Many deep considerations have been upon my heart concerning the state of Israel both past, present, and to come, some of which I find drawings to communicate : together with some questions and answers concerning unity.
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1664
        
      
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             Many deep considerations have been upon my heart concerning the state of Israel both past, present, and to come, some of which I find drawings to communicate : together with some questions and answers concerning unity.
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           15 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London :
             1664?]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Signed: Isaac Penington.
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           Israel (Christian theology)
           Society of Friends -- Doctrines.
        
      
    
     
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           Many
           deep
           CONSIDERATIONS
           have
           been
           upon
           my
           heart
           concerning
           the
           STATE
           of
           ISRAEL
           ,
           both
           past
           ,
           present
           and
           to
           come
           ,
           some
           of
           which
           I
           find
           drawings
           to
           communicate
           ;
           together
           with
           some
           QUESTIONS
           and
           ANSWERS
           concerning
           UNITY
           .
        
         
           The
           Considerations
           concerning
           Israel
           ,
           are
           these
           which
           follow
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           THe
           pretious
           living
           State
           ,
           which
           my
           soul
           remembreth
           to
           have
           been
           ,
           about
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           late
           troubles
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           when
           Israel
           was
           bent
           to
           seek
           after
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           applied
           their
           hearts
           to
           wait
           upon
           him
           in
           fastings
           and
           earnest
           supplications
           ,
           wherein
           my
           heart
           hath
           often
           had
           the
           testimony
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           accepted
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           had
           many
           times
           the
           seal
           of
           his
           presence
           and
           power
           among
           them
           :
           yea
           my
           heart
           did
           truly
           unite
           with
           and
           enjoy
           the
           Lord
           in
           what
           was
           then
           given
           forth
           ,
           and
           I
           can
           never
           be
           drawn
           to
           deny
           the
           truth
           and
           worth
           of
           that
           dispensation
           ,
           though
           I
           know
           it
           was
           swallowed
           up
           by
           a
           greater
           desolation
           ,
           soon
           following
           after
           ,
           and
           since
           by
           the
           breaking
           forth
           of
           a
           more
           lively
           dispensation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           over-running
           of
           that
           state
           by
           the
           subtilty
           of
           the
           enemy
           ,
           drawing
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           simple
           and
           upright-hearted
           from
           the
           
           living
           feeling
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           inward
           power
           of
           Religion
           ,
           into
           Disputations
           and
           Contentions
           about
           Forms
           of
           Worship
           and
           Church-government
           ,
           which
           drew
           out
           the
           reasoning
           part
           ,
           and
           withdrew
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           mind
           from
           feeding
           on
           its
           proper
           nourishment
           ;
           and
           so
           Life
           decayed
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           while
           Wisdom
           and
           Knowledge
           and
           Subtilty
           encreased
           in
           the
           Understanding
           .
           And
           so
           the
           upright-hearted
           missing
           of
           Life
           ,
           where
           before
           they
           had
           found
           it
           ,
           were
           scattered
           up
           and
           down
           to
           seek
           after
           it
           :
           and
           those
           ,
           who
           abode
           where
           they
           were
           ,
           grew
           dry
           ,
           barren
           and
           contentious
           ,
           losing
           the
           savour
           ,
           sweetness
           ,
           meekness
           ,
           love
           ,
           and
           indeed
           whatever
           was
           living
           and
           pretious
           ,
           and
           remained
           fixing
           their
           minds
           on
           that
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           had
           departed
           from
           .
           Oh
           the
           darkness
           and
           misery
           of
           this
           state
           !
           O
           the
           pain
           of
           the
           hearts
           where
           Life
           was
           stirring
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           the
           living
           God!
           O
           the
           death
           and
           formality
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           were
           dead
           and
           formal
           !
           Surely
           had
           not
           the
           Lord
           pittied
           his
           People
           in
           this
           state
           ,
           and
           appeared
           to
           them
           in
           his
           Life
           and
           Power
           (
           which
           this
           great
           desolation
           made
           way
           for
           )
           it
           had
           been
           determined
           concerning
           Israel
           for
           ever
           :
           for
           Death
           had
           over-grown
           the
           generality
           ,
           and
           Life
           was
           even
           gasping
           and
           expiring
           in
           the
           single-hearted
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           pretious
           breaking
           forth
           of
           the
           Lord
           (
           at
           this
           dismal
           time
           ,
           in
           this
           hour
           of
           distress
           and
           desperate
           condition
           of
           Israel
           )
           in
           some
           hidden
           Vessels
           ,
           whom
           he
           had
           kept
           waiting
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           whom
           he
           had
           preserved
           fresh
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           him
           :
           to
           whom
           his
           appearance
           was
           very
           glorious
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           opened
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Earth
           and
           the
           state
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           giving
           them
           the
           
             Everlasting
             Gospel
          
           to
           preach
           to
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           promising
           them
           that
           his
           Spirit
           and
           Power
           should
           go
           along
           with
           them
           ,
           bidding
           them
           go
           forth
           to
           till
           and
           dress
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           to
           gather
           his
           People
           into
           his
           Fold
           .
           And
           who
           can
           utter
           what
           the
           glory
           of
           this
           Light
           was
           ,
           in
           its
           shining
           and
           breaking
           forth
           in
           their
           hearts
           !
           how
           welcome
           to
           their
           weary
           souls
           ,
           how
           pleasant
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           their
           spirits
           ,
           how
           demonstrative
           and
           satisfactory
           to
           their
           hearts
           !
           O
           the
           joy
           of
           that
           day
           (
           surely
           it
           can
           never
           be
           forgotten
           by
           them
           )
           wherein
           they
           sensibly
           felt
           the
           pouring
           down
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           hearts
           gathered
           into
           the
           bosom
           of
           Eternal
           Rest
           ,
           and
           their
           souls
           and
           bodies
           sanctified
           and
           set
           apart
           for
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Service
           .
        
         
         
           4.
           
           The
           contemptible
           means
           God
           put
           into
           their
           hands
           ,
           to
           work
           his
           work
           by
           ;
           which
           was
           not
           by
           preaching
           any
           new
           thing
           ,
           but
           by
           directing
           to
           a
           Principle
           ,
           which
           God
           had
           already
           
             hid
             in
             the
             earth
          
           of
           every
           man's
           heart
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           to
           be
           known
           by
           its
           divine
           Nature
           and
           Light
           ,
           turning
           against
           and
           repoving
           sin
           ,
           testifying
           that
           this
           was
           the
           way
           the
           Lord
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           had
           chosen
           ,
           to
           bring
           his
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           into
           the
           Power
           and
           Glory
           of
           his
           Life
           .
           O
           what
           heart
           can
           receive
           this
           ,
           what
           eye
           can
           see
           any
           beauty
           in
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           the
           Lord
           toucheth
           and
           openeth
           !
           I
           testifie
           (
           in
           the
           sence
           of
           Life
           )
           that
           the
           wisdom
           of
           man
           ,
           yea
           the
           wisdom
           of
           Israel
           corrupted
           ,
           cannot
           but
           despise
           and
           turn
           from
           this
           .
           Is
           not
           this
           the
           lowest
           of
           all
           dispensations
           ?
           Is
           not
           this
           common
           to
           all
           mankind
           ?
           Doth
           not
           this
           fall
           short
           (
           in
           its
           self
           as
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           hath
           formerly
           been
           dispensed
           )
           of
           the
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           to
           the
           Jews
           ,
           much
           more
           of
           the
           dispensation
           by
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ?
           Who
           would
           have
           looked
           for
           the
           Lord
           here
           !
           And
           yet
           this
           hath
           the
           Lord
           chosen
           to
           gather
           his
           People
           by
           ,
           and
           to
           appear
           to
           the
           world
           in
           ,
           and
           hath
           gathered
           the
           Life
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           Substance
           of
           all
           former
           Dispensations
           into
           it
           ,
           as
           those
           who
           are
           gathered
           thereby
           and
           have
           waited
           upon
           him
           therein
           ,
           and
           felt
           the
           Nature
           and
           Power
           of
           his
           Life
           (
           and
           seen
           things
           past
           ,
           present
           and
           to
           come
           )
           are
           living
           Witnesses
           of
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           gain-sayings
           ,
           thoughts
           and
           reasonings
           of
           flesh
           and
           blood
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           contemptibleness
           of
           the
           Vessels
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           chose
           to
           fill
           with
           this
           Treasure
           ,
           and
           to
           let
           forth
           this
           dispensation
           of
           his
           Life
           through
           .
           They
           were
           for
           the
           most
           part
           mean
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           outward
           ,
           young
           country
           lads
           ,
           of
           no
           dèep
           understanding
           or
           ready
           expression
           ,
           but
           very
           fit
           to
           be
           despised
           every
           where
           by
           the
           wisdom
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           onely
           to
           be
           owned
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           that
           Life
           ,
           wherein
           they
           came
           forth
           .
           How
           ridiculous
           was
           their
           manner
           of
           coming
           forth
           and
           appearance
           ,
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           man
           !
           about
           what
           poor
           ,
           trivial
           circumstances
           ,
           habits
           ,
           gestures
           and
           things
           did
           they
           seem
           to
           lay
           great
           weight
           ,
           and
           make
           great
           matters
           of
           moment
           !
           How
           far
           did
           they
           seem
           from
           being
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Mysteries
           and
           Depths
           of
           Religion
           !
           But
           their
           chief
           preaching
           was
           
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             about
             a
             Light
             within
             ,
             and
             of
             turning
             to
             that
             ,
             and
             proclaiming
             the
             great
             and
             terrible
             Day
             of
             the
             Lord
             to
             be
             at
             hand
             :
          
           
           wherein
           I
           confess
           my
           heart
           exceedingly
           despised
           them
           ,
           and
           cannot
           wonder
           that
           any
           wise
           man
           ,
           or
           sort
           of
           Professors
           did
           ,
           or
           do
           yet
           despise
           them
           .
           Yea
           they
           themselves
           were
           very
           sensible
           of
           their
           own
           weakness
           ,
           and
           unfitness
           for
           that
           great
           work
           and
           service
           wherewith
           the
           Lord
           had
           honoured
           them
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           inability
           to
           reason
           with
           man
           ;
           and
           so
           (
           in
           the
           fear
           and
           in
           the
           watch
           of
           their
           spirits
           )
           kept
           close
           to
           their
           tetsimony
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           movings
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           not
           mattering
           to
           answer
           or
           satisfy
           the
           reasoning
           part
           of
           man
           ,
           but
           singly
           minding
           the
           reaching
           to
           and
           raising
           of
           that
           ,
           to
           which
           their
           Testimony
           was
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           The
           blessing
           that
           God
           gave
           to
           this
           his
           dispensation
           of
           Life
           in
           their
           hands
           .
           O
           how
           did
           the
           Lord
           prosper
           them
           in
           gathering
           his
           scattered
           wandering
           sheep
           into
           his
           fold
           of
           Rest
           !
           How
           did
           their
           words
           drop
           down
           like
           dew
           ,
           and
           refresh
           the
           hungry
           thirsty
           souls
           !
           How
           did
           they
           reach
           to
           the
           Life
           in
           those
           to
           whom
           they
           ministred
           ,
           raising
           up
           that
           which
           lay
           dead
           in
           the
           grave
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           living
           testimony
           to
           the
           living
           voice
           of
           God
           in
           them
           !
           How
           did
           they
           batter
           the
           wisdom
           and
           reasonings
           of
           man
           ,
           making
           the
           loftiness
           thereof
           stoop
           and
           bow
           to
           the
           weak
           and
           foolish
           babe
           of
           the
           begettings
           of
           Life
           !
           Eye
           hath
           not
           seen
           ,
           ear
           hath
           not
           heard
           ,
           nor
           hath
           it
           entered
           into
           the
           heart
           of
           man
           to
           conceive
           ,
           what
           the
           power
           of
           Life
           hath
           wrought
           through
           them
           in
           the
           hearts
           and
           consciences
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           have
           longed
           after
           and
           waited
           for
           the
           Lord.
           O
           the
           breathings
           and
           meltings
           of
           soul
           ,
           the
           sence
           of
           the
           living
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           subjecting
           of
           the
           heart
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           awakening
           of
           and
           giving
           strength
           unto
           his
           Witness
           ,
           the
           falling
           down
           and
           weakning
           of
           the
           powers
           of
           darkness
           ,
           the
           clear
           shining
           of
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           sweet
           running
           of
           the
           pure
           streams
           thereof
           into
           the
           enlivened
           souls
           ,
           which
           hath
           often
           been
           known
           and
           sealed
           to
           from
           the
           powerful
           appearance
           of
           God
           in
           their
           ministry
           !
           Indeed
           when
           I
           have
           considered
           these
           and
           such
           like
           things
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           narrowly
           marked
           them
           in
           my
           converse
           with
           them
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           often
           forced
           to
           cry
           out
           concerning
           them
           ,
           
             Truly
             here
             is
             man
             very
             weak
             and
             contemptible
             ,
             but
             God
             very
             glorious
             and
             powerful
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           ,
           when
           at
           any
           time
           I
           looked
           on
           the
           man
           ,
           I
           was
           hardly
           able
           to
           forbear
           disdaining
           them
           :
           but
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           when
           the
           eye
           of
           my
           spirit
           beheld
           the
           power
           and
           glory
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           them
           ,
           I
           
           could
           hardly
           forbear
           over-esteeming
           and
           exalting
           them
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           The
           glory
           which
           the
           Lord
           advanced
           these
           Vessels
           to
           ,
           since
           his
           beginning
           to
           make
           use
           of
           them
           .
           How
           hath
           he
           enriched
           them
           with
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           ,
           and
           every
           way
           fitted
           them
           for
           the
           service
           and
           employment
           ,
           he
           hath
           had
           for
           them
           !
           How
           hath
           he
           enlarged
           their
           ministry
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           had
           very
           little
           to
           say
           ,
           either
           by
           way
           of
           declaration
           or
           disputation
           at
           first
           ,
           now
           abound
           with
           strength
           ,
           and
           abundantly
           surpass
           the
           knowledge
           and
           wisdom
           both
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           of
           other
           Professors
           of
           Religion
           !
           The
           Lord
           indeed
           hath
           adorned
           them
           ,
           putting
           his
           beauty
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           causing
           them
           to
           grow
           up
           in
           his
           strength
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           wisdom
           .
           This
           mine
           eye
           hath
           seen
           and
           often
           took
           notice
           of
           ,
           blessing
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           praying
           to
           him
           for
           their
           preservation
           .
           And
           surely
           whoever
           he
           be
           ,
           that
           hath
           either
           known
           himself
           or
           heard
           the
           relation
           of
           the
           poverty
           of
           these
           young
           striplings
           ,
           when
           they
           first
           came
           forth
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           how
           empty
           in
           themselves
           they
           then
           were
           ,
           how
           sensible
           they
           went
           up
           and
           down
           of
           their
           own
           weakness
           ,
           how
           little
           they
           had
           to
           say
           to
           people
           ,
           that
           came
           to
           observe
           them
           and
           enquire
           of
           them
           ,
           how
           afraid
           they
           were
           to
           be
           drawn
           from
           their
           watch
           ,
           at
           what
           a
           distance
           they
           stood
           from
           entring
           into
           reasoning
           about
           things
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           he
           that
           did
           know
           and
           doth
           consider
           this
           ,
           and
           shall
           also
           behold
           how
           the
           Lord
           hath
           advanced
           them
           since
           ,
           making
           them
           mighty
           and
           honourable
           with
           his
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           (
           with
           the
           beauty
           whereof
           the
           very
           man
           flourisheth
           ,
           to
           the
           sight
           of
           every
           eye
           that
           is
           in
           any
           measure
           truly
           open
           )
           cannot
           but
           acknowledge
           the
           change
           to
           be
           wonderful
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           I
           have
           had
           the
           sence
           and
           consideration
           of
           this
           also
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           That
           their
           danger
           is
           now
           greater
           ,
           then
           when
           they
           were
           poorer
           ,
           weaker
           ,
           and
           not
           so
           enriched
           and
           gifted
           by
           the
           Lord.
           The
           enemy
           is
           very
           subtil
           and
           watchful
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           danger
           to
           Israel
           all
           along
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           poverty
           and
           in
           the
           riches
           ;
           but
           the
           greater
           danger
           is
           in
           the
           riches
           :
           because
           then
           man
           is
           apt
           to
           forget
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           lose
           somewhat
           of
           the
           sence
           of
           his
           dependance
           (
           which
           keeps
           the
           soul
           low
           and
           safe
           in
           the
           Life
           )
           and
           also
           to
           suffer
           somewhat
           of
           exaltation
           to
           creep
           upon
           him
           ,
           which
           presently
           in
           a
           degree
           corrupts
           and
           betrays
           him
           .
           
             The
             heart
             that
             is
             in
             any
             measure
             lifted
             up
             in
             its
             self
             ;
             so
             far
             it
             is
             not
             upright
             to
             the
             Lord.
          
           Let
           
           every
           one
           feel
           this
           ,
           waiting
           to
           be
           preserved
           ,
           and
           praying
           for
           those
           who
           are
           most
           beautified
           ,
           and
           advanced
           by
           gifts
           and
           abilities
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           because
           in
           this
           respect
           (
           and
           at
           this
           time
           )
           their
           danger
           is
           greatest
           .
           When
           Israel
           is
           poor
           ,
           low
           ,
           weak
           ,
           trembling
           ,
           seeing
           no
           loveliness
           nor
           worthiness
           in
           himself
           ,
           but
           depending
           upon
           the
           meer
           mercy
           ,
           and
           tender
           bowels
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           free
           Covenant
           of
           his
           love
           &c
           ,
           then
           is
           Israel
           safe
           .
           But
           when
           he
           hath
           a
           being
           given
           him
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           is
           richly
           adorned
           with
           the
           ornaments
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           have
           the
           power
           it self
           in
           his
           hand
           to
           make
           use
           of
           ;
           then
           is
           he
           in
           more
           danger
           of
           becoming
           somewhat
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           of
           forgetting
           him
           that
           formed
           him
           (
           being
           apt
           to
           make
           use
           of
           his
           gifts
           without
           such
           an
           immediate
           sence
           of
           the
           giver
           ,
           as
           he
           had
           in
           his
           trembling
           and
           weak
           estate
           )
           and
           so
           of
           departing
           out
           of
           that
           humble
           ,
           tender
           ,
           abased
           ,
           contrite
           state
           and
           temper
           of
           spirit
           ,
           wherein
           he
           was
           still
           preserved
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           This
           also
           hath
           been
           manifest
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           deeply
           impressed
           on
           my
           spirit
           all
           along
           ,
           That
           the
           Lord
           may
           ,
           if
           he
           see
           good
           ,
           suffer
           some
           great
           and
           eminent
           ones
           to
           fall
           in
           Israel
           .
           Man
           may
           forget
           himself
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           may
           let
           out
           temptation
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           suffer
           it
           to
           enter
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           bring
           him
           to
           the
           sence
           and
           feeling
           of
           his
           weakness
           again
           .
           Yea
           ,
           those
           who
           have
           felt
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           and
           through
           an
           instrument
           ,
           may
           give
           more
           to
           the
           instrument
           than
           belongs
           unto
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           put
           the
           Lord
           upon
           recovering
           the
           honour
           due
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           misplaced
           and
           misapplied
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           but
           his
           instrument
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Lord's
           day
           (
           the
           Light
           thereof
           is
           his
           ,
           the
           Life
           his
           ,
           the
           Power
           his
           )
           and
           the
           glory
           thereof
           will
           he
           not
           give
           to
           another
           .
           If
           therefore
           any
           man
           ,
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           shall
           take
           to
           himself
           what
           belongs
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           shall
           give
           it
           him
           ,
           the
           Lord
           will
           not
           so
           lose
           it
           ,
           but
           will
           find
           out
           a
           way
           to
           recover
           his
           own
           :
           And
           happy
           is
           the
           man
           ,
           who
           lieth
           continually
           perfectly-abased
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           assuming
           nothing
           of
           the
           Lord
           's
           to
           himself
           ,
           nor
           attributing
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           Lords
           to
           another
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           alone
           may
           be
           exalted
           every
           where
           .
           And
           let
           all
           gifts
           serve
           the
           Seed
           ,
           and
           its
           rising
           over
           all
           gifts
           be
           waited
           for
           ,
           that
           the
           Life
           every
           where
           may
           have
           its
           due
           ,
           being
           lifted
           up
           over
           all
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           I
           have
           had
           a
           deep
           sence
           of
           this
           also
           ,
           That
           if
           the
           Lord
           should
           suffer
           such
           a
           thing
           to
           fall
           out
           among
           us
           ,
           it
           may
           cause
           a
           
           great
           shaking
           and
           shattering
           in
           Israel
           .
           Surely
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           it
           would
           come
           very
           unexpectedly
           and
           unsuspectedly
           to
           many
           ;
           and
           so
           such
           persons
           would
           be
           surprized
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           all
           prepared
           for
           it
           .
           Alas
           ,
           who
           could
           suspect
           (
           feeling
           persons
           so
           eminent
           in
           the
           power
           ,
           and
           so
           exercised
           and
           skilful
           in
           the
           way
           and
           paths
           of
           righteousness
           ,
           and
           so
           able
           to
           instruct
           others
           therein
           )
           that
           they
           could
           possibly
           fall
           in
           any
           degree
           ,
           from
           the
           Truth
           and
           Power
           of
           Life
           !
           And
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           free
           from
           temptation
           :
           and
           if
           they
           be
           confident
           of
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           and
           forget
           the
           tender
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           he
           may
           suffer
           a
           temptation
           to
           enter
           them
           ,
           which
           presently
           begets
           a
           ground
           for
           evil
           weeds
           to
           spring
           up
           in
           ,
           and
           for
           blindness
           ,
           and
           hardness
           ,
           and
           error
           from
           the
           pure
           Power
           to
           creep
           in
           at
           .
        
         
           O
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           who
           know
           the
           pretiousness
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           desire
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           your
           several
           conditions
           ,
           Let
           us
           fear
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           remembring
           what
           a
           low
           ebb
           we
           were
           at
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           visited
           us
           ,
           and
           how
           freely
           he
           visited
           ,
           and
           how
           freely
           he
           daily
           preserveth
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           not
           be
           hardened
           or
           lifted
           up
           against
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           against
           any
           sort
           of
           Professors
           ,
           but
           may
           magnifie
           the
           grace
           which
           hath
           made
           and
           keepeth
           up
           the
           difference
           between
           us
           and
           them
           ,
           praying
           to
           the
           Lord
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           watching
           for
           the
           hour
           of
           his
           mercy
           to
           them
           ,
           exercising
           all
           manner
           of
           sweetness
           and
           meekness
           and
           long-suffering
           towards
           them
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           also
           pittying
           and
           bearing
           with
           all
           the
           tempted
           ones
           among
           our selves
           ,
           as
           such
           who
           are
           sensible
           that
           we
           also
           may
           be
           tempted
           ,
           and
           that
           understand
           the
           ground
           why
           we
           fall
           not
           by
           the
           temptation
           .
        
         
           What
           shall
           I
           say
           more
           ?
           There
           are
           three
           Queries
           appearing
           in
           my
           view
           ,
           in
           relation
           to
           this
           thing
           ,
           which
           the
           hearts
           of
           some
           may
           desire
           satisfaction
           about
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           find
           somewhat
           in
           way
           of
           answer
           springing
           up
           in
           me
           .
        
         
           
             Querie
             1.
             
          
           
             How
             may
             a
             man
             ,
             whom
             the
             Lord
             hath
             exalted
             by
             gifts
             and
             services
             to
             him
             ,
             be
             preserved
             from
             falling
             ?
          
           
             
               Answ
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               is
               that
               which
               waiteth
               to
               preserve
               &
               is
               still
               stretching
               
               forth
               its
               hand
               to
               keep
               to
               its
               self
               that
               which
               it
               hath
               gathered
               ,
               which
               being
               hearkened
               and
               yeelded
               unto
               in
               its
               discoveries
               and
               warnings
               ,
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               deliver
               the
               soul
               from
               the
               danger
               and
               snares
               of
               every
               condition
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               the
               free
               mercy
               and
               love
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               wherein
               the
               soul
               may
               find
               help
               and
               pity
               ,
               although
               it
               should
               be
               somewhat
               tainted
               and
               entangled
               with
               the
               snares
               of
               the
               enemy
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               a
               proper
               frame
               or
               state
               of
               spirit
               ,
               to
               wit
               of
               humility
               and
               brokenness
               ,
               which
               is
               fit
               for
               Israel
               in
               every
               condition
               ,
               but
               more
               especially
               when
               he
               is
               exalted
               in
               the
               dominion
               and
               power
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               honoured
               with
               great
               gifts
               and
               services
               for
               the
               Lord.
               In
               this
               Israel
               is
               safe
               :
               and
               happy
               is
               he
               ,
               who
               is
               not
               suffered
               to
               abide
               in
               any
               degree
               of
               exaltation
               of
               spirit
               ,
               but
               is
               brought
               down
               again
               (
               through
               the
               tender
               mercy
               and
               love
               of
               the
               Lord
               )
               into
               this
               ,
               though
               by
               the
               buffetings
               of
               Satan
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Querie
             2.
             
          
           
             How
             may
             the
             little
             ones
             ,
             if
             the
             Lord
             should
             suffer
             one
             or
             more
             (
             of
             such
             as
             have
             been
             very
             eminent
             in
             his
             service
             )
             to
             decline
             and
             fall
             ,
             how
             may
             they
             be
             preserved
             from
             falling
             with
             him
             or
             them
             ?
          
           
             
               Answer
               .
            
             
               Keeping
               to
               the
               measure
               of
               Life
               in
               the
               particular
               ,
               and
               not
               valuing
               others
               ,
               by
               an
               apprehension
               concerning
               them
               ,
               but
               onely
               knowing
               and
               honouring
               them
               as
               they
               are
               felt
               and
               discerned
               in
               the
               Life
               ,
               this
               will
               preserve
               every
               particular
               (
               that
               is
               thus
               ordered
               )
               from
               being
               tainted
               with
               any
               of
               their
               snares
               or
               deviations
               .
               O
               Israel
               ,
               O
               little
               Babes
               ,
               
                 Know
                 no
                 man
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 alone
                 in
                 his
                 living
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               For
               man
               is
               but
               a
               vessel
               ,
               wherein
               the
               Life
               may
               appear
               or
               disappear
               at
               pleasure
               ;
               and
               the
               Lord
               is
               not
               engaged
               to
               make
               use
               of
               man
               in
               his
               service
               ,
               further
               then
               he
               seeth
               good
               .
               The
               Lord
               may
               appear
               where
               he
               hath
               never
               appeared
               before
               ,
               and
               he
               may
               not
               appear
               where
               he
               hath
               hitherto
               appeared
               very
               frequently
               and
               powerfully
               .
               O
               know
               the
               Life
               in
               thine
               own
               heart
               ,
               that
               is
               to
               be
               the
               Judge
               in
               thee
               concerning
               the
               appearances
               of
               Life
               in
               others
               .
               If
               that
               judge
               not
               ,
               be
               still
               and
               silent
               in
               thy
               
               heart
               ,
               waiting
               for
               its
               judgement
               :
               when
               that
               judgeth
               ,
               let
               all
               thy
               thoughts
               and
               reasonings
               be
               bowed
               down
               under
               it
               .
               Let
               man
               have
               no
               more
               than
               his
               due
               ,
               while
               the
               Lord
               pleaseth
               to
               make
               use
               of
               him
               ;
               and
               to
               such
               there
               will
               accrue
               no
               great
               shaking
               or
               dammage
               ,
               when
               the
               Lord
               layeth
               aside
               any
               of
               his
               own
               instruments
               .
               But
               if
               any
               thing
               but
               the
               Life
               judge
               ,
               it
               will
               still
               either
               be
               setting
               up
               or
               throwing
               down
               man
               ,
               whereby
               there
               will
               come
               loss
               on
               either
               hand
               in
               the
               issue
               ,
               to
               all
               such
               who
               thus
               act
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Querie
             3.
             
          
           
             How
             may
             any
             such
             ,
             as
             have
             fallen
             from
             an
             high
             and
             glorious
             state
             in
             the
             power
             and
             dominion
             of
             Life
             ,
             be
             again
             recovered
             ?
          
           
             
               Answ
               .
            
             
               Indeed
               this
               is
               a
               very
               difficult
               thing
               :
               not
               because
               the
               Mercy
               and
               Power
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               at
               a
               loss
               to
               or
               concerning
               man
               in
               this
               state
               ,
               but
               because
               this
               condition
               sets
               a
               man's
               spirit
               at
               so
               great
               a
               distance
               from
               the
               use
               of
               that
               remedy
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               hath
               appointed
               for
               man's
               recovery
               .
               It
               is
               very
               hard
               to
               bring
               such
               an
               one
               to
               the
               sence
               of
               his
               loss
               (
               whereby
               the
               depth
               of
               his
               fall
               might
               be
               prevented
               )
               until
               he
               be
               gone
               very
               far
               :
               and
               the
               farther
               he
               goes
               in
               his
               declining
               from
               the
               Life
               ,
               the
               harder
               will
               his
               recovory
               be
               .
               Again
               ,
               It
               is
               hard
               for
               such
               an
               one
               to
               become
               so
               poor
               ,
               and
               lye
               so
               low
               and
               so
               long
               at
               the
               foot
               of
               God's
               grace
               ,
               as
               also
               to
               be
               contented
               to
               be
               so
               laid
               aside
               and
               not
               made
               use
               of
               ,
               as
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Lord
               may
               judge
               necessary
               for
               him
               ,
               to
               bring
               him
               into
               a
               perfect
               abasement
               of
               spirit
               ,
               and
               to
               work
               that
               perfectly
               out
               of
               him
               ,
               whereby
               the
               enemy
               now
               entred
               to
               betray
               him
               :
               yea
               the
               judgement
               of
               the
               Lord
               (
               the
               righteous
               and
               severe
               judgement
               of
               the
               Lord
               )
               is
               hard
               to
               be
               born
               in
               this
               state
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               much
               ,
               if
               such
               a
               Vessel
               do
               not
               break
               here
               ,
               in
               its
               new
               forming
               on
               the
               wheel
               .
               Yet
               that
               which
               boweth
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               being
               willing
               to
               be
               smitten
               and
               abased
               by
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               lye
               under
               his
               correction
               and
               judgement
               his
               season
               ,
               even
               until
               he
               say
               it
               is
               enough
               ,
               the
               Lord
               will
               without
               doubt
               restore
               into
               his
               favour
               ,
               if
               not
               also
               into
               the
               honour
               of
               his
               service
               again
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             But
             some
             tender
             heart
             may
             say
             (
             which
             feeleth
             many
             weaknesses
             ,
             much
             unbelief
             and
             the
             danger
             of
             falling
             daily
             )
             if
             this
             be
             true
             ,
             O
             what
             will
             become
             of
             me
             !
             If
             such
             as
             these
             be
             liable
             to
             fall
             ,
             and
             to
             fall
             so
             dangerously
             ,
             how
             shall
             I
             stand
             !
             I
             was
             wounded
             enough
             before
             with
             the
             sence
             of
             mine
             own
             condition
             ,
             but
             this
             affrighteth
             me
             much
             more
             .
          
           
             
               Answ
               .
            
             
               O
               tender
               heart
               ,
               the
               enemy
               may
               make
               use
               of
               this
               to
               trouble
               and
               afflict
               thee
               ,
               but
               it
               was
               not
               so
               intended
               by
               the
               Lord
               ,
               who
               is
               very
               full
               of
               unutterable
               bowels
               ,
               and
               who
               hath
               a
               day
               of
               bowels
               for
               thy
               state
               :
               yea
               his
               day
               ,
               which
               hath
               already
               dawned
               ,
               is
               so
               dawning
               ,
               as
               to
               reach
               thee
               .
               The
               Lord
               hath
               not
               yet
               done
               gathering
               his
               scattered
               sheep
               ,
               nor
               yet
               shown
               the
               utmost
               skill
               he
               hath
               ,
               either
               to
               gather
               or
               to
               preserve
               :
               and
               the
               state
               of
               the
               weakest
               ,
               under
               the
               preserving
               power
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               safe
               .
               Creat
               are
               the
               diseases
               of
               Israel
               ,
               great
               is
               yet
               the
               loss
               of
               scattered
               souls
               ,
               which
               as
               yet
               know
               not
               the
               call
               of
               the
               shepherd
               ;
               and
               if
               at
               any
               time
               they
               do
               feel
               a
               touch
               thereof
               ,
               are
               easily
               reasoned
               again
               out
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               driven
               back
               by
               the
               thoughts
               of
               their
               own
               hearts
               .
               O
               great
               ,
               great
               also
               is
               the
               skill
               of
               the
               shepherd
               ,
               and
               his
               hand
               very
               tender
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               is
               putting
               forth
               for
               the
               help
               of
               th●se
               ,
               blessed
               be
               his
               Name
               .
               And
               as
               the
               condition
               of
               these
               needs
               and
               requires
               that
               from
               the
               nature
               and
               soul
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               which
               the
               conditions
               of
               others
               do
               not
               require
               :
               So
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               Lord
               hath
               mercy
               and
               love
               in
               it
               to
               answer
               their
               states
               ,
               and
               will
               give
               it
               out
               in
               his
               day
               and
               season
               ;
               O
               let
               none
               be
               offended
               thereat
               .
               Let
               no
               eye
               throughout
               all
               Israel
               be
               evil
               ,
               because
               the
               Lord
               is
               exceeding
               good
               .
               If
               he
               please
               to
               kill
               the
               
                 fatted
                 Calf
              
               ,
               and
               set
               it
               before
               his
               
                 Prodigal
                 Son
              
               ;
               let
               none
               that
               have
               walked
               faithfully
               with
               him
               in
               any
               dispensation
               ,
               be
               offended
               thereat
               :
               but
               rather
               let
               all
               (
               in
               whom
               is
               Life
               )
               stand
               ready
               to
               shout
               at
               the
               issuings
               forth
               of
               love
               and
               mercy
               ,
               in
               the
               varieties
               of
               the
               dispensations
               thereof
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               need
               and
               capacity
               of
               every
               sort
               of
               Vessels
               ,
               prepared
               by
               the
               Lord
               to
               receive
               it
               .
               Therefore
               ,
               
                 O
                 thou
                 afflicted
              
               ,
               
               
                 tossed
                 with
                 tempest
                 and
                 not
                 comforted
                 ,
              
               thou
               shalt
               know
               and
               feel
               this
               from
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               he
               knoweth
               how
               to
               bring
               home
               his
               consolations
               to
               thy
               soul
               ,
               and
               to
               cast
               thee
               into
               the
               mold
               of
               his
               Life
               ,
               and
               bring
               thee
               forth
               in
               the
               power
               of
               his
               righteousness
               ;
               and
               that
               he
               needeth
               not
               to
               find
               any
               worthyness
               or
               righteousness
               in
               thee
               :
               for
               he
               can
               create
               and
               make
               room
               for
               it
               in
               thy
               heart
               ,
               yea
               he
               can
               begin
               ,
               carry
               on
               ,
               and
               perfect
               his
               work
               in
               thee
               for
               his
               own
               Names
               sake
               .
               And
               to
               thee
               ,
               O
               broken
               soul
               ,
               I
               cannot
               (
               so
               much
               )
               say
               ,
               
                 Do
                 this
                 or
                 believe
                 this
                 ;
                 but
                 rather
                 ,
                 The
                 Lord
                 will
                 work
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 quicken
                 Faith
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 up
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 from
                 the
                 Seed
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 himself
                 hath
                 sown
                 in
                 thy
                 inward
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 fail
                 to
                 preserve
                 .
              
            
             
               Besides
               ,
               this
               broken
               state
               of
               thine
               (
               wherein
               the
               vileness
               and
               weakness
               of
               self
               is
               daily
               felt
               ,
               with
               the
               exceeding
               great
               need
               of
               the
               Lords
               preserving
               power
               and
               mercy
               )
               is
               a
               safe
               state
               ,
               towards
               which
               ,
               that
               which
               (
               alone
               )
               preserveth
               is
               continually
               issuing
               forth
               in
               the
               bowels
               of
               its
               tenderness
               .
               And
               though
               thou
               dost
               not
               see
               the
               love
               of
               the
               Lord
               and
               his
               tender
               care
               over
               thee
               (
               and
               so
               wantest
               the
               comfort
               of
               thine
               own
               condition
               ;
               )
               yet
               it
               is
               never
               a
               whit
               the
               less
               in
               the
               heart
               and
               spirit
               of
               the
               Lord
               towards
               thee
               :
               and
               in
               divers
               respects
               ,
               I
               may
               say
               ,
               it
               is
               better
               for
               thee
               at
               present
               to
               want
               the
               sight
               of
               it
               .
               I
               am
               satisfied
               in
               my
               heart
               concerning
               the
               nature
               and
               ways
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               I
               know
               there
               is
               that
               Mercy
               in
               him
               ,
               which
               my
               soul
               crieth
               for
               ;
               and
               that
               it
               is
               not
               onely
               treasured
               up
               ,
               but
               about
               to
               be
               issued
               forth
               towards
               those
               for
               whose
               sakes
               the
               cry
               is
               unto
               him
               for
               it
               .
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 Sion
                 ,
                 even
                 upon
                 the
                 mourners
                 and
                 distressed
                 ones
                 in
                 Sion
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 fearful
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 mourn
                 bitterly
                 because
                 of
                 their
                 unbelief
              
               (
               finding
               themselves
               as
               unable
               to
               Believe
               now
               for
               Righteousness
               ,
               as
               ever
               the
               Jews
               were
               to
               Work
               for
               it
               )
               
                 be
                 strong
                 ,
                 stand
                 still
                 ,
                 wait
                 on
                 me
                 your
                 God
                 ,
                 behold
                 my
                 righteousness
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 revealed
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 bringing
                 that
                 faith
                 with
                 me
                 which
                 ye
                 want
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 your
                 souls
                 the
                 enterance
                 into
                 my
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 into
                 my
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 promised
                 .
                 Ye
                 are
                 my
                 Lambs
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 bosom
                 is
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 thither
                 will
                 I
                 gather
                 you
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 ye
                 have
                 already
                 conceived
                 and
                 are
                 with
                 young
                 ,
                 though
                 ye
                 know
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 lead
                 you
                 on
                 gently
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 that
                 ye
                 cannot
                 nor
                 never
                 shall
                 know
                 ,
                 as
                 ye
                 would
                 know
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 or
                 miss
                 of
                 that
                 knowledge
                 thereof
                 ,
                 that
                 I
              
               
               
                 see
                 good
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 beget
                 a
                 deeper
                 Life
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 it
                 forth
                 after
                 a
                 deeper
                 way
                 of
                 dispensation
                 ,
                 than
                 ye
                 have
                 yet
                 been
                 acquainted
                 with
                 ,
                 or
                 than
                 your
                 understandings
                 can
                 comprehend
                 :
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 death
                 which
                 I
                 am
                 bringing
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 travelling
                 pangs
                 which
                 ye
                 shall
                 feel
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 shall
                 it
                 spring
                 up
                 in
                 you
                 and
                 be
                 brought
                 forth
                 .
              
               O
               dear
               Lambs
               ,
               mind
               the
               quickenings
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               the
               savour
               and
               sence
               which
               the
               Lord
               begets
               in
               the
               heart
               ,
               and
               let
               the
               outward
               knowledge
               (
               even
               of
               what
               ye
               have
               had
               experience
               )
               go
               ,
               but
               as
               the
               Lord
               quickens
               it
               :
               and
               mind
               not
               the
               noises
               of
               thoughts
               and
               reasonings
               about
               things
               ,
               which
               the
               soul's
               enemy
               will
               be
               striving
               to
               fill
               you
               with
               and
               batter
               you
               by
               ;
               but
               sink
               down
               from
               these
               ,
               and
               wait
               to
               feel
               that
               which
               lyes
               beneath
               them
               ,
               in
               the
               free
               nature
               ,
               life
               ,
               vertue
               ,
               power
               and
               motions
               whereof
               alone
               is
               your
               soul's
               salvation
               :
               and
               if
               ye
               cannot
               receive
               the
               sence
               of
               this
               direction
               at
               present
               ,
               wait
               on
               the
               Lord
               either
               for
               it
               ,
               or
               for
               what
               other
               manifestation
               or
               tender
               help
               he
               shall
               please
               to
               give
               forth
               unto
               you
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Some
             Questions
             and
             Answers
             concerning
             Spiritual
             Unity
             .
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               VVHat
               is
               Spiritual
               Unity
               ?
            
             
               
                 Answ
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 meeting
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 spiritual
                 nature
                 in
                 divers
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 spiritual
                 center
                 or
                 streams
                 of
                 Life
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 spirits
                 or
                 souls
                 of
                 creatures
                 are
                 begotten
                 by
                 one
                 Power
                 into
                 one
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 meet
                 in
                 heart
                 there
                 :
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 they
                 thus
                 meet
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 true
                 Unity
                 among
                 them
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
               2.
               
            
             
               Wherein
               doth
               this
               Unity
               consist
               ?
            
             
               
                 Answ
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Life
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Nature
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 wherein
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 
                 begotten
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 formed
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 their
                 meeting
                 is
                 .
                 It
                 consists
                 not
                 in
                 any
                 outward
                 or
                 inward
                 thing
                 of
                 an
                 inferiour
                 nature
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 keeps
                 within
                 the
                 limits
                 and
                 bounds
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Nature
                 .
                 The
                 doing
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 the
                 thinking
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 the
                 speaking
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 this
                 doth
                 not
                 unite
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 state
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 nature
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 the
                 doing
                 or
                 thinking
                 or
                 speaking
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Life
                 .
                 Yea
                 though
                 the
                 doings
                 or
                 thoughts
                 or
                 words
                 be
                 divers
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 they
                 proceed
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 Principle
                 and
                 Nature
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 Unity
                 felt
                 therein
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Life
                 alone
                 is
                 judge
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
               3.
               
            
             
               How
               is
               this
               Unity
               preserved
               ?
            
             
               
                 Answ
                 .
              
               
                 Onely
                 by
                 abiding
                 in
                 the
                 Life
                 ,
                 onely
                 by
                 keeping
                 to
                 the
                 Power
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Principle
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 the
                 Unity
                 sprang
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 which
                 it
                 stands
                 .
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 knitting
                 of
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fellowship
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 spiritual
                 center
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 divers
                 and
                 different
                 motions
                 of
                 several
                 members
                 in
                 the
                 body
                 (
                 thus
                 coming
                 from
                 the
                 Life
                 and
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 )
                 are
                 known
                 to
                 and
                 owned
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 Life
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 fresh
                 and
                 sensible
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 keeping
                 up
                 an
                 outward
                 knowledge
                 (
                 or
                 belief
                 concerning
                 things
                 )
                 that
                 unites
                 ,
                 nor
                 keeping
                 up
                 an
                 outward
                 conformity
                 in
                 actions
                 ,
                 &c.
                 for
                 these
                 may
                 be
                 held
                 and
                 done
                 by
                 another
                 part
                 in
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 another
                 nature
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 by
                 keeping
                 and
                 acting
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 at
                 first
                 unite
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 matter
                 nor
                 room
                 for
                 division
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 within
                 these
                 limits
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 oneness
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
               4.
               
            
             
               How
               is
               this
               Unity
               interrupted
               ?
            
             
               
                 Answ
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 the
                 interposition
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 a
                 different
                 nature
                 or
                 spirit
                 from
                 the
                 Life
                 .
                 When
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 the
                 earthly
                 or
                 sensual
                 part
                 
                 comes
                 between
                 the
                 Soul
                 and
                 the
                 Life
                 ,
                 this
                 interrupts
                 the
                 Soul's
                 unity
                 with
                 the
                 Life
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 also
                 interrupts
                 its
                 unity
                 with
                 the
                 Life
                 in
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unity
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 in
                 others
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Any
                 thing
                 of
                 the
                 man's
                 spirit
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 man's
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 man's
                 will
                 ,
                 not
                 bowed
                 down
                 and
                 brought
                 into
                 subjection
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 not
                 coming
                 forth
                 in
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 authority
                 and
                 guidance
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 is
                 somewhat
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 division
                 :
                 yea
                 the
                 very
                 knowledge
                 of
                 truth
                 and
                 holding
                 of
                 it
                 forth
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 man's
                 wisdom
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 movings
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 ,
                 brings
                 a
                 damp
                 upon
                 the
                 Life
                 and
                 interrupts
                 the
                 Unity
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Life
                 in
                 others
                 cannot
                 unite
                 with
                 this
                 in
                 spirit
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 may
                 own
                 the
                 words
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
               5.
               
            
             
               How
               may
               this
               Unity
               be
               recovered
               ,
               if
               at
               any
               time
               decaying
               ?
            
             
               
                 Answ
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Lord
                 alone
                 is
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 degree
                 of
                 loss
                 in
                 any
                 kind
                 ,
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 who
                 alone
                 can
                 teach
                 to
                 retire
                 into
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Unity
                 is
                 and
                 stands
                 ,
                 and
                 into
                 which
                 division
                 cannot
                 enter
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 restoring
                 unity
                 to
                 Israel
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 sence
                 of
                 any
                 want
                 thereof
                 ,
                 even
                 every
                 one
                 through
                 the
                 Lord's
                 help
                 retiring
                 (
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 particular
                 )
                 and
                 furthering
                 the
                 retirings
                 of
                 others
                 to
                 the
                 Principle
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 there
                 may
                 feel
                 the
                 washing
                 from
                 what
                 hath
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 corrupted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 new
                 begetting
                 into
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Life
                 .
                 From
                 this
                 the
                 true
                 and
                 lasting
                 unity
                 will
                 spring
                 amain
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 gladding
                 of
                 all
                 hearts
                 that
                 know
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 cannot
                 but
                 naturally
                 and
                 most
                 earnestly
                 desire
                 it
                 .
                 O
                 mark
                 therefore
                 ,
                 The
                 way
                 is
                 not
                 by
                 striving
                 to
                 beget
                 into
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 apprehension
                 concerning
                 things
                 ,
                 nor
                 by
                 endeavouring
                 to
                 bring
                 into
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 practices
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 alluring
                 and
                 driving
                 into
                 that
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Unity
                 consists
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 brings
                 it
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 Vessels
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 seasoned
                 therewith
                 and
                 ordered
                 thereby
                 .
                 And
                 from
                 this
                 let
                 all
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 daily-new
                 and
                 living
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 ordering
                 of
                 their
                 conversations
                 and
                 practises
                 in
                 that
                 Light
                 (
                 and
                 drawings
                 thereof
                 )
                 and
                 in
                 that
                 simplicity
                 and
                 integrity
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Life
                 at
                 present
                 holdeth
                 forth
                 and
                 worketh
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Life
                 
                 will
                 be
                 felt
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 praised
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 tents
                 of
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 &
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 habitations
                 of
                 his
                 Israel
                 :
                 and
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 but
                 
                   one
                   heart
                   ,
                   &
                   one
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   way
                   and
                   power
                   of
                   Life
                   :
                
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 already
                 wrought
                 in
                 every
                 heart
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 in
                 and
                 his
                 Name
                 praised
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord's
                 season
                 contentedly
                 waited
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 filling
                 up
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 wanting
                 any
                 where
                 .
                 
                   So
                   the
                   living
                   God
                   (
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   everlasting
                   tender
                   bowels
                   and
                   compassions
                   to
                   Israel
                   )
                   fill
                   the
                   vessels
                   of
                   his
                   heritage
                   with
                   his
                   Life
                   ,
                   and
                   cause
                   the
                   peace
                   and
                   love
                   of
                   his
                   holy
                   Nature
                   and
                   Spirit
                   to
                   descend
                   upon
                   their
                   dwellings
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   spring
                   up
                   powerfully
                   in
                   them
                   towards
                   his
                   living
                   Truth
                   ,
                   &
                   towards
                   one
                   another
                   .
                
              
               
                 And
                 let
                 all
                 strive
                 to
                 excel
                 in
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 long-suffering
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 out
                 of
                 hard
                 and
                 evil
                 thoughts
                 one
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 harsh
                 interpretations
                 concerning
                 any
                 thing
                 relating
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 Oh
                 this
                 is
                 unworthy
                 to
                 be
                 sound
                 in
                 an
                 Israelite
                 towards
                 an
                 Egyptian
                 ,
                 but
                 exceeding
                 shameful
                 and
                 inexcusable
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 one
                 brother
                 towards
                 another
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 weaknesses
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 pass
                 by
                 in
                 us
                 !
                 how
                 ready
                 is
                 he
                 to
                 interpret
                 every
                 thing
                 well
                 concerning
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 bear
                 a
                 good
                 interpretation
                 !
                 
                   The
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   willing
                   :
                   but
                   the
                   Flesh
                   is
                   weak
                   .
                
                 When
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 all
                 scattered
                 from
                 him
                 upon
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 afterwards
                 upbraid
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 sweetly
                 gathered
                 them
                 again
                 .
                 O
                 dear
                 Friends
                 ,
                 have
                 we
                 received
                 the
                 same
                 Life
                 of
                 sweetness
                 !
                 Let
                 us
                 bring
                 forth
                 the
                 same
                 sweet
                 fruits
                 ,
                 being
                 ready
                 to
                 excuse
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 receive
                 what
                 may
                 tend
                 towards
                 the
                 excuse
                 of
                 another
                 in
                 any
                 doubtful
                 case
                 ;
                 and
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 evil
                 manifest
                 ,
                 Wait
                 ,
                 O
                 wait
                 to
                 overcome
                 it
                 with
                 good
                 .
                 O
                 let
                 us
                 not
                 spend
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 our
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 in
                 crying
                 out
                 of
                 one
                 another
                 because
                 of
                 evil
                 ,
                 but
                 watch
                 and
                 wait
                 where
                 the
                 mercy
                 and
                 the
                 healing
                 vertue
                 will
                 please
                 to
                 arise
                 .
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   when
                   thou
                   hast
                   shewen
                   the
                   wants
                   of
                   Israel
                   in
                   any
                   kind
                   sufficiently
                   (
                   whether
                   in
                   the
                   particular
                   or
                   in
                   the
                   general
                   )
                   bring
                   forth
                   the
                   supply
                   thereof
                   from
                   thy
                   fulness
                   ,
                   so
                   ordering
                   it
                   in
                   thine
                   eternal
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   may
                   be
                   ashamed
                   and
                   abased
                   before
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   Name
                   praised
                   in
                   and
                   over
                   all
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   ISAAC
                   PENINGTON
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .