Concerning God's seeking out his Israel likewise concerning the principle of lief [i.e. life] whereby he seekth them and the way of their closing with his spirit therein : as also concerning the two covenants under one whereof he pleaseth to exercise and prepare them for the life and inheritance which he hath treasured up for them in the other : with a postscript relating some things necessary for lost man to be acquainted with in his travels from his lost estate / by Isaac Penington.
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1663
        
      
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             Concerning God's seeking out his Israel likewise concerning the principle of lief [i.e. life] whereby he seekth them and the way of their closing with his spirit therein : as also concerning the two covenants under one whereof he pleaseth to exercise and prepare them for the life and inheritance which he hath treasured up for them in the other : with a postscript relating some things necessary for lost man to be acquainted with in his travels from his lost estate / by Isaac Penington.
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           [2], 20 p.
           
             Printed for Robert Wilson ...,
             [London] :
             1663.
          
           
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Society of Friends -- Doctrines.
        
      
    
     
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           Concerning
           God's
           seeking
           out
           HIS
           ISRAEL
           Likewise
           Concerning
           the
           Principle
           OF
           LIEF
           VVhereby
           he
           seeketh
           them
           and
           the
           way
           of
           their
           closing
           with
           His
           Spirit
           therein
           .
        
         
           As
           also
           Concerning
           the
           two
           COVENANTS
           ,
           UNDER
           One
           whereof
           he
           pleaseth
           to
           exercise
           and
           prepare
           them
           for
           the
           life
           and
           inheritance
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           treasured
           up
           for
           them
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           WITH
           A
           Postscript
           relating
           some
           things
           necessary
           for
           lost
           man
           to
           be
           acquainted
           with
           in
           his
           travels
           from
           his
           lost
           Estate
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Isaac
             Penington
          
           .
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Wilson
          
           in
           the
           Year
           1663.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           such
           in
           Godmanchester
           and
           thereabouts
           ,
           who
           bear
           the
           reproachful
           name
           of
           Quakers
           ,
           whose
           religion
           began
           in
           the
           power
           ,
           and
           who
           still
           abide
           and
           walk
           on
           in
           the
           power
           waiting
           to
           be
           perfected
           in
           the
           full
           manifestation
           and
           appearance
           thereof
           .
        
         
           
             Dear
             friends
             in
             Gods
             pure
             Eternal
             truth
             ,
          
        
         
           IT
           was
           my
           lot
           once
           to
           be
           among
           you
           in
           a
           meeting
           ,
           together
           with
           I.C.
           where
           I
           had
           a
           word
           unto
           you
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           while
           
             I.
             C.
          
           was
           declareing
           .
           But
           being
           exceedingly
           bowed
           down
           in
           spirit
           ,
           and
           afraid
           to
           interrupt
           the
           service
           in
           him
           (
           whom
           I
           looked
           upon
           as
           far
           more
           abundantly
           grown
           up
           in
           the
           life
           ,
           and
           fitter
           to
           Minister
           from
           the
           life
           )
           I
           waited
           till
           the
           life
           in
           him
           should
           stop
           .
           But
           then
           those
           words
           which
           had
           often
           sprung
           in
           me
           before
           ,
           sprung
           not
           again
           ;
           and
           I
           durst
           not
           then
           speak
           them
           from
           a
           bare
           remembrance
           of
           them
           ,
           not
           finding
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           then
           giving
           them
           me
           to
           speak
           .
           So
           I
           went
           away
           with
           a
           burthen
           on
           my
           own
           soul
           ,
           and
           also
           with
           a
           sense
           of
           some
           lose
           to
           you
           of
           some
           part
           of
           the
           good
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           intended
           you
           .
           Since
           that
           time
           ,
           I
           have
           often
           remembred
           the
           thing
           with
           grief
           ,
           crying
           to
           the
           Lord
           that
           ,
           that
           which
           hath
           so
           often
           stopped
           the
           life
           in
           me
           ,
           and
           my
           service
           in
           the
           life
           ,
           might
           in
           his
           good
           time
           be
           removed
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           day
           might
           come
           ,
           wherein
           the
           man
           might
           never
           more
           be
           or
           appear
           ,
           as
           of
           himself
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           determiner
           concerning
           the
           things
           which
           flow
           from
           the
           life
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           life
           might
           have
           its
           free
           course
           and
           current
           through
           me
           ,
           in
           its
           own
           pure
           streamings
           ,
           to
           the
           delighting
           of
           my
           own
           heart
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           refreshing
           of
           others
           .
           And
           indeed
           this
           day
           I
           exceedingly
           long
           for
           ,
           that
           nothing
           of
           self
           might
           be
           left
           to
           be
           brought
           forth
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           which
           is
           of
           the
           life
           might
           spring
           up
           and
           flourish
           ,
           both
           in
           me
           and
           every
           where
           .
        
         
           Now
           one
           morning
           ,
           as
           my
           heart
           was
           breathing
           towards
           the
           Lord
           ,
           not
           having
           a
           thought
           either
           of
           you
           or
           this
           thing
           ,
           the
           very
           same
           words
           (
           which
           were
           given
           me
           in
           that
           meeting
           )
           sprang
           up
           again
           livingly
           in
           me
           ,
           with
           a
           pointing
           to
           write
           them
           down
           ,
           with
           what
           ●he
           Lord
           should
           please
           to
           give
           in
           further
           ,
           and
           send
           them
           to
           you
           ,
           together
           
           with
           a
           Paper
           which
           was
           a
           little
           before
           written
           cencerning
           the
           two
           Covenants
           .
           And
           when
           I
           had
           almost
           finished
           what
           was
           then
           given
           me
           to
           write
           ,
           I
           was
           further
           directed
           to
           annex
           to
           the
           first
           paper
           ,
           another
           concerning
           the
           principle
           .
           How
           the
           Lord
           shall
           please
           to
           improve
           them
           to
           your
           advantage
           or
           to
           the
           advantage
           of
           any
           others
           ,
           I
           have
           to
           him
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           earnest
           desire
           of
           my
           heart
           ,
           that
           his
           work
           may
           prosper
           in
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           light
           and
           power
           which
           issueth
           forth
           from
           him
           for
           the
           salvation
           of
           souls
           may
           be
           effectual
           thereunto
           ;
           and
           that
           nothing
           of
           love
           ,
           of
           mercy
           ,
           of
           goodness
           ,
           of
           life
           ,
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           of
           his
           searching
           and
           healing
           vertue
           may
           be
           held
           back
           by
           him
           ,
           which
           the
           state
           or
           condition
           of
           any
           of
           his
           sheep
           or
           lambs
           (
           whether
           lost
           or
           gathered
           )
           calleth
           for
           :
           that
           his
           Israel
           may
           become
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           earth
           and
           all
           Nations
           may
           be
           refreshed
           with
           beholding
           the
           beauty
           and
           tasting
           the
           sweetness
           of
           life
           and
           righteousness
           ,
           which
           shall
           assuredly
           flow
           forth
           from
           his
           sanctuary
           .
           And
           surely
           the
           time
           is
           not
           far
           off
           (
           whatever
           the
           eye
           of
           sence
           may
           judge
           ,
           and
           however
           things
           may
           appear
           to
           mans
           understanding
           )
           wherein
           Israel
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           compelled
           to
           worship
           in
           the
           Temples
           of
           mens
           building
           and
           dedicating
           but
           shall
           in
           the
           beauty
           of
           holiness
           for
           the
           day
           is
           come
           (
           yea
           the
           blessed
           day
           is
           come
           )
           wherein
           the
           Lord
           God
           of
           life
           will
           build
           up
           his
           Sion
           ,
           and
           appear
           there
           in
           his
           glory
           Amen
           ,
           hallelujah
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Concerning
           God's
           seeking
           out
           his
           Israel
           .
        
         
           THis
           is
           the
           word
           ,
           which
           was
           given
           to
           me
           ;
           
             THE
             SHEPHERD
             OF
             ISRAEL
             IS
             SEEKING
             OVT
             HIS
             SHEEP
             ,
             EVEN
             THE
             LOST
             SHEEP
             OF
             THE
             HOVSE
             OF
             ISRAEL
          
           :
           Concerning
           which
           ,
           these
           three
           Questions
           sprang
           up
           in
           me
           one
           after
           another
           ,
           as
           I
           was
           about
           to
           write
           and
           writing
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           1.
           
           
             Who
             are
             his
             sheep
          
           .
        
         
           Answ
           .
           His
           sheep
           are
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ;
           the
           lost
           sheep
           of
           the
           house
           of
           Israel
           are
           those
           among
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           have
           felt
           touches
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           begettings
           into
           his
           nature
           ,
           and
           were
           in
           some
           measure
           gathered
           into
           some
           appearance
           and
           dispensation
           of
           his
           life
           by
           his
           holy
           spirit
           ,
           wherein
           they
           felt
           warmth
           from
           God
           in
           their
           spirits
           ,
           and
           a
           delight
           and
           joy
           in
           what
           they
           felt
           ,
           and
           a
           longing
           after
           a
           further
           manifestation
           of
           him
           .
           These
           were
           his
           sheep
           ,
           in
           a
           gathered
           estate
           in
           some
           degree
           ,
           by
           those
           dispensations
           of
           life
           in
           the
           darkness
           ,
           which
           had
           some
           strength
           in
           them
           to
           gather
           from
           under
           the
           darkness
           ,
           and
           did
           gather
           into
           that
           measure
           of
           light
           and
           life
           ,
           that
           was
           then
           dispensed
           .
           But
           the
           sheep
           cleaving
           to
           the
           dispensations
           (
           which
           were
           very
           weak
           and
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           had
           little
           of
           spirit
           ,
           but
           very
           much
           of
           flesh
           in
           them
           )
           and
           not
           following
           the
           Lamb
           out
           of
           them
           into
           the
           further
           dispensations
           of
           life
           ,
           into
           which
           he
           stood
           ready
           to
           lead
           ,
           the
           Lord
           brake
           them
           in
           pieces
           ,
           departed
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           left
           the
           life
           to
           be
           made
           a
           prey
           of
           and
           brought
           under
           the
           captivity
           of
           death
           :
           so
           that
           the
           sheep
           were
           scattered
           upon
           the
           mountains
           and
           every
           beast
           of
           prey
           was
           ready
           to
           fasten
           his
           teeth
           on
           them
           and
           devour
           them
           .
           O
           the
           precious
           buddings
           forth
           of
           the
           virtue
           and
           power
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           was
           to
           be
           found
           in
           several
           sorts
           of
           professors
           ,
           while
           they
           sought
           the
           Lord
           only
           ,
           and
           the
           knowledge
           of
           one
           another
           in
           the
           breathing
           spirit
           ,
           and
           minded
           not
           the
           outward
           form
           ,
           but
           the
           feeling
           of
           life
           in
           their
           duties
           and
           ordinances
           !
        
         
         
           But
           when
           they
           began
           to
           mind
           the
           form
           ,
           and
           cry
           up
           several
           forms
           ;
           the
           Lord
           also
           began
           to
           loath
           the
           forms
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           give
           forth
           that
           among
           them
           ,
           which
           formerly
           they
           met
           with
           ,
           but
           took
           away
           the
           kernel
           and
           left
           them
           the
           shel
           :
           And
           oh
           how
           dry
           and
           barren
           have
           they
           become
           since
           !
           Where
           is
           the
           feeling
           of
           life
           ?
           where
           is
           the
           love
           to
           one
           another
           in
           the
           living
           sence
           ?
           Where
           is
           the
           zeal
           after
           and
           earnest
           seeking
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Religion
           ?
           where
           is
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           sheep
           to
           be
           found
           in
           them
           ?
           and
           where
           is
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           shepherd
           among
           them
           ?
           Are
           they
           not
           
             lost
             sheep
          
           indeed
           lost
           to
           God
           ?
           lost
           to
           themselves
           ?
           have
           they
           not
           lost
           the
           
             holy
             ,
             pure
             ,
             sweet
             ,
             meek
             ,
             heavenly
             ,
             tender
             ,
             gentle
             nature
             of
             the
             sheep
          
           ?
           have
           they
           not
           lost
           the
           
             pasture
             and
             the
             fold
          
           ,
           whereon
           they
           were
           wont
           to
           feed
           and
           wherein
           they
           were
           wont
           to
           lie
           down
           safe
           ?
           have
           they
           not
           lost
           the
           
             preserver
             of
             their
             souls
          
           from
           the
           devouring
           spirit
           ?
           nay
           ,
           have
           they
           not
           lost
           the
           very
           
             seed
             of
             life
          
           ,
           which
           the
           good
           husbandman
           did
           sow
           in
           them
           ?
           And
           do
           not
           evil
           seeds
           shoot
           up
           in
           the
           stead
           thereof
           ,
           to
           the
           poisoning
           of
           their
           hearts
           and
           blemishing
           of
           their
           conversations
           ?
           And
           are
           not
           some
           of
           them
           insencible
           of
           their
           lose
           ,
           and
           lie
           still
           drowned
           in
           their
           forms
           ,
           thinking
           to
           confine
           the
           appearance
           of
           the
           freelife
           and
           unlimited
           spirit
           there
           ?
           others
           of
           them
           sick
           ,
           and
           deeply
           wounded
           and
           languishing
           ,
           not
           knowing
           where
           to
           meet
           with
           the
           good
           shepherd
           ,
           nor
           how
           to
           make
           shift
           without
           him
           ?
           O
           the
           cryes
           of
           the
           desolate
           and
           mourning
           souls
           ,
           which
           love
           God
           at
           theit
           hearts
           and
           have
           the
           relicks
           of
           his
           Nature
           left
           in
           them
           in
           a
           seed
           still
           ,
           which
           he
           once
           begot
           and
           brought
           forth
           in
           some
           freshness
           !
           Oh
           their
           deep
           anguish
           ,
           their
           miserable
           lost
           condition
           for
           want
           of
           meeting
           with
           the
           Phisitian
           ,
           their
           pantings
           ,
           their
           teares
           ,
           their
           distresses
           ,
           their
           roarings
           out
           ,
           their
           over-whelmings
           ,
           their
           several
           kinds
           of
           Captivities
           ,
           and
           the
           cruelties
           exercised
           upon
           their
           spirits
           by
           the
           Captiver
           even
           break
           my
           heart
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           almost
           overwhelmed
           in
           the
           sence
           of
           their
           misery
           .
           But
           my
           heart
           is
           somewhat
           comforted
           with
           the
           freshness
           of
           this
           testimony
           ,
           which
           hath
           often
           risen
           up
           in
           the
           immediate
           life
           of
           God
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           heard
           his
           voice
           speaking
           it
           ,
           even
           that
           
             he
             will
             seek
             them
             out
          
           .
           And
           I
           know
           he
           hath
           
           the
           skill
           to
           finde
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           several
           mourning
           holes
           ,
           wherein
           they
           lye
           hid
           ;
           and
           the
           pits
           where
           into
           they
           are
           tumbled
           ;
           and
           the
           Bryars
           and
           Thorns
           of
           the
           wilderness
           ,
           wherewith
           they
           are
           torn
           ,
           and
           wherein
           they
           are
           twisted
           and
           entangled
           ,
           and
           held
           pining
           to
           death
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           prisons
           ,
           and
           Chains
           ,
           and
           Fetters
           of
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           closed
           up
           and
           bound
           down
           by
           the
           Enemy
           of
           their
           Souls
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           2.
           
           
             How
             will
             he
             seek
             them
             ,
             and
             how
             will
             he
             find
             them
             out
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           the
           light
           of
           his
           spirit
           shining
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           will
           touch
           and
           quicken
           the
           Sheep's
           life
           ,
           and
           open
           the
           Sheeps
           care
           and
           perswade
           the
           heart
           to
           know
           and
           believe
           that
           it
           is
           he
           ,
           that
           visiteth
           in
           his
           tender
           mercy
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           will
           have
           mercy
           on
           and
           shew
           compassion
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           hath
           long
           been
           cast
           off
           and
           forsaken
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           will
           be
           their
           God
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           be
           his
           people
           ,
           even
           the
           House
           of
           Israel
           that
           had
           departed
           from
           him
           :
           and
           that
           he
           had
           not
           forgotten
           them
           ,
           but
           waited
           for
           the
           hour
           of
           mercy
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           season
           of
           the
           bringing
           forth
           of
           that
           life
           and
           power
           ,
           whose
           searching
           and
           healing
           vertue
           will
           reach
           to
           the
           utmost
           extreamity
           of
           their
           conditions
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           3.
           
           
             What
             will
             he
             do
             with
             them
             ,
             when
             he
             hath
             sought
             after
             and
             found
             them
             out
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           He
           will
           gather
           them
           into
           the
           fold
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           lead
           them
           into
           the
           pastures
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           feed
           them
           with
           the
           food
           of
           life
           ,
           as
           their
           conditions
           are
           able
           to
           bear
           ;
           he
           will
           be
           fitting
           them
           by
           the
           exercises
           of
           his
           spirit
           ,
           for
           their
           passages
           from
           death
           to
           life
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           are
           capable
           ,
           so
           he
           will
           be
           still
           translating
           them
           from
           the
           one
           into
           the
           other
           .
           He
           will
           bring
           them
           from
           their
           several
           fals-built
           states
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Egypt
           (
           or
           Babylon
           )
           into
           a
           true
           wilderness
           state
           :
           and
           there
           ,
           as
           he
           wears
           out
           the
           old
           nature
           in
           them
           ,
           so
           will
           he
           speake
           comfortably
           to
           them
           and
           build
           up
           the
           new
           ,
           and
           nourish
           the
           true
           Israelitish
           Babe
           there
           with
           Manna
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           and
           after
           he
           is
           grown
           up
           to
           a
           mans
           Estate
           ,
           and
           hath
           received
           the
           inward
           Circumcision
           ,
           lead
           him
           into
           the
           pleasant
           land
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           the
           rich
           pastures
           ,
           &
           the
           sweet
           still
           Waters
           ,
           and
           the
           precious
           Milk
           and
           Hony
           of
           the
           living
           ,
           with
           which
           the
           
           land
           flows
           naturally
           ,
           and
           which
           yeilds
           pure
           nourishment
           to
           all
           the
           living
           Off-spring
           .
           O
           my
           heart
           is
           not
           able
           to
           contain
           the
           sence
           of
           all
           that
           God
           will
           do
           for
           Israel
           ,
           or
           of
           what
           he
           will
           be
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           of
           what
           they
           shall
           be
           to
           him
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           finished
           his
           work
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           brought
           them
           forth
           (
           through
           the
           strength
           of
           his
           Covenant
           )
           in
           the
           Nature
           and
           into
           the
           possession
           of
           his
           life
           .
        
         
           But
           sure
           I
           am
           he
           hath
           begun
           his
           work
           ,
           the
           light
           of
           the
           day
           (
           even
           of
           the
           everlasting
           day
           )
           hath
           sprung
           and
           visited
           many
           ,
           the
           Principle
           of
           Life
           hath
           been
           revealed
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           many
           ,
           and
           many
           are
           gathering
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           finde
           the
           man
           sinking
           and
           dying
           ,
           and
           the
           life
           rising
           and
           living
           in
           them
           day
           by
           day
           .
           And
           though
           the
           passage
           be
           bitter
           ,
           and
           the
           Passover
           still
           eaten
           with
           bitter
           hearbs
           ,
           and
           the
           devourer
           often
           let
           loose
           and
           suffered
           to
           nip
           and
           destroy
           ,
           yet
           out
           of
           the
           Eater
           at
           last
           comes
           forth
           meat
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           strong
           one
           in
           the
           issue
           comes
           forth
           sweetness
           .
           Yea
           ,
           though
           there
           be
           no
           faith
           found
           to
           close
           in
           with
           the
           light
           ,
           nor
           any
           strength
           left
           to
           obey
           or
           follow
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           deep
           foregoing
           breakin
           gs
           (
           wherein
           both
           nature
           and
           spirit
           were
           all
           dashed
           in
           peices
           ,
           and
           swallowed
           up
           in
           confusion
           )
           yet
           the
           breath
           of
           life
           and
           the
           power
           of
           the
           light
           (
           in
           process
           of
           excercises
           ,
           and
           after
           much
           deep
           misery
           ,
           and
           impossibilities
           ,
           to
           the
           sight
           and
           judgment
           of
           sense
           )
           at
           length
           raiseth
           up
           a
           little
           seed
           in
           the
           longing
           Soul
           ,
           which
           receiveth
           and
           bringeth
           forth
           after
           an
           hidden
           way
           that
           ,
           which
           it
           could
           not
           .
           And
           here
           life
           is
           indeed
           of
           Grace
           and
           wholly
           of
           the
           Seed
           ,
           in
           this
           state
           .
           Only
           waite
           to
           learn
           and
           know
           in
           Spirit
           (
           and
           then
           take
           heed
           of
           dispising
           )
           the
           weak
           beginnings
           and
           dawnings
           of
           light
           ,
           in
           the
           secret
           stirrings
           and
           movings
           of
           the
           principle
           of
           life
           :
           and
           waite
           also
           for
           a
           watch
           to
           be
           set
           up
           in
           thee
           against
           that
           fleshly
           wisdome
           and
           understanding
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           be
           judging
           about
           the
           work
           of
           God
           in
           thy
           heart
           ;
           for
           if
           it
           prevaile
           so
           far
           ,
           it
           will
           then
           also
           be
           begetting
           in
           thee
           dispisings
           of
           and
           turnings
           from
           the
           low
           beginnings
           thereof
           ,
           and
           so
           divert
           thy
           feet
           from
           the
           path
           of
           life
           .
           For
           the
           prevention
           whereof
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           furtherance
           of
           thy
           Soul
           ,
           in
           its
           closing
           with
           and
           travelling
           on
           in
           the
           light
           and
           guidance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           this
           following
           Paper
           is
           added
           .
        
         
           
           
             Concerning
             the
             Seed
             or
             inward
             Principle
             ,
             whereby
             life
             is
             begotten
             and
             maintained
             in
             the
             heart
             .
          
           
             THe
             Lord
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             full
             of
             everlasting
             Bowels
             of
             compassion
             towards
             mankind
             in
             general
             ,
             but
             more
             especially
             towards
             those
             ,
             in
             whom
             he
             hath
             begotten
             a
             sence
             of
             the
             want
             of
             him
             ,
             with
             breathings
             and
             desires
             after
             him
             ,
             hath
             chosen
             a
             Seed
             or
             inward
             Principle
             of
             Life
             to
             appear
             in
             ,
             towards
             the
             breaking
             the
             bonds
             of
             their
             Captivity
             ,
             and
             the
             bringing
             them
             from
             under
             the
             power
             and
             misery
             of
             death
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             many
             who
             have
             been
             overwhelmed
             with
             misery
             ,
             and
             whose
             spirits
             have
             melted
             and
             failed
             with
             the
             want
             of
             the
             sence
             of
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             felt
             that
             life
             ,
             which
             was
             formerly
             built
             up
             in
             them
             ,
             broken
             down
             and
             laid
             wast
             ,
             and
             their
             communion
             with
             God
             swallowed
             up
             in
             the
             ruines
             thereof
             ,
             and
             their
             Souls
             ready
             utterly
             to
             perish
             and
             be
             devoured
             by
             the
             Enemy
             every
             moment
             ;
             after
             the
             cutting
             off
             of
             their
             hopes
             ,
             and
             the
             shutting
             up
             of
             their
             eyes
             towards
             all
             ways
             of
             releif
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             after
             all
             this
             and
             much
             more
             than
             can
             be
             expressed
             ,
             in
             the
             tender
             mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             have
             they
             felt
             this
             principle
             revealed
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             their
             hearts
             by
             degrees
             through
             the
             skill
             and
             same
             mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             which
             revealed
             the
             principle
             (
             and
             not
             from
             any
             worthiness
             ,
             or
             faith
             and
             obedience
             of
             theirs
             :
             for
             that
             was
             as
             freely
             given
             and
             preserved
             ,
             as
             the
             principle
             it self
             was
             revealed
             )
             gathered
             into
             the
             principle
             ,
             where
             the
             Life
             reigns
             ,
             and
             where
             the
             strength
             and
             Dominion
             of
             death
             is
             broken
             in
             all
             those
             ,
             who
             by
             the
             allurings
             and
             guidings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             led
             thither
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             main
             thing
             necessary
             towards
             the
             Redemption
             of
             the
             Soul
             is
             ,
             after
             the
             revealing
             of
             this
             principle
             ,
             and
             some
             sence
             and
             feeling
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             turning
             of
             the
             minde
             towards
             it
             ,
             to
             wait
             to
             be
             made
             more
             and
             more
             acquainted
             with
             it
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             stirrings
             ,
             movings
             and
             leadings
             thereof
             ,
             there
             be
             a
             ready
             giving
             
             up
             to
             be
             gathered
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             guided
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             though
             this
             principle
             be
             all
             life
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             at
             first
             but
             as
             a
             seed
             ,
             and
             the
             appearance
             of
             the
             Lord
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             but
             as
             in
             a
             Seed
             ,
             very
             little
             ,
             low
             ,
             weak
             ;
             hard
             to
             be
             discerned
             ;
             easie
             to
             be
             over-looked
             and
             despised
             ,
             and
             some
             greater
             and
             m●re
             undeniable
             appearance
             expected
             .
             Yet
             that
             is
             not
             the
             way
             ,
             but
             the
             Soul
             must
             become
             subject
             unto
             and
             ●owed
             under
             this
             little
             appearance
             :
             and
             so
             as
             the
             Seed
             gets
             advantage
             and
             grows
             bigger
             and
             larger
             in
             thy
             heart
             ,
             the
             appearance
             of
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             greater
             and
             fuller
             there
             .
             But
             to
             look
             for
             the
             greater
             appearance
             ,
             before
             the
             Seed
             be
             owned
             and
             received
             in
             its
             lesser
             appearance
             (
             and
             the
             Vessel
             thereby
             fitted
             for
             the
             greater
             appearance
             )
             is
             not
             the
             way
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             the
             deceit
             of
             the
             Enemy
             ,
             whereby
             he
             would
             destroy
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             cut
             it
             off
             from
             the
             Lord
             for
             ever
             ;
             which
             he
             certainly
             will
             do
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             keep
             the
             seed
             from
             growing
             there
             ,
             and
             the
             Soul
             from
             joyning
             with
             and
             growing
             into
             it
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             watch
             to
             feel
             the
             savour
             of
             life
             in
             thy
             heart
             day
             by
             day
             ,
             and
             therein
             to
             feel
             leadings
             ,
             and
             drawings
             from
             the
             life
             ,
             suitable
             to
             thy
             state
             :
             for
             in
             this
             savour
             ,
             and
             in
             these
             drawings
             rises
             the
             true
             light
             ,
             vvhich
             leads
             into
             the
             way
             of
             life
             .
             And
             then
             watch
             against
             the
             reasonings
             ,
             and
             disputations
             which
             the
             Enemy
             will
             raise
             in
             thy
             minde
             ,
             who
             will
             strive
             to
             make
             thee
             a
             Judge
             over
             these
             drawings
             ;
             whereas
             the
             Light
             ,
             which
             ariseth
             in
             the
             savour
             and
             in
             the
             drawings
             ,
             is
             thy
             King
             (
             though
             in
             this
             low
             appearance
             )
             and
             not
             to
             be
             judged
             by
             thy
             minde
             ,
             thoughts
             and
             reasonings
             ,
             but
             to
             judge
             them
             all
             down
             ,
             and
             be
             bowed
             unto
             and
             obeyed
             by
             thee
             .
             And
             consider
             ,
             in
             the
             weight
             of
             thy
             spirit
             ,
             art
             thou
             (
             in
             thy
             darkness
             and
             with
             thy
             earthly
             minde
             )
             fit
             to
             be
             a
             Judge
             concerning
             the
             Light
             which
             ariseth
             in
             thee
             ?
             or
             rather
             is
             not
             the
             Light
             ,
             in
             its
             lowest
             and
             weakest
             appearance
             ,
             appointed
             and
             fitted
             by
             the
             Lord
             to
             judge
             thee
             ,
             and
             make
             thee
             bow
             down
             in
             fear
             and
             trembling
             before
             it
             ;
             and
             thy
             crown
             (
             thou
             in
             thy
             highest
             exaltation
             )
             is
             to
             be
             cast
             at
             the
             lowest
             footstept
             thereof
             :
             And
             then
             it
             will
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             thou
             lying
             at
             the
             foot
             thereof
             and
             bowing
             in
             Spirit
             before
             it
             ,
             enter
             into
             thee
             ,
             
             and
             enlighten
             and
             quicken
             thee
             .
             But
             in
             thy
             being
             wise
             about
             it
             ,
             or
             taking
             upon
             thee
             to
             judge
             concerning
             it
             ,
             it
             will
             stand
             at
             a
             distance
             from
             thee
             ,
             and
             leave
             thee
             in
             thy
             darkness
             and
             Captivity
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             consider
             where
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             breath
             unto
             the
             Lord
             to
             reveal
             that
             unto
             thee
             ,
             which
             is
             proper
             for
             thee
             at
             present
             ,
             and
             to
             bow
             thy
             spirit
             under
             his
             present
             will
             and
             manifestation
             to
             thee
             .
          
           
             And
             be
             content
             to
             be
             little
             and
             low
             ,
             and
             to
             receive
             little
             and
             low
             instructions
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             in
             the
             path
             of
             brokenness
             and
             humility
             before
             the
             Lord
             :
             for
             this
             is
             his
             way
             of
             fitting
             for
             ,
             and
             advancing
             into
             the
             high
             and
             glorious
             power
             of
             his
             life
             .
             And
             this
             my
             Soul
             is
             assured
             of
             ,
             that
             none
             shall
             enter
             into
             or
             abide
             in
             his
             Kingdome
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             become
             little
             ,
             poor
             and
             naked
             ,
             and
             as
             they
             are
             led
             by
             the
             little
             child
             of
             God's
             begetting
             ,
             who
             not
             at
             all
             answers
             the
             wisdome
             of
             man
             and
             his
             expectations
             ,
             but
             still
             confounds
             them
             ,
             and
             leads
             on
             in
             such
             a
             path
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             eye
             of
             man's
             wisdome
             be
             open
             ,
             it
             will
             still
             be
             crying
             out
             ,
             it
             can
             never
             bring
             to
             life
             .
             Yet
             that
             which
             disputeth
             not
             ,
             but
             beleiveth
             ,
             at
             seasons
             feels
             a
             progress
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             growth
             of
             life
             had
             advantage
             in
             the
             heart
             by
             those
             very
             things
             ,
             which
             at
             present
             seemed
             to
             give
             death
             the
             advantage
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             watch
             against
             thy
             understanding
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             workings
             thereof
             ,
             as
             ever
             thou
             desirest
             life
             :
             for
             it
             will
             still
             betray
             thee
             ,
             and
             either
             keep
             thee
             from
             the
             way
             ,
             or
             turn
             thee
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             when
             ever
             thou
             hearkenest
             to
             it
             .
             And
             mark
             this
             ,
             That
             which
             God
             sowes
             and
             brings
             up
             in
             thee
             is
             a
             sensible
             plant
             ,
             not
             a
             knowing
             mind
             ;
             and
             thy
             right
             judgement
             is
             only
             in
             the
             sensibleness
             of
             that
             Plant
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             the
             understanding
             or
             comprehension
             of
             thy
             minde
             :
             yea
             that
             sensible
             Plant
             (
             which
             thy
             wisdome
             will
             be
             very
             apt
             to
             despise
             and
             perk
             over
             )
             must
             batter
             down
             and
             bring
             to
             nothing
             thy
             understanding
             ,
             and
             grow
             up
             in
             the
             stead
             of
             it
             ,
             if
             ever
             thy
             Soul
             be
             made
             an
             habitation
             for
             the
             Life
             .
             Therefore
             sink
             into
             the
             feeling
             ,
             and
             dwell
             in
             the
             feeling
             ,
             and
             wait
             for
             the
             savour
             of
             the
             Principle
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             touches
             and
             drawings
             
             of
             the
             savour
             ,
             and
             walk
             along
             in
             it
             towards
             the
             land
             of
             Life
             ,
             parting
             with
             all
             ,
             and
             leaving
             behind
             thee
             ,
             whatever
             the
             savoury
             of
             life
             disrelisheth
             ,
             and
             entring
             into
             and
             taking
             up
             whatever
             the
             savour
             of
             the
             Life
             relisheth
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayest
             be
             prepared
             for
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             glorious
             appearances
             of
             his
             spirit
             in
             thee
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             thou
             art
             led
             into
             this
             ,
             and
             becomest
             subject
             to
             this
             ;
             so
             thou
             wilt
             taste
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             feel
             the
             sweetness
             of
             his
             Ointment
             ,
             and
             the
             peace
             of
             his
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             beginnings
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             in
             thy
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             blotting
             out
             of
             thy
             iniquities
             for
             his
             own
             names
             sake
             .
             For
             though
             the
             Enemy
             may
             lay
             load
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             fill
             thee
             as
             much
             as
             he
             can
             with
             his
             filth
             ,
             and
             lay
             it
             close
             to
             thy
             charge
             ,
             insomuch
             as
             thou
             art
             not
             able
             to
             acquit
             thy self
             at
             all
             ,
             but
             art
             as
             ready
             to
             charge
             thy self
             therewith
             ,
             as
             the
             Enemy
             is
             to
             charge
             thee
             :
             yet
             the
             Lord
             considereth
             the
             Seed
             he
             hath
             sown
             in
             thee
             ,
             and
             the
             desire
             which
             he
             hath
             wrought
             in
             thy
             heart
             to
             be
             joyned
             thereunto
             ;
             and
             he
             knoweth
             whence
             the
             stirring
             of
             this
             mind
             is
             ,
             and
             how
             weak
             thou
             art
             in
             this
             hour
             of
             thy
             darkness
             and
             Captivity
             ;
             and
             the
             intent
             of
             his
             heart
             is
             to
             deliver
             thee
             from
             all
             this
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             condemn
             thee
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             oh
             take
             heed
             of
             limmitting
             the
             Lord
             to
             give
             forth
             so
             clear
             a
             Light
             ,
             as
             the
             natural
             understanding
             will
             be
             judging
             necessary
             :
             but
             be
             content
             with
             the
             Light
             which
             ariseth
             in
             the
             savour
             ,
             and
             shineth
             inwardly
             to
             thy
             spirit
             in
             the
             drawing
             ,
             and
             be
             subject
             and
             bowed
             under
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             drawing
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             much
             against
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             creaturely
             understanding
             and
             the
             reasonings
             thereof
             .
          
           
             Clearness
             of
             Light
             is
             a
             state
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             be
             grown
             up
             into
             :
             but
             before
             thou
             comest
             to
             this
             ,
             thy
             understanding
             must
             be
             darkened
             ,
             confounded
             and
             brought
             to
             nothing
             ;
             and
             thou
             canst
             not
             have
             such
             a
             clearness
             there
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             confounding
             .
             There
             is
             indeed
             a
             true
             clearness
             in
             the
             Principle
             of
             Life
             (
             proportionable
             to
             its
             state
             and
             growth
             )
             even
             then
             :
             but
             the
             reasonings
             of
             thy
             dark
             m●nde
             will
             be
             continually
             overclouding
             and
             overbearing
             it
             (
             as
             if
             it
             were
             darkness
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Light
             )
             &
             will
             prevail
             ,
             unless
             thou
             
             be
             kept
             in
             the
             savour
             ,
             and
             suffer
             not
             thy
             understanding
             to
             judge
             ,
             but
             keep
             it
             under
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             savour
             .
             Mark
             therefore
             heedfully
             this
             which
             follows
             ,
          
           
             The
             first
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             to
             confound
             the
             knowledge
             and
             understanding
             of
             the
             creature
             ,
             especially
             in
             those
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             deep
             in
             wisdome
             and
             experience
             of
             things
             :
             for
             if
             they
             were
             not
             closely
             pursued
             with
             darkness
             and
             confusion
             ,
             they
             would
             presently
             be
             gathering
             a
             stock
             into
             the
             old
             store-house
             again
             ,
             and
             so
             grow
             wise
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             never
             learn
             the
             Life
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             Now
             in
             this
             work
             of
             confounding
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             leadings
             of
             God's
             spirit
             be
             manifest
             and
             clear
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             fleshly
             understanding
             ?
             yea
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             manifest
             after
             this
             manner
             ,
             how
             were
             it
             possible
             to
             withhold
             the
             fleshly
             part
             from
             drinking
             them
             in
             ,
             and
             so
             the
             man
             would
             live
             again
             ,
             but
             the
             Seed
             not
             live
             ,
             which
             gains
             its
             life
             (
             and
             being
             ,
             and
             form
             and
             perfection
             )
             in
             the
             man
             ,
             by
             the
             death
             of
             the
             man
             :
             even
             by
             the
             man's
             being
             hunted
             ,
             and
             battered
             ,
             and
             broken
             out
             of
             his
             wisdome
             ,
             and
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             reasoning
             ,
             and
             comprehension
             ;
             and
             becoming
             as
             a
             fool
             or
             child
             ,
             being
             able
             to
             know
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             retain
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             performe
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             keep
             his
             standing
             ,
             but
             still
             as
             he
             is
             led
             ,
             and
             taught
             ,
             and
             created
             ,
             and
             preserved
             in
             the
             power
             and
             by
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           
             Concerning
             the
             two
             Covenants
             .
          
           
             
               WHat
               is
               the
               Covenant
               of
               the
               Law
               ?
            
             Doth
             it
             not
             contain
             and
             hold
             forth
             Eternal
             Life
             to
             man
             ,
             upon
             his
             faith
             in
             an
             obedience
             to
             the
             spirit
             of
             God
             ?
          
           
             
               What
               is
               the
               Covenant
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ?
            
             Doth
             it
             not
             contain
             the
             promise
             to
             the
             Seed
             ,
             and
             Life
             to
             man
             through
             the
             Seed
             ,
             and
             forgiveness
             of
             his
             sins
             for
             the
             Seed
             sake
             ,
             and
             the
             uniting
             of
             his
             heart
             to
             and
             preserving
             it
             in
             the
             Seed
             through
             the
             grace
             ,
             as
             also
             repentance
             ,
             faith
             and
             obedience
             from
             the
             grace
             ?
          
           
             Mark
             then
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             two
             Covenants
             .
             The
             
             Covenant
             of
             the
             Law
             is
             all
             of
             works
             and
             according
             to
             works
             ,
             yea
             even
             the
             faith
             that
             is
             there
             found
             (
             which
             is
             begotten
             and
             brought
             forth
             in
             man
             by
             vertue
             of
             that
             Covenant
             )
             is
             of
             the
             man
             or
             of
             the
             working
             Principle
             .
             The
             Covenant
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             all
             of
             grace
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             works
             that
             are
             there
             found
             ,
             are
             from
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             the
             Seed
             bestowed
             and
             conveyed
             by
             Promise
             .
          
           
             Now
             mark
             ,
             The
             Seed
             (
             or
             standing
             Principle
             of
             Life
             )
             in
             both
             Covenants
             is
             the
             same
             .
             It
             is
             the
             same
             Christ
             by
             which
             Adam
             stood
             before
             the
             fall
             ,
             and
             which
             was
             the
             promised
             Seed
             after
             the
             fall
             .
             The
             light
             of
             both
             the
             Covenants
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             even
             the
             eternal
             Light
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             The
             Life
             and
             power
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             even
             the
             life
             and
             power
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             The
             end
             or
             mark
             ,
             at
             which
             man
             aims
             ,
             and
             towards
             which
             he
             travels
             in
             both
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             even
             the
             land
             of
             rest
             and
             peace
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             who
             begets
             a
             living
             soul
             under
             both
             Covenants
             .
             But
             the
             tearms
             of
             the
             Covenants
             ,
             and
             the
             manner
             of
             dispensing
             them
             are
             different
             ;
             and
             the
             wombs
             ,
             whereof
             the
             children
             of
             each
             Covenant
             are
             born
             ,
             are
             different
             likewise
             ,
             the
             one
             being
             the
             working
             Nature
             (
             which
             also
             came
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             hath
             its
             blessing
             from
             him
             in
             its
             obedience
             and
             subjection
             to
             him
             )
             the
             other
             the
             womb
             of
             grace
             ,
             which
             brings
             forth
             the
             Child
             of
             grace
             in
             man
             according
             to
             and
             by
             vertue
             of
             the
             promise
             ;
             and
             doth
             not
             finde
             a
             will
             in
             the
             day
             of
             man's
             choice
             and
             liberty
             ,
             but
             createth
             a
             will
             in
             the
             day
             of
             God's
             powerful
             appearance
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             Yet
             this
             Seed
             of
             promise
             ,
             or
             this
             new
             man
             begotten
             by
             the
             Seed
             of
             Life
             according
             to
             the
             promise
             ,
             must
             walk
             through
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             travel
             through
             all
             the
             dark
             paths
             of
             that
             Covenant
             ,
             before
             it
             come
             to
             inherit
             the
             promised
             Land
             ;
             where
             the
             rigor
             of
             the
             Law
             and
             weakness
             of
             the
             flesh
             will
             be
             throughly
             felt
             ,
             and
             many
             transgressions
             and
             many
             stripes
             ,
             yea
             many
             Captivities
             and
             cuttings
             off
             from
             the
             life
             may
             be
             felt
             also
             :
             yea
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             first
             Covenant
             may
             live
             and
             flourish
             ,
             and
             injoy
             and
             boast
             
             much
             of
             God
             ,
             while
             this
             Seed
             is
             miserable
             .
             But
             when
             this
             womb
             is
             visited
             with
             the
             strength
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             free
             power
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             bringeth
             forth
             her
             children
             therein
             ;
             and
             no
             more
             is
             called
             for
             from
             the
             working
             part
             of
             man
             ,
             but
             all
             brought
             forth
             in
             the
             free
             ,
             full
             and
             fresh
             power
             or
             Life
             ;
             then
             shall
             the
             Seed
             of
             Israel
             after
             the
             promise
             ,
             become
             an
             everlasting
             habitation
             for
             ,
             and
             a
             perfect
             joy
             in
             the
             Life
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             distinguish
             in
             spirit
             between
             the
             Law
             and
             Grace
             ,
             and
             the
             Covenants
             of
             each
             ,
             and
             the
             dispensations
             of
             each
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             are
             mixed
             and
             intermingled
             ,
             both
             towards
             man
             and
             towards
             the
             Seed
             ,
             in
             the
             several
             dispensations
             in
             which
             each
             are
             brought
             forth
             .
             For
             there
             hath
             been
             no
             perfect
             Covenant
             brought
             forth
             ,
             either
             of
             Works
             or
             of
             Grace
             (
             in
             a
             way
             of
             publick
             administration
             )
             since
             the
             fall
             of
             Adam
             .
             Had
             there
             been
             a
             perfect
             Covenant
             of
             works
             ,
             there
             had
             been
             no
             capacity
             of
             salvation
             thereby
             to
             fallen
             man.
             Had
             there
             been
             a
             perfect
             Covenant
             of
             grace
             there
             had
             been
             no
             possibility
             or
             capacity
             of
             destruction
             :
             for
             grace
             in
             its
             perfect
             going
             forth
             ,
             cannot
             but
             overcome
             and
             save
             the
             man.
             But
             God
             ordereth
             both
             these
             Covenants
             ,
             both
             towards
             the
             man
             and
             towards
             the
             Seed
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             state
             of
             the
             man
             and
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Seed
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             what
             (
             in
             his
             eternal
             wisdome
             )
             he
             judgeth
             meet
             to
             work
             upon
             them
             thereby
             .
          
           
             Man
             being
             fallen
             ,
             and
             having
             lost
             his
             strength
             of
             Faith
             and
             obedience
             in
             and
             to
             the
             requirings
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             visitation
             of
             him
             is
             now
             by
             grace
             ,
             and
             not
             meerly
             to
             call
             forth
             what
             is
             left
             in
             him
             ,
             but
             to
             help
             him
             with
             light
             and
             power
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             influences
             of
             the
             grace
             and
             of
             the
             power
             to
             quicken
             him
             towards
             God.
             Yet
             man
             in
             the
             receiving
             of
             this
             ,
             is
             apt
             to
             over-look
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             attribute
             too
             much
             to
             his
             own
             strength
             ,
             thinking
             himself
             somewhat
             because
             of
             the
             grace
             and
             power
             which
             hath
             visited
             him
             ,
             and
             new
             refreshed
             
             the
             strength
             and
             nature
             of
             his
             principle
             in
             him
             again
             .
             Hereby
             he
             is
             apt
             to
             fix
             his
             standing
             on
             his
             obedience
             to
             the
             Spirit
             or
             appearance
             of
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             so
             in
             effect
             builds
             his
             life
             and
             hopes
             again
             on
             his
             own
             principle
             ,
             or
             on
             a
             new-received
             power
             ,
             as
             held
             or
             kept
             to
             by
             him
             (
             which
             he
             may
             fall
             from
             now
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             he
             did
             at
             first
             )
             and
             not
             on
             the
             free
             begetting
             and
             free
             preserving
             of
             a
             principle
             of
             life
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             This
             visitation
             of
             grace
             is
             to
             all
             mankinde
             ,
             there
             being
             none
             upon
             earth
             ,
             whom
             the
             Lord
             doth
             not
             thus
             seek
             and
             visit
             with
             the
             light
             of
             his
             eternal
             life
             ,
             thus
             administred
             through
             the
             grace
             :
             which
             so
             far
             as
             they
             fall
             in
             with
             ,
             the
             Lord
             doth
             receive
             them
             and
             beget
             life
             in
             them
             ,
             engrafting
             them
             into
             the
             living
             Vine
             ,
             and
             preserving
             them
             according
             to
             their
             abiding
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             their
             obedience
             to
             him
             in
             the
             springings
             up
             of
             the
             sap
             of
             the
             Vine
             in
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             besides
             this
             common
             administration
             of
             the
             grace
             to
             all
             mankinde
             ,
             God
             formerly
             picked
             out
             a
             people
             after
             the
             flesh
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             a
             people
             after
             the
             spirit
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             towards
             whom
             in
             a
             more
             peculiar
             way
             his
             grace
             did
             administer
             it self
             ,
             and
             whom
             he
             dealt
             with
             ,
             
               not
               as
               with
               other
               Nations
            
             ,
             but
             chose
             to
             love
             and
             work
             up
             into
             life
             and
             communion
             with
             himself
             ,
             by
             a
             more
             especial
             administration
             and
             visitation
             of
             his
             love
             and
             grace
             .
             The
             one
             of
             these
             were
             that
             people
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             the
             other
             the
             believing
             Christians
             .
          
           
             With
             the
             Jews
             he
             remembred
             the
             Covenant
             with
             Abraham
             .
             By
             vertue
             of
             that
             he
             loved
             and
             chose
             them
             to
             be
             his
             people
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             (
             or
             his
             outward
             people
             )
             by
             vertue
             of
             that
             he
             brought
             them
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             led
             them
             through
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             brought
             them
             into
             Canaan
             ,
             giving
             them
             an
             inheritance
             therein
             ,
             and
             delivering
             them
             from
             their
             Enemies
             time
             after
             time
             .
          
           
             Yet
             he
             also
             made
             another
             Covenant
             with
             them
             (
             even
             that
             of
             the
             Law
             )
             which
             was
             suitable
             to
             their
             state
             ,
             and
             which
             their
             nature
             desired
             ,
             and
             chose
             to
             walk
             with
             God
             in
             ,
             but
             hardly
             ever
             kept
             it
             ,
             and
             so
             brought
             the
             curse
             and
             misery
             due
             thereby
             upon
             their
             heads
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             were
             utterly
             cut
             off
             ,
             so
             far
             and
             so
             long
             as
             the
             
             Lord
             pleaseth
             to
             let
             the
             curse
             of
             that
             Covenant
             have
             power
             over
             them
             ,
             untill
             he
             shall
             please
             again
             to
             remember
             to
             them
             his
             Covenant
             with
             
               Abraham
               ,
               Isaac
            
             and
             Jacob
             ,
             and
             breath
             life
             through
             it
             into
             their
             
               dry
               bones
            
             .
          
           
             Now
             though
             God
             did
             make
             this
             Covenant
             with
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             fleshly
             ,
             and
             their
             present
             state
             required
             it
             ;
             yet
             he
             did
             not
             disanul
             or
             make
             void
             the
             other
             to
             them
             ,
             all
             the
             while
             their
             day
             lasted
             ;
             but
             remembred
             loving-kindness
             and
             mercy
             towards
             them
             in
             it
             ,
             often
             delivering
             and
             redeeming
             them
             for
             his
             own
             Names
             sake
             ,
             pointing
             them
             also
             to
             the
             
               word
               in
               the
               heart
            
             and
             the
             gracious
             administration
             thereof
             :
             But
             they
             were
             blinded
             and
             held
             captive
             in
             the
             earthly
             nature
             and
             principle
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Law
             thereof
             ,
             and
             held
             their
             marriage
             and
             union
             with
             God
             thereby
             .
             And
             so
             ,
             though
             this
             administration
             to
             the
             Jews
             (
             wherein
             God
             did
             strive
             with
             them
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             stir
             life
             and
             beget
             a
             true
             sensibleness
             in
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             calling
             to
             them
             for
             the
             circumcision
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             pointing
             them
             to
             the
             principle
             of
             life
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             whereby
             it
             might
             be
             circumcised
             )
             though
             this
             advanced
             them
             far
             above
             the
             Heathen
             ;
             yet
             they
             through
             the
             flesh
             and
             the
             letter
             ,
             at
             last
             fell
             below
             the
             very
             state
             of
             the
             Heathen
             ,
             proving
             greater
             enemies
             to
             and
             persecuters
             of
             the
             life
             than
             they
             .
             And
             so
             the
             Lord
             brake
             them
             off
             from
             the
             Olive
             tree
             into
             which
             they
             were
             engraffed
             ,
             and
             cut
             them
             off
             from
             the
             Covenant
             which
             he
             had
             made
             with
             
               Abraham
               ,
               Isaac
            
             and
             Jacob
             ,
             whereas
             hitherto
             (
             though
             he
             had
             been
             often
             provoked
             by
             ,
             and
             sorely
             offended
             with
             them
             ,
             yet
             )
             he
             had
             still
             loved
             them
             
               for
               the
               Fathers
               sake
            
             .
          
           
             After
             them
             and
             in
             their
             stead
             he
             chose
             the
             believing
             Gentiles
             ,
             engraffing
             them
             into
             the
             stock
             from
             whence
             these
             were
             broken
             ,
             letting
             them
             into
             a
             sweeter
             ,
             and
             fuller
             ,
             and
             more
             spiritual
             and
             abiding
             estate
             and
             influences
             of
             the
             Covenant
             .
             For
             here
             the
             life
             was
             manifested
             ,
             and
             the
             light
             did
             shine
             in
             great
             beauty
             and
             clearness
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             gathered
             into
             the
             true
             Fold
             of
             the
             Shepherd
             (
             besides
             that
             outward
             state
             ,
             which
             was
             also
             built
             up
             by
             the
             Lord
             and
             preserved
             for
             a
             season
             among
             them
             :
             )
             and
             they
             
             saw
             their
             standing
             to
             be
             by
             and
             in
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             were
             established
             in
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             could
             feel
             the
             good
             pleasure
             calling
             ,
             the
             good
             pleasure
             working
             ,
             the
             good
             pleasure
             being
             and
             doing
             all
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             could
             cry
             
               grace
               ,
               grace
            
             to
             this
             building
             and
             say
             ,
             
               Not
               for
               any
               works
               that
               they
               had
               wrought
               ,
            
             or
             for
             their
             faith
             in
             or
             ,
             obedience
             to
             the
             light
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             was
             made
             manifest
             ;
             
               but
               of
               his
               own
               mercy
               he
               saved
               them
               ,
            
             who
             wrought
             in
             them
             both
             the
             will
             and
             the
             deed
             of
             his
             own
             good
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             preserved
             them
             by
             his
             power
             through
             faith
             (
             which
             was
             of
             his
             gift
             and
             begetting
             )
             unto
             salvation
             .
          
           
             Yet
             for
             all
             this
             ,
             there
             was
             somewhat
             of
             the
             Law
             or
             light
             eternal
             to
             be
             administred
             unto
             them
             ,
             which
             was
             suitable
             to
             the
             natural
             part
             or
             first
             principle
             ,
             through
             which
             they
             were
             to
             travel
             ,
             even
             until
             the
             man
             or
             first
             nature
             was
             wholly
             wasted
             ;
             whereby
             some
             of
             them
             were
             in
             danger
             of
             falling
             away
             wholly
             ,
             others
             of
             coming
             under
             chastizement
             and
             judgement
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             Lord
             pursued
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             not
             be
             utterly
             condemned
             with
             the
             world
             .
             Mark
             therefore
             this
             brief
             sum
             of
             the
             matter
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Man
             fell
             under
             the
             first
             Covenant
             .
             His
             restitution
             is
             never
             to
             be
             thereby
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             second
             ;
             through
             which
             God
             works
             up
             vessels
             into
             a
             state
             of
             life
             and
             glory
             in
             the
             administration
             of
             his
             grace
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             But
             in
             this
             working
             up
             of
             the
             vessel
             ,
             he
             sees
             necessary
             to
             make
             use
             of
             the
             other
             Covenant
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             capacity
             that
             is
             left
             in
             man
             to
             answer
             it
             :
             and
             so
             as
             that
             capacity
             wears
             out
             ,
             the
             Covenant
             of
             the
             Law
             wasteth
             and
             passeth
             away
             by
             degrees
             ,
             and
             the
             Covenant
             of
             grace
             succeeds
             and
             fills
             up
             the
             room
             thereof
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             There
             is
             great
             danger
             of
             falling
             from
             the
             life
             for
             some
             ,
             as
             also
             of
             chastizements
             and
             judgements
             to
             others
             ,
             while
             this
             capacity
             remains
             ,
             even
             while
             the
             earthly
             nature
             ,
             spirit
             and
             principle
             is
             not
             worn
             out
             by
             the
             entrance
             ,
             death
             and
             resurrection
             of
             the
             principle
             of
             life
             in
             the
             heart
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             When
             the
             first
             principle
             is
             wholly
             dead
             ,
             and
             the
             heart
             perfectly
             formed
             in
             the
             life
             ,
             and
             all
             perfectly
             raised
             and
             renewed
             
             in
             the
             life
             ;
             then
             there
             is
             no
             danger
             of
             falling
             or
             fear
             of
             chastizement
             ;
             but
             perfect
             life
             ,
             and
             peace
             and
             joy
             with
             God
             in
             his
             spirit
             of
             power
             and
             glory
             for
             ever
             more
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Though
             God
             begin
             with
             man
             in
             a
             Covenant
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             bring
             in
             a
             Covenant
             of
             the
             Law
             to
             man
             (
             suitable
             to
             his
             present
             state
             )
             only
             in
             subserviency
             to
             the
             Covenant
             of
             grace
             ;
             and
             would
             not
             have
             man
             stick
             there
             ,
             but
             cling
             to
             him
             in
             the
             grace
             ,
             and
             seek
             remission
             through
             the
             grace
             for
             his
             own
             names
             sake
             :
             Yet
             man
             through
             the
             prevalency
             of
             the
             first
             principle
             in
             him
             (
             and
             his
             looking
             on
             God
             through
             that
             )
             is
             apt
             to
             fix
             on
             this
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             draw
             comfort
             or
             discouragement
             to
             himself
             from
             his
             own
             obedience
             or
             failings
             ,
             and
             not
             live
             on
             the
             freeness
             of
             Gods
             love
             ,
             and
             the
             faithfulness
             of
             his
             heart
             to
             the
             soul
             to
             all
             conditions
             ,
             for
             his
             Christ's
             sake
             .
          
           
             This
             hath
             been
             the
             great
             error
             of
             Israel
             (
             even
             of
             Israel
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             of
             Israel
             after
             the
             Spirit
             also
             )
             that
             while
             God
             layes
             hold
             on
             them
             by
             his
             love
             ,
             promise
             ,
             mercy
             and
             grace
             ;
             yet
             they
             lay
             hold
             on
             him
             by
             another
             Covenant
             ,
             even
             their
             obedience
             to
             the
             Laws
             he
             gives
             forth
             :
             not
             knowing
             ,
             that
             the
             obedience
             to
             the
             first
             Covenant
             must
             be
             a
             fruit
             of
             the
             second
             ;
             and
             that
             they
             are
             not
             beloved
             or
             accepted
             for
             that
             ,
             but
             that
             that
             flowes
             into
             them
             and
             is
             brought
             forth
             in
             them
             ,
             through
             the
             love
             ,
             and
             through
             the
             free
             and
             powerful
             workings
             thereof
             in
             them
             .
             I
             say
             ,
             This
             (
             to
             wit
             ,
             their
             obedience
             )
             is
             not
             the
             ground
             of
             their
             acceptance
             or
             being
             loved
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             are
             in
             this
             Covenant
             :
             though
             as
             far
             as
             the
             other
             hath
             yet
             an
             influence
             ,
             it
             hath
             some
             force
             in
             this
             respect
             .
             But
             this
             the
             eye
             is
             to
             passe
             through
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             be
             fixed
             on
             the
             other
             Covenant
             ,
             still
             waiting
             for
             the
             revealing
             and
             manifesting
             the
             riches
             of
             the
             mercy
             thereof
             ,
             and
             to
             feel
             the
             washing
             and
             cleansing
             thereof
             from
             all
             the
             guilt
             ,
             which
             under
             the
             remainers
             of
             the
             first
             Covenant
             will
             be
             daily
             contracting
             ,
             while
             any
             thing
             of
             the
             earthly
             principle
             and
             offending
             part
             is
             left
             standing
             .
          
           
             There
             hath
             been
             in
             this
             day
             ,
             a
             very
             glorious
             administration
             of
             life
             to
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             (
             after
             the
             long
             foregoing
             night
             )
             
             wherein
             both
             these
             Covenants
             have
             been
             again
             administred
             in
             Spirit
             ,
             suitable
             to
             the
             state
             of
             the
             persons
             ,
             whereto
             they
             have
             been
             administred
             .
             And
             because
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             faith
             and
             obedience
             in
             the
             new
             Covenant
             (
             both
             to
             the
             seed
             and
             to
             the
             man
             )
             the
             man
             is
             so
             apt
             to
             fix
             his
             eye
             and
             build
             his
             hopes
             upon
             them
             (
             and
             not
             upon
             the
             free
             love
             of
             him
             that
             works
             them
             in
             him
             )
             that
             he
             is
             in
             danger
             of
             falling
             from
             and
             dishonouring
             the
             free
             grace
             (
             which
             is
             the
             hope
             of
             Israel
             )
             and
             of
             losing
             his
             state
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             sure
             (
             how
             far
             so
             ever
             it
             be
             advanced
             in
             a
             present
             power
             and
             dominion
             )
             further
             than
             it
             is
             built
             upon
             and
             fixed
             in
             the
             grace
             .
             And
             therefore
             is
             this
             given
             forth
             ,
             that
             the
             life
             in
             Israel
             may
             be
             sure
             and
             lasting
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             may
             grow
             up
             perfectly
             (
             out
             of
             the
             principle
             of
             nature
             )
             into
             the
             principle
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             know
             the
             difference
             between
             their
             being
             united
             to
             and
             living
             in
             God
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             fear
             ,
             faith
             or
             love
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             can
             receive
             or
             retain
             them
             ;
             and
             God's
             living
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             creating
             continually
             the
             fear
             ,
             faith
             and
             love
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             bringing
             forth
             all
             the
             fruits
             thereof
             in
             and
             from
             himself
             .
          
           
             For
             though
             the
             Covenants
             are
             and
             have
             been
             still
             the
             same
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             yet
             the
             manifestations
             of
             them
             have
             been
             still
             greater
             and
             greater
             .
             And
             a
             greater
             manifestation
             may
             yet
             be
             of
             the
             love
             and
             life
             of
             God
             (
             and
             the
             sweet
             ,
             free
             nature
             of
             his
             Covenant
             )
             than
             hath
             hitherto
             been
             ,
             or
             yet
             is
             ,
             which
             Israel
             is
             to
             wait
             for
             and
             feel
             the
             need
             of
             ,
             before
             it
             be
             brought
             forth
             .
             And
             though
             all
             those
             fore-mentioned
             (
             to
             wit
             ,
             of
             
               fear
               ,
               faith
               and
               love
            
             )
             are
             pretious
             states
             ,
             which
             God
             works
             his
             Israel
             up
             to
             ,
             in
             and
             by
             the
             Covenant
             of
             his
             grace
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             several
             growths
             and
             capacities
             ,
             yea
             and
             according
             to
             which
             the
             delight
             and
             pleasure
             of
             his
             soul
             is
             in
             them
             :
             yet
             the
             absolute
             assurance
             is
             only
             in
             the
             latter
             ,
             even
             where
             the
             Creature
             is
             so
             gathered
             into
             the
             life
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             its
             state
             depends
             not
             at
             all
             upon
             what
             it self
             is
             ,
             or
             doth
             ,
             but
             only
             upon
             what
             God
             is
             and
             will
             be
             to
             is
             freely
             of
             himself
             and
             for
             his
             own
             names
             sake
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             written
             in
             love
             ,
             for
             preservation
             ;
             and
             not
             for
             discouragement
             or
             destruction
             :
             but
             that
             that
             which
             standeth
             ,
             may
             
             feel
             where
             to
             fix
             .
             For
             in
             the
             highest
             state
             that
             man
             can
             be
             advanced
             to
             ,
             yet
             if
             any
             of
             the
             creaturely
             principle
             be
             left
             in
             him
             unsubdued
             ,
             and
             not
             yet
             buried
             with
             the
             Seed
             into
             its
             death
             ,
             there
             is
             so
             far
             a
             capacity
             of
             falling
             :
             and
             his
             fall
             (
             in
             case
             the
             Lord
             do
             suffer
             his
             feet
             to
             slip
             )
             will
             be
             the
             greater
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             the
             higher
             and
             more
             exalted
             he
             was
             in
             the
             Dominion
             and
             presence
             of
             the
             power
             ,
             and
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             it
             vvas
             unexpected
             by
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             my
             heart
             hath
             often
             said
             within
             me
             ,
             and
             still
             saith
             to
             a
             weary
             soul
             ,
             which
             hath
             felt
             the
             touches
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             desireth-everlasting
             unity
             with
             it
             ;
             yea
             to
             all
             that
             desire
             to
             walk
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             abide
             in
             the
             power
             of
             his
             life
             in
             any
             dispensation
             ;
             
               Keep
               the
               eye
               of
               thy
               minde
               to
               the
               grace
               which
               visits
               thee
               :
               not
               so
               much
               to
               the
               light
               which
               comes
               from
               the
               grace
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               grace
               from
               which
               the
               light
               comes
               ;
               and
               dayly
               look
               for
               help
               and
               remission
               from
               it
               ,
               as
               freely
               as
               thou
               hadst
               at
               first
               .
               And
               in
               all
               losses
               ,
               and
               darknesses
               ,
               and
               ●●sings
               up
               of
               guilt
               and
               condemnation
               ,
               cast
               thy self
               at
               the
               foot
               of
               it
               ,
               saying
               in
               thy
               heart
               ,
               if
               thou
               hadst
               not
               freely
               visited
               me
               at
               first
               ,
               I
               had
               not
               set
               one
               step
               in
               the
               path
               of
               life
               ;
               and
               if
               thou
               dost
               not
               as
               freely
               visst
               me
               still
               ,
               and
               renew
               life
               in
               me
               dayly
               of
               thine
               own
               accord
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               same
               love
               and
               goodness
               ,
               I
               cannot
               but
               be
               lyable
               to
               miscarry
               .
               O
               that
               I
               might
               obey
               every
               beam
               of
               thy
               light
               ,
               and
               every
               moving
               of
               thy
               life
               ,
               but
               I
               dare
               not
               undertake
               it
               ,
               O
               that
               thou
               wouldest
               undertake
               for
               me
               .
               My
               righteousness
               my
               obedience
               ,
               my
               love
               to
               thee
               ,
               my
               faith
               in
               thee
               is
               like
               the
               morning
               due
               ,
               which
               soon
               passeth
               away
               ,
               and
               I
               cannot
               finde
               or
               come
               at
               it
               again
               :
               O
               raise
               up
               life
               from
               an
               everlasting
               Seed
               ,
               and
               gather
               my
               heart
               into
               it
               and
               preserve
               me
               in
               it
               ,
               not
               according
               to
               what
               I
               am
               or
               have
               done
               ,
               or
               yet
               can
               be
               or
               do
               ;
               but
               for
               thine
               own
               names
               sake
               ,
               and
               in
               thy
               love
               to
               thy
               Seed
               ,
               and
               to
               thy
               creature
               in
               and
               through
               thy
               Seed
               by
               the
               Promise
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             as
             any
             grows
             into
             the
             Covenant
             of
             grace
             ,
             through
             the
             Covenant
             of
             works
             (
             which
             is
             necessary
             to
             be
             dispensed
             in
             some
             measure
             ,
             till
             the
             mans
             Nature
             and
             Principle
             be
             wholly
             worne
             out
             by
             it
             )
             they
             will
             finde
             sure
             footing
             there
             and
             building
             upon
             that
             ,
             from
             which
             the
             Soul
             (
             that
             cleaveth
             to
             it
             in
             the
             vertue
             and
             
             nature
             that
             floweth
             from
             it
             )
             can
             never
             be
             removed
             .
             Yea
             the
             peace
             and
             safty
             of
             Israel
             in
             there
             travels
             (
             fixing
             here
             )
             will
             be
             greater
             ,
             and
             there
             assurance
             greater
             ,
             and
             their
             falls
             and
             the
             prevailings
             of
             the
             Enemy
             not
             so
             dangerous
             (
             that
             being
             had
             recourse
             to
             ,
             which
             never
             fai●es
             of
             healing
             that
             soul
             ,
             which
             lyes
             at
             the
             foot
             of
             it
             and
             in
             heart
             waits
             its
             season
             )
             however
             they
             may
             be
             hurred
             and
             driven
             about
             with
             Tempests
             ,
             through
             the
             violence
             of
             the
             Enemy
             and
             good
             pleasure
             of
             him
             ,
             who
             seeth
             it
             fit
             for
             the
             present
             state
             of
             the
             soul
             ,
             to
             have
             it
             thus
             exercised
             .
          
           
             The
             intent
             of
             God
             in
             the
             salvation
             of
             man
             ,
             is
             to
             magnifie
             the
             riches
             of
             his
             grace
             and
             the
             freeness
             of
             his
             love
             .
             And
             this
             is
             effected
             ,
             as
             man
             is
             broken
             in
             his
             natural
             principle
             and
             power
             of
             beleiving
             and
             obeying
             ,
             and
             a
             Seed
             of
             life
             freely
             raised
             up
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             freely
             gathered
             into
             it
             and
             preserved
             in
             it
             .
             And
             where
             is
             the
             Boaster
             here
             ?
             or
             where
             is
             he
             ,
             who
             in
             this
             state
             ,
             can
             throw
             a
             stone
             at
             another
             because
             of
             his
             transgressions
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             nay
             ;
             He
             that
             is
             freely
             forgiven
             ,
             and
             lives
             meerly
             and
             for
             ever
             by
             mercy
             alone
             ,
             he
             is
             formed
             and
             brought
             forth
             in
             the
             tenderness
             of
             the
             bowels
             which
             begat
             and
             nourish
             him
             :
             and
             he
             cryeth
             mightily
             for
             the
             spreading
             of
             the
             same
             bowels
             over
             other
             sinners
             ,
             waiting
             for
             the
             season
             of
             their
             visitation
             and
             gathering
             into
             the
             same
             love
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             same
             powerful
             hand
             ,
             if
             it
             may
             be
             .
          
           
             
               O
               my
               God
               ,
               bring
               up
               the
               power
               and
               sweetness
               of
               thy
               life
               in
            
             Israel
             ,
             
               and
               shew
               mercy
               to
               all
               Nations
               .
               Purge
               the
               Earth
               with
               thy
               fan
               ,
               scatter
               the
               corruption
               there
               of
               from
               the
               hearts
               of
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               make
               them
               the
               Paradice
               of
               thy
               pleasure
               :
               that
               thou
               ,
               O
               living
               God
               ,
               mayst
               dwel
               in
               and
               shine
               forth
               from
               thy
               Temple
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               no
               longer
               lye
               wast
               ,
               nor
               the
               abomination
               of
               desolation
               defile
               it
               ,
               to
               the
               dishoner
               of
               thy
               name
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               ruine
               and
               misery
               of
               thy
               Creation
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Postscript
           .
        
         
           SOme
           things
           are
           exceeding
           necessary
           for
           lost
           man
           to
           be
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           in
           his
           travels
           from
           his
           lost
           estate
           ,
           into
           the
           life
           and
           peace
           of
           God.
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           his
           lost
           estate
           and
           misery
           for
           ever
           ,
           unless
           the
           Lord
           pitty
           and
           help
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           know
           the
           light
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           Lord
           visits
           the
           souls
           that
           sit
           in
           darkness
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           wait
           for
           the
           shinings
           therof
           ,
           and
           in
           them
           travel
           with
           the
           leading
           spirit
           of
           life
           ,
           from
           the
           darkness
           and
           death
           of
           sin
           ,
           tovvards
           the
           land
           of
           the
           living
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           breath
           unto
           the
           Lord
           and
           wait
           to
           have
           his
           heart
           joyned
           to
           the
           light
           and
           power
           of
           life
           dayly
           ,
           and
           separated
           from
           the
           powers
           of
           death
           and
           darkness
           ,
           under
           which
           he
           was
           and
           still
           is
           a
           captive
           ,
           but
           as
           th●
           Lord
           appears
           for
           him
           and
           delivers
           him
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           To
           put
           forth
           all
           the
           strength
           of
           his
           soul
           and
           mind
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           members
           of
           his
           body
           in
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Lord.
           For
           as
           he
           is
           ,
           in
           any
           measure
           ,
           set
           free
           by
           the
           Lord
           from
           the
           service
           of
           sin
           ;
           So
           is
           he
           to
           serve
           and
           obey
           the
           Lord
           in
           righteousness
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           To
           wait
           dayly
           to
           receive
           the
           strength
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           wherewith
           he
           serueth
           the
           Lord.
           For
           though
           by
           the
           Redemption
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           he
           feels
           the
           creaturely
           part
           (
           in
           some
           measure
           )
           renewed
           and
           restored
           ,
           and
           an
           ability
           received
           to
           serve
           righteousness
           ,
           which
           before
           he
           had
           not
           :
           yet
           this
           is
           not
           so
           given
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           it
           not
           still
           in
           his
           hand
           who
           can
           stop
           or
           let
           it
           out
           at
           his
           pleasure
           .
           And
           happy
           is
           that
           man
           ,
           who
           looketh
           not
           upon
           himself
           as
           somewhat
           ,
           because
           of
           what
           in
           any
           kind
           he
           hath
           received
           ,
           but
           feeleth
           his
           dependance
           upon
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           6.
           
           To
           feel
           the
           grace
           and
           mercy
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           whatever
           he
           receiveth
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           or
           whatever
           he
           doth
           for
           the
           Lord.
           It
           is
           all
           of
           the
           Lord
           :
           happy
           is
           the
           man
           that
           sees
           it
           .
           It
           is
           the
           mercy
           of
           the
           Lord
           that
           man
           is
           not
           consumed
           .
           It
           is
           the
           mercy
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           any
           man
           in
           any
           state
           (
           or
           degree
           of
           life
           and
           redemption
           )
           is
           preserved
           .
           
             The
             mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             endureth
             for
             ever
             ,
             therefore
             is
             Israel
             
             safe
             .
          
           This
           will
           be
           the
           song
           of
           praise
           in
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Lord
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           To
           wait
           for
           the
           wasting
           of
           the
           man
           ,
           and
           the
           raising
           up
           of
           the
           seed
           day
           by
           day
           :
           that
           that
           to
           which
           the
           Covenant
           of
           works
           is
           na-natural
           ,
           and
           which
           cannot
           but
           desire
           it
           and
           seek
           to
           live
           by
           it
           ,
           may
           be
           worn
           out
           ;
           and
           that
           to
           which
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           is
           as
           natural
           (
           if
           not
           more
           )
           and
           which
           alone
           lives
           by
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           through
           the
           faith
           and
           in
           the
           grace
           which
           freely
           flows
           from
           the
           eternal
           fountain
           ,
           may
           be
           raised
           up
           and
           succeed
           in
           the
           place
           and
           stead
           thereof
           .
        
         
           Here
           is
           safety
           indeed
           .
           Here
           is
           everlasting
           righteousness
           so
           brought
           in
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           can
           never
           be
           removed
           out
           of
           the
           heart
           more
           .
           Here
           everlasting
           life
           and
           the
           Soul
           are
           one
           for
           ever
           .
           Here
           is
           no
           more
           going
           into
           captivity
           ,
           which
           Israel
           setled
           in
           Canaan
           ,
           and
           enjoying
           the
           sweetness
           and
           rest
           thereof
           ,
           under
           the
           first
           Covenant
           may
           .
           Here
           are
           no
           tears
           ,
           nor
           sighing
           ,
           nor
           departing
           from
           the
           ●●fe
           ,
           nor
           grieving
           the
           holy
           Spirt
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           nor
           being
           grieved
           by
           it
           any
           more
           :
           but
           what
           the
           heart
           desires
           of
           God
           and
           what
           God
           desires
           of
           the
           heart
           mutually
           received
           ,
           and
           the
           going
           forth
           and
           the
           coming
           in
           and
           the
           abiding
           one
           and
           the
           same
           for
           ever
           ,
           the
           same
           life
           and
           power
           and
           love
           and
           eternal
           sweetness
           being
           all
           and
           in
           all
           for
           ever
           .
           This
           is
           the
           mark
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           the
           haven
           of
           its
           eternal
           rest
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Lord
           is
           leading
           the
           
             poor
             ,
             hungary
             ,
             empty
             ,
             mourning
             ,
             afflicted
             ,
             lossed
          
           Souls
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           as
           sure
           in
           the
           love
           and
           good-will
           of
           God
           (
           and
           in
           the
           councel
           of
           his
           heart
           determined
           thereupon
           )
           as
           if
           they
           were
           already
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .