
salvatiou ready to be revealed in the last time, 1 Pet. i. 10.
Avhereof the apostle Peter himself Avas raade a partaker?
chap. V. 10. In the law were the shadows of good things
to come ; but in the gospel the substance, the seed itself, is
revealed. Query 7. Is it not the right beginning in religion to be
gin in the Spirit? and can any begin in the Spirit, but he
that begins in and with the seed ofthe kingdofti?
Query 8. Is it not the raain and chief thing iu religion to
IcnoAv this seed, and to feel this seed, to be joiued to this
seed, aud abide in this seed ?
Query 9. Is not all that flows frora this seed true and cer
tain? Is not the knowledge certain here? the faith here?
the love here ? the peace here? the joy here? the righteous
ness here ? From this root, can there groAV or shoot forth
any thiug but that which is true? Oh! every breathing
here is from pure life, and precious iu the eye of the Father.
Is there auy certainty elscAvhere? Oh! when the Lord ap
pears, will he not disoAvn all the religion and worship which
is not of this growth ?

ISAAC PENINGTON. 347
Query 10. But some may say, Hoav may I Icuoav this
seed, and hoAv may I be joined to it?
Ans. In the quickening life mayest thou kuow it, and no
where else. Didst thou ever feel that Avhich quickened thy
heart towards the Lord? Therein and thereby, at that time,
thou mayest feel an eye and heart opened, Avhich can truly
see and Icuoav somewhat of God ; and keeping thy eye to
the quickening poAver of God, as that stirs, moves, and oper
ates, in thee and upon thee, thou raayest knoAv agaiu aud
know more.
Therefore eye the power Avhich quickens, and eye the
seed which it reveals and raiseth iu thee, aud wait to feel
the poAver subjecting thee to the seed, that thou raayest
come uuder it, aud it may come over thee, aud press doAvn
in thee all that is contrary to its pure nature.
And as thou comest hither, thou wilt find that Avhich
death hath no power over; and, as thou abidest there, thou
shalt find it to have no power over thee. For, of a truth,
in the holy covenant of life aud peace, death never had nor
can have poAver; but he Avho abideth iu him Avho is the cov
enant, Avho is the Shepherd, Avho is the love, AA'ho is the Avis
dom and power of God, witnesseth there a sure defence and
strong tower, where sah-ation is for a wall and buhvark
against the euemy.
There are many sorts of talkers concerning the thiug, but
there are few travellers into it; but he alone Avho is a true
traveller into it, and takes up his rest there, certainly knows
and can truly witness what is to be found there. And this
is the reason that so many (who seem great and experienced
knowers) cannot receive our testimony, because they knoAv
neither the seed uor its voice, concerning which and where
by Ave testify. But wisdom is justified of her children ; aud
they that know the voice of the Shepherd, knoAv his present
appearance in this our day, which is contrary to the wisdora
and knowledge of all other seeds aud births whatsoever.
"He that hath an ear to hear, let hira hear;" but he that
hath not the true ear, cannot hear the true testiraony,
thouo-h it should ever so often be declared unto him. But

348 THE WOEKS OF.
blessed is he that knows and stumbles not at the appear
ances of the seed and power of life in his own heart, but is
turned from the darkness to the Ught there, and from the
power of Satan to the manifestation of God's Spirit there.
For the end of words (even of Christ's own directions in
the days of his flesh) is to turn meu to the holy life and
power from Avhence the words came; and thither raau is to
travel, aud therein to centre, waiting on the Lord, in the
way of his judgraents and tender mercies, to w-itness a trans
lation frora darkness to light, and frora the kingdora of Sa
tan into the kingdora of the dear Son ; which kingdora is
at first but as a grain of mustard-seed, and must be so known
aud so received.
And now let evei-y serious heart examine concerning hira-.
self. Dost thou kuow the kingdora ? Is the seed groAvn in
thee ? doth it overspread thee ? Art thoit in it as in a king
dom? dost thou feel it overshadowing thee? art thou in
unity Avith it? doth it speak peace to thee from the Lord?
Is the wall of partition broken down in thee? Is there of
tAvain made one new man? Dost thou feel that which is
contrary to Christ subdued in thee by his poAver? and his
holy nature, life, aud Spirit, reigning over it? Canst thou
read that Scripture sensibly and experimentally, "if ye
through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall
live"? Ah, how miserably do men talk of Christ, the power of
God, and miss of the effect and work of his power in them !
Faith is a poAverful thing, it gives victory (true faith gives
victory), it scatters that which stands between, and gives
real access to God, and lets in his pure, fresh, living virtue,
upou the heart.
Love is a powerful thing, it constrains to obedience: and
the heart that is circuracised to love the Lord God, Oh !
how doth life flow frora hira into it!
Oh! away with empty notions, and corae to the ministra
tion of the Spirit, Avhere the knowledge is living, the faith
victorious, the love pure and undefiled, the worship truly
spiritual, even floAving from, and comprehended in, the life

ISAAC PENINGTON. 349
and virtue of the Spirit. Oh that all that truly breathe after
the Lord might be gathered hither, found here, and dwell
here ! Araen.

POSTSCRIPT TO THE EXPERIEXCES.
Persons that have had sorae true touches of life, and true
breathings after the Lord, yet not having their eye fixed
rightly upon him, nor disceruing frora Avhence those corae,
raay easily lose the true sense of life, and another birth of
another nature spring up.in them instead thereof. This Avas
it we generally Avanted in the day of our former profession,
even the discerning of that, and fixing upou that, Avhicli be
gat Ufe in us; through Avaut AA'hereof, many of the most
tender-hearted came to a loss; Avhom the Lord at length
shoAved mercy to, manifesting to them the Ught of their
eyes, aud the stay of their souls. Xow, to all that have
been gathered hither by the Lord, life hath been reucAved,
and their former experiences (of the Lord and his goodness
to thera in the Lord Jesus Christ) restored again Avith ad-
A'antage. And here they sensibly see, and daily experience,
that nothing is of their oavu Avorks, but all of grace and
mercy in and through Christ, in whom they are created un
to good Avorks, Avhicli God before ordained that avc should
Avalk in them. Aucl here the glory is revealed ; the glory of
life, the glory of peace Avith the Lord, the glory of right
eousness in and through his Son, the glory of victoiy over
the soul's enemies, and of leading captivity captive, and
treading upon the necks of kings, even of mighty lusts,
Avliich mightily prevailed over and oppressed the soul, be
fore the Captain of our salvatiou appeared iu the power
aud authority of his own Spirit. But blessed be the Lord,
there is not ouly this glory revealed, but there is a defence
over the glory; for there is that revealed which is alile to
defend it, aucl doth defend it, in the hearts of many, and in
the living assemblies which have been gathered by God's
holy poAver; Avhich holy poAver (Avhich gathered) daily
 _ -.- A^ol. ni— 30

350 THE WOEKS OP
quickens and overshadows, and is a rock unto, and will be
so for ever, even to all that abide with him in his holy cove
nant; but out ofthe limits of that into which God gathers,
and wherein and whereby he preserves, there is no defence
to any. The cursed thing, the unclean thing, the earthly
spirit, the earthly raind and Avisdom, the Lord hath ex
cluded, aud it is to be excluded out of his carap for ever
more, that the inAvard Israel raay be kept holy to the Lord,
and raay serve and worship the Lord in the beauty of the
inward holiness, as the outAvard Israel was outwardly, to be,
and to do, iu that outAvard ministration of the shadows of
the gospel state.
Sorae scriptures very sweet, and necessary to be experienced
iu the gospel state.
" This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ Avhom thou hast sent." John
xvii. 3. There is a kuoAvledge of God aud Christ Avhich is
life eternal ; and there is a knoAvledge of thera (or at least
that which men call so) which is not life eternal. The
knoAvledge Avhich is life eternal is that knoAA'ledge Avhich
God gives to his oaa-u birth ; even the spiritual knowledge
AA-hich God gives to those Avhich are born of the Spirit;
Avhich is the kuoAvledge of the mystery of God, and of Christ
in the mystery, inwardly appearing, and working in the
heart against the mystery of sin and death. Oh! precious
is the birth to AA'hich God gives this knowledge, and pre
cious is the knoAvledge which he giveth to it. The knowl
edge (or that AA'hich men call knowledge) which is not life
eternal is that kuoAvleclge which man can get and compre
hend from without, of himself, Avithout the enUffhtening-s
and quickenings of God's holy Spirit and power inAvardly
felt, and operatiiig iu the heart.
"Xo mau can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost." 1 Cor. xii. 3. It is precious to Avitness that con
fessing and ackuoAAdeclging Jesus to be the Lord which is
by the Holy Ghost. For only they that are governed by

ISAAC PENINGTON. 351
the Holy Ghost can so confess him. Tlie devil did confess
Jesus to be the Holy Oue, the Son of the living God, &c.,
aud raany uoav confess Jesus to be the Lord, iu the same
spirit, beiug alienated frora the life of God, and having no
true sense or understanding of that. But there is a confes
sion Avhicli cannot arise but frora God's Spirit, and frora
the knoAvledge, sense, and understauding which he gives;
blessed are they that experience that.
"It is written iu the prophets, and they shall be all taught
of God. Every raan therefore that hath heard, and hath
learned ofthe Father, cometh uuto me." John A'i. 45. Ah!
blessed is he that cau in true understauding say. The Lord
hath made good this promise to me! he is become my
teacher. I have heard his A'oice, as truly and certainly, in
wardly in my heart, as ever I heard the voice of Satan there.
He hath revealed his Son, his pure, holy, living child Jesus
iu me. Lie hath clraAvn me to his Son ; he hath taught me
to corae to his Son : aucl indeed so soon as ever I heai-d and
learned ofthe Father, I could not but corae to the Sou, and
receive the Son, and give up myself to him; and he hath
received me, and daily preserveth me frora death, and the
sting aud poAver thereof, and giveth unto me eternal life.
"He that hath the Son, hath Ufe; and he that hath uot
the Sou, hath not life." 1 John v. 12. Ah, this is abundantly
experienced! blessed be the name ofthe Lord! Many Avho
had not life, while they had not the Son, but mourned aud
lamented deeply after hira (the Spirit of the Lord being
grieved in them, aud his life not possessed by them), the
Father revealing his Son iu them, aud giving him to them,
and they enjoying aud possessing hira, feel that they are
daily in the enjoyment and possession of pure and fresh life
in hira.
"Afy flesh is raeat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth
in rae, and I in hira." John vi. 55, 56. Weare ofhis flesh,
and of his bone, said they that did eat his flesh, and
drink his blood. They that eat Christ, the one bread, are
by that food made partakers of his divine nature, and be-

352 THE WOEKS OP
corae one bread (for avc being raany, are one bread, as said
the apostle); so that now they are no longer darkness, but
light in the Lord. Oh, the pure flesh and blood of the ira-
maculate Lamb! Oh, the incorruptible food which gives
life to the soul ! Oh, the living word ! Oh, the milk of this
word, the milk of the heavenly breast, AA-hich nourisheth
the babes! but the bread, the flesh, the blood, is stronger
nourishraeut. Oh, hoAV brightly might this be opeued, .in
the demonstration of life, to the spiritual ear aud uuder
stauding ! but the carnal-minded are thick and gross, being
droAvned in their own apprehensions and sense ofthe letter,
but having no sense of the mj'stery, Avhat it is mystically to
eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ (of him Avho is
life, aud gives life), and to dAvell together Avith him in the
oue Spirit, light, life, and poAver eternal.
"For with thee is the fountain of life; iu thy Ught shall
we see light." Psal. xxxvi. 9. Oh, blessed are they that
can experimentally speak thus, AA'ho know the fountain of
life, aud dwell there, Avhere light shiues more and more !
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the Avaters ;
and he that hath no mouej', corae ye, buy and eat: yea
come, buy Avine aud milk Avithout mouey, and Avithout
price. Wherefore do ye spend mouey for that Avhich is
uot bread? aud your labor for that AA-hich satisfieth not?
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that Avhich is good,
and let your soul delight itself iu fatness. Incliue your ear,
aud come uuto me; hear, aud your soul shall Uve; audi
will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure
mercies of David." Isaiah Iv. 1, 2, 3. Here is happiness,
true happiness, full happiness! He that experiences this one
portion of Scripture is happy. He Icuoavs the true thirst
after the true Avaters, and comes to the waters Avhich he
thirsts after, and Icuoavs how to buy, and hath bought the
Avine aud milk Avhich is to be had at the waters (Oh, aa-Iio
kuoAvs Avhat this buying is! this is beyond all talk and out
ward profession concerning the thing, concerning the pre
cious pearl; this is the real, hearty trafficking of the Avise
merchant for it). And then to hearken diligently, and eat

ISAAC PENINGTON. 353
that which is good, and to have the soul delight itself in
the fatness of God's house, in the riches and fatness of his
goodness and mercy in Christ Jesus ; and not only to taste
of mercy, but to Avituess it sure in the everlasting covenant,
that God Avill never be Avroth with me more, never be a stran
ger to rae raore, never depart frora rae raore, nor suffer me
to depart from hira; but preserve rae pure aud chaste to
him, through his love shed abroad in my heart, and his holy
fear, AA-hich constrains me to abide with him, and to keep
bis coraraandraents.
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give
hira, shall never thirst: but the Avater that I shall give hira,
shall be in hira a Avell of Avater springing up into everlast
ing life." John iv. 14. Is not this a universal promise, to
be made good to every one that drinks of the Avater of life,
of the water that Christ gives? Did not Christ promise it
should be a well? a springing well? The fountain is of a
springing nature: and is not every drop of the same nat
ure? of a living nature? of a springing nature? He that
rightly drinks, doth he uot receive a avcU? Oh, the water
wbich Christ giveth! doth it not become a Avell in the true
disciple, iu the liAung disciple, out of Avhich Avell the water
is still springing and floAving, to nourish up Avith life aud
uuto life, even Avith Ufe of an everlasting nature, and uuto
life everlasting ? Oh, the pure glory that is revealed in the
gospel dispensation ! why is it so hid frora men's ej-es, Avho
profess themselves to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and to
be his disciples?
"For the life Avas manifested, and we have seen it; and
bear Avituess, and show unto you that eternal life which Avas
with the Father, and was manifested unto us. That Avhich
Ave have seen and heard, declare we uuto you, that ye also
may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is
with the Father, and AA'ith his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John i.
2, 3. This is precious to experience the Ufe iuAvardly man
ifested, and to come out of death inwardly felt, into life in
wardly manifested, and so to corae into the holy fellowship
with the Father and Son, and with the saints in light; for

354 THE WOEKS OF
he that comes out of the darkness into the light, comes out
of the fellowship of the dead into the fellowship of the Uv
ing. "Corae unto rae all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me, for I am meek and loAvly in heart: and ye shall
fiud rest uuto your souls. For ray yoke is easy, and ray
burthen is light." Aiatt. xi. 28, 29, 30. This invitation of
Christ Avas to be fulfilled in the hearts of his disciples ; and
it is precious iuAvardly to witness it eff'ectuaUy in the heart,
as really as ever it Avas spoken by hira. To be able to say,
in the evidence and demonstration of his Spirit: It is true,
I did labor, I Avas heaA'y laden, none could ease or help rae,
till he called, till he knocked at the door of ray heart, and
till I came to him, and received hira iu ; and he hath made
good his word to my soul ; he hath given me rest from my
labors and heavy loads. He hath laid his yoke upon me,
and I have took it and borne it, and have learned of him to
be meek and loAvly in heart like him, and I have found rest
to my soul. And uoav I shall never complain more of his
yoke or burthen, he hath raade it, and doth daily raake it,
so easy and Ught to me.
"And Ave kuoAv that the Son of God is come, and hath
given us au understandiug, that we may know hira that is
true ; and Ave are in hira that is true, even in his Son Jesus
Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." 1 John v.
20. There is an inward, spiritual coraing of the Son of
God into the heart, by Avhich coming (to them that receive
hira) he giveth a new and spiritual understanding, Avhereby
they know hira that is true (and without it they cannot),
and are ingrafted into hira and found in hira ; partaking of
his life and righteousness, to the glory of God the Father;
and so in true understanding are able to say, "Lo this is
the God, this is the Saviour we Avaited for. This is the true
or very God, and eternal life." What are all notions about
God, and about his Son Jesus Christ, to this inward sense
and experience of them?
"God, Avho commanded the light to shine out of dark-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 355
ness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knoAvledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Cor. iv. 6. Oh, hoAv precious is it to be able to Avitness this
in raeasure ! to experience God shining upon ray tabernacle
(as Job speaks. Job xxix. 2, 3.), and by his light my Avalking
through darkness! It is true, Christ was the Ught, he had
the fulness of light, aud the apostles a very great propor
tion : but, blessed be the Lord, I have received some, and am
changed by it, and become light in the Lord ; and walk Avith
God, and dAvell with God in the light, even as he is Ught,
and dwells and walks in the Ught. Is not this a blessed tes
tiraony? and is not he blessecl who cau set his seal to it?
"Which veil is done away in Christ." 2 Cor. Ui. 14. It
AA-as proraised of old, that in the raountain Avhere God would
make the feast of fat things, he would destroy, swalloAv up,
or do away the veil, or that Avhich veils the life and glory
of the Lord from man, and hinders it from being revealed
in him. Isaiah xxv. 6, 7. Xow in Christ there is no veil ;
in his light, life. Spirit, and power, there is no veil: AA'here
they are inwardly manifested and received, the veil is done
aAvay, and the glory of the mystery revealed and beheld.
"If ye continue iu my Avord, then are ye ray disciples in
deed ; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall raake
you free." John viii. 31, 32. What is this word Avhich the
disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are to continue in ? Is it
any less than Spirit and life? And AA'hat is it to be a disciple
indeed, but to learn the law of life at his mouth, and to con
tinue therein ? And what is the truth Avhich makes free ?
Is it uot the living Truth (the Word which lives and abides
for ever), the poAA-erful Truth, the operatiA-e Truth? This
cuts betAveen a man and his lovers; this divides betAveeu
soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and makes the soul free
from that evil spirit which hath embondaged it. It sancti-
tieth, it cleanseth, it reneweth, it quickeneth, it giveth
strength, it raaketh free frora the soul's eneraies, frora the
bondage of sin aud corruption, and brings into the glorious
Uberty of the sons of God : and they that are raade free from
sin by that which is contrary- to sin, and which subdues,

356 THE WOEKS OF
overcomes, and destroys sin, they doubtless are free indeed.
Oh, precious is it to experience this, even the truth that is
free from sin, and raakes free from siu all that truly knoAV
it, and are joined to it, and live aud abide iu it!
"For siu shall not have dominion OA^er you; for ye are
not uuder the laAv, but under grace." Rom. A'i. 14. AVhat
is the laAV? Avhat is the miuistratiou of the laAv ? Is it uot
the ministration of the letter ? of that Avhich is holy aud
righteous, l)y an outward or "literal command? AVhat is
grace? Is it not the iuAvard teacher, which iuAvardly in-
structeth to deny ungodliness aud worldly lusts, and to live
soberly, righteously, and godly ? &c. Is it not the ministra
tion of the Spirit and poAver? Is it not the ministration of
the UCAV coveuaut, Avhere the _laAV of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus is AA'ritten iu the heart, and the commandment
of life made easy by the poAver of the Lord Jesus, who man
ifests himself within to make willing unto, and to strengthen
to obedieuce?
Xoav they that are under this grace, under this Spirit, uu
der this poAvcr, doth it not break the poAver aud dominion
of sin in them, aud set them free therefrora? Cau siu
break iu upou those Avho dwell uuder the shadow of the
Almighty? Indeed a man maybe uuder a literal dispensa
tion of holy comraancls agaiust sin, and yet be uuder the
poAverofsin: but he that is gathered under the wing of
Christ, uuder the grace aud Spirit of the gospel, turned
from Satan's poAver to God's poAver, aud Avithiu the Avail
aud buhvark thereof, he AvUnesseth this true, sin hath not
dominion, sin cannot have dominion, sin shall not have dominion
over you. Xo device of the eneray shall be able to hurt or
destroy on God's holy mountain: for his light shiues there
to dispel the darkness, and his poAver is revealed there, to
scatter and dash in pieces the strength of the enemy Avhen-
ever it appears.
"Upon aU the glory shall be a defence." Isaiah iv. 5.
Oh! the Lord God, by the Spirit and poAver of the gospel,
in the day thereof, is bringing many sons to glory, into
great, inward, spiritual glory; yea, into exceeding glory

ISAAC PENINGTON. 357
(for the rainistration of the Spirit exceeds in glory). And
as God hath ordained this glorious ministration for his sons
and daughters under thc new covenant, so by the Spirit and
poAver ofthe ucav coA-enaut, AA'hen it breaks forth, he is daily
Avorking, translating, and changing them, out ofthe earthly
nature and image, iuto his oavu divine nature, into his own
heavenly glory. 2 Cor. iii. 18. And, blessed be the Lord,
the defence of his poAver is spread over the glory of his holy
mountain, so that nothing can make a prey of, or doA-our
the birth of life, or depriA-e of the iuheritance of life there.
The Lord doth not only give a blessed lot, and lines in
pleasant places, but he maintains the lot ofhis children ; so
that they can dwell in their Father's house, aud feed ou the
heaA-enly food aud rich dainties ofthe kiugdom, iu the maj
esty of the narae of the Lord their God ; AA-hich is such a
dread unto the eneraies, and such a defence about thera, as
none can make afraid ; but they are kept in perfect peace,
in perfect rest, in pure love, out of Avhich Ufe springs and
fiows continuaUy.
"And iu that day thou shalt say, 0 Lord, I avUI praise
thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is
turned aAvay, aud thou corafortest me. Behold, God is ray
sah-ation ; I Avill trust and not be afraid ; for the Lord Je
hovah is my strength and song, he also is become my salva
tion. Therefore with joy shall ye clraAV Avater out of the
wells of salvation." Isa. xii. 1, 2, 8. Oh! precious to wit
ness the iuAvard, spiritual day of redemption and deliver
ance, wherein praises frora a living sense uaturally spring
up to the Lord ! to witness the reproofs at au end, the au
ger, indignation, trouble, aud sorroAv at an end, aud the
Comforter come, raiuistering peace, joy, and comfort to the
soul ! Ah ! when the Lord is felt, the salvation (his pres
ence, his power, his life, his virtue tbe salvation) ; A\'heu
faitii springs toAvards hira, and the fear of the enemy (or
concerningthe enemy) is banished; when he is experienced
to be the" soul's daily strength agaiust hira ; yea and doth
so deliver, that instead of the forraer fear, because of the
fury and oppression of the eneray, the soul cau uoav sing.

358 THE WOEK.S OP
because of that strength aud heavenly authority, Avhich the
Lord putteth forth and exerciseth in the heart against him;
Avheu the Avell of life, the Avell of salvation, the SaA-iour's
Avell, is kept open, aud the Philistines, the uucircumcised
spirit, poAver, aud uature, cast out, that they cau stop it no
raore; but the soul cau draw the Avater of Ufe out of the
Avell aud fountain of life Avitli J03', — ah! theu^the gcspel dis
pensation is indeed Icuoavu, and the blessed estate thereof
Avitnessed and experienced!
"I counsel thee to buy of nie gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayst be rich ; and AA'hite raiment, that thou maj'st bo
clothed, aud that the shame of thy nakedness do not ap
pear; aud anoint thine eyes Avith eye-sah^e, that thou mayst
see." Rev. iii. 18. What is the gold tried in the fire, Avhich
mau is to buj' of Christ, that he may be made rich there-
Avitli ? AVhat is the white raiment which the soul is to be
clothed with, without Avhich it is naked in God's sight, and
iu the sight of the truly disceruing (aud there is a tirae
Avlien the sharae of its nakedness Avill appear raore gener-
allj-, as it doth already to the eye of tiie spiritual raan Avho
judgeth all things) ? AVhat is the eye-salve AA'hereAvith the
e^-e is to be anointed, or it caunot see ? Is it not precious
to purchase this gold aud raiment of Christ, aud to have
this eye-salve to anoint the eye Avith, aud to keep it open
that it may daUy see its Avay, and Avallc iu the light of the
Lord? Certainly this is all iuAvarcl and spiritual, as a rem
nant Avituess it this day ; glory to the Lord God.
"But the anointing Avhich ye have received of hira, abid
eth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but
as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is
truth, aud is no lie; aud even as it hath taught you, ye shall
abide iu him." 1 Johu ii. 27. The outward anointing was
a shadoAv of the inward, and had a glory in it under the dis
pensation of the law; and the inward anointing in the gos
pel dispensation is spiritual aud divine, and exceeding glo
rious. Christ, the anointed one, anoints all his. Xo being
a son, Avithout being begotten by the Spirit and poAver of
the Father; and uo abiding a son, but by the virtue and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 359
power of the same Spirit, remaining in and with the soul ;
so that every son receives of the anointing of the Father:
Christ received the Spirit, the fulness, that he might give
to thera a proportion. Xow to experience this anointing,
and to experience it abiding and teaching all things ; and to
knoAv this voice, the voice of the Shepherd, the voice ofthe
anointing, which the sheep still finds to be true, and no lie ;
and to abide in the vine, iu the life, iu the Spirit, iu the
poAver, as this Spirit or anointing teacheth: oh, here is the
SAveet, the clear state, the blessecl state! Here the proraises
and blessings are Yea and Araen in Christ: and the soul
can say, he is faithful aud just Avho hath promised, Avho
hath opened the treasures of life to his family, to his house,
to his children, to his servants, and blesseth them Avith all
spiritual blessings, in heavenly thiugs, in Christ.
"Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, that
glory raay dAvell iu our land: raercy aud truth are met;
righteousness aud peace have kissed. Truth shall spring
out of the earth; and righteousness shall look doAvn from
heaA'en. Yea, the Lord shall give that Avhich is good; and
our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go
before him, and shall set us in the, way of his steps." Psa.
Ixxxv. 9. to the end. Is it uot precious to witness that fear
of God in the heart, to Avhich salvatiou is uigh, and the laud
Avhereiu glory dAvells? AVhere niercy and truth raeet, right
eousness aud peace kiss? AVhere truth springs out of the
earth, and righteousness looks dowu frora heaven? AVhere
God gives that Avhich is good, aud the land of the liA'ing
yields the increase of Ufe to hira ? Where righteousness goes
before hira, aud he sets his in the way ofhis steps? Where
the Lamb goes before, and the Avay is not known, but as the
Larab goes before, and leads into it? AA'here God is the
Shepherd, and the soul doth not Avant, because he raaketh
it to lie doAvn in pastures of teuder grass, and leadeth by
the waters of quietness (AA'here it drinks of tiie brook in the
AA'ay), and in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake !
See Psa. xxiii. Is there not a kingdom of darkness, a land
of iniquity iuAvardly? "and do not they that dwell there, and

360 THE WOEKS OP
sit there, dwell in darkness, and sit in the region and shadow
of death ? And is there not a travel out of this land into the
holy land (the land of light, the land of the living), and a
translation out of this kingdora into the kingdom of the
dear Son? Aud is not God the Shepherd there? Christ
the Bishop of the soul there? and doth not he oversee aud
take care of souls there, leading thera into fresh pastures,
aud by the soft flowing waters? Is not salvation nigh there,
yea, round about that laud? Do not niercy and truth raeet
there? righteousness and peace kiss there? yea, doth not
the glory of the Most High dwell in and overshadoAv that
land? Is not the eye of the Lord upon it for good, frora
one end ofthe year to the other? doth not he watch over it
night aud day that none hurt it, and water it in the proper
seasons? Oh, Avho can utter the goodness and glory of the
Lord which is revealed and shines here!
Rev. iii. 20. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I aa'UI come in
to him, and Avill sup Avith him, aud he with me. " Here
are several things, which, in their order and seasons, the
liA'ing come to a certain and sensible experience of.
As, First, Christ standing at the door and knocking.
What is the door at Avhich he stands? and hoAV doth he
knock? How doth the contrary spirit knock? how doth his
Spirit knock?
Secondly, AVhat is his voice? andhoAv is his A-oice heard?
To hear Wisdom's cry Avithin, in the iuAvard streets; his call
at the door, at AA'hich he would enter; must not the true ear
in some raeasure be opeued first? Can auy one hear AA'ith-
out au ear ?
Thirdly, What it is to open the door? There is a door
keeper's state to be Avitnessed, and the right door-keeper
knoAvs hoAv to open and hoAV to shut the door, aud is exer
cised in opening and shutting the door. The king of o-lory
is to be opeued to, and let in ; but no Avolf, no stranger, no
strange spirit, is to be hearkened or opened to.
Fourthly, AVhat Christ's coining in is at the door opened
to hira? When he knocks, Avould he' not corae in? AVould

ISAAC PENINGTON. 361
he stand ahvays at the door knocking? Xay, nay; Avhen the
door is opened at which he knocks, he who is the resurrection
aud the Ufe enters ; the king of righteousuess, the king of
peace, enters ; he who is the Avisdom aud poAvcr of God en
ters: aud Avhat becomes ofthe poAver aud goods ofthe ene
my theu? Doth he not kill aud destroy them? Doth he not
consume aud devour them? Doth he uot empty the house
of them, aucl garnish the house Avith that Avhicli is truly
pure, glorious, and beautiful?
Lastly, AA-hat is it to have hira sup Avith the soul? Aud
AA'hat is it for the soul to sup Avlth him? Is not here eating
and driukiiit'- iu his Father's kiii<jdom? Doth he uot first
destro}' the deA'il's kiugdom, aud then set up his owu king
dom? iVud doth he uot fast Avith the soul, and feast Avith
the soul, iu the kingdom Avliich he sets up there? Oh that
all meu kncAv hoAv near he Avho is eternal life is to them]
Doth not God search the heart? Is not he near the heart?
Doth not his light shine there, iu the midst of man's dark
ness aucl corruption? Doth not his power reach thither, aud
assault and trouble the enemy? Doth not his pure love
AA'hereAvith he loveth mau pierce thither ? Doth he not knock ?
Doth he not call? Doth he uot touch? Doth he uot draAv?
Doth he uot give at times, some living tender seuse to many
hearts, Avho too much neglect and despise him, and regard
not the day of his teuder visiting them, and ealliug after
them? Oh! Iioav is tho love of God, the Spirit of God, the
life of God, the Avisdom of God, the poAver of God, the draAv
ings aud instructions of his grace day by day resisted by
the Avisdom aud Avill of the flesh, iu those that are boru
thereof, aud hearken thereto, aud so live- after the flesh,
aud uot after that Avhicli reproves the flesh !
Many more scriptures might be mentioned, aud also ser-
sibly and livingly Avitnessed to; but these are enough to
give a taste. The Lord open men's understaudiugs iuto the
thing itself, and give thera the key Avhich opens iuto the
truth, even iuto the mystery thereof, Avherein is the hidden
life and virtue. Amen. A^ol. IIL— 31

362 THE WOEKS OF
A FEAV Words concerning the true Christ ; how it may be
certainly and infallibly known which is he.
This question relates not to his outward appearance, in
the days of his flesh; but to his inward and spiritual ap
pearance, hoAV it may be known. To which the ansAver on
my heart is: Even after the same way, and by the same
means is he to be kuoAvn iu his inward appearance, as he
Avas IcnoAvn in his outAA-ard; which was by tbe revealing of
the Father. For "none knoAvs the Son but the Father,
and he to Avhom the Father reveals him." And when Si
mon Peter confessed him to be Christ, the Son ofthe living
God: "Blessecl (said he) art thou, Simon Bar-Jona; for
flesh and blood hath uot revealed it unto thee, but my Fa
ther which is iu heaven." Alatt. xvi. 16, 17.
And if none could Icuoav Christ iu his appearance in the
flesh, uotAvithstaudiiig so many manifest aud express proph
ecies coucerning him, but such ouly to Avhom the Father
revealecl him ; Iioav shall auy Icuoav his inAvard and spiritual
appearance, unless they be taught of the Father, and hear
aucl learn of him so to do?
But more particularly to shoAV how the Father revealed
his Sou, aud hoAV they carae to Icuoav in that day that he
Avas the Son of the Uving God, the Holy One, the anointed
Saviour; and that the same Avay, and by the same means,
people that avUI truly Icuoav him, must come to the IcnoAvl-
edge of him noAv:
First, They came to knoAV hiin by the manifestation of
the Ufe that Avas iu him, by the fulness of the grace aud
truth Avhich chvelt iu him, aud put itself forth, so as to be
discerned by th"e iinvard aud spiritual eye in them. "For
the Ufe Avas manifested." 1 John i. 2. The Ufe Avhich was
iu him was manifested to the spiritual eye which Avas in
them: and thus they came to knoAv him.
SecoucUy, By his voice and knocks. Thus said he cou
cerniug his sheep in those days, that they knew his voice.
John X. 4. Oh, he hath such a voice, as none hath but he !
He speaks in his Father's authority (not as the scribes, uot
as earthly-Avise, learned meu); he speaks iu the evidence

ISAAC PENINGTON. 363
and demonstration of God's Spirit. The words which he
speaks are Spirit and Ufe; they that hear his A'oice live; and
when he stands at the door and knocks, he pierceth deep.
Oh, the beatings of his hand upon the tender and sensi
ble hearts and consciences ! Oh, his secret reproofs, his se
cret instructions, his secret quickenings and eulightenings!
Hoav did they, and how do they, eternally make him mani
fest in the hearts and consciences ofhis?
Thirdly, By his baptism, or by his baptizing iuto his oavu
Spirit aud poAver. While people Avere in expectation, and
mused iu their hearts of John, Avhether he were the Christ
or not, Johu ansAvers the case, aud tells them how they might
discern and Icuoav the true Christ. It is not I, Avho baptize
with AA-ater; but he that baptizeth "Avith the Holy Ghost,
and with fire; whose fan is iu his hand," &c. Luke iii. 15, 16,
17. Was uot this then, and is not this now, the Avay to kuow
the true Christ? He that knoweth him Avho inwardly aud
spiritually baptizeth, him aa-Iio hath the fau, Avho inwardly
fauueth and purgeth the floor, gathering iu the Avhcat, and
burning up the chaff', doth not he iuAvardly, truly, aud spir
itually knoAV Christ? He that knoAveth the Avord, Avliich is
quick and poAverful, and sharper than auy tAvo-edged SAvord,
piercing, even to the diA-iding asunder of soul and spirit,
aud of the joints and marroAv, and is a discerner of the
thoughts aud intents of the heart ; doth uot he kuow "the
AA-ord AA'hich Avas iu the beginning, AA'hich Avas Avith God,"
yea, "Avhich AA-as God" ? For he is the only searcher of the
heart, and trier ofthe reins.
Fourthly, By his mighty Avorks. "The Avorks Avhich the
Father hath giA-en me to finish, the same Avorks that I do,
bear Avitness of me, that the Father hath seut me." Johu v.
36. And when John seut two of his disciples to Jesus Avith
this question: "Art thou he that should come, or look AA-e
for another?" Christ bids them go aud tell Johu Avhat
thiugs they had seen and heard: "Hoav that the blind see,
the lame AA-alk, .the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the
dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached ; aud
blessed is he Avhosoever shall not be oft'ended in me." Luke

364 THE WOEKS OF
vii. 22, 23. "Why, herein is a marvellous thing" said the
blind man " that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath
opened my eyes." John ix. 10. He who hath the power,
and putteth forth the power inwardly ; who openeth the in
ward eye, the iuAvard ear, looseth the inward tongue, cause'th
the inward feet to walk in the way of life, and the inward
hands to work the works of God, — he is the Messiah, the
Saviour, the Word of life, the Son of the living God. They
that believe in him, in his Spirit, in his poAver, iu his in
ward appearance, have the witness in themselves, the living
testimony, Avhich none can put out, or take away from them.
He hath opened mine eyes, he hath opened my heart, he
hath raised me out ofthe grave, he hath given rae eternal
life. He hath changed rae inwardly, created me inwardly,
by the working of his mighty power; and I daily live, and
am preserved, and grow by the sarae power, I feel his life,
his virtue, his power, his presence day by day. He is Avith
me, he lives in me ; and I live not of rayself, but by feeling
hira to live in rae, finding life spring up from him into
me, and through me ; aud therein lies all ray abiUty and
strength for CA-ermore.
A few Words in the Bowels of tender Loa^e and Good
AVILL TO my native COUNTRY.
It is written, "When thy judgments are in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world shall learn righteousness." Oh
that this might be verified concerning thee, O England,
even that thou mightest learn righteousness, and that the
days of thy unrighteousness, raight come to an end ! Have
not God's judgraents been upou thee ? Yea, are not God's
judgraents still upon thee ? And can auy thing divert them
from coming raore upon thee, but thy speedy returning uu
to the Lord, in breaking off thy sins by unfeigned repent
ance? Oh that thou raightest be sensible ofthe hand ofthe
Lord, and raightest hear the rod, and hira Avho hath ap
pointed it ! The Lord hath power over all nations, and can
break thera in pieces as a potter's vessel. They are but as
the drop of a bucket, as the sraall dust of the balance ; they

ISAAC PENINGTON. 365
are before him as nothing, and are counted to him less than
nothing, aud vanity.
Read Isai. xxiv. See how God Avill plead Avith nations, and
consider whether he be not dealing thus Avith thee ? Oh!
hath not that been fouud in thee, aud is not that found in
thee, which proA-oketh the Lord exceedingly? Oh that
the Aveighty sense of thy sins Avere upou thee, and that thou
mightest truly repent, and turn from them; that thou
mightest reap the benefit of God's judgments, and learn
righteousness, *and his indignation might be removed from
thee, and his tender boAvels of compassion move towards
thee !
But perhaps some raay say, "AVhat is the righteousuess
we should learn?"
Ans. Oh! learn to know God; that is a righteous thiug.
Learn to fear God; learn to worship him aright. Hoav is
that? AVhy iu his own Spirit aud truth, in AAdiich he seeks
to be worshipped. Learn humility towards God ; learn
justice aud mercy toAvards meu; learn to love thy enemies.
If ye Avill be Christians, that is the-laAV of Christ; but that
Avhich is called the Christian world, many of them have not
yet learned so much as to love their friends; but hate and
persecute such as fear the Lord, and seek their good, and
stand in the gap to keep back the A^-rath of the Lord from
breaking iu upon thera, aud are Avrestling mightily with
him Avith strong cries, that he would stay the sharpness
thereof, that it might not break forth to their destruction.
Learn to do to others as ye AA'ould be done to. Do not
do to any, because of their religion and teuder consciences
towards the Lord, Avhat ye would not have done to your
selves because of your religion. How long avUI it be ere ye
learn this? How many judgments and distresses shall corae
upon you, before ye boAV in spirit under the mighty hand
of God, and yield yourselves in submission to hira, to learn
these thiugs of hira?
Quest. But hoAv shall we learn righteousness?
Ans. Retire inwardly to that, and hearken inwardly to
that, which gives the sense of judgments, and learn of that;

366 THE WOEKS OF &c,
and that avUI Avean you inwardly from all your unrighteous
ness, aud teach you righteousness. There is that iuAvardly
in the unregenerate Avhich hardens aud misleads; there is
also that iuAvardly Avliich tenders, melts, teacheth, and lead
eth aright, as it is believed in aud obeyed.
Oh that men Icucav the dift'erence betAveen these two, and
hoAV to turn from the one to the other ! For out of the heart
proceeds all that is evil and A'aiu, and out of the heart are
the issues of life also. The Avell or puddle of the muddy
Avaters, of the Avaters of Egypt, of the AA'ine df Sodom, and
Avaters of Babjdon, is there; and the avcU and cistern ofthe
pure AA-aters is there also.
Oh, my native country, that thou mightest be the first
nation iu this age of the world that might pass through the
judgments of God, and be cleansed thereby, and be happy!
Oh that thy rulers aud governors were weaned from the
spirit and wisdom ofthis world, aud might receive of God's
holy Spirit and wisdom, and judge and govern themselves
aud the people thereby! When the Jew outward was cho
sen to be the people of God, did not he pour out of his Spir
it to govern them by? AVere tbe judges, kings, aud leaders
thereof only anointed Avith outward oil? AVere thej'' not
also anointed Avitli God's Spirit? And can auy Christian
magistrate gOA'ern aright any Christian nation without the
assistance and guidance of the same Spirit? And oh that
all the people Avere anointed also, that they might be in
Avardly Icings aud priests to the Lord, aucl the kingdom of
Christ might be iuAvardly set up iu all their hearts, aucl ca--
ery man might reign, in and through hira, over the eneraies
of his OAVii soul! Oh that the power aud glory of the Lord
might cover thy governors and inhabitants, 0 England!
Oh, the prayers that have been loug put up in boAvels of
tenderness for thee ! Oh ! the besom of the Lord, the be
som of his righteous judgments, that it might SAveep the
hearts of men iuAvardly, that this nation raight be prepared
for the glory of the Lord (for the glory Avhich he reveals iu
his heavenly birth) to break forth outAvardly, to the admira
tion aud magnifying of the Avork of his poAver in the eyes of
all beholders ! Ami^" ?ime'i

THE

FLESH AND BLOOD
OF
CHRIST,
IN THE MYSTERY MB IN THE OUTWARD,

BRIEFLY, PLAINLY, AND UPRIGHTLY ACKNOAVLEDGED
AND TESTIFIED TO, FOR THE SATISFACTION AND BENEFIT OF THE
TENDER-HEARTED, WHO DESIRE TO EXPERIENCE THE
QUICKENING, HEALING, AND CLEANSING
VIRTUE OF IT.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT CONCERNING THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, IN
REFERENCE BOTH TO PRINCIPLE AND DOCTRINE.
AVHEKEL-NTO AEE added, SOME FEW OTHEK THINGS, "S^-HICH, BT TUB
BLESSING OF GOD, MAT BE EXPBKIMBSTALLT FOUND USEFUL TO THE
TBUE PILGRIMS AND FAITHFUL TRAVELLERS OUT OF THE
NATURE AND SPIRIT OF THIS "WORLD.

Written _in true love and tenderness of spirit by
ISAAC pe:^ii^gton.
"And Avithout controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was
manifest in the flesh,"justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, helieved on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Tim. iii. 16.
"Of Avhom are the fathers, and of Avhom as concerning the flesh Christ
came, Avho is over all, God blessed for CA'or. Amen." Eom. ix. 5.

369

P E E r A C E.
Having been lately at London, upon occasion of a meet
ing between some of the people called Quakers, and sorae
of the people called Anabaptists, and other confederates,
wherein I was soraewhat concerned, being • charged or
brought in by Thomas Hicks, in his second book of Dia
logues, called Continuation, p. 4. to prove, that the Quakers
account the blood of Christ no more than a comraon thing;
and having been at that meeting to clear my innocency iu
that particular, but the thing not then coming in question,
and I being to return to my habitation in the country
(though I staid also a second meeting for that purpose), — it
was on my heart, in the clearness and innocency thereof, to
give forth this testimony, to take ofi' that untruth and cal
umny of T. H. both from the people called Quakers, and
rayself; being both of us greatly therein injured, as the
Lord God of heaven and earth knoAveth. I have had expe
rience of that despised people for raany years, and I have
often heard them (even the ancient ones of them) oavu
Christ both inwardly and outwardly. Yea, I heard one of
the ancients of them thus testify, in a public meeting raany
years since. That if Christ had not corae in the flesh, in
the fulness of tirae, to bear our sins in his own body on the
tree, and to offer hiraself up a sacrifice for mankind, all
raankind had utterly perished.
AVhat cause then have we to praise the Lord God, for
sending his Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for Avhat
his Son did therein ! 0 professors, do not pervert our Avords
(by reading them with a prejudiced mind) quite contrary to
the drift of God's Spirit by us ! If ye should thus read the
holy Scriptures, yea, the very AVords of Christ himself there
in and give that wisdom of yours which fights against us

370 THE WOEKS OF
scope to comment upon them, and pervert thera after this
manner, Avhat a strange and hideous appearance of untruth
and contradiction to the verj' scrijitures of the Old Testa
ment raight ye make of that wonderful appearance of God?
For the Avords of Christ seemed so foolish and impossible
to the Avise raen of that age, that they frequently contra
dicted, and sometimes derided him.
If Ave be uot of God, Ave shall come to nought; nay, Ave
had not stood to this day, if his mighty poAver had not up
held us. We could uot have stood inwardly, uor could avc
have stood' outAA'ardly, agaiust the fierce assaults avc have
met Avith both Avays. Aud as we have not had by-ends to
move us iuAvardly, so neither haA'e we had by-ends to moA'C
us outAvardly, as our God kuoAveth.
Oh ! T. IL dost thou beUeve the eternal judgment at the
great day, not outAvardly ouly in notion, but iuAvardly in
heart ? Oh ! then consider how thou Avilt ansAver it to God,
for saying so many things in the narae of a people, as their
belief aud Avords, Avliidi never were spoken by any oue of
them, nor ever came into auy oue of their hearts ! Inno
cency in me, Ufe in me, truth iu me, the Christian spirit
and nature iu me, is a Avituess against thee, that thou Avrot-
est thy dialogues out of the Christian nature and spirit;
and tiiy brethren, AYilliam Kiffiu and the rest, Avho have
stood by thee to justify thee (or at least seemed so to do),
must take notice of these thiugs, aud couderan thera iu thee,
or they AviU expose themselves, and their reUgion, to the
righteous judgmeut of God, aud of all Avho Ioa'c truth, and
hate forgery aud deceit.
I pity tiiee ; yea, I can truly say, I forgive thee the in
jury thou hast done rae (though indeed it is very great, thus
to represeut me publicly; Avhat thou couldst not have done,
if thou hadst equally considered the thiugs Avritten in that
book); and I also desire that thou mayest be sensible of
Avhat thou hast so evilly done, and confess it before God,
that he also might forgive thee. Oh ! I Avould not bear the
weight of this sin at the judgment-seat of Christ for ten
thousand Avorids ! Aud that these books should be so louo-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 371
public, and thy brethren take no notice of them, but rather
at last apply theraselves to justify thee, oh ! hoAv will they
answer this thing, when they corae to answer it forever?
Oh ! Avhy will ye set up an interest against our Lord Christ
(Avho is the truth, aud teacheth truth), aud bend all your
strength and understanding to make Ues, falsehoods and
forgeries to appear as if they were truth, and not forgeries ?
If ye Avill judge yourselves, aud repent of these things, ye
shall not be conderaned of the Lord; but if ye will go on,
to coA'cr and hide this great iniquity, ye shall not prosper
therein. As for my particular, I had committed ray cause to the
Lord, aud intended to have been wholly silent, knoAving my
innocency avUI be cleared by him in this particular at the
great day, and the love, truth, and uprightness Avhereiu I
wrote these things owned by hira.
But in the love of God, and in the stillness and tender
ness of ray spirit, I was raoved by hira to Avrite AA'hat foUoAvs.
Aud oh that it Avould please the Lord to make it serviceable
even to T. H. himself, for his good !

THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, &C.
In the second part of Thomas Hick's Dialogues called
"Continuation," p. 4. he maketh his personated Quaker
speak thus: ','Thou sayest, we account the blood of Christ
no more than a common thing; yea, no more than the
blood of a comraon thief." To Avhich he makes his per
sonated Christian ansAver thus: "Isaac Penington (Avho I
suppose is an approved Quaker) asks this question ; Can
outward blood cleanse ? Therefore, saith he, Ave must in
quire, whether it was the blood of the veil, that is, of the
human nature, or the blood within the A-eU, viz., of that
spiritual man, consisting of flesh, blood, and bones, Avhich

372 THE WOEKS OF
took on him the veil, or huraan nature. It is not the blood
of the veil; that is but outAvard; and can outward blood
cleanse?" Xoav to satisfy any that desire fo understand the truth as
it is, aud to knoAV AA'hat the intent of my heart and Avords
(as spoken by me) AA'as, I shall say somewhat to his stating
the question, aud then open my heart nakedly and plainly,
as it then Avas, and still is, in this matter.
First, I ansAver, these Avere not my Avords, Avliich he hath
set doAvu as mine, but AA'ords of his oavu patchiug up, partly
out of several queries of mine, and partly out of his oavu
conceivings upou my cpieries, as if he iutended to make me
appear both ridiculous and Avicked at once. For I iioAvhere
say, or aflirm, or did ever belicve, that Christ is a spiritual
man, consisting of flesh, blood, and bones, which took on
liiiii the veil, or human uature. Thus he represents me as
f ridiculous. It is true, Clirist inwardly, or as to his iuAvard
: being, Avas a Spirit, or God blessed for CA^er, manifested in
I flesh ; Avhic-h (to speak properly) caunot liaA'C flesh, blood,
; and boues, as mau bath. And then, besides his alterations
at the beginning, putting iu ouly four Avords of ni}^ qnery,
aud leaving out that AA'hich next follows (wliich might have
manifested my drift aud iuteut iu them), he puts in an af
firmation AA'hich Avas not mine, iu these his owu Avords: "It
irf not the blood of the veil ; that is but outAvard ; " and then
annexeth to this aflirmation of his oavu, the Avords of my
former query, "Cau outAA'ard blood cleause?" as if these
Avorcls of mine ("Cau outAvard blood cleanse?") did neces
sarily iufer that the blood of Christ is but a common thing.
Herein he represents me Avicked, and raakes rae speak,
l)y his cliaugiug and adding, that Avhich never was in ray
heart, aud the contrary AA'hereto I have several times affirmed
iu that very book Avhere those several queries Avere put (out
of Avhich he forms this his oavu querj-, giving it forth in my
name). For iu the 10th page of that book, beginning at
•line 3, I positiA'ely aflirm thus: that "Christ did oflei°up
the flesh and blood of that body" (though not only so, for
he poured out his soul, he poured out his Ufe) a sacrifice or

ISAAC PENINGTON. 373
' offering for sin, "a sacrifice unto the Father, and iu it tasted
death for every raan; aud tli-at it is upon consideration (and
through God's acceptauce of this sacrifice for sin) that the
sins of beUevers are pardoned, that Gocl might be just, and
the justifier ofhim Avho believeth in Jesus, or Avho is ofthe
faith of Jesu.'^." Is this common flesh and blood? Cau this
be affirmed of common fiesh aud blood? Ought not he to
have cousidcred this, aud other passages iu my book of the
same tendency, and uot thus have reproached me, aud mis
represented me to the Avorld? Is this a Christian sjiirit; or
according to the laAV or prophets, or Clirist's doctriue?
Doth he herein do as he Avould be done by? Oh that he
liad a heart to consider it! I might also except agaiust
those Avords, "human nature," (avIucIi he tAvice putteth in)
being not my Avords, nor indeed my sense; for by human
nature, as I judge, is understood more than the body:
Avhereas I, by the Avord veil, iutended no more than the
flesh, or outAvard body, AA'hich iu scripture is expressly so
called, Heb. x. 20. "tlirough the veil, that is to say, his
flesh." Secondly, I caunot but take notice of this, that he hath
not cited the place, page, or pages; nay, not so much as
named the book, Avhere those AVords or sayings Avhich he
attributeth to me are Avritten ; Avhereby any persons that are
not Avilling to take things upou bare report (especially in so
deep charges, reflecting uot only upou one person, but a
Avhole people), might consult the place, and see Avhether
they Avere my Avords or no ; and whether the queries I did
put (indeed to the hearts of people) had auy such drift or no,
and might compare the Avords (if they were mine) both with
AA'hat AA'cut before, and also foUoAved after; and AA'ith Avhat
was said in several other places of the book, Avhicli speak of
Christ's flesh and blood as of no common thing, but as that
Avhich God makes use of toward the redemption of man
kind. Thirdly, The drift of all those queries in that book was
not to vilify the flesh and blood, of Christ, by representing
it as a common or useless thing, but to briug people frora
 .,...,-.-„.-„.,,-...«..«., Yol. HI.— 32

374 THE WOEKS OF
sticking in the outAvard, to a sense of the inward mj'stery;
without Avhich inward sense and feeling, the magnifying
aud crying up tbe outAvard doth not avail. Indeed, at that
tirae, I Avas in a great exercise concerning professors: love
was deeply working iu my heart ; and I Avas in a Very ten
der frame of spirit toAvards them, as auy may pei-ceive, who,
in the fear of God, and in meekness of spirit, shall read that
book (it is entitled, A Question to the Professors of Cliris-
tiauity, Avhether they have the true, living, poAverful, saving
knowledge of Christ, or no, &c.). And iu this tender frame,
iu the midst of my crying to God for them, those queries,
from a true sense and understandiug, sprang up in my heart,
even to necessitate them, if possible, to some sense of the
mystery, Avliich there is an absolute necessity of unto true
Christianity aud salvatiou. ThisAvas the A'cry intent of m-y
heart in tbe several queries, Avhich generally sjieak of one
aud the same thing, under several metaphors and figures.
And that this Avas my iuteiit, these Avords folloAving, iu the
second page of my preface to that book, do plainly express.
The AVords are these : —
"Noav to draAV men's minds to a sense of truth, to a
sense of that Avhich is the thing, that they might kuow
the bread indeed, that they might Icuoav the Uving Avaters,
come to thera aud drink thereof, aud find Christ iu them a
well of Avater springing up to eternal life ; therefore Avas it in
ray heart to give forth this question aud the ensuing que
ries, Avhich he that rightly answers, raust know the thing;
and he that doth not Icuoav the thing, by his inability to an
swer, may fiud that he doth not, and so raay wait upon God,
that he may receive the knowledge ofit, aud come to it, for
the eternal life Avhich it freely giveth."
And that I did mean the mystery, AA-hen I spake of bread,
water, the wine, the live coal from the altar, the leaves of
the tree of life, the putting on Christ, the flesh and blood
of Christ, &c., is very plain to him that reads singly. But
to make it raanifest, particularly coneernino- the flesh and
blood of Christ; I shall recite one query; it is the 33d
query, page 29. The query is thus : "Is not the true church

ISAAC PENINGTON. 375
flesh of Christ's flesh, aud boue ofhis bone? Is not the
false or antichristian church flesh of Antichrist's flesh, aud
bone of Antichrist's bone? What is the flesh of the spirit
ual Avhore, Avhich is to be stripped naked aud burnt Avith
tire? ShaU ever the church, Avhich is of Christ's flesh, be
stripped naked aud burnt Avith tire? ISTay, doth uot his
flesh make able to abide the devouring tire, aud to chvell
AA'ith the eA'crlastUig burnings?" Can this possibly be un
derstood of outward flesh aud bone? Is it uot mauifestiy
iuteuded of flesh and bone iu the mystery ? Yea, that it did
relate to the mystery, iu that very query, out of Avhich he
takes the four first AA'ords, and uo more, is very manifest by
the foUoAving words of the same query. It is the ITtli
query, page 25. The query runs thus: "Gan outward
blood cleanse the couscience? Ye that are spiritual, con
sider; cau out'ward AA'ater Avash the soul cleau? Ye that
haA'e ever felt the blood of sprinkliug from the Lord upou
your consciences, aud your consciences cleansed thereby,
-did ye CA'cr feel it to be outward? It is one thiug what a
man apprehends (in the Avay of notion) from the letter con
eeruing the things of God, find auother thing what a man
¦ feels iu Spirit." Is it not manifest, by the express AvorcLs
themselves, that I spake of the iuAvard feeliug of the blood
iu the mystery?
Fourthly, This query, " Cau outAvard blood cleanse the
couscieuce," &c. doth not necessarily, uor indeed at all in
fer, that the blood of Christ, as to the outward, Avas but a
common thing, or useless. If I had been to answer this
query myself, he doth not Icuoav Avhat my ausAver Avould have
been. Tt Avas put to the professors to ansAver inwardly in
their hearts, Avho I did believe, upon serious consideration,
could not but confess, iu way of ansAver thereto, that out
Avard blood itself (or of itself) could not cleanse and purge
aAvay the filth that was iuAvard; but that must be done by
that Avhich is inward, living, aud spiritual. Then hereby
they had been brought to see the necessity of the mystery,
the Spirit, the poAver, the life ofthe Son, to be iuAvardly re
vealed iu them ; and then I had obtained my end. ISTor was

376 THE WOEKS OF
I their enemy in desiring or aiming at this for them, or iu
setting queries before them, which to my eye (as in the
sight of God) seemed proper and conducible in themselves
(hoAvever they raight fail as to thera) towards the obtaining
of this end. Aud if they could ouce come to this, to own
the flesh and blood in the mystery, and so come to partake
of its cleansing and nourishing virtue, aud not fix and ap
propriate that to the outward which chiefiy belongs to the
'mystery, — I say, if they could but go thus far Avith me, iu
OAvning the inward life and power in the sensible feeUng
and operation thereof, I could meet them a great Avay in
speaking glorious things of, and attributing a cleansing or
washing virtue to, the outAvard, iu and through and Avith
the inward. For I do not separate the iuAvard and outAvard
in ray oavu raiud; but the Lord opened my heart, and
taught me thus to distinguish, according to the Scriptures,
in loA'e to them, and for their sakes. For that was not ray
intent to deny the outward, or make it appear as a common
or useless thing. There was never such a sense in my
I heart, uor AA'as ever word Avritten or spoken by rae to that
; end; which to raake raore raanifest, I shall now plainly
open ray heart, hoAv it hath been, and is still, with rae in
this respect, since it pleased the Lord and Father of mercies
to reveal the mystery of himself aud ofhis Son iu me.
In the first place, I freely confess, that I do oavu and ac
knoAvledge, as iu God's sight, our Lord Jesus Christ, his
FLESH AND BLOOD IN THE MYSTERY. The apOStlc Paul SpcalcS
of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
Colos. ii. 3. The Son was revealed in him. Gal. i. 16. and
so he knew the mystery of Christ, and preached the mys
tery of Christ. Colos. iv. 3. He was made an able minister
of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit or
mystery; and so he preached the Avisdom of God in the
mystery or Spirit, 1 Cor. U. 7. 2 Cor. iii. 6. Colos. i. 25, 26,
27. and he had great conflict to bring people to the rich
knowledge and ackuoAAdedgmeut ofthe raystery, chap. ii. 1,
2. He Avas sent to turn men from darkness, and from the
power of Satan (which is a raystery, aud works in raen's

ISAAC PENINGTON. 377
hearts in a mystery) to the light, to the Spirit and power of
God, which is a mystery also; and remission of sins is re
ceived in and through this mystery. Acts xxvi. 18. And I
desire every serious and tender heart to consider, Avhether
this kuoAvledge of Christ in the mystery was not that which
he called the excellencv of the kuoAvleda-e of Jesus Christ
bis Lord. Phil. Ui. 8. Certain I am, that the knoAAdedge of
God and Christ in the mystery is the most excellent knowl
edge, aud no less than Ufe eternal, iuAvardly revealed aucl
felt from Gocl in the heart. Aucl here no legal righteous
ness, no self-righteousness, cau stand; but the A'irtue and
poAA'er of Christ's death aucl resurrection, iuAA^ardly revealed
aud felt in the raystery, subdues aud destroys it all. Indeed
self-righteousuess may be given up in the way of notion, or
seemingly destroyed as to men's apprehensions, Avithout
the rcA'caling or AVorking of the mystery; but it caunot be
destroyed in reality but Avhere this is felt; but Avhere the
mystery is known, is received, aucl thoroughly works, self-
righteousuess cau have no place there. x\ow the apostle,
Avho was acquainted Avith the niA'stei-}' of Christ, he speaks
of his body, flesh, and bones, iu the mystery, Eph. v. 30.
(and if there be flesh aud bones iu the mj-stery, is there not
also blood in the raystei-}-?) yea, the apostle Johu speaks of
the Spirit, water, and blood. 1 John v. 8. ISToav consider
seriously, are all these of oue aud the same nature? or are
they of a diftereut nature? the Spirit of one nature, and the
AA'ater aud blood of another nature? Blessecl be the Lord,
the birth which is boru ofthe Spirit, and is spiritual, kuow-
eth the uature of tho Spirit Avhich begat it, aud knoweth
AA'ater which is iuAvard aud heavenly, and blood Avhich is not
at all of au inferior nature to it: aud Jesus Christ, our Lord
and teacher, speaketh of flesh which came down from
heaA^eu, Avliieh flesh is the bread of Ufe, AA'hich he that Ua'cs,
feeds upon, and none can feed upon but they that live.
Aud by this it is manifest (to all to Avhom God hath given
understauding in the mystery), that his flesh and blood iu
the mystery is intended by hira, iu that he saith, "He that
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me

378 THE WOEKS OF
and I in hira." John vi. 56. This dwelling in each other is
au effect of the mystery, and is Avitnessed by none that
knoAV not the mystery. And to this effect Christ himself
expressly expoundeth it, ver. 63. "It is the Spirit that
quickeneth, the flesh proflteth nothing: the AA'ords that I
speak to you, they are Spirit, and they are life." As if he
had said, I am speaking of the soul's food; I am speaking
of the heavenly bread; I am speakiug of Spirit and life; T
ara speaking of the mystery, Avhicli ye look upou aud un
derstand as outAvardly intended by me, aud so miss of the
mystery ofthe Spirit, Avherein is the quickening virtue, and
look only at the outAvard body or flesh, AA'hich, Avithout the
Spirit, proflteth uot, nor ever cau profit man.
Secondly, I coufe.ss further, that I have the sense, expe
rience, and knoAvledge of this also, that in the mystery is
the quickening virtue, the cleansiug virtue, the nourishing
virtue, unto life eternal. The Spirit, the Avater, the blood
inwardly sprinkled, iuAvarcUy poured by God upon the soul,
iuAvardly felt and drunk in by the thirsty earth, do cleause,
do feed, do nourish, do refresh. Doth not God promise to
sprinkle cleau Avater upon his Israel iu the new coA'euant,
aud they shall be clean ? and to pour Avater on him that is
thirsty, and floods upon the dry grounds? Is it uot by the
spirit of judgment aud burning, that God AA'asheth aAvay the
tilth of the daughter of Zion, &c. Isa. iv. 4. Doth not the
live coal from the altar purify aud take aAvay the iniquity?
Isa. A'i. , Oh, read iuAA-ardly ! Oh, Avait to be taught of God
to read iuAvardly, that ye may Icuoav Avhat these thiugs
mean! Why should ye quarrel at the precious and tender
openiugs of truth, in love to A'our souls ?
Thirdly, I have likeAvi.-^e this sense, aud have also had
this kuoAvledge aud experience, tiiat the 'outward Avithout
this cannot avail. A man is not cleansed by notions or ap
prehensions concerning thc thiug, but by the thiug itself.
Let a man beUeve what he can coneeruing the blood of
Christ, and apply to himself Avhat promises he can, yet this
AviU uot do, (Oh, how grievously do men mistake herein!)
but he must feel somcAA'hat from God, somewhat ofthe ucav

ISAAC PENINGTON. 379
creation in Christ Jesus, soniCAvbat of his light (shiuiug
from hira, the Son, into the heart) somcAvbat of his life,
somcAvhat of his poAver, AVorking against the darkness aud
poAver ofthe enemy in him. ISToAV a man beiug turned to
this, joined to this, gathered to this standard of the Lord,
translated in sorae degree out of hiraself into this; here
soraewhat of the raystery is revealed, aud found working
iu him; aud so far he is of God, aud hath some true under
stauding from him. And here also he hath right to Christ's
flesh aud blood iu the outAvard, and to all the benefits aud
precious eflects that come thereby. For by OAvniug the
mystery, aud receiviug the mystery, avc are uot tanght of
(¦Jod to deny auy thiug of the outward flesh and blood, or
of his obedieuce aud sufferings in the flesh, but rather arc
taught and enabled there rightly to understand it, aud to
reap the benefits and precious fruits of it.
Fourthly, The Lord hath shoAvu rae this also, very man
ifestly aud clearly, that iu former times (in this nation as
well as elscAvhere), before professors ran so into heaps (I
mean, into scA^eral Avays and forras of church-felloAvship, so
called), they had raore iiiAvard seuse of the raystery thau
noAv they haA'c; and Avere a great deal raore tender, both
unto the Lord, and oue toAvards another, than now they
are. For then grace iu the heart, aucl the iuAvard feeliug,
Ava.s the thino- that Avas most minded araouo- the stricter sort.
The}' did not raind so much bare reading, or hearing, or
praying, or any outward observation Avhatsoever, as Avhat
they felt therein. Let men have spoken ever so mauy
glorious Avords coucerniug the tliiiig_s of God; yet, if they
had not been spoken Avarmly aud freshly by him that spoke
them, there Avas little satisfaction to the soul that hungered
after that Avhich Avas living, but rather au iuAvard grief aud
dissatisfaction felt: so that iu that day there Avas an iuAvard
seuse ofthe rayster^', though uot a distinct knoAvledge ofit,
A\-hich was precious iu the eye of God, and very savory iu
Avardly in the heart. But uoav, iu so long time, by looking
so much outAvard, and beating their brains, and disputing
about the outAvard, many liaA'c vcry much, if not AvhoUy,

380 THE WOEKS OF
lost the seuse ofthe iuAvard, and are found contending for
the outward, against the A'ery appearance and raanifestation
ofthe inward; and so are in danger of being hardened and
sealed up iu that Avliich is dead and literal, out of the limits
of that Avhich is living aud spiritual. It is a dreadful thiug
to fight against the Uving God, aud his living appearance iu
the hearts of those Avliom he chooseth, iu auy age or geu-
eration. The Lord hath been pleased to bring us (a poor
despised rem uant) back to that AA'hieh first gave us life, iu
the clays of our former profession. Oh that ye Avere brought
thither also, that that might remove the veil, hardness,
darkuess, aud deep prejudices from you; which can uever
be removed Avhile ye stick iu literal apprehensions, Avithout
the Ught and teachings of God's Spirit ! Noav as touching
the outward, AA'hich ye say Ave deny, because of out testi
mony to the iuward, I have frequently given a most solemn
testimouy thereto ; and God kuoAveth it to be the truth of
my heart ; and that the testifying to the iuward, from Avhich
the outAvard came, doth uot make the outward void, but
rather establish it iu its place and service. God himself, Avho
kuew what Aurtue Avas iu the inAvard, yet hath pleased to
make use ofthe outAvard; aud Avho may contradict or slight
his Avisdom aud counsel therein ? Glorious AA'as the appear
ance and manifestation ofhis Sou iu flesh; precious his sub
jection aud holy obedieuce to his Father; his giving him
self up to death for sinners Avas of great esteem in his eye !
It Avas a spotless sacrifice of great A'alue, aud eti'ectual "for
the remission of sins; aud I do acknoAvledge humbly uuto
the Lord the remissioii of my sins thereby, aud bless the
Lord for it; even for giving up his Sou to death for us all,
and giving all that believe in his name aud power to partake
of remission through him.
And seeing it is thus with me, seeing the root ofthe mat
ter is iu me, oh, hoAv can any man, that hopes to be re
deemed by my Lord aud Saviour, reproach me for speaking
of the mystery, without the least derogation to the out"
AA'ard, or Avhat Avas doue by him in the outward ! But if I
should speak vehemently concerning men's neglecting the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 381
mystery, and setting up that AA-hich is outAA'ard instead ofit,
I should not be condemned, but justified ofthe Lord in so
doing. Indeed there is a great and weighty charge from
God's Spirit upou the professors of this age, for departing
frora the inward (I mean that sweet sense, Avhich, in sorae
measure, God gave them in former times of the iiiAvard),
and magnifying and striving to estabUsh that Avhich they
apprehend concerning the outAvard, Avithout it, aud against
it. Oh that it Avere otherwise with them, that God may not
haA'C this charge to manage agaiust them, Avhen at the great
day they are to appear before him, and be judged by him !
When all that have slighted or spoken contemptuously of
his Son's appearance in flesh, aud liaA-o not corae to a sense
thereof, aud repeutanee for it, shall be condemned; aud
they that hav^e sUghted or spoken contemptuously of his
appearance in Spirit, shall not be justified: Avhieh appear
ance is UOAV made manifest in the hearts of mauy, blessecl
be the Lord for it ! Oh, AA'hat cries have been iu my heart
raauy years coneeruing you, 0 ye professors of all sorts avIio
have had any tenderness toAvards the Lord ! that ye might
see and knoAV the Lord Christ; and confess him in Spirit,
in the mystery, eA'en in his iuAvard appearance in the heart,
and might feel his redeeming poAver and virtue there, and
so be brought iuto uuion aud felloAvship Avith hira !

The Conclusion of the First Part.
There is a precious promise of God's making a feast of
fat things on his holy mountain, and of destroying there
the face of the covering, cast over all people, and the veil
that is spread overall nations. Isaiah xxv. 6, 7. jSToav, AA'hat
is this mountain? Was there not a Mount Zion under the
hiAV, Avhich Avas figurative? and is there not a Mount Zion
under the gospel, Avhich is the substance of that figure ? aud
did not the Christians in the apostles' days, Avho Avere called
of God and sanctified, come to tiiis Mount Zion, aud the
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, Avhere they

382 THE WOEKS OF
had felloAvship AA'ith God the Judge of all, and Avith Jesus the
Mediator of the ncAV covenant, &c. ? Heb. xii. 22, 24. And
Avas not the veil here doue aAvay in him who Avas their Lord,
their light, their life, their strength, their suu of righteous
ness, their bright and morning star? so that Avith open face
they could behold the glory ofthe Lord, aud Avere chauged
thereby iuto his heavenly image, from glory to glory. 2 Cor.
iU. 18.
But alas, Uoav hath that Ufe, Spirit, aud poAver been lost,
since the days of the apostles ! ¦ Meu have still o'vned the
apostles' words, aud formed many notions and apprehensions
out of the letter, but lost the apostles' spirit, lost the kuoAvl-
edge of the holy mountain, AA'here the veil is takeu away,
and Avliere the feast of fat thiugs is made ; aud so are ouly
dreaming about eating aud drinking spiritually, but kuoAV
not Avhat it is to feed on the liA'iug substauce. Aud so (be
iug ignorant of that) the veil is OA'cr their hearts Avhile they
read the prophets' words, and Christ's and his apostles'
Avords ; and the mystery of life, aud of the redeeming jJOAver,
is hid from their eyes: aud that Avhich God intended to
them for a table, is become their snare (as it Avas Avith the
Jcavs) ; aucl their back is so boAved doAvu under tho loads
and burdens of the eneinj', that they cannot so much as
hope or beUeve iu the poAver of life for redemption there
frora, but conclude it must necessarily be so Avith them all
their days.
Oh! Avhere is the faitli that gives victory over the ene
mies? Where is the ability in the faith, so to resist him
as to make him fly ? Where is Satan's falling like lightning
(Oh, his strength before the power of the Lord is but a
flash !), and the God of peace his treading him uuder the feet
of his saints? Oh! Avhere is tiiat truth, or tiiat knowledge
of the Son, Avhieh makes free from hira? (John viii. 32, 36.)
Y^iere is that Spirit Avherein liberty frora his poAver and
snares is felt? 2 Cor. Ui. 17. Where is living iu the Spirit,
and Avalking iu the Spirit, aud iu the pure Ught of the Lord,
Avhere he cannot come? Y'here is rcacUug ofthe Scriptures

ISAAC PENINGTON. 383
in that which gives to Avitness thera, and AA'-hich fulflls thera
iu the heart ?
Oh, the raystery of godUness, the poAver of godliness,
Avhere the Ufe is revealed, aud the veiV takeu aAvaj-, and an
uuderstancUng given, opened, and kept open, to read and
understand the Scriptures aright; yea, and the hidden glory
also! Where it cannot be said in truth to those that are
there. Ye know uot the Scriptures, nor the poAver of God;
but. Ye have received power to becorae sons of God, and ye
are in hira that is true ; Avho truly opens the Scriptures in
your hearts, and gives you the enjoyment, inheritance, and
possession of the precious promises, Avhereby ye are raade
partakers of the divine nature, and live in hira AAdio is the
head aud spring of that liature. Oh that people that pro
fess Christ Avere here! Oh that they did kiiOAv him Avho be
gets ! and then they Avould uot be so ignorant of those that
arc begotteu by him; but avouIcI come into the true faith,
into the true love, iuto the true knoAAdedge and obedieuce
of him, Avliora God hath appointed to guide aud govern,
and build up the Avhole living body. The Lord guide me
inwardh' thither, where the raystery is revealed, and the
fellowship Avith God, and his Sou and saints, held in the
mystery! For our felloAvship is not iu a notional knoAvl
edge coucerning Christ, but in the life itself; Avhich the
Lord God gather his people more and raore into, aud build
thera more and raore up in. Amen.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT CONCERNING THE PEOPLE
CALLED QUAKERS.
We are a people of God's gathering, who (raany of us) had
long Avaited for his Appearance, and had undergone great
Distress for want thereof.
Quest. But sorae say, What appearance of the great God
and Saviour did ye want?
Ans. We wanted the presence and power of his Spirit to

384 THE WOEKS OF
be iuAvardlj' manifested iu our spirits. We had (as I may
say) AvhatAve could gather from the letter, and endeavoured
to practise AAdiat Ave could read in the letter; but Ave Avauted
the poAver from on high, Ave Avanted life, we Avanted the
presence and felloAVship of our beloved; avc Avanted the
kuoAvledge of the heavenly seed aud kingdom, aud au en-
trauce iuto it, and the holy dominion and reign of the Lord
of life OA'cr the flesh, OA'er sin and death iu us.
Quest. Hoav did God appear to you ?
Ans. The Sun of righteousness did arise in us, the day
spring from ou high, the raoruing-star did A'isit us, inso
much that Ave did as really' see and feel the light and bright
ness of the iuAvard day iu our .spirits, as ever Ave felt the
darkness ofthe iuAvard night.
Quest. Hoav did God gather you ?
Aus. By the \'oice of his Sou, by the arm of his Son, l)y
the virtue of his Son's light and life iuAvardly revealed aud
Avorking iu our hearts. This loosed us iuAvardly from the
darkuess, from the bonds of siu aud iniquity, from the
power of thc captiver and destroyer, and turued our minds
iuAvardly toAvards our Lord aud Saviour, to mind his in
Avard appearance, his inward shinings, his inAA'ard cjuickeu-
ings; all Avhich Avere fresh frora God, and full of virtue.
And as Ave carae to bc sensible of tliein, join to thera, re
ceive and give up to thera, avc carae to partake of their vir
tue, aud to Avitness the rescuing and redeeming of our souls
thereby. So that by hearing tiie Son's A'oice, and foUoAviug
hira, Ave came to fiud him the Avay to the Father, and to bc
gathered home by him to the Father's house, Avhere is
bread enough, and raansions of rest aud peace for all the
children ofthe Most High.
Now as touching the blessed principle of truth, which avc
have had experience of, and testify to (for hoAv can we con
ceal so rich a treasure, and be faithful to God, or bear true
good-Avill to raen!), it is no ucav thing in itself, though of
late more clearly revealed, aud the minds of men more
clearly directed and guided to it, thau iu former ages. It
is no other thau that Avhich Christ himself abuudantiy

ISAAC PENINGTON. 385
preached, who preached the kingdora, who preached the
truth Avhich raakes free, and that under many parables and
reserablances ; sometimes of a little seed, sometiraes of a
pearl or hid treasure, soraetiraes of a leaA'cn or salt, some
tiraes of a lost piece of silver, &c. Noav Avhat is this, aud
AA'here is this to be found ? W^hat is this which is like a Uttle
seed, a pearl, &c., aud where is it to be found ? What is the
field? Is it not the Avorld, and is not the Avorld set in man's
heart? What is the house Avhich is to be SAvept, and the
caudle lighted in? Is it not that house, or heart, Avhere the
mauy enemies are ? A man's eijemies, saith Christ, are those
of his OAVU house. Indeed the testiraony concerning this
AA'as precious to us; but the finding and experiencing the
thing testified of to be accordiug to the testiraouy, Avas
much more. And this Ave say in perfect truth of heart, aucl
in most teuder love to the souls of people, that Avhoever
tries shall fiud this little thing, this little seed of the king--
dom, to be a kingdom, to be a pearl, to be lieaA'enly treas
ure, to be the leaven of Ufe, leavening the heart with life,
and Avith the most precious oil and ointment of healing and
salvatiou. So that avc testity to uo ucav thing, but to the
truth and grace Avhich Avas from the beginning; Avhich Avas
ahvays in Jesivs Christ, our Lord aud SaA'iour, and dis
pensed by hira in all ages aud generations, whereby he
quickened, renewed, and changed the heart of the true be
lievers iu his iuAvard aucl spiritual appearance iu thera,
thereby destroying the eneraies of their oavu house, aucl sav
ins' thera from them. For indeed there is no savino- the
creature, Avithout destroying that in the creature, Avhich
brings spiritual death and destruction upon it. Israel of
old Avas saved by the destroying of tiieir outAvard enemies;
and Israel uoav (the ucav Israel, the iuAA'ard Israel) is saved
by the destruction of their iuAvard enemies. Oh ! that peo
ple could come out of their oaa'ii wisdom, aud Avait for
God's Avisdora, that in it they might come to see the glory,
the excellency, the exccjeding rich virtue and treasures of
life, that are Avrapped up in this principle or seed of life;
Vol. HL— 33

386 THE WOEKS OF
and so might receive it, give up to it, and come to partake
thereof. And as touching doctrines, we haA'e no ncAV doctrines to
hold forth. The doctrines held forth in the holy Scriptures
are the doctrines that we believe. And this doth further
seal to us our belief of this principle, because Ave find it a
key by which God openeth the Scriptures to us, and giveth
us the living sense and evidence of thera in our hearts. We
see, aud have felt in it to whora the curse and Avrath belong;
and to Avhora the love, mercy, peace, blessings, and precious
promises beJong; and have been led by God's Holy Spirit
and power through the judgments to the raercy, and to the
partaking of the precious proraises. So that what should
we publish auy new faitb, or auy new doctrines for? Indeed
we have none to publish; but all our aim is to bring raen
to the ancient priuciple of truth, and to the right under
standing and practice of the ancient, apostolic doctrine and
holy faith once delivered to the saints. Head notions do
but cause disputes ; but heart knowledge, heart experience,
sense of the living power of God inwardly, the evidence
and demon stration of his Spirit in the iuAvard parts, puts an
end to disputes, and puts men upon the iuAvard traA'el and
exercise of spirit by that Avhich is ucav and living, AA'hich
avails Avith God. Noav whereas many are off'ended at us,
because we do not more preach doctrinal points, or the his
tory of Christ, as touching his death, resurrection, ascen
sion, &c. ; but our declaration and testimonj' is chiefly con
cerning a principle, to direct and guide raen's rainds thereto;
to give a plain account of this thing, as it pleaseth the Lord
to open my heart at this time in love and good AviU to sat
isfy and remove prejudices where it may be; thus it is in
brief: First, That which God hath given us the experience of
(after our great loss iu the literal knoAvledge of things), and
that which he hath given us to testify of, is the mystery,
the hidden life, the iuAA'ard and spiritual appearance of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, revealing his power in
wardly, destroying enemies inwardly, and Avorking his Avork

ISAAC PENINGTON. 387
inwardly iu the heart. Oh, this Avas the joyful sound to our
souls, even the tidings of the arising of that imvard life and
power Avhich could do this ! Noav this spiritual appearance
of his AA'as after his appearance in the flesh, and is the stand
ing and la.stiug dispensation ofthe gospel, even the appear
ance of Christ in his Spirit and poAver imvardly in the hearts
of his. So that in minding this, and being faithfal iu this
respect, Ave mind our pecuUar Avork, and are faithful in that
AA'hich God hath peculiarly called ns to, and requireth of us.
Secondly, There is not that need of publishing the other
as formerly Avas. The historical relation concerning Christ
is generally believed and received by all sorts that pretend
to Christianity. His death, his miracles, his rising, his as
cending, his interceding, &c. is generally believed by all
people; but the mystery they miss of, the hiddeu life they
are uot acquainted with, but alienated frora thedife of God,
in the midst of their literal OAvuiug aud acknoAA'ledging of
these things.
Thirdly, The knoAvledge of these, Avithout the knowl
edge of the mystery', is not sufficient to bring thera uuto
God; for n:^any set up that Avhicli they gather and compre
hend from the relation concerning the thing, instead of the
tking itself, aud so never come to a seuse of their need of
the thing itself, nay, uot so far as i-ightly to seek after it.
Aud so many are builders, and mauy are built up A'cry high
in reUgion, iu a Avay of notion aud practice, without ac
quaiutauce Avith the rock of ages, Avithout the true knoAvl-
ede-e and understandins' ofthe foundation aud corner-stone.
My meaning is, they haA'e a notion of Christ to be the rock,
a notion of hira to be the foundation-stone; but ucA'cr corae ~
livingly to feel him the rock, to feel him the foundation-
stone, inwardly laid iu their hearts, and themselves made liA'
ing stones iu him, and built upou him, the main and funda
mental stone. Where is this to be felt but within ? And
they that feel this Avithin, do they not feel Christ Avithin?
And can any that feel hira within, deny hira to be within,
the strength of life, the hope of glory? Well, it is true once
again (.spiritually now, as well as formerly literally) "the

388 THE WOBKS OF
stone which the builders refused" (Christ within, the build
ers of this age refuse) "is become the head of the corner,"
who knits together his sanctifled body, his living body, the
church, in this our day, more gloriously than in the former
ages and generations, blessed be the name of our God.
Fourthly, The mystery, the hidden life, the appearance
of Christ in Spirit, comprehends the other: and the other
is not lost or denied, but found iu it, and there discerned or
acknowledged more clearly and abuudantiy. It was to be
after it, and comprehends that which went before it. Paul
did not lose any thing ofthe excellent knoAA'ledge of Christ,
when he said, "Henceforth knoAv we no man after the flesh;
yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet hence
forth know we him no raore." If he did not know Christ
after the flesh, how did he know him? Why, as the Father
inwardly revealed him. He kncAV him in his Spirit and
power. He knew his death iuAvardly, he knew his resur
rection inwardly, he knew the Spirit, the virtue, the power
of it inwardly; he kncAV the thing in the mystery in his
own heart. Oh, precious knowledge! Oh, the excellency
of this knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
What is the outwardly raost exact literal knoAvledge with
out this? But what then? Do I now deny or slight the out
ward? No; I have it here, and I have the inward feeling of
the Spirit of life, how it dwelt in him, how it wrought iu
him, and of Avhat wonderful value all his actions and obe
dience were, in and through the virtue ofthis Spirit. Was
Abraham's offering his son so precious in God's eye? Oh,
then what is this ! Never Avas such a body so sanctified, so
prepared; never such a sacrifice offered. Oh, the infinite
worth and value of it ! For by the inAvard Ufe and teach
ings of God's Spirit, am I taught and raade able to value
that glorious outward appearance and raanifestation of the
Ufe and power of God in that heavenly flesh (as in my heart
I have often caUed it), for the life so dAvelt in it, that it
was even one with it. Yet still it Avas a veil, and the mys
tery was the thing; and the eye of life looks through the
veU into the mystery, and passes through it, as I may say.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 389
as to the outward, that it may behold its glory in the in
Avard. And here the flesh of Christ, the veil, is not lost,
but is found and known in its glory in the inward. Be not
oft'ended at me, O tender-hearted reader! for I write in love
things true, accordiug to the iuAA'ard feeling and demonstra
tion of God's Spirit, though not easy perhaps to be under
stood at present by thee ; but in due time the Lord can
make them manifest to thee, if thou in uprightness and ten
derness of heart, aud in the silence of the fleshly part, wait
upon hira.

A FEAV WORDS CONCERNING THE WaY OF PeACE.
"The Avay of peace they have not knoAvn." Rora. iii. 17.
There is a way of peace, of true peace Avith God, who is
au adversary to all that is unholy and unrighteous. Those
AA'ho have been unholy and unrighteous, who have been
aAvakened, troubled, and could flnd no rest, but the severe
aud righteous judgraents and Avrath ofthe Lord lying upon
their spirits night aud clay, haA'ing at length had their ears
opened by hira, and being led by hira out of the unholy
aud unrighteous way, into the holy and righteous way, have
felt both life and peace therein.
NoAA^, there are tAvo sorts which the apostle here raentions
(or two states, Avhich the apostle here speaks of), which have
not known, nor can knoAv, the way of peace with God, who
is an adversary to thera both, and will one day speak trouble
to thera both, Avlieii their souls aud consciences come to be
searched and judged by him.
The oue is the profane, or Gentile state, which is without
the sense of God, not heeding any appearance ofhis, or any
iuAvard voice of his Spirit, or the writing of his laAv upon
their heart. These never knew the way AA'herein the heart
is inwardly and spiritually circumcised and renewed, sin
forgiven, and peace obtained.
The other is the professing or outward Jew's state, who
may study the letter, and apply themselves to conform out-

390 THE WOP.KS OF
Avardly to the letter, but never Avere acquainted Avith the Iu
AA'ard Spirit and power. These greatly differ frora the Gen
tile or profane state, both in outAvard appearance, and in
their oavu eye; but are the sarae iu the ground Avith the
Gentiles, and know no raore of the Avay of peace thau the
other do.
Quest. But Avhat is the Avay of peace, A\diich neither the
profane, nor auy sort of professors out ofthe life and power,
ever Icuoav, or can Icuoav?
Ans. It is an iuAvard Avaj', a Avay for the iuAvard Jcavs, for
the inwardly rencAved and circumcised to AA'alk in. It is a
holy or sanctifled Avay, for the sanctifled ones to AA'alk in. It
is a living AA'ay, Avhich none but the liA'ing can find. It is a
new Avay, Avhich uoue but those to whom God hath giA'cn the
UCAV eye can see. It is a Avay that God prepares aud casts
up, aud leads men's spirits into (who hearken unto him),
aud guides the feet of his saints in. It is a strait and nar
row way, Avhich no lust ofthe flesli, uor Avisdom ofthe flesh
cau flnd out, or enter into. Oh, how little, how low, hoAV
poor, hoAv empty, hoAv naked, raust he be, that enters into
this Avay, and Avalks therein ! Alany may seek after it, and
may think to fiud it, and Avallc in it; but fcAV shall be able,
as our Lord Christ said. Here circumcision outAvard avails
not; here Avaut of that circumcision hinders not; here bod
ily exercise profits little. The ucav creature is all here ; the
cross of Christ is all here; the poAver of God is all here;
aud he that Avallcs according to this rule, peace is upon him,
and the AA'hole Israel of God. But he tiiat Icuoavs not this
rule, nor Avallcs according to this rule, peace is not upon
him, nor is he one of the iuAvard Israel of God, Avho receive
poAver to become sons, aa'Uo receive the laAV of the Spirit of
Ufe in Christ Jesus, AA'hich is the iuAvard rule of the iuAvard
Israel. This Avas the Avay of peace from the beginning; this is the
Avay of peace still; and there is not another." To be ucav
created in Christ Jesus, to be ingrafted into hira, to abide
iu him, to have the circumcision of the flesh (the body of
the sins of the flesh cut oft") by the circumcision of Christ

ISAAC PENINGTON. 391
(made inwardly in the heart AA'ithout hands), and to Avalk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, even in the ueAvness
of the Spirit, here is life and peace, rest aud joy for ever
more. The Lord ofhis tender mercy give men a seuse ofit,
aud lead men iuto it raore and raore. Amen.

TIIE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE.
There is a birth Avhich is born, not of blood, nor of the
Avill ofthe flesh, nor ofthe will of man, but of God. John i.
13. And this birth, AAdiich is born of the Spirit, is Spirit.
chap. iii. 6. Now this birth, which is boru of the Spirit,
and is Spirit, hath a life and Avay of knoAvledge suitable to
its nature and being; which is A'ery far above man. Its Ufe
is iu the Spirit, and its Avalkiug in the Spirit, and its kuoAvl
edge is after the Avay ofthe Spirit, very far aboA'C man's Avay
of conceiving or comprehending. The birth itself is a mys
tery to mau, and its Avay of knowing is a Avay altogether
hid from mau. It is indeed in the evidence and demonstra
tion of God's Spirit, in the shillings of his light iu the heart :
" In thy light shall avc see light." The birth Icuoavs Avliat
this means. There is a Avise and prudent part in man, from
which God hides the sight of his kingdom, and the lieaA'
enly glory thereof; but there is a babe to Avhi ;;h God re-
A'eals the mystery thereof. Flesh and blood cannot reveal ;
but the Father can and doth to his children, Avho is the
teacher of them all, from the least to the greatest, in the
ncAv and living covenant. There is man's day, and there is
God's day. There is man's day of gathering knoAvledge,
after his fleshly manner of comprehending; and there is
God's day of giving lcnoA\dedge, by the shinings ofthe light
ofhis own eternal Spirit. In man's day, how doth Avise and
prudent man beat his brains, aud labor iu the fire for very
vanity ! But in God's day, Iioav doth the knoAvledge of the
Lord cover the earth, as the waters cover thc sea I AVhen

392 THE WOEKS OP
the day-spring from on high visits inwardly, when the Lord
lighteth the candle inwardly, oh, how clear is the knowledge
ofthe Lord, and how doth it abound then ! Oh, what a dif
ference there is between man's apprehensions and conceiv
ings concerning Christ, and God's revealing him inwardly ;
and between man's coming to Christ according to his own
apprehensions, and his coming to Christ in the heavenly
drawings and teachings of the Father ! John vi. 45. Oh that
the begettings of life and the birth thereof Avere felt in raen's
hearts, that in it raen raight know the day of God, and the
kingdora of God, and the treasures of Avisdom Avhich are
hid in Christ, and will ever be so, but as Christ is inwardly
revealed and formed in the heart ! Many may have notions
of Christ being formed in them : ah ! but to feel it in
Avardly ! there is the sAveetuess, there is the assurance, there
is the life, there is the peace, there is the righteousness of
the Loo-d Jesus Christ, and there is the joy of the true
Christian for ever. Come, oh! corae, all sorts of tender pro
fessors, out of yourselves, into God's Spirit, into God's
truth, that ye may know Avhat it is to be in the Spirit, and
in the truth, and Avhat it is to live there, aud to kuoAV things
there, and to worship there, and to have fellowship with
the Father and Son there. The poor receive the gospel, the
poor receive the kingdora, the poor receive the power, the
poor i-eceiA'c the righteousness and salvation of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Ye are too rich in your comprehensions and
gathered knowledge from your own literal conceiviugs, to
learn to Avait aright, to receive of hira his gold, his raiment,
and his eye-sah'c. What pleasure is it to us to testify
against you? Were it uot for' obedience to our God, and
love to your souls, we would ncA-er do it. We are content
and satisfled to be of the littie, despised flock, which the
Shepherd feeds, giving to every one his proportion of daily
nourishment, life, peace, righteousness, and joy. It is our
love to you that we would not have you lay out your money
for that Avhich is not bread, and your labor for that which
will not satisfy the truly hungry and aAvakened soul, but
might come to feed on substance, on the life itself, on the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 393
sweetness and fatness of God's house, where nothing that
any ofhis children can need or long after is Avanting. Oh
that ye had the sense of our love ! If ye had the true un
derstanding and sense of God's love, ye could not but have
a sense of our love also ; for it comes from him, and it flows
towards you in his will and tender movings. Do ye love ^
God? Are your hearts circumcised to love God? If not,
ye do not truly love. And if ye loved hira that begets, ye
-would love thera that are begotten by hira. Your love is to
your own notions and apprehensions of God, not to his
nature; for if ye loved his nature (that holy, heavenly, spir
itual nature as it is in hira), ye could not but love it iu his
children also. Well, our God is love, aud taught us to love
even our eneraies, and to wrestle with our God for thera,
that, if it be possible, the Lord raay remove the scales from
their eyes, and give them repentance to the acknoAvledg-
ment of the truth as it is iu Jesus, where it is raore living
and powerful, raore effectual and operative (inwardly puri
fying, sanctifying, yea, and justifying also), than any but
those only that are born of God, and kept alive by him, yet
ever knew, or can know.

POSTSCRIPT.
Containing a few Words concerning the Doings and Suf
ferings of that despised People called Quakers, which are
both misunderstood and misrepresented by many: AA'ith an
Exhortation to true Christianity.

First,- their doings are looked upon by many to be from
a natural principle, and according to the covenant of works,
and not from the free grace and gift of God's Spirit.
Now concerning this I can speak somewhat faithfully, as
haAdng been long experienced in the principle, and as hav
ing had experience of the grace and tender mercy of the
Lord' from my childhood. And indeed thus it hath been

394 THE WOEKS OP
Avith me from my childhood ; AA'hatever hath been done in
me, or by me, that Avas good, I haA'e felt to be from God's
grace and mercy to me, and have cried grace, grace, niercy,
mercy, to the Lord continually therefor. ^ And when I
AA'as turned to his truth in the iuAvard parts, I found it was
, God's grace and tender love to me to turn me to it, and to
preserve me, being turned; and to cause it to spring in me
day by day, aud to give me ability through it. Ah ! none
knoAVS, but they that have had experience, Iioav Ave have
been Aveakened in the uatural part ; hoAV poor Ave have been
made, that Ave might receive the gospel, and how poor in
ourselves aa'C are kept, that Ave might enjoy the riches and
iuheritance of the kingdom. Aud this avc daily experience,
that not by the Avorks of righteousness Avliich aa^c had done,
but accordiug to his mercy he saved us, and cloth dailj- save
us, by the AA'ashiug of regeneration, and the renewing of the
Holy Ghost. Yea, God's Avritiug his law in our hearts, and
placing his fear there, and putting his Spirit AA'ithin us, to
eulighten and quicken, and cause us to Avalk in his Avays,
and to keep his statutes aud judgments, and to do them,
aud all the mortityiug of sin, aud denying of the lusts of
the flesh, aud performing that AA'hich is holy and acceptable
in the eyes of the Lord (as all that proceeds from his oavu
Holy Spirit is), — all this is of the ucav covenant, and per
formed by the A\-orlciiig thereof, and uot by the Avorkiug of
the natural part of itself, but by the Avorking of tiie Spirit
of life iu the uoav birtii, aud through the uatural part as his
instrument. So let none reproach the Avorks that Go(^
brings forth in us, Avho hath created us ancAV in Christ Je
sus unto good Avorks, lest tiiereby he reproach the Holy
Spirit aud poAA'cr of the liviug God, in Avhich they are
Avrought, aud by which tiiey are brought forth, alid could
never be brought forth Avitiiout it.
Then for our sufterings, indeed they are gifts we receive
from God; so that avc ean truly say, it is given us by the
Lord our God not ouly to believe in his Son, but to sufter
for his sake; and that it is only in good conscience to God,
and by tiie assistance of the Lord, that Ave suft'er; tha'tthe

ISAAC PENINGTON. 395
patience and meekness wherewith we sufter, is not of our
selves, but of him. Whenever the Lord permits afflictions
or sufferings to come upon us, our eye is to hira, and we
enter into them in his fear, knowing our OAvn inability to
go through them, and looking up to him for strength. And
when we are in thera, while they continue, Ave daily look
up to hira for strength, and have been, mauy times, very
weak in ourselves, Avhen immediately or very soon after, we
have felt great strength in the Lord. Also after our suffer
ings, when the Lord hath been with us all along, and
brought us through our sufferings in the peace aud joy of
his Spirit, Ave do uot look back boastingly, as if we had
been any thing, or done any thing as of ourselves ; but we
bow before the Lord, and bless the Lord, when we consider
how he hath been with us, and how he hath upheld us by
the right-hand of his righteousness; and what he hath done
for us AA'hen Ave Avere very poor, Aveak, afflicted, and often
sorely distressed. Therefore let none reproach, misrepresent,
or vilify our sufterings, which our God hath helped us
through, aud for Avhich we, in humility of heart, give him
thanks, and cannot but do so all our days, because the
thankful remembrance and sense of them is written by the
finger of his Spirit upou our hearts. Oh! all sorts of peo
ple, whom we love and travail for, and use our interest in
the Lord our God for, that ye might be truly seusible of
your conditions, know the iuAvard appearance and visits of
the Shepherd and Saviour of the soul, turn to him (looking
in true faith unto him), and be saved! I say unto you, in
tenderness of spirit, oh ! do not requite us so ill for our love
and truth of heart towards you, as to cast untrue and unjust
reproaches upon us, and to render that truth vile which
God hath made honorable, in sanctifying and redeeming
many thereby. Truly our love is from the God of love. We
could uot so love you as Ave do, if our God had not taught
us; nor so seek after you as we do, in tenderness of bowels,
if we Avere not instruments in the hand of the Shepherd of
Israel. And the Ught Ave testify of, which we feel shine in
us, it is no less than the true, sure Ught of the Sun of right-

396 THE WOEKS OF
eousness, which God hath caused to shine in our hearts;
Avho also loveth mankind, and causeth it to glance into the
darkest corners of the earth. Aud the life we are quickened.
by out of sin and transgression, aud the poAver we have re
ceived to become sous of God, — it is from him who is the
fountain of life, and hath all poAver in heaven and earth.
()h that ye could receive the blessed report! Oh that the
arm of the Lord might be revealed iu you ! Oh that ye
<X)uld feel aud Avitness the Saviour Avorking out your sah'a-
tiou in you, binding the strong man iu you, casting him out
of you, Avith all his goods after hira, that the place of the
Aviekcd one might be found uo more in you, nor none ofhis
lusts or vain thoughts lodge iu your hearts any more; but
ye might Avitness aud experience the new heart, the clean
heart, the pure heart, iu Avhich God dAA'ells, and the eye that
sees him that is invisible. Oh! glory to the Lord for what
he hath done iu aud for a despised people (who Avere uo
people before the Lord made them oue), Avho hath brought
them to Zion, his holy mountain, Avhere he dAvells aud
reigus, aud Avhere he builds up his oavu house and temple,
Avhieh he eritablisheth over all ; Avhere the sheep of Israel
feed, aud Avhere the Shepherd of Israel reigns and triumphs
iu glory ovcr tiie enemies of his kingdom. The Uttle, inno
cent bahos taste somewhat of his holy domiuion and power,
aud of his kiugdom of peace aud righteousness; but in his
ancients his light shiues very brightly, and before them he
reigneth gloriously; so that he is praised iu tiie very heights
of Ziou, and his narae renowned there over all for ever.
Glory, glory to tiie pure spring of life, from Avhence the liv
ing streams come, Avhich refresh the souls of the liviii<j.
Surely his pure praises shall be sounded in tiie hearts of
the living for ever and ever. Araen.

isaac penington. 397
An Exhortation to true Christianity.
It is easy to pretend to Christ ; but to be a true Christian
is very precious, aud mauy Tribulations and deep Afilic-
tious are to be passed through before it be attained unto,
as those aa'Iio are made so by the Lord experience.
Noav everlasting happiness and salvation depends upon
true Christianity. Not upou having the name of a Chris
tian ouly, or professing such or such Christian doctrines ;
but upon haA'ing the uature of Christianity, upon being re-
ncAved by the Spirit of Christ, aud receiving the Spirit,
Avalkiug in the Spirit, and bringing forth the fruits of the
Spirit. Oh, here is the Christian indeed! aud it should be
ever}- one's care not to fall short of this. Now because
there is a contention about Christiauitv, aa-Iio is the rio-ht
Christian, it behooves every man to take care as to himself
that he be really such; that he receive that from God, and
be that to God, Avhicli none but the right Christian can be,
or can receive. This is the use I Avould make of these thiugs
iu my OAVU heart, ca'CU to be sure I be such a one as God
hath raade, and Avill accept and own as a Christian. And
haA'ing had sorae experience of this thing, aud truly under
standiug Avliat the Christian state is, and AAdiat doth attend
it, I shall set doAvn some fcAv thiugs, AA'hich he that iuAvardly
knoweth, Avituesseth, aud eujoyeth, is Avithout all coutro-
ver.sy a true Christian, Avhatever men may account of hira.
First, He that is a ucav creature, is Avithout doubt a true
Christian. He that is regenerated, he that is rencAved iu
the spirit of his raiud by Christ Jesus, he that is uew cre
ated in the holy aud heavenly iraage, he has felt the poAver
of God's Spirit begetting hira anoAA', forming him ancAV, out
ofthe old nature aud image ofthe first Adam, into the uat
ure and image of the second Adam, Avho is the quickening
Spirit, and that which is begotteu aud born ofhim is Spirit.
Secondly, He that is iu the ucav covenant is a true Chris
tian. He that hath thirsted after the living Avaters, and hath
Vol. IIL— 34

398 THE WOEKS OF
heard the call to the Avaters of life, hath heard the A-oice of
him Avho gives life, and hath received life from hira, Avho
giveth life to all that corae to hira, and Avho maketh the nCAV
and everlasting covenant wifh all that hear his voice, take
up his cross and folloAV him, he is without doubt one of
* Christ's sheep, Avhom the Shepherd owneth, and taketh
care of.
Thirdly, He that is inwardly circuracised with the cir
cumcision made without hands, he is a Jcav iuAvard, a Chris
tian iuAvard (iu the sight of God), AA'ho hath felt the Spirit
aud poAver of Christ Jesus, and rejoiceth in Christ Jesus,
and is oue of those Avorshippers Avhoui God hath sought out,
aud taught to Avorship him in the life and Spirit of his Sou.
Fourthlj', He that is imvardly Avashed Avith clean water,
Avith the imvard Avater, he is the iuAvard Jcav, the iuAA'ard
Christian. God promised to pour out clean water upou his
Israel, aud they should be clean. He Avho hath the clean
Avater poured upou him iuAvardly, which iuAvardly AA'asheth
aud eleauseth, he is Avithout controversy one of God's iu
Avard Israel.
Fifthly, He that feeds on the bread of life Avithin, aud
drinks the Avatcr of Ufe out of his oavu avcU or cistern, he
without doubt is liviug. He that is invited to the marriage
supyier of the Lamb, and comes and sups Avith the Lamb,
he is oue of the same nature and spirit Avith him. He Avith
Avhoni Christ sups, who hath heard Christ knocking at his
door, hath opened to him, aud received him in, to purify
his heart, and dAvell in hiiu, aud sup Avith hira, ami give
hira to sup Avith hiraself; so that he eats bread iu the king
dom, and drinks Avine in the kingdom, and partakes of the
feast of fat thiugs, Avhich God makes to his Israel in his
holy mountain, he is Avithout doubt one of Christ's, and par
takes of this in and through him.
Sixthly, He that lives the Christian life, Avho walks not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit; Avho doth not fulfil Uie
lusts of the flesh, but hatii the laAv of God Avritten in his
heart, aud his fear put Avitiiin hira, and his Holy Spint
given to instruct him, aud to guide hira to ausAver the holy

ISAAC PENINGTON. 399
hxAv Avritten in his he.irt, Avhieh the carnal mind is uot sub*
ject to, uor can be subject to, Avithout doubt he is spiritual;
Avithout doubt he is a true Christian.
Seventhly, He that Uves by faith, avIio knows the faith
Avhich is the gift of God, hath received it, and lives by it;
Avho can clo nothing of himself, but only by faith in that
holy poAver Avhicli doth all in hira; so that he lives, aud be
lieves, and obeys from a holy root of life, which causeth
life to spring up iu hira, aud love to spring up in hira, aud
the Lamb's meekness and patience to spring up in him, and
all grace to spring up in hira, — I say, he that lives thus, with
out doubt is ingrafted into the true vine, iuto the true olive-
tree; and the root boars him, and ministers sap uuto him,
aud he is a true, fresh, green, liviug branch ofthe true A'ine,
ofthe holy olive-tree.
Many more thiugs might be mentioned, as they are ex-
perinientaUy Icuoavu aucl felt among us, aa'Iio are true Chris
tians ; though the Baptists aud others haA-e represented us
to the Avorld as if avc Avere no Christians; but that touching
us not, their saying so is no more to us thau the professing
Jews of the same spirit, Avho said Christ had a devil. But
these are to give a taste; and he that Icuoavs and feels these
may also knoAv and feel the rest, aucl he that doth uot know
or feel these avouIcI not kuoAV or feel the rest, if ever so
mauy more should be mentioned. Noav the Avay to feel
these, and to becorae a true Christian (and to grow up in
the Christian life), is to feel the seed ofthe kingdom, Avhich
is the beariuninor of the kino-dom, the beo-inniuff of true
Christianity; and then to feel the seed abiding (the seed
AA'hieh is of the Spirit, and which is Spirit), here is the con
stant seal of Christianity in ray heart; here are true and
certain evidences, day by day, of the Christian nature and
sjiirit manifesting theraselves undeniably inAvardly.
Aud UOAV having the Avitness in myself, the testiraony of
hira that begat life in me, testifying to his oavu Avork, and to
his own ])irth, of Avhat value are auy testimonies of men with
out, agaiust this ? Christianity is a raystery, and he only can
^ruly see who is a Christian indeed, Avho hath the inward eye

400 THE WOEKS OF
opened, and with that inward eye is taught of God to pierce
into that wherein Christianity consisteth. There have been
many Christians of men's maldng; there are also some
Christians of God's and Christ's making ; Avhieh Christians
God and Christ will oavu, but not the other. Oh ! let men
have a care, that when God cometh to distinguish between
cattle and cattle (between Christian and Christian), they be
found such as God will make up as his jewels, and oavu as
the sheep of his fold; such as shall be able to bear the trial
of his searching judgment, and pure, impartial eye ; and not
such as still, notwithstanding all their profession of religion
and Christianity, are found workers of iniquity, and so not
created anew in Christ Jesus unto good Avorks, and there
fore not truly ofhim, uor true Christiana in his eye.

TO THE

JEWS NATURAL

AND

TO THE JEWS SPIRITUAL;

A PEW WOEDS TO ENGLAND, MY NATIVE COUNTEY.
WHEREUNTO ABB ADDED
t-hree queries touching the river and city of God,
AND the pure stillness WHEREIN GOD
IS KNOAVN AND EXALTED.

SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
CONCERNING THE TRUE CHURCH, MINISTRY, AND MAINTENANCE
UNDER THE GOSPEL;
AND LIKEWISE ABOUT THE LAMB'S WAR.

Written in travailing boAvels, by

ISAAC PENINGTON.

' Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of a clean heart." Ps. Ixxiii. 1.
'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." John i. 47.
' For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly ; neither is that circumcision
which is outward in the flesh ; but he is a Jcav which is one inwardly,
and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter ;
Avhose praise is not of men, but of God." Eom. ii. 28, 29.
¦ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which
are circumcised, with the uncircumcised, Egypt, and Judah, and Edom,
and the children of Ammon and Moab, and all that are in the ut
most corners that dwell in the wilderness ; for all these nations are un
circumcised, and all the house of Israel are uucircumcised in the heart."
Jer. ix. 25, 2G.

403

PREFACE.
What a day of distress, and revelation of the righteous
judgraent of God, is to corae upon the wicked and ungodly
world (even upon man, Avho was created in the image of
God, but is now fallen from it, and fouud out of it, and in
another image very unlike it) ; the eye Avhich the god of this
world hath blinded, and the heart which he hath hardened
by sin and transgression, hath no sense of.
What a day of distress and misery some in this nation
(and in other parts of the world) have already met with!
how they have felt the weight of sin upou their spirits, aud
what a sore thing it hath been to them to feel their souls
separated from that God that raade thera (who is the Hus
band and Father, King and Preserver of souls that are found
in his iraage and nature); how they have been inwardly
captivated by a foreign power, and oppressed, and raade to
serve under sin, and could hear no effectual tidings of his
appearance who was able to save, but their spirits were
ready to sink, and their hope of rederaption, frora that
which oppressed and captivated thera, almost cut off, — this
being au iuward state aud condition, hath been altogether
hid ftom the ey.e Avhich is outward.
How the Lord at length appeared unto these (his boAvels
having long rolled over thera, and he having loug waitecl
to be gracious to thera, even till the full and acceptable
set time was come) ; hoAV his light hath shined in and
upon them ; how he gathered those dry bones together,
and breathed Ufe into thera, and raade thera live, — this also
is altogether a hidden thing from the eye of the Avorld.
How the Lord, Avho appeared to them, hath exercised and
tried thera; how he hath judged thera, and hoAV he hath
saved thera ; what desolations he hath made inwardly in
them, and what he hath built there, Avhat a hammer, a

404 THE WOEKS OF
BAVord, a fire, &c. his pure AA^ord qf life hath been in them ;
hoAV that birth Avhich could Uve Avithout God, Avithout his
inward life, or upon Avords and knoAvledge Avithout life, hath
been famished, until, by the pain ofthe famine, its very life
and breath hath been takeu from it, aud it crucified with
Christ, by the pain of the cross of Christ; and Avhat birth
hath been raised aud croAvned afterwards, and beautified
Avitli the ornaments of righteousness and salvatiou, yea,
with the endless love and mercy AA'ith its God; and hoAvthe
Lord is Avith his people, and dwells and AA^alks in them, and
hoAV he hath humbled them to Avalk Avith him; and hoAV in
fear and huraility they do walk with hira in the light of day
everlastiug, even as God is light, and walks iu the light of
his owu day, — these are A'ery strange and unknown things to
the Avisest and raost prudent in religion at this day, who are
not gathered into the raystery of godliness (nor into the
Spirit, power, and glory of the Father), AA^here these things
are revealed in and by the Son.
What faith the children of Avisdom haA'e in the wisdom
and poAA'cr AAjhich hath appeared; Avhat confidence they have
in the Lord their God, that he avUI stand by thera iu all
their exercises and trials, both inward and outward; and
what experiences they haA'e had of the Lord's standing by
thera in both; how his faithfulness doth not fail; and hoAv
their faith in him is upheld and preserved by hira, that it
doth not fail in the stormy tirae, or hour of great distress ;
and how their eye is uuto him, and their heq,rts with him iu
the calms, so that their God is all in all unto them contin
ually, — (and Avho Icuoavs this but they that have it !) Oh, who
can utter or declare the sweetness and certainty of this,
where it is enjoyed !
AVhat love also the Lord sheds abroad in their hearts;
and how he teacheth aud causeth them to love, by often cir-
curacisiug their hearts, aud cutting oft" that Avhich hindereth
the pure love from springiug in thera; and how they love
others, in the love AvhercAvith God (Avho is love) hath loved
thera ; and hoAv natural it is to them to pray for their ene
mies, and to bless them that curse them, and do srood for

ISAAC PENINGTON. 405
evil; but eanuot requite evil for evil, being transplanted iu
to, and growing up in, tho root that is good; and sends up
good sap and virtue into thera, which nourisheth all that is
good in thera, but is death aud destruction to the remain
ders of CAul, as tho Lord pursueth aud findeth it out, — oh,
hoAv impossible is it for tho heart of man to conceive and
understand !
Noav I also having tasted of the mercy and goodness of
the Lord, and having boon brought out of a state of great
misery aud sorrow of heart, into the redemption and joy of
God's chosen; and haA-iug found the Lord faithful to me,
and giving rae faith in the appearance of his Spirit and
power in rae, aud truo loA'e (teuder love), not only to my
brethren in the truth, but to all mankind, springing in me,
and divers fruits issuing forth from it; some of them at this
tirae I cannot but publish, and the Lord open the hearts of
those Avlioni it oonoerus, that they raay fiud some help, ben
efit, and furtherance by it. For it ia the J03' of ray heart to
receive good from God ; to be filled with his blessings, to
haA'e my cup OA'erfloAv; aud that others may be helped, re
freshed, and gladded thercAvith, and, by the sweet taste
thereof, led to Avait for the opening of the same root aud
fountain of life iu themselves, to yield Uving sap, aud send
forth liviug streams iu them day by day.

406 THE WOEKS OF
TO
THE JEWS NATURAL,
AND TO THE
JEWS SPIRITUAL.
SOMEAA'HAT IN THE LOA^E OF GOD TO THE JeAVS NATURAL, OR
SEED OF Abraham after the flesh.
On, the glory of your state outAvard, Avho Avere the people
AAdiom God once chose aud loved, aud manifested his power
and presence among, above all people! AA'hose land Avas the
glory of all lands, to Avhicli God brought you out of Egypt
by au outstretched arm, through a dreadful Avilderness,
wherein ye Avere tempted, tried, and exercised, and the suc
ceeding generation fitted to enter iuto. Oh, Avhat laAVS aud
statutes, aud righteous judgments, did God give you, such
as no natiou besides had! What a temple bad ye to appear
before God iu, aud the ark of the covenant, and holj' priests,
kings, aud prophets! and hoAv nigh Avas God to you, to be
inquired of by you; and Iioav ready to hear j'our prayers, iu
all that you called upon him for! The eternal God Avas thy
refuge, aud underneath Averc the everlastiug arras (the Lord
Avas thy rock, and thou wast built upon hira); and he did
thrust out the enemy before thee, aud did say. Destroy. And
Avhen the arm of the Lord clid destroy thera before thee,
thou didst dwell in safety alone; and the Lord was a foun
tain of liviug Avaters to thee, and his heavens did drop doAvn
fatness upou thee. Happy Avast thou, 0 Israel ! AAdio was
like uuto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord! the shield of
thy help, and AA'ho AA'as the SAvord of thy excellency! and
thine enemies Avere fouud liars uuto thee, and thou didst
tread upon their high places. And it might have been still
so Avith thee, hadst thou not been uumindful of the rock

ISAAC PENINGTON. 407
that begat thee, and forgotten God that forraed thee. For
thy glory should not have been taken frora thee, but SAval-
loAved up in a higher glory, Avherein thou nirightest have
had the first and chiefest share, hadst thou not, by thy al
most constant rebellion and unbelief, provoked the Lord
against thee ; not ouly often to affiict, but at last utterly to
cast thee off" from being a people, and to choose a people in
thy stead, Avho should bring forth better fruits to tbe Lord
ofthe vine^-ard, than thou in thy day hadst done.
Yet Avhen thy state Avas thus glorious, it Avas not a state
of the truly substantial, lasting glory, but a shadowy state
or representative thereof. fThy day of glory Avas not the
day of the ^Messiah, the day of everlasting light iuAvardly,
Avherein the Lord alone is exalted iuAvardly iu the hearts of
all, iu Avhom he breaks down all that is contrary to the light
of his day. Thy day Avas but tho day ofthe outward shad
ows ofthe heavenly substance; but Avben that day (the day
ofthe iuAvard substauce and glory) shined, thy shadoAvs or
shadoAvy state Avas to fly aAvay, aud to be SAvallowed up in
the pure substance and spiritual kingdom of the Messiah.
Thy birth from Abraham after the flesh was not the birth
Avhich Avas to inherit the promise iu the kingdom of the
Messiah; but there is a birth iuAvardly born of the Spirit,
boru after Abraham in his faith, Avho travels iuAvardly, as
Abrahara did outwardly, and seeks an iuward country aud
city, AA'hose builder and raaker is God: to these the spiritual
kingdom and promises belong.
Thy circumcision was but the circumcision outward, the
circumcision of the flesh; it was not the circumcision of the
heart: that is the circumcision of the iuAvard Jcav, Avhieh
indeed the scripture calleth for from you, because there AA'as
somcAvhat near you, Avhich Avould have so circuracised you,
had ye hearkened and given up to it. But ye, as a people,
Avere not so circuracised, but were a stiff-necked people (as
Moses and the prophets Avere still complaining of you) un
circumcised in heart aud ears, resisting God's Spirit both iu
your OAvn hearts and in the prophets, until the Lord was
provoked to take aAvay both vision and prophet from you.

408 THE WOEKS OF
The Egypt iu AA'hich j'our fathers were in bondage, and
Pharaoh avIio oppressed them, Avas but the Eg^^pt outAA'ard,
aud Pharaoh outAvard. There is an inAA^ard Egypt, Avherein
the spiritual seed, the iuAA'ard man, the soul, is in bondage;
aud there is a spiritual Pharaoh, that oppresseth the spirit
ual seed, iu spiritual Egypt: and there is a stretching out
the arm ofthe Almighty iuAvardly, to break the strength of
the iuward Pharaoh, to pierce Leviathan the crooked ser
pent, and to deUver the soul from under his captivity.
The wilderness also your fathers Avere led through, Avas
but the outAvard Avilderness, AA'here they Avere tempted aud
tried by the Lord many Avays, that he might do thera good
in the latter end. But the iuAvard Israel, after they are led
out ofthe iuAvard Egypt, are tried iu the iuAvard Avilderness;
AA'here they are judged after the flesh, and that Avasted in
them, Avhich is uot to enter into and inherit the good land,
Avliere they are tried in the furnace of affliction, aud their
filth purged aAA'ay by the spirit of judgment aud burning;
that tlie righteous nation, Avhicll hath received the holy in
Avard laAV, and keeps the truth, raay enter into the good
laud, city, aud kingdom of the Messiah, aud uiherit the
blessed promises of life and sah'ation there.
Moses, your great prophet, AA'as a type of the great, last
ing, staudiug prophet, AA'hom God would raise up like unto
Moses, Avho Avas to give his iuAvard laAV as Moses did the
outward, and to lead all the spiritual Israel as Moses did the
outward Israel ; and his Avord Avas to be heard and stand in
all things Avhatsoever he shall say uuto his people: and
Avhosoever Avill not hear aud obey this prophet, shall be cut
oft' from among the holy, spiritual, aud imvardly liA'iug peo
ple. Joshua Avho succeeded Aloses, led but into the figurative
rest: he Avas but a figure of him that iuAvardly leads into
the inward aud spiritual rest; Avhich the truo Joavs, which
are iuAvardly created aud forraed by God, and raade a Avill
ing people iu the day of his poAver, enter iuto.
The pillar of cloud, and pillar of fire in the wilderness,
were but figures of the spiritual pillar of cloud aud fire, by

ISAAC PENINGTON. 409
which the spiritual Israel are led and defended in the glori
ous gospel day of God's Spirit and poAver. Pead Isaiah,
chap. iv. Avhich speaketh of the gospel-day, aud the pillar
aud cloud of fire to be created therein, and of the defence
AA'hich is to be on all the inAvard and spiritual glory.
The land of Canaan, the outward good and kingdom of
Israel, Avas but a figure of the inward land and kingdom of
the inward Israel, iu the days of the Messiah. This is the
land of Judah in Avhich the song is sung, because ofthe in
Avard strong city where God appoints salvation for Avails
and bulwarks, which the righteous nation AA'hich keepeth
the truth, enter into. Isaiah xxvi.
Their outward kings in that laud, aud particularly David,
Avere but types of the spiritual king, the spiritual David,
Avhom God Avill raise up to the spiritual people, who should
seek the Lord their God, and David their king; Avho shall
be their spiritual shepherd aucl ruler, Avhora God hath ap
pointed to feed them iu the integrity of his heart, aucl to
guide them by the skilfulness of his bauds, Avho is King of
righteousness aud peace iuAvardly, aud who ministers right
eousuess and peace to the sheep aud lambs of his pastures.
Their outward priests (even their high-priests) were but a
representation of the great high-priest of God, Avho AA'as
to be a priest for ever, after the order of Alclchizedek.
Psal. ex.
Their outAvard covenant (made Avith them from the out
ward mount Sinai, upon the giving of the laAv, and holy
statutes and ordinances, by Avhich thej- Avere to Ua'c and en
joy God iu their outAvard state) Avas but a shadow of the iu
Avard and spiritual covenant, the new aud everlasting cove
naut, AA'hich God makes Avith his iuAA'ard and spiritual people
iu the latter days.
Their outAA-ard law, as Avritten and engraven in tables of
stone, was but a shadoAV ofthe iuAvard law, Avhich God puts
iuto the children of the new covenant, insomuch that they
need not go outwardly to learn the kuoAAdedge of God, or
his Avill or laAv; but the inAvard Israel find it iuAvardly Avrit
ten Avithin. There the isles who wait for the law of the
Yol. HI.— 35

410 THE WOEKS OP
Spirit of life, for the law of the Messiah, receive the minis
tration of the laAV (in the Spirit aud poAver of the Alessiah)
which they Avait for.
Their outAvard Mount Zion, on which the outAA'ard temple
Avas built by Solomon, that Avise king, that righteous king,
that peaceable king, AA'as a figure of the iuAA'ard mountain,
AA'hereupou the iuAvard house is built in the days of the gos
pel, in the days of the Messiah: aud to this mountain are
the spiritual people to come up and Avorship. And this is
the Zion and Jerusalem (even inward and spiritual) from
Avhich the law and Avord of the Lord go forth in the days of
the Alessiah: aud the spiritual house of Jacob combine or
agree together to Avalk iu the light of the Lord, Avho sends
forth his light aud truth, aud leads them to his holy hill,
aud to his tabernacles.
Their outward tabernacle and temple, sanctified by God
for him to dwell and appear iu, was a shadoAV of God's in
Avard dAvelliug place iu mau ; "I Avill tabernacle iu them."
Gild dwelleth not iu houses or temples made Avith hands;
that is uot the place ofhis rest, as saith the prophet Isaiah:
but the high aud lofty One that iulialuts eternity, Avliose
throue is iu heaA'en, aud the earth his footst(jol, he clAvelletli
also Avlth him that is of au humble aud contrite spirit, to re
vive the spirit of the humble, aud to revive the heart of the
contrite ones.
Their outAvard sabbaths Avere not the lasting sabbath or
rest of the gospel, but given them for a sign; but the day
of redemptiou from siu, the day of re.-itiug from sin, the day
of ceasing from the Avorks ofthe fiesh, the day Avherein God
is all, and doth all by his Spirit and poAver iuAvardly, and
AA'hereiu he alone is exalted,-^this is the day of rest which
the Lord hath made for the spiritual Israel, aud AA'hich they
are glad of and rejoice iu.
So their incense and sacrifices Avere not the lastiug in
cense aud sacrifices, but shadoAvs thereof. The prayers of
the saints, AA'hen God pours out the spirit of prayer and sup
plication upon them, aud they pray to him therein, that is
the incense. "Let ray prayer be directed before thee as

ISAAC PENINGTON. 411
incense, and the lifting up of ray hands as the evening sac
rifice." And this Avas the incense and pure oft'ering, which
in every place was to bc oftered up to God's narae araong
the Gentiles, AA-hen his narae should be great araong thera,
as Malachi foretells. And Avhat said David of old, when
God's Spirit and the holy vision Avas upon hira? "Sacrifice
aud oft'ering thou didst not desire ; mine ears hast thou
opened: burnt-off'eriug and sin-off'ering hast thou not re
quired. Then said I, lo I corae; iu the volume of the book
it is written of me: I delight to do thy avUI, 0 my God;
yea, thy laAv is in the midst of my boAvels. The sacrifices
of God are a broken spirit (reud your hearts, and not your
garments, and turn to the Lord your God) ; a broken and a
contrite heart, 0 God, thou Avilt not despise." The offer
ing praise to God frora a sincere heart, and the ordering of
the conversation aright, these are the sacrifices Avell-pleas-
iug to God; for sacrifices Avere not the thing Avhich God
mainly required of outAvard Israel, but this. Obey my voice:
and obedience is more acceptable than all other sacrifices,
aud to hearken than the fat of the choicest rams.
Besides, those outward sacrifices could not remove or
take aAvay sin from the conscience, but he that carae to do
the Avill, and to put au end to those sacrifices and oblations,
Avhicli were but outAvard and imperfect; he doth both Avash
and take aAvay sins from Avithiu, and also briug- in everlast
iug righteousness, Avhere his light shiues, aucl his pure life
springs iuAA-ardly in the heart.
Aud this is the substauce of all the shadoAvs, even the
light eternal, the Avord eternal, the Son of the Uving God
(Avho is light as the Father is Ught), the Avord nigh iu the
mouth and heart, the Avord ofthe ucav eoA'Cuant; the whicli
Moses directed your Fathers to, Deut. xxx. aud by Avhich
the Lord speaketh, and hath spoken throughout the Avorld,
Psal. 1. 1. and teacheth every mau that hearkeueth to his
voice, to do justly, love mercy, aud Avallc humbly Avith his
God, as it is expressed by the prophet Alieah.
Noav to you Jcavs, of the outward liue of Abraham
(Avhose return to the Lord my soul most earnestiy desireth

412 THE WOEKS OP
after, and for Avhich I have most vehemently and wrest-
lingly prayed to the Lord) are sorae feAv Aveighty queries
upon ray heart :
Query 1. Hoav came David to pant so after the living
God, like the hart or hind after the Avater-brooks? Was it
uot from the quickening virtue of this iuAvard word, Avhicli
Moses, the man of God, had directed the mind to? Pead
Psal. cxix. aud see hoAA' he breathed for quickenings from
this word, on Avhich all depends. And if ye corae to expe
rience this AVord, and the quickening virtue of it, and fol
low the Lord ou therein, ye avUI soou come to know the day
of the Messiah, and the glory of his Icingdom, AAdiich is not
outward, transitory, and of a perishing nature; but iuAvard,
spiritual, and everlastiug (as David Avell kncAA'-, and spake
sensibly of. Psal. cxlv. and elseAvhere).
Query 2. AA'hat are the Avaters AA'hich every thirsty soul is
invited to? Are they not the AA'aters of the Alessiah? are
they not Avaters that floAV out of the avcUs of salvatiou?
Isaiah xii. Do not the spiritual Israel draw spiritual water
out of the Avells of the Saviour iu the days of the Alessiah?
What is it to come to these Avateis? Oh that ye experi
mentally IcncAv ! But this I Avill tell 3'ou, from true and cer
tain experience, that if ye come to take notice of this Avord
of life, AA'hich God hath placed nigh in your mouths and
hearts, to separate betAveen the evil Avorcls and evil thoughts
of the enemy's begetting and bringing forth, and the good
Avords and good thoughts of God's begetting and bringing
forth, and incline your ear to it, aud come from that Avhicli
it reproves in you, and draAvs you from to itself; your souls
shall soon come to live; and he that gives you life, Avill
make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mer
cies of David: but ye must still mind him as a Avitness, aud
leader, aud coraraander, inwardly in j'our hearts, that ye
may be preserved iu the covenant, and enjoy tbe blessings
ofit; see Isaiah 1a'.
Query 3. Did not the Alessiah come at the set time, at
the time set by the Holy Spirit of prophecy? Did he not
corae in the prepared body to do the Avill ? and did he not

ISAAC PENINGTON. 41,3
do the Avill? And after his obedieuce to his Father, Avas he
not cut oft', though not for himself? And after his cutting
oft", Avero not ye made desolate ? AVh}- Avere ye made deso
late? AVhy did such a stroke come upon you as never be
fore? Oh, consider it! Read Dan. ix. 24. to the end of the
chapter, and let him that readeth understand.
Query 4. AVhat Avas that curse, and on whom did it Ught?
"Let their table become a snare to them," &c. Psa. Ixix.
AVas it uot on those that gave gall and vinegar to the Ales
siah to drink, Avhora David Avas a figure of, and spake iu
Spirit concerning? AVhose ej'es are ahvays darkened?
Doth not the veil Ue still ou 3-0 ur aaIioIc natiou? Do 3-e
Icuoav the iuAvard mountain, Avhere the veil or face of the
covering is destroyed? inthe iuAA^ard day aud Ught of the
Alessiah it is destroyed. There that which a'cUs the noble
eye of the mind is Icuoavu, aud also that Avhich destroys aud
removeth it. To what purpose is it for you to read Aloses
and the prophets, Avheu the veil is so upou you, that ye can
not see Avhat is to be abolished, aud is abolished, b}- the
daAA'uing of the glorious day of the Alessiah, aud Avliat is to
remain and uever to be aboUshed? There is a JcAvsliip, there
is a circumcision, there is a sabbath, there is a rest, &c. for
the iuAvard and spiritual people, Avhich is to remain, and
ncA'er to be aboUshed.
Query 5. AA''lio Avere those that God aa'ouIcI hide his face
from, aucl see Avliat their end should be, because they Avere
a froAvard generation, childreu in Avhom Avas no faith? AVho
Avere thej' that moA'ed God to jealousy, and proA'oked him
to auger? And what was the people and foolish nation he
Avould proA'oke them to jealousy and anger AAuth? Deut.
xxxii. AVas it not the spiritual, the holy nation iuAvarcUy,
the true Joaa's, Avhom God took from among the Gentiles,
Avliom he appeared among, and was a Gocl and a Father to,
AAdien he cast oft' and forsook the Jcavs outAvard, and left
them to be a desolation ?
Query 6. AA^ho are those that shall be hungry Avheii God's
servants shall eat? and thirsty, when God's servants shall
drink? aud ashamed, Avhen his serA'auts shall rejoice? Are

414 THE WOEKS OF
not your souls hungry and parched for want ofthe spiritual
sustenance, Avhich the living God satisfieth his servants Avith,
making a feast of fat things to them on his iuAvard holy
mountain ? And are uot ye ashamed of your expectations of
the Messiah, while the servants of the Lord rejoice in hira,
their Prince and Savdour, and witness him daily a leader
aucl coraraander to thera ? What is the people AA'hom the
Lord hath slain and made desolate? (Are not ye a slain
people to Gocl, alienated frora his life. Spirit, and power,
dead in your literal notions and observations?) And what
are the seiwants ofthe Lord, Avhora the Lord hath called by
auother name, even a name that ye never knoAA'^? See Isa.
Ixvi. And consider, how all your day God spread out his
hand to you, and ye Avere rebellious, and Avould not hear;
and now night is come upou you, and your visitation, as
such a people, is and hath been long ended.
Query 7. Did not God signify by the prophet Malachi,
that he had no pleasure in you, nor would accept an offer
ing at your hand? And did not he also signify the choosing
of the Gentiles in your stead; that the called among the
Gentiles should be his people; and his name, which ye had
profaned, should be great among them, and their incense
aud pure oft'eriug in every place be accepted, CA-en from the
rising ofthe suu to the going doAvn ofthe same? read Alal.
chap. i.
Query 8. Now the inward people, and the iuAA-ard coA'e
nant, ihe new covenant, are brought forth, shall ye ever be
owned or regarded as an outward people, according to your
outward covenaut any more? AVUI not all such expecta
tions fail you for ever? Ye have looked, from generation
to generation, for the coraing and appearing ofthe Alessiah
outwardly, after au outAvard manner: but his coming and
appearance is iuAvard; and he setteth up his kingdom, his
everlasting kingdom, in his saints, and in their hearts he
ruleth inwardly; and the Alessiah, the seed of the Avoman,
bruiseth the head of the serpent there. Oh that ye kuew
the substance! Oh that ye kncAv the Avord of life in the
heart, and were turned to it, and daUy faithful and obedi-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 415
eut! that ye raight feel it crushing and dashing the poAver
of sin and corruption in your hearts. This is the consola
tion, hope, and joy of the inward and spiritual Israel. Oh
that ye might be raade partakers thereof; and that your
long outAvard captivity aud desolation might at length end
in inward freedom and redemption ! Amen.

Sojieaa'hat of concern to the Jeavs spiritual, who are of
the seed of Abraham spiritually, or according to the
faith, and gathered in this day of God's poaver,
TO THE TRUE AND EA^ERLASTING ShILOH.
"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, uor a laAA'giA'er
from betAveeu his feet, until Shiloh come; aud unto him
shall the gathering ofthe people be." Gen. xlix. 10.
Old Jacob, in the spirit of prophecy, saAV that Judah Avas
to have the sceptre, the kingly poAver; and it was not to de- ¦
part from him, it Avas to be his right, and the lawgiver Avas
to be betAveen his feet, till Shiloh came; then the right Avas
Shiloh's to reign, aud to give laAvs to his people, AA'hom he
should gather out of the kingdora of darkness, and from
Satan's poAver, into his oavii iiiAvard, spiritual aucl everlast
ing kiugdom. This Avas the true king, God's kiug, Avhom
he Avould set upon the holy hill of spiritual Zion; aud all
the holy, iuAvard, spiritual gatherings of all people, scattered
from the holy, liAdng power, must be to him.
"I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no
more, until he come AAdiose right it is, and I will give it
hira." And his dominion shall not pass aAvay, or the scep
tre and lawgiving power shall not pass aAvay from hira, as
it did from Judah, nor shall his kingdora ever be destroyed,
Dan. vii. 14. but God will give to hini the throne of his fa
ther David, aud he shall reign over the house of Jacob for
ever; and of his Icingdom there shall be uo end.
Query. But who are the people that shall be gathered to
him? Ans. The people that shall hear his voice, and come at

416 THE WOEKS OF
his call, that shall receive the instruction of Avisdom, aud
feel the draAving poAver and virtue ofthe Father, in the day
of his poAver. It is Avritteu iu the prophets, "All thy chil
dren shall be taught of the Lord." Aucl every one that is
taught aud learneth of the Father, cometh to the Son, com
eth to thc Messiah, cometh to the Shiloh, to the AVord eter
nal, to the AVord of Ufe iu the heart.
Quel-}'. AVas uot the Alessiah promised to the Jcavs, to
corae of thera, aud to be appropriated to thera?
Aus. He Avas proraised to thera, and to corae of them, but
not to be appropriated to them ; but he Avas to be the uui-
A^ersal Saviour to all that should come uuder his ensign and
banner. "He shall set up au cn.sigu for the nations, aud he
shall sprinkle mauy nations," &c. Aud God promised that
he Avould give his Sou (his elect, choice serA'aut) for a light
to the Geutiles.
Query. AVere the Jcavs theu excluded?
. Aus. No: they Avere to be gathered to Shiloh, as Avell as
others. Naj-, the Lord had a special regard to them ; the
gospel Avas first preached to them; they had the first ofter,
or the first call to the spiritual glory; they Avere the chil
dren of the prophets, aud of the covenant of God made Avith
their fathers; uuto Avliom God having- raised up his Sou
Jesus, sent him to bless them, iu turning away ever}' one of
them from their iniquities. And the avIioIc nation, turning
from their iuicjuities, should have been gathered by him,
aud should have enjoyed the blessing of his day aud king
dom. Yea, the first gatheriug Avas from among them, and
the first glorious gospel church Avas at Jerusalem, Avhere the
Spirit aud poAA'er of the Lord Jesus did most eminently and
Avonderfully break forth, aud great grace Avas upon them all.
But the nation Avas uot gathered to Shiloh, nor did come
uuder his sceptre aud government; but ouly a reuiuaut of
the nation. So those being gathered, the rest were cast oft';
aud tiio eusigu was carried among the Geutiles, aud the
great gatheriug Avas there aiuoug thera.
Quest. IIow is it manifest that the creat o-atheriug to
Shiloh Avas to be frora among thc Geutiles?

ISAAC PENINGTON. 417
Ans. By many express prophecies of scripture, aud prora
ises to the Messiah, that he should liaA'c the Geutiles for his
inheritance aud possession. AAHien God established his
king, the Alessiah, upon the holy hill of spiritual Ziou, not
Avithstanding all the heathen's rage against him, aud the
people of the Jcavs imagining a vain thing (thiulciug to
keep the body of hira iu the grave, A\-ho Avas the resurrec
tion and the life), AA'hat saith the Lord to him? "Ask of
me, and I aa'UI give thee the heatbeu for thine inheritanee,
aud the uttermost parts ofthe earth for thy possession." Ps.
ii. The Lord said in another iilaee: "It is a light thiug
that thou raayest be ray servant, to raise up the tribes of -la-
cob, aud to restore the preserved of Israel ; I avUI also give
thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my
salvation Tinto the eud.s of the earth." Isa. xlix. 6. Again
the Lord saith further: "From the rising of the sun, even
unto the going doAvn of the same, my name sViall be great
araong the GentUes ; aud iu eA'ery place iuceuse shall be of
fered uuto ,my name, aud a pure ofteriug; for mj' name
shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."
Alal. i. 11. "Sing, 0 barren ! thou that didst uot l>ear; break
forth into sinw'ino-, and erv aloud, thou that didst uottraA'-
ail Avith child ; for more are the childreu of the desolate
than the children of the married Avife, saith thc Lord." Isa.
liv. 1. AVho Avas the married wife? AA^lio Avas the mother
in the days of the fu'st covenant? AA'as it uot the Jerusa
lem beloAv? AAHio Avas then desolate aud barren? Avas it uot
another Jerusalem, AA-hich is free, and the mother of all the
spiritual childreu? AVhy Avas she noAV to rejoice aud sing,
but because she Avas to break forth ou the right baud aud
on the left, aud her seed Avas to inherit tho Geutiles, and
make the desolate cities to be inhabited? ver. 3. Tho cove
naut of Alount Sinai did briug forth a great people, Avhere
of Jerusfilem, that Avas beloAA', AA'as the mother. The cove
nant afterAvards made, besides that iu Horeb, AA-hereof the
AVord uigh in the heart and mouth is the foundation (by
AA'hich Word God circumciseth), Avas as yet barren, and did
not bring forth a people to the Lord. But this covenant AA'as

418 THE WOEKS OF
to have a tirae; the Jerusalera above was to haA'e a time,
wherein her seed should inherit the Gentiles; and the
Maker, the Husband, should be called the God ofthe whole
earth, ver. 5. Read Gal. iv. and see how the apostle of the
Geutiles expounds the mysterj^ showing which is the free
Avoman, and her free children, and which is the bond wo-
raau, aud AA'hich the bond children, Avho are cast out in the
day of God, and in the shining of his heavenly light in
wardly, aud cannot inherit the glorious kingdora ofthe gos
pel, with the childreu of the free woman. Aud consider:
Avho were the people iu the time ofthe first coA'enant? who
obtained raerc^' then? Were they uot the Jews? And who
Avere uot a people? and AAdio did not obtain mercy, but
were left out of the love aud mercy of the first covenant?
AVere they uot the Geutiles? And did not the Lord prom
ise that he Avould have raercy on them that had not obtained
merey? and that he would say to them that Avere not his
people, Tiiou art my people ; -and they shall say, AIy God?
Hos. ii. 23. compared Avith Rom. ix. 26. AVas not this once
gloriously fulfilled in the first visitation ofthe Gentiles?
And is it not again gloriously fulfilled in bis uoav visitina:
them agaiu Avith the fresh sound of the everlasting gospel,
as Avas promised. Rev. xiv. 7.
Oh, Avhat a promise is that concerning the day of God!
that "in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, Avhich shall
stand for an eusigu of the people; to it shall the GentUes
seek: and his rest shall be glorious." Isa. xi. 10. Is not this
tiie day Avherein the holy raountain is known, and that noth
ing cau hurt or destroy there? And doth not the knowl
edge of the Lord cover his land, his earth, as the Avaters do
the sea? And cloth not the root of Jesse, the rock of life
and sah'ation, stand for an ensign, placed so by God? and
who cau displace it, or shake them that are built ou the in
ward Alount Ziou? Yea, is not the rest of the Aveary soul,
when he comes hither, fouud to be very glorious? And
when this ensign is raore fully lifted up, shall not the Gen
tiles more abundantly come uuto God from the cuds of the
earth, and bcAvail their dead aud estranged estate from God?

ISAAC PENINGTON. 419
(saying, "Surely our fathers inherited lies, A'anity, and things
Avherein is no profit." Jer. xvi. 19.) And shall they uot turn
from all their idols to serve the liviug God? Thess. i. 9.
And concerning the Alessiah it was promised, that in his
name should the Gentiles trust, and the isles should Avait
for his laAV, aud he should bring forth judgraent to the Gen
tiles. Isa. xii. 11. Avith Alatt. xii. 21.
But Avhat should I mention anymore scriptures uuto you
coucerning this thing, Avheuas ye haA'e so large, full, certain,
aud daily experience of it in that which is pure aud living
of Gocl, Avliich never deceived uor can deceive any ; for ye
are begotteu by his Spirit iuto his oavu image aud nature,
and have received the Spirit of adoption, Avherein ye cry,
Abba, Father, to the Father of spirits. He fouud you in
deed in a strange land, under great captivity, aud alienation
frora him. Ye have been in Egypt, iu Sodom, iu Babylon,
spiritually; but the mercy of the Lord hath folloAved you
thither, aud the arra ofthe Lord hath reached to you there,
aucl hath cut Rahab, and Avounded -the Dragon : j-ea, he
whora the Lord hath given for a Ught to the Geutiles hath
shined to you there, iu the midst of your darkness. So that
God sent among j'ou the prophet Uke uuto Moses (though
far above Aloses), aud hearing him, he led you out of Egj'pt,
aud by the rod of his poAver did signs aucl Avonders and A'al-
iaut acts there, breaking that poAver which, Avith a str^ig
hand, held you captiA'e there, aud oppressed you. And you
haA'e knoAvn the travel, trials, and temptations in the spirit
ual Avilderness, aud the falling of the carcasses AA'hich Avere
to fall there, aud the holy leading by the pillar of cloud and
fire through all the entanglements and dangers therein.
Yea, and the faithful araong you, the tried and- prepared
among you, haA'e passed over Jordan, the riA'cr of pure
judgment, into the good laud, aucl come to Avituess David
and Solomon (aa'Iio are one in Spirit) your King, AAdio rules
iu righteousness, and ministers to you peace CA'crlasting.
And ye haA-e a High-priest there, not after the order of
Aaron, but after the order of Afelchizedek, Avho is made
the everlasting High-priest of God; not after the law of a

420 THE WOEKS OF
carnal commandment, but after the pOAver of an endless
life; AA'hose lips preserve the knowdedge of the law for you,
in that endless poAver of life; Avho ministers for you aud to
you, in that endless poAver, and intercedes with power and
eflicacy, and sprinkles the blood of the covenant upon you,
which takes aAvay sin frora your hearts and consciences.
So that ye knoAV the iuAvard Jew's state, the inward holy
laud aud kingdora, the iuAvard circuracision, before ye enter
iuto that land ; aud the inward Lamb, the inward passover,
the inward Alount Zion, and Jerusalem; the inward sacri
fices aud incense, the inward tabernacle, temple, aud ark of
the coA'Cuaut, the inward shew-bread, the iuAvard manna,
the iuward rod that buddeth, the iuAA'ard candlestick, and
the lamps, which are never to go out in God's temple. And
Avhat should I say more? All that that people were to be
outAvardly, in an outward Avay aud state, hath God made
3'ou inAvardly in the substance ; and what God would have
been to thera outAvardly, had they obeyed his voice, and
kept his statutes aud judgments, that he is to you iuAvardly,
Avho are the called aud chosen aud faithful folloAA^ers of the
Lamb ; and ye are the enjoy ers of their blessings and prom
ises imvardly. Oh, the glory of j^our state to the eye that
is opeued to see it^
Now, somcAvhat doth reraain on ray heart unto you. Oh,
be daily seusible of the teuder goodness aud mercy of the
Lord, AA'hich is broken forth among you! What mercy,
Avhat loA-e, hath the Father shoAA'u uuto you, that ye should
be thus accounted the childreu of God! that they, which
AA-ere once nigh, should be removed so far off; and ye,
which were so far off, should be brought so uigh, aud
should for ever inherit the sure mercies of David ! For of
a truth the Lord avUI never forsake you; but his mercy en
dures for ever towards you, aud your stakes shall never be
removed; but this iuward buUding shall stand for ever.
This Ziou is the place of God's rest, where he avUI dAvell for
ever ; whereof the outAvard Zion was but a figure.
Secondly, Remember Avliat the Lord promised himself
coucerniug you. AVhen he Avas Aveary of that people, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 421
continually coraplaining of them, oh, Avhat did he proraise
hiraself concerning the people he would bring forth by the
Spirit and power of the Alessiah iu the latter days ! Did he
not promise himself that they should be a holy people, an
iuAvardly circumcised people, a people that should please
him ; sheep that should hear the Shepherd's voice, aud be
healed by him, gathered home to hira, and so follow and
learn of him the Shepherd; that they should all Icuoav hira
from the least to the greatest; and that he would forgive
their sins, aud heal their backslidings, and they should not
return to foil}', or backslide any more, as the children after
the flesh ahA-ays did ? Is not this the people Avhom indeed God
hath formed for himself, AA'ho shall show forth his praise?
Thirdly, Remember Avliat a covenant God hath prepared
to make AA'ith you, as ye incline your ears to him, aud are
led by him iuto the holy agreement Avith him ; even a coA'
euant AAdiich is not Avealc, as the old coA'Cuaut Avas ; but is
full of virtue and vigor, to enable you to do whatever God
requires of you. Mark Avhat it contains, putting God's fear
iuto you: not the fear Avhich is taught by man's precepts,
Avhich mau may get into his carnal mind; but which God
places as the treasury of life iu the heart; as it is Avritten,
"The fear of the Lord and his treasure." Isai. xxxiii. 6.
Aud oh, who knows the preciousness of his treasure! Hoav
it cleanseth the heart, and keepeth it clean, aud avUI not
suft'er the mind that is seasoned AA'ith it, and kept to it, to
depart frora the living God! It feuceth frora unbelief, it
fenceth from disobedience; it Avill not suft'er the soul so
much as to meddle Avitli any appearance of evil. Oh, pre
cious, glorious, blessed treasure! happy is the raan that
feareth always Avith this fear! Auother precious thing
this coveuaut coutains, is the laAv written iu the heart, that
it shall be as near, yea, nearer than sin is, in the heart that
is made tender, and hath the law of the Spirit of life written
iu it. AVho knoAvs what it is to have the laAv of love, the
hxAv of life, the laAv ofthe Spirit, the law of faith, the laAV of
neAV obedience, livingly Avritten by God in his heart ! Surely
none can but they in whora God writes it! And such can-
Vol. HL— 36

422 THE WOEKS OF
not but desire to have it written in their hearts by his
blessed finger daily more aud raore. But this covenant
coutains yet more, even the putting of his OAvn Spirit with
in thera, to be a fountain of life there, a fountain of strength
and Avisdom there, to raake them more aud more Avilling in
the day of his po-n'er, and to cause them to walk in his ways,
and keep bis statutes and judgments, aud do them, that the
Lord their God may bless thera, and delight in them.
Oh, Avho would not long after, and take up the cross and
shame, to enjoy the glory of this state ! Oh, what hath God
doue for a poor despised remnant among the Gentiles ! Oh,
Avho Avould not desire to keep this blessed covenant with
the Lord, that he might fully enjoy the Lord, that the mar
riage Avith the Maker might be Avitnessed in his loving kind
ness and everlasting righteousuess, aud all unrighteousness
and uncleanness raight be put away, removed, and separ
ated from the heart for ever ! Ah, the virgin spirit AA'hich the
Lamb loves, and delights to marry with ! "He that is joined
to the Lord is one Spirit," aud he must part with all that is
old, evil, unclean, and corrupt in hira, that Avould be joined
to the Lord, aud become one Spirit Avith him. Oh, who
Avould lose the precious fear of the covenant, Avhich is clean,
and endureth for ever, and keepeth clean and chaste to the
Lord for CA^er! And AAdio Avould miss of one law which God
hath to Avrite iu the hearts of his children, Avhen CA'ery law
is a laAV of life, aud changeth the mind iuto the nature of
the laAvgiver! And AA'ho Avould gricA-e God's Spirit, Avhieh
is our Comforter, or quench that which kUidles the pure
fiame of love and Ufe in our hearts ! Aluch less can any of
his dear aud teuder chUdren be willing to vex him, by mani
fest carelessness aud 'disobedience, Avho giveth us to drink
ofthe river of his pleasure.
Oh, my dear friends, ye do not Icuoav the great travaU of
my heart, that all the children of the Lord might Avalk be
fore him in all Avell-pl easing, that Ave might come all iuto
covenaut, iuto the full coveuaut, and Avalk fully Avith him in
the covenant, that his anger might be for ever turued aAvay
from us all, aud he might uever be Avroth Avith, nor rebuke

ISAAC PENINGTON. , 428
any of us any raore. It is Avritten on my heart the break
ing forth of this glor}' Avould reach the Jews : and though
they be cast off as to their outward state, and not so to be
owned, or come into that glory any more; yet there is a day
of mercy and love for them, as to that iuAvard state of life
and redemption, Avhicli their outAvard state typified: and
the breaking forth of the full glory ofthe Gentiles, and the
manifestation of God's mighty power aud presence Avith
thera (they being made by God a people to him, and so
Avalkiug with God, as none possibly can but those avIio are
created ancAv, and so made by hira), this might provoke the
Jcavs (the poor, scattered, forsaken .Jcavs) to seek after the
Lord their God, aud David their Kiug, inwardly to be re
vealed in them, aud rule among thera.
The Lord God of our life and tender raercies, carry ou to
perfection this blessed work ofhis, Avliieh he hath so might
ily begun, aud so mightilj' hitherto carried on; aud keep
us iu the seuse of his good Spirit, and iu tender and holy
subjection thereto, aud iu uuity together in the life, Avhere
iu Ave have been gathered aud preserved, aud in pure judg
raent OA'er all the Avorkings of the euemy everyAvhere, aud
in the gospel love one to another, aud to all men, even our
greatest enemies, that Ave raay seek the good of all raen,
even the rescuing aud preserving all out of sin and AA'rath,
as much as in us is possible; that the pure Ught wherewith
our God and heavenly Father hath enlightened us, may
shine iu us; and the life Avherewith he hath quickened us,
may live in us, and we may feed on uothing but life, and
groAV iu nothing but life and truth, to the great glory of our
heavenly Father, aud to the great joy of our hearts. Araen,

A FEW AVORDS TO ENGLAND, MY NaTIVE CoUNTRY.
O Land of my NatiA'ity! 0 my dear Countrymen!
The pure power of the Lord is upon me, and the springs
of life open in me; and araong many other things, I am

424 THE WOEKS OF
melted in love aud desires after your Avelfare. And this is
iu my heart to say to you : If I uoav testify to ycui in truth
of a pearl, a heavenly pearl, an everlasting pearl, will ye
not hear me? If I tell you your heart is the field, or earth,
Avherein it is hid, will ye not consider of it? If the everlast
ing gospel be preached again, Avhich contains true tidings
of redemption from sin, will ye not listen after it ? If the
kingdora of God, aud righteousness of Christ, be to be re
vealed within, would ye not willingly learn to wait for it
there, and beg of God that the eye may be opened in you,
AA'hich alone can see it Avhen it doth appear. Indeed God's
visitation is upon this nation in an especial manner; his
light and power is breaking forth in it, against the darkness
and power ofthe spirit of Satan, which hath captivated and
still captivateth raany. Ye desire outAvard liberty, and the
enjoyraent of j'our outward rights; would ye not be free in
wardly? Free from the base, earthly, selfish nature and
spirit, which man, fallen from God, and the glory wherein
he created him, is degenerated into ? Oh ! is not the poAver
of God, and life of Christ, able to restore raan to this? He
that created raan at first so -glorious, in his own iraage, is he
not able to create him anew ? Oh, hear, my dear country
men! the power is revealed AA'hich createth anew; and they
that receive it, and are as clay in the hands of the great
Potter, given up to be formed by it, are daily created (by
the operation of it) anew, into a holy, heavenly, innocent,
Uving, tender, righteous frame day by day ; and are made
wiUing, daily more and more, to be the Lord's, in this day
of his power; and do receive poAver to becorae sons, and
strength against their soul's enemies: and the glorious work
of redemption which God hath begun in them, the arm of
his strength mightily carrieth on in them, to their corafort
and his everlasting praise.
There is a spiritual Egypt and Sodom, as Avell as there
was an outAvard; and there is a spiritual wilderness, and
Canaan also; and the arm of God's poAver inAvardly and
spiritually hath been revealed in this spiritual Egypt, Avib
derness, and Canaan-, as really as ever it was in the outAvard.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 425
Do ye uot read of a Jew inward, and a circumcision iuward,
and the leaven iuAA'ard, and keeping the feast of unleavened
bread, even of bread that is not leavened Avith siu? And he
that eats of the unleavened bread, it unleavens him of siu,
aud leavens him with life aud holiuess : for it is a holy bread,
aud a living bread. This is the bread Avliich conies doAvu
frora heaA'en, Avhicli they that feed upon live, and they that
live feed upou. And though they be many, yet feeding up
ou this bread, they become one bread, one liA'ing body, con
sisting of a living head, aucl living members ; for the same
life and pure heaveuly nature Avhich is in the head, is com
municated by him to the members.
But lioAv shall Ave find this? may some say.
I will tell you how we found it, aud Iioav none can miss
of it, that sweep the house, and make a diligent and faith
ful search after it. That iu the heart of man wliich turns
agaiust siu, discovers sin, draws from sin, Avhereiu God
ministers help against siu, — that is it. That is the pearl
hid; that is the kingdom hid; in that is tbe righteousuess
of God revealed from faith to faith, iu all that receive aud
give up to this holy leaven. This is of the nature of God
and Christ; this is a measure of his light, of his pure life;
this is the laAV and commandment everlasting, which God
writes in the hearts of his spiritual Israel. For the iuAvard
Jew hath iuAvard tables, where the iuAvard law is written,
for the inward eye to read. Oh, Iioav nigh is God iuAvardly,
to the iuAvard jDCople, in this our day! Oh! the pure glory
is broke forth. But alas ! raen are in their se\'eral sorts of
dreams, and take no notice of it. What shall the Lord do
to aAvaken this nation? In what way shall his power ap
pear, to bring doAvn unrighteousness, and to briug up right
eousuess, in the spirits of people? Do ye not think the
Lord hath been at work ? How could deceit be so wasted
iuAvardly, and truth so grown inwardly, aud overspread more
and more, and gain ground in the nation, if the hand and
power of the Lord AA'ere not with it, blessing it. Oh ! take
notice of the handy-work of the Lord, ye children of men,
and wait to feel truth near, and to partake of the living -vir-

426 THE WORKS OP
tue and power of it, that ye may feel your hearts creating
anew, and the old heavens and earth may inwardly pass
away, Avhereiu dAA'ells unrighteousness; and the ucav heaA'-
ens and the new earth may be inAvardly \vitnessed, wherein
dwells righteousness. Oh that this nation might become a
paradise of God! Oh that every oue might be sensible of
his presence and power aud kingdom and righteous govern
ment inwardly in the heart, from the king that sits on the
throne, to the beggar on the dunghill ! Surely man was not
made for hiraself! Surely he Avas not made such a creature
as noAv he is ! but in the holy image of God, with love in
his heart to God above all, and to his neighbor as to him
self. Oh, Avhat are the religions and professions of several
sorts Avhere this loA'e is uot found ! The Lord is restoring
his image, and bringing forth the true, pure religion again.
The pearl, the truth, contains and comprehends it. Oh, buy
the pearl! oh, buy the precious truth! sell all that is con
trary to it for it ; take up the cross to all that is evil in thee,
as the light in thee maketh it manifest, and thou shalt have
the free possession of it in thy heart, and feel it a root of
life, a treasure of life, a Avell of Ufe, out of Avhich the living
water avUI be daily springing up iu thee unto life everlast
ing. Amen.
The 22d of the 7th month, 16r6.

Three Queries upon three verses of the XLA'ith Psalm.
Verse 4. " There is a river, the strearas Avliereof shall
make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles
ofthe Most High."
Query 1. AVhich is the river, and A\-hat are the streams
thereof, which make glad the city of God? And AA-hich is
the city of God AA'hich they make glad? which are the tab
ernacles of the Alost High? and which is the holy place of
those tabernacles? Ob, my dear countrymen, that every
one in this nation did understand and enjoy these things!

ISAAC PENINGTON. 427
for the Lord is ready to beget a will, to beget a thirst, in
the hearts of the chUdren of men ; and Avhosoever thirsteth,
Avhosoever will, is called to the waters, and raay corae to
the waters, and take of the water of life freely, (Isa. Iv. 1.
Rev. xxii. 17.) yea, to the full satisfaction of their souls.
For indeed this is the day of God's power, Avherein he doth
make his people willing to cojne to him, aud to abide Avith
him in the fountain of living AA^aters; and those that do
come to him, and abide Avith him, he abuudantiy satisfieth
with the fatness of his house, and giveth them to drink of
the river of his pleasures. Psa. xxxvi. 8, 9. Alark: God is
the fountain of liA'ing waters, with him is the fountain of
life, a river of pleasures, a river AA'hose streams make glad
the whole city, even the holy place of all the tabernacles of
the Alost High; aud he giveth his citizens to drink of it;
and whosoever drinketh of it, it maketh thera glad, it re-
fresheth their life. Oh that raore knew Avhat this means !
Averse 5. "God^s in the midst of her, she shall not be
moved ; God shall help her, and that right early ; " or Avhen
the morning appeareth, or from the morning appearing.
Query 2. How is God in the midst of this citj'? Is it uot
more gloriously iu an iuAvard Avay, thau ever he Avas in the
temple in the outward Jerusalem, "in au outAvard AvaA' ? Hoav
is she built? How is she founded aud situated? How comes
it about that she shall not be moved? Hoav is God her ref
uge and strength, and present help in the time of trouble?
After what manner doth God arise inwardlj', and scatter his
enemies? How cloth the morning light .help her? After
Avliat manner, Avhen the enemy cometh iu like a flood, doth
the Spirit of the Lord lift up a standard against him? Ah,
blessed are they that know aud experience aud live in the
enjoyment of these things! Oh that this Avhole natiou did
so! Were it not Avorth the suffering of much, the denying
of much, and the bearing of much judgment, to corae to
this? A'erse 10. "Be still, aud know that I am God; I aauU be
exalted among (or iu) the heathen : I Avill be exalted in the
earth."

428 THE WORKS OP
Query 3. What is that stillness wherein God is known to
be God, not outwardly in notion, but iuAvardly in the heart?
What is that silence of mind, wherein God teacheth his Is
rael in the ucav covenaut, to knoAv hira as he is ; even all of
thera, from the greatest to the least ? How will God come
to be exalted in the heathen, and in the earth? Is it not by
the light of his da^', breaking forth and shining in them?
Where this day breaks forth in an}' heart, doth it not break
doAvn and destroy the kiugdom of darkness inwardly? And
doth not the King of glory consume the man of sin, the
Avicked one that was exalted in the teraple before (which
teraple belonged of right to God), AA'ith the Spirit of his
mouth, and destroy him with the brightness of his coming
or appearing? Isa. xi. 4. 2 Thess. ii. 8. Theu is the day
knoAvn wherein the Lord alone is exalted. Oh that this
day Avere more known ; and the Lord, who is indeed worthy,
were more exalted, and all flesh become his footstool for
ever !

Concerning the true Church aud ministry under the Gospel,
aud the Alaintenance thereof; some few Questions an-
SAvered in Truth and Plainness of heart, and left to the
AVitness and Testimony of God iu other Alen's Con
sciences.Quest. 1. AVhich is the true church, or the gospel church
or the church according to the ucav covenant? (For there
Avas an old covenant, and a church according to that, under
the hiAv; and there is a uew covenant, and a church accord
iug to that, uuder the gospel.)
Aus. For the clearing of this to the hearts and conscien
ces of people, let us inquire and consider AA'hat the ucav
covenaut is, and then it Avill more easily appear which is
the church accordiug to the new covenant.
The new covenant according to plain scripture, and ac
cording to manifest experience in this blessed day of the
the shining of the gospel light in raen's hearts, is a. covenant

ISAAC PENINGTON. 429
of God's putting his laAv in the inAvard parts of people, and
Avriting it in their hearts, and of his becoming their God,
and making them his people, and of teaching them all to
knoAv him (iuAA'ardly and experimentally) from the least to
the greatest, and of being merciful to their unrighteousness,
and remembering their sins and iniquities no more. Jer.
xx.xi. 33, 34. Heb. viii. 10, 11, 12.
Noav if this be the ucav coA-enant, the covenant of the gos
pel church, theu they are the gospel church who are the
people of Gocl acciorcUng to this covenaut, who liaA'c the
laAV put by God into their iuward parts, and Avritten in their
hearts; and so according to this laAv and covenant, have
God to be their God, aud are his people, and are taught by
him to knoAv him (as it is AA'ritten, "All my people shall be
taught of the Lord," Isa. liv. 13. and Johu vi. 45.), aud
whose unrighteousness God hath been merciful to, aud
AA'hose sins and iniquities he remerabereth no more, being
washed away frora their consciences by the blood of the ev
erlasting covenaut, AA'hich the blood of bulls and goats could
never do: so that this is the Ncav Testament church (orgos-
l^el church); a church of Jews iuAvard, as the laAv church
AA'as a church of Jcavs outward : a church of inward Avor
shippers, of Avorshippers in Spirit and in truth, John iv. 23.
as the law church Avas a church of worshippers outAvard : a
church of inwardly circumcised ones, as the laAv church Avas
a church of outAvardly circuracised ones. Rora. ii. 29. A
church of such as are iuAvardly holy, as the law church AA'as
to be a church of such as Avere outwardly holy: a church of
such as offer iuAvard incense and sacrifices, as the laAv church
was a church of such as oftered outward incense and sacrifi
ces : a church of iuAvardly redeemed ones, from the iuAA'ard
Egypt, frora the iuAvard darkness and power of Satan, as
the laAV church Avas a church of such as Avere redeemed from
the outward Egypt, and the poAver of Pharaoh outward : a
church that hath the inAvard ark, (Rev. xi. 19.) the iuAvard
presence, the inward manna, &c., as the outward church of
the Jcavs had the outward.

430 THE WORKS OF
Quest. 2. AVhich is the true gospel ministry, and avIio are
the true gospel ministers ?
Aus. 'Those aa'Iioui Christ sends forth, in the Spirit and
power of his Father, to gather and build up this church.
Christ had all poAver in heaveu and earth given him,
even to this very end, to gather, defend, and build up his
chureh; aud he bid his apostles Avait for the same powcr,
and sends forth his ministers in the sarae poAver, that they
may be able ministers ofthe gospel, AAdiich is not AA^ords but
poAver, even the poAver of God unto salvation. Rora. i. 16.
The UOAV coveuaut stands not iu the letter, but in Spirit
aud power; aud they that are the ministers of it, must re
ceive life, Spirit, aud poAver from Christ, the head, and min
ister iu that Spirit, life, and power to the members, or they
caunot no'drish aud build them up; yea, they must preach
aud minister to the Avorld in it, or thej' are not able to
gather out of the Avorld into it. Clirist, the Lord of his
church, the foundation of life in his church, the everlastiug
rock, is a liA'ing stone; and his chureh is built of lively
stones; and Iioav can any minister life unto them, or build
them up iu the life. Spirit, aud poAver, but who are iu the
Ufe, S|>irit, and poAver, and avIio receive life. Spirit, and
power from the Head, to further, quicken, and build up the
liviug members Avith? The milk which nourisheth the Ua^-
iug babe, is living, AA'hich must come pure from the breast
of life, and not be mixed Avith man's Avisdora or brain inveu-
tious, or it caunot yield pure nourishment. AA''hat then
must the bread and Avine and Avater of the Icingdom be,
Avhereou the children and heirs of the Icingdom must feed,
or they caunot be satisfied ? Aud the ministers of the gos
pel are stcAvards of this heavenly life, this heavenly Spirit,
this heavenly poAver, this heavenly treasure, AA-hich they have
iu the earthen vessels, aud Avliich God enables them to
bring forth, for the feeding of his lambs and sheep. Christ
said unto Peter, "LoA'cst thou me more than these?" Peter
ansAvered hira, " Yea, Lord, thou knoAvest that I love thee."
If it be so, "feed ray lambs, feed my sheep," said Christ to
him. But hoAv should he feed them? In what should he

ISAAC PENINGTON. 431
feed them ? With what should he feed them ? All power,
saith Christ, is given me in heaven and in earth ; and I am
to ascend to my Father, and to receive the fulness of his
Spirit; and do ye wait, and ye shall receive abundantly of
the sarae Spirit and power, and then in that Spirit and
power ye shall be able to feed ray lambs and sheep, that
are begotten and gathered to me, in it; but out of it none
is able to feed and build thera up ; for that is the very thiug
they are to be fed Avith aud built up in. Indeed a raan may
be a minister of the letter, a minister of the law, without the
Spirit and poAver; but of the gospel he cannot possibly ;
for that consists not in letter, but in Spirit, 2 Cor. iii. and
the faith that is to bo begotten there, is not to stand in
the Avisdom of man, but in the power of Gocl. The gospel
state, the gospel church, the gospel building, begins in the
power, and is carried on in the power, and finished or per
fected in the power; and the whole miuistry of the gospel
is to partake ofthis power, and minister in it, or they can
do uothiug in this Avorlc. Christ Jesus our Lord begun it in
this power, and none can carry it on AAuthout this poAver:
the Lord God of glory laid the foundation; "Behold, I lay
in Ziou for a foundation." &c. Isa. xxviii. 16. 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5,
6. And the quickening Spirit alone is able to make living
stones and spiritual stones; and the Lord alone is able to
build thera up by the operation of this Spirit and poAA'er;
and they that are the true ministers of the gospel, minister
in this, and are to Avait for it daily from God, that they may
minister in it.
Quest. 3. AVhat is the maintenance of the ministers of
Christ, or what is to be the maintenance of the true minis
ters under the gospel?
Ans. Christ, who hath sent thera forth to minister in his
name, hath provided for them ; and they that are his true
ministers, are satisfied AA'ith AA'hat he hath provided for them,
Matt. X. 10. being careful not to make the gospel, which is
to be an inward blessing, outAvardly chargeable to any. The
raind of the true rainisters is about the seiwice of Christ;
how they may be faithful to him, gather souls to hira, feed

432 THE WORKS OP
them Avith the bread of life frora him ; not what they shall
have from men for so doiug, for such covet no man's gold
or silver, &c.

Some Questions ansavered concerning the Lamb's War.
Quest. 1. Who is the Lamb ?
Aus. He that takes away the sins of the world. The
AVord Avhich was iu the beginning. "Behold the Lamb of
God," saith Johu, John i. 1. and ver. 29. He that AA'as born
of the virgin Alary after the fiesh; and was also the man-
child, born of the traA'ailiug church, after the Spirit. Roa'.
xii. 5.
Quest. 2. AVho makes Avar with the Lamb ?
Aus. All that are in wickedness, in darkness, in sin and
corruption, aud under the poAver thereof, Avho striA'e to de-
feud and maintain this Icingdom against the appearance of
his Ught, Spirit, and poAver in them.
Quest. 3. AVhat strength have they on their side that
make Avar against the Lamb ?
Ans. The strength of the great red dragon, avIio hath
seven heads and ten horns; and in every oue ofhis heads is
AA'isdom, and iu CA'cry one of his horns there is power. So
that dreadful is the battle that is fought between them, ei
ther iuAA'ardly in the heart, or outAvardly in the Avorhl, when
Christ appears in his light. Spirit, and power, to assault and
break doAvn the kingdom of darkuess, and to set up his oavu
kingdom, Avhich must be set up, even in the world. Dau.
vU. 14, 27. Rev. xi. 15.
Quest. 4. Did the great red dragon and his army ever (in
any respect) prevail in this battle?
Aus. Yes; for even Avhile the Lamb, and his pure life
and holy testiraony have prevailed, so that the dragon and
his array could get no ground over them inwardly, but sal
A-ation (the Avail and buhA'ark of God's heritage) and
strength, and the kingdom of God, and the poAver of his
Christ, did prevaU iuAvardly ; yct the dragon, even then.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 433
hath preA^ailed over their goods, liberties, and lives out
wardly; aud he drove the woman, the true church, out of
her place, as I may say, that she was forced to fly into the
Avilderness, he so sorely assaulted her: yea, after that also,
he raade war with the remnant of her seed, and cast some
of them into prison, and drank the blood of those that would
not drink his false church's cup, but keep the command
ments of God, aud have the testimony of Jesus. Rev. xii.
and chap. ii. 10. Yea, the beast to which he gave his power
(which had seven heads and ten 'horns like hira, chap. xiii. 1.)
made war with the saints, and OA'ercame thera outwardly,
though he could not overcorae thera inwardly; for he could
not raake thera to worship hira, ver. 7, 8. Nay, nor the
second beast neither, though he had horns Uke a lamb, and
spake like a dragon, and exercised all the poAver of the first
beast, and did great wonders, and had power to give life
uuto the image of the former beast, and would kill all that
Avould not Avorship the image of it ; and Avould suffer none
to buy or sell but such as had the mark or name of the
beast; yet neither could this beast overcorae the followers
of the Larab, as to their inward life aud testiraony, though
it had power to kill aud suppress thera outwardly, A'er. 11.
to the end, aud chap. xiv. 9. to ver. 13. Avhich plainly shows
the saints had patience, and kept the commaudraents of
God, and the faith of Jesus, and would not Avorship the
beast and his iraage, nor receive his mark, either in fore
head or hand.
Quest. 5. What w-as the cry up and down nations, when
the dragon aud the beast thus prcA^ailed, and when the false
church carried her cup of fornications up and down through
kingdoms and nations, and raade the kings and inhabitants
ofthe earth drink thereof; and who would not drink there
of, she would not let them buy nor sell, but impoverish, im
prison thera, and drink their blood? Rev. xa'U. 2. aud 6.
Ans. The cry CA-ery where was, "AVho is like unto the
beast? AVho is able to raake war with the beast?" Indeed
there appeared no power anywhere able to withstand or re-
Vol. m.— 37

434 THE WORKS OF
sist this power, which the dragon had, Avho gave it both to
the beast which arose out of the sea, and to the beast which
arose out of the earth; both which joiued together to per
secute all that would not drink of the false church's cup,
which was golden without, but full of abomination and filth
iuess of fornication, fornicating frora the holy life. Spirit,
and poAver of the Larab inwardly, who is the head of the
true church and true Avorshippers. Rev. xiii. 4. and chap.
xvii. 4, 5.
Quest. 6. What is the time of the dragon's, the beast's,
and false church's thus prcA^ailing agaiust the true church,
iu reference to the outAvard, though they caunot prevail
against its inward Ufe and testimony; but that (through pa
tience aud suffering) prevails over and reigns iuAvardly, in
the midst of all their cruelty aud oppressing ofthe outAvard

man

?

Ans. It is the time of Antichrist's reign, and sitting in
the temple as if he Avere God, and exalting himself over all
that is called God, aud Avhich ought to be worshipped. It
is the time of the true church's being iu the wilderness, and
of the man-child's (avIUcIi the true church brought forth) be
iug caught up to God; AA'hich things Avere to last, accordiug
to the scripture account, oue thousand tAvo hundred aud
sixty days, or a time, times, aud half a time. 2 Thess. ii. 8,
4. Rev. xii. 6, 14.
Quest. 7. AVhat Avill the Lamb do Avlien this tirae is out?
Aus. He Avill come and make Avar again, he Avill come
with his lieaA'Culy armies, armed Avith spiritual armor, and
fight a he.avenly battle; yea, he Avill judge and make A\'ar iu
righteousness, against the unrighteousness of the cUagou,
and the beast, aud the false prophet; aucl his heavenly ar
mies shall foUoAv him their Captain aud Leader, ou Avhite
horses, clothed iu fine linen, white and clean, who shall
fight in his Spirit aud poAver, against all that he fighteth
against; aud out of his mouth goeth a sharp SAvord, that
Avith it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them
with a rod of iron, and make the spirits of all his opposers
boAv under him, and fly to shelter themselves from that

ISAAC PENINGTON. 435
Avrath which they cannot escape. Oh, who would not kiss
the Son, that he might not provoke the Lamb to wrath
against him, whose AA'rath is dreadful ! Rev. xix. 11. to the
end. Psal. ii. 11.
Quest. 8. What shall the cry be, Avlien God's Spirit and
power prevaileth over the dragon's spirit and poAver, Avhen
the Lamb gets the victory, when he smites the earth with
the rod of his mouth, and Avith the breath of his lips shall
slay the wicked; Avhen he brings doAvn the dragon, beast,
and false prophet, and the false church, mother of harlots
(yvhich hath drunk the blood of saints), AA'ith his vials,
plagues, woes, thunders, &c. ; AAdien Babylon the great city
falls, which made all nations drunk AA'ith her spiritual wine
of fornication ?
Ans. Then the poAver AA'hich doth this shall be maguifled.
Then it shall be said no raore, aa'Iio can make Avar with the
beast ? but who can withstand his power ? Who can make
Avar Avith the innocent, righteous Lamb (AA^ho hath his sword
in his mouth), and Avith his tender-hearted, faithful foUoAv-
ers, and prosper? "Who shall not fear thee, 0 Lord, and
glorify thy name? For all nations shall come and worship
before thee ; for thy judgments are made manifest. Great
and marvellous are thy Avorks, Lord God Almighty; just
and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Rev. xv. 3, 4.
"Yea, a great A'oice of much people in heaven shall say:
Hallelujah, salvation, and glory, and honor, and power un
to the Lord our God: for true aucl righteous are his judg
ments; for he hath judged the great whore, who did cor
rupt the earth Avith her fornication, aud hath avenged the
blood ofhis saints at her hand," chap. xix. ver. 1, 2.
Noav doth it not concern all people to consider which is
Zion, God's holy mountain, and which is the Jerusalem of
his building; and the holy city of God, the holy church of
God, the mother of all the truly liAung children ? for the
Jerusalem which is above, and Avhich is free, is the mother
of them all. Gab iv. 26. And also which is Babylon, the
city built by man, and the spirit of antichrist, in a kind of
likeness, but not in the real nature ofthe true church; that

436 THE WORKS OF
they may wait for and follow God's call to come out of her,
and may not partake of her sins, of her sorceries (Rev. xviii.
22.), of her fornication from the pure Ufe, Spirit, and power,
and setting up worships, aud compelling people to worship
iu her forms (which are out of the life, and out of the power),
that they partake not of her plagues, which will indeed be
very dreadful, such as shall affright any from coming near
her, or raeddling with her spiritual sorceries and fornications
anymore. Rev. xviii. 4. and ver. 9,10. Oh! therefore let
every one consider what the beast is, what his image, what
the mark in the forehead, Avhat in the right hand ; and take
heed he be not found worshipping the beast and his image,
or receiving his mark, either in his forehead or right hand,
lest God make hira to drink of the Avine of his wrath which
is poured out without raixture into the cup of his indigna
tion, and he be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels, aud in the presence of the
Larab, and have no rest day nor night. Rev. xiv. 9, 10, 11.
I had rather run great hazards outwardly, and suffer much
aflSiction and persecution frora men, to keep my soul true to
God, in the spiritual worship and testimony which he hath
given rae, against all false Avays and invented worships, than
expose ray soul to the hazard of drinking of this dreadful
cup of God's indignation; which the Lord God of tender
mercies teach men, and give them true wisdom, to avoid
and escape. Amen.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 437

CONCLUSION.

"Behold my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be ex
alted and extolled, and be very high. As many Avere aston
ished at thee (his Ausage AA'as so marred more than any man,
and his form more than the sons of men) ; so shall he sprin
kle mauy nations ; the kings shall shut their mouths at him :
for that Avhich had not been told thera, shall they see ; and
that AA'hich they had not heard, shall they consider." Isa.
Ui. 13, 14, 15.
"Thou art fairer thau the children of men: grace is
poured iuto thy lips ; therefore God hath blessed thee for
ever. Gird thy sword upou thy thigh, 0 Most Mighty, Avith
thy glory aud thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride pros
perously, because of truth aiid meekness and righteousness;
aud thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine
arrows are sharp in the hearts of the King's enemies, where
by the people shall fall under thee. Thy throne, 0 God, is
for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdora is a right
sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest Avickedness,
therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy felloAvs." Psa. xlv. 2. to 8.
"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong,
fear not: behold your God avUI come with vengeance, even
•God with a recompense, he will come and save you. Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the
deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as
an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wil
derness shall waters break out, and strearas in the desert.
And the parched ground shall becorae a pool, and the

438 THE WORKS OP
thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of dragons,
where each lay, shall be grass Avith reeds aud rushes. And
an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be eaUed
the way of holiuess; the unclean shall not pass over it, but
it shall be for those: the Avayfaring raen, though fools, shall
not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous
beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but
theredeeraed shall walk there. And the ransoraed of the
Lord shall return and corae to Zion with songs, aud ever
lasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and glad
ness, and sorroAV and sighing shall fiee away." Isa. xxxv.
ver. 3. to the end.
Blessed be the Lord God of life for ever ! these scriptures,
and many more, are SAveetly and preciously fulfilled in the
hearts of a remnant, in this our day. They were ouce (in a
degree) fulfilled iu the day of the appearance of the word of
life, in the prepared body of flesh. They were again more
generally fulfilled, in the day ofthe pouring out ofhis Spir
it, aud gatheriug a people to him, both from among the
Jews and GentUes, AA'hom he did sprinkle with his holy
Ufe, Spirit, and poAver. Aud they are again fulfilled iu the
hearts of many, after the long night of darkness, and great
and large apostasy from the Spirit and power ofthe apostles.
Blessed, oh, blessed be the Lord ! the Sun of righteousness
hath again shone forth, aud appeared inwardly iu a glori
ous, liviug, powerful manner, to them that have feared his
name ; and he hath been a God of vengeance to the man of
sin ; yea, to all that was dark, fleshly, and corrupt in them;
and a God of mercy and teuder boAvels to those which
panted after aud Avaited for his salvation. And the healing
virtue from under the Avings of the Saviour, and the holy
anointing, have dropped upon the eyes of the bUnd, the
pure eye-salve, and they have been opened; and the ears
of the deaf, by the voice of the Son of God, have been un
stopped; and the inwardly and spiritually lame have leaped
as an hart; and the tongue, which could uot name God in
truth and righteousness, but hath been dumb before him,
aud before men also, eould not but sing, because of the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 439
breaking forth of the waters and strearas of life, upon the
thirsty land and parched ground, making them a pool and
springs of water; which land, AA'hich thus is changed frora
its wilderness and parched state, into a holy, fresh, and liA'
ing state, the dragons do not lodge in-, nor is it any raore a
habitation or cage for unclean and noisome birds (as great
professing Babylon, the mother of harlots, Avith all her
fleshly professing daughters, is), but life dwells there : the
Holy Oue is in the midst of this land, and it brings forth
the fruits of life and righteousness, to the righteous and
Holy One. And here the King of glory's higliAvay, ca'Cu
the way of holiness, is known, Avhich none but those Avhom
he raakes holy can walk in. Let men profess what they
Avill, yet being unclean iu heart and conversation, they can
not pass over to come into this Avay; but the holy, they
which are made holy by God, and keep to, live in, and fol
low that Avhich is holy, though Avayfaring men, and though
otherwise fools, yet they shall not err here, but be preserved
by the holy power, in the holy way, which is prepared aud
cast up for these : and as for that AA'hich would tear aud de
stroy, it shall not be found on all that holy mountain Avhere
these Ua'O and feed. Yea, here is the house of God aud
throne of God, and God the Judge of all, and Jesus the
Alediator of the new covenant, and the blood of spriukliug,
Avhere the ransomed of the Lord enjoy the presence of the
bridegroom, whom God hath set King, aud who reigus on
his holy hill of iuAA'ard and spiritual Ziou, and causeth them
to slug, AA'ho feel him reign (even the eA-erlasting seed of life
to reign iuAvardly in the heart). Oh, CA-erlasting joy is upou
their heads! they haA-e obtained joy and gladuess; and sor
row and sighing flee aAA^ay, when the joy uuspeakable aud
full of glory is felt springing in the heart, from the sense of
the presence and enjoyment of the bridegroom. For of a
truth, the Lord hath comforted Zion; 3-ea, he hath com
forted many of her waste places (he was angry AA-ith her
daughters, before their filth was purged away by the Spirit
of judgraent aucl burning; since that time his auger hath
been turned away, and he Bath comforted them, Isa. xii. 1,

440 THE WOEKS OF &c.
&c.); and he hath made her wilderness in many hearts Uke
Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord (even Uke
the garden that he Avaters): and how can joy and gladness
but be found here, Avith thanksgiving and the voice of mel
ody? Isa. Iviii. 11. and chap. li. 3. Thus it is with such of
the gathered people and nation of the Lord, that hearken
and give ear to him, and have known the way of life to pro
ceed out ofhis mouth, and his judgment to rest for a light,
ver. 4.

some
SENSIBLE, WEIGHTY QUERIES,
concerning
some things vert sweet and necessary to be ex
perienced in the teuly cheistian state.
-n-HKKETJNTO IS ADDED

A. POSTSCRIPT,

CONTAINING
SOME QUERIES ON ISAIAH L. 10, 11.
a scripture of deep counsel and concern to the
darkened and distressed states of some
among those that fear and obey
the Lord,

Written by one who hath been sorely darkened and distressed
for a long season, but at length mercifully enlightened
and comforted by the hand Avhich afflicted
and distressed him ;
ISAAC PENINGTON.

' Come, and let us return unto tho Lord, for be hath torn, and he will heal
us ; he hath smitten, and lie will bind us up.'' Hos. vi. 1.
' And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, 1 Avill praise thee ; though thou
wast angry with me, thine anger is turned SAvay, and thovi comfortest
me." Isa. xii. 1,

443

A BEIEF PREFACE.

Indeed the Lord hath reached unto me by his living
poAver, and thereby hath begotten somoAvhat which he doth
own, and which he hath taught to kuow and own hira in
his liviug appearances in my heart; and by its pure life and
operations iu me, I knoAv it to be the pure poAver. And
truly I Avould fain have this life and poAver raore and raore
reach to, prcA'ail, and spread in my oavu heart, and iu the
hearts of other meu. I am not for any notional religion out
of the power, in any way or form whatsoever (no, indeed I
am not so much as for the very true form of godliness o»t
ofthe power) ; but Avhere there is auy touch, auy sense, any
operatiou, any savor of the true life and poAver anyAAdiere,
my soul loveth and embraceth it, blessing the Lord for it.
And oh ! that this might be A'isited by the Lord wherever
it is, and kept alive to the day of redemption, and led by
the Lord into the pure and living Avay, and holy, everlasting
covenant of life, Avherein he redeems ; for Avhich end these
queries have broke forth from me:, aud indeed no less than
a necessity (or a necessitous force of love and Ufe pursuing
me) hath constrained me to publish them, avIio Avitli rever
ence of spirit commit them into the hands ofthe Lord, aa-Iio
can open the hearts of Avhom he pleaseth, and give the liA'
ing sense of what comes from hira. I ara satisfied that
God's powerful work of redeeming Avill go on. Oh, blessed
be his name, Avho hath a mighty arm, and hath done mighty
things with it inwardly in men's hearts ! and Ave are in the
true faith assured that he Avill yet do raore raighty things,
as he seeth good, to the gladding of the hearts of those
whose hope is in hira, and Avho haA'e no help besides him.

444 THE WOEKS OP

SOME

SENSIBLE, WEIGHTY QUERIES,
Concerning some things vert saveet and necessary to
BE experienced IN THE TRULY CHRISTIAN STATE.

Query 1. AVhat is the water Avherewith the soul or inner
man is to be washed, that it may be cleansed from Jts in
Avard filthiuess, as outward things are by Avashing Avith out
Avard Avater? Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Psal. li. 2. &c.
* Query 2. AVhat is the ausAver of a good conscience tow
ards God, Avhen the soul is inwardly baptized and made
cleau? Pet. iii. 21.
Query 3. Christ saith, "Blessed are the pure in heart:"
Do, or can, any witness purity of heart before this washing?
Query 4. How may the heart be sprinkled from an eA'il
conscience, and the body washed AAdth pure water; so that
there may be a drawing near to God with a true heart, and
in full assurance of faith? Heb. x. 22. Psal. xxvi. 6.
Query 5. How might the Jews wash and make them
selves clean ? Isa. i. 16. Could it be any otherwise done by
them, thau by taking heed to the Avord of the new covenant,
nigh in the mouth and heart, to which Moses had directed
thera ? Deut. xxx. 14. Psal. cxix. 9.
Query 6. AVhat is the fire AA'hich takes hold of, and burns
up the lusts and corruptions of the heart? Is it not the
Avord of life within, which flames against evil, and hammers
down evU ? Doth not the Holy One in the midst of the spir
itual Israel do this ? AVhen Christ, who knocks at the door
of the heart, is let in, and his voice hearkened to, doth he
not become a Spirit of judgment and burning, judging and
burning up AA'hat is evU there ? Is it not blessed to know

ISAAC PENINGTON. 445
this spiritual appearance, and this work of Christ in the
heart ? Isa. iv. 4. and x. 17.
Query 7. AVhat are the enemies of a man's house ? AVho
must overcome them? How may they be overcohie ? Is a
man safe, or delivered from them till they be overcorae?
Mat. XV. 19. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.
Query 8. AVhat is the house of the strong raan, where he
dwells till he be dispossessed? AVho cau dispossess hira?
How doth he dispossess him? Hoaa' doth he spoil his goods,
and then garnish the house ancAV? Oh, Avhat a new crea
tion and change within is Avitnessed Avheu this is done!
And Avho would not Avait,. and pray, and believe, and suffer
the judgingfl and burnings of the Spirit of judgment aud
burning, that this may be done thoroughly and effectually?
Luke xi. 21, 22. Isa. xxvi. 9. 2 Cor. v."l7.
Query 9. AVhat is that coming to Christ Avhicli none can
witness but those that hear, and learn ofthe Father, and are
taught by him, in the drawings of the life aud Spirit of the
new fiovenant, to come to the Sou ? John vi. 44, 45.
Quei-y 10. AVho can confess Jesus to be the Lord by the
Holy Ghost? Can any but the3' that receive the help ofhis
Spirit, and feel soracAA-hat of his lordship and holy dorainion
in their hearts ? Isa. xxvi. 13.
Query 11. AAliat is the precious faith, Avhich is the gift of
God, which none can obtain but they that are born of God ?
John i. 12, 13.
Query 12. Can any rightly believe that Jesus is the
Christ, unless they receive this faith, AA'hieh God gives to
his own childreu, that are born ofhis Spirit? 1 John v. 1.
Query 13. Doth not this faith give victory over the Avorld
(over the Avorldly nature and spirit within, over the worldly
nature and spirit Avithout also) ? Can auy other faith give
victory ? 1 John v. 4.
Query 14. AVhat is the love of God's children ? AVhence
doth it arise ? How come they to love ? Is it not of a heav
enly, spiritual nature? Doth it not arise frora God's beget
ting them, and circumcising their hearts, and teaching them
in the Spirit of the new covenant to love him, and one an-
Vol. HL— 38

446 THE WORKS OP
other, yea, aud enemies also? 1 John iv. 7. Deut. xxx. 6. 1
Thess. iv. 9.
Query 15. Hoav come the childreu of God, aa'Iio are be
gotten of him, to obey his commandments? Is it not from
the coustrainings of his love, Avliich makes them natural
aud easy (AAdiere the birth and nature is groAvn up), and not
grievous and burthensome? Mat. xi. 33. 1 John v. 3.
Query 16. AVhat is the fear God puts into the hearts of
the childreu of the ucav coA'Cuant? Is it a fear taught by
the precepts of raen, or a fear springing frora the root of life
within? Can auy avIio receive this fear from God, aucl aa^io
are preserved in the sense of it (and in the holy aAve and
reverence Avhicli it produceth), depart frora the holy, ten
der, living God aud Father? Jer. xxxii. 40.
Query 17. AVhat is the laAv AA'hich Gocl Avrites iu the
hearts of tho childreu of the ncAv covenant? Is it not the
laAV of the Spirit of life iu Christ Jesus? Is it not the laAV
Avhich the isles Avait for? Isa. xii. 5. And do the isles Avait
for it iu vain? Oh, blessecl be the Lord! bv the once dis-
tressed aud miserable ones, iu this age it hath not been
Avaited for iu vain.
Query 18. AAHiat is the truth that makes free indeed frora
the laAV of siu aud death? Is it not the truth as it is in Je
sus; the iuAvard truth, Avhich hath A-irtue and poAver in it,
to Avork against and Avoi'k out that Avhicli is contrary to
truth, and so deliver aud free the mind from it? For the
light, Avhich is truth, can expel darkness; the Ufe, which is
truth, cau overcome death; yea, the truth, AA'hich is living,
holy, and righteous, can overcome and subdue the unholy
and unrighteous nature, aud break doAvu the strong-holds,
aud briug every rebellious and captiA'ated thought iuto cap
tivity and subjection. John viii. 32. Rom. viii. 2. Ephes. iv.
20, 21. 2 Cor.' x. 4, 5.
Query 19. IIow doth God cause the children of the new
covenant to Avalk iu his statutes, aud to keep his judgments,
and do thera? Is it not by putting his Spirit into thera, and
by the holy virtue, power, and operation thereof iu them ?
Doth not that raake thera a Avilling people in the day ofhis

ISAAC PENINGTON. 447
poAver? And doth uot that give thera to clo also, and
strengthen thera Avitli raight in the inner raan? So that
not gricA'ing that, or quenching that, that is as a flame of
Ufe iu thera, aud fills their hearts Avitli joy; and the joy of
the Lord is in their strength, and in this joy and strength
they can rejoice, and AA'ork righteousness, aud remember the
Lord in his Avays. Isa. Ixiv. 5. Ezek. xxxA'i. 27.
Query 20. Can any work righteousuess, or do righteous
uess, but he that is truly righteous, iuAvardly righteous, in
A'hom the righteousness of God, the righteousness of Christ,
3 revealed from faith to faith? Alust not the tree be good,
,'efore the fruit can be good? Alust not the heart be
.hanged, be made holy and righteous, before it cau bring
I'orth that AA'hich is holy and righteous? Cau any but the
ilauts of God, the plants of righteousness, briug forth the
i'ruits of righteousness? Isa. Ixi. 3. and 1 Johu iii. 7.
Oh that people, nations, tougues, and languages could
tmderstandingly, sensibly, aud experimentally, as in God's
light, with the seal of bis blessed Spirit, ansAver every one
of these things !

Three Queries more added.
Query 1. Dost thou indeed kuoAv the ucav coveuaut?
Hast thou inwardly felt the spiritual, poAverful gathering
by the mighty arm and poAver of the Lord, out of the sinful
nature and state, into it? Dost thou abide Avith God there
in? Art thou daily taught and fed by him there? These
are very Aveighty things. Cau any man be safe or happy
Avithout experiencing them? Heb. viii. 8, &c.
Query 2. Hast thou experienced the true hunger and
thirst after the living waters ? Hast thou been called and
led to them ? Hast thou eaten aud druuk the bread, wine,
and milk which those Avaters yield? Hast thou been abuu
dantiy satisfied Avith the fatness of God's house, and hath
he given thee to drink of the river of bis pleasure? Hath
fhe Lord opened an ear in thee to hear as the learned? And

448 THE WORKS OP
hast thou iuclined thine ear, and corae unto hira Avho gives
life, and received him aa'Iio is life, and gives life in that in
Avard, spiritual, living appearance of his in the heart, Avhere
in and wherebj' he gives Ufe? Hast thou Icuoavu his appear
ance iuAvarcUy, as of a Uving stoue? Hast thou heard and
learned of the Father Iioav to come to him, as to a liAdug
stoue? Aud hast thou been ucav created and forraed a liA'
ing stone by hira? Aud art thou a liviug stone, built upon
him, the living stoue inwardly iu spirit, daily liviug in him,
aud dail}- receiA'iug spiritual life aud virtue from him? If
it be thus AA'ith thee, then surelj' thou dost know and enjoy
the everlasting coA'cuaut, even the sure mercies of David.
Isa. Iv. 1, 2, 8. Psa. xxxvi. 8, 9. 1 Pet. U. 4, 5.
Query 3. Dost thou sensibly aud experimentally know
hoAV the Spirit of the Father begets the child-like Ufe, love,
aud fear iu the heart; and hoAv the pure fear ofthe Lord is
the beginning of Avisdora, aud the Uving child's treasure?
And dost thou Icuoav what the Avomb is Avherein the Uving
child is formed? Avhat the Jerusalem above is, which is the
mother of all that are truly living? and hoAv Christ is
formed iu all that are begotten, aucl boru of, aud Ua'c in his
Spirit? Isa. xxxiii. 6. Gal. iv. 26. John Ui. 6. 8. Gal. iv. 19.

THE CONCLUSION.

Oh, how miserable is he AA'ho is deceived about these
things! Oh, hoAv happy is he who hath receiA'cd the true
understanding from God, Avhich cannot be deceived ! where
in he hath the evidence and demonstration of God's Spirit
concerning thera, and knoweth the truth as it is in Jesus;
as it is in his life, in his Spirit, in his power, Avho ministers
after the power of an endless life, uuto all his sheep, Avho
are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of the soul, Avho
hear his voice and foUoAv him Avherever he goes or leads,
Avho is an eternal Shepherd, and eternal Door of Ufe to his,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 449
and leads to precious pastures, and sweet still streams of life,
and is giving the SAA'cet food, rest, aud pure pleasure of eter
nal life unto his abundantly; even as it is his avUI, that af
ter their many sore trials, exercises, and travels (and faith
fulness to hira therein), tbey should abundantly possess and
eujo}' it. Glory to the Lord for ever, Avhose kingdora is set
up in the hearts of many, aud avIio already reigns iu the
hearts of many, aud Avill reigu iu the hearts of more! Oh
that men might hear the sound of his eA'erlasting gospel !
and learn to fear him, aucl giA'e glory to him, aud Icuoav the
hour of his judgment come in their own heart, that by bis
judgment agaiust siu aucl unrighteousness iu thera, they
might come to kiiOAv and Avorship him ; aud then the Avor
ship ofthe dragon aud beast Avould soou come to an eud iu
their hearts; and they Avould Avorship the begetter of holi
ness, the begetter of life, the Kiug of saiuts, Avho dAvells
and rules in those that are his oavu, as the devil, the de
stroyer, doth in those that are his! The Lord God of ever
lasting power break doAvii the Icingdom of Satan (the kiug
dom of unrighteousness and darkuess in meu's hearts), aud
exalt the kiugdom and sceptre of his oavu Son instead there
of Amen.

450 THE WORKS OF
POSTSCRIPT.
Co'ntaining some Queries on Isaiah, L. 10, 11.
"AVho is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the
voice ofhis servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath
no Ught? " It is rendered in another translation : "And
no light shineth upon him " (which was Job's case in his
great affliction, as is signified by him, chap. xxix. 2, 3.).
"Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon
his God." ver. 10.
"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that corapass about with
sparks, walk m the light of your own fire, and in the
sparks ye have kindled, this ye shall have of mine hand,
ye shall lie down in sorrow." ver. 11.
Query 1. Doth not the tender and merciful God many
tiraes, in the boAvels of his love and raercy, bring darkness
and great distress upou men's spirits, that they might wait
for his healing and redemption ? Yea, doth not this befall
some AA'ho fear the Lord, and are fouud iu the holy rever
ence and obedience to him ? And is it not good that it
should befall them ?
Query 2. Should uot raen, in such a condition of darkness
and distress, trust iu the narae of the Lord, and stay upon
hira till he cause Ught to arise out of obscurity, aud com
fort them that mourn iu Zion ; giving them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, aud the garment of praise for
the spirit of heaviness?
Query 3. Are not persons very prone and liable, in time
of darkness and distress, instead of waiting upon God for
his help and salvation, to be kindling a fire, and cempass-
ing theraselves about Avith sparks ?
Query 4. Are there not some Avho cannot be content with
out heat and warmth in their religion and perforraances,
and yet, instead of Avaiting for God's kindling the fire, aud

ISAAC PENINGTON. 45I
his causing the sparks of life to arise, kindle a fire of them
selves, and compass themselves about with sparks of their
OAVU kindling?
Query 5. Alay not men, after they have kindled a fire and
sparks, walk in the light thereof? And raay not God, in
hisjust judgraent and sore displeasure against them, leave
them to themselves, and give them up to do so ?
Query 6. AA^iat avUI God do in the end, or Avhat in the
end shall befall them from God, who kindle a fire and
sparks, and have continued Avalking in the light thereof,
and have been heated aucl Avarmed thereby ? AVUI uot God
cause thera at length to lie down in sorroAV? Oh that per
sons that are serious in religion, raight not thus err, and so
provoke God to giA'e thera up to Avalk in the light of the
fire and sparks of their own kindling ?
Query 7. AVhen clo men kindle a fire and sparks of their
own? Do they not first forget the God of their salvation,
and becorae unraindfiil ofthe rock of their strength? Aud
do they not then plant pleasant plants, and set strange slips?
(And where clo they plant and set 'thera?) But Avhat Avill
the harvest be in the day of inheritance, Avhen they come
to reap and inherit Avhat they have planted and soavu ? (For
what a man soweth, that raust he also reap.) AVUI it not
be a heap for the fire of God's jealousy to take hold ou, in
the day of their tribulation, anguish, and desperate sorroAv
of heart? Isa. xvii. 10, 11.
Query 8. In AA'hat light do men build up a wall iiuvardly,
and daub it Avith untempered mortar, to secure themselves
from the wrath to come? Is it not iu the light of the fire
and sparks of their own kiudling? AVill any wall or de
fence built up in the light of this fire or sparks secure meu ?
AVill not the wrath of God, iu the day thereof, break forth
upon all the Avorkers of iniquity, Avhatever their faith or
hope be to the contrary ? AVill any Avail defend the soul
from the overflowing storm of Avrath, but the Avail of God's
salvation? And can any cuter Avithin that AA'all, but the
righteous nation that keepeth the truth? Isa. xxvi. 1, 2.
The name of the Lord indeed is a strong tOAver ; but cau

452 THE WOEKS OF
any run iuto it, and get shelter in it, but the righteous?
Prov. xviii. 10.
Quel-}' 9. AVho is he, aa-Iio, AAdien he falleth, shall rise
agaiu ; and after he hath set iu d.irkness, the Lord shall be
a lia-ht unto him? Is it not he that feareth the Lord, aud
obeyeth the A'oice of his servant, that in the time of his
darkness aud distress trusteth iu the uame ofthe Lord, aud
stays upou his God? Yea, is it uot such au oue as is Avill
ing to bear the indignation of the Lord, because he hath
sinned agaiust him, until he plead his cause, aud execute
judgment for him? AVill uot the Lord briug forth such au
oue to the light? aud shall uot such an oue behold his
righteousuess ? Alicli. aUI. 8, 9.
Query 10. AA^ien shall persons' Ught arise iu obscurity,
aud their darkuess be as the noou-daj-? A\^lieu shall their
light break forth as the morning, and their health spring
forth speedily, aud their righteousuess go before them, aud
the gloi'}' of the Lord gather them up ? And Avhen shall the
Lord be their continual guide, and satisfy their soul iu
droughts, aucl make fat tiieir bones, and make them like a
watered gardeu, aucl Uke a spring of water, Avhose Avaters
fail not? Are uot these promises belonging to the gospel
state ? Aud are they not fulfilled iu the gospel state, as peo
ple come to know aud keep tbe gospel fast, aud the gospel
sabbath? Read Isa. Iviii. 6. to the end, and Avait ou the
Lord, to receive jiuderstaudiug from him, that in reading
thou maj'st understand.
Oh that meu Icuoav the gospel fast, and the gospel sab
bath, Avith the feasts of unleavened bread, tabernacles, trum
pets, kc. A Uttle of the knoAvledge of the mystery of the
bidden Ufe aud power, is of more value, and Avould do their
souls more good, than heaps of literal knoAvledge AA'herewith
the Avorld is so filled. The kuoAvledge of God and Christ
in the mystery is no less thau Ufe eternal, iu them and to
them, Avho are taught in the uew covenant, or ministration
ofthe poAver ofthe endless life, so to Icuoav them.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

458

THE
E Y E R L A S T I N Ct GOSPEL,
OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
And the Blessed Effects thereof, testified to from
Experience.
"The darkness is past, and the true light uoav shineth." 1
John ii. 8.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the
Lord is risen upou thee: for behold, the darkness shall
cover the earth, aud gross darkness the people; but the
Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen
upon thee." Isai. Ix. 1. 2.
"AVhen the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his
glory." Psal. cU. 16. (indeed he doth so.)
The blessed message AA'hich the apostles (AA'ho Avere sent
by Christ to preach the gospel) heard of Christ, and Avere to
declare to others Avas, "That God is light, and in hira is no
darkness at all." 1 John i. 5.
The end of Christ's sending thera Avith this message was,
that thereby (preaching it in the evidence and demonstra
tion of God's Spirit) they raight "open raen's eyes, and turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
to God, that they raight receive forgiveness of sins, and in
heritance araong thera that are sanctified- by faith that is in
him." Acts xxvi. 18.
Now the eye of the mind being opened, aud the raind
turned frora the darkness Avithin to the light Avithin, and
from Satan's power to the poAver of God, which is revealed
iu the Ught, the soul in the light comes to see (over the

4,54 THE WOEKS OP
darkness, and Satan who darkened it) the things of God
aud his kingdora, as they are revealed in the light, AA'hich
raakes thera manifest.
As, First, It sees him, AA'ho is the rock, the dioly founda
tion of God, the holy foundation of life iu the soul, the liv
iug stone, by AA'hieh all the other living stones are raade
alive, and they are taught of God to come to him as to a
liviug stoue, aud so are built upou him, and becorae God's
building, and new creation in him. 1 Pet. ii. 5. 2 Cor. v.
17. Aud here, in this light, none can miss of the true com
ing, hearing the voice of the Father, and being drawn and
taught by him to corae to the Son. John A'i. 44, 45.
Secondly, Here the true Jcav's state, the state of the iu
ward JeAA', and the inward circumcision, and the true wor
ship (even the Avorship of the, Father in Spirit and truth) is
Icuoavu. For the Jew iuward is a child of light, begotten iu
the light, redeemed out of darkness, and dwells aud AA'alks
in the light, as God is in the light. 1 John i. 7. And the
circumcision is not a fleshly act; but the cutting oflF of that
AA'hich is fleshly from the mind by the Spirit and poAA'cr of
Christ. And the gospel Avorship, or the Avorship ofthe Jcav
iuAA'ard, is the worshipping of God in the ncAvness of the
life of his Son.
Thirdly, Here is the true repentance from the dead nat
ure and dead Avorlcs, which uo man can attain to of himself;
but is God's gift through his Son, whora God hath appointed
to be a Prince and a Saviour, to giA'e repentance and forgiA'e-
ness of sins. Acts v. 31. I say here, that repentance is
known, Avaited for, aud received. For not to raen in the
darkuess, aud loving the darkness, is the true repeutauce
given; but to them that are turned to the light, to them is
repentance given uuto life. Acts xi. 18. compared Avith chap.
xxvi. 17, 18,
Fourthly, Here the true faith, the precious gift of faith,
is received, AA'hereby men beUeve in him who gives life, and
receive life from hira. And this is the faith AA'hich gives
access to God, aud gives victory over the Avorld, and that
Avhich is contrary to God: the faith Avhich is given in the

ISAAC PENINGTON.

455

light doth so ; but the faith Avhich men have in the darkness
doth not so.
Fifthly, Here is the cross of Christ knoAvn, Avhich is au
iuward, living, spiritual thing, effectually crucifying that
man that takes it up, and daily bears it, to all that is earthly
aud sinful; and theu the pure seed and life of Christ spriugs
up in his earth, over the Avorld, and OA'cry Avorldly thing.
Gal. vi. 14.
Sixthly, Here the pure love spriugs iu the heart, both to
him that begets, aud to hira that is begotten. In the light
there is nothing but love; but in the darkness there is no
true love to be found; but the very love that is found there
is of the uature of enmity. It is the Ught of truth that puri
fieth the heart to the love unfeigned. 1 Pet. i. 22. Deut.
xxx. 6.
ScA'cuthly, Here the Lamb's patience and meekness is
experienced, aud the soul adorned Avith it. The Lamb is
the light of the Avorld, aud they that are made lambs by
him, partake of his SAveet and meek uature, learning of hira
to beraeekand loAvly iii heart, aud so have that patience
and meekness from him which no other can attain to. Alat.
xi. 29.
Eighthly, In the light the precious promises are fulfilled
and partaken of; Avhicli make them Avho partake of them,
aud iu whora they are fulfilled, partakers of the divine uat
ure; for the di A'ine nature is not partaken of in the dark
ness, but in hira Avho is light. Alan (who is darkness) cau
not partake of the promises Avhich belong to the childreu of
Ught; but when, by the operation of God's poAver, his state
and nature are changed, aud he is uoav no more darkness,
but light in the Lord, then the promises AA'hich Avere raade
to the children of light he cometh to have a share in. Eph.
A'. 8. 2 Pet. i. 4.
Lastly, In the light the holy anointing is received, the
voice- of Christ heard, aud the ucav everlasting covenaut,
even the sure mercies of David, made Avith the soul. Isa.
Iv. 3. The laAV of the new covenant (even the Uxav of the
Spirit of Ufe in Christ Jesus) AA'ritten in the mind, and the

456 THE WOEKS OP
holy fear of the new covenant, which cleanseth aud keepeth
clean, put in the heart, and the blessed Spirit ofthe Father
given and receiA'cd, which gives to those that receive it
power to become the sons of God, causing them to walk in
his ways, and to keep his statutes aud judgments, and to
do thera. Oh, blessed dispensation of life and holy power,
which the Lord hath caused to break forth araong a de
spised people in these latter days ! Oh that the sons of raen
would hear aud understand this precious loving-kindness of
the Lord, and put their trust under the shadoAV of his Avings,
aud IcnoAV what it is to be satisfied with the fatness of his
spiritual gospel house, and to drink of the river of his pleas
ures, and in his light to see light! Psa. xxxvi. 7, 8, 9.
This opeued iu rae this raoruing, iu love and compassion
towards the Papists. AIy bowels have ofteii rolled over
them, and been pained concerning them, to see how they
are closed and shut up as to the true seuse and understand
ing of things of this uature. Oh that they Avould prize the
day of their A'isitation, that they raight hear the sound of
life both frora others, and also iu their own hearts, and the
saving arra of the Lord might be iiiAvarcUy revealed to them,
and they effectually redeemed thereby!
I am uo disdainer of Papists, or any sort of Protestants,
nay, not of Turks or JeAvs ; but a mourner because of their
several mistakes, aud a breather to the God of ray life for
tender raercy toAvards them all.
Astrop, 13th of the ScA'cnth month, 1G78.

POSTSCRIPT.
-And in this Ught the true church, the gospel church, the
New Testament church, is Icuoaa'u; Avhich is a church of
the childreu of light, a building built iu the light, which
church is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ ;
2 Thess. i. 1. in whora they are buUt together for a habita
tion of God, through the Spirit. Eph. ii. 22. Yea, in whom
all the buUding, fitly framed together, groweth into an holy

ISAAC PENINGTON. • 457
temple in the Lord, ver. 21. (for the Lord frameth them
fitly together into a spiritual and holy building). And all
that are here gathered out of the darkuess into the light,
who walk in the light, and abide in the light, are built up
on the foundation ofthe apostles aud prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner-stone, ver. 20. and are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God, ver. 19.
The gospel church is the spiritual house of Jacob, which
walk in the light of the Lord, Isa. ii. 5. who go up to the
mountain of the Lord (to that Avhich is revealed to be the
mountain of God in the last days, even spiritual Mount Zi
on, Heb. xii. 22.), to the house of the God of Jacob, where
he teacheth his spiritual people, the inward Jews, of his
ways, and they learn to walk in his paths ; for out of this
Zion shall go forth the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
(in the clays of the gospel), and the AA'ord of the Lord frora
this Jerusalem, ver. 2, 3. For Jerusalem which is above is
fi-ee, which i* the mother of all the children which are boru
of God's Spirit. Gal. iv. 26. John iii. 6. Aud she being the
mother of them all, nourisheth them all with the AVord of
life, which goeth forth from her ; and all her ehildren know
and justify her, their mother. Mat. xi. 19. Oh that all, both
Papists and Protestants, knew this true mother-church, this
mother of all the living, of whom none but the living are
boru, and Avho nourisheth all the living, and none else, with
the law and AVord of etel-nal life !
And if they Icuoav the true church, the church which is of
the true Jcavs, the church ofthe first-born, whose names are
written in heaven, and did live and walk in the light of the
Lamb, and folloAV the Leader, the Shepherd of Israel, aud
faithful Bishop of the soul, AA'ho overseeth and taketh care
ofthe soul, they would learn, and come to know and expe
rience these thiugs foUowiug : —
First, The dwelUng-place of Mount Zion, and her assem
blies, and God's creating upon every of them a cloud and
smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night.,
which is the defence upon all the glory that the Lord bring-
Yol. IIL— 39

458 THE WOEKS OP
eth forth among his spiritual church and people. Isa. iv. 5.
Secondly, They would know the land of the inward Jews,
and spiritual Judah, and the song sung therein, because of
the strong city which the Lord builds there, aud the salva
tion which he appoints for Avails and bulwarks about it ; aud
Avould see and know how none but the inward Jews, the in
wardly circumcised and sanctified, even the righteous na
tion, that keepeth the truth, can enter by the gates into that
city. Isa. xxvi. 1, 2. And they that dwell in that city, whose
minds are staid on the Lord, and who trust in him, the Lord
Avill keep in perfect peace, ver. 3. Then Jerusalem is a
quiet habitation indeed, and the resting and feeding-places
in it are sure. Isa. xxxii. 18. and chap, xxxiii. 15. 20.
Thirdly, They would know the feast of fat things, which
the Lord of hosts makes to all people that are here; to all
people that come up to and dAvell on his holy raountain,
and serve and worship him in Spirit and truth. The Lord
of hosts maketh such a feast as no eye hath seen, uor ear
heard, nor can it enter into the heart of man' to conceive
Avhat it is, but only by the Spirit of God ; even a feast of fat
things, even a feast of spiritual fat things, a feast of Avines
on the lees, of fat things full of raarrow, of wiues ou the
lees well refined. Isa. xxv. 6. They that are turned to the
light, and follow Christ the light, shall not abide in dark
uess, but have the light of Ufe; John vUi. 12. shall be trans
lated out of the kingdom of darkuess into the Icingdom of
the dear Son, and they shall sup AVith Christ, and he with
them, and both together drink of the fruit of the vine of
life new in the Father's kingdora.
Fourthly, They shaU infallibly know here, in this light
Avhich shines on God's holy raountain, the destroying or
sAvallowing up ofthe face of the covering cast over all peo
ple, and the veil spread over all nations. Isa. xxv. 7. For
the veU is cast over and spread in the darkness ; but is done
away aud swaUoAved up in Christ, the light: for the veil is
done away in him. 2 Cor. iU. 14. And all that are in Christ,
in his Spirit, in the light and Uberty thereof, behold as iu a
glass the glory of the Lord, aud are changed iuto the same

ISAAC PENINGTON. 459
image, frora glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. ver.
17, 18.
Lastly, Here the King of righteousness' highway is
known, even the way of holiness, Avhich the unclean cannot
pass over ; but the sanctified in the light do Avalk in ; and
the wayfaring men here, though fools, do not err in. Isa.
xxxv. 8. For they that are taught of God in the new cove
nant, and follow the leading of his blessed Spirit, do not err.
Oh that the true church were Icuoavu, AA'hich is noAV come
and coraing out of the Avilderness, leaning upon her Be
loved, Avho led and leads her out thence, into her OAvn land
of life and glory, where her light shines, and she ariseth and
standeth upon her feet before the Lord, and the glory of the
Lord shines upon her, and covers her ! Happy is the eye
that seeth this, aud the soul that hath a share in it!

LETTEHS OP
ISAAC P E l( I N G T 0 i\.
To Nathaniel Stonar.
Dear Friend,
There is somewhat on my heart to express to thee, iu
love and great good-will, Avhich is as foUoweth: —
AVould it not be sad, if thou should perish from the Lord
for ever? If thou err iu heart from the living way, it may
be so: indeed, if thy mind be not turned from darkness, in
Avard darkness, to the inward light of God's Spirit, it cannot
be otherwise. Now, if thou feel the iuAvard light, the power
of the pure Ught, and art changed thereby, thou canst not
speak against that light.

460 THE WOEKS OP
There was no true reUgion in the apostles' days, without
turning to the iuAvard light, and to thcd the true miuistry
was sent to turn men ; nor is there auy true religion now,
without being iuAvardly turued to and walking in the sarae
Ught; nor canst thou try any truth, or understand any
scripture aright, but in the light of God's Spirit. No man
can understand the things of God, but the Spirit of God.
The Scriptures are holy words, aud treat of the things of
God, which no mau can understand, but in a light of the
same nature from AA'hich they came; and when once a man
comes to the true understanding, he soon fiuds that the un
derstanding which he had of the same before Avas but after
the flesh, even short of the nature of the true understanding.
And, friend, consider if thy knowledge, which thou hast
hitherto had, hath changed or doth change the nature of
thy understanding and Avill ; or is thy old understanding
and will yet remaining, notwithstanding all thy knowledge
and practices in religion ? Oh, do not dally in things of so
great concernment! lest thou repent too late; for I do not
tell thee what I see concerning thee, in the Ught of God's
eternal Spirit: but I Avould fain have thine OAvn eye, or
rather the right eye in thee, opened and brought to see.
And consider one scripture seriously coucerning the
church of Laodicea: had it not the true knowledge out
Avardly, and a true church state, aud right ordiuances? Did
it not believe in Christ, and look up to him for justiflcatiou,
&c. ? Nay, what did it want, as to the outwardness of its
state? But it wanted sense, Ufe, warmth, inAvardly. So
that, if ye had all ordinances and truths of the gospel light
outwardly; yet, if ye wanted the iuAvard power, ye could
uot but want the tried gold, the white raiment, aud eye-salve:
and so, though ye raight think yourselves rich, &c., yet the
shame of your nakedness would ajypear: yea, indeed, the na
kedness of such as are not clothed with God's Spirit, doth
appear to the Lord, and to the eyes and spirits of his ehil
dren, which he openeth in his oavu Ught, and who see with
this eye, — I say the shame of their nakedness dotii appear,
notwithstanding all the religious covers they cau put upou

ISAAC PENINGTON. 461
themselves. Oh that thou hadst desires, living desires, af
ter the nature of truth, and wert acquainted with the new
nature, which can be satisfied with nothing but the virtue,
life, and poAver of truth !
Come, fi-iend, wait on the Lord, to have the old nature,
the old spirit, mind, Avisdom, understanding, and will bro
ken, the old garment torn to pieces ; that thou mayst come
to experience that which is ucav, pure, and liviug; and find
the UCAV vessel filled with that Avhich is new ; and knoAV the
virgin state of spirit, and the savor of the true ointment.
For life savors Ufe, and death savors death, and living words
are but the savor of death. to thera that are out of the life;
and the living stone, which is the foundation of life to us,
and very precious, is but a stoue of sturabling, and rock of
offence, to them that are out of the life; and who judge of
thiugs by their apprehensions of the letter, without the
Spirit of life aud power. As the Scribes and Pharisees for
merly did, and so condemned Christ in his appearance in
the flesh ; those who judge after that manner now cannot
but condemn his spiritual appearance in the hearts of his
children. The letter killeth: the Spirit gives life. If thou
wilt have life, thou raust come to that which gives life. If
thou Avilt come into the ministration of the new testaraent,
thou raust corae into the Spirit aud power; and know the
letter of the Scriptures, in the Spirit and power which
Avrote them, if ever thou Icuoaa' them aright. Yea, if thou
Avilt become a son of God, thou must receive power from
Christ so to do; and if thou wilt believe aright, thou must
feel faith wrought in thy heart, by that very power which
raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead: all other faith
falls short ofthe nature of true faith.
If thou receive from the Lord the true sense of these
things, thou Avilt bless his narae for engaging ray heart to
write them to thee ; but if thou read them out of that which
gives the true understanding, they caunot be of advantage
to thee. But Avhatever entertainment they have with thee,
yet my judgment is with the Lord, and my work and labor
of love with ray God, aa'Iio is my strength and joy; in whom

462 THE WOEKS OF
my soul rests in peace, in the bosom of my Beloved. And
oh that thou also raightst feel quickenings of life and true
leadings ! and thus be acquainted with that faithful travel
which leads thither.
Thy friend in the heartiness of true love, so far as the
Lord pleaseth to make use of rae towards thee,
L P.
7th of the Fourth Month, 1671. POSTSCRIPT.
The apostle speaks of the state of the Gentiles, before
they were turned from darkness to light, and fi'om the
power of Satan to God ! that their understanding was dark
ened, being alienated from the life. of God, through the ig
norance that was in them, because of the hardness of their
heart ; not that that which might be known of God was not
manifest in them; but their ignorance was because of their
hardness in not minding it, not turning to it, and so they
became alienated from the life, and their understanding not
opened by it.
Now, in this state, raen are without God, without Christ,
strangers to the covenant of proraise, and without any true
hope of salvation ; and this state, they are as really in, who
get a forra of godliness Avithout the poAver, as the very natu
ral heathen. For nothing raakes a true Christian, but the life
and power: and he that doth not hear the voice of Christ's
Spirit in his heart is no better than a heathen and a publi
can. Yea, any chureh, built up out ofthe life and power, —
nay, a church, though built by the power, yet, if not pre
served in the sarae, is not better than a synagogue of Satan.
They that say they are Jews, but are not so; ministers of
Christ, but are not, and do lie; alas! what are they? Oh,
how precious is life ! how precious is the poAver of God, in
Avhich the churches of old stood, and the true churches at
this day stand !
It is precious, to know the Spirit of the living God, to be
begotten by him in the life, Avhich is true and pure, to be
separated from death and the poAver' thereof, and to be mar-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 463
ried to life and the power thereof, — to be married to the
conquering Lamb, who triumphed over sin and death in
his body of flesh, and, by his Spirit and power, delivers his
spouse from the strength and dominion of them. And it is
precious to walk with the Lamb, aud to foUoAV the Lamb
Avhithersoever he goes; who always leads out of sin and uu
righteousuess, into ways of purity and righteousness, into
the path which is prepared for the ransomed, Avhere there is
no danger of erring, no, not so ranch as to the wayfaring
ones, though fools. Isa. xxxv. 8.
Oh ! is it not precious experimentally to read that script
ure, and to be able in true understandiug to say. The Avay
of life is easy, the yoke easy, the burden easy, the com
mandment not grievous; that being brought doAvn and sub
dued in me, — yea, removed and cast out, — to which it Avas
hard? Alas! men building in the flesh, and after their car
nal apprehensions of things, hoAv loathsome is it! but God's
building, raised in the light and life of his pure Spirit, hoAv
glorious, hoAV beautiful, how lovely, is it, even in the eye of
G.od himself! "Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot
in thee." Sol. Song iv. 7. Into thy holy buUding, 0 God!
into thy heavenly building, into the spiritual Jerusalem,
which thou rearest and buildest up in the Spirit, no unclean
or defiled thing can enter ; nor is there any room there for
that Avhich loves and maices a lie ! AVithout, indeed, are
swine and dogs, vulturous eyes aud crooked serpents, Avho
make a show of Avhat they are not, and lay claim to that
which belongs not to thera; but within are the children,
Avithin is the heavenly birth, even the ucav creation of God
iu Christ Jesus. For God doth not strip his people naked,
and gather them out of the spirit of this Avorld, that they
should be empty and desolate for ever; but he gathers them
into, and fills them with, his own Spirit, fills them Avith
Ught, fills them with life, fills them Avith holiness, fills them
with righteousness, fills them Avith peace and joy, iu belicA'-
ing arid obeying the gospel! Aud in this Spirit is the kiug
dom known, which is not of this Avorld, the iuAvard kingdom,
the spiritual kingdom, the everlasting kingdom, Avhere the

464 THE WOEKS OP
everlasting throne is near, and the everlastiug power re
vealed; aud the Lord God Omnipotent reigns in the hearts
ofhis, and other lords do not reign, but their horns are bro
ken; and the horn of God's Anointed exalted, who sits rul
ing as Kiug on his holy hill of Zion; and they that have
suffered Avith him, and gone through great tribulation, do
reign Avith him : blessed be his name for ever !

L P.

lOth of Fourth Month.

To Catharine Pordage.
Friend,
It is true, the way to Ufe is so difficult and intricate, that
uoue cau find it, but such as are lighted by the Lord, and
follow the guidance of his Spirit.
Christ, Avho preached the kingdom, aud bid men seek it,
yet said, " Strait is the gate aucl narrow is the Avay which
leadeth unto life, aucl few there be that fiud it." In a race
mauy run, but oue obtaineth the prize. Canst thou read
Avhat Christ said, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Sou of
man, aud drink his blood, j'c have uo life in you"? that
seemed a hard saying to some of his own disciples, many of
AAdiom left him. And truly, friend, as it is not an easy thing
to come into thc Ava}', so neither is it an easy thing to abide
in the Avay ; for many are the by-paths, manj' and great the
temptatious, both ou the right hand and on the left. The
Avay Avas always the same, full as difficult and hard formerly
as UOAV ; Init the states aud conditions of sorae raake it
harder to them thau it is toothers; yea, it is easier uoav
than it hath been iu mauy foregoing generatious, being pre
pared aud cast up by the Lord.
It is sad indeed that any should be convinced of truth,
aud not come iuto subjection to it; yet it is very easy and
common. For meu cannot Avithstand convictiou, AA'hen it
comes iu poAver; but they may deny obedience to that
Avhich they are convinced of; nay, some in the apostles'
day Avent further, even to taste of the heavenly gift, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 465
powers ofthe Avorld to come, and to partake of the Holy
Ghost, and yet fall aAvay. AVas not this very sad ? and yet
this Avas no Avell-grounded objection against the truth aud
Avay of God then. Indeed, I make little of the illumina
tion of the understanding, without subjection to him that
illuminateth, in those things AA'herein he illuminatetli. But
that is a great mistake, to suppose I did condemn any Avait
ing or praying, that is accordiug to a true illumination and
leading of God's Spirit ; for the true light and Spirit are not
separated; but the exceptions I haA-e agaiust the prayers of
professors is, that they are so much out of the true illurai-
uation, in a light of their oavu apprehending, forming, aud
conceiving. Now these are but the limits of the fleshly birth,
out of which coraes nothing that is pleasing to the Father.
Did I, or any of us, ever affirm, that the forbearance of
the means was tbe way to attain the end ? But the setting
up or using a false means is not the Avay to attain the true
eud. "So run," said the apostle, "that ye may obtain."
Did he not forbid all running, but the right running? The
praying of the fleshly birth, or in the Avill, and according to
the wisdora of the flesh, is not the means or Avay to ob
tain the everlasting kingdom; but the prayers of the true
birth are. And if I should say thus again and again to thee.
So pray, as that thou mayest obtain Avhat thou prayest for,
I should not be thine enemy therein ; for it is easy asking
amiss, not so easy to ask aright. Prayer is a gift ; and he
that receiveth it, must first come to the sense of his OAvn
inability, and so wait to receive ; and perhaps begin but
with a groan or sigh from the true Spirit, and thus groAV in
ability from the same Spirit, denying the ability which is af
ter the flesh: this latter abounds in raany, AA'ho raistake and
err in judgment, not waiting on the Lord, to be enabled by
him rightly to judge and distinguish between flesh and spir
it, but are raany tiraes willingly ignorant in this particular,
it will cost so dear to come to a true understanding therein.
Hath not all flesh had some manifestation of God's Spirit
allotted it? was not that which might be IcnoAvn of God
manifest in the Gentiles ? and ought not aU flesh, in that, to

466 THE WOEKS OP
call upon the Lord, as the true sense is given thera there
from? But because of this, raight the heathen pray accord
ing to their oavu imagination? Is there not a rule of prayer?
Is uot God's light, God's gift, God's Spirit, the rule to all ?
Is any prayer required or accepted out of this ? Indeed, he
that hath the sense of beiug but a dog, as I may say, aud
not Avorthy to be counted a child, yet may pray for crurabs,
aud be heard, aud receive them. But AA'hat are prayers, out
ofthe light and life of God's Spirit? are they not prayers of
the fleshly birth, fleshly AA-ill, fleshly Avisdom? can they that
are iu the flesh, or pray in the flesh, please God? Oh, forsake
thy OAVU Avisdom, reasonings, Avill, and desires! that thou
mayst come to true understandiug in this particular.
As to .stirring up the gift, 2 Tim. i. 6. Paul kuew to AA'hom
he Avrote : Timothy had a great understanding, aiid both
kucAV the gift, aucl Iioav to stir it up; but he that hath not a
true uuderstauding, may stir up someAvhat else, instead of
stirring up the gift, and so kindle a fire of his own, and of
fer up his owu sacrifice, Avith his oavu fire, neither of Avhich
are acceptable to the Lord.
The troubled soul is not oiiIa' to go to the Lord, but it
must be taught by him, how to go to Him. The Lord is the
Teacher; aud this is a great lesson, AA'hich the soul cannot
learn of itself, but as it is taught by him. Aleu abound in
their several AA'aj's in religion, in that Avhich God is arisiug
to scatter aud confound; so that it is uot the great and raaiu
work to be found doing, but to be found doing aright, from
the true teachings, and from the right Spirit.
In the tirae of great trouble, there may be life stirring
underneath, and a true and teuder sense, aud pure desires, in
which there may be a draAviug uigh and breathing of heart
to the Lord; but, in the time of trouble aud great darkness,
may not a man easily desire amiss, aud pray amiss, if he have
not his Guide? A little praying frora God's Spirit, aud in
that Avhich is true aud pure, is better thau thousands of ve
hement desires in one's oavu avUI, and after the flesh. For
as long as a raau prayeth thus, that which should die in him,
lives in his very prayers ; and how shall it ever be destroyed,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 457
if it get food and gain strength there? But Ufe and virtue
maybe felt, and that which troubleth be near too, and
greatly troubling. Did Christ feel neither life nor virtue,
in tiie time of his great trouble ?
AVe neither lay weight on outward things, as considered
in themselves, nor take off from the inward. Ah ! consider
Avhat spirit this charge coraes frora; and if thou discern it,
take heed of joining to it, and bringing forth the fruits of
it any more. AVhat if God hath chosen Aveak and foolish
things to the eye of man's Avisdom, uoav, as formerly? Do
we, in so testifying, lay any raore AA'cight thereupon, than
God layeth? And what if God hath thrown by all preach
ings, prayings, singings (yea inward), which are not in his
Spirit, but from the transforming spirit and birth. Do avc
herein debase, or testify against, any thing that is inwardlj'
of God? The outward which is right in God's sight, must
come from the inward, but not frora the inward will or Avis
dom of the flesh, but frora the inward Ught and Spirit of
God; but it is a great raatter to receive singly and go along
with the inward light, and aA'oid the inward, deceitful ap
pearance of things.
There is one thing hath been Avith me all along still,
throughout thy letter, even a cry to thee for obedience,
obedience to the Spirit and power ofthe Lord; and to con
sider, Avhether disobedience hath not draAvn this darkness
and power of the enemy upon thee. It is not thy proper
work, to look out at the way, or think it hard (for it is not so
to the true seed), but to be travelling in faithfulness, as thou
art drawn and led ; and this will save thee much sorrow.
As for Christ being a Mediator and Reconciler, it is by his
death and life ; both of which are partaken of, in the light
Avhich comes from him, even in the grace and truth which
he dispeuseth. For as God wrought all in him by the ful
ness which he bestowed on hira, so he works all in his by a
raeasure of the sarae Spirit, life, and poAver. But why dost
thou so desire to be able to coraprehend and reason about
these things ?^that is not thy present work, but to feel after
and be joined to that, whereby Christ reneweth and chang-

468 THE WORKS OP
eth the mind, and wherein he gives the knowdedge of his
good and acceptable, and perfect will. Take heed of being
exalted above measure, or desiring to know the things of
the kingdom after the flesh ; for it is better to lie low, and
as a child to enter the kingdom, and to receive the knowl
edge of the things of God there, than to be feeding that
knowing mind, Avliich is to be kept out aud famished.
Ah ! watch, that thou mayst not lose thy Leader, and
meet with the deceiver, instead of Him that is true; and so
go back from light, Ufe, truth, and poAver, instead of going
forward toAvard thera. Indeed, this letter of thine raakes
rae afraid, as Paul speaketh to the Galatians, lest I have be
stowed labor on thee in vain ; for there seeras to me to be
iu thee, a strengthening of thy mind towards returning back
to that, frora which the Lord iu his mercy hath been re
deeming and gatheriug thee. If thou feel the right seed,
and corae to be of the right seed, the way of the seed will
not be too hard for thee; otherAvise it Avill.
This is to thee, iu Ioa'c and grief, frora thy soul's true
friend, I. P.
21st of Sixth Month, 1671.

To Catharine Pordage and another.
Friends, Take heed of that spirit, which will be stirring up hard
thoughts in you of God aud his Avay, aud the faithful testi
mony thereof, when, in the tender mercy of the Lord, it is
given forth to you; for that spirit is your soul's enemy.
AVait, therefore, to know iu yourselves that Avhich is to stum
ble, and fall, and be snared, and broken, and taken ; for it
cannot receive God's truth.
And take care of that spirit which hateth reproof; for the
reproofs of instruction are the ways of life, and whom the
Lord loves, he rebukes and chastens. And truly, friends,
this is God's truth iu my heart to you both, this morning:
the rainistration of conviction and reproof is that which ye

ISAAC PENINGTON.

469

are to come under: and it is your proper state to Avait daily,
not for comforts, not for refreshments (that day is to corae
afterwards), but for convictions aud reproofe of that in you
which is contrary to God. And if ye walk faithfully in this
dispensation, ye shall iu due tirae knoAv auother, Avheu the
work ofthis is over; for really, friends, ye raust be eraptied
of that wherewith ye are uoav filled, before ye cau be filled
with that which is true and liviug. If I should say one
Avord to you, could ye bear it? aud yet this counsel is with
nie towards you : Oh ! wait for, receive, embrace, be glad of,
that which reproves you, and be afraid of that Avhich com
forts you in your present state ; for ye are to come through
the trouble, judgraent, breaking down, plucking up, con
suming, and burning of the contrary nature aud spirit,
which yet deceives you; and to Avitness all the kuoAvledge,
profession, practices, beliefs, hopes, that are founded there,
aud spring up thence, confounded and destroyed, before ye
can possibly corae into the true ministration of Ufe and
power. Ye must die to your own AA'isdom, if ever ye Avill
be born of and Avalk in the AA'isdom of God. Yea, ye must
die to that part, that is so active from aud iu that Avisdora,
and-Avhich would be laboriug iu the A'ery fire for Avliat is but
vanity, if ye will receive the kuoAvledge, which springs out
of truth and life itself, AA'hich indeed flows over aud covers
the earth of God's heritage, as the waters cover the sea, in
this day of his great goodness and plentiful rederaption.
AVhen we were in desolation and great distress, indeed,
unutterable, we had none of these helps and instructions,
Avhich abound towards you. Oh, Avhat a day of mercy have
you met with ! aud how great will be your condemnation, if
ye become as deaf adders to the Spirit of the Lord, and so
miss of his salvation. And if ye will ever know the Spirit
of the Lord, ye raust raeet Avith him, as a searcher and re-
pr&ver, in your own hearts ; yea, the merciful God raust ye
meet with, as a severe Judge, and unquenchable, consum
ing fire against that spirit, wisdora, knowledge, and faith in
you, which is but of a chaffy nature. Truly, friends, it is
Yol. ni.— 40

470 THE WORKS OF
far better to be stripped of it, than to fiud any rest or pleas
ure iu it.
Oh, hear the A^'oice of the living God ! His word is nigh,
nigh you; and his Avord hath a voice that speaks. Oh that
the ear that can hear might be opened in you ! and the ear
stopped Avhich will not ecmnot hear the voice of the Shep
herd! Oh, wait for the Reprover! and turn the ear to him,
letting in his reproofs, and turning from AA'hat he reproves
for, Avithout murmuring, Avithout disputing; and the exer
cise of that ear Avill open it more and more : so that ye will
come to Icuoav the voice more and more ; Avhieh, though it
prove very bitter to that Avhich is of a contrary nature, aud
would not hear the A'oice, yet will be sweet, yea, sAveeter
and sweeter daily, to the true birth. And here, ye AviU AA'it
uess true death to that which is to die; and true life, minis
tered by Him Avho lives for ever, to that Avhich is to live.
But while ye are striA'iug to comprehend, and to begin
obedieuce after that Avisdom, ye avUI find the poAver, Avhich
opens to others, shutting 3'ou out from that Avhich is true;
and yourselves liable to be tempted, and persuaded to es
teem and take up that Avhich is false, instead of that Avhicli
is true,
AVhat spirit is that iu you, AA'hich prejudices your hearts
iuAvardly against, aud makes you apt to cry out [because] of,
destroying? Is it uot that spirit, Avhich Avould save alive
AA'hat is to be destroyed iu you, that your souls might live
in and to God? The Lord discover to you, Iioav the enemj'-
AVorks in you, agaiust the life and sah-ation of your souls;
for he knows what avUI be the issue of this destroying work,
if it have its thorough course and eff'ect upou you; and that
none of his kingdom AviU be left standing in you.
I. P.
7th of Seventh Month, 1071.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 471
To 
Dear Friend,
Some Scriptures did spring up and open iu ray heart tow
ards thee this morning.
One Avas, that of 2 Cor. x. 4, 5, and 6. That AA'hich Avas
chiefly on my heart therefrora, Avas about the fulfilling of
obedieuce. First, there is a knoAviug the avUI of God; a
Avaitiug to kuow aud understand frora God, AA'hat is his
holy, good, perfect, and acceptable avUI. Then, as God
gives the knowledge, he requires obedience; Avhich is to be
learned of God in the new spirit and life. For in the old
uature, mind and spirit, there is uothiug but darkness and
disobedience; in the ucav creation is the ucav obedieuce.
So that there is first a beginuiug of knoAvledge in the Spirit,
a beginning of faith in the reueAving power, and a begin
uiug of obedience (in the same) to him that calls. Then
there is au increase of knowledge, of true, pure, living
knoAA'ledge, an increase of faith, and a growing more and
more obedient under the exercises, judgments and chastise
ments of the Father's Spirit: even till, at length, the soul
comes to witness a full readiness, skill, and strength (iu and
through Christ, in aud through the measure of the gift of
grace received from hira), to obey iu all things. AVhen the
uew birth is thus grown up iuto strength aud dominion, into
the stature of a raan in Christ; theu the senses, which have
been long exercised in discerning between good and ca'U,
grow strong: and there is a quick discerning in the fear of
the Lord, aud an authority in his name and power, over the
enemy and his temptations: so that every strong hold is
broken dowu, every imagination and false reasoning con
cerning the truth, is subjected and broken by the evidence
and poAver of truth, every thought brought under, into cap
tivity, even to the obedience of Christ; with a readiness to
reject aU unbelief and disobedience, that wiU so much as
oft'er to rise up. Noav, is not this the Christian state, which
God Avould have his children aim and arrive at? and are

472 THE WORKS OP
not they blessed who witness it; aud doth not the true min
istration of the gospel light. Spirit, and power lead to it ?
and should any be at rest iu their spirits, iu au easeful,
formal, dry, dead profession without it?
Another Scripture was 1 Pet. ii. 2, 3, 4, and 5. It is pre
cious to Avitness the state of a ueAA'-born babe, to be begot
ten to God by the Avord of Ufe and power, even by the Avord
which God ingrafts into the heart. Oh, what liviug desires
then are there after that Avhich nourisheth the birtli of Ufe,
which God breathes from his oavu Spirit, aud begets the
soul into ! Noav as the birtli is pure, so the nourishment is
pure — pure milk frora the pure word, — sincere, unraixed
milk from the AA'ord of Ufe, — from the breast of Ufe. AVho
is it that begets to God? It is the Spirit, the AVord, the sec
ond Adam, he whose uame is the AVord of Gocl. AVho is
the mother of these childreu? It is the heavenlj' AA'isdom,
the Jerusalem which is above. (" Jerusalem Avhich is above
is free, Avhich is the mother of us all." "AVisdom is justi
fied of her children.") Noaa', AA'ho feeds these children ? AA'ho
nourisheth, who brings thera up? AVhy, tbe mother which
bare thera, she holds forth the breast of life to them, she
yields to them the pure milk of the Avord. The new-born
babes, they long for it, they cry for their food, they ear
nestly desire after it ; and the teuder mother gives it forth to
them, even the milk of the breast of life from the pure Avord
of life ; and by this they groAV. But how came the babes to
desire after such pure, sincere, unmixed food? Oh! they
have "tasted that the Lord is gTacious." They have had
the heavenly taste, they have tasted that AA'hich Avas living
and pure from God, from his tender raercy and grace,
wherein he ministers life and salvation. Oh, the remem
brance and sense of the sweetness of this is upon their pal
ates! Oh, hoAv precious and Uving is it, when it coraes ucav
and fresh frora him ! the words AA'hich he speaks, they are
StiU spirit aud Ufe to the soul. Hoav can they but desire,
that from the breast of life, from the heavenly wisdom and
divine knoAvledge of his Father, he Avould minister unto
thera of the pure food, that they raay kuow and feed on the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 473
truth as it is in Jesus? Here they come to him as unto a liv
ing fountain, and a living stone, disalloAved indeed, aud re
jected ofthe builders after the flesh, in all ages aud genera
tions; but chosen of God, aud precious to all that have the
true sense and uuderstauding. They come thus to him
daily, and so are built up into a living house, or spiritual
temple and dAvelling-place fi.r God. He, the foundation
stone, the'corner stone, the top stone, the hope aud croAvu
of their glory; they, living stones in him, ciuickened and
kept alive in and by him, and shining in his light aud glory.
A third Scripture Avas Eph. vi. 10, 11, 12, and 13. Is uot
this a precious state, to be "strong in the Lord and in the
poAver ofhis might" ? to Icuoav "the AA-hole armor of God,"
aud to put it on and stand armed against the strength of the
enemy, and to overcome him ? Avas there ever such a state
witnessed? Yea: Johu writeth to the young men iu his
time, because they had "overcome the Avicked one." (Com
pare 1 John, ii. 14, with Eph. A'i. 10.) Alay not such a thiug
be again witnessed, even uoav, in these our days? AA^ere uot
he a messenger of good tidings to thee, A\'ho from God could
tell thee, Iioav thou mightest come to kuoAA', to put on, to
fight in this holy armor, aud thereby overcome all the ad
versaries of thy soul? Doth uot the apostle say, " The weap
ons of our warfare are- mighty through God"? AVouldst
not thou be Avillinsf to Avituess them so in thee? Mind then,
in the raeasure of life, in the raeasure of grace aud truth
which is from Christ, all the kuoAvledge, strength, and use
of the armor lie. Thus the truth as it is iu Jesus is the
girdle ofthe loins; and from aucl through him, iu his pure
measure of Ufe, righteousuess springs up as a breastplate.
There likewise, the feet are shod Avith the preparation of
the gospel of peace; for there, the gospel, the life, the re
deeming poAver aucl virtue is always in readiness, AA-hencA'cr
the Lord seeth service for it. And then, the shield of faith
is known, Avhieli queucheth the fire of the enemy's terap
tations. There also is the helmet of salvation, the true
hope; for in it, Christ, the hope of glory, is revealed, and
felt to be near. And then, the sword of the Spirit is wit-

474 THE WORKS OF
nessed, which is the living AVord, the Spirit which quick
ens and gives life; which AVord is quick, piercing, and ex
ceeding powerful, able to smite and wound death. (See
Rev. i. 16. Isai. xxvii. 1. and xi. 4. and 2 Thes. ii. 8.) And
here, is pure praying in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, and
watching thereunto with perseverance, both for itself in par
ticular, and the whole body of the faithful in general ; but
for those more especially, on whora lies the weight of the
serAdce in and towards the body: so that here, is prayer in
its due season, weight, and order offered up to God, in true
life and understanding: which prayer God always heareth.
Oh, mind this thing diligently, for it is of great concern
ment to thee ! In the grace of the gospel, in the measure of
truth and life from the quickening AVord, thou meetest with
the whole armor of God. Thou mayst there know it, thou
mayst there put it on, stand armed with it, and fight with
success against thy soul's enemies. Out ofthis, thou mayst
get apprehensions in thy mind about it, but canst never
truly know it, canst never come at it, or be covered and
armed with it, to stand and fight successfully and victori
ously against the enemies of thy soul.
Ah! little dost thou knoAV the loving kindness of the
Lord in visiting thee with his truth, in giving thee a sense
beyond others, in so tenderly draAving and inviting thy
heart; or AA'hat this will come to, if thou faithfully give up
to hearken to and foUoAv him.
LP.
20th of Tenth Month, 1671.

To AViDow Hemmings.
There are tAvo or- three scriptures now on my heart to
lay before thee ; and it is the desire of my soul, that thou
mayst so know the Lord, and so receive his Son, as that
thoii mayst experience them.
The first is iu ProA'. v. 15: "Drink waters out of thine
own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well."
The second is the Avords of Christ: John -vii. 38. "He that

ISAAC PENINGTON.

475

believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers (or strearas) of living waters." For "there
is a river the streams whereof raake glad the city of God."
The third is that of John iv. 14. where Christ signifies,
that whosoever drinketh of the Avater which he giveth, shall
never thirst raore after water frora without, but shall for
ever thenceforward be satisfied with the springings up of
the Avell of life from within.
To these I may add the precious promise of the sweet
state of the gospel: Isa. xii. 3. "Therefore with joy shall
ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." The outAvard
Jew drew the outward water from the outward Avells : they
had the upper springs, and the nether springs outwardly ;
but the iuward Jew, in the light of the gospel day, draws
inward water out of the inward wells with joy. The thirst
ing after it, when the soul could not raeet with it, was a
time of great sorrow and perplexity ; but when the river of
life is found, when the well of life is received, and the Avater
springs up, the soul draws it from the spring, and drinks it
with unspeakable joy. This metaphor, or similitude, is ex
plained by the eA'angelist John, iu chap. vii. ver. 39. The
receiving of the Spirit, the receiving of the substance, be
longs to the Christian's state, as the receiving ofthe figures
did to the Jew's state. AVhen the Spirit is received, the
river, the well of life, is received; and then the Avaters there
of flow, and are drawn and drunk of. Now, the primitive
Christians did receive the Spirit, not only in gifts and mani
festations, but as a fountain of life and heavenly virtue
dwelling within them. Rora. viii. 9. And as he dAvelt in
them, so life sprang up from him, — peace, joy, knoAvledge,
virtue, wisdora, poAver, &c. ; even the peace which passeth
all raan's understanding, and joy Avhich is unspeakable and
full of gloiy. The presence-of God Avas Avith these, and they
knew the tiraes of refreshment, even the times of cousola^
tion from the holj' Comforter.
These things are witnessed now again, in the preaching
of the same everlasting gospel, by the same eternal Spirit
and power which preached it at first. For though the ves-

476 THE WORKS OP
sels in Avhich the power appears are conteraptible now, to
the professors and wise ones of this age, as they were then,
to the professors and AA'ise ones of that age ; yet it is the
same treasure of life Avhich is hid, and at tiraes is- made
manifest, revealed in aud through the earthen vessels:
blessed be the Lord! of AA-hora is the excellency of the
glory, aud not of us, AA'ho are but instruments and vessels
in his baud. Noav, seeing the Lord hath given us to par
take ofthe riches ofhis grace, and ofthe precious treasures
of life iu his Son, and of his everlasting kingdom, we can
not hold our peace; but are required of him to proclaim
the day of the Lord, tbe day of the gospel, even the ever
lastiug day, Avhich never shall have an eud; and invite to
tbe Avaters of life, the pure, still streams of Shiloh, which
our souls drink of, and are -satisfied Avitli; especially to such
as noAV thirst after them, as our souls once vehemently did,
aud Avere near failing through the extremity of thirst;
Avhicli thirst, or desire, for the nature of it (blessed be the
Lord!), is uot lost or extinguished, but satisfied. And so
the spouse having heard the Spirit inviting to the Avaters,
being taught by Him to come to and drink of the living
streams, daily also enjoying life and SAA'eetness therefrom, —
UOAV she cries also to her felloAA'-travellers, to the Aveary aud
thirsty ones: Oh come, saith she, to the fountain of life,
Avhich I mourned after, and languished for Avant of! oh,
taste the sAveetness of my Beloved, for AA'hom ray soul
fainted, Avhen I could not find hini! So that not onlj' the
Spirit of the Uving God saith, Corae; but the bride also
saith, Come; for the fountain is not now sealed anj' longer,
but open through the tender mercies of our God, for every
thirsty soul; that AA'hosoever hath a Avill kindled iu him by
the Lord raay corae to drink ofthe water of life freely.
Oh ! drink then no longer at the muddy streams of your
OAVU conceivings and imaginations, Avith Avhich, that Avhich
iuwardly thirsts after the liA-ing God, and his pure streams
of life, cannot be satisfied (it is not the true seed, it is an
other birth which is satisfied AA'ith these things, before the
fountain of life comes to be opened in the heart); but wait

ISAAC PENINGTON.

477

on the Lord, retire in spirit to be gathered iuto his lighl
which he causes to shine in the heart, and into his Scni's
life and Spirit, Avhich he manifesteth and revealeth there;
that ye raay eat that Avhich is good, and be satisfied with
the fatness of his house, and drink of the river of his pleas
ures. For indeed, the Lord, in this his gospel day, doth
make to his children a feast of fat thiugs, and of Aviues on
the lees Avell refined, on his holy mountain, even iu the
kiugdom AA'hich cannot be shaken; aud the Beloved doth
uot ouly knock at the door of the heart, but comes in, and
sups Avith his, and they Avitli bim.
I. P.
16th of Eighth Month, 1(;72.

To Thomas and Ann AIudd.
Dear Friends,
Of Avhose love to me, I have been aiid am seusible, and
to Avhora I bear true love.
AVhen I Avas last at RickraansAA'orth, it Avas on ray heart
to visit you ; and AA'hile I was there Avith you, true aud liA'
ing breathings did spring up in my heart to the Lord for
you. Since, I have often thought of you, and in my desires
have wished Avell concerning you, as coucerning my own
soul. Your days here cannot be loug; and Avhat ye sow here
ye must reap Avhen ye go out of this world. Oh that ye
may now so sow to the Spirit of God, as that ye may then
reap of hira life CA'crlasting !
Last first day, ray Avife had a letter of George Fox's sent
her, which I. heard- read ihat night. Iu the reading of it, I
had many thoughts respecting you, and a desire that ye
might sincerely and upiighlly, without prejudice, peruse it;
which I sent unto you the next day for that end. Noav, this
morning ye were upou my heart; aud tivo or three things
rose up in rae in reference to you, as very necessary for you,
that ye may be safe, and that it -may go -n'cU with you for
ever.

478 THE WOEKS OP
One was, that ye keep steadfast in that holy testimouy of
truth, which Avas given forth among us at the beginning.
For this truth is the same, aud the testimony of it doth not
A'ary or pass aAvay, but shall last throughout ages and gen
erations, to redeem all that receive it, aud are faithful to it.
The testiraony Avas, to draAV frora outAvard, dead knoAvledge,
aud out of dead practices aud AA'orsliips after men's oaa'u con
ceivings, iuto an iuward priuciple, and into Avorship in Spir
it and truth, both iuAvardly iu the heart, and outwardly in
the assemblies of God's gathering.
The second Avas, that ye keep iu the sense, esteem, and
sanctified use of those holy iusfrumeuts Avhich God hath
made choice of, both to gather aud build up his called and
chosen ones. It Avas ncA'er Avell Avith Israel, Avhen they
sUghted Aloses (though they many times had exceptions
against him), uor Avhen they despised the prophets, aa'Iioui
Gocl seut afterwards (though they Avere often prejudiced
against them also) ; uor Avas it avcU Avitli any of the churches,
Avheu, by the subtlety and seeming simplicity of those that
endeaA'ored to betray them, or by auy other means, they
Avere draAvn to think meanly of auy of the apostles or miu-
isters of Christ, iu their day. And the Lord, Avho preserA'ed
Aloses iu his day, and the prophets in their day, aud the
apostles and hoi}' ministers of truth in the first promulga
tion of the gospel, is the same God still; aud doth anclAvill
preserA'C those Avhom he hath in this age seut forth to pub
lish his everlasting gospel, and to gather his lambs and scat
tered sheep into holy gatherings aud assemblies.
The third AA'as, that ye be daily exercised, guided, and
your hearts opened and quickened, by the principle and
Spirit of truth ; that so ye may know Avhat it is, to Avallc
with the Lord, and to feel the poAver ofthe Lord, and enjoy
the presence of the Lord; aud be led by him out of, and
away from, the mysterious Avorkings ofthe power and spirit
of darkness inwardly. For if, through grievous mistake, ye
let this iuto your minds and spirits, instead of the Spirit of
truth, ye raust needs call darkness light, and Ught darkuess;
truth error, and error truth ; and so avUI err from that which

ISAAC PENINGTON.

479

is indeed the Avay, into somcAvhat which, in God's sight, is
not so. For there is a spirit of delusion as well as of truth ;
this works in the heart as a minister of righteousness, in a
seeming light, and Avarraiug the heart with a AA'rong fire,
brings it into a Avrong bed of rest, and administers to it a
wrong peace, hope, and joy; setting up there a Avrong seuse,
belief, and judgment concerning itself aud others. This
leads to separate from them that are true, aud joins to them
that are false; draws frora the assemblies aud worships of
God's gathering, and begets prejudices against, and hard
thoughts of, those who are owued by the Lord, aud are kept
iu their habitation by him, Avho dwells in them, and they iu
him. O my friends! the Lord give you the true discerning ox
this spirit, and of his own Spirit ; and deliver you out of the
snare of the eneray, aud open that eye in you, to AA'hich he
giA'es the sight of Avhat is, aucl who are, of hira, and Avhat is,
and who are, not ofhim: that ye may be disjoined from all
that is not of God, aud joined to the Lord, abiding aucl
Avalking in him; and may know, that God doth not cast off'
his holy people, gatherings, and assemblies, but constantly
appears in the midst of such as truly and humbly wait for
him; glory be to his name !
God Icnoweth in what sense, in what understanding, in
what love, in what desire, in what fear, in Avhat kuoAvledge,
from hira, I write this to you ; who am a true friend to you
both (in true aud faithful love, as in God's sight), and a
hearty desirer of your everlasting happiness.
L P.
19th of tho Twelfth Month, 1672.
To Colonel Kenrick.
The gospel dispensation consists in Spirit and poAver.
The kingdom which Christ and his apostles preached —
which the true believers were to receive, and to wait for an
entrance to be ministered to thera into— stood not in word,
but in poAver. Now there are four sorts of professors of the

480 THE WORKS OF
Christian religion in this our day, one sort whereof only,
are acquainted with the gospel dispensation.
First, There is one sort, which have been nurtured in a
profession of Christianity by education, and have improved
it by study, but have never known the power, virtue, and
inward life thereof; but as men, Avith the raan's part, wis
dom, understanding, and seriousness of mind, have consid
ered of the truth and weight of things contained in the
Scriptures, and so have received somcAvhat of the holy doc
trine into their natural understanding, and given thera
selves up to the observation and practice thereof, according
as they have apprehended and understood things. These
haA'e becorae more serious and excellent men than others,
but fall A'ery far short of the nature and state of Christian
ity; yea, the strictest among these, raany times, becorae
the greatest opposers and persecutors of true Christianity.
Secondly, There are sorae Avho haA'C had a taste of the
true power, and have had living desires and breathings af
ter it, and a sense ofthe preciousness and excellency of it;
who have also felt the quickening Spirit, and begun there
in ; and yet have afterAvards lost that sense, and centred in
a literal knowledge and Avisdom about those very things,
Avhich they had ouce some living experience of. These are
like salt which hath lost its savor ; aud it is hard for them
ever to be seasoned again ; and from araong these do rise
the greatest persecutors and bitterest persecution agaiust
the life, truth, and power.
Thirdly, There are some, who, though they n^ver came
to the distinct knowledge of the power, yet have had a great
sense of their want ofit, and have abode in that sense; and
in all the ways and forms of reUgion they have been or are
in, still seek after it; and reckon uo form any thing, but as
the power in sorae raeasure appears iu it ; and the cry of
their souls is daily after it, and their waiting is for it.
These, wherever they are, are of the true seed ; these are
the birth of the heavenly Spirit and wisdom ; these are
sheep of the true Shepherd's fold, though not yet gathered
home to the fold to which they properly belong. These

ISAAC PENINGTON. 434
are the broken, the bruised, the sick, the Avounded, the cap
tives, the distressed, the poor, the naked, &c., to Avhom the
gospel of peace, the gathering, the sah'ation, and rederap
tion belongs. And the bleating of these is known; yea,
their longing and ery after the redeeraiug and gatherino-
power of the Shepherd is felt, hoAvever they raay be, at pres
ent, prejudiced against that very dispensation of truth, life
and power, Avhereby the Shepherd gathers.
Fourthly, There are some Avhora God hath brought to
the distinct seuse aud knowledge of the poAver. There are
some Avhose minds God hath turned to the imvard lio-ht and
poAver. There are some whom the Shepherd hath gath
ered home to the Father's house, AA'here is bread enough,
and to the true fold, where is rest aud peace enough — sorae
AA'ho have seen an end of all perfection, in the legal com-
prehendings and creaturely strivings after Ufe, righteous
ness, aud holiuess, and- are come to the commandment
Avhich is exceeding broad, and AA-hereiu is life everlasting.
Noav these experience somcAvhat ofthe gospel dispensation,
and kuow the difference between beiug uuder the law aud
uuder grace; and cau tell Avhat the Icingdom is Avhich
Christ preached and bade men seek, and Avhat the gospel is
AA'hich the poor in spirit receive ; aud Avhat the healing is
AA'hich drops from uuder the Aving of the SaA'iour aud Re
deemer. And they can tell Avhat justification is, aucl Avhat
sanctification, regeneration, aucl redemption is ; and can
distinguish betAveen truth as testified iu the letter, and as it
is in Jesus; between the laAv of the letter, and the laAV of
the Spirit, which is written iu the new heart and mind, by
the finger of God's pure and living poA-ver. Noav the knovA'l-
edge of these, the faith ofthe.se, the peace, the joy, the jus
tification, and sanctification, and redemption of these, dif
fers greatly from all the forraer; from the tAvo first sorts in
nature and kind, from the latter iu degree, clearness, and
purity. For though all the sheep ofthe true Shepherd have
somewhat of the true knoAvledge, someAvhat of the true faith,
somewhat of the true justification, somcAA'hat of the true
sanctification, aud may at tiraes have sorae taste of true peace
A^ol. HL— 41

482 THE WOEKS OF
and joy, and have true breathings and suppUcations in their
spirits towards their Father that begat thera ; yet, they are
not clear, they are not pure, they are not unraixed; there is
a great deal Avhich is not true, which passeth for true Avith
them ; because they are not come to the anointing, to the
eye-salve which opens the eye, nor to the Spirit of judg
meut aud burning, which separates inwardly in the heart,
understanding, mind, and judgment, between the precious
aud the vile. So that when they speak of the heavenly
things, they do but stutter and stammer; and though truth
can sometiraes oavu their sense, yet, raany times, not their
Avords; there is such a raixture ofthe dark, earthly compre
hension in them, which they are not delivered aud redeemed
from. But it is otherwise with those Avho are turned to the
light and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have knoAvn
it, and' been exercised, fanned, aud purged by it; for iu
thera, the blind eye is opened, the deaf ear unstopped; and
to thera, the pure understanding and language is given,
Avhereby they Icuoav and understand, not only Avords con
cerning Hira, but Hira himself who is true, and are iu him
that is true, even iu Him who is the very God and life eternal.
Yet there are different states among those who are thus
eff'ectuaUy called and gathered home, accordiug to their
groAvth in the truth, aud faithfulness to it. For if there be
not a great care and Avatchfulness, there may be a neglect
ing to hear the voice of the Shepherd, and to Avalk with
him ; and then, such miss ofthe pastures of life, and ofthe
pure rest, joy, and peace, Avhich he administers to others;
aud of the garment or coA'ering of the Spirit, AA'hich they
Avho live and AA'alk in the Spirit (in every thiug giving up
to the Spirit, and denying all the lusts and fruits of the
flesh), daily find themselves covered with. Nor doth God
so " dAvell in them aud Avalk in them," as he doth in those
that remain separate from all evil (from which the Spirit of
judgmeut and burning purifies and separates), and touch no
unclean thing. Yea, thej' aa'Iio grieve Christ's Spirit, and
do not heed his call and knocks, he doth not so sup Avith
thera, nor they with hira ; nor do such partake so of the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 483
river of life and wine ofthe kingdom, as those Avhose ear is
open to him, and Avho are ahvays ready to obey and follow
him "whithersoever he goeth."
L P.
19th of Pourth Month, 16T3.

To AViDOAv Hemmings.
Dear Friend,
I think it long since I heard from thee. I remember the
SAveet and precious saA'or that Avas upon thy spirit, the last
time I AA'as Avith thee, Avith my dear friend, J. C. It hath
been my hope aud desire, that the Lord might preserve thee
therein. The truth in the iuAvard parts is of God; that is the thiug
AA'hich all are to mind; and iu Avhich, acceptauce Avith God
is witnessed. Out of the truth in the iuAvard parts, there is
uo acceptance Avith God, let raen profess AA'hat they avUI or
can. In the truth, there is ahvays acceptance; for God
uever disoAvued it, nor any that are in it. Here, the flesh
aud blood which give life are fed ou ; here, the bread Avliich
comes down frora heaveu and the Avater of life are Icuoavu:
but out of tills, they are not, nor can they be, kuoAvu.
Oh, my friend, that thou mightest feel more and more
the truth in the inward parts, and be more and more estab
lished therein ! AVhat is the feeding outAvard, or supper
outward? It is but a shade av. The feeding iuward, or the
supper inAvard, is the substauce. Aud as the day daAvus,
and the day-star arises in thy heart, the shadoAvs avUI flee
aAvay, and the substance be discovered, OAvued, and de
lighted in by thee. The shadoAvs reach but to the ontAvard
part, but the ministration of Ufe, the ministration of the
substauce, reaches to the seed : and thou must be more and
more transplanted into the seed, that Christ raay be formed
in thee, and thou formed in him ; and so groAV up into his
heavenly nature and image, — out of the earthly, out of the
natural. Oh ! the Lord God prosper his own seed and holy
plantation in thy heart; aud keep thee in the meek, loAA'ly,

484 THE WOEKS OF
humble, poor, and tender spirit, unto which is his raercy
and blessing.
I expected to have heard from thee, or at least frora thy
daughter S., before this time, supposing I had a promise
thereof from her. The Lord uphold, preserve, and bless
her. Let her not look out, but only look Avithin, what the
will of the Lord is ; and mind nothing else ; and it will be
well with her.
My dear love is both to thee and her, Avho am thy sincere
friend,
L P.
4th of Ninth Month, 1673.

To

Dear Friend, —
For in those true desires, which I obserA-e iu thy heart
towards the Lord, thou art, and canst not but be, dear unto
me — I had a desire to have stayed a little Avhile with thee,
the last tirae I passed through Uxbridge, but Avas prcA'cnted.
The occasion of ray Avriting to thee Avas soracAvhat Avhich
was on ray heart toward thee.
AVouldst thou knoAv the Lord in the gospel covenant, aud
wouldst thou walk with him therein ? I know thou wouldst.
AVouldst thou have siu destroyed in thee, and Christ reign
in thy heart? AVouldst thou so fight against thy eneraies, as
to overcorae, and so run the race, as certainly to obtain the
everlasting prize, and eternal weight of glory? Oh! theu,
mind truth in the inward parts, even the grace and truth
which are by Jesus Christ; to Avhom God hath given power,
and who gives power to his, by the grace of his Holy Spirit,
over sin and corruption in the inAvard parts. Did not God
conquer the eneraies of the outAvard Jcavs in Egypt, in the
wilderness, and in the good land also ? And shall he not do
so inwardly, for the inward Jcavs ? There are eneraies in
Egypt; in the land that is, as I raay say, AvhoUy dark, and
under the oppression of spiritual Pharaoh. There are ene
raies in that heart, which is as a Avilderness and solitary

ISAAC PENINGTON.

485

place; and there are enemies in that heart, Avhich is in some
measure rencAved, and raade good aud honest. Noav all the
spiritual eneraies, all the eneraies of a man's own house, are
to be destroyed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Avorking by his grace in the heart ; which being received,
subjected to, dwelt in, and obeyed, brings deliverance and
salvatiou from them all. And Avhen salvatiou is brought
home to the heart, aud Avrought out there by the Lord, it is
to be enjoyed and abode in, and the soul is not to return
back again into captivity; but being delivered out of the
hands of its iuAA'ard and spiritual enemies, by the holy, iu
Avard, and spiritual coA'cnant, is to serve God in the domin
ion of his Son's life, in hoUness and righteousness all its
' days here upon the earth.
0 my friend! mind this precious truth inwardly, this
precious grace iuAvardly, the precious life inwardly, the pre
cious light inwardly, the precious power inwardly, the in
Avard word of life, the inward A'oice of the Shepherd iu the
heart, the inward seed, the iuAvard salt, the inward leaA'eu,
the iuward pearl, &c., whereby Christ effects this. Distin
guish betAveen Avords without coucerniug the thing, and the
thing itself within ; and Avait and labor, then to know, un
derstand, and be guided by, the motives, leadings, draAV-
iugs, teachings, quickenings, &c., of the thing itself Avithin.
And take heed of being offended, because of any thing,
either within or Avithout ; for offences will corae, but blessed
Avas he, that was not offended at Christ outwardly iu the
days of his flesh ; aud blessed is he, that is not offended at
his inward truth, and iuward Avay of appearance iu the day
of his Spirit. Aloses, that precious servant of the Lord,
spake unadvisedly Avith his lips; how easy is it then, for
those Avho come not near Moses' state so to do ; but wait on
God, that thou mayst distinguish between what truth speaks
iu any of us; and what any of us may unadvisedly speak,
out of the truth, — if we stand not upon the watch, and our
Avords be not seasoned Avith God's light and his grace. For
praying to God, as God's Spirit leads and gives ability, and
watching unto prayer, and seeking opportunities both alone

486 THE WORKS OF
and in our famUies, that God may open our hearts, aud
breathe upon us, and for frequent and diligent reading of
the Holy Scriptures, — none cau testify from the truth
against these things; though against men's dead and for
mal performing of these things, there is a living testiraony.
Now take heed of raistaking the testiraony in any; or of
being stumbled, if auy go beyond their due bounds in their
testimony. 0 my friend, how precious is the thing, beyond all words
or testimonies! Oh that thou mayst come to know thcd in
thyself, and to be sensible of God's miuLstering by it to thee,
aud increasing it in thee! that thou raayst. experimentally
feel the seed in thee, and find it grow more and more, till it
come to be a tree; and then sit under its shadow, and be
delighted with its defence, and partake of its sap and fruit.
Oh that every day thou raightest have a sense of the life it
self, the truth itself, the power itself, the wisdora itself, the
righteousuess itself! and that thou raightest find the Lord
Jesus Christ both unclothing and clothing thee inwardly,
sen.sibly, and experiraentally; — that thou mightest find him
takiug away thy sin, thy iniquities, -.ihy unrighteousness,
both within and Avithout also, and filling thee, and clothing
thee with his righteousness; — that so, iu God's sight, and by
his putting on thee, and forming in thee, thou mightst find
thy heart filled aud covered Avitli the nature, image and
Spirit of his dear Son; — that thou mightest indeed, put off
the old man Avith his nature and deeds, and put on the new
man, and knoAV the renewing aud new-creating in Christ
Jesus, iu the spirit of thy raind ; — aud so have a certain un
derstanding of the truth, as it is in Jesus, and as he mani
fests it, gives power to it, and causes it to work in thy heart.
This is the desire of my soul for thee: the Lord guide thee
to it, and remove all lets aud hindrances out of thy way.
My dear and true love is to thy husband. The Lord
manifest his pure aud living truth in both your hearts, and
gather both your minds thereunto, aud make you one therein.
Thy friend in truth, Avho heartUy Avish eth well to thy soul.
L P.
Grove Place, 17th of Einth Month, 1673.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 487
To Elizabeth Stonar.
Dear Friend,
AVhose life iu the Lord, and prosperity in the truth, my
heart greatly desireth ; even that thou mayst come to the
perfect service, and free and full enjoyment of thy soul's
Beloved; in which, if I could be in anyAvay helpful to thee,
my heart would greatly rejoice aucl bless the Lord. This
morning, when I awoke, my heart was exercised before the
Lord concerning thee ; and several thiugs did spring up in
my mind relating to thee, which I may noAV signify to thee,
as the Lord shall please to bring thera agaiu to my mind,
and open them in my heart in reference to thee. I Avould
fain have thee rightly understand, and be found doing,
what the Lord requires of thee ; that it may go Avell with
thee, and that thy heart may be satisfied, and thy soul blessed,
in belieAQug and obeying the truth as it is in Jesus.
The first thing that rose up in my heart concerning thee
this morning was, about confessing Christ before men. It
is a great duty, and I would uot have thee mistake about it,
or fail in it; but diligently Avait on God to kiiOAV Avhat it is,
and faithfully to practise it in thy state and place; Avliich
if thou do, thou Avilt fiud life and blessedness fiowiug Avith
it upon thy soul.
After this, several scriptures, SAveet and precious to ray
taste, sprang up in ray heart to lay before thyvicAv; that
thou also mightest suck SAveetness, and reap benefit through
the living sense of them, and the bowing of thy spirit to
what the Lord shall please to make manifest to thee thereby.
The first scripture that sprang up iu me to thee, Avas that
of Rom. xii. 2. not to be couforraed to this Avorld, but to be
transforraed by the renewing of thy mind, that thou mayst
proA'e that good, that' acceptable and perfect avUI of God.
Thou must stand at a distance from the spirit of this Avorld,
thou raust not touch the unclean thing, but be a chaste vir
gin iu heart, in Avord, in conversation, if thou expect to be
married to the Larab, to becorae one spirit Avith hira, to

488 THE AVORKS OP
knoAV his raind, and to enjoy the love and be the delight of
his Father.
The next scripture in ray heart was, Rev. ii. 10. "Fear
none of those things AA'hich thou shalt suff'er." Upon which
scripture this question rose in ray heart to thee. Dost not
thou fear the sufferings which raay attend thee, in thy state
aud place, for truth's sake ? Dost not thou look out at thera ?
If thou do, it Avill Aveakeu thy faith, and be a snare to thee ;
and such a beam iu thy eye, that thou wilt never be able to
see that particular way and path of truth, which is most
proper for thy soul, till this beam be plucked out and separ
ated from thee.
Unto this Avas soon added that of Isaiah li. 12, 13. "I,
even I, ara he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou
shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of
mau which shall be raade as grass ; and forgettest the Lord
thy Alaker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid
the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continuaUy
every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he
Avere ready to destroy? and AA'here is the fury ofthe oppres
sor?" Oh, take heed of distrusting the Coraforter, thy Com
forter! AA'ho is able and ready to help aucl corafort the souls
of his, in the sorest distresses and oppressions that cau be
fall thera, either Avithin or Avithout. And consider this also,
that forgetting the Lord is the necessary consequence of
feariug raau. It caunot be, but that he that feareth raan
should iu some measure or degree forget the Lord, — his
love, his wisdom, his poAver, his goodness, his faithfulness to,
and tender care OA'cr his children iu their following him, —
especially in the raidst of the cruel hardships and suft'erings
which often befall thera therein.
The next was Sarasou's riddle: Judges xiv. 14. "Out of
the eater carae forth raeat, and out ofthe strong came forth
SAveetiiess." It is everlastingly true. Both inwardly- and out
wardly, to the children of the Most High, AA'ho live iu his
Spirit, and Avalk in his Spirit, and are guided by the power
and virtue of his life. Every thing that Avould devour aud
destroy them the Lord destroyeth, by the poAver and virtue

ISAAC PENINGTON. 489
ofhis life and Spirit springing up in thera; and out of that
which is strong against thera, Avhieh roars against them in
the strength and power of darkness, the Lord brings forth
sweetness in and to their spirits.
Then that of Luke ix. 23, 24. carae before rae (which is
said to all that hear Christ's voice and blessed counsel): "If
auy raan will corae after rae, let him deny hiraself, aud take
up his cross daily, aud follow me. For whosoever will save
his life shall lose it; but whosoever avUI lose his life for my
sake, the same shall save it." Noav, I beseech thee, con
sider; dost thou take up the daily cross, and bear it faith
fully for Christ's sake? Dost thou stand a faithful Avitness
against the spirit of darkness, and works of darkness, Avhere
thou livest? Dost thou not comply Avith any worship there
Avhich thy heart knoweth to be out of the truth aud Spirit
of life, wherein all true, holy, liv lug, spiritual Avorship cau
alone be performed ? Oh! take heed of shuuuing the cross
in any respect; for then thou givest way to unbelief, and to
that wisdora, thoughts, reasonings, aud j udgmeut Avhich are
not ofthe truth, but ofthe flesh: shunning that AA'hich God
hath appointed to crucify sin in the heart, aud under Avhich
the seed is to spring up and live, Avhich is the power of God
unto salvatiou, to all that abide under it, and daily bear it.
The last, scripture, which at this time sprang up in me to
thee, was that very sweet one in Solomon's Song of Songs:
chap. i. ver. 7, 8. " Tell me, 0 thou Avhom my soul loveth,
AA'here thou feedest, Avhere thou niakest thy flock to rest at
noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the
flocks of thy corapanions ? If thou knoAv not, 0 thou fairest
among woraen, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the
flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents." If
thou wouldst corae to the feeding-place ofthe flock, and to
rest in the pure life, poAver, and righteousness of the Lord
with thera ; thou raust mind their footsteps, thou must go
forth out of that Avhich God hath gathered and led them
forth out of, thou must forsake whatever is not of the Fa
ther, but of this Avorld (and in forsaking it, stand a witness
against the worid), as God hath taught tiiem to forsake it.

490 THE WORKS OP
Thou must wait for the same Spirit, for the sarae cloud aud
smoke by day, and the shining of the same flaming fire by
night, to lead thee and preserve thee, which hath led and
preserved them. See Isa. iv. 5. Aud this will lead thee out
of the same Egypt and Sodora, and all the reraainders of
Babylon, wherein as yet thou mayst be held captive; and
this alone must break the oppressing spirit and poAver
Avhich stands in thy way, through thy faithful sufferiugs un
der it. And through the same Avilderness and righteous
judgments of the Lord, thou raust pass, that they have
passed. For Zion and her converts raust be redeeraed Avith
judgraent and righteousness, and with the Spirit of burn
ing, and the pain of the cross; uor dost thou knoAV, how
thou standest iu the way of thy oavu soul's good, while thou
iu any measure avoidest or escapest it. And if thou be one
of the called, chosen, and faithful, foUoAving fully after the
Lord, iu the sarae Spirit, and power, and banner of the
cross, under Avhich his called, chosen, and faithful ones
have followed him; he will lead thee into the sarae laud of
life, rest, aud peace, aud holy dorainion over sin aucl Satau,
into AA'hich he hath led those, Avho have faithfully foUoAved
the Larab, AA'hithersoever he hath pleased to go before, aud
lead them. So thou must Avait to have thy heart daily more
and more opened, and guided purely aud livingly and sen-
siblj' by the Lord, into AA'hat he hath led his children, ser
A'auts, family, and redeemed heritage. • For of a truth, the
Lord hath raised the seed of life iu his people; and Avhat
his seed denies, Avhat the life of the Son denies, Avhat truth
in the heart denies, all that are of the truth and in the truth,
Avill be taught by it, and learn ofit, to deny also.
Thus, ray dear friend, iu the raost dear, teuder, and true
love, have I opened my heart to thee, as things sprang in
me for thy sake: aud the desire of my soul to the Lord is,
that they raay be serviceable to thee, and that thou raayest
be led by the holy, leading Spirit raore and raore iuto truth,
and Uve in truth, and feel the life of truth Uving aud reign
ing iu thee; beiug delivered frora the enemy's teraptations,
and the subtle tAvinings of the serpent, Avhich thy condition

ISAAC PENINGTON. 491
will often meet with: the Lord discover them to thee, and
preserve thee from being ensnared with thera.
Thy constant friend in the dear love and service of the
truth. L P.
Amersham, Bury End,
20th of First Month, 1675.

To AViDOAV Hemmings.
My Dear Friend,
I have not forgotten thee; but have ofteii inquired after
thee, aud raany times breathed for thee.
0 my friend ! look not out at what stands in the way ;
what if it look dreadfully as a lion, is not the Lord stronger
than the mountains of prey? but look in, where the law of
life is Avritten, and the Avill of the Lord revealed, that thou
mayst know Avhat is the Lord's will concerning thee; and
then shoAV thyself a faithful daughter of Abraham, and be
like Sarah, not terrified Avith any amazement. So soon as
I had read thy letter, this arose in ray heart to thee as God's
couusel, proper to thy state. Have no fellowship with the
unfruitful Avorks of darkness, but rather reprove them. Be
not straitened in thy spirit, as fearing what thou shalt suffer
for Christ's sake; or as if God would not stand by thee, or
carry thee through. Be thy sufferings as great as possible,
yet he is faithful, who hath promised thee an hundred fold
in this life.
Oh! what can hurt thee, if thy God stand by thee? Be
faithful to his testimony in thy place, and he avUI stand by
thee. Take heed of joining Avith dead worships, which the
seed of God in thee disoAvus, and cannot relish; but meekly
and in fear, testify against and abstain from Avhat thou feel
est not to be of the Lord.
This Avas what was in my heart to thee at present, in true
and teuder love, and in melting desires for thee, that the
Lord may guide and preserve thee, and give thee of the
Lamb's courage and strength, who by meekness and suflfer-

492 THE WORKS OF
ings is noAV to conquer. AVhat if the wicked nature, which
is as a sea casting out raire and dirt, rage against thee!
There is a river, a sweet, still, flowing river, the streams
Avhereof Avill make glad thy heart. Aud learn but in quiet
ness and stillness to retire to the Lord, and Avait upon him ;
in Avhora thou shalt feel peace and joy, in the raidst of thy
trouble from the cruel and vexatious spirit of this Avorld.
So wait to kuow thy work and service to the Lord every
day, in thy place aud station; and the Lord make thee
faithful therein, and thou wilt AA'ant neither help, support,
nor comfort.
Thy friend, in the truest, sincerest, and most constant
loA'e.

L P.

London, ist of Ninth Month, 1675.

To Catharine Pordage.
Ah ! MY POOR, DISTRESSED, ENTANGLED FrIEND,
AVhile thou seekest to avoid the snare, thou deeply run-
nest into it: for thou art feeding on the tree of knowledge,
in giA'iug way to these thoughts, reasonings and suggestions,
Avhieh keep thee from obedience to that AA'hich hath been
made manifest to thy understauding. And thou mayst Avell
be feeble in thy mind, while thou art thus separated f-oni
Him Avho is thy strength, and lettest iu his eneray. Tui?
is uot the right feebleness of mind which God pities, nor
the right Avay of Avaiting to receive strength. AVhy shouldst
not thou act, so far as God gives thee light? and Avhy
shouldst thou not appear wUling to obey hira, ca'Cu in little
things, so far as he hath given thee light? AVhat if I should.
say, that all this is but the subtlety ofthe serpent's Avisdom
to avoid the cross, and is not that siraplicity and plainness
of heart towards Gocl, which thou takest it to be ; and that
thou art loath to be so poor, and Ioav, and raean in the eyes
of others, as this practice Avould raake thee appear?
Thy friend in the truth, and in sincere love,
L P.
Amersham, 25th of Ninth Month, 1675.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

To MY DEAR SUFFERING FrIENDS IN SCOTLAND.

493

Dear Friends and Brethren,
AVho haA'e partaken of the tender mercy and blessed visi
tation of the Lord.
Oh, blessed be the Lord, aa'Iio pitied aud helped us in our
low estate, aud Avhose teuder love and raercy hath foUoAved
us, frora his first visiting us, to this present day ! And in
deed, the Lord is Avith us, (AA'hat can avc desire raore?) pre
paring us for himself, preserving us iu the life ofhis blessed
truth, building us up more aucl raore, aud causing his Spirit
of glory aud -living power to rest upou us, and the virtue
thereof to spring up iu us day by daj'.
Oh, the beauty aud glory of the clay of our Gocl increaseth
upon his heritage, blessed be the name of the Lord! And
to Avhat tend all the Avorkiugs of the contrary spirit and
poAver, but to eat out its oavu interest and Icingdom, through
the Lord's blessed ordering of thiugs; so that all things
Avork together for good, aud for the adA-aucing of truth,
and the growth ofit iu the hearts of God's heritage.
So, my dear friends, none look out, either at outAvard or
iuAvard suft'erings; but to the Lord only, Avhose life. Spirit,
and power is above thera, and bears up all over them, AA'ho
are iu spirit joined to him, faithfully Avaitiug upou him;
which God daily teaches aucl euables his to do. Thus, my
dear friends, feel the Lord's presence and poAver among
you, AA'ho is always near his, but especially in the time of
their straits, trials, and sufferings : and Avait to feel the life
springiug, and doing its proper Avork iu each of you day by
day; Avorkiug out what is to be Avrought out iu any, aud
Avorkiug raore and raore into the glory of the heavenly ira
age; that through the suft'erings, ye may come into the
glory, and be croAvned with the glory, virtue, holiness,
righteousness, and dorainion of life over all; and thus the
Son may sit upon his throne in you, and Avield his holy and
righteous sceptre, and give you dominion in and Avith him,
OA'er all that Avould veil life, or keep it under, in any of you.
Yol. IIL— 42

494 THE WORKS OF
So, my dear friends, be strong in the Lord, Avith the streno-tii
of the Lord, with Avhich he is- clothing those Avhom he hath
eraptied and made weak; for the trials, temptations, and af^
flictions prepare for, aud (as I may say) lead into the posses-j
sion of, the desired inheritance; Avhere all that the soul hath
breathed and Avaited for is bestoAved upon it, by the boun
tiful hand of the Father of mercies, avIio keeps covenant and
niercy for ever, aud rencAvs covenant aud raercy day' by day.
So the tender God of my life, and Father ofthe blessings
and raercies of my once greatly distressed and miserable
soul, instruct you, preserve you, Avatcli over you; exercise
your spirits most adA'antageously, daily open you to him
self; keep you empty and naked before him of all your oavu
clothing and righteousuess, aud fill you with that Avhich
floAVS from the pure, liviug fountain ; to the unspeakable
joy of your hearts, aud the glory of his oavu name over all
for CA'cr.
Be of good faith, my dear friends, look not out at any
thing; fear none of those thiugs ye may be exposed to suf
fer, either outAvardly or inwardly; but trust the Lord over
all, aud your life will spring, and grow, aud refresh you,
aud the love aud power Avill purge out, aud keep out, Avhat
Avould hinder its groAvth; and ye Avill learn obedience aud
faithfulness more aud more, even by your exercises aud suf
feriugs ; yea, the Lord Avill teach you the very mystery of
faUh and obecUence; (oh blessed lesson!) aud ye shaU not
be cUsappoiuted of your hope or croAvu, by auy thing the
euemy ean plot or bring about against you, but have the
Aveight of glory increased aud enlarged by his temptations
aud your many sufferings; the Avisdom, poAver, love, and
goodness of the Lord, ordering every thing for you, and or
dering your hearts iu every thing, — you having given up to
him, aud keeping them continually given up to him, in tho
holy seed of truth, iu which he hath in some measure al
ready joined, aud is daily more aud more joining, you to
himself. This is the salutation aud tender visit ofthe love of your
brother iu the truth ; whose breathings are to God for you.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 495
and his praises unto him, through the sense of his being
Avith yon, and daily showing mercy to you, upholding'aud
preserving you in the midst of your sore trials and afflic
tions.
I. P.
London, Sth of Fifth Month, 1676.

To III3 Brother Arthur.
Dear Brother,
I have been a traveller after the Lord frora my childhood,
aud great misery have I undergone for Avant of him. That
Avhich I Avanted Avas his Spirit, life, virtue, and redeeming
poAver to be revealed in my oavu heart. Oh, blessed be the
Lord! beyond ray expectation, he hath directed me where
to Avait for this Avithin, and hath revealed it in rae ; and uoav
I can say in truth of heart, and iu the seuse of that birth
AA'hich God hath begotteu in me, "Lo! this is my God
Avhom I so Avanted and Avaited for ; " aud I find him stronger
iu my heart than the strong man, AA'hich possessed it before
he cast him out from thence, and raade a spoil of his goods.
And noAV, dear brother, hoAV can I hold my peace, and not
testify of the love, raercy, and good-Avill of the Lord towards
rae, aud invite others to the redeeming poAver, of Avhicli the
Lord in his goodness hath raade me a partaker? Aud uoav,
brother, a few Avords respecting thy return to Avhat I seut
thee; not for contention's sake (thc Lord Icuoavs my dAvell
ing is in that life and peace Avhich shuts them out), but iu
the teuder love aud care of my heart concerning the eternal
Avelfare of thy soul, which I would not, by any means or de-
A'ice of the euemy, have eternally deceived.
All sides may agree in notious about the regenerating
power; but all do not receive the regenerating poAver, nor
are truly regenerating in the sight of God; uor come to
Avitness the head of the serpent inAvardly crushed, and his
Avorks destroyed, and kingdom laid waste iuAvardly by this
poAver; which raust needs be, before a raan be translated
out of the kingdora of darkness, iuto the kiugdom of the

496 THE WORKS OF
dear Son. There is a kingdora of darkness inwardly, which
the unbelieving and disobedient to God's Spirit and power
dwell in ; aud there is a kingdora of light inwardly, where
in the children of light dwell with God, and walk in the
light as he is in the light.
But that the work of regeneration is only begun in this
life, and not finished till the other life, that is a great rais
take. For the Scriptures testify, that salvation is to be
wrought out here, and not hereafter. Christ had all power
in heaven and earth, and he sent forth his Spirit and poAver
to AVork out the work here; aud his sanctifying Spirit aud
poAver is able to sanctify throughout, in soul, body, aud
spirit; and the gifts of the ministry are for perfecting the
saints, till they all come in the unity of the faith, unto a
perfect man, that they may be presented to God perfect in
Christ Jesus. The holy leaven is put into the lump here,
aud it is able to leaven the lump here; and holiness is not
only to be begun, but perfected in the fear of God, as the
apostle exhorts, who did not exhort to a needless or impos
sible thiug; aud the AA'hole armor of God is able to defend
the AA'hole man frora all the assaults of the wicked one; for
greater is He, in the saiuts, that preserves from sin, than he
that tempts to siu. Oh, how precious is it to AA'ar with the
eneray iu this conquering faith, and to resist hira therein !
that he may still flee aAvay, for fear of God's poAver and
sword, which will pierce hira and cau easily overcorae him.
There is a state Avhere the spirit is Avilling, but the flesh
weak : yet it is not so Avhere the spirit is becorae strong in
the Lord, and iu the poAver of his raight. There is a holy
hill of God, a spiritual Zion, a mountain Avhereupon his
house is built, Avhich the Aving of the Almighty overshad
ows; and his sheep that are gathered by the great Shep
herd and Bishop ofthe soul feed there, and noue can make
afraid. The flesh will be rebelling against the Spirit, until
it be destroyed by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. But
when a mau is really crucified Avith Christ, and dead to sin,
sin hath no more power over him; for Christ lives in him
and reigns in his heart over sin aud the temptations thereof.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 497
AVheu the God of peace treads Satan uuder the feet of the
f9oul that was once captived b}- hira, there it is Icuoavu
Avhose the kingdom and the poAver and the victory and the
domiuion is.
Aud this is true blessedness begun, carried on, and up-
{lield by the pure, sanctifying poAver of the Avord of Ufe
in the heart; and the birtli AA'hich is born of God, knows it
;to be uo delusion, but the truth as it is in Jesus. And such
are obedient to the holj- church of God, and to the holy min
istry, Avhich he hath brought out of the wilderuess; aud
JcnoAV of what nature the churches and miuistry have been,
which have appeared aud been set up in the Avorld, since
the true church fied iuto aud Avas hid iu the wilderuess, and
was fed there by the Lord God of life. The devil hath loug
transformed himself into the likeness of an augel of Ught,
and cheated aud beguiled souls ; Avhile the false church
hath reigned, antichrist sitting in the temple, the man-child
having been caught up to God, aud the true church in the
'wilderness; and men have generality put darkness for light,
and light for darkuess. But blessed be the Lord ! the true
light, Avhich shone iu the apostles' days, uoav shiues again ;
and cUscoA'Crs the raj'sterj- of iniquity, and the golden cup
of abominations, AvhercAA'ith the earth hath been made
drunk; and Satan falls down like lightning before the
power of Him, ou Avhom the true church leaned, Avlien she
came out of the Avilderness, and still leans, and avUI lean up
on for ever; aud the gates of hell shall uot be able to pre
vail against her.
Aud blessed be the Lord ! avIio hath brought mauy Avan-
derers and distressed ones to the sight of the true church,
and to delightful obedience to her, AA'hose voice is not dift'er-
eut to Christ's, but oue Avith it; aud such are iu felloAvship
Avith the Father and Son, aud with the saints who dwell iu
the light. These are clothed Avith the Lamb's iunocency and
righteousness, and do not dAvell in darkness nor in sin; hav
ing crucified the old man Avith his affections and lusts, and
put oft* the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circuraci-
siou of Christ, and put on the ucav mau Avhich is created in

498 THE WORKS OF
Christ Jesus, iu the righteousness and holiness of truth.
They that are here dwell not in fancies, nor feed on fancies,
but on eternal life, in the pure pastures of Ufe, where the
Shepherd of the inward and spiritual Israel feeds his holy
flock day by da}'.
As for the Romish church, or any other church built up
in the apostasy frora the spirit and life of the apostles, the
Lord hath given me to see through them, to that Avhich
Avas before thera, and Avill be after them. And 0 dear
brother! if thou couldst but rightly wait for and meet Avith
the holy, regenerating, purifying power, Avhich in tender
love I testified to thee of; it would lead thee to that which
is the true church indeed, which hath been persecuted by
the dragon and false church, and the blood of her seed made
drunk by the bloody, dragonish church, for many ages.
The Lord hath made me thy brother in the line of nature;
oh that thou Avert my brother in that truth, Avhich lives and
abides for ever ! Oh that thou knew the chureh ofthe first
born, Avhich are Avritten in heaven, the Jerusalem which is
above, AA'hich is free, Avhich is the mother of all who are
born ofthe regeneratiua; virtue and power!
^ L P.
20th of Seventh Month, 1676.

To Sir AVilliam Armorer (so styled.)
Friend, The Aveighty seuse of au eternal condition after this life,
hath been upon my heart from ray childhood ; and it is of
ten AA'ith me, that I must give an account to God, wheu I
pass out of this transitory world, of all things done in the
body; aud shall enter into eternal rest and blessedness, or
eternal Avoe or misery.
This causeth me to call upon the Lord daily, for grace
and Avisdora frora hira ; that ray conscience, being cleansed
through the blood of his Son, raay be kept void of offence,
both toAvards hira and raen. And truly (I speak not boast
ingly, but in the fear of the Lord, and in the sense of his

ISAAC PENINGTON. 499
goodness and tender mercy to rae), ray heart is preseiwed in
love and innocency towards those, AA'ho most injuriousl}',
and without provocation on my part, have taken aAA-ay my
liberty, for aught I know, for ray whole Ufetirae. AVhat thou
further intendest towards me, the Lord Icuoavs, to Avhora I
have coraniitted ray cause : but this is on ray heart to ex
press to thee, because, when I was with thee, thou spakest
words to this purpose, that we ivishcd thee hanged, or would be
glad if thou wert hanged. God, who Icuoavs my heart, is Avit
ness, that I wish thee no evil, neither to thee nor thy fam
ily; but wish thou raayst avoid all such things, as may bring
his wrath and curse upon thee, either in this world or the
world to come.
And, friend, do not provoke the Lord by afflicting those
that fear him; but cease to do ca'U, learn to do Avell; and
this Avill please the Lord, and is more acceptable to him
than all the worship that can be oflJ'ered up to him without
this. I have sent thee a Uttle book, as a token of my love, de
siring thee to peruse it seriously. Oh ! do not endeavor to
bring me into such a condition as is there related. I have
had greater light, in the Avay into aa-IiicIi the Lord hath led
me, thau this man had; and in that light I have seen, that
I ought not to swear, but to give the "Yea" aud "Nay" of
truth, AA'hich comes frora the Christian nature, aud is of far
more certainty and assurance than SAvearing. For the man
that SAvears raay easily break his oath, but he that keeps to
the truth cannot alter his yea and nay, but it stands in the
truth ; and this our Lord aud Master hath set above, aud on
the top of, and instead of, swearing; AA'hich if avc should
vary from and deny, we should deuy hira Avho hath taught
us not to swear. Indeed, if Ave had uot learnt it of the Lord,
aud if it was not by him required of us, aa'c should rather
SAvear than otherwise ; for avc Avould very AvilUngly give men
satisfaction, in those particulars Avhieh they require us to
swear about.
Friend, God. hath given thee au immortal soul, and doth
require of thee righteousness toAA'ards thy felloAV-creatures,

500 THE WORKS OF
and temperance and moderation of spirit, and sensibleuess of
the judgment to come after this life. Thou are stricken in
years, aud thou hast but a little moment left remaiuing of
th}' tirae ; and then it Avill be determined concerning thy
soul, AA-hat or Iioav it shall be for ever ! Let the Avords of love,
truth, aud innocency from me, prevaU upon thee to be seri
ous, aud to let iu the sense and fear of God upon thy heart.
Thou hast spent much time in serA'iug man ; Oh, spend a
Uttle iu serving aud fearing God ! There is somcAA'hat, Avliich
is pure, of God, appointed by him to exercise the couscience
toAvards him. Thou hast such a thing near thee. Oh that
thou mightest Icuoaa' it, aucl be joiued to it! for till then,
thou canst never truly serve uor fear the Lord, but mayst
spend th}' time here iu a A'aiu shoAV, and at last be judged
aud eondemued by the Lord, aud lie down in eternal sor
row; Avhich, it is the desire of my heart, maj' not be thy
portion from the hand of the Lord.
This is from a suft'erer by thee, Avho uever gave thee the
least cause or provocation so to deal Avith nie.
LP.

To THE Lady Conavay.
Dear Friend,
I have heard both of thy love to trutii, and of thy great
afflictions outu-ardly; both Avhich occasion a seuse concern
ing thee, aud breathings to the tender Father of my life for
thee; tiiat thy heart may kuoAV and be joiued to the truth,
and thou raayst Uve and Avalk iu it, reaping the SAveet com
fort, support aud satisfaction, Avhich God ckily ministers iu
and tiirough it, to his gathered and preserved ones. I am
satisfied thou hast ueed of comforts and support; oh that
thou raayst be led thither, and be daily found by the Loi-d
tiiei-e, Avhere the Comforter doth daily delight to supply the
afflicted aud suff'ering ones, Avhether inwardly or outAvardh,
Avith corafort.
And, ray dear friend, take heed of that Avisdora and kuoAvl-

ISAAC PENINGTON. 501
edge which is not of the seed, and Avhich can be held in the
mind, without the springing Ufe of the seed. The first day
I was convinced, I was not only convinced in my under
standing concerning the seed, but I felt the seed in ray
heart, and my heart Avas enraptured with the sense and feel
ing of it; and my great cry to the Lord Avas, that I raight
faithfully travel through all the sufferings and death of the
other part, into union with and enjoymelit of it; and that
that Avisdora, Avliich was not of the pure liA'ing root and nat
ure, might die in me. Noav, hoAv I have been exercised
and taught since is hard for rae to utter. AVhat poverty,
what weakness, Avhat foolishness I have been led into ! how
I have learned, in a sense, out of the reach of the eorapre-
hending, knowing mind; hoAV tender I haA'e been of every
secret shining of light in my heart; how the Lord hath
taught and enabled me to pluck out my right eye, and cut
off ray right hand, and cast them from me, that I raight uot
see with that eye, nor Avorlc with that hand, but be greatly
mairaed in the sight of men, aud in ray oavu sight too.
0 friend! Avait daUy to feel the seed, to feel the seed live
in thee, and the raost pleasing part of thy nature die, as it
cau live out of the seed. Oh that thou couldst change all
old knowledge, for that AA'hich is ucav and living! The seed
is the well: receive the seed, then thou receiA'est the Avell:
let it spring, wait for its springing, Avait to Icuoav its spring
ing: bear all the trials and judgments, Avhieb the Father of
life sees necessary to prepare the heart for its springing.
Oh, feel that AA'hich limits aud subdues thoughts, and brings
thera into captivity and subjection! Be not exercised in
things too high for thee — David, the raan after God's oavu
heart, who was wiser than his teachers, Avas not; — but corae
out of knowledge iuto feeling, and there thou Avilt find the
true knoAvledge given, — arising, springiug, and covering thy
heart, as the waters coA-er the sea. And still Avait to be
taught of God, to distinguish betAveen the outwardness of
knoAvledge— the notional part of the thing kuoAvn, as it can
be coraprehended in the raind, — and the life of it, as it is
felt and abides in the heart.

502 THE WORKS OP
The Lord God of ray life be thy Teacher; point thy mind
to the pure seed of the kingdom, and open it in thee; make
thee so Uttle, that thou mayst enter into it, and keep thee
so low aud poor, that thou mayst abide in it; managing
these troublesome times iu the outward, for thj' advantage
iu the iuAA'ard ; that the city aud temple of the living God
niaj' be built iu it, and thou mayst know hira daily dwell
ing aud Avalking 'therein. Thus raayst thou be married to
the Lord, and become one spirit with him ; finding that
daily removing frora thee, [Avhich is to be removed, even]
by the mighty arm and pure operation ofhis Spirit, till all
that is contrary be doue away; then may thy soul dwell
Avith its Beloved in fulness of joy, life, and peace for ever
more. This is from the tender love, aud fresh breathings of life,
in thy soul's true Friend, and most hearty Avell-Avisher,
L P.
17th of Third Month, 1677.

To James Eeles.
Friend, God is my witness, to whom I must give an account of
all my actions, that it is my desire to be fouud in all true
love, courtesy, and righteousuess, in my dealings towards
all meu ; and that I Avould by uo means deny any man his
just due, which he can by auy just laAv or right claim from
me. NoAA', as touching tithes, the payment or refusing of them
is to me a matter of conscience, Aveighty on my heart before
the Lord; aud I Avould do therein as he raight justify, and
not condemn me. I knoAv tithes were ordained by God, to
be paid to the.Levitical priesthood, under the laAv; but the
same poAver that ordained thera under the laAV, disannulled
thera uuder the gospel. Heb. vii. 12 and 18. Here is God's
power aud authority for disaunulUug thera. Noav, that any
man or men have true right, poAA'cr, and authority to set up
or require to be paid, uuder the gospel, Avhat God's poAver

ISAAC PENINGTON. 59.3
hath disannulled, — indeed, I do not see ; nor can I be sub
ject to any huraan authority or huv iu this thing, Avithout
sinning against God, and incurriifg his wrath upon my soul,
which I have formerly found very dreadful, and Avould not,
for fear of sufferings in this Avorld, expose myself to the
bearing of Besides, Christ saith, "He that denies me be
fore meu, hira wUl I deny before my Father." He is the
substance of all the figures under the laAv ; he hath put au
end to thera; he is King, Priest, aud Prophet in the church
of God; all poAver in heaven and earth is given to him,
and he seut forth his ministers Avithout tithes. Noav, tithes
Avere set up in the dark tirae of popery, and not by the gos
pel light; and they Avho Icuoav the gospel Ught dare uot bo
subject to that which Avas set up iu matters of religion, by
the dark poAver of Rome, in the tirae of darkness.
I AA'as willing to give thee this plain and naked account,
that thou raayst see hoAv weighty the thiug is Avith me, aud
how dangerous it AA-ould be to me, to do Avhat thou requir-
est of me; for iu so doing, I should lose my peace with God,
I should be unfaithful to the testimony he hath given me to
bear, I should dishonor his name and truth, and bring his
sore Avrath and displeasure upon my s»ul aud couscience.
Judge, thyself, in this matter, Avhether I had not better ex
pose myself to any outward suff'erings, though CA'cr so great
(either from thee or any thou shalt make use of), than ex
pose my soul to so great iuAvard misery and sufferiugs, for
disobedience to the Lord in this particular. Consider Ralph
Trumpet',* a just tender, honest-hearted man,^how much
he hath suffered in this respect, to keep his couscieuce clear
iu this thing; who, I believe, Avould rather sufter all his for
mer losses ten times over agaiu, than suft'er what he did (to
my knoAvledge), for paying tithes, after he Avas conviuced of
the evil and unlawfulness ofit. I do not contend Avith thee
by the laAv of the land; but I must be subject to the law of
God, Avho shows rae from Avhat root tithes carae ; and that
they are not the raaintenance of the ministry of Christ, or
allowed by Christ, but the maintenance of the ministry
* See Besse's Sufferings of Friends, Vol. 1st, p 78, 79.

504 THE WORKS OP
Rome's power set up ; both which ministry and its mainte
nance are to be denied and witnessed against, by those
whom he calls forth to tellify to his truth in these things.
So, at present, I say no raore, but remain thy friend,
ready to do thee any good, though I should suffer ever so
deeply frora thee.
L P.
25th of Pourth Month, 1677.

To Dulcibella Laiton.
Dear Friend,
Coucerning whora I feel a traA'ail, this is the sense of my
heart in relation to thee.
There is a pure seed of life which God hath sown iu thee ;
oh that it raight corae through, and corae over all that is
above it, and contrary to it ! And for that end wait daily to
feel it, and to feel thy mind subdued by it, and joined to it.
Take heed of looking out, in the reasonings of thy mind,
but dwell iu the feeliug sense of life ; aud then that Avill
arise in thee more and more, which maketh truly wise, and
giA'es power, aud brings into the holy authority and domin
ion of life. Many that have been long travelling, are now
entering iuto their possessions aud inheritance, which the
Lord is dail}' enlarging in them, and to them. Oh that thy
lot may be araong them, inwardly AA'itnessed and possessed
by thee ! Prize inAA'ard exercises, griefs, and troubles, and
let faith aud patience have their perfect work in them. Oh,
desire to be good, upright, and perfect in God's sight ! aud
Avait to feel the life, Spirit and poAver which makes so.
Corae out of the knoAvledge and coraprehension about
things, into the feeling life; and let that be thy knoAvledge
and Avisdom, Avhich thou receivest and retainest in the feel
ing life ; aud that will lead thee iuto the footsteps of the
flock, AA'ithout reasoning, consulting, or disputing.
Oh ! AA'ait to be taught and enabled by God to fetch right
steps in thy travels, and to take up the cross and despise
the sharae in every thing, wherein that wisdora, will, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 5O5
mind, which is to be crucified, would be judge; for it AA-ill
judge amiss and lead aside, if it be hearkened to by thee.
The Lord show thee the snares and dangers to Avhich thou
art liable, and lead thee out of them; that Avhatever hinder
eth may be discovered to thee, and thy mind singly joined
to that which discovereth, that so it raay be removed out of
the way; aud all crooked things be made straight in thee,
and the rough plaiu, and the high Ioav, and the low high,
and the weak and foolish strong and wise, aud the wise and
strong weak and foolish. Oh ! wait to feel and understand
my words, that thy conversation raay be ordered aright by
the power and Avisdom of God; and that thou mayst in
wardly come to witness the glorious coraing of Hira, Avho is
the salvation of God, and in whom thou shalt not fail to see
the salvation of God.
Thou raust be very low, weak, and foolish, that the seed
may arise in thee to exalt thee, and become thy strength
and wisdom; and thou raust die exceedinglj', again and
again, raore and more, inAA'ardly and deeply! that thy life
may spring up from the holy root and stock; and thou raay
est be more and more gathered into it, spring up into it, and
live alone iu the life, virtue, and power thereof. The travel
is long, the exercises many, the snares, temptations, and
dangers many; and yet the raercy, relief, and help is great
also. Oh that thou mayst feel thy calling and election, thy sink
ing down, springing up, aud establishment in the pure seed,
in the light and righteousness thereof over all; that thou
mayst sing songs of degrees to the Redeemer of Israel, aud
mayest daily more and raore partake of aud rejoice in hira,
who is our joy, and the crown thereof
Thy friend, in the most sincere, 'tender love.

L P.

llth of Fifth Month, 1677.
Yol. in.— 48

506 THE WOEKS OF
To Thomas AValmsley.
Friend T. AV.,
God is love : and. he giveth love, and teacheth to love ;
and with the love Avhich my God hath given me, and Avhere-
Avith he hath taught me to love, have I loA'cd thee, and
sought the everlasting good of thy soul, even as of ray own.
This morning, the consideration of thee was strong upon
my spirit, how that thou Avast strickeu in years, aud must
shortly pass out of this world, and give an account to God;
aud this earnest desire was iu ray heart, that thou mightest
be fitted and rightly prepared, to giA'e such an account, as
the Lord, the great, righteous and impartial Judge, might
OAVU and approve of, to thy eternal joy : for which eud, two
thiugs Avere upon my heart to propose to thee, to be rightly
considered by thee.
Oue is, Avhether thou canst truly say, as in God's sight,
that thou hast Icuoavu and experienced Christ within, redeem
ing thee from sin within. Hath Christ indeed brought sal
A'ation home to thy heart? Hast thou knoAvn his iuAvard,
Uving power, breakiug the strength and power of Satan
within thee ? Hast thou known Hira stronger than the
strong raau inwardly? Hast thou first known Christ knock
at the door of thy heart, and opened to and let him in; aud
afterwards experienced what he doth in the heart, where he
is let in? Or hast thou had ouly a notional knowledge and
belief coneeruing Christ without, and never known what it
Avas to have the Son revealed in.thee? Oh that thou raightst
knoAv, and experiraentally understand this Scripture, before
thou go hence and be no raore seen, — "If Christ be in you,
the body is dead because* of sin;" — and this other also, —
" He that is Christ's hath crucified the flesh Avith the aft'ec-
tious and lusts." The Lord God raake thee truly weighty
aud serious, aud rightly considerate, and give thee true, un
erring judgraent; that thou raayst not be deceived about
this thing, Avhich is of such deep and everlasting concern
ment to thy soul !

ISAAC PENINGTON. 507
The other is, whether thou dost experience the sprinkling
of the blood of the Lord Jesus upon thy conscience. The
Jews were saved by the spriukliug of the blood of the lamb
outAvardly. The Lamb of God taketh away*the sins of the
world, by the sprinkling of his blood imvardly. Now, I
beseech thee, consider: hast thou only a notion of Christ's
blood as it was shed without, or dost thou also know the
sprinkling within iu thy own heart ? Hath God made that
new covenant, the everlasting covenant Avith .thee, wherein
the blood of spriukliug is felt, and the precious eft'ects of
it experienced? for then, indeed, iniquities are forgiven, and
sin remembered uo more; but the soul comes to Avitness
real justification from sin, aud that peace which passeth un
derstandiug, AA'hich no man cau give or take aAvay; neither
doth any man knoAV what it is, but he that hath it. Oh that
thou mayst knoAV the righteousness of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and be clothed Avith it, that thou mayst stand justi
fied in God's sight for ever, at that great dav !
I. P.
12th of EleA-enth Month, 1677.
To George AVinkfield.
Dear Friend,
Two things stick upon ray heart, since our last short dis
course at the window at Kings, through my desire that it
may go well with thee, aud that thou mayst be right in
God's sight.
One is, that saying of thine about thy love to truth and
Friends, as if it were as great as ever it Avas. Now, I en
treat thee to weigh this thing, aud to Avait on God to kuow,
whether it be really so or no ; Avhich thou mayst understand
by this : if thou be as really desirous, and waitest, as singly,
to know and obey the coramands of truth as ever, then, thy
love to it is as great as formerly in its first heat and zeal ;
otherwise not. "He that hath my commandments and
keepeth them," saith Christ, "he it is that loveth rae."
John xiv. 21. And hereby, Ave kuow that our knowledge

508 THE WOEKS OP
of him is true and Uving; because it leads, quickens, and
enables us to the keeping of his commaudraents. 1 John.
U. 3.
The other is,' that thou saidst, thy heart is not hardened.
Oh ! consider this seriously ; for, if thy heart be hardened,
and thou not sensible of it, thy estate is exceeding danger
ous. Now, if the Lord by his poAver hath preserved thee
out of that which hardens the heart; then, without doubt,
thy heart is not hardened : but if the enemy hath tempted
thee to let in reasonings into thy mind, against any thing
that is indeed of God ; and thou hast run into any practices
contrary to truth, and justifiest them in thy heart, from any
reasonings and thoughts the enemy hath suggested to and
strengthened thy mind in ; then, without doubt, thy heart is
so far hardened. It is impossible for thee, or any one else,
to let in that which hardens, and not be hardene'd.
Oh ! raind that precious advice of the Apostle. Heb. iii.
13. Mark, sin deceives, lust deceives, desire after any thing
that pleaseth the flesh, and is desirable to the worldly nat
ure, deceives. And AvhocA'cr is deceived by it, and lets it in
(raind, he doth not let it in as an evil thing, but is deceived
liy it), his heart is hardened against that which would show
him the evil of it, and draw his mind from it, if he did in
truth hearken to it, and were not lulled asleep in the deceit.
And there must be a daily watching against that which de
ceives and hardens, as the apostle there adviseth thera to
exhort one another uuto, lest the enemy at any time catch
any of them in the snare of sin, and so harden them.
Now, he that would not provoke the Lord to give him up
to full hardness, must take heed of the degrees thereof; and
happy is he who so doth. O G. AV. ! consider, as before
the Lord, Avhether thy walking be answerable to truth, so
far as thou knowest truth ; and whether thou art AvilUngly
ignorant of any thing, which the good God is Avilling aud
ready to give thee the knowledge of, that thou raayst take
the raore liberty to the flesh in that, which the life of truth,
if feltj would soon couderan and draAv from.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 5O9
This is in most sincere love to thee, from hira Avho hath
ahvays been thy friend.
L P.
lltji of 12th Month, 1677.
To Sir AVilliam Drake (so styled).
First, There is a God, a holy, righteous, liA'ing, powerful
God, who raade heaven and earth, and all things therein;
and at last made man in his own image, and set him over
the works ofhis hands, to have dominion, and to rule in his
wisdora and poAver over them; and to guide, order, and
make use of them, to the glory of Him that made thera.
Now, in this state, God Avas pleased and took delight in the
works of his hands, aud in man above all.
Secondly, Man, sinning against his Maker, lost this ira
age, AA'hich was his glory, and became brutish in under
standing, and an enemy to God in his mind, aud liable to
the wrath of God's holy and righteous nature.
Thirdly, There is no reconciliation to be had betAveen
God and man any more, but by the change of this nature
iu man : for God is unchangeable, he is light, be is life, he
is hoUness unchangeable; aud will uever be reconciled to,
or have fellowship with, darkness, with that which is dead
and unholy; — which man in his fallen estate is, until he be
begotten again to God, changed and renewed from his evil
aud sinful nature, iuto a good and holy nature, and till he
be turned from ca'U works, and know Avhat it is to be the
workmanship of God, created ancAv unto good Avorks.
Fourthly, Nothing can produce this change in man, but
the Spirit and power of Christ, but the grace and truth
which is by Jesus Christ. Therefore a man had need- be
sure that he receive this Spirit and power, and that he feel
the operative, changing virtue of it, and be really changed
thereby, being created anew, begotten ancAv to God, in the
holiness and rignteousness of truth, a son and servant to
the living God ; or he can never know what belongs to true

510 THE. WOEKS OF
reconciUation with God, and to fellowship with him in the
light and life of his Sou.
Fifthly, All the religious and professions upon the face
ofthe earth, which faU short of this Spirit, life, and power,
and wherein this new creation in Christ Jesus is not wit
nessed, nor power received to abstain from what is evU, and
to become sons to God, are not the pure, powerful, gospel
religion, wherein the divine virtue aud power of Ufe oper
ates; but that which men in the earthly wisdora have
formed without life. Aud all religious that have but a form
of godliness, and not the power, are to be turned away from,
and witnessed against, by such as are called forth to be
witnesses to the true, gospel religion and way of worship,
which stands in Spirit, life, and power.
Sixthly, This religion and worship, which stands in Spir
it, life, and power, is the religion and worship which Christ
set up about sixteen hundred years ago. John iv. 23, 24. 1
Cor. iv. 20. Rom. vi. 4. And this is the religion which God
hath revived and set up again, as they that receive the gos
pel UOAV preach it; aud beUeving in the poAver, which is
both outwardly testified of, and also iuAvardly revealed, they
have the witness ofit in their oavu hearts. Rev. xiv. 6, 7. 1
John V. 10, 11, 12. Isa. UU. 1. Oh, how sweet are these
scriptures, AA'hen they are rightly read and rightly under
stood, the Lord giving the right understandiug, and leading
into the true experience of them !
Friend, Thou expressed to oue of my youngest sons, as he related
to rae, that thou hadst a desire I should visit thee, that thou
mightst have some discourse with me about religion. That
is the most profitable kind of discourse that can be, if it be
ordered in the fear of the Lord, and in a Aveighty sense and
dread of him. I ara A'ery serious in reference to religion,
and would not therein mistake or miscarry, by any means;
and if I might be helpful to thee, or to afty man, as to the
truth aud power of religion, it aa'ouM be matter of gladness
to my heart, and of praising and blessing the Lord, in the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 511
sense of his stretching forth his hand toAvards the saving of
any. Now, that our meeting and discourse may be the
more solemn and advantageous, I have sent thee a few plain
propositions to consider of; which I do not only find signi
fied of in the Scriptures, but the Lord hath also written
them on my heart ; and if they be plain to thee, and thou
be also in the serious sense of them, it may tend towards
the making of our discourse the more easy and profitable.
These are the main things; and he that is rightly
grounded, I mean, in the true aud seusible experience of
them in his heart, cannot miss of God's guidance to raake
a safe and happy progress therein ; he daily waiting upou
the Lord, to be taught aud led by him, further aud further,
into the life. Spirit, and power of truth; so that he shall be
taught of God to know his Son Jesus Christ, aud the free
dom which is by the truth as it is iu Jesus, daily more and
more; which it is my soul's sincere and single desire, that
thou, thy wife, and family may be experiencers and happy
partakers of.
Oh, what a glorious state was mau ouce in, before his
trtosgressing the holy law of God! but Avheu he sinned,
how did he fall short of the glory of God ! Yet, as he hears
His voice, aud foUoAvs Him, that leads out of sin into the
image of God, iuto the holiness and righteousness of truth;
how is he brought back by the Lord, aud hoAV doth he re
turn, in the blessed leadings of God's blessed Spirit, iuto
the gloiy of God again ! Read 2 Cor. iU. 18; and, oh that
thou mayst livingly and sensibly Icuoav AA'hat it means !
I remain an ackuoAvledger of thy kindness, and a desirer
for thee, that thou mayst obtain from God the knowledge
of himself and his Son, which is experienced, by them that
receive it, to be, indeed life eternal. L P.
This was written in true love and good-Avill, and iu the
fear ofthe Lord, and- in the springings and openings of his
life in my heart.
19th of Fifth Month, 1678.

512 THE WOEKS OP

To THE AVomen's Meeting of Friends in the Truth, at
John Mannock's.
Dear Friends,
Dearly beloved and honored in the Lord, because of his
honorable presence and power, which is so preciously mani
fested and found to be among you in your raeetings.
Blessed be the Lord, who hath thus gathered you ! and
given you hearts to meet together, to feel his precious pres
ence aud poAver, and wait to do his will therein, as he shall
please to call, and make your way clear thereto. And,
blessed be the Lord ! who doth encourage and reward you
daily, aud make your meetings pleasant and advantageous
to your own souls, and towards the seasoning and holy
watching over the several respective places where your lot
is fallen.Oh ! what could the Lord do more for his people, than to
turn them to that pure seed of life, which will make them
all alive, and keep them all in life aucl purity; and then to
make use of every living raeraber lu the living body, as his
Spirit shall please to breathe upon it, and his power actuate
it? And indeed, there is need of all the life and power to
the body, Avhicli the Lord sees good to bestow ou any raera
ber of it; every raeraber of the body having life given it,
not ouly for itself, but UkcAvise for the use aud service of
the body. Onlj', dear Friends, here is to be the great care,
that every member keep within the limits of life, Avherein
its capacity and ability for service lies, and out of which, it
can do no real service for God, or to the body. Oh, there
fore, eye life, eye the power, eye the presence of the Lord
Avith j'our spirits ! that he may go along Avith you, and guide
you iu every thought ye thiuk, iu every word ye speak, in
reference to his work and service.
And raiud, Friends, what is now upon me to you: it is
one thing, to sit waiting to feel the power, and to keep
within the limits of the power, thus far; and another, yea,
and harder, to feel and keep Avithiu the sense and limits of

ISAAC PENINGTON. 5I3
the power, when ye come to act. Then your reasonings,
your wisdora, your apprehensions, have more advantage to
get up in you, and to put themselves forth. Oh ! therefore,
Avatch narroAvly and diligently against the forward part;
and keep back to the life, which, though it rise more
slowly, yet acts more surely and safely for God.
Oh, wait and Avatch, to feel your Keeper keeping .you
Avithiu the holy bounds aud limits, Avithin the pure fear,
within the living sense, while ye are acting for your God !
that ye may ouly be his instruments, and feel him acting
in you. Therefore every one Avait to feel the Judge risen
and up, and the judgment set, in your oavu hearts ; that,
what ariseth in you, may be judged, and nothing may pass
from you publicly, but what hath first passed the pure judg
ment in your own breasts. And let the holy rule of the
blessed apostle James, be always upon your spirits, "Let
every one be sAvift to hear, sIoav to speak, sIoav to Avrath."
Oh, let uot a talkativeness have place in auy of you ! but,
abide in such gravity, modesty, aud weightiuess of spirit, as
becomes the judgment-seat of the Spirit aud poAver of the
Lord. Ye can never Avait too much for the poAver, uor can
ye ever act too much in the poAver; but ye may easily act
too much without it.
And as for this troublesome, contentious business (if the
Lord should yet order it to be brought before you), the Lord
teach you to consider of, and manage it in a Avise, tender,
and healing spirit. Ye must distinguish in judgment, if ye
judge aright, between enemies and erring friends. And
take heed ofthe quickness and strength of reason, or ofthe
natural part, which avails little: but wait for the CA'idence
and demonstration of God's Spirit, Avdach reaches to the Avit
ness and doth the work. Are they in a snare? are they
overtaken in a fault? yea, are they in measure blinded and
hardened, so that they can neither see nor feel, as to this
particular? Retire, sit stUl aAvhUe, and travail for thera. Feel
how life Avill arise in any of you, and hoAV mercy Avill reach
towards them ; and hoAv living Avords, from the tender sense,
may be reached forth to their hearts, deeply, by the baud of

514 THE WOEKS OF
the Lord, for their good. And if ye find them, at length,
bowing to the Lord, oh, let tender compassion help them
forwards! that Avhat hath been so troublesorae and ground
edly dissatisfactory in the progress, may, at length, have a
sweet issue for their good, and our joy and rejoicing in the
Lord. So, my dear friends, the Lord be with you, and guide you
iu this, and iu all that he shall further call you to; and mul
tiply his presence, power, and blessings upon you, and make
your meetings as serviceable to the honor ofhis narae, as he
hiraself Avould have thera, and as you yourselves cau desire
thera to be.
Your friend aud brother in the tender truth, and in the
pure love and precious life.
19th of Fifth Month, 1678.

To THOSE Persons that Drink of the AVaters at Astrop
AVells.
There is a great God, the Creator of all things, who gave
raan a being here iu this Avorld ; to whora every raau must
give au account, Avheu he goes out ofthis Avorld.
This great God, Avho loves mankind, and would not have
them perish, is nigh unto mau, to teach him the fear, which
is due frora him to God. The man that learns this pure
fear of God is daily exercised by it in departing frora evil,
both in thought, Avord, and deed, and in doing that which is
good in his sight.
There is likeAvise another teacher near man, Avho is also
ready to teach such as do not know God, or fear God, that
Avliich is dishonorable to the great God, who made raan a
A-essel of honor, and to be to his glory. They that learn of
this teacher learn not to fear God, or to do good, but to
please theraselves in doing evil, bo.tli iu thought, word, and
deed. Oh ! Avhat account avUI all such give, when they go
out of this world, and corae to be judged by the great God
(who is of pure eyes, aud cannot behold iniquity), when all

ISAAC PENINGTON. 5I5
their sins are set in order by him before them, and just judg
ment proportioned by him thereunto ? Oh ! Avhy do raen for
get God their Creator, days without nuraber, hearkening to
him who first deceived them, doiug the avUI of the deceiver
and destroyer of souls, and not the will ofthe blessed Crea
tor and Saviour?
Oh, hearken to wisdom's counsel, Avhen she cries in the
secret of your hearts against that which is evil, and contrary
to the nature, life, and will of God ; lest a day of calamity
from God come upon you, and then ye cry unto the pitiful
and tender God, and his face be turned against you, and he
refuse to shoAv raercy to you ! Read Prov. i. 20, to the eud
of the chapter ; and the Lord give you the weighty consid
eration and true understanding of it for your s«ul's good,
and for the reclairaing of you frora any thiug that is evil,
and destructive to your souls.
This is written in tender love unto you, frora oue who
pities and loves you, and desires your prosperity in this
world, and your everlasting happiness Avith God for ever.
L P.
Astrop, 15th of Sixth Month, 1078.
To Such as Drink of the AVaters at Astrop AVells.
I ENTREAT you to cousidcr what is Avithin written for your
eternal good ; and be not deceived by the enemy of your
souls, in things of an everlasting concern.
Some queries propounded to your consideration, in the teu
der melting love of my heart towards your everlasting
welfare.
First query. Is not the great God, who created heaven
and earth, light, pure Ught, spiritual light, eternal light, in
whom is no darkness at all ? 1 John i. 5.
Second query. Is not man, in his natural, unregenerate,
corrupt state, darkness ? And can he possibly, in that state.

516 THE WOEKS OF
have any union or fellowship with the great God and Sav
iour? SeeEph. V. 8. 2 Cor. vi. 14. 1 John i. 6.
Third query. Doth not the great God, in his tender love
to mankind, cause his pure, heavenly light to shine in man's
heart, in this his dark and corrupt state ? 2 Cor. iv. 6. John
i. 5.Fourth query. AVhat is the end of God's causing his pure
light to shine in man's corrupt heart ? Is it not, that man
might be turned frora darkness, and frora the power of Sa
tan, which keeps hira in darkness, to the light which God
causeth to shine in him, aud to God frora whora this light
coraes? Acts xxvi. 18. that so, following Christ, and not
walking iu darkness, he raight obtain the light of life?
John viii. 12.
Fifth query. Doth man, in his natural corrupt state, love
this light, Avhen it shiues iu him; or rather hate it? And
can he hate it, Avithout bating God from Avhora it comes,
and of Avhose nature it is?
Sixth query. AVhy doth man, in his natural corrupt state,
hate this light? Is it uot, because his deeds are eA'il; and
because he would continue in his evil deeds, without being
disturbed or reclaimed by this light? Johu iii. 19 to 21.
Seventh query. AVhat does the light of the pure God, and
of his Christ, do for them that receive and obey it ? Doth it
not bring them out of darkness, and change their nature ;
so that they become children of the light, and no raore
darkness, as they Avere before, but light in the Lord? John
xU. 36. Eph. V. 8.
Eighth query. How shall it fare Avith those, who receive
the shinings of this light of God and Christ in their con
sciences, hearkening to the reproofs of it, eschewing that
which it shows to be evil, aud doing that which God by it
shows to be good? Shall not they receive the reraission of
their sins from God, and an inheritanee araong the saints in
light? Acts xxvi. 18. Coloss. i. 12, 13.
Ninth query. AVhat will becorae of those, who do not
mind the shining of God's light in their hearts, nor are
turned to it, nor changed by it; but spend their time in what

ISAAC PENINGTON.

517

pleaseth the corrupt part in theraselves ? AVill they not be
separated, when they go out of this world, frora God, Avho is
light, and have their portion with dark spirits, in utter dark
ness ? 2 Thess. i. 6, to 10. See also Matt. xxv. 30.
Oh, consider these things, while ye have tirae, for your
souls' eternal good! that ye raiss not of the holy Avay of life
and salvation, and so perish; whom God would not have
perish, but stretcheth forth his hand of love, by his iuAvard
"light of life," eff'ectuaUy to save your souls.
L P.
Astrop, 20th of Sixth Month, 1678.
To ONE AVHO SENT A MESSAGE TO HIM PROM ASTROP AVeLLS.
I HAD no end in -wi'iting or sending those papers, but true
love to your immortal souls; that ye might seriously con
sider thereof, and be found in the practice of them, and so
be happy for ever. For as Christ said to his disciples, so it
is with me in this case toAvards you, " If ye know these
things, happy are ye if ye do them." I have felt the SAveet-
uess and great benefit of the practice of thera, which I
heartily desire ye raay also experience,
I here send enclosed a token of my love to thee in partic
ular, which thy courteous message drew from me. It con
tains, in a few words, the true path-Avay of salvation; which,
though thou raayst knoAV already, yet the reading and seri
ous consideration thereof may not be unserviceable to thee,
I am thy friend, in true love and desires for thee,
L P.
THE PLAIN PATH-WAY OF SALVATION.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour.
Grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ saves by the grace and truth which
comes by him.
For it is the grace of God that brings salvation, and it is
the truth, as it in Jesus, which makes free indeed.
He, therefore, that would be saved from sin and condera-
Yol. IIL— 44

518 THE WOEKS OF
nation, must wait for the iuward raanifesting aud revealing
of the grace and truth in his heart ; and must receive it,
and be subject to it, learning ofthe grace, to deny ungodli
ness and worldly lusts in every kind; and he must learn of
the truth as it is iu Jesus, to deny whatever is contrary to
the life, nature, and Spirit of Jesus. He must likewise
learn of the grace and truth to fear God ; to turn frora all
false, invented worships and ways of men, and to worship
God, the Father of spirits, in spirit and in truth : and as he
learns aud practises this, he will also learn of the grace and
truth to live soberly and righteously in this present world,
yea, and godlily also, even as the .holy God would have him;
for God Avould have raen live uo otherwise, than as his grace
and truth teaches them. Noav God's grace and truth, and
the law ofthe Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which is written
in the inAvard parts, do not only teach that which is good,
aud to deny and depart from that which is evil, but giA'C
ability so to do. "My grace is sufficient for thee," said God
to Paul. Aud the truth of Jesus, revealed inwardly, hath
virtue and poAver iu it; insomuch that they who receive the
grace and truth which comes by Jesus Christ, receive power
to become sons to God. For the grace, the truth, is not a
notional thing, but hath the virtue and power of life, and
mortification in it ; aud they that truly receive it, partake
of its virtue and poAver in operatiou aud exercise of it in
their hearts, and are thereby really made dead unto sin, and
alive unto God.
So then, he that knows the grace and truth which comes
by Jesus Christ, receives it, learns of it, is subject to it, and
partakes of its virtue aud power, he knows Christ unto sal
vatiou ; but he that knows not, receives not, is not subject
to the grace, doth not experience the sufficiency of the
grace, nor witness ability and power through it to become a
son to God, and to do the avUI of God, — he doth not yet at
all know the Lord Jesus Christ unto the salvation of his
soul, notwithstanding whatsoever he raay profess or believe
concerning him.
L P.
Astrop, 28th of Sixth Month, 1678.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 519
To THE AVoMEN FrIENDS THAT MEET AT ArMSCOT IN
avorcestershire.
Dear Friends,
In your meetings together to do service for the Lord, be
every oue of you very careful aud diligent in Avatching to
his power, that ye may have the sensible, liviug feeling of
it, each of you in your oavu hearts, and in the hearts one of
another; and that ye raay keep Avithin the limits of it, and
not thiuk, or speak, or act beyond it. And knoAV, oh ! wait
more and more to knoAv, how to keep that silence, AA'hich is
of the power; that in every one of you, what the power
Avould have silent, may be silent. Oh ! take heed of the
forwardness ofthe flesh, the Avisdom ofthe flesh, the avUI of
the flesh, the talkativeness of the flesh ; keep them back,
oh! let them forever be kept back in every one of you, by
the presence aud virtue of the power.
The power is the authority aud blessing of your meetings,
and therein lies your ability to perform what God requires ;
be sure ye have it with you. Keep back to the Ufe, keep
low iu the holy fear, and ye shall not raiss of it. You will
find it easy to transgress, easy to set up self, easy to run in
to sudden apprehensions about things, and one to be of this
mind and another of that ; but feel the power to keep down
all this, and to keep you out of all this ; every one watching
to the life, when and where it wUl arise to help you, and
that ye may be sensible of it when it doth arise, and not in
a wrong wisdora oppose it, but be one with it. And thus,
if any thing should arise frora the wrong wisdora in auy, ye
may be sensible of it, not defiled or entangled with it, but
abiding in that which sees through it and judges it; that so,
Ufe may reign in your hearts and in your meetings, above
that which will be forward, and perking over the life, if ye
be not very watchful.
So the Lord God of my Ufe be with you, and season your
hearts with his grace and truth, and daily keep you in the
savor thereof; that ye raay be blessed by him, and a bless-

520 THE WOEKS OF
ing in his hands; all that is evil and contrary to truth be
ing kept down in your own hearts, ye will be fit to keep
down CAdl in the minds and hearts of others ; and if any
thing be unsavory anywhere, it will be searched into,
judged, cast out, and the recovery of the soul which hath
let it in sought, that if possible it raay be restored; and
then, ye will know the joy of seeking out and bringing back
the lost sheep. And be tender to others, in true corapas-
sion, as ye would be tendered by others, if ye were in their
conditions. There is that near you, which will guide you; oh! wait
for it, and be sure ye keep to it; that, being innocent and
faithful, in following the Lord in the leadings of his power,
his power raay plead your cause in the hearts of all his ten
der people hereabouts; and they may see and acknowledge,
that your meetings are of God, — that ye are guided by him
into that way of service, in his holy fear, in which he him
self is with you, and by the movings of his Holy Spirit iu
your hearts, hath engaged you. Be not hasty, either in con
ceiving any thing in your minds, or in speaking it forth, or
in any thiug ye are to do ; but feel him by his Spirit and
Ufe going along with you, and leading you into Avhat he
would have any of you, or every one of you clo. If ye be
in the true feeling sense of what the Lord j-our God would
have done, and join with what is of God, as it riseth in any,
or against any thing that is not of God, as it is made raani
fest araong you; ye are all in your places and proper ser
vices, obeying the blessed will, and doing the blessed work,
of the Lord your God.
I had soraewhat upon rae yesterday to you, but ray weak
ness was great. This morning, this lay as a Aveight upon
my spirit to lay upon yours; may the weight ofit come up
on you, to weigh down whatever is light or chaffy in any of
you, that the seed of life raay corae up over it, and ye raay
be weighty before the Lord, in the weighty seed of life.
The Lord raake you rightly serviceable to him, and truly
glorious in your meetings, and in your several places. Ye
will find a great work to keep one part down, that that

ISAAC PENINGTON. 521
which is pure and living of God may corae up in you, and
ye act only in it, not exceediug the limits of it.
L P.
Written at John Hawford's,
7th of Seventh Month, 1678.

To S. AV.
Dear Friend,
I ever had a love to thee, and a deep sense of the serious
work of God upon thy heart, and the upright desires of thy
soul after Hira. And, that the Lord should yet preserve
thee alive, in the raidst of so great aud languishing weak
ness, is wonderful iu my eye, and I hope, hath a teudency
of some honor to his narae, and good to thee. I have often
inquired of late coucerning thee, and was glad to under
stand what I inquired after, by a letter frora thy own hand ;
upon reading whereof, in the retired seuse of my heart, I
felt love arise to thee, and breathings to the Lord for thee ;
and, oh that thou mayst fully feel, and be joined to the seed
of life, the seed of the kingdom, Avhich our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the days of his flesh, did not disdain to be a
preacher of.
0 my dear frieud ! let not any part of thy life Ue in no
tions above the seed, but let it all lie in the seed itself, in
thy waiting upon the Lord for its arisings in thee, and in
thy feeling its arisings. Oh ! what becomes of flesh, and
self, and self-righteousuess, Avhen this lives iu the heart?
AIy religion, Avhich I now daily bless my God for, began in
this seed ; Avhich, Avhen I first felt, and discerningly knew
from the Lord, my cry to hifn was, oh, this is it I have
longed after and Avaited for! Oh, unite my soul to thee in
this for ever ! this is thy Son's gift from thee, thy Son's grace,
thy Son's truth, thy Son's life, thy Son's Spirit! I desire no
more, than to be made nothing in myself, that this may be
all in me: and what I meet with and witness here, what I
feel the Lord Jesus Christ to be made to me here, none
knows, or possibly can know, but they that have felt the

622 THE WOEKS OF
pure power of the Spirit of life, and have been led by it into
the sarae holy and blessed experience.
Ah ! sin hath no share here, in this blessed seed ; but is
excluded by the life and poAver which is stronger than it.
Here Christ is forraed in the soul, of a truth, here the black
garraents of unrighteousness, yea, of man's righteousness
too, are put off", and the white rairaent put on; here the
holy iraage is brought forth in the heart, even the image of
the dear Son, which partakes of the divine nature of the
Father ; here the soul is new created in Christ Jesus, here
is no deceit in any kind met with, but only truth frora God,
even the true life, light, virtue, power, of the Lord Jesus
Christ, as livingly felt in the heart, and as eflfectually operat
ing there, as ever the power of sin did. Oh that thou
mightst daily discern this, and feel this to grow up in thee
more and more, and die to all notions, even ofthe heavenly
things themselves, out of this ; that thy soul raay fully live
in the life. Spirit, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ ; and
nothing but his life. Spirit, and power may live in thee; to
the glory of God the Father, and to the great joy and glad
dening of thy heart in his presence ! Amen.
Thy frieud, in the true, sincere love of the heavenly, ever
lasting seed.
L P.
13th of Twelfth Month, 1678.

To THE Lady Conway.
Dear Friend,
In tender love, and in a sense of thy sore afflictions and
exercises, I do most dearly salute thee; desiring for thee,
that the work of the Lord in thy heart may not be inter
rupted by any devices ofthe enemy; but that it raay go on
and prosper in thee, in the springing up ofthe pure seed of
life in thy heart, and in the powerful overturning, by the
mighty arm of the Lord, of all that is contrary thereto in
thee. Oh that thou mayst daily feel that holy birth of life,
which is begotten by the Father, and lives by faith in him !

ISAAC PENINGTON.

523

I say, oh that thou mayst daily feel it living in thee, when
temptations and trials on every hand increase — feel the
birth of life, which will cry to the Father, "Lord, increase
my faith !"
Though sorrows, heaviness, and faintings of heart ever so
much increase ; yet, if thy faith increase also, it will bear
thee up in the raidst of them. I would fain have it go well
with thee, and that thou mightst not want the Reprover,
in any thing that is to be reproved in thee; nor the Com
forter, in any respect wherein thy soul wants comfort ; nor
the holy Counsellor and Adviser, in any strait or difficulty
which the wise and tender God orders to befall thee.
Ah ! that thou raightst come to feel the daily wasting of
sin and death, and the daily springing of life and holiness in
thy heart. The pearl is worth thousands of worlds, Avith
the greatest earthly glory and pleasure imaginable. Oh
that thou mayst be taught of God to discern it more and
more, and to buy it, and to come into the enjoyment and
possession ofit! The Lord manifest Zion more and more to
thee, and show thee the glory of it, and set thy feet toAvards
it; and put iuto thy heart to seek of him tbe Avay to it, re
newing thee more and more in the spirit of thy raind, Avhere
by the way coraes clearly to be discerned, and faithfuUy
walked in; that thou mayst witness, daily, the everlasting
covenant of life and peace, even the sure mercies of David.
The desire of ray soul is, that thy afflictions, which how
grievous soever, yet are but momentary, raay fit thee for,
and work out, an eternal weight of glory, for thy soul to in
herit in another world, for ever.
I reraain a sympathizer with thee in thy suft'erings; who
desire all the advantage and blessings from the God of my
life may come to thee, which hardships, temptations, and
trials prepare the heart and raake Avay for.
LP.
14th of 12th Month, 1678.

524 THE WORKS OF

POSTSCRIPT.

My dear Friend,
Some time after writing the foregoing, this arose in me
to thee. If the Lord, iu thy Avaiting upon hira, to search
and try thy heart and ways, shall please to show thee any
thing amiss therein ; mind this couusel on my heart to thee:
Be not looking at it too much, ou the oue hand, or excusing
it, ou the other baud ; but sink dowu beneath thyself, retir
ing thither, Avhere thou mayst receive from the Lord true
judgment coucerniug it, and also strength against it. And
knoAv this, in the holy experience; that thou raust be weak
ened by the Lord, and be contented in or with thy weak and
distressed estate, if thou wouldst receive raercy and strength
from him. And the more thou art weakened and distressed,
the more thou art fitted for, and the more abundantly shalt
thou partake of, his mercy aud strength; waiting upon him
iu the meek, quiet, patient, and resigned spirit, which he
Avill not fail to Avork thy mind into ; that, in the issue of aU,
thou mayest reap the quiet fruits of righteousuess aud heav-
eul}' peace frora his hand. Amen, so be it from the Lord to
thy soul!

To S. AV.
Dear S. AV.
I haA'e ever had a Ioa'C to thee, and have many times been
filled with earnest desires for thee ; that thou mayst kuoAV
the Lord in his o^u pure teachings, and travel into and
dweU in the fulness of the kingdom of his dear Son; and
that thou mayst be blessed with spiritual blessings in heav
euly places in Christ.
In order to arriA'e here, thou must wait to kuoAV God and
Christ, in the raystery of their Spirit, life, and power; and
by that Spirit, life, and power, find the secrets of the rays
tery of darkness searched and purged out, and the mystery
of godliness opened aud established in thy heart, in the

ISAAC PENINGTON. 525
room thereof; — Christ formed iuwardly; the soul forraed,
yea, and created iuAvardly ancAv in hira ; a real transplant
ing into his death, and a real feeling of his springing and
rising life; and an experience of the sweetness, safety, and
virtue of his rising life; and daily to be sensible, Avhat it is
to lie down in the holy, quickening poAver, and to rise again
in the risings of the Ufe and power; and so be only Avhat
thou art raade and preserved to be, iu the light, grace, life,
virtue, and power ofthe Lord Jesus Christ; and to feel him
remove any thing that is unrighteous, and clothing thee
with his pure life. Spirit, and righteousness.
Oh ! this is indeed the pure, precious, living knowledge
ofthe Lord Jesus Christ; Avhich all the outAvard knoAA'ledge
tends to lead to, and is comprehended aud ended in. This
is the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord,
which Paul was so ravished Avith, and counted all things
but dross and dung for. Now, that thou mayst obtain this,
mind the inward appearance, the root, the fountain, the
rock within, the living stone within, — its openings, its
springings, its administering life to thee ; and take heed of
running into the outwardness of openings concerning the
heavenly things; but keep, oh learn to keep, oh mind to
keep, iu the inwardness of Ufe within ! This is the everlast
ing habitation of the birth which is begotten and brought
forth, bred up and kept alive, alone by the presence, power,
and operation of the living Spirit; and the Lord Jesus is
that Spirit, as really as he was raan, even the holy, heav
enly, immaculate, spotless Lamb of God. And in this state,
life reigns in the heart, and the horn ofthe Holy One is ex-,
alted, the head of the serpent crushed, yea, Satan trod un
der foot, by the God of peace; avIio Avould have his children
dAvell in the sweetness and fulness of the gospel, in the
peace, life, righteousness, and joy of his blessed Spirit and
power. Oh ! Avho would not desire after and Avait for and walk
with the Lord, towards the obtaining and possessing of
these things? All the proraises, in Christ, are yea and
amen. Inward victory is promised; the inward presence

526 THE WORKS OP
of God is promised; God's dwelling and walking iu the
soul is proraised; Christ supping with the soul, and the
soul Avith hira, is proraised; putting the laAV in the heart,
and AA'riting it there; putting the pure, living fear into it;
yea, also putting the holy, poAverful Spirit into it, which
can cause it to Avallc in God's ways, and to keep his right
eous judgraents and do thera : aud he is able to do this Avork
in the heart; for Avhat cannot the Spirit of judgraent and
buruiug consume aud burn up within? Yea, all these
things are proraised. He can cause the soul to rejoice in
the Lord, and Avork righteousness, aud to remember the
Lord in his Avays, as some Avere taught and enabled to do
in former tiraes; Isa. Ixiv. 5. yea, he cau bring into the
Avay of holiuess, the King of glory's highway, into Avhich
uo unclean thing can enter, and [can] keep undefiled there
in; and they that are kept undefiled therein taste the
SAveetness, blessedness, purity, and holy pleasure thereof.
I Avould fain have my oavu soul aud thine, and all the real,
serious, faithful people of God experience, and be able to
say Avith David, that Avhich, after his many trials, afflictions,
troubles, temptations, and grievous fall, he was able to say,
iu relation to his walking with the Lord, "For I have kept
the ways ofthe Lord, and have not wickedly departed from
my God. For all his judgments were before rae, and I did
not put away his statutes frora rae. I was also upright be
fore hira, and I kept rayself from iniquity." Psal. xviii. 21,
22, 23. Oh! this is precious, Avhen a raan coraes to know
his iniquity, wherein the eneray's strength lies as to him,
and Avhereby the euemy hath most advantage to tempt and
gain grouud on hira, brought down aud subdued. Cer
tainly, when one gains strength frora God, to overcorae the
eneray here, and to keep out of this, he coraes very near to
the keeping of hiraself, iu aud by the A'irtue of the Holy
Spirit and power, so as the Avicked one cannot touch him,
nor draw him to touch any unclean thing. If that be in
deed put off", wherein the enemy's power lies; and that in
deed put on, wherein the strength of the Lord Jesus is re
vealed; and the soul be really in the possession of, and

ISAAC PENINGTON. 527
abide in this state; how can it but be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his raight ; and witness the good pleas
ure of the goodness of the Lord fulfilling, and the work of
faith going on with poAver, daily, more aud raore; a little
measure whereof, kept to, removes the mountains inwardly,
and gives strength over the eneruy. Hoav, then, doth it in
crease and grow up in life and virtue, and in a sensible un
derstanding and experience of the uame of the Lord Jesus !
Is there not, in this state, a feeling of reraission of sins, a
feeling of redemption, a feeUng of reconciliation, a feeling
of oneness with God iu Christ, a feeling of God being the
salvation, strength, aud song, aud a trusting in hira, and not
being afraid? Isai. xii. 2. Is there not a being careful in
nothing, but in every thing making the requests to God, by
prayer and supplication, Avith thanksgiving, iu that Spirit
and holy breath of life, Avhich the Father cannot deny; and
80, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep
ing the heart and mind through Christ Jesus ?
0 my friend! there is an ingrafting into Christ, a being
formed and new created in Christ, a liviug and abiding in
him, and a growing and bringing forth fruit through him
uuto perfection. Oh, mayst thou experience all these
thiugs! aud that thou raayst so do, wait to know life, the
springings of life, the separations of life inwardly, frora all
that evil which hangs abSut it, and Avould be springing up
and mixing with it, under au appearance of good; that life
may corae to live fully in thee, and nothing else. And so,
sink very low, and becorae very little, and Icuoav little; yea,
know no power to believe, act, or suffer any thing for God,
hut as it is given thee, by the springing grace, virtue, and
Ufe of the Lord Jesus. For grace is a spiritual, inward
thing and holy seed, sown by God, springing up in the
heart. People have got a notion of grace, but know not
the thing. Do not thou matter the notion, but feel the
thing; and know thy heart more and more ploAved up by
the Lord, that his seed's grace may grow up in thee more
and more, and thou raayst daUy feel thy heart as a garden,

528 THE WORKS OF
more and more enclosed, watered, dressed, and delighted
in by hira.
This is a salutation of love from thy friend in the truth,
which lives and changes not.
L P.
27th of Twelfth Month, 1678.

To M. Hiorns.
Dear Friend,
I received two letters from thee lately, whereby the sense
is revived in me of thy great love to me, and the Lord's
great gooduess to thee, in administering that Avhich rejoic
eth aud refresheth thee.
NoAA', this advice ariseth in ray heart. Oh ! keep cool
and low before the Lord, that the seed, the pure, living
seed, may spring more and raore iu thee, and thy heart be
united more and raore to the Lord therein. Coolness of
spirit is a precious frame ; and the glory of the Lord most
shines therein, in its own lustre and brightness ; aud when
the soul is Ioav before the Lord, it is still near the seed, and
preciously (iu its life) one with the seed. And when the
seed riseth, thou shalt have Uberty in the Lord to rise with
it; only take heed of that part wVch will be outrunning it,
and getting above it, and so, not ready to descend again,
and keep low in the deeps with it.
0 my friend ! I have a sense, that this hath been the error
of that people that thou hast formerly Avalked with : and
I observe iu thy spirit yet a liability thereto ; which the
Lord give thee to watch against, that thou mayst come to a
pure observation and discerning of the everlasting, un
changeable seed in thy own heart, and mayst daily feel thy
mind bowed down and worship in it, become wholly leav
ened into it, and perfectly changed and preserved by it.
postscript.
AVe are here but awhile in this world, for the Lord to

ISAAC PENINGTON. 529
niake use of us, and serve himself by us ; and so, by his or
dering of us, to fit us for the croAvn of glory, Avhicli he will
give us fully to wear in the other Avorld. Now, feel the
child's nature, which chooseth nothing, but desires the ful
filling of the Father's will in it. I cannot desire to enjoy
any thing (saith the nature ofthe true birth), but as the Fa
ther, of himself, pleaseth to give me to enjoy. There is a
time to want, as well as to abound, while we are in this
world. And the tiraes of wanting, as well as abounding,
are greatly advantageous to us. Hoav should faith, love,
patience, meekness, and the excellency and sufficiency of
God's grace shine, but by, in, and through the raany exer
cises and varieties of conditions, AvhercAvith the Lord visit
eth his? Yea, the greatest iu the life, power, and glory of
the Lord, have the greatest trials and exercises, Avliich is to
their advantage, as aTso for the good and benefit of others,
and to the great honor and glory of the Lord. Oh ! at all
times, and in all conditions, take heed of a avUI, take heed
of a Avisdom, above tUe seed's avIU, and above the seed's
wisdom. Let the Lord aloue be all in thee, and make thee CA'ery
day what he pleaseth; and, in clue time, thou shalt knoAv a
life, — even the seed's Ufe, the Son's life, — -Avhom all of the
SMigels are to Avorship, — and the raystery of AA'hose life the
angels desire to look into, as it is revealed and brought
forth ! So, be still and quiet, aud silent before the Lord ;
not putting up any request to the Father, nor cherishing
any desire in thee, but in the seed's loAvly nature aucl purely
apringing life ; and the Lord give thee the clear discerning,
iu the lowly seed^ of all that spi-ings and arises in thy heart.
Thou didst read precious thiugs of the seed wheu thou
wast here, written outAvardly; oh that thou raightst read
the same things, written inwardly in thy ova'u heart; Avhich
that thou raayst do, becorae as a weaned child, not exercis
ing thyself iu things too high or too wonderful for thee.
Every secret thing, eA-ery spiritual mystery, but what God
opens to thee, is too high and wonderful for thee. And if
the Lord at any tirae open to thee deep raysteries, fear be-
Yol. HI.— 45

5.30 THE WOEKS OF
fore the Lord; and go no further into them than the Lord
leads thee. The error is still in the comprehending, knoAV-
iug mind, but never in the lowly, weighty seed of life ; —
Avhither the Lord God of ray Ufe more and more lead thee,
and counsel thee to take up thy dwelling place there, daily
instructing thee so to do. For the greatest, as well as the
least, must be daily taught of the Lord, both in ascending
and descending, or they will miss their way ; yea, they
must be daily taught of hira to be silent before him, and
kuow [what it is] to be still in him, or they will be apt to
miss in either. This from thy friend,

I. P.

Amersham, Woodside, 4th of Fifth Month, 1679.

To Sarah Elgar.

The child Avhieh the Lord hath taken from thee was his
OAVU. He hath done thee uo Avrong, in calling it from thee.
Take heed of munuuriug, take heed of discontent, take
heed of any grief, but Avhat truth allows thee. Thou hast
yet one child left. The Lord raay call for that too, if he
please; or he may continue and bless it to thee. Oh, mind
a right frame of Spirit toAvards the Lord, in this thy great
affliction! If thou raind God's truth iu thy heart, and Avait
to feel the seasoning thereof, that Avill bring thee into, and
preserve thee in a right frame of spirit. The Lord will not
condemn thy love aud tenderness to thy child, or thy tender
reraembrance of hira ; but still, in it be subject to the Lord,
and let his avUI and disposal be boAved unto by thee, and
uot the Avill of thy nature set above it. Retire out of the
uatural, iuto the spiritual, Avhere thou raayst feel the Lord
thy portion ; so that uoav, iu the needful tiiiie, thou raayest
day by day receive and enjoy satisfaction therein. Oh, wait
to feel the Lord niakiug thy heart Avbat he would have it to
be, in this thy deep and sore affliction !
I. P.
Nunnington, Sixth Month, 1679.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 531
Now, let the world see hoAv thou prizest the truth, and
what truth can do for thee. Feed on it ; do not feed on thy
aflUction ; and the life of truth will arise in thee, and raise
thee up over it, to the honor of the narae of the Lord, and
to the comfort of thy oavu soul.

To AVilliam Rolls.
Friend, David saAV through the sacrifices and burnt offerings in
his time; ahd the spiritual eye sees through aU shadows to
the substance, Avhich have no place in the brightness ofthe
day of God : and outAvard washing is no raore than outAvard
circumcision, — no more of a gospel nature, — nor can avail
any raore, but is of the nature of the things that Avere to be
shaken aud pass aAvay; that the spiritual kingdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ, aud the thiugs which caunot be shaken
might reraain.
I could say very ranch to every passage of thy letter; but
to what purpose would it be ? The Lord give thee a sense,
where the true understanding is given, and teach thee aright
to AA'ait for it; that thou raayst receive it from him, and
thereby discern the nature of that Avisdora, frora which God
hath hid the mystery iu all ages and generations, aud from
Avhich he hides it still ; that so thou mayest experimentally
know Avhat it is to become a fool iu thyself for Christ's sake,
that thou mayst be Avise iu him; concerning which, it is
easy to have raany notions in the raind, but hard to corae
to the true experience of
These are the breathings of ray heart for thee, in the flow
ings of my love ; who desire that thou raayst not seek after
the knowledge ofthe Scriptures in that which cannot un
derstand them ; but mayst meet with the right key, and the
right understanding, Avherein thy soul will be safe and
happy ; which is ray heart's desire for thee, who ara a real
friend and well-wisher to thy soul in the Lord.
L P.

532 THE WOEKS OF
To THE Poor among Friends, who are reUeved by the char
ity and bowels of love, Avhich God opens in other Friends
towards them.
0 Friends,
Ye ought deeply and often to consider of God's visiting
you with his precious truth, whereto being faithful, ye are
sure to be happy for ever ; Iioav hard soever it should go
with you, aud how strait soever your condition should be,
in reference to the things of this world.
But ye have not only this assurance and benefit by the
truth, but ye are also come to partake of a better provision,
as to your necessities outwardly, than other poor meet with.
For God hiraself takes care of you, in drawing the hearts of
his children to consider of your wants, and make supply
unto you ; so that many of you are so provided for, as ye
had ncA'cr like to have been while in this world, had it not
been for the interest God gives you in the hearts of others,
through and because of his truth. Surely this should not
be forgotten by you, but daily acknowledged to the Lord,
in the use and enjoyment of those things, which ye ought
to receive as from his hand, through those aa'Iio rainister to
you in his iiarae, and for his sake.
And take heed of raurrauring, if the supply answer not
any of your expectations ; for if we wait upon the Lord, to
be ordered and guided by him in this matter, and answer
ably witness his presence with us, and holy wisdom order
ing us in these affairs ; your murmuriugs are not against us,
but against the Lord. And if ye watch narrowly over your
selves, ye will find it is the unsubdued part, which is apt to
be repining and raurrauring; but that which is ofthe Lord,
and eyes him, is that AA'hich is sensible ofhis goodness, and
thankful to him- for it. But if there be judged to be any
neglect towards any, or auy just cause of complaint; let it,
in tenderness, meekuess, and the fear of the Lord, be laid
before us ; and we Avill wait upon hira to give it a due and
full consideration, and do therein as the Lord shall open

ISAAC PENINGTON. 533
and guide our hearts. For great exercises of spirit do Ave
meet Avith iu these affairs, and great are our cries of spirit
to the Lord, to guide and order us according to his will and
holy counsel therein.
And .dear Friends, wait to feel that which stays your
minds on the Lord, and keeps your eye towards him ; and
take heed of judging us iu things, wherein Ave truly desire
to act singly towards the Lord, and of AA'hich Ave must give
an account to hira; aud if ye in any thiug judge us, where
in our God justifies us, certainly the Lord avUI therein con-
deniu you. Therefore be wary and Avatchful in this matter.
L P.

To Sarah Bond.
Dear Sarah,
I have had many thoughts of thee iu this my imprison-
in eut; wherein I have seen in spirit thy error and miscar
riage, and a hope and expectation in thy heart which will
deceive thee.
Oh, how much precious tirae hast thou lost! wherein
thou raightst have been travelling far on thy journey, while
thou art disputing in thy mind, and Avandering in the de
ceitful reasonings of thy heart. And indeed, it must not be,
it must not be as thou imaginest; but thou must begin low,
aud be glad of a little light to travel with out of the earthly
uature, aud be faithful thereunto; aud in faithfulness ex
pect additions of light, and so much power as may help thee
to rub on. And though thou may be long low, and weak,
and little, and ready to perish ; yet in the humble and self-
denj'ing state, the Father will help thee, aud cause his life
to shoot up in thee, in the shooting up whereof will be thy
redemption. But, oh hasten, oh hasten out of the earthly nature,
whilst thou hast tirae, or any visitations from the Spirit of
the Lord! aud do not, in thy wisdom, limit him, but accept
what at present comes from him; for thc fiood is breaking

534 THE WOEKS OF
out, and will swallow up and droAvn all that are not found
in the ark. Oh ! therefore enter, enter apace ; mind that
which checks in thy heart; mind also that which reasons
against those checks, to hold thee still in captivity, and to
keep thee from travelling out of the earthly nature, spirit,
wisdom, and practices ; and come out of the spirit and way
of this world, that thou mayst live, and not die. For none
shall live, but those that walk in the way of life, and leave
the paths and course of the dead, in which thou art yet en
tangled. Oh that thou mightst be loosed, and travel out
thence, with a little light and a little help ! and uot limit
the Holy One of Israel in thy desires or expectations, but
thankfully receive the smallest visitation that comes frora
him to thy soul ; for there is life and peace in it, and death
and perplexity in turning from it. And this Avill not be thy
comfort or satisfaction hereafter, to have had a day of visi
tation aud niercy frora on high ; but to have received the
visitation, and to have been turned in it, from the darkness
of the earthly raind and nature, into the light of the liA'ing
and redeemed souls, — this will be comfortable indeed!
And this is my tender counsel to thee : wait for and gasp
ingly receive the checks ofthe Alost High, and take heed of
reasoning against them; but as that (though in a low aud
mean and despicable AA-ay to thy wisdora) draws and leads
thee out of any earthly thought, word, custora, or practice,
folloAv diligently; not reasoning against it, but Avaiting to
have thy reasonings subdued to the sraallest motions and
lowest guidance of life iu thee. For I know that life is
near thee, even the life that would effectually redeem thee ;
but it is bowed dowu and held captive under the dominion
of the eartlily wisdom; and so thy redemption (which is to
be wrought out by it) stic;ks, and Avill stick, until thy heart
be persuaded to join to it and become subject, without rea
soning, without consulting, Avithout disputing. For I cer
tainly know the light manifests in thee; but the darkness
puts off" the preseut manifestation of the light, and expects
another; and this is in the wUl of the flesh, which the Fa
ther will not ansAver; and in this will and expectation thou

ISAAC PENINGTON. 535
wilt perish; but thy help, Ufe, and salvatiou are in being
subject to the present manifestation of light, parting with
and departing from what thou already knowest to be of the
earth, and not of God.
And in thus doing, more will be made raanifest in the
Lord's season, and power given to becorae a child, after
some belief in the Father, and some entrance into the child
like nature; but the will and expectation of the fiesh in
thee shall never be answered : — it hath been long written
in my heart concerning thee, but I dare never utter it to
thee. Oh that it may be now uttered, to the melting and
advantage of thy heart! for, indeed, I love thee, and have
travailed for thee, and desire the salvation of thy soul, as of
my own. Oh that thou mayst be led out of that wisdora
which destroys, into that which saves! aud raayst there, in
humUity of heart, receive instruction daily, according to thy
need. But indeed, of a truth, thou raust corae into and
come under that which crucifies thy nature and Avisdora ;
and there (in the seasons of God's wisdora, Avho ansAvers the
desires of his own Spirit iu the heart, but regards not the
flesh) mayst thou meet with life and power, but no Avhere
else. I ara thy friend, and a dear lover of thcd iu thee Avhich
desires the Lord; and oh that that raight corae up in thee,
and be severed from the earth, that thy soul may live !
L P.

For my dear Friends in the Truth at Leaves.
The God of truth plants his truth in the hearts of people,
that it might grow there, and bring forth fruit to hira. O
my dear friends ! feel it grow in every oue of your hearts,
and bringing forth the proper fruits of its growth to the
Lord. Mind what ariseth frora the truth, Avhat truth brings
forth, and wait for and receive your nourishraeut frora the
Lord, that it may be brought forth in you. And that Avhich

536 THE WOEKS OF
the Lord hath raade barren (iu you, Avho have experienced
his righteous judgments), let it be kept so, by the same
power Avhich made it barren, that no raore fruit raay be
brought forth to siu and unrighteousness, by any of you.
Theu shall ye live the life of truth, and no life but the Ufe
of truth, and dAvell and Avalk in the truth, thau Avhicli there
is uo greater joy, delight, or peace to be desired or enjoyed.
0 my dear friends ! kuow and every day experience
Enoch's Ufe, — a being translated out of the kingdom of
darkness, iuto the kingdom of the dear Son, and of walk
ing Avith the Son in his Icingdom ; then ye Avill walk Avitli
the Father also, and Icuoav the beavenlj' paths of life, joy,
righteousness, and peace in the pure light of life, which is
no less than a paradise to the rencAved soul.
I AA'ould fain baA'C seen you together, had the Lord made
Avay; but let rae feel you in the hidden life, and raeet j'ou
at ray Father's throne, where let us beg of our God, what
our souls aud his AA'hole flock stand iu need of, prayiug for
the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem, uuto the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Avho hears our prayers;
that Ave ma}' daily see and feel the going on of the Avork of
our God, in our hearts, aud in the kingdoms of the AA'orld
(Avhich raust become the Lord's and his Christ's), and may
bless and magnify his name, Avho hath power OA'cr all, aud
orders all for good to his chosen heritage.
This is the salutation of ni}' love to 3'Ou, Avhich laj' so up
ou me, that I could not pass it by, Avho ara your friend, in
the everlasting, unchangeable truth of our blessed God and
Saviour.
L P.

To

Because ray not praying iu ray family, accordiug to the
custom of professors, seemed to be such a great stumbliug-
block to thee, it sprang up in my heart to render thee this
account thereof

ISAAC PENINGTON. 537
I did formerly apply myself to pray to the Lord, morning
and evening (besides other times), beUeving in my heart,
that it was the will of the Lord I should so do. And this
was my condition then : — soraetiraes I felt the living spring
open, and the true child breathe towards the Father; at
other tiraes I felt a deadness, a dryness, a barrenness, and
only a speaking and striving of the natuftil part, which I,
even then, felt was not acceptable to the Lord, uor did prof
it my soul; but apprehending it to be a duty, I durst not
but apply myself thereto.
Since that time, — since the Lord hath again been pleased
to raise up what he had forraerly begotten in me, aud be
gun to feed it, by the pure giving forth of that breath of life
which begat it (which is the bread that conjes doAvn frora
heaven daily to it, as the Lord pleaseth freely to dispense
it), — the Lord hath shown rae that prayer is his gift to the
child which he begets; and that it stands not in the Avill, or
time, or understanding, or affectionate part of the creature,
but in his own begetting, which he first breathes upon, and
then it breathes again towards him ; — aud that he Avorketh
this at his own pleasure, and no time can be set him Avhen he
shall breathe, or when he shall uot breathe; and that Avhen
he breathes, then is the time of prayer, then is the time of
moving towards hira, and following hiin Avho draAvs. So
that all ray times, and all my duties, and all my graces, and
all ray hopes, aucl all ray refreshments, aud all my ordi
nances, are in his hand, who is the spring of my life, aud
conveys, preserves, and increases Ufe of his oavu good pleas
ure. I freely confess, all my religion stands in waiting on the
Lord, for the riches of his Spirit, aud iu returning back to
the Lord (by his own Spirit, and in the virtue of his oavu
life), that which he pleaseth to bestoAv on me. And, I have
no faith, no love, no hope, no peace, no joy, no abUity to
any thing, no refreshment in any thing, but as I find his liA'
ing breath beginning, his living breath continuing, his liv
ing breath ansAvering, and performing Avhat it calls for. So
that I am become exceeding poor and miserable, save iu

588 THE WOEKS OF
-tvhat the Lord pleaseth to be to me by his own free grace,
and for his own name's sake, and in rich mercy. And if I
have tasted any thing of the Lord's goodness sweeter than
ordinary, my heart is willing, so far as the Lord pleaseth,
faithfully to point any others to the sarae spring; and not
discourage or Avitness against the least siraplicity, and true
desire after God, iu thera. But where they have lost the
true living child, and another thiug is got up iu its stead
(Avhieh, though it raay bear its iraage to the eye of flesh, yet
is not the sarae thing in the sight of God), and where this
nourisheth itself by prayiug, reading, meditating, or any
other such like thing, feeding the carnal part with such a
kind of knoAAdedge from Scriptures, as the natural under
standing raay gather and grow rich by ; this, in love aud
faithfulness to the Lord aud to souls, I cannot but testify
against, wherever I find it, as the Lord draweth forth my
spirit to bear its testimony.
And this I know, frora the Lord, to be the general state
of professors at this day. The Spirit of the Lord is de
parted frora thera, and they are joiued to another spirit, as
deepl}' and as generally as ever the Jews were; and that
their prayers and reading of the Scriptures, aud preaching,
and duties, aud ordinances are as loathsorae to the soul of
the Lord, as ever the Jcavs' incense and sacrifices were.
Aucl this is the Avord of the Lord coucerning thera. Ye
must come out of your knowledge, into the feeling of au
iuward principle of life, if ever ye be restored to the true
unity with God, and to the true enjoyraent of hira again.
Ye must corae out of the knoAvledge and wisdom ye have
gathered frora the Scriptures, into a feeling of the thiug
there written of, as it pleaseth the Lord to open and reveal
them in the hiddeu man of the heart.
This is it, ye are to Avait for from the Lord; and not to
boast of your present state, as if ye were not backslidden
frora hira, and had not entered into league with another
spirit; which keeps up the iraage of Avhat the Spirit of the

ISAAC PENINGTON.

539

Lord once formed in you, but Avithout tho true, pure fresh
life. '
From a faithful friend and lover of souls.
I. p. ,

To E. Terry.
Friend, If the Lord hath extended favor to thee aud shown thee
mercy, I therein rejoice on thy behalf.
Thy desire, that what thou wrotest may be looked upon
as nothing, and that no contest raay be raised frora it, I ara
content fully to answer thee in; nor do I desire to have any
advantage against thee, nor art thou at all disparaged in ray
thoughts by what thou hast written, but it is iu my heart as
nothing, and my love flows to thee ; for I take notice of thy
seriousuess, aud what I have unity Avith in this letter, and
overlook the other.
As touching disputes, indeed, I baA'c no love to thera :
Truth did not enter my heart that Avay, nor do I expect to
propagate it in others that way; yet, sometimes a necessity
is laid upou jne, for the sake of others. And truly, Avhen I
do feel a necessity, I do it in great fear; not trusting iu my
spear or bow, I raean in strong arguments or Avise consid
erations, which I (of myself) can gather or comprehend;
but I look up to the Lord for the guidance, help, aud dem
onstration of his Spirit, that Avay may be made thereby in
meu's hearts for the pure seed to be reached to, Avhereiu the
true conviction, and thorough conversion ofthe soul to God
is witnessed. I had far rather be feeling Christ's life. Spir
it, and power iu ray oavu heart, than disputing with others
about them.
Christians that truly fear the Lord, have a proportion of
the primitive Spirit; and, if they could learn to watch and
wait there, where God works the fear, they Avould daily re
ceive more and more of it, and in it, understand more and
more the true intent and preciousness of the Avords of the

540 THE WOEKS OF
Holy Scriptures. He that will truly Uve to God, must hear
AA'isdom's voice within, at home, in his own heart; and he
that will have her Avords made known, and her spirit poured
,out to hira, raust turn at her reproof. Prov. i. 23. Indeed, I
'never knew, and ara satisfied that none else can know, the
preciousness of this lesson, till they are taught it of the
Lord. There is one thing raore on my heart to express, occa
sioned by thy last letter, which is this: I have more unity
in ray heart and spirit before the Lord, with the Puritan
state, than Avith the churches and gatherings which men
have built up and run into since. Indeed, men have en
larged their knowledge aud comprehension of things; but
that truth of heart, that love, that tenderness, that unity
upon truth's account, Avhich was then amongst thera, many
have raade shipAvreck of, and do not now know the state of
their oavu souls, nor truth in the life aud poAver ofit. This
principle of life and truth Avas near me, as well as others;
yea, Avith rae in that daj'; but I Avandered frora it into out
AA'ard knoAvledge, and, Avith great seriousness, into a Avay of
congregational Avorship, and thereby carae to a great loss ;
aud at length, for want of the Lord's presence, power, and
raanifestation of his love, was sick at heart. But now, the
Lord, in great love and teuder niercy, having brought me
back to the same principle, aud fixed ray spirit therein, I
discern the truth and beauty of that former estate, Avith the
several runnings out frora it; and find what was. true or
false therein, discovered to me by tbe holy anointing; which
appears and teaches in that principle. And, friend, it is uot
a notion of light, Avhich ray heart is engaged to testify to ;
but that Avhich enlivens, that Avhich opens, that which gives
to see, that vB-herein the power of Ufe is felt. For truly, iu
the opening of ray heart by the pure power, was I taught to
see and own trhe p-rinciple and seed of Ufe, and to know its
way of appearance ; and so cau faithfully and certainly tes-
tif}',. that that which is divine, spiritual, and heavenly, is
nearer raan than he is aware, as-weU as that which is eartiily
and selfish.

ISAAC PENINGTON.

541

O friend! if thou canst not yet see and own the principle
and seed of Christ's life and Spirit, nor discern his appear
ance therein; yet take heed of fighting against it; for, in
deed, if thou dost, thou fightest against no less than the
Lord Jesus Christ himself.
L P.
To A near Relative.

Dear  ,
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation ; it is the
glad tidings of freedom from siu, of putting off' the body of
sin by the circumcision and baptisra of the Spirit, of being
delivered out ofthe hands of our spiritual enemies, that we
may serve God (Avithout fear of them any raore), in holiness
and righteousness all the days of our life.
The ministers of the gospel are those, Avho, in the Spirit
of Christ, by the gift and inspiration thereof, preach these
tidings to the poor and needy, to the captives, to those that
groan under the pressure of the body of corruption.
The gospel, through the great mercy of God, I have, at
length, heard preached ; and I have not heard man, but the
voice of ray Beloved; Avhose voice is Avelcome to me, though
in the meanest boy, or raost conteraptible feraale. For in
Christ, there is neither raale nor female; nor should his
Spirit, which is not limited to males, be quenched iu any.
And though thou, through prejudice, call this speaking of
the Spirit through servants and handmaids, prating, yet the
Lord can forgive thee ; for surely, if thou knew what thou
didst herein, thou wouldst not thus oft'end the Lord; — ex
tolling preaching by man's Avisdora, frora_ a minister made
by man, for gospel preaching, and condemning the preach
ing of persons sent by God, in the imraediate inspiration of
his Spirit. I ara confident, if, without prejudice, and in the
fear of God, thou didst once hear such, thou wouldst not be
able to. forbear saying in thy heart. It is the voice of God,
of a truth. But that which hath not the sheep's ear can
uever own the voice of the true Shepherd.
Vol. in.— 46

542 THE WOEKS OP
As for 'those whom thou callest ministers, if I should
speak, concerning thera, the very truth from the raouth of
of the Lord, thou couldst not, in that state wherein thou
standest, receive it ; yet am I far from accounting them the
ofi'scouring of -the earth; for I look upon them as wise and
knowing, and as of great beauty iu the earthly learning
and wisdom; but surely, not as having "the tongue of the
learned," "to speak a word in season to him that is Aveary;"
nay, they are men unlearned in this kind of learning, and
such as toss and tear aud wrest the scripture, in their uncer
tain reasonings and guessings about the sense of it, and in
the various doubtful interpretations they give.
And whereas I am blamed for not putting a difference
between the profane and scandalous rainisters, and the rev
erend and godly sort; ray answer is. They are united iu
one rainistry: aud the question is not concerning the per
sons, but the rainistry; in Avhich they are one, — their call
one, their raaintenance one, their way of worship aud
preaching one, their standing and power of government
one; Avhich is not by the poAver and presence of the Spirit,
but by the strength ofthe magistrate. But the true gospel
and rainistry is spiritual, and cannot stand nor be upheld
by that which is carnal, neither in its call, raaintenance,
government, or AA-hat else belongs to it. AVhen Christ came
in the flesh, the words he pronounced were uot so much
agaiust the profane and scandalous araong the Scribes and
Pharisees; but against those that appeared most strict, and
were accounted among the Jews the most reverend and
godly. Aud, were it not for the appearance of godUness in
these raen, the persecution of the present tiraes had not
been so hot, the good old cause so lost, and the Avork of
reformation (inasmuch as relates to men) so overturned as
at this day. O  ! there was once a good thing in divers
of them, Avhich ray soul would rejoice to see revived; but
as the seat of governraent eat out the good that was iu the
bishops, so gaping after the seat of governraent hajth sunk
the good thing iu others also; and raade their eye so dira,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 543
that they cannot see the raighty breakings forth of the
Spirit of Christ in his people.
L P.

To Richard Roberts.
R. R.
Thou didst acquaint rae that Timothy Fly, the Anabap
tist teacher, did charge me Avith denying Christ's humanity,
and also the blood of Christ, Avhich Avas shed at Golgotha,
Avithout the gates of Jerusalem; aud that I own no other
Christ but what is Avithiu meu.
Sure I ara, that neither T. Fly, nor any other man, did
ever hear me deuy, that Christ, accordiug to the flesh, was
born of the Virgin Mary, or that that Avas his blood, Avhich
Avas shed without the gates of Jerusalem. Aucl the Lord,
who knoweth ray heart, knoAveth, that such a thing never
was in ray heart ; nay, I do greatly value that flesh and blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and witness forgiveness of sins
and rederaption through it. Yet, if I should say, I do not
knoAvnor partake ofhis flesh aud blood iu the mystery also,
I should not be a faithful Avituess to the Lord. For there
is the mystery of God and of Christ ; and that is the soul's
food which gives life to the soul, even the living bread and
the living Avater. For there is living bread aud living Avater ;
and the flesh and blood in the mystery, on Avhich the soul
feeds, is not inferior in nature and virtue to the bread and
water. There is a knowing Christ after the flesh, aiid there
is a knowing him after the Spirit, and a feeding on his Spir
it and Ufe; and this doth not destroy his appearing iu flesh,
or the blessed ends thereof, but confirm and fulfil them.
The owning of Christ being inwardly in his saints, doth
not deny his appearing outwardly iu the body prepared; un
less T. F. can maintain this, that the sarae Christ that ap
peared outwardly cannot appear inAvardly. "Know ye not
your own selves, hoAv that Jesus Christ is iu you, except ye
be reprobates?" 2 Cor. xiii. 5. "And if Christ be in you,
the body is dead because of sin,"&c. Rora. viU. 10. "Christ

544 THE WOEKS OF
in you, the hope of glory." Col. i. 27. "Behold, I stand at
the door aud knock; if any man hear my A'oiee aud open
the door, I aa'UI come in to hira." Rev. Ui. 20. "I Avill corae
again," saith Christ: Ye are uoav in pain, as a Avomau in
travail, full of sorrow for the loss of my outAA'ard, bodily
presence ; but I will come to you agaiu in spirit; see John
xvi. and Johu xiv. 17. "He," that "dwelleth with you,
shall be in you:" and then, when the Bridegroom is iu
wardly and spirituaUy iu you and Avith you, "your heart
shall rejoice, and your joy no raan taketh frora you." Johu
xvi. 22. And so, the apostles and primitive Christians did
"rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory," 1 Peter
i. 8. because ofthe spiritual appearance and presence ofthe
Bridegroora. And yet, there is no other bridegroom, who
now appears in spirit, or spiritually in the hearts of his,
than He that once appeared in the prepared body, aud did
the Father's will therein.
L P.

Addressed to the Independents at Canterbury.
I HAVE been a seeker after God, and a worshipper of him
from ray childhood, according to the best of ray understand
ing; and, at last, sat down in that Avay Avhich is called In
dependency, believing it to be the Avay of the gospel, and
entering into it Avith ranch fear and seeking of God. In
which way, the Lord had regard to the uprightness and ten
derness of heart, which he had formed in me.
But, at length, the Lord's hand fell upon me, breaking
me all to pieces therein, as to my inward state; for what
cause, I had then no knoAvledge at all of; but mourned be
fore him unutterablj-, night and day, and lay panting and
languishing after hira, Avho Avas the only Beloved of ray
soul. Many pitied me, but none could reach my state, but,
after much serious discourse Avith rae, greatly wondered:
and sorae said, it was a prerogative case, aud Avould, ques
tionless, end in good-will and mercy frora the Lord to me.
I parted from that people in great love and tenderness;

ISAAC PENINGTON. 545
they expecting my return to them again (the love between
rae and thera being so exceeding great, and I having let in
no prejudice against thera), and I knowing nothing to the
contrary. But it pleased the Lord, after raany years, when ray hope
nearly failed, to visit rae iu a wonderful manner, breaking
my heart in pieces, giving rae to feel his pure, liviug power,
aud the i-aising of his holy seed in ray heart thereby; inso
much, that I cried out inwardly before hira, "This is He,
this is He AA'hom I have sought after, and so much wanted!
this is the pearl, this is the holy leaven ! do Avhat thou Avilt
Avith me, afflict me how thou Avilt, and as long as thou
pleasest, so that at length I may be joiued Avith this, and
becorae one Avith this!" So the eye of my understanding
was from that day anointed, and I saw aud felt the pure life
of the Son raade raanifest in me; and the Father drcAV me
to him, as to a li\'ing stone, and hath built my soul upon
him, and brought me to Mouut Zion, and tbe holy city of
our God; where the river of life sends forth its streams,
Avhieh refresh aud make glad the holy city, and all the tab
ernacles that are built on God's holy hill. Aud indeed,
from this holy hill and city, the laAV aud word of life doth
issue, aud the inhabitants of the rock of life hear it, au-d are
friends to the Bridegroom, aud glad of the Bridegroom's
voice, and follow the Lamb, the Shepherd and Bishop of
their souls, Avhithersoever he leads; who leads them into
the pastures of life, and folds of pure rest, and giA'Cs them
eternal life to feed on, and his peace and patience to possess
their souls in.
0 ye Independents ! AAdiom I have loved above all people,
aud uever had thoughts of rending from 3'OU, but Avas forc
ibly taken by the hand of the Lord out of your Society; yet
not without a desire to return to you agaiu, if the Lord
pleased to make any way thereto ; — I say, 0 ye Indepen
dents, above all professions the one most dearly beloved by
me ! oh that ye could hear the sensible, experienced testi
mony that is ou my heart to you concerning my Beloved,
eoncerning his appearance, concerning his church, concern-

546 .THE WORKS OP
ing his way, his truth, his kingdom. It is nigher than ye
are aware, and above all that ye can comprehend concern
ing it. Oh that ye might inwardly know these things!
Turn in, turn in: mind what stirs in your hearts; what
moves against sin, what moves towards sin. The one is the
Son's life, the Son's grace, the Son's Spirit; the other is the
spirit and nature which is contrary thereto. If ye could but
come to the sense of this, and come to a true, inward si
lence, and waiting, and turning at the reproofs of heavenly
wisdom, and know the heavenly drawings into that which
is holy and living ; ye would soon find the Lord working in
your hearts, to stop the issues of death, and to open the is
sues of life there ; and ye would find yourselves anointed
daily by the Lord (for there is not a day but we need to see,
nor a day but the Lord gives sight), and an understauding
also would be given you to know Him that is true, and the
"eternal Ufe," 1 John i. 2. and an abiding in him that is
true. And, abiding here, ye cannot fail of receiving power
(frora hira who ministers according to the power of the end
less life), not only to overcome sin and your souls' enemies,
but to becorae sons to God, with delight performing his will.
And that yoke, which yokes down and subdues sin in you,
will be easy, yea, the ease, pleasure, and joy of your souls.
The Lord open an ear in you to hear as the learned, that
ye may becorae experiencers aud possessors of these things;
for, of a truth, the Lord is arisen to shake terribly the earth,
and to build up his Zion, and to give unto his people "a
peaceable habitation and sure dwellings and quiet resting-
places" upon Mount Zion. Isa. xxxii. 18.
L P.

To Francis Pordage.
Friend, There is a mind, which can never kuow nor receive the
things of God's kingdora; and yet, this mind is very busy
in searching aud inquiring after thera.

ISAAC PENINGTON. * 547
The Scribes and Pharisees were still questioning Christ,
and desiring satisfaction about the kingdora, and about his
doctrine and miracles, and the practice of his disciples, but
could never receive satisfaction ; yet, the disciples thera
selves were many times afraid to ask Christ questions, there
being a dread of God upon their spirits, and a limit to the
knowing and inquiring part in them; for indeed, the true
birth learns under the yoke.
This, therefore, is precious; to come to feel somewhat to
limit that mind, which is forward and inquisitive out of the
true nature and sense, and to receive the yoke, and to be
limited by it and famished; for famine, not food of life, is
appointed for that mind and birth. It is Avritten, "I will
destroy the wisdora of the Avise, and bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent." Now, this is precious and
greatly needful: for a man to knoAV, and discern, and Avatcli
against that wisdom and understanding in himself, which
God will destroy and bring to nothing; for, to be sure,
while he is learning and striving to know Avith that, God
will never teach hira, but rather hide the raystery of life
and sah'ation frora hira. And Avhat is all raan's knoAvledge
worth, that he learns of himself without God's teaching ; and
which he receiA'es into that understanding which is to per
ish and be destroyed? In the new understanding, God sets
up the true light; but in the other understanding, are false
lights set up, which do not give a true distinction of good
and evil, but they call good evU, and evil good, aud put
darkness for light, and light for darkness, and cannot do
otherwise; because, the light in them is darkness, it not be
ing the gift of grace whereby they see and judge, but a light
of their own forming, according to their own comprehen
sion of things, in the dark and fallen understanding.
Now, the^Lord hath taught us the dift'erence between all
th^e lights, and the Ught of his grace, Avhich purely teach
eth, livingly teacheth, not in the reasonings of the mind,
but in the evidence and deraonstration of God's Spirit in
the soul and conscience. AVhen we carae to see in this
light, we found, that which we had called good, accordiug

548 THE WORKS OF
to our former apprehension of things, was not so in the true
balance ; and what we thought had pleased God, was abom
inable in his eyes. And truly, all that are not come to this
light, they offer that which is abominable to God, and yet
think it pleaseth hira ; and what a gross and dangerous rais
take is this ! indeed, all are no better than will-deeds, which
are done out of the light, life, virtue, and power of God's
Spirit. For the root must be good, or the fruit cannot be
good. The raind raust be renewed, or the knowledge is but
old, dead, literal, and fieshly; such as the fleshly under
standing comprehends aud receives, which can neither
know nor receive what is spiritual.
Truly, the Lord hath led us a great way in our journey,
and doue great things inwardly for and in our spirits; yet,
if we Avere not kept uuder the yoke, but that part in us had
liberty to kuow, aud live, and act, and worship, we should
yet perish, aud be cut oft" from the land ofthe living.
L P.
In reply to an ansaver of I. H. to someavhat avritten
ON BEHALF OF TRUTH.
 Indeed, to speak properly, the church ofthe gos
pel, or new testaraent church, is invisible. The persons in
Avhom the church is, are visible; yet the new testament
church is not a society of raen, but rather of the invisible
Ufe in raen. It is a fellowship in the faith, in the Spirit,
Avhich is the bond of their unity and of their peace.
The life is breathed invisibly into the hidden raan ; John
iii. 8. it is there nourished and built up invisibly into a
spiritual, inA'isible teraple, house, or church ; and in that is
the unity and fellowship. So that the church is a raystery,
and the fellowship a mystery, which is hid from every eye
but the eye of life ; and there is no having fellowship one
with anotliBr, but by coming to that, and keeping in that,
wherein is the fellowship. 1 John i. 7. It is of inward
Jews the church is built; it is of such, God seeks to frame
his new house of Avorship^ under the gospel. John iv. 23.

ISAAC PENINGTON. 549
Now, of such stones as these, the Lord builds up a teraple
for his Spirit to dwell in, a house for his life and presence
to manifest itself in, — even a church for the living God.
This building is by the Spirit, in the Spirit, aud of that
which is spiritual ; this building is one Avith the foundation,
and therefore is the pillar and grouud of Trnth, which noue
is but Christ, and that Avhieh is married to him, and so one
with hira. 1 Tim. iii. 15. Consider the place Avell, aud see
Avhether it relate to that Avhich thou callest the invisible, or
to that Avhich thou callest the visible church.
It is the candlestick iu persons, that is the church ; not
any outward meeting of persons, or joining together by
covenant, or receiving or practising of ordinances, cau make
a church ; but the eternal life in believers, formed by the
Spirit iuto a candlestick, to hold the eternal lamp or light,
with the everlasting oil of salvation. The light thus shining
in this candlestick, continually refreshed by this oil, — ^here
isa flourishing temple, whercA'cr it is fouud; here is the
church ofthe liA'ing God, here is the spouse married to the
Lamb, her Husband. But grieve the Spirit, quench the
Spirit, despise the prophesyings thereof, and light up a can
dle of the fleshly wisdora and knoAvleclge of the things of
God, instead of these, the oil soon fails; the oil failing, the
lamp goes out; the lamp, or light, being gone out of the
candlestick, the Lord soon removes the candlestick ; and
the candlestick being once removed, the very same persons
may raeet together often, and hold up the forra, — ^perforra-
ing thiugs raentioned in the Scriptures concerning a church,
and observing such things as they raay caU the institutions
and ordinances thereof, — but they are tar frora continuing
to be a church. Take away the faith, what is left of a
Christian ? and take away the candlestick, what is left of a
church ?
It is the Spirit alone that can square stones, and fit them
for building a church of; and he alone can buUd them up
into a house, when he hath squared them. Eph. ii. 22. And
after he hath buUt, he can pull dowu again, and bring into
a wilderness state; for there is a wilderness state of Chris-

550 THEWORKSOP
tianity as well as a built state; Rev. xii. 6. and as, in the
built state, it is dangerous to be out of the church, so, in the
wilderness state, it is dangerous remaining in that building
Avhich the Spirit of the Lord hath forsaken. Now, if the
Spirit be the builder, then, surely, he will take in no stones,
but such as he hath first squared and fitted for the building.
And after the church is built, it is he alone who addeth to
the church; AA'ho Avill be sure to add none, but those Avhom
he hath first converted. Acts ii. 47.
The church is a body gathered in the Spirit, and watch
ing to the Spirit; who is preseut there Avith his pure, search
ing, disceruing eyes; so that nothing that is impure can en
ter (they Avatching to the Spirit, according to the order of
the gospel), uo, uot one' counterfeit Jew, no, nor so much
as one false apostle, though they clothe theraselves ever so
like angels of light. Rev. xxii. But if they be negligent,
and frora off the watch, not waiting for the guidance of the
Spirit; then that Avhich is corrupt may creep in, aud eudan-
ger the body. Jude 4.

To Bridget Atley.
Dear Friend,
I am sensible of thy sore traA'ail aud deep distress, and
hoAv hard it is for thee to meet Avith that which is comfort
able aud refreshing, aud hoAV easily again it is lost; and
Avhence it ariseth,— even from the Avorking ofthe eneray in
a raystery of deceit in.thy heart; Avhereiu thou dost not per
ceive uor suspect hira, but swalloAvest down his baits, and
so he smites thee Avith his hook, and thereby draAVS thee
back into the region of darkness ; and then, entereth that
part in thee Avhich is iu nature one with hira, filling it Avith
his Avickedness ; and then, laying loads of accusations upon
thee, as if they Avere true. 'These are uot strange things to
the travellers after the Lord, but such as are usually met
Avith iu the like cases: but if thy eye Avere made single and
opened by the Lord, thou Avouldst see those baits, aud turn

ISAAC PENINGTON.

551

from that, which thou now so readily swallowest down ; and
so avoid the stroke, and keep thy station, in the light and
mercy of the Lord, Thou must not look so much at the
evU that is nigh, but rather at that Avhich stands ready to
pity and help, — and which hath pitied and helped thy dis
tressed soul, aud will pity and help it again. AVhy is there
a mercy-seat, but for the sinner to look towards in tirae of
need? Neither must thou hearken to the questionings of the in-
snaring questioner: but cleave to that which shuts thera
out, keeping to the sense of the love and niercy, when the
Lord is kind and tender to thee. AVhen the eneray entered
thy habitation again, and broke thy rest, peace, and enjoy
ment of the Lord ; again, an earnest desire after cleansing
arose in thee; not from the Ufe, but in the evil; this AA'as
also a means to rob thee of that, which, in its abiding and
powerful operation cleanseth the heart ; and here, thou
wouldst be limiting the Lord in his dealings, who worketh
according to the counsel of his own will, and visiteth wheu
and where he pleaseth. And thus the euemy having caught
thee with his mysterious workings, he then draws thee into
the pit of darkness, where the reraerabrance of life, and the
sense of raercy and love vanisheth; aucl there is no help for
thee, by auy thing thou canst do or think. But be patient,
till the Lord's tender mercy and love visit thee again ; and
then, look up to him against this aud such like snares,
which would corae between thee and the appearance of the
Lord's love; that thou raayst feel raore ofhis abidings Avith
thee, aud ofthe sweet effects thereof. For, these things are
not to destroy thee, but to teach thee wisdom; which the
Lord is able, through many exercises and sore trials, to be
stow upon thee ; which ray soul will exceedingly rejoice to
hear the tidings of; that thy heart may be rid of all that
burdeneth, and filled with all it rightly desires after, in the
proper season and goodness of the Lord ; to Avhose wise or
dering and tender mercy I comrait thee, remaining
Thy faithful friend,
L P,

552 THE WORKS OF
To Abraham Grimsden,
Friend, Thou hast made some profession of truth, and at times
come amongst us; but whether thou hast been changed
thereby, and been faithful to the Lord in what has been
raade raanifest to thee, belongs unto thee diligently to in
quire. There is no safe dallying with truth. He that puts
his hand to the ploAV, raust not look back at any thing of
this world ; but take up the cross and follow Christ, in the
single-hearted obedience, hating father, mother, goods,
lands, wife, yea, all for His sake; or he is not worthy of
Him. The good baud of the Lord is Avith his people, and
he blesseth them both inAvardly aud outAvardly; and they
that seek the kingdora of heaven, aud the righteousness
thereof, in the first place, have other things also added : but
they that neglect the kingdora, and are unfaithful to truth,
seeking the world before it, the hand of the Lord goes forth
against thein, aud they many times, nUss of that also of the
Avorld, Avliich they seek and labor for.
Truth is honorable. Oh! take heed of bringing a re
proach upon it, by pretending- to it, and yet not being of it,
iu the pure sense and obedience, which it begets and brings
forth in the hearts and lives of the faithful. But if any be
careless and unfaithful to Avhat they are convinced of, and so,
for the present, bring a reproach upon God's truth, Avhich is
altogether innoceut thereof; the Lord, in his due tirae, Avill
wipe off" that reproach frora his truth and people; but the
sorroAV and burden will light upon theraselves, which will
be very bitter and hea\'y to thera, in the day that the Lord
shall visit them with his righteous judgments.
Oh, consider rightly and truly! It had been better for
thee, thou hadst never knoAvn truth, nor been directed to
the principle aud path of righteousness; than, after direc
tion thereto, to turn from the holy coramandments, aud de
ny obedieuce to the righteous One. The Lord give thee
true sense and repentance, if it be his holy pleasure, and

ISAAC PENINGTON.

553

raise thee out of this world's spirit, to live to him in his own
pure Spirit, It is easy to profess and make a show of truth,
but hard to corae into it. It is very hard to the earthly
mind, to part with that AA'hich must be parted Avitli for it,
before the soul can corae to possess and enjoy it. Profes
sion of truth, without the Ufe aud power, is but a slippery
place, which raen may easily slide from ; nay, indeed, if raen
be not in the life and power, they can hardly be kept from
that which Avill stain their profession. "The Lord, Avho
searcheth the heart, knows how it is Avith thee : oh, con
sider thy ways, and fear before hira, and take heed of tak
ing his narae in vain, for he will not hold such guiltless !
I am, in this, faithful aud friendly to thy soul, desiring its
eternal welfare, and that it may not for ever perish from the
presence and poAver of the Lord. I. P.

To

Friend, God breathed into man the breath of life, and man there
by became a living soul to God, to Avhom by transgression
he died. But Christ (avIio was before Abrahara, and, iu
due tirae, took up that body prepared by the Father) is the
resurrection and the life, who, frora the Father, breathes life
into man again, and so he conies to live again. And mau,
being quickened by Christ, is to rise up from the dead, and
travel with Christ into the land of the living. And Christ
is all to the believers, iu whom dAvells all fulness; the cir
cumcision is in him, the baptisra iu hira, and the righteous
uess, rest, and peace also; yea, in hira are all the treasures
of wisdom aud knoAvledge; and he is raade of God, unto
them that believe in him, wisdom, righteousness, sanctifica
tion, and redemption. Now, it is very precious to feel this;
but of Uttle value to imagine or comprehend apprehensions
about this. For the end of AVords is to bring men to the
thing; but the Scribes and Pharisees, by their apprehen-
Yol. IIL— 47

554 THE WORKS OF
sions upon the words given forth by the Spirit, missed of
the thing (though they thought they missed not, but were
blessed iu the knowledge of the law, and they that kncAV
not the law were cursed) : and the sarae spirit is alive in
many that profess truth uoav, who, by their uudei-standing
of scripture words, are kept from the thing Avhich the Script
ures testify of. AVhat did Christ come iu the flesh and suf
fer for, but to unite and reconcile to God? and what is the
antichristian way of erring from the truth, but to cry up the
appearance of Christ in the flesh, his sufferings, resurrec
tion, ascension, &c., in that spirit, wherein the true union
and reconciliation is not witnessed ? If we receive the light,
aud walk in the light, as God is in the light, then have we a
share in his Son's death and atonement, and his blood
cleanseth from unrighteousness ; but not otherwise.
Oh that all who truly desire salvation, might know the
way hither, and receive that from God, which cleanseth aud
keepeth clean ! Araen. L P.

To

Friend, The Lord God on whora I wait, and Avhoni I Avorship in
spirit and truth, and Avhora it is ray delight to serve aud
obey, hath divers tiraes engaged ray raiud to Avrite to thee
in true and tender love. There is soracAvhat, also, on my
heart at this tirae to thee, concerning tbe state ofthe gos
pel in general, and in particular concerning the state and
concUtion of those, who truly knoAv and serve the Lord Je
sus Christ, the King of saiuts.
The state of the gospel in general, is a state of rederaptiou
and deliverance frora the soul's enemies ; of Avliich redemp
tiou every soul partakes, according to its faith in and obe
dience to the Truth, and according to its growth in him
who is true. The babes iu Christ and little children, their
sins are forgiven them for his name's sake. The young

ISAAC PENINGTON. 555
men have fought valiantiy, aud have overcome the Avicked
one. The old raen, or elders in the truth, they are experi
enced in the heaveuly wisdora and knoAvledge of Hira AA'ho
is from the bes-inuina:.
Now, there are^ome things AA'hich belong to , all in gen
eral, or which are coramou to all, aud soraewhat AA'hich is
peculiar to each member in particular. These things, which
belong to all iu general, are very many; but it is ouly on
my heart to mention to thee at this time those fcAV Avhich
the apostle recites together in Eph. iv. 4, 5, 6, Avhich indeed
comprehend much; aud he that knoweth and partaketh of
them, hath also a share iu, aud benefit by, all the rest.
First, he saith, " There is one body." There is one head;
and this one head hath one body, of Avhich all that are truly
Uviug are raenibers. Secondly, "There is oue Spirit,"
which quickens, keeps aUiA'C, aucl gives uourishment to, or-
dereth, comforteth, defeudeth this oue body. Thirdly,
"There is one hope of " their "calling; " for they are all
called from the laud of darkness, and out ofthe shadow and
dominion of death, to travel tOAvards an iuheritance of light,
and life everlasting. Fourthly, There is "one Lord," who
hath power OA'er, aud the rule aud dominion of, this one
body ; to whom tiiej' are all to give an account daily of
Avhat they do, and at the last day, of Avhat hath been done
iu their body of flesh. Fifthly, There is " oue faith," Avhere
with they all believe in, aud draAV virtue from, the head ;
which faith is the gift of God, and springs from the root of
life in his Sou, and is of another uature than that natural
ability of believing, AA'hich is found in raankind. Sixthly,
There is "oue baptisra," by the one Spirit; Avhereby all the
true raenibers are baptized into the one Uving body, and
come to partake of the virtue, benefits, and privileges
thereof. Lastly, There is " one God and Father of aU,"
who begat them all, and is to be worshipped by them all, as
their Lord and God ; he being Avitnessed aud experienced
by them to be "above all, and through all, and in " them
"aU." This is the state in general, the gospel state, into
which Christ gives his sheep— his Father's children— en-

556 THE WORKS OF
trance ; and it is a blessed thing to know and experienc e
this state, that is, to have a real interest in, and really to
partake of, these things.
The state of every one in particular is thus : — " Unto ev
ery one "in particular "is given grace, according to the
measure ofthe gift of Christ." Grace and truth coraes by
Jesus Christ; for the fulness is his, yea, he is the fulness;
and of his fulness doth he give a measure to each raeraber
in particular. Not to all a like proportion, but to every one
some ; as he pleaseth to distribute and proportion out the
gift of his grace to thera. For it is his own, and he may dis
pense his gifts and heavenly talents as he pleaseth ; and ac
cording to the state of each in the body, and according to
their work and service, so doth he proportion out his gift of
grace to them. Now, this is that which every one is to mind ;
even the grace given to them, their own gift from Christ, to
grow in that, and to be what they are in that. He that hath
none ofthis grace, he is none of Christ's ; and he that hath
received the grace, the free gift, he is to keep to the meas
ure ofit, in all he is and does.
Now, shall I say to thee, feel my love iu these lines ? or
shall I not rather say, feel the Ioa'c of my God, who visits
thee yet again, and would not have thee perish, in resisting
his Holy Spirit, and slighting the grace and truth which is
by Jesus Christ, which is now powerfully revealed in many
hearts? Blessed be he who hath A'isited his people with the
horn of salvation.
L P.
To  .
O Dear Friend !
The eternal love of ray Father is to thee ; and, because
he loves thee, and would entirely enjoy thee, therefore doth
he so grievously batter and break down that which stands
in the way, AVhat he is doing towards thee, thou canst not
know now, but thou shalt know hereafter. Only be still,
and wait for the springing up of hope, in the seasons the
Father sees necessary ; that thou mayst not faint under his

ISAAC PENINGTON.

557

baud, but be supported by his secret power, until his work
be finished. The great thing necessary for thee at present
to know is the draAAdngs of his Spirit; that thou mayst not
ignorantly withstand or neglect them, and protract the day
of thy redemption.
Oh ! look not after great thiugs : small breathings, small
desires, after the Lord, if true and pure, are sweet begin
nings of life. Take heed of despising "the day of small
things," by looking after some great visitation, proportion
able to thy distress, according to thy eye. Nay, thou must
become a child, thou must lose thy own will quite by de
grees. Thou must Avait for life to be raeasured out by the
Father, and be content Avith what proportion, and at what
time, he shall please to measure.
Oh! be little, be Uttle; and then thou wilt be content
with little: aud if thou feel, hoav and then, a check or a se
cret smiting, — in that is the Father's love; be not over-wise
nor over-eager, iu thy oavu willing, running, and desiring,
and thou mayst feel it so; and by degrees come to the
knowledge of thy Guide, who will lead thee, step by step,
in the path of life, and teach thee to follow, and, in his oa^'u
season, powerfuUj' judge that which cannot nor will not fol
low. Be still, and AA'ait for Ught and strength; and desire
not to know or comprehend, but to be known and compre
hended in the love and life, which seeks out, gathers, and
preserves the lost sheep.
I remain thy dear friend, and a well-wisher to thy soul,
iu the loA'e of mv Father.
^ I. P.

To

Dear Friend,
I received thy letter kindly, and in the tenderness of love,
which desires thy enjoyment of the Lord in this world, and
the eternal Avelfare of thy soul with him for ever.
It is a great matter, to have the mind rightly guided to

558 THE WORKS OF
that wherein God appears, that the soul may wait at the
posts of wisdom, to hear wisdom's voice ; and he that hears
and obsefves wisdom's voice, what saith wisdom concerning
such an one? "I will pour out ray spirit unto you, I will
make known my words unto you." Prov. i. 23.
Thou hast read in the Scriptures, of the kingdom of God,
which, Christ told the Pharisees, was within them. He
also, in parables, expressed what it was like; even Uke a
grain of mustard seed, like a pearl of great price, like a lost
groat, or piece of silver, like a treasure hid in a field, like
leaven, &c. Now, oh that thou mightst corae to the dis
cerning of this. Is there any such thing in thee? Surely,
there is. Dost thou know it? art thou in union Avith it? is
it grown and enlarged iu thee? is there room made for it,
and doth it overspread thy heart? Oh that it were thus
with thee!
AVhereas thou sayest, The covenant, the new covenant, is
contained in. the Scriptures; that expression of thine is not
clear, aud to the nature of the thing. There are, indeed,
descriptions ofthe covenant iu the Scriptures; but the cov
enant itself is an agreement of life and peace, made with
the soul in the Lord Jesus Christ, upon his believing in His
poAver, and obeying His voice ; according to that scripture,
"Hear, aud your souls shall live, and I will make an ever
lasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."
Isa. Iv. 3. Now, this is it the soul is to wait for ; even to
feel the power of Ufe breaking the bonds of death, and open
ing the ear to the voice of God's Spirit, that it raay receive
the inipressious thereof, aud feel the ucav creation iuAvardly,
the UCAV heart, the uew mind, the ucav law of life, written
Avithiu by the finger of God's Spirit, even the law of the
Spirit of Ufe in Christ Jesus. And theu this law is the rule
inwardly, as the outward laAV Avas the rule to the outward
Jews. Thou thinkest rae soracAvhat too sharp and severe, in my
sentence concerning the ministers [of the day]. I do not
remember that passage. I have received great mercy, and ,
I would not be sharp or severe toAvards auy. If, therefore,

ISAAC PENINGTON. 559
any such thing was, be assured it was in faithfulness to the
Lord, All sorts of Christians own Christ in words, but all
do not distinguish, discern, [nor are] subject to, the appear
ances of his Spirit and power; but resist, gainsay, and op
pose, through error and mistake at first, till at length they
corae to hardness. These are the builders who refuse the
Corner-stone. The builcFers rejected Christ's appearance
in flesh, in the days of his flesh; and the builders again re
fuse his appearance in Spirit, in this day of his Spirit. Oli.
that any who are tender araong thera might be sensible of
it! that they might not draw down God's severity and
sharpness upon their heads; Avhich if they do, it is not our
joy, but raatter of grief to us. And, friend, the state of
profession is not what it was, when thou and I Avere ac
quainted; but a withered state in comparison of that.* I
can truly say, coucerning many professors, Oh that I could
find them to be now, what they were twenty years ago !
They ha\-e got more head-knowledge; but that savor of
life which then was in them is not now to be fouud amoug
them. Truly, I speak not otherwise concerning them, but as
I feel the Spirit of the Lord testifying in me; neither Avould
I have mentioned this at this time, but for thy sake. AVhat-
ever is of God in any, my heart cannot but oavu : but many
take that to be of God (that fear, that faith, that love, those
prayers, those hopes, that peace, that joy, &c.), Avhich is uot
of him. Oh, how precious is that AA'hich truly aud rightly
distinguisheth! "AIy sheep hear my voice." The voice of
the Shepherd distinguisheth every deceit and every deceiver.
But whereas thou sayest. The spirits are to be tried by
the Scriptures ; I have found it othei-Avise in my experience.
The Scriptures may try words; but nothing can try spirits,
but the Spirit. "I wUl. know," said the apostie, "not the
words of them that are puffed up, but the poAver." DeceiA'-
ers may come with scripture words, but they cannot come
with the true power. Therefore, the Apostie John, who
bade the believers try the spirits, told them, they had an
unction from the Holy One, and pointed thera to the anoint
ing. 1 John ii, 20, 27, But who cau judge of this, but he

560 THE WORKS OF
that hath the anointing, and is taught of the Lord to try
thiugs by it? he knows how it tries, and what a certain
judgment it gives concerning the nature of things, and con
cerning every voice and every appearance. The Spirit of
God searcheth all things, discerns all things, discovers all
things, — every suare, every device of the enemy, the net
spread ever so secretly; blessed are they, whose eyes are
opeued and kept open by him,
. There Avas a tirae of great darkness befell rae, wherein all
that I had known and forraerly experienced was hid frora
rae; aud I cried out, "I know not the Lord; and yet I can
not live without hira. Oh! what shall I do?" &c. But I
never denied Clirist to be the Avay of salvation, in my deep
est darkness aud distress. And uoav at length, — blessed be
the'Lord! — I have lived to see the day, Avhereiu he is made
of God, Avisdora, righteousness, sanctification, and rederap
tiou to me; and I feel his blood sprinkled and overfiowing,
Avhich makes Avhiter than snow; and find hira to be the
mercy-seat, through AA'hom I have access to God; and live
by mercy aud the deep compassions of God toAvards me,
AA'hieh, because they fail not, but are daily renewed upon
me, therefore is ray soul preserved in life before ray God.
Oh, Avait to Icuoav that Avherein the Lord inwardly ap
pears! aud take up the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ to
every thiug that is contrary to God; that it all raay be cru
cified in thee, that thy soul may live in the abundance of
Ufe aud peace. God is not straitened to any of the children ;
oh that none of them may be straitened in their own bow
els! Aud be not discouraged because of any Aveakness, or
because of thy age. AVhat knowest thou, Avhat the Lord
will do for thee? Thy weakness is not thy disadvantage,
but thy advantage; for the Aveaker thou art iu thyself, the
fitter art thou to have Christ's power revealed and mani
fested iu thee. Only Avait to know that wherein God ap
pears in tiiy heart, even the holy seed, the immortal seed of
life; that that may be discerned, distinguished, and have
scope in thee; that it may spring up in thy heart, and live
in thee, aud gatiier thee into itself, and leaven thee all over

ISAAC PENINGTON. 5g]^
with its nature; that thou raayst be a new lump, and mayst
walk before God, not in the oldness of thy own literal
knowledge or apprehensions of thiugs, but in the newness
ofhis Spirit.
The Lord appear to thee, in the light aud deraonstration
ofhis Spirit in thy heart and conscience, touch thee, quicken
thee, lead thee, guide and raake thee sensible of every ap
pearance of his; that no raotion or drawing of his Spirit
may be quenched in thee, nor any motion of the contrary
spirit, under any deceivableness, hearkened to; that thou
raayst travel faithfully, and corae to the end of thy travels
with joy and full peace, reaping the sheaves in life everlast
ing, of all that thou hast soavu to the Spirit.
This is the earnest and single desire of my soul for thee,
who am thy true and faithful friend, and a hearty Avell-
wisher to thee and thine.
L P.

To Ruth Palmer.
My Dear Friend,
AVhose love I am sensible of, and whom I entirely Avish
Avell unto, and desire for thee, that thou mayst purchase
and possess the pearl of price; and so kuow and eujoy
Christ Jesus, the Lord, as that thou mayst witness him to
be eternal life to thy soul.
I received a letter from thee, AA'hich occasions this my
writing to thee. It is precious, indeed, to have the Spirit
of God Avitness to us, that our sins are pardoned. Aud they
who are truly pardoned, to whom the Spirit so Avituesseth,
receive the Spirit; indeed, all that are Christians receive
the Spirit; for he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is noue
of His. And where the Spirit is, there is He Avho hath
power over sin, who delights to exercise his poAver in mor
tifying and subduing sin, and in reigning and triumphing
over it. Noav, they that have received the Spirit, are to Uve
in the Spirit, and Avalk in the Spirit; and doing so, they

562 THE WORKS OF?
cannot fulfil the lusts of the fiesh, nor love the world, nor
the things of the Avorld, nor fashion theraselves according to
it; but are redeemed out ofit, in heart, spirit, Ufe, aud con
versation, up to God. 0 my friend! let no religion satisfy
thee, but that Avhich brings thee hither, and AA'hich brings
forth this fruit in tiiee. AVe must needs owu Christ to be
the spring, aud that we cau do nothing Avithout hira, but
only by, aud in, and through him; because Ave daily expe
rience it to be so.
As touching election, we do believe it, according as the
Lord hath taught us, and as the Scriptures express it: but
such au election as shuts out any from the salvation God
hath prepared for the sons of men, avc caunot own ; because
the Scriptures expressly testify that God "avouUI haA'C all to
be savecl, and come to the knowledge ofthe Truth." Yea,
also, Ave know it to be his nature. It is the nature of the
desti-oyer to destroy, — he Avould have none saved; but it is
the nature of Gocl, the Saviour, to save, — he would have
none perish. But, as there is a making the calling and
election sure, so there is first a coming iuto the calling, aud
iuto the election. Noav, the election cannot perish, nay, the
elect seed cannot be deceived. And, as we are chosen in
him, aud come into him (out of darkness into his marvellous
Ught, out of death into his Ufe), so Ave must abide iu him:
and the promise is to him that continues uuto the end.
Aud Christ said to the church of Ephesus, "Remember
from Avhence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works; or else," &c. : aud raiiid, Avhat a state they fell frora,
and how far they were fallen, AA'hen so severely threatened.
It Avas not AvhoUy ; it Avas but frora the first love and first
AA'orks; aud yet, if they repented not, how great was their
danger. As for that place of Rora. xi., it is raanifest that there is
an election, aud that this election is not of works, but of
grace. Yet, there raust be a hearing of the voice ; " To
day," said the apostle, "if ye avUI hear his voice;" and so,
there raust be a coraing to Christ, and au abiding in hira,
and a Avalking in the strait way ; for it is the way God

ISAAC PENINGTON. 553
chooseth. God hath chosen Christ, and the soul in hira •
and the message is to invite to corae to hira, and abide iu him
to the end. And the condemnation is upou rejecting hira,
aud the salvation, to thera that receive him, — Avhich is not of
raan's self neither, but raen are raade Avilling so to do, in the
day of God's power: and the power is not far from, or want
ing to any, in the Avay that the Lord hath appointed ; though
there are also the aboundings of love, raercy, and power ac
cording to his pleasure. The falling away is, not because
persons were not elected, bat because they let in that Avhich
is contrary to the election, and cleave to it. So there is a
"heart of unbelief," in which raen depart from the living
God, and make shipAvreck of faith and of a good conscience ;
aud the ground of their faUing is, their hearkening not to
the Lord, but to the voice and temptations of the enemy.
There are called, and faithful, and chosen. These are states,
to be corae into and abode in. Many may be called, who
never come to be faithful, nor chosen. To Avitness the pe
culiar choice of God, this is precious: — and then, not to be
content with a touch of the calling, or a touch of the elec
tion, but to "make" them "sure." There is no choosing,
but in the seed. Alake sure of that seed, and thou malcest
both thy "calling and election sure." For indeed, "many
are called, but few chosen." And yet, when a man comes
thus far, so as to know himself chosen, is he quite out of
danger? Did not Paul know his election sure ? yet, Avas he
not afterwards careful to keep that under and in subjection,
which was to be kept under and in subjection ? " lest," saith
he, "when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
cast-away." Thou sayest, AVhom God once loves, he loves to the end.
Did he not once love all men, even the Avhole Avorld? Did
he not manifest it, in sending his Son for them ? And they
that corae into his Son, they come into his love; and they
that come into his love, must continue in his love and iu his
goodness. For, it is not persons ("God is no respecter of
persons"), but the seed, God loves. "In thy seed shall all
the farailies ofthe earth be blessed;" and, in that seed, they

564 THE WORKS OF
are loved, and continuing there, they continue in the love.
It is true, God's grace appears, and thereby many are gath
ered. And when any fall, the grace of God appears again,
and thereby many are restored. But if any be hardened by
"the deceitfulness of sin," that they hearken not to the
voice of grace, when it comes to restore, are they restored
by it? And God's corapassions failed not to Israel of old,
nor to Israel now; yet, were noue consumed then, who,
though they carae out of Egypt, yet rebelled, and lusted,
and tempted Christ, &c., and so Avere destroyed of the de
stroyer? And so, do uoue make shipwreck of faith now,
whereby the standing is? as the apostle expresseth, Rom.
xi. 19, 20, 21, 22. Read, and consider. And the apostle,
in the sense of things, cries, "Oh, the depth !" &c. Love in
severity, mercy in severity ! If it be stopped one way, it will
break forth more abundantly in another way. And, "who
hath known the mind of the Lord," or given him counsel,
Avhich way he should raanage his love and raercy? as in
ver. 33, 34, of that llth chapter. Indeed, all the salvation
is to be ascribed to God, and is ascribed to God by all that
receive salvation frora hira ; but still, God saves in the way
he hath appointed (in coraing into the way, iu abiding in
the way, in Avalking iu the way), — there, alone is safety;
but out of it, death aud destruction for ever.
All our best righteousness is as filthy rags, it is true; but
the gift of God is uot as filthy rags, the righteousness of his
Son revealed iu the heart, is not as filthy rags. The pure
offerings and incense, which are offered up to God in the
tiraes of the gospel, are not as filthy rags. See Mai. i. 11 ;
and consider, Avhether he that offers up to God the raale,
offers up a corrupt thing, a filthy rag, or uo, ver. 14. Oh,
what a state of blindness are raany in, that they cannot dis
tinguish between what is of themselves, aud Avhat is .of God
iuthem: aud so avoid oft'ering up the corrupt thing, and
offer up that which is holy and pure, even the holy sacrifice,
with the holy fire, upon the altar of God! Consider 3rd ch,
3rd verse of Malachi ; and tell me, if thou knowest, Avhat an
offering in righteousness is, AA'hether it be, as filthy rags, or

ISAAC PENINGTON.

365

no. Consider that place, John Ui. 21. "He that doetii
truth cometh to the light, that his deeds raay be raade man
ifest, that they are Avrought in God." And Avhat are those
deeds, that are AA'rought iu God? Is not God holy and
pure? Aud is any thing Avrought in him, but what is holy
and pure? And mind that place, AA'here the prophet speaks,
"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," &c. Mind ver.
5, and ver. 6, of Isai. IxIa'., aud see if they be not two cUft'er-
ent states? None of those, AA-hose righteousuess Avas as filthy
rags, called upon the name ofthe Lord, ver. 7. Did uot the
prophet call ou the name of the Lord? The prophet there
represents the state of backsliding Israel, that did not re
member God in his ways, nor, through faith, Avorlc right
eousness, as sorae others did ; A'er. 5. all their oft"eriugs, all
their sacrifices out of the faith, Avere as filthy rags, as the cut
ting oft' a dog's neck, &c. ; but the oft"eriug of Abel, and the
sacrifice ofthe righteous were uot so, iu any age or genera
tion. Therefore, Ave should Avait rightly to distinguish
thiugs, and not jumble the precious aud the A'ile together,
as if they were all one.
As for method of speaking, I have uoue of mj' oavu, but
wait for the raethod and Avords, Avhicli God's Avisdom teach
eth. Indeed, when I speak of the light, and the life, and
the power, I do mean Christ Jesus, Avho is the light, Ufe,
and power ; but it is a great matter, to come to know him
so revealed in the heart; for where he is so revealed, dark
ness, and death, and the power of Satan, are scattered and
put to flight by him. Yea, Satan falls like lightuiug before
the po-wer of his kingdom, where it is revealed.
This is a blessed experience ; aud these Icuoav Christ in
deed. The Lord grant that thou mayst so do ! Avhich is the
hearty desire of thy soul's true and faithful friend,
Yol. HI.— 48

366 THEWORKSOP

To Joseph AVright.

I entreat thy son to acquaint my brother Arthur, that I
took very kindly, and Avas very glad of, his affectionate ex
pressions toAvards me; having been somewhat jealous, that
though my religion had enlarged my love toAvards him, yet
his religion raight have diminished his to me. I bless the
Lord on his behalf that he enjoys his health so well; and
for myself, though I have been exceedingly weakly forraerly,
yet the inward life and corafort, which the Lord daily pleas
eth to administer to me, increaseth the health and strength
of my natural man, beyond my expectation; blessed be ray
tender and merciful Father, who hath visited one so dis
tressed, miserable, and helpless as I was, for so many years !
And whereas he saith, he is like me in speech, but most
unlike me iu opinion ; I pray tell him frora rae, that ray re
ligion doth not lie in opinion, but in that which puts an end
to opinion. I Avas Aveary and sick at heart of opinions; and
had uot the Lord brought that to my hand which my soul
wanted, I had never meddled with religion raore. But as I
felt that in ray heart Avhich was evil and not of God, so the
Lord God of ray life pointed me to that of him in my heart
which was of another nature, teaching me to wait for and
know his appearance there ; in subjection whereto, I ex
perience him stronger than the strong man that was there
before ; and by his power, he hath separated me frora that
within, which separated me from him before ; and thus be
ing separated, truly.I feel union with him, and his blessed
presence every day ; which, what it is unto me, my tongue
cannot utter.
I could be glad, if the Lord saw good, that I might see
my brother before I die ; and if I did see him, I should not
be quarrelling with him about his religion, but embrace him
him in brotherly love, and in the fear ofthe Lord. As for
his being a Papist, or an arch-Papist, that doth not damp
my tender aff'ection to hira. If he be a Papist, I had rather
have him a serious than a loose Papist. If he hath met with

ISAAC PENINGTON.

567

any thing of that which brings forth a holy conversation in
him, he hath so far met with somewhat of my religion, AA'hich
teacheth to order the conversation aright, in the light, and by
the Spirit and power of the Lord Jesus. My religion is not
a new thing, though newly revealed raore fully thau in raany
foregoing ages ; but consists in that which was long before
Popery was, and will be when Popery shall be no raore.
And he that would rightly know the true church, raust
know the Uving stones whereof the true church is built,
against which the gates of hell cannot possibly prevail. Oh,
the daily joy of ray heart, in feeling my liviug merabership
in this church ! where the true "gold," the "white rairaent,"
the pure " eye-salve" (with which the eye, being' anointed,
sees aright), are received and enjoyed inwardly, by such as
the world knows not, but despiseth : blessed be fhe narae
of the Lord !
I desire my sincere, entire afli"ection, as in God's sight,
may be remembered to my dear brother.
L P.

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