Truth Held Forth and Maintained, Part 2
Some Deep and Myſterious Matters for all to Conſider. BRIEFLY RELATING How Man came to fall, his ſtate in the Fall, and Way of Reſtoration to God again.
CHAP. I. Concerning the wonderful and mysterious Trees in the Garden of Eden, unknown ever ſince Man was driven out of Paradiſe, until admitted to return again, viz. the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, and the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God.
NOw ſome will have the Tree of Kowledge of good and evil, to be a natural Tree, planted by God in Paradiſe; with whom I will not much contend, but of ſuch a nature it was, that whoſoever did eat thereof ſhould have their Eyes opened againſt themſelves, and ſo to be as Gods, to know both good and evil; then might it be, that God would admoniſh Adam both inwardly and outwardly, of what he did inwardly and in his heart, either forbid or teach him, that he would … for the greater Evidence ſet before his Eyes, but …al this may be granted, that what was outwardly done, the ſame happened inwardly in the heart of Adam, that he was there temped by the Seed of the Serpent, viz. to make ſome account and reckoning of his own Wiſdom, Will and Nature, and not ſubmit himſelf unto God, as void of all name, knowledge or work, but to be ſomething of himſelf; and there are two cauſes for it, firſt, becauſe the promiſe is, that the Seed of the Woman ſhall bruiſe th… head of the Serpent. Now I do not read of any natu…a… o… living Serpent, whoſe head was ſo bruiſed by the Seed of the Woman; therefore it may beſaid, as the ſpiritual Seed of the Woman (or Chriſt) was in the heart of Adam, ſo likewiſe was the ſerpents Seed; for man was made good, and not of the ſubſtance of God, therefore is it that man turns himſelf always from God, and inclineth to his own vanity; for what is the Devil Sin, Death and Hell, but nothing, even as many of the antient Fathers have writ, eſpecially Thaulerus that God never created them, for they are a Non-entity, a not being, which is contrary and perfectly oppoſit to Entity and being; and this might be the Devil that dwelt in Adam which ſeduced him, as alſo in Lucifer; The other cauſe is this, that the Scriptures likewiſe witneſs, that the City of God, and the heavenly Jeruſalam, and the Kingdom of God, is a Paradiſe within his People; and furder, that God and his Almighty Word is their Paradiſe, the Tree of Life the Temple where they dwell, walk, ſacrifice and pray, as likewiſe are his People and Paradiſe; and that the Beaſt ſpoken of in the Revelations, which the whole World, both great and ſmall do at this day worſhip in their hearts, as likewiſe the Tree of knowledge of good and Evil, is within men, for the whole exterior World, or whatſoever either is or is done outwardly, are but only an accident and figure, ſignifying the Truth of the thing, and the internal nature; and therefore, there is nothing true, of whatſoever is ſeen with the Eyes of man, for the figure and faſhion of this World muſt paſs away and periſh, as being nothing elſe but a certain imaginary World, and the figure that is true, right, eternal and ſubſiſting of it ſelf, conſequently, all things which in the Bible we…e done externally and ſignifyingly, muſt again be done, and again be brought to t… paſs, after their manner, and all the Hiſtory of the Bible, and all Moſes and the Prophets; for the whole Scriptures to this day ſtand in force, and are continually accompliſhed and fulfilled internally and ſpiritually; for all things are by Chriſt tranſlated into the Truth, therefore it muſt needs be, that all the Propheſies which God ſ…ake, from the beginning of the World by the mouth of his holy Ones, muſt ſtill be called back, reiterated, or done over again, therefore that ſhadow or that Tree, was and is nothing elſe in the Truth but the …ature, will, knowledge and life of Adam, of this he ſhould not have eaten, this he ſhould not have aſcribed or arroga… ed to himſelf, but ſhould a been-free, and freely ſubject to God, and not to have known any thing, but what God knew in him, nor to have done any thing, but what God did in him, nor to have ſpoken any thing, but what God ſpake in him, &c. And upon this account every man is as much forbidden this Tree as Adam was, to the end that God, without any impediment, might have exerciſed his Almighty Kingdom, Will, Nature & Power in him, but himſelf ſhould have been utterly void of all knowledge, will or nature, and not to have arrogated any of theſe, as proper to himſelf; this pleaſeth God, this was that which he commanded, and what he would have had done, to this interpretation agreeth true Divinity, that this Tree in the ſubſtance thereof is nothing elſe but mans own Will & Knowledge, of which alone in all the earthly Paradiſe of this wide World of mens hearts, they ought not to ea…, but to account it forbidden, except they will eat of Death and Diſtruction; for as ſoon as Adam fell, by eating of this Tree, the Tree was immediately planted in his mind, and afterwards derived into all the branches and fruit thereof, ſo that as the ſame Word, precept and forbidding was commanded to all, ſo is the ſame Fall, all men which are in Adam have novv eaten of Death, and received from the Serpent this undigeſted P…yſon; ſo that it is eaſily perceived hovv man is his ovvn greateſt Enemy, and vvhat he ought to think of himſelf, of his ovvn Will Underſtanding, Wiſdom and Knovvledge, ſeeing it is the Counſel, Seed, Wiſdom Knowledge and Head of the Serpent, vvhichwhich muſt by Chriſt, be bruiſed in the Children of men; for it muſt needs be, that as in the old Teſtament was ſignified by Circumciſion, that in the new one by Baptiſm, which is that of the Spirit, through Regeneration, and being new born of the incorruptible Seed of the Kingdom of God; therefore, he that will be made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, muſt part with, and put off all things by nature and Inheritance by Adam, even as he would do the Devil, and Death it ſelf, viz. his own Will, Prudence, Wiſdom, and Righteouſneſs, where-with (as fig-leaves) their Adam doth vainly ſeek to … himſelf, for that is Sin, and the … of Death, namely, to eat of this True, to … as …, his own Wiſdom, Prudence, … but, alas! who know… this, … who is it that is diſpleaſed with his own … Underſtanding, occ…iſdom? when will men forſake them? where are the men, that do not delight themſelves in their own will, and recreate their minds ſvveetly and contentedly therein, repoſing upon their own knowledge, underſtanding, and the …ike? The Tree is fair to be looked upon, and ſweet to be taſted, and therefore do the Sons of Men ſo greedily ſwallow and devour Death, as Adam did; land this is the miſery, that men know it not, neither think they of it, but judge it to be good, and think aſſuredly that this is the Tree of Life, even to follow their own Wills and their own Conceits and Opinion of good, which indeed is falſe, to know much, to diſcern many ſciences, and ſo to grow great in their own Thoughts, aſſume to become Gods, and in the mean time they are not aware, that this is Adams fall, his biting of the Apple, yea, his bitter Death it ſelf, yet are continually ſpeaking …f the miſerable… ſtate of Man by Adams fall, but not take notice the ſame is done in themſelves; and many are they that talk of his eating, and pretend to deteſt it, and him for it, yet themſelves eat of it, even as he hath done, which doth manifeſt the miſerable ſtate of men, who prepare a Rod for themſelves, by giving ſentence againſt their own life, by condemning their firſt Father Adam, and perceive not themſelves faſt in the ſame Trap. Here then, conſider diligently, what mans Will, Knowledge and Underſtanding is; where with they think they may come into the preſence of God; whereas indeed it is nothing but the bitterneſs of Death, and the fruit of the forbidden Tree; how few is there among men that perceive this, or will learn to put off, deny, fear, mortifie or kill his own Will and Wiſdom? nay, rather do they not hold it faſt, extol and value it as pure Gold? whenas indeed it is eternal Death; and truly in this Miſery the whole World, lieth ſick, and few is the number of them bleſſed Ones, who are delivered from themſelves, and their own wills, power and wiſdom, but are a ſmall remnant, and few in number, as one of a City, and two of a Tribe, that find this ſtrait gate, and enter in at it.
CHAP. II. Concerning the Tree of Life, what it is, and why Adam was ſhut out, forbiaden and with-holden from it, and not ſuffered to eat thereof.
I Can alſo allow that there is the Tree of Life likewiſe in Paradiſe, as we find recorded in the holy Scripture, whoſe fruit might have been ſo ſeaſoned, and endued by God, and how it had that nature that he who ſhould eat of it; ſhould live forever, and never dye; and when Adam had eaten of the forbidden Tree, and had fallen, as God foretold, into Death, it might not now be that he ſhould be permitted to eat of the Tree of Life, otherwiſe he might have lived forever, and the Word of God, if thou eat thereof thou ſhalt dye the Death, had been falſe. Moreover, God who is meer Love, and cannot forever be angry, did will provide, that Man in his miſery, and in enmity to God, might not forever lead a wretched and calamitous Life, for which cauſe he drove him out of Paradiſe, from the Tree of Life, into his Houſe of Penance, as if it were, the World, and ſhewed him a way, whereby he might ag…in come out of Death into Paradiſe, to the Tree of …ternal Life; but in the mean time he fenced the Tree of Life, with a flying Cherub and glittering Sword, leſt Adam in his baniſhment would eat Life; for it ſeemed better to God, that Man ſhould dye, and ſo by Death put off this miſerable Life, and change it to be tranſlated to a better; for he knew, that Life, after this Death, cold calam…y and baniſhment, would be ſo much the more wellcome, and he the more dear unto God, after Victory; therefore God, who cannot hate the Sons of men, ever deals mercifully with them, howſoever he handleth them, if they would take it in good part, and not ſuſpect him to be their Enemy; for ſuch indeed is the nature and ſuſpicion of mans heart.
Now may it not thus be, that for a greater Evidence or Teſtimony, that the ſame thing did likewiſe happen in the Tree Paradiſe, i. e. Adams heart, as there is the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which is the Seed, Speech, Council, Knowledge, Wiſdom and Will of the Serpent; ſo there is alſo the Tree of Life, the Seed, Speech and Counſel of God, or of the Woman; and as God and the Devil are, even ſo are theſe two Seeds, or two Trees, ſo contrary the one to the other, that one brings Life, the other Death; and therefore it is impoſſible that whoſo eats of the one, ſhould at the ſame time eat of the other, or come unto it, as being ſeperated by a flying Chrub and a… glittering Sword. Thus do I, and alſo other faithful Writers, interpret whinged Sin and obſtinate Diſobedience which is elſe-where called in Scripture, a ſeperation or wa… of partition; for whoſo eats of the Tree of Knowledge o… good and evil, that is he that greedily ſwallows down and devoureth humane and diabolical Wiſdom, he is already ſeperated from the Tree of Life, that is, from the Wiſdom, Speech and Knowledge of God; and neither of theſe Wiſdoms Speeches, Wills or Knowledges can endure the other, neither can the one come from the other, ſo great is the Gulf between them, being as far divided aſunder as Heaven and Hell. He that eats of the Tree of Life, that is, of the Word of God, he is born of God, and cannot dye nor ſin, for his Fruit doth eat the Eater, and tranſlate him into his own Nature, that is, into Life, as elſewhere the Scripture ſpeaketh of eating Chriſts fl…ſh; for indeed it is the ſame thing to eat Chriſt, and to drink his Blood, to live in his Word, to believe, to know God and the like; as likewiſe it is all one to believe in Adam, to live in Adam, to dye to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, to obey the Seed and Word of the Serpent, and to become Gods; therefore he that eats of the deadly Tree, and cleaves to the Word and Wiſdom of the Serpent, being born of Satan, and afflicted, he lives in fleſh and blood, and therefore cannot do well, or pleaſe God; as contrary wiſe, the other cannot ſin, do evil, or diſpleaſe God; Therefore he that will have the one, muſt needs part with the other, they muſt of neceſſity go out of the Wiſdom of Adam and the Serpent, and from the forbidden Tree, that ſo the Wiſdom of the Tree of Life may enter, to abide in them; Adam, and the Wiſdom of the fleſh muſt dye in them, that Chriſt may live in them, and the Spirit may have the government; the Life of the one is the Death of the other, and the weakneſs of one is the ſtrength of the other; for no man can ſerve two Maſters, and in vain ſhall men ſtrive to reconcile God and Adam, or Christ and the Serpent, Light and Darkneſs, the Old Man and the New God and Beliel, or the Temple of God, and the Temple of Idols.
CHAP. III. Concerning the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil planted in the heart of Adam, that is, the Seed Speech and Spirit of the Serpent, and that great Idol Anti chriſt, Sin, Death and the Devil, and the Beaſt ſpoken of in Daniel and the Revelations, which is the greateſt and moſt ordinary worſhipping of Angels.
WHat is it that men think, is the Beaſt, of which Daniel writeth, that reſiſteth and blaſphemeth the the moſt High, and killeth the Saints? is it not that old Serpent that overthrew Adam and Eve? And what is the Tree of knowledge of good and evil? what is the ſhameleſs King and Anti-Chriſt, of which Daniel writ, and Paul to the Theſſalonians? And what is that many headed Beaſt which the whole World adoreth, which is ſpoken of in the Revelations? And what is Sin? what is Death? what is the Devil himſelf, but every mans own Will, Wiſdom, Reaſon, Religion, Righteouſneſs, Skill, Delight, for which cauſe, Paul calleth it, Death itſelf, Enmity againſt God, and Folly before him; and the Apoſtle James, calls it Earthly, humane, Deviliſh Wiſdom, becauſe theſe three are one and the ſame, and that is deviliſh which is meerly humane, and contrary wiſe, Man, the Devil, Adam, and the Serpent, are the ſame, and do agree; for the Serpent did ſo inſtill this Wiſdom and feinged goodneſs into the nature of Adam, that the Serpents ſeed and word was in Adam, made a corporal man; ſo that now the ſame thing may be ſaid of them both, and as they are, that are born of God, and in whom the Word of God is made man, or fleſh, are called Gods, and one Spirit with God, ſo all men being ſprung of fleſh and blood before they be planted into Chriſt, and are born of the Spirit, they are juſtly called Devils, and the Devils Children and Off-ſpring of the Devil, whoſe work they do, therefore that which is only humane, is evil, and that which is deviliſh, is humane. And again, what is the fall of Adam but the wiſdom of the Fleſh, and the fruit of the forbidden Tree? What is that old Dragon that came out of Hell, and drew down from Heaven with his Tail, a great part of the Stars of Heaven, but only the Wiſdom of this Tree, which extolls it ſelf againſt God, and places his ſeat with the higeſt? And what elſe are the Thoughts of the Fleſh? What is ſin? what is Arrogance, but the Fruits and Wiſdom of this Tree? And what are the Decrees of Men, and the bent of their Reaſon againſt God, their devices and light Books, but the cunning of the Devil, from this Tree eaten? What is all the Worſhip of Idols, the falſe Religion of all the wicked Jews, Turks, Gentiles, Mamalucks, and all falſe Chriſtians? And what are all the Leagues, Conventicles, Ceremonies and Covenants, but the Apples of this Tree eaten, which counterfeiting the Tree of Life, ſeemeth to the Sons and Children of men, to be pleaſant fruit, which indeed are but ſuch as are Death it ſelf? for I do believe, that no man can ſufficiently expreſs the general worſhipping of Idols, where withal the corners of the World and hearts of men are ſtuffed. How common is it for men to worſhip Idols? and what is an Idol, but to worſhip the true God in a falſe way? and who is it that ſaith not to his own reaſon, knowledge, honeſty, art and wiſdom, thou art my God? They do not thus ſay with their Mouthes, but their whole life, and their idolatrizing Mind ſaith as much, by their deeds, for they continually ſacrifice to their own Drag? and here it is that mortal men deny God, and teſtifie it by their works, which are without faith, being dead, even as a body is without the ſpirit; for if by true faith they were alive to God, they would leave vengeance to him, and not ſo much ſeek to revenge themſelves, which doth manifeſt they dare not truſt God with their cauſe to avenge for them; if otherwiſe, why are they anctiouſly careful? why do they ſo exerciſe miſchief and fraud, and ſo deceive one another? why do they make war and ſtrife, right or wrong, for mine and thine? why do they ſo lye, deceive and flatter one another? why do they forget God and his ſaying, making no account of his Commandments? wherefore are they ſo covetouſly minded, to labour night and day, and to take every opportunity to improve every unrighteous advantage againſt their Neighbour, to get and heap up the periſhing things of this Worlds Riches; truly all this is, becauſe they retain not God in their Thoughts, to believe that he hath any care of them, or that he can provide or will revenge for them, therefore is it as their works do manifeſt, for them to believe, they muſt not be wanting in this and the other thing, but that it is moſt neceſſary to help and revenge for themſelves, otherwiſe, ſay they, we might by our Enemies be all hilled, or become Slaves and Bond-men, and beg our Bread. And thus it is with them who will not have ought to do with good, and Truth in good earneſt; no, they muſt not be wanting to themſelves, but make their own Markets by lying, deceiving, cozening, uſury, and the like; theſe things they think will enrich them good; and thus by them are the Commandments of God and his Word ſlighted, until, with many, they cauſe his Spirit to leave ſtriving; for they oppreſs the ſeed, and crucifie the juſt Principle of God in themſelves, and account the Word of God an inſufficient help in time of adverſity, therefore it well pleaſeth them to adore themſelves, and to kiſs their own Works, and to ſacrifice to their own Net, to ſpeak big words, and to admire themſelves; for who elſe is our God, ſaith the whole World, by their works.
CHAP. IV. Concerning that great Idol of Mans Wiſdom and Knowledge, how men kiſs their own hands, and the whole World doth diligently worſhip only ſelf, and the Works of their own hands, that is, the Inventions, Arts, and Counſels of their own Reaſon and Wiſdom.
WHAT other thing is it, that is the Worſhip of Idols, Superſtution, Witch caft, evil Doctrine and the Ordinance of Men, which is no other, but the Wiſdom, Reaſon, Inventions, Crafts, Actions, Inſtincts and Prudence of men, therefore the worſhipping of Idols, is but to faſhion ſuch or ſuch a form, like unto God, but not according to his Word, as he teacheth, figureth and formeth himſelf in man, but according to their own Opinion and Judgment of him? Moreover, what is ſin? any other then mans own Will, Wiſdom and Counſel, ſown in the mind of Adam, and in his Poſterity by the ſerpent? Then conſider the purpoſe, cauſe and life of Man, where and how thou wilt, and it is nothing but humane Wiſdom; here will man be his own God, to lead, teach, govern, revenge, defend, excuſe, enrich him ſelf, and the like; and ſo mans own Head, Will and Reaſon is inſtead of God to him, though the ſin and fall of Adam, be nothing, but the cunning Reaſon and Wiſdom of the fleſh, which in Scripture is called Fo…y and Deviliſh Wiſdom, yet how do men generally prize and magnifie it, as if they were endowed from above; all men therefore ought with Chriſt, to bring man to nothing, and that by daily leſſening and depreſſing him, to make him become as a Child and a Fool, but inſtead of performing what God hath commanded, it is with man clear contrary thereunto, for men build up the man, that ſo he may come to prove wiſe, glorious and famous, and for that end they have many Arts that wreched and unprofitable man may become great, eminent, praiſed and excellent, and may obtain Places, Titles and Names; ſo that thereby young men are purpoſely inflamed with a deſire of Glory, for which cauſe many are they, that are not content to abide with the teachings of Gods gift of divine Light, by the Word of his Spirit, but by their humane Wiſdom and cunning reaſon of the fleſh, they come to domineer in Pulpits and teaching places, where they are upheld to lord it over Gods Heritage, and to this very end, there are artificers imployed to make their Schollars accute, witty and knowing in all kinds of Crafts, and in all exerciſes, arts and litteral deceits, whereby it appeareth more clearer then the light, that the World is contrary, and an enemy to God. Now here the wiſe and prudent of this World periſh in their own way, becauſe they live without the true knowledge of God, and kiſs their own hands, and adore the wiſdom of their own wit, which is to the World and its Teachers inſted of God, his way and word, and indeed of all things, it is the greateſt and only ſin, and the very fall of Adam, and the very fountain whence all other ſins do flow, as Job confeſſeth, for this only to be obedient, addicted to ſerve himſelf, to admire and adore himſelf, to follow his own will, briefly, to be his own, and to ſerve only ſelf, being of a free will, and glad to be ſome-what in and of himſelf, and to do, to omit, and to know ſome what in himſelf, and not to be utterly void of all name will, work, and ſubject only to God, this is the only and moſt deadly ſin, yea, rather the ſinck and mother of all ſins; for the delight, will and wiſdom of the fleſh, is Death it ſelf, and a man is thereby no more profitable, better nor religious, then a dog, toad or ſwine in his Death; for when they dye all their miſery endeth with them, but in this ſtate, with man, as death leaves, ſo Judgment finds, and he cannot repent in the grave, but his torment doth increaſe, and with him will abide forever, without end; which to remove all horror, which to the wicked is diſquietneſs of Mind, trouble of Conſcience, in this life, and encreaſeth torment in the life to come, is while time is, & the ſpirit of God keeps ſtriving, to live to his Word, to do his will, that is to yeild their obedience to the Word of his Spirit, that the Will of God may be done in their earthly Tabernacle, agreeble to the deſire of his Will which is in Heaven; this is the way of them, that to God abide faithful, to keep the path of him that is Juſt, in which their is neither variation nor ſhadow of turning, bu… keeping the way of Life, which leadeth to enter th… ſtrait Gate, that is to that man that doth nothing, know-nothing, and willeth nothing of himſelf, but bears and ſuffers and ſees God making holy day in him, this man keeps the Sabbath holy, being void of all skill and will, is ſubject only to God in him, to do out, will know, both how, what, when, and why he pleaſeth God. Now the whole World lieth in this Death and Sin, for that it doth nothing elſe but kiſs its own hand, and Sacrifice to its own Net, that is, adore the purpoſe, counſel, invention, and wiſdom of it ſelf, and to this purpoſe are all things drawn and bent, even the holy Scriptures and words of God, namely, to be conſonant to the Reaſon of men, and not to croſs their own wiſdom, courſe and way, but all theſe things muſt be overthrown & unlearned again, if they will ſee God; therefore doth the Spirit of God, and the holy Scriptures ſo vehemently urge the Children of Men, to become Children and Fools, and to vomit up again all the art and knowledge of this forbidden Tree, to be purged by the ſtrength of the Tree of Life, conſequently let men in this ſtate, look and obſerve in themſelves narrowly what they do, either in their worſhip to God, or ſerving their Neighbour, and they ſhall find, that all this is true in their own breſt, that themſelves is the mark they aim at in all they do.
J. E. T. M.
CHAP. V. Concernining the Sin of Covetouſneſs.
THe nature of which Luſt or Devil, luſteth to covet after that Which God hath expreſly forbidden, namely, the Tree of Knowledg of good and evil, which cauſeth men to become as Gods, whoſe Eyes are opened againſt themſelves, to perceive the Tree good for Food, and pleaſent to the eyes, and a Tree to make one wiſe, therefore do they covet after the fruit of the Tree, and greedily eat of it, not conſidering how they eat Death, and dye to God, as Adam did, even ſo is it with every man that is not planted into the Tree of Life, and new born of Chriſt, regenerated, and brought forth by the immortal Seed, the Word of God, the Spirit of Truth, and Seed of his Kingdom, but on the contrary, covet after the periſhing things of this World, thereby to enrich themſelves there-with, contrary to what God hath commanded, firſt to ſeek the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteouſneſs thereof, unto which is the promiſe, of adding all other things; for as the Promiſe was on condition to Adam, To do and live, ſo hath it been the ſame, to all men in every age, and is the ſame in this day, therefore let none deceive themſelves, for the doers of the Law were only them that kept the Word of the Lord, who accounted them worthy of receiving Life, to live with God forever; for to the Diſobedient, who are only hearers of the Word, and not doers of the Word, there is no true peace, neither in this Life, nor in the Life to come; for there is no peace to the Wicked, ſaith my God; ſo that the doers of the Law were they, and only them that kept the Commandments of God, and by faith in him were the works of the Law imputed to them for Righteouſneſs. So, not in this Goſpel Day, Christ is given for a Light to ligh…n the Gentiles and for Salvation to the ends of the Earth, that whoſoever will believe in him, might not periſh, but have the Light of Life; Therefore as Chriſt hath dyed for the ſins of the whole World, that every man in the World may be left without excuſe, God hath given unto them a gift of divine Light, which is to them a Talent and Seed of the Tree of Life, as is elſe-where called the …ord of Faith, being a manifeſtation of the Spirît given to every man to profit withal, which as they hear, to obey and do it, they alſo profit by it, to perform the Commandments of God, and of this nature is their ſtrength in the Tree of Life renewed, which cauſeth the Seed to grow, and makes rich the berren land, through purging out the old Leaven, that the new Lump may take place, which bringeth forth holy Fruit abundantly to God; ſo that the Children of her that was barren, now bringeth forth, and become many; and thus do the faithful grow, who covet after the better part, namely, to fear God and work Righteouſneſs, to … Juſtly, love Mercy, and walk humbly, doing no other thing to any, then as themſelves would be done unto; This is the Law and the Prophets, and alſo what God hath commanded for all men to do in this day, that they may come to pertake of his Promiſe, to grow in the Tree of Life, from Grace to Grace, until by Grace the work of God in them is wholly perfected: but theſe things, are to a Coveteous man, even as the wiſe Charmeer, is to the deaf Adder; for having ears to hear they hear not, to receive the Truth, in the love of it, becauſe the love of Money is their pride, in which they delight to become wiſe, rich, and what not, in the periſhing things of this life. Here cove…ous men grow from one covetous deſire to another, until, through pride and covetouſneſs, they come to …all as Angels have done, and yet may remain, as many covetous Uſurers do, who have cloathed themſelves with the Prophets and Apoſtles words, that thereby they may appear in the ſight of m…n to be knowing, prudent and wiſe, and accounted men of good Reaſon, yea, and withal religious and righteous, whenas indeed, it is but their own work, and the Righteouſneſs thereof, which is as filththy Rags and fig-leave Garments of Unrightecuſneſs, where-with they vainly ſeek to hide themſelves, from the preſence of God, whoſe all ſeeing eye beholdeth the wayes of every covetous mans ſetting up for himſelf to walk in; for which cauſe, God that ſearcheth the heart and knoweth the intents of the mind, and checks, reproves, and condemns for every vain thought, evil intent and idle word, and Unrighteous work, for which cauſe often times covetous and proud unrighteous men and woman fall into ſuch condemnation by the Power of God, that they even deſpair of Mercy, yea, the horror of their condemnation is ſuch, that Preiſt nor Levit, nor the dark Watch-men of the night, can afford no help to the wound of a troubled Conſcience, in which ſtate of a wounded Spirit who can bear, which for remedy, the phyſitian of no value is ſet to work, who in his own will, wiſdom, knowledge and reaſon of Diſobedience in its own time, & with his own words, doth apply ſuch means, of which himſelf did never experience, imputing the cauſe to proceed from Witch-craft or a Melancholly humor, and withal giveth direction, not to give way to comply with the Light within, which (he ſaith) are the checks of a natural Conſcience, and reliques of old Adam. Thus, and of he like nature, are the directions, counſels & advice of ſuch proud covetous men, who follow the ways of Balaam, that forſook the right way of the Lord, to gain the Wages of Unrighteouſneſs; for Light is ſown for the Righteous, and gladneſs for the Ʋpright in heart, and to them that will not obey, it is their Condemnation, Joh. 3.19. for it is the gift of God which came by Jeſus Chriſt, by whom all that are ſaved come through the Croſs, which mortifies and kills every Luſt, which is mans deadly Enemy, by which every covetous and unrighteous man is deceived, and of his own luſt drawn into this and the other form of Religion, which is their cloak, to cover, hide and ſhelter all their pride and unrighteous Works of Covetouſneſs. And here it is that poor mortal men are become Servants and Slaves to their own Luſts, which are Devils, Thieves and Robbers, the deadly Enemies of mans own Houſe, that have drawn a way his mind into the love of carnal things that periſh; and of this like Nature are they bewitched that they ſhould not obey the Truth; for in their own wiſdom, will and time they can neither ſee, hear nor obey, to do thoſe things which are of faith in Chriſt, to make their peace with God, becauſe their own wiſdom, knowledge, will and reaſon is the Righteouſneſs of their works, which make a Wall of Partition between Man and his Creator, who hath created him to wait upon his Maker, to hear and obey God in all things, according to his will and time, that he may have the honour and praiſe of his own work done by and of himſelf, on man; the omitting of which Duty keeps the Children of men from the true ſaving Knowledge of God; for Man, in his own wiſdom, will and time, hath always the eye of Knowledge and Reaſon open againſt himſelf, in which ſtate he cannot receive the will and mind of God from above, becauſe he giveth way to ſerve his own Luſts, which are his Enemies, that enſnare his Soul and keep his Mind in Bondage, to ſerve this and the other thing of his own invention, in which abideth Death and Deſtruction; and indeed, of this nature is every mans God, that liveth not to the true God, in thought, word and work, according to his Word, which he teacheth and formeth in all them that abide faithful, which without faithfulneſs to what God hath commanded, no man can come unto him; therefore it is that every covetous, proud and unrighteous man is ſhut out from having any entrance into the true ſaving knowledge of God, becauſe to him is not the true God retained in any of his Thoughts, which of his own luſt are moved here and there, and indeed every where into this and the other thing, which abideth but for a time, and then leaveth the Mind, or the Mind leaveth it, and ſo in its motion; which is ſwift indeed for another thing of the like nature, in which abideth Death. So that every proud vain covetous man in the world, to him there are Gods many, all being of one nature, which in his own wiſdom, will, knowledge, reaſon and righteouſneſs, to him make but one God, which is their own luſts, the Prince and Power of Darkneſs, which rules in the Children of Diſobedience, and is called, The God of this World, becauſe he is a God to them that are of the World, who have yeilded their minds to ſerve their own luſts, therefore is this luſt to them, the God of this World, the Prince and Power of Darkneſs, that rules the mind of every covetous, proud and unrighteous man and woman, that retain not the true and living … thoughts, the moving cauſe of which …, their own Enemies, the Devil … away the mind in the ſwiftneſs of motion, the world over into the many things thereof, in … and with which the mind is beſettered, and intangled with the love and delight therein, that there is not the leaſt meaſure of freedom in the will, for the mind to abide in re…iredneſs to wait upon God, to ſee his Salvation wrought in his own time, according to the will and mind of himſelf. Now to them that abide faithful unto God, they keep in a true ſtate of watchfulneſs, waiting upon God, and watching againſt the appearance of every luſt, which is ſuch an Enemy againſt God, and mans true peace, with his maker, that luſt is ever ready to draw away the mind from God, that it may not retain him in its thoughts, but to be thinking of this and the other thing, in which remaineth death, that draws the ſoul into perdition, which as they abide in faithfullneſs, upon their watch, their ſtrength, by the povver of God will be renevved, that they ſhall not only perceive their Enemies motion, but alſo receive povver to vvith-ſtand their luſts, and cauſe Gods enemies to ſcatter.
And of this nature, in the hour of temptation, he receiveth ſtrength, in and through the Power of God, which reſiſteth ſuch Devils, and cauſeth them to flee; and of this nature it is with them that are not carnally minded, to live after the fleſh, but ſpiritually minded, to live after the ſpirit, through which, by the ſpirit, they mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, which vvork of God is only known to them who retain him in all their thoughts, that with a holy Reſolution and godly zeal for his Cauſe, they are made willing to give up and forſake all for the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus, him to hear, and in all things to obey, as becometh his Truth; this is it which God would have all men to do, that he only may rule in them, and the ſpirit have the government, that thereby Man may come to live and abide in peace with his Maker, who is willing to be at peace with them, that are willing he ſhall rule, whoſe right it is to have the government; for he that will be Chriſts Diſciple, muſt firſt take up the Croſs, and follow him in all things, according to his wiſdom, will and time, who beſt knows when, where and how to cleanſe the houſe of Thieves and Robbers, which rob God of his honour, by living to their ovvn luſt, their own thoughts, vvords and vvorks, according to the reaſon of their own vvill and vviſdom of the fleſh, which deſires the Temple of God and makes it become an unfit habitation for the Lord of Life to abide in; therefore if any covetous man, any unjuſt man, or he that is unrighteous and unholy, vvill knovv himſelf to be purged from his unjuſtneſs, his covetouſneſs and unholineſs, he muſt forſake the love of all things vvhichwhich are his ovvn, and vvholly cleave to the Tree of Life, to live to Gods Word, that the Life of it may grovv in him, othervviſe he vvill remain in that ſtate vvhichwhich fulfils vvhat is vvritten, That he which is unjuſt, unrighteous, unholy and filthy, let him be ſo ſtill; for the Lord will quickly come as a ſwift Witneſs, and his Reward will be with him, to give to every man according as his Works ſhall appear to be, and a day of terror, horror and miſery vvill be to every vain, proud, covetous and unrighteous man and vvoman, vvho have defiled the Temple of God, through a life of obedience to the love of any one thing vvhatever, more than to love the appearance of Gods holy Truth, his divine Light and Word of his Spirit, vvhichwhich is the appearance of Chriſt, the Tree of Life, and ſeed of the Kingdom of Heaven, which all unrighteous and covetous men have, and do in this day burden, oppreſs and keep under, as a Cart loaden with Sheaves, until, with many, the Spirit of God leaves ſtriving, and their houſe becomes deſolate, being left in hardneſs of heart with a ſeared Conſcience, having eyes and ears with which they can never more ſee the tenders of Gods free Love, and the riches of his free Grace and large Mercy towards them that hunger and thirſt after his Righteouſneſs, which only them that abide faithful are made to partake of; for although the ſeed of the Tree of Life hath been lown in all ſorts of ground, yet for as much as through pride, covetouſneſs, uſury, oppreſſion, and the like of other ſins, which fruit it hath brought forth to unrighteouſneſs, the ſeed or their own luſt, which hath refuſed to cleave to the Tree of Life, and lived on the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which hath cauſed their ground to be accurſed, and their … with the fruit thereof to vvither, vvaſte and periſh away; for every branch which bringeth not forth fruit in the Tree of Life, the ſa…e is taken off, and caſt into the fire of Gods Wrath, which is burning againſt all the unrighteouſneſs of men; but as any repent, they find mercy with God, with whom all power in Heaven and Hell doth remain; for as Love is a Heaven to them that live to him, ſo likewiſe is his Wrath a flame of holy zeal and fire from Heaven, which is Hell both in this World, and alſo Hell in the World to come, which will burn forever againſt every wicked Spirit of every wicked Man and Woman, who have yeilded themſelves Servants, to ſerve their own luſts, which hath brought forth all manner of evil fruit, which is accurſed in the ſight of God, who hath commanded all men againſt Pride and Covetouſneſs, which are the two great inlets or doors of Unrighteouſneſs, which mans Enemies, the Devils, his own luſts keep open, through which, the greateſt of all ſins enter, namely, Pride, Blaſphemy Covetouſneſs, Ʋſury, Oppreſſion, Murders, all manner of Prophaneneſs, Lying, Swearing, Drunkenneſs, Theft, Whoredoms, both ſpiritual and temporal, Back-bitings, Whiſperings, Witch-crafts, Hatreds, Strifs, Emulations, and what not of other ſins, is it, that Pride and Covetouſneſs make not way for them to take place; for Pride and Covetouſneſs are not willing to live and abide alone, without the whole company of Enemies, which find room enough to abide and live together, as Brethren of one Houſe or Family, in the heart and mind of every covetous man and woman, whoſe luſt is natural to give way to any appearance of outward profit or gain in the things of this … Luſt is ſuch a ſubtil Devil, that it teaches and lead … a covetous man and woman to cloath the outſide with a form of Religion, which is but a Child of their own luſts begetting, whoſe Servants they are to whom they obey, and a Child of their own Luſts, whoſe work they do. And thus is the Scripture fulfilled by men in a form of godlineſs, without the power of God therein, being outwardly cloathed with Scripture words, which to them is ſuch cloathing, that cauſeth ſuch men and women outwardly to appear as Sheep of the true Fold, when indeed, (as the Scripture ſpeaketh) they are inwardly ravening Wolves; for when they ſpeak moſt fair, there is ſeven abominations in their heart. So that all men and women, under what Name ſoever, few are they that cleave to the Tree of Life, to live to God in thought, word and work, as they ought to do, becauſe the love of ſome one thing or another blocks up the way of Truth, that no part of the Croſs can be taken up, by them that love any thing more than the appearance of Gods holy Truth, for which cauſe many are them that cannot enter the ſtrait Gate, which will not open to any but to them that keep in the path of the juſt, which leadeth to the Tree of Life, from which the faithful receive their daily nouriſhment, who are made fit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but of ſuch their Number is ſmall, and in this life the tryal of their Faith is great; but this is their ſtrength, through faith in the Promiſe of God, that nothing ſhall befall them, more than what he will enable them to bear; for they have an aſſurance of his Grace, that it is able to ſave from the nethermoſt pit of Hell, and will keep and preſerve all them that abide faithful to him, who, in the ſtillneſs of mind and retiredneſs of thoughts, witneſs his ſaving power, whoſe Salvation is to the ends of the Earth.
So that nothing more ſhall befall his choſen ones, then vvhat hath happened to the Houſhold of Faith in dayes paſt; There is no nevv thing under the ſun, for as in all ages, even ſo novv, he that vvas a Jew in the outvvard, vvas only a hearer of the Lavv, and not a doer of vvhat vvas contained in the Lavv, and ſo no true Heir of the Promiſe, vvhichwhich vvas to faithfull Abraham and to his ſeed, not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit, for that which is born after the fleſh, lives to the things of the fleſh, which to the wiſdom of the fleſh are ſweet and delightfull, but the end thereof is the bitterneſs of Death, for Death and Deſtruction is the portion and inheritance of every covetous man born after the fleſh, whoſe love to covet, is that Enemy, the Luſt and Devil of his own houre that perſecutes the Juſt Principle of Truth, both in themſelves and others, which fulfilleth the ſcripture, he that that is born after the fleſh perſecutes him that is born of the ſpirit; which conſequently follows, that every man which is in diſobedience to the ſpirit of God, is a perſecutor of the juſt and holy One; but who is it that conſiders this, or thinks of it? nay, rather do not men hide and cover themſelves with this and the other form of Religion, which if they do but barely come up to the outward form, and in common honeſty, anſwer the extream Righteouſneſs of the Law of men, they paſs among men for Chriſtians not at all conſidering, that no man can be a true Chriſtian, but as he is born of the Spirit, and through the Spirit to mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, ſuch are not only Chriſtians in name, but in nature alſo they witneſs the work of God, by Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe Leaven is the ſeed of the Kingdom, the Tree of Life, unto which every true Chriſtian cleaveth, to know himſelf purged, cleanſed and purified, regenerated, new born and planted into Chriſt, being of one ſpirit with him, to know, do, omit, go forth and work for God, when, and at what time ſoever his ſpirit moveth; here the Anointing teacheth them in all things, and the Evidence of the ſpirit gives an infallible aſſurance, of their having the mind of God in Chriſt, and to thêm that have not made ſome good beginnings in this work, however their outſide Cup may ſeem clean, as to men, yet their minds are in the world, and the world in all its wayes, is at enmity with God, who will ſhut out every covetous man & woman, from having any lot or inheritance in the Tree of Life, except they turn to God by true Repentance, which will manifeſt it ſelf by holy fruit of the Spirit, which bringeth forth no unclean thing in thought, word nor work, but is altogether obedient and ſubmitting to its own nature, to work Righteouſneſs, do juſtly love mercy, and in lovvlineſs of mind, and meekneſs of heart, keeps the even path, and enters the ſtrair Gate, which will not open to any, that do not in all things follow the teachings of Gods Word, and leadings of his Spirit, which begette…h true faith, of which is good works viz. to fear God, to work Righteouſneſs, to do juſtly, love mercy, walk humbly, and doing no other thing to any, whatever, than as themſelves would be done unto; this is the Law and Prophets, and what God requires of all men to do, otherwiſe they are not accepted of God by Jeſus Chriſt, to enter into his reſt. So that, if any man ſay, he hath faith, and truſteth in God, to believe in his promiſe, and doth not manifeſt his faith, by holy works, which according to the Light of the Goſpel, ſo ſhine, that others may gloryfie God by the ſame, that man whomſoever he be, is a Lyar, and the ſaving knowledge of Gods holy Truth abideth not in him; for faith without works is dead, and ſuch a faith and hope will fade away and periſh.
And again, in whom Faith is not, Grace worketh no effect, which is altogether through mans own neglect of Obedience to the ſpirit of Truth, which leadeth into all Truth; for the Truth is no other than the Tree of Life, which is Chriſt, in whom no mans faith can abide, without works of Holineſs; for where men have a Faith, without works of Righteouſneſs, their building is founded upon a rotten foundation, againſt which the Gates of Hell do ever prevail, that is, of their own Luſts they are led, and kept in bondage, not having any right to the promiſe, which only belongeth to the free born, who are redeemed by the power of an endleſs Life, and made heirs of the promiſed Land, and heavenly Jeruſalem, which is from above, and is the Mother of all them that abide in faithfulneſs to the end. Now here every unrighteous and covetous minded man is ſhut out from entring the Kingdom of Heaven; nay, though he may be outwardly righteous, as was one in Chriſts day, when he ſaid, It was eaſier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom Heaven, which is for this cauſe of a coveting deſire, to which their love is joyned, that their love abounds more to delight therein, than to part with all, to take up the Croſs, in true love, to follow Chriſt, who hath ſaid, He that loveth any thing more than me, is not worthy of me. Now for what end, do people think, were theſe things written? do they think that God is ſuch another as themſelves, or that he will be mocked? No verily, God will not be mocked, ſuch as every man ſoweth, of the ſame he ſhall reap, whether to the fleſh or to the ſpirit, the one being life, the other death; for, to be carnally minded is Death, but to be ſpiritually minded is Life and Peace; which things ought by all men to be duely conſidered, before Time be no more, for as Death leaves, ſo Judgment finds, and in the Grave they cannot repent; but theſe things are not regarded nor minded among many, therefore is it written, The fool hath ſaid in his heart there is no God; which though in words he acknowledge God, yet the bent of his covetous mind draws the heart from retaining God in its thoughts, that ſuch men live without God in the World, for by their deeds they manifeſt the ſame; therefore is it that there is no true ſaving knowledge of God to them; and in this ſtate are all covetous men, among whom many are they that have taken upon them the Name of God and Chriſt, whoſe words they have ſtollen, who through covetouſneſs make it their Trade to gain Money by; this is alſo contrary to the Word of God, and not at all according to the example of his holy Ones, who coveted no mans Silver nor Gold, but freely received the gift of God, and as good Stewards of his manifold Grace, they freely broke their Bread from Houſe to Houſe, with ſingleneſs and gladneſs of heart, rejoycing in the Work of the Lord, whoſe Word they divided to every one his portion, without Money or Price, labouring with their hands for their maintenance, that they might not make the Goſpel chargeable to any, and wo was to him that did not preach the Goſpel without reward from men, becauſe the promiſe of him that taketh care for birds of the air, and beaſts of the field, is large, in that he taketh the greater for his Servants and Meſſengers of his Truth, who have ſaid, That Godlineſs, with content, is great gain; but alas! who is it among men, that regard or mind theſe things? is not the love of Money, which is the root of all evil, that which is moſt beloved among men? And again, Covetouſneſs is of Luſt, ſuch a Devil, that contrives and joyns ſo cloſe and faſt to the mind of men, that ſome have loſt their lives by ſorrow for worldly goods; for a covetous m…n can meet with no greater ſorrow than to part with that in which his love doth moſt abide; for above all other things, that which a man doth moſt love to delight his mind in, that is to him his Godd; therefore is it that bear outſide Chriſtians are ſo entangled with the things of this Life; for where the Treaſure is, there is the heart alſo, and yet extream righteous, as towards the Law of men, which often is extream wrong in the ſight of God, becauſe a covetous man takes the opportunity to enrich himſelf by another mans neceſſity, whereby the borrower rather becomes a ſlave than a ſervant to the lender, who, through covetouſneſs, can in no wiſe ſimpathize nor participate with his friend or neighbour in loſs or croſs whatever, becauſe the affectionate part is only to ſelf, ſo as covetouſneſs can do no good work to it ſelf, neither can it do that which is properly good to another, therefore is it not ſafe to be too far concerned with the god of any covetous Uſurer, for as it wholly tends to the deſtruction of the ſoul of him that binds, ſo it alſo tends to impoveriſh him that is bound; for the luſt of a covetous man, namely, the Devil, his idol and god, will never ſuffer the ruſt and canker to feed upon his Money, nor the mote to devour his goods, more than to ſupply the neceſſity of any man without intereſt; ſo that the mercy and pity of a covetous man is plain Cruelty, not only to his own ſoul, but alſo to the body of others, who are concerned with the idol or god of a covetous man, whoſe mind is always bent towards the enlarging of his idol; therefore he taketh the opportunity of every advantage, by bill, bond, mortgage, and the like, to enrich himſelf with thoſe things which will periſh with him, except he repent; and of this nature, by opportunity, through advantage of another mans neceſſity, do men enrich and impoveriſh one another; ſo that Oppreſſion among men is like to a ſweeping rain, which drives all from one man into the bounds and poſſeſſion of another, through which many men are enlarged with Mountains, Hills and Vallies, when many have not whereon to ſet their foot; and of this nature is it that Covetouſneſs leads to Uſury, Oppreſſion, and the like which hath divided the things of this World, and is the only portion of every covetous, proud and vain man, which does not forſake and repent of all his evil deeds, and covet after the better part, unto which is the promiſe, of adding all things needful; therefore is it written, The Righteous are never forſaken, nor their ſeed begging Bread. Say unto the righteous, it ſhall go well with them, but with the wicked it ſhall go ill. Therefore ſtudy after Righteouſneſs, and covet after the better part, againſt which, luſt to covetouſneſs, cannot prevail; for luſt to covet after the Riches of this World, is as natural to the Children of men, as the ground is natural to bring forth Weeds; therefore is it, that men by nature, of their own wills, wiſdoms, knowledges, reaſons righteouſneſſes, and the like, will not come under the croſs, to hear and obey Moſes and the Prophets, to fulfil what the Law required of him to do; ſo alſo are they accurſed which refuſe to hear and obey the Voice of the Son of God, whoſe gift of divine light is the condemnation of every covetous mans thoughts, words and works; ſo that Covetouſneſs is of no profit to any man that gains the riches of this world, with the loſs of his ſoul; but godl…neſs, with content, is great gain, to them that fear God, work righteouſneſs, do justly, love mercy, walk humbly, and do no other thing to others, than as themſelves would be done unto. Yet notwithſtanding this, and whatever elſe is written in the holy Scriptures againſt Covetouſneſs, how do men daily nouriſh and cheriſh it, as if it were a godd of ſuch a nature and life, as to abide with them forever; therefore are they ſo choice of this luſt of unrighteouſneſs, that for its ſin they provide the largeſt cloak; for of all other ſins, Covetouſneſs is moſt in credit among the Sons of men, therefore they will not let this Devil go naked, but cloath it with credible Names, not as ſin or vile, but as thrift, provident good care of a mans own, and care of the main chance, and not only ſo, but will protect and defend it with Scripture words, viz. He that provideth not for his own houſe is worſe than an Idfidel, and hath denyed the Faith. Therefore as God directeth, is my labour to uncloak and lay open this Luſt, Devil and Sin of Covetouſneſs, which abideth in the wiſe and prudent of this World, who, through coveting after Money, the love of which is the root of all evil, in them that will neither enter the Kingdom of Heaven, nor ſuffer others which are entering, to go therein; which doth manifeſt their Covetouſneſs to exclude all love and fear to God, and all love and pity to their Neighbours good. Nay, what ſin is it, that Covetouſneſs leads men not to commit? it leadeth them that are covetous to oppreſs, cozen, deceive, lye, and ſell their Conſcience for every trifle; alſo, it leads men to turn from the Faith, betray the Truth, ſell it for Money, and to hold the Truth in Unrighteouſneſs; it leads men to forſake all good Religion, to turn Perſecutors, which is the greateſt Oppreſſion that can be, for it ſweeps away the Life and Eſtate of many men; it leads men to wait as Troops of Robbers, to kill and deſtroy by the conſent of unrighteous Laws, which have been made by covetous Uſurers. And I may ſay, Covetouſneſs not only leads men to kill and ſteal by the high-way, but to rob God of his honour, by ſtealing his words which he ſpake by the mouth of his holy Ones, whoſe words they ſell for Money, each looking for his gain from his Quarter, which if any man refuſe to pay, open war is prepared againſt him; and of this, and the like nature doth Covetouſneſs lead men to ſin againſt God, even to the deſtroying of their peace with him; for to the Wicked there is no true peace in this life, nor in the Life to come. Covetouſneſs is one of the chief gates and Inlets to the broad way of Death, Hell and Destruction, and is ſo delightful and well-pleaſing, that many are led thereby into all manner of Abominations, even to rebel againſt God and King, and to change the form of Worſhip at every change in Government. In ſhort, it leadeth Parents to deſtroy their Children, and Children to deſtroy their Parents; alſo, it leadeth men to lye and ſwear, and to hold the the Truth in unrighteouſneſs, and to pervert the truth, thereby to turn the cauſe of the Fatherleſs and Widdow. Therefore let all men beware of coveting after that which God hath forbidden; for while ſome have beên coveting after Riches, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themſelves through with many ſorrows, becauſe it is ſuch a ſin, that it draws the ſoul of him that is over much righteous, into perdition; for over much righteous before men, is over much wicked in the ſight of God, becauſe its only mans own works, which is plain hypocriſie and deceit, and indeed ſo are all things which are not done by man in truth and ſincerity, with uprightneſs of heart and mind to God, whoſe all-ſeeing eye beholdeth the evil and the good in all men whatever, among whom the heart of ſome that labour to be rich, is pierced through with many ſorrows; for it is written, They that will be rich, fall into many Temptations, and a Snare, and many fooliſh and hurtful Luſts, which draw men into perdition; for luſt to Covetouſneſs, is ſuch a ſubtil Enemy, and the Devils ſnare is ſo cunningly contrived, and ſo full of fair pretences, that let a man be once in love with Money, he knows not which way to wind himſelf out; for it doth ſo bewilder, fetter and entangle his mind, even to the deſtruction of his ſoul, and loſs of body alſo, yet how vehemently with care and diligence, will men vindicate Covetouſneſs, becauſe that care and diligence there may be, and ought to be, but the truth is, every covetous man makes care and diligence a cloak for Covetouſneſs, whereby he is ſheltered againſt all reproof; in which ſtate mans life among his Neighbours is not much deſireable, neither by the Poor lamented at his Death, but rather rejoyce at the dividing of his Idol, to whom God hath not given the priviledge of a beggar, who hath a Child to inherit his old Apparel. And again, an Inheritence haſtily gotten by covetous men, ſoon waſteth among their Children, for all that is gained not agreeable to truth and righteouſneſs, it is under the curſe; for the promiſe of bleſſing is only to that which is gained according to Gods Word, which is, That men ſhould firſt ſeek the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteouſneſs thereof, unto which is the promiſe, of adding all other things needful; for God that taketh care to provide for the birds of the air, and the beaſts of the field, tak…th the greater care for them that fear him and work righteouſneſs. So that in whomſoever God is not retained in their thoughts, words and works, cannot be agreeable with his Truth; therefore are they of the World, the ways of which are Covetouſneſs, through which they oppreſs one another, evèn like to the ſweeping rain.
CHAP. VI. Concerning that Life, the Nature of it, which God requireth of all Men.
GOd in the counſel of his own Wiſdom and Time, hath ſet before all men, the way of Life and the way of Death, which Death is the Tree of Knewledge of good and evil, that is, mans own will, wiſdom, knowledge, reaſon, righteouſneſs, and the like, of which he ought not to eat, becauſe in it is death; for it opens their eyes againſt themſelves, and that in evrey thing, in which to them abideth death. Now the Tree of Life is Chriſt, which calleth to all men to feed upon him, to eat his Fleſh, to drink his Blood, to do his Will, to follow his gift of divine Light, to hear and obey his Word, to improve his Talant, and meaſure of his Spirit of Truth, which leads into all truth, which is Bread and Wine indeed, without Money, without Price, the Bread of the Kingdom, the Water of Life, of which if a man eat and drink, he can neither hunger nor thirſt, for it giveth life to all that hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs. Theſe things are not hid from man, unto whom the ſpirit ſaith, Come, take of the Water of Life freely; come, take the yo…e, it is eaſie, and the burden is light; come, take up the Croſs, and follow him, that in all things hath done the Fathers will, for the Redemption and Salvation of all them that hear him, and obey him, to do his will, which is meat and drink indeed. Here the heavy are made light, and the mourner is comforted, yea, he of a ſad Countenance hath his heart made better; here the flying Cherub and the glittering Sword turns every way to deſtroy, lay waſte, and diſpoſſeſs the ſtrong man of all his goods, the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, mans own wiſdom, will, knowledge reaſon, righteouſneſs, and the like, that all luſt may dye, and Devils be caſt out, and that through the work of the ſpirit, which hath the Government, to mortifie all the deeds of the fleſh, that man may be brought to nothing, to will nothing, do know nothing, omit nothing, but as God willeth in him, doth in him, knoweth in him, and omiteth in him; this man doth reſt from his Labour, and keepeth the Sabbath holy, he cleaves to the Tree of Life, he is regenerated, new born, and brought forth of the immortal Seed, he is cleanſed and purified, through the Baptiſm of the Spirit, he is planted into Chriſt, and is in whole obedience to the rule and goverment of his Spirit, both in though, word and work, his meat and drink is to do the will of God on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, he willeth nothing, but what God willeth in him, he doth nothing, but what God doth do inhim; he omitteth nothing, but what God omitteth in him; he knoweth nothing, but what God knoweth in him; his only food is of the Tree of Life, which is Bread and Wine of Life indeed, which he that knoweth nothing of this work wrought in him ſelf, he yet is in a miſerable, and undone eſtate, repoſing upon his own knowledge, wiſdom and reaſon, in which abideth death it ſelf; therefore ſaith the Spirit, ariſe, take up the croſs to that which is of ſelf, and Chriſt will give thee Life; his yoke is eaſe, his burden is light, that is, to them whom he is of God, made Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Senctification and Redemption, they alſo renew their ſtrength in the Tree of Life, which is the beginning of grace by the work of the Spipit, which mortifies the deeds of the fleſh, that the houſe may be cleanſed of Gods Enemies, which deſtroy means peace with his maker, and defile the Temple of God, whoſe Enemies is mans luſt, and every Devil which hath ſprung from the ſeed of the Serpent ſown in man, which luſteth to be wiſe and knowing, having its eyes alwayes open againſt it ſelf, which muſt be deſtroyed by the Spirit of Truth, the ſtrength of the Tree of Life, that the man of God may grow from one degree of Grace to another, till they become perfect men and women in Chriſt Jeſus, in whom there is no condemnation, to them, to whom Chriſt of God is made wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſanctification, and redemtion, they are born of the Spirit, and baptized of the Spirit, and made free by the Law of the Spirit of Life, from the Law of Sin and Death, in which work of the Spirit of Life, there is nothing of mans own Wiſdom, Knowledge, Will or Reaſon, for the work is wholly wrought of God, through faith and obedience, to hear, believe and obey Gods gift of Grace, his Spirit of Truth by Jeſus Chriſt, who for his works lake imputeth it to them for Righteouſneſs; for faithful Abraham beleived God to truſt in his promiſe, but his faith was not without Works of Obedience, nor according to his own knowledge, wiſdom, will and reaſon, but in Gods time, according to his own knowledge and wiſdom, through which the work done by Abraham, was done in Faith and Obedience to God, whoſe will was done on Earth, as it was done in Heaven; therfore is it writen, that as the body is dead without the ſpirit, ſo is alſo Faith dead without Works, that by whomſoever works are not manifeſted, agreeable to Gods holy Truth, and example of his holy People in days paſt, they are only Chriſtians in namê, and not in nature of that life, which God requireth of all men to live and abide in; therefore it is, that people profit not by what they hear or read, becauſe they are ſpiritually dead having blinded Eyes and deaf Ears, with which they can neither ſee, hear, nor receive to underſtand the Spirit of Truth, of which a manifeſtation is given to every man to profit withal, and is the gift of his Spirit, the Word of Faith to them that will hear, to obey the Light of the Spirit of Truth, which is the condemnation of the Diſobedient, who are here and there, in this and the other Form of Religion, ſerving God with mouth and lip, in their own wiſdom, wills, and with their own words, being only called by the Name of Chriſt, without the Nature of his Life, which being deſtitute of, no man can be a true Chriſtian, yet how contentedly do men live and abide in this and the other form, but do not witneſs the ſtrength of the power of God to redeem from ſin and tranſgreſſion, and to make alive to God, who is only a God them that through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, and through the Spirit are brought in again, by the flying Cherub and glittering Sword of Gods power, in and by Chriſt the Tree of everlaſting Life, on which as any eats he cannot dye to God, but hath an infallible aſſurance of life in the Son of God, without which aſſurance no man can truly ſay, that he pleaſeth God in thought, word and deed; for it is the anointing, which is by the Tree of Life, that teacheth all things, & which leadeth into all Truth, the evidence of which Spirit doth aſſure the Son, in whom there is life, and the nature of his life dwelleth and abideth in them, that by true faith in him, and obedience to the word of his Spirit, they are made alive unto God; and of this nature is Chriſt in his people, and in whom he is not, they are Reprobates, and in whom he abideth not, they are curſed Children, abiding under the curſe in their own wiſdom, knowledge, will, reaſon, righteouſneſs, and the like, which cauſeth them to luſt more and more after the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, for which cauſe they rebel againſt the Spirit of God in themſelves, and deny his appearance in his People; for which cauſe of Rebellion, which is as the ſin of Witch-craft, the Truth of God abideth not in them; therefore are they without God in the world, living to their own God, of which, in the world there are many that delight, and ſweetly recreate their minds in, by living a life of obedience to their own ways of righteouſneſs, which only proceeds from luſt, that gives way for men to live according as their own will and reaſon directeth them, in all they do for God, and to one another, all which is vnderunder the Curſe, as it is written, Curſed is he that putteth his Truſt in man, and maketh fleſh his Arm. So all men that live in fleſh and blood, and are obedient to their own wiſdom, will and reaſon, they are ſervants to their own luſt, being in bondage, as ſlaves, & ſervants to that and thoſe things which they do, as it is written, Men are Servants to him to whom they obey, and Children of him whoſe work they do; therefore he that will be free from the curſe of condemnation, muſt take up the croſs, and deny himſelf of all things which are not of God and his Spirit of Truth, otherwiſe he cannot come to the Tree of Life, but will fall ſhort of that Crown of Righteouſneſs which is in ſtore for all them that abide faithful to God, as by his divine Light he doth lead, and teach by the ſpirit of Truth, which leadeth into all Truth, by which men are made fit to enter in at the ſtrait gate of Chriſt… Kingdom.
CHAP. VII. Concerning Judgment begun at the Houſe of God, and in his Houſe to judge down every appearance of evil.
THe Houſe of God in general, where Judgment firſt beginneth, is his people, but Judgment cometh to every Tranſgreſſor of his holy Truth, and that to judge down every appearance of evil; therefore ſaid one in his day, Who ſhall deliver me from this Body of ſin & death? Now the Body of this man was the Houſe of God, and Temple of the holy Ghoſt, in which God by his Judgment was at work, to judge down, caſt out and deſtroy every luſt that would evalt it ſelf above the Witneſs of God, that the Houſe of God might be throughly cleanſed, and only become a houſe of …oly Habitation for the Spirit of Truth to abide in; for as … is written, The high & holy one who inhabits Eterníty, dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, but taketh up his abode with men of clean hearts & contrite ſpirits, that fear him and work righteouſneſs, do juſtly, love mercy, and walk humbly, ſuch bear the image of God and nature of Chriſt, with whom, and in whom both Father and Son do take up their abode; therefore where men give not up to come under the croſs, and follow the light and word of Gods Spirit, in obedience to his call, they reſiſt the holy one, & crucifie him afreſh to themſelves, ſuch defile the houſe and temple of God, and them will God deſtroy; & indeed, how many ſuch people (with a fair Iſrael … of Religion) are crept into a profeſſion of Gods Truth, … …hrough deceit, have, under the like profeſſion, entered … ſelves as Chriſtians among the People of God; but he that cauſed the Net to be caſt into the Sea, which brought forth good and bad to the ſhore, the ſame doth permit the net of profeſſion to gather all ſorts of People into the outward name Chriſtian, therefore doth Judgment alſo begin at the Houſe of God, which are his people, to make a ſeperation between the precious and the vile, not only to purge and cleanſe from luſts, but alſo, to cut off the ſtubborn and ſtiff-necked ones, which will not ſubmit to the croſs, whoſe Judgment will alſo reach to the old Age of them that live in diſobedience to the Spirit of Truth; for Judgment from God hath ſpread it ſelf to the ends of the Earth, and hath begun its work at the houſe of God. If the righteous ſcarcely are ſaved, where ſhall the ungodly and ſinners appear? Judgment is not come to bring peace to any unrighteous perſon, but is gone forth to do the work of God among the People, and will, both inwardly and outwardly lay waſte and deſtroy all that is not of himſelf; for that which only is of himſelf ſhall ſtand, and that which is not of himſelf ſhall come to nought, and therefore Judgment from God is gone forth to the ends of Earth, that all that will be gathered may be preſerved, and that which will not hear the Spirit of Truth, to be obedient thereto, the ſame ſhall be ſcattered abroad, till Judgment gather it, as Fuel for the fire of Gods Wrath, which forever burneth againſt the unrighteouſneſs of wicked and ungodly men; and for this very end is judgment at work for God, that he may gather a People pure in heart, and of uprightneſs in mind, which in all things ſhall be of one ſpirit and mind towards him, in thought, word & work, therefore let none in this day, which make a profeſſion of Gods holy Truth, deceive themſelves, for God will not be mocked, ſuch as every man ſoweth, of the ſame he ſhall … reap, whether to the fleſh, or to the Spirit; for all that is of the Spirit, the ſpirit giveth evidence in every faithful man and woman, that it is of God; & though the Spirit abideth not in every unrighteous man, yet the appearance of it is often to their condemnation, and ſo doth continue, … it hath left ſtriving, and the day of Gods Grace be over, having ſinned out the day of Gods Viſitation. Let all therefore conſider in what ſtate they abide, as to God, whoſe promiſe to the Righteous is, That it ſhall go well with them, but it ſhall go ill with the Wicked; Therefore let not theſe Truths which have been received by the Spirit of Truth, find itching Ears among any, but as every man turn in his mind to the Spirit of Truth, he will witneſs the truth of theſe Things.
…th. 1ſt. Mon. 1694. THO. MAƲLE.
THE END.
End of the text · Thomas Mall, Truth Held Forth and Maintained (1695)